#like super rad dad super cool super special awesome!!!

[slumbergoblin]

Stratos and Betrayus’s parents woo yeah woo yeah woo yeah  (albeit when they’re *much* younger, but still!)

[sassyarchives]

Spine Lines

March 1988: On your mark . . .

April 1988: Get set . . .

May 1988: Maybe . . . maybe not

June 1988: Off the deep end

July 1988: The works

August 1988: Fall for this

September 1988: Too cool for school

October 1988: Our treat

November 1988: For the birds

December 1988: Fa la la la la la la la la

January 1989: Stay up late

February 1989: Xxxoo

March 1989: Come as you are

April 1989: Don’t be foolish

May 1989: Total mayhem

June 1989: Change the World

July 1989: Robert + Christina = 4eva

August 1989: Back in Black

September 1989: What is the meaning of life?

October 1989: Plenty to copy inside

November 1989: Thanks

December 1989/January 1990: Recycle this

February 1990: Love is a dog

March 1990: Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

April 1990: This is a spineline.  Now you know.

May 1990: Also: 8 surfers, 7 dogs, 6 cats, many fish, Mrs. Catchpole and more

June 1990: School is blown to pieces

July 1990: So I said to him, shut up

August 1990: This is your brain on Sassy. Any questions?

September 1990: “Please mom and dad, I’d like to see what they want.” – Marcia Brady

October 1990: Should Jane get a nosering?

November 1990: More scrapple, Kim?

December 1990: ch-ch-ch-changes

January 1991: r.i.p. tom carret, 1906-1990

February 1991: Valentines, schmalentines

March 1991: ?porque no sombra azul? (Translates to: Why not blue shadow?)

April 1991: Donnie is dead

May 1991: Is that any way to talk to your mother?

June 1991: U r 2 good 2 b 4gotten! Luv ya! Write me at camp!!!

July 1991: Minga minga ooga booga

August 1991: hi honey, i'm home! hi honey, i'm home! hi honey, i'm home! hi honey, i'm home! hi honey, i'm home!

September 1991: cooties!

October 1991: what’s eating milla?

November 1991: We hate the bloated premenstrual belly

December 1991: Listen up, sistas

January 1992: chard is a fine source of calcium

February 1992: “ ‘90210’ is a fascist crock,” says mk

March 1992: Bob Hope, madman

April 1992: We’re rubber, you’re glue

May 1992: Then again, perhaps not

June 1992: We’re ready for our close-up

July 1992: Christina + rage = power

August 1992: Special envelope pushing issue

September 1992: not a warner bros. house organ

October 1992: for a good time call 1-202-456-1111

November 1992: if you lived here, you’d be home now

December 1992: corporate zine

January 1993: First the world series, now this!

February 1993: nature of a plagiariza’

March 1993: bye, bye mooksie

April 1993: Please do not feed my god a peanut

May 1993: A soft patina of nausea

June 1993: The question is what are YOU doing

July 1993: I want to go home now

August 1993: Stop the inanity

September 1993: Competition? What competition?

October 1993: Did ya belt ‘em? Did ya cinch ‘em?

November 1993: Be a lion

December 1993: Whoomp, There it is / we are pleased / super-groovy / oot & aboot / gnards…awwwesome/don’t buy big brother/RU-stain/totally rad

January 1994: I dreamed I was assertive

February 1994: Hey, wait, I’ve got a new complaint

March 1994: Now we are six

April 1994: Nathan has boy disease

May 1994: If you can smell it, it’s killing you

June 1994: Todo lo que buscas esta aqui (Translation:  everything you want is here)

July 1994: Would you like fries with that

August 1994: If they call you a fat pig, say thank you

September 1994: “Boom!”

October 1994: Free alien defense kit

November 1994: The freshmaker

March 1995: Don’t Forget To Write

April 1995: Spring Heats Up!

May 1995: Show Some Skin

June 1995: Sexy summer styles

July 1995: Go float your boat

August 1995: This should thread your needle

September 1995: Right here, right how, right on

October 1995: Mind candy

November 1995: Everything you need to know, now

December 1995: Spine tingling

January 1996: In the groove

February 1996: The love issue

March 1996: Beauty check

April 1996: Think positive

May 1996: Empower yourself

June 1996: Free your mind

July 1996: Red, white & blue rules

August 1996: Awesome autumn

September 1996: The hot issue

October 1996: BOO!

November 1996: Boy oh boy!

December 1996: Ho, ho, homegirls

[shhh-no-ones-home]

puppy love ted “theodore” logan x reader

+++++++++ Request from @ringa-starr "...The song being 'Sk8er Boi' by Avril Lavigne with either Bill or Ted and the reader."

This is not exactly how I expected it to be but I think it goes with the timeline pretty well, either way I hope you like it! sorry it took so long.

Song: sk8er boi by avril Lavigne +++++++++

I laughed at what my friend had said and closed my locker. Both of us pushed against it though as some kid came zooming down the hallway on his skateboard.

"Ted Logan slow down!"

Mrs Fletcher yelled but he kept moving.

"Who is that?"

I turned to my friend and she rolled her eyes.

"He's no body."

I smirked and looked at him as he continued rolling to his class.

"He's kinda cute."

She laughed.

"No y/n, a dog is cute, that is not."

She pointed behind her before hugging her books to her chest.

"Whatever Kelly, let's get to class."

We walked down the hall, pinkies intertwined. when we got into the classroom he was stood there with his skateboard in his hand talking to some blonde kid. i sent kelly a look before walking to him and tapping him on the shoulder.

"hey, that was some sick riding."

he seemed nervous but gave me a smile anyways.

"uh thanks, im ted."

he offered his hand to me and i shook it.

"y/n."

i looked him up and down.

"do you think you could show me how to do that?"

he looked down at the board and then back at me.

"i could try."

i twisted my body a few times.

"great, my place after school?"

he nodded quickly but then the other one hit his arm.

"dude we've got practice."

"oh right, uh wanna do it after our band practice?"

i smirked at him.

"sure, when and where?"

he turned around and started writing something down before handing me the paper. i looked over it.

"ill see you then."

°°°°°°°°°

i shoved my hands deep in my pockets and looked down at the address again. by now it had been more than an hour after school so i had time to change out of my 'preppy' clothes and be me. it was like flipping a switch, i could still be as swave as i needed to be but i could be comfortable too. when i came up to the house the garage was open and i could hear heavy guitar coming from the large speakers. i stepped up the driveway and looked around for a second. bill and ted were jumping around wailing on their guitars. then ted froze when he saw me. it took bill a second but he stopped and looked at me too.

"hey guys."

i waved to them and they waved back hesitantly.

"you look different."

i looked down at my outfit, it was a black t-shirt layered over a white long sleeve shirt with the sleeves pushed up to my elbows. i also had on ripped acid wash jeans and knee high purple and black striped socks you could see through the rips, with my black chuck taylor's.

"bad different?"

ted swallowed hard before shaking his head.

"not at all dude. i mean y/n."

i smiled at him and held my hands together in front of me.

"im sorry for being a little early, i kinda wanted to see you guys play, you sound really good by the way."

they both blushed

"thanks, im glad you like it. we've actually got one more song and then i can show you how to skate if you want."

i nodded quickly.

"yeah id love that."

i sat at the picnic table in bills garage and watched as they checked their amps before shredding again. i bobbed my head along with the song as they sang loudly against the speakers. when it was done they put their guitars on the stands and high fived.

"that was most excellent ted dude!"

"Yeah!"

Ted yelled back. Then bill came and sat by me.

"Ted is a most excellent skater dude. He surfs too."

Ted scratched the back of his head.

"Only because of my dad but it gets me around."

I smiled between the two of them.

"Well I think it's pretty rad, and I'm excited to learn."

Ted came over and sat on the other side of me.

"Your friends don't mind that you're doing this?"

Bill sent him a look and I shrugged.

"I don't know, why should I care what they think? Half of them have cars their dads bought them to get their love. I couldn't care less."

I laughed a little and they both smiled and nodded.

"Awesome!"

Bill said turning to Ted. Then they did that air guitar thing.

"Excellent!"

They both said excitedly and I laughed at them again.

"So, is it really like surfing?"

Ted nodded quickly.

"Okay, cause I've done that a few times before but I'm not very good at it."

I blushed a little.

"That's okay dudette, we'll go slow."

I smiled at him.

"Thanks Ted, that means a lot."

He stood up and picked his board up.

"Wanna get started?"

I nodded and followed him out to bills driveway. Thank God it was relatively flat cause I was scared to death. He set the board on the ground and offered his hand for me to take.

"Uh, I think we should start with balance, and then we'll work up to moving on your own."

I nodded and took his hand, stepping onto the board. I wobbled for a second and held his hand a little tighter. He placed his other hand on the small of my back.

"It's okay, I've got you."

I nodded and breathed deeply.

"Right."

"Okay, try moving your feet back and forth with the board, it's designed to move with you."

I looked down and did as told, rocking back and forth. I looked up at Ted and smiled.

"That's good, now try spacing your feet a little bit more, one in the middle of the board and one at the back."

We both looked down and I did as told. I looked back at him.

"That's good, do you feel more secure now?"

I nodded.

"Yeah actually I do."

He smiled widely at me.

"Okay great, now I'm gonna push you."

I held onto him, fear in my eyes.

"You're gonna what?"

He laughed a little.

"It's okay, I'm not gonna let go of you, we're just gonna move a little bit."

I nodded slowly.

"Okay."

He moved his hand a little bit on my back and started leading me forward.

"Good, bend your knees a little bit and lean in the direction you wanna go."

I looked down for a second and did as told, then we started turning. I laughed in disbelief.

"I'm actually doing it."

He kept moving with me, smile on his face.

"Yeah you are dude!"

Then he started slowing me down and stopping us.

"Wanna try pushing off yourself?"

I nodded slowly.

"Uh sure."

He let go of my back but still had my hand.

"Okay so you're gonna balance your one foot in the middle of the board. You're gonna push off with the other and when you're going as fast as you want you're gonna shift your feet so you're standing on the board like before."

I nodded.

"I think I can do that."

I stood down off the board before placing one foot on. He still had my hand and I looked at him to make sure that was right. He nodded at me. Then I pushed once with my other foot and he moved along with me as the board started rolling. I placed that foot on the board too and was actually doing it by myself, balance and everything. It really was like surfing, you were just using your legs to move forward instead of your arms. When the board slowed and came to a stop. Ted smiled widely at me.

"You did it!"

°°°°°°°°° After about an hour of practicing I was really starting to get the hang of things. I wasn't as afraid any more and Ted didn't have to hold my hand as I moved in straight lines down bills driveway.

"You're doing great dudette!"

Bill called as he tried to do kick flips on the other side of the driveway.

"Thanks Bill."

I called as I tried to keep focus on the board. Ted was still walking beside me as I moved, jogging a little as I gained more confidence to move faster. I decided to start again, going back up to the garage door and skating down to the street.

"You wanna try to take it all the way down this time?"

He asked and I nodded.

"I think so yeah."

He smiled at me.

"Okay dude, I'm right here. Let's do this."

I placed my foot on the board and pushed off, facing Ted as I started rolling down the driveway. I looked up long enough to see Kelly driving her convertible in front of bills house.

"Y/n?!"

She yelled and my eyes got wide. I wobbled forward for a second, tripping off the board. Ted caught me mid fall around the waist and spun me around in a circle before placing me on the ground and steadying me. I breathed deeply and leaned forward, resting my hands on my thighs.

"Dude are you okay?!"

Bill yelled as he ran over to us, board in hand. I watched my board roll forward and hit her front tire. Then she got out of her car and walked around it, looking disgusted at the board before walking to me. I stood upright.

"Y/n, what do you think you're doing?"

I looked to bill and Ted.

"Learning how to skateboard?"

She stomped and crossed her arms over her chest.

"He tried to kill us with one of those this morning and now your trying to ride one?!"

She said in disbelief. I shrugged.

"Yeah actually, it's super fun."

She looked like she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"You're just doing this cause you have a crush on Ted."

I raised a brow.

"Why would that be the reason for doing this?"

She frowned.

"I don't know! But you still thinks he's cute either way!"

I shrugged again.

"So what, like you said this morning, a dog is cute,"

I looked back at him.

"And if I like him then he must be the cutest damn dog I've ever seen."

She looked mad now, holding her arms tighter to her chest. Ted just barked at her and we all laughed except her.

"How could you do this to me y/n?"

I laughed a little.

"Do what? It's not like I'm hurting you."

She pouted.

"But your hanging out with normies. They aren't special, or cool, or popular. And we are."

I shrugged again.

"Maybe getting some normal friends would do you some good Kell."

Her mouth hung open.

"Poppycock!"

I laughed.

"No Kell's, puppy love."

I corrected her and turned to Ted, scratching his head behind his ear. he started pannting like a dog, kicking his leg. We all laughed again as he stopped and I turned back to her.

"You should really try it sometime Kell's. Skateboarding is fun and so is making new friends."

She just shook her head.

"Whatever y/n, I'm not hanging out with them at school so you'd better get as much time with them as you can afterwards."

I laughed a little.

"Yeah okay."

I said sarcastically. She turned around to walk to her car.

"I mean it y/n I'm not sitting with them at lunch. I won't do it."

She got back in her car and looked at me.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

I waved at her.

"See ya."

Then she drove off, the skateboard rolling a little further into the street. I ran and picked it up and brought it back to bill and Ted. They looked between each other before looking back at me.

"So, puppy love?"

Ted asked. I laughed a little and blushed.

"Maybe."

Ted smiled widely.

"Come on, let's keep practicing."

[littlecountrymouse]

Space Cowboy podcast episode 19: An interview with Michael Vlamis transcript.

So guys, I got a heap of messages from people saying they’d like this thing transcribed, because not everyone can listen to podcasts. I do this for a living, but also do it occasionally for my dad with Alan Alda’s podcasts because he’s mostly deaf and can’t understand them. So I’ve typed this sucker out for you all on my phone today. It’s not perfect, and I had to go back and edit it for clarity because holy shit, Vlamis says like A LOT. But it’s beautiful, and hopeful, and the biggest take out from it that I cranked the volume on and checked with my work software is that Malex LOVE each other right now, in the present. Screw this ‘loved’ shite, it’s current day, baby. They just gotta learn to talk and be honest and vulnerable with one another for it to work. 

