#sorehead

[clarabelleblog]

Why your brain hurts? Take your brain into and information free zone. New blog post over at www.clarabelle.org #brain #brainhealth #neurons #braincells #healthymind #nature #mindbodyspirit #bloggerlifestyle #sorehead #headspace #nophonezone #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #personaldevelopment (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiHVmJ-MlmF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[sonicskullsalt]

I love their videos

This is indeed a great selection of German sayings

find their meanings under the cut

Touch me on the feet. (Fass mich an die Füße.) - a less graphic way of saying Kiss my ass

Life is not a pony courtyard. (Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof. [I would have said Life is not a pony farm]) - You don't always get what you want. Life isn't perfect.

You're going on my cookie. (Du gehst mir auf den Keks.) - You're annoying.

That is me sausage. (Das ist mir Wurst.) - I don't care.

Now, don't be such an offended liver sausage. (Jetzt sei nicht so eine beleidigte Leberwurst.) - Now, don't be such a sorehead. Don't get butthurt.

Now it goes about the sausage. (Jetzt geht's um die Wurst.) - This is the decisive moment.

Anyway, long talk, short sense. (Wie auch immer, lange Rede, kurzer Sinn.) - tldr; to put it briefly

Lies have short legs. (Lügen haben kurze Beine) - Lies don't pay off. Lies aren't worthwhile.

You're a lucky mushroom. (Du bist ein Glückspilz.) - You're a lucky fellow.

I think my pig is whistling. (Ich glaube mein Schwein pfeift.) - You can't be serious. On no account.

Latch closed, monkey dead. (Klappe zu, Affe tot.) - End of story. The matter is closed.

I have muscle cat. (Ich hab Muskelkater.) - My muscles are sore.

I only understand train station. (Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof.) - I don't get it. I don't understand.

Everything has an end, but the sausage has two. (Alles hat eine Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei.) - Everything must end at some point. Nothing lasts forever.

Brake your neck and legs. (Hals- und Beinbruch.) - Brake a leg. Good luck. Just like in English, this is a traditional way of saying good luck in the theatre.

[thesinglesjukebox]

Steve Albini

The late Steve Albini was many things: musician, engineer, longtime punk, unrepentant gadfly, eventually repentant edgelord, one-time recipe blogger, pretty good poker player, excoriating essayist, late-career Twitter personality, and general opinion-haver–but not, he insisted, a producer. (He’d probably have some specific words to aim at all the obits calling him one.) Producers, he argued, were generally charlatans, in it for the wrong reasons. They could care about music, in theory; they just didn’t have to. And Steve Albini was, perhaps above all, a person who cared.

Albini shaped a tremendous swath of the pantheon of punk and alternative rock – though he’d perhaps say that the pantheon shaped itself by itself, and he was just there to facilitate. The volume and breadth of music he facilitated was so vast we’d never be able to cover it all. So in the spirit of his lifelong egalitarianism, we present songs spanning the many decades of his career by both major artists and cult faves, critical giants and deep cuts, canonical highlights and highlights of our own musical worlds. We like to think it’s what he’d have wanted. If not, we’re sure he’d have something to say.

Read on here for our writers' blurbs on:

TA Inskeep on Big Black, “Jordan, Minnesota”

Jeff Brister on Big Black, Songs About Fucking

Harlan Talib Ockey on Pixies, “Gigantic”

Mark Sinker on Ut, “Griller” and “Griller X”

Taylor Alatorre on Superchunk, “Skip Steps 1 & 3”

Mark Sinker on Cath Carroll, “Train You’re On”

Jonathan Bradley on Jawbreaker, “Ashtray Monument”

Katherine St. Asaph on Souls, “Sonic Sorehead"

Nortey Dowouna on Oxbow, Let Me Be a Woman

Frank Falisi on Veruca Salt, Blow It Out Your Ass, It’s Veruca Salt

Alfred Soto on Bush, “Swallowed”

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann on Pansy Division, “February 17”

Ian Mathers on Low, “Laser Beam”

Rebecca Gowns on Joanna Newsom, Ys

Brad Shoup on Shellac, “Be Prepared"

Claire Biddles on The Breeders, “Bang On”

[middleearthpixie]

After the Fire ~ Chapter Twenty-Four

Summary: Following the Battle of the Five Armies, a grievously wounded Thorin is brought back to the kingdom of Erebor, which is still mostly in ruins. Although he’s survived the wounds he received at the end of Azog’s blade, his recovery is far from complete. Grief, regret, anger, all are making his journey that much more difficult and the physical recovery isn’t quite the most difficult challenge he faces.

Jasna Stoneham is no stranger to loss, as she is a survivor of Smaug’s wrath upon Esgaroth. When she is asked to help the dwarves healers of Erebor, her instinct is to say no, but she needs the job, and so agrees to it. However, no one told her that of all the patients, she would be responsible for the king himself, Thorin Oakenshield. 

Unfortunately, the road to recovery isn’t necessary a smooth one, but if there’s one thing Thorin will learn, it’s that Jasna is just as stubborn as he is and for every step back he takes, she is there to push him three steps forward. And Jasna will soon find out that there is a gentle, softer side to the dwarf king, one that very few people have ever seen and one he fights to keep hidden from her as well. But like his recovery, that is also easier said than done. 

Jasna hears of Thorin’s engagement while she struggles to keep up with her studies and has to deal with a curmudgeonly teacher. 

Pairing: Thorin Oakenshield x ofc Jasna Stoneham

Characters: Jasna, Bard, Mr. Templeton,Thorin, Shael, Dís, Bilbo 

Warnings: none

Rating: T

Word Count: 4,662

Tag List: @tschrist1 @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard @legolasbadass @kibleedibleedoo @xxbyimm @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being @rachel1959 @laurfilijames @sketch-and-write-lover @sherala007 @enchantzz @knitastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell @jotink78 @sorisooyaa @ruthoakenshield @quiall321 @dianakc

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here. 

