#[[ and i hope you have a wonderful xmas and a great new year you deserve the best! ]]

[sonikudo]

MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!!!!!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Xmas and a Happy new year!

Thanks for supporting all of the dcmk creators! For me, all content deserves love and shares. I try my best to share everyone's stuff but sometimes I only like them and forget to share, if I forgot to share your work apologies, I probably was workin or smth and couldn't reblog.

However, I love all projects equally! Do whatever you want to do, try whatever you want to try and remember to have fun!

Next year write, draw or whatever you can imagine! Remember to have fun and enjoy life to its maximum.

My best wishes to all of this great fandom and hoping you get all of your wishes come true.

Merry Christmas.

#merry xmas all of you

[tomiokasensei]

oh oh ohhh~~ 🎅🎅 hello hello dear marilyn! another week went by and we are so close to xmas day by day 😊😊 are you getting excited? is it your holidays coming up or did they started already? may you get lots of rest and fun on your holidays marilyn! hope your week has been treating you well! ah thank you very much, it's beginning to get more organized and hopefully next week i can take some time off to chill and pass some quality time with my family 🥰🥰 btw! i finished your christmas gift yesterday, i am definitely very satisfied and happy how it turned out! hopefully you too will love it marilyn! 😊 i'm so glad that i got you excited from my expercience on italy! i too hope you will have an amazing experience when you get the chance to go there and to your soon travel to japan too! their traditions, food, places are full of goodies and beauty i'm so excited for you and i can't wait to know and see of your time you've spent there marilyn! ^^ oh god i surely need to start watching blue lock, since my break is coming i hope i will get some time to watch it ^^ i see so many people talking about such awesome stuff of the anime so it gets me more and more excited to see 😆😆 it's always so awesome when we have THE anime that we associate and have that feeling of belong!! everyday i thank myself and my sister to get into anime, cause it's such a cool quality time to watch it and it seems not like it but you do learn some stuff from it!! i thank community of japan for making anime and mangas! thank you! 🙏🙏🙏 when you start watching let me know your thoughts!! i'm super curious how you will give your feedback about it 😊😊😊 oh wow marilyn! we have the same major then! that's amazing! when i was reading your reply i was seeing myself in uni xDDD so cool! i'm happy you are having fun with your major and i felt like you're having so much fun to learn more new softwares!! ^^ your dream job is wonderful it's similar to mine too! i recently started working on what i've always worked for, to be an illustrator! but like you said, i wanted to be illustrator by doing art of my free will and ideas! i'm working for someone so i basically draw what they give to me every week, so i'm kinda feeling a bit meh cause of the ideas my boss has.. but i hope with the help of her i can one day open a new door experience to start working on my own and my own bussiness ^^ hopefully we two can do that in the future marilyn, i'm rooting for you! 🥳🥳🥳 you deserve all happiness and all your dreams come true! we have similar dreams so i know how you're going through and i bet you will do a wonderful job! i would be so happy to see your art! 🤩🤩🤩 you're welcome marilyn i'm always so happy to know that my messages bring you a smile to your face, it just shows how you have fun talking with me!! i too am having such an awesome time to know you bit by bit and thank you everyday for animanga having another secret santa this year! it's such an amazing way to know more people, bring more positivity and do more friendships! we need more love and happy times on this website! thank you again for being so lovely and amazing marilyn! i too smile so much whenever i see your replies! thank you sharing everything with me! 💕💕💕💕 wish you a continuation of a great week! see you soon marilyn!! 😘😘😘😘

hello once again, secret santa~! ! ! 🤩🥰 christmas is just around the corner and so close to exchange our gifts all around tumblr!! very excited for that and to see all the creative edits and art ppl have made 💜 i hope you are enjoying yourself with your family and friends as the holidays are almost here~💕and i know i will love the gift you have made for me, i can tell through your messages that you have poured so much love and enthusiasm into it and i cannot wait to see it!!! 💜💜💜

definitely! i am also very grateful for the wonderful japanese community to have brought us anime and manga! a true blessing for sharing with the rest of the world their creative art! it has been a big part of my life since childhood and seeing how it evolved in both animation and storytelling is so amazing and inspiring... it was because of that my love for art and the pursuit of a creative career has been realized! was your passion for art and illustration similar for you? as you have went into uni and gained the experience into the work of illustration, has there been an anime influence or perhaps your ideas in your work have ventured into new routes?😊 and thankyou for your encouraging words on my journey to achieve my dreams in art! i, too, am also interested in seeing your artwork, secret santa! maybe i could commission you sometime soon?🥰

i agree that it is events like this tumblr has been more engaging, if i am being honest there has been a lack of that lately and i've noticed ppl have been getting so discouraged in creating due to the lack of interactions and interests... but nonetheless i am positive that things could get better and more friendships can be built from this site!💗definitely more happy times here! 💜💜💜

i am so thankful for all your wonderful messages, secret santa, and it is so nice that you have enjoyed spending your time to get to know me as i have also learned about you in the process!🥰just how so much we have in common is so cool!! stay positive, happy, and healthy as the weekend continues! until next time 🎅~ ! ! ✌️😃

#animangasecretsanta #asks

[youusedme]

                          My whole life has been older people telling me what I can't do. 

                                               Now I'm doing it...

                                   Independent 616 Riri Williams aka IRONHEART. 

@metalandcurls

#metalandcurls #riri williams #marvel rp #indie rp #xmas gifts 2017; #[[ ;u; thank you for always being so awesome and for letting me adopt riri B) ]] #[[ as my new niece ]] #[[ and i hope you have a wonderful xmas and a great new year you deserve the best! ]] #[[ and thank you for always speaking your mind <3 ]] #steve arts; #[[ day 11! ]]

[endlessdoom]

DBP19: A Doomer Boards Christmas Carol

25 Maps by the Doomer Boards Community

2019

https://www.doomworld.com/idgames/themes/xmas/dbp19xmas2

MAP01: Christmas Eve Part I by Big Ol' Billy

The first teaser to this new adventure is a small hub that shows us a cozy house that follows a simple Christmas narrative to set the mood. 4/5

MAP02: Hornaments by Big Ol' Billy

The first actual map with combat, and it is quickly let go. A circular arena with a considerable amount of enemies surrounding us. The dark design and simplistic architecture give it a rather ominous feel. We will also quickly discover one of the new hidden mechanics: shooting the bells. 3/5

MAP03: Christmas Eve Part II by Big Ol' Billy

All maps will have an intermission that leads to the main hub, which also acts as a progress and rest center for reading Christmas letters. A fantastic idea that generates a unique identity. 4/5

MAP04: Festive Neighbours by Phobus

Following the tradition of MAP02 but this time in a frame. Enemies are far away and in ambush positions, waiting for the perfect moment to attack. With a claustrophobic design and a bit lost at times (the bells are well hidden) is a map that takes relatively a little more than it should. 3/5

MAP05: Christmas Eve Part III by Big Ol' Billy

Next intermission, this time we realize that our lovely home is starting to be invaded by bad guys. Oh, Sa(n)tan will be mad. 3/5

MAP06: The Pilgrim and the Hermit by Gaspe

A large map with a rather intricate and claustrophobic design that leads to a variety of paths with various small puzzles and bloody combat. The cold is felt in the hooves. 4/5

MAP07: Christmas Eve Part IV by Big Ol' Billy

Haha. Good times. 3/5

MAP08: Surprise! by glenzinho

A medium-sized Doom-city style map with a surprising design, a multitude of secrets, a small ''bell hunt'' and a progressive combat that changes and varies constantly. Fun and full of Christmas spirit. And demonic spirit too. 4/5

MAP09: Christmas Eve Part V by Big Ol' Billy

An intermission with a... surprise... ending. 3/5

MAP10: Winter Wonderland by Phobus

A surprising wonder, dark, cold and with a unique touch that delivers a variety of visual designs on a large map with fun gameplay that flows seamlessly. 4/5

MAP11: Christmas Eve Part VI by Big Ol' Billy

A hot little adventure. 3/5

MAP12: The Nut After November by SuperCupcakeTactics and glenzinho

That name is unique. For that alone it deserves an extra point. Anyway, this is a medium-large map with a multitude of interconnected roads and tight combat. Fun and with a good Christmas charisma. Hope you aren’t afraid of spiders. 4/5

MAP13: Christmas Eve Part VII by Big Ol' Billy

Ah yes, hello. 3/5

MAP14: Two Sizes Too Small by Doom_RO

A huge adventure that involves hunting different bells and quite aggressive combats through a detailed map with a pleasant and well designed design. Unfortunately, the bell hunting can be a bit irritating due to the simple nature of switch-hunting in its primordial state, but it's still a great map. 4/5

MAP15: Christmas Eve Part VIII by Big Ol' Billy

Did you know that Xmas in Romania is beautiful? 3/5

MAP16: Christmas Tree Mountain by Scrangus McBrickdad/Jaxxoon R and glenzinho

A large map with a relatively small population for its size. With an intricate design and variety of scenarios, it has a fun formula but its layout is somewhat slippery and the progression is somewhat affected. 3/5

MAP17: Christmas Eve Part IX by Big Ol' Billy

Now we explore more and more of the city in these short intermissions. 3/5

MAP18: Xmasphobia by Thundercunt

A claustrophobic and cramped map with a labyrinthine design vaguely reminiscent of Tricks 'N' Traps meets Fear of Plutonia. Interesting premise with great design. 4/5

MAP19: Christmas Eve Part X by Big Ol' Billy

Probably the hottest intermission, to the point that it could be considered a tiny map. 3/5

MAP20: Krampus Anomaly by dmdr

An excellent map with a great flow and exquisite combat, varied and with constant dynamics between the player and the fun, coupled with a good design and understandable layout. 4/5

MAP21: Christmas Eve Part XI by Big Ol' Billy

An intermission that reveals us beyond the labyrinth. Optional but rewarding exploration. 3/5

MAP22: Where Cybneezer Hid Christmas by joe-ilya

A small adventure through a kind of infnerla mansion. Secret paths and dense combat make this map a fun mission. 3/5

MAP23: Christmas Eve Part XII by Big Ol' Billy

The last intermission makes us take a walk through the wintry and dark city to get ready for the last adventure... or maybe not. 3/5

MAP24: Realm of Christmas Time by Big Ol' Billy

The "fine" map, in quotes, is a great entertaining arena with a kind of dynamic IoS that makes us face a huge variety of enemies in a small circular arena. Fun and frenetic in an expansive Christmas violence. 4/5

MAP25: Christmas Morning by Big Ol' Billy

The so famous city of the intermissions is finally given its own use in a magnificent slaughter map that will stop us in our tracks. Enormous, large and with an incredible challenge for all players. The ultimate Christmas present goes out with a boom. You're not supposed to win it (it's technically impossible) but it's a fun and crazy way to end this wad. 4/5

Overall:

» DBP19: A Doomer Boards Christmas Carol (2019) By the Doomer Boards Community

We all want to get into the enchanting spirit of the sweet Christmas season as December approaches. Nothing like celebrating the times of peace, love and understanding among all beings as by doing it in the most holy and fantastic way possible: Killing demons. Those infernal sinners are not going to clean themselves and we are here to do it. Thanks to the fantastic criminal minds of the members of the Doomer Boards Community, we have been given a fantastic Christmas installment that has all the necessary requirements to recreate a good Christmas spirit; blood, violence, guns and many, many demons. Ready to celebrate Christmas? Hit it.

