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seyaryminamoto · 1 year

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Fic-to-Art #25: A decade-long journey with Sokka and Azula

Yep. I can't believe it's been a full decade either, but here we are. Ten years later and it feels like it was yesterday, almost.

On this month on Patreon, I figured I'd just make a larger sort of tribute to my long journey as a fic writer. I've had ups and downs, big moments and small, but ultimately, that I've had the chance to be here for as many years as I have is certainly a privilege, and one I don't take for granted.

I've met lots of great people because of my participation in this fandom, particularly in the Sokkla community. I've honestly made some of the best friends I've ever known through the past ten years. I've graduated from university, I've grown in many ways as a person, artist and writer, something that kid right out of high school would have never imagined possible when she first set out on this journey with zero clue of how far it would take her, and how important this would be for her in the years to follow.

After all this time, it feels like the red string of fate from The Reason has woven itself through all my stories afterwards, resulting in a very curious relationship between all these stories and the one that started it all. I mean, technically it was OoPB that started everything X'D but The Reason is by far the flagship of that particular setting. I haven't even revisited those stories in forever, but I really am glad that I did it for this particular purpose.

Alright then, if you would like the specifics regarding which story is being referenced (in case you don't know), keep reading!

The Reason, the source of the red string that then spills down into the rest of the artworks!

Gladiator Part 1, the handshake that started it all.

It Had To Be You, their unintentional first date!

Gladiator Part 2... this is honestly just a general thematic Sokkla make-out session, which as we know they were very likely to do throughout Part 2 x'D

The Love Advisor, reading a book together for the first time.

The White Lotus International Games, their rejoicing after they rushed their finals to watch each other winning at their competitions.

Matching Heartbeats... I picked the Yakuza AU as a reference to this one because people really missed it this year. But DAMN did those tattoos kick my ass to kingdom come, most difficult part of this entire mini project x'D

Underneath Starlit Skies, I picked the final scene of the Happy Family prompt because I couldn't decide on a better scene from any of the other prompts that year hahaha.

Leap of Faith, here I chose my personal favorite story from this year, Toph matchmaking Sokka and Azula, with Sokka in his councilman outfit and Azula in her ambassador attire.

Gladiator Part 3... spoilersssssss!

Alas, it was crazy to work on a project like this one on relatively short notice and pull it off regardless. I did know I wanted to do something like this, should the chance arise, and it kinda did? So I'm really glad I could finish it, maybe not exactly on time (two days late actually), but still within this month, haha.

I really hope you guys enjoy this massive piece, thank you to everyone who has been supporting me for the last decade, whether those who have been here all along, those who have only come by my work recently, as well as those who come and go. That my stories have touched anyone's lives is a miracle to me, and one I won't ever stop cherishing.

Thank you for ten years of Sokka and Azula <3

(... and as ever, feel free to join my Patreon too if you would like to do so...)

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esparafuso · 1 year

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Monday, November 7th, 2022

Dear Diary, where do I even begin. Perhaps saying I still can't believe I saw my favourite band performing live for the first time.

I'm an anxious person and shows always seemed so far away from me, from where I lived and from what I thought I'd have the guts of attending. If it wasn't for my friend Lya (@/sorethpid) I'd perhaps still be dreaming about how cool it would be if I lived the same experience I keep seeing others have for years and years.

In an impulse, we bought tickets for Primavera Sound 2022 happening in São Paulo. It wasn't cheap, but both of us had savings and were crazy enough to spend it on a ticket and flight tickets and a hotel room.

We live in different states, so it was thrilling to meet her again (third time personally), as we met on the internet 6 years ago here on tumblr, two artists drawing Arctic Monkeys fanart and rambling to the other about our favourite things about them, and our favourite album, and how much we wish we had the chance of hearing them live.

It happened on Saturday, November 5th. Her first festival, my first show ever in life, we got to the place and tried to keep it cool among all the stylish people around. It was okay though, we were just happy to be there. We decided to buy two donuts (we admittedly didn't plan food very well, too anxious to get to the place already) and after a couple stops we headed to the stage to take a look, but decided to stay there already when we saw the narrow place and the realisation that soon the whole thing would be packed w ppl hit us (later on, we saw we would better had stopped by a nearby bathroom for Lya, but okay)

The gig would start at 10pm, and we were there at 4:30pm. We got to know the music of a sweet artist called Helado Negro, which we supported and danced along even not knowing the lyrics. One hour and a half break, and then came Interpol. I personally didn't listen to the band much, but they kicked ass and made everyone super pumped and jumpy (myself included). Another one hour and a half before AM.

