#this is my first full drawing of brooke and the first art of her current design???

[lazikade]

geeze autumn who let you have TWO girlfriends

//Brooke (she/her) Autumn (he/him) Alba (she/her)//

#original character #polyamory #lgbtq #artist on tumblr #idk anymore i just want this in tags please look at my kids #autumn #alba #brooke #i love them so m uc h #my art #this is my first full drawing of brooke and the first art of her current design??? #to answer the caption #ken and i did. nothing can stop us. we love our kids

[hatari-translations]

Klemens interview about his furniture, 24.5.20

On May 24th, an interview with Klemens about the furniture he’s made was published on mbl.is. It’s a pretty interesting one, as he mentions having ADHD, talks a lot about his thoughts on art in a way more elaborate manner than any previous interview, and makes some quirky jokes such as declaring that one of his favorite things to do at home is picking his nose.

Below is a bullet point translation of what's said in the interview (not a word-for-word translation of the entire thing, but everything new said in it is there, and there are a lot of full quotes).

(Content warning: bodily fluids mention.)

The intro explains that Klemens thinks visually and contributes stylistically both to Hatari and his home. He learned carpentry before he joined a band, and he's worked on designing furniture alongside his composing.

"I learned furniture building at the Technical College Reykjavík and then went into product design at the Academy of the Arts, but found my passions lay elsewhere. I needed a broader spectrum to create and found an outlet for my ADHD in visual art. My wife Ronja Mogensen and I are classmates at the Academy of the Arts."

Klemens has always been creating things, for as long as he can remember. "I've always found joy in creating, and nothing is as creative as a childlike nature. After all, you lose your innocence somewhere on an abandoned playground and then spend most of your life trying to find it again. Creativity makes the world go round endlessly in our heads and sparks our imagination, which lets us have the most magnificent adventures, express and cope with loss, grief, fear, disappointment, joy, hope, the entire spectrum of emotions that are often so difficult to spit out. I've always sought out music as an outlet for that, but also carpentry and visual art, whether it's making cucumbers out of mud, making sculptures out of semen and hair, or making chairs out of wood."

The interviewer asks what makes a good home in his mind. "They say that home is where your family is, and there's a lot to that. Some years ago I might not have said that, and would never have imagined being a father of two and engaged in a passionate relationship, but the home and love go hand in hand, and you need to decide on where you want to live and die, so I see the home as more of a state of mind. A good home is a decently healthy mind, but if I were to imagine my dream home as a physical place, it's a house in the countryside with a workshop, a place to make music, some chickens and maybe a goat called Old Túbal, a brook that we can wade into naked, a vegetable garden and a greenhouse with fruit, a giant treehouse castle that we can climb in, and we built the house and everything in it ourselves."

He first discovered carpentry in a woodworking class in primary school; as far as he can remember, the first thing he made was a lamp for his parents with a face carved into it, though he's not sure if it was meant to be a self-portrait. He also made a baseball bat, which was subsequently stolen. The first proper furniture he did was for the Technical College when he was nineteen, a chair and a cabinet in a 70s-esque style with a modern touch. He found joy in creating a unique, useful object that you could carry with you throughout your life and perhaps even longer.

The interviewer says she heard his graduation project was sold on the spot. He corrects her and says he actually made a second copy to interior designer Thelma Friðriksdóttir's specifications, because he wanted to let his grandkids inherit the original.

Klemens recites a poem that he wrote with Matthías to encompass the core of Klemens' art sensibilities. It reads thus: I am a naivist perfectionist. I take making a fool of myself very seriously. I contemplate my own navel with humility. I'm willing to do the work of pitying myself. I capitulate to art. I want to have perfect control over my art.

"I notice that when I myself am in frame, it takes on a different tone than when the painting, the sculpture, the furniture, the evidence get to speak for themselves. On the one hand, I myself take on the role of the artist and the subject, comment on the medium through the medium and poke fun at myself while I'm at it. The artist Klemens creates a photo series that parodies the concept of photo series and simultaneously parodies Klemens. When Klemens takes on the role of 'pop star in a political supergroup' it means a radical staging where he embodies the sexy porn boy, a perverted narcissist in the depths of self-pity. Even if you use humour as a shield, you have to face that in the end, art comes from yourself. Thus, you're always vulnerable before art. It becomes an endless navel-gazing at the same time as I hope it encompasses some wider context - is bigger than my own personal experiences. When I step out of frame you see a totally different tone, like with the cabinet or the sculptures. I'm more humble before my creation and I seek a texture that could simultaneously be called naivistic, expressionistic but also formalistic and colored by a palate-driven compulsion. Unrestrained figures emerge and take on a life of their own without being commentary on the medium of painting and parodying the one who paints it."

When the interviewer asks about his studies at the Academy of the Arts, he admits he was on paternity leave for a year and also missed the second half of the first year because of Hatari's ESC journey, but it was fun and he's looking forward to continuing in the fall.

What can you tell me about the furniture you've made for your home? "It gives the house a certain character and I'm proud of it."

During the COVID-19 epidemic, he made a set of bookshelves for his parents, which he says was mostly them wanting to support a poor unemployed artist in a difficult time. Originally he was going to do something very simple from existing components but then he just kind of unthinkingly started making it all from scratch without even drawing up more than a rough sketch, and he was as excited as his parents to see how it'd turn out.

How would you describe your home? "Muy grandioso!"

Who lives in your home and do you and your fiancée have the same tastes? "The pillar of the household is my wife Ronja, and then we share it with our daughters Valkyrja and Aþena, 'V-kay and A-J'. Aþena doesn't have much in the way of taste yet as she's only ten months old, two-year-old Valkyrja admires everything and thinks everything is art, so she's not picky except when it comes to precisely how you dunk Graham crackers into a glass of milk. Ronja and I may not have similar tastes, but her strengths make up for my weaknesses and she's very patient with my perfectionism."

What's your favorite thing to do at home? "Watching the kids laugh and cry, watering the plants, picking my nose and passing time."

Klemens doesn't currently have his own workshop, but the owners of a small furniture business have kindly given him access to their workshop, and the Academy of the Arts has a good one as well.

As far as Klemens is concerned he's already living the dream, asked if there's anything he'd do with nothing holding him back.

Klemens will mix together furniture he's received for free or bought used and tries to make it work. He tries to avoid mass-produced furniture even though it can be beautiful; what he loves most is uniqueness. He wants to build as much himself as he can.

What time periods in furniture design appeal to you most? "Mid-century modern and slick."

When you look for ideas, where do you look? "Into the depths of my subconscious and to Foucault."

Is a garden or outside area important when you have kids? "Oh yes. The new trampoline, admittedly mass-produced, has really delivered."

What's your favorite kind of wood to build out of? "Oak."

What's your favorite color to paint your walls? "That depends completely on the context of the room, the lighting and the shape of it, but I love really bright colors and want a lot of those."

Is there anything you're good at at home that nobody knows about? "I'm naturally very limber."

#hatari #klemens hannigan #interview #translation

[wanderingxrivers]

So remember when I said Neal Caffrey is a Hedge Witch. My brain did a thing.

One Untitled White Collar/Magicians xover WIP

Neal George Caffrey was many things depending on who you asked; con man, innocent man, grifter, forger, thief. All of the above were certainly true depending on who you asked and what you were asking about. What most people didn’t know, however, was that there was another title to which he could lay claim, hedge witch. His status as a hedge was something of a close guarded secret. While he could and did use magic, doing things manually when he could had a certain appeal that he just couldn’t shake. Outside of the few members of his safe house and an even fewer select allies, no one knew of the star tattoos that tumbled his forearm reflecting his status as a hedge.

It was one of the few things that even the famed Peter Burke didn’t know about but considering that Peter was a graduate of Brakebills, it was all too likely that the federal agent had never lowered himself to the level of hedges and safe houses and using just the barest bits of ambient magic that hung in the air in glittering motes.

The first time Neal used magic, he was still Danny Brooks; a terrified child shoved into WitSec with a mother too shell-shocked by the implosion of her life to notice when her son started sneaking out at odd hours to play with a power he barely understood. He had started with a rudimentary shielding charm cast in a moment of desperation and moved up to spells designed to disguise clothes often too threadbare to called second hand and the odd bruise left from the discipline meted out by his mom’s endless cycle of boyfriends. 

It was one such discipline session that propelled him into leaving home and into the life that led him to crossing paths with Mozzie and then later, Kate. Mozzie knew, of course. He was a hedge himself but never called himself an ally to one safe house over another. He preferred his independence from the warring factions of hedges that spread their way across NYC and the world over. Kate never knew, but she certainly suspected. He had had his fair share of close shaves, some of which were only escapable by some well-timed spell work in conjunction with no small amount of sheer dumb luck.

In the end, though, despite his love for her, despite his attempts to keep them together, despite everything, she left. Her leaving left him bereft, leaving him to make mistakes he never would have made otherwise. Those mistakes left him in the situation he found himself in now, tethered to an anklet with a two mile radius and a classically trained Magician as his handler.

***

This was not the first time that Neal cursed his radius since accepting the deal that kept him from spending yet more time behind bars. An enchantment on a favored tie pin that gave his words just that extra push of believability was beginning to fade and he needed to strengthen it before the sting operation this weekend. He had all he needed for the spell save for a just a few herbal components. And of course, the one safe house he knew that carried them was right outside his radius.

Neal cast a baleful look at the tracker, cursing technology’s resistance to magical manipulation. He knew half a dozen different spells for slipping bonds, none of which would work on the tracker that wound itself around his ankle for the next 4 years. Instead, he found himself attaching a list to the leg of one of the pigeons that called the balcony of his penthouse home.

With the twitch of his fingers, he pushed the image of Mozzie into the bird’s head, tell the fowl that Mozzie was the home that the bird needed to return to. With any luck, Mozz would recognize the enchanted bird and fetch the supplies that Neal needed. If not, he would have to see about raiding the supply cabinet at the office and hope that no one would notice a few herbs missing.

Say what you would about Neal but he had standards when it came to magical manipulation of people. Marks were fair game. Marks all but invited him in for tea and let him use the enchantments and spells to rob them blind. People like Mozz, Alex, Marina, and Kady, were off limits for magical mischief, Mozz and Marina especially. The former being his closest ally and the latter being absolutely vicious in her vengeance if she felt she had been crossed.

He had heard rumors of a heist from Marina’s gone wrong where the offending party had bled out in front of her daughter with not a single weapon mark on her. Neal suppressed a shudder, Marina was not someone he wanted to cross. Not now, not ever. He abhorred blood and violence. Not the he was incapable of inflicting pain on someone else if the need arose but he did his best to keep that need from arising. It kept things neater, less likely to draw the attention of mundane officers and magical law enforcement.

Releasing the pigeon to fly home to Mozz, he padded back inside where his tie pin lay in a circle of crystals, awaiting the herbs to be burned and smoke wafted over the pin with chants spoken in Enochian. Until either the bird reappeared or Mozz knocked at his door, there was little for Neal to do outside of waiting. If there was anything that Neal was good at, it was waiting. He’d allegedly waited for hours in air ducts and hanging by his fingertips from windows just outside villas for just the right moment to swoop in and steal this piece of art or that precious gem. He’d waited for Kate. He was waiting for Clinton Jones to realize that he wasn’t just looking for a platonic friend but something more intimate. He could certainly wait on a pigeon.

***

As luck would have it, he didn’t have to wait long. A knock at his door told him that Mozz was there and hopefully came bearing gifts in the forms of small packets of sundry herbs and possibly a bottle of fine wine. Striding to the door with a purpose and bounce in his step, he opened it to the face of one Diana Barrigan. Shit. Shit. Shit. His thoughts ran in vaguely panicked circles. Diana didn’t know he was a hedge. She didn’t know about the stars on his arm and the sigils stitched carefully in the hems of his suits and etched in his cufflinks nor did she know about the enchantments on tie pins and glasses worn more for effect then an actual need. He pasted on a winning smile, positioning himself against the door frame in an effort to block her view of the impromptu altar he had set up in anticipation of Mozzie’s arrival. 

“Hey Di! Wasn’t expecting to see you. Did Peter need something? Can I get you something?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. This was an old dance between them. He would flirt and she would shoot him down as they always did. He knew full well her predilections for the fairer sex and how their game would never go any further than this but the actions and words were as rote as breathing. “Or,” he said seeing the look on her face, “Did you and Christie get into it?”

“No, Caffrey. Peter did send me but,” she said, peeking around him, “it looks like you have your own thing going tonight. Looking to summons the ghosts of con-men past?” She raised an elegant eyebrow in a silent question, wondering what exactly he was up to now.

Neal’s shoulders slumped just slightly. This was his own fault. He should have had concealment spells going as a precaution. On any other day, he would have concealment spells and wards and Di would have never ever seen what she saw tonight. His desire to use as much ambient magic in the area to give him the oomph he needed for his enchantment had overruled good sense. Stupid, he thought bitterly to himself. This would teach him the folly of letting his guard down even in the privacy of his own home. He knew better and had no one to blame his current predicament on but himself.

Diana took advantage of Neal’s lapse in concentration to slip under his arm and let herself into his apartment. She circled the table, noting the placement of crystals, candles, and containers awaiting herbs to fill them. At the center sat a tie pin, a simple circle of gold with the initials “NC” engraved in the center in elegant script. Never let it be said that Diana Elizabeth Barrigan was completely stupid. She could be woefully ignorant at times, inobservant at others, but stupid, never. She could put two and two together and get four. In this case, however, two plus two did not make four. In this case, two and two equaled hedge witch.

Now, she knew about Peters’ status as a full-fledged Magician and the sanctioned usage of magic to close cases that almost no one else could. She was even aware of hedge witches having crossed paths with a few and dated a couple herself. What she didn’t know up until just a few moments ago was that Caffrey himself was a hedge and that the new found revelation of that particular skillset gave her pause to mentally review exactly how he had gotten out of some of the closer shaves he had had over his long and storied criminal career.

“So,” she drawled, tracing a finger around the table’s edge, taking care to not disturb the carefully laid out spell components. “When were you planning on telling us you were a hedge? Does Peter know?” Diana watched Neal through narrowed eyes, waiting for a patented Neal Caffrey denial complete with blinding smile. To be fair, the fact that Neal was a hedge shouldn’t have been a surprise. It was the fact that he’d managed to keep that information from her and the rest of the team. It was the fact that Peter Burke, his biggest cheerleader and head of the “Reform Neal Caffrey Club,” apparently had no clue that his CI was a hedge and that Neal himself had not volunteered the information, especially in light of how tenuous his status as CI was in light of Kate’s death and Neal’s aborted escape.

Diana was a diplomat’s daughter, she knew the truths hidden in lies and lies hidden in truths and how both sounded equally plausible. She only hoped that Caffrey would simply come clean and she could relay the information to Peter in person.