A Doomer Boards Christmas Carol is a project created by the famous krew that this time is launched towards the winter celebrations of Christmas, creating a theme focused entirely on the Christmas touch of the game and redesigning textures and skins for almost the entire project, perfectly invoking that Christmas spirit that few can achieve with a game that was practically identified as a form of 3D Satanism (although it was not exactly released at Christmas, it is a Christmas game in my heart) that would launch to the market a re-copied and unique style. That of being gory and disturbing. Well, let's take the core of Doom and now give it a new twist, one that has lots of snow, cookies, warm milk, presents, red socks and some coal for the bad kids. The result? A grandiose 25-map project (half of them small intermissions) that perfectly re-invents the celebratory style into a Christmas mood that successfully recreates the game on, you guessed it, Christmas. Or something like that.

DBP19 is a fascinating project like no other that really manages to reach those standards and deliver white maps full of passion, identity and a lot of fun. Thanks to the new use of textures and the hilarious re-skins, we now have a new paint scheme for the entire game that takes us out of the hellish air and into a cooler and, uh, wholesome kind of hell.

Starting with MAP01 by @Big Ol Billy, the first map actually works as a kind of intermission/hub-styled map that makes us progress the game accompanied by a small Christmas narrative where the different members of the team give us little stories and messages about what awaits us or the story. A little touch that gives it a nice charisma. @Big Ol Billy does practically all the intermissions, as well as a few other independent maps. MAP02 continues the adventure and this time throws us directly into a combat arena that presents us with two important aspects: 1) the visual style and 2) the new mechanic of hunting ''bells'', something like switch-hunting but more simplified. MAP03 is one more intermission made by the same author, and from now on all the maps with odd number are intermissions. MAP04 by @Phobus is a re-interpretation of the first map but with a more painting style and less mercy. Gaspe comes into action with his MAP06 which gives us a great rock fortress in a world of ice full of action and beautiful visuals. MAP08 by @Glenzinho is, as the title says, a violent surprise that shows an excellent Doom-City style. @Phobus returns with MAP10 in an intricate and tight map with dark corners and welcoming demons. MAP12 by @SuperCupcakeTactics and @glenzinho wins the award for most innovative and fun title I've read all year, luckily not all is title but also essence as this is a fascinating map that combines the two styles of mappers under a perfect synergy of emotion and visual sweetness. MAP14 by @Doom_RO is a huge odyssey that makes us look for different bells while we go through different scenarios making our way through rivers of demons, all in an exciting Christmas adventure. Oh yeah. MAP16 by @Scrangus McBrickdad/Jaxxoon R and @glenzinho pits us against a huge map with amazing visuals but a somewhat confusing layout that compensates with a nice touch of detail and variety of scenarios. Thundercunt (hehe) delivers a labyrinthine and different adventure that contains as many goodies as the demons in MAP18. MAP20 by @dmdr is a fascinating ice adventure that takes us on a journey with good flow, fun combat and excellent presentation. @joe-ilya delivers a mysterious and cold mansion in MAP22, full of demons, Masterminds and a few surprises in the basement. Finally, MAP24: Realm of Christmas Time by Big Ol' Billy is an excellent final scene as we face off in a small arena-style map against a variety of enemies and a sort of modified IoS that delivers thrills and excitement. Like the good little kids, we've been. Of course, the final intermission in MAP25 is what we call a total beast that actually works like a credits map but with a twist.

Wow that was a lot of maps! Probably among the biggest (or actually biggest) DBP, quite the gift!

This winter adventure deliberates with solid greece a delivery of 25 maps full of charisma, fun, gifts and everything we need to feel comfortable and accompanied on a lonely Christmas night while the snow crashes against our windows. Not that I can relate to that because where I live it doesn't snow, but at least with this project I have managed to relate the sweet effect of nostalgia with the innocence of yesteryear where we simply wanted to enjoy Doom in its purest form. Well, this is the purest way to enjoy it at Christmas! Or practically any month, after all I'm playing this in the middle of summer. Hehe. Anyway, want some cookies? Come and get them.

#doom #doom wad #wad #review #gaming #mapping

[birdlord]

Everything I Watched in 2020

We’ll start with movies. The number in parentheses is the year of release, asterisks denote a re-watch, and titles in bold are my favourite watches of the year. Here’s 2019’s list. 

01 Little Women (19)

02 The Post (17) 

03 Molly’s Game (17)

04 * Doctor No (62)

05 Groundhog Day (93)

06 *Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home (86)

07 Knives Out (19) My last theatre experience (sob)

08 Professor Marston and his Wonder Women (17)

09 Les Miserables (98)

10 Midsommar (19) I’m not sure how *good* it is, but it does stick in the ol’ brain

11 *Manhattan Murder Mystery (93)

12 Marriage Story (19)

13 Kramer vs Kramer (79)

14 Jojo Rabbit (19)

15 J’ai perdu mon corps (19) a cute animated film about a hand detached from its body!

16 1917 (19)

17 Married to the Mob (88)

18 Klaus (19)

19 Portrait of a Lady on Fire (19) If Little Women made me want to wear a scarf criss-crossed around my torso, this one made me want to wear a cloak

20 The Last Black Man in San Francisco (19)

21 *Lawrence of Arabia (62)

22 Gone With the Wind (39)

23 Kiss Me Deadly (55)

24 Dredd (12)

25 Heartburn (86) heard a bunch about this one in the Blank Check series on Nora Ephron, sadly after I’d watched it

26 The Long Shot (19)

27 Out of Africa (85)

28 King Kong (46)

29 *Johnny Mnemonic (95)

30 Knocked Up (07)

31 Collateral (04)

32 Bird on a Wire (90)

33 The Black Dahlia (05)

34 Long Time Running (17)

35 *Magic Mike (12)

36 Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (07)

37 Cold War (18)

38 *Kramer Vs Kramer (79) yes I watched this a few months before! This was a pandemic friend group co-watch.

39 *Burn After Reading (08)

40 Last Holiday (50)

41 Fly Away Home (96)

42 *Moneyball (11) I’m sure I watch this every two years, at most??

43 Last Holiday (06) the Queen Latifah version of the 1950 movie above, lacking, of course, the brutal “poor people don’t deserve anything good” ending

44 *Safe (95)

45 Gimme Shelter (70)

46 The Daytrippers (96)

47 Experiment in Terror (62)

48 Tucker: The Man and His Dream (88)

49 My Brilliant Career (79) one of the salvations of 2020 was watching movies “with” friends. Our usual method was to video chat before the movie, sync our streaming services, and text-chat while the movie was on. 

50 Divorce Italian Style (61)

51 *Gosford Park (01) another classic comfort watch, fuck I love a G. Park

52 Hopscotch (80)

53 Brief Encounter (45)

54 Hud (63)

55 Ocean’s 8 (18)

56 *Beverly Hills Cop (84)

57 Blow the Man Down (19)

58 Constantine (05)

59 The Report (19) maddening!! How are people so consistently terrible to one another!

60 Everyday People (04)

61 Anatomy of a Murder (58)

62 Spiderman: Homecoming (17)

63 *To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (95) Of the 90s drag road movies, Priscilla is more visually striking, but this has its moments.

64 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (92)

65 *The Truman Show (98)

66 Mona Lisa (86)

67 The Blob (58)

68 The Guard (11)

69 *Waiting for Guffman (96) RIP Fred Willard

70 Rocketman (19)

71 Outside In (18)

72 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (08) how strange to see a movie that you have known the premise for, but no details of, for over a decade

73 *Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country (91)

74 The Reader (08)

75 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (19) This was fine until it VERY MUCH WAS NOT FINE

76 The End of the Affair (99) you try to watch a fun little romp about infidelity during the Blitz, and Graham Greene can’t help but shoehorn in a friggin crisis of religious faith

77 Must Love Dogs (05) barely any dog content, where are the dogs at

78 The Rainmaker (97)

79 *Batman & Robin (97)

80 National Lampoon’s Vacation (83) Never seen any of the non-xmas Vacations, didn’t realize the children are totally different, not just actors but ages! Also, this one is blatantly racist!

81 *Mystic Pizza (88)

82 Funny Girl (68)

83 The Sons of Katie Elder (65)

84 *Knives Out (19) another re-watch within the same year!! How does this keep happening??

85 *Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (10) a real I-just-moved-away-from-Toronto nostalgia watch

86 Canadian Bacon (92) vividly recall this VHS at the video store, but I never saw it til 2020

87 *Blood Simple (85)

88 Brittany Runs a Marathon (19)

89 The Accidental Tourist (88)

90 August Osage County (13) MELO-DRAMA!!

91 Appaloosa (08)

92 The Firm (93) Feeling good about how many iconic 80s/90s video store stalwarts I watched in 2020

93 *Almost Famous (00)

94 Whisper of the Heart (95)

95 Da 5 Bloods (20)

96 Rain Man (88)

97 True Stories (86)

98 *Risky Business (83) It’s not about what you think it’s about! It never was!

99 *The Big Chill (83)

100 The Way We Were (73)

101 Safety Last (23) It’s getting so that I might have to add the first two digits to my dates...not that I watch THAT many movies from the 1920s...

102 Phantasm (79)

103 The Burrowers (08)

104 New Jack City (91)

105 The Vanishing (88)

106 Sisters (72)

107 Puberty Blues (81) Little Aussie cinema theme, here

108 Elevator to the Gallows (58)

109 Les Diaboliques (55)

110 House (77) haha WHAT no really W H A T

111 Death Line (72)

112 Cranes are Flying (57)

113 Holes (03)

114 *Lady Vengeance (05)

115 Long Weekend (78)

116 Body Double (84)

117 The Crazies (73) I love that Romero shows the utter confusion that would no doubt reign in the case of any kind of disaster. Things fall apart.

