#anime Boston Saturday

[chasing-dreams-since-1995]

I’ll be attending Anime Boston this Saturday as Luz! See you guys then!

#anime boston #luz #luz nodeda #the owl house #Disney #I’m only going Saturday #I’ll be wearing glasses because I can’t see #masks are mandatory

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Week - April 3, 2023

Kentucky Legalizes Medical Marijuana in Bipartisan Vote After Decade of Failed Attempts

The state of Kentucky has legalized the use of medical marijuana. The bill received final passage on Thursday. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear signed it into law Friday morning after a decade of failed attempts in the state legislature.

The news makes Kentucky at least the 38th state in the U.S. to legalize medical marijuana.

Now Indiana is surrounded by weed states. The encirclement is complete 😂

2. The Maryland House of Delegates voted Saturday to approve the Trans Health Equity Act

The Maryland House of Delegates voted Saturday to approve the Trans Health Equity Act — a bill that just a year ago disappeared from the chamber’s agenda ahead of a floor vote.

The bill would require Maryland Medicaid, beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, to provide coverage for additional gender-affirming treatments, which are currently disallowed in the state’s plan but commonly covered by private insurance. The expanded treatments include hormone therapy, hair alteration, voice therapy, physical alterations to the body, and fertility preservation.

3. FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan. Here's what it means

The approved nasal spray is the best-known form of naloxone. It can reverse overdoses of opioids, including street drugs such as heroin and fentanyl and prescription versions including oxycodone.

Making naloxone available more widely is seen as a key strategy to control the nationwide overdose crisis. Effects begin within two minutes when given intravenously, and within five minutes when injected into a muscle. The medicine can also be administered by spraying it into a person's nose.

4. Boston expands tuition-free community college program to all residents

Boston has expanded its tuition-free community college program to include all city residents regardless of age, income or immigration status.

Starting this fall, any city resident will be eligible to pursue an associate’s degree or certificate at one of six partnering local institutions without paying to attend. The program also includes a $250 stipend for incidental expenses each semester for up to three years, and up to $2,500 of debt relief for students whose account balances are keeping them from re-enrolling.

5. First cheetah cubs born in India since extinction 70 years ago

India has welcomed the birth of four cheetah cubs - more than 70 years after the animals were declared officially extinct there.India's environment minister announced the good news, calling it a "momentous event".

The country has been trying to reintroduce the big cats for decades, and last year brought eight cheetahs over from Namibia as part of the plan. Another 12 cheetahs were brought to India from South Africa last month.

6. BBC education show in Afghanistan helps children banned from school

The BBC has launched a new education programme for children in Afghanistan who are banned from school.It is aimed at children aged 11 to 16, including girls whose secondary education has been stopped by the ruling Taliban.

The weekly programme is called Dars, which means lesson in Dari and Pashto, Afghanistan's official languages. It is hosted by BBC Afghan female journalists who were evacuated from Kabul during the 2021 Taliban takeover.

Each new weekly half-hour episode of Dars will air four times a day, Saturday to Friday, on the newly launched BBC News Afghanistan channel.

7. A Trans Creator Has Raised Over 1.5 Million for Trans Healthcare on TikTok Live

Transgender TikTokers are celebrating Trans Day of Visibility by raising over $1.5 million for gender-affirming care around the world.

Mercury Stardust — a DIY TikToker and trans advocate who calls herself the “Trans Handy Ma’am” — raised $120,000 last year in a livestream for the mutual aid nonprofit Point of Pride, which maintains funds for surgeries, hormone therapy, and free binders and gaffs. This year, Stardust and cohost Jory, a.k.a. AlluringSkull, set themselves a goal of raising $1 million in a planned 30-hour live stream…and then smashed that milestone less than six hours after starting the stream Thursday evening.

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I have started a Youtube channel with wholesome videos I can find on the internet. Check it out :)

That's it for this week :)

This newsletter will always be free. If you liked this post you can support me with a small kofi donation:

Buy me a coffee ❤️

Also don’t forget to reblog

#best news of last week

[amphibizzy]

more instar (dyin) cosplay wip. find a person happier than me rn i dare you

[for pax east saturday / maybe anime boston]

#JUICE IN MY HAAANNNDS #the hat looks so fucking good guys #hylics #instar #instar hylics #instar cosplay #pax east

[shiroiroom]

I’m getting ready to finally open the store! I’ll open this Saturday March 9th at 12pm PST and it will be open for a week and soon after I’ll get ready to go to Anime Boston!! It’s a very exciting month!! ☺️💕💕

#shiroiroom #shiroiroom online store #artprints #sailor neptune #sailor uranus #cousins

[artbyblastweave]

Anime Boston this Saturday!

#wildbow #parahumans #worm #trickster #my art

[smolthealmighty]

Oops, forgot to post a couple other fun pictures I got from Anime Boston: Saturday Edition. These are my two favorites that came from the impromptu “The Owl House” photoshoot!

A grimwalker conjuring circle to summon the ghost of their ortet.

Belos calls this move “disappointing your brother/murder victim out of religious vindictiveness”

#toh #the owl house #caleb wittebane #cosplay #anime boston #toh hunter #emperor belos #philip wittebane #big props to the organizer who spread the word by running up to every Owl House cosplayer and telling them what’s up #much love to you from me: the cosplayer that ​acted as a landmark to wrangle us to a free spot where we could be nerds together #this might be one of the most complimented cosplays I’ve ever worn to a convention #people who knew who I was were estatic and people who didn’t still loved the knife prop I made #god am I proud of that floating knife I made #smol’s stuff #smol’s weird ass shit

[sailorastera]

If you missed the news: I did not get into Anime Boston this year! 🥹

A bunch of people have asked me where my table is and I know folks will be looking for me in the Artist Alley. You might catch me walking around on Saturday afternoon spending too much money on enamel pins, but I will be there as a regular con goer.

