#inclusive ensemble

[gianttankeh]

Sonic Bothy 10! at City Halls, Glasgow: 7/12/22.

Sonic Bothy celebrates a decade of doings this Wednesday with performances by the Sonic Bothy Ensemble, Bothy Learning Space and a screening of a recent film made during lockdown. Only a handful of tickets are left so please purchase one here if you would like to attend.

[doctorwhoisadhd]

also one thing that chibnall certainly did right was having new years specials instead of christmas specials. im pretty disappointed that rtds bringing those back.

[andreabaideas]

International Women's Day 8M

Happy day to all women across the world (that are good people) !!! 💜🙌💪♀️👩‍🏫🎉😊

Also to all men who raises us, helps us, love us the right way, accompany us, uplifts us , befriends us and are our allies too.

Heres to Strong women :

May we know them,

May we be them

May we raise them

Image found in Pinterest but the trilingual texts and the color intensity filter added to It are made by me.

[fancyratlady]

Purchasing and Altering Your Wedding Ensemble

An incomplete guide from an apprentice

Working as a receptionist/apprentice at a business that does wedding alterations has given me a lot of valuable information I think I should share. I’ve tried to make this post several times and it hasn’t come out right, so I’m just going to go for it with a list of the most important things and elaborate later:

Don’t buy a dress or suit that’s too small so that you will loose weight. If your weight is changing rapidly or dramatically it will make it harder to get the fit correct. Your tailor wants you to feel good with the body you have, and if you don’t meet your weight goal the more expensive alterations needed to make the dress bigger will make both of you feel shitty.

Make your appointment with the tailor at least four months before the wedding. This sounds extreme, I know, but the most popular dates in my region fill up as early six months. This is especially important for wedding dresses, because most places will have you come in six to eight weeks before the wedding. Less than that and either you won’t get an appointment or you will have to pay rush fees. Make the appointment as soon as you choose your outfit, don’t wait for it to arrive.

Bring the shoes you’ll be wearing. Or ones of the same height. This way your hem will be the right length.

Big chain stores pay their employees on commission, which means they have to sell a certain number of dresses a week to make ends meet. The sales people will be more focused on making the sale than getting you the right dress. These places send customers to the tailor with unrealistic expectations and badly made dresses.

Go to local boutiques, designers, or buy second hand. The local shop may have less options, but they may be better quality and the staff will be able to give you the attention you deserve.

Consider the price of alterations. Don’t spend your whole wardrobe budget on your outfit. This goes for wedding party members as well. Most formal wear skirts and pants come long so that they can be hemmed and worn by someone of any height. If your dress has a train, you will need a sewist to attach hooks and eyes so that it can be pinned up for dancing during the reception. (This is called a bustle, and it’s probably the cheapest alteration you can do). That said:

No one will give you a quote without seeing a wedding dress or suit on you and in person. You can maybe get away with this if you’re not a bride and wearing something simple. A tailor can tell you how much it will cost to do a specific alteration on a regular garment, but there is too much variation in a big formal gown to even give an estimate. Be wary of anyone who gives you a number without a fitting. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to budget.

Don’t buy something that’s way too big. The width of the shoulders is the most important measurement in a suit because it is the hardest and most expensive to change. If it has a bust dart, this should also be at about the same height off the ground as the apex of your bust. There is only so much you can take out of a dress without fundamentally changing it, and when they clip you into it at the shop it will all come from the back, but that’s not how it will be altered. If you take too much from any or all the seams, it will distort the proportions.

Fabrics and cut affect the price of alterations. Beading, lace, and chiffon are the big three. This is because the first two have to be removed and replaced when altering. Chiffon is just a bitch to work with because it’s slippery. You will spend more to hem a plastic chiffon skirt than a silk satin one of the same size and shape. If the button holes on your suit jacket sleeves are functioning, the tailor won’t be able to alter the length much because of the button holes.

Fabrics will also affect your comfort. Natural fibers are always going to be more comfortable, especially if your wedding will be outside. The polyester lining in many formal dresses is going to be really hot when you start dancing. If it’s a detachable slip, switch it out for something natural, even if it’s a cheap cotton blend. If you’re wearing a shirt, just buy 100% cotton or linen. It will make you so much more comfortable. There’s also companies who makes formal wear out of athletic fabrics, and I’ve seen some that are pretty nice.

Read reviews. Does the tailor’s website mention same sex couples or trans people? Does the shop have a big size range? How did other buyers like the brand? Do they carry a wide range of nude shades? Did customers feel respected and listened to? Is the location wheelchair accessible? This information is important, and hopefully you can find it online. If you’re feeling brave, call.

Anyway, the wedding industrial complex is evil and you deserve to celebrate yourself or your loved ones in comfort and style. I’m going to make more posts like this so I can get more specific, and they’ll be queer, fat, disability, and POC inclusive.

[sleepynegress]

So, Mo Ryan has a book coming out and already it's getting eyeballs because it aired some spectacular racism that went on, on the LOST set... And then the below is dropped.

[thecuttingstory]

Elevate your style with our Wine Fox Georgette Lehenga Set—a trendy ensemble featuring a stylish Lehenga Choli and a Dupatta, perfect for an elegant ethnic look.