118 Waterlilies (07)

119 *You’re Next (11)

120 Event Horizon (97)

121 Venom (18) I liked it, guys, way more than most superhero fare. Has a real sense of place and the place ISN’T New York!

122 Under the Silver Lake (18) RIP Night Call

123 *Blade Runner (82)

124 *The Birds (62) interesting to see now that I’ve read the story it came from

125 *28 Days Later (02) hits REAL FUCKIN’ DIFFERENT in a pandemic

126 Life is Sweet (90)

127 *So I Married an Axe Murderer (93) find me a more 90s movie, I dare you (it’s not possible)

128 Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (67)

129 The Pelican Brief (93) 90s thrillers continue!

130 Dick Johnston is Dead (20)

131 The Bridges of Madison County (95)

132 Earth Girls are Easy (88) Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum are so hot in this movie, no wonder they got married 

133 Better Watch Out (16)

134 Drowning Mona (00) trying for something like the Coen bros and not getting there

135 Au Revoir Les Enfants (87)

136 *Chasing Amy (97) Affleck is the least alluring movie lead...ever? I also think I gave Joey Lauren Adams’ character short shrift in my memory of the movie. It’s not good, but she’s more complicated than I recalled. 

137 Blackkklansman (18)

138 Being Frank (19)

139 Kiki’s Delivery Service (89)

140 Uncle Frank (20) why so many FRANKS

141 *National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (89) watching with pals (virtually) made it so much more fun than the usual yearly watch!

142 Half Baked (98) another, more secret Toronto nostalgia pic - RC Harris water filtration plant as a prison!

143 We’re the Millers (13)

144 All is Bright (13)

145 Defending Your Life (91)

146 Christmas Chronicles (18) I maintain that most new xmas movies are terrible, particularly now that Netflix churns them out like eggnog every year. 

147 Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse (18)

148 Reindeer Games (00) what did I say about Affleck??!? WHAT DID I SAY

149 Palm Springs (20)

150 Happiest Season (20)

151 *Metropolitan (90) it’s definitely a Christmas movie

152 Black Christmas (74)

THEATRE:HOME - 2:150 (thanks pandemic)

I usually separate out docs and fiction, but I watched almost no documentaries this year (with the exception of Dick Johnston). Reality is real enough. 

TV Series

01 - BoJack Horseman (final season) - Pretty damned poignant finish to the show, replete with actual consequences for our reformed bad boy protagonist (which is more than you can say for most antiheroes of Peak TV).

02 - *Hello Ladies - I enjoy the pure awkwardness of seeing Stephen Merchant try to perform being a Regular Person, but ultimately this show tips him too far towards a nasty, Ricky Gervais-lite sort of persona. Perhaps he was always best as a cameo appearance, or lip synching with wild eyes while Chrissy Teigen giggles?

03 - Olive Kittredge - a rough watch by times. I read the book as well, later in the year. Frances Mcdormand was the best, possibly the only, casting option for the flinty lead. One episode tips into thriller territory, which is a shock. 

04 - *The Wire S3, S4, S5 - lockdown culture! It was interesting to rewatch this, then a few months later go through an enormous, culture-level reappraisal of cop-centred narratives. 

05 - Forever - a Maya Rudolph/Fred Armisen joint that coasts on the charm of its leads. The premise is OK, but I wasn’t left wanting any more at the end. 

06 - *Catastrophe - a rewatch when my partner decided he wanted to see it, too!

07 - Red Oak - resolutely “OK” steaming dramedy, relied heavily on some pretty obvious cues to get across its 1980s setting. 

08 - Little Fires Everywhere - gulped this one down while in 14-day isolation, delicious! Every 90s suburban mom had that SUV, but not all of them had the requisite **secrets**

09 - The Great - fun historical comedy/drama! Costumes: lush. Actors: amusing. Race-blind casting: refreshing!

10 - The Crown S4 - this is the season everyone lost their everloving shit for, since it’s finally recent enough history that a fair chunk of the viewing audience is liable to recall it happening. 

11 - Ted Lasso - we resisted this one for a while (thought I did enjoy the ad campaign for NBC sports (!!) that it was based on). My view is that its best point was the comfort that the men on the show have (or develop, throughout the season) with the acknowledgement and sharing of their own feelings. Masculinity redux. 

12 - Moonbase 8 - Goodnatured in a way that makes you certain they will be crushed. 

13 - The Good Lord Bird - Ethan Hawke is really aging into the character actor we always hoped he would be! 

14 - Hollywood - frothy wish-fulfillment alternate history. I think the show would have been improved immeasurably by skipping the final episode.

[bloodentitled]

Peter/Roman Christmas headcanons tho~~

Christmas Headcanons { Peter/Roman | accepting )

•     🎄     Roman asks Peter, “have you ever seen Krampus...?” 👀 Roman rents it on his SmartTV. Peter and Roman proceed to decorate an absurdly tall Xmas tree while Krampus plays extra loud and violent in the background. And that’s the story of how they got a “fucking metal” Christmas tree—Peter’s words. 🤘🏻

•     ⛄️     Snow ball fights are ruthless. When Roman gets home from work, he has to carefully slip out of his car, looking both ways ANXIOUS as he walks up the driveway. If he doesn’t watch his back, Peter EMERGES from the tree line and pelts Roman’s broad back with tightly formed snowballs that cause Roman to double up and curse out, “ASS-HOLE!” 😤 When Peter runs out of ‘ammunition’, Roman gives chase and—with his long legs—eventually gets Peter back, tackling him in a pile of snow deep enough to mush Peter’s shaggy head in. “You deserved it,” Roman pants, straddling Peter’s back. Both Peter and Roman’s clothes are caked in freezing snow. Roman’s nose begins to dribble from the cold. He sniffles as he helps Peter up. The boys dust each other off. “I can build you a snowman tomorrow?” Peter offers, grinning in the half-moonlight as the two trudge on back towards Roman’s house. “There are... o-other ways to get me to tackle you,” Roman shivers, pulling his jacket closed tighter.

•     ☕️     After the boys go inside, they rummage through Roman’s pantry for a box of hot chocolate but find none. In the laundry room, Roman and Peter strip their snow soaked clothes off and put what they can in the dryer. Roman offers Peter some of his clean laundry but Peter opts for only pants, insisting he ‘runs warm’. Roman dresses and goes out into the living room to Peter. “Are there anymore horror-Christmas films?” Peter wonders aloud as Roman joins him on the sofa. “Oh I’m sure,” Roman sounds hopeful as he grabs the remote control and looks for something for the two of them to settle in with for the evening. Halfway through the movie, Roman notices Peter has fallen asleep. And to Roman, Peter looks... cold—Peter with his arms crossed tightly across his furry chest. Roman turns to reach for a throw blanket draped over the arm of the sofa. But before Roman can collect it, Peter’s sleeping form slumps against Roman’s side. Roman doesn’t want to move—he doesn’t want to wake him. Instead, Roman carefully lifts his arm so Peter can settle more comfortable with the side of his head pillowed in Roman’s lap. Roman watches the rest of the movie with his arm draped over Peter’s back and his fingers gingerly raking through Peter’s gypsy-long hair.

•     🎁     When the big day comes—Christmas, that is, Roman flubs Peter’s gift entirely. Roman pesters Destiny everyday to tell him ‘what Peter would want’. But Destiny would always insist, “Peter’s not like that—you can’t just ‘buy’ him with things.” Roman rolls his eyes at Peter’s cousin more times than he can count and winds up with NOTHING for Peter under their Christmas tree. 🥺 Luckily, at the last minute, Roman decides his gift will be a proposition: “what if you move in? Officially?” Roman shrugs and gestures to the great big place he has all to himself, “you can have a room... or.. share mine?” Roman seems a little nervous to ask but, he’s serious. He thinks it would be nice.

•     Finally, 🎆     Christmas passes and Roman takes Peter to a New Year’s Eve party at The White Tower. It’s a little stuffy and not exactly Peter’s kind of party. “We’ll be overdressed, but Destiny and Andreas are having a party?” Peter tells Roman, hinting for a change of venue. Peter and Roman go and trade their champagne flutes for beer bottles. The countdown to the new year is exciting. People pair off but Roman and Peter don’t feel the need to stray from each other’s side. Roman and Peter, along with everyone crammed inside of Destiny and Andreas’ apartment, begin to chant the final ten seconds till the new year. Roman and Peter are pushed together and grip each other’s shoulders as the room feels smaller from the commotion. The clock strikes midnight and in the middle of the confetti, whirling noisemakers, and hastily popped champagne bottles, Roman and Peter share their first lip-lock, unnoticed and uninterrupted at the celebrations peak. It was one of the best nights Roman has had to date.

#untamedvargulf #;answered #krampus #tw krampus #long post #tw long post #;au

[someone-elses-star]

Episode 6x07: Nevermind Personal Narration

You guys seemed to like my personal narrative last week, so I decided to do one again! I’m super excited for this episode, and I’m really wondering if we will get Clarke back this week, or if the crew will somehow find out she is still alive.

IT”S STARTING!!!!!

Love hearing Eliza’s accent when she introduces the show!

Okay...give me some Clarke goodness!

Love hearing the voices of her memories! 

Lexa! Still ship bellarke but......LEXA!

Door is opening......

And back to older Clarke!

Is this the Jake Griffin scene?!?!!?

YAYAYAYA JAKE!

Is he still hot? I think he’s still pretty hot! Lol

No Clarke. You didn’t die. YOU FIGHT GIRL!

Awww poor Clarke thinks she’s dead. 

YES girl! You still alive!

Yes, baby girl. Daddy is in your head. But why should it mean it isn’t real? (Harry Potter references! lol)

Are we already leaving Jake? Is he coming back?! I want him back! Maybe he’ll lead her back after she beats Jo? She better beat JO!!!

I do love Jo, though. Very good evil girl! I just want Clarke back, too!

Ohh! ALLIE! and old Clarke grounder outfit!

Ohhhh....Allie saved Clarke! Coolll!!!!

Yes, save that memory! Use it to beat Jo! Use it to come back!

Face your demons, Clarke! Fight! Live!

Ohhh. Is the red door a Jo memory?

HI JOSEPHINE!

Damn right it’s not! Kick her butt, Clarke!

