#Paper Core Cutter

[sami32e]

DeviantArt mirror here

Here is a project almost one year in the making: A sprite chart of Undertale AUs and Multiverses. The credits are massive, so I'll keep it brief.

The order of characters in the rows is: Ink, Error, Core, Dream, Nightmare, Fresh, Blueberror, Fatal, Dr. Sans and an extra Outcode.

Enjoy

Undertale & Deltarune by Toby Fox

Underfell by @underfell (Vic the Underfella)

Underswap by Hatsune Miku

Swapfell by Kkhoppang

Hardtale by CedDrawsNear

Fellswap Gold by @blackggggum

Underfellswap by @swapfell

Swapswap ( @swapswapofficial ) by @oranskullblade, Resurgence Swapswap by Dunkly

Dusttale by Osteophile and @ask-dusttale

Remains (Dusterror) by @flapvoir-real

Horrortale by @horrortalecomic (Sour Apple Studios)

Killertale/Something New by @rahafwabas

Paper Jam by @7goodangel

Gradient Sans & @askcomboclub by @roseworks

Quantumtale by @perfectshadow06

Superior Papyrus by Kurbo0

Index Sans & Dr. Clockworx by @tgps-crib

Mr. Paradox by @jaumj

Goth Afterdeath by @nekophy

Paper Crane by @little-noko

Goopytale by @sunnysheadraws and Arts Kislali

Xtale & Underverse ( @xtaleunderverse ) by @jakei95

A L I V E by @tatatale

Challenger Papyrus & R.E.M.N.A.N.T. by Waterfallapollo

Cutter Chara and Needle Asriel by @zaylephant

Agent Buttercup by me

Inktale by @comyet

Errortale, Aftertale and Underfresh by @loverofpiggies

Core Frisk ( @corefrisk ) by @dokudoki

Dreamtale by @jokublog

Fatal Error ( @fatal-error-blog) by @xedramon

Doctor Sans by @flapvoir-real

Honeycomb Ralsei by @laptoparmageddon

Fellink (Dye) and Fellgravity by Alter9code

Fellafter by @medioric-hyper and Ermburh

Fellerror (Flaw & Flawine), Felldream (Oneiro & Ephialtes) and Fellfatal by Mettalicc and Daviduzzzzzz

Fellcore Frisk by @inkbrucel

Fellfresh/Unfresh (Rocker) by me

Fell Dr.Sans by @tresh4kww

Swapink (Indi) by @wishingstarinajar

Swapafter & Swapfatal by ZeroCofee06/ZeroSans06

Swaperror (Fallacy & Fallrot) and Swapcore Chara by Mettalic and Daviduzzzzzz

Fallacy redesign by me

Swapdream take and Doctor Paps by @tresh4kww

Swapfresh (Zippy) by @rainbowsans

Hex Error Sans by @stankychee

Supremeverse by @flapvoir-real

The Variants by @glitchy-squidd

Airbrush (and by extension Brushwork) by @adorablemew

NO!Sansverse by @tging24

Swapfellverse by @enigmapapyrus

Hardafter by @medi0creking and @medioric-hyper

Hardink (Pastel), Harderror (Critical), Harddream (Euphoria & Misery/Nightterror), Hardfresh and Hardfatal by @medi0creking

Pastel redesign and Hardcore Frisk by me

[tmbgareok]

I have a very esoteric question for JF - I remember hearing you did the artwork or photography for the Miscellaneous T album cover. Were the letters cut out of foam? Using a heated wire cutter? The blocky flintstone-ey letters in an interesting hallway is still very cool. Thank you in advance for answering if you answer and thanks for always being great.

The cover of Miscellaneous T

First I designed the typeface on graph paper (which was actually a bigger project than the cover). This was the very end of the pre-computer era, and the word "font" went from being a shibboleth of design people to being common parlance. While computers were shaking up the world of graphic design the limitations were immediate. While the general public marveled at the 25 typefaces available, designers were sorely missing the other 2000.

(At this time I imported my very crude work into a computer-based font design program, and that file named Conant was even uploaded on to a free font site. I have no notion of how long it played out there or if it was ever used elsewhere, but I like to think there is a restaurant menu somewhere using Conant.)

The idea of my design was drawn from the hand lettering of artist Ben Shahn (although I did not have a lot of direct source material!) The big features of this kind of design is the squared-off letter shapes and the modulating upper and lower case forms. His letter changes from poster to poster but in general it looks like this...

I was also thinking about the woodcut letter shapes on the cover of Edward Albees famous paperback books (a book that was everywhere) I suspect the design was also Ben Shahn-influenced.

So regarding the cover of Misc. T-

The letters on the cover were made with an X-Acto knife, 1/4" foam-core, tape, Elmers glue, paper and acrylic paint. They are not solid at all. I made them very quickly, and in a fashion that I had done many other projects.

I "blew up" the typeface just by eyeballing the points on the graph paper to the much larger grid I drew on the foam core. I cut out the letters, then cut the pieces that created the depth, and taped them into place on the inside of the letter form. (This next part I am have no memory of but I am pretty sure this is how I did it) Once the letters were complete I took very light paper (like a rice paper or old fashioned Xerox paper) dipped in slightly diluted Elmers glue and draped it over the edges of all the letters to hide the seams. I suspect I then lightly painted them with white paint just to even it all out.

Then I placed them in the hallway of my apartment. To trick the eye for a moment, I actually shot it from above so you see the letter shapes before you place the forms in my dilapidated hallway. Below is un-flipped image.

And here's me and John holding the letters...

[badlywritingmagazine]

Wanna help a by-and-for transfem journal?

Wanna get involved?

Thank you everyone for your interest so far! If you have a sec, I’ve written a quick post about a few ways you can help. 

Lili Elbe, painted by Szív királynő, serving “journal reader” realness Do you have trans female mates?

Let your girl friends know. Share it amongst your networks. 

Can you read? 

Wonderful. Subscribe to this substack to be notified when an issue is released. 

Can you think?

If you’re a trans woman and you have feelings about something, send it to us. If you’re developing an idea, come chat with us over email (or arrange a phone call) and let’s figure it out together. 

Do you sell books and zines? 

Wonderful. Email me. Stock it. Perfect. I can also send you a poster version of our invitation to submit to print out. 

Have you written?

If you’re a trans woman who writes about things relevant to our lives, send it to me. If it is online and you worry that it won’t stay up forever, it’s affecting your job and life prospects, or that it is a reflection of its time and not 100% wise anymore, send it to me and get it archived. Archiving is part of the goal here. We’re not uncurated, but that doesn’t mean you should shrug and let the internet, time, transmisogyny and linkrot eat your hard work. 

If you’re a trans woman with jobs and obligations and you don’t like having your essay ‘Why dickgirls should commit more assassinations’ or ‘transgender materialism: towards a de/coterminous understanding of post tipping point transmisogyny’ or whatever attached to your name then send it to me and get it re/published under a pseudonym.

If we get a large number of submissions like this we will publish it as a separate supplement, but else it will come as a section within WBM.

Do you know grants?

Rates for unfunded zines and pamphlets suck. We want to pay the women well. Let us know if you know of funds or grants you think we fall under. We’ll be sending off applications. 

Can you help us host a launch party in a major city?

We envision low-cost evening events with discussion, trans women, and piles and piles of essays to talk about. (Can we crash on your couch?) We’re based in the UK, but are happy to come anywhere Ryanair goes where there’s a willing audience. 

