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sunmisgirl · 5 years

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NCT 127 Reaction to Their Independent GF

For 🍟anon: Ooh you do reactions!! Can I get nct 127 reaction to their gf being independent???? Thank you 💕-🍟 anon

Side note: I adore emoji anons so don't be shy to send more lol thanks again for your patience! Also, I apologize if it’s lackluster; this week was crazy hectic.

Taeil:

Taeil showed nothing but respect for you since the start of the relationship. He admires your confidence and strong-willed personality that never wavers during difficult or tense situations. He’ll never forget the time someone tried to dismiss your views during an open discussion in class and you stood your ground, maintaining your composure. Since that day, he knew you were a keeper.

Johnny:

Johnny finds your independence quite attractive. Whenever he has a busy schedule and can’t see you often, he doesn’t feel guilty because you’re most likely completing your own tasks for work (and doing an amazing job at it, you badass woman). Some mornings you wake up to little post-it notes plastered throughout the house expressing how much he loves you. He’s quite the jokester and sometimes pulls up to your house waiting to pick you up for your date blasting “Independent Women” by Destiny’s Child.

Taeyong:

You were determined to bake a German chocolate cake on your own. This was your first ever attempt to bake (let alone use a kitchen), but nonetheless you pushed forward and grabbed all of the ingredients. Time flies by but you barely notice when Taeyong comes home because you’re drawn into the video playing on your phone explaining the recipe. Taeyong suddenly pokes your sides and you jump, causing some cake batter to fling onto his cheek. “Why didn’t you ask me for help instead?” he questions you while lightly laughing and wiping his cheek with a napkin. You give him a pointed look and he playfully backs out of the kitchen knowing once your mind is set to something you won’t quit.

Yuta:

Yuta loves to show PDA whether it’s by holding hands or gently touching your lower back when you’re out browsing through shops. He doesn’t do this often though because he knows you despise being too clingy/needy with each other. However, he does appreciate the rare moments you initiate PDA first. Sometimes when you go out for night walks, you’ll drape his arm around your shoulder and hold him close, causing a small smile to spread onto his face.

Doyoung:

Doyoung loves that you march to the beat of your own drum and ignore anyone that tries to make you question your own views or values. You two met during a party at the dorms where you were casually engaged in discussion with a small gathering. Suddenly, a random person tried criticizing your views and he was fixated as you boldly shot back a snarky comment at the stranger with an unwavering stare. You two surprisingly grew closer after that and the rest is history. He is glad to have a strong woman like you as his partner.

Jaehyun:

Jaehyun and you are a team (or as the guys like to call it: the power couple). He finds great relief in knowing you're independent and don't hang onto the words of others to dictate your path in life. Sometimes he gets worried when you’re up late super focused on a project or upcoming deadline, but he gives you the space you need and lightly kisses your head before treading off to bed.

Sicheng:

Sicheng is thrilled you never seek validation from other people. You are very comfortable in your own skin and open-minded. You refuse to rely on anyone else for help and he admires your self-determination because it brought you the success you obtain today. He loves that your relationship is strong even when he must travel across the world for promotions and doesn’t see you for some time. You live your own life but always welcome him back with open arms.

Jungwoo:

Jungwoo is your biggest fan; you both support each other through thick and thin. He can get clingy at times, but it’s only because he has lots of love to give. He knows you pride yourself in accomplishing things on your own, but you’re only human and have your downfalls. Jungwoo knows he can lean on you whenever times get tough and vice versa.

Mark:

Mark’s exes were more of the clingy type and super dependent of him. It was a refreshing change to meet you because your carefree personality allowed you to experience and explore many new things without others dragging you down. You two balance each other out, but he lets you lead sometimes especially when it’s to go out on new adventures together. He can see the world in a new way through your eyes.

Haechan:

Haechan loves that you speak your mind. Others may consider you rude or unfiltered but he appreciates your genuine nature. Unlike others, you don’t try to hide or alter your life/personality in any way. You expect people to like you for who you are and that’s what drew Haechan to you. He won’t admit he was slightly nervous before approaching you, but he’s happy he chose to do so.

#nct #nct 127 #nct 127 reactions #nct 127 scenarios #nct 127 imagines #nct au #nct 127 requests

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thisiswhatwereupagainst · 7 years

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Random Things You Should Know About the Brotherhood in the Comics

Fun fact, there’s been more than one Brotherhood of Mutants, and not all of them were led by Magneto. He wasn't even in all of them! There's a lengthy list of members, some more widely-known than others, these are just some fun facts about a few of the more well-known members.

- Toad has one of the worst backgrounds in the Brotherhood. He was abandoned as a baby by his parents, probably due to his appearance, and grew up in an orphanage where he was bullied and tormented by the other children for the same reason. Toad is actually very intelligent in the comics (he's an expert with machinery!) but due to his shyness and learning disabilities as a child, he was considered to be mentally disabled. I'm not sure what specific learning disabilities he's stated to have had though. I'd really like to know though, so tell me if you do! Between this and the bullying, he dropped out of school at an early age.

He was later recruited by Magneto, and they developed an abusive relationship. Not romantic, mind you, but besides that the dynamics were the same. Toad believed that Magneto cared for him and became dependent on him, while Magneto physically battered him and verbally belittled him. Read more about it HERE

I like Magneto, but people who think Magneto is a good man aside from his villainy need to take a good look at how he treats his followers. He abuses all of them, including Wanda and Pietro, but Toad got it the absolute worst and actually has a form of Battered Spousal Syndrome as a result.

- Pyro and Avalanche are super duper best bro-friends in the comics and I love it so much. Also, while they may or may not actually be lovers, depending on how you want to interpret it (I generally see them as friends), they were used to metaphorically represent gay lovers in THIS issue.

- Pyro is not an aggressive fire-obsessed nutjob like in Evolution or the movies. He's not angry, he's not insane, he's not a pyromaniac. He's a very nice, normal dude who just also happens to be a fire-controlling super-villain. Besides terrorism, he's also an author who writes Gothic romance novels. I'm not making this up, it's canon and it's terrific and I love it so much.

- Pyro's first name in the comics is St. John, not just John like the movies. It's pronounced Sinjin, I think. He's Australian, maybe it's a more normal name there? Also, speaking of him being Australian, his buddy Avalanche is an immigrant from the Greek island of Crete, and Toad is from England, specifically York.

