#also that last photo. his abs are abs-ing

[savagegood]

If we took just 5 minutes to recognize each other's beauty, instead of attacking each other for our differences. That's not hard. It's really an easier and better way to live. And ultimately, it saves lives. Then again, it's not easy at all. It can be the hardest thing, because loving other people starts with loving ourselves and accepting ourselves. (Pageboy by Elliot Page)

📸: M Le magazine Du Monde, June 2023

#he looks INCREDIBLE #also that last photo. his abs are abs-ing #elliot page #pride #pride month #lgbt #elliotpageedit

[lilapplesheadcannons]

r/relationship advice: u/bunnydad920

TLDR: My brother's boyfriend is cheating with their best friend and I don't know if I should tell my brother or not (because I don't know who is the boyfriend and who is the best friend)

My brother, X(32M), is the kindest, warmest, and brightest person I know, and he deserves the very best. Growing up, X had 2 friends. M(32M) was the son of a family friend who grew up with my brother. Then, in high school, they had Y (32M) join them. They have been inseparable so far. They work in similar fields. Brother gets boxing lessons from X, and he also teaches Y to play piano. So they spend considerable time outside of work with each other. I myself have never noticed anything out of the ordinary, but I will be the first one to admit that I am not the most observing man on the planet.

The first thing that I remember was odd was last year. I just got recently married, and I was showing our old family photo albums to my husband. In the background of one old photo from my brother's university days, there was a young man standing with his face hidden in the shadows and only his bare upper body visible. Brother was very quick to recognise him as M. When we were in bed, my husband joked that brother must be really close to M to recognise him just by his abs!

Then, recently, we were having a discussion about chicken pox and how we all seem to have it. Brother mentioned in the passing that Y was the only person he knew who never had chicken pox. My husband jokingly said he thought he remembered Y having chicken pox and passing it to a cousin of his. At least, that's what the cousin complained of. (Y has complicated family relationships). Well, brother was adamant that Y never had chicken pox. He said he had seen Y's body, and he definitely has no scar of chicken pox. My husband quickly caught my eyes before changing the subject.

My husband and I believe brother is dating one of his best friends. I think it's M, but my husband bets his last 5 cents that he is dating Y. But that is not the issue. Brother can come out when he is comfortable. Our family is pretty progressive, so there is nothing to worry from that side.

Here's the problem, though. I took my husband to a nightclub last night, and we saw M and Y in the parking lot, in a parked car, kissing very passionately. They did not see us. I think we should talk to my brother and let him know that, well, either M or Y is cheating on him, with his best friend none the less. But my husband is arguing that we don't even know for sure if brother is actually dating one of them. I am so confused. This is not a discussion I want to have with him, not 2 days before the new year! Please advise.

Edit: We have come to an agreement that brother deserves to know. We will talk to him tomorrow.

Edit 2: Okay, so brother already knows about them. And that's how I came to know about poly relationships. I can't even pretend to understand how that works, but it is working for them? So, I guess that's that. Thanks for all your kind words and support.

Edit 3: To the person who has been incessantly dm-ing me about starting a poly relationship with me and my husband, the answer is no! Never in a thousand years! If you even raise your eyes to look at my husband, I am coming for your life!

I am de-activating this account to avoid further harassment.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #mdzs crack #mdzs headcanons #lan wangji #wei wuxian #lan xichen #nie mingjue #meng yao #wangxian #3zun

[somuchyoudontknow]

Misha212, the makeup artist who did AB’s makeup for both her Paris movie and Paris fashion show GRWM - was doing Lucy boynton’s makeup for her press tour (chevalier) that same day, April 18th. It’s on her IG (the press tour was likely going on a few days). The chevalier movie was actually promo-ing in Lincoln center NYC that same night as the ghosted premiere.

Additionally, Jennychohair did Lucy’s hair that night (also on her IG) and also did ana de arma’s hair for the ghosted premiere (also on her IG). So likely her team was booked to do both Lucy and Ana’s hair.

This tells me that AB did not book her makeup artist or her own hair stylist to do her for this premiere - otherwise they would have posted about it. She herself literally only promotes anything when it’s her wearing fashion and getting makeup done - she never promotes her own work but promoted her miumiu fashion week thing (lol - priorities with this girl). So if she had gotten her makeup done professionally - she would have posted it. This could also mean when she finally knew she was attending the premiere it was too late to book her usual stylist/hair/makeup people - and she’s not big enough or important enough to call in any same day favors.

Also - this sort of proves a very important point. Or at least, presents a good argument.

She’s not getting any “sugar daddy” benefits - bc if she was, come on! You’d see it for an event like this!!! Esp if all the snarky troll and hater rumors are that they have a sugar arrangement (I disagree). She attended HIS premiere - if he was going to pay up for anything he would have done it for this event. The fact that she basically showed up looking like she got dressed in the back of a car - nails/toes not matching her outfit, her shoes not going with her outfit, carrying a purse that barely goes with her look and clearly wasn’t a new season miumiu look - should tell you everything you need to know.

I think her/team pushed for her way into this premiere - I don’t think she was solidified to go until last minute. The signs do not point to her being set up to go months in advance. It’s one thing if she used his makeup/hair team, it’s another that she couldn’t even use her own makeup/hair team. From what we’ve publicly seen, AB isn’t big on attending movie premieres - at least for her own work. But she made sure to show up for this one and get her picture taken…LOL.

Come on ppl, even if you are team real and believe she was set to go months in advance and she was always supposed to be the one to go with him to this - explain how she missed every one of her own movie premieres but decided this one that has nothing to do with her was the one she would go to. Also - she did no promo for the movie either - just promoted herself and her ugly outfit. This is actually my main reason for disliking her. She seems ungrateful and extremely opportunistic by her actions and lack of actions.

She ends up just posting a story of her pap photo that night tagging her dress brand and miumiu.

Interesting that miumiu didn’t style her up for this premiere - it would have gotten them some free promo esp as the event was fairly high profile. If she had always known she was going to this premiere, she could have gotten a freebie from miumiu. She could have gotten at least someone to do her hair:makeup.

Excellent points, Anon! Thank you so much!

#chris-evans #alba-baptista #chris evans pr

[anothertimdrakestan]

Batboys/YJ Boys Reaction To You Falling Asleep On Them

req: Hiya! If this is weird you don't have to write it but I fall asleep everywhere. All the time. So I was wondering if you would write a batboys/young justice boys reaction to their like s/o falling aslee on them and it's all fluffy and cute? I love your blog thanks!"

hi angel! this is totally cute hehe i also have a couple fics ab this too if u wanna read them :D anywho i hope you enjoy!

(i didn't do my normal 8 i picked the cutest ones so i could go a little more in depth i hope that's okay i can always do a pt 2!)