Neal tensed as he watched Diana walk around the table with his enchantment set up and how her finger trailed around its edge, careful to not disturb his carefully arranged items. He was aware of Diana’s propensity to detect lies almost as well as Peter’s infamous gut instinct. And honestly, it wasn’t as if he intended to lie to her. He simply never volunteered the information. It didn’t seem relevant to the work he did for the FBI at the time. It was simply a skill, just like picking a lock or forging a painting. Now with Diana here, in his apartment with all his defenses down and the evidence plain on the table, he had little choice but to confess.

“Yes, I am a hedge witch. No, Peter doesn’t know but I am sure he suspects.” He crossed his arms in a mirror image of Diana’s stance. “My status as a magic user is not something I prefer to advertise. It can bring unwanted attention from individuals I would rather avoid.” Like hedges from a rival safe house he finished silently. There were a couple of very unethical safe houses he tended to avoid for their tendency to use their magic for less savory purposes. He and Mozz had put quiet feelers out to some allies to see if they could put plans in motion to shut them down but this was something that he had no desire to involve the FBI unless needed and honestly was something he could toss on the backburner until some word came that would allow them to move. His more immediate concern was the junior agent in front of him who was teetering on the edge of stone cold fury at the discovery of a secret that should have been laid bare long ago.

Diana shot him a look of sheer incredulity. “You stupid, stubborn, moron! You do realize that garnering that unwanted attention is part. Of. Your. Job.” She ground out the last words between clenched teeth, an ache in her jaw blooming from the effort it took not to simply scream at him until he saw sense. Further epithets flowed in multiple languages from her lips as she got into her groove. “You are a criminal informant. Getting information is your job. And that means sometimes getting attention you don’t want from people you don’t like. You can’t pick and choose who you get attention from. That’s not how this works. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t slap cuffs on you and march you downtown right here and right now for this!”

Neal took a moment to pick his words carefully. As furious as Diana was, he knew that his position was precarious. She carried two sets of cuffs at all times and was not shy about using them. The first was plain, simple ordinary handcuffs he could pick in moments flat. The second, however, were specially enchanted to nullify magic, they would prevent even the smallest spell from being cast and leave him at a severe disadvantage were he left in them for too long.

#my brain did a thing #idk what i am doing with my life #white collar #the magicians #neal caffrey #hedge witch

[vannahfanfics]

Happy Belated Birthday! Hope it was fun! If you're looking for a request, how about Brook and Nami for "Birthday Card"?

Here you are, hun! :3 I hope you enjoy it! 

A Straw Hat Birthday Party 

“Dearly beloved, we are all gathered here today to commemorate a very special occasion,” Sanji announced dramatically as he stood at the head of the kitchen table, held tilted back and his hand over his heart in the epitome of a regal air. Nami jumped slightly as he slammed his hand down on the table and pointed at her with the other, hearts beating wildly in his eyes. “Nami-swan’s birthday~” Nami rolled her eyes nearly into the back of her head at the ridiculousness of it; her birthday was a month ago, in July, one month before they had reconvened in Sabaody Archipelago and set out to Fishman Island. They had surfaced this morning and were currently sailing onwards in search of another sort of business for Luffy to poke his nose into, and they had all been very confused when Sanji had suddenly summoned them for a premise other than lunch.

“Sanji, it’s been over a month since my birthday- and technically, almost all of us have had two birthdays since we were separated, so is it really fair to celebrate only mine?” she pointed out with a wave of her hand. Not that she was unappreciative of the sentiment- it was actually really nice that Sanji had committed her birthday to memory, though not entirely unexpected- but it didn’t sit well with her to leave everyone out. Sanji instantly deflated to sink into a chair, grumbling and lighting up a cigarette to sulk. “Look, all I’m saying is, maybe we should have like a joint birthday party for everyone!” she suggested. She didn’t want to ruin all his fun.

“Oooooooh! That sounds like so much fuuuuuuun!” Luffy cried and filled the air with the happy clacking of the soles of his flip-flops slapping together. “Let’s do it, Sanji! Please? Please?” Sanji took a long drag of his cigarette before cocking his head to the side, blowing the plume of smoke through his mouth and nose.

“Nnh, it doesn’t sound too terrible an idea. I could make a hell of a tiered cake with everyone’s favorites…” he began to mumble to himself as he unconsciously rolled up his sleeves and got up to begin rooting around his kitchen for various supplies. Luffy crowed ecstatically and flung his rubbery arms into the air before stretching out his head across the table to where Usopp and Franky were sitting together to begin yelling at them about party decorations. Chopper got up and ran across the table to Robin bleating about scrounging up small little presents for everybody, to which the woman smiled and responded calmly that she was sure they could find something. This led to a slew of construction paper, scissors, glue, and various other art articles from Usopp’s cache being slung across the table to create birthday cards, while Usopp, Franky, and Sanji worked around them on their respective duties. Luffy was attempting to be helpful but kept letting the balloons loose to fly around because he thought it was funny, and Zoro decided it wasn’t worth all the effort and was sleeping on the floor. It was absolute chaos, but somehow Nami had wrangled in the mania just a bit to provide a menial amount of order; she had divvied up the birthday card assignments between herself, Brook, and Chopper. Robin was using her Devil Fruit power to help out in various ways and was lounged back beside Chopper as he sat down on the table in front of her coloring with some crayons.

“Nami? What do you think of this? Yohohohoho!” Brook chortled beside her and held up his card for him to critique his handiwork. Nami instantly grimaced; she should have known better than to ask him to make a card for her. He had drawn an actually cute-looking pair of panties on the front with the simple phrase “It’s your birthday! Show me your panties!”

“Brook, come on, take this seriously!” she tutted and waggled her finger at him. “It may seem like everyone is taking this lightly, but look at how hard everyone is working for all our sakes!” she said with a gesture around the room. Sanji was slaving over a large bowl whisking frosting into oblivion while an automatic mixer churned his cake batter into creamy goodness; Usopp and Franky were kneeled on the floor painting a very elaborate and tasteful banner; and Luffy was actually getting serious enough to actually begin tying the balloons together into arrangements. Brook’s calcified face frowned and he looked down at the card, his bony eyebrows narrowed in concentration.

“I see… I apologize, Nami. I haven’t celebrated my birthday in fifty years. I suppose I forgot how much it meant to others.” Nami’s heart immediately twisted into contorted guilt. She hadn’t meant to upset him! Gosh, darn it, now she had to cheer him up, dammit. The skeleton man was obviously blue. Nami smiled sweetly and reached up to pat his bushy afro.

