#is this like a coincidence or am i just staying historically accurate

[foggyfanfic]

Queer Madrigals

I'm about to post a couple future!fic for Encanto, so I figured I'd take a minute to talk about my headcanons when it comes to their genders/sexualities.

The Obvious: I've posted somewhat in depth about what I think Bruno and Isabela's individual deals are, so I'm not going to really talk about it here, but yeah. Using the labels I am familiar with, I assume Bruno is demi, bi, and nonbinary, and that Isabela is a lesbian who ends up marrying a trans woman.

The Married: I mean, we can sit here all day and speculate, but the only real headcanons I got are that Juli is demi and Pepa has made out with more women than Bruno.

Mirabel: I've mentioned this, but I didn't really talk about it. Due to heteronormativity I suspect it wouldn't occur to Mirabel to question her sexuality until later in life when the Pride movement starts up. I think she's bi, possibly also demi, but most definitely not very focused on her love life (another reason why she doesn't think too hard about her sexuality). She's got shit to do and if somebody wants to date her they better speak up about it because she's got too many projects going on right now to bother with mind games. Mirabel ends up with a man mostly by coincidence, I saw somebody do the numbers and its just statistically more likely that a bi person will end up with somebody of the opposite sex (the math didn't factor for gender). I try to keep all of my headcanons grounded to peoples lived experiences, and this felt historically accurate.

Luisa: I think that if Luisa were a tumblrina she would end up being CIS+, but would have to go through the journey of exploring her gender due to societal biases. In the context of 1950's Colombia, she spends her youth hearing abuelas and tias talking about how she needs to be more feminine if she wants a husband, and struggles with that for a while. Luisa sings "I glow because I know what my worth is" and that's the sort of thing somebody says when they're on the other side of some serious self doubt, so I do think she had to deal with a bit of misogyny and body image issues. The thing is, Luisa likes the way she looks, and she's proud of what a hard worker she is, but she also wears ribbons in her hair and skirts instead of pants to work in. Furthermore, I suspect every bi person in the village, male or female, has a huge fucking crush on her because if she was a modern tumblrina people would be responding to pictures of her with that "not to be a lesbian but oh my god" stuff. I headcanon her as being technically cishet, but culturally gay due to people being people about the whole Woman with Biceps thing, if that makes sense. Once she starts allowing herself some free time, she dates every bi man in the village.

Dolores: Morosexual. No offense Mariano.

Camilo: You know how gender is a product of your culture and different societies throughout history have had different ideas of how many genders there are and what it means to be a man or woman? I think being able to turn into a woman at will would have an effect on Camilo's relationship with his gender. Like, I don't know if he would be full nonbinary, because I have never met a shapeshifter and asked them how they feel about gender, but I can't imagine he sees gender as a rigid binary. Like I said, I try to stay grounded in my headcanons, and I have zero idea what the lived experience of a shapeshifter is, soooooo...?

Antonio: I have spent a long time weighing the options here, his association with animals makes me think he would be the least traditional Madrigal, so I would like to think he'd end up in the least conventional relationship. I posted a list of headcanons where I floated the idea of him being poly, but I like the idea of him being aroace better. I stand by the rest of it, though. He marries a lesbian, let's her girlfriend move in with them, and he's just kinda there. Like, the women consider themselves married to each other and he's just some guy who talks to birds. They're his best friends and thinks he's pretty great but the only time he has sex is when him and the wives want kids, and other than that he's just vibing. I arrived at this headcanon because I love the idea of him being sorta a reverse Bruno. Like, people think he has two wives so everybody assumes he's this total lady killer, they sing songs about how charming he is, rumors abound that he can make a girl swoon with a single smile, then you talk to him and he's just some guy. Occasionally, a woman will throw herself at him and he's like "No thanks" then starts having a conversation with her cat. Do you see my vision? Anyone? I don't care if nobody else thinks it's funny, because I'm giggling at my computer.

#encanto #queer Madrigals #mirabel madrigal #camilo madrigal #luisa madrigal #antonio madrigal #foggy headcanons #encanto headcanons

[ladyherenya]

My favourite thing this year has been the Korean drama Crash Landing on You (2019-20).

It has something of a ridiculous title (I’ve ended up calling it Crash Landing or sometimes just Crash). But, to be fair, North and South was already taken.

“I can go to Africa and even Antarctica but not here. It’s a shame that you live here.” “It’s a shame that you live there.” -- episode three

To my great amusement, every month or so, Netflix has sent me an email that’s said: “Don’t forget to finish Crash Landing on You” or “Remember this? Watch it again: Crash Landing on You” or “Rewatch your favourite moments - Watch it again: Crash Landing on You…”

And I’m like: NETFLIX! Seriously, WHAT do you THINK I’M DOING?

I have now watched Crash Landing on You five times.

There are several reasons for this:

I successfully dragged other family members down this particular rabbit hole, and in a pandemic season, when things have been unpredictable (or cancelled), rewatching Crash Landing has been an appealing and comfortably-familiar distraction, as well as the source of many, many long, analytical fandom-y conversations, which has been fun.

I needed to watch it more than once to straighten out all the pieces of the story in my head. With 16 episodes, each over an hour long, it’s one of the longest stories I’ve ever watched. I’ve seen other TV series with more episodes, but nearly all have been much more episodic, rather than telling one continuous story.  

I kept noticing details that I’d previously missed because I’d been focused on the subtitles or that I hadn’t properly understood some cultural nuance. And some things are ambiguous in translation -- in a good way, a fodder-for-discussion way.

I have ALWAYS rewatched (or reread) my favourite stories. And Crash Landing fits right in with those. Someone in my family described it as: “Like Lord of the Rings on steroids!” However, I think it actually has far more in common -- visually and thematically, and also in terms of my willingness to discuss the characters as if they were real people -- with my favourite historical dramas.

In terms of story, Crash Landing is easy enough to summarise: A South Korean businesswoman is paragliding when a freak storm blows her across the border; she’s discovered by a North Korean captain, who hides her and helps her get home.

But I’m going to need more words to explain why I fell in love with it.

It is fascinating and, first time round, tense and unpredictable. It’s funny and very meta -- very aware of the tropes it’s playing with and of parallels and contrasts within the story. It’s visually and aesthetically pleasing, and the soundtrack grew on me.

There are a number of coincidences and a few ridiculous fight scenes, but the emotions are intensely real and so are the consequences. It has camaraderie and found-family and thoughtfully-complicated family relationships. There are characters I love, and characters who surprised me, and so much time given to character development!  It’s romantic. There’s a fake engagement (a favourite trope of mine) and while I’m not a fan of love triangles, I liked how this quadrangle-tangle is handled. And the obstacles to the romance are satisfyingly realistic; characters have sensible reasons for the choices they make.

I love how the story uses flashbacks, particularly the post-credit scenes.

The final episode isn’t perfect, but given that a perfectly happy ending would, realistically,  require the reunification of north and south, I thought it came very close.

Let me elaborate.

Cut for sheer verbosity, rather than spoilers. (I’m not allowing myself to list spoiler-ish examples or dive into analysing my favourite scenes, because then I wouldn’t just be here all night, I’d be here all week).

⬦ Fascinating, tense, unpredictable: I knew almost nothing about life in North Korea, so that was fascinating and made the story harder to predict, as I couldn’t anticipate what options the characters had or what obstacles might arise. And that isn’t the only reason I found it tense -- at different times, different characters are greatly at risk if discovered; there are occasions when characters are in danger of physical violence or are injured; and they have a couple of dilemmas to which there are just not easy solutions (See also: Obstacles for romance).

While I’m on the subject of the setting, although I cannot judge how accurate this portrayal of the north was, it’s portrayal of people as people was incredibly convincing. It’s a society where people have differences in personality and in circumstances. There are orphans begging in the market, people who can afford to stay in fancy hotels -- and a lot of people somewhere in between. In the military village, people have varying attitudes, tastes in clothes, privileges, standards of living, etc. Their lifestyle differs from that in Pyongyang, and also in other parts of the country. Amongst the military, some men are compassionate, some are corrupt and some are not obviously one or the other.

Moreover, it’s clear that corruption and villainy isn’t just in the north. In the south, as in the north, we see a range of humanity -- selfishness, good friends, complicated families, happy marriages, criminal behaviour, and so on.

I’ve read an article or two suggesting that the least realistic aspect is Ri Jeong Hyeok being such a sympathetic and honourable officer. I think it’s interesting that he clearly isn’t a typical captain -- he wanted a different career, he’s spent time studying overseas (in a democratic country), and, perhaps most importantly, his father’s position gives him protection from pressures many others face. He has the privilege of being able to afford to act with integrity, and of encouraging such behaviour in the men he leads.

