#it's such a cool evolution. i love her. i love spending time w her she's such a cool friend.

[britneyshakespeare]

In my last personal post I told a story in the tags about a friend I've made in the past several months who used to be friends with a bunch of casually racist cishet white guys and whatnot. I mentioned how she sent me a message the other night about how she really feels like she trusts me and can be herself around me and how good that feels. But that post was about casual racism more than friendship so here's a positive post about friendship. God I just love meeting people and hanging out with them and doing cool things and introducing each other to cool new places. I love emotionally bonding through the gradual reveal of different layers of the self. I love having my set of interests, while they also have their own, but there's a good amount of thematic overlap and exchange and lending each other books and recommending movies and talking about them and stuff. I love when you haven't even known someone long but you can just feel a strong common sympathy there and like you're going to be friends for a long time. Like sometimes it comes out of nowhere when you really don't expect it and aren't looking for it but you're just speaking to someone you just met and shortly into it you're like "!!!!" inside your head because it's like. Wow. I could talk to this person forever. We could just shoot the shit on whatever topic and it would be a good time. Love that all so much.

#the tags i wrote about this friend didn't really show we were close for any other reason than me not being racist to her like the guys #she's just letting go of. but while that's certainly a reason we became closer (me sympathizing w her & finding their behavior disgusting) #obviously that's not like. the sole basis of a lasting friendship. lol. like. there's plenty of white ppl who won't use her to excuse #themselves when they want to be racist for an edgy joke. im not special im just Not Horrible for that. #even if it is new to her i always remind her that there's better out there than them and im not SO exceptional for treating her w respect. #which we all need to be reminded of sometimes if we have a history of toxic friendships/relationships but still. #we're actually bonded much more by our interests and worldviews. like. she LOVES philosophy and is somewhat into poetry #i on the other hand LOVE poetry and am somewhat into philosophy. #we have really interesting conversations and recommendations to each other. i like exchanging thoughts abt what we're reading or watching #we also like to go to secondhand stores and buy old books. and knickknacks and whatnot. #that's been a fun way to bond #and she's taken me to some open mic poetry events in her neighborhood that are AMAZING #i never read my stuff onstage since i was like 15 before her. and ive seen her grow as a performer as she's started doing it. #it's such a cool evolution. i love her. i love spending time w her she's such a cool friend. #tales from diana

[werewolfcandy]

Kamen Rider Pokemon AU thoughts under the read more bc i love both of these things and i need to combine them in my head

W cast:

Shotaro: A Honchkrow, given to him when it was just a baby Murkrow by the Boss. Shoutaro’s Honchkrow enjoys puffing up its own feathers, but it seems a little melancholy sometimes, too. Seems like it misses the Boss’ old Honchkrow.

Philip: Philip’s Espeon is often curled in his lap while he’s researching, and it keeps protective watch over his body when Philip becomes Double with Shoutaro.

Akiko: Akiko’s Purugly is quite pampered, and she spends a lot of time brushing its soft fur to perfection. Her Purugly is a bit boastful because of this. When it sees Akiko get her slipper from her back, it will dash behind the legs of her target so they can’t run away from Akiko.

Terui: Terui’s Scizor seems just as cool and collected as he is, but its actually quite shy. It’s an extremely capable fighter, chasing down enemy dopant’s pokemon as relentlessly as its owner. 

OOO Cast:

Eiji: Eiji’s Goodra is incredibly friendly, and enjoys hugs! Eiji never seems to mind when it leaves slime all over his clothes (though certain prickly birds complain every time Goodra tries to hug them too). When Eiji struggles to control the purple medals, his Goodra becomes extremely distraught and fearful, to the point of rampaging alongside him.

Ankh: A Ho-oh! Obviously it had to be a firebird pokemon, and Ho-oh is described as having rainbow feathers, just like Ankh! It was weakened alongside Ankh, so to protect itself, it disguises itself as a Talonflame. (legendary pokemon can disguise themselves as normal pokemon because i say so)

Hina: Her Leavanny is always extremely helpful when she’s designing clothes. Its strong silk and sharp cutters make for an especially strong thread and clean fabric cut. It’s surprisingly strong for such a delicate looking pokemon, and won’t hesitate to fight back if it thinks Hina is being threatened.

Gotou: In his research and study of the medals, Kougami and his scientists managed to create a synthetic pokemon capable of changing its typing with a special device. only one of these creatures managed to survive past incubation, and was given to Gotou when he was promoted to lead a squadron. Gotou isn’t quite sure what to make of Type: Null, but sometimes it looks back at him with intelligent eyes from behind its mask, and Gotou wonders how much is being held back by its control mask.

Date: Despite its rough looks, Date’s Aggron is surprisingly friendly. Years of work in combat zones have left its metal hide a bit scuffed and worn, but Date tries to polish it up a bit when he can. It eats a lot too, and Date often has to pry cell medals out of its mouth after a battle before it eats too many. 

Satonaka: Satonaka will battle, too, if she’s paid enough to do it. Her Tsareena is just as aloof as she is, and an extremely capable fighter. Even Date’s Aggron will flinch away from it. But their battling prowess doesn’t come cheap, and Satonaka insists on extra pay if any of Tsareena’s leaves get scuffed in a fight.

Ex-Aid Cast:

Emu: A Lucario. I couldn’t decide between this or Blaziken (it reminds me of Mighty, a little bit!) But Lucario’s empathetic abilities are a good match for Emu i think. For some reason, it acts really strange around Parad... maybe it senses something about him that Emu doesnt?

Parad: A Porygon, of course! It wouldn’t have any trouble following it’s friend into digital spaces. Kuroto designs the special discs Porygon needs to evolve for Parad. 

Hiiro: A Gallade! There is nothing they cannot cut. Hiiro has a mega stone, but his own personal struggles prevent him and Gallade from mega evolution for much of the show.

Kiriya: Its GOTTA be a Cyclizar! C’mon, of course the bike man would have a bike pokemon. Kiriya’s Cyclizar is just as fun and upbeat as he is!

Taiga: Decidueye. It supports Snipe in combat with it’s sharpshooting quills. While it seems quite cool and aloof, it can often be seen fussing over Taiga when he’s in his office.

Nico: Nico’s Scrafty has as big of a temper as she does, and Emu is often an unfortunate target for it’s violent headbutts or kicks. It’s fiercely protective of Nico, and has a competitive streak from their esports days. Scrafty hates losing more than anything, so it often tries to start fights with Emu’s Lucario.

Poppy: A cute Sylveon! It’s good at helping patients calm down a little bit, and loves to dance with Poppy! Whon Poppy’s feeling a little down, her Sylveon will link it’s ribbons in her hands and try to cheer her up by instigating a dance.

Kuroto: A shiny Gengar. It’s leering smile and horrid laughter echo Kuroto’s. It becomes even more cruel and unnerving once they achieve mega evolution, relentlessly chasing Kiriya’s Cyclizar through the streets when it goes to find help.

Graphite: Graphite and his Charizard both enjoy testing themselves in combat. Graphite’s signature move burns just as hot as his Charizard’s flames! While capable of mega evolution, they prefer not to use it, only mega evolving when their opponent has proven themselves worthy.

Build Cast:

Sento: Isurugi says he found Metagross’ pokeball on Sento when he found him in the rain. It doesn’t seem to remember anything, either, so it navigates its new life with Sento one step at a time. An encounter with a Buneary earned Sento another companion, too! It’s often perched on Sento’s shoulder, and when they both get excited, both of Buneary’s ears stand on end.

Banjou: A Kommo-o! (its fighting and dragon type. it has to be a Kommo-o). They were legends in the ring, but after Banjou’s fall from grace, his Kommo-o refused to listen to him. It’s taken a while, but now that Banjou has found his reason to fight again, he and Kommo-o can finally fight together once more. When Banjou gets fired up, Kommo-o clangs its scales in reply.

Misora: A Spinda (because i think it kind of looks like that weird rabbit plush thing Misora has). Misora usually holds it in her arms, since it can be a little slow when it totters after her with its strange movements. After her collapse as a child, she found that a Shaymin followed her everywhere, too. It’s cute and unassuming, but sometimes the flowers on its back shake, like it’s reacting to some strange power...

Sawa: Sawa’s Chatot received training alongside her during their youth as Namba Children. It’s capable of advanced levels of speech pattern recognition, so Sawa will often leave it in unassuming places so her Chatot can eavesdrop and then repeat back to her everything it heard. 

Kazumin: Mudbray and Tauros are common pokemon for farmers, and Kazumin’s Mudsdale has been his reliable partner since childhood. Years of farm work have build it’s already strong stamina into something almost untouchable. It stands stong, shrugging off powerful attacks like they’re nothing, and one stomp from Mudsdale’s hooves is enough to down almost any opponent. 

Gentoku: Krookodile looks a bit intimidating, until you realize it can be just as silly as Gentoku can be. It shared his horrendous amazing fashion sense. Gentoku has sunglasses that match the dark markings around Krookodile’s eyes.

Evolt: Isurugi’s Dachsbun used to be at his side every second of the day, but for some reason it began to shy away from him. Now it snarls at him from time to time, and spends every moment with Misora instead. 

After everything is revealed, a strange and unsettling pokemon started to accompany Evolt. Deoxys looms behind him, standing almost perfectly still, and it’s ever-shifting forms make it a tough opponent in combat.

#kamen rider #dawn talks #not many shows in this one because i havent seen that many

[timelyowl0]

Brittana/Faberry Fic Recs

Hi! Here’s a list I compiled of some of my all time favorite Brittana and Faberry fics! I was originally going to separate the list by Faberry and Brittana, but many of the stories have both, so instead you can just read the pairings listed for each. They are sorted by multi-chapter complete, multi-chapter incomplete/in progress, and one-shots. Each title is a link you can click on to take you to the fic. All credit goes to their respective authors :)

Also, here’s a quick rating guide in case you needed to know:

GA/PG - General Audience

T - Teen

M - Mature

E - Explicit

NR - Not rated

That’s all, I hope you enjoy!

Multi-chapter (complete):

Between The Lines (T) - 19 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana and Rachel/Quinn - Rachel invites Brittany and Santana to a sleepover. Brittany/Santana with a healthy side of Rachel/Quinn

The Only True Paradises (M) - 20 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - The tortuous evolution of Santana's feelings toward Brittany. See also "Pas de Deux," a companion piece from Brittany's point of view.

Pas de Deux (M) - 20 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Companion piece to "The Only True Paradises." The evolution of Santana and Brittany's relationship from Brittany's perspective.

Faithfully (T) - 5 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - "That moment when Santana had sworn, even though she and Brittany were standing at opposite ends of the raised platform…that she could still feel Brittany's energy zinging toward her, like they were connected on the same current." Brittana, Seasons 1 through 5, as told in five increments.

My Girlfriend's Sister's Keeper (T) - 13 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Brittany isn't the only Pierce that has Santana wrapped around her finger. Santana's life with her two favorite people.

Mariposa (M) - 5 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Like a butterfly, Santana's journey out of the closet occurs in stages. From the first time she heard the word gay to the first time she flew free from her chrysalis, she can remember everything.

time passes, in love and in seasons (T) - 4 Part Series - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Brittana, from the end of junior year and throughout senior year, told through the seasons. Mostly follows Season 3 canon.

Brittana Shorts (GA) - 8 Part Series - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - A collection of Brittana-centric short stories

it’s nice to have a friend (T) - 8 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - They're six when they first meet. It's the first day of school in a crowded classroom and Santana finds herself drawn to the new blonde girl. OR The story of how Brittany and Santana meet and all the significant moments in their lives following the first time they see one another. - sequel

A Matter of Miserable Time (T) - 10 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - "His voice was deep, quiet, and sure, so calm compared to the last words they had exchanged. Her voice was only a faint whisper as she questioned the man she hadn't spoken to in three years.'Papi.'"

Influence (M) - 26 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Brittany is perpetually cast as the dumb blonde, but the reasons behind her demeanor are more complex than that. She looks back on her childhood, her relationship with Santana, and the life-altering effects the decisions of her youth had on her future.

It’s Not Like I Wanted This to Happen (T)- 101 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana and Rachel/Quinn - Quinn takes a very drunk Rachel home from a party...encounters the Berrys…and herself. This story contains a huge amount of Brittana and a lot of Puck.

Rough Beginnings (M) - 44 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Quinn decides she needs to end this obsession once and for all, but life doesn't always work out the way we want it to. Sometimes it's so much better. Faberry.

Never Asked to Feel Your Halo (T) - 45 Chapters (1/2 in series) - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - The thing was, neither of them wanted this-whatever it was, but since when did the Universe care about what Rachel or Quinn wanted? Their cards had been dealt the moment they'd entered that shower together. Now it came down to how well they played them.

Standing on the Edge Dancing in the Flames (M) - 34 Chapters (2/2 in series) - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Life isn't all singing and dancing, not even in Glee club. And what if being on top of the pyramid just gives you further to fall. When everyone feels like a frienemy and fathers and faculty and babies and boyfriends complicate EVERYTHING, how are you ever supposed to get anything right? (Book Two of the 'No Halo' series)

The South Side of Anywhere (M) - 47 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Sometimes you fall in love with your eyes closed, and when you open them, the person is someone you never thought it could be. It started with letters, and turned into Faberry.

Somewhere in Between (M) - 77 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Imagine if Faberry happened instead of Finchel. This is a re-telling of every episode as if Faberry were cannon. Each chapter will chronicle each episode starting at the very beginning. Some things will change and some will remain the same. Longer description in first chapter. Also side Brittana. As well as Quinntana friendship, and Puckleberry bromance.

