#Ultimate Guide for 2020

[safetyall]

Holiday gift guide:

#HolidayGiftGuide#GiftIdeas#HolidayPresents#ChristmasGifts#GiftGuide#FestiveFinds#SeasonalShopping#HolidayGifting#PerfectPresents#GiftGiving

[mariacallous]

This is a gift article

“In normal times, Americans don’t think much about democracy. Our Constitution, with its guarantees of free press, speech, and assembly, was written more than two centuries ago. Our electoral system has never failed, not during two world wars, not even during the Civil War. Citizenship requires very little of us, only that we show up to vote occasionally. Many of us are so complacent that we don’t bother. We treat democracy like clean water, something that just comes out of the tap, something we exert no effort to procure.

“But these are not normal times.”

I wrote those words in October 2020, at a time when some people feared voting, because they feared contagion. The feeling that “these are not normal times” also came from rumors about what Donald Trump’s campaign might do if he lost that year’s presidential election. Already, stories that Trump would challenge the validity of the results were in circulation. And so it came to pass.

This time, we are living in a much different world. The predictions of what might happen on November 5 and in the days that follow are not based on rumors. On the contrary, we can be absolutely certain that an attempt will be made to steal the 2024 election if Kamala Harris wins. Trump himself has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election. He has waffled on and evaded questions about whether he will accept the outcome in 2024. He has hired lawyers to prepare to challenge the results.

Trump also has a lot more help this time around from his own party. Strange things are happening in state legislatures: a West Virginia proposal to “not recognize an illegitimate presidential election” (which could be read as meaning not recognize the results if a Democrat wins); a last-minute push, ultimately unsuccessful, to change the way Nebraska allocates its electoral votes. Equally weird things are happening in state election boards. Georgia’s has passed a rule requiring that all ballots be hand-counted, as well as machine-counted, which, if not overturned, will introduce errors—machines are more accurate—and make the process take much longer. A number of county election boards have in recent elections tried refusing to certify votes, not least because many are now populated with actual election deniers, who believe that frustrating the will of the people is their proper role. Multiple people and groups are also seeking mass purges of the electoral rolls.

Anyone who is closely following these shenanigans—or the proliferation of MAGA lawsuits deliberately designed to make people question the legitimacy of the vote even before it is held—already knows that the challenges will multiply if the presidential vote is as close as polls suggest it could be. The counting process will be drawn out, and we may not know the winner for many days. If the results come down to one or two states, they could experience protests or even riots, threats to election officials, and other attempts to change the results.

This prospect can feel overwhelming: Many people are not just upset about the possibility of a lost or stolen election, but oppressed by a sensation of helplessness. This feeling—I can’t do anything; my actions don’t matter—is precisely the feeling that autocratic movements seek to instill in citizens, as Peter Pomerantsev and I explain in our recent podcast, Autocracy in America. But you can always do something. If you need advice about what that might be, here is an updated citizen’s guide to defending democracy.

Help Out on Voting Day—In Person

First and foremost: Register to vote, and make sure everyone you know has done so too, especially students who have recently changed residence. The website Vote.gov has a list of the rules in all 50 states, in multiple languages, if you or anyone you know has doubts. Deadlines have passed in some states, but not all of them.

After that, vote—in person if you can. Because the MAGA lawyers are preparing to question mail-in and absentee ballots in particular, go to a polling station if at all possible. Vote early if you can, too: Here is a list of early-voting rules for each state.

Secondly, be prepared for intimidation or complications. As my colleague Stephanie McCrummen has written, radicalized evangelical groups are organizing around the election. One group is planning a series of “Kingdom to the Capitol” rallies in swing-state capitals, as well as in Washington, D.C.; participants may well show up near voting booths on Election Day. If you or anyone you know has trouble voting, for any reason, call 866-OUR-VOTE, a hotline set up by Election Protection, a nonpartisan national coalition led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

If you have time to do more, then join the effort. The coalition is looking for lawyers, law students, and paralegals to help out if multiple, simultaneous challenges to the election occur at the county level. Even people without legal training are needed to serve as poll monitors, and of course to staff the hotline. In the group’s words, it needs people to help voters with “confusing voting rules, outdated infrastructure, rampant misinformation, and needless obstacles to the ballot box.”

If you live in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin, you can also volunteer to help All Voting Is Local, an organization that has been on the ground in those states since before 2020 and knows the rules, the officials, the potential threats. It, too, is recruiting legal professionals, as well as poll monitors. If you don’t live in one of those states, you can still make a financial contribution.

Wherever you live, consider working at a polling station. All Voting Is Local can advise you if you live in one of its eight states, but you can also call your local board of elections. More information is available at PowerThePolls.org, which will send you to the right place. The site explains that “our democracy depends on ordinary people who make sure every election runs smoothly and everyone's vote is counted—people like you.”

Wherever you live, it’s also possible to work for one of the many get-out-the-vote campaigns. Consider driving people to the voting booth. Find your local group by calling the offices of local politicians, members of Congress, state legislators, and city councillors. The League of Women Voters and the NAACP are just two of many organizations that will be active in the days before the election, and on the day itself. Call them to ask which local groups they recommend. Or, if you are specifically interested in transporting Democrats, you can volunteer for Rideshare2Vote.

If you know someone who needs a ride, then let them know that the ride-hailing company Lyft is once again working with a number of organizations, including the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the National Council on Aging, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, and the Hispanic Federation. Contact any of them for advice about your location. Also try local religious congregations, many of whom organize rides to the polls.

Smaller gestures are needed too. If you see a long voting line, or if you find yourself standing in one, report it to Pizza to the Polls and the group will send over some free pizza to cheer everyone up.

Join Something Now

Many people have long been preparing for a challenge to the election and a battle in both the courts and the media. You can help them by subscribing to the newsletters of some of the organizations sponsoring this work, donating money, and sharing their information with others. Don’t wait until the day after the vote to find groups you trust: If a crisis happens, you will not want to be scouring the internet for information.

Among the organizations to watch is the nonpartisan Protect Democracy, which has already launched successful lawsuits to secure voting rights in several states. Another is the States United Democracy Center, which collaborates with police as well as election workers to make sure that elections are safe. Three out of four election officials say that threats to them have increased; in some states, the danger will be just as bad the day after the election as it was the day before, or maybe even worse.

The Brennan Center for Justice, based at NYU, researches and promotes concrete policy proposals to improve democracy, and puts on public events to discuss them. Its lawyers and experts are preparing not only for attempts to steal the election, but also, in the case of a Trump victory, for subsequent assaults on the Constitution or the rule of law.

For voters who lean Democratic, Democracy Docket also offers a wealth of advice, suggestions, and information. The group’s lawyers have been defending elections for many years. For Republicans, Republicans for the Rule of Law is a much smaller group, but one that can help keep people informed.

Talk With People

In case of a real disaster—an inconclusive election or an outbreak of violence—you will need to find a way to talk about it, including a way to speak with friends or relatives who are angry and have different views. In 2020, I published some suggestions from More in Common, a research group that specializes in the analysis of political polarization, for how to talk with people who disagree with you about politics, as well as those who are cynical and apathetic. I am repeating here the group’s three dos and three don’ts:

•Do talk about local issues: Americans are bitterly polarized over national issues, but have much higher levels of trust in their state and local officials. •Do talk about what your state and local leaders are doing to ensure a safe election. •Do emphasize our shared values—the large majority of Americans still feel that democracy is preferable to all other forms of government—and our historical ability to deliver safe and fair elections, even in times of warfare and social strife. •Don’t, by contrast, dismiss people’s concerns about election irregularities out of hand. Trump and his allies have repeatedly raised the specter of widespread voter fraud in favor of Democrats. Despite a lack of evidence for this notion, many people may sincerely believe that this kind of electoral cheating is real. •Don’t rely on statistics to make your case, because people aren’t convinced by them; talk, instead, about what actions are being taken to protect the integrity of the vote. •Finally, don’t inadvertently undermine democracy further: Emphasize the strength of the American people, our ability to stand up to those who assault democracy. Offer people a course of action, not despair.

