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mortifiedandawesome · 2 years

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I wish to God I knew what the hell my sleeping subconscious brain thinks it's up to.

Or what demon slumbering god feels when it projects images of hell In my mind.

The usual weird version of a workplace, twisted and distorted amalgams of different jobs and different coworkers through different times again, that dream is expected although once again a new variety this time involving transporting a single gallon of ice cream that kept melting, gargantuan steel doors, essentially circling a huge building three times as my ice cream melts, and witnessing a freight truck which design alternates from a semi truck to a garbage truck to a regular truck every time I look at it, but to enter a loading dock it essentially has to drive vertically up a wall which absolutely shreds the truck and men have to sort of climb the refuse to shove it into the building? Is it delivering ice cream? I can't actually tell what the substance is inside the vehicle. I don't understand the relevance in my head. I haven't had ice cream in weeks. I haven't worked in a factory in years. I've never worked in an ice cream factory.

And then the dream shifted into me being in a specific town / city which does exist, however the design and shape it was like if somebody made a Tron City out of regular materials. Angular and nonsensical visually with no sight of people until you get into a building.

When I was in a building, it was like a warehouse store with goods on steel girders and eventually you get your section that actually felt like a store. I'm pushing a cart but at the same time I'm carrying boxes, one of those dreams where you're doing different things and it doesn't stay stable.

I specifically bought a scanner (off camera, not during this dream) which is a large white/grey handgun plastic thing with a SD card, it takes a photo as well as scans a code on a purchase. In the dream, you pick the item off of the shelf and scan it and then you put it in your cart? I don't think you have paid for it yet. It is a very acceptable and modern thing to do. I have used it to both scan the items and take photographs of where I am at to remember the time I was at this place.

I reach an area that has more merchandise like you would see in a store and there are other people and this one guy, and I don't think he works there! He has on this fake happy smile that you know is hiding glaring anger. The words are lost to me now that I am awake but he said to the effect 'don't use a scanner use your phone!'

Lo and behold, people were using their phones and not scanners. I don't know what the reasoning was behind him giving a damn what I was using, or what the difference is. I kept trying to put the scanner in my waistband at least when I was around this guy.

I see two celebrities who are just regular guys from podcasts and they are on a PA system doing both a comedy routine and a sales pitch for something. I get the impression that this is a regular event. I am milling about observing them do their antics. This is an intersection that has sort of a fake ceiling, like a fabric tent indoors or something. Like fireworks-sales huge.

One of the items on display is a very large television that looks like an old style console system but in my dream mind I know that it is still a modern TV but I wonder what is inside the box if the screen is flat. There is a sticker on it and I sort of read that it's 86 inches, but it is fairly a square screen with rounded edges. If I measure it while awake in my mind I would say it was about 27 in screen size but the rest of the thing was wooden. There are lamps, various other merchandise for the home. I am still carrying boxes but I don't know what I have purchased or am going to purchase.

At this point I realize I had set the scanner down somewhere and now I don't know where it is. It is now a lost item and I am consoling myself that the pictures that were on the card really we're not important.

Now I am in a vehicle? It is night? I am driving around essentially still in that fictional city version of a real city. I am heavily thinking in my dream, so it is like I am driving around thinking, and not really paying attention to the actual surroundings.

This is the part that annoys me the most, as in my brain, in this alternate world where I have different feelings, I am coming up with different scenarios and plans in which to restart conversations with someone I haven't spoken to in many years irl. And all my dreams and all my life, my dream-brain actually comes up with a plausible plan. It has never come up with a real plan for my real life.

AND IT'S ONE I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO DO IN REAL LIFE.

Mainly because it comes from an emotion of forgiveness which I certainly am not about to do. In my dream, I'm excited about the plan because it will definitely work. (IRL it definitely would. The plan is just an ice breaker) as sleep begins to fade more and more of my awake brain chimes in to my sleeping brain, and explains why would you want to do that? Example A example B.. which then slowly wakes myself up and bang! Instant depression.

Ugggh.

#tldr #dreams #mortifiedandawesome #11052022

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greengay · 4 years

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this is like.....really selfish and self centered so bare with me, but i miss live music so much my heart physically aches and i feel sick to my stomach..........HOWEVER........i think i needed this break from live music for a couple reasons cos:

so i work(ed) at a music venue taking photos which is....the dream job. i’m not going to pretend it isn’t. like.....i would get PAID to go to concerts and be front row and go backstage etc and take pictures...........but because i’m Mentally Ill™ 🤪 i would disassociate through at least....half? of the shows? i was just so overwhelmed by...YA KNOW....REALLY LOUD MUSIC and LOTS OF PEOPLE and LIGHTS and i would just be on auto pilot which was bad for 1) my photography and 2) my psyche....however! quarantine has given me a lot of practice with mindfulness and being present™ so hopefully if i ever get to see live music again, i’ll be able to be fully emersed in it instead of just being a zombie

going off of that......like....i wasn’t trying anything new or taking any risks with my photography? i would just show up, shoot the shows, edit as quickly as i could and give it back to my boss......and since music photography was a JOB i couldn’t enjoy either actives as much anymore? i didn’t want to take photos in my free time cos i wasn’t being PAID......i didn’t want to go to concerts unless they were free (or green day lmao) and now i’ll appreciate them more

my career was also stagnating.....i was COMFORTABLE.......i mean.....it’s not easy to get a PAID gig as a music photographer and i somehow lucked into it w/o applying and i got too content and stopped doing the grind......like i stopped trying to find new bands to tour with and just went by word of mouth, i stopped trying to book as many photoshoots, i stopped trying to grow my social media following, i stopped trying to collaborate with established musicians.........

and now!!! i’m experimenting!!!! i bought some backdrops! i’m making music videos for my portfolio so i can be prepared to tour! i’m getting my mental health in order so i can do my job better! i’m taking creative risks! idk........i feel so lost because live music gave me PURPOSE and i realize i wasn’t even appreciating it to its full potential..........

also i don’t know if i’m “allowed” to acknowledge this, but i’m.....gonna

............i’m....hot? i’m a total babe? ironically when i was at my thinnest i was my most insecure and djsjxnwndjwnxnsnns that makes me SO FRUSTRATED because if i had the confidence i have NOW with the body i had THEN..........god. like.....the amount of shitty semi-famous band guys i coulda fucked. maybe it’s for the best i didn’t know my power lmfao. this is relevant cos now i know i can just.....flirt my way through networking. and here’s the thing that everyone KNOWS but won’t just say....? it’s not about talent!!! it’s about charisma! it’s 90% charisma and networking and 10% talent! esp in artistic fields! AND APPARENTLY I’VE BEEN HOT THIS WHOLE TIME and people LIKE me? which. i’ve known, but it felt.......disconnected? like a prank? but nope. i am just......worthy of love and affection and i always have been.....?! i’m talented? i can........do this.........

#also writing this made me rmr that i have to respond to my old roadie roommate who very thoughtfully sends me music articles #stress stress stress #i’m not even stoned i’m just.....Like This #i can’t shout on twit anymore cos i’m paranoid shitty band guy is checking up on me #and i need to spread out my narcissism between peach and tum LMFAO

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inforapound · 4 years

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Emboîté Part 3

A/N - Part 3 of @youbloodymadgenius writing celebration fic. Than you so much for your likes and comments. The saucy Part 4 will be up tonight.

Pairing – Ivar and Sarah (Aethelswith)

Words – 3,500 approx

Series Warning – explicit smut, dance industry inaccuracies, fluffy Ivar, possessive Ivar, semi-slow burn, ‘baby’ used as a term of endearment.

Having lived my life in leotards, leggings, and costumes with little to them, I rarely thought twice about how much of my body was on display. Walking toward me, Ivar looked everywhere but at the short, soft pink dress and sheer leggings, I had chosen for the occasion. Without arrogance or his usual stiff expression, he looked almost shy. It was so adorable it hurt and in that moment, I wished I knew him well enough to tease.

Arriving precisely one hour after my distress call, he came through the doors dressed ‘down’ in a grey button-up shirt and expensive-looking jeans carrying not one but two camera bags, strapped across his chest. It was clear, Ivar Lothbrok did not mess around.

“Hi,” I smiled pleased to be on my own turf.

“Hi, you look,” his bright eyes and neutral face did a quick sweep of my front, “…. ready.”

Not uncomfortable, more focussed, he listened while unpacking his gear, placing it onto a long wooden table pushed against the wall.

“We were all asked to contribute something for the silent auction on the 23rd and Derek, my friend, he’s professional photographer,” Ivar’s eyes narrowed, listening to me rattle on, “was set to take two photos of me. One dancing and one wearing a gown provided by Caffrey’s, our sponsor, who provide all our evening wear. Anyway... the photos will be blown up and framed and put out for the auction.”

“You want mid-motion shots or still poses?” he asked, cutting to the chase.

“I was going to leave that to…”

“Derek?” he asked, glancing up from the canon in his hand, his eyes skipping between each of mine.

“Yeah.”

“Got it.” Dropping his eyes back down to his camera, he flicked various buttons, a digital screen lighting up on the back.

“What do you think I should do?”

Looking up, he said nothing, his mind obviously working it through.

“Let's get some test shots for light and then just do your thing. Forget, I’m here.” With a quick jerk of his head, he indicated he was set.

Moving to my invisible mark on the floor, he took what felt like eight or ten shots of me standing in the center of the room in first position. Adjusting dials and playing with his zoom, he looked through the lens, his other eye squeezing closed, the shutter firing in a rush of clicks. Using a different black cane than the night of the auction, he hooked it on the inside of his elbow anytime he stood in one place. It seemed like an extension of his body, moving it with ease and I knew then his dramatic limp was not an injury but a condition.

It was time. Walking back to the table, I pressed the player, returning to my spot at the center of the wooden floor. The music sounded and I began. Swiveling, I rose up onto pointe, lifting and swinging my right leg in a broad sweep, shoulder height, before dropping and dramatically walking forward with rushed steps. I chose to dance my favourite part of the ballet Coppelia. Leaping high, my extended legs and pointed toes cut and curved through the air. For my size, I had always excelled at grand jetés and knew they often made for an impressive photograph.

My muscles and tendons, calloused feet and bones, blood and soul knew these steps so automatically, so ingrained that my mind could suspend and almost observe. There were few times in life, one could be wholly present, and dancing provided those moments for me. No concerns or past, no fear or questions, no right or wrong, good or bad, just movement. My body simply called forward into this graceful fluidity that felt as natural as taking a breath. So, this piece seemed fitting for such a sensation as the story was about a man who created a dancing doll, void of a mind, who moved so remarkably she floated like some beautiful celestial being. He became obsessed and controlling with her the more people fell in love with her dancing. I felt like a doll twirling and leaping, prancing with delicate steps, void of thoughts, responding only to the pull of the enchanting music.

The last steps were upon me and I rose onto point, extending my other leg vertical to my body, my toes reaching up toward the ceiling. Dropping forward, into a grand révérence, I held allowing the music to come to its end.

Silence.

Pulling myself up from a deep bow, I turned to look at Ivar. Lowering his camera, our eyes met. He had this confronted look and I could only assume he wasn’t sure what to say. The force of his stare and then a quick flutter of his eyelashes betrayed him though. He was impressed.

Exhaling, I relaxed my shoulders, resting my hands on my hips as I caught my breath.

Strange moments had been happening since I first saw him in that ballroom, and this was no exception. Neither of us seemed to know what to say, and I felt this sense of impatience, wishing I knew him already. Wanting, somehow, to fast forward through this polite unfamiliarity to a place where we talk without feeling guarded.

“Okay?” I lifted my chin.

“Yeah,” he answered, lowering his cane to the floor, stepping back to his equipment on the table. Glancing back, “More than okay,” he said, turning again to his gear.