Tim Drake:

- i imagine this HAS to be you passing out next to him while he's grinding out case files

- you convinced him to slouch next to you while you watched tv and he worked on cases then suddenly your head lolled onto his shoulder and the slight vibrations of your breath clouded his brain

- he tried to focus through it the first 80 seconds but when your head started to fall off his shoulder he suddenly became a living y/n pillow, timidly wrapping his arm around you to prop you up better while trying to will his heart back down as it tried to beat out of his chest

- when you woke up you were on his chest, his arm slung around you, and a blanket draped over the two of you (thanks alfred) and he was passed out in his deepest sleep for a while

- needless to say there was definitely a "so hi good morning yea i'm in love with you too" conversation when he woke up and it was ADORABLE

Wally West:

- he'd love that shit at the beginning, thinking it's adorable how you can fall asleep standing up while he rocks you back and forth

- then he gets kinda antsy

- he resolved this problem by just picking you up bridal style and carrying you around with him

- like you'd pass out on the couch with him and then he's like "i want to go to my room for my phone" and suddenly you're picked up ever so delicately and promptly moved wherever he's off to next

- it literally looks like he's kidnapping you (he kinda is) but everybody learned to normalize it and now it's just a fundamental part of life like "op where ya off to wally?" "oh y/n fell asleep so we're going back to bed" and it's just normal now lmao

Jason Todd:

- i have this inexplainable belief that when you fall asleep randomly jason just instinctively wraps you in a blanket burrito

- when he was a kid alfred and bruce would find him sleeping around the manor (being robin is hard) and always tucked him in with a pillow and fuzzy blanket and he instinctively carried this concept over to you

- now, whenever you fall asleep he'll gently pull you out of the strange position and place you on the nearest soft surface then proceed to wrap you in either one of his massive sweatshirts (it's basically a blanket on you) or one of the fuzzy blankets he stole from dick

- you always wake up burrito-ed in, like the sides tucked and everything, jason's usually nearby- cooking or reading or there's a small note explaining that he's off vigilante-ing

- now it's a staple in your relationship, and on the off chance jay falls asleep randomly he can expect to wake up wrapped in fluffy warmth with you cuddled into his chest

- tim and dick have SO many blackmail photos of y'all snuggled up but bruce has a single, small picture he always keeps close of the two of you wrapped together the way he taught jason all those years ago ;) proud batdad moment

Gar Logan:

- gar LOVES that you're down to curl up for a catnap at any given time ;)

- he's content to let you cuddle in his lap while he plays video games, though he's definitely gotten in trouble for yelling too loud (not like you can't just fall back asleep lol)

- he also likes to suprise you with food or little gifts when you wake up, you love waking up to his large mischievous grin as he shows you his lastest find

- there's literally nothing better than deciding which fluffy animal you want to cuddle each day, so far pandas rank pretty high, very close to st. bernard doggos and tigers (which are surprisingly soft) but there's also something special about cuddling gar himself, letting him mindlessly run his hands through your hair while you use the slow sound of his breath to lull you to sleep, safe and protected by your guardian angel beast :)

Damian Wayne:

- dami is very chill about it, he won't necessarily cuddle you and swoon over your sleeping form rather defend you from any incoming "threats"

- "drake i recognize your step pattern, y/n is asleep and you shall not dare to wake them"

- "yes. y/n is asleep, do not stare Kent, it's rude"

- he takes special joy in getting to wake you up, there's a certain pride in knowing he's the last person you see before sleep and the first person you wake up to

- "mhm beloved we must go, please wake up dearest i hope you slept well" he's so soft with you, his tone still deep and rumbling but softer and cooler than his normal harsh quips

- he won't admit it, but his heart does a somersault everytime you do that little wake up yawn and stretch, if he weren't around his family he'd probably wrap you in his embrace and kiss your face until you'd completely woken up from the tickling

- but for now, he settles with holding your hand and gently guiding you wherever you're headed next, giving a loving squeeze to remind you he's always there for you no matter where you decided to pass out next

i hope you enjoyed! thanks for the req :) lmk if y'all would want a part two! ily!

#tim drake #damian wayne #batboys #jason todd #bruce wayne #gar logan #garfield logan #beast boy #dc headcanons #kid flash #wally west #dc fluff #young justice headcanons #tim drake x reader #damian wayne x reader #jason todd x reader #gar logan x reader #wally west x reader #jason todd fluff #tim drake fluff #batfam #alfred pennyworth

[bazzybelle]

Carry On Countdown - Day Twenty-Seven

Notes: So I am giddy with excitement about writing this fic! It’s a snippet for an AU historical fiction (my personal favourite literary genre) that I’ve started working on. I have a basic outline drawn up, I have plots and tropes and quotes I want to use (I’ve even started making a playlist for it… because I’m THAT much of a dork), and those who I talk to on the regular know that I have not shut up about it. I’ve always loved The Renaissance in Florence, especially during the time of Lorenzo The Magnificent. My first university degree was History and Italian Culture, and the BULK of my classes involved the Florentine Renaissance (Neeeeeeeeerd). Ok! I won’t bore you all with details now, wait for my AU fic! Title and beginning quote are taken from the Neo-Platonist philosopher Marsilio Ficino.

Thank you to @carryonsimoncarryonbaz for your beta-work, and for sharing/encouraging my nerdiness for this topic, I look forward to discussing this story with you, as well as Plato’s philosophy! xD

Gonna tag also @fight-surrender, @f-ing-ruthless-baz and @giishu for being my never ending support board and for putting up with my non-stop photos of notes from my tiny tiny notebook. 

Finally tagging @sbazzing... You wanted to be tagged in this.. here ya go! :) 

Day 27 Prompt: Time Travel

Title: Love is a Dream of Beauty

________________________________________________________________

Artists in each of the Arts seek after and care for nothing but Love.

February 20th, 1490

BAZ

“Signore Pitch!”

I look up from the text I’m analyzing to see one of Lorenzo’s (yes, Lorenzo de’ Medici… Il Magnifico to most, but to me, he’s always been Lorenzo) assistants rushing towards me. He is one of the younger ones, I believe. What was his name?

Paolo?

Francesco?

Marco!

I put down the book I have been reading (Livy’s Ab Urbe Condita Libri - History of Rome - I’m working on translations for Book 9) and look at the nervous young man. I do not understand why the servants and assistants fear me. I suppose it is my dark and broody nature that unsettles them. Or maybe the fact that I have little to no patience for the courtly life and the politics that go along with it.

“Yes, Marco? How can I help you?” I gaze down at the young man. Maybe it’s my cold eyes that are constantly glaring and the way I always sneer when I’m annoyed that frightens the younger workers.

“Gran… Gran Maestro de’ Medici would like a word with you.” I take in a sharp breath and nod at the young man. If Lorenzo wants to speak with me, it is for one of two reasons; either I have done something that displeases him (unlikely), or he wants something of me. A request from Lorenzo de’ Medici is not a request one simply ignores (though, Lorenzo has a soft spot for me, so I can get away with more than others).

“Is it urgent?” I raise an eyebrow at Marco, which only increases his nervousness. Honestly! Why does he have to be so apprehensive? It’s not like I am going to bite him or anything! Marco looks to the floor, not wanting to meet my eyes.

“He said to call for you immediately, Signore Pitch.”

I sigh deeply and offer him a curt nod. “Very well. I shall be with him shortly.” I turn back to my book. I want to finish this last page before going to meet Lorenzo. I look up briefly to notice that Marco is still standing nervously in front of me. I roll my eyes at him and point to the door. “You may leave.”

Marco stumbles out of my room. I shake my head and continue with my translations. It is my unofficial job at the Academy, to translate these texts from Greek to Latin as well as the local vernacular. I am not fond of the vernacular, but there are still groups within the city that hold onto the linguistic belief set forth by the great poet, Dante. My peers may look down on those who choose to practice the vernacular, but Angelo Poliziano (my teacher, mentor, dearest friend) insists that I keep an open mind to the shifts and changes that come with learning the language.

