#the void has terrible reception would not recommend

[joethesparkle]

Gaster has some weird recruitment methods

animated version under the cut!

#deltarune #utdr #gaster #w.d. gaster #spamton #spamton g spamton #my art #still trying to figure out how i like drawing them #the void has terrible reception would not recommend #should i tag flashing images?

[fickleminder]

the years start coming and they don’t stop coming

In which Lilith’s return distorts her brothers’ perception of time.

Part 2 here

You’ve never seen the demon prince look so embarrassed.

“I can call for —”

“No, it’s okay. They deserve this.”

But you don’t, goes unspoken. You can see the pity in his eyes, feel the palpable disappointment in the air. Even Simeon and Luke make sure to hug you extra tight before stepping through the portal to the Celestial Realm, and Solomon promises to check up on you after you’ve returned home.

Thanking Lord Diavolo and Barbatos for their hospitality, you turn towards the final demon in the council room and put on the biggest grin your breaking heart can muster. “Hey, c’mere.”

Satan doesn’t hesitate to throw his arms around you. It’s almost like he’s trying to make up for his brothers’ absence, the way he crushes you to his chest and cradles the back of your head.

You can’t find it in yourself to blame them. As far as miracles go, this is a pretty big one. Lilith coming back to life is an unprecedented event, one not even Barbatos had seen coming. Nobody has any answers either. She’s definitely not a demon, not an angel, not human; just an immortal who knocked on the front door of the House of Lamentation three days ago.

Her brothers haven’t left her alone since. You’re happy for them, you really are, but a bitter part of you can’t help but wish her return had waited until after the exchange program ended. At least Lucifer had the courtesy to pull you aside and thank you on his family’s behalf (though you’re quite certain you had nothing to do with your ancestor’s sudden revival), in addition to making a pact with you as a token of his gratitude.

With that, you could have summoned all of them to send you off just as effectively as Lord Diavolo giving the order, but it won’t be the same and you know it. Your only saving grace is Satan, the one brother who’d kept his head and anchored you in the sea of loneliness you’d been set adrift in over the last few days.

“I’m gonna miss you, cat boy.”

“I miss you already,” Satan laughs softly, pulling back with a warm smile. “I’ll stay in touch, I promise.”

You squeeze his arms affectionately and glance past his shoulders at the closed doors. There’s the smallest shred of hope in you that thinks the others will come bursting through any moment now, scrambling for one final chance to see you. You give yourself five seconds, silently counting down to a pipe dream, before pressing a kiss to Satan’s cheek and releasing him.

“It might not seem like it now, but the Devildom will always be here for you,” Lord Diavolo says as the world around you fades to white. “Farewell.”

.

.

.

“Did you lose track of time at the library again? You missed dinner last night LOL.”

“Levi, be nice!”

Satan only hums quietly in response. He can’t be bothered to correct the assumption; it’s a convenient excuse for when his brothers actually notice he’s missing anyway.

The irony of Levi calling him out isn’t lost on him. While the otaku is still obsessed with his games and shows, he’s no longer as shut-in as he used to be, venturing outside the comforts of his sanctuary more often. Satan has passed by the common room on many occasions to find him and Lilith gaming or binging anime together, and the content expression on Levi’s face proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the void from his Henry’s departure has long been filled.

“Oh, but speaking of,” Lilith sets her cutlery down and smiles shyly at the fourth-born, “I haven’t had the chance to explore the libraries here yet. If it’s not too much trouble, can you show me around and recommend a few books?”

Shrugging non-committedly, Satan continues with his meal, not once looking her in the eye.

.

.

.

You’ve always wondered how someone with the Avatar of Lust for a brother can have such terrible fashion sense. It should be impossible to go wrong with dressing for a funeral, but you guess life (along with a certain eyesore of a tie) just loves to disappoint you. Still, you’re too glad to have Satan with you right now to care.

“Thanks for coming.”

“Anytime.”

You lean into the demon’s side as he holds an umbrella over both of you. Your eyes are drawn to the flowers he’d placed on your mother’s grave, the only splash of color against the dull tombstone. For the longest time, all you can process is the pitter-patter of the afternoon rain on the plastic wrap of the bouquet, and the comforting weight of Satan’s arm across your shoulders.

“She was in a lot of pain,” you admit after a while, your voice slightly hoarse. “The doctors had to sedate her. She went in her sleep.”

“I’m sorry.” Satan fidgets awkwardly, not quite sure what to say. He’s no stranger to death, but the loss of someone dear is unfamiliar to him. “Perhaps Simeon can find out if —”

“No, no it’s fine. I just — I need to —”

The umbrella is forgotten as Satan catches you, lowering you gently to the ground when your knees give way. You cling to him desperately, and it’s all he can do to draw you close as you start to wail.

.

.

.

Satan barely makes it three steps into the house before getting pounced on.

“How was it? Where did you go? Ooh you lucky demon, I want to hear all the details!”

“Oi, oi! What are you babbling on about?”

“Don’t act coy with me! Lilith saw you at the florist’s yesterday with the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers!”

“Yesterday? But —”

“How come you never told me someone caught your eye? I would have dolled you up, lent you some of my clothes —” Asmo gasps dramatically. “You didn’t wear that horrid jacket to your date, did you?”

Wrestling a hand free, Satan musses his younger brother’s hair. “None of your business,” he growls, walking away with a smirk when Asmo immediately releases him to fix his appearance. “Who do you take me for, anyway?”

“Aww come on, just give me a hint! Do I know them? Is it someone from RAD? Ooh, did you meet them at the library or —”

Ducking into the safety of his room, Satan shuts the door in Asmo’s face.

.

.

.

“Thank fuck. Who picked your outfit this time?”

“Barbatos. And shut up.”

You grab Satan’s arm with a laugh and lead him towards your table, politely introducing him as ‘Stan from work’ to any relatives who ask about the handsome young man accompanying you. Satan’s usual mask is in place, but there’s no mistaking the gleam of wonder in his eyes as he takes in his surroundings.

“Finally,” you sigh, sinking into your seat and grinning sheepishly at the blond. “Sorry about them. It’s just that they’ve never seen me with anyone, so they’re really curious about you.”

“Well, I’m glad you invited me along. I’ve never been to a wedding before.” The romantic in Satan is openly basking in the ambience of the reception. “You mentioned that your niece had gotten married?”

“Technically my first cousin once removed, but yeah.”

“And you’ve not been seeing anyone?”

“You would have been the first to know if I have,” you tease, nudging him playfully. “Apparently a lot of people are put off by the way I dress. Too modest, they say.”

But not without good reason. The pact marks on your body may be slightly faded from disuse, but they’re still discernable if stared at hard enough: Lucifer’s at the back of your neck; Mammon’s over your heart; Levi’s curled around your right calf; Satan’s circling your left arm; Asmo’s dangerously close to tramp stamp territory; Beel’s just under your navel; and Belphie’s on your ribs at the side you like to sleep on.

Passing them off as tattoos without attracting the wrong kind of attention is a little tricky, so you’d rather take a page from Solomon’s book and cover them up. Being called a prude is easier than dealing with cultists.

(It also helps you to keep your mind off of them, because some wounds continue to hurt even after they heal, so there’s that.)

Sensing the drop in your mood, Satan clears his throat to get your attention. It’s only then that you realize there’s music playing in the background, and couples moving from their tables to the floor.

Your companion stands up and offers you his hand, this time with a genuine smile on his face. “May I have this dance?”

.

.

.

Lucifer’s tone books no room for argument. “This will be a family event, so I expect your attendance. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your little escapades over the past few months.”

“Tch.”

“Do I make myself clear?”

“Whatever. I’ll be there.”

Satan has to resist the urge to hurl his hardcover at the back of Lucifer’s head when he takes his leave. That’s no way to treat a book, after all.

Beel’s Fangol team has an upcoming match and it’ll be Lilith’s first time watching him play. She’s been hyped up for weeks, so it comes as no surprise that Lucifer would use the opportunity to turn it into a family outing. He’s been doing that a lot lately.

Gone is the stuffy first-born who can spend days in his office if left unchecked. Lucifer is still as strict as ever, still fulfills his duties to Lord Diavolo diligently, but it’s like he’s managed to master balancing work and play overnight. He makes more time for his siblings now, even if it’s to dole out punishments for their endless shenanigans, punishments that vary in severity depending on how cutely Lilith pleads on their behalf.

Lucifer has always doted on her, and she has him wrapped around her little finger. Belphie has even gone as far as corrupting her into pranking him, and she need only bat her eyelashes to get off scot-free.

Lilith was the catalyst for the Fall, her descendent the glue that brought her siblings back together, and her return the final piece in making their family whole again.

But you were family too, Satan thinks sourly, pulling out his D.D.D. to mark the date in his calendar.

.

.

.

When you invite Satan over to your apartment for tea, he never expected to be introduced to your new housemate: a handsome fellow with chestnut brown hair, sharp jade eyes, a runner’s body, and the softest-looking toe beans he has ever seen in his immortal life.

“Satan, meet Satan!” You hold out the tabby towards him with a shit-eating grin.

