Entry 12: All Hail Takumi

Castle building time! I built a giant dragon statue that heals units during invasions, which is nice I guess, and also an arena so I can make my soldiers fight to the death and bet on whether they perish! Unfortunately, when I went to use the arena, the dumb clerk said I couldn’t use it yet. Meanie.

Support: Hinata/Oboro

C: Hinata’s hair is too long, so Oboro cuts it for him. He requests she make him look like Takumi, because apparently one dude with a pineapple haircut is too few. The duo reflect on their mutual admiration of Takumi, their desire for his coolness to rub off on them, and their rivalry over who is more loyal.

B: Hinata offers to cut Oboro’s hair and she rejects him, saying that he will mess it up because he’s Hinata. The two of them continue talking about how cool Takumi is and how much they want to be like him.

A: Hinata and Oboro discuss the fact that they only bicker because they respect each other. Also, Takumi is cool. All hail Takumi.

S: The two of them get engaged, talking about Takumi throughout their proposals.

Review: Holy crap you two, shut up about Takumi. He isn’t even cool. They have good chemistry, but all they talk about is how much they love Takumi.

Support: Azama/Hinoka

C: Azama makes fun of Hinoka’s hair, clothes, and clumsiness, despite the fact that she’s a goddamn member of the royal family and probably could have him executed on the spot. She threatens to stab him and he brings up the fact that he’s only her retainer because he saved her life once.

B: Hinoka is sad over the deaths of innocent soldiers and Azama gives no sympathy because people die every day. She questions why he saved her when she was a child and he says he did it because she looked furious and he thought saving her would be interesting. She points out that he’s a horrible person, but says she respects his confidence.

A: Hinoka begs Azama to save a dying man and Azama says it isn’t worth the effort. When pressed, he says the man will die anyway. Hinoka orders him to do his damn job and he begrudgingly tries to save the dying man. He dies anyway, and Azama tells Hinoka that she should have just let him die peacefully, telling her that her kindness will be her downfall.

S: Azama goes up to Hinoka and tells her that they’re engaged. Hinoka kinda just goes along with it after Azama lists his good qualities.

Review: I actually kinda liked this one, oddly enough. Azama’s dickishness went so far that it looped around and made him likeable. This conversation touches on the horrors of war in a way that most conversations don’t and I do enjoy Azama teaching Hinoka that there are limits to her kindness. I just wish that Azama’s lackadaisy attitude was a facade, a la Hawkeye Pierce. The two of them, like most couples in this game, have little chemistry. Still, Azama going up to a member of the royal family and declaring the two of them engaged is so audacious I respect it.

Support: Corrin/Mozu

C: Mozu is lugging around some heavy boxes full of vegetables, because she is a strong little girl. This leads to a conversation about Mozu’s village; Corrin asks if Mozu misses her old life, Mozu says not to worry, Corrin says she’ll probably never stop worrying about Mozu.

B: Mozu talks about hunting as a child. Apparently she fought bears, because Mozu is a god of death.

A: Corrin decides to give Mozu a basic education, which Corrin is in no way qualified to do, considering that she has consistently shown herself to be the dumbest person in our army. Corrin says some stuff about the army being Mozu’s new family and Mozu cries. It’s sweet.

S: Corrin says he used to pity Mozu, but now has nothing but respect for her for her courage. The two of them get married.

Review: Corrin’s interactions with Mozu are very sweet. The S-Rank, again, doesn’t really work, but then again few S-Rank’s do. Overall, a very charming support line, if a bit bland. Also Mozu killed a bear with her bare hands because she is a terrifying death god disguised as a little girl.

Support: Hinoka/Setsuna

C: Setsuna makes Setsuna a cup of tea so bad it’s almost poisonous. The two of them discuss the fact that they both suck at cooking and decide to team up to become better chefs.

B: Hinoka and Setsuna try to make eggs. It does not go well.

A: The girls finally make a good meal by working together and decide they can do anything if they put their minds to it. Setsuna gets stuck in the pantry.

Review: This was a fluff support line, which is okay, I guess. I would have liked it to have a bit more meat, perhaps an explanation of why she made the walking disaster that is Setsuna her retainer, but I will admit that it was a fun read.

Birthright Chapter 10: Ninja Village

The party travels through Mokushu, the ninja country from Kaze and Saizo’s support conversation. Kaze says that he isn’t worried about the people of Mokushu being conquered by Nohr because of their sick martial arts prowess. Zola sneaks up on the party because...wait, hold on, they didn’t tie him up? We weren’t shown him escaping, so I guess that means they just let him go after he tried to kill him. My god, Corrin gets dumber with each passing moment.

Zola surrenders and begs for amnesty. Corrin asks why they should trust him and he says that they really shouldn’t, cause of the whole attempted murder thing. But, he doesn’t have an army anymore, which means he isn’t a threat. He says that he can be of assistance and Corrin decides to bring him along, ignoring objections from the smart people in the party. To be fair, she does say Hinoka will kill him if he acts suspicious, but seriously just leave him in Mokushu he’s obviously going to betray you. Want to know how I know? Because he didn’t join our army.

Suddenly, someone throws a shuriken at Sakura. Kaze identifies it as belonging to a Mokushu ninja. Zola speculates that Mokushu might have an alliance with Nohr. The daimyo of Mokushu, Kotaro, shows up and says that Mokushu has an alliance with Nohr. Then the battle starts.

The map is filled with spike traps that activate as we step on them. We can use the Dragon Veins to spring them on the enemies instead. At the start of turn two, Takumi just kinda wanders into the battle and starts shooting Hinoka, which is weird because she isn’t one of the sisters he hates. Also he keeps muttering kill and is labeled an enemy, which is probably bad. He also whines about his inferiority complex, which is why he’s way lamer than Ryoma.

Azura sings to him and breaks his mind control. What can’t singing do?

During this map, I was reminded that Takumi is an unstoppable death god who can kill everything with ease. I paired him up with Corrin and waltzed through the woods, one-shotting ninjas left and right. I did hold them back and let Saizo kill the boss, though. Because, you know, he killed Saizo’s dad, something only told in an optional support conversation. Saizo actually has unique dialogue with him where he does the whole Inigo Montoya thing. Although, it was technically Hinoka who did the finishing blow, because Saizo doesn’t hit hard enough to kill.

Overall, this map was fine, I guess. The spikes were more a nuisance than a serious game changer. I did get good healer HP, though. Speaking of healers, there’s one stationed in the top right of the map who watched as I killed every other member of the army and slowly approached her before putting an arrow between her eyes. We’re the good guys!

After the battle, Hinoka and Sakura cry over how happy they are that Takumi isn’t evil anymore. He explains that he and Ryoma were separated after being attacked and that he ended up falling into the bottomless canyon. Then he woke up mind controlled and attacking us. I’m sure that’s not something we need to worry about.

At the end of the chapter, Takumi is finally nice to Azura because she saved him. Also Azura starts coughing, which means she is definitely going to die at the end of the game.

Kaze returns with Kagero, Ryoma’s ninja retainer who was imprisoned in Kotaro’s cellar. She tells us that Ryoma went to Cheve to fight Nohr. And didn’t look for his brother ever, I guess.