As a Last Resort, Protest

As in 2020, protest remains a final option. A lot of institutions, including some of those listed above, are preparing to step in if the political system fails. But if they all fail as well, remember that it’s better to protest in a group, and in a coordinated, nonviolent manner. Many of the organizations I have listed will be issuing regular statements right after the election; follow their advice to find out what they are doing. Remember that the point of a protest is to gain supporters—to win others over to your cause—and not to make a bad situation worse. Large, peaceful gatherings will move and convince people more than small, angry ones. Violence makes you enemies, not friends.

Finally, don’t give up: There is always another day. Many of your fellow citizens also want to protect not just the electoral system but the Constitution itself. Start looking for them now, volunteer to help them, and make sure that they, and we, remain a democracy where power changes hands peacefully.

[david-talks-sw]

"I blame Red Riding Hood's Mom!"

"Obi-Wan was a parent surrogate for Anakin, but was terrible at it. He tried to instruct Anakin in the austere, objective Jedi way, but didn’t notice that Anakin did not have a foundation of humanity on which a conscience and good decision-making are based. Obi-Wan looked on Anakin as a brother... but Anakin needed a father. And there was no father. [The Prequel Jedi] unprepared to deal with, to guide, someone who was deeply mired in that world." - Aaron Allston, Star Wars Insider #145, 2013

"Obi-Wan trains Anakin, at first, out of a promise he makes to Qui-Gon, not because he cares about him. [...] He's a brother to Anakin, eventually, but he's not a father figure. That's a failing for Anakin. He doesn't have the family that he needs." - Dave Filoni, Disney Gallery: Mandalorian, “Legacy” 2020

"Anakin— yeah he ultimately makes the choice to turn to the Dark Side… but he has not, like… all of the systemic support that someone should have - when they experience trauma at the ages that he has experienced trauma - like, he has none of that, there." - Mike Chen, Star Wars Explained, 2022

The above statements are provably inaccurate, but hey it's a take that can be had. Sure. There's always more that could've been done.

Thing is, Anakin's story is one about personal responsibility. Per George Lucas, the core message of Star Wars, as a whole, is about you - dear viewer aged 6 to 12 who are starting to think for themselves - learning to be more selfless than selfish, more compassionate than greedy.

Anakin's story shows what happens when you don't do that.

Blaming the Jedi Order/Obi-Wan for what happened to Anakin is the same as arguing:

"Red Riding Hood getting eaten by the Wolf is her Mom's fault! What was she thinking, sending a child out to wander alone?! Of course she got eaten by a Wolf, she a kid, she don't know better!"

You can argue that. You can argue that Red Riding Hood's Mom should've gone with her to see Grandma. But that's not the point of the story, the point is "kids, don't try to take the quick/easy path because it's usually dangerous, and don't talk to strangers."

And I've yet to meet someone who would unironically blame Red Riding Hood's Mom. Because it's obvious that doing so would miss the point entirely.

Yet we do have a big chunk of the fandom whose takeaway from the Prequels is that Anakin's fall is on the Jedi's shoulders, even though that also misses the point.

That only indicates, to me, that what it's really about is...

For one generation, coping with a dislike of the Prequels. Trying to make them make sense and coming up with a headcanon that makes them "good," and nuanced.

For the younger audiences (first the one the Prequels were meant for but now also the Disney-era one), it's just them reciting what they've seen in the movies... which have been recontextualized and retconned through media written by people coming from that previous generation listed in point 1.

[boydyke-rat]

the ultimate guide to 2020 alt (from a seasoned veteran)

so, I've seen how this style is beginning to become popular again, so I figured I would make this for anyone who's interested in it but doesn't really know where to start! :3

First off, music!! The music u chose to make ur alt tiktoks was very important, so let's just get some songs and artists listed out here!

-Penelope Scott

-Lemon Demon

-Will Wood/ Will Wood and the Tapeworms

-Tally Hall

-Jack Stauber

-100 gecs

-CorpseHusband

And like pretty much anything hyperpop!

Fashion!

Fashion in this style can encompass a lot of things, but here's some basic!

-anime/Sanrio merch

-anything w/ frogs or mushrooms

-Oversized sweaters

-fingerless gloves and neon fishnets/torn up fishnets/tights

-the classic bunny hat

-I feel like striped stuff was pretty common idk maybe that was just me

-big stompy platform boots

-and to diy ur accessories, ppl would use worms on strings, tiny plastic babies, doll heads, and pretty much all kinds of weird knick-knacks

Makeup and hair is pretty versatile, just use hair dye and big eyeliner :)

And yeah that's just some of the basics! This is very much not even close toeverything, so if anyone is interested in a part 2, just lmk! And feel free to add on in reblogs/comments!

Remember at the end of the day, this style is about tapping into ur cringe side and embracing the weird!! There is no wrong way to dress/look when it comes to 2020 alt:)

[threecheersforsuccess]

I've been yapping for too many years, so I need a living masterpost of the guides and blogs from my Tumblr and Instagram. I feel some of my old work might be outdated, so please take my wording with a chunk of salt.

I'll update my with my content as I go.

Stuff from 2024

♡ What's in my bag? (2024)

My Motivation Education Video Series (2022-2023)

♡ Part 0: Something Much Needed Among Students: Motivation ♡ Part 1: Bare Bones Definition of Motivation ♡ Part 2: Self-efficacy, I think ♡ Part 3: Where is the control? ♡ Part 4: Reward or Autopilot ♡ Part 5: Determination to Continue ♡ Part 6: Personal Interest ♡ Part 7: Outside The Model ♡ Part 8: Where is the willpower? ♡ Part 9: Is stress even a bad thing? Note: I stopped because I did not like the short video format. I'm not sure if I may pick this up again, but I do think the lessons I learned from my readings are pretty neat :)

5am.Raining's Studying Challenge (2022)

Note: A challenge led by my cool mutual 5am.raining on Instagram. I slowly figure out how to make videos. It's a little wonky at the beginning, but I find my style! I made these posts in 2022 ♡ Poorly Filmed Day in My Life! ♡ My Studying Role Model... Haruhi from Ouran... ♡ Fave Leader in My Field: Carol Dweck ♡ What gets me in the mood to study? ♡ What I want to do with my degree... ♡ My Fave Reading Assignment ♡ Study Tunes ♡ How to get back into reading books ♡ Favorite study supplies ♡ Planning Routine (2022 version) ♡ Organizing My Desk ♡ What's in my backpack? ♡ Inspiring Film or Doc on My Field ♡ Imposter Syndrome ♡ "Study Buddy" ♡ Coping with Long Study Sessions

Flipd Productivity and Motivation Challenge Blogs

Note: I yapped so hard I won the productivity challenge. I wrote these around junior year of college (2021). ♡ Long-Term Destination, Short-Term Motivation: Living in The Moment ♡ Embedding Self-forgiveness in Your Self-Care ♡ Study Essentials ♡ The Importance of Play and Breaks ♡ Quote of Week Analysis: Self-Acceptance ♡ How I Plan My Everyday ♡ The Biggest Time Management Misconception I'm Trying to Get Over ♡ Recognizing Burnout (and Listening to Yourself) ♡ Building an Academic Support System ♡ Ways to Make Yourself Take Breaks ♡ The Challenges of a Positive Mindset ♡ How I Build Habits (based on James Clear's Atomic Habits)

Diana's Studying Challenge (2021)

Note: A challenge lead by my cool mutual dianas.desk on Instagram. I made these posts in 2021. Day 1: Challenge Introduction Day 2: What Gets Me Motivated Day 3: Cleaning My Desk Day 4: Study Tunes/Songs I Listen and Avoid Day 5: Current Books I'm Reading Day 6: Relaxation! Arknights Projekt Red Bullet Journal Spread Day 7: My Happy Place Day 8: Week Reflection Day 9: How I Plan Day 10: My Summer 2021 Work Routine Day 11: My Desk Essentials Day 12: Study Snack (Natto) Day 13: Digital or Paper Notes? Which is Better? Day 14: How I Self-Care Day 15: My School Bag Day 16: Proudest Achievement Day 17: Most Favorite Productivity App/Website Blocker Day 18: Work Buddies Day 19: Inspirational Quotes Day 20: My Favorite Place to Work Day 21: #MessyDesk Day 22: Guilty Pleasure Day 23: My Favorite Study Accounts Day 24: Study Methods I Do Not Like Day 25: Trying out a new place to work? Day 26: Part 2 of My Unconventional Study Tips (same as above) Day 27: My Outfit Day 28: Making a Gratitude List Day 29: My Aspirations Day 30: Today I learned… Day 31: September Goals