Both demon and cat blink owlishly at each other. The blond doesn’t know whether to feel endeared by the feline sharing his name or insulted that you would replace him so easily, but all it takes is a single bop on the nose with a curious paw for him to melt.

Satan the tabby, who normally prefers to scale your shelves and nap between your books, spends the entire day a purring puddle in Satan the demon’s arms, shamelessly relishing in pets and massages to the extent that at some point, you have a very real fear they might just end up absconding back to the Devildom together. Thankfully, some kibble and freshly baked treats help you separate the two for a while, at least long enough for you to get some decent conversation in.

You brew a pot of Earl Grey with the beautifully crafted tea set Barbatos gifted you when you had first moved in, and serve the scones you made earlier in the morning using the baking tools blessed by Luke during your housewarming. You don’t know if the little angel had actually imbued them with Celestial magic, but everything you cook somehow always lifts your spirits when consumed.

Satan has to catch himself in the middle of regaling you with Mammon’s latest half-baked scheme. The wistful look on your face is new; you’re usually eager to hear what his brothers have been up to, but something feels off today. He pours you more tea, slides another scone onto your plate, and waits.

“…Are they happy?” You ask after a while.

The demon knows better than to lie, even if it’s to spare you from the truth he suspects you’re already aware of. “Yes,” he admits grudgingly.

“I’m glad.”

Your smile doesn’t reach your eyes.

.

.

.

Lilith stands outside his room, holding a tray of tea and cakes.

“Hey, um, may I come in?” Her smile is both hopeful and uncertain. It’s a gamble, ambushing the fourth-born when he obviously has no interest in her. At best, he’ll make up an excuse to turn her away or just ignore her completely; at worst, well… she doesn’t really want to think about that. To her visible relief, he opens the door wider and steps aside.

Satan clears a space for her to set the tray down. There’s the briefest moment of hesitation before he drags your favorite armchair over and offers her a seat as well. He looks guarded but not openly hostile, a promising sign so far.

“You’ve been in and out of the house lately, so I haven’t had the chance to catch you. I thought we might sit down and talk,” Lilith says, pouring two cups of the hot beverage as she chooses her next words carefully. “The others told me about how you were born, but I understand that you are your own person. I’d like to get to know that person.”

A part of Satan is acutely aware of their one-sided relationship; he is familiar with her through Lucifer, but she has never met him. It makes sense for her to be curious about him, though Satan isn’t so sure he wants to return the favor. She reminds him too much of you in the way she prepares her tea, how she sits on your chair, her shy lopsided smile —

But she’s not you, and you’re not her, Satan has to remind himself lest he commits the same mistake his brothers nearly did after your lineage had been revealed. Now in a convoluted turn of events, it’s you who’s gone and Lilith here, and there’s no reason why he can’t give her a chance and treat her like the sister she could be to him.

It’s what you would have wanted.

Lilith tries not to let her shoulders slump too much when Satan quietly stands up and heads towards his door. She’s prepared to pack up and leave until she spots him grabbing several books from a nearby shelf.

“Have you ever read Mid-Fall Murders?” He asks, handing her a hardcover with a shy smile of his own.

.

.

.

“What’s it like?”

Satan’s grip on your hand tightens. “I don’t actually know,” he confesses, shuffling closer so that your shoulder and arm are pressed against his. It’s a strange sight, the two of you lying side by side on your bed, staring aimlessly at the ceiling.

“Will it hurt?”

“No.”

You’ve never heard a single word hold so much promise, but you have no reason to doubt the demon’s sincerity. Satan wouldn’t take pity on you just because you’re —

A light knock on the door, and in pokes Simeon’s head. “Ah, little lamb! I’m glad we made it in time.”

“Not so little anymore, Simeon.” You laugh softly, greeting Luke and Solomon as they trail in behind him. Satan brushes his lips over your forehead before getting up to receive your guests.

The day is as ordinary as it can be. You talk and catch up with your friends, trading stories and laughter over cups of tea that neither grow cold nor go empty. When the session turns into a mini book club gathering halfway through, Luke helpfully retrieves the debated titles from the massive shelf in the living room. He takes a while to find them; you’ve accumulated plenty of works over the years: recommendations by Satan, literature published under Simeon’s pseudonym, and handwritten tomes from Solomon to keep you in touch with your magic. The shelf is practically jam-packed with books, the only exception being a corner on the topmost tier, housing a little space that’s empty save for a worn green collar with a rusted bell.

Come sundown the five of you are still neck-deep in discussion, but as with all good things, the get together eventually reaches an end.

“Thanks everyone, it’s been fun,” you say, reclining back in your bed as Satan wordlessly cleans up. You squeeze his hand when he returns to your side and bid the others goodbye. “Hopefully I’ll see you guys soon?”

“About that…” Solomon clears his throat, wearing the smug look that usually accompanies a trick being pulled out of his sleeve, but this time it’s tinged more with excitement than mischief. “Simeon has a little present for you first.”

The guileless smile on the angel’s face betrays nothing as he steps forward and reaches into a small pouch at his hip. “Solomon, Diavolo and I have a theory. Now, keep in mind that this is all very experimental, but if it works, you’ll have more options to choose from, should you so wish.”

And then he brings out a ring.

.

.

.

“Are you, uh, are you okay?”

“Not in the mood, Mammon.”

“Oi, I’m trying to be nice here! Who do you think covered for your sorry ass when you came back past curfew the other day, huh?”

“What the hell do you want?”

“You may think you’re all stealthy and shit, but your eyes were pretty red that night. I thought you were at a book club meeting. Did something happen?”

“None of your business.”

“Argh, fine then! This is the last time I try to be a good big brother.”

“…Mammon?”

“?”

“...”

“...”

“I’m sorry.”

“Eh, what are you — you can’t just say that and then run off! Get back here!”

.

.

.

“Twenty, nineteen, eighteen…”

Lilith’s countdown echoes along the deserted hallway, prompting Beel to nudge the deadweight on his back. “Belphie, go get your own hiding place.”

“Mmngh… zzz…”

“Come on, or she’ll win this round with a two for one. Again.”

“…Just dump me somewhere she won’t find me then.”

A tall order, especially since Lilith can easily track them down by listening out for Beel’s stomach and/or Belphie’s snores. Still, the sixth-born lumbers through the house as quietly as he can, doing a one-eighty whenever he hears Lilith’s cheerful hums coming from the opposite direction. Technically they can avoid being caught if they keep moving, but that would be cheating. They hid in the attic previously so that’s a no go, their room’s too obvious, the kitchen too tempting, the common room too exposed…

Maybe Levi’s room? The otaku had sound-proofed his walls to avoid distractions from the outside world when he’s gaming, so it’s an ideal location to hide. He can stash Belphie in the bathtub and run interference until time’s up.

Backtracking, Beel breaks into a light jog towards the other wing, keeping his ears open for their seeker. It’s only because of his heightened senses that he’s able to pick up the faintest traces of magic on one of the walls, causing him to pause in his steps.

“Hmm? Why’d you stop?” Slightly more awake now, Belphie rubs his eyes and slides off his twin, who’s studying the blank space intently. “What’s wrong, Beel?”

“There’s something here, something…”

“It’s just a wall —”

“No, don’t you feel it? I know you weren’t around then, but it’s the same glamor as that time Luke went missing and we —”

Beel goes white. He whispers a name, a name not spoken in the house for years, and a door flickers into view. One hand grabs Belphie’s in a death grip as the other twists the knob and pushes the door open, revealing an old yet familiar room.

The place is devoid of life. Most of the furniture are covered by sheets, resting under thick layers of dust. In the middle sits a tree, sagging with age and soft with rot. Sunken footprints mark the demons’ furtive venture into decrepit memory, and the creaking of floorboards with every step only tethers the growing nightmare closer to reality.

A photo frame crashes to the ground.

.

.

.

They deserve this.

Satan feels it the moment the spell concealing your room was broken. It had been his way of protecting your memory, ensuring that your sanctuary would only be accessible to those who made the effort to remember you. He cast it about a year after you had left the Devildom, after he realized that leaving your door in plain sight wasn’t doing you any favors.

Hidden away in an alcove at the back of the garden, curled up with a blanket and a thermos of hot tea, Satan slides a bookmark between the pages of his latest novel and leans his head back, closing his eyes with a heavy sigh.

Even this far away from the house, he can hear the cacophony of screams and shouts, objects being flung and shattered into pieces, a muted bang suggesting that a wall has just collapsed. The fallout comes as no surprise; waking up after living the past hundred years or so in a daze will do that to a person – or in this case, demons.

Although the sounds of fighting call to the rage bubbling within him, the vindictive thoughts of his brothers getting their just desserts cool it to a simmer. He knows he’ll have to face them eventually, but he’ll cross that bridge when he gets to it.

“Meow?”

Emerald eyes blink open. There’s a faint rustle from the nearby bushes as a tiny Calico wanders out of the foliage, peering around the garden curiously. Upon spotting the blond demon, it perks up and makes a beeline for him.

“Hm? You’re not Callie. Are you new here, little one?” His mood considerably improved, Satan extends a hand towards the kitten. It skips the finger sniffing step and goes straight to headbutting his palm, begging for attention.