COMMERCIAL BREAK #1 Thoughts: If Clarke really dies is this show even worth watching anymore? If they save her through Madi’s chip instead, will she have to relearn all her new memories. That makes the most sense. I really don’t want her to forget Madi though! Also, random, but what do you guys think about the theory that this season will end with time travel to a past Earth before the nukes? I feel that that may take it a little too far, but I honestly just want Clarke back now, so that is my main focus. NANCY FUCKING DREW! Is anyone else excited?

Yes, Clarke. He did. Does anyone else want to punch Jo? She kinda has that kinda punchable expression constantly on her face. 

If anyone can fight brain deterioration it is Clarke!

It better hurt you psychopath!

I also don’t want Clarke to survive only to have to take a new body because I don’t want to lose Eliza either!

Ahh there is Jo’s little hair twirl.

Yeah, you fight Clarke!

Ohhh, love Clarke’s change in every room! 

Ohhhhh....memories are already fading off the walls!

Damn, Jo is quick. Guess she’s gotta be after all these years.

Clarke is a badass! Shut your bitch mouth!

Damn.....Jo is smart though!

Yes, Clarke beat her ass into the ground!

Damn......slamming her head with the door. Inspired!

Doubt this means Jo is dead though.

Yup....there she is again.

Ahhh, backup. LIke a computer. 

Ah so that is what the pill was. A sedative. Makes sense.

Don’t be so sure Jo! Clarke is a cockroach!

COMMERCIAL BREAK #2 Thoughts: Trying not to be worried about Clarke’s survival. I feel the writers know that a dead Clarke means the end of the show. Also, Eliza is a queen. Losing her would also mean the end of the show I think. Still....very nervous like last episode. Wondering if this episode was the writers trying to give us a final goodbye to Clarke. But I can’t let those thoughts win or I’m going to start having a panic attack. Not good. Need happy thoughts. Clarke surviving. Bellarke reunion. Madi burning these bastards to the ground. I wonder when we are going to get the Bellamy scenes from the episode photos. I want those scenes, but I also want to give Clarke plenty of time to beat Jo. But how will she do that when Jo is backed up? Kinda feel like she will need a window to take over her body and let the others know she is still there so they can do something on the outside that she can’t do from the inside. Then all she has to do is stay alive on the inside. Easy, right? lol

RUN CLARKE RUN!

Ohhh....bloodreina! 

That’s bull! She fought a lot of battles. Don’t let your demons kill you Clarke!

OHHHH she brought up Bellamy!!!

Love the collision alerts every time Jo is coming on screen!

AH MOUNT WEATHER! 

Will a projection of Bellamy help save her?

Oh, no! Maya! Damn!!!

Because she has people to live for! People who love her!

Awww honey. Gotta stop letting your demons break you down! 

This is worse than the eclipse psychosis! Poor Clarke!

YES! You’re in control Clarke!

She has an idea?!?! What did she do with the chip!? Ohhh I bet she controlled Maya to lie for her! 

YES I was right!

Cute....lmao....

Jo reminds me a lot of a girl who used to bully me in school. Is that why I hate her so much? Probably.

Yes, shock her to death....until she reboots. Damn. She brought in an eviler Russell? Note that I said eviler because no matter how nice he’s trying to play he still killed Clarke and has killed many before her so the Primes could live. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK #3 Thoughts: Not many, honestly, I just want Clarke to live. It’s fun seeing her projections come to life in the form of old characters. That’s fun! Already half over? This show always goes by so quickly when I’m narrating it! Anyone else get these Liberty Mutual commericals with the emu? Do we like? I don’t know! OHHHH LOVE RUBY ROSE as the new batwoman! What a great casting call!

RUN CLARKE RUN! AGAIN!

Oh no! Don’t watch daddy get floated again!

Uhh oohhhh....Jo is going to play mean with the floating memory!

Did they actually have Yatzee? That could be the only reason she knows that saying, right?

Oh....a little scary! Poor Clarke traumas! Isn’t that like....her whole life?

“A ringing endorsement.” Lmao. Sassy Clarke!

Damn, Jo is great at manipulation. 

Ohhhh bringing up Bellamy again!

“You have drawings, I have books. Don’t judge!” Lmao

Ohhhh....Clarke seeing Jo’s memories of Bellamy.

Damn....please don’t stop fighting!

Oh God.....she’s considering this! She’s going to sacrifice herself again!?!?!

Do you actually trust her, Clarke?!?!

What.....my heart is breaking. Are we actually losing Clarke? NOT MY Daughter you bitch! (Yes, another HP reference. I can’t help myself!) 

COMMERCIAL BREAK #4 Thoughts: I think I’m dying. I feel like this was to be expected because Clarke is a self-sacrificing angel, but oh my gods please let this be fixed somehow! In a way that does not have Clarke dying...and preferably with her memories of Madi still intact. But that last part can be negotiable in lieu of new memories. There is NO replacing Clarke! I will RIOT if they actually kill Clarke off. Who’s with me? We still have twenty minutes. Miracles happen in this show all the time! Especially in the last couple of minutes! KEEP THE HOPE ALIVE! I’m wondering if we are going to get a, “I bear it so they don’t have to” from Clarke anytime soon. That would fit well in this episode. 

Okay. Now she is in her old hut. With....MONTY?!?!?!?! Oh my fucking GOD! MONTY!!!!!

Yes, Monty! You tell her! Tell her not to give up! Save her Monty! This is so much better than a memory of Bellamy saving her! 

AHHH THE QUOTE! I’m so good! Yes, bring up Madi! Don’t leave Madi! 

They wouldn’t bring back Monty if she was going to actually die, right?!!?

It’s never over, Clarke! Yes, Monty! Lead her to freedom!

I’m crying over Monty. Are you? 

Yes, going in to Josephine’s mind! You can do this! You have Monty! Everything is better with Monty!

Damn.....that is a lot of books.

Ohhh....she knows you are there!

“I like your drawings better.” I love you Monty! We never deserved you!

Yes, control your body! Our predictions are coming true!

Oh. The scene of Jo being murdered in her last body! 

Ohhh. How is Clarke going to use this memory? Or any of the memories she sees?

Baby! 

Nulls? That’s what they call those who can’t bear a host? Damn....

COMMERCIAL BREAK #5 Thoughts: So, Clarke is fighting again with the help of Monty. They are discussing her controlling her body through Jo’s memories. GOOD! BUTTTT....we have less than ten minutes. What’s going to happen? Could Clarke take control of her body and interrupt Bellamy’s meeting with Russell that we saw pictured? Will Jo take over at the last minute and try to convince them that she was just joking...and that Clarke is really dead? Could that send Bellamy into exploring Clarke being alive? If Clarke stays inside her head for more than this episode do we get to see more Monty?

He got it! Go Monty! 

And we’re....in a cafe. With XMAS decor. OHHHH Earth before the bombs?!?!!

Yes, why would she lock this memory away?

Oh are the bombs about to go off?

Water rationing protest? Is this our future? Probably. 

Oh......what is this guy to her? Damn...a gun?!?!

Oh MY GOD! I would want to hide this memory too! 

Ohh more fighting! 

Oh no! She’s awake! 

No! She can’t win! Clarke can still be alive!

Oh....he’s using Morse code! Is that Morse code?

Bellamy knows!!! He can see it! He knows! Clarke is still in there! 

It is Morse code! 

“I slept through most of Earth skills so....” Lmao! I love Miller! We never get enough Miller!

Yes, go last five seconds of Bellamy finding out about Clarke still being in there!

#the 100 #bellarke #bellamy blake #clarke griffin #6x07 spoilers #Nevermind #the 100 spoilers #raven reyes #john murphy #echo kom azgeda #echo kom spacekru #jo!clarke #emori #memori #octavia blake #charmaine diyoza

[loudhaoleinatie]

A quick note to my partners...

Hey guys, just wanted to apologise for being a bit absent lately. I was quite busy over Xmas and New Year doing overtime and seeing family anyway, but I unfortunately had the bad news just before Christmas that one of my very close friends had died.

He meant a huge amount to me but I hadn't seen him in a while because I moved away from my birthplace a while back and life had gotten in the way, and it's left me feeling a bit lost and brought some regrets to the fore. We both have moved around, gotten married and had children, and we were very busy, but we still loved each other. I had known him since my teens and we even dated for a while back then, but remained great friends even after the split.

He had a daughter (my goddaughter) just a few months older than my own, and she is so young that she won't remember her daddy when she grows. That has really hit home for me, because he was a wonderful man and she is missing out on one fabulous dad. And he has left behind his wife, a beautiful, strong, kind woman who didn't deserve this at all. None of them did.

He was always indestructible, getting into silly situations and getting hurt but never ever did I think he would die at just 35. His motorcycle was struck by a car because someone didn't see him. Please drive safe and sensible, because tragedy can happen in the blink of an eye.

It sucks. So much. And I just haven't been in a great place (also not helped by running out of my depression meds over the holiday period too). But please don't think I'm quitting RP, if anything it helps me to escape and centre myself. I hope to be replying again soon, I just ask you to be patient.

Just... Please hold your loved ones tight. Tell them you love them and they're important. Call your parents, call your siblings, call your kids. And do one thing for me tonight: get in touch with a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Just one, more if possible. Just to say hi, just to tell them they're important.

Love and happiness to you all.

Lindy xxx

#mun speaks #ooc #you are important #let people know you love them #love is all that matters

[papanorth]

Big Ol’ Response Post

to everyone who was nice and lent me a helping ear/word; thank you!! Here’s some responses (beware of sentimentality)

basic-bamboo replied to your post “it’s a week into 2019. 3 days ago,I was ready to move into my new...”

I'm so happy for you!

secretlystephaniebrown replied to your post “it’s a week into 2019. 3 days ago,I was ready to move into my new...”

that's wonderful! <3

It’s been great! the new apartment really helps with my laziness inability to commit to chores, and also helps with my need for social interaction, it’s great!

red-rose-101 replied to your post “Papanorth’s Life Update 2k19”

Stay strong Sweetie, and good luck with your future endeavours <3 <3

jomeimei421 replied to your post “Papanorth’s Life Update 2k19”

Its great to hear that you’re doing better ❤️❤️❤️hope the new year treats you well! Sending you my thoughts 👍

a-taller-tale replied to your post “Papanorth’s Life Update 2k19”

I empathize with a lot of this, and I am sending so much love and strength your way.

akisawana replied to your post “Papanorth’s Life Update 2k19”

i'm glad you have a safe place to stay and people who love you. you deseerv

illumynare replied to your post “Papanorth’s Life Update 2k19”

I'm sorry things have been so hard but I'm very glad 2019 is looking up! You'll be in my thoughts.

actualrvbtrash replied to your post “Papanorth’s Life Update 2k19”

*all the hugs* I'm so happy for you that this new year's getting off to a good start, and I hope it stays going that way. You're a great person and you deserve great things and we all love you, even if we're not in proximity and don't voice it every day. <3

Thaaaaaank u everyone! It’s been good, mostly I’ve been somewhat emotional but I live w some very good people and it’s been v good for me. My gf gave me a smoothie machine for xmas so I’m getting my vitamins, I bought a WC weight to make sure I don’t deteriorate, and I feel a lot better these days! I have an appointment with a doctor who’ll recommend a therapist for me, just for future use, and I’m always trying to build up my mental health and it’s paying off for sure

Things are looking up!