Satisfied with the quality of my translations, I close the books and stretch my back. I do not know how long I had been sitting at that table before Marco came to fetch me. Maybe I will go for a brief ride through the countryside to clear my head, once my meeting with Lorenzo is through.

As I make my way through the corridors and halls of the villa, my mind begins to wander (this often happens, Marsilio Ficino calls it the philosopher’s curse) and I think about the young assistant. I should have expected the uncomfortable interaction based on how he addressed me alone.

I am known by many names in this court. Signore Pitch is one, but I find that to be dreadfully formal. I am not a master, nor am I nobility (well… not anymore). Amongst my peers and the scholars at the Academy, as well as the members of Lorenzo’s court, I am referred to as Tyrannus (which is probably worse than Signore Pitch, but these Florentines do love their classical history). My closest friends (of which I can count on one hand) refer to me as Basil or Baz, which is frankly what I prefer. It was what my mother and father called me before they died.

There is also what enemies of the Medici like to refer to me as: The Displaced Prince. I would find it rather insulting, if I wasn’t so amused by it. They are not wrong in calling me that, except I was never really a prince. My family was a noble one, but we fell from grace many years ago. Actually, I may be the last member of my family remaining. I suppose that’s why Lorenzo has kept me around all these years. I have been around the court of Lorenzo de’ Medici long enough to understand how the politics work around here. I am of noble blood and eligible for a political match that could work in Lorenzo’s favour, and continue on for his son, Piero. It’s truly a shame that I have no interest in political matches.

Or marriage for that matter.

I reach Lorenzo’s quarters. I knock on the door and wait patiently to be received. Lorenzo doesn’t typically spend much time here at his villa in Careggi. Most of his time is spent in the city itself, at his central palazzo. He has been here for a couple of days, and I wonder if he had come all this way in order to speak to me in person. Lorenzo de’ Medici never does anything without an ulterior motive.

The door opens and I am ushered inside, where I find Lorenzo sitting at his desk, pen in hand, and a focused look on his face. He looks up to see me and his face brightens.

“Tyrannus! How are you, my dear boy!”

I enter the room and lightly bow my head. Lorenzo isn’t an official ruler of Florence, but as the head of the Medici family, it is a simple gesture of courtesy. “Good afternoon, Gran Maestro de’ Medici.” I address him by his official title, again as a sign of respect. I am many things, ill-mannered is not one of them. Lorenzo raises an eyebrow at me and shakes his head.

“Tyrannus, you have been a member of my household for nearly 15 years, I think at this point, you may call me Lorenzo.”

Lorenzo stares knowingly at me. I return the gaze with a raised eyebrow of my own before we both begin to laugh. Lorenzo rises from his seat and comes to greet me. He grabs my shoulders and pulls me into a hug and kisses me on both cheeks. He pulls back to get a good look at me and smiles brightly.

“Ahhhh… It’s good to see you! We do not see you very often anymore. I imagine Angelo has been working you to near death!” I laugh light-heartedly and shake my head.

“Not at all, Lorenzo. I rather enjoy the work, to be honest. It does me good to leaf through the books that once belonged to my family. To hold the pieces that are left of their legacy.”

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to spend time amongst my family’s books. I was a very precocious child, always asking questions and wanting to absorb as much knowledge as I could. When I first arrived in Florence, all I wanted to do was spend time in the library. When Giuliano was still around, he would remind me to have fun and to allow myself to have a childhood… Despite that, most of my life was spent amidst the company of older, learned men.

Lorenzo claps my shoulder and gives it a tiny shake. “Always so somber aren’t you? Your family’s legacy is not dead. You are still around.” He looks into my eyes. Brown eyes, contrasting to my grey.

I sigh at him and start to step away from his grasp. “Only because the Divine has willed it so.”

“You truly have been spending far too much time with the philosophers!” Lorenzo gives me another hearty laugh. “I do need to take a visit to The Academy. It has been far too long since I’ve taken part in one of Marsilio’s symposia.” I detect a hint of melancholic nostalgia in Lorenzo’s voice. Ficino would tell me of the time where Lorenzo was more carefree and would spend days within the Academy, debating the nature of Plato and his ideas on Love. Those were the days before his duties to his family and Florence began to weigh heavily on him.  

A small laugh escapes through my nose.“They do become rather heated. I could hear them shouting from my study the last time.”

“As every great debate ought to be!” Lorenzo leads me towards his desk, but does not sit down just yet.  “Now, Tyrannus. There was a reason I asked to see you.” I nod knowingly and smirk at him.

“You would not be Il Magnifico if there wasn’t an ulterior motive to everything you do.”

Lorenzo laughs heartily. Few people are allowed to see him like this. I am one of the lucky few, for he has known me since I was a child.

And, I remind him of his brother… Giuliano. If circumstances were different, it would be Giuliano giving me this talk, as opposed to Lorenzo. He picks up a small weight from his desk and begins to run it through his hands.

“Tyrannus, you will be celebrating your birthday soon, will you not?” He points to me as he asks me the question. I nod my head in response.

“Yes, Lorenzo. On the 24th, I shall be turning 20 years old.”

Lorenzo stares off wistfully. “Ahh… To be young with a future full of promise. Do not take these days for granted. Soon enough, you will be cursing the ways your body fails you.” He frowns towards his legs. Lorenzo’s family is plagued with gout. His father died as a result of his gout, and he started showing signs much later in his life. Lorenzo has not been as lucky. He clears his throat and continues.

“But I digress. Now, when I decided to take you in as a ward of the Medici family, I told myself I would treat you as if you were one of my own children. I believe I have done a decent job of that.”

I nod and smile at him. “You have. I would have never had the opportunities to read from my family’s ancient texts had your family not taken me in.”

“Correct. Now, it is my duty as your guardian to ensure that a beneficial match is made for you.”

I frown and take a step back. “A… match?” I decide to try and play ignorant. I had a feeling that this discussion was coming. Still, it was not something I was interested in. Besides, I may be Lorenzo’s ward, but I am hardly a member of the Medici family.

“Of course! It is only proper that we find a suitable match for you!” Lorenzo places the weight back down on the desk and begins to shuffle a few of the papers lying about.

“Lorenzo… I do not think anyone would want to be wedded to a Displaced Prince.” I purposely use the slanderous name against me in order to make a point. It may be a name given to insult me, and it does not really bother me. But it is a name based in small truths. I have no lands, no titles, no stability. Lorenzo’s face darkens and addresses me in an aggrieved voice.

“Let me tell you something Tyrannus. Do not allow the words of bitter men to leave a lasting impact on your soul. Now I will make it my duty to see that a proper marriage alliance is secured for you.”

I appreciate the concern, I truly do. But marriage is not a future I see for myself. “Lorenzo. What if I did not want that? I am perfectly content to remain amongst my family’s books in the Academy,” I respond solemnly. My wish is that he drop the subject, but Lorenzo de’ Medici does not work that way.

“Nonsense Tyrannus. You are the sole remaining member of a family that has been around since the time of Constantine the Great! It is your duty to ensure your line does not die.” He waves his arms extravagantly. It is very difficult work not to roll my eyes at him. Men like Lorenzo put far too much emphasis on the past. Yes, it is important to know our past, but too much focus on it causes one to lose sense of the future. I come from an ancient family, it is true, but that family is gone now.

