#god they really do have hunger games careers vibes don’t they

[mumblesplash]

🌴⌛️🐚🌊

[be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie]

I really REALLY like your locorro Hunger Games au I can’t stop thinking about it 247 I’m so obsessed i dreamed about it my head in the clouds every seconds!! So i have to personally write to you here cuz it just BLOWS my mind like????✨💞✨ my god you made me want to watch hunger games again.

Btw i was thinking of another idea, what if spider and lo’ak are from different districts? Like complete strangers with connected history(their dads)?? I don’t know, maybe Spider could be from d12 and Peeta-coded. while Lo’ak from either d1,2 who, like your idea, was trained especially for the games by his fam?? Or vice versa?? And they met in the games and the history between their dads almost repeated? I imagine Quaritch a peacekeeper who may accidentally killed Neteyam(for angsty, his team did out of his order) And Jake(former victor) almost got his remaining kids killed by attacking Q? With this beef Spider and Lo’ak met in the game, i think Lo’ak would try to avenge his bro and the boy is wild(with his blicky esp lol) but Spider who is Peeta-coded doesn’t have a single bad bone. Imagine the irony when Lo’ak injured himself and the ONLY one who actually help him is his enemy. Or so he thought.

In the end Spider and Lo’ak become Katniss and Peeta and survived both??? I’m a happy ending kinda guy so I can’t handle one of them die when they started to get along well. Anyways! What’s your take? This just some thoughts I wanna share<3

AHHH I'm so so glad you liked it so much!! I get caught with certain au's playing in my head 24/7 all the time, to have inspired that is so exciting.

OH UR VOTING FOR CAREER LO'AK or Spider, I'm intrigued. I personally vibe much more with the Sully's being from district twelve. District twelve is pretty racially coded, and Katniss herself is supposed to be indigenous. The vibe of her having been trained naturally for the games with skills she learned and honed from being part of her culture just for survival fits so well with Avatar that I really can't part from it. That's why I love that idea of Jake and Neytiri planning and training the kids; I can't see them not doing that.

So I would lean career Spider. One of the most interesting parts of The Hunger Games is the careers, and the fact that even as the villains in the first movie and book, you quickly grow to see them as the victims they are. Katniss hates the careers up until she sees Cato's reaction to Clove's death, and she realizes that Cato and Clove were kids with feelings who were forced into this just like her. That Cato and Clove might have been hoping to somehow live together just like her and Peeta. The career districts are just setting their kids up for the best chance to live, and pitting the districts against each other is the best way for those in power to stay in power. SO, I think career Spider would be a fun idea (as much as I prefer when the kids all grow up together).

Spider's been pushed to be the best possible career he could his entire life. Quaritch, out of an abundance of fear for his kid but also knowing what is gained if his kid wins, makes like a 24/7 hell for Spider. Training does not stop when he leaves the facilities, no, Quaritch keeps it up at home. Never a second of peace. I think Spider is a naturally empathetic person, but watching the Games keeps him that way. He sees the kids he trained with die year after year, and instead of hardening him it makes him sad. He does not enjoy hurting people, and takes more naturally to the physical strength and endurance parts of his training. He's not really sure what else he'd even be of use for, he doesn't have any friends and his dad sucks, and his life is really pretty shit, so he figures he'll volunteer and make sure at least one other person doesn't have to go die that year.

Totally Lo'ak wouldn't trust him as far as he could throw him, which is not that far at all because Spider'd be tall as fuck and all muscle if he's been trained 24/7 by QUARTICH his entire life. So, Spider's fucking around the arena just vibing. He probably had to kill a person or two at the cornucopia and he was Not happy about it, but he kept that shit pretty visible because his dad says sponsors in one and two would hate a pussy and now he can actively spite his dead because he'll never see him again so who cares. He just kind of mentally breaks and experiences every single emotion he's never had before like, all the time. He's free for the first time in his life so he's just kind of enjoying himself even if it's in a death area, he doesn't know how to turn it off.

Unfortunately, letting himself be free and feel emotions comes with emotional growth and learning that is really really misplaced. He runs into Lo'ak by a stream and just freezes as he comes to the realization he's gay and attracted to that kid across the stream. He is processing this, mouth open staring at Lo'ak, when Lo'ak tries to shoot him in the face with an arrow. He only misses because he gets knifed in the back by another career who thinks Spider is all team career but comes to realize Spider would rather explore suddenly being gay then let someone who'd stab someone from behind live.

Cue the Peeta and Katniss injury healing in the cave bonding shit. Lo'ak is VERY mouthy and rude for someone who's life now depends on Spider, but that's fine. Once he decides Spider didn't save him for any shady reasons, Lo'ak becomes a pretty good bestie. He has extensive plant and forest knowledge that Spider soaks up like a sponge. Lo'ak tells him about his family, his life, and gets SPider to talk about himself and what he likes (nothing, he doesn't know, he has two things on the list; tree climbing and men). Eventually, one night while they stargaze in a tree Lo'ak showed Spider how to climb, unsocialized freak Spider tells Lo'ak he'll go kill the others in the area and then come back and let Lo'ak kill him so he can be the victor and get back to his family. He says this all matter of factly like he's telling him something they both already knew. Lo'ak fREAKS OUT and they have a big fight that results in them splitting up for the night.

Spider is distracted by losing his first friend, his first gay boyfriend (jokes lol), and doesn't notice anyone sneaking up on him until much too late. Lo'ak saves him from gettin' fULLY bludgeoned at the last second, he just got a nasty smack on the head. Lo'ak informs him it's really rude to die for people, and that Lo'ak wants him around and would like him to live. He argues if Spider has nothing going for him, neither does Lo'ak. He's the fuck up child. So Lo'ak talks him into their death pact that results in their double victory.

It's a beautiful idea and I love it. I hope this did it for you again, anon, lol.

Oh, and I'm 1000% sure if he lived Neteyam referred to Lo'ak's life being saved by his INSANE RIZZ all the time. And Neytiri and Jake were oBSESSED with Spider, who wanted to literally die for their son on national propoganda TV. They are his biggest fans, they love him more than Lo'ak sometimes it seems.

