#aaa beautiful incredible gorgeous

[twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat]

friend i listened to “spring thief” by yorushika and it’s been on repeat for the past hour… please give other song recs by yorushika that you like 🫡 ALSO YOUR FIC WAS SO PRECIOUS AND THE SONG WORKED SO BEAUTIFULLY WITH YOUR WRITING/REALLY ENHANCED THE VIBE OMFG oh 2 live in an apartment w sashisu and get breakfast made daily by suguru <3 - @dollsuguru

KAIROOO MY ANGEL i still haven’t read ur rb of the fic (saving it as a treat for later today :3 hehe) BUT TYSM FOR READING AND FOR UR KIND WORDS ILYSM 🥺🥺🥺 with that being said ……..

WAHHHHH I’M SOOO OVERJOYED THAT U LISTENED TO THE SONG???? ISN’T IT AMAZING????? yorushika makes me fully insane they’re my favorite band Ever hhhhh i’m so glad u thought it added to the fic 😭😭 their songs are all super nostalgic and bittersweet and summery so they’re just . perfect for sashisu & stsg.. u asked for more recs so ofc i will deliver >:3

i genuinely don’t think there’s a single yorushika song that doesn’t hit so i have like 25873 favorites BUT here are some standouts….. some have mvs and others don’t but yorushika’s lyrics are genuinely so so beautiful and incredible so i’ll make sure the links take u somewhere u can read them <3

blooming in that summer

my absolute favorite <333 like, absolute favorite. it changed my life. i want to live in it. the lyrics are insane the instrumental is out of this world and the final chorus always always gets to me. i’ve cried listening to it bc it’s just so so good AND it’s also the most stsg song ever so i cry when i listen to it and think of them (someone made an animatic of stsg with this song that quite literally lives in my brain rent free u can find it here) <33

hachigatsu, bou, tsukiakari

another of my absolute absolute faves!! lyrics are so good i cried, instrumental is so good i cried, and the final chorus . makes me cry. notice how i’m already repeating myself bc literally all of these songs are incredible in every possible way aaa ALSO the singing 😵‍💫😵‍💫 esp at the end. there’s so much emotion in it and it makes me sick actually whewww

replicant

another absolute favorite :33 (i’m gonna be saying this for all of them i think but i mean it sincerely ok…) kairo this one makes me ill. it’s so gojo coded. it’s Him. the lyrics just remind me of him sm (they’re incredible btw the final line makes me batshit insane) AND THE INSTRUMENTAL??? might be my fave yorushika instrumental ngl don’t quote me on that tho 🙏🙏 just such a lovely summery song it smells like seasalt and tastes like clouds :3

kamisama no dance

AAAA ANOTHER ABSOLUTE FAVORITE kairo this one is getocoded. i knowwww you’ll understand. some of my favorite yorushika lyrics Ever and that’s saying a lot. it also has crazy lore bc it’s connected to this whole story being told in some of yorushika’s albums and :((( yeahhh. this one feels kairocoded to me but that might just be bc it’s so getocoded LMAO i have a feeling you’ll like it though!!

robber and bouquet

THIS ONE IS SOOO LOVELY the instrumental…. 😵‍💫😵‍💫 i love it sm. i’d say this one is kinda different from classic yorushika stuff but in a very good way!! also i’m legally obliged to inform u that this one is tojicoded as HELL i associate him w the lyrics so much…. also i adoreee the way suis sings in this one her voice is so gorgeous wowowow… the sense of fatigue…… so good

just a sunny day for you

A CLASSIC but for very good reasons . the mv is just gorgeous, the lyrics are stunning and the instrumental is sooo nostalgic and summery n bittersweet :((( just the best. sashisu coded also!!!

aaaand finally here’s their yt channel!! there are so many other songs i adore that i wanted to mention but i think these r enough for now 😭 oh but here’s also a yt channel that makes lyric videos for their songs in case u wanna find some more!! :3

[lycanthropiclesbians]

When u get this, list 5 songs u like to listen to, publish. Then, send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers/mutuals (positivity is cool) :)

Aaa thank you for this, it made me smile. In no particular order:

1. Addict With a Pen - Twenty One Pilots. I love to listen to this one when I'm sad. This whole album was huge for me during an important (read: kind of terrible) time in my life, and this song is I think the most beautiful track on it. It always makes me feel better, if only a little.

2. Ventura Highway - America. This song has never failed to lift my spirits. I don't know what it is about it... but there's something beautiful happening within this song.

3. Agnus Dei - Samuel Barber. Okay. This is somehow both fringe and incredibly famous, but. Genuinely one of if not the most gorgeous songs ever written. To me. And it reminds me of some of the choirs I used to be in, which is bittersweet and lovely.

4. The Hounds - The Protomen. I LOVE this band (their first two albums at least, haha!). And this song is maybe my favorite of theirs to listen to--it's just so much fun. The theatrics!! The horns! If you are into concept albums at all, I cannot recommend this album and their first one (the self titled) enough. They're SO good. I could write posts upon posts about this band's use of themes and motifs and storytelling and agh. So good.

5. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5) - Pink Floyd. This song(s?) is my go-to when I need something kind of chill and comforting. This album is seriously one of those things that deserves its fame, in my opinion at least. I remember the first time I listened to it, I was just like, blown away. Like wait, everyone is right about this one actually. It's a special album for me.

Thank you again for thinking of me! <3

[xxjunebestgirltoesrhotuwuxx]

june is beautiful, exquisite, precious, perfect, elegant, fantastic, stunning, world changing, alluring, the best person in the world, outselling all these flops, jaw dropping, amazing, impressive, noble, exquisite, beautiful, gorgeous, angelic, soft, graceful, marvellous, feet kicking, making my heart go cherry bomb, awfully addictive, admirable, fascinating, soothing, comforting, underappreciated, loveable, revolutionary, mesmerising, classy, captivating, my sugarpop, my pookie, my muffin, my angel, my dear, my darling, my sweetheart, my honey, the loml, my one and only, the only person i see, my comfort person, my home, my everything, my universe. but most importantly, my kdy. shes making me shed so many tears, dreamy, out of this world, making me feel something i never felt before, the person that showed me a new side of myself, making me emotionally attached to it, amazing which you can’t explain in words. she ended wars. solved world hunger. her voice is ear blessing, such an eargasm, my fav ever, sweet like cotton, smth that i would die to hear 24/7, indescribably amazing, unique, making me weak and much more that i cannot define.

i love june shes my comfort person istg. everytime i dont know what to do with life, i go watch her vlogs. they are really comforting to me aaa. i appreciate june and her talents soso much that i can’t explain in words. like im new to dodo farm but still am so amazed how she can be such a great person ☹️☹️ sure, there are more people out there that love june more than i do and i’m by far not the best yeri toe but that doesnt stop me from loving her right? (not in the delusional way dw) everytime i look at her my heart aches. how can someone be like her? last my 3 months were amazing because of her! shes so incredibly talented and comforting. nothing matters more than she does. i genuinely dont know what i even did before stanning dodo farm and june. gosh the woman she is. i hope that she knows that us yeri toes appreciate her really much and hope for the best <3 oh my god shes the reason of my joy and happiness how could i ever survive without knowing that june exists. whenever im not in the mood for anything, june is the solution. not only is she just an idol to me, no, shes also my everything that i’ll love beyond infinity. her words are like a melody in my head that is never going to go away. sometimes i do wonder if future ky would still adore june as much as my current self does rn. me rn would be so devastated if i would not ult june. id have more to say but yes. for now, we can live, laugh and love thanks to my lovely star june!

