#shoulda woulda and coulda

[incohearent]

Lol I mean bad things happen sometimes, it is good to be prepared. They tell you it is safe, but how can it be if magic electric grids don't work their magic and they don't tell you why.

we have unexplained outages here in the U.S. and they make less sense as the years go by. I wish society weren't structured to be so helpless at the flip of a switch. Electricity is a novelty and we still can't implement it sustainably.

And for dependency, we suffer.

[azuree1733]

Sakura shoulda had her big axe ☹️

[mxtxfanatic]

My new fandom ick is about to be alternative reunion aus where the Xianle trio meet again under different circumstances and Xie Lian is just “wracked with guilt and regret” over how their friendship fell apart because “everything was his fault for not being a good enough friend.” First of all, Xie Lian ain’t do shit to them to feel guilty or regretful over. They were the shit friends to him, not the other way around, and he 100% knows and has come to terms with this. There’s a reason canon!Xie Lian is not walking around offering apologies to those two.

Second off, Xie Lian thinks about the clown brigade as much as resurrected Wei Wuxian thinks about the manchild he babysat due to contractual obligation: not at all unless forced to. He ascends and does not ask about them. He does his first mission and does not ask about them. He does his second mission and does not ask about them. He doesn’t even think about them unless someone or something else brings them up first. Meanwhile, the one-braincell duo are sending clones to accompany and keep track of him, all the while lying to everyone in the heavens that they just have no idea why their two “attendant gods” keep sneaking out to assist Xie Lian, going so far with the farce as to PUBLICLY threaten these clones with punishment for daring to aid Xie Lian (even though all they do is nag at and hinder him frfr), all cause they wanna play both sides of the fields by hanging out with their former friend again but in disguise so as not to run afoul of their new big status friends who think Xie Lian’s a loser.

Exactly who’s the one feeling guilty and regretful about the friendship breakup?

[houseofaquarius]

[oifaaa]

Whenever you mention Jasoniplier, I immediately just picture Dick as Jacksepticeye without fail... Do you think Dick ever dyed his hair blue?

I think Dicks too much of a public figure to do something that obvious like bright hair kinda stands out still I think he'd look like a cutie something like

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

It’s been clear since 2019 that Harry and Meghan were angry and upset that Archie was a boy, it was obvious that they wanted a daughter, to market as mini Diana and to have compete against Charlotte.

It’s apparently possible for IVF to allow parents to choose eye color and hair color but it’s not always 100% and I’m certain that they tried to do this and they hate how Archie took after Meghan’s African American roots rather than her white Markle side or from Harry’s side.

They constantly go on and on about Lili having blonde hair, strawberry blonde hair and blue blue eyes - how must Archie feel with his brown hair and dark brown eyes?

I will admit that both kids seem to be weirdly stunted in height for their ages compared to other kids their ages

I don't think they're upset that Archie was a boy. I think they're upset that having Archie didn't change anything about their circumstances.

Remember, only a son can inherit titles. Only a son can use Harry's subsidiary title. I believe they expected if their firstborn was a son, they could push harder to get him a HRH Prince because he already had Earl of Dumbarton. Except they couldn't get HRH Prince, so they rejected Earl of Dumbarton and I think that's the frustration we see - that having him didn't change anything.

And it's not so much that he takes after Doria's side, it's that they couldn't be bothered to even try to spin Archie's looks otherwise - i.e., he has the Windsors' dark brown hair and his mother's eyes. It's Spencer or nothing. But you know what?

These are Diana's sisters:

Who had brown hair.

And just for the record, this is Diana's husband and mother-in-law:

Who had dark brown hair.

The smart thing to do would've been to spin Archie's dark hair as Spencerian or Windsor, but they were deadset on Diana's blonde hair or Harry's ginger hair and nothing else.

They missed the forest for the trees. As per usual.

[howtotrainabraincell]

Happy 299th Birthday Haytham Kenway

This man is LEGIT almost 300 YEARS OLD OML

Happy Birthday you cranky tricorn hat wearing jobbernowl.

