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peasantexchangeprogram · 11 days

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helloo since we're on the topic: top historical fiction (or adjacent) ? can be any time period I just really love your taste in shows/games/etc and am always on the lookout for history inspired media !

thank you!!! im rly glad im like. inspiring other ppl to engage w things im insane abt hudofajsdfdassfsad. anyways. i will probably expand that list bc i literally forgot every single thing i ever read. also i havent watched that many movies so far

ancient times: i havent really watched a lot of movies/series set in ancient times so far :(

rome HBO (2005-2007) (tv series) - OF COURSE. i personally think its one of the best series ever made. they combine political, miliatry history with the lives of every day people in an incredible way. they never let you once engage with the series through modern lenses. according to my teacher (a historian, archeologist & self described 'romaphile') its incredibly historically accurate, mostly the clothing, set designs, characterization, military practices, etc. except for the things they straight up made up, of course.

i really enjoyed gladiator (2000), i think its a masterpiece.

prince of egypt (1998) i guess?

all the asterix movies of course, all the animated ones and most of the live actions. but i wouldnt really call it historical fiction

ok i havent actually finished watching it for now but sebastiane (1976) - an erotic, x rated, gay interpretation of the martyrdom of st sebastian. its in latin also.

wait i cant believe i forgor about assassin's creed odyssey - so far the only one ive played. its so fun and incredibly immersive visually. especially pour moi who cries into the pillow about how ill never experience the ancient world. also you can b a faggot which is always fun. i have things to say about their portrayal of same-sex sexuality and slavery in classical greece but i get why they did that considering its supposed to like. appeal to a lot of people, and a more "historically accurate" portrayal (for example of pederasty or how common slavery was etc.) would b v difficult for a lot of their target audience. alas.

medieval and early modern era:

the name of the rose (1986) - my medieval history teacher literally showed us bits of this movie to teach us about monasteries and monks fhdosiasdjasd.

the borgias (2011-2013) - incredibly messy, lots of political intrigue, and so so fun to watch. about the history of the borgia family. filled to the brim with drama.

the three musketeers (1993) - my favorite adaptation, also coincidentally the one i grew up on. casting tim curry as richelieu was genius. he slays so hard.

i also like bbc's the musketeers (2014-2016) - a neat little series. very fun and entertaining to watch.

outlaw king (2018) - like i dont think most ppl heard of this movie. its about robert the bruce's fight to reclaim the throne of scotland. starring chris pine

vikings (2013-2020) - its fun. i havent watched the entire series tho. dont expect anything resembling historical accuracy

the northman (2022) - you will see something resembling historical accuracy

mihai viteazul (michael the brave) (1971) - a fun movie. very much romanian propaganda tho.

1670 (2023-) - such a fun series!!! incredible cast, shows respect to the actual history and the lives of historical people. really cute and funny.

caravaggio (1986) - a biopic about caravaggio.

wait i also forgor about pentiment - an intriguing, immersive, and incredibly beautiful video game! it has a lot of 'the name of the rose' vibes, with it being a medieval murder mystery taking place in a monastery. its incredibly touching and made me cry, and in the last few years i very rarely cry. also im 99% sure its an indie game? go support the creators!

vaguely-medieval/early modern fantasy:

mirror mirror (2012) - a retelling of snow white. a very fun movie imo, with incredible costume design. julia roberts plays the evil queen and she SLAYS. armie hammer is unfortunately in that movie.

stardust (2007) - one of my fave movies growing up. more modern-inspired but still.

the green knight (2021) - controversial i know but i actually loved this movie! i liked it both as a standalone movie but moreso as a 21st century adaptation to sir gawain and the green knight.

galavant (2015-2016) - !!!!!!! one of the most series ever! they manage to tackle such difficult concepts and conversations with a hilarious wit. so fun to watch. i listen to a lot of the songs still, and rewatch every once in a while.

disenchantment (2018-2023) - very fun to watch, especially the first season.

i also really liked the novel uprooted by naomi novik. its a polish-inspired fantasy.

modern era:

killers of the flower moon (2023) - of course. a masterpiece

aferim! (2015) - a romanian movie set in 19th century wallachia, about two officers, a father and son, who were sent by a nobleman to retrieve an escaped enslaved romani man. a lot of the people in the comments were calling the movie humorous and funny, maybe im missing smth (as im watching with subtitles n dont understand the original language) but it was a very difficult watch for me??

the handmaiden (2016) - need i say more

black sails (2014-2017) - a prequel to the famous novel 'treasure island'. not an easy series to watch. incredibly good.

the favourite (2018) - need i say more pt 2

the rabbi's cat (le chat du rabbin) (2011) - animated movie set in early 20th century algeria. a rabbi's cat learns to talk overnight.

the nice guys (2016) - a fun murder mystery set in the 1970s

o brother, where art thou (2000) - a retelling of the odyssey set in the southern us in the 1930s

victor/victoria (1982) - set in early 20th century paris. julie andrews pretends to be a man and takes on a job as a drag queen. extremely fun, extremely gay movie.

lady chatterley's lover (2022) - very much porn for moms but it was a nice watch imo

amulet (2020) - set in like. idk. sometime in the 20th century. this is a horror movie, deals a lot with misogyny, sa, and so on. i really like it, personally. a lot of people, mostly weird men, dont tho.

the great (2020-2023) - i have mixed feelings about this show. on the one hand, its really fun to watch. on the other hand, its basically ofmd for girls who have public mental breakdowns whenever someone claims corsets were oppressive. and theyre so weird about russians, jesus christ.

disses:

domina (2021-) - i just couldnt get into it, esp since i tried right after finishing rome hbo. it was kind of silly, and not in a good way. takes itself wayyyy to seriously.

i didnt like spartacus (2010-2013) - the dialogue was almost grotesque and the editing, especially the transitions, straight up killed me

damsel (2024) - holy fuck what a trainwreck of a movie. absolute waste of angela basset and robin wright. the only good thing were the costumes.

lancelot du lac (1974) - i just didnt like it at all. couldnt get into it. i guess it was way too french and artsy fartsy for me. a movie that was trying to say both too little and too much at the same time.

i didnt rly like bram stoker's dracula (1992) - i mean. it was a fine movie. it was definitely not the godfather. the movie itself was meh. the visuals tho? absolutely stunning

#asks #anon #mine*#slavery ment #sa ment

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sailorstarr-chan4 · 5 years

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as someone who’s been a fan of inuyasha since ~2003 i dont find myself bored w the anime but honestly ive only watched it all the way through three times? as with anything i get into ive rewatched my fav episodes a Lot but i also do enjoy the other episodes plenty still! and i think its probably bc in such a long period of time i havent rewatched most of the eps too many times so i havent gotten the chance to be bored of them

I’m glad to see that many fans feel similar, anon. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that I’ve experienced this before, just with different media.

