#i will avoid dropping this in the tags today not because it is particularly salty or contentious

[thatswhatsushesaid]

re: that last post I reblogged about 3zun and each of their respective efforts into trying to make the sworn brotherhood work

while I do absolutely agree that they are all trying, if you asked me to tell you which member of the venerated triad is actually trying the hardest to reconcile the diametrically opposed worldviews of his sworn brothers and his obligations to his sect and family (rather than trying to strong-arm reality to align with his own worldview, or not look too closely at the intensity of the conflict that is developing within these relationships)

it's jin guangyao

[thedogsled]

Who Tube (Doctor Who YouTube) is hilariously terrible at the moment. You’ve got new fans being gatekept by old fans and then yelling at the old fans and then the old fans yelling back, people subtweeting each other on their channels “Some YouTubers, they know who they are”, people posting vicious rants as soon as episodes end--lots of really really toxic shit on both sides. Like. It’s hilarious--if you enjoy VERY thinly veiled misogyny on one side and blind adoration for progressiveness at the expense of decent writing on the other. If you listen to these people, it’s not very difficult to see where the canon schism between straight white “geek culture” males and anyone with a so labeled by said people SJW motivation come to blows. They both think the other side is just ignorant, and the constant lashing out is just. Wow. It’s really. Wow.

Saltiness ahead.

It frustrates me a lot, because I feel the show has been really hit and miss this season and the warring on YouTube is just another example of how you just can’t discuss this reasonably. It’s not all bad, but it’s certainly been far from all good. Some of it REALLY works, like for example Ryan’s dyspraxia and the decision to explore Yasmin’s character through her grandmother’s story, but some of it doesn’t. I was particularly dismayed today, spoilers, by James I being played through the lens of modern campness by Alan Cumming this week, turning the former monarch into a queer caricature (I know the guy most from his role in Spy Kids, Fegan Floop, which replays ENDLESSLY on british TV). I feel like a lot of the episodes of this season have been simply the characters thrown into chaos, bad guy is revealed to be an alien, then the Doctor gives a shockingly profound, emotional speech that makes you forget how awful some of the other parts were and you go away with ~feels~ and not much else, because all the endings are pulled out of the writer’s ass anyway. Just. That’s how I personally saltily feel about this show this season, like it’s been platforming for a bunch of different writers saying what they want to say about humanity through the Doctor’s mouth. Like she’s ceased to exist beyond her existence as that mouthpiece, and that in some ways the show has too. (just my opinion. anyway.)

But you can’t talk about this stuff. I find myself reading reviews and watching people who like the show and place no accountability on the show beyond being politically bold, and it drives me nuts. It doesn’t matter what form it comes in, so long as it’s pro-feminist, or it exposes people to history they might not have learned in class, or there’s a dude giving birth for 50% of the airtime. If I want to hear or discuss any challenge to those things, I find myself listening to purely negative reviews instead, and noping out when the person suddenly reveals halfway through that they believe that because men aged 18-40 is a big demographic, it only makes sense that they’re the group that are kowtowed to at every opportunity. Like wtf dudes, sorry you can’t hack that other people exist in the world and you aren’t being catered to 24/7 any more. Fuck off. So it’s no wonder the antis feel Doctor Who lovers are all SJWs and the pos!Who people are convinced that the antis are all racist misogynist fucks. (The showrunners do too afaik, and that isn’t helped at all by Chibnall and Jodie both being SO resistant to negativity that neither of them seem to be soliciting fan feedback that isn’t positive.) Is it hard to ask for objectivity, though? For something that comes down the middle? That isn’t racist and misogynistic, but maybe still cares about how the things we’re looking for in terms of representation are being handed to us? How about, at least, not having to listen to some people who are so entitled that they literally think that Jodie Whitaker shouldn’t have shot out any babies so that she can instead devote her entire life to making TV shows? (Seriously, I listened to one girl who thought that, and you could hear her contempt for people who have kids in every syllable.)

I’ve liked episodes of this season. The Kablam! episode was great, I only had minor complaints with the ep that I handwaved away because I felt like there was actually some dramatic tension. I liked episode 2 because it was idk. A fun adventurous romp and the characters all had flaws. I quite liked Rosa because it had the bones of something better, and that showed through in all the scenes where Rosa’s actress (Vinette Robinson, who was also in the Chibnall episode ‘42′, btw what nepotism how many british actors do you think there are?) interacted with the other characters. 