Got an idea I don’t have? 

Ultimately, I want to keep this dirt simple. Essays come in, paper goes out. No columns, shite graphics. Couple core editors. Schedules loose enough to spend half the year depressed and still get it out. Stolen printer paper. Something that won’t collapse after two years. Posterity. 

That said, if you have an idea (and maybe if you want to do it), email us. Think you know enough people to get this translated and shipped somewhere else? Can you translate and know of a non-English language transfeminist text that’s not got much attention in the anglosphere? Maybe we can submit an application for a grant and distribute your translation? Understand distribution better than me? Do you have the wherewithal to manage a personals board? Something else? Anything except an agony aunt section. I’ve called dibs on that one. 

Do you have agonies? Issues? Want bad advice?

Write to the agony aunt. writingbadlymag snail symbol gmail dot com.

Do you have something to say which won't make a whole essay but is still worth saying?

Write a letter to the editor. Same email.

Addendum: Can you help us set up a website?

Websites we think are beautiful are dirt simple. Low-tech Magazine has a beautiful low-energy website. Filmmaker Margot McEwan has a lovely fitting website. Any thoughts or suggestions should be sent to the same email.

(update: we're all set now! Check out badly.press!)

See a good stack cutter?

If you see a cheap paper stack cutter for cheap, let me know. :)

Thanks all!

Forthcoming posts: information for writers, extracts from the issue.

[prismaticpichu]

FF7 Crisis Core Characters & Their Pokémon Partners!~ 💛 🗡️

Why howdy!! Welcome back to another glorious edition of “Pichu combines her hyperfixations like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!” <3 Yeeeehaw!

I tried to be as creative as I could with the move references 😂 Kudos if you can spot ‘em all!

