#spirograph set

[mmmmalo]

Spirograph is such an odd word to me, naming a set of patterns after the tool used to produce them like that. Not insensible mind you, just a little weird. Imagine if pancakes and burgers and such were all called spatulas.

[acheronist]

list of things i would show henry peglar if he hadn't died under mysterious circumstances in the canadian arctic archipelago circa ~1850

g2 pilot gel pens

rock climbing gyms

six pack of craft beer from a local brewery

uniqlo's line of heat-tech thermal wear

multivitamins

youtube clip of a tree getting struck by lightning

robert smithson's great salt lake jetty spiral (1970)

william lamson's mineralogy installation at 40°43'42.6"N 114°02'10.3”W

lottery tickets

brunch with endless mimosas (#noscurvy)

vegan restaurants (#nocannibalism)

carhartt jackets with the blanket linings

LED flashlights

pride parades in june where everyone is warm + happy + have their tits out

follow up on the pride parade -> taking him to the club on like... goth fetish night or something silly

the notes app

electric can openers

spirograph toy set

public library

labor laws created by the success of unions

weed edibles that are strawberry lemonade flavored

the parks canada submarine go-pro footage of hms terror

this jellycat toy in particular

[pickingbelovedoffthesofa]

Need Armand to find one of Daniel’s daughters’ old Spirograph sets. Like. Please. Let him have this. He would love it so much.

[homestuckreplay]

MY FINAL WORD ON BARBASOL SCIENCE

(page 1465-1490)

There are quite a few parallels with earlier acts in this update, and I definitely feel like Homestuck is bringing its Earth storylines to a close, likely so that all of the kids can enter the Medium by the end of Act 4 and the story can fully take place there.

The first parallel is this sequence of Grandpa Harley panels – killing a butterfly on pages 1130-1 and a basilisk on pages 1465-6. The next is that this basilisk head looks a lot like the heads on Grandpa Harley’s wall on page 911, only color swapped. So the implication is that Grandpa, who is of course an ‘explorer-naturalist-treasure hunter-archaeologist-scientist-adventurer-big game hunter-billionaire’ (p.790), was not content doing these activities on Earth. After discovering the Pacific island where he lives with Jade, I’d guess he explored the mystic ruins and began unearthing Skaian technology; possibly he received some sort of scientific understanding from Skaia itself that taught him how to create transportalizers (among other things) that allowed him to travel to the Medium. Here Grandpa was able to indulge his passions like never before. Due to the multiple colors of monsters, he likely explored all four planets, plus Prospit and the dark kingdom. As the Incipisphere is untethered from Earth time, of course Grandpa would visit the period of its history when it’s most exciting to be there with the most diverse lifeforms. Grandpa returned to late 20th century Earth, built hit house based on the Prospitian towers, mounted his trophies, and began raising his granddaughter.

I’ve seen a lot of speculation that Grandpa Harley is a future version of John, or that the four guardians previously played a session and Grandpa stayed behind in the Medium, etc, but I don’t think those are necessary for the story to make sense. I do like the link between John meeting his nanna, who died when he was young, and now getting to meet Jade’s grandpa who died when she was young, both of whom have interacted with his ‘inheritance’ of the Sassacre book – like John being the heir extends outside his own family (at least, outside his biological family).

After the copper giclops absconds holding the Sassacrusher and Grandpa (drawn in copper silhouette) absconds holding the Sassacre book (weird to connect the two of them like that, I know that Grandpa kills other creatures indiscriminately and without mercy but I’ve seen no evidence that the giclops is so bad).

we move from my favorite character john egbert to my favorite character the peregrine mendicant <3 what a delight!! Just as the Bec symbol on WV’s pumpkin triggered some understanding in AR, a spirograph on the mystic ruins triggers a memory in PM, and we put together a beautiful mail timeline.

Order of events within Homestuck:

John probably finds an uncarved minitablet and chisel on LOWAS (p.1358) if you play the full walkaround.

PM commands John to open the pyxis to take these items (p.1425-6).

A younger PM finds a carved minitablet and the item inscribed on it, and delivers them to the breeze (1476-82).

PM goes to command John to carve the tablet (p.1489-90).

John presumably will do this and place it in the pyxis.

Order of events in linear time:

John finds an uncarved minitablet and chisel on LOWAS.

He carves it with the symbol for the Sburb server disc.

PM finds the carved minitablet, retrieves the envelope and delivers it to the breeze.

413 years later, PM sees John through WV’s computer and commands him to take the actions of first finding and then carving the tablet.

So in the comic, past, future, John and PM are all interspersed, although John’s story stays linear, which sets some guidelines. It does make me sad that this happens in a way that takes a lot of agency from John – he doesn’t get the chance to find his dad’s car and see that the parcels are missing and try to solve the minitablet puzzle himself, he gets the command from PM soon enough to avoid that whole challenge. I think the timeline could have been played with a little more to allow John to at least reach the car before PM’s memory was prompted, and she still could have swooped in to give John a nudge in the right direction if he was struggling to solve this. John has been saved by other people a lot and it’s not satisfying if he never succeeds on his own terms.

