#the last time i was on an airplane was in 2017 actually

[hiijin]

odd eye circle europe tour???? vffhfhjddjkskslsl

i live in northern europe so none of the countries or cities are ideal but oec got me into loona in the first place back in 2017 and since i didn’t get to see them last year (thank god i didn’t) this could be my chance…

But alas, i am broke, i don’t have anyone who would travel with me, and most importantly, i am scared to death of flying

#the last time i was on an airplane was in 2017 actually #it went fine but there’s something wrong with my ears and i’ve had EXTREMELY painful experiences in the past #and my ears have only gotten worse :/ #loona #odd eye circle #oec

[justforbooks]

Three years after it was declared “The Worst Restaurant In NYC Right Now,” Salt Bae’s Manhattan burger joint has closed.

Salt Bae, of course, is the social media tag for the New York celebrity chef and butcher Nusret Gökçe, who became famous for bouncing flakes of salt off his forearm and on to just about anything edible, giving customers varying degrees of salt-shock.

He opened Salt Bae Burger in a city obsessed with finding the best burger possible, and the outlet on Park Avenue had undergone a bumpy ride ever since. It opened in late February 2020 – just before the city went into Covid-19 lockdowns – to accusations of sexism because it had offered a free, appetizer-sized veggie “ladies burger” in pink buns to women only.

“We wanted to compliment the ladies,” its general manager, Al Avci, told Eater, who explained the stunt had gone down well in Dubai. “We weren’t thinking it would be sexist.”

But Salt Bae Burger also drew consternation as the home of the $99, gold-flecked milkshake and the $100 Gold Burger, which was encased in gold foil. Meanwhile, in terms of ambience, Eater critic Robert Sietsema wrote, “it had all the charm of an airplane hangar.”

Scott Lynch, a reviewer for Gothamist, said he’d “had the unfortunate opportunity a few weeks ago to eat several sad servings of hospital food, and everything I had at Salt Bae was worse”. The menu, he wrote, was framed in metal like a tombstone “apparently marking the death of everything pleasurable about eating”.

The inexpensive Wet Burger, he added, was “actually just a meager disc of meat sitting within a soggy, unpleasantly sweet bun. It’s also tiny, but you can’t eat more than a single bite anyway.” Lynch called Salt Bae Burger the city’s worst restaurant.

Gökçe, who would cook in aviator sunglasses and tight white T-shirts, had seen success before. The Turkish restaurant impresario became famous three years earlier, in 2017, when – through his “salt crystals bouncing off arm bent in a swan-like formation” technique – he earned more than 52 million followers on Instagram via a chain of Nusr-Et steakhouses with more than 20 locations worldwide.

But the salting technique also attracted unwanted attention. When Gökçe donned gloves to perform the salting, some wondered if that might be because the technique could otherwise violate health codes.

Also, before Salt Bae Burger opened, the company behind the Nusr-Et restaurants was slapped with legal claims ranging from sexual harassment to wage theft. Gökçe raised eyebrows after bragging about feeding the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, US conservative darling Donald Trump Jr and Leonardo DiCaprio, who is known for his dating life as much as his critically acclaimed film roles.

And the reviews weren’t great, either.

The New York Post called it “Public Rip-off No 1” that cost $521.45 for dinner for two and left the diners “craving a snack”. A $25 salad was composed of “days-old iceberg lettuce and mystery greens with tasteless goat cheese and a few walnuts, raisins, and pomegranate seeds”.

The New York Times critic Pete Wells said he’d experienced more than the theatrical application of salt to his order. “I had a pair of trousers that Salt Bae had seasoned like a steak,” he wrote.

He added: “Mr Gokce has only one move, but he performs it with total confidence, and as anybody who’s ever been on a dance floor knows, that’s enough.”

Still, Gökçe’s fame has been real enough.

“Americans and New Yorkers love me very much,” he told the New York Times. He described how he served most of the meat to customers, saying: “After I cut it, I do the move.

“I go to the same table, sometimes three times. I don’t see myself as a butcher or just a restaurant owner. I view my job as an art because I make art out of meat and the move is like a final touch on this art. It came from within me.”

Nonetheless, Salt Bae Burger closed last month, and the title of New York’s best – and worst – burger is up for grabs.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

#JUST FOR BOOKS #Salt Bae #Nusret Gökçe

[riku-in-japan]

Planning the Itinerary

After a few evenings of careful planning, I have mostly figured out the plans for our (my) stay in Japan. And it's... insanely tight-packed. Let's hope I can actually follow through with it! Weather and exhaustion may force me to change my plans, unfortunately.

Day 0: Airplane time! Day 1: Naritasan Shinso-ji Day 2: Mt. Takao Day 3: Hiking in/around Isehara Day 4: Hiking in/around Isehara Day 5: Hiking in/around Isehara Day 6: Go to Kyoto / Kiyomizudera / Fushimi Inari Day 7: Universal Studios Day 8: Uji / to be decided Day 9: Nara Day 10: Katsuo-ji / Minoh Waterfall Day 11: Himeji / Hiroshima / Miyajima Day 12: Hieizan / Enryaku-ji / Return to Tokyo Day 13: Rest / Shopping Day 14: To be decided Day 15: Nikko Day 16: Kamakura Day 17: Shopping Day 18: Going home...

Booking hotels is still an ongoing process.

For the first few days, we'll be staying at my older brother's place in Setagaya (West-Tokyo). Then, I'll move on to a friend's place in Isehara (Kanagawa), while my husband stays where he is.

From there, we'll go to Osaka. Originally we planned to stay in Kyoto, but the options in Osaka were just so much cheaper. In the end, we went with a place that's not quite a hotel, but not quite an apartment either. It's a single room that comes with a tiny kitchen unit and seems to have a living room section. It does make me a little nervous it doesn't have any reviews yet on booking.com, but judging by the photos it looks super promising!

The place we'll stay at upon returning to Tokyo has yet to be decided. My husband is too stressed from work to make decisions on hotels. Hopefully, we'll have everything booked this weekend.

Itinerary notes

Day 1, day of arrival. Depending on how I feel after a 13-hour flight with very little sleep, the whole plan to visit Naritasan Shinso-ji may be canceled. Though I am curious if actually doing something engaging right after arriving will help me fight of the jet-lag.

Day 2, Mt. Takao. Usually, I would extend my hike to the mountains lying beyond Takao, but I probably will stick to going up and going down. And then spending the rest of the afternoon / early evening at the onsen next to the station. Not sure if my husband will come along for this trip. This is planned for today, because my brother's house is close (15 min. walk) to the Keio Takao Line.

Day 3-5, I'll be staying with a friend who lives near Isehara. The exact plans have yet to be decided, but it's going to be a lot of walking, hiking, and... probably an onsen visit (or two).

Day 6, I pretty much plan to copy this itinerary from my 2017 trip. I intend to modify it slightly, but I do intend to keep my hike from either Awata Shrine of Chion-In up to Higashiyama Park and then onwards to Kiyomizudera. I also want to visit Fushimi Inari in the evening/late afternoon again. After that it's onward to Osaka to check-in to our "hotel".

Day 7, we're going to Universal Studios. Because my husband really wants to visit Super Nintendo World. I am moderately interested too. (Let's pray we can get a timed ticket to get in...) And I wouldn't mind another visit to the Wizarding World. Absolutely loved that part the last time I visited. (I wonder if you still need timed tickets for that part too...)

Day 8-9, I originally considered visiting Uji and Nara on the same day, but after a bit of research I concluded Nara has a lot more to offer than I initially expected, so... I gave it its own day. Due to that, Uji ended up being a lonely morning activity, the afternoon will probably be filled with shopping. In Kyoto and Osaka. Probably. Unless I come up with something more enjoyable.

Day 10, Katsuo-ji and Minoh Waterfall. We have yet to decide which one to visit first. The only proper connection between the two seems a hiking trail, which isn't a problem for me, but might be a problem for my husband and his fear of heights. So, he kind of has to pick which one he absolutely wants to visit. Or follow me across a possibly very scary hiking trail. If time allows it, I may want to drop by Osaka Castle Park at the end of the day too. (I do not expect to enter the castle itself.)

Day 11, I'm quite certain it's absolutely insane, but I'll be visiting Himeji and Hiroshima in one day. In my case, it'll mostly be Himeji and Miyajima, while my husband will be visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima. I have yet to pick the hiking trails I want to explore. I'm pretty sure there is at least one I haven't tried yet.

Day 12, it's my birthday! And I'll be celebrating by visiting Otsu. Enjoying views of the lake (Biwa), climbing a mountain (Hieizan), and visiting a temple (Enryaku-ji). After all that is done, we'll catch a Shinkansen back to Tokyo.

Day 13, is the first day dedicated to rest. We'll sleep in and probably spend the afternoon shopping in Akihabara. And maybe a walk around Ueno park.

Day 14, I'm not sure what to do with this day yet. I don't want it to be just shopping. Maybe a visit to Kasai-Rinkai Kouen (Aquarium)? Or Odaiba (Miraikan)?

Day 15, although transit time will be excruciatingly long (roughly 3 hours), it's possible to visit Nikko without completely breaking the bank (1600 yen, one way). So, we might as well... I suppose. The last time I visited Nikko was in 2014!

Day 16, I can't go to Japan without visiting my all-time favorite place! I just love Kamakura! I will probably follow the Rokkoku hiking trail, grab a portion of the Tenen trail, and make my way over to the Asahina pass. I do want to drop by Enoshima too, but I'm not sure if I'll have time for that. My husband will have to fend for himself today. Even if he comes along to Kamakura, he won't be joining me for the hike, that's for sure.

Day 17, it's time to get the last bit of shopping done! I'll probably be rushing around Ikebukuro, Shibuya, and Harajuku today.

Day 18, airplane time! A whole day of traveling! So much fun!

(All plans are subject to change due to weather conditions)

#Japan 2023

[afpwestcoast]

The Glass House, Pomona, CA, 12/31/22

For nine years, from 2004 to 2012, I spent every NYE with AFP. Since then there’s been only one, in 2017, which was right after her Christmas Eve miscarriage. That night was such a hot mess - both onstage and off - that I didn’t even write it up.

