#in my mind she's played by sophia loren

[adrenaline-revolver]

for my own sanity i’ve decided that even if Steve’s parents suck his maternal grandmother is the absolute best. loves him unconditionally. blatantly hates his father. periodically crashes events just to cause a problem. just this little woman in her upper sixties who is like “i left *insert country here* because the fascists invaded only to have my daughter marry a loser and keep my grandson from me.”

little lady who if Steve were to come out to her as anything but straight is like “I can find you a nice lesbian to marry.”

the type that would be just as proud as she would be infuriated to know about all the times Steve has risked his life for his little family.

#Steve Harrington #in my mind she's played by sophia loren #and she speaks in italian just to piss off Steve's dad #she'd tease eddie by telling him she loves his memento mori

[audreyhepburninblackandwhite]

Scanned cover and interior pages of England's WEEKEND magazine's May 14-20, 1969 issue

'Thin Little Me—But I'm All Woman'

Newly married Audrey tells the Hepburn way to attract men

“I’m tired of being thought of as a dear, sweet, not bad-looking, flat-chested girl”

You Don’t Need a Bust to Get a Man

That’s Audrey Hepburn’s opinion. She says she has more sex appeal on the tip of her nose than most women have in their entire bodies.

Story by Walter Rainbird

A glittering Audrey with Mel Ferrer—their "idyllic" marriage lasted 13 years.

A strange sort of humility overcame me as I looked into the big brown, saucer eyes of Miss Audrey Kathleen Hepburn-Ruston as she curled kinkily in her catsuit in a corner of the hotel suite. Then I was startled as Miss AKHR—Audrey Hepburn to you, me, and the world at large—suddenly rapped: “Look here, there’s more to sex appeal than a top heavy bust and a well-rounded bottom, you know.”

Behind the characteristically-large glasses, the Hepburn nose that Audrey says is so sexy

All I could do was mumble in reply that I didn’t doubt it.

And so began one of the oddest interviews of my life with the star they call “The Fairest Lady of Them All.”

At 40, Audrey Hepburn is even slimmer than she was when, skinny and elfin, she played Eliza Doolittle. And, honestly, she doesn’t look much older than when she started out in show business as a chorus girl at the London Hippodrome—now the Talk of the Town—back in 1948.

Billy Wilder, who directed her in Sabrina Fair, once said of her, “When she walks on to the set, people stop using four-letter words, though she is certainly no prude. She has a rare class, something that Garbo had, a personal style, a kind of breeding which radiates from the screen.”

DIVORCE

This, then, was the girl who was talking to me about sex, busts, and bottoms. The girl whose “idyllic” marriage to Mel Ferrer ended in divorce after 13 years, during which her eight-year-old son Sean (“he means more to me than I mean to myself”) was born.

She told me, “I am tired of being thought of as a dear, sweet, not-bad-looking, thin-legged, flat-chested girl.

“I’ll admit I’m not so well-stacked as Sophia Loren or Gina Lollo whatever-her-name-is. But there is more to sex appeal than just measurements. Those curvy screen-stresses don’t even know what it is, never mind how to use it.

“I have heard it said that if I walked on to a studio bedroom set I wouldn’t know what to do—that I would be as lost as Bo-Peep’s sheep. Well I don’t need a bedroom to prove my womanliness.

“I can covey just as much appeal fully-clothed, picking apples off a tree and standing in the rain as some of those stars think they do wearing practically nothing.

“The secret of real appeal is that you must feel it, deep down inside you. It is something that is suggested rather than shown.

“Take a simple thing like a handshake. I can put more oomph into it than most women can in a walk.

“When you hold your hand out to a male, you think to yourself, ‘I’m all woman. I’m all woman.’ And when your hand touches his—POW!”

What about those famous Hepburn eyes?

They flushed like moon signs, as the star who normally regards Miss Hepburn as her least favorite subject, went on . . .

“A woman’s eyes can be her best weapon in the battle to attract the opposite sex. I don’t mean she should ogle a man. No real man likes that. What she should do is, perhaps, make the faintest fluster of her eyelashes as an added come-on. 

Hepburn—the girl with the Garbo touch that radiates from the screen in every part she plays. Here, she wears her favorite outfit for the film Two for the Road

“I’m fed up hearing that I’m just ‘plain Audrey.’ The truth is that I know I have more sex appeal on the tip of my nose than most women have to their entire bodies. It doesn’t stand out a mile, but it’s there.”

To illustrate her point, she told me how she once arrived late for a party and had to make her way into the room alone.

“The first thing I noticed was all the gorgeous girls there—ones who had curves in just the right places.

“This little me wandered across the room, got a drink, and stood alone in a corner. Then I decided to try to experiment to prove how much man-appeal I have—and to show that appeal does not always have to be an obvious, physical thing.

IRRESISTIBLE

“I started to think of myself as the sexiest creature on earth and that I was irresistible to men.

“It didn’t take long. First, one pair of eyes, then another, swung in my direction. After only a few moments, about a dozen men were looking at me and before long I had more male company than I could handle.

“I could almost hear all those curvy girls asking, ‘What’s SHE got?’

“Well, I know. And while there is life to be enjoyed, I mean to go on and wing it.”

One discerning male will testify to the subtle powers of Miss Hepburn’s personal magnetism in 32 year-old Italian psychiatrist Dr. Andrea Dotti.

In January, just six weeks after her divorce from Mel Ferrer, he married her in Rome. And, as Miss Hepburn would doubtless point out, the doctor always knowws bests.

#audrey hepburn #vintage #classic #style #photography #fashion #old hollywood #old hollywood glamour #1960s #1969 #magazine covers #magazines #audrey hepburn readings

[sobeautifullyobsessed]

Thank you for this wonderful prompt @paperclippedmime - here's my best shot for now, chapter one of two.

The Language of Love

a Defender Strange x Sorceress Reader romance

rating: general audience; fluff and pining

word count: 1.7k

Oh, sii ancora il mio cuore! Words that sprung to mind as Stephen watched you approach him from across the courtyard. Of all the languages at his command, he most often fell back upon Italian when he allowed himself to give into the softness that filled his chest in your presence. Oh, be still my heart! Il mio cuore. You had laid claim to it months ago--without even trying--and he had done his damnedest since that time to keep his love and unfulfillable longing, secret. Especially from you.

Initially, Stephen had questioned himself ‘why Italian?’, rather than one of the other dozens of languages in his repertoire. Yes, it was a romance language in the classical sense—as were French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian—but he soon realized there was more to his choice than that.

Though you didn’t look at all like her, you somehow evoked the image of his first serious crush, the woman who had subtly set his standard for feminine beauty when he was still a boy. Sophia Loren as Dulcinea in the film Man of La Mancha.

The movie had been one of his mother’s favorites (as she adored Peter O’Toole) and she had taken him along to a 20th anniversary showing at The Rubicon, the local 99-cent theatre that often featured oldies which catered to a mature audience. Beverly Strange had thought young Stephen might enjoy the tale of an idealistic knight tilting for justice in a world grown cynical. She couldn’t have anticipated he would view the leading lady with stars in his eyes. Stephen ended up crushing on Loren and crushing hard until his heart moved on to another big screen icon--Jessica Lange—a year or so later.

The bright, midday sun lent additional luster to your thick, dark hair, worn in a long, loosely woven braid over your shoulder. He had never seen you wear it unbound, though in his fantasies when you came to him at last to confess your love and desire for him, you gladly loosed it to lavish upon the bare skin of his arms and chest and…

Stephen closed his eyes a moment and took a long slow breath, re-squaring his shoulders. Cool it man; these are the exact thoughts you can’t give play to outside your quarters! You are the Sorcerer Supreme, and such musings compromise your ability to properly perform your responsibilities. Yet when he opened his eyes, they immediately sought yours. Exotic, almond-shaped, deep jade eyes, made pale and crystalline by the sunlight. Your precious lips pursed in a mischievous smile when you realized he saw you drawing near. He dipped his head in greeting, admonishing himself not to gape at the grace of your movements and your unapologetically voluptuous curves; the simple robes you’d selected when you had achieved the rank of Master couldn’t hide the supple fullness of your figure.

Intellectually, Stephen understood he saw you with the eyes of a man hopelessly in love, but found no fault in his idealized view of you. Of course you had become the most beautiful woman in the world to him; wasn’t that as it should be when a man’s heart had fallen irretrievably for that one special person? Few in his life today knew he was at heart a genuine Romantic, and it felt like half a lifetime at least, since he’d allowed that part of his nature to breathe and return to life. It felt so damn good to feel this deeply in love again—especially in the wake of his failures with Christine Palmer—but it couldn’t have come at a more inopportune stage of his life. As Sorcerer Supreme, his commitment to the protection of humanity and the universe at large was absolute, and he could see no path forward that would allow him the glorious distraction of building a future with the woman who felt to him like a soulmate.

In the initial flush of his infatuation, Stephen had toyed with the idea of assigning you to serve at one of the Sanctums, so to remove the temptation to confess that his feelings for you had grown well beyond the friendship you shared. But each time he resolved to send you away, he couldn’t carry it through, for he couldn’t bring himself to give up the exquisite torture of having you near—though you remained perfectly unaware of how keenly he wished for you to see and know what you meant to him. Let alone return his feelings in kind. And so now as ever, he composed his face and braced himself to greet you as his friend, and nothing more.

You smirked as you looked him over, head to toes, and nodded your approval. “Welcome back, Stephen. That was a quick trip and I see you’re no worse for the wear. For a change.”

“Guess I got lucky this time…” he conceded with a wee grin, daring a fresh endearment, this time in Romanian, “…porumbelul meu dulce.” My sweet dove.

Planting your hands on your hips, you rolled your eyes, daring him, “Hmmmm. That’s a new one. Care to share what it means?”

If only you knew, he thought opting for the little white lie, “By sweet fortune blessed.”

You narrowed your eyes a moment as if testing the truth of his statement, mulled his translation over a few moments more and then answered, “I’d agree with that, Stephen. Every day you return safe and whole from your battles are blessed ones.” Your gaze fell askance, and Stephen felt breathless; his instinct at such times—when your voice grew softer than ordinary speech and you suddenly couldn’t hold his gaze--insisted that you bore at least an echo of the affection he felt for you, though the hopeful moment passed too quickly. Eyes still averted from meeting his, you added modestly, “And I…I mean we…the ranks of those committed to the same mission are…are blessed to have our brilliant leader back among us…” The slight blush that filled your cheeks was pure and softly becoming, and of course his heart seized upon it, as another hint that you cared for him beyond the strictures of shared service and friendship.

“It’s good to be home,” Stephen nodded, his fingers tingling with the urge to cup your jaw and draw your face close and finally put an end to the façade he’d built between you two. One of these days I won’t be able to keep this secret any longer. That day is coming soon, my darling. Just give me one little sign…a single nudge…that you want me to claim you as mine.

But that day was not today, it seemed, so instead he exclaimed heartily, “And I’m famished—feels like it’s been a week since I’ve had anything decent to eat! Have I missed lunch service?”

Your shyness passed—on his behalf, as he knew it would—and you grinned up at him. “I think you’re in time to catch the tail end, Stephen.” You slipped your arm through his to pull him along to the dining hall. “And if not, I’ll scare you up a meal fit for your victorious return.”

“I was counting on it, mon chouchou,” he replied, patting your hand as the two of you strolled back across the courtyard. Stephen sometimes wondered if you had a clue that this endearment meant more than ‘dear friend’—but if that was the case, you gave him no indication. “And I expect you to fill me in on how life in Kamar-Taj has been going in my absence, so I hope you don’t have any pressing plans this afternoon.”

“As I’m free for the next couple of hours, I’m sure I can catch you up,” you assured him, and it seemed to him that you had subtly nestled against his side (unless that was just wishful thinking), “And I expect to hear all the details of your latest exploits. Which Defenders joined you this time?”

Stephen cleared his throat, preparing to tell his tale. If he painted himself the hero of his adventures with the Defenders, you never seemed to mind, and rarely questioned if he had exaggerated the role he played in victory over the enemies he faced as their leader. You were wise enough to allow him to wear the hero mantle, but also bold enough to remind him, when necessary, that though you accepted his tall tales for the sake of your friendship, he needed to remember to temper his retelling when it came to recounting it with any other Master. “Well, it was almost a solo mission,” he began, silently reveling in your undivided attention, ready to prolong the tale however he might, just to remain in your company. “But lucky for me, I managed to convince Banner, Sam Wilson, and Valkyrie to join me. Without them…well…I probably would’ve needed to portal straight to the Infirmary.”

You gasped softly at that, and Stephen could have sworn you shivered. As much as he prized your concern for his safety, he vowed right then not to give you cause for worry. At least in this telling, as you sat him down in the empty kitchen and busied your hands by making him a heaping plate of leftovers and cool cup of fresh squeezed lemonade, he softened his tale enough to ease your mind that he had faced any real danger.

