#i have a block button

[penig]

So I don’t write smut, as a lifestyle choice, and I don’t go out of my way to read smut, but I don’t go out of my way to avoid reading it, either, except insofar as I want something else to be the A plot. I’ve run across it incidentally quite a lot  since joining AO3, as you do, and most of it I skim because most of it isn’t really adding to the story. If it advances plot or characterization of course I’ll read that, but otherwise I treat it like fight scenes (which have the same problem) and the boring parts of Moby Dick. If you get the gist you don’t have to get every word to know if it matters to you or not. (For E-rated stuff that has a job to do and is eminently readable, as an example of what I don’t skim, I recommend Charlotte Madison’s GO Human AU, Or Be Nice, feuding neighbors to lovers, in which the first sex scene is part of a long conversation that goes through multiple means of communication, before and after the act.)

By and large I don’t think about the stuff I’m skimming, but in the case of M/M scenes specifically,  mostly but not entirely in fanfic, I have evolved some questions, which by their nature I’m not about to put into comments, but I can’t help running through sometimes, sometimes in terms of writing quality and technique but also in terms of societal and technological changes that have happened since my life became more domestic and monogamous. I will mix them up together here. Quite probably many of the fics I don’t read because the explicit material is the A plot would address these concerns, but that possibility is not enough to tempt me to read that widely without guidance. And I need something to distract me from worrying about my cat and the discomfort of the foot (and the head; I’m getting lots of positional vertigo, which is scary as well as nauseous when you can’t put weight on one foot.) Anyway, in no particular order, I wonder:

Do gay men not keep tubs of Crisco by their beds anymore? What is this magic lube that comes in packets and is never too cold and apparently is never nasty-tasting or grainy and never makes a mess on the sheets or leaks on the headboard or gets the container sticky and therefore dusty? We did not have this in my day. It sounds wonderful. Where can I get it? I keep forgetting to look in the family planning aisle and am not sure I’d recognize it anyway. We used to have to buy lube in the first aid aisle and in a certain kind of novelty shop, where it was called “massage oil.”

Are cock rings passe? I can see how that might happen when they became mainstream as accessories to rave wear, but the chrome things were never the only option and it’s been long enough for them to cycle back.

Where are these men’s testicles? Even most of the scenes I don’t skim seem to take place between guys who don’t have them. I get that not everybody likes to play ball but aren’t they in those cases at least in the way?

Why is the bottom never making a bathroom run as soon as their legs function again? (This applies equally to women and men but I notice it most strongly in M/M.) In the case of rear entry in particular, this BS about the top bringing a damp washrag back to bed to clean up with will not do the trick, absent a preliminary enema. I know enemas aren’t sexy but nobody seems to even own the pumps anymore and if you haven’t planned ahead and regulated your food intake, believe me, you do not want to clean up that wet spot much less wake up in it - you head to the can ASAP. This is distracting and gross, y’all, please just take advantage of the glories of indoor plumbing!

That seems to be the bulk of it.

#non sims #writing #sort of #practical problems of mature people #I find I am hesitant to hit post lest I attract unwanted attention #but to heck with it #I have a block button #I'm not afraid to walk alone downtown after dark why does this make me nervous? #how do you stick community labels on? Does this warrant one? #guess I'll find out

[chaosandthe-deadblog]

i feel like ive said this before but the self ship community is either the sweetest most accepting community there is or a hell of harassment and pr-shipping which is um. interesting to be a part of👍

#red.txt #and i mean the weird kind of pr-shipping (you know the one) not the kind where yhey ship with a villain #thats normal. that shouldnt be called pr-shipping #just ????? why #i HAVE seen your typical 'its okay to ship with a character who is a minor theyre fictional' #and like listen #im trying not to be terminally online #and i understand where they come from qhen they say that #i think you cant judge a person by what they do in fiction #but like #its weird #it is very weird #its not morally reprehensible but its Weird (derogatory) #at least MY f/o has a canon adult version man #it is SO EASY to not be a weirdo #but whatever #i have a block button

[striving-artist]

New people with empty accounts that are suddenly following me, I really need you to do something that looks like a human person. I've been here long enough now to remember the old wars, and you are coming into my home wearing the uniform of our enemies.