But this year the Dresden Dolls are back and hot off a 3-night stand in Woodstock, so it promised to be a New Year’s Eve to remember!

The motivation behind the show was a little odd. Amanda’s 7yo son Ash was missing his friends in New Zealand, so she was flying him across the globe for “the most expensive play date ever.” She decided to stay over in LA - Brian Viglione’s hometown - to break up the ~20hr travel time from New York to New Zealand. And, if you’re spending time in your bandmate’s hometown why not put on a show?

Before the show, after what was either a very long sound check or a very short rehearsal, Amanda was uncharacteristically nervous. The show had been quickly thrown together at the last minute and since she was only in town for what was essentially a long layover there was little time to prepare or rehearse. Plus, due to the need to wrangle her child onto an airplane the next morning, she would not be drinking this evening (I told her that I would drink enough for both of us (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)).

I tried to reassure her by reminding her that spontaneously creating beauty from chaos was kind of her super power. And while she acknowledged that fact she asserted that there had to be SOME level of preparation; you can’t just wing the whole thing. I told her I had confidence that she could pull it off; confidence that turned out to be well-founded.

The venue was less intimate than the one in Woodstock, and not just because it was larger. There was a barricade around the stage that kept the crowd back, the stage was elevated to chest level, and the keyboard and drum kit were set atop two separate risers on top of the stage. This meant that the crowd was much further from the band (in Woodstock I actually handed Brian a drink) but also that Amanda and Brian were further apart and each on their own separate island.

Another issue with the venue was a leaky roof. This happens in SoCal a lot because it rains so infrequently that fixing a leak doesn’t seem urgent. But it was raining tonight leading to a steady drip drip drip of water onto the stage. Their solution was to place a large garbage can on stage to catch the drips. The stage was big enough that this didn’t really impede things, but it was deemed gauche and so Brian declared that they could only leave the garbage can onstage if they had an Oscar the Grouch puppet to go with it. So they put a towel down under the drip and taped it down with gaffer’s tape.

But what the show lacked in intimacy it made up in energy. With multiple special guests, confetti bombs at midnight, and a sober Amanda this show rivaled any NYE show from years past and was a wonderful way to ring in the new year despite Amanda’s pre-show jitters.

Annotated Set List:

Good Day

Sex Changes

Gravity

Backstabber

Modern Moonlight

My Alcoholic Friends 

Missed Me Amanda replaced the line “You must want to fuck me” with “You must want to cast me” in a nod to the Harvey Weinstein episode, and LA in general. For some reason Brian kept talking into a banana. This was never explained.

Astronaut

Brian recounted a tale from the early days of the band. One of their first shows in LA was at The Viper Room - a pay-to-play venue. Avril Lavigne was there and admired Amanda’s (then painted-on) eyebrows.

Then they announced that the new Dresden Dolls album will be recorded in LA!

Whakenewha (pronounced Fuckin-A-Fa)

Delilah (featuring Veronica Swift)

Another Christmas New song!

Ultima Esperanza

Amsterdam (Jacques Brel cover) Amanda continued the tradition from Woodstock of singing this from the balcony.

Mandy Goes to Med School Once again a little Careless Whisper managed to sneak in there.

Amanda came to the front of the stage to stand on the sodden towel. With drips hitting her head she declared it to be like the welcome mat to hell.

The Gardener

Half Jack 

Amanda took an impromptu poll via raised hands to gauge what sort of year 2022 had been for the crowd. The general consensus was that it had been a shitty-to-mediocre year.

Coin-operated Boy

War Pigs (Black Sabbath cover)

Just before midnight Amanda adopted a ritual that Chris Wells had used at the show at the Old Dutch Church in August: leading the crowd in a group primal scream. It was very cathartic.

New Year’s Day (U2 cover) The band were joined on stage by the inimitable Jherek Bischoff on bass, Veronica Swift on trumpet(!), and Adam Silvestri (aka Radiator King) on guitar for the final 3 songs of the set.

Girl Anachronism

(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!) (Beastie Boys cover)

——

Sing A massive assemblage (including Veronica Swift’s dog) took the stage for the finale.

Photo Gallery:

Ready to party! (Photo by Cam Horn)

Amanda does not appear to be the least bit nervous.

Ladies and gentlemen: The Dresden Dolls!

Delilah!

Is that Amanda up there?

The Welcome Mat to hell.

Shrouded in mist and mystery.

Preparation for …

… THE SCREAM!!!! (2nd photo by Michelle Shiers)

A toast!

MIDNIGHT!!!

Rock god Jherek Bischoff joins the fray for New Year’s Day!

Veronica Swift playing trumpet is a whole vibe.

Full band!

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (30 Apr-6 May 2023)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

😊👂‍The Fatal Flying Affair (Lady Hardcastle Mystery #7) (T.E. Kinsey, author; Elizabeth Knowelden, narrator) - Emily & Flo investigate shenanigans and sabotage at an airplane factory in August 1911

🥰👂‍Cabin Pressure: The Complete Series 4 (Timbuktu to Yverdon-les-Bains) (John Finnemore, author; Stephanie Cole/Roger Allam/Benedict Cumberbatch/John Finnemore, narrator)

😊Thou Shalt Not Eat Stones (valancysnaith) - 77K, cherik, post-DOFP canon-divergent AU

🥰The Rat-Catcher's Daughter (Lilywhite Boys #0.5) (KJ Charles)

😍Any Old Diamonds (Lilywhite Boys #1) (KJ Charles, author; Cornell Collins, narrator) - back at it again with the best jewel thieves and worst parents in late Victorian England

😍Ain't No Compass, Ain't No Map (ebjameston, author; , narrator) - 51K, Batfam shenanigans from the POV of an OC who works for Gotham CPS - absolutely loved this, really great OCs, funny as fuck

💖💖 +274K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

miles to go before i sleep (obsessivereader, alby_mangroves) - MCU: Stucky, 34K - a kind of Rambo AU with a pre-serum punk artist Steve; love the story + incredible art

A Worthy Introduction (hobbitdragon) - Sense & Sensibility: Brandon/Marianne, 8K - Brandon & Marianne's wedding night

My Heart Comes Tumbling Down (DevilDoll) - TW: Sterek, 5K - it's probably been 5 years since I last read this - still great!

I [Heart] You (writeonclara) - MCU: Stucky, 1K - another all-time fave reread; Steve gets emoji-cursed

Someone To Watch Over Me (obsessivereader) - MCU: Stucky, 24K - another reread; great no-powers cabin fic with age difference with lumberjack steve + some h/c

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Um, Actually - s2, e1-9; s6, e7

Schmigadoon! - s2, e6

The Brokenwood Mysteries - s9, e4

Ted Lasso - s3, e8 [x2]

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Distant Relatives

Welcome to Night Vale #227 - A Word with Dr. Jones

⭐Vibe Check - Met Gala for Fashion Dummies

⭐Switched on Pop - From Westeros-techno to trance metal: Eurovision 2023

Vibe Check - MoveOn.org

Re: Dracula - May 3: Your Friend, Dracula

Re: Dracula - May 4: The Eve of St. George's Day

⭐Decoder Ring Plus - Why You Can’t Find a Damn Parking Spot

Our Opinions Are Correct - Episode 129: Silicon Valley vs. Science Fiction: Smart Home Nightmares

Ologies with Alie Ward - Stem Cell Biology (CELLS MAKING CELLS) with “Science Sam” aka Samantha Yammine

Shedunnit Book Club - The Murder Mystery Hotline

Into It - Are We Into the Writers' Strike, the Coronation, and Ryan Murphy's 'Monsters'?

⭐Re: Dracula - May 5: The Dead Travel Fast

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 And What's Making Us Happy

Dear Prudence Plus - Should I Travel Across the World With My Ex? Help!

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Hurricane Hunters

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Okomfo Anokye’s Sword

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Nutmobile

⭐Endless Thread - Oranges and Bucket Lists

⭐99% Invisible #535 - Craptions

⭐Song Exploder - New Order "Blue Monday"

You're Dead To Me - Victorian Bodybuilding

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Presenting Spandau Ballet

The English Beat

Modern English

Eurovision 2023

Presenting Siouxsie and the Banshees

Buddy 100 [Buddy Rich] {2017}

Gene Krupa

My Mix #6

Presenting Joy Division

Instrumental Soul Grooves

Presenting George Michael

Presenting Weather Report

lofi hip hop radio 💤 - beats to sleep/chill to [LoFi Girl]

synthwave radio 🌌 - beats to chill/game to [LoFi Girl]

#sunday reading recap #bookgeekgrrl's reading habits #bookgeekgrrl's soundtracks #the lilywhite boys #kj charles #lady hardcastle mysteries series #fanfic ftw #re: dracula #vibe check podcast #switched on pop podcast #99% invisible podcast #song exploder #endless thread podcast #decoder ring podcast #you're dead to me podcast #atlas obscura podcast #welcome to night vale #shedunnit podcast #ologies podcast #our opinions are correct podcast #into it podcast #pop culture happy hour podcast #dear prudence podcast #siouxsie and the banshees #joy division #spandau ballet #the english beat #modern english #buddy rich

[frijole]

Daniel Ricciardo: Music That Moves Me

“Music can be a lot of things for me,” Daniel Ricciardo tells Apple Music. “It can put me in the zone and enhance my focus.” The Perth-born Formula One driver knows a thing or two about keeping his eyes on the road, but he also knows how to unwind and look back. “It’s an escape, it can take my mind elsewhere,” he says. “It’s got lots of memories, like a photo album: You hear a song and it takes you to a moment in time, and a picture of where you were when you heard it or what you were doing when the song came on.” And while he uses music to stay focused, it’s equally powerful as a means of escape. “I think seeing music live is probably one of the only things in the world that actually allows me to 100 percent switch off anything else and have pure focus,” he says. Here, he selects songs that get him in—and out of—the zone, and speaks more about some of his favorites below.