Moving toward him, I grabbed my water bottle off the table and took a long drink.

“Thanks...for this. I would have felt like a ninny with nothing to contribute.”

“Ninny?”

“Yeah,” I smiled looking down at the floor, running my hand, out of habit up the back of my hair to my tight bun.

“Pickle, ninny, do they teach these phrases in Canada?”

“I don’t know,” I laughed, subtly shaking my head, pleased to see his broad smile and shining eyes. “Are you okay waiting while I change and clean up for the dress shots? I might be half an hour or so.”

“You want to do those here?”

“I guess. They were going to be done in Derek’s studio but he’s home sick. I’d rather be lit on fire than have you see my place so, yeah, here.” Looking around the room, I could still feel his eyes, watching me. “I could stand by the window or by the grand piano. Whatever you want. You’re taking the photos.”

Turning from the waist, he inspected the large room with its high ceilings and antique crown moldings, white walls and patinaed oak floors. It was a bright beautiful space.

“So?” he squinted one eye and I could tell he had a plan, “Whatever I want?”

“You are the photographer,” I nodded.

“Mine then.”

The playfulness in his smile and straight white teeth were not helping me catch my breath.

“Your what?”

“My place. My apartment. It has large east-facing windows. The light will be perfect for the next couple of hours. Once the sun sets, the sky will be backlit over the city. You will look…” he nodded, raising his brows but quickly glanced down to the camera he held like a security blanket. “It will work.” Looking back up, his eyes searched mine. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

---

I failed horrendously at keeping causal when walking in behind him, carrying my old duffle and garment bags. My steps slowed to a stop as I entered the contemporary, open concept living room, dining room and kitchen, all with a backdrop of massive steel and glass windows.

“This is amazing,” I said looking up at the high ceilings that opened further to a large loft on a second level. Smooth cement pillars stood in the corner of the floor-to-ceiling windows and ran up through the high, soaring ceilings. Like a nerd, I bent down and ran the pads of my fingers across the glassy black floors. “What is this?”

“Polished concrete,” he answered as he flipped through letters that had been pushed through a mail slot in his door. His own mail slot.

My mother’s crudely lined lips and spiteful words came to mind, when you date a man with money, you bloody well earn every cent. I sighed, shaking off her poison knowing that she in some perverse way hoped I would end up on my back, in some director’s office, working to stay relevant. My poor, bitter mother.

Walking to the dining room, I knew immediately it was not a table to place my shitty old sac on. Draping my dress bag over the back of a tall dining room chair, I dropped the duffle bag to the floor.

Turning around, I found Ivar watching me, leaning against the eating bar that separated his dining room and kitchen. There was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes and I wondered if he pretended not to know how good looking he was. Or, perhaps he was indifferent to the opinions of others. That seemed more likely.

“Come,” he walked over, grabbing my garment bag and led me back toward the entrance and into a large bathroom, in which every surface was the same type of white stone. Hooking the hanger on the glass shower door, he turned to me, glancing around the bathroom as if to check that everything was in its place.

“Do you need anything?” he asked, playing with his cane, picking it up and bouncing its rubber base on the tile floor.

Smiling, I shook my head, internally dying at the image of him standing behind me with a flat iron.

“Okay, I’ll be out there.”

---

Stepping out of the washroom, my hair, by some fluke was skillfully styled down and smoothed out with a gentle wave, and my smoky eyes and nude lipstick were masterfully applied, just as Derek and I had practiced. I even felt confident in my spectacular silver heals. Peering down my front, I ran my hands over my hips, smoothing the grey shimmering satin, loving how the draped silky material felt against the skin of my, shaved that morning, legs.

“That was fa..” Turning around, his words caught in his throat. Closing his mouth, his eyes blatantly scoured the length of my body, his expression not filtering a thing.

I had been a performer all my life but could not remember a single person ever looking at me with that kind of awe.

Glancing down again, I adjusted the seams on the inside of the long sleeves, realizing how much I had wanted him to react this way.

Clearing his throat, he didn’t smile but his body settled as if easing into the reason I was there.

“Okay,” he inhaled loud enough for me to hear and lifted his hand toward the living room. “Let’s start with you in front of the corner window. Maybe even have you lean against the column. God, it’s perfect.” His eyes skipped back down my body. “The silver of your dress with the sky behind.” Pausing, his face softened. “That dress.” His eyes flashed wide and he shook his head with a half-grin.

“Thank you.”

“It’s a good thing you didn’t wear that on Saturday.” Taking the lead, he walked toward the living room, stopping behind a leather armchair. “I would have doubled my bid.”

“I’ll remember that,” I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye as I passed him, heading toward the window. A surge of excitement raced through me knowing that he was seconds away from seeing my exposed skin in the backless dress, cut down to just above my bottom.

“Derek and I picked it out together. So many at Caffrey’s looked like ice capade costumes. I am not a frilly person and he liked the clean lines of it.”

Moving past his low-slung furniture and glass coffee table, I walked toward the corner windows, passing a stunning black ornate fireplace, feeling his eyes burning up and down my spine. Biting my bottom lip to conceal my smile, I wished I could see his face.

“Stop!” he called and I froze, my hands shooting up in front of me, thinking I shouldn’t have walked across his fancy rug with heels on. Slowly looking over to him, he stood beside the armchair, camera lifted, staring at me over the viewfinder.

“Right there. Do not move. Keep looking at me like that.”

Taking his direction, I stayed in place. The clicking of the camera started with a flurry.

With a pleased grunt, he lowered the camera and pressed a button to flip through the images. “God, this is perfect. That is the shot! That is the mother-fucking shot! You look,” lifting his excited face, his bright eyes faltered seeing me again. “You look… perfect.”

“Wow, okay. Thank you.” Shifting my heals, I turned to face him. “That was… fast.”

His attention was already back to the photos on his screen.

Stepping carefully across the dark, likely hand made rug, I headed back, en route to the bathroom.

“Don’t go,” he blurted causing me to snap my head over at him. “Not yet,” his tone was gentle. His puppy eyes were staring right into mine and I had no doubt this man got anything and everything he wanted in life. “Let’s take more. Just for fun. Hmm?” Bobbing his head, his expression turned playful.

Jesus, yes.

Like the good girl that I am, I took a seat on the built-in concrete bench that ran the length of the wall of windows.

Coming out of the kitchen, Ivar’s limp was pronounced, in fact, it looked painful without his cane, as he moved toward me carrying a glass of wine in each hand. Stopping myself from jumping to help, I waited, accepting the glass with a smile when he handed it to me. It tasted lovely and cold and was in the most elegant wine glass...of course.

And did we play…. Ivar stepped into his role as photographer, directing me on position, placement, even how to rest my hands, gently tucking my hair behind my ear and tilting my chin just as he wanted. His fingers lingering longer and longer each time they touched my body or hair or the fabric of my dress. The air felt thick when he was close causing my skin to warm and I felt a wave of disappointment whenever he stepped back. I was his muse, his doll and it was incredibly arousing.

The more photos he took, the more I allowed my inhibitions to unravel and it only fueled Ivar to become more expressive, excited even.

“Okay. Now, I’ll have you come to the couch and just do what feels natural. The glass behind with the colours in the sky, ughh,” he grunted, “amazing.”

Turning his attention back to the eating bar, he took a sip of his wine, scrolling through the last handful of shots. With his back turned, I used it as an opportunity to situate myself. Rolling from my seated position on the black leather sofa, I lay down on my tummy, propping myself up on my elbows, letting my heels drop to the carpet.

Spinning to face me, his eyes widened with surprise but he quickly recovered, pressing his lips together and returning to his role. He could not lift his eyes from me though. Could barely blink. Peering up at him from over my shoulder, his gaze dragged down the length of my bare back, holding on the round swell of my behind, naturally arching toward him. The dim, early evening light, made his normally brilliant eyes appear a deep blue. His entire expression seemed darker somehow as if laying below him, taking his every direction drew him into some wicked part of his mind. I had never felt this sensual before and didn’t want the feeling to fade or for him to stop staring at me like I was the most remarkable thing he had ever seen.

Lowering to sit on the glass coffee table, he lifted his camera once again, his lens sweeping up my form, focussing straight in on my face. Looking directly into the lens, I wondered if my expression was as yearning and wonton as I felt. The air had definitely shifted, and perhaps the glimmer or suggestion in my heavy-lidded eyes gave away my desire. Either he knew the contents of my mind, and how my body was responding or he felt the same as the intensity in his gaze rapidly grew. Faint grunts of approval, running his tongue over his lips, even outright murmuring how incredible and beautiful I looked, swearing under his breath.

I had to consciously control my breathing. The force of his stare, peering over his camera, sped my heart. How could he be doing this to me? It felt crazy knowing that I had only just met him but would not have stopped him from crawling over me, sinking down against my back and grinding into ass. Just the thought made me nearly rock my pelvis against the leather couch, needy for pressure on the tingling between my legs.

“You are so perfect, Sarah,” he whispered, and it occurred to me how often he used my name. I had never liked my name but somehow, the way it slipped from his tongue always with an exhale, it sounded anything but plain.

Two more clicks, three, the camera felt like the only barrier between us now as he slid closer to me, up the table. The image of his smooth, plush lips pressed to mine flashed through my mind and I exhaled loud enough for him to hear.

“Sarah,” he whispered again, my eyes still fixed on the lens of his camera as if hypnotized.

Click. Beep, beep, beep.

“For fuck sakes,” he snarled loudly, lowering his camera. “Don’t move. Don’t move.” Pushing himself up, he rushed, teetering as he walked without his cane, leaning on the back of the furniture to the bar. “Let me just change the battery and we’ll keep going.” Glancing back quickly as if to make sure I was still there, “God, have I really taken over a hundred photos!” he laughed sharply, dropping his head back. He was giddy.

“Ivar?” I pushed up on the couch to sit, combing my fingers through my tousled hair, attempting to blink off the spell I felt under. I needed to move, get some air before… well, I wasn’t sure what, but something was going to happen if I stayed splayed out like a dog in heat. I barely knew him!

Turning back to me, frustration flashed through his features but he stopped and looked at me. No, scrutinized, me.

“Ivar, I think I need to...”

“Who is Derek?” he cut me off, the question catching me by surprise.

“The photographer I told you about.” Not reacting, he stood waiting for me to continue. “Actually, he was one of the first people I met when I moved here. He is the photographer for the theatre, or I should say the theatre is one of his clients. He took my headshots for the company and we became close. It was nice as I was new to the city. Didn’t know anyone. Still don’t really.”

“So, it is more than professional between you?” he narrowed his eyes as if confused by something I said.

My stomach fluttered and I suddenly felt odd sitting across the room from him. “Yes,” I replied realizing that clarified nothing.

His eyes flashed again and he glanced down at his camera. I could see the steeliness in his gaze when he looked back up. “So, he dates the new ballerinas?”

Ignoring the insinuation, I answered, “He is my close friend and one who is far more interested in… ballerinos.” My brows spiked high on my forehead emphasizing my meaning.

Tilting his head to one side, he squinted further, before, “Oh!”

Locking eyes again, we looked at each other longer than what felt appropriate and I wondered if we would have reconnected if Derek hadn’t serendipitously fallen ill. Sooner than later, my instincts told me.

“I am going to go and change,” I finally said, needing to say something.

Rising from the couch, I picked my heals up off the rug and headed toward the hall for the bathroom. The room had become shadowy and I stared at the floor as I walked, gasping when he grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward him, my hair flying out of place.

“Sorry,” he spoke quietly, letting go of my arm. We were standing close. “Don’t change,” his voice was just above a whisper. “Let’s not waste that dress.” His eyes dropped, sweeping across my chest. “Can I take you back to Piccolo’s for supper?”