- Pyro once saved a group of children from a T-rex

- Daredevil once tricked the Blob into getting jealous that Pyro always got the girls on their Freedom Force missions so that the two of them would fight with each other, suggesting Pyro is probably a ladies man ;D

- Once, when Pyro thought he was going to die, he held Mystique's hand and said "Worse ways to go, than with friends" ;A;

- But Pyro did NOT in fact die then. His death would come later. He contracted the Legacy Virus, and his last act alive was saving the life of Senator Kelly, a man he'd once tried to assassinate. The strain of this good deed was too much on Pyro's weakened body, and he passed away with a plea to Senator Kelly to change things for the better. Kelly promised that he would, and he kept his word, changing his anti-mutant stance and working towards improving mutant/human relations instead. Sadly, this led to Kelly being assassinated by a human who felt he'd turned traitor.

- Just as Pyro was made American in the movies, Avalanche and Toad were made American in the cartoons.

- Toad's real name is Mortimer Toynbee in the comics, and Avalanche is Dominikos Ioannis Petrakis. In X-Men: Evolution, they were re-named Todd Tolansky and Lance Alvers, probably to make them easier for children to pronounce. Alias that the comics Avalanche has used include Dominic Janos Petros, Jon Bloom, Dominic Szilard, and Nick.

- Avalanche enjoys gardening and establishes a bar under the name "Nick" to get away from his life of crime.

- One of the Red Skull's S-Men claims to be Avalanche's daughter. Her name is Dancing Water and she's basically a woman made of water who has squid tentacles for legs. She can reshape her body at all, spray blasts of water from her hands, control any nearby water, and teleport via water. As far as I know, it's unknown if her claims of being his daughter are true, who her mother is, what her history is, and why she wants to help the Red Skull destroy mutants.

- Fred "Blob" Dukes is fat because of his mutation, and the X-Men make fun of his weight ALL THE TIME. Making fun of someone for being fat is pretty bad, but there are some X-Men for whom I can still see it as in-character, they're not all the nicest people. But making fun of someone for how their physical mutation effects them? I'd think they'd ALL know better than that. If it's not okay to do to Nightcrawler, it's not ok to do to Blob!

- Blob eating a lot is frequently a gag too and haha I get it, fat people are gluttons, real nice Marvel. Besides that being a cruel stereotype in a series supposed to be a statement AGAINST bigotry, let's go back to the fact that THIS IS BLOB'S MUTATION. He is going to be this size no matter what. And a bigger person or animal needs MORE CALORIES. That's why a bear eats more than a chihuahua! He is eating a lot because guess what, he would probably DIE if he did not, it's basic biology, but it's made into a joke at his expense by the narrative itself. It's so messed up.

- Blob has a super duper best friendship with Unus the Untouchable, they are mega bros and it is so sweet and it is made even sweeter by the fact that Blob is frankly a HUGE JERK (no pun intended) to everyone else. But Unus is his BFF!! Read more about their Brotp HERE!

- Lesser known female Brotherhood members: Lorelei, Phantazia, Mastermind (Martinique Jason), and Astra. When Magneto abandoned his second Brotherhood and they became the Resistants instead, a woman named Mist Mistress joined them, and Spiral joined Mystique's Brotherhood when they became Freedom Force. The more well-known female Brotherhood members are, of course, Mystique, Destiny, Rogue, and the Scarlet Witch. See a post on Lorelei HERE and on Phantazia’s tag HERE for more about these ladies!

- While Mystique has consistently been portrayed as Magneto's subordinate in the movies, this has NEVER been the case in the comics. In fact, they have never even worked together until VERY recently. In the comics, they both led different Brotherhoods, and Mystique was the LEADER of hers, not anyone's second-in-command. In fact, up until recently, she and Magneto barely even crossed paths; the only time I'm aware of them even meeting was in the 1980s when she arrested him at a Holocaust memorial (this was when she and her Brotherhood were working for the government as "Freedom Force" in return for being pardoned for their crimes) So, needless to say, they do NOT have the same relationship depicted in the movies! Currently, they're both X-men and serving on the same team. Yeah, weird.

-Sabretooth is on the same X-Men team that Mystique and Magneto are, but contrary to the first X-Men film, I don't think he's ever been a Brotherhood member. I could be wrong though. But considering Sabes led the massacre of the Morlocks, I have a hunch not...by the way, Riptide was part of that too, he's sure as hell not a Brotherhood guy in the comics. Magneto HATES the Marauders!

- Ah, ok, I checked TV tropes on Sabes: "Something of an associate to Mystique's Brotherhood, as he was never affiliated with the team's present-day incarnation, but was shown in a flashback as joining up with an earlier iteration, even declaring himself their leader before being betrayed and handed over to the authorities by Mystique the next morning. He also worked for Exodus's Brotherhood, and is usually affiliated with the Brotherhood in adaptations."

-As mentioned, Mystique was NEVER subordinate to Magneto, she led her own independent Brotherhood as LEADER...and at her side was Destiny, aka Irene Adler. Implied to be the woman who inspired the Sherlock Holmes character of the same name (with the equal implication Mystique inspired Sherlock himself...hey, she's Raven DarkHOLME) Destiny was a blind mutant who could see visions of the future. She was also Mystique's lover. Yup. They could not be explicitly referred to as such during the 1980s due to the Comics Code, but Claremont did everything he could to convey to the readers they were couple. They lived together, were affectionate with each other, and even raised a child together...none other than Rogue of the X-Men! In fact, his original plan was that Destiny would be Nightcrawler's mother and Mystique would be his FATHER, having impregnated Destiny in male form, but of course Marvel wouldn't let him get away with that. He also managed to sneakily slide in characters referring to Destiny as "Mystique's leman"---an antiquated word for "lover" obscure enough to slip by editors.

It used to be a common trope in media to use same-sex desires and relationships for villains as a way to emphasize their wickedness. For instance, a movie would never allow a hero to do such a thing, but it could be suggested with villains because it cast homosexuality in a negative light, as something bad people do to show how bad they are, like showing them kicking puppies. Claremont, however, went the opposite route. He used Mystique's tenderness with Destiny to humanize her instead, using their relationship to show a capacity for goodness in Mystique rather than play up how evil she was. They were depicted as loving and normal together, not depraved and decadent and bizarre. They were downright domestic.

