#The Singing Neanderthals

[annabelle--cane]

"sex isn't a social construct in the same way humans aren't a social construct" okay but humanity is literally a social construct. do you think if you zoom in really close on a strand of dna with a microscope you'll see a clear little label that reads homo sapiens sapiens with a drawing of a cladogram? no, we made that shit up. anthropology is a field with a very bloody history, and anthropologists are constantly trying to update their frameworks to better reflect reality, but classification systems are by their nature always going to be limiting in comparison to the real world.

sure, you and I both exist, but our society and culture has decided that the ways you and I are different from homo sapiens neanderthalensis are meaningful enough that we are different beings. except, well, society kind of decided on that before sequencing the neanderthal genome, turns out there's a good bit of neanderthal dna still kicking around in us (or, in me at least, and quite a lot of other people, though not as much in people from sub-saharan africa). why do the differences between "us" and "them" matter? why is the phrase "people and animals" a thing when we are also animals?

when I sing, I vibrate my vocal chords to make waves in the air around me, that's a material reality, but my society has decided that the pitch of the waves I make is an important thing worth measuring in music and so I'm put in the soprano section in my choir. if we measure by loudness or intonation, I'm put somewhere else. I know many people whose vocal ranges are almost exactly the same as each other but are put in alto or tenor sections depending on what gender their director perceives them as having. real things do exist in the world, but we always see them through the lenses of the social constructs we use. that's not necessarily a bad thing, and what's more it's an unavoidable thing, but they still exist.

[sunlightmurdock]

Katie, I’m thinking about parent trap Bradley again (bc when am I not thinking about him tbh 😭) but what about Mama Bradshaw getting turned on watching Bradley in his element at like a big family bbq, just looking like such a dilf with his mustache and his aviators, Hawaiian shirt with the top few buttons undone, running around after the twins and all the other kids at the party. She’s practically drooling as her eyes follow every little movement of his big arms as he picks up their little girls, or while he’s manning the grill and every time he lifts his beer bottle up to his lips… and then she’s getting up to snatch the spatula out of Bradley’s hand and practically throwing it at maverick telling him to take over grilling duties, before she pulls Bradley away and into the house for a quickie bc she’s about two seconds away from pouncing on him in the backyard in front of everyone 🫠

- @sugarcoated-lame 🧡🧡🧡

ohhhhh Kricket I can always trust you to come up with the best daddy bradshaw stuff bc I can picture this so clearly.

Bc like him grabbing Parker with one hand, the grill tongs in the other, catching her upside down right before she runs head first into the corner of a table. Spinning her around and setting her on his hip, watching that handsome smile spread across his face as he playfully scolds the toddler and waggles the tongs at her.

She giggles excitedly, thrashing around in his arm without his grasp on her ever faltering. And exactly like you said, he’s wearing a Hawaiian shirt with a couple of buttons popped open and his dog tags peeking through, his gold-framed sunglasses sitting against the bump in his nose.

He’s beyond handsome, and completely in a world of his own as he man’s the grill and sings along to Maverick’s best of the 80’s playlist. He impresses you with his dad reflexes more than once, not even spilling a drop of his beer when Peyton grabs hold of his free hand and starts trying to climb up his side.

“That husband of yours is damn near perfect. I don’t know how you keep off of him.” A woman to your left comments, making your mouth twitch. It would seem she had read your mind, because you’ve already been planning to pounce on him for a while now.

You give her a polite smile, and chit-chat for exactly three minutes. That feels appropriate. Then, you finish the last of your lemonade and push up from your chair, walking over to him confidently as one of your twins tackles Maverick into the grass. They’re good and occupied.

“Hey, daddy,” You grin, pressing a gentle kiss to his shoulder. “Need your help with something baby related upstairs.”

And because your kids are having a sleepover at Maverick’s house that night, it doesn’t even cross Bradley’s mind that he might be being seduced. Not until he’s following you into the master bedroom and hearing you click the lock behind him.

“What did you need my help with that’s baby related?” He asks, lips twitching upwards into a smile as you stalk towards him with that devilish look in your eyes.

“Making another one.” You grin, grabbing him by the back of his neck and pulling him into a bruising kiss.

Bradley makes it back into the party first, breathing hard as he pushes Jake Seresin away from the grill and resumes his duties. His lips are swollen from kissing and his pupils are blown wide, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

You, remain to be upstairs, trying to set everything back on Maverick’s dresser in the same place it had been before your Neanderthal of a husband had swiped it all onto the floor and pushed you up onto it.

[softhoagierolls]

Dylan Robert Jones ; Document direction

1. Name / location -Dylan Robert Jones / Queens NY

2. What inspires you - I’m going to answer this with a story. A few years ago, I had zero interest in making visual art. I hadn’t made anything since high school and I certainly didn’t see myself as a visual artist, but one day I did this exercise where you write a letter from your inner child to your current self. You use your non-dominant hand so as to more easily tap into your repressed feelings. The writing was an extremely cathartic experience, but what was more interesting was that immediately after I had finished the writing, I created a doodle with my left hand of this distressed robot character and colored it in (see first image). It was evident that that drawing was a reflection of my world at that current moment. I then had the revelation that I didn’t have to try to convey anything with my work, that anything I made would be a symbolic expression of my emotional landscape and would be good in and of itself because of this. So what inspires me really is this nonverbal process of excavating and releasing hidden emotions through art.

3. Favorite song right now -I love u in me by Prince I Love U in Me

4. Medium of choice -Pens and colored pencils

5. Goal with art -My goal is to eventually be able to make enough money through art and music that I don’t have to work full time at a draining job anymore.