i love you with all of my heart, body and soul. nothing will ever stop my love for you. distance may be keeping us apart but remember, you will always be embedded in my heart! something about you makes me fall deep for you ml. you’re the main character in my masterpiece labeled life. i dont get how anyone could not be obsessed with you. its so unbelievable that we live under the same sky. my undying love for you is deep to the core, june. nothing feels better than seeing you my dear. your lively eyes remind me of the freshly fallen snow on a glacial winter day. the cheerful smile that i’m dying to see daily, that pleasing look, your presence and those adorable habits arent enough to define your astonishing existence. you inspire me sm. something about you makes me want to achieve things. i need you love. june, my eternity, my only one, my universe and beyond, please don’t ever stop being the way you are.

remember the first time i saw june? the memories are amazing. it was clear from the start that i was meant to be a yeri toe. i just cant comprehend that one clip of my bae would be the start of a beautiful journey that is going to blossom to a greater extent! my whole life was dry and boring until you came into it. not even sunghoon was enough to make me feel as good as you do. youre special, june. june you will always be iconic!

- @yeritos

[peppermint-moss]

Who/what is your biggest inspo for poetry or art?

aagh i dont think i'll ever have one biggest inspo for poetry n art i just have a lot of lads which i like specific things about + those likes are still always ongoing and changing lol (which btw ty for askin bout poetry cause i LOVE it n i never get asked abt poetry hehe)

I have a big ol google doc where i have lines of fav poetry i write down when i come across them (usually when im just scrollin the internets) and atm I've been noticing that a lot of lines i keep enjoying are all by Mary Oliver even tho i've yet to read her collection of poetry!!! so that's on my to-do list C: other poets who's names keep poppin up in that google doc are ocean vuong, richard siken, chen chen and uhh flatsound? they do more music but they've done some spoken word stuff and their songs just feel close enough to the realm of poetry to me u know

Art stuff... lol which medium?? /lh I really like thomas jordan's photography (the COLOURS my DUDE) mmm shelia berger's kinetic sculptures and KICKASS "Bird Show" encaustic paintings (i watched the rlly short like 5 min documentary on her and i was enraptured) Spencer finch has got a lot of cool conceptual art stuff like i think CIE 529 418 (CANDLELIGHT) is rlly cool!! Holly warb and @/vchienart both got some lovely lovely illustrations/paintings with soft beautiful colours... @/emilienunez has some really pretty and elegant yet v cute ceramics!! and @/soonthemoon some really like cute warm n cozy ones... Oof there's so many digital artists i love ;-; and i keep finding new cool lads aghh @catnippackets has such a good grasp on like form n shape if that makes sense?? like drawin people in these rlly fluid poses in like silky lineart aaa i found @milkdudz 's art recently and i LOVE their art style and their cats are just. perfect balance of spiky and soft n very very Cat which is so good @everydaylouie u gotta know louie right ?? how can someone make such lovely 2d and 3d art and music and also know how to code n make lil games. that is too much power for one soul to possess nifty-senpai's art n animations and designs ofc!! are incredible!! and i REALLY love their concepts for what the wc clan territories look like (this moonpool are you kidding me???? gorgeous) @thunderc1an's lineless art style my beloved...... yall clammorin about my lineless art style u GOTTA check out theirs so good (also the everchanging never the same designs for wc characters is so good so freeing so interesting to look at!!) SmallButera's animations omg... literally speechless (also have u seen their series baman piderman?? its so precious it might be on indefinite hiatus im not too sure but its still my favourite thing) chadisms, Riley Ellis, Asha Phaedra and Cherrydusk also got some BANGIN animation skills and o my god this post got so long n theres still so many ppl ive gots to stop and do homework LOL

[solain-rhyo]

10 characters 10 fandoms 10 tags

(Stolen from @hiboudeluxe)

(Also these aren't in any real order)

Higgs (Death Stranding)

My favorite Troy Baker performance (and his best, imo). Higgs is fickle and dramatic and insane and makes for one of the most compelling videogame villains I've encountered. His banter with Sam is top tier trolling all of the time, and when his composure slips it gets really interesting.

Goro Takemura (Cyberpunk 2077)

I loved Takemura more than I loved Keanu Reeves' Johnny. He had such a presence and the enemies to friends arc between he and V remains one of my favorites. It is a goddamn shame he was not romanceable and if CDPR were ever to release DLC to that end I'd throw almost any amount of money at it.

Scar (Alien Vs Predator)

The catalyst for my monsterfucker awakening and my love of the Predator/AvP universes. So much un(?)intentional subtext between him and Lex, so much fuel for the fire. Wolf is deadlier, the Fugitive is sassier, Feral is... feral, but Scar is just... perfect.

Dana Scully (The X-Files)

Scully is still all these years later my favorite female character in any fandom. Her loyalty to Muider was undying, she was fiercely intelligent, and her influence on Mulder was a thing of beauty. Even when suffering from shitty writing post-seventh season she remained the highlight of the show for me.

Solas (Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf)

Did not anticipate just how much I'd be swept up by the bald elf apostate, particularly as he wasn't at all my type. One completed romance later revealed a shit ton of angst and a massive betrayal. I cannot fucking wait to see him as the villain in the next game and I think I'm in the minority wishing for an unhappy, tumultuous, tragic ending between him and Lavellan.

Aegis (Steelrising)

Aegis displayed a surprising amount of character development considering this was not a AAA title and that it was relatively short. Her design was gorgeous, her movements fluid in that strange mechanical way, and I loved the growing emotion within her as the game progressed.

Aerith (Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and everything inbetween)

I've loved her since '97 when she shattered my heart and she was incredible in the remake. The dream scene she shares with Cloud breaks my heart all over again - their dynamic in the remake is easily in my top five (which is saying something considering I used to ship her with Sephiroth).

Ultra Magnus (Transformers: Prime)

What's not to love? Stern ancient warrior softens over time while kicking ass (and getting ass kicked).

Arthur Morgan (Red Dead Redemption 2)

Arthur is perhaps the most realistic version of a person depicted in a video game. He is a beautiful, tragic soul, and his transformation throughout the game is a gut-wrenching but incredible ride.

Thane Krios (Mass Effect 2 and 3)

Incredibly difficult to choose between Thane and Garrus, but I did it. Thane is an 11/10 alien boyfriend (even though they did him dirty in 3). The farewell letter he writes to Shepard is so painfully beautiful that it gets me sobbing every. single. time. (Also that silky-rough voice...!)

Feel free to do this for yourself and tag me if you do! I'm curious to see. :)

[theghostofwilburtheworm]

Alright i puss in boots, i have a whole lot of feelings about it, so buckle up! This is gonna be long, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!

So im a very grand dreamworks fan, they where one of my main inspiration on why i want to become an animator, through my whole life, on 2020 i got incredibly hyperfixated on dreamworks as a studio (their history, production of their movies yadayada) that hyperfixation has followed me to beginnings of 2022 so im very god damn attached to this studio (cuz autism) so man i got so emotional when i saw the new intro i started tearing up aaaa, okay now onto the movie.