He had never known an interlude of true domestic bliss in his adult life and given his current responsibilities, he never expected to--but for that brief while in the compound kitchen, Stephen got a glimpse of what it could be like to be a simple man bound to the woman of his dreams. Wherein the only service they would be committed to was to love and comfort and cherish one another. Oh amore mio--he was thinking--se solo potesse essere cosi!

Oh my love, if only it could be so!

(to be continued)

tagging some fellow Defender fans: @paperclippedmime @fanartka @harlekin6 @strangelockd @doctorstrangeaskblog @cerene-ciderr @wolfstarhufflepuff @veryladyqueen @wint3r-h3art @ironstrange1991 @sanctumsanctorumshenanigans

buy me a coffee?☕

Feedback/Reblogs are incredibly meaningful. Please support content creators by doing us the honor. Thank you!

#my writing #The Language of Love #Defender Strange #Defender Strange x Sorceress Reader #Defender Strange x Female Reader #Defender Strange x Y/N #fluff #pining #mutual pining #two pining idiots who can't see how much the other loves them #doctor strange fanfiction #doctor strange fan fiction #stephen strange fan fiction #stephen strange fanfiction #doctor strange x female reader #doctor strange x y/n #stephen strange x female reader #stephen strange x y/n #My Beloved Defender #Strangebatch #My Eternal Muse #Ugh. I know. I know. This is probably corny beyond words. But if that's the case it's because I've lost my touch.🥺🥺🥺

[ramrodd]

What is Alfred North Whitehead’s process and reality to the development of man and society?

Process theology

COMMENTARY

In service of full disclosure, I more or less accept Alfred North Whitehead’s version of process theology, root and branch, the singular differences being that I have his intellectual history available to me that he didn’t have, and, 2, I am not a philosopher because I have absolutely not doubt regarding the existence of The One as described in Genesis 1:1 and elaborated on in Revelation 4:2, I was given a vision precisely like John the Revelator except for linguistical nuance. The difference being that my vision was an awful experience in a Fear of the Lord kind of way missing in the literature. and narrative.

The difference between Whitehead’s version of process theology and my version of theology is the difference between VFR and IFR in aviation, combination/fusion of Celestial Navigation of Naval aviators and GPS as a it plays out in real time. Go read The Little Prince. This was written by a French aviator who was flying when Lingurgh was pioneering air mail routs through the Rockies before we could fly over them. The stars at night are big and bright away from any light pollution from the ground. He had done a lot of seat-of-the-pants flying to have lived as long as he did. If you want to understand why Bergson’s epistemology is my favorite epistemology, read The Little Prince.

And that’s the nature of paradox, which is the fountain of living waters Jesus describes that turns on the Samaritan Woman at the Well. who was hoping to get laid while she drew some water when she spotted the gang of Jews on their way home from Jerusalem preparing to raid the market place for rations, moving forward. The Samaritans kept their Judaism very pure, drawing their entire moral sustenance from the Torah. They wanted nothing to do with the Talmud, which was progressive apostasy devolving to the Judaism permitted in Babylon. Like Pope Benedict in East Germany. The Samaritans wanted nothing to do with the intricate inquiry into the mechanics of godliness by legislation of 613 Laws. From the perspective of process theology, an essential message of Jesus, the Law Maker, is” Keep It Sim;;e Jesus adds a word and a codicil to the Shema and discards 612 redundant laws. As Hillel explicated Judaism for his neighbors, the Samaritans, that which is hateful to you, do not to others: the rest is all commentary.

The Samaritans didn’t want spiritual toxins from Babylon to pollute their worship of the Torah. I mean, they were the Amish of Orthodox Jews, BUT, they probably encouraged the same pilgrims coming direct from the constant Festivals in celebration of Yaweh, they, the Samaritans benefited as a community from both the commerce and the glow the pilgrims were bringing back from the festival, itself. The Samaritans assumed the crowds going to Jerusalem were foreign invader but the crowds coming back from Jerusalem were effectively ritually clean from the springs of Jerusalem.

Beginning in John 4, John Mark is a 14 year old friend of Jesus’s mother who travels with Team Jesus as basically the bat boy. John Mark is in the thralls of a one-sided bromance with Jesus. Everything that happens in Mark 6 is expanded in John 4, 5, 6,, the feeding of the 5000. Numerology is very important in process theology: the 19 in Sura 74:30 “Above it is nineteen” is the clearest portrait of the mind of The ONE in literature. In the numerology I employ, 19 is the Alpha and Omega of number The “5ness” pf the number has a military significance. This is where the Masonic narrative is woven into the scriptures. The Gospel of John is written from the perspective of Kabbalah as a performing art. He doesn’t understand what is going on between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman but his journalism is sublime. What he really captures is the elegance of a conversation with Jesus.

This is incredibly graceful literature. You could story board this line by line and shoot it in a single take and nothing else is needed. Have Sophia Loren playing the Samaritan Woman and Omar Sharrif as Jesus and Sal Mineo from Exodus as John Mark. Among other things, it is clear that this is a deliberate allusion to Tamar and Judah, with Gal Gadot as Tamar and Saddam Hussein as Judah. Judah was holding out on her dowry and a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.

So, the process theology version of the Gospel of John is that Sophia Loren comes out all fat and sassy and looking for love. There is an apparent sexual connotation to the water jug that is lost on me but was like “Fuck Me Now” pumps of 1st century Palestine, universally. And Jesus has hurried to get to Jacob’s Well for this particular assignation. He knew if He showed up in town, she’d come looking to get laid to Him. The lesson from Abram and Sarai is that polyandry is a superior cultural norm than polygamy which kept the Samaritan gene pools healthy since at least after Babylon.

See, the thing is, John Mark is always looking for signs of Jesus’ divinity, but he only saw 7 he could name. Jesus was casting a far wider net than what is captured in all the New Testament. If you want to see process theology in action, consider the maniac in Mark 5 and the Samaritan Woman, who is made pregnant by the identical process as Jesus’s mother. Her pregnancy will begin to show by the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000 who Jesus feeds that John Mark does not witness are the Gentiles generated by the mania and the Samaritan women.

And, of course, this is where Hegel comes in handy.

Process theology emerges out of chaos. The essences of process theology is captured in this quote from the Wikipedia article, to wit

For both Whitehead and Hartshorne, it is an essential attribute of God to affect and be affected by temporal processes,

I’m not trying to argue its validity: i’m demonstrating it for fun and profit, or in the line of duty. this stuff is useless to me if I am the only one doing it. Process Theology is one way to develop a systematic relationship with the Holy Spirit as part of the Liberation Gospel of Pope Francis.

I’m not Catholic. Unlike Whitehead, I doubt not regarding the God Hypothesis. In the final analysis, it all comes down to seat-of-the-pants spiritual navigation, but process theology expands the inventory of solutions infinitely.

[bitter69uk]

“I never got over Jayne Mansfield. I still think that’s how women should look, basically. I’m not much for the “natural look”!” 

“She could act stupid, but I don’t think she was stupid at all in real life. She was a parody of a dumb blonde – she was a parody of Marilyn Monroe. She went beyond parody – she was an insane Marilyn Monroe.” 

“I always liked (Jayne Mansfield) more than Marilyn – I still do! Jayne Mansfield is the ultimate movie star. Even with Divine. Divine was my Jayne Mansfield, only put together with Godzilla. I still marvel at how she looks. She must have done the roots of her hair every day. She never had a (dark) root, not for one second! I firmly believe she touched-up her roots every day!” 

“Jayne Mansfield has always looked a little like a drag queen, but no drag queen could pull it off like Jayne could because she’s in on it. That’s the thing that makes it so endearing. How could you be “pitiful” when you’re in on the joke?” 

“She sums up the fifties. Nobody’s more extreme than Jayne Mansfield in representing a 1950s girl gone berserk. More than berserk – nuts! Acid!” 

“She looked to me like she was really happy being completely out of her mind – like an extreme glamour person.” 

“Jayne was hardly “every day”, but people liked Jayne. She was a comedienne. She wasn’t Anna Nicole Smith because she was smarter than Anna Nicole Smith. She could play the violin. She did a lot of smart things. She was hardly “slumming.” She was a big star.” 

“Jayne Mansfield is an animated character. She’s not a real person. She’s from outer space, basically! I mean, look at her! She is a piece of work.” 

John Waters reminiscing about his all-time favourite movie star – Jayne Mansfield! (Quotes taken from his bonus interview on the DVD for The Girl Can’t Help It). Today is a sacred day! Lobotomy Room’s Patron Saint, berserk glamour girl par excellence and the punk Marilyn Monroe (or the drag queen’s Marilyn Monroe), Jayne Mansfield (19 April 1933 - 29 June 1967) was born 88 years ago on this day. (To put it in perspective, Mansfield is the same age as Joan Collins, would be just a bit older than Brigitte Bardot or Sophia Loren - and two years younger than Mamie Van Doren - if she were still alive). Revered by the likes of John Waters and Divine, for me sex kitten Mansfield is virtually a sacred figure, the eternal publicity hungry starlet, Hollywood Babylon made flesh, the cooing and squealing hourglass-contoured personification of atomic-era kitsch. Do something divoon today in her honour! (Portrait of Mansfield by Peter Basch).

#jayne mansfield #john waters #lobotomy room #sex kitten gone berserk #peter basch #pinup #vintage smut #vintage sleaze #sex goddess

[oftenderweapons]

Introducing: the girlfriends — Lace

Hello cherry blossoms!

Since the girlfriends will feature as original characters in some of the pieces I’ve planned, in this small serie you will find some general information about the girls, presented with their aesthetics. Here you will find Taehyung’s Lace. She will also be featured, together with Princess, in the next piece so I think this introduction will help you get acquainted with her as a character.

NSFW material included. Read at your own risk.

Here you can find my masterlist :)

Enjoy!!!

Lace is a lady through and through. She is tough and elegant, apparently cold but extremely affectionate with those she loves. She is close friends with Vixen. During her university years, she was Princess’ flatmate, even though they got out of touch because of Princess moving out of the neighbourhood and both of them getting really busy with their jobs.

Just like Princess, Lace too works in the fashion industry, more precisely she is a shop assistant — soon shop manager — in a store of an extremely famous and expensive brand of lingerie. She is also a skilled tailor and has her own lab where she makes customised lingerie: she dreams of it becoming her main occupation someday. She is maybe the same age as Taehyung or a couple years older.

In terms of physical appearance, she is curvy and quite “fleshy” — imagine a diva from the Sixties like Liz Taylor or Sophia Loren. She perfectly knows how to wear her curves, chinching her waist and pushing up her breasts in tailored corsets and bustiers, however she is often dressed up in pretty and elegant vintage style, complimenting her sinful physique in classy and modest outfits. She most definitely has love handles and round, soft hips: her body is the definition of femininity and she struts in it like a model. Her confidence is what makes her look so sexy, even if society might not approve of her body.

Taehyung has a very soft spot for her body; he loves the feel of her under his fingers, gripping her flesh. He loves the texture, consistency and the concrete materiality of her, her body making her look like a diva (and totally his wet dream) but also feeling so real and carnal.

Lace and Taehyung are basically a real life example of Gomez and Morticia Addams. They’re passionately, foolishly, sinfully in love with each other. He worships her like a goddess and follows her with heart eyes like a tail-wagging puppy. Lace might look like a cold minx, but behind closed doors she literally adores him, in every possible way.

Taehyung fell for her with a coup de foudre — as if struck by a lightning — literally love at first sight. Lace was more wary about her crush: she takes it easy because she is awfully afraid of the intensity with which Teahyung entered her mind and her soul, and she hopes that such power is not a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing.

Their dates include mostly art galleries and parks, but also old movie marathons, which she watches for fashion inspiration and for their dreamy romance. During said marathons, they lay side by side, with Taehyung’s hand toying with her hair, and Lace’s nails gently scraping against his nape. Sometimes they watch a film they have already seen so that they can make out without missing out on anything. Expect romantic getaways. Lots of them. Taehyung loves big European cities such as Paris, London, Amsterdam and Prague, and Lace likes following him whenever she can, enjoying a few days of art and food and steamy romance.

They are not afraid of being affectionate in public: at the beginning she is a bit shy and cold, but as she gets used to continuous public exposure, she grows more comfortable and daring, indulging Taehyung in his very public gestures of affection. He often places his arm around her waist, leaning down to whisper things in her ear, exchanging flirty smiles with her and comfortably placing a kiss on her lips every now and then, though I think they leave more thorough tongue tango for the bedroom. Yes, they are king and queen of making out, and if they’re tipsy enough, they would most definitely do that in front of friends and acquaintances, not really caring about by-standers.

