#what qualities any of them for this. good question. Vibes. Projection.

[rambunctioustoons]

come to realize I can't write characters, unless I mentally seperate them into one of three categories.

cat. dog. bird.

[vaadazen-codes]

How To Get Started Making Visual Novels

Wanna make a visual novel? Or maybe you've seen games like Our Life, Blooming Panic, Doki Doki Literature Club, etc. and wanna make something like that? Good news, here's a very basic beginners guide on how to get started in renpy and what you need to know going in! Before you start, I highly recommend looking at my last post about writing a script for renpy just to make it easier on you!

LONG POST AHEAD

Obviously, our first step is downloading it from their website

thankfully, its right on the home page of their site. Follow basica program installation steps and run the program. I highly recommend pinning it to your task bar to make it easier to access.

From there, you're met with the renpy app, it's a little daunting at first but let's talk about what all these buttons are for.

Projects

This part is simple, it just lists the current projects in the chosen directory. You probably won't have any in there of your own. You should still see Tutorial and The Question!

Both of those default projects are super helpful in their own ways, i highly recommend testing out the tutorial and playing around with it just to get comfortable with some of the basics.

Create New Project

The first step to actually making your game into a game!

You'll be met with a prompt letting you know that the project is being made in English and that you can change it. You can click Continue.

From here, you'll be asked to input a project name! Put in your games title, or even a placeholder title since this Information can be changed later! (this is also the title the folder will be in your file browser, be sure to name it something you won't overlook)

Now we get to choose our resolution!

If you have no idea what to choose, go for 1920x1080! This is the standard size for most computer monitors and laptops, but it will still display with moderately decent quality on 4k monitors too!

You can choose 3840x2160 as well. This is 2x the measurements of the default, with the same ration. These dimensions are considered 4k. Keep in mind, your image files will be bigger and can cause the game to have a larger size to download.

Now we get to choose our color scheme!

Renpy has some simple default options with the 'light mode' colors being the bottom two rows, and the 'dark mode' colors being the toop two rows.

You can pick anything here, but I like to choose something that matches my projects vibes/colors better. Mostly because depending on how in depth you go with the ui, it minimizes the amount of changes I need to make later.

Click continue and give it a minute. Note: If it says "not responding" wait a moment without clicking anything. It can sometimes freeze briefly during the process.

Now we should be back at our home screen, with our new project showing. Let's talk about allll that stuff on the right now.

Open Directory

This just opens that particular folder in your local file explorer!

game - is all the game files, so your folders for images, audio, saves, and your game files like your script, screens, and more.

base - this is the folder that the game folder is inside of. You can also find the errors and log txt files in here.

images - takes you to your main images folder. This is where you wanna put all of your NON gui images, like your sprites, backgrounds, and CGs. You can create folders inside of this and still call them in the script later. EX: a folder for backgrounds , a folder for sprites for character a, a seperate folder for spirtes for character b, etc.

audio - Takes you to the default audio folder. This is empty, but you can put all your music and sound effects here!

gui - brings up the folder containing all of the default renpy gui. It's a good place to start/ reference for sizes if you want to hand draw your UI pieces like your text box!

Edit File

Simple enough, this is just where you can open your code files in whatever text/code editor you have installed.

Script.rpy - where all of your story and characters live. This is the file you'll spend most of your time in at first

Options.rpy - Contains mostly simple information, like project name and version. There aren't a ton of things in here you need to look at. There is also some lines of code that help 'archive' certain files by file type so that they can't be seen by players digging in code however. Fun if you want to hide some images in there for later or if you just dont want someone seeing how messy your files are. We've all been there

Gui.rpy - where all of the easy customization happens. Here you can change font colors, hover colors, fonts, font sizes, and then the alignment and placement of all of your text! Like your dialogue and names, the height of text buttons, etc. It more or less sets the defaults for a lot of these unless you choose to change them later.

Screens.rpy - undeniably my favorite, this is where all of the UI is laid out for the different screens in your game, like the main menu, game menu, quick menu, choice menu, etc. You can add custom screens too if you want, but I always make my own seperate file for these.

Open Project - this just opens all of those files at once in the code editor. Super handy if you make extra files like I do for certain things.

Actions

last but not least, our actions.

Navigate Script - This feature is underrated in my honest opinion, it's super handy for help debugging! In renpy you can comment with # before a line. However, if you do #TODO and type something after it, it saves it as a note! You can view these TODO's here as well as easily navigate to when certain screens are called, where different labels are (super great if your game is long, and more. It saves some scrolling.

Check Script (Lint) - also super duper handy for debugging some basic things. It also tells you your word count! But its handy for letting you know about some errors that might throw up. I like using it to look for sprites I may or may not have mispelled, because they show up in there too.

Change/Update GUI - Nifty, though once you start customizing GUI on your own, it isn't as useful. You can reset the project at any point and regenerate the image files here. This updates all those defaults we talked about earlier.

Delete Persistent - this just helps you delete any persistent data between play throughs on your end. I like to use it when making a lot of changes while testing the game, so that I can reboot the game fresh.

Force Recompile - Full disclosure, as many games as I've made and as long as I've been using Renpy, i have never used this feature. I searched to see what it does and this is the general consesus: Normally renpy tries to be smart about compiling code (creating .rpyc files) and only compiles .rpy files with changes. This is to speed up the process since compiling takes time. Sometimes you can make changes that renpy don't pick up on and therefore won't recompile. In these cases you can run force recompile to force it. Another solution (if you know what file is affected) is to delete that specific. rpyc file.

The rest of your options on this right hand side are how you make executable builds for your game that people can download to extract and play later!

Sorry gang! that was a whole lot of text obviously the last button "Launch Project" launches an uncompiled version of the project for you to play and test as you go! Hang in tight because my next post is about how to utilize github for renpy, so you can collaborate easier!

[alikwrites]

vox pops part two:

-bea in the description says she’s been feeling “grossly nostalgic lately” 🥺 aw girly. it’s gonna be okay dude i promise

-the thing about an immature slap fight is that it is very good cover for Touching and Flirting

-“i think they love each other really” you know, hero was possibly the only person in nmtd who really truly genuinely saw beadick coming. (the rest of team love gods seemed to mostly be kidding around.) which is so deliciously tragic because the attack on hero is what ends up bringing ben and bea together

-i’ve always wondered this: in vox pops 1, beatrice pulls ursula in front of the camera because “that last question was too cruel” or some such, is the last question she’s referring to the “do you play any instruments” one since bea says she’s the least musical person ever? or the “what do you look for in a partner” one? (also bea is far from the least musical person ever and actually sings really well, as we see in nmtd. the differences between the things she is and isn’t insecure about are so interesting)

-so i mean. the instruments question is basically just for balthazar

-pedro would be such a difficult crush for a shy introvert to have lol. why is he asking balth to rap, he has to know he will not

-claudio’s self-appointed worst fear being something extremely generic and reasonable. hmmm feels like a cover for something…….

-ursula is so dry, she’s funny. wish we’d gotten more of her

-recentlyish reblogged a gifset that juxtaposed bea’s “no… wait…” and ben’s “yes i have and i won obviously” (in response to the fight question) against their little slap fight from the beginning of the video. sharp eyes!

-if you subscribe to the ursula and balth are close friends theory, then the presence of the “what qualities do you look for in a partner” question is hilarious. get em urs

-in response, pedro rubs his neck and looks uncomfortable. balth says “someone who likes good music or also someone who doesn’t.” perfect a+ no notes

-meg’s face after she says “good looks” is incredible, truly a sight to behold

-good fucking god the flirting is beyond. b&p are doing that thing where you flirt so hard it circles back around to “wait so are we joking or”

-the idea that hero wouldn’t have a million suitors hoping to court her is outrageous so i can only assume she’s just deeply humble and therefore unaware of people’s interest

-balthazar’s eyes darting all over the place while peter talks about hitting on people

-when you’re named benedick you kinda gotta beat people to the bene-dick joke, like yuck but i get it

-jessica stansfield and john burrows deserve all the flowers in the world for really selling that mercurial toxic high school relationship

-caleb wells is really laying the pedro on thick in the vox popses lol i love it “i don’t really get insulted. i’m pedro!” yes you are

-hero and beatrice are like effectively sisters, cousins in name only, i mean who else can you be insulted by so frequently and still love so much. actual soulmates. that scene at the end of nmtd where they’re goofing around and giggling and falling off the chairs while the silly kazoo music is playing and they’ve been through hell and come out the other end because they had each other makes me tear up a little every time

-the vox popses doing some heavy lifting for the pedro/balthazar dynamic, since we don’t really see much of them together in nmtd. “i get some insulty vibes from you sometimes” and “yes i do (have a crush) but you’d all just laugh” are great examples of that classic succinct and subtle candlewaster storytelling

-verges and dogberry are so cute! “don’t need anyone else to fill that void” / “nyeah”

-peter’s response to balth not wanting to tell him about his crush is indicative of him not being used to balth keeping any secrets from him whatsoever lol

-lotta pedrazar in this, i assume because it’s partly, in the world of the show, bea’s contribution to her and ben and meg’s little pedrazar love gods project? interesting, then, that she would deign to include robbie or claudio. robbie doesn’t get much screentime though, and doesn’t come off well in the little screentime he does have. and claudio’s clips mostly serve to elevate something funny ben is saying

-lolilo starts in earnest on july 15th, and i believe mid year break for university in NZ is a month long, give or take? so at the time this was posted, they’re either on break or about to go on break. i wonder if any of the wellington kids went home over break, specifically ben, to see bea

[mothrocks]

So I recently caved and watched Hazbin Hotel. I like animation, musicals, and animated musicals, so I feel like I'm kind of obligated to watch this new animated musical cartoon. After watching the show, I can't help but compare it to other animated productions that have also been released within the last year, namely that of Disney's Wish. I have a lot of thoughts, so here's this essay I spent like 2.5 hours writing :D

Slight disclaimer, I do acknowledge that Wish and Hazbin Hotel have very different themes, target audiences, production methods, pipelines, all the things. As someone who just enjoys animation, I'm going to disregard this for the most part, largely because I just want to ramble about the animation industry as a whole and probably could for hours.

Hazbin Hotel features a cast of characters trying to rehabilitate the sinners of Hell to save them from dying a second (and seemingly final) death in the afterlife. I have my own thoughts on the show itself, but I generally thought it was good. You can tell there was passion behind it and that they were allowed a lot of creative freedom, rather than having to pander as much to studio higher-ups.

I'm choosing not to summarize Wish and trusting that if you've read this far, you have at least a fragment of an idea of what the movie is about (not that there is much of a memorable plot, anyways). I don't like Wish. The characters are static and flat; there's no growth or character development and we have little to no reason to root for the main character, Asha. The story overall is unmemorable. The animation is fairly lackluster and looks unfinished. Lastly, the songs, one of the most important parts of a Disney animated musical, are just bad and incohesive and don't fit whatever vibe Disney and its producers were going for. I want to add that I don't think these qualms are the fault of the creatives behind this movie, rather, the fault of Disney executives stepping in.

Compared to Wish, Hazbin Hotel has interesting and dynamic characters, a solid art and animation style, and a wonderful soundtrack. Hazbin Hotel, despite being a show about the afterlife, has life and soul to it. This isn't to say I'm a big fan of the show, I do have criticisms of my own. My question is, how does Hazbin Hotel, an animated adult cartoon practically birthed from the internet, manage to be infinitely better than Wish, a movie by fucking Walt Disney Animation Studios? The fact that Disney, the studio behind The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast (or even more recent things like Moana and Encanto), is the same studio that produced a movie as flat and lifeless as Wish is baffling to me.

