#i truly do mean this wholeheartedly but a writer is an entertainer. you are entertaining people

[dayurno]

HELLO i just wanted to say that i love you so muuuch!! i recently finished reading playing for keeps and oh. my. god.

your kevin is the most adorable thing I've ever seen i want to eat him alive (sorry, I'm vegan actually but...)

tntg and pfk is the masterpieces i know what I'm talking about. perhaps you can give some advice for fic writers? i love you sm 😩🤚🏼

OH WOW nice to me thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! and wanting to eat kevin alive is the average kevin day experience he is just chewable!!!! i guarantee

and aiya advice for fic writers huh. i dont know if my advice is worth much if anything at all but from the top of my head here are some things ive picked up over the years that will hopefully serve someone somewhere

presentation actually matters!!!! a properly formatted fic is not only delicious to read but also helps with keeping you in the story, i know this because i am a bad formatter (so sorry) and whenever i go through my fics and see a mistake i'm immediately taken out of it! just make sure it's easy to read and you have formatted it to the best of your abilities

brevity is the soul of wit. unfortunately. this is by no means i'm advocating for only short sentences (we all love tangents!) but i think it is good to vary on sentence length and save your longer lines for things that are important to note down! this image has been going around for years now but i still think its one of the most helpful pieces of writing advice ive ever seen

side characters are your best friends!!!!! i think as fanfic writers sometimes we want to get to the point and focus only on our mains, but it does add a lot of flavor and texture when you have small storylines happening along with your main plot, especially if you're doing an in-depth character study. life exists even when we're not seeing it!!!! give your side characters interesting stories and relationships!!!!

writing is about FUN and your questions regarding your storyline should never be "what is the most logical thing that could happen now?" but "what is the most interesting thing that could happen now?". this is a sin aftg fans commit the most when talking about aftg but i am here to tell you that no plot is too ambitious. nothing is so out there that you can't write about it! no concept is too wacky! interesting should come first; you worry about the logic in later edits. most readers are more willing to forgive an interesting plot with technical problems than they are willing to forgive a boring story that is perfect writing-wise

i think this is all i have! if anyone would like to add something theyre more than welcome to

#i stand by that last one so bad okay im so tired of people justifying boring things with 'its logical' 'its realistic' #we're doing CREATIVE WRITINGGGGG logical & realistic are not concerns if you can sell what youre writing #i truly do mean this wholeheartedly but a writer is an entertainer. you are entertaining people #the worst sin you can commit is to fail at that #this is doubly as important for fanfic btw. we all know the realistic and logical endings these characters get! now have fun with it #now write something interesting and new and true #my advice for people trying to get over that is to do an exercise #where you imagine the craziest thing that could happen to a character. then you sit down and write it down seriously #you rationalize it. you find a way to make it real and part of your story. and You Write It #cringe is not only dead its buried in your basement and your new best friend is sincerity #asks #my writing

[keepingsecretstokeepyoutk]

These are just my thoughts, I understand that many others feel differently.

There have been times in the past that I’ve felt frustration or anxiety about Taylor not coming out potentially ever, while continuing to drop “hints”.

(I personally feel like she has unofficially come out and is only not officially coming out because of all of the many many other closeted people she would be betraying if she really told her truth, AND for the purpose of privacy, which is in no way exclusive to closeting, straight entertainers also have PR relationships and keep their personal lives to themselves as is their right to do. But that is only background on how I feel about why Taylor is doing what she is doing, and why I don’t feel in any way entitled to her coming out. This post is just about my personal emotional experience of coming to peaceful terms with being an attentive fan in this situation.)

I have always *loved* following the lyrical and other Easter eggs to Taylor’s truth. While I went through a couple of album cycles of disappointment when the build up didn’t culminate with an official coming out, I have grown to truly be at peace with this little upside down world/wonderland/Narnia that we live in as fans who see a deeper meaning to her work.

I’ve seen some people express that if she isn’t going to come out they would rather her not leave Easter eggs at all. I very wholeheartedly disagree.

On a selfish/personal level, continuing to see the sapphic themes we’ve identified in her songs, the symbols for her truth in her branding and rollouts, reminds me that I’m not making all of this shit up. If she were to suddenly stop, I would personally feel a little ungrounded, like it must have all been coincidences. I would also have far less deeply relatable music from an unbelievably talented lyricist, to listen to.

Sure there are plenty of other sapphic writers/musicians I love, but Taylor is irreplaceable. Her work is unique as a closeted woman, because when you can’t name a feeling you have to describe it, when you can’t tell a story in plain language, you have to tell it in allegory and metaphor, leading to work that is not only relatable, it makes you understand your own experiences and feeling more deeply and in a way that other writing can’t.

On an empathetic level, it baffles me that anyone would ask Taylor to stop putting her real experiences and truth in her art. The same themes we see in folklore and evermore and midnights are present in her debut album. Taylor has always shown her true rainbow colors in her writing, whether she was doing so intentionally or not. Her whole life and happiness is her art, and her art includes not only her lyrics, but her music videos and her era aesthetics, and everything that goes into presenting her songs to her audience.

Her art is her outlet. Taylor has explicitly expressed that her writing holds her truth, it’s the only place she can emote genuinely. Being a visual artist myself, my work is the only place I can channel certain emotions. I can’t imagine censoring myself in that part of my life.

Taylor, by her own admission (in some of her most beautiful lyrics yet) has made many mistakes and unsavory compromises in her navigation of these choppy waters. I am not saying that she is blameless or flawless. She is human. Which is kind of my point.

I want to go on record that I will enjoy following her “hints”, for the rest of my life, if she never come out - or for many years to come if she one day chooses to unearth the roots of closeting in the entertainment industry with a tell all autobiography or docuseries.

I can’t wait to see what her next step is, and I’m honored that she entrusts us with everything that she does. Getting glimpses of her truth, and reading/listening to her endlessly impressive reflections on her experiences. Everyone longs to be seen and recognized by their community. I want her to know that i see her. So many of us see you. And we love you.

#taylor swift #gaylor #kaylor #bearding #gaylor swift #closeting

[getosuguruswife]

Getou x F!Reader

genre : angst 

summary : you decide to leave your boyfriend as you realize he isn’t ready for a relationship.

chapter tags : infidelity, brief mention of sex, mental issues (not specific tho) and drinking problems?

writer’s note : it is the first time i write something in a while, + English is not my first language, so please bare with me guys (’: (I finished this story pretty quickly, as I didn’t know how to end it, I wrote it because it spoke to me on a personal level, I also made a playlist for it too!) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/002dbNvnh9412iFu23nBpc?si=fcbbac695fc4457d

Love wasn't something you were very familiar with. Of course you had some flings here and there, but they never reached the level of feelings you had for Getou Suguru. The man was tall, strong and handsome. So intelligent and sensitive, just drastically different from all the boys you met before. He was a man. However, you are grown enough to know that love isn’t all, if it was, much less people would break up or divorce. What does it mean to love someone if you don’t respect them, listen to them, or if you make them feel lonely? You putted up with a lot of Getou’s shenanigans, from him staying out late at night, partying with his friends, him entertaining the women that threw themselves at him, or just making you feel like you’re second in his life. Of course, you didn’t mind not being his first priority, if his first priority was his career or his family, but if it was the losers he called his friends, or partying with bitches, then it was a problem. 

The thing is Suguru loved you, wholeheartedly. He never felt that way with anyone before you, and he really was grateful for your existence, he just didn’t know how to show it to you. You were vibrant and funny, so sensitive and open to your feelings. It was okay for you cry, pour your heart out to him, and show him how much he meant to you. He tried to do the same, he really did, but how can you let your guard down this quickly when you have been used to closing your heart all your life? There was something comforting about not letting you see how he truly feels, even if you proved him a thousand times he could trust you.

It is a cold Sunday morning. The sky is grey, rain drops are hitting the windows of your empty room. Last night, you have been by yourself, like always. Although it is a routine for you, this time feels different. Getou left the house at 6 p.m yesterday, claiming to have an errand to run with Gojo, it is 8 a.m and you still haven’t heard from him. Tears are drooling down your face, you can’t even see your hands tossing your clothes in your suitcase. You’re so angry, frustrated and sad, all at the same time. What haven’t you done for this man? You have always been supportive of him, always let him do whatever he wanted, shown him unconditional love, even when he didn’t deserve it, so why do you have to go through all of this? Why does he keep treating you like a stranger? You run from a room to another, trying to leave before he can come back and dissuade you to go. You’re not even showered yet, all you think about is escaping from that golden prison. You don’t feel loved anyway, so you don’t think you will be missed, you care about him enough to let him be.

Getou wasn’t that too fond of clubs. Nothing about loud music, or drinking until passing out excited him, but it was a good way for him to forget all of his problems for a while. His friends unlike him always seemed to have the time of their lives, dancing and tongue-kissing women they had just met, he was the only one sitting and doing nothing but drinking, or playing with his phone. Sometimes, he would fuck girls in the bathrooms out of pure boredom. None of them could even come close to you and he knew that, but that’s how he is : he can’t deal with intimacy, he would rather for you to think he didn’t feel anything than open his heart and handle situations. He knew you were way too good for him, so he always seemed to do everything to make you leave, and his guilt grew wider as you stayed. The love and patience you had for him tortured his mind way too much, but he couldn’t come to terms with breaking up with you, deep down in his soul, he knew.

You’re the only thing on his mind when he comes back home. He knows he is not going to get away with staying out all night, and is already prepping some apologies in his mind while taking his shoes off. After throwing them in a corner of the entry, he starts tip-toeing slowly towards your room, trying not to make the wood cracks under his feet. The house is cold, but he is not ready for how colder things will turn in a second.

You lift your bags out of the bed, ready to turn around and face him, ready to live the most heartbreaking thing you have ever experienced in a while, and when you see him, it’s like your heart is falling at your feet. He stands there, watching you with confusion, but still low-key understanding the situation, as you can see by the way he breathes. You are both looking at each other, in the upmost silence. He is so beautiful.. You think, with his pitch black hair laying on both sides of his neck, his basic white tee-shirt stretched out by his muscles, and his angel-like features. For a second, you almost want to drop everything and go back to him, enjoy his presence, but you can’t. Nothing will ever change, he is not ready to love. 

“I’m leaving.” You are the one breaking the silence first, voice trembling from the ugly cry you’re about to throw. “How much pain a human can take Sugu? I can’t do it no more, I’m sorry”. When your words hits him, he doesn’t even react. He stares at you, almost like he can’t believe it, like he is waiting for a nightmare to end. At the same time, he doesn’t really know what to say? He did everything to push you out the door, how hypocritical it would be of him to try to make you stay, none of his issues are solved, and nothing will change for now.You’re searching for his eyes, waiting, hoping, praying, he would say something to make you feel wanted, but he says nothing like that, he says nothing at all.

“I don’t want you to answer me, I don’t think there’s much to say anyway, let me just leave please.” You cry again, although you tried your best not to. Getou looks at you, and you can see he is in pain too, but he could never blame you for realizing your worth, he knew this time was coming anyway, and he feels like it’s the best decision. “I love you, I’m so sorry.” He whispers, which interrupts your tears for a minute. “You deserve so much more than what I gave you, I know I was a shitty boyfriend, I did you so wrong baby, I’m so sorry.”  Something in you wants to take him in your arms, reassure him and tell him that it’s okay, that he was a hundred percent worthy of your love, but it would be a lie, a million reasons you know and don’t know that justify why he isn’t. You can’t be the one apologizing anytime he fucks up. “I’m sorry too.”