6. Who does it right - Bonobos, Norwegians, transition skaters, country singers, old cars, penguins, dancers, lucid dreams, old people, ghouls, state parks, graffiti artists, herbal teas, free online movies, pens, my singing teacher, farmers, friends, sand tray therapists, trees, Neanderthals, William Wonka, the beach boys, glass, blue collar workers, sobriety, turtles, seashells, oats.

7. Is social media evil - No, but it can land anywhere on the spectrum between evil and good depending on the particular situation. Usually it’s pretty shitty but without it my life would have taken a totally different course. For instance, I met my fiance through social media 12 years ago when we were teenagers, so I’m grateful for it.

8. Opinion on time - It’s scary as fuck, but one thing that comforts me is thinking about how all our differences will inevitably be swallowed by the ocean of time. What I mean by this is that in several hundred years time me and the person I hate will be seen as virtually one and the same.

9. Favorite blog - All the blogs that just post photos of Lana Del Rey. Those are chill.

10. Thanks / shout outs -

Thanks Jacob for interviewing me!

[mintaikk]

I literally love humanity sm

Me and my sister were watching Young Justice, and as usual, when Vandal Savage came up, we ended up talking about how horryfiying his situation is, which lead to a talk about ancient humans, and yeah.

And even years before modern civilization thousand years ago, Cro Magnons made art and still played with their dogs and still liked shells and cool stones and liked to make instruments. They made cave art and buried their dead (one guy even their dog buried next to them), and they would put their handprints on things, and they would trade and cuddle and just- I almost cried looking at old stuff they did cuz that's all just stuff we do. I'm still emotional over the guy that had their dog buried next to him (THE SCIENTISTS TOOK THE DOG OUT! IK WHY BUT THAT FELT SO DISRESPECTFUL)

And it also got me thinking how literally every culture has a form of art and all that. Even cultures that didn't have a lot of instruments had singing. Drums were/are practically everywhere because they're easy to make, and each culture has specific dances and songs for different events like weddings and parties; even ancient ones.

I've mostly been ranting about Cro Magnons, but even other stuff, too. These hand prints were made by children on the Tibetan Plateu between 169,000 and 226,000 BC, which makes them the oldest fossil records of humans. Obviously, we don't know why they did this, but it shows something. That humans just want to leave a memory of themselves behind, even ancient children. That's so sweet.

Even 40,000 years ago, Cro Magnons had furries (I'm calling them that). Like, they gave human characteristics to animals and that's so cute and I love how we kept this trait today.

Apparently, the bull on the right was for religious regions. Even 40,000 years ago, humans had religion. I love this sm.

I've been mostly talking about Cro Magnons, but I might as well talk about Neanderthals too, because they also fascinate me. From what I've seen, a lot of people see them as brutish and all that (they did commonly cannibalize each other, but so did humans. Ever hear of the Donner party?), but they made ponchos and weaved things and used herbs and cooked; just like us. They buried their bodies and would leave offerings like flowers. They made symbolic art and used fun toys, just like us. And all of this was 50,000 years ago; 40,000 years before modern civilization.

Also, I hate it when people say that humans are naturally mean and selfish because dogs are right there?? Dogs are descended from wolves, and they domesticated them by feeding the hungry wolves that followed their groups. Humans saw a hungry and weak animal and decided to give it food. And you could argue that they were giving them food so they wouldn't attack them (that probably, definitely did happen), but also, canines will make it known when they're not trying to be threatening. They'll he less aggressive and lower their head and of course, they won't harm or harrass you. It's possible that wolves did that at early human settlements, and the humans let them take the food or gave them food. Humans saw a weak animal and decided to give them food, even though, at the time, There'd be no known benifit. And wolves and humans were enemies, so it shows the empathy that humans naturally have. Humans also took in orphaned wolf pups, instead of just letting them die to lower competition. But they saw a suffering animal and helped it. It shoes that humans aren't naturally mean or viscouse; we just act that way to fit the environment that we're in. God, I hate capitalism and hyper individualism.

But yeah. I'm in that edgy phase where I go from "I hate humanity, why are we like this?" To then realizing that I love humans and I like living; I just hate capitalism. Just me venting somewhat, but humans literally thousands of years ago made art and toys just because they could. Cro Magnons made art and sculptures and music just because it was fun and they could. Humans literally make art and all this fun stuff because it's fun and they can! It makes them happy and fulfilled, and they like leaving their mark on things! And things like AI art just feels soulless once you realize that. These people are taking their time to do something they love, but now people are making ai art just to replace it.

And just other things too I guess. Idk about other places but in the US, anything that isn't work isn't seen as something that's valuable, when relaxing and doing something is just as valuable! And if anything, humans 50,000 years ago creating stuff because they can should show that. Find stuff to do that makes you happy, idk, I'm tired and about to cry again bcuz I'm looking at old fossils and found one of two skeletons being found holding each other. Have fun dealing with my sleepy rants.

Tldr; Edgy tumblr teen has her monthly cry over humanity bcuz of Young Justice villain and realizes how much she loves the world; but just hates the circumstances that he is in.

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was ridiculed after she praised country star Chris Stapleton’s Super Bowl performance for supposedly being anti-woke, not realising he's a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Ms. Greene praised the singer’s performance while slamming the rest of the pre-game events – Sheryl Lee Ralph sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing," often referred to as the Black national anthem, and a team of all-female pilots performed a Navy flyover.

“Chris Stapleton just sang the most beautiful national anthem at the Super Bowl. But we could have gone without the rest of the wokeness,” she tweeted after the singer performed The Star-Spangled Banner ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.

Ms. Greene appeared to be unaware of Mr Stapleton’s support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Following the 25 May 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Mr. Stapleton appeared on CBS This Morning, saying “do I think Black lives matter? Absolutely ... I don’t know how you could think they don’t”.

“There’s a very broad awakening that’s come about and it’s time for me to listen. It’s time for other folks to listen,” he said at the time. “The country that I thought we were living in was a myth.”

