#now i have three goals: get guitar get cool clothes and get laptop

[starrysharks]

ULTRAKILL ost is literally soooo sex i need to play that game NOW.... but alas no suitable laptop.......

[tonethegay]

1-154

1:Full name.- Toni Rivera2:Zodiac sign.- The best sign of them all... Aries !3:3 fears.- the dark, losing my bff, and um failing4:3 things I love.my bff.. duh, video games and being a streamer/creator5:4 turn on’s.- big butt, nice smile, great humor/personality, nice boobs 6:4 turn off’s.- negativity, liars, hypocrites, and i don't know7:My best friend?- @queenfvckit8:Sexual orientation?- Gayyyyy9:My best first date?- haven't had one 10:How tall am I?- 5'6"11:What do I miss?- not a what but who.. my dad, uncle and cousin12:What time was I born?-9 something am13:Favorite color?- Green 14:Do I have a crush?- what even is that !? 15:Favorite quote?- When you've reached a certain point of your life, there are people out there waiting to see you fall,but rather than let gravity take you down, sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands and fly!16:Favorite place?- My Tigers Den aka my recording and streaming area aka my bedroom 17:Favorite food?- Pizza 🍕 😋18:Do I use sarcasm?- lmfao never 19:What am I listening to right now?- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air20:First thing I notice in new person?- Smile or eyes 21:Shoe size?- 7 in men and 8 in woman but i wear men's shoes always 22:Eye color?- Light brown23:Hair color? - brown 24: Favorite style of clothing?- comfy, stylish, men's clothes 25:Ever done a prank call?- yes 😂26:What color of underwear I’m wearing now?- black boxer briefs 27:Meaning behind my URL?- some people call me Tone and I'm gay so i combined the two28:Favorite movie?- umm this is a hard one but um either Captain America Civil War or the Fast and Furious series. 29:Favorite song?- Ooh 😲 this ones super tough. i'll say Mark My Words by Justin Bieber 30:Favorite band?- don't have one31:How I feel right now?- in pain cuz the right side of my ribs hurt when i laugh or breathe too heavy. 32:Someone I love.- My bff33:My current relationship status.- Single 34:My relationship with my parents.- Dads dead and don't talk to my mom much35:Favorite holiday.- Easter36:Tattoos and piercing I have.- 3 tats all on my left arm (3 roses on my inner forearm, tigers eyes on the outer forearm close to the wrist and a matching sister tattoo on my inner bicep), and just my ears pierced. 37:Tattoos and piercing I want.- lots more tattoos i want to have a full sleeve at some point and maybe my tongue and maybe big maybe my nose 38:The reason I joined Tumblr.- cuz i wanted to be gayer 39:Do I and my last ex hate each other?- well she hates me (lmao that's what she says cuz she's a pain in the ass) but i still love her, we're best friends 40:Do I ever get “good morning” or “good night” texts?- well yeah41:Have I ever kissed the last person I texted?- nope42:When did I last hold hands?- um i held my nephews hand today, does that count ? 43:How long does it take me to get ready in the morning?- maybe 30 minutes 44:Have I shaved my legs in the past three days? - nope 👎🏼 but you can't really tell either, it's def been like 3 weeks45: Where am I right now?- in my not so comfy bed 46:If I were drunk & can’t stand, who’s taking care of me?- it better be my bff 47:Do I like my music loud or at a reasonable level?- loud af48:Do I live with my Mom and Dad?- no i do not49:Am I excited for anything?- to be financially stable with some extra spending money but something a little sooner than that going back to school for a degree in graphic design50:Do I have someone of the opposite sex I can tell everything to?- nah (don't have many friends)51:How often do I wear a fake smile?- not very often but it does happen occasionally 52:When was the last time I hugged someone?- i hugged my nephew a few hours ago53:What if the last person I kissed was kissing someone else right in front of me?- well if we've both moved on then just gotta except it 54:Is there anyone I trust even though I should not?- um not sure55:What is something I disliked about today?- i streamed too late56:If I could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?- Selena Gomez 😍😝57:What do I think about most?- making it as a streamer/ gamer and meeting my bff 58:What’s my strangest talent?- i'm untalented so nothing 59:Do I have any strange phobias?- not that i know of 60:Do I prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?- in front now but it hasn't always been that way61:What was the last lie I told?- hell i don't know. i do my best to be as honest as possible 62:Do I prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?- since i've met my bff... both !63:Do I believe in ghosts? How about aliens?- Yes and Yes64:Do I believe in magic?- Hell yes65:Do I believe in luck?- to an extent66:What’s the weather like right now?- a bit cool67:What was the last book I’ve read?- The making of Optic Gaming 68:Do I like the smell of gasoline?- yes69:Do I have any nicknames?- Tone, Baloney70:What was the worst injury I’ve ever had?- nothing horrible but i messed up my rotator cup in my left shoulder 71:Do I spend money or save it?- both, i save money so i can spend it 72:Can I touch my nose with a tongue? - wth of course i can touch my nose with a tongue but touching my nose with MY tongue no i can't 73: Is there anything pink in 10 feet from me?