#put a description that just says 'im new' #or add a photo #and then like some posts #reblog literally anything and put a tag on it #I have had so so many bots follow me #but now I'm doubting my instincts with the block button

[7more]

or, nine's worlds collide on live television

#these two have...history. #this gifset is for a select group of people and if it breaks containment i will be getting very comfy w the block button #nine.gif #* #blink 182 #fall out boy #blinkedit #fobedit #mark hoppus #markhoppusedit #pete wentz #petewentzedit

[whimsyprinx]

“people who don’t block and report bots are why they’re still here” actually staff not properly dealing with them theirselves is why the bots are still here, not people who got tired of having to block and report several bots a day

#whimsy whispers #like I’m glad you still have the energy to block and report sometimes 10+ bots a day but that’s just too much I shouldn’t have to be blockin #and reporting bots anyways #I really hate how blame-y some of y’all are #also give us a combination report and block button please #I just block them and I’m not gonna get mad at people who do one or the other or neither #it’s tedious and annoying

[tossawary]

Having written a lot of complete, novel-length fics at this point... I want to say that it's a lot of work and that it's not weird to struggle to complete a creative project. I don't think it's a moral failing to have WIPs or abandoned works or ideas that just don't pan out for whatever reason. It's not a Bad Thing that you've done to yourself or to anyone else.

Like, I don't want to position myself as a big fandom authority here, I just want to speak from my experience and maybe reassure someone by agreeing that completing any creative project is not easy. I have WIPs and abandoned works you haven't seen. I have ideas that I know I'll never follow through on, both achievable and unachievable ones. Writing takes time and effort that has to be taken from elsewhere, and sometimes work is too exhausting and dinner still has to be made and decent sleep is too important, so you just can't do it. Dedicating time to any one hobby means less time for others and that kind of sucks sometimes. Sometimes, I just don't FEEL like writing and I'm not going to "suffer for my art".

It's flattering to be held in high esteem sometimes for writing long and complete fan stories (I have other fan creators I personally admire for similar reasons), but I do want to make it clear that it's a lot of work (writing is work no matter what you're writing!), I'm pretty lucky to be able to do that work more frequently than many others, and I personally don't think anyone should hold it against themselves (or against anyone else!) if circumstances get in the way. Sometimes, things just don't work out and we need to give ourselves time, or even just move on. I appreciate people's slow-to-update WIPs and abandoned works and stories on lengthy hiatus and fic ideas that will never be written.

So, like, if anyone is feeling a little down because they have a story that they're struggling with... I feel that. I don't think it's weird if your fanfiction is important to you or to feel like you've fucked it up somehow. I don't think you're a bad person or a bad writer if you take years to finish a story or if you have to give up on one because you've outgrown it. I think it's cool to share what you have if you want to share it. I think you're cool.

#tossawary fandom #and if someone leaves a shitty comment about this on your work you can just delete it don't keep it #just because someone sends me a petty complaint doesn't mean I have a moral obligation to hang it on my wall get it out of your house #they can go complain on their own blog that's fine I can't stop them and I just won't go looking for anything but the block button

[franstastic-ideas]

I love Pokémon, it's one of my special interests, but sometimes I really hate the fanbase.

"Volo doesn't actually have any sympathetic or redeeming qualities (you just think he's pretty)."

"Geeta is secretly evil!"

"Carmine is so TOXIC!"

"Kieran is unforgiveable-"

Shut up. Shut Up. SHUT UP.

UP! THE! SHUT!

And continue to shut up until you've acquired some reading comprehension!