[jacespunkdad]

so i’m rereading hunger games as i’ve mentioned before and here’s a compiled list of little details that i think should be included if they remake it into a series or something

honestly the movies were really great and naturally there’s stuff that needs to be cut for it to fit in a 2 hour window but...if there was more time...here’s what i want 

- first of all it needs to be rated higher (r or ma). the punch of these books have did not hit as hard in the movies because the violence had to be toned down. and to be fair i wouldn’t have been allowed to see them if they were rated r in 2012 HOWEVER. i think it’s necessary

- casting should actually fit the ages of the characters i know there’s laws for working with actors underage but having the leads be in their 20s literally defeated the whole point lmao

- also katniss and gale aren’t white and neither is haymitch i don’t think actually so can we fix that. love the original actors to death they did a great job but i think actors with olive skin and gray eyes will do just as good a job

- we need madge. she is an icon and deserves respect

- we need avoxes!! they technically were in the movies but they were mentioned once and then they were always just vibing in the background. we need to have the redheaded avox and there should be a flashback scene where you see katniss and gale witnessing her get caught in the woods (i forget her name atm)

- katniss’s mom’s battle with depression, let’s talk about it! barely mentioned in the movies

- also katniss’s dad! they literally showed a picture of him once in the first movie and never talked about him ever again which is not fair because he seemed like a very lovely man. i want to see clips of him singing and teaching young katniss how to hunt! justice for mr everdeen rip king

- katniss thinks about her and gale’s adventures in the woods (TM) during the games and i wanna see some of them on screen. mainly the one where they buy lady i love that one

- on the subject of parents more of peeta’s dad! idgaf about his abusive mom i know she’s technically more important to the immediate story but if she gets a scene he deserves one too. peeta definitely gets all his good genes from him

- cinna is clearly a gay icon and he needs to have a boyfriend. give him a bf

- portia has the EXACT SAME ENERGY. give her a gf. also can portia have lines please in the movies she was just. there

- more of katniss’s prep team!!! would honestly die for them. they should’ve had more than 3 scenes they provide perfect comedy relief

- katniss and peeta constantly having matching outfits during the prep for the first games another great comedic moment

- peeta’s prosthetic leg! representation matters

- also district 4 tributes should’ve been hanging out with cato and co. everyone forgets district 4 is a career district (and that finnick was a career) all the time and it makes me upset

- and prim was just? at school. while her sister is fighting to death. i want a scene where they flash to her sitting in a god damn cafeteria watching the games like WHAT 

- gale’s family!! 

- the movie did a good job showing the ptsd but they can do more showing peeta and haymitch’s struggles with it besides just katniss

- district 8 was always starting shit and i think that needs to be addressed HAHA

- bonnie and twill! i genuinely thought i made them up or that they were from a different series until i finally got to their part

- also we just need more district 12 stuff all the district 12 action in catching fire was cut out basically

- for instance the detail that the head peacekeeper would take advantage of starving girls by essentially whoring them out to him for money or food? let’s talk about that because holy shit

- there’s so many scenes of katniss and peeta doing domestic things together without even realizing it and it makes me so happy i love them. the cheese buns! peeta drawing pictures for katniss’s family book! taking walks around town! his art! 

- and i specifically want the scene where katniss comes home to the peacekeepers waiting for her and haymitch and peeta are just casually sitting in the den playing chess and effortlessly roasting her in their efforts to cover for her and also stealing her candy. love that scene so much 

- also right before that katniss legit jumped out of a 25 FOOT TREE???? HELLO???? idk how they’d film that honestly but i wanna see it 

- district 12 gets so ugly and bad after thread shows up and they didn’t really show it at all i wish they had it’s so horrific to read about

- darius!! he should’ve been in the movies. the scene where he shows up as an avox fucked me up SO BAD when i was a kid

- the whole plot line about the capitol using a green screen every time they report on district 13 was so interesting and such a twist and i remember going :O when i read the first time i wish it had been included

- haymitch’s games!!! genuinely one of my favorite backstories i’ve ever read in any series ever. they need to show it especially considering that he was against 47 competitors instead of the normal 23 like that’s nuts

- katniss, peeta, and haymitch “training” for the quarter quell. i want a montage

- just cinna’s line “portia and i spent a lot of hours looking at fires.” there’s so many moments of subtle humor in the books that got taken away and i think they help balance out the story so well

i’m about halfway through catching fire so i will update with more thoughts. thank u for coming to my ted talk

[clarkgriffon]

The 100 Ask Game

I was tagged by @foreverandalwayscrysis​ @loveisalwayswise​ @hostagetakerandhistraitor​ @talistheintrovert​ aka four of my true loves

1. What Station on the Ark would you be from? Alpha because I’m a fancy bitch

2. What would you get arrested for on the Ark? God... probably something dumb. Maybe stealing food? But not out of desperation, because I wanted like lemon cake or some dumb shit.

3. Would you take off your wristband when you landed on the ground? No chance. I’m a rule follower through and through.

4. What would the necklace Finn would make for you look like? (Clarke: deer/Raven: a raven duh..) A zebra

5. If you could resurrect any MINOR character who would it be? Wells BABEY.

6. Create a squad of 5 characters to go on missions with. Who are they? Clarke, Bellamy, Monty, Harper, and Miller.

7. What Grounder Clan would you belong to? Maybe Trishanakru. A humble farmer.

8. What would your name be in Trigedasleng? uhhh... i don’t know. Mira doesn’t really have any way to clip it to sound more grounder-y. So probably just Mira.

9. Thoughts on Finn? Some people hate him, and others love him, so I’m curious. I don’t like Finn as a dude, but I controversially enjoyed the writing of his character in season 1. He’s such a dick, but he’s a well-written dick. Like, we ALL know that guy, and they really hit the nail on the head of “guy who THINKS he’s the nice guy.” I think they botched his character in S2 and completely went sideways with it (much like Zeke in 6x01).

10. Be honest. How willing would you have been to take the chip without knowing all the horrible things it does? Probably... pretty willing. Putting myself in the position of a character on the show, knowing something could take away my pain, yeah, I’d be tempted. As a person with multiple mental illnesses, the allure of a magical solution to all pain and misery sounds nice.

11. What character do you relate to most? Clarke, no doubt. I see so many similarities to myself in her.

12. What character do you like the least? In terms of well written villains, where I hate them but it’s because they wrote them so well I had to hate them, Pike. In terms of characters I just dislike because they suck, E/cho.

13. Describe your delinquent outfit. (Would you wear something like Murphy’s jacket with the spikey red shoulder patch or have a trademark like Jasper’s goggles? Be creative, yet practical) Leggings, athletic shoes, black tank top, maybe a jean jacket like Harper’s in S5.

14. Favorite type of mutant animal? Like... in the show? We didn’t really see that many. Just the sea monster, the worms, the random gorilla, and the deer. So, I guess the deer.

