#taylor's very merry christmas series!
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taylor's very merry christmas series
welcome back to another christmas series! this series, unlike last years, will only go on for 12 days. it will start on the 14th as opposed to it going on all december.
these are probably going to be short because i can’t write long things lol so they’re probably very short. hope you enjoy it :)
a new fic will drop every day from the 14th all the way to the 25th. a few of these will be dad fics. i will make it known in the description below, so if that makes you uncomfortable, please don't read it.
day one (december 14): something blue (nico hischier)
one of the stories nico learned about y/n early on was the story of the lost ring. it was a ring given to y/n when she was 17, but during a move, it was lost. so, nico decides to track it down and give it to her for chirstmas.
day two (december 15): christmas pup (nick blankenburg)
nick knows the only thing y/n wants is a dog, so he decides to surprise her with a dog for christmas.
day three (december 16): disney getaway (freddie andersen)
due to freddie being injured, he was given time off, so what does one do with time off? go on vacation. and where did alma and elias decide they wanted to go for their christmas getaway? disneyland. (part of the "andersen adventures" series)
day four (december 17): not so alone (sidney crosby)
y/n and sid are staying in pittsburgh for christmas this year, with their families coming out to visit instead. y/n heard through the grapevine that some of the guys weren’t going home, so she decided to welcome them over so they weren’t so alone.
day five (december 18): pictures with santa (jamie drysdale)
after seeing kids taking pictures with santa, y/n brings up the idea of taking a family picture with santa. so, y/n and jamie take their little family of dogs to take pictures with santa.
day six (december 19): bee's on ice (joel farabee)
the flyers are hosting a family skate for all their families, players, staff, etc. when joel first heard about it, he was immediately ordering lincoln a pair of skates. so to say he was excited was an understatement. (part of "the four bees" series)
day seven (december 20): coming home for christmas (pyotr kochetkov)
y/n and pyotr were on opposite sides of the country and when pyotr heard y/n couldn’t get a flight home, he was heartbroken. what he didn’t know was his teammates had secretly gotten y/n a ticket home and planned to surprise him and she was, in fact, coming home.
day eight (december 21): perfect time (artturi lehkonen)
artturi had been planning on proposing for months, but could never find the right time. that perfect time finally presents itself when they're both covered in snow.
day nine (december 22): the tree party (colton parayko)
picking out a christmas tree was always a ceremonious day for the parayko family. and this year, they had a new addition, winnie, so that made the whole thing all the more special. (part of "the parayko posse")
day ten (december 23): beans, chicken, corn, and leafs? (william nylander)
when y/n hears about a homeless shelter serving food a couple of days before christmas, she immediately signs up. when will hears she signed up, he signs up. and gets practically the entire leafs roster (plus their partners) to sign up.
day eleven (december 24): under the mistletoe (tyson jost)
for years, people have watched y/n and tyson dance around their feelings until they finally have enough. at the annual avs christmas party, the guys put a plan in motion to finally get them to finally admit their feelings for each other. and of course, mistletoe is involved.
day twelve (december 25): lit up like a kid on christmas (quinn hughes)
all the hughes come home for christmas, and christmas with the hughes family is always a blast. (part of "the hughes gang" series)
there, once again, is no taglist, but each of these pieces will drop at 12pm pst, so keep an eye out for that. the taglist in the fics is my regular taglist for my regular writing.
tagging some friends: @2manytabsopen @kolsmikaelson @miracleonice87 @boqvistsbabe @fallinallincurls @typical-simplelove @senditcolton @rosesvioletshardy @iwantahockeyhimbo @jostystyles @islesnucks @raysofcrosby @laurenairay @sydnikov @nylwnder @alextturcotte @quietblues @youngbeezer @fiveminutesforfarabee @lam-ila @sebbyaho @drei-mrssvechii @lucasraymonds @sorryjustafangirl @boeswhore @hugheshugs @bitchinbarzal @harlowhockeystick @oleksiak-pettersson (sorry if i missed you)
#nhl imagine#nhl imagines#nhl fic#nhl series#nhl#hockey imagine#hockey imagines#hockey fic#hockey series#hockey#taylor's very merry christmas series!
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I Can See You - Stephen Strange x Reader [Christmas Special]
summary: You are a student of the mystic arts, studying at the Sanctum Sanctorum under Doctor Strange's and Wong's guidance. You are nearing the end of your apprenticeship, and ready to celebrate at the Kamar-Taj Christmas party, yet your growing attraction to Stephen makes it hard to focus on much else (not even those delicious roasted almonds you love so much). When you sprain your ankle, and Stephen is there to offer his aid, you realize that his cold demeanor towards you might not be because of negative feelings after all.
pairing: Stephen Strange x Apprentice!Reader
word count: 3k
warnings: age gap
a/n: Merry Christmas everyone! This is another contribution to my Swift series <3 and a Christmas special. My next one shots will be accepted requests.
Masterlist - Discord Server - Request Info - Taylor Swift Series
And we kept everything professional
But something's changed, it's something I like
They keep watchful eyes on us
So it's best that we move fast and keep quiet
You were standing in the hallway of the Sanctum Sanctorum, a book in your hand. Quietly humming the tune you were listening to through your earbuds, you browsed the pages. The Sanctum was quiet, with Wong away on some business and Stephen having barricaded himself in his study. Most days were like this, so you had to find ways to entertain yourself when Stephen or Wong did not bother you with magical training.
You were in the last year of your apprenticeship and could call yourself a master of the mystic arts as soon as next year was only one week away. You had been looking forward to spending this month with Christmas activities, but had been met with extra work given to you by your fellow sorcerers. Although you were their apprentice, you had become more of a friend who was magically similarly powerful to them already, just in a different way.
As a natural witch, you had a certain affinity towards magic, yet the mystic arts were not the type of magic that was inherited and so you had had to work your way up the ladder just like any other student of Kamar-Taj had.
You hadn't been to Kamar-Taj in ages, so you were very excited about the Christmas party that would take place later today. You would see your friends from your first year at the temple again. It was extremely exciting to properly socialize since Stephen barely paid attention to you outside of his lectures and assignments, and you barely knew anyone from this city; you had grown up in a remote town far away from New York.
You put the book back where it belonged and left the living area to climb the large staircase that dominated the foyer. Its railing had been decorated with lights that glowed in even intervals.
“(y/n)!” You heard someone shout your name behind you, so you stopped in your tracks and turned around, tapping on your left earbud once so the music would stop.
Stephen stood in front of you with his arms crossed in front of his chest and an annoyed expression on his face.
“Have you finished your paper on interdimensional threat elimination yet? Wong said he’s still waiting for your email.”
“Of course,” you replied, taking the earbuds out and dropping them into your pocket. “I wanted to send it to him just now.” You wanted to say how unnecessary it was to give you one last assignment that was due on Christmas, and a theory one at that, but you bit your tongue and swallowed the thought.
He hummed a response, cold gaze lingering on you while he seemed to think about your answer. Without another word, Stephen then turned on his heel and left for the kitchen, leaving you standing on the staircase.
You sighed and continued towards your room. The way he spoke with you lately was getting on your nerves, and you realized how he could sometimes not even look at you. It stung, wondering how his opinion of you could have dropped this much, especially in regards to the secret feelings you harbored for the sorcerer.
You closed the door behind you when you reached your room, trying to forget the encounter you had just had. Your room was moderately sized, with antique furniture and a large golden mirror next to your king-sized bed, neatly made with green velvet bedding.
To get into the Christmas spirit, you had decorated your room a little with some lights and a wreath, whose four thick candles were each lit, enchanted so they wouldn't extinguish or transfer the flame to any flammable object.
You approached your desk in front of your window, letting yourself sink into the office chair in front of it. You had a good view of the business of Bleecker Street, so you observed for just a moment longer. There were many cars today, and people dressed in thick jackets that kept them safe from the falling snow, carrying presents in large bags or underneath their arms.
You smiled softly as you opened your laptop and quickly sent Wong and Stephen the PDF document. Normally, you would have gone over it again but today you really did not have the nerve or the motivation to do so. Besides, you had been done with it for almost a week already.
After placing your earbuds back inside their case and leaving them on your nightstand, you exited your room, heading down the hall to Stephen's study. It was the first room next to the stairs, and its door was typically closed. Today was no exception. You knocked carefully and pushed it open a bit.
“Yes?” Stephen said without looking up, keeping his eyes firmly on the book he held in his hands.
You opened the door further and leaned against the doorframe, studying your mentor with a raised eyebrow. Sometimes, you wondered if he used his excessive research as a coping mechanism, as there was no way a single person could be so intertwined with their work.
“I sent you the email,” you informed him, your eyes resting on the book in his hands. “And I was wondering when you would want to meet downstairs for the Christmas party at Kamar-Taj.”
Stephen sighed, placing the book back onto the shelf. He turned to face you, his expression unreadable.
"Right, the Christmas party," he said. "Wong mentioned it.”
You narrowed your eyes slightly, trying to read him, realizing that he had forgotten all about it until now. You sighed, averting your gaze for a moment.
“You don't plan to attend?”
“I do not. It would be irresponsible of me to leave the Sanctum unattended on Christmas.” He walked around his desk and let himself fall into his chair, turning his PC on with a click of his mouse.
“The last time you went to a party was the full moon one two years ago,” you reminded him, crossing your arms in front of your chest.
He was about to reply when he stopped for a second, looking at you perplexed. “You remember that?”
“Either way,” you continued, ignoring his question as you placed one hand on his mahogany desk, “Wong said he'd make sure someone would be there to take care of the Sanctum. So if you want to come along, he and I will meet in the foyer at seven.”
Stephen looked up at you while his fingers ghosted over the keyboard of his PC, but you didn't give him time to answer as you turned and left his study, closing the door behind you.
It took you some time to get ready, and music could be heard coming from your room throughout it all. You had opted for a short red dress that sparkled in the light of your room. It was dark outside when you were done, and you were very thankful for the time spell put on Kamar-Taj today so that time zones did not matter. You couldn't imagine getting ready like this at eight in the morning.
You put on your heels, and grabbed your coat and a clutch before you left your room, locking it with your magic. The cold New York air caused goosebumps to appear on your legs; a window must have been opened somewhere.
You descended the stairs, gripping the railing to steady yourself in the heels you wore, careful not to trip. A smile appeared on your face as you spotted Wong standing at the foot of the stairs. He was dressed elegantly, yet not overly so for a simple Christmas party.
“Will Stephen not be joining us?” he asked, blinking at you while scanning the stairs behind you in search of the other man. You merely shrugged your shoulders in response.
Before you could reply, Stephen emerged from the Sanctum library to your right and joined the two of you. He wore a white shirt and a tie, his hands hidden inside the pockets of his black trousers. A red scarf hung around his shoulders, and you immediately recognized the cloak of levitation’s pattern in the fabric.
“And here I thought you'd be spending most of the evening studying a tome,” you teased, looking up at him to meet his eye.
“Well, this party can also be seen as a celebration of you becoming a master of the mystic arts. What kind of mentor would I be if I didn't celebrate that?”
Wong shook his head, extending his arms to create a portal in the middle of the Sanctum’s foyer. It came alive in a frame of sparks, glistening yellow and bright, reflecting in the gemstone you were wearing around your neck. It had no magic, yet it complemented your eyes.
“(y/n) is more of a friend than an apprentice, Stephen. To both of us. You should not see this as an obligation.”
You pursed your lips as the awkward silence that followed, but Wong had only said the words out loud that you had been thinking the entire past weeks.
Stephen did not reply and you could not bring yourself to meet his eye, so you only offered Wong a faint smile before stepping through the portal.