If you want to pick something up from my shop at AdorkaBows dot com you can get free US shipping right now with code SADFACE

There's a ton of pins, stickers, and even some hair bows in stock!

Your support will help me fill the void in my heart (and wallet) that missing AB has formed. ♥

#adorkabows #anime boston #free shipping

[k-evans-reads]

In Living Color

Chapter 20

Summary: When Natalie Marton, lead character designer for Buzz Lightyear, meets the voice of Buzz, Chris Evans, the sparks are undeniable. But when their work pushes them away from each other, both physically and emotionally, will the sheer differences between their worlds be enough to force them apart?

Pairing: Chris Evans x Pixar Animator OFC Natalie Marton

Word Count: 3,953

By: @k-evans-writes and @ourfinest-hour

We do NOT give permission for our works to be reuploaded, translated, or reposted on any other site. Our work is our own.

Warnings: None.

Previous | Main Masterlist | In Living Color Masterlist

April 2022

The soft beep of Chris’ security system echoed through the otherwise quiet home just as he was pulling plates out of a cabinet. With a glance backwards over his shoulder, he watched as Lisa came into the kitchen, her face tired as her hands held a take-out bag from her favorite restaurant in town.  

“You look beat,” he chuckled as he took the food from her, but knew he felt the exact same way as she looked. 

“That’s what all mothers of the brides look like the day after a wedding,” Lisa shook her head as she sat down heavily on a barstool, taking a sip of water from the glass he’d sat out for her. Chris busied himself with putting their food on plates, sliding Lisa hers as he walked around the island to sit down next to her, putting his plate down in front of him. “Did you have a good time last night? I was a little worried about you.” 

“I had a great time. I love to see Shanna this happy,” he honestly replied, knowing how momentous the occasion was for his younger sister. He shook his head as he picked up his sandwich, brushing off her concern by saying, “Don’t worry about me, Ma. I’m fine.” 

Lisa shrugged back, holding a chip in her hand as she pointed out, “You’ve just seemed a little more subdued this weekend.” 

“I’m just tired,” he placated, knowing it was the truth. Between a heavy filming schedule – one where he was almost entirely alone, save for Josh and Dodger, on his off hours – and flying from Atlanta to Boston late Friday, spending all of Saturday with their entire family, then putting everything back in his suitcase and rolling it to where it now rested, next to the front door, waiting until it was time to head out for his flight back to Georgia. 

But Lisa simply raised an eyebrow at her eldest son, looking at him suspiciously as she suggested, “I thought it might have a little more to do with the fact that Nat couldn’t come.” 

His face fell into a small frown, knowing it was the truth. “That too,” he murmured. It’d been worrisome when Nat called – tired, but most of all under the weather and stressed – on Thursday, just as Chris was leaving set for the day. But the other shoe dropped on mid-morning Friday, when Nat called, extremely apologetic as she told Chris she wouldn’t even be able to make it out of bed, not to mention down to LAX to make it onto the cross-country flight to meet him in Boston that evening. 

“How is she doing? The poor thing sounded terrible yesterday morning when you had her on speaker phone,” Lisa asked him, her eyes worried as she recalled Nat’s strained voice. 

“I haven’t talked to her much since then. I tried calling her a few times this morning but she didn’t answer,” Chris informed her, his voice low as he shrugged, but was unable to quell the overwhelming worry that he felt for Nat.

“Hopefully she’s getting some sleep.” 

“God knows she doesn’t get it any other time,” he muttered, sighing as he paused and took another bite of his sandwich. “I’m not really surprised that she’s been sick so much lately, I don’t think she ever stops working.” 

“I’m sure she would have made it if she could,” Lisa tried to assure him, but her efforts fell well short.

“It’s not that,” Chris insisted, wanting her to know he wasn’t upset about the sickness leaving her behind in Los Angeles. It was about what got her to this point. “I know she wanted to come this weekend. She was crying on the phone when she said she couldn’t come and was really upset about it. I’m not frustrated about her getting sick, but just more that she has done nothing but work for the past four months.” 

“Won’t that be over with soon, though? She’s only busy while she has the two movies overlapping, right?” 

“That’s the thing though, Lightyear is completely finished,” Chris said. He knew it finished last month – having been on the email thread of the main crew celebrating, but having also seen Nat’s calendar with the deadline circled in red. He remembered her sky-high stress levels in the week leading up to that hard deadline, but then only got to see a fraction of the stress leave her shoulders as she jumped into the next projects, the next deadline, the task. “Her work load is just insane and she doesn’t ever say no to anything. She keeps saying that it’s a season but I’m not so sure it is.” 

“Do you feel like it’s different than it was last year?” Lisa asked, her brows furrowed as she listened to his words and ate her sandwich.  

“Definitely,” Chris agreed instantly. He remembered how carefree Nat was last year, coupled with them growing closer to each other and beginning their relationship. But now he felt like something had shifted inside of Nat, and he struggled to reconcile this overworking and burn out with anything that he knew Nat to be. “I know earlier this year it was because of the two movies overlapping, but I feel like it’s worse now that I’m working, because she just never shuts down for the day. Even when she visited here in Boston in February and Atalanta in March, she’d work in bed when I was falling asleep.” 

Lisa nodded as she listened to Chris, pointing out, “It’s a hard line because Nat’s job is who she is.” 

“That’s the thing though. Being an artist is who she is and her job was just what she did, but now I feel like her job is her life,” Chris replied, his hands flying in the air as he finished his lunch. “Her job has become her identity and I don’t know why. She never wanted that. Ever.” 