For instance, in high school, I fell madly in love with the Redwall book series, and devoured the first six books in one go, rereading them again and again, and also checking out ones later on. But then, after graduation, I tried reading them again and found myself…. bored by the repeated almost-exact formula in every. single. book. They made excellent reading when you’re young and inexperienced (and upon rereading the original recently, I can definitely still see its strengths: beautiful imagery, gripping action scenes, and detailed world-building, plus that dry British wit that I love so), but aren’t so easy to be drawn into for long as an adult.

Rambling aside, I suppose because I didn’t get into anime and manga properly until my 20′s, I have this weird…. loyalty thing with series I’ve fallen in love with. I have often rewatched series like Ouran High School Host Club, Clannad, Your Lie in April, Yu Yu Hakusho, Sailor Moon (and Crystal) and Vampire Knight and never once felt bored in any way. And I certainly enjoy my favorite Inuyasha episodes no problem. But after devouring the whole series three consecutive times in three years? *sigh* I guess I over-saturated myself between the years 2013-2016 ish…. ^^” I say this because I tried rewatching the whole series since early 2017….. and I still haven’t made it past the Band of Seven arc, hence my post yesterday. (Unless you count individual episodes I enjoy)

Inuyasha is a series I’ll forever love, but maybe I should reread the manga more. Manga has very rarely “failed” me in terms of entertainment, and was in fact the media form I PREFERRED when I was breaking into anime/manga lol XD

(sorry for my incoherent rambling, I am very tired and trying to convey myself as “clearly” as possible lol ^^”)

#Star answers #anon #Starling ramblings #anime and manga #otaku issues #life of an otaku

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jinyoungs-hipsdontlie · 6 years

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a letter to you, jonghyun.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been hesitating and reconsidering alot regarding this but i felt the need to do it so here goes.

This is going to be my last farewell letter to Jonghyun. This is where i’m going to spill all my thoughts out on everything that has happened, in order for me to finally let go and heal from this situation. I didn’t intend for it to be this long, but i guess i really need to let it all out.

I want to finally move on from this. I want to get back to my usual self. It’s been terribly exhausting for me lately; emotionally, mentally and even physically.

And no, this is not the last time i will post about Jonghyun. But this would be the final one filled with sadness and grief. After this, i want to only post bright and happy memories of him, just like how i want to remember him forever.

NOTE: It’s going to be EXTREMELY long (2800+ words i never knew i had to express) and kinda triggering so i put it under keep reading. Please ignore and scroll past this post if you know you might be triggered. I really dont want any of you guys to hurt more than you already have.

[death tw] [suicide tw] [suicidal ideation tw] [depression tw]

. . .

And now i think, it’s time.

It’s time for me to finally let you go, my beloved puppysaurus.

Fly high and mingle with the stars and the moon up there. Feel the happiness and peace that you’ve craved and deserve oh so much. Take care.

I will always love you, Jonghyun.

수고했어요. 정말 고생했어요.

May your beautiful soul rest in peace. ——————————–

Sigh.

Where do i even begin.

This is so hard.

…It still hurts. Everything hurts.

Hearing that you took your own life broke me. Death, especially of a loved one, has always been my biggest fear in life. I lost a schoolmate back in September 2012 through suicide. And just last year in November 2016, i lost my aunt to suicide. And 5 days ago, 18th December 2017, i lost you, my first ever idol through the same horrid way. And that’s part of the reason why i think, that i felt the news of you leaving the world hit so close to home for me personally.

It opened up old wounds for me, and i thought that this time, instead of keeping strong and playing a facade, im going to let myself feel, to grieve and mourn and then recover. When i lost my aunt last year, i wasn’t able to grieve much. Because i had to stay strong for my mother who had just lost her beloved sister. I couldnt just stand and cry, i had to hold my mom’s arm and support her to walk during the funeral and prayers. So this time, i did not lie to myself that i was okay, because i wasnt at all.

The first 3 days. I havent been able to eat, just water and barely a few spoons of rice each day… eating so that i wouldn’t make my family worried about me. I havent been able to sleep well, just a few hours each day, because the image of you appears before me whenever i close my eyes. I couldnt even watch your videos or listen to your voice as it hurt too much. I couldn’t believe you were gone. I feel so lost, so empty, literally on autopilot mode.

But no, i’m not blaming you for taking your own life. I’m not angry at you, i’m not disappointed in you, i really have no negative feelings towards you. Because i know, that what im suffering now… is the tiniest fraction of how much you have. For how long you have been in pain and how much you hurt, i’m so sorry.

I’m sorry that you had to go through all this. I’m sorry you felt so alone even though you’ve been practically screaming it out to us. I’m sorry that the world was not your fate. I’m sorry for everything.

It pains me so much, to know that you had everything planned out. You, suffering in the dark, still continued being the kindest person through it. You had waited for your member’s birthdays to be over, you waited until your solo concert series was over, you left a meaningful song for us fans… to cope with the loss of a loved one, knowing fully well that we would need it after hearing the news of your death. You left a note for your loved ones, you even messaged your beloved sister before it all. You have always been so kind.

Reading that letter you left us, it broke me so much. I cant even find words to describe it because i never ever thought you have been in so much despair. I don’t advocate suicide or taking the life of ownself, but as your long time fan, i respect your decision. All i can say is, you did so well Jonghyun. It is indeed commendable that you made it this far, and you really did go through alot.

I can’t help but feel so sorry even though i know that there’s nothing i could have done. It just hurts to know it was so bad, so bad that you had to end it yourself since it was too much for you to handle. I cant imagine the feelings that went through you that day, when you knew you were going to take your life. Did you eat your favourite meal knowing it’d be your last? Were you crying or just all numb? I tried to tell myself not to think so much about you on that day, but i couldn’t stop myself from thinking.

Sigh.

The first three days was a nightmare. That monday evening, i cried so much. The initial shock and sorrow was too hard to handle. The news crashed down on me so hard.

On the 19th, i remember breaking down when i came home after class. I broke down bad, crying so terribly hard.

On the 20th, I attended a vigil that we had for you here in Singapore. It was one of the hardest thing i’ve ever done.

I tried to be strong, but seeing the other shawols at the florist also buying roses for you, i broke down. We all did. It was so heartbreaking. I had to fight so hard make sure i didn’t cry on the train as i made my way to the venue.

I think the only way i could describe the vigil; bittersweet. Approx a thousand people came, of all ages, to pay our last respects to you in our own way. The lightsticks, the flowers, the letters, the shawols who relied on each other and grieved together. It was all so beautiful, but it hurt so much.