My speculation as to why this show is so much better than Wish is specifically because it was cultivated from random people on the internet who were passionate about their projects opposed to a company like Disney, who made Wish just for money (and to promote their anniversary). Disney has changed from what it once was and no longer takes risks in their storytelling or animation, only pursuing whatever writing, casting, or cost-cutting decisions that will line their pockets best. As someone who grew up watching these movies so much as a kid and learning about animation and storytelling and music from them, it's so disheartening to see any creativity within this corporation be crushed. Walt Disney Animation Studio's latest animated films since 2018 (Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen II, Raya and the Last Dragon, Strange World, and Wish) have all been lackluster in one way or another, with Encanto being the one exception. Disney has historically had dips in the quality of it's content, but this new trend in addition to the rise of streaming platforms (and even the introduction of AI) leads me to have little to no hope for Disney's animation going forward. Passion projects such as Hazbin Hotel are what makes me have any semblance of hope for the future of animation as a whole. Seeing one of the leading animation producers dwindle to this extent and kill any creativity brought to the table is just sad.

[bouncykhotchillipeppers]

New to ATEEZ, but I’ve decided to try an astrological chart reading anyway. Happy to announce that Hongjoong and his chart are wonderfully complicated.

✦ Disclaimer

I do not know him personally, no harm intended, others may interpret differently. I’ve been studying astrology for six years, and I take this seriously and try my best. Feel free to ask any questions you have!

✦ Note

I will not be discussing parents, family, or earlier life to preserve some privacy. This is not a full chart reading, just some highlights I found to be fascinating. He should contact me, I have questions I want answered. 

✦ Overview

Before everything else, so many placements and aspects in his chart scream the need to consistently transform his sense of self—Sun in Scorpio in 9H, Midheaven in Scorpio, Uranus in Aquarius in 1H, Neptune conjunct Ascendant, Mercury conjunct Pluto, Mars in Virgo in 8H. Whoever he was a year ago is not necessarily who he is today. He loves to see how he has improved himself over time because he is obsessed with bettering himself. There’s a battle of dark and light, black and white, trying to remain open-minded while sticking to his instinctual duality. 

Another large portion of his chart is concerned with distrust of authority and the craving of freedom. Sun in 9H, Uranus in 1H, Saturn in Aries—he wants control. It’s a sore spot. But he’s also really good at getting these authority figures to like him? That Venus, man…

This is very much an artist’s chart, and I can’t see him doing anything not involved with creativity. Sun conjunct Venus, Venus conjunct MC, Venus quintile Neptune, Saturn square Neptune, Moon in 5H, Uranus in 1H—all of these are creative and artistic. He needs to put his whole heart into what he loves or he’ll be miserable. Creativity is his emotional outlet.

He’s an intense person. He sort of won the jackpot when it comes to a lot of placements great for idols and creatives in general. 

✦ Neptune conjunct Ascendant in Capricorn (First House)

Ironically, he is whoever you want him to be. Idols and celebrities in general with Neptune aspecting the Ascendant do very well in the limelight because they’re able to adapt themselves to whoever is around them at any given time. One great way to look at it is that Neptune rules over mirrors, so his identity reflects like a mirror whoever he needs to be at that time. Wonderful for actors and idols. Another idol with this aspect is Soyeon from (G)I-DLE, except she’s a Virgo Sun.

His sense of self is fluid. He’s able to read the room and act accordingly without thinking much about it, or perhaps even overthinking it and worrying about it. He’s aware of others’ emotions and “vibes” if you will. Not that he’s necessarily good at handling them (Gemini Moon, Capricorn Neptune), but if someone is upset, he knows it. 

He’s sensitive and emotional…but this is in Capricorn, the great suppressor of everything. Keep that shit on lockdown. All the mutable signs… He is running from that! We’ll get to that in a bit. He’s INFP, right? He doesn’t feel in a “your emotions are my emotions” way (um, Seonghwa Cancer Moon in 12H), his way is very…difficult to quantify, almost sideways or backwards to others. Makes sense to him, though!

Capricorn Neptune quintile Scorpio Midheaven

About a year ago, I went on a deep dive into quintiles and discovered their usefulness—specifically in that they describe an innate talent for something. This is something inherently within the person that they don’t necessarily notice about themself except through thorough introspection. It forms connections and has a deeply human quality to it. It is, at its most basic form, pure joy and creativity, like Leo. With Neptune ruling over everything from deception to transcendence to lack of boundaries to enchantment… Oh, yeah, she’s a mystical planet, but it’s not all terrifying. The way I would interpret it is that he is innately talented in projecting a certain persona to maintain his outward image. Inside could be turmoil, outside looks fine and dandy, or vice versa. Like I said, he is who you want him to be in that moment. Unlike someone with Sun in 12H, he does have a firm sense of his identity. But it is always in flux. Does this make sense? 

✦ Uranus in Aquarius (First House)

Now here is where we start seeing the cravings of freedom and a continuation of the constant shifting of the self. Uranus is the drastic revolutionary of the planets, changing at the drop of a hat, and having it in 1H makes for an eccentric person who doesn’t want to conform to others’ or society’s expectations. Again, contradictions because all that Capricorn Ascendant wants to do is conform. He will do whatever the fuck he wants. He’s not chill about it. Just let him do his thing. He’ll figure out a way to do it anyway because he’s so fucking stubborn.

Having this, along with his Sun conjunct MC, is a great quality for a leader. He would not do well if someone else was in charge of this group.

Trying to figure out the best way to describe this placement, and I guess you could say… He feels like there is no one like him… 

Scorpio Sun square Aquarius Uranus

A lot like Uranus in 1H, an overall strange and unique personality and not afraid to do his own thing. The square makes this somewhat difficult because it’s a challenging aspect after all, so it becomes that desire to rebel/desire to conform once again, fluctuating between the two at odd moments. Touchy—not physically but temperamental and anxious. I guess you could associate this aspect with that of the mad genius trope, determined that they are right with their innovations too grand for current society. He doesn’t like to be compared to others. Extremely willful and stubborn. He’s lucky he has a lot of mutable signs, otherwise he would be more overbearing and wouldn’t “go with the flow” as easily. That being said, he will still resist and find his own way to do things if he really doesn’t want to do them. 

Scorpio Venus square Aquarius Uranus

He runs hot and cold with people, very either/or, and I would say that someone else in the group who acts a lot like this would be Seonghwa(!), who has Venus in Aquarius in 8H. One day he’s your best friend, then he won’t talk to you for three weeks, then he’ll come back and act like nothing has changed. Values his freedom in his relationships with others. He’s very attached to those he considers himself close with (Scorpio Venus, Descendant in Cancer), but he still needs his space to do his own thing. Deeply afraid of rejection and will appear aloof or unreachable emotionally because of this. Unconventionality, beauty in the diverse, unique sense of style.

✦ Jupiter Rx in Pisces (Second House)

Once again with the eccentricities… Jupiter is domicile in Pisces, meaning it operates best there, but the retrograde gives it an introspective twist. Everything has value to him. Truly just seeking deeper meaning than what lies on this mortal plane. He would be so fun to have a philosophical conversation with because he would take it so seriously and yet be very silly about it. Very inspirational, likes to give and receive what he considers worthy, such as love. Bit backwards in showing his affections, but it’s important to him. 

Virgo Mars opposite Pisces Jupiter Rx

One of my books describes this as a Holy Crusader, fighting for a belief or against one; I personally describe Mars-Jupiter contacts as obsessive overachievers. Completely enamored with whatever he deems is his for the time. There is a need to go out and do everything, to continue to heap on to his pile of tasks, consistently adding more and more, and if there’s nothing or no one stopping him, he won’t stop. 

The Virgo-Pisces opposition is incredibly fascinating because this adds an innately sacrificial component to him, the serviceable and boundary-setting Virgo combined with the compassion and boundary-dissolving of Pisces ends up creating the perfectionistic martyr of sorts. If it’s not perfect, it’s not seeing the light of day.

Side note: Lots of Mars-Jupiter hard aspect energy in ATEEZ. We have some fighters here. Calm down. Hongjoong has Virgo Mars opposite Pisces Jupiter, Yeosang has Libra Mars opposite Aries Jupiter, San has Scorpio Mars opposite Taurus Jupiter, Wooyoung has Capricorn Mars square Aries Jupiter, Jongho has Virgo Mars square Gemini Jupiter. 

Seonghwa has Mars conjunct Saturn in Aries, Mingi has Scorpio Mars opposite Taurus Saturn, Yunho has the same aspect as Mingi but as a very weak opposition (10° orb). Saturn the constrictor is sort of the contrast to Jupiter the exacerbator. 

It’s fascinating to see these dynamics at play. They’re all extremely hard workers, and their charts show that. 

✦ Saturn Rx in Aries (Third House)

This is his chart ruler, the most important planet in his chart besides Sun and Moon. Saturn is called the greater malefic because of its rulership over authority and control, and when placed in the third house of communication, it can manifest as someone who is afraid to communicate or rather lacks the capabilities to communicate effectively. The fact that it’s in Aries (in fall), and 29° (itchy and unstable), and retrograde… Sorry to this man. He’s not a small talker. And he says the wrong thing at the wrong time and has to live with the mortifying concept of being known. Really dry and direct sense of humor. He is just…awkward. 😭 That’s okay! His Sagittarius Mercury both emphasizes and contradicts this. He’ll say a lot of things, but not necessarily say what he truly feels unless he’s poked and prodded enough. 

Aries Saturn Rx square Capricorn Neptune

This aspect is really good for fighting (square) to create the ideal (Neptune) into reality (Saturn). It also deals with guilt and fears, especially the fear of losing control. A materialist with karmic guilt that he absolves by creating and dissipating it to the collective. For instance, a writer or musician. 

✦ Moon in Gemini (Fifth House)

Long story short, Gemini is a mutable air sign, and a lot of astrologers can interpret air sign Moons as unemotional. WRONG. He is a very passionate and emotional and thoughtful person; he processes his emotions differently and likes to put them into words and rationalize them. Meanwhile, Saturn in 3H that affects his ability to communicate effectively exists. Moon sextile Saturn, which impacts this further. Do you see the vision here? I do think he tries his best, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out the way he wants it to, and he has to figure out a different way of doing things. 

If there’s one thing mutable signs love to do, it is avoid. He has five mutable planets in his chart (Gemini Moon, Sagittarius Mercury, Virgo Mars, Pisces Jupiter, Sagittarius Pluto), which is half of the planets, so you can see why avoiding can be a major issue here. Luckily he’s a Capricorn Ascendant, reliable and steady, and he has enough passion and drive to keep him going due to his Mars placement and the massive amount of Scorpio influence. 

Gemini Moons are everywhere at once…petty and playful and curious. You know the drink dispensers at fast food places and there’s that one person who will hit every flavor to get a chaotic blend of every drink that tastes the absolute worst because Hi-C and Coca-Cola were not meant to be mixed together? Ask him a weird fact he’s learned recently, I’m sure he’ll have at least five on hand. Great at mimicking others, if not literally mimicking then through trying to become others, like idolizing an older sibling. Shoutout to Yunho and San, the other two Gemini Moons in ATEEZ. Seonghwa, Yeosang, Mingi, and Wooyoung are all Cancer Moons. Jongho is either Pisces or Aries, likely the latter. 