“You’re an affectionate one, aren’t you?” Satan caves immediately and scritches away with a delighted chuckle. He examines the markings on its tri-colored fur, wanting to recognize the friendly feline if it comes back in the future. The Calico is mostly white with patches of brown and black splashed over the back of its neck, near the base of its tail, just under the side of its ribs, and several other spots that seem to collectively resemble a familiar pattern…

Satan’s hand stills. He whispers your name, trembling with hope, and the kitten practically leaps into his arms, nuzzling his chin with a happy purr.

#writing #obey me #obey me fanfic #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me leviathan #obey me satan #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #obey me lilith #obey me diavolo #obey me barbatos #obey me simeon #obey me luke #obey me solomon #obey me replaced mc au

[emsysquared]

Top 10 Things I Learned From Artist Alleys

Hi guys! I thought I’d write a post on some things I’ve learned from selling my own art at artist alleys over the years & talking to fellow artists, as it’s something I’ve wanted to discuss and thought people would be interested. This isn’t really an Artist Alley 101 guide, as I wrote this in mind for both for beginners and veterans, because even if you’ve been tabling for years, there are things about the artist alley scene that can keep changing, or things you never knew about. Hope this helps!

LONG POST IS LONG WARNING

10. Bigger doesn’t always mean better – people keep thinking this, but it’s not always true.

Smaller conventions are easier to talk to attendees/artists because there’s often slow periods, and are good if if they’re local and you need a place to start. You can also get away with having only a few things to sell and if it doesn’t go well it won’t be a huge loss. Smaller cons tend to also have a lower table cost, and because the artist alley is smaller, it’s easier to “stand out”. Probably because of this, I’ve heard some cases where some people have made the same amount of profits from certain small cons vs. big cons, meaning, they actually got more sales per person at the smaller con.

Bigger conventions CAN command big bucks and keep you busier with sales because there’s more attendees and potentially more money to go around. However, they are also more competitive: if all you have is ONE print when everyone else around you has huge displays, you risk people passing by you because they may think you don’t have anything of interest to offer. As an example, maybe at the small con, your Overwatch solo D.Va print was the only one there and it did well, but at a big con, 20 other artists could also have similar D.Va prints and are now competing with each other, which is something you should consider.

Every con is different so when researching, you want to take into consideration the ratio of artist/vendor tables available in conjunction to attendee count, events/guests, and the con environment.

With both cons, if you frequent the same ones, try to keep things fresh and make new stuff or else you risk oversaturating your market and having people come up to your table thinking “I’ve seen that same poster 3 years already, and I already have it. What’s new?”

9. Just because something is popular doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll sell right away – there’s a fine line between “it’s popular so fans will buy it” and “it’s popular but it’s oversaturated because everyone and their mom drew it and it won’t sell unless you differentiate your work from everyone else”. I’d argue if you’re passionate about a series and it just happens to be popular, go for it! You should draw what you like, because it’ll show in how you interact with other fans and the effort you put into it.

If you’re only drawing for the popularity, well, there’s a bit of debate about this. And let’s be honest, some of us need to pay bills. I’ll argue if you ONLY draw whatever is popular to sell out, it can reflect in the quality of your work and make you unmemorable (and you can still risk it not selling), but hey, you do you. But drawing only niche things may also be tricky, since the fans are probably very passionate, but few in number. Sometimes finding a balance between both can work, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide what path you want to take. Most artists start out doing fanart as it’s easier for someone to walk up to your table if they recognize their favorite character than a table full of random OCs standing in a backgroundless void. But that’s not to say originals can’t sell because....

8. Originals sell! Don’t be afraid to make original content – this might shock some of you but original merchandise DOES sell, according to many successful anecdotal stories from artists and art friends who’ve done it, and a lot of people have said it is very rewarding, especially when you consider how prevalent fanart is. However, originals can be harder to sell – it will highly depend on the subject matter you’re drawing and attendees at certain cons may be more or less receptive to them than others, so you may have to try different cons to find your market. What has worked for others may not work for you. You might even need time to develop a consistency with your work so people know what to expect from you.

There are also a few conventions out there, such as Otakon, which do require you to have a certain % of originals when you apply for their artist alley, so there’s that.

7. Have stuff with different price points at your table – my personal opinion is “Do not do print-only tables” but I know there are artists out there who DO command good profits only selling prints and posters of their artwork.

But why I say this is because (especially at anime cons) there are usually younger kids who don’t have much disposable income or don’t have a lot of wall space and thus, can’t always afford big $20 posters, which is where having smaller items like charms and buttons can help as impulse purchases. It may take you 10 purchases of $2 buttons to reach that equivalent amount, but if you do get enough sales they’ll add up. Plus, it’s easier for some people to make use of charms and buttons. 

Prints are still good because the profit margin is better and they're a way for your audience to see your "portfolio" and art style from afar. At larger cons where there’s a sea of artists, having many prints can help others see what you have or help find your table from a distance. Try and stick to common print sizes such as 11x17 inches, 8.5x11, 4x6 or 5x7, mostly on the basis that they’re easier to frame.

One thing - unless you plan on traveling to many conventions in your life, you do NOT need to print 50+ copies of each print if all you do is table at your small local con once a year. You will regret it and be stuck with them until you die (I’m not kidding). Unless a piece has proven to you it’s a best seller, I recommend printing 5-10 copies a print, 2-4 if you aren’t confident. You can always reprint more if they sell well, or replace them with newer prints.

Comic cons I hear are a little different, as their audience is usually older, but I can’t say much about them since I never actually vended at one before.

6. You gotta spend money to make money – You wanna make cool stuff like charms, lanyards, enamel pins? A button maker to make your own buttons? A dealer’s room spot instead of a regular artist alley table? Travel to cons outside your city? Heck, just buying table display stuff and getting new prints? That all costs money, bruh. This might require you save up, and some people I know even use their day job to help fund them to afford nice things. But artist alley IS also a business, and if you want your business to grow, you’ll need to take risks and invest in it. However, know that this should happen gradually over time and NOT overnight. If you literally have no previous experience selling your art and knowing what worked for you, do NOT carelessly throw down money to make every fancy merchandise imaginable.

5. Talk to people and engage with attendees! I say this because I’ve seen quite a few artists who are great at their craft, but aren’t good at business at all. Even if you aren’t confident about your work, still strive to be as professional as possible. And be your own cheerleader/salesman to your art! If the con is slow, don’t ignore customer’s questions by playing mobile games on your phone. People get energy off of you, and if you happen to seem like you hate people, attendees pick up on that. A lot of people who go to anime cons can be introverted/shy as well, so just saying hi and ask how they’re enjoying the con is a good start to engage with them! If you notice they’re cosplaying a character, tell them you like their cosplay or happen to have that character as a button! You’d be surprised some people may not know you offer a product because they overlooked it.

I usually let customers browse the table without bothering them, as people get uncomfortable if you’re being too desperate with sales.

4. Displays and Table Placement matter- Your table placement at a convention can dictate a HUGE majority of your sales, and how you display yourself also counts as well. You could have amazing art, but maybe your table is in some back corner where it’s not getting enough foot traffic compared to the people in the front. Additionally, if you have merchandise hidden behind other merch, other people can’t see it as they walk by. Presentation is important, there are so many possibilities you can do to make your table look nice.

The most common way people display their prints are usually either by using grid cubes, photography stands or PVC pipes with clamps. All of these have their pros and cons, and some artists even use a combination of the 3.

3. Cons are extremely volatile. Artist alley is NOT a place to “get rich quick” – To be blunt (and unfortunately, speaking from personal experience), you can’t predict when you’ll get dicked over by a badly-run con. No two cons are the same, and the same convention can even vary from year to year, depending on things like how it was run by staff, its location, when it was held, etc. At one con, you may sell out of prints. At another, only your commissions do well. Even something as simple as a venue change and increasing the amount of artist/vendor tables can affect sales. You can only prepare as much as you can and hope you survive the rainy days.

I used to think as you got older and sold at more artist alleys, your profits could only go up and boy was I wrong with that notion. The realest piece of advice I’ve learned is seeing seasoned veterans (who are used to making 4-digit profits or artists who have done this for over 7 years) having times where they hit a bad con and don’t even break even. If you’ve never had a terrible con before, you are either very lucky or you have not vended at enough different cons to experience this. 

A lot of different factors can come into play, and while some you can’t control, think of the ones that you can – was your setup bad? What do you see other attendees buying? Or maybe was this your first con in a completely different area and it caught you off guard?  If you feel your art was lacking, don’t lose confidence. Look at it as an opportunity to find yourself again, and work hard on your craft so you can show everyone at your next event “hey, this is the new and improved me! Look at how far I’ve come!”

2. Artist alleys can be stressful and are getting more competitive, but it’s important to develop a thick skin to keep moving on – I should clarify this, AA should NOT be a sea of cutthroat competition because every con has its mix of those starting out, the veterans who have been doing this for 10 years, and everyone else in between. And everyone has something different to bring to the table. However, the fact is… artist alleys are getting competitive each year just to GET IN. At some popular cons, there’s always more applicants than tables available, and you can’t take it personally when 1,000+ people are in a lottery for 90 tables.