[transform4u]

Just for Laughs

This story is heavily inspired, by the now defunct bouncyboytfs story, Straight Up Comedy. Which was one of my favorites of all time and got me into writing. The neon lights of West Hollywood flickered against the night sky, casting a vibrant glow over the bustling streets. Calvin Andrews, a 28-year-old grad student with a quick smile and a penchant for lively debates with online trolls defending the so called woke agenda, navigated through the Friday night crowd with an air of anticipation. Dressed in a casual yet stylish ensemble—a vintage band tee under a light denim jacket paired with slim-fit jeans and worn-in Chuck Taylors—he exuded the laid-back confidence of someone comfortable in their own skin.

Calvin had grown to love the sunny West Coast since leaving his East Coast hometown, finding a vibrant new community at UCLA where he pursued his dual passions in English and Gender Studies. His professors often praised his sharp intellect and unwavering dedication to his studies, qualities that were fueled by a deep-seated belief in social justice and equality. His love for literature spanned from the canonical works of Virginia Woolf and James Baldwin to contemporary voices like Roxane Gay and Audre Lorde, whose writings inspired his activism and shaped his worldview.

Outside of academia, Calvin was a prominent figure in UCLA’s LGBTQ+ community, serving proudly as the president of the Gay-Straight Alliance. Advocating for inclusivity and understanding, he dedicated himself to fostering a supportive environment where everyone could thrive. Music was another cornerstone of Calvin's life, his eclectic taste ranging from indie-pop sensations like Troye Sivan and Florence + the Machine to the introspective melodies of Sufjan Stevens.

Tonight, however, Calvin was eager to unwind and reconnect with friends over drinks in West Hollywood. Yet, unfamiliar with the labyrinthine streets, he found himself wandering off course as his phone battery dwindled. Spotting a promising glow ahead, he approached a lively bar, hoping for directions or at least a place to charge his phone.

Inside the dimly lit establishment, Calvin was greeted by the no-nonsense bartender who offered to charge his phone in exchange for staying to watch the comedy show and ordering a drink. Annoyed but realizing he had little choice, Calvin relented and requested a Vodka Cranberry, only to be met with a dismissive comment about "girly drinks." Rolling his eyes good-naturedly, he opted for a whiskey neat, settling into a seat as the bartender tended to his phone.

As he sipped his drink, Calvin’s attention was drawn to the stage where the next comedian made his entrance. A tall, muscular figure with a rugged charm and a broad smile, the comedian commanded attention with his Southern drawl and easy charisma. His dark hair was tousled, framing a face that radiated warmth and mischief in equal measure. Dressed in a simple black shirt and jeans, he exuded a casual confidence that immediately intrigued Calvin.

The crowd erupted into laughter as the comedian launched into his set, weaving anecdotes with razor-sharp wit and a touch of raunchy humor.

As the comedian delved deeper into his set, Calvin's initial intrigue turned swiftly into dismay. What began as harmless humor quickly morphed into a barrage of misogynistic and homophobic jokes that cut through the air with a venomous edge. The crowd roared with laughter, but Calvin felt a sinking sensation in his gut. "Now, I ain't sayin' women are dumb," the comedian drawled, his voice carrying easily over the laughter of the audience. "But have you ever seen a woman try to fix a car? It's like watchin' a blindfolded chimpanzee try to play Jenga!"

He squirmed in his seat, hoping to finish his drink and leave before the comedian's offensive routine could infect his evening further. But as the laughter grew louder, a dull ache throbbed in Calvin's temples. It felt as though a heavy fog was descending upon his mind, slowing his thoughts and dulling his senses.

Amidst the uproar, the comedian's voice cut through the haze, singling out Calvin with a mocking tone. "Big guy over here knows what I'm talking about!" the comedian exclaimed, pointing directly at Calvin. The audience chuckled as Calvin, bewildered, tried to comprehend the comment. He wasn't particularly muscular; in fact, his frame was slender from years of dorm food and late-night study sessions.

As Calvin sat there, bewildered by the comedian's unexpected focus on him, he felt an unsettling surge of energy course through his body. It started subtly, like a tingling sensation in his fingertips, but quickly intensified into something more profound.

First, he noticed his arms. What were once slender limbs now pulsed with newfound strength. His biceps, previously unremarkable, swelled visibly under his sleeves, each muscle fiber standing out in stark relief. The transformation seemed surreal, as if his body were defying the boundaries of what he knew possible.

His stomach tightened next, a sensation akin to his abdomen being sculpted from within. Calvin could feel the muscles beneath his skin contracting and tightening, forming a defined washboard of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 distinct abs. They appeared with startling clarity, delineating a newfound athleticism that seemed to materialize out of thin air.

Even his chest, once a featureless expanse, began to change. The fabric of his shirt stretched slightly as his pectoral muscles expanded, rising with newfound prominence. It was as though his entire torso was being reshaped, redefined into a physique that bore little resemblance to the Calvin of mere moments ago.

"Earth to meathead… earth to meathead," the comedian quipped, the audience erupting into laughter once more. The word 'meathead' echoed in Calvin's ears, his brain caught in a strange loop. His thoughts grew sluggish, as if encased in molasses, struggling to resist the comedian's words.

In that moment, Calvin's world seemed to shift. The audience's laughter blended into a distant hum, and the comedian's words resonated with an unsettling clarity. The room swirled around him as Calvin felt an inexplicable pull toward the stage, the comedian's charisma and authority casting a mesmerizing spell over his senses.

With each passing moment, Calvin's resistance waned. His mind, once sharp and critical, now dulled under the weight of the comedian's rhetoric. It was as though the jokes, laced with prejudice and disdain, were rewriting his perceptions, reshaping his reality.

As the comedian continued his routine, Calvin's gaze fixed on the stage, his expression slackening. The once vibrant grad student, advocate for social justice and equality, now sat transfixed, his identity slipping away like sand through his fingers.