Day after day, Jasna kept busy with work. Mr. Templeton ran Dale’s small, but necessary clinic and he had agreed to finish her training, so when she wasn't with patients, she was in the the backroom with her nose buried in the texts Óin and Narnerra gave her to take when she left Erebor. Unlike Óin, Mr. Templeton gave regular examinations and while she didn’t embarrass herself on the tests, she certainly didn't have him thinking she was the brightest pupil he’d ever had, either. And no matter how hard she worked, how hard she studied, he was never entirely pleased with the results. Nor was he shy about telling her so, either. Back in Esgaroth, he wasn’t quite as intense as he was now, and she simply didn't know what to make of the change, only that she hated it with every fiber of her being. Night after night, she dragged herself home, wondering why she ever wanted to follow this path. Morning after morning, she argued with herself to convince herself to go back. 

“Only a few more weeks and break will be upon me,” she muttered, sitting at the small kitchen table alone, nursing a cup of tea that had long gone cold. Mama was already in the marketplace, arranging floral pieces for those who could easily afford them. She had an artistic eye and a flair for color, and while Mr. Eamonds promised her the shop would be hers one day, Jasna would only believe that when she saw it for herself.

“Just go. If you’re late, he’ll bluster about all morning like an old sorehead.” She shoved the tea away and got to her feet. Spring was in the air once the sun rose high overhead, but mornings were still chilly, with silvery frost dotting here and there, so she whisked her cloak about her shoulders and braced herself for the cold. 

The sun was out, the sky was blue and cloudless, but the chill hung in the air and by the time she reached the clinic, her fingers and the tip of her nose felt almost frozen. Mr. Templeton frowned as she came int through the main doors. “You are late, Miss Stoneham.”

She looked at the clock on the counter. “It’s not quite eight yet, Mr. Templeton. I’m ac-ac-actually ear-ear-ear—”

“Do not argue with me,” he replied coldly, turning away. “I need you to work up front this morning. Miss Elke will not be here today.”

“But—” Jasna’s protest died on her lips as he strode off toward his small office at the back of the reception area. She scowled, looking at the front desk where all she’d be allowed to do was check people in and make certain they weren’t dying. Elke seemed to be under the impression she could come and go as she pleased—probably since Mr. Templeton let her do just that—and this was third time in seven days Jasna had to fill in for her. Seven days were she could be learning medicine or studying, or both—but instead, she would sit there and do nothing else. She could try to study, but it could be difficult if things grew hectic. 

Still, she swept her cloak from her shoulders, hung it on its peg, and sank into the chair at the desk. The mess drove her mad. Elke operated in a state of perpetual chaos and Jasna had no idea where anything was on the desk. The tray holding charts to be filed looked about to collapse under the weight of said filing. Pens were here and there. There was no ink in the well. And as she went to fetch some from the supply cupboard, the bell above the door tinkled merrily and she bit back a groan as four people hurried in from the cold. 

The one good thing about being so busy was her morning flew by and by noon, the waiting area was quiet once more. She looked up as a father and daughter came in. “G-good morning. H-how can I help you?”

“My daughter has a splinter and I think it might be infected. Could someone take a look?”

“I’ll n-n-need to take some information first, so h-ha-have a seat and I will be with you s-s-s-shortly.”

The father offered up a queer look, his arm about his daughter’s shoulders as he steered her to the far end of the waiting room, as if he was afraid she might catch Jasna’s stutter.”

“Jasna?” 

She looked up and smiled as Bard came through the door. “Are you s-s-sick?”

“No. I’m fine. I just thought I’d come and see if perhaps I could steal you away from here for a bit.”

“M-m-me?”

He nodded. “Yes. You. I saw your mother in the square and she said you’ve been being run ragged by Templeton on a daily basis, so I thought a change of scenery might be in order.”

“That would be w-w-w-wonderful. Just give me a minute to check this girl in.”

“Of course.”

She moved to the father and daughter, smiling as she took down the information she needed, then took the chart to Mr. Templeton. “If you don’t mind, I’m g-g-going to st-st-step out for a few m-m-m-minutes.”

“This girl is the only one here?”

Jasna nodded. “Yes.”

A heavy sigh as if her taking a break was a great inconvenience for him. “If you must. You need to study, Miss Stoneham. Your last exam was atrocious. I’d think you’d never opened a medical text in your life based on that mess.”

Her cheeks grew warm. “The n-n-n-neck is d-d-dif-diff—hard to remember.”

“A poor excuse, indeed.” He looked back at the papers on his desk, waving a dismissive hand toward the door. “Go. Be back in ten minutes.”

“Yes, Mr. Templeton.”

She went back out to where Bard was waiting and lifted her cloak from its peg. “I’ve but t-t-ten minutes.”

“That’s quite generous of him.”

She bit back a smile. “It actually is.”

“Come. There’s something I think we need to discuss.”

He sounded so serious, that her stomach clenched. “What is it?”

“Not here.” He held open the door for her. “Come and take a walk.”

“Bard, w-w-what is it?”

He didn't answer right away, but his hand came to rest at the small of her back and he gently steered her down the street, away from the small clinic. The road rose, and Erebor came into view in the distance, stark and slightly menacing. “Bard, what is it?”

“I’ve heard rumors and I’ve no reason to believe they are false.”

The knots in her belly tightened. Has someone found out about the night she’d spent with. Thorin? And if so, what were they saying about her that had Bard looking so very serious now? 