Gemini Moon square Virgo Mars, square Pisces Jupiter Rx + Mars-Jupiter opposition

This is what astrologers call a T-square (because it looks like a T, two squares connected by an opposition), fueled by activity and acting before thinking. The planets locked in this (Moon, Mars, Jupiter) are also extremely active. Mars is drive, aggression, action, impulse, the need to do rather than sit idle. This is a very volatile aspect, very quick to respond to any sort of perceived attack and sensitive to conflict. Moon and Mars are in signs ruled by Mercury, there’s so much rationalizing going on here, so he’s likely overthinking every little aspect. “Act first, think later” planets in “think fast” signs. Jupiter is aspected to these two as well, so it’s exacerbated. Ah… Overwhelmed… The apex planet is the Gemini Moon in 5H—turn to creativity to let those deep-seated feelings loose. 

Moon square Mars indicates lots of coming and going in his home life, nothing’s ever really stable—ironic considering all that IC in Taurus wants is stability. Moon square Jupiter can be extreme, emotionally fighting on behalf of his beliefs. Defensive over those he cares about. He can make fun of his friends, but you as an outsider can’t. 

Gemini Moon sextile Aries Saturn Rx

Security and long-term goals (Moon and Saturn) meet in active and short-term signs (Aries and Gemini). Dependable, reliable, direct, loyal. This is a fairly serious aspect, but the Aries and Gemini make it more playful and full of banter. He will keep his promises…the Sagittarius Mercury might make them a bit later than you anticipated, though. I think that this aspect calms down a fair amount of the Moon-Jupiter aspect, makes him more chill.

His Moon is important in his chart, really brings together who he is. He has planets in Houses 1, 5, and 9—associated with the fire signs of Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, these bring passion and spirit to everything he does. His sense of self (1H) influences his creativity (5H) which in turn influences other people through his visions (9H). Fantastic for an entertainer. 

✦ Mars in Virgo (Eighth House)

This placement is part of why his stage presence is like that. You know what I mean.

Eighth house, as well as its associates Scorpio and Pluto, tends to scare or intimidate people because it rules over everything from death, rebirth, and surgery to taxes, legacies, inheritances, and anything hidden or taboo. At its core, 8H rules over base instincts, the primal drive within us all. Whatever is buried will eventually surface, sometimes in explosive or drastic ways if not channeled into constructive outlets. This house also symbolizes “that which is shared”—the opposite of 2H, which is what you alone possess. It’s the give and the take, the you and I merging to become we. 7H is initial one on one interactions, and 8H adds depth to these relationships.

Unfortunately, the fact that Mars is in Virgo exacerbates his nitpicky and perfectionistic tendencies, and he’s hypercritical of others (and himself!) if they don’t meet his unachievable standards. “You need to do it this specific way.” And he will do it over and over and over again until it’s right. If he can’t figure it out one way, he will approach it from another way and see if that works instead because he won’t give up and he won’t give anything less than his best. 

His desire is to control and to destroy to create something new. In the overview, I mentioned the need to transform himself, but it’s likely he pushes these ideals of transformation onto others as well—”I can be better than I am now, and you could be better than you are now. Let’s do it together.” Mastery over the self. 

Sun, Venus, Midheaven conjunction

✦ Sun in Scorpio (Ninth House)

The best way to describe any Sun placement in this house is that “life is best viewed as a journey”—it’s about the experience rather than the end result. People with this placement are also the wise counsel and advice givers, however they never follow their own advice. Always seeking, always striving, always attempting to be something more. And this is in Scorpio, the transformer and regenerator. Scorpio gets a bad rep for reasons associated in the Mars section (Scorpio-Pluto-8H connection); he’s simply not afraid to seek out his own vision of the truth, whatever that may be. Intense, loyal, deep. 

✦ Venus in Scorpio (Ninth House)

Love is something all-encompassing… He has strong morals and ideals and a good sense of judgment. Especially since his 9H starts in Libra! This placement appreciates the diversity of life and all the adventure it can bring, including the parts others would love to bury. He keeps the peace—until it needs to be reformed. 

Once someone breaks through the billion walls he has in place to protect himself, he will keep you. Unless you betray him, which is the ultimate offense. Scorpio Venus people find it so difficult to trust others, and when betrayed, you are done for.

He can get along with anyone as long as you let him be his authentic self. If you try to change him against his will, he’ll lock up and shut you out, but you have to accept whatever changes he goes through. 

Some other idols with Scorpio Venus placements are SHINee’s Minho (unknown house with Sagittarius Sun) and Stray Kids’ Bang Chan (sixth house with Libra Sun). All very devoted people. 

✦ Sun-Venus conjunction

Sun and Venus together creates a person who wants to love and be loved, somewhat materialistic, concerned with their relationships to others, concerned with value and worth. “Am I good enough? I must be good enough.” I think this is where his light/dark battle really struggles because he has so much raw intensity inside of him, but this conjunction makes it difficult for him to confront anything too harsh, and he would rather not show himself in an unpleasant light. 

✦ Midheaven conjunction

If the IC is where you come from, the MC or Midheaven is where you are going. It’s often used to interpret someone’s career path as well as how they are perceived by the outer community. Having Sun and Venus altogether here in Scorpio is deeply ambitious and persistent, and he wants to be known for something, for being himself (Sun) or for being fashionable in some regard (Venus). This is indicative of great success in life and receiving massive amounts of love. Sun conjunct MC is indicative of a leader in his field while Venus conjunct MC is indicative of the peacemaker, public popularity, the charmer over the voice of authority. However, this is Scorpio. It’s obsession and power. He will fight to get what he wants. It’s not a steady road or an easy road, but one he’s willing to face. 

✦ Mercury conjunct Pluto in Sagittarius (Tenth House)

To put it simply, words are power. No one can keep a secret from him because this, along with his Mars in 8H, make him able to dredge up any secrets. Good luck hiding fan spaces from him. He likely sees everything. Very persistent.

He’s extremely motivated and driven to achieve his goals, career-oriented, intellect (Mercury) and instinct (Pluto) aligned in higher meaning (Sagittarius) and social status (10H). I honestly don’t know if he’s ever talked about when he decided to become an idol? Once he decided his career path, it’s likely he went all in and used his practical skills to achieve his dreams. (Though with Pluto here, he could end up switching his vocation someday, complete reversal.) His career needs meaning. He likes to be seen as intelligent and reliable. And he is! He is just also doing fifty million things at once. 

✦ Words of advice to him

You are not who you were yesterday, and that’s okay. It’s also okay to let others in and ask for help because you have North Node in 7H—super easy to fall back on emotional distance and selfish behaviors when what you need to excel in life is tapping into your qualities of living life to the fullest surrounded by those whose company you enjoy most. It’s okay to doubt and to destroy and to resurrect something from the ashes. And it’s okay to be yourself because no matter who you are, love will find you.

Thank you for reading if you’ve made it this far! I will say it was hilarious to read his chart because I have an incredibly similar chart to him… I’m talking all planets in the same signs except Sun and Jupiter. Anyway. Hope you enjoyed. :) 

Cross-posted on Twitter.

[gomzdrawfr]

Gomz rambles about something again so feel free to scroll pass :]

Recently had a video recommended to me on youtube and gave it a watch: how you play games is how you do everything so I wanted to give some thoughts after watching it

for starters, the video was pretty simple and straightforward and easy to watch, it got me thinking how true that statement is and I started reflecting a bit.

I rarely play games any more, simply because sometimes I couldn't bring in the time and commitment to games like I used to be, or that it feels like I'm completing tasks instead of enjoying the game (kind of what the original author felt)

That applies to some games I've played in the past, Minecraft, Valorant, Dont starve - when I play a game, I clock tf in LMAO I just tend to focus so much on it that everything else didn't matter. I guess irl this applies to me too, whenever I want to do something I make sure to put in 110% into it, very meticulous with completion and deadlines and ensuring the work I do are good quality, I spend time on researching every single questions or queries I have and yeah just, being into something. Though lately, I've dialled down a bit and take it easy (bcuz stress isn't fun)

Honestly, in another aspect, say Minecraft again, I used to be very active in a community, being the lead builder and just pumping out ideas and making builds after builds while still having fun, I loved brainstorming idea and vomit it out in blocks, being able to use part of my interest that are less relevant in my studies to something else, you know? but ever since the said community grew larger, I got overwhelmed and stepped away from the people. They're great friends, really, but sometimes it's a lot when a friend circle grows.

Reflecting this to irl, I tend to work in smaller groups and have a close-knit of friends instead of many friends. Better yet, working alone or just with another one person. It's easier to focus and manage things. Another takeaway would be, I guess, is the way I tend to walk away when things gets more than what I like, or can handle.

I used to be part of a group of friends online too, I liked what we had going, we were silly we were honi (lol) and things were more light-hearted. But as more and more people join, I started feeling overwhelm or a sense of disconnect. There's a lot going on, like a bouncing ball started yeeting against each surfaces at lighting speed and I can barely catch the ball kind of feeling.

I wouldn't say it's entirely their fault, it's mostly myself, which is more comfortable in controlled or slower pace(despite being hyper as well- brainrot goes brrrr). I guess what sucks the most is also watching a friend who liked hanging with another person that you don't really vibe with can be uh something(idk what or how to describe it, it's not jealousy either). The main issue is always around the aspect that I like person A, B, C and F, but not the rest of the bunch. Yes, I could bring it up, talk to them about it, and then highly possibly creating drama and beef with that process (relationships are so fragile). Knowing the people I was dealing with, I decided to just leave quietly (which, to no one's surprised, caused drama itself too - sigh)

I do miss them sometimes, the people I like talking to and be friends with, some of us kept the connection, some burn the bridge for good, some remains a mystery.

That brings me to another aspect in decision-making games, where I tend to walk the passive, most diplomatic route ever to finish the game. Well because irl I hate dealing with conflicts XD I also lean towards neutrality most of the time, unless it's something important then only I pick a side strongly. Using persuasion, communications and understanding, compromising and delegation to let a project or anything really(like relationship) run smoothly. Some of this cost my sanity, patiences and often, gaining less from the agreement lol

I stopped caring more than I do, I stopped trying to please everyone in the room after going through some stuff, and I learn to let go a lot of things because of those experiences, which for now feels like a good experience for me (Literally my page motto is my life motto, it is what it is)

This also made me think, that I am a person who likes to stay the same, more often than I'd like to admit. I mean this by saying like for example, no matter how many times I play Stardew Valley, I will follow a similar route. If irl, the mix rice shop I visit for almost 4 years now? I'll pick the same veggie and meat choices everytime I go there. I find comfort in repetition, I like following the same pattern, I enjoy being safe in a known routine.

If i want to ramble about this, I do like to change sometimes, explore different options, pick a different route etc. But, only if I finished the "foundation" first(both in game and irl)

So for example, stardew valley right? I tend to go min max route, getting my greenhouse and my plants, relationship, all those jazz to maximum first before I actually try something else. What's funny is the something else can be as small as picking a different spot to fish, wearing a different hat, try defeating the dungeon without espresso(that was awful) or romance other people(I still love Harvey more than anyone, sorry Sebastian, I do love the frog though)

Same with Minecraft, Im a builder yes, but I also grind a hell lot in the game, building industrial district and shit ton of farms to get whatever I need.