The close ups on the minitablet make it really clear that these are stone age captchalogue cards, with the same broad function but a long time delay between ‘captchaloguing’ and possessing the item, while on Earth the technology was instant and at people’s fingertips. This fits especially well with Jade’s new fetch modus, which is interesting as the Pictionary modus was chosen through a reader poll while the minitablet system is author-created. Jade’s modus is essentially the best of both worlds – it works instantly, but can also be used to acquire new items.

John’s stone minitablet carving fits right in with the other drawings he did for his friends, which I’m sobbing and crying over cause he’s really just like this all the time. <3 I love even more that this drawing counts as ‘signed authorization to deliver one of the parcels’ (p.1481). As AR can plainly see, and only a fool would think otherwise. Finally John gets given some respect.

John and PM both leave to follow some strange men, and I have all my fingers crossed for a sword origin story for PM now the narrative has drawn so much attention to her never thinking ‘to carry a sword or resort to violence under any circumstance’ (p.1478). AR is going to the dark kingdom to return a package to his superiors and PM is following, and I’m betting every boondollar I have that these two will run into Dad Egbert.

So, the Barbasol debate. I have definitely looked into this before but I am stating once again for the record: the cream itself is not flammable and in fact can work as a flame suppressant (like a foam fire extinguisher) but the propellant in a standard aerosol can is extremely flammable pressurized gas, so a sudden change in heat, such as being thrown into a fire, will definitely ignite it. That’s my last word on Barbasol science because I’m more interested in its leadup on page 1479 – AR doffs his hat too furiously and almost starts a fire, which is ‘not the best idea around all this oil. Especially without any sort of flame suppressant handy’. ‘Flame suppressant’ links directly to a Google image search for ‘barbasol’, which has been mentioned before (along with its flammability debate). This obviously works great now because Barbasol is a current product, but Google is a dynamic search engine that will update its results with new content. All it would take is for me to create a character named Barba Sol and get them to be really popular, or create a viral meme about Barbasol, or smear the product’s name with a major scandal, and I could completely change this joke. When reading back in the future this page could be entirely different.

The big gust of wind on page 1487 is really pretty and looks great in the swirly Homestuck style. But who did that?? Surely Grandpa Harley is not out here with a giant wind cannon so who else is helping John? Did Dave’s bro zoom past on his rocketboard at such speed that it caused a huge gust of wind? Has AR declared the fire illegal contraband and blown it away?

[wondersmile]

skwisgaar skwigelf hcs!

one of the main tells for his regression is having his hair back or up, he’ll just put it in a ponytail himself or have toki braid it

just as attached to his guitar as always, but can be persuaded to put it down to play with toys or things like that

was never bought any toys growing up, so it’s something the boys do for him now, he’s too self conscious to buy himself toys but the others will often make gifts of plushies, figures, play sets, art supplies etc to him

his favorite toys now are barbies and spirograph!

spends a lot of time outside, sometimes playing and sometimes just enjoying the weather, he can always find someone to go outside with him because pickles and toki are used to the cold and murderface and nathan like warm weather

everyone in the band helps take care of toki, but him and skwisgaar have a special connection, toki was the one who encouraged skwisgaar’s regression since part of the reason he didn’t want to was worried something might happen to toki and he wouldn’t be able to help

loves prinsesstårta (princess cake), he once told toki he always wanted it for his birthday as a kid but never got it, so toki passed this along to jacques and he learned how to make it and surprised skwisgaar with it on his next birthday

is very chill, nathan has the most similar energy level/expression while regressed, they sometimes watch mickey mouse together and fall asleep cuddling on the couch

divider by @strangergraphics

[justforbooks]

PH Moriarty

Actor known for his menacing, often violent roles in British gangster films, notably The Long Good Friday and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

PH Moriarty, who has died aged 86 after suffering from dementia, came late to acting as he approached 40, but made an indelible impression, most chillingly in two British gangster films. The simmering menace he brought to the screen led one critic to observe that he could “make Hannibal Lecter look like Noddy”.

Distinctive for his moustache, smart grey suit and tie, he was ever present in The Long Good Friday (1980) as Razors, henchman to Bob Hoskins’s brutal underworld property developer, Harold Shand, who seeks to build his empire through the regeneration of London’s Docklands. Moriarty is seen driving Hoskins around on a quest to discover who is threatening this ambition (it turns out to be the IRA).

After placing the barrel of a pistol in the ear of a police informer interrogated by Shand (played by Paul Barber), Razors reveals the source of his nickname. As he lifts his shirt to display endless scars on his torso, patched up by what he describes as “65 inches of stitching”, Hoskins says he is known as “the human spirograph”.

Picking up a machete, Razors tells Barber: “Now you’re going to feel what it’s like, boy.” Several slashes follow in what proves to be just one of the violent scenes that, combined with Barrie Keeffe’s intelligent script, made The Long Good Friday a high-water mark in the history of British gangster films. Moriarty is also alongside Hoskins when rival gang bosses are suspended upside down on meathooks in an abattoir.

