#i think i might be 70% tea by now though

[kralrizzu]

[exhuastedpigeon]

Hi Han! buddie + 70 if it sparks joy? <3

Ali my dear, please enjoy 2k of fluff and smut.

We don't even have to try, it's always a good time Buddie || 2.2k || Explicit

Eddie was just minding his own business doing inventory when the door to the supply closet opened and Buck slipped in, closing the door quickly and quietly behind him. Usually, Buck sneaking off and finding Eddie alone meant he wanted to fool around, but they’d been much better about fooling around at work since Ravi walked in on them making out in the back of the ambulance.  They’d had to buy his silence with coffee from the good place, one halfway between Eddie's house and the station, for a month. Eddie wanted to avoid that happening again since it meant he’d had to cut back on his own fancy coffees that month. Buck had still always brought Eddie one when he did the Ravi coffee run though and it never failed to make Eddie grin when Buck slipped the cup into his hand.   “Can I help you?” Eddie asked, fighting back a smile because Buck looked a little bit like he’d just swallowed a lemon. He was pretty sure Buck wasn’t in here to touch his dick, not with that look on his face.  “I think that I may have made a tiny little mistake,” Buck said, reaching behind him to lock the door to the closet like he was expecting someone to come bursting in at any second and drag him off to prison.  “What did you do,” Eddie couldn’t help the laugh that slipped out. Eddie loved every version of Buck, but there was something extremely endearing about this Buck, so panicked over something that was probably not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.  “My life is at risk Eddie, you shouldn’t be laughing,” Buck said affronted, which only made Eddie laugh harder.   “What did you do, Buck?” Eddie put down his restocking checklist to give Buck his full attention. He did his best to school his face into a neutral expression, but he could feel a smile that tugged at his mouth.  “I might have finished Hen’s tea last shift and forgotten to add it to the grocery list so now there isn’t any for her and she’s really mad.” “Oh yeah, you are a dead man. It was really great knowing you,” Eddie kept his voice as deadpan as he could as he spoke.  “Eddie!” “Buck,” Eddie laughed again. “I’m sure Hen’s not that mad.” “Where the hell is that long legged motherfucker!” Hen’s voice got louder with each word she spoke, pausing outside of the supply closet before getting quieter as she walked away. “I’m going to make him drink the shitty store brand tea for the rest of his miserable life.”

continue on ao3

[dduane]

Hi! This might end up a super weird question, sorry in advance!

So just came across your twitter today and seeing your profile pic my brain is now convinced that you were the person who years ago shared this one really good bread recipe with oven baked garlic in it? Is it actually you? I tried to look through your tumblr but I didn't find anything so I'm so sorry if it's not you? But man that was the best bread I ever ate so I really want to find the recipe again! Thank you so much in advance... QvQ

No, it's not weird at all! Don't sweat it. :)

I've been baking for a long time, and have posted enough recipes now, here and there, that it's hard to keep track of them all sometimes. So I feel your pain. :)

...That said: I don't think I've done a recipe that involves actually baking garlic in the bread. ...Roasting garlic and then squeezing that into or onto already-baked bread, that I've seen around... though not in any of my own recipes. (Not that it's not a good idea: I just haven't been down that road myself.)

... @petermorwood just sent me this really quite sensual-looking garlic bread TikTok that does involve the roasted and squeezed-out garlic approach. I'll reblog it after this post, as I'm not sure how to pull the embed out of his.

Meanwhile, here's a garlic bread thread I did on Twitter some time back. (Pulling the images and contents into this post, because who knows what's going to happen to Twitter in the medium term...? But the thread starts here for those who want to link to that.)

"Tonight's garlic bread. Method follows. :) "

"...RIGHT. So this is based on many warmed-over/reheated Manhattan-based pizzeria dinners back in the 70s, when I was still doing hospital work and you were glad to either (a) reheat what you had from last night, or (b) make something very like it, but hotter and fresher.

"The basic approach: Buy in small cheap store-baked baguettes. (There is no POSSIBLE point in you using good homebaked bread on these. Buy cheaply made spongy bread that will SOAK UP THE GARLIC BUTTER SOONEST.)

"Slice each one more or less into five or six thickish slices (NOT all the way through, just 5/6 of the way to the back of the loaf.) Warm them a bit in the oven or microwave if they're cold.

"Mix together: Six to eight cloves of freshly chopped garlic: at least 300g but maybe more like 500g of butter. Some coarse-ground pepper: some salt: a little bit of onion powder. Herbs to your preference (oregano, parsley, whatever...).

"Additionally, as we did tonight: brown 6-8 slices of bacon by your preferred method. (I did it in the microwave because I could *not be arsed* to get involved with the frying pan.)

"Set up each sliced baguette in a piece of foil big enough to fold loosely around it (to keep the butter in) and undo without a whole lot of trouble. Pry the bread slices apart and stuff at least a teaspoon of butter or two between each pair of slices. (OR MORE.)

"(In our tonight-variant: Stuff a crumbled slice of bacon into the garlic butter between each slice.) Preheat the oven to sort of 180C/375F. Put each baguette and its foil in a baking tray. Shove the whole business into the oven and give them 10 minutes or so with the foil on.

"Pull the garlic breads out and unfold the foil from around them. Shove them back into the oven and give them another 10 minutes, keeping a close eye on them so they won't burn. (f you want to put some cheese on top of one, this is your time.)

"Pull them out and let them cool enough not to destroy the human beings intending to eat them. After they cool (if anything's left) put a *faintly damp* tea-towel/dishtowel over them to keep them nice. If coming to them again later, heat them gently at first, then FIERCELY.

"...And now the pics. Mine:

"His (with the cheese):

...The roasted-garlic garlic bread follows in the next post. :)

("Why is this shot like a porno?" someone says plaintively in the comments. Well, why indeed? And why not.)

[sssssoelly]

Asking them to buy feminine hygiene product!

Kazemai's ver.(?) [Fem!reader]

Advance apologies for repeated words (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )

Enjoy the read!

---

Onogi Kaito

-In my opinion, without a doubt, would blush RED after the request came out of your mouth or reading the text you sent.

-He grew up with two older sisters, based on the anime I'm just guessing that the youngest sister undeniably must have had him run to the store to get her pads when she rans out of it.

-Kaito will throw a fit just for the show but since it's emergency, for his s/o nonetheless, he'll throw his ego and embarrassment to the side and run to the store.

-He doesn't strike me as a person who will stays there for longer than he could have, details on what to be bought sent, find it, buy it and run back to you.

'This darn thing, why is there so many!? Where the heck is this brand's section!?'

-Cursing himself and the situation while he's looking for it, grouchy face caught the other customers attention that they don't even try to get close to the aisle, opting to wait for him to get the hell out of the store first before doing so.

-Despite him acting like that, Kaito would also probably went to grab few things like snacks and ice creams on the way, based on what he remembers how his sisters behaved before.

--

Yamanouchi Ryouhei

-Cute and bubbly Ryouhei absolutely will turns red all over, letting out cute surprised screech over the request. He has a sister who hasn't leave the house in some amount of time, it would be a normal errand to run for his sister -if his mother isn't available to do it.