I think this is kinda reflected irl, where I like to have a strong stability of foundation before I try something different, something that is not part of the route Im used for. It's like once I am sure that our project presentation has the right amount of slides, informations and delivery, then only I try and test out animations, maybe some infographics and whatnot. Same with patient counselling, I usually follow a flow strictly in patient information gathering because that is what we were taught in University (name, age, height, weight, etc), but one time I decided to switch it up a bit to and try to make small talk in between info gathering (like when a patient tells me they're married, instead of moving on I congrats on their marriage instead) and has found it a nice experience and change of pace. You may find this a silly or heck, an obvious thing that I should've tried, but you need to understand every video, notes and lectures always follow a systematic manner with stuff like this. I've only started incorporating this style after being in the med course for like, 2 years, so when I transitioned to Pharmacy, it came naturally to me when it comes to building rapport with patients. The patients and lecturers love it, because the process can feel more like a conversation rather than an interrogation you know, it feels more lively, more empathy and whatnot. I hope to continue to improve on this actually, Im really happy that one of the change I made on an impulse stick through and benefitted my career.

Id say one bad thing with this habit (with how I approach change) is sometimes I miss out opportunities and again, missing out the fun. Heck, sometimes the process to finish the "foundation" itself feels like a chore that sucks out the fun from games. Like rn with tears of the kingdom(totk), I like collecting Light of Blessing to get more hearts and stamina, but god- totk is so much bigger now compared to the first one, and I got overwhelmed and stressful to play the game. So I dropped it on my previous semester break. (I wanna go back to it one day, hopefully)

This kind of also tie into something Im aware of, is that I get weary and overthink in the face of uncertainty. Like there are a lot of places in totk that I have yet to explore, because I have thoughts like

oh shit does this have important story plot? wait what if im suppose to go place A before going place B first? will it mess up the timeline? oh no that place is new what the heck let's just put a marker first-

you get the gist, same applies irl too. An invitation to quizzes, participating talk shows or experiments, most of which I usually don't attend in fear of my lack of skills or just, nervousness in new environment. There's always a lingering thought that I am not good enough to go to events that clearly, required skills and competence beyond what I have. Im no 4 flat student, hell my cgpa is shit lmfao, the only thing Im good at are soft skills and maybe level 1-2 clinical judgments. I still regret that one time I didn't join a community event where they've explored and talked about stem cells intervention, they had a whole freaking lab!! of cells!! like in the movies!!!!!!!!! ok anyways

Idk what im tryna say with this ramble, I just wanted to share and relate my experience to the video, maybe this is like a self reflection. I've been trying to be better at managing some of the issues I talked about, building confidence or maybe facing confrontations instead of dipping entirely.

If you read till here, thanks I guess! maybe you can relate to me or maybe you just wanna read my yaps, either way I appreciate it :D if you want to share your thoughts or experiences as well go ahead!

[manysmallhands]

Top 10 Albums of 2023!

This was all supposed to work out differently. As i recall from the now long distant past, my original plan was to do a countdown where i put up one post a day throughout December. However, I got Covid on December 1st and that plan immediately became lame and useless. After that, my assumption was basically that i wouldn't be able to do any of this, but i got better more quickly than i'd anticipated and found myself working on these reviews in bits as the month has gone on. So, having rushed through all the the song blurbs that i wanted to do, here i am on New Year's Eve with a more or less finished Top 10 albums to put up.

The only problem is that there are ten quite lengthy reviews here and the vibe is already pretty tl:dr. But tbh that's fine: there really is only my girlfriend who ever reads everything (and i believe her, trust is what love is all about after all) so for anyone looking at this and thinking blimey, that's a lot of text, my advice is: you don't have to read any of it. Just look at the albums, scan thru to see if it sounds like something you might like and give one or two of them a listen if that looks like the case. The words are really just to keep me occupied but i'd like to hope that someone likes some of the records.

I said yesterday that i would reveal what the best one is and so I am now delivering on that important promise. The best one is Scarlet by Doja Cat. Anyone who follows me on whatever platform already knows that the best one is Scarlet by Doja Cat. Don't make me say it again.

Barbie - The Album

Few people have seemed much interested in the Barbie soundtrack, other than the punters who kept it atop the compilations chart for four months. I, as ever, channel the spirit of the populous. The sound is basically 80s synth pop updated for a modern audience  - the likes of Haim and Ava Max slot in predictably well - but its the extra dimensions created by how the artists interact with the film that provide some of its more interesting aspects. Sam Smith’s Man I Am reflects a surprisingly LGBTQ Ken despite protestations (certainly its "I'm not gay bro, but..." T-shirt is prompting a lot of questions already answered by the shirt), while Billie Eilish dwelling on life as a manufactured product makes for interesting and uncomfortable parallels in What Was I Made For. Mark Ronson’s plasticky production suits its subject to a tee, further cementing the conceptual unity of the project.

Star turns abound throughout the album as A-listers like Dua Lipa and Lizzo bring their best games alongside some terrific and unlikely downcard cameos. What Was I Made For? and Dance The Night were both deserved #1s, but the pacey pop punk of GAYLE’s Butterflies and Dominic Fike’s breezy, hook laden Hey Blondie are as much highlights as any of the bigger names here. Special mention should be made for Ryan Gosling’s I’m Just Ken, a blockbuster 70s rock number that, whilst puncturing the wider stylistic template, is batshit and hilarious enough to more than justify its place as well as netting him a surprise hit too. The quality lapses once or twice (Tame Impala in particular are bloody awful) but by the time Ava fires the final laser I’m generally happy to go back and start all over again. With banger after banger here, my verdict is in: the Barbie soundtrack is *Charli voice* HOT!

Claire Rosinkranz - Just Because

While this has been a year that I’ve gotten more fully into pop, it took a while for me to find many new albums that I’ve been interested in. This may partly be to do with me clinging to an idea that LPs ought to be substantial beyond having good hooks and charm. In truth, all I needed to do was revert to my indiepop training, where bands have never knowingly been fussed about having any great weightiness. But even so, it took Just Because to make it clear to me that no, you really don’t need any grand vision at all: a high number of great if frothy pop songs will do just fine. It’s a record which bounces from banger to banger in an endearingly sunny style, with each tune so catchy that their lightness becomes a strength rather than a weakness.

Rosinkranz’s voice seems to mark her out as one of the many Billie clones who populate the current pop scene but her musical ambitions are both simpler and more instantly engaging. Not yet 20, her songs have an element of schoolyard whispers which add a welcome silliness here and there, but she also plays with the intensity of youthful emotions to make them a little heartrending even as she goofs off. Highlights include Dreamer, a break up song where the vocal makes it clear that she’s far from as done as she says she is, and Wes Anderson, which offers some sombre advice but packages it in a song so sweet that you’d never know. But in spite of all this it makes no end of year lists (well, maybe just the one), being merely a lovable set of songs that are very hard to forget. Need it be more? I don't believe so.

Doja Cat - Scarlet

Mired in discourse throughout the year, Doja Cat still found time to make a chart topping single (Paint The Town Red) that took the world by storm and a cracking album which, sadly, did not. Scarlet was in my opinion the better of the two: largely ditching the afrobeat pop of Planet Her, Doja staked her claim as an old skool rapper and brought it off pretty well, mixing hard rhyming with her more scattershot pop delivery and sounding entirely comfortable wherever she landed. While flitting musically between modern RnB and neo-soul grooves, her subject matter was largely taken up by how much she hated her fans, a bold strategy that found her shedding support even as blistering tracks like Fuck The Girls shaped up as some of my favourites of the year.

Whilst I’ve found myself uncomfortable with both the company that she keeps and the views which she may or may not subscribe to (i feel safe in saying that she's a right wing edgelord but i suspect that’s the least of it), Scarlet is such a good album that I’ve found myself, if not making excuses for her, then at least deftly navigating around my distaste in order to keep listening to it. While Agora Hills often reminded me how serious she is about her scumbag of a boyfriend, it’s still a song that can submerge me in its beauty entirely; while some of the complaints from her online audience are less easily dismissed than others, it’s more comfortable just to think about the morons calling her a devil worshiper, especially when she mocks them so wickedly on the elegant Skull And Bones. Am I the problem? Maybe I am: it’s a place I often find myself in with hip hop, where faves are frequently problematic and exceptions beg to be made. As such, I can not wholeheartedly recommend this record to people who might want to take a principled stand against some of her bullshit. I can only say that, as a musical talent, there was no one better all year.

Lana Del Rey - Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard?

After 2021’s fairly middling brace of albums, Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd always felt like it was going to be a return to form and this time the faithful were not disappointed. It was another epic and sprawling record which unfolded like a cross between The Bible and a 50s musical. While changeable in style, ranging from hammy country ballads to trap beats and beyond, the thing that springs to mind most often is the Great American Songbook, as Lana takes the melodramatic grandeur of those standards and soaks them in her own messy and complicated worldview. This draws in family, romance, the future, her relationship with religion and how it all scrappily fits together, ranging widely and wildly across 75 extraordinary minutes.

Much of the album feels like it’s being broadcast from a kind of dreamworld, although one that overlays with reality neatly enough. Lana’s dismissive “if you want some basic bitch go to the Beverly Centre and find her” line undercuts the mood on the otherwise lush and evocative Sweet but the impact is hilarious rather than jarring, a perfect marriage of the strange and mundane. In contrast, the brooding A&W initially brings that realism to a far more uncomfortable level, before goofing off wonderfully in the second half in a way that only Lana ever really dares to do. Much of the record feels like it's creating its own language, as key phrases (“let the light in”, “when you know, you know”) are repeated and musical themes come back around in strange modulations. All in all, while perhaps less satisfying as a pop record than Norman Fucking Rockwell, Did You Know… feels like her most complete statement on a personal level yet, whilst still working well within the broader world that she’s spent over a decade constructing.

Mitski - The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We

Despite liking the odd song or two, I have until now been largely immune to Mitski over the full length of an album. But The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We has a much more organic sound than I’m used to hearing from her, well adrift from the polished guitar rock of her big 10s records. Instead, it takes many of its cues from classic folk and country, occasionally lush and expansive, often determinedly sombre but always at a distance from the areas where she’s generally been at home. Opener Bug Like An Angel is a brooding scene setter, where Mitski unveils the terse and grumpy presence we will grow familiar with over the next half hour. The main elements of the album are already in place - the spare instrumentation; Mitski’s extraordinary voice, hard and intransigent but still full of yearning; the occasional, overwhelming interjections from the wings. It all creates a distinctive atmosphere, extremely intense but intimate too: we’re allowed into Mitski’s world but there’s a lot to take in.

Lyrically, the songs are both heavily allusive and extremely personal, like hearing ancient parables told by the characters from the story. Surprise hit My Love Mine All Mine seems to sit apart as a relatively standard love song but a closer listen reveals deeper layers; the placing of her love as something independent from its object makes it feel more of a piece with the album’s other enigmas. At a time where Mitski seemed to be cooling on being a rock star, The Land Is Inhospitable adds a new twist to her long musical journey, seemingly presenting a more intimate portrait while in fact retaining most of her essential mystery. As an album, it really is quite something: what that is I’m less certain of but I like it regardless.

Olivia Rodrigo - Guts

Tho I wouldn't have called myself a hater (I don’t think I would have been bothered enough), I don't really like Olivia’s all conquering debut Sour, which I thought a bit too one-note and overpopulated with slushy ballads. But by the time Guts came around I was open to listening again, drawn in by its excellent singles and primed for a different experience. Vampire, the best of them and more or less of this year, was a fantastic example of taking something that Olivia is clearly very accomplished at (the grand piano lament) and then, rather than running that into the ground, instead using it as a springboard for an entirely different idea. Get Him Back and Bad Idea Right hark back to earlier guitar based tracks like Brutal, but on Guts they form a much more substantive part of the album, cementing its brand of addictive pop grunge and working up a much goofier version of her messy teen persona.

