#nov 14 2023

[shimomcdragon]

Self insert for a little roleplay event

[abybweisse]

With how certain parts in the story play out or are portrayed, do you think Yana exploits or down plays O!Ciel’s trauma sometimes? For example, during Noah’s circus arc, that panic attack he has is caused when he was exposed to Kelvin’s doings which triggered his trauma. Yet at the same time, actions like Ran Mao hugging O!Ciel and pushing him into her chest makes him flustered. The interaction doesn’t make him panic in the same way even though he suffered at the hands of both men and women in the cult. I can mostly chalk it up to Yana putting in fan service in when it comes to how he is framed in certain instances or in situations like the corset scene, but overall, is his trauma only there when the plot needs it?

Our earl's trauma on display

I'd say the trauma is there all the time. It's just that much of the time he can somewhat control how he reacts. He regularly suppresses his emotions, anyway, because it's the only way he can move forward on his goals. Consider this part of his act, pretending to be the "better" older twin. He knows real Ciel went through the same ordeals, but he probably assumes his older brother would have faced each new day with all the strength he could muster... if he had survived instead. It's probably on his mind more often than we actually witness, but since he's not the main, title character, we don't see his thoughts as often.

If he were constantly displaying the effects of the severe trauma, he'd pull a revolver on Sebastian when he's called upon to wake up each day. He'd be jumping out of his skin to run away whenever a creep like Druitt showed up. Or crouching down to go into the fetal position and scream. That sort of thing. He'd be too much of a mess to let the plot progress. He wouldn't be able to function very well. Basically, he'd be like he was during the witch arc, until Sebastian was 90% serious about devouring his soul then and there.

Honestly, the series would be hard(er) to read, if we were constantly getting the full brunt of the effect those traumatic events have on him. As a victim of childhood abuse myself, with the repetitive intrusive thoughts and flashbacks I already have regarding those long-past experiences, reading and seeing illustrations of similar ongoing suffering would be somewhat detrimental... possibly. What I experienced wasn't as terrifying or horrific as what happens to him and his twin (though the abuse lasted way longer for me), and I don't have any real triggers. Regardless of what happened to me, I do my best to carry on with the day-to-day, even on days I'm thinking about it more than usual. Whatever PTSD I might have isn't nearly as severe as it could be. A series written that way -- our earl constantly showing us how he suffers from trauma -- would be downright unreadable for a lot of people. Some find it too emotionally difficult, as is, and dropped the series.

I expect that what he mentally goes through, after the abuses, is pretty much the same thing all day, every day. It's repetitive, pestering him, and he has to brush away thoughts about it. He does the best he can to hold himself together. He tries to focus on revenge. On Funtom. On his duties as watchdog. Whatever... to think about something other than that timeframe and those memories. What's shown to us (of the trauma) are the times when it's just too much for him to maintain that composure... as well as what caused the trauma in the first place. I'd say that is quite enough to get the point across.

It's sad that a lot of those scenes are given fan service treatment. Sad mostly because it means there's still a large chunk of the fandom that practically demands it. I'd prefer a lack of glamor and sexualization in those moments. I know a lot of fans would agree with me. But she can't please everyone all the time. And what sells, sells.

[dianereviewsbooks]

The Edge

The Edge is another terrific thriller from the master, David Baldacci. A former Ranger, Travis Devine, is working for the government in various shady projects. His latest assignment is to investigate the murder of CIA agent Jenny Silkwell in a rural coastal Maine town. The agent’s phone and laptop are both missing and may contain top secret information. During his investigation, Travis finds a…

[chivalrouswooly]

[umgeorge]

📷 @.twofiftyk / instagram

[daisiesonafield-blog]

Faith in The Future bonus tracks and deluxe CDs - the whole tracklist

I seem to have confused people with my tags in the Target exclusive CD post.

Target has 18 songs, 2 more than the deluxe CD and 4 more than the standard CD.

The standard Faith in The Future CD tracklist is this:

Then the deluxe CD and vinyl on Louis' store have all of the above plus these 2 additional songs:

Headline

Holding onto heartache

So 16 songs.

The Target exclusive CD and the HMV (UK only) exclusive CD have all of the above songs, plus 2 bonus songs:

Paradise

Copy Of A Copy Of A Copy live from Lima

So 18 songs.