Warning for Angst <3 :,3c

~~~

Angeal

Samurott ~ A bladed warrior Pokémon known for its strict and formidable discipline, as well as drawing obvious inspirations from Samurai/their honorable Bushido code! The fella was an Oshawott for most of Angeal’s life—belonging to the entire family as a whole, considering that they unfortunately didn’t have enough money to buy many Pokeballs/food to take care of more than one. It was only when Angeal decided he wanted to join SOLDIER that his father officially gave him Oshawott’s Pokéball, leading Angeal to spend officially numerous hours training with his buddy. By the time he joined SOLDIER, he had a worthy Samurott by his side—the strongest Pokémon out of all the three elite Firsts. When he eventually took Zack under his proverbial wing some handful of years later, the boy quickly bonded with Samurott: training, playing, and often feeding his aquatic friend when Angeal was unable to. When Angeal deserted ShinRa’s forces, however, Samurott still clung to those memories and tried to convince his trainer to do the right thing, ultimately becoming wishy-washy with its own morales as result. And, in the end, nothing hurt its rended soul more than being forced to battle Zack under Angeal’s command. It was also the last battle it ever fought.

Moves:

Aqua Cutter

X-Scissor

Double Team

Take Down

Genesis

Flapple ~ An apple—obviously!—and a red, winged apple that housed a little (book)worm-dragonsnake thing on top of it! With Crisis Core taking some inspiration from the Garden of Eden story, it seemed like the most appropriate choice. Let’s also not forget that apples rot. Anywho—able to afford Pokeballs at a young age, Genesis caught the little guy when it was just an Applin, which subsequently catalyzed his affinity for the fruit + prompted him to start a small Banora White juice stand as a kid. Growing up, Genesis loved to battle—always pushing to be the best he could be, to emulate the heroes in his stories and the silver-haired superstar he saw in the papers. But he was also a kind boy, with a kind heart—good ambitions—and spent many days helping training with Angeal’s Dewott. He was able to get his hands on a Tart Apple rather young, and ultimately went on to serve as viable asset to ShinRa’s military with the aid of his aerial Pokémon. But it was the times after the war that were sweetest to Genesis—where he and his best friends hung out together, where they used Flapple’s attacks as props and projectiles, with one of their favorite games including knocking apples of off each other’s heads. They were childish games, yes—but harmless games. Harmless competition. Harmless rivalry. Simple rivalry. Fiery rivalry. Intense rivalry. Jealous rivalry. Burning rivalry. Dangerous rivalry. And, one day, it was just too much—it was taken too far. One training incident, one battle between friends. A pepper of metal; a spur of blood; a cry of pain; and a trip to the infirmary. And it was after this day that Genesis was never really the same. When the man felt himself growing ill, Flapple was the only one he confided it—was the only one he told his plans of desertion to. And when the day came for him to abandon his past, Flapple was hesitant. Hesitant—but loyal. He remained by Genesis’s side and watched his trainer degrade, watched him rot like the fruit of his own etymology. And he wanted to cure. And he would help his trainer find that cure—that “gift”—no matter the cost. He would do anything. He would do anything, even if it meant helping destroy the reality of his old friends.

Moves:

Wing Attack

Grav Apple

Trailblaze

Outrage

Zack

Arcanine ~ Yes—pupper for life! <3 But just like the game Zack hails from, NEVER underestimate the power of a fiery pup!! One of the most loyal Pokémon to exist, Zack took in an injured Growlithe from the wild when he was just a little kid, immediately sparking a friendship that would last him for years upon years to come. Zack loves his partner more than anything in the world—training to become the best SOLDIER he can possibly be since the day their dreams were together. Together, from vigorous and unwavering training, they climb through the ranks of ShinRa. It’s only at Fort Tamblin where, alongside receiving a Fire Armlet from Lazard, he receives a Fire Stone—and it’s all Arcanine adventures from there! Unfortunately, however, this is also when Angeal deserts, and Zack relies more than ever on the comfort of his best friend. Arcanine helps him stay positive, but even the dog itself begins to grow jaded, losing some of the blazing spirit that used to surge through its veins. Modeoheim is one of the worst tolls on the two of them—one of the most spiritually-shattering incidents of their ShinRa career. One that is only trumped by Nibelheim, where its life comes to end upon being crushed by fiery debris. It was trying to save Claudia.

Moves:

Close Combat

Play Rough

Protect

Flame Charge

Cloud

Riolu: A little baby-waby Pokémon that grows into something truly incredible and iconic. Riolu was a gift from Cloud’s mother when he was turning 14 years old—a little something to keep him safe as he went away to ShinRa. Cloud was always a little hesitant about raising Pokémon, but bonded rather well with Riolu once he opened up—albeit after an admittedly awkward start. Riolu was always there to comfort Cloud after SOLDIER-exams, always there to cheer him up and keep him going until the next one. When it’s time to go on a mission with the Great Sephiroth, Riolu is there to keep him chill—sitting in his lap in the truck, affectionally nuzzling his chin to keep him level-headed. Cloud wanted to keep Riolu in his Pokeball as to keep his identity hidden—a decision that would go on to save the small Pokémon’s life when the town was horrifically set ablaze, sheltered from Sephiroth’s wrath and madness while other Pokémon made the fatal mistake of trying to stop him. Following the incident, he doesn’t remember much—unaware of when Zack broke him out of the lab and carried him and his poisoned Riolu to the edge of Midgar. There’s flashes of something in his memory—serrated shards of a bloody face and bloody body that slash into his psyche beyond his own understanding. He doesn’t remember the moment his Riolu evolved—evolving into a Lucario under the pouring rain and the pearls of crimson that had stained its paws. In fact, he doesn’t even remember ever having a Riolu. All he could seem to remember is having an Arcanine—an Arcanine who perished before his eyes—and taking custody of a Lucario who originally belonged to his friend.

Moves:

Endure

Bullet Punch

Reversal

Copycat

Sephiroth

Pichu ~ Yep! That’s it, you heard it right: no legendary Pokémon, no mythical—just a small little lab rat that Sephiroth cherished more than anything on the planet. He first met Pichu when he was just a little boy, finding it trapped in a too-tight cage among Hojo’s numerous experiments. Bruises and scratches marred its yellow fur, coiled into itself as it quivered and shook amid the pulsing darkness. And Sephiroth, at his tender age, could hardly stand the sight. He couldn’t stand it—not when he could feel every scratch laddering its body, every injection that must have pierced its fragile form. He knew it was a risk, he knew he could be punished—but at that moment, meeting those pained and teary eyes, none of that seemed to matter. When Hojo found Sephiroth with Pichu the next day, he of course tried to take it away—only to be met by a tempest of threats and snarls, kicks and hisses. In the end, Hojo conceded, but forcefully fed it an Everstone when Sephiroth was asleep. In the following years, the duo were inseparable—every surgery, every training session, every trial… they were together. And when Sephiroth went on to Wutai, you bet Pichu was there with him. It wasn’t much of a battler—often hurting itself with its own electricity—but what the Pokémon lacked in strength it more than made up for in loyalty and spirit. As Sephiroth’s fame and influence burgeoned, he did everything in his power to keep his treasured friend out of the limelight—often keeping him sheltered in his Pokeball until the man was able to return to his quarters in peace. This lead to several people fantasizing about what Pokémon the Great Silver Warrior could possibly have—what kind of mythical beast he kept stashed away. Only very few people have ever seen Pichu at all: Glenn, Matt, Lucia, Genesis, Angeal, and Zack—all of whom were shocked at first, but developed a newfound respect for Sephiroth after learning of its origins. Angeal and Genesis, in particular, even had the honor of babysitting for the little guy during press meetings. When the latter two deserted, Sephiroth was crushed, but Pichu did wonders to keep his spirit afloat: curling into his lap at night, falling asleep on his shoulder��� Anything it can possibly do to assure Sephiroth that he wasn’t alone, it did. When it came time to leave for Nibelheim, however, when the inevitable tragedies spiraled, that’s where things started to splinter. Zack awoke one night to Pichu pawing at his face—a small and desperate gesture to get someone to help it. Agreeing to help his friend’s partner out, Zack followed Pichu to the basement of ShinRa manor, where he found Sephiroth in the heart of an eerie, candlelit library. He told them to leave—both of them. Zack tried to gently talk things out; Sephiroth told him to leave even louder. Disheartened, but thinking his friend needs space, Zack took Pichu and leaves. In the following days, he tried to comfort the anxious Pichu, telling it that Seph just needs some time to breathe and digest everything he learned. He told it that Seph will snap out of it soon—that he will return for his best friend. He promises it. Assures it. And yet, when that seventh day arrives, the town went up in flames. Villagers were killed, slaughtered, as well as every Pokémon in his wake. All the man could think about was her. Mother. His birthright. His planet. Revenge. Humans. The urge to destroy—the need to kill… The bleary shapes that he cuts down are nothing—meaningless little insects in the greater design of his world. His blade slashed through them all, cut them open and left them to burn in the hellish flames engulfing the village. They were all irrelevant—every single one of them. Meaningless. Worthless. Just kill time. Just kill them, She whispers. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill.