Liz: Welcome to Space Cowboys, a Roswell New Mexico podcast here on purefandom.com. I am Liz Prugh, joined by my co-host Meg Bonney.

Meg: Hello, hello.

L: And while each week we normally give you amazing one-of-a-kind theories on the fabulous TV series Roswell New Mexico, the show was on hiatus this week, which was a big bummer because we forgot. But we didn’t forget about you listeners, we’re bringing you a special episode. Meg, give us the details.

M: On this week of Space Cowboys we’ll be talking about hair care and hair products, and - just kidding. So we don’t have a recap, obviously, because there wasn’t a new episode. But we chatted with our favorite midwestern curly haired cowboy, Michael Vlamis!

L: Woowoo!

M:  He talks about why he loves his fans so much, and it will melt your heart, and how he maintains those gorgeous curls, and Malex, of course Malex.

L: All things Malex. So make sure you guys keep tuning in, and check out all of our other amazing podcasts on purefandom.com and we’ll catch you next week for a new episode. Enjoy this lovely conversation with the even more lovely Michael Vlamis.

*Space Cowboys intro theme piece.*

L: Hey listeners, welcome back to Space Cowboys. We have a very special episode for you, we have Michael Vlamis, who plays Michael Guerin on Roswell New Mexico, what’s up Michael?

MV: Woo! How you guys doing?

L: Awesome.

MV: I am happy to be talking to you guys, this is fun.

L: It’s a good vibe for all you listeners, we all have really really curly hair, and we’re all from the midwest, so it’s a great space right now.

MV: The curls are very hard to manage, I’m gonna, I’ll be real with you. It took me like twenty-six years of my life to figure out what to do with my hair.

M: We were just talking about how it’s so hard to manage our hair, and it took us so long, and we’re the only ones who know how to deal with it.

MV: Yeah, nobody else knows. Nobody knows the trauma. When I was a kid I wanted straight hair, I wanted one of those bowl cuts, and my mom was like, honey you’re never gonna have that, your hair is not straight, and it was sad but I’ve come to terms with it finally.

L: Yeah, and you rock it now, I love it.

MV: Yeah, thank you. It gets wild in some of those episodes, I see it blowing in the wind and I’m like ‘oh, man, that’s it? There you go.’

M: Giggles

L: It has a life of its own, Meg and I were just saying we’re still living that Herbal Essences life, like we’ve tried the expensive stuff and I dunno, you just, you gotta stick with what works.

M: Mmhm.

MV: Honestly, this might gross some people out, but I hardly ever wash my hair. I hardly ever wash it, the woman who cuts my hair, she says you don’t wash it, your hair gets oily when you’re not a - we’re like turning into a hair campaign now, I love it - when you uh, you wash it too much and it just creates more oil, so if you’re not washing it, then uh … you know. I still use conditioner though. I smell okay, I will say that. I smell okay.

M: Well, there you go, that’s all you need.

MV: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you for having my back.

L: We got you. Well, that’s a perfect segue into this next question into your love story on the show. Let’s talk about - Tyler Blackburn’s here - no, I’m just kidding.

MV and M both laugh

MV: Oh, that’s great.

L: So when we recently Carina, of course the amazing showrunner of Roswell New Mexico at your ATX screening in Austin Texas, and she said it was very important to have the Michael and Alex story start in the darkness and come into the light versus the other way around, which is the way we see a lot of LGBTQ relationships on TV. What darkness do you think that both Michael and Alex need to overcome in order for them to be like ‘okay cool, we both deserve to be happy and love each other?’

MV: Oh my gosh, that is such a deep, tough question to answer cause there’s so many things, and when it comes to Michael and Alex a lot of like who Michael Guerin is is a lot of the feelings that I have, and I draw straight from what I’ve had to overcome, and like similar to Michael Guerin, you know, he’s been an outsider his whole life, right? And so has Alex, they both have these secrets, and I think the biggest thing that you have to overcome is accepting who you are, that your secrets don’t always need to be kept so close to the chest and I think it’s the vulnerability, it’s accepting that it’s okay to be vulnerable and you’ll still be liked, you’ll still be accepted. And if people don’t accept you for your vulnerability then you don’t want them in your life, and I think that’s like, that’s the biggest thing, is that you can be honest with yourself and with others. And, I mean obviously the two of us, I mean, we didn’t even tell each other that - we had been separated ten years and we never even told each other that we loved each other when we did, you know? And I think that’s a mistake a lot of people make and I make in my own life, which is like, the things that are hard to say, not saying them, and I think that’s the biggest thing you have to overcome, that it’s okay to be vulnerable.

L: Aww, I love that. Also I’d like to just say that I love both of you, just so that doesn’t become an issue and I didn’t tell you.

MV: Laughs. Okay, thank you.

L: So speaking of Michael and Alex, one of our favorite scenes was that flashback with you playing the guitar in the shed. So I just wanted to know, are we gonna get to maybe see more musical moments, or maybe is that something that you’re gonna try to save for next season, if we knock on wood get next season?

MV: Oh man, you know, I can’t give anything away. I can’t give too much away with that, because - just know that you know, my hand is messed up in the show and that’s why I stopped playing guitar, and a big part of me kinda disappeared that day in the toolshed, like an identity, you know, something that - in that scene that talks about how my entropy changes when I play music and I kind of escape my life and all the chaos going on in my head. So definitely know that it’s something that Michael Guerin is very passionate about, and he would love to get back to, but he’s gotta do something about that hand if that’s ever gonna happen, you know?

L: Mmhmm. So, we’re both super sci fi nerds and you probably, you probably can’t answer this next question, but we recently learned that Guerin is building a spaceship, and it would be so rad -

MV: Yeah!

L: If you guys went to space. Do you see that happening in the show, do you want it to happen in the show?

MV: Um, you know what, I would love to see, to see something like that happen, but I think what’s more interesting than going to space is the choice of going to space, you know? It’s not necessarily being there, but it’s the choice that I’m actually going to leave all these people I love. Because I don’t know, even if I do go to space am I even going to be able to bring everybody, do I wanna bring everybody. It’s kind of like - Michael Guerin, his whole life has been building this spaceship to go back to his family, but like at the same time he’s also running from something. But he’s also running towards something that he believes wholeheartedly in which is like family and his origins and things like that. But I would love to see a moment come where he has to really decide you know, am I going or am I staying, and I think that could be a really powerful scene.

M: I’m team space, I say send everyone to space, let’s just start over on a new planet. I would love to see that.

MV and L laugh.

MV: Yeah, we would probably end up polluting it though, but yeah, you know, it would be nice to get a little fresh start every now and then.

L: Yeah, totally agree. So with so many reboots and reimaginings on TV right now, a lot of fans tend to compare them to the original, or even just there’s kind of backlash surrounding it. What has the fan experience been for you so far in this process?

MV: Oh my God, honestly overwhelming. I honestly didn’t really know what to expect, this is my first TV show, I’ve never had like, I’ve never really had fans before or people that blindly support me because of a character that I portray. I’ve had some success in the past where that’s happened a little bit, but not like this. And all I can say is that I feel so lucky that I get to through acting, what I love doing most in my life, I get to give people an escape and challenge their thoughts and get them to open up, and a lot of these fandoms that are following me, especially like, on instagram is kind of where I spend the most of my time with social media, I think it’s the app that I enjoy the most, it’s so visual you know? And I love making my instagram into, you know, I like that it almost looks like a magazine spread or something of just like, my humor and what not and I enjoy that, I really reveal a lot about myself on Instagram. And I think people appreciate that, so I get like, there’s LGBTQ Vlamis accounts, there’s malex accounts, there’s Michael Vlamis Italia, um, it’s people in Italy, and it’s so wild. And the messages that they send me about how my character and my love story with Alex has opened them up with their life and helped them get out of a dark place is honestly why you do the job. Because sometimes acting can feel like such a selfish career at times, and I think a lot of actors are very selfish you know, like you’re the center of attention, you’re doing this you’re doing that. But when you can actually help the world and it’s bigger than you is when it’s most important. And luckily I’m in a position where that’s happening right now, and I’m not gonna lie, it’s very rewarding.

L: That’s awesome, and I’ve seen a lot of those accounts too, and when we’re just tweeting about the show in general and like, their tag is your name and that’s gotta be pretty wild to see.

MV: Oh it’s so wild, it’s so funny for all my friends too, because now all of a sudden any time they post a story or something, like the fan accounts are reaching out to them, and they’re like, ‘oh, oh, what’s Michael doing right now,’ or they’re reposting pictures of my roommates just because they’re in my life, so now they’re all kind of experiencing a little bit too, which is, it’s been a lot of fun and we’re having a lot of laughs with it and we’re all really grateful about it.

L: That’s awesome. I love that. Okay, so, I don't know if you can answer this but I’m gonna ask it anyway because, I don’t know if you listen to the podcast and you can lie and say you listen to every one religiously, but we talk about a lot of theories, and one of the biggest theories we’ve been talking about recently is the fourth alien. And we think we know who it is, but we wanted to know what was your reaction when you learned about the identity of the fourth alien, and have you really seen anyone guess it correctly?

MV: Oh man. I have seen one person online guess it correctly, I will say that. And it was one of those things where I almost didn’t even want to like interact with the post, because I didn’t want to give anything away whatsoever. But this one specific person did guess it and I don’t think that’s giving it away too much because so many theories are out there that I don’t think anyone’s gonna find this one person that guessed it right, but somebody did. And when I was shooting the show, the fun thing about the show is that I never knew what was gonna happen every episode right? Like they would sit us down and talk to us about major story points and what’s gonna be going on with your character and kind of the necessities of what you need to know in order to give an honest performance. But I didn’t know what was going to happen actually, how we were gonna get to where they said we were going. So every episode when I read it it was a surprise, I was blown away, it was like ‘oh my god, this is happening in this episode? This is crazy, this fun, it’s exciting.’ And when I found out who was gonna be the villain I was a little taken aback because even I didn’t see it, and I think that’s what’s fun about the show, is that of all the theories, everything, I’ve seen one person guess it and that’s how we wanted to do it, right, we didn’t want to give anything away. I think Carina did an amazing job of like, revealing who the fourth alien is and you know, what they stand for and why they’re coming from the place they’re coming from, so I was almost like a viewer on the show, I was just learning kind of as the episodes go what was going down. But once I knew who it was a lot made sense and at the same time I was just taken aback that okay, this was the person who is doing all this, and it was a lot of fun for me to discover as well.

L: Ooh, that’s so fun, we can’t wait.

Mv: Yeah.

L: So music is also a big part of the show and we know what nineties songs that Liz Ortecho plays on the jukebox you know, she’s got her Counting Crows and her Third Eye Blind. What song or songs, or we’ll even make it easier for you, what bands do you think Guerin would pick or that he has on his iPod?

MV: I can tell you what song I am most proud of having in a scene that I’ve done thus far and that was in the flashback episode, that was episode six when you see our first kiss. I remember reading the script and originally in the script, when, because Jeanine and Nathan have a very touching moment in that scene too, right around that scene where I kiss Tyler for the first time, and the song that’s playing in the script is ‘First Day of my Life’ by Bright Eyes, and I’m like a huge Bright Eyes fan, and when I saw the episode cut together they played that kiss over our song as well and honestly that was like one of the coolest moments for me, to see a band that I grew up on, a band that I have just screamed at the top of my lungs in my car or just listening to to find an escape, going through a breakup or something like that, to have that song that means so much to me play over my kiss with someone that I love in the show was a really, really special moment. And I could sit here and say that Michael Guerin is the type of guy who’s just listening to like, old school country or some John Denver or some rock n roll or something like that, but I think at the end of the day Michael Guerin is a big softie. And I think that a song like Bright Eyes not only affects me but affects Michael Guerin, obviously because I bring so much of myself to the character. But definitely, the guy puts on such a tough guy act and he’s like this bad ass sex symbol, but at the end of the day he’s a sad vulnerable boy who just wants love and acceptance.

L: Aww, that’s so sweet!

M: I know, right?

L: I think we actually just talked about that in our last episode about how he wants everyone to thinks he’s such a badass, but he’s just this big old heart on his sleeve guy, and I love that you picked more of a softer, vulnerable song, I like that. Back to the malex relationship, obviously I’m single-minded here, but it’s been so special for the fans and for us to even get to talk about it week to week. But what can you tease about their bond in the rest of the season?

MV: Oh boy. You know, I don’t wanna give anything away, but I can say that everything does come to a head, you know. And I think that even if we do say it or we don’t say it, you really know how we feel about each other, but you know, I don’t know if - I wanna be really careful with my words, because I really don’t want to give anything away. But I will say that in the next few episodes Michael and Alex get to really spend a lot more time together, they kind of bond up as they try to figure out this alien conspiracy, and you see how apparent the love is and I can’t say where we end up at the end of this season, but I will say that everyone will have a very clear idea of how we really feel about one another. Because right now, even though like, I think it was episode nine maybe that Shiri Appleby directed outside the trailer, you know, we tell each other that we love each other for the first time, and now it seems like, okay, we’re getting to know each other almost on a friend level because we never really got to be friends, we were broken up from each other for so long after that traumatic incident and everything happened so quickly, and all of a sudden he was gone off to war and I was doing my own thing, so I can’t say what the resolution is but you definitely get to see each other spend much time together, get to know who we are and set up anything that may be able to happen in the future or by the end of the season amongst the two of us.

L: That’s awesome, we’ll take it.

MV: Yeah!

L: I think it’s *inaudible cross talk for a second.* It’s apparent too, like there’s no doubt that you guys love each other, it’s just all the noise getting in the way a little bit.

MV: Yeah, that’s the problem. I go through this in my everyday life, you can love someone so much but maybe they’re just not right for you and that is a horrible feeling, something so hard to deal with and you never really know. Cause is love enough, or is it personality traits that need to align or family background or taste in different aspects of life, do all those things need to be in line too, or is love enough? And as a hopeless romantic I like to think that love is enough, but I don’t know, as I get older I’m not sure. I think it’s more than love, it’s compatibility, that these two guys up til now have just not been compatible because they haven’t been completely honest with one another. So it’s interesting, it’ll be interesting for you guys to watch too as the characters become more honest with one another where they end up.

L: Well, we’re so excited and we’re so grateful that you took the time to chat with us today, this was so much fun.

MV: Yeah, it was a blast. I appreciate you guys wanting to chat.

L: Don’t forget, listeners, important things to note from the discussion today. If you have curly hair wash it every other day or every few days.