“Don’t sweat it, okay? I didn’t mean to be harsh! Look, all I meant was that I would rather you pour your heart and soul into it! You don’t need my approval. Do your best!” she said with a nervous edge to her smile. Would it work? God, she couldn’t upset anybody on their joint birthday celebration! Luckily enough, Brook instantly brightened and bent over his card, pencil flying with renewed gusto. Nami breathed a small sigh of relief and went back to working on her own birthday cards.

~~~~~~~~~~

Considering it was a spur-of-the-moment thing, their little joint birthday celebration was underway right as the sun began to sink towards the endless horizon. They had moved their party to the spacious dining room; the birthday banner was strung across the wall, splashed with brilliant color and bubbly font that simply screamed celebratory cheer. Balloons were placed all about, bouncing along the floor and bobbing along the ceiling, and tied in great bunches at each corner of the room. Sanji’s work of art, the tiered cake with sections catering to each crew member’s taste, was situated on the middle of the table which was draped in white tablecloth. Chopper eagerly went about delivering the cards to their respective recipients before clambering up into his seat between Robin and Nami, drooling as he held a fork and knife and eyed the beautiful cake.

“Carve it up, Sanji, I’m starving!” Luffy whined in a wheedling voice as he banged his fists on the table impatiently. Sanji shook his golden bangs from his face with a snort of derision and a glare that warned “don’t piss off the man with the massive cake knife.”

“Keep it up and you’ll get yours last!” he snapped. Luffy did not take kindly to that, melting into a puddle against the table, but obediently ceased all impatient grumbling while Sanji set to cutting up the cake and delivering pieces around. Nami and Robin got theirs first, of course, but she patiently waited for everyone to get theirs before trying it; oh, but it was so hard to wait, because it seemed simply delectable! It was a tangerine sponge cake with lemon-orange whipped frosting and flecks of strawberry to add some conflicting tang. Nami’s mouth began to water just staring at it, and she practically dove into it when Sanji announced that they could. The icing was simply divine, melting into tasty sugar on her tongue, and the cake was the perfect level of moist and had an incredible texture.

“Sanji! This cake is immaculate!” she cried with a mouthful of her second piece.

“Ah! Only the best for you, Nami-swaaaaaaaan~!” Sanji trilled while pirouetting on the table so fast that she could imagine him little beating pink hearts all over the place.

“Cards! Let’s read the cards now!” Chopper begged while holding his up over his head. They eagerly complied and began reading off the little messages in the cards; it was pretty obvious who wrote who’s. Choppers all had some iteration of “Happy birthday, you bastard!” but also featured adorable little renditions of the tiny reindeer with whoever the card’s recipient was; they were so charming and child-like that Nami’s heart melted just looking at the drawings. It was clear that he put his heart and soul into them. Of course, he grew very bashful with all the gratuitous remarks and tried to laugh it off, but the brilliant grin on his furry face was plenty evidence that he was overjoyed at his handiwork’s reception.

Comparably, Nami’s cards were a bit simpler and had an almost store-bought craftsmanship to them, decorated with floral patterns and containing simple yet heartfelt personalized notes to the recipient. Sanji of course was one of them and he pirouetted so hard that he activated his Diable Jambe, warbling like a deranged songbird about how it would be an artifact that he would treasure for all time. Zoro was smiling wryly because she had made a pretty cheeky comment about his less-than-healthy rate of alcohol consumption.

Finally, it was time to get to Brook’s cards. The outside was unassuming, scrawled with wave patterns, but when she opened it she was bewildered to find that it contained no message or inscription of any kind. She looked up to Luffy and Usopp’s confused expressions to find that theirs suffered an identical issue. Before any of them could inquire, Brook cleared his non-existent throat and stood up to his full towering height, violin in hand.

“I am afraid that I struggled quite a bit in what to put in your cards. Ultimately I realized that I have far too much to say, yohohohoho, so hear it is in song instead!” He flipped the violin about to tuck it beneath his chin before drawing the thin instrument across the taut strings, producing a melodic wave of sound. Nami leaned her cheek into her hand with a small smile; his voice really was amazingly pleasing to the ear, and it seemed that he really had taken her advice to heart. There was nothing that Brook put more heart and soul into than his music. He sang about Usopp first, chronicling his bravery and adventurous soul, moving the elated Usopp to tears (which really wasn’t that hard considering he cried over almost everything). He sang about Luffy next, commending his indomitable spirit and good-naturedness, and though he had no idea what the words were, the straw hat-wearing captain hopped up onto the table and began dancing around singing random notes. Usopp soon jumped up with him and they linked arms, stomping in a circle. The rest of the crew found themselves clapping along, although Sanji snapped at them that it was their funeral if they ruined his cake.

Finally, Brook arrived at his verse for Nami. It was a song of the wind and the sea and tangerines and the navigator’s strong will. Nami felt like he plucked the strings of her heart rather than those of the violin, because she was just so moved by it. She leaned back in her chair while giving Brook a serene, warm smile, and he tossed her a wink while he continued to sing his birthday card for the three of them.

See, Brook? It’s not hard at all- not when you love us as much as you do. Sometimes you just have to put in words a little differently, huh? She thought contentedly as she tapped her foot along to the raucous beat. Nami couldn’t have asked for a more thoughtful birthday card than that.

Enjoy this oneshot? Feel free to perusemy Tableof Contents!

Tag List: @searchfortheonepiece

#one piece #straw hats #straw hat crew #straw hat pirates #nami #cat thief nami #brook #humming brook #friendship #fluff #general fluff #oneshot #oneshot collection #one piece fanfiction

[deathsmallcaps]

January’s Story

Yup! My ninth Win a Commission contest is the Princess Who Never Laughed, and @boopboopboopbadoop​ won! If you’d like to read my version of the story and an explanation of the art,

Once upon a time there was a widower king, who had a daughter named Felicity, and she was so lovely that the reports of her beauty went far and wide; but she was so melancholy that she never laughed, and she said “No!” to all who came to woo her—she would not have any of them, whether they were princes or noblemen.

The king had tired of this so-called whim of hers long ago, and thought she ought to look at and like other people; there was nothing she need wait for - she was old enough and she would not be any richer either, for she would inherit the kingdom.

So he made known that whoever could make his daughter laugh should have half the kingdom. Lovers from south and from north, from east and from west, came to try their luck - they thought it was an easy thing to make a princess laugh. They were a odd lot altogether, but for all their cleverness and for all the tricks and pranks they played, Felicity was just as serious and immovable as ever.

But close to the palace lived a man who had three sons, and they had also heard that the king had made known that he who could make the princess laugh should have half the kingdom.

The eldest of the brothers, Peter, wanted to try first, and away he went; and when he came to the palace, he told the king he wouldn’t mind trying to make the princess laugh.

“Yes, yes! That’s all very well,” said the king; “but I am afraid it’s of very little use, my man. There have been many here to try their luck, but my daughter is just as sad, and I am afraid it is no good trying. I do not like to see any more suffer on that account.”

But Peter thought he would try anyhow. It couldn’t be such a difficult thing to make a princess laugh at him, for had not everybody back when he had served in the army, both grand and simple, laughed so many a time at him when he served as soldier and went through his drills under Sergeant Nils?

So he went out on the terrace outside Felicity’s windows and began drilling just as if Sergeant Nils himself were there. But all in vain! The king laughed, but the princess sat just as serious and immovable as before, and so they sent him home.

Peter had no sooner arrived home than his second brother, Paul, wanted to set out and try his luck. He was a schoolmaster, and a funny figure he was altogether. He was great at preaching.

When Paul came to the palace, and said that he wanted to make the princess laugh, the king shrugged and let him in.

So the schoolmaster went out on the terrace, and took his place outside Felicity’s window, where he began preaching and chanting imitating seven of the parsons, and reading and singing just like seven of the clerks whom they had had in the parish.

The king laughed at the schoolmaster till he was obliged to hold on to his stomach as he fell to the floor, and Felicity was just on the point of smiling, but suddenly she was as sad and immovable as ever, and so it fared no better with Paul the schoolmaster than with Peter the soldier. So they took Paul and sent him home again.

Well, the youngest brother thought he would have a try next. His name was Hans. But the brothers laughed and made fun of him. Besides, the father would not give him leave to go, for he said it was no use his trying. But Hans would not give in—he begged and prayed so long, till they got tired of his whimpering, and so he got leave to go to the king’s palace and try his luck.

When he arrived at the palace he did not say he had come to try to make the princess laugh, but asked if he could get a job there. He figured if he could work there, he could observe the princess and see what could make her laugh. They had no job for him; but Hans was not so easily put off - so get rid of the lad the King gave him hired Hans to carry wood and water for the kitchenmaids.

One day, when he was going to fetch water from the brook, he saw a big silvery fish in the water just under an old root of a fir-tree, which the current had carried all the soil away from. He put his bucket under the fish and caught it. As he was going back to the palace, he met an old woman leading a golden goose.

“Good day!” said Hans. “That’s a fine bird you have got there; and such splendid feathers too! He shines a long way off. If one had such feathers, one needn’t be chopping firewood.”

The woman thought just as much of the fish which Hans had in the bucket, and said if Hans would give her the fish he should have the golden goose; and this goose was such magicked that if anyone touched it and if Hans said: “If you’ll come along, then hang on.” as well, they would be stuck like glue to the whatever they were touching.

”Sure,” said Hans, and they made the trade. “A bird is as good as a fish any day,” he said to himself. “If it is as you say, I might use it instead of a fish-hook,” he said to the woman, and felt pleased with the possession of the goose.

He had not gone far before he met another old woman. When she saw the splendid golden goose, she felt that she must go and stroke it. She made herself so friendly and spoke so nicely to Hans, and asked him to let her stroke that lovely golden goose of his.

“Oh, yes!” said Hans, “but you mustn’t pluck off any of its feathers!”

She acquiesced. Just as she stroked the bird, Hans felt curious and said: “If you’ll come along, then hang on!”

The woman yanked and pulled, but she had to hang on, whether she want to or no, and Hans walked on, as if he only had the goose with him.

When he had gone some distance, he met a man who had a spite against the woman for a trick she had played upon him. When he saw that she fought so hard to get free and seemed to hang on so fast, he thought he might safely venture to pay her off for the grudge he owed her, and so he gave her a kick.

“If you’ll come along, then hang on!” said Hans, who felt that the woman hadn’t deserved that, and the man had to hang on and limp along on one leg, whether he wanted to or no; and when he tried to tear himself loose, he made it still worse for himself, for he was very nearly falling on his back whenever he struggled to get free.

Hans pulling them around by the goose

So on they went till they came in the neighborhood of the palace. There they met the king’s smith; he was on his way to the smithy, and had a large pair of tongs in his hand. This smith was a merry fellow, and was always full of mad pranks and tricks, and when he saw this procession coming jumping and limping along, he began laughing till he was bent in two.

But they did not stop. The woman and the man only looked in great rage at the smith for making game of them. So said the smith: “It would be great fun to see if I could stop the whole flock, many as they are!”—He was a strong man, and seized the man with his tongs from behind in his hat, and the man shouted and struggled hard, but Hans felt mischievous and said: “If you’ll come along, then hang on!”

And so the smith had to hang on too. He bent his back and stuck his heels in the ground when they went up a hill and tried to get away, but it was of no use; he stuck on to the other as if he had been screwed fast to the man’s trousers, and whether he liked it or not, he had to dance along with the others.

When they came near the palace, a dog ran against them and barked at them, as if they were a gang of tramps, and when Felicity came to look out of her window to see what was the matter, and saw this procession, she burst out laughing. But Hans was not satisfied with that. “Just wait a bit, and she will laugh still louder very soon,” he said, and made a tour round the palace with his followers.

When they came past the kitchen, the door was open and the cook was just boiling porridge, but when she saw Hans and his train after him, she rushed out of the door with the porridge-stick in one hand and a big ladle full of boiling porridge in the other, and she laughed till her sides shook; but when she saw the smith there as well, she thought she would have burst with laughter. When she had had a regular good laugh, she looked at the golden goose again and thought it was so lovely that she must stroke it.

“Hans, Hans!” she cried, and ran after him with the ladle in her hand; “just let me stroke that lovely bird of yours.”

“Rather let her stroke me!” said the smith, simply wanting her to join the fun and not realizing what that sounded like.

“Very well,” said Hans.

But when the cook heard this, she got very angry. “What is it you say!” she cried, and gave the smith a smack with the ladle.

“If you’ll come along, then hang on!” said Hans, and so she stuck fast to the others too, and for all her scolding and all her tearing and pulling, she had to limp along with them.

And when they came past the princess’s window again, she was still there waiting for them, but when she saw that they had got hold of the cook too, with the ladle and porridge-stick, she laughed till the king had to drag her off the floor. This magically caused the people to come unstuck, and they all went off grumbling. They weren’t grumbling for long, however, as they later realized they had the story of a lifetime to tell and so rejoiced.

Felicity immediately asked to meet Hans, and they soon became friends, but never married, because she was uninterested in everybody and so was he. Felicity did have a daughter with him to carry on the line, and they lived comedically (and happily) ever after.

THE END

Explanation

I wanted to draw clogs - that is literally the only reason why everyone looks Dutch. But I didn’t realize their old fashion was so colorful, and is kind of old-timey cute!

The title card isn’t my most sophisticated one, but I got a goose in! I specifically looked up geese from the Netherlands area, but I forgot what its called. Its white with an orange beak and kind of red around the eyes? Very helpful, I know. Sorry.

For the first picture, I used this as inspiration for their clothes. I loved giving Hans a goody face, and I liked practicing drawing older faces - I tend to draw people my own age more than anything, lol. The old nasty man has anime impact lines just to make sure everyone knows that he bumped into that corner. I don’t think I’m going to make that a habit in these. 

For the last picture, I’ve never drawn anyone laughing, really, before, so that was fun! If you think Felicity’s legs are awkward, I agree. Here’s my post-drawing explanation!

I decided to make Felicity an aroace person, along with Hans, because I felt it fit well with their characters. 

I based Felicity and her father, along with their clothes, off Dutch royalty I found off of Wikipedia. 

Do you guys know the book in the corner? It’s a reference to another story I’m going to do, sooner or later.

#win a commission #contest #commissions open #the princess who never smiled #princess who never laughed #the princess who had never laughed

[entamewitchlulu]

so i did a reading challenge this year and i wanna talk about what i read

transcription under the cut

i did Popsugar 2019 and wanna talk about what i read:  Book Reccs and Anti-Reccs 

1.) Becoming a Movie in 2019: Umbrella Academy (vol 1) by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba

4/5. A fascinating take on superpowers, dysfunctional families, and the apocalypse. Can get pretty gory, confusing here and there and you have to pay close attention to panels for lore, but overall an entertaining romp.

2.) Makes you Feel Nostalgic: Circles in the Stream by Rachel Roberts

4/5. Middle grade novel about the magic of music, belief, and of course, friendship. Definitely written for kids, and has some unfortunately clumsy Native rep, but overall an absolute joy to dive into once again.

3.) Written by a Musician: Umbrella Academy (vol 2) by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba

4/5. Ramps up the confusion to ridiculous degrees with some absolutely bonkers, unexplained arcs, but still fun to watch this dysfunctional family do its dysfunctional thing.

4.) You Think Should be Turned into a movie: All That Glitters by Rachel Roberts

4/5. Continuation of Circles in the Stream, but with more unicorns, more rainbows, and more fae, which makes it automatically even better than the first.

5.) With At Least 1 Mil. Ratings on Goodreads: 1984 by George Orwell   

1/5. I understand why it's important and all but wasn't prepared for some of the more graphic scenes and the overall hopelessness of the message.  Would not recommend or read again.

6.) W/ a Plant in the title or cover: The secret of Dreadwillow carse by Brian farrey

5/5. A fantasy world where everyone is always happy, save for one girl and the princess, who set out to solve the mystery of their kingdom. Poignant and great for kids and adults.

7.) Reread of a favorite: Cry of the Wolf by Rachel Roberts