“Lorenzo, I have made peace with my family line dying with me since I was a child. I have my family’s books; I have their legacy and I intend on keeping it alive through their words.” I speak in a soft, somber voice. I almost plead with him to understand my position on the matter.

Lorenzo grabs my shoulders and looks me in the eyes once more. “Will you at least let me try? For your parents…”

My back stiffens and I very nearly glare at him. He knows I cannot say no when my parents are concerned. I sigh in resignation and furrow my brows. I see that I will not win this argument with him, so I offer a compromise; a deal with him.

“What if I gave you until the end of this year? Until the Epiphany celebration; to find me a suitable match? One that I approve of as well.” I emphasize that I shall have the final say (if there is any say at all).

Lorenzo regards me with an astounded look. “You truly have become a part of this family, Tyrannus! Only a Medici would offer up a deal like that.”

I nod towards him and shrug my shoulders. “I did learn from the best. Shall we shake on it?” I offer my hand and Lorenzo takes it willingly.

“Until the Epiphany celebration I shall do whatever it takes to get you married.”

“I don’t doubt that. Would that be all, Lorenzo?” I am ready to get out of this meeting. I really do need some time outside of this building in order to process everything that has just occured. Maybe a ride to one of the neighbouring villages will do me some good.

Lorenzo puts a halt to my plans almost immediately. “Not quite. I had a feeling I would win you over today, so I requested that Signore Botticelli paint a miniature portrait of you. He is already expecting you.”

I try to not groan out loud. Sandro Botticelli is one of the city’s finest painters. At the same time, he is one of the most arrogant men in existence. He has painted every member of Lorenzo’s family, and has never once done so without a complaint. He had been gone from the city for quite some time (The Vatican requested his talents for their holy Basilica). I suppose now that he’s back, Lorenzo has already begun with the commissions. I shake my head at him; the impossible man.

“You truly are one of a kind, Lorenzo.”

“That’s why they call me Il Magnifico. Now go on. You may take one of the horses into town.” Lorenzo walks back to his chair. He settles in and waves me away. I bow my head at him and exit the room.

“Thank you, gran Maestro.”

I make my way to the stables, stopping by my rooms to put on some warm outer clothes. I could walk to the city, but it really is much faster to go by horse and with the sun making its way into midday, I should make my way to Botticelli’s workshop as quickly as possible, before the day begins to darken.

I mount my favourite horse, a chocolate mare I’ve called Minerva, and start to ride towards Florence. As I pass the hills and small houses that dot the trail, I think about how the events of my life have brought me here to this moment.

I come from a long line of nobility from the lost empire of Byzantium, on my mother’s side. She, as well as her family were forced to flee the city of Constantinople when she was a young girl. My grandfather, having impeccable foresight, knew the war against the Ottoman Turks was lost. So he had arranged for all of the ancient books and texts from my family’s libraries to be moved to Florence, to the libraries of Cosimo de’ Medici (Lorenzo’s grandfather). My family was offered sanctuary within the court, but my grandfather had other obligations to attend to. My mother was betrothed to my father, a nobleman from England, so my family settled there. It was where I was born and where I spent the first five years of my life.

But because turbulence and bad luck seem to follow my family like a dark cloud, it wasn’t long before we were destroyed once again. England, at the time, was in the middle of a dynastic war between two royal families; The Yorks and the Lancasters. My father was a Lancastrian and while that worked to his benefit for the longest time, my mother, sharing the same aptitude for forethought as her father, knew that our time in the sun would not last. She had written to several powerful houses in Italy (The Sforza, the Argonese, the de’ Medici, and the Este), and offered them everything we had left if they would take me in, should it be necessary. Out of those families, only Giuliano de’ Medici responded.

I remember the last night I saw my mother and father as if it were yesterday. I still have dreams about it. I remember being asleep in my chambers, when my mother swept inside, bright ruby-red dress flowing around her. She roused me from my sleep and scooped me up into her arms. I could not understand what was happening at the time. She rushed me through the kitchens, where a small band of trusted servants were waiting for us. With tears in her eyes, she held onto me, running her fingers through my dark hair. I remember her smoothing the strands from my face as she reminded me to remain strong and to never forget the lineage I was born into, even in the darkest of nights. The last thing she told me was that I was the very best of both her and my father and that she would always be with me. With a final kiss on my head and a caress of my cheek, she was gone, ruby skirts flowing behind her. I remember crying out to her, begging her to come back. None of it mattered, for we were soon off, galloping on horses as we rode into the night.

My mother had managed to obtain passage for myself and my governess aboard a ship headed to one of the ports controlled by the Florentines. I don’t remember much of the journey to Florence. I think my mind has decided to block those memories from me. All the better, for I wish to never think of them. I do remember docking at one of the ports and my governess quietly ushering me into a small inn, where a tall, handsome man with flowing dark hair and kind brown eyes was waiting for us: Giuliano de’ Medici.

Giuliano was the younger, more care-free brother of Lorenzo. He was, by all accounts, the heart and soul of the Medici family, and it was because of his gentle heart that I found my way into the Palazzo Medici. That day, he took me aside and explained to me that he would be taking care of me from now on. When I asked about my parents, he was kind, yet truthful. He explained that it was almost certain that my parents did not survive the attack. I remember being determined not to cry in front of this stranger, but the thought of my mother was too much for me. A strong, reassuring hand on my shoulder was all it took to let loose the floodgates. As he continued to pat my back, Giuliano explained that we would wait for word from England in case he was wrong, but that I should prepare myself for the worst. He did not sugar-coat the reality of my situation, and I suppose it was because of his honesty that I learned to quickly trust him.

For the next three years, Giuliano looked after me, and treated me as if I was his own son. It took some time for my walls to come down, but eventually I saw him as a father figure in my life. I was beginning to get a true sense of having a family again… when…

But I don’t think about that… About the blood and the knives. I don’t think about the Easter mass that would once again break apart any family and hope I dared to have.

I don’t think about any of that. Instead I make my way to Botticelli’s studio, where the impatient maestro is already waiting for me. I tie up my horse and proceed to knock on the door. The door opens in a rush. Before me stands Sandro Botticelli, all impertinence and self-importance.

“Tyrannus! Glad you could make it!” Botticelli gently grabs my sleeve and pulls me into the workshop. I stand tall and watch him with a disinterested look on my face.

“Signore Botticelli. Always a pleasure.” Botticelli rolls his eyes at my formal address and already begins to scurry about around the workshop. He calls out to me over his shoulder.

“Tyrannus, while I do appreciate the formal greeting, please call me Sandro.”

I shake my head and raise my hands in consternation. “Does no one around here appreciate formality? Fine… Sandro.”

Sandro places a stool in front of a window, where a little soft light has managed to come through. “I see you have finally given in to Lorenzo’s demands.”

“You know how it is. Whatever Lorenzo de’ Medici wants, Lorenzo de’ Medici gets. I would like to get this sitting done as soon as possible.” My continued icy tone is really unnecessary, but I have already had a long day and I find it difficult to mask my disdain.  

“Yes yes, Tyrannus! We all know you have important work to do at the Academy! Tell Signore Poliziano that if he’s got a problem, he can take it up with Il Magnifico!” Sandro waves a hand dismissively towards me and then roughly points to the small stool. I roll my eyes and settle into place. Sandro starts to walk away and yells out towards the back rooms.