After the universal buy of dreamworks i was very fucking worried about the future of the animation studio, so much so that i really just accepted httyd 3 as their last movie, they went out with a bang i sated to myself, and i wasn't much more re-comforted when their first movie after the buy was abominable, is a nice movie yes! But it has that illumination-e feeling of being just a safe product (regarding its story, thr animation is fucking gorgeous) and then it came trolls world tour (sure was okay) the boss baby sequel, the croods 2 (i actually really liked this one it was very funny and creative!) Spirit untamed (what a sick joke! I mean the animation is pretty and all but ive always hated the spirit series bc of shiting all over the og movie, sorry im salty abt this one) But then! The bad guys came out!! And it was such a fun and creative and beautiful movie!! Having such an awesome art, so dynamic and cool the mix of 2d and 3d it was just so cool! and such a fun story and it was just soo good!!! And it gave me so much hope for the future of the studio!! Specially after seeing the trailer for the puss in boots movie!! Seeing that dreamworks is also taking this more experimental approach to animation made me sososo happy!! And yk i was going to watch puss in boots only for the animation before, i didnt really tough it would have much of a deep story i was contempt with just watching a silly goofy movie with beautiful animation!

And don't get me wrong the first puss in boots haves very good story and the emotional moments landed pretty well!! I just didn't think dreamworks would do that kind of stuff anymore (due to what they've been putting out lately being mainly funny silly movies [wich theres nothing wrong with!!]) BUT HOLY CHEESE N RISE!! Through this movie, if i wasn't tearing up about how cool and beautiful the animation and the fight scenes where, i was tearing up about gato's conflict with his fear of death and his relationship with kitty and fucking seeing gato's past life with shrek and donky and man im so emotional about this

And also the music it was soo good i absolutely adored the motif for the death and the little "dreamworks motif"™ at the end it was so beautiful

And the character design!!!! Omg it was soo good, DEATH HOLLY MOLLY DEATH he looked sooo goood it was so fucking scary and cool!!! And his weapon!!!!! And then theres the little dog he was soo cute, and the other guy that i forgot his name!! And goldi and the three bears!!!!

Speaking of which i also really fucking loved goldi and the three bears' acr and their interactions where absolutely delightful and nice!! And i really loved their ending

And perrito's and kitty's story, and the final confrontation of gato and death!!! And aaaa it was all so beautiful and awesome and cool and dazzling, and then the ending of perrito, kitty, and gato going to far far away, and the scene at the beginning of the first fight of gato and death!!! It was soooo sooo cool, the colors and the lightning IN GENERAL ALLL OF THE FIGHT SCENES WHERE SO AWESOME!!!

And man the little scene of gato remembering his mom giving him the boots, i was so nice guck i cant believe how attached im to these freacking characters

And like dude the colors where so vibrant and aaa this movie was just so beautiful!!! Im so happy and sad and im just a mess of emotions due to this movie it makes me so happy for the future of dreamworks animation, and mainstream animation in general, because and i cannot stress enough, animation is not a genera for kids, is an art form, just as versatile and beautiful as any other.

Anyways this movie was pretty epic probably my favorite from this decade with gillermo del toro's pinocchio and i for once, can't wait what the future will get us :]

[shed0kryptz]

Thoughts on Vespertine?

oug oug oug oug oug OUUUUUUGHHHHGGHGGG

god i really wish i started listening to björk earlier. it pisses me off so bad cuz ive known about her for years. YEARZ. i jus never tried listening to her and i was very strict with my music taste. i also had no idea what her music was like, even tho my dad is a fan of her (mostly the sugarcubes, but ive gotten him more into her heheheheehh). and now after listening to her *finally* ive become a changed person. vespertine changed my life on god. it’s fucking beautiful and if anyone says otherwise. what are u doing !!!!! her vocals peaked on that album + the lyricism is incredible. also the music itself is super fun, i love all the icy sounds + vibes. even tho it’s a romance album it’s done in such a way that’s so refreshing. it’s not just “oh yea oh yea we love each other segs segs” NO no it’s just. ough. poetic. mwah. my favorite album of hers personally, tho ive become a big fan of vulnicura and biophillia as well. and ofc homogenic. DUH. but vespertine is just ethereal. it’s so ahead of its time its nutz. live laugh love björk !!!

my favorite track from it is prolly. pagan poetry. but i love all of them. i choose that one specifically because of the emotions in it. and her voice ?? AAA goosebumps. and the music video, as controversial as it is, it’s gorgeous. truly a work of art. i also love all the pearl imagery oug

[sfarticles]

Mazatlán – a feast for the eyes, soul and stomach Beauty of this destination stretches far and wide

Check out my latest column here

https://www.timesherald.com/2023/02/10/mazatlan-a-feast-for-the-eyes-soul-and-stomach/

Poolside at Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan (credit: Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan)

With an incredible array of diverse things to do, history, art and culture, and some of the freshest seafood available, Mazatlán deserves to be known as much more than the shrimp capital of Mexico. This “Pearl of the Pacific,” will have you reconsidering, not only where to head for a winter escape, but where you may want to vacation regularly every year. I have put Mazatlán on my “must return to” list, after a recent visit. A vacation experience here might even prompt you to purchase a small resort villa-style condo for retirement living.

From El Faro, the highest natural altitude lighthouse in both North and South America to Malecón, one of the longest boardwalks in the world, you’ll be enchanted by both the gorgeous stretches along the Pacific Ocean and the rich history dating back to 1531. Mazatlán is beautiful, welcoming, charming, and extremely safe; not at all subjected to some of the challenges Mexico’s larger cities may experience.

It is the oldest port in Mexico, the epicenter of its shrimp industry, and brimming with fascinating cultural, culinary, and eclectic places to be experienced. From arts and museums to live music, and the brand new, soon-to–be-opening Mazatlán Aquarium, you’ll be dazzled and delighted by so much more than its spectacular Pacific Ocean beaches with breathtaking sunsets. And did you know that Mazatlán claims to be the 3rd largest carnival in the world?  February 16 -21, 2023 is the 125th anniversary of its celebration.

The Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán Beach Resort  https://bit.ly/3lhzNAd – located along the famous Zona Dorada, or Golden Zone of Mazatlán, was the perfect oasis for my first trip to Mexico. This all- inclusive resort was voted to “The 25 Best Resort Hotels in Mexico,” list by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. The publication said, “The best resorts in Mexico according to the readers, showcase the country’s spectacular beaches, food, and culture. There are myriad reasons to love Mexico, from ample sunshine and secluded beaches to warm hospitality and flavor-packed food.”  More about the culinary experience in a bit…

Here, “all-inclusive” is just that… rates include beautifully appointed room, taxes and gratuities, dining, snacks and drinks at all onsite restaurants and bars as well as those at the nearby sister resort (free shuttle provided), Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort & Spa https://bit.ly/3YoFGdF  , the only AAA Four-Diamond resort in Mazatlán and named the “Top Resort in Mazatlán” by Conde Nast Traveler. With more than a dozen restaurants and bars among the two resorts, see if you can experience all of them. And if these restaurants aren’t enough, guests can live it up at Casa 46 for a very small additional charge.

There is an array of daily activities to partake in (you can even take a Spanish class) as well as pools, fitness center, pottery painting and nature tours.

For guests who want to indulge in spa treatments, the luxurious Armonia Spa at Emerald Bay offers a retreat well-deserved. The treatment prices are quite affordable.

Upon arrival, I enjoyed lunch at Palapa Bar, one of the two poolside bars. Shrimp cocktail was a must being that Mazatlán reigns supreme in Mexico when it comes  to shrimp. A delicious, chicken quesadilla followed. With lush surroundings, views, and warm welcome from the staff, I knew I would enjoy these few days in paradise.