“SEPHIROTH, DON’T—“

It’s too late.

Masamune had already struck, deaf to the young SOLDIER’s horrified plea.

And blind to the sight of Pichu staked through it.

Moves:

Nuzzle

Nasty Plot

Facade

Wish

[avkizi]

its combo time bc ive had finals for so mf long and had no time so m doing all these in one post!!!!

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⌗ 𝟏𝟐. ornaments ; what are some objects you have in your dr that you don’t in your cr? why do you have them in your dr?

staff (toh dr): my staff and palisman in my toh dr!!! his name is naos he is a fucking idiot and i love him very much. orange cat vibes all around. chill guy a solid top 10 object ever.

necklace (h2o dr): my lil h2o necklace, the seal charm is a dr modification, pretty much i can communicate with seals n other pinnipeds. i wanted one of those necklaces so so bad as a kid and now i have one!!!! and i match with my friends!!!! aka the people in the show and we are actually mermaids!!! (kid me would genuinley have an aneurysm)

throwing knives (pjo/hoo dr): my godly weapon of choice in my dr, pretty useful for quests, very effective for killing monsters. also very pretty. and sharp.

wand (marauders dr): my wand!!! she is sycamore wood, phoenix feather core, 11 inches, and swishy flexible. literally so sick i can DO MAGIC!!!! but yeah

reading glasses + case (future coraline dr): what can i say i am a sucker for cute glasses and these ones are so adorable. they r vintage, and i mostly use them for tattooing, reading (obv) and sewing. the case is thrifted and forever one of my favorite finds.

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⌗ 𝟏𝟑. sleigh bells ; are there any priveleges you have in your dr that you don’t in your cr? what are they?

answering for my mha dr here, bc holy shit there are so many. for one i go to U fucking A on reccommendation bc my brother is a top hero. i get a lot of free shit from companies for sponsorships, especially clothes companies for wing or mutant quirk users. also, my quirk is really useful in day-to-day life, seeing as i don't need a car or anything bc i can fly, and if i do need transportation i get flown/transported to places usually for free. i get invited to so much shit its crazy, ex: the i island expo, even tho we got attacked it was still really cool to get to experience everything.

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⌗ 𝟏𝟒. cookie cutters ; what are some smells that remind you of your dr? why?

i live in/am near the pnw or other rainy places for a lot of my drs, so that really specific smell of rain or the beach always kinda makes me think of those drs. mango and peach scents also remind me of my fame dr specifically, because it's my signature scent there.

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⌗ 𝟏𝟓. elf on the shelf ; who is your main wingman/women/person? what is your dynamic? What do you guys do when you hang out?

100% gotta be sam & colby in my paranormal investigator dr, those fuckers are like my brothers and had my back ALWAYS. also honorable mentions to coraline in my future coraline dr for helping me rizz up her best friend and helping me with figuring out his oblivious ass <3

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⌗ 𝟏𝟔. wrapping paper ; what is your favorite way to script? why is it your favorite way?

honestly, putting on some sort of media or audio that reminds me of my dr (think shows, movies, video essays/analysis, or a sub/playlist), a snack or sweet treat, a bigass glass of ice water, and some mood lighting and i am all set. locked tf in, so so connected to my dr i can almost feel it. bonus points if i'm scripting for one of my more summery drs and i'm sitting on my porch (i live near a beach) so i can smell the air shit got me kicking my feet and giggling fr.

[msnogood]

Albert the Christmas Star

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! This is Albert.

You can see how he was made here!

Materials we used:

Upcycled shiny fabric that was a gift bag from some random purchase as top fabric (strange but often where I get novelty fabric scraps)

Used shirt with holes on it as lining fabric

Random non-stretch fabric as Albert's guts

Poly fill (best to use the silky smooth kind)

Recycled poly batting from grocery delivery padding material as core wool (or other coarse poly fill would also work)

Carded acrylic yarn in yellow as top wool (hand-carded with a cat hair remover thingy)

Glass sewing pins

Polyester sewing threads

Some paper and pencil for mock-up

Optional: jingle bells from abandoned cat toys

Tools we used:

Sewing needles

Felting needles

Seam ripper

Scissors

Wire cutter

Felting foam platform (recycled packaging materials)

To make Albert:

Use shiny fabric.

Cut fabric into a star shape with a flat bottom (for his bum).

Line your star cut-out with your liner fabric (you may skip this part if you feel like your shiny fabric is strong / thick enough).

Sew the star with back-stitch. Leave the bottom hole open.

Flip that star through the bottom hole and set it aside.

Draw a mock-up of Albert's face and cut a few layers of poly batting in approximately his shape. If you are using poly fill instead, you can skip this part and start needle felting a rough base shape shown in next step.

Stab it some.

To speed up the felting of the base, use soap and hot water to gently massage it until it starts feeling noticeably more felted. You may skip this step if you have more patience than me at stabbing.

Add facial features with core wool such as cheeks, chin, and forehead.

Add top wool.

As well as smaller facial features like lips.

Cut glass pins to length so they don't poke through the face. Bend them downward a little and pin at a slight angle downward so they more secure (than poking them straight towards the back).

Sew your optional bells at the five tips of Albert’s body.

Stuff Albert with poly fill.

Sew Albert's face on his body. Put him aside.

For Albert's guts, it's just a small pocket. Cut out a piece of rectangle that is roughly the width of his bottom hole and cut the length at double however long your christmas tree tip is. Mine was around 6ish" long that folded into a 3" deep pocket. Sewn with running stitch back and forth.

Flip his gut pocket inside out. Shove it at his bottom. Sew it onto its body (make sure to sew it to the top and lining fabric together for strength cause that part will need it).

And you have yourself an Albert*.

*Albert means noble and bright!

[talenlee]

Game Pile: Persuasion

Persuasion is a semi-cooperative catfishing regency game made by Knifebunny games that you can go and get, and play, right now. It will take some paper crafting and some gluing and maybe you’ll need to buy some sticker printer paper and learn how to round out a corner of a card (unless you’re cool and have a corner cutter already). It’s set in that particular fantasy culture of ‘Regency Britain but the people are Tolerable,’ where in a party the players are all negotiating who it is they’re going to give a marriage proposal to. It is a game about people who cannot and will not talk to each other, not properly, trying to communicate about who is or is not a good match romantically, and then who can get something out of a relationship (or anything out of a relationship), all told through a turns-and-tokens card-and-counters based card game.

It kind of rules and it’s free and even if you’re not planning on making a really solid production of your copy, it’s absolutely worth your time investigating what a print and play card game like it can look like.

Content Warning: This is a game that comes with a content warning (for unreasonable relationship dynamics), its designer, Xoe, uses it/its pronouns and there’s a trans flag on the logo so if you get mad because of those things you should fuck off and leave the cool games to cool people.

Persuasion has a mechanic I love in the vein of I cut you choose or action sharing. In this game, you have action cards that let a player do an action. But you don’t get to use them. You have to hand your action card to another player, and then they get to choose how they use it, but also that means the only way to do anything is to rely on other players letting you do something.

Because so much of the game relies on hidden information though, it does go a step further than it ‘has’ to, in including memory tokens – you can mark cards you’ve seen so any time you want to double check information on cards, you can just… check. This is a really good mechanic in terms of what it enables people to know and how it lets people process information in the game, but what’s really notable about it is that it is ‘unnecessary.’ There are games like this that have been designed such that players are just meant to maintain this information in their heads, without ways to double check, and the designers of Persuasion have included an entire material reminder in order to make sure that players don’t have to rely on their memories to make good choices in the game.

This is a game that uses its mechanics to create an avenue for accessibility.

And that rules.

If you’re familiar with me, you might know I have had a longstanding beef with ‘semi-cooperative’ as a game genre, because what it usually means is not cooperative but players need to all collaborate on something they don’t want to do. That is, normally, a semi-cooperative game works by taking a solo game design where each player wants to build something, and then gives players only one spot to do that, where now everyone has to work on a same core resource, but say, only the last player to finish it gets anything. It’s a mechanic that I tend to dislike not because the games are bad but because framing it as semi cooperative tends to mean it’s actually a completely competitive game that hasn’t thought out how to describe its experience.