“Twice in one week?” I smiled softly, inwardly thrilled by how he was looking at me.

Shrugging, his eyes watched my mouth, waiting for me to answer.

Giggling, a little too loudly, two thoughts occurred, I really did need to eat after two glasses of wine on an empty stomach and I was no where near ready to say goodbye. Lifting my chin, my smile widened, “We are creatures of habit, are we not?”

@youbloodymadgenius @naaladareia @whenimaunicorn @lol-haha-joke @ceridwenofwales @jaydelesley4 @sweeneythots @funmadnessandbadassvikings @fangirl-nonsense @thiahilmarsdottir @redama @mdredwine @didiintheblog @yourpurplequeen @londongal2810 @fields-and-fields-of-poppies @readsalot73 @hexqueensupreme @silly-bullshit-collector @littlecarolina94 @oddsnendsfanfics @youbelongeverywhere @blonddnamedhandz @waiting4inspiration @flowers-in-your-hayr @zuxiezendler @heavenly1927 @squirrelacorngliterfarts @jzr201 @hecohansen31

#ivar fic #ivar fanfiction #modern ivar #ivar lothbrok #ivar ragnarson #ivar smut #ivar love story #ivar love #ivar slow burn #slow burn #ivar au #vikings fic

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queenjunoking · 3 years

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Wolf Taming Pt 31

CW: Noncon - Shock Collar - Pain - Petplay - Drugs - Kidnapping - Manipulation - Abuse

(Note: On Z’s half of the story more heavy abuse will be seen. I will be putting the tag in bold when it’s relevant)

Briar

I watched as Z poked despondently at the french toast I made her while I made some calls. It was difficult to say Z was an emotional person. An outright lie to say she was an emotionally healthy one. But I had rarely seen her shut down like this. In a way it was better than the alternative. I was sure if I hadn’t said anything she’d be walking all the way over to Eos’s farm with a knife. I doubt she’d even bother to put shoes on.

“Z, please eat your food.” She looked up at me like she was just registering that I was there before going back to poking at it. I sighed and looked at the pile of energy drinks in her recycling bin. I started making a list of basic things she needed; I was disappointed to see that her fridge was nearing empty. I doubt she had any intention to go to the store anytime soon, she didn’t even have a car.

“Briar?” A voice came over my phone.

“Yes Van, I’m here.” Van was strange by Society standards. He was more interested in the laws and rules that governed the group. He never attended events. I’m not even sure he owned anyone. But he knew more about the rules than anyone that wasn’t at the top of the organization. I had to cash in an emblem just to talk to him.

“Bad news or good news?” I could hear him hesitate.

“Let’s start with the bad news. I could really use some good news to look forward too.” I didn’t like that there was bad news at all.

“Ok, so Mistress Eos’s acquisition seems to be legitimate. She argued that Z does not have the capacity to train Callidora-” I interrupted him.

“Sasha. Z named her Sasha.” It would be easier for everyone I dealt with to go by the name Z gave her. I didn’t really know what her reaction would be to people calling her Callidora if she could overhear them.

“Right. Sorry. So she argued that Z was in immediate danger. She has a video of Sasha attacking her in the garden. She pointed out that Z had no plan or capacity to get Sasha into the basement again if she did not cooperate. Having to give away an emblem in order to get her back downstairs did not help her case. I did some less legitimate digging and found she has an extended video which shows Z… um… pleasuring herself shortly after the incident.”

Admittedly I blush a bit at that and had to stop myself from asking to see the full video. Z never seemed like a very sexual person. Never any toys in her room when we were breakers. She seemed pretty desensitized to what she did to people. I occasionally caught a smile on her face when she did something but she did her best to hide it. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was a masochist as well as a sadist. She was unfortunately very good at hurting people.

“So is there anything we can do to resolve this in an easy way?”

“The short answer is no. There’s nothing illegal about what she did. Its rushed but the argument that Z was in immediate danger justifies it.” I heard him sigh.

“And the long answer?” There had to be something.

“Well the long answer is the good news. Maybe. Someone who is a high enough rank could challenge her. Eos is a fairly high ranked person but someone of higher rank could… make enough members of the council reconsider their decision. You’d need to do that before an appeal could be put in. You need someone with enough standing. A higher rank than Eos. An epithet would help their case. It’s going to be several days of work before you can get her back.”

Several days is what I didn’t really have. Z was on the edge of doing this in the only way she was able to process it at the moment. If I didn’t chain her to a bed tonight I knew she was going to walk off the moment she was out of my sight. I was fairly good at the job i used to have but I couldn’t get someone to process their emotions in a healthy way in just a few hours.

“Thanks Van, you’ve been very helpful. I think I have an idea of what to do.”

“No problem Briar. I hope things go well for you two.” The line went silent as he hung up.

I sighed. I knew exactly what to do. Or what not to do. Satori told me who took Z’s emblem. They’d be knocking at the door eventually to cash it in. There was nothing that needed to be done until then. I walked back into the kitchen to check on Z.

She was still poking at her food, nothing more than a few nibbles removed. I sighed and placed a glass of juice next to her. Something other than that concoction of chemicals she drank in semi-lethal amounts.

“Is it legitimate?” Z looked up at me. I couldn’t answer her. But she got the message. “What am I supposed to do? I told her I’d get her back. She trusted me.”

“We’ll figure it out.” I started cleaning up the kitchen. The food went to waste but I wasn’t going to make her eat right now. I decided to make an ironic compromise with myself. I opened one of the energy drinks and slipped a pill inside before I handed it to her. She took it from my hand and began sipping from it. After two minutes she slumped over. I didn’t feel great about doing it, but she needed to get some kind of sleep.

I picked her up and moved her to the couch. I sat on the floor next to her and petted her head. Z was always on the defensive when she was awake. But she looked so sweet when she was asleep.

The Society was probably the worst place Z could have ever ended up. The most damaging parts of her personality were encouraged here. Her occasional violent tendencies and her general lack of empathy. Z thought she understood empathy. She always thought she was doing the kind thing. Z was someone who needed help of some kind, it wasn’t just the everyday sociopathy of the Society that weighed on her.

I knew Z would either keep spiraling into a depression or she’d become violent and go after Eos. Instead she’d sleep for the next few hours. The messenger would have to come today.

The next few hours I spent cleaning and organizing. Throwing out the mountain of cans, arranging the cabinets and cleaning up the pile of tools in the Wolf’s Den. Small things to make the house nicer. Z had been asleep for two hours by the time the doorbell rang. I stopped what I was doing and answered it.

A maid stood on Z’s doorstep. I knew exactly who she belonged to. The light was gone from her eyes. I saw scars and bruises littered her body. Her impeccable latex uniform contrasted with her battered body. She was carrying a letter.

This was one of Rayne’s maids.

She looked up at me and spoke softly.

“Good evening Miss Briar. Is Miss Z the Torturer home?”

“Please don’t call her that, hun.”

“I’m sorry Miss Briar. I have been instructed by Master Rayne to address anyone with an epithet by their epithet.” I saw her body shake slightly, she was terrified that she thought she upset me. “If my behavior was unacceptable please let Master Rayne know so she may correct me.”

I hated Rayne with a passion. Everything she did to people. There were no short of truly terrible people in the society. But Rayne? She was pure evil. But she was an evil we needed to get help from.

“No sweetheart, everything is fine. I’m not going to tell anyone. You aren’t in any trouble. Just go with Miss ok?”

She visibly relaxed. “I have been instructed to deliver this message to Miss Z myself. May I please come in?”

“....Z? Z honey, wake up. You have a visitor.” I distorted voice pulled me from my sleep.

“Sasha?” I shot up, feeling slightly light headed. I looked over and saw Briar kneeling next to the couch, a maid was standing by the counter.

“No Z. You have a message.” Briar helped me sit up, the dizziness hadn’t cleared away yet.

“What?” She looked annoyed at the newcomer, I had had enough messages for the day.

“Good evening Miss Z. My owner, Master Raynes, has requested your presence tonight at her mansion. It is her wife’s birthday and she wishes for you to attend.”

“What if I don’t want to attend their stupid party?”

The maid was getting nervous. If Z didn’t attend there was really no way of knowing how Rayne would blame her.

“I apologize Miss Z. Master Rayne has requested that you read this.” She handed me a letter.

Greetings Z,

Its been a long time since we last spoke. I believe the last time was when I passed my epithet on to you. I really thought you'd be more grateful for that, its not often someone of my rank recommends someone like you for such an honor.

I'm sure you're very aware that my wife, Flora, was a big fan of your wares. She was quite devastated when you quit your work as a breaker. Today is her birthday and I would like you to attend. Getting to speak to the person who made her favorite art supplies would be a wonderful present for her and I'm sure she would love to show you what she's done with the materials.

If my humble request isn't enough to convince you to come please look at the photograph attached to this letter.

We will see you at 4 P.M. sharp. Do not worry about clothes, I'm aware you dress very plainly. We will have party clothes for you. If you do not have transportation let the maid know and we will send transport.

- Master Rayne

I looked at the photo. I saw Rayne, tall with short black curly hair. She was sitting on a gold throne with red cushions. She was using some slavegirl as a foot stool. Her body was littered with cuts and bruises.

Another was bound to next to the throne. Currently unmarred. Arms bound behind her, breasts on display. A blindfold covered her eyes. She had a utility gag in her mouth, it was a coaster gag. I could tell she was struggling to hold Rayne's drink up. I could see the tears streaming below the blindfold, glistening in the photo. I was sure shortly after this picture was taken she would have dropped it. I'm sure by now she was no longer unblemished. Rayne would have taught her a very harsh lesson.

Rayne was rich enough to buy a slave to use for no other reason to use it as a coaster, break it beyond repair and buy a replacement. I hated her so much. It took a few seconds of scanning the picture to see what it was that was supposed to convince me. In her hand, barely visible, was my emblem. She was cashing it in.

"I need to keep looking for Sasha. I don't have time for a stupid party." I saw the maid shake. I'm sure she was thinking about what awaited her as the messenger of my decline. Had she been broken properly she wouldn't have had to worry about that.

Briar was about to say something when the maid shakily spoke up. "M-miss Z. I was standing behind Master Rayne as she wrote the letter. I-I think there's a message on the back of the p-photograph."

P.S. Maybe if you make Flora's night we can talk about your dog.

"Tell Rayne we will be attending."

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valiantchopshopharmony · 4 years

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Starting a Photography Business Will Be Easier With These 30 Free Tips

When you are a keen photographer and you've got the urge to devote your working life doing something you like such as photography, then it will be a pity if you did not pursue it further would not it? You truly don't need to combine an institution or cover thousands of bucks to begin either. You merely want the fire to understand and persist.

It is correct that there's riches to be made from photography and I am not planning to down play that make a pitch to the contrary since in each instance, it's been around the person. Meaning - it depends on what style of photography they select, how long they put in the company, Photography Course in south Delhi do they have a business bent, are somewhat more arty than normal etc.. These points come to play when achievement in a photography company or studio is contested.

I really don't need to make some false hopes by that last paragraph since victory will need some hard work, patience and tolerance. These subsequent thirty tips should help you on the way.

Where do I obtain information about constructing a photography company?

1. Apart from that, the world wide web is the largest source of advice and can supply you with various career opportunities or more info on starting a photography company.

At which level would you like to begin your photography company?

2. This is actually the trickiest question a individual considering starting a company experiences. It's essential to determine what sort of photography company you would like to ensure the applicable requirements and (occasionally ) finance could be muscled up. short term photography courses in south east delhi

When is the ideal time to initiate a fully-fledged photography company?