I teared up when i was already in the queue. I held the lightstick and letters in one hand, and a red rose in the other. As i got closer, i brought the rose close to my nose. I took a deep breath, five times. Each time after i say a prayer for every member of SHINee. First you, then the rest by age order.

My walls finally broke, after i placed my flower near the picture of you and said a prayer. It was so hard. I couldnt stop the tears. And to the little angels over there who gave out tissues fo all of us who broke down, and giving free hugs to anyone in need, thank you. I cried in my sister’s arms. I’m not one who shows my tears infront of people i love, but this time i couldnt keep the strong facade. I had to let it all out.

Shortly after, we all gathered close, and sang the chrous of your debut song, Replay. I tried to keep my voice stable, but i couldnt help the falter at the end. Also, like what you wanted and what you deserved to hear, we all told you ‘수고했어요 - You did well’ in unison. I couldn’t help but break down again at that. It was really so difficult to face reality, but that vigil had brought me the slightest bit of acceptance. Im thankful for my chance to attend it.

And then Thursday.

21.12.17, you were finally laid to rest. With all your loved ones by your side, i hope those last moments were not lonely for you. You are so loved Jonghyun, you really are.

I woke up that morning trembling for some reason. I checked my phone, and saw that none of my alarms had rung. Puzzled why i woke up so early, i looked at the time. And realized that it was just 10 minutes before your funeral procession.

I had to be in class in an hour and i knew i couldnt bear to see or hear anything about your funeral so i immediately uninstalled Facebook and Twitter. But when i came home that afternoon, i told myself, that i should just see the pictures/watch the procession. Not to see everyone mourning or what so ever, but for the sake of closure. For acceptance. I think i needed it.

And so i did. And god, how much i cried. It broke me so much, i shook terribly while sobbing. It was the worst thing i have seen, every single second pained me. That was not the image i had when i said i wanted to see SHINEE has five again. What’s worse, Kibum’s letter to you was uploaded 10 minutes later. And damn, cue the tears again. He’s so strong and he really loves you so much, Jonghyun.

After crying for longer than i’d like to admit, i drank a glass of water and stared up to the sky. I gave a final prayer to you, for you to rest in peace.

A few hours later, strangely, i felt calmer. For the first time since your passing, i felt like i could feel you were finally in peace up there. I really hope you are. That evening, i managed to eat my first proper meal in 3 days. I guess i’m finally accepting it.

And yesterday.

I woke up and even though it hurt, i told myself i have to move on. I still couldnt eat properly and skipped meals but i managed to eat dinner? And even though i was still pretty empty and lost, i agreed to watch a movie with my sister at the cinema. I was reminded of you throughout and i did feel pangs of sadness, but i could still enjoy it slightly.

And last night, i managed to watch a video of you singing. I’ve seen it on my tumblr dash a few times and so i told myself to watch and listen to your voice again, instead of scrolling past. It was that video of you singing ‘This Woman’s Work’. Oh how much have i missed your voice! I would be lying if i said i didn’t cry, but i pulled through and watched til the end. The way you sang with all your heart, so beautiful, that’s the Jonghyun i have always loved.

Then after, I listened to your song, ‘End of a day’. I already knew my dams would break with this one so i got my tissues ready. And cried hard did i. But i was able to listen to the end, paying so much attention once again to the tones of your voice and how beautiful it is.

I don’t know how but somehow after listening to your voice, even though i cried through it, i felt much calmer and stronger. Sigh… look at you, even in heaven you’re still comforting me with your beautiful voice. An angel you really are. And last night after all that, for the first time this entire week, i managed to sleep well. For 10 hours straight. Call it wishful thinking, but im pretty sure it’s because i finally listened to your voice again. That calming voice which i love.

And today, a Saturday, i woke up to Jinki’s letter. Look at him, the world’s greatest leader. Even in all this chaos, he’s still so strong and reliable. He loves you so much, Jonghyun. And so does all your members.

I was also able to eat 2 full meals today. I drank more water than i had for each of the past 5 days. I also watched funny videos of you, Jonghyun. I washed my hair, did my usual skincare routine which i paused since Monday. And now, here i am, about to sleep, with a facial mask to use once i post this.

I think i’m coping better these days.

Jonghyun, i’m doing well right? Please tell me i’m doing well too. Please continue to give me strength and happiness from up above, to help me move on and be myself again, and even in the future. Please be my guiding angel, like what you’ve been for the last 8 years to me.

You’ve changed the colour of the moon and lamps to our favourite pearlescent aqua, you’ve given us so many signs that you’ve made it to heaven and the skies this past week, thank you for reassuring us fans that you’re doing well up there. Please look after us from above; most importantly, your mother, sister, the members, your friends and loved ones.

…..

I just want to let you know again, that becoming a fan of SHINee and even more, a fan of you, Jonghyun, is still and will forever be one of the best decisions i have ever made.

Do you remember that time i first heard SHINee? I saw a group of students performing Ring Ding Dong at a school event and thought it was great so i went to check it out.

Do you remember the time you made me smile and laugh so hard during Hello Baby? I watched the entire thing in 2 days on Youtube, it’ll always be my favourite, i can never forget you and your skinship with baby Yoogeunie.

Do you remember how i was so proud when you released your first solo album? It was amazing!

Do you remember how much happy tears i cried along with you and the boys when SHINee won Best Artist of the Year at Melon Music Awards in 2013? My heart was bursting with pride!

Do you remember how i went to Seoul in October 2015 and September 2017 and took a picture/selfie next to every standee or advertisement of yours i saw? I didn’t care if i looked weird or funny cos as a fan, that was a golden moment as i never was able to get that close to you.

And of course, do you remember how ecstatic i was when i heard SHINee was coming to Singapore for Music Bank in August and Shilla Duty Free Beauty Concert in November? Who cares how overpriced the tickets were… I was the happiest person when i got them!

Watching you perform and listening to your beautiful voice live not once but twice, is one of my happiest moments in life, and it will forever be.

…sigh… it sucks when reality hits me and i realize that i won’t be able to see you again, well not in this lifetime at least. But i can assure you, Jjong, that i will never ever forget you.

You may not be in the same form as me, but know that you are everywhere with me. In my heart, in my mind, in my music albums, in my phone’s gallery, in my old study notes that i scribbled your name, in my keychain hung on my bag, in my pearlescent aqua coloured portable charger and sweater, and ofcourse, in my beloved SHINee lightstick.

I love you and i won’t forget you.

…Before i conclude, i want to say thank you.

Thank you for being my first ever idol and my first love.

Thank you for making me smile and laugh til i cry.