Cilantro’s, with its oceanfront seating with spectacular views of sunset is where my first dinner was savored. Cilantro’s salad is presented beautifully, and the freshness and combination of tastes and textures (hearts of palm, avocado, mixed greens, jicama, parmesan crisp with raspberry vinaigrette) made it a salad to remember. The entrée, steak with a Pasillas chili reduction, is served with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. And of course, for dessert it had to be “Pueblo Bonito” Flan with an essence of Grand Marnier.

Breakfast at Las Palomas began my first full day of exploration. Looking at the very extensive buffet, I opted for it, instead of the ala carte menu. In addition to traditional breakfast fare, Mexican specialties are plentiful. With the plethora of beautifully displayed fresh fruit and pastries, I felt as if I were a kid in a candy store.

After a hearty breakfast, it was off to hike up to the El Faro lighthouse, in operation since 1879 and the highest lighthouse in the Americas; a must when visiting Mazatlán and the perfect way to burn off those calories.  With the 500+ foot elevation (about 300 steps up) you’ll be snapping pictures of spectacular views of the city and surrounding scenery. For those that aren’t afraid of heights, take a walk on the plexiglass-floored walkway when you reach the top.

Then, it was off to take the funicular to Observatorio 1873 https://observatorio1873.com/en/.  Originally built as a military observation post, today it boasts several attractions; a tequila-making exhibit, tropical bird aviary where I had opportunity feed the birds, museum, and cacti and agave garden. After, sip on a drink at the Sky-High Bar with bird’s eye views of the Pacific Ocean and the port.

It was time for lunch, so I returned to the resort and again ate at Cilantro’s. I started with a traditional tortilla soup served with crispy corn tortilla strips, guajillo chili, avocado, cheese, and sour cream. I was so impressed with it that I asked the chef for the recipe so I could share it with you. Watch the chef Gerardo prepare the soup here https://bit.ly/3jMsLTW Next, Tex- Mex salad (mixed greens, black beans, yellow corn kernels, cherry tomato, bacon, hard-boiled egg, goat cheese and coriander vinaigrette). Their version of the Philly Cheesesteak was quite impressive…. Look out Philadelphia. At the previous dinner at Cilantro’s, I eyed the Mazatlan—Style Banana Cream Pie. It was heavenly, not overly sweet, or creamy.

Casa 46: A culinary experience with great views of Plaza Machado in historic Mazatlan 

Casa 46, located in the historic district of Mazatlán, overlooking Plaza Machado, is owned by the resort. Guests of Pueblo Bonito are welcome to dine here for a very small upcharge. You must experience dining here. The food, ambiance and service are beyond spectacular. The salad is like no other salad I have had. It is described on the menu as Quelites – tender leaves with agave syrup and soya dressing, “requesón”, pumpkin seeds with salted caramel, topped with coconut and yuzu ice cream. The pea cream soup, with sliced regional scallops and truffle oil, was smooth and a palate cleanser. This was followed by a delicate flaky white fish drizzled with a pumpkin blossom sauce, served with huitlacoche (whee-tla-KOH-cheh) , watercress and truffle risotto.   Food aficionados might want to learn more about huitlacoche. The New York style steak was cooked to perfection over firewood and served with carrot puree, capers, and tomato, topped with creamy parsley sauce. The sweet ending to this epicurean experience was a spongy date cake with dulce de leche, topped with walnuts and dates.

Plaza Machado in the historic district of Mazatlan (credit: Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan)

After dinner I took a stroll of the historic district admiring the architecture and window shopped the boutiques.

After another bountiful breakfast it was off to explore the charming town of El Quelite, a half hour from Mazatlán. The cobblestone streets, mom and pop stores, and genuine hospitality of locals made me think of simple times of years past. The small tortilla bakery welcomed visitors to peek in. The tortillas were the best I have ever had. No preservatives and made in small batches with love by the founder’s daughter and her family.

Tortilla bakery in El Quelite

Lunch at El Meson de Los Laureanos was delectable.  Authentic Sinaloense cuisine is prepared with local ingredients. The colorful décor and murals on the walls add to the Mexican flavor. This is where the locals eat, too. The restaurant’s cheese maker was onsite demonstrating her impressive craft. The menu could be overwhelming with so many options. All main courses begin with a tray of locally prepared snacks (fresh cheese, cheese curds, jocoque – like sour cream, tortilla chips and chili sauce) I suggest you order one of the combination dishes to experience a variety of items. The grilled steak was superb in both quality and flavor. It is described as world-class Sinaloense beef cooked to juicy perfection over a rustic charcoal grill.

Cheesemaking at El Meson de Los Laureanos Restaurant in El Quelite

On the ride back to the resort, a stop was made at a marshmallow factory. Their marshmallows are not your “Campfire” brand kind. I peeked in to look at the process. These confections are hand crafted using only a few ingredients. After enjoying the pillowy texture and taste, I don’t think I can eat mass-produced marshmallows again.

Upon returning to Pueblo Bonito, it was time to relax and read up on the history of the resort and Mazatlán. It has a storied past.

Dinner was at Pescados, the recently opened restaurant at the resort features sushi and Asian-inspired fare. It is a treat to dine alfresco, especially when it is cold in the northeast. The edamame’s preparation made it flavorful; sauteed with ginger oil, soy sauce and lemon. For those not in the sushi mood, the lobster roll filled with tempura lobster, cream cheese, roasted asparagus, avocado, spinach, carrot and served with mango sauce is superb. Another favorite, Thai coconut salad (chicken tempura, mixed greens, spinach, carrot, red cabbage, bell peppers, fried wanton, coconut with peanut dressing). For dessert, the Japanese cake with mango compote and plum sauce was lite and not too rich. It paired well with the signature non-alcoholic Red Dragon, a fusion of ginger, strawberry, peppermint, sparkling water, and Jasmine tea.  Upon return, I must try the coconut and pineapple tapioca, prepared with coconut milk, coconut liqueur, pineapple and ginger jam.

On my last full day, I took a hard hat tour of the soon-to-open New Mazatlán Aquarium, the largest in Latin America. I am told that there will be interactive exhibits, visitors will be able to view hundreds of creatures that inhabit the Sea of Cortez through an 18-foot-high window, enjoy sprawling terraces with views of the Parque Central de Mazatlán and the lagoon, and dine at the restaurant while taking in the views.

Lunch was at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay’s Bistro restaurant. I enjoyed the tortilla soup so much at Cilantro’s, I needed to get my fix. Fajitas arrived sizzling and wow, the aroma of the spices, whet my appetite. Chef Gerardo shares the recipe for the corn bread Mazatlán style, a popular brunch item below. Watch him prepare it here https://bit.ly/3IahMNl

Beautiful landscapes at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay

Lunch was followed by a spa treatment and a drink at the resort’s pool. Remember, guests from Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán can dine at Emerald Bay and enjoy the amenities.

Back at Pueblo Bonito, I thought I should begin packing, for the trip home the following day. I stalled doing this to take in the views from the balcony. The panoramas are addictive.

The final dinner was at Angelo’s the resort’s Northern Italian restaurant. The contemporary décor was juxtaposed with old world cuisine. Panzanella salad (cherry tomatoes, peppers, onion, cucumber salad, focaccia croutons, feta cheese and balsamic and olive oil dressing) began this last dinner. Of course, dining at an Italian restaurant, the minestrone soup was in order. Gamberi Alla Busara (sauteed shrimp, with onion, chili flakes, garlic, white wine served with roasted vegetables and risotto) was the entrée. The chef’s spicing perfection let the freshness of the crustacean shine.