The film set him on a career largely typecast playing such characters, but on both sides of the law. “A guy in America saw it just after it came out, rang me up, the next thing, I was over there and starring in Jaws 3-D,” said Moriarty, who played the cockney sidekick to Simon MacCorkindale’s British oceanographer and photographer in that 1983 film.

At the end of the following decade, he appeared in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), the writer-director Guy Ritchie’s acclaimed gangsters and gamblers drama, as “Hatchet” Harry Lonsdale, a porn seller who bludgeons his enemies to death. When a criminal played by Nick Moran loses £500,000 in a card game rigged by Harry, he is given a week to pay up.

The agent Simon Drew said of Moriarty: “The actor in him could make you fear for your life. If you knew him, the scowl quickly changed to a wry smile.”

Paul Hugh Moriarty was born in Deptford, south London, the son of William Moriarty, a lorry driver, and his wife, Mary (nee Griffin). On leaving St Joseph’s Roman Catholic school at 15, he trained as a cooper at the Admiralty’s victualling yard for six years – while boxing as an amateur – before becoming a stevedore at Surrey docks, Rotherhithe, where he lost the sight of his left eye in an accident.

When the TV producer Tony Garnett was filming there for a 1978 episode of Law & Order, Moriarty’s brother-in-law, GF Newman – the writer of the gritty four-part drama questioning the judicial system – suggested him for a part. As a result, he played a prisoner in the final episode and, as there was already an actor called Paul Moriarty, he took the professional name PH Moriarty.

He was then cast as a pub bartender in the cult mods and rockers film Quadrophenia (1979) before growing a beard for the big-screen version of the banned TV play Scum (1979) to play Hunt, the borstal warder checking in Ray Winstone’s young offender in a manner that suggests the staff are as unpleasant as the inmates. “You have heard of us, Carlin, aye?” he asks as his colleague roughs up the teenager, who has assaulted an officer at a previous institution.

In a similar vein, Moriarty played one of the prison warders giving a beating to Jimmy Boyle in A Sense of Freedom (1981), based on the Glaswegian gangland murderer’s autobiography.

He became a regular on television and was clearly cast to type when he was credited as “Evil Jim Dalton” in a 1990 episode of The Paradise Club. Later, he brought menace to the Sci-Fi Channel series Dune (2000) and its sequel, Children of Dune (2003), as Gurney Halleck, a character distinctive for a whip wound on his jawline. The producers saw that the scar, combined with the actor’s damaged eye, made his face incredibly expressive, angry and sad at the same time.

Moriarty’s later films included Evil Never Dies (2014) and Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins (2021).

In 1961, Moriarty married Margaret Newman. She, their son, Mark, and daughter, Kathleen, survive him. Another son, Neil, died at three days old.

🔔PH (Paul Hugh) Moriarty, actor, born 23 September 1938; died 2 February 2025

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[tenaciouschronicler]

January 7 & 14 2025 2010

Took a break to recharge but todays the big update so lets see what happened!

Last week Jade played leapfrog with the power of her bass guitar to make her way to the frog statue while Dave finally connected with Rose to get the game running.

SOO much happened in this soundpage my GOD was it worth a week wait!!!!! My notes are a bit all over the place but lets sort some important stuff.

First the loading screen shows the house logo on fire which is very fitting for the current situation. The music, Suburban Jungle, starts of very fast paced really adding to the urgency of the situation. Then Dave and Rose seem to be waiting for the game to load, while doing so the spirograph does this really cool shifting to the music's beat acting more like an audio visualizer. Smaller screens are interspersed to orient us with what is happening side by side with Jade entering the statue and John creating the Wrinklefucker.

Part way through loading, we see Jade walking deeper into the statue. On the walls are more heiroglyphs and the floor looks like it has an image of Skaia.

The image decends, likely the jammed elevator AR was dealing with though I didnt notice the image at the time. Jade finds a giant purple lily right as the game finishes loading. Thinking on it its fitting and odd that the PURPLE lily has been counting down this entire time but just happens to align with Rose's Cruxtruder.

We get the SBURB text as meteors start honing in on Roses location. Dave gets straight to business, throwing Roses bed into the fire to make space for the lathe.

I have to laugh, how does it feel Rose?

Dave makes the questionable choice to put the Cruxtruder in the astronomy tower, forcing Rose to go up there. We get a side by side of the Cruxtruder and the lily which is on its own platform counting down from 4 minutes and 26 seconds. In another questionable moment, Dave sets the Alchemieiter on the roof. At least he adds a door and stairs to make quick access.

Dave then grabs Zazzerpan to knock the lid off and tosses him outside, breaking Zazzerpans hand which explains that mystery.

And then lightning fire tornado!?!?!

At 4 minutes 13 seconds (there it is) the cruxtruder starts counting down and once again we get a side by side with the lily to find Jade once again asleep. The lightning fire tornado picks up Zazzerpan as Dave and Rose get the totem created and scanned. Rose then throws Jaspers into the sprite for its first prototyping

The music slows down as we see the Alchemeiter finish creating the crux item, a bottle from a shelf of others. As the rain carries on, Zazzerpans hand flies through the sky as Rose notices through a puddle reflection. Notes played at this point are emphasized through rain droplets hitting the puddle but awash in the fires glow creating some really pretty ripples.

