#one of my favorite parts of tour is the communal online experience

[kindahoping4forever]

PSA

If you are interested in remaining free of all tour spoilers, I'll be tagging all my show related posts with the tag: #the 5sos show tour.

If you still want to see content but your main concern is setlist spoilers, any discussion of the confirmed setlist or videos of songs from the show will also be tagged #the 5sos show tour setlist.

To clarify, setlist spoilers will sport both tags so if you decide to block them both, the post will show up like this:

And then if you see a blocked post bearing only the main tag, you'll know it's at least safe from song spoilers!

Happy tour season! 🥰🥰

[bananaofswifts]

From OSI to Taylor Swift: Radio/TV Alum Credits UCF for His Job on the Eras Tour

TJ Lievonen ’18 shares what it’s like touring with the singer and how his time at UCF prepared him for the role.

By Rachel Williams ’15 ’20MA

April 11, 2023

“Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the fact that a big team can go into any venue and set up a stage equipped with lights, audio, video and be ready to produce a show within a matter of hours,” says Lievonen. “The rush of energy before a show starts where the whole team is on the same page, ready to produce the best show possible, is an unmatched, great feeling.”

Since graduating from UCF, Lievonen has had video production jobs with the University of Miami, Palm Beach County Government and Universal Orlando Resort. Now, he’s in his most exciting era yet — touring with Taylor Swift on her sold-out tour as part of the video production crew.

Here, he shares more on this exciting opportunity and how his UCF education positioned him for success.

What does your job on this tour entail?

I am responsible for operating one of 13 cameras during the show. Our team also assists in setting up stage components like a large LED wall that’s 90×27 panels, running thousands of feet of cable and other miscellaneous tasks associated with a stadium show.

What makes the production of this tour so special?

There are multiple stages, which really makes this tour stand out and shine. It’s a very dynamic show with lots of songs and set pieces.

It’s been a dream of yours to tour with a musical artist. Why? How did it feel to land this job with Taylor Swift?

Putting on a concert requires so many different departments to come together — lighting, audio, video, pyrotechnics, carpenters, automation, catering and so much more. If one of them drops the ball, it affects the whole show. But when it all comes together, it’s magic. Taylor Swift puts on one of the best shows out there, both in terms of entertainment and in production value. I was so excited and humbled to be chosen for this job. I actually couldn’t believe it was happening after years of improving myself and my work.

How did your UCF education help prepare you for this opportunity?

At UCF I learned the basics of video production — proper framing and exposure, which are critically important. The Production Fundamentals and Aesthetics of Electronic Media course gave me an amazing foundation and skill set to build from, as well as some techniques that I still keep in my back pocket today. The best experience, though, came from outside the classroom and being involved in the university community. While working at OSI, I advised crew members on aesthetics and environmental concerns to enhance the value of our production. I also worked at UCF Athletics as a camera operator for football, basketball, baseball and softball games. It was an amazing job that gave me unparalleled experience.

What advice would you give to other radio/TV students?

If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, don’t even bother showing up. In the production world, this is very important. Also, work hard — always. There are so many jobs to go around, but those who get them are the ones who put in 110%. Speak less, listen more. We have a lot to learn from mentors in the industry who came before us.

Also, jobs in the concert touring industry often are not posted online. The best way to find similar opportunities is to network with people in the industry, both in person and on platforms like LinkedIn, which is how I landed this gig.

Last but definitely not least – what is your favorite Taylor Swift song?

They are all amazing, of course, but my favorite is “Midnight Rain.”

[theswarmanthology]

Laura, 30, Toronto

"I was casually a part of fan communities as a very young teen, but dove in headfirst after my show and have never looked back. this is the most welcoming, genuinely lovely fandom I’ve ever been a part of and the friends I’ve made online and in real life are a huge part of my heart"

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 9+ years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 2-4 Favorite album: I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: I'm still crying right now

Which date of the tour did you attend? 09/05/22, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Night 2

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? a friend texted me the morning of the first night and asked if I wanted to go. I didn’t have the money at the time when tickets went on sale so when she asked I jumped at the opportunity. For the show I’m writing about, I got the tickets the morning of. I had a complete mental breakdown about how much night one impacted me in a positive way, and within about 30 seconds of thought I went online and bought pit tickets for night two. the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

Did you attend with anyone else? met up with a person I worked with on a movie set once because they were the only person I knew who was attending!

What did you wear? vintage swing dress with bloody tears heavily inspired by mcr montreal. hair done in a vintage style with a found dead rose pinned into my curls

Where were your seats? on barricade! close to centre, but slightly stage left (ray ❤️)

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? bury me in black and VAMPIRES

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? demo lovers, and no haha. but I did hear it via stream the first time they DID play it and I cried like a baby. it was so cathartic.

What was your favorite moment from the show? seeing that gerard was dressed as a cat. fully gasped out loud at the realization

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? being on the barricade. it felt so surreal. like I’d been waiting for it my whole life

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? no, which I deeply regret

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? it felt exactly like that. I was basically in shock the entire time and didn’t realize exactly how my brain was being actively rewritten. it felt like the safest place in the world in that moment.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? just wish I had a better recollection of it.

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? I’ve always loved them but I think if possible, they’ve worked their way into my heart in a much deeper way. in the days following my show I had so many intense revelations about gender, the physical process of my own aging body, devoted passion and love and the real all consuming, life altering bond of friendship

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? hold on right to whoever or whatever is around you. you’re in for a trip.

Anything we didn't ask that you feel obliged to share or talk about? I feel so much more connected with my self in a way I didn’t think possible at this point in my life. I mentioned my complicated feelings around aging, but there was something so magical about watching 4 best friends in their middle age so clearly full of love and passion, and pure unbridled joy that made me realize I was going to be okay. that getting older is a beautiful part of life that so many of us don’t get to experience and if we have the privilege to do so, it can be so beautiful and special. it’s worth holding on to see your childhood connect to your adulthood in a way that reminds you that you’re still that fucked up 16 year old, but look how far you’ve come! it’s just so fucking special and I don’t think my journey with this is even close to being over. I’m so grateful.

Thanks, Laura! She can be found on Tumblr at @killaura. Laura was also kind enough to share some extra photos, posted below!

[sunmarketing]

Hyderabad, India Plus adapting to food, nail polish, gratitude

In this episode, FAQ is: What if I don’t like the food?

Today’s Destination is: Hyderabad, India

Today’s Misstep- Wrong color nail polish

Travel Advice: Grateful before happy

FAQ: What if I don’t like the food?

  Answer:  You mostly will, but if not, have a plan. If you find yourself not enjoying the food in a travel destination, there are several things you can do to make your dining experience more enjoyable:

Explore hyper-local options: Try different restaurants and eateries in your immediate neighborhood that offer a variety of local dishes. Sometimes, a dish or cooking style may not suit your taste, but other options might.

Ask Locals for Recommendations: Locals often know the best places to eat. Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations from hotel staff, tour guides, or friendly locals you meet during your travels. Tell them your limitations.

Look for Familiar Cuisines: If you're having trouble adjusting to local flavors, look for restaurants that serve familiar cuisines. Many tourist destinations have various international restaurants catering to diverse tastes.

Check Reviews: Use online review platforms like TripAdvisor, Yelp, or Google Reviews to find highly-rated restaurants. These platforms often provide insights into the food quality and overall dining experience.

Communicate Your Preferences: If dining at a local establishment, consider politely communicating your preferences or dietary restrictions to the staff. They may be able to offer alternatives or modify dishes to suit your taste.

Visit Markets or Grocery Stores: Explore local markets or grocery stores to find fresh produce, snacks, or even pre-packaged meals that you might enjoy. This allows you to have some control over your food choices.

Opt for Self-Cooking Options: If you have access to a kitchen, consider preparing simple meals for yourself. You can buy ingredients from local markets and try cooking, providing a more personalized dining experience.

Pack Snacks: Bring some of your favorite snacks from home to supplement your meals, especially if you're in a place where your preferred foods might be hard to find. I brought Peanut Butter to many places where I knew that Chilis was on every menu. That gave me protein and confidence.

Be Open-Minded: Sometimes, embracing the local culinary culture and being open-minded about trying new foods can lead to unexpected discoveries and a more positive dining experience.

Today’s destination: Hyderabad, India

I arrived from Kerala to Hyderabad and had a phone number of someone to call that I would be staying with. We had a few texts to each other. Basically, a friend of a friend allowed me to stay with them and I was grateful..

They had their worker pick me up in the family car at the airport. My new friend, Soujanya, came along for the ride, which was special. We visited her parents' apartment, and I rested. Then we explored places such as her dad’s 7-acre farm, about an hour away, with ripe fruits like mangos and vegetables near a beautiful lake. it was nature in one of the finest moments. then we went to my host's home and met the other family members, husband, daughter, and then finally, brothers and sisters of the hosts, who all seemed to live in the same development.

They also have a “family “ business, and they showed me the office space and several employees working on projects. 

One of the highlights was seeing the Golconda Fort, with its architecture and panoramic city views. They had an impressive sound and light show in the evening. Seeing this in the evening, it was not crowded when things cooled down. 

We went to dinner afterward. Then, we drove around the city, including across the bridge. I could see the icons of tech here on parade in neon. Every company I could think of and more, including Qualcomm, is clearly part of the Hyderabad skyline, based in San Diego.

Here are some recommendations for things to do in Hyderabad:

Charminar: This iconic monument is a must-visit. You can explore the surrounding markets for traditional bazaars and enjoy the local street food.

Qutb (ku-teb)Shahi Tombs: Visit the Qutb Shahi Tombs to experience the serenity of the surrounding gardens and explore the intricate architecture of these historic structures.

For my next visit, here’s what I will see:

Salar Jung Museum: If you're interested in art and history, the Salar Jung Museum houses one of the largest private collections of artifacts worldwide.

Ramoji Film City: If you enjoy the world of cinema, spend a day at Ramoji Film City, one of the largest film studios in the world. It's a fascinating experience with film sets, gardens, and entertainment.

Birla Mandir: This stunning white marble temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara offers a peaceful atmosphere and a beautiful city view.

Hussain Sagar Lake: Take a boat ride on Hussain Sagar Lake and visit the Buddha Statue on an island in the middle of the lake.

Eat at Paradise Restaurant: Hyderabad is famous for its biryani, and Paradise Restaurant is renowned for serving delicious biryani. It's a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

Remember to prioritize your safety, especially when exploring new places alone. Inform someone about your whereabouts, use reliable transportation, and be aware of your surroundings. Enjoy your solo trip to Hyderabad!

  Today’s Misstep- Wrong color nail polish. Make it clear or natural.

Use natural or clear colors instead of bright or bold colors. They get cracked, and you don’t want to spend time fixing them.

  Today’s Travel Advice- Be grateful before you seek happy as a traveler.

  If you do this in order you will have both. Gratitude comes first, before happiness. So be grateful for what you have now. 

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

  “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.” – Roy M. Goodman

  Connect with Dr. Travelbest

5 Steps to Solo Travel website

Dr. Mary Travelbest X

Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page

Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group

Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram

Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast

Dr. Travelbest on TikTok

Dr.Travelbest onYouTube

In the news

  Check out this Dr Travelbest episode!

[norirosewrites]

Indie Bookstore Adventures: Austin Edition

Yesterday was my birthday (I have officially upgraded to version 3.1!). When my partner asked me how I wanted to celebrate my new revolution around the sun, I told him that I wanted to spend the day going to my favorite independent bookstores in town, as well as some newer ones that I hadn’t yet had the chance to visit!