When you visit Mazatlán, you will find that it is easy to get around. You don’t need a rental car. The resort has a shuttle to take you to and from the sister hotels and Casa 46. If you choose to explore the surrounding area in a fun way, pulmonias (open air cabs, that look like a big golf cart)) are the way to go.

If you want to explore the culinary scene in Mazatlán, Flavor Teller https://www.flavorteller.com/  offers food tours and a Mexican kitchen experience where you’ll learn how the locals create everyday food.

The concierge at the resort can help to book you on a tour of interest; El Quelite Rural Tour, City and Ranch tour, a Shrimp Factory tour among several others.

There is so much to see, do and eat in Mazatlán, I know I will be back for more. If you go, I hope your experience is as grand as mine was.

Sunset at Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan (credit:Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan

CORN BREAD MAZATLAN STYLE

¾ cup                   flour

¾ teaspoon        baking powder

6 tablespoons    butter, softened

4                           eggs

1 ½ cups           sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon       vanilla extract

1 ¾ cups           fresh corn kernels (if using frozen corn, use 1 cup flour)

Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or spring-form pan and set aside. Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Sift flour and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Place butter, eggs, vanilla and corn kernels in a blender. Blend until combined and then add the sifted flour/baking powder mixture, and blend until ingredients are incorporated. Pour batter into the pan, place in oven. Bake 30-40 minutes (top should be golden brown) and a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 20 minutes.

The resort makes this recipe as muffins, too. They garnish with caramelized popcorn and crème anglaise.

Corn bread muffins topped with caramelized popcorn. A popular menu item at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay

TORTILLA SOUP

4 tablespoons corn oil

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1 medium         white onion, chopped

4 dried Guajillo chili peppers, seeds removed, cut up

½ pound ripe fresh tomatoes, cut up

1  soft  tortilla shell, cut into strips and fried

4 cilantro leaves

2 ½ cups chicken stock

garnish

fried tortilla strip shells

avocado, diced

sour cream

cotija or other dry crumbled cheese

cilantro

Heat oil in a soup pot and then add garlic and onion and cook until translucent. Add guajillo chili peppers and let cook for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, fried tortilla strips, cilantro and chicken stock. Let boil until guajillo chili peppers get soft. Pour mixture into a blender (or use immersion blender) and blend until smooth. Put back into pot and bring to a boil.  Add additional chicken stock for desired texture. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, adjusting to your taste. Garnish Serves 4.

Chef Gerardo Gamboa, of Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan just finished preparing the delicious tortilla soup. 

Stephen Fries is a newly retired professor and coordinator of the Hospitality Management Programs at Gateway Community College, in New Haven, CT. He has been a food and culinary travel columnist for the past 14 years and is co-founder of and host of “Worth Tasting,” a culinary walking tour of downtown New Haven, CT. He is a board member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Email: Stephen@stephenfries.com For more, go to stephenfries.com.

[mamthew]

So I finished Horizon: Forbidden West. It took me about 85 hours, but I’m definitely in the upper limit for time, there, as I did almost every sidequest I could find (skipped the hunting lodges and the races) and tracked down nearly every collectible. I did about the same with Zero Dawn, and it took me 50 hours, 60 with its DLC, so FW is definitely a much larger game.

It’s…very very good. It’s the most beautiful game I’ve seen, graphically, and its art direction is gorgeous as well. While large, the world is not nearly as large as many open-world games – it’s no AC Valhalla, for instance – but in return, it’s much more memorable and navigable than others in the genre. I usually knew where I was and where I was trying to go without relying on the map, which is always a more immersive and rewarding experience than the alternative. The trade-off for this is that the world is comically small compared to the actual geographic area it claims to represent – it’s maybe a ten minute walk from Las Vegas to California’s Redwood forest, for instance – but I was mostly willing to suspend my disbelief, as that realism was a small price to pay for biomes as lushly detailed and intentionally crafted as the ones here. The soundtrack is one of the best – if not the best – I’ve heard in a Western AAA game. That might be…a very subjective point not everyone will agree with, but. Composers for Western games – especially Western AAA games – tend to score their soundtracks like big-budget films, setting a tone without distracting from the dialogue or spectacle. Conversely, big-budget Japanese game soundtracks tend to be much more melodic, calling back instead to the style of older games, when melodies were the only music they could manage. Clearly, I prefer the latter; I think the best game soundtracks are the ones with melodies memorable enough that hearing a song reminds the player of the location and emotions associated with that song. While still filmic, Forbidden West’s soundtrack is also incredibly melodic. It combines sweeping orchestrals – especially cellos – with folk instruments like acoustic guitar and fiddle, and even some folk singing. Rarely – if ever – do I pause in an open-world game because the music impressed me, but the artistry and craft put into the music at every turn had me stopping to just listen in almost every new area I entered. I’m listening to the soundtrack right now, and I’m not sure I’ve done that with a Western AAA game since Bioshock Infinite – which pales in comparison. Here’s a track, as a treat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV-h3JjlNM0 The gameplay is much more fluid than in the previous game, with a considerably more forgiving difficulty curve, and it’s much easier to settle into as a result. The game isn’t not a survival game like the first, and on higher difficulties I’m sure the friction of survival still comes through, but on normal, I very rarely needed to scavenge supplies after a fight, even a difficult one. One reason for this is surplus materials go to a stash you can access at any town, which means if you really are desperate, you can just fast-travel somewhere to stock up on health items and ammo. Early enemies are also much easier than those in Zero Dawn, and while the difficult enemies are just as hard as in Zero Dawn, the fights are generally much less drawn out. Very rarely – and never in the main plot – was I stuck on one boss for 15 minutes. The melee combat system has been overhauled as well, to varying success. It’s definitely a better system than the first game’s, but it actually suffers from the fact that Horizon can’t really have a lock-on button. I’d often try to use combos and move past enemies or turn in weird ways and lose them, which is especially frustrating when the combat relies on chaining attacks to build up a big energy hit. Still, the ranged combat and stealth both sing, and that’s where most of the fighting is anyway. The story is mostly very good. I have disagreements with a few plot decisions, but those don’t do much to mar the overall package. Building on the foundation set up in the Frozen Wilds DLC, Forbidden West’s Aloy is a much more defined character, with understandable flaws she comes to recognize and redress over the course of the story. The opening hours are a little clumsy at setting up the world, as the game opens with an awkward voiceover laying out the major plot beats of the previous game, and then every character unsubtly exposits details of those plot beats to each other for a time. After a tutorial gameplay section, we’re treated to a pretty awkward section where Aloy walks around the last game’s boss arena, talking to several fairly minor recurring characters. The previous game’s story and setting are certainly complex, and this game picks up right after that one lets off, so I understand the worry that new players might otherwise feel lost, but I can’t help but feel like there had to be a better way to get them acquainted. Still, the awkward exposition is helped by the fact that dialogue is hands-down the best part of this game. I’ve never seen such smooth and dynamic motion-capture in a game before. Every character’s performance – both vocal and physical – is a treat. This was the biggest revelation after playing the first game, where the character models stared forward through glassy eyes, incapable of making facial expressions, which put me off enough that I skipped most of the dialogue trees. Here, though, it just feels like watching conversations, or maybe television performances of conversations. That’s the case across the board; every sidequest conversation is fully mo-capped, with facial expressions, camera angles, the works, and it makes this world come alive in a way the previous game had honestly failed to do. This game is able to express character beats through gestures and facial ticks in a way that has me excited for the future of the entire medium. A few big-name actors play characters in the game. Lance Reddick’s character returns, joined by Carrie-Anne Moss and Angela Basset, and their performances for the game get to be physical as well as vocal, which makes their inclusion feel more justified than many celebrity game appearances. The game also has a much larger ensemble cast. Every character in the first game’s story except for Lance Reddick’s antagonist felt minor – blips in Aloy’s journey. This aspect of the first game ends up informing a believable character flaw in Forbidden West’s Aloy. At the opening, one of those minor characters from the first game tracks Aloy down and insists that he help her. Aloy tries to shake him off, convinced that she can only work alone, but he refuses to relent, and even collects a sort of RPG party of allies Aloy can trust. By the mid-point of the game, Aloy grudgingly admits that she likes and even relies on these characters. The game treats this supporting cast like Mass Effect party members; each one has a linear story quest introducing them, a number of dialogue trees in the hub town fleshing out their characters, and an optional linear sidequest focusing on their character arc. They aren’t…actually an RPG party. They only fight alongside the player at specific, scripted events, which means the rest of their role is spent sitting in the hub town, talking about how much they’d like to do stuff once they finish their homework, but I can see this system being fleshed out into a much more robust companion or party system in a third installment. As a result of its larger scale, the game is less thematically tight than the first game, but many of its images and questions are much more striking and thought-provoking as well. Archives are a major theme throughout. As in the first game, most of our insights of 2030s-2060s humanity are gleaned from written and recorded records. Unlike in the first game, however, these records influence Aloy’s present much more tangibly. Misunderstood snippets of sound are the basis for one culture’s entire mythology, while another culture has gained limited access to an ancient corporate database and take marketing and propaganda claims from that database at face value, which leads to disaster. Aloy’s allies are all given the same device she has and instructed to learn as much about the past – our present and near-future – as they can. As the characters develop, their understanding of these databases also becomes more sophisticated, driving them to ask more pointed questions or find especially sharp parallels between their own lives and those of past humans. In one striking scene, Aloy finds an art gallery, preserved over the ages, and struggles to see the meaning and value in a priceless Rembrandt. Later, she sees the same piece and finds that it has gained new – entirely unintended – meaning for her as a part of the story of how she found it. As contexts erode, the game suggests, art built on those contexts becomes meaningless. If we are to have a reason to archive art, we must also preserve the world. Forbidden West loves people. There’s a real sense of empathy across the whole game. As with Zero Dawn, the story’s conflicts are metaphors for our own looming climate disaster, and Aloy’s ability to rise to the occasion is placed in direct contrast with our own inability to do the same now. Every town is beautifully detailed and lived-in, the wilderness is lush and teeming with life, every character interaction is performed with unparalleled dynamism and humanity, which is all in service to the game’s thematic heart: this fictional earth already lost everything once, and they’re terrified that it might happen again; our real earth with real towns and a real wilderness and real people is on that precipice right now, and we should be terrified to lose them, too. The game expertly balances joy with melancholy. Much of that melancholy is saved for us, right now, in the real present. Much of that joy is a reminder that if we can't save the world, even in the worst cases, there will always be something worth fighting for.