15. What would your job be on the Ark? Maybe a teacher like Pike but not evil.

16. Would you have willingly pumped Ontari’s heart if Abby asked? No, I’m so squeamish.

17. If Lexa wasn’t Heda, but she was still alive, then who would have made the best commander? Probably Indra.

18. How would you act if you ate the hallucinogenic nuts like Jasper and Monty? Who knows, I’d be tripping, but hopefully I’d get some awesome lines like “anti-grounder stick” and “the most beautiful broom.”

19. How would you have dealt with Charlotte’s crime? A more John Murphy approach or Bellamy Blake approach? I don’t think I’d be in a leadership position to make the choice, but I don’t believe in the death penalty so probably more like Bellamy. 

20. Who should have been the Chancellor, if anyone? I guess it depends at what time. Abby in season 1 made sense. OH. Sinclair. Sinclair should’ve been the Chancellor.

21. Would you have been on Pike’s side like Bellamy or on Kane’s side? Or Clarke in Polis? Kane. I so would’ve joined Harper/Miller/Kane’s Rebel Squad.

22. Mount Weather had a lot of modern commodities. (example: Maya’s iPod) What is the one thing you would snatch while there? Probably the iPod, or any sort of game that could be a time-passer.

23. What would your Grounder tattoos look like? Hairstyle? War paint? No tattoos, but heavy eyeliner (not Lexa level, but a heavy blake eye shadow and black wing). Probably just hair down for my grounder!look. If it was an Ark look, I’d do half-up half-down like Clarke in S1.

24. Favorite quote? God, I can’t choose. “I bear it so they don’t have to,” “May we meet again,” “Be the good guys,” “It’s an anti-grounder stick,” among many.

25. If all of the characters were in the Hunger Games, who would have the best shot at winning? I think Lincoln has a really good shot. People like Roan, Lexa, and Luna would be careers. But I feel like Lincoln would be a random middle-tier district and then be an under-the-radar threat till he won.

26. Least favorite ship? Favorite canon ship? Favorite non-canon ship?

Least favorite: B/echo

Favorite canon ship: Marper

Favorite non-canon: Bellarke

27. A song that should be included in the next season? If there had to be another guest star like Shawn Mendes on the show, who would you want to make a cameo? I’m a huge Kesha fan, so a Kesha song would be nice. Also, I feel like “New Religion” by Alice Smith gives me HUGE S6 vibes and I’ve never been able to pinpoint why. As for a guest star, maybe an actor/singer double threat like Selena Gomez or Hilary Duff.

28. What would you do if you were stuck in the bunker with Murphy for all that time? Chill, not watch the video over and over again like Murphy. Maybe try to learn chess? There was a chess table, right? It had amenities, so I’d probably just lounge.

29. You’re an extra that gets killed off. How do you die? I’m a random delinquent running around like Roma or Monroe and the grounders spear me. I’m mentioned once when Clarke asks Bellamy, “Where’s Mira?” and he just shakes his head because I’m dead. Never again mentioned.

30. A character you’d like to learn more about and get flashbacks of? I desperately want Jordan flashbacks to see how his life was growing up with Harper and Monty. Speaking of Harper, I want to know EVERYTHING about Harper’s life even though I know we never will :(

31. A character you’d bang? Clarke, Bellamy, Harper.

32. Would you stay in the Bunker? Go up to Space? Or live on your own in Eden? Live in Eden, no doubt. That’s definitely the most bearable option. 

33. In the Bunker, would you follow Octavia? What would you do to pass the time underground? I probably would’ve had to? Dissenting would’ve gotten me thrown in the pit.

34. What crime would you commit in the Bunker that lands you in the fighting pits? Badmouthing Blodreina and getting caught and reported.

35. Up in Space, who would you bond with first? Who would be the most difficult for you to get along with? Monty and Harper would be my best friends, I don’t think I’d even speak to E/cho.

36. How long do you think you would last on Earth by yourself? Two weeks. Maybe a month.

37. When the Eligius ship lands what do you do? Run. Like. Hell.

38. Favorite Eligius character? Least favorite? Diyoza... is there any other answer?

39. Would you Spacewalk? Hell yeah, I’d Emori the heck out of it.

40. Would you prefer to eat Windshield Bugs, Space Algae, or Bunker Meat? Algae. Whoever picks meat, I’m judging you.

41. Would you start a war for the last spot of green on earth? What would your solution be to avoid it? No, because as Clarke and Monty said many times, that’s a dumb fucking idea!! I’d make... peace... Find a compromise.

42. Would you rather dig out flesh-eating worms or stick thumb drives into bullet holes? Can I pick none? I guess the worms because at least them I’m helping someone.

43. Are you willing to poison your sister for the Traitor Who You Love? What would you do to stop Octavia? Is my sister a psycho murderer? If so, then yeah. 

44. Would you go to sleep in cryo or stay awake like Marper? Cryo.

45. Who are you waking up first to explore the new planet? Clarke, Bellamy, and Miller.

I think most people have done this so I’ll just say, whoever hasn’t feel free to say I tagged you

[neuroweird]

all of the lesbian asks, my dude

Lesbians Asks 

1 )  Femme of Butch? 

I consider myself more futch, but I like both either, all lesbians.

2 ) Do you have a “type”? If so, describe it

I have an emotional type. Someone who shares some similar interests, but has unique interests as well. Personality traits that complement each other’s, a love language I can work with. Someone with whom a relationship is an adventure and a learning experience. Someone who is adventurous with food and at least some inclination toward healthy / active lifestyles.

3 )  Plaid button-ups or leather jackets?

Plaid button up under a leather jacket.

4 )  Describe your style.

Chronic pain chique? Grey tone futch with a pop of colour? 

5 )  Describe your aesthetic.

My “personal” pinterest board.

6 )  Favorite article of clothing?

My grey speckled crewneck sweatshirt. 

7 )  Favorite pair of shoes?

My running shoes, bc that’s where my orthotics are.

8 ) Current haircut? 

Just long enough to put a tiny little ponytail in it, but short enough that not all my hair fits. Also an undercut at the back.

9 )  Any haircut goals for the future?

Currently growing it out. I want it long again, which I haven’t had since I was like… 12.

10 )  Describe the best date you’ve been on.

I’m like the worst person to ask this, since I’ve only gone out with my gf. We went out for brunch on our anniversary two years ago and it was very sweet.

11 )  Describe the worst date you’ve been on.