“Rumors?”

“Rumors.” His voice remained flat and expressionless, which did nothing to ease her growing discomfort. But that was all he said until they reached the far end of the road, where he leaned against the waist-high wall of cream-colored stone and stared off toward Erebor. “Why did you leave Erebor?”

For some reason, that single question made her stomach kink. Had someone found out about the night she’d spent with Thorin? Had it reached more than only Bard in Dale? She swallowed hard. “They no longer n-n-needed me.”

He glanced over at her, one dark brow slightly raised. “Did they ask you to leave?”

“No. I chose to. Bard, wh-what are you about?”

“The rumors are Thorin Oakenshield has been betrothed. To a friend of his sister’s? Shanyra? Shaerra? Oh, I know I met her, but for the life of me, cannot recall her blasted name.”

“Shael. Her name is Shael. Shael Whitbow,” she broke in softly, her heart plummeting into her stomach with enough force, it sent up a sickening splash that sent a sour taste flooding her mouth. “So, it did happen, then?”

Bard’s eyes narrowed as he met her gaze. “You know of her?”

“I do, yes. She is from Ered Luin and this has been expected for a while now, so it is no great surprise. At least, not to me.”

“You knew of this?”

“I did, yes. Narnerra told me.”

“Narnerra—I thought you and Thorin—”

Her back stiffened at his unfinished thought. “You thought Thorin and I what?”

“Nothing,” he shook his head head, “I thought wrong.”

“Bard?”

“I thought that perhaps, because you’d spent so much time with the Durin men, you might—no, I’ve no desire to insult you.”

“You aren’t.” She sank onto the wall beside him. Her heart ached as she looked across the plains at Erebor, the pain unlike anything she’d ever felt before. She felt bereft, as if she’d lost her place in the world and now floundered about desperately trying to keep from drowning in sorrow. “At one point,” she began slowly, “I thought there might b-b-be something. I was wrong.”

“He is a fool, then.”

“No,” she said softly, shaking her head, “I am the fool, I’m afraid. He is a king, Bard. I’m a m-medical student who cannot do a th-th-thing right it seems.” She turned away from Erebor, looking instead to the clinic at the end of the lane. “And I should probably go back before I am no longer that, even.”

“Jasna?” He caught her by the hand as she rose from the wall. “Are you all right?”

“I will be.” She managed to smile, then leaned in and brushed his cheek with a kiss. “In time. I should g-g-get back.”

He didn't try to stop her and for the rest of the day, Jasna managed to get done what she needed do, and at half-four, Mr. Templeton emerged from his office. “I will see you tomorrow, Miss Stoneham. Do not be late.”

“But, I thought I m-m-might retake my last exam?”

“Not this evening. Finish the filing and then you may leave.”

He offered her no opportunity to argue, but swept out of the clinic and into soft light of dusk and with a heavy sigh, Jasna sank into her chair at the front desk once more. Her eyes stung now, the tears she’d managed to hold back finally breaking free. Although she’d known the announcement regarding Thorin’s engagement was coming, she had never dreamed it would sting like a thousand nettles across her soul. 

Despite what she’d told Mama, and told her more than once, a part of Jasna had the wild dream that Thorin would come back to Dale looking for her. That he’d come through the clinic doors and refuse to leave until she saw him, until she spoke to him. 

Until she agreed to be his.

But each time the small bell tinkled, it was someone else entirely. And each time that happened, her heart broke into smaller pieces. It’d happened so often, she was certain she had only dust where her heart had once been. 

Still, she tried to carry on with a smile, comforting those who needed it, cheering those who needed that. But her mind was never far from Erebor and a certain dark-haired, blue eyed dwarf king. 

The door opened, the bell mocking her as the postman said, “Ah, Miss Stoneham, I’m glad I caught you. You’ve a package here and I was afraid I’d missed you.”

“What?” She dragged her sleeve across her eyes as she rose from her chair to peer at the parcel in Mr. Edgar’s hand. “A package?”

“Aye, a package. Now, don’t work too late, or too hard.” He winked, and then was gone, the bell’s tinkling slowly going quiet.

She stared at the small parcel wrapped in brown paper, then picked it up to take back to the small, dusty room where she normally studied, and set it on her desk. It bore no return address and for a moment, she debated about just sweeping it into the rubbish bin. Every once in a while, a grateful patient took it upon themselves to send her gifts and more often than not, said giver was a child and the package little more than colorful pebbles or an equally colorful drawing of sorts. The walls of her study room were lined with such artworks. 

But this felt… different.

So she tore off the brown paper and stared down at the beautiful teak box that in itself was a work of art. For reasons she couldn’t explain, her heart beat faster, her blood roared through her ears, and her hands shook as she went to lift the lid. 

It opened without a sound and tears flooded her eyes for probably the thousandth time that week as she found herself staring down at the most beautiful pair of earrings she’d ever seen. Pear shaped sapphires of the deepest blue, surrounded by diamonds so clean, they appeared white lay nestled in a bed of pure white velvet.. 

Sapphire.

“Ready to w-w-walk about, Your Majesty?”

He offered up a level look. “What will it take to get you to call me anything but that?”

She pursed her lips as if giving it deep thought, then said, “The bluest sapphire in that treasure hoard.”

“I beg your pardon?”

She nodded. “B-b-blue is my favorite color.”

“A sapphire.”

“I’ve never had one.”

“I will give you all of the sapphires I can find down there, if you will only call me Thorin.”

He’d remembered.

The stones sparkled as if lit from within as she lifted one to cradle in her palm. She closed her fingers around it, and brought it to her cheek, whispering, “I miss you…”

A small sheet of parchment had been tucked into the box as well. She swallowed hard as she returned the earring to its bed and plucked the parchment up to unfold.