MV: Laughs. Yep. Yep.

L: No matter what happens Malex still loves each other and let’s just accept what happens, whatever does, for the rest of the season. The fandom has just been so positive and so awesome  thus far. It’s been great for us so it has to be even better for you. We’re just waiting for that season two renewal.

M: Mmhmm.

MV: Woo! I’m waiting too, I’m hoping they’ll let us know in the next uh - they gotta let us know by May, right? We got upfronts in May, we have to know by May.

L: That’s what we’re hoping too.

MV: That’s what I’m hoping too. And the show I heard goes on Netflix May first, I think Carina tweeted that out. So I think once that happens that’ll get a lot more people knowing about the show and watching us, and that’ll help the decision by the studio as well.

M: Oh yeah.

L: Woowoo!

MV: Yeah!

L: Well, thanks again for tuning in, and cheers to you! Thanks for joining us.

M: Yeah, thank you.

MV: Thanks, Meg, thanks Liz, I appreciate the support and good luck with everything. So I’ll be cheersing to you if I found out we got that season two.

M: Heck yeah.

L: Awesome, hopefully by the time you guys get season two, my second is due on May twenty seventh, that’s my due date, so Meg has been drinking without me -

MV: Oh!

L: And I’m like, ready to play that drinking game.

MV: Yes! Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl?

L: No, we’re gonna be surprised again, so.

MV: Wow, that’s fun!

M: I was just gonna say we could name it after Roswell if we get that pickup, so CW, if you’re listening, you can name Liz’s baby, it’s fine.

L: Yeah, Pedowitz, I’ll name the baby after you if you renew Roswell.

M: Have little Marky.

MV: Yes, I love that. Well, congratulations.

L: Thanks so much.

[venomlion3]

UPDATE 9/18/19 - Updated Bill’s ref to include streaks of gray hair!!

Here’s my new designs for the Losers Club based on their 2017/2019 movie versions!! Each ref comes with a kid/adult version of each Loser, a paw with their blood pact scar on it and additional refs for certain Losers (Stan’s bandages/scars, Ben’s ‘H’ scar, Bev’s long hair and Eddie’s cast)

You can see their old refs here https://www.deviantart.com/venomlion3/gallery/64416621/it

More details (aka ramblings) under the cut!

Bill Denbrough

I like Bill! His relationship with Georgie is very sweet and as I mention in his old ref I probably would've done exactly what he did if it meant I could find my sibling (and as an only child who could've had a younger brother I really feel for him,,,,). He also looks like such a dad in the 2019 movie and that's great

In IT Venomverse (yes that's a thing now if you haven't checked out my status update) he's married to Mike and Stan, and together they have 3 kids;  Harper Denbrough (BillXStan), Noel Hanlon (MikeXBill) and Eileen Uris (MikeXStan)

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Mike Hanlon

Mike is such a good character,,,,I love his relationship with his dad in the book and he's just a great guy in general. I would've loved to see more of him in Chapter 1 (I do wish he was the history nerd instead of Ben but hey I can headcanon that they're history nerds together) but I did enjoy the scenes he was in. I still don't know how to feel about him being a substance abuser in Chapter 2 but if that's how he figures out the Ritual of Chüd I guess it works??? Idk I'm just happy to see Mike get more screen time in general he deserves it In IT Venomverse he's married to Bill and Stan, and together they have 3 kids; Harper Denbrough (BillXStan), Noel Hanlon (MikeXBill) and Eileen Uris (MikeXStan)

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Stan Uris

I decided to give his adult design the scars just because I thought it'd look cool? Also his adult design is spooked since he's the only Loser that doesn't come back to Derry and I wanted to hint at that (it's a good thing the Featurette came out when it did cause it gave us a clearer reference of adult Stan after he gets the phone call and I needed that for this ref) I really like Stan! His dry sarcasm is funny and idk I just find him interesting. Also, that scene at the end of the movie where he says he hates Bill but then breaks out into laughter??? That was really cute. It's gonna be hard watching his death in Chapter 2 ;;; In IT Venomverse he's married to Bill and Mike, and together they have 3 kids; Harper Denbrough (BillXStan), Noel Hanlon (MikeXBill) and Eileen Uris (MikeXStan)

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Ben Hanscom

God Ben.......I love Ben. He's such a sweetheart and he loves Bev so much it makes my heart swell!!!!! I've been rereading the IT book in the hopes I'll have it finished before I go see Chapter 2 and there's a part where he whispers 'Beverly Hanscom' a few times and blushes super hard and I just???? Ben you are a treasure I can't wait for more Benverly moments in Chapter 2,,,, I know they get married and Bev gets pregnant after they defeat IT in the Miniseries and they leave Derry together in the book so that's awesome In IT Venomverse he and Beverly are married with 2 kids; Cosette Hanscom and Toby Marsh

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Beverly Marsh

Although I love all the Losers equally Bev always had a special place in my heart. Her relationship with the other Losers is very sweet and I just think she's rad. Also, her relationship with Ben is so cute????? Whenever I rewatch the scenes where she gets his poem or signs his yearbook I get teary-eyed, and just having her find the poem again in the first teaser trailer got me emotional all over again,,,, I can't wait to see her interactions with Ben in Chapter 2 and I ALSO can't wait to see her beat the shit out of her abusive husband yet again???? Iconic In IT Venomverse she and Ben are married with 2 kids; Cosette Hanscom and Toby Marsh

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Richie Tozier

God ok,,,,,,I know I mention in Eddie's ref that his death is gonna make me cry but Richie's reaction to the whole thing for sure WILL kill me. The Featurette made me sad because seeing Richie being so desperate that Mike AND Ben had to hold him back is just. Jesus. I already know my ass is gonna be crying in the theater because just THINKING about the Losers makes me tear up for no reason at all so when I see a sobbing Richie and a dying Eddie desperately clinging to each other and Richie having a breakdown over his death on the big screen I'll be a gotdamn mess!!!! IT Venomverse is honestly just gonna be a way for me to cope after I watch it. I still can't believe I didn't catch them throwing in Eddie's death scene in the trailer until I watched it a few times,,,, ANDY YOU'RE GONNA KILL ME ANYWAYS I love that Richie is still wearing funky patterned shirts even as an adult. He's my fashion icon and I love it,,,,whenever I wear a shirt that makes me feel like a gay dad at a BBQ I thank Richie for being my muse In IT Venomverse he and Eddie are married with 2 kids; Gwen Kaspbrak and Seth Tozier (yes, Seth's name is a reference to Seth Green who played young Richie in the Miniseries!)

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Eddie Kaspbrak

* I gave him central heterochromia because I gave him blue eyes based on what he has in the book but he has brown eyes in the movie so I just said fuck it and used both :3c Oh god Eddie............Eds..........Spaghetti Man..........I'm not ready for Chapter 2 SPECIFICALLY because of what's gonna happen to him. I love Eddie and I know for sure his death is gonna break me. Moving away from that emotional hell, I'm really happy with the casting they did for Adult!Eddie!! The adult Losers are on point anyways but Eddie's is like WOW. On another side note, Miniseries Adult!Eddie is a cutie and I love him so much In IT Venomverse he and Richie are married with 2 kids; Gwen Kaspbrak and Seth Tozier

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[waezi2okko]

Top Ten OK KO episodes

In the "Incredibles" movie, the bad guy Syndrome plans on staging a fight to become a famous superhero. And when he eventually becomes too old for that, he plans on selling his technology so anyone can become super, arguing that if EVERYONE is super... no one is.

"OK KO, Let's Be Heroes" has a different view on this. In the show, EVERYONE is super, so everyone are AWESOME!

"OK KO" is one of those shows that are so wholesome and fun that you stop thinking about logic and just accept this strange world of heroes and villains who takes inspiration from video games, comicbooks, action movies, mangas and more stuff hero-related. It has a feel of a game being played in a sandbox by kids who brought their random toys and are just going with it.

In the show, our main character is KO, a 6-11 year old kid who wants to become a hero. In order to get experience and be more familiar with the world of heroes, KO takes a job in a bodega run by his idol Mr. Gar. KO befriends Enid and Rad, the teens who works in the store as well, and assists them in running the bodega as well as defending it from destruction whenever the evil scientist Lord Boxman(who lives at the other side of the street) attacks the bodega with his evil robot children.

Yeah, it's kinda silly:P But in an awesome way.

Besides the humor, the creative character designs and the many references that will make you feel old if you get them, it is also the modern cartoon show that I think does the best relationships as well developing said relationships(sorry Steven Universe). Anyways, made this blog because I feel my main one has too much OK KO stuff, so I will start of this one with a top ten of the best episodes of the series.

Number 10: We Messed Up.

I HAVE to include this episode on the list since it was the first I watched.

Mr. Gar is out, and he has SPECIFICALLY told his employees to stay away from his office.

... So they go to his office. And breaks his stuff. The three friends must figure out how to stall their boss as well as how to replace the picture of KO's mom(that he for some reason has) so Mr. Gar won't be... disappointed!

I HAD to include this episode on the list since it was the first OK KO ep I watched. Also, a lot of lore was revealed in this episode, leading up to future episodes and storylines as we learn that Mr. Gar used to be on a superhero team with KO's mom Carol AND that Mr. Gar apparently used to be a masked wrestler. That, and the episode is just plain funny, mostly because of Mr. Gar being extra as heck!

Number 9: Whacky Jaxxyz

When KO gets introduced to the game and toy Whacky Jaxxyz by his cool classmate Nanini, KO jumps aboard the trend and even enters a tournament with Nanini.

Buuuut then they meet other people who play Whacky Jaxxyz as well and realize that the game's fandom is rather toxic.

And by "rather", I mean "VERY".

As a kid from the late 90s and early 00s, I can relate to this episode since I collected stuff such as Bayblades, Yugioh cards and such. I still feel cheated sometimes by the Yugioh franchise as well as being irritated by the fans of it who can sometimes ruin it for me. This episode shows how something fun can get ruined by both the people who provides it as well as the people who obsess over it.

Also, famous YouTuber ProZD is guest star:)

Number 8: Let's Watch the Boxmore Show

When KO and his friends are about to defend the bodega against another robot attack from Boxmore, they realize that they don't have to lift a finger since the robots are fighting EACH OTHER. Wanting to know what is going on, Mr. gar gives his employees permission to use his monitor room since he has hacked the surveillance cameras of Boxmore, allowing them to see what is going on in the robot factory. Our heroes realize that there is a competition in Boxmore, EXTREMELY similar to a reality TV-show. KO, Rad and Enid ends up getting addicted to watching the "show", even rooting for their favorite robot and ends up quarreling about who deserves to win or lose.

I grew up in the golden age of reality TV-show and can recognize the stereotypes WAY too well, both the contestants as well as the fans who obsess over the shows. This was just such a stupidly hilarious episode to watch. And Christopher Niosi who voices minor characters was on the top of his game in this episode.

Also, if you don't know Christopher Niosi, you should check out his YouTube channel.

Number 7: My Dad Can Beat Up Your Dad

KO gets in an insult contest with another kid named Chameleon Junior. And like all kids, Chameleon Junior argues that his dad could beat up KO's dad. And this specific insult gets to KO since... well, he DOESN'T have a dad. So he tells CJ that he might not have a dad, but that his mom Carol can beat anyone up. The two boys part ways to get their parents to fight to prove who has the stronger dad/mom. Carol tries to teach KO a lesson about talking things out, and... yeah, things escalate when a godzilla-sized chameleon dad is involved.

I was tempted to place this episode on the number one spot imply because watching a very angry hand-to-hand fighter mom beat up a giant lizard was amazing. But the ending twist that is a reference to old Godzilla movies was clever as heck. Chameleon Senior is revealed to actually being a giant man in a lizard costume, kinda like how old Godzilla movies had a man in such a costume.

Number 6: T.K.O.

KO is frustrated since he still doesn't have powers like Rad and Enid and worries that he will never become a true hero.

But then he meets a shadowy figure who tells him that he can help him reach his true potential.

... Yeah, KO shouldn't have trusted the guy.

I kinda knew from the start that KO would end up having an evil side that made him powerful, especially since he looks so much like Ryu from Street Fighter. But the way his dark side(AKA Turbo KO) is introduced is actually rather creative. It isn't anger that makes KO go dark, it is a combination of a whole lot of negative emotions that appears when he feels insignificant. That means that TKO has much more potential than just being a little angry monster, he is all of KO's negative emotions, including sadness, frustration and depression.

Number 5: Red Action To The Future

One of Enid's friends is a timetraveler called Red Action. When Red is getting a call from her Power-Ranger like team that tells her to return to the future, Enid is too proud to tell her not to go, fearing that Red would think less of her for being "clingy." But all Enid gets out of it is that Red is busy fighting a war in the future, and whenever she sees her again, it is only for short visits, and Red has aged months and years every time Enid sees her. Red ends up having lived a whole life in what was minutes for Enid.

With a show like OK KO where timetravel is a thing, you can have episodes that tackles with friends who doesn't say things to each other due to a mix of pride and shame, then realize that they missed their chance and a lifetime has passed. Enid gets to experience this much faster since Red is in the future, so time is relative.

Number 4: Rad Likes Robots

After an intense battle between the bogeda workers and the evil robots, one of the robots named Shannon gets hit by lighting and then falls in love with Rad who quickly becomes infatuated with the robot as well.

So, yeah. This is the Romeo and Juliet episode. But unlike other cartoon shows, this one does Romeo and Juliet right, if you ask me.

I actually mad e a whole blog about the episode that you can read RIGHT HERE.

Number 3: Know your Mom

KO's mom Carol is one of the strongest people in Lakewood next to Mr Gar. So it is sort of weird that she isn't a big-time superhero and instead just runs a fitness center.

When KO does research on his mom for Mother's Day, he finds out that she actually USED to be a big-time superhero. She was known as Silver Spark and was a member of the world's greatest superhero team POINT(Powerful Operatives Investigating and Neutralizing Trouble). But then she decided to quit the team 6-11 years ago. KO is horrified since HE is 6-11 years old, so he believes that he might be the reason to why Carol left POINT. So KO decides to call her archenemy and make him come fight her as the perfect gift.

What really sells this episode is Carol's old enemy Succulentus who is voiced by Jonathan Davis, the leading vocalist of the nu-metal band Korn. Most of his dialog has references to nu-metal songs, most of them I actually caught, making me feel old, especially since Succulentus is an old fart. Sure, he is old because he is a cactus, but it is still funny to be reminded of music you grew up with that is now considered "old".