Thank you for composing and writing such beautiful songs, your music as SHINee and as a solo artist has given me immense strength and happiness and comfort all these years.

Thank you for being an amazing role model, your actions/thoughts/words have inspired me to be a better person.

Thank you for being so strong all these years, and trying your best to fight the negativity.

Thank you for being the best son and the best brother to your mother and sister, your adoration and love for them are the sweetest thing ever.

Thank you for being the kindest, most loving and the most supportive brother to Onew, Key, Minho and Taemin; your love for them and their love for you have shown me what true friendship and family is.

Thank you for everything, Jonghyun.

And now i think, it’s time. It’s time for me to finally let you go, my beloved puppysaurus.

Fly high and mingle with the stars and the moon up there. Feel the happiness and peace that you’ve craved and deserve oh so much. Take care.

I will always love you, Jonghyun.

수고했어요. 정말 고생했어요.

May your beautiful soul rest in peace.

#personal #jonghyun #shinee #you did well #rest well my dear #i will always love you jonghyun

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prisperview · 6 years

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Prisperview’s 2017 Year Reflection

Worldwide Favorites

Women’s March

Lady Gaga at Superbowl LI in Houston

Marriage legalization and improved LGBT+ Rights around the world

Solar Eclipse

Worldwide Worsts

Trump and most things American government

Hurricane Harvey and Irma

Neo Nazis

Hollywood Sexual Assault crackdown (but also positive because we acknowledged the individuals who spoke up about it)

Las Vegas, O2 Arena, and Sutherland Springs attack and all gun violence without reformed laws

Music

Favorite albums of 2017

Atom Bomb (1999) - The Strike (for some reason, this album doesn’t exist anymore?) | Fav Song: Atom Bomb

Christine And The Queens (2015) - Christine And The Queens (Heloise became my new style icon) | Fav song: Tilted

Live and Let Ghosts (2008) - Jukebox the Ghost (I listened to it multiple times a day) | Fav song: Victoria

Harry Styles - Harry Styles (who do you think I am of course its on the list) |Fav song: Woman

Flicker - Niall Horan (see above) |Fav song: On My Own

Something To Tell You - HAIM (new old favorites!) |Fav song: Little of Your Love

You - EP - dodie (never followed her before, but her music is great) |Fav song: In the Middle

Steven Universe Vol.1 (Original Soundtrack)- (because its Steven Universe) | Fav song: Peace and Love

The Best of Kate Miller-Heidke: Act One (2016) - KMH | Fav song: Australian Idol

Other favorite songs

Footloose - Kenny Loggins

State of Mind - Satchmode

Basically any song on the Footloose AU playlist

Anniversary - Autoheart (Top song of 2017 according to Spotify)

Liam and Louis’ solo songs/collabs

Sonsick - San Fermin

La La Land Soundtrack

All I Ask - Adele

Light Up by Mutemath

More songs by Jukebox the Ghost

Boom Boom - Donora

Moana Soundtrack

You Knew - Mother Falcon

Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It! - Kishi Bashi

You! Me! Dancing! - Los Campesinos

Books

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

I re-read An Invisible Sign of my Own by Aimee Bender

I finally finished the Harry Potter Series!

(Fanfics count too, right?)

I got into podfics:

In Dreams by dolce_piccante (podfic) - the first podfic I fell in love with

Naked and Proud by kiwikero (podfic) - absolutely hilarious. I listened to this while working on portfolio applications

The Bucky Barnes Recovery Project: A series by FrostyEmma - I was obsessed with this during the spring

I’d Rather Hear my Dog Bark at a Crow by sunsetmog - I never thought I’d be into Tomlinshaw (or this super NSFW fic dont @ me) but I was up for hours trying to read this in one sitting

Couer du soleil by messofgorgeouschaos - havent finished it yet, but easily a favorite (Ot5!)

YouTube/Podcasts

Dan and Phil - never thought I’d get back into them after 2013 but here I am and I’m having a good time

The Drawfee Channel

SprinkleofChatter - Louise’s vlogs made doing my hair on Sunday mornings easier

TalkDirection (podcast)- not listening as much as I used to, but Caitlin and Cara are still good, especially around Harry’s album release time

What Should We Draw? (podcast)

MBMBaM (podcast) - new favorites!

Movies

La La Land (2016)

Trolls (2016) - it was good okay? Anna Kendrick is an all time fav

Wonder Woman - duh

The Big Sick -even though I just saw it a few nights ago

The Wind Rises (2013) - a studio ghibli movie

The First Monday in May (2016) - a documentary about putting together The Met Ball

One Small Hitch (2013) - indie film I found cute

Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl (2015)

Andi Mack - !!! that’s all I can say.

Silver Spoon - 1 of the 2 anime I watched in the past year

Terrace House: Aloha State

Hjørdis - A short feel good series

Criminal Minds - my sister brought this into our house and its our new family show

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - another show my sister brought up and we bond over it now

Stranger Things Season 2

Voltron

Sherlock S4 - sucked

I watched a lot of Justice League/DC cartoons from the early 2000s to get ready for WW

Good Girls Revolt - though I never made it all the way through

Art

The DnP Terrarium!

LA LA Land gif

Got into an art school though I didn’t go (again)

Almost did a commission for someone

I did sell art!

Sold something on RedBubble

Fake music festival poster

Participating in the Phandom Big Bang

School

Finally started attending college

Got A’s in all classes. Out of 3 classes, don’t get excited

Learned more about Mathematics and coding

Life

Got closer to my sister

Brother moved out

Got back in touch with church

Reconnected with friend after 10 years

Found some hair solutions

I’m Bisexual! - that’s been creeping up on me since 8th grade and I finally ‘labeled’ it in 2016

Favorite Thrift Finds

Striped knit shirt

Brown ankle boots

Floral romper

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink - a book I loved in 4th grade that I thought I’d never see again

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Tee

One Direction Where We Are Tour 2014 shirt!!! - that I’ll only wear once a year on July 23

Wrap around skirt

Fancy too-short romper I have yet to wear

Friends

Getting ice cream w/ the gang over spring break

Spending multiple hours @ Fuddruckers catching up w/ church friends

Going to see Sorcerer’s Stone in concert with M and D

That day O and I spent together where I was in hysterics over making music with water bottles

Late nights with my sister watching CM

S’s Grad party

Getting my ears pierced with B

Learning to Longboard

Cold playground chat with C

The Park wth C even though I wanted to puke after the fireworks thing

Hours long talks and BG with T

Finding and connecting with A and everyone else in small group, especially K, G, and E

Getting to know Tumblr mutuals better and gaining some new internet acquaintances

Joyfuls

Going to the theater to see LA LA Land by myself

Finally painting the game room

Waking up at 2 am to listen to Sign of the Times live

I started learning to play the ukulele

Making colored queues

Camping with the college ministry

Birthday with church friends

B’s end-of-Summer get together

Made a Link costume for my first Halloween party ever

Not-as-Joyfuls

H’s suicide, other deaths at old school and 13 reasons why

That one confrontation by an older family “friend” in July - ouch

Not being able to do VBS

More hair loss

College upsets

Every single conversation I had w/ my parents about the future

Seeing my friends hurt

Things I’m looking forward to in 2018

Getting to know friends better

More art

I might make a zine

Finding more good music/movies

Reading more

The different opportunities I could take

The Winter Olympics

Getting out of my little area of Texas maybe?