“Jasna,

I know it took me some time to hold up my end of our bargain, but it wasn't that I forgot. It took me a while to find the bluest sapphire in my possession. I think the stone from which these came is it and I can only imagine how stunning these will look on you.

I do hope you like them.

Thorin”

Her lips quivered. Her throat closed. The parchment slipped from her grasp, fluttering to the floor. She sank into her chair, burying her face in her hands. However, the sobs didn't emerge. Her eyes spilled over, tears streaked down her cheeks, but she didn't sob this time. 

She sniffed, drawing the back of her hand across her eyes, then swiped at her cheeks before bending to snatch the parchment from the floor. Pressing her lips together to still them, she smoothed the parchment across the desk and read it again, then she just stared down at the words, far more elegant than she would have imagined Thorin’s handwriting to be. She didn't know why it surprised her, aside from he was just so rough and gruff that for him to have such beautiful penmanship was like when she got her first glimpse of his softer, tender side. It was like being given access to a part of him that very few were allowed to have. 

She had to finish the filing, but then, she was locking everything up and tucking her key into her pocket alongside the small box holding the earrings. She didn't even realize she’d begun crying again until she reached her front door and her cheeks were wet. 

Thorin sighed softly as he leaned against the parapet. Twilight streaked the sky indigo and gold and in the distance, over the Long Lake, stars began spangling across the growing darkness. 

“Thorin?”

He stiffed at the sound of Shael’s voice floating on the light breeze. He turned toward her. “Yes?”

“Do you have a minute?”

“Of course.” He turned away from the parapet toward her. “What is it?”

Her expression was serious, her eyes wide as they met his. “We’ve known each other a long time, haven’t we?”

“We have, yes.”

“And we can be honest with one another, or at least, I hope we can.” She strolled out along the rampart, hands clasped before her. “Right?”

“Miss Whitbow, what is on your mind?”

“I saw them.” She came up alongside him, turning toward Dale as she leaned her elbows against the rough stone. 

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”

“The earrings. Sapphire and diamond. I saw them. I overheard you and Balin discussing them earlier and I saw them on his worktable just this morning.”

A slight chill ran along his spine, but it wasn't exactly apprehension or shame, but almost a feeling of relief. “You did?”

“I was coming to see if you wished to join me for breakfast and Dís said you were down with Balin and I came in search of you. I thought they might be for me, but then I saw Balin wrapping the box to be put in the post.”

“Miss Whitbow, if I—”

“They were for her, weren’t they?” she went on as if he’d said nothing. “The healer in Dale. Miss Stoneham, I mean.”

He drew in a deep breath. “They were, yes. I was but upholding a bargain I’d struck with her when I was her patient.”

“Thorin,” she managed a sad smile as she looked up at him and shook her head, “please don’t try to spare my feelings. Be honest with me.” Her hand came to rest on his arm. “As you’ve always been honest with me.”

She should only know just how dishonest he’d been with her. With himself. With Jasna. “Shael, I… I’m not entirely certain how to explain it, since I don’t understand it myself.”

“She means something to you, doesn’t she?”

He glanced back at Dale, where lights were flickering to life in the shops, in the square, along the streets, in the residences. Did Jasna like the earrings? Did she even accept them or did she ignore them, possibly give them to her mother or a friend? He had no way of knowing.

“Thorin?”

“She does, Shael. I’m sorry,” he turned back to her, “it wasn't something I’d planned on happening, and it was nothing I thought would ever happen, but, yes.”

“I see.” Her cheeks went pink and her eyes grew shiny. She closed them for a moment, then drew in a deep breath once more. “Then why are you here with me, while she is there?” 

“Because I hurt her. And I hurt her terribly.”

“Do you love her, Thorin?” 

He didn’t answer at first, but stared out at Dale. His heart hammered his ribs, left him a bit lightheaded and out of breath as he closed his eyes and whispered, “I do, Shael. And I’m so sorry because I know you and I—”

“Don’t apologize to me, Thorin. You’ve not hurt me.” Her hand tightened on his forearm. “You and I have both changed a lot since you left Ered Luin. We wouldn’t suit and I think we both know that.” 

“We could learn—”

“No,” she shook her head, “we can’t. And we shouldn’t. You love her. You should make things right with her. You might not get another chance to do so.”

“She won’t have me, Shael. I told you, I hurt her.”

“So, make it up to her. We both know you can be very charming when you wish to be.” She smiled, the shimmering in her eyes dissipating. “But, go and find her because you will hate yourself otherwise.”

“Shael, I—”

“If you tell me you hurt her one more time, I will brain you with something. Don’t be a fool. You’re miserable with me.”

“I am not miserable.”

“Of course you are. You don’t belong with me.” She slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze. “Walk me down and then go.”

“It’s getting late.”

“Don’t be a baby, Thorin Durin. Don’t be a coward. And don’t be a fool.” She tugged on his arm. “Do I have to take you there myself?”

“All right, all right.” He smiled, his heart lighter than it had been in weeks. “Did Dís send you up here?”

“No. I know you better than you think, Thorin. I knew you were elsewhere all the time, and you weren’t happy. And while I have to admit to being a bit jealous of your Miss Stoneham, I am not so much a shrew that I would want you to be miserable. I know you tried and it was sweet of you to do so, but now you need to do what’s best for you.”

They made their way down inside, and as they reached the main floor, he turned to her. “I am sorry, Shael.”

“I am, too, Thorin. But, it wasn’t meant to be.” She pushed up onto her tiptoes and brushed his cheek with a kiss. “Now go, before I change my mind and decide to be a shrew.”

With that, she let go of his arm and stepped back, a sad smile on her lips. “Go.”

