#ye it's expensive

[oh-yes-i-did-not]

Sometimes, when I show people the stuff I’ve collected throughout the years, they go “whOAAAA, this is like 300usd from ebay in such a good condition, how could you afford it?!?!?”

And I’m like... “I bought it when it came out in 2005″

Like, when it comes to true anime olds, I’m not. I had anime on VHS, yes, but I never traded recordings and fansubs by mail. Like, I was only born in 84, dammit. But I’ve been actively collecting since 2000. That’s 23 years now. I didn’t start yesterday.

Also, I don’t own anything truly valuable. My taste is too random and my interests too wide-spread for me to actually focus on anything like that. Also, I could easily refute that “this is like 300usd!” claim by googling and finding that same art book at about 85usd so don’t believe all the hype either :P

#it's fabrica theologiae #trinity blood art book #the example in this post I mean #ye it's expensive #but not much more than it was back then #bc it was just an expensive ass art book period #it hasn't increased in value that much over the years #it might have #if not for the entire content being available online anytime anywhere #so the only people who go after books these days are true collector minds #those who want a physical collection #but most are content with having stuff digitally now #so the collector value of books has probably gone down a bit

[soy-sauce-and-mothra]

Hey! Are there blacksmiths in your story? I'm a hobbyist blacksmith and I'm here to help!

Blacksmithing is one of those things that a lot of people get wrong because they don't realize it stuck around past the advent of the assembly line. Here's a list of some common misconceptions I see and what to do instead!

Not all blacksmiths are gigantic terrifying muscly guys with beards and deep voices. I am 5'8, skinny as a twig, have the muscle mass of wet bread, and exist on Tumblr. Anybody who is strong enough to pick up a hammer and understands fire safety can be a blacksmith.

You can make more than just swords with blacksmithing. Though swords are undeniably practical, they're not the only things that can be made. I've made candle holders, wall hooks, kebab skewers, fire pokers, and more. Look up things other people have made, it's really amazing what can be done.

"Red-hot" is actually not that hot by blacksmith terms. when heated up, the metal goes from black, to red, to orange, to yellow, to white. (for temperature reference, I got a second degree burn from picking up a piece of metal on black heat) The ideal color to work with the metal is yellow. White is not ideal at all, because the metal starts sparking and gets all weird and lumpy when it cools. (At no point in this process does the metal get even close to melting. It gets soft enough to work with, but I have never once seen metal become a liquid.)

Blacksmithing takes fucking forever. Not even taking into account starting the forge, selecting and preparing metal, etc. etc. it takes me around an hour to make one (1) fancy skewer. The metals blacksmiths work with heat up and cool down incredibly fast. When the forge is going good, it only takes like 20 seconds to get your metal hot enough to work with, but it takes about the same time for it to cool down, sometimes even less.

As long as you are careful, it is actually stupidly easy to not get hurt while blacksmithing. When I picked up this hobby I was like "okay, cool! I'm gonna make stuff, and I'm gonna end up in the hospital at some point!" Thus far, the latter has yet to occur. I've been doing this for nearly a year. I have earned myself a new scar from the aforementioned second degree burn, and one singe mark on my jeans. I don't even wear gloves half the time. Literally just eye protection, common sense, and fast reflexes and you'll probably be fine. (Accidents still happen of course, but I have found adequate safety weirdly easy to achieve with this hobby)

A forge is not a fire. The forge is the thing blacksmiths put their metal in to heat it up. It starts as a small fire, usually with newspaper or something else that's relatively small and burns easily, which we then put in the forge itself, which is sort of a fireplace-esque thing (there's a lot of different types of forge, look into it and try to figure out what sort of forge would make the most sense for the context you're writing about) and we cover it with coal, which then catches fire and heats up. The forge gets really hot, and sometimes really bright. Sometimes when I stare at the forge for too long it's like staring into the sun. The forge is also not a waterfall of lava, Steven Universe. It doesn't work like that, Steven Universe.