All three of you exited the portal in the heart of Kamar-Taj, where ancient buildings adorned with mystical symbols rose against the darkening sky. A warm, magical glow enveloped the surroundings as you entered the main building, greeted by practitioners of the mystic arts who were adorned in elaborate robes, mingled beneath enchanted decorations that turned the air into a cascade of glittering snowflakes. The aroma of exotic spices drifted through the air, and you immediately felt your mouth water.
You navigated through the lively crowd, and your face lit up when you spotted old friends and mentors from your time at the temple. You immediately engaged in conversation with them, Stephen and Wong joining you. Each of you took a drink from a nearby floating tray, clinking your glasses. Wong seemed to be feeling particularly sociable, but Stephen did not say much, his gaze occasionally landing on you or his wine glass.
“Please excuse me,” Stephen said after a while, leaning towards your little group so you could be heard better against the loud music and vibrant chatter around you.
When he turned to leave, he accidentally brushed his hand against yours in the process, causing you to freeze for a second and meet his gaze. His bright blue eyes held you captive, and you swore you could hear the music fade in the background. Before you could react in any way, however, Stephen had already cleared his throat and maneuvered around you, downing his drink.
You looked after him, lips slightly parted, before Roslyn, a girl who had started her magical studies around the same time as you, snapped you back into reality. “You good, (y/n)?”
“Um, yeah,” you replied, smiling a little awkwardly when you looked at Wong, who had a faint grin on his lips. “What?” you asked, almost snapped, but Wong only raised his arms in defense.
“I didn’t say anything.”
You cleared your throat again, offering the gathered a smile before excusing yourself as well. You found your way to the buffet outside with flushed cheeks, set up in a place usually used for training. The air was cool but not cold enough to make you shiver. You smiled at the faces that were familiar to you and muttered a few greetings when people approached you.
The buffet was large, but your focus lay on a bowl with roasted almonds, which you had always loved since you were a little child. You took a smaller bowl and a spoon and put some almonds in yours before leaving the training area, popping one deliciously sweet almond into your mouth. As you were about to climb the flight of stairs leading back up to the main building, a drunk boy, who couldn't have been older than sixteen, bumped into you.
You tried to regain your balance, but you stepped onto the stone floor wrong, causing your ankle to twist at an awkward angle. Hissing, you held your ankle as a sharp pain shot through your leg. Your bowl of almonds had shattered on the ground next to you, and you stoically twirled your hand, using witchcraft to make the pieces disappear. The mystic arts required too much concentration and handwork at times, and your innate magic often came in handy.
“Watch where you’re going, dude!” you shouted, but the boy had already left. He probably did not even realize what happened.
You attempted to walk, but each step hurt more than the other, so you took your heels off and limped into the building. Shoes dangling from your right hand, you used the other to hold onto pillars and walls to stabilize yourself, trying to find a quiet spot. At this time, the library would be empty, and it was not far either.
With the aid of magic, you opened the heavy library door and let it fall shut behind you, exhaling deeply as the loud noises were muffled by the door. Cursing, you slowly walked over to an armchair nearby and sat down on it. Your heels landed on the floor, your hands both massaging the hurting ankle. You barely even registered the books that surrounded you, some of which were bound by chains. Back when you were studying in Kamar-Taj, you had always wondered about their contents, but now you could only focus on the pain.
“(y/n)?” You heard Stephen ask, lifting your head to see him appear from behind a bookshelf, brow raised. “Did you hurt yourself?”
“Some drunkard ran into me, and I think I sprained my ankle.” You leaned back in your seat, sighing as you cursed yourself for never having shown much interest in healing magic.
Stephen put the book in his hands aside and approached you. “Let me see,” he said calmly as he crouched down in front of you and lifted your ankle with his hands. You hissed at the sudden contact, the pain intensifying for a second. You sometimes forgot that he had been a surgeon before a sorcerer, so you watched as his skillful hands felt for any severe injury, occasionally causing you to wince in pain.
“It’s sprained,” he agreed, not waiting for a response. His hands began to glow in a faint yellow light, the healing warmth instantly relieving your stressed joint. As Stephen slowly worked on your ankle, your eyes locked. His hand traced gentle circles on your skin, and you weren’t sure whether this was required for the spell, but you did not protest, even finding yourself closing your eyes in response to his touch.
“You have a knack for finding trouble. I don’t think that’s ever going to change, is it?” He asked, a smile playing on his lips as you opened your eyes to meet his.
“A sprained ankle is hardly trouble, compared to the other things you had to keep up with these past two years,” you said, chuckling softly. He did not reply.
The pain ceased, and Stephen let go of your ankle. He rested his arm on his knee as you studied the injury, realizing that he had healed it completely.
“Thanks,” you said a little shyly, which even surprised you.
Not wanting the situation to turn into an awkward silence, you stood from your seat, causing him to do the same.
You were about to turn and leave, lips parted to say goodbye, when you noticed him staring at something above you. You followed his eyes and blushed deeply as you saw mistletoe floating in the air between you, surrounded by a golden shimmer.
Swallowing, you looked back at him, blushing deeper as you asked, “Are you doing this?”
You felt stupid because of how hopeful your voice sounded; it was hard to deny you liked him, but he had always been rather cold towards you, which was why you were so glad that Wong had always been so nice to you. If he only knew the way you saw him, you were sure he’d never speak to you again.
Stephen looked from the mistletoe to you, shaking his head slowly. “No, I'm not.”
Realizing that this must be some joke one of the other sorcerers was playing on you, you quickly excused yourself and apologized, turning to leave when his hand on your wrist stopped you.
You turned to look at him, your eyes wide in surprise.
“I didn't say you have to leave,” he whispered, his eyes briefly dropping to your lips. It was hard to breathe when you watched him inch closer towards you, giving you enough time to back away if you wanted to.
He raised his hand to touch your cheek gently, brushing some strands of hair out of your face before burying his fingers in your waves. Something had changed in the way he looked at you, and now that you thought about it, it had changed a while ago already. Precisely around the time he had started acting colder towards you.
Stephen was so close now that you could see the small dark speckle in his blue eyes, something you had never really noticed before. You held your breath as you saw him pull away, conflict written all over his face.
It was your turn to hold onto his wrist, making him look at you. You didn’t know what encouraged you to press your lips against his, but as it happened, you wrapped your arms around his shoulders to pull him close. You felt him tense against you; he had not anticipated your boldness, but soon he melted into the kiss, holding you by the small of your back.
As you pulled away, you smiled up at him, only to realize that the mistletoe had disappeared, but Stephen placed a hand on your cheek and directed your gaze back to him.
“Merry Christmas, (y/n),” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. You saw how your red lipstick had stained his own lips. With a small smile, Stephen leaned in again, capturing your lips in another lingering kiss. The soft glow of your magic enveloped you both, creating an aura of enchantment in the quiet corner of the mystical library. It was in involuntary response to his touch; emotions guiding sorcery. As he pulled away, he met your gaze, and there was a newfound warmth in his eyes, a spark of something unspoken yet profound.
I can see you in your suit and your necktie
Passed me a note saying, "Meet me tonight"
Then we kissed and you know I won't ever tell
#stephen strange x reader#doctor strange x reader#marvel cinematic universe#marvel#marvel one shots#doctor strange fanfiction#stephen strange
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My media this week (4-10 Feb 2024)
youtube
top 5 personal HO fave - he was he was super thrilled to be there, had a great time, lost his mind a little & flexed (literally). Incredible.
📚 STUFF I READ 📚
😊 Throuple Honey (Brent Archer) - short, sweet & simple with lots of domestic details
🥰 "Why Don't We Just Kill the Kid In the Omelas Hole" (Isabel J. Kim) - love a skillful response to the classic original story. I just kept saying 'wow. wow.'
😍😍😍 Reread the entirety of Rachel Reid's Game Changers series. I just love them all SO MUCH!!!! 😍😍😍
Game Changer (Game Changers #1) [Scott & Kip]
Merry Christmas Scott & Kip (Game Changers #1.5)
Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2) [Shane & Ilya] {here's a really great review of this book, which is THEEEE GREATEST rivals-to-lovers story ever!}
My Dinner with Hayden: A Heated Rivalry Short Story (Game Changers #2.5)
Tough Guy (Game Changers #3) [Ryan & Fabian]
Common Goal (Game Changers #4) [Eric & Kyle]
Role Model (Game Changers #5) [Troy & Harris]
The Long Game (Game Changers #6) [Shane & Ilya, Part 2]
🥰 The Supersoldier's Amnesiac Groom (casspeach) - 48K, very canon divergent arranged marriage AU - reread for Stucky Book Club
📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺
A Word on Words | NPT: Starter Villain - John Scalzi
Hot Ones - Tony Hawk
Hot Ones - Sterling K. Brown
Hot Ones - Mark Ruffalo
Hot Ones - John Oliver
Hot Ones - Barry Keoghan
Hazbin Hotel - s1, e2
D20: Fantasy High: Junior Year - "Mall Madness" (s21, e5)
D20: Adventuring Party - "Can I Offer You a Nice Shrimp in This Trying Time?" (s16, e5)
🎧 PODCASTS 🎧
Desert Island Discs - Graham Nash, musician
⭐ Up First - The Sunday Story: Tiny Desk, Big Stage
⭐ What Next: TBD - Streaming Is Cable Now
The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Taquile Island
Short Wave - Wolves Are Thriving In The Radioactive Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
The Sporkful - Undercover Dining With NY Times Restaurant Critic Pete Wells
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang - The Top 10 Places We Would Love To Visit
Pop Culture Happy Hour - 2024 Grammys Recap
Vibe Check - Hey, Sis: featuring Audie Cornish
The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Moynaq
Shedunnit - The Green Penguin
Vibe Check - Hell Has Flooded
⭐ It's Been a Minute - Sam Reich on revamping the game show - and Dropout's success as a small streamer
Ologies with Alie Ward - Theoretical & Creative Ecology (SCIENCE & ECOPOETRY) with Madhur Anand
The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Welcome Home
Short Wave - After 20 Years, This Scientist Uncovered The Physics Behind The Spiral Pass
99% Invisible #569 - Between the Blocks
Switched on Pop - Brittany Howard's Chaos Theory (with Brittany Howard)
⭐ Song Exploder - Green Day "Basket Case"
The Assignment with Audie Cornish - Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: Cultural Supernova
⭐ Throughline - The Scent of History
⭐ The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum
Alt.Latino - The greatest Boleros of all-time
The Sporkful - Deep Dish With Sohla And Ham: Tacos Al Pastor
Today, Explained - When one (airplane) door opens …
Dear Prudence - Is My Work Husband Keeping Me A Secret From His Wife? Help!
Pop Culture Happy Hour - Lisa Frankenstein And What's Making Us Happy
Endless Thread - Recess Therapy's Julian Shapiro-Barnum is skeptical of kids becoming social media stars
⭐ Strong Songs - "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel
Today, Explained - Why Taylor left TikTok
Short Wave - Clownfish Might Be Counting Their Potential Enemies' Stripes
You're Dead to Me - Simón Bolívar
Consider This from NPR - What Makes A Football Movie Great?