3. After deciding what you want and some additional necessary equipment that's required to prepare the basic infrastructure, then you'll have to think about carefully your primary instrument - the camera, be it film or digital. You also have to consider carefully a trusted, high quality PC and great relevant software to control your photos using special effects. If the company has been undertaken on a huge scale then perhaps a growing lab has to be established and planned.

O what type of places will yield actual income to your enterprise?

4. A newly established company in photography demands a confident place or a beat (working anyplace ), as in journalism. Once recognized, company may also be diversified into a lot more fields.

O Assembling a photography portfolio

5. It's always very important to compile a fantastic portfolio so far as photography is concerned. A portfolio must have an assortment of applicable photographic work which you think to be remarkable. Ensure photographs are unusual in nature and are from varied fields. Your portfolio has to have the ability to impress the customer from the very first assembly.

6. Just keep your very best work from the folder so you don't embarrass yourself or wind up needing to describe photographs that are not applicable.

7. Publish spontaneous photographs that you think are of fantastic quality. You would be amazed how many men and women respond favorably to individuals expressions when they're great shots.

Food styling courses in west delhi

8. A canvas backdrop of minimum 7-9 foot along with the background colours should be navy or white as minimal requirements to begin using; a well-branded studio lighting system like that of Norman & Speedtron; accredited picture manipulation applications like Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop, etc..

Is there a demand for establishing a cosmetics studio as a portion of your photograph studio?

9. Makeup and photography frequently go together. Wherever cosmetics is involved it can be known as trick photography since cosmetics is capable of entirely changing somebody's character, and at times significance to some product in the event of advertising photography.

What type of photo-editing applications available on the industry?

10. Photo-editing applications by which particular effects and total adjustments to a photograph are possible and may also frequently save the demand for a shoot.

11.

Is storage and therapy of photos crucial in building photographs company?

12. Never embrace laxity whilst archiving or handling photos. You may regret it afterwards. Storage and accessibility efficiency will improve or enhance your working atmosphere. Often elderly photographs become more precious with time.

How can be photos be stored readily aside from the traditional method?

13. Today's cameras are exceptionally versatile and enables transfers and downloads from exceptionally surprising devices such as your cellphone but images may also be saved onto a CD's, USB's and DVD's too.

O picking a Camera

14. Stick to w ell recognized manufacturer. The degree of mega pixel provided and high quality of this zooming facility has to be looked into carefully.

15. The majority of the cameras are compatible with all printers and computers and because we use memory sticks, so we're free to work invisibly.

O what type of a site does one person must get?

16. Your assortment of photos have to be correctly categorized under different categories. Visual look of your site will work amazing things for your company so consider establishing one with semi automatic automation in which the upkeep and challenging work is done for you enjoy photostockplus.

17. Don't forget to continuously update and maintain your site so that every time people encounter your site, they will discover nice something fresh and intriguing.

18. Copyright is the right protects the individual who owns who shot the photos. A smart exercise if you're seeking to utilize some inventory homes for business purposes.

O What's a company card useful?

19. In each company, visiting cards are all useful. It's very helpful in for folks to get in touch with you after your initial meeting. It has to include all of your contact details. If you are a photographer, a smart impressive graphic or an image of yourself along with your gear is greatest. Your telephone number or email has to be simple to read. I've seen cards which have big names and graphics and the telephone numbers are so small they're hard to read. Ridiculous! Make your telephone number the most significant thing about the card that's what most folks will use it to get.

O Which things have to be considered as you intend to construct a wedding photography company?

20. Wedding Photography is another artwork unto itself. There are various things to consider for a really prosperous wedding shoot. I've prepared another guide to manage this in more detail and it is about --Wedding Photography. --

O Benefit of mission photography

21. Assignment photography is that division of photography in which a individual has been engaged or consigned to catch pictures of something striking and extraordinary, including in the case of advertisements or portrait photography; this can supply you a steady income once you have learned the principles.

O Benefit of stock photography

22. This is sometimes a slow haul but when your photos are nicely thought out, it may be the origin of a continuing income. --My favourite is istockphotos--.

O Other areas where you are able to sell your photographic series?

23. Art displays are the ideal platform from wherever your imagination and work will probably be really appreciated because in these areas you will get some niche clients which have a sharp eye for actual talent. Such areas are proven to attract immediate fame.

24.

O Costs to be billed from the customers

25. At the first phases of your organization, do not attempt to charge exorbitant sums otherwise it'll give the incorrect impression and you'll possibly lose a precious long-term customer. Tread slowly. Ring other research and photographers. Five telephone calls must perform it.

Advertising Your photography company

26. You have to attempt to advertise your work at important areas. Pictures may also be printed on the net. Book over the net will boost customer enquiry. Do not forget to hunt for appropriate regional markets and find the snaps published in a local journal or paper and constantly exhibit your contact number carefully - consistently!

27. Placing and popularizing a company is a difficult call but should you embrace a correct marketing plan. Nowadays, Advertising is just one of the most well-known mediums of marketing. Advertising can be placed on sites, online phone directories, magazines and papers, etc.. Find out more about the ideal mediums until you rush into. Occasionally fantastic prices get in the method of recognizing the ideal advertising car.

28. You are able to create a site of your own to efficiently market your photography company but something that has to be considered is never neglect to add a testimonial segment and assess the reaction of the folks going to the site. Enable them to make remarks.

29. People interested in putting together a photography company can start their career by turning into a photo journalist. Appealing and unconventional photos can be provided to papers, magazines, sites and also the photography business is flourishing to this extent that international media organizations will provide you with great money in exchange for infrequent and high quality photos.

30. There are several more jobs also linked to photography than that there was formerly and as a result of the diversity and versatility of digital photography, even more respect was connected to the profession.

Proceed and make yourself a hot drink and a have a long think about where you are likely to begin, in other words, in case you have not already begun.

This guide has been provided courtesy of Roy Barker. Roy has provided further detail about the aforementioned subject matter at starting a photography company and is devoted to training you on how to begin your own photography business. You might even acquire photography tips, help (mainly free) or just a Digital Photography.

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kamccormickhnd1b · 4 years

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Lighting For Your Set

I began looking into information about scale modelers and miniature hobbyists to try and find out more about the best way to light up my project. Below are notes I took that I felt were relevant.

How to shoot better photos of miniatures?

Scale modelers and miniature hobbyists put a lot of work into their projects. You’ve invested hours and hours of labor. Why not share your final product? Sharing is part of the fun, too!

Social media is all about visual presence, so the better you plan out your image, the better it will look!

A great photo grabs your audiences’ attention. A nicely shot photograph of your miniature may also land you a commission project, if that is your goal.

Or, you’re just simply looking to become a better artist and photography is part of the hobby.

There are 3 main things you need for a great photograph:

Context

Light

Composition

Context

Where is your miniature or model located? What is the atmosphere? This doesn’t mean you need to have a fancy backdrop or background of an exotic landscape.

Context means showing where your model may exist.

For the miniature artist, this could merely be an open space where your viewer’s imagination fills in the blank.

Most product photography is shot without a real background. Instead, a blank color backdrop is used as the context for the subject.

White or black backdrops are the best colors if you’re looking to focus your viewer’s attention on your model.

These backdrops aren’t distracting, make it easy to correct for color casts, and are simple to use.

Light

Everything in photography is about light. The word “photography” means “drawing with light” in ancient Greek.

When you’re photographing miniatures, it is important that the light hitting the model is bright and diffuse.

Diffuse light is light that is evenly cast across the subject.

Of the two ways to light a model, getting bright enough light is easier than diffusing the light.

The only way to diffuse and evenly light a model is lighting the model directly in the direction the camera lens is pointing. In fact, this is what most photographers naturally try and do.

But, this also means that you might shine too much light (such as with a flash). This creates ugly shadows behind the model and backdrop, or washes out the details on certain model features, e.g., the brighter skin tones.

The easiest way to diffuse light is to:

1) bounce the light off another surface

2) allow it to travel through a translucent material.

For the most part, in a DIY photographic setup, bouncing your light source is easy.

All you have to do is setup your light facing away from your model, and put a semi-reflective surface to allow that light to come back toward the model.

For more information about diffusers, check this site out.

Composition

The basic idea of the rule-of-thirds is to keep the image dynamic; that is, give the viewer empty space to look around. Let the eyes wander.

A subject needs to breath.

The image needs to feel like the model can move around in the space within the frame. This kind of compositional setup can vastly improve the interest and aesthetic of your miniature.

#tinyworld #tiny worlds #miniature photography #student research #photographystudent

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xswestallen · 5 years

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Is there confirmation if the actress who’s Kamila will come back? If she does that means Carlos will too right?

I don’t think so. But yes, if Victoria Park were confirmed to be back, that would most likely mean Carlos will be in season 6. Unfortunately, Kamilla was given such little characterization, that her relationship with Cisco is the only significant thing about her.

A little Kamilla rant that is semi-related:

The writers wasted all of Kamilla’s potential in season 5. I was excited about her, but they gave her nothing! You can count the things we know about Kamilla on one hand 1. She was a bartender 2. She’s a photographer 3. She dated douche bags in the past 4. She’s dating Cisco now 5. She has a sister who’s never been shown or even named. That’s it. That’s we’ve got for Kamilla.

There was so much they could’ve done for her. Obviously, with Iris starting up her paper at the same time we’re meeting Kamilla, an aspiring photographer, it seemed like Iris would hire Kamilla, leading to a friendship there. But instead Iris only hired Kamilla for 1 job (a push piece about an Easter parade?) and they didn’t even meet on screen. They said like 3 words to each other and the focus of the only scene they’ve shared was Cisco and Ralph instead of them. Then, Kamilla’s photos for Iris were never mentioned again. It’s so frustrating.

None of the characters except Cisco have had any meaningful interactions with her. Even if Cisco was keeping his superhero life and Star Labs work away from his relationship, are we really supposed to believe that Cisco wouldn’t introduce his girlfriend to his friends (who are so much more than just friends, they’re family, the team has always thought of each other as family) in the months he’s been dating her?

I’m really annoyed they introduced this character with so much potential to be relevant to the plot, to develop relationships with more characters than just Cisco, and to actually be a fully fleshed out, interesting character, but instead have her just kind of..... there. She hasn’t done anything. She’s a plot device for Cisco. I really want that to change. This is how I wish Kamilla had been written.