Taehyung is her little cuddlebug, hugging her and rubbing his face against her chest whenever he comes home after a bad day. He likes it when she scrapes his scalp gently, as if petting a cat, and when she tuts at him because he’s tickling her with his hair. Her affection is often very sensual, with nails drawing patterns on his naked skin, always trying to get beneath his clothes, where she can feel his warmth and the goosebumps she causes with her touch. On the other hand, Taehyung can be extremely playful and innocent in his affection, drawing every feature on Lace’s face with his fingers, kissing her head and rubbing his face against her chest and neck to feel her skin against his lips and the peculiar scent of her perfume. He gifts her a lot of presents, from small inexpensive ones to extremely costly items — yes, you can guess what they are.

Lace is Taehyung’s girlfriend and lover — she perfectly embodies the duality of a refined, confident lady, and the kinkiest freak in the sheets — giving him the love and support of a relationship and the sinful desire of an affair.

She is a domme. During her university years she went through hard times which brought her closer to the BDSM culture. Through learning dominance and discipline in fields like bondage and sadomasochism, she gained strength, maturity, self-esteem and confidence. Her aplomb and savoir faire attract Taehyung immensely, and he gladly lets her take control every now and then; however since their very first encounter, Lace felt something change within her when she was around him, and her sudden willingness to yield to Taehyung made her realise that he was a man she’d gladly be submissive and sell her soul for. Even though there’s not much power imbalance between them, they do partake in extremely daring practices, involving principally sensation play and various forms of bondage, but occasionally also impact play. They experiment with several varieties of sensations, from temperature, to tickling, to pinching and grazing. Their tactile dimension is very strong, and both like focusing on touch during foreplay and intercourse, which often leads to blindfolds or making love in a completely dark room. On the other hand, they both enjoy watching and being seen, in a magnificent combination of voyeurism and exhibitionism. It isn’t rare for them to sit at the opposites end of the bed and masturbate in front of each other. Their "blind" sensorial explorations and their openness have removed shame from their relationship — Taehyung's extremely thorough perlustrarion of Lace's sensitive body allow him to play her like an instrument with sage, talented fingers.

Lace likes showing her submission through blowjobs, especially with Taehyung standing on his feet while she’s kneeling before him. Taehyung likes tormenting her with long edging sessions before making her come undone round after round, with his fingers, mouth and cock. He especially enjoys wrecking her, using her toys to stretch her out, but also making her cum before he enters her, enjoying her tightness after an orgasm. He experiments without prejudice, sometimes improvising extravagant tricks to turn her on in some genial way. He is ruthless, but also fully and recklessly devoted to Lace’s pleasure, his only goal seeing her spent and naked on his sheets, possibly with his length still sheathed inside her. No matter how harsh or soft the scene, their ultimate goal is the sense of unity they feel once they’re done and ready for a nap or for sleep. Napping while cockwarming is a must: they won’t stop until they’re completely spent and once they've finished, they simply lay there, looking at each other, exchanging small kisses and feeling like one single soul without a body.

Taehyung sleeps thrown all over Lace and although at the beginning she’s not entirely comfortable, especially since he’s a furnace in his sleep, after a while she gets used to having him cuddled into her side, pushing his face into her neck and hair while his arm and leg are wrapped around her middle and her hip. And for the problem of being too hot, well... She just forgoes clothes. Which is extremely useful when he wants to wake her up with his mouth around hr nipple. Or between her legs.

In conclusion, Lace and Taehyung are a very passionate, vey intense young couple, whose relationship is based on an attraction that goes beyond looks and digs deep into the very essence of their character, reaching an almost religious devotion and sacred adoration. Taehyung is charmed by Lace’s magnetism and composure, while Lace is deeply enthralled by Taehyung’s consistent and reliable admiration for her. A satisfying sex life is perfectly matched with the quiet way they show each other support, but most importantly by the way Taehyung’s introspection and artistry plunge into Lace’s sensitivity, showing her a level of understanding she has never felt before. They’re both highly sensitive to the other’s emotion and this spiritual connection, put together with the physical one, offers them a sense of unity that makes them comfortable and completely open to each other.

#introducing the girlfriends #Introducing lace #bangtan smut #bts headcanons #bts blog #Taehyung headcanons #Taehyung x reader #Taehyung smut #Kim Taehyung

[dimondalmond]

Dame Sophia Loren

I'm currently reading a book called:

Yesterday,

today,

tomorrow

My Life

by the the ever fascinating Ms. Sophia Loren.

It's stunning to learn through the pages of how the iconic Ms. Loren came about to be the iconic film star that she was/is.

Born as Sofia Villani Scicolone, she was born on 20 September 1934 in Rome. Her mother was a paino player and her father was actually from noble decent. However he didnt marry her mother, nor he was part of their life.

Regardless of childhood impacted by poverty, hunger and world WarII ( When Sophia was actually struck by a flying shrapnel and wounded in the chin), little Sophia was surrounded by family warmth and love in Pozzuoli, a city and comune of the metropolitan city of Naples, where she lived at the time.

At age 15, she interned Miss Italia 1950 beauty pageant, she was among the three finalist contestants and won the title of “Miss Elegance 1950”.

Between 1951 and 1953 she enrolled in the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, and appeared in some films, credited as: Sofia Lazzaro.

After that Carlo Ponti ( her love/future husband) changed her name to Sophia Loren, as a twist on the name of the Swedish actress Märta Torén. Her first starring role was in Aida (1953).

Dame Sophia Loren has appeared in many iconic films, such as: A special Day ( She won an Oscar for best actress), It started in and Lady Librity. My personal Favourite films of hers are : The sign of Venus, Brief Encounter and Scandal in Sorrento.

I admire Sophia because she has this immens self-actulazation, that was inspired by her own roots and her life journey.

Like Sophia, I do truly believe that charm, femminity and intelegince, are the organic ingredients for true beauty.

I'm choosing three essential gems from Sophia that we can take to heart.

- Sex appeal is fifty percent what you've got and fifty percent what people think you've got

- There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.

-After all these years, I am still involved in the process of self-discovery. It's better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.

#old hollywood #sophia loren #vintage #beauty goals #italian movies #italian actress #inspiring beauty #1950s actresses #1950s #1960s cinema #1970s movies #newpost #style

[tabloidtoc]

National Examiner, March 22

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson -- his journey from thief to superstar

Page 2: These stars wheely like to bike -- Hugh Jackman, Eva Longoria, Matthew McConaughey, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Russell Crowe, Arnold Schwarzenegger

Page 3: Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, Al Roker, Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith, Matt Damon, Justin Theroux, Ethan Hawke

Page 4: Jennifer Aniston's roles and costumes

Page 6: Susan Sarandon is 74 and single now and she admits she likes to date younger men because they have more inquisitive minds than older guys

Page 7: Golden Age of Glamour -- the shocking beauty tips, tricks and secrets of Hollywood's most stunning stars -- Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford

Page 8: Listen to Granny -- older media influencers are getting into the act on social media, with women in their 80s and 90s earning huge followings and lots of money on Instagram -- while some are all about their head-turning styles, others go with decorating or fitness to create their granfulencer brands

Page 9: Go ahead and binge that new TV show because it's good for your mental health -- new research shows the lack of social connection we're all feeling now because of COVID-19 restrictions can be filled, at least to some degree, by watching TV, reading books and listening to music

Page 10: Lucia DeClerck has some advice for living a long life, and she knows what she's talking about because she's 105 years old -- not only did Lucia live through the 1918 Spanish Flu, she's the oldest person in her nursing home and she just beat COVID-19 -- how does she do it? Gin-soaked golden raisins

Page 11: 8 ways to prevent back pain

Page 12: Stars Still Strong and Sexy As They Hit Milestone Notorious 90 -- Marla Gibbs, Gavin MacLeod, Angie Dickinson, Barbara Eden

Page 13: William Shatner, Olympia Dukakis, Dan Rather, Rita Moreno, Willie Mays, James Earl Jones

Page 14: Dear Tony, America's Top Psychic Healer -- all marriages need care and attention to flourish

Page 15: There are nicer, more medically accurate ways to describe it, but "dead butt syndrome" says it all, that feeling of numbness or achiness from sitting too long -- it is no joke to the many people who experience the discomfort of DBS, otherwise known as lower cross syndrome, gluteal amnesia, or gluteus medius tendinosis -- people who sit at their desk all day for work are particularly prone to this syndrome, where muscle tightness in the hip flexors and weakness in the gluteus medius muscles in the buttock combine to create hip and lower-back pain, leading to numbness -- luckily there are simple remedies you can try to alleviate symptoms and even reverse the syndrome

Page 16: Princess Diana: little girl lost -- Diana's brother Charles Spencer reveals truth about heartbreaking childhood

Page 18: There are about 100 prepaid food receipts fluttering on the wall of Ruma's Deli in Missouri and if you're hungry and your pockets are empty, you can grab one, bring it to the counter and get a free meal, no strings attached

Page 19: Pixel the cat is so creepy-looking even a professional exorcist crossed himself and ran -- Alyson Kalhagen's cat has giant googly eyes, a Halloween pumpkin smile and oversized bat ears and he's also fond of making funny faces but the two-year-old has racked up a fan base online, where more than 12,000 followers find Pixel's peculiarities precious

Page 20: Cover Story -- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is huge in every way -- the muscle-bound ex-wrestler has starred in dozens of blockbuster films, has tons of projects in the works, millions of bucks and a brand new show about his childhood but he hasn't always been on top of the game -- the dynamo has gone through so many tough times and bad decisions they would sink a lesser man but he's an open book about all of them and how he fought to get to the top every step of the way

Page 22: After a long break to raise her children, Michelle Pfeiffer is on the silver screen again and looking better than ever -- the 62-year-old is in a new film called French Exit, in which she plays a tragic widow who packs up and moves to Paris with her son -- the actress says to return and thrive in an industry formerly known as being obsessed with youth is a gift -- although her husband David E. Kelley has been behind dozens of hits like The Undoing and Big Little Lies, Michelle doesn't want to work with him because she's seen a lot of couples where they seem to have a great marriage, and then they work together and next year they're filing for divorce -- next up, Michelle will play Betty Ford in the upcoming series The First Lady

Page 24: A Texas grocery delivery driver got more than just shelter from the storm when her car became stuck in a customer's driveway -- the people who lived there took her in for five days and made her feel like part of the family

Page 26: Deep Focus -- stunning underwater pix from an unseen world

Page 32: Pet Projects -- family portraits get everyone into the picture -- photographer Tasha Hall creates "farmaly" photos, which include each and every one of the household where they've got two feet, four feet, paws, claws, hooves or wings

Page 34: While everyone loves a comfortable, cozy mattress, having a really good becomes more important with age because a bad one may leave you with aches, pains and posture imbalances but the problem is that these specialty mattresses are very expensive -- fortunately, Medicare may cover up to 80 percent of the cost if you go about this purchase the right way and you'll then be responsible for the remaining 20 percent, as well as any deductible

Page 40: Psychic Self-Defense -- many people are born with a psyche that is naturally sensitive -- there has been a modern-day rise in occultism and practicing psychics and the way of the world at this time had made many more people seek help -- this has produced a far greater awareness of the need to protect and defend ourselves when working in a magical or psychic context -- we are all constantly being bombarded with psychic vibrations, not all of them good

Page 42: 20 Things You Never Knew About Tiger Woods

Page 44: Eyes on the Stars -- Jenny McCarthy is in high spirits as she preps to tape a new episode of The Masked Singer in L.A. (picture), Goldie Hawn works out in L.A. (picture), Jane Fonda has given up on getting hitched -- she has three failed marriages and being single means she can watch whatever she wants on TV, Kelly Clarkson admits that since her marriage soured she no longer considers marriage a fairy-tale thing and she can't imagine being married again, Charlize Theron admits she hasn't made the grade when it comes to homeschooling her kids Jackson and August, Patrick Schwarzenegger is looking to follow in the footsteps of his dad Arnold Schwarzenegger but says his dad hasn't offered any pointers when it comes to a career in showbiz, Bindi Irwin is close to welcoming her little wildlife warrior with husband Chandler Powell and her 17-year-old brother Robert Irwin has some opinions about his sister's ever-expanding figure saying she's massive

Page 45: Duchess Kate and Prince William hold video calls with folks shielding at home during the pandemic to discuss the positive impact of the COVID-19 vaccine (picture), Chrissy Teigen goes shopping with daughter Luna (picture), Mary-Kate Olsen finalized her divorce from French banker Olivier Sarkozy and she was spotted in NYC having dinner with businessman John Cooper, Gordon Ramsay is steamed after being diagnosed with arthritis, Jessie J has a new boyfriend with dancer and choreographer Max Pham Nguyen, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin dropped a bombshell -- they've welcomed their sixth child via surrogate

Page 46: We all get a bit snippy at times, but if you tend to fly into a rage, it's not good for your health or friendships -- here are some simple anger-management techniques you can do any time

Page 47: Curious Earthlings have always been hungry for movies about the moon and its mysteries -- Cat-Women of the Moon, A Trip to the Moon, The Right Stuff, First Man, Gravity, Apollo 13, Hidden Figures

#the rock #tabloid #tabloid toc #tabloidtoc #dwayne johnson #dwayne johnson #dwaynetherockjohnson #jennifer aniston #susan sarandon #dead butt syndrome #princess diana #charles spencer #michelle pfeiffer #tiger woods #jenny mccarthy #goldie hawn #duchess kate #prince william #chrissy teigen #jane fonda #kelly clarkson #charlize theron #patrick schwarzenegger #arnold schwarzenegger #bindi irwin #robert irwin #mary kate olsen #mary-kate olsen #gordon ramsay

[weirdlandtv]

What are your thoughts on Catherine Deneuve? She's in a new movie called 'La Vérité', the same title as the 1960 Bardot movie, and she apparently throws shade at Brigitte in it. And I'm like *jasmine masters voice* well, just as I thought... TRASH!