-To him, a family member asking for the favour is fine and normal, but for his s/o to ask for such help is a big deal! It is a whole new world or experience all over!

-Though he will be getting undoubtedly shy and timid as if its his first time buying feminine products, he will get it done instantly. Entering the same aisle he been going to whenever he's out to get snacks and restock his sister's necessities, now it feels different. It is for different relation, different brand, different, different, different!

-If Ryouhei could not finds it, albeit his sudden timidness, he's not afraid to ask for the staff's helps.

"Excuse me! Where could I find this type of brand?"

"I'll be coming to you soon! Do you need anything else? How about this chocolate? My nee-san has always asked for this whenever her cycle starts"

--

Takehaya Seiya

-Personally to me I don't think Seiya would give it that much of a thought.

-Until he reached the store, despite having been told the exact brands and types, Seiya will be calculating curiously on how each of them differs diving deep on the materials.

'What if the company just decided to stops producing this type of pads/tampons, I wonder if she has alternatives to this if that ever happens. I need to do some research.'

-Getting back to you to give the products, Seiya will be asking you questions related to his inquiries, what makes you choose the brand, do you not use another, etc

-Seiya might not be the one using it, but your comfort, both of you need to be prepared -is what he thinks. He's knowledged enough to know basic things and cares for this stuff, the cramps, the tendency for females negative emotions will often take place during the cycle, the changes in appetite, etc.

-He will personally searches for things that could comfort and put the pain at ease, not really depending on the thoughts of making you dependant to medications -teas, chocolates, hot packs.

"I've checked reviews online, about 70% of them agrees that brand X's product shares the same comfort as the brand that you're using, want to try that out later?"

"It appears in studies that chocolates could help with the cramps, make sure you eat these later okay?"

--

Kisaragi Nanao

-Obviously, unquestionably won't bat an eye on your request. Nanao grew up with two younger sisters, the opposite of Kaito but surely enough he had faced same situation as Kacchan did without being forced  and will completely understand the heavyness, desperation and his sisters' feelings that leads him to sometimes volunteer to restock them.

"Oi~" His voice ringing inside of the house calling for his sisters. "Nii-chan will be going to get groceries, do you need to restock your stuffs?"

-Nanao won't feel an ounce of awkwardness or embarrassment going to the store straight to the feminine hygiene aisle and browse around, sometimes staying for too long in curiousity of those wings, non-wings, liners and stuff.

Looking at the endless rows of feminine products that his eyes started to hurts due to the bright packaging as he whispered to himself, "Does the wings and non-wings type makes that much of a difference when you wear it? Hmmmm, why is that one so small?"

-He also strikes me as the type of boyfriend who keeps pads on him, literally like in all the bags that he uses will have one of your favourite brand.

It was on your date after the training camp, the both of you went to the mall, having fun until you felt the dampness on your underwear that you excused yourself. Nanao was waiting outside the toilet for you when he got the LINE text from you.

"My cycle starts, I'm sorry but could you grab me some pads? I'm really sorry! >-<;;"

"Just pads are you sure? I could grab some new undergarments too 🐸"

"Just pads is fine!"

A second after Nanao grabs a female stranger that just came out of the toilet asking if he could get inside to assist you, which melt the older female's heart. She announced it in the toilet and the occupants doesn't seem to mind, the elders looking closely at him making sure he's not doing anything funny.

"(Y/N) which stall are you using?"

A meek voice came out one of the stall, Nanao went infront of it and opens his small sling bag getting a pad out handing it to you. "How is it? Do you need my jacket?"

-Nanao will, without a doubt, assure you that it is a small matter, one that you shouldn't feel burdened nor be embarrassed to ask him for his help.

--

Narumiya Minato

-Will most probably be shy at first when you asks for his help but since it can't be helped -emergency request, the most important thing would be his s/o's comfort rather than his embarrassment right?

- Minato are the one who took care of things back at his home since his father most of the time were busy working, ever since his mother passed away, he took the reign to take care of things at home. He's the one who cleans the house and cooks the meals, it is only natural that he is also the one taking care of groceries.

- Hence him knowing the time for their local markets' sales schedule -date and time. For Minato who probably remembers the store like the back of his hand, in all likelihood has been avoiding the feminine care aisle all his life.

-Getting to the store he will know where to go right away without wasting any time, though upon reaching the aisle he is very likely to feel really awkward as his eyes wanders around to find said products that you asked for -brands, size, types and all.

-To presume that he might gets confused and everything, Minato won't wont let anything deters him from asking the staff or any female customer down the aisle.

'Sixteen pads for each small package for this brand, if I buy two of this... It's ten cent cheaper than the bigger package of 24...'

'What else would someone on their cycle would need other than this, hmmm...'

---

I've been catching up on finishing one work in progress that has been collecting dust since October last year, it's currently 70% done I'd say.

I want to write more and post it! But it gets longer the more I type(?) it ૮₍ ˃ ⤙ ˂ ₎ა I'm still an amateur after all! Thank you for voting, commenting and adding this book to your reading list! ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚

Posting is fun! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و  Will be going on a vacation soon, so it will probably won't be done anytime soon! ૮₍ ˶•⤙•˶ ₎ა

Thanks for the reads! Stay hydrated and eat well dear readers (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

[bliphany]

The Coffee was not drugged. The Coffee reflected how we related to our own and other people's free will (of making one’s own choice)

So I read this post and agreed with it so much I felt myself vibrating. After a few hours of thinking about it, I wanted to ramble more under op’s post, initially, but found that it grew way too long. So, I decided to make a separate post.

After two months since Good Omens season 2 finale, my view of various theories/metas concerning the final fifteen minutes is that, I am okay with most of them as long as they don't erase Aziraphale’s agency.

Did Aziraphale genuinely want to fix Heaven with Crowley but with Crowley’s strong refusal he took the second best thing he thought he could get? I’m fine with that.

Did Aziraphale tried to fix Heaven to make it worthy of Crowley, the world he loved, and his idea of real goodness (he wouldn’t see the world suffer if he could help it) and with the newly-gained information of Second Coming he made his choice even though it broke his heart? I liked this a lot. It was my initial thought right after the finale and I’m still about 65-70% standing by this take.

Did Aziraphale lie to gain more wiggle room in an urgent, intense, and limited-resource situation while due to his own and Crowley’s backgrounds and characteristics they also hurt each other in the process? YES YES YES. Right now this is my favorite interpretation because it’s a realistic and complex bag of limitation/repression from the system, individual’s agency despite of it, free will and choices (never means we won’t make mistakes but always means we can still choose to do something), and their mutual (mis)understandings and relationship dynamics. It’s SO GOOD. It can lead to so many possibilities. It has its depth and enough twist for both characters and the audience. It well-reflected our world and can bring valuable discussions.

Was there something we weren’t shown and actually Aziraphale and Crowley had come up with some plan? I’m okay with that it might be fun.