#getou suguru #getou suguru x reader #jjk getou #geto angst #Jujutsu Kaisen #jujutsu kaisen geto #getou x y/n #suguru #suguru geto

[theetangerine]

A Romance is only A romance if they’re Tropes

From Romeo & Juliet to Titanic To The Notebook to more modern "classics" like After and The Kissing Booth, the romance genre has been a staple of societal entertainment for generations but the question is what truly makes a romance 'a romance'. Well my fruits, my answer to that intuitive question are Thee Tropes. Today we will explore these tropes and I will be give my ridiculous take on them. This list was proved to me by Jill Wiliamson the link to will be below do please check it , 

And  Here We Go

1.Abduction to love

Massimo "Are you lost babygirl?"

2.Accidental pregnancy

Two people having unprotected sex got to love it.  

3.Afraid to commit

This is called the Playboy or F@#kboy trope commonly found on Wattpad FanFics made by fangirls with Daddy Issues. 

4.All grown up

Like romance gets any easier when you are older.

5.Amnesia

This trope is when the Main Character forgets their simp........oh sh#t........ I mean love interest.  

6.Antihero romance

All the Saskue, Bakugo and Levi simps wholeheartedly agree with this trope.

7.Arranged marriage

I mean being forced into a marriage with a person you don't love and people are happy for it just makes a romance reader heart flutter.

8.Athlete

Also call the JockxNerd trope cause movies and books want you to believe that the 6ft tall football player with a 9 pack of abs is going to notice nerdy Sherry in the back.

9.Bait and switch

Authors Catfishing their audience

10.Beauty and the beast

Clears throat "Tale as old as time ,Tune as old as song"

11.Best friend’s sibling

This trope is trash............Yeah I said it. Fight me.

12.Best friends/ friends first

Stop cut the camera...........this trope is god tier. This is a S rank shinobi level trope.

13.Billionaire

Use Fifty Shades of Grey as your template and you’ll be good

14.Blackmail

If this isn't the premise for 365days the movie.

15.Blind date

Good opportunity to get catfished or to catfish someone.

16.Bodyguard crush

This is just co-dependency thee trope.

17.Boss/employee

 The trope that makes sexual harassment of an employee a-okay.  

18.Boy hates girl

Sooo...Sakura x Sasuke.

19.Boy meets ghoul

Sooo.....Tokyo Ghoul.

20.Boy meets girl

I mean if the boy doesn't meet the girl and the boy starts a romantic relationship with the girl then the boy is a stalker.

21.Break his heart to save him

I told you that I don't love you cause the writer likes to see  you  suffer. Your sadness brings them joy. They are drinking your tears for breakfast.

22.Brother’s best friend

Fellas I want to you to imagine your bestfriend checking out you little sister. Good

I can understand if you kill him now.

23.Bully turned puppy lover

When you are simping for your abuser. 

Yoon bum I see you.

24.Can’t live with them, can’t live without them

I don't care what you call, it will forever be co-dependency.                                                 

25.Celebrity loves commoner

The reason why so much BTS, One Direction, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish fanfics exist.  

26.Celibate hero

Shows sign to the audience

*CLAP FOR THIS TROPE*

27.Childhood enemies fall in love

If you love this trope you are a SasuNaru or BakuDeku shipper and you even cant deny it.

To all my folks that don't know what I am talking about don't worry your pretty lil non-weeb head about it, just go and watch Naruto or Boku no Hero Academia

*Whispers* you will thank me later.

28. Childhood friends

This trope usually consist of a slow burning romance. So if painfully slow romance makes you want cry blood due to how much of a slow build it is, by all means read it, don't said I didn't warn you.

UNTIL NEXT TIME MY FRUITS -TheeTangerine

Link to the website 

https://goteenwriters.com/2015/12/16/145-romance-tropes/

#hot lol #long post #laugh #laugheveryday #just for laughs #romance #long reads #lol

[kpopfanfictrash]

Heyy, I’ve seen a lot of negativity and hate recently on my dash towards fic writers/content creators and I hate it. That’s why I’ve decided to message all the writers/ content creators I follow to just be that reminder that they are very much appreciated. That they are supported. That there are so many people who truly await their next piece of work. And to say that you are seen as more than just an entity that churns out entertainment (that you so graciously decide to share and in no way are we entitled to).

This is a thank you and an apology, both of which you deserve. The undeserved hate you get will not be ignored and if they will not say sorry, then I am happy to, because it is the least of what you do deserve. I am so sorry you are treated with such shameless entitlement and unsolicited hate. Please do not take this to heart. And please know that if you do, others will understand. Please do what is best for you, please take care of yourself. Please be happy. If that means taking a break or even if that means leaving this platform, please do so.

As long as it is what you want to do and feel what is best for you then you will be supported wholeheartedly. Your struggle and hard work is valued as well as your well-being. I hope you succeed and thrive in anything and everything you are facing and I am wishing you the best of luck!!! 💜💜💜

Thank you very much for such a kind message and for taking it upon yourself to spread positivity on this site :) I hope you’re doing well and staying safe + healthy!! 

#asks

[mellicose]

Doctor ... WTF?

An impassioned rant about the steady decline of Doctor Who, the trajectory of the Thirteenth Doctor, and the righteous indignation after The Timeless Children, not only as a Whovian, but as a woman-

I love how certain people are spinning The Timeless Children as being good, yet the BBC has released (2)TWO statements basically telling fans the following:

“Doctor Who is a beloved long-running series and we understand that some people will feel attached to a particular idea they have of the Doctor, or that they enjoy certain aspects of the programme more than others. Opinions are strong and this is indicative of the imaginative hold that Doctor Who has – that so many people engage with it on so many different levels.

We wholeheartedly support the creative freedom of the writers and we feel that creating an origin story is a staple of science fiction writing. What was written does not alter the flow of stories from William Hartnell’s brilliant Doctor onwards – it just adds new layers and possibilities to this ongoing saga.”

Creative freedom, huh? Ask Joe Hill about it. Or Gaiman. The writers, including Chibnall, are only free to do what the Beeb and the other show investors tell them. 

They go on:

“We have also received many positive reactions to the episode’s cliff-hanger. There are still a lot of questions to be answered, and we hope that you will come back to join us and see what happens, but we appreciate that it’s impossible to please all of our viewers all of the time and your feedback has been raised with the programme’s Executive Producer." 

Uglylaughing.gif

There is a huge, monumental difference between 'not being able to please everyone all at the same time' and basically making a whole fandom, New and Classic, young and old, come together with the same level of disgust and disappointment.

I also find the people arguing "Canon? What canon?" about the Doctor now being the Lord and Savior of the Shining World of the Seven Systems to be foolish at best, and disingenuous at worst.

No canon?? So what have I been steeping myself in for years  - a vague approximation of a tale? Please. Of course, writers have embellished and alluded, but tampering with the unspoken but well-known 'no touch' rule about the Doctor's origin is ... well, it's canon, in and of itself...

...which Chibnall completely wrecked, and I can't imagine why. Hubris? By all accounts, he was a fan. I thought Moffat was a dick for bringing back Gallifrey, but now, to me, my disappointment then vs now is like comparing a fart to a shitstorm.

Please excuse the scatological references, but I'm using it deliberately. It is a swirling turd, which I and many others wish we could flush down and forget forever.

In another RadioTimes article - which basically is the BBC - amongst the usual apologetics, Huw Fullerton drops this little gem:

“The glory days of David Tennant et al were in a different TV landscape, and if the Tenth Doctor touched down now it seems unlikely he’d command anything close to the ratings he did over a decade ago.”

Yeah, you can all take a break to have a hearty laugh. Or throw up. Whichever. Did they just hint that, basically, the incarnation of the Doctor who continues to get as much love (if not more) than Four, who still consistently gets thousands of butts in seats in conventions worldwide, and has made the BBC hundreds of thousands of pounds sterling in merchandising “wouldn’t command the ratings he did in 2008?”

As Gary Buechler of Nerdrotic said in his response to this article: “Actually, if David Tennant had been given as many chances as Jodie Whittaker, it would’ve had Game of Thrones-level ratings.”

And I agree. Not because I’m a Tenth Doctor stan, but because it’s just ... categorically true. His seasons consistently got average rating of 7.5 to 8 million viewers - and this in a time before BBCiPlayer, so 7-day catch up ratings meant nothing. It was butts on sofas then, which, to me, speaks of a massive, sustained interest.

But Huw goes on to say that such things mean nothing. And that the huge, telling sink in both overnight and 7-day ratings between the 11th and 12th seasons, and the dismal 4.69m 7 day ratings for The Timeless Children - the lowest for a NewWho finale since its reboot - shouldn’t be taken as a loss of interest from the fandom.

Then, pray tell goodman, what does it mean? Does it mean that fans are following the Thirteenth Doctor’s adventures in spirit? Ratings are tanking. Outside of the precious few who blindly tweet and write articles about the show solely based on its now female protagonist, people are notoriously furious, especially after the execrable season finale.

Yet BBC’s Piers Wenger, who once produced the show, says “I don’t think it’s been in better health, editorially. I think it’s fantastic and I think that, the production values obviously have never been better.”

Right. Okay. So, putting Tom Ford makeup on a pig makes it haute couture, huh? The writing is appalling, and after two excruciatingly painful to watch seasons, the Doctor has failed to appear - all I’ve seen is borderline sociopathic navel gazing from an ‘alien’ wearing a pastel duster.

How dare you besmirch the unfailingly cool reputation of the long coat, Chibnall? Jodie? How?? 

I will not let someone piss on my head and call it rain ... ‘because it’s a woman.’ Assuming I’ll accept it just adds insult to injury. Who do they think we are, as female fans? I will not cosign garbage to further an agenda that is ultimately damaging one of my favorite things ever, Doctor Who. I agree that politics, and a positive moral, have always been a part of DW, but at it’s best the writing was so good that it only added to the entertainment. Now, the BBC is feeding us all the bitter pill, without the kindness to hide it in a piece of tasty cheese. It gives the impression that they believe we are already so indoctrinated that we no longer need artifice!

Well, not only am I not indoctrinated, but I refuse to ingest.

I refuse to allow people to silence me because the Doctor is now a woman, and so am I. That, I shouldn’t say anything, or complain, because it’s an act of rebellion on womankind, not only in entertainment, but in general. Well, to that I say ... er ... I disavow.

Disavow. Disavow.

And this from a woman who once criticized Peter Davison for saying that casting a woman was “a vital loss of a role model for boys,” taking it as a sexist comment when in truth, it was just a relevant narrative concern about gender-swapping the traditionally male-presenting Time Lord. Just changing a character from male to female doesn’t do anything but demonstrate a tone-deafness about the emotional and physical differences between men and women, which exist whether we want to address them or not. This is why genderswap reboots are terrible. They are trying to further the feminist agenda, while surreptitiously painting traditional, every day femininity as weakness, and something to be avoided at all costs. I reject the modern Hollywood representation of what a ‘strong woman’ is meant to be. I can be clever, yet sensitive enough to comfort a friend when they confide their fears about a cancer relapse. I can be funny, and not at the expense of the man in the room. I can be brave, but not at the expense of my friends. The mind boggles as to why they thought their current tack with the Doctor was going to be any good. The Doctor is a woman, but more importantly, she’s a Timelord. Where are they? Is the alien that we’ve known and loved for the last 60 years truly gone away, and Thirteen is from a whole different timeline? If so, I don’t want to know her. 