Didn’t See it Coming (M) - 63 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana? - AU HS. After a devastating breakup, Quinn turns to Rachel in need of a friend, and ends up with so much more. - "If, one day, someone asks me how it all started; I'll have to say it was a granola bar that finally did me in." Faberry.

Bet You Didn’t Know That (T) - 19 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Faberry. What she doesn't know, she doesn't need to find out.

Take Me As I Am Seasons 1 & 2 (T) - 48 chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana and Kurt/Blaine - The incredibly true adventures of Quinn and Rachel, starting from Sectionals Season 1. It's just like watching the show, if Faberry were the central couple and everything revolved around them! Brittana & Klaine co-star in supporting roles.

Take Me As I Am Season 3 (T) - 26 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana and Kurt/Blaine - The continued adventures of Quinn & Rachel as the starring couple of Glee. Some integration of canon events, but mostly this is the story of Faberry and their world! Klaine & Brittana co-star in supporting roles

Blink and You’ll Miss It (M) - 31 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Quinn Fabray and Rachel Berry discover they like each other. Against all odds, will they be able to get together before they tear each other apart?

You’re All I Need (M) - 17 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - A Faberry romance story, set when they are both single but I haven't specified when as I'm not even sure myself but most of the events are from series 3. Points of view will change every few chapters. And that's probably the worst description you've ever read but yeah I can't be bothered to change it.

quarantining or how quinn might lose it, once for all. (T) - 8 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - It starts like the worst horror movie ever but instead of being trapped in the basement of a creepy 50-something year old, Quinn finds herself being trapped in Rachel Berry's basement.

Once More From the Top (T) - 22 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana and others - Here's what you missed on Glee: McKinley's Glee Club reformed under the direction of Will Schuester. Rachel tried to recruit the Cheerios but that ended up being a total disaster. It's cool though because she heard Finn Hudson sing in the shower and he's actually really good. She successfully recruits him and now the Glee Club has enough members to be a real thing.And that's what you missed, on Glee!

Outside Hearts (M) - 37 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Rachel Berry's world is about to be turned upside down when one of Hollywood's most sought-after young actresses, Quinn Fabray, abruptly and mysteriously leaves her fame behind, moves to Ohio and tries to have a normal life while attending McKinley High. (Faberry w/ some Brittana)

I See That Ragged Soul Take Flight (M) - 44 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana, Mike/Tina, Kurt/Blaine and Sam/Mercedes - Ensemble cast piece exploring what happens after Season 3. Rachel, Santana and Kurt are in New York together. Quinn is at Yale. Explores adulthood, friendship and long-distance relationships. Eventual Faberry. Also contains, Brittana, Klaine, Tike and Samcedes content, plotlines back at McKinley, and frequent use of Santana POV.

All The Best (T, but I would rate M for descriptive scenes of suicide, eating disorders, rape, etc.) - 80 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - After spending the entire summer away, Quinn is eager to get back to normal and make the best of her junior year. Excited to put everything behind her and start fresh, she struggles to establish a new normal. But when she's least expecting it, Quinn finds support in the most unlikely places and is forced to confront the very feelings that landed her where she is in the first place.

take these broken wings (M) - 4 Part Series - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana and Kurt/Sam - Begins in Season one and follows Quinn through her life should she have chosen to keep Beth, realize she is gay, and fall in love with Rachel Berry. The main romantic relationship will be Faberry, with a bit of Hevans and Brittana, but apart from Faberry it will be very heavy on friendship and Quinn&Beth oriented.

the state of dreaming (T) - 3 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - Rachel couldn’t help the guilt that bubbled in her chest when she watched Quinn get a prom photo alone. Determined to make it up to her, she invites Quinn over for a sleepover. It becomes a routine. Set immediately after 2x20 (Prom Queen).

Enough to Believe (T) - 2 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - Years after Shelby ups and disappears from Lima with Beth, a blonde girl shows up on Rachel and Quinn's doorstep, armed with a lot of questions, and very familiar cheekbones.

you and her loathing this cruel world (M) - 3 Chapters - Pairings: Quinn/Rachel, minor Kurt/Quinn and Kurt/Sam - "Of all the girls he had to have sex with (which really, were none), of course it was someone with a painting of Jesus above her bed, so he knows that his only hope in hell that this will go away is in a negative test result." Season 1 AU; Kurt is pretty sure he's gay, but would like to make sure. Quinn Fabray has similar questions running through her mind. They put their theories to the test, with very much unintended consequences. - sequel

I’ve Been Trying to Reach You (T) - 25 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana, Santana/Puck, Rachel/Jesse and Sam/Tina - After falling pregnant in sophomore year, Quinn Fabray plummets from the top of the teen hierarchy at McKinley High to the very bottom. In an effort to give her a chance to start over, her parents transfer her to Carmel, a private school in the area with a blossoming arts program. It's supposed to be a new beginning, but what she doesn't count on is immediately becoming enemies with the most popular girl in school: Rachel Berry, co-captain of Vocal Adrenaline.

The Lopez Manifesto (T) - 8 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - santana starts writing a rachel/quinn fanfic for everyone at McKinley. it’s also extremely popular as everyone awaits her weekly updates. (usually based on what the girls are doing that week.) quinn is the last to find out and is… pissed.

my heart’s a leather jacket I am waiting to give to someone sweet (T) - 15 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Brittany is McKinley’s resident broody rebel who doesn’t see much point to high school, and who, completely incidentally, just so happens to be kind of a math genius. Santana is Lima's golden child, the perfect and unapproachable only child of public figure Dr. Lopez. She’s also the high school’s enigma; no one actually knows anything about her aside from the fact that she’s cold, distant, terrifying, aloof, and willing to eviscerate anyone who looks at her the wrong way. Unfortunately for her, Brittany is about to get a crash course in the complete mystery that is Santana Lopez when she is asked—or, more realistically, forced—to be Santana's math tutor.

Dead Girls Don’t Sing (T) - 39 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana, Rachel/Quinn, Kurt/Blaine and Tina/Mike - S3 AU. Brittany doesn't believe in unicorns anymore, Rachel's dreams are as dead as the world, Santana is no one's hero…and Quinn? Quinn's just trying to breathe. The world as they knew it is gone -now all they can do is survive. Zombie Apocalypse. Faberrittana Friendship. Slow Burn Faberry. Character Death. COMPLETE

Simple Parts (T) - 13 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - That awkward moment when you travel thirty years forward in time and find out you're married to your high school nemesis? Yeah, it totally sucks...except...maybe it doesn't.

The Lateness of the Hour (M) - 12 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - "Brittany has much less to lose. She always has."

half of me (T) - 4 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - a run-in (quite literally) at the bookstore, two broadway tickets, and a seven-year-old in a plaid catholic-school uniform. what has rachel gotten herself into? future AU where quinn has beth and rachel makes it on broadway.

April Fools (T) - 10 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - Santana recruits - forces - Rachel to help her prank Quinn. All she has to do is pretend that a love potion has caused her to fall madly in love with the cheerleader. Simple, right? Wrong. Faberry.

Stars & the Moon (M) - 15 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - In the midst of dealing with Beth's adoption, Quinn ends up working on a summer community theatre production with Rachel. Hilarity ensues. Just kidding.

Love Me Any Less (M) - 25 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Junior year becomes the beginning of something no one expected, and maybe the beginning of something a few can't understand how they ever lived without. Starts mild but progresses to M rating. First fic ever! Faberry.

Better Where It’s Wetter (M) - 10 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - Rachel and her dads are going on a LGBT family-friendly cruise for the summer and Rachel's told she's can bring a friend. Who else to bring but Quinn?

Like a Seal Upon Your Heart (M) - 20 Chapters - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana? - Quinn Fabray is Daddy's little girl and the perfect Christian. She CAN'T be gay. But then her friendship with Rachel Berry starts to change...

Somewhere in Brooklyn (M) - 47 Chapters - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Santana and Brittany have been trying to get pregnant for a year without any luck. What happens when a teenage foster child and positive pregnancy test land in their laps on the same day? A unique journey of motherhood ensues.

Multi-chapter (incomplete/in progress):

Everyone's Gonna Know Now (T) - 8 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - 3/4 in series - When Santana confronted Finn about outing her, his response was, "The whole school already knows." That was pretty much true. This story is about the first moment or incident in which each member of Glee - and a few others - discovered Santana's secret.

Be Okay (M) - 2 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - “Kurt doesn’t know why he does it. It’s not as if he and Santana had ever had anything resembling a friendship, but he feels drawn to her, feels connected to the anguish in her voice as she realized that her biggest secret in the world was about to be revealed.“ This is the evolution of Kurt and Santana’s friendship taking place over a series of one-shots.

looks like a girl but she's a flame, so bright she can burn your eyes, better look the other way, you can try but you'll never forget her name (M) - 5 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - santana lopez writes down the story of her life for a reunion project set for the glee club by none other than rachel berry. aka, a deep dive into santana's life told through her eyes. very santana/brittana centric.

No One Left to Blame (M, read tags) - 30 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Quinn Fabray is well-versed in keeping the truths of her family and her past firmly hidden away. But, her efforts prove to be moot when Rachel Berry, armed with her own secrets of the past, arrives at Dalton Academy and manages to turn both their worlds upside down - or, perhaps, right way up. Faberry. Trigger Warnings.

I’m not breaking, I won’t take it (M, read warnings) - 2 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and minor Quinn/Santana - Santana gets up and starts toward her, “Jesus, what happened to you?” she mumbles, but she's softer than she was moment before. It's obvious that she’s concerned. Quinn chokes down a sob and then admits, “There’s something wrong with me.”“Hey, listen. Whatever it is, you’re going to be fine." Santana is still not getting it, but she’s rubbing soothing little circles on Quinn’s shoulders. There really must be something wrong with her too, because then Quinn is lunging forward and then she’s kissing Santana. Quinn feels her freeze, but then Santana relaxes and she’s kissing her back. or, a study in quinn fabray.

no love like your love (T) - 5 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana and Blaine/Sam - Following the death of her mother, Rachel Berry assumes guardianship of her six-year-old brother, Daniel. After a cross-country move for his sister's job, the first friend Danny makes is a soccer-playing, lucky fin having, firecracker of a girl named Beth.

Song of Mine (M) - 18 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Santana Lopez, the new Music teacher at a religious private school in Indianapolis, meets Brittany Pierce, the resident Math teacher. A love story with a happy ending. Promise.

Girls Over Flowers (NR) - 14 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana - Dalton Academy—a school of prestige, refinement and the country's wealthiest students—houses the famous F3. When "commoner" transfer student, Rachel Berry directly offends F3's leader, Quinn Fabray, she becomes their target. Mayhem ensues.

we were built to fall apart (then fall back together) (T) - 8 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - Rachel and Quinn haven't seen each other for seven years and neither thought they'd see the other again. They certainly didn't see themselves starring together in a Broadway musical, as each other's love interests.

A Different Life (E) - 33 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Brittany/Santana, Finn/Rachel and Kurt/Blaine - Canon!Divergent Brittana. Santana and Brittany move to New York after high school. Everything is going perfectly until Brittany gets a phone call that changes everything. Seven years later, Santana has a daughter and she and Britt haven't seen each other...Canon until 3x16ish. No Louisville, no second senior year.

you get too close you’ll get a royalty high (so breathe it in to feel the love) (T) - 9 Chapters (Incomplete) - Pairings: Brittany/Santana, Rachel/Quinn, Sam/Mercedes, Mike/Tina, Kitty/Artie and Kurt/Blaine - "Alright," she began uneasily. "I'll do it. I'll go to the dumb school."Her parent's smiles beaming back at her were almost enough to make her think this could possibly be a good idea, but the nerves surging in her stomach said otherwise. Boarding School/Royalty Brittana AU

One-shot:

Tattoo (T) - Oneshot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - "She soaks it in for a few seconds—this night, this place, these friends, this family room floor, this girl—before she says it back." Post-3x11. Brittana.

Eden (T) - Oneshot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Brittany and Santana teach Joe about love. 4K

Riding in Cars With Girls (M) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - After Quinn quit Glee club and joined a band Rachel feels the gap Quinn has left and sets out to get her back, whatever the cost. But what happens when Quinn's only condition involves her car and Rachel's lips on hers every day at five? Punk!Quinn

and things we’re all too young to know (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Five vignettes set after the point when Brittana become girlfriends. Not too many people would guess it, but Brittany knows that loving Santana is the easiest and best thing in the world to do; Santana is just the best person to love.

My Friends Say That I’m Falling In Love (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Brittany and Santana spend the week leading up to Valentine's Day giving Mercedes grief about her date. Brittana romance, Brittanacedes friendship. Mouseverse. One-shot.

And What Would You Say If I Wrote the Whole Thing Out for You? (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Some things have changed a lot since Sam left McKinley and some things haven’t really changed at all. Set circa 3x08.

The Landslide Brought Me Down (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Our girls’ story. Sweet lady kisses, Landslide, their separation, the night of Prom Queen, Songbird, Santana’s Abuela’s rejection, the night after Santana learned about the political ad, Brittany’s senior year falling apart, the lights of New York, and other scenes.

seven (GA) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - A companion piece to 'it's nice to have a friend'. Takes place after the first scene in the second chapter - can be read separately to 'it's nice to have a friend'. Basically just childhood fluff that examines their friendship and the items they connect to their friendship.

baby you don't gotta fight (i'll be here til the end of time) (GA) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - She sees red for all of last period, a strange twinge of pain in her chest because all these people think they know Santana but they’re all wrong. or: three times Brittany tells people they've got Santana all wrong and the one time she tells Santana

The Unicorn Tapestries (NR) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - We lie on our stomachs on my pale blue sheets, a book lying open in front of us that we bend our heads over, sunlight all over the page and bringing bits of gold out in your skin..