What I personally don’t want (aside from “oh it’s all God’s plan God wanted them to love each other God is one of us”… but that’s another post I guess…) is to erase the weight of Aziraphale’s choice at the end of Season 2, along with all the good and bad and everything in between it could bring to the table and all the valuable exploration of “how could we thrive to make hard choices even (especially) under limited circumstances, with "a cup of coffee."

I believe that coffee did mean something though...

"Give me Coffee/Freedom or give me death."

Coffee means freedom to choose and free will. Coffee/freedom which Aziraphale was half-forced to take, meaning the “free” choice pushed upon you weren’t as “free” as it seemed after all. Especially true under our current capitalism world, wasn't it? But it was not completely drunk without Aziraphale's agency, either. Coffee/freedom which Crowley asked six shots of. Coffee/freedom which Nina served every day but still on her way to break free from a previous not-free situation. Coffee/freedom which Ms. Sandwich claimed tasted better when Nina was happy.

I think it's also worth mentioning that, Aziraphale served Muriel tea and demonstrated how to drink it but respected their choice not to drink just yet. Aziraphale invited Jim/Gabriel to have a cup of cocoa which Jim/Gabriel described as the best thing ever.

The coffee was not drugged. The coffee was a metaphor of many different ways people could relate to their free will and ability/responsibility to choose.

The most interesting part was, theoretically, we people praise free will, we value choices, and we love love characters to have their agency...

Until they made a choice that we personally don't like, against our point of view, or hurt us.**

**This is also why I never truly believed Crowley would Refuse Aziraphale with capital R in canon... Crowley was definitely heartbroken, but between the two of them, he was also the one who valued and respected people making their own choices more. We saw he did that again and again even when he didn't personally agree. The only once he "took" away others choice in canon was to prevent a suicide.**

Then, that was free will no more. We'd framed it as if said individual was nonconsensual. Or the relationship must be bad or unhealthy. Which was understandable, emotionally, but that was also exactly the point of people having free will, wasn't it?

Giving people agency means acknowledging that they are different individuals from us. There's connection. There's love. There's devotion. They're still their own person just like we are our own. Giving people freedom to choose means they might, will, and should be allowed to choose differently. If their choices break our hearts. Well, they break our hearts. That happens because people are people.

People can't truly choose/love us freely if they aren't also given the freedom to not choose/love us. (Not saying Aziraphale and Crowley didn’t love each other because they definitely do. I’m just saying, they’ve been co-shaping humanity from the start of course they would act more and more like people, and to paraphrase what Adam once said, it made no sense to make people people and then be mad at them when they acted like, well, people)

Ursula Le. Guin wrote this short story called "Nine Lives" and it was about real, meaningful connections were created by reaching out a hand in the dark, without knowing for sure whether there would be other people to reach back.

It’s a practice. To love and to love under the blessing and curse of free will choice.

Idk I’m just… the “coffee was drugged theory” especially didn’t make sense to me personally, because Good Omens has always been a story about human free will.

[alicole-sideblog]

show!Criston is 70% Arys Oakheart by volume

Criston Cole's references in the series proper are:

AFFC, chapter 13, "The Soiled Knight" (Arys Oakheart)

AFFC, chapter 16, "Jaime II" (Jaime Lannister)

For ages I was just looking at the quotes in isolation on asearchoficeandfire.com. If you look at just the lines where they namedrop Criston, what stands out is that Arys judges Criston harshly, while Jaime has a more nuanced read on him.

However, I finally took the time to re-read the fuller context. What's glaringly obvious that the Arys chapter was undoubtedly the biggest inspiration for the direction the show took with the Criston and Rhaenyra thing.

Arys chapter summary: He meets with Princess Arianne, who he's having an affair with. He feels really guilty about the affair and tells her so, trying to end it. Arianne brushes that off. She tries to recruit him for her plot to make Myrcella queen; he says no; she's like, "You're being very Criston Cole right now." She talks about how her (actually quite indulgent) dad is being shitty and wants to disinherit her, and everyone's plotting against her, so she needs Arys on her side. He relents and agrees to the Myrcella plot.

Does this sound familiar, by chance?

I mean look at this — more than half this dialogue could be given to show!Rhaenyra and show!Criston verbatim!

Arys: It had been ten years since . . . I never touched a woman until you, not since I took the white. I never knew what love could be, yet now . . . I am afraid. Arianne: What would frighten my white knight? Arys: I fear for my honor, and for yours. Arianne: I can tend to my own honor. [...] You are not your white cloak, ser. Arys: I am. I am my cloak. And this must end, for your sake as well as mine. If we should be discovered . . . Arianne: Men will think you fortunate. Arys: Men will think me an oathbreaker. What if someone were to go to your father and tell him how I'd dishonored you? [...] Arianne: My father is very good at doing nothing. He calls it thinking. Tell me true, ser, is it my dishonor that concerns you, or your own? Arys: Both. That is why this must be our last time. [...] I swore a vow . . . Arianne: . . . not to wed or father children. Well, I have drunk my moon tea, and you know I cannot marry you. Though I might be persuaded to keep you for my paramour. Arys: Now you mock me.

They're doing a little irony: The one who kinda identifies with Criston (Jaime) is less like him, while the one who reviles him (Arys) is more like him.

[delicatebluebirdruins]

the creeping shadow first read

books 1&2, book 3

one day i will have a solid grasp on what to name these... not this day (this was my first book of 2024 i was reading it during Jooles Hootenany and was like two chapters? away from the end? i have no idea wish i made a note oh well)

this book is an ex library from somewhere called Snodland. SNODLAND. i just want to laugh.

5 Emma Marchment ghost hunting with mirrors which is actually really fun

13 Wan Tina, Medicore Ted and Jumpy Dave. Hello [temporary] team mates 14 "concerned about supervisors that they never acted like proper teams" it must be very hard to rely on people to keep you alive but you also have to rely on adults most of the time (what happened with Lucy in her home town being an extreme case of the unique hardships that brings)

21 "hey there's nothing disgusting about random body parts" lmao skull

33 Dave is the only one who has rights. (and he and Lucy being little shits is so funny)

39 the skull had a point about the flower pot

43 "the slim and elegant figure of Holly Munro standing picturesquely beside him [Lockwood]" detect a little jealous and bit of yearning for Lockwood

49 "[Lockwood] and that girl were still on a high when they came in. Quite exhilarated. Laughing and giggling together." a little hurt and jealousy electric boogaloo

53 Skull and Lucy in a flatshare situation (i need Lockwood's pov)

58 the skull feels bad for Lucy

60 the shock of seeing Lockwood at her door is great. His smile "it was warm but somewhat hesitant, as if it hadn't been recently used. It was the smile I'd hazily imagined a hundred times; only now it was real, solid, meant just for me" this entire bit so much is said but not outright you know?

her spiel about his chosen tie and her own thoughts about her reaction also the laundry bag and Lockwood holding it is so i would rather die (hilarious to think about this scene happening in the show just in general but imagine if we got this scene AND they kept the towel scene in the show)

66 "Making tea is a ritual that stops the world from falling in on you" I just like all the quotes about tea

70 first off I want to know what was said when Lockwood "growing angry with me at last" and just laugh at Lucy imagining him going down on bended knee asking her to return to the company

82 "what could it be?... not a date surely?- the boy's got eyes" the skull my love

92 this is awkward

96 just the entire bit about crackers is so funny

100 Penelope is a locklyle shipper so one of us (also this would be so great in the show as it would be following the "you feel safe with him"

103 "I didn't feel bad about the fib though. I'd been lied to as well"

104 the Rotwell mascot is called Roger? also the posters are great

108 the heck? the mummified head Lucy finds at the start of the book is not destroyed?