“Simon! Where are you, boy?! We are waiting for you!”

I straighten up and roll my shoulders back in surprise. I was not expecting this. I start to get up from the chair when Sandro places his hand on my shoulder, settling me back down. “Wait. I was under the impression that you-”

Sandro casts a dark glare at me and I settle back down. It is clear that he is beyond fed up with my attitude. “Please, I do not have the patience nor the time to paint yet another member of the gran maestro’s household. No, your miniature portrait will be handled by my young assistant. Simon!” He barks out once more, abrasively.

I adjust a crease in my shirt and tuck some of my raven-black hair behind my ear. I look up and my breath becomes caught in my throat.

A broad-shouldered, tawny-skinned young man rushes from the back rooms, carrying what seems to be half of Sandro’s art supplies in his hands. Canvases, boards, charcoal, and paints (why would he need paints right away). I quickly turn my head from him so as to conceal the blush creeping onto my cheeks (clearly I am embarrassed for this young man… nothing more…).

A loud crash makes me turn my head back. I notice a head full of long bronze curls before me, surrounded by scattered charcoal, paints, and brushes on the floor. He looks up at me, blue eyes sparkling and a deep red blush creeping across his face.

Damn it all…

“Apologies… Signore…” He starts to stammer at me. I lift a hand at him and narrow my eyes. I can feel my heart quicken as I begin to think about the many ways I can continue to make him blush. I shake the impure thoughts from my mind and conceal myself behind the mask of indifference I wear around court.

My impervious, cold mask. I need it now than ever. Because a blue-eyed, bronze-haired disaster has just crashed into me and I do not need disasters in my already unstable life.

So, time to scare away another rosy-cheeked young man.

“Pitch.” I reply, with acid in my voice. I turn to Sandro, who looks as if he is just about ready to murder the boy, and drawl out sarcastically, “I must say Sandro, you certainly know how to pick them. I was wondering why I had never seen this apprentice before. I suppose I have my answer.”

I look back to the young man, Simon, who has collected himself and is now wearing a look that could strike me dead. I laugh scornfully at him, which only angers him further.

Perfect.

“I think this one will prove to be more of a handful than you can handle. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be getting back to the Academy.” I lift myself from the stool and stroll towards the door. It takes every fibre of my being not to run out of that building as fast as I can. But I have been practiced in the art of nonchalance, so I make it to the door, when Sandro calls out to me.

“Tyrannus!”

I look back to Sandro and his unfortunate assistant. I give them both a mocking sneer and a graceful wave of my hand. “Apologies, Signore Botticelli. I know you are a very busy man. We can try again tomorrow, perhaps.”

I exit the workshop and take a minute to gather my thoughts. The poor boy will probably be getting a tongue lashing from Botticelli. I want to feel sorry for him, but I cannot allow myself to feel anything for him. I untie Minerva and begin to ride out of the city.

As I gallop away from the city, my thoughts start to become more and more cloudy. I try to focus on the translations I need to finish, or on the discussion that Lorenzo and I had earlier today. I even try to think about the many arguments between my Academy peers. But no matter how I try, I keep coming back to one thought and one image.

Of a boy with blue eyes, bronze curls, and a brightly flushed face.

Misfortune and misery seem to follow me around like a dark cloud. And the Divine seems to have played a cruel joke on me. Because after one look into those ordinary blue eyes and I now think I understand the inspiration behind Dante and Petrach’s poetry. I want to read Plato once more and determine if these feelings inside of me count as his version of Love.

How can it be? It is not possible. I pull on Minerva’s reins and hop off. I bend down and start to gasp for air.

It is not allowed…

I take several deep breaths and push my budding feelings down. As deep as they can go. I push them further than the pain of losing my mother, of losing my name. Of losing Giuliano. I shall not permit these feelings to ever come out again. I cannot go back to see Signore Botticelli and that boy!

Simon…

I hope that my cold, intimidating personality is enough to keep him as far away from me as possible. I hope that I have sufficiently scared him away. I hope I never have to look at those ordinary blue eyes again.

Any other path is not an option.

#carry on countdown #coc 2019 #renaissance fic #historical au #florence #no one asked for this #this will be the nerdiest thing I ever write #but I've wanted to write a Renaissance story since 2009 #plato #platonic love #neoplatonism #neoclassicism #simon snow #baz pitch #tyrannus basilton pitch #tyrannus basilton grimm pitch #basilton pitch #also it has been so daunting to write TYRANNUS #his name is BAZ #carry on #wayward son #enemies to friends #friends to lovers #but like different stages of lovers #if you know Plato you'll know where I'm going with this #if not well hope you enjoy the ride

[redheadwanderings-blog]

March 12th

Today I went BACKPACKING

I may be very happy in the photo, but retrospectively the graininess of this phone’s front camera makes me sad :(

I woke up with the sun, packed up my stuff, and started walking into town. Luckily I was able to hitch a ride just beyond the campground so I didn’t have to loose valuable trail time by walking along a road.

Once in town I picked up a map and a bit more food to eat. Then I sat in a café, eating a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich while my phone charged. I also took this time to actually download some of those yoga videos. And at 10am I started for the trail head.

My planned loop conveniently starts and ends in Halls Gap (click on the link for a map). Since I’m going at it alone, I wanted to make sure I could meet Lita somewhere easy for her to get to when I finished. The only downside is the trails around Halls Gap were hella crowded due to the long holiday weekend and the same easy I was taking advantage of. Although, the constant presence of people meant I always had someone to ask to take a picture for me! So thank you, strangers, for helping me document my hike.

I absolutely loved the geography and vegetation in this area. I think Australia gets a bit of flack for not having tall, pointy mountains. But their gentle slopes contain dramatic contours. And the flora is incredibly varied. While yesterday I was seeing a lot of low level grasses and bushes with scattered eucalyptus, today I saw a ton of green and all of it was taller than me (I know, you’re thinking a short joke. HAHA VERY FUNNY).  

Venus Baths

Splitters Falls

On the way up to The Pinnacle

There were a ton of these thin sections that the trail wound through. This was the first one and it emptied of people just long enough for me to snap a photo. But every single passage after this one was not only thinner, but also filled with people. Several times I had to stand off to the side and wait several minutes for enough people to pass. Too many people! 

Seeeeeeeelfie

View from The Pinnacle

Selfie on The Pinnacle

I’m pretty sure Victoria is just a series of cool rock formations

Once I got past The Pinnacle the crowds disappeared. I still saw people on the trail, just not constantly. I only saw one other person at the Lakeview Lookout. And once I passed Rosea parking lot I was pretty much alone. As I like it :)

I decided to push to Mt Rosea and then stop for lunch. While the last few kilometers were tough (all the rock scrambling really wore out my knees), it was definitely worth it. I found a comfortable spot and just chilled, eating my lunch with the best view.

Lunch time

Uuuuuuhgn that view! 

Just as I was finishing up and mentally preparing to find a spot to do my yoga for the day, a couple walked up and said hello. Being friendly I said hello back and we struck up a conversation. I do not sounds Australian, so they asked me where I was from. Per usual, after my answer of “I’m from the States,” the woman asked “How do you like your new president?”