My Study Tips

Note: I wrote many of these either in 2020 or very early on (2017-2018). Super old stuff. ♡ Unconventional Study Tips Part 1 + Part 2 ♡ One Effective Memorization Tip ♡ Dealing with Bad Grades: What I Do ♡ How to get 800 on the SAT in Math and Full Points on Grammar ♡ Causes of Procrastination + Methods for Each ♡ How to Study When Unmotivated ♡ Making Your Discord Study Space ♡ Ways to Go to Bed Early ♡ My Super Ultimate Guide to AP Calc AB and BC ♡ Using Your Phone Productively (2018)

Journaling

♡ How I Journal (2017) ♡ How I Use My Notebooks (2018) ♡ How to Keep a Daily Journal (2020) ♡ How to Get into Creative Journaling (2022)

Dividers by @fairytopea

[bitmapbooks]

A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games

An exhaustive guide to JRPGs, this massive 652-page compendium features every game from 1982 to 2020, including roguelikes and strategy RPGs. It is without doubt the ultimate guide for fans of the genre.

Buy now with tracked global shipping and a free PDF: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/all-books/products/a-guide-to-japanese-role-playing-games

#bitmapbooks #book #retrogaming #retrogames #gaming #jrpg #art #rpg #bookstagram #booktok #fyp

[yuurei20]

Hello! I just wanted to know if Yana Toboso have ever said that there will be a continuation after all books are released? I remember she ever stated that she is thinking of a 4th-year or RSA book, but I might be wrong though.

Hello hello! ^^ Thank you for this question!

This was touched upon in an earlier ask (I am very sorry for the poor organization of this page 💦) but, in short, Yana has never said that there will be a 4th-year or RSA continuation of the story ^^

From what I can tell this rumor seems to be a common misconception from a 2023 Apple Store interview where she says:

Going forward things are going to be on a much larger scale, incorporating not only the vertical and horizontal axes of the story but also expanding upon elements such as a present, past and future. Look forward to Book 7 (currently on chapter 2)!

EN did not have any Book 7 content at the time the interview was released, which is maybe why people started to assume that she must mean RSA or 4th year student stories? But she has never said so ^^ Which makes sense!

Even if those may actually be plans for future plotlines, mobile game development is a very volatile industry: Yana herself has talked about making significant changes to a character even after approvals had already been received and development had begun (re: the creation of Riddle Rosehearts), so promising anything at all for the future of the game would be most unwise from a professional standpoint, running the risk of disappointing players if something unavoidable arose and/or a different direction ultimately ended up being taken.

It would be very strange for the developers to be sharing plans for the direction the game is to take years, months or even just weeks in advance, as one never knows what may happen--so they have not ^^

On the topic of what Yana has actually said about the future, in the Magical Archives Game Guide (2020) she is asked, "What new outfits or styles would you like to add in the future?" and responds:

I would like to add a summer uniform for Night Raven College, and a designated winter coat at some point. The design for the winter coat was completed before the game’s release, but we missed the window to introduce it. Also, I would like to draw casual, personal clothes for all of the characters someday, but that is a huge project.

So maybe summer uniforms, winter coats or personal clothes?

It has been four years since Yana shared that there are existing designs of winter coat uniforms for all the students prepared and completed, and unfortunately no sign of them yet :< But maybe one day!

[kathlare]

search of confidence

Lando Norris x Amelie Dayman

Summary: Lando struggles with feelings of insecurity as he searches for ways to improve his intimate experiences with Amelie.

Wordcount: 2.1 k

Warnings: none

full masterlist // request over here!

September 28th, 2020 - Sochi, Russia

The hotel room was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning. Lando sat on the edge of the bed, his phone clutched in his hands, his brow furrowed in concentration. He was deep in the digital depths of the internet, searching for answers to a question that had been plaguing him for weeks.

“How to give a woman pleasure.”

The search results were a chaotic mix of articles, videos, and questionable forums, each offering a different perspective, a different technique. Lando scrolled through them, his cheeks flushing a delicate pink, his heart pounding in his chest.

He’d been hooking up with Amelie for the past month, and while he enjoyed every moment of their time together, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was lacking in experience. He knew Amelie had been around the block, and he was acutely aware of his own relative inexperience. He wanted to make her feel good, to give her the pleasure she deserved, but he was constantly worried he was falling short.

He’d received a couple handjobs from her, and he had loved them, but he wanted to give her the same pleasure. He wanted to make her moan, to make her eyes flutter closed, to make her feel as good as she made him feel.

He clicked on a link, a video promising “The Ultimate Guide to Female Pleasure.” The video started with a close-up of a woman’s face, her eyes closed, her lips parted in a soft moan. Lando quickly turned down the volume, his cheeks burning.

He watched the video, his eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety. The video demonstrated various techniques, various positions, various ways to touch and tease. Lando tried to memorize each step, each movement, his mind racing with possibilities.

He was so engrossed in the video that he didn’t hear the door open. He didn’t hear Max walk into the room.

—What the fuck are you watching?— Max asked, his voice laced with amusement.

Lando jumped, his phone slipping from his grasp. He quickly scrambled to pick it up, his cheeks flushed crimson. —Nothing,— he mumbled, turning away from Max.

Max raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. —Sure, mate,— he said, walking closer. —Mind if I take a look?—

Lando’s heart pounded in his chest. He knew he couldn’t hide the video from Max. They’d been friends since childhood, shared everything, but this… this felt different. This felt intensely personal.

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed, handing Max the phone. Max took it, his eyes widening as he watched the video. He burst out laughing, a loud, raucous sound that echoed through the room.

—Oh my god, Lando,— he gasped, wiping tears from his eyes. —You’re actually watching this?—

Lando’s cheeks burned. He snatched the phone back, his voice laced with annoyance. —Shut up, Max,— he muttered, turning away.

Max chuckled, shaking his head. —I can’t believe you’re so worried about this,— he said, his voice still laced with amusement. —You’re Lando Norris, for fuck’s sake. You’re charming, you’re funny, you’re… well, you’re you. That’s enough.—

—It’s not enough,— Lando mumbled, his gaze fixed on the floor. —I want to make her feel good. I want to… I want to be good at this.—

Max’s amusement faded, replaced by a look of understanding. He sat down on the bed next to Lando, placing a hand on his shoulder. —Look, mate,— he said, his voice soft. —I get it. You like her. A lot. And you want to make her happy. That’s a good thing. But you’re overthinking this. You’re putting too much pressure on yourself.—

—But she’s… she’s had experience,— Lando stammered, his voice barely a whisper. —And I haven’t. I don’t want to disappoint her.—

Max sighed, shaking his head. —Amelie likes you for you, Lando. Not for how many people you’ve slept with. She wouldn’t be with you if she didn’t want to be. Just relax. Enjoy yourself. And talk to her. Communication is key, mate. Ask her what she likes. She’ll tell you.—

Lando looked up at Max, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and skepticism. —Really?—

Max nodded, his eyes sincere. —Really. Trust me. And trust her. She’s not going to judge you. She’s going to appreciate that you care enough to ask.—

Lando hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. —Okay,— he said, his voice barely a whisper. —Okay, I’ll try.—

Max grinned, clapping him on the back. —That’s the spirit,— he said, his voice filled with encouragement. —Now, put that phone away and let’s order some food. You’re stressing yourself out for no reason.—

Lando chuckled, shaking his head. —You’re right,— he said, setting the phone aside. —Thanks, Max. I don’t know what I’d do without you.—

Max grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. —Probably still be watching that video,— he teased. —Now, what do you want to eat?—

Lando grinned back, a wave of relief washing over him. He was still nervous, still unsure, but he felt a little less anxious, a little more confident. He knew he wasn’t perfect, but he was willing to learn, to try. And that, he hoped, would be enough. He knew that for Lando the idea of Amelie giving him a chance was a dream come true, and he would do everything to not mess it up.