[newblvotg]

[spitblaze]

Coming atcha in this incredible sweater I inherited from my late grandfather

[chernobog13]

What might have been: technician in Stan Winston's workshop working on a model of the Gryphon for the unmade 1994 Godzilla film.

[stripedstarsblueflags]

i didn't win the wheel: episode 4

here we go, episode 4! compared to some of the others, pretty understated, but it's definitely one of my favorites. why? I'LL TELL YOU WHY (that's what i do) (and that's what you're here for) (i think)

Logan: "Whoever can guess the most fake team names–" leans in dramatically and smirks at the camera– "gets to spin that wheel."

Alex: "It's our biggest highlight of the weekend."

okay SO! episode 4, and here we're introducing one of my favorite things about this whole series. i've said it before, i'll say it again; alex thinks this is stupid. he enjoys doing the challenges and messing around with logan (obviously) and i think he enjoys being given an actual reason to do something silly and weird, he just thinks the concept is dumb. but he's starting to become endeared to it, more amused than annoyed. and logan is picking up on this, as he has been the whole time. so far logan has been a little gremlin, knowing when and what and how to annoy alex as he fumbles through this ridiculousness. and something that will become a theme of this show **that starts today** is logan starts his own bit just for alex– the camera gets right in on it too. look at that ridiculous random close-up. he stares right into the lens with the most plastic game-show-host raised eyebrow/smiling eyes ever. he does that stupid thing hosts do when they hype up something so much it literally almost gets freaky, like he's trying to be straight up seductive talking about That Wheel ™, and to alex– underwhelmed, fed-up, "why am i here" alex, this is fucking hilarious. as soon as logan delivers the line he leans back to look at alex because he knows exactly how that joke will land. and he's right. alex goes from just fidgeting on the table and staring at literally nothing to smiling for the first time, shaking his head, and then picking up to continue the bit. and logan's so proud of himself that he's brought this little twist of humor, he looks at alex waiting for the reaction, almost tantalizing himself and of course alex reacts exactly how logan thought he would and his smile goes from playful and mischievous to just genuinely endeared

also, let's talk a little bit about how the game progresses; "real-or-fake" with some bizarre football team names. for the first third, maybe even half of the game, the dynamic is pretty predictable. alex looks confused, doubtful. he does all his thinking out loud, mulling over either option, looking behind the camera at the questioners as if he can trick them into giving something away. logan sits back quietly, thoughtfully, and gives a one-word answer while alex rambles. but as the game goes on, we see logan start to kind of open up. he responds with a little bit more expression, even a tiny bit of emotion in his voice, and eventually he starts thinking out loud just like alex is doing. only while alex is thinking out loud to the staff, waiting for some hint of an answer, logan is thinking out loud to alex. turning his head. not saying a whole lot but only delivering his answer to the crew and then turning around to see how alex will react. they both start to remember it's a competition, alex with "i've got to catch you somehow" (oh do you) and logan "you could've brought it back!" (oh could he). it goes from a challenge to a game.

eh, nothing much to say about this particular moment. just logan leaning into alex waiting on his answer. just alex failing again in the same way (thinking it's too fake to be fake) and logan celebrating his win. just alex tossing his head in logan's direction with a sheepish smile and then logan tilting his head up slowly and gazing at alex and taunting him with his eyes. just logan saying "two up, baby!" while smiling at alex and then alex laughing again and then immediately having to turn away and cast his eyes down. just that i guess.

THIS! okay yes this is a pivotal moment!