[chronically-fangirls]

>:p

[darkpurpledawn]

Fanfic recs for the first quarter of 2021!

It’s been a long time since I made a fic rec post, and we’re diving back in with a big list of fics from the first quarter! Even long after the publication of the book and coming up on two years out from the release of the show, this fandom is still a neverending gold mine of fics. Here are some I’ve enjoyed that were completed from January through March 2021!

cafe au vin by @mortifyingideal   Rated G

One Valentine’s Day Fic To Rule Them All...I’m not going to say more because this one is such a delightful surprise to unwrap. Uproariously funny and clever

the devil and the deep blue sea by @waywarder  Rated M

Calling all sea creature nerds, and anyone who has ever taken a date to the aquarium and talked too much about fish for several hours. It’s a delight to see the personalities shine through so clearly in this AU!

The Discord Servers of Hell by @ineffablelawr Rated T

Hell has discord and it turns out exactly how you would think. Really cute Fun With Formats fic!

Faster than a Speeding Bentley by @moondawntreader Rated M

An incredible AU that had me laughing aloud to a degree that frightened the neighbor’s cat. Crowley gets bitten by a mutagenic snake and becomes a superhero, and the care and thought and creativity given to his superhero identity is just magnificent!

The Fine Print by @fremulon Rated T

Read it for the life-giving office job catharsis, read it for the nonstop, top-tier jokes, read it for an amazing example of an AU with similar plot beats to the original GO in a wildly different setting, just read it!

For a Sheep as a Lamb by @brightwanderer Rated T

I feel like this fic takes the T rating as a challenge, and the results are so much fun

A Good Old-Fashioned Cock-up by @brightwanderer Rated M

DIFFICULT not to shriek while reading, Aziraphale’s bit of bastard on full, glorious display

an institute you can’t disparage by @mortifyingideal Rated G

prepare yourself for the post-pandemic weddings of all your acquaintances with this absolute romp

Let’s Build a Vivarium by @waldosakimbo Rated G

WaldosAkimbo is out to make me emotional about demons again and doing a fantastic job. Super funny and touching!

The Magician in the Bushes by @caffeinechic Rated T

A fabulous meet-cute featuring The Amazing Mr. Fell and Caterer Crowley, you can HEAR Sheen and Tennant saying the dialogue in this I swear

One Golden Glance of What Should Be by bulfinch Rated T

A really beautiful through-time collection of vignettes themed around Crowley’s snake eyes, haunting and lovely

The Ordinary World by @antikate Rated E

How do you write about an impossible grief? and how do you come back from it to find an impossible joy? Idk but Anti_Kate has done it and it’s an absolute page turner (Next Chapter clicker?) on top of that

The Private Collection by @entanglednow Rated E

Pure, Grade AAA (or perhaps XXX) absurdity, outrageously funny

Reptiles of the Mind by CiderApples Rated G

a gorgeous, ambiguous slice of post-apocalypse life

rumours (and other things that thrive in the dark) by @forineffablereasons Rated G

this is CANON now, I love this backstory on Crowley’s traffic jacket and the mixture of sweetness, humor, and longing

and truth (and other things that thrive in the light) by @forineffablereasons Rated E

….and there’s a delightful sequel in which the jacket reappears for some Very Good Times

Shiver At Your Touch by @mintly Rated E

Crowley and Aziraphale go wild on one of London’s biggest tourist attractions, and their banter is pitch-perfect and supremely adorable

Sometimes a Snake is Just a Snake by AstroGirl Rated T

I’m a sucker for a fake advertisement, and this fic has truly excellent bickering wherein Crowley bemoans his image being used for commercial purposes

Treasures of Heaven by @heavens-bookshop Rated G

A new favorite outside POV fic, this is so, so charming and makes me pine for the times of coffeeshops past!

two if by sea by @theseedsofdoom Rated G

I am now desperately longing to be wandering around a foggy island off the coast of Maine

Vapour in Your Love by @antikate Rated E

This fic is so funny it makes me want to scream, read this while drinking a beverage at your OWN PERIL

[ddarker-dreams]

hey lol its 🗡anon again except i made another acc bc i forgot the info of my first one 😭 anyway tumblr hates me this is like the 8th time i’ve tried to send this so if u get spammed then oopsie daisy

so like i’ve never actually seen jjba part 5 but i know enough memes and also sr darling sounds so gorgeous i just had to give my interpretation of her and scarlet ribbons voguing in my best attempt at araki’s style,,, ngl i got rlly lazy when it got to the stand it was just so many crisscrossing lines 🤕 anyway the outfit u gave her was absolutely immaculate it was so fun to draw,,,,

[lock thoughts below!!!]