Overall, this chapter was okay. The stuff with Zola was dumb and could have been handled last chapter, and the fact that is completely sidelines Saizo is kinda frustrating, but Takumi got some cool character development and there was some foreshadowing about the bottomless canyon.

crash 4 demo spoilers

just some loose thoughts on the crash 4 demo after having played through it over the last two days.

the music is a mixed bag, some of it is kinda boring (dino dash), some of it is good (snow way out). nothing really stands out to me beyond the cortex reprise (ship happens) though. i hope the full soundtrack has more bangers, cause the songs here didn’t really hype me up like past games.

i don’t like the circle thing under crash when he jumps, really pulling for them to make it optional in the full game but i won’t hold my breath.

i hate the ice physics, they’re like way more sensitive than the OT.

crash controls really well. i was worried his double jump would feel floaty like in warped but it's closer to twinsanity. feels good.

cortex also feels good to control. a big improvement on his twinsanity playstyle, he’s kinda like crash except he dashes and shoots instead of double jumps. he takes some getting used to for sure, but i honestly enjoyed playing as cortex. wish he segment was longer and didn’t just lead into an alternate version of a crash level we already played, but i digress. also cortex should’ve been protected by uka uka but instead he’s protected by aku aku, which makes no sense and i hope they fix or explain that.

the game over screen is uninspired like NST’s except this time there’s no uka uka so it’s lamer.

the bonus levels are way more challenging than they need to be but i get it. i always took bonus levels as being more about getting extra lives and wumpas rather than an additional challenge but i guess that’s just me.

the overall levels are fun and challenging in a good way. i love the art direction and level design, some of it was really hard and it took a bunch of trial and error but i think i got the hang of things.

the cutscene at the start of snow way out was very good and i love cutscenes and hope we get a lot of them in the full game. feels like a genuine cartoon.

crash’s death animations aren’t varied enough, but the ones we do get are pretty good so it’s fine.

i loved the demo and i can’t wait for the full game.

Reassuring myself over TROS “leaks“

Spoiling the entire plot of a movie this big is serious business, you run many risks.

I hear it has happened before with a Marvel movie, that the leaks were hated, but at the end people actually liked what they saw at the cinema.

This can be for three reasons:

- the actors’ interpretation and/or the visuals made up for a story that was bad and stayed just that bad

- the leaker hadn't relayed the info in an effective way and what he told was just a lamer story because, there is no nice way to say it, he is not very bright.

- of course the last reason is a mix of the first two.

I haven't read those leaks and I haven't watched the movie, I have no idea which of the three options was true. Number two must have played a big part I guess because obviously whoever puts his job on the line and runs the risk to never work on stuff on this level anymore isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, is he?

The risk after all is real. if people get visited by the Mouse's lawyer for arguably minor tidbits, I'd think someone leaking the entire plot would get some massive shit to deal with. For what? Celebrity? Hardly. The info must be anonymous to the mass and so it's passed on to others that will post it.

How intelligent must be someone with a job good enough to be in the position to be one of the very few that know the entire plot of a very important movie months in advance who decides to go ahead and risk said job gaining pretty much nothing in exchange? Not much.

How prone am I to think that someone that stupid will be able to really understand the plot and the significance of certain things especially if they are not clearly spelled out? Not much.

TL/DR - A leaker of something this massive is in all probability such an imbecile to not even understand what he's leaking.

whumptober day 12

prompt: “don’t move”

whumpee: matt murdock (yes again i’m sorry) and frank castle!!

I haven’t seen enough canon interaction between matt and frank to know if this is an AU or not so whoops sorry,,,,also sorry this is a day late i should be back on schedule today tho

“Don’t move, Red, don’t move it.”

“Wasn’t...wasn’t planning on it,” Matt replied tightly, gingerly cradling his left arm with his right. As he said this, however, he became curious about moving his arm, and attempted it. 

“Shit! Ow!”

“I told you not to move it.”

“Shuttup, Frank.”

“Stop moving your damn arm then.”

Matt stayed silent for a moment. “You know,” he said finally, “it’s broken. I can feel it.”

“Yeah, and I can see it. You should go to a hospital or somethin’.”

“No...no, they’ll just put it in a cast.”

“Yeah?”

“And,” Matt continued, slightly irritated that he was having to spell this out, “if they put it in a cast, how am I supposed to do my job?”

“You can practice law with one arm.”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Relax. Hell’s Kitchen can manage a couple weeks without you.”

“No, I can’t...I can’t abandon my home. There’s too much happening...it’s not safe.”

Frank groaned inwardly. He’d hoped it wouldn’t come to this, hoped Matt would be sensible, but...he’d known how unlikely that was. The second he’d seen Red, surrounded by collapsed bodies, leaning heavily against the wall of an alley, clutching a clearly-broken arm, he’d known what he was gonna have to do. 

Well. He supposed he didn’t technically have to, but if he didn’t, he knew Matt wouldn’t listen to his advice. He’d try to go right back out there, broken arm and all, and that wouldn’t end well for him.

“I’ll do it.”

“What?”

“I’ll...fill in for you.”

“No.”

“Give me one good reason why not.”

“How do I know you’re not gonna kill someone?”

“I won’t.”

“And, what, you gonna wear my clothes?”

“No.”

“Then people will know it’s not me.”

“I won’t let them see me.”

Matt considered this for a minute. His arm was broken, and pretty severely, too. He knew it would be a bad idea to try to continue being Daredevil while it was healing, but what other choice did he have? Except, now he did have a choice. And, sure, it wasn’t the best of options, but could it really be so bad?

“Fine,” he consented at last. “Just be careful, okay?”

“Yeah, okay. You gonna go to the hospital?”

“I guess. Gotta go home and change first, though.” He was obviously still in his Daredevil suit. He wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to get out of it with one arm, but he’d manage.

A day later, Matt was in his office, left arm wrapped securely in a cast, resting in a sling. He’d explained his injury away by saying he’d just tripped and landed wrong, which sounded a lot lamer than “actually, I got thrown into a wall during a fight, which I won, by the way,” but it seemed to work well enough. At least Foggy had appreciated his actual story, although he did interrupt every other sentence to admonish Matt for not being more careful. 

That night, Frank was out on his first patrol as the acting Daredevil. Nothing much happened. He stopped a mugging. He broke up a fight between an angry group of teenagers. He bought a slice of pie from an all-night diner. This wasn’t too bad at all, he thought.

And then Matt had warned him that there was going to be some business going down with some local gang. Matt had tried to insist upon going himself, explaining how Frank might underestimate them and regret it, but he’d eventually been overtaken by Frank’s assurance that he knew what he was doing.

And he did know what he was doing, but he didn’t have the same training as Matt. And he hadn’t really listened when Matt had warned him about how dangerous these people were. He was used to danger, after all. And Matt had made him promise not to bring a gun, and for once, he’d actually listened. Of course this would be the one time.

He’d suddenly been surrounded by a large group of serious-looking people, several of whom had guns trained on him. 

“Don’t move!”

He stood there, mentally formulating a plan as he was forced to his knees.

“What are you doing here?”

He shrugged. “Just wandered in. What’re you doing here? Nothing illegal?”

That response earned him a backhand to the face. “What are you doing here?” he was asked again.

“Just...filling in for a friend.”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

He sprung up suddenly, grabbing the gun of the man in front of him and firing a few rounds at the others in the room. He saw two of them collapse before something struck him in the side of the head, and he fell to the ground. 

When he woke up, he found himself tied to a chair, the ropes binding him so tightly that he couldn’t do anything as dangerous as breathe deeply.

A man stood in front of him with a dangerous grin on his face. “What are you doing here?” he asked again.

“I told you, I’m filling in for a friend.”

The man punched him in the face. Frank laughed at that. “That’s all you got?”

‘That’s all you got?’ is never a wise thing to say, particularly to a man who has you tied to a chair and is backed up by several friends with guns.

“No, no, that is not all I have got.” the man gestured to one of the others behind him. A woman stepped up to him, holding an array of knives. “Go ahead,” said the man.

The woman carefully cut off Frank’s shirtsleeve at the elbow with a small knife, then held the rest of her knives up to her face, examining each one closely. A slow smile spread across her face as she selected what looked like a bread knife, but smaller. She snapped her fingers, and from behind her, a man handed her a small bottle. She opened it slowly, her grin spreading. “Know what this is?” she asked.

“No.” He didn’t much care, either. What was a little poison, in the grand scheme of things?

“Good,” she said. “It’ll be a surprise.”

She carefully poured the poison across the blade of her knife. She stared into Frank’s eyes for a brief second. “I’m gonna enjoy this,” she said, and with that, dragged the knife in one long cut down Frank’s right forearm. 

It didn’t hurt very much. The cut wasn’t very deep-he’d had far worse. And the poison-was it even poison? Had they just been tricking him?-didn’t feel like anything.

And then it did, and his nerves were on fire, and he couldn’t see anymore-everything had gone white-hot, and he couldn’t even open his mouth to scream.