4/5. Yet another installment in the Avalon: Web of Magic series, which clearly I am obsessed with.  Please just read them.

8.) About a Hobby: Welcome to the Writer's Life by Paulette Perhach

5/5. A welcome kick in the pants, chock full of great advice told without condescension, and full of hope and inspiration for writers both new and old.

9.) Meant to read in 2018: The Poet x by Elizabeth Acevedo  

4/5. Absolutely beautiful coming of age novel told in verse.  Do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook version.

10.) w/ "pop," "sugar," or "challenge" in the title: Black Sugar by Miguel Bonnefoy

2/5. I think maybe I just don't understand this genre.  Or maybe the translation was weird. I was confused.  

11.) w/ An Item of Clothing or Accessory on the cover: Our dreams at Dusk by Yuhki Kamatani

4/5. It had a lot more slurs/homophobia than I was prepared for, but otherwise is a very touching, relatable collection of queer characters living in a heteronormative world.

12.) Inspired by Mythology or Folklore: Ravenous by MarcyKate Connolly

3/5. A girl goes on an impossible quest to save her brother from a child-eating witch. Really wanted to like it more because I loved the first one, Monstrous, but it dragged a little.

13.) Published Posthumously: The Islands of Chaldea by Diana Wynne Jones

3/5. I adore Diana Wynne Jones, but this one was missing some of the magic of her other books. Not sure if it was because it had to be finished by someone else, or if I just grew out of her stories.

14.) Set in Space: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

4/5. Powerfully written story of a girl straddling tradition and innovation, who wields power through mathematical magic, surviving on a spaceship alone with a dangerous alien occupation after everyone else has been killed.

15.) By 2 Female Authors: Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

2/5. Ostensibly a story about a revenge pact in a small island town, but leaves far too many dangling threads to attempt alluring you to the sequel.

16.) W/ A Title containing "salty," "bitter," "Sweet," or "Spicy": The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith  

3/5. It's okay but I literally just never know what anyone means at any time. Are they being reticent on purpose or do i just not understand communication

17.) Set in scandinavia: Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura

2/5. Technically and historically accurate and well made, but the story itself is not my cup of tea.  Very gory.

18.) Takes Place in a Single Day: Long WAy Down by Jason Reynolds

4/5. A boy goes to avenge his murdered brother, but ghostly passengers join him on the elevator ride down. Stunning and powerful character-driven analysis.

19.) Debut Novel: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

4/5. Charming and then surprisingly heart-breaking comic about Nimona, a shapeshifter who wants to become a villain's minion. Really love the villain/hero dynamic going on in the background, along with the dysfunctional found family.

20.) Published in 2019: The Book of Pride by Mason Funk  

4/5. A collection of interviews with the movers, shakers, and pioneers of the queer and LGBTQ+ community.  An absolutely essential work for community members and allies alike.

21.) Featuring an extinct/imaginary creature: Phoebe and her Unicorn by Dana Simpson

4/5. Incredibly charming, Calvin and Hobbes-esque collection of comics featuring the adventures of Phoebe and her unicorn best friend.

22.) Recced by a celebrity you admire: The Emerald Circus by Jane Yolen

2/5. Recced by my fave author Brandon Sanderson. An unfortunately disappointing anthology proving that any story can be made uninteresting by telling the wrong section of it.

23.) With "Love" in the Title: Book Love by Debbie Tung

4/5. One of those relatable webcomics, only this one I felt super hard almost the entire time.  Books are awesome and libraries rule.

24.) Featuring an amateur detective: Nancy Drew: Palace of Wisdom by Kelly Thompson

4/5. REALLY love this modern take on Nancy Drew, coming back home to her roots to solve a brand new mystery. Diverse cast and lovely artwork, though definitely more adult.

25.) About a family: Amulet by Kabu Kibuishi

4/5. Excellent, top tier graphic novel about a sister and brother who have to go rescue their mother with a mysterious magic stone. LOVE that the mom gets to be involved in the adventure for once.

26.) by an author from asia, Africa, or s. America: Girls' Last tour by Tsukumizu

4/5. Somehow both light-hearted and melancholy. Two girls travel about an empty, post-apocalyptic world, and muse about life and their next meal.

27.) w/ a Zodiac or astrology term in title: Drawing down the moon by margot adler

3/5. A good starting place for anyone interested in the Neo Pagan movement, but didn't really give me what I was personally looking for.

28.) you see someone reading in a tv show or movie: The Promised NEverland by Kaiu Shirai

4/5. I don't watch TV or movies where people read books so i think reading an adaptation of a TV series after watching the series counts. Anyway it was good but beware racist caricatures

29.) A retelling of a classic: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero

5/5. We can stop the Little Women reboots and retellings now, this is the only one we need. In fact, we can toss out the original too, this is the only one necessary.

30.) w/ a question in the title: So I'm a spider, so what? by Asahiro Kakashi

4/5. Cute art despite the subject matter, and a surprisingly enthralling take on the isekai genre. Love the doubling down on the video game skills.

31.) Set in a college or university campus: Moonstruck (vol 2) by Grace Ellis

2/5. An incredibly cute, beautiful, and fascinating world of modern magic and creatures, but unfortunately falls apart at the plot and pacing.

32.) About someone with a superpower: Moonstruck (vol 1) by Grace Ellis

4/5. Though nearly as messy plot-wise as its sequel, the first volume is overwhelmingly charming in a way that overpowers the more confusing plot elements.

33.) told from multiple povs: The Long way to a Small, Angry Planet by becky Chambers

4/5. Told almost in a serial format, like watching a miniseries, a group of found-family spaceship crew members make the long journey to their biggest job ever.

34.) Includes a wedding: We Set the dark on fire by Tehlor kay mejia

4/5. Timely and poignant, a girl tumbles into both love and resistance after becoming one of two wives to one of the most powerful men in the country.

35.) by an author w/ alliterative name: The only harmless great Thing by brooke bolander

3/5. Much deeper than I can currently comprehend.  Beautifully written, but difficult to parse.

36.) A ghost story: Her body and other parties by Carmen Maria Machado

4/5.  It counts because one of the stories in it has ghosts. A sometimes difficult collection of surrealist, feminist, queer short stories.

37.) W/ a 2 word title: Good omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

4/5. Charming, touching, and comical, probably the best take on the apocalypse to date. Also excellent ruminations on religion and purpose.

38.) based on a true story: The faithful Spy by John Hendrix

4/5. Brilliantly crafted graphic biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and his assistance in fighting back against Nazi Germany.

39.) Revolving around a puzzle or game: the Crossover by Kwame alexander

4/5. The verse didn't always hit right with me, but the story is a sweet, melancholy one about family, loss, and moving on.

40.) previous popsugar prompt (animal in title): The last unicorn by peter s. Beagle

5/5. Absolutely one of my all-time favorite books, it manages to perfectly combine anachronism and comedy with lyricism, melancholy, and ethereal beauty.

41.) Cli-fi: Tokyo Mew Mew by Mia ikumi and Reiko Yoshida

4/5. Shut up it counts

42.) Choose-your-own-adventure: My Lady's choosing by Kitty curran

3/5. Cute in concept, a bit underwhelming in execution. Honestly, just play an otome.

43.) "Own Voices": Home by Nnedi Okorafor

3/5. The storytelling style was definitely not my style; while the first book was slow, too, it felt more purposeful. I found my attention wandering during this installment.

44.) During the season it's set in: Pumpkinheads by rainbow rowell

3/5. Cute art, but precious little substance.  The concept simply wasn't for me in the first place.

45.) LITRPG: My next life as a villainess: All routes lead to doom! by Hidaka nami

5/5. An absolute insta-fave! Charming art, endearing characters, an incredible premise, and so much sweet wholesome fluff it'll give you cavities.

46.) No chapters: The field guide to dumb birds of north america by matt kracht

3/5. It started out super strong, but the joke started to wear thin at a little past the halfway point.

47.) 2 books with the same title: Unfollow by Megan Phelps-Roger

4/5. A brave and enduring personal story of growing up in and eventually leaving the Westboro Baptist Church. Really called to me to act with grace and kindness even more in the future.

48.) 2 books with the same title: unfollow by rob williams and michael dowling

1/5. How many times do you think we can make Battle Royale again before someone notices

49.) That has inspired a common phrase or idiom: THe Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

4/5. Definitely good and deserves it's praise as something that pretty much revolutionized and created an entire demographic of literature.

50.) Set in an abbey, cloister, Monastery, convent, or vicarage: Murder at the vicarage by agatha christie

3/5. I just cannot. physically keep up with all of these characters or find the energy to read between the lines.

ok that's all i got, what did y'all read and like this year?  (oh god it’s gonna be 2020)

#book reccs #lulu booktalks

[a-collection-of-villainous-aus]

PIRATE AU PART 5

(Section one of three)

That's it splitting fith installment of pirate au 5 into two parts, I keep not starting the second half so here have the first half for those few who have stuck around 💙

Reminder on what human 505 looks like

Alright so here so Coffee au part two was loooong and boy if you read it ❤️w❤️ I love you reader, but like I still totally loves you even if you don't follow that au, you just reading one of my Aus means alot so thank you for the support!

Now on with the story!

Just small reminder this is set after drabble three as drabble four was a flash back set between one and two.

Now really on with the story

Heavy boots could be heard coming down the steps, tapping of Claws on a belt and the soft creaking of his ship.

Of course this is Captain Black Hat coming down into the Galley.

(I still totally need to draw a full body picture of him XD)

Firstly though of course Fives is down here currently making the meal for Hats crew and the Demon himself, a cloth over his shoulder, stirring this and that, wonderful aromas filling the air as he hummed happily to himself, looking up for a moment and greeting Black Hat he placed a lid over one of the pots, letting it simmer for now.

A brow slightly raised as Black Hat actually made an effort to pull a chair out manually only to slump on it in an un gentlemanly like manner, arm over its back and legs just man spreading

"Bad mornin' sir?"

"The worst, Demencia comes in and Acylius actually starts paying her attention and laughing as she rambles on about one of her mad stories, but me oh no when I speak the crickets are louder than a storm and to top it all off he flat out ignores me!"

505 nodded, listening while checking something in another pan and stirring the stew pot, sighing with a small laugh as he added a few herbs.

"Sunds awful, how yer deal sir?"

It was more of a sarcastic jovial answer, he wasn't facing him so it was easy to conceal his smile, it was the whiny huff that made the cook snort.

"I am not dealing with it, I keep my self well groomed, I want to listen to him, I try talking, I allow him to spend time with you and Demencia and still-"

505 rolled his eyes and turned to face him arms folded, Hat who'd been listing all the wonderful stuff off he'd apparently done for Acylius trailed off as he leaned forward sniffing the air

"Is something burning, did I distract you while cooking, I do not smell anything burning?"

"Sir, yer a moron."

Fives answered flatly a brow raised.

The old demon froze, momentarily forgetting how to function, had his cook just insulted him...honestly he was so caught off guard and somewhat impressed that he actually enquired as to why Fives thought that of him.

"Yer have no brain on how ter look after a merman."

His explanation was blunt and had to laugh as the Captain became flustered, cheeks becoming a soft grin on dark skin shimmering not to dissimilar to that of fish scales in sunlight.

Eye wide and sounds of disbelief as he indignantly folded his own arms like a stubborn toddler and slouching back in his chair, head down and brim of his hat obscuring half of his face.

"As if you know any better!"

This was when 505 stepped forward and took a seat in the one from across the table.

"Infac' I do, was raised by merfolk, humens took me from 'em, gave a number at mad House, 505, yer shud rememberin tha' much."

Black Hat had picked him up from Brook Haven Asylum, recalling how he'd only caught wind of his existence as doctors laughed about how one of their patients were a culinary delight, a master of food and to let him go when they have his services for free would be an awful thing.

Well now of course he had just invited himself to one of their dinners and they would not dare turn him away.

He'd tasted the food and knew he'd found the perfect chef for his ship.

(Let us enjoy a small Flash Back... Sort of. >W> if you know where the Asylum name comes from, in Blind au I could make you or an oc a client or someone in the cult of Black Hat thoooough if you're Cult member you will die and lose your eyes in one of their attempts to try and make Hat see again.)

'Black Hat had pretended to be interested in their Asylum, listening to how the pompous idiots droned on about how clever they were and then that they were idiots really compared to him... Well at least they had that right.

One Doctor was giving him a guided tour, smiling and smugly talking about electro therapy... Honestly he'd been using that as a sexual stimulant for years but then again humans had not long known about electricity.

His gaze wandered over the walls of Brook Haven, grinning wickedly, so they could not see the ash, rust and decay with nurses who had bandaged faces, standing with all manner of medical tools or pipes...their end it seemed was coming soon.

They would be flayed and corpses displayed like gruesome trophies when the time came.

Despite all this unseen darkness there was one pure spot, glowing light behind a door, with thick black numbers

505 just beneath the small window.

His guide opened the door and inside he saw him at a desk, with crayons neatly aligned, colour co ordinated, the padded walls had art on them, though his skill left much to be desired in Hat's opinion.

This was ridiculous, it was more than clear this man was about as violent as a daisy.

The world be could see outside this room had not infected this place even slightly.

"I will offer you this once 505, a life of adventure aboard my ship, as my cook or you can remain here."

The younger man stopped drawing, crayon placed down carefully he took the paper and started folding something.

"Can yer see 'em?"

"The nurses?"

Hat queried, he was still waiting patiently for an answer.

"Aye."

He replied wincing as Black Hat instantly labotimized the spluttering doctor with one elongated claw, silencing him, his body fell to the floor with a heavy thud.

"Bit of a mess yer made there."

This one was surprisingly calm about all of this...but considering the things secretly crawling around these halls it was no surprise that he was desensitised.

"Do you always see it like this?"

He asked looking down and smiling, it would have been no fun to just kill this man's tormentor heh noooo, he was going to suffer just like the rest of them.

"I do."

505 had now finished folding whatever it was that he'd been making and it was then Black realised it was a paperhat, much like children would wear when playing at being sailors or pirates.

"Is that a yes?"

"Aye aye capin' when we set sail?"

"Now my boy...judgement has arrived and you are not on the red devil's list."

In the distance before they left 505 had been sure he'd heard the sound of something metal and heavy scraping slowly along the floors.

#pirate au #Paperhat #Human505 #Black hat #acylius flug #Villainous #Villainous au

[fromtheburn-withlove]

Prompt #16: Jitter

(Art source)

CN: Signs of PTSD, violence

“Hello! Good morning,” I call to the fishermen who used to leave before I wake, but now wake when I’m on my way out of the wharf. They raise their hands in response and smile big, yellow smiles, and one of them even calls back, “Nice tits!" and what can I do except throw my head back and laugh? We do this every morning now, my new routine now that I've stopped sleeping. They don't bother to learn my name and nor do I bother with theirs. To me, they're 'Hello! Good morning!' and to them, I'm 'Nice tits!' Unconventional friendships blossoming with each and every sunrise. This is supposed to be healing.

"Hey, looking good today," I toss at the baker who steps outside about the same time every morning to get some air once her shelves are full and she can afford to clear her head. "Got a cigarette?" she calls back with a rueful smile, like she always does, and it took me a week to realize that her fawn-colored hair wasn't dusted in flour, but rather just starting to see the touches of age streak it with death’s pale fingers. I fish out a crushed paper box and offer her one as I stroll by and she gives me a half-hearted salute with her calloused hands. "I owe you my life," she calls after with a tired laugh. "Don't worry about it," I reassure, and it occurs to me only after that I don't know her name, either. This is supposed to be healing.

I wait in line where a pair of miqo'te keep percolators bubbling over metal drums and anticipate my fifth cup of coffee for the day from a waxed paper cup, right as the sky begins to cheerfully blush with the arrival of the sun. By all means a beautiful day ahead, I consider with the dumbest smile on my stupid, happy face while I shift from foot to foot. I sway with latent energy and feel the living current move around me like a steadfast rock in a babbling brook. That's a nice thought. I could be a fixture in the tide. River rocks are always perfectly rounded, perfectly smooth to the touch; they're made pleasant by the constant wear, and fuck if that isn't aspirational. I'd love to let it all wash over me, roll right off of me, and carry on its merry little way. I think of swimming, of gliding effortlessly, of vacations I’ve taken and still could, and that's when it happens. The shove.

"Watch where the fuck you're going."

The din around me, which I have just now realized has increased with the arrival of the sun, grows quieter. Yikes, who said that? It's just a cup of coffee. We're all going to get there sooner or later, friend. But then I look around to every pair of eyes that wait with latent anticipation, each and every one trained at my face, and I realize that was me. The space contracts and the isolation grows. The vision of lines in a dusty mess hall expands around me. My throat grows tight. I know this place. The strangers, the lines, the waiting, the crowding. I'm there. I'm there.