It was with this trans guy who I didn’t know was a trans guy for the first month I knew him. He had a gender neutral (Jules) name at the time so I just thought he was butch. My friend told me that he was a trans guy and I was like “wow thank god I never misgendered him to his face”. 

He asked me  out and sort of misheard me when I said “my mom and sister love chocolate but I like savoury foods more”… so he took me to this place called Coco70 which… only sells chocolate dishes… and then we missed the more date appropriate movie we were gonna see and saw Hunger Games (2?) instead.

He was really so sweet, but I didn’t think I was right for him because he was self conscious about how much taller I am than him. He tried so hard to make it special and I appreciated that, but boy was it awkward after I told him I didn’t think I could date him anymore. 

12 )  Single? Taken? 

I’ve been in a relationship for over 5 years now, but we’re open with it. Thus I am very much open to dating other girls. 

13 )  If taken, talk about your girlfriend.

Alice is a lovely person! She adores her cat, and is an amazing writer. She’s a take no shit kind of person, and I appreciate that. She is caring to the point of stressing herself out, she loves to cook (she’s a great cook!).

14 ) If single, what are you looking for in a potential girlfriend/wife?

Everything in 11, but also someone whose idea of “clean” is complementary to mine, similar desires about kids, adventurous ideas about sex? Career ambitions? Likes cats/dogs/both? Someone who would want to be active/better our health together. 

15 )  Describe your dream wedding. 

Oh my gosh. I cannot possibly do that. I have a “weddings” board on pinterest with different ideas. Nothing too extravagant, nothing too small. Balanced. It would depend on the woman I’m marrying 100%.

16 )  Do you want kids? 

I do !  I am uncertain about the method of becoming a mother, but I’m not opposed to adopting, having a donor, myself or my partner carrying the baby (or babies). It all depends really. But yes, I want to be a mother. 

17 )  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Somewhere not too hot but not too cold. I’d really love to be successful enough to have condos in cities around the world. 

18 )  Favourite lesbian movie. 

God. I’m a cliche. It’s Carol (2015).

19 )  Favourite lesbian novel/story? 

Carol. Again. I need some lesbian book recs. Can I say my own? Because I’m writing my own. 

20 )  Favourite lesbian song? 

Talia by King Princess? 

21 )  Favourite lesbian musician? 

I am… uncultured… King Princess? 

22 ) What lesbian stereotypes do you fit into, if any?

I lean on everything, and dyke spread.

23 ) Ever been assumed to be nothing more than a gal pal?

My girlfriend’s neighbours thought I was her bc we both had buzz cuts when I visited her, despite her being like 4-5 inches shorter than me.

24 )  If a woman wanted to woo you, what would a surefire way to accomplish that?

I love having matching jewelry with who I’m dating. Get me a necklace or a ring or something and have one for you too? I’m all yours. Also my love language is “words of affirmation” and “receiving gifts”, the latter of which means that I love gifts, but it doesn’t have to be a monetary item, it could be a cool rock.

25 )  Be positive! What do you like most about being a lesbian?

Not having to give men any attention. 

26 )  Are you more of a cat person or a dog person?

I like either but I enjoy cats for size and their independence. 

27 ) Turn ons. 

I need to leave a little bit of mystery. 

28 ) Turn offs?

Lack of cleanliness, condescension?

29 )   Do you usually ask other women out or do you wait for them to ask you?

I am a huge coward, and unless there is some mutual interest I just die a little until I either break tell them I want to date them or drop hints until they do? Alice and I just literally decided to be in a relationship, there was no real dating-asking.

30 )  What is your dream career?

Screenwriter, novelist, filmmaker. 

31 )  Talk about your interests or hobbies!

I write a lot, I’m working on a few novels and screenplays. You can find my work at @melrosiewrites​ which is my writeblr. I also dabble in photoshop, and read quite a bit. 

32 )  What is the most attractive quality a woman can have?

Usually her face. A nice smile is very captivating. 

33 )  Do you love easily or does it take time for you to warm up to someone?

It would be nice not to get petty crushes on all my friends. Does that say enough? 

34 ) Ever fallen for your best-friend?

Nope.

35 )  Ever fallen for a straight girl?

Nope.

36 ) The L-Word: yes or no? (love it or hate it?)

I watched it. I was a bit young for it. What a mess. 

37 )  Favorite comfort food?

French fries? Sushi?

38 ) Coffee or tea? 

Tea, with honey. 

39 )  Vegetarian? Vegan? None of the above? 

Omnivore, but not against going more plant based. Definitely prepared to accommodate someone’s diet (choice or allergy based). I would like to buy more organic, free range, meat. 

40 )  Do you have any pets. 

Not at the moment. 

41 )  Early riser, or night owl? 

I prefer being up early, but I don’t like alarm clocks, I’d rather the sunlight wake me. I go to bed at like 10 PM. 

42 )  What is your sign?

Taurus. 

43 )  Can you drive? 

I cannot. 

44 )  Who was your first lesbian crush? 

The only openly gay girl in my highschool, who’s a little dumb bc I told her twice that I liked her, but she was very surprised when I told her the second time. She is so butch and now she’s married and a mom! Her wife is expecting their child soon. I’m so happy for her.

45 )  At what age did you know you were a lesbian?

I knew I wasn’t straight when I was like 14? But I identified as bi for most of highschool. I only decided I was a lesbian when I was 18. 

46 )  At what age did you come out (if you have)?

Probably soldily after I got with Alice. So, a little over 5 years ago. 

47 ) Are you crushing on anyone at the moment (celebrity or otherwise)?

I would marry Sarah Paulson in a heartbeat. Okay. Otherwise. No serious crushes.

48 ) Talk about how your day went. 

I bought maroon gloves that match my scarf, three face masks and those loopy hairbands before class, then bought Timmies for lunch, and have been answering all of these while listening to a guest lecturer in my “the city after dark” class. I’m going to help a family friend with her daughter’s birthday party after.

49 )  Talk about your dreams/aspirations for the future.

Able to afford everything I need to better my health and maintain my health. My dream wardrobe, my dream home (homes?). I want to be challenged in my creative passions, and I want to share them and be a well known screenwriter and filmmaker. 

50 ) Least favourite gay celebrity? 

Uh. Aub*ey Pl*za? She said something a bit distasteful and a bit transphobic a while back, but otherwise I just don’t really like her vibe. Not too deep. 

[jamesv-t]

2018 Best Songs

As per last year - a round dozen songs, with a bonus thirteenth track for the deluxe edition. One song per artist, “featuring on” doesn’t count towards that one per artist total - although I’m limiting myself to one “feat.” as well.