If you know anything at all about the indie bookstore scene in Austin, you have probably at least heard of BookPeople – as you should! Not only is BookPeople the largest independent bookstore in the state of Texas, it’s also a cornerstone of the literary community in Austin. (They also make very yummy tea lattes and Italian sodas in their coffee shop, FYI.) And don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely one of my favorite places in town. But for my birthday, I wanted to venture into some new(ish) territory with some of my city’s more hidden gems for book lovers. I was not disappointed.

Titan Moon Comics (Cedar Park) I had visited Titan Moon Comics once before and loved it so much that I definitely wanted to return for my birthday! This little treasure of a comic shop is tucked away in a shopping center in the suburb of Cedar Park. They have an amazing collection of classic and contemporary comics and graphic novels, as well as a decently-sized manga collection. It’s an all-ages comic shop that carries comics that are appropriate for kids and teens alongside no shortage of selections for adult readers. Something that I really appreciate about them is that they carry a lot of selections from women and LGBTQ creators. They also host RPG and CCG events for both kids and adults. They have plenty of D&D supplies, a store membership program, and a comic book club, as well as incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff. It may require a bit of a trek, but it is absolutely worth it if you’re a comic book lover.

Snags: Labyrinth: Beyond the Goblin City. This is a collection of side stories based off of the classic Jim Henson film told in graphic novel form, with contributions from a variety of artists and writers. As an avowed Henson and Labyrinth fan, there was no way I was going home without it.

Saga: Volume 2: Brian K. Vaughn’s Saga is one of my favorite series. I read the first two volumes in college for a class on graphic novels and promptly proceeded to devour as many volumes as I could get from the public library. Now that I’m older and have (slightly) more disposable income, I’ve decided to start adding them to my home collection. I picked up Volume 1 on my first visit to Titan Moon, and naturally had to acquire the second on this trip.

Black Pearl Books

Black Pearl Books is a Black owned, family-run bookshop, and you absolutely must give it a visit if you’re in the area (or take a look at their online store if you’re not!). They carry titles in every genre and for every age level, as well as some really cool crafts from local artists. They also have a community book exchange where you can take a book for free and leave one in its place! The staff was so sweet and welcoming, and they even gave us a tour around the shop since it was our first time visiting.

Snags: Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury: This is a thriller told from the perspective of two young Black women in alternating timelines who both have a mysterious – and haunting – connection to the “Miracle Mansion” and a host of horrors that lurk within. But it’s not simply a tale of a haunted house: it’s a story about facing the monsters that hide in plain sight, which – unfortunately – are often the people closest to us. I know that it’s going to be a heavy read, but as a survivor myself, sometimes it’s cathartic to read about the darker parts of the human condition; while everyone processes their experiences differently, I know that I personally enjoy reframing survivorship in an artistic way because it’s a way to take control of the narrative of your experiences, which is sometimes the only thing we can do to heal and move on. I’m looking forward to seeing the approach Sambury takes in this book.

First Light Books

This is a new indie bookshop that opened up this year in the Hyde Park neighborhood. The building it occupies was formerly a post office that was an important staple of the neighborhood, and the owners of First Light wanted to ensure that the new bookshop remained a community-centered space. It’s an incredibly cozy shop complete with a book nook and a tiny coffee shop and cafe area, as well as patio seating outside (there’s also a walk-up coffee window that’s open to the public). For being a small bookshop, they have a pretty good selection of titles and some cool gift items as well. They’re also very receptive to community feedback: I signed up for the membership program (because of course I did) and within a day was sent a welcome email with a survey for what sort of books and events I’d like to see at the shop. I especially recommend stopping by if you happen to be around the UT campus, as it’s not too far of a trek north of the Forty Acres – though far enough away for some peace and quiet. Snags: We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson: I’ve always enjoyed Shirley Jackson’s short stories, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle has been on my TBR list for ages, so no time like my birthday to get my own copy. I also got my partner a copy of A Clockwork Orange because he’s a fan of the film but has never read the novel.

Kinokuniya

Okay, I’m cheating a little with this one: Kinokuniya isn’t technically an independent bookstore. But it is one of my favorite bookstores in the world, and since my partner had never been, I insisted that we visit for my birthday.

Kinokuniya is a magical wonderland for manga lovers, with a huge selection of notable series as well as more obscure ones, in every genre and age category. (Don’t worry, all of the, um…mature manga are sealed to keep the young’uns at bay.) They also carry manga in both English and Japanese. But it’s not just a manga shop – they have a huge selection of English language books, ranging from literary classics to cookbooks to graphic novels to contemporary YA, and everything in between. If, like me, you are of the witchy inclination, they even have a sizable collection of books on witchcraft and Paganism, as well as a nice selection of Tarot cards. They also have plenty of anime collectibles and a fabulous selection of pretty stationary. Oh, and a sizable section of Studio Ghibli merch complete with a lovable huggable life-sized Totoro plushie, naturally.

Snags:

The Secret History of Christmas Baking: Recipes and Stories From Tomb Offerings to Gingerbread Boys by Linda Raedisch: I.Love.Baking. I detest cooking large meals, but I will happily bake enough cookies to feed an army. And I’m always incredibly busy baking around this time of year to celebrate Yule (the winter solstice). Moreover, I’m a history nerd and I love learning about the obscure or overlooked origins of even the most mundane things. And man, has this book delivered on that so far. The history of so many beloved Yuletide dishes we enjoy in the western world is fascinatingly complex – and sometimes disturbingly dark – interweaving cultures across thousands of years, from ancient Egyption bakers to the medieval confectioners of Baghdad to the pagan Samnites of southern Italy who were cooking up a rudimentary form of nougat in their sacred walnut groves in the time of the Caesars to the interior European Celts to – naturally – the peoples of Germany who gave the English (and, later, us Americans) the modern tradition of the Christmas tree. The book also includes plenty of tasty recipes and fun table crafts to enjoy on the tour, of course.

I also got a special dual-language edition of Winnie-the-Pooh that has the original British English text on one page side-by-side with the Japanese hiragana translation on the other. I have adored Winnie-the-Pooh since childhood (I have an omnibus collection of the original books) and languages are one of my special interests. I already own a Greek copy of Pride & Prejudice, so I figured that this would be another great collectible to add to my tiny multilingual book collection.

Vintage Bookstore & Wine Bar

Yes, you read that right. Vintage is both a bookstore and a wine bar, and it is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous bookshops I’ve ever been to. This family-owned shop is housed in a beautiful old building downtown with the bookstore and wine bar on the first floor and seating on the first and second floors, along with a small yard outside. They carry fiction and non-fiction YA and adult books (they even have a separate room devoted entirely to fantasy and sci-fi) and the wine bar carries a variety of wines, beer, and mocktails along with some bakery treats. They also have a small market-style refrigerator where you can purchase charcuterie supplies to create your own spread. We definitely hung out here and enjoyed ourselves here for a while (and I recommend that you stop by and do the same).

Snags:

In the Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood: Let’s be real: most if not all of the classical Greek “heroes” were no heroes at all. Nevertheless, I have always loved Greek mythology and I never can pass up a retelling of the myths, especially when it includes a feminist reframing. (Case in point, Lore Olympus is my favorite comic. Ever.) This is the story of Perseus as seen through the eyes of the three most prominent women in his myth: his mother Danae, his victim Medusa, and his wife Andromeda. Their stories all intersect to create a very different narrative than the one you’ll find in the classical texts.

The Dressmakers of Auschwitz by Lucy Adlington: I don’t often purchase non-fiction books – if I’m in the mood for non-fiction, I usually prefer to check titles out from the library or borrow from a friend. But this one really caught my eye. It’s a little-known history of the Holocaust centering on a group of 25 female prisoners in Auschwitz who were chosen to sew beautiful garments for the elite wives of the SS guards and officers and used their sewing talents and bonds of found family and friendship to resist the Nazi regime and survive the horrors of the death camp. It even includes an interview with the last surviving seamstress. When we learn about the Holocaust in school or discuss it in conversation, we usually only focus on the fact that Hitler and the Nazis lulled millions of Germans into either supporting their cruel agenda or at least turning a blind eye to the evils of the Third Reich. It’s less common that we hear about the widespread resistance movements from people across Germany (and beyond) – both from targeted groups, and from Germans who did choose to fight back and protect their neighbors. And it’s critically important that these stories get told as well, especially in this day and age when so many of the horrors of the past are reemerging; they remind us that we can fight back against injustice, even in the smallest ways, and we can win.

Honorable Mentions

While they didn’t make my birthday bookstore-hopping list this year, these are some other fabulous local book and comic shops that I recommend: Bookwoman. This is Austin’s home-grown feminist bookstore, celebrating the work of women and queer authors. They carry books in all genres, and they even have a small children’s book section!

Malvern Books. Located near the UT campus just off Guadalupe Street, this is one of my favorite little bookstores in town that primarily carries work from local and regional authors.

Austin Books & Comics. Called “the library of Alexandria of comics” by the Austin Chronicle (and inducted into their “Best Of” Hall of Fame), ABC has been serving the fandom needs of nerds across Central Texas since 1977.

Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy. This local staple has been in business for 35 years, and has since opened four locations outside of Austin (including one all the way in Columbus, Ohio!). It’s a one-stop shop for all things D&D, CCG, RPGs, board games, comics, miniatures, collectibles, and more!

I hope you’ll check some of these bookshops out if you’re in the Austin area. I plan to do more posts like these whenever I have the opportunity to visit new independent bookshops (though they might be a bit scattered since I don’t travel much). Until next time!

[wavernot4love]

trying 2 be brave & whatnot but man am i going to miss the mcr community having these shows to unite around. so here's a little (alright, maybe a lot) positive wavernot4love x swarm tour lore, in hindsight following the last show of tour. an op-ed, if you will. feel free to share your experiences as well!!

this tour came at a time (for me, that was early last september) i so desperately needed it/them, long story short i was feeling trapped and unwanted because of stuff along the lines of dicks in the modern pop punk etc scene that's been my home for a hot minute (if you've ever been around pop punk twitter, you know the kinda stuff i'm talking about). i needed somewhere to feel safe and valued since music/the "scene" is, well, the only place i truly feel that way (has been since i was 13 & started listening to this music/going to shows).

and so i rediscovered this side of the scene. not that i went anywhere, inherently, i just hadn't really been involved in mcr adjacent online communities & whatnot in a minute.

this tour made me get to know some of the deep cuts i'd never listened to in the past and essentially been saving for a rainy day (think some of the lesser known bullets/cw songs + other random moments) and above all, just come to love and feel closer to this band than ever before.

songs like this one:

i went to toronto, a city i'd never been to despite always having longed to and not, in the bigger picture, living too far away at all, and while the crowd experience admittedly wasn't the best, i still had my band there in front of me playing these songs that have meant the world to be for going on ten years now. it was a reminder that they are very real, indeed, and not some sort of near-fictional godlike entity of the past like they in a sense were to me when i started listening to them post-split in early 2014 and for all those years leading up to return and, ultimately, this day when they physically became a part of my life.

and what then? well, i decided i wasn't going to end my experience at this tour on that note (aka being surrounded by a... well, not very fun portion of the crowd), and also just downright wanted them back. and so i impulsively solo tripped the furthest i'd ever gone for a show before and went to nj2 and had the time of my life, and goddamn did i feel free. i'll never forget driving home victoriously that night blasting dd songs for hours.

for an idea of the celebratory nature of what i'm talking about, i'll put it out there that this show was their first post-split performance of planetary.

and so i kept up with every stream, every costume, every setlist every night, in real time, an experience i'd never had with them (or really, in general) until now.