"Maybe if you weren't standing there holding up the godsdamned line, I wouldn't have to move you," a stocky woman barks back. "I told you to move three times. I'm done asking."

The smell of greasy, stringy meat hits me like a wall. It's nowhere near lunch time, where the hell did it come from? The salty breeze gives way to stale air beneath a heap of junk masquerading the whole place as nothing of interest. The dull chatter of slaves. The close press of bodies as they all herd in and wait their turn. Even the smell of roasted beans turns my stomach until I taste bile.

"Are you stupid or something? Draw a picture if you're going to stare, bitch. Or do you need me to help you stop doing that, too?"

She squares up to me with a smirk and I feel the threat loom as long as her shadow in the low sun. It's me or her and the answer is already there, already latent in my marrow just waiting to be addressed. Some primordial lust possesses me, moves my joints like a meat marionette and the displacement of flesh and bone in front of my fist feels like the first deep breath I've taken in years the very instant it connects. I send her staggering backwards with the force of the strike, but like the first taste of somnus, I’m already fiending for another. I follow her path, hot on the trail, and take another shot at her face dreaming only of the streak of blood I could paint through the air by crushing her nose, by folding cartilage and bone, only to snatch at air a split-second before she slams her fists into my gut, one-two. The slosh of far too much coffee threatens to come back up the way it came.

By the time the Yellowjackets intervene, I can't tell who's winning or losing, only that I can taste bitter black and blood, only that I want more. My arms are forced behind me and my god, did the manacles ever really come off? I don’t remember my life before or after the cuffs and collars and cells and wardens. I roll my concussed head as they pick me up like a piece of trash and drag me away from the commotion. I catch a glimpse of a familiar face, and he gives me a yellow smile. Whatever part of the script I was supposed to read from, it’s gone now. He motions at his chest with two cupped hands and starts to laugh. I let my eyes slide shut. This was supposed to be healing.

#ffxivwrite2019 #katarina #ffxiv #ff14 #writing #roleplay #rp #mateus #crystal rp

[ucflibrary]

“Loveliest of trees, the cherry now Is hung with bloom along the bough,   And stands about the woodland ride   Wearing white for Eastertide.   Now, of my threescore years and ten, Twenty will not come again,    And take from seventy springs a score,   It only leaves me fifty more.   

And since to look at things in bloom    Fifty springs are little room, About the woodlands I will go    To see the cherry hung with snow.” -A.E. Housman, Loveliest of Trees

 Welcome to National Poetry Month!

The Academy of American Poets, inspired by the success of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, created National Poetry Month in 1996. It is the largest literary celebration in the world and UCF Libraries are proud to do their part.

UCF Libraries have gathered suggestions to feature 14 books of poetry that are currently in the UCF collection. These works represent a wide range of favorite poetry books of our faculty and staff.

These, and additional titles, are also on the Featured Bookshelf display on the second (main) floor next to the bank of two elevators where they are joined by a selection of nature poetry.

Click on the Keep Reading link below to see the full descriptions and catalog links.

 A Shropshire Lad by A.E. Housman

Housman is a high-water mark of British lyric poetry, and this fine production captures perfectly his strong, melodic beat and decisive rhyme, and his wonderful way with words. Samuel West's cultivated Midlands accent may not be specifically Shropshire, but his voice and reading are true to Housman who was not, after all, some rough Shropshire lad himself but an Oxford don. His Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now and To an Athlete Dying Young are beautifully rendered here. West, you feel, reads poetry as it should be read confidently, with ease and conviction, as if all the world spoke in meter and rhyme.

Suggested by Megan Haught, Teaching & Engagement/Research & Information Services

 All the Poems of Stevie Smith by Stevie Smith

Stevie Smith is among the most popular British poets of the twentieth century. Her poem “Not Waving but Drowning” has been widely anthologized, and her life was celebrated in the classic 1978 movie Stevie. This new and updated edition of Stevie Smith’s collected poems includes hundreds of works from her thirty-five-year career. The Smith scholar Will May collects poems and illustrations from published volumes, provides fascinating details about their provenance, and describes the various versions Smith presented. Satirical, mischievous, teasing, disarming, Smith’s poems take readers from comedy to tragedy and back again, while her line drawings are by turns unsettling and beguiling.

Suggested by Rachel Edford, Teaching & Engagement

 Calling a Wolf a Wolf by Kaveh Akbar

This highly-anticipated debut boldly confronts addiction and courses the strenuous path of recovery, beginning in the wilds of the mind. Poems confront craving, control, the constant battle of alcoholism and sobriety, and the questioning of the self and its instincts within the context of this never-ending fight.

Suggested by Sandy Avila, Research & Information Services

 Dirt Eaters by Teri Youmans Grimm

The book was born of the consequences of leaving a place and family steeped in the history and traditions of the South. The poet, having moved to the Midwest, has become a sort of expatriate in her father's eyes, and she herself has underestimated the hold that home would have over her. These poems are a mystical journey back through her ancestry. The dead serve as conjurers and characters both real and mythologized throughout the collection--Uncle Seward, who uses dice and the Bible as a means of prophecy; blind Aunt Ater, who finds solace and doom in biblical numbers; an unlucky man facing certain death as he stands on an alligator's back; and women who gorge themselves on dirt--all find their way back to life in these poems. Dirt Eaters seeks grace in the unlikeliest of people and places. Bound up with the peculiar, however, is the poet's own desire to reconcile the handed-down shame and faulty pride within herself as well as the religion of the ecstatic within her own quiet questioning.

Suggested by Rebecca Hawk, Circulation

 Enough Rope by Dorothy Parker

Suggested by Jamie LaMoreaux, Acquisitions & Collections

 New & Selected Poems by Stephen Dunn

Stephen Dunn is justly celebrated as one of the strongest poets of his generation. Now in this rich gathering, he selects from his eight collections and includes sixteen new poems marked by the haunting "Snowmass Cycle". The heralded clarity and intelligence of Dunn's poems are in full evidence here, as is his ability to charm and evoke pathos. As ever, wit happily resides with seriousness, affirmation coexists with hardship. "I want to find the cool, precise language / for how passion gives rise to passion," Dunn says in one of the new poems. For two decades, such insistence has led him to a wise lucidity that places him among our consequential poets.

Suggested by Rebecca Hawk, Circulation

 Poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay

One of America's best-loved poets, Edna St Vincent Millay (1892-1950) burst onto the literary scene at a very young age and won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923. Her lyrics and sonnets have thrilled generations of readers long after the notoriously bohemian lifestyle she led in Greenwich Village in the 1920s ceased to shock them.

Suggested by Jamie LaMoreaux, Acquisitions & Collections

 Poems: North & South, a cold spring by Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop was an American poet and writer from Worcester, Massachusetts. She was the Poet Laureate of the United States from 1949 to 1950, a Pulitzer Prize winner in 1956. and a National Book Award Winner for Poetry in 1970. She is considered one of the most important and distinguished American poets of the 20th century.

Suggested by Rachel Edford, Teaching & Engagement

 Selected Poetry of Ogden Nash: 650 rhymes, verses, lyrics, and poems by Ogden Nash

Gathers poems on a variety of subjects including love, marriage, parenthood, modern life, animals, aging, travel, work, and food.

Suggested by Rachel Edford, Teaching & Engagement & Jamie LaMoreaux, Acquisitions & Collections

 The 100 Best Poems of All Time edited by Leslie Pockell

This poetry companion puts favourite poetry and poets from around the world at your fingertips, enabling you to revisit the classics, encounter unfamiliar masterworks and rediscover old favourites.

Suggested by Sandy Avila, Research & Information Services

 The Golden Shovel Anthology: new poems honoring Gwendolyn Brooks edited by Peter Kahn, Ravi Shankar, and Patricia Smith

The last words of each line in a Golden Shovel poem are, in order, words from a line or lines taken from a Brooks poem. The poems are, in a way, secretly encoded to enable both a horizontal reading of the new poem and vertical reading down the right-hand margin of Brooks's original. An array of writers, including Pulitzer Prize winners, T. S. Eliot Prize winners, National Book Award winners, and National Poet Laureates, have written poems for this anthology: Rita Dove, Billy Collins, Nikki Giovani, Sharon Olds, Tracy K. Smith, Mark Doty, Sharon Draper, and Julia Glass are just a few of the contributing poets.

Suggested by Megan Haught, Teaching & Engagement/Research & Information Services

 The Heart Aroused: poetry and the preservation of the soul in corporate America by David Whyte

In The Heart Aroused, David Whyte brings his unique perspective as poet and consultant to the workplace, showing readers how fulfilling work can be when they face their fears and follow their dreams. Going beneath the surface concerns about products and profits, organization and order, Whyte addresses the needs of the heart and soul, and the fears and desires that many workers keep hidden.

Suggested by Rebecca Hawk, Circulation

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, Xiomara Batista has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. She pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers--especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. Mami is determined to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, and Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. When she is invited to join her school's slam poetry club, she can't stop thinking about performing her poems.

Suggested by Emma Gisclair, Curriculum Materials Center

 The Poetry of Arab Women: a contemporary anthology edited by Nathalie Handal

Arab women poets work within one of the oldest literary traditions in the world, yet they are virtually unknown in the West. Uniting Arab women poets from the all over the Arab World anti abroad, Nathalie Handal has put together an outstanding collection that introduces poets who write in Arabic, French, English, and Swedish, among them some of the twentieth century's most accomplished poets and today's most exciting new voices. Translated by distinguished translators and poets from around the world, The Poetry of Arab Women showcases the work of 82 poets, among them: Etel Adnan, Andre Chedid, Salma Khadra Jayyusi, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Fadwa Tuqan.

Suggested by Christina Wray, Teaching & Engagement

 The Rain in Portugal by Billy Collins

The Rain in Portugal—a title that admits he’s not much of a rhymer—sheds Collins’s ironic light on such subjects as travel and art, cats and dogs, loneliness and love, beauty and death. A student of the everyday, Collins here contemplates a weather vane, a still life painting, the calendar, and a child lost at a beach. His imaginative fabrications have Shakespeare flying comfortably in first class and Keith Richards supporting the globe on his head. By turns entertaining, engaging, and enlightening, The Rain in Portugal amounts to another chorus of poems from one of the most respected and familiar voices in the world of American poetry.

Suggested by Larry Cooperman, Research & Information Services

#ucflibrary #national poetry month #poetry #book suggestions

[fibula-rasa]

Cosplay the Classics: Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo was one of my very first favorite actresses. That perfectly magnetic face was a force even on a television screen. I set my VCR to tape every movie she was in as they appeared on TCM, then bought them all on DVD as they were released. In high school, a few of my friends even crafted Garbo-themed doodads for me because she wasn’t plastered on all manner of goods like Audrey Hepburn, James Dean or Marilyn Monroe were in the early 2000s. Though I didn’t put voice to it at the time, seeing a woman whose romance so clearly knew no gender was formative for me.

Garbo is by no means obscure, but even more people need to be watching her films. Don’t fret! Filmstruck to the rescue: Greta Garbo is their star of the week!

No time like the present to try my hand at a wearable Swedish Sphinx look. I aimed for late-silent Garbo, a la The Kiss (1929) and The Mysterious Lady (1928).

Taken and collaged by photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull in 1931, this photo spurred on the sticky nickname.

The Face of Garbo

The face of Garbo has inspired odes in spiritual, philosophical, and psychoanalytical terms over the past century and, yeah, it would be way above my pay grade to contribute to that canon. In lieu of that, let’s learn a little bit about how Garbo’s image was constructed.

When Greta Garbo made the trek from Sweden to Hollywood in 1925, she had all the raw ingredients to be a screen star. A face with no bad angles that still and film cameras can love alike is rare. All Garbo needed was a bit of polish to marry her outward appearance to the languid grace of her performance style.

Off screen, Garbo was often reported as wearing unassuming baggy trousers, loafers, and oversized sweaters. A thoroughly uncomplicated person. On screen, Adrian collaborated closely with her to style and design fashions that would follow her every move in seventeen of her feature films.

While I didn’t do a full-body look this time around, I tried to choose a top that would slouch with my posture.

Garbo’s makeup is beautifully consistent across her fifteen years in Hollywood. The application evolved as camera and projection technology advanced, but the shapes remained the same. Starting with Torrent (1926) and her first few silents, her makeup was drawn in higher contrast with heavier lines. In the late silents and her first few talkies, the lines were softened with more gradients in her eyeshadow and lipstick, and film cameras and lighting rigs began to capture more subtle gradations of light and dark. Throughout the rest of the 1930s all the way to Two-Faced Woman (1941), the lines were thinner and more delicate and paired with further shading, but still with a graphic effect.

from Torrent (1926), The Mysterious Lady (1928), and Conquest (1937)

The theme of her iconic look was a dreamy sensuousness, and I personally love that her makeup design is so simple. If applied properly it could be flattering on any face.

Read on after THE JUMP

Garbo wore a heavy line across her lashline, usually the darkest drawn element on her face. If you had the eyelashes of a mortal this line would be too heavy, but we’re talking about Garbo here. I put on a full strip of falsies. 

The line elongates the eye, much like a cat-eye flick, but it extends down and out to create a sultry-but-kind look. (Note: this liner style is currently en vogue in Japan right now & I think it’s overdue for a comeback on this side of the Pacific.) On the outer edge of the lower lashline a lighter line is drawn from the end of the upper line to the lower lashline, forming a small triangle. This finishes off the elongation of the eye. To make it more striking, you can fill in the triangle with a lighter nude liner.

On the lid, Garbo’s crease was emphasized sharply. Across the makeup eras described above, first it was a deep line that met the eyeliner in the corners, then a more natural gradient still with a cut crease, and then back to a distinct line, but applied with a much lighter hand.

from Flesh and the Devil (1926), Anna Christie (1930), and Two-Faced Woman (1941) 

Her eyebrows were plucked and drawn thinly, as was the style at the time. Regardless, Garbo usually followed her natural brow shape.

Garbo’s skin was described as remarkably flawless; Louise Brooks called it “petal-like.” So, a good powder is a must. Reportedly, she used a Max Factor foundation with a silver tint so the light would reflect strongly off her face. (This also probably explains why in a few of her films her face is so much brighter than her usually quite tan neck and shoulders.)

For blush, I used a simple dusty pink because her cheeks are much fuller than mine--so I didn’t want to add dimension. Dusty pink was also her favorite color. Like really.

Garbo’s New York apartment was decked out ceiling to carpet almost exclusively in rose pink!

Her lips were lined in a single tone following her natural shape. My lips are fuller but not as wide as hers so I drew them out a bit at the edges with a lip brush and filled in the shape in this method:

from The Kiss (1929)

Over the past year or so, I’ve experimented a lot with wet-set curling to improve my vintage chops. Many 1930s styles are difficult to achieve and Garbo’s is the least fussy hairstyle I’ve attempted from the period. So, even before the effortless long bob Garbo sported for much of her life, her styling was simple.

There are some accounts that she was a little erratic about working on her image but it must have been some relief that Garbo had close collaborators ironing out the glamor to accentuate her own art. Garbo took acting very seriously without much interest in being a movie star. Time has told that with Adrian as a costumer, Max Factor as a makeup designer, Clarence Sinclair Bull as a portrait photographer, and William H. Daniels as a cinematographer, an adequately sublime, timeless image was created to match her sublime, timeless performances.

Garbo’s Reach

Often when people talk about Marilyn Monroe’s predecessors, they can’t seem to get past her fluffy blonde hair. They draw endless parallels to Jean Harlow, with whom she shares little more than a hair color. Monroe herself idolized Garbo. And it shows if you’re looking for it.

All together, the lazy/sexy ideal is embodied by both women. Where Monroe usually infused this spirit into dizzy comedic roles, Garbo primarily put it to use playing women of mystery. Suffice it to say, both stars have reached an iconic status at least in part because their roles were intertwined so cleverly with their respective public images.

I look to Monroe’s eye makeup as the dead giveaway. Monroe and her makeup artist, Whitey Snyder, created much the same shapes but with gentler lines.