[carmwitch]

Hope you have a wonderful Xmas and great New Years . You are an amazing human being and deserve the best 💕💕💕💕💕

wow this is so sweet! 🥺 I hope you had a wonderful holiday whatever your situation might be and a much better 2021 🥰🎄

#answered

[secondsofhappiness]

Megan I enjoyed tonight, a white free ep is always a treat. loved the dynamic with Roblivion & Gerry in the mix,PD no.2 doesn't offend me much either,hypocritical I feel as if it was the other way round I'm sure I would like it less.. I wonder why that is! The day those pesky whites leave I'm gonna have a Robron binge,I still can't watch the wedding with this hanging over them! I just want to be free! Dramatic yes but I want to enjoy my ship again,not too much to ask right? 🙏

You should join @sugdingles and me and have actual full on champagne on the Whites final episodes. We made a pact and I intend to stick to it 😀🍾

Everything right now is basically setting up for Xmas. None of it is going to stick. Alex, bless him, is just collateral damage for the Great Robert Sugden Breakdown/Fever Dream of Christmas 2017 in which he learns to be a Real Boy. He’s Aaron’s cypher through which Aaron will realise he doesn’t want a pleasant, sensible, shift working, floppy haired dude… he is still stupidly in love with an arrogant, troubled, sweet yet sarcastic, blonde lunatic nightmare.

It’s actually quite enjoyable to me!

I’m thoroughly enjoying each battering (the emotional kind) Rob gets because each one teaches him a lesson and that’s always good. He deserves to see Aaron being found attractive and viable to other men as a boyfriend. Aaron IS a catch and Rob knows this only too well what with being the captain of the Aaron Dingle Fan Club (Lifetime Membership!) but he has never been faced with the reality that Aaron may move on and since he’s been trying every possible tactic to spent time near Aaron even for mere seconds, Rob’s hopes were beginning to show. Now they’re squashed again and that kind of emotional turmoil is good for Robert J Sugden. Knocking him down a peg or two is healthy for him :)

He is missing his son (did you know Rob had a son?!) and mega low because he’s had him taken away and because Aaron was kind to him and a mate, Rob’s minimal hope made him somewhat optimistic even in the smallest sense and now that hope is going to be taken away meaning that Rob gets closer to rock bottom. Delightful!!!!

So yeah, this bit is well fun! Not having The Whites around is positively blissful. It’s like it’s a signal of the new era post New Year and I love it!!!!!!!! 😀

I just didn’t wish I had to watch Alfie die because NOPE. No. No. No. no.

#spoilers #robron #ask #messages from hannah

[amisbro]