Elsewhere, the ballads did in fact return. Some have speculated that this may have been a bad idea (right?) but for me they’ve been growers, particularly the likes of Lacy and The Grudge, where Olivia explores the bitterness of youth and uses it to tear holes in the people who’ve wronged her. But if I’m honest, it’s the rockers that I’m usually waiting for: whether the new wave pastiche of Love Is Embarrassing or autumnal Cure homage Pretty Isn’t Pretty, each one feels like a mini-revelation and it’s the style that I hope she leans on most in the future.

Palehound - Eye On The Bat 

Palehound have been around for a while now and every so often I’ve given their records a try and haven't really managed to connect with them properly. Eye on the Bat has been the first exception, though whether that's because it’s any better than the others or I just made more of an effort with it I don’t know. Its template is certainly well worn in the indie world - country rock with varying degrees of aggression or melodic sweetness - but there’s still a lot here that grabs my attention, especially in the charming indie pop of the title track and the heart-rending melancholy of Route 22.

But the thing that caught my ear the most was Ellen Kempner’s disarming honesty, with much of the album spent documenting what sounds like a deeply messy break up. Whether she’s bitterly picking through the fall out on Independence Day or remembering some hilariously embarrassing bedroom scene on opener Good Sex, Eye On The Bat's almost diaristic view is mesmerising throughout, making you warm to Kempner even as she works thru some of her own worst traits. And aside from anything else, her understanding of relationships underlines her strengths as a lyricist, as she dissects their complexities with wit, sympathy and occasional anger to capture all the stuff that transcends whatever we were hoping for in the first place.

Poppy - Zig

After the wild ride that commenced with 2020’s extraordinary pop/metal mash up I Disagree, Poppy has journeyed thru indie rock, goth and punk to wind up back where she started, only not quite. Zig may represent a return to pop - indeed it’s produced by Weeknd affiliate Ali Payami - but it’s one that’s filtered thru all of the places she stopped off along the way.

The crepuscular grind of Church Outfit and Knockoff sound like more danceable versions of the I Disagree sound, while the crunching title track suggests that she can still go as hard as ever. But there are nods to a lighter side here as well, particularly in the strong trio that wind up the album: The Attic recasts her sound in a euphoric drum n bass clatter whilst closer Prove It kicks up a remarkable blend of manic hyperpop and gentle electro-balladry, whilst still working in the rich emotional palette that she’s developed in recent years.

In one sense this is a huge departure from the frenetic punk of last year’s Stagger EP but the vibes here stake out territory that you’d still find oddly familiar. Some of the gothy ballads are less immediate than other songs but nothing on Zig is boring, just varying refinements on her ever evolving musical journey. The critics were split, occasionally rattled and sometimes just plain baffled, but that’s only to be expected by now. Poppy follows her own plan and rarely sticks to the same tune: in truth it’s a privilege just to be a witness to the chaos.

Sweeping Promises - Good Living Is Coming For You

One thing that I find missing in a lot of modern guitar based music is snappy songs with good catchy hooks. While Sweeping Promises appear to place their focus elsewhere - their high concept sound is best understood as someone broadcasting direct from 1979 through a wristwatch speaker - their second album still finds time to deliver fully on the tunes. Good Living Is Coming To You is steeped in bubblegum melodies and memorable choruses, with songs that become earworms before you’ve even registered how catchy they are. 

More than anything, it's dominated by Lira Mondal’s imperious vocals: whether it’s in the cascading harmonies of Throw Of The Dice, the fierce yells and hisses that close out the title track or her sweet voiced switch-outs on Ideal No, her character springs out of every song in a way that few singers ever really manage to impose. While you might think that the post punk era has been mined to death by now, Sweeping Promises drag new life into it by going back further: their sound may be heavily rooted in a specific moment but the elements of songcraft often have more in common with 60s girl group classics than gnarled art rockers. Ten bangers and no filler: Good Living Is Coming For You is everything I wanted from it and more.

Wednesday - Rat Saw God

While the queasy vibes of 2021’s Twin Plagues are still high in the mix here, it was the welcome injection of melody on Wednesday's third album that managed to alert the media. That lightness was more apparent in Karly Hartzman's lyrics than you might notice on a passing listen too: though often praised for her grimly amusing takes on middle American backwaters, the key to them was her deceptively soft touch, casting a sympathetic eye over grisly scenes even as she retained their gnarlier undertones.

Single Chosen To Deserve, with its crunching chorus and heartwarming romantic turnaround, feels like the designated big moment from the record but in reality Rat Saw God has an embarrassment of riches. Quarry in particular, with its Waterloo Sunset-esque signature and matter-of-fact dissection of grim local gossip, is an almost pop version of the most haunting aspects of Hartzman's craft, while the washed out bounce of closer TV in the Gas Pump pitches a lonelier scene in a similarly gorgeous manner.

This is not to forget that Wedneday can still rock extremely hard when they want to, especially on the brutal 8 minute Bull Believer, an ambitious multipart epic that ends with Hartzman screaming “FINISH HIM!!!” repeatedly over the chaotic finale. But while Rat Saw God brought this kind of sawtoothed sound back to widespread acclaim, its real trick was how it sugared the pill just enough to get it past even the most determinedly sweet tooth.

[destructive-delight]

idk if you like these sorts of questions but how would you rank the organizations in bsd? in terms of faves or some other criteria? and/or who is your fave from each group?

let’s see... a few organisations i need to get out of the way right off the bat...

i can’t really rank the order of the clock tower by virtue of we know fuck all about it at this point.

and i’m not sure what to make of the rats given that next to the scale and complexity of the doa schemes it very much feels like fyodor’s fun little side project that did little more than put him in position to spend some quality time with dazai irregardless of how dazai may or may not feel about that. cannibalism arc is still my favourite though, so idk i feel like i should give them an honorary gold star for instigating all of that.

mimic gets a gold star too. they were a one-off villain organization, but their miserable quest for death and horribly inefficient weapon choice stuck with me. and again they instigated a lot of angst and i appreciate that.

the sheep... they did provide us with the utter brilliance that is sheep king chuuya, which inspired an ungodly amount of absolutely magnificent art both in fandom and in canon (i straight up can’t read the 15 manga because the art is so good, it makes my insides instantly wither and rot out of sheer envy). i refuse to give those brats credit for that tho.

with that out of the way my ranking of the main organisations goes as follows (with each respective fave in parentheses):

1.port mafia (mori)

2.the guild (lucy)

3.armed detective agency (dazai, fukuzawa is a close second)

4.decay of the angel (fyodor, nikolai is a very close second)

5.hunting dogs (fukuchi)

6.The Government™ i forgot the fucking name, do as marvel does and shorten it to something snappy, i have to remember enough public offices for work already (ango)

ahhh it pains me to put the doa so low and the version of them that lives inside my head would easily take the runner-up spot, but aside from ~aesthetics~ and favourite-character-concentration (which the doa wins handily with 3 out of 5 members being some of my absolute top faves, 60% my dudes, that’s vodka territory) i also value cohesion (how organised they actually are, what goal(s) they’re aiming for and the relationships between members) and that’s where the doa in its current state kind of falls apart. there are no shared goals, fyodor is just fucking with everybody and the only relationship that has any kind of substance is fyolai. is it really “organised” if my darling fyodor who can do no wrong is just puppeteering everybody else? i'm not so sure anymore...

(to be clear i do enjoy the betrayal and despair of it all and generally i reserve judgement until the arc has actually concluded, but looking at it as an actual organisation as opposed to a plot device it’s not doing much for me at the moment. though again i hold out hope for maybe some flashbacks that could give us some more insight into the doa’s planning stages and especially the relationship between fyodor and fukuchi...)

the port mafia has solidly monopolized the number one spot though, no matter what groundbreaking revelations we may or may not get on the doa front. discounting that one official art of the doa, the pm has by far the best aesthetic. aside from a few outliers everyone’s outfits are absolutely fantastic (from kouyou’s ensemble to elise’s dresses to every black suit and whatever spin the wearer takes on it; also as short-lived as they were, all the flags looked dapper as fuck too). special shout-out to mori’s office, 10/10 would love to do my soul-rotting paperwork in there and have a mental health crisis lying down on the carpet right after. great view too. dazai’s shipping container is a vibe as well tbh.

on the less superficial side of things i love that aside from taking on the thankless responsibility of working the nightshift of yokohama protection duty they are also just a fucking mafia that does mafia business and i wish we saw more of that.

in terms of members the pm is kind of a mixed bag (a handful of characters i love, a few i hate and a whole lot i don’t have any particularly strong feelings about), but even the characters i don’t care for generally have a more intriguing reason for being members than /you gotta be employed to survive under capitalism/. loyalty, a sense of duty, of belonging, everyone has a reason to be here and a role to play and is actually getting shit done. it feels like an actual organisation (which some entries on this list quite honestly don’t) but it’s also more than that... i’m not explaining it very well, the point is that i would not be opposed to a 500 chapter spin-off detailing the day-to-day port mafia business and exploring every member’s backstory and motivations. bsd needs more filler is what i’m saying.

[laf-outloud]

https://www.tumblr.com/laf-outloud/733852081367269376/httpswwwtumblrcomlaf-outloud7338145430521446

I’m confused by people being shocked that J2 might work together again.

I sort of get it if people don’t want to see Jared work with Jensen again (prequelgate and so on), or just specifically don’t want Jensen on Walker (AAs are a nightmare and no one wants them near any show), but I’m pretty surprised that people actually don't expect them to get back on screen together at some point. Or see it as some "that ship has long sailed" situation.

Both Jared and Jensen bring up doing an SPN revival on their own. They don’t just say, "sure" when people ask them about it. I get people thinking this is just fan service, but if a fan doesn’t bring it up first, they certainly don’t have to say something at just about every con. I think they truly do want to do at least a mini series or something. Whether they’ll get the go ahead for it is another story. Also, they've been getting more and move nostalgic lately at cons, and more and more like old-school J2 on stage. I know, cons are for show, but the quality of their interactions over the last few cons just feel more fond than they did (for the most part) last year, for example. They always have good chemistry, but it’s been especially good lately. Yes, they do lots of stuff that is "for show" but there is just a different feel when they seem like they are truly vibing.

As for Jensen on Walker. I’m 50/50 on whether it will happen. But, I certainly won’t be surprised if it does.

Still, Keegan’s photo (which is what has people worried, I guess) was taken during the Nov 5th weekend when hellers were celebrating their embarrassing meme scene and waiting for Jensen to maybe make a mention of it, so the pic of J2 could have been in response to that, just in a delayed post. A little reminder that Supernatural was about the brother (not Destiel). Or, maybe J2 are actually still good friends behind the scenes and Keegan just wanted a pic of them and their long hair. 🤷‍♀️

I just think the fandom in general does a lot of projecting, and I’m certain,y not immune to it either. Jared doesn’t ever want to work with Jensen again, and him saying he does is just fan service, but it’s never going to happen (projection). J2 are vibing exactly like old times and are clearly still besties who already have a whole Season 16 of SPN planned out (projection). Jared has moved on and never plans to look back at supernatural (projection). Jared and Jensen are happiest when working together and they’ll make it happen no matter what (projection). Anyway, my point with these examples is we don’t actually know how Jared (or Jensen) feels about doing an SPN revival or having Jensen on Walker besides them saying they are interested publicly at one point or another, but assuming they don’t/do want these things because we don’t /do want these things, could lead to some unpleasant realities down the line.