- i have pink writing on my t shirt 74:Favorite animal?- Tiger75:What was I doing last night at 12 AM?- talking on the phone and working on my laptop76:What do I think Satan’s last name is?- James 😂 jk i don't fucking know77:What’s a song that always makes me happy when I hear it?- anything edm or Bieber78:How can you win my heart? - be yourself, be positive and a good sense of humor79: What would I want to be written on my tombstone?- Here lies the best fucking person ever Tone Balone aka Toni Rivera80:What is my favorite word?- um i'm not even sure 81:My top 5 blogs on tumblr?- @queenfvckit- @1beyond-it- @wevegothighhopes- @bieber-news- @selenagomez-updates 😍82:If the whole world were listening to me right now, what would I say?- please subscribe to me on youtube and connect with me on all my social medias to stay up to date on what i'm doing and when i'll be uploading or streaming (insert list of social media accounts) 83:Do I have any relatives in jail?- yes unfortunately #FreeJonathan84:I accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow me with the super-power of my choice! What is that power?- Read people's mind85:What would be a question I’d be afraid to tell the truth on?- no idea, never really thought about it86:What is my current desktop picture?- Captain America87:Had sex?- yes88:Bought condoms?- no89:Gotten pregnant?- noooooo90:Failed a class?- yes 91:Kissed a boy?- unfortunately 92:Kissed a girl?- only in my dreams but hopefully irl really really soon93:Have I ever kissed somebody in the rain?- no but that's hella cute and goals af94:Had job?- yep 👍🏼 95:Left the house without my wallet?- fuck yes and it pisses me off every time96:Bullied someone on the Internet?- never 97:Had sex in public?- no98:Played on a sports team?- hell yeah 99:Smoked weed?- not yet100:Did drugs?- nah101:Smoked cigarettes?- second hand but that's it102:Drank alcohol?- once but it was gross 103:Am I a vegetarian/vegan?- fuck no104:Been overweight?- well yeah 105:Been underweight?- nope106:Been to a wedding?- yes 107:Been on the computer for 5 hours straight?- fuck yes all the damn time really, it's my unpaid job (for now)108:Watched TV for 5 hours straight?- used to109:Been outside my home country?- nope110:Gotten my heart broken?- yes111:Been to a professional sports game?- yes112:Broken a bone?- never 113:Cut myself?- on purpose no by accident a whole fucking lot114:Been to prom?- nope115:Been in airplane? - yes but i was a baby 116: Fly by helicopter?- nope but i was supposed to but couldn't because of weather conditions 117:What concerts have I been to?- R. Kelly, N'SYNC and um that's it i think118:Had a crush on someone of the same sex?- well duh that's how being gay works 119:Learned another language?- eh120:Wore make up?- like twice121:Lost my virginity before I was 18?- no122:Had oral sex?- no123:Dyed my hair?- no124:Voted in a presidential election?- yes.. twice125:Rode in an ambulance?- nope but i've been inside one to learn about what's in it126:Had a surgery?- nopers127:Met someone famous?- i wish128:Stalked someone on a social network?- lmao who hasn't !? 129:Peed outside?- not that i can think of130:Been fishing?- sure have 131:Helped with charity?- yes Relay For Life and many others132:Been rejected by a crush?- um probably 133:Broken a mirror?- no134:What do I want for birthday?- a gaming pc and gaming chair135:How many kids do I want and what will be their names?- maybe two, for a boy Christian or Vince maybe even Anthony or Christian Anthony yep that's the one and for a girl hmm 🤔 Katie 136:Was I named after anyone?- yes, my dad. they thought i was gonna be a boy so i would've been a jr but then i ended up being a girl so they just named me Toni instead of Anthony obvi 137:Do I like my handwriting?- fuck no 138:What was my favorite toy as a child?- Legos 139:Favorite TV Show?- Ugh so many but Pretty Little Liars140:Where do I want to live when older?- well i'm 23 but i'd love to live in Cali or Canada 141:Play any musical instrument?- yes drums and a little guitar. been a while since i've played either one tho142:One of my scars, how did I get it?- On my cheek and neck, i was attacked by a dog when i was younger and it scratched me pretty deep, had to get stitches.143:Favorite pizza topping?- cheese but if it's Pizza Hut pepperoni is delicious144:Am I afraid of the dark?- yes 145:Am I afraid of heights?- no way146:Have I ever got caught sneaking out or doing anything bad?- yeah of course147:Have I ever tried my hardest and then gotten disappointed in the end?- um i don't remember 148:What I’m really bad at.- expressing myself 149:What my greatest achievements are.- sleeping 150:The meanest thing somebody has ever said to me.- shut the fuck up fat ass 151:What I’d do if I won in a lottery.- well depends on how much it is, but buy a car, house, have the ultimate gaming setup/ room, visit my bff, give money to some people in my immediate family and the bff152:What do I like about myself?- my smile and eyes 153:My closest Tumblr friend.- @queenfvckit154:Something I fantasies about.- sex with a girl155:Any question you’d like- why am i so amazing ? welp you can thank my parents for that but that's a question you have to ask my creator cuz i couldn't tell ya 😂🙌🏼😍