-------------

liked by lanmelieorleave, f1gfdiaries, and others

landonorris: Увидимся в следующем году Россия! Икс 🇷🇺

I bet you gonna click “see translation”

View all 39,010 comments

ameliedayman: i did click it and i still don’t know what’s going on → landonorris: @ameliedayman that’s the point, keep up rookie

georgerussell63: he learned one word and thinks he’s multilingual 😭 → landonorris: @georgerussell63 i’ll take that as jealousy → charles_leclerc: @georgerussell63 stop bullying him… but also yeah

alex_albon: man’s bilingual now?? or just google translate vibes → ameliedayman: @alex_albon no he fully made me double check my settings

carla4thegrid: click see translation if u’ve ever fallen in love with ur best friend → trackgirlie: @carla4thegrid clicked. cried. rewatched lanmelie edits → honeylanmelie: @carla4thegrid same girl SAME 😭

maxfewtrell: alright boris norris calm down → landonorris: @maxfewtrell it’s called culture max. look it up

pitwallgossip: the fact that she commented is killing me softly → turn1tears: @pitwallgossip just let them be delulu and drive fast

mclaren: when you see translation and it still doesn’t help → ameliedayman: @mclaren the caption is a jump scare tbh → landonorris: @mclaren my brain is multilingual you just don’t get it

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The plush leather seats of Checo’s private jet were a welcome change from the tight confines of his race car. Lando stretched his long legs, a contented sigh escaping his lips. The Russian Grand Prix had been… eventful, to say the least. Now, with the roar of the engines a distant hum, he was headed back to London, courtesy of Stella’s ever-generous husband.

Checo was engrossed in a phone call at the other end of the cabin, his voice a low murmur in Spanish. Lando pulled out his own phone, a smile already playing on his lips. He had a string of messages from Amelie waiting.

Ames: Just landed back in London. That race was insane! You okay? Lan: Barely survived, but alive and kicking. Thanks for asking, cariño. Ames: Cariño? Smooth, Norris. 😉 Lan: Only the best for you.

A new message popped up almost instantly.

Ames: So, now that you’re soaring through the sky… what are you thinking about?

Lando’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He glanced towards Checo, who was still deep in conversation. Perfect.

Lan: Besides the questionable airplane food I might encounter later? You. Ames: Oh really? And what about me has captured your very important racing driver brain? Lan: Let’s just say… the memory of that purple lace is doing a pretty good job.

He watched the three little dots appear and disappear as Amelie typed her response. His heart rate picked up a notch.

Ames: Is it now? I seem to recall you looking quite captivated yourself. Lan: Captivated is an understatement. It’s currently replaying in high definition in my head. Ames: Hmm. Maybe I should give you a live demonstration next time you’re here.

Lando swallowed hard, a warmth spreading through him. He shifted in his seat, trying to appear nonchalant.

Lan: I’d like that very much. Ames: Tell me more about this high-definition replay, Lando.

He glanced at Checo again. Still on the phone. Okay, he could do this.

Lan: Well, the way the light caught the lace… and the way it barely contained… everything.

He paused, his fingers flying across the screen.

Lan: And the feel of your skin underneath my hands…

He could almost feel her blush through the screen.

Ames: You’re being very descriptive, Mr. Norris. Lan: Only for you, Ames. What about you? What are you thinking about? Ames: Let’s just say… your bare chest wasn’t too bad either.

A shiver ran down Lando’s spine. He could practically feel her touch.

Lan: Just my chest? Nothing else caught your eye? Ames: Maybe… the way your jeans were hanging low on your hips.

He had to physically restrain a groan. This was getting intense, and he was in a confined space with his girlfriend’s brother-in-law.

Lan: And what exactly about that caught your eye? Ames: The way I could see the outline of… something interesting.

Lando’s breath hitched. He squeezed his thighs together, trying to maintain some semblance of composure.

Lan: Interesting in a good way, I hope? Ames: Oh, very good. In a way that made me want to reach out and… explore.

He was dangerously close to moaning out loud. Checo was starting to wrap up his call. Lando needed to divert.

Lan: Speaking of exploring… I’m starting to feel a bit cramped in this seat. Ames: Oh? Maybe you need to stretch. Lan: Definitely. In a private location.

Checo hung up his phone and turned to Lando, a friendly smile on his face.

—Everything alright, Lando? You look a bit… flushed.—

—Yeah, all good, Checo. Just a bit tired after the race.—

—Understandable. Long weekend.—

Lando offered a weak smile and turned back to his phone.

Ames: Private location, huh? What are you planning to do there? Lan: Maybe… replay some more high-definition memories. With a little… hands-on experience.

He was pushing his luck, but he couldn’t help himself.

Ames: Naughty. I like it.

Lando’s stomach clenched. He had to go. Now.

—Checo, would you mind if I just… use the restroom quickly?—

—Of course, mate. Go ahead.—

Lando practically bolted towards the small bathroom at the back of the jet, his phone still clutched in his hand. He locked the door behind him with a shaky hand.

He leaned against the cool metal of the door, taking a few deep breaths. This was ridiculous. He was sexting his girlfriend on her brother-in-law’s private jet, and he was about to… well, he was about to take care of himself.

He pulled out his phone again, his fingers trembling slightly.

Lan: Just found my private location. Ames: Oh good. Tell me what you’re doing.

He unzipped his trousers, his fingers brushing against his already hardening cock.

Lan: Thinking about your fingers on me… the first time you…

He couldn’t finish the sentence, a low groan escaping his lips despite his best efforts.

Ames: Yes? Tell me.

He started to stroke himself, the sensation immediate and intense.

Lan: The way you looked at me… the way your hand felt… so soft, yet so firm.

He closed his eyes, the image of Amelie’s focused expression burned into his mind.

Ames: And what are you doing now, thinking about that?

His breathing was becoming ragged. He gripped himself tighter, the pleasure building rapidly.

Lan: Touching myself… imagining it’s you.

He had to bite his lip to stifle another moan. The small confines of the bathroom seemed to amplify every sensation.

Ames: Tell me what that feels like.

His fingers moved faster now, the friction building the pressure behind his eyes.

Lan: It feels… incredible. Like your hand… but faster. Harder.

Another moan escaped, louder this time. He pressed his hand against his mouth, hoping Checo wouldn’t hear.

Ames: I wish I was there to feel it.

The words sent another jolt of desire through him. He was so close.

Lan: Me too. So fucking much.

He could feel the edge approaching, the point of no return.

Ames: What are you going to do when you land?

He was panting now, his vision tunneling.

Lan: See you… as soon as possible. And then… you’ll see.

One final stroke, and he shuddered violently, a muffled groan finally breaking free. He leaned his forehead against the cool metal of the wall, his body still trembling.

He waited a moment, trying to regain some composure before reaching for a tissue.

Ames: Lando? You still there?

He typed a quick reply, his fingers still a little shaky.

Lan: Yeah. Just… admiring the view from my private location. Ames: I bet you are. Hurry back to London. I have a feeling that live demonstration can’t wait much longer. Lan: Counting down the minutes, cariño. Counting down the minutes.

[shefightslikeagirl]

Updates!

THE JOURNAL ARCHIVES

After a year or two and a lot of copy/paste, I've finally migrated BTP's old journal archive to SFLAG. I'm still going to see if I can bully the wayback machine into giving me a few more of EA's journal entries, but for now, THE JOURNAL ARCHIVES ARE COMPLETE!

Complete as they'll ever be, anyway. Things have been lost to time.

Early 2000s (2001-2005)

Late 2000s (2006-2009)

The 2010s (2010-2019)

The 2020s (2020-Current)

NEWSLETTERS

I added some Wayback Machine links to the Newsletter pages. If you never delete your emails and have copies of newsletters, feel free to forward them to me at shefightslikeagirltumblr@gmail.com

Especially anything 2010 and before!

ART

The Art page has been updated with all of EA's AI Art Posts. I managed to save them all before she wiped her Instagram.

THE ASYLUM FOR WAYWARD VICTORIAN GIRLS

All pages in this section are complete--for now.

Release Timeline

Differences Between Editions

Standard Editions (English) 

International Editions

The Quest for the Spoon of the Royals

NEW PROJECTS

There are a few more masterposts I'd like to do, but the last big undertaking I'm working on is an [unofficial] EA Timeline. I've been writing one that's on a scrollable page, but it's incredibly slow-going. I'd also like to do a discography that can double as an "ultimate" EA Album Guide.