Just out of curiosity: Will you still tune in to Walker if Jensen does get a recurring role on it? And would you watch SPN reboot/revival if it happened?

You make a lot of good points! The photo could have been counteracting the Destiel thing... but I also think Keegan being a Sunday con attendee, and having worked with Jensen and Jared together, has only every really seen SPN as the show about brothers, so his caption doesn't surprise me.

And you're right, none of us know what J2's relationship is really like right now... and fans (myself included) certainly throw our preferences around, lol! Personally, I don't think their con behavior is back to what it was post-prequelgate/end of SPN, but we all see things differently.

As for your questions... I would probably still watch Walker if Jensen had a recurring role... but I wouldn't be as excited to live-tweet or reblog gifs/screengrabs from those episodes. In fact, I'd probably avoid social media altogether simply so I wouldn't have to see AAs (and frankly, Jensen) try to make the show all about him, while completely dismissing Jared (and the other cast member's) contributions. They may be delusional, but they have the power to ruin every fandom they enter.

An SPN reboot is a harder question, mostly because it would have to be the exact right set of circumstances (right producers, writers, time-frame, lack of extras, etc.) for me to even consider watching.

I think the only reboot that I'd be glad to watch with both Jensen and Jared would be the one they talked about a while ago... Lonesome Dove. It would be about 10 years down the road... certainly enough time (I would hope) for the SPN fandom to settle down, and would be a chance for J2 to work together again without all of SPN's baggage.

[digiexpert894]

Outdoor Comfort That Feels Effortless

Setting up your outdoor space doesn’t need to feel like a big project. Whether you’re planning a cozy corner on your balcony or upgrading the seating for your restaurant patio, one name that keeps showing up is Vetra Furniture.

Known for combining comfort with quality, Vetra Furniture brings outdoor living to life with furniture that fits just right—style-wise and space-wise.

Why Vetra Furniture Is a Great Choice

Outdoor furniture should be more than just a place to sit. It should feel inviting, be easy to care for, and last through all kinds of weather. That’s where Vetra Furniture shines. Their collection includes products that are stylish without being showy and durable without being bulky.

From patio dining sets to garden swings, you’ll find options that suit different tastes and needs.

Built for Indian Outdoors

The weather in India isn’t always gentle on outdoor furniture. Heat, humidity, rain, and dust can quickly ruin low-quality pieces. But Vetra Furniture is designed to handle it all.

UV-resistant rattan

Rust-proof aluminum frames

Quick-dry foam cushions

Low-maintenance finishes

These details make Vetra Furniture perfect for Indian homes, cafes, and hotels.

Furniture That Blends with Any Theme

One of the standout features of Vetra Furniture is its ability to blend into different outdoor environments. Whether you're going for modern minimalism or a more natural look, there’s something for every kind of space.

Their cane furniture collection, for instance, gives off a warm and relaxed vibe, ideal for balconies and shaded gardens.

Meanwhile, their bar units and loungers are perfect for creating stylish, functional corners around the pool or terrace.

Simple to Maintain, Easy to Enjoy

No one wants to spend hours cleaning outdoor furniture. Vetra Furniture makes maintenance super easy. Most pieces just need a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth. The cushion covers are removable and washable too.

If you live in an area with regular rain or dust, you’ll appreciate how well Vetra Furniture holds up. It’s made to look fresh even after regular use.

Comfort That Doesn’t Cut Corners

A chair may look good, but if it’s uncomfortable, you won’t use it much. Vetra Furniture focuses on comfort by including wide seats, supportive backs, and soft cushions across most of its product range.

Want to enjoy a long meal outdoors or read your book for hours on a Sunday? The comfort level in Vetra Furniture collections makes that possible.

Perfect for Residential and Commercial Use

While many people buy Vetra Furniture for their homes, it’s also a go-to brand for commercial setups like:

Rooftop cafés

Poolside lounges

Resort patios

Outdoor event spaces

Their garden furniture is both practical and durable, which is exactly what businesses need when it comes to high-traffic outdoor areas.

Versatile Furniture Designs

Not all spaces are the same, and Vetra Furniture gets that. They offer options that work in compact areas as well as wide open spaces.

Need something for a tiny balcony? Try their compact chairs. Setting up a large garden for evening gatherings? Look at their range of tables and seating sets.

The designs are subtle and sleek, making them easy to match with other decor items like potted plants, lights, or outdoor rugs.

Buy Online Without Guesswork

Shopping online for furniture can sometimes feel like taking a chance. Will it match the space? Is the size right? The team behind Vetra Furniture makes this process easy by offering:

Clear product dimensions

High-quality images from multiple angles

Material descriptions

Realistic delivery timelines

If you need help choosing, the customer support team is available to answer your questions.

Customization Options Available

Sometimes you know exactly what you want. Maybe it’s a certain color or size. That’s why Vetra Furniture offers customization on many of its pieces.

You can choose the cushion color, change the frame finish, or adjust the size to better suit your space. Just reach out, and they’ll walk you through the options available.

Create a Space You’ll Love to Be In

In the end, your outdoor area should feel like an extension of your home. It should be relaxing, practical, and welcoming. With Vetra Furniture, you don’t have to sacrifice looks for quality or comfort for price.

You’re investing in furniture that lasts, looks good, and feels right—whether you’re hosting friends or just enjoying your own company under the sky.

Final Words

If you're thinking of upgrading your outdoor area, Vetra Furniture offers a well-rounded mix of style, function, and long-term value. From balconies to gardens, from cafés to resorts, there’s a reason more and more people are choosing Vetra Furniture.

Take a look at their collection today and see how easy it is to make your outdoor space both beautiful and functional with Vetra Furniture.

[precisetile215]

Affordable Tile Installation in Paterson, NJ

Are you thinking about upgrading your floors or walls with beautiful tiles? Whether you want to revamp your kitchen, bathroom, or even your outdoor patio, tile installation is a fantastic way to enhance your space. But let’s be real—cost can be a significant concern. That’s why finding affordable tile installation in Paterson, NJ, is crucial. Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to get high-quality results.

Why Choose Tile for Your Home?

So, why should you even consider tile? Here’s the deal—tiles are one of the best investments you can make in your home.

Durability

Tiles are built to last. Unlike carpets that stain easily or wooden floors that scratch, tiles can withstand high foot traffic, moisture, and everyday wear and tear. With proper care, they can last decades!

Aesthetics

Tiles come in a variety of colors, styles, and textures. Whether you want a sleek, modern look or a rustic, cozy vibe, there’s a tile for you. Plus, they add a touch of elegance to any space.

Easy Maintenance

Who wants to spend hours cleaning floors? With tiles, a simple sweep and mop are enough to keep them looking fresh. They’re also resistant to stains and odors, making them a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

Affordable Tile Installation in Paterson, NJ

Now, let’s get to the big question—how can you get tile installed at an affordable price in Paterson?

Cost-Effective Options

One of the best ways to keep costs down is to choose budget-friendly tile materials. Ceramic tiles, for instance, are both stylish and economical. Vinyl tiles are another great option, offering the look of real stone or wood at a fraction of the price.

Factors Affecting Pricing

Several factors determine the final cost of tile installation, including:

Tile Material: Natural stone is pricier than ceramic or porcelain.

Size of the Area: Larger spaces require more tiles and labor.

Complexity of Design: Intricate patterns can drive up costs due to extra labor.

Labor Costs: Hiring a local contractor with competitive rates can help you save.

Finding the Right Tile Installer

Not all tile installers are created equal, so choosing the right one is crucial.

Qualities to Look For

When hiring a tile installer, look for:

Experience and a solid portfolio

Good customer reviews

Fair and transparent pricing

A warranty on their work

Questions to Ask

Before hiring, ask questions like:

How long will the installation take?

What’s included in the quote?

Do you have references?

Do you offer any discounts or promotions?

DIY vs. Professional Installation

Thinking about doing it yourself? While DIY tile installation can save you money, it comes with challenges.

Pros of DIY

Lower cost (if done correctly)

Full control over the project

Satisfaction of completing it yourself

Cons of DIY

Time-consuming and labor-intensive

Risk of mistakes, leading to higher costs in the long run

Requires special tools and materials

Hiring a professional ensures the job is done right the first time, saving you stress and potential additional costs.

Best Tile Options for Budget-Friendly Installation

Not all tiles cost a fortune. Here are some affordable choices:

Ceramic Tiles: Classic, durable, and cost-effective.

Porcelain Tiles: Slightly more expensive but very resilient.

Vinyl Tiles: Super affordable and easy to install.

Tips to Save Money on Tile Installation

Want to cut costs without compromising quality? Here’s how:

Buy in Bulk: Some suppliers offer discounts when you buy in large quantities.

Choose Simpler Patterns: Complex designs require more labor, increasing costs.

Hire Local Contractors: Local professionals often offer competitive rates compared to big companies.

Conclusion

Tile installation NJ doesn’t have to drain your wallet. By choosing the right materials, hiring skilled local professionals, and following cost-saving tips, you can achieve a stunning tile transformation at an affordable price. So, if you’re in Paterson, NJ, and looking for budget-friendly tile installation, start researching your options today—you won’t regret it!

Precise Tile & Stone

11 E Main St, Little Falls Township, NJ 07424, United States

+19739852626

Get Direction From Google Map

[chandrakanthblog]

How to Choose the Best House Builder in HSR Layout Bangalore

Finding the right Chandrakantha house builder in HSR Layout Bangalore, can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With so many options, how do you narrow it down? Let’s explore some straightforward steps to help you pick the perfect builder for your dream home.

Understand Your Needs and Vision

What do you want your home to look like? Before diving into builder options, take a moment to visualize your dream. Do you fancy a cozy cottage vibe or a modern, sleek design? Knowing what you want can help you find a builder who aligns with your vision.

Research Local Builders in HSR Layout

You wouldn’t buy the first car you see, right? The same goes for house builders. Start by researching builders in HSR Layout. Look for those with experience in constructing homes that match your preferred style. Check online reviews and testimonials; they’re like gold nuggets of information.

Check Credentials and Experience

A builder's credentials are their badge of honor. Look for licenses, certifications, and memberships in professional organizations. An experienced builder has likely faced various challenges and knows how to tackle them. They’re like seasoned chefs, ready to whip up a culinary masterpiece – or in this case, your dream home.

Review Their Portfolio

Before committing to a builder, check out their past projects. A strong portfolio showcases their style and quality of work. It’s like browsing a gallery before buying art; you want to see if their creations resonate with your taste. Ask for references too, and don’t shy away from contacting previous clients.

Evaluate Communication Skills

Communication is key in any relationship, and working with a builder is no different. A good builder should listen to your ideas and respond clearly. Are they open to questions? Do they explain processes well? This open line of communication can prevent misunderstandings down the road.

Discuss Budget and Transparency

Money matters. It’s crucial to discuss your budget early on. A reliable builder will provide a detailed estimate and be transparent about costs. This way, you can avoid surprises that might blow your budget. Think of it like a road trip; you want to know how much gas will cost before hitting the road.

Look for Quality Materials and Craftsmanship

A great builder doesn’t just focus on the structure; they pay attention to details. Inquire about the materials they use and their construction methods. Quality construction is vital for longevity. It’s like choosing between a plastic toy and a solid wooden one; one will last longer and stand the test of time.

Check for Warranty and After-Support

Imagine moving into your new home only to find issues a few months later. A trustworthy builder will offer warranties on their work. Ask about after-sales support too. This ensures you have someone to turn to if problems arise post-construction. It’s like having a safety net while juggling – it provides peace of mind.