Number 2: You're in Control

This was an awesome season one finale! Not only did it have an epic battle, it had been built up to through the whole season, making it that much more satisfying to watch. And it even had one heck of a cliffhanger that made me even more hyped about season two.

Number 1: Special Delivery

Enid and Rad are KO's best friends and pseudo older sibling. But they are also each others' best friend. So "Special Delivery" is an interesting episode since it focuses on Enid and Rad relationship without KO involved.

Someone has ordered a package from Mr. Gar's bodega, so Rad and Enid have been given the task of delivering it while KO stays in the store. The one who ordered it is in a town far away, so it is roadtrip time!

Rad and Enid actually has fun being together while driving to Neo Riot City... But Enid ends up having too much fun on Rad's expense.

Best friendship episode of the whole series since it focuses on communication and what the lack of it can cause since you can end up unintentionally hurt someone who is important to you. Also has the awesome and cliche song "I Wanna Get Out of Here" written by William Gibbons who is songwriter for the band Kara's Walk Home.

[sapphiretrams]

Get to Know Me Tag

I was kind of tagged by @intricately-silly? Like, I have a notification that I was mentioned??? Idk, but thanks if you did!

Rules: Post a pic of your simself with your traits and answer the questions!

Traits:  creative + good + music lover

1. What is your full name? Riley, and that’s all I’m gonna say

2. What is your nickname? I kinda gave myself the nickname RPS? You can also call me Trams cause of my url, I don’t mind.

3. When is your birthday? September 5

4. What is your favorite book series? Favorite book series... probably Harry Potter. I’m not obsessed with it (cause J.K. is kinda not a good person) but it’s one of the few series I remember reading.

5. Do you believe in aliens or ghosts? Sure. I’m not a hardcore believer, and when I watch Buzzfeed Unsolved Supernatural, I’m DEFINITELY a Shaniac, but I’m definitely not closed to the idea.

6. Who is your favorite author? Probably Charles Dickens or Shakespeare. I’m a sucker for that classic literature stuff.

7. What is your favorite radio station? Eh, I don’t really listen to the radio.

8. What is your favorite flavor of anything? Lemon! It’s just SO good in all candy flavors, and I love it so much.

9. What word do you often use to describe something great or wonderful? Rad, awesome, cool, the usuals and occasionally terms that are super dated like tubular.

10. What is your favorite song currently? God that’s hard cause I love music so much... maybe Planetary (GO!) or Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) by MCR.

11. What is your favorite word? Petrichor

12. What is the last song you listened to? The Cage by Genesis

13. What TV show would you recommend everyone to watch? Forensic Files, it’s fascinating to me

14. What is your favorite movie to watch when you’re feeling down? I haven’t been one to watch movies when down so I don’t really have one

15. Do you play video games? Yep! I’ve been playing them a lot

16. What is your biggest fear? Being abandoned. It’s happened to me so often by friends that it’s just sort of become common place and I’m terrified of it.

17. What is your best quality in your opinion? My optimism!

18. What is your worst quality in your opinion? My inability to talk alshdafsdf I’m such a klutz at speaking

19. Do you like cats or dogs better? Dogs, though I do love cats.

20. What is your favorite season? Spring! Everything is turning green and flowering and it’s so refreshing to feel the rain on your face!

21. Are you in a relationship? Nope, I am tragically single

22. What is something you miss from your childhood? Having my parents read stories to me and my brothers, it was such a fun time in my childhood.

23. Who is your best friend? My friend Elli, a super cool nb person who’s been my friend for around 2 years now.

24. What is your eye color? Hazel

25. What is your hair color? Dark brown, though it’s been bleached and I would love to have green hair again.

26. Who is someone you love? Myself 💕

27. Who is someone you trust? My mom. She’s on my side no matter what, and she’s the first family member I told about my sexual and gender identity.

28. Who is someone you think about often? My ocs

29. Are you currently excited about something? Not really, I’m just kinda drifting atm

30. What is your biggest obsession? The Adventure Zone. It is SO. GOOD. I love the McElroys, and they mean a lot to me.

31. What was your favorite TV show as a child? The 1994 Spider-Man series. That SM has always been my favorite and he always will be.

32. Who of the opposite gender can you tell anything to? What’s a gender?

33. Are you superstitious? Sorta I guess

34. Do you have an unusual phobias? I HATE arteries and tendons. HATE HATE HATE them. They freak me out and I have to cover them up when I start getting freaked out by them. I’ve had this fear since I was a child.

35. Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind it? Both baby!

36. What is your favorite hobby? Drawing!!!

37. What is the last book you read? Pieces of Happiness by Anne Ostby

38. What was the last movie you watched? Thor: Ragnorak

39. What musical instruments do you play? Violin, a little guitar, some piano?

40. What is your favorite animal? It’s hard for me to pick, but my favorite since I was a baby is a tiger.

41. What are your top five favorite Tumblr blogs? @viper-fish @berrybloomsims @lunacysims @mellindi @sim-borg

42. What super power do you wish you had? The power to refill stuff.

43. When and where do you feel most at peace? When I’m driving. There’s something about the freedom that just makes me feel so at peace, and I love feeling like I’m not restrained by anything.

44. What makes you smile? My dog. Everything about him just makes my heart swell

45. What sports do you play? I used to be a soccer champ when I was young.

46. What is your favorite drink? Diet Peach Snapple or Dr Pepper

47. When was the last time you wrote a handwritten letter or note to someone? When I was in like, 8th grade

48. Are you afraid of heights? Not really, though I was when I was younger.

49. What is your biggest pet peeve? I’m a very patient person, so probably when people talk to me when I wanna be left alone tbh.

50. Have you ever been to a concert? Yep. Maroon 5 was the last one. I hope to go to more too.

51. Are you vegetarian or vegan? Nah

52. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up? A wild life veterinarian. I would throw my stuffed tiger down the stairs and “rescue” her.

53. What fictional world would you like to live in? The Adventure Zone: Balance world.

54. What is something you worry about? My dog since he’s getting up their in years, finding a college to go to and what I want to major in college, my bf’s safety, occasionally my parents when I’m paranoid and worried something might happen.

55. Are you scared of the dark? Nah. It’s nice. I’m more paranoid something might be in the dark, but,

56. Do you like to sing? Yes! I’m pretty decent at it, too, so I love it.

57. Have you ever skipped school? Yeah. I got really depressed when I was in high school and I stayed at home, calling in sick. Which I was, but it wasn’t entirely honest.

58. What is your favorite place on the planet? My desk, it has all my stuff on it and it’s cluttered to my liking.

59. Where would you like to live? Germany, or maybe France if I can learn the language. Maybe split the difference and move to Switzerland.

60. Do you have any pets? Just my baby boy TJ whom I adore.

61. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Night owl, though I’ve been making more of an effort to wake up early. I also get more done when I wake up early, cause it feels like I have more time to do things before noon.

62. Do you like sunrise or sunsets better? Sunsets, mostly cause I’m able to see them from my house.

63. Do you know how to drive? Yep!

64. Do you prefer earbuds or headphones? Earbuds. I have headphones, but you can’t really wear them in public cause they get in the way.

65. Have you ever had braces? No, though I did have a chin strap when I was younger cause I had (and still have) an underbite.

66. What is your favorite genre of music? My music goes all over the place, but showtunes are my jam.

67. Who is your hero? 1994 Spider-Man. I specify because he’s really different from other versions, and he’s so smart and such a klutz and I grew up with him. I’ve been playing the new Spider-Man game for PS4 and I almost started crying from how close he is to MY SM, and he just reminds me of my morals.

68. Do you read comic books? Nah

69. What makes you the most angry? Politics atm. Don’t even talk to me about them. I don’t like being angry and any talk about the current political situation is just infuriating. 

70. Do you prefer to read real books or on an electric device? Either, though real books hold a special aesthetic to them.

71. What is your favorite subject in school? English. Like I said, I’m a literary nerd.

72. Do you have any siblings? Two, an older and a younger brother.

73. What was the last thing you bought? Ariana Grande’s song No Tears Left to Cry

74. How tall are you? 5′ 7″, perfectly average

75. Can you cook? Eh, I can do the basic stuff, and if I have a recipe in front of me then sure, but otherwise? Don’t ask.

76. What are three things that you love? My dog, myself, my mom.

77. What are three things that you hate? Politics, White™ people, being expected to know things I was never told about (cough cough @ my boss)

78. Do you have more female friends or more male friends? Honestly, I have more nb friends than either

79. What is your sexual orientation? Pansexual

80. Where do you currently live? The Midwest

81. Who was the last person you texted? My mom

82. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday because I was laughing so goddamn hard

83. Who is your favorite youtuber? Game Grumps and you can fight me on that

84. Do you like to take selfies? Yep! I’m hot and I know it. I’ve hated myself for 5 years, I deserve to be infatuated with myself.

85. What is your favorite app? Monster Girl Creator. It’s so fun.

86. What is your relationship with your parent(s) like? My mom and I are super close, but my dad and I... eh. It’s kinda damaged, though it’s better than it was when I was in high school. He doesn’t understand LGBT stuff or depression so he was just... awful.

87. What is your favorite foreign accent? Probably French, but the funniest to try and do is Russian. I suck at it and it turns into Italian after a while.

88. What is a place that you’ve never been to but want to visit? God I want to travel so bad. I’d love to go to Puerto Rico, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Vietnam... so many beautiful places.

89. What is your favorite number? Three

90. Can you juggle? Not for my life

91. Are you religious? I’ve kinda been burned out of religion cause my childhood church was really just... bad. I came out as bi to them when I was a sophomore and it caused a HUGE scene with the church. I was called ‘a slap to the face,’ people left the church, it was just bad. I’m spiritual, but not religious, though my life’s not over yet, so who knows.

92. Do you find outer space or the deep ocean to be more interesting? Space. Space space space. Do you know how badly I want to go to space? I almost became an engineer just so I could go to space.

93. Do you consider yourself to be a daredevil? I’m pretty tame, in all honesty, though I do some stupid shit every now and then.

94. Are you allergic to anything? Bullshit, any and every kind of body soap known to man kind, and pollen.

95. Can you curl your tongue? Yes! I can do the double fold think with your tongue where it looks like a scoop chip, you know what I mean?

96. Can you wiggle your ears? Nah

97. How often do you admit that you were wrong about something? I come from a really stubborn household, though lately I’ve been trying to make more of an effort to be humble and just admit I’m wrong. It’s hard.

98. Do you prefer the forest or the beach? Forest. I’ve only been to the beach twice in my life so it’s not really my scene.

99. What is your favorite piece of advice that anyone has ever given you? Do what makes you happy

100. Are you a good liar? I’ve gotten very good at it. I’m not proud of that fact, but I’ve gotten very very good at it.

101. What is your Hogwarts house? Slyterin. No, I’m not joking.

102. Do you talk to yourself? All the time.

103. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I’m an introvert, though I think I’m more of an ambivert.

104. Do you keep a journal or a diary? Nah.

105. Do you believe in second chances? Yes, but you really can’t give them out really freely. You have to judge who you want to give them to.

106. If you found a wallet full of money on the ground, what would you do? Check for an ID and try to contact the person it belongs to. But if there’s no ID, probably give it to the nearest business or police station.

107. Do you believe that people are capable of change? With most things. If they really wanted to.

108. Are you ticklish? Ye

109. Have you ever been on a plane? Yeah, but not many times. My first time on a plane was 4 years ago.

110. Do you have any piercings? Just the basic earlobe pierecings, but I really really want more.

111. What fictional character do you wish was real? Shiro from Voltron, aka my husband. 

112. Do you have any tattoos? No but I want so many

113. What is the best decision that you have made so far? Learning to love myself. It took a lot of time, but I’m so happy I did it

114. Do you believe in karma? Not entirely, but I think there’s some truth to it.

115. Do you wear glasses or contacts? I  have bad eyes, so yeah, I wear glasses. I tried contacts, but they got irritating to put in after a while.

116. Do you want children? SO badly. I want a little girl so fucking bad

117. Who is the smartest person you know? My little brother. He wants to be a freaking accountant when he’s older.

118. What is your most embarrassing memory? I went to a museum one time, and they had a cool dinosaur tour or whatever, and I wanted to know what the dinosaur Parasaurolophus was called, but I forgot the name and only remebered like, Ducky from Land Before Time, and Phineas and Ferb had just started airing, so I asked the guy if a platypus was a dinosaur and that haunts me to this day

119. Have you ever pulled an all nighter? Yes. Don’t do it.

120. What color are most of your clothes? Blue cause it’s always looked good on me, but now any color looks good on me cause I know how to own it.

121. Do you like adventures? Yeah man! I love them!

122. Have you ever been on TV? Not that I know of

123. How old are you? 20

124. What is your favorite quote?  “When someone leaves your life, those exits are not made equal. Some are beautiful and poetic and satisfying. Others are abrupt and unfair. But most are just unremarkable, unintentional, clumsy.” -Griffin Mcelroy

125. Do you prefer sweet or savory foods? Sweeeets!

I tag @viper-fish @berrybloomsims and @lunacysims

[crowshira]

here we go again

Another tag thing! Tagged by @storyhorsedork (these are fun, dont worry lol)

1) Named after anyone?

Yep. My first name, Tristan, came from a character in the movie, “Legends of the Fall”.

And randomly fun fact, my Chinese name is Fei-Hung, which was actually after a guy named Wong Fei-Hung, who is a famous martial artist. And while I don't speak Chinese (my dad does tho,) I've heard it means something along the lines of “rebellion”, and honestly? I dig it.

2) Last time I cried?

Well, technically speaking, today, but that was because my friends made me laugh while I had an entire mouthful of sushi and I honest to god almost choked. But if it were because of feels, two or three days ago-ish. Stress and overwork is a dick to everyone.

3) Have any kids?

Nope. Nope nope nope. I'm nowhere near old enough right now to care for a child, let alone have one of my own.

4) Use sarcasm a lot?

...Yep. I use it jokingly though, not really to be condescending or mean, le shrug. I do use it a lot when I rant.

5) What's the first thing you notice about people?

General appearance usually. :P I mean, it IS the first thing you see when you see a person.

6) Eye color?

Dark-brown, heck yea.

7) Scary movies or happy endings?

