#the title is inspired by an old art piece by jude <3

[zukkaoru]

“How did you figure out that you weren’t a boy? Or a girl?” Megumi opens their mouth, then snaps it shut again. They shake their head slightly. “It felt right. There wasn’t really anything else to it.” “Really?” Maki questions. “You just…woke up one day and decided you weren’t a boy anymore?” “Pretty much.” Is that really all there is to it? Maki can just…declare that she isn’t a girl? Will other people even listen? She knows her family would laugh in her face, which is why she figured she’d have to draw up some defense for herself. Maybe write a paper detailing her life experiences and why she thinks there’s a possible chance she may not entirely identify with being female. “And everyone’s okay with it?” “No,” Megumi admits. “But the people I care about are, and that’s what matters.”

five times megumi transed someone else's gender + the one time someone transed theirs

15.3k words || megumi & others written for @jjkgenweek day 7: free day

[enchantedamusedslightlyconfused]

73 questions.

I was tagged by @wescoasts @machine-gun-casie (BABES)

Almost all my friends have been tagged and I don't wanna be that asshole so ill try not to be. I tag @awkwardrocker @backoftheroomandnotbelonging @trixiehoe @she-who-is-timey-wimey

On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about life right now?

Well it’s finals week so about -864. After that I have two weeks of legitimate nothing where I will bake my heart out so we’ll see

Describe yourself in a hashtag?

#yikes #ughshesinherfeelsagain 

If you could do a love scene with anyone, who would it be?

Milo Ventimiglia, Kells, Rook.....being a music video love interest is only my life’s pipe dream 

If your life was a musical, what would the marquee say?

And that’s on daddy issues and no supervision...

What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

I used to model like went to modeling school and got paid for it type shit

What’s your wakeup ritual?

get woken up by my dog tired of hearing my alarm, walk said opinionated quadruped, feed quadruped, get dressed, COFFEE, then take life as it comes

What’s your go to bed ritual?

melatonin gummies (gotta make anxiety fun), skincare when executive dysfunction will allow, brush teeth, fight dog for my spot in bed (moving a 90lb animal is no joke), turn on my sleep playlist or use my ambient noise app, stare at ceiling

What’s your favorite time of day?

witching hour followed by golden hour

Your go to for having a good laugh?

lately tiktok and Kellyvisions, previously vine compilations or Netflix specials

Dream country to visit?

Ireland. I NEED to go to the motherland. My families castle is still standing and I get in for free. its on my bucket list FOR SURE. 

What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had?

getting into nursing school and chiropractic school. I’m a loser and I’ve never had a surprise party. I’d melt in puddle of love tbh

Heels or flats/sneakers?

Flats 98% of the time. Heels are reserved for business casual necessity, Halloween, or if I’m feeling myself 

Vintage or new?

both, depends on the item

Who do you want to write your obituary?

Amy-Sherman Palladino 

Style icon?

lmao a what? on the real though catch me fucking with those eco-friendly kitchen witch vibes. All the dainty jewelry, linens and converse/docks fam

What are three things you can’t live without?

my dog, my family (found and blood), healing people however I can (medicine ruined me for any other career and its sucks you guys)

What’s one ingredient you put in everything?

tbh salt, I question a recipes validity if salt isn't involved 

What 3 people living or dead would you like to make dinner for?

Kells and the band (I'd be too nervous for a one on one), a dinner party with my MGK fam, Elvis

What’s your biggest fear in life?

Failure, not accomplishing anything 

Window or aisle seat?

window all day everyday, on the wing preferably cause I like to feel the landing gear #pilotsgranddaughter 

What’s your current TV obsession?

Roadies forever, pry that series from my cold dead hands (also Gilmore Girls and Criminal Minds)

Favorite app?

tie between Tumblr and Pinterest (im an aesthetic slut)

Secret talent?

I am bomb at disney princess songs, the girls I babysit for treat me like a jukebox at bedtime, cutest thing ever

Most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

delivered a baby has hands down been the coolest thing I’ve ever done

How would you define yourself in three words?

I fucking hate this question. always have. empathetic, resilient, intuitive 

Favourite piece of clothing you own?

overall: my senior prom dress. its emerald green, backless, with a slit to upper thigh chefs kiss 

everyday wear: Colorado sweatshirt

Must have clothing item everyone should have?