111 I love this chat with Holly but what was she going to ask "I was going to ask you about -whether you found- oh good, and here are the boys too" like come on what was it?

121 KIPPS!

146 talking about the skull is so funny

152 snapshots of the past

157 compliments "I couldn't help smiling back at him. Compliments from Lockwood were always nice to hear"

163 creepy "the sound of teeth clacking together" this is horrible

173 Locklyle "thank goodness for you Lucy... I can always rely on you"

176 Lockwoood is more reckless and George upset about it and Lucy

182 Uh oh spaghettios Lucy's flat has been broken into

188 Harold might have done it?

195 love this bit "strange how close the darkness is, even when things seem brightest. Even in the glare of a summer noon, when the pavement bakes and the iron fences are hot to the touch, the shadows are still with us"

203 Harold is dead gods

215 Lockwood seeing Lucy appear at her doorstep is also something i want to see his pov on

221 talking about Holly staying over and Lucy feeling a little hurt by it

234 lmao Lockwood and George's superior nursing skills. and the second client of the day.

241 "creeping shadow" roll credits

248 nice relaxing moment in the garden

261 i love the spirit capes 269 I love disguises

281 the skull is so funny

283 "I've missed you so much Lucy" Lockwood said that and I yell and rereading it now my only though is he blurted that out and barreled on not letting Lucy respond (she wanted to)

290 Mr Johnson? hello 292 Hi Adelaide (i really like that name)

301 capes and Lockwood putting one on Lucy first.

315 Information on Rotwell

323 "there is a battle to be won - not simply against ghost, but against death itself" hm interesting

331 Castle! can't wait

342 punch the boy also considered by Lockwood

354 At last the goggles are being used

363 should have locked Reverend Skinner in his rooms

370 aw Lucy just happy to be with Lockwood

379 Rotwell is an ass

389 poor lady and this would be horrifying to see on screen

395 hi buddy 397 them holding hands is so cute

(the Iron Chain) 407 technically you guys walked into the Black Library at Fittes.

414 helpful Lockwood "the hole's between those two black posts"

417 "it was the desisive action. once through, we could never take it back." uh oh

426 Lockwood's orders is great 435 oh my god 437 holy shit

442 the skull remains a little shit 446 guys that was a little close

450 good job ghosts avoiding Guppy and just the Locklyle of it all

459 I am nervous

464 oh god Lucy 469 SKULL! "his grin, which gleamed sardonically even in the swirling dusk and was somehow most familiar"

474 GO ON GEORGE "he's like a whirling dervish" 477 HUGS between Lucy and Holly

481 saving Kipps and the imagery is cool

484 kick Rotwell's ass!

(practically thinking how they would adapt this scene in the show this has a lot of working parts more than the Winkman fight because there is more people, practical affects, special affects and having it in a probable 8 episode season would not do it justice)

489 lmao Lucy and Lockwood deciding to give Georgie the last biscuit/ barrel

499 Lucy understands now

501 thanks Mr Skinner 504 Barnes asking them to be safe aw

511 intense eye contact

518 Sir Rupert and Penelope is in their kitchen

520 Yikes 528 the skulls parting words had a "I beg your pardon" from me.

[spade-riddles]

Submission: I was scrolling through The L Chat Taylor thread and came across this:

I then hopped over to Reddit where there was a recent post discussing this older one, asking if it had ever been solved. A commenter suggested the OP search the sub for CIB to view previous potential CIB answers.

CIB = Coney Island Baby

I did that myself and found a post from two years ago (so from before the CIB/disco dancing post). The post talks about a possible relation between Taylor's Coney Island song and a song by another artist, Lou Reed's Coney Island Baby. That post went on to abbreviate the song as "CIB" which to me seems like it would be the obvious connection for the SpecialistAmbition77 post.

Now this may be confirmation bias, but if this SA77 poster was legit, then I think disco dancing would be the Met Gala where Karlie and Taylor danced to September. Which was later shown to be significant when Taylor recorded a cover of the same song later.

And when I saw that CIB might mean Coney Island Baby, that also seemed familiar. Not only does the song match up pretty well to the general theme of Midnights, but the name Coney Island Baby reminded me of this Tea Time message:

Now I know Tea Time was never 100% determined to have been legitimate. But they did clue us in about the Kurt Kloss/Dorthea connection. And when I was hunting down the Tea Time Isla message, I also found this one:

Interesting that this throwback message came exactly a year before Midnights dropped. Interesting that they specifically said "who says TEA TIME nowadays" and then a year to the day later Anti-hero would be dropped.

Now today we have this from Vulture, highlighting Primrose Hill again:

To be honest, I'm still not sure what Primrose Hill is about other than that it may have proved Tea Time's authenticity. But look at this from Reed's Coney Island Baby:

This whole song parallels Midnights quite nicely. But what really caught my eye was that princess lived on the HILL and loved the song's narrator even though she knew they were wrong. In the context of the song, I believe "wrong" is referring to the non-straight nature of the relationship. But it also reminds me of Anti-hero and even The Great War (and how Karlie never stopped loving Taylor even when she was in the wrong). Was it Karlie who stayed on Primrose HILL with Taylor? And now they share their Coney Island Baby, aptly named Isla? We still don't know enough to definitively prove that, but it is all an interesting thought.

Also, this about the song from Genius is pretty interesting:

Something else that I found interesting is that Lou Reed's Coney Island Baby album was released in 1975. Could this have inspired Taylor to make Midnights have a 70's look? And she recently performed with The 1975, but that was probably more due to the Kissgate connection than a CIB album one.

Anyway, there's no way of knowing if SA77 was legit or a troll. But the possible connections between SA77, Coney Island Baby, the Tea Time throwback message one year before Midnights/Anti-hero, and now Primrose Hill popping up again all seemed too suspicious to let pass without noting it.

P. S.: I went down this rabit hole in the early morning of 3/22. Later that day, People magazine mentioned Toe would be traveling with Taylor when he was free.

When I started this rabbit hole, I thought it was the girls dropping hints on other platforms about their true story and their own CIB. But after the People and Vulture articles, I feel like there's a strong chance that it's Karlie who resides on Primrose Hill with Taylor. Should we see Taylor travel back and forth to London throughout this stunt, should we see those who doubt praise Toe against all reason, I believe we should keep in mind that it could also be Karlie who Taylor comes home to on Primrose Hill.