Eh, to me, scary movies are only fun to watch with friends or other people in general. Though, a good zombie movie is always good for me.

Happy endings I'm completely cool with, but sometimes it could get a little bland. So I'm cool with it, but ya’ gotta shake it up sometimes, y'know?

8) Any special talents?

I um. Play the piano? I dunno. If it counts, I can move my ears a bit.

9) When were you born?

November 2nd!

10) Hobbies?

Drawing, reading, writing, listening to music, playing the piano, vidya games, talking and hanging with friends. Y'know, normal stuff.

11) Have any pets?

Two dogs (a pekingese and a husky), a bearded-dragon cuz he's rad, some fish, and a top-secret pet. :v

12) What sports have you/do you play?

Mainly tennis, really.

13) How tall are you?

I dunno off the top of my head, eh… Maybe 5'3, 5'4-ish??

14) Favorite subject in school?

This year? Probably Econ. Mainly cuz the teacher is friggin awesome and super entertaining.

But if we're talking in general, I like science and english.

15)Dream job?

If we talkin’ dream, as in DREAM  job, I'd honestly just like to get paid to draw and do arty stuff. I just like to draw and write, is all.

But my most desirable job in life is to become a mechanical engineer.l

Tag time, yo.

@the-dank-hindu-kush @readableporn @papertigerinkstripes @descendingtesticles @genietothemax @jfox191 @scytherthecat

Oh, and btw, if you're reading this, you're awesome and I hope you have a very nice and fortuitous week!

[heyscience]

If I Were Inquisitor - Ask Meme.

@batsintheshadows @tea-me-and-smut @foxywolfmeerkat13 @howling-at-night OMG THIS IS SO FUN YOU GUYS HOLY SHIT!! Thanks so much for writing yours, and I’m so stoked to finally share mine!

If you are reading this and want to give it a shot, please reblog the original post and I’ll send you an ask! I LOVE THIS SO MUCH, I LOVE READING PEOPLE’S ANSWERS. THEY’RE ALL. SO GOOD!!!!

1. Race: I want to be a giant muscley mountain of a Qunari. I wanna be the very best, like no-one ever was, at smashing my enemies’ faces in and giving the best goddamn hugs there is. 

2. Class/Specialization: Two-handed Warrior/Champion. I like hitting things, and I love the idea of getting involved in all that pompous Orlesian chevalier bullshit and RUINING IT for ALL OF THEM.

3. Your homeland? It’s gotta be somewhere warm and by the sea (because I love the ocean and also I can’t deal with the cold cos I am WEAK), so I’m thinking Rivain. Ooh! And that would mean I’d have a bunch of sick tattoos and piercings! Rad.

4. Your family? (Ok so I’m basing this loosely off my irl family because they’re my best point of reference I guess????)

So, my family. I love them, but they’re a mess.

My Mum was the ideal Tamassran. A devout adherent to the Qun. She worked as a healer and was very well respected in her field.

That was until she met my Dad, who in short, looked at the Qun and was like ‘fuck this shit I’m out.’

Dad was a soldier and one day he was wounded in battle, ended up in the hospice where Mum worked, wooed her, and they ran away together to Rivain.

They had my brother and I and then realised that they’re actually polar opposites and it’s a wonder they were ever attracted to each other. They split up, re-partnered and had more kids. So I have a pile of siblings that I have varying degrees of blood relation with, but we all consider each other fully part of our extended, convoluted family (for serious - irl I have 9 siblings).

Mum taught me business sense and how to tend to battle wounds, Dad taught me how to fight. I’ve got a lot of family of various races all over Thedas, all related (not necessarily by blood) one way or another. People say lovely things about my Mum, and the craziest things about my Dad - the stories of his exploits are so outrageous it’s difficult to believe any of them are true (like irl my dad was involved in organised crime for a while but quit cos he got bored????).

I love my family but I’m really bad at keeping in contact with them, so I get the occasional letter from Mum being like ‘ARE YOU DEAD?!’

Leliana has taken to sending her reassuring updates preemptively.

5. Who were you before? I imagine I’d be part of something like a dnd adventuring party.

We started out as a ragtag group of misfits, travelling the land in search of gold and glory. It was mostly treasure hunting and mercenary gigs, and some of the work we did on the high seas was um, legal-adjacent (piracy). But occasionally we’d stop to lend a hand to those in need, pass ourselves off as bards to earn extra coin in small-town taverns, and we even involved ourselves in vigilante justice a couple of times.

We grew into our own little family, and eventually we found ourselves wanting to do the type of work that really mattered. That’s why we signed ourselves up to work security at the Conclave, with a plan to move into aiding refugees in Ferelden afterwards. It didn’t. Quite. Work out that way. Unfortunately.

6. Would you be religious? That’s a hard no.

7. Do you have a mabari? YES PUPPY! Who is also a fully fledged member of our adventuring troupe I might add.

8. Your opinion on other races? Elves = rad, dwarves = awesome, humans = eh, dragons?? = HELL YES

9. What would Varric’s nickname for you be? Stubby.

10. What would your tarot card look like? This one is hard! I’m thinking a lot of compass imagery (because the sea and travelling and finding your way etc.)...and I’d have to be facing at an angle that best accentuates my glorious biceps.

11. Where would you hang out in Skyhold? I like to be in the centre of the action, but I’m not sure where that would be?? Probably in the main Skyhold courtyard near the entrance, in amongst the merchants? It’d be a good spot to see the comings and goings, check in with recruits and workers for the Inquisition, and also play with any kids who might be around. 

It’s important to make sure the kids of the Inquisition are happy and healthy and, um, ok Josie I’ll admit it, they’re also way more fun to hang out with than that stuffy noble whoeverthefuck you just brought in from Orlais.

12. What would you do for fun? Knock back beers in the Herald’s Rest with my companions, come up with dirty drinking songs with Sera, get blackout drunk with Dorian (although I’ll eventually realise it’s a very unhealthy coping mechanism and encourage Dorian to join me in cutting down the booze), swap stories and quality bants with Varric, beg Vivienne for fashion advice, gush over romance novels with Cass, have tea and gossip sessions with Josie, poke fun at Cullen, spar with the Inquisition recruits (and scare the shit out of them), and, just anything to distract from the looming horror that is Corypheus.

13. What armour would you wear? Heavy, shiny, and bloodstone red.

14. What would your room look like? Organised chaos. I love playing host so my room would look mostly neat, but the writing desk would be an absolute mess. It would probably make poor Josie hyperventilate (which is why I’d always suggest we discuss things in her office, or at least give me plenty of notice before swinging by my chambers so I can tidy up). 

15. Who would be your friends at Skyhold? I’d wanna be friends with pretty much everyone, but I think I’d be closest with Dorian (BUT of course only after giving him a solid scolding for his views on slavery, and I’d only continue talking to him if he came to his senses).

We have a very similar sense of humour, and. Oh man. I have way more feelings about this than I thought I would. In short - I can imagine both laughing with him and collapsing on the floor together with a bottle of wine (each) and many tears.

16. Would you have any friends outside of the Inquisition? This makes me sad because my closest friends outside the Inquisition would be my adventuring party and they..would’ve...the Conclave...EVEN MY MABARI. MY POOR PUPPY. OH GOD WHY. TOO MANY FEELINGS.

17. Who wouldn’t you get along with? Cole. It’s not that I don’t like him, I’d just be super awkward around him, like ‘HELLO SPIRIT CHILD HOW ARE YOU TODAY. OH, IS THAT AN INSECURITY OF MINE YOU JUST POINTED OUT?! WELL COOL, GOOD TALK.’ 

18. Who would you romance? I know this isn’t possible in Inquisition but I would like to be in a polyamorous relationship with Isabela. SHE IS MY FICTIONAL SOULMATE OK.

(Also I’m more than a little bit in love with Cullen but I hate myself for it so)

19. Would you do pranks with Sera? AbsoLUTELY.

20. Would you sleep with the Iron Bull (casually if not romance)? 100% YES. It’d only be an occasional thing tho, cos while I’m a masochist and I like being tied up I’m not really a sub. I’d mostly go to him for bondage tips and um. Requests for. Demonstrations.

21. Would you keep Cole around? Yes. I’d still be weirded out by him, but I acknowledge that it’s completely not his fault. I’d take his word for it that he just wants to help people and let him have at it with that freaky mind-reading and vanishing shit he does.

22. Can you play the game (politics)? A little bit. I’d have to work the scandal angle. Being a Qunari I could never hope to assimilate into the realms of the nobility, but I could win their favour by being something of a novelty. Much like Casanova in this brilliant adaptation starring David Tennant - watch from 10:42.

You see, you don’t have to be liked by everybody, just the right people, and you can usually get them onside by just being very fucking entertaining.

23. What would be on your tombstone in the fade (What are you afraid of)? Ghosts. I’m not sure how well that translates to a Thedas setting but still, it’s my biggest fear so I’m sticking with it.

24. Who would you recruit to seal the breach? Mages.

25. Opinion on Mages versus Templars? Ok, so I have a proposal for how to fix this bullshit:  

1. The Chantry should relinquish any and all control over the affairs of mages. Separation of Church and State, simple as that.

2. The Templar Order should be disbanded, and the practice of indenturing soldiers by saddling them with a lyrium addiction should be banned.

3. All people in Thedas (and I mean ALL) should be taught about magic from a young age, both the gifts and dangers of its use. Everyone should learn about magical safety and how to resist demonic possession.

4. Mage children should attend the same schools as everyone else, but they can hone their skills in their late teens to early adulthood in mage colleges, with free tuition paid by the State (of wherever part of Thedas this is). They can research magic, learn a trade or train in combat, whatever they choose. Mages will be allowed to earn money, marry, have families, and have some actual freaking rights. None of this ‘hunt ‘em down and lock ‘em up’ bullshit.

5. Also the Rite of Tranquility WHAT THE FUCK. I can’t believe it’s a thing people actually agree to do. This rite should be downright fucking outlawed, and severe penalties levelled at the people who attempt it.

26. Who would be put in charge of Orlais and why? Briala. I wouldn’t suggest to Briala that she should get back together with Celene, because honestly their relationship was really fucked up and Celene abused the power imbalance between them. Briala deserves better (like for example me..maybe...but y’know, only if she wants to..)

So I would keep Celene on the throne but hand over all real power to Briala. Celene is a crafty one however, so we’d have to corner her with blackmail and keep a hidden killswitch on hand in case she tries to pull a fast one on us (just like the Voltron kids should be doing with Lotor, which sorry, I know that isn’t related but I HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS ABOUT IT).

27. Would you sacrifice the Chargers? NEVER.

Seriously Fuck the Qun. The Qun actively promotes eugenics with how they selectively “breed” their people. ALSO the Qunari are gaslighted into believing that they will literally go insane if they don’t follow the Qun?!!!?!?!!??!??! FUCK THAT SHIT.

So yeah, I was never keen on the idea of allying with the Qunari, so when Gatt’s like ‘if you sacrifice the dreadnought there will be no alliance’ I’m like ‘I am ok with this.’ Also, of course, I love the Chargers with all my heart and couldn’t bear to lose them.

28. Would you go after Blackwall? Yeah. He should put all his moral posturing to good fucking use and try being an actual hero. I’d make him join the Wardens, cos it’s effectively a death sentence (or an early grave at least ) and I don’t 100% dislike him, so I know he’d be cool with it because he has a giant fucking hard-on for the Wardens (Jesus fuck). 

29. Would you drink from the well? Nnnnnoooooooooo..and it’s because I would fucking die for Morrigan. I wish I could say I have a well considered reason, but I’m just pathetic like that. She could say jump and I’d say ‘I’d rather not, but, counter offer - would you instead like to sit on my face?’ 

30. Where would you go if the Inquisition was disbanded? Minrathous. It’s warmer there (I love Skyhold but fucking hate the cold), and I would involve myself in the inevitable slave uprising - helping out in whatever way I can. Also I’d just be having a fucking great time terrorising the Magisters, rocking up at the Magisterium like ‘LOOKIT ME I’M A RAGING QUNARI HERE TO INVADE, RARRGHH!! oh hey Dorian, what’s up babe how’ve you been????’

31. How do you react to the egg telling you he is an elven god? The five stages of grief:

Denial - lol no ur not, you’re our painty pyjamas nerd! 

Anger - Wait, so it’s YOUR FUCKING FAULT MY FRIENDS AND EVERYONE ELSE DIED AT THE CONCLAVE??!?! I AM GONNA GUT YOU AND STRING YOU UP BY YOUR INTESTINES SO I CAN USE YOUR WEEDY BODY AS A GORE PINATA YOU FUCKING MONSTER 

Bargaining - but you’re a god right? Does that mean you can bring them back? Can you undo all this somehow? You gotta have superpowers or some shit right??!?

Depression - After all we’ve been through...you never even saw us as people, did you? Did you ever think of me as a friend? Or anyone else? How could you be ok with murdering your friends? Solas, please, you don’t have to do this. I know that if we work together we can find a better way. You don’t have to destroy the world to save it.

Acceptance - ..................I fUCKING HATE YOU SOLAS.

[secretradiobrooklyn]

SECRET RADIO | 11.14.20

Secret Radio | 11.14.20 | Hear it here.

Artwork by Paige, liner notes by Evan except * for Paige

1. The Wizard of Oz - “Ding Dong” Suite

We were looking for a proper song to get this party started, and damned if it didn’t involve a bunch of delighted munchkins! As much as our hopes for the coming years are muted, the relief at not having to contend with a headlong dictator enjoying full-on democratic support just cannot be overstated. DING DONG Y’ALL!

2. David Bowie - “Look Back in Anger”

I’ve been practicing drums a ton during the pandemic, and I just realized that I’m going to have to spend some time trying to get at this pattern. It’s some of my favorite drumming ever, from one of my top 20 albums ever. In fact, this comes from a very special edition of Lodger, via Brian McClelland, wherein Tony Visconti took the original tapes and completely remixed the album as he always felt it should have been mixed if they weren’t be rushed. To someone who has listened to that record many many times, it sounds like I’ve been next door the album all this time, and I’m finally allowed into the room where it’s playing. So clear and focused and modern!

3. Frank Alamo - “Ma Biche”

A “biche” is a doe, we believe. “It’s something about ‘pretty eyes,’” Paige says, “which would make sense.” Further research, though, reveals that the song is about how much he likes her pretty dark eyeliner. I know the feeling!

