#it was going to be

[tblsomedoodles]

Babies!

b/c i felt like drawing some teeny tiny turtles lol. Leo's in air jail for trying to steal the sleeve from Mikey : )

[v7lgar]

regulus arcturus black

1961 - 1979

[axoloots]

ehe ;3

[sanitysomething]

Just typed out the longest response to someone's post about fucking qsmp lore where I detailed so many great points and it made so much sense in my head I was so proud Then I accidentally clicked on someone's username and lost the whole thing. The modern burning of the Library of Alexandria

[azikarue]

MayBlade 2023 : Day 9 : Ice Cream

Max-centric | FFN Rating: K | FFN Link ❖ “Wait, what’s the Italian word for gelato, then?”

“Michael, gelato is an Italian word,” Emily groaned, looking at him like she couldn’t believe anybody could be so stupid. “What’s wrong with you?”

Eddy burst into laughter, causing several pedestrians to turn and stare. If one or two of them snapped a picture, he didn’t notice, too busy slapping Michael on the back as his teammate sputtered out a defense for himself.

Emily noticed and disguised her disapproval as an eye roll in Michael’s direction.

“Shut up, Eddy! Gelato’s a word back home, too.”

“Yeah,” Eddy said, laughing so hard there were tears forming in the corners of his eyes, “for Italian ice cream.”

“Idiot,” Emily added.

Max kind of wished he was sitting at their table, instead of a little ways down the sidewalk with his mom and Rick.

He glanced at the latter, eating his gelato without a care while another camera flashed in the distance. Max could see the headlines about the All Starz eating ice cream while poor Claude iced his injury now.

He sighed and seconds later the flutter of magazine pages signified his mother had noticed.

“What is it, Maxie?” she asked, pushing her sunglasses up onto her head. Her eyes scanned his face, then landed on his unfinished bowl of gelato. “Are you feeling all right?”

“He’s probably just missing his old Bladebreaker buddies,” Rick interjected brusquely. He didn’t even bother to look up from his cone, and that ruffled Max’s feathers almost as much as his words did. “Although Tyson’s last match was a trainwreck, so he should be glad he jumped ship when he did.”

Any thoughts Max had about grinning and bearing it went out the window with that last sentence.

“Don’t talk about Tyson like that!”

“What?” Rick snapped, finally locking his challenging gaze on Max. “It’s the truth. If you can’t handle it, that’s your problem.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Rick?” Max met his gaze with a glare of his own. He wasn’t in the mood for Rick’s attitude and he wouldn’t tolerate a word against any of his friends. “Tyson’s a great beyblader. The fact that he lost a match, especially to an opponent as strong as Ray, doesn’t change that.”

“You’re just telling yourself that so you quit feeling like a loser for riding his coattails through the last two tournaments.” The look on Rick’s face proved he knew how much that would sting. And he still twisted the knife in more when he said, “Just count yourself lucky you blade with me now. If you’re a good little boy and win your battle against F-Dynasty, maybe I’ll even remind the press that you’re World Champion, too, when we take home the title. That’s more than your pal Tyson ever did for you.”

Max’s chair scraped against the concrete when he leapt to his feet. He could feel the rest of the All Starz watching curiously from the other table, no longer engrossed in whatever conversation they were having. Rick was smirking at him, silently daring him to retaliate. He balled his hands into fists.

“Max,” Judy warned gently, before redirecting her attention to Rick. “That was uncalled for.”

Rick shrugged and ate half his cone in one bite.

Max’s heart was beating too fast to sit back down and eat like nothing had happened. He pushed his chair in and turned to leave.

“Maxie—”

“I’m fine, Mom,” he answered, before she could even ask. “I’m gonna go for a walk.”

He left without waiting for her response, bobbing and weaving through groups of tourists to get as far away as possible. He remembered enough of Rome from the last time he and his friends were here to trust that he’d find his way back to the hotel when he needed to, so he didn’t bother paying attention to where he was going. Instead, he let himself get lost in the crowd and his thoughts.

Sometimes Max felt bad that he and Rick didn’t get along better. After all, the rest of the All Starz hated the fact that they’d come along to take the main two slots on the roster and weren’t shy about showing it. His mom thought they’d get over it eventually. She’d probably maintain that view unless something drastic happened, like Emily suddenly refusing to talk strategy with her.