13. Dagny - Love You Like That

Youtube // Spotify

I’m taking some liberties with these songs, as while they were all new to me this year, this song (and one other) were released late in 2017. However as most Best Of Year End lists are compiled in November for press in December, and it’s my list so it’s my rules, I’m bending things in this new age of streaming services where most songs don’t have a release date - or even a physical release. Dagny came to my attention late this year, as one of her songs was played before Sigrid came on stage and I liked it enough to Shazam. Scandanavian pop became my niche interest this autumn and Dagny filled that with aplomb.

12. Anavae - Afraid

Youtube // Spotify

Bit of a year for the London based duo, after the highs of their first headline tour in the Spring to parting ways with their absolute dicks of a label, to successfully launching a PledgeMusic campaign that, it’s probably fair to say, was more overwhelmingly positive than expected! This is the first song publicly released from the Pledge EP and demonstrates the growth the band have gone through over the last few years. If this is the direction they’re going in I’m all aboard the hype train!

11. Pale Waves - Red

Youtube // Spotify

I heard a lot of buzz about Pale Waves’ album from friends on Twitter when it was released in October so I figured I’d give it a listen. I wasn’t disappointed with what I heard, but oddly the song that stuck out to me was an album track rather than one of the singles. A band who’ve built on Chvrches’ synthpop and made something better (it’s telling that this makes the cut while nothing from the Glasgow band’s third album does), this is one of those songs I can listen to on repeat without getting bored of it.

10. Troye Sivan ft. Ariana Grande - Dance To This

Youtube // Spotify

The first male vocal on this list, and also the first instance of me cheating my own rules to squeeze in an artist who’ll appear later on, using a “feat.” credit. While she’s not been brutally eviscerating sentient ham Piers Morgan on Twitter, Ariana’s steadily rolled out some bangers throughout the year, and this guest appearance just adds a lovely air to a genuinely nice song. While some pop songs conjure up images of a thrilling romance, this is a cozy afternoon on the couch, and all the better for it.

9. Avril Lavigne - Head Above Water

Youtube // Spotify

A bit of a departure from my other favourite Canadian singer. Rather than coming out swinging for the fences with a bratty pop-punk belter leading off a new album, as she has done since bursting onto the scene in 2002, Avril launched this new era with a hopeful uplifting ballad. A more mature sound (it’s tricky to pull off a defiant teenage punk act when you’re 34) no doubt influenced by her issues with lyme disease, it’s got me looking forward to the new album.

8. MNEK ft. Hailee Steinfeld - Colour

Youtube // Spotify

Thanks to seeing both artists in support slots, and copious showings of the video before Little Mix, I managed to hear this song at three separate gigs this year, which may be some form of record for me. Another nice, lovely song that won’t storm the charts or break the internet but it will make the day seem a little less grey when you listen to it - and isn’t that the point of pop?

7. Lena - Thank You

Youtube // Spotify

The artist with the most scrobbled track in my 13 year Last.fm listening history, Lena came back this year with a wonderfully sarcastic peon to an ex. A slow-burner, this song was initially written off by me as a passable single unfortunately overshadowed by Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” released a week beforehand, but it burrowed deep into my skull and became a track I frequently returned to, discovering new things each time. I just wish she’d tour in England!

6. K.I.D - Boy (reprise)

Youtube // Spotify

Like the Dagny track I’ve fudged the timeline slightly for this song as well, as this was released in November last year but I only discovered it in July on a Spotify playlist. That was overshadowed by the discovery of Poppy, a sentient singing Siri, but this track kept reappearing on Discover playlists until the raw emotion and yearning of Boy became something I made a note of. A beautiful ballad of teenage lust, the acoustic version has a bit more passion than the original, and I can see this being a random deep cut I return to in years to come.

5. Sigrid - High Five

Youtube // Spotify

Sigrid won the BBC’s Sound of 2018 poll at the start of the year, and has been pushed heavily since, with tours increasing in venue size throughout the year. With a debut album next year she’s poised to break through into the mainstream; given the rate of bangers she’s put out (and the newer songs she played on the autumn tour) it’ll be justified. Scandinavians just do pop better than everyone else and this is the perfect example of it - a frothy fun song that seems pleasant on first listen, until you realise how biting the lyrics are.

4. Ariana Grande - God is a woman

Youtube // Spotify

It’s a long journey from the third female in a kid’s TV show to being the first person ever to be named an honorary citizen of Manchester after her response to the bombing after her gig, to having to publicly deal with one actual and one threatened suicide of her ex-boyfriends. In between all that Ari released several bangers. While No Tears Left To Cry had a cathartic energy to it that launched a new era while still paying tribute to Manchester, this track was a statement of intent that blew me away. I do love me some big epic tracks and this is no exception!

3. Carly Rae Jepsen - Party For One

Youtube // Spotify

Carly continues to tease us with the promise of a new album, but in the meantime she gives us little droplets of single releases to tide us over in the long droughts. After Cut To The Feeling last year we got this infectious poppy single about being able to support yourself, not needing anyone else, how it’s ok to spend some time on your own...ok it’s about wanking, but like the Hailee Steinfeld track of three years ago it’s a great song regardless of subject matter!

2. Selena Gomez - Back To You

Youtube // Spotify

My love of this song is frequently used against me in arguments about my bias towards female singers, as “if Ed Sheeran sang it instead [I’d] hate it!” Well, probably, but as it was released by a different friend of Taylor (a description that sounds vaguely euphemistic, like “friend of Dorothy” but less stigmatised) it’s regularly made it onto my playlists this year. A lovely, pleasant acoustic ballad that’s good enough to make me forget that it’s probably written about Justin Bieber. Video’s good, too.

1. Hailee Steinfeld - Capital Letters

Youtube // Spotify

Hailee has been quietly putting out some bangers throughout the year, and coupled with a stellar performance supporting Katy Perry makes me think she’s not just doing this music career as a side gig. Despite being released at the start of the year this song has a nice uplifting vibe that would’ve made it a perfect summer song, so I kept listening to it throughout the year to fit it in with the seasons. It’s also another example of a film soundtrack that’s far better than the film it’s promoting (see also: the other 50 Shades films, Vampire Academy, Twilight, Hunger Games...I’m not sure what it says about me that YA adaptations have soundtracks that really click with me).