4. (Not) Rom JongVak - “Monkey”

Well, this has been a learning process. There’s this great song that I thought was called “Twist (Dance Twist)” by Rom Jong Vak, that we played like a month ago — and then tonight I thought I was playing “Monkey,” by Rom JongVak. Buuut, as I look further, I’m learning that the first song was “Rom Jong Vak Twist,” by Pan Ron… And the song here is I guess called “Rom Jong Vak Monkey,” and I have no idea who it’s by! All of the text on the page is in just boxes where Cambodian text would go, so it’s bound to remain lost. Whoever it is, I sure do enjoy that first aggressive drum fill and the whole weird texture of this recording.

5. Luiz Visconde - “Chofer de Praça”

Paige: “The first times that I listened to this Angolan collection, I really just listened to Os Kiezos, because they did “Muxima.” But then I eventually spread out and found this song. It’s from Angola, between ’65 and ’75.”

6. The Velvet Underground - “European Son”

P: We would go to the Beechwood a little bar around the corner from us in Wicker Park, down the street off Milwaukee Avenue. They had a real jukebox, not a TuneBlast or whatever. It was just a great little dive. They had this record in the jukebox, and we would always put on this song. I suppose that could have been read as an aggressive thing to do, but we’d put on other songs too! It was a good way to stretch your quarters, and it loosens the bar up. And I figured, if they didn’t like this song they wouldn’t put it in the jukebox.

     Once when we were there on a busy weekend night, something was wrong with the jukebox. It was broken. And the bartender opened it up and put like a hundred bucks on it and said, “Everybody play whatever you want, three songs each. It was awesome. Everybody did take turns too, three songs each, all around the bar. It was a really cool night.

7. Fred Astaire - “No Strings (I’m Fancy Free)”

What a lovely piano intro! This song is from the 1935 film “Top Hat.” It’s one of those movies where the clever protagonist pursues a girl he has a crush on — or terrorizes a stranger until she submits to his will, depending on whose perspective you take. There are a lot of those — “An American in Paris” is another — and they’re fascinating to watch just by flipping that switch back and forth in your own head. Meanwhile, both movies are chock full of beautiful shots, fabulous scenes, gorgeous songs, and glowing stars. 

     Something about the quality of this recording — a new master or something? — makes it sound like it was JUST recorded. It feels so alive and contemporary, with a lovely little vibrophone solo in the middle. I just 

Martial Solal, “Breathless” soundtrack - “L’amour, la mort”

Note: I remember this story in the reverse, where the truckers announced this gleefully to each other as they marched merrily OUT the door and into the late afternoon, headed towards… what? Whatever it is, I hope they found it and everyone had a great time.

8. Johnny Hallyday - “Nous quand on s’embrasse”

Have you seen “The Wild One”? Can’t you see how much trouble could have been avoided if those leathered-up motorcycle dudes were able to rock out to songs like this one instead of trying to jazz their way forward? They should have been twisting the night away! Alas, instead they had to tear up bars and beat people up to get their kicks. Tough break, kid.

9. Lokassa Ya M’bongo - “Bonne année”

I found this while searching for something else, but it was labeled “l’Instant Vinyl” in the same format as our Assa-Cica record, so had to check it out. M’bongo is a Congolese guitarist — a rhythm guitarist specifically, which doesn’t normally get the love that lead guitar gets in this soukous form. Lokassa Ya M’bongo means “Lokassa the money man,” and he became a session man in demand. He was a big part of the “Congolo-Paris sound,” a phrase I just read that I’m going to have to look more into.

    Bonne année indeed! Still feeling that relief about hopefully getting out from under the thumb of that giant dummy.

10. Velly Joonas - “Stopp, Seisku Aeg!”

The image of Velly Joonas is pretty heart-stopping: she’s absolutely beautiful, in giant glasses and a striped shirt. The song is so confident and strange in its instrumentation, with keys, organ, fiddle, and a super-tight bass/drum combo. I feel like this could have been a big US underground hit in the ‘90s.

11. Eko Roosevelt - “Kilimandjaro”

Such a sincere song! Eko Roosevelt is kind of hit and miss with me, but when they hit, they get completely stuck in my head! The horn parts on “Me To a De Try My Own” do that to me, and so does the eternal chorus of this song. I love the notes in the bridge as they drop further and further down the scale like they’re descending from the mountaintop. And when he gets to the declarations of love at the end — “I love you, my home! I really do, I really do!” — that’s it, that’s the best.

12. Tonetta - “Yummy Yummy Pizza”

I warn you: look up this video (after you listen to the “broadcast” of course) at your own peril. Not because it’s terrible, but because it is fascinating, and it is just one of SO many. They tease you with tiny shreds of information about this Tonetta person, but never enough that you can get a sense of what the hell is going on with… him? Them? Maybe ask Matt and Brian from Tok about it — they got obsessed enough to record an EP of Tonetta songs, which is how I heard about this all in the first place.

13. Prewar Yardsale - “AU Base”

Paige: I was loading a five-disc changer at Jeffrey’s and something about the cover, the name sounded interesting. I put it on and it’s pretty freakin rad. It stood up to my blind listen expectations. I think this is produced by our friend Matt Mason. 

14. Eugenius - “Mary Queen of Scots”

Matt Mason and Jeffrey Lewis make me think of Schwervon!, which makes me think of the Vaselines who they toured with several times, and that brings me to Eugenius, headed by Eugene Kelly. This was a mainstay in Sean’s room when we all lived together, singing the harmonies and air-drumming along. It remains as satisfying as ever, I’m happy to say.

15. Wednesday Campanella - “Aladdin”

This song is sung in Japanese, not that you’d know from context clues. Tim Gebauer introduced us to this strange Japanese shapeshifter. It was hard to tell if I liked her music or was just amazed by her videos (which you should totally check out). Now I believe it’s safe to say we dig this song. I like how many elements of ‘70s international disco it has, while still sounding super modern. What is weirder to me is that I cannot tell if I would like this song if it was sung in English.

Breathless soundtrack

16. Letti Mbulu - “Mahlalela”

Originally South African, Mbulu managed to escape to the US in 1965 and had a hell of a career. She worked with Cannonball Adderley, Hugh Masakela, Harry Belafonte and Michael Jackson. Quincy Jones said this amazing thing about her: “Mbulu is the roots lady, projecting a sophistication and warmth which stirs hope for attaining pure love, beauty, and unity in the world.” Um, that’s really impressive.

17. Christophe - “Aline”

*Really dig this song, partially I think because it’s in a decent range for me to sing along. I love his desperate delivery and tone of voice. We just learned tonight that Christophe passed away this year at 74 after complications with COVID-19. 

18. Zap Mama - “Brrlak!”

Credit to my dad, Larry Sult, for bringing Zap Mama to our attention. He’s been heavily into marimba music, and played in a marimba band in Bellingham for many years; in fact, he spent many years making the instruments for the band in his woodshop in the basement of their home. Zap Mama is adjacent to that music, though certainly very different. This band comes from all over the world. The main gal was born in &&&&& but found herself in a Pygmy society for awhile, which seems to be where she developed some of those low-high yodels. We saw some footage of her playing, and she did this awesome thing where she held empty airplane bottles just below her lips as she sang, creating a resonance that you can hear here. I love that this whole composition is a cappella.

19. The Buzzards - “High Society”

Years ago, I was whiling away my time in Seattle and stopped into Orpheum Records, right there at the corner where Broadway turns into 10th Ave E. After a half hour of flipping through records I had to know what all the killer albums were that had been playing overhead. Turns out they were all from “The Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit,” a collection of Detroit bands put out by Sympathy for the Record Industry. It was recorded by Jack White and Jim Diamond and it’s full of topshelf tracks, but after all the years, this is the one that we turn out to actually enjoy, and quote, the most. 

    As far as I could tell, there isn’t a version of this song anywhere online, which I personally find disGRACEful!

20. Sleepy Kitty - “Buzzards & Dreadful Crows”

My favorite part of this recording is that I got to sing a couple of guitar parts that I reflexively sing along to on the original.

*This was from a 20th anniversary of “Bee Thousand” tribute show, and we made this recording with Jason Hutto at this studio off Cherokee Street and we recorded a couple others that we did that night. A small run of screenprinted downloads were made. 

Teddy Afro, “Mar Eske Tuwa” credit music

21. Ata Kak - “Moma Yendodo”

Some corrections to what I said in the broadcast: Ata Kak is indeed Ghanian, but I think he might have recorded this in Germany. His is a fascinating little story of determination. This recording comes from a tape that he made about 50 copies of total. It was found by Brian from Awesome Tapes From Africa at a roadside stand in Ghana. He loved it so much that he spent years trying to track Ata Kak down. When he finally did, they found that the original master tapes were all ruined, and Brian’s copy was the only one that they could make a new version from! So that’s what you’re hearing here. 

22. Spoon - “30 Gallon Tank”

Early Spoon is some of my favorite music ever. This is from “A Series of Sneaks,” an album that changed my life pretty much as soon as I heard it. Harvey Danger stopped at a lot of record stores on tour, and at one of them I managed to stumble upon both “A Series of Sneaks” and (I think) Guv’ner’s “Spectral Worship” — what a day! I put this album on in headphones in the van and just listened over and over and over again. Eventually, when our manager announced that we should spend a few weeks between radio festivals headlining a tour with a couple of support acts and asked if we had any ideas, I had a list with Spoon on top and Creeper Lagoon right below that. The tour that resulted was rough for Spoon — they’d just been dropped by their label and were having an understandably rough time — but a fucking thrill for me, because I got to see one of my favorite bands each night. That still stands as one of the absolute highlights of my time in Harvey Danger. Jim Eno is one of the top drummers in my pantheon because he’s such a great composer for the song, and Britt Daniels plays guitar the way I truly wish I did — which he did at the time all on distorted acoustic guitar! 

23. Patrick Coutin - “Fais-moi jouir”

*I meant to put on a different Patrick Coutin song but put this one on by accident and I was like, this is cool, and then I was like “I think he’s saying. . .I think this is pretty. . . explicit. Like Serge and Jane cranked.” As far as I can tell, it definitely is. They don’t teach you these words on Duolingo though. Ha! 

24. Dur Dur Band - “Yabaal”

I mean no disrespect to Dur Dur Band when I say that we didn’t dig the first several songs we heard by them, but this song is undeniable. The groove just digs in and doesn’t stop for anything.

25. Mel Brooks - “High Anxiety”

We’re stepping out on a mixed emotional note, but: we’re not out of the woods yet. I hope we can get through the next couple of months as a nation peacefully and productively, but Paige and I are both in a state of high anxiety about what still seems to be happening daily. Stay safe!

*yet staying optimistic! ’Cause we gotta. À plus tard!

[tyrannobro]

Baloo, Ty and Milo! 8-10, 11, 19, 23, 36, 43, 49

8.  Is there a meaning to their name?-Baloo’s name could be either a certain movie Bewear singing about Bewear Necessities or the name of the first bearmon to befriend humans being named Baloo. Could be either or really-Ty’s mom literally named him after Tyrantrum cause dinosaurs are cool-Milo was named after a flower the Alolans use in leis and very very rarely for food. Same family of flowers as Mallow too

9.  What makes them, them? -For Baloo prolly her aggressive, just you fukn watch me bro personality-For Ty its prolly the unintentional terrifying feel he gives off when you see him. He’s harmless but he looks like he could hurt you-For Milo prolly his bright green shirt. No one else wears that much green in the whole region and when I think green, I think Milo

10. What do they want to be when they grow up/what do they want to do with their lives?-Baloo wanted to get married and open up a bakery cause she loves baking so she’s halfway there-Ty always wanted to be a specialist with a certain type of Pokemon like a Gym Leader or E4 member-Milo will not admit that he wants to open up a flower shop. He won’t

11. Do they have parents? What are they like and how do they act with their child(ren)?-Baloo and Ty “had” parents and their mom was a super awesome lady who was the perfect mom. She liked to play, talk about them all that good stuff and got physically aggressive if any of them were threatened. Their dad was kind of a basket of dicks tho-Wicke is Milo’s mom and she’s well... Wicke. She coddles and babies him some even with the whole “ew mom pls no” vibes he tries to give off

19. This there anything special about their family?-Baloo and Ty’s whole family dates way back to medieval Kalos where their first patriarch made a blood bond with an ancient Dragon Pokemon. Since then their family has been considered “half-dragon” which means literally nothing other then a preference to that type sometimes-Milo doesn’t know much about his family but Wicke being from Sinnoh and speaking often to him means he’s picked up the Sinnoh-an accent she has. Its only prominent when they’re upset and it sounds absolutely terrifying

23. What is their friend group like?-Baloo has a group of very odd people for friends. Like Hau, Plumeria and Soliera are all rad let’s go! Then there’s Mina who is just “no let’s not. Let’s stay here”-Ty is somehow friends with Kukui and Guzma which kinda makes their whole group dynamic a spectrum varying in levels of intense-ness-Milo has no friends. Except Mallow. But she’s his soonly wife. Still counts methinks

36. What is/was their school like?-Baloo has a rough four years of schooling. She knows basic things but once you put words in with the math she’ll tune out-Ty went to school on and off but never stuck to any real subject. What he does know was home taught to him by Drasna-Milo was pretty much schooled by Lusamine. None of it was typical nor would one learn it in any Pokemon School but she wasn’t doing it to make him smarter for the world. He was being made smarter for her

43.  If they could have one thing in life, what would it be?-Baloo: “Cocaine and bitches” A shiny Entei-Ty: Def a shiny Articuno, he loves birds-Milo: “The years of childhood innocence I lost because I was kidnapped and raised by two Nihilego-tainted sociopaths”

49. Would they consider themselves as a good person, bad person, or morally grey?-Baloo likes to think she’s a good person but so often makes poor choices you wonder a bit-Ty thinks he’s an ok person, anyone else will say he’s a good person but he thinks he’s aight-Milo 100% thinks he’s a bad person. He believes there is no redeeming himself after what he did under Lusamine and Faba’s orders. Wicke and Mallow try to convince him otherwise but he can’t 100% believe them

[taxicabsbusystreetsswifite]

Red

Red is one of the most beautiful things that I’ve ever heard. The album is a masterpiece and it is hugely recognized in the fandom and it deserves it (as well as a Grammy but we’re not going to get into that. Just because it didn’t win one doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful and amazing). I hope that Taylor knows just how amazing this album was, as well as the tour and the era itself. Every song is different and special in its own way. This album, I know, will withstand the test of time. It is an album that’s as relevant today as it will be in fifty years. I think that I like the fact that it isn’t the most cohesive album out there or the most cohesive album of Taylor’s because the songs are strong and stand on their own, each and every one. They are unique and special and they are different. Real life doesn’t all fit together perfectly and I feel like this album is quite possible the most “real life” album I’ve ever heard. Taylor, you created something really special that brought so many people together. Thank you!