Trust Your Instincts

After gathering all this information, trust your gut feeling. Sometimes, it’s not just about facts and figures. The right builder should make you feel comfortable and confident in your choice. Think of it like picking a travel buddy; you want someone who makes the journey enjoyable.

Conclusion: Your Dream Home Awaits

Choosing the villa builders in bangalore, doesn’t have to be daunting. By understanding your needs, researching thoroughly, and trusting your instincts, you’ll be well on your way to finding a builder who can turn your dream home into a reality. Remember, this is more than just a construction project; it’s about building a space where memories will flourish. Happy building!

[ladygoofball]

A Shady Love Poem from the office of Cassandra Apparently

For Apparently, Nobody. Fuckers. If you want Inanna's story? You'll keep reading. If not, feel free to scroll on by and accept my little written kiss sounds

kiss muah muah lovie lovie thank you for the time.

I just love pushing the boundaries of what is possible because the only thing I've ever been good at is fantasizing a better life for myself. I'm just nobody though, don't quote me on that.

To clarify it is to the same audience as my Battle Worn Boots poem. I'm tired of figuring out the meaning of words. You might say I've been chasing some wild geese for crumbs. What the hell do I know though? I'm just a lady! An American at that!

Another application? In this economy?! Come on. I've done thousands over the course of 7 years, and I'm pretty sure that is not hyperbole but I can't look in my emails without feeling a sense of disgust in my own behavior. Call it an official Strike Declaration.

The offices of Cassandra Apparently calls that? Witchcraft. Ereshkigal's crypto-testimonial (free of as many negative effects to the environment as humanly possible so better than crypto currency) is below the cut. The vibe? Keep that li'l diddy on repeat.

DATE OF PREDICTION: Basically all of 2024 so far. Assholes.

First off? Fuck you for questioning that authenticity. That needs to be said in no uncertain terms. Call me Absolute Truth, if you dare. I won't accept that in writing that needs to be told TO my face. That's where my self respect is, raise the bar any higher and I'll be happy to take this shit elsewhere tyvm (thank you very much in american gods damned english)

The spirits told me?

CALL THE PROJECT CASSANDRA!!!

I knew They'll say "No, that's too good to be true!" The bots will prevent the word from Reaching you. I did it anyway. That's too bold? Cool now I have to code switch to flirting because characters are limited and have to jump through hoops to prove I'm not trying to do that with any real ass person right now.

I say? I'll keep knocking until I get answers. As politely as possible until it might get to be too late. That's called good cyber security working out of courtesy to save something worth fighting for, Your Honor. What if there was a better world that I could show you?

I keep them begging. Yearning for the definition of the word. I am a Lit'rary thirst trap on the world wide web. I'll be Miss spider for a second and keep going anyway.

Oh...yes? GIVE IT TO ME, PLEASE!!!!

Bitch, "please"?

Just "please"? Not even dolling it up for me?

THE queen of 2020 hindsight? Come on.

You know what, now I have to start laying some ground rules. Call them boundaries, a steel sword in a marriage bed, or whatever. That's why I'm so activated anyway, I'm now in military generational trauma land Your Honor.

Yes, it is kind of your fault...but Yes it is kind to know people care. No, I'm not really that angry but Witness Ereshkigal cannot rest this case until it she knows it has been WITNESSED. Inanna does not come out for just anyone. /genuine.

I just have to set some HARD LINES IN THE SAND. I call that: building a wall with just imaginary bricks and mortar since the economy is collapsing and border walls are a poor concept in real life anyway. I call that Quality American Craftsmanship, a dying breed. I watched "Adventures from the Book of Virtues", I know when something is just a lesson and when something is direct. That was how I went to sleep thanks to good ole public television.

Rules for Conducting Business with Cassandra Actually, if you want to come into her house and beg her forgiveness for not listening to her sooner.

For the Camp Records: No, You don't personally have to, but someone should at this point for fuck's sake.

Rule 1: JUST PLEASE?! If this elvish paradise isn't enough for you, then hand me the keys. I'll drive US somewhere better, eh? We can call that Manifest Destiny without slaughtering native peoples and not endangering anyone in the process for being too on the nose. If that's not possible? I get it, but somebody has to try to get something better for me and for the record? I'm very happy to do it by myself thank you very much. My grandmother owns her own building. It's in my blood to seek the best for myself. Noni would approve, and she calls me frequently to provide tech support for her because she can't work a computer to get tenants. I don't have a single aspect of what I do on this WWW that is not exploited by someone, so that's why it has to be like that.

Rule 2: Do not do me the discourtesy of keeping their names from my shit list. If they bother any of you, bring them to me. I'll show them a way around a word or two. I've written thousands just for myself and nobody gets to see that before I am finished.

That last song probably got old by now, so you know what? Let's throw in another one to change the audience and the tone without putting words to what I'm doing for once in my gods damned life.

Rule 3: If I swing and I tell You to Duck? Then, bitch you had better get Quacking. That's not putting too much emphasis on the timeline, that's running out of funds to write checks that I can't cash if I wanted to because Nobody says it is not safe for me there. My entire Organization is on the line. I still honor the value of words, which is a craft that is apparently lost on these ghosts.

Rule 4: I may have been here for a while now, but I do NOT make time for anyone who can't get their damned facts straight. Even if it hits them over the head with ACME's Anvil. Bugs Bunny ass. That's not my problem, Your Honor. That sounds like a pissed off spirit. Too bad the art of Necromancy is dead in this place. If only a wizard knew how to Divine the cards as well as we can. A shame, really.

He must not be a master of the school of Divination like he claims to be!

Rule 5: I do not have time and will not make time for anyone who cannot get their facts STRAIGHT. It's the only straight thing about me, all these facts that I have are the definition of the straight and narrow.

He says that the way I hit it makes him forget his words? Try harder than that!

He says I must be celestial with all these angels singing in the chorus? Try harder than that!

The tone shifts away again? She can't keep doing this, but They say "Third time is the charm!"

Bozo Apparently asks: WHO THE FUCK HEALED YOU? WHO LAID HANDS? WHO CHARGED? THE GOOSE GIRL?? Over 400 hours, assholes. And weeks of playing with wild geese on the internet. 3 different runs through the Holy Narrative and I refuse to play through Act two until my eyes stop burning and my psyche is healed. I know how to play a video game or two and I know far better ones I can spend my time with. Ask Matthew Mercer who my last man might have been. Call that? Rune Factory 4 approves.

Did you say: Only a General could get them stepping this fast?

Bozo says: It could have been too late, sorry I'm a bit rushed! The economy is collapsing and industries I keep trying to get into are shutting me out faster than I can count how many weeks my unemployment checks. It's not that bad, all things considered, but if I was more than a half inch away from losing my familiars with no other options to save them I would not call myself Witch.

Bitch. Fuck a closing paragraph.

Wait, one last recommendation? Watch "The Social Dillema" and tell me I'm looking too into subliminal messaging online again motherfucker. You might as well add the Lizzie Bennet Diaries youtube series to your media diet too, while you're at it.

[secologist]

What & Why & When & How Use V2Ray VPN

What is V2Ray VPN?

In summary, V2Ray is an open-source VPN and tunneling service that focuses on bypassing censorship and restrictions. It provides a variety of clients and servers for different operating systems so users can connect and enjoy their freedom on any device.

Why? Same Challenge, Different Locations.

The first question that comes to mind is why V2Ray is used as an alternative to WireGuard, OpenVPN, or any other VPN provider (such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc.). There are so many providers that are already in the market with good quality service, so why?

We all know about restrictions and censorship in many countries (if you don’t, read more about The Challenge of Internet Censorship), and they are getting smarter and more restricted every day. At some point, regions start blocking the VPN providers or messing up with VPN and tunneling protocols such as WireGuard, Socks, IPSEC, and so on. However, they are still letting HTTP/HTTPS pass with fewer restrictions or maybe just a speed limit toward outside-world IPs.

Even in Europe or the US, trying to enjoy your freedom and privacy while using a shopping mall or a cafe WiFi, their IT department blocks some websites or protocols to only limit users to browsing relevant content, e.g., using their website for purchasing goods, tickets, or checking updates, news or simple messaging on whats app. But they are blocked if you try to connect to your work/business services, such as VPN or SSH. This is partially the security and compliance challenges they are facing, and I understand it’s for their protection in case someone wants to serve malicious torrents or any other activity while it’s also blocking you from doing your routine work.

I am pretty sure some of you at least got that slap in the face when you decide to work from a cafe, and you can’t connect to your services via their wifi, and the 4G/5G signal is not good there.

When? HTTP(S) Tunneling.

I have a memory of a day I needed to connect to my service in a cafe where mobile internet was not an option, and I started trying different providers until I figured, why not use my private HTTPS proxy? It worked, but the experience was the worst! Slow, high latency and I was seconds away from punching my laptop. The only reason I didn’t punch it was I felt a bit good about bypassing that firewall restriction using HTTPS.

Why? Legacy HTTP(S) Proxy Reduces your Productivity.

While I really liked the cafe location, the internet was pushing me away to find a new place, but I had a charging station, a good amount of noise (doesn’t distract you, doesn’t bore you), and good corners, so no one would look into my monitor while I am working (nothing weird, just a lot of smelly code on my monitor which I prefer people see them after I clean up). But this HTTPS proxy was killing the vibe and my productivity so I started Googling a bit about the issue and find out there was a strong open-source project (V2Ray discontinued, V2Fly took over, and V2Ray restarted again), and it provides an alternative proxy/tunneling with much faster speed, better latency, and more protocol variety. A protocol that caught my eye was using HTTP(S) WebSocket (or even QUIC) as a VPN tunnel, which provides authentication, usage stats, and much more flexibility. It took a while for me to configure everything, but I did it, and it works great!

Cloudflare CDN Piggyback

I am sure we have all heard of Cloudflare’s great free services (such as their WAF & CDN), and now they even provide CDN accelerated VPN (Cloudflare WARP Zero Trust Solution and VPN), but the issue still remains. Most countries or firewalls blocked the services while their CDN, which covers 80% of the world’s websites and trillions of requests daily, is reachable from all over the world; although some of the websites (domains) are censored in some countries, it’s because of their content. At some points, countries applied speed limits, but the connection still works!

While I was using V2Ray VPN, I created a subdomain on my personal blog and pointed it to my VPN servers, and since the protocol was HTTPS/WebSocket, it’s working for free and taking leverage of large Cloudflare’s CDN, which according to their website they are present in 310 locations in 120+ countries. While I am doing TLS 1.3 encryption on Cloudflare and passing it to my server in Germany, it is amazing how my speed increased by 88% because of the Cloudflare CDN!! Naturally, VPN reduces the speed because of encryption and tunneling processes, but the gain back from Cloudflare’s CDN was bigger than the loss from encryption.

When to use V2Ray?

I use V2Ray not only when I am traveling to restricted countries but also in European cafes when there is an angry firewall (I am allergic to public WiFi, TBH I use VPN all the time) or when the network speed is low, and I need a faster network. VPN isn’t only for proxy/tunneling; it’s also for your privacy, protecting your IP/location, so my thought is, trust your ISPs; you never know if they are creepy and looking into your connections or DNS requests; even most of the websites are encrypted via HTTPS/HSTS; ISPs or website are able to track you at some level.

How to Use V2Ray?

Two ways!

Set up your own private service: Follow the documentation on V2Ray/V2Fly and set up your own server, get help from ChatGPT, connect it to your Cloudflare DNS, and then download any of their VPN Client apps.