THE WAY I GASPED WHEN I SAW THIS IN THE INBOX,, i'm in LOVE with this take on SR reader. like. cupid pierced my heart love. i cannot get over how beautiful she looks,, you drew her outfit so WELL AAA i especially love the boots!!! with the additional red ribbons wrapped around them!!!! HER POSE AND FACIAL EXPRESSION TOO???? it's so playful and just how i imagined her overall demeanor to be HNGNJHNGME 🥺🙏 her hair (WITH A RIBBON IN IT) is beautiful too, framing her face like that ,,,,, i'm losing it ,,, i'm gonna be staring at this for a long time now.

AND SCARLET RIBBONS,,, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND HERSELF, i LOVE how her stand looks. drawing stands isn't the easiest thing, but god you nailed it... she's even doing her official pose ,,, AAAAAA my heart is ascending to the skies above. i'm crying... seeing the two of them together just feels right . they're two peas in a pod. you did such an incredible job with this,, thank you so so so very much for blessing our eyes with your art 😭😭😭 everything reflects araki's style like you said you wanted it too, especially the facial features/shading!! i love it beyond words 💖💖💖💖

[saphirune]

hi um !!! i may have been looking through your blog and i just wanted to say it’s pretty cool to know that you work kinda slowly too ! (not sure if thats weird to say but;;) i’ve always been frustrated with how slowly i draw, but knowing that someone who makes art as gorgeous as yours is like … whoa !!! that’s incredible !!! and it just fills me with happy jitters like (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ (sorry if this is weird aaa)

hi! it's not weird at all, i can understand that frustration especially because it feels like everyone else draws faster than i do when i see so much art online everyday. which isn't true of course but it's still easy to fall into that mindset...

thank you so much for thinking so highly of my art! i'm also glad that sharing about how i work was able to make you happy. i hope we can both continue working at our own pace making beautiful art 💖

[lallelol]

I HOPE IT'S OKAY TO SEND ASKS!! i didn't want to clog up your notes with the same thing rephrased over and over.

but i just wanted to say i've been looking through the clouds collection (is that a pun on soundcloud, too?) and it is just INCREDIBLY beautiful... the colours and textures and composition and poses and everything are just absolutely gorgeous (and i love the silent voice soundtrack too). your art is just fucking amazing!!

WA

WaA

WAAAAAAAA OF COURSE ITS OK TO SEND ASKS

IS THIS EVEN A QUESTION U JUST SAID PRETTY STUFF AND IM ♥️♥️♥️♥️ o(-(

Im glad you like the clouds!!! (It wasn’t a planned pun tho, i found out you can add music on tumblr posts like yesterday)

(Im gonna fake being smart anyway ehehh)

But thank you again!!! I got into a clouds phase and wanted to learn to draw them in all sorts of lights and colors :D plus the silent voice soundtrack is super inspirational

If youre wondering about the textures i draw on Krita and main the charcoal brush, and if u got more questions about anything ill be happy to answer!

THANK YOU AGAIN AAA♥️

[sunqyu]

KINGDOM INTRODUCTION STAGE THOUGHTS

Alrighty, I slept, I watched all performances a few more times, I let it all sink in and I think I’m ready to form an actual opinion. Would love to hear what you all thought!

ATEEZ

I love their pirate-concepts so much. I don't think I'll ever get enough of it. I was so surprised to see they chose to perform Wave out of all their anthem-esque songs but BOY OH BOY DID THEY DELIVER. The animation at the beginning was gorgeous and really set the tone, like yes we're ateez, we're here and staying true to ourselves because we know that will be amazing. Hongjoong's Hakuna Matata gave me shivers. I love that they sang some parts live, even in the harder parts of the choreo. San's presence will never fail and that ending with Jongho's power and San standing so casually, not even shaking. I loved every second of this performance and wouldn't have changed a thing. I also feel like this is very clearly an introduction stage. They showed who they are without showing everything they're capable of right away. I can't wait to see what they're going to show on the actual challenges. They got my vote.

BTOB

This one made me CRYYYY. BTOB used to be such an important group to me. It's been a while and hearing those first harmonies brought back so many memories. Not gonna lie, Peniel's rap was underwhelming. He was off beat a few times and his delivery wasn't strong. I also wish they danced more, even a little break. They know what show they are on and know that it's about big impact. They CAN do amazing performances so I wish they showed a little of that. By doing this vocal stage they're confirming the prejudice of them just being vocally talented seniors eventhough they're capable of so much more. I hope they change their strategy for the first challenge.

SF9

I hate to say it but this was definitely my least favorite. They only had 90 seconds. To me that means you fill as many of those seconds with either choreo, vocals, rap or some sort of stunts. A large part of SF9's performance was them walking to a different formation. I also think the re-arrangement of the song could've been stronger. Maybe ATEEZ and BTOB made them nervous but I just didn't feel as much impact or passion as I did with the rest of the performances. Still very curious to see what they do next. Maybe they're still getting to know the show or haven't fully decided on what direction to take with it yet.

Stray Kids

Speaking of knowing the show GOOD LORD STRAY KIDS. I loved how you could see that they've done their homework. This performance to me felt like a mix between Sword of Victory and Danger from RTK but with that Stray Kids roughness and power that no other group can replicate. Hyunjin's intro with the chanting was the perfect choice for a calm but intense start to build up from. They knew how to use the room, especially with Lee Know's part, and the passion was overwhelming. Bang Chan's backflip was perfect as it stayed true to the original choreo while adding impact. Changbin with a frking FLAME THROWER??? Only downsides to me were the abrupt ending (but then again they had only 90 seconds) and for a moment I thought Changbin wasn't on beat with his rap? Could be wrong? Overall definitely one of the best and one of the three I voted for.

The Boyz

HONEY THEY'RE HOOOOOME. They really listened to the comments they got on RTK about them only doing stunts and using props which I think was VERY clever for an introduction stage because they will be able to go all out in the challenges without that judgement. The re-arrangement was PHENOMENAL. I tell you when I heard Haknyeon starting with that line in that way, I squealed. Beautiful melodic build up and the most interesting formations out of everyone. Changmin slayed that little dancebreak and I feel like the camera moved to soon? Like they missed those last few beats there? Anyways. Then on we went to more intense whispering vocals, only building the tension more. AND THERE HE WAS, MY FAVORITE RAPPER OUT OF ALL THE PERFORMANCES. 1. He rapped live 2. The passion and intonation in his voice were soooo strong 3. Eventhough he wasn't full on dancing, every little move was planned and timed perfectly 4. The acting and concept in his presence were incredible. Sunwoo really stole the entire show for me. The handchoreo was, again, really clever and done perfectly. Hearing how they changed the yah to an echo-y aaa gave me THE CHILLS. Then the most beautiful part of the entire show, that dance. They were so in sync and majestic. The animation on the floor warming up with the blooming flowers was perfect. None of the other groups could have pulled this choreo off which is what makes it so special to me. Juyeon's fall was so elegant and powerful. It was great.

iKON

The 'iKON's back' made me weep like a little girl. Seriously, I sat there crying rivers while jamming out. I've seen these boys go through so many survival shows, I've already cried with them so much, I've seen them be mistreated, I've seen their best friend who I believe to be one of the best idols ever be mistreated and going away, this was a lot. So I had to rewatch the performance quite a few times to make a proper opinion on just the performance but here we go. Again, a group that stayed 100% true to themselves, except for one small thing. They lipsynced. Which… why? It was so surprising to me. Who makes a rapper like Bobby lipsync? I thought Sunwoo was going to be wiped under the carpet but since Bobby had to lipsync he just smiled through it all instead. I really liked the choreo and Jinhwan got to show off what he's best at. I'm also very happy to have a more hiphop-y group in the mix. It still has that anthem-vibe but it's different than what we've seen so far. If only I knew why they lipsynced. I really looked forward to June’s live vocals too. Sadly I didn't vote for them because the ZZZ-groups left a bigger impression on me but I hope iKON will find their place in the competition to thrive in their own light.