Masterposts in progress:

The Closing of the Asylum Forums

The Asylum Army Fanclub

After that, I'll attempt to finish up the Merch section. But anymore than that... I don't think it'll happen. I'm all tapped out on energy and interest. Unless EA comes back, that will probably be the end of the archive.

But, please, if you have anything that you see I'm missing, tell me in the inbox or send me an email! I'd love any help!

[tobi-smp]

well ! if I'm posting about my other interests ! have a little how-to guide for getting into marble hornets:

firstly, what is it.

that's an answer in two parts! it's a foundational indie horror web series on youtube that was beloved in its time for its mystery, atmosphere, and editing (pioneering or popularizing many of the techniques that you'll see more commonly now in the analogue horror genre, just with the budget of college students in 2009).

and it's remembered fondly Now for its fascinating representation of mental health (in how it subverts the harmful ways that horror tends to depict more stigmatized disorders, but Also in how it depicts mental and physical health in general), and the underlying queer themes that While subtext at the time have ultimately been confirmed as intentional as one co creators (and actor for the main character) has come out as bisexual!

it is Also a wildly creative and beautiful comic series. written solely by troy wagner (the aforementioned co-creator) and illustrated by jackie reynolds (a long time fan of the series and insanely talented illustrator). taking place after the events of the webseries, the comics take full advantage of this new visual medium to express the horror, atmosphere, and emotions of the series in a more visceral way. and being self published they're free to make whatever they'd like

done entirely in water color and ink, it builds beautifully on what was laid down with the original series and carves out its own identity and legacy.

it's also just very lovely seeing queer creators who were once writing subtext be able to just. Be Open about it. both about themselves and their characters. it's a horror story that happens to have queer characters mind, but it's just ! nice.

.

now ! being internet horror that's sat in that weird space between args and analogue horror (nightmind would call it Unfiction, but unfortunately that term hasn't caught on as much as I'd have liked) it's not as simple to get into as just like, Watching A Show.

that's not to say you Can't just watch it, but rather I have ways to help you get more out of it :>

1: The full chronological playlist for the marble hornets web series, including the totheark replies: [Link]

this is exactly what it says on the tin ! the entire series in order, I've even included the dvd extras at the end of each season !

two notes: firstly, the full series is captioned, and I think they're very nice captions! and secondly, there's a lot of loud noises in the series, which the captions help mitigate a bit. this is due in part to the nature of the kind of horror it is (though it doesn't have straight up jumpscares), but Also because troy wagner was HoH at the time he was doing the audio editing for the series.

there's significantly fewer issues with the audio as the series goes on (troy actually got surgery for his hearing!) but for the most part it's fine just keeping it Somewhat lower. except entry five. entry five is so very loud <3

.

2: The in-character twitter for jay merrick (the main character of marble hornets): [Link]

much like the youtube channel is presented as being ran by the main character/pov character of the series (jay merrick), the twitter was created to run along-side the main series! it mostly exists to give us further insight into jay's mental state and personal life that you don't get in the main series, especially early on!

it's a little cumbersome nowadays, especially since twitter doesn't Like being archival. but you kind of just have to scroll all the way to the bottom to when the twitter was created and scroll up to follow along jlkfasdjlkfdas

this is made a Little more difficult because the account got hacked in 2020 and reinstated 2021, so all of the dates are wrong now. but the account always posted when new entries were uploaded so it's easy to watch an entry, check what was posted after it was uploaded, and then see the link for the next entry and know to stop until you've watched.

you don't Have to do it this way, but I think it's the way to get the most out of it!

.

3: All of the translated codes for totheark/tta listed in order: [Link]

back in the day, youtube allowed you to make Video Replies, which would be displayed Under whatever video you were responding to! this feature was ultimately removed because of the tendency to do make clickbait in response to whatever was currently popular, but it was Wonderful in this instance !

the youtube channel and twitter were presented as in character, and they took advantage of this by having a second channel created (named totheark) start Replying to the entries as they were uploaded. these videos were highly edited and contained codes and secrets that were meant as messages to the main character (and the audience)!

there was a dedicated community for code breaking throughout the show's entire life, and this list here goes through every one! I like this one in particular because it Also gives us information on How the codes were broken, in a digestible way.

.

4: Nightmind's marble hornets explained series: [Link]

this is definitely Optional. it's obviously not official media, is outdated now that the comics have started, and I'd say was flawed even at its release. (it's not a spoiler if nobody knows what I'm talking about, so I'll say now that I'm not a fan of his theory with masky, and the seth theory is very famously silly).

BUT! I Do think it's a very good resource when it comes to putting certain crucial things together. as the whole point of the series is that it's a Mystery. you see nearly everything out of order and you're intentionally limited in what you know about characters and their motivations. this series works as a good jumping off point in that it helps to put things into Context and change your perspective on certain events and character With the benefit of said context!

like I said, it's not Required, it might just be helpful! a starting point to help chew on things once you've watched the web series in full for the first time.

.

Comics!: [Link]

comics ! they're all available on troy wagner's personal website! (along with other goodies that are periodically available!) you can buy them either physically Or digitally ! personally I'd recommend digital, as it's cheaper, instantly available, and the digital extras are wonderful!

they come with the script for the comics, a commentary version (including comments from troy and jackie on every page), and other extras like backgrounds, behind the scenes sketches, character art, etc!

I would very much so suggest buying the comics if you're interested. this is an indie project being ran and funded by two people (and again! there's other goodies in the store that are worth looking at). buttttttt, my friends may dm me <3

.

Extras! [Extras]

Anniversary streams [Link] on a few different anniversaries for the series several of the creators have done streams rewatching the series and reacting to it live ! this is a playlist where I've collected all of the instances that I could find :>

I Also included the dvd commentary here ! the format is different, but it's a similar concept so, why not ljkfsdajklfasd

.

Interviews, QnA's, and con appearances: [Link] exactly what it sounds like !

I was, at one point, overtaken by some kind of madness and hunted down for every single Person Records Marble Hornets Creators Talking About Marble Hornets thing I could find, and then attempted to put it in order. this is just ! for fun. I do so adore it though, I have one con panel that was recorded on someone's 3ds.

.

My silly posts:

some analysis posts I've main on my main account since having watched the series ! these all contain spoilers so I wouldn't suggest watching them until you've seen the show (though I Would suggest reading them if you do choose to watch the explained series)

this is my post going into what I think masky is supposed to be/represent, and why it's Important [Link] which I think pairs nicely with this post by tim sutton (one of marble hornet's actors) [Link]

my discussions on jay's mental health and behavior and how they're often misunderstood (which won't necessarily be needed if you've read through his twitter jlkfasdlkjafds) [Link 1, Link 2]

confirmation that jay is canonically queer :> [Link]

.

Social Media

Social media for various marble hornets creatives !

Troy wagner (co-creator, actor for jay): Tumblr [Link] Twitter [Link] Instagram [Link]

Jackie Reynolds (main artist for the comics): Tumblr [Link] Twitter [Link] Instagram [Link] Linktree [Link]

Tim Sutton (actor for tim (I know)): Tumblr (inactive): [Link] Twitter: [Link]

Joseph DeLage (co-creator, actor for alex): Twitter [Link]

.

and here's art jackie drew of masky marble hornets punching richard spencer in the face <3

[dreamdolldiary]

130 books: my to be read list

will be updating if i find any more interesting finds

my most anticipated reads:

man's search for meaning

outwitting the devil

say yes to life

deep work

a mind for numbers

limitless mind

so good they can't ignore you

destined for more: a broken girl’s journey of chasing dreams and killing giants 

genius foods

burn the boats

fluent in 3 months

fluency forever

the book of five rings

the science of living + live your best life

the art of choosing

quitter: closing the gap between your day job and your dream job

the how of happiness

the high five method

the power of now

the power of one more

essentialism: the disciplined pursuit

getting things done

four thousand weeks

make time

how not to die

seth speaks

life skills: creativity, problem solving, mindfulness, empathy, teamwork

you have more time than you think

the one thing: the surprisingly simple

the 4 hour work week

essay by the minimalists

start with why

the journey of a girl with lots of dreams

how are you, really?