Year’s End and New Beginnings

Fandom: Uta no Prince-Sama Rating:  G A/N:  This is the final fic for the end of the year/beginning of 2018 and its been a pleasure writing again for this fandom and I hope you are ready for the next year so w/o further ado…let’s begin! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “And with that Ladies and Gents its time for us to say goodbye and good night for a little while.  It was fun to be here to celebrate the new year with you all BUT I must go away for now so I will see you…” But Joshua stopped himself when he noticed that the crowd that was in the sold out Tokyo Dome stood as one and Joshua was wondering what in the world was going on! He wouldn’t have long to wait to find out…. Let’s begin the road to New Year’s Day in the Dome…and the shocking surprise that came at the end of his concert ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ December 26th It was 2 days after the Christmas Eve Concert and all through the house Not a HEAVENS  member was stirring Not even Nagi (Okay that didn’t rhyme but let’s go with it)                It was a few days removed from the Christmas Eve concert that Joshua had put on and the “Musical Lunatic’ of “Raging Entertainment” was back at it rehearsing and practicing his songs for the upcoming concert that he was performing in about 5 days time in the Tokyo Dome to finish off one of the busiest times of the year for him EVER!                First it all started back early December when Shining recruited him for a show in Fujioka which was something that he hadn’t expected.  While The area was becoming his home for his Summer shows he was a bit surprised to be able to do the show in this city while also working with Tokiya for the first time.  The fact that he got to do that was an honor and despite all of their problems that they might have had in the past the two worked them out and put on a performance that not many could have seen coming…or the surprise at the end of the show!                When Joshua saw STARISH with QUARTET NIGHT and HEAVENS to do an update to “Shining Star Xmas” it was far and away one of his greatest gifts ever and it was something that he couldn’t have expected and that alone would have made a grand December but then of course he remembered his first voyage to America and AT&T Stadium when Himura and Seiichirou pulled a rabbit out and HEAVENS appeared again to help out a friend and colleague as it was believed that Joshua was in some kind of distress!  Whilst Joshua wouldn’t admit it himself Himura knew and got Raging to allow HEAVENS to appear at the concert which was something they wanted to do for their friend. But of course now we talk about today and it was getting even crazier!                Because of the unusual schedule Joshua had just under 5 days before his first ever New Year’s Eve concert in the dome.  It was a decision that HAD been planned in advance and Joshua knew well about it but because of the extra shows he had just under 3 days worth of practice to get things right and ready for his big day and he KNEW this time that HEAVENS was going to be in attendance in some form.  He hoped in some ways that they would be able to do a song or two because he didn’t know how long his song list was going to be for this show because of the short time to prepare it proper. But HEAVENS knew…                Turns out that during the time that Joshua was away in America the group went through and selected the songs they thought would be interesting for their “8th Angel” (as Eiichi now calls him whenever he appears with them) to perform and interestingly enough they went the route of picking out some songs for him that took him back to his roots for when it came to music from the 1980s.  When Joshua was given the list by Himura a big smile came across his face because there were some great classics from his childhood in there…not the least of which were at least two songs from a Prog Rock group called GENESIS and when Joshua saw one of the songs he really lit up because it was an unusually powerful song for him but how would he perform it if he was going to be solo? I THINK…we all knew!                Joshua spent the majority of the day working on the songs leading up to the “Finale songs”.  He wanted to leave them for last because of a few reasons and not the least of which would be “How can he try those songs out without the proper backing?” but nonetheless…Joshua soldiered on and made a grand day out of it and Himura was always amazed at the energy he put in even if he knew he needed to pace himself.  Yes this WAS a sprint but that didn’t mean he could just go 110% because of the fact that he was concerned he would wear out before the concert…and Himura knew in the back of his mind that HEAVENS was concerned too!                When Joshua got home that night from the rehearsal everyone was asleep. Joshua didn’t bother staying up late and hit the sack hard himself because he knew in the back of his head those extra songs on the list were looming and he needed to work on them SOON! December 28th                Another day and another practice but this one was unusually short…I say unusually because you see Himura watched Joshua practice the “Bonus Songs” on his list non-stop the day before and he knew that was going to be his focus today also.  The thing was that Himura didn’t want him to “really get it” before the big show because there was an “Ingredient to this stew” that needed to be added for it to be PERFECT! This, as you would expect, puzzled Joshua but then again when it came to his friend there was a lot of mystery to him and any possible connections to HEAVENS that he never asked about.                See Joshua had kind of figured out at this point that Himura was working with Raging and HEAVENS after hearing about some matters that hadn’t gone their way in the past.  Himura asked the President of his company for permission to work with Raging and his group to ensure that they could start to reach the level that Tokiya did as HAYATO…just without the double identities.  The President agreed to it as long as Raging didn’t pull any funny business within his company and The elder Ootori made his promise (and kept it) that he wouldn’t meddle with the man that was allowing his boys the exposure they deserved.                When it was publicly announced that these two leaders of the music industry were working together initially Shining wanted to find a way to stop them but there were things that prevented this.                The first was that Tokiya was a part of STARISH and after graduating Shining’s Academy while also leaving his former life as HAYATO behind he knew he still respected the Agency for which he originally worked at.  He also knew that Joshua learned of his “twin” and that if Joshua EVER needed THAT again he would do everything he could to make sure HAYATO was ready to appear to help his friend. The second one was ALSO kind of tied to Tokiya                Both men remembered the Duet Project and when Tokiya and Eiji started it.  Joshua had heard about the “advances” that Raging made and personally apologized for those on his behalf but Tokiya ultimately forgave.  He explained to Joshua that “Given what Shining was trying to do to you in the past it only seems fair that Raging seek revenge and he would do it through him.” and whilst Joshua still understood this he still felt that he had to properly apologize between that and what happened with Otoya. THAT was unforgivable but Eiichi had told him personally that he was sorry for what happened and he would endeavor for it to NEVER happen again.  Tokiya believed this because after hearing about what happened at the Agency with the father and son he was legitimately disgusted but didn’t know what course of action to take.  Joshua told him that if it came down to it that he would officially defect to Shining full-time and find a way to bring HEAVENS with him no matter the cost! Now Tokiya seems to be an integral part in all of this…why? RESPECT                Tokiya respected Joshua even when he was “just a radio DJ”. There are many untold stories about times when Joshua worked in America and even his early stint at Japanese stations that they had occasional interviews together but the ones that became the most “famous” of the STARISH members were the ones with Ren and Masa. It wasn’t that Joshua hated interviewing Tokiya…far from it but the reality was that for some reason the interviews that always did the best numbers for the station would be the ones with the “STARISH Brothers” which was why they were booked more often than Tokiya.                Did this annoy Shining?  Hard to say because he never made a public statement about it one way or the other but one thing that shocked everyone was that back in the day when he first had HEAVENS on as a trio long before the UtaPri awards.  The fact that Raging could get the group on Joshua’s show did lead some to think it was a “bias” but at that time Joshua had never heard of the group so that complaint was thrown out immediately.                There WAS a famous interview a day before the awards when they (HEAVENS) made an offer for Joshua to join their Agency but at that time wanted to stay neutral…this didn’t last long because he was eventually brought in to work with QUARTET NIGHT at Saotome’s and then eventually work with Camus as a PA. Now WHY did I go over all of that at this time? WELL!                Everything I just mentioned has to do with why Tokiya prevented Shining from interfering with Joshua’s work.  Despite the fact that he might think that Joshua would ALSO be better suited working at Shining’s Agency he wanted Joshua to work in an environment that he felt could be more of a “Family” for him and he felt that they were the best place and Tokiya wanted his friend to be happy first and foremost so there is no issue there!                One thing that DID weight on the young man’s mind was how Joshua was doing getting ready for the big show in 3 days…then again…EVERYONE was wondering that! December 30th T’was  the last day before the show And all through the agency Last minute prep was being done And there was a sense of urgency A/N:  I suck at these I know…leave me alone                It was the day before the big show and usually by now Joshua had done two run throughs of the show and the gate checks.  He had to at least do that to make sure that everything was going to be kosher for his big show and the gates passed with flying colours…worst case was the concert was being pushed back a day if there was a malfunction but with the wrestling show 3 days after New Year’s that would be asking a lot of the audience so they HAD to get it right on the first shot and fortunately for them they did…although the tech DID say that if there was a problem he would have stayed overnight to fix it because of how important things were for the show…thankfully that didn’t happen!                As the crew worked on the gates and the set Joshua went and watched the sound check for the show.  He found out through a member of his team that they had done at least 3 in the building before Joshua came and they were going to do one more before show time at 9 PM. The concert was originally slated to go on at 6 PM but they got special permission to run this show from 9 to at least Midnight and 1 AM if need be.  It was going to be a grand event and as Joshua double and triple checked his setlist he noted the songs that appeared on there that he had practiced with the backing tracks at the studio and everything went accordingly but he wasn’t told who would be performing the live set with him for those songs…he did notice one extra but he knew he could nail that one with his eyes closed so that was no big deal.                Joshua stayed at the building extra late and went over how his entrance was supposed to go for the first entrance and then his intermission because he WAS being granted one.  Typically for him if he knows they are in a time crunch he would forego the typical break he got but everything was set up so he could get one as need be.                When Joshua got home he went straight to his room as it was past 10 PM and crashed hard…alone as it turned out that HEAVENS wasn’t there again and this was getting familiar for the “Angel” as he knew they had SOMETHING up their sleeve! And this brings us to December 31st…the big show at the end of the year! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Show Day                It was early afternoon and everyone was filing in to the Tokyo Dome with a song in their heart and the joy to be there for the final show of 2017 and as Joshua was getting prepped and loosened up Himura came in to greet him before show time.                “Afternoon Curtis-san.  You seem ready and eager for tonight’s big show.  Its only been a few days since you came back from America but your spunk and desire to put on a good show for your audience always seems to carry through.  How do you do it friend?” Himura asked and his friend/client stopped what he was doing and smiled before answering his friend and manager                “Ahh that is a very good question and its one a lot of people have asked.  ‘Joshua…how do you do this even on a semi-occasional basis?  Joshua don’t you think about the fact that you might be getting held back by being a manager?’ and I have to tell them each and every time that I love what I do.  HEAVENS is my priority yes and I look forward to working with them each and every time out of the block but don’t let that make you think that the fire and passion that I have when it comes to walking out a dressing room and performing no matter how BIG or small the venue my passion and desire comes from the people in the arenas all over the country and all over the world.  I come to that stage each and every time with the desire to make damn sure that the next show I put on does what it needs to do and that is entertain ALL of the assembled be they here OR the ones that get to see this on a stream or DVD.  I’m not in this for the money but I am in this for the love and the passion that is brought to us and Mr. Cameraman don’t be afraid to walk in here cos look…I’m a little hype right now…it’s the end of the year for me but I promise you that tonight I will leave EVERYTHING out there because that is what these end of the year shows do for someone like me…then come Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day we do it all over again!” Joshua told both Himura and the cameraman and they were just as pumped after the talk. And then “Show Time” came! 9 PM and Joshua powerwalked his way to his entranceway and as he did he had one thing to tell the audience                “Tonight Ladies and Gents, Boys and Girls and children…of all ages! You have been cordially invited to seeing a show unlike any other because if there is one thing I do around here its throw a party for my friends and fans alike so to all of you let’s go and tear this house down ONE MORE TIME!” And with that Joshua took a dead sprint to the elevator down the ramp as the show began…while the show was going on though those extra songs WERE in the back of his mind but they didn’t affect his performance as he worked the crowd before the first intermission and when he went back the crowd started chanting something that would be very familiar to Joshua…he just didn’t know it yet!                After the intermission Joshua came back and performed what he THOUGHT was the end of his show as the clock struck midnight and everyone wished each other a “Happy New Year” and with that…Josh went into his goodbye speech                “And with that Ladies and Gents its time for us to say goodbye and good night for a little while.  It was fun to be here to celebrate the new year with you all BUT I must go away for now so I will see you…” But Joshua stopped himself when he noticed that the crowd that was in the sold out Tokyo Dome stood as one and Joshua was wondering what in the world was going on! He wouldn’t have long to wait to find out….                “Alright …EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS you boys and girls have a surprise for me…what do you have this time my friends?” Joshua asked and held out his microphone to hear what his audience had to say Because Tonight, Tonight, Tonight…Oh No! Yes we’re gonna make it right And then Joshua figured it out…but he knew he was going to need backup…where was it going to come from? As if he DIDN’T KNOW!                The building blacked out for about 30 seconds and then they started to come back up and Joshua again nearly lost it!  Kira, Eiichi, Yamato along with OTOYA FROM STARISH appeared and after a 5 second shock Joshua quickly regained his composure and performed one of his personal favorites from one of his favorite bands in “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight” and when the song ended you THOUGHT the concert was over but well…nope…nah!                “Curtis-San” Eiji began “that was a fun song to do BUT…we’ve all wondered if you could educate us on something.” He finished and Joshua had to scratch his chin for a second and then asked his question                “And what would that be dear Eiji…I can teach you about a lot of things but what one thing tonight would you like to know about?” Joshua asked and this is when Otoya spoke up                “Could you teach us about the ‘Domino Principle’?” Otoya asked and Joshua couldn’t help but smile                “You got it Otoya…okay SO!  You see these fine folks on the right side of the dome right now right Otoya? Well what would happen if something happened to them?” Joshua asked the red head whom had to think and then he got it                “Oh it would affect someone else correct?” Otoya asked and Joshua nodded                “Very good…you been in Mad Scientist Tokiya’s textbooks again?” Joshua asked jokingly and the crowd chuckled.  “I’m glad you all got a kick out of that but he is right because see if something happens to these people over here then that effects this and that and then these people up over here!” Joshua exclaimed and the crowd gave a roar of approval even at nearly 12:30-1 AM                “Now we have a simplified version of the ‘Principle’ BUT there are occasions friends when it affects the people that sit right down here!” and as Joshua pointed the crowd cheered even LOUDER!                “What about the people in the back Curtis-San?” Kira asked and Josh almost forgot about them                “Well the good news is it RARELY affects the people all the way in the very back.” And the crowd had minor boos.  “But usually it affects the people over here, the people over here and the people down here. Now I’m guessing that because of this and you wanting to see this IN ACTION and IN PERSON well you wanted to hear my favorite song called “Domino” which is two parts:  Part 1 is ‘In the Glow of the Night’ and part 2 is ‘The Last Domino’ so let’s do this!” And with that the gang performed the song and it was interesting because for the part with the rather fast past part…how would they do that? Did ya think Eiichi came unprepared?                Joshua was hoisted up into the air on Eiichi’s pillar and performed the part flawlessly…which was amazing cos he wasn’t allowed to do a run through with it but he did it and then when he came back down he went on without a hitch and completed the song flawlessly. As the song finished all the boys stood at the front of the stage and took a bow and Joshua knew one thing This might have been the end of HIS YEAR…but it was definitely a NEW BEGINNING FOR EVERYONE NOW!

#Amisbro #uta no prince sama #fan fic #New Year's Fic #Its a day early but I wanted to make sure its done before Nagi's Birthday #Happy Early New Year's UtaPri fam

[aab0289]

Rwby Chibi Xmas Skit Special. (Part5)

“House Trap?” Weiss’ eyebrow raised, as Ruby darted back to her.

“It’s about a kid who misses his ride for a holiday, gets left alone at Christmas and fights off thieves with comical and cartoon like traps that are implausible with physics. It’s one we watch every Christmas!” Ruby bounced up and down, eager to persuade Weiss to watch it.

“I still say Try Hard 1, cos that’s got guns and guns.” Yang winks as she points to her ember celiac and then her arms, making the others sigh at another terrible pun.

“That sounds like a daft premise, but if we’re doing the film, I’ll watch it too.” Weiss hides her interest, as she sees the others head over to the screen.

“I’ll get the presents, the drinks and-” Ruby is about to bolt carrying more stuff than she can carry.

“Let’s do it one thing at a time Ruby. Otherwise we’ll run out of things to do and you’ll likely hurt yourself.” Weiss advises as she takes a few things off Ruby to carry.

“This is going to be awesome!” Ruby declares as she urges Weiss to follow the others already sat in front of the screen. “Come on Xmas Bestie!”

(Transition scene: Kline cuts the cake that fills the screen, with each slice revealing the next skit till all slices are gone.)

Twas The Night Before Christmas.

The screen cuts to the girls going to bed, Ruby leaving a glass of milk and cookies for Santa. She takes a cookie and leaves a note ‘I promise I only had one of your cookies, R.R.’ as she crawled under the sheet.

Weiss waited for the others to fall asleep, before leaving a note next to the cookies, addressed to Santa. She closes her eyes, Zwei curling up with her on the bed, not aware of the sound coming from the chimney. Santa (his face hidden from the audience) makes his way to leave presents, including a giant bone for Zwei, when he picks up the letter. (It’s read as though Weiss is talking.)

It reads: Dear Saint Nicholas, I know I’ve not been the best friend or huntresses this year. I’ve been bossy, arrogant and rude to my friends & team. I know I don’t deserve them but I would like to ask only one thing this year. I wish to be besties (closer friends) with Blake, Yang, and especially Ruby. I know she can be impulsive, reckless and likes to waste my time, but I wouldn’t trade any of them for all the Dust in the world. With sincere regards, Weiss Schnee. P.s. If its possible, could I please have the latest shoe design to go with my combat skirt as a present? P.s.s. Could you please take this note so they don’t find out? I’d like to keep my reputation intact for just a bit longer.

Santa takes the note with him, disappearing up the chimney in a flash and merrily calling out ‘Ho-ho-ho.’, with the sleigh taking off from the view of the window. The scene turns to the room filled with presents as Ozpin starts to narrate.