Now, let’s review. I am on top of a mountain. I just hiked 4 hours to get here. All I want is some quiet space to breath fresh air, get dirty, and enjoy the view. I want to get sweaty, not talk politics. If I wanted to talk politics I would be on my phone. But that thing is on airplane mode for a reason. But I’m an American under a Trump presidency. So eeeeeeeeeveryone wants to talk to the real-life American citizen about our politics.

I get it. Really, I do. What happens in the US echoes around the world. People watch us closely. And you know, for most of the last several months (because this started back in October), I haven’t minded the conversations. But recently they’ve grown weary. Everyone says the same thing. I respond with the same explanations. They satisfy whatever curiousity they have, and I get a little more weary having my countries issues thrown in my face once again.

But I want to be polite. So I respond to the woman with a simple “I don’t.”

Normally at this point the person I’m talking to comments on a few areas of American politics, perhaps exclaiming dismay at how inaccessible our healthcare is, how terribly we treat refugees, or how sexist, racist, manipulative, and ridiculous our new administration is. For the first time, however, I spoke to a non-American Trump supporter.

A Trump supporter who believed in taking money out of education

Who believed the US should build the military up even more

Who said, direct quote (there are some things one doesn’t forget hearing) “And it’s not the, the, the Mexicans we need to worry about, but the Asains. I mean, I’m not racist. There’s just so many people in China.”

Woah

Like, wooooooooooah

I just…

So I’m going to start with, if you have to say “I’m not racist” then you’re racist. Not probably, but definitely. And let’s be real. We’re all a little bit racist. Racism is built into Western culture. So we all gotta check ourselves because racism is a real live thing. It didn’t just disappear with the Civil Rights Act.

Second, anyone who’s tone has that much venom when speaking about another people has some deeply rooted inner hatred.

Oh, and did I mention the couple were not actually from Australia? Cause they weren’t. They moved to Australia from a socialist country a couple decades ago in an effort to create a better life for their children.

So according to this woman, it’s perfectly okay for white people to move in search of a better life, but nobody else can.

That’s called, you guessed it, RACISM.

This is the first time I’ve been confronted with such blatant racism since I personally realized it did still exist. So I had no idea how to respond. I just sat there in disbelief, wishing these people away and off the mountain I had sought out in search of peace. I’m embarrassed and sorry to say that I did not call her out on her hypocrisy and racism. I just didn’t know what to say that would both educate her and end the conversation. Because mountains are sacred. Mountains stand and watch over our stupid human issues, knowing when we destroy ourselves they will outlive us.

To his credit, her husband clearly saw I wasn’t interested in having this discussion. So he called his wife away and eventually she left.

I tried to find the peace that existed before she approached me. But my mind couldn’t stop spinning. I picked a train that it could settle on- developing ready to go statements to shut up racists and end political discussions I’m not interested in having.

“Can we change the subject?”

“I am not going to discuss this.”

“That was a racist statement.”

I hope, the next time I’m confronted with a political discussion I don’t want to have or someone who Is racist, that I step up and say something. I think having these responses in the back of my mind will help. Have any of you had such an experience? What do you do when you see racism? What do you say to stop conversations you are not interested in?

Anyways, I think this was a perfect bell story moment*. So in a universe in which I was a ranger once again and could tell a political bell story, here’s what I would say:

SO THERE I WAS, ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN IN VICTORIA AUSTRALIA, WHEN A COUPLE WHO EMIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA FROM A SOCIALIST COUNTRY A COUPLE DECADES AGO TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN START LECTURING ME ON HOW WESTERN COUNTRIES NEED TO CLOSE THEIR BORDERS, INVEST IN INDUSTRY, TAKE MONEY OUT OF EDUCATION, AND PREPARE FOR NOT THE MEXICANS, BUT THE ASAINS. ALL WHILE CLAIMING TO NOT BE RACIST. AND ALL I COULD THINK WAS…

I eventually did find quiet in my mind again. I selected a flat-ish spot and worked through Revolution – Day 6 - Attention (and Abs) Practice. A very kind couple helped me take this photo and shared some snacks. One last view from the top, and I headed down towards camp- Borough Huts.

Once I got past the rock scrambling bit I just flew down the trail. It was the perfect grade for hiking and the air was beginning to cool. I got into camp around 7 and plopped down at a picnic table.

Despite my 23.36 kilometers (14.52 miles), I wasn’t very hungry. My appetite usually decreases while backpacking, so it wasn’t a surprise. I had a dinner of nuts (gifted from the kind couple on the mountain) and chocolate. I then set up my tent and did some more yoga! Revolution - Day 7 - Stability Practice. Two videos, one day! Told ya I would catch up :)

Really, today was fantastic. It’s been a while since I last just pounded out a bunch of miles. I’m covered in dirt and everything hurts a little, but life doesn’t get better than this.

Thanks for putting up with such a long post. As a reward, here’s one more beautiful view. Love you all, xxoo

*A Bell Story is a Philmont Ranger tradition. In front of the dining hall in base camp there is a bell on a stone pedestal called the Ranger Bell. Before every lunch and dinner, 4 rangers climb atop it. One lucky ranger shouts a story beginning with “SO THERE I WAS” and ending with “AND ALL I COULD THINK WAS.” At that point, all the other rangers start shouting the Ranger Song/Chant which begins with “I WANT TO GO BACK TO PHILMONT.” A one point the four rangers on the bell trust fall backwards and are caught by the ones below. There is much hip-hip-hurrary-ing and general cheering. It’s all very exciting. I find that former rangers (myself inluced) will often start stories with “So there I was…” and, if there’s another former ranger around, we’ll finish it “and all I could think was...” trailing off and sharing a smile with others in the know.

#australia #grampians #backpacking #solohike #thepinnacle #grampiansgrandcanyon #lakeviewlookout #mtrosea #31daysofyoga #yogawithadriene #yogarevolution #surprisepolitics #racism #philmonthrowback #rangerbellstory

[cringeynews]

New Post has been published on

New Post has been published on http://cringeynews.com/featured/a-japanese-prime-minister-is-visiting-pearl-harbor-for-the-first-time-ever/

A Japanese prime minister is visiting Pearl Harbor for the first time ever

Japan’s hawkish prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is doing something no Japanese premier has ever done: visiting Pearl Harbor.

Abe announced the surprise trip during a press conference on Monday. He will be in Hawaii December 26 and 27 along with President Obama. The visit, Abe said, will be aimed at “comfort[ing] the souls of the victims” and sending “a message about the value of US-Japanese reconciliation.”

The fact that no prime minister before Abe has done this is a testament to just how fraught the memories of World War II remain, in both Japanese and American eyes. The fact that that’s changing now shows the strength of the US-Japanese relationship today.

“It’s good news,” Jennifer Lind, a professor at Dartmouth who studies apologies in East Asian diplomacy, tells me. “French, Americans, [and] Germans have been remembering war together at Normandy since 2004. It’s a sign of reconciliation and commitment that the US and Japan relationship has reached this point too.”

It’s also a telling move from a prime minister who, by Japanese standards, is a fairly aggressive nationalist — yet has shown, in recent years, a canny capacity to use historical memory to improve Japanese relations with key powers.

Why no Japanese leader has yet visited Pearl Harbor

A photo from the day of the Pearl Harbor attack. (Getty Images)

American and Japanese citizens see the Pearl Harbor attacks very differently. Americans generally remember it as an unprovoked act of aggression by a vicious totalitarian power, or a war crime akin to 9/11.