we've seen physical contact in grid friendships before. a lot. like a lot a lot (if you're racing with carlos sainz, i mean come on, what are you expecting). it's natural, it's comfortable, it's even expected– so many of these guys have literally grown up racing against each other. formula 1 isn't anyone's first-year orientation, most of them have either known each other or known of each other for years. with some people it's different; oscar isn't super big on physical contact. zhou's level of introversion is like if a cat became a monk (which i admire). with these two in particular, with each other– it's not that they don't like contact or that it just doesn't come naturally, but the concept itself holds a certain level of anxiety. they're complete opposites. even on the same team, their situations and environments are so different, it's like they don't even have that solid ground to share. logan is alone at williams, alex is their golden boy even though everyone (including himself) knows that he's outperforming that car. and they both have to put on a smile and carry their team's image off track because the car can't do it on track. by all means their relationship should be strained, especially in these "hey can you guys pretend to be happy for us" videos, or at the very least hold a professional sort of iciness. so physical affection? why would that even come up? but throughout this series they've both tried leaning into each other, looking a little too close, holding eye contact for maybe a bit longer than expected. and it's not just one person making the move, it's both of them testing the waters at random intervals, hesitant and anxious and double-checking for approval immediately before or after. earlier in the video logan half-raises his arm and almost leans into alex like he's planning to reach out and shies away, thinks better of it. and then alex gets something right and he's so happy about it and still at the point where he's surprised to be getting anything right at all and logan just reaches out and gives him that reassuring pat on the knee. like bros do. except his expression turns totally flat when he does and his voice gets kind of flat too and nonchalant and he's nervous as fuck and trying to hide it because this is like a test. he doesn't know how alex is going to react and he's forcing himself to be as casual as possible to the point where it stands out because now alex has to be as casual as possible and there's no chance to make it weird. except what alex does is yeah he laughs and he's happy that he scored and then he turns and looks at logan and suddenly the happiness intensifies and his smile is so much brighter and that's when logan reaches out and alex is almost surprised at the touch but he's not and it's just sweet and smooth and comfortable

YES OKAY HERE WE GO! so logan is an overthinker by nature and definitely so after that one knee pat (he's totally thinking in circles about this). he still glances at alex *a lot* but suddenly now his glances are fleeting, at one point he's in the process of turning his head and he literally interrupts his own movements to turn around and look back to the questioner. and up to this point he doesn't reach out again at all. BUT alex is actually catching up with the game and he finally gets the question that ties their score and then he reaches out? and literally makes the most awkward noise possible it's like "heeEeeuh" because he's trying to laugh and he's trying to say like hey look at that i beat you but now he's ALSO overthinking. because he's nervous and trying to read the right signals but he knows he's excited and he knows that logan's set a tone and he's making the same move with the same amount of apprehension. it almost looks forced because they don't do this they don't know how to do this but they're figuring it out and they're comfortable and they're realizing that maybe this doesn't have to be scary and maybe they can just be this with each other!!

UH YEAH WHAT DID I SAYYY! alex is getting more excited as he starts finally getting ahead in the game. the names are just as weird, he and logan both put as much thought (probably too much) into figuring out if they're real or not, but the reactions just get more and more intense on the answers. as they find out who's correct. and logan's happier and he's getting bolder and he's both shocked and elated like "this worked?? this is okay now??" and now compared to his usual somewhat sedate mannerisms he's like all over alex. it doesn't look like something that comes naturally to him, it looks awkward, it looks too thought-out... because it is. because he's waiting for someone to tell him to stop. he's waiting to feel like he's doing the wrong thing because good things can never last. but alex isn't pushing him away or moving his chair away or giving any sort of sign that he wants this tone to change. instead he's like letting logan move him, kind of like either relaxing or melting into him to the point where he's letting logan push him around and he keeps doing that smiling/eyes light up/suddenly too much/look away combo that we know is just teasing logan at this point. and they both look nervous and uncertain and so much less sure but so much more energized than anything this series has brought us before.

[prize wheel lands on Alex mini helmet]

Logan: "It's signed, too."

Alex (turning to Logan, absolute 😯 oh no! 😯 moment): "It is?"