State of Grace: What a start to an album, it’s powerful and also so delicate. It to me represented the album, it has strong and poppier vibe than anything we had heard before from Tay, but also mello countriness to it that was very Taylor.

Red: The title track and I understand why. It sets the scene for the rest of the album, all of the different emotions of love are wrapped in this perfect package in this song.

Treacherous: I remember first hearing this song, it was the morning Red came out and my dad was driving me to school, I listened to three of the songs on the drive that morning. Treacherous was the last one. I immediately fell in love with it and I will never not love it. It is one of the most lyrically and sonically beautiful songs I have ever heard and I will cherish it forever.

I Knew You Were Trouble: Obivously a bop, but it’s so amazing and poppy and cool.

All Too Well: Do I even need to say anything?

22: A jam!!!! (Need I say more?)

I Almost Do: Another gem that I remember listening to in the car the day it came out, I feel like it is

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together: The first song released from Red. The song that changed everything. I remember how poppy and fun and cute and amazing I remember thinking it was and I still do.

Stay Stay Stay: SO ADORABLE. Every time I hear it, it makes me smile and instantly puts me in a good mood. My favorite is the “that was so fun!” at the end because it’s exactly how I feel listening to it.

The Last Time: So intense and emotional and it’s such a beautiful collaboration. It’s super underrated but so beautiful. I adore it!

Everything Has Changed: The start of the cutest friendship in the world! Such a cute song and I just love it because Ed and Taylor are the cutest friends ever.

Holy Ground: The drums! The red tour performance was so rad! Everything about it is so cool.

Sad Beautiful Tragic: The name says it all it’s sad and beautiful and tragic. It’s so emotional and heartbreaking, another amazing example of Taylor’s beautiful songwriting.

The Lucky One: This song always makes me sad to hear what Taylor goes through every day. No one really writes songs like this and I adore it. Thank you, Taylor.

Everything Has Changed: The start of the cutest friendship in the world! Such a cute song and I just love it because Ed and Taylor are the cutest friends ever.

Starlight: So fun and cool and SUMMER VIBES.

Begin Again: As the official closer for this album it does its job amazingly. It has a little hint to go and listen to the album again by just seeing the name which is perfect. It’s an emotional, raw, very romantic song that just warms my heart and I’m so glad it got it’s lovely Parisian music video to go along with it because it fits so perfectly.

The Moment I Knew: One of the only songs I’ve ever heard that I can completely and fully see what’s happening. It paints this perfect scene and it’s so heartbreaking and emotional and you can see it and feel it as you listen. I will never not love this lovely masterpiece.

Come Back... Be Here: This song is emotional and raw and it is BEAUTIFUL! Taylor is the queen of awesome ballads.

Girl At Home: Yes! This song is so underrated and it has a good message to always be the good person when you’re in a situation where you have the choice to do the right thing, and at the same time it’s a BOP.

Taylor this album changed my life and you are a genius! Love you Tay, and happy birthday to one of the most beautiful albums ever made!

@taylornation @taylorswift @taylornation @taylorswift @taylornation @taylorswift

[capsing]

01 Re: the Nina's mom thing: episode 2 opens with a scene of Nina's village and her mom sitting there reading one of Nina's letters. So the village is obviously still intact after Nina left for the capital (not saying that something couldn't have happened to it later, but it was still there when she left!) As far as her dad, I also thought it was weird that he seems to have absolutely no presence in Nina's life: even if he was away trying to make money, Nina said "I want to give my mom a better

02 life,“ like she’s her mother’s sole support. I would think that she would have mentioned it if her dad was dead, so it implies that he’s alive, just not a part of her life for some reason. The show also implies that dragon/human hybrids must be pretty rare, because Nina doesn’t understand why her transformation works the way it does: if hybrids were more common, she probably would have known already about hybrids having wacky transformation issues.03 So anyhoo, what I’m leading up to is this: we have a canon "virgin birth” with Jeanne/El. What if Nina’s birth was the same, but her father was BAHAMUT? It would explain the “she’s like a mini Bahamut” comment from Azazel, the total lack of her father and why human/dragon hybrids seem to be rare enough that Nina doesn’t understand why she works the way she does. The only issue is that Nina’s mom from what we’ve seen of her doesn’t seem like a crazy Bahamut destroy everything cultist04 (I hate ask text limits!) she looked just as horrified as Nina in the flashback scene of Bahamut’s rampage. Unless maybe Nina’s birth was engineered like Amira’s somehow, and her mom fled to the dragon village for safety? Though if that were the case you’d think someone would have come after her by now and I doubt her mom would want her leaving the village alone. What do you think? PS: I love your Charinina fics!

*Hey anon!! :D Wow, thanks for taking the time to write all of this!For the village - I remember there was that one scene, but it’s still suspicious… because of the part where she throws the paper, and because of the time she composed it in her head. The dragon-folk Favaro met said the men are all out working, which is also pretty weird. Like, the women in this world seem very capable of working, and we know Nina is doing grunt work…

HOLY POPSICLES THAT’S SO RAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’M GAME!!!!I didn’t give much thought to that “Virgin Birth” aspect but now that you say it it makes a lot of sense. I did try to see if Nina was different from the other dragon-folk in her appearance, and she’s pretty similar. What if her mom isn’t human, but she’s actually the dragon-folk? And her dad is Bahamut… Because it was always stressed that Bahamut would always return to the world, and any period of time without it would just postpone it. But then it clashes with the flashback we’ve seen, when Nina’s six-ish… though indeed, Mogoru proves us age is but a number in this show (not to mention Amira)…Hurm. Let’s see what we have.1. The dragon village exists for sure because Favaro visited it.2. Meaning there are other dragon-folk.(… quite the short list!)But this is so confusing, where were the dragons during all that time with everyone fighting?? How could they have dodged the supernatural show-down?? The only dragon we’ve see is the one they’ve met in the forest, and it was huge and ancient and didn’t mention other dragons… and with the literal awesome fire-power they possess, how could everyone just pass them by? (what if they live in some other-dimension pocket, like that dragon?)But I’m super-hyped about your theory!!! It makes lots of sense! The ‘Bahamut’ comment Azazel did seems to be very meaningful, and also Nina did attack like Bahamut, like flamethrowered the shit out of everything continuously. It also makes me wonder if there’s a special meaning to Nina’s emotions or blood pressure and its connection with her transformation. There’s also the fact that at the ending of the first season, Amira was embedded into Bahamut… so what if the tables turned, and now a human form conceals Bahamut’s strength? Could also be that Amira’s involvement affected the rebirth/reincarnation process.

What I love about this show it that it just keeps surprising us with good stuff, at least one every episode! Sometimes the twists are a tad far-fetched, but most of the time they’re good and I just enjoy being surprised so much.and thank you for the kind words about my fics :D!

THANK YOU ♥♥♥ for sharing all those awesome thoughts with me!!! ヾ（〃＾∇＾）ﾉ♪ It was delightful! 'Virgin Birth’ is a super cool concept.(I would actually be very pleased if the 'Vrigin Soul’ is actually Charioce’s, but am also aware that’s wishful thinking)WHEN IS NEXT EPISODE NINA GOT TO TRANSFORM THIS WEEK OR I’M COMING OVER TO TASE HER HEARTBEAT INTO SHAPE (jk nina cupcake i’d never do that u do u)(but like u better transform this time because like nina ur bf and lil sis need u)

[seanjunkshaun-blog]

American Waste

Let’s start this out in late October 1998...I was in a little town at the base of a desert mountain. Some call this place AJ, locally it is synonymous with crystal meth and trailer parks. Probably unknown to anyone outside the confines of that ancient devil bird and believe me, that’s a good thing. Not much has changed for the better during the last quarter century in this little bastion of white trashdom.  

During this particular Autumn I was hitting the infamous hormone geyser we all experience at some point during adolescence. A friend of mine invited me to go to the park with him and his girl friend, she had a friend from another school that was supposed to meet us there. We hung out on the slides and other playground equipment that we would have been playing on just a few years prior. Just talking about the teachers and people that we hated, anything else that was going on in our pubescent world (you know). I wasn’t really into her friend, can’t even remember her name at this point and obviously not into her (NK) as she was my friend’s girl. After a couple hours of this nonsense we headed to NK’s house in order to call for rides etc. NK asked her mom if she could drive me home, since I lived the opposite direction from the other kids. Following and uneventful ride home, we said goodnight and that was it. That’s all I expected from our little outing that day.

A couple weeks later on a typically sunny Arizona afternoon NK showed up unannounced at my house. This was a little weird, cause I lived about 8 miles away and out in the desert. In other words, you wouldn’t find yourself there on accident. She had gotten a ride from an older brother of one of my classmates, he was 18 and had a Jeep (that’s really the thing). I was a bit confused at first...what is my friend’s girlfriend doing at my front door, inviting me out (first red flag)? She was kinda cute though and seemed willing to fool around, so I asked my dad if I could go with them instead of going to the movies.

My dad was pretty rad, I loved my dad. He was also pretty fucking scary at times. He was in special forces during Nam and did murder for the government, after all. These are admirable characteristics much of the time and I do respect him for these things. However, can be frightening too, that’s all I am trying to say. In addition to his aforementioned traits, he also drank heavily and this didn’t make for the best of judgment on a regular basis. Needless to say, all of my friend’s thought that I had the coolest dad in the neighborhood.

After a semi-reluctant granting of permission form my father, I hopped into the Jeep awaiting tonight’s adventure. We went back to NK’s house on the west end of that lovely little shit sandwich of the desert; better known as AJ. Her older brother sold pot, so we had plenty to supply us that evening. I had only done it a handful of times before this, so this was like total bad boy status at the time. Smoking weed in her bedroom and listening to hip hop, this was fucking awesome; the fact she was supposed to be my friend’s girlfriend didn’t even cross my mind. Normally, at some point your conscience should kick in...like before you get in the Jeep, right?

That’s when it happened; I couldn’t take it any more, the way she looked at me between giggles was too much...I had to taste those sweet lips myself. She had been thinking the same thing apparently, not even a slight hesitation when my lips touched hers. Heavy petting was the furthest I had ever gone with a girl up to that point. A little finger action and suckling was about it for me; she was experienced in such matters at 13.

After telling my mom that I was going to spend the night at her boyfriend’s (that’s super fucked), the other two left her house, so we had the place to ourselves. All kids will play house if you let them. Her parents were no where to be found for days on end, so no worries there. Not that her older brother gave a shit, he was too busy peddling to pay much attention anyway. He was also awaiting a lengthy prison sentence at the time as well.

With no one else to worry about, we went back into her room. It was a pretty common sight at the time, at least for all the stoner kids; black lights and posters abound. She put on some sappy ass music that I hated, probably Savage Garden or whatever was cool to teen age girls at the moment. Undressing her slowly, I enjoyed the different curves of a girl’s body. The first time isn’t very enjoyable for most, but I would have to disagree. Not knowing what you’re doing...perhaps, but that moment of initial penetration can never be replicated.

It was great I thought at the time, sex is fucking amazing and I can fuck all night. Also, being a stupid child, I thought that pulling out and cumming all over her was an acceptable means of birth control. Being too timid to purchase condoms was another factor here and that is why I supply rubbers to my kids no questions asked. In America, sex is taboo and we aren’t supposed to talk about it openly, at least this was how it felt to me. There was no way in hell that I could talk about this with my dad, not that I hated him or anything like that, it would just be too weird. I do not find it any easier as a parent to talk with my kids about sex, they seem really timid despite my encouragement to be sex positive. I’m still working on that one.

As for the out come...well, you probably figured it out on your own. The next October was my eldest son’s birthday, he is going to be an adult this fall. He’s doing ok, but I wish he‘d take school more seriously. It looks like he’s going into the trades instead of college (not that there’s anything wrong with that). He is living with my mother due to a great number of circumstances, but these are for another conversation. NK is in and out of prison to this day and my son has completely written her off. Of course there are plenty of stories about her, but again...another time. I struggle to find meaning as an adult, but I’m doing well from the outside. There is some sweet spot between being an authority figure and being a derelict and I am still trying to find it.

[thebibliomancer]

Essential Avengers: (Daredevil #99 +) Avengers #111: With Two Beside Them!

May, 1973

Last time: Quicksilver is a robot racist. Oh, and also, Magneto beat up the X-men, lured the Avengers into a trap, attacked them with dinosaurs, and stole their Quinjet and several of their teammates.

But before we continue with the Avengers we have to take a brief detour down Daredevil way since its slightly relevant to the Avengers.

I mean, I could summarize it in one line: the Avengers recruit Daredevil and Black Widow to help them fight Magneto. But we’d miss a lot of Clint Barton making an ass of himself if I didn’t go into it in slightly more detail. And also I love my words words words.

So remember how Hawkeye decided to wait in Black Widow’s tree until he could talk to her?

It goes about as well as can be expected.

Basically, Hawkeye puts Black Widow on the spot and tries to force her into admitting she still cares about him, a jealous Daredevil tells Hawkeye to step off, so Hawkeye punches him. They have a fight and then out the window goes Hawkeye. Sorta earned that defenestration.

And then Daredevil and Hawkeye scuffle on the lawn until Daredevil throws the fight to avoid revealing he’s blind. And then Hawkeye goes to fight some Hell’s Angels knockoffs. And then he fights Daredevil again and this time Daredevil breaks his bow.

And then they both realize in a weird moment of self-awareness that they’re fighting over Natasha like a piece of meat and that she’s the one that gets to decide.

But when they both arrive back at Black Widow’s house, the Avengers are there. Hawkeye assumes that Natasha called the grown-ups to drag him back home so he runs off.

The Avengers reveal that they’re really there to ask for Daredevil’s help against Magneto and not to put too fine a point on it but Daredevil owes Black Panther one.

What they don’t mention is that Daredevil was not their first, second, or third choice. They tried to recruit Falcon, Spider-Man, and Luke Cage first.