“Feel that? Made it myself,” said the woman from somewhere in front of him. “It won’t kill you, nothing that merciful. You’ll wish it did. But it won’t. And neither will we. Stay out of our business.”

And he could distantly feel the ropes around him being untied, and feel his body get dragged out into an alley, and then all he could feel was pain, but he couldn’t make a sound, couldn’t stand, couldn’t save himself. All he could do was try to shut the pain out, but he couldn’t. He tried to think of his family, of Matt, of anything at all-but he couldn’t. All he could focus on was the searing-hot pain that enveloped his whole body. 

How long he laid in that alley, he didn’t know. All he knew was that, eventually, the pain subsided slightly, just enough for him to be able to clamp his mouth shut against a scream, enough to see vague outlines in the white. 

And then the pain returned, and it was ten times worse, because he could feel it surging through his body, but he could also feel his heart beating frantically, feel his chest tighten with each breath, feel hot tears roll down his face, feel the asphalt digging into his skin, feel the blood drip from the cut on his arm, feel the sudden change in position as someone picked him up, feel, feel, feel…

What was happening? He was moving...everything hurt...he was on fire, but he was cold, and tired, so tired…

“Don’t move,” said a soft voice.

He struggled for a moment to find his voice. “Red?” he asked hoarsely, slowly opening his eyes.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Wha-what happened? Where am I?”

“You didn’t listen to me and got poisoned, and now you’re at my house.”

“Why?”

“Why did you get poisoned? ‘Cause you underestimated them. Why are you at my house? ‘Cause Foggy and I were walking to work and he saw you in an alley, and I could hear your heart beating wrong, and I knew where you’d been and put two and two together. We didn’t really know where to take you, ‘cause the hospital would’ve asked too many questions, and then you started to come out of it a little and said you weren’t going to die, that ‘she’ had told you, so we brought you here.”

“Oh. Thanks,” said Frank. “How long have I been here?”

“All day. It’s almost midnight.”

“I’m still tired, but I slept for so long.”

“That’s understandable, you were poisoned. Go back to sleep.”

He decided to listen to Matt this time.

i really liked doing this one!!! i meant for it to be a short lil thing i swear but it got away from me

Misadventures of Adrien Agreste (Frightningale)

I decided to post it in case some followers just like reading on Tumblr

“This is a disaster!” Adrien cried out as he looked himself in the mirror. Don’t get him wrong. Clara Nightingale was a great artist and he enjoyed her music from time to time. Being in one of her music videos was a high honor. But this was far from okay. “It’s actually really well done,” Plagg chipped in, offering no consolation whatsoever. He flew around his Chosen a couple times, nodding. “I mean, look at this craftsmanship. They really got the fabric and seams down, I tell you. Although, I could do without the bell. I always thought that looked kinda stupid.” “No, Plagg!” the blonde argued in frustration. “If I put on this mask, they’ll all figure out I’m the real Chat Noir!” “Psh! No way! People are blind!” How his kwami could say that with such confidence, Adrien would never be sure. “Whatever,” he finalized, slipping the black mask under some towels. “The fact remains that I can’t wear it. Now all I need to do is act as lame as possible. Then they’ll have no choice but to replace me.” “You wanna be lame?” Plagg teased, snickering. “Then think of your Princess~ Can’t get lamer than that.” Adrien glared at his kwami, even though his face was beet red. Okay, he would never agree with Plagg vocally, but it was shamefully true. He was an absolute mess around Marinette, at school or just in general. He was definitely more confident as Chat Noir, but it was the magical mask that made him feel just a little more secure, not some cheap cloth one that could be removed at any time. As Chat Noir, he could be suave, funny, romantic, and much more confident. But as Adrien…he could be such a dork. He would stumble over his own two feet whenever Marinette just glanced in his general direction. It made people sort of question how he was a model. He would babble and blush, but others chalked that up to lack of socialization. Maybe Plagg was onto something. If he acted as opposite to Chat Noir as possible, kept his hair neat and groomed, and under no circumstances put on that mask, he might just make it out of this with secret identity intact. When the model stepped out of the trailer, he gaped at everything. He expected a large amount of people to show up since Clara was a famous celebrity, but the number of people in the lines was almost unbelievable! He scanned the area, from the huge stage to the multitude of lights. Clara wasn’t the type to mess around. Suddenly, a flash of a blue pigtail caught his eye. His green eyes frantically searched the crowds. He saw a few wigs, but then he spotted it. Well, her. Marinette stood in line among her friends, her bluebell eyes glittering as she admired Clara Nightingale from afar. So she was a big fan, huh? Suddenly, her eyes drifted to where he was making his way to the stage and he froze. The blunette smiled softly and waved. He stiffly waved back, returning her sweet smile with a nervous one. “Wow,” he heard Marinette say, “Adrien makes a convincing Chat Noir.” The blonde swallowed the lump in his throat. Unfortunately, in his flustered state, he didn’t notice his belt tail had curled around his ankle. With the next step, he stepped on the end of it, which tugged his whole body to the floor with a thud. “I’m okay!” he shouted. He hurriedly stood up and dusted himself off. Everyone laughed at his silly misfortune. But Marinette, being the sweet angel she was, gave him a sympathetic smile and mouthed, “Are you okay?” to him. He shyly nodded to her then power-walked over to Clara.

“Quite dashing I must say,” the popstar praised, “like this was the role you were born to play!” “I must agree,” his father spoke. Well, it wasn’t his father in person. It wasn’t snowing in the Sahara just yet. Adrien nervously stood there as his father assessed him through the tablet. “But where’s the mask?” “O-Oh! Um…” Think fast, doofus! “Well, I, uh, couldn’t find it anywhere!”

“I’ll get on that!” a stage hand announced and rushed to the trailers. Please miraculously find it under 5 feet of concrete and render it unusable. “That’s okay!” Clara cheerily butted in. “A mask isn’t required for rehearsals anyway! But now we need to start! There’s still auditions for Ladybug’s part!” That’s right! Chat Noir needed a Ladybug. They were a team, after all. Adrien unconsciously glanced at Marinette, and that’s all it took for his lovesick mind to take over. He imagined Marinette in that red and black-spotted jumpsuit, smiling up at him and holding out her hand. He took it in his own, still in his Chat Noir costume, and laid a kiss on her hand. She blushed and he pulled her close, leaning in.

“–drien. Adrien!” Clara’s voice broke his fantasy bubble. “Are you okay? You seem a little out of sorts. And you were staring really far away.”

“I’m fine!” the model responded with a smile. However, if he was in his real Chat Noir suit, everyone would’ve witnessed his belt tail curl devilishly as the gears in his head turned. It was obvious Marinette wasn’t in the line for Ladybug auditions. But what if the ones in the line were all just…terrible? What if there was no other option left? Well, guess they’d just have to find someone in the extras line to play the role. And Adrien would conveniently know just the girl with the kindness, bravery, and talent to pull off the Ladybug role flawlessly. Then, he and Marinette dance together, he pulls out a line about being soulmates, and it’s happily ever after from there.

For the most part, that plan turned out to be a greater possibility with each failing audition. A good portion of them were just undeniably awful. They either didn’t fit the hero aesthetic or were too young or old. Those that had a shot were met with a few…let’s call them “incidents.” Yo-yo strings would spontaneously snap. Girls would trip on air. He even convinced a few that they were so bad they made him fall on his butt. A couple hours passed and the audition line was completely barren.

“I can’t wrap my head around it,” the idol stated with confusion, “There has to be someone who will be a good fit.”

Perfect! Now was his chance! “Actually,” the blonde piped up, grabbing Clara’s attention, “I think I saw someone who’d make a good Ladybug.” He discreetly pointed to Marinette, who was chatting with Rose and Juleka. “That’s my friend. Her name’s Marinette. And she’s brave, talented, kind, creative, pure, pretty…” Oops. Did he go too far?

Clara giggled and laid her hand on his shoulder. “I can tell this girl has a special place in your heart. Is that why you wanted no one else to have Ladybug’s part?”