#I cannot actually make anyone shut up outside of using the block button so I don't have to see their nonsense #but I am So Tired™ #pokemon legends: arceus #pokemon scarlet and violet #the teal mask #volo #geeta #carmine #kieran #the teal mask spoilers

[ef-1]

I love insistent Daniel-Hate (#Date for the purpose of this paper) because you have to dabble in #Date otherwise it elicits a conspiratorial, psychological frame of mind not unlike the illuminati-gamergate-celebrities-drink-the-blood-of-babies-and-control-the-world-Satan-is-among-us-everything-they-do-is-a-message-ass bitches.

1. "I'm glad people are seeing Daniel for who he is!!! Even the Aus GP put Piastri infront of on the posters lol!!"

*Daniel has a standalone poster*

"PR puppy paid them for this 😔 it's so fucking unfair Oscar is also Australian"

2. "HAHAHAAHAHA HELMUT DRAGGED DANIEL HOPE HES SEATLESS BY MID SEASON"

*H*lmut has walked the length of the grid, from where ever Max is, to wish Daniel luck every. single. race. since. coming. back. Something he didn't do for Liam who is a rookie*

"It's so unfair because nothing Daniel can do will lose him the seat 😔😔 he has H*lmut and H*rner in his back pocket"

3. "He's so washed how did he end up behind Magnussen who had a 20 second penalty lmao"

*Daniel's pit stop was quite literally 3x times as long as Magnussen's penalty*

"His fans always find him an excuse, its so tiring 😔😔😔"

#getting in touch with the block button and the my scorpio roots you bitches sound craaayyyyzzzyyyyyy #I have things to say. just need uni to get off my neck #daniel ricciardo #:)

[ceilidho]

a writer here could put everything under a read more, highlight and bold the tags, put another layer of warnings beneath the read more just to catch anyone that accidentally clicked in, preemptively block the more vocal antis, and you’d still have dumbass comments like “I didn’t enjoy reading this because I don’t like noncon :(“ like help me help you lmao

#I’m sorry I just can’t take an argument seriously when the perfect solution is: click the button that says block on it #have I broken into your house and made you read my fic à la a clockwork orange #have I taped your eyelids open?

[eqt-95]

a new kind of romance, pt 1

🕯️ | s'mores

Kara had been talking about graham crackers.

Correction: she’d been talking about s’mores which were currently scattered in various states of completion across a very polished and very expensive coffee table because Lena Luthor, genius, billionaire, and the most thoughtful very best friend in the whole world set up a bunsen burner in her living room while the three magical ingredients were delivered lightning fast when Kara, nostalgic and sharing about her favorite Kryptonian dessert, explained s’mores were the most comparable earth treat. 

Then she dove into a very impassioned and detailed history of graham crackers.

Which was very in character.

What was also in character was how she managed to eat no less than twelve s’mores at a rate that challenged the poor little bunsen burner’s flame power.

So absorbed by her own explanation, she failed to notice the weight of cushions shift next to her until a thumb brushed against Kara’s chin. 

Voice screeching to a stammering halt, eyes widened, and cheeks flushing the color of the forgotten flame, the Girl of Steel could do nothing but watch as a very soft Lena, clad in sweats (Kara’s) and a scooped neck sweater that hung low and revealing (Lena’s), crawled into her personal space.

She crawled like it was the most normal thing in the world. Like it didn’t send Kara’s heart sky-rocketing with uncontained and undefinable excitement.

And then.

Then.

The pad of Lena’s thumb rubbed at the skin just to the left of Kara’s mouth with focused intensity while her own mouth broke into the tiniest grin of adoration. And before Kara could process any of it, the touch was gone and the digit slipped between Lena’s perfect lips and against her swirling tongue. 

“Marshmallow,” Lena explained when her thumb popped out, slick and cleaned of the sugary threads that had just been shellacked across Kara’s face. She settled back into her side of the couch, snatching a blank graham cracker to munch on before asking, “You were saying?”

And, golly, Kara didn’t have a clue.

- - - part 2 | purple purple part 3 | zippers part 4 | frosting part 5 | could we? wood we?