“Why do you think that is?” 

He struggled to answer her simple question, at a true loss for words. Nat to him was always so self-assured, strong, and capable. But now, from what short conversations they’d been able to have before he fell asleep or had to go back to set, or in between her meetings, he just felt as though she was doubting everything she did. She always brushed off his concern, saying she was fine, but his worry only grew larger with every passing day where she didn’t go back to being Nattie. “I honestly don’t know. Nat doesn’t care about doing things in a traditional way or being stuck in societal norms and that’s what I love so much about her. I love that Nat’s her own person in every way but I feel like she just keeps slipping into… I don’t know… what she thinks she should be doing or what she thinks it means to be successful. I don’t really understand.” He finally answered, feeling as though nothing he said would make sense to anyone except his mother. 

“I feel like this is maybe something you should try to talk to her about. Maybe just bring it up in a gentle way and see how she’s feeling,” Lisa suggested, her hand resting comfortingly on the back of his shoulder as she stood up to put their dishes in the dishwasher. 

“Lately when I talk to her it just feels… different,” he admitted, swallowing anxiously as all his fears came to the surface. “Nat’s always been honest. I’ve always loved how she’s just so open and upfront with her feelings but lately it just seems like she isn’t telling me the truth about what’s going on and isn’t open about things. I’m starting to wonder if maybe it’s more about her pulling back from me…” 

“Chris, I don’t want to see you just sit back and let it get to the point where it’s too big to figure out,” Lisa began, her voice more worried than it had been at the beginning of the conversation. 

“I think I just need to talk to her,” he nodded, moving to put the bag and containers from the restaurant in the trash can. His shoulders slouched a little as he added, “But we barely get time to do that anymore.” 

“Well if it’s worth it to you, then you’ll make the time,” Lisa simply – and firmly – replied.

“Nattie’s worth it,” he said, without a moment’s hesitation. “I love her so much Ma and I guess I’m just afraid that when we talk, what she says might be something I don’t want to hear.” 

“There’s only one way to find out,” Lisa smiled, then her look grew wider as she suggested, “Besides, the answer to all of this might be a lot more simple than you’re imagining it to be.” 

With a hopeful grin, Chris went to grab his coat and backpack from the living room before he and Lisa headed out for the airport, with Chris’ departure back to Atlanta rapidly approaching. He’d been looking forward to this weekend for a variety of reasons – celebrating his sister and her new husband, Daniel, getting to sleep in his own bed, see his niece and nephews, and be back home – but most of all, he’d been looking forward to seeing Nattie. It had been a huge disappointment that she couldn’t be there, especially with this uncertainty and worry that had cropped up in their lives, but he found himself counting down the hours until he could somehow get a visit in to see his girl, because he knew that once they were together everything would feel a lot more right. 

Mark stared at Nat in near-disbelief as she pulled the door to her apartment open, leaning on it for support. “You look like absolute shit,” he decisively told her before brushing past Nat and heading into her apartment, the smell of soup wafting from the bag he held. 

“Thanks for that,” she rolled her eyes as she shut and locked the door behind him then followed him down the hall, arms wrapped around herself as she shuffled down the hallway. 

“I just mean you really are sick, aren’t you?” Mark asked as he eyed Nat carefully, sitting down at her table. She rolled her eyes to herself at Mark’s obvious intentional distance-putting between them, but instead opened the bag that was sitting on the counter and pulled one of the soups out, grabbing a spoon on her way to sit at the island. 

“Well I’m not hunched over the toilet throwing up anymore like I was yesterday. I'd say I'm actually doing pretty good right now,” she shrugged, her eyes shutting as she tasted the chicken noodle soup. 

“Hopefully this soup helps,” her friend chuckled, a fond grin on his face. 

“Thanks for bringing it over, Mark, I really appreciate it,” she told him honestly. 

“Happy to,” he shrugged, brushing off her appreciation. “I knew you felt like shit and I’m sure having to stay home this weekend didn’t help.” 

Nat’s face fell a little at the reminder of what this weekend was. She and Chris were supposed to go to his younger sister’s wedding together back in Boston, spend time with his family, have fun, and let their guard down a little while surrounded by the Evanses’ closest friends. She’d been so excited, not only to be a tiny part of the family’s big day, but to also see him. Life had been…. Hectic, to say the least, over the last three months for them both. With Nat’s work schedule as busy as it’d ever been and with Chris spending his weeks in Atlanta, they were lucky to have gotten two quick visits in with each other, but her schedule and lack of sleep had taken its toll, leaving her with a stomach bug and a canceled flight and having to write an apologetic message to the bride. She was also disappointed, however, because she’d wanted to tell him about the latest news she’d received that Thursday morning. 

“Going to Boston has been the one thing I’ve been looking forward to and I had to get sick this weekend,” she admitted, a deep frown on her lips as she stared down at the still-warm soup. 

Mark sighed, a long and low sound from across the room. She picked her head up to look at him, seeing the concern in his eyes as he confessed, “I can’t say that I’m surprised with how hard you’ve been working. You haven’t really taken great care of yourself lately, Nat.” 

“Well you know how busy it’s been, and then with me taking off last month to go see Chris on set and then this weekend, I’ve had to pack in more,” she shrugged, trying to – not for the first time – brush off someone’s obvious concern and worry for her. 

“And the other day you were in that meeting for nearly half the day,” Mark recalled, the furrow between his brows growing as he tilted his head in curiosity. “What was that about anyway?” 

“Jamie didn’t tell you?” Nat asked, her voice trailing off in surprise. 

“No he was busy in meetings all day yesterday so I didn’t get to talk to him,” Mark informed her, but quickly asked, “So what happened?” 