⬦ Humour and meta: I’ve included these two together, because so much of the story’s self-awareness and intertextuality is humorous. I am very amused by so many things -- the village women’s interactions, Se-ri’s wit and banter, Jeong Hyeok’s facial expressions, the duckling's reactions, the way Ju Meok keeps comparing things to South Korean dramas:

Ju Meok: “I haven’t seen any drama characters that don’t fall in love in that situation. That’s how they all fall in love.”

(Because my knowledge of Korean drama is limited, there are a few cameos and references which I suspect would be amusing if one was in the know. The exception is the taxi driver singing, who was funny even without recognising the actor.)

I love the commentary that comes from all the moments when other characters witness the unfolding romance. Others’ reactions are often memorably hilarious -- some of my favouritest scenes fall into this category. (The customs officer! Jeong Hyeok’s dad!) They introduce humour and self-awareness into these moments, allowing the story to acknowledge “Yeah, we know these two are being ridiculous/sappy/emotional”. These moments reveal people’s attitudes towards displays of affection, particularly in the north, and their different attitudes towards Se-ri and Jeong Hyeok’s relationship.  

And as their relationship changes, Se-ri and Jeong Hyeok’s awareness of being watched and commented upon changes, too.

Which leads me to…

⬦ Contrasts and parallels: So many scenes which echo/parallel earlier scenes. Most obviously, this allows the story to compare and contrast the north and south, but it also shows changes in time, differences between characters, and differences in relationships too. Sometimes all at once!

 It means some plot developments weren’t totally unexpected -- it was Oh, of COURSE, we’re going to now see that character in this situation! or OBVIOUSLY we now have to see what this is like in the south!

But I thought it was really effective storytelling and I so much enjoyed spotting and analysing these moments.

⬦ Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong Hyeok: These two are the heart of the story and there are so many things I love about them. Like how, even though Se-ri is dependent upon Jeong Hyeok to hide and help her -- even though they’re initially hesitant about a romantic relationship -- they quickly become very protective of each other. Often to the point of willingly risking their own safety. Often to the point of exasperating the other. It’s great.

 That’s not the only thing they discover they have in common. They share some interests. They’re both highly intelligent, driven, successful leaders (he’s a captain, she’s a CEO) who are very private, lonely people carrying around grief about their family and their past. Neither of them likes to reveal their emotions -- he tries to conceal his by suppressing his facial expressions and avoiding answering questions, while Se-ri hides behind play-acting.  

I like watching Se-ri trying to get to know Jeong Hyeok. She isn’t deterred by his silences (unlike someone else) and she keeps the conversation going even when he doesn’t respond. She watches him closely, and says or does things to provoke a reaction. Poke, poke, poke.

And the time they spend together is really revealing. They share meals, they share a house. They see how the other responds under pressure, but also in various social and domestic situations. They see each other in a range of moods: calm, happy, grumpy, scared, tired, upset, unwell. Crash Landing takes advantage of spending sixteen episodes with these characters. Going through so many different experiences together, they learn a lot about each other -- about each other’s values, tastes and temperament -- and this means the audience gets a deeper, more nuanced understanding of who they are, too.  

Se-ri and Jeong Hyeok are also well-matched in how they show they appreciate each other -- she delights in giving presents, and he is quick to notice things Se-ri might need or like.

And it’s very satisfying when they open up, or when they cry in front of each other, because you know that they don’t do this lightly or easily.

⬦ Obstacles for romance, love triangle quadrangle-tangle: I appreciate that the obstacles in this story are not contrived or fueled by needless misunderstandings.  Se-ri and Jeong Hyeok have really solid, sensible reasons to be hesitant to first recognise, then admit to, and then act upon, a romantic attraction. Even once they realise that getting Se-ri home is going to take longer than they’d hoped and she’s pretending to be Jeong Hyeok’s fiancée, romance between them is still a road that leads nowhere. She isn’t safe staying in the north and he would endanger his family if he defected to the south, and they both accept that. And they’re reticent about sharing vulnerable feelings, and Jeong Hyeok is actually engaged to someone else.

But once they really open up to each other, the narrative conflict revolves around their circumstances, rather than doubts or misunderstandings they have about each other. Because the situations they face are dangerous and difficult, with no obvious or straightforward path to a happy ending, there’s quite enough tension to drive the story forward. They still have a couple of misunderstandings, but I like how they handle those, and I like that they don’t have more of them.

As for the love triangle, it doesn’t have the angst of someone torn between, or even attracted to, two people. Jeong Hyeok’s engagement has been arranged. Having feelings for someone else doesn’t change the foundation of that engagement, nor the pressure to please his family. He doesn’t love or know his fiancée -- not well enough to risk revealing Se-ri’s true identity to her. He’s honest with Se-ri and he makes an effort with Dan.  

(I have a theory that, if he had been in love before, he might be quicker to recognise how some of his behaviour towards Se-ri fosters intimacy and sends her messages he doesn’t intend, but this is all new for him.)

He tries not to mislead or hurt Dan, but she’s hurt nonetheless, and I like that Crash Landing doesn’t gloss over that. It explores why she’s hurt, why she’s so reluctant to let him go and why their relationship never really worked. (Neither of them are good at communicating with each other, and I think she takes some of the things he does for her for granted, rather than recognising them as overtures and as opportunities to get to know him better.)

Dan is not just a romantic rival, nor a narrative complication, but a person whose concerns and desire are taken seriously, and who is given space to grow.

Which leads me to...

⬦ Surprising characters, thoughtfully-complicated family relationships: As mentioned, Crash Landing takes advantage of the amount of character development 16 episodes allows, and not just for its lead couple. I was surprised by how much my opinion of certain characters changed, as I came to understand them better.

The character I was most surprised by was Gu Seung-jun.

Each time I’ve watched this, I’ve liked Dan more. I have a lot of sympathy for her now. I also like her mother, even though she’s embarrassingly over the top, because she cares fiercely about her daughter and about advocating for her.

Se-ri’s dysfunctional family are more nuanced than I expected, too. In particular, I love the attention the story gives to Se-ri’s relationship with her step-mother. I was expecting Se-ri’s father to play a larger role, perhaps because he’s nominally the one with the power and influence, and at first Se-ri’s mother seems so passive. But it was really interesting to understand where she’s coming from, why her relationship with Se-ri is broken and sad. The steps the two of them take towards rebuilding their relationship are believable.

(On a related thought, I appreciate a lot of the choices this makes in addressing these women’s mental health struggles. One or two moments arguably could have been handled better, but on the whole it’s realistically optimistic, with enough detail so that we understand the seriousness -- the impact it’s had on these women’s lives.)

⬦ Camaraderie, found family and the ducklings: Se-ri doesn’t spend as much time with the village women as she does with Jeong Hyeok and his soldiers, and when she does, she’s play-acting, in order to keep her identity a secret. But I like how they nevertheless support her, and how meeting her sparks change their dynamic with each other. They grow closer and become much better at supporting each other. It’s really heartwarming.

We gave many of the characters codenames, so we could discuss them when we were still learning their names. (I was surprised by how long it took me to learn some of the characters’ names.  Because so many were unfamiliar to me, they were harder to remember; I wasn’t always sure, from just reading the subtitles, how all of them were pronounced, and sometimes it was hard to separate the sound of the names from surrounding sentences, especially when, due to honorifics and titles and so on, subtitles don’t always match exactly what is being said.) Jeong Hyeok’s men are “the ducklings”, inspired by something I saw on Tumblr: Gwang Beom is “Handsome Duckling”, Ju Meok is “Drama Duckling” and Chi Su is just the sergeant.) I love how they function as a found-family, especially in contrast to Se-ri’s real family. They’re funny, loyal and caring, and in spite of their different personalities, work well together as a team. I enjoyed seeing the different relationships they have with each other, with Jeong Hyeok and Se-ri, and how some of those relationships change. And they’re so protective they are of Eun Dong!

Man Bok has an interesting arc -- I could have mentioned him under Surprising characters. I really like how he fits into this story, how he’s connected to the mystery Jeong Hyeok is investigating, how he becomes involved with the rest of the characters and has these moments when he plays a significant role. Or gets to be funny. I like the contrast and parallels too -- he’s in a different place in his life to the ducklings, and he gets opportunities to revisit past choices he regrets.

And I’m trying not to write essays about all the characters, and it’s ahhh, I have too many thoughts and feelings about them all!

⬦ Satisfyingly realistic: I like how -- one or two ridiculous fight scenes and an unrealistic paragliding scene aside -- things which happen have believable consequences. Particularly emotionally. We see men cry! A lot! And it always feels like a genuine expression of emotion, not gratuitous or overwrought. (Well, okay, there’s a very minor character who’s a bit over the top but he’s very minor.)

When one of the characters is gravely ill, she looks it, I found it oddly satisfying that she doesn’t have to be pretty all the time.