And it breaks my heart.

Why continue to support a corporation who thinks of me, the fan, as no more than a heartless, thoughtless consumer? A drone? A sheep who has no conscious idea of what I like or need?

I’m done. It’s been two seasons of absolute dreck, with absolutely no sign of a course-correction due to the overwhelmingly negative response. I may be many things, but I’m no masochist - even in the name of love. And Chibnall, knowing that many fans would go back to the classic stories to cleanse ourselves, went back to the beginning and took a giant shit there too. 

Oh, the cleverness! the absolute schadenfreude of not only tampering, but rewriting the Doctor’s origins! I suppose that tells me he truly was once a fan. But no longer. Even if it turns out that the Master is as full of crap as Chibnall and it’s all an orchestrated lie, I don’t care anymore. Every inexplicable, terrible thing that happened before has already exhausted my patience with the narrative.

As veteral DW writer and script editor Terrance Dicks said:

If you’re concentrating on putting forth a political message, rather than on doing a really good show, I think there is a danger, maybe, you can do both but it would be hellish difficult, and I think that there’s maybe a danger that the show wouldn’t as be as good as it could or should be, because you’re not looking at the right aims.”

It seems like all that has been lost in time. Big corporations are buying up beloved science fiction properties, and systematically destroying them by trying to mix their politics into the mythos. [see ‘the fandom menace’]

I say, don’t support things that make you unhappy, in the name of nostalgia. That’s how they continue to upset us, while lining their pockets with our hard earned money. Complaining amongst ourselves, writing emails, or making angry Youtube videos no longer works anyway. Now is the time to just ... let it go. No more special edition DVDs, novelizations, or pretty action figures. Hit them in the pocketbook. We will still have fond memories of better times. I will not let them hijack, retcon, and retool them too.

There is a telling paragraph hidden in the depths of the article, which makes my DW fangirl sink:

It’s not as simple as “the ratings are down so Doctor Who will be cancelled,” as for the publicly-funded BBC there’s an interesting question about exactly what ratings are for beyond bragging rights. Obviously they need to make TV that people want to watch – but which people?

Not us, Huw. That’s who.

#dw #doctor who #doctor who season 12 #doctor who season finale #tenth doctor #dw negativity #the timeless children #or as I call it: #the timeless sham #issa no from me dawg #that little comment about dt really made me snort #i really hope he heard about it and had a long knee-slapping laugh #oh dear #the bbc really are deluded #they are truly drinking a koolaid whose potency boggles the mind #like can they see how off the mark they are? #do they have friends?

[konekoryuugamine]

Riffing the Reef: “Good Neighbors”

This was written with the intent to start riffing apart Spongebob episodes since going about it in a general way would lead me to rant on everything under the sun. I will select episodes that need to be riffed, immediately and definitely, and begin riffing them as needed. Also, I will not take requests unless I can have a valid reason to riff them, other than a character being out of character. With that in mind, I am only criticizing the episodes and not the show in general. The show is credited to Stephen Hillenburg. Please enjoy.   

We can't go on and deny it. Spongebob Squarepants used to be one of the greatest and funniest cartoons on Nickelodeon, nay on the air. It took inspiration from 'Ren and Stimpy', another classic Nick cartoon, and the evidence remains to this day. It had pizzazz, humor, and a sort of distinct charm with Spongebob being a likable protagonist while still having moments of advanced stupidity. Sometimes he was in the right, other times he was in the wrong.    He always learned his lessons and kept being the same happy-go-lucky sponge we watched on Friday Night Nicktoons.    Sure, he had some downer moments, but he was always perked and peaked, and soon became a cultural icon.    But then . . . it all turned sour. How you may ask?    Let me answer that question with this small tangent.     The Spongebob Squarepants Movie was planned to be the final Spongebob Squarepants animation, with the creator himself having gone off to start a career in marine biology. Smart move. The film was made out to be Spongebob's biggest adventure, and it was: King Neptune, an adorkable princess, Mr. Krabs getting frozen, Squidward showing brains, Plankton actually winning for once, Dennis, David Hasselhoff successfully being shoehorned in, an epic quest, and a Twisted Sister parody song with awesome guitar riffs.

   The movie. Was awesome.    More importantly, it demonstrated how Spongebob had come of age in his own time and how he was ready to move on. He was even shown in the epilogue images doing the things he always does, but now with the respect and responsibility of being the manager of the Krusty Krab 2.    Given this information, continuing the series after the movie would have killed the movie. The lessons and experiences Spongebob had learned from the movie would not be remembered, the Krusty Krab 2 would be gone and everything would remain unchanged. That being said, since the movie was considered by many to be the true ending for Spongebob and friends, the fourth season was a large slap in the face.    To Nickelodeon, it was a business decision. The movie brought in a record amount of viewers and cash, and was generally well-recieved, aside from some negative criticism about the amount of singing and unnecessary filler in some parts, but that's beside the point. Hillenburg decided to move on from Spongebob and do what he wanted, but Nickelodeon decided to cash in on the movie's popularity, and created new seasons with new writers and artists for Spongebob Squarepants.    And since everyone watched the new episodes with the added expectation of it being like the movie, even the specials of Spongebob from season 4 onward, Nick gained the ratings and money needed to continue producing more seasons. Now the show is going on season nine, and the show has become what most would consider 'adult swim' channel entertainment.    Thus, the series became what is called in the trope community a 'franchise zombie'. This means the show is continuing down the same path as before, the Status Quo is God, and it is constantly brought back from old drenches.    I could go on about how Nick jumped the shark, how their newer writers were also old writers from previous seasons, and how most of the season four to five episodes were shorts cut up into 5-7 minutes each, but that would take all day and I want to tackle things like this one at a time. Not all at once.    Way too much vernacular for my fingers to type out.        Thus, I feel it necessary to state that many, if not all, of the post-movie Spongebob Squarepants episodes are crap.    Many names come to mind in how bad they are: "The Splinter". "Pet Sitter Pat". "Smooth Jazz at Bikini Bottom". "A Pal for Gary". "One Coarse Meal". "Squid Baby". "The Thing". "Driven to Tears". "Rule of Dumb". The list goes on from there.    These episodes and more are given the harshest of critiques for children's programming, and are often scrutinized by longtime fans of the series, if any still exist. The main reasons for these episodes' condemnation?    Their quality and quantity.    These episodes feature characters who are placed into horrible situations for no reason than to either be tortured, placed there just for the sake of plot convenience, or placed with a deus-ex-machina that makes everything completely unnecessary. Sometimes these characters are flanderized beyond belief, others are defined as jerks throughout, and in the case of Mr. Krabs, Spongebob and Patrick most of the time, are made completely unlikable.    These episodes also feature some, if not all, of the following: mean-spirited humor, anti-humor, disgusting shots, clunky dialogue, out of character moments, torture, gross out humor, gore, adult jokes that go over children's heads, severe sterotyping, insulting humor, false outcomes, cliche plot devices, and just plain bad writing in general.    Making episodes and cartoons like this in general is a bad idea. Kids watch this show not only because it's their demographic but because they like watching cartoons about funny things. Constantly writing and creating episodes where a character gets a toenail ripped off, or abuses a pet snail for no reason other than plot, immediately send the wrong messages to kids. They'll either be grossed out or be forbidden from watching a violent show by their own parents.    The creator himself even stated the show has become something that should be aired on 'adult swim'.    I can believe it. I also know my mom has banned my sisters from watching the show.    After re-watching a few episodes, I can see why.    If we take all of the previous statements made before and try to form a given conclusion, we always come to this: Spongebob Squarepants has become one of the worst cartoons in history. It has come to deserve this title wholeheartedly. And considering it has to compete with Family Guy, I'm not surprised at all.    Spongebob episode quality had a drop in many seasons, with seasons 6 and 7 being the most devious with the most infamous episodes. Season 4 had a few hits and misses, while season 5 had less hits and more tries. The once splendid animation to me has now become creepy and despondent, like it was purposely making me want to turn off . . . my . . .TV . . .    That may be their true intent, but I need my TV for anime.        Sorry, writers. No dice.    As to why I'm just now bringing up the episodes when earlier I was praising it is because a good show can have bad episodes. Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends had 'Everyone Knows It's Bendy', and Powerpuff Girls had 'Town and Out' and maybe 'PeePee Gees'. Spongebob Squarepants has had a good run, but the episodes have shrunken in quality and merit, and it reflects that through the writing and characters.    And, considering how everyone keeps talking about the show while I have had almost NO say in the matters, I feel it necessary to take a stance on some of the episodes that either tugged at my heartstrings or yanked out my heart and stomped on it. These episodes have to be taken apart, lest the writers of now never learn what the show did wrong.    That way, these mistakes can never be made again.    Hopefully.    One such episode that left me scratching my head was "Good Neighbors" from season 4.    I consider this to be the first truly 'bad' episode of Spongebob. Not only are some of the animations and screenshots disturbing, but Spongebob and Patrick become incredibly stupid for the sake of the plot while Squidward is placed as the butt of their torture and jokes. Another name for this from other critics is a 'Squidward torture porn'.    Now, before I go on, I have to admit: I hate Squidward. He's an egotistical, spineless and spiteful squid who often reviles at his own employment, longs for the fancy life and enjoys only his pursuits of arts. His artwork is terrible because he sees himself as perfection and sophistication, thus uses himself as a muse. This in turn makes his artworks hard to look at, and like what happened with 'Bold and Brash', get thrown away. He is shown as selfish, self-centered and a stickler in many an episode, and often reviles in Spongebob's happiness and positivity.    Now you see why I hate the guy.    Of course, he gained his moments of sympathy, such as when he is confronted with his high school rival Squilliam Fancyson, who seems to be his antithesis. Squilliam can even be stated as what Squidward wants to be: perfection, a god and even a fancy gentleman. However, something will always hold Squidward back, either by plot device, plot or some sort of personality trait. He does have moments where he impresses Squilliam, such as hosting the Krusty Krab as his own restaurant with Spongebob's help, or rocking out at the Bubble Bowl, also with Spongebob's help.    That being said, it is also wise to note that I feel Squidward placed too much hate onto Spongebob most of the time. The yellow cube was often doing his best to help the cephalopod, and often times his own quirks made the good deeds backfire. Episodes like "Are You Happy Now?" and "Tiki Dream" are two that come to mind with this.    I'd say a word about PATRICK, but THAT is for another time.    So, I've stated Squidward is a prick, can be a major jerk, and Spongebob often helps him see the light. It just takes a while for Squidward to see it. Hmm . . . Spongebob and Squidward are opposites in this case, but not with just being happy and sad. The two are two sides of the same coin; Squidward is mopey and pathetic, fed up with fulfilling his dreams while Spongebob tries his best to become a fulfilled character with goals and dreams.    Aside from that depth, and given that I've gone on this tangent with a purpose in mind, consider this: Squidward has often liked Spongebob, and admits it in certain episodes like "SB-129".    In "Good Neighbors", however, Spongebob is showing his usual brand of stupidity and naivety, while bothering Squidward, who later yells loudly at Patrick and Spongebob for being horrible neighbors. Something once touched on in "Naughty Nautical Neighbors" and "Opposite Day".    Why did that work there and be funny while here it was a bad idea?    A few reasons, actually.    "Good Neighbors" revolves around Squidward wanting to just enjoy a nice, quiet day, like a previous episode of Spongebob called "Squid's Day Off".    The first problem is this episode is borrowing and/or stealing a direct plot line or idea from a previous episode. This is considered rehashing, and this is a major author no-no. You never rehash an old storyline or plotline unless you can expand on it, make it better and more detailed, or solve the problems that were with it before.    Rewriting it into a newer season with a different style and name is still rehashing, and looks like copy-pasting on paper. In other words, THIS IS CHEATING.    Furthermore, "Squid's Day Off" did this well to begin with, because Squidward's conscience kept playing with him. It was actually funny to see him worry his head off about things Spongebob would never do, such as destroy the Krusty Krab. He even admitted he wanted his job back at the end of the episode because he was worried.    Showing morality with the character is the best way to connect with the audience. Much better than some cheap laugh.    But no; Squidward ends up planning out the perfect Sunday, and Spongebob and Patrick come out of nowhere to ruin it.    The second problem with this episode is Spongebob and Patrick in general. They are flanderized to be stupid and naive as possible, when in previous episodes, Spongebob was accepting of limits and wants for others of the sea. He saw his own faults when he shrunk everyone in Bikini Bottom, and stopped himself from doing dangerous things with Patrick in "Life in a Day". He knows limits and accepts them.    In this episode, however, Spongebob is completely ignorant of Squidward's frustration and anger, nor does he seem to be aware of his own morality index. What he was doing is wrong, he should have known it was wrong, but he did it anyway.    Patrick being there is more of a double-marker of him being stupid for stupid's sake. That's another nitpicky rant for another time, but for now, having there just furthers the stupidity.    The two constantly barge in on Squidward as he tries to relax on his only day off, (in a comfy and casual way no less, which actually looks peaceful), and cause trouble for him. The two end up being told to paint polka dots on trees and accidentally paint Squidward to where his eyes are hurt and he looks ill.    They steal his fancy pedicure and Sunday time relaxing, ruin his Sunday paper, and drive him mad, and for what, you may ask?    To let Squidward become the leader of their Secret Royal Order of the Good Neighbor Lodge.    Again, this was touched on before, and done better, in other previous episodes of Spongebob. This episode is a continuity rehashing of over ten separate episodes of the previous seasons, with less humor and more anger filled dialogue. Squidward ended up deserving the hurt he needed in those other episodes as well because he acted like a jerk in "Club Spongebob", "Naughty Nautical Neighbors" and "Squid's Day Off".    Moreso, Spongebob, and Patrick just randomly break into Squidward's house, wearing fezes, and just decide to annoy him right when he wants to relax. This is a case of plot convenience gone wrong and a Squidward Torture Porn in the making.    Furthermore, Squidward only wanted to relax, something we all can relate to. He was only trying to be himself and enjoy a day off from his terrible job with a terrible boss. Mr. Krabs, I'm looking at you! He had no reason to be tormented or tortured by the two of them. This came out of nowhere for him.    You could say it was because he tossed Spongebob out of his window by saying it was Sunday and he didn't have to go to work, but again, it makes Squidward look like he's in the wrong because Spongebob is portrayed as being in the right.    Thus, the third problem here is who the real protagonist and antagonist of this episode really is.    Squidward, Spongebob and Patrick: who is the real jerk?    I say it varies in interpretations, given Squidward is still his pre-movie self, and Spongebob and Patrick are dumber than hell, but either way, it falls the outcome of the episode is still the same.    The only saving grace of the episode is that Squidward manages to pierce their veils of idiocy by yelling at the two of them at the top of his lungs. He lets ALL his anger and frustration out. That is the only time within these newer seasons that ANYONE has managed to break through their idiocy.    Savor the moment, people. SAVOR IT.    The final part of the episode, or what I consider the undoing of the episode, is pretty much the reason I thought it was entertaining as a kid. Now, I find it cruel and unusual. Squidward finds an ad for an advanced security system and purchases it with the intention of keeping the two knuckleheads out of his house for good.    After installation, the two materialize into his house with an apology cake that says "Sorry for Bugging You So Much".    This is another making or breaking of the episode, surprisingly. They realize what they did was wrong, and they accepted it as such. However, Squidward is still reasonably upset by the fact the security system did not get rid of them. They even bring in a cake, but the fact is the end up barging in, but still pose no real threats. Had this been handled well, Squidward would have ACCEPTED their apology and admitted he was in the wrong as well for being so overly upset.    However, Status Quo is God dictates he must get punished and get severely angry at them for coming in, and at the security system for not responding to their annoyance. It goes haywire and the system hurts Squidward in the process.    AND then the cake flies on the machine, it goes haywire and . . . makes Squidward's house come to life and destroy Bikini Bottom . . .    This is COMPLETELY unnecessary, and completely over the top. There are so many questions for this and a lot of writing plot holes here. If the security system was on the inside of his house, how did the house grow arms and legs? Why would the system go haywire when cake hits it when drinks and beverages would do far more significant damage than smear the screen with frosting? Why does Squidward seem in the wrong here? And . . . if Mr. Krabs is so cheap, how the hell did Squidward afford that much of a security system?    The point remains; this is completely unnecessary. It only serves to cause more trouble for Squidward, get him kicked out of his own house, have it destroy Bikini Bottom with Patrick and Spongebob inside, and cause the terrible conclusion of this episode. I'm not going to go over how contrived this is or how forced this is, mostly because I think I've already covered it before.    An angry mob - why is it always an angry mob? - forms outside of his house and is placed at fault for causing the damage. Then he gets a court summons to clean up the town every Sunday for the rest of his life. Spongebob and Patrick get it as well, and they take it as naively as possible. 