Finishing my first year of college

Dogs :)

Anything else positive that the world throws at us ★

#merry go rants #2017 #personal crap but you can read it #:)

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nspx · 7 years

Text

Tumblr user Nina nspx’s star wars fic rec vol. 2

An anon asked me for an ahsoka/anakin fic rec and i accidentally deleted the ask (i’m dumb!!) BUT because i love ahsoka and i love anakin and i love their relationship and how they helped each other, i’m gonna do a completely separate fic rec for the anon (i hope u see this lmao sorry for deleting the ask).

but anyway, since the last time i did a rec i had 22 bookmarks on ao3 (i did the last one on october 19th 2015?? how time flies) and now i have like 80+, i decided to do much more than just an anakin/ahsoka rec, but a general star wars fic res

DISCLAIMER: none of these fics feature anakin/ahsoka in a sexual relationship because i am Not About That BUT they do feature other pairings. anyhow.

These are fics u need to read. need to. sorry, i don’t make the rules. this is gonna be so long. i’m sorry (not)

AHSOKA/ANAKIN

A River Flowing by Barkour

A shadow has left the force, but other threats remain as Padmé and Anakin prepare for the birth of their child.

Part 2 of Peachy

The only issue i have with this fic is that it hasn’t been updated in forever. It’s so good tho!! i’m pretty sure i read this one at least four times. anakin doesn’t go evil (which is something the anon asked for!! here u go) but not everything is perfect - duh, it is a star wars fic, we don’t know what happiness is here - and AHSOKA IS SO WELL WRITTEN!! so good. it also dives into life after the jedi, being a civilian, being dirt-poor and living on coruscant and ALSO!! padme/ahsoka is well developed in this. so good. so great. 10/10 must read

Assassination Attempt No. 23 by pieandsouffle

Tatooine's only senator (or, indeed, one of the only people from that desert planet who is capable of reading and writing, or actually understands what the word 'politics' means), Anakin Skywalker, seems to be one of those rare individuals who attract bounty hunters like flies zero in on a bantha corpse.

The senator!anakin au. what more do u need in life? shenanigans ensue

Old Shadows by Sildae for Windona

Ahsoka asks Anakin about his past after the events on Kadavo and Zygerria.

My babies. My poor heart.

Obi-Wan and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad (Life) Day by wreckageofstars

It's Obi-Wan Kenobi's life day, but good luck telling the galaxy that.

Anakin and Ahsoka are little shits. obi wan and padme are drinking buddies?? sign me the fuck up. the end

hold on to me, 'cause i'm a little unsteady (ws!obi-wan au) by QueenWithABeeThrone

the one where Obi-wan falls off a ship and gets the Winter Soldier treatment, Anakin doesn't fall to the Dark Side but still loses his limbs, Ahsoka can fly with a one-of-a-kind wing-pack, and Padmé gives birth to twins and a Rebellion.

TBH. SO GOOD. ANAKIN AND AHSOKA ARE AWESOME IN THIS. ALSO IN THIS SERIES BY THE SAME AUTHOR:

angels choking on their haloes QueenWithABeeThrone

Anakin hadn’t been lying, when he said he could never kill Obi-wan like he was being asked to, no matter what Obi-wan’s become.

or: Mustafar, in reverse.

Part 1 of hold on to me, 'cause i'm a little unsteady (ws!obi-wan au)

GO READ THIS. it’s unfinished (hasn’t been updated since early 2016, i weep) BUT. still worth a read. really worth it. the second part of this verse ends on the nastiest, most delicious cliffhanger. I WEEP

and hey, a honorary mention, since i haven’t actually read this fic but it was in my ao3 history

Perturbations by the_dragongirl

Anakin makes a different choice, the day Ahsoka leaves the Jedi Order. His actions will determine which of the many possible points of balance in the Force will become the new equilibrium

Part 1 of A Shift in Equilibrium

this has a lot of kudos so?? what the hell. give it a read and tell me what you think

this is it for the anakin/ahsoka part of the rec

OTHER

Fundamental Force Carriers by tanarill

The Sith Lord Darth Vader lived his life. He probably didn't live it well, but he lived it as well as he knew how. At the end there, he'd even managed to woman up and kill Sidious. But he was dying, and at peace with the past.

The past wasn't at peace with him.

Part 1 of Probability Matrices

honestly, this fic is just SU CH a delight. it’s well written, it’s got some real cool science facts for your everyday nerd needs BUT IT’S ALSO THE CRACKIEST CRACKFIC TO EVER CRACK. like. vader dies and goes back in time and he’s got 0 fucks to give about the jedi’s opinion?? he’s here to make things right whether the jedi like it or not??? such a funny, amazing fic. 12/10 on this. nice.

Echoes of Mortis by wreckageofstars

Post-Mortis Arc AU. In a universe where the Father failed to take away Anakin's vision of the future, the Hero With No Fear struggles with the knowledge of what he will become and the knowledge of who, exactly, is responsible. Drastic steps are taken and in the process things go a little bit...sideways.

tbh. so good. also a post-mortic fic (i’m a hoe for mortis). i won’t say too much about this one because i don’t want to spoil anything. i was on the edge of my seat while reading this fic AT ALL TIMES. AT ALL TIMES. I HAD TO READ THE LAST CHAPTER BEFORE READING ON TO MAKE SURE ANAKIN WOULDN’T GO ALL EVIL. i was so pleasantly surprised. it’s just so - poetic. anakin really does a lot of growing in this, i think. brilliant fic

those immortal dead by notbecauseofvictories

I care more for that long age which I shall never see than for the little of Time that I hold

Padmé Amidala is forgotten, not gone.