Dave goes to grab the Eldritch Princess as Zazzerpans hand knocks into the bottle and launches it into the river. The music starts building up again as we cut to Nanna using her lazer eyes to copy the note from the original Sassacres into Johns abridged copy.

Suddenly we see Dave being attacked by an insane murder of crows flying into his bedroom. I knew his dumb fix wouldnt work but it also slipped my notice that the window was just wide open this entire time. I mean yeah its hot outside but how did I miss that!! In any case, circumstances right now arent favorable to these kids and entering the game.

Rose seems to have hatched a plan as two more fire tornados appear. Once again the music calms as the piano takes stage and Rose runs off the roof to jump towards the waterfall.

At the same time Nanna releases Sassacres book off the cliff, fading into Roses shilouhette. As Rose reaches the bottle, Sassacres breaks through the clouds giving us our first glimps at the planet below.

Everything is navy blue with some brighter blue glowing bits throughout while a river flows through into the distance.

At the last moment, a tentacle reaches for Rose stopping her from falling into the waters below.

The second protyping is successful.

The music picks up again with a steady beat as the cruxtruder and lily show 20 seconds left. The lily starts blooming open and the small white spirograph appears from inside. Quick cuts between the lily, Jade, the meteor, Dave, the sprite, Rose all add to the tension as we reach 10 seconds.

Here we cut to the past where WV shot out of the crater and we see the original shape of the base, a bottle buried under the sand.

Three seconds to impact Rose breaks the bottle and the flash continues on. The spirograph deposits Daves copies of the game and disappears. How?? is a great question I have no answers for right now.

We switch to John who is making his ascent up the building, absolutely demolishing the imps in his path and utilizing the items he created. On the way he gets personal with an imp wearing his dads hat, using fists rather than the hammer. His final swing launches the imps off the roof and himself into the gate sending him who knows where.

We zoom out, first seeing Johns house, then the top of the planet where we can now see further below to the blue glow.

And finally the planet as a whole

End of Act Three.

This last bit is just what I wrote rapid fire on my first watch of the animation.

logo on fire fitting

neat spirograph to the beat

jade inside

dave making sbahj

giant lily

meteor imminent

dave sucks at placement

no! wizard

fire tornado!

(so much happened here i didnt keep up)

nana writing with lazers

crow attack

rose tf?

oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh (dots were connecting here)

bro what? daves disks?

john is going ham

[4d63ae]

Stickle Bricks

Denys Fisher (1918 – 2002) was an English engineer and toy inventor. Fisher's early years were spent living in a railway carriage in a field. During an illness he read Lamb’s Infinitesimal Calculus which sparked a lifelong fascination with logic and maths. He dropped out of college to join the family firm, Kingfisher (Lubrication) Ltd. In 1960 he left the firm to set up his own company, Denys Fisher Engineering, in Leeds, UK. In 1961 the company won a contract with NATO to supply springs and precision components for its 20 mm cannon. With the money from the NATO contract, Fisher was able to dedicate time to what was to become the Spirograph. Between 1962 and 1964 he developed various drawing machines from Meccano pieces, eventually producing a prototype Spirograph. Patented in 16 countries, it went on sale in Schofields department store in Leeds in 1965. A year later, Fisher licensed Spirograph to Kenner Products in the United States. Denys Fisher Toys, which also invented and produced Stickle Bricks amongst other toys and board games, was sold to Palitoy in 1970 and it was subsequently bought by Hasbro.

[tuxpaint]

Tux Paint 0.9.32 is available!

A number of new tools have been added! Download it today for Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, or Haiku!

⦬ 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective

Three pairs of new tools provide ways to easily sketch drawings in Tux Paint using 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective, as well as adjusting the different perspectives' vanishing points. The drawing tools are similar to the Line tool, except only certain angles are possible, based on the position of the line relative to the vanishing points. For example, in 1- and 2-point perspective, lines may be drawn vertically and horizontally, but diagonally they must always be angled toward or away from the vanishing point(s).

🧊Isometric, Dimetric, Trimetric, and Oblique

Another new set of tools provide ways to sketch drawings in an isometric projection, plus two other orthographic projections, dimetric and trimetric, as well as oblique. For the latter three, it's possible to adjust various drawing angles that each tool allows.

🟒Epitrochoid and Hypotrochoid

Two new tools have been added that draw "centered trochoid" curves — patterns created when one circle rolls around the inside or outside of another circle. The resulting shapes are similar to those created by devices such as the Spirograph. The radii of both circles, plus the position of the virtual pen relative to the moving circle, may all be adjusted.

Read more in our press release.

[wonderlanddreamer]

Thank you @novashelby, @peakyswritings and @emotionalcadaver for the tags.

tag game: pick stuff from your room and have people vote on which one they want to take home.

I tag @lau219 @futurefamousdeadmusician @darklydeliciousdesires @girlwith-thepearlearring and anyone else who wants to do it.