It’s not a problem with the idea, it’s a problem with the label.

But Persuasion is an example of semi-cooperative that I find much more interesting and compelling. In this game, you may or may not be able to win with someone, but negotiating a way to try and win with someone – maybe under false pretenses – is literally part of the system. But you might be lying someone into a relationship to try and get it so you two can win together, but also they might be lying to you and you might neither be able to do the thing you both want to win the game, and working out what you can do with the limited communication and ways to extend trust.

Like, if you just tell the truth, one, that’s not something anyone can prove, but also if people know they can rely on you to only be honest, then they have a weapon against you. And if you then decide to start lying, you’ve just given up a bunch of information and now nobody’s going to rely on the information you’re giving up and –

This game is not that long, I am overthinking things.

What this game truly surfaces for me is that a return to the conversation around prototype theory. I talk about the structure of material I write for this blog in detail on my Patreon, but largely, that’s because I think it’s not so interesting that you’d care if you’re not really invested in my ‘hows’ and ‘whys.’ Sure, there are the theme months, which I talk about and promote to direct attention to them and also to give readers a thing to look forward to. If you like me talking about grim stuff, I will be concentrating that stuff in October, where it both fits with what I think of as a general online zeitgeist and also there’s a lot of other stuff you can go look at that might defang the grimness I’m talking about.

Smooch Month is a famous problem for me in that while there’s a lot of romantic stuff in media to talk about, there’s no dearth of material to work with in the context of everything but games, within games, romance is something that I do not own much of and the games that you get out of it tend to be, well, bad. But it’s not just that that there’s a challenge in talking about romantic games, but rather that the place to look for this kind of thing, the space where games can indulge in the non-mainstream forms and subject matters of games, is to look out to the world of itch.io, the place where indie games indulge in this same idea space.

And here’s where Persuasion comes up.

Because itch.io is not a place lacking for games about romance. It is a place with an overwhelming preponderance of games about romance. I have no stats and don’t intend to go get them but I think that if you were to split itch into broad genres, its predominant ecosystem and space of interacting audiences and creators, there is going to be a large and healthy apex herbivore in that space that is primarily there to sell a stripped down form of a visual novel that is not polished enough to sell on Steam unironically and too ‘weird’ to sell on Steam without getting a hellish slough of abusive attention.

What though, is the distinction between a print-and-play board game, a print-and-play card game (like Invincible Ink’s own Senpai Notice Me!), and a tabletop RPG? In each case you’re downloading a pdf that tells you how to play a game, but at the same time, playing a game with a printed sheet that tells you how to play and a booklet that tells you what you do with that sheet. Or maybe some dice. Or maybe some cards. And that’s when you’re looking at a distinction of an experience where the difference is pretty much gibberish.

A TTRPG is round and a card game is coffee-flavoured but of course, a print-and-play board game is a fruit.

You can tell because you wouldn’t put it in a salad.

I think this is a cool game and I recommend reading it, even if you don’t want to play it.

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

[mortarmagic]

Creating a granite washbasin involves a series of steps that transform raw granite into a polished and functional sink. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Material Selection

Granite Slab Selection: Choose a high-quality granite slab based on desired color, pattern, and durability. The slab should be free of cracks and flaws.

Thickness: Ensure the slab is of appropriate thickness for durability and aesthetics (usually 2-3 cm).

2. Design Planning

Shape and Size: Decide on the washbasin's shape (round, rectangular, oval, or custom) and dimensions.

Template Creation: Use a paper or wooden template to outline the sink's shape on the granite.

3. Cutting

Rough Cutting: Use a diamond saw or water jet cutter to cut the granite slab according to the template.

Sink Hole: If the design includes a built-in sink, use a core drill to create the drain hole.

4. Shaping

Edge Shaping: Carve the edges of the washbasin using hand tools, grinders, or CNC machines, depending on the design.

Inner Contouring: For recessed sinks, shape the inner bowl area with precision tools.

5. Smoothing

Use diamond-grit abrasives to smooth the surface and remove tool marks. Start with coarse grits and progress to finer ones for a uniform finish.

6. Polishing

Surface Polishing: Polish the surface using a granite polishing pad and polishing compound to achieve a glossy or matte finish.

Edge Polishing: Ensure all visible edges are polished to match the surface finish.

7. Drilling and Finishing

Drill holes for faucets or other fittings if needed.

Smooth and polish these areas to avoid rough edges.

8. Sealing

Apply a high-quality granite sealer to protect the stone from water, stains, and scratches.

9. Quality Check

Inspect the washbasin for imperfections such as cracks, uneven polishing, or irregular shapes.

Test the drainage and fitting compatibility.

10. Packaging and Installation

Carefully package the washbasin to avoid damage during transport.

During installation, ensure the basin is securely mounted and properly sealed.

[lookbotsfollowmeyay]

Making a fucking master sword out of paper for a school project

Woke up at 7:30 on a Sunday to do game nerd bullshit. Started at 8, still haven't had breakfast yet by 8:50.

You'll need:

A pencil

A ruler

A long tape ruler

A pair of scissors

A scapel/box cutter

A fuck ton of paper

Glue

Too much time on your hands

Dedication

(Update from when I just cut the handguard out: you need a fuck ton in the power of a shit ton of dedication. If I paid myself minimum wage for this, I'd be able to afford a custom forged master sword.)

Step 1: measure shit badly

With the power of a free sketch book app, a ruler downloaded from the internet and two reference images (BotW Link with the sword on his back and TP concept art), I set off on my quest to make a sword.

Here are the measurements if anybody ever wants them.

Provided with a 160cm tall Linky:

140cm long in total

105cm blade (everything after the gold gem thingy)

88cm from triforce to tip

9cm wide

1cm tapered side each side

6cm thinner part of the blade behind triforce

3cm golden gem (corner pointing to end of blade) to end of pommel

3cm tall golden gem

3cm weird flared bit above gem

24cm handle+pommel

17cm handle only

7cm pommel only

7cm triforce logo

4cm triforce tall (no lil bits outside)

5cm triforce wide

31cm across the "M"

9cm triforce to M

If you want to give up here, I 100% support that.

Step 2: try figure how to put everything together with tiny prototypes

It's 10:15.

I'm going to try make an A4 length one, roughly to scale but that's not a priority right now. The point of that is to try find out what I need with small scale fuck arounds.

I SPENT HALF AN HOUR MAKING A SKETCH GOD FUCKING DAMNIT THIS IS GOING TO TAKE SO FUCKING LONG!

And we have logistical issues! Whoop.

I'm going to put long rods of rolled up paper inside the sword to give it some structural integrity. The blade is going to be a couple pieces, but will be put together and treated as one. The part with the triforce bit to the M is going to be a piece in itself. And now we have the hardest part: the handle and shit.

I'm going to put the pieces of the M together seperately (once I figure out how to pull that off, I think that would require a bit of origami.) The handle is just a lot of rolling, might look for something to form a core.

(fig.1 what parts I'm going to build this in)

....it's been 45 minutes and 11:00, bloody fucking hell.

Okay. So if I cut these triangular things on the side, I can achieve the squish I need to put the longer bits of the M on to the shorter bits. It's already 14:00 oh my god.

I then spent half an hour trying to improve it, but I forgot what was wrong with the OG one.

Step 3: surrender all planning and wing it.

I gave up on "the process". What a surpise.

So I printed an image of the MS, cut the template out and glued it to cardboard to cut out. I might have to do this twice, I don't know!

We do this not because it is easy, but because we thought it would be easy

-Moon Tzu

Yes. I do have to do this twice. God fucking damnit, my hands hurt a bit. But as the old wisdom of my people said:

Fuck it, we ball.

We masking tape it down, trace one more

Then we cut that bitch out again.

.... fuck it, we ball.

You may think my hard work looks like a pile of scrap, that's because it is a pile of scrap before I figure out a way to put it together.

I am considering a sandwich of paper/card/paper/card/paper to somehow keep this in one piece. I know I'm failing and desperately grasping, shut the fuck up.

I'm running out of curse words. Godforsaken cunty bloody twat of a project.

Good lord my right index finger. Cut it playing with knives and now it's exhausted because of another knife.