While Claremont did have a notable fascination with lesbians, as shown by his use of sexy evil women who would pursue young heroines with a thinly-veiled subtext of sexual creepiness, he didn't fetishize Mystique and Destiny at all. He could have made Destiny a hot leather-clad young dominatrix like Selene or Emma Frost, but she's actually an elderly woman. Neither she nor her relationship with Mystique are ever sexualized. There are some f/f scenes in the X-Men series where you can imagine Claremont wrote it with one hand, but there's never anything like that between these two. Speaking of Destiny being old, she and Mystique were together FOR LIFE. They met during the 1800s when Destiny was much younger, and while they do seem to have had sexual relationships with men during their time together (as evident by both of them having children and grandchildren) their true loves were always each other. Destiny aged slower than an average person, but she did get old, and yet Mystique still stayed with her even though she remained young and I just love them so much. Destiny eventually met her end not by old age, but at the hands of Legion, Xavier's son.

Also, sorry to turn this into a personal soapbox but I have to here: Tumblr is all about "uwu LGBT representation uwuuu" but don't actually give a fuck about an actual canon woman/woman couple, even though tumblr's X-fandom collectively threw a fucking SHITFIT over Cherik not being made canon in DOFP and each of them having a girlfriend/wife and it being the worst most homophobic thing ever and the women in question getting bashed despite them being involved with these same women in canon...but Azazel gets to totally replace Destiny, who is nowhere to be seen in the movies, and fandom doesn't make a PEEP. Fandom is cool with that. In fact, they love Azazel and love drawing him in a happy heteronormative family with Mystique. Tumblr likes to be “uwu support LGBT representation uwuuu” but they give absolutely no fucks about Mystique's bisexuality and Destiny's very existence being erased. I've seen so much fucking Azazel/Mystique/Kurt fanart, but I don't even see much of Destiny even in COMICS fanart.

I get that it's an AU, it's not the comics, but it just leaves such a bad taste of hypocrisy in my mouth considering how tumblr X-fandom AS A WHOLE flipped out about Erik and Charles having relationships with Magda and Moira instead of each other in DOFP , even though they had relationships with those women in canon and, despite all subtext, have never been confirmed as a canon same-sex couple like Mystique and Destiny have. But people were ready to go to WAR for them. But two women who are a CONFIRMED CANON QUEER COUPLE? Who cares, right? Seriously, if it's not hot young cis white men, NO ONE CARES, even when it's a case of a REAL CONFIRMED CANON queer character (two, in fact!) being erased in the films. They had a lifelong relationship together, they raised a child together, they have all these affectionate moments...there is so much Mystique and Destiny stuff in canon, and Claremont WANTED to put in more and wasn't allowed.

And now that we're in a time period where that could be allowed, I think it's a fucking TRAVESTY that this wasn't put in the movies to make up for what wasn't let into the comics, to finally let them be “out” while Destiny was still alive. But it's even bigger travesty to me that tumblr not only ignores this, it endorses the heterosexual ship that replaces it, and then pats itself on the back for being “progressive” when it comes to shipping two DUDES (especially if they can shit on women in the process---there was a LOT of bashing Moira and Magda both in fandom when DOFP came out). Seriously, I swear the reason some people are into slash is just because there's not any EW GROSS GIRLS in it.

Sorry I had to get salty but this really bothers me. Mystique's bisexual and had a lifelong relationship with another woman in which they raised a child together and the movies not only erase that, movie fandom just accepts it while patting themselves on the back about being progressive because they have fanon m/m ships.

#xmen #x men #x-men #brotherhood of mutants #mutants

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salmankhanholics · 7 years

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★ Swimming with the sharks !

★ Kailash and Arti Surendranth talk about good friend Salman Khan and his rise to super stardom!

October 26, 2016

Long before Sooraj Barjatya happened in Salman Khan’s life, it was popular ad-filmmaker Kailash Surendranath and his wife Aarti who discovered the budding talent of 15-year-old Salman Khan and gave the actor his first break in a Campa Cola ad.

Kailash and Aarti have been close friends with Salman ever since and the husband-wife pair drove all the way to Salman’s farm house in Panvel on Saturday ( December 26) night to wish and celebrate the superstar’s 50th birthday. In an exclusive conversation with The IndianExpress.com, Kailash and Aarti revisited the time when they first met Salman Khan.

Kailash Surendranth: I first met Salman when we were casting actors for an advertisement of Campa Cola. We had planned to shoot underwater in Andaman islands and were gearing up to leave within in a week’s time with our crew that consisted of top models like Ayesha (Jackie Shroff’s wife), my wife Arti. We had cast almost everyone and needed one more actor who could swim well. Arti’s father was incharge of Hotel Sea Rock at Bandra where they had a club as well. He used to tell her about his good friend Mr. Salim Khan’s son and how I should consider him for a shoot. One day, Arti walked into the club after finishing a shoot and saw a young Salman Khan diving from one end of the pool, swimming underwater and coming out of the other end. However, when you hear Salman telling the story today, he has his point of view. He says when he saw Arti walking in a red sari, he decided to impress her and dived.

Now Arti came and told me that there is this guy and we must take him because he is a great swimmer. So, I said okay and asked if he could see me in my office next morning. The next day Salman came in with his aunt. I looked at him and went outside to ring Arti up immediately. I then asked her, ‘who have you sent in. He is a 15-year old child. How can we take him?’ Arti said, ‘Don’t worry. Ask him to take off his shirt.’ So Salman took off his shirt and I saw that he had a fantastic build. He had a swimmer’s body. He wasn’t doing any weights then but he had broad shoulders and well defined muscles. We finalised him and went to Andaman. It is here that we hit it off big time and formed a lifetime bond. I was older than him but we still connected. He was very mischievous and energetic. I was taking energy from him and he was learning a lot from me. We used to fool around and have a lot of fun at the shoot. I remember me and him playing a telepathy game with other crew who used to be confused as to how we could read each others minds. And that was something that we both had worked out.”

The shoot itself was fabulous. I remember we were shooting on a Navy boat and the camera had blasted out reflectors on actors because of which Salman couldn’t open his eyes. We didn’t have any extra sunglasses with us. So, I asked the camera man to switch off the reflectors and we took the shot. Salman remembers that very well. He is also a very good swimmer. I was manning the underwater camera at that time and he was the first one to dive off the top of the boat. Another incident that I remember is how while we were shooting in the water, a navy patrol boat came in and asked out to get out as it was full of sharks. But Salman remained cool and composed and he has always been brave till date. That’s how we me and bonded. Back in Mumbai, he used to come to my office, home, meet my parents and we became family.