#The Flash #Kamilla Hwang #Cisco Ramon #Anonymous #Answered

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lexis-lexica · 5 years

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hello hello friends. I’m mina and I am so ready for plotting so hit me up on discord or DM here to plot, or like this post and imma come to you. SORRY FOR THE PARAGRAPHS. I’m just so shitty at listing things. [ BAE SUZY & FEMALE & SHE/HER. ] that, right there, is [ ALEXIS ‘LEXI’ BLYTHE ]. the [ TWENTY-TWO ] year old has been in savannah for [ A YEAR AND A HALF ] and is known for being quite [CHARMING ] - but on bad days, while being very SELF-DESTRUCTIVE ], they seem to walk with their head low while [ I’M A MESS by BEBE REXHA ] plays through their earbuds. ( mina. 23. she/her.est )

Alexis ‘Lexi’ Blythe Age: 22 Birthday: February 27 (Pisces) Orientation: Hetero TW. Abandonment, Adoption, Parental Neglect, Alcoholism, Drug Use O1 ━◞ FAMILY - Adopted by a big-shot politican and his trust-fund socialite wife when she was a baby, Lexi never knew why they had chosen to adopt from Korea. Maybe they had just wanted the picture perfect family even though they couldn’t, or rather her father couldn’t. Maybe they wanted to show how progressive, diverse, and altruistic they were for an old money family. Nevertheless, Lexi remembers being raised by the nanny, watching Disney movies, and only seeing her parents when they needed her to act her part in the long-standing Blythe political legacy of senators and congressmen. Last she had heard of her father, Alexander Duke Blythe was looking to be the next presidential candidate. Her mother runs various charities, painting the perfect First Lady potential. The next big Kennedy and Jackie. Her parents had not been the biggest fan of her acting career, but now that she has actually made it on the big screen, her own fame has indirectly lent to his image positively. Consequently, he has slowly been keeping track of her goings more and more - to her disgust. When she was 18, Lexi found a private investigator to try to find her biological parents. She still has no idea who her father was, but she learned that her mother had been an escort who abandoned Lexi on the steps of a massage parlour in the Gangnam district. O2 ━◞ CAREER - Attention-deprived, and raised in Los Angeles, it only made sense for Lexi to pursue a career to famehood through acting. Broadway, singing, dance and acting classes were part of her busy schedule growing up because an heiress like her needed to be raised in culture and the arts. She had never held a knack for subjects like math or literature, but the dramatic arts came to her naturally. Instead of going to university, she worked as an extra at 17 before finally catching a break at 19 as a minor character in an intrigue drama. Appealing to the audiences as the ‘sweet and innocent’ trope, she began to take on more movie roles. The nickname going around Hollywood translated into “America’s Angel”. The problem with being forced into a trope was she rarely got roles past the secondary or tertiary characters. Having been a solid B-lister for the past 5 years, Lexi has recently been trying to take on more sensual and provocative roles. Because everyone knows the key to stardom is for everyone to watch you sleep around in theatres. Yet, any time Lexi is shown as anything but a “sweet angel”, her reputation suffers. Her last movie, He Said She Said was a rom-com that crashed and burned, but the newest blockbuster coming out may just be a movie for the charts. O3 ━◞ PERSONALITY - Don’t get her wrong. She cares deeply for her friends. They’re the family she doesn’t feel that she has. Her crew is always surprised she’s not a total diva and is usually just an outgoing and (for the most part) amiable girl. Whether in the way she walks or smiles, she has that graceful superstar formula that draws people in. It’s just her little self-destructive tendencies and obsession for finding love (and also trouble) that gets her into trouble with the people around her. Having an empty family life pushed Lexi to dream of her future family and Prince Charming. When she isn’t thinking of movie scripts and planning how to maintain her relevancy, she is wondering when her life will turn into a rom-com. Sometimes she loses track of reality in her naivete and desperation. Also ridiculously mischievous. Because she grew up constantly conniving as to how she could mess with her parents and get their attention, she often liked to do the opposite of what her dad would instruct her to do, which extrapolated to everyone. Extremely bad at taking instructions and also criticism (so you can expect some diva meltdowns every once in awhile). Breaking the law is lowkey a grey area. Doesn’t blink an eye at things like trespassing. O4 ━◞ SCANDAL - She met one of her father’s colleagues at one of the galas her parents forced her to visit. One of the youngest Senators ever from California. Hitting it off that night, the rest of the year felt like a dream. Young and naive, she was head over heels in love. He swore that he would break up with his wife and that he didn’t love her anymore. As things go, the senator’s wife discovered their affair through a private investigator. Holding the photos over head, she threatened Lexi that she would ruin the Senator’s reputation unless Lexi stayed away from her husband. To tend to her broken heart and avoid blowing up both Lexi’s and the senator’s careers, her agent sent her to Savannah to lay low until things could boil over. O5 ━◞ ALCOHOL USE AND DRUG USE - Since beginning the affair, Lexi turned to alcohol and drugs to deal with the guilt. When she wasn’t working, she was drinking and partying. And when she was partying in upscale LA, she was popping m like no tomorrow with Los Angeles’ partying elite. O6 ━◞ LIKES - Enjoys champagne, cream earl grey tea and anything fruity. Fav coffee is a cappucino with a shot of vanilla. Zombie apocalypse and horror shows/movies/anythings are her guilty passion even though she gets unbelievably scared to the point where she can’t get a good night’s rest. Her secret dream is to star in a zombie film where she gets a really dramatic death. Proud mommy of a little Maltese puppy named Peanut. O7 ━◞ QUIRKS - Messy, not dirty, is what Lexi claims she is. Scatter-brained and disorganized. Constantly late for events. She gives her manager, Anya, a hernia, for not having any order in her life. Lexi also can’t cook for her life but really likes to eat - everything and anything. In fact, for a striving starlet, she really likes fast food like hamburgers and pizza far too much. In response, she is up early doing some sort of physical activity every morning as a semi-guilty ritual. She basically can’t go through the day without exercising because she’s so anxious about her appearance and her extreme love for food. O8 ━◞ WANTED CONNECTIONS - ♕ her ride or die aka in greys anatomy speak, “her person”. The person she’s closest to, etc, like she’d kill somebody for this person ♕ childhood friend ♕ cousins (technically adopted cousins from her adoptive mother’s side) ♕ best female friend aka like a sister/ best male friend aka like a bro ♕ childhood friend ♕ flirtationship ♕ all that love ships/maybe kind of a rebound/maybe more ♕ party crew? ♕ someone who knew her ex or even of the scandal in some way///or or or or someone lexi got really drunk with and accidentally ugly cried to about her being a mistress/ someone who has dirt on her? ♕ an ex that ended badly/ an ex that ended on good terms ♕ someone she has slept around with/is sleeping around with/rebound ♕ one night stand ♕ a fan of her movies/tv shows!? ♕ roommate (she just moved from a big ass mansion to like a house, and it feels empty as fuck, so she prob put out a posting) ♕ early morning workout buddies ♕ someone she has worked with in the industry before like fellow celebs/crew/photographers/filmographers/etc/etc? ♕ anything else hit me up

#savintro

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sophieebdaily · 3 years

Photo

Sophie gave a really strong and powerful interview for today’s edition of ‘You Magazine’ talking about her book ‘Spinning Plates’, out on October 7th. She looked back in her old days and there are some deep relevation she’s never talked about before and personally it shocked me a lot. Read the article below, written by Hattie Crisell:

With six albums, five children, a podcast and her fabulous lockdown kitchen discos, SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR appears to lead a perfect charmed life. But as she tells Hattie Crisell, writing her new memoir took her back to much darker days.

This is the second time I have interviewed singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and she is exactly as I remember her. I’m not referring to her appearance, although of course she’s memorably striking – tall, green-eyed and beautiful, and today wearing a typically colourful floral jumpsuit that she picked up for £20 at a festival.

But there’s also something distinctive about her manner, which I admired last time, and even find myself envying. Sophie puts it best in her new memoir, Spinning Plates: Music, Men, Motherhood and Me. ‘It’s been my goal to be unapologetic. Kind, considerate, but clear with my boundaries.’ And that’s exactly how she comes across.

It’s not always easy for women to maintain those boundaries, and I include myself among them – traditionally, we’ve been encouraged to ease social encounters by being obliging. But while Sophie is polite, friendly, and prone to bursts of raucous laughter, she also projects a steady, low-key faith in who she is and what she thinks. Interviewing her is straightforward precisely because her boundaries are clear: I know that if she objects to a topic, she will say so. Yet when I warn her that I have questions about the more difficult parts of her book, she assures me that she feels fine talking about any of it.

Because the thing is, the 42-year-old woman I’m having lunch with today – an artist who has released six studio albums, produced five children and entertained the nation through lockdown with her famous kitchen discos – is in a much happier place than the girl I’ve been reading about in her memoir, who perhaps didn’t have that confidence. While Sophie always felt she was destined to be famous (‘Cringy to write but also true,’ as it says in the book), she went through a number of deeply unpleasant experiences in her late teens and early 20s that have shaped who she is today.

It started, she explains, with the ladette culture at the end of the 1990s, just as she was emerging from adolescence. The ladette ‘drank pints and had one-night stands, she could talk the talk and walk the walk, she wore a Wonderbra and could banter with the boys. She was ‘who I was supposed to be,’ writes Sophie. It was all about showing bravado when it came to sex and booze; but there wasn’t space to let on if you were uncomfortable or felt vulnerable. ‘It was intimidating and I felt way out of my league.’

Sophie joined her first band, Theaudience, aged 17, and soon started to be interviewed by male journalists, all of whom were older. They asked questions about her favourite sexual positions and commented on her breasts. During an early appearance on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, she was mocked humiliatingly for being the daughter of a Blue Peter presenter (Janet Ellis), and told ‘You’re not cool.’

And then there was her image, which was treated just as brutally. One photographer took an upskirt photo of her without her knowledge and sold it to the papers. Later, when Theaudience’s second album had faltered, she took work as a model. During a photo shoot to promote a hair salon, she was pressured into posing semi-topless, despite this being against the terms she’d agreed with her agency. Those photos – ‘me with sequins barely covering my modesty and the saddest eyes ever’, she writes – were eventually sold to Heat magazine.

None of this seedy treatment should be surprising to anyone who remembers the late 90s, yet two particularly damaging experiences stand out. At 17, Sophie met a man in a club and went back to his flat. They started kissing, but when she told him to stop, he didn’t. This rape – a term she took a while to recognise, because consent wasn’t such a hot topic at the time – is how she lost her virginity.

The second experience began shortly afterwards, when Sophie was studying for her A-levels: it was a relationship with an older man that lasted for several years and was increasingly abusive. ‘Teeny tiny, almost imperceptible shifts that make you think it’s normal to be routinely humiliated in public, or to be told you’re an idiot when you make a mistake, or that you’re past it and wrinkly. Before you know it you’re being threatened if you try to show independence,’ she writes. At its worst, her boyfriend wouldn’t allow her to walk down the street alone or look out of the car window. During one argument, he twisted her wrist so hard that the next day it was too swollen for her to put on a watch. She’s opened up about this now simply because a publisher approached her about writing a book, and lockdown seemed as good a time as any. Still, there was plenty to fill her autobiography, including tales of teenage rebellion, a rise to major pop success, an unexpected baby in her mid-20s, and life with a large family – so why did she choose to include these very personal traumas?

‘I think firstly, those things are really quite common,’ she says, as we dig in to lunch at a restaurant near her home in West London – a tiny eaterie where Sophie is such a regular the waitress already knows her order. ‘I think a lot of people have those experiences, and I’m hoping they resonate and reassure them a bit. I remember, in the midst of writing, I read Candice Brathwaite’s book I Am Not Your Baby Mother, and she talks about a similar experience for her. I thought, “Wow – actually seeing it written down by someone else, I find that reassuring.”’

Part of the reason the abuse was so insidious was that her ex’s constant criticisms and put-downs were so casually delivered. ‘You just think, “Oh, this must be what a grown-up relationship is like, this must be how people talk, this must be normal,”’ she says. ‘So much so that with my husband Richard [Jones, bass player in The Feeling], I almost thought, if I did something silly, “Why are you not calling me an idiot? Oh, OK, is that still passionate, then?” And actually yeah, you don’t have to go around punching people to be an amazingly strong person.’

What she went through, she thinks, has helped her to call out abusive behaviour in other situations. ‘Certainly, I’ve been straight-talking with girlfriends about things I think aren’t very healthy. Hopefully, I’ve done it in a way that’s tactful, but sometimes you just have to say to people, “You don’t seem very happy, and I’m just going to repeat back to you the things that you’re telling me,” and hold a mirror up to it, really. Then people make their own decisions.’

Though most of the book is more lighthearted, these two painful events were the chapters she wrote first. ‘I thought, I really want to tell those stories now. It was going back to give myself a voice, the times when I didn’t say something. And also I thought, if you’re going to write a book, what’s the point? To me being brave and bold and honest is all part of it.’ She’s keen to show her fans that an abusive relationship doesn’t have to dictate your future. ‘You can still end up somewhere happy and not be defined by things that weren’t great. Plus, I suppose it was a way of coming to terms with it myself, because you contextualise it in a different way than you did at the time – particularly the dynamic of how women were being written about back then, and what was seen as the goal of how to be a successful young woman. I think that was quite damaging for my generation.’ The ladette stuff? ‘Yeah. I think among my peers, we’re probably all able to say, “What was that about? Thank goodness we don’t have to think about that any more.”’