I second Jude: over sized hoodies

Superpower you would want?

nonspecific healing powers so they aren't limited to physical ailments

What’s inspiring you in life right now?

Colson

Best piece of advice you’ve received?

HA. probably that the body remembers more about trauma than the mind and your seemingly irrational physical reactions to things are your brain’s attempt to protect you

Best advice you’d give your teenage self?

his mistake does not define your worth. I went for a variant of these boys aint shit don't judge me cause she needs to hear it

A book that everyone should read?

Harry Potter series (yes the whole thing), Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Giver by Lois Lowry 

What would you like to be remembered for?

empathy, the way I made people feel

How do you define beauty?

FOR THE LAST TIME ITS SUBJECTIVE, things that give you peace, it could be a song, a person, a sunset, a scone, a leaf. If it makes you stop a second and exhale then its beautiful to you

What do you love most about your body?

holy trigger question Batman...my eyes, my hair color, texture, and its ability to grow

Best way to take a rest/decompress?

drive with the windows down and blast music while singing at the top of my lungs

Favorite place to view art?

unexpected places, like street corners, carnivals, just somewhere it takes you off guard and makes you stop and pay attention

If your life were a song, what would the title be?

it’d be one of those crazy long 2000s fall out boy titles for sure, subject matter yet to be determined 

If you could master one instrument, what would it be?

violin hands down, it hits me different

If you had a tattoo, where would it be?

I have a bunch planned, plane on my right shoulder, Kells related between 3rd and 4th ribs (maybe lower in case I ever need a chest tube), watercolor portrait of my dog at some point location TBD

Dolphins or koalas?

dolphins are stoners and they're super smart, but koalas cause they’re grumpy af and honestly same

What’s your spirit animal?

again Jude and I are vibin: I've been identifying with a phoenix as of late. according to pottermore im a greyhound though (yes a patrons is a wizarding spirit animal. fight me)

Best gift you’ve ever received?

seven year old me was stoked to get a functional microscope and metal detector, I was in my egyptology/archeology phase, I still have them lmao

Best gift you’ve ever given?

oh hell idk...I made my cousin cry once cause I made cupcakes for her birthday party, they were cherry limeade flavored and had little straws and everything. that was pretty cool, granted she was seven. I also made my teacher cry cause I made sea salt caramel chocolate cupcakes for her going away party. I guess my baking brings people to tears

What’s your favourite board game?

candy land, battleship, cards against humanity even though there isn't a board

What’s your favourite colour?

forest green atm

Least favourite colour?

bright yellow/orange, its offensive to my general The Dirt Mick Mars disposition

Diamonds or pearls?

pearls (actually opals though)

Drugstore makeup or designer?

not picky provided they are evironmentally friendly. I really like Besame Cosmetics though

Blow-dry or air-dry?

air-dry, I don't have the patience for blow drying

Pilates or yoga?

yoga

Coffee or tea?

COFFEE, im still learning to like tea

What’s the weirdest word in the English language?

holy shit how much time do we have, my favorite weird word to say is fistula or omphalocele (they're medical conditions, don't goole it unless you have a strong stomach) 

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

dark chocolate

Stairs or elevator?

stairs 

Summer or winter?

neither FALL BITCHES   winter if I had to pick cause I love Christmas 

You are stuck on an island, you can pick one food to eat forever without getting tired of it, what would you eat?

burgers

A desert you don’t like?

red velvet cake....just why is it a thing that exists 

A skill you’re working on mastering?

baking scones or shit that’s flaky in general 

Best thing to happen to you today?

being tagged to do this twice, I felt special for a hot second (thanks babes)

Best compliment you’ve ever received?

that I would make a good doctor (I handled a scary pt situation like a champ, they didn't know I threw up after I made sure my pt didn't die. puking in a foreign country on the download is a skill in and of itself)

Favorite smell?

bergamot, baking bread, baking spice cakes at Christmas

Hugs or kisses?

HUGS CAN SAVE THE WORLD

If you made a documentary, what would it be about?

gifted kid fall off

Last piece of content you consumed that made you cry?

In These Walls - Machine Gun Kelly

Casual Sabotage - Yungblud

genius assholes...

Lipstick or lip gloss?

lipstick for special occasions but actually tinted chapstick or lip stains 

Sweet or savoury?

savory to eat sweet to make for someone else

Girl crush?