We made a lot of other commercials together. We did a film with him and Sangeeta Bijlani where she got paid five times more than Salman because she was a bigger star. I remember once taking to him to a client and we were planning to do a wonderful shoot in Kashmir. But the client rejected him saying he is too short and the girl is too tall for him. So, we had all kinds of experiences together.

Salman also became fiercely independent very early in life. Before he did Maine Pyaar Kiya, we used to go clubbing in South Mumbai. I remember jokingly telling him, after many nights of partying and waking up late, ‘Salman, why are you wasting your time and your father’s money.’ I just said it as a joke and we started laughing. But he tells me after that day he never ever took money from home. That is the time when he started focusing on films and modelling. And the rest is history.

Salman is very perceptive. He has this knack of reading between the lines when someone says something. He also has an incredible memory. I must also tell you that he is very sincere about women and girlfriends. I have known him all these years. The press also knows about all his girlfriends. But he has never treated a woman badly ever. He has always had that regard for all his women. He is a bit conservative when it comes to his relationships. Yes there were break-ups but not because of his bad behaviour as it was reported often but perhaps because he is not the committing type. As you can see he is still not committed.

I and Arti drove all the way to Panvel yesterday night to celebrate his birthday. His farmhouse is far off but to see so many people attending only speaks volumes about his goodwill. He is very close to Arti. Yesterday, he got a bit emotional and told her it is all because of you that all this has happened. But we don’t feel so. You can’t take credit for anybody’s destiny. He was destined to be a star. What is really wonderful is that we still share the same relationship. We don’t meet each other regularly but our bond is still strong and that is the nicest thing about Salman. He may call up at four in the morning and come home and have Parathas and Bhurji. He is biggest star in the country but is still same old grounded, humble guy from Bandra.

Salman is one of India’s biggest superstars but he is one of the most humblest and generous persons I have ever met. The day I saw him, I knew he would be a big star. I used to tell everyone to watch out for him. No one used to believe me and used to wonder why I am promoting him so much. But I knew he was destined to be a star. He also loves kids and dotes on them. While shooting for Phir Mile Sur, Salman bonded naturally with the physically challenged kids. He learnt the sign language quickly and communicated with the kids. That is what makes him so lovable.

#salman khan #swimming with the sharks #swimming #ad #first ad #paper #midday #aarti gupta #campa cola #campa cola ad #Kailash Surendranth #2016 #stardom #kailash surendranath

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mvssmallow · 7 years

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Cloudy With A Chance

Part 3:…of Ink.

Masterlist

June is in the middle of cleaning the tattoo couch and humming along to 'Independent Women’ when he hears Jiwon pushing through the doors of his tattoo shop.

“Seriously. You couldn’t find better clothes?”

Jiwon looks down at his white t-shirt and oversized camo shorts. “What? What’s wrong with this? It’s Sunday!”

June rolls his eyes and wanders into the small back room to check on the kettle. “Oh okay. Just a regular Sunday with your best pal. Oh Sure. Nothing important happening today.”

Jiwon leans against the door frame. “Can you please not make a big deal out of this? Like, for once in your life, can you be normal and not embarrass me?”

June lets out a incredulous laugh. “You’re kidding right?”

“I’m serious June. You’ll freak him out. He’s a bit quiet.”

June stops pouring the boiling water into the teapot and carefully sets the kettle back down on the benchtop. “Well shit. It does sound serious. When’s the wedding? Am I your best man?”

Jiwon groans. “Oh my god. See? This? This is what I’m talking about. Don’t do any of this when he gets here.”

June puts the teapot, three cups and a pack of green-tea flavoured cookies on a tray and hands it to Jiwon to carry back to the main room. “Oh relax. He’s probably a fucking weirdo himself.”

June surveys his best friend. Usually exuberant and brimming full of warm optimism and confidence but right now, there’s concern and apprehension in his eyes and he’s chewing on the his index finger with anxiety so strong that it washes over the both of them like a wave.

June sighs, walks over and swats Jiwon’s finger away from his mouth with a tsk. “Stop that. God. And you’re worried that I’m going to embarrass you.”

There’s silence as June pulls out some books on floral tattoos and spreads them over another small table. “It’s gonna be fine and if things go to shit, you distract him while I spike all our cups with some gin.”

Jiwon snorts. “You should never be let out in public unsupervised.”

June gives him a wolfish grin.

Destiny’s Child is blasting through the speakers and June is mid-dance when he notices a figure in black ripped jeans and a pink hoody hovering by the front window. He turns down the volume and watches as Hanbin reads the shop’s name with a small smile and checks his phone twice before pushing hesitantly through the doors.

June puts on his friendliest and least threatening face. “Hey! You must be Hanbin?”

Hanbin nods and gives him a small smile. “Um, yeah. Hi.”

June watches his eyes dart a million miles per hour around the shop with a mix of curiosity and awe, taking in the wall-to-wall art, indoor bonsai trees and large bookcases. “I’m June. Welcome to Rorschach’s.”

Hanbin’s smile shows a hint of a smirk. “Clever name.”

June’s momentarily taken aback. The well-rehearsed spiel about the name of the shop gets stuffed back down his throat as he clears it. “Yeah, I thought it was funny. But you know, hardly anybody appreciates the genius.”

Hanbin quirks an eyebrow. “Really? Well, I like it.”

“You know who didn’t get it for like 5 minutes? Jiwon.”

They both share a knowing chuckle. “Sounds about right.”

“What sounds about right?” June and Hanbin both turn to see Jiwon standing in the doorway of the back room with a lopsided grin on his face. “Hey Hanbin.”

Hanbin raises a sweater paw and waves awkwardly. “Hey.”

June looks back and forth between the two of them and almost busts a vein trying to keep his comments to himself. Oh God I’m trapped with two lame idiots for the next 3 hours.

June clears his throat again. “So. Hanbin. You can come sit here next to our Princess Peach.” He ignores Jiwon’s protest at the nickname and ushers Hanbin into a leather chair and points to the books on the small table beside it. “And there’s some light reading for you.”

Jiwon brushes past him to lay on the tattoo couch. “This will probably get boring after awhile. You can leave or fall asleep or whatever…we won’t be offended.”