Though she’s been married for 16 years to Richard and seems to live a largely happy life, what she went through left its mark. She writes in the book that she recently went to a boxing class with her husband, and when the instructor suggested they spar and Richard raised his fists in preparation, she burst into tears: ‘It took me completely by surprise. The sparring had reminded me of something I’d put in a hidden corner of my memory.’

Her ex sounds vile, I say, and she nods. ‘You do crazy things, don’t you? You give so much of yourself. I tried so hard to turn it into something it was never ever going to be. But I did get out. I did change it.’

She talked the book over with her husband before she started it. ‘Richard was incredibly encouraging,’ she says. ‘And we’ve been together a long time now, so there were no surprises. I think he understood the reason why I was motivated to write it; to maybe reach other people in similar situations. He thought it was important for me to do that.’ Her parents, Janet Ellis and the film-maker Robin Bextor, have both read it. ‘Most people that know me, of course, they know bits anyway,’ she says, then laughs, ‘and they also focus on all the stuff that involves them.’

Her kids – Sonny, 17, Kit, 12, Ray, nine, Jesse, five, and Mickey, two – were another reason for writing it. ‘They can start thinking about how they feel about those sorts of things as they get older,’ she says. The book explains that she taught them about consent early on: ‘When they play we use the words, “Stop” and “No”, and they are powerful. No matter how much fun they’ve been having up to that point, if one of them – even laughing – says “No” or “Stop”, then they must stop whatever they are doing. I want to raise considerate, kind people who can take other people’s feelings into account.’

None of them has read her memoir, but Sophie has already told her eldest son what she went through. ‘You gauge it on each child. It might be that it’s not right to talk about it at the same stage with the next child down, but certainly with Sonny I felt like he could understand. I did it in a way that was appropriate – I just told him, “I spent a lot of my time in something that wasn’t great, and you don’t have to do the same.” I’m selective, but I try to give them the insight of whatever I’ve learnt – it’s part of raising someone.’

Beyond that, she’s not worried about their reactions to the book. ‘I don’t think there’s anything that I would struggle to talk to them about. In fact, if I’m perfectly honest, I think they’re going to be pretty uninterested in the whole thing!’ She laughs. ‘My mum’s quite an open person. I’ve learnt things about her from what she’s said on the radio. That’s how she’s comfortable talking about herself, and it’s never bothered me, so my kids have just got to deal with it. They can cope with knowing I’m a whole adult person who lived a life before I was with their dad.’

Her life involved a lot more than the bruising experiences mentioned above. Sophie writes about her parents’ split when she was four, but also about the playground kudos that came with her mother’s presenter role on Blue Peter. Sophie talks fondly of the step-parents she acquired as a child – her mother’s husband John Leach (who died last summer) and her father’s wife Polly Mockford. And she charts the arrival over the years of her younger siblings: Jackson Ellis Leach, 34, who is a drummer in Sophie’s band, Martha Ellis Leach, 30, Dulce Bextor, 24, and 23-year-old twins Bertie and Maisy Bextor.

But perhaps the most heartwarming section of the book is devoted to her husband. It’s a love letter of sorts, that details the kindness and respect he has always shown her, and the easy friendship that evolved into more. She met Richard towards the end of her relationship with the abusive ex, when he auditioned to join her band. She recalls that the first thing she ever said to him was, ‘Nice amp,’ which was surprising, she writes, because ‘it is the only time in my life I’ve either a) really looked at an amp or b) complimented anyone on one.’ At home, they now have a neon sign bearing the words ‘nice amp’.

Things moved fast. She found out she was pregnant six weeks into their relationship, when they hadn’t even yet exchanged ‘I love you’. Shocked, Sophie considered terminating the pregnancy – ‘but I couldn’t get to that headspace,’ she writes. ‘As my tummy grew, so did the love that Richard and I felt for each other.’ Then, nine months after Sonny was born, Richard proposed to her – though she blurted out ‘Yes!’ before he’d even asked the question.

When I bring up this high romance, she becomes a bit awkward. The chapter on Richard was the hardest to write, she admits. ‘I’m not very good at that kind of thing. But I was much better at writing it down than I am at talking about it.’ She knows he liked it, but he didn’t say much, which she seems relieved about. ‘He’s much more likely to be romantic than I am, so he probably didn’t want to embarrass me.’

Whether or not she can say it out loud, her book suggests they are very well suited and deeply devoted to each other – but that’s not to say they haven’t been through some tough times. During Sophie’s pregnancy with Sonny, and even while she was still in hospital after his birth, she was trying to untangle her finances from those of her ex. Despite being given her home studio equipment and a brand-new car in the split, he felt he was entitled to more. Her pregnancy was also mysteriously leaked to the press, leading her to worry about who she could trust with personal information; it later emerged that her phone, as well as her mother’s and Richard’s, had been hacked.

Then at 28 weeks pregnant she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a condition which causes high blood pressure and meant that Sonny needed to be delivered by caesarean two months early. Sonny stayed in hospital for six weeks, with Sophie and Richard visiting twice a day. But it’s what happened a couple of months after he returned home, when the new family had settled into a happy routine, that makes for the most alarming reading. Sophie woke to find that Sonny had slept through his usual feeding time, and had a temperature of over 41C. He had meningitis.

Thankfully, the doctors were able to treat him quickly and his temperature was back under control later that day – ‘but I think the jolt of fear and adrenaline took a while to process,’ writes Sophie. ‘For years after I would freak out if any of the kids had a high fever.’

She’s typically philosophical now when she reflects on the stress of that period. ‘The main thing was, we didn’t know any different, and I’m quite an optimistic person anyway so I didn’t go through it all in a state of panic,’ she tells me. ‘It’s more that I look back and think of it as quite an intense period of our lives. Richard and I deal with quite a lot all the time and I think that was what forged our ability to cope – because there was not any let-up.’

Perhaps it also primed them to cope with the wobble in their marriage that was to come nine years later – during Sophie’s 2013 stint on Strictly Come Dancing, in which she was a finalist. She doesn’t mince her words about this experience in the book: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,’ she writes.

Her opinion of the show is based on that series, so it’s hard to know whether it would resonate with more recent participants – but I suspect much of it would. She believes pastoral care is lacking, and that there should be a counsellor on board to make sure everyone’s coping. ‘Everybody’s dealing with really big, real-life things, and it takes over probably like nothing else you’ve ever done,’ she says. ‘So much of it is ridiculously wonderful – the sets, the lighting, the music, the costumes, the make-up. I just think if there was a bit more emotional support for the people in the midst of it, it would at least be a nod to the fact that they’re thinking about it.’

She points out how demanding the schedule is, with rehearsals or recording six days a week for up to 13 weeks. The professional dancers, she believes, shoulder more strain than they should: ‘I think I was very unusual in that I never cried in front of Brendan [Cole, her dance partner]. But they’re like counsellors as well. I heard stories about previous contestants. You know, imagine the confessional at the hairdressers, and then pretend you’re doing a paso doble with your hairdresser.’

Richard (who gave his blessing for her to write about this) struggled with her involvement in the show. ‘At the TV studio everything was adrenaline-fuelled and exciting but at home things were strained and I was finding it hard to give Richard the reassurance and support he needed,’ she writes. It took a while after the show finished for their marriage to recover.

She also found the judges’ emphasis on sexual chemistry deeply uncomfortable. ‘When we did the Argentine tango, all the comments were about whether it came across as a man having an affair with his other woman, because that’s apparently what that dance is about,’ she says, still a little incredulous. ‘And I’m like, “I’m not sure I want an extra couple of points for looking like I’m having an affair, because my grandpa’s watching, and my husband’s in the audience.”’

Did she expect Strictly to have an impact on her marriage? ‘God no! I had no bloody idea. I’d never seen it.’ Though she doesn’t name names, it’s well documented that two celebrities’ marriages ended during that series. ‘That’s not a small-fry thing,’ she says. ‘If I go on tour and there’s 15 of us in a crew bus, I don’t have two of them leave their partners at the end of the tour.’

Speaking of tours, her next one as a headliner – the Kitchen Disco Tour – has been pushed back to March next year. In the meantime, she’s promoting the appropriately titled Spinning Plates in between recording episodes of her podcast of the same name, performing at festivals, gearing up to support Steps on tour, and dealing with her toddler’s nocturnal wanderings (the week I meet Sophie, she and Mickey had spent a night sleeping on the floor outside her bedroom). She likes to be busy, but is glad the book allowed her a moment to stop and think.

‘My 40s are a good time to reflect on where I’m at,’ she says. ‘I’m clear in my mind about what I want, but also a lot more open, and more aware of where I’ve been in the past. For me the book is all part of taking stock, and thinking actually, I’m quite a happy person.’ She does seem happy – and refreshingly unapologetic, too.

Photos: Laura Lewis

#you magazine #photos #sophie ellis bextor #spinning plates

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dgallo328 · 3 years

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Exhibition Review Assignment

Jacques Henri Lartigue art work called “Life in Color” is featured at the 28 Vignon Street exhibit which is located solely online. Lartique’s referred to his work as a visual diary, since all pictures were located in albums that he revised from nineteen seventy to nineteen eighty. For the reason that all his original photos were in albums, when displayed the album pages were placed next to the photos. Even though not stated, based on the album pictures that are presented it seems that all photos are varied in size, but all are said to be included in large sized folios. Some pages included as many as four photos, while others only include one with some type of writing that either says place or year the photo was taken. In total the exhibit showcases twenty- three photos that range from showing place, people and objects; the photo album contains around fifty- three photos.

One of my favorite photos of the gallery is the top photo which includes a boat named Miss Chandris that looks like it is getting cleaned by three men in semi-shallow water; I make this observation by each of the three men have long scrubbers in their hand. One of the most prominent observations is the scale if the boat compared to the three men that seem to be miniscule next to it. After the size of the boat the next thing that sticks out is the lines and colors made by what is the most frequent or natural cause of the water, rust. The ones that seem to be in the water longer are more of a dark brown while the line/ color at the top seems to be more of a beige that draws in one’s eye because of how bright it is compared to the boat. The colors also allow for the numbers on the tip of the boat to be blended in. Even though not on purpose the lines also seem to create a pattern of the browns and greys and a unity within themselves. Given that and looking at the whole since they are horizontal lines in my opinion it does not affect the balance completely. It does create an asymmetrical balance, which is defined as “a composition that has equal visual weight, but the forms are disposed unevenly” (11). Lastly, the ropes even though in the foreground they blend very well and allow the eye to go up and down the photo. The second photo (below) that contains a person coming down from what seems like parasailing. The observation that I first had was the pattern affect, that creates unity within the photo with the red and white color in the photographer’s shirt, the parachute, and the little red in the person in the backgrounds shirt. The other part of the photo that is not common in many photos is it is a photo of a photographer or another person taking a photo of the same thing from a different perspective. Even though subtle another part that in my opinion that helps with the balance of the photo is the mountains and or volcanos in the background that balance the rocks of the floor; it almost allows or looks like a mirror image of one another. Going back to the parachute as well as the floor, texture plays a role in being able to have a visual sense of what is feels like. The parachute has the curves and the wind blowing that helps create this and the floor has the ruff trail like texture with all the rocks standing on top of each other; big and small. Lastly, the yellow in the vest of the parachuter allows for a focal point that allows the eye to come down into the middle of the photo which then leads to the background.