and then, of course, not fully directly mcr related, but still relevant to this story: i, of course, got into ls dunes. i'm sure you guys could have never guessed this bit of the wavernot4love lore. i listened to perm rebel the instant i heard about the band, thanks to, of course, frank being a member, + another factor i'll get into another day, jammed past lives from the moment it dropped, and, in turn, toronto crowds got their redemption when i soloed that show of their first tour, a night that quite literally became potentially my favorite show i have ever been to (surpassing mcr mainly thanks to the intimate nature of it vs an arena show). in the near future, i already have two dunes sets (adjacent fest + ssf baltimore) 2 look forward to :p if anyone is going to those i'm always down to be a friendly face!

and, well, that toronto show was the night i spoke with frank, aka, if my mcr shows hadn't done it already, the night mcr became, to me, just a bunch of Some Guys that make music all of us care about a whole bunch. and i say this positively, as that's my whole thing with my love for the scene at large: coexisting & interacting with everyone as just people who are passionate about the same stuff.

and, related to the dunes stuff, i've gotten into so much goddamn music because of this tour, both directly and indirectly. from midtown & the homeless gospel choir thanks to my personal experience at one of my shows to both mcr & the dunes causing me to dive further into the 2000s scene, particularly in the realm of post hardcore, than i ever really had before. for the record, that certainly includes the dunes themselves (never ask a wavernot4love how exactly they wound up hundreds of miles from home at the worcester massachusetts palladium on january 20th for the tsoaf show amidst typical northeast jan snowy weather .... /lh)

and now? not only do i have my band back, or should i say, truly present for the first time as long as i've been a fan, but i also have so much new music to love with roots in that love for one of the first 3 bands that got me into all of this, the music that defines my entire state of being, really. and i also managed to heal my relationship with my modern pop punk scene i mentioned earlier thanks to an overwhelmingly positive recent show experience, going to show, thankfully, that all of this stuff can coexist in my life.

point is, above all i'm just lucky & grateful to have finally had them become a part of the live music experience i hold so close, i trust in whatever they have planned next, and i know we'll pull through this break. hell, nothing is going to be as long as the 8 and a half years i made it before seeing them live for the first time, i'm confident in that now.

it's been (going on) ten fuckin years since i've been seeing your face 'round here (affectionate)!!!

[affordablelosangelesmovers]

Beautiful Attractions near Los Angeles, CA

Introduction

Los Angeles is home to some of the most beautiful attractions in California. You can enjoy nature, culture, and history all in one place! Here are some of my favorite places to visit near Los Angeles:

Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory

Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and it's also home to Griffith Observatory. This popular tourist attraction offers plenty of activities for families, couples looking for a date night or friends who want to get away from it all.

The observatory has an IMAX theater that shows films about space exploration and astronomy; there are also exhibits on how telescopes work. To explore this historic site you can take guided tours or visit any time during regular business hours (Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM). If you'd like more information before visiting please call 213-937-1414 ext. 3201 or email info@griffithobservatoryla.org

Venice Beach Boardwalk

If you’re looking for a place to relax and take in the sights, Venice Beach is the perfect destination. The beachfront neighborhood is home to many attractions, including:

The Venice Boardwalk: This 1.5-mile (2.4 km) long pedestrian promenade along the ocean front is part of the Venice Beach Recreation Center. It offers views of Santa Monica Bay and has been used in many movies including “Gothika” and “The Wedding Singer.”

Muscle Beach: This beachside gymnasium was built by Joe Weider at his Muscle Beach facility in Santa Monica, California during 1936-1937 as part of his vision for developing natural bodybuilding into an Olympic sport; he hoped that this would encourage healthy living among Americans by promoting exercise as well as competition between individuals who wanted to build up their bodies without steroids or other performance enhancing drugs being involved!

Phelan

Phelan is a town in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 5,922 at the 2010 census. The name comes from George Wiley Phelan and his wife Mary Elvira Woodward Phelan who opened their ranch here in 1875. Phelan is a town in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 5,922 at the 2010 census. Phelan is located east of downtown San Bernardino and borders I-215 to the south and I-15 to the north. It is home to Victor Valley Community College as well as Empire High School. Phelan is a town in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 5,922 at the 2010 census.

Apple Valley

Apple Valley is a small town in the San Bernardino Mountains, about an hour north of Los Angeles. It's known for its apple orchards and the Apple Festival that takes place every year on October 18th.

There are many attractions in Apple Valley:

The Tree Museum is a great place to learn about trees and their importance throughout history as well as today's efforts toward conserving them through education programs such as Tree-Tops from Forest Learning Center (which you can access via this website).

The Museum of History & Science houses exhibits on local history such as early pioneers who built homes here when it was considered wilderness; displays on natural resources like plants and animals; interactive science experiences for kids including a planetarium show called “Lightning Strikes!” which explores lightning strikes around the world through animation projected onto giant screens above your head while standing inside an auditorium-style space with over 2,000 seats!

Take a day off to visit one of these amazing attractions.

There are many attractions near Los Angeles that you can visit in one day. You can find more information about these places online. You can plan your trip ahead of time, and get a good deal on flights to LA.

Conclusion

We hope that this guide has given you some ideas of what to do in Los Angeles. If you ever find yourself anywhere near this area, make sure to stop by one of these attractions and enjoy the fun!

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[purplesurveys]

1481

survey by brelee

Who is your favorite boy band? If you don't like any, what's a band you do like? BTS. Side note, I can’t believe I made such a fuss about preparing for a world tour when they’ve just ended up announcing a hiatus! Hahahaha.

What last made you anxious? Work, and everything about it at the moment. It sucks because when I start getting anxious because of it I will usually hold Kimi for comfort, and now he’s not here, so...

Do you have a favorite letter of the alphabet? Um, not really.

Have you ever modeled before? Nah I’ve never done it. I wanted to in the past but it’s also been a long time since I’ve grown out of that phase.

When did you last exercise? Start of May when Bea and Kata invited me to take a morning walk at my university’s oval.

Have you ever sold anything online? I’ve never sold anything but I have put up a trade offer online in the past, back when I got a Jungkook pull and really wanted the Taehyung counterpart haha. 

Is there a TV show you could watch everyday? Friends, and I did do that for a time. I rewatched the episodes everyday, for months on end. This is me with 2 Days 1 Night.

Where do you go to feel serenity? BTS.

What's the last photo you taken? I took a mirror selfie earlier because I liked the temporary curls my hair took on when I took it out of my bun.

What's a concert you'd love to see? BTS. That’s now going to take a while though, with the most recent updates...

Do you charge your phone overnight or during the day? I usually do overnight, but sometimes I’ll forget to do that and I end up having to charge it during my work shift.

How many credit cards do you own? I don’t have a credit card and tbh I don’t really want one. If I have to make big purchases, like my current phone, I just ask my dad if I could charge it to his card then I pay him every couple of weeks.

What never fails to make you laugh? My friends and my dogs.

Do you have a song stuck in your head? Run BTS.

What's your favorite local restaurant? What do you usually order? It’s a local Japanese place called Yabu, and I get their rosu katsu set.

Describe your day in 3 words. Lonely, chaotic, unexpected.

Do you know anyone with multiple middle names? The most I’ve seen is three first/middle names.

Are you good at singing? Eh, no. I sing for my own ears.

What's your favorite perfume? Heat Rush.

Rate your social skills, 1-10. I’d say a 9 since this job has trained me extensively to become a huge extrovert lmao. The -1 is because I still have to work on small talk and getting that full confidence when I have to approach people as I do still get nervous, but I’d say my social skills have generally improved a lot since starting my career in PR.

Are you part of the LGBTQIA+ community? Yeah.

Are you scared of growing older? I’m scared of the possibility of getting left behind as everyone around me gets older and form lives of their own, but aging per se doesn’t concern me much.

Do you pay any attention to celebrity drama? If you do, what's something that has your attention? I'm currently in shock over Liam Payne🙃 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Liam is digging his own grave at his point, isn’t he? It’s ridiculous. Anyway, no I’m not super invested in celebrity drama these days anymore. The Liam thing did get me riled up for like a minute, but I moved on from that pretty quickly.

Have you ever had chicken pox? I haven’t.

Have you ever grown your own garden? Nope.

What is a current goal of yours? To resign, my god. And find a new job.

What's the farthest you've ever walked? In one go? I’m not sure. Maybe that time we walked in Bali because my parents ditched public transport at the time and wanted to ~experience the city.

What's something you would love to have right now? A fucking day off.

Would you ever consider adopting or fostering children? No. I’d love to adopt pets, but I don’t think I could do it with a child.

Do you sleep with a light on? Not usually. Sometimes I’ll fall asleep with my night lamp still on but generally I prefer all the lights to be out.

What did you last have to eat? This honey sesame chicken meal I have beside me. I’m trying Panda Express for the first time y’all!!! I’m so stoked hahaha and it’s turned out great!

If offered $1 million, would you do a reality show of your life? No because I would most likely deal with the money realistically and it wouldn’t make for an entertaining reality show whatsoever.

What was the last lie you told? That I’m doing okay. My dog just died and I won’t be for a while, but of course I wouldn’t be telling people the latter.

Where do you need to go next time you leave the house? At the hotel where my next PR event will be.

When did you last take a walk? Can’t remember. Might have been that morning walk with Bea and Kata I mentioned earlier.

What's a good memory from your youth? Having big hotel dinners with my whole family.

What is something you will always defend? Kimi.

Would you consider yourself to be petty? I can be but I wouldn’t say it’s my whole personality lol.

What did you watch on TV today? I didn’t watch anything today other than the BTS dinner.

[kingstylesdaily]

For Black Pop Stans, the Bare Minimum Is No Longer Enough

Black superfans have been erased from the story of pop for decades. Now, in looking for visibility and change, they’ve found each other.

By Brittany Spanos

Angela H. was marching in a Black Lives Matter protest in Hollywood on June 2nd when her friends pointed out something surprising. They’d spotted a man in black gloves, sunglasses, and a hoodie nearby in the crowd — and he looked just like Harry Styles, a pop star Angela has been stanning since 2011.

She wasn’t convinced at first. “Every part of me didn’t want to believe it for some reason,” Angela, 22, recalls. It wasn’t until she got a glimpse of one of his familiar tattoos that her mind began racing.

“I had seen figures like him at the Women’s March and protests against Trump four years ago, but this is specifically for black lives,” Angela says. “This is specifically for my life, for my community. Harry Styles is at a Black Lives Matter protest. This is something I wouldn’t have believed if someone had told me this two years ago.”

For Angela, being a black pop stan for more than a decade has been trying. Growing up half black and half Filipino, with a predominantly white community in her neighborhood and mostly white or white-passing friends, she sometimes felt like her connection to black culture wasn’t enough. As a pre-teen, she loved Justin Bieber’s music, which led her to stan Twitter — the constantly growing corner of social media where superfans build their online identity around the performers, shows, or films they love.

When she encountered another black Belieber’s quest to become the “One Less Lonely Girl” that Justin Bieber would pull on stage during every concert, she began to notice dividing lines in the fanbase. Why, she wondered, was it so rare to see him bring a black fan onstage for one of those onstage moments?

Eventually, in 2012, the owner of the “Black OLLG” account got her moment of being serenaded by Bieber. “I was like ‘Dang, somebody that looks like me and has my same skin color actually gets to be recognized in our stan culture,’” Angela recalls.

When Angela’s fandom pivoted to 1D in 2011, she began to feel overwhelmed by the online and in-person whiteness of the community surrounding her favorite group. She attended 17 One Direction concerts during the band’s tenure and often felt “unsafe,” in her words, in stadiums with few black or POC faces. At the handful of solo Styles and Niall Horan shows she has been to, she’s felt a familiar loneliness.