“It was the night before Christmas, when all through the dorm, not a single thing stirred, not even a dog.” Ozpin stops as Zwei is awake, pulling away at a present shaped like a bone.

“I said, ‘not even a dog!’” Ozpin calls to Zwei who shies away back to bed. “That’s better, where was I? Oh yes, the children all snug in their beds, dreaming of sugary treats.”

Thought bubbles appear from Team RWBY, Weiss dreaming of crepes, Ruby dreams of cookies, Blake of biscuits shaped like fish and cats, while Yang dreams of Kline’s strawberry cake.

“Along with visions of them opening their presents, springing from their beds with sheer delight, upon finding bundles of toys and fine foods of their favourite kind as they wake.”

Thought bubbles now show the team opening their presents and eating tasty food.

“Their faces and cheeks, rosy like roses with the toys from the man with a beard white as snow. Travelling into the night on beasts that fly high, like the sun brightly rising with a new day over their fair city.”

Another thought bubble shows the other students all rosy cheeks at getting what they wished for Xmas. Then of Santa and his reindeers as they fly over Vale.

“The children merrily dreamed of the fun and wonder they’ll experience once the sun comes up. As they remained in a slumber, even as jolly Saint Nick left gifts for the other students too.”

The scene turns to Team JNPR, all nestled in their beds, except one. The screen focuses on the vacant bed as Nora fills the screen.

“Hey, some of us are trying to SLEEP here!” Nora grumbled as she crosses her arms.

“Miss Valkyrie, I’m trying to narrate here.” Ozpin broke from his narration to directly talk to Nora. “You shouldn’t even be awake now, let alone able to hear me.”

“How can anyone get any sleep with such a booming voice YAMMERING on all night?!” Nora protested, not noticing Santa in the background, tiptoeing with a great big sack.

“Just pretend I’m not here (not that I really am).” Ozpin instructed, as Nora mumbled as she adjusted her pillow and then booped herself with her hammer, instantly drifting off to sleep.

“Well, as I was saying.” Ozpin continued his narration, as Team JNPR all dreamed of Christmas morning. “They remained in slumber, dreaming of their presents, even as Santa Claus crept to leave the children their gifts.”

Pyrrha’s thought bubble is of Jaune kissing her under the mistletoe. Ren and Nora are sharing the same one involving pancakes, with Jaune’s being his Volume 4 armour upgrade.

“With but a tap of his nose, he shot up the chimney and flew into the night on his sleigh, not waking a soul. Not even a mischievous pup.”

Santa jumps up the chimney, while Zwei is back to pulling at the present as Ozpin coughs to get his’s attention.

“Zwei, last warning, be a good boy and go back to bed.” Zwei slowly walks back to bed, with a low huff before snoring, in the bed with Blake. “That’s better.”

Zwei dreams of a giant bone, and cuddles from Team RWBY, including Blake and Weiss who give him a cake & a fish of his own.

“Away he flew, like the down of a thistle.”

Santa’s sleigh begins to rise and the reindeer take the lead in heading home.

“Yet I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight and the sun finally rising on Christmas morning-”

Santa disappears as he calls out one last ‘ho-ho-ho’ as Ozpin continues to narrate.

“Merry Christmas to all.- ” Ozpin’s voice is distorted, another voice is merged, speaking with him, slowly becoming clearer, as the scene is no longer in Vale but a desolate location (the same as from Volume 3’s finale episode). It changes like the pages turning of a book to the very last page.

“-and to all a good night.” Salem says as she turns towards the screen, her eyes glowing red as she smirks before the skit concludes with static.

Thank you for reading this Rwby Chibi Xmas Special, I apologise it’s not all in one post. So I hope you all enjoyed these tales of colourful characters and festive hijinks.

Please let me know what you thought about the skits & wish you all a merry Christmas, even if it’s 2 months away.

#Rwby #rwbychibi #chibi #writing #teamrwby #teamjnpr #velvet scarlatina #rubyrose #weissschnee #yang xiao long #blakebelladonna #jaune arc #nora valkyrie #pyrrha nikos #lie ren #Ozpin #montyoumproject

[oddmott]

Here’s my favorite & least favorite movies of 2017!

Best Animated Film:

MLP the Movie

I know Coco was yet another brilliant Pixar film, but that can top your list. This is my list, and as far as I am concerned, I loved this film most of all; partly because I am already a fan of the series, yes, but also because It’sFun, charming, creative, light hearted, brimming w/ joy, has interesting world building, a lovely musical score (love that SIA song) and great production values! And visually, it is utterly unique in comparison to any other animated film this year! (Good grief, how I miss that 2D aesthetic).  Even if it is more or less just an extra length episode w/ a bigger budget & more celebrity guest stars, I have absolutely no problem naming this movie my Best movie of 2017, hands down, and I am loud & proud about that fact; Come at me bro! XD

Runners up:

LEGO Batman (sheer, joyful fun!)

LEGO Ninjago Movie (this is sooo cool!)

Captain Underpants (properly used ‘potty’ humor XD)

Coco (another solid Pixar production)

Ferdinand (2nd best Blue Skies production so far)

Boss Baby (surprisingly fun & charming)

—Also—

The Nut Job 2 (surprisingly passible)

Cars 3 (Not bad, better than the first two)

Rock Dog (dumb fun is fun, even if dumb)

_________________________________

Worst Animated Film:

Despicable Me 3

Surprise! Instead of giving this award to the obvious candidate (even if it really does deserve it), I decided to be different form the crowd and give this award to a movie ‘*that had all the advantage in the world, and calmly, decisively, stuck its todger into a deep fryer of hot bleach.’ I know the other movies aren’t exactly that great, but they all had a certain charm regardless. This movie however was just insufferable for me; mostly due to the studio’s bad habit of haphazard lackluster story writing. Its 5 different storylines were hard to follow & went know where (with the minions story being completely unnecessary), and any story that was worth telling was shoved out the door to awkwardly pursue routes that made little to no sense., The series humor has gone from passible to cringe-worthy (with new character Dru being the pinpoint for most of it). But most of all; this wasn’t a bad series, until now. Overhyped & over-commercialized, yes, but the stories & humor were clever and meshed well together back then. The first two had a certain charm to them, and the spin-off, while not as good, worked fine. Now I find the story & humor at odds, and it feels like Illumination is no longer willing to let the two work together. I really don’t like Illumination any more, and if they start making terrible Nintendo movies too, I will curse their name to the heavens forever. Here’s to the hope for better movies to come; cross your fingers.

Runners up:

The Emoji Movie (a complete waste of money, time, talent, effort, and space)

Batman & Harley Quinn (Painfully cheap, boring, unnecessary, and more)

Tom & Jerry & Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (your new rifftrax bait, have fun, it deserves it!)

—Also—

Frozen Xmas Special (you’re pushing your luck Disney)

Smurfs Lost Village (irritating waste of good potential)

_________________________________

Best Live Action Film:

Guardians of the Galaxy V2

I was actually tempted to just say this is the best film (period) of the year, but as an animaniac, I feel that honor should always go to an animated film, and it just didn’t feel right saying otherwise.

However, this film rocks! Colorful, creative, fun, energetic, and brimming with all kinds of emotion. You’d have to be a fool not to enjoy it, I say!

Runners up:

Spiderman; Homecoming (I liked it more than I thought I would)

Wonder Woman (historically above average)

_________________________________

Worst Live Action Film:

Pirates of the Caribbean 5

Good grief has this series fallen from grace. Amid its boring story, characters, McGuffins, & continuity errors, there is the one simple fact that four movies after the awesome de-view of ‘The Curse of the Black Pearl,’ P of the C has finally done the impossible by making Swashbuckling adventure BORING, and that is just unforgivable! Maybe it’s the convoluted mythology, or maybe it’s the haphazard writing or the overly-serious tones of later films. IDK, all I do know is that I am glad it’s over. Let’s make pirates fun again (in like 2025).

Runners up:

Transformers Last Night (only saw half, that’s all I needed)

Monster Trucks (brought to you by January)

Jumanji reboot (it’s on my bad list, but know that it’s okay)

Wish I saw:

Thor: Ragnaroc (ooh this looks sooo fun!)

Molten Marston & the Wonder Women (^^;)

Atomic Blonde (h-h-h-h-heartstopper!)

Hey Arnald Jungle Movie (Damnit, I love Hey Arnald!)

Leap! [Ballerina] (I’m sorry, I meant to get to you later)

Kimi no na wa [your name] (next level anime movie)

The Star (eh, whynot?)

Etc… (in case I missed something)

Glad I missed:

Beauty & the Beast, live action (screw this movie and the fact that it even exists)

Justice League (DC / WB, won’t you plz take a break?! Come back when you are ready & able)

Surf’s Up 2 (there are no words for this, I’m speechless…             …             …)

Logan (you know what; I was going to watch it. I had it in my hands for months, but in the end, I decided against it. Why? Because it looks grim and boring. X23 looked super cool, but I’ve never had a fondness for Wolverine or the X-men. In the end, I caved, and turned my attention elsewhere. Sorry. I heard it was good for fans)

Anyways, That’s all folks! Thanks for reading. Have a nice day :)

For more thoughts on the film’s i’ve seen this year, plz use the link listed below.

https://www.facebook.com/colton.nerad/posts/1107428189396998

#2017 #movies 2017 #best movies of 2017 #worst movies of 2017 #movie review #movie critique

[daveywankenobie]

So, the results are in for the Christmas and New Year period.

It was a maintain.

Last week I lost 1.5lbs, and this week I gained it back again – so if nothing else in terms of the holiday season I’m no heavier than I was when I started which is a plus.

In contrast my other half managed her second week in a row losing weight at probably the most difficult time of the year, meaning she dropped at total of 4lbs over the holiday season and because of this also took home the group’s Slimmer of the Week basket!!!

Now it’s my turn to try and emulate her good behaviour because its officially 2020.

Now the hard work starts.

Currently there are a significant number of shirts in my wardrobe that look like they’ve been sprayed onto me – and for anyone that’s been following my blog for any length of time they’ll know that this is a serious issue – because I possess more of this this particular item of clothing than any other.

My last tally came to well over a hundred and then I just stopped counting because I didnt want to stop buying nice ones when I found them. Thankfully my partner seems quite happy to encourage this particular element of my behaviour and she rather likes me in a more flamboyant shirt.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m still not short of shirts and trousers that fit – but some of my absolute favourites are annoyingly out of reach at the moment, and I know that the ones I’m wearing represent (to me at least) someone that I’d rather not be at the moment.