Photos like in this exhibit will always be relevant because its people living their life as well as their surroundings. Life is always something that is captured. That is something that I believe is in the overarching message is people living life and things in nature that people have to take in and enjoy. This has a huge relevance to today because with the pandemic people have had no choice but to try to look at the little things in life.

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charlottecarterbcu · 3 years

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Lookbook - Instagram Layout

We are currently in a forever evolving world where more and more physical items such as magazines and Lookbooks are being digitalised and shown on an online platform, including social media where the majority of consumers have access to. Following on from being advised to look into this in one of my tutorials, I have decided to look into how my Lookbook would look if it was specifically designed to be shown online, like on Instagram for example. In the current climate it is more likely to get recognition for a Lookbook on social media rather than handing out physical copies, this is even more apparent now with the current pandemic and with everything being online.

With my current Adobe licence, I wasn’t able to download the social media pack on InDesign, so I made a custom printable booklet instead using the recommended sizes for Instagram. With the overall size being smaller and the shape now being square I knew that I’d have to make some new mood boards on photoshop using the original content from my printable Lookbook. Some of my original mood boards also had a lot of content on them, which I knew I would have to reduce and spread out over several pages. Whilst bearing in mind that you can post a maximum of ten photos in one post on Instagram, I got started on my new mood boards in Photoshop.

The front page stayed rather similar; all I did differently was turn the flag around to help to fill the space. As an opening image I think this would work well on an online Lookbook. I knew that I would need to split up my narrative pages, to begin with I have done a page with different garment styles relating to the narrative, I then went on to continue the same tent picture across to the next narrative page to show how they link together. On this page I have put the paragraph about the trend on its own. Even by being on a page on its own, I’m still questioning if the text would be big enough to read online, especially if someone was accessing it through their mobile. To further develop this page, I would go on to either break down the points from the narrative across different pages or I would get rid of the paragraph all together and instead only show a couple of sentences on the key points and a few of the key words to help to describe the narrative. This would be better suited for social media as its not somewhere you go to read paragraphs, with key words making more of an impact.

Following on from my evaluation of my printable Lookbook, whilst also taking into consideration the smaller area to work with, for my colour palette page I have just used the coloured tent pictures on their own with a background of one of my primary photographs of a landscape. I have used the same font as the printable Lookbook, but to help it to stand out on a screen I have made it semi bold, where it was just regular before. I prefer this colour palette page to my original one as it is a lot more simplistic and to the point without being overcrowded. The next few pages are different to the original as I have given each of the three aspects of the narrative their own page. For the first one I have layered the page with different fabrics including primary and secondary imagery. This is again another simple and clear page with a single garment image and a list of relevant materials. As well as the printable Lookbook, this page could also be further developed with a list of more specific types of repurposed and recycled materials.

In this Lookbook I have dedicated a whole page to the adjustable and additional features specifically relevant to the trend as this plays a major role within the narrative with the need for practical and adaptable designs. For this page I did have to include a new image to balance out the page, however, I still have a photoshop document full of leftover images from my first Lookbook, so I was able to use one of those. I actually ended up using a front facing picture of the small hood adjustment picture that was already there, this works quite well as you’re now able to see both sides of one garment. The key shapes page is similar to the original design, but I did use one of the original narrative page pictures to help to fill the page and clearly explain the key shapes. The model in the blue tracksuit is wearing heels, heels are definitely not relevant to the trend, so I strategically placed her behind the tent and the red outfit. As the tent is on the background image and the blue tracksuit is a layer in front, I had to cut away the bottom half of the leg in the picture, I did this my reducing the opacity on the picture and used the polygonal lasso tool to carefully cut out along the edge of the tent that was now visible through the leg.

The last page stayed the same with me only needing to make a few alterations to the colour sequence due to the change in length of the bunting. Again, this a very simple yet informative page clearly communicating the trend. With both Lookbooks there needs to be more clarity and information in regard to the sustainable part of the narrative. Using a sustainable key word or phrase across each of the pages would work for both Lookbooks and would help them to further develop and promote the trend more clearly. Comparing the two, I actually prefer the square Lookbook suitable for Instagram, this is mainly due to the different concepts of the trend each having their own page, making it clearer to understand. However, I do not think the narrative paragraph page would work as there is too much information for a social media platform and the text is also too small to read. As I previously said, this could be altered in a number of ways, including breaking down the narrative and spreading it out across the other pages.

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wallpaperpainter · 4 years

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Is Vermeer Girl Reading A Letter Still Relevant? | Vermeer Girl Reading A Letter

So while we are all abundantly bedfast to base, what bigger time to besom up your ability of all things Dutch? DutchNews.nl is admiring to present its absolute own ‘inburgering’ advance in, well, about abounding acquaint it takes.

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Lesson 11: Babe with a Fair Earring

Johannes Vermeer’s Babe with a Fair Earring (1665) has been voted ‘the best admirable Dutch painting’ and declared as ‘timeless, like Mona Lisa’. She’s additionally a massive money-spinner and actualization on aggregate from bikes to baggage. Here are 11 key facts.

A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window by Johannes Vermeer .. | vermeer girl reading a letter

It’s not a pearlFor starters, the fair is not a pearl. A fair of that admeasurement would artlessly not accept been accessible to Vermeer. The painting didn’t access the name until 1995. Before again she was artlessly a ‘Tronie’, or a arch or face, ‘Girl with Turban’, or ‘Head of a Girl’. Experts at the Mauritshuis anticipate she may be cutting a Venetian applique of varnished bottle which was fashionable at the time, while astronomer Vincent Icke opts for able tin, which would additionally explain the shine.

Who’s that girl?Nobody knows. She could be Vermeer’s babe who was about twelve in 1665. Others put the date of the painting at 1655, putting Vermeer’s adolescent wife of two years– actually – in the frame. Conceivably she was artlessly an bearding model. According to Rembrandt able Ernst van de Wetering, best artists adopted absolute models for their ‘Tronies’, so it is apparently safe to achieve that whoever she was, she was not a bubble of Vermeer’s imagination.

Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window | Johannes Vermeer’s .. | vermeer girl reading a letter

What does it mean?If the painting was meant to advertise the artist’s ability at depicting emotion, as some art critics accept it, the Babe with a Fair Earring does not accord abundant away. But conceivably that is the point.

The antecedent of the blueThe chaplet of the turban is corrective in Vermeer’s iconic blue. Although poor, he acclimated the absolute big-ticket accustomed azure or ashamed lapis lazuli in best of his paintings. In 2012, back the Rijksmuseum adequate Woman in Dejected account a Letter, it begin a band of chestnut blooming acrylic underneath, which gave the dejected added depth. Afresh assured analysis begin that the semi-precious bean was acrimonious to a abundant temperature which fabricated processing easier and added to the abyss of colour.

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She had eyelashesSophisticated imaging and scanning techniques accept afresh appear not alone that the babe had airish adjoin a blooming pleated blind but that her abnormally bald eyes area not consistently so. Some baby hairs abide but best of her lashed assume to accept abolished over time.

How did the babe end up in the Mauritshuis?In 1902, the painting, forth with 12 others, was ancestral to the Mauritshuis by

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#girl painting #vermeer girl reading a letter at an open window #vermeer girl reading a letter cupid

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gabbypiperyr2fmp · 4 years

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Initial Ideas - 5 more Concept Artists

Arnold TsengArnold Tseng is a concept artist who has designed characters for Overwatch as well as many other projects. I think his character design is very unique and I like how it combines fantasy themes with future technology, as per the game’s aesthetic. I also really like the clean outlines of the characters and the varied use of colours and contrast makes them very aesthetically appealing. The colours are also very bright which I think looks effective. He also has an amazing attention to detail for both his character designs and paintings which I really admire. His style is more cartoony than realistic, and I like how his character design is very clean and easy to interpret, while also being shaded to give the impression that certain parts are more three dimensional. *This post was taken from another blog* I have chosen to include these artists in my initial research as they all create the style of concept art that I am interested in and would like to pursue in this project. All of their work is highly detailed and their scene paintings are very cinematic and immersive- I did want to focus more on environment painting as well so these artists are especially relevant and inspiring.

Simon Stalenhag

Simon Stalenhag is one of my favourite artists for numerous reasons. He is a concept artist who creates digital paintings for his fictional universes which include Things From The Flood, Tales From The Loop and The Electric State. The landscapes he paints are hyperrealistic and have a very cold and dystopian atmosphere about them due to the colour palette he uses, which is very muted, mirroring real life. The giant mechanical structures featured in his art are also very well designed to fit perfectly into the already realistic scene - this creates an unusual atmosphere as it gives off the impression that they are actually part of the world. The sheer amount of detail in his character design and landscapes (including his use of atmospheric perspective) are some of the main reasons why his work is so visually stunning and appealing to look at.

Jason Chan

Jason Chan is also a digital concept artist who has a very aesthetically pleasing and semi realistic style - containing stylised yet almost realistic human characters, as well as very believable looking creatures and background design. One of my favourite aspects of his work is how he uses colours to create layers and depth in his work - especially in the first piece, as the contrast separates the girl from the monster and background, making her stand out. I also like how his work consists of mainly dark background but with brighter (yet not too saturated) foregrounds, with much brighter accents - ie the magic and futuristic aspects. His style of painting is also very realistic and he manages to give all of his work very stunning textures to add to the three dimensional element.

Arnold Tseng

Arnold Tseng is a concept artist who has designed characters for Overwatch as well as many other projects. I think his character design is very unique and I like how it combines fantasy themes with future technology, as per the game’s aesthetic. I also really like the clean outlines of the characters and the varied use of colours and contrast makes them very aesthetically appealing. The colours are also very bright which I think looks effective. He also has an amazing attention to detail for both his character designs and paintings which I really admire.

His style is more cartoony than realistic, and I like how his character design is very clean and easy to interpret, while also being shaded to give the impression that certain parts are more three dimensional.

Dylan Cole

Dylan Cole is a concept artist who focuses mainly on landscapes that are surreal and otherworldly yet realistic. All his work is extremely beautiful and truly looks alive- as if the real world has been exaggerated. He created a lot of the concept art for the Avatar film. His paintings look like photographs that have been edited, which I really admire since photo-realism is incredibly hard to achieve. I like how he incorporates fantasy and science fiction elements into his mountain ranges - they are also very realistic and accurate looking. The shading and highlights also give the pieces a lot of depth, as well as the use of atmospheric perspective.

George Hull

George Hull has created concept art for many popular films including the Matrix Reloaded and Bladerunner 2049. The subject of his work is usually vehicles or futuristic machinery, which contains an enormous amount of detail so it looks very believable. His pieces also give off a strong dystopian aesthetic which I particularly like.

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cpaplannercom · 4 years

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Fastest Way To Get Started With Sites (And Making Money Off Niche Sites)

We’ve all read about the process of creating a blog, niche site, or other online money-making projects. The process is pretty much the same thing:

Find Topics You Have Interest In

Find Out If There Are Ways to Monetize

Do Keyword Research and Discover Viability of Buying Keywords

Check Competition

List and Plan Site Structure and Content

Buy a Domain and Hosting

Create a Blog or Website

Write Content for the Site

Create Relevant Images for the Site

Build Backlinks to Get Traffic via Organic Search

Buy or Build More Traffic via Social Media, Bookmarks, and RSS Directories

Collect Money!

Systematic and Fast Way To Own A Niche Site

Steps seem clear enough and we all know how difficult it is to get every one of them right to make big bucks. But if you just want to get started and you’re committed to keep this site for the long-term but hate doing all the work upfront, you can certainly outsource (pay) others to get it done.

Disclaimer: This is not a blueprint, but it’s just how We do things from scratch. We still do about half of the stuff above ourselfs, particularly with sites We have a genuine interest in, but for niche sites and product sites, You should outsource most of the stuff and keep track of costs.