But You Could Sing (NR) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Why am I always the one who tells bedtime stories? Because your stories are prettier, BrittBritt. But you can tell real ones. Like what?

Colors (NR) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - The sunlight in my room shines from the south. The way I know: when I lean far out my window, the sun rises on the side where I can feel my heartbeat, and sets in the direction of my writing hand.

You’re Something Else (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - 'Quinn gets the impression she and Rachel are finally on the same page about what may or may not be happening between them. All she really knows is that it's colourful.'

Raising the Bar (M) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and minor/implied Brittany/Santana - Quinn never expected that the best matchmaker would turn out to be a lumpy pullout couch.

the one with the friends reference (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, minor/implied Brittany/Santana and minor/implied Kurt/Blaine - "You can see it. Quinn standing in front of you, as close as she can get without touching you and saying, 'Are you attracted to me?'" Faberry. Post-season six.

Blame it on the Alcohol (or the gay, whatever) (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and minor/implied Brittany/Santana - “I can’t believe what you did to my body, I used to have abs!” - In which one sentence is totally incorrect and causes chaos and havoc and Faberry feelings to happen. Also known as drunk Rachel is kyoot and Finn is stoopid.

could you pass in love? (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - “'Quinn Fabray, I will divorce you, don’t think I won’t!'” In which Rachel and Quinn get married, sending them into a possibly out-of-character feelings frenzy . Season Three. Faberry.

Do You Wanna Know How This Story Plays Out? (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - It's not her fault that you feel the way you do about women, you know that, and you knew that then, too. But you've been angry at Rachel Berry for making you feel things you wanted to lock away for years, and it was far too easy to put all of the blame on her to avoid dealing with your own feelings. It wasn't and isn't fair, but it was about protecting yourself and it makes it a little easier to bear. - OR - After everything implodes with Finn, Quinn moves in with Rachel. They make out a lot without ever talking about how much more it means to both of them. Introspective Closeted!Quinn POV from second-person.

you succeed at being mine (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Kurt/Sam - Sequel to 'you and her loathing this cruel world'.

This Must Be The Place (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - Santana is eight years old when her Tio Carlos joins the Army. Or the less-cracky-than-you-might-expect Glee/The Losers crossover where Cougar is Santana's uncle. (If it tells you anything, i nearly titled this 'Ohana Means Family.')

This Modern Love (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Brittany/Santana - "How do you know when you're dating someone?"

Beth’s family tree (GA) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - "Now that being said, my family tree is composed by both my biological family and my adoptive family" Beth explains easily enough as she clicks the mouse. But then the next slide appears and the teacher gapes at all the information, names, colours and arrows in the diagram.

pictures of you, pictures of me (hung upon the wall, for the world to see) (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn and Brittany/Santana - "Quinn looked around her room again. She'd never noticed it before, but she had a lot of pictures of Rachel." or: a faberry oneshot set between seasons 1 and 2 where Quinn reflects on a series of moments with Rachel that led to where she is now

anything could happen (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - She stared down at the test in her hand. The line was faint, disappearing depending on the angle. It was possible she was just seeing things, but still. She pulled out her cell phone, tears running down her flushed cheeks. It felt like the earth could open up at any second, just swallow her whole. The line rang. Once, twice, she cursed quietly. She sucked in a breath as she heard a click signifying the call had connected."Hello? Rachel?" Her voice cracked. "Quinn. I need your help." A Faberry-centric rewrite of Rachel's season 4 pregnancy scare

Frannie’s View (T) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - When Frannie was a child she did everything she could to make her father happy. She was a daddy’s girl through and through. She was quiet and never disrespectful. She went to church every Sunday with her mother and father and prayed every night. Frannie had a lot of friends at school and was popular and well liked. She did very well in school though her participation grades were always low. Daddy told her women were supposed to be quiet and always treat their husbands with respect. She was a princess and he was the King. He ruled the house. Frannie absolutely hated the way her father treated her little sister. Frannie desperately tried to change Lucy. She thought if Lucy could be better then their father would be happier, nicer. OR A journey from Frannie's perspective of Lucy/Quinn and Quinn's sexuality and later feelings for Rachel.

According to Judy (PG) - One-shot - Pairings: Rachel/Quinn - How Judy Fabray deals with Quinn's infatuation with Rachel.

#brittana #faberry #fic rec #brittana fic #faberry fic

[perispinel]

Adventure Time Finale Liveblog

Already this episode is off to a weird start, starting with a flashforward in the future with two random one-off characters and- OH MY GOSH THEY FOUND FINN’S ARM AND THEY LIVE IN MARCELINE’S HOUSE NOW!

Did Finn like die? THis has to be a fakeout about this.

King of Ooo is alive far int he future? he melted in the fire as wax remember writers? 

Oh my gosh this is why they showed the Enchiridion episode last, Mount Kragdor is back!

the king of Ooo is BMO! Wait why does he have PB’s crown... oh my god BMO outlived everybody. he is unfazed by death

BMO is kickin’ em out already, what a savage

That arm is giving BMO some flashbacks. Awww adorable!

Heh after so long BMO is having trouble remembering Finn’s name.

The plot description said NEPTR was telling the story, they faked us out totally!

Finally, more Betty! 

Finally, more Maja!

Looking at Finn is like “you die eventually. BMO has your arm now.”

Having BMO narrate the whole story makes it sound like a five year old trying to describe World War II. 

Finally Duke of Nuts, my favorite character!

Literally no one likes him, he wants to be MacGyver

Justin Roiland has work while R n M is off

Princess Bubblegum is going the Leia route of going from Princess to General

Oh no a little cake spy.

Huntress Wizard, played by Mona Lisa from Parks and Rec, did a good job getting rid of that sky

Come along with me, it is time for war you seeeee

Marceline and PB better makeout RIGHT NOW Marceline, yes, please reconsider PB Oh geez Marceline is just casually like “I saw people die PB.” Marceline be like “I felt worse” all over us

Finn is right.

W-what? Finn whatcha goin on about with nightmares? I thought he was gonna break the fourth wall

I love when a war begins with someone repeating “WAR” over and over

Yep yep there goes the banana guards. What a great plan

“You’re weird” isn’t what I’d say honestly

He doesn’t know what fruit is apparently

Lemongrab is totally piiiiiissed... Oh he’s just sad.

Gumbald literally is backing UP because of them being serious Finny boy

Hey Fern, remember when I accidentally killed ya? Good times boi

“You’re a toddler” is the cue for “I kill you or you give up”

What a great time for a commercial break. 

Okay, time for my thoughts in-between the show: this is giving me crazy feelings. Like, knowing BMO outlives everyone, regardless of the war’s outcome... wait, BMO said Finn was heroic til the end right? Oh my gosh will Finn sacrifice himself? Well either way BMO probably SAW him die, old age or not. BMO is literally the imbodement of a child who doesn’t understand the consequences of anything. Back to the show!

Nice job making me almost sad BMO.

Unconscious world? That’s crazy man.

So no war? Aiight.

Finn was all like “go to dreamworld and talk things out” and they be like “let’s have a war again”

Ooh cool, let’s get those songs for the album here

Jake is going back to his roots

Ooh let’s get Tom Sharpling up in this guys

Aww poor Fern. 

PB isn’t reluctant at all to kill someone even if they look like Finn, as long as they be an enemy. 

Oh sweet evolution Fern! 

Fern is going the toddler solution, that’s fine.

Okay Greg from Steven Universe, enjoy your appearance while it lasts.

Is John DiMaggio spending the episode in a dream state?

Pinching people in the dreamworld really wakes you up? That’s dope.

W-what? why’d they just vibrate

Fern does sound like a knockoff Finn sometimes honestly. Heh prove you’re tormented Finn! 

Oh geez this is really dark, PB had a messup life. Recreating that scene for some symbolism I suppose!

Ooh subconscious world!

Aww his girlfriend is here- I wish I spoke korean.

It’s nice his kids- oh nevermind. 

Is this symbolism for him being connected to his wife like by the sides?

Hahah we got a fart joke everyone, wrap it up! Just kiddin I don’t care either way

I bet Pb is learning what it was like living as a completely unintelligent being without any choice. Will this cause some empathy?

Yeah repressed memories must smell awful.

Obviously Fern and Finn share the same memories, but it’s cool to see them confront it Mindful Education-style

I missed Adventure Time’s art style honestly. 

Oh I get it, Fern originated from the Finnsword.

Oh wow, all of that took place in the span of one second!

PB and Gumbald are learning empathy now, are we not having a war or?

“No no no that happened next.” Good job faking out the fake out.

I love these breaks telling us small bits of lore and secrets about what’s going on that we’re not noticing. Anyway, I am excited to find out what this portal is exactly- I’m guessing Magic Man, Betty, and Maga’s weird cryptic chant is gonna cause some big bad event. Will Adventure Time end with the end of the world? I’d be mega shocked if Finn just died. Wait why isn’t Marceline in the future? Realistically she should be there UNLESS she got killed, soooo... back to the show!! :D

We saved the day! Big scary baby is definitely good!

Wait Fern is in the real world now???

Ice King was just gonna leave until he had that flashback

It is so cute seeing Betty and Simon’s past, I wwant fanart of them having a happy life.

Did I mention FP is super cute? I love Flame Princess

This is getting quite dark man. Even Marcy is scared.

PB don’t martyr yourself

Aww what a great leader, telling her army to flee in terror instead of dying without purpose!

Oooh Fern is on good side now!

Gumball Guardians are her real children

Is this even a kids episode? this should be rared PG-13 man

I hope all this rogue gallery characters still get lines. oh there they go

Heh Jake and Amethyst have some similarities don’t they

Wow what a dark end for someone, skull cracks open and innards bounce around and endanger people

Ice King is the savior! How cute

This is more epic than Reunited but that’s not fair to say exactly, one is finale and one is a special

Oh no poor bananas, so dumb

Let’s go Jake, doing what he does best and being helpful!

Did Jake explode and die?

Remember when LSP and Lemongrab dated?

Aww Lemongrab and LSP is a canon ship, only straight ship allowed for those two

Come on Ice King, remember who you and Betty are!

Ice King is reciting the song from the episode. Oh my gosh come on dude, replace at least ONE word in the song silly!

Betty is too crazy to not throw a tantrum I guess.

Maga the Sky Witch- Kill Count 1

No no no Flame Princesssss! Maybe she’s okay?

Fernnn! 

Did PB just die? Oh my glob

Oh Marcy’s going back to her roots

Okay PB is alive, it’s fine.

Marceline just had a PLanet Hulk moment right there.

Aww it’s canon now guys! Marceline X Bubblegum eternally and they kissssed! Guys they made up for so long of teasing!

Oh no I think they’re breaking them apart layer-by-layer

Ice King is Simon again, yeyyy!

I love that the moment PB and Marcy are confirmed gay for real they just have them holding each other close to prove it even more

Finally Jakei s confirmed not dead

Oh no is Jake dead, 2.0.?

Finally we have a reason BMO knows what happens. He nearly died.

Okay so... Flame Princess and Fern are taken out while Maga is definitely dead. I have a feeling Marceline might die,or else we’ll need a thorough explanation for why she’s not living in her house. Like I can tell that this character voiced by Willow Smith is Jake’s descendant but Marceline is potentially an immortal I assumed so they wouldn’t have her be gone without explanation. Then, here’s a question: is Jake about to sacrifice himself to save BMO?? Also, BMO straight-up says the world ended so I have a feeling that he wasn’t just being coy.

Oh my glob, what’s about to happen. Jake and Finnn’s home is destroyed. 

BMO is getting deep. Okay HE’S SINGING THE SONG :D

Is this about to have a Rogue One ending? How is this going to end happily?

This song is meant to be bittersweet, no way is this a happy ending song guys.

Is BMO secretly badass? CARTOON CONSPIRACY No it’s just the power of music.

Oh I get it! Discord, Harmony, Music, it all makes sense! 

Oh literally everyone sings this! along with screaming!

They got so many voice actors for this! 

Is he going to explode? Oh my glob?

Here lies Finn. he was a good man. I love him. 

“No one gets to choose how it happens. the most important thing is that we’re here together.” Nice way to make me sad twice

Is Simon going to become Simon forever? What’s going on here? Is Betty going to get her bones crushed???

Aww how cute of you Betty. not making my heart any calmer

Ooh yes he’s Simon again :DDD

Oh my gosh this is a crazy kind of ending

Oh no I’m scared now.

thanks for the reminder of The Tandem Elephant’s existence man. Okay, so... this is crazy. Simon is back, like for real, he’s not dying or anything... Betty is potentially dead... Finn didn’t die, which is dope... my eyes are watering, definitely not about to cry. I can’t believe it I’m emotional over cartoon show wow. Just knowing I have eight more minutes until it for real is all over. Maybe I’ll just like, watch it again so I can pretend it didn’t end yet? No that’d be fake. I normally don’t even cry in situations where it’d make sense so this is telling for me I guess. These commercials really make me appreciate how good the show I’m watching are. :’D Okay so, I don’t think Magi actually died, although it’s hard to tell really since I didn’t get a good look at her. I have no idea what is about to happen but I am freaking out. 

Ultimate Adventure continues now

Oh wow Betty fused with the crystal boi

Simon and Marcy, reunited for real

Imagine how much it must suck to wake up after so long of being stuck as someone else

I DON’T FEEL SO GOOD. is that a reference... Oooniverse?