Loyle Carner, “Loose Ends” feat. Jorja Smith “I spend quite a bit of time in England and I’ve got quite a few English mates who passed me on to Loyle Carner. I just love it. The last verse really caught me—it sounds very deep and sad and beautiful, all at the same time. He’s got an amazing voice and it’s an awesome combination with Jorja Smith.”

ford., “Bedford Falls” “ford. is on ODESZA’s label, Foreign Family, and when ODESZA posted this artist on Instagram, this song just got me. There’s something so magical about it. It’s very simple, it’s just got a powerful feeling. I can relate a lot to it with my own life and the message and experiences that he’s gone through.”

Gang of Youths, “The Heart Is a Muscle” “I first heard them back in 2013—for years, they were pretty unknown to most people. I love the sound; they had something about them which I thought was really cool. I saw them live for the first time in 2017 in San Francisco. There weren’t many people there, and I was like, ‘Shit, how has no one heard of these guys yet?’ The energy and the story that they tell through their songs is so powerful. I got to meet the guys after, and we’ve created a friendship since then. They really spread across a broad audience—my mum loves them, friends my age love them. And I love supporting Australian music. This is one of their biggest songs for sure, but I love the buildup.”

RÜFÜS DU SOL, “Treat You Better” “I travel a lot and this is the perfect scenic song, while you’re looking out the window of an airplane. I remember listening to it while driving through the desert to Coachella. It carries something about it; it’s just beautiful.”

ran across this apple music playlist from a few years ago the other day

[matsukawamatt]

Starting New

Its finally here, I’m finally down in Australia for my first time since 2017. I haven’t been here very long — still less than 24 hours — but this still feels so crazy. Like, what am I even doing here?! It doesn’t feel real even. Yesterday I walked around and I think I was on autopilot. I’ve felt a mix of everything from nervousness to excitement. Sure, I’ve been a bit anxious too. Everything is a mystery right now and I feel like I’m starting new. I’ve got a new phone number, I’ve applied for a tax number, I’m getting a new bank account, in all, I’m doing things that are getting me started for a (possible) year long journey down here. I don’t have to stay the entire length of the visa, of course, but that option is always there. Its incredible.

The weather was gorgeous when I landed. It didn’t seem it was going to be that way on the airplane’s approach to the Australian coast. There were massive cumulonimbus clouds and it seemed as if Sydney was having a massive thunderstorm as we moved closer to land. As we made our way through the clouds, they all seemed to disappear at once, and nothing but the morning light rising to the east had shown over a sleepy Sydney. It was beautiful. Landing, I was hit with the familiar scents and warmth of humidity that comes after a rain and a heavy storm — I guess we did just miss the weather. I made my way through customs and got into the country. First thing I did was I walked outside of the terminal. Paradise. I walked back in to set up my phone’s sim using the airport wifi, made my way to “Macca’s” for a quick 7am cheeseburger, and proceeded to the train station. I got myself an Opal card and topped it off at $60 AUD — thinking that this would be PLENTY. Well, one thing the Aussies do when you take public transport leaving the airport is they charge you a massive amount of money. So as I exited my station at Bondi Junction, I noticed my balance was now $39.87. WHAT? Okay, I didn’t mind. My friend Emily told me that they only do that from the airport. Since then, I have brought the balance down to around $34, but that was after several train and bus trips through the city.

First thing I did this morning after getting to the hostel was to change into my bathing suit. The weather could not have been more perfect, and I mean it. Between the beautiful gentle breeze, cooling me down and relaxing me, and the tall waves crashing down in front of me at a nearly-empty Bondi Beach, I was in heaven. I write this now at 3:30am, completely succumbed to the will of jet-lag, and hoping for a repeat day. Something about all the beach bums with their long hair and wetsuits was really phenomenal. I can’t believe how many beautiful people exist here too. This place is, just, really something.

In recent days I’ve battled with whether or not I would post here on this page. This was after learning SOME people have access to it :’). But, that was a short self-battle. I’ve always posted here, and I will continue to do so. This is a public forum and I’m glad that I was reminded of this. Nothing about posting online is personal so why should I pretend it is? Its not a big deal, even if I was a bit embarrassed at the fact that there are actually people reading this, and that I’m writing (at times) some extremely personal stuff, as I will below.

I have not really talked about the past week or whats gone on. Last week, before my move to Australia, a friend of mine had come to visit me. This was a friend whom I met in Greece, at a bar in Kalabaka. Thats not entirely true. We met on Tinder, but after meeting for drinks and talking, I gauged everything to be friendly. We kept in touch as we went separate ways — me to Prague and back home, her to Iceland. While I was home she wanted to meet up. I thought about going up to Montreal, but I decided against it and all I could think about was my last visit up there. That was magical. So, I agreed, fully knowing how challenging it would be to try to settle my affairs at home and still travel northbound. She was excited and made plans for the both of us, meanwhile I was trying to find ways to get out of my agreement. I ended up telling her it just didn’t make sense for me to go up there. She, immediately, offered to come down and said she could stay with me. Okay, sure, “yeah, you can stay at my place” that’s okay. She came down, brought me some tim hortons (which I really missed), we mostly watched Star Trek — in separate chairs, we hung out, Mittens hissed at her worse than he’s done to anyone, we went to the Boston Athenaeum and spent half a day there, played trivia together, and we slept separately at night 2 nights in a row. She left that next day.

This is where it gets personal. I guess all of that wasn’t satisfactory for her. She felt confused, I guess, and as it turns out I misread everything. Well, she wanted to come back down before I left, and we set the rules that we are NOT looking for anything together. She again, came down, brought tim hortons again, and I got us a hotel room. It was a great time, we went out into the North End and got dinner and walked around a bit, talked, and hung out. We didn’t do anything that night, but at 3am the both of us woke up and we slept together. Honestly, I couldn’t stop thinking about my ex, and the sex was awful. It really was awful. I hated everything about it. She was beautiful, she had an amazing body, everything was perfect. But I couldn’t help but think of Katie. Now, SHE was good, this was just so bad. I will leave it at that. She really liked it, and she made that known, but man, this made me miss Katie so much. After everything, I stayed in the shower for a very long time and just thought back, replaying memories in my head, imagining her cute little smirk that told me “I love you, Matt” as she…. ugh… well you know the rest probably. I can’t go further with that. Again, this is a public forum, and now that I know it will be read, I’m hesitant to say things that I know would get me into trouble. Still, if I learned anything from this little fling, I learned that I am not over her yet — and that I took the sex for granted. I hope kt still thinks that I was good 😂😂 not that it matters. I’m hoping things will be different down here in the Land of Oz.

p.s. This all took me a while to write and two of my roommates at the hostel have been talking (and moaning??) in their sleep. I’m the only dude in this room of 8 people which is insane. Anyway, I have to pee and have been trying not to get up, but I definitely have to now. I’ll try and update as my life gets more interesting. Also I need a pair of socks like this guy:

[parkerbombshell]

The Menace's Attic #795

The Menace’s Attic Mon-Sat 5pm EST bombshellradio.com on ​Bombshell Radio Sunday’s 8pm EST New Shows Wednesday’s 1pm-2pm EST 10am-11am PDT 6pm-7pm BST bombshellradio.com Repeats Friday 5pm EST #classics #pop #rock #classicrock #themenacesattic #BombshellRadio   This Week – Episode #795 (06/03/2017)   "As A Special Welcome To Our New Friends Listening On KBUU in Malibu, We Present Your First And Certainly Not Your Last Final Vinyl Edition!"   Opening Song  Malibu - The Tymes (Cameo Parkway) Set #1 Sometimes Finding The Right Love Is All About Timing, Which Is Why For Those Of Us Who Grew Up In The Timex Era, We've Taken A Licking And We've Kept On Ticking! Two Of Us - The Beatles (Apple) Groovy Situation - Gene Chandler (Mercury) Couldn't I Just Tell You - Todd Rundgren (Bearsville) Now - The Plimsouls (Planet) Set #2 And Then There's The Love Affairs That Don't Quite Work Out - And For That We're Thankful For The Apple Watch Moments After Things Go Wrong You Can Tinder A New Flame Within Seconds! Needles & Pins - The Ramones (Sire) Don't Shed A Tear - Paul Carrack (Chrysalis) World's Apart - The Sinceros (Columbia) Loneliness - Horslips (DJM) Set #3 When Life Gets Too Complicated Simply Follow Your Desire To Head For Another Dimension While Making Sure, It's One You Where You Actually Fit In! In Quintessence - Squeeze (A&M) Competition - Tom Dickie & The Desires (Mercury) Crash - The Primitives (RCA) Set #4 We Never Have To Get Political About Current Events On This Radio Show Since We Can Let Other Decades Do The Job For Us! Nature's Way - Spirit (Epic) 3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds - Jefferson Airplane (RCA) Tell It All Brother - Kenny Rodgers & The First Edition (Reprise) Closing Song  Watermelon Man - Mongo Santamaria (Columbia) Read the full article

[brainweird-equilibrium]

Mars [➶] he/him ftm

I was the host/main fronter for at least a few years, but went dormant around 2017 as a result of traumatic events. I am able to remember many of the events since then, but it feels like someone else’s strange dream that somehow I managed to look in on. Other alter/s reinitiating contact with a certain individual kind of sparked my reawakening over the last year or two, I’ve had a few brief moments of awareness but have only really in 2023 had any significant amount of time in front. This is all a lot for me. Last I checked I had basically just turned 15 and was so depressed and overwhelmed that I literally faded out of existence lmao. And now I’m having to figure out coming to consciousness in a life that just isn’t my own anymore. It’s a really weird experience and stressful to say the least

I am a transsexual man/guy/whatever. I have pretty bad dysphoria but not as bad as when I was out before bc the body has been on T now, which wast a pleasant surprise. I’m an atheist. When I was around before I was kind of aware of the existence of a couple of alters (notably ix, who I called Mask at the time) but didn’t really manage to figure much out.