It's Been a Minute - A Super Bowl in 'new Vegas'; plus, the inverted purity of the Stanley Cup
Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me! - Lena Waithe
Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly - Putting the Awe in Audio
🎶 MUSIC 🎶
The Very Best Of Buddy Holly And The Crickets
My Mix #5 [Simon & Garfunkel, Carpenters, John Denver]
Presenting KISS
Presenting Black Sabbath
#sunday reading recap#bookgeekgrrl's reading habits#bookgeekgrrl's soundtracks#fanfic ftw#game changers series#rachel reid#d20#dimension 20#hot ones#buddy holly#kiss#black sabbath#song exploder#strong songs podcast#what next: tbd podcast#up first podcast#the atlas obscura podcast#99% invisible podcast#it's been a minute podcast#shedunnit podcast#switched on pop podcast#throughline podcast#you're dead to me podcast#vibe check podcast#short wave podcast#pop culture happy hour podcast#the sporkful podcast#endless thread podcast#desert island discs#alt.latino podcast
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2023 Book List 📚
@bashfulbunny had the great idea to post what we read in 2023 and comment or reblog what you read so that we can all share our lists with each other 😊
Here is my list:
Icebreaker- Hannah Grace
Credence- Penelope Douglas
Birthday Girl- Penelope Douglas
Punk 57- Penelope Douglas
The Love Hypothesis- Ali Hazelwood
Archer's Voice- Mia Sheridan
Travis- Mia Sheridan
Twisted Love- Ana Huang
Twisted Games- Ana Huang
Twisted Hate- Ana Huang
Twisted Lies- Ana Huang
It Happened one Summer- Tessa Bailey
Hook, Line, and Sinker- Tessa Bailey
Fix Her Up- Tessa Bailey
Wreck the Halls- Tessa Bailey
Window Shopping- Tessa Bailey
Satan's Affair- H.D. Carlton
Haunting Adeline- H.D. Carlton
Hunting Adeline- H.D. Carlton
Does it Hurt- H.D. Carlton
Scarred- Emily McIntire
Hooked- Emily McIntire
Wretched- Emily McIntire
Twisted- Emily McIntire
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder- Holly Jackson
The Simple Wild- K.A. Tucker
The Ritual- Shantel Tessier
The Housemaid- Freida McFadden
The Housemaid's Secret- Freida McFadden
Ward D- Freida McFadden
Never Lie- Freida McFadden
The Inmate- Freida McFadden
Verity- Colleen Hoover
It Ends with Us- Colleen Hoover
It Starts with Us- Colleen Hoover
Ugly Love- Colleen Hoover
November 9- Colleen Hoover
Maybe Someday- Colleen Hoover
Maybe Now- Colleen Hoover
The Silent Patient- Alex Michaelides
The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo- Taylor Jenkins Reid
Saving Noah- Lucinda Berry
Forbidden Hearts- Corinne Michael's
Den of Vipers- K.A. Knight
Fourth Wing- Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame- Rebecca Yarros
Losers Part 1-Harley Laroux
Losers Part 2-Harley Laroux
By a Thread- Lucy Score
The Christmas Fix- Lucy Score
Say You Swear- Meagan Brandy
Hearts Reclaimed- Ayla Asher
The Fine Print- Lauren Asher
Terms and Conditions- Lauren Asher
The Mindf*ck Series- S.T. Abby
That One Night- Emily Rath
Pucking Around- Emily Rath
Pucking Ever After Vol. 1- Emily Rath
Anyone and You- Jack Whitney
Trick Shot- Kayla Grosse
The 12 Dogs of Christmas- Susan Wiggs
Tangled in Tinsel- Trilina Pucci
Love and Other Words- Christina Lauren
In a Holidaze- Christina Lauren
The Surgeon- Leslie Wolfe
Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owen's
The Last Thing He Told Me- Laura Dave
The Nightingale- Kristin Hannah
Ladling with Luke- D.E. Bartley
Resting Scrooge Face- Meghan Quinn
Lovelight Farms- B.K. Borison
The Plight Before Christmas- Kate Stewart
A Very Merry Mistake- Lyra Parish
Feel free to add your lists so we can all get some new recommendations! 💕
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REVIEWING THE CHARTS: 30/12/2023 (Christmas Garbage)
Content warning: Brief references to murder, racism and unlawful sex acts. Merry Christmas!
Yawn, it’s a Christmas episode. It’s not even Christmas anymore - the tracking week included Christmas Day. “Last Christmas” is #1, of course it is. Skip this one is my personal advice. Christmas Christmas Christmas. REVIEWING THE CHARTS.
Rundown
So, there are a few new arrivals today, but it’s also a week of mostly just festive music the week after festive music mattered so I’ll have a bit of a different approach, one I’m sure will be made up for with next week’s: Less than a fifth of this week’s chart are non-Christmas songs, I’m going to be mostly in chart nerd form rather than expressing much of my opinion, which is kind of how this series has been moving towards lately? Next episode will be the rush of new and old songs thanks to the end-of-year gains and Christmas collapse, so that will be more of a classic episode when it comes to dishing out intros and opinions on different genres and artists, the usual. For now, well, let’s just run down what we have here. Rounding out the top five are Brenda at #5, Ed and Elton at #4, Mariah at #3 and Sam bloody Ryder still hogging up #2.
Let’s continue with rounding up the Christmas songs. The songs entering the UK Top 75 for the first time this year in this week, but have already entered the top 75 previously, are “Cozy Little Christmas” by Katy Perry at #70, “Mistletoe and Wine” by Cliff Richard at #69, “Please Come Home for Christmas” by the Eagles at #68, “Santa’s Coming for Us” by Sia at #66, “Santa Baby” by Kylie Minogue at #64, “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses at #62 (one of my personal favourites) and “My Only Wish (This Year)” by Britney Spears at a new peak of #59, “Come on Home for Christmas” by George Ezra at #56, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” by Perry Como at #54, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen at another new peak of #47, and “Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift at #46… and speaking of new peaks, “What Christmas Means to Me” by Stevie Wonder at #76, “Jingle Bells” by Meghan Trainor at #48, “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt at #44, “Little Saint Nick” by the Beach Boys at #43, “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives at #40, “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole at #34, “Winter Wonderland” by Laufey at #26, “Sleigh Ride” by the Ronettes at #20 and “DJ Play a Christmas Song” by Cher at #18, as well as Jorja Smith’s cover of “Stay Another Day” at #16 and “Let it Snow” (three times) by Dean Martin at #13 and finally, it took a while but “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande reached the top 10 at #8.
I questioned the point in listing the notable dropouts - songs exiting the UK Top 75, which is what I cover, after five weeks in the region or a peak in the top 40 - since they’ll all be back next week but hey, if I can list a bunch of Christmas songs by dead people in succession, why not secular songs by those very much still with us? With that said, we bid adieu to that terrible cover of “I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday” by “Creator Universe”, and then bid a probably temporary farewell to “Stop Giving Me Advice” by Lyrical Lemonade, Jack Harlow and Dave, “You’re Losing Me” (From the Vault) by Taylor Swift, “Surround Sound” by JID featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate, “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, “exes” by Tate McRae, “Northern Attitude” by Noah Kahan with Hozier on the duet version, “Runaway” by Ye featuring Pusha T, “Can’t Catch Me Now” and “vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo, “On My Love” by Zara Larsson and David Guetta, “Water” by Tyla, “Strangers” by Kenya Grace, “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves, “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift and finally, “Sprinter” by Dave and Central Cee. So, yeah, big bloodbath this week but one that involves a revival for the next.
So, time to “review”, isn’t it? We have some new arrivals, most of which are Christmas songs, let’s trodge through them.
NEW ARRIVALS
#74 - “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” - Dean Martin
Produced by Lee Gillette
So, firstly: I’m going to be getting the vast majority of my info from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, the Official Charts Company’s archive: it may sometimes be inaccurate or awkward in its formatting but I know charts well enough to notice when something doesn’t seem right - for the most part - or when it contradicts with Wikipedia or other sources. You can find the vast majority of this info elsewhere, I’m not doing intense research, but hey, it’s good to have a little backstory and that’s what most of this episode will be: stories. We start with a fictional one, that of Rudolph’s.
Now he may be a tradition now but he’s more recent than you think, pitched in 1939 by a retailer in New York known as Robert L. May. He’s a newly-created Christmas character that is a bit of wholesome children’s content with a good message, insanely basic character design and therefore incredibly intuitive marketing strategy. The song came 10 years after the character, and whilst Gene Autry probably recorded the most well-known version, it’s never charted in the UK. In fact, Dean Martin’s version, which debuts this year at #74 - it’s its first week in the top 100 even - is the first version to chart, despite American success of versions by Autry, Bing Crosby and even the Chipmunks and the Temptations, both inspiring 60s vocal groups. This 1959 cover from A Winter Romance, the same album with “Let it Snow” on it, is a completely fine, very cliché Christmas-sounding tune with a weird German accent for Santa’s dialogue. Whilst it may be somewhat surprising the song’s not charted, I do understand. I sang “Rudolph” as a child in assemblies at school, sure, but I’m a much later generation than a lot of the people listening to Christmas music this time of year in this country, and it’s always felt like a specifically American export, especially that stop-motion TV special that may have re-popularised the tune. The only other “Rudolph” song to chart is Chuck Berry’s 1958 classic, “Run Rudolph Run”, which peaked at #36 in 1964 and is currently at #49. When it peaked, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles, another rock-and-roll classic, was #1. Mr. Berry of course would later go on to film women peeing, so maybe someone should make a festive rock and roll remix to “Ignition”.
#72 - “Carol of the Bells” - John Williams
Produced by John Williams
Spotify actually credits more than OCC does here: John Williams is listed here as he’s the only performer listed on the chart itself but on streaming services, the lead artist is actually Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych, the Ukrainian composer for the song, originally arranged as a very non-Christmas piece “Shchedryk”, which I guess is still about Winter as when translated, one can read lyrics about how a swallow flies into a home promising wealth for the upcoming spring. It’s connected to a folk holiday in Ukraine celebrated on New Year’s Eve known as “Malanka”, somewhat similar to Christmas in its festivities but with a depth of its own traditions unique to eastern Europe, and it wasn’t even the intended holiday of Leontovych’s original composition, first performed in Kyiv in 1916. An American composer, importantly one descending from the Rusyns of modern-day Ukraine, heard the composition, which made its way to New York in the 1920s, and wrote English lyrics relating to Christmas though, interestingly, Peter J. Wilhousky is nowhere to be seen in the artist credits for this version, being relegated to a writing credit on Spotify.
There are many versions of this song but by far the most popular is the rendition by John Williams, an icon in film scoring who arranged the song alongside a children’s choir performance for the 1990 film Home Alone, which has aged pretty well - mostly because it’s practically just slapstick of a kid torturing these two idiots - and has become a Christmas classic, particularly in eastern Europe, where its release lined up pretty nicely with more lenient restrictions on western films, so it became one of the first western family films seen by many children beyond the Iron Curtain just as it fell, which does make the use of Leontovych’s composition come full circle in a way. Personally, I’ve always found this song a tad eerie and intense, but Williams’ version of “Carol of the Bells” is the only one to have charted in the UK, and it first reached the top 100 in 2018. Additionally, the main theme from Home Alone, “Somewhere in My Memory”, spent one week at #69 in 2019. The #1 that week was “Sweet but Psycho” by Ava Max, and John Williams has charted a few times with singles and many, many other times on the albums chart, for his work in film scoring. Last year, the Home Alone soundtrack made its very first appearance there at #100, and this year, probably assisting with the new peak of this song, the actor who played the boy Kevin McCallister, Macaulay Culkin, received a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the film itself was inducted into the Library of US Congress’ National Film Registry.
#71 - “Entrapreneur” - Central Cee
Produced by Chris Rich and Caleb Bryant
Alright, let’s cut the Christmas crap for a second as we do have a new song from Cench charting, and whilst Jeezy has made that awkward pun before, this is still a completely fine, maybe even pretty good, drill track with a very energetic performance from Cench here and despite some very odd mixing that makes the percussion feel stiff and the bass less present than it should be, I still think it hits hard amidst the soaring strings and keys at the back of the mix that is surprisingly dynamic at times, it almost feels like it’s going for a cloud rap vibe but instead of fully submerging the listener, Cench submerges any need for the instrumental by bringing a lot of charisma, some funny lines and a whole lot of triumphant flexing that given the motivation in his voice here and some genuinely likeable lyrics, actually feels pretty deserved. Sure, he sticks to the same flow, but it’s one that works and seems to serve his best interests lyrically as he can fit all of his wordy bars into it, so I’d say this is ultimately a success.