[veryblushyswitch]

A “Stupid” Slumber Party

Summary: Jeff and Sumo find themselves indulging in some slumber party fun while Clarence is away. However, Sumo may be a bit too ticklish for one certain activity.

Lee: Sumo

Ler: Jeff

Author’s Note: The slumber party episode of Clarence gave me so many fic ideas for Jeff and Sumo! Hope you guys enjoy this little fic! Gotta of course tag @fluffleetoast 💖 @madhippiekisser

With Clarence gone at “that stupid slumber party,” as Sumo liked to call it, Jeff and Sumo were left to entertain themselves. They tried Spirographs, board games, even pretending to be Clarence to try and figure out something to do. But nothing seemed to work. All the two had accomplished were awkward silences and random outbursts. They sat on Jeff’s bed wondering what to do next.

“I bet Clarence is having soooo much fun~” Sumo suddenly commented, adding a little hand gesture which made Jeff crack a smile.

“Yeah! Baking cookies and doing each others nails.” Jeff pretended to look at his newly painted nails. “Having pillow fights.” Jeff softly hit Sumo with a pillow and giggled in a high pitched voice.

This caused Sumo to giggle along with him and soon the two were just laughing. Sumo decided that maybe a pillow fight wasn’t such a bad idea. He grabbed the pillow and whacked Jeff in the side.

Jeff seemed a little surprised at first, staring at Sumo’s smiling face for a sec before grabbing the other pillow and hitting him back. The room was filled with giggles and feathers as the two battled with their fluffy weapons.

“Okahay! Okay! I gihive!” Jeff surrendered when Sumo managed to snag both pillows. They even read some teen magazines that Jeff’s moms used to own when they were younger. And he couldn’t lie; the quizzes and articles were actually pretty interesting and funny. Sumo even finding his eyes glued to the pages.

While reading, Jeff came across a page about manicures and pedicures. He never really had anything against painting his nails despite his comment from earlier. In fact, he’s even had mani/pedi nights with his moms multiple times. He actually found the process quite enjoyable. The fun colors and designs, as well as the intricacy and detail work, gave his brain something to focus on. His moms were impressed with how great Jeff was at not making a mess too.

“Hey, would you wanna try painting our nails.” Jeff stammered, unsure of how Sumo would respond. Sumo seemed a bit weary at first. “Uhh- isn’t that girly stuff?” He set his magazine down.

“Well, I guess girls are usually the ones to do this kind of thing. But it’s actually pretty fun. Plus, you and Clarence painted your nails black that one time.” Sumo smiled at the memory Jeff recalled. “Yeah I remember. I mean, what else is there to do right?” Sumo shrugged.

Jeff internally jumped with joy. It was something he didn’t like others knowing he enjoyed so much. And being able to share something like that with a close friend was special. Jeff went to his mother’s bathroom and grabbed the basket of nail polish and tools. He instructed Sumo to sit on the ground while he started working.

He first started with filling his nails, much to Sumo’s dismay, complaining it felt weird. But soon it was time for the actual nail polish. Sumo picked out a dark green color, saying it reminded him of a swamp his family goes to to catch craw daddies. Jeff cringed at the thought of walking through a gross swamp, but complimented his choice nonetheless.

They chatted and told stories while Jeff carefully painted each individual nail. Being sure to wipe off any that got on Sumo’s skin. Sumo intentionally moved his hand at one point and got a big streak across his hand. To which Jeff scolded him and only made Sumo laugh. He promised not to move again though. And he didn’t. He liked the attention Jeff was giving him. Even better yet, he liked the way it looked when it was done.

“There. All finished.” Jeff twisted the cap back on the nail polish and admired his work with a proud smile. “That color looks really good on you, Sumo.” Jeff complimented.

“Oh, you think so?” Sumo smiled, imitating the way Jeff mimicked people looking at their nails earlier. “How long does it take to dry?”

“I’d say a good ten to fifteen minutes. In the meantime, I could paint your toe nails if you wanted to.” Sumo suddenly got kind of nervous. He’s never painted his toes nails. Let alone have someone else do it. But he was having fun, and Jeff looked like he really wanted to. “I mean, sure. How about… that color.” He pointed to the bright red nail polish sitting at the top of the pile.

“Ooh nice! That’s one of my mom’s favorites. And don’t you dare kick me. If I get nail polish on the carpet I’m dead.” Jeff grabbed the nail polish and shook it to get it ready. Sumo chuckled. “I’ll try not to.” Jeff glared at him. “Okay okay I won’t I promise.”

Sumo took off his socks and set his feet on the pillow Jeff placed down for him. Jeff offered Sumo a teddy bear to hold since sometimes Sumo tends to fidget. Sumo took the bear and held it against his chest.

“Okay, now put these cotton swabs between your toes so they don’t touch while I’m painting them. It helps the person doing the nails not make mistakes.” Jeff handed them to Sumo and waited till he was done.

Sumo sat back against the bed and relaxed. Jeff opened the bright red polish and reached out to hold Sumo’s foot to steady it. Sumo almost jolted at the touch. Why did he have to be so sensitive?! He internally yelled at himself to stay still and not make a sound.