“They offered me a promotion,” Nat told him, feeling a soft smile crawling across her lips as she looked over at him going on to explain, “They want me to be in charge of the animators for Inside Out.” 

Even from a few feet away, she could see Mark’s eyes nearly bugging out of his head as he exclaimed,“Are you serious, Nat? That’s incredible!” His excitement quickly turned to curiosity as he wondered out loud, “Are you going to take it?” 

“I’m not sure yet,” Nat muttered as her eyes fluttered back down to her soup as she watched the noodles floating as her spoon pushed around in the broth. She took a breath before glancing back to her longtime friend and revealed, “The catch is I have to move to Pixar headquarters.” 

“In San Francisco?” 

“Yeah…” 

“That’s an incredible opportunity though Nat,” Mark couldn’t help but bring up with a soft shake of his head, knowing all that this meant but asked, “What does Chris think?”

“I’m not sure, I haven’t talked to him. With his sister's wedding he’s busy and I kind of wanted to tell him in person,” she stopped momentarily to fish the tissue out of her sweatpants pocket, blowing her nose before telling Mark that, “I talked to my dad and sisters though and they all were excited. My dad kept telling me how proud of me he was.” 

“Your dad is always proud of you, no matter what.” 

Although she knew that Mark’s words were true, her dad being so full of joy and love not only just for her but for her two older sisters as well, there was more to it than just that. In her family, both Heather and Alex were apparently like their mother being more driven and structured whereas she took after her dad and inherited his love to dream. But when her mother had passed away and Eric was left a single dad raising three girls, so many of his own dreams were put on a shelf where they had since gotten covered with dust and forgotten. 

Although Nat knew that he didn’t resent one bit of it, and instead spoke about being so thankful to have his girls, she knew that there was a part of him that took pride in helping Nat achieve her dreams in a way he didn’t get a chance to. She could feel tears in her eyes when she remembered finding out how her dad had taken on extra hours to help scrape the money together to put her through art school and how he’d search through Goodwill every day on his way home from work to find art supplies for her. She held those memories so close to her heart, remembering the sacrifice he’d made for her, and still to this day wanted to make him proud. 

 “You have no idea how hard he worked to put me through art school though. This feels like proof all his hard work paid off,” Nat finally put her emotions into words, but knowing that the depth of what she felt couldn’t be summed up that simply. 

“Well if this is what you want to do, I’m happy for you Nat,” she knew just how true his words were. For the past decade, Mark and Jamie had been her best friends that were more like family. They had been there for her in every step of life and she was there for them in the same way and they all shared in each other’s sorrows and joys and this time was no different. 

“I don’t know that it’s exactly what I want to do but I feel like I have to,” Nat confided in him with a shrug and a brush through her disheveled curls, admitting simply,  “I can’t do this anymore.” 

“What do you mean? Can’t do what?” Mark’s voice was hesitant and his eyes narrowed a bit as he looked at her from across the room. 

“All of this,” Nat gestured vaguely as her shoulders shrugged. Her eyes dropped down to the soup as she felt the anxieties bubble out of her. “I can’t handle this workload that they keep adding more and more to and still have a life. I mean, it was fine when I was willing to dedicate more time to work but I don’t want to anymore, especially once Chris is done filming. With this promotion I’d have more set hours and flexibility, especially once I settle in.” 

“Nat, do you really want to give up being an animator though? You love it,” he recalled, his voice almost prideful. 

“I do but…I guess just more and more I keep seeing how badly I want more than just my career,” she admitted, pausing as she tried to muster the courage to admit, “I want my own family and time to create for myself and I want… Chris. I want a life with him, and this promotion seems like the only way to do it. With this promotion I can have normal hours and take time off and not be exhausted when I go home at night.” 

Mark’s head cocked to the side again as he looked at her, his voice tentative as he reminded her, “What about doing more of your own art and selling it? I was thinking you wanted to do that more.” 

“I do but that seems like something more down the road. I don’t think that’s enough to pay the bills right now,” she sadly confessed. She’d be lucky to scrape together enough to pay for rent, not to mention deal with her own healthcare, her own insurance, and supplies. “Besides, it seems dumb not to take this promotion. I mean, anyone in our department would kill for this job.” 

A single brow rose as Mark chuckled, “Me included.” 

“Should I be worried you put something in this soup?” 

“Maybe,” he shrugged with a smirk, but then the smirk dropped and he turned serious. “But seriously Nat, I’m so happy for you.”

Nat nodded to herself as she stirred her soup absent-mindedly. “I hope Chris will be just as happy as you are,” she spoke. 

“Do you think he won't be?”

“Honestly I'm not sure. It's not a secret that he's not been super happy about my hours,” she muttered through a frown. Although they hadn’t outright argued about her hours in a while, it was an underlying source of tension the past few months. “I know some of it he's just worried about me but the other part of me can't help but wonder if he maybe resents the fact I can't be with him as much as he wants.”

“He hasn't said that has he?” Mark’s eyebrow rose as he leaned his elbows on the table. 

“No but that's a bit of a conflict in the past where he's just used to doing what he wants and having everyone around him be able to go along with him,” Nat knew that there was a big divide in their lifestyles. She had a regular job, used to going in five days a week, having meetings, worrying from time to time about finances, and when to get groceries after a long work day. But on the other side of it, although Chris was down to earth, he was used to having a large bank account and for the most part, a fairly flexible schedule that allowed him to do what he wanted when he wanted and with whom he wanted. His life was much different than hers and that was just a fact that couldn’t be ignored, especially when Nat thought back to the fact she couldn’t seem to make a relationship work even with someone who had a similar lifestyle, noting, “And look what happened with Shane?  He expected me to drop everything for him too.”