[northernstories]

Meet Giovanni Pedrotti a microbiology major from Norway, Mchigan. We asked Giovanni a few questions about his NMU experience so far:

Why did you decide to come to NMU?

Giovanni: I originally went to Central Michigan University. I fell in love with college life: the people I met, the extracurriculars available to me, and investing in myself. But, I felt trapped in Mount Pleasant. There is nothing to do outside of campus--it's all flat farmland. After considering I wasn't too sure with what I wanted to declare yet and the fact I felt claustrophobic at CMU, I transferred to Bay de Noc to catch up on generals before heading to NMU. So why Northern? Because I could have everything I loved at Central while also going to the beach after class, or hiking around Wetmore on the weekends, or hammocking while I studied. Also, the student body really characterizes Marquette's community. Everywhere I go, I see a familiar and friendly face. It feels like home with a really big backyard.

What's a cool thing you've done as a part of your major?

Giovanni: There aren't a whole lot of opportunities in Marquette for microbiology, so I don't have any extraordinary experiences. But, my major has shown me how much I love science and lab work. I knew I needed to try and get into one of the professor's research labs to gain some experience. Dr. Ottem took me into his lab, and I instantly knew that I belonged in a lab. I enjoy doing everything from the tiny monotonous tasks, to the long precise protocols. I am so grateful for him and his graduate student, Casey Kimber, for taking me in and letting me take on as much responsibility as they saw fit.

What are you involved with on/outside of campus?

Giovanni: Right now, I am only involved with Dr. Ottem's research lab. It's pretty time consuming, and my interest for doing anything else is pretty limited due to that time constraint and also social distancing.

What do you enjoy outside of school?

Giovanni: I play the guitar, and my friend and I are working on making some music. I also started teaching myself piano. So, I guess I really enjoy listening/playing music. I also love any winter activity. I love snowshoeing, snowboarding, and playing some pond hockey. I really enjoy writing and reading, I wish I gave myself more time for that. The past couple summers, I would bring a book and my laptop to either Third Street Bagel or Contrast and read for a while, then write. Maybe I'll start doing that again--I've actually run into a couple of the employees from those shops, and they've been asking where I've been. Time to pay them a visit again and catch up!

What does "be Northern" mean to you?

Giovanni: Be Northern means to break out of your shell--in more ways than one. I've grown so much since I've transferred here.

Firstly, I would always do things with my friends--I wouldn't want to do anything by myself. But the more comfortable I got with the community and familiar with the area, I decided to finally step out of my comfort zone and start doing things by myself. I go eat by myself, I play pool by myself, I go hiking or hammock by myself. And the cool thing about that is I've met some interesting people. I've met a man named Craig, a Marine who carries the weight of his fallen brothers symbolically and physically via an armor plate with their dog tags painted on them. He is going wherever he wants to and he's taking his brothers with him. I've met another man named Patty Mike Spaghetti (that's what I like to call him) who has been married for over 50 years, used to ride cross country on his motorcycle, and once unintentionally hung out with the Rolling Stones. And I've met a lot of other people who I can now call my friends.

Secondly, I stepped out of my comfort zone in the classroom. I advanced classmates on getting study groups together, I've gone to my professor's office hours relentlessly, and I've sought out to be a part of extracurricular activities. I got up at 6am to rake leaves for Make A Difference Day. I went to several Science on Tap events. I've gone to several guest speakers or open panel discussions held by student organizations. All because I decided I did not want to stay in my dorm room whenever I wasn't in class. I think that's what it means to be Northern. Use all your opportunities until the well runs dry. You could see yourself grow like I did.