Japanese citizens, by contrast, tend to see it as a tragic result of failed diplomacy between the two countries — one that would culminate in the much more terrible (from their point of view) atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“The history curriculum in Japanese secondary schools mostly focuses on the views of the Japanese military and the subsequent impact of the attack on Japan,” writes Yujin Yaguchi, a University of Tokyo historian who studies Japan’s views of Pearl Harbor, in a 2011 piece published by History News Network.

“For Japanese teachers [Yaguchi spoke with], Pearl Harbor was almost naturally connected with Hiroshima and Nagasaki because both were testaments to the horror and folly of fighting wars.”

From the Japanese point of view, the Pearl Harbor attack isn’t so special — it’s one of many terrible things that happened during World War II, and not even the most significant one. “It is as if Pearl Harbor is so sensitive an issue that the US and Japan can’t see eye to eye, even after more than a half century of strong political and military alliance as well as close cultural relations,” Yaguchi writes.

In the past, Japanese leaders — particularly those on the right, like Abe — have been reluctant to take a conciliatory stance on World War II. In 1991, on the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, left-wing legislators proposed a resolution apologizing for Japan’s role in the war. Abe’s center-right party, the LDP, blocked the bill, with many walking out of the vote in protest.

Since winning the premiership in 2012, Abe has shown every sign of sharing this attitude. He has repeatedly tried to move Japan away from its postwar pacifist stance, including (among other things) revising the government’s view of its constitution to weaken its commitment to pacifism. He referred to Japan’s profound national regret surrounding World War II, specifically, as “masochism.” in 2013, he visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine to Japanese war dead, an act that both South Korean and Chinese officials denounced as paying homage to midcentury war criminals.

Why Abe may have changed his mind about visiting

Abe gives a World War II anniversary statement on national TV. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

So Abe choosing to visit Pearl Harbor — specifically as an homage to the American “victims” — is a pretty striking about-face. What’s going on?

For one thing, the Pearl Harbor visit is an act of reciprocity. Earlier this year, President Obama visited Hiroshima, the first American president ever to do so. Obama gave a speech expressing sympathy with the victims of the atomic bombing, but did not formally apologize for President Truman’s decision to drop the bomb.

Abe appears to be returning the favor almost exactly, taking a historically significant trip that recognizes American pain but stopping just shy of formal apology. He’s repaying Obama, and the United States more broadly, for its willingness to recognize the Japanese experience of the war.

More broadly, Abe has demonstrated a surprisingly flexible approach to using apology and history as a tool of statecraft.

The legacy of World War II severely complicates relations between Japan, South Korea, and China. Sometimes it’s the result of a simple failure to apologize on Japan’s part; other times, it’s a result of differing perceptions of the same historical site or event. Regardless, this can lead to tremendous public pressure against closer relations between the states.

Abe has, in the two years or so, been willing to accommodate these sentiments in order to advance Japan’s national interest — moving past the more strident nationalism that long characterized his politics.

“As one of his people puts it, rather condescendingly, Mr. Abe has recently grown up as a politician — that is, his political head has overridden his heart,” the Economist wrote last August. It gives some specific examples:

In July, Chinese forced in the war to labour for Mitsubishi accepted an apology and compensation from the Japanese conglomerate — a first. And though South Korea had at first objected to Japan’s application for world-heritage status from UNESCO for a remarkable set of Meiji-era sites that were vital to Japan’s early industrialisation—Koreans had later been forced to work at some of them, including on Hashima island with its coal mine, above — the two countries negotiated a deal. Japan acknowledged the forced labour, and South Korea backed the successful bid.

In December last year, Abe’s government went even further, apologizing to South Korea for Japan’s forcible conscription of Korean women as sex slaves for its soldiers during World War II (the so-called “comfort women.”) Japan issued a formal statement and paid about $8.3 million into a fund for the victims who survived.

The logic here, on Abe’s part, is that taking a hard line on history isn’t worth the hit to present-day Japanese interests. And that appears to be what’s at work in the Pearl Harbor visit: Abe is using historical memory to smooth over relations with a key partner state, a move that seems especially smart given that Japan skeptic Donald Trump is the next American president.

Via

[celebritylive]

Miley Cyrus appears to be providing Cody Simpson with some extra inspiration!

On Monday, the 22-year-old Australian singer, who is also an avid poet, seemingly penned a short entry for Cyrus, 26, about “making love” in the morning and shared it with his followers on his poetry Instagram account.

Along with the love poem, Simpson posted a photograph of a woman — who some believe may be Cyrus — leaning back on a balcony with the light blue sky contrasting with her dark shadow.

“the moon’s souvenir, the boulevardier, a ballerina on the promenade,” he wrote. “we open our curtains to the domesticated world for a natural hour, spinning Elvis records and making love in the soft jewelled morning.”

Simpson then signed the original poem with his pen name, Prince Neptune.

RELATED: Miley Cyrus Cuddles Up to Cody Simpson During Movie Night Date After PDA-Packed Outing

While Simpson’s mind was on love, Cyrus’ focus was elsewhere on Monday.

The “We Can’t Stop” songstress shared two photos on her Instagram Stories Monday afternoon and revealed that she was suffering from a case of tonsilitis.

Both snaps featured Cyrus looking sad as she laid in bed, wrapped up in her white sheets and blanket.

“Tonsilitis is a f—ing f—!” she captioned one gloomy shot, while the other read, “This f—ing blows” with a series of sick-faced emojis.

RELATED: Cody Simpson Called Miley Cyrus His ‘Childhood Celebrity Crush’ Years Before New Romance

Simpson’s romantic poem and Cyrus’ bout of tonsilitis comes just one day after the pair spent their Sunday night having a movie date, in which they got cozy and watched Blue Hawaii together.

Sharing the moment on his Instagram Stories, Simpson recorded the duo singing along to Elvis Presley’s “Ku-U-I-Po” — which appears to be what he referenced in his poem — and captioned the footage “more today than yesterday,” after one of the lyrics. While singing, Cyrus leaned her head on his shoulder as they both smiled at the camera.

The Australian singer hasn’t been shy to post about his new romance on social media. He previously shared a PDA-packed selfie, in which he leaned in to give Cyrus’ forehead a smooch and referred to her as “baby.”

Cyrus also spoke out about their public “make-out session” last week and declared the musician her “type” on her own social media.

RELATED: Miley Cyrus Declares Cody Simpson Her ‘Type’ as She Addresses Their ‘Morning Make Out Session’

The “Mother’s Daughter” singer, who is coming off of back-to-back breakups with Kaitlynn Carter and Liam Hemsworth (who is also Australian), addressed her recent PDA on Friday with a shirtless photo of Simpson.

“22 Australian (my type) Abs ” she wrote over the steamy photo, before sharing a TMZ video of the pair kissing at Backyard Bowls in West Hollywood.

“Can a girl not get a f—ing açai bowl and a morning make out session in peace?!?!” she joked.

Following her lighthearted posts, Cyrus took a more serious tone and clapped back at critics who say she’s moving on too fast. (Cyrus and Carter ended their whirlwind romance two weeks ago, PEOPLE exclusively learned at the time. Cyrus and Hemsworth ended their seven-month marriage one month prior.)