[zydrateacademy]

Review: Conan Exiles

Quick disclaimer; I’ve only played single player with some interest in coop. I’ve yet to attempt open servers. As a result, I probably haven’t run into the more annoying stock of communities like purges and raids. I’ve played alone, modded, and at my own speed; that may color how I see this game. I’m okay with this. Let’s talk about Skyrim for a moment. Yes, it’s relevant. Do you all remember the first five to ten hours you played it? You were still weak, dealing with iron and steel swords and slashing your way through new caverns and dungeons while scrounging every bit of material you could for your smithing skill. Everything was new and different, and every new playthrough with a different race or weapon type. Then something happens. Several hours in, your smithing and sneak is 75+, you’re level 40 on Expert Difficulty one-shotting every bandit in every dungeon because you took a couple of very specific perks that make the entire game a cakewalk. Or you used alchemy to hilariously boost your stats in the several hundreds or thousands and now your armor rating is at a complete maximum and you’re doing sixty times melee damage on sneak attacks. At a certain point, Skyrim gameplay becomes less about mechanics and just about exploration. However, Exiles basically takes those first few hours and expands them across the entire experience. I get a bit of a Skyrim meets ARK and a lesser used comparison is that I’m honestly getting an Assassin’s Creed: Origins vibe, if nothing else certainly the aesthetics. Large sandy dunes and mountains with spotty greenery and oases, and I’m pretty sure I have an identical screenshot of climbing up a red mountain. My exile and Bayek would probably get along.

For whatever reason, I find Exiles to be a bit more accessible than ARK ever was. I think it’s perhaps the single player admin menu which if ARK has I have never found. Through it you’re able to manipulate things to an insane degree, like ten times the amount of experience and resource gain, as well as modifying how much damage you do and enemies take. I went through a largely unaffected run (though I did bump my experience up to 2X) the first time around and that sucked me in for several hours. In future games, I made it a little easier on myself with quality of life workshop mods including upping armor durability and reducing boss health pools. That last one might sound like a cheat, but when they have up to 30,000 health and I’m alone in the world, lowering it down to 10,000 or something makes the experience a LOT more bearable. I’m not saying ARK does not have these features (it does have workshop support) but it just wasn’t nearly as compelling as Exiles, which does in fact have a story contrary to what some reviews claim.

You start the game creating your character and get a randomized set of “crimes” which can include anything from punching a camel to lewd acts with corpses. It ranged wildly and there’s quite a list that can be quite comical, though the game itself is largely void of humor. Conan himself shows up to remove you from the cross and the game dumps you in a desert road, entirely naked and scrounging for fibers, rocks, and branches; all the things you’ll need to quickly craft a set of clothes and basic tools. The story doesn’t really hold your hand, nor does it tell you what to do. There are runestones dotted around the land that give you snippets and clues. The idea is that you have a magical slave bracelet that’s holding you in what is literally called “The Exiled Lands”, which is the whole area of the map you’re in. Go too far, and you’ll find a green shield that will automatically kill you. What’s involved in this is finding a large variety of bosses and McGuffins that will eventually remove the curse of the bracelet and allow your exile to leave.

That’s the basis of your presence in this strange world. What happens after that point is really up to you. Since you can hardly take on an undead dragon right out of the gate, you pretty much engage in the usual ARK/Minecraft flare. Build a house, hunt animals for hide, and generally spend a lot of time working your way up.

Eventually I found that I had the most fun when I had a decent set of medium armor and a good stock of weapons that I could repair on the fly and that allowed me to make various expeditions outside the comfort zone of what people call the “newbie river”, the southern-most landscape that offer you the most resources within a reasonable travel time. I eventually made it to the Hinterlands where I was able to harvest heavier leathers for better armors, which in turn allowed me to travel farther and take on more intimidating enemies. As you’d expect, you have to manage some resources including hunger, thirst, heat and weight. Thirst can be fairly easy to manage if you’re hanging around the southern portions of the map. Hunger isn’t too bad, and weight I’ve modded out entirely, which I’ll justify shortly. Beyond that there’s a full listing of RPG elements with various perks and stats you can acquire as you level up. In an unmodded game you can only max out a couple so in multiplayer or co-op games you may want to split roles between survivors, gatherers, and combatants. The most fun I’ve had in this game is just the unrestrained exploring, which for me has only been with the help of some workshop mods. I got an insane encumbrance mod early in my career because once I acquired a legit “decent” set of armor, my weight was at 70% regardless of how much stuff I tried to store away. Even in my most purist playthroughs, that mod will always remain. I am less irritated with weight in the likes of Skyrim because I typically have fast travel and stores to sell my crap to, but here I do not have that convenience. Fast travel in Exiles is possible but more of a mid- to end-game perk once you explore enough of the map. There’s a bunch of obelisks you can purify and then travel to through a map room, of which I haven’t done a lot of research and I’m not sure where to find that. As it stands, everything you need you have to get on foot. No horses, no mounts, just hauling all the ass.

The lack of fast travel is indeed a late-game annoyance. Alongside that are a variety of bugs that you’ll come across for a post Early-Access game. I’ve found that engaging in combat within certain variables will have me and the NPC I’m fighting just... sorta flail at each other for a bit. Neither of us take damage, and I noticed that it is because we had some buildings and terrain above us. I lured them out and now we both took damage again. Speaking of, the combat leaves a lot to be desired. It gives me Origins vibes again with some blocking, dodging and health bars. However there’s absolutely no lock-on and hit detection is very wonky when I try to do some light attacks right next to a crocodile only for them to miss entirely. I had to back up and try again and it would work. This happens about twenty percent of the time, depending on my attack. Conversely, a heavy spear attack always hits my enemy.

Some enemies also have knockback effects. I’d be fighting basic bird type enemies and they’d reel in, walk towards me and I’d be knocked over. Apparently they’re “charging” but they don’t go faster than walk speed and thus are difficult to detect. Maybe that’s my fault but it’s just a bit annoying. I also find base building to be vaguely irritating and I find myself doing the ol’ Fallout 4 thing of turning on god mode (in this game, admin mode), getting unlimited resources and at least starting with the basic shape of the building that I want. I’ve only resorted to that once in my ~5 playthroughs and my next semi-purist play will try to be a little more conservative and patient. Patience is really the key here if you want to get the most out of the game. I’ve tried rushing towards the revered “Star Metal” for the endgame gear but found myself perfectly content with some normally crafted heavy stuff, or light armor if I want to dodge enemies more often. Exiles is kind of a slow burn at first but once you find an established area with decent walking distance to most forms of resource, you’re probably in good shape. My experience shined when I was in expedition mode, treating every corner as a new experience. Maybe in a few hundred hours nothing in this game will be new to me, but for now all I can do is stare wide-eyed at the world before me.