As Calvin's physical transformation seemed to solidify, so too did the shift in his mental landscape. At first, there was a subtle fog creeping into his thoughts, blurring his once clear convictions and values. Laughter, loud and boisterous, erupted from his throat as the comedian spun crude jokes that would have previously repelled him. Calvin found himself guffawing at the very punchlines he would have condemned as offensive and insensitive.

The comedian, sensing a newfound ally in Calvin's transformed demeanor, launched into a tirade against what he mockingly termed the "liberal woke agenda." Panic seized Calvin momentarily; he knew this rhetoric contradicted everything he stood for. Yet, as the comedian continued his diatribe, Calvin felt an unsettling resonance with the words. The criticisms of political correctness and social justice initiatives began to make a twisted kind of sense in his altered state.

Slowly but surely, Calvin's mind underwent a profound metamorphosis. His once staunch progressive beliefs faded into the background, replaced by a growing skepticism and disdain for what he now saw as excessive sensitivity and moral righteousness. The comedian's words burrowed deep, reshaping Calvin's worldview with each passing moment.

He found himself nodding along to the comedian's rants, chuckling at the caricatured portrayal of "snowflakes" and "social justice warriors." The shift was disorienting yet strangely liberating, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Calvin's thoughts grew simpler, more black-and-white, aligning with the comedian's jabs at political correctness and cultural inclusivity.

The comedian paused for effect, his eyes scanning the audience before landing on Calvin. "You know what I hate about the woke agenda?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's all about being inclusive and accepting of everyone... except for straight white men! We're supposed to be ashamed of our skin color, our gender, and even our sexual orientation! Well, I say enough is enough!"

The crowd roared their approval as the comedian continued. "I don't care if you call me a bigot or a racist or whatever else you want," he said defiantly. "I was born this way - just like my love for country music and pickup trucks." He paused again, letting the tension build before delivering the punchline: "And if that makes me a bad person in your eyes? Well then... maybe it's time we stopped trying to force everyone into some politically correct mold!"

Calvin found himself nodding along once more, feeling a sense of camaraderie with this man who dared to speak truth against an oppressive cultural regime. The joke resonated deeply within him; it felt like validation for all those times he had been made to feel guilty or ashamed simply because of who he was.

When the comedian singled him out with a mocking jab— "Man, oh, man. I thought I was a douchebag, but you're loving it, meathead!"—Calvin barely registered the insult. Instead, he grunted in agreement, downing the remainder of his drink which had transformed into a beer, the amber liquid soothing his newfound sense of camaraderie with the comedian's perspective.

"Another one!" he hollered to the waitress, his voice carrying a newfound bravado. As the waitress returned with his drink, Calvin slouched comfortably in his seat, his once critical faculties now dulled by a haze of conformity to this new ideology. It felt easier to go along with the flow, to embrace the simplicity of the comedian's worldview rather than challenge it.

And so, amidst the laughter and applause of the crowd, Calvin Andrews—once a passionate advocate for social justice and equality—found himself transformed into something unrecognizable: a meathead, laughing heartily at jokes that once would have pierced his conscience, his mind now echoing with echoes of a worldview he never thought he would adopt.

As Calvin sat there, engulfed in the comedian's toxic rhetoric, the word 'douchebag' echoed incessantly through his brain. Each repetition seemed to reinforce a transformation that was unfolding before his very eyes. His thoughts grew muddled, his once sharp intellect now clouded by a burgeoning sense of entitlement and bravado.

Physically, Calvin felt a strange sensation ripple through him once more. His features seemed to shift subtly but unmistakably. His face hardened, acquiring a squared jawline adorned with a meticulously groomed chinstrap beard. His nose, once unassuming, grew slightly more pronounced, adding to the newfound aura of masculinity that seemed to radiate from him.

As his appearance morphed, so too did his sensibilities and personality. Calvin's hobbies and interests underwent a startling transformation. Gone were the days of poring over the works of Virginia Woolf or engaging in critical discourse on gender studies. The pursuit of knowledge and social justice gave way to a shallower existence, focused on more basic pleasures.

His academic aspirations shifted abruptly. No longer driven by a passion for literature and social change, Calvin found himself contemplating a business degree—a path he deemed more practical and financially rewarding. "College is just a stepping stone to better parties," he mused, a cynical smirk crossing his newly chiseled features.

His once eclectic taste in music narrowed to mainstream hits blaring from frat house speakers. The melodic musings of Troye Sivan and the introspective lyrics of Sufjan Stevens were replaced by pounding beats and lyrics devoid of substance but laden with machismo.

In conversations, Calvin now echoed the comedian's disdain for what he perceived as "liberal nonsense" and "PC culture run amok." His views on gender and sexuality grew rigid, laced with misogyny and homophobia that would have appalled his former self. He found himself making crude jokes and engaging in locker room banter, relishing the camaraderie of like-minded peers.

As Calvin's descent into this new identity deepened, he felt a strange satisfaction in his regression. The complexities of his former life seemed distant and irrelevant. He no longer remembered how to spell "Virginia Woolf," much less appreciate her literary genius. His vocabulary dwindled, replaced by a lexicon of bro-speak and corporate jargon.

But with each passing moment, the cacophony of his new life as a masculine conservative douchebag—grew stronger.

As the comedian's joke about his attraction to women resonated through the bar, Calvin felt a seismic shift within himself. It was as if a fog lifted, and suddenly, everything clicked: women were hot. This simple revelation seemed to rewrite the fabric of his existence.