   I think Squidward’s look in the final scene summed everything up nicely. He was stuck in purgatory he could never relieve himself from.     Overall, this episode is the basic example of a Squidward Torture Porn, and of modern Spongebob episodes to boot. The lack of consistent writing is jarring, their behavior is off-putting and the whole episode is mean-spirited to Squidward, even if all he wanted to do was relax. There are a few moments that can make or break the episode, but given the overall quality of the episode, it's more weighed down with them than weighed up.

   It’s an indicator of things to come in the world of Spongebob and should have set off alarm bells for us.     Good Neighbors is often called one of the worst episodes of Spongebob now, and I can firmly see why.

   Although, I can see much worse episodes on the horizon from later seasons that could possibly contend with it. 

#spongebob #analysis #spongebobsquarepants #spongebob squarepants #writing analysis #writinganalysis #good neighbors #goodneighbors #nickelodeon #nicktoons #sponge #comedy #series #nick

[tarysande]

Fanfic Writer Appreciation Day

I infer from my dash that it is today?

First, my apologies for inevitably forgetting people I do not mean to forget. Second, my apologies because I have not had the time to really read much fanfic in recent months, so doubtless many many many things have slipped under my radar. 

Thank you, first of all, to everyone who sits down and creates content for free. Thank you for sharing your love. Thank you for plugging away even when it feels like no one is listening. Thank you for continuing when you feel like giving up, and for putting work aside when it no longer brings you joy. Thank you for trying so damn hard. As fic writers, we know we’ll virtually never be acknowledged by the source creators the way other fanartists (art, cosplay, etc) are. You are wonderful and the work you create is just as valid and valuable. Thank you for giving the fandom so much.

I want to put in a few brief and specific mentions here, though, because it’s important to me to spread some love to some of the folks who’ve made a deep and lasting impression on me with their words. In no particular order:

@w0rdinista My partner in crime. So many hundreds of thousands of words would never have been written if not for you. Thank you for entertaining me for so very many years with your words (both the ones we wrote together, and all your other ones, too.)

@dearophelia Thank you for giving me so many unique, beautifully-realized, beautifully-flawed characters to love. I treasure them all.

@todisturbtheuniverse Thank you for writing my favorite pairing and giving them such vividness and life, and for capturing their voices so well.

@loquaciousquark I’ve been reading your work as long as you’ve been writing it, and every word, every story, every iteration of the pairing you write so well brings me fresh joy and fresh appreciation for your skill and grace.

@tetrahedrals I AM STILL REALLY MESSED UP BY APRIL COME SHE WILL.

@twigcollins I’ve been in awe of your way with words since long, long before we became friends (and ate so much Shake Shack together!). I cannot wait to see what you do as a writer. There are few people I so wholeheartedly believe should have their original work published.

@spinninglenny You may not write as often as you craft, but I love the care you have for your characters, the attention you pay to them, and the amount your love of them comes through your words.

@faejilly Thank you for writing about characters I love with such tenderness and thoughtfulness. You bring depth and emotion (and often just the right kind of sexiness) to everything you write.

@janiemcpants I still think of your Isabela at least once a week <3

To @fistfulofgammarays and @fourthage and @servantofclio and @thievinghippo and @theherocomplex, to @orchidcactus and @mystery-moose and @eponymous-rose and @bloodbright my experience in the Mass Effect fandom would not have been the same without your stories. Each of you has written things that moved me deeply, stayed with me, and which I still think on with tremendous fondness and gratitude.

Thank you to the fic writers of the Dragon Age and Mass Effect fandoms. This place has been my online home for a lot of years now. Thank you for making it so magical. I truly, truly hope that your inspiration continues to flow, and that these fandoms stay alive and happy and productive for many years to come.

And, because I’m Canadian, one more sorry for all those I neglected to mention. If I’ve ever liked or kudosed or commented or reblogged something of yours: thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

#fanfiction writers appreciation day #fic writer appreciation #with so much love and gratitude #you have made my life so much richer

[orderuponthe99prettygrimmdiaries]

#PLLGameOver

@sleepinthegardn: Today closes the chapter on a very significant part of my life. A chapter I had never imagined or even dreamt of having written. When I left collage I thought I was headed to NYC (hopefully for some jobs on stage) Little did I know life was actually taking me to Rosewood, Pennsylvania. Where they insisted I would need to do high school for about 6 more years. Life (for reasons that will continue to reveal themselves to me ) made me a Pretty Little Liar. For 8 years. For around 10,000 hours of my life it asked me to be Spencer Hastings. It took me to days where I couldn’t stop laughing, and nights when I wished I could have been sleeping in bed, instead of running in the wet and cold for the umpteenth take at 5AM but somehow we made it through and we had fun even then. Every moment with this cast and crew, in this town, every breath I took with Spencer, every text, dead body, new suspect, terrifying scream, new relationship and “kisses, A” taught me something extraordinary. It taught me patience, and how to approach my craft, how to direct, produce, it taught me about collaboration, experimentation, risk, friendship, family, empathy, sacrifice and above all LOVE. Being Spencer Hastings in this crazy world is something I still don’t quite understand, but I know it was a rare and beautiful gift. A gift that will continue to give for the rest of my days on this Earth. And I wanted to say THANK YOU to all of the people who gave it to me. To all of the people who believed in me and made it possible, to my friends and family who loved me through it and above all to YOU, the fans, who watched, who tweeted, and posted, who theorized, swooned and screamed. We got a lot out of this experience, but I would have been nothing without you. Thank you and I love you all very much. (I love you too, Spencer, you weirdo). Enjoy tonight. I know I will. #pllendgame #spencerhastings