Overall Opinion

I voted for TBZ, SKZ and ATZ. Very happy that we didn’t have to rank the three groups we voted for because I could not have done that. Overall the moments that left the biggest impression on me were Sunwoo’s rap, Haknyeon’s intense whisper, San’s presence and expression’s, Hyunjin’s intro, center Minho, TBZ’ melodic dance break and ATZ’s delivery and passion. I do feel like the desperation isn’t there as much as it was with RTK’s introduction stages. I’m hoping that’s just because they’re saving the best for later or because it was a livestream and they were a little more nervous. I’m so happy that my expectations weren’t just met but frking thrown out the window. Would love to hear all of your opinions on the stages!

[cheekbites-moved]

vnc ep 4 reactions

time for another sexy vampire mood cleanse

oh we opening up with some lore very sexy

THAT WE’VE BEEN REPLACED WITH MATH?!!?!? absolute nightmare scenario. if that is the world we live in i have to gtfo here rn

.....well. i mean if that was true maybe i’d be fine with living there actually. i’d never have allergies again. i could vibe with this

silent princess??? in MY sexy vampire anime??? it’s apparently more likely than i would’ve ever guessed

luminous stone... also... in my sexy vampire anime. incredible. crossover of a lifetime. 

the vampires. everyone say thank u whatever this guy’s name is i already forgot but thank u for the vampires mr.... very long p name

omg it’s his teacher talking i thought i knew the voice lol though like. it’s interesting bc u know. his teacher is break’s va, and u can tell if u squint with ur ears, but he has a Range. so. it also sounds like a different not break voice u know. im very coherent right now as u can tell

BABY NOOOEEEEE WHO HURT U BABY ILL FUCK THEM UP. STRAIGHT TO THE ABYSS WITH THE BASTARD WHO DARE HURT U BABY

shut up that’s so pretty mentally im frolocking amongst the pretty blue lights

what a pretty shot wtf. love being decked in the nose w remembering this is a mochijun adaptation and her beautiful art is finally being done such justice

........well that was a weird interaction im uncomfortable

oh sick the gay jams to cleanse me 

i want to dramatically dance to this bitch so bad. someday when im home alone again. and have more than a quarter stamina wheel at my disposal.

rly just makes me want to swing around a street light and tap dance u know

i know these are all very generic anime op things but i like that both the vnc & ph openings mention the sky. and dreams. bc the ph op was one of the few good things that we got u know i expect it to be used again for the reboot. i do trust yuki kaijura to make whatever she does sexy, but fiction junction still performs the ph op sometimes, so like. idk. i would rly love to see it get used again, maybe updated a bit or smth somehow.

swarm of batbies: exist. squeaking.

me: my soul has been cleansed

u ever gay for an anime wall light bc im gay for this anime wall light it has no right being that pretty

why isn’t that my closet :/ 

.....................im so sorry but holy shit her ass

actually im not sorry ur not surprised i dont hide my horniness at all for vampires im an adult if i think a vampire has a nice ass imma say it tkjtr

help the scary music box is making me so scared even though things seem so... well they are in a dark closet with no lights on nvm

:/ mr pretty eyes. always gotta throat punch me with how pretty his gorgeous blue eyes are smfh

HHJTHJRTHRJTHHH?!?!!H HHHHJHTJHR HHH

GOD I WISH I WAS DOMIIIIIIII 

u know at least they make it sexy. so much vampire shit is like “aa noo a vampire sucking my blood?! aaa so scary!!” mochijun said “no. actually. im here for all the bitches with a vampire biting u kink. that shit’s sexy we gonna make it sexy.” ty mochijun for my horny for vampire rights

vanitas sitting there listening to them like “wish i was in the middle” me too vanitas. me too.

OH NO IT IS A BALL EPISODE OH NO OH NOOOOO AAAAA

all the good horny was a false sense of security i see. dammit... it fooled me

THERES SKULLS ON THE CHANDELIER.... that’s p cool actually i like that but it also makes me so scared. foreshadowing? pls no

oh no break’s crew is here we gotta go

well i was right abt it being a masquerade. im both proud of myself and terrified shitless abt what im in for. esp bc damn this bitch is happening EARLY. we didn’t get to the ball in ph until what.... like. the 40s-50s chapters?? im assuming an episode is like. 1-2 chapters each so we’re not even 10 chapters in & im already gonna get my ass handed to me by the ball chapter. oh god.

he is at a ball in a mochijun series, domi, i too would feel unwell.

PIRATE

:/........ sexy vampire pirate holding a rose i hate him get out stop meeting all my standards u absolute bastard of a man

oh no there’s children oh no i’m so scared for the children they’re at a mochijun ball i hope they live holy shit

d,,, dalliance? what does that mean?

.....................................oh

THE FUCKING EXAMPLE SENTENCE SAYS “jack was not averse to an occasional dalliance with a pretty girl.” u keep that bastard’s name AWAY from me, google. especially in such a context how dare u fucking curse me like this

i mean i heard u guys too that shit was. um. i mean. u know. 

i once again am wishing that i was domi

his already obnoxiously over the top pirate outfit even has glitter wow. fashion icon. absolute gnc bicon

u

um

h

OH OK SO WE’RE JUST GONNA FADE TO BLACK OK... DUNNO WHY I EXPECTED ANYTHING ELSE

um. child. why do u have... plague doctors with you.... as like... ur guards....

nooo jeanne

well ok what a fucking transition

U CANT BOTH SMRIK AT EACH OTHER RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME FUCK U TKJRTKJTTR

vanitas u are literally on a torture wheel why would u say something like that

th the music

OH GOD OH NO WTF TKJTKERJ IS HAPPENING VANITAS NO

it looks. like. the contractor seal. i am concerned.

he is so terrifying when he wants to be

he rly is having a villain monologue abt saving ppl. this edgy bitch

WHERE IS THAT WIND COMING FROM HELLO

ktjktjrtk god he’s so fucking feral god i hate and love him so much

u are a child, dear, please cut urself a break

awwwee

ah shit

i hate u. u freak.

she’s so pwetty

uh oh

see i said what i said never go to a ball in a mochijun story it never goes well

YEEEEEESSS FUCK IT UP NOE MY LOVE GOD UR SO BEAUTIFUL

dont trust him jeanne oh my god

this episode is so fucking horny oh my god

YEET

vanitas pls stay in ur bubble out of her personal space

H...... TJHTREK HRJHREJEHJRBE HHHJTHJRHEW HHHHH GJHRJEHHHH OK SO THE ONE EARLIER WASN’T HORNY ENOUGH OK... ALRIGHT... SHIT

oh no she gone and made him realize he has a vampire biting him kink oh no

WELL THEN........... THAT SURE WAS. SOMETHING

“friends” ok. well. dont know what to take from that but. alright