“I am.” 

He drew in a deep breath, then turned and walked on toward the Great Hall and was almost there when he heard the breathless, “Thorin!”

He turned at the sound of Bilbo’s voice and saw the hobbit hurrying toward him. “What is it, Master Baggins? I’m just on my way out.”

“I know,” Bilbo drew to a halt before him, breathless as if he’d run all the way from the Shire  in his haste to catch up with him, and bent at the waist, “but there is something I needed to speak with you about.”

“What might that be?” Thorin glanced over his shoulder into the Great Hall, where he could see Dís and Kíli in their usual chairs. “I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

“I’ve been trying to catch you alone, but it seems you are always with someone, so, I apologize for keeping you from going… wherever it is you were going.”

“I’m going into Dale.”

“Dale?” The hobbit’s forehead furrowed. “At this hour? Whatever for?”

“I need to go and clear the air with someone.” Thorin tried to tamp down his rising impatience. “Miss Stoneham. I’ve made a mess of things with her and I need to fix them.”

“The healer?”

“Aye, Master Baggins, the healer. Now, if you will excuse me, I—”

“Wait,” Bilbo interrupted softly, “by made a mess of things, you mean that you and she… that there was something between you? Aside from you being her patient?”

“That is exactly what I mean. And I put my foot in it and now I have to hope she will listen to me and forgive me when all is said and done.” He folded his arms over his chest and peered down at the halfling. “So, what was it you wished to say to me?”

“I—er—that is…” Bilbo’s cheeks grew ruddy and his gaze dropped. “It can wait, I suppose.”

“Or you might just tell me now and save us both the trouble.”

“It’s silly now. It’s just… I thought that you… well… I hadn’t realized the healer had won your affections.”

Thorin almost smiled as the image of Jasna under him in his bed flashed through his mind. “Well, she has. And if Mahal is on my side, I will win her back again.”

“Win her back.” Bilbo’s expression grew far more somber than it had been only moments ago, but then he offered up a smile that looked a bit too cheerful to be genuine. “Well, good luck, then.”

Thorin had the distinct feeling Bilbo was going to tell him something completely different. More than once, he’d had the feeling the hobbit looked at him as more than a friend or a leader, and Thorin wasn’t entirely certain what to make of it or what to do about it. He was fond of Bilbo, of course, but that was it as far as he was concerned. 

“Master Baggins,” he began slowly. The last thing he wanted to do was wound Bilbo more than he’d already done over the course of their friendship. By all rights, he should have washed his hands of Thorin when Thorin ordered him thrown from Erebor’s ramparts. 

And yet, he was the one to appear up at Ravenhill to warn Thorin of Azog’s trap. Bilbo was the one who stayed at his side after Thorin had been run through by the orc, even as Tauriel fussed over his wounds to stabilize him to be brought back to Erebor. He’d been a true friend through all of it and it wasn't until now that Thorin realized Bilbo’s feelings might run a bit deeper. 

“Yes?”

“I… I’m sorry if I’ve given you a wrong impression in any way. I treasure your friendship, your loyalty, and I always will. But, I’m afraid friendship is all it will ever be for me.” He glanced toward Dís, then looked back at Bilbo. “I do hope you understand.”

“Oh, of course I do, Thorin, yes. I just—” He smiled and shrugged. “Good luck with Miss Stoneham. I hope the two of you are very happy.”

“Thank you, Master Baggins. That truly means so much to me.”

For a moment, Bilbo looked as if he was going to say something else, but then he shuffled his bare feet and bobbed his head. “You’d best be off then, before the hour grows too late.”

“You’re right. I should.” Thorin hesitated, then moved up to embrace the hobbit warmly. “You’ve been a true friend to me, Master Baggins. And I hope that will not change.”

“It won’t. Not ever. Now, go.”

Thorin smiled, then turned to head through the Great Hall, to where Dís and Kíli sat. “Dís, may I have a word with you?”

“Absolutely.” She rose and turned to him. “What is it?”

“I have to go into Dale, walk with me and I’ll tell you why.”

A hint of a smile played at her lips as she said, “Very well. Go on.”

“How upset would you be, how upset do you think everyone would be, if I were to ask another to be my wife instead of Shael? If I were to change that law, if need be, to make it possible?”

“Thorin?”

“I’ve already spoken to Shael and she understands and this was actually her idea. It seems she sees we’ve grown apart as well.”

“Grown apart? You were never a true couple, Thorin. She thought you were handsome and you thought she was a pest.”

“Well, you and she used to follow me all around Ered Luin, so yes, she was a pest.” A hint of impatience swirled through him. “And that does not answer my question.”

“I assume the woman in question is a certain redhead with a gift for healing?”

A knowing look accompanied those words and the impatience swirled even harder through him. “It might.”

“I think everyone will be happy for you, Thorin. And relieved. You’ve been a bit of a bear these last few weeks, you know.”

“I know. And as soon as I straighten things out with Jasna, hopefully those days will be but a terrible memory.”

“Then you should probably go.”

He paused as they reached the front gates. “What if she won’t have me?”

“There is only one way to find out.”

He looked over at her. “I don’t deserve her, Dís. Especially after what I did.”

“None of you deserve us and yet, somehow, we all end up forgiving you. Now, stop stalling and go.”

He nodded, then bent and brushed Dís’ cheek with a kiss. “Thank you.”

“Go.”

[applebrooklyn]

Is it you?

If someone told me last night that the Sun would breath fire down my neck next morning, I would have laughed and declared them senile.

It must be you.

For last night was a tumultuous affair.

Grey in fury and discord, heavy with melancholy and wrath—the sky cursed and swore; down on us he poured. Snot, tears and drool—he drenched us all.