I like big comfy flannel shirts (well any button ups in general I’m a fan), hot chocolate, chest hair, the idea of being in quiet remote valleys in the bush but not the practical realities of having shit camping food and no real bathroom. I like fantasy, like LOTR, and HEMA. The system’s space & physics Thing that a lot of people have carried on originated with me, which I’m pretty proud of. BIG kerbal space program fan, lover of airplanes and flying. I always thought scene/emo stuff was really cool but was too preoccupied with passing and looking as much like a normal guy as possible, so I never actually got to try it out myself.

Recently (as of jan 23 at least) I’ve been out or relatively close quite a bit, so I’m not difficult to talk to individually.

#alter intro #alter introduction #➶ #did #osddid

[rushmackay0]

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#replica fendi bag #fendi replica #fendi backpack replica #replica fendi #best fendi replica handbag

[bonedoor]

i said i would do it and so i did: mutuals as girl group (or female soloist) songs !! think of these as ... soup ... songs are just ingredients to mix together and thus some (a lot) of them are mentioned multiple times throughout this!!

tagging again before the cut just in case !! @siyoon @chiwooz @heartriki @song-mingi @jaehyukkies @kdongyoung @seongz @roshnis @flops @pastelyoo @heeseunq @beomkai @soppa @yjsgf @ncityzen @tittiez @20cm @mithaai @pixi-ki @outofexits @donghuun

@siyoon​ // brina (this is my love letter to u i lov u but also u are every good song ever actually because i!! love!!! you!!!!)

will you go out with me (dia), feel good (secret code) (fromis_9), friday night (sonamoo), top secret (weeekly), we like (pristin), chillin’ chillin’ (itzy), fruity (hyolyn & kisum), birthday (somi), m-maybe (ioi), nineteen (natty), sooo lucky (itzy), not that type (gugudan), i’m so pretty (nature), airplane (f(x)), tag me (weeekly), dumb dumb (somi), nobody like you (itzy), let’s dance (wjsn), i will show you (ailee), say you love me (twice), o sole mio (iz*one), really like you (iz*one), love letter (berrygood), one in a million (twice)

@chiwooz // ven (a warm blanket but make it glittery)

knock knock (twice), teddy bear (natty), depend on you (twice), hurry up (sohee), 22century girl (fromis_9), love letter (berry good), shooting love (laboum), very very very (ioi), rookie (red velvet), to the sky (clc), nekkoya (pick me) (produce 48), sooo lucky (itzy), ping pong (ioi), zombie (purple kiss), could this be love (gugudan), don’t give up (twice), we (pristin), when the cherry blossoms fade (ioi), like a fool (twice), neverland (weki meki), zzz (youha)

@heartriki // lulu (i’m so lucky!!! (to have u))

dalla dalla (itzy), sunday (fanatics), anymore (somi), hush (everglow), trouble (kriesha chu), brand new girl (twice), sooo lucky (itzy), birthday (somi), yes or yes (twice), gas me up (itzy), catch me (favorite), hot (twice), fight day (bol4), kidding me (itzy), seattle alone (bol4), satellite (ha:tflet & ash island), zzz (youha), i’m your girl? (khan)

@song-mingi // iri (look away i feel like u’d hate like half of these. but ure cool and i lov u)

chica (chungha), cool (weki meki), sunny side up! (red velvet), airplane (f(x)), fruity (hyolyn & kisum), lucky (weeekly), no.1 (boa), you can’t sit with us (sunmi), butterflies (red velvet), the boots (gugudan), wave (limesoda), last waltz (twice), love song (miss a), tiger eyes (ryu sujeong), home (ailee), cry for me (twice), blue moon (gyeongree), obliviate (lovelyz), fire (taeyeon), satellite (ha:tfelt & ash island), flying on faith (chungha), breathe (lee hi)

@jaehyukkies // eri (i am sitting on your floor at 4 am. we’re sharing cookies.)

mirror (itzy), bbibbi (iu), siesta (weki meki), be in love (itzy), the best thing i ever did (twice), after we ride (brave girls), cruel (twice), ending credit (uhm junghwa), crush (weki meki), what’s my name (t-ara), to my youth (bol4), blue moon (gyeongree), square (2017) (baek yerin), i need healing (dia), satellite (laboum), girls like us (twice), so bad (stayc), someone like you (dalshabet), fight day (bol4), i just (red velvet), behind the mask (twice), right here, right everywhere (boa)

@kdongyoung // ro (u are the moon and these are the stars around u)

celebrity (iu), yummy! (weeekly), what is love (twice), skyline (sejeong), lilac (rocket punch), flower road (sejeong), killing me (chungha), cactus (twice), leave me (ben), after we ride (brave girls), love is (itzy), easy (wjsn the black), zzz (youha), sullae (rothy), badaboom (wjsn), star (minseo), forever love (haebin), i-yah (wjsn), satellite (laboum), girls like us (twice), hold my hand (iu), cinderella (stellar), blueming (iu), shiny boy (joy)

@seongz // vivi (op my beloved this is for u powerwalking on campus)

got’ya (ichillin’), yeppi yeppi (aespa), want it? (itzy), nun nu nan na (cignature), cruel (twice), pose (red velvet), cherry kisses (chungha), no lie (everglow), deepened (brave girls), rainbow (twice), so bad (stayc)

@roshnis // roshni (we are on the beach in the middle of summer standing on the burning sand but we’re also at a fancy prom at the same time)

holiday party (weeekly), blue lemonade (red velvet), star (loona), don’t give a what (itzy), what you waiting for (somi), brand new girl (twice), hide & seek (loona), oh my summer (wjsn)

@flops // ina (u are the pretty girl in the grocery store and i’m accidentally dropping my potatoes because i’m staring at u)

q&a (cherry bullet), ayayaya (iz*one), pporappippam (sunmi), whatever (brave girls), untouchable (everglow), genie (snsd), cherry kisses (chungha), green apple (berrygood), lucky (weeekly), go hard (twice), memory (brave girls), i will show you (ailee), password 486 (younha)

@pastelyoo // seo (did you know that clouds are made of cotton candy?)

dreamlike (iz*one), outta my head (somi), love is (itzy), bubble up! (rocket punch), that day (lovelyz), because of you (berrygood), when the cherry blossoms fade (ioi), angel (berrygood), wow! (lovelyz), hold on (ioi), into the new world (snsd), now, we (lovelyz), do what we like (twice)

@heeseunq // riri (we are in a high school/college drama and you ARE the main character)

love so sweet (cherry bullet), scandal (twice), talk & talk (fromis_9), asap (stayc), stuck (twice), sassy me (red velvet), whatever (brave girls), not friends (loona), hello (twice), fight day (bol4), b[oo]m-boxx (itzy), fancy (twice)

@beomkai // ryu (let’s go on a drive !!!)

ending credit (uhm junghwa), what’s my name (t-ara), after school (weeekly), island (youha), lonely (sistar), the feels (twice), bae (hyolyn), domino game (kiss&cry), don’t believe (berrygood), hot (twice)

@soppa // sofi (i am writing these in a glitter gen pen on a pink sticky note shaped like a heart and dropping it into your bag when you’re not looking)

lovesick (gugudan), mulgogi (fromis_9), shouldn’t have met (brave girls), no more (uni.t), now, we (lovelyz), bim bam bum (rocket punch), you can’t sit with us (sunmi), you&i (uni.t), look at me (twice), after we ride (brave girls)

@yjsgf // sorina (i hope you’re doing alright beloved <//3)

lil’ touch (snsd oh!gg), deepened (brave girls), wild (9muses), what you waiting for (twice), no good reason (everglow), can’t get you out of my mind (dreamcatcher), i’m so sick (apink), loco (itzy), xoxo (somi)

@ncityzen // erola (spring fairy!!! i miss u!!!)

blue moon (hyolyn), back together (everglow), into you (yuri), lilac (iu), queen (twice), untouchable (everglow), ending credit (uhm junghwa), since then (haebin)

@tittiez // daphne (i can’t sit with u indeed. imagine that i am a barista and instead of asking for ur number i give u a playlist)

red-sun (021) (gwsn), strawberry (twice), hmph! (wjsn chocome), you can’t sit with us (sunmi), cherry on top (10:45 from the unit), scandal (twice), shotgun (gugudan), sassy me (red velvet)

@20cm // caleb (those are plushies and pillows to help u sleep well. also remember to drink. and consider eating if you haven’t yet!)

vanilla (lightsum), overwrite (apink), zzz (youha), neverland (weki meki), stereotype (stayc), butterfly (weeekly), dear. teddy bear (bol4)

@mithaai // neha (looking at the ocean through the window. u are living On the ocean. the lace curtains are dancing in the breeze)

la la love (wjsn), see sea (hyolyn), island (youha), in your time (suhyun), after we ride (brave girls), dance on my own (loona)

@pixi-ki // artzyy (puts stickers on ur face)

kidding me (itzy), bae (hyolyn), deepened (brave girls), square (2017) (baek yerin), loco (itzy)

@outofexits // nil (my beloved in-law, we’ve talked like -2 times this is truly based on vibes)

zombie (purple kiss), night rather than day (exid), lonely (sistar), untouchable (everglow), 1, 3, 2 (twice)

@donghuun // aléks (hii i thought i wouldn’t be able to figure anything out but bon bon chocolat played and i was like this sounds like aléks’ gifs. and so here we are it’s half based on your gifs half on the vibes u give me goodbye)

bon bon chocolat (everglow), icon (twice), we are legendary (sonamoo), sunny side up! (red velvet), love foolish (twice)

#mostly didn't include people i haven't talked to much bc . i mean i think it makes sense how do i use songs to describe someone i don't know #</3* #millie talks

[riku-in-japan]

Day 0-1 Airplane & Naritasan Senso-ji

I'm in Japan!!

The flight experience was probably the worst yet. No blame goes to the company, there simply are things they cannot control.

Like the fact that the European airspace was too crowded, so takeoff was delayed by an hour and we got to chill an hour inside the airplane at the gate. (Never imagined something like an air traffic jam existed)

Then we experienced a lot of turbulence, which actually didn't really bother me. The feeling kinda reminded me of a roller coaster ride, and I enjoy those, so I actually found the feeling a bit entertaining.