Vapid. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of Catherine Deneuve. Vapid, boring. She has the exact same expression in every photo and in every film. Plastic surgery has only made it worse.

People say that Brigitte Bardot has aged badly, but look at Catherine Deneuve or Sophia Loren with their synthetic wigs, their stretched Joker mouths, their balloon bosoms. Bardot has never had plastic surgery, she decided to just age naturally and face the inevitable scorn from the glamour-obsessed media when they spotted a wrinkle. But then BB was always different than her so-called “competitors”. Original. A one-off. Completely herself, for better or for worse. Yes, I’m biased.

Catherine Deneuve, Roger Vadim, Brigitte Bardot and Sami Frey at a movie premiere in 1961.

Deneuve—I get bored just writing her name—features briefly in Brigitte Bardot’s autobiography. BB is filming “Please, Not Now!”, directed by her ex-husband Roger Vadim. The whole crew is staying at this secluded cabin in Le Moucherotte, France. Vadim is there too, with his new girlfriend, a BB clone called Catherine Deneuve. One day there’s a snowstorm, and everyone is locked inside. To spend the time, they play charades. The way BB describes Catherine Deneuve’s complete inability to participate in the game and be imaginative, funny, resourceful, is exactly how I picture her. A boring lump of ice. I can’t sugar coat it.

Brigitte Bardot at home at La Madrague, St.-Tropez, circa 1960.

@edwardbatkins wrote:

Did it bug you when people thought Anna Nicole Smith was the second coming of Marilyn Monroe? Looking back on it now, Anna was clearly a gross caricature mostly based on Madonna's "Material Girl" video. Your thoughts?

Because Anna Nicole Smith’s story ended in awful tragedy, I find it hard to say anything overly negative about her. Because, you know... And it all passed me by a bit really, I think she was mainly an American phenomenon (I’m in Holland). Like many other MM impersonators though, she seemed to me a combination of attributes, some of them resembling the clichéd stereotype of Marilyn Monroe: diamonds, blonde, curves, glamour, sultry, et cetera.

MM might be one of the most misunderstood people of all time. I see it on sites like Pinterest: all these fake quotes attributed to her, quotes which in fact clash hard with her actual character and everything she was. “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world”, stuff like that—Marilyn would never have said that. She wasn’t cocky. She wouldn’t have pretended to know how the world works. She wasn’t a sassy Mae West, or a Bette Midler, who is the actual source of the quote. Marilyn Monroe was shy, not confrontational; she hated to be seen as slutty, or vulgar. The unfortunate side effect of her everlasting popularity is that different people have tried (and still try) to turn her into different things: a closet intellectual, a defiant diva, a flippant floozy, a beleaguered little girl, a Kennedy toy, et cetera.

Here are some other oft-repeated quotes wrongly attributed to Marilyn Monroe:

“To all the girls that think you’re fat because you’re not a size zero: you’re the beautiful one, it’s society who’s ugly.”

“Well-behaved women rarely make history.”

“Women who seek to be equal to men lack ambition.”

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

That last one is actually by Catherine Deneuve. (Kidding.)

#marilyn monroe #brigitte bardot

[oldhollywccd]

The day Elvis Presley and Sophia Loren met, photographed by Bob Willoughby at Paramount Studios, 1958. According to Willoughby, Loren spotted Presley eating lunch in the Paramount commissary and decided to go over and introduce herself. Which is to say, she promptly sat in his lap, gave him a kiss, and began mussing his hair. He didn't mind.

"I didn’t know Elvis at all, but we were both making films at Paramount and eating in the cafeteria and we both thought, ‘Oh, I want to meet you.’ And so I sat in his lap and we laughed like two kids. I played with his hair and joked about all the women who were screaming for him. We were really just like two little kids." - Sophia Loren

“'I bet you wish they would stop screaming' said Sophia. 'Never' answered Elvis. 'And I'll tell you why; they cover up my mistakes. Lots of times when I start reaching for a high note I know I'm not going to make it so I just make some crazy movement and the kids scream and no one knows the difference. You know, the hardest thing in the World is to be yourself. Everytime I'm myself I get criticised for it'. At this Sophia comforted him; 'Elvis I think you are a very nice boy' 'Thanks a lot!' answered Elvis. 'You know thats the worst thing you can say about me'. The King of Rock n Roll is one of Miss Lorens most devoted fans. He turned to one reporter and said; 'You know, I've seen every picture she's ever made. She's only seen one of mine'.” - Bob Willoughby for ‘The People’ magazine, 1994.

#sophia loren #elvis #elvis presley #vintage couple #vintage #retro #1950s #50s

[elastigirl72]

Day 10-11: Como>Garda, Garda>Venice

996 miles completed: roughly halfway if I go through Italy

There are some advantages to looking like a vagrant in Venice. I’d heard from a Polish girl at the hostel in Como that she was approached many times by street vendors trying to sell her goods. I also was left alone by the waiters in the restaurant that I entered, asking for a table, I think they believed that I was going to ask them for some free food! When I sat down for my dinner of Quattro fromaggio pizza and also asked for rosé wine, they informed me that they didn’t, well, actually, I think they believed I only wanted a glass and perhaps could only afford a glass, but they did then say that they had half a bottle and was surprised when I took them up on their suggestion! They will probably also quite surprised that I was able to pay and also left a tip.

There were so many places that I could’ve chosen to eat in Venice. It was a truly magical place and evening the best time to arrive, as the hoards disappated. I chose probably the most touristy non-Italian restaurant in the end, overlooking the water taxi. As it happens, this was a great place because it allowed me to people watch for the whole of my meal. I already noticed the people seemed to dress up in Venice, and it was tricky to spot a resident or tourist. But after some time, it was at least easy to spot the female visitors; it seems that I missed the rule book that when in Venice, you must wear the regulation floral, floaty skirt. No wonder I stood out like an alien! Nobody had given me the memo! The net result was that i stood out because I must have been given my clothes by a charity and this is all they had! Noted. Must remember for next time!

Waking up on my 12th day on the road, I am missing my feminine side. I do have one. It’s not always obvious. I know. But looking out of my curtain-less room, and seeing rain and heavy winds forecast again, I know I can neither send my kit home yet (or quite frankly, bin it as in my head it’s getting pretty manky now, or at least I’m sick of it), or trade it in for a white linen floaty dress for my non-bike attire. Italian women make beauty seem so easy. Candala, my host receptionist at the hostel in Como, and the most genuinely beautiful and friendly person I’ve met this trip, insisted on taking a photo of me, and I’d already planned to do the same of her. Being Italian, tall and gorgeous, we went outside the hostel, and she adopted her pose: ripping down her tied up hair and shimmying into a girly pose, suddenly she became a young Sophia Loren. Man. If that didn’t put me in my rightful spot as a nobody, I don’t know what would. How is it that some nations are just so classicamente bello?

Being an older female traveller can work in favour for your safety and becoming transparent isn’t a bad thing (unless you’re on your bike on a busy road). I feel more transparent than ever (until when people ask: where are you are you going? Ok. And where are you from? Then it’s like: what the...but where is your luggage? (every time 😆)) I think we as women can all accept who we are. My mum said that when she had kids she became invisible. I understood that until I listened to a radio broadcast where the broadcaster said that when you are older and as he was, in your 60s you become transparent and his explanation was is that nobody wants to have sex with you anymore. I think as it’s somewhere between the two. Either way, because nobody wants to have sex with you anymore, and you’re transparent, it all plays well for my current state of mind which is not giving a hoot about who sees me and in what near naked state. In the hostel, I walked around my female dorm in my knickers. And here, in my overpriced “hotel” room, where I had to ask for towels and they’ve just run out of toilet paper in the shared bathroom, screw it. If I want to wake up and walk to the toilet in my knickers, that’s what I’m going to do. No one can see me right? And if they can. I’ve got a farmer’s tan on my upper body and cyclist’s tan on my legs. Good luck to anyone should my invisibility cloak fall off!

Ah ramble, ramble, ramble. Sunday morning and not in a hurry. Bliss! So, reflections on the last few days.

1. The weather was pretty crap around Bellinzona to Coma and from Coma to Bergamo. So, not many pictures there then.

2. Don’t rule out hostels as a way to travel. If you can put up with the worst snoring you’ve ever heard in your life, or want to get some feedback on your own snoring from strangers, they’re a great option. They also provide company in a way that a hotel room just won’t.

3. Although it’s painful to sit and wait to see what the weather will do, it’s absolutely worth it. I waited 3 hours st Como, almost resigning myself to a day off and another day in the hostel. But my rare patience paid off and I largely stayed dry until Garda, 100 miles down the road.

4. Como and Lugano, obviously the playground for many Italians are not my favourite lakes or places in Italy. As far as lakes go, I prefer both Maggiore and now visited, Garda.

5. Be prepared for diabolical traffic and roads around the area. Combined with Italian driving, the cycling experience not for the first time in that area left wanting. I have learned that Italians do not know stop, wait or slow down. They also don’t indicate to pass a moving cyclist. In fact, they don’t slow down or move out either. I thought Americans were bad on my last road trip, but the Italians win, hands down. If there is any doubt for an Italian when making a decision on a driving maneouvre it will always be go, and speed up if necessary. Never stop or hesitatate.

I had always planned in this trip to have a few flat days and before I got to my “crossroads” at Venice: left or right, hoping that the decision to go left would be easy. Other than Death Valley, there can’t be any flatter plains than northern Italy with the Alps peering down on you. It was a good plan. My heart rate makes me look like I’m riding an e-bike. I’ve never seen it so low and for such long rides. I’m working at about 25% of my normal intensity but still somehow moving. At this rate, I’ll have to watch what I’m eating! I know this is my body telling me to take a rest day, and also know that if I do, I will be flying again the day after the rest. But it’s hard to do. I have 3 rest days in the bank still but know I’ve got some pretty tough days ahead of me if I turn left down the Dalmatian Coastline. The rest will do me good, but it’s expensive here and I also feel I still need to keep these days in reserve for emergencies. What to do...hmmm. Maybe the weather will make the decision for me today. It’s thundering and now it’s started to hail... Is the next stop Trieste to the east or Ravenna to the south...