Brittney Furlan Lee, Alexis Bledel, Lauren Graham 

How you know you’re in love?

you look at them and just say yep. them. usually while they're doing something stupid 

Song you can listen to on repeat?

imma out myself but Swing Life Away - Machine Gun Kelly

If you could switch lives with someone for a day who would it be?

the grass is not greener ya’ll. id rather go back and relive days 

What are you most excited about at this time in your life?

hopefully passing my first trimester of chiropractic school. fingers crossed pls

[shelleyseale]

It’s known as the happiest place on earth: Disney World. Though that might be a debatable claim depending on who you ask, there is definitely something about the group of six theme parks under the Disney umbrella in Florida, that you want to be able to take your kids to experience. I took my daughter to Disneyland Paris when she was 10, and now that she has a 6-year-old son of her own, we wanted to take him to Disney World in Orlando to experience that magic as a family on our summer vacation this year.

Disney and the Magic Kingdom

We decided to Uber to the park from our condo resort about 5 miles away. If you’re not staying at a Disney resort (which would be really fun and easier), or farther away from the parks, I feel like this is an easier option than the cost and hassle of parking there. Once we arrived and got our two-day Park Hopper tickets, we took the monorail to the first place we wanted to experience: Magic Kingdom.

While the other 5 parks include Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and two water parks, Magic Kingdom is the original and in some ways, most magical of the parks in my opinion. There’s just something classic and timeless about it. Upon arrival, it’s clear how many huge fans Disney has: so many little girls dressed up like their favorite princess, lots of people in Disney t-shirts or other gear, and plenty of adults as well dressed up like their favorite characters. In fact, this started well before we even got to the park; at the airport leaving Austin, Texas, we saw numerous families already dressed in their Disney regalia. It’s almost like a cult, the serious followers this place has. A happy cult, though.

The Disney App and FastPass

My daughter and I had downloaded the Disney app, which is a very useful tool to have. We immediately linked our tickets to the app, and set about making FastPass reservations on several rides. In case you aren’t familiar with how FastPass works, it’s free and included with every ticket. It allows each ticket holder to make 3 reservations per day for a window of time to arrive at a ride or attraction and join the FastPass line, which is usually 10 to 20 minutes or so, versus the 30 minutes to an hour or even two hours that some attractions can queue up to. The idea behind this is to allow everyone to have at least a few rides, shows or character greetings that they can skip the long lines for. Make these first thing, as the reservation slots fill up fast. It’s even better if you can buy your tickets ahead of time and make the FastPass reservations in advance, up to 30 days ahead. And once you’ve used all 3 of your reservations for the day, you can go in and make more reservations using FastPass, if time slots are available.

New & Favorite Attractions

Some of the newest Disney World attractions include Toy Story Land, which just opened at Hollywood Studios in June 2018. My daughter really loved the Avatar World at Animal Kingdom, and we all are partial to some of the time-honored classics such as It’s A Small World. I also heard from one of the ferry boat captains that Epcot is building a new indoor roller coaster, which will be the largest one in the United States when it’s completed in 2020. Cool, since Space Mountain is currently my favorite ride! We ended the day by riding it with our FastPass, just before the nightly light and fireworks show extravaganza.

Closing Show: Happily Ever After

We were on our vacation in July, which meant two things: it was hot, and it was crowded. That said, we had a great time, but there were definitely periods where I had to remember what was so magical about the Magic Kingdom. Any annoyances or hassles, however, were completely forgotten with the grand finale that happens every night. The spectacular fireworks show, accompanied by a truly amazing laser light show on Cinderella’s castle, was really a work of art. That show alone was worth coming for, and suddenly I got it: why people keep coming back here and fall in love with Disney. It really is a beautiful, perfect end to the day.

https://tradingplacesglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/VID_20180726_212152856.mp4

  Daily Admission to Walt Disney World Resorts varies by theme park and number of days, but range from $44-122.

NASA Kennedy Space Center

A few days later, we headed to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, for a whole different family fun experience. Florida’s “Gateway to Space” is where rockets launch and inspiration begins. My entire life, I have wanted to be at Cape Canaveral when a space shuttle was launched — I always watched them live on TV, and thought it would be one of the coolest things to be at the launch itself, on the ground right there. I think that space exploration is one of those things that we never grow out of a fascination for, as we leave childhood for adulthood.