Okay so Gunter is the future beard boy I guess.

Oh wow they grew a Fern. and found a new sword. 

YES HE SCREAMED. THE BOY SCREAMSSS!

Thanks for disobeying me Finn

Finn officially has the singular arm. Dope.

Future baby boy has a big beard

Finn and Jake can’t live forever, this is the past yes

Ooh the music hole is here again! Epic callback broos

Ooh the hole sings the End Credits Song oh geez

New Ice King is Gunter, old ICe King is Simon

Ooh nice glimpses of what might become of some of our friends in the future

Ooooh Lemongrab and Jake get along better. 

Aww cute his dad is going to space now

Flame Princess and NEPTR friends forever

Jiggler callback! 

Susan is here!

Normal Man is cool!

Huntress Wizard continues to be fun! 

PB and Marcy are still gay, Pep But is still edgyyyy

THE HUMANS ARE BAAAAAACCCCCKKKK

They found the sword oh glorb! 

OH WOW THEY JUST HINTED AT WHAT A FUTURE ADVENTURE TIME SPINOFF WOULD BE LIKE!

I LOVE THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN’T RESET BUTTON US BUT DIDN’T KILL EVERYBODY OR SOMETHING! 

Okay I have a lot of thoughts... that was a ffinale. It really was. It was not something I got disappointed in because they didn’t wrap up anything. It wasn’t like waiting 10 years for 10 more episodes of a cartoon. It was like epic man. I naerly teared up guys. It didn’t end with a Reset Button like some finales would- Everything Stays, but it still changed. Sorry, this post is too long for anyone to read all the way through, but I still hope you enjoyed my thoughts on the last Adventure Time episode. A zillion out of ten guys.

#Adventure Time

[beneaththetangles]

Q&A with Our New Staff: Josh, sleepminusminus, Joseph, and Paris!

Over the last couple of months, we’ve brought in four new staff members to join our ministry. A couple of them have been running our social media accounts for weeks now, so you may have been reading their work without even noticing a change, while the remaining two are brand, brand new!

With this being our 10th anniversary year, it felt very appropriate to throw back, as we’ve done all year, and introduce you to them in the way we once did: through a Q&A! So here we go—introducing Paris, who will be covering conventions and doing cosplay content for us; sleepminusminus, one of our writers, who just dropped a guest post for us last week (like I said, brand new); Josh, who helps run our Twitter account and also contributes to the blog; and Joseph, our Instagram admin and the podcast team’s video editor.

-----

Question 1: How did you become associated with Beneath the Tangles?

Paris: Funny enough, Charles found me on my personal Instagram—not my cosplay Instagram! He saw that I went to Dallas Theological Seminary and wanted to recruit me onto the team, but at the time I was still in school and an active member of of another group, so I didn’t have time to make any commitments. Now I’m graduated and excited to be a part of the team!

sleepminusminus: It’s been so long… I must have looked something up about Christianity and anime and found BTT in the results. I’ve kept up with the blog on and off ever since.

Josh: Charles and I were `both members of the Christian Anime Alliance forums. Years later, when I started up my own blog, Charles was so welcoming and so encouraging. A true inspiration. Fast-forward a couple months and I’m coming off a really, REALLY stressful time due to a blog article I wrote that was not received well by some. Charles helped me out of that dark time and when all was said and done and my brain was no longer a quivering mass of goo, he asked if I would like to join BTT. I had to think and pray about it for a while before I said yes and, well, here I am.

Joseph: I met Charles in college and we went to the same church for some time. I always thought it was cool how he used something as secular as anime to evangelize, but it didn’t cross my mind that I could do the same thing until I saw some of my classmates working for BTT too. Then after I graduated, I asked if I could join and here I am.

Question 2: How did you become an anime fan?

Paris: I guess I was kind of born into becoming an anime fan—being half Asian. On my birthday each year, my uncles would take my brother and I to this anime store back when VHS was still a thing, and we could rent as many anime VHS tapes as we wanted! Some of my first anime included Ranma ½, Kodocha, and Yu Yu Hakusho (we weren’t censored as children). I related so much to Sana Kurata that I literally wanted to change my name to Sana, haha! (I think I still do relate to her lol)

sleepminusminus: At first, Youtube clips of visual novels served as the gateway drug into a deeper obsession with anime. After some personal struggles with pornography, I took a break from anime for around a year. When that year ended, some close friends started watching Nagi no Asukara and invited me to watch along. I’ve been riding the slice-of-life train ever since.

Josh: Okay, first of all, Paris is awesome because I have heard very few people talk about Kodocha and the fact that was one of his first is amazing. Second, SleepMinusMinus is awesome because…well…Nagi no Asukara is awesome, and I also am a happy passenger on the Slice-of-Life train. But I digress. My anime switches were flipped one night in around 2002-2003. I was up late and I was channel surfing. I came across this show that ended up being Yu Yu Hakusho. It was so cool as I had never seen anything like it before! Then…then Cowboy Bebop came along and that’s when I realized there was this whole bigger, wider world of those funny Japanese cartoons than Digimon, Pokemon and Monster Rancher. I came back the following Saturday, and the Saturday after that. Before I knew it, I was writing fanfics and joining online forums. Then I was buying DVD’s and Newtype USA magazines. Next thing I knew I was going to cons and meeting other fans. My ascendance into the world of anime has been quick and amazing.

Joseph: I grew up watching all of the classic kid’s shows like Pokemon and Yugioh with my brother. At night, I remember we would always be excited to watch Inuyasha because of how much more actiony it was compared to American cartoons. I don’t think I realized that I was watching anime until in middle school though, when one of my friends asked me if I watch anime, citing Inuyasha as an example. Then he recommended I watch Code Geass and after I watched that, I realized that there was more to anime than just really cool fight scenes and have been watching since.

YYH is an important starting anime for Paris and Josh (art by つ ゆ / reprinted w/permission)

Question 3: How would you describe your place in the fandom?

Paris: I think my place in the fandom would be a cosplay enthusiast and entertainer. I love Instagram and Tik Tok right now but I’m also hoping to start doing Visual Novel walk throughs on Twitch.

sleepminusminus: In public, I’ve mastered the art of the lurker, only peeking out to mark my completed shows on AniList. Most of the time, though, I watch anime with IRL friends and make fun of bad CG. I also spend excessive hours on rhythm games while procrastinating work.

Josh: I think my place in the anime fandom right now is as a mature anime consumer who has just enough writing talent to put his opinions, thoughts and ideas to a word document or in a 240 character tweet and have it make some kind of sense.

Joseph: I don’t really take part in online discussions, but I know most of what they talk about and the references usually (even the memes). I also try to keep up with the actual industry itself too, like what studios are up to or what the directors are doing. Fandom wise, if anyone mentions the Monogatari series, be ready to listen to me rant for an hour on how it’s a masterpiece.

Question 4: What anime or manga are you excited about these days?

Paris: Right now I’m most obsessed with Re: Zero and My Hero Academia.

sleepminusminus: Kyoto Animation has been consistently good recently. I just finished the Haruhi series and I’m thinking about picking up Lucky Star (but only for the Haruhi references). Beyond that, I’m hoping the new Higurashi remake is better than the original. Oh, and the new Made in Abyss movie had better not disappoint.

Josh: Of course, I’m beyond excited to see where Digimon Adventure (2020) is going to go. It’s been a fascinating watch so far. Seeing these characters who I know but don’t know has been a real prodigious experience. It does feel like we’re moving pretty fast though. Sticking with Digimon, I’m also excited to FINALLY get to see Digimon Adventure Last Evolution Kizuna. I grew up with the Adventure ‘99 crew, and knowing this is their final curtain call is bittersweet, but I’m interested to see how this whole thing plays out. Getting away from Digimon, I’m really excited to see the Stone Wars arc of Dr. Stone. I’m completely caught up with the manga so I know what’s to come, but I still want to see it play out in anime form.

Joseph: I’m really excited for the new Maeda Jun original next season: The Day I Became a God. Re:Zero has got me on edge every week and probably will until next year. The Violet Evergarden movie was just released in Japan and hopefully it finds its way here soon. Oh and Haruhi is back in print with the next light novel coming out soon, so that’s been a long time coming.

Season two of Re:ZERO has us all excited (art by 茕榕 / reprinted w/permission)

Question 5: QUICK FIVE

Best live action anime adaptation?

Paris: Ghost in the Shell sleepminusminus: I’ve only watched Detective Pikachu… Josh: Death Note (2006). Chairman Kaga is Light’s Daddy. Joseph: Alita: Battle Angel

Digimon or Pokémon?

Paris: Pokémon sleepminusminus: Pokémon Josh: Digimon Joseph: Pokemon

My first cosplay was…

Paris: Ken Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul! I was really into Facepaint and FX makeup in High School so I literally just painted the mask onto my face. sleepminusminus: Lurkers don’t cosplay Josh: My first cosplay was supposed to be Izzy from Digmon at MechaCon this year, but COVID happened and… Joseph: Kagamine Len from Vocaloid. I like make easy and not hot outfits to wear at cons.

If I could meet one person in the anime industry, it would be…

Paris: Laura Bailey! She’s my favorite voice actress. sleepminusminus: Honobu Yonezawa, the author of the Hyouka novels Josh: Amanda Winn-Lee. I’ve interacted a lot with her on Twitter and she’s so nice. Joseph: Yamada Naoko, director for A Silent Voice and K-On! The Movie.

This anime character would be my best friend:

Paris: Tomo Takino from Azumanga Daioh sleepminusminus: Kyon from Haruhi, for his continual complaints and stream of grandiose allusions Josh: Mimi from Digimon Adventure. She’s an awesome character that needs a good friend to tell her to “hush” whenever she goes ditzy. Joseph: Chitanda Eru from Hyouka because she always wants to do something

Our staff is curious—at least sleepminusminus and Joseph are! (art by ちゅんころもち / reprinted w/permission)

All-time anime crush?

Paris: Kyo from Fruits Basket. For some reason, I always end up loving the angry boys… sleepminusminus: Mayaka Ibara, our tsundere queen from Hyouka Josh: Hinata from Naruto. How can you NOT like that lavender-eyed cutie? Joseph: Holo from Spice and Wolf because of course she is.

Favorite food to eat while watching anime:

Paris: Pho Tai w/ an order of eggrolls and Thai Tea sleepminusminus: Instant ramen (no crumbs!) Josh: Nice cold Muscadine grapes. Joseph: Fruit Basket (Preferably strawberries)

An anime that more people need to watch:

Paris: Kodocha; the manga is good too! sleepminusminus: Hyouka (notice a theme yet?) Josh: Planetes. It’s a great space slice-of-life show that gets little to no love. Joseph: A Place Further than the Universe. Very well rated but I don’t think enough people watch it because of its silly premise.

An anime that is way overrated:

Paris: DANGANRONPA. It’s horrible. Change my mind. Other than the Fate series, I haven’t had much luck with Visual Novel anime adaptations— (let’s not talk about School Days) sleepminusminus: Madoka Magica: watch Steins;Gate instead Josh: My Hero Academia. Come on guys, it’s the same old comic book superhero “I wanna be the strongest ______ ever!” shounen show we’ve seen over and over again. Joseph: One Punch Man. The title tells you what the show is going to be about you guys.

Poor Madoka… (art by 薯子Imoko / artist allows reprints)

Do you like gore / dark anime?

Paris: yes. It’s my favorite. sleepminusminus: Sure Josh: Depends on my mood, but not really. Joseph: Gore for the sake of gore (Another), not really. But everything else I can enjoy!

Shonen or slice of life?

Paris: Shonen sleepminusminus: Slice-of-life Josh: Slice-Of-Life all day everyday. Joseph: Slice of life

Best Ghibli movie:

Paris: Spirited Away sleepminusminus: None yet… recommendations please Josh: Ponyo. It’s just so freaking adorable. Joseph: Princess Mononoke

Ever been to Japan?

Paris: I was supposed to go this Summer, but Covid… sleepminusminus: No Josh: HAHAHAHAHA…on my salary? Heck no! Joseph: Yes two times now!

Question 6: Where can our readers find you other than here on the blog?

Paris: Instagram / Tik Tok / Twitch / Facebook / YouTube: Pariscosplays (in progress) / Email sleepminusminus: You can find me on Twitter. If you’re fortunate, you might catch a tweet once a year. Josh: Blog / Twitter – Heads up on my Twitter, I tend to get very political and I sometimes go off on tangents. I give fair warning for both. But overall, I’m pretty chill! I do have an Instagram but I don’t update it too often, and I do have a Facebook, but I keep it on lockdown. Sorry! Joseph: I don’t really use any other social media actively

#Anime #Interviews #Manga #Beneath the Tangles #Visual Novels #Video Games #Articles #Author: TWWK #Author: Pariscosplays #Author: The Cajun Samurai #Author: sleepminusminus #Author: Joseph

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Changing The Way You View Fitness w/ Simone Tchouke

Simone Tchouke, AKA Simone Loves Fitness, is on a mission to make motion a joyful expertise in your life. After transferring to the US at age 15, Simone was on a path of biochemistry earlier than her ardour for health turned stronger than ever. Now a health coach devoted to creating motion accessible, Simone is right here at this time to share her story and why understanding isn’t all about the way you look.

Click on play to hear proper on this web page, no app wanted:

Or, hear in your favourite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Spotify | Stitcher | Overcast | CastBox | TuneIn | Google Play | I Coronary heart Radio

Working Out Shouldn’t Be Costly, Intimidating or Alienating

Motion practices can enhance your temper, lower your stress, provide you with extra restful sleep and a lot extra. As an alternative of understanding for the only objective of wanting a sure manner, Simone desires you to dismiss conventional train tradition and begin utilizing motion as a strategy to really feel higher about your self. By specializing in what you want, choosing workout routines that profit you not solely bodily but additionally mentally, and giving others permission to alter their methods of considering, Simone is creating accessible health for all.