What are your plans after you graduate?

Giovanni: I am hoping to get into a Master's or PhD program for research in Microbiology. I would really like to study viruses or bacteria. I've been a Yooper all my life, so I think I am ready for the city. Hopefully I can find a program East or Northwest that is close to or in a city, but also has a similar ecological environment like the UP. After that, I hope to continue doing research somewhere and then eventually become a professor. I love engaging with students and listening to their questions.

Additional comments on your NMU experience:

Giovanni: Some people get turned off by the fact that it's a smaller school, but if you try your hardest to break out of your shell, you'll realize that a small school can have a massive connection. There is never a day I walk through school without saying hi to someone or catching up with them. The same thing when I am out and about in Marquette. Your life is what you make it, but so is your school. Use all of its potential.

Advice for current students.

Giovanni: You're only going to be here for 4-5 years of your long life. That is a blink of an eye compared to the rest of your life. But good god, are they important years. They are the structural years for your character and potential. Don't be afraid to try something new. Don't be afraid to go knock on that person's door three rooms away from your dorm. Don't be afraid to email your classmates and ask them for a study group. Don't be afraid to participate in some sort of event, even if you have to go alone. If you're scared now, in the 4 short years you're here, to do things that will change your life, then it will only be harder for you to get over your fear later in life. Break out of your shell. Prioritize your goals, and surround yourself with the people who want to watch you reach them. This is the start of YOUR life--not your parent's life, not your friends-from-back-home's life, not your high school teacher's life. It's yours. So go ahead and live the life you want to live and don't be scared to do so. Fear is just your false perception of an event you might be too reluctant to do. Conquer it.

What's your story?

Giovanni: My father is a blue-collared man--has been his whole life. When the mine shut down and his father was out of work, as a kid my dad helped his dad cut wood throughout the hot summer days. They were fully clothed so they wouldn't get eaten alive by black flies. My dad told me it was miserable, and at the end of a long day, his dad gave him twenty-five or seventy-five cents. My dad has always been a blue-collared man. The older he got, the more he worked and the harder he worked. My father is also pretty bright--he's good with math, and if my memory serves correct, he liked physics too. He wanted to be an architect after high school. But he took it upon himself not to go to college because he didn't want to pile loans on his parents' laps. He never became an architect. Instead he worked at a furniture factory, a manufacturing factory, a mine, and finally he got to land a perfect job he enjoys--being a millwright at a paper mill. Although he didn't get to become an architect, he wanted my brother and I to use his life as a testament. A testament of hard work, and a testament of doing what is best for you in your life and never giving up. I'm sure my dad has regrets of not pursuing being an architect, and that is why he wants to make sure my brother and I don't give up on what we love.

There are two things my father has told me growing up that will stick with me throughout my life. The first being, "put your head down and shut up." When I was younger and I had a bad soccer game, or if I thought it wasn't fair that I couldn't go on a field trip, or if I had to pick up someone else's slack at work, my dad told me to stop. Stop complaining, the world doesn't care for excuses or complaints. They are distractions of progress. You don't fix the problem by complaining, you don't seek what's fair by whining. He would tell me that life isn't fair, but it isn't fair to just me, it's not fair to everyone. So instead of pouting, I can brush it off and move on. I can choose to not be bothered by it and put my head down and continue working--nose to the grindstone. The second thing my dad told me was that my name is an example of my character and work ethic, so whenever I sign my name on anything, I better be proud to write it down. He told me that before I took tests in school, when I was filling out job applications, or even filling out loans. I try to live by those two pieces of advice as best I can.

A few years ago, my friend asked me what the meaning of life is. I thought about it for a moment, turned to him and gave him my answer. I said, we are born to die. It's a bit grim, but it doesn't have to be. All that means is that we have a timeline before someone else's begins. It should be a bit humbling, too. We shouldn't waste our time being hedonistic, we should utilize our time to leave the world a better place than we found it. We should sacrifice our time in this life to change something about the world. Whether it be being the best sandwich artist you can be, or being the most compassionate and patient teacher that you can. Whatever you choose to be passionate about, make sure that you make it easier and make it right for the next generation. That's what I think the meaning of life is: to sacrifice the time you have in this life to fall in love with changing the world for the next generation. Just like how I appreciate how my dad prepared me based on his experiences in order to make my life's journey easier, we have to appreciate those from generations before us.

We are standing on the shoulders of giants, so don't let it go to waste. Become a giant yourself, so one day someone else may stand on your shoulders.

I've been trying to live that life. And I hope this story is one that everyone can relate to one way or another. Let's change the world.