“That doesn't mean it'll happen with Chris though,” Mark pointed out, his tone hopeful as he rushed to add, “I mean, if you want to do this then I’m sure he'll support that.”

“I do want to take this promotion. It’s the logical next step, right?” Nat asked, her brow raised as she looked at her close friend, one of the few people she trusted implicitly to guide her in this. 

“It’s a killer job, Nat. I know I wouldn't turn it down,” Mark told her, his hands waving. He looked at her seriously as he sighed and added, “Besides, like you said, it’ll give you more regular hours and flexibility so it’ll let you have time to create the life you want.” 

“I want something different, Mark. I want a family with Chris and I think we’re heading in that direction so I want to make some of these decisions so that we can have it,” she confessed. She knew it was a logical stepping stone to eventually a career where she could – maybe, hopefully – spend her days meeting virtually instead of on Campus, getting to join Chris wherever he was filming next, and getting that flexibility to start a family with the man she loved. “Besides, this job is more of a career. It feels like proof that chaotic, messy, emotional Nattie Marton can make her dreams come true.” 

Mark’s face fell a little at that self-conscious statement, assuring Nat, “You are, Nat. You’ve done what a lot of artists aren’t able to and I think you should take this job.” 

“I’m going to. It’s just too good to turn down,” she admitted with a small grin. 

With Mark’s proud smile and another congratulations thrown at her, Nat stared down at the now-cold soup in front of her, unable to think of anything but proving herself. Proving that she was capable, that she deserved this role, and that her choices in life paid off. For so long her own insecurities in herself and being the black sheep in so many situations left her feeling like the value she offered couldn’t be through her personality that had always been a bit much, but instead what she could contribute through work. She wanted to prove to everyone, most mostly to herself that all this work, all this stress, tears, late nights, and postponed things was worth it, and most of all, that she could do it, and was worthy of it.

A/N: We'll be back in May with the next chapters! Feel free to send us any thoughts between now and then!

#in living color #chris evans story #chris evans fanfiction #chris evans fanfic #original female character #chris evans ff #chris evans #chris evans x female reader #chris evans x oc #chris evans x original female character #chris evans x ofc #ofc #real person fanfiction #real person fiction #real life chris evans #chris evans writing #writing #chris evans fluff #chris evans imagine #real person fic #rpf #chris evans angst #chris evans fiction #chris evans fic #pixar au #cevans #christopher robert evans

[beachswiftie99]

Gift exchange

Hope you enjoy this story, @aroeddiediaz !

Prologue

Saturday, March 30th at Venice Beach, California

“Can I ask you something, Eddie?” Buck said to Eddie as they walked their family dog, Milo. Milo is a 4-year-old golden retriever who loves the beach, especially long walks on the beach with his family. Eddie rescued Milo from the Best Friends Animal Society in January. He realized the family needs a pet, and Christopher has always wanted a dog.

“Of course, Buck. What’s up?” Eddie picked up a seashell and put it in his beach bag.

“Am I a good father? I don’t want to be like my parents. I want to be a good dad for Christopher, but I don’t feel like I am enough. I never feel like I am enough.” Buck looked at the ground and stopped walking.

Eddie took a deep breath and stopped walking. “Buck, I am sorry you are feeling this way. But Christopher loves you and says you are an amazing father to him. I know your heart, Buck. That’s why I chose you to be Christopher’s guardian when I got shot two years ago, and one of the many reasons I married you. You are not like your parents. You are always present and support Christopher through the good days and bad days. None of us are perfect parents, but you are there for Christopher and truly care for him.”

“Thanks, love. But I still have these lingering feelings that I am not enough.” Buck wiped his eyes and squatted down to pet Milo.

“Have you talked to Maddie and Dr. Smith about these feelings?" Eddie squatted down to pet Milo. Dr. Smith is Buck’s therapist that he has been going to for the past few months. Eddie suggested therapy for Buck to work through his trauma.

“Yes. Maddie told me the same thing that you told me, and Dr. Smith gave me strategies for dealing with intrusive thoughts. I identify the thought as intrusive, and I don’t fight it. I also work on not judging myself for having these thoughts. Dr. Smith told me that there is nothing wrong with me for having intrusive thoughts. I also journal my thoughts.” Buck looked at Eddie and continued to pet Milo.

“That’s good. I am glad you are getting the help you need. Life is hard, Buck. It is always hard. But you have come so far from when I first met you about seven years ago. You are not like your parents. You are kind, hardworking, friendly, and a great husband and father.” Eddie touched Buck’s shoulder and stood up. Buck stood up and started to walk to the shoreline.

“Thanks, Eddie. This means a lot to me. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Buck.” Both continued to walk in silence. Venice Beach was busy today with tourists taking pictures of the ocean, children flying kites, people building sandcastles and playing volleyball. Off the shoreline, people were bodyboarding and surfboarding. It was a peaceful sight to see. Buck realized this: he needed a vacation.

Buck stopped and grabbed some green sea glass. “Eddie! I have an idea. It’s crazy, but it’s a good idea.”

Eddie stopped walking and turned to Buck. “I am all ears. Your idea isn’t a prank war or a threesome right?”

“Eddie, no! Unless you want a threesome.” Buck winked at Eddie.

“Buck, no. I want you all to myself.” Eddie rolled his eyes and winked at Buck. “What’s your crazy idea? I want to hear it.”

“Let’s go on a vacation! And use our personal time off!” Buck exclaimed with a gleam in his eye.

“Buck, that’s not a crazy idea! We both need a vacation! Where do you want to go?” Eddie pet Milo.

“Don’t you want to go to Vienna, Virginia? Or is it Vienna, Austria?” Buck suggested.