Online, where the identities of stans aren’t immediately legible, Angela could still sense an overbearing whiteness that allowed little space for black and POC stans. Through anonymous question sites like CuriousCat, she says, non-white Directioners would receive vile, racist remarks constantly.

“I didn’t grow up around a black community, so it was hard for me to understand how to respond to things,” she says. “I would just block it out. I genuinely didn’t know how to react.”

The group that Angela looked to for solace and a place in the world wasn’t always helpful. Young pop stars through the years have often stayed apolitical so as to not offend different factions of their fanbase, and One Direction weren’t an exception. Since going solo, Styles has remained a private pop star, with very limited social media use. When he began to pick up rainbow flags thrown on stage during his concerts, LGBTQ fans felt seen. When similar Black Lives Matter flags seemed like they were being ignored during his debut solo tour in 2017, black stans felt erased.

“I remember being angry,” Angela says, adding that Styles eventually posted an image of BLM posters that fans held up during one of his shows. “It was so bare minimum. It felt like he felt guilty.”

Angela remained on board as a fan of Styles, but as the protests seeking justice after George Floyd’s death began to spread across the country this spring, many fans like her demanded more from the stars they have supported. When Styles initially shared a petition on May 29th for the resignation and arrest of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who suffocated Floyd with his knee, Styles fans begged for more. A day later, the singer wrote a longer post about his own privilege and his desire to educate himself, promising to donate to bail funds for arrested organizers.

On that early June afternoon in Hollywood, Angela marched alongside Styles until she began to see him exit the crowd. Her friends encouraged her to say something, and one of Styles’ friends helped wave him down. When they were face to face, she told him about her experience at his and One Direction’s shows: the sea of white faces, her own developing sense of black identity, and the way she never felt certain that the inclusivity he preached was truly meant to include people who look like her. The masked Styles listened intently and gave Angela a hug before they parted ways.

“To see him out there….it was just great to feel seen,” Angela says.

For black pop stans like Angela, that encounter with Styles was a rare moment of visibility in a genre with a loaded history of erasure. “Pop” has long been a restrictive term that the music industry uses to exclude the black artists who have built its base, while those same black artists’ contributions are appropriated every step of the way. For decades, the overwhelming cultural image of what a fan of pop music looks like has remained the screaming white teen girl, an image based almost entirely on the de facto segregation of the early days of rock & roll. It adds up to a limiting and untrue representation of music consumption, perpetuated in part by differences in who gets access to expensive concerts and even more expensive artist meet-and-greets.

Black pop fans have fought to be seen for decades — by the artists they love, and by the rest of their fan community. The public’s expectations for white pop stars to be politically active, let alone to speak out on racial injustice, have always been low, but their black listeners have always pushed harder for accountability and action. In the process, many have found each other, creating pockets of supportive communities those fans can turn to in order to feel seen, and sometimes to feel affirmed in their own blackness.

Read the rest of the article here.

--

Source: Billboard

[littlemixnet]

I grew up in an area called Laygate, South Shields in the north-east of England. It’s near the docks where a lot of Arabs worked from the 1920s. My granddad Mohammed arrived around 1943 from Yemen. He worked as a firefighter in the merchant navy, before becoming a laborer at the docks. It was in South Shields that he met my grandma Amelia, whose dad was from Egypt. They were very much in love and settled in the coastal town. They loved the large Arab community, and everyone stuck together. Sadly, my grandma passed away when my mam was just four so I never had a chance to learn much about my Egyptian heritage, but my granddad talked about her a lot.While my granddad didn’t force his children or grandkids to follow his religion, he was a devout Muslim and wanted us to know about his faith and culture. We lived near the local mosque and he would tell me beautiful stories about when he went to Mecca. He would always cook for us, too – I loved his chicken soup with khubz, which is the best bread in the world. I remember him fasting for Ramadan, and during Eid I would wait for him outside the mosque and say Eid Mubarak to his friends as they came out, and they would gift me a pound coin. It was important to him that I learned how to read and write Arabic, so every Saturday I went to Muslim school. I have fond memories of it. I went from the ages of eight to 10, but I think I was unfortunately too young to understand how important it was to learn. I also went to church every Sunday, but faith-wise I don’t know what I believe in. I think, perhaps, that stems from having so many beliefs and opinions put on me.I had a happy childhood. My primary school was incredibly multicultural – there were a lot of asylum seekers and refugees from all over the world so I just felt a part of it. That changed when I was a teenager and went to secondary school. My granddad passed away and suddenly I felt like I had lost that whole part of me. He was the person I’d go to when I felt down. He made me feel proud of who I was – he was my line of understanding to my Arab heritage. I felt alone. At school, I didn’t fit into any group, and started to experience prejudice and racism. I was one of the very few people of color in the school, so from the off I felt like an outcast.Where I’m from in England, if you weren’t evidently black or white, you were put in this big bowl of one ‘other’ thing. I used to get called the P-word, which I didn’t understand as I’m not Pakistani. I was also called half-caste. During one incident someone pinned me down in the toilets and put a bindi spot on my forehead. There was a complete lack of education and understanding of different races and faiths. It affected my mental health. I became very depressed and it triggered the eating disorder I had throughout school.Looking back, I realize I experienced microaggressions even as a kid, whether it was being part of musicals in my hometown and having white powder put on my face to blend in with the rest of the cast, or not getting cast at all because there were no people of color in the musical. It wasn’t until I moved to London and into a multicultural environment that I realized how messed up it was. I was 18 when I moved, just after I did The X Factor [in 2011]. I went from being the token person of color to being in London, where it didn’t matter. All of a sudden I was thrown into the limelight [with Little Mix], and people didn’t know what I was, so I went along with it. I had suppressed who I was because I wasn’t proud. I had been bullied into thinking I should be ashamed of my identity, so I didn’t talk enough about my heritage in interviews. It makes me sad to think about it now.When I was younger, I didn’t see enough representation of Arabs in magazines or on TV, and when I saw people who looked like my granddad they were always misrepresented. There’s this stereotype of Muslims being terrorists. I regret now that I didn’t talk about it more, but I was young and scared. I’m trying to make up for it now. I’m more open to being that voice for people. I think it comes with being more confident in yourself, and more curious. My mam and me have started looking into our culture more and it’s something that is bringing us closer together. The Black Lives Matter movement and the war in Yemen has triggered a lot of trauma for my mam, who I think suppressed who she was for a long time, too. The past few months have been very eye-opening for us. We’ve talked more than we ever have about race and who we are. As an adult I’m connecting more with my Arab side – it’s a shame that it’s taken me until now to understand that. Being Arab is a beautiful thing. I’m trying to learn more of the language; in fact, during our US tour with Ariana Grande [Little Mix was one of the opening acts on Grande’s Dangerous Woman tour in 2017], I did an online Arabic course. One of my goals is to learn the language so that I can travel more to the Middle East. I get a lot of messages from Arab fans saying that they look up to me and that it’s lovely to see positive representation of an Arab woman in pop culture. The messages were one of the triggers that encouraged me to explore who I really am.When I was young, my grandad used to play Arabic songs for me, and I think it did influence me. When I’m in the recording studio people say they can tell I have Arab heritage because when I do riffs I must subconsciously perform them in an Arabic style, which is lovely. My granddad used to love hearing me sing – that’s definitely one of the main reasons I got into music. One of my favorite memories of him was when I bought him a Mecca-shaped alarm clock that played the call to prayer. He played it and started to cry – it made me realize how powerful music can be.It’s taken me too long to embrace my heritage and I wish I did it sooner. I want people to know that who you are is a beautiful thing – learn about your ancestors and educate yourself on your heritage. It gives you a purpose. It’s important for me to use my platform to be a better person and raise awareness, especially about what is happening now in Yemen. It’s not being talked about enough. I’m striving to be a better role model for my fans and be an artist that I would’ve liked to have seen as a young girl.

Jade for Vogue Arabia.

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: The 6 Best Books On The History Of Manga And Anime

  Say you’re a fan of anime and manga who’s looking to learn more about history or craft. Where do you begin? There’s whatever insight you can glean from the work itself, of course. There’s also a good amount of information available online, from animation blogs to translated manga interviews to personal pieces. But when all else fails, turn to the library. Here are some excellent nonfiction books on the manga and anime industry that I’d recommend to just about anybody. I’ve also read at least sections of every book on this list, so you have my guarantee of their quality!

  Image via Penguin Random House

  Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World reaches beyond manga and anime to encompass Japanese pop culture post World War II. But there are plenty of stories in here that fans of anime and manga might find fascinating: 

  The toy car that inspired top developers at Nintendo

How the karaoke machine led directly to idol culture, as music producers sought to produce music that ordinary people could sing

The manga-obsessed student radicals of the 1960s, many of whom came to work on later anime projects like Mobile Suit Gundam

  Author Matt Alt’s choice of interviewees and attention to detail marks Pure Invention as one of the best of its kind. If you’re a curious reader looking for an accessible (and recent!) popular history, I highly recommend this book.

  Image via Bloomsbury.com

  For fans abroad, the history of anime begins with the airing of Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy on Japanese television. But this wasn’t enough for Jonathan Clements, a long-time anime and manga scholar who continues to blog on Schoolgirl Milky Crisis. His academic text Anime: A History begins in the 1910s, 50 years before the airing of Astro Boy, in fact, Astro Boy only appears halfway through the book! Clements is concerned not just with the medium of anime itself, but the cultural traditions, historical events, and individual people that brought it into existence.

  One of the greatest obstacles standing in the way of English-speakers seeking to understand the history of Japanese animation — besides, as Clements notes, the haphazard nature of even those resources available in Japanese — is the language barrier. Online writers at sites such as Sakugablog have done fantastic work in making some of this information accessible, but those same writers would be the first to acknowledge there’s still plenty we don’t know. Anime: A History synthesizes countless Japanese-language source texts and interviews about the history of animation, yet Clements is careful to acknowledge that the testimony of individual actors within the industry must be weighed against both their own agenda and the words of others. While Anime: A History would be a valuable text if it was nothing more than a synthesis, Clements’ ambition to build a coherent history of Japanese animation from a production standpoint that thoroughly examines its subject matter and context from all angles is what makes it essential.

  Image via Stone Bridge Press

  Jonathan Clements collaborated with equally prestigious anime and manga scholar Helen McCarthy to produce The Anime Encyclopedia, whose third edition was published in 2015. It’s an enormous text (over a thousand pages long!) that covers everything from summaries and critical appraisals of popular titles to specific themes and tropes to nuggets of cultural history and influence. If I were to criticize this project, I would say that recent anime writing outside the United States exposes The Anime Encyclopedia’s biases; for instance, the magical girl series Ojamajo Doremi only merits a few paragraphs despite its status as a beloved children's series in Japan. Keeping that in mind, it’s an impressive resource that is great fun to browse (and to disagree with)!

  Image via j-novel club

  Mari Okada is one of the most prolific and influential anime writers of the past decade. She’s worked on adaptations, original projects like Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day and KIZNAIVER, and even directed her own films. In her memoir, From Truant to Anime Screenwriter, Okada frankly discusses her personal struggles: her fraught relationship with her mother, her years as a young student when she couldn’t bring herself to attend class, and the process by which she gathered her courage to touch upon her personal experiences in her work. There are chapters of this book that wouldn’t be out of place in an Okada-written drama, which I suppose is the point.

  Okada’s memoir is in part a testament to her work ethic and her willingness to tackle any challenge no matter how difficult or annoying it is. But it’s also a rosetta stone for her work: not just in how it overlaps with her personal life, but in its emphasis on the importance of communication despite how difficult it can be to voice even simple feelings. Whether you’re a fan of Okada or not, I found this to be a great resource for writers nervous of the fraught boundary between fiction and personal experience or for readers who want to know what makes Okada’s work so distinct.