“No,” Hanbin says without looking up, “I’ll stay until you’re done.”

For 15 minutes Hanbin sips his tea and watches June work on shading Jiwon’s Richard Parker tattoo. He’s since abandoned the books, in favour of staring at Jiwon’s skin and answering June’s questions. He finds out that June is both incredibly talkative and curious, with a lightning fast wit and a snarky quip for every occasion. He also finds out that he’s been Jiwon’s friend for close to 2 decades, the sharp acid that balances out Jiwon’s alkaline mellowness.

“Got any brothers or sisters Hanbin?”

“A younger sister. She’s turning 10 soon. What about you?”

“I’ve got a younger brother. He’s really annoying and thinks Yann Martel’s book is about a tiger mathematician and desserts.”

Hanbin laughs. “Oh man, what a loser. Guess you got all the good genes.”

“I’m RIGHT HERE!” Jiwon says hotly. “I can hear you both.”

“We know.” June says in a sing-song voice. “We want you to.”

Another hour passes and Hanbin finds himself forgetting about his nerves altogether. He and June discuss their favourite books and authors (yes to Joyce and Orwell, no to Woolf) and have somehow already made plans to swap a few to read.

“Jiwon. Tell him your favourite book.”

Jiwon shoots June a glare but his eyes are focused down on the tattoo. He doesn’t miss the amused smirk on his face.

“What is it?” Hanbin leans forward with a curious expression.

“Ah….it’s not like deep literature or anything,” Jiwon starts hesitantly as he feels a blush creeping up his neck. He’s going to kill June when this is over. “But it’s ‘Winnie The Pooh’.”

He’s not sure what he was expecting but it definitely wasn’t Hanbin’s biggest smile, the one where his dimples pierce through his cheeks and right into Jiwon’s chest. “Oh! Those are classics though. I like them too.”

Instead of burning with embarrassment, Jiwon just feels warm. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Hanbin nods, making brief eye contact before looking down and pulling at the threads on his jeans.

June catches it and shakes his head in happy disbelief. They’re like a fucking movie. He feigns surprise and continues shading Richard Parker’s stripes. “Wow, would you look at that? You’re practically twins. It’s like this is meant to be.”

Hanbin gives him a confused look and Jiwon sighs in his chair. “Ignore him. The ink fumes have messed with his apparently superior brain.”

“Well, your blood is half ink by now so what does that make you? Half-man, half-pen?“ June pokes out his tongue and Jiwon tries to be the bigger person but he couldn’t resist poking his back either.

Hanbin chuckles as he gets up to put on the second kettle. For the first time in a very long time, he feels like maybe he’s made some right decisions and the Universe has finally got his back on this one. Maybe he’s paid enough crappy dues to deserve this one great big reward. Was it worth the wait?

He hears Jiwon’s loud squawking laughter next to June’s seal bark and thinks, absolutely.

#Cloudy With A Chance #Richard Parker doesn't quite look like that #but i had to make A LOT of new gifs!#double b #hanbin #bobby #text

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jessicakehoe · 5 years

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Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey’s New Charlie’s Angels Theme Song is a 2019 Anthem

Remember back to the days of 2000, when Destiny’s Child’s Independent Women was on replay on your walkman and your walls were covered with kickass images of Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore as Charlie’s Angels? Now, some 19 years later, Charlie’s Angels is back with yet another reboot and another all-female led anthem to accompany it – the only difference? We’ll be blasting it through our iPhones.

Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey have teamed up on a new song called Don’t Call Me Angel and it’s catchy as hell. With lyrics like “I make my money and I write the cheques/so say my name with a little respect/all my girls successful/and your just our guest”, it’s hard not to be hooked.

Speaking of the song, Elizabeth Banks, the director of the 2019 version starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska, said, “It was important to me to kick off Charlie’s Angels with a huge female-powered anthem driven by a big voice – but to get three of the biggest voices out there? It’s a dream come true. What Ariana, Miley and Lana have delivered surpasses even my high expectations. Their song is resonant and meaningful, and it kicks major ass.”

The song premiered just 10 hours ago and the clip already has over 7.5 million views on YouTube.

Hear it below:

youtube

The new Charlie’s Angels is scheduled for release in November and there’s already plenty of hype around the film. Everyone’s boyfriend Noah Centineo has been confirmed to play a love interest, Star Wars’ Patrick Stewart has a key role and so does Sam Claflin from The Hunger Games.

In an earlier statement, Stewart said the film is “like a ‘woke’ version. There’s a kitsch nature to the last ones that was super fun. But nowadays, if you see a woman in combat, everything should be completely and utterly within their ability.”

The post Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey’s New Charlie’s Angels Theme Song is a 2019 Anthem appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey’s New Charlie’s Angels Theme Song is a 2019 Anthem published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

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modernmoh · 5 years

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The Greatest Getting Ready Wedding Day Playlist

When it comes to the morning of the wedding, there is nothing more important than having a blast while getting ready with your bride-to-be and fellow maids. And by ‘having a blast’ we mean sipping on bubbly and shaking your booty to a kickass playlist. With a bit of the 80’s, a ton of the 90’s, and a healthy mix of the 21st century, our wedding morning playlist is perfect for ladies of all ages (including the MOB and MOG!). From classic love songs to popular party starters, you’ll go from singing your heart out to dancing your butt off (sometimes simultaneously).