Max suspected otherwise and had secretly hoped that he and Rick could come to an understanding, maybe even bond over their role as outsiders. Anything else would make for an agonizingly long tournament.

They weren’t off to a good start.

Rick knew how to push Max’s buttons from the moment they met and seemed to make it his personal goal to wipe the smile off of his face by any means necessary. The comments about Tyson were some of his lowest blows yet. Mostly because there was some truth to them.

Max would never admit it to anyone – though he’d danced around the subject with Ray, who he knew felt similarly – but all of the press surrounding Tyson and his two Championship wins got to him sometimes.

Tyson was one of his best friends. When they met, Max was new in town and hadn’t had close friends his own age since he’d moved to Japan. Tyson welcomed him into his circle with open arms, and soon they were traveling the world with a team that felt more and more like a family with each hurdle they overcame together.

They were young when they won the World Championships the first time. Too young to be concerned with what questions the press would ask them or how some fans might prefer one of them over the other. It was all about having fun and helping each other improve. The trophy and title weren’t as important as the fact that they earned it together.

When they were forced to split into two groups the following year, they were up to their necks in opponents trying to steal their bitbeasts. It was enough to make them feel like they were still in it as a team, until the dust settled and everyone started talking about how Tyson had single-handedly defeated one of the most ferocious bitbeasts of all time to claim his second title.

Suddenly, things began to feel different.

Max remembered seeing it on Ray and Kai’s faces, too. The thinly-veiled hurt as Tyson got all the attention for something they’d felt like they were working towards as a team.

None of them ever talked about it and they probably would have continued to sweep it under the rug if the BBA hadn’t announced a pairs format again.

The discussions of who would team up with Tyson to win his third consecutive World Championship victory – an unprecedented feat – were everywhere. Even Tyson joined in the speculation.

Part of Max would have loved nothing more than to battle by his side again. The BBA was even allowing alternates on the teams. With some imagination, it could feel like old times; the four of them taking on the world together. But there wasn’t enough imagination in the world to drown out the fact that he, Ray, and Kai were only considered good enough if they were by Tyson’s side.

Max could sense the moment when they all came to the same conclusion. He felt guilty.

Then his mom mailed him a plane ticket and he felt even guiltier.

Sometimes, he still felt guilty.

“Max?”

Max started. He’d wandered, without noticing, to the Trevi fountain. There were so many people in any direction he looked, that it took him a minute to find the person who’d called out to him.

“Ray!”

He navigated the crowd as quickly and carefully as he could to meet Ray at the bottom of the stairs. Then, as if they’d discussed it, they gravitated to a private corner where they had less of a chance of being spotted, and sat on the edge of the fountain. With a cool mist on his back and a friend by his side, Max’s spirits were lifting already.

“It’s good to see you, Max.” Ray was sitting sideways on the fountain so he could face Max and keep his hair from dragging in the water.

“You, too!” Max answered with a grin. Ex-teammates or not, Ray’s company was way better than Rick’s. “How have things been?”

He realized it was a loaded question when a shadow fell across Ray’s face.

“It’s been good.” There was some hesitation in his voice that Max was going to ignore, until he added, “Different than I thought.” He caught Max’s eyes and an understanding passed between them. There wasn’t any need for elaboration. Max would feel the same way in his place.

“Tyson wasn’t at the top of his game,” he said, almost apologetically.

“Not at all.” Ray’s voice was colored with obvious disappointment.

They paused to watch a cluster of teenagers take turns throwing coins back, over their heads, into the fountain. Max remembered doing the same thing when they visited Rome the first time. Tyson, fresh off of a win against Enrique, had joked that anyone who didn’t wish to win the World Championships would be off the team and they’d all laughed.

“That was bad luck about Claude,” Ray said, changing the subject. “I was surprised your home crowd was so quick to switch sides.”

Max sighed. “I wasn’t. Not with Rick’s attitude.” Not to mention that most of the polls his mom kept tucked in her briefcase showed that Michael was still the fan-favorite on their team. Rick’s popularity had already started to drop when he beat him; it had to be at rock bottom now.

“Rick seems like a tough person to have as a partner,” Ray observed. “What do the other All Starz think of him?”