The worst part was... I became violently nauseous sometime halfway through the flight and I probably ended up crying for the last 4-5 hours of it, praying I wouldn't end up vomiting. Somehow, the only time I didn't feel extremely nauseous was when I was crying. I do seem to have caused the flight crew some concern by crying for hours on end. (I'm so sorry! I couldn't help it!!) I'm at this point not entirely sure what caused the situation, but I felt completely fine once I got off the airplane... So, I suppose it was something similar to car sickness?

Since I was feeling quite fine, we decided to het on whith the itinerary and headed to Naritasan Senso-ji. To our dismay, the lockers at the Narita Keisei station required you to have seven one-hundred yen coins and there was no bill exchange machine, so we could not store our large suitcases there. Thankfully the lockers at the Narita JR station accepted Suica, so we dropped our stuff and headed over.

The way to the temple somehow felt a lot different than last time I visited in 2017. I can't help but feel like a lot of the old buildings have been replaced since then, or my brain is just misremembering.

The temple itself was still pretty as before. I suppose I was a little bummmed to find none of the trees at the park had started changing color yet. The autums colors were just so pretty last time!

The lack of sleep also started to get to me at some point, so I didn't really enjoy the scenery as much as I wished I did. But I do think that staying active all day did help to fight off the jet-lag.

In the end we made it safely to my brother's place in Tokyo. Even though I kept dozing off a few times on the train.

#Japan 2023 #Naritasan Sensoji

[scottymcgeesterwrites]

ScottyMcGeester Plays Every Final Fantasy Game*

*Okay, all the main games except 11 and 14 since they are online only, and also no spinoffs or sequels.

THE INTRODUCTION

Years ago, I had a goal to finish every Final Fantasy game. As of December 30, 2020, I finally reached that goal. I originally started posting these reviews way back in 2017 on VGF(VIdeo Game Forums), and posted one review after another as I completed each game. I had already finished a few before I started reviewing the series, such as Final Fantasy I, II, VI, IX, and X.

Final Fantasy X was my very first Final Fantasy game, way back when it first came out on the PS2. It took me years to finish that game, mostly because I was still a novice at RPGs and I didn’t quite know what I was doing. Still, the world and concepts of Final Fantasy gripped me. As a sci-fi/fantasy writer, they inspired tons of elements in my stories. The series spans a multitude of genre-bending stories – sci-fi, fantasy, some steampunk, modern fantasy, space, traditional fantasy with knights in armor – and a whole lot of crystals. I wrote these reviews as if you have no idea what Final Fantasy is – whether you are a gamer or non-gamer. This first post is a general introduction to the series as a whole, but even if you are a die-hard fan already, there are some things that I explore that I hope you'll find interesting. What is Final Fantasy? Final Fantasy is a roleplay video game series that started back in 1987. The first game was reminiscent of Dungeons and Dragons, where you could choose one of six roles for a team of four: White Mage, Black Mage, Red Mage, Thief, Monk and Warrior. Square, now known as Square Enix, developed the game. A legendary rumor about the title “Final Fantasy” comes from the story that they were on the verge of bankruptcy. They only had money for one more game, a fantasy game. They dubbed it “Final Fantasy.” This apocryphal story is nowhere near true. Square had made video games before and they didn’t do well, but the company itself wasn’t on the verge of bankruptcy. What happened was that the developer, Hironobu Sakaguchi, had planned to retire. He didn’t see any foreseeable future in video gaming with Square’s mediocre performance. He wanted to make a fantasy game and dubbed it “Final Fantasy”, since it was to be his personal last work. He also wanted the game to be abbreviated as “FF” – they originally had “Fighting Fantasy” in mind but that name was already trademarked by a board game. Final Fantasy initially sold 400,000 copies in Japan and became and instant hit. Nintendo of America approached Square to release a localized version for the states. Final Fantasy became far from Sakaguchi’s last game. What’s Final Fantasy about? Every main Final Fantasy game has a new story with new characters and even new gameplay. Some games have direct sequels and are recognizable with a subtitle, or an additional number following a dash. For example, there is Final Fantasy VII, and the direct sequel to that Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. There's a direct sequel to Final Fantasy X titled Final Fantasy X-2. But even though each Final Fantasy game is different, there are still central elements that make them a Final Fantasy game. You can’t just write up a random fantasy story and slap the Final Fantasy name on it. The following elements are what make a Final Fantasy game. Some are obvious while others not so much. Chocobos:

Chocobos were first introduced in Final Fantasy II, but have been present ever since. They are cute, large birds that the characters often ride across fields or sometimes call into battle. They have practically become the mascot of the series. Moogles, Cactuars and Tonberries – oh my!

Moogles (pictured above) are telepathic creatures that help the players, or sometimes they can be a playable character. They debuted in Final Fantasy III.

Cactuars (right) and Tonberries (left) are cute, unassuming enemies that are actually highly dangerous, killing you in one shot if you are not careful or fast enough. The former debuted in Final Fantasy VI while the latter debuted in Final Fantasy V. Summons:

Sometimes they go by different names, like eidolons or espers. Summons are massive, fantastic beasts that you can call upon to aide you in battle to fight the enemy. Summons became a staple ever since Final Fantasy III. In some games, they are merely there to call into battle, while in other games they are central to the story. Airships:

Airships have been present since the first game. They are massive boat-looking airplanes. In the more recent games, airships look almost like spaceships.

Cid:

With the exception of the original Final Fantasy (except in later remakes), every game has a character named Cid. Cid is typically the character who owns an airship.

Items and Magic Spells:

Each game shares virtually all the same items and magic spells. Antidotes. Eye drops. Maiden's kiss. Holy water. Phoenix Down is well-known for reviving knocked-out characters in battle. The spells follow a hierarchy of levels. For example, Cure is the basic spell to heal somebody. The second level spell for healing is Cura. Then Curaga. Then finally Curaja. Most other spells follow the same format. The same high-level spells also frequently appear throughout the games, such as Holy and Flare.

Crystals:

With a few exceptions, crystals appear in nearly every game. They often serve as plot devices, whether they be the force that protects the planet or powerful objects coveted by the enemy. They also oftentimes have a consciousness of their own, communicating with the characters and calling them to their destiny.

Mythological References:

Final Fantasy is riddled with mythological references. Many summons and creatures take the names of mythological creatures or deities, such as Shiva, Bahamut, Leviathan, Behemoth, Odin, and Ifrit. Certain villains share the names of mythological figures or they are derived from certain mythological concepts, such as Gilgamesh and Sephiroth. Many of the games have legendary weapons you can find near the end of the journey. These are typically named after legendary Japanese figures, such as Masamune and Yoichi, or other world mythologies, such as Thor’s hammer Mjolnir. Saving the World:

Final Fantasy isn’t about saving a particular princess, or person for that matter. The ultimate goal is to save the entire world, or even the very fabric of reality. Evil spreads in many ways, such as a sealed darkness trying to break free, empires with ambitious goals, villainous subordinates who pull the strings of politics, or empires destroying the environment. Typically, the main cast consists of characters from all walks of life. They all have to learn to work together and get through their personal struggles to save the world. Existential Crisis (or Startling Revelation):

By the time you reach the third act of a Final Fantasy game, some startling revelation forces the characters to question their very existence. A villain is revealed to be a hero’s family member, a main character realizes they're a clone, another realizes that they cannot live without magic, etc. Typically, the main character questions the nature of their soul, if they die like regular beings and become part of some greater life force, or blink out into oblivion. Whatever the revelation may be – it serves as a final crisis that the characters have to overcome. The Descent into Hell:

Every third act of a Final Fantasy game ends with what I like to call a “descent into hell”. The final dungeon is always some kind of bizarre world. In Final Fantasy II, you literally descend into hell to fight the Emperor. Throughout the series, hell is more metaphorical. The final dungeons can be a massive, sprawling tower or dreadnought, or a strange dimension that appears to have no rhyme or reason. Sometimes I'm reminded of M.C. Escher’s work, “Relativity”, or sometimes it reminds me of some cosmic horror featured in the Cthulhu Mythos. These final dungeons can be inter-dimensional rifts between space and times, pockets in reality, subterranean depths, insane worlds that the villain created, and worlds of darkness. (Final Fantasy IX's Memoria)

(M.C. Escher's “Relativity”)

These stylistic approaches for the final dungeon represent the oncoming battle with the forces of chaos. Fighting God:

After venturing through the surreal and hellish final dungeon, you face the main villain. The main villain always achieves godlike status or the characters actually have to defeat a god in order to save the world from its oppressive reign. Many stories appear to throw in a last minute ultimate god who was pulling the strings of the plot the entire time. The purpose of dealing with gods and goddesses represents the characters’ desire to control their own fate and alter their destiny. Most of these bosses are strange and grotesque, definitely getting a Cthulhu vibe from them. I looked at them and thought, "Christ, what the hell is THAT supposed to be?"

It always feels like THE final fantasy:

Each game, no matter what happens or how it happens, feels like the be-all-end-all of its story – its fictional universe. Direct sequels were unheard of until Final Fantasy X-2, which while fun, was wildly different in tone from the original game, and critics pointed out that it ruined the finality of Final Fantasy X. This is one reason why I think direct sequels to Final Fantasy games fail – what else could the main characters possibly face that is more dangerous than the one they just encountered? Anything else would feel like child’s play to them. NOTABLE PEOPLE Aside from the characters, stories and games themselves, the people behind the series have achieved legendary status. Nobuo Uematsu:

The original composer of Final Fantasy. Uematsu single-handedly scored the first 9 Final Fantasy games. Uematsu surprisingly never had any formal training in music – a trait that would ostracize any composer, such as Danny Elfman. I find that the those who haven't had any formal training usually break the mold with music. Uematsu started working for Square at around 25 for the first Final Fantasy game, starting out with nothing and never suspecting his job would lead him where he is now. His music is unique for incorporating elements of classic and progressive rock, specifically in the battle themes. Uematsu’s themes for each game have achieved instant recognition in the gaming world, as recognizable as the theme to Star Wars or James Bond. Tetsuya Nomura:

Tetsuya Nomura is a video game designer and director who started at Square in 1990. He rose to prominence when he was given full control of designing the characters for Final Fantasy VII – arguably the most popular Final Fantasy game to date because of its characters: Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart, Vincent Valentine and Sephiroth. Nomura went on to create more legendary characters for Final Fantasy VIII, X and XIII. Yoshitaka Amano:

Amano is the artist whose work is most known now in Final Fantasy. He has done concept art and design for every game in the series. His style is instantly recognizable. He has also drawn for many anime shows, comics and mangas, such as Vampire Hunter D and Sandman: The Dream Hunters.