As artists, we are always our worst critics as well, just because art can be highly personable to us. There’s a lot of things that can go wrong in the moment. Maybe you got more commissions than you can handle. Your new merchandise didn’t arrive on time. Or you worry your art isn’t “sellable”. All of these can be pretty frustrating and question your self-worth as an artist. But just know you are not alone, all of us have had those moments at least once, maybe even multiple times in our lives. Sometimes you just have to keep marching on, despite things. And if you need time to step away to take a breather, go ahead and take care of yourself first.

1. … But you keep wanting to do them because they are also one of the best experiences you can have as a creative – despite the above, artist alleys have been an integral part of my growth as an artist. Seeing what everyone has to offer has challenged me to keep improving my art and helped me meet fellow artist friends thru our comradery of shared experiences, interests, and stresses. It’s very easy to feel dejected, but if you can keep pushing thru, you’ll probably benefit the most than those who give up at the slightest hint of being butthurt. The artist alley life isn’t exactly easily, but it’s heartwarming when you have moments where “doing what you love” and “drawing what you like” feel like it paid off.

Don’t feel bad if your first shows don’t go logistically or financially great! I never realized how lucky I was that my first AA, I broke even AND made profit, because many apparently don’t. Go into it as an opportunity to market your work, meet other artists and customers, and figure out what people like about your art. Artist alley is not for everyone, but if you find that you’re growing to love it despite the hiccups, keep going! My AA experience isn’t as extensive as others, but I hope with this, this is my way of giving back to the artist alley community that helped me grow as an artist.

 If you’re still worried if you’re “good enough” to do artist alley, here’s my final advice: just do it, bruh. 

#artist alley #artist alley tips #first time artist alley #how to be a con artist #if you read this far THANK U AND I HOPE THIS HELPED. and feel free to send me an ask or message if you have any questions!1

[bucketofchum]

NSFW OC Talk

Okay so I woke up this morning and my first thought was what kind of lover Atamu would be (not a good one). So I guess I’ll start with him.

The simplest words to describe Atamu is ‘rough sex’. Actually, the first thing I thought of when I opened my eyes this morning is “Atamu is the kind of guy who wouldn’t eat someone out” -- not because he thinks it’s gross or anything but because he’s really not interested in pleasuring his sexual partner. He’s an angry fucker (meant as both a derogatory word for person as well as a word to mean someone who engages in sexual activity). Sex with Atamu just feels like hate sex because I feel like he’s just always kind of mad and torn up inside? I feel like he’s the kind who might end up crying after sex (just pent up frustration, using sex to vent, and then just kind of wanting to break down afterwards), but idk if he’d really be the crying type. Maybe dry tears. Sex for him is just that though -- a venting tool. It’s like punching walls for him. Just a carnal act of violence to release energy.  Eh like I said, he’s not really interested in pleasuring whomever he is fucking, but if he does go down on a girl, I feel like he would use teeth. He’d probably be a decent lover to someone who really likes being absolutely fucking wrecked, horrendously marked, bitten, torn up, etc. The only danger to that is, he’s really really not doing it for your pleasure. Whereas in BDSM or rough sex type situations, the dominant partner checks in with their sub, he would not. And there is no safe word with this guy. He doesn’t have trouble finding a sexual partner, being a fairly attractive, very well built man in a decent position of power and comfortable finances. But he also certainly doesn’t really experience sexual attraction (I can hesitantly say he might be asexual?). He’ll fuck women with no interest in ever knowing their name and also with little interest in ever seeing them again. Idk. If after sex with him they want to come back? Sure, he’d welcome that.  But eh, also he has the potential to really hurt someone. Not intentionally, just... being too caught up in his own emotions to care or hold himself back. I’m sure he has the potential to be caring and thoughtful -- he just.. has to work extra hard to think of it. Probably on the asexual spectrum. Probably also aromantic. But labels don’t work too well for my characters because it’s all kind of blehh eh. None of them identify with any of these labels.

Atumu is the second person I thought of, only because his is such a contrast. Whereas Atamu would be rough sex with no foreplay, Atumu would be able to give you a full hour of nothing but foreplay -- full body touching, kissing, sucking, licking -- until you’re dripping wet, aching for more...but he really doesn’t want to give you more hah. I mean, even all that - the sensuality - he doesn’t feel it. He can perform the motions - and he can perform them well. He has years of experience pleasuring women and is a receptive partner who is good at listening. But none of it is pleasurable to himself, and as for penetration, he would honestly rather not. He has a rather complicated relationship with sex for a great number of reasons and has no positive association with it. He does not consider cunnilingus to be “sex” any more than, say, a solid back massage. Sex to him is... probably what Atamu does actually. It’s carnal and vicious, and people get hurt. He experiences no sexual pleasure whatsoever, and would rather not .. have anything to do with it. But if you ask it of him and the situation warrants it, he would allow you to use his body as you will for any sexual purposes. He’ll provide what you want and how you want it. Basically, his traumatised ass does not want to have sex with you. But he can and he will and it will be a good time for you if you want it. I can just guarantee it won’t be a good time for him. If we’re giving my character labels, he would be sex-repulsed asexual and aggressively aromantic.

Atymu is the next person I thought of. Atymu... despite all the thirst people have for her... I feel like she doesn’t merit it. She gives absolutely nothing in sex. About as receptive a partner as fucking a flesh robot. Which would seem entirely undesirable except that sex with her just feels ungodly? There is some sort of immeasurable and inexplicable pleasure that comes from being inside of her that is absolutely not like any other experience in the world. The feeling of entering her is this intensely overwhelming spiritual sensation that permeates through the whole body and is almost paralysing. That said, she doesn’t like repeat sexual partners. She’s interested in new experiences, so unless you go through some sort of metamorphosis, if she has fucked you once, she probably has no interest in doing it again. Oh man, cunnilingus with her is in the same realm of indescribable. Her taste simultaneously satiates a void that you never knew you had but also generates...essentially that insatiable void that you now will never fill again. Basically, sex with Atymu is simultaneously going to be your best and worst lay of your entire life. She is a life ruiner.  Fun fact about Atymu -- she’ll rate your sex game. Immediately afterwards. Which is kind of unfair and terrible for her to do, considering she doesn’t put any work into it and is hardly receptive in terms of feedback during the activity. But she’ll give you a rating - let you know that you were good or -- very bluntly -- terrible, a regrettable decision -- and then promptly kick you out of her house. You don’t get the spend the night, laying in her arms, feeling her silky dark skin against your body. Nope. You’re gone. She’s kind of pansexual and probably also aromantic.

I can’t talk about Atymu without mentioning Atimu. Atimu is actually where Atymu gets all her sexual partners from (like Yelp recommendations). Sex with Atimu is almost always guaranteed to be a great experience. She’s energetic, athletic, into just about anything. The girl is fun and wild in bed. Kind of universally loved? I guess there are some girls who might dislike her or call her a slut, but she harbours no ill will or resentment. Whatever the opposite of a kinkshamer, Atimu is. She’s fine with maintaining you and/or any number of other people as long term sexual partners, so there is plenty of opportunity to try different things with her. She’s down for just about anything. Hmm.. I should say she is probably not too into being too submissive or humiliated. She has no problem calling you out on your bullshit and also has no problem kicking you out/slamming the door on you. She’s fine with whatever kinks or whatnot, but don’t you go and disrespect her. She knows she deserves better than you. She’s bisexual/pan. idk how she feels about romance.

Atomu is a small baby leave him alone.

#my OCs that no one cares about #Life Story #those are all my children

[floresgavriil-blog]

If you’re looking to narrow down the best places to visit in Vietnam, it’s going to be a very tough decision. Vietnam has so much to offer any traveler that ventures to it, and is a mix of chaos and calm from the contrasts of Ho Chi Minh City to the mountainous regions of the Northern Highlands.

At one moment you could find yourself cruising through the endless creeks and rivers of The Mekong Delta and the next, sitting beachside at Hue or Nha Trang.

Vietnam on a map is somewhat squeezed to the edge of the South China Sea to the east with China hugging the northernmost border of the country. While to the west Laos and Cambodia both share a large border with Vietnam.

Despite its rough history, Vietnam’s popularity to travellers far and wide has soared in recent years making it one of the most visited countries in South East Asia.

At first glance, Vietnam might seem to be a place of constant activity but if you go to the right places, you will find the most magnificent vistas, people, food, and a peaceful way of life.

Whether you have one week or one month in Vietnam, this article is bound to give sensational ideas on the best places to visit in Vietnam!

Gondola’s in the Huong Tich Mountains

The Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

1. The Mekong Delta

Boats on the Mekong River

First up on the list of Vietnam places to visit is the mighty Mekong. The Mekong Delta is a biodiversity hotspot and a place of calm. With an almost endless system of rivers and creeks to follow, the Mekong Delta is truly special.

Getting to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh is rather easy and is worth weaving your way out of the chaotic morning traffic to do so. The Mekong is a very big place so there are many things to do and see.

My Tho

To start off your adventure in the Mekong, I would recommend seeking out My Tho which is the closest town to Ho Chi Minh. My Tho is the gateway to the Mekong meaning that a lot of fresh produce passes through its doors. Rice, coconuts, and durian a few food items you will see a lot of here.