Troian’s Farewells 

@lucyhale: Tomorrow 😭 #pllendgame

@lucyhale: I can almost remember the day about 8 years ago that we took this photo. Little did we know, our lives were about to change drastically. For me to be speechless says a lot, but I'm finding it hard to find the words to express my gratitude to every single person that made this show a success. Sometimes simple is better and I just want to say ...I will miss you Pretty Little Liars. Thanks to@imarleneking --She knows what she did ❤️ , the whole cast, hardworking crew, producers and writers and all of YOU. You became part of the family. And to Aria-- you became a part of me in a way, but I'll always keep you close ❤️

@lucyhale: I'm gonna be posting A LOT of pll stuff today so I'm apologizing in advance 🤸🏻‍♀️

@lucyhale: group "shhh" for the last episode 😭😭😭

@sashapieterse27: Today is the day. My friends. My forever #pllfamily . In this bittersweet moment (and always), I am forever grateful for these 8 years. There are no words to describe this incredible journey, but I'll do my best. We have truly created an impeccable love story thanks to the wonderful and one of a kind @imarleneking and our amazing cast and crew. I am so ridiculously grateful to each and every one of them. To our amazing fans I am most definitely forever grateful. You guys have been so loyal and passionate! You have made every second possible, worth it, gratifying, touching, and especially memorable. We truly shot every season, episode, scene, and second for you. You will always have a place in my heart. When we cried you cried, when we laughed you laughed, when we were scared you were scared, when we were mad you were mad, and when we loved you loved. We are always in sync and we always will be. Thank you for entrusting us with your time for 8 years. Let us celebrate all the fun and growth we've shared. I love love love you all more than you could ever know. Congratulations @imarleneking @sleepinthegardn @lucyhale @ashleybenson @shaymitchell @janelparrish @tylerjblackburn @ianmharding @keeoone @theandreaparker @vrayskull #lauraleighton @thehmc @niapeeples #chadlowe #nolannorth #lesleyfera @tamminsursok @brantdaugherty @brendanrobinson @codychristian @julianmorris #jimabele @huwcollins #lindsayshaw @torreydevitto #drewvanacker #brycejohnson @yanigellman #romamafia @diegoboneta #shanecoffey #lulubrud #annebethgish @chloebridges #ryanguzman #kararoyster #jimtitus and the many many many more amazing cast members who created magic. And congratulations & amen to @lisacochranpll & our entire crew and production team who made every day possible. We shared every day, every fraturday, every joy of birthdays, housewarmings, weddings, new baby's, etc. and we shared sadness as well. I am blessed to know all of you. You are forever family. It still hurts my soul to not see you every day. Another big thank you to @freeform of course! I could go on forever! But, I will leave it as pure love. Rosewood forever lives on and this is not goodbye. Love always, Sash

@sashapieterse27: Yesterday marked the end of a major chapter in my life. 

As I’m sure a few of you know, the TV show Pretty Little Liars had it’s very last finale last night. I woke up feeling sick with a huge knot in my stomach! It’s so surreal that there will be no more live “previously on Pretty Little Liars” and no more “Shhh’s” at the end of that now very iconic song. But as I joined my PLL family to watch the finale, I was hit by this wave of absolute joy. It dawned on me that this is an end to an era. A very important era, but even more importantly it was a time to celebrate. To embrace the incredibly wonderful time we all shared together and to soak in every bit of joy it had brought me and others. PLL…playing Alison has been such a crucial part of my childhood and now adulthood. From starting and graduating high school, getting my drivers license, buying my first home, getting engaged to my best friend, and now wedding planning, what a trip! I just want to thank you. I wish I could give all of you a huge hug! You have seen me grow and you have grown with me. Thank you for always sticking by me, for never giving up on me or Alison. As I enter this new chapter of my life, I hope you will continue with me. There’s so many new fun adventures I’m about to journey through and I would be so honored if you all ride along with me. My blog @sashaingoodtaste is definitely one of those adventures. Sasha in Good Taste doesn’t just stop at this blog, there’s so many more things in store (very soon) that I can’t wait to show you! Creating and entertaining is such a passion of mine and having you share that alongside me, means the absolute world to me! We. are. family. and Rosewood will forever live on! I wholeheartedly ADORE YOU! Love, Sasha…-A #prettylittleliars #pllfamily #emisonfamily #emison #emisonisendgame #sashaingoodtaste

Sasha’s Live Tweets

@ashleybenson: #bts of us watching fan videos made by all of you during our very last scene we filmed

@ashleybenson: ❤️

A post shared by Ashley Benson (@ashleybenson) on Jun 27, 2017 at 3:08pm PDT

@ashleybenson: I LOVE YOU GUYS. Thank you for coming on this journey with me and the rest of the cast for the last seven years. Without all of you watching every week none of this would've been possible. Pll was an such amazing experience and I am so lucky I got to work with the BEST cast and crew who I am now lucky enough to call family. Hope you enjoy the last episode ever of PLL ❤️

@shaymitchell: One of the hardest scenes I think for all of us to shoot- the last scene of this incredible journey... #PrettyLittleLiars #PLLGameOver #notadryeye

@shaymitchell: The streets of Rosewood will always feel like home. I will hold each of these girls close to my heart always, as I will Emily. She changed me as a person and I will never be able to say thank you enough. Thanks to the cast, crew, and of course, the fans. The little show that could kept chugging along because of all of you and I am forever grateful for the impact you all have made in my life the last 7 years. So tonight, as we say our final farewell to Rosewood, I say the biggest thanks to all of you. 💋 #PrettyLittleLiars #PLLGameOver 😥

@janelparrish: It's here. The end. Join us in watching our beautiful series finale written and directed by our fearless leader and show runner, the brilliant@imarleneking. To her, I say...thank you. Thank you for this journey...thank you for my @prettylittleliars family...thank you for Mona. Thank you for 7 years. And to the fans...thank YOU. We wouldn't be here without you. Tonight truly is for all of you. Thanks for being our #pllarmy for all these years. And never stop! To these ladies...I'll miss working alongside such beautiful and powerful women. You are all fearless warriors, my sisters✊🏻 To All of our cast and crew...my heart loves you all so much it hurts. Words don't even do this justice. I love all of you. Thank you. Enjoy our finale tonight. Xo bitches, -J

@janelparrish: Goodbye. I love you.

@janelparrish: Shout out to whoever made this. I adore it. I'll miss the many faces of Mona...which Mona was your favorite?

@ianmharding: This is the actual bar in Vancouver where we shot the infamous "Aria meets Ezra" scene. I snapped this with a disposable camera because I couldn't afford a phone with a camera. Also, Lucy is noticeably absent in all of these because I didn't want to look like an amateur and ask for a picture of the two of us. #pll

@ianmharding: Another pic from the pilot. Troian, Torrey, Julian and myself all went to Sushi one night and this is the photo I managed to grab in between sips of sake and bites Julian's favorite: Uni rolls. #pll

@ianmharding: Another one from the archives. This is the result of Ezra's "bravery on the rooftop" #pll

@ianmharding: This picture was taken in between takes of the noir episode and pretty much sums up how I want to remember my experience on PLL: looking classy while having the most hilarious time of my life. Thank you to all who have made the show what it is. I'm forever grateful. Enjoy tonight! #pll

@keeoone: As we all say goodbye to@prettylittleliars tomorrow, let's take the time to honor these powerful women that brought all of us together. ALL of us. Including YOU reading this. You're a vital part of why the show was created and why it went so far. We did it for you. Everything. Each of you held these moments and shared them with us through social media, at viewing parties, with a friend or family member...I can never express in words how truly extraordinary that is. Thank you.

@keeoone: My first day on set of @prettylittleliars - now I am watching the final minutes of the show.

@keeoone: Troian 🖤 outstanding work in that finale and always. You brought to life the answers the pll world was waiting for. 🖤 (Photo of the back of Troian's head, Alex Drake in the foreground and Spencer Hastings in the background)

@tylerjblackburn: DAD @keeoone #PLLGameOver

A post shared by Tyler Blackburn (@tylerjblackburn) on Jun 27, 2017 at 4:58pm PDT

@tylerjblackburn: Emotional 😩💔 #PLLGameOver (rg: @daily.tyler)

@vrayskull: Thank you to all of the amazing@prettylittleliars fans for watching this show about extraordinary women. I've loved every second of my #Pll time. Thank you @imarleneking and the incredible cast and crew for setting a loving, silly, welcoming tone each and every day. I'll miss playing this 3 part person and it is with a heart of gratitude that I say goodbye, bitches. #cecedrake#charlottedelaurentis #charles #ceceisa#ceceischarles #hn#cecehitalisonwitharock

@torreydevitto: The first time we ever met Melissa Hastings. Can't believe it was 7 years ago and I can't believe tonight we all say goodbye to PLL for good. What a ride, what a journey. It's been an honor to be a part of this show! Hope you all get the answers you were looking for .... 😈 #pll

@torreydevitto: Baby Hastings. 💕I'll never forget incredible bits of the conversation from this night ... 💓 #Repost@ianmharding

@torreydevitto: And I finally got to wear the black hoodie. It wouldn't have felt right to end Melissa without a black hoodie appearance even if it wasn't...really... her... But in all seriousness , thank you to this woman @imarleneking . What you have created marvels me. You are a force to be reckoned with and I am grateful you chose me to fill Melissa Hastings shoes. And thank you to all the wonderful PLL fans who have loved to hate and be completely confused by Melissa's motives since day one. Hope you're all satisfied ! I know I am 😜

@julianmorris: #pll #vsc

@julianmorris: So proud of this one. ❤️ since day one.

@drewvanacker: not in the finale, sorry, but love the #pll family forever

A post shared by Tammin Sursok (@tamminsursok) on Jun 27, 2017 at 10:16pm PDT

@tamminsursok: Goodbye Jenna. She is immortal my darlings.

@brantdaugherty: In honor of the #PLLseries finale tonight, here's an actual baby photo of me from my first episode as Noel Kahn. From party-throwing jock to headless murderer... You came a long way, Noel. 