[they both burst out laughing]

oh no, how could they do this to me? code ultramarine blue because this has officially killed me. "it's signed, too" logan doing his little game-show host bit that made alex laugh earlier?? alex having zoned out already, being completely lost and then turning to logan with the most sorrowful confused expression (instead of, i don't know, the TEAM WHO ARE FACILITATING THIS EVENT) and asking in that stupid sorrowful confused voice "it is?" so quietly that the mics literally do not pick it up??? and logan meeting his gaze and realizing that yes alex is indeed completely lost about his own signature on his own merch and he just fucking cracks up and as soon as his face lights up and he smiles that big alex turns to the camera like ?? and then he bursts out laughing and logan just straight up pushes him because WE HAVE ENTERED THE REALM OF PHYSICAL CONTACT and at first alex is just laughing at the camera/in general but then as soon as logan's hand is on him and after he's just absolute heart eyes for logan and guys please it's not even that funny but they're in each other's company and in each other's presence and that makes everything exponentially better and

and you know what? i think this could've been something. i think this moment, these few moments between them, could have actually meant something to them as individuals and to their relationship as a whole because they're trying new things, neither of them are 100% comfortable with the other but they want to be. "i know this is silly and i know we have to look and act a certain way right now but i want you to know that i'm having fun because i'm with you. and i don't want this to be just another front that we have to put on because there's something about this that makes me wish it was different. that we could be just us and we could just have fun without the cameras, without a bribe, without some motivation for some other things. i want to be this comfortable with you and i like playing this role for you and i like who you are to me when we're like this, and i wish it was real i wish it can be real"

i think it could've been something if the rest of the season hadn't just been a torturous, meticulous, agonizing campaign to break logan down. the self-confidence, humor, affection, boldness in this video? this is at a time when something like that could still happen at least a little bit off camera. unorchestrated. in general. and then we arrive at a point where logan has fallen so deep in these shadows that bringing out this kind of energy takes so much work and time and so much alex that it's not something that can be taken for granted and it's not something that will ever indicate anything else outside of whatever particular video and that–

that's not fair

episode 5

[shanathegeekyartist]

Late night snowy walk

[jmdbjk]

Jimin's choices

After reading Beyond the Story and learning more about the culture of Kpop, I think Jimin's promotions were exactly what he wanted. I'm talking specifically about the few weeks he spent making music show appearances. He walked the exact path debut-Bangtan walked in the beginning which were the music show performances, Music Bank, Inkagayo...achieving a first 1st place win on those music shows...and appearances on variety shows. Jimin actually won two 1st place wins.

To us OUTSIDE the Kpop world, it all seemed charming and yet expected that he'd want to perform on Korean music shows for K-Army. That was one of the primary reasons for going that route but at the same time he dutifully paid important homage to the expectations/standards embedded in Kpop culture in order to lay down that first stepping stone in his solo career.

At the time BTS debuted, companies were reluctant to keep spending money on producing a group if they did not show these progressive and specific steps.

Perhaps recalling the strong reactions from the kpop world to debut-BTS, Jimin was sensitive to those still waiting for a chance to criticize anything he did. Sometimes wounds leave lasting scars that still twinge now and then.

So Jimin paid his dues as a debut solo artist and gave a respectful and decisive nod to his Kpop idol roots. He earned a rightful place in the eyes of anyone in that industry.

The Billboard #1 was perhaps an unexpected win on top of all that. The #1's on all of the other charts: also extra on top. STILL dominating in his own country.

And now he's moving on. His next step will be bigger. He's coming for you AMAs, BBMAs, Grammys. I can feel it. Let's get it.

There are things that happened (or didn't happen as people wanted them to) surrounding Jimin's album. I am on board with that. But until Jimin says what went down himself, I won't be flying the "company mistreated him" flag. Mistakes? Yes. Incompetence? Perhaps. Shortsightedness? I definitely think so. Online streaming platform manipulation? Sure looks like it. Western music industry sabotage? Absolutely without a doubt. But his own label maliciously cutting him off? No.

Jimin is my bias and I want him to have everything he deserves and I am going to trust that he knows how to handle his own professional career and he does not need my intervention. If he's not happy with something, guess what? He can call Bang PD and tell him what's what. None of us can do that. Let Jimin handle it.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

The rollout of her products seems so manic and strange. I know you said you always thought she was going to release everything just ahead of the new podcast, but it still feels very rushed. I don’t understand why she sent those giant gift boxes and is having people post unboxing videos for products that are not available. I guess I also don’t understand why she sent a bunch of celeb friends strawberry jam a year ago when there wasn’t any actual product for her to sell. Do you think we’ll see a restock soon? That timing could be pretty telling…

The timing for a restock will absolutely be telling. If it’s pretty soon - like in the next week or two weeks, then this was a vanity PR exercise for attention.