In that moment, the pieces of his gay identity began to unravel. Memories of leading the Gay-Straight Alliance at UCLA, advocating for equality, and embracing his LGBTQ+ community faded like wisps of smoke. The vibrant nights out in West Hollywood, filled with laughter and solidarity, were replaced by scenes of testosterone-fueled football games and raucous frat parties.

Calvin's dorm room underwent a drastic transformation, shedding its previous décor of social justice posters and indie band artwork. In their place, posters of cheerleaders in provocative poses adorned the walls. The atmosphere shifted to one of hyper-masculinity, with empty beer cans littering the floor and the air thick with the scent of cheap cologne.

As Calvin struggled to reconcile this newfound identity, a name surfaced in his mind: Chaz Prescott. It was a name that embodied everything Calvin once scorned: arrogance, conservatism, and a relentless pursuit of female attention. Chaz was not just a new persona; he was a complete overhaul of Calvin's former self.

Chaz Prescott strutted confidently through the world, his speech peppered with crude jokes and objectifying remarks about women. He reveled in the attention of his fraternity brothers, engaging in locker room banter and boasting about conquests that existed more in his imagination than in reality.

Gone were the introspective moments and intellectual pursuits that once defined Calvin. Chaz scoffed at discussions of literature and philosophy, dismissing them as irrelevant to his pursuit of a business degree and the next weekend's party. His once sharp intellect dulled, replaced by a superficial charm and a penchant for shallow pleasures.

With each passing day, Calvin's transformation into Chaz Prescott seemed irreversible. The memories of his former life grew distant, replaced by a bravado that masked a deep-seated insecurity. He no longer questioned the comedian's crude jokes or the ideologies that once repulsed him; instead, he embraced them with a fervor that bordered on fanaticism.

As Chaz Prescott, he navigated a world where women were conquests to be won, and sensitivity was equated with weakness. The complexities of gender and sexuality were reduced to stereotypes and caricatures, and the vibrant spirit of Calvin Andrews faded into the shadows, a whisper of a past life that Chaz no longer recognized or acknowledged.

And so, amidst the laughter and approval of his new peers, Chaz Prescott—a creation born from a single joke—emerged as a symbol of everything Calvin had once rejected, a testament to the transformative power of identity and perception.

As the comedian wrapped up his set with a flourish of applause and laughter, the announcer's voice boomed through the venue: "Up next… you love him, you hate him… it's the king of the frat house… Chaz Prescott!" The name sent a jolt of recognition through the audience, eliciting cheers and whistles from those who knew the persona well.

Chaz, now fully embodying this brash and confident alter ego, flashed a cocky smirk to himself as he swaggered onto the stage. His presence commanded attention, exuding a blend of arrogance and charm that seemed to magnetize the room. Without missing a beat, he launched into the crudest, most provocative set of the night, each punchline hitting its mark with precision. "So, I was at this party the other night and I saw this girl wearing a 'Feminist' t-shirt. So, I went up to her and said 'Hey baby, is that an 'I heart dicks' shirt under there?' She got all mad and started yelling at me about how feminism isn't about objectifying women. And I just laughed and said 'Yeah, well you sure as hell aren't making it easy for us guys to respect you.'"

The audience erupted into stitches of laughter, hanging on Chaz's every word as he spun tales of exaggerated conquests and raunchy escapades. His delivery was impeccable, each joke laced with a raw energy that resonated with the frat house culture he now embraced. "But seriously folks, can you believe these woke snowflakes? They think they can come into our frat houses and try to change the way we think? Well let me tell ya something - we ain't going down without a fight! We are men! We like boobs! And beer! And sports!"

After his set, Chaz found himself surrounded by admirers, basking in the afterglow of his performance. Among them was a pretty blonde girl, her laughter still echoing from the front row. Chaz turned on the charm, flashing a smile that oozed confidence as he engaged her in conversation.

Gone was the introspective Calvin who once pondered the complexities of identity and social justice. In his place stood Chaz Prescott, a larger-than-life figure who reveled in the spotlight and thrived on the validation of his peers. As he bantered effortlessly with the blonde girl, Chaz felt a surge of adrenaline, reveling in the attention and adoration that came with his newfound persona.

Chaz couldn't help but notice the blonde girl's ample cleavage as she approached him. Her tits were like two perfect melons, begging to be squeezed and sucked on. He couldn't wait to get his hands on them, maybe even give her a little slap across those plump cheeks just to see if they jiggled.

As he engaged her in conversation, Chaz couldn't help but think about how much he wanted to teach this dumb feminist bitch what a real man was like. He imagined himself throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her off into the night, fucking her brains out until she begged for mercy.

The girl was stunning - long blonde hair cascading down past her shoulders, big blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief, and lips painted red as cherries. She had an air of confidence about her that made Chaz want to take control even more. "So, what's your name?"

"I'm Lily."

Chaz just flashes his pearly whites "Well, Lily, I think it's time we got out of here. My frat is just down the street."

As they entered the frat house, Chaz couldn't help but feel a surge of power course through him. The room was filled with rowdy brothers, cheering and laughing as they watched on eagerly. He led Lily towards an empty pool table at one end of the room where several guys had already gathered around them.

"Alright boys," he shouted over their laughter,"This is my new friend Lily here - she wants us all to give her some pointers about how real men treat women!"

The room erupted into even louder cheers as several guys jumped up from their seats eagerly approaching them while others grabbed beers off nearby tables ready for whatever might happen next.