#67 - “Deck the Halls” - Nat King Cole
Produced by Lee Gillette
Another Lee Gillette production in the same week, huh, I guess the guy was the go-to for soulful Christmas tracks. I’m never going to complain about hearing Nat King Cole’s rich voice… except for this song, misspelled as “Deck the Hall” on Spotify, where it feels like everything’s a bit too fast for the guy, I almost feel bad. It’s a very spritzy and string-heavy song that just ends up too chintzy to give Nat King Cole any time. Hell, I’ll be honest - this one sucks, it’s way too busy and barely anyone could pull off this dead-on-arrival fa-la-la-la song anyway unless you’re a cartoon character but I haven’t seen the Animaniacs chart in my lifetime so this is a carol I’ve never preferred. As for this song’s chart history, this is its second week on the chart, and only this version has ever charted to my knowledge, debuting at #84 last year. That’s not to say people haven’t recorded and performed this song that aren’t named Nat King Cole because by God, they have, though not nearly as much as a song we’ll be talking about in a few paragraphs’ time. As for the original composition, it dates back to the traditional Welsh carol “Nos Galan”, which is actually about New Year’s Eve and both its tune and lyrics were written around the 1700s, but English lyrics by Scotsman Thomas Oliphant in 1862 brought us the carol we know today, so this one is a bit more historied than Rudolph, especially with popularising the now universal phrase of “’tis the season”. I don’t even like the slower, original Welsh version of this, it’s just a pestering little song to me. Never done well to my knowledge. Next.
#63 - “This Christmas” - Donny Hathaway
Produced by Ric Powell and Donny Hathaway
This is a pretty weird one because yes, this version of the song has never charted in the UK’s top 100 before. That much is true… but I have reviewed it, and in 2020 in fact, so dig up that old episode, right? Well, maybe not, because the only reason I reviewed it is because a Jess Glynne version charted that year, and it was an Amazon original version, that I ended up comparing to the original, one of my favourite ever Christmas songs, in complete despair and almost disgust. Hathaway has a buttery but unabashedly joyful voice, he came up with that iconic gleeful horn line and that clever, sleek title-drop in the verses, and like I said in 2020, lest we forget the bongos. It’s a detailed, beautiful song that was first released in 1970, with the B-side “Be There”, which is probably why OCC questionably lists this song as “This Christmas Be There”. Said B-side is the other holiday single tacked onto his self-titled album and whilst not as catchy or canonical, it is more of a melodramatic tune with just as many intricacies, it’s really an underrated gem to be honest. It took a while for “This Christmas” to latch on, only really resurging in 1991 when included on a reissued Christmas compilation record. It didn’t chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 until 2020 and has finally made it to the UK’s singles chart in its original form. The malformed Jess Glynne butchering made it to #3 in 2021, and “Last Christmas” was #1 that week too. It briefly returned in 2021 but only peaked at #52 that year and has not appeared again so I’m assuming the UK has come to their senses and made the correct decision about which one to enjoy from this year onward.
#60 - “Jingle Bells” - Frank Sinatra
Produced by Voyle Gilmore
It is a disgrace that Meghan Trainor’s version outcharts Frankie, but there is some solace in knowing Trainor’s version may be like Jess Glynne’s “This Christmas” and end up as a one-year-only success. It’s not like it matters though, “Jingle Bells” may be the most-recorded song in human history, and is definitely at least one of them, even though it was never explicitly about Christmas… though the song was originally titled “This One Horse Open Sleigh” so part of me thinks that James Lord Pierpoint, the song’s writer and Confederate soldier - yikes - had at least Father Christmas in mind when composing the jingle. Pierpoint even wrote music for the losing side in the Civil War and ended up on the opposing side of his father in the Union Army - Jesus, the less we know about the guy who wrote the song, the better, what a loser. Anyway, like 70,000 Goddamn people have dashed through the snow to get to the studio and record this track, so it’s safe to say the song has reached beyond its obscure writer at this point. It’s been broadcast from space, for God’s sake.
Sinatra, or more accurately Gilmore, extends the song with an unnecessary spelling section from a choir, but otherwise the 1948 recording is a lot of fun with a classic, swingin’ performance from Frankie as one would expect, especially when he has some fun with the cadence of the track, even if he doesn’t do it all too much. The song is such a staple that it’s been implemented into other Christmas standards for years, and not just “Jingle Bell Rock”, which I consider so separate to be its own song so I’ll wait for another cover of that next year before I get into that chart history, but also it’s a motif heard in Bing Crosby’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas”, the guitar… solo(?) in Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” and even Joni Mitchell’s “River”. As for the original, I mean, it’s been covered by everybody from Herb Alpert to the Beatles to the Barenaked Ladies to Barney the Dinosaur to Eric Clapton to Gladys Knight to Pearl Jam to the Wiggles to CBeebies’ Goddamn Alphablocks but the versions that charted are as follows.
The first version of the original “Jingle Bells” to chart in the modern chart was… a reggae version by Judge Dread, who if you know anything about him, is not exactly a wholesome Christmas artist, and of course, it’s actually a vulgar, laddish version using the melody to talk about having sex on Christmas with some girl. I’ve talked about Judge Dread on this blog before in my special episode from 2021 about songs banned by the BBC, in which I included a lot more of his story. To be completely honest, his version is a lot of fun, especially with how carelessly he delivers it all, and it peaked at #64 for two weeks in 1978, during which “Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord” by Boney M. was #1. It’s currently at #51. In 1981, a novelty version by the Hysterics that lasts for only less than a minute and a half, peaked at #44 for three weeks. Subtitled “(Laughing All the Way)”, it is simply a guy laughing obnoxiously to the tune of the song as a cartoon-sounding pop-rock version plays under him. It is profoundly stupid. “Don’t You Want Me” by the Human League was #1 during these three very cursed weeks in British history. In 2005, whoever the Hell was behind the Crazy Frog mashed up the song with “U Can’t Touch This”, which apparently warrants it a separate Wikipedia page, and it peaked at #5 whilst Nizlopi’s “JCB”, a personal nostalgic song for me, was #1. Another EDM version by Basshunter peaked at #35 in 2008, when Alexandra Burke’s cover of “Hallelujah” was #1. It’s safe to say that both 2000s Eurodance versions of “Jingle Bells” are cheap and ridiculous. Last year, Sam Ryder’s Amazon-exclusive version from an Amazon-exclusive Christmas film charted at #41 - “Last Christmas” was of course at #1 that week - and this week, we see both versions by Meghan Trainor and Frank Sinatra charting. He originally recorded it in 1948 but it only started charting two weeks ago. Oh, and of course, Batman smells and Robin laid an egg.
#58 - “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” - Mariah Carey
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey
Mr. President, a second - okay, more accurately, third - Mariah Carey Christmas song has hit the canon… and I have no idea why you’d listen to this slightly-oversung, dull 1994 rendition over the Darlene Love original, which has a slightly similar story to “This Christmas” though arguably more organic. It wasn’t a single when added to Phil Spector’s Christmas compilation album - he would later murder a woman, of course - but the track, released in 1963 and featuring Cher on backing vocals, who would later cover the song as a duet with the surprisingly-still-alive (especially if she knew Spector, sheesh) Ms. Love, 60 years later - yes, that’s this year - on her own Christmas album. Sadly, that one didn’t chart but Carey’s instead. Love’s version gained popularity simply because in the late 80s, talk-show host David Letterman just liked the song and continued to invite her year upon year to perform it on his show, which is adorable.
In the UK, the original version didn’t chart until after Bublé’s - sigh - which didn’t last, peaking at #47 for two weeks in 2011 and briefly coming back in the bottom-feeder region in 2015. When it peaked, the #1 was “Cannonball” by Little Mix, and then “Wherever You Are” by the Military Wives and Gareth Malone, that year’s Christmas #1. Love’s version first charted here in 2017, though her other Christmas song, “All Alone on Christmas”, featured on the Home Alone 2 soundtrack - starring a man who I’m pretty sure James Lord Pierpoint would have voted for - peaked at #31 in 1992, during which the #1 was predictably Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” would eventually peak at #22 in 2018 and is currently charting at #31, whilst Carey’s version reaches a new peak this year after first charting in 2021, and with that, we are done with 2023’s Christmas episodes of REVIEWING THE CHARTS. Also, did you know U2 had a version of this? …Why?
Conclusion
This wasn’t really a conventional episode, was it? I can’t really fairly give Best of the Week out, or the worst for that matter, because these are songs I hold very few notable opinions on and spent most of the time just talking about their origins and their chart success. With that said, screw “Deck the Halls”, thank you for reading and I’ll see you next… year!
#uk singles chart#pop music#song review#christmas music#frank sinatra#mariah carey#dean martin#central cee#nat king cole#donny hathaway
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Fall/Winter 2022 Anticipated Book Releases
I promised earlier in the year that I would do a latter half of the year version of my anticipated releases post because releases for August-December hadn't been released yet. Since I'm still not completely well versed in new releases, I comb through Goodreads to find out what's coming out later this year.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid | August 30th | Goodreads
I have yet two read either of the two TJR books sitting on my shelf, but I've also never heard anything bad about her writing. I've read very few books about sports and athletes (maybe three total), and I'd love to see how such a beloved profession is handled in a fiction setting. She's done it before, let's see if she can do it again.
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone | Septemeber 20 | Goodreads
I enjoyed Julie Murphy's writing in Dumplin' and I want to see what it's like as an adult novel. The plot of this sounds so fun and actually brilliant, I hope it's steamy despite it's cutesy cover. Also taking place during Christmas time makes the wintery season exciting. Seeing a concept like OnlyFans in a novel is so intriguing.
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng | October 4th | Goodreads
If anyone is going to write a tale about family, it's going to be Celeste Ng. It has been about two years since I last read one of her novels and I think I'm ready for another. Before, when I read two in less than six months, I feel that I didn't appreciate the second as much because the writing style was the same although the plot was completely different. Maybe with time this one will be just as brilliant.
Poster Girl by Veronica Roth | October 18th | Goodreads
I have now read two Veronica Roth Young Adult series in my life but far enough apart that they felt like they were written by completely different people. With her venturing into adult (I'm not sure if for the first time), I want to see how her writing has grown again. I don't read much dystopian anymore, but I will for her.
The World We Make (Great Cities #2) by N. K. Jemisin | November 3rd | Goodreads
Now this one I have real stakes in reading! I really enjoyed the first book in this series (that I'm not sure how long it's going to be), but I know we had a huge open gap in the plot that I want to see continued. This world is so expansive and, although it's fiction, really makes you think about the world around you and what is alive and what isn't.