Ms. Greene was subsequently mocked for her lack of understanding, with Twitter users noting Mr. Stapleton’s progressive views, and others asked why Ms. Greene appeared to be bothered by an all-female pilot team. “Chris Stapleton is ‘woke’ as f***, you shrieking harridan,” Dennis Perkins wrote, linking to a country music outlet outlining Mr. Stapleton’s support for the movement.

“MTG is here revealing that when they say ‘woke’ it means they don’t want to see or hear anything about non-white culture,” one Twitter user said.

“Please say what you mean: You could’ve done without the black people,” another added.

“Like the 1st ever all-woman Navy flyover. That’s what you call woke??” a third said.

“.@mtgreene‘s Definition of Woke: A bunch of scary black people singing, dancing, playing football and sitting in Fox sportscaster chairs...” Andy Ostroy wrote.

“Witness when racism never takes a day off. Neanderthals are gonna Neanderthal. The #Wokeness this shitgibbon is referring to is @thesherylralph and @babyface performing. How DARE they show up all black and excellent huh? This thing is a hateful gargoyle,” Yvette Nicole Brown said.

Josef Adalian said, “she means the Black man and woman who sang just before him, and the ASL interpreters who signed the three songs” in response to Ms. Greene’s tweet.

“You clearly know nothing about Chris Stapleton. 100% chance he hates you and he’s a ‘woke’ Black Lives Matter supporter,” one account holder said.

The Independent has reached out to the office of Ms. Greene for comment.

[kneelingshadowsalome]

i heard you were not immune to begging so here I have arrived with my arms outstretched for a crumblet of Immortal please please

Aahh I'm so glad to hear you're waiting for Immortal!! 🩷✨️

And you're here for the d which is perfectly understandable my love 💕 Unfortunately the sex on the beach scene that will end this series in happy tears is not written yet, sooo you get a lil something with possessive! & protective!Ghost.

CW: mild violence, minor injuries, possessiveness, protectiveness, dubious morality

He doesn't solve this problem with a gun or a cock this time.

He uses his fists and a knife.

When the boy has a split lip and the other eye swollen so bad he can't even see from the bruise, when wetness dampens the crotch area and threatens to stain his carpet, he lets him go.

"Get out."

He's a different man when he rises from the floor; from next to the knife he plunged not an inch away from the rookie's face to make his intentions clear. The boy is stripped from all arrogance and probably regrets the day he got the great idea to insult a woman.

His woman.

He doesn't have to delve into paperwork to get the rookie transferred: the boy does it for him. He leaves the base, quiet as a shadow and with a face that still looks like it has been forced through a waffle maker.

After that, everyone salutes him feet away.

His orders are obeyed without question, without a second's delay on missions. He has never pursued to be loved, but neither has he tried to make people dread him. Now he's not only a source of mystery and intrigue but also fear and wonder.

"You must be the craziest man I've ever met."

Soap isn't scared quite as shitless as the rest of them, but neither is he as friendly as he used to be. Price doesn't say anything, but he gets a few looks that tell him he has gone too far.

He avoids her strictly, this time obeying her request to not go to her unless he's injured. Hell, he obeys it like it was an order.

"You shouldn't have," she whispers when they're alone, when she stops him in the quiet hallway. She's the only one who doesn't have fear and avoidance in her stare. If anything, the adoration in her eyes has deepened.

He doesn't defend himself: he doesn't have the luxury to decide what should or shouldn't be done. He's not a saint nor a judge. He is territorial, though.

She talks to his shadow as he's standing only a few feet away, unable to touch her.

"Good."

"...and the most incredible."

His sharp intake of air sings between them as the electric blue light casts shadows through the windows. She tries to thank him for bashing a face in, all her noble Hippocratic Oaths forgotten.

She takes a step – just one, to make it perfectly clear she wants to touch him too.

"You're a savage, Simon. A Neanderthal."

The woman's eyes are a deep sea of gratitude. He wonders if she's equally as wet between those legs. Her voice says it all: she likes Neanderthals.

The worship in her stare makes him understand why wars have been waged – this is the reason why crusaders sloshed through rivers of crimson blood, why whole civilizations were destroyed. This is why swords are forged and guns are fired. He draws another breath to swear his allegiance, an oath bound in blood.

"No one's gonna call you a–"

She crosses the final breadth of air between them and lifts his mask.

[moonys-chaos]

Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started, wait The earth began to cool, the autotrophs began to drool Neanderthals developed tools We built a wall (we built the pyramids) Math, science, history, unraveling the mysteries That all started with the big bang (bang)

Since the dawn of man is really not that long As every galaxy was formed in less time than it takes to sing this song A fraction of a second and the elements were made The bipeds stood up straight, the dinosaurs all met their fate They tried to leap but they were late And they all died (they froze their asses off) The oceans and Pangea, see ya wouldn't wanna be ya Set in motion by the same big bang It all started with the big bang

It's expanding ever outward but one day It will pause and start to go the other way Collapsing ever inward, we won't be here, it won't be heard Our best and brightest figure that it'll make an even bigger bang

Australopithecus would really have been sick of us Debating how we're here, they're catching deer (we're catching viruses) Religion or astronomy (Descartes or Deuteronomy) It all started with the big bang

Music and mythology, Einstein and astrology It all started with the big bang It all started with the big bang

So true but also like "?"

[starsailor-kinthepast]

An overview of Uru's life

In the two years since I awoke as a parallel Neanderthal, I've managed to puzzle together a vague timeline of the main events having happened so far in my life. Here it is!

Word count: 1300 Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Early Life

I was born to a cave with around twenty members, somewhere in central Europe. It was not during one of Earth’s cold periods, but it wasn’t painstakingly hot, either. We experienced winters and summers, though colder than the ones we see today.