  Image via Stone Bridge Press

  Frederik Schodt is one of manga criticism’s greatest elder statesmen. His book Manga! Manga! put him on the map, not only for its editorial content but also for its translated excerpts of Japanese comics — including what would be, for years, the only available English chapter of Rose of Versailles! Yet that book was published in 1983 and sections can’t help but read as dated now. So I’m recommending the sequel here, 1996’s Dreamland Japan. 

  Like its predecessor, much of Dreamland Japan is devoted to detailing Schodt’s theories as to what manga is and how it works. But the sections of the book I personally find most valuable are the profiles where Schodt writes at length about specific manga artists he either personally enjoys or believes to embody a specific genre unique to manga. The freakish kitsch of Suehiro Maruo; Ryoko Yamagishi’s historical epic Hi Izuru Tokoro no Tenshi (Emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun); and alternative artists like Kazuichi Hanawa and Shungicu Uchida. These chapters stand as a stark reminder that despite the recent popularity of manga in the United States, many fantastic comics remain completely unknown to most English-speaking audiences.

  Image via ComiPress

  Finally, there’s Udagawa Takeo’s Manga Zombie! Translated into English by John Gallagher, it’s an eccentric and rewarding text that profiles several avant-garde manga artists from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Udagawa strongly dislikes the market-driven manga hits that would go on to rule the world from the pages of Shonen Jump and fights instead for the careers of authors whose work was published in the pages of pornographic magazines as often as they were in Jump or the alternative magazine Garo. Most of these authors have never been published in English, whether officially or through illicit means like scanlations. If not for the translation of Manga Zombie — or for Udagawa’s further works of manga scholarship — the artists he writes about might vanish into history without leaving a trace.

  The comics detailed in Manga Zombie can be grotesque, ranging from the “fleshbomb style” of artists like Masaru Sakaki to prescient weirdos like George Takiyama. Some might be repelled by the content here; personally, I’m disappointed by the lack of female comics artists featured, although Udagawa (who mentions the girls comic pioneers the 49ers in the foreword to his book) is certainly aware of them. But I love reading folks talking about their favorite work that I’ve never heard about, and Udagawa makes for an idiosyncratic tour guide to some truly unique material. For those willing to brave the world of Japanese exploitation comics, Manga Zombie is a hidden gem.

  What’s your favorite text about manga or anime? Is there an interview you consider especially interesting? Let us know in the comments!

      Adam W is a Features Writer at Crunchyroll. When he isn't reading weird fantasy novels and horror fiction, he sporadically contributes with a loose coalition of friends to a blog called Isn't it Electrifying? You can find him on Twitter at: @wendeego

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a feature, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: Adam Wescott

[howaminotinthestrokesyet]

Road Dogs: Metallica on Tour

Metallica‘s first ever gig took place at Radio City in Anaheim, California in March 1982. Their set list included primarily covers with only two original songs, “Hit the Lights” and “Fight Fire with Fire.” They did Savage’s ‘Let It Loose,’ Blitzkrieg’s ‘Blitzkrieg,’ Sweet Savage’s ‘Killing Time’ and four Diamond Head tracks. For diehard fans, this original lineup did not include Cliff Burton as of yet, but instead Ron McGovney. They eventually asked him to leave the group because the guitarist did not contribute anything of value. Another good reason came in the fact that Dave Mustaine fought with him repeatedly. James Hetfield would later say this about that show. “There were a lot of people there, maybe 200, because we had all my school friends and all Lars’ and Ron’s and Dave’s buddies. I was really nervous and a little uncomfortable without a guitar, and then during the first song Dave broke a string. It seemed to take him an eternity to change it and I was standing there really embarrassed. We were really disappointed afterwards. But there were never as many people at the following shows as there were at that first one.”

Metallica’s second and third show took place at the Whiskey a Gogo in Los Angeles. This venue would be where Hetfield and Lars Ulrich first heard future bassist Cliff Burton and his band Trauma. More recently, Ulrich revealed diary entries related to Metallica’s appearances there. "No sound check. Sound was awful. Played great myself, but the band as a whole sucked. Went down OK." The group opened for Saxon, who the drummer had met six months prior after sneaking backstage during one of their shows. After the concert, the monitor engineer asked Ulrich if he had ever heard of Diamondhead. “Of course, we have, we just played a bunch of their songs!" As it turned out, the crew member was only joking about Diamond Head. He would later go on to work for Metallica in the same position for 22 years.

On April 16, 1983 Metallica played its first show with new guitarist Kirk Hammett at the Showplace in Dover, New Jersey. They had begun recording their debut album Kill ‘Em All in Rochester, New York at that time. The set list included all original material that would land on that first album making up nine songs. Hammett had replaced Dave Mustaine, who held quite a bit of ill will towards him for years claiming in 1985 that Kirk ripped off all his guitar riffs, which got him noticed in the metal community. In defense of Hammett, he was simply trying not to make waves in his new group as Ulrich and Hetfield had definitely decided not to cut any contributions from Mustaine.

On March 5, 1983 Metallica played its first show with Cliff Burton at The Stone in San Francisco, who had replaced Ron McGovney. In 2018, a recording of the show came to light online, which you can listen to on YouTube. The lineup still included Dave Mustain as well taking place a month before the other band members would fire him. They performed 12 songs that night essentially previewing everything to be included on their debut album. At that time, James Hetfield was still struggling over whether he should sing lead. On the recording, you can tell why this became the case as his voice sounds incredibly scratchy with absolutely no technique whatsoever. The show also became memorable as a Cliff Burton debuted the future track, “Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth).”

Cliff Burton played his last show was Metallica in Stockholm, Sweden in September 1986 before his tragic passing. A few years ago, Metallica released a boxed set of rarities for their album, Master of Puppets, which included a recording of that final show. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett talked about their memories of that last concert with Cliff. Ulrich noted, “We played the show in Stockholm, and it went incredibly well. I think it may have been a rare case where we actually played an additional song that wasn’t on the set list, because the show was so good. That’s not something we did a lot then or now. So there was a good vibe.” Hammett would say this in the same interview, “It was significant because it was the first show where James played guitar again (Wrist Injury). He strapped on a guitar and was able to play the encore; I think it was “Blitzkrieg” or something. But I remember the five of us, including John Marshall, being really stoked James was back and playing and looking like was gonna make a pretty healthy recovery. I distinctly remember that show being good, and the feeling when we got offstage was really great and positive and forward-looking. Like, “Great, James is back in and it won’t be long ’til we’re back to our old selves again.”

In November 1986, Jason Newsted would play his first show with Metallica at the Country Club in Reseda, California. He did so in front of a sparse crowd because it had been a secret show for the group Metal Church. Newsted had played with the band for only a short time during rehearsals for the next album. James Hetfield introduced Newsted for the very first time in this way. “Welcome to the very, very secret Metallica gig that every fucker knows about! Here’s the new fucker right over here man, this is the guy… Jason Newsted, we fucking love him, man, so make him feel at home, alright? I want to have some fun tonight.” Their set list would consist of 14 songs from their first three album releases.

In the summer of 1992, Metallica decided to perform a few dates with Guns ‘N Roses. The hype for these shows represented the tour of the year, but the show in Montreal turned into a tragic affair. A pyrotechnic accident occurred as they performed “Fade To Black” causing second and third degree burns on half of singer James Hetfield's body. He recalled the incident, “I'm burnt – all my arm, my hand completely, down to the bone. The side of my face, hair's gone. Part of my back. ... I watched the skin just rising, things going wrong." Jason Newsted would remember that Hetfield looked like the Toxic Avenger from his vantage point. The group immediately cut the show short, so the singer could receive medical attention. He would later say that during the trip to the hospital a road crew member bumped his burnt hand leading him to punch the guy in his “nuts.” For fans still at the show, things only got worse as Guns ‘N Roses delayed getting on stage for two hours. Axl Rose probably only sang for 20 minutes before cutting his night short. GNR Had known what had happened to Hetfield, but they still phoned it in anyway. After that, 2000 people rioted in protest followed by several arrests. This night would lead to great animosity between the two groups for years continuing to this day, but it should be noted that Metallica acted professionally completing the tour with an injured Hetfield. Slash of Guns N’ Roses would later talk about the tour being a financial disaster for them. “Metallica was earning the exact same paycheck as we were every night but while they pocketed the whole thing, we were blowing 80 percent both on union dues for all of the overtime we cost ourselves going on late and on these stupid theme parties. It was just bad." Axl had spent extravagantly on backstage parties in an effort to impress members of Metallica.

In April 1999, Metallica recorded two performances on successive nights with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra led by Michael Kamen. The idea for such a concert had first come up when they worked with the composer on the Black Album song, “Nothing Else Matters.” He had approached them about such a collaboration, but never heard anything until years later receiving a phone call from Lars Ulrich. They filmed the live show at Berkeley Community Theater in San Francisco as Kamen had written additional material to supplement Metallica’s arrangements. The band also released two new songs specifically for the show, “No Leaf Clover” and “Human.” According to James Hetfield, This idea of combining heavy metal and classical music was originally an idea brought up by Cliff Burton, who had a strong background in both. One can see this throughout Metallica’s songwriting in their early years as the bassist relied on melody and instrumental qualities found in classical compositions like his favorite one, Johan Sebastian Bach. S&M would be released as a concert film and an album, with the latter reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

In 1991, Metallica would play a concert in Russia that has become the stuff of legends because 1.6 million people watched it in person. The highlight of the show came when they played “Enter Sandman” as one could see Russian military personnel rocking out just as hard as anybody else. One must note that they were not the only band there that day as other artists included the Black Crowes, Queensryche, Motley Crue, and AC/DC. The Monsters of Rock Festival would only occur this one year in what would become the former Soviet Union. Motley Crue had played one of the early versions of the festival in 1984, but ironically Metallica had surpassed them as a more popular headliner by this time.

In August 2020, Metallica became the first rock act to perform a pre-recorded concert for Encore Live’s drive-in series. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, live concerts were canceled all over the world, so artists like Blake Shelton and Garth Brooks participated in this drive-in movie concert experience. Tickets to view this at your local drive-in cost $115 for up to six people per car. The show took place at an undisclosed location near their home in San Rafael, California.

[thereturnofthedirtyblog]

Sunday morning thoughts from the cave of @hauntsofbagans

This morning I got up wnd was thinking about the quarantine episodes and what was the purpose. So I started Reading around some of the fam groups and pages to see what people were talking about. And of course now all the fans are focusing in those particular rooms that Zak showed us. Oh my god I was touched here oh my god I was having chest pains. I started thinking back on my visits to the museum And realize there may have been a method to smoke Zaks madness with those episodes. Let's start with the doctor Kevorkian Office... shall we.

That particular Room while having its purpose has always been non punch there hasn't been any what's the word I'm looking for It doesn't have that superstar pizzazz That his other rooms do. One of my personal favorite rooms in the museum is the Van it sell it but you go into that particular office before you get to see the Van. Being a Empathic intuitive I have never felt malice or ill will in that particular office. So you have a Room that you're not getting a lot of good readings on your customers aren't bringing it up saying wow I love the office what!!! do you do you create drama now everybody wants to have experience in the office everybody walks into the office and oh my God come get me spirit and then everybody's talking about it online

The basement

Well everybody's been hearing about this evil basement we've seen it on TV and Zak is getting ready to open his museum after losing a lot of money. Now we need to get people intrested in getting back into the forbidden areas and we're going to introduce this new tour because everybody wants to go down there and see where the rituals occurn, so how do we get more money? Lets focus on a nondescript sex dungeon and call it the basement ritual circle and will get people To spend all this extra money to go see it. Because who wouldn't want to spend an extra what is it $40 to go down in stand in Zaks sex dungeon and see the pentagram where all the evil rituals happen.