@brendanrobinson: Tonight's the night!! Happy #PrettyLittleLiars Finale!! Thank you to all of our devoted fans for supporting us for 7 incredible seasons! Hope you guys enjoy tonight!! #PLL#pllendgame #pllforever #greatful#bestfans

@brendanrobinson: We #partied late into the night, #PLL style!! Love you guys to death @sashapieterse27 @huwcollins​ @theandreaparker @kylebown​ @empirepix @hudsonsheaffer27 #prettylittleliars #pllendgame #pllfamily #pllfinale

@huwcollins: It's not my pig, and it's not my farm, BUT it was my distinct privilege to be part of this crazy PLL ride. I am forever thankful to @imarleneking & @lisacochranpll for allowing me to bring the eponymous Rollins to life, I made great memories and even greater friends along the way, and encountered the most wonderful fans on the planet. Farewell PLL, you'll be missed. #prettylittleliars #pllendgame

@huwcollins: 😢❤️ #pll

@theandreaparker: Goodbyes are hard ...#PLLGameOver #PLL #PLLEndGame#MaryDrake #Spencer 💔

@theandreaparker: Fitting end to a fantastic night. I love my girls 💕#PLLGameOver

A post shared by Andrea Parker (@theandreaparker) on Jun 28, 2017 at 9:34pm PDT

@theandreaparker: My series wrap on#PLL...words cannot express what these girls, this show and all of you have meant to me - I love you ♥️💋🙌🏼#PLLFamilyForever #MaryDrake #MrsD

@niapeeples: Our girls are getting married!!@shaymitchell @sashapieterse27@theandreaparker #pllgameover #pll #emison

Behind The Scenes w/ Nia Peeples Part 1 | Part 2 

Lesley Fera’s Live Tweets

@lfera23: Oh, how I'm going to miss these wine-toting moms! @LauraLeighton@H_Combs #PLLGAmeOver

Lesley Fera’s Photoset

Laura Leighton’s Live Tweets 

@thehmc: It was a honor to watch all of these sweet girls grow into lovely ladies. I hope you guys enjoy the finale as much as we did making it. Thank you again to the undying fandom and all your ships. #pllendgame #pllmemorylane #pllfamily #pllgameover

@thehmc: Get ready. It's gonna be a wild ride. And I like everyone else am gonna miss this. #pllendgame #pllmemorylane #pllgameover

@H_Combs: This was like the 2nd and 3rd time we met ever. Clearly we had a tough time working together. It was rough I tell you. #PLL #PLLForever

@thehmc: Hopefully discussing the prenup. #ezriawedding #pllfinale

@thehmc: No caption needed. Just Lucy's face. @lucyhale #ezriawedding #pllfinale

Holly Marie Combs’ Photoset

@ichadlowe: Time to say goodbye! Thank you #pllArmy You are the best, most devoted fans ever! #PLLFinale

@ichadlowe: Behind the scenes of the #PLLFinale

@claireholt: My very first job in the USA 🙌. Loved working on this show. Congrats to the #PLL cast and crew on 7 A-mazing seasons (see what I did there?) 😉

@imarleneking: This was the most difficult scene to write/shoot in the finale. We are one sleep away from the end. #PLLfinale#pllmemorylane

@imarleneking: Thank you to our worldwide PLL family. We made it for7 years because of you! ❤❤

@imarleneking: It's hard to wrap my brain around the ending to this incredible journey we have taken together. PLL fans are truly the most passionate and loyal people in the world. #pllmemorylane#PLLfinale

@imarleneking: I cannot thank these beautiful souls enough for their camaraderie, ideas, dedication, passion, talent and kindness. This was the last day in our PLL Writer's Room. #Sadfaces #happypeople #prettylittleliars

Marlene’s Farewells

#pll gameover #pll farewell #pll finale #sasha pieterse #lucy hale #troian bellisario #ashley benson #shay mitchell #janel parrish #marlene king #nia peeples #laura leighton #lesley fera #andrea parker #holly marie combs #chad lowe #pll moms #huw collins #julian morris #torrey devitto #drew van acker #tammin sursok #brant daugherty #brendan robinson #vanessa ray #updated

[sprucebodylab1]

10 Best Meditation Books for Beginners

Let´s face it. Most of us know how beneficial it is to meditate. Most of us know that meditation is scientifically proven to make your body and mind healthier. That is why most of us want to begin meditating.

However, most of us also keep procrastinating.

For beginners, meditation can seem like it comes so easy to those who do it regularly and impossible to master.

Thankfully for us, meditating is actually very simple and just requires regular practice.

In order to help those of you that want to begin meditating but don't know how to begin, we have scoured the web and looked to our own experience in order to compile this list of the 10 best meditation books for beginners.

This list comes in no particular order of preference.

All you need to know is that if you read any of the books on this list you will have a very solid foundation and will be able to enjoy the benefits of meditation in no time!

Top Meditation Books for Beginners

Source: Bookriot

​THE MIRACLE OF MINDFULNESS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION BY THICH NHAT HANH

The Miracle of Mindfulness shows up on a lot of lists for meditation books, and for good reason. In this book, Thich Nhat Hanh offers practical suggestions and accessible anecdotes to help anyone learn to practice mindfulness. With a healthy mixture of spirituality and practicality, this book offers practices for every part of your life, from eating a tangerine to washing the dishes.

Source: Choosemuse

10% HAPPIER BY DAN HARRIS

2004, award-winning journalist Dan Harris suffered from a panic attack during a live broadcast of Good Morning America. This book takes us through his personal journey of learning how to tame the voice in his head, along with discoveries and striking facts about mindfulness meditation along the way.

If you’re not convinced of the benefits of meditation or mindfulness, this is the book for you. Don’t expect how-tos and guides, but rather an introduction to the world of mindfulness meditation through an entertaining, first-person narrative.

Source: Nerdy Creator

MINDFULNES IN PLAIN ENGLISH BY BHANTE HENEPOLA GUNARATANA

The most effective way to express something that people understand is to use the simplest language possible. This book is a great introduction to meditation especially if you are new to it or find it confusing.

The focus of this book is in Vipassana meditation (also known as insight meditation). In Vipassana meditation, you cultivate two mental qualities in a balanced ratio — awareness and concentration. Both are needed for meditation.

This book teaches you how to deal with distractions when meditating, what to do with your body and mind, where to sit, and more. If you are someone who needs a detailed yet simple guide on how to meditate, this is the book for you.

Source: Very Well Mind

REAL HAPPINESS: THE POWER OF MEDITATION BY SHARON SALZBERG

The Power of Meditation delivers a 28-day program that covers almost every element of the practice, from the basics (like learning how to properly breathe and understanding posture) to the more advanced (calming the mind and dealing with distraction). The book, written by leading meditation teacher and spiritual author Sharon Salzberg, features 12 meditation practices, including mindfulness meditation and walking meditation.

People who have read the book say that Salzberg does a great job of explaining the benefits and the science behind meditation. They also agree that she offers practical advice that eliminates the frustration many people can experience when learning to meditate for the first time.

Source: Book Meditation Retreats

WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE BY JOHN KABAT-ZINN

This classic book is ideal for meditation newbies, as it covers everything from an easy-to-understand explanation of meditation, free from trendy buzzwords, to simple techniques that you can practice in everyday life. Although it was first published in 1994, the message and practices in this book are, perhaps, even more relevant today. Escapism is everywhere and everyone is, at some point, guilty of it. Whether it’s through classic rituals of binge-watching your favorite Netflix series or endlessly scrolling through filtered lives on Instagram, the message in this book is clear and simple; Wherever you go, there you are. It challenges you to be in the present moment and wholly accepting of where you are, right here and right now.

Source: The Monk Life

THE UNTETHERED SOUL: THE JOURNEY BEYOND YOURSELF BY MICHAEL A. SINGER

We all have an inner monologue that rambles non-stop, all day, every day, like clockwork. This voice is always talking, changing how we pilot our lives, and almost never shutting off. The first step towards a life of freedom and peace is realizing that this is going on, because then you can pause, step back, and view your thoughts from a totally new perspective.

The Untethered Soul is my most recommended book for anyone looking to get out of their own head, transcend their ego, and get a handle on their anxiety in the process. This was the book that helped launch my own journey of self-exploration and mindfulness.

My favorite lesson from this book (that becomes clear quite early) is that your thoughts do not define you, they’re simply outputs of an always active mind.

Source: Men's Journal

ZEN MIND, BEGINNER'S MIND BY SUZUKI ROSHI

This classic text is largely responsible for the explosion of Zen practice in the Western world. Suzuki Roshi sharply communicates the foundational philosophy of the Soto School, elucidating the meditation practice of shikantaza, or “just sitting.”

He transmits the teachings of his authentic lineage through a rhetoric that is simultaneously sparse and elegant, definitive and spacious. “To stop your mind does not mean to stop the activities of mind. It means your mind pervades your whole body,” says Roshi. If you’ve ever wanted to begin practicing Zen, this is the place to start.

Source: Mind Works

HOW TO MEDITATE: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MAKING FRIENDS WITH YOUR MIND BY PEMA CHODRON

Beloved teacher of meditation, Buddhist philosophy and practice, Ani Pema Chödrön offers a “practical guide” to meditation.

The explanations are highly accessible to anyone interested in sitting, even while having their roots in the traditional Buddhist canon. Ani Pema explains how to use mindfulness of the body, thoughts, emotions and sense perceptions to connect with well-being and “live wholeheartedly.”

The author invites us to “Consider that what needs your attention and consideration is your own mind, and how you view […] outer circumstances. You can befriend your circumstances; you can have compassion for your circumstances and for yourself. What happens when you do that?”

Source: Huffpost

A PATH WITH HEART BY JACK KORNFIELD

Jack Kornfield has been teaching meditation internationally since 1974 and trained as a monk in Thailand, India and Myanmar.

​This book is rife with the wisdom and meditation methods that he accrued throughout his years as a monk and teacher. He systematically walks the reader through some of the various challenges that arise in meditation. The teachings he presents have the flavor of Buddhism, but are more or less non-denominational. 

At the end of each chapter, Kornfield offers a technique that can be employed to experientially recognize what he has conceptually outlined. He presents several methods of attention training and offers exercises for cultivating sensitivity and kindness.

Source: Losing Stress

PEACE IS EVERY: THE PATH OF MINDFULNESS IN EVERYDAY LIFE BY THICH NHAT HANH

If you are after a beginner introduction to meditation, you are not going to find a more accessible book than Peace is Every Step. You can easily read it in less than a day.

The writer, Thich Nyat Hanh is a Vietnamese monk, who is a famous teacher and writer of more than ten books.

His writing style flows effortlessly and truly reflects his nature: It’s peaceful and elegant. With some fantastically, simple ways to develop mindfulness in our busy lives.

I only read this four months ago and the main thing I gained is the perspective that meditation can be enjoyable. And through the example of Thich Nyat Hanh, it is possible to become a better person.

Wrapping it up

This list of books will help you a lot if you want to start meditating. I can say I wish I had read any of these years ago.

Having said that, books are great to begin with, but the best way to maximize results is to combine reading with audio.

If you want a quality guided audio meditation practice, you should try the amazing Zen12 meditation program.

It is an amazing program that we vouch for. Plus, they have a free trial, so you have nothing to lose!

source https://sprucebodylab.com/best-meditation-books-for-beginners/

[jessicakehoe]

3 Elaborate April Fools Pranks People Actually Fell For

April Fools’ Day “jokes” are usually eye roll-inducing, half-baked pranks that no one takes seriously. And more often than not, they’re revealed to be jokes in a heartbeat, precluding people from really falling for them, even for a minute. This year, though, some people did manage to pull off some pretty convincing pranks that, by the looks of it, people truly got taken in by.

The Los Angeles Times’ burn of the New York food scene I chanced upon this story on Twitter, which means I didn’t see the URL that instantly gives the whole thing away. (Come on, guys.) But the headline, about New York’s “expanding dining scene” was amusing enough to click on. The fact that the piece is a total farce is obvious right from the get go, with the LA-based writer referring to New York as a “culinary heart of darkness” and “a culturally bereft island.” But just in case that was lost on readers, pizza is referred to as “a mysterious kind of baked tlayuda,” a bagel was studied and determined to be “puzzling but nevertheless a treat,” and Midtown was deemed “the city’s cultural and spiritual hub.” The humour of the piece, though, seems to have sailed over the heads of some readers, who wrote furious emails to the writer that honestly, made the joke an even better one that it started out to be.

update pic.twitter.com/gbYN3tAjHl

— Lucas Kwan Peterson (@lucaspeterson) April 1, 2019

Diet Prada’s big announcement Diet Prada, the once-anonymous watchdogs of the fashion industry, posted a series of Instagram Stories yesterday that sent their followers into a tailspin. It started with a post stating that they would be “moving on from this phase of [their] life” because “[they’ve] got bills to pay just like everyone else.” They announced that they would be putting the brand up for sale on eBay to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and people were… concerned. Model Bella Hadid commented, “Is this an April Fools joke you guys” to which they responded “nope. Love you! Will never forget that DP brought us together.” Other readers wrote in too, with comments like “I hope the new owners can fill your shoes” and “thanks for all the entertainment these past years.” Several hours later, of course, they revealed that it was all a joke, saying, “Sorry for anyone we upset!”