From My Tho, I highly recommend an early morning adventure by the aid of a boat through Vinh Long’s Cai Be Floating Markets where everything fresh sells by the kilogram or tonne, depending on what you buy!

Tra Vinh

If you are looking to truly experience the Mekong Delta, Tra Vinh is the perfect place to do so as it is located some distance from the main roads meandering throughout the delta.

Tra Vinh might not be well known to foreign visitors but it is secretly a spot dotted with hundreds of pagodas (a type of temple or shrine). Sunrise in Tra Vinh is a must see as a layer of morning mist covers the land making the shrines appear like they are on another planet.

Ben Tre

Some of my most memorable moments came from a little place called Ben Tre. It was here that I was invited into a family home to watch a game of football on a tiny television.

I could not speak Vietnamese and the family could not speak English leaving a communication barrier, however we could communicate through the game of football as we all knew exactly what was going on!

Another incredible moment happened during an early morning bike ride over the Ham Luong River. In the distance, a monstrous but beautiful storm cloud rumbled away as the morning sun turned the cloud into a bright orange as boats would chug away underneath the bridge I sat upon.   

I would recommend spending at least 2 to 3 days at a minimum in the Mekong Delta as there are plenty of places to see and things to do. It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Vietnam!

2. Ho Chi Minh City

Late afternoon relaxing

My first impression of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) was chaotic and humid with a hint of charm, but after visiting I definitely think it is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. I was dropped off at my hotel in the central part of the city and the only thing stopping me from getting to the hotel reception was a myriad of zooming scooters, motorbikes, trucks and cars.

Eventually, I learned how to cross roads when they are busy, which you’ll have to do too as a visitor. Once you graduate to crossing a street in a Vietnamese city the world is your oyster.

Ho Chi Minh’s population is 8.6 million spread over places known as ‘districts.’ These districts number up to 19 which is quite beneficial especially if Vietnamese isn’t your strongest language.

District 1 is the central most part of the city and will most likely be the area where you are staying. A few highlights of Ho Chi Minh City are…

Vietnam’s Notre-Dame Cathedral

Ho Chi Minh has many attractions which are relatively close to one another, the first being French/ Vietnamese version of The Notre-Dame Cathedral. Be warned this one is somewhat smaller, yet still intact to the one in Paris. Expect to see married couples posing outside of the cathedral on a daily basis.

Across from the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the pinkish building with a large clock in the middle is the General Post Office where most travel to even from foreign countries in order to post a letter or postcard.

During the Vietnam/ American War, the Reunification Palace is another landmark in Hoi Chi Minh. This palace, at the time of the conflict held South Vietnam’s President only to have armored tanks storm and crash the front gates. These images at the time made news coverage globally.

Ben Thanh Markets

Ho Chi Minh City is known for its seriously enormous markets and the one that is bigger than them all goes to Ben Thanh Markets. These markets to be exact are 119,000 square feet, or a couple of football fields.

The Ben Thanh Markets sell almost everything – and I mean everything. If you like to shop you will definitely come out with more than you need. I went looking for street food and ended up buying a bag full of t-shirts.

Vietnam’s fresh vegetable markets

War Remnants Museum

Before leaving Ho Chi Minh City, I highly recommend visiting the War Remnants Museum to get a perspective on just how terrible to war was to those living in Vietnam.

The War Remnants Museum houses photos from the war, planes, tanks and three levels within the building showcasing the terrors of the war.

Aside from the many tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, simply walking around the streets during sunrise was an amazing thing especially at some of the local parks where locals would be stretching, playing football, chess or getting in a morning workout.

Ho Chi Minh City isn’t always busy so make the most of the mornings when everyone is still sleeping and if you want to get somewhere such as the Mekong Delta or out of the city to Dalat, leave early to avoid heavy traffic and lengthy delays.

3. Dalat

Scooters are allowed everywhere!

Spending too much time basking in intense humidity can’t be too good for you, so for some relief, Dalat is the perfect mountain getaway. Dalat is perched 1,500 metres above the South China Sea and only a few hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh making it a seriously idyllic city escape.

Vietnam is home to a variety of environments including mountainous areas and these are Vietnam’s best-kept secrets. Dalat is surrounded by forests of pines, agriculture farms and many waterfalls which are 100% swimmable!

Dalat’s Central Market is the perfect place to go for a bowl of Pho;a vegetable or meat broth infused with noodles, meat or vegetables topped with chilies, basil and spring onions. Dalat’s produce will be immensely better than what you would taste in Ho Chi Minh, so eat your heart out!

Dalat is located on the shores of Xuan Huong Lake which is a fantastic morning stroll around the rather brown looking lake. Hiring a bicycle is a good option if you plan on exploring Dalat but be prepared for hill climbs!

Relaxing by waterfalls is a must while in the Southern Highlands. One, in particular, that is my favorite is Tiger Falls, some 14 kilometers east of Dalat.

Tiger Falls is a solid half-day adventure which requires some gnarly navigation skills enroute to the waterfall making it so much more fun.

Having gone from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh to the natural wonders of Dalat, exploring Vietnam’s coast is a must do!

4. Nha Trang

Nha Trang from above!

From the mountains of Dalat, heading north, Nha Trang is a serious must do. Nha Trang is a hidden gem located on Vietnam’s south-central coast where coral reefs flourish, beaches are relatively free of rubbish and the views are stunning!

A must do while in Nha Trang is a day adventure and cruise out to the neighboring islands to go snorkeling or diving amongst the corals and tropical fish.o Or if you prefer to lay on the beach and do nothing I won’t blame you for doing so!

On land, Nha Trang has a place where you can go immerse your body in warm mud that is said to be beneficial to your skin at Thap Ba Hot Springs. Being covered in mud not your thing? No worries!

Nha Trang has some top quality bars by the sea which are great for sunset drinks but if you prefer to tuck into Vietnam’s salivating street food, I would recommend Dam Market, a place generally void of tourists where prices are a lot cheaper than beach side restaurants.

5. Hoi An

Hoi An during a misty morning

Hoi An might be my favorite city in Vietnam with its gorgeous French charm, peaceful riverside influence and exceptional fresh produce. It’s definitely one of the top places to see in Vietnam.

The best way to start off an adventure in Hoi An is at the Central Market Cho Hoi An for exceptional Vietnamese food. As Hoi An is heavily influenced by France, Bahn Mi never fails to deliver with a baguette filled with fresh herbs, cucumber and meat topped with a hot sauce.

A lot of tourism in Hoi An revolves around custom clothing especially suits and pants. Some of Hoi An’s streets are dedicated to tailors and the end product is generally very good, cheap, and the waiting time is usually less than a day for a custom piece to be made. A few top sites in Hoi An are:

The Japanese Bridge

While most of Hoi An is influenced by France, there is an exception with The Japanese Bridge, built during the 16th century. The Japanese Bridge isn’t for traffic; instead it serves as a shrine on the inside to commemorate the Japanese Emperors of the time (that being the year of the dog and year of the monkey).

For a few Vietnamese dong, an incense stick can be purchased in order to pay respects.

Hoi An’s Japanese Bridge

Coastal Hoi An

Central Hoi An is very close to the East Vietnam Sea where spectacular coastlines spread from north to south. Most beaches in Hoi An have a bar or restaurant prime for cracking open a fresh, chilled coconut and watching the last rays of light disappear.

If you are keen on checking out Hoi An’s coastal areas, I suggest hiring a bicycle as the ride weaves through rice paddy fields as water buffalo frolic in mud. By bike, it takes about 30 minutes each way.

6. My Son Temple

The remains of a temple at My Son

One hour west of Hoi An, My Son Temple is a complex series of Hindu temples, pagodas and dense rainforest said to date back to the 2nd century. Guided tours operate on a daily basis and provide a look into the life of the Champa, an ancient kingdom.

My Son Temple has survived a lot of hardships including the recent war were the temple was targeted by bomber planes where craters the size of swimming pools are still seen around this historic complex.

My Son Temple is so important to the people of Vietnam and its culture that it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural values and being part of an Ancient Civilization in Asia.

7. Da Nang

One of Vietnam’s most famous views

Getting to Da Nang is an adventure in itself and if you were to ask a local where the most scenic views are in Vietnam is they’d probably say the Hai Van Pass. The first time I saw the Hai Van Pass and The Lang Co Peninsula was on an episode of Top Gear.

Da Nang is located in central Vietnam and very nearly is equal in distance to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Da Nang is a less traveled destination and is generally bypassed due to it serving as a place of industrial and economic purposes however, don’t write it off just yet as there are a few things to do in Da Nang! My two favorites were to see Dragon Bridge and explore Cao Dai Temple.

Da Nang probably has the most awesome bridge anywhere in Asia, or the world with the so-called Dragon Bridge tailing over the Han River. The Dragon Bridge isn’t just something that is driven over, it sprays fire and water while changing color which would be very distracting when crossing on a scooter.

One of the more strange temples that can be visited is the Cao Dai Temple which is seemingly confusing especially the architecture. The temple doesn’t host just one religion, but I honestly cannot even tell you how many it does. The purpose of the temple states ‘all religions have the same purpose’.