Welding and blacksmithing are not the same thing. They often go hand-in-hand, but you cannot connected two pieces of metal with traditional blacksmithing alone. There is something called forge welding, where you heat your metal, sprinkle borax (or the in-universe equivalent) on it to prevent the metal from oxidizing/being non-weldable, and hammer the pieces together very quickly. Forge welding also sends sparks flying everywhere, and if you're working in a small space with other blacksmiths, you usually want to announce that you're welding before you do, so that everyone in a five-foot radius can get out of that five-foot radius. You also cannot just stuck some random pebbles into the forge and get a decent piece of metal that you can actually make something with, Steven Universe. It doesn't work like that, Steven Universe.

Anvils are really fucking heavy. Nothing else to add here.

Making jewelry is not a blacksmithing thing unless you want jewelry made of steel. And it will be very ugly if you try. Blacksmithing wasn't invented to make small things.

If there's anything here I didn't mention, just ask and I'll do my best to answer.

#yes some of this was directed at steven universe #the only thing su got right was bismuth crying when her anvil broke #cus those things are goddamn expensive and hard to transport #blacksmith #blacksmithing #writing #writing prompts #writing advice #writeblr #writer #writer problems #writerblr #writerscommunity #writers on tumblr #writers and poets #writers

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

woke up and someone spilled vanilla extract all over my dash, so as punishment you strange little beasties are getting all the VANILLA FACTS i know:

vanilla is the 2nd most expensive spice in the world (2nd to saffron)

which is why more than 99% of what we call "vanilla extract" is actually vanillin (vanilla's dominant flavor compound) and is not extracted from real vanilla.

luckily, even professionals struggle to tell the difference when it comes to things like baked goods. but there is a distinct difference in non-heat treated products like vanilla ice cream. real vanilla has a more complex, individualized flavor profile.

why is vanilla so expensive? because it is a ridiculously delicate & demanding crop. complete primadonna.

vanilla beans come from vanilla orchids. these crazy flowers bloom for A SINGLE DAY and have to be HAND-POLLINATED in a process that is exhausting, delicate, and requires specialist knowledge passed down over generations.

then, if you're lucky, you get vanilla beans.

which then require months of further specialized treatment.

the entire process takes about a year and can go wrong at any stage

vanilla has been cultivated for over 800 years (possibly much longer). the first known cultivators are the Totonac, an indigenous people of Mexico.

the Aztecs used it as a sweetener to balance out the bitter taste of cocoa. it was popular in a drink called xocolatl--the precursor to modern hot chocolate!

it is only pollinated by a very specific orchid bee!!!

which is why no fruit could be grown outside of Mexico until the 1800s

Edmond Albius, born into slavery, invented the pollination method we still use today--launching a global industry when he was just 12 years old.

today, the majority of the world's vanilla is grown in Madagascar

if you want real vanilla, read the labels carefully--it's harder to find than you think!

in conclusion, those tiny black specks you see in fancy vanilla ice cream? those are vanilla bean seeds! itty bitty orchid seeds!!! they are delicious and also a PRISSY BITCH!

(src)

#Vanilla Extract #i open the tumblr app and immediately my nostrils are invaded by the overwhelming stench of vanilla #also if you want real vanilla extract at a discount: check out stores like HomeGoods TJMaxx Marshalls etc #the foodstuffs section tends to have fancy nonperishables for much cheaper than upscale grocery stores #you can get things like saffron truffles fancy oils at surprising prices #still expensive but like. 50% cheaper #or just shoplift if that's your thing i won't tell you how to live your life #did i just spend an hour writing this? yes. why did i do that? i don't KNOW

[the-meghan-m]

Sometimes I think The X-Files is such a timeless and relevant show I forget it takes place in the 90s, and then I see a scene where Scully buys a whole bag of groceries for $11.14 and pays with a check

#I audibly gasped when the cashier said the price #that would buy me like 2 or 3 items today #yes I know inflation blah blah blah #everything is still so damn expensive! #the x files #x files #mulder #fox mulder #msr #scully #dana scully #mulder and scully #txf #txf s2 #duane barry

[last-laments]

"Steven isn't solely responsible for the paywall shift" and "Nobody wants to watch Steven eat insanely expensive food and have to pay for it" are statements that can coexist btw.