Living in Texas, I’ve been to the NASA Johnson Space Center outside Houston many times; and even though the space shuttle program has not been active in recent years as it once was, I jumped at the chance to visit the Kennedy Space Center on my trip to the Orlando area. Walking up to the gates, with the rockets all in a row just behind a waterfall wall with the famous John F. Kennedy quote, gave me a thrill just like when I would sit in front of the television watching the space shuttles.

My partner, Keith, had been to the Kennedy Space Center many years before, and was blown away by how much it had developed and how many cool, interactive, high-tech new experiences and exhibits had opened. We started with the bus tour that’s included with each ticket — because the complex is so massive (42 acres), this is the way to get out and see the launch pads, huge hangar where they build the shuttles and rockets (it’s the second largest indoor building on earth), and hear a lot of great information about the complex and program.

“For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond…” ~John F. Kennedy

The bus tour ends at the the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which is an incredible place to explore. Visitors begin in a room where a video about space exploration history is shown, and then you can explore the center, where you can stand in amazement under the gigantic Saturn V, the largest rocket ever flown! You’re also able to discover historic moments with Apollo 8 and the Firing Room, in the Lunar Theater, and view legendary artifacts in the Apollo Treasures Gallery — including the space suit worn by Alan Shepard on the moon, still with moondust on it; and even touch a piece of a three billion year old moon rock!

The other exhibit building that we really loved was the Mission Zone, which is highly interactive for everyone — especially kids. Six-year-old Jude really loved this building, with so much to do and explore in a hands-on way. Here you’ll also find the virtual Space Shuttle simulator, which puts you inside with all the same sounds, motion and feeling as if you were actually taking off in the space shuttle. We ended our day with this, and all of us loved it!

And even though shuttles to the moon and other space shuttle programs may have eased off in recent years, I was excited to learn that the Mission to Mars is very much in full swing, alive and well with a plan to launch the first shuttle in 2020. Lots of exciting stuff is happening — and they still do rocket launches regularly at Cape Canaveral; you can check the calendar to see when they will happen, along with other regular events such as astronaut talks, etc.

There was so much to do and see; we spent more than six hours here, and still never made it to some places like the Heroes & Legends exhibit, which I really wanted to see. You could easily spend a really full day here, or come back for two days.

Daily Admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is $41-57 includes the KSC Bus Tour along with Apollo/Saturn V Center, Space Shuttle Atlantis®, and the Universe Theater featuring three shows daily: Astronaut Encounter, Mission Status Briefings and Eyes on the Universe: NASA’s Space Telescopes. All other exhibits and attractions are also included: Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, Shuttle Launch Experience®, 3D space films in the IMAX® Theater, Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted, the Rocket Garden, the Space Mirror Memorial and Children’s Play Dome. Admission tickets are valid for one day.

Orlando Family Fun at Disney World and Kennedy Space Center It's known as the happiest place on earth: Disney World. Though that might be a debatable claim depending on who you ask, there is definitely something about the group of six theme parks under the…

[willandandy]

Top 10 Love Songs by Will

Hello my name is Will Stubbs and I love music. My cohost and I are here together because of our shared love of the art form. I feel that music is the best medium for creativity, and the best standard of communication on earth. People can explore new ideas and emotions with the help of music. I am here to talk about music that interests me and maybe start a great conversation. Thanks for reading and remember to love music forever.

             Today I write a list of top 10 love songs. I know it’s a tacky and silly idea. But for me, I want people to know what songs give me butterflies in my stomach. Or tear me up inside in the specific way a relationship can. I’ve never really been in love, but these songs describe the best iterations of what I feel that is. Now these may not be the best songs about love, and I concede that some of these may not be intended to be happy either. They definitely describe something about love or a relationship. Let’s get started.

 1.    Big Star – I’m in love with a girl:

Now I know that this song is really simplistic, almost to the point that it’s tacky. That’s kind of why I like it. I don’t think this band gets enough credit in the grand scheme of things. They were masters of simple catchy music. Their lyrics may not have been that deep or puzzling. This song is just beautiful. It’s soft and well sung. You don’t always have to make the most complex music to evoke a lot of meaning. Sometimes love is simple and that is why this song was on my list.

2.      Bloc Party – This Modern Love:

This song is my 2nd favorite song of all time, so it seems intentionally obvious that this song makes it on this list. I love everything about this song. The way that Kele sings is fantastic. The opening riff is catchy and makes me reminisce of romanticism. The lyrics are so awkward and confusing. They say a lot about how humans communicate now. Interaction is now perceivable awkward and clumsy. The rhythm section is very noticeable, and in a good way. Just good indie music from a great album. I love the closing few lines “Do you wanna come over and kill some time?