8. Hue

Continuing north, Hue is known to most as the Imperial City or Citadel where a fortress was built during 1804. The Imperial Citadel at the time was impenetrable with a moat, the Perfume River while being protected by eight meter high walls.

Within the Imperial Citadel, there are a multitude of buildings, pagodas, temples and courtyards of gigantic scale. Unfortunately during the war, a lot of damage was inflicted upon the citadel and to this day, repairs are still being made.

Exploring the citadel can be as short or as long as you want it to be. Guided tours in the citadel are also a good option as there are so many things going on with history, types of buildings, and war knowledge so having someone with local information join your day is truly worth it.

9. Halong Bay

Halong Bay tops the list as the most beautiful place to visit in Vietnam. It is certainly a Vietnam tourist spot, but a worthwhile and unique one! I remember the first time I saw Halong Bay as I watched the hosts of Top Gear navigate the limestone islands on their boats/ scooters and the scenery they were in was incredible! A few years later, I got to experience Halong Bay for myself.

There’s no doubt, Halong Bay is the most visited place in Vietnam by foreigners putting increasing pressure on the environment and resources however things seem to be improving.

So what do you do in Halong Bay? Halong Bay and its hundreds of limestone islands can only be accessed by boat or kayak. So the first step is to find a company to go with and decide if you just want to visit for a day or do an overnight experience.

Kayaking in Halong Bay

Once you have decided on your trip, there are so many places to check out and the best way to do so is via a kayak. Cat Ba Island is one of the largest islands with a multitude of beaches, waterfalls and hiking trails while precious reefs surround the shores of the island.

Kayaking by far is the best thing you can do in Halong Bay as there are endless places to explore with caves, waterfalls and monkey’s jumping from tree to tree trying to get a glimpse of you in the kayak.

Halong Bay is one of the most unique places in Vietnam and that is due to the people that live in floating houses, sometimes never setting foot on land. Most of the floating houses have markets where fresh vegetables, fruits and sometimes even poultry are sold so why not check them out!

Overnight junk boat cruise

If you have time, I highly suggest an overnight cruise! Overnight cruises are seriously the most chilled out thing you can do in Halong Bay as there’s more relaxing on the sundeck and eating delicious Vietnamese food to be had.

A general cruise leaves from the town of Ha Long and set sail towards the islands usually around midday. Most of the boats have fairly good rooms, a bar, dining area and a sun deck along with kayaks making it the perfect way to get out and explore Vietnam’s natural wonders. We went on the Au Co by Bhaya Cruises and had a fantastic time – see the full review here.

For the best weather in Halong Bay, make sure to visit in the warmer months from April to October.

10. Hanoi

Vietnam’s flag

Hanoi is one of those Vietnam points of interests you can’t miss. The capital of Vietnam is a step back from the chaos of Ho Chi Minh with a charming vibe of old buildings, lakes, pagodas and intricate system of streets dedicated to selling a particular item. If I had to choose a city to spend more time in, Hanoi would be it.

I spent six days exploring Hanoi and surrounds doing a whole complexity of different things, but before leaving Hanoi to explore its wonders there are just so many places to see in the city first.

Getting around Hanoi is so much easier than that of Ho Chi Minh and that is partly due to a milder and cooler climate. The chances of breaking out into a sweat by 8 am are unlikely. A few of the best things to do in Hanoi are:

Lake Hoan Kiem

My perfect day in Hanoi would start by Lake Hoan Kiem which once was home to a rare tortoise said to be sacred and if you spotted it, it would bring a lifetime of good luck! At one end of the lake, the Rising Sun Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple where a taxidermy tortoise remains the centerpiece to the temple.

The Old Quarter

Some of Hanoi’s Old Quarter dates back to the 13th century. Today, the Old Quarter has some of the best street food, beer and historic buildings in all of the city.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter might take the award for the most unique place to visit with 36 streets dedicated to selling specific items. For instance, Hang Chieu Street is solely dedicated to selling mats for houses or Hang Bo Street sells mainly bamboo baskets. If you are after something very specific, you are sure to find it in Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum structure is unlike anything else in Hanoi, a building made from marble and granite to house the body of Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho is received by many Vietnamese as a hero showing courageous leadership throughout the American/ Vietnam War.

Uncle Ho is known to most as Ho Chi Minh and on certain occasions, his body can be visited at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Bia Hoi Corner

Time for a beer at Bia Corner

After a long days exploration, there’s no better way than to soak up the atmosphere than by taking a seat recommended for a child, delving into a bowl of pho and washing it down with Hanoi’s famous Bia Hoi, a preservative-free beer.

Bia Hoi Corner is quite chaotic and finding a seat is a challenge in itself as everyone rushes to get the first glass of freshly brewed beer as once the keg is empty, there won’t be any for another 24 hours.

A glass of Bia Hoi costs roughly 3200 dong and the best thing about the bia is that it will not give you a headache!

Whilst sipping away, Bia Hoi Corner becomes a haven for street vendors where Bahn Mi, household items and basically anything you can think of are sold. So sit back and watch Hanoi go by!

11. Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda

At first, I was unsure of what else to do other than to stick to Hanoi. However after going on an array of adventures within three hours of the city, it opened up a whole new world of places to visit in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s Perfume Pagoda and Buddhist Temple; Huong Tich Grotto require an epic adventure into the depths of the Hoang Son Mountains to find a Buddhist Temple that almost seems hidden and getting there is by far the most extraordinary part of the day.

Starting off in a wooden canoe or kayak, you are rowed down the Perfume River in a unique technique as the rowers use their feet to steer and row instead of their hands, you really need to see it to believe it.

90 minutes later and depending on the flow of the river, you disembark the boat and stroll into a seemingly abandoned town where lots of restaurants line the cobbled street.

Ideally, you’ll want to fuel up on food before continuing on and there’s no better way to do so than eating fresh cuisine like rice-paper rolls filled with vegetables; banh trang cuon nuong or Vietnam’s famous jackfruit, a spikey fruit the size of a bowling ball!

Vietnam’s Perfume Pagoda including that of Thien Tru Pagoda is a collection of ancient Buddhism statues, pagoda’s, and shrines immersed into the lush forests surrounds. The Perfume Pagoda, named so due to the fragrant smells that are said to flow through the Hoang Son Mountains.

After visiting the temples of the Perfume Pagoda, Huong Tich Grotto is close by, so get back back in the boat and head up stream!

12. Buddhist Temple; Huong Tich Grotto

Vietnam’s remote cave systems

After the Perfume Pagoda, you may as well head to Huong Tich Grotto. The last part of the journey can be done according to preference; taking the scenic route on a gondola over the Hoang Son Mountains or the stairs…I definitely chose the stairs.

Once at the top of the mountains, the views are jaw-dropping! At the top of the mountain, a steep staircase takes you into the heart of Hoang Son Mountain to where the Buddhist Temple lay.

This particular Buddhist Temple is like no other in Vietnam or the world with stalagmites and stalactites are everywhere in sight. At the end of the temple, the Buddha can be seen as pilgrims pray under a dimly lit cave.

13. Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is simply the best of Vietnam. In Cameron and Natasha’s opinion, Ninh Binh is the best place to visit in Vietnam. Just a short train journey away from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is ideal for anyone who only has a few spare days around the capital.

Ninh Binh was described by a fellow traveler as being like Ha Long Bay, just less popular and with less water, and that’s exactly what it is!

Once you arrive you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of limestone monoliths, topped with beautiful dense greenery that elegantly emerge right from the earth.

There are plenty of things to do in Ninh Binh like explore Bai Dinh and Bich Dong Pagodas. Another option is to climb Hang Mua Peak, or just venture around on a motorbike. Ninh Binh i picking up in popularity on the Vietnam backpacker trail too, meaning there are plenty of delicious places to eat. Make sure to get to Chookies for healthy vegan food and an iced coconut coffee!

14. Tam Coc

Just near Ninh Binh Town, another fine day trip from Hanoi is Tam Coc. This is a truly stunning area of Vietnam that is best seen by the river. Much like the Perfume Pagoda trip, Tam Coc requires hiring a wooden boat and a rower to take you through Halong Bay like landscapes, rice paddy fields and a series of caves which are quite spooky.

Picking the right time of year to go Tam Coc is crucial as the scenes are much more beautiful when the rice paddies haven’t been harvested. Once everything gets pulled up, there’s a lot of muddy water and no lush green crops to see. However choosing travel times can be difficult as the harvest season is so broad so you may just have to be lucky!

Getting to Tam Coc is the hard part and although it might not seem far from Hanoi, the roads have seen better days so expect the journey to Tam Coc to take 2.5 hours. Or you can just stay in Ninh Binh!

15. Sa Pa

Still wondering where to go in Vietnam? From the Mekong Delta to the far reaches of Vietnam, Sa Pa is about as far as you can go before you cross into China. Once you escape the city of Hanoi, Vietnam’s natural wonders shine and it’s truly one of the most spectacular off the track destinations you can go in Vietnam

Getting to Sa Pa is no easy feat taking 12 hours by train from Hanoi. I highly recommend purchasing a sleeper cabin because of this.