#watcher #is he the villain here? not necessarily #are ryan and shane just as responsible? yes #but that doesnt change the fact that i can guarantee his show is one of the most expensive to produce! sorry! #acting like his hands were tied is insane

[layzeal]

ok I'm curious so put in the tags what country you are from and whether or not you own/use a rice cooker

#i'm brazilian and yes!! #tho only now bc my roommate brought hers #back at my parents house we still ate rice everyday but NO RICE COOKER #now that i now the wonder of rice cooker i made them buy one #you just can't go back to the darkness of babysitting rice on the stovetop #edit: almost wanna add a ''and how much do they cost'' cause they're crazy cheap here #and i kinda assumed they'd be everywhere else #but in countries that don't eat a lot of rice i can see them being more expensive

[hellenhighwater]

There's a lot of design philosophy out there that is super cool and interesting but I think one of the core beliefs that is apparent in my home is just...I think it's fun when a house surprises you. When you don't know what the next door is going to lead to, when the layout is not quite what you expect, when it's silly and fun and comfortably fancy. So yes, I've been doing fun colors and patterns on the insides of every closet, because why not? They're small spaces. They can be ridiculous and functional at the same time and they make me smile when I open up the closet doors, and nobody expects it.

#also its a great place to use an expensive wallpaper because if its not a walk in you can just do the back wall and get the full effect #and as long as your closet is not 100% full you'll be able to see at least some of it every time. #yes #a closet should be the Spanish Inquisition #i need to go to sleep

[bugswarm]

Stealing this idea from the last post I reblogged since it was from the pre-poll days

As always, reblog this so we can get better data

#poll #music #portable music players #yes there is a such thing as a portable record player #try googling the audiotechnica at-sb2022 #theyve been around since the 80s apparently #theyre just rare/expensive #also does anyone else remember hitclips? #i do #i had 2 #they were very dumb products of the early 2000s

[fionaapplerocks]

For fellow vacuum cleaner nerds who have been wondering, the yellow vacuum cleaner featured in the Fiona Apple 'Criminal' video is the Miele S380 in curry yellow.

#fiona apple #criminal #r/VacuumCleaners #miele #yes it is stupidly expensive #but the hose is so pretty

[onleurafaitcroire]

thinking about carmy + picky eater gf a/n: i wrote this stoned bc i hate fish and i also did not edit it plz enjoy <3

he'd try to surprise her one night early on in dating by making some fancy kingfish thing on a night they're supposed to just hang out at his place, and when she walks into his apartment, she is immediately appalled by the smell of the cooking fish. she's a sweetie though so she's going to try, just for carmy, because he's sweating and the kitchen is kind of an organized mess so she knows he must have gone to a lot of trouble.

he greets her with a kiss and goes to change, leaving her to freak out about how the fuck she's supposed to fake liking seafood of all fucking things.

once carmy's plated everything and brought it out, he looks so proud of himself and so hopeful that her tentative plans to tell him she really, really cannot do seafood crash and burn in front of her, and she decides that she's just gonna have to suck it up and eat the fish. she puts a bite in her mouth, chews, swallows, and immediately gulps down a bunch of her wine to get the taste out of her mouth. of course carmy notices - he's been staring at her, actually, so eager to know if she likes his cooking - and his face immediately falls.

"you hate it." it's a statement, not a question.

her eyes widen. "no, what? no! no, it's so good, the sauce - it's delicious, carm, for real," and they're both mildly frantic now. she's taking another huge bite that makes her eyes water from how much she does not like the taste of the fish, and carmy is leaning back in his chair, looking sort of...despondent. yeah, that's the word.

"is it...i mean, seriously, you don't have to pretend to like it. if it sucks it sucks. i knew i should've done a glaze instead of the cream sauce..." now carmy's muttering to himself about the recipe, taking his own bite and frowning. "i mean, it's not that bad, is it?"

"carm, it's not bad at all, i promise, i just - i guess i never told you that i don't really...like seafood," she says, standing up to walk around the table and stand next to him, cupping his face in her palms. "the sauce is so good and i'm sure the fish is cooked perfectly, i just...i really...i hate seafood, carmen, i'm sorry, i should've told you, but i just didn't know you'd go to all this trouble, i thought it was going to be kind of a chill night and i'm just really sorry." she knows she's rambling but she can hardly get herself to stop.

carmy swings his chair forward, the front legs hitting the hardwood with a thump. "you don't like seafood? like any seafood?"

she shakes her head. "i'm sorry."

there's a pause where she thinks he might yell. then he tips his head back, out of her grip, and belly laughs. he laughs for a solid minute or two, hysterical laughter that starts to worry her after the fifteen second mark. "carm, i'm sorry, i'll make it up to you, i'll pay you back for the fish and stuff -"

that stops him cold. "okay, no," he scoffs. "i'm gonna make you some pastina or some other shit you'll actually eat and we're gonna watch the new episode of bach you kept texting me about and we're gonna have a nice night, okay? pay me back for the fish," he mutters the end under his breath, "as fuckin' if."