do the hard things first

willpower doesn't work

better than before

secrets of manifesting - wayne dyer

monk mode

parenting

parent power: bringing up responsible children and teenagers

29 rules for smart parenting: how to raise children without being a tyrant

the 7 best things smart teens do

the emotional lives of teenages

talk to your boys (coming out in 2025?)

getting things done for teens

the 7 habits of highly effective teens

lifeskills for adult children

the 6 most important decisions you'll ever make

smart parenting for safer kids

smart parenting for smart kids

improvement

the 12 week year

the lazy genius way

the surrender experiment

no excuses!

the art and business of online writing

the luck factor

the 2 alarms

the go giver

what we owe the future

someday is today

the 1 rule: how to fall in love with the process and achieve your wildest dreams

seven principles of making marriage work

leadership: six studies in world strategy

drive: the surprising truth about what motivates us

the 80/20 principle

the joy of missing out

the courage to be disliked

the blank slate

the life-changing magic of tidying up

range: why generalists triumph

manage your day to day

adulting made easy: things someone should have told you about getting your grown-up act together

design your life: how to hold a well lived, joyful life

the crossroads of should and must

the happiness advantage

do over: rescue monday, reinvent your work, and never get stuck

the self care prescription

pathless path

how to be a person: 65 hugely useful, super important skills

the brain's way of healing

the driving book: everything new drivers need to know but don't know how to ask

the denial of death

educated (by tara westover)

the one thing

do hard things

take the steps

daring greatly

mindset: the psychology of success

grit: the power of passion and perseverance

willpower doesn't work

goodbye to shy

quiet mind, epic life

finance and business

the intelligent investor

secrets of six figure women: surprising strategies to up your earnings and change your life

wealthing like rabbits

i will teach you to be rich

how not to move back in with your parents

overcoming underearning: a five step plan to a richer life

the infographic guide to personal finance: a visual reference for everything you need to know

passive income: the smart passive income guide: how to successfully create passive income streams with a growth mindset

stop sabotaging your career: 8 proven strategies to succeed in spite of yourself

you are a badass at making money

the million-dollar, one-person business

e-commerce business: 3 books in 1: the ultimate guide to making money online from home and reach financial freedom

side hustle: from idea to income in 27 days

make bank (when you think like one)

skills

making money on blogging: 2020 Edition - how to start your blogging blueprint and make profit online with your blog - how do people make money

starting a successful blog when you have NO CLUE!: 7 steps to wordpress bliss.... (beginner internet marketing series book 1)

youtube secrets: the ultimate guide to growing your following and making money as a video influencer

christianity

mere christianity

surprised by joy

the case of christ

the historical figure of jesus

the bible unearthed

catholics: a very short introduction

random, mostly just for fun

forever chic

ooh la la

secret model beauty

get rich, lucky bitch

french women don't get fat

skinny bitch

bonjour happiness!

miss manners

the social climber's bible

city chic

the modern girl's guide to life

fat, broke, and lonely

women have all the power

soft is the new power

how to marry the rich

and reminder: it doesn't matter how tall your book stack is.

[imminentinertia]

111 years of queer cinema - 2019:

एक लड़की को देखा तोह ऐसा लगा (Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga) / How I Felt When I Saw That Girl

Bonus short: 兔兒神 (Tu'er Shen) / Kiss of the Rabbit God

Country: India Director: Shelly Chopra Dhar Letterboxd Where to watch: Netflix, depending on region

Synopsis: Sweety has to contend with her over-enthusiastic family that wants her to get married, but the ultimate truth is that her love might not find acceptance in her family and society.

In 2018, India finally decriminalised homosexuality after a long legal dispute. In 2019, an Indian film showing queer women in a positive light premieres, with a script written by Gazal Dhaliwal who's a trans woman. Debuting director Shelly Chopra Dhar was 62 then. There's a lot to be impressed by with this.

Kuhu (Regina Cassandra) and Sweety (Sonam Kapoor)

This is a mainstream film. It's Bollywood. The intended audience is the general desi public, and Dhar's mission was to give normalising and accepting queerness a solid nudge.

How I Felt When I Saw That Girl has a pretty classic Bollywood plot, where the girl (Sweety) can't possibly marry this unsuitable guy (Sahil), but lo and behold! Her family decides to let her follow her heart and marry him after all! And then there's a really delicious switcheroo from the love interest being the guy to the real love interest being another girl, Kuhu.

Sweety stating mid-film her reason to not marry any guy was a massive plot twist to the mainstream audience, and not an especially welcome one to a good part of it. How I Felt When I Saw That Girl didn't do great commercially. The film doesn't pull its punches, when it shows people leaving in disgust during a play where Sweety and Kuhu play lovers, presumably everyone involved in the production knew all too well that precisely that could happen at screenings. However, it's a very charming as well as a thought-provoking film, and the unmarriable Sahil turns into Sweety's friend and helps her convey her feelings to her family.

This film is one of the stepping stones in queer acceptance in India, which is moving in the right direction overall - more people were apparently positive to same-sex marrage in 2021 than in 2016, for instance.

Maybe How I Felt When I Saw That Girl feels a bit on the nose sometimes, and maybe the acceptance comes a little too easily when it does, but a Bollywood romance isn't necessarily all that complicated or realistic. Inside the mainstream wrapping there's a very controversial love story, possibly made a bit more palatable due to how it's told.

Bollywood star and internationally famous Anil Kapoor in the role as Sweety's father (he's Sonam Kapoor's father in real life) is a special treat. His constant battle with his mother about being allowed to cook the family's meals, and having had to give up his youthful dream of becoming a great chef, makes for a bittersweet side story of coming to terms with having been made to live your life a certain way, acceptable to others but not ideal for you.

Oh, and the title of the film is from one of the most popular romantic Indian songs ever:

Bonus short film: Kiss of the Rabbit God

Country: USA Director: Andrew Huang Letterboxd Where to watch: YouTube

Synopsis: A Chinese restaurant worker falls in love with an 18th century Qing dynasty god.

I'm incapable of doing the year 2019 without mentioning Kiss of the Rabbit God, so there goes the "one film per year" plan (and much the same thing happened with the 2020 post ...).

Shen (Jeff Chen) and Matt (Teddy Lee), and just look at how beautiful this shot is

Even with all the visual delight of this absolutely stunning short film, it's also a special treat for film sound enthusiasts. Listen.

I've lost count of the times I've watched this gorgeous, concise but unrushed feast for the eyes - the set designs, Shen's insanely stylish costumes, the flow of red everywhere in both chaotic restaurant scenes and serene dreamlike scenes as the rabbit god Shen guides restaurant worker Matt to claiming his true self.

Some background about the rabbit god myth isn't required to enjoy the film, but it adds some depth.

111 years of queer cinema masterlist

Divider made by sister-lucifer

[heizelnutlatte]

📰 Max Movie: D.P.'s Secret Weapon Bae Nara Shines Again in Weak Hero 2 - Musical Actor-Turned-Drama Breakout Star from D.P.2

- Charisma in Full Force as Ultimate Villain Na Baekjin -

Na Baekjin, who misses just one killer problem in the national mock exam for math, is the type to sit in the middle of a bloody teen battlefield, pondering that one question. Though he ranks first in the entire school, he is also the leader of a unified network of delinquent cliques, a so-called "Iljin Union." With piercing eyes that radiate menace, he freezes those around him and commands charisma.

In Netflix’s original series Weak Hero Class 2 (written by Park Hyunwoo and Yoo Soomin, directed by Yoo Soomin), Bae Nara plays Na Baekjin, the head of the villainous group that confronts main characters like Yeon Sieun (played by Park Jihoon), Ryeoun, Choi Minyoung, and Lee Minjae. His performance is garnering attention.

Though still a fresh face to most viewers, sharp-eyed fans quickly recognised him. He’s the same actor who caught eyes in 2023’s D.P. Season 2, portraying Corporal Jang Seongmin, a gay deserter from the military.