[wayneooverton]

That one time I crashed a scooter in Bali

A week ago I found myself upside down in a ditch full of wet cement in Canggu, Bali.

In that moment, only one thought crossed my mind: why me? Why is it always me?

A veritable magnet for disasters, especially while traveling, for some unknown reason misadventure and misfortune often follow me on my travels and remains a constant presence in my life, like a problem zit or an annoying cousin.

Sigh, where do I even begin?

I know, watch this video below. Like right now. Let’s start there.

  View this post on Instagram

  Scootering in Bali is easy, they said…😳 (wait for it) @georgiarickard @laurenepbath

A post shared by Liz Carlson☀️Young Adventuress (@youngadventuress) on Feb 24, 2019 at 5:08pm PST

A little over a week ago I flew to Bali with my business partners, Lauren Bath and Georgia Rickard, from the Travel Bootcamp for a week of work, smoothie bowls and deeply uncomfortable humidity.

Being based in Australia (them) and New Zealand (me), Bali is a fabulous and super affordable place for us to meet and work; I constantly am asking myself what the hell am I doing living in Wanaka paying $5 for avocados when I could be living on the beach in Bali for a quarter of the price drinking 20 cent coconuts.

But I digress.

We stayed in a rather ridiculous fancy villa in Canggu (aka the town that Instagram built) which was not much more than rice paddies next to a surf beach on my last visit to Bali. Now it’s a thriving hub of millennial cafes, trendy co-working spaces, and lots and lots of people on scooters.

I didn’t want to like it but I loved it.

It’s like Canggu grew into a place for people like me, a hub for solo digital nomads looking for a place with a cool vibe to just hang out, work, create and relax.

Luxury 3 bedroom villa in Canggu in Airbnb – use this link for $50 of credit

  The first day I woke up and walked 15 minutes to town to a cafe for brekkie and a coffee, and by the time I arrived, I was pouring with sweat and so uncomfortable. Since it’s the monsoon season now, the humidity is less than ideal.

And it seemed to me like I was the only one walking, in my mind EVERYONE in Canggu was on a scooter or motorbike. Heaps of blond young backpackers, locals, even entire families were piled on this scooters whizzing around town. Even the dogs ride on the motorbikes.

Fuck walking and fuck this heat, I was gonna get a scooter. If they all could do it, so could I. How hard could it be?

Famous. Last. Words.

In an absolutely incredibly fit of irony, I had also just renewed my annual travel insurance policy with Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) here in New Zealand, and I was about to embark on a project sharing my work with them online and social media, mostly about traveling safely as a solo female traveler.

Being a magnet for destruction ever since my camel days in Jordan, for me it’s not a question of if but when next something will go wrong, and I learned early on in my travel career that travel insurance is worth it, even when I was broke. Also now that I do more adventurous trips to places like Kyrgyzstan or Antarctica, it’s often mandatory, so for the past few years I just buy annual insurance policies that cover me around the world.

AND YOU SHALL SEE WHY SHORTLY.

After sweatily walking my way back to the villa on a massive caffeine high and convinced that I was going to be the most amazing scooter driver in Canggu, I immediately perused heaps of travel blogs and guides for advice on scooter hires in Bali, and Georgia organized one for us asap.

You’re looking to pay between $2-$4 per day for a scooter hire in Bali, unless you’re completely swindled like we were and you’ll pay over $5 per day (still a total bargain). It was definitely recommended in all the blogs I read to wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and to get some practice, have an international driver’s license and insurance. And of course wear a helmet. Easy.

This might be my funniest story of all time

We got this. We are strong independent women with heaps of travel experience in places like Bali and very confident in our abilities to succeed at anything we put our minds to, i.e. not walking anywhere in Canggu.

But here is where I make the same travel mistake I find myself repeating again and again throughout my life. I read, prepare and acknowledge what I need to do. And then I do the complete opposite.

Why, Liz, WHY?! You should know better by now! Also, Liz, you do not have a good track record about not falling off of things, like bikes, horses and camels. You are not going to be naturally good at riding a scooter in a land of chaotic driving. But do I listen to that voice in the back of my head? Nope.

As Georgia and I announced that we were off picking up our scooters, Lauren, being the ever responsible one of our trio, looked at us, said something to the effect of we are total idiots and stayed in the villa. Her loss!

As I walked to pick up our scooters in cool confidence, wearing sandals and my short onesie (I’m sorry but it’s too hot to wear pants in Bali), I think the only thing I did right was have insurance, license and wear a helmet.

Getting Naked in Istanbul

All my plans of getting a lesson in a parking lot went out the window when were faced with a very casual “here you go, take it or leave it” attitude at the literal back alley scooter rental place. It wasn’t even a shop, it was a guy with a sign and a few scooters in an alley. Oh well, it’s Bali, just go with it!

Liz, don’t! Use your brain! You are 30! You know better than this.

Georgia and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, popped on our helmets and hopped on our new rides. Very slowly (with everyone watching and commenting) we slowly made the short journey back to our villa, where I only almost crashed once making a right turn – they drive on the left in Bali.

Well, it’s suggested to drive on the left. The reality (from my experience) is you do whatever the fuck you want.

Driving in Bali is different. It’s organized chaos.

Everyone drives batshit crazy and it sort of all works, until it doesn’t work. For for someone who confuses the gas with the brakes with alarming regularity, I really should have had a lesson before entering the Hunger Games: SE Asia Edition.

You beep the horn all the time to let people know you’re there; you beep when you’re passing and when you’re pulling out onto a main road. And you especially beep when you’re heckling Lauren Bath for refusing to ride on the scooters with us as we speed past her on the way home. Beep. Beep. Beeeeep.

I would describe the obstacles as something out of Mario Kart. The roads go where they want, often with scary ditches next to them (I now have a completely rational terror of ditches, having ended up in one), deep rice paddies that can easily consume a scooter (and regularly do – just Google the Canggu Shortcut), chickens, three-legged dogs, humans, monkey gangs, other scooters, other dumb tourists on scooters, trucks, rubbish, you name it, it’s everywhere.

Pay attention, beep beep!

Phew we made it home in one piece! A few hours later we headed out again, and this time is where I totally screwed it up.

Even though I talked myself through the whole process again, I managed to make the classic tourist mistake of trying to brake and accidentally yanking the gas and then slamming on the brakes, catapulting myself over the handlebars headfirst into a ditch. At least I assume that’s what happened. Luckily there were no witnesses, and I can’t really remember – yikes!