“Was I that obvious?” Adrien sheepishly asked, to which the singer nodded with a grin. “S-sorry about that. I just…” “I understand that you’re smitten,” Clara said with a wink. “I can see why you like her, little kitten.” Suddenly, Clara picked up a tray of snacks. “If giving her the role is really your quest, I say we put her to a little test.” She walked off the stage and to the extras line. Adrien watched in mild respect as Clara intentionally tripped herself, the tray flying through the air as she hit the ground. Marinette immediately rushed to her aid, helping her up. “Let me give you a hug,” the popstar announced, holding Marinette, “because you are Ladybug!” “W-w-what?!” Marinette stuttered in shock. “You did as Ladybug would, all the same! Your heart is truly pure. So what’s your name?” “M-Marinette.” Her stutter is still adorable… “Well, Marinette, I have a proposition for you to know. I would love for you to play Ladybug in my show!” “M-Me? I…um…” Adrien watched as Marinette looked to her friends, at him, then back to Clara. At that point, knowing Marinette’s caring nature, he already knew what she was going to say, and felt his fake ears droop slightly. “I’m sorry. I came here to be an extra with my friends. I’d like to stay with them if that’s okay.” Clara looked to Adrien, and he gave her an understanding nod. “That’s a pity; a real shame. But that is sweet thing to do. A noble gesture indeed. So Ladybug of you.” The singer then helped Marinette over to the trailers and instructed her to stay there with her friends. To be honest, Adrien was disappointed his plan wasn’t perfect at the end. But he’d still be close to Marinette. And her friends looked so happy, with their happy mood making Marinette smile in return. So that counted for something, right? Just as he was about to go over and fail miserably in an attempt to congratulate her, the doors burst open. When Adrien took in the sight, he couldn’t help but groan. Chloe was decked out in her full Ladybug costume, wig and all. Is this karma? Because I’d rather be kicked into the trash can again like back with Rogercop. Chloe haughtily made her way up to the stage like she already got the part. “Your Ladybug has arrived!” she declared. “So let’s get the camera rolling!” “Chloe,” the model scolded, “You need to at least audition.” And by that, I mean, please fail for the sake of my sanity. “Oh yeah. I’ve got that covered.” And off she flew. Adrien had to admit how impressed he was by her gymnastics skills. But gradually the prospects of her not getting the part were looking slimmer and slimmer. “Well, that settles that!” Chloe gloated as she looped her arms around Adrien’s neck, to which he cringed. “We’ll make the best Ladybug and Chat Noir in all of Paris, won’t we Adrichat? Haha! Get it?” “Yeah…” Adrien mumbled, turning stiff. Please save me! Anybody! “Hold on!” Marinette’s voice rang out. The blondes turned to see Marinette stomping on stage and Adrien couldn’t help but sing his praises. “I changed my mind! I will play Ladybug!” the blunette declared, causing Adrien to instantly perk up. Clara was even rejoicing at the news. However, Chloe didn’t take being downgraded to an extra so well. The uppity blonde stormed out while screaming obscenities about deserving the role and whatnot. But her rantings were drowned out by Adrien’s inner thoughts as Marinette was escorted to the dressing room to change. Okay, no pressure here. You’ll just be dancing side-by side with the love of your life. Close together. Very little distance. Sure it’s for a camera, but you’ve danced with her before. You just didn’t have to try and keep your secret identity secret that time. This time around, you will ask her out afterwards! You will! When Marinette came out of the dressing room in that red jumpsuit, his heart nearly stopped. It complimented her figure perfectly, accentuating all her best features. Her pigtails had red ribbons in them, her naturally inky blue hair making the costume that much more convincing. Adrien choked up as she stepped onto the stage and stood in front of him, smiling. It was just a little odd when Marinette panicked about being called Ladybug. Could it be she…? Nah! Marinette was way cooler! The two were leagues apart! Clara instructed them how to dance at specific sections in the music. They swayed and jumped, moving their bodies to the beat. Their arms and legs glided to the rhythm. But Clara looked at them as if something was off. “Your moves need to sync up as best as you can,” the singer stated, “So you’ll need to hold each other’s hand.” Adrien blushed and turned to Marinette, who was holding out her hand. He took her hand in his like they were shaking hands, remembering the part in his plan where he kissed it. But he chickened out and just gripped her delicate hand. Even with the jumpsuits, he could still feel the warmth of her palm in his. But Clara and everyone watching laughed at the display. “No, not like that.” She twirled her way over and rearranged their hands. “No need to be shy. Hold hands like lovers. Give it a try!”

Adrien gasped as their hands were positioned more intimately, especially after being called lovers. Did it suddenly get hot under the suit? He could feel the blush creeping up his neck, looking away shyly as he saw Alya take pictures. But that fact was overruled by the bigger fact that he was holding Marinette’s hand! For a moment, it almost looked like he was holding Ladybug’s hand. But the blonde quickly shook off those thoughts. It felt like he would be betraying his feelings for Marinette, imagining another girl’s hand.

When he returned to earth, he heard Clara tell them to put on their masks. Uh-oh. “Well, I mean I looked everywhere,” he tried to argue, his words overlaying Marinette’s, “It wasn’t in the dressing room. It was just…nowhere to be found.” Luckily, that horrific display caused an uproar of laughter from the spectators. Good. No one suspected anything. It even helped throw them off his scent.

“It’s okay! I found them!” Those three words caused the whole room to go frigid as he reluctantly grabbed the mask, his hand almost shaking in fear. He lifted it as slowly as possible, saying his goodbyes to his secret identity and possibly all the freedom he worked so hard for this past year. He even said his goodbyes to Marinette. Without the freedom to go outside, he’d never be able to ask her out on dates to the movies, to dances, or even on a romantic walk along the Seine. Her light would be completely snuffed out from his life. Just as all hope was lost, the doors abruptly opened with a smug Chloe and the mayor arguing that Clara wasn’t allowed to film at any of the venues in Paris. As much as he was relieved to keep his secret, he was still mad at Chloe for making Clara burst into tears and run off. “Chloe!” the model scolded, “That was totally uncalled for.”

“Yes it was,” Chloe tried to reason, folding her hands together and batting her eyelashes at him. “I was much better suited for the role. A famous model and the mayor’s daughter playing the heroes of Paris would’ve made so many headlines. And you know, we are still in costume. I could still be your Ladybug~”

She leaned in, but Adrien pushed her away at arm’s length. And his frustration with her was obvious. “I’m not in the mood to deal with this,” he declared, going to the trailers to change.

He had seen Marinette go ahead of him and wanted to give her some form of apology since Chloe obviously wouldn’t. She had been getting better. But her attitude towards Marinette still needed work. However, that apology would have to wait. An akumatized Clara took to the stage, announcing herself as “Frightningale.” It was time for the real Chat Noir to do his routine.

The whole class gathered in the school library to watch Clara’s new music video. Ladybug herself had suggested they film in all of Paris’s public venues, which provided free access to everyone and even the mayor couldn’t shut it down. When the video ended, everyone clapped.

“This version is way better,” Marinette declared with a smile. “I got to be with all my friends.” The girls all cooed and huddled in to hug their sweet Marinette. “Besides, there’s no way I could’ve pulled off playing Ladybug.”

“Oh, totally,” Adrien readily agreed. “You two are galaxies apart.”

The blunette looked at him, her eyebrow raised in confusion. “Huh?”

The blonde blanched and almost immediately backpedaled, shuffling his way over to Marinette. “I don’t mean it like that. What I meant is you can pull off lame better than she can. Wait! I don’t mean—you’re not lame at all! It’s just…you two don’t look alike…?”

Marinette giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “I understand. You nothing like Chat Noir either.”

“What?” Well, it was kinda true. Chat Noir was all the sides he wasn’t allowed to show as Adrien.

“Oh! I meant…he’s probably not as sweet as you are.”

The two shared a laugh. But Adrien couldn’t help the way his heart fluttered. She thought he was sweet! She thinks I’m sweet! He could do sweet. He could definitely do sweet! He could be sweeter than every pastry in her family’s bakery! …Maybe I’m the lame one…

We Face Our Enemy Together (Chapter Two of Somewhere Down the Line)

Shepard learned through Garrus that all of her former crew and friends, with the exception of EDI, had survived the final clash with the Reapers. All those who had been with her as crew during the battle were still on the Normandy, which was docked as near to her hospital as it could be. 