If it takes longer, then I’d be more on the fence.

Because the thing is, all these celebs (like Academy Award winner Zoe Saldana), critical YouTube personalities like Neil Sean, and Sussex Squad loyalties are getting PR packages. So we do know there’s product. And probably Meghan used most of her product on PR packages for friends, celebs, media, and critics leaving very little for the real fans, hence the sellout in less than 30 minutes without the website crashing. I mean, Ticketmaster crashed twice for me during the Eras Tour sell dates. You’re telling me that As Ever had much more robust infrastructure than Ticketmaster?!

Anyway, woulda coulda shoulda with my advisor hat on, if I were in Meghan’s shoes:

In the “viral” video with Gwyneth Paltrow, I’d have us eating my own product, like smearing my own fruit spread on a piece of toast or dipping an apple slice or a cheese stick into my honey (because product placement sells).

Then I’d pull a Taylor Swift and invite 5 of my loyal Sussex Squaddies and 5 people who really loved WLM to my not-house for a little launch party where they can sample my products, I’ll make them my favorite treats, and we’ll social media the whole thing, and as parting gifts, they each get to take two PR kits home - one for themselves and one for someone who brings joy into their lives (or whatever mantra Meghan’s saying these days).

Then I’d announce a soft launch for my product line. “For two hours on Saturday or until supplies last, I’ll be at the X farmer’s market (or arts festival benefiting the Malibu fires or mall or wherever I can get a popup shop) with my new products. Come visit!” (I wouldn’t bring the whole shipment with me, just a decently-sized fraction that a sizable crowd would be satisfied with their purchase, enough so everyone can have a variety of options and enough that I/my team can see if there are products people are more interested in than others.

Then I’d announce an eCommerce Soft Launch to my newsletter subscribers: “I’m having a special preview sale of my new line! Limited supplies, reduced prices - and a special thank you from me!” (It’s a personalized fauxligraphy thank you note.) it’d be like a beta test of the website too, to see how it handles traffic.

Then I’d sit down and crunch all the data about my sales and feedback and order an appropriately-sized+25% for interest and word of mouth new shipment of everything.

Then I’d officially launch the website and my e-commerce sales and hope I’ve ordered enough to keep things stocked until my next shipment comes in. If I’ve ordered too much, then back to the craft shows and art festivals or more PR kits for my besties to flatter me with on social media.

[couldawouldashouldaa]

Bath Salts | [open]

Nick knew what he saw, didn't he? It was unbelievable, but it was real. Or it seemed real. He was almost certain it wasn't from the drugs, but if that were true, it came from inside him, and that was worse. That was terrifying, and that had never happened before.

But he couldn't shake it. Cuffed to the hospital bed, he was left to try to make sense of it. He had nodded off at the church with Gloria, but when he woke, she wasn't by his side. When he found her, there was blood, and she was, yeah, she was eating someone's face! He had run from her when she came towards him, and he got away. The car hit him before he could even process it, and he tried his hardest to get the medics to tend to her instead. Something was wrong. But nobody believed him.

Now here he was, waiting to have his head shrunk. He had to come up with a better story. They all thought he was a danger to himself, and he wasn't. Did he admit it came from the drugs, even if it didn't? Did he claim it was a nightmare? Could he just say he was confused? He had to get out of this situation. He just didn't know how. And what would happen to Gloria? Why would she do that? She needed the hospital more than he did! She needed the psychiatrist! But if they didn't believe him, they'd never look for her to help her.

He had to get out of here. He had to get out, and talk to Calvin, and try to make sense of this. He couldn't and wouldn't talk to the police. He'd have to lie to the psychiatrist, and probably everyone else. He'd have to make everyone believe he wasn't delusional. He wasn't, right? He couldn't be. He didn't want to be.