Step 4: how to make my art teacher faint

I've slept on it (procrastinated) and asked Chat GPT for a bit of help and it says I should make the blade and the handle slot together. Good idea. So I have to cut 4 more pieces of cardboard.

Everything's a mess and unplanned, my art teacher that spent 2/3 of our project planning shit and not leaving enough time to do the actual project will faint from the sight of all the abandoned parts because I had a better way to hake it lol

Anyways, I've printed out a sword on paper so I can identify problems before I get to it and realise I fucked up.

Look. It's another picture that testifies I don't think shit through (and decided to put the blade together before I worked out how).

Eh. All I'll need to do is tear out the supports and reuse them. Printer paper that's been processed such a small amount is no loss compared to the cardboard fuck ups.

The triforce on the sword is not equilateral yare yare fucking daze.

Step 5: How to not want to see a scapel ever again for the rest of your life

Here's all the shit I cut out. Subject to change.

I had to use tumblr web on my phone to put this here. One more reason to thank me for my contributions to humanity. Maybe it's from the cutting things in surgical white light or maybe it's because I forgot the eat and drink water, but I kind of feel like throwing up. This is how the sharp end is supposed to be cut.

Then just crease the blade bits along the lines, tape it together with clear tape to form a very long blade. Glue the parts together. If you got this far, I won't bother to explain (definetly not because I forgot to photograph any and can't properly explain shit.) Make a handle with rolled paper (2 sheets, roll, then tape), for strength, cut A4 in half (halve 30cm side) roll those bitches up, glue them into the interior of the big roll, only one circle around then stuff it with tightly crumpled paper. Masking tape that bitch onto the guard that sandwiches the blade at the end. Just make sure it's flat enough to glue the seperate parts of the guard on. I actually had to dispose of some parts to make it work. It's also weak at the point between the blade and guard. What genius idea did I have late at night with this thing due tomorrow? Wrap 2 USB sticks onto both sides with masking tape. I recommend using empty Pilot V5 cartridges or like, hard enough pens instead of USB STICKS TAPED RIGHT ON THE OUTSIDE. Anyways, it's done. The pommel's origami (not on photo).

[sturmdrayco]

Sorry to bother you, my wife and I are working on making a Leonardo Da Vinci Caster cosplay for her and it's our first cosplay (I'm hoping to do a Warframe one eventually, but actual cloth costumes first)- do you have any advice on how to do details, etc? We seem to have the general shape of things down and already have the cloak & skirts done.

Ooh, Da Vinci! I'd say I'm still winging it with the fabric stuff; my experience is mostly with armor and props. If by details you mean stuff like the applique or something...

I did this for my sister a couple years back. Zhongli cosplay. Made pattern, cut fabric, applied clear nail polish to edges, pinned to base garment, used one of the buttonhole stitch settings on my sewing machine for the edges. I was improvising then. Something similar would probably be done on the stocking details, but I have no experience with stretchy fabric yet.

For the curvy edges... just. Lots of pins so they hold the shape while sewing.

The star patterns on the blue fabric... If it were me I'd just use a stencil and fabric paint if there's nowhere to buy it from. Several layers of it so the yellow looks good. However, the pattern might be generic enough that you can get fabric already printed with it somewhere.

The small accessories hanging from the collar (and hat depending on Ascension level)... small chains with gems... I'm not sure about your access to supplies so you might or might not have to make the gems and stuff yourself. Usually for these I use those rigid PVC sheets. Cut and whittle with cutters as needed. Maybe something like foam clay or resin stuff if you wanna be fancy. Put some thin wire hoops to attach them to the chains. Or you could use EVA foam here as well. 2mm. Also works with the fleur-de-lis looking brooch.

If Props:

Speaking of EVA foam... 5mm and 2mm thickness should cover all kinds of needs in this case. PVC piping for the staff. at this scale (and in most situations), contact cement for gluing together. Measure to proportion, make patterns, trace onto foam, cut with cutters. Make sure the blades are sharp for the smoothest cuts.

You can do a lot of stuff with EVA foam. So much stuff. If you plan on using it more in the future, I suggest getting a heat gun. Smooths out the foam. Priming before painting... I live in Japan so I use something like Zeque... rubber paint similar to Plastidip but much cheaper. For something much easier to get... Wood glue diluted with water, 3-4 coats of it or until satisfactory. Thin layers. Let previous layer dry before next one. This one's not flexible though - if the foam bends, wrinkles can't be avoided.

If Gauntlet:

5mm foam would probably be enough for the base gauntlet... or anything, really. Maybe 2mm foam for the smaller details. The gold filigree and trim detailing on the gauntlet... I'd paint them on. Paint those parts of the gauntlet gold first, have a pattern ready cut from some sticker paper of the details, put those on, paint the rest of the gauntlet. Once the dark blue paint dries, you can remove the sticker paper mask. The green bits... EVA foam as well, the final coat of paint would have to be something very glossy for the shine.

I'm not sure how you want to do the gauntlet. Will you keep the proportions, a.k.a. very big, or shrink it to fit the wearer's hand? Building it to proportion is more complicated - need to build a rig first that's fixed to the wearer's hand with something flexible for the core of the gauntlet digits, and string to pull the gauntlet digits. And since you'd hold the staff with the same hand, your hand has to be outside for the grip. Should be okay if the gauntlet digits are big enough to cover them.

If Staff:

The more organic-looking bits of the staff... I'd use foam clay, but if you think you can do it with just EVA foam, do that instead. Not sure how expensive foam clay is for you. Change your cutting angle to make sloped edges, trim with scissors - whatever works.

For ease of transport you may need to plan on splitting the staff in parts. Maybe the star, then the handle, then the bottom tip? Attachment might be complicated, so you may not want them detachable as well.

Clear plastic acetate for the star. This one's complicated. Hot glue could work. Lots of triangles. I'll just look this up if it were me. Don't be pressured to make this glow.

Not sure what else I can say about this unless you ask for something very specific, but I wish y'all well in this project!

[nbula-rising]

Apple Pie Bars

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Yield: 9 large or 16 small bars         

Ingredients

    2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (300 grams)

    ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)

    1 teaspoon baking powder (4 grams)

    ½ teaspoon salt (3 grams)

    1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into ½-inch cubes

    1 large egg

    For the apple filling:

       5 medium apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

       ½ cup granulated sugar

       2 tablespoons cornstarch

       2 tablespoons lemon juice

       1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

       1 teaspoon vanilla extract

       ¼ cup unsalted butter

Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 opposite sides to make it really easy to remove when baked.

*Make the pastry dough:

    In a large mixing bowl, add flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, and egg. Stir well with a fork or pastry cutter until the flour mixture forms into small crumbs. You can also combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.

*Make the apple filling:

    In a medium mixing bowl, mix together apples, sugar, and cornstarch until evenly coated.

    Add apple mixture in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes.

    Add lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract and butter. Stir well and bring it to a simmer. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the apples are tender and the sauce is thickened. Set aside.

*Assemble and Bake:

    Spread half of the crumb mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and press it to pack it and form an even bottom crust.

    Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust and add the remaining half of the crumb mixture on top.

    Bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust turns golden brown. Serve it warm or let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes so that the filling can set. Letting it cool completely will make it easier to cut. You can speed up on the process by storing in the refrigerator or freezer for 1 hour to help it set faster.

    Slice the apple crumb bars into 9 or 16 squares and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side or serve cold.

Notes

*How to store: Store apple pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

*How to freeze: To freeze apple pie bars, first make sure they are completely cooled. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic cling wrap and store in a freezer bag or airtight container. If sliced, individually wrap each crumble bar in plastic cling wrap and store in a freezer bag or airtight container. When ready to eat, allow the bars to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter for a couple hours.

*How to reheat: If you want to warm up your leftover apple bars, simply pop them into the air fryer at 350F for 5 minutes or on a baking sheet in the oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 second increments until warm.