“I know the public feels invested in my past relationship because they felt like they saw it thru from the beginning,” Cyrus began her post, seemingly referencing her relationship with Hemsworth, 29. “I think that’s why people have always felt so entitled over my life and how I live it because they’ve watched me grow up.”

  RELATED: Miley Cyrus Spotted Kissing Cody Simpson After Kaitlynn Carter, Liam Hemsworth Splits: Reports

“But I am grown now and make choices as an adult knowing the truth/details/reality,” she continued, pointing out that if she were man, she probably wouldn’t be receiving the same level of scrutiny.

Cyrus went on to let her fans and everyone else know that they should get used to seeing her dating, which she admitted is also new to her, as she was in a serious relationship with Hemsworth for most of her teens and early 20s.

“With the exception of a few breaks, which usually in those times I was working my ass off with not much R&R…. and meeting/trusting people in my position is really tuff,” she continued. “Don’t f—ing pity me, that’s not what I’m asking for. I have a great life I wouldn’t trade for ‘privacy’ but PLEASE don’t make this awkward for me!”

A source recently told PEOPLE that Cyrus and Simpson “were very cute together” during their West Hollywood outing.

“Miley and Cody came in together. Cody ordered an acai bowl to go. While they waited, Miley was very flirty. You could tell that she was interested in Cody. She ended up sitting on his lap and started kissing him. He was totally game and smiling,” the source said.

from PEOPLE.com https://ift.tt/2APgQKH

#Celebrity

[bruceeves]

BRUCE EVES IN POLARI

A FILM BY PETER DUDAR

2018, HD VIDEO, 78 MINUTES

CONCEPT/DIRECTION: PETER DUDAR

TEXT AND FINE ART: BRUCE EVES

[email protected]

DISTRIBUTOR: CFMDC.ORG

BRUCE EVES IN POLARI is an intimate, up-close and personal portrait of Bruce Eves, the 2018 winner of Canada’s Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts – that coun­try’s highest honour.

Eves’ work has remarkable intrinsic value that also engages key aspects of culture and history. His story began in Toronto’s clique-riv­en avant-garde art scene in the mid-1970s. As practicing artist and Programming Director for CEAC (Centre for Experimental Art and Communication), among other activities Eves crafted socially-engaged performance art pieces that were shown in Canada, through­out Western and Eastern Europe, as well as the United States. This included a stint with Joseph Beuys’ Free International University at Documenta 6, Germany. As such, he was at the forefront of putting advanced Canadian art on the map internationally.

Residing in New York City in the 1980s, Eves created and curated The International Gay History Archive at the point when the devastating AIDS epidemic threatened a loss of history for the gay community. It is now housed in the Rare Books and Manuscript di­vision of the New York Public Library. “Becom­ing Visible”, an exhibition (and accompanying book) drew extensively from Eves’ collection and is still to-date the most attended exhibi­tion ever for the library, drawing over 100,000 visitors in four months.

Described as a polymath, Eves’ work evolved into photo-based and installation works. The varied use of coded language is a recurring theme in Eves’ practice. A recent series of these works is based on Polari, an underground vocabulary used by gay men in early to mid-20th century London to evade harsh anti-gay laws while paradoxically affirm­ing the identity of the subculture. Polari is ref­erenced (often quite humorously) throughout the film. Eves’ frequent visual manifestations of coded language unflinchingly address po­litical and personal issues in startlingly orig­inal ways for any and all viewers. And Eves’ dialogue in the film, though sophisticated, is very entertaining, understandable, and bless­edly free of jargon.

The film was conceived and directed by Peter Dudar. Unlike directors who drop in temporarily on their subject, Dudar shares a lifetime of experience with the arts culture in which Eves operates. Dudar’s filmic style is dynamic and highly original. Consequently Bruce Eves In Polari engages not just the in­tellect, but is also sensual, and runs the whole gamut of emotions from laugh-out-loud hilar­ity to deeply raw and crushing sadness.

Dudar has been awarded for his “arresting cinematic composition and elegant study of movement” in dealing with straightforward images, but the film is also graphically stun­ning. Besides film, Dudar is an accomplished designer in print and electronic media, and brings the film’s myriad period photos and graphics fully to life. Likewise, he fully ener­gizes Eves’ works visually, while ingeniously disclosing their meaning. Dudar’s integration of image and text, which has been called “ab­solutely brilliant” in his previous work, is at its most advanced here, deepening the shared contexts of both.

Bruce Eves In Polari is witty, poignant, and unflinchingly honest. It is not your standard one-note bio. For anyone interested in a fresh approach to the culture and politics of the last half century, it is a must-see 

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Euro gains, dollar drops, as risk appetite revives

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Euro gains, dollar drops, as risk appetite revives

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO:Illustration photo of U.S. Dollar and Euro notes

By Tommy Wilkes

LONDON (Reuters) – The euro’s rally on Monday fizzled as a more-dovish-than-expected central bank meeting last week continued to weigh on the single currency, while a revival in risk appetite hurt the dollar against higher-yielding currencies.

Strong U.S. jobs numbers and receding fears over a trade war helped a rebound in markets, and when markets have rallied this year the euro has tended to benefit against the dollar, as traders bet investors will continue to put more money into a region where the economies are booming.

But the euro fell last week as the European Central Bank said inflation expectations remained subdued and that monetary policy would remain “reactive”.

After initially rising to a session high of $1.2341 on Monday, the euro dropped 0.1 percent to $1.2297 (). The single currency, after a strong start to 2018, remains below the three-year peak hit in February of $1.2556.

“The euro is still suffering in the aftermath of the ECB meeting,” said Alvin Tan, a currencies analyst at Societe Generale (PA:). “The cross currents are affecting the euro.”

The dollar, which has tended to fall when risk appetite is rising, meanwhile reversed its falls to rise slightly. The greenback against a basket of currencies () rose 0.1 percent at 1130 GMT.

With little crucial economic data due in Europe, traders will focus on a meeting of the euro zone finance ministers on Monday for any comments on trade protectionism after President Donald Trump’s decision to impose some tariffs.

Many analysts remain bullish on the euro.

“With the euro zone enjoying a massive 3.5 percent GDP current account surplus and the euro not particularly volatile, we suspect it will be very hard for (euro zone) finance officials to talk down the euro,” said Viraj Patel, an FX strategist at ING.

The strong U.S. job growth data released on Friday was counterbalanced by slower increases in wages, resulting in money market traders sticking to bets that the Fed would raise interest rates three times this year, with only around a one-in-four chance seen for a fourth rate hike in 2018.

Higher-yielding currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars also rose, 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent respectively.

YEN GAINS

The yen, which tends to perform well when markets are anxious, gained as traders eyed a suspected Japan cronyism scandal involving the sale of state-owned land for its impact.

The name of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wife was removed from documents regarding the issue, media said on Monday, as pressure mounted on the premier and his ally Finance Minister Taro Aso over a possible cover-up.

Abe has denied that he or his wife did favors for a school operator and has said he would resign if evidence was found that they had. Aso has apologized for his ministry’s actions over the documents but said that he had no intention of stepping down.

Market participants said the political developments in Japan helped temper gains in Japanese equities and lent some support to the yen.

The yen rose 0.2 percent to 106.58 yen , edging away from a one-week high of 107.05 yen set on Friday.

The dollar had risen against the yen last week as risk appetite improved on hopes for a breakthrough in the standoff over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, and reduced concern about an escalation in trade protectionism.

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