My first clear memory is of being Chosen by the Megaloceros; the Giant Horned. Those of us who were Six-Eyed – with a sixth sense – what we today would call mediums – would at some point in their life be chosen by a spirit to make sure others would know, too. I was no older than five when I followed His call into the forest and He showed me the secrets within. This meant I would bear His mark for a while; visible for those around me, so the right actions could be taken.

My mama was equal parts horrified and delighted. It is a great honour, being Six-Eyed, but also horribly taxing. She took me to our Six-Eyed and hen confirmed it. I was taken in to be hem apprentice, to learn the craft by hems hand: hen was my teacher, a second parent, my biggest supporter.

Sometime during my early childhood mama died. I was taken in by sher sister, who's daughter – Dahlia – was only a year older than me and a dear friend.

Young Adult

We don't have a concept for teenager; either you are a child, or you are an adult. Although a Six-Eyed apprenticeship is somewhat of a gray zone, I was considered grown into a young adult when I was about 13.

It was becoming clearer with every day that I had truly been made for the spirit world: my eyes, the same rare blue as my mama, were weak, and I suffered pain and fatigue more often than the others of my cave. This wasn't truly a problem; even if I hadn't been Six-Eyed, I found great joy in preparing meals and skins, fletching, telling stories, singing and caring for the young. I was also decent at medicine, and although one never finished the Six-Eyed education, my mentor became my equal around the time I became grown.

Relocation

Around my fifteenth or sixteenth year, my mama's sister-child – practically my sister – fell in love with a man of another cave. They were smaller than us, less than ten members, and were eager to have sher join their group. Their Six-Eyed had recently passed as well, and with me being a young child-bearer on top of that, they were hoping I would join, too. Dahlia would leave no matter what, and there wasn’t much there for me without her. My teacher was growing old and would soon pass, and though I had respect as hems successor, I had few friends.

I accepted.

My new cave was further south, and a bit of travel – I’m not sure how much, but likely around a week or two. Here I made friends with the group; a more tight-knit community than the one I came from. Dahlia soon bore child.

The group had three hunters; one of them was Ichor, who, after a few months of me living there, approached me and suggested a mentorship. This would not be of the sort I had with my Six-Eyed teacher; this would be that of a Guide and a Guided. He would teach me of their ways, and their prey, and things he knew that I did not.

It was bold of him to ask such a thing from his Six-Eyed, but I was lonely, and he was kind, and I welcomed a warm body to share my furs. We became increasingly close – I befriended his mother, the oldest member of the group. We would joke about our weak eyes together.

The Spirit

Dahlia soon bore another child, once sher first black-haired young son was weaned. I stood vigil at the baby’s naming; sang, and danced, and drummed. It was exhilarating. That night I felt a presence: a spirit I had not felt before. It warmed me, comforted me in ways I can’t describe.

It wouldn’t be long before I felt the presence again – and again, and again, and again. It began communicating with me, in staggered, halting words I barely understood. I called it Ancharond; the unknown spirit.

We would soon move to our winter cave. It was my third year of living with this group, and Ancharond came to me more and more often – comforting me, so I was rarely alone. But I could not rest. Something was starting to awaken inside: a call, a need, something was missing. I told none of this, except Ancharond, who knew my deepest thoughts and inmost feelings. Often I would sit at the cave’s entrance, and though no tears left my eyes, my soul wept.

And then came the fateful day where Ichor passed. He had hunted to a rhinoceros; both prey and predator had fallen. I was crushed. He had been my anchor, my truest friend, my closest companion. When his spirit passed, it took part of me with it.

It became too much. I held Dahlia’s youngest child in my arms and wept for all the children I had not given Ichor; all his children I would never bear. I was angry. I was heartbroken.

I went in the stillness of night, creeping past the watchful fires of the guard, and left no belongings behind.

The Journey

I was nineteen and with no clue where to go, or where I was going, except that I was heading westward: toward the sunset. It would be a long, grueling journey – as a lone person, I would struggle with finding food, and I needed rest far more often than I would like. I learned to use a spear and sling, as well as better ways of trapping small game, but survived mostly on the plants I found on the way. There wasn’t much energy in them; I was always eating.

On this journey, Ancharond became a close companion. Slowly, our conversations became more understandable, more clear – and one day, they showed themselves to me in their entirety: a tall, black rabbit walking on its hinds. Its eyes were black holes, its front paws ripped apart by pale, snow-white human hands. It spoke with a voice within my head; it walked without a shadow. It was a terrifying sight, and I feared for my life the first time I saw them.

They told me we were the same; that I was Ancharond; that Ancharond was me.

I didn’t believe them. How could I be a thing like that?

It was on our second meeting like this that they realized something was wrong. They were quick to comfort me; the rabbit was not their true form – it was simply my brain attempting to make sense of it. I asked to see their true form; they obliged.

Ancharond: a strange amalgamation of beasts, with the upper body of a human, the hind legs, ears and muzzle of a rabbit, and tail of a fox. The most important, though, are the antlers that rest upon their head: large, black things speckled with stars.

They smiled shily that first time I saw them as such. I couldn’t stop staring. Antlers, like my own guide, like the Great Horned ��� I was touched. I was honoured.

With their guidance I adopted a young wolf pup. It was an accident in truth: I had felled a deer with a lucky throw of my spear, and had to be quick in harvesting its meat. A wolf, delirious with sickness, came upon me – I slayed it in my terror. Later I would find its pup, wandering, alone.

It wouldn’t be long before Ancharond, the unknown spirit, became Encharond; the known spirit.

I am still on this journey; still walking, still seeking. I know not what I’m looking for. I know only that I must survive.