“I wonder if Clarence would ever let me paint his nails. Maybe you can paint mine next, although I think you’d make a mess. No offense Sumo- Hey, you okay?” Jeff noticed Sumo gripping the Teddy Bear and a slight flush of pink along his cheeks. Sumo looked up and got a knot in his throat. If Jeff found out about how ticklish he was he was doomed. Jeff wasn’t the most touchy person in the world, but he’d take advantage of his weakness whenever given the opportunity.

“Y-Yeah I’m fine. The polish is just a little cold.” Sumo lied. His hands slightly loosening their grip on the stuffed animal. Jeff shrugged and commented on how he knows it can be a bit cold at first and that he’ll get used to it. But to Sumo, he couldn’t focus on anything except for the tickly touch of the small brush and Jeff’s fingers holding onto his sole.

Everything in him was telling him to move and run away. But he was stuck. If he moved, he could knock the bottle over or even worse, get some on his feet to which he’d have to scrub off. Which even tickled doing himself from past experience with mud.

The sensations got worse with each toe down the line. He barely managed to not move during the second, but the third ultimately ended up breaking him. Jeff gently moved his hand to hold onto Sumo’s toes and start painting. Sumo squealed and attempted to pull his foot back. His face going down to hide against the teddy bear.

“Sumo, did you just squeal?” Jeff looked up confused. Sumo kept his head down, fear of his face being even more flushed.

“No! Of course not. I just… sneezed- Yeah I sneezed.” Sumo hoped Jeff would believe him. Oh who was he kidding who sneezes like that?!

“That didn’t sound like a sneeze. Do you have a cut or something? The polish can burn if it gets into an open wound so-“ Jeff once again was taken aback by Sumo letting out a high pitched noise when Jeff grabbed his toes and ran his finger along them looking for cuts. It wasn’t till Sumo looked up slightly that he saw the blush and it clicked. A smirk grew on his face. A plan hatching in his mind.

“Bless you.” He said, making it clear to Sumo that he was falling for his lie. At least, that’s what he wanted Sumo to think. “Oh uh, thank you.“ Sumo couldn’t believe Jeff fell for it. He thought he was smarter than that, but he was glad it seemed to work.

“For the last couple nails, I’m gonna need to adjust my hold.” Jeff kept himself from smiling in fear of Sumo catching onto his plan. Jeff turned around and grabbed his ankle into a headlock. Why did he need to use a headlock with painting nails? Sumo’s eyes widened with realization.

“Hey uh, I don’t really think- GAH!” Sumo yelped when he was pulled so he now laying on the ground. Jeff still had his ankle locked in place. His eyes widened when he saw Jeff look back and smirk. “I didn’t know you were ticklish Sumo.” Sumo gulped. Jeff wouldn’t-

“I- I’m not. I don’t know what you’re- hehehehey! Quihihit it!” Sumo started giggling when Jeff wiggled his fingers against his foot. He tried kicking, but Jeff was stronger than he looked.

“Well that didn’t last long.” Jeff commented at the immediate giggles he received. Sumo just squeezed the plushie tighter to his chest while trying even harder to pull at his legs.

“Jeheheff! Stahahahahahap!” But he didn’t. He kept going. Jeff started scratching along the arch of his foot and couldn’t help but chuckled at the high pitched noises it got. Jeff’s fingers were sending tickly electricity up Sumo’s legs with each poke and scribble.

Sumo started whacking Jeff’s back with the teddy bear, so much so that he managed to catch Jeff off guard with a whack to his side causing Jeff to fall over.

Sumo quickly pulled his legs to his chest, the stuffed bear muffling his leftover giggles. Jeff recovered from his small hit and turned around to face his friend. Anyone would agree that it was actually pretty adorable. Sumo, the little gremlin that he is, never really gets flustered like this. Jeff liked this look on him. For once, Jeff was going to be the one making Sumo beg through giggles instead of Clarence and Sumo teaming up to do the same to him. He’s been the victim of too many tickle attacks from that duo.

“Don’t think I’m done with you yet, Sumo. This is for all the times you helped Clarence tickle me!” Jeff was of course being playful as he said this. Bringing his hands up and wiggling his fingers. Sumo tried throwing the bear at Jeff, but only succeeded in losing his only weapon and shield.

“Noho! Jeff this isn’t fahair!” Sumo put his hands up to try and grab at Jeff’s hands. Jeff knew Sumo could get away at any point. He was strong and crazy enough to get out of pretty much any situation he didn’t want to be in. That being said, Jeff knew Sumo was having as much fun as he was. So that’s why he didn’t feel any remorse when he suddenly pounced and started squeezing Sumo’s sides.

“JEHEHEHEHEHEFF! GEHET OHOHOHOFF!” Sumo’s arms slammed down to his sides. His legs kicked lightly and he desperately tried to grab at the offending hands. He couldn’t lie to himself that he wasn’t having fun though. Roughhousing like this was something he loved to do, especially with his close friends.

“No way I’m still getting my revenge. Although I don’t think you mind it all that much.” Jeff teased while moving his hands to Jeff’s stomach. Forming his one hand into a claw while the other squeezed at his lower side.