View this post on Instagram

Hi Dieters! On December 14th, 2014, we started Diet Prada for shits and giggles. 4+ years and 1.2 million followers later and look at what we’ve achieved together. There have been too many epic takedowns/callouts to recap, but nothing has meant more than growing the community and meeting/chatting with so many amazing people through this account. Recently, we’ve been listening to your feedback the past several months and you’re all right…we shouldn’t be doing any sponsored content. Although we’ve been doing less than a dozen per year, it’s more important to maintain its integrity. Honestly, the Kardashians don’t even pay us enough to keep talking about them and are difficult to work with lol, so it’s back to the work force for us! We’ve got bills to pay just like everyone else 🙂. Although we’re moving on from this phase of our life, we still believe wholeheartedly in the mission of Diet Prada, so we’re putting up the account and password on eBay. Anyone who is serious about bidding, we just ask that you DM or e-mail us first so we can make sure to find the best fit possible! FYI the winning bid also includes our personal mobile numbers and e-mails to consult during the transition. Link in bio to bid. Love you all and DP 4ever 🙌. • #dietprada #instagram #auction #ebay #ebayseller #instagramaccountforsale #1millionfollowers #sale #fashion #fashionnews #media #startup #wiwt #ootd #callout #shade #accountability #fashionindustry #fashionweek #readytowear #couture #newyork #nyc #newyorkcity #business #dietprada

A post shared by Diet Prada ™ (@diet_prada) on Apr 1, 2019 at 5:58pm PDT

Maisie Williams’ Game of Thrones spoiler With the final season of Game of Thrones just days away, the cast of the show has been doing a slew of press appearances. Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night to talk about the final season and her journey of filming the show over the past eight years. Of course as any interviewer would do, Fallon prodded her to reveal just “one little spoiler, a little hint, just a crumb” but the star said she had decided to “keep a tight lip on everything.” In chatting about the show though, she seemed to inadvertently slip up, revealing that her character dies in the second episode. She seems to become speechless with shock and regret, while Fallon stares at her confused, and then runs off the stage close to tears, before reappearing to yell “April Fools!” It may not work as much of a prank on YouTube hours after the fact, but I’m sure it was effective in front of the live studio audience. If their gasps and pindrop silence are anything to go by, quite a few of The Tonight Show’s audience members fell hard for what was a pretty well-executed prank.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

The post 3 Elaborate April Fools Pranks People Actually Fell For appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

3 Elaborate April Fools Pranks People Actually Fell For published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[inthatstateofgrace]

Is Information Overload Making it Harder to be Happy?

Dissatisfaction, discontentment, and out-and-out unhappiness are a surprisingly ubiquitous feature of modern life. Mental health issues are a growing public health concern, rates of stress, anxiety and depression are rising sharply among the UK’s teenage girls and the United States has become 5% unhappier over the past 10 years.

All this comes despite the fact that, objectively speaking, modern humans in wealthy countries are probably some of the luckiest people that have ever lived. There are also myriad self-help books, wellness gurus, and “Five Ways to Find Happiness” listicles crowding our cultural landscape. So why do we find it so hard to find a solution to our unhappiness, and is information overload part of the problem?

Finding the Cause

There are many theories as to what is making us unhappy. It might be how marketing creates a constant sense of unattainable desire and fear of social exclusion, the fact many of us spend much of our lives in work rather than pursuing our hobbies and seeing loved ones, or our increasing isolation from community and nature. Or, as is being increasingly suggested, we might just be looking at social media too much.

Whatever it is, many of us struggle with negative feelings  – such as stress, loneliness, envy, and worry – on a daily basis. And as many theories as there are trying to explain modern unhappiness, there are just as many suggestions to solve it.

We are bombarded from every side with ideas, advice, and instructions on how to better live our lives. Those who don’t subscribe to a particular religion can pick and choose the bits of spirituality that appeal to them, while rejecting anything that seems too at odds with how they would like to live.

Just One Too Many Ideas

With so many ideas, advice, and guidance on how to live our lives, and this unimaginably vast deluge of information all available to us at the click of a button, is it any wonder that so many of us are frozen into confused inaction? What’s more, the nature of the media and clickbait content is making this even more difficult to assess and sift through with any amount of good judgement.

There’s always the next new trend: the thing the media grabs on to and promotes beyond all sense, before subjecting it to a comprehensive backlash that ensures any good advice is utterly lost.

A couple of years ago, ‘clean eating’ was touted as the solution to all our problems, and wholeheartedly embraced. That was until the inevitable moment where the movement was completely trashed, and cited as the cause of everything from body fascism to eating disorders.

This cycle of extremes, and the Internet-borne impulse to discuss everything in the most polemic ways possible, make it difficult to trust anything. And things get even more obfuscated when you consider that with every trend and backlash, there are vested interests muddying the waters in their attempts to shape opinion one way or the other.

Seeing the Wood for the Trees

So, under the weight of all this advice, how do we find what works for us, and is truly relevant to our own lives? Unfortunately, in order to answer this question, I’ll be adding to the mountain of guidance already out there.

The first thing to do is make efforts to disengage a little. You know how kids are generally carefree and happy unless something immediately and obviously bad is happening? It’s because they have no problem existing in the moment, and tend to take life for what it is. They also only have to trust in one set of rules and ideas – that of their parents – which might not always be ideal, but certainly makes life simpler.

Meditation

I would recommend meditation to help yourself live more in the now, and give your mind some space from the chattering and assault of information that has become a constant in so many of our lives. It offers clarity, and an increased insight into how your mind works — along with the thought patterns, fears, and worries that tend to dominate.

And aside from all this, it makes some space in your day to simply be. In an age when our smartphones mean there isn’t one second of our time where we needn’t be entertained, informed, or socializing, this is very rare indeed.

Switching Off

You may also consider a digital detox. Rolling news and constantly updating social media feeds are pretty addictive, and a week where you turn your smartphone off (or just turn off the WiFi and data) can help you to stop mindlessly scrolling.

With an end to this stream of information, you won’t always be taking in differing opinions, the next new trend, and what product or idea has fallen out of favor. This will give you the chance to focus, and truly concentrate on finding the things that make you happy, rather than being pulled in hundreds of different directions.

Commitment

Lastly, it’s important to commit to an idea, at least for a little while. So many of us fall into the trap of believing that an overnight overhaul will lead to a totally comprehensive lifestyle change, where we join the gym, go on a diet, and start painting. Then, when we fail to keep any of this up, we berate ourselves and promise to try again next week, week after week, sometimes for years on end.

The content of our resolutions may change as different ideas fall in and out of fashion, but so often they are ultimately doomed. Instead, it’s far easier and clearer just to pick one thing, and do it for at least two months to see whether it results in us feeling happier and better within ourselves.

This might be using your lunch break to go out for a walk everyday, rediscovering your passion for climbing/pottery/cooking by devoting two hours of your time to the pursuit each week, or promising to read a few pages of a book before bed rather than checking your phone. Yoga is also a great place to start, because it’s a practice that isn’t focused on competition or performance, and something you can dive into whatever your skill or fitness level.

The trick is focusing on and committing to one thing – and not reading 18 different articles about the relative advantages and disadvantages of each habit before finding a new trend to try.

In an age where there’s such a wealth of opinions and information available to us, the simple act of choosing something to wholeheartedly believe in can be a really powerful step towards happiness.

———————-

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Holly Ashby. Holly is a wellness writer who has worked with Will Williams Meditation, a meditation centre in London, for three years. They teach a form of transcendental meditation to help people cope with the stresses of modern life, hold meditation retreats, and help those living with issues such as anxiety and depression.

Read more on Daily Cup of Yoga

Time to Simplify and De-Junkify! Yoga for Dummies, p. 277 Yoga encourages you to cultivate the virtue of greedlessness in all matters.  The Sanskrit word for this is aparigraha, ...

Defeating Unhappiness At times I have felt defeated by life. All I ever wanted was to be peaceful, happy, and free. I went about attaining it by deconstructing myself an...

Minimizing On and Off the Mat I recently moved into a granny flat close to the yoga studio where I teach. Although the circumstances for my sudden move were complicated, it was...

10 Reasons Your Happiness is Worth It “I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m stressed.” “I’m too busy.” “I don’t have time.” You can never have time. Time just passes. Nobody can own it, have it, ...

.yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb { background: !important; -webkit-transition: background 0.2s linear; -moz-transition: background 0.2s linear; -o-transition: background 0.2s linear; transition: background 0.2s linear;;color:!important; } .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb:hover{background:#fcfcf4 !important;color:!important;} .yuzo_related_post .yuzo_text, .yuzo_related_post .yuzo_views_post {color:!important;} .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb:hover .yuzo_text, .yuzo_related_post:hover .yuzo_views_post {color:!important;} .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb a{color:!important;} .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb a:hover{color:!important;} .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb:hover a{ color:!important;} .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb{ margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px; } .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb .yuzo-img{ -webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-out; -moz-transition:all 0.3s ease-out; -o-transition:all 0.3s ease-out; -ms-transition:all 0.3s ease-out; transition:all 0.3s ease-out; } .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb .yuzo-img-wrap{ overflow:hidden; background: url(https://ift.tt/2kZUvou) no-repeat center; } .yuzo_related_post .relatedthumb:hover .yuzo-img { opacity: 0.7; -webkit-transform: scale(1.2); transform: scale(1.2); } from Daily Cup of Yoga https://ift.tt/2ILGYIk

#Yoga #Power Yoga Daily Cup of Yoga

[expressionsaufrichtig]