#2022 anticipated book releases#goodreads#a merry little meet cute#julie murphy#sierra simone#our missing hearts#celeste ng#poster girl#veronica roth#the world we make#great cities#n. k. jemisin#carrie soto is back#taylor jenkins reid
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Holidays 11.29
Holidays
Andrzejki (Poland)
Avascular Necrosis/Osteonecrosis Awareness Day
Chadwick Boseman Day
Chia Pet Day
Customer is Wrong Day
Dita e Çlirimit (Liberation Day; Albania)
Don Cheadle Day
Electronic Greetings Day
Feast of Great Expectations
Get Rid of Clutter Day
Global MRKH Awareness Day (Australia)
Insotrancevia Day
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (UN)
International Day of the Bible [also 11.24]
International Jaguar Day
Invisible Ink Day
Isdal Woman Day
Juniper Day (French Republic)
London Bridge Stabbing Anniversary Day
National Electronic Greetings Day
National Evan Day
National Square Dance Day [also 1.24]
National Tuxedo Cat Day
National Unity Day (Vanuatu)
Newspaper Day
Pay A Blogger Day
Republic Day (Yugoslavia)
Rolling Stones Day (Colorado)
Schrödinger's Cat Day
Tori No Ichi (Rooster Day #3; Japan)
Unity Day (Vanuatu)
Westland Day (New Zealand)
William V.S. Tubman Day (Liberia)
World Anteater Day
World Movement Disorders Day
Food & Drink Celebrations
Gnocchi Day (Argentina)
Good Meat Day (Ii Niku no Hi; Japan)
National Chocolates Day
National Lemon Cream Pie Day
National Rice Cake Day
Pop-Tarts Day
5th & Last Wednesday in November
National Package Protection Day [Wednesday after Thanksgiving]
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting [Wednesday after Thanksgiving]
Thanksgiving (Norfolk Island, Canada) [Last Wednesday]
Women Wednesday (a.k.a. Women Wow or Choose Women Wednesday) [Wednesday after Thanksgiving]
Independence Days
Paravia (Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]
Feast Days
Abibos of Nekresi (Christian; Saint)
Alexander Brullov (Artology)
Ashi Vanguhi (Ancient Persian/Zoroastrian) [2 Days after Full Moon]
Bernardo de Hoyos (Christian; Blessed)
Brendan of Birr (Christian; Saint)
Clement IV, Pope (Christian; Saint)
Cuthbert Mayne (Christian; Martyr)
Cutlass Sharpening Day (Pastafarian)
Feast of All Saints of the Seraphic Order
Festival of Saturnia (for the Sons of Saturn)
Francis Fasani (Christian; Saint)
The Hobos (Muppetism)
Illuminata (Christian; Saint)
James Rosenquist (Artology)
Jefferson (Positivist; Saint)
Our Lady of Beauraing (Christian; Saint)
Radboud of Utrecht (Roman Catholic; Saint)
Sadiron (Christian; Saint)
Saturnin (a.k.a. Saturnius of Toulouse; Christian; Saint)
Sekhmet’s Day (Pagan)
Ummm Bacon Day (Church of the SubGenius)
Vegetarian Remission Day (Church of the SubGenius)
Lucky & Unlucky Days
Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]
Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [54 of 60]
Premieres
Astral Weeks, by Van Morrison (Album; 1968)
The Bank Dick (Film; 1940)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams, by Green Day (Song; 2004)
Bullwinkle’s Ride or Goodbye, Dollink (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 2; 1959)
Calling All Cars (Radio Series; 1933)
The Gay Divorce, by Cole Porter (Broadway Musical; 1932)
Double Fantasy, by John Lennon (Album; 1980)
Hawaiian War Chant, recorded by Tommy Dorsey (Song; 1938)
It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (TV Movie; 2002)
I Want to Hold Your Hand, by The Beatles (Song; 1963)
Jet Fuel Formula, Episode One (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 1; 1959)
Lavender Haze, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2022)
Like a Hurricane, recorded by Neil Young (Song; 1975)
The Lost Weekend (Film; 1945)
Mirai (Anime Film; 2018)
My Life, by Mary J. Blige (Album; 1994)
9 to 5 (Film; 1980)
9 to 5, by Dolly Parton (Song; 1980)
Pong (Video Game; 1972)
Rolling in the Deep, by Adele (Song; 2010)
Terrier Stricken (WB MM Cartoon; 1952)
Today’s Name Days
Christine, Friederike, Friedrich (Austria)
Iluminata, Saturnin, Svjetlana, Vlasta (Croatia)
Zina (Czech Republic)
Saturnius (Denmark)
Edgar, Egert (Estonia)
Aimo (Finland)
Saturnin (France)
Berta, Friedrich, Friederike (Germany)
Fedra, Fedros, Filoumeni, Filoumenos (Greece)
Taksony (Hungary)
Saturnino (Italy)
Ignats, Ojars, Veseta (Latvia)
Butvydė, Daujotas, Saturninas (Lithuania)
Sofie, Sonja (Norway)
Błażej, Bolemysł, Fryderyk, Przemysł, Saturnin, Saturnina, Walter (Poland)
Filumen, Paramon, Valerian (Romania)
Vratko (Slovakia)
Iluminada, Saturnino (Spain)
Sune (Sweden)
Philemona (Ukraine)
Dahlia, Dalia, Daphne (USA)
Today is Also…
Day of Year: Day 333 of 2024; 32 days remaining in the year
ISO: Day 3 of week 48 of 2023
Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 2 of 28]
Chinese: Month 10 (Gui-Hai), Day 17 (Xin-Mao)
Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)
Hebrew: 16 Kislev 5784
Islamic: 16 Jumada I 1445
J Cal: 3 Zima; Threesday [3 of 30]
Julian: 16 November 2023
Moon: 94%: Waning Gibbous
Positivist: 25 Frederic (12th Month) [Jefferson]
Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 4 of 15]
Season: Autumn (Day 67 of 89)
Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 8 of 30)
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Holidays 11.29
Holidays
Andrzejki (Poland)
Avascular Necrosis/Osteonecrosis Awareness Day
Chadwick Boseman Day
Chia Pet Day
Customer is Wrong Day
Dita e Çlirimit (Liberation Day; Albania)
Don Cheadle Day
Electronic Greetings Day
Feast of Great Expectations
Get Rid of Clutter Day
Global MRKH Awareness Day (Australia)
Insotrancevia Day
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (UN)
International Day of the Bible [also 11.24]
International Jaguar Day
Invisible Ink Day
Isdal Woman Day
Juniper Day (French Republic)
London Bridge Stabbing Anniversary Day
National Electronic Greetings Day
National Evan Day
National Square Dance Day [also 1.24]
National Tuxedo Cat Day
National Unity Day (Vanuatu)
Newspaper Day
Pay A Blogger Day
Republic Day (Yugoslavia)
Rolling Stones Day (Colorado)
Schrödinger's Cat Day
Tori No Ichi (Rooster Day #3; Japan)
Unity Day (Vanuatu)
Westland Day (New Zealand)
William V.S. Tubman Day (Liberia)
World Anteater Day
World Movement Disorders Day
Food & Drink Celebrations
Gnocchi Day (Argentina)
Good Meat Day (Ii Niku no Hi; Japan)
National Chocolates Day
National Lemon Cream Pie Day
National Rice Cake Day
Pop-Tarts Day
5th & Last Wednesday in November
National Package Protection Day [Wednesday after Thanksgiving]
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting [Wednesday after Thanksgiving]
Thanksgiving (Norfolk Island, Canada) [Last Wednesday]
Women Wednesday (a.k.a. Women Wow or Choose Women Wednesday) [Wednesday after Thanksgiving]
Independence Days
Paravia (Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]
Feast Days
Abibos of Nekresi (Christian; Saint)
Alexander Brullov (Artology)
Ashi Vanguhi (Ancient Persian/Zoroastrian) [2 Days after Full Moon]
Bernardo de Hoyos (Christian; Blessed)
Brendan of Birr (Christian; Saint)
Clement IV, Pope (Christian; Saint)
Cuthbert Mayne (Christian; Martyr)
Cutlass Sharpening Day (Pastafarian)
Feast of All Saints of the Seraphic Order
Festival of Saturnia (for the Sons of Saturn)
Francis Fasani (Christian; Saint)
The Hobos (Muppetism)
Illuminata (Christian; Saint)
James Rosenquist (Artology)
Jefferson (Positivist; Saint)
Our Lady of Beauraing (Christian; Saint)
Radboud of Utrecht (Roman Catholic; Saint)
Sadiron (Christian; Saint)
Saturnin (a.k.a. Saturnius of Toulouse; Christian; Saint)
Sekhmet’s Day (Pagan)
Ummm Bacon Day (Church of the SubGenius)
Vegetarian Remission Day (Church of the SubGenius)
Lucky & Unlucky Days
Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]
Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [54 of 60]
Premieres
Astral Weeks, by Van Morrison (Album; 1968)
The Bank Dick (Film; 1940)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams, by Green Day (Song; 2004)
Bullwinkle’s Ride or Goodbye, Dollink (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 2; 1959)
Calling All Cars (Radio Series; 1933)
The Gay Divorce, by Cole Porter (Broadway Musical; 1932)
Double Fantasy, by John Lennon (Album; 1980)
Hawaiian War Chant, recorded by Tommy Dorsey (Song; 1938)
It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (TV Movie; 2002)
I Want to Hold Your Hand, by The Beatles (Song; 1963)
Jet Fuel Formula, Episode One (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 1; 1959)
Lavender Haze, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2022)
Like a Hurricane, recorded by Neil Young (Song; 1975)
The Lost Weekend (Film; 1945)
Mirai (Anime Film; 2018)
My Life, by Mary J. Blige (Album; 1994)
9 to 5 (Film; 1980)
9 to 5, by Dolly Parton (Song; 1980)
Pong (Video Game; 1972)
Rolling in the Deep, by Adele (Song; 2010)
Terrier Stricken (WB MM Cartoon; 1952)
Today’s Name Days
Christine, Friederike, Friedrich (Austria)
Iluminata, Saturnin, Svjetlana, Vlasta (Croatia)
Zina (Czech Republic)
Saturnius (Denmark)
Edgar, Egert (Estonia)
Aimo (Finland)
Saturnin (France)
Berta, Friedrich, Friederike (Germany)
Fedra, Fedros, Filoumeni, Filoumenos (Greece)
Taksony (Hungary)
Saturnino (Italy)
Ignats, Ojars, Veseta (Latvia)
Butvydė, Daujotas, Saturninas (Lithuania)
Sofie, Sonja (Norway)
Błażej, Bolemysł, Fryderyk, Przemysł, Saturnin, Saturnina, Walter (Poland)
Filumen, Paramon, Valerian (Romania)
Vratko (Slovakia)
Iluminada, Saturnino (Spain)
Sune (Sweden)
Philemona (Ukraine)
Dahlia, Dalia, Daphne (USA)
Today is Also…
Day of Year: Day 333 of 2024; 32 days remaining in the year
ISO: Day 3 of week 48 of 2023
Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 2 of 28]
Chinese: Month 10 (Gui-Hai), Day 17 (Xin-Mao)
Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)
Hebrew: 16 Kislev 5784
Islamic: 16 Jumada I 1445
J Cal: 3 Zima; Threesday [3 of 30]
Julian: 16 November 2023
Moon: 94%: Waning Gibbous
Positivist: 25 Frederic (12th Month) [Jefferson]
Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 4 of 15]
Season: Autumn (Day 67 of 89)
Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 8 of 30)
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Okay I'm sold on Percy Jackson! I'll start the series in the new year. And wow you re-read the book in one night? That's pretty fast 😀 today I spent quite a while listening to Christmas music, do you enjoy it too? Do you have a favorite song? Ever since 2019, mine is Christmas Tree Farm (it perfectly captures the magic of xmas songs but in a very Taylor way) but I also really love Feliz Navidad and Little Drummer Boy.
- winter event anon xx
To be completely honest, Christmas music is notttt my favorite, it gets old pretty fast to me, hearing it in shops and on the radio all the time. I hope that doesn't make me a grinch!
That being said, I absolutely love Christmas Tree Farm; I'll listen to the live cut from Jingle Bell Ball 2019 all year long, it's such a bop! I also love "Merry Christmas," the song Ed Sheeran did with Elton John. My favorite standard would probably Carol of the Bells; Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer also makes me laugh.
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day three if my xmas series, i’m realizing as i’m writing it, has nothing to do with xmas. it was just an excuse to finally write the andersen fam going to disneyland lol
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Twelve Drummers Drumming
This is part 12 of a 12 part series of ficlets I’m posting for the 12 days of Christmas, based on the items in the song. Not all of the stories will take place at Christmas, but I am going to do my best to incorporate my favourite time of the year!