I should feel more physically broken than I do, but it’s more my mojo that needs filling up. And that is purely down to travelling alone. A gondola for one isn’t much fun...I consider this a recce and one day I’ll be back, only with a friend or two...for now, I get a privileged view and experience that most won’t. How lucky am I? 😊

[persephone-of-hell]

Backfired plan - Dimeshipping Fanfic

Fandom: Duckverse, Comicverse Characters: Scrooge McDuck, Magica De Spell, J.D. Rockerduck Ship: Dimeshipping (Scrooge/Magica) Words: 4744 - One Shot

Disclaimers: - Sorry if I made some mistakes; English is not my first language and I haven’t any beta. - The name of the ship is an idea of the lovely @monkey-li! - Implied sexual themes and some hotter situations. Nsfw-ish. Notes: - @monkey-li‘s fanfic Dance with me  gave me a little inspiration for this fic, so thank you so much, darling! - I used Rockerduck as Scrooge’s business rival because I am more used to him instead of Glomgold. I am italian, and I’ve read so many stories with him, so I thought I could be able to write him better. Even if I probably went a little OC with him. - Magica’s outfit is inspired by this amazing photo of Sophia Loren

“Mh… yes. Tell me again how did you manage to come here—not in Naples, not at the base of Mount Vesuvius, but right next to my house.” “Well, that’s pretty obvious, Magica. I used a private Jet to come to the airport of Naples Capodichino, then I took an helicopter, a private one as well, of course, to arrive right here.” “Oh, of course. How caring of you, making all this noise and almost making me ruin one of my potions. And I have to tell you, you even managed to be really subtle. I guess not even a person noticed all of this.” The witch rolled her eyes, gazing to Ratface, whose expression was as annoyed as hers. She really didn’t like visits. Like, really. She hated them. She even put a spell on her family, so they couldn’t come to her house whenever they wanted! And she was a witch, living on a damn volcano. No one ever dared to come near her own home –just that rival of hers, but that was pretty obvious.- So, she couldn’t really believe that John Davison Rockerduck was actually there, in her little living room, while his assistant-butler-factotum Lusky was still in the helicopter, swirling around the Mount, waiting for his boss to call him back. “Come on, Miss De Spell, don’t be mad at me. I didn’t know how to contact you… it’s not like you have Duckbook or stuff like that.” The billionaire took of his hat, making a curtsy, a little apologetic expression on his face. Well, of course she had not stuff  like that. She was a witch, obscure magic, mysterious powers! How was that so hard to understand? Magica rolled her eyes, again, mumbling something, as she made a little movement with her hand, reluctantly inviting him to take a sit. Her house was not that big, and not that fancy… but she had a little sofa, one armchair, and stuff like that. After all, she hated visits… but sometimes she enjoyed inviting Madame Mim to her house. But only when she wanted. No surprise stuff. He put his bowler hat back on his head, sitting nicely on the armchair, leaving the sofa to her. At least he knew how to behave in front of a lady. But, for the moment, she stayed up, looking at him with a pouting expression. “You do have a nice house, Miss De Spell… a little old, maybe, but.—“ “Cut to the chase, Rockerduck. What do you want from me?” “Oh, come on, I was just starting a little conversation, dear Magica. And you can call me John.” “Ah-ah, yeah, and you can call me Miss De Spell, Rockerduck. I did not give you such liberties.” She waved her long black hair with a hand, her expression still stiff and annoyed. So stubborn. John couldn’t help himself but chuckling a bit. What a woman! It was so clear why she was such a rival for Scrooge McDuck. It’s not like he knew her really well, but the few times he talked to her, and that precise moment too, made him realize how alike the Italian witch and the Scottish billionaire really were. Even if one of them wasn’t a dashing, mysterious source of dark powers. Lovely. Actually, Rockerduck was a little intimidating by her, even if he looked so relaxed. He perfectly knew that she was able to turn him in a toad in a matter of seconds, if her mood was not the best, but he really needed her help. And, also, he admired her. The feeling was not quite the same, for Magica. Actually, she didn’t really like Scrooge’s other rivals. The Beagle Boys? Too stupid, such idiotic peasants. Flintheart Glomgold? Too evil, too black-hearted, even for her. That was something. And John Davison Rockerduck? He was rich, he had style and he knew how to be a gentlemen, but he wasn’t worth the spats of Scrooge. He didn’t fight for his wealth, he just inherited everything from his father, and he loved to show how rich he was. Ok, maybe Scrooge was even too cheap, but the other one was total opposite. “I’m sorry, Miss De Spell. Never wanted to upset you.” “You did just coming by my house. So, go ahead, before I get really angry. You don’t want to see that.” “Ok, ok, I got it. I’ll go straight to the point. You see, Mag—Miss De Spell, I decided to invest a lot of money on a new project, I want to extend my company in the fashion industry. I managed to buy a famous brand, stealing it right off the nose of Scrooge himself. The price offered by the brand was too high, he wasted time and I bought it before him.” That made the sorceress actually laugh a bit. Poor, poor Scroogie. “So, next week I’ll be hosting a party at my own mansion, celebrating the affair and, of course, Scrooge is invited.” “That’s really fascinating, Rockerduck, but I still don’t know how I fit in all of this.” She was still annoyed, but now she was a little more curious. It seemed like Rockerduck had a plan in mind. “Scrooge, at the beginning, was really angry, and didn’t want to attend the party… but I invited representatives of other brands as well. He decided to take the occasion, to try making affairs with them. And there’s where you are needed. You see, I really don’t want Scrooge to come to agreement with any of those brands, so I need a distraction. And who can distract Scrooge McDuck better than you, Miss?” Magica liked compliments. She smiled a bit, waving her hair again. “So, you want me to go to the party, and trying to steal Scrooge’s Number One Dime? To distract me? And what I gain, by helping you?” “That’s where you are wrong, Miss. We are going to trick Scrooge, because he will think that I’m going to make the brands despise him, and you are going to steal his dime. We are going to switch parts.” And, at that point, Magica’s smile widened. “So, I am going to make Scrooge look absolutely despicable in front of the representatives, so they’ll never make affairs with him, while you are going to steal the Dime for me. Am I right?” “Absolutely right, Miss De Spell.” It could actually work. Scrooge was going to be caught off guard. But. There was a but. What did Rockerduck actually know about Scrooge’s Number One Dime? If he knew its power, he would have never given her that little coin. “How do I know that you are not thinking of using and then betraying me, Rockerduck?” Her eyes were pure fire. Menacing fire. Rockerduck actually didn’t know so much about the reason why she wanted the Dime so much. He just knew she needed it for a powerful spell… he didn’t  know anything about the Mida’s Touch. Whatever was the reason of such an obsession, it was not wise for him, who didn’t know Magica well enough to fight her, to betray her. “I will not get in the way of such a powerful sorceress. But, if you don’t manage to ruin Scrooge’s affairs, I’ll stop helping you and I won’t give you the Dime.” “And, of course, if you don’t get the Dime, I’ll be sure that those brands will be so happy to come to agreements with Scrooge.” “I think that’s only fair.” “So, have we got a deal… John?” Magica’s voice was now soft, calm, low. She blinked twice, slowly. Better having his partner in crime in her grasp… with every way possible. And she knew how to enchant a man, even without real magic. Even if she didn’t like the man in question. “Of course, Miss De Spell.” “You can call me Magica.”

  Magica arrived in Duckburg the exact day of the party. She didn’t want to waste too much time. She decided to leave Ratface home, so he kept an eye on the Vesuvius. Magica didn’t want any of Rockerduck’s men to search infos about the Dime while she was away. It was really nice to see that Rockerduck handled her with kid gloves. He had booked (and payed) a suite for her in one of the finest hotels in the city, and he had also provided her with different jewels, make up and dresses for the party, so it was up to her to choose how her attire. Actually, she could make a dress appear with magic… but why not enjoying that luxurious treatment? She drank a flute of the champagne that had been left in her room, and then she started to prepare herself for the evening. After all, it was an exclusive event, and she had to stand out in order to talk to the representatives… and also to distract Scrooge. Yes, she thought that even another distraction would come in handy. She needed to look stunning. Well, more than usual. It was easy to seduce a man like John, or every other man in the world… but Scrooge McDuck was a totally different play. He was so stubborn, even a little misogynist, and it had always been so hard to catch his attention in that way, at least without using love potions. Magica chuckled a bit at the thought, taking off her black dress and entering the bathtub, enjoying the warm water on her skin. Seducing Scrooge… was it really necessary? Had she gone completely crazy? Maybe a little. Just a little. But she loved to fight with Scrooge, in every possible way, other than the Dime affair. Everything regarding him was a challenge… and she loved challenges so, so much. Of course she knew what the main goal of the evening was… but she could also have a little more fun. Distracting Scrooge McDuck from business and from the Number One Dime making him look at her like a woman. Magica could imagine those piercing blue eyes observing her, looking at her with need, with desire. Just the thought made her shiver a bit… or was just the hot water? She would never admit that to herself, at least out loud… but maybe, just maybe, she found herself being attracted by Scrooge McDuck. Just maybe, just a little. He was dashing, for his age, he had a really strong personality, he was always a challenge and, in a strange, twisted way, he was the only man that had ever been so long in her life. Even if he was her nemesis. The sorceress finished washing her body and her hair, as she sighed a bit, putting on the bathrobe. “Concentrati, Magica. Non sei una ragazzina. (Focus, Magica. You are not a little girl.)” She opened the closet, looking at the dresses that the third richest duck in the world had provided her. And one, only one really got her attention.

  “Mpf, that little imitation of a billionaire! Stealing the contract with the brand right off my nose!” Scrooge was upset. Well, he was a little more than upset. He could not stand loosing against that worth-nothing Rockerduck. “Do not worry, Sir. I am sure you will make great affairs tonight, Mr. McDuck.” Duckworth replied, driving the limo and taking his boss to the party at Rockerduck’s penthouse. “Of course I will, Duckworth. That rookie will regret inviting me and all those representative in the same house!” Scrooge almost yelled, as he took his Number One Dime off his pocket, looking at it. He couldn’t fail himself, his family, the memories that the dime carried, as he did. He made a mistake, unfortunately, but he was going to repair that mistake. He was going to sign so many contract, that evening, that Rockerduck could only eat his bowler hat in despair. Scrooge finally arrived at the other billionaire’s place, adjusting his tuxedo, old but still very classy, and entered the luxurious door, as Lusky controlled his invitation. As if was possible that Rockerduck had not invited him to show off in front of his face. In the penthouse, he could not see the other duck yet. Strange. He thought he was waiting just for him, mocking him and just making him want to punch that damn face. But maybe his absence was for the good. Scrooge immediately started to search for the representative of the most famous fashion brands… and the one from Goosace got his attention. She was a goose, with short silver hair, and a long black dress. Scrooge wore his best smile, approaching the lady. “Ma’am, such an honor to talk the representative of such a prestigious fashion house. I’m Scrooge McDuck, nice to meet you.”

The two of them chatted a little; Scrooge had learned how to master the art of conversation, even if he wasn’t the most talkative man in the world. But he had to be charming in order to continue his business. Scrooge was going to touch the “affair” argument, when the attention of the lady was caught by something. Or someone. “Oh, such a beautiful lady…!” She said, smiling, and then, only then, Scrooge turned his head, and his jaw almost drop. What in hell…! All the guests were staring at Rockerduck, who finally honored the party with his own presence. …Actually, they were not exactly looking at him. He was walking hand in hand with a woman, who was the center of everyone’s attention. She wore a beautiful red dress, red as a rose, red as the flames, a dress with a style from the 50s. Her waist was small, like she was a perfect hourglass, and the cleavage was… well, impressive. Not vulgar, but it enhanced the bosom of the lady. And Scrooge had to shake his head, because he was staring. She wore a necklace made of diamonds, paired with two big hearings. Her lips were red, her eyes made even more seductive thanks to black eye-pencil and mascara. And that hair, that shiny, raven hair styled exactly like they were in the 50s, matching the dress. For an instant, he could not recognize her. That woman… that mysterious woman at the side of John, that beautiful woman everybody was looking at, was Magica De Spell. “Excuse me…” he said fast to the representative, not even realizing he was a little rude, leaving without looking in her eyes, and he approached the couple. Couple? He didn’t know why, but the thought made him nervous. “Scrooge, old sports! Nice to see you here… I’d introduce you to the lady, but I think you already know each other.” “Scroogie darling, it’s strange to see you outside your bin. And in a tuxedo.” The witch giggled a bit, blinking at him. “You… how… why? How could you invite this vile witch?” “Scrooge, don’t be rude. You see, our dear Magica is my date for tonight. Don’t you think that this party needs the most beautiful gem to really shine?” John was talking with a lot of pride in his voice, and he slid his right hand on the witch’s hip. And. She. Allowed. That. And not only that! She smiled at him in a flirty way, as she touched his shoulder. And why that scene was making him so angry? “Oh, well, congratulations.” That word sounded like poison. Magica arched an eyebrow. Scrooge McDuck actually looked… jealous. Could it be? How? He had never thought of her that way. He had never been jealous, even when he saw her self-declared boyfriend, Rosolio. And she had not even started to seduce him, then flirting back with Rockerduck… why was he jealous? No. It was just her imagination. Of course, he was angry because two of his bitterest rivals were in the same room, together. Scrooge was not stupid… probably he was suspecting something. And he actually was. He really was suspecting something; if the two of them had become partner in crime, he could not let his guard down. Not even for a second. But the thought of them being not only partner in crime… yes, it was making him angry. Furious. But why? Was because Magica looked so damn ravishing that night? Or because, for the first time, he saw her flirting with someone else? Maybe because that someone else was John? “Do you think I’m dumb? Of course you two together are nothing but trouble. I’ll keep my eye on you.” And that said, he left, searching in the crowd for another representative to talk to. “It’s time to get in action.” “Couldn’t agree more.” “Oh, and John?” “Yes, my dear?” “Slide your hand a little further and I will strangle you. Got it?”