[seriously-mike]

Yep.

Learn for yourself. Education these days is bullshit, and people tried to game it since time immemorial, whether it was buying old term papers from higher year students, hiring some skeevy people on the Internet to write them for you or using the new and highly unreliable tech. No hard feelings, since it's about getting a diploma you can show to your employer's HR departments so they can fuck off with their cookie-cutter hiring qualifications nonsense and not getting bilked on the tuition too much. It's entirely different from learning something that you actually want to do.

I chewed out one idiot who posted that very same unoriginal poem blatantly plagiarizing Walt Whitman on Threads, because he also missed the entire fucking point:

Well maybe, just maybe, the student is writing poetry instead of some bullshit papers the system requires him to in order to even be considered for employment in most places? People aren't, by and large, using AI to be free of living. They're using it to be free of working ridiculous hours and spend that time on living instead.

I mean, okay, most people don't really want much, they have no ambitions beyond what the media tell them, but on the other hand, I have a philosophy diploma and you know what I found more important? The skill to replace a leaky faucet. Some basic programming, be it Arduino, LindenScript or even some high-level Excel fuckery (I needed some if/thens for reports at work, and that's really basic programming, obviously). Shit, lately I even spent a good couple of hours in TinkerCad to design an entirely new railed rear sight for an airsoft replica, because guess what, nobody came up with a design even remotely close to it.

Learning for yourself about the well-documented flaws and core principles of what is being sold as AI these days is also very important, because it lets you see the blatant bullshit in the sales pitch.

Honestly, y'all, I'm begging you. Take the time to think and learn for yourself. Even if it's just something casual like knitting or cooking. Exercise your brain. It's important.

[tinydeceiverpandemonium]

From Precision to Production: How Vinyl Cutters and Plotters Are Powering the Creative Industry

In today’s fast-paced world of design, signage, fashion, and crafting, vinyl cutters and plotters have emerged as indispensable tools. Whether you're a small business owner creating custom t-shirts or a professional sign maker producing intricate graphics, these machines offer a perfect balance of speed, accuracy, and versatility. But what exactly are they, how do they differ, and why are they becoming more popular than ever in 2025?

Understanding Vinyl Cutters and Plotters

At their core, both vinyl cutters and plotters are machines designed to cut or draw on materials such as vinyl, paper, or heat transfer film. A vinyl cutter uses a sharp blade to precisely slice through the surface of thin materials, primarily used for cutting decals, signs, labels, and heat transfers for apparel. A plotter, in contrast, is a more general term and may refer to devices that draw vector graphics with a pen or cut materials, depending on the model.

The distinction is narrowing in recent years as modern machines often serve dual functions, capable of both plotting and cutting with interchangeable tools.

The Rise in Popularity

One major factor behind the growth of vinyl cutters and plotters is the explosion of small businesses and DIY entrepreneurship. Platforms like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and Shopify have enabled creators to sell custom products globally, fueling demand for tools that can produce professional-grade items at home or in small studios.

Additionally, affordability and accessibility have improved. Where once vinyl cutting machines were limited to industrial use, today’s models come in compact sizes, with user-friendly software, and are priced for hobbyists as well as professionals.

Applications Across Industries

The applications for vinyl cutters and plotters span numerous industries:

Signage and Advertising: From storefront lettering to car decals, vinyl cutters are a staple for creating clean, weather-resistant graphics.

Fashion and Apparel: Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) can be cut and applied to garments for custom clothing, uniforms, or branded merchandise.

Crafting and DIY: Crafters use these machines for scrapbooking, home décor, and gift-making.

Education: Schools and colleges are integrating vinyl cutters into design and technology programs, giving students hands-on experience with digital fabrication tools.

Features That Matter

Modern vinyl cutters and plotters come equipped with advanced features such as:

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity for wireless design transfer.

Precision Cutting with optical sensors for alignment.

Dual Tool Capability, allowing for cutting and sketching in one go.

Cloud-Based Design Software with thousands of templates and font options.

These features make the machines both powerful and user-friendly, even for beginners.

The Future of Creative Production

As customization becomes the new standard in product design, tools like vinyl cutters and plotters are shaping the future of creative production. Businesses can now prototype, personalize, and produce with speed and precision—without needing massive equipment or large production runs.

In conclusion, vinyl cutters and plotters have transcended their original roles as niche tools. They are now central to a growing movement of makers, artists, and entrepreneurs who value quality, creativity, and control. Whether you’re producing one item or a thousand, these machines are proving that the future of design is both digital and personal.

[kizzieroxane]

Smart Packing: What to Bring When Moving Into Your First Apartment

Moving into your first apartment is one of life’s most exciting milestones. Whether you're leaving your family home, finishing school, or simply craving independence, this transition represents a fresh start. But before the decorating and housewarming parties begin, there's one essential task to tackle: packing.

Packing for your first apartment move can be daunting—especially if you're not sure what you actually need, what’s worth bringing, and what to leave behind. Add in the stress of working with long distance movers or a residential moving company, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

That’s where smart packing comes in.

This guide walks you through what to bring when moving into your first apartment, how to protect your belongings (including using custom crating for fragile or high-value items), and how to avoid overpacking and under-preparing.

Step 1: Think Practical, Not Pinterest

It’s tempting to go all out with mood boards, color schemes, and shopping sprees. But when it comes to moving, the smarter strategy is to focus on functionality first.

Ask yourself:

Will I use this in the first 30 days?

Can I get it easily later if I need it?

Is it worth the space and weight in the moving truck?

Especially if you’re working with long distance movers, minimizing unnecessary items can reduce cost and risk of damage during transport.

Step 2: Essential First Apartment Packing List

We’ve broken down your must-haves into core categories to help simplify your packing.

🛏 Bedroom Essentials

Your bedroom is your personal retreat. Prioritize comfort and convenience:

Mattress (with frame or foundation)

Bedding (sheets, pillows, comforter)

Nightstand or small table

Dresser or storage bins

Clothes hangers

Lamp or light source

Full-length mirror (optional but useful)

Tip: If your mattress or bed frame is high-end, consider custom crating—especially for long-haul moves. It prevents crushing or tearing during your residential moving process.

🛁 Bathroom Basics

Make sure your bathroom is functional from day one:

Shower curtain and rings

Towels (2–3 per person)

Bath mat

Toilet paper

Toiletries (toothbrush, shampoo, soap, etc.)

First-aid kit

Hairdryer and grooming tools

Small trash can

Label a box specifically for bathroom supplies and keep it easily accessible.

🍽 Kitchen Essentials

Even if you’re not a gourmet chef, you’ll need basics for quick meals and snacks:

Cooking Tools

One frying pan and one pot

Spatula, tongs, and large spoon

Cutting board and knife

Dinnerware

2–4 plates, bowls, cups, and mugs

Silverware set

Food storage containers

Appliances

Microwave or toaster oven

Coffee maker or kettle

Cleaning

Dish soap, sponge, drying rack

Trash bags, paper towels

Safety Tip: If you’re moving breakables, wrap items in dish towels and bubble wrap. Or better yet, ask your mover if they offer custom crating for high-value or antique dishware.

🛋 Living Room Must-Haves

You don’t need a fully decorated space to start with. Focus on functionality:

Couch or futon

Coffee table or side tables

Lamp or overhead lighting

Power strip with surge protection

TV and remote

Streaming device or Wi-Fi router

If you're moving expensive electronics, protect them with foam padding or custom crating to prevent damage during your apartment move.

🧹 Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning may not be glamorous, but it’s necessary—especially during move-in.

All-purpose cleaner

Broom and dustpan

Mop or Swiffer

Vacuum (handheld or full-size)

Dish soap and sponges

Garbage cans and liners

Having these packed and labeled will help you clean before you unpack everything.

🧰 Tools & Maintenance

You’d be surprised how often you’ll use these during the first month.

Hammer, screwdriver, wrench

Nails, screws, Command hooks

Flashlight and batteries

Measuring tape

Duct tape

Scissors or box cutter

Even if you’ve hired a residential moving company to do the heavy lifting, having a toolkit on hand helps with quick fixes and furniture setup.