Then the Bigger Than Me single CD comes with a bonus track:

Saved by a Stranger

So that's a total of 19 songs so far.

UPDATE on Nov 14 2022:

The Faith In The Future (Digital Deluxe Bonus Edition) has a total of 19 songs, with 3 bonus tracks:

CHANGE HIGH IN CALIFORNIA FACE THE MUSIC (ACOUSTIC DEMO)

Bringing Louis' FITF release to a whooping 22 songs so far!!

UPDATE on Dec 2023:

The All Of Those Voices DVD includes an exclusive version of Faith In The Future with a new rock studio version of:

BACK TO YOU

So that is a total of 23 songs for the Faith In The Future era!

For a complete list of all the exclusive vinyls in various colorways click here.

[umlewis]

"'I think we have to be respectful of the locals' Lewis Hamilton says it's important 'people are taken care of' and not impacted negatively by F1 coming to Las Vegas 👇" - november 15, 2023 📷 @.skysportsf1 / twitter (transcription under the cut)

Lewis: "I've heard there have been a lot of complaints about the event being here fom the locals, and I think we have to be respectful of the locals here. So many people here are working so hard. We've got to make sure that we're… There's a lot of money and wealth in this city, and also other places we go in this industry, and so we've got to make sure that people are taken care of, I think. And we can't be a circus that shows up that's all glitz and glammer and people are effected negatively by it, in my opinion, and so that's… But I think there's guys are working…"

[cerysdelaney]

Under Dreaming is Complete.

Thank you to everyone who is still around to enjoy the ending. It was my first fic and it feels good to finally say it is complete.

Enjoy the Epilogue. It’s sweet and spicy.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/7775452/chapters/130436278

Wattpad:

[tython-datacron]

playing heroics while having dinner >>> watching youtube while having dinner

[warmglowofsurvival]

[first screenshot]

[abybweisse]

Everything I know about Ciel is against my will. You see, I hadn’t read the manga all the way yet and any knowledge I do have of future events come from blogs I follow (I know about the twins and Agni’s death, that sort of stuff). Against my better judgement, I decided to read further ahead because I wanted some context (I’m currently on the circus arc) and I am truly devastated upon reading ch 135. It made me so upset and I know what I came here for, Kuro is not exactly a bright and upbeat story, but having the kinds of things done to him spelled out instead of being inferred or implied is heartbreaking. I tried to continue reading where I was at in the story but couldn’t stop looking at Ciel and being sad for him. I’m kind of avoiding continuing reading because of that and although I’m 6 years late to the “ch.135 is sad” party, I needed to get my feelings out. Sorry if it’s not the place but no one I know is into Kuro and would be able to understand.

That being said, is it possible that what happened to him within the cult effected the way he interacts with/ sees/ treats any adults regardless of who they are or whether they’re “safe” or not? I always saw him as someone who is trying to escape from his childhood while at the same time attempting to reclaim it. I haven’t read all the way through so I may be missing more information. It’s a question I had swimming in my mind after being totally crushed.

Post traumatic stress

Since you are currently in the circus arc, it's hard for me to say too much without spoiling things even more.

Everything about our earl's (our Ciel's) position as Earl Phantomhive, the queen's watchdog, must be a near constant struggle for him. He suffered greatly before he had ever returned to the manor, and yet he chooses to fill this role. Every time he has to deal with some creep -- even Vanel within the first few chapters -- he must feel repulsed by what they say, let alone anything they might do. Sebastian sometimes reinforces those feelings of disgust, even when he's not necessarily trying to do so.

This kid definitely sees adults differently now than before the attack and even more differently now than before the cult got hold of him and his older twin. Before the attack, the worst he had to deal with were bouts of asthma, feelings of inferiority, and wondering what he would do to make a living when he got older. Those are hard enough. After the initial incident, he's lost not just his family but his entire world, small as it was. After the cult, he's lost most of his innocence and temporarily lost his dignity. He's even lost the brother he'd been reunited with for about a month.