And I wasn’t sure if this belonged here or under “Visual details” but I love the attention given to Se-ri’s clothes. She cares a lot about fashion and in the north her clothing choices indicate that she cares a lot about her appearance, while making do with a limited wardrobe and still dressing for warmth.  (I’m happy to handwave that she seems to have more clothes than would realistically fit in those shopping bags.) I appreciated the practical streak, and, as winter wore on here, became envious of one of her outfits.

I don’t personally like the style of Se-ri chooses for work, but it’s different it is from what she wore in the north and from what she wears at home -- her power-dressing is like a uniform or a statement of persona she projects in her working life, and not necessarily a reflection of her personal tastes.

⬦ Visual details: I love so many of the visuals. Gorgeous scenery, interesting settings and clever framing for significant scenes. The sky, a place without borders, often becomes a focus and there’s a thematically-relevant flight motif -- paragliders, birds and kites.

I did not start noticing the   product placement until a rewatch, when I stopped to think about how often they went to Subway. The first time, it just seemed like a commentary on south-versus-north, and then I was just baffled-yet-amused by it all. (That sort of thing does not make me want to eat fried chicken...)

⬦ Soundtrack: The first time round, I liked the instrumental score and the presence of piano music actually in the story. As I kept rewatching, the rest of the soundtrack slowly but steadily grew on me, and I found myself liking the songs more and more.  

Now I not only recognise them by name, I can recall most of them well enough to hum them and know which scenes they’re associated with. Which is a lot harder when the lyrics are in a language I don’t speak and so I can’t use them as a prompt for memory.

⬦ Flashbacks: Instead of “previously-on” segments, Crash Landing employs lots of flashbacks whenever it wants to remind the audience of something.

Sometimes, instead of just repeating part of an earlier scene, it takes the opportunity to show the same moment from different angles or from a different character’s perspective,  or to juxtapose it with a different scene or to introduce new information. This was really effective. And when flashbacks were a simple repeat, I was usually happy to revisit important moments in the story (and sometimes, having a different person translating the subtitles meant there was a slightly different perspective on the dialogue).

Then there are the post-credit flashbacks, quite a few of which take places years earlier. I love how they’re puzzle pieces about the characters’ pasts and the connections between them.

⬦ The end:  The first time round, after watching the penultimate episode I was so engrossed in the story and so invested in the characters that I had trouble sleeping and I went around the next day with this tight, anxious feeling, unable to get the story out of my head.

The final episode is an emotional rollercoaster. SO. MANY. FEELINGS. There’s one particular scene which packs a powerful punch -- it’s exceptionally emotional and beautifully filmed. I love it, but I’m  glad we get the aftermath too.

It isn’t a perfect ending, but as I said, I don’t think there was a perfect ending was possible, not one that was both realistic and satisfying. But this comes very close. In the very final scenes, not everything is resolved or explained, and I like how that ambiguity is open to interpretation -- I like that there are some gaps for the viewer to fill in for oneself, however one prefers to imagine the characters’ lives going forward.

I know I could easily write another four thousand words about this story -- there are aspects I haven’t really discussed but this seems like a good place to stop. For now. I really like this story. I expect I’ll watch it all again soon.

#Herenya recommends things #Crash Landing on You #thoughts I have them #Yet another CLOY rewatch

[cinematicnomad]

1, 7, 25 for the fanfic end of year ask :)

001. favorite fic you wrote this year i have a soft spot for take my hand (take my everything) which was the first fic i wrote this year! and kind of the first step back into writing creatively on something new that wasn’t the 7 year monster sterek fic. also my first foray into 9-1-1 fic and was just a lot of fun! 

007. longest completed fic you wrote this year the longest fic i wrote was my second for the year! so show me (family) wound up being around 16k+ for 9-1-1 which kind of burst out of me over the course of one 48 hour window unlike take my hand which took a few weeks to crank out. 

025. a fic you read this year you would recommend everyone read SO MANY FICS DUDE!!! i’m gonna rec a couple, some that i re-read this year and some that i discovered for the first time, all from a variety of fandoms. BUT heads up, you didn’t specify a fandom so it’s gonna be a little scattered. also someone else sent me this same question but specified 9-1-1, so i’m gonna reserve those recs for that ask. GET READY!!

and this, your living kiss by opal_bullets (7/7 | 84k+ | M) destiel; AU: college/university; john winchester’s A+ parenting; angst with a happy ending

only a very few people in the world know that the celebrated and reclusive poet jack allen is just kansas mechanic dean winchester, a high school dropout with a few bucks to his name. not that it matters anymore; life has left him so wrung out he never wants to pick up another pen.

until, that is, a string of coincidences leads dean to auditing a poetry course with one dr. castiel novak. the professor is wildly intelligent, devastatingly handsome...and just so happens to be academia’s foremost expert on the poetry of jack allen.

note: i discovered this fic back in the pre-pandemic times of feb 2020 and i’ve read this fic TWICE since, leaving a lengthy comment each time. the poetry in the fic itself is stunningly gorgeous and i have a habit of reading it out loud to myself while reading bc it begs to be heard. this fic is seriously beautiful and makes me want to read all the poet!dean au’s out there in the world. unfortunately there aren’t that many so i just keep coming back to this well. i don’t think i can express enough how much i love this fic. 

lost time by ARCurren (105/105 | 350k+ | T)  bransonxsybil; AU: canon divergent; outsider POVs; original characters; slow burn

the story of a free spirit who was asked to give up the man she loved for a system she didn’t believe in and what happened next. AU after 3.04. 

note: did i think, when i stumbled across this fic years ago, that it would wind up being one of my all time favorites that i return to time and again to re-read? never. did i re-read it for like the dozenth time this year?? 110%. this fic is everything i want from fanfiction—it’s beautifully written, expands on canon, and shows me all the hidden moments the cameras never did (not to mention it’s historically accurate and delves deep into irish politics of the time). the first third or so of this fic is all about tom and sybil’s slow burn romance at downton, but the fic really bursts into its own when we follow the two to dublin and get introduced to all of the author’s deliciously detailed oc’s. heads up warning: this fic was never officially completed, though the final chapter is a beautifully written summary of the final arc of the fic. even so, it’s fucking worth it. 

misfire by mothlights & unpossible (6/6 | 28k+ | T) sterek; time travel; angst with a happy ending; alive hale family; magic; alternating POV

“the debt must be repaid,” she says, and it has the weight of a vow. the words resonate through him, ringing through his ribcage and the bones of his jaw, and stiles loses his breath and maybe his grip on reality because she draws herself upright and where there had once stood a supermodel-level MILK now there is galadriel’s much hotter older sister, a presence of unmistakable power in their ordinary, smells-vaguely-of-thai-takeout hallway. 

“oh shit,” stiles says. 

note: this fic is the first in the misfire ‘verse and i need you to understand that it literally broke me when i binge read these fics a month or so ago. i am a sucker for a solid time travel fic especially bc there are such few good ones in fandom. but this gets at the heart of it all by exploring the idea of stiles getting the chance to save derek’s family and taking it...after he and derek are romantically together in his true timeline and then actually dealing with the ramifications of how that alters everything and how stiles survives in this new present where he and derek are virtual strangers. everyone should definitely read this, but you should also know that i fucking sobbed while reading the sequel (which also has a happy ending, but really digs deep into the nitty gritty angst of the repercussions). 

map of the world by seperis (11/11 | 154k+ | M)  destiel; end!verse; alternate universe; canon divergent; original characters; slow burn

the world’s already over and they’re already dead. all they’re doing now is marking time until the end. 

note: look, if you don’t know about down to agincourt by @seperis, what are you doing with your life?? the series is over 1M+ words so far, the fic author is on book 4 out of a planned 8, and it’s fucking phenomenal. i know i’ve tagged a couple of these recs as slow burn but...this is the slowest slow burn to ever burn. canon!dean travels back into the end!verse timeline just as lucifer kills dean and somehow cas made it out alive and has to keep dean safe while he learns to become his end!verse counterpoint. the world building in this series is intense and i cannot recommend it enough. i’m still in the midst of my re-read bc it’s SUCH an endeavor but i highly recommend it to everybody. 

invictus by ellanasan (116/116 | 355+ | M) hayffie; au: alive abernathy family; pre-hunger games; canon prostitution; slow burn

“so then, before i can even think about doing something stupid like trying to stab him with his fucking golden paperknife, he gives me a choice, see?” haymitch continued, almost detached. “either i play nice like all the other victors or he’ll kill my family. i could either become his puppet—greatest punishment he could give me, according to him—or i could become the example.”