Part 1 here
Part 2 here
Part 3 here
Part 4 here
Part 5 here
Part 6 here
Part 7 here
Part 8 here
Part 9 here
Part 10 here
Part 11 here
Read on AO3!
***
It was Christmas day, and Billy and Steve were having a debate. A few years before, during a particularly nasty fit of rage, Neil had broken the bulk of Billy’s records, and he was slowly working to rebuild his collection. It was tradition for Steve to get him one for every special occasion.
This Christmas, he’d bought Billy Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin II. That album had originally belonged to Billy’s mother, so while it obviously wasn’t the same copy, it meant a lot to Billy to get it back. He immediately put it on, and this had started a debate about who the best drummer was. Billy’s #1 was John Bonham, but Steve was putting in his vote for Neil Peart from Rush.
“Do you have ears, Billy? Have you heard “Tom Sawyer”? “Limelight”? Hello! Greatest drummer of all time!” Billy shook his head and sighed before making his counter argument.
“Yes, I have, pretty boy! Have you ever heard “When the Levee Breaks”? “Rock and Roll”? You have no clue what you’re talking about!” Steve had heard both songs, as Billy had been working on Steve’s musical education. He was still partial to Wham! and Hall & Oates, but he’d found room in his heart for Billy’s favourites.
“You’re clearly not going to see it my way, so we’ll just have to agree to disagree.”, Steve said, leaning in and kissing the scowl off Billy’s face.
“No!” Billy said, crossing his arms. “I refuse to give this up! Is there anything I can do to sway you?” He said, leaning over and reaching for the drawstrings on Steve’s pyjama bottoms. Steve laughed at the sultry eyes Billy was giving him.
“Are you seriously trying to trade me a blowjob for saying John Bonham is the best drummer ever?” Billy paused his attempt to untie Steve’s bottoms.
“Why, would it work?” Steve just laughed.
“No! Absolutely not! We’ll just have to make a top 10 list.” He ran off to grab some paper and a pen. They reworked the list until they were satisfied, although they finally decided that they would have to expand it to a top 12, as there were too many to definitively decide.
Once they were done, Steve asked if that blowjob was still up for grabs. Billy just laughed.
“I offered and you refused, Princess. Maybe after take care of me.” Billy said, sliding off his own pyjama bottoms. Who was Steve to deny him? It was a very merry Christmas for all!
In no particular order, except John Bonham and Neil Peart in the joint #1 slot, Billy and Steve would like to present their top 12 drummers of all time:
1. John Bonham and Neil Peart
2. Stewart Copeland
3. Keith Moon
4. Ginger Baker
5. Charlie Watts
6. Ringo Starr
7. Max Weinberg
8. Roger Taylor
9. Phil Collins
10. Tommy Lee
11. Rick Allen
#harringrove#billy hargrove#steve harrington#stranger things#stranger things fan fiction#harringrove fic#billy x steve#the 12 days of christmas#my fic#chrisbitchtree writes
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WHAT I HAVE BEEN READING LATELY
Kage Baker’s Company Series
In the Garden of Iden
Sky Coyote
Mendoza in Hollywood
The Graveyard Game
The Life of the World to Come
The Children of the Company
The Machine's Child
The Sons of Heaven
The Empress of Mars
Not Less than Gods
Nell Gwynne's On Land and At Sea
Black Projects, White Knights: The Company Dossiers
Gods and Pawns
In the Company of Thieves
Ø Science Fiction written by a woman with Asperger’s. Wildly uneven. Main protagonist is female, but there are lots of POV characters, male and female.
Ø Big ideas.
Ø Lots of adventure, some action.
Ø Small doses of humor.
Neil Gaiman
Good Omens (with Sir Terry Pratchett)
Neverwhere
Stardust
American Gods
Anansi Boys
The Graveyard Book
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Ø Neil’s books are a road trip with Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell and a baggie full of sativa.
Ø Ideas are incidental. The Milieu’s in charge.
Ø Adventure happens whether you like it or not.
Ø Cosmic humor. The joke’s on us.
Connie Willis’s Oxford Time Travel Series
Firewatch
Doomsday Book
To Say Nothing of the Dog (and the novel that inspired it – Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat)
Blackout/All Clear
Assorted:
The Last of the Winnebagos
Ø Connie loves her historical research. Blackout/All Clear actually lasts as long as the Blitz, but anything in the Oxford Time Travel series is worth reading. Doomsday Book reads like prophecy in retrospect.
Ø One idea: Hi! This is the human condition! How fucking amazing is that?!?
Ø Gut-punch adventure with extra consequences. Background action.
Ø I’d have to say that Doomsday Book is the funniest book about the black death I’ve ever read, which isn’t saying much. To Say Nothing of the Dog is classic farce, though. Girl’s got range.
Neal Stephenson
Snow Crash (After the apocalypse, the world will be ruled by Home-Owners Associations. Be afraid.)
Cryptonomicon
Anathem
Seveneves
Ø Neal writes big, undisciplined, unfocused books that keep unfolding in your mind for months after you’ve read them. He’s a very guy-type writer, in spite of a female protagonist or two. Seveneves, be warned, starts out brilliant and devolves into extreme meh.
Ø Big. Fucking. Ideas.
Ø Battles, crashes, fistfights, parachute jumps, nuclear powered motorcycles and extreme gardening action. Is there an MPAA acronym for that?
Ø Humor dry enough to be garnished with two green olives on a stick.
Christopher Moore
Pine Cove Series:
Practical Demonkeeping
The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove
The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror (Okay, yeah, Christmas. But Christmas with zombies, so that’s all right.)
Fluke (Not strictly Pine Cove, but in the same universe. Ever wonder why whales sing? They’re ordering Pastrami sandwiches. I’m not kidding.)
Death Merchant Chronicles:
A Dirty Job
Secondhand Souls (Best literary dogs this side of Jack London)
Coyote Blue (Kind of an outlier. Overlapping characters)
Shakespeare Series:
Fool
The Serpent of Venice
Shakespeare for Squirrels
Assorted:
Island of the Sequined Love Nun (Cargo cults with Pine Cove crossovers. I have a theory that the characters in this book are direct descendants of certain characters in Stephenson’s Cryptonomicon.)
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal (So I have a favorite first-century wonder rabbi. Who doesn’t?)
Sacre Bleu
Noir
Ø Not for the squeamish, the easily offended, or those who can’t lovingly embrace the fact that the human species is pretty much a bunch of idiots snatching at moments of grace.
Ø No big ideas whatever. Barely any half-baked notions.
Ø Enthusiastic geek adventure. Action as a last resort.
Ø Nonstop funny from beginning to end.
Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London Series
Rivers of London
Moon Over Soho
Whispers Under Ground
Broken Homes
Foxglove Summer
The Hanging Tree
The Furthest Station
Lies Sleeping
The October Man
False Value
Tales From the Folly
Ø Lean, self-deprecating police procedurals disguised as fantasy novels. Excellent writing.
Ø These will not expand your mind. They might expand your Latin vocabulary.
Ø Crisply described action, judiciously used. Whodunnit adventure. It’s all about good storytelling.
Ø Generous servings of sly humor. Aaronovitch is a geek culture blueblood who drops so many inside jokes, there are websites devoted to indexing them.
John Scalzi
Old Man’s War Series:
Old Man’s War
Questions for a Soldier
The Ghost Brigades
The Sagan Diary
The Last Colony
Zoe’s Tale
After the Coup
The Human Division
The End of All Things
Ø Star Trek with realpolitik instead of optimism.
Ø The Big Idea is that there’s nothing new under the sun. Nor over it.
Ø Action-adventure final frontier saga with high stakes.
Ø It’s funny when the characters are being funny, and precisely to the same degree that the character is funny.
Assorted:
The Dispatcher
Murder by Other Means
Redshirts (Star Trek, sideways, with occasional optimism)
Ø Scalzi abandons (or skewers) his space-opera tendencies with these three little gems of speculative fiction. Scalzi’s gift is patience. He lets the scenario unfold like a striptease.
Ø What-if thought experiments that jolt the brain like espresso shots.
Ø Action/misadventure as necessary to accomplish the psychological special effects.
Ø Redshirts is satire, so the humor is built-in, but it’s buried in the mix.
David Wong/Jason Pargin
John Dies at the End
This Book is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don’t Touch It
What the Hell Did I Just Read?
Ø Pargin clearly starts his novels with a handful of arresting scenes and images, then looses the characters on an unsuspecting world to wander wither they will.
Ø Ideas aren’t as big or obvious as Heinlein, but they are there to challenge all your assumptions in the same way that Heinlein’s were.
Ø Classic action/adventure for anyone raised on Scooby-Doo.
Ø Occasional gusts of humor in a climate that’s predominantly tongue-in-cheek.
Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St. Mary’s Series
Just One Damned Thing After Another
The Very First Damned Thing
A Symphony of Echoes
When a Child is Born*
A Second Chance
Roman Holiday*
A Trail Through Time
Christmas Present*
No Time Like the Past
What Could Possible Go Wrong?
Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings*
Lies, Damned Lies and History
The Great St Mary’s Day Out*
My Name is Markham*
And the Rest is History
A Perfect Storm*
Christmas Past*
An Argumentation of Historians
The Battersea Barricades*
The Steam Pump Jump*
And Now for Something Completely Different*
Hope for the Best
When Did You Last See Your Father?*
Why Is Nothing Ever Simple*
Plan For The Worst
The Ordeal of the Haunted Room
Ø The * denotes a short story or novella. Okay, try to imagine Indiana Jones as a smartassed redheaded woman with a time machine and a merry band of full contact historians. I love history, and I especially love history narrated by a woman who can kick T. Rex ass.
Ø The ideas are toys, not themes. Soapy in spots.
Ø Action! Adventure! More action! More adventure! Tea break. Action again!
Ø Big, squishy dollops of snort-worthy stuff.
Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell Series
The Beekeeper's Apprentice
A Monstrous Regiment of Women
A Letter of Mary
The Moor
Jerusalem
Justice Hall
The Game
Locked Rooms
The Language of Bees
The God of the Hive
Beekeeping for Beginners
Pirate King
Garment of Shadows
Dreaming Spies
The Marriage of Mary Russell
The Murder of Mary Russell
Mary Russell's War And Other Stories of Suspense
Island of the Mad
Riviera Gold
The Art of Detection (Strictly speaking, this is in the action!lesbian Detective Kate Martinelli series, but it crosses over to the Sherlock Holmes genre. If you’ve ever wondered how Holmes would deal with the transgendered, this is the book.)
Ø Sherlock Holmes retires to Sussex, keeps bees, marries a nice Jewish girl who is smarter than he is and less than half his age and he’s mentored since she was fifteen in an extremely problematic power dynamic relationship that should repulse me but doesn’t, somehow, because this is the best Sherlock Holmes pastiche out there. Mary should have been a rabbi, but it is 1920, so she learns martial arts and becomes an international detective instead. Guest appearances by Conan Doyle, Kimball O’Hara, T.E. Lawrence, Cole Porter, and the Oxford Comma.
Ø Nothing mind-expanding here, unless the levels of meta present in a fictional world that is about how the fictional world might not be as fictional as you thought come as a surprise to anyone in the era of tie-in books, films, tv, interactive social media and RPGs.
Ø If these two geniuses can’t catch the bad guys with their dazzling brilliance, they will happily kick some ass. Adventure takes center stage and the action sequences are especially creative.
Ø Amusement is afoot.
Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next Series
The Eyre Affair
Lost in a Good Book
The Well of Lost Plots
Something Rotten
First Among Sequels
One of Our Thursdays is Missing
The Woman Who Died a Lot
Ø In a world where Librarians are revered and Shakespeare is more popular than the Beatles, someone has to facilitate the weekly anger-management sessions for the characters of Wuthering Heights, if only to keep them from killing each other before the novel actually ends. That someone is Thursday Next – Literature Cop.
Ø Mind-bending enough to give Noam Chomsky material for another hundred years.
Ø Adventure aplenty. Action? Even the punctuation will try to kill you.
Ø This is a frolicsome look at humorous situations filled with funny people. Pretty much a full house in the laugh department.
Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series/City Watch Arc
Guards! Guards!
Men at Arms
Feet of Clay
Jingo
The Fifth Elephant
Night Watch
Thud!
Snuff
Raising Steam
Ø If this were a game of CLUE, the answer would be Niccolo Machiavelli in Narnia with a Monty Python. Everything you think you know about books with dragons and trolls and dwarves and wizards is expertly ripped to shreds and reassembled as social satire that can save your soul, even if it turns out you don’t really have one. Do not be fooled by the Tolkien chassis – there’s a Vonnegut-class engine at work.
Ø Caution: Ideas in the Mirror Universe May be Larger Than They Appear
Ø The City Watch arc has plenty of thrilling action sequences. Some other of the fifty-million Discworld novels have less. Every one of them is nonstop adventure. Most of the adventure, however, takes the form of characters desperately trying to avoid thrilling action sequences.
Ø Funny? Even though I’ve read every book in the series at least ten times, I still have to make sure I have cold packs on hand in case I laugh so hard I rupture something.
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Digidestined Karaoke Song List
As written in my Mimato fic “The Girl Who Stands Out” - Chapter 04. (Read it here before reading this post!)
Minor ships: Taiora, Takari
This is the list of songs that the characters sang in my karaoke chapter! I drew much inspiration from @earlgreymon‘s Digidestined FM playlists and also some of my own. It’s part of my #Noctislistening series on my other Tumblr which you can find here!
Some meta ramblings and YouTube links under the cut!
Songs straight from Digidestined FM:
Takeru: “Boy” by Charlie Puth
Taichi: “Wasted Nights” by One OK Rock
Inspired by the artists of Digidestined FM
Sora: “King of Anything” by Sara Bareilles - I think, whether Taiora is a couple or are friends, much of these lyrics could be sung by Sora to Taichi.
Mimi: “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
BTW, this doesn’t really offer any true canon evidence but just still contributes to my story element that Sora can sing:
Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Sora’s English dub VA) singing her rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
THIS POST/HEADCANON
Mimi & Takeru: “Lover” - Taylor Swift ft. Shawn Mendes
**more of this headcanon will show up in my story FYI <3
From me.
I am unashamedly a fan of anime and some songs and artists from the opening and ending songs just stick.
Takeru & Hikari: “Two As One” Crystal Kay x Chemistry - not from any anime, but I became a fan of Crystal Kay based on her song “Motherland”, one of the ending songs from Fullmetal Alchemist.
Mimi & Sora: “Harmonia” - Rhythem - an ending from Naruto. I have to admit, the very first time I heard this and saw the ending I imagined a Mimi/Sora duet. To think it would actually show up in fic form after all these years xP
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HERE’S WHAT YOU MISSED THIS WEEK (12.18-12.24.19):
NEW MUSIC:
· Machine Gun Kelly delivered on his promise and dropped a new track before the end of the year called “Why Are You Here”. The track definitely continues into a more rock and roll sound, which he’s shown off in the past between hip-hop and alternative influences.
· Jeffree Star recently stated that all the things are in place for 2020 to be a musical year. In a recent interview with Trisha Paytas’ on her The Dish with Trish podcast, Star revealed his plans for new music.
· Simple Plan, State Champs and We the Kings dropped a new music video for their collaboration of “Where I Belong.” The track for the video was originally released before the trio went on tour together earlier this year.
TOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· Falling in Reverse’s debut record The Drug in Me is You recently became certified Gold. In celebration, the band announced they are taking Escape the Fate and The Word Alive on “The Drug in Me Is Gold Tour,” kicking off February 8th in San Antonio.
· All Time Low performed “Hello, Brooklyn” and “Walls” for the very first time ever live at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles last Monday. The band is currently in the midst of their sold-out Nothing Personal anniversary shows.
· Post Malone will be closing out the decade and year by headlining Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2020 in Times Square. Malone will be performing alongside Sam Hunt, Alanis Morissette and K-pop sensations, BTS.
· Limp Bizkit, Weezer and Blink-182 will headline the third annual Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival. The festival celebrating decibels and body art returns to the grounds of the famous Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, from July 10th to 12th, 2020.
· Sleep On It announced a new tour for 2020, “The Pride and Disastour,” which will begin at the end of February and run through March. The run is in support of their most recent album, Pride and Disaster, which dropped in September.
· Have Mercy announced their final tour, kicking off in early February and running through mid-March. Selfish Things, Fredo Disco and Young Culture were revealed to be tagging along in support.
· Talinda Bennington, the wife of late Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington, revealed the 320 Festival, which was created to bring awareness to mental health. The festival will include a mental health summit, community festival and benefit concert.
· Reel Big Fish announced they are kicking off 2020 with their first tour announcement, “Life Sucks…Let’s Dance.” They’ll be joined by Big D and the Kids Table and Keep Flying, and will be heading out beginning February 26th in Savannah, GA.
· Saosin were set to take the stage last Thursday for the first of two sold out shows at Garden Grove Amphitheatre in Garden Grove, CA. However, with hours until the show, the band took to social media to reveal they’d have to reschedule due to illness.
· At the historic My Chemical Romance return show in Los Angeles last Friday, openers Thursday pulled Saves the Day frontman Chris Conley onstage for MCR bassist Mikey Way’s favorite song. The band performed a cover of the Buzzcocks track “Ever Fallen in Love.”
· As fans donned their black eyeliner and My Chemical Romance attire at their reunion show, the band performed track after track of classic and timeless songs from throughout their discography. The setlist contained several deep cuts as well.
· Halsey was announced to return to Saturday Night Live for the third time on January 25th. She is the musical guest and will attend alongside host Adam Driver, who recently starred in the film Marriage Story.
OTHER NEWS:
· Pokémon and Adidas are teaming up and even though the collaboration has no release date yet, the first images of the Pikachu Adidas Advantage are here. Earlier in the year, leaked images showed more elaborate Pikachu and Squirtle shoes, but there has since been no additional information.
· Yellowcard reportedly resumed their lawsuit against late emo rapper Juice WRLD for alleged copyright infringement. The band pushed back the response date for the rapper’s co-defendants Taz Taylor, Nick Mira and the two labels he is signed to.
· Jackass announced it is coming back, as Paramount Pictures revealed on December 18th that it is expected to hit the big screens again in March 2021. This will be the fourth film in the series, in addition to three seasons of the television show.
· Late Linkin Park musician Chester Bennington‘s ex-wife was decided to receive 50% of his Linkin Park royalties. Samantha Olit filed a claim in 2017, and was married to Bennington from 1995 until 2006.
· Fender ended their recent Instagram story with some shots of the instruments from My Chemical Romance’s return show, saying “Look out for these on the @mychemicalromance tour starting tomorrow in Los Angeles.” Guitarist Frank Iero later shared on his own story.
· Sleeping With Sirens’ Kellin Quinn hopped on one of the latest viral trends by utilizing TikTok to spotlight a classic track. Filmed from inside either his or someone else’s home, Quinn shared some filtered jump cuts set to the SWS track “Low.”
· Horror metalcore icons Ice Nine Kills dropped their festive track “Merry Axe-Mas” last holiday season. Now, the band are giving fans a new Christmas present in 2019 with a video game inspired by the song.
· Billie Eilish finally filmed an episode of the hit show Carpool Karaoke with James Corden, starting off with “Bad Guy.” Throughout the episode, she discusses meeting Justin Bieber and when she began writing music, among other things.
· New Found Glory guitarist/vocalist Chad Gilbert took to social media Saturday to announce his engagement with musician Lisa Cimorelli. Gilbert reflected on the whirlwind of 2019 before ending saying he’s “standing on top of a fricken mountain.”
· After a Denny’s show with a raucous mosh pit for the hardcore band WACKO occurred last week and took the internet by storm, Green Day just covered all the costs. They even left a heartfelt message to Bryson Del Valle, who organized the event, on GoFundMe.
___
Check in next Tuesday for more “Posi Talk with Sage Haley,” only at @sagehaleyofficial!
#sage haley#posi talk#machine gun kelly#jeffree star#falling in reverse#all time low#post malone#blink-182#linkin park#my chemical romance#mcr#pokemon#juice wrld#green day#halsey#sleeping with sirens#billie eilish#ice nine kills#weezer#limp bizkit#sleep on it#have mercy#reel big fish#saosin#thursday#saves the day#yellowcard#jackass#new found glory#simple plan
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2017′s 12 Days of Sherlolly Master List
To help get you in the Winter spirit, here are all the submissions we received during the 2017 12 Days of Sherlolly Fest. Please give them another look, leave a comment or a kudo (or both!), and show a little love to the creators who took the time to participate in 2017.
We’ve listed where the works are archived, mult-chapter or not, complete or not, and rating. In progress fics are marked in bold as a reminder for a mod to periodically check for updates. Tumblr accounts have been tagged where possible, some could only be linked to, and some are completely unknown to the mods. As always, the complete Master List for all years can be found here. (Authors/Creators tagged where Tumblr will allow me.)