The new property

We are in quarantine everything was locked down, Zak just spent a boatload of money on this house that hes going to turn into some part of his circus sideshow freak house so he needs people to know that it's there. What's zak doing with it? Let's make it a what was it suicide natural death now we have a ghost haunting the new house, you know it's there now you can't wait to come to Vegas and see the new house and see what he did with it, money money money.

The Lee Shapiro Room

This to me has always been a very interesting addition to the museum. It has always been there since the museum opened . Honestly there is not a lot of information on the Web about it, it's a really odd little part of the museum. While it serves its purpose of being a groundbreaking paranormal experiment I think because it doesn't get a lot of notoriety people don't quite know what to think of this rom or what it what purpose it serves. So again we need to get people intrested in this particular Room because it doesn't have the same punch and pizzazz as the others. Now we're gonna focus on it and make lots of Flash and Bang to get people intrested in seeing this Room.

Devils Rocking Chair

I've been trying to tumble the rocks around in my head regarding this 1. I find this interesting because while the Warrens are extremely popular and they have a very strong group of investigators that are really taking the helm and getting the files and cases of the warrens explored and dissected. The warrens seem to be one of the most controversial paranormal investigative teams in the community. You either love them hate them or have no idea about them it has been very interesting watching the washing machine on the spin cycle since Lorraine passed away. As we all know we remember the Annabelle. Tony spera was very disappointed in Zaks behavior when he brought Annabelle to visit, which has led me to wonder how Zak got his hands on this devils rocking chair. The chair in itself is controversial and we need attention on it which is another reason I feel like zak put it out there. Because it came in with a Bang and then it just kind of faded away people got bored so now we need to focus on again and make sure people remember it's there.

The Dybukk Box

Oh lord that damn box, and the idiot fans that fall for zaks games every time. We know that box has been opened multiple times we know that Zak feels that box isnhis trump card that is his baby that is what everybody wants to go see. Just a few simple thoughts cause I'm so sick of that dam Box, IF And that's a huge IF Zak Finally opens the Box releases the demon into the museum now it's running loose now demon has been released boxes open the demons out. Are fans really dumb enough to believe that because he points at the Box and tells it to go back in that it's going to willingly go in? Like OK because Zak told me to I'm just going to jump right back in the Box and sit here in this Box and behave myself. Ummm No! Then lets say it's real it doesn't go back in the Box , now you got this evil entity running loose in your museum. Oh but you're going to feed it innocent people that pay money to come in to your museum. They can't protect themselves against the evils that supposed live in this Box you're just pointedly gonna ignore the fact that you've release something dangerous but you're going to invite every unsuspecting unprotected unguarded person into your museum so you're feeding it because they don't know how to protect themselves. HUGE issue with this one Zak!!!!

There were quite a few other areas that we saw in the quarantine episodes The Secret hallways the dolls the jail cell Room. The jail cell it is a really cool experience if your into murderbilia again Zaks focusing on what he wants to bring the money. Just sitting down thinking and going over the show, the episode wasn't about exploring the demons of the museum and the portal of paranormal hell that he sewms to feel that he has built. it truly is a way for him to focus on things that are not getting enough Attention to start bringing people back into the building.

I stand by what I say Zak has lost his way especially with this latest tiger king fiasco bullshit and it's really sad because he really had something going for himself when this museum 1st opened.

[uniformbravo]

having a full on existential crisis over an episode of anime i watched tonight

it all started with big time rush

in 2009 a sitcom called big time rush aired for the first time on nickelodeon; it was about a group of four teenaged boys from minnesota who move to hollywood under a famous producer to become his next big boy band sensation. a simple premise, launched into unprecedented success, resulting in four seasons of musical shenanigans, three full music albums, and three big concert tours, including international shows. the band, both fictional and real life, featured four attractive young men by the names of kendall, james, carlos, and logan. they quickly gained a fan base of mostly teenage girls, which resulted in online spaces created for the purpose of sharing their passion, and as is common in such online communities, this certainly involved fanfiction- lots of it.

enter me, a teen in high school who loved to write fanfiction. my big time journey began the day my younger sister decided to put on the show big time rush in the living room, where i sat at the family computer typing away. the noise caught my attention, and i got sucked into the episode. there was a boy wearing a dress on the screen. i became interested.

i watched more of the show. i typed its name into the search bar on the website fanfiction dot net. i had a friend at school who shared my interest in fanfiction, particularly of the slash variety. i introduced her to this new show i had been watching. she shared a fanfic she had enjoyed immensely with me. we dragged each other into the world of big time rush fanfiction reading and writing.

it took over my life; i lived and breathed big time rush. i began posting my own stories to fanfiction dot net. i received positive feedback; i met people. i made friends- two people in particular who became very close friends. we communicated through ffn’s private messaging system, then through email. we talked every day, we wrote stories for and with each other, we exchanged phone numbers. it was one of these friends who introduced me to the website called tumblr, where fellow fans of our beloved big time rush gathered and talked about it- a community.

it was a slow start- this website was new and unfamiliar to me- but eventually i got the hang of things and settled into my niche. i had fun, gained followers, met even more people. tumblr was a place not only for sharing one singular interest, but for accumulating all of your various interests and celebrating them in one place. it was through this aspect that i first learned of the up and coming band known as one direction.

they had released their first smash hit single and everyone was talking about it. i was wary, far too loyal to my beloved big time rush- but eventually i started to feel left out and in an effort to feel included, i decided to take the plunge and see what this “1d” was all about. it was intimidating, though- there was so much information, and no apparent beginner’s guide to tell me where to start. this drove me to making a post calling for a “one direction buddy” to take this role, to introduce me to all the most important aspects of this band. and my call was answered.

enter my wonderful friend cam, a follower of mine at the time. they were into both big time rush and one direction and were eager to provide me with all the information needed to get into 1d. while ultimately this venture didn’t amount to anything, as i lost interest in becoming a fan, my friendship with cam persisted and we grew very close. even as time went on and big time rush faded into the background to be replaced with newer, fresher interests, and our paths as fellow fandom members split, we kept in contact and remained friends. years and years of fandoms, years and years of friendship.

in the midst of the tenth year, cam developed a new interest, in a sport called ice hockey. as is tradition, they shared their passion with me, showing me their favorite team, highlighting their favorite members. we watched a game together. personally, i’ve never been one for sports, but i am quite into anime, which consists of many genres, including the “sports” genre. one in particular that i’ve enjoyed immensely in the past is the volleyball anime, haikyuu!!. this anime devotes a lot of time to explaining and depicting the sport in a way that makes it easy for any viewer to understand the rules and inner workings of volleyball. it’s exciting. it’s the first time i’ve ever even adjacently been invested in a sport. one could even call it a gateway into the world of sports.

all this to say, when i watched that game of ice hockey with cam, the same parts of my brain that loved haikyuu!! lit up and in a classic display of my specific brand of interest, i found myself yearning for the epic highs and lows of ice hockey, but in an animated format. an animated format originating in japan. a japanese animation. an anime. my curiosity burned a hole in my brain that resulted in a combination of the google search bar and the words, “hockey anime”.

to my disappointment, i found nothing- at least, not to the degree i was hoping. there is an upcoming anime, slated to air in the fall 2021 anime season, about a group of girls who form an ice hockey team together- as it is an original project rather than an adaptation, it remains to be seen whether the anime will fall into the category of “sports anime,” or if indeed it will lean much more closely to the “moe” genre. the latter is not what i had in mind during that particular search.

adding the anime called “pride of orange” to my “plan to watch” list on myanimelist dot com, i moved onto the next result: an article about an early 2010’s anime i had never heard of before. while not about the sport i was looking for, it featured a character whose signature weapon was a field hockey stick. it wasn’t even the right sport. it was a weak, insignificant link, but all was not lost.

i happen to have an affinity for watching anime i happen upon completely by random and know little to nothing about; i found the movie “anthem of the heart” purely coincidentally, when i searched the name “jun” as part of some research for one of my original characters and discovered that it was the main character of said movie, which i then watched and ended up enjoying quite a lot. another time, when i was at best buy one day i happened upon a dvd on their dedicated anime shelf for a movie called “hana and alice”, which i had never heard of before. i liked the box art, so i took a picture of it to remember the title and watched it on my own later that week; it became one of my favorite movies.

with these and other similar experiences in mind, i saved the anime in my “plan to watch” list, and, later that same week, began my watch of “sket dance.”

it’s a school comedy anime, one of my favorite genres, so it’s no surprise that after overcoming the initial skepticism i carry into every new show i watch it quickly became my new fixation. not an obsession, but something i was pleasantly surprised to find consistently enjoyable. the characters are fun, the humor is tight and fresh, and the stories are unexpectedly touching at the right moments. everything i like to see.

which brings us to tonight. the culmination of this ten plus year string of events and occurrences. getting into big time rush. joining tumblr. meeting cam. watching anime. searching for hockey anime.

i put down my apple(TM) pencil. i set my ipad aside. i downsized the ebook window i’d been referencing. i stretched; i was hungry and tired. i’d been rereading passages of various animorphs books all day. i needed a break. i needed to sit back with some food and an episode of my latest comfort watch, sket dance. it’d be nice to set the dramatic, tragic world of animorphs aside for something lighthearted and fun in its place.

well.

i sat down with my bowl of strawberries and played the episode. it finished. i watched another. this one broke the formula a bit, played with the art style. i was into it. the preview for the next episode was mysteriously blank, and short, stating only the title. it was intriguing. i’m down for the show to get a bit more serious for an episode, i thought. i’m down for some potential backstory for one of the main three. i’m ready.

i was not ready.

bruh.

b r u h .

next two episodes proceeded to take me out back and beat me to within an inch of my life, slowly at first and then all at once. barely made it out alive. questioning everything. how can a show, so silly and goofy, do that, to me. how could i let my guard down like that. how could i be so tricked, and deceived, and blindsided like this. i don’t know who to trust. i don’t know if i can trust again. whiplash so damaging, permanent. i thought i wanted answers. i thought i wanted to know backstory. i didn’t want this. i never wanted this. emptiness

how did it come to this, these twelve years of my life. had i known back then, would i have posted that fanfiction? would i have joined tumblr? would i have sook out a “one direction buddy”? a hollow husk of a person, i am left with only my thoughts to ponder this small history of mine. the things i could have done differently. the things others could have done differently. all these butterfly effect moments, adding up to what? culminating in what? it’s 2:26 am and i’m writing an essay on how shook i am over that episode instead of going to sleep. but i can’t just say nothing, you know? i need to put something out there, reach deep enough within myself to find the thing that’s still there, broken and huddled and tiny as it is. i need to feel some semblance of the self again. the me from before i watched this episode. the innocent version of myself, blissful in ignorance. it’s too late now.

that episode…………..was fucked up. that was seriously fucked up. im not okay bro they really just came in left field and slapped that in my face expecting me to get up and walk away just fine afterwards like No that isn’t how this Works y’all need to bundle some therapy sessions with ur episodes pullin that shit come ON

exhaustion is taking over the shock, i am simply tired now. i will fall asleep and when i wake up sket dance will be a happy fun show again with NO fucked up backstories ever Or Else. i’m fucking serious right now i’m gonna count to 3 and that shit better be retconned when i turn around,

screams

thank you

[sketchguk]