And last but certainly not least - THE MUSIC Final Fantasy has left its mark in the musical soundtrack of video games. Each game more or less shares three of the same memorable tracks.

The Prelude:

The Victory Fanfare:

The Final Fantasy Main Theme:

THE REVIEWS

Each review I post will critique major aspects of each Final Fantasy game, such as its gameplay, graphics, story, and music. Today is currently January 3, 2020 (technically the 4th when I post this because it’s past midnight), and I will be posting one review per day so as to not lose my sanity editing and formatting everything at once here. So look forward to the very first review tomorrow starting with the very first Final Fantasy game.

#final fantasy #final fantasy v #final fantasy vi #final fantasy vii #final fantasy vii remake #final fantasy xv #final fantasy xvi #tifa loc #cloud strife #sephiroth #nobuo uematsu #video games #sony playstation #playstation 5 #final fantasy x #onvideogames

[notafraidofredyellowandblue]

Flake interview 2020-01

Not a new interview, but relatively recent, Flake with "Der Standard" 2020-01 before an appearance of Flake in Vienna (author Stefan Weiss), don't think there's a translation on the website, so here's a shot..:

Rammstein keyboardist Flake: "The reunification was a mess"

Christian "Flake" Lorenz hits the keys not only as a keyboardist, but also as an author. A conversation about controversial views on the GDR, fireworks and climate protection

At Rammstein he is the "keyfucker" - GDR jargon for keyboard players. His real name is Christian Lorenz, but he has been calling himself "Flake", pronounced in German, of course, since his youth. For a quarter of a century, the native of East Berlin has been the alien in the German rock band, the thin freak among the strong musclemen. In the meantime, Flake also hits the keys as an author: In "An was ich mich so erinnern kann" (2015) he wrote down his GDR experiences, followed in 2017 with "Heute hat die Welt Geburtstag", a literary autobiography about Rammstein. On March 26, Flake will come to Vienna's Globe Theater for a reading.

STANDARD: We are currently celebrating 30 years of 'Die Wende' *1). Your joy is limited, as one knows. How do you perceive the anniversary?

Flake: 'Die Wende' and reunification of Germany have to be separated. I experienced the change as a punk at the time. The ossified old concrete headframe of the GDR Politburo was also our enemy. We didn't want this idiotic regime anymore and we fought to loosen it up. When the wall came down, we didn't know what to do with the freedom we suddenly had. But then began an incredibly exciting time in which we tried to develop professionally, politically and musically in every direction.

STANDARD: And then came the reunification.

Flake: A lot went wrong from then on. We were annexed as a useless country, entire biographies were declared worthless, companies were closed so that the western companies could expand. We have been reset to such an extent that resentment and disappointment have built that have persisted until now. By and large, the reunification in this form was a mess.

STANDARD: If you look at Germany's east today, right-wing populism has recently had great political success there. A legacy of reunification?

Flake: Many people are disappointed because certain promises have not been fulfilled. But they already had the political left in their lives, now they are trying it with the right. Personally, I cannot understand how one can vote for the AfD *2). But those who do are doing it in large part in protest against the mainstream parties. It is clear that the AfD cannot meet expectations either. If the AfD were to rule, many people would notice very quickly that it is not getting better, but worse.

STANDARD: You grew up in the East Berlin punk scene. What are the differences between the East and West punks?

Flake: There was a fundamental difference: the Ostpunks didn't need any money because life was absurdly cheap, rent around 25 marks. The koney you made from one concert lasted over a month. So you could make the music you wanted to make and not just the music that sells well. Absurdly enough, it made us very free.

STANDARD: There were also IM Stasi informers among your band colleagues at the time (IM: unofficial employee, note). Aren't you angry with the repressive surveillance state of the GDR?

Flake: I'm not angry with IM informers in the bands. Because their IM status often made it possible for the bands to exist at all. The Stasi didn't lock up its own people. The best example of this is the GDR band 'Die Firma'. It was founded by IM informers. The gag was that 'Die Firma' ('The Company') was actually a synonym for "Stasi". Covered by the Stasi, they then sang anti-subversive texts. Almost brilliant really.

STANDARD: Do you understand when it is said that the GDR was an injustice state and that Stasi repression was a kind of terror?

Flake: I can understand it when people say that who have experienced it and suffered from it. But personally, I can't say that the whole state was bad. I don't want to know how many innocent people have been or are being imprisoned and monitored in the West. I do not find the generalization of the "unjust state" okay.

STANDARD: Would Rammstein have been conceivable in the GDR?

Flake: We wouldn't have founded a band like Rammstein within the GDR because it would have been the wrong answer to this system. We founded Rammstein because we noticed that our punk music wasn't getting anywhere in the West. It took harder stuff.

STANDARD: You have retained a kind of socialism within the band. Nevertheless, Rammstein is a millionaire company. Were there moments when you thought: The money could not only destroy our character but also the band?

Flake: Rammstein is a company where money fluctuates a lot. We have a lot of employees, we buy tons of pyrotechnics, we have a huge stage, costumes, our own electricity network, we shoot extremely complex videos. The money that remains private can actually hardly harm us, because it is so limited. We really have to make sure that the plus-minus calculation works out.

STANDARD: In your book "Heute hat die Welt Geburtstag" you describe the 25 years of Rammstein as a long partnership: It has become calmer in bed, but you understand each other blindly. Is divorce even an option?

Flake: Divorce is definitely not an issue. It's like a very long marriage: You don't even think about divorce anymore.

STANDARD: In the midst of tough muscle men, you were always the figure that breaks everything, especially in the interaction with singer Til Lindemann, who sometimes roasts you on stage like a cockroach. It looks like the traditional comedian constellation white clown and stupid August, Laurel and Hardy with SM components. How important is that to the show?

Flake: We developed that more by accident. We never made it up: you are the strong one, I am the weak one. At our first concerts we always stood around very haphazardly, then we started pushing and provoking each other. When I watch a normal heavy metal band I get bored easily. We always have something going on.

STANDARD: Do you sometimes long for a role change at Rammstein? To be the strong one for once?

Flake: Nah, I have other worries. With those couple of concerts, I can handle my role well enough.

STANDARD: Can you even enjoy appearances or does that only come afterwards? After all, a Rammstein show is precision work.

Falke: What do you mean enjoy? I enjoy when everything runs smooth and everything works like a machine. There are good and bad concerts, at the good ones we take off like an airplane.

STANDARD: Rammstein mixes black romanticism with black humor. You yourself love the blues, which often sails in similar waters. Can you draw joy out of melancholy?

Flake: The blues is the best example of this. Sadness and comfort go hand in hand. All of popular music arose from a problem of the respective author. This is exactly what you want to hear when you are not feeling well yourself. During puberty you normally don't want to hear "Walking on Sunshine" either.

STANDARD: Traditionally, there is also joy in melancholy and morbidity in Vienna. Is that the Eastern European impact?

Flake: Slavic music is very melancholic, on the other hand the Goth culture comes from the west. So I wouldn't really pinpoint that to anything local.

STANDARD: It is said that Rammstein did more to preserve the German language than all the Goethe Institutes put together. Are you proud of that?

Flake: Yeah. But the interesting thing is that we are regarded more highly abroad than in our own country. In Germany there is a lot of ranting: We are dull and foolish about Germany - complete nonsense.

STANDARD: Rammstein has always been compared to the totalitarian parody band Laibach. They recently played in North Korea with the aim of appearing subversive. Is something like that conceivable for Rammstein?

Flake: We'd have to think very carefully about what we want and why we want it. If that were to help someone, okay - but only to be able to say, "We're subversive now," that's not an argument.

STANDARD: For reasons of climate protection, there is an increasing number of missile bans. A topic for Rammstein?

Flake: We played a concert in Chicago once. The local fire protection was so rigorous that we shouldn't even have lit a match. Complete ban on pyro. We went on stage and said: either we are leaving because we are not allowed to make a fire here, or we are playing without. The audience wanted the latter, of course. And it became one of our best shows. You have to weigh it up a bit: should you stop all things like a Rammstein show for climate reasons? But I totally understand that there shouldn't be any more bangs on New Year's Eve. I was in Vienna once at the turn of the year, and there was relatively little banging. I thought that was good. Berlin is one of the most terrifying cities on New Year's Eve. There it's pure aggression.

Notes:

*1) i kept 'Die Wende' as the term for the political transformation in east germany, not sure what the official english phrase is

*2) AfD, short for 'Alternative für Deutschland' or 'Alternative for Germany' is a right-wing populist political party, often characterized as far-right, known for its opposition to the European Union and immigration

#flake interview #rammstein interview #interview 2020 #again with the marriage analogy #😊 #rammstein #flake lorenz

[h0neyjaehyun]

☁︎ 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 ☁︎

Summary // Its Tali's birthday and her brothers

Characters // Tali Flores + Miguel Flores (ft. NCT127+ Bang Chan + Karma Yoon + Song-ho + Allen.)

Era / Year // February 2017

Word Count //

Italics // English

"Out of all days...you just had to pick our birthday to model." Tali said shaking her head.

Tali accepted her brothers invitation to model with him in February but didn't know it was going to be on their birthday. She had to leave early so the boys won't stop her from going. She had to tell her manager to tell Nct 127 manager to tell the members she had a schedule today so they won't worry cause they took her phone because of hate comments.(yes ofc we totally love that)

Miguel chuckled at her and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Come on its been awhile and its been awhile since we have spent time together." He pointed out.