“Austria! I really want to go there. I love German food and the Sound of Music. What a great idea!” Eddie smiled with a gleam in his brown eyes. “I will start planning it over lunch.”

“Dr. Smith recommends I take a vacation, so I am SO doing it.” Buck laughed. “Let’s start planning.”

Chapter 1: Preparation

13 hours until the 8 am flight to Boston

It was a busy night in the Buckley-Diaz household. Eddie, Buck, and Christopher all had their suitcases and carryon bags in the living room. The family dog, Milo, ran around the house and was licking Christopher’s face. Eddie read off his packing list with all the essentials they needed for the trip overseas.  

Buck, Eddie, and Christopher are heading to Vienna, Austria for a family vacation. Eddie has always wanted to travel to Austria and Buck proposed this idea after he fully recovered from his freak accident. After two full months of physical therapy, several psychiatry therapy sessions that he still attends to this day (thanks, Eddie!), and a month off from work to recover, Buck felt like himself again, physically, and emotionally. He realized that life is fleeting, and he wants to spend time with his husband, Eddie, and their son, Christopher. But the trip is finally happening! They are all flying out of the airport tomorrow into Logan International Airport. Buck wanted to spend three days in Boston before flying out to Vienna, and Eddie wanted to see some sights in Boston. After a long week of helping others, Buck needed this vacation. Time to just relax and dance the waltz in Vienna with his one true love, Eddie.

“Okay! We are on the last few items. Does everyone have their passport? Christopher, I have yours right here with me.”

“Check.” Buck said as he pulled out his passport.

“Government-issued ID or License?”

“Check.”

“I have it, dad.” Christopher says.

“Toothpaste, toothbrush, and toiletries? Do I even have my travel toothbrush? Or is it lost? Oh, Dios Mio, if I forget or lose my toothbrush, I will be so-“ Eddie exclaims, and looks for his suitcase and toiletry bag.

“Eddie, you have everything. You have been packing for like three weeks. Don’t worry, you planned this trip a month before we even got the plane tickets.” Buck says to Eddie and touches his shoulder. “Besides, I brought two spare toothbrushes in my carryon bag if one of us forgets our toothbrush.” Buck smiles and pulls out his spare toothbrushes from his backpack. “Chris, I learned from the best.”

Christopher agreed, “Buck, you truly did! I’m proud of you; remember when you were SO disorganized. Even more disorganized than me” He smiled at Buck.

Buck rolled his eyes and messed up Christopher’s hair. “Chris, you are one of the most organized kids I know. You and Eddie made me more organized. How about let’s all make some ice cream sundaes and popcorn as we watch the Sound of Music?”

“I love Sound of Music!” Christopher exclaimed.

“The hills are alive with the sound of music!!!” Buck belted.

“I’ll prepare some popcorn and ice cream! Come on and help me, Chris!” Eddie said.

“Coming, dad!” Christopher left the living room and walked to the kitchen.

“Buck, what do you want on your ice cream sundae?” Eddie said from the kitchen.

“Coming, Eddie! I am gonna make the best concoction.” Buck put his toothbrush in his carryon bag and went to the kitchen.

“Chris, what are you adding to your sundae? You don’t need all that sugar!” Eddie took the sprinkles away from Christopher.

“Okay, then I will add more peanut butter.” Christopher opened the peanut butter and scooped two spoonfuls on his vanilla ice cream. Eddie took the peanut butter and added it to his chocolate chip ice cream.

“Save some chocolate sauce and peanut butter for me! I am popping the popcorn!” Buck ran to the kitchen.

Eddie poured the popcorn into a large bowl and set up the Blu-Ray so that they could all watch Sound of Music. It was a relaxing night in the Buckley-Diaz house. No worries, no stress.

I deserve this love and peace. Eddie thought and smiled at his son and his husband who were eating popcorn and ice cream while singing along to the opening song in the movie.

Chapter 2: Travel Day

5:00 am-in Hen’s bright red Subaru

“Thanks for driving us, Hen. I really owe you one.” Eddie said from the back seat.

“You’re welcome, Eddie! You all deserve this vacation; you have been through a lot and Vienna is gorgeous.” Hen made a right turn to enter the departure gate of Los Angeles International Airport.

“Wait, you’ve been to Austria?” Buck turned to Hen.

“Oh, yes! With Chimney! We took a trip after our first year with the 911. It was beautiful. The people were so pleasant, and the food was spectacular. You all will love it!” Hen parked her car at the departure gate and put her hazard lights on. All four of them got out of the car.

“I love you all and have the best trip! You can text me anytime with updates and I would love to see pictures! I’ll hold down the 911 department while you all are gone.”

“Hen, thank you so much! We love you and we will send pictures!” Buck leaned in for a hug.

“And Eddie? I have a secret to tell you. Come here.”

Eddie looked anxious. “Hen, is everything okay?”

“Come on, it isn’t bad. At all.” Hen smiled at him.

Eddie walked over to her.

Hen leaned into his left side and spoke into his ear “You did amazing with planning this trip. The family will love it. If you have any panic attacks or anxious moments, you can always reach out to me.” She leaned away from his ear and faced him with a relaxed smile.

Eddie felt relaxed and the tension from his shoulders was released. “Hen, I appreciate that. I will let you know if I ever need to talk.” He then gave her a hug.

“And Christopher!”

“Yes, Aunt Hen?”

“Keep an eye out for these two crazy men! You are the leader, and I’ll miss you the most.” She winked at Christopher.

“Oh yes, I will! Love you!!” They both hugged.

“Have the best time everyone! Love you all!” Hen helped them get their bags out of her trunk and got into her car. She waved goodbye and drove off.

“Well, we got here in plenty of time, Buck.” Eddie said as he grabbed his bags.