In Weak Hero Class 2, Bae Nara’s Na Baekjin leads brutal violence that Sieun and his friends desperately try to stop. On the surface, he looks like a top student, but beneath lies a teenager with ambitions to build a violent syndicate. The chilling energy Bae Nara emits drives the tension of the entire second season. He’s also entangled in a secretive relationship with Park Humin (played by Ryeoun), another lead who fights back against violence.

- A Drag Queen with Pain, And a Continuing Collaboration with Director Han Junhee -

Bae Nara is a trained musical actor who debuted in Promise and went on to perform in Jack the Ripper, Rebecca, Grease, Kinky Boots, and more. In 2020, he also reached the finals in Phantom Singer 3, showcasing his powerful vocals.

His breakout as an actor beyond the stage came with D.P. Season 2, where he portrayed a gay soldier who deserts the military and performs as a drag queen. With poignant vocals and flamboyant performances in a secret club, singing “Wig in a Box” and “Midnight Radio” from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, he captivated viewers. Although D.P. was his first drama, he drew from years of musical experience to deliver a standout performance, even among a cast of rising new faces.

- That performance led directly to his casting in Weak Hero Class 2 -

Director Han Junhee, who helmed the D.P. series, discovered Bae Nara and entrusted him with one of the most pivotal roles - Na Baekjin - as the creative lead of Weak Hero Class 2. Bae Nara lived up to that trust. Speaking about Han and director Yoo Soomin, Bae said, “They were like the captain and helmsman of a ship, guiding me so I could sail safely. They gave me direction without rushing me.”

Though Na Baekjin is the leader of the Iljin Union, he also shares a special bond with Park Humin, who stands against violence. Their narrative, along with Sieun’s trauma, forms the emotional core of season 2. On this, Bae Nara explained, “I acted with the belief that to Na Baekjin, Park Humin is the one and only friend who truly understands him.”

Bae Nara’s momentum continues beyond Weak Hero Class 2. On May 12, he stars in ENA’s upcoming drama Tastefully Yours (written by Jung Sooyoon, directed by Park Danhee). The series is set in Jeonju and tells the romantic growth story between a small restaurant chef and the heir to a food conglomerate. Bae plays the older brother and rival of Kang Haneul’s character, a corporate executive who will stop at nothing to seize business control. Notably, Tastefully Yours is also a project developed by director Han Junhee, making this yet another notable collaboration.

Bae Nara - Weak Hero Class 2, 2025

[doomreed]

Recommended (mostly comic book) reading guide for Doom/Reed v2, text version & some details behind cut:

=DoomReed ship reading guide v2.0=

1960’s-80’s (Lee & Kirby thru deFalco): 

Fantastic Four #5 (Doom’s first appearance ever in comics! and his reunion w/ Reed)

Fantastic Four #10 (kidnap & bodyswap) 

Fantastic Four Annual #2 (Doom’s full origin story, including the Incident In College)

Fantastic Four #196-200 (intense arc, ends w/ their first very… physical fight)

Fantastic Four #236 

Fantastic Four #260 & #288 

Fantastic Four #381 & Fantastic Four Unlimited #12 (+ Fantastic Four Unplugged #2) (the DeFalco suicide pact arc, which is very wild and very intense)

Fantastic Four #352 (time duel story! an absolute classic)

1990’s (Heroes Reborn/Return era): 

Fantastic Four v2 (1997) #5-6 

Captain America v2 (1997) #12 

Chris Claremont: 

Fantastic Four v3 (1998) #25, #29-31 (Reed stuck in Doom’s armor, becoming more like Victor - but also emphasizes how much alike they already were) 

2000’s (Mark Waid): 

Fantastic Four #499 (numbered as #70) & #500 (start of the “Unthinkable” arc, which shows Victor in a bad light but is worth it for the dynamic and for how Reed is written)

Fantastic Four #503 (Reed takes over Latveria)

Fantastic Four #507 (Reed builds a pocket dimension to imprison just himself and Victor, it’s very intense honestly)

Dwayne McDuffie: 

Fantastic Four #551-553 

Fantastic Four Special, “My Dinner with Doom” (honestly one of the best and most overtly romantic stories for these two, Reed literally goes on a dinner date with Victor)

Mark Millar: 

Fantastic Four #558, 562 

Hickman/Secret Wars Era: 

Fantastic Four #581 (arc ends in #582) 

FF v1 (2010) #1-14 (omit 6, 7, 10, 11): concluding in Fantastic Four #611 

New Avengers v3 (2013) #6, 7,14 

Secret Wars (2015) #2-4, 9 + Marvel’s Two-In-One Annual #1 for conclusion 

Post-Secret Wars Era: 

Infamous Iron Man #6, #8 

Marvel Two In One (2017) #5-6 (+ #4 for background), Annual #1, & #11 

Fantastic Four (2018-) #25, #32, B Story, “Duel Intentions” & #33 

Doctor Doom #9 & #10 (Chris Cantwell) 

Origin Re-tellings & Variations: 

Books of Doom #2 

Before The Fantastic Four: Reed Richards #1-3 

Shame Itself (B story) (satire) 

F4 #416 ‘Roads Not Taken' 

Ultimates (1610) setting: 

Ultimate Fantastic Four #2, #7, #9-12, & #31-32 

AU Versions: 

Fantastic Five (2007) #1-5 

Warlock (1972) #6-7 

Exiles #95-98 

What If? (1977) #22 (‘What if Doctor Doom was a Hero?“) 

Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #42 

100th Anniversary #1 

GeNext: United #2 

What If? (1977) #6 (‘What if the Fantastic Four had different Super Powers?’) 

Also Recommended: 

Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men #1-4 (1987) 

X-Men + Fantastic Four (2020) #2 & #3 

Fantastic Four: The Movie (2005) (comic adaptation) 

DOOM 2099 (2019) 

Fantastic Four 2099 (1996) #6-8 

Other Media: 

Fantastic Four: Doomgate by Jeffrey Lang (novel) 

[dragoneyes613]

Beirut, September 2021

Just after the end of Israel’s 2021 ground operation in Gaza (dubbed “Guardian of the Walls”), Brigadier General Esmail Qaani of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of its Quds Force met with senior Hamas officials for a debriefing. The conclusion of the meeting was clear: The confusion on the Israeli side proved that the time had come for what they called “the Great Campaign” — what we now know as the October 7 massacre.

“[Guardian of the Walls] marked a turning point in the conflict between us and the thieving Jews,” reads a internal document captured from Hamas’s military wing. “This campaign is a stage in the humiliation and disgrace of the Zionists at the hands of its mujahideen servants, so that we can move on to the phase of eliminating their entity and erasing its existence.”

Hamas’s September 2021 meeting with senior Iranian officials focused on analyzing Israeli military tactics and strategy in preparation for the October 7 attack. Hamas’s leadership reported to the Iranians that Israeli strikes on Gaza during the campaign had been minimal. They pointed out that Israel had failed to inflict significant damage on Hamas’s tunnel system, the “Metro,” or on its military nerve center — despite Israeli claims to the contrary.

The success of intelligence coordination between Hamas and Iran during the fighting led to a decision to increase cooperation. On July 1, 2022, a document captured from Hamas shows that Ismail Haniyeh reported to Yahya Sinwar about a secret meeting organized by Iran’s Saeed Izadi, a.k.a. Haj Ramadan, head of the Quds Force Palestine Branch, with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. Three possible scenarios were discussed at the meeting: a large-scale strategic campaign involving all elements of the “Axis of Resistance” (excluding Iran itself); an intermediate campaign with partial participation; or an operation by Hamas alone. According to the document, Nasrallah expressed support for the first and most comprehensive scenario, stating, “The data and circumstances confirm that this is a realistic and achievable scenario.”

All of these confidential documents, seized by the IDF during the fighting in Gaza, reveal the full picture for the first time: The October 7 attack came about not as a plan hatched over the previous few months, but rather as part of a grand strategy that began to take shape after Yahya Sinwar’s 2011 release from Israeli prison in the Gilad Shalit deal. It was kept on the back burner for years and was ultimately refined, funded, and guided by Iran following Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021.

The seized documents include correspondence between Hamas leaders and senior Quds Force officials, operational plans, and records of financial transfers. Taken together, they paint a troubling picture of systematic and thorough preparations —specialized training in Iran, formation of elite units, and development of land and sea smuggling networks. Above all, they demonstrate Hamas’s close coordination with Iran and Hezbollah in preparation for what was defined as “the phase of eliminating the Zionist entity.”