Like a petulant child, he cried and raged; he wept and irate. His distressed mother—the wind—panicked and shrieked. Howling, she slammed her head against the windows and walls, tree trunks and halls.

It has to be you.

Since beads of sweat roll down my forehead this morning and my anticipations stand in the corner, ashamed of being proven wrong.

The Sun is too bright. The grass is too green. The nature seems too lively, livelier than it has ever been.

It can only be you.

And the sky—the ill-mannered, sorehead from last night—is tamed. No remains of the boisterous tantrums visible from down here. He is donning a pretty blue and embracing the birds that soar high in his lap.

And I know, you must have held his hand last night. Must have collected his tears in your palm with a sigh.

Everyone heard the violent roars, but you must have heard his heartbreaking sobs, listened to his plight. Must have offered him a shoulder to cry.

You must have smiled at him last night.

applebrooklyn©

[manwalksintobar]

Look For You Yesterday, Here You Come Today   // LeRoi Jones [Amiri Baraka]

Part of my charm:                            envious blues feeling                            separation of church & state                            grim calls from drunk debutantes

Morning never aids me in my quest. I have to trim my beard in solitude. I try to hum lines from "The Poet In New York".

People saw metal all around the house on Saturdays. The Phone                                                                                             rings.

terrible poems come in the mail. Descriptions of celibate parties                                                   torn trousers: Great Poets dying                                                   with their strophes on. & me                                                   incapable of a simple straightforward                                                   anger. It's so diffuse being alive. Suddenly one is aware                   that nobody really gives a damn.                   My wife is pregnant with her child.                   "It means nothing to me", sez Strindberg.

An avalanche of words could cheer me up. Words from Great Sages.                               Was James Karolis a great sage??                               Why did I let Ora Matthews beat him up                                in the bathroom? Haven't I learned my lesson.

I would take up painting if I cd think of a way to do it better than Leonardo. Than Bosch Than Hogarth. Than Kline.

Frank walked off the stage, singing "My silence is as important as Jack's incessant yatter."

I am a mean hungry sorehead. Do I have the capacity for grace??

To arise one smoking spring & find one's youth has taken off for greener parts.

A sudden blankness in the day as if there were no afternoon. & all my piddling joys retreated to their own dopey mythic worlds.

The hours of the atmosphere grind their teeth like hags.

                                          (When will world war two be over?)

I stood up on a mailbox waving my yellow tee-shirt watching the grey tanks stream up Central Ave.                                     All these thots                                     are Flowers Of Evil                                     cold & lifeless                                     as subway rails

the sun like a huge cobblestone flaking its brown slow rays primititi           once, twice, . My life           seems over & done with.           Each morning I rise           like a sleep walker           & rot a little more.

All the lovely things I've known have disappeared. I have all my pubic hair & am lonely. There is probably no such place as BattleCreek, Michigan!

Tom Mix dead in a Boston Nightclub before I realized what happened.

People laugh when I tell them about Dickie Dare!

What is one to do in an alien planet where the people breath New Ports? Where is my space helmet, I sent for it 3 lives ago ... when there were box tops.

What has happened to box tops??

O, God ... I must have a belt that glows green in the dark. Where is my Captain Midnight decoder?? I can't understand what Superman is saying!

THERE MUST BE A LONE RANGER!!!

                           ****

but this also is part of my charm. A maudlin nostalgia that comes on like terrible thoughts about death.

How dumb to be sentimental about anything To cal it love & cry pathetically into the long black handkerchief of the years.

                 "Look for you yesterday                  Here you come today                   Your mouth wide open                   But what you got to say?"

                                     -part of my charm

                                             old envious    blues feeling                                              ticking like     a big cobblestone clock.

I hear the reel running out . . . the spectators are impatient for popcorn: It was only a selected short subject

F. Scott Charon will soon be glad-handing me like a legionaire

My silver bullets all gone My black mask trampled in the dust

& Tonto way off in the hills moaning like Bessie Smith.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

So, in Brazilian politics news, vice-president and senator-elect Hamilton Mourão has signaled plans of proposals of interference in the country's Supreme Court.

Among the measures and goals of the "plan" about which he spoke to the outlet GloboNews would be:

A possible increase in the number of seats on the Court (which are 11 today);

The lowering of the retirement age for ministers;

Term limits for mandates;

"Restoring balance and harmony between the powers";

Being able to enclose magistrates in crimes of responsibility, which can lead to the impeachment of ministers;

The Supreme Federal Court has been a frequent sorehead of the Jair Bolsonaro government. Allies of the president have gotten many seats in Congress, responsible for impeachments, this election.

(x)

[donttalkaboutmemes]

The Fox and the Hound (1981) Sentence Meme

Under the cut you will find 110+ sentences from the 1981 version of The Fox and the Hound to use for your enjoyment!    

1.      “You know? You’re gonna need some caring for.”

2.      “Good work. We’ll get him this time.”

3.      “Shh. I think he’s in there.”

4.      “Whew! Am I glad I found you boys! There’s no time to lose. I need your help.”

5.      “Don’t you worry now. We’re gonna find someone to look after you.”

6.      “Well I was sure I heard someone knocking.”

7.      “Bless my soul! Why it’s…it’s a baby fox.”

8.      “I wonder where its mother is.”

9.      “Come on now. I’m not gonna harm you.”

10.   “You’re a feisty little rascal, aren’t you?”

11.   “I can’t just leave you out here all alone.”

12.   “Isn’t he darling?”

13.   “You know, I’m not going to be so lonesome anymore.”

14.   “How’s this for a huntin’ dog?”

15.   “He’s just a little runt now, but he’ll grow.”

16.   “You may as well get used to him. He’s for you to look after from now on.”