AU in which haymitch’s family lives.

note: hello, have you ever wondered what the hunger games series would be like if haymitch’s family were alive? i fucking hadn’t until 2 years ago when i stumbled across this fic and fell head over heels in love with this ship. @ellanainthetardis is my go to hunger games fic writer for anything exploring canon and i’m obsessed with anything she writes about the OG victors pre-canon (finnick, joanna, chaff, etc). this fic is just 300k+ exploring that world and all the intricate details of how cruel the games could really be. HIGHLY recommend. i definitely re-read it this fall when i needed a pick me up.

don’t know what i’m supposed to do (haunted by the ghost of you) by crazyassmurdererwall (1/1 | 30k+ | T) sterek; canon divergent; angst with a happy ending; ghosts; stiles POV

stiles sees dead people. yep. seriously.

(he’s got this. he’s totally got this. so what if one of them is derek’s mom?)

note: did you know that @crazyassmurdererwall is one of my all time favorite people? and that she’s wicked talented? and that in our spare time she’ll send me a billion fic ideas that are amazing and i get to hear all the intricate details of her plot bunnies? but i digress. this fic is one of my all time fave sterek fics i’ve re-read it sooo many times. there’s just something about the heartache and stiles’ insecurity and the way he tries to shoulder it all on his own. and then there’s alli’s brilliant writing, the way she weaves through a scene and paints a picture just so and manages to tug at your heart strings with her precise word choice. there’s some amazing world building in this fic as it explores this other facet of the supernatural that canon teen wolf never touched upon, and i’m so grateful for that bc alli is the only one who should be allowed to write about ghosts and teen wolf together. 

lagavulin and guinness by snarfle (10/10 | 163k+ | explicit) hartwin; slow burn; PTSD; suicidal thoughts; graphic depictions of violence; domestic abuse

plenty of people had looked down on eggsy throughout his life. he had gotten fairly used to it. didn’t mean it was fair, but he knew how these things worked. what really sucked was that the new arthur was worse than the old one.

“eggsy grimaced. he didn’t know how to explain to harry—who seemed like he hadn’t been discriminated against a day in his life—that the new arthur kept giving him what amounted to suicide missions, and that he was currently bleeding out in a warehouse because of the deliberately bad intel she had given him.”

also featuring: dean is harder to get rid of than eggsy thought, his mum is going off the deep end, there are way too many nefarious plots in play, and eggsy is really beginning to wish that harry would stop holding his hand and kiss him instead.

note: look, i know i recced this literally less than a week ago but i ALSO stayed up til 5AM re-reading this last night and it was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. i was on a bit of a kingsman kick earlier this year, so i’ve actually re-read this fic TWICE so far in 2020. i will give you a serious warning in that this fic delves deep into domestic abuse through the lens of a variety of different relationships. it also explores the potential for abuse in hartwin, bc this fic is one of the few that actually commits to the fact that they’re literal spies who murder people. actively. a lot. but seriously, this fic is one of my fave in the fandom and i STRONGLY recommend it. 

waste of breath by bryrosea (1/1 | 22k+ | M) loganxveronica; canon compliant; missing scenes; navy; past child abuse

logan echolls, the nine years, and the navy.

note: bryrosea has an obscene number of amazing logan and veronica fics (her canon divergent series stay with me is another i re-read this year), but i’ve found myself returning to this fic a lot over the years. i’m a sucker for canon compliant fics that explore the missing scenes in between canon and this fic hits all the right buttons by diving deep into how logan echolls went from being a trash fire at hearst college at the end of s3 to being a decorated navy pilot by the movie. it explores logan seeking out therapy and making a life for himself that he can be proud of, all while pining after the girl who got away. and bc this author is amazing, she followed it up with a sequel from veronica’s point of view in the series done by only me. 

the law of equivalent exchange by awed_frog (8/8 | 60k+ | M) destiel; POV castiel; pre-canon; post-canon; canon compliant; immortality; reincarnation

“and what’s the point of it?”

“of love? there isn’t one. loving is its own purpose.” 

note: i mean??? i don’t really know what to say except that this is one of the truly most beautiful fics i have ever read. it follows castiel through time as he meets different reincarnations of sam and dean across history and falls ever more deeply in love. it is achingly tender and so ecstatically written that i die just thinking about it. and that summary? i mean. holy fuck break my heart why don’t you? i don’t know how i missed out on this fic for so long since it was published in 2015 but i only learned about it for the first time back in july and it was. life changing?? when the fic finally reaches the canon timeline and he meets THIS dean it’s peak yearning. 10/10 will read again.

ahead in the count by elisela (17/17 | 50k+ | E) sterek; AU: sports; pitcher!stiles; teacher!derek; long distance relationship; getting together

“yankee fan,” derek says, laughing when stiles makes a disgusted face. “the bronx bombers, stiles, you can’t be a new yorker and—”

“stop talking right now,” stiles sighs, shaking his head. “i can’t believe i still want to kiss you after that,” he says, pulling derek in by his coat. “this is making me rethink everything.” 

“i’ll never watch them again,” derek promises, and stiles laughs against his mouth. 

or: stiles is a starting pitcher for the NY mets when he meets and falls in love with derek. derek doesn’t know. 

note: i read SO MANY of @elisela’s 911 fics this summer, which i loved, and then she got into teen wolf and started writing sterek and i just about died. this fic is amazing, one of my fave sterek AU’s that i’ve read in years. it’s just the right amount of drama and angst and fluff filled with all the joys of miscommunication and character relationships that makes reading sterek such a joy. reading this fic and finding out eli needed fic recs pushed me to dive back in to reading sterek fics for a bit this fall so i can say with the utmost authority that this is one of the best i’ve read in a long time. 

i used to think one day we’d tell the story of us by notequitegucci (2/2 | 32k+ | M) gendrya; alternate universe—modern setting; outsider POV; friends to lovers; friends to lovers

9 times a stark encounters gendry + 1 time he meets the starks.

note: again, this is the first in a 2 part series titled love me like you do that explores arya and gendry’s dynamics together through the point of view of her family. game of thrones ended last year with a whimper but i keep returning to the gendrya tag on ao3 to seek out new, amazing content and also to re-read some old favorites. i can’t remember if i came across this for the first time last year or this one, but i’ve read it and re-read it more times than i can count since and i love it more than i can describe. i’m a total sucker for outsider POV fics and my biggest pet peeve in canon is the fact that none of the stark’s ever found out that arya and gendry had a history together. this modern au fic almost makes up for it by giving me a gendry encounter with every family member and then the big reveal. it’s peak content. 

theeeeeeese recs got a little away from me. i wasn’t originally intending on adding lengthy notes to each entry but ... oh well!! these are all amazing so please enjoy. 

fanfic end of the year asks

#lilolilyr #ask #if i knew an authors tumblr i tried to tag them in this #seriously my reclist got away from me for a bit #also if you're looking for 911 recs #like i said they will be in another ask where someone specified!! #fic rec #about kat writes

[mollymauk-teafleak]

A Summer’s Ball...

(Happy birthday to my darling girlfriend @childofdustandashes! Thank you for being (sort of) patient and I hope this justifies the wait. I love you so very much and am continuously proud of you on a daily basis, you’re brave and kind and compassionate and funny and I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Congratulations on one more rotation around the Sun, hope you like your present!)

There’s a lot of things Theo was only willing to do because her best friend Pip asked it of her.

Going with him to the midnight opening of the new Star Wars film. And then going to see it for a second time the very next day. Giving him an arm to stagger home drunkenly from prom and covering for him when Alex and Eliza asked if he was okay, making up something semi-convincing about food poisoning. Listening to him rant and rave after his team lost a hockey game, even though she still only had the most tenuous grasp on the actual rules of the game (and privately did think that maybe his tackle was a little uncalled for, seeing as he was the goalie). Keeping her eyes open when they watched Jaws on one of their many sleepovers so she could tap him on the shoulder when the scary part was over. Giving him some of her health potion when they played video games and his idiocy had left him clinging to life.

Flying out to France where he now lived, had lived for five months, to go to the opening of his boyfriend’s new art exhibit, getting all dressed up and staying in heels for an unreasonably long period of time while he whirled her around the room, introducing her to everyone, making her blush with exaggerated descriptions of how well she was ‘kicking ass’ at law school. In fairness, she was getting pretty damn good grades but people who’d only known her for five seconds didn’t really need to be told that.

Though maybe she was being unfair. It was hardly difficult, drinking exquisite wine that somehow tasted even better just by dividends of being drunk while in Paris, picking at hilariously fancy hours d’oeuvres (though caviar tasted gross and no one would ever be able to convince her otherwise, no matter the price tag) and looking that the beautiful art Georges de Lafayette was finally getting to display to the public. Philip had sounded so excited when he’d called a few weeks ago with the news and when he’d casually mentioned that it just so happened to coincide with Theo’s spring break from college and he’d split the air fare with her and make his couch up for her to sleep on…well, Theo hadn’t been able to say no.