“Once you woke up, they got the word out somehow to the rest of our friends.” Garrus explained to Shepard as she leaned against him. He was helping her to her wheelchair. She had just finished her first physical therapy session, and the results looked promising. Now, she had been allowed to see her crew, so long as they came to the hospital.

“I suspect Liara, once again,” Garrus continued, shaking his head. “Those connections of hers as the Shadow Broker, I guess.”

“Mmhm,” Shepard replied distractedly. She was staring into space, and Garrus took immediate notice. He leaned down and rested his fingers lightly on Shepard’s cheek.

“Worried about Joker?” He asked, though he already knew the answer. Shepard nodded. “I still think you shouldn’t tell him,” Garrus said gently. “What good will it do now, except open old wounds?”

“Sometimes wounds need to be reopened to fully heal,” Shepard said grimly. “Joker’s my friend, and EDI was too. He deserves to know the truth.”

“Okay, it’s your call Shepard.” A pause, and then, “When did you plan on telling him?”

“When I can get him alone,” Shepard replied, her eyes set with the fierce determination that Garrus had learned long ago meant that she would not be dissuaded. He squeezed her shoulder in solidarity and comfort, and wheeled her away to go see their friends.

Liara was the first to notice the couple walk in. “Shepard!” She gasped, jumping up from the chair she had been perched upon. The rest of the crew stood then, crying out Shepard’s name in delight.

Shepard, despite her nervousness about what she had to tell Joker, felt a sense of joy and relief wash over her. She had lived to see her friends again, and they had lived to see her. She looked around at all of their smiling faces and felt a fierce, familial sort of love. These were the people who had followed her to hell and back. This was her family; the Normandy family.

Then came the reunions. Liara, Tali, Steve, James, and Samantha stormed Shepard, and wrapped her in a group hug. For a long moment Shepard was lost among a tangle of arms and laughing, smiling faces.

The others who were less inclined to give out hugs nonetheless offered their own greetings. Grunt and Wrex grabbed Shepard’s arm, as gently as they could, and extolled her strength. Wrex told her she had the biggest quad of them all. 

Javik loudly told anyone who would listen that in his cycle, people didn’t come back from the dead twice. 

Kaidan gave her a salute that would have been the picture of military propriety, if it hadn’t been for the wide grin on his face. 

Miranda touched Shepard’s shoulder and remarked with a hint of pride at how well her cybernetics had held up, and that Shepard was tough to kill.

Jacob gave Shepard a warm handshake and excitedly told her about his new baby, a baby girl that he had managed to convince Brynn not to name Shepard.

Samara gave Shepard a little bow and told her she was glad that the universe had decided it was not done with her.

Jack, who felt that she could not rightly punch Shepard, instead punched Garrus and crowed that Shepard was one tough bitch. 

Kasumi appeared out of thin air and cheerfully announced that she was glad Shepard was back among the living before cloaking herself once more. 

Zaeed told Shepard she was “a goddamn focking legend.”

Finally, it was time for her to face Joker. She turned to him, where he had hung back in the group. A fresh feeling of guilt hit her like a sucker punch when she saw just how depressed he looked. He didn’t look at all like the, well, “Joker” she remembered.

“Hey, Shepard,” He said when she turned to him. “Glad you’re back up, too bad we don’t have anymore Reapers to throw you at.” He paused, and Shepard saw him try to put on fresh bravado. “EDI would have been here, but uh...she didn’t make it.” He hung his head, and the room became quiet. Awkwardly so, pregnant with tension.

“Er, yeah...I’m sorry Joker.” Thinking that now was as good a time as any, she added, “Why don’t we take a walk? Garrus, everyone, we won’t take too long.”

Garrus gave her one last pitying look, and released his hold on her wheelchair. Shepard wheeled herself away, Joker following along with a puzzled expression. 

“What’s that about?” James murmured, looking after them.

“They have a lot to talk about,” Garrus replied. “And I guess while she explains to him, I should explain to all of you as well.”

So he did.

“What’re we doing out here, Shepard? We’re missing the party.” Joker asked, once Shepard had stopped in the hospital courtyard. This was probably the only thing she liked about the hospital; in this courtyard, flowers and trees grew where they didn’t elsewhere. A bench stood alone under a tree that had survived the Reapers, and Shepard wheeled over there. She was quiet until Joker sat down. 

“I wanted to talk to you, Joker. Alone.”

“I mean, it’s not much of a party, but still. Talking to me has got to be a lot lamer.” Joker responded, a ghost of his old humor in his voice before quickly becoming extinguished. 

“It’s about EDI,” Shepard went on, looking at her lap.

“Oh man, not you too,” Joker groaned. “Look, Shepard, I appreciate the thought but really? I don’t need your condolences.” He shook his head. “Everyone keeps saying how sorry they are for me. But it’s not true, is it? Not entirely. Because behind that sorry they’re all just relieved it wasn’t their partner or their family.” His voice broke, and he looked away, before continuing softly. “It wasn’t just EDI, you know? I got the news when we landed. My dad and sister are dead too.”

Shepard felt like the air had been knocked out of her. Her stomach in knots, she began without thinking. “Joker, I’m so so-” She caught herself, remembering what he had just said. Gently, she laid her hand on Joker’s arm. For a long moment they sat there quietly, Shepard hoping her touch offered Joker at least some small comfort. Before she had to add to his grief. 

“Joker...I don’t know how to tell you this.” Shepard finally began. She made herself look at him head-on. It was the least he deserved. “EDI’s death...it’s my fault.”

Joker looked back at Shepard, then looked quickly away. His voice came out robotic, rehearsed. “It’s not your fault. Who could have known that destroying the Reapers would mean the end of all synthetic life? You did what you had to do, what we set out to do.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you though, Joker.” Shepard replied, slowly. She took a deep breath. “I...learned beforehand that synthetic life would be wiped out. It was the condition of destroying the Reapers. And Joker, you deserve to know,”  her words came out in a rush now. “I had a choice...three of them. The two others involved controlling the Reapers or synthesizing synthetic and organic life. They both involved giving up my life and a whole lot of unknowns. In the end...I chose destruction.” She hung her head. “EDI was my friend, Joker, and so are you. I stand by my decision, but I’m sorry I had to make it. I’m so sorry.”

Joker was silent for a long time. Shepard knew better than to fill the silence with more talk. Instead she sat quietly, and watched the storm erupt on his face.

“No you’re not.” He finally said, his voice a low rumble. He shot a look of pure anger and hate at Shepard, and she felt her heart sink. “You’re not my friend, and you weren’t EDI’s.” He got up and in Shepard’s face. “I can’t believe I followed someone so selfish! You never cared for EDI like I did, none of you did! She was just a tool for you! But she meant something, Shepard! Her life meant something!”

He took his SR-2 cap off and threw it at Shepard’s feet. “I’m done,” he announced in a growl, and stalked off as much as his Vrolik’s disease would allow. “Find yourself a new pilot, Shepard. And a new friend.” He called over his shoulder, leaving Shepard behind and feeling like the most awful person in the galaxy.

Later that night, after all her friends had left, Shepherd cried her frustration, guilt, and grief out into Garrus’ shoulder. He held her and stroked her hair, knowing better than to tell her it was alright, or that everything was going to end up okay, because that wasn’t what she needed.

 Right now, she just needed an anchor to prevent her from floating away, and he would be that for her. 

She sobbed for a long while. Not just about what had happened with Joker, but over what had happened these past nearly four years. She had lost so much, and sacrificed so much. Ashley, Mordin, Thane, Legion, and EDI were all gone, in part because of her decisions. Her mistakes.

“I should have died,” Shepard whispered into Garrus’ shoulder, so quiet he almost didn’t hear her. “I should have done so many things differently. It should have been me.”