Sa Pa is known for its hillside rice paddy fields extending as far as the eye can see while Vietnam’s tallest mountain shows drastic contrast to the rest of Vietnam.

Mount Fansipan soars to 3.143 meters and is known as the ‘roof of Indochina’. Hiking to the top is an option, but a grueling one, otherwise opt for a gondola.

If you are traveling from south to north, make Sa Pa your last stop as it truly reflects what Vietnam is all about, enriched in traditional culture, unattached from civilization and completely immersed in nature. Sa Pa is incredible.

When is the Best Time of Year to Travel to Vietnam?

Ho Chi Minh City

To avoid the monsoon season, October to April is recommended however temperatures will be higher.

Da Nang

September and October by far has the highest rainfall while temperatures peak from May to August.

Hanoi

Hanoi has the best climate in Vietnam making the best months to visit from December through to April.

How to Travel Around Vietnam?

Fresh fruit is always available

Getting around Vietnam is easier than you think with trains, buses and bikes readily available. If you are planning on hiring a scooter or motorbike for a length of the country adventure, I highly recommend being an experienced rider as road conditions throughout the country can be terrible and scary at time. Always wear a helmet – it’s actually a law in Vietnam (although many don’t obey it).

If you are constrained by time, planes are a perfectly safe option in Vietnam. Opt for Vietnam Airlines over low-cost VietJet Air, which almost always runs with delays and cancellations.

Major airports are located in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi while smaller regional airports are found in all of the mentioned places apart from the Mekong Delta and Sa Pa.

Plan Your Trip to Vietnam

Book your Halong Bay Cruise! Planning on visiting the beautiful Ha Long Bay? Read our full review of our trip and use the code THEWORLDPURSUIT20 for 20% your three-day cruise!

Need Transportation? See the best ways to get around Asia here. 

Travel Insurance: We never travel without travel insurance with World Nomads. Natasha is a bit of a worry wart and would rather stay safe than sorry. World Nomads offers incredible flexible and great plans!

Water: The water in Vietnam is not drinkable. Check out some of our favorite purified travel water bottles here. 

Guide Book: Sometimes it’s nice just to have a real book in your hands when traveling. We recommend Lonely Planet.

Adapter: Make sure you find a good universal adapter like the one I have to keep you charged. Otherwise, you may struggle to find one once you land.

Read More:

15 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

16 Reasons Why You Need to Travel to Taiwan

16 Best Things to do in Ubud, Bali • The Spiritual Capital of Indonesia

30 Reasons Why Japan is My Favorite Country to Travel

15 Amazing Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam • A Must Visit City

Niseko Ski Resort • 25 Things to Know For Your Ski Vacation

15 Best Things to do in Osaka, Japan

The 20 Best Honeymoon Destinations in the World

Furano Ski Resort • The Best Spot For JAPOW

13 Halong Bay Cruise Tips To Know Before Your Trip to Vietnam

30 Unique Things To Do In Japan • Ultimate Japan Bucket List

15 Worthwhile Things to do in Colombo, Sri Lanka

About the Author

Calumn Hockey

G’day! My name is Calumn Hockey and I am a keen adventurer, traveler, and photographer from Bowraville, Australia. I have a huge passion for the mountains of the Himalaya in Nepal to the Southern Alps of New Zealand while being one who loves to become immersed in local culture. Over the past few years, I have been fortunate enough to travel to some pretty epic locations such as Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Nepal, and South East Asia. I might not have a high tally of countries under my belt but there is nothing better than exploring somewhere you love in depth and becoming connected with the sights and sounds. Keen to follow my adventures? Follow me on @CalumnHockey

THANKS FOR READING!

Join Our Email List!

The post 15 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam appeared first on The World Pursuit.

[yahoo-roto-arcade-blog]

Adam Thielen's fantasy greatness among things to watch on Thanksgiving

Adam Thielen: League winner?

That’s the question those who own him and those who passed will be pondering on Thanksgiving when the Vikings visit the Lions. The past three weeks, Thielen has piled up 387 receiving yards on 19 grabs. The criticism is that he’s not a TD maker, but he’s scored one time in each of the last three contests.

Thielen’s games 8-10 have accounted for the ninth most fantasy points in standard scoring by a receiver over that same crucial three-game span in a season since 2010, according to Pro-Football-Reference. To help us figure out what that means for Thielen, let’s look at some of the other wideouts who similarly excelled.

Of course, many are just great players who were drafted highly to dominate. Guys like Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham and Julio Jones. While Thielen was atop my wide receiver recommendations in August due to his fantastic efficiency in 2016, his ADP was only 126 in August.

If you want to take a dim view of Thielen and ignore the 2016 performance and recent fantasy dominance and think he’s a bit of a fluke, then his most comparable players on the list of top performances during games 8-10 in a season are 2010 Brandon Lloyd, Dwayne Bowe, Santonio Holmes and Stevie Johnson and 2014 Emmanuel Sanders (even though Sanders has developed into a very good/great and similarly undervalued receiver). The average rest of season performance for those wideouts was 4.7 catches for 70 receiving (plus rushing) yards and about 0.4 touchdowns. That’s 9.4 standard points per game or 14.1 in PPR. I would bet heavily on Thielen to top that. Like Sanders in 2014, I think it’s pretty clear that Thielen no matter what you previously thought of him is a top 20 real-life receiver, at least. Maybe he’s top 10 given he’s doing all this with Case Keenum at quarterback.

Thielen’s developed instant chemistry with Keenum and is a solid bet to continue to produce. I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t a top 12 WR going forward. The schedule after the Lions: at the Falcons, at Carolina, Bengals and at Packers (fifth worst in yards allowed per pass attempt). Only the Packers game poses potential weather problems and three are indoors.

Now let’s take a look at just the Thanksgiving slate.

Watch the Vikings and Lions on play-action. Minnesota uses it more frequently than any team and Matthew Stafford has a 125 passer rating on these plays, according to my research for The Wall Street Journal. This shows you don’t even need to run the ball well for play-action to work.

This is of course a terrible spot for the Lions given Minnesota’s ability to stuff opposing offenses. While the Lions somehow won the prior meeting, 14-7 in Minnesota, Stafford was a non-factor with zero TD passes. The Lions lone TD was scored by Ameer Abdullah, who has found pay dirt in three straight games but remains horribly inefficient (3.4 per rush and just 6.1 per reception). When he’s not popping a big run (10-plus yards), Abdullah is averaging 1.9 per carry, about a 0.6 below the league average.

The Cowboys have the slowest offense in the NFL, perhaps the slowest this decade. Dez Bryant has to have someone to keep safeties deep so he can operate a little more freely in the intermediate area of the field. It’s hard to remember many (any?) times when Bryant is running free. Maybe he just can’t run anymore, period. He’s averaging just 6.9 yards per target. Prior to his foot injury, with Tony Romo, that figure (for 2014) was 9.7. I can’t see how this offense works now. Alfred Morris isn’t the problem: 144 yards on 28 carries since Ezekiel Elliott began serving his suspension.

I loved Tyrell Williams before the season but he’s had one good game and is near invisible now. Keenan Allen is clearly the man for the Chargers, accounting for 26.2% of Phillip Rivers’ targets — old school numbers. Unlike the Cowboys, the Chargers have Travis Benjamin to threaten defenses deep.

You want to play Orleans Darkwa against the Redskins, who had no answers for the Saints running backs in Week 11. Yes, they had all kinds of problems late with Coby Fleener but you have to worry if Evan Engram as an unpolished rookie can withstand being the focus of the defense on every snap. That was a big problem for Engram against the Chiefs. Darkwa is sneaky good right now and this is a great matchup.

You need to add Josh Doctson now. Someone has to step up into the void with Kirk Cousins still able to deal. Yes, he can spread it around without Chris Thompson now, too. But Doctson has seven targets in each of the last two games and I see double-digits on Thanksgiving. Cousins targets are very valuable, given his sterling 8.1 yards per pass attempt (fourth among active QBs).

#_author:Michael Salfino #_category:yct:001000854 #_lmsid:a077000000CFoGyAAL #_revsp:54edcaf7-cdbb-43d7-a41b-bffdcc37fb56 #_uuid:ffb2b66a-e074-3b44-86a1-abc78cd2e4e8

[womanonthe111]

DAVID. My story

When I retired, I volunteered at a day centre for the homeless. I was able to listen to the stories of the people who used the centre. David was skeletal when he arrived and in a great deal of pain from his arthritis. This is his story.

                                DAVID. My story

I moved to Collyhurst 6 years ago. I like it. It’s very quiet. You can literally hear a pin drop which is just the way I like it. I was fine until June 5th this year. I’m 59 and I’ve been unemployed for quite some time. I was a security guard until two and a half years ago. I worked for Initial in Salford. I left because they refused to pay me in cash. They said I needed a bank account. There is no law to say you actually need one but they insisted, so I had to leave.

They used to be called the Department of Work and Pensions but now it’s the Job Centre. I was getting job seekers allowance but they said I wasn’t doing enough to get a job so they suspended me for 2 weeks. After that suspension they still accused me of not trying enough to get work. They told me to go on this gateway thing, which I did, but because of one thing or another I couldn’t remember my password so I couldn’t log on. They said I wasn’t doing enough so they told me I was suspended again for five months. I was suspended from June 6th this year and it’s due to end Oct  6th.