[sp1ra-mirabilis]

recent good things

the early september weather has been so gorgeous I've kept my window open continuously for the last week, drinking in the breeze and sunlight and birdsong and frogsong and ever-present hum of cicadas. occasionally throughout the day I hear neighborhood kids playing or adults talking or dogs barking or cars driving down the street. my bed, pressed up against the window, now smells of sun-warmed pine needles and backyard barbecues. at night just enough chill comes in for me to cozy down under my duvet. it's excellent enrichment after long summer months of being too easily heatsick to go outside and so forced to stay secluded in a dark box

the weather finally cooling off also means I can sit on the back porch and birdwatch so I've been getting to know the local birds, finally. living within a few hundred feet of my back door we have a goldfinch and some cardinals and carolina wrens, a red-bellied woodpecker and some nuthatches and chickadees and white-throated sparrows, and i have on one occasion been visited by a pileated woodpecker (HUGE) and a red-shouldered hawk (the songbirds were quite distressed and kicked up a huge fuss about this) and a flock of canada geese (gave me a wide berth because i had our cat Pebbles outside on a leash with me when they ambled by. pebbles was almost as excited about them as I was).

as I write this I'm eating rosemary sea salt crackers with pepperjack cheese and ham, sipping a delicious brown sugar coffee my roommate made for me, and watching a 3-hour documentary about neanderthals

my other roommate found me scans of a book from 1812 about psychiatric medicine so I've been reading that and reporting back on my favorite bits (did you know the human desire for revenge is stored in the spleen?)

also reading: an exploration of abnormal psychology in nonhuman animals, a fairy tale about a girl in love with death, a sci-fi novel my friend wrote, a creative translation of beowulf, various academic essays analyzing revolutionary girl utena, and a book about wasps (did you know that there are more species of wasp than any other class of animal on earth? there are about 5,500 different species of mammal and well over 100,000 species of wasp. even more than that if you consider ants to be a subtype of wingless wasp, which evolutionarily they are. g-d has an inordinate fondness for parasitic wasps) (this fact is actually true unlike the Victorian spleen fact)

I unexpectedly came into a fairly large sum of money recently so yesterday I paid off bills for a few different friends and then treated all my roommates to boba tea and sushi in celebration and tipped the waiter 25% just because I could, which feels INCREDIBLE to be able to do after multiple years of trying to eke by on a few dollars a week and only surviving because other people were generous with me for no reason. I'm carefully budgeting the rest now but I wanted and deserved to spend impulsively and frivolously for a day

yesterday: in the car on the highway, windows rolled down with heads and hands stuck out. everyone belting along to the music blasting from the speaker or shouting jokes to be heard over the wind. losing my heart-shaped sunglasses out the window and laughing and pulling my head in to braid another passenger's hair instead. later, on the way home after the sunset, leaning my head against the window and holding my friend's right hand while they drove with the left and both singing together now that it's done / there's not one thing that I would change / my life was a storm since I was born / how could I fear any hurricane? / if someone asked me at the end / I'd tell them put me back in it! / darling, I would do it again / if I could hold you for a minute / darling, I'd go through it again. we both looked out the windshield at the huge crescent moon and I talked about not knowing how to reconcile the fact that I am very done with life and very ready to die with the fact that I fiercely love my life and if given the chance would live it over again exactly the same, but being glad I feel both. They talked about not knowing how to reconcile the fact that watching me suffer and slowly die has been the worst thing that they've ever experienced with the fact that they fiercely love me and if given the chance would love me over again exactly the same, but being glad they feel both. We cried together a little and I kissed their hand and held it to my cheek and the night sky was very blue and star-speckled even through the light pollution of our city

the biggest problem in my life right now is that I have too many people who love me and not enough time or energy to love them all back as much as I would like to, and this is the best problem I've ever had

saw a queen bee and a male drone on their nuptial flight fucking passionately on the windshield of my roommate's car yesterday which was VERY exciting

every time I write out a list like this I remember my best friend saying to me you have an impressive ability to absorb massive amounts of trauma without any impact on your ability to experience joy and think about how this is my favorite quality in myself. it is not that I am immune to trauma. I definitely fucking feel it. But even during the period of my life when I was being violently raped every day I was still also texting her excitedly every day about the color of the sky as I did farm chores and the conversations I had about paleoanthropology at my internship at the natural history museum and my misadventures in urban exploring. life being bad does not preclude life from being very exciting! life is always always very exciting

[tapwater118]

.I have been bested. happy birth of the universe. goodbye

fades into dust

Our whole universe was in a hot dense state,

Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started. Wait...

The Earth began to cool,

The autotrophs began to drool,

Neanderthals developed tools,

We built a wall (we built the pyramids),

Math, science, history, unravelling the mysteries,

That all started with the big bang!

"Since the dawn of man" is really not that long,

As every galaxy was formed in less time than it takes to sing this song.

A fraction of a second and the elements were made.

The bipeds stood up straight,

The dinosaurs all met their fate,

They tried to leap but they were late

And they all died (they froze their asses off)

The oceans and pangea

See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya

Set in motion by the same big bang!

It all started with the big BANG!

It's expanding ever outward but one day

It will cause the stars to go the other way,

Collapsing ever inward, we won't be here, it wont be hurt

Our best and brightest figure that it'll make an even bigger bang!

Australopithecus would really have been sick of us

Debating out while here they're catching deer (we're catching viruses)

Religion or astronomy, Encarta, Deuteronomy

It all started with the big bang!

Music and mythology, Einstein and astrology

It all started with the big bang!

It all started with the big BANG!

[tutuandscoot]

Ice Dance Falls, Fails and Flubs

Part 2

1. The Aboriginal Dance

Cultural appropriation at its finest. Seriously. How was this not banned??? VM’s Carmen gets banned but not this??