Garrus pulled away from Shepard, his hands firmly grasping her shoulder as he looked into her eyes. “Don’t ever say that,” He told her fiercely. “Shepard, you saved the world. You did all you could, gave all you had.” He shook his head. “We all knew the risks, we all made our choices. We can’t take them back now. And, Shepard,” he swallowed hard, and looked away. “I’m glad you made the decision you did. No option was perfect, but at least with this one, you live.” He touched her cheek. “Hearing we had beat the Reapers was a relief, sure. But it wasn’t until I heard you were alive that I felt truly hopeful again. You living is something I want to celebrate everyday until my last...so don’t ever say you wish it had been your life on the line.” He kissed Shepard tenderly.

She sniffled and pulled at Garrus until he was laying in her narrow hospital bed too. She lay against his chest, and he held her tight.

“That’s part of what makes me feel so guilty.” She murmured. “I’m happy I lived too. Happy that I can see a future with you.”

Garrus’ heart swelled. He kissed the top of Shepard’s head. “Get some sleep, Shepard. You have a long day of physical therapy tomorrow.” 

As she drifted fretfully into the peaceful embrace of sleep, Garrus held Shepard against him, his mind working and thinking late into the night. There was something he needed to ask James, or Kaidan, or Steve, one of the human men as soon as he was able. He squeezed Shepard, and fell asleep with the image of her nestled into the crook of his arm emblazoned in his mind.

Africa Travel Tips from a Female Solo Traveler

When you get lost, you will find a true treasure in Africa.

The landscapes are breathtaking, the people still carry on with their traditions like thousand years ago. You imagine that you are in a totally different world. So what makes Africa that special that you get drawn to it?

Every time I put my feet on the African soil it feels like I am home.

I love the rich cultures, traditions, African cousin, the smells of the herbs and spices on the streets makes you want to try all the street food. Not to even mention the wildlife and their national parks, that will blow you away.

Before you get enthusiastic and jump on a plane, make sure you do some research on where to go and what you want to do. Also, make sure you don’t forget the steps for your own safety!

My Top Africa Travel Tips to Get Your Adventure Started!

1 :Take your vaccinations and medication such as malaria at your doctor’s office or local health department. Make sure you take your medical ID with you and have all your stamps that indicate you’ve been vacinated (For example, currently in Nairobi you’re not allowed in until you show your yellow fever certificte or get the shot in the airport upon arrival).

2: Buy a travel book (like Backpacking Africa for Beginners)that you can take on your trip. There are many Africa travel tips and tricks and some even include easy lines to practice in the language of the country you’re visiting. Are you a planner? Make your route. If not, make sure you know how to stay safe and get all your phone numbers in case of an emergency.

3: Traveling solo, I would recommend a backpack. It’s easy to carry around and to put it on your lap or between your legs while traveling with public transportation. This keep your belongings more safe against thieves. Hardcover suitcase may get broken because they don’t fit in jeeps or public transportation.

4: Find as much information possible on how you want to travel around the country you’re visiting. Public transportation, hitchhiking…. are they safe there? In South Africa, you can look into special minibuses for tourists like the Baz bus or rent a car for yourself (I had a really good experience with Sunny Cars. They provided fixed prices, good service, & high quality insurance). Before you step into an adventure, get your international drivers licenses ready (of course, only if you choose to self-drive)!

Now you got the basics done, it’s time to book a ticket! And pack your bag!

Africa is a very diverse continent, no country is the same. It’s a challenge to pick a country. There is just too much to choose from. In the north you have the Arabic countries with their lovely, food, seas and deserts. Central Africa, West and East Africa have all different challenges. If it’s your first time to Africa I recommend South Africa. It’s a mixture of central, west and east but in a modern way and easy to get around.

But if you like a challenge and stay in South Africa, you wouldn’t want to miss out on Swaziland and Lesotho. These two countries are hidden gems. They bring you back to the true traditional Africa. You may see more poverty but the people are very friendly and help you out! The less they have the more they give you. Not even mentioning their traditions, in Swaziland there is still a king that rules the country. Every year there is a ceremony to find a new wife. This looks a bit strange to us but it’s something so special to be a part of. All woman coming together and will perform a traditional dance for the king.

Swaziland has high mountains and great rivers to do some whitewater rafting. Take a donkey and climb a mountain. Visit Hlane royal Park, let the ranger take you on a safari. Nearby Hlane you go up north to Simunye, Shewula camp. This camp is basic and simple, it’s on top of a mountain so take your car and hit the dirt road. Drive until you are on the peak of the mountain and the camp will give you a warm welcome. Don’t expect luxury but a taste of simple, breathtaking Swaziland. The camp is run by the locals, you stay in a round navel hut, looking over the valley.  Go there and give back to the local community. They provide for small tours, traditional dance, to talk to a traditional healer, drinking maize beer out of a bucket in a local pub.

Lesotho is the kingdom of the sky, it’s a highland and the lowest point is 1.400 meters above sea-level. The best way to get into Lesotho is from South African border driving through the Sanipass. This is only possible with a 4×4 car. A difficult but amazing trip will lead you to right up from the pass into the mountain. On the way up you will feel the pressure on your ears and the views get more stunning by the minute. You will come across a lot different species of bird like eagles watching over the pass. If you got a 4×4 rental car you can do this on your own. But if you want a customized trip, I really liked Roof of Africa Tours.

When the Sanipass ends you reach the highest pub of Africa with a great scenery, time for a toast! The traditional Basotho people are waiting for you in their traditional clothing. They wear blankets and rubber boots and own a horse for transportation. You really go back in time, mountain villages with huts and horses and people in traditional cloths. What would be better than to step in their comfort zone and jump on a horse, life for a moment like they do? Visit a small village talk to the locals, play with their children dance around bonfires. And get to know more about their daily life.

Every year there is a ceremony where young boys will become adults. They need to ask permission to the mayor of the town to send the boys into mountains for an initiation. If they manage to survive for one week they pass the test to become an adult. Their blankets have many colors and patterns with a different meaning, every town has its own. When there is a ceremony the Basotho people wear their Basotho hats. You can buy a small version of them to have a great souvenir.

The colors of the mountains change and you will find many waterfalls and even some frozen ones in the winter. It gets really cold during the night below zero degrees Celsius, so make sure you got some warm clothes with you. If you are in love with mountains… this is the country for you!

There are many ways to overnight and most people choose for the luxury option Sanipass lodge. I stayed with a local family and they touched my heart. So visit Sobasoba Lodge. They build traditional huts for tourists and the prices are cheap including lunch and dinner

Author Bio: Jessy Lamers Always searching for my next adventure, it’s a kind of addiction to me. I am 28 and like traveling solo. It gives me a lot of freedom. In daily life, I am a social worker. I guess my curiosity to interact with people and their way of life is in my blood. My favorite continent is Africa, the perfect place to learn more about cultures and traditions. Seeking for wildlife give me such a rush. Nature and its wildlife is a passion on and below the surface. Scuba diving gives me peace and lets me into a different world. Traveling is a way to connect with myself and my surroundings, every destination gives me another vibe and changed my perspective on life. What makes my travels unforgettable are the people that I meet along the way. Making friends, backpacking together, or meeting up with some locals. I have a weak spot for children and love to interact even if the language is a boundary. (Follow Jessy & see more of her amazing photos at https://www.instagram.com/J89_travel/)

[Admin Note: All travel sites/lodging mentioned are personal recommendations of the writer. No affiliate sales are being made. It’s one fellow traveler trying to help the next one out! ]

The post “My Favorite Continent is Africa”: Social Worker Shares Africa Travel Tips appeared first on Backpacking Africa for Beginners.

Smoothie Bowls and Meal Prep: A Brooklyn Nutritionist’s Money Diary

https://fashion-trendin.com/smoothie-bowls-and-meal-prep-a-brooklyn-nutritionists-money-diary/

Smoothie Bowls and Meal Prep: A Brooklyn Nutritionist’s Money Diary

In this edition of MR Money Diaries, Sydney, a registered dietitian and Brooklynite, documents her expenses for a week.

My dad didn’t believe in credit cards. He was a cash guy, always and forever. He traveled with dollar bills strapped to his ankles and stashed under his cowboy boots; this was his normal.

When I was a teenager, he made me keep $60 in my wallet at all times, “just in case.” On a few occasions, I spent said money on clothes (as any 16-year-old might) and he lectured me about the irresponsibility of not having cash on hand.