Gigs aren't kind to shorter ppl, we learned that. We tried our best to adjust and see the stage (which was actually way closer than we expected to get) and managed with some struggle. Our boots were also a literal pain, and I don't remember feeling my feet hurting this bad in my life, to the point I had to keep dancing to keep the pain manageable - only forgotten when an artist was performing. Especially the ones we were dying to see more.

Seeing the stage being set up made us already excited. Matt's golden drumkit, Nick's bass, Alex's and Jamie's guitars going through the soundproof, curtains being set on the back of the stage - we saw THREE regular sized disco balls being brought up when Interpol's stage was being set, and we knew who they belonged to, and yet they didn't make it to the final thing for AM.

After 3 false alarms, here they come. Screams ringing in my ear, I saw those four men (plus two) walk into my sight of vision and I can't even describe how I felt. They quickly assumed positions and the heavy synth of Sculptures resonated from the speakers - the The Car song we were more hopeful they would perform (we didn't even know they had played it before in Rio).

the photos really aren't the strongest bcs of how overwhelmed I was and the little space in my phone (another thing I forgot to prepare properly, like an idiot)... some recordings didn't go through, like Potion approaching, which made me sad but at least I got some :'D

I wish I could put here what my eyes saw, because I could see their FACIAL FEATURES from where I was, which was unbelievable close in my book. I managed to save the recording of Pretty Visitors, really hoping to get my beloved Agile Beast's crazy good drumming

I recorded another for Do Me a Favour, my favourite Arctic Monkeys song, where I kept shaking from crying but can't upload here pls of Tumblr's limit of videos in a post.

The whole time I sang and danced and screamed and cried, I just kept repeating in my head that they were real people, they existed, they weren't a fever dream or a gif or a video I saw on the internet, they were living humans right in front of me, and up until now I can't wrap my head around the fact I stood so close to them. I listened to them sing and play a few meters away from me, I could feel Matt's drums resonating in my heart, I saw Nick on the side looking SO soft, Jamie being the closest one, doing his little quirks and hops, Alex singing and dancing and. being a goofie, Matt playing and singing and making me absolutely lose it.

Even now typing all this makes me cry becasue I know I will never forget this experience. I just love and appreciate this band so much. I'm not the fan that knows all the lyrics of ALL songs yet, and I don't have their physical merch and albums, and this was only the first time I saw them live, but they hold a very special and meaningful place in my life that I will never forget.

The crowd overall was amazing, we sang everything they put out, screamed our lungs out and clapped and threw our hands in the air and pleaded them to come back. They waved to everyone and Alex threw us many kisses, and I hope they enjoyed their night as much as we basked in their presence.

Leaving the festival was very difficult due to bad logistics, my feet were incredibly sore, it was super cold outside and hundreds of ppl couldn't get a ride back home for the life of us - but we managed. And even then, when we arrived at the hotel, the only memory in our minds was their presence and their music still buzzing in our heads and hearts.

I hope we will have the chance of going to another one - we sure are thirsty for more now that we saw that it IS possible to see them live - but until then: Thank you Monkeys for this unforgettable night, and for existing and making us feel such strong emotions with your amazing music and journey as a band overall.

P.s.: thank you also whoever recorded the gig properly, because then we can see everything we lived in another, high definition angle, for the rest of our lives.

#arctic monkeys #the car #the car era #AM7 #Primavera Sound #long posts #my memories #my first gig!!!#Arctic Monkeys exist and are living breathing people #I'm still so fucking emotional and stunned #thank you for everything

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justbeingsociable · 6 years

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Online Dating

Dating is rarely easy. For many, dating begins during their teenage years. I did not start dating until I was 18 years-old. I had the occasional “girlfriend” in middle school which really just entailed the social aspect of telling people we were together… But there was no true emotional connection. Or was that just me? Perhaps even at a young age I felt like I needed a “beard”, as the gay community calls women who are with obviously gay men.

During the early 2000‘s, online dating was just picking up speed. Gay.com which is basically the next level of a chat room, became the go-to destination for single gay men for dating… and more. I was a naive 18-year-old you knew that I had the body, and the looks to get me some attention, especially online. Behind the protection of my computer monitor, I was brazenly forward with my flirtatious advances on random strangers. Their faces looked decent in their pictures, so why wouldn’t they be just as desirable in person. I never thought that anyone would post misleading information or photos. Again, naive.

Admittedly I put myself in many circumstances which if I knew my own child was doing would definitely cause my heart to stress! From talking to strangers, to meeting them, to sleeping with them, I have to believe that God and my guardian angel were protecting me! When we’re young and dumb, many seemingly questionable situations don’t seem as concerning. Perhaps this is an evolutionary feature? Are we built to be more adventurous in our youth so that we can go out and explore, seek a life of our own, and meet our mate? Or is it as I’ve heard tell before: we’re just young, dumb and full of cum?