Throw your arms around me.” Great love song for my list.

 3.      Radiohead – True Love Waits:

I simply love this song (no pun intended). This song is another obvious choice for me. Thom Yorke may not have the best voice in the world, but he makes up for it in the way he sings. He emotes with such passion and devotion in this song it’s astounding. He is very desperate to keep this girl from leaving him. I empathize with the way he feels and I wish to feel the way he feels so I can truly know what love is. The lyrics are sort of strange, but weirdly fit the band and song itself so well that it makes perfect sense

4.    The Cure – Just Like Heaven:

This was actually a tough choice for this band seeing as they have so many love songs. This one had to make it on my list. It’s a really catchy and bubbly song. The lyrics are very deep and meaningful. If there was one song I wish I wrote, it would be this, or even any song by the cure. Robert smith has a way of showing his emotions like no other person. I love this song, by one of my favorite bands none the less. I know I could have easily put Lovesong or Friday I’m in love. I had to do this song, simply for the lines “Why are you so far away she said

Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you?”.

5.    D’Angelo and the vanguard – Really Love:

This song is a unique one on this list. The lyrics are perfectly fine, but the music behind it says a lot more in my opinion. The flamenco guitar is played precisely, and it makes the song sort of sexy. The string section remind me of an Old Italian love film. It’s very dramatic and has a lot of emphasis. D’Angelo comes in and his voice is so smooth and soft, it like an instrument itself. The whole dynamic of this song is very undisturbed and beautiful. There are a multitude of instruments played in this song at perfect times that it adds a lot to the piece as a whole. It has an enormous amount of depth and it definitely deserves a spot.

6.    The Beatles – Hey Jude:

This band contrasts Big Star in many ways. They are the masters of making a simple song on the surface. When you dive deep into their catalog, their songs are much more than they appear. The emotions typically overwhelm you in such a way that you don’t know what to feel anymore. This song may be an obvious choice, but I almost find that strange. The reason Paul wrote this was to comfort John Lennon’s son when he and his ex-wife went through their divorce. But still I listen to it and it almost gives me a confidence. As if he is telling me not to worry. That if what I’m about to do is meant to work, it will. You have to open up your heart and try. Hey Jude is very full of life and inspires me to love.

 7.      The Smiths – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out:

I never fully appreciated The Smiths until I was older. This song has always stuck with me though. It’s a great expression of myself in a lot of ways. The song is sort of about an introvert who finds comfort in another person in such an unedifying emotion that it’s overwhelming. Morrissey is willing to die and give up everything in that perfect moment. I have had that many times and I always truly appreciate them. As far as relatable, this song is the closest on my list.

 8.    Father John Misty – Real Love Baby:

This song is really cheesy and campy, although it is in a self-aware sort of way that Josh can pull off. This song seems like the closing credit music for an 80’s teen romantic comedy. Josh has done this before such as the song I Love You, Honeybear. The title alone should give it away. Unlike that song, or even that whole album, this seems overly stylized, but not as much of a joke. Josh seems to have made this because he didn’t care about being cliché. He just wanted to make a love song and I can really appreciate that sentiment. I think it’s really catchy and that’s why it made the list.

 9.      Death Cab for Cutie – I will follow you into the dark:

I know another super obvious song, but its Valentine’s Day. I think this song deserves a listen, but the lyrics are particular. I think it’s not just a love song. The lyrics seem to be about a man who was damaged emotionally, so relationships are tough for him. So when he finds the one he loves, he sort of lets go of himself. The way that Ben Gibbard sings almost reminds me of a child reading a poem out loud. He sounds the words out so phonetically correct and clear. His voice itself sounds shy. It’s as if he is holding back emotionally, but it fits the dynamic of the song.

 10.  The Cranberries – Linger:

This song is sort of the antithesis of the list, but not necessarily. The song seems to be about being in love with someone who doesn’t love you back and there is nothing you can do about it. The idea is emotionally exhausting to think about. I can imagine the frustration and hopelessness to have someone that you care about in a specific way but can’t express it. The song is sort of hauntingly beautiful. Dolores’s voice is so soft and beautiful. I like this song as well, because it contrasts to their usual alt-rock/post-punk stuff. This song is really nostalgic for me and will always be one of my favorites.