We’ll assume that you’ve already picked a niche, determined your primary keywords and found a monetization strategy already, whether it’s via Adsense, Amazon, affiliate products, or whatever.

This article will only talk about outsourcing the stuff you’re not interested in doing. In this case, writing boring intro articles, building backlinks, creating social media or Web 2.0 accounts, etc.

Setting the Budget

So here we go, we’ll deal with items #6 to #11 mainly. There are many ways to get these done, and you don’t need all of the items above either, but We’ll give you an idea of where to start.

Getting a Domain and Hosting

To be frank, you don’t need (and probably don’t want) to outsource this as it’s very simple task.

Search and get your perfect domain name using this NameCheap link and after doing so, subscribe to a hosting plan. We strongly suggest you get the Baby Plan to get started as you’ll need to check how your website doing in the future.

Estimated total cost: $10/year (domain), $3/mo or ($36/year) = Total of $46/year

Create a Blog or Website

Unless you have a specific reason not to, you should use the WordPress platform for your blog. There are tons of free templates out there but if you’re not experienced with CSS and PHP, you’re better off investing in a premium (paid) theme as the support and community are awesome when you need to customize and troubleshoot your site.

Free themes don’t offer much support. Learn Niche Marketing and my other ‘big’ sites. You can add child themes (add-on themes) to match the type of blog/niche you’re promoting as well.

For Amazon niche sites, Read the post about recommended themes for Amazon review sites.

If you must use a free theme, We suggest to search the free version of some cool templates and if you really enjoy it pay for premium.

Another good option would be to just search for it in the WordPress.org themes directory.

If you don’t want to go through that, you can find a WordPress expert that sells a pre-fabricated site for you. For about $150-200, you can purchase a professionally made site with initial original articles (usually 3-5 articles), legally paid for stock photos, a premium theme, and the necessary plug-ins required.

There are many providers in Internet Marketing forums, they’re all priced between the $150-300 range depending on the included theme and article amount.

Note that websites usually cost a lot more than this (around $1000-4000) but since these are semi pre-fabricated sites, the labor cost is often substantially cheaper.

You’ll save TONS of time fixing design, CSS, color scheme, writing articles, etc. I do mean a lot of time. Hiring these developers will give you a turn-key platform. The only thing you need to do is add your monetization links.

Cost – $150-300

Write Content

If it’s a blog where you have a passion on, naturally, you’d be writing everything and you’ll enjoy it. If they’re niche sites and review sites, however, you may not have the patience to continue writing more articles on relatively boring consumer goods.

Yes, you already may have some pre-written articles in the previous step, but chances that you’ll need to add at least one article a month to keep the search engines happy as it helps the search engine spiders determine how often they should crawl your site.

We get our articles done over at iWriter. It’s a very buyer-friendly system where you can approve the submitted article’s quality before paying the writer and iWriter acts like an escrow.

Prices start at $1.25 for a 150-word article. You can pick highly rated writers for better quality articles, and they do cost more, about $5-8 per 500-word article.

We usually purchase 700-word articles if they’re for a basic blog post, 1000-1500 words for an intro article.

Cost – $1.25-$15

Relevant Images

Once again, if you purchased your blog design from a provider that supplied appropriate and paid stock photos, you don’t have to worry about this anymore. But for your filler images, you will need to purchase them from photo stocks.

If you’re purchasing small blog images (500px or so) and you purchase a ‘set’ of relatively generic images, you can re-use the images again and again for less than $20 bucks.

Remember, you’re using it for a blog post, you RARELY need anything larger than 500 pixels in max length. Please respect photographers/artists right to make a living. The images are cheap enough, so don’t steal all images from Google image search.

Cost – $5-50

Build Backlinks

Everybody hates building backlinks! They’re laborious, resource extensive, hard to track, and most of all, expensive to do by yourself! Unless you already have a group or team that shares the cost of super-expensive link building tools, it’s better off just paying someone to do this. This is especially true when your efforts don’t guarantee results either and you don’t have the skills nor metrics to make things work.

We did for one of our niche sites this: Hire a link building expert to do a “Guaranteed Page One” service and it yielded great success. In about 2 months, We reached page 1 for a relatively competitive term and just leap-frogged over the competition and earned enough to cover the cost of that page one campaign service in a month.

Basically, the SEO provider will build links for you until your chosen keyword(s) reaches the top 10 listings in Google. The timeframe varies depending on the strength of competition for your niche and your choice of keyword.

Naturally, if you’re targeting an easy keyword like “How to eat 50 burgers in 10 minutes” it may take only a week to reach page one, while a difficult term like “Cheap Car Insurance” may take quite a long time (and the providers probably won’t accept your order anyway).

Just search for “Guaranteed Page One SEO” and you’ll find quite a few.

Cost – $100-10000 depending on keyword competition. For most micro niche sites, especially Amazon sites, $100-150 would suffice.

Social Network Accounts, Bookmarking, RSS Submission

These steps are often required just to get your site some breadth in terms of visibility. Submitting your feed to RSS directories, for example, allows you to tell many RSS directories you exist and when you publish a new post, all of these directories will publish your link, getting you more traffic and backlinks.

Bookmarking and social networks do the same thing, just a different channel.

Creating accounts in all these websites takes forever, and honestly, don’t bother. Just head to Fiverr and for $5 a ‘gig’ or service, you can get as many as 200 RSS feed submissions, creation of all the necessary Web 2.0 & social network accounts, and bookmarking your existing posts quickly without doing a single thing.

Total cost for all three services – $15

Total cost for outsourcing services – $300-350 (min).

Caution, Watch Your Bottom-line

Can you do all these steps without spending 300 bucks? Of course, as We’ve mentioned previously, you’ll realize very quickly you don’t want to do all these laborious tasks. Honestly, you’ll be spending at least a week’s worth of tinkering to get all these done if you’re proficient with the tasks involved.

If you’ve never edited CSS before, it will take forever to research and write, no clue on how to build backlinks, etc. You’ll be wasting close to a month just to get started.

How much is your time worth?

Now about the cost. Naturally, the only thing we care about is profit. Make sure that your chosen niche has the potential to make money in the first place. In simplistic terms, if your niche has the potential to make $1 a day, then in theory, you can get your return-of-investment in 1 year’s time.

That doesn’t really make too much sense to spend so much just to get a buck a day. But if your niche has the potential to make $3 a day (which is seriously not that difficult to do when you start mixing income-generation methods), then you’ll only need less than 4 months to ROI.

In one of our sites, We spent a total of $150 to get the site to a stage where I’m happy with it. The cost involved $100 of guaranteed page one service, then the rest goes to those RSS/bookmarking submissions and the domain. Hosting is shared across my other sites so the cost there is very minimal, like $1.50/mo equivalent).

The site has made over $150 in 2 months, and it’s still making decent money afterward, so the initial investment was a no-brainer.

Starting really small, and when the potential seems to be there, then go ahead and spend for off-page SEO link services. The other costs have been rather minimal as We did most of the stuff ourselves. The downside is, We wasted 6-months before We got started with link building expenses and We’ll probably wait another 2 months before better income starts coming in.

So there you have it. An express lane to get started with niche sites and authority blogs for monetization. Even at the high-range of $500-800, think of the last $500-800 cumulative purchase you’ve made that was actually an asset that has the chance to make you money. $500 is just half-a-year of gourmet coffee.

Get started now!

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gdmli · 4 years

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Natural Capital Class Reflections

Two of our recent speakers—Ted Corrigan from the Water Works and Seth Watkins from Pinhook Farm—really should get together for coffee someday.

It’s been more than three years since the lawsuit by DMWW against upstream drainage districts was dismissed from Federal Court. While the COVID-19 crisis is occupying the attention of Corrigan’s team for the foreseeable future, in the long-term there can be no greater concern than the quality of water rolling down the Raccoon River basin. While litigation proved to be a fruitless tactic, developing partnerships with entities upstream needs to be a high priority. Seth represents hope that more farmers will realize the financial and environmental benefits derived from working with rather than against nature while producing an abundance of desperately needed food.

Apparently some folks in northeast Iowa have figured out this whole issue of bringing together the interests of clean water and profitable agriculture. The day before our Natural Capital class, the Des Moines Register reported this…

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2020/04/08/dubuque-partner-farmers-new-deal-reach-state-water-quality-goals/2964731001/

Towards the end of Seth’s talk, I semi-jokingly nominated him for Secretary of Agriculture. The fact is Iowans have had two opportunities to vote into office farmers with very similar philosophies as Seth. In 2006 we lost a great opportunity by not electing Denise O’Brien…

https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/organic-farmer-denise-obrien-could-be-next-iowa-secretary-agriculture

And damned if in 2010 we didn’t make the same mistake by not electing Francis Thicke…

https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/francis-thicke-iowa-secretary-agriculture/

Elections matter and sometimes down ballot races have some of the biggest impacts. Shall we all start paying closer attention?

On a personal, but still relevant note, I have to brag just a little bit. In 1950, Wallace’s Farmer Magazine named a farmer from just south of Pleasantville as a Master Farmer. This highly prestigious award was given because of his leadership in conservation practices such as terracing hillsides, installing shelter belts protecting waterways, and using minimum tillage while growing row crops. This farmer was my grandfather Clyde. See list of Master Farmers here…

https://www.farmprogress.com/master-farmers/iowa-master-farmers-year

My last word on agriculture and water quality is that it will be easier to get excited about the Central Iowa Water Trails project once we get the water coming down the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers significantly cleaner. Until that happens I won’t be putting even one little tippy toe into that drainage ditch, er I mean water trail.

A new friend of mine is a recent immigrant from India. Last Tuesday we were discussing the impact of COVID-19 and changes in the environment in his home country. He spoke of areas in northern India (the Punjab province to be exact) that have not seen the Himalayas for thirty years. Now the view is so clear it looks as if a person could reach out and touch them! There has been some reporting in the American press about the topic as well…

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/world/asia/india-pollution-coronavirus.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-coronavirus-delhi-clean-air-pollution/2020/04/10/ac23dd1e-783e-11ea-a311-adb1344719a9_story.html

Of all the things Seth said in his inspirational talk which made me leap for joy was “we need immigrants.” Hallelujah! One of the things I’ve discovered at the Farmer’s Market is the healthiest, freshest, and most affordable produce is grown by immigrant farmers. If you open this link and look at the very first photograph you will see a young lady who is now a junior at East…

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/picture-gallery/news/local/community/2017/07/12/20-photos-scenes-from-the-beaverdale-farmers-market/103647460/

In addition to flowers, she, her parents, and siblings grow an amazing assortment of nutritional vegetables. Last summer I made their stand my first stop. Along our typical circuit around the Court Avenue District I also typically pick up additional produce from my Pella friends the Vue’s and the Yang’s. Hopefully there will be a Farmer’s Market this year so we can continue to enjoy the bounty!

By the way in addition to helping grow and sell vegetables and being an honor student, the young lady from East has a side gig. She runs a gourmet bakery. If you need baked goods for a very special occasion, give her a try…

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Kitchen-Cooking/Kekes-Cakes-1478932128995955/

Last year I reached out to the State Fair board and administration with the idea of using their massive stage to showcase the contributions of newly arrived people. If you look closely at the various Central Iowa farmer’s markets you will see a significant number of fruit and vegetable growers from Latin America, East and Southeast Asia, and multiple regions of Africa. Yet, these people and their produce is invisible at our annual agricultural exposition. The response from the Central Iowa representative on the board was cordial, yet non-committal. The answer I got back from the fair C.E.O was quite frankly insulting. Maybe more like-minded people could write or call.

Finally, if you would like to see some of Iowa’s natural history you may want to consider visiting this gem…

http://www.thebrentonarboretum.org/

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