And seeing Philip again really was wonderful, getting to spend time with him and mess around and giggle at people’s ridiculously fancy outfits and put on over exaggerated accents as they clinked their glasses more times than was necessary. Five months wasn’t a really long time in the grand scheme of things, Theo knew, but it was an insanely long time for your best friend to be on the other side of the globe. You couldn’t get one of the fierce, warm, patented Philip Hamilton hugs over Skype or text.

Though, in all honestly, some of these paintings were displaying rather more of her best friend than she’d even wanted to see.

“It’s not me!” Pip protested weakly, though his intense blush was giving him away, “It’s the Greek god, Apollo, that’s what Georges said!”

“Oh yeah?” Theo arched her eyebrow, wincing at the nearly wall sized watercolour towering in front of them, “A Puerto Rican Apollo with freckles and curly hair and looking absolutely one hundred per cent like you. Buck ass naked. Painted by your boyfriend.”

Philip looked like he’d want nothing more than to sink into his suit like a turtle, “You can’t really see anything…that bad…”

“Tell that to my burning retinas, dude,” Theo elbowed him lightly, “And I don’t even want to know what that gold stuff dripping all over you is…”

“It’s ichor,” he whined plaintively, pulling his long, puffed out curls down over his face.

“Whatever it is, it’s making me need another glass of champagne,” Theo rolled her eyes, though her rouge painted lips were being tugged against her will into a smile.

It was warming her heart knowing her best friend was so loved, that he had someone willing to paint portraits of him just because he was so beautiful, that the happily ever after he’d crossed a whole ocean for was worth it. Even if that love was really gross.  

Speaking of which, Theo suddenly found Pip being plucked from her side by the man of the hour, Georges himself, and being kissed in a way that frankly had no place outside of historic photos from VE Day and cheesy romantic movies. Though she did forgive him when the tall Frenchman resurfaced and pressed a glass of her favourite roséinto her hand. No one knew their wine quite like Georges.

“Theo!” he beamed, giving her a kiss on the cheek too, making her giggle, “I wanted to tell you, my sister, Virginie, she could come after all! She’s over by the bar, you two are acquainted, yes?”

Theo felt a blush bursting across her face and was suddenly very aware of a knowing smirk from Philip where he was hanging off Georges’ arm.

Acquainted was maybe a bit of an understatement…

More accurate would be to say that she’d carried a torch for Virginie de Lafayette for as long as she could remember, one of those crushes that came in youth and was all encompassing, undying, that didn’t care about things like the logistics of there being on ocean between you and the object of the crush. Or the fact that said crush was way out of your league.

Theo had let herself get her hopes up, that summer four years ago, the one where she and Pip had spent six almost dreamlike weeks in France staying with the Lafayette’s. Though that was never how Theo remembered it, she always remembered it as the summer of her first kiss.

It had been shy and sweet and too brief, in her opinion, although no span of time would have been long enough to fully appreciate kissing Ginnie. It had tasted of the wine they’d been illicitly drinking straight from the bottle, the already heady taste made even more rich and full by the fact that they weren’t supposed to be drinking it, Georges had snuck it from the cellar after his parents had gone to bed. It tasted even better on Ginnie’s tongue as a stupid dare had demanded a kiss of the two of them, though Theo couldn’t help but think that she’d been on pins and needles waiting for it ever since she’d arrived. Up close, she’d been able to see how Ginnie’s eyelashes lightened further along their length, how they fanned out so perfectly around eyes that were such a sweet mix of amber and brown, she’d seen how her nose wrinkled a little as she smiled. Theo even saw the things other people would foolishly call imperfections; the few pimples across her cheeks hiding under the artfully applied layer of make up, the way her ears jutted prominently out from amongst the gorgeous falling curtain of braids, the smudge of lipstick on her teeth. All of that only made Ginnie feel more real in a way that made Theo dizzy. This girl actually was real, she was real and she was here and Theo was getting to kiss her.

No matter how short and swift the kiss had been, Theo hadn’t forgotten a single detail of it.

When it had become obvious that Pip and Georges were growing closer and closer over that weekend, trying to hide it by insisting the marks on Pip’s neck were just bruises from wrestling, when they came back from a long midnight walk with the back of Georges’ pants and shirt and the knees of Pip’s jeans covered in grass stains, when they’d tried with blushing faces to insist that the noises emanating from Georges’ room every night were just leaky pipes, Theo had let herself hope. She’d let herself steal glances at Ginnie, more often than she knew she should, thinking…maybe…hoping… They’d spent so much time together, grown so close, she couldn’t help but lie awake at night thinking of the right way to ask her, the most casual way to bring it up. But all of her words had sounded clumsy and thick in her head, stumbling and stupid, in a way that only confirmed what her self consciousness was already screaming at her was true. That there was no way someone like Ginnie would ever want to be with her.

Still, she might have risked it. But then the summer was over and the chance was gone. Theo had tried to shake it off in the years since then, telling herself that it was just a silly summer fancy and it would never come up again. When would she even seeGinnie again?

And yet, here she was. In France. In Paris. Seeing Ginnie again.

She hadn’t changed so much in the few years they’d been reduced to purely text and voice based communications. She was taller, though maybe that was just the impossibly, elegantly tall shoes she was currently striding towards them on. Her braids were still there though now they were streaked with mint green rather than the bright red Theo saw in her dreams ever since that summer; they were swept up in a bun so as not to detract from the glittering golden collar necklace she wore draped effortlessly around her collarbone to accentuate the gold tones in her dress (green, of course, why wouldn’t she match her clothes to her hair dye?).

Even in the startlingly dramatic outfit, with the taller, more toned legs, the more mature form, what was important about Ginnie hadn’t changed one bit. Her bright smile, her kind eyes that made everyone she looked at feel like the most important person in the world, the way she did everything with such enthusiasm and didn’t care if it meant she had to sacrifice a little dignity.

Basically, everything Theo had first fallen for.

Which left her with a frankly pretty embarrassing redness to her cheeks and dry, uncomfortable scratchiness in her throat as Ginnie swept over to the three of them, excitement shining in her eyes along with the golden reflected light arcing off the impressive chandeliers above them. Theo quickly made to turn away a little, to shrink away from the main focus like she always did, to try and gather herself and make herself socially presentable while Ginnie said her other hellos.

But that glow on Ginnie’s face wasn’t for them. It was for Theo.

“Theodosia!” she cried, voice alight with too-gorgeous-to-be-insincere happiness, “How has it been this long, this is a tragedy, I cannot apologise enough!”

Theo made a soft whooshing sound from the force of the hug Gin pulled her into, though she absolutely wasn’t about to start complaining, not when she was getting such an up close and personal introduction to Ginnie’s heavenly perfume.

“Hi…” she squeaked, wishing she could think of something more coherent to say. So much for being the kick ass, collected law school student Philip had been painting her as all night, she was blushing and sweating like a goddamn high schooler, “Yeah, i-it’s been way too long, I missed you…”

“I missed you too!” Ginnie beamed like Theo saying that couldn’t have made her any more delighted, “I kept asking and asking Pip to invite you over so I could see you again and now he finally has, I am officially stealing you away from him, come on, we’re getting drinks.”

Theo blinked, a little caught up in the whirlwind of rapid fire French and the cartoon bluebirds and love hearts she was pretty sure must be dancing around her head. She turned to look at Philip, to say something about meeting back up with them later to head back to his apartment, but that smug, excited look was still on his face, only flustering her more so she flipped him off instead. His giggles followed her and Ginnie over to the elegant, neon lit, white marble bar.

“A martini, please,” Ginnie seemed to somehow just summon a bartender within a second, “And a glass of rose.” She turned to Theo, smiling, “That’s your favourite, right?”

Theo could only nod, her heart feeling like a butterfly trapped under an upturned glass, flittering around within her ribcage.

“I really was so excited you were coming over,” Ginnie pierced a cocktail cherry as she spoke, “I hate how we haven’t had much time to talk recently.”

“Well,” Theo tried for a casual tone, “I’ve had school and your business has been doing so well. Well done on that, by the way. Serious congratulations.”

Ginnie laughed gently, the sound more beautiful to Theo than any of the classical music they’d been playing that night, “And my teachers used to say my doodling dresses on the corner of my schoolwork would get me nowhere, hmm?”

Theo chuckled, taking her glass as it was put in front of her, grateful to have something to do with her hands. She wished there was some kind of switch in her brain she could flick to instantly become one of the effortless, witty, confident people swarming all over this party, the kind of people Ginnie must spend most of her days around. Maybe then she’d have been able to untie her tongue all those summers ago and actually have a chance at asking her-

“Theodosia, would you like to join me for dinner sometime?”

Theo froze for one long, agonising second before she started coughing and hacking, spraying probably very expensive wine all over the place.

Great.