After a great set, there was nothing that made Chaz felt more powerful than ever. He loved the way his jokes made people laugh, but there was something even more satisfying about belittling fags and women. It made him feel like a real man - strong, dominant, in control. And nothing turned him on quite like that feeling of power coursing through him.

Without further ado, Chaz grabbed Lily by the waist and lifted her up onto the pool table. She squealed in surprise but didn't resist as he pushed her legs apart and positioned himself between them. He gripped her hips tightly, using them to control her movements as he thrust into her with forceful strokes that made the entire table shake beneath them.

As he looked down at Lily's big tits bouncing up and down with each thrust of his hips, Chaz couldn't help but grin devilishly. He gripped her hair tightly in one hand while using the other to slap her ass hard enough to leave a mark - all while maintaining his brutal pace on top of her.

The guys around them cheered him on, urging him to go harder and faster while they laughed at Lily's helpless moans of pleasure. It was clear that this wasn't about making love - it was about dominating a woman who had dared challenge their alpha male status.

[omgthatdress]

Robe à Transformation

1875

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

"An air of coquettishness and youthful presence inform this set of French dress coordinates. The colorful and spritely decorative details lend a sense of whimsy. The choice of fabric and the inclusion of alternate bodices made this ensemble appropriate for both late day and evening wear."

[payidaresque]

How did you approach playing two characters that are so different? Halbrand appears noble, while Sauron is dark and manipulative. How did you balance that within a single character? — The key point is that they are the same character. Halbrand and Sauron are one, but what sets them apart is Sauron’s commitment to deception; he’s the ultimate deceiver. With Halbrand, Sauron found a way to crawl into people's minds and offer them exactly what they needed at that moment. Like with Galadriel, he tapped into her need to find and confront the darkness, becoming her ally in that quest throughout the first season. In the second season, he does something similar with Celebrimbor, but under the guise of Annatar. There, he appeals to Celebrimbor's sense of hubris and desire to achieve greatness. That's Sauron’s ultimate skill, knowing how to manipulate and give people just what they need or want. When connecting the two characters, I focused on aligning their psychological motivations: the desire to reorder, rehabilitate, and 'heal' Middle-earth, and the idea of power not just over the flesh, but of the flesh itself. Externally, I wanted to distinguish them physically and vocally. Halbrand had a weightiness and roughness to him that supported his sense of nobility. For Annatar, we developed a different accent and pitch of speech, with more contained and flowing movements. Initially, I thought everything about Annatar had to be the opposite of Halbrand. But as we rehearsed, I realized they share more than you'd think and don't need to be complete opposites. That realization was quite refreshing. There are many different approaches, but ultimately, they are the same. The characters seek the same thing; it's just that they are at different stages in his journey, interacting with different people.

Building on what you mentioned about love and unity, the message of hope. The Rings of Power brings together characters from different races and cultures, highlighting their tensions but also their eventual cooperation. How do you see these interactions reflecting contemporary issues of race, ethnicity, and cultural conflict? — We’re incredibly proud of everyone involved, both in front of and behind the camera. It’s a privilege to be part of such a diverse ensemble, and that diversity reflects what we stand for as a company. It’s something we want to share with the world, to show that diversity and inclusion matter. There’s been some criticism about casting decisions made on the show, some of it frankly abhorrent, and we’ve condemned them wholeheartedly. The world of Tolkien is a world for everyone, and we wanted to reflect that reality. That’s the parallel to contemporary society and culture that we hope to draw.

— Charlie Vickers for Vestal (Sept 2024 » 📷 by Eddie Blagbrough)

[justfandomwritings]

An essay on why I won’t be watching next season.

1. Obviously actors have to promote their shows and hype them up. But the interactions between Nicola and Luke during the press tour were, in retrospect, clearly also acting performances, and it is rare to see acting within the press tour to the degree that those two put on while grossly exaggerating things like how sexy this season would be or how much Polin we would get. I don’t blame them. It’s clearly what they were told to do. And it’s fine to hype a show, but I think a lot of people felt genuinely lied to with the WAY this season was hyped.

2. The casting has been color conscious and inclusive in a way I greatly admire. But they have not been inclusive in other ways. And that’s not to say they should have to be. One show shouldn’t bear the responsibility of being inclusive to everyone and making up for an industries worth of exclusion. But we have exactly one size inclusive character in this whole show, and I’m not even demanding more, but to butcher the season of the only size inclusive person in this show this badly and in these ways sends me a clear message of what the writers thought they could get away with with a curvy actress and how they saw her.

3. The wait times for this season and next season are just too long. The hype dies down too much between seasons such that we care less and less each time we get a new one, especially when you only give eight episodes, regardless of their length. You know who also gave us a season in 2022 and then an eight episode season this year? house of the dragon. And they have to CGI a fuck ton of dragons. Yall were sitting on this season being done filming for over a year and for what? What did you do in post? A bee? And then to have the audacity to do it in two parts? Fuck off.

4. Add to that. The costumes and new sets looked so much cheaper this season than previous seasons. Where did the budget go.

5. The plot is too crowded. Maybe you thought a curvy girl couldn’t carry a season. Maybe it was bad writing. Obviously you needed Cressida and Eloise to have decent amounts of screen time but you also did half of Francesca’s story and set one up for Violet and Benedict that collectively took the majority of the screen time and left us with very little Pen and Colin. Which was a disservice you never gave Anthony or Daphne’s seasons and was why they were good. We got enough crumbs of the others to tell us what was happening but not enough to make them feel like main characters or to make it feel like an ensemble show. There were leads in season 1 and 2. This season it was an ensemble with too many moving parts. But everyone’s said that. It’s not surprising.