 “This is going nowhere.” John said, crossing his arms. “Oh, really? I didn’t notice, you idiot.” Oh, Magica was mad. Really mad. Not even in the mood to flirt with John. Why? Well, because their task was harder than they had thought. They really tried to approach him, but he was impossible to distract him. It seemed like he didn’t care about the combined attack, not even thinking of what the goal of each of them was. He just ignored them. “That old duck… my plan was perfect! You are not putting enough effort, Magica!” “Me? You are the one who doesn’t even know where to search for the dime!” The plan was actually good. In theory. But they didn’t considered two things. One. They didn’t know so well the other’s ambit. Two. They were absolutely sure that Scrooge was going to be anxious. But he was a great business man, an incredible adventurer, he knew danger very well… and he seemed already distracted. But not from the business, but from them. It was like something was keeping him from giving them any kind of attention. …Could that really be…? “John. Dance with me.” “What? Do you think that’s the right time?” “Trust me. Dance with me and then let me do my thing.” Rockerduck was not sure about that. He didn’t like not being in control of the situation… but the sorceress really looked sure of her plan, whatever it was. “…Let’s try this.” “And you have to dance with me like you mean it. Passion, you know? I don’t think that will be so hard for you, it’s not like you are fighting so hard not to put your hands on me.”

 Things were actually going great, for Scrooge. He did manage to mind his own business, being sure that the dime was always in his pocket. Perfect. He could not believe it… but that jealousy that got him made him so angry with himself that he absolutely wanted to stay away from the two of them. And the fact that they had slit up for all the evening was the proof that they were just teaming up. Whatever was their real plan, that turned against them. Everything was going great. Except when all the crowd remained weirdly still, as a tango music started. And he saw them. The two of them were dancing, and what a dance. It was really passionate, actually. Never thought that the rookie could have such fire in himself… at least not so much to match Magica’s one. After all she was a witch and an Italian woman, flames were part of her being. And as she moved, with her beautiful red dress showing maybe too much of her long legs, she really looked like fire. She had a seductive smirk on her face, and she was actually her who was leading the dance, with her perfect moves and her sensual body. But it wasn’t like John was not enjoying the situation, on the contrary. The desire he had in his eyes was so evident, his hands touching her hips, arms, sometimes her legs like he just wanted to rip off every piece of fabric from her. Magica had never let anyone touching her like this. Scrooge had never seen her attracted to a man… but that time she really seemed involved in that dance. She really seemed to enjoy Rockerduck’s touch. Was that even possible, for a woman, to look so seductive in a dance? His own attraction to her made him stay, looking at her like she was really a gem, the most beautiful gem he had ever seen. But then… then the tango ended. She pressed herself to his body, surrounding his waist with one leg, her breast attached to his chest. At that moment, Scrooge could not handle the fury, the jealousy. He was tense, his fist tight, shaking, almost bleeding from his palms. That witch. Damn her, damn all the women in the world. He turned back, going away. Magica looked at him. It was done.

  Everyone was enjoying the party, in the penthouse. Not Scrooge. He was in the terrace, alone, mumbling. “Scroogie darling… don’t you like the party?” That voice. That seductive, ravishing voice, that so much hated voice. “What do you want, you witch?” Magica chuckled a bit. It was like he was going to say a word really similar to “witch”, but with a “b” at the beginning. But it was ok. Scrooge was angry, mad, furious. Not focused on business, nor the dime. “It seems like my dance really pissed you off. Jealous?” Yes. And he didn’t even know why. “No, I just find women who press themselves on men like that really disgusting.” Well, she was expecting that. But, somehow… it hurt. “You know, it’s not 1900 anymore. If I want to press myself on a man, I am fully entitled to do it.” Magica put her own hands on her hips, rolling her eyes a little. “You know… I’d love to have a real dance.” “…What?” Good. “John is fine… but I expected even more passion. Oh, I don’t even know why I am telling you this. It’s not like you could have that passion, you old bird… probably your spine will break if you even try to do something like that.” Oh no, she didn’t. “I bet you had never had that passion. Never.” She was lying, of course. She knew he of course had that passion. She knew that he still had that passion, she knew that, if he wanted, he could make her shake under his touch… but she had to provoke him, hurting every little bit of his pride. And she actually managed to do that. In a matter of seconds, so fast that she gasped, he pressed himself on her, hand on her back, the other on her cheek. He started to move, making her swirl, dancing with her. His touch was angry, rough, breathtaking. And the two of them were just dancing. Magica had to focus. She responded to that passion, her mouth so close to his ear. “Not bad, Scroogie.” She laughed a bit, caressing his chest, her legs on his, her hands running through his hair. There was no music, but their fast heartbeat gave them rhythm. They were two flames, chained to each other, fighting in that sensual dance. She was so close… now she was so, so close. He was distracted, he was completely into the dance. Magica had just to caress his body better, feeling were the Dime was, and then she had to take it. She could forget John, Scrooge, everything. So close, just a little more daring touch… And then she found herself on the wall, Scrooge’s arms trapping her, like a cage. Magica finally saw those eyes. Those piercing blue eyes looking at her, so possessive, full of desire. He was looking at her… like she really was a woman. Not a witch, not a rival. A woman. She felt naked, even if she was completely dressed. Still.  “Tell me, Magica. Do you really like Rockerduck?” “…What?” “Answer me, Magica.” She was so close…  “Why do you care?” So close… like his blue eyes. “Just answer me.” His hands were so close. “I…” His lips. So, so close. “…No…” Scrooge chuckled. He felt… relieved. He hoped so. She didn’t like that rookie. She wasn’t even attracted to him. “It was just a scene, right? You were pretending. The two of you had a plan, right?” One of his hands went to her hair, ruining the style, making them fall down her shoulders. Magica shivered, her mouth open. The dime… she had to take the dime… “Yes… we were partner in crime, just for tonight… but I hated his touch on me. I didn’t like it. I wanted your touch. I still want it.” …Oh, damn. Her attack backfired. She realized it when Scrooge started to laugh. Had he been pretending? It was just an act? “Well, well, lass. Even that was part of your plan?” “Let me go, Scrooge.” “Seducing everyone, John, me… to get the dime. I bet you were never really his partner in crime.” “Scrooge.” “And now you look just like a little school girl.” “LET ME GO!” Magica screamed, rage in her eyes, as she tried to punch him right in the face. But he grasped her wrist. “You didn’t let me finish, Magica. Actually, you succeed. You really seduced me… but probably you have already done that, without you knowing that. Without me knowing that. You are strong, passionate. Yes, you are the strongest woman I have ever known. You are… amazing. You made me fall for you head to toe, it’s useless hiding that, now.” Magica didn’t even remember what was her original plan. Why she was there. Because she felt so happy, she had never felt so happy. She smiled, then she laughed. But it was a warm laugh, an happy one. She was almost in tears, tears of happiness. “Just kiss me, you old man.” And he did. He really did. It was the most amazing kiss they had ever given or received, maybe because of that night, maybe because of their years of fighting, but that kiss was everything. No dime, no fight, no Duckburg, no party… there were just the two of them. They had the same passion, the same need to claim the other as their own. A little moan escaped Magica’s lips, and Scrooge couldn’t help but caressing her skin, on her neck, down to the zip of her dress. He broke the kiss, and the witch made a noise of frustration. “He gave you this dress, right?” He was again jealous. Angry. Magica took off  herself the hearings and the necklace, then she nodded. “I know you want to take that off, Scroogie. Just do it.” “As you wish, witch.” He unzipped her dress, feeling her soft skin, touching every part of her skin as he uncovered it. His touch really was rough, so good. “You are going to be the death of me, Magica.” “Just don’t die before you’ve taken me…” She smiled in a wicked way, then she kissed him again, hard, letting the dress fall down to her feet, revealing a black lace lingerie, as she almost ripped his jacket while she took that off. It was so amazing… just the two of them… “Magica? Scrooge?!” …Oh, well. They forgot that they were at a party. With Rockerduck probably searching for them… and he actually found them. “Perfect time, rookie. Really.” “What the--- what are you doing?” Scrooge rolled his eyes, covering Magica with his own body. He didn’t want him to look at her, especially in that condition. “What do you think we are doing?” “That’s--- Magica! We had a plan! What were you thinking? And really, with the old man?” “Oh, please, Rockerduck. You are not worth Scrooge’s spats. Now, be a good puppet… and go back to the party.” The sorceress snapped her fingers, mumbling some latin words, and John started to walk, against his will, going back inside and locking the window behind him. “Well… I think the mood went off.” Scrooge said, as he blushed a bit. Ah, she really was beautiful and strong… but it was not the time or the place anymore for such things… “I’m afraid you are right…” Magica was blushing as well, and she took her dress, wearing that again. Then she stopped. “Even if…” “Even if…?” “You know, John booked a really nice suite for me, here in Duckburg. You know, I might really need a little help packing. If you know what I mean…”

#duckverse #scrooge mcduck #magica de spell #dimeshipping #scrooge/magica #magica/scrooge #scroogexmagica #magicaxscrooge #nsfw-ish #fanfic #one shot #nacchan writes

[blamebrampton]

Eurovision 2018, Semi Final 2

I’m watching on replay and it’s getting late, so this is going to be as swift as possible. We open with a gorgeous montage and I really do feel like going to Lisboa after this week, were I not broke as a broke thing. The women are back and they look great. The NCIS one has come in an assassin’s cocktail dress, the saintly one is dressed like a tasteful wedding cake, the blonde has come over all black swan and the little one has picked up on last semi final’s sci fi villains theme and is cosplaying Servalan. They are doing nautical allusions again and I will continue to ignore them wherever possible. And also their jokes. They are lovely people, but I am here for the singing. 

1. Norway, Alexander Rybak, That’s How You Write A Song. He’s back! With the air fiddle this time. In fact, a raft of air instruments that are animated in. Look, he’s still cute as a button and charismatic as a puppy, but this song is reminding me of Cliff Richard and that is not something I wish to be reminded of. It’s no Fairytale. ACTUAL violin has just appeared! About bloody time. He nearly transcends the song, but the song is well meh. Watch it win now. Backing dancers exist and are perfectly fine. Let’s move on.

2. Romania, The Humans, Goodbye. White dress, drink. No, it was a fakeout, the lead singer is wearing purple. She’s surrounded by band members in white with creepy white masks. And mannequins in in gimp suits, also with creepy white masks. I’ve got a real Bonnie Tyler vibe here, which is at least a step up from the last song. BIG power chords into the main body of the song. She’s exhorting the mannequins to live their best life and I cannot bear to break it to her. White dress girl is back, she’s the cellist and I respect a band with a cellist. BIG HERO NOTES! ooh, her purple frock has matching shorts. Nice. Song was OK, band was great.

3. Serbia, Sanja Ilic and Balkanika, Nova Deca. Pipes and wailing vocal intro and I am sold already. If I was up this morning, this would have had my vote. Soz, kids. Three girls wailing mystically with a man looming behind Rasputinly. Seriously, his whole outfit is mad monk. Big Taiko style drums with an enthusiastic man beating away — erm, on the drums — and now some dance beats to lift it. I have to say that I would love this on the club floor late at night when you want something a bit slower and trippier. The girls’ outfits are sort of earth goddess meets debutante. I’m not going to lie, I flipping loved this one.

4. San Marino, Jessika, featuring Jenifer Brening, Who We Are. Lead singer in a lacy red frock over undies. Two human girl dancers and a set of robot dancers. Look, Ive seen worse. Jenny B has just stonked out down the walkway rapping determinedly and it’s all … fine. It’s a perfectly fine song and there will be some young folks who love it. A robot is holding up body positivity messages, actually, the poor wee thing just dropped it, but now he’s holding hands with the singer. It’s a bit community centre talent night, but they’re enormously likeable and I wish them well.

5. Denmark, Rasmussen, Higher Ground. Sudden plunge into darkness. Faint mystic chord as of pipes over water. Dry smoke. Backlit bearded man standing on a ramp. Square sails and more bearded men. Yes, we have hit peak Viking for the night and there is chanting and stomping and more beard pomade than is probably safe in an environment with pyro. We’re singing about men laying down their swords and making their mark and it’s all very Scandirevival, but I have to confess I rather like it and they can all bloody well sing. I have a nose full of North Sea wind and my cheeks feel windbitten at the end of this song, Oh, look, a white flag of peace. Sure. Key change! Snorri Sturluson would love these guys. The boy Aussie commentator has just said they remind him of when Durmstrang walked into the Hall in Harry Potter and he is right on the money. Definitely a contender.

6. Russia, Julia Samoylova, I Won’t Break. Set design is from the cousin of whoever did Estonia, so it’s nice to have two iceberg singers in the one contest. Super dancers: ballet this time, with Russian technique, which is always lovely to see. Look, I disagree with her politics and her country, and the song’s another meh one, but I wish her well. Moving on.

7. Moldova, DoReDoS, My Lucky Day. They have brought a whole miniseries in the staging of this song. She’s seeing blue suit, but red suit behind his back. Now she and red suit are official, but blue suit is getting some on the side. Lots of comedy from the dancers in the background, who are working within a white box set. It’s silly, it’s saucy. it’s a lot of fun. It would absolutely be the theme song of a sex comedy from 1959 starring Sophia Loren.