“I’m so sorry!” Ginnie flustered, putting a hand on her back, “I’m sorry, that was so sudden, I just couldn’t think of how to ask like a normal person, I just saw you and you look so pretty and it just kind of spilled out…”

“Wait…wait…” Theo tried to cough up her words, managing to wrestle some kind of control of her lungs back, though her eyes were now streaming and she was pretty damn sure Philip and Georges were laughing their heads off somewhere to the side, “You…you want me…me…?!”

Ginnie looked confused, somehow managing to make even that expression look goddess-like, “Of course? You don’t have to say yes, of course, I just…oh, I just didn’t want to let another chance go by without asking you.”

Theo shook her head, taking Ginnie’s hands in her own. They were so much bigger than hers but their fingers threaded together so easily like they’d been made to be that way.

“Yes,” she breathed, voice still a little wheezy from nearly dying but some of it was due to emotion, “I’d love to go out with you. Honestly, if you wanted to go right now, I’d be completely on board with that.”

Ginnie giggled and beamed. Her nose still wrinkled a little when she smiled…

As Theo was leaving the party, hand in hand with Ginnie, she looked over her shoulder to see Pip grinning his head off, shooting her a little wave she returned with a smile.

There were a lot of things she only did because Philip asked her to.

But she had a hell of a lot to thank him for, too.

#theo burr #virginie de lafayette #starving artists au #for Bailey! #love you honey! #fic #Hamilton

[tanadrin]

Has anyone ever tried framing the benefit no-fault divorce in the language of market efficiency? I am 1000% sure this is not an original argument, but I wonder if it’s ever been used as a component of actual campaigns to legalize it.

In societies without divorce, abusive or malicious partners have less incentive to work on their abusive behavior, because once a marriage is solemnized, the spouse cannot leave (and in societies where women are expected to be dependent on their husband, the effect is strongly enhanced); therefore, an abusive spouse or a bad partner has little incentive to improve their behavior, except innate human empathy, which is clearly insufficient if they’re abusive or malicious in the first place, because it is difficult for their partner to leave them. In theory their partner could leave, but as a matter of law and interacting with the bureaucracy they’d be married, and significant social and legal difficulties would follow them because this personal status could not change.

Societies with stigmatized divorce (traditional Jewish divorce, many countries with divorce laws on the books in the period before they adopted no-fault divorce) have the same set of incentives, only partially weakened. The conservative argument that making it difficult or impossible to abandon a marriage (favoring the repeal of no-fault divorce or, e.g., the creation of marriages with special status, the “covenant marriage”) improves incentives for both parties to work on their marriage ignores situations where marital problems are asymmetric in nature, and the person whose behavior is making their spouse’s life difficult is content (or more content) with the status quo. Social pressure to behave well to one’s spouse is also insufficient, because abusers are, particularly, known to be able to present a charming front to other members of the community, to the point where targets of abuse are often disbelieved.

No-fault divorce (and later marriage, and economic freedom for women) makes it harder for bad partners to find mates. They still do, of course, because human relationships are complicated, but the primary effect of the factors contributing to “instability” in modern relationships is that, in fact, people are better able to sort their pool of potential partners, which is also bigger, since one doesn’t have to marry the first person they sleep with, and children don’t have to be had while the couple is very young. If you can be choosier, you can weed out the jerks sooner (in theory), and jerks will find less success in the dating pool.

Therefore, I would predict, if this theory were correct, that rates of spousal and child abuse would go down in the wake of the abolition or decay of traditional, patriarchal expectations around marriage and childrearing. Thus, modern marriage, though it still has faults like being an ad hoc welfare state of two, should be much better at creating an environment in which to raise children, and should produce children overall with less traumatized childhoods, than historically. Measuring this effect would be complicated by the fact that traditional societies, or conservative and insular religious ones (here I’m thinking of orthodox Jewish communities, or conservative Christian ones, or all of Europe and North America before, oh, say, 1950, or whenever this issue became incorporated into the feminist movement) are likely to not discuss and not report child abuse and spousal abuse to the authorities, if these actions are even illegal. The reported rate should actually spike as norms shift away from conservative attitudes to marriage, and people report abusive spouses to the police to protect themselves and their children. Once they can rely on such reports being taken seriously by the police, and their family supporting their decision to leave an abusive partner (or just a toxic one, but it’s not illegal to be a gigantic jerk), only then should we see a decrease in the statistics, which would have lagged behind the decrease in the real rate for some years. There are likely to be other additional variables which I have not accounted for that you’d need to account for to get an accurate view of how flexible family structures affect child/spouse abuse rates.

One potential objection: single-parent homes have worse outcomes for children; this seriously challenges the above theory. But has anyone compared the outcomes of children in single-parent homes with the outcomes of children in abusive two-parent homes? Because if the option is “suboptimal family arrangement” versus “abusive family arrangement,” the former seems preferable to me when it comes to raising children who are well-socialized and happy. A great deal of non-systematic literature has covered the idea, from the children of such homes, that parents who divorce because their relationship is extremely dysfunctional are preferable to parents who stay together and are miserable. The prevalence of single-parent homes is also closely tied to poverty, and no one has sufficiently disentangled the two statistically, to my knowledge, to produce an actually useful result, much less a policy prescription that amounts to more than “keep adults who no longer wish to be together in a relationship with each other.”

Being able to select one’s partner freely also has advantages where formerly functional relationships become dysfunctional; and as optimistic as the view is that improving an existing relationship is better than social instability, no one who has advanced that view seems to support, say, additional state funding for marriage counseling, much less having it covered by health insurance, or seems to be in support of state funding for additional social services to address the issue of child abuse or spousal abuse, which become far more serious when the abused cannot escape without serious social and legal disability--and, for women, who would normally be housewives in the idealized marital arrangement envisioned, economic disability. Nor do they advocate delaying marriage and childrearing, which seem especially important to me in societies where you get to choose a life partner only once; people in their teens and early twenties are not at all known for being able to make resilient life choices that stand them in good stead until the day they die.

Note: arranged marriages, I predict, should be even worse as childrearing environments from this perspective, since the person who makes the choice of spouse is not the person who has to live with it. The alignment of incentives is basically terrible--which reflects, in many cases, the history of marriage as a property transaction among men, not a childrearing arrangement between a man and a woman.)

Note 2: also, to be clear, I think even in suboptimal arrangements, most marital relationships are or can be mostly non-dysfunctional. That certainly doesn’t mean they’re optimal for human flourishing, to say nothing of the flourishing of children specifically. A functional marriage is not the same as a happy one, and a society even with many happy marriages is not the same as a society with many happy women, who, as the ones with the least economic freedom, are the ones who always seem to get the shortest end of the stick in these social structures.)

Final note: I’m sure there are interesting statistics on self-reported happiness in more constrained, traditional marriages. I also think it’s interesting, though, that violent crime in the U.S. has been declining since the 90s, 20-30 years after child abuse became a feminist issue, and the general availability of no-fault divorce. Lead is a persuasive explanation, but is unlikely to be the only contributing factor. Can’t find any good statistics on domestic violence over time in the U.S., but as I said above, I would expect the reported rate of that kind of crime to rise over time, even as the actual rate was falling. And I hope it is not controversial to observe that men abusing their wives tends to be more acceptable in societies with traditional and restrictive views on marriage. Poverty may be a confounding factor there--but I also expect that happier and healthier generations of children, less likely to pass on their parents’ dysfunction, are going to be better at leading lives with good economic outcomes, and thus that, over the long term, one of the ongoing contributors to economic growth is that we’re getting better at raising our children, and not routinely abusing and traumatizing them. Like, we forget this, but there have been ages of the world in which raping your wife, beating your children black and blue, forcing your daughter to marry someone against her will so he could rape her, and giving the baby a sparrow with broken wings to play with until it was crushed to death were all perfectly normal things to do, and that some of these things were perfectly normal in living memory in the Western world. And I could easily imagine that one of the reasons past societies have been more violent, poorer, more xenophobic, and more stagnant, was that everyone was by our standards constantly traumatized by their shitty upbringing. Is it a coincidence that in the 19th century, the temperance movement saw a society in which alcohol abuse was so rampant that it would be better to ban it altogether than try to convince people to use it responsibly. Now we think of them as hand-wringing moralists, but I think that their observations might have been pretty reasonable--but they only saw the symptom, not the underlying disease.

#cw child abuse #cw rape #cw alcoholism #cw domestic violence #mostly speculative

[deanssweetheart23]

How come there are certain fic ideas that get written to death? Like the reader being jealous of Dean at the bar and eventually they reveal feelings. Or Dean hides his feelings because he's a hunter and doesn't think he deserves love. Ugh. I wish there were more original ideas out there.