Fast-forward nine years and things have changed. My slim wallet currently contains 72 cents, a debit card and a credit card. Now I’m a registered dietitian who works at Middleberg Nutrition, a private practice in Manhattan on 56th Street between Park and Lexington Ave. Most of my money these days is spent on food. Though I like to look nice while discussing food, I’d rather put that $60 in cash toward organic produce than a fancy dress. I covet Vitamixes now, not trendy handbags.

I live with my dog, Charlie, and my partner, Jordan. I am the primary grocery store shopper in my household and 99% of my shopping is done at the Park Slope Food Coop. I guess you could say I’m one of those “crunchy granola Brooklynites.” Here’s a week of my receipts as proof:

This was a pretty standard shopping day for me. I go veggie-heavy when I’m grocery shopping and I look for products with minimal packaging. I also choose one to two proteins that can be stretched throughout the week (like ground turkey, chicken or eggs). 70% of the produce at the Coop is local and it all looked so good today.

Splitting groceries with my partner is very convenient and if you factor the total out over the week, it brings our meal totals to less than $15/day per person. A random Amazon purchase like today’s dog food and beeswax food savers usually gets made every week. Let’s hope this is the only one.

I didn’t spend a dime until 5:48 PM. I had overnight oats for breakfast and a big-ass homemade salad with Safe Catch Wild Tuna for lunch.

I used to go out to dinner all. of. the. time. NY Eater’s “Heat Maps” were my bible. When I was in college, I would drop money at Whole Foods and then barely use half of my groceries. (I will shamefully admit that I was a big food waster.)

These days, I save my dinners out for the weekend (or if my best friend is in town from LA, as was the case here). It’s rare that I don’t use all my groceries, and on the off chance I don’t use something, I save it to be composted. (I really am “crunchy granola.”) My $34.39 dinner could have been spent at a tastier spot, but tonight it was all about the company.

This is a pretty normal day for me. I ate a makeshift breakfast today. (It was a little bit of everything, including an almond breakfast cookies from Clean Eating Magazine, which was amazing. Here’s the recipe.)

I had to do some recipe testing at the office so I snacked for an hour, then came home and made a little salad for lunch. Dinner was organic chicken breast plus roasted asparagus and fennel. Here’s how to make it:

Marinate a chicken breast (or two to three chicken breasts if you want to have more for later) in balsamic vinegar, avocado oil, salt, pepper, Italian spices for at least 30 minutes. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and roast at 400F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway. Midway through the chicken’s cooking, put the veggies on a tray, spray them with avocado oil and sprinkle them with pepper. Let those roast for the next 12.5 minutes.

While the chicken and veggies were roasting, I meal-prepped some mini egg frittatas. (Whisk together six eggs, add in any veggies you have and then pour into muffin tins; this makes six muffins. Place them in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Store in tupperware for up to four days, and when you’re ready to eat, either microwave for one to two minutes, or reheat for five minutes in the toaster oven.) I will get three breakfasts out of this little recipe and each muffin costs about $2.00. I have early clients tomorrow and won’t have time to make a smoothie, so 25 minutes of my time to save myself $11.00 on a smoothie seems reasonable.

On a shittier note, my dog may or may not have fleas. 🤔😷🐶

I made coffee at home and brought breakfast (egg muffins) to the office. For lunch I ate leftover chicken and roasted veggies over spinach. For dinner I ate the rest of the leftover chicken and avocado in a Siete Tortilla with a side of — you guessed it — roasted veggies.

If you are wondering WTF a Siete Tortilla is, it is a grain-free, corn-free tortilla and it is delicious AF.

I don’t usually get massages midday on a Friday but I was feeling super sick today so I hit up one of Park Slope’s best-kept secrets: Sunshine Best Body Work. Their acupressure massages are cheap and more torture than luxury but I always walk out of there feeling like a new human.

For breakfast I ate another egg muffin and a homemade smoothie. Lunch was bone broth and avocado. For dinner: Turkey tacos. I also finished up the rest of those roasted veggies.

While waiting for the check at dinner I looked at my girlfriend and was like, Shit, I love this human; I am going to buy her dinner.

I ate breakfast and lunch at home and I made homemade chocolate bark today. Here’s how: Mix 1/4 cup melted coconut oil with 1/4 cup cacao powder. Add in dash of cinnamon and sprinkle of sea salt. (I added in crushed almonds for some crunch.) Then pour onto parchment paper and freeze.

I ate breakfast and dinner plus a snack (Wasa crackers and turmeric hummus) at home. My girlfriend paid for lunch. For dinner, I made a makeshift taco bowl (spinach on the bottom, roasted veggies, turkey meat, avocado, sauerkraut and salsa.

Today was another no-spend day! I made my own lunch (eggs and avocado) and dinner (a big salad). For breakfast, I made a smoothie bowl. This recipe serves two!

Smoothie Bowl: – 2.5 cups unsweetened almond milk (pour this in first) – 2 cups frozen kale – 1/2 frozen banana – 1/4 cup frozen blackberries – 1/2 cup frozen zucchini – Cinnamon – Optional: Protein powder (I added Vital Proteins) – 1 tbsp. Chia seeds. – Any other toppings (I added shaved coconut, sunflower seeds and almonds)

You may have to blend a few times to get to your desired consistency.

_______________________________________________________________

Keeping track of my spending while writing down my meals every day was definitely interesting. I ask all of my clients keep a food journal and then I review it in-between sessions so it was cool to be on the other side of journaling. I think 16-year-old me would balk at how I spend my money in NYC but adult me is pretty pleased with the total. My weekends are lamer than they once were but I’ll take a simple burger and a movie over standing on a couch at the club any day. And hey, if most of my money goes toward quality food that nourishes me and supports small farmers, I’ll take it.

My dad, who sadly passed away two years ago, used to mock me for going food shopping in my free time. I think he would be happy to know that not much has changed without him — and then he’d lecture me for this cashless life I have since adopted.

Photo by Madeline Montoya.

Awards are always fun, especially when you win them TWICE. I’m not exactly sure where the Sunshine Blogger Award came from or what it means, but it seems like an exceptionally nice award to have with its sunny graphic and cheerful vibes.

The humorous, entertaining, and thought-provoking A.S. Akkalon first nominated me for the award. If you’ve ever wondered which dinosaurs are the best to date, she can help. If you get stuck while writing a fantasy novel, she can help there too, see: The Solution to Fantasy Writer’s Block. Be sure to check out her amazing answers to the questions posed to her as a recipient of the Sunshine Blogger Award too.

Since I’m lazy and like to post once a week (but already had last week), I decided to save my publication of this post until today, the start of a new week. As I was reading through posts  I’ve missed over the last week from people I follow, I saw that the lovely K.A. Botello was also a recent recipient of the Sunshine Blogger Award, and that she nominated ME for it too!

Wow! Double win! You guys are the greatest! I’d nominate you back, so you can know the feeling, but that seems like a cheap trick. So for now I’ll blush and smile, and direct everyone to K.A. Botello and A.S. Akkalon’s Twitter feeds so you can follow them, in all their awesomeness, there.

K.A. Botello is a great person to follow on WordPress too if you want to get great updates on her current progress with editing her manuscript, find gems of writing and editing advice, or better get to know her.

The rules for the Sunshine Blogger Award are as follows:

Post the award on your blog.

Thank the person who nominated you. (Thanks again guys!)

Answer the 11 questions they set you.

Pick another 11 bloggers.

Give them 11 questions.

Since I was nominated TWICE, you’re in for a real treat. I’m about to answer TWENTY-TWO questions. Here goes!

Questions from A.S. Akkalon:

1. What do you most wish people thought about you?

That I’m nice is a good generic answer. I’d love for people to think I’m a good writer, excellent baketress (yes, I made that word up), and have cool hair. But seeing as how I’ve only shared my stories with a few people, don’t like to share cupcakes, and hibernate during the winter, thus not seeing many people, I can’t really expect those things. Maybe I should wish that people don’t think I’m stingy (Because apparently, I am. WITH CUPCAKES).