Modern MOH Wedding Morning Playlist

“Love On Top” by Beyoncé “Halo” by Beyoncé “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé and JAY Z “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child “Fergalicious” by Fergie and will.i.am “Don’t Cha” by The Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes “Wannabe” by Spice Girls “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé “Milkshake” by Kelis “Bootylicious” by Destiny’s Child “Work It” by Missy Elliott “Confident” by Demi Lovato “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj “Independent Women, Pt. 1” by Destiny’s Child “Only Girl (In The World)” by Rihanna “Wild Thoughts” by DJ Khaled, Rihanna, and Bryson Tiller “Come on over Baby (All I Want Is You)” by Christina Aguilera “What a Girl Wants” by Christina Aguilera “Ain’t No Other Man” by Christina Aguilera “Soldier ft Lil Wayne” by Destiny’s Child, T.I., and Lil Wayne “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa, and P!nk “My Boo” by Usher, Alicia Keys “Toxic” by Britney Spears “Fallin'” by Alicia Keys “You Da One” by Rihanna “Drunk in Love” by Beyoncé and JAY Z “Spice Up Your Life” by Spice Girls “PYT (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson “All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJo “All of Me” by John Legend “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat “Talking Body” by Tove Lo “Let’s Get Married-Remix” by Jagged Edge “Lovefool” by The Cardigans “Marry You” Bruno Mars “Happy” by Pharrell “Can’t Stop the Feelin’” by Justin Timberlake “What I Like About You” by The Romantics “Despacito-Remix” by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus “TiK ToK” by Kesha “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars “Starving” by Hailee Steinfeld “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran “Classic” by MKTO “Show Stopper” by Danity Kane “I Think I’m in Love with You” by Jessica Simpson “This I Promise You” by *NSYNC “Him & I” by G-Eazy and Halsey “Where My Girls At” by 702 “We R Who We R” by Kesha “Finesse (Remix)” by Bruno Mars and Cardi B “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe “Whatta Man” by Salt-N-Pepa “All For You” by Sister Hazel “Wild Ones” by Flo Rida and Sia “How We Do (Party)” by Rita Ora “No Diggity” by Blackstreet “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry and Juicy J “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey and Ol’ Dirty Bastard “Señorita” by Justin Timberlake “Luv Me, Luv Me” by Shaggy and Samantha Cole “Rather Be” Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne “Talk That Talk” by Rihanna and JAY Z “Cheap Thrills” by Sia “Dangerous Woman”by Ariana Grande “This Is How We Do” by Katy Perry “Timber” by Pitbull and Kesha “Love On The Brain” by Rihanna “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX “This Feeling” by The Chainsmokers and Kelsea Ballerini “The Middle” by Zedd “I Want It That Way” Backstreet Boys “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by Backstreet Boys “My Life Would Suck Without You” by Kelly Clarkson “Love Shack” by The B-52’s “We Belong” by Pat Benatar “Walk This Way-Remix” Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith

You bet your booty we premade this playlist for you on Spotify.

If you don’t already have an account, simply download the free mobile app or desktop software to get set up today. If you do, just click on the symbol in the top right corner to go straight to the playlist… and don’t forget to hit the ‘follow’ button so you have it queued up for the big day!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out our wedding day emergency kit checklist!

The post The Greatest Getting Ready Wedding Day Playlist appeared first on Modern MOH.

#Maid of Honor #Bachelorette Party #Wedding

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ricandhaiz · 6 years

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The Rose of Castile, Part 1 (Reunion)

It was the seventh of December of the year of our Lord 1072 when King Alfonso VI and his royal court, consisting of his sister, the Infanta Urraca, as well a number of prelates, nobles, and their attendants and knights, neared the city of Burgos in the Kingdom of Castile. After years of fratricidal strife between royal brothers García, Sancho and Alfonso, the kingdoms of Leon and Castile was once again united under one ruler. The assassination of Alfonso’s older brother, King Sancho II of Castile, in the city of Zamora, as well as his younger brother’s, King García I of Galicia’s, crumbling support amongst his nobles in Galicia presented Alfonso with the opportunity to consolidate power and crush all dissent over the lands once held by his father, King Fernando I. Thus, Alfonso made the decision to travel from Leon to Burgos with his most trusted advisors for the specific purpose of signing charters marking the formal reconciliation of Castile with its new king.

After days of travel in bitingly cold weather, Don Raul González, a Leonese knight from the House of Banu Goméz, was eager to reach Castile’s capital city. He longed for nothing more than to sit in front of a warm hearth and eat a hot meal. He was tired of war and the near constant campaigning that had taken him away from his family’s estates in Leon for months on end. But now that Alfonso VI was the uncontested ruler of Castile and Leon, he had increasingly felt the compulsion to choose a bride and settle down.

As a member of one of the great noble families of the realm, the only real constraint he had with respect to whom he could marry was that the maiden or widow had to be someone of equal social stature. Although there were more than a few women to choose from, he could not seem to find a woman that suited his needs. Even his growing attachment to the widow Rosa, a woman with whom he had been developing a romantic relationship in recent months, could move him to propose to her. Though the reason for his predicament would not have been obvious to most, those who knew him well were not at all surprised by this turn of events. For, if truth be told, his heart had long ago been captured by a beautiful Castilian girl named Doña Inés Cortés whose beauty and spirit had long ago eclipsed all others in both his mind and heart.

As the city came into view, Raul’s younger brother, Armando, who was riding abreast of him, said, “Do you think the city has changed much since the last time we were here? It holds many fond memories for you, does it not?”

Raul nodded and looked away. Undeterred by his brother’s apparent reticence to continue that line of conversation, Armando asked, “Will you be calling on Don Corto Fernandez and his family once we arrive?”

While Armando waited for a response, Raul and Armando’s primo (cousin), Count Pedro Ansúrez, who was riding just ahead of them, glanced back and said, “I should like to join you if you do. The situation with the nobility in Castile is still quite delicate, especially given the circumstances surrounding Sancho’s demise. Securing the support of his former mayordomo (steward) would greatly assist the king’s effort to ensure the loyalty of the nobles who supported his brother.”

“If I do decide to pay Don Corto a visit, you will certainly be more than welcome to accompany me there,” Raul replied.

Just then, another primo, Don Pedro Múñoz, who was riding next to the Count, joined in on the conversation. “There were rumors that Don Corto’s son, Sergio, was next in line to be Sancho’s alférez (royal military commander).”

“I heard that too,” Raul replied. “He would have been an excellent choice given his skill on the battlefield.”

Grim-faced, the Count replied, “I saw first-hand his exploits in battle alongside Don Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid). It is not an experience that I would wish to relive anytime soon.”

“But now that Sancho has passed on, surely the Castilians will have little choice but to acquiesce and align themselves with the king,” Armando pointed out.

The Count replied, “Fortunately, Bishop Jimeno of Oca-Burgos and counts Gonzalo Salvadórez and Muño González of Lara have already pledged their support to the king. He is hopeful that Don Rodrigo and the knights who follow him can be persuaded to show their fealty to him as well.”

“And if they do not, what then?”

“Then they will suffer the consequences,” the Count replied matter-of-factly and then asked, “So what are you most looking forward to upon our arrival in Burgos?”

“Getting out of this blasted cold,” Armando exclaimed without hesitation. “Taking a hot bath and eating a warm meal in front of a roaring fireplace will be my first order of business.”

“And you?’ the Count asked, turning to Raul.