This is a five times padme amidala’s legacy lived on, basically. it’s got poe in it as well!! and rey, my daughter. what more do you need from a fic? so well written, so poignant, so beautiful

Palpatine Ad Portas by izzythehutt

When the Emperor Palpatine moves the Empire Day Celebration to Naboo, Darth Vader is forced to confront a past he had thought better buried and forgotten. Admiral Piett becomes the reluctant confidante of the monarch, caught in the middle of a deadly Sith cat-and-mouse mind game. Meanwhile, the young Rebel who blew up the Death Star returns to his mother's home world to pay his respects on the anniversary of her death--unaware of his father and the Emperor's presence on the planet and the very grave danger he is in.

Part 2 of In Loco Pirates-Verse

fucked me up really bad, tbh. vader goes to naboo. luke is there. it’s brilliant, but so painful. read at your own risk (but do read it)

Hello From the Other Side by DarthNickels

Kylo Ren is destined to take up the mantle of Vader. The Force can be incredibly literal.

MY FAVOURITE IMPERIAL OFFICER PIETT IS IN THIS!!! and he hates kylo so much, he thinks he’s such a pale imitation of vader, he’s so disgusted by him. i live for it. 10/10

The Sith Who Brought Life Day by ophelia_interrupted for Binder-lover

An Imperial officer loses a bet and has to get Darth Vader a present for Life Day.

i feel like this is such a star wars fic classic that everyone’s already read ages ago except me. the style on this feels really like. (don’t judge me if i’m way off on this lmao) catcher in the rye. reminds me old american classics. that type of feel. it’s so good!!

Into the Archives by skygawker

After hearing the legend of Darth Plagueis the Wise from Palpatine, Anakin decides that his best chance to save Padme is to break into the restricted Holocron Vault of the Temple Archives to search for information about Plagueis. Predictably, all does not go according to plan. Revenge of the Sith AU.

My tiny son anakin is such a mess in this. and you can tell this is au because anakin and obi wan actually talk about anakin’s feelings?? what?? what are those?? anyway. so good. it hasn’t been updated since feb 2016 but like?? my fics havent been since july 2015. figures

for a hundred miles through the desert by wreckageofstars

[“There's no water, on Tatooine,” Luke said finally. “I mean, no large bodies of water, like you have on other planets. Pools, lakes. Oceans.”

“Well, yeah,” Han said, eyebrow raised at the sudden change of subject, tone still sharper than he meant for it to be. “Place is a dustball. So?”

The kid still wouldn't look at him.

“So,” he said, face carefully blank, like it so often was these days, “I never learned how to swim.”]

Han has a hard time coming to terms with Luke's fall to the dark side during Dark Empire; so does Luke.

This is some serious EU shit, but it’s pretty good on its own as an AU scenario. I LOVE the meta on this. love

and rise, rise in the desert sand by hollytrees

Padmé and Anakin keep in touch after TPM.

(Or, the author has started writing Fialleril's Pen Pals AU, possibly because they hate themselves.)

THIS ONE IS SO PAINFUL AND HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL!! it’s got one chapter but it’s so worth it

Never Heed by dogmatix, norcumi

The Sith Emperor is dead.

A clone visits one more pyre in his long life.

Part 4 of Ghosts of 66

This is Rex coming to Vader’s pyre. fuck mE UP. like HONESTLY. THERE’S ONE BIT IN THIS THAT MAKES ME WANNA CURL UP AND CRY EVERY TIME. actually two bits. three bits. the whole damn story. anyhow

Mercy is the Mighties' Jewel by akathecentimetre for TheCrackedKatana

They've chased each other all over the world - yet somehow, they will always end up here. Modern-day spy!AU with illustration by JakartaInn.

The Obi-wan and Ventress spy au of your dreams. what more do i need to say?

TFA FIC

to lie with your soul in the grave by plinys

Poe casts a glance at the door, he can see their mothers through the semi-transparent glass, it’s too quiet to hear them talk, but he knows whatever it is it can’t be good. The kid sitting next to him seems to have the same idea.

“So, who talks first?” Poe says, breaking the silence between them.

Tbh.. don’t judge but when tfa came out i liked kylo (i’m more.. conflicted about him now) and i read a lot of kylo fic in that time period. i was never a reylo, so i read a lot of other kylo fic, which was mostly either kyhux or kylo/poe WHICH THIS FIC IS ABOUT. THEY KNEW EACH OTHER GROWING UP. THEY WERE IN LOVE. all i remember from this fic is that it’s so well written. give it a read if you’re into this sort of thing

I read like three more kylo/poe fics that are also very good, so. anyway. here goes

saying that I love him but I know I'm gonna leave him byselenedaydreams

“This could be us one day.” Poe whispers half to himself as he finally turns towards Ben, finding a curious expression on his face. “This could be us.” He repeats, this time with more excitement. “You and me. Pilot and copilot. Traveling the universe together.”

Poe has never seen Ben smile at him the way he’s smiling now but Ben’s reaching for his hand and lacing their fingers together so it must be good. “Together.”

Lost To Me by red0aktree

Poe met Ben Solo when he was too young to even know what it meant to meet someone.

Poe met Kylo Ren years later.

Separating the prince of the First Order from the boy he grew up with proves more difficult than the pilot could ever imagine.

Melting Away by SF2187

Before he was Kylo Ren, he was in love with the best pilot in the Republic.

what i like about these fics is that (from what i remember) they don’t erase the fact that kylo is a raging asshole now. nice

excavate me (from all the girls I've tried to be) by Shadows_of_a_Dream

“Rise, Skywalker.”

“I told you,” Rey hisses through gritted teeth. “He’s gone.” Like everyone else. Like all the girls I’ve tried to be. Like all the girls I might have yet become, because I’m going to die alone on this unknown sea.

The mask returns his lightsaber to his belt. And like a crashing wave, like a renewed flame, like the weight of a planet falling squarely upon her shoulders, the mask looks at her and says, “I was talking to you.”

Part 1 of I never asked to tread the skies (but if I shall, I suppose I'll fly)

This one is so... intense. so intense. and so good. 20/10

need somewhere to begin by doubtthestars

Anthology of the War

1//The first time she officially meets Poe, she divulges secrets that aren't hers to tell. 2// If he had been born in any other family, Ben Solo would have been a soldier. 3// When she sees Rey, Leia only has a brief moment to reflect on all of their wrongs.

Read. That is all.

Trial by nymja

Kylo Ren kneels in the snow before her.

“Do it,” he demands.

Rey breathes in through her nose. Her hands are shaking. Her blade starts to burn the skin of his exposed neck. Do it for Han.

Luke takes Rey to face The Cave.

Part 4 of Do or Do Not

So cool.

Lessons Learned by nymja

“You’re never going to get anywhere if you don’t learn patience, first.”

“I’m the strongest knight here!”

The Jedi looks around the room, eyeing the skull of his grandfather with pointed distaste. “Yes, well. Good work.”