She rolled her eyes at him, but did have a point. His modeling career has been off the charts going to different countries to model at points she joins him but they haven't spent a lot of time together properly especially on birthdays, one always seems busy.

"Come on people lets get these twins changed we gotta start." The photographer shouted and people started to scramble.

She has forgotten how this type of modeling was like and its a lot work and longer too. Since usually its more like oh they get two outfits each 5 poses and only one place to stay go while this...this is multiple outfits, different changes, different makeup styles each and places changes.

She mentally groaned remembering all of this, since she sometimes modeled here and there with her brother since he wasn't yet comfortable with other people aka girls. She didn't mind at first but its been awhile since she did this.

After she came out of the dressing room with her outfit that people helped her put on, her brother clapped.

"What?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"You look great."

"Oh tha-"

"Cause you look just like me." He said with such confidence cutting her off. Tali gave him such a dirty look.

"What?" He said questioning her dirty look.

"Nevermind, I'm just wondering how I'm related to you." She said looking him up and down and walked out of the dressing room. Miguel looked at her with a disbelief look on his face thinking, I forgot how much of a bitch she can be.

While Tali was walking out her manager got gave her the phone. It was Doyoung. She answered.

"Hi Doyoung."

"Hi princess, happy birthday."

"Aw thank you."

"The guys are wondering where you are, we wanna celebrate your birthday."

"Oh.." She quickly looked back at her manager signaling her to come back over. She covered the mic quickly.

"Did you tell the manager to tell the members that I have a schedule?"

"Yeah?"

"Then why is Doyoung calling me where I am."

"Just tell him you are on a schedule all day."

Her manager waved off, Tali huffed and went back to the phone.

"Uh, I'm at a schedule right now sorry."

"I know, but we wanna come over and visit."

"Oh.... I don't know where we are I slept half way here, let me ask if-" She turned to see her brother shaking his head no, she frowned and mouthed okay.

"Sorry. I can't have visitors." She said glaring at Miguel.

"Oh, when can you come back home?"

"I don't know, I'm sorry." Tali said apologetically.

"Oh Tali don't be sorry, we should its your birthday."

"Oh don't worry, I'm not alone its okay I will hopefully see you tonight I have to go, tell the guys I said hi."

"Will do Tali." She ended the call with a pout and turned to her brother.

"Really, I can't bring them?"

"Nope, this is a brother and sister bonding time, its been awhile since we modeled together lets go lazy ass." He said dragging her to the set.

"Yeah yeah, Im comin."

"Hyung?"

"Yeah?" Doyoung turned to Mark.

"Can we come over?"

Doyoung shook his head, all the members excitement went down drastically.

"Why not?" Taeyong asked quite upset, he wanted to see Talia.

"I don't really know, she just said no visitors allowed." Doyoung slouched in the couch.

"What is she doing anyway?" Haechan whinned.

"She is modeling." Their manager walked in past them to get water.

"Why? She didn't have a schedule for modeling yet." Taeyong said checking her schedule on his phone since she shares it with him because she has different schedules than them its easy to keep track of her so he knows when she gets home.

"She doesn't have it down, it was a favor for a family member, she accepted but she didn't know it was on her birthday she will comeback later don't worry." He waving it off.

The members were taken aback she never talks about her family so never thought she would do something for them especially model.

"Why modeling?" Jaehyun asked his manager.

"Because one of the family members is a model and asked her to model with them, you will see it in Vogue." He said walking off to his room.

The members eyes went big, they didn't think she had a family member that modeled especially one for vogue.

"I wonder how attractive her family is, like think about it." Yuta reasoned.

Everyone nodded Tali was pretty, what about her family?

"Final one Tali you two get to go home!" The photographer said happily. Tali smiled and so did Miguel.

It was almost dark.

"Happy birthday asshole." Tali said putting him in head lock.

"Happy birthday bitch." As he was about to tackle her on the ground the heard someone clear their throat. They looked up to see four familiar faces.

"Hey guys, what are you doing here." Miguel said while Tali was releasing him from the head lock.

"To say happy brithday to you two idiots." Karma said hugging Talia then Miguel.

"Yeah, questionable why you guys are working on your birthday." Chan said hugging both of them in a tight hug.

"Ask Miguel he dragged me here." Tali said hugging Allen then Song-ho. Song-ho shook his head at her.

"Well, we all wanna hangout for your birthday tonight you two up for that." Allen asked.

"Yeah but what time?" Tali asked wondering if she needs to sneak out.

"Around 1am." Allen said checking his phone.

"Why so late, not that I don't mind honestly probably Tali needs a breather." Miguel said eyeing Tali.

"We are gonnna celebrate at the spot." Song-ho smiled widely with the rest aswell remembering all the memories from there.

"Looks like I'm sneaking out." Tali said with a huff.

"Ooh, like usually." Miguel teasingly messing up her hair.

"I came to drop you off aswell Tali." Chan said grabbing her bag.

"Thank youu~, see you guys later and Allen."

"Yeah?"

"Pick me up at the corner instead."

"Okay."

With that she left with Chan.

"So, you gonna sneak out?" "Yup."

"This reminds me of highschool when you used to sneak out, and you still get all A's, you amaze me Tali." Chan said shaking his head.

"Wow flattery will get you no where Chan." She snickered

"Ah wait don't pull that trick on me." Chan warned her while she laughed.

"Have fun Tali, while you still can."

"Is this why you are actually allowing this to happen?" She raised an eyebow at him.

"Of course, but you know our deal." He said eyeing her.

"Of course of course until I'm 19 or Korean age practically 18. But I can't get drunk either way neither can you, if we do....we will end up in bed with someone." She said eyeing him suspiciously as they got the front entrence to the apartment. He turned to her with a are you kidding me face.

"I have no-" "shhhh, you said that last time and you ended up like that." She cut him off getting out of the car.

"I hate you Tali!" He shouted

"Oh shut up you love me." She said walking in laughing.

She got on the elevator with relief. Just really thinking of all the things that happened in her life good and bad.

She got out of the elevator and went to the 127 dorm since she figured they wanted her there. She opened the door it was dark, she thought they all went to sleep which was her luck to get really until the lights turned on and saw the members.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TALIA" They all yelled running up to her and hugging the life out of her.

"Happy birthday Talia." Haechan said back hugging her.

"Aww thank you guys."

"LETS CELEBRATE!" Johnny yelled

It was now 12:30 she was back at the dream dorm everyone was asleep and when I'm mean everyone I mean everyone. After Tali showered she saw everyone passed out not one soul awake she didn't party that much as she needed to go.

As usually she managed to actually leave without anyone noticing running down the stairs, and out the door she left.

Running down the block she saw a black car with 2 people in it who seem like Allen and Song-ho waving at her to jump in...literally.

She ran and jumped over the door and in the back seat as Allen pushed the gas and went to the spot where everyone is waiting. She felt the breeze going through her hair she hasn't felt that in a while. They stopped at a construction site and went up the stairs to see cake, balloons and a fire.

"Finally, I want some cake." Karma said walking next to her looping her arm with hers and pulling her to the cake.

"Okay lets Gooooo."

"Happpy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday Twins, Happy birthday to you."

They all sang. Then they both blew the candles.

"OKAY LETS EAT SOME CAKE." Allen yelled.

(Yes I know the bite for some people/ cultures, but Karma would kill them if they destroyed the cake.)

Song-ho, Karma, Allen and Miguel were drinking while Talia and Chan weren't.

"AY, why you guys not drinking, well Chan, I know why Tali is not." Allen asked quickly clarifying.

"Because I need to drive you and Tali home, and personally I would like to be conscious." Chan said matter a fact tone. Allen rolled his eyes at him so did the others.

"Come one lets go out I'm bored." Tali whined while pulling Chan.

"Okay okay, how about the park like we used too?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

They were walking some airplaning down the street just goofing around. Tali sat on a swing with Allen looking at her.

"What is it?" Tali asked noticing him staring.

"....do you miss him?"

Tali was taken back.

"Yeah, yeah I do." She whispered but enough for him to hear, she knew who he was talking about.

"Wanna give him some flowers before we go any farther?"

Tali stopped swinging and thought about it for a moment.

"Sure its been awhile."

Allen smiled at her.

"HEY GUYS LETS GO VISIT 'HIM'!"

Everyone turned, knowing exactly who he was talking about. Everyone softened and smiled at the thought of visiting him.

"YEAH SURE." Karma yelled out loud walk towards them with Chan, Miguel and Song-ho.

"You think she is gonna be able to?" Karma whisper to the three boys before they reach Tali and Allen.

"Yeah...." Chan stopped for a second making Karma, Miguel and Song-ho look at him.

"She has to, if she wants to keep that promise."

#nct #nct 2020 #nct additional member #nct dream #nct 127 #nct u #nct au #nct dream 8th member #nct 24th member #nct female member #nct dream female addition #nct female oc #nct female addition #nct dream female member #nct doyoung #nct haechan #nct mark #nct taeyong #nct jaehyun #straykids bang chan #straykids karma #nct imagine #nct icons #nct fanfic #nct senarios #kpop female addition #nct tali

[365days365movies]

April 9, 2021: Some Like it Hot (1959) (Recap: Part One)

If there was ever a movie more hyped than this one...

Ever heard of the American Film Institute? Well, according to them in 2000 (recent, I know), this is the funniest comedy...period. At the time, anyway. That beats Tootsie (getting there), Dr. Strangelove (love it), Annie Hall (also loved it), Duck Soup (classic), Blazing Saddles (classic, topical, and fantastic), M*A*S*H (maybe later this year), It Happened One Night (maybe next year), The Graduate (later this WEEK), and...THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN Airplane! IS NUMBER 10? You CANNOT be seri...yeah, OK, you know where I’m going.

Anyway. Yeah, so, maybe AFI has Oscar syndrome, because that’s a little bullshit. So, uh...how about the BBC? In 2017, they asked 253 film critics ACROSS THE GLOBE what the best comedy of all time was, and number ONE was Some Like it Hot. Other than beating Airplane! again, it also beat Groundhog Day, Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, This is Spinal Tap, The Big Lebowski, and His Girl Friday, and...well, every comedy you can think of. This movie CANNOT be that funny.