#so i've had writer's block and thought it was fixed with the spontaneity of buttons ch2 but nada #which means i'm trying small things and these small things are maybe going to be a bunch of moments #where kara gets disarmed by lena who is... disarming (writer's block remember?) #i doubt this will have any real plot but i'll post as they (hopefully) come #supercorp #supercorp ficlet #kara danvers #lena luthor #new romances

[azurecitrus]

If hlvrai2 really does happen then I hope people analyze the series and ship characters and make askblogs and draw everyone much prettier than their actual models and make aus and write angst fanfiction and do everything else that’s considered cringy and I am not kidding in the slightest

#and if you make fun of people for these things then brother you can just die #also if you try and start drama then explode #I am not doing this shit again I am armed with a block button and experience #I hope people have fun and are silly again #hlvrai #wayneradiotv #rtvs

[zhongrin]

✼ー hello, my dear patrons.

i have an important announcement to make.

for my own mental health and reinforcing my boundaries, i will be implementing changes on how i interact in this blog. the general rules (shop etiquette) and taglist rules (membership) have been updated to reflect this.

to give a short summary of the changes, moving forward, i will fully cease interactions with minors or ageless blogs. the same goes for my taglist, which i have purged. more details can be found in the two links above. feel free to drop by my askbox if you need any clarifications.

i'm sorry to my mutuals / friends / followers, who are minors / uncomfortable in disclosing their age, but have been following the rules and respecting my boundaries. i'm truly sorry it had to come to this, but i have had enough. the nature of my content will stay the same but if these changes doesn't sit well with you, please feel free to unfollow or block.

lastly, if you have been following my rules, genuinely, thank you so, so much for respecting the human being behind the handle name 'zhongrin'. you are a blessing to humanity and i hope good things will come your way soon.

ps. i will be reblogging this post for about a week or so, just so people can see it.

#a psa from rin #i thought about it for the past few days and as of now i think this is the best choice i can make #i don't want to throw this blog away but also i don't want to keep being paranoid whenever i interact with someone #i know it's not a foolproof solution because you can definitely lie about your age but whatever #i will be using the block button even more liberally. especially if i think something is off #i'm just sick of being lied to atp #anyway #i hope you're having a good day and taking care of yourself!

[rogueddie]

Unfriendly reminder that quite a few members of the stranger things cast and crew have been openly supportive of Israel and the murder of thousands of innocent people. A few pr statements to try and appease fans for no reason other than making more money does not change anything!

Do not support stranger things! Cancel your netflix subscription! Do not stream season five! Do not buy official merch!

DO NOT SUPPORT ZIONISM AND THE ONGOING GENOCIDE! FREE PALESTINE!

#stranger things #genuinely going to start blocking people if I see them promoting or supporting st financially #I've already left that one group bc they were promoting merch #it's just... I don't understand how some of y'all can do that and not feel disgusted with yourselves #it feels like a lot y'all either don't care or have gotten bored #or worse; you care more about your comfort and enjoyment of a fucking show than the millions living in Gaza #I am giving y'all the nastiest side eyes #I do think you can still be in the st fandom and support palestine- obviously look at me- but you have to SUPPORT PALESTINE! ACTIVELY! #BOYCOTT! SPREAD INFORMATION! DONATE! CLICK THE ARAB.ORG BUTTON! PROTEST! MESSAGE YOUR LOCAL OFFICIALS! DEMAND A BETTER WORLD FOR PALESTINE!

[mishapen-dear]

OH. okay so normally i dont touch discourse with a 20 ft pole, but this has been niggling at my brain tonight and i finally realized why

the people who are mad at qbbh for the memory loss and “dodging consequences” dont understand that he doesnt want to dodge consequences. Like they cant know that, they werent focused on him when he was literally feeding himself to the soul vultures and planning his eventual imprisonment and also. The Many Many Many hints he made towards suicide/sacrifice/Just Fucking Dying.

ccbbh is a subtle roleplayer, he’s been building this shit up for two whole months- it was day FIVE of the eggs going missing that he resolved to do whatever it took (hurting his friends) to get the eggs back. It was day three that he followed in dapper’s footsteps and started feeding himself to the soul vultures (and gaining a Massive headwound beneath his hood in the process- you can only see it if you go on namemc and remove the layers). He’s got impaired judgement. Even the memory issues arent a new thing- i cant remember exactly when they started, but one of the first big moments i remmeber was september 30th where he spent an hour falling into a delusional frenzy searching his base for cameras that he forgot he asked aypierre to plant.