Since returning to the manor, people have sometimes been inappropriate with him, in words and/or in deeds. Vanel says he'd sell the kid off and thinks it's considerate to say he'd drug him enough that he wouldn't know or care what was happening to him -- not having a clue this kid's already been through that and worse. Druitt tries to auction him off while thinking he's a girl; oddly, though, that means Druitt didn't personally examine the kid. Doll places his hands on her chest to show she's a girl and offers to let him see what's further down. In a later arc, Sieglinde does and says several highly inappropriate things.

There's been a big delay in typing up the rest of my response, so I have no idea how far along you are now, if you are still reading the series. Perhaps you've hit the green witch arc and know what Sieglinde does and says....

It seems to me that Sebastian enjoys watching his young master suffer from reminders of what he'd experienced from the cultists. You can see some of that when he saves the kid from Vanel. A little bit in getting ready for Druitt's party and the escape from it. And even more when he doesn't kill the circus doctor until his master can finally get the words out to order him to do so. I'm assuming you've finished the circus arc by now, at least. He lets the kid suffer a bit more than necessary later on, in other scenarios, and sometimes just plain makes the kid feel uncomfortable. Though, oddly, he doesn't say anything about how he got information out of Beast; he could have told the kid just to see the revulsion on his face, but he doesn't. But there are other times where he "shields" the kid from viewing mature content, but I think that has more to do with being a proper butler to a child, when the other servants are around. Like it's an act for their benefit, not his master's benefit.

For the most part, our earl doesn't automatically treat adults (or other minors) like they might harm him, but whenever anyone talks about anything sexual or exposes parts that would be considered inappropriate for the era -- or even touches him in an unexpected manner -- you can tell he's a bit on edge, sometimes plain grossed out by it.

[tay-swifts]

GLEN POWELL Men's Health Magazine (Nov 14, 2023)

[umgeorge]

via iwcwatches' ig story - november 17, 2023

[keptfatkepthumble]

In honor of my now over 6.000 followers, a year-end review  2023 Tumblr Top 10 Reblog your favorite.

1. 3,602 notes - Oct 14 2023

2. 2,498 notes - Sep 30 2023

3. 1,910 notes - Nov 9 2023

4. 1,795 notes - Sep 11 2023

5. 1,550 notes - Oct 14 2023

6. 1,509 notes - Oct 11 2023

7. 1,453 notes - Sep 19 2023

8. 1,377 notes - Aug 20 2023

9. 1,302 notes - Oct 1 2023

10. 1,281 notes - Nov 25 2023

Created by TumblrTop10

[umlewis]

"Lewis Hamilton and George Russell give their thoughts on the development of the Mercedes for next year ⏩" - november 15, 2023 📷 @.skysportsf1 / twitter (transcription under the cut)

Interviewer: "Have you been liaising any more than you have over previous winters to do all you can to get the car as good as it can be for next year?" Lewis: "Well, we've had so much work that we've done through the year already. I'm on a group teams chat, basically, with different departments, and I will always be checking in, but of course [unintelligible] unplug. I have to leave the guys to do what they do best, but I'm always gonna be like, 'Hey, I wonder how it's going.' But you just gotta give them time. It takes time to develop. It's small steps each week, and then on top of that I've got to get my head in the right place, I've got to get fit, prepare for the next season, and spend some time with my family. It's been a killer season." [time jump] Voice over: "If they do build a car capable of a title challenge, who'll spearhead it? Russell outscored Hamilton in their first season together, but has a big points deficit this year. There have been questions whether the car's evolution has been to his liking." George: "We have different driving styles, but the fundamental limitations that we both face are the same, and we're cautiously optimistic going into next year. We're not sat here thinking, why are we slow. We know why we're slow. We've got so many issues with this car and so many problems that we want to solve, so that gives us hope that if we do solve them we can make a big step forward."

[urrockstar-xe]

precious - j.m x fem!reader

posted nov 27th, 2023 8:14 am

anon asked: hello!! I’m a sucker for a little angst ending with fluff, so could you maybe write a jj maybank x girlfriend where they have a fight right before bed and he goes to sleep on the couch but they can’t sleep without each other/being mad at each other so one of them goes to the other to apologize?

sorry for the wait love :( I hope you enjoy it.

masterlist

wordcount: 0.9k

“It’s like you never learn JJ!” your voice rang in his ears in a similar fashion as his rang through yours

“Learn what, Y/n? That I’m gonna die young anyway? It wasn’t even that fucking bad!” and if this were a cartoon the words would be coming right back out as steam. 