When Garbo first emerged with her long bob, it was admired by fans, but magazine writers were quick to point out that this was unflatteringly long and advised that only Garbo could pull it off. Likewise, Monroe was put down in the press for her too-long unstylish hair--some journalists even comparing her to a dog. (The ideal then being closer to Elizabeth Taylor’s neatly coiffed short curls.) Funny that both styles are considered almost universally flattering today.

According to Katharine Cornell, when Garbo was considering a return to the screen she wanted to star alongside Monroe. Garbo confided that she wanted to play Dorian Gray with Monroe as Sibyl Vane. If you’re queer-hearted like myself (and Garbo) it’s devastating that we never got that film.

I suppose I’ll sign off now with tears in my eyes for what could have been and for the mutual appreciation that Marilyn Monroe probably never knew about.

#greta garbo #garbo #cosplay #closet cosplay #classic film #classic movies #Filmstruck #silent film #silent movies #silent era #Adrian #marilyn monroe #hollywood #1920s #1930s #vintage #vintage inspired #vintage makeup #besame #besame cosmetics #film essay #film #movies #photography

[prawnlegs]

WEBCOMICS

I think I broke my links page with too many links, so it’s about time I made a rec post for some of my favorite webcomics! MAYBE YOU’LL FIND SOMETHING NEW TO LOVE.

This will always and forever be an incomplete list as I am always finding/looking for more stuff to read. I’ll probably reblog it every so often when I add more.

COMPLETE: Lady of the Shard by Gigi D.G. - I still haven’t gotten to Cucumber Quest but you had better believe I read this the day it came out. Follows a temple acolyte who is in love with the goddess she serves, and all the complicated turns of events that come out of this. Drawn in a loose, experimental pixel art style that makes it all the more immersive to read. The Less than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal by E.K. Weaver - Eisner-nominated gay roadtrip romance you’ve probably already heard of. Some of the best character acting I’ve ever seen. The Muse Mentor by Amy King - Artistic muses (and one vague notion) try to find their purpose on the astral plane, which happens to look sort of like a cute fantasy version of San Francisco. A sincere and kind-spirited read, highly recommended if you struggle with feeling adrift and inadequate. Also, many drawings of delicious-looking food. Power Ballad by Molly Brooks - I just started this but it’s really fun and funny. A masked vigilante/pop star’s personal assistant develops a crush on her boss. It’s gay, it’s got superheroes, and it’s complete! IN PROGRESS: Agents of the Realm by Mildred Louis - I had a couple false starts getting into this one, not having grown up on Sailor Moon, but then I picked up the first volume at a con and I’m really enjoying it. The unclear, complicated intentions of the mentor figure(s) are intriguing, and I love how the artist draws faces, especially funny reaction faces. Alice and the Nightmare by Misha Krivanek - A magical uni/boarding school piece with super cute art, compelling mysteries, and a Lewis-Carroll-inspired world that’s fresh and fun I.E. not another Hot Topic rehash. FINALLY. Away to Nowhere by Ezra Shape - Monsters and magical beings adapting to life in our world (or a world like ours)--currently just scratching the surface of what seems like some really cool worldbuilding. Features Zio, my nonbinary dragon grandma. Balderdash by Victoria Grace Elliott - Cute coming-of-age witch adventures. Beautiful colors and a richly-textured world. FOOD. So much good food. Banquet by A. Szabla - [coming soon]

Beauty by Eric J. Lee and Rhiannon Rasmussen - From the about page: “Bugpunk Beauty and the Beast” and honestly WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW. Okay I’ll tell you some more: There’s a baroque alien bug civilization rendered in incredible detail. It’s gorgeous.  Blackwater by Jeanette A. and Ren Graham - Episodic supernatural comic set in the small fictional town of Blackwater, Maine. Just started, but the art is extremely polished, expressive, and atmospheric, and the characters are cute. Also it’s queer and full of monsters. Sold.

Brainchild by Suzanne Geary - Paranormal mysteries on a college campus with supremely cool monster designs and great art. The monsters: So cool. I also really like the attention to fashion details on the characters--you can tell a lot about each of them by how they present themselves. Demon Street by Aliza Layne - All-ages fantasy adventure starring queer kids with magic powers! Great use of vivid, saturated color to set otherworldly scenes. Excellent queerification of folkloric tropes.

False Edge by M. R. Shaw - Just started, but a long-awaited comics debut with fantastic art. Features adorable big-cat shapeshifters. Warning, it’s supposed to get nasty (there’s an advisory page with specifics when you start). Feast for a King by Kosmicdream - I just started this (”just started” = 300+ pages in) but HOLY CROW it’s one of the most bizarrely creative comics I’ve seen. Warning for like, unrelenting gore/body horror (and eventually monster sex I think?) Gotta admire the scope of this one. Galanthus by Ashanti Fortson - [coming soon] Goodbye to Halos by Valerie Halla - Fantasy/action-adventure with an all queer-and-trans cast! Huge-scale, trans-dimensional cosmic plot stuff. The art is supremely cute and the color design is fantastic. Harlowe Vanished by Amy King - A lonely teenage girl accidentally finds herself in some kind of oceanic fantasy world! Scary military stuff is going down! BEAUTIFUL scenic art and a colorful cast that we’re currently just getting to know. The latest from Amy, who did The Muse Mentor, rec’d above. Heirs of the Veil by Phineas Kaldinski and Jassy Klier - Urban fantasy with lots of cool magic, a queer cast, and amazingly detailed environments that feel lived-in and full of history. Can’t wait to see where it’s going. Hilga from Below by Val Wise - This just started but that means I’m COMPLETELY CAUGHT UP on the  archive and so far I can tell that it has: Excellent colors, a cute dog person, a fallen angel or alien or something, and some really unsettling stuff lurking under the surface. How to be a Werewolf by Shawn Lenore - Another one I just started, but really enjoying it so far. After twenty years of isolated lycanthropy, an urban werewolf is mentored by the first of her kind she’s ever met, amidst a mysterious lurking threat to their kind. Kidd Commander by Aria Bell - This is the most fun I’ve had reading a webcomic in a long time. Kidd Commander is an epic shonen-style adventure with an immensely likable cast. Seriously, I love every last one of the characters, and their perils and triumphs and misunderstandings hit me right in the emotions like a ton of bricks. I’m probably gonna cry at some point in this comic. I KNOW I’m gonna cry at some point in this comic. But it’s also hilarious, with really well-timed comedy beats and expertly deployed reaction faces. The world also feels HUGE and full of interesting lore. This is just one of those ones where you can tell it’s an absolute labor of love and the creator enjoys every minute of making it. I could gush about KC forever. But I won’t. This time. I’M DONE. Kids These Days by Noora Heikkilä - Fresh webcomic from the creator of Judecca and Letters for Lucardo, which, if you’ve read either YOU’RE FREAKING OUT TOO, RIGHT. It’s about a group of young adults in the eighteenth-century-flavored city of Osk, refusing to fit the molds society has created for them. And it’s already great. Killjoys by Woods - Criminal mayhem set in a squishy cartoon circus toyland. Had me at “Fluffy hot-tempered clown bunny with they pronouns, in a suit.” Something about this one speaks directly to my id. Kill Six Billion Demons by Tom Parkinson-Morgan - SPRAWLINGLY EPIC action-adventure in hell with vast-scale environments that will make you fall to your knees weeping. Also, like everyone in it is super hot and also a monster or some kind of divine construct. Violence. Lots of that. Larkspur by Grace Mulcahy - Post-apocalyptic action/crime/comedy piece centering on girl gang rivalries. Everyone is some kind of really cool-looking post-radiation mutant. Lush, vibrant colors set against dark comedy. Warning for some sex trafficking stuff at the start (not explicit) and general CRIME/VIOLENCE. Log Date by H. Kasof - [coming soon]

Monster’s Garden by Ash G. - Urban sci-fantasy about a misunderstood prizefighter (who happens to be a lizard-man) who just wants to be left in peace--but is suddenly faced with the challenge of caring about others and having them care about him. Full of cute and sympathetic characters. Monster Pop! by Maya Kern- Light and fun college dramedy with a cast of colorful monsters (and some humans), including a cyclops, gorgon, and witch. The art is super cute. Queer and trans characters! Never Satisfied by Taylor Robin - A group of flawed, complicated teens compete for a prestigious role that is basically something like State Wizard. The characters are SO GOOD, sympathetic across the board even when they’re being misguided jerks, and the comedy highs and dramatic lows are equally prime. The main character is nonbinary and they are my sweet, emotionally stunted child. Oglaf by Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne - Everyone’s favorite bizarro-comedy-porn medieval fantasy comic. NSFW, as if I had to tell ya. Parhelion by R. Smith - Sci-fi adventure featuring a huge and hugely-gender-various (and queer) cast with a lot of choice trope subversions. The writing is super witty and I find myself laughing out loud a lot. Puu by Ashkay B. Varaham - An own-voices slice-of-life webcomic about gay/trans roommates and the people connected to them, set in India. Look, I am a huge goopy romantic and this comic has EVERYTHING that feeds my soul. The Sea in You by Jessi Sheron - Lonely, environmentally-conscious goth girl with a jerk boyfriend makes the acquaintance of a MUCH BETTER (girl?)friend in the shape of a mermaid. Another one with very cute art and an interesting, creative mermaid design. Everything teen me ever wanted in a comic. Warning for the boyfriend being an emotionally abusive jerk. String Theory by Dirk Grundy- Probably the comic I’ve been reading the longest. Sci-fi/post-apocalyptic/alternate history/crime stuff centering around morally sketchy characters on their path(s) to super villainy. The art is frigging phenomenal and the comic has been going for like, ten years so if you wanna see some art evolution, check it out. Laurence is my fave. Superpose by Kieran and Han - [coming soon] Unconvent by Emil N. Tót - Romantic historical fiction about queer nuns in eighteenth century Brazil! I like how simple and straightforward this comic is. We are promised happy endings. (Update: Unconvent is now on indefinite hiatus but the author has started a new comic, Dead Scholars’ Whispers) That’s it for now! Let me know if I screwed up any of the links or attributions.

#webcomics #queer webcomics #webcomic recs #stuff i read

[rocky-rainbows]

My sweet summer suns, these are my physical children. I have spent years working on these OCs and they've helped me get through a lot mentally and emotionally. They were the first things I ever drew when I first got my drawing tablet and while ancient I still feel the need to post them. Eventually I'll get around to redrawing them in my current art style and broadening on their bios for the sake of posterity, but for now enjoy my brief explanations.

- Vittoria Michelangelo - She/Her, Bisexual Cis Woman, Italian Ameican, born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised by her big brother Adam in the countryside of Kansas, best friends with Zadkiel since they were 8, is a girly girl with a big heart and a penchant for drama

- Jericho Alfarsi - He/Him, Greyromantic Asexual Trans Man, Egyptian, born in Cairo, Egypt, and raised in an orphanage until he ran away after facing abuse and constant misgendering. He's a self-taught tech savvy genius and supports other runaway kids with the money he makes hacking and selling handmade tech gear on the deep web

- Chase Williams - He/Him, Panromantic Demisexual Cis Man, French Canadian, born and raised in Montreal, Québéc, by his single father, best friends [and in love] with Anya. His father is a wealthy Canadian politician and he is following in his footsteps after a failed attempt at medical school, where he met and became best buds with Zadkiel

- Chonglin Ma - He/Him, She/Her, Androromantic Asexual Non-Binary Person, Chinese, born and raised in Beijing, China, by his single mother, best friends with Alexei, Anya's older brother. His mother is a rich business woman and his older sister is a bit of a freeloader with a penchant for bad art making. He expects to inherit the company and has been training his whole life for the take over. Does drag on the side for funsies

- Braelynn Brooks - She/Her, Heterosexual Cis Woman, Navajo Native American, born in Phoenix, Arizona, but raised on a ranch in Texas by her gay uncles after running away from her alcoholic and abusive single father. Is a sports fanatic and won't go anywhere without her Fitbit or water bottle

- Zadkiel Mercure - He/Him, They/Them, Non-Binary Intersex Person, Pawnee Native and French American, born and raised in the countryside of Kansas by his grandmother and single mother. Was once a twin but Amythest died after falling out of a tree when they were four. His mother was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 8 and died when he was 19. Afterwards he went to college on a full ride scholarship to the best oncology school in NYC to become a pediatric oncologist. Is the loveliest soul you will ever meet, has done no wrong, I would die protecting him

- Anya Robacheva - She/Her, Aromantic Asexual Agender Person, Native Siberian and Russian, born and raised in Moscow, Russia, by her emotionally abusive rich parents. Has serious perfectionism problems and keeps herself emotionally stunted on person, hates to feel things, refuses to recognize that Chase is her best friend, loves her brother Alexei but would never admit it. A political savvant, destined to become the Prime Minister of Canada

#original characters #fandomless ocs #my ocs #my ocs are my children #my children #my heart and soul #oc: vittoria michelangelo #oc: jericho alfarsi #oc: chonglin ma #oc: chase williams #oc: braelynn brooks #oc: zadkiel mercure #oc: anya robacheva

[thepermanentrainpress]

REVIEW: FAN EXPO VANCOUVER AT THE VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE - MARCH 2ND TO 3RD, 2019

The first panel on Saturday was Mehcad Brooks, currently known for his work as James Olsen/Guardian in CW’s Supergirl. He had an inspiring panel, touching on race and gender, social media ‘keyboard warriors’ who attempt to put others down, music (his stage name is King Gvpsv), and doing things one is passionate about. He discussed how DC Comics’ Jimmy Olsen was historically Caucasian, and how proud he was to be apart of creating diversity, portraying a black male version on the show. In fact, one superhero he would love to play is Bruce Wayne/Batman. That being said, he noted the importance of “creating your own superheroes” if you’re passionate about creativity, whether that be starting from the drawing board or adding attributes to those already brought to life – Mehcad is currently developing a superhero of his own, with a graphic novel to stay tuned for.

The one statement he said that stuck with me was, “perfectionism is the highest form of procrastination.” As an artist, it’s the best excuse not to do anything, and he uses that to fuel his spiritual journey as a creator and human being. I was really impressed with his connection to the audience in his words, and look forward to seeing his projects as they continue to unfold.

I caught a brief portion of George Takei’s self-moderated panel, hearing him take the stage with an emphatic “Oh Myyy” (to the delight of audience members)! He recognized the original Star Trek fans, and the new generation that keeps the franchise alive and thriving, noting the success of CBS’ Star Trek: Discovery. He recognized the importance of keeping ideals in mind (“in an insane reality” as the current situation in the US). A fan asked his opinion if achieving a utopia in the real world was a possibility, to which Takei replied no, but it is “still a dream that we should aspire to reach.” Takei is currently in Vancouver filming AMC’s The Terror, set in a Japanese internment camp during WWII.

The Flash panel was wild, this cast knows how to have fun. Featuring Tom Cavanagh, Robbie Amell, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Nicolet and Hartley Sawyer, the panel had mini donuts a plenty (they asked, and devoted fans delivered, not once but multiple times throughout their time on stage)! They talked briefly about the upcoming episode set to feature King Shark vs. Gorilla Grodd, and the large budget they had for its special effects. Danielle addressed the absence of Joe West this season (cast member Jesse L. Martin took a medical leave after suffering a back injury this past summer), but said he would be back on-screen soon. Amell, who no longer appears as Ronnie Raymond/Firestorm, is currently working on Amazon’s Upload, with sci-fi/action film Code 8 having premieres across the globe beginning in April. Cavanagh joked about Amell moving on from The Flash to “more expensive projects” and “greener pastures,” and this continued to be a running joke throughout the panel. New additions Nicolet and Sawyer were praised, for their work ethic and what they brought to their characters DA Cecile Horton and Ralph Dibny/Elongated Man.

During fan question period, Amell was asked about the crowdfunded Code 8 and working with cousin and Arrow star Stephen Amell (who he insisted was pronounced “steph-in” rather than “steve-in”). The pair always hoped to collaborate after having brief interactions in a past Arrowverse crossover, and were happy to do so with the sci-fi flick filmed in Toronto in 2017. There were also plugs for the Tom Cavanagh directed heist short Tom and Grant, which is now available for streaming on Vimeo. One of Cavanagh’s favourite and most challenging scenes, was when Reverse Flash killed Cisco Ramon (Valdes’ character) in Season 1’s “Out of Time.” One daring fan asked Valdes if there was truth to the rumours he’d be leaving the show after Season 5. He stayed mum, answering with an appropriate “I have a donut in my mouth.” It was a nice attempt. Nicolet and Valdes only had kind words to say about co-star Danielle Panabaker’s directing debut in episode 18, shot in February, describing her as a “boss lady” and “in control.” It was a fun panel, and you can see the family atmosphere created on-set translates similarly to their interactions with one another off-set.

During breaks in between panels, I had an opportunity to roam around the floor, to get a glimpse of the vast number of retailers, artists, and cosplayers on-hand for the event. I purchased a few postcards from illustrators Jenny Hsieh and chanteii – they have incredibly adorable artwork of shiba inus and cats, respectively. I also had to buy a couple of stickers from PIKARAR, because of my love for animals, naturally. There were booths with Funko pops, wigs, pins, medieval swords and armour, unique jewelry, kimonos, tees, fan art, boxes chalk full of comic books, and other pop culture memorabilia. It was overwhelming (in a good way)!