But they weren’t all perfect, at least to me. Maybe I’m a negative nelly, because everyone seems to be tripping over themselves to scream positivity about the show in their reviews, but I, personally, feel like much of it has fallen flat. When they did finally drop - as they’ve been avoiding for much of this season - the ‘If I was a bloke this wouldn’t have been a problem’ thing, it wasn’t even delivered with a great deal of gravity or purpose. Maybe some people think that was a good thing, I don’t know, but looking at the way sexism was handled in Timeless, for example, and hell, Sliders (which was a trashy 90s show about jumping between alternate realities; or Quantum Leap for that matter, which had Sam jump into the lives of women in the past and experience days in their lifetimes), it’s way past the era of TV to deliver that kind of line like it’s inconsequentially drawing attention to something nobody noticed before, you know? Why is the BBC always 100 years behind, despite playing like it’s the most progressive thing ever? Why do we let it, and say “Sure we’ll take it, that’s enough” instead of also insisting they tell GOOD stories, and not wave their hand and say aliens did it at the end of every episode? I get it’s a time traveling series but the aliens show up and then the doctor waves her magic wand and ~science~ and yes she quoted Arthur C Clarke but she can do that and be powerful and tell powerful stories that aren’t completely...halfhearted, and if you don’t have trumped up stupid bad guys you don’t have to have flimsy solutions for beating them at the end.

We SHOULD be seeing ourselves in the media we’re absorbing. I firmly believe that. I also think, though, that we’re entitled to be respected by that media as well, in that the stories we’re seeing that show US should be good stories. They shouldn’t be concentrating on making as many nods as possible to as many corners of culture as possible that it stops caring about the story it’s telling, because whatever politically correct points it scores will ensure people overlook its flaws. It’s disrespectul, and we shouldn’t allow it, because it means we’re nothing but a commodity, an unquestioning storyblind audience that just doesn’t care so long as our representation needs are getting catered to. That means we’ll keep getting more representation, but a lot of it will be shit, because no matter what we’ll throw up our hands and give it ten out of ten and rigorously defend it no matter what caricatures it throws in front of us.

We should demand better stories alongside our representation. Fandom is so powerful now that we’re being written for, because as a whole we aren’t objective. We engage in mass squeeing, we’re GREAT at giving positive feedback and high ratings like it’s our job to do it even if it’s undeserved (and arguably Who NEEDED that positive feedback this year) and best of all anyone who doesn’t agree can be written off as an angry white dude, or racist, or just ignorant. That’s good for ratings and good for clicks, and networks eat that stuff up because it makes them money. But that isn’t respect, and we shouldn’t be selling ourselves out for a bargain basement price.

That’s my last word on it for now. I’ll probably complain again next week, and I know I KNOW this isn’t a popular pov for people, but I’ve made my bed with that. For those of you who loved it, I’m glad for you. I’m mostly disappointed for myself. And I still think camp James I was fucking terrible but I already know people love him, so what do I know?

P.S. my tags are for my flist so they can blacklist properly, not to force my saltiness down the throats of other Who fans. You don’t have to agree with me. I just needed to vent.

[vivirnet]

200830 | shoreline.

( image cover. ) — location: beyond echo territory.

CT: it'd been unintentional at the time— tagging along when one of the upsilons wanted to go shopping. though he can't say they're one of the epsilons he spends the most time with, the fond memories of them playing with his older sister brings a certain attachment, an inclination to say yes when asked for any favors. they've kept in touch with each other more than carter has with his sister and it's a way to feel connected though he no longer gets the same chance as he once did. that thought alone— that seunghee might tell his sister— wasn't enough to stop him from actually making a purchase compared to pilfering the items and he doesn't have to wonder why as much as he's certain he wants to see vivi wearing it. 

petty crime seems inappropriate when it comes to giving her gifts. loving someone and wanting to be good for them almost seems human when he thinks of it that way but, even now, seeing the floral pattern of the cutout bikini doesn't give rise to any regret. instead, he pulls her closer, guides her arm to spin around once they're closer to the shore, grinning as he asks, "you wanna swim first or build a sand castle? better yet, let me put sunscreen on ya."

VI: Vivi's been overjoyed from the moment they got to the beach, or even before that. It's such a shame there aren't any beaches in the fairy king forest, otherwise she'd go pretty often. Not to say she doesn't already go frequently, but she really does enjoy the sand, the sun, and the ocean all in combination, especially during the hot Summers. Now that they've got their toes stuck in sand, and she's using her hand to shield her from the sun, she's keen on diving head-first into salty waters. She just hopes that she can still swim in it when waves become a spontaneous factor. 