17.   “He’s one of the family now.”

18.   “I declare, I never will get my chores done.”

19.   “Don’t try to butter me up.”

20.   “I just can’t stay angry with you.”

21.   “Run along and play, go on. And try to stay out of mischief!”

22.   “I never forget a tree.”

23.   “Stay out of this, kid. This don’t concern you.”

24.   “Don’t let the creep get away!”

25.   “Now see what you’ve done?! You’ve cost us our breakfast!”

26.   “What’re you talkin’ my fault?”

27.   “The monster ain’t gonna like you wanderin’ off.”

28.   “Hmph. Can’t tell these young whippersnappers anything.”

29.   “I’m on the trail of somethin’.”

30.   “Gee, I bet you’d be good at playing hide and seek. Wanna try it?”

31.   “You’re my very best friend.”

32.   “We’ll always be friends forever, won’t we?”

33.   “Give me a head start and I can beat you!”

34.   “If that little rascals gonna make me a good huntin’ dog, he’s gotta learn to mind.”

35.   “He sounds awful mad.”

36.   “I’ll see you tomorrow! And don’t forget!”

37.   “The master says I gotta stay home.”

38.   “Is that him making that awful noise?”

39.   “He keeps me awake at night.”

40.   “Don’t go in there! He can get awful mean!”

41.   “Gee willikers! Is he ever big!”

42.   “That’s not the part you gotta worry about.”

43.   “Wow! Look at those teeth!”

44.   “That’s the part you gotta worry about.”

45.   “You trigger happy lunatic! Give me that gun!”

46.   “Watch it! That things loaded.”

47.   “Rubbish and poppycock! I don’t believe it! He wouldn’t hurt a thing!”

48.   “You callin’ me a liar, you muddle-headed female?”

49.   “That temper of yours is gonna get you into a lot of trouble someday!”

50.   “Temper? Temper!? You ain’t seen my temper!”

51.   “Poor little tyke. It’s a shame I have to keep him cooped up.”

52.   “Stop looking at me like that. It’s not my fault, you know.”

53.   “You caused a lot of trouble yesterday.”

54.   “You’re really gonna like tracking down those varmints for me.”

55.   “Get in the back, half-pint. You gotta earn your right to sit up front.”

56.   “I just wanted to say goodbye, but I’m too late.”

57.   “I can outfox that dumb old dog anytime.”

58.   “Hold it just a moment. Didn’t you learn anything yesterday?”

59.   “It’s either education or elimination.”

60.   “You’d better step over here and take a good look.”

61.   “Why, that’s awful! Those poor things!”

62.   “Forever is a long, long time. And time has a way of changing things.”

63.   “Goodbye boys! See you next spring!”

64.   “You know, it’s been kinda lonesome around here without you little rascals.”

65.   “Cut it out. You guys are always teasing me.”

66.   “We’ll see you later, kid. We gotta take care of some unfinished business.”

67.   “Just cause you’re not sitting up front, that ain’t no reason to be a sorehead.”

68.   “I’ve got me the best two dogs there is.”

69.   “Boy, has he grown big.”

70.   “Look at that big pile of skins he helped track down.”

71.   “Just don’t get your hopes too high.”

72.   “It’s great to be back home. Isn’t it?”

73.   “Let’s scuffle. We ain’t scuffled in a long time!”

74.   “Oh lay off, you overgrown pup.”

75.   “You know that was your trouble on the hunt.”

76.   “Come on, old timer. You treat me like a pup.”

77.   “You gotta think nasty.”

78.   “You know you shouldn’t be over him. You’re gonna get us both into a lot of trouble.”

79.   “I just wanted to see you. We’re still friends, aren’t we?”

80.   “Those days are over.”

81.   “You’re fair game as far as he’s concerned.”

82.   “I don’t want to see you get killed!”

83.   “I’ll let you go this one time.”

84.   “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll get you for this.”

85.   “Wake up! There’s trouble!”

86.   “Where is he!? I know he’s in there!”

87.   “You can’t keep him locked up forever.”

88.   “I’ve been watching you, sir. You can stay with me if you want to.”

89.   “If you gotta have a busted leg, this is the way to do it. Good food, soft pillow, warm stove.”

90.   “How do you like that? They didn’t even ask how I’m feeling.”

91.   “Get back in there before I break your other leg.”

92.   “These old wings ain’t what they used to be.”

93.   “I’m not doing anything. I’ll help you find him.”

94.   “Just look at the mess you made.”

95.   “You shouldn’t be so grumpy to someone who’s new in the neighborhood.”

96.   “Why don’t you go back where you came from?”

97.   “He seems so…I don’t know…so downhearted.”

98.   “Maybe there’s something I can do. You know, cheer him up.”

99.   “Honey, you just said the magic words.”

100. “Don’t move. You look beautiful.”

101.  “Last night was pretty miserable for you, wasn’t it honey?”

102.  “The forest is beautiful this morning.”

103.  “May I call you by your first name?”

104.   “It looks like that farm boy is makin’ it big with her.”

105.   “This stream is just full of trout. Do you think you can catch one?”

106.   “I know all the tricks. In fact, I never miss.”

107.     “He ain’t gonna hook her that way.”

108.     “You’re the funniest thing I ever saw!”

109.      “Go ahead and laugh! You’re like everyone else around here.”

110.       “You’re a silly empty-headed female!”

111.       “You’ve got a nerve. Why don’t you grow up!?”

112.       “You gotta be natural. That’s the trick.”

113.       “I just know you’re gonna love the forest.”

114.       “You know, I’ve never been happier.”

115.       “The devil himself couldn’t have done no better.”

116.       “We got ‘em now for sure! This is their only way out.”