My thoughts after the initial “why me” and “am I dead?” were OMFG I’m in an open sewer. I’m in poop! I crashed into poop! WHY ME GOD WHY ME?! WHAT DID I EVER DO TO DESERVE THIS?

A quick sniff confirmed that it was not in fact in open sewer, rather it was thick mud-like cement. I tried to move, and couldn’t. OMG I’m paralyzed. Oh wait, I’m just quite literally stuck in the cement.

“Georgia, help!!!!” I hollered, wiggling trying to lift my cement-laden helmet head, before I just started to laugh. I was completely glued to the cement.

Hearing my giggles, I hear Georgia calling to me as she walked back to my empty scooter. Where is Liz?

All of a sudden I see her peering over the side of the ditch looking at me and videoing the whole thing on her phone laughing hysterically! With my legs in the air, my undies on full display and my head stuck in cement, I can only just imagine what a sight I was to behold.

Screaming at her that this video will never see the light of day, I start yelling for Lauren, who eventually comes out with a towel and they manage to drag me out, lovingly I might add.

I knew I would never, ever live this down.

Faced with the inevitable shame that there was no way this incident was going to stay secret, I chose to embrace my misfortune and share it with the world.

Eventually I came to my senses, and while the video does not demonstrate any of my grace and courage (which I know I have deep down) I couldn’t help but share it. Once I got over the shock of it all, it’s actually really hilarious. I can’t stop watching it, it makes me laugh so much.

And yes I know, I know how lucky I am. You don’t have to tell me twice. I’ve heard enough scooter horror stories and seen enough tourists with leg bandages in SE Asia to know I was a complete idiot and it could have been so much worse. I was really lucky to escape with just a few scrapes, bruises, and one ruined top.

In the words of Georgia, I’ve never been more “on brand,” LOL.

However, once I showered and changed, I got back on the scooter and practiced until I was a lot better. Not sure what that says about me, but I knew if I didn’t try again straight away, I’d never go near a scooter again, and let me tell you, driving scooters is super fun! I wonder how hard I hit my head? Nevermind.

Braaaaap!

Make of this story what you will , and let my video be a warning to you. Scooter driving is fun but dangerous. Don’t be like me and think you can just teach yourself. Always wear a helmet, and for god’s sake buy travel insurance that covers things like scooters.

What about you? Have you driven a scooter in SE Asia? Would you? Any stories to share?

And one more time for good measure:

  View this post on Instagram

  Scootering in Bali is easy, they said…😳 (wait for it) @georgiarickard @laurenepbath

A post shared by Liz Carlson☀️Young Adventuress (@youngadventuress) on Feb 24, 2019 at 5:08pm PST

Images by Lauren Bath, videos by Georgia Rickard

The post That one time I crashed a scooter in Bali appeared first on Young Adventuress.

from Young Adventuress https://ift.tt/2GYyvVB

[sportsflu]

The Greatest Female Tennis Player of All Times, the African-American tennis professional, a twenty-three-time Grand Slam Champion, highest paid female athlete, holds World Number one ranking for 319 weeks and counting and also won ten Grand Slams in two separate decades, she is none other than Serena Williams. Her achievements are known to the world but the acts behind this glory and prestige are untold to many. The advent of the Williams sisters has remarked the inception of a new era of powerful tennis on the women’s side. So, here’s a glimpse of the road taken by the legend to ace her profession, bear the fruits of victory and preserve her success.

Her journey of tennis began in the year 1984 along with her elder sister Venus Williams on beaten courts of Compton, California. A goal was set in her mind to win the U.S. Open and began working towards that goal. In 1999, at the age of 17, the African-American woman pulled it off. Even now, the eminent athlete follows the same rule of success i.e., setting a goal and working towards it. She trains each day and wakes up every morning with a notion to win and train hard.

The ‘Never Give Up’ attitude has been her best friend, she went on tennis courts with a ball, a racquet and a hope and that’s all she had. A hunger to be the best in the field where she belonged and wanted to excel in that, she never gave up on tennis and now she inspires millions of others. With a World Number 304 ranking, she overpowered Monica Seles and Mary Pierce from the top ten rankings.

Serena never really dreamt of clinching 23 Grand Slam titles and never fixed any number. She just concentrated and focused on playing better tennis each day. She treats every match she gets to play as a bonus and feels blessed to participate in the match with all her elite fitness and strength. All this enables her to stay calm and composed which has been an essential component to attain huge success.

Serena is her own cheerleader, things were not handed to Serena, she worked fingers to her bone, with determination and discipline on and off the court. And predominantly the ‘self-believe’ played a pivotal role in her career to become the best tennis player. A self-supported tennis player, she says “If can do it, anyone can do it”, if ‘believe in yourself’ concept could win Grand Slam trophies, with this idea an individual could make their wildest of dreams come true.

Serena treats all her defeats emphatically and feels they are inevitable as she gets to learn new techniques out of that loss. No wonder she plays the best tennis player in the world, Williams always looks forward towards improving upon her skills from one match to another. She works on getting better and better with her game. She is a self-competitor and an epitome for a keen learner.

An athlete struggles with his/her body with injuries and health issues which affects them emotionally and psychologically, all because of the hindrance created towards not practicing their sport. Williams sometimes did contemplate upon picking up a tennis racquet again due to her dreadful health, but fortunately, with the grace of God, the positive and supportive vibes around her helped her to carry on with her constructive profession. Her parents, her coach and her sisters were always instrumental in spreading the positivity around her and family is always first to her. And she says “Tennis is just a game, family is forever.”

She is an athlete and an individual who lives in present and sets short-term goals. She’s least bothered about her future, she focuses her mind on the particular tournament she’s playing, the one match in which she is participating and indeed that single point she’s playing and strives to give her best in that particular event.

Serena never expected anything from tennis as she states, “Luck has nothing to do with it, I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for my one moment in time, not knowing when it would come.”

“I always felt like an underdog.

I was really small for my age and I was Venus Williams younger sister.

I always felt like, I was just fighting to make it.

I never felt that I would be great one day.

Training every day for 30 years is difficult, then also I think, someone is out there working really hard and there’s a poster on their wall of me, and they’re working to beat me.

With that I get up, I go, every day I’m sore, but that’s the life I chose.

So there’s obviously days I don’t feel like training, but there’s no day that goes by that I feel like losing.”

– Serena Jameka Williams

The post Serena Williams: Secrets of Success appeared first on SportsFlu.