[crestfallercanyon]

WEEKLY TAG WEDNESDAY

Thank you Evie!! These are always delightful to do (even if I am usually late/forget — oops) @energievie ❤️❤️

—

name: crest

age: mid-to-late-20s

star sign: Pisces

your first language: English

second language: I used to be conversational in Spanish, now I get by.

favourite lip product: medicated chapstick and a mauve lipstick I’ve had for forever

the best food dish you can make without a recipe:Jambalaya, probably. Or chicken and green bean casserole.

If you drink tea, what kind? Tea both iced and hot are my drinks of choice, I drink black tea, and I mainly stick to earl greys, bergamots, kind of floral ish (I do not like fruit flavored for hot teas at all).

If you drink coffee, what roast do you usually get? Medium roast. I put half and half in my coffee and I like the richness — if I get light it tastes too much like milk.

favourite thing to watch on youtube right now: I’ve been watching Fantasy High Dimension 20 and I’m dying over it (you’ve probably been seeing me reblog fandom stuff from it if you follow me lmao) — and I’d be remiss not to talk about the video I watch probably once a week, which is a very specific games done quick of a nostalgic Nintendo game. It’s my cozy comfort video.

favourite thing to watch on youtube in 2012: oh god — I was a nerd-fighter for sure (vlogbrothers), I also watched Meekakitty (Tessa Violet) and Charlieissocoollike (that may have even pre-dated 2012, that might have been like 08 lmao) and likely many more.

favourite item of clothing right now: a brown and gray plaid short coat.

favourite item of clothing in 2012: i had a pair of corduroy rocket dog sneakers that I still own because I do love them, they’ve just been stitched back together so many times lol

fandom

three movies you recommend: Steel Magnolias, Life as a House, The Birdcage

your favourite concert: oh so many good ones, but watching Kevin Garrett respond to a fan who asked “do you have any happy songs?” with, “you walked into the wrong concert, brother, but I’ll try — this one’s kind of happy” and proceed to play a song about desperate heartache and heartbreak and fragility of youth was the funniest thing I’d ever seen and was also beautiful.

have you ever unfollowed someone over a fandom opinion? Not really — I’ve only really unfollowed people for a) being rude to other people’s fandom preferences and b) being endlessly and needlessly negative.

have you ever left a fandom because of the fans? No, but I do kind of stick to smaller fandoms.

the best tv show you watched last year: The Bear. It was phenomenal and I’m scared and excited for S3.

do you have a fancasting you just can’t let go of? Not really the same but I want Will Poulter to take over Armie Hammer’s role in The Man From UNCLE because that movie was great and I wish it had a sequel but it never will because AH is a fucking creep, but, unlike Armie Hammer, Will Poulter seems like a great guy and he’d do the role so fucking well, I just want it.

a ship you’ve abandoned: I’m sure I have one? But I can’t think of it.

on a scale of 1-10 how willing are you to share your ao3 history? Maybe a 5? I don’t actually read much these days, I’ve been kind of busy. If you ask me what I’ve liked though I’m not shy about telling you.

do you have a fandom tattoo? (do you want one?) no and the only one I would consider getting is from a book I know I will always love, like Piranesi or This is How You Lose the Time War, and I have no idea what I’d get from those.

what fandom do you wish was bigger? I actually kind of like my fandoms small, the video game Transistor by Supergiant Games is beautiful and I want to talk about it with people dammit.

has a finale ever ruined a show for you? Yes. Game of Thrones for sure. Dexter (though I don’t think I could rewatch it anyway). I agree with you Evie, That 70s Show’s ending was horrid! How I Met Your Mother, as well.

have you…

swam in an ocean? Yes, got absolutely wrecked once.

ever been vegan/vegetarian? no

gone skinny dipping? Nope.

gone skiing? Yes! Both water and snow.

been to a convention? Yes, in high school I was vice president of my library’s teen reading club (I was also in band and a theater kid so nice to meetcha I am a super nerd) and because of this our club got to go with my librarians to the fanciest hotel I’ve ever stayed in which hosted the most amazing convention ever of Indie Booksellers and I met Maggie Stiefvater and got Rainbow Rowell’s advanced reader’s copy of Eleanor and Park (think I’m dating myself here lol) and a couple of other amazing authors and talked poets and librarians and publishers and booksellers and I don’t think any convention will EVER surpass that experience.

—

Tagging: @mybrainismelted , @callivich , @gallawitchxx , @michellemisfit , @whatthebodygraspsnot , @sam-loves-seb , and ANYONE else who’d like to play!!!

[the-diabolist]

Breeding perhaps, for the kink thing?

In addition to a simple yes, no, or maybe, I think there are three main subtypes of this kink: animalistic appeal, claiming appeal, and reproductive appeal.

Yes

Vincent - I think when he's older, he'll be 3 for 3 on this. As it stands now, he's definitely into the animalistic and claiming aspects. He is a werewolf, after all.

Mason - actually is 3 for 3. It's a natural compulsion, it feeds into his territorial inclinations, and hey, if you do actually give him a kid? He doesn't mind a bit.

Jack - 30% animalistic, 70% claiming. He doesn't actually want a kid, but the thought of making one with you is kinda fun. He just wants you to be his his his, and this is an aspect of that.

Maybe

Strade - maybe sometimes, and purely possessive. It's just another way to claim you. Doesn't hate the idea of a kid, but only because it would keep you bonded to him in a way that's incredibly difficult to break.

Ren - this might be a big one for him when he's a bit older, for all three reasons. Though it's a little less "claiming" and a little more "security" - you won't ever leave him if you have a kid together, right?

Cain - big on the claiming part, not so big on the other two. Probably doesn't want a kid. Happy to play along if this is a kink of yours, though.

No

Rire - just not really a thing with him; he has other games he'd rather play. No little demonlings for him!

Sano - doesn't want kids (yet, anyway), the whole thing kinda icks him. He'll try to talk the talk if you want, but his heart's not in it.

Lawrence - it's not that he can't be dominant, but this particular style isn't his cup of tea. Also, terrified of children.

Celia - kids don't really fit into her lifestyle preferences. She'll play along if you want, but she feels a little silly.

Derek - has been warned about baby-trapping since he was a kid, so you're on a birth control implant for sure. Doesn't even want to engage in the dirty talk.

[youngeditor1999]

I feel like a spiritual sequel to “80 for Brady” would be “Draft Dodgers for Rodgers” in which 4 ancient hippies from the Vietnam era (Steve Buscemi, Geoffrey Rush, Al Pacino, John Goodman) sneak across the border from Canada in an attempt to watch fellow hippie Aaron Rodgers get to his second Super Bowl at age 54. Martin Kove plays a hard nosed yet incompetent cop trying to catch them. Bakh and Cobb are there too. Christopher Walken makes an appearance because it’s that kind of movie. There’s at least 1 extended ayahuasca hallucination scene. Everybody ends up getting covid

Alright, anon, here I am, ✨FINALLY✨ publishing your amazing and funny idea!!!