8. The Netherlands, Waylon, Outlaw in ’Em. Steel string guitar, pulsing lights and wailing vocals. I’m sorry, I’m allergic to wailing dead dog country that uses gun metaphors, They’re very talented, just not my thing. I’m sure he’ll make a fortune in America and good luck to him.

Short presenter is down with the audience and why?

9. Australia, Jessica Mauboy, We’ve Got Love. Cards on the table, I love Jess. She is a super lovely person as well as a great singer. I don’t the song is quite as good as Dami’s Sound of Silence, but she can perform like a goddess. She is bringing her inner Beyonce with the hair and squats, and selling the lyrics, which are basically, ‘don’t give up, we’ve got love’ and look, sure, but this is a country that numbers Sia, Nick Cave and Kate Miller Heidke among its leading lyricists and I just feel we could have done better for our Jess. But she is putting it all out there, and getting the crowd in on side. The drapey bit on her minidress is a bit distracting, but who gives a proverbial, she’s a champ and she should definitely go through to the finals.No matter how absurd it is that we are there.

10. Georgia, Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao, For You. My first question is whether that is actually the group’s name or if they added a little descriptor for the booking agent once and it’s stuck. It matters not. Lovely quiet jazz piano opening, then classical vocals soaring over the top, dry ice already, and a chanting backing vocal that is somewhere between Gregorian monks and Il Divo, but entirely pleasant to listen to. The vocals are very tight and the arrangement intelligently spare and restrained in parts to show off the voices. I approve! There is a lot of eyebrow emoting, but I don’t mind that in a dark Eastern European man, it’s like queueing if you’re British or buying sausage sandwiches at hardware shops on weekends if you’re Australian. That was a good three minutes for me, I hope they get through!

11. Poland, Gromee, featuring Lucas Meijer, Light Me Up. They are wearing ridiculous hats. More Pharrel than Devo, but the sort of hat that will stand in for a personality when you’re young and nervous. Fair enough, some of them look about 14. Good performers, strong backing vocals and the sort of winning stage performance I would have loved the first 250 times I saw it. It’s not your fault I am old and jaded, Gromee, but I am. There is pyro, there is hand dancing, he is dancing with the audience, he is counting. It’s all fine. OK, bye.

12. Malta, Christabelle, Taboo. She is standing inside four big screens and now a heart is glowing against her black dress. People writhe on her screens and the world spins out from her hands. She is singing about the need to respect and support each other in a world that can be hard and cruel. I… I really like her. I’m not sure whether I also like the song or if I just find her so committed to it that I think I like it, but it doesn’t really matter. There’s a real dancer inside the screens now, and Christabelle loves us all. I love you too, Christabelle. I would totally invite you to my barbecue with Jess.

13. Hungary, AWS, Vislát Nyár. Going for the risky Lordi without masks vote, they drum their way in and then launch straight into rich, angry, headbanging lyrics that are upset about something but my knowledge of Finno-Ugric languages begins and ends with a song about little piggies. Another performance with sincerity rather than just polish, though, and that counts. CROWD SURFING GUITARIST! He’s been returned safely, bless you lovely Eurovision crowd. Angry shouting, epic pyro, lots of drumming. There we go.

14. Latvia, Laura Rizzotto, Funny Girl. Another red lace minidress, with a train this time. Actually, it’s more a shorts dress. A playsuit with train. She looks lovely whatever it is. Her song is apparently about a girl who just a wee bit of a stalker. You know you can tell a chap you like him and not just hang around waiting for him to notice you, yes? Some nice bits of tricky tempo and big hair singing. It’s not my cup of tea, but it is well brewed.

15. Sweden, Benjamin Ingrosso, Dance You Off. Brief moment to mention it is bloody freezing in Sydney tonight, for the first time in forever. This is another very polished performance from a skilled performer and it’s doing nothing for me. Might go and find a blanket for my wee toesies.

16. Montenegro, Vanja Radonovic, Inje. Man at piano, women in background, intense man in front, who is Vanja. He is upset. Possibly because some bastard has bedazzled the crap out of his suit. Nice vocals in the ballad, though. The girls are striding, the piano is staying still, which is as it should be. Ooh! The girls are playing statues. Nice. There is a lot of emoting, but the girls’ costumes and facial expressions make it a little unfortunately close to ‘help us, we have been enslaved by vampires and need you to stake us to free our souls’. Lighting and key change, but otherwise much as before. The girls are still suffering. It’s probably a complex retelling of current politics.

17. Slovenia, Lea Sirk, Helva, Nei. She has pink hair so I like her already. Backing dancers are muscular and fast, I like them, too. Do not bother any of these women or they will make you regret it almost immediately. Her frock is another curtain over undies number, but with more plastic than most others. Who can explain it, who can tell you why? Their music cuts out at one point and they get the audience to clap their beat and I am not certain that was real, but it was nicely handled. Confirmation that was a faux error on the music. Whatevs. As no-one says anymore.

18. Ukraine, Melovin, Under the Ladder. Before I hear a word, I learn he likes horses, David Bowie and Verka Serduchka, so we’re basically friends now. He opens the song in a crypt, which opens up in a cheerfully cheesy Hammer Horror way. He’s dressed like an old-school vampire and the crypt is really the inside of a giant piano at the top of a set of stairs. Clearly Dead or Alive were 30 years too early for this chap, but I am glad YouTube will let him experience them. As everyone guessed, he is back up the stairs to play the piano, soulfully. And now the stairs are on fire, and there’s random pyro everywhere. Of course there is. Vampires love fire. At least dress your backing singers as avenging villagers, who have finally arrived to free the girls from Montenegro.

And we are done! Voting is about to open. I am fast forwarding through this bit because life is too short. ESCLOPEDIA IS BACK! Hello bearded man! More clips from past songs, and an allegation that there is a link between Eurovision and fashion. That is A LIE. You know, Portugal, you’re no Sweden and the women are no Petra and Mans, but I respect that you have kept these interval bits short and cool.

I spoke too soon. Presenters are back with costume changes. NCIS is in a short blue cocktail dress, Blondie is in a pink line dancing dress, Saintly is wearing a costume from my Grade Two Tap exam and the little one is cosplaying Severus Snape. They are doing dance moves from Eurovisions past. The Little One is actually pretty funny, but you will have to download it as I am not up to describing that much physical comedy. There is a Riverdance moment. Which I believe is obligatory for every third Eurpovision.

They run through the acts again, and Denmark’s lead singer has brows you could crack nuts on. Walnuts. Not the other kind. Though he looks as though he would be against toxic masculinity, so perhaps that would also be OK.

Votes are closed. We are touring through Portugal. It is very lovely. The acts are ding the bits that have preceded every song and coming out through their doors and visiting locations and generally cocking a lot of it up, bless them. They look as though they are having fun.

Little presenter has just turned up at the Aussie table and is handing out pastéis de nata a la Oprah and Jess looks as though she is in heaven. Custard really is that good.

Saintly presenter is talking about Eurovision’s role in Portuguese politics! 1974, the year Sweden won with Waterloo, was the year that the Portuguese entry was chosen to be the signal for a revolution. It was played on the radio in the early morning as a signal to take to the streets and by the end of the day there were carnations in gun barrels.True story.

Black swan presenter has found British fans and I think they may have been on the drink, but they say lovely things about Portugal (and Jess), so well done, kids!

Bridal cake presenter is introducing the tracks from France, Germany and Italy and Little One is with them. The French performers are cute as, and sing last years’ winning song in French. Suck ups. But lovely voice. Ooh, NCIS has taken over with Germany. who looks a little like Josh Widdicombe. He’s doing a ukulele cover of Fly on the Wings of Love and I confess I liked it. The entry is nice, too. Look forward to the full version in the finals. And now it’s Little One again with Italy, who really look 100% drunk. But they have spectacular hair. And do a chorus of Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu, ‘Volare! Oh-oh. Cantare, oh wo-oh-oh’ They are SO VERY drunk. Or just exhausted after sitting through 17 hours of this.

Jon Ola Sand says the votes are in. Thank Zeus!

The winners are: Serbia! Fair enough. Moldova! Excellent. They were hilarious. Hungary, because all those Norwegian Death Metal fans were there for you. Ukraine, sure. Sweden. Really? Look, you’re a lovely country. Australia! YAY JESS! Norway, meh. Soz Sasha. I love your country. Denmark, which is entirely fair. Slovenia, which is good news. Last spot goes to The Netherlands, which is fine, the country and western people need something. That’s it till Sunday morning, Which will probably be Sunday night, let’s be honest.

#eurovision #eurovision 2018

[dateing101]

#2

FROM DOORMAT TO Dreamgirl

Act Like a Prize and You’ll Turn Him into a Believer

Sex appeal is

50% what

you’ve got,

and 50% what

people think

you’ve got.”

-SOPHIA LOREN

“Meet the Nice Girl

Everyone has known a “nice girl.” She is the woman who will overcompensate, giving everything to a man she barely knows, without him having to invest much in the relationship. She’s the woman who gives blindly because she wants so much for her attentions to be reciprocated. She’s the woman who goes along with what she thinks her man will like or want because she wants to keep the relationship at all costs. Every woman, at some point, has been there.

Certainly, the average fashion magazine gives women ridiculous relationship advice that makes it easy to understand why women are so eager to overcompensate: “Play hard to get, then cook him a four-course meal … bake him Valentine’s cookies with exotic sprinkles shipped from Malaysia (just like Martha Stewart). Don’t forget the little doilies and the organic strawberries that you drove two hours to get. Then serve it all to him on the second date, wearing a black lace nightie.” And what is this a recipe for? Disaster.

ATTRACTION PRINCIPLE #1

Anything a person chases in life runs away.

Especially when it comes to dealing with a man. With one caveat: If you chase him in a black nightie, first he’ll have sex with you … and then he’ll run.

Why does a man run from a situation like this one? He runs because the woman’s behavior doesn’t suggest that she places a high value on herself. The relationship is new, and the bond between them is relatively shallow. Yet she’s already dealt him her best card.

The fact that she is willing to overcompensate to a virtual stranger immediately suggests one of two things. He’ll either assume she is desperate, or he’ll assume she is willing to sleep with all men right away. Or both. What gets lost is his appreciation for her extra effort. Once a man begins to lose respect for a woman because she is willing to subtly devalue herself, he will also lose the desire to get closer to her. Nightie or no nightie.

A dreamgirl, on the other hand, won’t kill herself to impress anyone. This is why the woman he really falls in love with doesn’t serve a four-course meal. And you won’t see her breaking out the fancy china, either. She’ll start out cooking him a one-course meal. (Popcorn.) No fancy doilies. A Tupperware bowl does the trick. She simply “asks her guest, “Hey, do you want the bag or the bowl?” Six months later, the same woman throws together a meal and puts down a hot plate in front of him. And what does he say to himself? “Man! I’m special!”

It doesn’t matter if it is pasta with Ragu topped by a meatball you picked up at the corner deli. He’ll say, “This is the best pasta I have ever had in my life!”

Now he feels like a king. And the only difference is the amount of time and effort he had to invest, first. He didn’t get it all right up front and he appreciated it more.”

“ATTRACTION PRINCIPLE #2

The women who have the men climbing the walls for them aren’t always exceptional. Often, they are the ones who don’t appear to care that much.

This isn’t about how to play a game or how to manipulate someone. This is about whether you are genuinely needy, or whether you can genuinely show him that you’ll be an equal partner in the relationship. It’s about whether you are capable of holding your own in a relationship.

What would happen if you let him know from day one that you are willing to bend over backward? He’d think you’re desperate, and he’d want to see just how far you’d be willing to bend. It is human nature. He’d immediately start to test the waters. The more malleable you’d become, the more he’d expect you to bend. He’ll instantly perceive you as a Duracell battery, as in, “Just how far will she go? How much can I get out of her?”

Nice girls need to know what a bitch understands. Overcompensating or being too eager to please will lessen a man’s respect; it will give the kiss of death to his attraction, and it will put a time limit on the relationship.

Most men don’t perceive a woman who jumps through hoops as someone who offers a mental challenge. Intelligent women make the mistake of assuming that if they hold a higher degree, they can hold their own in a political debate, and they have a good understanding of mid-caps, they offer a man mental stimulation during dinner. But the mental challenge has little to do with conversation. (Granted, if she thinks that Al Green and Alan Greenspan are the same person, then Houston? We have a problem.)

In general, the mental challenge has to do with whether you expect to be respected. It has to do with how you relate to him. It has to do with whether he knows that you aren’t afraid to be without him.

The nice girl makes the mistake of being available all the time. “I don’t want to play games,” she says. So, she lets him see how afraid she is to be without him and he soon comes to feel as though he has a 100 percent hold on her. This is often the point when women begin to complain: “He doesn’t make enough time for me. He isn’t as romantic as he used to be.”