Before Raul could answer, Armando interjected, “Isn’t it obvious? He comes to win the heart of none other than the rose of Castile.”

“Ah, I see,” the Count replied with a snicker. “You have some history with the daughter of Don Corto, do you not?” Raul nodded. The Count added, “I have heard that she has spurned the attentions of many well-healed noblemen from Galicia to Catalan.”

“Aye primo, that would not surprise me,” Raul replied with a wistful smile. “Doña Inés was a very headstrong and independent-minded child.”

The Count said, “Even so, she is clearly of marriageable age. Don Corto would be well advised to forge as advantageous an alliance as he can between his daughter and a peer of the realm at the earliest possible opportunity if he wishes to continue to advance his family’s influence and interests.”

“Then there is no time to waste,” Armando said to Raul. “You must plead your cause with her at the earliest possible opportunity.”

“I will do no such thing,” Raul replied. “Did you not hear our primo? Doña Inés already has half the kingdom clamoring for her hand without me adding to her woes.”

“If not her, then who?” Don Pedro asked.

Armando again answered for Raul. “He has been calling on Don Antonio of Palencia’s widow, Doña Rosa.”

“I knew her husband. What is she like?”

Armando said, “She is small…and rather haggard looking, don’t you think?” Raul frowned but said nothing. Armando then asked, “How old did you say she was?”

Eyes narrowing, Raul replied, “One and twenty.”

“Is she really?” Armando asked, feigning shock. “I would have sworn that she was no younger than one and thirty. And that smile,” he added, wincing. “It does so remind me of Fiero…She was a good horse.”

The Count and Don Pedro laughed heartily while Raul glowered in silence.

Although it was becoming patently obvious that Raul was near his boiling point, Armando chose to continue with his verbal onslaught. “Well then, if you are intent on pursuing Doña Rosa, maybe I should call on Doña Inés myself…”

This time, Raul responded swiftly. He unsheathed his sword and placed the blade’s edge underneath Armando’s chin and hissed, “Enough.”

“Put that away,” the Count ordered Raul while Don Pedro took Armando aside.

Once Don Pedro and Armando were out of earshot of the Count and Raul, Don Pedro took the opportunity to admonish his young primo. “What, may I ask, was the point of that? From all that I know, hasn’t Raul always treated you with kindness and consideration.” Armando nodded, looking chastened and solemn. Don Pedro then asked, “Why then, do you insist on tormenting him so?”

“You misconstrue my purpose. I care for my brother a great deal. So much so, in fact, that I cannot in good conscience stand by and watch him make what I know in my heart would be a grave error on his part.”

“And what would that be?”

“Settling for one woman while letting the woman he truly loves slip through his fingers.”

Don Pedro replied, “Armando, you know as well as I that the noble class rarely bases the decision to marry on so fleeting a feeling. We’re a practical lot.”

“That may be true, but even you must admit that there have been exceptions to this rule. My parents, for example, were known to have cared very deeply for one another. And as for Raul, he has been in love with Doña Inés for as long as I can remember. Is it so wrong for me to want more for my brother than an arranged marriage?”

“Love is a delicate matter. It cannot be forced, but if Raul’s feelings for her are as strong as you believe them to be, he will not be able to simply brush them aside in her presence and do nothing.”

“But Pedro, what if…”

Don Pedro raised his hand, stopping Armando mid-sentence. “As your older and infinitely wiser primo, I advise you to listen well to what I am about to say to you. Stop trying to meddle in Raul’s affairs and let destiny take its course. If it is God’s will for Raul marry Inés, it will happen regardless of what you say or do.”

Armando opened his mouth to reply, but then thought better of it, and opted instead to nod and say no more.

As soon as the royal court came upon the Arlanzón River, which was located on the outskirts of Burgos, Raul took his horse for a canter along the river’s edge while the rest of his travel companions continued on into the city. As he spurred Bandido, his chestnut-colored mare forward, he felt his mind begin to drift away from the present moment toward thoughts of Inés.

Raul’s eyes had just settled upon a row of trees with snow-covered branches when he heard the sound of horses’ hooves galloping toward him. As a precaution, he moved off the path he had been taking and hid behind a large tree trunk. It wasn’t long before two riders raced by him. Believing that he recognized the larger of the two, he called out to the man by name. His voice cut through the air like a siren, causing the riders to halt and turn toward him. Slowly, he moved out into the open. As they, in turn, approached, the larger rider motioned to the other one, whose face was hidden by a cap and cloak, to stay well behind him before he turned to Raul and said, “And who, may I ask, are you?”

“Sergio, my friend, do you not recognize me? I was but a boy when last we met. You pulled me out of this very river many summers ago after I had fallen in and nearly drowned. You took me to your home and provided me with shelter and food until my mother came to retrieve me. In all the years hence, I have not forgotten the kindness that you and your family showed me or the bond of friendship we forged from that day hence.”

“My God, Raul, is it really you?” Sergio exclaimed as his guarded expression melted away. “You look almost nothing like the sopping wet boy I remember fishing out of the river. Tell me, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

“I am here on the king’s business,” Raul replied as Sergio motioned for the other rider to come closer. “He has come to make peace with the nobles and ask for their fealty.”

Sergio countenance darkened as he turned to one side and spat. “That is quite magnanimous of him, don’t you agree Inés?”

Had Raul heard Sergio correctly? Was this other rider, in fact, Sergio’s hermana (sister) Inés? He could hardly believe his eyes as he watched Inés remove her cap, allowing her long, brown tresses to cascade down her back and shoulders. Being the war-hardened warrior that he was, it amazed him how quickly her presence had left him feeling disarmed and vulnerable. And, in his estimation, even the boyish clothes she wore in no way dimmed her beauty or lessened the powerful attraction he felt toward her.

“It is good to see you again,” Inés said, blushing slightly in the face of Raul’s penetrating stare.

“And I, you,” Raul replied slowly. “Although I must confess that I am a bit perplexed to see you outdoors on such a cold and dreary day such as this.”

“I begged Sergio to come out for a ride with me. I’ve been cooped up indoors and was in desperate need of fresh air. It is not in my nature to be so confined.” As Raul listened to Inés speak, it warmed his heart to know that neither time nor the strictures of society had in any way altered the spirited and unconventional girl he had met and fallen in love with in his youth.