It took me a minute (ok, a few days...👀🤭😜💓) because I wanted to find clips and pictures for all of everything you have describe. 😊🌟💯🔥

First and foremost, I would so go see this movie if it were real. (For context, I saw 80 for Brady the weekend it was released because of course I did 😅💞)

This idea overall sounds silly, entertaining a.f. and all around like a good time!!

To add onto your idea:

It would at least have to be rated PG-13, especially because of the ayahuasca hallucination scene. I also suspect that there will be a bit of swearing, heavy partying and drinking, too. PLUS not to mention that they are on the run from the law and that will provide a whole 'nother set of mischievous/dubious acts. 😏😉😝

Real quick, for those who might not know, this is what Google says the definition of "ayahuasca" is:

"A South American psychoactive and entheogenic brewed drink traditionally used both socially and as a ceremonial or shamanic spiritual medicine among the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin, and more recently in North America and Europe."

(In other words, hippie tea 😅☮️🫖🍵)

Now, as for who's gonna direct this amazing monstrosity, I have pulled together three options.

There's Kyle Marvin, who directed 80 for Brady.

Then I have Peter Segal, who directed two of my personal favorites, Tommy Boy and 50 First Dates.

Last but not least, there's Dennie Gordon as an option. Dennie was the director of the first Joe Dirt movie (comedy writer Fred Wolf directed the second).

Either one of these three would be wonderful and would understand that there is a more deeper heart and soul in the middle of this otherwise goofy flick. (:

Next:

Anon, you and I seem to understand each other, so I'm gonna go ahead and say that we can be co-screenwriters and executive producers for this!!!

If we really were out to make this, that is. 🤭😊🤓

ALSO!!! Draft Dodgers for Rodgers is an EXCELLENT title; I love it a lot and am really proud of you for coming up with this title (and the idea in general, of course!!)!!

Now, before moving on to everything else, I must discuss this film's soundtrack.

Clearly there's gonna be a lot of classic rock and older country tunes because that's the era that these men are from.

The classic rock is not gonna be anything too rough/screamy/meataly, though...I'm primarily thinking about stuff from the mid 60's and most of the 70's. Cover songs from and during this era are absolutely acceptable. 😌

Also, because this is an Aaron Rodgers movie, there has got to be a few Taylor Swift songs mixed in as well!!

I don't know if he can, but Aaron can try to pick put his top three tracks from each album/era as songs to possibly put into the overall end product.

And you know what, while we're at it...

Dolly Parton recorded a new, original song specifically for 80 for Brady so whose to say that Taylor couldn't do the same for this movie?!

Her fans, Aaron included, would be very likely to love it, no matter what it sounds like. (:

Now, to address all of your points...!!

I'd like to take a moment to share the other ask you sent me after I wrote this (the first post, hehe).

Replacing Geoffrey Rush with Jeff Bridges was a really great call; I'm so glad that you remembered Aaron's obsession with The Big Lebowski and the exact sweater that he copied from that movie!!! For everyone's viewing pleasure, here is Aaron wearing said sweater next to a still of Jeff's character (named The Dude) wearing the sweater.

Also, I wouldn't be me if I didn't find pictures of the rest of this hypothetical cast, just so that everyone knows for sure what these guys look like.

Top Left: Jeff Bridges

Top Right: Al Pacino

Middle Left: Steve Buscemi

Middle Middle: John Goodman

Middle Right: Martin Kove

Bottom Left: Christopher Walken

(And yes, that is a picture of Geoffrey Rush (bottom right) because even though Jeff Bridges replaced him, people still deserve to know he looks like in case they don't!!)

Additionally, saying that Weird Al should perform his Jeopardy Song was brilliant!! Fans of Aaron know that he loves Jeopardy and even got the chance to participate in some game, as seen here and here. (He also had the opportunity to host once, but the only clip that I could find of that was this. 😩)

P.S.-Here is the Jeopardy song for those who don't know it 🙂

THIS IS PART ONE!!!

I'm gonna reblog for Part Two because I have a few more pictures to share but for some reason, Tumblr won't let me add any more photos to this current post. 😒🙄☹️

[sybilius]

❤️✍️👓🦋🔮

❤️ What is your favorite line that you’ve written in a fic?

After all I was so afraid of that, and I didn’t know.

The stories don't mean shit, it's the moments, grey moment slipping through fingers like sand-- god.

Blondie was so ready to die for this-- just walk right into danger because I asked. Of all the things I owe him, I don’t know if I can stomach another apology.

He could have endured a quiet, wordless death in the grave of our habits.

I’d kill for that now-- or I wouldn’t.

See it’s really the second to last line that I remember the most – but it hits better with a little context. It hits very well in the context of the story, and it’s knife-twist agony in the rest of the series, but the kind I find extremely satisfying. From The Grey Desert Mythos. 

✍️ What’s your ideal writing setup?

Lately, in my study, on my laptop! I used to be very versatile out of necessity about writing on my phone, but since the pandemic forced me off the bus commute, I’ve become adapted to having a full keyboard for my fingers to tip tap along with. I like to write with an easy to drink liquid on hand– tea or water in the mornings, a light alcoholic drink and water in the evening.

👓 What helps you focus when you write?

My own notes, and setting little time goals to write in. I used to do sprints a lot in groups, and doing something like that usually helps me get over the initial hump of starting to write. 

🦋 Which character is your favorite to write?

Honestly, my favourite character to write is usually the current POV character for the fic I’m writing right now! So in that case that’d be Saki Akai, or Katsuyori Shibata. If we go by longtime most time spent thinking about them, probably Angel Eyes; though you’d have to count two different characters there anyways (Angel Eyes from 70s AU is most assuredly not the same guy as Angel Eyes from Tweechik). 

🔮 Any advice for writers working through burnout or writer’s block?

My number one piece of advice is always Give it Permission to be Bad. Tell yourself whatever you need to in order to make it important enough that you start writing it, but silly enough that you’re not afraid of how the first draft will look. An idea that I cannot Give Permission to Be Bad is one that I will not end up writing. If all of my ideas Need to Be Good, Immediately, I need to maybe eat something and then give myself a gentle talk about Why I Think That. Usually it’s easy to bat away that kind of thinking with food and the reminder that It’s Fanfiction Goddamnit. A fic writer I liked quite a bit used to call her work “pig fiction” in an affectionate way– I still will remind myself, yes you are an Auteur but your genre is Pig Fiction so commit to making your slop. 

I think the other piece of advice is give yourself enough time between rereads of your work to be a generous reader and a focused editor. Especially when you’re pushing through This Is Bad But I’m Writing It Anyways feelings, you want to get some time away from those feelings so you can look at your work with a curious eye for tinkering. 

This process is also a slow approach to writing fanfiction that necessitates taking some time with it all – so it might be a good guard against burnout too. Anyways, that’s my soapboxing. Thanks for sending so many <333! Was fun to answer!