🖥 Work-from-Home or Study Setup

If you work or study from home, plan your space before you move:

Laptop and charger

Desk or multipurpose table

Ergonomic chair

Notebooks and office supplies

Headphones

Desk lamp

These items should be packed carefully and kept close during the move, especially if you're working with long distance movers.

Step 3: What Not to Bring

Packing smart isn’t just about what to bring—it’s also about what to skip.

Leave Behind:

Bulk pantry items (they add weight and can leak)

Excessive decor or wall art (start with a few pieces)

Oversized furniture (measure your new space first)

Duplicates (consolidate when possible)

Anything broken or “just in case” items

Step 4: Special Handling for Fragile Items

Moving valuable or fragile belongings? That’s where custom crating comes in.

What is Custom Crating?

Custom crating is the process of building a crate specifically designed to protect your item. It’s ideal for:

Art, paintings, and sculptures

Musical instruments

Antiques and heirlooms

Flat-screen TVs

Expensive electronics

Whether you’re hiring local movers or long distance movers, this extra layer of protection can prevent thousands of dollars in potential damage.

Step 5: Consider Hiring Professional Movers

Yes, you can do it yourself—but a professional residential moving company offers major benefits, especially for first-time movers.

Why Consider the Pros?

Experienced in packing and loading

Provide insurance for damaged goods

Offer packing materials and services

Can handle logistics for long distance movers

Offer custom crating for specialty items

Bonus: You’ll save time, energy, and stress—and reduce the chance of injury from heavy lifting.

Final Thoughts: Pack Smart, Not More

The key to a successful first apartment move isn’t bringing everything—it’s bringing the right things. From comfortable bedding to everyday cookware, start with essentials and add luxuries later.

And remember: if your move involves valuable or fragile items, custom crating and professional help from experienced residential moving or long distance movers can give you peace of mind.

Smart packing means a smoother move, fewer headaches, and a faster transition to loving your new home.

Need help planning your move? Contact trusted residential moving professionals who offer full-service options, including packing assistance, long-distance logistics, and custom crating to protect what matters most.

Let your first apartment be a place of joy—not stress. Pack smart, and move with confidence!

Clancy Relocation & Logistics 475-251-8881 https://clancymoving.com/

[ndlessposts]

Method Acting, or Classical, or Still Life of a Kiss as a Gun

The only thing standing

between a girl and a gun

is a cowboy, says Mr. Hollywood,

feigning his father’s deeper drawl,

cigarette smoke from

a dainty pair of fingers,

those of

the uncalloused warrior.

Toothpick between the teeth,

sucking grime lollipops,

lamb still caught and pleading in a shark smile

he blows a kiss,

and asks her how

she is doing, gut

jutting out from the center

and spreading like strawberries

between his legs.

She is, she imagines,

at this moment

a raisin in the sun,

juicy only

Here, in the space between,

where a liminal kiss

pops outside of her,

cracking

from his flaming lips.

It is crude and warm,

his,

an earthly violence,

microwave popcorn snapping

into shape –

or perhaps the light from

a wider wave

sticking its warm tongue

in the soft cracked lips

of a cave.

Gazing at a smudgy mirror, wet with

hot moisture, red magma

circling the tongue,

she regards lipstick in hand

that crude drawing of an angel;

Evangelos,

the messenger

crumpled up in

time toilet paper,

wrinkled and

above the grid.

Whose shadow, she thinks for the first time –

is that there,

hot charcoal dust rubbed

into assumed form

with quick broad gestures

on volcanic rock?

What impression, known

by art or cunning,

by love or a veiled violence,

led her like a hermit

to such long years of darkness?

To the ice?

Within her, in deep

and narrow caves,

a tremor from a molten core,

a beating heart

giving way to light,

a rotating star

ripping a slit

in space and time;

that, she hears,

is how the light gets in.

Cracks on your eggs in the morning,

Crumpled napkin,

kleenex covered

in tears and snot,

tectonic plates rubbing

against each other in balmy weather;

that dance, that kiss, that little death

between the letters

of the alphabet.

Erosion.

She opens her mouth

to speak

and it is teleharmonic, then,

spoken,

her grievance –

her love;

outside and inside of her,

warm waves suspended between

tides of an angry love, heat lightning

in the ground and in the sky;

divine and cutting as a bird of prey,

the gales of winds

flutter through dark skies

and the clouds, pregnant

with their moonshine,

cry the song pouring in

like first summer rain.

Do you hear it?

Cut to a crack

in an old mug

you can’t throw out.

In all that fire, in all that ice,

from lush verdant landscape

a la abstract interior,

she laughs at the cowboy

with the soft hands,

dancing months later

hips sweaty

in a pyrotechnic haze,

that lush jungle between

pulsing with music

on the Fourth of July,

thinking of past;

and, trembling, afraid –

with the amplitude of fear

and hope

known only by mothers

and fathers,

calloused fingers on

leather arms

gripping tiny jackets

behind yellow lines,

fearing the blue rail,

the elemental humming

from the ground,

thinking too

always

of future.

A moment of distraction,

of arrival,

neural lightning,

a gun,

or Nearly Headless Nick –

she remembers an old ghost,

which is a word,

and which speaks:

Verde que te quiero verde.

It is in that shaky ankle on the grass

or the empty bottle in the bush,

in that dance with booming reggae

or chance

or a coiled snake hiding

among the greenery –

in a bite which would mean

to some,

to her,

the same blood loss that

drained the hollow space

under the membrane

in the first place,

in the crescent moons

under her eyes,

many waxes

and wanes ago;

Dogs barking, muffled in the distance,

on Saturday night;

a block away, a marquee reads

“Puberty Two,”

thrilling a group of zealous boys

huddled outside of the IMAX.

They fetch bolt cutters.

They break in through thin membrane

of multiplex parking lots.

In bloom and

applying lipstick,

her mouth full, slightly open;

methodically –

she kisses a convex mirror

in that silent prayer of attention

which is love.

Its dimensions, for the moment,

are of no concern, though

in her modernity,

she has been known to subscribe

to fashion magazines of

a haughty culture.

Lipstick on the glass;

a corridor with windows on

both ends,

the lips red

and the undereyes blue and –

my God, she thinks,

just think of it –

all that green in between!

Somewhere in

INTERIOR - HOUSE, NIGHT,

like the mythological beauty

or beast of a modern ghost story,

she casts a spell and

passes through,

and you can find it there,

here,

everywhere;

on both ends of glass;

in Content and Form,

Sun and Moon,

or red blue green,

in stories of wild people long ago,

of witches

and wizards

and Muses of the forest,

fairies of the aquamarine;

water,

water most of all.

This is it, another ghost thinks

in the funhouse

hall of mirrors,

then emblazoned,

and now blooming from the ground

toward the skies –

water,

in the glass and all around him.

And so she says the same,

swimming in broad strokes

to a film score made of

rhythms of blood rush,

that crude smooth jazz of becoming.

Shaky ankles when you’re dancing on glass.

Sana sana

colita de rana.

The lights are off now,

and a candle is lit,

and – bathed in moonlight

from the open window,

dancing to a song

which pulses from rotating disco balls

deep in disco space,

and in her starry veins,

fearing the ocean as a child

but learning to swim,

de buena o de mala,

swallowing water

and coughing

and spitting

and loving the salty brine,

so that we swallow the sea

before it takes us for good measure.

A wild iris, through concrete, and dirt;

and beneath it,

always,

the sea.

A song of stars becoming;

you only need to be still to hear

and the body sings it,

the body sings.

(sorry this is gigantic pls don't kick me out!!! much love heehee)

[arielrebelunplugged]

These Irish-style donuts are a delightful treat that combine the flavors of apple cake and a boozy whiskey glaze. Ideal for whenever you want a little taste of Ireland, or for St. Patrick's Day.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. 1/2 cup granulated sugar. 1 1/2 tsp baking powder. 1/2 tsp baking soda. 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. 1/4 tsp salt. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed. 1/2 cup buttermilk. 1 large egg. 1 tsp vanilla extract. 1 cup peeled, cored, and diced apples e.g., Granny Smith. Oil for frying vegetable or canola. 1 cup powdered sugar. 2-3 tbsp Irish whiskey. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. 1-2 tbsp milk as needed for glaze consistency.

Instructions: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix it until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed in the dough. Heat oil in a deep fryer or a large, deep saucepan to 350F 175C. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, carefully drop spoonfuls of the dough into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side or until the donuts are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. In a separate bowl, make the whiskey glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, Irish whiskey, vanilla extract, and milk until you reach your desired glaze consistency. Dip each donut into the whiskey glaze, allowing any excess glaze to drip off, and place them on a wire rack to set. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Irish Apple Cake Donuts with Whiskey Glaze!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

All. My Jewels Honey