2. What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done?

I tried to think of something hilarious and outlandish all week, but the only thing I could come up with was rinsing my hands with lemonade from a giant Igloo cooler as a summer camp counselor one time. I went back like three times, thinking I was using the water cooler and wondering why my hands kept being sticky.

3. If you were a game show host, what kind of game would it be?

Something nerdy and comedically obnoxious without actually being obnoxious. Trivia and word puzzles are too simple. But throw in some physical challenges (again, nothing obnoxious), and we might have struck gold.

4. Are you more scared of krakens or black death?

Black death. Krakens only kill unnamed minions or maybe the side kick you’ve grown to love. Black death can and WILL, KILL EVERYONE.

5. What do you wish there was more of in books?

Quirkiness. Not in characters, (there are way too many forced ‘quirky’ characters out there). I mean quirkiness in descriptions and content. I always wonder why epic fantasy novels never talk about their adventurers having to pee. Then I wrote such a story, and I understood. But I still enjoy unique tidbits like that where the author thought to put something unusual into their novel. Two examples off the top of my head are Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg, where pee actually is mentioned (because I brought it up and now am thinking about urine). The main character is literally ‘followed by frost,’ causing snow storms and freezing everything she touches. The book mentions her having to pee in quick bursts otherwise the urine freezes. Another example, but a much lamer one, is a book I read recently describing something as having the consistency of pudding. For some reason, that stuck with me even though I don’t remember what the object being described was (it wasn’t food). I guess I don’t see a lot of pudding comparisons in books, because I found it really  unique.

6. Where is your favourite place to read a book?

Outside in the sun on a nice day. Curled up on my couch is a great second option and where I actually do most of my reading. Also, anywhere (sitting, standing, comfortable or not) so long as I’m also eating. Yay, food.

7. What is the most “you” thing ever?

*Sigh,* Robin’s egg blue and the song Rockin’ Robin. As much as I’ve tried to run away from these two things throughout my life, they actually have ended up describing me/things I really like incredibly well. P.S. the R in R.Q. Woodward stands for Robin.

8. Cats eating birds: more proud of the cat or sorry for the bird?

Sorry for the bird. I’ve never actually seen a cat eating a bird, but if it’s anything like my dog chasing and killing screaming bunnies, I want no part of it. Poor bunnies. Stupid dog too, she’s always sick afterward.

9. What did high school English do for your love of writing?

Ha! Nothing. Back then I was more interested in the standard art forms of painting, drawing, and 3D design.

10. If you could have a mythical creature as a pet, what would it be, and what trick would you teach it?

Pegasus. Sure, everyone wants a sparkly unicorn, but think about it, wouldn’t you rather FLY? I’d teach it always catch me if ever I fell.

11. If you could have a superpower, what power would you choose?

One of the best questions ever. Since flying is covered, I’ll go with telekinesis. I’m also cheating a little bit by choosing it because my current work-in-progress includes telekinetic mages as the most powerful kind of mage: they can control the weather, heal people, physically control/manipulate other people’s bodies, and of course, do the hum-drum moving of objects with their minds. THAT is the kind of power I’d have :D

Questions from K.A. Botello:

1. What is one of the books you are currently reading?

Dang it! I’ve been on a writing binge and purposefully haven’t started my next book yet. I love that the question says “one of” too :D

I plan to re-read The Last Girl by Joe Hart next in preparation for the March 28th release of The First City by him. I reviewed the The Last Girl the first time I read it, if you want to check that out, and talked more about Hart’s skillful writing in this post.

2. If you could enter into the world of any fictional book which world would you choose?

I’m going to go with the world of The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg. Don’t mean to be mentioning her twice in this Q&A series, but I think part of the problem with most fantasy novels is that the magic system is exclusive. You have to get invited to Hogwarts. You have to have the have shifter/wizard/witch/mage DNA to even know about magical communities in most fantasy books. Most other books that take place in lands where magic/dragons/all things fantastical and awesome exist, don’t go into great detail with world building. It’s basically earth back in Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest or something. Clearly, I’m generalizing. The point is, Holmberg’s world in the Paper Magician series is amazing because learning magic is like going to trade school. As far as I can tell, anyone can do it, and it’s just another profession. AMAZING. I want to live there in modern times (because the books take place around 1910 I think…in another reality where magic is normal. It takes place in London, but I don’t think her world is supposed mirror Earth’s history per se).

3. What is one of your favorite quotes?

:( I’m not big on famous quotes. I love highlighting brilliant or hilarious lines in books I read though. One that makes me smile every time I read it is, “He had spent a lot of time thinking about himself, and had come to the conclusion that he was definitely not self-absorbed.” From Scott Meyer’s Off to Be the Wizard. That and dozens of other quotes from books I’ve read are posted on Goodreads.

4. What weather would you consider ideal?

Sunny with a breeze and NOT humid. 25-115 degrees Fahrenheit is fine, snow on the ground or hot asphalt. Just so long as I can breathe easily without inhaling gnats or mosquitos!

5. What is your favorite fairy tale or classic myth?

Ooo! Tough one! I’m going to have to give a few because I think the source matters (she says to herself, knowing full well she’s cheating). When it comes to Disney renditions, I would have to save Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty. When it comes to original fairy tales, actually the answer is super easy. 100% Hans Christian Andersen’s The Wild Swans. You can, and should, read it for free here. Seriously, it’s the best fairy tale ever. You should read it. Right now.

6. If you could have any kind of animal real, or imaginary for a pet what would you choose?

A raccoon! I’ve always, always wanted one.

7. What is your favorite time of day?

Generally, meal times because I can eat. Otherwise it depends on if I’m inside or outside, what I’m doing, and what the weather’s like. While this sounds like I’m being picky, what I actually mean to say is that I like ALL of the daytime hours and find it hard to choose.

8. If you could change your natural hair color permanently, what color would you pick?

Hmm, well seeing as how my hair is currently blue, purple, and sea foam green, and has been hot pink, blue, and purple frequently throughout my life, I’d say just brown is fine. I look funny blonde. But burgundy is nice too.

9. What is your least favorite food?

Meat. Sorry carnivores. I’m a brussels spouts, broccoli, kale, and asparagus loving vegan who makes a sad face or scrunches her nose at all things meat.

10. Where would you rather vacation: the desert, the mountains, the forest, or by the sea?

All of the above, please! The year isn’t complete unless I’ve seen a bit of each!

11. What is your favorite animated movie?

Again, I have to cheat and still give too many answers. Computer animation: The Lego Movie and Frozen. Stop-motion animation: The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings. Older animation: The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast ❤️

Nominees and Questions for them:

I’m nominating:

If Mermaids Wore Suspenders because Aubrey’s amazing and always adds a sprinkle of sunshine to her posts.

S.E. Drummond because she’s my writing buddy and duh.

Green Life Blue Water because P.J. Lazos keeps it real and provides a broad range of posts from eco information to book reviews.

Don Lorah because he boldly posts tons of wonderful stories, and I want to see if he’ll actually answer my questions in a ‘get to know me’ style blog post.

and finally Niels Saunders because I know he still exists despite his recent respite from sharing his authorly awesomeness with the world.

My eleven questions for you guys are as follows:

  What’s one of the wackiest dreams you’ve ever had?

Name your favorite book, movie, and tv show, and then tell me which of THOSE is your absolute favorite.

What is the first favorite color you ever remember having and what is your fav color now?

Who is your favorite person in the world?

What’s your favorite smell?

If you had to choose between living as an insect in the Amazon or as a fish in the ocean for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

Coffee,  tea, beer, or wine? (multiple choices are acceptable)

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

Do you like to hike, bike, or do other types of outdoor recreational activities? (if this answer is a “duh” type of response because of #8, do not pass go, go directly to jail. Also, tell me anything)

What is one (or maybe two) question(s) you wish I’d asked?

What is the answer to the question you just asked yourself?

Happy answering and sunshine spreading!

To learn more about moi, check out a similar Q&A post I made earlier this year.

Sunshine Blogger Award Awards are always fun, especially when you win them TWICE. I'm not exactly sure where the Sunshine Blogger Award came from or what it means, but it seems like an exceptionally nice award to have with its sunny graphic and cheerful vibes.