Hi, friends! I can honestly say that I’ve been on Tumblr for about 9 years, but only 7 of those months have been spent on this account. Being a part of this fandom means so much to me, and as cheesy as it may be, I’ve never felt so much love from a community like this. I think that I should spread a little love back to everyone through this festive follow forever post in the spirit of the holidays (there’s also a message for my beautiful followers at the very end, so bear with me). Although I may have not spoken to you all personally, you’ve made my experience here amazing!! Whether it’s seeing you on my dash or in my inbox, you’ve all made me smile one way or another!! I’ll admit right now that I’ve sent so many anonymous messages to you all because I’m really shy, haha. Not to mention, I follow so many amazing content creators, gif/gfx makers and fic writers alike, and I want to make you smile as much as you have made me!! Y’all are so lovely, and I’m not totally sure why anyone chooses to interact with me or to follow me nonetheless. Maybe you’ve read a fic of mine, or none at all, I appreciate you all the same 💕 I know some of you may be in and out of hiatus, but just know that I’m thinking of you!! And if this is the first time you’re coming across my blog, I guess this is a good time to introduce myself. Hi, I’m Teresa. It’s nice to meet you 😄

If you’re reading this, hopefully we can chat a little more. I would love to get to know such lovely people 😊  To my beautiful mutuals, I love you all sooo much 💓 I’m not the best at expressing my feelings, but I hope that this is a start! @190713 @95swifi ✩ @alwayschoosechocolate ✩ @aureumjeon ✩ @beebopboobop ✩ @boobearcupcake ✩ @btsaremyfaves ✩ @btssmutheaven ✩ @bwiq ✩ @engeljimin ✩ @ddaengwrld ✩ @emiyooa ✩ @geniuslab 💌 ✩ @gimmeyoon (@gimmeyoon-main) ✩ @girlwiththespecs ✩ @gukgalore ✩ @gukkheaven ✩ @guktwt ✩ @hobimygs​ ✩ @hoseoknysus ✩ @idiotscalledfriends ✩ @joonary ✩ @kitsutaes (@geniusguk) 💌 ✩ @littlemisskookie ✩ @llsanjoonie ✩ @lovehrs ✩ @magicshop-myg ✩ @map-of-yoongi ✩ @maptoyoongi ✩ @mercurygguk ✩ @minflix ✩ @minlexia ✩ @minyoongsueit ✩ @mygsii ✩ @outroguks ✩ @pjmskosmos ✩ @sdmnluv ✩ @softaellie ✩ @spookitokki (@spookitokkimain) ✩ @starrytete 💌 ✩ @syugasshi ✩ @taesseok 💌 ✩ @tokyoscript ✩ @ve1vetyoongi ✩ @vminary 💌 ✩ @vtbts ✩ @vxngguk ✩ @wthkook ✩ @yourdelights 💌 If your url is bolded, scroll down for some words of affirmation. ✨ If you have an emoji (💌) next to your url, scroll down for a special message. 😇🌟  And here’s a shoutout to some of my favorite fic writers, because you all allow me escape to my happy place !! Thank you so much for contributing to the writing community !! This online space is pretty hectic, especially as of late, but you all make it worth it. Even if you’re taking a break from writing, I am here cheering you on !! And to let you know that I’ll support you no matter what. I hope you never lose your spark for passion and creativity !! Sometimes life gets the best of us, and other times, things are not in our control, but I want to send my love and appreciation to you nevertheless. Your fics have inspired me to try my own hand at writing, and I’m forever grateful ✨ You’re spectacular, every single one of you, so never forget that! Kpop isn’t that serious, but I’ll probably think about your fics until the day I die. @bymoonchild ✩ @floralseokjin ✩ @foreverpark ✩ @geniuslab ✩ @gimmeyoon ✩ @gukgalore ✩ @gukkheaven ✩ @guktwt ✩ @jamaisjoons ✩ @gukyi ✩ @kookswife ✩ @kinktae ✩ @kpopfanfictrash ✩ @minflix ✩ @mygsii ✩ @personasintro​ ✩ @prolixitae ✩ @readyplayerhobi ✩ @spookitokki ​ ✩ @ubemango ✩ @ve1vetyoongi (yee, you might see some repeats because my moots are super talented) 💖  A love letter from me to you: 💌 @geniuslab Megan !! This might sound soo sappy, but you’re the very first person I followed when I made this blog !! It’s because I’ve read all of your fics (perhaps more than once on my old account), and you inspired me to start writing as well. You have no idea how happy I was when you said you would get back into writing fics. I guess I’ll expose myself right now, but I’ve sent a few anons to you on the matter haha (yes, I am a 7 Chances enthusiast, one of many). You’re so talented, and I admire you so much 🥺 A gif maker and fic writer ?? Nothing you can’t do !! Among other things, you’re such a kind-hearted individual. I’ve read plenty of your text posts, and there’s just something so warm about the way you carry yourself. You deserve the world, and I wish for nothing but the best for you !! I hope you have an amazing new year and that you have space for peace, love, and healing. Please know that I support you through and through, and that you are well-loved ❣️

💌 @kitsutaes (@geniusguk) Yas !! I know we just started chatting, but I love getting to know you !! It’s hard for me to reach out to people because I’m shy, but I’m really grateful that you hit me up 😊 It’s been so nice getting to know you, and I hope we can get closer 💕 I’m already learning so much about you because our chats just flow from one topic to another !! You said you wanna visit new york one day, so I’ll hold you to that 😉 I’ll be your tour guide, and the only exchange I’ll ever need is your friendship !! Some dried mangoes would be nice too 😚 haha jk … unless 😳 I hope you have an amazing year filled with lots and lots of love. May you receive everything you’re wishing for !! 

💌 @starrytete Mirelle !! I’m still getting used to your new url LOL. But how could I ever forget you?? You are quite literally the human embodiment of an angel. You’re always spreading positivity, and I adore you with all my heart. I wish that I could be as radiant as you !! All the emojis that I’m using in this post?? An homage to you 🌼☀️ I don’t think I can ever look at emojis the same way thanks to you haha. Sending you lots of love!! I hope we can speak more in the future!! May the new year bring you happiness and good fortune!! Please take care of yourself, ok?! Message me whenever because my inbox is always open 🥰 

💌 @taesseok Mia !! I just love seeing you on my dash. I’ll give you a quick run down: Teresa: :[ Mia: *posts* Teresa: :] It’s like the universe knows. You’re a light in this world, and I hope you never lose your spark !! May you smile as often as I do (all thanks to you) 💗 I wish for nothing but your happiness since you deserve it and more. In fact, it’s the world that doesn’t deserve you and your sparkle !! I hope this year was rewarding for you, but I already know that 2020 will be better and better. I’ll be sending you lots of positive energy for the new year hehe 💞 Hopefully we can talk more soon !! I’d love to be friends !!

💌 @vminary Kiara !! I’m so happy that you reached out to me all those months ago because you’ve become one of my closest online friends !! I can’t tell you how much you mean to me because the limit does not exist. It’s so easy to talk to you, and sometimes our conversations are big sis/lil sis -esque (I’ve always wanted a sister lol 🐣). I feel as if we’ve taught one another so much, especially because of our cultural differences and the tiny age gap that we share. I find myself missing you because of the time zones LOL. In the middle of the day, I’m wondering whether or not you’re sleeping well :’) Why do you have to live across the world?? 😔 I would totally send you a package if I wasn’t broke haha. I’m sending you all my love here though, and I hope that’s enough !! 💛

💌 @yourdelights Destinee !! You are SUCH a sweetheart. The messages that you send me are so kind, and I don’t know what I did to deserve you. Do let me know how you stumbled across my blog because I feel like you’re way too cool for me LOL. Your posts are always so hilarious, and the tags have me dying. Your sense of humor >> !! My love for you is immeasurable, and I hope you know that, ahh. I think it was truly solidified when I found out you’re a fan of day6 and the rose :’) I’m not really a multi-stan, but from that moment on, I was sold. That was the only time my instincts did not let me down 🌹💝 I swear I’m getting introduced to new fandoms because of you haha. And when you went on a lil hiatus, I really missed seeing you on my dash !! I hope that you’ll be with us for a long time though !! I really can’t wait for what’s in store for next year, because no pressure or anything, but I’m sincerely excited for your WIPs hehe. I’m rooting for ya, so make sure you make the new year your b*tch !!  Lastly, thank you so much to my followers !! I see y’all in my activity, and I wanna let you know that I love you from the bottom of my heart !! At this point, I’m more of an update blog than a fanfic blog LOL :’) And if you follow me because you’ve stumbled through my fics, I just want to say 🤯 what?! It blows my mind that anyone reads my work, let alone enjoys it. I never would have though that I’d find solace in reading and writing considering I’m a full on STEM nerd. In conjunction with that, I literally started writing fiction 7 months ago to this day. I didn’t even realize that it would lead me to such amazing connections. With so many lovely people, popping in and out of my dashboard, inbox/DMs, and activity page, my heart b u r s t s with love!! Your interactions mean the world to me, even the most minute things like reblogs make my heart flutter. I really do check the reblogs to see if anyone has left a tag. Single words and keyboard smashes mean the world to me too !! Before I was a fic writer, I was just a silent reader. I always admired writers for the worlds they craft, the characters they develop, and the plots they devise, all for it to come together in one cohesive work of literature. Now that I have a vague understanding of what that’s like, I know that it’s nothing short of strenuous. Words are so powerful, and although I’m a really sensitive sap, I’ve read so many things that hit me to the core, and now I’m sure to tell the authors how much I enjoy their fics. If they went through hours (perhaps days/weeks/months) of drafting, writing, editing, and formatting, a quick comment from the reader really doesn’t hurt !! It’s the most rewarding thing a writer could ever ask for. As an amateur author myself, being on the receiving end is the thing that keeps me going !! I promise you, I don’t take any of it for granted. Your words seriously resonate with me, and it’s a huge motivator for me !! I hope that in the new year, I can work on new pieces for you all (as much as I don’t want to make up excuses, juggling life is not easy as a student!!) I always say that I write for myself, and as true as that is, I want to share my stories with you lovely people !! I pour my heart and soul into my work, and the build up of excitement is nothing if it means I can’t share it with someone else. So, old supporters, new supporters, look out for new content in the future. I hope you’re as excited as I am for the new year!! Please take care, y’all, and remember that I love you. My inbox is always open 💌 So let’s be friends 😇

[enthusiasticmusicalquotes]

QUESTION OF THE DAY #12: What is your opinion on theatre bootlegs? Spill as much or as little tea as you want.

MY ANSWER: it would be incredibly hypocritical of me to say there’s nothing good about them. i discovered a couple of my all time favorite shows through bootlegs, and when i was a high school/college-aged theatre nerd stuck in the midwest (which i still am, just a bit older now), they brought me a lot of comfort that i could relive my favorite shows again. that said, i can understand POVs re: they weren’t filmed with consent from the actors. however, actors who are speaking out against them need to realize that mainstream theatre needs to be made more accessible in one way or another for poor, disabled, and international theatre fans. tldr: bootlegs aren’t going to go away if celebrities disavow them, but theatre might be able to become more accessible if more of them talk on THAT instead of how evil bootlegs are.

SUMMARY OF ANSWERS: out of 41 responses: 21 were an enthusiastic heck yeah, 13 weren’t as enthusiastic but still along the lines of yeah i support them, 3 answers were like eh i can see both sides i guess/leaning towards no, and 4 people outright said nah bootlegs are not the answer. All the answers under the cut!

if you wanna fight or agree with anyone, refer to the # and send in an ask or reply to this.  

also: while i agree with much of what was said under the cut, i will not come out and say which ones i agree with and what i don’t. my opinion is above and that’s all you need to know about what i think. i do not necessarily condone or agree with anything below. okay, enjoy reading.