And, hey, since Black Widow is there too she can come with. The more (to punch Magneto with) the merrier!

Although... I know it was their last resort but Daredevil and Black Widow aren’t exactly super helpful for fighting MASTER OF MAGNETS. More bodies to throw at him is better than nothing I guess.

And now finally we can continue on with Avengers #111.

We start the issue with Magneto mind-controlling Scarlet Witch into sexy dancing for him.

...

This probably made for an awkward conversation down the road when they figured out that Magneto was her dad.

No wonder Wanda rewrote reality so he wasn’t. Some things you just can’t look back on and laugh.

But anyway. Yeah. Magneto can control minds now. He does it by controlling the iron in the blood and reducing the amount of blood flow to the brain. His victims are left barely conscious and I guess highly suggestible.

Magnets. In what sort of manner do they function?

Piper wonders whether Magneto is worried about the Avengers. What if they regroup and try to find Magneto’s super secret rad base?

But Magnet-toe isn’t worried. He left them with only three members. What are they going to do, recruit a blind lawyer and an ex-Soviet spy? That’s dumb. You’re dumb, Piper.

Meanwhile, the Avengers. Blaming Black Widow for Hawkeye being a giant baby.

I mean, I don’t think that was the intention but that’s Black Widow’s takeaway. And she starts blaming herself for treating him so badly.

Good lord.

Anyway, even having recruited two new temporary members, the Avengers don’t really have any leads to follow. But thankfully, Daredevil happens to gently caress a newspaper and there’s a conference for the atomic energy commission being held that day.

And Magneto loves him some atomics. Atomics is what caused the mutants. THIS IS PERHAPS A LEAD.

Meanwhile, Black Widow mopes about having bad taste in men. Or rather, about the mutability of human affection. She loved her dead husband once and she loves Matt Murdock, avocado, now. But between she loved Hawkeye.

And also: “Oh, Hawkeye, Hawkeye... they said you were like a child. If so, you only needed me as a woman in so many more way than one... And I failed you in all of them.”

Good lord again.

If Hawkeye needs a girlfriend who is also a mom then you really dodged a bullet, Natasha.

Speaking of the brash bowman, Hawkeye mopes on a bridge like he’s Spider-Man. Black Widow can’t stand him, the Avengers show up when he’s trying to be a homewrecker and recruit the other guy, and also he doesn’t have any friends. But so what? He’ll show them, he’ll show them all! The name Hawkeye is going to be bigger than the Avengers, Daredevil, and Black Widow put together!

(Clint... there’s never going to be a Hawkeye movie.)

LATER! The special conference for the atomic energy commission dinner party conference.

They got word that there was going to be a kidnapping attempt so instead of holding the conference at a nice secure location, its being held at some dude’s big house.

This security measure is proven to be worth jack dick when Magneto and his army of mind-controlled X-Vengers attack.

Obviously, normal security dudes aren’t the match for even mind-controlled superheroes. Although mind-controlled Cyclops manages to get himself punched in the face.

But aside from being his lot in life, this also demonstrates the drawback of Magneto’s mind-control. He can’t effectively control so many people at once.

The Avengers finally show up after Magneto has captured everyone and is leading them away to his ship.

Magneto has his mind-controlled Captain America (huh, topical) run interference while he activates the... OCTOFUMES!

Which seems to be a normal smokescreen with a cool name.

While Thor tries to blow the smokescreen away, Black Panther and Daredevil team up to launch Daredevil face-first into Magneto’s ship.

Lets call that a friendship maneuver.

Having grabbed onto the ship, Daredevil realizes he doesn’t know what to do with it.

Thankfully, he doesn’t have to make a decision because Magneto electrifies the hull. What a considerate fella.

Anyways, Daredevil falls off the ship and plummets towards the ground.

Black Widow uses her grappling line to catch him but Daredevil insists that he totally could have saved himself no problem but I guess its the thought that counts, NATASHA.

Its not really the realm of this liveblog to discuss it overly much but Black Widow’s relationship with Daredevil was bad. It was bad for her. Daredevil spends much of their time together being a complete ass.

Anyway. Thor chases after Magneto’s ship but Magneto issues an ultimatum.

No, not that one.

If Thor doesn’t back off, Magneto will make his mind controlled slaves jump to their deaths. And even Thor can’t catch all of them.

So although it grieveth Thor to his very soul, he doth back off, verily.

Magneto gets clean away, leaving the Avengers without any more leads.

OR IS IT??

See, something has been bothering Black Panther. Remember those dinosaurs? The ones that attacked? And Iron Man broke one of their necks? Those guys?

Where did they come from?

Well, obviously initially the Savage Land. But where did they come from right before they attacked the Avengers? They couldn’t just pop out of thin air. That’s not what the Piper do.

So, Magneto must have been hiding the dinosaurs somewhere nearby. In some sort of... secret base of some kind.

And if that’s the case, Black Panther can track the dinosaurs back to it. Because dinosaur is a very distinctive scent.

Oh. And one more thing. Anyone know where the Vision got off to?

MEANWHILE at Magneto’s secret lair. Magneto decides to lambast the atomic commission people.

Imagine. Having unlimited power at your fingertips and deciding to be a civil servant, working for a salary!

Not like Magneto. Magneto was born to rule and not receive pay. If Magneto had their opportunities, he would not let them languish. And he’s not going to. He’s going to use the atomic commission people to gain access to all the atomic power in the country so he can unleash it on the populace.

Granted, 92% of the people will die but the rest will become mutants! And also Magneto’s new followers. He needs followers. Followers are like the staff of life to him.

Also, did the Infamous games borrow their plots from Magneto?

The commission calls him mad and say that he won’t get away with this. But that’s just the cue Magneto was waiting for so he can exposit more.

Fun fact: if a villain ever looks at you expectantly they probably want you to say something like ‘you’ll never get away with this’, ‘you’re mad’, or ‘so-and-so will stop you’ so they can continue on with their prepared remarks.

Magneto explains how he tried the radiation experiment on a smaller scale (in Amazing Adventures #9-10) and how it totally worked. It exploded in his face and left him near death.

So he tricked Angel into wearing a new costume which would absorb his ‘youthful mutant energy.’ And then yesterday, Magneto snuck into the X-Mansion, chloroformed Angel, and put on his clothes.

Because of comic science, this restored Magneto to full power. Even taking comic science into account, it also makes Magneto sound like a big ol’ perv.

The fact that he used mind control to make Scarlet Witch dance for him does not really help that impression.

Anyway, he then beat the X-Men and the Avengers. And that proves he’s awesome and can succeed at anything.

But still though, the atomics commission people refuse to tell him what they know. So he just relies on reliable ol’ mind-control. It will take longer but he has plenty of time. Its not like anyone is going to interrupt him.

Meanwhile outside, the Avengers get ready to interrupt him.

Black Panther has tracked the memorable stank of T. Rex, Daredevil felt vibrations from a hidden cave, and Thor beat up the ground until he tunneled into the cave.

Magneto is, of course, aghast. How could the Avengers find him? He was SO CAREFUL. HE LEFT NOT THE FAINTEST TRACE.

Apparently he hasn’t tried sniffing his dinosaurs.

BUT NO MATTER, he sends his mind-slaves to attack the Avengers.

And again the limitation of Magneto’s mind-control comes up. “Yet the brain which guides these many attackers belongs to only one man -- a man who can act rashly under stress -- for an aware Iron Man would never attempt to fight the Thunder God by trying to hold back his hammer!”

Still, Magneto is apparently great at multi-tasking because the Avengers are kinda getting beat.

Thor takes out Iron Man but gets shot in the head by Cyclops who is jumped by Black Panther who gets countered by Ice Man who PLOW!s some ice blocks right into T’Challa’s noggin.

And then Cyclops gets punched in the face again.

By Daredevil. Who is pretty amused at the irony of a blind man punching a dude with punch vision.

But then Marvel Girl and Scarlet Witch double team Daredevil and threaten to drop the ceiling down on him so Black Widow to the rescue! Again!

She lassos Magneto and throws him in the path of the ceiling drop as well, forcing him to use his own power to stop the rocks or else get smoosh.

Which is easy enough.

Oh, by the way. Magneto could have mind-controlled everyone at any point. But the fight was amusing. And now its not.

Wham, bam, mind-taken ma’am.

Magneto gloats to Piper that this is the end of the Avengers and that soon the world will be within his grasp!

And then Piper chops Magneto in the back of the neck, knocking him out.

See, something Magneto didn’t notice but Black Panther did is that there was one Avenger missing.

Under the cover of the OCTOFUMES, Vision slipped into Magneto’s ship and also hid inside Piper. He was hiding inside a man this whole time. And he figured out how to solidfy his brain just enough to hijack Piper’s body.

Yup. Vision figured out how to wear people as a meat suit. Hahahahah that’s only very terrifying!

Anyway, the X-Men rouse and Professor X uses his power to put Magneto into a deep sleep. They still have their own problems going on because now they have to find Angel. He wasn’t in the Mansion so where is he?

And that probably gets answered in some other book. Not really my purview.

Captain America thanks Daredevil and Black Widow for helping. And y’know, they did a good job. Probably. So if they wanted to be official members, that would be cool.

Daredevil turns down the offer for both of them. For personal reasons. Always having a group around would confuse his senses and it would be harder to keep his blindness a secret.

But Black Widow accepts the offer for herself.

Daredevil protests but she proclaims that he doesn’t own her! And also it was incredibly presumptive to make the decision for her in the first place, Matt. You ass.

Black Widow privately decides that spending some time apart from him will give her a chance to think through their relationship.

So Daredevil swings out of the cave in a huff, saying she can find him back in San Francisco... IF SHE’S EVER LOOKING.

But Matt... you got a ride here in a Quinjet. How are you getting home?

So. I guess Black Widow finally joins the Avengers. It was teased and teased and teased and it finally happens. Right after Hawkeye ragequit the team.

Black Widow is considered one of the mainstays these days but it took her one-hundred and eleven issues to get past brain-washing and SHIELD co-opting her and all manner of other nonsense to finally get on the team.

So I expect she’ll have a long and eventful run on the team.

[shnashq]

Egoraptor. He's pretty sweet and pretty awesome. Anyway, Ego is this badass who does a bunch of stuff. Like, sometimes he draws, sometimes he writes music (which is weird because he doesn't know anything about music), and sometimes... SOMETIMES... he makes flash movies. But I doubt it. Anyway, most of all, Ego voice acts. I mean, that's what he loves to do, you know? He's crazy about it. Doing voices is his life, man. He does it for random people, mostly friends, but he does it for THE QUEEN (Youtube-Chan), which is sly. Ego's made his rounds on the internet. In fact, you may have seen some of his creations out and about. Some of the fan favorites include DBZ in a Nutshell (the audio, not the flash, but the flash uses the audio!), Metal Gear Awesome, Final Fantasy 7 Flash Spoof, as well as voices for The Decline of Video Gaming, The Stupid Adventures of Mark and Tony, and many more (which is amazing). If you run into "Egoraptor" online somewhere, chances are it's him! (except there's an Egoraptor in every universe. Who cares.)

Egoraptor likes to play video games among other things, like sleep, be with his best friends, do all kinds of stuff, and be healthy because "be" is a verb and fits in that set. But mostly, Ego mostly likes to go Super Saiyan. He also enjoys meeting new people, which is a fun thing to do, 'cause learning from other people is something that is good.

Ego thinks his sexuality (NSP In-Universe) is "cool." It’s actually Bi.

Ego has a bunch of other ideas, but he's not going to tell you any 'cause the internet is a manipulative conniving sinister place.

Ego obviously likes creating, and he shall continue to do so until the day he dies.

WORKS:

The Awesome Series is a series of short animations which parody popular video games. It's currently his most popular series, getting him the most views. Popular entries include PokeAwesome, Metal Gear Awesome, Awesome Reach and Awesome Gaiden.

Lemon 'n Bill is an animation series of an anthropomorphic lemon and bullet that travel through various video game worlds.

Girlchan in Paradise is a collaborative effort with Joshua "TomaMoto" Tomar to make a parody of shonen anime.

Sequilitis is a commentary series in which Ego compares a video game and it's sequel with each other.

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Arin Hanson is a SAG/AFTRA voice actor, having provided the voices for many video games like Dragon Age: Inquisition and Detective Grimoire, and lots of amazing network television cartoons like Mighty Magiswords on Cartoon Network and Rick and Morty on Adult Swim.

Arin is a writer specializing in sketch comedy. He has written for Fox Networks and helped develop commercials for high profile brands such as Crunchyroll, Seriously Games, Gunnar Optiks, Lootcrate, and Anki Drive.

Arin is the owner and lead personality on Game Grumps, an online show focusing on comedy and video games with 3 million+ subscribers, makin’ the funnies twice a day.

Arin also tours live with Game Grumps to sold out shows across the US (and soon across Europe!)

Arin is the lead rapper and co-writer for Starbomb, a pop-culture oriented synth-pop comedy band. Both of their albums have debuted at #1 on the Nielsen comedy charts.

Arin is also responsible for directing and animating Starbomb’s first music video ever, which is pretty rad in his opinion.

Arin’s internet animated shorts have garnered hundreds of millions of views and have been featured on national and international television networks like MTV, Fox, and G4tv.

His educational game design show “Sequelitis” has been shown in countless Game Design college courses throughout the US and Canada, which honestly sort of blew his mind a little bit.

Arin is currently co-developing a touring company that helps alternative touring acts to perform across the globe.

Arin recently produced a hit video game called "Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator" and is working with his company, Game Grumps, to produce more video games.

Arin’s work spans a lot of mediums, including music, animation, film, voice over, and more.

Arin is a person, who is reachable! Arin also has social media accounts which may or may not be appropriate, safe for work, or even very interesting.

FAST FACTS ABOUT ARIN:

He once won the $50k Grand Prize on the show “Dance Showdown” (but between you and me, Lindsey Sterling should have won)

He competed in the 2015 Nintendo World Championships (but came in 5th, boo)

He’s raised over half a million dollars for charity as of right now, and still finding ways to raise more!

He competed on the Playstation reality show “The Tester” but was voted off for not helping his teammates fire melons, or whatever.

He reviewed a video game while having just eaten a Ghost Pepper whole.

If you think this is a lot of stuff for one guy to do, it probably is, but, you know, whatever! He loves creating, and helping people create. Hit him up if you want to get in touch, he’s always willing to check out new projects!!