“It’s not like I haven’t done worse alright?” JJ added, frustratedly running his fingers through his hair. “It’s not about that JJ! You could’ve died! I need you around!” It was as if he totally skipped over your last four words as he scoffed, “I get it, I’m an idiot who doesn’t know better are you fuckin done yet? Actually, fuck this, I’m sleeping at JB’s” JJ grabbed his backpack on his way out of your house, not missing your calls for him just ignoring them, as he hopped onto his bike and left your sight in what felt like seconds. 

You didn’t try to conceal the frustration and hurt you felt, all of it spilling out in angry sobs and violent strings of swear words. 

The same stupid argument always stumped you and JJ, no matter how many short apologies and tears you guys go through, the argument of how precious JJ’s life was always took the cake for the biggest challenge in your relationship. 

Yet you still worried about how high he’d get tonight or how much of John B’s beer he’d drink and how safe he’d be even if John B’s was merely a 7-minute walk from yours, you always worried about JJ.

How could you not when he was as reckless as he was? 

A few hours went by of pacing your room, checking your phone for “baby, I love you” apology texts, and pretending not to realize the worried gaze your older brother gave you whenever you left your room to use the restroom, before you realized it was 1 in the morning and you still hadn’t been able to go to sleep, despite having woken up at 6 am for work the previous day. 

With a heavy sigh and eye roll at the realization that you’d have the give in first, you got up, throwing on one of JJ’s old jackets he left and your shoes before leaving out your front door in a rush and practically running to John B’s having memorized the way there.

You accepted the curse of not being able to sleep without JJ by your side and when a half-asleep John B opened his door, you knew he had heard an earful as he let you inside wordlessly, “he’s out back” John B motioned towards the back door, giving you a nod as a silent good luck before moving back to his room. 

You made your way to the back door, hesitating momentarily before grabbing the doorknob and opening it, making your way back out into the cold. You were almost instantly met with the beautiful sight of your boyfriend, lying on the hammock and watching the stars, mindlessly playing with his lighter. 

You wordlessly made your way to him, both you and JJ ignoring the sound of the grass under your sneakers until you sat down on the edge of one of the old lawn chairs, hugging your legs to your chest in an attempt to find warmth. 

“Can’t sleep?” He asked barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to his usual tone. 

“Not without you” You responded, letting out a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding when JJ finally looked in your direction. “Me too” 

“I know” he nodded at your words, of course, you knew. 

“C’mere, pretty baby,” JJ said, his voice quiet, tossing his lighter somewhere in the dirt, pretending he wouldn’t have to find it tomorrow. You stood up, almost too fast for your liking before settling into the hammock next to him, gravity pushing you into his side and his arm falling around you seamlessly, or at least you told yourself it was gravity. 

“I’m sorry I yelled at you” You whispered into his shoulder, pressing kisses into the fabric of his hoodie, all of your stubbornness flying out the window once his familiar scent filled your nose.

“I’m sorry I yelled back, and for being an idiot” JJ whispered, breathing as if he was trying to learn how. “You’re not an idiot, J” Your fingers instinctively played with the drawstrings of his neck, unknowingly bringing a sense of comfort to your boyfriend. 

“I just,” you sighed before continuing, cursing at yourself for how you teared up. “I just wish you realized how precious you are to me” You whispered, barely audible. 

But JJ heard it clear as day. 

“I’m sorry-” He started but you cut him off, “You can’t be sorry for something like that, you weren’t taught any better.” You choked out, not missing the way his lips found your hair when he realized you were crying, comforting kisses hitting your hairline. 

“If I could go back in time and teach you how much you were worth I would in a heartbeat” Your words made JJ pause his actions, his arm tightening ever so slightly around you. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, JJ” You shrugged as much as you could without disrupting the hug. 

“Can’t even sleep without you” You mumbled through a quiet laugh, earning one in return from JJ, alongside a few sniffles. 

“We’re good right?” he asked quietly, gently running his fingers up and down your arm. 

“As if this would be the thing that makes us break” I scoff, earning another laugh. 

A few minutes of comfortable silence passed before JJ spoke once more, “Can we go inside? Freezin’ my balls off out here”