Simone believes that understanding shouldn’t be costly, intimidating, or alienating. Dwelling proof that no matter you’ve got is sufficient to get began, Simone’s infectious power and wonderful story is one that everybody will be capable of relate too. Your physique is sufficient, and Simone is ready to fulfill you the place you might be so that you could begin to benefit from the energy of your physique.

Are you open to altering your relationship to health and well being? Share how Simone’s inclusive and individualized method has impressed you to rethink your connection to motion within the feedback beneath.

On At present’s Episode

Study concerning the precise advantages of understanding other than simply shedding pounds (9:30)

Ideas for really getting hooked on train and discovering your ‘why’ (12:05)

Why health is just not a ‘one measurement matches all’ house, even relating to trainers (20:20)

Recommendation for individuals who wish to take advantage of out of the exercise house they’ve with out feeling self-conscious (24:30)

Which motion Simone by no means desires to do and which one she may do on daily basis (30:23)

Assets Talked about In This Present

Be a part of the Pay attention To Your Physique Insiders Publication

Observe Simone on Instagram | Fb

Simone Tchouke Web site

Quotes

“Individuals at all times affiliate understanding with desirous to drop a few pounds, and my aim as a coach is to assist individuals transfer as a result of they’ll really feel higher, you will really feel completely happy, you will sleep higher, you will really feel lighter in your motion. So I actually assist them see the explanation in addition to desirous to drop a few pounds why it’s best to wish to work out.” (10:35)

“I believe individuals will stick with you due to the way you make them really feel. So in the event you make them really feel good and also you give them what they want but additionally what they need, they may stick round and they’re going to maintain being lively.” (14:20)

“I began to appreciate that it isn’t actually one measurement matches all. And never everyone seems to be out to be the following Serena Williams or the following Michael Phelps. You have to fulfill individuals the place they’re, and you need to be versatile.” (20:42)

“Individuals are at all times going to say one thing. Whether or not they such as you or don’t such as you or they need they may do what you might be doing, persons are at all times going to say one thing. However in the event you really know why you might be doing it for your self, I believe you ought to be okay.” (25:34)

“We’re in the identical boat, and that’s tremendous. Simply because I didn’t work out for two weeks or 1 month, doesn’t imply that I’m not worthy. I’m nonetheless worthy, you might be nonetheless worthy, and we’re going to attempt once more tomorrow!” (29:39)

Changing The Way You View Fitness w/ Simone Tchouke FULL TRANSCRIPT

Steph Gaudreau That is Episode 295 of the Pay attention To Your Physique podcast. On at this time’s present, I’m welcoming particular visitors, Simone Tchouke and she or he’s sharing with us the entire explanation why motion could be a joyful expertise in your life.

Steph Gaudreau The subsequent evolution of More durable To Kill Radio is right here. Welcome to the Pay attention To Your Physique podcast, on this present, we’ll discover the intersection of physique, thoughts and soul well being, and aid you reclaim your skills to eat and transfer extra intuitively, hear your physique’s indicators, and belief your self extra deeply.

Steph Gaudreau I’m Steph Gaudreau, licensed intuitive consuming counselor, dietary remedy practitioner and energy coach. On this podcast. you’ll be able to count on to listen to knowledgeable visitor interviews and solo chats that may aid you deepen your belief with meals motion and your physique. Bear in mind to hit the subscribe button and shar e this podcast with your mates and family members. Now, onto the present.

Steph Gaudreau Hey, my buddy, welcome to the podcast at this time. I’m so very glad and grateful that you just’re spending a while with me and my very particular visitor at this time Simone Tchouke, higher generally known as Simone Loves Fitness. Earlier than I hop into telling you all about Simone simply wished to remind you of a pair issues. First, in case you are not on the hearken to your physique publication checklist but, what are you ready for? You can do this at StephGaudreau.com/LTYB for hearken to your physique. That’s the place I ship out info teaching tidbits, all about matters that we talked about on the podcast. So it’s a extremely cool place to be and study and simply to be extra in what’s occurring in the neighborhood.

Steph Gaudreau Second, hit that podcast Subscribe Button, please. That will be wonderful. New episodes will come into your gadget each time they’re obtainable, which is sort of at all times Tuesday. So you’ll be able to go forward and do this. After which in the event you love this episode, please share it on Instagram we wish to assist to share what Simone is as much as on the earth. She’s simply such a beautiful, unbelievable soul and her work is so essential. So you’ll be able to share that on Instagram and tag her. She’s bought Simone Loves Fitness and you’ll tag me as effectively so I can see it after which share it. My very particular visitor at this time is Simone Tchouke higher generally known as Simone Loves Fitness on Instagram. She’s a health coach and I completely love the best way that Simone makes motion actually accessible. I really like her enthusiasm, it’s infectious and I additionally actually love the best way she teaches health to people as not one thing to do to repair your physique, not one thing to do to earn your meals, not one thing to do to shrink your self down, however as a strategy to actually be embodied as a strategy to expertise the enjoyment of motion. And the entire different ways in which motion and an everyday health observe can profit the best way you’re feeling. I simply suppose that message is so very, essential, particularly in a match SVO world nonetheless, that locations precedence on how we glance over how we really feel and the way our our bodies perform. So I do know you’re gonna love this episode. Simone is such a pleasure and I can’t wait so that you can get to know her higher. With out additional ado, let’s soar in.

Steph Gaudreau Hello, Simone. Welcome to the present.

Simone Tchouke Hello Steph, thanks a lot for having me.

Steph Gaudreau Oh my goodness is an absolute true pleasure to have you ever on the podcast. I’m so excited to speak with you and have you ever share a little bit bit about your story and your evolution within the health world. That is going to be superior.

Simone Tchouke Thanks. I’m actually actually excited.

Steph Gaudreau Yeah, , I used to be making an attempt to recollect. How did I first Effectively, I began following you on Instagram and I simply thought, how did I discover out about you? And I don’t fairly keep in mind however I’ve to say that each time I see your movies or Instagram TV, every thing that you just put up, it motivates the heck out of me.

Simone Tchouke Oh my god, actually I’d have been You are so wonderful. As a result of to me you want I really like every thing about you. I really like your posts, and that’s actually wonderful that I may encourage you.

Steph Gaudreau You have a extremely joyful manner of transferring. And because you’re, , a coach and a coach, you’re whenever you do your movies, it’s simply so that you’ve got actually cool power about you and I believe you current health in a extremely approachable manner.

Simone Tchouke I actually admire that. That’s the aim. So…

Steph Gaudreau Proper, no matter I imply, what do you see? Is that one thing that you just actually attempt to do is or is it simply one thing that comes naturally to you? Like, are you considering okay, how am I going to make this seem to be one thing individuals can method or is it simply does it simply come from you and the way you interact with motion?

Simone Tchouke I believe actually most likely simply got here from how I’m. I similar to I’m, I by no means need individuals to have a look at the sort of like they really feel both intimidating or, as a result of that’s how that’s not how I used to be raised. Like, I believe it’s extra pure as a result of you’ll be able to’t actually faux it. I don’t suppose you actually can however I believe you simply Um, from my very own persona.

Steph Gaudreau Mm-hmm. I really like that. It shines via and also you at all times have such a beautiful smile. I’m not that we now have to be completely happy on a regular basis. However yeah, if you find yourself, whenever you’re placing your self on the market, you radiate that.

Simone Tchouke Thanks.

Steph Gaudreau Positivity and that’s an that’s infectious, proper? Like that enthusiasm is, yeah. It’s one thing that we will unfold. I’d love so that you can share a little bit bit extra about your story. Your background, I do know you didn’t develop up in america whenever you had been very younger and also you got here right here whenever you had been a teen, like take us via sort of that background and the way it the way you suppose it influences you within the work that you just do at this time.

Simone Tchouke Um, so yeah, I moved right here once I was 15 when my dad and my stepmother, so I completed highschool right here or went to varsity, began grad faculty however dropped out to pursue health. I used to say that I left my nation too late. No, I left my nation too early, however I got here right here too late. However I don’t really feel like that anymore. And the explanation why as a result of once I first moved right here, it was too late for me to alter my accent, I used to be too previous to, to my vocal cords to alter. However on the identical time, I left too late as a result of I left my nation too late as a result of I, there’s a lot stuff that I missed out that once I return house, I don’t essentially really feel like I belong utterly. So I at all times sort of had that.

Simone Tchouke It was at all times virtually sort of like me towards myself kinda. However as I end highschool, went to varsity and determined to change into a private coach, I spotted that having the perfect of each worlds if I may say that undoubtedly helped me change into a greater coach, and I may actually relate to lots of people. So I believe I’m actually grateful for that as a result of I’m unsure how would have been if I used to be raised right here utterly.

Simone Tchouke Or if I got here right here, or in my 30s versus my 15. So I grew up in Cameroon. Most individuals like not clever in my case like my dad and mom didn’t have some huge cash. So we needed to develop our personal meals. We had our personal little like a little bit farm like your primary had your personal little hen and and so forth, you raised you to know, you increase your personal issues. So I sort of grew up consuming, similar to that, simply because that’s all we knew. And likewise, we didn’t have like cash for like toys or shopping for a motorbike. So principally, we’re sort of like lively so I actually grew up being enjoying soccer and transferring round operating round with my siblings, as a result of that’s how we had enjoyable.

Simone Tchouke However transferring right here, it was a little bit bit completely different. You know, individuals can have video video games which have a desk however I believe grew up in Camaroon and undoubtedly helped me be lively, which is foolish considering of it as a chore. We simply don’t like I’m having enjoyable. I’m going to leap rope. I’m going to climb I’m going to do that. In order that does actually helped me, it’s serving to me loads. And I due to that additionally like on the stand when a consumer involves me after which they’ve a tough time they see understanding, I can perceive. Like my Bhagwan helped me be the place I’m proper now versus their background. So I believe it actually an I actually appreciated that I grew up in Cameroon and got here right here once I got here.

Steph Gaudreau Yeah, that’s so fantastic that you just pointed that out, and I picked the phrase that I stood out essentially the most proper there was enjoyable.

Steph Gaudreau Yeah, enjoyable, proper. You’re exterior your enjoying. Yeah. Like, when people come to work with you. How do you assist them reconnect to that sense? That motion will be enjoyable.

Simone Tchouke Um, often however as a result of I believe when, whenever you take a look at like social media, otherwise you take a look at the journal, understanding is at all times proven to similar to since you wish to drop a few pounds.

Simone Tchouke Proper, you barely perhaps like now some individuals aren’t doing something you barely hear the precise advantages of understanding. So individuals at all times affiliate simply understanding like desirous to drop a few pounds. And my aim as a coach is at all times sort of like, you wish to transfer since you’re going to really feel higher, you’re going to have all these wonderful. Um, so we’re principally going to be you’re going to really feel completely happy, you’re going to really feel you’re going to sleep higher, you’re going to really feel lighter and your actions, , so I actually attempt to like, allow them to see the explanation as a result of I wished to drop a few pounds. Like why you ought to be understanding like why it’s best to work out in the event you’re drained. Belief me. In case you work out extra, you’re going to really feel higher. In order that’s my very first thing. I by no means actually, if a consumer involves me, they wish to drop a few pounds. Sure. However I by no means actually simply speak about simply shedding pounds. I simply sort of like assist them see the precise advantages of being lively normally. And I at all times say hear, even in the event you don’t wish to prepare with me the best way I educated you may decide one thing else. There’s dancing, there’s strolling, there’s bike there’s, we now have a lot stuff on the market that you are able to do that will help you be lively.

Simone Tchouke So simply have to search out what you want and simply do it as constantly as you’ll be able to. In order that’s how I actually tried to love, tip them gauge as an you don’t need to work out since you wish to drop a few pounds, you’re not understanding since you wish to drop a few pounds you’re understanding as a result of it’s good for you, and it’s going that will help you really feel higher to sleep higher. It’s gonna assist individuals a lot stuff and never simply shedding pounds.

Steph Gaudreau I really like that. I believe that’s so necessary, proper? As a result of the tradition that we’re in, virtually makes train. I imply, train motion can really feel exhausting and difficult, proper, however nonetheless, be pleasurable. Precisely. Um, however I really feel like our tradition is made it out to be one thing that must be so painful and one thing that you just hate and have to love, make your self do it. How do you method that along with your shoppers, if they arrive to you they usually suppose oh, they’ve to love this. I’m going to hate this. You know, how do you? How do you hook them?

Simone Tchouke So I’m because of this when a consumer comes round, I at all times ask them, What’s your WHY? I’m certain I learn it someplace. I’m at all times like, you have to have a powerful why do you wish to work out? Why are you right here? Why did you discover me? You know, and in case your why it’s solely since you wish to look good likelihood is after understanding twice or 3 times you’re not going to stay round. And, and likewise simply since you see me or we see stats or any person else doing one thing like I don’t know, some advanced motion doesn’t imply you have to do this with a view to be match, or, or be stronger. You don’t want to do this. So I principally I, I allow them to know as a result of you’ve got XYZ aim, that is what I’m going to do for you. However I additionally do what they like, . So I actually simply ask them, Why do you wish to work out? Let’s discover an precise purpose. Why do you wish to work on like, do you perceive the precise advantages of understanding and no so we don’t need to do it in the event you really feel such as you’d by no means wish to do a deadlift.