#carmen berzatto #jeremy allen white #carmen berzatto x reader #carmy x reader #the bear #the bear fx #the bear hulu #my writing #excuse my complete lack of knowledge about cooking i don't even know if kingfish is good or expensive #also yes carmy refers to the bachelor as bach in this universe because he's actually very invested in joey's journey this season

[pondhue]

an absolute sleazeball probably

#i didn't forget his green socks this time (roaring applause) #also really proud of myself on how i implemented my watermark/signature #the expensive loafers are BACK #also yes my miami rick has a coke nail and stubble #rick and morty #rick sanchez #miami rick #rick and morty fanart #miami rick sanchez #pondart

[mexipoopy]

#the sims 4 is the most expensive dress up game ever #but am i having fun? ye. #ALSO SHOUTOUT TO DOGANGJE for making male CC ive been wanting for ages!! Ai looks just like how i imagined him ty for letting me manifest y #ts4 #ts4: sim #sim: ai #<3

[lavender-phannie]

Anyway that is the kitchen of two people who do not fucking use their kitchen

#the more expensive the kitchen the less it’s used #yes I’m being judgemental #dan and phil

[popcornkwantum]

:D I love Nicky so much

I'll be making these into (handmade) stickers and will be giving them out for FREE at both the upcoming Elfia event and at Heroes Dutch Comic Con (summer edition)

I actually don't think anyone from the Netherlands follows me on here but uuuhh if you do plan on going to one/both events, keep an eye out for someone in a badly made Taylor cosplay and you will be granted with one of these bad bois >:)

#the last (and first time) I did this it took me like 3 HOURS to make only 30 ish stickers lol #and it was at like 1 am at the night before the event #but this time I'm more prepared #and I just tested out a new way to make them which is SO MUCH MORE EFFICIENT #and IT. WORKS. TOO. #I'll also be remaking a few from last year #also; yes I did look into just ordering them online but I'm not going to spend 100+ euros on stickers that I'm going to give away for free #and investing into a printer and sticker paper and laminate stuff is a bit too expensive right now as well #so I'd rather make these by hand with all my blood sweat and tears and spend that money on the artist alley instead :D #dndads #here we go with all versions of spelling Nicky's name again #dndads nicky #nicky close #nicky foster #nicholas close #nicholas foster #nicky close foster #nick #trans nicky #trans #my favorite trans guy #dungeons and daddies #my art #elfia #HDCC #teen nicky #demon nicky #so mannyy tagss

[steveharrington]

listening to students tell me “yeah i can’t figure this out i’m just a girl 🤣” listening to my coworkers tell me “honestly i just can’t wait to become a stay at home girlfriend so i never have to work again!!” looking at my online feeds which have all become like pictures of cigarettes with a pink bow on them captioned “girlhood” i’m ACTUALLY going to start freaking the fuck out

#i’m not hating on my coworkers btw like. i won’t act like the thought of #getting to stay home and not having to work 40 hour weeks for meager earnings #while someone else handles expenses isn’t like obviously appealing #but it’s so. dangerous. to let your husband have full control of you financially #and one of them was explicitly saying she wants her job to be quote unquote taking care of her boyfriend #like yes we don’t dream of labor but girls please #you can find a job you’re interested in you can find a way to have control over your own income #please

[pineappical]

idk what else to call this other than "Ted" (the movie with the teddy bear coming to life) AU or something 😭😭

#ted lasso #ted lasso fanart #trent crimm #coach beard #I STILL WANT THE BAB TED SOSOSO BAD BUT HOLY SHIT IS IT SOOOO EXPENSIVE ?!?!!!! <//33 #pn.art #how does this au work? man i have no idea.... woe teddy upon ye #that scene in s2 where dani kicks the ball into ted's butt but it just sends teddy flying into the air