6. My biggest problem is the tone. The blame. Admittedly I’m a woman who relates strongly to Penelope so I’m not impartial here. But for a character who spends her entire life being abused by every single person in this show, who is pushed to her absolute breaking point before finally giving her mother and the tonne a taste of their own medicine. For that character to receive no grace, no understanding, no respect, for the vast majority of the season hurt. To not only have zero understanding of her situation but to frame the entire plot of the show around the fact that SHE alone should be sorry. To have minimal to no groveling from Colin over what he said last season, to have no acknowledgment of how he treated her as a safety net, to humanize Cressida who made her life hell with minimal acknowledgment of that fact, to have Eloise get ONE comment from Cressida of all people about her friendship with Penelope but no real reflection from Eloise or acknowledgment on her part or apologies for what a truly SHIT friend she was for DECADES. That hurt. Because the message is that sure, they can push you to your fucking limit, you can break after years of being bullied for your weight and your looks and your status. Your own mother and sisters hands can be filthy with insults and abuse. Your friends can treat you like utter garbage for years. They can befriend your bullies. Your soon to be husband can, very recently, insult you to his friends behind your back. But you owe them the apology for breaking after years of abuse. It’s not that the tonne couldn’t be angry or that they all should’ve fallen at Pen’s feet. It’s that those arguments never happen at all because once again, just like when she was being used and abused by everyone, everything was put on Penelope. And the cycle continues.

7. Colin should’ve groveled more. I know I said that in the previous point but it really ruined things for me so I want to emphasize it. I wanted that man on his knees the whole season, and I should’ve known I wasn’t gonna get that when y’all dropped the list of songs and there wasn’t any of the A List Yearners on the list. But I’m still mad.

8. Actually that’s a good point. Did anyone else think the songs didn’t go as hard this year? Except Pitbull were we excited about any of them?

9. You did the Pride and Prejudice ballroom trick with the dancing alone thing and you didn’t nail it. If you’re gonna do that trick it has to fucking HIT. (And it has to be enemies to lovers.) And you did it half assed. You should be ashamed.

10. There was a two second window there when Cressida asked the maid for help where I thought they were gonna swap lives and the maid would go with her aunt and Cressida would become a maid and I was like “holy fuck is Cressida gonna become Bennys love interest?” and that would’ve been better than what y’all did I think. And it would’ve justified her excessive screen time.

11. I love gender swapping Michaela and making Francesca bi. We love it. But why was Francesca immediately interested. Once again the writers don’t understand pining. Michaela is PINING for Francesca and can do nothing but love her from afar. Francesca loved John completely and whole heartedly. Michaela was a beautiful love story for her but was also a second chance. She loved John completely. She would never have an emotional affair on him. How did you immediately ruin such a beautiful second chance romance?

12. Where was Pen’s friendship with Anthony or Lady Danbury? Why wasn’t Colin proud of Pen the way he was in the book? To make her even more alone? To emphasize that she was alone and at fault and helpless? Fuck off.

I just don’t have it in me to watch this show deteriorate further.

[gliyerabaa]

do you think ozians speculate about glinda’s sexuality (and by inclusion her relationship with elphaba)? like are there lesbian glinda conspiracy theorists out there in oz hanging on to every word she says in case she drops hints? i def feel like she would be a camp icon amongst queer ozians. also i think the lesbian glinda believers would call themselves gaylindas.

This is a fun theory and all but I actually am of the opinion that sexuality is not nearly as "big of a deal" in Ozian society as it is in ours

For example, in the book, Crope and Tibbett are out and unashamedly gay and no one bats an eye.

Also in the book, Elphaba's parents are in a polyamorous relationship and again, it's not big deal

Even in the musical, there's a lot of blurring of gender roles. Just take a look at some of the ensemble outfits in "Dancing Through Life"

(All photos from @wicked1280px )

So basically, gender and sexuality isn't as contentious of a topic in Oz, at least from how I understand it.

To answer your question though, I think there would be speculation among members of her staff but not so much in the general public, cause she's just so GOOD at keeping up that facade with Fiyero/Chuffrey (depending on what universe you're in)

I DO think that "Glinda The Good" would be a very popular style emulated at drag shows.

I hope this kind of answers your question? I have Opinions about sexuality in the Ozian universe so... idk

[celadons-penultimate]

Marvel has such great potential in STRANGE ACADEMY. A live-action or animated adaptation alone could be a huge win, whether it closely follows the comics or not, as long as they give us the diverse, inclusive stories that JK Rowling's Wizarding World fails to.

Strange Academy's diversity is a central feature, not an "exotic" aside. It unites people across various cultures, so you see Norse runic magic, Voodoo practice, Aztec nahual lore & more, performed not just by fictional creatures, but women, people w/ melanin & LGBTQ ppl.

Strange Academy's headmaster is Dr. Jericho Drumm aka Doctor Voodoo & various fan favorites act as instructors to the young mages, to humorous effect: Wong, the Ancient One, Magik, Scarlet Witch, Nico Minoru, Agatha Harkness, Talisman, Daimon Hellstrom, etc

Strange Academy's prominent students INCLUDE:

-Zoe Laveau (zombie/necromancer/aspiring lich? & descendant of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau)

-Germán (Nahual animal mage)

-Iric & Alvi (Asgardian twin sons of Amora the Enchantress)

-Emily Bright (newcomer on an interesting path)

-Doyle (nbd, just a son of The Dread Dormammu™)

Strange Academy is set here in the United States, not another dimension or some other fictional locale; specifically, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

You get plenty of charismatic flavor & mystic color, whether you're reading about the mortal or mystical aspects of magical school life.