Dearnonnie, I have no idea whether this is a genuine question of yours or justsomething implicitly pointed towards my own writing (since I have a fic very similarto jealous!reader and this just came in after I posted the announcement on mynew mini-series which includes “Dean hides his feelings because he’s a hunter anddoesn’t think he deserves love”) but in any case, I am thankful for your politeness and very happy youasked me this question because I’m majoring in English language and literatureand spent a whole semester studying theory and criticism of lit, so I feel likethis is something I can answer.

My (very long) answer is just belowthe cut..

“We say that every poet has his own peculiarformation of images. But when so many poets use so many of the same images,surely there are much bigger critical problems involved than biographical ones.As Mr. Auden’s brilliant essay The Enchafèd Flood shows, an important symbollike the sea cannot remain within the poetry of Shelley or Keats or Coleridge :it is bound to expand over many poets into an archetypal symbol of literature.And if the genre has a historical origin, why does the genre of drama emergefrom medieval religion in a way so strikingly similar to the way it emergedfrom Greek religion centuries before? This is a problem of structure ratherthan origin, and suggests that there may be archetypes of genres as well as ofimages.

…

An archetype should be not only a unifyingcategory of criticism, but itself a part of a total form, and it leads us atonce to the question of what sort of total form criticism can see inliterature. Our survey of critical techniques has taken us as far as literaryhistory. Total literary history moves from the primitive to the sophisticated,and here we glimpse the possibility of seeing literature as a compilation of arelatively restricted and simple group of formulas that can be studied inprimitive culture. If so, then the search for archetypes is a kind of literaryanthropology, concerned with the way that literature is informed bypre-literary categories such as ritual, myth and folk tale. We next realizethat the relation between these categories and literature is by no means purelyone of descent, as we find them reappearing in the greatest classics- in factthere seems to be a general tendency on the part of great classics to revertthem. This coincides with a feeling that we have all had: that the study ofmediocre works of art, however energetic, obstinately remains a random andperipheral form of critical experience, whereas the profound masterpiece seemsto draw us to a point at which we can see an enormous number of convergingpatterns of significance. Here we begin to wonder if we cannot see literature,not only as complicating itself in time, but as spread out in conceptual spacefrom some unseen center.

…

The myth is the central informing power thatgives archetypal significance to the ritual and archetypal narrative to theoracle. Hence the myth is the archetype, through it might be convenient to saymyth only when referring to narrative, and archetype when speaking ofsignificance. In the solar cycle of the day, the seasonal cycle of the year,and the organic cycle of human life, there is a single pattern of significance,out of which myth constructs a central narrative around a figure who is partlythe sun, partly vegetative fertility and partly a god or archetypal human being.”

These arepassages from Northrop Frye’s essay “The Archetypes of Literature” and the gistis that there are archetypes of stories that every single poet (or writer) followssince they are developed based on patterns of human behavior, the psychologicalanalysis of the human soul and on cultural, political and social influences.

All thegreat stories in time are based on archetypes.

Take Great Expectation by Dickens and The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald as anexample. These two works of fiction are considered to be two of the greatestliterary works ever made –and, according to me, they are, but they are bothbased upon the same archetype: A young, intelligent or talented boy withambitions falls in love with a mysterious, rather rich girl, and, influenced bypowerful, wealthy figures (Mrs. Havisham and Jason Gatsby) set out to becomerich and powerful.

The fact bothof these works play upon that archetype doesn’t take away their literary value.And there are so many more stories that follow their own archetypes (in ancientGreek tragedies, for instance, the heroes of the tragedy were always saved towardsthe end of the play by a god. It was a convention of that time, but trust me,ancient Greek tragedies are still frigging awesome because of all thesociopolitical, religious and economical information we can get out of them)

But. Archetypescan also be found within the works of the same author. Another example? Jane Austen.Four of her novels actually revolve around the same theme (which is now knownas the “myth of Jane Austen”); “All fournovels are about young women who fall in love, but eventually reject, theCharming but Worthless lover and finally marry a man whom they esteem andadmire rather than love passionately” (From Gorer’s essay “The Myth in JaneAusten”)

Does thefact she used a myth in her writing take away the fact she’s an awesome writerthat has influenced so many others –and played a part in feministic writing?No, I don’t personally think so.

Now, let’smove this within the Supernatural fanfiction world.

Here,instead of archetypes, we got tropes that writers use because they love writingthem (like jealous reader or jealous Dean). It’s not just that they’re fun towrite though. Again, these are based on patterns of human behavior and the psychologicalanalysis of the human soul since it is generally accepted that if someone flirtswith the person you got feelings for you will be upset (though the revealedfeelings part is just really amazing to write).

And when itcomes to Dean not believing that he deserves to be loved and thus, notadmitting his feelings for someone, I don’t think that’s trope per se. Deanreally doesn’t believe he deserves to be loved. Dean really doesn’t stay withthe ones he loves because he thinks he doesn’t deserve them and knows it willnever work out because he’s a hunter and because he wants to protect them (seeCassie, Lisa, J, Ben etc.). So, I think that if someone wants to write an accurateDean fic, that should be included asan essential part of his character (or if avoided, should include anexplanation as to why).

Andbesides. We all write stories based on SPN, where the characters and theirtraits, pet peeves, characteristics etc. are specific. It is only natural thatsomethings get written more than others. The most important thing is not that,but whether the way you write itmakes it special. It’s the way we tell the story that matters more than the storyitself. (Someone could have an amazing idea about a story but if the storytelling is not good, not many people will appreciate it).

Do I want toread more original ideas though? Yes. And I applaud everyone who comes up withthem and puts them perfectly into words (here, let me suggest Wake up, Sammyand Unwell by @hannahindie Escape by @impala-dreamer and As It Seems by @imagining-supernatural as four of the most original things I’ve ever readhere).

But thepoint is, those stories that get written to death? They matter, too. Because weall put our hearts and souls into our works and that should be enough.

I hope this answers your question, dear anon. Ifnot, you can always send me another ask, I’m always open to discussion.

[petsupplyandmore]

Sneezing in Cats: Causes and Signs

An occasional sneeze from a cat is regular and nothing to fret about. People, generally we sneeze as a result of we get irritants in our nasal passages. A sneeze is a fast and explosive launch of air. It comes out of each the mouth and the nostril. Typically pleasure can convey this on. In cats sneezes will be introduced on by each motion and pleasure.

If sneezing doesn’t go away or lasts longer than you anticipate, notably if mixed with different unfavourable signs, then it is best to take your cat to the vet for an entire examination.

Can a cat get a chilly?

If you’re frightened you could give your cat your chilly, don’t fear! The virus that causes colds in people are usually species-specific. Solely in very uncommon instances will your cat catch your chilly.

That being mentioned, a number of feline viruses that resemble colds in people. Feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus and even some micro organism intently resemble a human chilly.

Higher respiratory infections can happen in kittens and cats who usually are not accurately vaccinated and have come into contact with different cats who’re in poor health. Cat colds are usually innocent. You need to see the signs clear up inside 10 days. If you don’t begin to see an enchancment inside Four-5 days, it is best to take your cat to the vet. A chilly left untreated can flip into pneumonia.

Signs of colds in cats:

Discharge from eyes or nostril. This may be both watery or thick. It may be clear, white, inexperienced or yellow.

Sneezing Coughing Tiredness Lack of urge for food Fever Dehydration Third eyelid raised Extreme swallowing

So, why does a cat sneeze?

An infection One of many principal causes for sneezing repeatedly is an infection. This can be an higher respiratory an infection. Cats who’ve frolicked in a cattery or animal shelter typically sneeze due to this. Your vet will then take a swab from the mouth, nostril and throat to verify the an infection after which deal with it.

Irritants Another excuse for cats sneezing is inhaled irritants or allergens. If the sneezing is at a sure time every day, then this can be the trigger, and you’ll quickly have the ability to pinpoint what precisely is making your cat sneeze. When you have began to make use of a distinct cleansing agent and it coincides together with your cat sneezing, cease utilizing it for a minimum of two weeks and see if the sneezing stops.

  Chemical irritants These will be something from tobacco smoke to fragrance and cleansing brokers which might be used round the home. Usually a cat may have a response to a sure fragrance you employ, and be positive with one other sort of fragrance. Typically spray perfumes will make a cat sneeze whereas different sorts don’t.

Overseas our bodies caught up the nasal passage reminiscent of grass or seeds Sneezing is the primary manner the physique will attempt to rid itself of the irritant.

Dental illness, notably if the basis is contaminated This enables micro organism to change into established and the result’s irritation and sneezing.

Vaccines administered up the nostrils This will proceed for a number of days after your kitty has had the vaccine, however will cross by itself, needing no additional therapy.

Youthful cats are extra liable to higher respiratory infections. The excellent news is that many of those infections will be prevented by giving vaccinations at an early age.

What to do

It’s a good suggestion to make it possible for your cat has common vaccinations towards feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. This may shield your cat towards an infection from stray cats which will go to.

