Without the creatives of the world, life would be pretty boring. Like all workers, writers deserve job security and fair compensation for their labor. Writing is real work, just like acting is real work, and making music is real work. Pursuing a career in the arts is not frivolous, and should not be a luxury only a lucky few can afford. To learn more about the WGA strike and what union members are fighting for, visit the WGA website or check out this article: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/may/04/writers-on-why-theyre-standing-up-to-hollywood-this-is-fundamentally-broken

"My favorite thing about her is the fact that she's taken her grandmother on the red carpet as her date multiple times, and fills her Instagram with posts about how "Granzo Pat" means the world to her. As someone who was very close with both grandmothers (and who misses them dearly every day), it's really special to see someone else celebrating such an important bond."

Read the whole post at: https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/pugh-pugh-says-the-pistol

“I attended a summer camp where [poet Ruth Awad] was a guest speaker. At the time, I only wrote short stories. She talked about tools of poetry and her newest book of poems, and even encouraged the entire camp to write a poem. 

Although I was a little skeptical at first, I decided to try it. I wrote one about a mother looking for her dead daughter and when I read it aloud, it scared Ruth. That was the moment I realized my poem was powerful.”

Read the whole story at https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/have-you-seen-my-heart

Making the internet a little less awful since 2021.

"Back in 2020, a friend of mine took her young daughter to see their favorite band--Icon for Hire--play for her very first concert. They had an AMAZING time; among other things, Shawn Jump dedicated and sang one of the songs to her and gave her a guitar pick, and Ariel, who's severely germophobic, didn't hesitate to give her a hug. When the show ended, my friend discovered that her car battery had died, leaving them stranded a couple hours from home. Cue Ariel and Shawn to the rescue!" Read the whole story at https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/theres-beauty-in-the-breakdown

"Joey Batey appreciation time!

I'd never heard of Joey Batey before the Witcher, but man am I in love with him now. He's so multitalented--an actor, a musician, and a GIANT D&D/Warhammer nerd. His improv (and love of real-life shenanigans) makes me laugh until my ribs hurt, and his music hits you right in the feelings. It shows a really different side of him than comes across on TV.

The other thing I'm really pleased by is that by all accounts, he's great to work with--humble, funny, hardworking, and an all-around good guy. I can't wait to see what he does next; you can bet I'll be watching him for years to come."

Read the full post at https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/did-i-not-bring-you-some-glee

Surprise, surprise – the first post in almost a year is about Chris Evans and the ABSDURD reactions of some of his "fans" to the news that he's in a relationship (and has been for a while). "Your support isn't something you give in exchange for another person behaving the way you want. If you did that to someone you actually knew, everybody around you would call you out for being an abusive, toxic shithead. If people tried to say to my face the things that they’re saying to/about him and his partner online, I think I’d just…bust up laughing, honestly. Can you imagine trying to tell someone with a straight face that they’re totally irredeemable as a person because they didn’t talk about their new partner somewhere where you, a total stranger, could hear about it, judge it, and offer your unsolicited feedback? Mr. Evans, you’re a good egg. I’m genuinely happy that you’ve met someone you feel a connection with, and I’m sorry that your joy is inevitably being subjected to the slings and arrows of shark-stans on the internet. I hope you’re not reading any of it, and I hope she’s not being overwhelmed or hurt by the vitriol and jealousy of strangers. May the universe bring you both nothing but abundant joy." You can read the full rant at: https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/just-when-you-thought-it-was-safe-to-go-back-in-the-water

Because if there's one thing that never changes, it's people being shitty about their parasocial relationships with celebrities on the internet!

"Guys like him--and Vin Diesel, and Joe Manganiello, etc.--made it possible to admit, publicly, that you play something other than Halo. I wish they'd been around and nerding out about this stuff publicly when I was in high school and college, but hey, I'll take it now!

And if he happens to have left WoW for FFXIV, I'll also take a party invite. I rock DPS, man. Just sayin'." https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/toss-a-coin-to-your-gamer

https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/soy-la-mexicana-con-tremendo-flow

"The influence coming out has had on her style, her lyrics, and even her videos is clear as day and I LOVE it. It feels amazing to have representation in the rap scene."

New buttercups have been planted for the folks in the tags! Check them out at www.buildupcheerup.com.

https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/as-queer-as-king-lear

"I remember when I found out he was gay, how much braver I suddenly felt. The guy has had a huge career and achieved so much, and he's been true to himself for a lot of it. If he can do that, I can at least be out to my family or at my job."

https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/what-he-do-in-the-spotlight

"The fact that the internet is thirsting over him is like...unreal. As a chubby person myself and an aspiring actor, it makes me feel worlds better about the industry I'm trying to break into and peoples' ability to see beauty in all kinds of human beings."

https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/not-just-a-scream-queen

"She talks a lot about how getting older makes you more alive and a more interesting person, which I feel is really true, and embracing that makes it easier to accept some of the physical changes in myself that I'm not as wild about. If that's the price of being someone I love and am proud to be, it's worth it!"

https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/reader-tears-only-make-him-stronger

"On a personal level, I want to shower this brilliant man with thanks and accolades; as a reader, I want to punch him right in his beautiful nerd face, which is the highest compliment I know how to give any writer apart from throwing their book across the room."

https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/a-wrinkle-in-your-racist-bs

"The thought that Black children everywhere were going to get to see someone who looked like them traveling through space and saving the world made me cry. It still does. Also, casually tossing in an inter/multiracial family (and budding relationship, re: Meg and Cal) without needing to explain it or justify it? POWER MOVE."

https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/she-can-t-actually-alter-time-guys

"Could people stop being complete dick weasels for one minute? Just one? All the shit that's wrong in the world, and they want to come at her over a decade-old post about Michelle Pfeiffer being her favorite Catwoman? Un-fucking-real."