1. Anonymous said: I may not be the biggest fan, but I totally get why they exist and have watched a few when they pop up

2.  Anonymous said: for the qotd: bootlegs are godsends

3. Anonymous said: oh god i literally just went on a tangent on twitter just now but bootlegs good!!!! people willingly watch blurry footage of a show bcs they want to know what the show is like, want to experience it live. bway shows arent accessable for everyone (due to prices and distance) but ppl still want to know what its like performed on stage. bootlegs literally dont harm the community. ive seen poto boots, proshots and the tour yet id willingly pay 2 watch again. boots make theatre more accessable imo !!

4. Anonymous said: Boots are good to get a glimpse of different productions? Like even despite Proshots existing of certain musicals, I'd still be curious regarding other interpretations of it! And also besides this it definitely helps make shows accessable to people who physically cannot watch the show!

5. galactic-greens said: I truly see no harm in bootlegs as long as they are treated respectfully. While the creation and consumption is technically a crime, it by no means whatsoever makes you a bad person. It's essentially documenting theatre, and ensuring generations to come will be able to experience what could have been so fleeting. They maintain a community, and as long as NFT dates, masters, and general spread of bootlegs are respected then there really can be no problem. It's just a way to immortalize the art!

6. Anonymous said: On bootlegs: oftentimes they’re the only way someone could be able to see a show, because not everyone can afford the tickets or even the cost to just go to New York for a show. However, it should be acknowledged that filming obviously in the actors’ faces is pretty rude, but at the same time bootlegs at least give a chance for people like me to see shows I might never get to see otherwise.

7. Anonymous said: I love bootlegs because I don’t have the means to be able to travel to see shows or afford tickets, i also do theater and i feel like the point of the art is to share it as much as I can

8. Anonymous said: i've never seen a large-scale live show bc they are not accessible to me. bootlegs are amazing. truly glorious.

9.  Anonymous said: i understand that this is a rather unique experience, but i live in nyc, so bootlegs never measure up to the real thing for me. i know that this isn't something everyone can be lucky enough to say, but live theatre could never be captured in the form of a bootleg-- i don't even like released proshots as much as the real thing

10. Anonymous said: for me bootlegs are fine for those who can't see it live because of the price and they are living from another country though i know there are a lot of actors disagrees about it

11. Anonymous said: as someone who can't afford to go to a professional production of anything, absolutely gimme a bootleg. obviously I wouold prefer, like, a proshot of a show and I really hope that becomes more of the norm (I watched the Newsies proshot on Disney+ and had the happy wiggles for hours afterwards, and I can't wait for the Hamilton one to come out) but until that starts happening I'll take a bootleg any day.

12. Anonymous said: I like that it helps people get into fandoms/musicals that they wouldn’t’ve otherwise but I would prefer if theatres professionally films them.

13. maycombhoney said: they will be a part of theatre culture until live theatre is made accessible for more people

14. Anonymous said: bootlegs are great and until the theater community decides to produce pro-shots i’m all for them

15. zoueriemandzijnopmars said: I would personally feel kinda bad for watching bootlegs, because it won’t directly bring money to the people who worked on the show. I don’t judge people who do watch bootlegs though, because let’s face it, bootlegs are not a replacement for actually going to the theatre and it’s not gonna lose the creators actually money. It might even make them money, because people will listen to the album/buy tickets anyway when they can. I’d just personally be more comfortable watching a proshot

16. Anonymous said: I don't pretend bootlegs aren't stealing but whatever harm they do is abstract enough - and my decisions are drop-in-the-bucket enough - that I do it anyway

17. Anonymous said: I’m totally fine with bootlegs. I’ve watched so many of them that it wouldn’t be fair if I wasn’t. The fact is most people just aren’t able to see shows. Either they live too far away or they can’t afford it, and if this is the only way someone can experience a show, it’s better than never seeing it at all

18. Anonymous said: i think bootlegs are important for accessibility but i really wish more theatres would release proshots. i wouldn't even mind if it were after the broadway run or after the original cast is switched out, but i think it's valuable to have those recordings out during the run of the show to get more people interested and actually wanting to go out and see it. plus, if they're worried about money, they wouldn't *have* to be free. just cheaper than tickets and travel.

19. Anonymous said: about the question of the day, honestly i think bootlegs are fine as long as they're done respectfully and the filmers aren't distracting with it

20. locke-writes said: For the question of the day: If there’s absolutely no way I can see the show live or from a professional recording then I’m going to watch a bootleg. Theater should be more accessible and sometimes a bootleg is my only way to access a show. Having been part of film crews who have shot live theater I think a lot of the lack of pro recordings is the idea which that theater is difficult to record. It isn’t. Give me a pro shot show over a bootleg anyday but I’ll take what I can get

21. Anonymous said: My opinion on bootlegs is I prefer professional recordings ONLY because bootleg quality is terrible for my auditory processing problems and I hate the washed out quality. But since professional recordings are rare (unless you are, interestingly enough, Sight & Sound Theatre); for everyone else: BRING ON THE BOOTLEG! ~ Stripe Conlon

22. Anonymous said: Bootlegs are complicated! As a fan/consumer I think they’re okay, especially considering how inaccessible theatre is for people living in other countries, people who can’t afford to experience shows live, and disabled folks. But as someone who also performs, i understand that it can be distracting and legally complicated for actors who are trying to do their best and did not consent to being filmed that night. I just hope that pro shots will become more common.

23. penguinated said: Bootlegs are fine. They don't cost Broadway a thing since people will literally never not pay to see live shows (except during covid of course). and for many people, seeing a certain show with a certain cast will NEVER be possible, so what's the harm in watching the bootleg? The bootlegs aren't the problem, it's the inaccessibility of live theater, ESPECIALLY Broadway shows. If more things were available to stream (i.e. BroadwayHD) there wouldn't be a need for bootlegs. Bootleg away, imo.

24. Anonymous said: until theatre is made accessible to everyone and there is a proshot released for every show, bootlegs are absolutely necessary for the prosperity of theatre

25. Anonymous said: It's so sad that people think bootlegs are necessary! and it's even sadder that in a way they are. however, too many people use them as an excuse to not pursue alternate affordable alternatives for theatre (such as broadway hd, pursuing local shows including high school and college theatre, and utilizing legally free shows online). In addition, bootlegs absolutely CAN be unethically sourced- recordings of locally produced shows can get theaters in trouble and bankrupt them with legal fees. and if you're recording something from Broadway (which is fine imo usually), if you're actually making people PAY for your illegal recording, that's profiting off the work of others and is both very unethical and exploiting the very people many bootleggers claim to work for the benefit of. When it comes to bootlegs, it's one thing to pass around shows that have finished their runs on Broadway for free- but there's too much unethical and even HARMFUL bootleg behavior and it needs to stop.

26. Anonymous said: since Broadway is too rich and doesn't wanna spend money(for some reason) streaming their shows, then bootlegs are the only option.

27. Anonymous said: Theater is so inaccessible that bootlegs are necessary for a lot of people because with a lot of shows you can’t get a good idea of the show just from the soundtrack but people that share nft boots are assholes

28. Anonymous said: Bootlegs do more good than harm. Those against bootlegs are elitist and don't understand some people cant afford hundreds of dollars in theatre and plane tickets. Bootlegs make people crave the live experience more, a dark and shaky video with shit audio doesn't satiate the desire to see a show live. And if the show is closed all the more reason to watch a bootleg!

29. lynntjeeee said: Theatre bootlegs are amazing and are why there are fans. I live in a country with no musical theater (except the occasional sucky original production with a local celeb who can't sing) so if it not for bootlegs I wouldn't be able to watch any shows and wouldn't be a fan (thus not spending money on cast recordings, etc). People need to realise this, bootlegs do not harm the theater, in fact it only helps it. If there were official recordings, there would be many more fans (and thus more profit!)

30. Anonymous said: Opinion on bootlegs: They wouldn't be necessary if the theater industry would get with the times and release professional shots of their shows on streaming services/cable.

31. Anonymous said: I think that people are really overreacting about bootlegs. ESPECIALLY bootlegs if shows that have already closed- you may never get a chance to see that show! Ever! Now there’s an affordable and accessible way to see shows that people would kill and die for. It isn’t losing Broadway money, in fact it is bringing more people into the medium. Maybe if full proshots were more common I would feel differently, but since there is literally no other way, boots are fine.

32. Anonymous said: Bootleg opinion: just go absolutely hog wild. Fuck it. Be gay do crime.

33. Anonymous said: Bootlegs are one of the few things that are keeping me sane right now, plus the fact that not everyone has dat cash money to see the shows live, so yeah they're good stuff (as long as they are available online w/ at least vaguely good sound quality anyway 😆)

34. Anonymous said: I see it both ways. I can understand why those in the profession are against it; it’s their hard work that’s getting pirated. But I’m also poor. I have no access to theatre outside of cast albums and bootlegs. I don’t watch bootlegs because I personally feel guilty, but I will not and do not judge others if they do.

35. whatdoscissorsdo said: I think broadway bootlegs r okay?? eat the rich amirite

36. Anonymous said: I trade and watch bootlegs and don't plan on stopping, but I've recently realized that it must be super uncomfortable for actors to be filmed without their knowledge or consent, or just to have to have on their minds that they might be being recorded at any time in a performance. Like, I've happily watched Many™ Spring Awakening videos in the past year, but I doubt Alexandra Socha is that thrilled knowing there are videos up on YouTube of featuring her nude at age nineteen.

37. i-am-having-an-emotion said: they will remain a necessary evil until theater is more accessible to the masses. seeing real live theater is always better than a boot but literally like 95% of people can’t access live theater, especially at a broadway caliber, so like..... do The Poors not *deserve* theater??? what are we supposed to do BUT make bootlegs?

38. ope-okay said: bootlegs are blessings from heaven and no one can convince me otherwise

39. Anonymous said: I think it can really hype up the want for the musical. And a really good boot release can bring new creations to an otherwise small fandom. Personally I’m more interested in seeing the musicals I’ve seen boots of than the musicals I haven’t

40. Anonymous said: On the topic of bootlegs, I think they’re great but like especially for people who do not have the means to go see the shows during their runs, I feel like if you do have the means to go see the show you should do that instead

41. Anonymous said: I have a REALLY hard time with bootlegs. Because artists deserve to be paid for their work, and there are a whole host of copywriter issues that come with the mass production of a show. In addition though, I understand the anger you feel at not getting to see a show live, however there are so many resources available to help people get the idea of their favorite show even if they never see it. Honestly Wikipedia is my favorite resource, as often that has a full synopsis of the show. I’ll read that and then listen to the recording a bunch so I can understand the story and imagine what it may look like. A lot of shows put clips on YouTube, the Macy’s parade, the Tony Awards, NBC does a whole broadway week, there are so many ways that you can get glimpses into these shows without resorting to bootlegs (which at this point are still illegal) I’m not a supporter of the “theater must be seen live” idea. While I LOVE live theater (and as a performer I like feeding off an audience) but I’ve see shows with just proshots or just the movie version and they are still just as good. Unfortunately I think the only way we’re are going to make theater more accessible to audiences is through time. Bootlegs I think only make people less inclined to record shows and mass produce them. There are a whole lot of legal things that go into that as well. What I can say is what I’ve done. Read up on the show, watch all the clips you can, sometimes scripts are posted online maybe read those, listen to the album, look at pictures. It SUCKS that theater is exclusive, but bootlegs are not the solution.

let me repeat: if you wanna fight or agree with anyone, refer to the # and send in an ask or reply to this post.