Rather than typical YA-style focus on a singular "chosen one" & companions, Strange Academy offers engaging ensemble narration that addresses multiple story lines w/ due respect, all while managing to offer impressively dynamic & flamboyant magical feats.

In short, if you're a fan of Marvel, a fan of magic users & a fan of YA stories that AREN'T transphobic or otherwise characterized by bigotry (whether implicit or overtly stated), you might want to set aside any...other options, in favor of Strange Academy. 😌

[ballad-of-encore]

MUSE LIST + RULES !

i have no idea how much, but there's mostly females since i'm most comfortable with playing female characters asides from enstars and league HELLLLL

more hidden under the tab <3

please note that characters that are bolded are main muses!

MUSES

PROJECT SEKAI

An Shiraishi, Kohane Azusawa, Akito Shinonome, Toya Aoyagi, Mizuki Akiyama, Haruka Kiritani, Airi Momoi, Emu Otori

ENSEMBLE STARS

Ritsu Sakuma, Natsume Sakasaki, Sora Harukawa, Shu Itsuki, Subaru Akehoshi, Izumi Sena, Hokuto Hidaka, Mao Isara

WUTHERING WAVES

Female Rover, Encore

GENSHIN IMPACT

Lumine, Ayaka Kamisato, Arlecchino, Eula, Hu Tao, Xiao, Venti, Aether, Zhongli

MAGI

Kougyoku Ren, Morgiana, Kouha Ren

OSHI NO KO

Akane Kurokawa, Ai Hoshino, Minami Kotobuki

LEAGUE OF LEGENDS

Ezreal, Aphelios, Kayn, Ahri, Seraphine — please note that all of them are meant to be roleplayed in their Riot Music alternate universe!

BUNGO STRAY DOGS

Atsushi Nakajima, Kyoka Izumi

MIRACULOUS LADYBUG

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Kagami Tsurugi

ONE PIECE

Uta, Nami, Trafalgar Law (ONLY mlw pairings)

OTHERS

Maomao (Apothecary Diaries), Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail), Shinobu Kocho (Demon Slayer), Diana Cavendish (Little Witch Academia), Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan), Noelle Silva (Black Clover), Gen Asagiri (Dr. Stone), Anya Forger (Spy x Family), Kaoruko Waguri (Kaoruhana)

RULES

please comment on here first if you want to rp with me!

mlw, mlm + wlw and all gender-inclusive pairings allowed

in contrast, as i'm of age, i am capable of doing nsfw writing even though i'm publicly embarrassed to say so LMAO. i'd rather keep all the nsfw stuff to private/dms thanksies <3

rp asks allowed, but only sfw!

if you want to do an rp ask, please state which one of the characters above that you want to interact with!

but in the event that the plot requires characters to be aged up (e.g., marriage, drinking shenanigans, college/university setting, etc.), that is ALSO allowed

OCS WELCOMED!!! i am NOT against cc x oc roleplay as i also have my own original characters i roleplay and yap about!!!

AUs are SO welcomed, genuinely

characters of all ages are allowed!!

romantic and platonic are highly preferred!

i don't do well with horror, nor am i all that great at action scenes, so i'm 100% more partial to a fluff and light-hearted setting!

you don’t always gotta give me a plot, just give me a character, the setting, and WE BALL!!!

crossover pairings, multiships, polyamory—all are welcome, but in terms of polyamory, i'd be fine if it's just between three people :'D

please also note that there are also canon ships from certain fandom/media that i prefer to not roleplay as i primarily see them as friends and nothing else! (eg., anhane, shin soukoku, atsushi and kyoka)

if you ask to roleplay on another platform, then it would be discord i'm most comfortable with!

if you're a minor and ask for nsfw roleplay, then i'm sorry, but i'm turning you down because i'd be comfortable doing that with an adult.

do NOT control my character, i will actually be turned off from replying for a long while if this happens.

this list will grow as i figure tumblr out more! (despite being a user for... several years now... sigh...)

RP CARD: symphonic encore

[allen-san]

Pour l'anniversaire de Lavi, il va y avoir tout pleins de goodies à acheter au Japon ( les veinards ; . ; ) . Voici le lien vers les site au cas où : Pop-up

Mashikaku Can Badge (Aveugle) vol.1

Prix ​​: 550 yens (taxes incluses) / set 11 000 yens (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 20 types (dont 2 types secrets) Taille : environ 58 mm x 58 mm

Carte de collection (aveugle) vol.1

Prix ​​: 550 yens (taxes incluses) / set 6 600 yens (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 12 types Taille : Environ 55 mm x 91 mm

Autocollant (aveugle) vol.1

Prix ​​: 660 yens (taxes incluses) / set 7 920 yens (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 24 types au total (1 paquet contient 2 pièces) Taille : environ L47 mm x H79 mm

Aimant carré (aveugle) vol.1

Prix ​​: 660 yens (taxes incluses) / Ensemble 9 240 yens (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 14 types Taille : Environ 55 mm x 80 mm

Aimant carré (aveugle) vol.2

Prix ​​: 660 yens (taxes incluses) / Ensemble 9 240 yens (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 14 types Taille : Environ 55 mm x 80 mm