A bitch is more selective about her availability. She’s available sometimes; other times she’s not. But she’s nice. Nice enough, that is, to consider his “preferences for when he’d like to see her so that she can sometimes accommodate them. Translation? No 100 percent hold.

What about the woman who will drop everything and drive to see a man? The man also knows he has a 100 percent hold on her. After a couple of dates, he goes out with the boys, comes in at midnight, calls her, and off she goes to see him. When a woman drives to see a man in the middle of the night, the only thing missing is a neon sign on the roof of her car that says WE DELIVER.

“ATTRACTION PRINCIPLE #3

A woman is perceived as offering a mental challenge to the degree that a man doesn’t feel he has a 100 percent hold on her.

Your time with him is telling. The nice girl sits in a chair after a week of knowing the guy, bored out of her mind as he does something that interests him. He may be watching sports on TV, cleaning his fishing gear, strumming his guitar, or working on his car. She is miserable but doesn’t say a peep. Instead, she tries to make the best of it and twiddles her thumbs politely, just so she can be in his company.

The bitch, on the other hand, makes plenty of peeps. In fact, she is bitching the whole way through. This is not a bad thing, because then he knows he can’t walk all over her. But remember, a mental challenge has little to do with being verbally combative. It has to do with your actions and how much of yourself you are willing to give up. For example, he says he likes blondes. You have dark skin, dark eyes, and black hair. The next time he sees you, you’ve bleached your hair and dyed your eyebrows to match. Translation? He’ll sense he has a 100 percent hold on you.

“A man’s love comes from his stomach,” they say. That’s true, but no one said to slave for six hours to feed him. Whether he eats out or you order take-out, the stomach is full, and there is plenty of love to go around. Rule of thumb: If it is warm, he’ll eat it. The rest is wasted effort.

Women are conditioned to give themselves away. I have yet to see a men’s magazine with an article on how to cook a woman a four-course meal. The closest they ever come to a recipe is in the bodybuilder section, when they tell guys to mix up a few egg whites with some wheat germ.

I raise the issue of cooking because it’s one of many ways that women overcompensate. This doesn’t mean you should forgo cooking altogether. Perhaps it’s your anniversary, and you’ve been together a whole year. Perhaps it is his birthday, and you want to do something special for him.

On a special occasion, and after he has earned it, cooking him a meal is a nice “treat.” But it isn’t a treat if you give it to him right off the bat. Since this is a book for women, I would be remiss if I didn’t include some recipes for those first weeks in a relationship. And, unlike Martha Stewart’s recipes, the following are easy to remember. You don’t even need recipe cards.

[dylanradio]

Now Playing on DylanRadio.com: I Shall Be Free (1) by Bob Dylan from Walk Like A Duck, Smell Like A Skunk (HHRA Vol 1)

Well, i took me a woman late last night I's three fourths drunk, she looked all right Just started peelin' off her onion gook She took off her wig, said, "How do i look?'' I's high flyin', bare naked, out the window. Well, sometimes i might get drunk Walk like a duck an smell like a skunk Dont hurt me none, dont hurt my pride Cause i got my little lady right by my side. She's tryin to hide pretendin' she dont know me. I's out there paintin' on the ol' woodshed When a can of black paint it fell on my head I went down to scrub an rub But i had to sit in back of the tub. Cost a quarter, half price. Well, my telephone rang it wouldn't stop It was president Kennedy callin' me up He said, "My friend Bob What do we need to make the country grow?'' I said, "My friend John, Brigitte Bardot Anita Ekberg, Sophia Loren, country'll grow!'' Well, i got a woman five feet short She yells an' hollers an' screams an shorts She tickles my nose an pats me on the back Rolls me over an kicks me outta bed. She's a man eater, meat grinder, bad loser. Oh, there ain't no use in me workin' all the time I got a woman who works herself blind Works up to her britches, up to her neck Writes me letters an send me checks. She's a hum dinger, folksinger. Late one day in the middle of the week Eyes were closed, i's half asleep I chased me a woman up the hill Right in the middle of an air road drill. I jumped a fallout shelter I jumped a string bean I jumped the tv dinner I jumped a shot gun. Now, the man on the stand he wants my vote He's a-runnin' for office on a ballot note He's out there preachin' in' front of the steeple Tellin' me he loves all kinds of people. He's eatin' bagels, he's eatin' pizzas, he's eatin' chitlins. Oh, set me down on the television floor I'll flipped the channel up to number four Out of the shower comes a football man With a bottle of oil in his hand Greasy kid stuff What i wanna know Mr football man is What do you do about Willy Mays, Martin Luther King, Olatunji? Well, the funniest woman i have ever seen Was the great granddaughter of Mr Clean She takes about fifteen baths a day Wants me to grow a moustache on my face She's insane. Well, you ask me why i'm drunk all the time It levels my head an' eases my mind I just walk along an' stroll an sing I see better days an' i do better things I catch dinosaurs Make love to Elisabeth Taylor Catch hell from Richard Burton.

[marcusssanderson]

50 Mother and Son Quotes Praising Their Bond

Our latest collection of mother and son quotes praising their unique relationship. These mother and son quotes will help you celebrate their special bond.

Mothers play a critical role in the life of their sons. There is a deep connection between a mother and son that starts from the time a woman gives birth to her son.

Although fathers also play an important role in the life of their sons, the bond between mother and son is simply special. A mother is the first person who truly understands and knows everything about her son since he has been inside her for nine months.

Mothers play various roles in the life of their sons. A mother is her son’s best friend, his protector and hope, a source of encouragement, and most of all, a mother is an adviser to her son.

While fathers are teachers, mothers are advisers. It is due to these special roles of a mother to her son that the bond between mother and son needs to be celebrated.

Below you will find our collection of inspirational and wise mother and son quotes, mother and son proverbs, and mother and son sayings, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Mother and Son Quotes Praising Their Bond

1.) ”There has never been, nor will there ever be, anything quite so special as the love between the mother and a son.” – Anonymous

2.) ”A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.” – Irish Proverb

3.) ”Mothers are inscrutable beings to their sons, always.” – A.E. Coppard

4.) ”Sons are the anchors of a mother’s life.” – Sophocles

5.) ”All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” ― Abraham Lincoln

6.) ”A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” ― Washington Irving

7.) ”Holding my Mother’s ashes in my hand. A thunder of pain smashes in my heart. The beauty of her smile, always allowed me to go the extra mile. As thoughts pile up in my mind, the sound of her voice brings comfort. Even though she is gone, she taught me how to be strong. I am thinking of the day you were taken. A Son’s memories shattered in silence. But your life is a beacon for my soul. Mother, dearest Mother, no other woman compares to you. You were strong in the darkest hour and you showed me the strength to achieve victory. So at this moment my victories and achievements belong to you.” – Mark Frank

8.) ”A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.” ― Victor Hugo

9.) ”My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind.” – Michael Jordan

10.) ”If a man has been his mother’s undisputed darling he retains throughout life the triumphant feeling, the confidence in success, which not seldom brings actual success along with it.” ― Sigmund Freud

Mother and son quotes to celebrate their bond

11.) ”You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be. I had a mother who read to me.” ― Strickland Gillilan

12.) ”Every mother hopes that her daughter will marry a better man than she did, and is convinced that her son will never find a wife as good as his father did.” – Martin Andersen Nexo

13.) ”Even more than the time when she gave birth, a mother feels her greatest joy when she hears others refer to her son as a wise learned one.” – Thiruvalluvar

14.) ”Raising boys has made me a more generous woman than I really am. Undoubtedly, there are other routes to learning the wishes and dreams of the presumably opposite sex, but I know of none more direct, or more highly motivating, than being the mother of sons.” – Mary Kay Blakely

15.) ”Having a child makes you realize the importance of life, narcissism goes out the window. Heaven on earth is looking at my little boy. The minute he was born, I knew if I never did anything other than being a mom, I’d be fine.” – Jenny McCarthy

17.) ”My father died when I was seven, leaving a widow and five sons, ranging in age from five to seventeen. My mother was the most highly disciplined and hardest working person I have ever known, and this, combined with her love and gentleness, enabled her to make a success of each of her children.” – Arthur Lewis

18.) ”The best love in the world is the love of a man. The love of a man who came from your womb, the love of your son! I don’t have a daughter, but maybe the love of a daughter is the best, too. I am first and foremost me, but right after that, I am a mother. The best thing that I can ever be, is me. But the best gift that I will ever have, is being a mother.” – C. JoyBell C

19.) ”There will be many times you will feel like you have failed. But in the eyes, heart and mind of your child, you are supermom.” –  Stephanie Precourt

20.) ”Happy is the son whose faith in his mother remains unchallenged.” –  Louisa May Alcott

Mother and son quotes to celebrate this special relationship

21.) ”Every man looks for a girlfriend that has his mother’s qualities. – Anonymous

22.) ”Mother is her son’s first god. She must teach him the most important lesson of all – how to love.” – T. F. Hodge

23.) ”To be a mother of a son is one of the most important things you can do to change the world. Raise them to respect women, raise them to stand up for others, raise them to be kind.” – Shannon L. Alder

24.) ”The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” – Honore de Balzac

25.) ”The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.” – Henry Ward Beecher

26.) ”A mother has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.” – Sophia Loren

27.) ”No matter your age, you always need your mom. – Anonymous

28.) “Every beetle is a gazelle in the eyes of its mother.” —Moroccan Proverb

29.) ”A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.” —Princess Diana

30.) ”To wake up to the sound of my son saying ‘Mama, mama!’ It’s the best sound ever.” – Miranda Kerr

Inspirational mother and son quotes

31.) ”A mother’s love doesn’t make her son more dependent and timid; it actually makes him stronger and more independent.” – Cheri Fuller

32.) ”We almost lost my mom to cancer 10 years ago — she survived. Every day we’re a grateful family to have her and all our loved ones around us.”- Dwaye “The Rock” Johnson

33.) ”[My mom]’s a cool chick. We can hang, and she can roll with the punches.” – Bradley Cooper

34.) ”My mother never gave up on me. I messed up in school so much they were sending me home, but my mother sent me right back.”- Denzel Washington

35.) ”Mothers yielding Bibles, contemplating smearing the blood of lamb chops over her doorway. Anything to keep her son alive another day. ― Antonia Perdu

36.) ”Mother’s love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved.” ― Erich Fromm

37.) ”So there’s this boy. He kinda stole my heart. He calls me ‘mom’. ― Anonymous

38.) ”Let France have good mothers, and she will have good sons.” ― Napoleon Bonaparte

39.) ”Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ― Pearl S. Buck

40.) “When I was a child, my mother said to me, ‘If you become a soldier, you’ll be a general. If you become a monk you’ll end up as the pope.’ Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.” – Pablo Picasso

Other beautiful mother and son quotes

41.) ”A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother… A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.” – The Proverbs of Solomon

42.) ”My mom was the person that I most looked up to for her point of view, her humor.”- Ben Stiller

43.) ”I wouldn’t be doing any of this if it weren’t for her, both my parents. She supported this little kid who said, ‘I want to be an actor,’ at 12 years old, which is ridiculous, and she drove me to all these auditions … She’s the only reason I’m able to do what I do.”- Leonardo DiCaprio

44.) “A mother understands what a child does not say.” – Jewish Proverb

45.) ”That strong mother doesn’t tell her cub, Son, stay weak so the wolves can get you. She says, Toughen up, this is reality we are living in.” – Lauryn Hill

46.) ”You are ugly when you love her, you are beautiful and fresh, vital and free, modern and poetic. When you don’t,  you are more beautiful as an orphan than as your mother’s son.” – Witold Gombrowicz

47.) ”Being a mother to a little boy and helping him discover the world is one of the greatest experiences in a woman’s life, which makes objective goals dull in comparison. The connection between a mother and her son opens the gate to a new world of wonder and love.” – Anonymous

48.) ”A boy’s best friend is his mother.” – Joseph Stefano

49.) ”No mother wants to hear her son say he’s gay. Those two words rip the picture of a daughter in law and grandchildren into pieces. I felt sorry for my mom and wanted her to know everything was going to be alright. But then she said, ‘I don’t really care, Johnny, as long as I know that you are going to be happy.” – Johnny Weir

50.) ”Ain’t a woman alive who could take my mama’s place.” –Tupac

Which of these mother and son quotes was your favorite?

No matter where a man goes or whom he meets in his life, he will always have a special place in his heart for his mother. Mothers are pillars in their son’s lives and she is the only person who truly understands her son best.

The bond between mother and son teaches the son about being gentle and enables him to be confident and secure. A healthy relationship between a son and his mother is critical for his development.

To celebrate this bond, feel free to share the above quotes with your son or mother. Do you have any other favorite mother and son quotes? Let us know in the comment section below.

The post 50 Mother and Son Quotes Praising Their Bond appeared first on Everyday Power.