The super murder of purgatory and the memory loss afterwards probably all feels very sudden for people who havent been following his story, but as someone who has been- all of this has been true to character. The only cheap swings he’s made have been combat-based in purgatory, and even the motive for those was built up in rp.

People are calling for consequences, but he has alrwady been experiencing self-inflicted consequences for months. The blue on his usual outfit is blood. This recent memory loss isnt a restart to get away with the atrocities - it is yet another consequence of his egg-protecting complexes and the ways he punishes himself for failing them.

he is NOT a moral character. he’s a demon hiding in plain site. he has eaten people. he has killed people. he understands the cruelty of his actions, and the consequences of them for the loved ones of his victims. but it matters when that harm is being done to his loved ones. he’ll still do it, because he will do anything for the eggs, but it matters, and that means that he has already started the process of self-inflicting those much-demanded consequences

#anyone who isnt a qbbh makn please extend some sympathy for us. our guy is being misunderstood again #so if people seem twitchier than usual that probbaly plays a factor #but if it ever gets annoying be rest assured he is doing his very best to train us in media literacy #and also the block and filter buttons are your friends #and qbbh mains join me in the genuinely freeing revelation that they have just. strawmanned him yet again #i feel like youve gotta be able to understand a character to truly hate them #and no one (not even us oh my fucking god) really understand him #and thus the vitrol means nothing and i am free of all woes #anyway tho genuinely if you want to know more about this cube im willing to talk about him #i have Credentials #one of my posts was dono’d to the cc almost word for word and he called me a know it all #qsmp #qsmp badboyhalo #discourse #<- mentioned #an interestinf discussion could be had too about xyz character Deserving xyz thing #and really people in general Deserving xyz thing #but i think that is a wasp nest i dont know enough about to join swatting #i ngeed. to go to bed

[seek--rest]

it’s been said before but worth repeating here that anytime anything awful happens in the world, it becomes so abundantly apparent who actually gives a fuck and who just wants the most clicks and points for “proving” they’re standing in solidarity with x or y. why do so many of you care about what your celebrity fav said on instagram, if anything at all. why are you demanding people to “speak up” on shit all the fucking time.

“silence is solidarity with the oppressor” or maybe silence is shutting the fuck up because you don’t know shit. a 23-year old comic blogger isn’t a fucking expert in foreign policy simply because they reblogged tumblr posts, liked a few tweets and posted some mutual aid funds to make themselves feel like they did something. it’s performative activism at its most horrendous and it is exhausting to see this cycle, every fucking time.

some of you are more consumed with proving you and your celebrity favs are the most politically aware and morally superior than anything else and it fucking shows.

#seek speaks #Palestine #fandom #stan Twitter #you all are fucking obnoxious and I have never been more glad for the fucking block button #sometimes we can just be fucking silent #(I know I said I wouldn’t post again but I’m tired of this grandpa)

[mamawasatesttube]

just looked at the tim//kon tag on incognito to see who posted that shit take abt bart and JESUS it is fucking NOXIOUS in there with all the people i have blocked. i need to bleach my computer and my fucking brain.

#rimi talks #for the record that post wasnt even by the one moron i was thinking of. its a DIFFERENT MORON #why are there so many of them. jesus fucking christ #mad bc tim and kon have a genuinely fun relationship in the comics but their Fucking fans. #''''''fans'''''''' honestly i KNOW none of these people have touched a kon comic in their lives #and most of them more than likely not a tim comic either #im so glad the block button exists but sometimes its not enough. i need an ''explode this person with a laser beam from space'' button