Mini toile d'art (aveugle) vol.1

Prix ​​: 1 100 yens (taxes incluses) / Ensemble 16 500 yens (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 15 types Taille : Environ 84 mm x 63 mm

pince à cheveux en acrylique

Prix ​​: 770 yens chacun (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 5 types

porte-clés en acrylique pailleté

Prix : 1 430 yens chacun (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 4 types

pochette transparente

Prix : 1 760 yens chacun (taxes incluses) Nombre de types : 4 types

Prix ​​A : Art sur toile, 100 pièces gagnantes, 5 types au total Prix B : Mini charms, 520 pièces gagnantes, 13 types au total Prix C : Bromure magique, 12 types au total

*Pour le prix A, vous pouvez choisir votre design préféré . Selon l'heure de votre visite, vous ne pourrez peut-être pas sélectionner le modèle souhaité. Veuillez noter. *Les prix B et C sont distribués aléatoirement, vous ne pouvez donc pas choisir le design.

Voilà voilà ..... comment voulez-vous ensuite ne pas vouloir habité au Japon ? ; . ; Si seulement ces produits sortait du Pays pour venir chez nous ; . ;

[hebrewbyinbal]

It is that time of the year to welcome The Four Species, known as ארבעת המינים ar-'ba-at ha-me-'neem in Hebrew.

This set includes the loo-'lav לולב (Palm Branch), et-'rog אתרוג (Citron),ha-'das הדס (Myrtle Branch), anda-ra-vah ערבה (Willow Branch).

Together, these four species are more than just plants; they're a deeply symbolic ensemble that captures the essence of Sukkot and offers insights into life itself.

The tradition of bringing them together serves as a potent reminder of unity and diversity. Each species has its own form, fragrance, and feel, and it's precisely these differences that make the ritual so impactful.

When you wave them in all six directions—north, south, east, west, up, and down—you're acknowledging that the divine is everywhere and in everything. You're also emphasizing the importance of coming together as a community, embracing our differences, and celebrating our shared values.

In the coming days, I'll be diving deeper into the unique characteristics and meanings behind each of these Four Species, so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, as you celebrate Sukkot, let the unity symbolized by the Four Species inspire you to build a more inclusive and compassionate world.

khag sa-'me-akh! 🌿 חג שמח

[silviakundera]

Underrated aspect of A Journey to Love is how the ensemble's perspective is being widened & complicated by their experiences. Intro talks about a war that just ended between An and Wu. An are assholes, going around kicking everyone's ass for $$

First the spy squad from Wu country just want to complete 1 stupid doomed mission, in order to clear their sworn brothers' names who fell in the final battle. No real agenda or deep thoughts besides this personal obligation and Employee Following Orders. Avengers assemble! Our FL Ren Ruyi is on the run and was a Scarlet Guard spy member from enemy country An who are holding the Wu emperor hostage... but the Wu spy chief ML does only a spot of mild torture and basically tolerates this secret because (a) he's determined to retire and (b) she is retired (c) her identity doesn't match any know big enemy of his spy org and the state. But he doesn't want her around.

... record scratch: He compromises. Ok. I do want her around. I won't get attached but ok, she's helpful. I'll even trust her to mentor the princess as we travel to rescue the Wu emperor.

She is only a tutor, though! Won't get her involved in his country's buisness.

Yet then she joins a battle and risks her life to save a bunch of theirs. Ok, ML widens his POV again. She can be their partner!

Everyone loves the mysterious friendly & feral assassin.

Then the squad finds out her identity and tries to kill her. His defense of her inclusion in the group has expanded: (a) her identity doesn't match any known enemy of his spy org and the Wu state, (b) she saved our lives, and crucially (c) she Isn't Born in An Country [isn't truly An] + (d) she was working at the command of her superiors just like we do, a cog in the war machine, and also only killed shitty members of our spy org we don't like

Ok. Now she's on the team. ML & FL are dating now and all the kids ship it. There is 1 (one) Scarlet Guard enemy county spy they accept and support.

But at the same time, she's begun to care about them in return. And we're really IN IT now.

Let's mentor the princess and throw shade on the Wu emperor, considering how our actions matter & how powerful people affect the average person. Caring for the citizens of Wu. They deserve better than their ruling class.

Being generally supportive & respectful of Ren Ruyi's love for the fallen An empress and RR's quest to avenge her.

The Wu delegation willing to (tentatively) ally with RR's former disciple, a marquis of An.

An marquis revealed to have gone against orders to respectfully bury the bodies of their Wu soldier friends, because in his view all loyal soliders deserve it.

The Wu delegation digging up the bodies of their dead friends, to give them a final send off, and mastering their grief to wrench it back from turning into hatred of the An people - focusing their rage and hate on selish & war hungry leaders, not the soliders and generals ordered to fight.

The focus of their resentment now turned to the right direction, expands their thinking & their plotting to have a consideratiom for all the residents of An and Wu, a care for humankind. An citizens are no longer the automatic enemy. ML tells the emperor of Wu to go fuck himself, directly to his face.

Caring about injustice done to some Scarlet Guards and wanting to save active !! "innocent" Scarlet Guard lives. (So far from the starting point! No background check to validate that X, Y, Z don't apply to these people. No rejection of the ML by the delegation or threats for daring to care about a random Scarlet Guard's life or death.) I sure hope the An emperor pays big for being bad at his job, but we gotta be careful about how we deal with him and not mess up An for the nice jewelry makers & brothel workers who live there.

"Having compassion doesn't mean irresolute."