mshades01

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I can say without reservation that one of the nicest things to do is watch the sun rise from a hot outdoor bath on a chilly October morning. 10/10, no notes.

#rotenburo #露天風呂 #伊根 #sunrise

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Cooper took his 50th round of chemo tonight. My man takes pills like a champion - lymphoma be damned.

#Cooper #Black Cats of Tumblr #Black Cat #Fuck Cancer

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If I’m going to leave the house at Stupid O’Clock, I may as well get a sunrise out of it.

#sunrise #Osaka #大阪

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Dungeon Master Archie wants you to roll a WIS against cuteness. DC 50.

#black cat #dungeons and dragons #Wyrmwood

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The Quote of the Week over on Reddit. Good to keep in mind.

#calligraphy #motivation

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Yes. Yes I am.

#calligraphy #Barbie #kenough #affirmations

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My sister was good enough to host me when I visited home, and this was a repeated exhortation. The original is on its way!

#calligraphy #home #peaceful

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The Fox is right, you know.

#calligraphy #WorldsBeyondNumber #Erika Ishii #Brennan Lee Mulligan #Aabria Iyengar #Lou Wilson #Freedom #The Fox

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NOT ANY GODDAMN MORE, YOU’RE NOT!

#calligraphy #critical role fan art #critical role #critical role spoilers #marisha ray #laudna #fun-scary

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I’m not ENTIRELY sure what this means, but it sounds nice. I hope Orym makes it out okay.

#Critical Role #Liam O'Brien #Orym #calligraphy #fear #anxiety #breath #team issylra #Critical Role Fanart #Critical Role Spoilers

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Aimee did a LOT in that Critical Role episode, but it was this line that really jumped out at me.

#Critical Role #aimee carrero #calligraphy #feeling bad #team issylra

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I wanted to do some practice calligraphy today, and this line from Aabria was brief and poignant.

#calligraphy #aabria iyengar #the ravening war #d20 #d20 trw #trw

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Another great line from Archdaikon Charlock.

#the ravening war #calligraphy #d20 trw #d20 spoilers #brennan lee mulligan #d20 #trw

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The Archdeacon (archDAIKON?) has wisdom to impart.

#dimension 20 #d20 #d20 trw #calligraphy #brennan lee mulligan #bleem #Raphaniel Charlock #necromancy #the ravening war #trw #closure

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2023 Birthday Tarot

Every year on my birthday, I like to do a little divination with music. And, because I have a fondness for Tarot, I pull up Spotify and meld the two into my Birthday Tarot. I go to the “Liked Songs” playlist, hit shuffle and see what happens. So, with that, let’s get started.

Present: “Torn” by Ednaswap This should represent my here and now, and it’s a little grim. The song is famously about heartbreak and clear realization about the state you’re in at the moment. Which, to be fair, is kind of why I’m doing this. But I do have a habit of trying to bring myself to a place where I’m disappointed in the world I’m in. Maybe I should try to appreciate the illusion a little more? And note that this isn’t the famous Natalie Imbuglia version. It’s the original, lesser-known one. Perhaps representing a search for authenticity?

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Ko0HG4tuWVE7Q9do59z4m?si=W7Et1lKgSlOfq7azcFAOBQ

Problem: “A Better Son/Daughter” by Rilo Kiley

Well, that’s a bit of a kick in the nuts. This song is about a very broken person trying to pull their shit together in hopes of better future. It’s an affirmation of sorts, so to see it as a “problem”…  Not gonna lie and say this hasn’t been on my mind - that I’m not enough as a friend/teacher/son/brother/partner. That I keep telling myself that I will be someday instead of being now. Hmm.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1OrBPFs8yLkT02aLiloHQs?si=LUwYZpitTkmPE53L9Tl5Vw

Past: “Help I’m Alive” by Metric

This song reads like a bundle of mood swings - utter terror that “they’re gonna eat me alive” moving to “my regrets are few if my life is mine.” It’s switching between panic and optimism, like someone trying to talk themselves out of a panic attack. If the last song was depression, this is anxiety and I GET THE POINT, Spotify. Why this should be relegated to the “past” spot in the reading I have no idea. It could fit pretty much anywhere.

https://open.spotify.com/track/0cahtHEywK64NSWqm2SDTi?si=Dffo_0XbQYm19l_JLOUkmg

Future: “Requiem for a Tower” by London Music Works

Okay, two things: this is a remix of “Lux Aeterna” from “Requiem for a Dream”, which is not a movie one wants lurking in their future. Second, The Tower is an actual Tarot card, often signifying the destruction or downfall of something. Long story short (too late): all that mess in the previous cards will not end up anywhere good. Sometimes we need to tear something down to build something better, but that process is not something any feeling person wants to go through.

https://open.spotify.com/track/3jekMQzmbq16Ev2oXVkkbU?si=NRhES5PtRAusCaIxU_rQ_Q

Conscious: “People Like Us (Doom Patrol)” by Matt Bomer, Alan Mingo Jr.