After my first boyfriend and losing my virginity to him, I became a bit of an online addict. After that I met my first true relationship which lasted 4 1/2 years. Throughout that time, I was not faithful. And sad as I am to say it, I would go on the Internet to meet guys online to hook up with. Many of the local gay guys could be found on Craigslist, mostly at work – which is a gay Mecca.

Next I fell in love with The One. We didn’t meet online. I didn’t first see his likeness as a profile photo. I didn’t know him by his screen name. I knew him by his face and through our first interaction, in person. And that has been the strongest relationship I’ve had since. The fact that we had met in person helped us to solidify our relationship together. We already knew that we had compatible personalities. We meshed well in our conversations and interactions.

After 6 1/2 years, I was thrown back into the dating scene. The world had evolved. There had been no such thing as dating/hook up phone apps at your fingertips. Dating had been made easy as one, two, swipe right. I couldn’t keep my date book free! Every week was a new meeting at a new restaurant. I had so many leftovers for lunch throughout the next months. Just as with as much zeal I grant to school and work, I gave to my dating social life. It didn’t stop with one dating app, two, three, four… nine. And that was in addition to the eleven general social media apps that I maintained as a side gig. With 20 apps and growing, my life was hectic! Hell even. And it was all self-inflicted! But I had such a drive to not be single, I forced myself to attend all of these dates. True, I gained more friends in that one year than I had made during the previous two decades!

Then I met the next “the one”, and then another. But neither of them turned out to be truly the one. Perhaps it was a little bit of me still being in love with the love of my life, or I have an uncanny knack for dating men who are emotionally unavailable. For every 10 potential candidates, I found one meaningful connection. One of the biggest problems that was truly self-contributing on my part regarding online dating, was that without the initial in-person interactions, I wasn't able to judge everyone I was going to meet against a set of pre-determined qualifications. Of course I had my mental checklist that I made sure they checked off before even agreeing to meeting. And now there are some things that one must take into consideration. But you just never know who you’re going to fall in love with! A recent viewing of Golden Girls featured the storyline circling around Blanche’s father planning to be remarried to a younger woman. Blanche was very against they’re doing so, but by the end of the episode she reluctantly gave her blessing because Rose reminded her that we can’t predict who we will fall in love with. I am a true testament to that! In 2009 when I met the love of my life; in Sex and the City, Kerry Bradshaw gives John the name “Big.” Is he my “Big“? It was the Sex and the City series that inspired me to begin this blog. My roommate and I began watching the episodes in 2017, and I was instantly able to relate to the characters and stories with occurrences in my own life.

So when I met Big, I didn’t have any predetermined qualifications. I was currently involved in my first long-term relationship, admittedly unhappily, and I was instantly attracted. After Big, my search for a significant other was basically utilizing him as a measuring stick for everyone who came after! Whether it was height, languages spoken, demeanor, even down to his birth sign. Although I do feel that I truly do get along best with men born in August- Virgos. Perhaps there something to astrology… Or perhaps coincidence?

Big was the only relationship that I have ever met in person. Is it coincidence that it was the strongest? Should a warning label be placed on online dating? Lots of dating services claim that they have been able to match people who wouldn’t have otherwise found each other, and that’s probably true. When I tell my story, many people tell me that I’m an old soul. To me I always associated that with tradition and old-fashioned values. Although I’m not quite that old-fashioned, I do believe I have many traditional values. In my heyday, I think I would have probably made your Grandma blush, but let me tell you they’re not as innocent as we think. And I can say that after having a few conversations with my own Grandma after Grandpa‘s passing. So what is involved with this old-school ideals of dating? I read an article that stated that old souls aren’t satisfied with what online dating provides. Perhaps that’s right. So while I may not be ready to date immediately, where do I go? I don’t think going to the bars is the right idea. And the clubs aren’t necessarily the right scene either to find who I think I’m looking for. But again, I wasn’t looking for Big. And I met him at work; even though we had many connections, there were many things that didn’t click, and eventually caused us to break apart.

I’ve thought about attending gay church events, and utilizing those as social outlets. I’m really good at giving advice to others! I constantly remind my leader, who is also my friend, that the only way to find someone is by having a true connection with them... meeting them in person. I need to take my own advice!

#gay #blog #gay dating #blogging #gay lifestyle #the little mermaid #blogger #gay blog #gay pride #gay pride 2018 #disney #gay disney #disney prince #online dating

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