117.       “There’s something very familiar about those eyes.”

118.       “Will you hold still? You’re behaving like a child.”

119.       “You’ll soon be yourself. I don’t know if I like that.”

[worldofwardcraft]

Dispatches from the combat zone.

March 4, 2024

The Arizona Theater of Operations in the Republican war on free and fair elections has seen the worst fighting mostly confined to courtrooms, with right-wing attackers lobbing lawsuit after lawsuit against democracy's defenses.

There was, for example, the suit filed by the Mohave County GOP before the November 2022 election, which asked a judge to throw out the state's 31-year-old system of mail-in voting. About which KPNX 12News explains:

Up to 90% of all Arizona voters vote with early ballots. Most mail in their ballot, others drop off the ballot at a polling place. Arizonans have been casting early ballots via mail since 1991 when the Legislature allowed absentee voting that didn't require an excuse. The practice took off in the mid-2000s, with the creation of the permanent early voter list, which automatically sent an election ballot to voters who were on the list.

The county's Superior Court fortunately sided with the state:

There is nothing in the Arizona Constitution which expressly prohibits the legislature from authoring new voting laws, including "no-excuse" mail-in ballots.

Undaunted, Republicans have now launched a frontal assault on Arizona's recently approved Elections Procedures Manual, which lays out the rules for the state's elections, such as voter registration, voting methods and certification of results. Within hours of each other, two lawsuits were filed by Republican organizations challenging an array of policies in the EPM, including those relating to proof of citizenship verification, public access to voter signatures, Arizona's early voting list (which they really hate), and more.

One of the lawsuits specifically singles out a provision of the EPM that protects voters from intimidation. This is especially relevant since masked MAGA vigilantes carrying guns launched an aggressively menacing drop box “monitoring” campaign during the 2022 midterms.

Plus, as Democracy Docket reports, Republican legislators filed yet another lawsuit against the EPM at the end of January. And last week, Stephen Miller’s America First Legal Foundation filed a complaint challenging a slew of election policies in Yavapai County.

All these legal onslaughts are in addition to the barrage launched by Arizona's sorehead election losers Kari Lake (for governor), Mark Finchem (for secretary of state) and Abe Hamadeh (for attorney general). So far, none of these lawsuits has come within a country kilometer of being successful. Lake's doomed complaint failed all the way up to the state Supreme Court, and one judge ordered sanctions against Finchem.

But even though Arizona GOPers have lost every single battle, they continue to believe they will ultimately win the war and defeat their enemy — American democracy.

[westeroswisdom]

There's a cult of spite which sprang up after the Game of Thrones series finale. It's made up of soreheads who vehemently disliked the ending or Season 8 as a whole. Many in this group somehow expected an uncharacteristic ending like Dany and Jon flying off to their honeymoon on the back of Drogon. 😅

Those folks still spew venom about the series and infest the comments sections about GoT despite the contradiction of them claiming that nobody is interested in GoT any more.

As the video reminds us, there's still a strong GoT fanbase and the prequel House of the Dragon has done fine with both fans and TV critics.

[jkanelis]

Cops can't be everywhere

Cops can’t be everywhere

New Year’s Eve in Princeton, Texas appeared to be a fairly raucous event … at least it was in my neighborhood. Understand something. I am not going to bitch about the idiots who violate city ordinances banning the shooting of fireworks inside the city limits. Last time I did so I got called a sorehead for my fuddy-duddy views on such nonsense. Hey, I just did complain about it! Whatever. My…

[boardgametoday]

Scrappa Sorehead is coming to the Blood Bowl pitch!

Scrappa Sorehead is coming to the Blood Bowl pitch! #bloodbowl #warhammercommunity

Games Workshop has revealed the brand new Scrappa Sorehead for Blood Bowl. The figure is a solid update to a classic model with a few different versions over the years. Once per game he can intercept a pass on a 2+. He’ll be coming from Forge World soon.

[gyankatta]

cantankerous (adjective) bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. 'he can be a cantankerous old fossil at times' synonyms: bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, tetchy, testy, crusty, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-natured, ill-humoured, peevish, cross, fractious, disagreeable, pettish, crabbed, crabby, waspish, prickly, peppery, touchy, scratchy, splenetic, shrewish, short-tempered, hot-tempered, quick-tempered, dyspeptic, choleric, bilious, liverish, cross-grained, argumentative, quarrelsome, uncooperative, contrary, perverse, difficult, awkward, as cross as two sticks, snappish, snappy, chippy, on a short fuse, short-fused, shirty, stroppy, narky, ratty, eggy, like a bear with a sore head, cranky, ornery, peckish, soreheaded, snaky, waxy, miffy

cantankerous (adjective) bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. 'he can be a cantankerous old fossil at times' synonyms: bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, tetchy, testy, crusty, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-natured, ill-humoured, peevish, cross, fractious, disagreeable, pettish, crabbed, crabby, waspish, prickly, peppery, touchy, scratchy, splenetic, shrewish, short-tempered, hot-tempered, quick-tempered, dyspeptic, choleric, bilious, liverish, cross-grained, argumentative, quarrelsome, uncooperative, contrary, perverse, difficult, awkward, as cross as two sticks, snappish, snappy, chippy, on a short fuse, short-fused, shirty, stroppy, narky, ratty, eggy, like a bear with a sore head, cranky, ornery, peckish, soreheaded, snaky, waxy, miffy http://dlvr.it/SfYQxm

[jwood718]

“...600 Happy People and a few old Soreheads!”

Welcome to Hillsboro, U.S. 136, on a detour around construction on U.S. 41.

R. Jake Wood, 2022.

[jacobvanloon]

portrait of an upstanding sorehead