If the sneezing is accompanied by a discharge of both blood or mucus, or there’s coughing, then it is best to take him to the vet straight away. Uncommon fatigue or hassle respiration are all causes to see your vet.

What about runny noses?

Most cats don’t have a nasal discharge. If a cat is contaminated with FHV-1 they might have a discharge which is both clear or has a black colour to it.

Sometimes a runny nostril is attributable to an higher respiratory illness. Even after an acute viral an infection, many cats stay chronically contaminated and have a runny nostril for a while.

Much less frequent are nasal tumors, though they do happen. Objects caught up a nasal passage or abscesses on a tooth will all trigger a runny nostril. On this occasion, there might solely be a discharge from one nostril as a substitute of from either side. One aspect of your feline’s face may be swollen.

Yellow or inexperienced discharge is because of the presence of white blood cells mixed with lifeless tissue. This colour discharge usually means there’s a secondary bacterial an infection together with continual rhinitis (irritation of the nostril).

There are a number of explanation why your cat has a runny nostril.

Allergy symptoms

Unusual as it might appear, cats have allergy symptoms, identical to people. Sometimes a cat with an allergy may have a really clear discharge. Your kitty’s sneezing can be mixed seasonally and infrequently resulting from an irritant.

Infections

Usually a runny nostril means an an infection of some kind. Most of those infections are viral reminiscent of herpes and calicivirus, inflicting a runny nostril. Typically the trigger is bacterial or fungal, each of which generates nasal discharge.

Dental points

An abscess on a tooth produces a discharge, affecting the sinuses above the contaminated tooth. Typically these stays are a pink colour and even bloody.

Tumors or growths

Typically a cat can develop tumors and if one is rising within the nasal passage it’ll trigger a discharge. Typically this can be bloody, others might not be.

How will a runny nostril be recognized?

Your vet will wish to see your cat as quickly as doable. He’ll decide whether or not it’s a viral an infection and take a swab to check.

Usually the prognosis will come from info that you just present such because the historical past of your cat, the place he likes to hang around, and the place he has come from. Adopted cats from shelters are sometimes candidates for runny noses.

Stress within the family, reminiscent of a loss of life or divorce may have an effect on a cat and trigger a runny nostril.

Treating a runny nostril

Sometimes a runny nostril is handled with an antibiotic or antiviral remedy. In ongoing instances, there could also be a prescription of anti-inflammatory steroids to enhance the situation.

If there isn’t a response to an antibiotic, your vet might wish to verify additional for polyps. On this occasion, he’ll anesthetize the cat whereas he carries out an examination. This will embody x-rays, a CT scan or rhinoscopy. This may point out any tumors or root abscesses.

Look after a cat with a chilly

Preserve eyes and nostril free from mucus. To do that use a gentle fabric or paper towel. Moisten with heat water and gently wipe the discharge away. Encourage consuming by providing heat meat-based child meals or canned cat meals. Give loads of recent water as typically as you possibly can. Preserve your cat heat and cozy. Add one other cowl to their mattress in order that it’s snuggly and comfortable. Keep in mind that your cat may have a sore throat, so make certain all of the meals you supply is simple to swallow. By no means give your cat human remedy. What works for people will very possible hurt your cat. Solely give your pet what the vet has prescribed. See the vet if signs worsen or in case your cat begins to vomit. Until you see an enchancment inside a number of days, it is best to seek the advice of your vet. Above all, maintain different cats away and it’s doable in your cat to cross his chilly on to different cats.

Wrap Up

No pet proprietor likes the considered their cat being in ache, even whether it is only a chilly or a runny nostril. If you’re in any doubt in regards to the severity of the sneezing or a runny nostril, it is best to take your cat to the vet straight away. With a number of easy precautions and delicate care throughout their sickness, you’ll quickly have your furry pal again to regular once more.

Concerning the Writer Howdy, my title is Valerie and I personal a Clumberdoodle named Bentley. In my spare time, I write for OfficiallyPets. I really like all animals and cats are one among my favorites. I had a number of rising up and am good pals with my neighbor’s cat. Just lately I observed that her cat was sneezing greater than standard. I made a decision to do a little analysis on why cats sneeze and have runny noses, and hope you discovered this text attention-grabbing!

  from Pet Supply and More http://petsupplyandmore.com/index.php/2019/02/13/sneezing-in-cats-causes-and-signs/

[mytiarafitsme]

This past weekend I was able to help celebrate the life of my friend Leslie in Cancun, Mexico. Simply put, life was lived and melanin was popping! We booked through Expedia three weeks before our trip! We decided on the amount we did not mind spending for flight and lodging, and booked through Expedia’s travel packages. I must say the trip exceeded my expectations of what I assumed Cancun would be like and Mexico has captured my little travel heart!

Day One. Our first day in we decided to explore Cancun calm night life a little. We asked the hotel concierge for suggestions to just hang. Of course they began with giving us typical places they assume tourist would like to go, but we expressed our desire to go to places they personally like to go. Well lets just say they gave us just that, they recommended going to Plaza de Toros. We chose to dine at Las de Guantos where it took us maybe 20 minutes after being entertained by the most turnt waiter ever, to realize no one at the restaurant bar spoke any English Not even a little! It was more cool than stressful. I work at a school with 85% Hispanic population where I also teach an English class for parents and others in our community. Dining at this bar allowed me to walk in the shoes of the population I serve and advocate for daily, for a second. I say a second because this trip, this experience, could not be compared to their daily experiences in the U.S., but it inspired me more and reminded me to continue doing the work God has set out forth me to do at this moment.

I would like to take a second to thank God & Google! I am a huge google fan, since like tenth grade when I found out you can simply text google for responses. I’ve used it often when talking to clients, it’s not always accurate, but it gets the job done- especially in person. We were using it so much this night that our waiter asked to use the phone and he translated from Spanish to English! The little Spanish we knew collectively was just fine until our taxi never came back to pick us up, and they could not understand that we were stranded. It was all worth the hustle because our taxi ride back was the cheapest ride of the entire trip! Our waiter definitely looked out for us through our language barrier. Exploring is always a risk, and this night was worth it.

Day Two. If I could change any part of the trip it would be the morning we were too nice and decided to listen to the resorts sale pitch on a time share! Ahh, worst decision ever. There was some interest until we realized we had spent over three hours listening to them and that was just too much time to give away for a weekend trip! After that was over we traveled up to Hotel Zone where we hung out at Playa Langosta for a minute. I was able to see friends from back home who were celebrating their birthdays as well, us being in Cancun at the same time was the biggest coincidence! We ended our night celebrating three birthdays at Congo Bar Cancun. Our night was filled with unapologetic live your life moments. We enjoyed an open bar, great music, and overall great vibes.

Day Three. also known as my favorite day of the trip! We began the day with breakfast at the resort followed by quick sun bathing at the beach until our boat arrived at the loading dock. We got onboard of a Catamaran and sailed off to Isla Mujeres meaning Island of Women. Isla Mujeres is an island in the Caribbean Sea. The island’s name originates from the historical findings that priestesses were the first to ever live on the island. It is believed that the women lived there for centuries by themselves. Can you say empowering?

On the way to Isla Mujeres we had an open bar and snacks. The snack consisted of the best guacamole and pico de gallo EVER. We were not expecting that at all, I assumed peanuts or something! We were apart of the sightseeing, snorkeling, and sailing trip that the CATmania Sailing Trip company offers, but due to weather conditions we were only able to sail. I had a few people direct message me about the company we sailed with. We booked through our hotel at a steal price but I found the companies website. Yes, they have private and group options! I would definitely recommend them. The captain and his crew were very interactive and helpful!

  The island itself was extremely peaceful, yet entertaining. In its entirety the island is a little over four miles long. I fell in love with the atmosphere here. I honestly plan on going again within the next year or so and actually staying on this island. The people were so friendly and happy! Since the island is so small there were very few cars on the roads. The best way to see the island was on foot, bike, or golf carts. Golf carts are probably the main big source of transportation. It really was not enough room for cars and I loved that! We spent a little time at Playa Norte beach which is one of the top rated beaches in the world. The water is crystal blue, and the sand is sugary white!

  Day Four. The last day was our last chance to get sun-kissed! We literally ate breakfast and sat at the beachside until it was time to shuttle back to the airport. It was our chance to relax before our flights back home. Of course we almost missed our ride to the airport because we did not want to leave the beach! Like the weather on our last day was perfect!

Cancun is a beautiful place that I would recommend any one to visit. I will be going back but I definitely plan to stay at Isla Mujeres and maybe sail to Cancun for a day out. I personally enjoyed the energy and quaintness of Isla Mujeres the most!

            Cuties Coasting in Cancun This past weekend I was able to help celebrate the life of my friend Leslie in Cancun, Mexico.