“GAHAHAD! SHUHUHUT UHUHUP! *snort* NOHOHAHAHAHAHA!” Sumo used one hand to cover his now blushing face as the other tried to block his midriff.

“Oho my gosh what was that?! I didn’t know you snorted when you laughed, Sumo!” Jeff was treating this like an experiment than revenge. Which little spot could make his friend let out a snort or where would make Sumo get lost in giggles?

“AHAHAHAHA! IHIHI *snort* DOHOHN’T!” Sumo tried turning to the side to cover his stomach. That only made Jeff squeeze the new area that faced him and Sumo turn back over. This little game went on for a little bit before Jeff grabbed at Sumo’s hips to keep him still.

“GAHH! JEHEHEFF! NAHAHAT THEHEHERE!” Sumo sacrificed Jeff seeing his flushed face to grab onto his wrists, only holding on and not pulling, however.

“Not here you say? How come? Does it tickle~” Jeff found himself getting lost in the role. He understood why Clarence and Sumo tickled each other all the time and even went after him. It was fun. He continued to squeeze and knead into the newly discovered tickle spot. For Sumo, it was a spot his older brothers abused a lot when he got on their nerves.

Sumo started kicking his legs at Jeff. Even landing a good hit to the others knee. “Hehey watch it!” Jeff exclaimed reaching to squeeze right above Sumo’s kneecap. This caused a shrill squeal to escape from Sumo’s lips. Jeff had to pull his hands away to cover his ears for a moment. Sumo breathed deeply and wrapped his arms around his waist.

“You jeherk! Thahat was soho mehehean!” Sumo spoke through his leftover giggles. His arms rising and falling with his chest. A wide smile and a little pink still spread across his face. Jeff chuckled and sat next to Sumo against the bed.

“Oh please. That was me being nice. Just be glad I didn’t go for your neck.” Jeff punctuated his sentence with a scribble to the back of Sumo’s neck. Sumo immediately whipped around and grabbed Jeff’s hand with both of his.

“Nahat the neheck or you’re aha dead mahan!” Sumo’s expression was one of pure joy. He couldn’t stop the giggles or little butterflies that flapped in his stomach. Jeff appreciated these moments between the two. They could have their differences, but at the end of the day they’re best friends who have fun together.

“Don’t worry I’m done. For now at least.” Jeff helped Sumo sit up. He grabbed the teddy bear and handed it back to Sumo who gladly accepted and hugged it. There was a moment of silence before Sumo spoke up.

“So I guess I’m too ticklish for a pedicure then.” Sumo motioned to the one foot that only had three nails painted. Jeff laughed and grabbed the bottle of nail polish.

“I could always finish. No full on tickles this time I promise. But you don’t have to hold in your laughter now.” Jeff went to sit back in front of Sumo. Sumo nodded and agreed. He did want to know what it looked like finished after all. So Jeff continued to paint Sumo’s toes. A few giggles filling the silence from both parties.

Once he was done and the polish was dry, Sumo admired Jeff’s work. He was impressed. The color actually looked really nice and he loved the way the glitter shimmered in the light. “Dang, Jeff! It looks amazing!” Sumo spun in a circle to further show his appreciation. And maybe because inside he was feeling really beautiful.

“No problem. Like I said, I’ve gotten plenty of practice with my moms. They were never as ticklish as you though.” He gave Sumo a quick poke to his side. Sumo jumped and smacked Jeff’s hand. Before the two knew it, they were dancing to Bro Down and weren’t even worried about what Clarence would do. They didn’t need to. They had each other, and that was enough.

[no-truth-left]

1.032 - Explore the house

Chie rinses off the tuna mac in the sink, turning the conversation over in her head. Something seemed off about it, but she can't pinpoint what, exactly, it is. She pulls down a glass and drinks her fill of water, waiting. It's several minutes before she hears the shower start.

As soon as Chie hears it, she springs from the counter and begins snooping. Well, not snooping, she tells herself, since that's a rude and invasive term. ‘Admiring Jethro's home’ is much better.

Chie glances through the shelves, ignoring the off-ticking clock (It’s really annoying. Tick ti-tick… tock- t-t-ticktick… ti-tock.). The few books are on finance and oceanography. Framed photos sit in the empty spaces. A father and mother with a baby dressed in pink, a father and mother with a toddler and baby in blue. A father with two young children…

Strange, Chie thinks, picking up a photograph of a younger Jethro. She can’t see the adult in the child. If it hadn’t been in his house, she wouldn’t have guessed it was him. His eyes aren’t so widely set apart, his lips are fuller, and he looks genuinely happy.

Chie moves on to drawers and a one-half coffee table, one-half chest thing. The drawers hold old TV magazines, fishing equipment, and a few tools. There are a few pieces of gold jewelry in one drawer, covered by dust and old rags. Chie hesitates, tugging at her hair. She can see herself putting on the rings and the anklet, admiring how the gold glitters in the light. The swirling patterns pull at her and gape-mouthed creatures call her.

Chk- eeeeeee aye!