Part 1 of The Sad Grandpa Trilogy

Forceghost!obi-wan is so disappointed in kylo. it’s great. READ THE WHOLE SERIES BECAUSE IT’S GOLD!! it’s so good!! the next one is about rey and forceghost!anakin in the desert and that fic is so interesting because in it, anakin isn’t really as much of a grandfather figure as he is a friend figure and one of his corporeal forms is a warning to rey. like a mirror in the force (to her, to ren, it’s so brilliant). honestly i could talk forever about the next fic in this series because anakin is SO WELL WRITTEN. SO WELL WRITTEN.

THE CLASSICS

tbh @fialleril‘s Double Agent Vader verse gets the biggest shoutout (love u fia you’re my inspiration) for sheer amazingness. i won’t list any of the fics in the verse because u need to read all of them. yes, all of them. get to it

ACTUALLY. you should read all of fia’s work. all of it. (on the offchance that fia actually reads this, i can’t wait for anabasis i am so pumped)

ALSO!! another must read is @phil-the-stone‘s pocket full of sand 'verse. it’s such an Iconic piece of star wars fanfiction!! like bye, everyone needs to read this

ALSO another one of hers because?? why not. nursery ‘verse!!! i’m so heart eyes over nursery verse. i’m forever flattered because some of my headcanons are in this!! best thing i’ve ever done. (phil writes mostly b99 and ouat now, but still check it out, her writing is so good)

other fandom must-read authors include:

1000-alshain

actual-leia-organa

threadsketchy

star-vault-ofthe-heavens

darthnickels

cadesama

ygrittebardots

@anghraine

@izzythehutt

FF.NET MUST READ AUTHORS ARE:

Mathematica

irnan (all of their work, i’m not kidding, writer goals)

frodogenic (they wrote darth vader’s limplet and other hilarious fics, honestly, star wars humor at its finest)

motchi

a bunch of others, though you might find more in my previous rec

Now. Since we’ve come to the end of this ridiculously long rec, it’s time for me to shamelessly plug my own blog. you can find more tumblr fic in my tag here, you can find my writing here and on ao3 *whispers* leave me a comment, you can find my bookmarks here (and find fics i did not include that are also very good)

have fun reading!!

#star wars #star wars rec #rec #star wars fanficton #anyhow #ive been here for too long #i HOPE the anon sees this lmao

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meltyrabbit · 7 years

Note

All the flavors :3c

IM SO TIRED I ALMOST MADE A POST TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS ONLY TO REMEMBER I HAD TO GO ANSWER IT THROUGH MY ASKS

chocolate: when was your first kiss?

september 8th 2016 when i first met my boyfriend irl

french vanilla: how old are you?

cotton candy: three places you want to travel to?

spain, australia, japan

strawberry: a language you wish you could speak?

lol my own as in my first language which is lao

coffee: favorite cosmetic brands?

idk, i barely use any tbh

mint chocolate chip: indoors or outdoors?

not sure depends on the weather

cookie dough: do you play any instruments?

no but i wish :(

rocky road: favorite songs at the moment?

The Nights Out (Madeon Remix) - Martin Solveig

butter pecan: favorite songs for life?

ANYTHING MADE BY PERFUME I LOVE THEM AND ALL THEIR SONGS. THERE ISNT A SONG BY THEM THAT I DISLIKE

cheesecake: what's your zodiac sign?

which one? I’m a leo but for the chinese one, I’m a dog

toasted coconut: the beach or the pool?

the beach is prettier c:

chocolate chip: what's your most popular post?

some sketch art of a pokemon gijinka that got like 32 notes

bubblegum: books or movies?

i don’t have time for books so i guess movies

pistachio: manga or anime?

ahhh i havent don’t both of these for a while ;____;

salted caramel: favorite movies?

21 Jump Street & Now You See Me

birthday cake: favorite books?

uhhhhh

moose tracks: favorites for manga?

oh boy i haven’t read some in a long time let me get back to you on that

orange sherbet: favorites for anime?

its a long list :(

peanut butter: favorite academic subject?

history!

black raspberry: do you have any pets?

yes a lovely pupper

mango: when and why did you start your blog?

i made this blog in 2011, but i didn’t start posting till july 31st of that year because my girlfriend at the time wanted me to be active on there

mocha: ideal weather conditions?

overcast pls

black cherry: four words that describe you?

cute gay thirsty meme (I ASKED MY BOYFRIEND TO DESCRIBE ME NO CONTEXT BECAUSE IM BAD AT DESCRIBING MYSELF AND THIS IS WHAT HE CAME UP WITH)

neapolitan: things that stress you out?

reality and money troubles 8))))

raspberry truffle: favorite kind of music?

upbeat pop

chocolate marshmallow: favorite brands of candy?

i don’t really eat much candy since i personally don’t enjoy sweets but i guess mike & ikes since thats what i always eat whenever I’m at the movies

toffee: a card game that you're good at?

CARDFIGHT VANGAURD WHEN MY DECK DIDNT SUCK AS THE GAME RECENTLY CAME OUT

lemon custard: do you eat breakfast?

ahhhh not really since my stomach hurts when i do, but I’m trying to force myself to eat one in a while ;____;

dark chocolate: turn ons?

biting, ass grabbing, teasing, being treated like a princess & spoiled as so; THATS ALL I CAN THINK OF RN

fudge: turn offs?

bad personal hygiene

peach: how do you relax?

i dont relax, the only escape i can get is sleep lol

praline: a popular book you haven't read yet?

the divergent series

superman: do you like sweaters?

SWEATER PAWS ARE THE BEAT TBH ALSO SO ARE BOYFRIEND’S SWEATERS BUT MINES WONT LET ME HAVE HIS

cherry: do you drink tea or coffee?

coffee hands down

dulce de leche: an instrument you wish you could play?

the piano for sure because i always wanted to do covers of songs

blackberry: have you ever laughed so hard you cried?

ALL THE TIME

ginger: a new feature you wish tumblr could have?

MAKE ALL THEM PORN BOT BLOGS TO STOP FOLLOWING ME

blueberry lemon: favorite blogs?

these guys: @multifridgeman, @dricter, @thedivinecloud, @punkyhime, @kitsunenoko, @shsl-unmotivated, @toshiyaargh ,@mayhemchild IDK WHO ELSE TO TAG I JUST REBLOG A LOT OF YOU GUYS

almond: favorite mean girls quote?