[basslinegrave]

tagged by: @unlimitedhorsepower

thx for the tag, i like every chance i get to talk about myself 💪 though i forgot about this so posting this a bit late lol

🟩favorite color: lately its a lime green? i never could decide on a specific color and went for color combos, in this case i also like black and white or black and lime green, i also like black in general when picking out things i go for black colored ones

🙊currently reading: halfway into the abridged version of JTTW... put on hold until i have the brain capacity for it. they barely only started journeying.. its gonna take me 14 years to read thru to make it more realistic

🎧last song you listened to: spotify says KUMARI - JILUKA, i dont think i listened to them before, i just like how Boogie looks (other members too) so im familiar with the band but this was just in a visual kei playlist i found and let play while i was chillin in the garden

🎥last movie (in theaters): GotG3, it was really good but sad.. marvel fell off but this was one of their better movies lately

🐵last series i watched: actually have no idea. what did i watch? LMK? i binge watch shit and then forget about it in 2 days. also watching the 70s show on da telly but just like when its on so. idk if that counts but thats fresher in my mind

🍔craving: some junkfood and a walk in the nature.. might hit the maccas if i go to the city this week

🥃tea or coffee: i was always drinking more tea but never truly liked it, i only like fruity black tea with some milk now, lately i drink more coffee and i guess i like that more? but a monster clears both (though i havent had one in many many weeks)

🎨currently working on: staying sane and managing my time so i can finally work on commishes (not counting the weeks old art wips, his ass is NOT working)

tag people you'd like to know better: i dont know i never like tagging ppl in these, but im tagging everyone on my tl to start talking about themselves more. i want to know yall and i dont just wanna see my rants. if you dont have a personal talk/rant tag youre missing out

[taiblogcomics]

Bubble Bubble, Toil and Troubleshooting

Hey there, punch crabs. Welp, we're on our finale for our third Goosebumps story arc in a row. Not much to say about that, I guess! Let's just get into it and see how it ends~

Here's the cover:

Well, this is a nice, threatening cover! Not the scariest, but who doesn't love some good old-fashioned child endangerment? And hey, soup's on! Won't you three stay for a spell~? Smoke rising in the shape of a skull is always a favourite of mine, too. Getting mixed messages about them being tied with rope, but lowered by a chain, though. Like, can't you pick one? Or none, since you have magic powers? Anyways, we almost got away from the pink sunset skies this cover, but those candles are putting out a pretty rosy glow~

So, after defeating their sentimental keepsakes, the trio (seen above) is ambushed by a gargoyle atop the town hall. And all because a witch moved into a house previously unsold since the '70s. But if you're expecting a cool continuation from that cliffhanger, prepare to be disappointed! This issue picks up with our trio of heroes being unceremoniously dumped in Veruca's living room. No gargoyle fight here! This is basically as close as one of those anti-climax chapter endings that the regular Goosebumps books like to do~

Veruca enters the room, backed by her gargoyle bodyguard--her bodygarg, if you will--and offers the kids an extended hand of friendship, and also some freshly brewed green tea. They take neither, because kids today are just plain rude. Veruca goes into a full-on "tech demo reveal" to explain her backstory and motivations. And here is the main connection to any other Goosebumps story: Veruca here is the granddaughter of Sarabeth, the witch from the original “Monster Blood” book. See, Download and Die? That's all you need! Not four different convoluted references that go nowhere~

So, as you might guess from her whole deal, Veruca is taking a leaf from Professor Croix's spellbook and combining magic with modern technology. Her grimoire is a tablet computer, yadda yadda. Her big plan is to use the Whaley House as an amplifier antenna to mind-control the whole rest of the town. And if things go well, perhaps... the entire world?? Muhuahaha? Bit ambitious, aren’t we? That's what the renovations to her house have been about. But of course, one person can't run the whole world. And that's why she's making the "we can rule together" speech to a bunch of tweens. Wouldn't be my first choice, but get 'em while they're young, I guess~

None of the kids go for it, which is surprising in itself. Like, not even the least bit tempted? Nope, they just barrel past Veruca in an almost rehearsed move, pushing her grimoire out of her hands, so she has to take a moment to not drop it and thus can't retaliate. Becca winds a nearby curtain around the bodygarg's eyes, and they slip past it as well. They bolt from the house, and head out for help. I'd like to know what authority they're hoping to go for to help with a mind-controlling witch, and Veruca doesn't seem too bothered either.

The kids actually return to the town hall they were initially meeting at. Ah, kids, too innocent to have a cynicism about their local government yet. They burst in on the mayor and begin babbling their story. Don't worry, though, kids! The mayor absolutely believes your accusations--and, in fact, he thinks you ought to take Veruca's deal. Yeah, unsurprisingly, they're already all under mind control. In fact, as the kids run out again, so are most of the adults in the town. They quickly whip themselves into a torch-carrying mob.

Well, with a whole dang town of adults after them now, the trio resolves to go back to the Witch's House and confront the Horrors therein directly. They go in through the window, and the bodygarg is on them almost immediately. Becca grabs a nearby hammer and leaps on him. This gives the other two the chance to slip by and into the basement. Clearly not a follow-up to "Stay Out of The Basement". Veruca is here, and she's lording over her knowledge of modern technology over the other witches on her friendlist. The way she's cackling over "They can't even use smartphones" feels like an apology for the "okay boomber" way smartphones were treated in the last story~

However, as soon as they get close, Carlos decides to take Veruca's deal. She's not surprised, Carlos' fashion-forward senses make him an obvious target for not living in the past and lording his success over others. But before you think this is a betrayal, it's actually just a distraction so Rosie can snatch the tablet again. Carlos trips Veruca, giving Rosie time to run up the stairs. Becca then runs to a nearby bucket of water and dumps the tablet in it, shorting it out. Why do witches always have those lying around their lair~?

Veruca's pretty salty now. And just to show this is exactly as stupid and contrived as in Wizard of Oz, when she rushes over to retrieve the tablet, they trip her again, spilling the bucket of water onto her. And this does indeed cause her to melt into a puddle of goo, rather graphically too. So much for her being modern!

But the twist is: The kids all go home, the spell now broken on the town. Back at each of their respective houses, they pick up from their attacks. Becca cleans up her trophies, Carlos starts re-stitching his sock monkey... And Rosie? Rosie starts charging her tablet. The one she picked up from the witch's house. The one now emitting some menacing laughter...

Questionable Parenting: Rosie’s parents note that their daughter is a friendless nerd right in front of her, and also permit her to go to a public event unsupervised late at night. Minority Alert: Becca and Carlos are both darker-skinned than Rosie, but oddly there are no apparent LGBT+ characters in this storyline. R.L. Stine Shows He’s Down With The Kids: This is two stories in a row where modern tablet computers and smartphones drive the plot, though in this case, it’s in the hands of the villains. Kind of puts a negative view on it either way, doesn’t it~? Rosie also watches anime and owns a Funko Pop, which makes her the perfect vessel to inherit the evils in the ending.