Frank151 Interview with Artist Jared Aufrichtig by Azaria Wassyihun  Jared Aufrichtig’s last name means “The Way of Truth” in German—an ideal Jared seems to wholeheartedly live by. It’s actually quite hard to put Jared in any sort of category; he’s a skater, a surfer, a photographer, an artist, an activist, and even an accomplished SkullCandy DJ, and fortunately for us, the list goes on and on. With such an eclectic list of talents, it’s hard to believe Jared committed six entire years to his most recent project, Expressions Book One South Africa, a 700 page behemoth of a coffee table book dealing with a wide variety of subjects pertaining to South African culture and especially its youth culture. In order to accomplish such a feat, Jared immersed himself into South African culture for six years, studying what they did differently from the rest of the world, as well as how they treated his several passions, hence the inclusion of skating, surfing, plants, animals, food, and others in the book. Jared’s works are labors of love. With this book, he hopes to educate people about the South African art scene by collaborating with 35 artists, from graffiti writers to graphic designers. Truly an original work, Expressions Book One is the first of a series of books Jared is working on, so expect to see many more editions in the years to come. You grew up in Long Beach, California but you've been going to South Africa since the early '80s. What is it about the "youth culture" that inspired you to move there full-time? At first I was inspired by the many fond memories of visiting there and a myriad of nostalgic surf stories of my father growing up with Shaun Tomson, coupled with the fact that the youth culture at the time was less exposed and raw. Also, I’m not living there as full-time now as when I was working on my book. For the past three years, I only spend about six to eight months a year in SA. You note on the book's website that you noticed a "major gap/problem for creative people" in South Africa, how do you hope this book and future books will help close said gap? I hope that some people get more from my book than just the beautiful and striking images. There is a deeper hidden narrative like in most of my work; in addition it exposed many innovators, places, and things that are now household names in South Africa. Although I’d also like to say that there is still a problem for creative people as well as solicited media content out there. The support for books, art, creativity, and these kinds of things is hardly even decent. It is Africa and there is an underlying constant struggle, so most people tend to spend money on necessities and not entertainment. While the more wealthy or able people who should and could support the arts and culture seem to mostly spend on Tec and hyped trendy items from the US or Europe. I think slowly things like my book and other publications coupled with increased media exposure will help build a strong support for local art and youth culture, as well as creativity and literary culture. You open the book with the quote, "What do we see in the world around us?" How does photography help you capture what you see as opposed to other forms of art? As an artist one takes things in and then represents the original perspective, thought, or idea in a new way. Celluloid photography and polaroid photography have a unique way of capturing a moment by allowing the photographer to use composition, knowledge, and their experience with light to manipulate and capture a short period of time. I’m not too sure about the 1’s and 0’s that make up a digital image, but plenty of people (including myself on the rare occasion) get good results and pretty pictures. Photography is also a very direct manipulation of what we see as opposed to trying to recreate something seen like other visual art. The range of categories covered for your book is insane, going from land to music and plants to skateboarding—did you find it necessary to cover all these areas in order to fully showcase South Africa? Yes, definitely. When I undergo a major creative project, most of the time the integrity and process hold the most importance. It was Expressions Book One, so for my 1st book I wanted it to show something prominent. South Africa is so rich and diverse; you need to look into many aspects in order to fully see the whole picture. Sometimes cats come here only looking to shark cage dive or see “the big five” and internationally all we’re represented by is violence, crime, celebrity adoptions, or Die Antwoord and Madiba (respect and blessings to the man!). Also, most of the stuff like art, music, surfing, and skateboarding are an integral part of my life and things I explore avidly. You seem to gravitate toward black and white photography—how has that influenced the subject matter you seek out? I wouldn’t really say I gravitate towards black and white photography, although I am a devoted addict. I’m fond of how the image can carry or express a different emotion lacking colors, and I also like the contrasts of light and dark with a vast range of grey area. In addition, sometimes the black and white can add a historic or timeless look. I do however gravitate towards celluloid and polaroid photography in my work, both of which I shoot regularly in black and white. You used celluloid film in Expressions Book One South Africa, what is it about that style of photography (as opposed to digital) that you believe captures the essence of South African youth culture? I shot the entire book using only celluloid film as a way to properly record and document the six-seven year period that I was exploring and studying, an important period of time in South Africa and youth culture that was also coincidentally leading up to a World Cup. A majority of my photography is shot with a plethora of old cameras. I also believe that the style and aesthetic of celluloid and polaroid photography is ideal for capturing the sprit and essence of the truest types of “being here and now” youth culture. What was the lithographic printing process like? How did you decide to use that method of printing? The lithographic print process is an amazing way to reproduce imagery. I was directly involved in every step, from start to finish. It was such an immense learning process and showed me numerous insights and experiences into printing and production. I decided to use that method of printing because I value and respect print and books, I wanted to offer a unique limited edition lithographic coffee table book about South Africa made in South Africa. As a bonus for being so involved in the books creation, the printer/publisher allowed me to utilize some of the original lithographic plates used to print my book. I cut up the massive sheets of metal with industrial guillotine into small pieces of art. I’ve given away an original litho plate to a majority of the cats with deluxe edition copies and then some. I had a big exhibition at Gallery Kalashnikov in Johannesburg during the SA Art Fair and Fashion Week in September/October, where I used some of the plates to make some new art pieces. A lady from the states who has a house in Florida bought the first Dumile (FM DOOM) Tribute Expressions African Mask. I’m busy making more and finding new ways to turn the litho plates into something really special. You've combined your photography with various graphic artists from South Africa for this book, how did you decide which artists to collaborate with? I always enjoy collaborating with other artist and love the way they’re all so different and have their own style and techniques. For my book, I worked with a wide variety of artist that I link up with while doing research and shooting the content around South Africa. Illustrators, tattoo and graffiti artists, painters, cartoonists, and even a few graphic designers who work with big ad agencies. Most of the artists I selected because of their work and presence in the SA scene, or maybe I thought they might work well with a particular subject or idea. A few of the artist designed layouts and were also featured in the book doing what they do best. How has working with South African artists (graphic, graffiti, illustrators, and tattoo) influenced your photography style? Working with other talented artists can be a good influence on perspective or style. I think a lot about bold colors and different lines due to my design and tattoo friends. I would also say that my art and graffiti background adds a certain grungy or edgy element to the way I try to shot some of my work. No everything is or needs to be so perfect or simple. I’d also like to think I picked up a bit of the African styles. What projects are you working on at the moment? Lately I’ve been so busy and blessed with wonderful projects, along with hitting different regions all over the globe. "Surfing Butter On A Hot Plate" is the title to my new surf film project; I was working on it in Jeffreys Bay for a few months earlier this year. Now I’m currently in Cape Town enjoying the beginning of the summer season and planning a mad states mission to LA/Miami/NYC. Soon I’ll be launching a Kickstarter for a book project with my dude from BK, Matt Dobbs aka Youth Waste. Also doing/curating a classic charity art auction with Paddle8 for some rad ocean/surf based NGOs during Art Basel. Definitely check that out, it launches on the third of December. And if you’re in Miami for Basel, maybe you’ll be a lucky one and get your hands on the Limited Edition Art Baseball Card Series I’m doing as promotion.

Frank151 by Azaria Wassyihun Dec. 2nd 2013

#frank151 #Azaria Wassyihun #interview #artist #Jared Aufrichtig

[streetkitten]

Double-Standards & Hypocrisy in Media- When Does it End?

Topic- violence, guns, aggressive behavior, stereotypes, hiphop, self-expression, music videos. Subject- YunB ( Asian-American- New York) ft Lil Cherry

Source- 36Mafia, southern "hood" rap, black gangsters, kpop

B.A.P- https://youtu.be/1zRzl1d5vNU BLOCK B- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJGcO5Une-g

Bigbang- https://youtu.be/VwV2I5tH4no

2ne1- https://youtu.be/j7_lSP8Vc3o

I am really tired of the rampant hypocrisy running around. Why are kpop-pop-contemporary-alternative- etc artists and anyone involved in those genres constantly "praised” by the fans and random viewers who ALSO choose to attack other people who are not of those genres/categories (Asians, rappers, mainly non-black persons). How is one more authentic & “less-harmless” than the other?

http://www.criticalkpop.com/2014/03/violence-in-kpop-violent-homage.html#sthash.wvSnwR7V.dpbs

Concepts like violence, being "gangster", and "acting hard" are not lifestyles created nor solely-owned by American or African-American’s. Violent weapons such as guns (specifically the AK-47) have been widely used & popularized by various countries through media and war for decades. Apparently, that has to be said when it’s not a black person (or Hispanic/Latino). A stereotype many are trying to break away from. It’s interesting since stereotypes of most (east) Asian’s are constantly rooted back towards violent organizations in attempt to be racist & immature- yakuza, samurai, triad, ninja, etc.

Here are 5 points about this topic that needs to be addressed:

SELECTIVE JUDGEMENT

1. First and foremost, I would be a flaming hypocrital POS if I attacked YunB for his song/video and not the kpop artists who use the exact same imagery for their music videos. Keep in mind many of the same kpop artists also enjoy and respect various aspects of hiphop including west coast gangster rap, southern rap, the Italian & Cuban mafia, and overall violently aggressive themes. 

For those who like to push the “South Korean’s are at it again with appropriation” (mainly non-kpop and hiphop fans) agenda- as previously stated, YunB is from New York City, therefore an American. The main issue here is NOT that his origins excuse him of any “inappropriate behavior”, but it’s interesting that based on viewers comments about his music video he should excused from criticism because he isn’t a kpop artist and he’s not a foreigner.

With that in mind. It brings me to my next point about race and ethnicity.

STEREOTYPES 2. I am not one to promote stereotypes, but given society you would think singers perpetrating violent acts would receive much harsher criticism. By harsher i mean a frenzy of offended viewers (I use "viewers" b/c it is rare fans are ever commenting these things) due to their "softer", "safe" and "nice" real-world imagery. Black people are NOT a stereotype. That includes ALL elements of hiphop. Please do not connect thugging and gang-like imagery with a non-black/brown person as "trying to perpetuate black people". UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED BY THE ARTIST/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR. Because YES, then we need to open up a long, helpful and thorough discussion.

https://www.africanglobe.net/profiles/african-american-films-importance-imagery-message/

BLACK AFRICAN (AMERICAN)  INTEREST IN VIOLENCE 3. Please stop dismissing (on a wider scale) a black-African's portrayal of Italian Mafia and various non-black gangster/mob imagery as acceptable and cool, but feel the need to judge against a non-black persons portrayal of gangster/thug. Yes i understand there are people who portray "black gangsters" with a heavy emphasis on "black", but to associate all forms of gangster/thug imagery with back people is not only very narrow minded, but disrespectful:

http://www.complex.com/music/2015/06/mafia-culture-influence-on-rap-music/

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/rap-stars-dedicated-song-lyrics-famous-mobsters-article-1.2849202

GUN OWNERSHIP VS VIOLENT LIFESTYLE 4. Even though my family owns guns “larger” than a standard 9MM and have gone shooting with them I do not care for guns in terms of entertainment in any form of media. Keep in mind movies. That includes Bigbang and Block B's performance. That does not mean I wholeheartedly dislike Bigbang's MADE trailer or any violent movie. I UNDERSTAND the difference between fact and fiction, self-expression through the use of metaphors, satire and generally for entertainment. Therefore I understand the music videos are apart of acting, fantasy and being creative.

TELLING A STORY THROUGH A LENS 5. Music videos are nothing but mini movies, so why are movies often dismissed as works of fiction, with no real connection to the writer, actor or director. Music videos are often criticized as the real-world life of a person. From sexual/dating preferences to overall lifestyle choices. Is it because it is produced on a smaller scale and they feel more personal? Stop acting like it is one thing to have a general say as to how one does filmography and another to totally think the person(s) are not actors and truly want to be or represent that lifestyle. There has always been more than 1 way to create a music video.

GENDER ROLES 6. When the music video was 1st released I saw early comments heavily against Lil Cherry Top’s participation because she is a woman and was major lack of criticism towards YunB I can assume b/c he is a man.  I see this often with female and most notably non-black female individuals. There was a time artists like Beyonce (Sasha Fierce) was criticized for her “hard” imagery. Women being more aggressive in their demeanor is often tied to being a gangster and not just confidence (***Flawless). Though the criticism didn’t last long for Bey most other ladies due to the amount of people who understood it’s just a video/fashion concept (even if there is some truth to it). Some blamed Jay Z for Bey’s alter ego and taking on songs that were not “her norm”. But I digress, I assume most of the people making complaints against Robabank are not old enough to know this.

No shade or ill-will toward anyone. This is my general observation of how we judge a person or product based on “marketing”. My opinion is based on the overall issue of “selective negative judgement” towards said person and product based on what we can see on the outside: race and gender. 

#hiphop #kpop #yunb #music #stereotypes #3 6 mafia #project pat #gangster #hi-lite records #HiLite #str33t music #str33tmusic #film #media