Vivi yelps when she's pulled closer, reddening at how soon and how easily skin-on-skin contact happens dressed like this. She can't say she's surprised by his choice of swimwear for her, though. She's just glad that it's pretty, and that the colors are nice. "Hm? I wanna swim-" She drops her hand as she rolls her eyes. It's hard to look up at him like this, so she turns her head towards the water instead. "That sounds like you have other reasons for offering, but I'll bite." At that, she pulls her purple scrunchie off her wrist to tie her long, already unruly, hair up. "Do I get to put some on you, too?"

CT: the last of summer seems to still linger when walking along the shoreline like this. heat isn't as overbearing though the sun continues to blind. sunlight feels warm on his bare chest, the sand is almost cold underneath his feet, especially as the water washes over it and he stays close despite still holding their things in the bag slung over his shoulder. if he had both hands free, it would've been easier to guide her to twirl but they have plenty of time. no worries or wolves in sight. isn't that a splendid thing to have for once? 

the more time he spends with her relaxing and winding down, not particularly thrilled to watch yet another romantic film or romcom, whatever it's called— to him, it's some lavish concept of reality, relationships dressed up and somehow fixed within two hours or less— but taking inspiration nonetheless, down to taking her to the beach after she seemed happy to see a scene the other day. besides, it's a place to take her to without as many humans if he times it well and without a certain fairy interrupting him for indecent behavior. sometimes, he thinks she doesn't tolerate him simply breathing in her forest.

"you'll bite? i'd love to see that. where?" he grins rather smugly, taking them further from where the water meets the sand, setting their things down and laying a towel next to it, plopping down and patting the space next to him. "you first then. wouldn't want to see your skin redden for any reason other than me."

VI: For someone who’s more of a homebody than anything, this is a particularly jarring change of scenery. She’ll always be content with staying back home, doing whatever needs to be done. It’s what they live for, right? A sour thought to be sure, but one she’s accustomed to. That being said, though, she’ll go anywhere provided that Carter’s with her. Not necessarily to protect her, because that’s a little too assuming, isn’t it? She doesn’t expect her to ever be a priority. But she does want to spend time with him, and take care of him any way she can. 

Flipping her attention back to the beta in question, she tries not sigh that visibly. Sometimes, it’s easy to ignore his flirting. They’re part of his everyday speech after all. But other times, it can easily get her worked up, and she’d like to avoid that presently. “I’ll bite your cheek for being so cute.” She follows his direction, but stays standing for an extra moment to watch him. Does she really have him all to herself? “I’ll try my best not to either way. You’re not getting me today.” Unknowingly, she sets such an ambitious goal for herself. Vivi sits beside Carter then, perched up on her knees and leaning forward. “You, on the other hand?” Her smile widens before pulling back and turning around. “Back first then please.” She pulls her pony-tail up front, biting her lower lip all the while.

[shittyelfwriter]

92 Truths

THIS IS GONNA BE A LONG ONE FOLKS! Long but boring probably, I’m not particularly interesting lmao. I was TRIPLE (HOLY SHIT) tagged by @thewayhistoryiswritten @mellomadness and @safyresky, the trifecta of lovelies!

*line break for scrolling convenience*

LAST… 

[1] drink: lady grey tea with a spot of cream

[2] phone call: my mom 

[3] text message: dani? More than likely I'm usually spamming her with some form of bullshit (I sorry) 

[4] song you listened to: Liability by Lorde

[5] time you cried: yesterday? It's was a stressful one but today seems to be a bit better

HAVE YOU EVER…

[6] dated someone twice: no

[7] been cheated on: NOPE

[8] kissed someone and regretted it: yes

[9] lost someone special: oh boy. Yes.

[10] been depressed: ✌️😎 always my dude

[11] gotten drunk and thrown up: nope

LIST 3 FAVOURITE COLOURS:

[12] deep green

[13] maroon

[14] black

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU…

[15] made new friends: YES! Most of my online friends have been made in the past year

[16] fallen out of love: I don't think it's really possible for me to fall out of love with somebody. It takes me too long to fall IN and if I do then I'm basically stuck with feelings for life

[17] laughed until you cried: yes

[18] found out someone was talking about you: ??? No idea I'm usually the last to know

[19] met someone who changed you: yep

[20] found out who your true friends are: this feels really shady but all my friends have been very kind to me this past year

[21] kissed someone on your facebook list: no

GENERAL…

[22] how many of your facebook friends do you know in real life: all of them? My fb circle is very small

[23] do you have any pets: do I EVER! I live on a farm with around fifty chickens, two ducks, four dogs, nine cats and a bunny

[24] do you want to change your name: I've wanted to all my life. I was supposed to be named Clara but my mom changed her mind last minute and then my cousin ended up with that name instead. I'm still salty about it.