Simone Tchouke I’m gonna discover a strategy to make you I don’t know hinge with out you suppose that like, so I sort of like discover a compromise and um, and assist them perceive that you just don’t have to do what I don’t know Simone is doing on Instagram or backflip you don’t have to do all that like, actually you may simply you may maintain it so simple as potential and also you’re gonna, you’re gonna be tremendous. You’re gonna really feel nice, you’re gonna transfer higher, you’re gonna sleep higher. You don’t need to do something. too advanced, huh?

Steph Gaudreau Yeah, I really like that. I really like that time. As a result of once more, such as you mentioned, to amplify what you mentioned so many individuals, they’ll see you maybe doing one thing that appears above the place they’re what the place they’re at proper now or appears too scary for them for no matter purpose, they usually or they hate burpees or no matter it’s. And I really like the way you’re assembly individuals the place they’re at. I believe that’s so extremely necessary.

Simone Tchouke Yeah, you need to as a result of you then lose them. I’ve shoppers that I educated for like 5 years, and I’m simply so grateful, I don’t suppose in like, I don’t if, let’s say they wished to go away me after one yr they may have, however I believe they individuals will stick with you due to the way you make them really feel. So in the event you make them really feel good and also you give them what they want, but additionally why they need, they may stick round and they’re going to maintain being lively, which is sort of just like the endpoint like they may simply maintain being, they may maintain transferring, which is for me as I don’t like as my most is my high aim like simply to ensure individuals discover a strategy to take pleasure in being lively and make it a life-style.

Steph Gaudreau You know, one of many issues I actually linked form of to you with is that you’ve got a level or a science nerd sort of like I’ve a level in biochem. However I used to be studying your bio and it mentioned, , you wished to attach with individuals and influence their lives past analysis and past being in a cubicle or in a lab. Yeah, take me via that call that you just made to form of getting right into a extra individual to individual primarily based profession slightly than to do bench science or work in a lab or working in an workplace.

Simone Tchouke Yeah, so, um, in the event you’re an immigrant, you’re both a health care provider or a lawyer, or a shame, there’s not a lot possibility. However fortunately for me, I did love science at an early age. Um, so I find yourself going to varsity and finding out biochemistry. And after undergrad, I went to grad faculty to work collectively, Grasp levels in biochem. And whereas I used to be there, I used to be actually additionally finding out for my MCAT to go to use to medical faculty, and I used to be working in a biophysics lab, and people labs may very well be very lengthy like you may begin one experiment, , take eight hours simply taking a look at , you bought some simply taking a look at one another. And in my lab additionally, I used to be the one grasp’s scholar each different individual there was both like a Ph.D. or my mentor.

Simone Tchouke I barely have any contact with individuals. And each time I’ll begin finding out the MCAT I at all times cease. And it’s not as a result of I did poorly throughout my undergrad I did effectively, so all I’ve to do exactly sit down and overview however I at all times stopped at all times cease. And I at all times had it at the back of my thoughts that I’m going to change into a health care provider and I wish to have a health club. I at all times wish to have a health club so that folks may train and, and be lively and simply sort of like discover a strategy to stop sure issues. And I personally I don’t like drugs, I don’t like dietary supplements. I similar to to eat my meals and that’s it. So together with like no in grad faculty, I spotted that I don’t suppose I actually wish to go to medical faculty or work in a lab as a result of I don’t need any person to come back to me once they already sick. Or this you don’t actually see the enjoyment after however treating any person that involves you to be indignant at 1 pm and a pair of pm already completely happy since you both such as you hearken to them.

Simone Tchouke They had been feeling annoyed for no matter purpose, however you set them into like a pleasant session like one thing. And in the long run, they’re actually completely happy. So simply in a single hour, I may see that change. And in order that’s sort of like I instructed myself, I don’t suppose I actually wish to go to medical faculty, I wish to I don’t need anyone to come back to me when it’s like, oh my god, I’ve diabetes kind two, or one thing or an operation. I don’t wish to do this. And that’s actually how I made a decision to only transition. I instructed myself, okay, earlier than you give up your lab eyes, biochemists, go test it out, go discover the health club, attempt to see in the event you actually loved it. So I went to a health club. I instructed myself, I’m gonna give myself one semester, and I went and I simply by no means left. And it’s been like, perhaps seven years now and I simply by no means left and it’s been like the perfect resolution ever and I’m so glad I did that.

Steph Gaudreau Gosh, I really like that a lot that you just took that. It’s virtually such as you adopted that interior voice that instinct that interior voice that nudge, that was simply saying, , this isn’t? Perhaps this isn’t the appropriate factor for me. And I believe so usually. It’s simple to say, oh, however no, I already invested all of this time and power and cash and assets into this one path.

Steph Gaudreau And I believe that that leads into the following query that I wished to ask you, which is, , you converse loads about your personal evolution, the way you’ve modified and I’d like to have you ever form of, , inform us what, what has modified with your personal beliefs or your personal health journey your personal manner that you just coach individuals as a result of I get the sense that that is actually going to assist in giving others permission to alter to develop, to be to do issues in a different way.

Simone Tchouke So, um, I used to be an till I, once I began my health journey I used to be very small. I used to be very skinny. And I’ve by no means personally first let me say this I’ve by no means personally had any sort of like physique picture challenge to the purpose the place I hated myself no I used to be at all times I at all times been tremendous with the best way I look. However I began my journey very small like I used to be very small, I made the scale zero measurement to very small and as I bought into health and I’ll see though a girl health and can, will likely be a lot larger than me like a lot muscle and I one way or the other fell in love with that. And that has been sort of like I suppose the aesthetic I wish to obtain I simply wish to at all times have larger legs and simply larger bag larger muscle. And that’s how personally my journey modifications from desirous to be only a small to love desirous to be larger, however when it comes to like bodily or mentally, I’m. I believe I at all times sort of offered health as a one measurement match all. That everybody may simply, if I don’t know may simply drop all dangerous habits. no matter that’s, and simply resolve to only do issues the best way I do it or as a health coach. In case you don’t have a six-pack, or in the event you don’t have you are able to do pull-ups or you’ll be able to bench no matter quantity then are you actually a health coach. So I used to sort of be that sort of like, that’s how I was how I believe I believed a little bit bit.

Simone Tchouke However as I as I get older, , I’m getting mature and I run into completely different individuals, I began to appreciate that there’s probably not a one measurement match all and never everyone seems to be out to be the following Serena Williams or the following I don’t know Microsoft, no. You have to fulfill individuals the place they’re and you need to be versatile. So I will be inflexible in my coaching, as an example, like a consumer will come and say, Simone, I actually hate burpees I don’t need to program burpees for them like I’ve to discover a strategy to join them bodily but additionally mentally. In order that’s one factor I’m so appreciative of as a result of I don’t perceive how I went via. I imply, I suppose I needed to undergo that. However I actually admire the truth that I needed to search health in a different way proper now. And now perceive that it’s probably not one measurement matches all and other people need various things. And that’s completely tremendous.

Simone Tchouke And probably not, I at all times say sure, I admire that you just discover me, you discover me by the aim. However you need to perceive that I don’t signify the health defender health Look, I don’t signify a health Look, that is how I look due to my habits, and likewise my genetics. So in the event you don’t appear like me, or you are able to do what I’m doing it doesn’t in any manner signifies that you’re not match otherwise you’re not wholesome. So principally, that’s sort of like what I quote through the years, and I’m so aware of every thing I say now and even like what I mentioned once I share the meals that I eat, or share my coaching, I’m very aware as a result of I do know that phrases may very well be price a hertz damage and other people really feel like they may take a look at you and see what you write and be intimidated.

Simone Tchouke So like proper now my aim is to ensure everybody who involves me doesn’t matter the place they’re in your health journey, and it may relate. They usually go perceive that I’ll appear like this, it doesn’t imply that I’m towards XYZ. So the feel and appear they will very a lot really feel welcome. At all times to my affected person on it’s like I’m a secure place for them. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re on a health journey. In order that’s sort of like my evolution to actually perceive individuals have to know the place they’re mentally, not essentially bodily.

Steph Gaudreau And I really like the way you talked about that too, that, , it will probably really feel like I believe for individuals, particularly people on Instagram, they suppose, Oh, effectively, if I may simply appear like whoever proper? If I may guess their physique then I’d be completely happy and I like the way you make that distinction that even when it doesn’t, the top end result isn’t that you just look a selected manner it doesn’t take away from, , perhaps your energy or the modifications in your psychological well being that you just’ve been experiencing or such as you mentioned earlier feeling such as you’re sleeping higher or you’ve got extra power? Precisely. And reinforcing that for individuals. I believe that’s so necessary.

Simone Tchouke Yeah, yeah, I’m. I’m. I see that. After which, due to that, I’ve been in a position to, I believe attain extra individuals as a result of I get lots of people who will take my class, my son flies who haven’t met me earlier than. And it’ll come into my fish a little bit bit, I suppose scroll all the way down to, sort of, see to sort of get to know me a little bit bit. After which we are saying, Oh, my God, Simone, I’m so the explanation I’m taking your class as a result of I really like that you’re welcoming. You’re not fat-shaming, you’re not like into the food plan tradition. And I’m so glad to listen to that as a result of now I’m very, I attempt to be as aware as potential, not only for, for certain, but additionally as a result of I genuinely consider that and that’s so nice to listen to that any person is coming to me as a result of they really feel welcome. They really feel secure with me. So I admire that a lot. It’s sort of prefer it’s a win for me.

Steph Gaudreau Completely. You know, one of many issues I additionally admire about you is that you just do a number of exercises at house loads on right here and it’s in your Instagram. And also you additionally lately even do a number of exercises exterior of sort of just like the constructing that you just dwell. Sure, you’re out on the sidewalk. And yeah, I work out loads on my porch and we additionally dwell sort of on a busy road, there’s at all times individuals strolling by I believe there was any person that clapped at me yesterday once I was lifting in, , what recommendation do you’ve got for those that say, what, I wish to make the perfect with what I’ve, which is perhaps the house units in my lounge or in a little bit out of doors space, however I’m afraid of what persons are going to consider me. You know, I’m placing myself on the market, I’m standing on a sidewalk or I’m in public view and I really feel self-conscious. Do you’ve got any recommendation for these individuals?

Simone Tchouke So that is the place I’ll ask them to return to the why, like why you’re employed it out. Like why do you wish to work out? What would you like? Why do you wish to work out normally? And I believe in the event you actually have a powerful why, no matter that’s, I believe it’s gonna.

Simone Tchouke You principally each time you exit, you’re gonna really feel such as you’re in a bubble. Such as you’re in a well-protected bubble and also you don’t have to fret about what anyone thinks. And persons are at all times going to say one thing, whether or not they such as you or don’t such as you, or they need they may do what you’re doing. Individuals are at all times going to say one thing. However in the event you really, really know why you’re doing it for your self, um, I believe you’d be you ought to be okay. I there’s no, I don’t actually have like a magic reply to say, Oh, simply do that. No, there’s no I don’t suppose there may be after us. I don’t know. However I simply suppose that the desires individuals perceive and know why precisely. They understanding. They’re going to no matter wherever that house is they’ll take house they usually do what they wish to do.

Steph Gaudreau Mm-hmm. I really like that. And I really like your exercises exterior. I believe they’re, you do loads with a little bit bit. You know, it’s…

Simone Tchouke Yeah, precisely, that’s what I at all times say you do what you’ll be able to with what you’ve got like. Um, simply since you don’t have a barbell doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t be a health care provider in case your physique is sufficient and I despatched them I exploit like I may use a chair, I may use a pillow I may you may use no matter you have already got at house. And till you’ve got extra and in the event you don’t have extra later, that’s completely tremendous. In order that’s sort of like my aim as a result of I come as I say, I come from just like the very humble beginnings so I do know there are individuals that won’t even be capable of afford a resistant band. So I wish to guarantee that it simply since you can not afford a dumbbell doesn’t imply you shouldn’t be lively. And since a number of like now you’ve got so many, so many devices on-line, oh the perfect butt exercise with this factor, all the perfect arm exercise with this factor. After which I don’t need any person to be deterred as a result of oh, wow, I can not afford a resistance band and it’d even value $1 however they simply don’t have it. So my aim is sort of like if you have already got you’re lucky to have a house belief me, that’s sufficient. You can do no matter you’ll be able to in that house. In order that’s what I attempted to do all these little exercises, no matter exterior or in my house or to go to let individuals know such as you don’t want a lot your physique is completely sufficient to be lively.

Steph Gaudreau That’s so necessary particularly with what has been taking place on the earth with every thing shutting down and the place we had been speaking earlier than we began recording you’re at the moment as that is recording in New York and I’m in on the west coast and even right here we’ve had , gyms have open they usually’re closing and now how do you assist your people that you just work with keep mentally versatile? I do know you talked about simply with the ability to sort of do, do what you’ll be able to with what you’ve got, and transferring your physique is known as a great point. However how do you assist your shoppers with that psychological flexibility of , perhaps they bought excited as a result of they bought to return to the health club, after which they will’t now or they’ve to remain house for some purpose?

Steph Gaudreau When routines are off. Proper? You’re like I bought a routine and I’m sticking to it. After which yeah, the routine has gone. Yeah. How do you encourage your shoppers to start out up once more to maintain going?