“See, I told you!” Buck kissed Eddie on the lips. He tasted like vanilla and coconut.

“Now let’s check in and go through security.” Eddie said, smiling.

Chapter 3: En route

Security was fast, and the family found their gate and had some breakfast. Three hours have passed, and now Buck, Eddie, and Christopher were seated in their reclining seats in first class. They are finally boarded and ready to start their vacation.

“Time for the 5-hour flight.” Eddie said and put his headphones on his ear. “So happy I booked first-class tickets so we can sleep well.” He reclines his chair back and looks at Buck with a smile.  

“Oh yes, and soon to Vienna.” Buck turned to Eddie and smiled.

“Chris, you good?” Eddie turned to his son who was sitting in the window seat.

“Oh yes! So excited!” Christopher put on his headphones.

Time to go to Boston!

Chapter 4: Time to Dance

Three days later: Harborside Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts

“FINALLY, time to relax after a long day of sightseeing!!” Buck jumped back on his bed.

“Buck, language!” Chris said.

“Oh shit, sorry!” Buck exclaimed.

“I love Boston. The New England Aquarium, the Freedom Trail, everything. I can’t believe I never visited here.” Eddie said with a smile.

“I loved it dad! Let’s go back!” Christopher put his phone down and sat up on his bed.

“We will definitely be back, pal!” Buck said.

“Oh, I agree. Now who’s ready for Vienna?” Eddie exclaimed.

“I am ready to waltz with you. Let’s practice.” Buck stood up and beckoned Eddie to stand up.

“Well, we do need practice.” Eddie agreed.

“I’ll lead. Put your arms on my waist. Chris, can you help teach us?”

“Of course! I can dance better than you two!” Christopher smiled and got out of his bed.

“I have two left feet, Buck.”

“Don’t worry, I got you.” Buck then whispered to Eddie. “After Christopher goes to bed, we will go to the bathroom, and I’ll let you suck my cock. How would you like that, big boy?”

“Buck, you are so hot. Yes, I want you and your cock.” Eddie whispered. “Let’s waltz.”

Chapter 5: Buck and Eddie try to waltz

Buck and Eddie walked to the front of their king beds. Christopher was sitting on the bed with his phone in his hand along with a portable speaker.

“I gotta turn on some waltzing music. Hold up, dads.” Christopher went on Spotify and found a Mozart playlist. “Okay, I found a song.” Violins and piano filled the air.

“Okay, I am going to demonstrate the dance for you.” Christopher set his phone and speaker on the nightstand and hopped off the bed. “Buck, put your hands on Eddie’s shoulder.” Buck did as Christopher instructed.

“Then, step like this. 1,2,3 to the left, and 1,2,3 to the right. I will show you.” Christopher demonstrated the steps. Buck and Eddie followed, but not as seamlessly.

“Eddie! My left, not your left!” Buck exclaimed.

“Buck, I don’t dance often!”

“Well, now you do! You need beginner classes with the four-year olds at this rate. So uncoordinated.”

“Well, you aren’t much better, twinkletoes.”

“Stop stepping on my toes, Eddie!”

“Stop complaining, Buck! Dios Mio.”

After many attempts (and cursing) they finally got the steps down.

“Okay, now we have to practice moving around the room like this.” Christopher demonstrated the rotation motion to his dads.  

“Oh, this should be fun with Mr. Twinkletoes.” Eddie said jokingly with his hands on his waist and looked sideways at Buck.

“Shut up, Eddie.” Buck rolled his eyes and laughed.

But the rotating around the room was easier than they both thought. Miraculously, they both got the steps down and flowed to the tempo of the music. Christopher watched over his dads with a huge grin on his face. Buck and Eddie were in another dimension; a dimension with no fear or anxiety, just dancing and peace. They were truly entranced by the music and each other’s presence. With Buck, I can do anything. He is my rock. Eddie thought.

I love Eddie with all my heart. If I have Eddie and Christopher, I am never alone. Buck thought and smiled to himself.

Buck and Eddie danced to the music for about ten minutes. Time flew by, but there was no care in the world. Christipher even joined in the waltz. Three people was harder than two, but it didn’t matter. They were a family. A unit. They stood as one, enjoying the music and each other.

This is my family. I am not like my parents. I will be there for Eddie and Christopher always and forever. Buck thought. No fucking thing will come between us. Nothing. 

#buddie #911 fox #eddie diaz #evan buckley #vacation #waltz

[jenyifer]

Nick and Keith Haring

I’m missing Nick and Boston extra hard today. First Saturday without BostonNick. So I want to talk about Nick first today. Many times in the show Nick is seen wearing Keith Haring’s art and I believe it has meaning beyond looking great on him.

Keith Haring was an American artist from New York he believed art was for everyone. A lot of his art was murals etc because in his own words

He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1989 and passed away in 1990. He was a advocate for AIDS research. Today his foundation is dedicated to helping people with HIV/AIDS. He talked about how life was fleeting anyways but art was forever

Nick wore Keith Harings art as shorts multiple times and socks at the end of the show with the colors inverted. I find it interesting both Nick and Sand’s inspirations passed away due to AIDS. Freddy Mercury and Keith Haring were geniuses who’s lives were cut tragically short. I can’t help but think about how Keith Haring was an artist in New York making art accessible to everyone by doing beautiful graffiti because “Art is for everyone”. Possibly… a reference to Boston leaving and his dream to have a gallery in New York of normal things of people in bed. Saying possibly Nick will always support his favorite gay New York based artist even if they are separated by time and space.