[25] what did you do for your last birthday: I just chilled at home [26] what time did you wake up: first at 2:30 am then again for good at 6

[27] what were you doing at midnight last night: sleeping

[28] name something you cannot wait for: no idea. New Lana album? Lorde's Melancholy looks promising too

[29] when was the last time you saw your mother: two minutes ago when I brought her coffee

[30] what is one thing you wish you could change about your life: there are a lot of things. But right now I wish I wasn't having to file for disability and actually face the fact that my body is not my friend right now? I wish I had more energy to help my family but most times I am very fatigued, can't be up for long periods of time and can hardly pull my thoughts together. It's why I ramble a lot when I write/talk.

[31] what are you listening to right now: Aaron Burr, Sir from the Hamilton soundtrack (BURR U FENCEPOSTING PIECE OF SHIT)

[32] have you ever talked to a person named tom: our neighbor is named Tom so yeah

[33] something that is getting on your nerves: the fact that things are very stressful right now? Our land taxes quadrupled this year and our car got vandalized and we're behind on the mortgage and my cat ran away and I am just a ball of STRESS DUDE

[34] most visited website: tumblr and youtube equally

[35] elementary: homeschooled

[36] high school: homeschooled through high school, but I graduated at sixteen

[37] college: waited until I was 19 to go because of family crisis only to drop out when my own health crashed

[38] hair colour: darkish brown

[39] long or short hair: I like both? But right now I'm growing mine out again

[40] do you have a crush on someone: if I know you I probably have at least a low grade crush on you I just love people a lot even though I am a shy

[41] what do you like about yourself?: *pastes the entirety of the bee movie script to avoid this question*

[42] piercings: regular ear piercings, but I haven't worn earrings since I was like seven or eight

[43] blood type: AB+ I think, I'll know again in a few weeks

[44] nickname: Ana, Lili, senpai, u meme shit

[45] relationship status: single!! and screaming!!!

[46] zodiac sign: aquarius

[47] pronouns: she/her

[48] fav tv show: there are a lot of them! I'm just gonna keep it simple and say right now Voltron and Steven Universe are keeping me relatively de-stressed

[49] tattoos: none

[50] right or left handed: I'm ambidextrous! Though I /usually/ write with my right hand.

FIRST…

[51] surgery: none (though I did have a serious concussion when I was young? It's a long story ask me if you want the details)

[52] piercing: ears as they're the only ones I have

[53] best friend: I don't want to stick anyone with the title of best friend but you are more than welcome to take it if you'd like!

[54] sport: gymnastics, softball, baseball, football, swimming, tennis, tap, ballet, some hip hop dance. I've also coached softball and baseball as well as umpired for both

[55] vacation: I live in Hawaii? So I'd want to go someplace snowy probably, I get enough sun as it is

[56] pair of trainers: I have a pair of red converse that are slightly too small

RIGHT NOW…

[57] eating: Hershey's chocolate eggs

[58] drinking: still my tea

[59] i’m about to: make breakfast

[60] listening to: nothing right now

[61] waiting for: things to get better?

[62] want: my writer's block to leave? Please?

[63] get married: I mean, sure, if I'm not single for the rest of my life because I never meet anybody ever and am constantly a ball of stress

[64] career: I'm a farmer, I guess. Not exactly by choice. I write in my spare time.

WHICH IS BETTER…

[65] hugs or kisses: both

[66] lips or eyes: both

[67] shorter or taller: does it matter? Though I am a sensitive about being toll so maybe a toller is better

[68] older or younger: older, younger NEVER seems to work out for me

[70] nice arms or nice stomach: does this really matter? I mean? I care more about how a person behaves and thinks and feels than this

[71] sensitive or loud: either or both

[72] hook up or relationship: relationship

[73] troublemaker or hesitant: why are these the only two options. Why. 

HAVE YOU EVER…

[74] kissed a stranger? Nope

[75] drank hard liquor? Nope

[76] lost glasses/contact lenses? I've had them stepped on and broken so yes?

[77] turned someone down: yes.

[78] sex on first date? no

[79] broken someone’s heart? Yes.

[80] had your own heart broken? Yes.

[81] been arrested? It's...complicated?

[82] cried when someone died? Yes.