Honestly? Of the three we did so far, this one might be the best. It’s very focused on a single idea--a witch has moved into town, what do?--and only has very passing references to previous Goosebumps stories. The idea of witches using modern tech to bolster their spellcasting abilities is nothing particularly novel, but it’s a solid concept nonetheless. The ending, on the other hand, is really kind of lame and contrived, but that’s Goosebumps for you~

Next week: one final Goosebumps arc, and it’s a longer one than previously, so settle at least through the new year~

[mysticdragon3md3]

With my family's Japan trip approaching, I realize it's possible, I might find Nendoroid Dolls in a store, without much time to shop, so I should decide beforehand which Nendoroid Dolls I need to prioritize.

I used my old personal rating system, that I made to fit MyFigureCollection's star ratings. But I needed to add the 3.5 stars level. Because I'm more of a Nendoroid collector, all non-Nendoroids, including Nendoroid Dolls, are not really on my buying list. So a lot of the Nendoroid Dolls that I'm interested in, would have fit into my old 3 star rating. But even then, there are still some I prioritize over others, within that ranking. So I had to make my 3.5 stars rating. And honestly, I'm surprised I didn't already have a rating for "I don't feel obligated to get, though I am semi interested in getting, but more interested and slightly less indifferent than 3 star figures".

Truthfully, the only reason I feel obligated to buy Camus is because his hair is the closest for making a custom Nendoroid Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. (I already decided on trying to use Tanjiro Kamado's hair for Claude von Riegan.) Honestly, I think on it's own, his hair is a little flat. If I had to get a vampire Nendoroid Doll, I'd prefer Milla. Her hair buns are so pretty.

I feel kind of bad that I had to bump down Bianca and the Halloween Red Riding Hood to 3 stars, but I had to be honest with myself.

I love pastel hair, but I've always had a problem with pink as a color in general. Too much gender in it for me. And though I have worked for years to become mostly fine with pink now, I do have to admit that some part of me still gets too reminded of gender restraints when pink is thrust upon me. ...And maybe that's okay. We all have weird reasons for our idiosyncratic tastes. My brother dislikes cheese, because one time the smell of the cheese aisle overwhelmed him when he was little. And as I understand it, most food dislikes originate from similar random anecdotal experiences. I dislike ketchup, mustard, relish, and pickles for reasons similar to my brother's experience. I've tried as hard as I can to change my dislike of pink, and I still can't completely. But maybe all the progress I've made to now enjoy most pink things---as long as it's not dominating my clothes---is enough. These days, I love cherry blossoms, pink flowers, Kirby, Madoka Kaname, pink desserts, and characters with pink hair. I even like the pink-hair character designs of characters I have no emotional attachment to! But when it comes to figure collecting and spending $70+, I have to take a harder stance. My only problem with pink Bianca is that she is one of the first 2 of a new series of Nendoroid Doll designs, the "Tea Time Series". That means there might be future, "Tea Time" Nendoroid Dolls with designs I'll like better. Maybe even designs in lavender, baby blue, mint, or periwinkle! ^o^ And when that happens, I will feel so bad about spending $70 on pink Bianca, just because she was one of the first "Tea Time Series" Nendoroid Dolls. I can't rush out to buy her, as if she'll be the only "Tea Time" Nendo Doll, when I could instead wait and possibly get "Tea Time" Nendoroid Dolls in lavender, mint, or periwinkle. O.o! Regardless, Bianca is still a 3 star figure to me, because her hair is still very cute and her pastel colors are still very soft and soothing. ^_____^ If I had the spare money, I would rush out to preorder her, enjoy her soft pink hair designs, AND buy any future lavender "Tea Time" Nendo Dolls. But I already have to limit my budget to just Nendoroids, while buying Nendoroid Dolls is mostly a hypothetical to me. Though, a hypothetical I still want to be prepared for, if I run into them in a store.

I really should prefer the Halloween version of Red Riding Hood, since Halloween is my favorite holiday. But I really like the hue interplay between the original Rose's hair and eye colors. I've been trying to convince myself for a long time, that I could just get Halloween Riding Hood and be fine. But her grey hair and gold eyes just seem flat against the original's brunette hair and green eyes. And now that I'm ranking the Nendoroid Dolls I'm interested in, I now realize that I've also ranked Wolf Ash pretty low. Maybe I'm just not that excited about gray hair??? I thought I'd like gray hair, since I love lavender hair Nendoroids/characters. Even some of my lavender haired Nendoroids have almost-gray hair. But maybe a true neutral gray just doesn't reach that level of pretty for me. So I've finally accepted that I would probably be happier with the original Red Riding Hood Nendo Doll, and maybe I should get just the Halloween outfit separately.

[winterrose527]

Lantern, cinnamon & maize?

(Sorry that I can’t include the questions, I’m on mobile!)

thank you for the ask my darling I hope you're feeling wellll or at least cozy

lantern - how did you meet your best friend? What were your first impressions of each other?

So I met my bestie on the first day of university. We lived in the same dorm. I was super nervous and super keen. Some upperclassman boy had invited me to a party when I was somewhere on campus earlier in the day, and I was sort of holding that in my eager little freshman hands. She was gorgeous, still the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in real life, and was already surrounded by a bunch of girls and I sort of awkwardly went up and joined them and told them about the party. Her roommate buddied up to me in a weirdly aggressive way, and they had a big double so us and a bunch of girls were getting ready in theirs that night. I remember she pulled me down on her bed and started doing my eyeshadow, rolling her eyes whenever one of the other girls said something.

I thought she was the coolest, most beautiful, funniest girl I'd ever met (I was right). Within two days we were best friends. She told me when I moved into her room six months later (the roommate was genuinely bizarre) that she had been overwhelmed by my sweetness, and she thought I'd either make her a better person or would reveal myself to be a psychopath which would be really good fun. Both happened.

cinnamon - if you had to live in a time period different than the present, which would you choose and where?

Look there is the obvious caveat that obviously everything was so much worse for so many people, but if I had to, I would say: My grandparents seemed to have a hell of a time fucking around (and we are now finding out), so maybe when they were younger, or maybe 1920s in New York because if you're going self-destruction you might as well do it sipping champagne from a tea cup dripping in pearls.

maize - share the weirdest encounter you’ve had with a stranger on the street.

This is a longer story than you need BUT: I spent the summer in Florence when I was 17. My girlfriends and I went to Siena for the day, and it was just sort of a bizarre day overall. There was some festival day happening I think and it was so hilly and so hot. I remember being in this insane shop that smelled of leather even though it didn't sell leather, and one of my friends wouldn't shut up about the cameos because her grandmother had one and had given it to her sister and it was this whole thing, and it was so hot and the leather smell was making me dizzy so I stepped outside to get some fresh air, and this man, totally unassuming looking, probably mid 60s/early 70s, was right there as I was leaving and I nearly bumped into him so I said mi scusi signore and he said in English something like 'it's dangerous to smile like that when you don't believe it'. Which like, sounds made up but I swear to god it was so jarring. Two weeks later my older brother was visiting with my mom and I was smiling at something one of them said but my heart wasn't in it because my dad was supposed to be there and he wasn't yet, and I turned away and this young guy thought I was smiling at him and I wasn't, and he started following me and then tried to grab me and my older brother lost it and they got in a fist fight, so yeah that older guy was right and like probably a deity of some kind.