Just then, Raul caught sight of Sergio’s eyes darting from Raul to Inés with knowing amusement. Thankfully, Inés’ brother made no reference to what he had observed and instead said, “My father received an invitation from the king to attend a reception at the castle tomorrow evening. I have heard that nearly every magnate and prelate in the kingdom will be in attendance.”

“Yes, it is to be preceded by a mass at Santa Gadea Church to commemorate the king’s ascension to the throne of Castile. Will your family be there as well?”

Sergio nodded, grim-faced. “You know as well as I that any occasion involving the king is an event that can only be ignored at one’s peril.”

Although it was obvious to Raul that Sergio’s feelings toward the king were ambivalent at best, Raul nonetheless asked him, “Is it true that Don Rodrigo intends to ask the king to swear publicly on holy relics that he had nothing to do with Sancho’s death?”

Sergio’s pursed his lips and, at first, said nothing, while the grip on his horse’s reigns noticeably tightened. Finally, he replied, “I cannot speak for the Cid. All I can say with any amount of certainty is that he will do what he thinks is best for the kingdom and the men he commands.”

Likely sensing the heightened tension in the air, Inés chimed in and asked Raul, “Will you be attending the reception alone?”

“Yes, my lady,” Raul replied, smiling. “And whom, may I ask, will have the pleasure of being your escort?”

“No one,” Sergio replied with a snort. “My padre (father), Don Corto, madrastra (stepmother), Doña Teresa, and abuela (grandmother), Doña Isabel, will be accompanying her there.”

Raul’s grin broadened further at the news. “I am surprised to hear that. I would have thought that a beautiful young lady like you would have had at least a dozen suitors clamoring for the opportunity to be seen with you on their arm.”

Inés’ blushed deepened while Sergio rolled his eyes and said, “Doña Teresa would like nothing better than to see her married off to a rico hombre (magnate). As of this moment, she is intent on pairing Inés off with Don Alonso Muñoz, the oldest son of Count Muño Gonzalez of Lara.”

The news hit Raul like a dagger to the heart. Still, for propriety’s sake, he hid his distress from view with a suitably stolid expression. “Are you amenable to such a union?”

“I hardly know him,” Inés replied, “but my madrastra speaks of his family in the most glowing terms, and she expects that their influence and holdings are likely grow even more now that Alfonso is king.”

As the import of Inés’ words sank in, Raul considered the possibility countering what Don Alonso would likely offer Inés’ family in exchange for her hand in marriage. Although he too was the son of a count, it was his older primo, Pedro Ansúrez, who had inherited the family’s most prized patrimonial lands and titles upon Raul’s father’s death in 1057. Given his present circumstances, he quickly concluded that he had neither the wealth nor the status to compete with the likes of Don Alonso. And so, it was with a heavy heart that he asked, “What is your opinion of him?”

“He seems likeable enough,” Inés replied, “and I suppose that I could grow to care for him in time should our families decide that it is in the best interests of everyone concerned for us to be married.” Raul furrowed his brow while she, in turn, eyed him with speculation. “Why do you ask? Are you aware of some impediment or flaw in his character?”

“No, not at all,” Raul replied with noticeable haste. “I have only ever wished for your happiness. If your heart is set on marrying him, I would be the last man to stand in your way.”

At that point, Sergio chimed in and said, “The hour is late, and I am sure that Raul is quite tired and in need of rest. There will be plenty of time on the morrow to speak of all that he has seen and done since we saw him last. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes, of course,” Raul replied even though he was loathe to be parted from her. “Until tomorrow.”

Raul shook Sergio’s hand and then turned to Inés, who offered him her hand. He gladly took it and placed a gentle kiss on her fingertips before bidding them both farewell.

#hailee steinfeld #ricardo gomez #romance #love story #horror #historical fiction #medieval #reconquista

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hckyblog · 7 years

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Music: The Natural Therapy for an Athlete

Music stands as an ultimate game changer for certain athletes. I was one of those athletes who used music as a “natural enhancer” to prepare me for important athletic events. I played competitive ice hockey for 10 years, and to this day I can distinctly remember several songs, playlists, and artists I turned to to help me train off-ice, prepare for big games, and to ultimately get me in the “zone”. Here is just a fragment of a playlist that I blasted in my earphones before every off-ice training session, practice, or game: 1. Shinedown by Pop Evil 2. Dat New New by Kid Cudi 3. Independant Women, Pt. 1 by Destiny’s Child 4. Headlines by Drake 5. What’s My Name by Rihanna and one of my very favorites, 6. Caribou Lou by Tech N9ne.

Music was by far one of the most influential parts of my performance as an athlete. Even when I took the headphones out, my blood was still flowing and wasn’t about to stop at anything or for anyone. The energy that these songs gave me while listening had stayed with me wherever I went. Almost like a guardian angel. I’m sure you’ve read studies on how music positively effects brain activity, specifically in athletes before a game. Lets face it: there are studies for almost everything in the sun. However, once you start to peel back the layers of data, there is something that you can discover without research... Music is a form of therapy for athletes. Aside from the stats and studies done, I have faith that most of us can collectively agree on this matter. Competitive athletes naturally have a great amount of stress on them to compete to the best of their ability. They feel this pressure from coaches, parents, teammates, fans, and ultimately themselves.

This is where music comes into play. It shuts out the extra and distracting noise; it weaves out the anxiety, and transfers this anxiety into energy; it stands as a saving grace; it gets athletes “in the zone”. To me, the zone is a place where an athlete feels completely comfortable with themselves, in a state where their breathing is even and their mind is clear. They can separate themselves from this anxiety, and just be.

What inspired me to write about the effect of music on athletes was reading about Boo Nieves, a former hockey player for Michigan University. Nieves had come into the University as a freshman, declaring kinesiology as his major. He later decided, however, that his undying passion for music was meant to be his guiding light. Nieves ended up declaring music performance as his major. Nieves, like many athletes, talked about the pressures that came with the package of being a competitive athlete. He describes his experience in playing the drums as a teenager and listening to music altogether was what had eased the anxiety in his world. He carried this form of therapy with him to his college hockey career. There are going to be those who will without a doubt disagree with me, and say that music disrupts what should be an unwavering focus of an athlete, where their transition from the locker room to the playing field should be seamless and not disrupted by any “noise”. I am confident, however, that when I say that music is a type of therapy for competitive athletes, I am not just speaking for myself. Music does more than just play through our headphones and speakers; It heals.

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