Points for not going with the standard ol’ Russian folk dance but this should never have been allowed. Aboriginal dance is an ancient tradition that dates back 60 000 years, it is a religion for the aboriginal people. There were once over 700 different tribes across Australia, each with their own unique storytelling. It is part of Aboriginal Dreamtime culture and is a way of passing down legends and stories through generations.

So, what specifically is wrong with this above, well other than ALL OF IT:

The music: this is not Aboriginal music, idk what it is but it is not utilising traditional instruments, the “singing” is not culturally accurate.

The costumes: this is just so offensive and inappropriate. Yes, aboriginal culture and dances use face paint (oca to be exact) but not like this. They do not where leaves all over themselves, nor do they wear strings. At one point in the season, he was dressed in a darker unitard and black face- AT LEAST that was banned.

The choreography: this is just not the kind of dancing that can be done on ice. Flamenco, yes, waltzs, yes, country dance, sure. Not this. This Russian team makes it out as though Aboriginals are Neanderthals. They are not. Their dances are are pieces of art and communicate 10s of thousands of years of history. The nose rubbing is not aboriginal but more a Māori (new zealand/ pacific islands) custom.

How this wasn’t deducted all the component scores I have no idea, it’s a disgrace this won an Olympic medal

2. Yuri Balkov: Human Turd 💩

Partly responsible for the shit show that was 1998 ice dance. Banned for a year then back on the panel several times again, and was up to his same shit once again here in 2002. Spineless turd with no respect for the sport he is.

3. Nailed the Ending

This is much better with volume (timestamp 1:11:00 on the Beijing FD video).

Point 1. The lil ‘sexy time’ moment 😖

Point 2. Why is it necessary to put a move like this right at the end when you have just done a lift?

Point 3. Who came up with this? Of course he was gonna dropped her! She has no point of contact on him so how is she suppose to get upright again when she does not have Tessa Virtue’s core of steel??

Point 4. Obviously on the first watch you notice the drop first, but just before that you get an elbow to the face- lovely.

Point 5. The perfectly timed crash drop on the music. Art. I hope she was ok, this is a horrible thing to happen, but the musically comedy of it is just gold.

Also this was a very bad fd.. so boring, bad music.. this ending kinda came par for the course.

4. Weapo’s Twizzles

Bobble bobble bobble bobble fall over bobble bobble

5. FP/M Salt Lake City Edition

Splat.

Come on man! How hard is it to stay up right? (ice skating is very hard but these are Olympic level athletes… supposedly).

It truly does not surprise me it was considered taking this “sport” out of the Olympics. Thank god they didn’t and two precious bby angels came among to rescue it.

Oh yeah btw.. this won a medal 🫣😵‍💫🥴

6. 22 year old high level athlete doesn’t take responsibility for her own costume; chaos ensues.

I was always taught from starting dance at 3 years old- your costume is your responsibility. If it doesn’t feel right, you get the safety pin or needle and thread and you fix it, or you at least make sure someone else does it up for you PROPERLY, obviously no one wants this to happen to them esp not on global television but it was solely her responsibility to fix it (things are different in shows/companies where you have costumers , but you individually- your own costume you are responsible for). To continue complaining about this for the next 4 years is a childish joke and even if the hideous green dress had stayed together you still shouldn’t have won 😘

7. ISU after 1998: “We’re gonna fix ice dance judging”. ISU in 2002: “Psych”.

I hate this and love this an equal amount.

The synchronicity of Rod and Tracey: “They’ve been beaten, by the Israelis”. (Pls don’t take that out of context rn). Tracey was just 100% DONE with all of this.

From Margarita and Povilas in their crowns, her throwing hers off and storming out. Jeff Buttle shouting ‘WHAT THE FUCK??’ Iconic.

8. Scooter’s Nose Bleed

Poor bby. Iconic way to finish off your first National Championships win. Then they make you go out and do an encore 🤦‍♀️. I love in the first gif how Shay pops into the shot 😂

Also ironic thinking about a certain team at 2017 worlds getting blood on each other and their reaction… do you think T even blinked twice at getting S’s nose blood on her?? I don’t think so..

[growing-yet-into-magic]

The world is an existence made up of cosmic chaos and we are all naught but unpaid actors, making meaning out of what is around us and doing what we can with what is available.

And we sing. And we garden. And we work. And we cook. And we laugh. And it's divine coincidence that we evolved the limbs and organs to do so, and that our environment provided the stimuli for us to do so, but it's our choice to do so. All was provided to us by happenstance, and I am pleased to know what we have done with ourselves. Your ancestors loved you enough to domesticate grains and animals and avocados and they loved you enough to slip you beer under the table with a wink and a nod. And none of that was required. But they love you. So it was done.

The fact that the world exists at all is a coincidence of fate. Perhaps you believe that a higher entity created the world, which I occasionally do as well, but that still brings for the idea that perhaps they could have chosen to do so otherwise, or never elected to make the world at all. But here I am, on the internet, blogging about DC properties in my spare time, all because of a quirk of fate that LUCA was not destroyed in some mundane or divine manner in the primordial soup of the earth's crust. If our blood is truly imitation seawater, then it is as if we have never left the ocean at all.

Good morning, stranger. It's nice to see you. Our ancestors made friends and loved ones from Neanderthals. It is no so difficult to imagine loving you.

[nataliealynlind]

queen america sentence starters

episode 7: the national anthem

"those are well done"

"do you want me to get her doctor's number for you?"

"the board loves you"

"if we don't do well tomorrow they'll start to pull my funding faster than i can snap my fingers"

"it's like you're still this broke 22 year old trying to prove something"

"my therapist would call that projection"

"don't make this a big deal"

"we'll pick this up momentarily"

"always bring it back to the platform"

"keep it non controversial"

"it'll help if you keep your core engaged"

"we should treat others how we want to be treated"

"you have no idea how important that was or how badly you screwed it up"

"if you know what's good for you you'll go home"

"i don't understand, i did everything you told me to do"

"your job is to bring people together"

"i know that's what you intended, but pageants are about perception"

"they offended me with their question"

"this is truly awful wine"

"i made myself a key years ago"

"that wasn't the bad news?"