For the first three months I was living on water. I had no food, they cut me off completely. I got no money whatsoever. I couldn’t afford gas or electricity as I had no money. The rent thankfully is already paid. I get housing benefit and council tax so the full rent is paid by the council. At least I had somewhere to sleep. I don’t know what I was to do to eat. You’ve got no money, you can’t buy food. I didn’t know about Cornerstone or the food banks. I didn’t know they existed. I heard about food banks on the radio when I had electricity but I took no notice. I was literally living on sips of water. Normally I’m 13 and a half stone, I must have lost 5 and a half stone in weight. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t have a GP until a worker at Cornerstone twisted my arm and helped me to find a doctor. He has given me a form for an x-ray which I have to take to the hospital. I keep reminding myself to do it. I keep leaving the form at home. I’ve got a really bad hip which is very painful. It’s Arthritis. He gave me tablets for the pain. They work. I take two tablets now every 6 hours and now the pain is down to a dull ache.

I don’t talk to my family and I don’t have any friends so I couldn’t ask anyone for help. I have no heating, no hot water so I couldn’t keep myself clean. I was literally left in a void. The flat at the moment is cold and damp because I have no heating. I had a large electricity debt, I don’t know how much it was but I’ve tried to get the amount reduced which I haven’t been able to do yet. Through some arm twisting and help from Cornerstone I got the electric meter unlocked and I can now use the key.  They gave me £10 of electricity so at least I’ve got some electric. I still don’t know how much of the debt I have to pay but I hope it’s not too much. Until I came here a month ago I didn’t know about food banks. Now I get a food parcel once a week which is good. When I first had my first can of beans straight from the tin it was fantastic. I was surprised what a can of beans will do. I’ve got electric but I can’t use the stove because I can’t cook on it.  It’s gas.

I can use the grill so I can do sausages and things like that if I can get hold of them which I can’t very often. I can make toast now. I can make tea as I have an electric kettle. I have 9 pounds to spend onelectric plus Cornerstone gave me a £2 emergency loan of some kind. So now I can listen to the radio.

I’m a great reader but Central Library is still being redone and the building the library they are now using doesn’t have a general reader’s library so I can’t go there. I must have read all the books I’ve got at least 10 times. I like to read historical books. The local library is closed. It might have moved but I don’t know where.

It takes me an  hour to walk here to the Day Centre from Collyhurst. It takes me 2 hours to where I have to sign on. I’ve always signed on there. The advisers told me there is one in Newton Health but I don’t know where that is.

When I was being paid job seekers allowance I made sure I had my £2:20 bus fares once a fortnight. Buses are a luxury. I use 11Shansi’s pony". I walk everywhere .Touchwood, I get job seekers allowance again on Oct 6th. When I am reinstated I will be getting £143 a fortnight . When you are suspended you still have to sign on, so I have to walk.

Since I heard about Cornerstone I come here every day. It’s easier. I’m putting the weight on again. I still look thin but I’m getting better. I have put on three stone in weight in a month.

The food here is basic but it’s good because I have no gas. I can’t cook things like pasta. I tried soaking it in cold water which you can do but it’s horrible. So at the moment I’m eating out of cans, which is good. A lot of people say 11eeghh 11 but you can if you are hungry enough, definitely. If you’ve got some eggs and you have some electric, you can boil them in a kettle. It’s quite nice.

The initial feeling of starvation is that you are incredibly hungry for about 2 weeks and then that feeling goes. Then all you’ve got is a dull ache in your stomach. But if you keep hydrated it doesn’t really hurt or anything like that. I tried going to the dole and told them I was starving but they just don’t care. I know that the Salvation Army runs a soup kitchen. I worked for the Salvation Army for six years in the old hostel on Chepstow Street In 1972. It was a real dive. I was working there when they built the one on Wilmot street. I worked there for six years, washing up and security. I enjoyed it until I stupidly had an argument with one of the new residents. He was supposed to be helping, picking up the pots so they could be washed but he just stood there yapping. So I said do your job or else. He complained to the boss and I was thrown out. I was then on the streets. It’s terrible being on the streets. You are constantly hounded by the police. You have to keep moving all the time. If you do find somewhere to stay, you have to be sure the police aren’t anywhere around. I’ve never begged for food yet and I’m not about to start. I’ve seen a lot of people who are in a worse state than me begging.  I can’t do that, Begging keeps you alive but only for a limited time. If you can’t keep warm you start suffering from arthritis and things like that. Life expectancy on the streets is about 5 years roughly. It’s even worse in winter. It’s horrible.

I have this horrible meeting at CTEC this week. CTEC is a privately owned employment agency and they try and find you a job, any job .Their success rate is 1in 100 if you are lucky. When I arrive I sign the attendance book and use the computers. You can only use them for a maximum of 2 hours, because there are so many people trying to do the same thing. Thankfully that course is over. It didn’t help me find a job. It was a two year government course that you have got to attend   every Day,  whether you like it or not. If you fall sick you have to put in a sick note. It’s basically work search, like a job club. It’s ended for me and about a 1000 other people. They are given a lot of money to help people back to work but when I asked if they could help me renew my badge for security, they laughed at me and said “we don’t do things like that”. But they were getting paid to help me into work. That would have helped me. Where does the money go? Most of the jobs are below the minimum wage. It’s illegal to pay below the minimum wage but companies still get away with it.

They can literally send you on a job where you don’t get paid at all. It’s slave labour. I was listening to the radio about eight months ago. There was a woman who was working 5 jobs to get by. She was then sent to one of these jobs that don’t pay. She took them to court and won. I’m well enough to go back to work now but I can’t get another security job because my license has expired. It would cost me £250 to renew it. I’d have to take the whole training course again.

I come here to Cornerstone every day and get help with my job search. I have applied for over 10 jobs now so I’m hoping to get a reply. One job I would like is a reception/security job at the university. I’m hoping to get a reply within 48 hours.

Without Cornerstone I would be still sipping water, maybe dead. None of the neighbours noticed I was losing weight. It’s lovely and quiet where I live but the neighbours keep to themselves so I don’t talk to them very often. They didn’t notice how much weight I was losing.

I don’t remember who recommended Cornerstone. I think I met someone on the street. When I arrived I got a good meal, a bag of clothing and a food parcel and I have been coming here ever since. It’s brilliant. I can’t recommend it often enough.  There must be lots of other people who are in my situation. They don’t want to come because they don’t want a hand-out. They survive by begging or they steal to get heroin or crac or something like that to dull the pain, because you are in pain. I don’t take drugs ever, only the arthritis tablets.

I was born on Moss Lane East but I don’t have a mancunain accent. My father was Polish, my mother was from Devon. She was a dancer. My father family goes way back to 830ad. I used to speak polish quite fluently but I’ve lost it. I could do with learning a language again. My father died in 63 when I was 9 and I was sent to a residential school in Cheshire. I don’t know why I was sent there. I’ve got brothers and sisters, Tomny the eldest, Paul and Sue. I think I have got more but I don’t know about them. Just before my father died, my mother lashed out and gave me a good clout round the earholes. I’ve never known or found out why. I was thrown and locked in the coal hole. I never knew why. I spent a long time in the school. It was the longest and loneliest times I’ve ever had. It was not a very nice place. I had no education to speak of. If you were lucky you were given the basics, reading writing and arithmetic. That was it, if you were lucky. If you were really lucky you joined the brass band, which I did or the army cadet force which I was lucky to get in.

.At 16 I was I was boarded ,fostered in Matson. I stayed there till I was 18. At eighteen I don’t know what happened. I must have annoyed the foster mother or something but she told me to never darken her door step again. I can’t remember any good things there. I got a job in a canning company making cans. It was mind numbing but I stuck it out for two and a half years but I got bored and walked out. I shouldn’t have done. Because I’ve got no qualifications so as to speak so I couldn’t get another job for a long time. I’ve never been married. Never had a real girlfriend. I don’t think I’m cut out for marriage. I don’t think a woman would stay by me long enough.

My father gave me one of the old brownies cameras when I was eight years old and I’ve been doing it ever since. Photography was my first love, my passion. I can’t do anything now, my camera is broken. I haven’t got the money to get it repaired. I’ve got a medium format LEA 645 which is a very good camera. If I could get it fixed I would really love that. I specialize in portraits and anything that takes my fancy, landscapes, architecture, you name it except porn. I don’t charge for the photographs I take because I don’t think I’m good enough. Now everyone uses digital but that’s not photography, no way. The whole mystique of photography is that you never know how your image is going to come out when you develop it and print it. In digital photography this doesn’t happen. It can be manipulated and changed to how you want it. If I get a job, I could take photographs again.

I got an A level in Photography at the old Burley Education Centre . Since then it has been pulled down. They destroyed a whole community there. It’s now part of the Manchester Metropolitan University. Before they knocked it down the student association put in a plan to save it. We proposed we could refurbish the whole college for £250 .000 but they had already made their decision to knock it down. The university has built their own monstrosity there, just for university students. The local community has no access to adult education now.

#writing #short stories