We stopped by the booth advertising locally filmed web series Followers: “An Internet Superhero Story.” The plot line is “a group of superheroes inspired by social media must collaborate together to take down Hater, who threatens to destroy the internet.” The trailer looked amusing with their special effects and action sequences, DIY costumes, and I look forward to checking out more of the episodes online!

On the cosplay side, I’m not too knowledgeable on anime/pop culture characters (I’ll be the first to admit this!) but there were many amazing costumes. I saw a Spider-Gwen posing for pictures with young girls, Iron Man, Deadpool, Harley Quinn, Disney princesses, and characters I was told were from popular video games League of Legends and Overwatch.

On Sunday, I sat in on some of Pamela Anderson’s panel. Anderson is known for her modelling and acting work in Baywatch and Home Improvement, but currently uses her platform to do activist work for animal rights, our environment, and climate change. I heard her response to a fan’s question: “everything you do has a repercussion” and the importance of enjoying experiences over consumption. The Pamela Anderson Foundation supports “organizations and individuals that stand on the front lines in the protection of human, animal, and environmental rights.” It is nice to see Anderson (who was born in Ladysmith, BC) be passionate about these global issues, and encouraging listeners to do the same in their everyday life.

My final full panel of the day was the Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow talk with Juliana Harkavy, Brandon Routh, and Courtney Ford. This was largely a fan Q&A panel, with one fan dressed as Roy Harper/Arsenal informing the cast how their characters have provided happiness and strength in darker personal times. It was a touching moment, and you could see the actors’ expressions shift, truly listening to each of the fan questions with understanding and empathy. Harkavy said her favourite part about playing Black Canary was meeting fans, while Routh expressed some disappointment in the Legends being left out of this past season’s ‘Elseworlds’ crossover event, but hoped they might make an appearance in the already announced ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths.’

They admitted that they don’t socially interact much with cast members of their fellow CW shows other than at conventions and dinners to celebrate season kickoffs (on-location filming, studios not being on the same lot), but it’s always fun when they do meet-up to catch up. Routh said that while he loves playing Ray Palmer/Atom on LOT, his role as Superman in Bryan Singer’s 2006 film Superman Returns is his favourite role to-date because of its significance in his career (as his first leading role). All three prepared for their current roles using comic books as guidance, imagery and past iterations of their characters.

We had a wonderful time at FAN EXPO Vancouver, being surrounded by like minded others with an excitement and passion for the arts, cosplay, comics, film and television. Our team also had an opportunity to interview Gotham’s David Mazouz, a stellar actor who shone as a young Bruce Wayne and who’s using his platform to shed light on animal rescue and advocacy, and creating positive change as young adults. The interview will be posted soon! Until then, we can’t wait until FAN EXPO’s return to our city next year.

Written by: Chloe Hoy Photo credit to: Timothy Nguyen

#Fan Expo Vancouver #Entertainment #Review #PRconcert #pop culture #film #Chloe #FXV19 #Fan Expo Vancouver 2019 #Fan Expo Canada #Fan Expo #Convention #Mehcad Brooks #George Takei #Brandon Routh #Juliana Harkavy #Robbie Amell #Tom Cavanagh #Pamela Anderson #yvr #Vancouver #Vancouver Convention Centre #Carlos Valdes #cosplay #cosplayer #TV #Fan Expo HQ #Arrowverse

[naturecoaster]

Invigorating Inverness

Inverness is a charming city on Florida’s Nature Coast. With a population of about 7,000 and a thriving downtown district with many small shops and restaurants around its historic courthouse, Inverness Florida is a wonderful day trip from anywhere on the Nature Coast. Inverness is the Citrus County seat, with not only an historic courthouse, but also a modern courthouse and the various government services that go along with that, but it is the community and small businesses that draw me back time after time.

The Historic Courthouse Museum

What do you do with an historic courthouse when times change and a new one is built? Inverness has made a wonderful historic museum in this iconic building. When looking at the courthouse, one may be reminded of the movie Back to the Future because of the clock in the cupola above the museum, but a different movie was filmed here in 1961. Inside are county archives and special collections, as well as the offices of Citrus County's Historical Resource Officer. It is also the site of the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum.

Mosaic Seal of the State of Florida on the floor of the historic Citrus County Courthouse. In 1978, a new courthouse was built and this 1912 was restored to its previous glory. To quote the Citrus County Historical Society, “After peeling off layer upon layer added over the years, workers uncovered terrazzo floors and marble wainscoting. Transom windows that had been painted over and nailed shut were refinished and re-hinged. Old photographs of the courthouse gave clues to what the hidden walls, floors, and ceilings looked like.”

Exhibits and Activities

The museum housed in the courthouse has several permanent historical exhibits, including displays and artifacts devoted to Citrus County’s pre-history and its pioneer days, and to more recent developments, such as the impact of the citrus and film industries on Central Florida. In 2013, there was an archaeological project to clear the headsprings of the Chassahowitzka River that produced a 2,000-year-old Native American bowl ― the only one of its kind ever found intact in Florida – and it is on display at this museum.

This 2,000 year old Native American bowl was found in an archaeological project to clear the Chassahowitzka head springs. It is in this museum.  Image courtesy of Diane Bedard One of the fun things on display is an old clock face from the courthouse cupola. On the back of the clock are many names and dates from the WWII time period when citizens would go up in the cupola to look out for enemy aircraft.

Sally White, publisher of Adventures of Mom, and I pose with the museum's historic clock face. There is a new exhibit in the Courthouse Museum quarterly. The current one is on manatees, including the Citrus County history of studying this marine mammal – featuring Jacques Cousteau and his son. Activities include Music at the Museum series and Coffee and Conversations. A walking tour of the downtown area is available on February 20 at 9 am for a $5 donation.

Elvis was Here

People in Inverness still talk about the magical summer of 1961, when Elvis Presley came to Citrus County to film his ninth movie, "Follow That Dream." The climactic courtroom scene was filmed entirely in the Courtroom and included many townspeople as extras. When you look at the courthouse from the street, Elvis’ lookalike may be staring at you from an upstairs window. Inside, you may want to stand by a life size cardboard Elvis for a quick selfie.

You never know where you will find Elvis in the old courthouse museum. Meanwhile, here is the trailer for the movie, and you can see the entire thing at the amazing Valerie Theater Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 3pm. Buy your tickets in advance here.

The Valerie Theater

Mrs. Pearl G. Maddox built the theatre in 1926-27 during the silent movie era, naming it the Valerie after her daughter. The first movie shown was “The Only Woman” in 1927; the last was “The Untouchables” in 1987.

This historic Valerie Theater shows classic movies and has live entertainment other nights. The building was vacant from 1987 and the City purchased it in 2009. A grand reopening was held for the Valerie Theatre Cultural Center in June 2015. The Valerie Theatre hosts concerts, plays, movies and more to the residents and visitors to the City of Inverness. They have classic movies most Sunday afternoons, as well as a Friday Night at the Movies series. Tickets are inexpensive ($6) and there is even balcony seating, popcorn, and drinks available. The schedule can be found here.

Shopping and Dining Downtown Inverness

The courthouse square and nearby streets of Inverness house many lovely shopping and dining options.

Always good food, good friends and great coffee at Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters on Tompkins Street. When you are in the mood for a good cup of coffee, a custom blended coffee drink, a special fresh-brewed loose-leaf tea or a fantastic meal, Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters on Tompkins Street is my go-to place. Feel like getting a little caffeine-happy? Try their coffee flight, featuring fresh roasted espresso and nitrogen infused coffee. The four little “shots” will pick anyone up and get them soaring! And the almond horns are another of my favorite things here. Along Tompkins Street are several wonderful retailers, including an art gallery, nature store, clothing store and gift shop. Additionally, the Hen House restaurant is certified dementia-friendly and serves some great home cooking breakfast and lunch with special service. Next to the Valerie Theatre is another great place, Nicole’s House of Cakes. OMG – get a “better than anything” cupcake and tell them NatureCoaster told you to. This giant, chocolate cup cake infused with fudge and caramel (literally) and topped/stuffed with Nicole’s patented cream cheese filling/frosting yumminess then drizzled with caramel and fudge and topped off with toffee crumbles. For shopping, there is Ritzy Rags and Glitzy Jewels, a consignment shop of unique items that just make the experience worth the time. You never know what you will find in this interesting collection of vintage clothing, jewelry, furniture, accessories and who know what else? There is a wine bar, salt lamp store, and variety of small shops. It’s a great walking destination. Another restaurant I really enjoy is Motor City Pasta. Although the owners are not from Detroit and I am, their chef more than makes up for the misnomer. The Tuscan tomato soup is so rich, with chunks of tomato and fresh basil – and mozzarella cheese melted on top with two crostini sticking up in the center. The sandwiches are made-to-order and the pizza is baked in a brick oven.

Tuscan Tomato soup and a Reuben on the lunch special at Motor City Pasta. Yummy! Next door to Motor City Pasta is Stumpknockers-Inverness and Coach’s, a sports bar. Additionally, there is an ice cream shop with a great reputation and a couple of popular pubs.

Parks and Gardens

Interestingly, Inverness has several nice parks in the walking downtown area, from Cooter Park (after the cooter turtle – get your head out of the gutter) to Wallace Brooks Park on Dampier Street and Liberty Park, along the Withlacoochee Trail. This progressive city also has a City Garden, where residents and groups can use a plot to grow vegetables and flowers without the hassle of tilling their own dirt.

Inverness has a City Garden. An additional city park, Whispering Pines, is outside the courthouse area, but offers 293-acres of recreation from pickleball and disc golf courses to a splash pad and city pool. Many events are held here. Fort Cooper State Park is also nearby, with 706-acres and a national register of historic places recognition. The park is dog-friendly and is located along the shores of Lake Holathlikaha. The fort built here during the second Seminole War was used between 1836 and 1842. Many events are held here throughout the year, including a battle reenactment.

Bike-friendly Community

The Withlacoochee State Trail has a beautiful trail head right in Inverness. Biking and hiking the Withlacoochee Trail is easy from Inverness, as the trail head of this wonderful 46-mile paved trail is located at the Red Caboose at 315 N. Apopka Avenue. A cyclist can ride 20 miles north to Citrus Springs or 26 miles south to Trilby on a level path with amenities and stops throughout the journey. Inverness has been awarded a Bronze Bicycle-friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists.

Sister City to Inverness Scotland

Inverness was originally a settlement called "Tompkinsville," named for A. D. Tompkins, in the 1860s.  His brother-in-law, Frank M. Dampier, Sr., is credited laying out the town. Tompkinsville was sold to a firm in Jacksonville, who changed the name to Inverness because the blue water of the Tsala Apopka Lake reminded them of the headlands and lochs of Scotland.

Inverness was incorporated March 6, 1919 and turns 100 this year. There are 14 plaques on downtown buildings telling their history to those who will stop and read it.         Read the full article

#CityofInverness #inverness

[metawitches]

12 Monkeys was a Syfy network series, loosely based on the 1995 Terry Gilliam film of the same name, which ran for 4 seasons/47 episodes, from 2015-2018. It focused on a near future post-plague world and the survivor, James Cole (Aaron Stanford), who is sent back in time from 2043 to the decades before the plague in order to stop the deaths of 7 billion people.

Though the series uses concepts and characters from the film, it’s largely left the plot of the film behind by the end of the pilot. In the original 12 Monkeys film, the Army of the 12 Monkeys is a red herring. In the series, it’s a vast, secret organization which is responsible for the plague. Cole and Katarina Jones (Barbara Sukowa), the scientist who sends him back in time, assemble a time traveling team who oppose the Army of the Twelve Monkeys and their mysterious leader, the Witness, in a war to control the fate of the timeline.

In the future, post-plague world, Katarina Jones and her people find a damaged recording made in 2017, at the height of the pandemic, by Dr Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull), a CDC virologist who specializes in epidemics. The recording asks “Cole” to hurry and names “Leland Frost” as the originator of the plague. With this starting point and a time machine that barely works, Dr Jones sends James Cole, a barely civilized scavenger, back in time to interview Dr Railly in order to learn further details about the start of the pandemic. His mission is to use the knowledge he gains from Dr Railly to stop the plague virus from being released.

Of course it’s not as simple as that. Time travel isn’t precise enough yet to get Cole to the correct moment in Dr Railly’s timeline. He arrives in 2013, meets kidnaps Dr Railly, figures out that he’s too early for her to have the information he needs, then gets shot by the police in the process of jumping to a later point in her life. When she meets him again in 2015 and sees his fresh bullet wound, 2 years after she watched him receive it, Dr Railly is convinced that Cole is telling the truth. Together, they investigate the origin of the virus, which eventually leads them to Leland Goines (Zeljko Ivanek), code name “Frost”.

As viewers will expect, by the end of the pilot they’ve realized that Goines is only a piece of the puzzle. Information they glean from him, and later from his daughter, Jennifer (Emily Hampshire, brilliantly playing the role originated by Brad Pitt in the film), will draw them deeper into the conspiracy than they could ever imagine. But the Army of the 12 Monkeys is way ahead of them, already expert at time travel and manipulating events to suit their agenda.

While I love this series, the pilot is not one of my favorite episodes. I suggest watching the first several episodes, or even all of season 1, before you make a decision about the show. The plot is intricate and fast-paced, requiring close attention if you want to keep up with all of the clues and mysteries. There are set ups that don’t pay off for 2 or 3 seasons, but all of the dangling threads are addressed by the end of the series. I think it’s a great show to binge watch (over a few weeks) for that reason. If the episodes are spread out over several months, never mind years, it’s difficult to remember all of the tiny details that become important later.

But 12 Monkeys can also simply be watched as a fun romp. It’s one of the best scifi action-adventure series ever, with enough episodes to make it a meaty experience, but not so many that you feel like you’ll never finish. It’s well-made from a technical aspect, having been nominated for and won several cinematography awards. There is an overall series long quest, plus each season has its own arc. The series is full of great stories that range from the pandemic, various future dystopias and alternate realities, time travel, romance, detective noirs, comedy, Cold War spy vs spy, World Wars 1 and 2, mad science experiments, terrorism and revolution, fantasy to an art heist or two.

Some episodes can be viewed as entertaining stand alones, with familiar guest stars such as Christopher Lloyd, Matt Frewer, James Callis and Madeleine Stowe, as well as many faces that are recognizable to genre fans. Jay Karnes’ arc of episodes is a particular favorite of mine.

If you want to examine the episodes more deeply, the show also explores philosophy; the ramifications of scientific and technological progress; the long term effects of political decisions, corporate greed and organized religion; what long term poverty does to people on a personal level and on an organizational/ disorganizational level; and more. 12 Monkeys extensively explores the concepts of cycles, motivations, emotions, and morality. The ideas that are explored rotate through characters, groups and time periods, examining how varying circumstances affect the outcome, and how they don’t.

But this no Ground Hog’s Day- 12 Monkeys is well-written and original entertainment. You have to be paying attention to pick up on all of the social commentary and loops. In the end, it’s a show about love, loyalty, persistence and sacrifice. Showing the relationships between the characters is one of the things it does best. Many types of love are highlighted, including familial, romantic and brotherly. Intense religious devotion and ideology are explored as well. I would say that only same sex love is short changed. It’s hinted at, arguably to the point of queerbaiting and mild homophobia, but never fully expressed.

The characters are likeable, well-cast and acted. They all have chemistry together, including the recurring and guest cast members. Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, Barbara Sukowa, Kirk Acevedo, Emily Hampshire, Alisen Down and Todd Stashwick comprise the core cast who circle in and out of relationships with each other for 4 seasons. They are all outstanding as individuals and in their many configurations.

The female characters are complex and fill a variety of roles in the story. The main cast is mostly white, with only a couple of men of color to add diversity in the first season. The show eventually adds women of color later in background/minor recurring roles, but it also drops Kirk Acevedo (José Ramse) as one of the regulars. 12 Monkeys did have a female showrunner, Natalie Chaidez, for season 1 and a few female writers and directors over the course of the series.