Simone Tchouke I believe being additionally clear, letting them know like, oh, wow, it’s been 4 days I didn’t transfer on being as a result of generally like your consumer is the since you may do sure issues virtually take a look at you want, oh, wow, you want this tremendous individual, they virtually generally neglect that you just’re simply as human as they’re. So I believe what helped me actually is sort of like being as clear as potential. When a consumer says, Oh, my God, I couldn’t work. I haven’t been understanding at this time for XYZ. And I’d say, , I perceive. I’m in dissemble, I haven’t labored out in two days. However tomorrow, I’m going to do my greatest to stand up first within the morning and do one thing. So at all times guarantee that I’m relatable to them and allow them to know like, in the event you couldn’t do that for 3 or 4 days, that’s completely tremendous. Tomorrow, let’s attempt once more.

Simone Tchouke However I actually meet these shoppers the place they’re as a result of I’ve shoppers who may have a completely completely different persona. So I don’t essentially have one factor, one factor normally, however kind of I sort of like meet the consumer the place they’re and allow them to know like, Pay attention, you’re human, I’m human. And I’m sorry that we don’t have the routine that we used to have. However let’s see what we may do now. They see in the event you can work via it. That’s tremendous. Tomorrow is one other day. Let’s attempt tomorrow. And simply sort of like, simply principally allow them to know like, Oh, yeah, we’re in the identical boat. And that’s tremendous. Simply because I didn’t work out for 2 weeks or one month doesn’t imply that I’m not price it or one thing like that. I’m nonetheless price it. You’re nonetheless worthy. And we’re going to attempt once more tomorrow.

Steph Gaudreau I really like I believe that’s so so very key proper now, particularly, , we’re similar to, , at this time’s a foul day or I’m not feeling it. I’m not feeling as much as it. And I simply I believe that when, like your capacity to be actually weak and in that manner and be relatable, proper is sure. So key, so necessary. So I’ve a few enjoyable questions I’d prefer to ask you. In case you if what’s one? So that you mentioned earlier if a consumer hates burpees I’m not going to make them do burpees what’s one motion that you just simply by no means wish to do? Since you don’t prefer it?

Simone Tchouke Myself? Yeah. Only one factor. I actually suppose I dread push-ups loads. As a result of for some purpose, I believe I simply have very weak potato carbs. And irrespective of how a lot I observe, I simply by no means actually, I don’t suppose I’ve ever been to do 30 push-ups straight. I simply am, I’m at all times at 10 12 10 12 15 and if I don’t do push-ups for like two or three days, I lose it. So I simply I actually, I dread push-ups. Yeah, that’s most likely my least favourite factor to do as a result of I really feel like I in my physique simply lose it so rapidly.

Steph Gaudreau I admire that honesty. I really feel the identical manner. Typically I believe I’ve achieved push-ups are weak. The place did they go? They simply left this. Yeah.

Steph Gaudreau Alternatively, what’s one? motion? You can’t such as you would do it on daily basis in the event you may you’ll be able to’t get sufficient of it.

Simone Tchouke Pull-Ups. Hmm. I’ll do pull-ups on a regular basis.

Steph Gaudreau What’s uh, what’s one substitution that you just’d prefer to put in for pull-ups? If individuals don’t have a bar pull up bar or they’re simply not there but. What do you want to provide them as an alternative?

Simone Tchouke Oh, so it relies upon the place we’re. If they’re house they usually have perhaps entry to a tr x, we may use that. If they’ve bands, we may do a rosewood band as effectively. In the event that they occur to be exterior within the park, there’s a way you may modify pullups and make them do this. However actually, if they will do plotting that day, and in the event that they’re in the event you’re within the health club, that may do a modification. However and not using a house, I simply made them do push-ups and again extension. So yeah, is dependent upon every individual.

Steph Gaudreau Mm-hmm. These are all actually nice. And the final query could be, I do know you’re about to maneuver fairly quickly. Sure. What’s your largest? Like what’s one thing that you just’re dreaming about with transferring to develop your enterprise? Like in the event you may have every thing or you’ll be able to create the imaginative and prescient for what you’ve got in your thoughts, what would that be?

Simone Tchouke It might simply principally be serving to individuals really feel so significantly better by themselves. Like when somebody says to me like thanks a lot for being a part of my health journey. Due to you, I’ve such a unique relationship with my physique with the best way I see meals The manner I see health. To me it similar to it’s such a blessing to listen to. So if I may have my manner simply because even when I solely touched like 5 individuals to guarantee that they’re so completely happy and I used to be in a position to assist them go from level A to level B, I’m simply serving to them to see health and well being, like, simply have a greater concept or like a greater view, a greater understanding and a greater relationship with it. That’s principally what I like my dream factor. Simply have any person say, what, at any time when they see a dumbbell they consider me as Oh my god, like, or no matter it’s. See, I don’t know they wish to eat, be completely happy to eat, they’ve similar to a greater relationship with something round them. They usually affiliate me with that. Simply that simply sort of like, Okay, I’m just like the Martin Luther King of trainers.

Steph Gaudreau That simply gave me like goosebumps in such away. As a result of that transformation I believe that you just’re speaking about is you’ll be able to’t I imply, how do you set a It feels so good in your coronary heart, proper? Like, how do you set a value on that or it good? Yeah. Isn’t that you could’t put a value on it.

Simone Tchouke You can’t like that. I’ve traded shoppers for his or her wedding ceremony, once they’re getting married, once they had been pregnant and provides delivery, they got here again. And we principally grew up collectively I’ve a consumer that principally have two children collectively. I’ve been a part of her life and she or he at all times like we now have such a pleasant bond and she or he is reminiscent of she’s in a unique place now and each time she thinks about exercising or no matter, she at all times related to me that she talked about me to her household, and I simply I can’t, I can’t actually, I don’t I can’t even clarify that to any person except they’re a coach they usually know what I’m speaking about. So I that’s simply my factor. I simply need individuals to consider me and simply smile.

Steph Gaudreau Effectively, that’s good, it’s an ideal abstract of who you might be. It’s a good abstract of the power that you just convey. And the best way you encourage individuals is that power could be very palpable and it’s simply so lovely to witness and to look at and so grateful for what you set out into the world.

Steph Gaudreau We’re out of time, which is loopy. So rapidly with you tell us. So if persons are listening to this, they usually wish to study extra about you, they wish to comply with you. How can they get in contact?

Simone Tchouke So, no matter is on Instagram or Fb, you may simply search for Simone Loves Fitness, and that’s my username, whether or not it’s my electronic mail, my web site could be SmallLoveFitness.com. Instagram, Simone Love Fitness.com. So simply that might simply ship username all over the place. Um, in order that’s how one can attain me I’ve an internet site. I’m at the moment engaged on a couple of issues proper now. So yeah, you may subscribe and I’ll maintain you within the loop. And if you wish to do my lessons on zoom, simply search for additionally Small Love Fitness, and I’ll ship you the hyperlink.

Steph Gaudreau That’s so nice. We’re gonna hyperlink all of that stuff within the present notes. Expensive listener, whoever’s listening to this proper now, please go comply with Simone, and actually, you’re simply doing the work just like the exercise movies are so nice, and you’ve got so many fantastic concepts. It’s simply such a fantastic factor that you just’re placing out and I can’t wait to see what else you might be creating, as a result of I do know it’s going to be good.

Simone Tchouke Thanks and I actually admire it. And actually thanks for having me right here. I actually admire that.

Steph Gaudreau Completely. It’s been my pleasure. This has been so enjoyable. And I’m simply excited to see the place this journey goes to take you subsequent.

Simone Tchouke Thanks. Thanks.

Steph Gaudreau All proper, that does it, Simone Tchouke. Thanks for being a part of the podcast. I actually admire it.

Simone Tchouke Thanks. Thanks.

Steph Gaudreau There we go. That’s a wrap on this episode with Simone Tchouke, higher generally known as Simone Loves Fitness. She is such a pleasure. I believe her power is so palpable. it rubs off on me indubitably and I actually love her perspective on motion and on health. And I believe we want extra health trainers who’re doing the sort of work that Simone is doing on the earth and actually being that constructive gentle for her shoppers and assembly them the place they’re at.

Steph Gaudreau In case you love this episode, you discovered one thing, you discovered it tremendous inspirational, then be sure you share it on Instagram. Be sure you tag Simone. She’s at Simone Loves Fitness and myself at Steph_Gaudreau that manner I can see it and share it out and amplify Simone’s work. Additionally, be sure you hit the subscribe button on the podcast app. I’m bringing you extra solo exhibits and extra visitor episodes. In order that’s coming and we’re nearing 300 episodes and I’ve no plans to decelerate so push that subscribe button. After which lastly, you will get the Present Notes for this episode, together with hyperlinks to every thing that Simone is doing on the earth, how one can get in on her zoom lessons, and a lot extra full transcript as effectively over at StephGaudreau.com

Steph Gaudreau All proper, subsequent week, I’m going to be again with one other installment in my 10 half collection, all concerning the ideas of intuitive consuming. And I’m going to proceed the place I left off, which will likely be precept 5, and that could be a good one. It’s all about easy methods to really feel your fullness, which is such a loaded subject for therefore many individuals. We’re going to deconstruct that a little bit bit and form of dissect it and pull out some actually necessary factors so that you can know in that episode. All proper, till we chat once more, have a beautiful week, and be effectively.

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Healthy Meal Plans For The Week

#Healthy Meal Plans For The Week

[additionallysad]

My Top Four Tips For Scoring The Best Secondhand Finds https://ift.tt/2vtMElj

I take pride in some very strange things. Being able to cartwheel into a pool for example. Or knowing every single word to old commercial jingles and 90’s rap songs. Or the fact that John and I, two righties, somehow made two lefties, which clearly means they’re brilliant (not sure how I can even take credit for this phenomenon, but I do, as well as the fact that our kids are super tall, which is amazing to me as a 5’2″ lady).

But one thing I don’t really think about much is my secondhand furniture hunting mojo. I don’t think I have any magic luck or special searching skills. I would generally describe the key to my process as frequency. In other words: looking often. I regularly look at thrift stores and on Craigslist and on Facebook Marketplace. Most of the time I don’t find anything good at all, but every once in a while I find something awesome. Like this insanely beautiful inlay dresser that’s made by Restoration Hardware and sells for $1800 that I found on Craigslist for $400 (you can read the full story of that here).

So instead of demonstrating that I know every last word to the Left Eye rap in TLC’s Waterfalls, I figured I’d round up my best tips for secondhand shopping success, all of which have nothing to do with dumb luck, and everything to do with actionable things that you can implement to hopefully score some great finds of your own.

Lesson #1: Show Your Interest & Be Persistent

If I stop an analyze how that inlay dresser coup came to be, there’s just one simple thing that made it all happen: I was determined with a capital D. I saw this listing go up months before I bought it. And I loved it. But it was $600 and that was still over my beach house dresser budget – no matter how gorgeous and expensive the dresser originally was. So I waited. And the listing sat there. And it sat there.

Knowing she might be having trouble selling it, I decided to let the seller know that an interested party existed. Even though I wasn’t ready to shell out the $600, I wanted to make myself an option and discourage her from just deleting the listing out of frustration (I know as a seller I’ve definitely done that before). I emailed her saying “I am SO INTERESTED in your dresser but the top of my budget is $400. If that works for you, I’ll gladly come right over with $400 cash and grab it.” And she very kindly emailed me back and said “Thanks, I’m not planning to lower the price just yet but I’ll let you know if I do later.”

Now here’s where the whole determined thing really came into play. The listing sat there for a few more weeks (and I continued to watch it), but then one day it disappeared. And I noticed. And I gasped. It could’ve sold or just expired, but since I already had an email chain started, I decided to reach out to her one last time, just to say “hi, it’s me again! I noticed the listing is gone so I’m sure my dream dresser sold, but if it hasn’t and you’re interested in that $400 cash I can come right over! Just say the word!” And you know what? She said “You’ve got a deal.”

And that’s how this amazing dresser ended up at the beach house. It didn’t fall into my lap. It didn’t happen in a day or even a week – but over the course of months as I kept an eye on it. And if I hadn’t pinged her that first time I never could have followed up that second time because I wouldn’t have had her contact info – and I’m pretty sure this dresser wouldn’t be ours today. So let that be Lesson #1. Have patience and go out on a limb (maybe even multiple times) for something you love.

Lesson #2: Be Vigilant & Ready To Pounce

Ok, now let’s move on to the next one. I really really love this marble topped dresser that I bought on Facebook Marketplace from the sweetest local lady whose entire house was so amazing I wanted to buy everything in there. The entire top is a gorgeous slab of marble and the drawers have little key latches and it’s perfect for storing board games in the foyer of the beach house. I forget how much this was but I think it was around $100 which is an awesome deal since it would be hard to find a slab of marble as big as the one on top of this dresser for $100 alone.

Let’s talk about my hunting routine. I like to sit on the couch at the end of a long day and just scroll through Facebook Marketplace. It takes less than five minutes, and I’d say I do it maybe five times a week if I remember. And thanks to my habit of checking pretty frequently, I happened to see the listing for this dresser within an hour of it being posted. So I was first in line when I pinged her, I got cash FAST, and I got to her house within about an hour, meaning nobody could snatch it out from under me. So upon reflecting how I scored this dresser, it really comes down to being SO READY to make this thing mine (and not wavering, waffling, or taking too much time to get the cash and get to her house).

The thing is, you never know when something is going to be listed, and you certainly can’t be on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace every hour. But I realized that back before I checked Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist with any regularity that I was greatly lowering my chances of finding good stuff. Of course I couldn’t expect to pop on every few months and immediately find something I wanted! I had to up my frequency – even if it just means devoting five minutes a night to it a few times a week. This obviously gives me better chances of seeing more items, and catching them earlier.