[83] fallen for a friend: yes

DO YOU BELIEVE IN…

[84] yourself? I mean I believe in most cryptids more than I believe in myself tbh

[85] miracles? Yes

[86] love at first sight? This is a difficult question. I know it's possible to have a sense of knowing about someone when you meet them, like you just know you're going to be involved with that person. I've experienced that -- and of course attraction is a thing that exists. But love is a complex thing and saying that you feel that much for someone you've only just met is quite the stretch. I think this concept is based on hindsight realization more than actual fact

[87] santa claus? 🙃 same phone who dis

[89] angels? Hella

OTHER…

[90] current best friend’s name: WHY ARE THESE SO SPECIFIC I AM OFFEND

[91] eye colour: sea green

[92] favourite movie: probably Pacific Rim I love that movie SO FUCKING MUCH also I love the Santa Clause movies but usually just to watch by myself. If I watch them with others I just feel EXPOSED (especially after my sister jokingly called it my porn, I'd still want to murder her for that if it didn't make me laugh so much)

TAGGING! The main squad I’d tag already tagged me so I’ll reach out and tag my other squad @bkwrm523 @splendidcas @joanne-egberp @imamotherfuckingstar-lord @willowing-love @netflixandcastiellll also @faith-in-dean @afanofmanystuffs @enaishungry @it-is-bitter only if you guys feel like it! I know it’s a long one :)

[kayteableblogs-blog]

Relaxing With Anxiety

Learning to relax when you are constantly feeling anxious can be difficult. As a disclaimer…these are my personal solutions that have worked for me and they may work for you…but maybe not. Life is all about learning about ourselves and so if these tips don’t work for you…don’t give up hope…there is a solution for you…you just have to keep working at it.

So, with that being said there is two lists today. 1. “Preventatives for Anxiety” and 2. “How to Deal with Anxiety Bloops.” If you have any tips drop a comment and if you or your friends deal with anxiety be sure to share this blog!

Preventatives for Anxiety

Eating better. This tip helps me avoid panic attacks particularly because I have a little rough relationship with food. When I am eating the way I want to, I feel more calm and in control of my situation.

Meditation. This one seems to be a little scary for people to start because they think they have to save an hour of time to concentrate and use all your brain power. This isn’t the case. Meditation can simply be five minutes to take deep breathes and realign your thoughts or just taking five minutes to sit quietly and let what happens happens. I try to take at least 10 minutes in the morning and at night…and it has made a huge difference!

Making a battle plan. In the morning or the night before I make a very simple non detailed to do list. The list is so if i get stressed or overwhelmed and the fact that it’s non detailed…means if things go a little off track I can still stick to the general plan but have wiggle room to adjust to change. I find that this helps my pre-anxiety induced thoughts focus and not get too derailed.

Routines. Whether it’s always going to the same coffee shop or having the same breakfast, etc. It creates a comforting sense of familiarity so when you have a crazy day of adventures…it’s balanced with routine.

Sleep. I personally suck butt at this one…but when I succeed I feel better. When I am sleep deprived it’s easier for your mind to slip into unhealthy thinking. Take melatonin I find that it really helps…especially with insomniacs like myself.

How to Deal with Anxiety Bloops

These are tips for when you have already slipped into the thick of anxiety. Tips you have probably heard before…but they are a good reminder.

Deep breaths. Your body locks up when you are anxious and deep breathing help get oxygen to the brain and muscles. Somewhat forcing you to relax. I don’t care if you think you look stupid taking deep breaths…do it…it helps.

Fact or Opinion? When you are anxious about something, it’s usually about a scenario you have created all in you head…and we put it into the category of fact. Most of that time…that is not the case. Taking a moment to take the thought and put it in the proper category can a lot of times dislodge the anxiety’s hold.

Accept it.  I know I have spent most of my life fighting the fact that I have anxiety. It has a derogatory tag attached to it and it’s often tossed to the side as if it doesn’t matter. Telling myself that my reactions to things are stupid and dramatic…they are…but they are also real. Acknowledging your feelings are the first step to dealing with them. Don’t suppress them…that will only make things worse.

Happy Place. I  find that taking a moment to visualize a comforting place or person will get me back to a place where I can do the previous three steps. I Think of the ocean. Try to hear the waves and seagulls, small the salty air, etc.

Pressure. This tip is for more when you are home or with a loved one. Wrapping yourself up in a blanket, putting pillows on you, or getting a loved one to hug you can help relax your body by applying a lot of pressure over a majority of your body.

I hope these tips can help you out when you are in a tough spot. I know they help me. That’s all for today’s blog, hope you have a wonderful night!

-K