Another interpretation is in all 3 scenes where we see Nick wearing the art Nick is talking about himself a very rare occurrence since he likes to talk about boston. The first dark room scene he tells Boston about his past. The second in Sand’s room giving him advice that sounds very familiar. The final the skate date where Nick is telling Boston he doesn’t like skating and he can’t keep up with Boston. It could be Keith Haring is one of Nick’s favorite artists because Nick is also an artist. He’s a digital artist really a dream of the future. Anyone can be a digital artist with a little money. Now art is seen everywhere at any time similar to Keith’s graffiti it was everywhere and for the people. Perhaps that’s what Nick wants with his art too. To spread his messages and ideas with digital animation.

Anyways I hope you guys find it interesting as well I’m going to go back to wallowing in sadness that we don’t know if Nick ever seriously dated anyone ever again. Also that we don’t know in the series if Sand didn’t kick him to the curb after Boston left. Why wasn’t Nick in the last scene? He helped with the hostel. More than sand anyways. But where was he. My poor baby.

#only friends the series #ofts #only friends #only friends nick #only friends Boston #ofts nick #ofts Boston #bostonnick #ofts meta #only friends meta #jenny’s rambling #nickboston #boston x nick

[harvardfineartslib]

This year, Lunar New Year starts this Saturday, February 10th, and ends Saturday, February 24th.

The traditional Chinese calendar is based on a lunisolar calendar that observes the Sun’s position in the sky and the Moon’s phases, thus also called a lunar calendar. It dates to the 14th century BCE. In addition to China, Lunar New Year is celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and other countries with significant overseas Chinese populations.

This is the Year of the Dragon. Dragon is the only mythical creature among the Zodiac animals. It signifies good luck, strength, and power, as well as creativity and charisma. Here’s to an energetic start of the Year of the Dragon!

Dragon. n.d. Transparent lime-green glass. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; William Sturgis Bigelow Collection. https://jstor.org/stable/community.10662546.

#YearOfTheDragon #LunarNewYear #Dragon #HarvardFineArtsLibrary #FineArtsLibrary #Harvard #HarvardLibrary #DigitalImages

[antisociallilbrat]

Max and El move into their first apartment together right out of high school. It's in Boston and close enough to the school they'll be attending in the fall. It's small and it's quiet and their neighbor is a sweet old lady who likes to feed the pigeons in the courtyard and is always calling them by the wrong names.

Sure it's not the west coast but Max decided long ago that wherever El goes is her home. The east coast is the second-best coast anyways.

Max sees the scruffy thing on their back patio after about a week of living there on an early morning. One of its ears is missing its tip and its tail is crooked from where it's broken and healed. Its fur is a murky orange color and when it's meowing it's scratchy. The tenets who previously lived here must've been feeding it on the back patio. She honestly doesn't pay it much mind because El wakes up soon after, the creature scurrying off. That evening though she brings home a bag of dry food and El looks at her curiously.

The next morning she sees what the food is for. She keeps her distance from the creature.

El never tells Max to stop feeding it and she figures that's because El doesn't hate it, she's just unsure about it. El loves animals but she doesn't have a lot of experience of interacting with them. There were some at the lab but...she doesn't like to talk about those.

Stinker as Max has dubbed the mangy thing didn't get the memo about El's discomfort though. The thing for some reason is obsessed with her, rubbing against her legs and purring whenever El is hurriedly trying to unlock the door to get inside. It'll sit at the back window, watching, waiting for El to look over at it. The pair was at a stalemate.

Until one Saturday when Max was running late for work and forgot to feed Stinker. The thought of it didn't even cross her mind until she came home that afternoon and found El sitting on the back patio, looking stressed as Stinker was curled up in her lap asleep. Mechanically she pets Stinker's back, unsure of her movements.

"I was just feeding her. I...felt bad. She was hungry." Max offered to remove Stinker from her lap but she shook her head. "It's not bad. She's warm. And she smells."

Slowly Stinker and El started to become best friends and one evening Max came home to the cat curled up on her spot on the couch and dressed in a frilly pink sweater. "Stinker is in my spot." 

El shook her head from where she was cooking in the kitchen, "Her name isn't Stinker. It's Daisy." 

This is how Max and El ended up with a cat, and honestly- Stink- Daisy did grow on her as a new roommate.

#a little writing warm up #since that's all im about to do today #not thrilled with the ending but I wrote this in like 20 mins so what can you do #elmax #eleven #eleven hopper #el byers #max mayfield #madmax #stranger things #stranger things 4

[amphibizzy]

tyro progress

see him at pax east saturday / maybe anime boston!!

#tyro puppet #tyro #hylics

[topaz4293]

Reworked the Junko cosplay I have. Bought base, modded to hell. Tabard/apron thingo was redone from scratch though (The original just wasn't doing it for me) I will be using this up at Anime Boston SATURDAY for the Touhou photoshoot

https://www.animeboston.com/activities/photoshoots

Room 109 5pm Saturday

#cosplay #touhou project #touhou #anime boston #touhou junko #Bead bastards I will never FIND ALL OF THEM they are all over my house now and my wrists are unionizing against me

[sativaasiren]

It’s SATURDAY! I’m going as Becca from Cyberpunk Edgerunners for today’s con hijinks and hopefully to see the Babybeard concert at Anime Boston! This costume is probably my most revealing to date and i’m taking a large uncomfortable jump by putting myself out there but here we go 💖 As Becca would probably say, “fuck it”.

#personal #selfie #cosplay #cosplay girls #cyberpunk edgerunners #becca #tattooed #tattoos #tattooed girls

[drsteggy]

All done and distressed and ready to go be awesome at Anime Boston on Saturday. Images don’t really convey how flipping amazing this thing is. I’ve got a shoot scheduled with it as well.

#breath of the wild #legend of zelda #my midlife crisis is more fun than yours #link cosplay #royal guard #prop making