“Boo, you whore."

butterscotch: what color are your nails right now?

none, i don’t have the patience to paint them

cinnamon: have you ever been confessed to?

a bunch of times after i graduated high school by a lot of my guy friends but they were weird about it so i never followed up on it and an online friend who ended up being my girlfriend for two weeks before i realized i didn’t have mutual feelings for her

blue moon: have you ever had a crush on someone?

yeah this nerd @multifridgeman

cappuccino crunch: do you take naps?

way too often lol

mint: the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?

at my old work me and one of my co-workers run past each other to take care of a customer and i accidentally grabbed a handful of his crotch

brownie batter: do you like sushi?

yeah i guess

key lime: where do you want to be right now?

cheesy but to hang out with my boyfriend (/w\)

red velvet: do you wear prescription glasses?

i need them to see so yeah :c

green tea: favorite flavors of ice cream?

coffee and matcha

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viralhottopics · 7 years

Text

Snapchat rising: is Facebook-sized success the future for this youthful app?

The ephemeral app is set to go public, could be worth $25bn, and is seen as the only serious challenger to Facebooks audience. But can the ascent continue?

What is the value of Snapchat? The notoriously secretive parent company of the ephemeral messaging app is about to find out. Snap Inc has this week released paperwork designed to drum up interest in its initial public offering, scheduled for March, which some analysts say could value the company at between $20bn and $25bn making it one of the biggest technology offerings in recent years.

Snapchat was created in September 2011 as a selfie app that let users share pictures that deleted themselves once theyd been viewed. It quickly developed a reputation as a sexting app, although this wasnt representative of how the app was actually being used.

A lot of people misunderstood what it was about early on, thinking it was for sending naughty pics. But the value is that when you know stuff you share is not going to be part of a permanent online record, you can be a lot more casual, raw and honest, said Jan Dawson, founder of Jackdaw Research.

It doesnt have to be that perfectly framed selfie or the picture of your lunch that looks amazing. It can be the a picture of the new zit that popped out or the fact that you put on odd socks because it was dark.

The rawness was an appealing antidote to the highly curated environments of Facebook and Instagram.

I like Snapchat because its more chill [than Facebook], its not forever, said 14-year-old Lila, an active Snapchat user. You can post funny videos and stuff and I like that you can talk to people without having a conversation, you can just send them a picture.

Snapchat has since evolved its product offering, adding even more creative tools to enhance the camera and chat functionality, allowing 2.5bn Snaps to be created each day. Its also launched Snapchat Stories, where users collect Snaps together in chronological order. This allows individuals, brands and media companies to tell their stories to larger audiences, and its the key area for selling advertising.

The Stories section has allowed for social media stars to emerge on the platform, such as 27-year-old Cyrene Quiamco (username CyreneQ), who has more than 100,000 followers. Advertisers pay her between $10,000 and $30,000 to tell stories about their brands through a series of short videos.

Quiamco typically creates games and challenges, encouraging her followers to interact with and respond to her content.

My content is fun and lighthearted. I do a lot of games. So I ask people to take a screenshot of my videos, then ask them to draw on it or create stickers. Its fun, lighthearted and interactive, she said.

For example, she worked with Walmart to promote Black Friday by asking her followers to pick a present for her mother, whose birthday coincides with the annual shopping extravaganza. Her followers sent her their ideas, which she re-posted to her story channel, before she picked her favourite and gave the present to her mother.

She does around four such commercial deals each month, as well as speaking gigs and consulting that nets her around $500,000 per year.

I still cant believe all of this is happening, she said.

Despite it looking a bit like a media or messaging company, Snap describes itself as a camera company, something it reiterated in the IPO filing today.

In the way that the flashing cursor became the starting point for most products on desktop computers, we believe that the camera screen will be the starting point for most products on smartphones. This is because images created by smartphone cameras contain more context and richer information than other forms of input like text entered on a keyboard.

Snapchat CEO and co-founder Evan Spiegel says the company cares about not being creepy when it comes to advertising to its users. Photograph: Jae C. Hong/AP

Its impossible to talk about Snapchat without also talking about Facebook. Facebook tried to buy the messaging service for $3bn in 2013, but Snapchat turned the offer down.

Snapchat has been the only serious challenger that has threatened to take audiences away from Facebook, said Dawson.

Facebooks response was to build a clone called Slingshot, which didnt take off. The social networking giant has since been relentlessly and shamelessly experimenting with incorporating many of Snapchats popular features, such as ephemeral messages, photo-editing tools, face-altering filters and scannable personal barcodes. The scattergun approach appears to have finally taken off: with reports suggesting that the Facebook-owned Instagrams cloning of Snapchat Stories may have led to Snapchats user growth stalling.

Facebook has started to take a very experimental and incremental approach to try to counter Snapchat. Instagram Stories has been massively successful, said Dawson. Its sucked some of the air out of Snapchats sales over the last few months.

Even if Snapchat continues to grow, its got a long way to go before it would be anything other than a small thorn in the side of Facebook, which has 1.86bn monthly users and made $27.6bn in revenue in 2016. By comparison, Snapchat has more than 150m daily active users, generating more than $400m in revenue, and has yet to become profitable.

Snapchat is challenging Facebook and Instagram in terms of features, but certainly not in revenue, said Deborah Aho Williamson, principal analyst at eMarketer.

In order to thrive, Snapchat, whose users are mostly between 18 and35, will need to appeal to a broader user base (read: older) and address some core concerns within the product, such as building better measurement tools for advertisers.

They have an audience that is very attractive to advertisers, but lack any ability to measure how many people are seeing ads and whether their perceptions of the brand has changed. That needs to happen if Snapchat wants to win any mainstream advertising budget said Dawson.

However, the more data Snapchat tries to generate for advertisers, the more it will have to compromise user privacy.

Back in 2015, CEO Evan Spiegel said: I got an ad this morning for something I was thinking about buying yesterday, and its really annoying. We care about not being creepy. Thats something thats really important to us.

In the future, being creepy will have to be less of a concern if Snapchat is to please investors.

The company will also need to diversity its offering given Facebook and Google continue to dominate the ad market.

Snapchat has dipped its toes in the water with hardware through the creation of Spectacles, smart glasses that record and upload 10-second videos.

The staggered launch of the product through colourful vending machines dotted around the US, was a PR masterclass, with lines of Snapchatters waiting hours to buy a pair, and some reselling on eBay for thousands of dollars.

I tried to get Spectacles three times in LA, but then I happened to be in Vegas and was able to get them, said Goldstein. You can definitely tell its a first generation technology, but its a great storytelling tool.

Although Spectacles havent been a big money maker for Snap, they could signal a move into the much-hyped realm of augmented reality wearables, where it could insert digital content over images of the physical world as they are captured by smart glasses.

Snapchat has revolutionized communication for young people and Spectacles show its thinking creatively about new ways to communicate, said Williamson.

Whether that translates into Facebook-sized success remains to be seen.