"i figured i've gotta keep up with you"

"i'm in a bad mood so i want to know"

"she's got like four degrees"

"he's almost too good looking"

"that noise is just left of being incredibly irritating"

"if you're not busy- do you think you could help me do my makeup?"

"this would really make your eyes pop"

"i hope you know how beautiful you are"

"we aren't neanderthals invite the boy in"

"trust me- you wanna go now"

"you're not an adult"

"how many guys take you to dinner?"

"how many guys do you think even look at me?"

"spare me the details"

"you're gonna break up with that man, and you're gonna tell him the truth"

"other people's feelings are just an inconvenience to you"

"i don't wanna say i warned you, but-"

"see- i remembered!"

"why don't you just come over here? it's just a little girl"

"so- you gonna tell me why it was such a bad day?"

"people just- make it difficult for themselves sometimes"

"why don't you just forget today- write it off as a loss"

"you know- you don't have to be so nice to me all the time"

"i wanna be nice to you- weirdo"

"coward"

"why are you sorry? you didn't do anything"

"name- knock it off"

"doesn't matter how many people are going to be there- you're going to sing at them, no matter what"

"everyone is- so little"

"i figured we should start small- little league"

"i know this is scary, but that's the point"

"that's why people watch this stuff. so they get to sit on their asses and think wow- i could never do that"

"we've never had anyone sing the anthem at a game before"

"that terrifying woman over there gave me a hundred bucks"

[thepiercedbutterfly]

Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started, wait The earth began to cool, the autotrophs began to drool Neanderthals developed tools We built a wall (we built the pyramids) Math, science, history, unraveling the mysteries That all started with the big bang (bang)

Since the dawn of man is really not that long As every galaxy was formed in less time than it takes to sing this song A fraction of a second and the elements were made The bipeds stood up straight, the dinosaurs all met their fate They tried to leap but they were late And they all died (they froze their asses off) The oceans and Pangea, see ya wouldn't wanna be ya Set in motion by the same big bang It all started with the big bang

It's expanding ever outward but one day It will pause and start to go the other way Collapsing ever inward, we won't be here, it won't be heard Our best and brightest figure that it'll make an even bigger bang

Australopithecus would really have been sick of us Debating how we're here, they're catching deer (we're catching viruses) Religion or astronomy (Descartes or Deuteronomy) It all started with the big bang

Music and mythology, Einstein and astrology It all started with the big bang It all started with the big bang

[blairsanne]

Serial Killers (2004) - Episode 3 'Big Hairy Balls'

Alan tries to get Andrew to walk him through how he felt filming a certain scene, and eventually the poor dear catches on and gives a very honest answer haha.

Bonus:

Pauline: So, all the men on this show, Alan, should be monobrow Neanderthals dragging their women back to their cave for a good singing to? Simone: I'd watch. Pauline: You stay out of this. Alan: No, not all of them! Just one! Just one real man. Who leaves the toilet seat up. And then- says to his woman 'No, I wasn't listening to what you were saying, you got a problem with that? Oh and while you're at it, find my car keys!' Just one REAL MAN! You know instead of the- the sorry ass namby pamby pussy-whipped collection of panty wasters we've got at the moment!

[idolskpop]

Lee Joon Gi and Arthdal Chronicles 2: Everything You Need to Know

Lee Joon Gi is one of the most popular and versatile actors in South Korea, who has been captivating audiences with his beauty and talent for over two decades. He is best known for his roles in historical dramas, action thrillers, and romantic comedies, as well as his martial arts skills and singing abilities. He is also a Hollywood star, having appeared in the blockbuster film Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.

(Photo : tvN Drama Official) Lee Joon Gi Lee Joon Gi is currently starring in the second season of Arthdal Chronicles, an epic fantasy drama that depicts the mythical ancient land of Arth and its inhabitants. He plays the dual roles of Eun Seom and Sa Ya, twin brothers who are half-human and half-Neanderthal, and who have different destinies that will change the fate of Arth. Arthdal Chronicles 2 is set about a decade after the first season, which ended in 2019. The new season will feature new characters and conflicts, as well as the return of some familiar faces. Here are some of the things you need to know about Lee Joon Gi and Arthdal Chronicles 2.

How did Lee Joon Gi become famous?

(Photo : CJ Entertainment Official) Lee Joon Gi Lee Joon Gi was born in Busan, South Korea on April 17, 1982. He moved to Seoul after high school to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, and started his career as a model and a minor actor in dramas and films. He rose to fame in 2005 with his first leading role in the film The King and the Clown, where he played Gong Gil, an effeminate clown who catches the eye of the tyrannical king. The film was a critical and commercial success, breaking box office records and earning Lee numerous awards and recognition. Lee Joon Gi then starred in the hit romantic comedy drama My Girl, which further boosted his popularity and established him as a Hallyu star. He continued to impress viewers with his diverse roles in historical dramas such as Iljimae, Arang and the Magistrate, Scholar Who Walks the Night, Scarlet Heart Ryeo, and action thrillers such as Time Between Dog and Wolf, Two Weeks, Lawless Lawyer, Criminal Minds, Flower of Evil, and more. Lee Joon Gi is also a singer who has released several albums and held concerts across Asia. He has also ventured into Hollywood with his role as Commander Lee in Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2017. https://youtu.be/howXVJIH368

What is Arthdal Chronicles about?