Within the series universe, physical, medical and mental disabilities and differences were extensively considered throughout the show’s run. One of the main characters struggles with mental illness, while others have chronic illnesses, addictions, or susceptibility to the plague virus that makes them functionally disabled in the future. There are a variety of conditions that are unique to the 12 Monkeys universe that can be considered gifts or disabilities, depending on the situation, and this is also explored.

The series is character-oriented enough that each main and recurring character has a chance to be fleshed out. Several switch between villains and heroes, then back again. I found the main villain particularly compelling. Not because they’re so out of control or murderous, but because they’re trying so hard to understand themselves and their place in the world, and then to create a world where they can feel free and okay about themselves. This isn’t the usual selfish, OTT megalomaniac. All of the extraordinary actions in 12 Monkeys are motivated by very human reactions.

Because 12 Monkeys is about a global pandemic, there are some eerie similarities that predicted how the real world would change in a few years. Without the comforting distraction of zombies, watching a show in 2020 which depicts the death of 7/8 of the world’s population due a virus, followed by an inevitable break down of civilization, might not be for the faint of heart.

On the other hand, this show is sustained by the characters’ belief that they can find a time or place in the world where they can be happy with the people they love, even if their loved ones are currently lost to them. Throughout the grueling struggles in the series, the characters never give up hope that they can make things better in the long run. They have an amazing amount of grit that carries them through as a group, even when some stumble along the way. That’s a powerful message.

All of the struggles are brought to a big finish in the series finale, which is one of the best I’ve ever seen, also in my Top 5. I cried happy/sad/emotional tears throughout the last 2 or 3 episodes of the series. There’s nothing I would change about the ending. The characters and all of the many dangling plot threads are given closure in a satisfying way, with just a tiny opening left should someone want to revisit the universe again in a spin off. Given the complexity of the story and everything viewers go through with these characters, it was an incredible achievement for the showrunners to also bring the story to such a perfect end.

This show was created by showrunners with a clear vision and an ending in mind from the beginning, which is reflected in the show’s consistency across 4 seasons and in all areas of production. 12 Monkeys was created and executive produced by Terry Matalas and Trevor Fickett. Richard Suckle, Charles Roven, Natalie Chaidez and Jeffrey Reiner were also executive producers. It starred Aaron Stanford as James Cole, Amanda Schull as Cassandra Railly, Kirk Acevedo as José Ramse, Noah Bean as Aaron Marker, Todd Stashwick as Teddy Deacon, Emily Hampshire as Jennifer Goines, Barbara Sukowa as Katarina Jones, Demore Barnes as Marcus Whitley, Alisen Down as Olivia Kirschner, Andrew Gillies as Julian Adler, Tom Noonan as the Tall Man and Brooke Williams as Hannah Jones.

Currently streaming on Hulu.

Images courtesy of Syfy.

12 Monkeys: Review of Entire TV Series-1 of the best scifi shows ever. 4 seasons of action-adventure, time travel, a global pandemic, true love, & a vast conspiracy that spans the globe & all of time + questions the nature of reality. 12 Monkeys was a Syfy network series, loosely based on the 1995 Terry Gilliam film of the same name, which ran for 4 seasons/47 episodes, from 2015-2018.

#12 Monkeys #Aaron Stanford #Amanda Schull #dystopia #Emily Hampshire #Kirk Acevedo #metacrone #plague #post apocalypse #Quick Review #review #SYFY #Time Travel

[horsebitesfence]

On Chronophobia and ADHD – RB with Hestia Peppe

RB: hey, i think i just self-diagnosed with ADHD, am i right in thinking that's something you know about? would welcome any recs you might have for reading/resources

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RB: (it would explain so muchhhh)

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RB: (also wondering about the rel between ADHD and trauma)

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HP: Oooh yes! ADHD is definitely the errr paradigm I am working with right now if that's a way to think about it.

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HP: I am actually amazed by how practically useful it has been to think in these terms.

But I will say in terms of research/resources stuff is thin on the ground and mixed up with a lot of neurocognitive research which i find quite dodgy in places, not to mention the (very american) pharmaceutical agenda.The best stuff i found has been self advocacy descriptive personal account stuff, and that has been very much a process of reading between the lines.

Basically, people with ADHD tend to at least appear quite ‘high functioning’ (not an ideal phrase because hierarchies) so go undetected often, and then its very very stigmatised, i would say, in that often symptoms or traits are judged in moral terms. The most important sort of secondary ideas i have found are about Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, and anxiety as a hugely comorbid secondary issue which is more likely to be treated than the ADHD itself.

The relationship to discipline and goal-setting is formative, as is chronophobia or a traumatised relation to time, and sometimes memory. The neurocognitive hypothesis is that it’s a problem in the dopamine cycle, so process is more fulfilling than completion of work; but i am super skeptical about neurotransmitter theories.

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HP: As far as its relation to trauma goes, i would say it probably renders us more vulnerable to CPTSD. Lack of diagnosis or 'management' of ADHD leads to problematic coping mechanisms, leading possibly to abusive or addictive behaviours or on the other end vulnerability from a lack of or funky interpersonal boundaries. But whether anything is causal/symptomatic or comorbid seems always particularly hard to tell with ADHD, partly because of the non-typical relation to time.

HP: The neurocognitive hypothesis is that it’s a problem in the dopamine cycle, so [that] process is more fulfilling than completion of work, but i am super skeptical about neurotransmitter theories.

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HP: On the plus side, [my] university and NHS [practitioners] have both been really encouraging about seeking help for it and getting a psychiatric diagnosis, which i am interested in, tho will no doubt have its downsides.

Most important, i think, is that mental health problems are treated in the context of ADHD as a constitution, rather than [in isolation], and i think that would go for trauma stuff too. Apparently ADHD folks have less success with SSRIs than others.
I think a body focused/somatic approach [is] v. v. productive, for both ADHD and trauma.

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria [also] seems key. It’s the idea that the emotional impact of rejection is almost irrationally high in many ADHD folks, but [then again] this may be a traumatised relation from the stigma of ADHD, and literally being reprimanded more often than neurotypical folks, rather than being an essential difference. So if there's an interaction with trauma specific to ADHD it might be related to emotional response to external stimuli being higher.

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RB: gosh, yea.

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HP: Sorry so much.

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RB:  Wondering how receptive my gp would be to my requesting an adult diagnosis

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HP: My GP was like ‘yes, will refer u immediately’, but that’s with a recommendation from an Ed Psych which uni paid for. *UPDATE: NHS maybe aren’t doing this as quickly as i thought, so it remains to be seen if they follow through; and university seems to just be sending me through as many hoops as possible, lots of assessments, minimal support systems.

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RB: ok

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RB:  i saw this on Twitter – ‘ADHD Explained Using Comics’ by Dani Donovan,1

and, like, so much of it is me. ,2So much. idk what chronophobia is but def. have weird relationship with time. Very weird.

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HP:  I have sort of made up chronophobia but am sure its a thing.

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RB: 'comorbidity'

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RB:  i feel lost in time.

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HP: It seems to me the best stuff around is DIY stuff exactly like the comics u link to

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RB: also – trouble starting anything; trouble finishing without hard external deadlines – so me.

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RB: why i never write

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HP:  I think these are like the defining traits tbh

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RB: even tho i want/need to be writing

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RB: + procrastinating

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HP:  Comorbidity is the creepiest word

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RB: as described ^^

HP:  Same!

RB: do u medicate for it, may i ask? seems like mindfulness / meditation cld really be helpful

RB:  i had an insane year on citalopram

HP: In America they see it as essential to medicate for it from a v early age but i am like v v v skeptical

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RB: sertraline seemed better

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HP:  I took Prozac for 5 years; it didn’t do much except make me sleepy and a bit ok with shit life, but for ADHD it’s Ritalin or Vyvanse, so treatment with low constant dose of stimulants (*sometimes also something called dopamine blockers, but I don't know the details).

RB: ok; so, like coffee? just on my risky 2nd cup.

HP:  I dont myself want this prescription.

HP:  Am sure mindfulness etc v. good, but i do think body-focused methods best.

RB: ok

HP: I read this Twitter by Erynn Brook (sp?), and she advocates meds but also talks a lot about building in good coping mechanisms like how you organise yrsrlf in space/time in ways that work for u.

RB: yea; more interested in strategy

HP: So yeah strategy v. key.

RB: hey thanks so much, also in as much as i may unconsciously have posited u as gatekeeper. couldn’t have hoped for a more helpful reply.

HP: No worries! It’s good talking to other people about it cos the grand narrative of it is well shaky

HP: One thing i have worked out is that it’s all just emerging now so u can’t really gatekeep it, thank fuck. Glad to be helpful always. Check out Erynn Brook and remember being kind to yourself cos probably u havent been being if u just got to this point.

[time passes]

RB: hey, i'd really like to hear a bit more about your thinking on chronophobia;

it stayed with me as a strong motif.  felt so 'full' when you said it it took me a while to realise i hadn't asked u to describe it.

HP: Yes I would love to see you and talk about all this stuff. I have thoughts tjoughts thought ... Google searching ‘Chronophobia’ brings up this book from MIT about art in the 60s:

https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/chronophobia. It appears to be also a term in use in psychology/self help; is in wiktionary, and appears to mean the obvious: fear of the passing of time. Associations with incarcerated people, particularly, suffering from it and also anyone suffering from heightened stress and anxiety. Searching chronophobia + ADHD, there are plenty of hits, so, again, this seems a well-made connection. I’m also thinking about ‘Chrononormativity’, an idea i was first introduced to by my friend Helen Stuhr Rommereim, and which I think she gets from Elizabeth Freeman (possibly via Lauren Berlant), in relation to ‘queer time’ or a failure to achieve normative milestones in the time allotted, such as maturity, childbearing, marriage. Her paper on this is included in the documentation of a conference about Chris Kraus we both attended in 2013, which is where we met as we were on the same panel. 3

HP: Context in my work right now – all of this to do with ideas about speculation, past/present/future, chance/fate, resistance to goal/plan/target, not knowing what to do.

I’m currently doing some early/cursory research into the mythology of the fates (Ancient Greek and other cultures) as spinners, and thread as line; trying to parse linearity and how it might or might not relate to neurodivergence/neurotypicality. I like lines as a way of following or tracing, and also drawing as well as writing –thinking a lot about the work of Renee Gladman, who is interested in architecture and fiction (prose architectures), and works with drawing and writing and the relation between the two – so, also automatic and asemic writing. I also think a lot about Ariadne’s red thread in the labyrinth, and now that i am trying to learn to spin, how all threads are made of many tiny ones. This trying to spin has grown out of an old durational performance work i have done for years – so, durational performance, as a form, is part of this, maybe, for me. I always like the durational form, as it is more about setting up boundaries in space and then letting time happen than [it is about] existing in linear time. Chronophobia as anxiety about mortality, and control, or volition/agency; or the trace of subjectivity in the world (cf maybe tim ingold). Also, there are two types of time in the classical sense: Kairos (the now) and Chronos (history), or something like that.  None of this is fact-checked, I must say.Tarot cards relating to time are: wheel of fortune, temperance, death, the hanged man.

HP: Not sure i am doing this right, but thought some context to the earlier conversation might be useful for orientation, at the same time as thinking about my own self-diagnosis of ADHD and how it relates to knowledge and action and intention and access. Not sure if you saw this on my Twitter, but I thought it was a very good overview of neurodiversity discourse as it stands: https://www.janinebooth.com/content/two-and-half-cheers-neurodiversity

RB: Thanks. You’re doing this very right, I’d say.  Like somewhere back in the transcript there is a ‘gosh, yea’ of mine which stands in as a marker for the point at which my mind was blown, began to make new neural connections, bathed in a sort of speechless radiant awe for what you said; and this feels the same only more so, galaxy brain in mandelbrot – only grounded in and by your efforts to verbalise it and connect it with your work and that of others. That this is what you’re working on for your doctorate – I am awed and excited to know it. I would really like to be present when you perform.  I’m really impressed by your articulation. I feel such a relieved shock of recognition for chronophobia as you describe it, as something I had begun to acknowledge and articulate internally, but never outside myself, verbally or otherwise; nor had any inkling that it might be tangled up with ADHD ... nor that it is something other people experience or know about, nor that you are working on it in this profound way. I feel less alone and am honoured that you shared this here with us.

RB: Also – ehheh!  I saw today that we both liked this tweet

RB: Another highlight, for me, of today’s feed –

RB: I’m always keen for writers’ writing on technique, scanning in case I find a key there to my own outward articulacy and/or the means to vanquish distraction/avoidance. Just remembered when the poet Lucy Mercer said to me that as a writer, I’m a weaver. I was happy with that then and I am happy with it here, in this context. 4

HP: Hey! This is all so kind of you to say I am sort of overwhelmed. I can't believe i have even been paid for this already, so shout out to that. I made up chronophobia because  i wanted a way to describe my fear of time. I dont think it was really to talk to anyone else about it. I looked it up afterwards when I mentioned it to you I guess i have really let you have it with the inner monologue. I looked it up after I mentioned it to you. I figured that this had, you know, happened before, that other people would already be using this word. And they are. As a sort of intra-post-script, it is important to say that in terms of ADHD I came to this knowledge or understanding after like 12 years working as a private tutor, and without the students I worked with in that time I don’t see how I would have got to this articulation, so immense gratitude and respect to them for the thinking we did together about how thinking and learning work for different people.

HP: I was going to email you and ask for a deadline today but in the end i didn't write any emails because i was just spinning yarn on the wheel. It’s an amazing process learning to do it. Like a truly never-has-to-end embodied action. I think it could be the best way to replace some obsessive Twitter scrolling. My dad totally gets it. He says singing while spinning, that's the thing, he's heard. I learnt how to learn things from him mostly. I think maybe both my folks have ADHD. It’s supposed to be super heritable.

HP: My mum's a doctor. That's maybe where I get the cavalier attitude to discussing stuff like this you are supposed to be an expert to be allowed to think about. I am absolutely not an expert except perhaps of my own experience. Which this is, but but i push it, i know that. tho I don’t want the meds, I absolutely want to stress i am not like totally against meds. Chemicals are fine and good. Like coffee or you know whatever works. I am just in favour of people being given the best possible understanding of any treatment they undergo. I feel like i wanna unwind my own coping mechanisms like manually. Maybe that's a perk of late diagnosis – for me, anyway.

HP: I have to stop now. I am in a park and it’s dark now. I was sitting in the park cos i was an hour early to get a lift from my friend because i was so worried about being late. It’s perfect timing though. If you like sitting in parks watching orange street-lamps through blossom as if they are the sunset like some kinda shook moth. Which I do. And then type super fast into a phone cos you know someone asked.

HP: Thanks xx

RB: <3

RB: Thank you

1 –   https://Twitter.com/danidonovan/status/1100414551932030984

2

3 (http://www.metamute.org/editorial/books/you-must-make-your-death-public-collection-texts-and-media-work-chris-kraus )

4 mercer | ˈməːsə | noun British, chiefly historical a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvets, and other fine materials. (Oxford English Dictionary Version 2.3.0 (203.16.12))