Also, get cash and get thee to the person’s house fast! Sellers often observe a “first come, first served” rule and I can’t tell you how many times as a seller that the second or third person who contacted me actually got the item because the first person took too long to come pick it up & pay. So there you go. Lesson #2 is spend a little more time looking for something cool if you actually want to find something cool, and then descend like Cheetah with the cash. Fast, fast, fast.

Lesson #3: Recruit Spies

Ok, let’s move on to the rug in our bedroom. Whenever I see it my brain sings: “I’ve. Had. The rug of my li-i-ife. And I never felt this way before.” Yes it’s the song from Dirty Dancing with a rug worked into it, and yes, weirdly altering song lyrics is also something I take great pride in. The story of this guy is that I bought it locally from a consignment shop. YES! I know! It feels like an extremely lucky find. And it was… but it also clearly has a lesson attached when I look in the ol’ rearview mirror of life.

See, my friend actually texted me a picture of this rug along with some others that she had seen at a local consignment shop. So the first lesson is: befriend an army of people who will text you all the pretty things they find. Ha. Kidding. But really, if you have an interest or a need for something, it never hurts to let your design-loving friends know! They might see whatever it is you’re looking for (secondhand or beyond!) and be able to tell you where it is. Heck they might even text you a picture or send you a link.

The fact that my friend, who is a decorator, knew that I love these big colorful wool rugs definitely worked in my favor in this case (had I not been “linked” to this thing in her mind, she never would have texted it to me). And you can offer to keep an eye out for things for them in return – it really is a nice mutually beneficial thing to do with someone else who loves home stuff.

My accompanying tip for this rug victory harkens back to the second half of my last lesson, which is DO NOT HESITATE. The second she sent it I called the shop, asked the price, got the cash, and John and I rushed over there to smell it (always smell secondhand things guys – it’s a non-negotiable!) and it was in our car about 20 minutes later. There’s way more about this whole rug discovery and our bedroom’s evolution in this post, which also has a ton of sources for things.

Lesson #4: Be Nosy & Remember It Never Hurts To Ask

These chairs are a more recent score that I chatted about a little bit on the podcast (in this episode) and they hail from Facebook Marketplace. One thing I like about Facebook Marketplace over Craigslist (don’t get me wrong, I still like Sir Craig & His List) is that Facebook Marketplace learns what you click. So, much like Pinterest, it can curate a more customized experience every time you browse. Which is also why it’s super fast to check every time I drop in (less than 5 minutes).

Mine has learned that I click on furniture and home stuff, so it shows me all of that stuff first in my feed, even if a weird ceramic babydoll that stares into your soul was uploaded more recently. AND I SO APPRECIATE THAT.

But back to these chairs. I mentioned on that podcast that this listing was funny because it was actually for a large piece of driftwood, but I saw these chairs in the background – yes, BEHIND THE DRIFTWOOD. And I basically messaged her and said “about those chairs – are they for sale?!” And she said yes! The seller even had a large car and offered to drive them to my house since they’re HUGE and it would have been impossible to get both of them into our SUV at the same time.

So the lesson here is: anything in the picture is something you can ask about! The worst they can say is “no, my cute dog in the background is not for sale you psycho” and the best thing they can say is essentially what happened with these chairs, which was: “Sure! I’ll sell them AND DRIVE THEM TO YOUR HOUSE FOR YOU!”

Also, sub tip: whenever something is large we ask if they would accept an extra fee (like $20) to drive it over. It often saves us time/gas/money spent renting a larger vehicle, so it can be very worthwhile in many cases.

This chair story also has sort of an epilogue of sorts. When we posted photos of them in the show notes of that podcast where we mentioned them, a very kind and knowledgeable design enthusiast essentially said “OMG I THINK THOSE ARE RUSSELL WOODARD CHAIRS!” and thanks to the rabbit hole of google I learned he’s an amazing 50’s designer, sort of like Eames (we all know about his chairs! can’t Russell catch a break?!) and THEY SELL FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS on places like 1st Dibs and Chairish. In fact, here’s a set of four currently listed for $3,750 (and here’s another one). HOW INSANE IS THAT?!?!

By comparison, we spent $140 for both chairs (which also included delivery!). So they might be the biggest secondhand score we’ve had yet. Honestly for me it’s way less about what something’s worth or who made it and a lot more about filling your house up with stuff you love. So my advice would just be to sniff around in secondhand spots (in person and online) often if you actually hope to find something amazing – and if you do it regularly enough I’m confident it’ll happen for you! Happy hunting!

P.S. Six years ago we wrote this post about 25 tips for buying on Craigslist, and a ton of them still apply – so check it out for even more ideas for scoring some pretty great stuff. Happy thrifting to one and all!

P.P.S. And if you saw something in the photos above from our beach house or our house here in Richmond that has you saying “where’s that from?” we have source lists for both of those: here’s the one full of beach house info, and here’s one for our Richmond house. 

The post My Top Four Tips For Scoring The Best Secondhand Finds appeared first on Young House Love.

#additionally sad home renovations

[iamsoneurotic]

Kids are gross.

I figure I’m long overdue for an update.

I don’t even know where to begin. There’s so much changing about these boys that it’s almost not worth trying to list. Short version: I have a 2 year old, a 4 year old and a world full of stress!

Let’s begin with the little bug, Noli. He’s gone through phases – He loved Curious George, he loved Thomas the Train… But oh me oh my, no love compares to his obsession with Spider-Man! I wish I could pinpoint the moment it happened. I want to say in an effort to silence one of his Cthulhu-level tantrums we shoved an iPad in his face and YouTubed Spider-Man footage from the movies. Love at first site. Honestly, who can know these things though. My memory has always sucked and poor Rachael is reaching record-breaking levels of mom-brain. These dang kids have obliterated her ability to perform simple brain functions like string a series of words together to complete a sentence. Sometimes I hear her mumbling “Abort, Retry, Fail?” in her sleep. I wonder if she can be restored to factory settings…

So as I said, Noli is obsessed with Spider-Man. He wears a Spider-Man cape, he has two Spider-Man stuffed dolls (a large one named Spider-Daddy and a small one named Spider-Baby) and he has a pair of red & blue shoes which are simply called Spider-Shoes. He pretends to shoot webs from his hands as well, something I’m rather proud to have taught him because while it appeared I was teaching him a cool superhero thing, I was secretly just teaching him to throw up the horns and rock n’ roll.

Milo does it too – because, as brothers do, they mimic everything the other does… and they do this to incredibly annoying extremes. They were in the back seat one day and per usual Noli began ‘shooting his webs’ at Milo, so Milo did it back to him. Rach and I thought it was cute until we realized it was an all out war in the backseat and these two were angrily trying to shoot each other TO DEATH with their imaginary webbing! So within a matter of minutes I realized I had reached that point in life where I spend my car rides yelling at children to stop shooting imaginary webs at each other. This is actually a thing I have to enforce now. “If you shoot your brother with webs again, you’re getting a spank!”

Yes, we spank. I had always been iffy about writing anything about it for fear that some obnoxious crunchy parent would start bombarding my email with complaints of child abuse, but then I realized that A.) I don’t care, and B.) Even if I did care, I highly doubt more than 3 people read this. Whatever, I live in Texas now – At any given time I’ve got about 4 or 5 other parents within shouting distance willing to spank my kids for me if my hands are full. God’s country, baby!

One night when I was getting Noli ready for bed, he grabbed the ‘spanking spoon’ which was within his reach, patted himself on the butt and said “Obey daddy?”… It was funny until I thought about how horrible that would look if he ever did that in public. There’s a lot of things you have to worry about when you’re in public. It used to be the thing you feared most was your child crying or making a scene - that’s all but expected now, but eventually your kids start saying things that aren’t fit for public areas. It’s not even things they’re learning from listening to me – and believe me, there’s a plethora of highly inappropriate words and phrases they should have picked up from listening to me empty their training potties, but the things they say they just figured out by putting sounds together randomly on their own. Noli, for instance (actually all of these things are Noli. Milo is a grammatical angel), started saying “Pop-a-tit”. Nobody knows what it means, nobody knows where it came from, nobody even knows if he knows what he’s saying. It just came to be one day.

The worst is when my mother asked him “Pappa what?”, and he just bluntly answered “Tit!”... Sorry, mom.

Luckily he says that one less frequently, but it just got replaced with something of equal socially unacceptable value: “Poop-shoot toot”. Now, I know where he learned poop and I know where he learned toot… But where in God’s green earth did he learn to string together Poop-shoot?? It doesn’t help that I laugh every time he does it. It’s a dad’s job to delight in his child’s potty mouth when mom isn’t looking.

Whatever though, talking about poop is as common as breathing air in my house. Milo’s almost fully potty trained now and I find myself longing for the days of diapers. When I was little, I’d yell “I’m all done!” when it was time for my tooshie to be cleansed of its own aftermath. Milo, being the ever so elegant child he is, just yells “HEY! WIPE MY BUTT!” ... Again, I find myself realizing my life’s situation as I reply without hesitation, “Hey, it’s wipe my butt PLEASE.”

I don’t even know why I bother trying to teach these kids manners - they’re animals. Children are filthy, disgusting animals. They delight in being gross. They love picking their nose, eating their nails and spitting. Here’s the thing, I can handle a poop, I can handle spit up, I can handle vomit… I can handle a lot of things. But when it involves the nose or the mouth, I immediately start dry-heaving. Even as I’m writing this I’m barely keeping it together so I can just get through this wretched paragraph.

Milo’s favorite place to do gross things is during his soccer games. He knows I’m rendered powerless to do anything about it. I can’t run onto the field and scold him, and there’s just something about being that one parent screaming from the sidelines “STOP EATING YOUR BOOGERS AND CHASE THE BALL!” that makes me uneasy… So I just have to sit there and pretend he’s not my kid until the quarter is over and I can chew him out while he’s on the bench. One time, after he finished doing his absolute worst coal-mining to his left nostril, he looked me in the eye and grabbed another kid’s hand with what I could only imagine to be a finger so moist it would make a sponge swoon. I just stood there, helplessly giving him the meanest dad-eye I could conjure up… But it was ineffective. He knew what he was doing and he knew there was nothing I could do about it. I’m pretty sure the other kid got ebola and died that evening.

Needless to say the “Obey Daddy” spoon came out that afternoon.

In all seriousness though, when he wasn’t infesting other kids with his little kid germs, he did an amazing job playing Soccer. He was the smallest kid on his team but he played his little heart out… And looked adorable doing it. I’ve never been much of a sports guy, but I got really into it when he played. I had to refrain from yelling things like “KILL HIM! KILL HIM, MILO!!” and “KICK HER IN THE SHINS!!!” … It was a co-ed league. And there absolutely was this little brat ginger girl on the other team that 100% needed a good kick in the shin from a 4-year-old. Sweep the leg, son.

I kid, I don’t encourage violence from my children… They learn it all on their own. Noli has grown into quite the bruiser, which is awful timing considering he’s right at the peak of his terrible 2’s. Sure he’s still a cuddle-bug, and adorable, and squishy and the sweetest little thing on the planet, but he also happens to be a little ball of pent up Italian rage. My contribution to the family. His favorite phrases as of late are “No”, “I don’t want to”, “Go away” and “AHHHH!!!!”. Oh, and “Spider-Man”. Though he pronounces it “Cider-Man”.

He sadly inherited my clumsiness as well. He trips and falls while laying down. It’s one of those weird parenting evolutions that happens from first kid to second. The first child falls and you run to him and cuddle him and buy him chocolate and weep because you feel his pain. With the second kid, you find yourself resisting the urge to spank him when he trips on his feet for the hundredth time that morning and lands on his face. “Omg, kid, if you’re going to bleed, do it on the tile, not the carpet!”

…

Who am I kidding, our carpet is a lost cause. I don’t even care if they eat food off of it anymore, it’s their own germs they’re eating at this point.

Speaking of germs, I’m glad the school year is over because I’m tired of these little petri dishes bringing home colds from the other kids. What’s worse is they’re probably doing something really gross to get those germs from the other kids. Why are kids so gross! Stop that!

Besides whatever gross activities they’re engaging in with the other children, both Milo and Noli are great at school-related things. Like Math. Noli’s report card had a section for “Counts to 10” and the “10″ was scribbled out and replaced with a “20”... Because my 2 year old is mad smart just like his older brother. Milo likes to routinely count to a hundred by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s and 10’s. For a brief moment I heard him counting by 6’s, but he saw that I took notice and started picking his nose and blowing raspberries. My boys love fart noises. Noli likes to run up to me, turn his butt in my direction and then exclaim “I poop on you!” and proceed to make all kinds of raspberry noises while shaking his chunky little butt all over my leg. It’s adorable in a shameful kind of way. I enable it though because I do the same thing to his mother.

He’s a funny kid. When he’s not running around singing the Spider-Man song (which he sings: “Cider-Man, Cider-Man, I never Cider-can”), he’s picking up fake phones and pretending to call my brother to order milkshakes. Good lord the boy loves vanilla milkshakes - or as he calls it “Amilla Milshaysh”. His head almost exploded one day when we had my brother buy a milkshake and wait outside the door. We had Noli call him on his cell phone and ask him to bring a milkshake, and when he asked, my brother busted open the door like Commando Santa Clause and granted his wish. Now whenever the doorbell rings, he thinks my brother is at the door with sugary beverages. We teach our kids disappointment at an early age.

We have to roll his window up when we’re at the Starbucks Drive-Thru now because he keeps trying to ask for vanilla milkshakes while we’re trying to order.

Anyway, this barely scratched the surface of how much they’ve changed, but you get the gist: Boogers, Spider-Man, Milkshakes.

Animals, ~ Mark

#parenting #fatherhood #dad #daddyblog #toddler #children #spiderman #humor #parenthood