“They like him even less than they like me, which is saying something. You’d think it would be a reason for Rick and I to get along, but he wants nothing to do with me,” Max answered with a shrug. “But it’s okay. I still feel like I made the right decision. It’s just not the start I was picturing.”

Ray nodded sympathetically. “I guess we’re on the same page, then.”

“Yeah. I guess I know why you were out walking all alone,” Max joked, earning a small smile from Ray.

“I needed some time to think,” he said, turning to look out over the water pensively. “Lee keeps saying I should be happy we won, but I never wanted to beat Tyson that way. I wouldn’t care if I lost if it meant I’d battled against the Tyson I remember.”

“I know what you mean. A battle like that against an opponent like Tyson hardly feels like it counts at all.” That wasn’t the type of fight either of them had struck out on their own for. “Do you think Tyson will be okay?”

Ray turned back to Max and raised his eyebrows. “You’re the optimist,” he said, with half a smile. “You tell me.”

Max considered everything he’d learned about Tyson in the few short years they’d been friends before answering, “He’ll be just fine. And I think we’ll both get the battles we’re hoping for in the end.”

Ray took a deep breath and turned his face into the breeze. “Thanks, Max. I think I needed to hear that.”

“Any time. We’re still friends.”

Whatever Ray’s response would have been was overtaken by a distant voice calling, “Oh, Ray, there you are!”

They both turned to see Mariah in the distance waving her arm above her head. The rest of the White Tigers were with her and the crowd was beginning to take notice. It was obvious which people were beyblade fans by how many heads turned to see who Mariah was waving to and then immediately began whispering and pointing. Their private corner was no longer private and the conversation would have to be over.

“I’d better get going.” Ray stood up and ignored the collective gasp that ran through the crowd when he turned to face Max. “It was good to see you, Max. Good luck in the next round. And with Rick – if anyone can get through to him, you can.”

“Thanks Ray, good luck to you, too.” Max stood up. He could hear several people wondering where his teammates were, and a few mentions of Rick with obvious distaste. “Say hi to the White Tigers for me.”

“I will. See you around.”

He watched as Ray cut a path through the crowd before turning and doing the same in the opposite direction. He wasn’t looking forward to another evening spent training with Rick and ignoring the glares from the others, but he felt lighter and ready to make the best of it after his chat with Ray.

On a whim, he changed his path and headed back the way he’d first came. If the All Starz were still there, there was no time like the present to start making peace with Rick. And if they weren’t, at least he could finish his gelato this time.

[hualianisms]

verified ways to donate to gaza directly

[this post is outdated. up-to-date version here.]

Donate to a Palestinian family directly:

gazafunds.com - Donate directly to a Palestinian family in urgent need of evacuation, medical treatment, daily necessities or more. Site run by Palestinians, all GFMs verified (full list here). Spotlights 1 stagnant GFM at a time. (*If you can't decide who/where to donate, just go to gazafunds.com & donate to the 1 GFM they show you!)

masterlist of 200+ verified Palestinian families' GFMs: Operation Olive Branch

Help provide tents:

The Sameer Project: Currently providing tents & transport for families in Rafah who urgently need to evacuate to Deir Al Balah. Has a team on the ground in Gaza who have supplied tents to 1% of the displaced population in Rafah. Run by Palestinians. (paypal) (gfm)

@helpgazachildren: Currently helping Palestinians in a refugee camp in Rafah flee the Rafah invasion to Khan Younis. Funds go directly to Hussam, a Palestinian in Rafah who hosts a refugee camp. Funds will cover the cost of tents & transport fuel. Managed by a Palestinian @.fairuzfan. (gfm)

Food:

Care for Gaza: Palestinian charity on the ground in Gaza distributing food, cash, medicine & other essentials to displaced families. Proof of their work found on their Twitter. (paypal) (gfm)

We Feed Gaza: Team of Palestinian volunteers in the heart of Gaza distributing food & water to 344+ families. More details & proof in their gfm. Vetted & promoted by LetsTalkPalestine on IG. (gfm)

Direct Aid for Gaza: A Palestinian activist on the ground in Gaza distributing food, cash & other essential supplies to displaced families. Proof of their work found on their twitter. (paypal) (gfm)

Water (*urgent and crucial!)