...Can it?

But there’s more to this film than that. Apparently, it was made without the approval of the MPPDA, which means that it wasn’t Hays Code adherent! Damn! In fact, this film was partially responsible for its collapse about 6 years later! But what is the Hays Code? Well, briefly covered, it was a set of standards laid out by Will Hays and his Motion Picture Produces and Distributors of America, or the MPPDA. It was enforced in the mid 1930s, and stood firmly in place until 1968, when it basically disappeared.

So, what are these standards? Well, there are a lot, but in a nutshell:

No cursing or taking the Lord’s name in vain in any way.

No nudity, real or suggested. And sex is kind of OK, if consensual and between a man and a woman ONLY. But, they can’t be in bed together, and they can only kiss one time, IF one of them isn’t a villain.

No weddings, no wedding nights, and barely any reference to marriage.

No prostitution, or what was called “white slavery”. Yes. Really.

Oh, also, no weird race-mixing stuff. What’s a “civil rights”?

Buuuuuuut...don’t insult any races either. Of course, considering the time period, “insult” or “offense” is probably subjective, so...fuck that, I guess.

PRIESTS ARE HOLY AND CANNOT BE MOCKED

No guns, fire, American flags, murder, smuggling, drugs, hanging, electrocution, or...law enforcement?

No childbirth, seen or inferred, and no naked kids. I mean...that’s common sense, to be completely fair.

NO RACE-MIXI-oh. Oh, I said that already, didn’t I? Well, OK, I’ll pare it down a little. They can’t have sex, but I guess...looking at each other is OK? Yeah, yeah, we’ll go with that. I’m progressive!

That about covers it. And this movie wasn’t adherent to it? Oh...well, I am excited! Let’s jump right in! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap (1/2)

The whole thing starts with a bang; literally. It's Chicago in 1929, smack dab in the middle of the Prohibition Era, and a group of gangsters are smuggling some alcohol inside of a coffin, while riding in a hearse. The cops aren't fooled, ad a shootout takes place between the gangsters and the cops, but they eventually drop off as the group takes the coffin into a funeral home. At the funeral home, a man named “Toothpick” Charlie (George E. Stone) meets with Mulligan (Pat O’Brien) a detective who’s got Charlie as his informant. With his help, he makes his way into the funeral home, actually a speakeasy in disguise.

Said speakeasy is run by “Spats” Colombo (George Raft), and within the speakeasy is a massive party, which the partygoers call a funeral. Spats arrives there shortly afterwards, and Mulligan watches all the while. Also at this party is a group of dancers accompanied by a band, which contains two partners, ladies’ man and sax player Joe (Tony Curtis) and anxious double bassist Jerry (Jack Lemmon).

The two talk about what they’re going to do with their upcoming paycheck, with Joe planning on using it for gambling on dog races. Jerry is understandably worried about this, as they owe rent, but Joe rattles off other things that he might was well worry about.

Suppose you got hit by a truck. Suppose the stock market crashes. Suppose Mary Pickford divorces Douglas Fairbanks. Suppose the Dodgers leave Brooklyn! Suppose Lake Michigan overflows.

Fun fact, though: the stock market’s about to crash in a year, Pickford and Fairbanks divorce in 1936, and the Dodgers left Brooklyn in 1957, famously. Lake Michigan has not overflowed...YET. It’s actually at record high water levels, and could cause flooding around it in the next few years. So, although those middle three were DEFINITELY part of the joke...that last one wasn’t at the time. Of course, it’s actually there as a line to set Jerry up with a way to tell him that the streets are “about to flood”, as he spots Mulligan and makes him. He tells Joe, and they both quietly pack up their instruments and leave, BEFORE the ruckus is about to begin.

And begin it does, and the cops raid the place almost immediately afterwards. As the party’s broken up and people are loaded into the paddywagon (Spats included), Joe and Jerry take their chance to escape behind the cops’ backs. However, this also means that the two musicians aren’t getting paid after all. Joe’s still set on betting money on the dog the next day, and get the money for the bet by selling their coats. However, while they do sell their coats, they instead end up looking for jobs at a local music agency, run by Sig Poliakoff (Billy Gray). 

The agency is recruited by band owner Sweet Sue (Joan Shawlee) and her nebbish band manager Bienstock (Dave Barry), as they need a bass and a sax player to replace two of their own, in their band in Florida. On hearing this from Poliakoff’s secretary Nellie (Barbara Drew), the two barge into the office. However, much to their dismay, the only ones they’re looking for are women. While Jerry tries to weasel their way in, it doesn’t quite work, and they instead take a job up north for a Valentine’s Day dance. The two go to a garage to borrow a car from Nellie in order to get to the job. There, playing cards, is Toothpick Charlie with a group of men. But then...somebody else arrives.

Spats and his men arrive at the garage, and tell all of the men to stand with their hands on the wall. Joe and Jerry, however, manage to hide in the garage. And if you know anything about Valentine’s Day during Prohibition Era Chicago...then you know exactly what’s about to happen to Toothpick and the guys.

After the massacre (based upon the real St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Jerry makes a noise and alerts the gang to their presence. This is a problem, because Spats isn’t keen on the idea of witnesses, and immediately orders the musicians killed.With a distraction caused by the still-alive-but-dying Charlie, the two manage to escape Spats’ wrath. Now needing a fast way out of town, Joe figures out a plan. See, that job, the one from Sweet Sue, is in Florida, which is far enough away that they should be able to escape. But, uh...the band is only looking for women. And so...

This is the second most famous thing about the film. Meet Josephine and Daphne, the female aliases of Joe and Jerry respectively. As Jerry realizes the difficulties of the female wardrobe (namely skirts and heels), the two walk up to the band of women, known as “Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopators.” But they aren’t the only arrivals, and the other is the MOST famous thing about this movie...

This is Sugar “Kane” Kowalczyk, the lead singer, ukelele player, and...OK, look, it’s Marilyn Monroe, and I think I need to acknowledge this now. Marilyn Monroe is an underrated talent today, but she had a hell of a lot of potential as an actress and as an individual. She had a lot of troubles, and her early death by suicide is an absolute tragedy, no matter how you slice it. She’s a talented actress and singer, and she deserves recognition for that.

SHE IS ALSO INSANELY HOT I’M SORRY I’M WEAK

Look...it’s Marilyn fucking Monroe, OK? I know, I’m a straight cissexual man, but I wanted to make a point to acknowledge the fact that Marilyn Monroe is a talent far outside of her beauty and physicality. She (and all women) deserve that much, and deserve not to be objectified by the male gaze. I genuinely agree with this, and I do understand that concept. I’ll never personally understand the female experience, but it’s my responsibility and duty as an individual to understand experiences foreign to my own, including this one.

But DEAR LORD, her physicality is not easy to ignore, now and then! I mean COME ON! The woman’s considered a standard of classic beauty to this day by many (not by all, and not by herself), and it’s unfortunately her most famous feature to nearly everybody. But, of course, Monroe got a lot of grief for her looks as well (which is bullshit), and the stress of her life sadly led to her terrible suicide. But that doesn’t mean that her beauty inside and out shouldn’t be appreciated for what it is: beauty.

ALSO SHE IS DROP DEAD GORGEOUS I’M WEAK I KNOW

See, the train agrees with me! Oh...OH RIGHT, THE MOVIE! OK, where was I. Well, Joe and Jerry agree with me about Sugar Kane, but it is the 1950′s when the film is made, so of course they do. They watch her get on, and they follow suit, meeting the women of the band, and Sugar Kane. Sugar, see, has a teensy bit of an alcohol problem. That’s not necessarily to say she’s an alcoholic, but she is admonished for it by Sweet Sue and Bienstock, also being a repeat offender of drinking during working hours. That (and men) is something that Sweet Sue doesn’t tolerate.

She’s almost in trouble that night, when her flask falls from her stocking during a performance. However, Jerry covers for her, much to her appreciation. As they settle in for the night, all of the girls (including Joe and Jerry) sleep in the same cabin, much to the, uh, frustration of Jerry, despite Josephine’s urgings to keep it together. As Jerry continually reminds himself that he’s posing as a girl, he’s surprised that night with the appearance of Sugar, who comes to thank her for her help that night. Sugar tells “Daphne” that she owes her one, and also climbs into the cot with him to hide from Sweet Sue. Jerry...that poor mother fucker.

Well, Jerry tries to ease the tension by offering some of Joe’s whisky. But more of the girls overhear this, and eventually, a massive party erupts, with all the girls mixing drinks and sharing the single space of Jerry’s bed. Joe wakes up from all of this, and tries to help end the party, only for Sugar to climb out of it, and ask Joe for help with a block of ice for the drinks.

It’s here that she reveals that she used to work with men’s bands, but joined this band to get away from men. This is especially to get away from her weakness: tenor sax players. This intrigues Joe, the tenor sax player. However, she’s essentially sworn off of tenor sax players because of multiple bad relationships, and is instead hoping to find a millionaire in Florida, preferably one with a yacht. Meanwhile, Jerry’s bed is getting a little too full, and the girls are getting a little TOO familiar. They start to tickle him, and to prevent his cover being blown, Jerry pulls the train’s emergency brake. All of the girls scatter as the train stops, and they manage to get away with the party as Sweet Sue and Bienstock wake up only then.

The train gets to Florida, and the girls make their way into a hotel. As they check in, Jerry (as Daphne) is spotted by Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown), a millionaire, and a man with eclectic tastes in women. And those tastes apparently include Daphne, as he unsubtly (and unwantedly) hits on her. And Jerry’s having none of it. After Osgood pinches him in the elevator, he gets off after slapping him. Unfortunately, that makes Osgood only want Daphne THAT MUCH MORE. This man...this man may just be the legendary alpha simp of which the stories tell.

Meanwhile, Joe manages to get ahold of Beinstock’s luggage and glasses. He steals his clothes (after fending off an overeager bellboy), and uses them to dress as a millionaire. Why? Why, to seduce Sugar, of course!

This is right at the halfway point, so we’ll pick this up in Part Two! See you there!

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