Buy an awesome Secologist V2Ray VPN subscription from me (yup, this post was for marketing); I have already done all these, plus I added an HTTP(S) load balancer, so you can automatically connect to the fastest server.

Subscriptions are not limited to a number of devices/connections and are much more affordable than other solutions.

Note: When you are connecting to load balancers, you will have IP rotation per a few requests, so if you want to have persistent sessions, you can try the latency check feature in your VPN client app and connect to the servers directly.

How to do a latency check?

Ping any server on Cloudflare CDN (or mine) by opening CMD/Terminal and writing:

# Ping any website on Cloudflare ➜ ~ ping www.secologist.com -c 4 PING www.secologist.com (172.67.74.55): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 172.67.74.55: icmp_seq=0 ttl=57 time=9.652 ms 64 bytes from 172.67.74.55: icmp_seq=1 ttl=57 time=10.246 ms 64 bytes from 172.67.74.55: icmp_seq=2 ttl=57 time=12.344 ms 64 bytes from 172.67.74.55: icmp_seq=3 ttl=57 time=10.723 ms

--- www.secologist.com ping statistics --- 4 packets transmitted, 4 packets received, 0.0% packet loss round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 9.652/10.741/12.344/1.000 ms # Ping one of my load balancers ➜ ~ ping falkenstein-lb-1.vs.secologist.com -c 4 PING falkenstein-lb-1.vs.secologist.com (104.26.1.215): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 104.26.1.215: icmp_seq=0 ttl=57 time=9.263 ms 64 bytes from 104.26.1.215: icmp_seq=1 ttl=57 time=10.811 ms 64 bytes from 104.26.1.215: icmp_seq=2 ttl=57 time=10.018 ms 64 bytes from 104.26.1.215: icmp_seq=3 ttl=57 time=10.597 ms

--- falkenstein-lb-1.vs.secologist.com ping statistics --- 4 packets transmitted, 4 packets received, 0.0% packet loss round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 9.263/10.172/10.811/0.600 ms

So.. 10ms.

Privacy

All logs and monitoring are disabled on our servers, data is encrypted via TLS 1.3 on transit, and our servers’ disks are encrypted via AES-256. We care about our customer's privacy and security. However, this is not an open invitation for malicious actors to use our services for some shady activities.

Third Parties

Your connectivity goes through Cloudflare. Read more: [1].

Your subscription data is stored via Wix. Read more: [1], [2].

References

https://www.secologist.com/anonymous-v2ray-vpn

https://www.cloudflare.com/network/

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Internet_censorship_in_the_World_2020_by_country.png

https://community.cloudflare.com/t/statistically-speaking-whats-the-percentage-of-total-sites-that-use-cf/372054

https://blog.cloudflare.com/cyber-week-analyzing-internet-traffic-and-e-commerce-trends/

https://www.v2fly.org/

https://www.v2ray.com/

[fandom-hoarder]

Anybody who thinks that abomination of a TWin finale was BETTER than the spn finale or FIXED anything about it can fuck right off, tbh. Bad vibes, dnw.

Like the biggest thing about TWin is it's INSULTING.

It's insulting that it's called "the winchesters", when The Winchesters are Sam and Dean. It's insulting that those involved kept telling people to trust them and "canon we got you" and stringing people along a whole fucking pointless season. It's insulting that they claimed they were so passionate about it when it's... Like This. When clearly no one could bother to even consult the canon, or hire actors who would be faithful to the OG representations. When it feels like a really cheap cash grab, when the interviews with Robbie and Jensen tell a story of people who knew they HAD to make this work, but didn't actually have a vision or focus for it. When Danneel appears to have been given way too much creative control despite not actually watching most of spn. When her passion for the project appeared to be the clothes she and Jensen could be photographed in -- this isn't wife hate, this is sincere criticism of someone who had creative control in a project they didn't even know the canon for.

It's insulting they spent the money for good music and played actual Led Zeppelin in THIS STUPID FINALE.

I know the last seasons of spn got pretty out there, got pretty stupid and lackluster (ghosts redux but daytime? Ehh), but at least in s15 they were running through "greatest callbacks" territory. TWin was not only worse quality, it had no fucking purpose. They didn't have a STORY TO TELL at all. You think THIS was where they were originally heading with that "Dean" voiceover from the pilot, talking about the true story of his parents?

THOSE WEREN'T EVEN HIS PARENTS. THAT WASN'T EVEN THEIR STORY. AND WHY WOULD JACK RECREATE THE MULTIVERSES AND INCLUDE CHUCK'S AKRIDA FAILSAFE? WHY WOULD *DEAN* HAVE TO FIX IT IN THE FIRST PLACE? *HOW* CAN HE GIVE THEM THE COLT AND "HIS JOURNAL"🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 -- AND, WHAT, JUST LET THE COLT DISAPPEAR FROM PRIME UNIVERSE?

AND THESE PEOPLE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE SAME BEGINNING AS DEAN'S PARENTS; WHY WOULD GIVING THEM A JOURNAL EVEN HELP?

(None of these questions are important enough for an s2, mind you; this show gets the atla live action treatment--never happened, doesn't count)

THE WHOLE FUCKING REASONING IS JUST POINTLESS AND STUPID. AND THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO EVER BE ANY REAL STAKES FOR THIS SCOOBY GANG ALL SEASON. It was The Magic Tree House, with all the answers handed to them. (Not to mention the pretty bad acting I witnessed from Meg -- a too-short-to-be-Mary-when-Drake-is-that-tall Claire lookalike I'm supposed to believe as Mary🙄 --and the total lack of JohnMary chemistry, and the weird af lore breaking holywater!hair vamp splash that started as a joke and shouldn't have even made it onto the page🤦‍♀️-- if you wanted to be that kind of camp you should've just done a straightup AU spinoff, and not tried to tie this in to the OG while LYING about "canon we got you" and getting your tone all the fuck wrong)

This doesn't fix anything from spn finale--NOTHING NEEDED FIXED. Whatever gripes there may be about aspects of the spn finale, essentially it was PERFECT. THIS bullshit takes a Dean who had finally come to terms with the life they'd lived, who had his actual loved ones largely available in heaven (and Sam on earth, but knowing he'd meet Dean up there, and time is different in Heaven), and takes away any character growth the spn finale suggested-- because he's ALREADY LEARNED THIS LESSON ABOUT TRYING TO CHANGE THE PAST WTF.

Also, that was not Dean. I get that Jensen probably couldn't cut his hair or whatever, but that turtleneck sweater was not an outfit OG Dean would wear, AND Jensen seems to have forgotten how to do the Dean voice/accent. They should've said it was huntercorp!Dean or something, cuz that was not the Dean that died in 15.20 and went to Heaven and took a drive to wait for Sam.

The only correct thing in TWin finale is that Sam was still Dean's #1, and all the SamDean parallels to JohnMary throughout the show get rights for preserving that. But the JohnMary was so dull.

This ridiculous show is NOT CANON, and I hope whatever future endeavors come out of spnverse has greater respect for the OG and its fandom, and better writing and casting. (I would prefer for it to die than become another abomination.)

I'm sorry for Drake's decent acting that this was the story he got, since he seemed to actually be a fan of the og -- even though some of his comments lost him some points with me. Sorry for some of the other wannabe scooby gang actors, who should've just gotten their own spoofy spinoff. I would be happy to not see Meg in anything ever again -- not that I wish for an end to her career, just that *I* won't have to see her face act. I would also be ecstatic for the Ackles' friends to not be cast in roles they're unsuited for just so they can all work together 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 how the fuck was that supposed to be Samuel?

You make a variety show for this shit, not a fucking prequel-that's-not-a-prequel. Good grief. Get you some good people that will tell you no. Maybe talk to Jared about it, jfc. He actually gets thoughtful about his headcanons.

[hppjmxrgosg]

So please feel free to ignore this if you would prefer not to answer, but do you have any DP fics you would recommend? Just something we could check out while we patiently and lovingly wait for your next chapter release? Crossover or non crossover both are welcome.

Hey! Sorry this took me so long to get to! I don't have a lot of DP fic saved (i have a weirdo fic filing system its weird im weird dont worry about)

BUT!! i do have quite a collection. (and a few of them are dp so bonus!)

so here is a like. a fic rec list ig? just some of my faves. >:)

(i feel like these always reveal an uncomfortable amount about a person but fuck it we ball)

Completed Fics I Think Are Just 🤠

Salvage: Atla fic. Zuko centric. Very found family. Angst? heavy. Vibes? immaculate.

Deeper, Darker: Danny Phantom & Stranger Things. when i tell you this fic rocked my shit- its very long, very dark, very horror-core. excellent world building.

Sticks and Stones: Harry Potter & Naruto HEAR ME OUT ON THIS ONE OKAY JUST HOLD ON is there anything more pro trans rights than taking a funky lil guy, a traumatized lil assassin child soldier guy, and using him as a way to wreck the shit out of the Harry Potter Universe? Didn't think so, next question.

(Anbu kakashi gets sent to hogwarts to fuck shit up. he succeeds)

All The Leaves Are Brown (And the sky is gray): Marvel. Bucky Barnes & Tony Stark centric (but in absolutely not the way you think) i actually think this one is pretty funny. a good time if you're depressed 💅 yk what im saying?

Unmasked: Spider-Man: what it says on the tin. when i tell you this was a roller coaster to read on live updates- but shorty pulled through ✊😔 spider-man and Harley keener centric. quality shit if you asked me. i havent read the second part of this series but this one slapped so lmk.

Incomplete But Updating Fics That I Think Are Just 🫡

The File: Percy Jackson & The Avengers. when i tell you guys this is one of the greatest things i have ever read in my life- its so good. its actually a series. i have read every word. this is the fic that inspired me to write VC. I will never stop thinking about it. in my head completely rent free. not like the other PJxMarvel crossovers ✨

the first step of kintsugi: marvel, spider-man and the punisher. i just think it's neat. (i say as i am literally dying over this fic) so good. dynamic 9000.

This Boy's Too Young to Be Singing the Blues: Marvel, Spider-Man & DAREDEVIL this time (bc i am a sucker for spider man and a sucker for daredevil and 1+1=🤠 yk what im sayin?

Friendly neighborhood vigilante: DP x DC!! (what you came for lol) not danny centric. Jazz/Jason (power couple fr)

lex luthor's ascent from supervillainy to fatherhood: dp x dc . honestly? slay. a touch disjointed in the beginning but over all ✨quality✨ and (from what i can tell) semi frequent updates so double slay.

i have a few more but i hit the link limit so ill just name them and you should be able to track em down on ao3 with a lil searchy search ya feel?

Padfoot And Hound by SayItAll

Harry Potter & Naruto (i am so mentally ill what do you want from me)

i am sooooOo normal about this one guys. sooOoOoOo normal. guess when this was first published? 12/18/2020 i have been live reading this thing for the past two years. I love it so much.

The Victory Series by ewfte

Naruto & Boku No Hero Academia

its incomplete and discontinued so be warned but it is so good. SO good. just. I cannot even express.

and ofc The Ghost of Heroes by Enigmaris (DP x Marvel) and Ghost in the NYC by ASharksReadingGlasses (a fic inspired by comics by the-stove-is-on-fire) also DP x Marvel

these two i really think are kinda staples of the marvel x dp side of the phandom so vibes. if you haven't read them you're missing out on your culture.

this is a really long post but these are just some of my faves or what im reading right now. in any case, vibes.