Imposition of Will

The documents seized in Gaza reveal the complex relationship between Iran and Hamas in the years leading up to the October 7 attack. A key document, dated July 30, 2020, signed by Abu al-Baraa (Marwan Issa, deputy head of Hamas’s military wing), details the extent of Iranian financial support: Between 2014 and 2020, Iran transferred $154 million to Hamas’s military wing, and smuggled advanced and expensive weaponry into Gaza.

However, the financial relationship had its ups and downs. Between 2017 and 2018, money transfers were halted, apparently due to a crisis in Hamas-Iran relations following the terrorists’ warming ties with Saudi Arabia. The crisis revolved around Hamas’s support for the legitimacy of Yemeni president Mansour Hadi after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels took over the capital, Sana’a. Ironically, five years later, the Houthis would become one of the fiercest Iranian proxies supporting Hamas.

The documents reveal the existence of the “Shadow Unit” — an elite force within Hamas’s military wing operating under the direct supervision of Yahya Sinwar. A November 2019 intelligence document records the secret dispatch of four of the unit’s fighters to Iran, via Turkey, for “top-tier training in piloting military drones.” The document emphasizes that “this mission was conducted under classified instructions from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards” with the goal of “enhancing the capabilities of the elite members of the Al-Qassam Brigades.”

This intricate system was managed on the Iranian side by Saeed Izadi, known as Haj Ramadan, head of the Palestine branch of the Quds Force. The documents describe him as a key figure who oversaw financial transfers, approved training programs, and managed the delicate relationships between the involved parties.

During this period, Iranian control over Hamas’s decision-making centers solidified. A December 2016 document illustrates how Izadi leveraged economic power to exert pressure, conditioning financial transfers on the approval of specific senior Hamas officials.

“If the day comes when the decision is made to cease support and cut ties, we will inform you directly, with full transparency and without shame,” Izadi wrote to Mohammed Deif, a clear indication of the power he had accumulated.

This was the infrastructure upon which the later attack plan was built: a structured financing system, special operational capabilities, and an effective Iranian control mechanism over Hamas’s leadership.

“The most important outcome of any war is the imposition of will, and you have achieved that in this war,” Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani told senior Hamas officials at the September 2021 meeting. Referring to the riots in Lod and other cities with mixed Arab-Jewish populations, he added, “The enemy lost stability even within the territories of 1948.”

In hindsight, it is clear that the 2021 Gaza war was an Iranian-orchestrated operation designed to be a prelude to the “great campaign.” During the conflict, Hamas operatives studied everything and took copious notes. They analyzed Israeli intelligence, the home front, and how defense systems responded to intensified rocket fire. They learned how to ignite violence in mixed Israeli cities. In other words, they had two weeks of “live-fire training.”

The Iranians backed their words with action. As early as May 31, 2021, just days after the fighting ended, Izadi sent a letter to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh announcing the allocation of an additional $10 million for Hamas’s military wing. On June 5, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Marwan Issa sent a letter to Izadi requesting urgent Iranian assistance in rebuilding their strength. In an unusual move, they appealed to him to intercede with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to secure a $500 million budget for two years.

The documents show that the September meeting was the turning point. Hamas’s leadership reported an unexpected success to the Iranians: Despite the damage in Gaza, the organization had managed to preserve most of its operational capabilities. They noted particularly that the tunnel system — “the Metro” — remained virtually intact, and that Israeli Arabs had also joined the battle. This led to the conclusion that the time had come for a larger operation.

Following the meeting, an accelerated process of force-building began. A December 2022 letter from Marwan Issa to Sinwar documents an agreement with the Iranians on a monthly budget of $7 million “to prepare for such confrontations.” The letter also reveals plans for a sophisticated smuggling network: A land route through Yemen via a trusted network of smugglers, and — unbelievably — a plan for maritime smuggling using a submarine.

Hamas leaders did not limit their force-building efforts to Gaza. On May 22, 2022, Khaled Mashal and Marwan Issa corresponded about establishing a significant Palestinian force in Lebanon. According to the documents, Iran’s Izadi explained to Mashal, “Establishing a project for the Palestinians in Lebanon is not just a decision, but rather lies at the heart of our philosophy of engaging all nations in the struggle to liberate Palestine.”

The plan was ambitious: Initially, 2,000 Hamas fighters would organize in Lebanon, with the goal of expanding the force to 10,000 fighters. Command over the new force was to be coordinated with Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, while Hamas would be responsible for recruiting operatives from Lebanon’s Sunni population. Iran committed to funding the initiative, including training and armament.

However, a sharp internal dispute emerged within Hamas. Khaled Mashal opposed the idea of the new force being subordinate to Hamas’s leadership in Gaza, arguing that the external leadership, under his command, should manage the Lebanese operation. In a letter to Issa, he described fierce arguments with Izadi on the matter and advised, “Do not listen to Haj [Ramadan].”

The dispute over the Lebanese force reflected a deeper struggle for control of the organization. Izadi worked vigorously to remove figures opposed to Hamas’s subjugation to Iranian rule, primarily Mashal.

In July 2021, he wrote to Sinwar: “Unfortunately, Brother Abu Al-Walid [Mashal] and his misguided policies bear responsibility for many of the failures and problems that have occurred in the resistance axis.”

Beyond the Battlefield

Concurrent with the formation of the Hamas force in Lebanon, Iran launched efforts to restore Hamas’s relations with the Assad regime in Syria, which had been severed in 2011 due to Hamas’s support for the Syrian opposition.

Iran viewed this as a critical component in solidifying the “resistance axis,” and exerted heavy financial pressure on Hamas to see it through. A September 2022 document reports that Haniyeh informed Sinwar that the Iranians had halted financial transfers for four months to coerce Hamas into renewing ties with Syria.

The documents also paint a broader picture of Iranian involvement in Gaza, which extended far beyond military support. Iran simultaneously worked to build deep cultural influence in Gaza, in what was referred to in documents as “the Shia-tization of society.” A document from the “Palestinian Committee for International Quds Day” reveals an ambitious $5.5 million plan that included educational and cultural initiatives, scholarship distributions, and even a Shiite-themed soccer tournament. According to the document, all projects were “fully funded” by Iran.

Iranian control also extended to Gaza’s media. A classified May 2023 document reveals that Iran funded a coalition of radio stations affiliated with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Popular Front, with a monthly budget of $120,000. Established in 2014, this media network was described as “loyal to the resistance axis,” with broadcasts designed to promote Iranian narratives.

However, Iran’s involvement was not confined to Gaza. The documents reveal that Iran also deployed Hamas operatives against Egypt. An intelligence document records how Mahmoud Abdul Karim Said Karam, a Hamas operative, was directly handled by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. He left Gaza through the Rafah tunnels and carried out a terror attack against the Egyptian military. The document links him to a deadly attack in July 2020 near the village of Rabaa, about 30 kilometers from the Suez Canal, in which 40 Egyptian security personnel were killed.

The Hamas documents seized in Gaza paint a troubling picture of a dual intelligence failure on Israel’s part. Not only did Israel fail to detect the preparations for the October 7 attack, but it also did not realize that the 2021 Operation Guardian of the Walls, which was perceived in Israel as an operational success, was in fact a carefully planned “live-fire exercise” orchestrated by Iran and Hamas.

While the IDF spokesperson boasted about the operation’s achievements, senior Hamas officials sat with commanders of Iran’s Quds Force and analyzed exactly what worked: how the tunnel network survived, how the Israeli home front responded to massive rocket fire, how the defense systems coped, and how clashes erupted in mixed cities. Two weeks of in-depth study of Israel’s vulnerabilities led to a clear conclusion — Israel was vulnerable, and the time had come for the “great campaign.”

Over the next two years, right under Israel’s nose, a complex plan was put into motion. It involved the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars, specialized training in Iran, the establishment of elite units, and a sophisticated smuggling network.

The disturbing question remains: How did all these warning signs — the massive Iranian funding, the close coordination with Hezbollah, the establishment of a Hamas force in Lebanon, and the elaborate smuggling network — not raise red flags within the Israeli intelligence community?

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