She reaches for one, her mind blank. It fills suddenly with jewelry and only jewelry. Dazzling gold against her brown skin, how the cold metal will soothe and chill, the swirling people-esque figures dancing and undulating around her, spirographing into-

[Chie is lucky]

“Ouch!”

The bracelet pinches her again, as if she was getting a shot with a large gauge needle. Chie shakes out her wrist, frowning as the bracelet clings tightly to her. The pain doesn’t go away.

“Stupid thing…” she mutters, opening the coffee-table-chest. Or, she tries to anyway. A small lock prevents her. Chie frowns into its keyhole. But where would she find its key? And would it be all right to look in something that Jethro took effort to lock?

[charlesandmartine]

Monday 14th October 2024

Theatre day today at the tiny Drama venue within the Sydney Opera complex, so after 18,000 steps yesterday walking to the Spit, we thought it prudent to take it easy this morning. Necessary as well as prudent because precipitation is definitely in sight, if not far away. Well this is Spring after all. The schools have gone back this morning after their holiday and suburbia, usually quiet anyway, has returned to the hallowed cloisters of the norm. It's true we did get the whiff of a small party/ bbq yesterday but the Aussies don't make a fuss. It's also true, it seems, that instead of making a mess at home, convocations gather on grassy places by the beach; impressive table networks, mass catering equipment and food galore sufficient for the 5,000 mystically appear with no outward concerns for shelter but usually under trees seeking protection from the sun rather than rain as would be the case in the UK. As we crossed Clontarf Beach yesterday there were many such groups each having a very jolly relaxing time, well practised as though a very regular activity was taking place. The local authority amenity BBQs were also being fully exercised.

So this morning it was a book in the modest garden and for some, the Archers on catch-up.

After an early lunchtime egg and ham sandwich we set off on the 173X to the City, first stop Museum of Contemporary Art on Circular Quay.

I have to say that I must be a lapsed Modern Art appreciator. The first exhibition we innocently submitted to was by a 74 year old Contemporary Australian artist, Julie Rrap who possibly for the security or anonymity it offered reversed her given name of Parr. Julie's work expresses her interest in images of the body, especially the female body, mainly as far as I could tell, hers. The big screen showed herself sitting naked on a very big sheet of white paper holding a camera in one hand and a big stick of charcoal in the other. The aim of the game was to rotate and draw around various parts, hands, feet, legs and the stunning result was a very large scribble in a sort of spirographic form. Well that was good wasn't it! On the way into the area was a little sign which said there was adult content and the establishment would not stand for any lude or provocative behaviour. Moving on we came across a sort of patio made up of small tiles which you were invited to trespass upon. All the while there is a kind of drilling noise, regular but in pulses. Somewhat perplexed about the image I was to take away, I enquired of the attendant what the meaning was of the noise. I agree she said, it's SO annoying, it's been going on all day. They are doing some work in the next room. Oh I said, it's nothing to do with the artwork then? No, she said with inflection, and looked at me like I was an idiot.

We would have left there and then but it was raining so we wandered around some other idiotic displays.

Contemporary Art and me are on different planets.

Then it was to an early dinner before the show. We dashed through the rain to a very nearly closed food hall between the IBM office and Woolworths. Saving an Indian meal or two from a night in the bin, we secured two Rogan Josh and Chicken Tikka plates with nan bread, which was filling if nothing else. Sadly, due to the viscosity of the sauce and my careless eating habits, I ended up sharing memories of the meal encoded within the fabric of my shorts with my fellow theatre goers at the Sydney Opera House!

The billing for Julia said this 'In 2012, Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, gave a speech that sent shockwaves around the world'. Justine Clarke plays Julia Gillard in a powerful monologue representation of her premiership but starting her story from her early beginnings in Barry, South Wales. The influences of her mining roots, the stories of the 1960 disaster at Six Bells colliery, the 1966 tragic loss at Aberfan shaped her thinking for justice. Moving to Adelaide in 1966 as £10 poms, she determined to study law. The play builds us to the speech on 9th October 2012 when in parliament and as PM she has to both condemn the actions of the Speaker of the House, Peter Slipper, for making sexist, misogynistic comments in a text message, whilst ensuring that her position remained firm in a minority government. She was being attacked by the the leader of the opposition party in a no confidence motion by, Tony Abbott. The speech that sent shockwaves around the world turned the tables on Abbott, pointing the finger at multiple examples of hypocrisy, sexism and misogyny by Abbott himself! Brilliant play, brilliant performance by Justine and incredibly interesting subject even to someone from the Motherland. As she donned the red wig and slipped into the power jacket, Justine became Julia and boomed out the acclaimed speech. She took a standing ovation from all corners of the stalls.

Ferry back to Manly, then with 30 minutes to spare we thought how nice it would be to finish a great day out with a small beer in the Bavarian. Quarter past nine it was, sorry we are now closed they said, it's Monday! Wow, you Australians sure know how to party! Same for all the other pubs in town!

ps. Mince pies seen in Coles!

[kathryntheawesome]

Some little doodles made with a spirograph set, colored pens, and watercolor.