However – there are still wonderful things to find – and (despite their tendency to appear in rather fuddy duddy shops for the middle aged and wealthier denziens of the world) for some time I’ve wanted a pair of Meyer trousers.

Prior to my dumpster diving approach to clothes buying I had no idea about these – but they’re ridiculously well made, comfortable and hard wearing trousers.

They also have lovely stitching and detailing – such as the lining which looks and feels totally awesome!

I picked these up for £5 in a Coventry charity shop – but if I’d bought them new the price would have been VERY different (link).

I have some absolutely prized possessions like these (such as my Paul Smith and Levis 501’s) all of which were found in charity shops – which will last me a very long time indeed if I look after them.

Annoyingly I gave an entire suitcase full of absolutely superb makes of shirts, trousers and denims back to charity about six months ago because they were slightly too big for me.

Consequently I’ve had to re-buy these items over the last month or two just to maintain an operational wardrobe, but it’s been a valuable lesson.

I’ve come to realise that what’s happened to my weight is not failure.

It’s just life.

Well. It is for me and many others anyway.

I have a friend who remarked casually on a walk several months ago that she has dresses and other items of clothing that are well over 20 and sometimes 30 years old that she still wears regularly.

At the time I think she expected me to be horrified when she admitted this to me – but to my mind it represented an absolute dream come true and is practically a perfect description of the guy I’d love to (but don’t think I ever will) be.

For a start it’s environmentally friendly to use clothes for this length of time and because of that I definitely approve. It just goes to show that if you are careful and buy really well made items then they last longer than supermarket fashion brands.

However that wasn’t the only thing that stood out when she said it because most of all her frikkin weight hasn’t changed at all for thirty plus years!!!

The truth is that a huge part of me wanted to just lose all of my fat and then live in a dream world where I never craved anything ever again and where I was to all intents and purposes completely over all of my battles with eating.

I guess it’s why I found the end of my tenure as MOTY such a relief – because I wanted my existence from that point on to be about more than constantly checking and monitoring weight and tinkering with aspects of my diet.

In all honesty I wanted this blog and my everyday world to become a story where I was well adjusted, happily employed, busy doing things I loved and finally – secure in a relationship that makes me feel valued.

Maybe by now I’d have a dog…

Maybe some of that is just wishful thinking though (possibly not the dog though…) because I’ve realised that to leave oneself no breathing room or ‘space to fail’ with deeply entrenched eating habits is a bad thing.

At least for me.

I think I may have to accept that there will be periods in life where I’m the slimmest that I can be and there are others when I’m definitely going to be a bit more cuddly.

Thankfully I recently aquired a great barometer – and she’s proven that she’ll support me when I want to be lighter and also me when I’m a little heavier.

It’s nice to have a voice of sanity (attached to a finger invariably poking me in the ribs) when I’m busy trying to tear myself to shreds with negative inner monologues.

Truthfully though it’s actually helped to have my very first Christmas both off and on plan – and you can trust me when I say that I’ve enjoyed more than my fair share of Christmas cake and other treats!

This Christmas has been very very different to any other year that I’ve experienced though and I don’t just mean in terms of my willingness to consume seasonal nom nom’s.

Since 2016 it’s been relatively easy to have an austere holiday period. I could sit alone at home, not having to acknowledge the time of year and treat each meal time the same way that I would on every other day of the year.

If I wanted to have a salad on Christmas day then who would care? It would after all be only me sitting in front of the TV with a Pyrex mixing bowl full of lettuce so it wouldn’t matter one little bit.

However – after reaching my target weight Christmas suddenly (and a little unexpectedly) became more poignant.

Whereas the 25th of December used to be just a another day on the calendar to me, over time it’s become something that carries a lot more weight than it used to. I’d even go so far as to say that events relating to it have (bit by bit) changed every aspect of my life.

Amazingly it’s only the third year running that I’ve put a tree up.

The first year (link) was something of a triumph for me to do it at all because doing so was wrapped up in lots of long held and very negative associations with my childhood.

When I finally decided it was time to make a change in 2017 the act represented hope and a sense that things were finally changing for the better in my life. I was on my way to target and the tree I bought ultimately ended up covered with decorations that were donated to me by the women at my Slimming World group.

It also had a SW cardboard wish bauble on it with my goal.

Furthermore (although I didn’t buy it) I also had begun to try on some seasonally themed clothing – which was a major leap towards a festive attitude that I’d never felt before.

The following year was quite different though – and instead of me looking at my delicately dressed tree as a symbol of all the positive changes that I’d made in my life (and a reminder of the generosity of others) I instead sat back and viewed it with an overwhelming sense of sadness because all of a sudden it made me feel crushingly lonely (link).

Things happen for a reason though – and as everyone now knows it was that post which prompted my current partner to reach out to me.

The rest (as they say) is history.

This year therefore is (what I consider to be) my first real Christmas since I was a child – because the entirety of it has been spent with someone that’s not only very important to me but makes me very very happy.

Consequently we’ve done Xmas properly – from unwrapping our gifts on Christmas morning (I used to open them as I got them more often than not), having a special dinner, travelling to see family, hosting family, eating cheese and biscuits, indulging a glass or two of Prosecco (I had fizzy pop instead) tucking into in some festive chocolates, playing board games, watching movies and also diving (with great gusto) into some more chocolate.

None of this was really on plan – and I couldnt really even claim it was ‘flexible synning’.

It was really just synning – and therefore my overall maintain is something that is totally deserved. If I (well more accurately WE) hadn’t been so focused on exercise it could just easily have been a massive gain.

Instead my other half and I managed for the entire two week holiday period from the 20th December to today (my partner is a teacher so was off work) to go swimming every single day that wasn’t a bank holiday as well as walking an average of around 9 miles.

For me that meant about 14+ kilometres in the pool and almost 130+ miles on foot.

It’s going to be difficult to get out of the relaxed ‘treat myself’ mentality now though – but do so I must, because now Christmas is over, the decorations have to come down, and my exercise needs to continue without cake.

Balls.

That’s going to be a challenge.

However – I’ve done it before and I can do it again.

Today (Sunday) we got up at 6.30am, got ready, walked two and a half miles to Leamington’s Newbold Comyn leisure centre, swum a kilometre (and I managed a record time for me of 26.50) had a sauna, sat in the plunge pool, walked two and a half miles back again, went straight out to do the shopping (Aldi is CARNAGE unless you’re there waiting for it to open at 9.55am on a Sunday) and then finally returned home to have breakfast and a cup of tea at 11am.

Now all I have to do is not eat everything in sight for the rest of the day and week ahead.

It’s going to be a tall order – but I’m willing to give it a go.

From this point on though (just in case) I’m not going to get rid of the jeans and shirts with a waist that allows for a little bit of wriggle room, but instead put them at the back of a shelf in my wardrobe and save them for a ‘rainy day’.

I’ve currently got nine weeks left on my SW 12 week countdown (I purchased it a while back) and by the end of it I’m calling target – wherever that may be because I have absolutely sod all left to prove and I’m still as fit as a butcher’s dog.

My current goal weight in SW’s system is 15st, and I need to drop a stone and a half in order to get back into that range (15st 3lbs is the top end), which I think is probably do-able in two months.

If I can get any lower then that’s a bonus – but this time around I’ve not got to worry about photoshoots or press calls at the Ritz – I’ve just got to get to a maintainable and comfortable number that suits me and doesn’t mean I have to buy another 100 shirts.

(At least another 100 in a larger size…)

Here goes nothing!

Davey

The wages of cake So, the results are in for the Christmas and New Year period. It was a maintain.

[allanpaulvin]

SANTA COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR

I guess it's time, once again, for me to welcome you and yours to another day, here in the land of "Donald Trump and his band of criminals."  In case it's of interest to you, it's now 9:44 AM EDT on the fifteenth day of June 2018.  Before I forget, my first million-selling book will be available, at your local bookstore, sometime within the next two months.  As a thank you, to you my loyal followers, I'd like to provide you with a free, autographed copy.  To do so, I'll need your mailing address.  If you'd like to be entertained and informed, please email the information to [email protected].  

As per usual, I need to ask you some pertinent questions.  I would much appreciate your honest responses.  If you had your way, would you purchase a pack of wintergreen or cherry lifesavers?  When you approach a traffic light, that's about to turn red, do you slow down or speed up?  When you place your garbage can for pickup, do you leave it at the curb, or set it in the roadbed?  To you gentlemen, out there in "Diatribe Land," do you use hairspray to keep your curly locks in place?  If you were a member of the legal profession, would you want to be one of the "DUMPSTERS," attorneys?

Since I've got lots of stuff to do before the clock strikes midnight, let's move on to bigger and better things in our lives.  In this case, it's today's headlines from my amigos at the New York Times.    

1.  "No Hillary Clinton's Emails."  I think it's time to focus our attention on the illegal acts of our esteemed Commander and Chief rather than those of the falsely accused.   2.  "Trump is Lying."  Really?  He's now been in office for almost seventeen months.  He's lied more times than those who've preceded him.  He's committed more sins than the total number of residents, here in Middlesex County or perhaps the entire Garden State. "Liar, liar, pants on fire." 3.  "Why Trump is Wrong on the Comey Report."  Because he's Donald Trump.  His IQ is well below average, and he hasn't made a meaningful decision, at least as of yet. 4.  "State of New York Accuses Trump of Charity Violations."  I wonder how he's going to redirect these accusations and to whom? 5.  "How IRS could Punish Trump and His Foundation."  My hope is, that "His Majesty," and his older children spend some time behind bars for using Foundation money for political purposes.  

It's now time to get down to the important stuff, at least for me.  Once again, it's time for my daily edition of:  "Al's Diatribes."  Our subject is:  "SANTA COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR."

He does, because:

-  it snows only in the winter time -  retail establishments have limited funds to hire personnel for the holiday season -  celebrants don't have the strength to sing Xmas Carols, more than three months/year -  Santa continues to age -  Mr. Claus continues to have difficulty climbing down your chimney -  how much weight can an old man carry? -  we can collect gifts over the course of a year -  Sanitation Crews can only pick-up so much garbage at one time -  decorating one's home has become quite expensive -  our closets have limited capacity -  his reindeer, need to recoup from their extensive travels -  the cost of media advertising has become outrageous -   we can deliver our own gifts to those who deserve them

Life is a gift.  Remove the wrapping paper, open the package and live it to the fullest.  Until you do, make it a great day!