(Photo : tvN Drama Official) Lee Joon Gi Arthdal Chronicles is a fantasy drama that tells the story of the mythical land of Arth, where different kingdoms and tribes coexist. The drama explores the themes of power, love, identity, and destiny through the lives of its main characters. The first season of Arthdal Chronicles consisted of three parts: The Children of Prophecy, The Sky Turning Inside Out Rising Land, and The Prelude to All Legends. It followed the journey of Eun Seom (Song Joong Ki), an Igutu who was born with a blue star-shaped mark on his hand. He was prophesied to bring disaster to Arthdal, the capital city of the Arthdal Union. He grew up among the Wahan tribe, a peaceful clan that lived in harmony with nature. He met Tan Ya (Kim Ji Won), a girl who had a similar mark on her hand and was destined to become the high priestess of the Wahan tribe.

(Photo : Allure Korea Official) Meanwhile, Ta Gon (Jang Dong Gun) was the ambitious leader of the Saenyeok tribe, a powerful clan that conquered other tribes with their superior weapons and skills. He was also born with a mark on his hand, but he hid it from others. He had a vision of becoming the first king of Arthdal. He was aided by Tae Al Ha (Kim Ok Bin), a brilliant woman who was the daughter of the head of the Hae tribe, a wealthy clan that controlled trade and technology in Arthdal. The first season depicted how Eun Seom’s fate intertwined with Ta Gon’s ambition, as well as how Tan Ya’s destiny affected Tae Al Ha’s plans. The season ended with several cliffhangers: Eun Seom escaped from slavery and became the leader of the Ago tribe; Tan Ya became the high priestess of Arthdal; Ta Gon declared himself as king; Tae Al Ha gave birth to Ta Gon’s son; Sa Ya (also played by Song Joong Ki), Eun Seom’s twin brother who was separated at birth, woke up from his coma; and Cha Eun (Choo Ja Hyun), a Neanderthal woman who raised Eun Seom and Sa Ya, revealed herself to be alive.

What can we expect from Arthdal Chronicles 2?

(Photo : Lee Joon Gi Instagram) Arthdal Chronicles 2 is set approximately a decade after Season 1. It will continue to explore the conflicts and relationships among the four main characters: Eun Seom, Tan Ya, Ta Gon, and Tae Al Ha. However, the roles of Eun Seom and Tan Ya have been recast to reflect the time jump. Lee Joon Gi and Shin Se Kyung will take over the roles from Song Joong Ki and Kim Ji Won respectively. According to the official synopsis, Arthdal Chronicles 2 will depict the following events: - Eun Seom, who united the Ago tribes and became a powerful rebel, will face a new enemy and a new challenge. - Tan Ya, who became the high priestess of Arthdal, will struggle to protect her people and her love from the tyranny of Ta Gon. - Ta Gon, who became the first king of Arthdal, will face a crisis that threatens his throne and his life. - Tae Al Ha, who became the queen of Arthdal, will scheme to secure her son’s future and her own ambition.

(Photo : Allure Korea Official) The second season will also introduce new characters and subplots, such as: - The Ikomahis, a mysterious group of Igutus who have a connection to Sa Ya’s past. - The Neanthals, the ancient race that was nearly wiped out by humans and who have a special bond with Eun Seom and Sa Ya. - The Asa clan, the clan that worships the god Asa Sin and has a rivalry with the Hae clan. - The Momo tribe, the tribe that lives in harmony with animals and has a unique culture. The second season will also feature more action, romance, and fantasy elements, as well as stunning visuals and cinematography. The production team has promised to deliver a more immersive and thrilling experience for the viewers.

When and where can we watch Arthdal Chronicles 2?

(Photo : Namoo Actors Official Instagram Account) Arthdal Chronicles 2 is scheduled to premiere in September 2023 on tvN in South Korea. It will also be available for streaming on Netflix in various regions. The second season will consist of 12 episodes, which will be divided into two parts: The Sword of Aramun and The Land of Chaos. The first part, The Sword of Aramun, will focus on Eun Seom’s journey as he leads the Ago tribe in a war against Arthdal. The second part, The Land of Chaos, will focus on Tan Ya’s journey as she tries to stop a prophecy that foretells the end of the world.

How do fans react to Lee Joon Gi and Arthdal Chronicles 2?

(Photo : tvN Drama Official) Lee Joon Gi, Kim Ok Vin, Jang Dong Gun Fans are excited to see Lee Joon Gi in Arthdal Chronicles 2, as he is one of the most popular and respected actors in Korea. They are also curious to see how he will portray the dual roles of Eun Seom and Sa Ya, who have different personalities and backgrounds. Fans are also looking forward to seeing his chemistry with Shin Se Kyung, who is another talented and beautiful actress. Fans are also eager to see how Arthdal Chronicles 2 will continue the story of Season 1, which left many questions unanswered. They are hoping for more satisfying resolutions and developments for their favorite characters and couples. Fans are also anticipating more epic scenes and stunning visuals that will showcase the rich world of Arth. Here are some of the comments from fans on social media:

(Photo : Allure Korea Official) Lee Joon Gi I can’t wait to see Lee Joon Gi in Arthdal Chronicles 2! He is such a versatile actor who can pull off any role. He is perfect for Eun Seom and Sa Ya! Shin Se Kyung is so beautiful and talented! She will be amazing as Tan Ya! I hope she and Lee Joon Gi will have a happy ending! Arthdal Chronicles 2 is going to be epic! I’m so excited to see what will happen next! I hope Ta Gon and Tae Al Ha will get what they deserve! I’m so happy that Arthdal Chronicles 2 is finally happening! I’ve been waiting for so long! I hope it will be worth the wait! Are you looking forward to watching Lee Joon Gi and Arthdal Chronicles 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Subscribe to IDOLS KPOP for exclusive updates and captivating content. Read the full article