Oh, this shit’s got LAYERS. The song itself is an affirmation of identity and community - “people like us, we gotta stick together.” That’s awesome. In the show, it’s sung by Larry Trainor, who has to remove his coverings to be who he really wants to be, and Maura Lee Karupt, a drag queen who puts a costume on to do the same. The number is meant to uplift, BUT we find it’s just a momentary fantasy in Larry’s mind - a performance he could never put on because he’s utterly invested in never, EVER showing his true self. He feels too alien to be part of the community that the song advocates for, and so he doesn’t even try.

Nope. No idea what this is doing here at all.

https://open.spotify.com/track/7sauyRzGNFXzU0Ta3JHoEM?si=tdSVx7lYTCWLrzrPZn7_pw

Unconscious: “Exandria Unlimited” by  Critical Role

This was a bit of a surprise. These are the opening titles to Critical Role’s “Exandria Unlimited,” an occasional series where guest players and DMs get to come on the show and play in Matt Mercer’s world for a while. It’s unabashedly triumphant in tone, and the show it’s for celebrates having fun with friends and creatively exploring the world. I reckon it sits here because there is this deep down - a desire to be someone to celebrate. To be unlimited. Quite the contrast to the last ”card”, which tells of self-limitation and isolation.

https://youtu.be/bSnYczQUkgA

Internal: “Benny Got Back” by Bass211.com

This is a bit of a mystery. The position in the reading should tell me about myself - what I care about, what I bring to the table. And… not what I’d expect. Maybe an affirmation that people should like what they like? Or be who they want to be? The fact that this is a remix might suggest a certain irreverence of “the original”, that I am open to seeing things done anew. It needs more thought.

https://youtu.be/lAwgKFZ_9lQ

External: “Yuve Yuve Yu” by The HU

If the last was a mystery, this is even more so. How is the world around me affecting me? By trying to mold me into a proud Mongolian? The translated lyrics tell of almost unbridled pride in one’s ancestry and blood, as well as a defiant vow to bring back days of glory. So how is the world trying to put that on me? Not sure - I’m no nationalist. I don’t particularly ally myself with “a people” that I want to stand for. I’m not a joiner, really. But maybe the world wants me to be? To pick a side?

https://open.spotify.com/track/7dH9Qnbb7pwDahy1Vb9ZQa?si=ILqZ05iHQ1S2GSmGwdDWTQ

Hopes and Fears: “Stacey’s Brother” by Mad Tsai

Yikes. In a very literal way, this is a terrifying song in this position. I’m very happy and secure in a relationship I’ve been in for a long time. This kind of high school crush, this uncontrollable passion for a secret lover - no. I’d throw myself under a train first. In a more abstract sense, though, it works. I find myself hesitant these days to try new things, to follow new passions, because I believe I’ll just end up abandoning them for something new. Maybe Mad Tsai is telling me to run with it, chase after that new thing - not because it’s better or even because I’ll stick with it, but because it’s a thing that I want to do and maybe that’s enough.

https://open.spotify.com/track/7aTXnk6qGF8d4pZ51zDcaQ?si=B6WitbStR-GWf9mWWU0mqg

Outcome: “Sunshine” by Tony Momrelle, Ben Jones

Well isn’t this nice. It’s happiness, satisfaction, to love and be loved. The song is straightforward and uncomplicated - just what I’d like from a life. As the “outcome”, it’s a little frustrating. There’s a lot of messiness in this reading, and it seems like it’s telling me that everything will work out, but not how or why. A hint would be nice, Universe. 

https://open.spotify.com/track/4ns71HtawlKFjnEmGzLTj3?si=1DO-RGY8RWC8co2yfIZtTQ

Bonus Card: “Do Ya Wanna Taste It” by Wig Wam

I sometimes like to do a bonus card - Columbo turning around on his way out and saying, “Just one more thing…” This song is just such fun. It carries the weight of Peacemaker’s journey to being a better man, sure, but on its own it sings of taking control of your life if you want to get what you want. Can’t beat that.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5XW4BwCrfYpci5zMbJxs4N?si=NpoQkNntRoa5WAmVCH2L4Q

That’s it! Anyone want to take a stab at this reading, go ahead!

#Spotify Tarot #Tarot #Canticumancy #Ednaswap #Rilo Kiley #Metric #London Music Works #Matt Bomer #Alan Mingo Jr. #Doom Patrol #Critical Role #Exandria Unlimited #Bass211 #The HU #Mad Tsai #Tony Momrelle #Ben Jones #Wig Wam

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Something from today’s Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal strip. It seemed proper and right for calligraphy. 

https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/cooperation

#calligraphy #SMBC #cooperation #humanity

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I had to do something for Thoughtcrime Day. Get out there and think disruptive thoughts!

#calligraphy #1984 #George Orwell #Thoughtcrime