Aftermath: The Christmas Album - Written by @geekmama
Side A: 1. I’ll Be Home For Christmas, 2. The Holly and the Ivy, 3. O Tannenbaum, 4. The Gloucestershire Wassail, 5. It Must Have Been The Mistletoe, 6. Deck the Halls
Side B: 1. The Boar’s Head Carol, 2. Caroling, Caroling, 3. There Is No Rose of Such Virtue, 4. We Three Kings of Orient Are, 5. The Twelve Days of Christmas, 6. Welcome Christmas (On Ao3, Complete in 2 parts, Rated T)
Baby, Please Come Home - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
The first Christmas since Sherlock’s fall comes around and Molly can’t help but think about him during that time. A surprise delivered by Mycroft has her rethink the meaning behind her and Sherlock’s parting. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Can’t Catch Me - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Eleven – (“Cookies/Biscuits" submitted by Anonymous) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Chorus Elf Number Four - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Five – (“Elf”– submitted by @limajoro) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
The Christmas Ball - Written by flimflam99 (Tumblr Unknown)
Molly is getting ready for Bart’s Christmas Dinner and Dance Ball. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Christmases When You Were Mine - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
Having grown up together as best friends, Sherlock and Molly’s families had always spent Christmases together. But this year, after having been together since they were 16, they’re apart due to Sherlock’s fears and their breakup from 2 months prior. Will things ever be okay again? (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Christmas Lights - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
A different take on Christmas night in ASiB. Inspired by Coldplay’s Christmas Lights. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Christmas Magic - Written by flimflam99 (Tumblr Unknown)
Molly feels guilty about making Sherlock say “I Love You” and Sherlock thinks Molly hates him. Their friendship is in tatters but can the magic of Christmas pull them both back together? (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Christmas Waltz - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
Sherlock and Molly share a sweet domestic evening together. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Cinnamon Tea - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Nine – (“Cinnamon” submitted by @saffysmom) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Day One of 12 Days of Sherlolly 2017 - Created by @mel-loves-all
A beautiful gif of Sherlock and Molly. (On Tumblr)
Day Two of 12 Days of Sherlolly 2017 - Created by @mel-loves-all
A beautiful edit of Sherlock and Molly. (On Tumblr)
Day Three of 12 Days of Sherlolly 2017 - Created by @mel-loves-all
A beautiful edit of Sherlock and Molly. (On Tumblr)
Day Four of 12 Days of Sherlolly 2017 - Created by @mel-loves-all
A beautiful edit of Sherlock and Molly. (On Tumblr)
Death By Poinsettia? - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Three – (“Poinsettia” submitted by @heathera9) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Facing a Ghost - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Ten – (“Photographs” submitted by Anonymous) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Happy Birthday, Sherlock Holmes - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Twelve – (“Staircase” submitted by @rewil) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Happy Holidays to Everybody! - Created by @eastwindiscomming
Little Sherlolly-Christmassy thing for you! (On Tumblr)
Happy New Year 2018 to everybody!!! - Created by @eastwindiscomming (On Tumblr)
Help a Girl Out? - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Four – (“Out/Help/Girl” submitted by @mizjoely) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Her Lips, Her Mouth - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Six – (“Lipstick” submitted by Anonymous) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Holmes for the Holidays - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
After the phone call, it’s Sherlock and Molly’s first Christmas together as a couple. After inviting her to Sussex for Christmas with his parents, Sherlock is surprised when Molly refuses him. Will a bit of Christmas magic be enough to mend their relationship? (On Ao3, Complete in 6 parts, Rated T)
Hope you all have had a great Christmas this year! - Created by @eastwindiscomming (On Tumblr)
I Saw Aunt Molly Kissing Santa Claus - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Two – (“Mistletoe” submitted by Anonymous) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Last Sherlolly edit this year! - Created by @eastwindiscomming (On Tumblr)
Love Molly xxx - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day One – (“Presents” submitted by @whclocked) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Merry Christmas From 221B - Created by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
A holiday mix inspired by the Christmases on Sherlock (On Tumblr and 8track radio)
A New Year - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Seven – (“Fireworks” submitted by Anonymous) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
New Year’s Day - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
A look inside two consecutive New Year’s Days of our consulting detective and pathologist. Based off of Taylor Swift’s song ‘New Year’s Day.‘ (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
One More Sleep - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
After the fall, Sherlock had revealed to Molly how he felt about her. He calls her to let her know he’ll be home by Christmas and Molly becomes restless waiting five more days. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
On This Winter’s Night - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
Christmas Eve, a year after Sherlock’s fall, Molly finds herself on the rooftop of Bart’s only to end up sharing her night with Sherlock. Conversation and revelations lead to a happy 3 year time jump. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
The Pointy-Eared Pathologist - Written by Phoebe_Snow (@greenfleeze)
Sherlock never expected to discover that Molly Hooper was an elf, but perhaps he wasn’t as observant as he thought… (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Strange, Isn’t It? - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
The same night of the Sherrinford incident, Sherlock convinces himself that everyone’s lives would be better off had he not been born. Mary, now a guardian angel, makes him see the error of his thoughts. Post-TFP. Based on the concept of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. (On Ao3, Complete in 7 parts, Rated T)
Stretching Before Dinner - Written by @darnedchild
A 200 word drabble written for Day Eight – (“Yoga” submitted by Anonymous) (On Ao3, Complete (part of a set of 12), Rated T)
Symbolism of a Bow - Written by @lilsherlockian1975
Molly’s been observing Sherlock for months; she’s very worried about him. Something’s off, something’s wrong. Christmas is no time to be sad, so she decides to intervene. When she finally finds out exactly what’s going, she is more than a little surprised. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Then when you’re quite dressed - Written by @forthegenuine
“Sorry, Sherlock gave you those earrings?” Mary asked again, though it did not appear to be because she did not hear Molly the first time. A delighted smile seemed to creep more visibly on her face. Written for 12 Days of Sherlolly 2017. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Twinkling Lights - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
Part of the author’s First Kisses Series, AU of the first Christmas kiss. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
When the Ball Drops - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
Months after the events of TFP, Sherlock asks Molly to accompany him on a case in New York. Unbeknownst to Molly, it is a case of the heart. (On Ao3, Complete in 3 parts, Rated T)
Winter Dream - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
Sherlock and Molly spend their first winter together as a couple. Based off of Kelly Clarkson’s Winter Dreams. (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
Wrapped In Red - Written by LadySolitaire83 (@ladysolitaire)
Molly and Sherlock’s ‘quality time’ on Christmas Day is interrupted when she is called into work to autopsy a body. Meanwhile, he takes the case and investigates the murder. Will he solve the murder in time to give her an extra Christmas present? (On Ao3, Complete, Rated E)
Wrapped In Red - Written by @simplyshelbs16xoxo
How did Molly end up at 221B that night? What if Sherlock’s phone didn’t go off until a few minutes later at the Christmas party? (On Ao3, Complete, Rated T)
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Text
Seamless Part 4
Summary: After being Shane Dawson’s assistant for a year, things couldn’t have been going better. However, Shane had other plans. He has decided that your next move is to jump headfirst into your true passion and with some unexpected partners.
Warnings: None
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Inspiration for the name of this series
It has been a few weeks since meeting the twins and honestly, my mind is still reeling from it. We have kept in touch because Shane made a group chat with all of us in it and they wished us a Merry Christmas. From then on we’ve just shared silly Tik-Toks and funny tweets, nothing too serious.
The Christmas break was great, Ryland’s family is so welcoming and supportive. We had an exquisite Christmas Eve dinner and spent that week disconnected from the internet. Sometimes it is necessary to take a moment and reflect. Life in LA moves so much quicker and the crazier it gets, the harder it is to remember what you are chasing. Maybe I do want something more than what I have allowed myself to want.
But after this great week away, today is the New Year’s Eve party and I’ve been keeping busy preparing the food and helping Ryland and Morgan decorate, to avoid thinking about seeing the twins again tonight. They are great and I genuinely like them, but I don’t know how much we really have in common. I am from a small college town and can only hope to achieve half of what they have done. I have to admit it, I am intimidated. As much as I’d like to think the opposite, they could only ever see me as a fan, not as a friend. Needless to say, I feel very out of place.
However, Shane is low-key (high-key) making me attend this party, going on about “connecting with people” and “giving myself and others a chance.” To be fair, he is absolutely right. However, it has always been hard for me to keep friendships, mostly because people aren't always honest about their intentions and LA seems to be exactly that but multiplied by a hundred. Obviously, not Shane’s friends or the twins, but generally and me already feeling a bit intimidated, it’s clearly not helping. Hopefully, tonight will be different.
“Guys! Are we ready for the best night ever?!?!” Shane asks entering the room. He’s clearly a little tipsy already and oddly enough not wearing his iconic pig shirt. He is wearing all black suit, with a black shirt underneath. Accompanying him is Garret, who is wearing black dress pants and a bedazzled Gucci shirt which Jeffree bought him for Christmas.
“Where is the food?!?!” Garret asks half yelling, but completely serious.
“Nothing is ready yet, Garret. You’re gonna have to wait a few more minutes, hun.” I say to him as Morgan walks up to him and hands a box of Cheez-Its.
“No eating before dinner guys!” I say to them sounding like the world’s most annoying mom and they both just laugh at me.
“Someone is nervous,” Shane teases. “Listen, I get it, but today is just like a family gathering. Except, no one is getting offended although, there’s gonna be some shade thrown for sure.”
“But what about the twins?” I ask nervously.
“Aw, that’s CUTE! I remember wanting to impress my crush when I first moved to LA hopefully, your pants won't rip,” Garrett says unironically.
“You have nothing to worry about, y/n. They’re not typical LA douchebags,” Shane says patting my shoulder completely dismissing Garrett, as usual. He really is a dad to all of us.
“I don’t have a crush on either of them for the record,” I murmur nervously.
“That is like saying I don't like Shane. I’ve seen the way your eyes were sparkling at dinner last time, hunty,” Ryland teases.
“You can’t deny you are a fan at the very least, y/n,” Morgan says with her mouth full of Cheez-Its still. “It is like me trying to deny my life long love for donuts, it’s pointless.” I roll my eyes and keep making my vegan banana bread for dessert. Not just because it so happens to be Grayson’s favorite.
A few moments later, people start to arrive. Sadly, Trisha couldn’t make it, but Jeffree comes in, wearing a beautiful olive green, skintight dress with a Gucci coat, and he is accompanied by boyfriend, Nate. Jeffree’s presence is anything but bland and ordinary. Yet, he oddly feels approachable and humble. The guest list also includes; Drew, Andrew, and my queen, Jenna Marbles alongside Julien Solomita. They really are a match made in heaven.
I am helping Ryland serve some drinks around when I see them. I immediately get this intense rush of feelings that runs through my body, as if Zeus himself had struck me with his lightning bolt. I feel my face burn and my knees weaken out of pure terror.
The night is pitch black and the air smells of expensive perfume and alcohol. Suddenly, my glittery teal dress feels too revealing, too short, doesn't fit right and is definitely not pretty enough. But they look out of this world. Ethan is wearing red pants and an LV t-shirt, while Grayson looks absolutely breathtaking with tight lavender dress pants and a black t-shirt.
They smile when they see me and start walking toward me. “Hi, y/n! How have you been,” Ethan says giving me a side hug. My nose is filled with his almond scent and I can’t do anything but swoon.
“Good, great to see you both,” I say trying to sound calm, cool and collected as Grayson hugs me as well. When he pulls away we lock eyes and I am about to lose consciousness, but then I notice Ethan smirking to my right. My face feels warm and I want to run away, but I try to smile through it.
“How was Colorado?” Grayson asks looking at Ethan all serious, “Shane said you weren’t having it with the weather.”
“Yeah,” I have no idea why Shane would be talking about me with the twins, but I continue, “I don’t like the cold. I didn't live long enough in New York to get used to it. However, it was really nice to get away from the crazy LA scene.”
“I get what you mean, it’s like sometimes you can’t even hear yourself think,” Grayson says.
“Yeah, like everyone wants you to do something that might not be what you want and could only benefit them,” Ethan continues.
“That’s how I feel, as if I can’t trust anyone outside of my circle. It’s all so kill or be killed here,” I say feeling like we are finally connecting. Maybe I have been so scared and in my head about my own insecurities that I haven't given them a fair chance.
The twins and I stay together for the rest of the night, talking about the most random things and some deeper stuff too. Turns out they were bullied in school, I was too, but they are so sweet I can’t even fathom the thought of someone truly disliking them, let alone wanting to hurt them.
The night is coming to a close and we are all three outside sitting by the pool. It feels like I have known them for years. Like souls that have known each other from a past life recognizing each other in this one, we are seamless.
“What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned this year?” Grayson asks looking at me breaking a few minutes of silence after our last deep conversation.
I give it some thought, but I’ve known all along, “That rejection will never hurt as much as regret. What about you?”
“Live every day as if it’s your last,” Ethan says still looking at the dark sky. There isn't a single star out there tonight.
“That you gotta step into the daylight and let it go,” Grayson says smiling at me. I can’t help but smile as well. That dimple is to die for.
“You stole that from Taylor Swift, sir,” I blush furiously and he laughs, which sounds like the laugh of an actual angel.
“I stole that from your Twitter bio actually, but what can I say?,” Grayson laughs again and Ethan just pretends to have been listening to the conversation all along. I just pretend Grayson didn't just say that he was looking at my twitter and try to keep the small amount of dignity that I have left and play it cool.
The countdown begins and I am welcoming the decade with two of the people I have admired the most. What could be better than this?
#shane dawson#morgan adams#andrew siwicki#garret watts#ryland adams#ethan dolan#Ethan Dolan imagine#grayson dolan#Grayson Dolan imagine#the dolan twins#dolan twins imagine#dolan twins#imagine#blurb#fan fic#fan fiction#jeffree starr#seamless#sabrina carpenter
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