Gaza Municipality: The official Municipality of Gaza is doing vital, life-saving work to rebuild the water pipes in Gaza City to restore access to clean water & waste management services for the people of Gaza.

eSIMs (*very urgent):

guide to buy & send esims to gaza

Crips for eSims for Gaza: donate any amount to this team of volunteers who pool funds to buy & maintain gaza esims regularly (see their financial accountability document).

Medical Aid:

Gaza Wound Care: Palestinian doctors in central Gaza treating injured/sick children & mothers in neglected displacement camps far from hospitals. Facing a severe shortage of medicines, equipment, and medical supplies. Currently raising funds to support their efforts to battle infectious diseases in refugee camps. (gfm) (paypal) (gogetfunding)

international charities: Palestine Red Crescent Society, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Medical Aid for Palestinians

How to help if you can't donate:

Share & amplify Palestinian fundraisers in your irl & online circles

Organize or help to run an online/irl event to raise funds for Palestine

Boycott

Get involved with a protest/strike/direct action in your area

Contact your reps

Educate yourself & others both irl & online

Daily clicks on Arab.org

(you can even adopt 1 fundraiser campaign to regularly boost it & make materials promoting it online, or print posters/flyers about Palestinian fundraisers to encourage others to donate. (poster/graphic about gazafunds.com: here, flyers about esims: here, flyers about gazafamilyfunds: here)

(longer masterpost of all ways you can help)

(*all these links and more now in this rentry page. will no longer be updating this post, instead refer to the rentry page)

Last updated 3/6/2024 with Gaza Wound Care & We Feed Gaza. Wanted to focus on Palestinian-run grassroots initiatives that will actually reach Gazans on the ground, so all of these except eSIMs, PCRF, MAP are by Palestinians. Donating to international orgs is not ideal rn as aid is still being stopped at the border. Please focus on Palestinian-run initiatives on the ground in Gaza.

Remember, small donations really do add up. Any amount counts, even $1!

[muttmoxley]

sometimes im like "wow holy shit im being really fucking annoying. i should stop talking" and then i pull out my magic 8 ball and it says "youve always been annoying and your friends chose to talk you anyways. youll be fine" and im like wow thanks magic 8 ball. and then the ogre attacks me

[this-is-a-podcast-fanblog]

"Kamala Harris raised 50+ million dollars after Biden dropped out!" you fools.... that's the money she got from selling Biden to One Direction :(

[maudiemoods]

If life is a never ending loop of dirty dishes and laundry then that means life is a never ending loop of home cooked meals and comfy clean clothes

[ganondorf]

[cordspaghetti]

really factual recounting with no embellishments whatsoever

[theshitpostcalligrapher]

the curse of summer is buying and eating an inadvisable amount of fruit in single sittings.

[itsscaredycat]

so ok yeah fine i watched gravity falls again and read the book of bill

[inbabylontheywept]

so once me and my wife were watching a documentary where a snake ate like a million eggs. that snake just went to fucking town on eggs. and the snake made the eggs look so good that i kept thinking about it, and thinking about it, and thinking about it, and eventually it was 11pm and i ran out of willpower and decided to eat one (1) singular raw egg just to prove to myself that the snake was surely a liar.

the snake was not a liar. texture is like, super important to me and raw eggs are very Texture so i had another one, and then another one, and then another one, and eventually i ran out of eggs.

i had like, fifteen raw eggs.

i didnt really know how to explain this momentary madness to my wife, so my Plan was to put all the eggshells into a grocey bag, and then throw that grocery bag in the dumpster, and if she never noticed that would be Excellent and if she noticed immediately i could lie and say that the eggs went bad.

except i cant lie very good, and of course with murphys law being such, i got salmonella.

so i threw up a lot and my wife asked me what poisoned me so and i tried very hard to dodge the question but i was oozing shame like oil from a room temperature cheese and eventaully i gave in and told her everything and to her enormous credit she was more flabbergasted than actually upset. she did make me promise to not eat any more raw eggs, which i have stuck to, and she gives me weird looks during nature documentaries now as if desire was the only thing keeping me from eating thousands of pounds of krill anyway i made a joke earlier about being able to eat my age in eggs and my sister in law in law made a drawing to comemorate the moment and also because it was my birthday. she's excellent. thank you 10000000% @cintailed. you should all visit her page and admire her work.

[mangosteen]

[girldraki]