#and hopefully easy to see what's more interesting (november ~march)
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ON THE NAIL! - A Most Successful Development Season in Wheeling
The Nailers have managed to bring back the roller coaster ride of their season, following up three consecutive losses with three straight wins now. With only two games left to their season this weekend, what do you expect them to do to prepare for the offseason?
Well, I guess having that type of roller coaster is better than the alternative of going 3-10-0 during the month of March, including losing the first six games of the month in a row. Having a month like that is especially tough for Wheeling, consider that every other month this season they were no more than three games below .500 during that particular month (1-3-0 in October, 6-5-0 in November, 7-6-1 in December, 5-3-3 in January, 4-7-1 in February, and 3-2-0 so far in April), which really shows how important having a month like they did in March was to the Nailers. The other thing that really helps is how strong the Nailers have looked during this three-game run, playing a strong 200-foot game up and down the ice and creating opportunities.
Of course, there were still some issues with their game, such as the power play only going two for eleven in these three games, although that’s still better than their season average of 14.7% success with the man advantage. But they’ve definitely found a way to focus themselves on finishing this season on a strong note in preparation for a long offseason.
These two games remaining this weekend against Iowa don’t necessarily mean much in terms of final standings or what will happen to this team, but staying focused and playing strong hockey can help management see what can happen if they find a way to bring some of these guys back. The younger players have shown they’re ready to play on a professional level, some of the older guys who have been here all season are showing a little more leadership, and the goaltending has been rather steady, unlike earlier in the year. While the Nailers are playing against one of the worst teams in the entire ECHL in the Heartlanders, by continuing to play hard, it’s easy to see they still care about these games and are listening to the coach and working within the system.
For me, my focus during these last couple games will be seeing what they have from these young players. Matt Koopman and Ross Krieger have found a way to play some strong offensive hockey during their time here in Wheeling after making the transition from the collegiate levels, and if they’re interested in continuing their professional careers next season, I expect them to show it on the ice that they want to continue to play. Tyler Drevitch has continued to have a strong season, although his penalty numbers have spiked considerably as the season went on, so he has some things to continue to work on to prepare for next year, hopefully in a Nailers uniform.
While these games may be meaningless when it comes to the standings, they have a lot of meaning for the players out on the ice, and I will be watching to see what they continue to show us by competing hard and earning roster spots for next season.
With their season officially coming to an end after their game on Saturday against Iowa, what do you expect the Nailers to do in preparation for next season?
Obviously, with the end of a season (especially without a postseason run), a number of things are on the horizon. The team will hold exit interviews with the players to see what they think about how this season went and discuss their futures. The media will be given a chance to speak to players and coaches one more time to get their feelings on the end of their year. The team could also take advantage of this time and see which players who aren’t on a contract for next year could be interested in rejoining the team for another year. So, although their time together as a team, playing games and practicing and the like is coming to an end, there’s always more to do.
Another potentially interesting development will be the completion of a few trades the team made that included futures. The teams involved in those trades give lists of players available to the other team, and that team can choose a player off that list to complete the trade that was made. I’ll be interested to see who the Nailers decide to make available in those futures they offered, as well as who they are able to bring back for futures they received in their trades this season. It’s always interesting to see what teams are willing to offer to complete their trades, and I’m sure the Nailers will find a way to improve their roster with the players they are able to bring back.
And speaking of improving the roster, Wheeling will also have a chance to see what players around the league don’t have contracts for next season and try to bring them to the Friendly City. Not every player on every roster is on an AHL or NHL contract, and there’s a very good chance that good players will find themselves on the free agent market without a deal for next year. I’m sure Coach Army already has an idea of the players who are due to hit the open market at this season’s conclusion that will fit his system here with the Nailers.
He knows which players are able to play with the speed he’s hoping to see, who can play on the specialty teams, and what they can do to make the roster better. At least, I hope they’re able to do it in order to improve their chances of making the Kelly Cup playoffs at the conclusion of next season.
The Nailers have managed to score first in exactly half of the 70 games they have played so far this season but are the fourth-worst team in the league in terms of winning when scoring first. Why do you think they struggled so mightily to hold on to leads compared to the rest of the league?
Despite finding a way to score first in 35 of their games so far, the Nailers record in those games is 20-14-1-0, which is good enough for a .586 winning percentage. By comparison, the league average winning percentage for teams who score first in all games played so far this season is .711, which means the Nailers are well below average in that respect. The best team in the league in games where they score first is Cincinnati, who has managed to do it 39 times so far and have earned a record of 32-3-3-1 in those games for a .872 winning percentage.
I don’t necessarily expect Wheeling to hit numbers quite that good, but better than what they were able to achieve this season will be necessary to see more success next year.
The majority of the league has managed to turn early success in games into wins more consistently than the Nailers managed to this season. Giving yourself a lead in half of your games is better than what half of the league has managed to do this season, so that makes it even more important to find a way to maintain and expand the leads you manage to earn is absolutely required when fighting for your playoff lives earlier in the year.
If Wheeling could have managed to turn just five or six of those regulation losses they earned in games where they scored first into wins, they would be back into the conversation for a playoff spot this season, which makes it hurt that much more that they weren’t able to do it.
There’s any number of reasons for why the Nailers weren’t able to find more success in those situations, from issues with goaltending struggling to make necessary stops, defensemen not working hard enough in their zone to limit opportunities, or special teams not holding up their end of the bargain. But one big issue I noticed a lot this season was the failure of the forwards to cover appropriately in their defensive zone and trying too hard to spring forward. I know capitalizing on momentum after scoring is important, but you must imagine that the other team is going to come out after giving up the opening goal and work even harder to tie the game.
In that case, you have to be able to trust your team to work hard to shut down opponents in their own zone first and earn the puck to push it forward.
If the forwards are unwilling or unable to shut down their own zone first, there will never be the chance to push forward harder to expand the lead. I would love to see more forwards in Wheeling next year who are willing to work hard in the defensive zone to create offense for the team.
With their final two games of the season against divisional opponents, the Nailers had an awful record within their division this season. What do they need to do to reverse that trend and have more success in those games next season?
When the schedule is made in the ECHL every year, the majority of games for every team are scheduled against divisional opponents. In a season like this where your division is led by some really good teams in Cincinnati and Toledo, it’s going to make it rather difficult to have a good record within the division. But through 52 games played in the division, the Nailers have managed to go 18-30-4-0 against the other six teams in the Central division, one of the worst divisional records in the entire ECHL.
The two worst teams in the league, Norfolk (18-30-1-1 in the North) and Iowa (18-26-5-1 in the Central) are the only other teams in the league to fail to reach 20 wins within their own division, and as I said already, they were the worst teams in the league, which isn’t great company to keep if you’re Wheeling.
To have such a poor record within your own division when you’re playing 54 games against divisional opponents in the season will result in a terrible record and a failure to reach the postseason more times than not. Especially when three teams in the division (Cincinnati, Indy, and Toledo) are winning more than 30 games in the division. Obviously, finding a way to change this is necessary for next season to be more successful than this one has been. Finding ways to play strong hockey against divisional opponents should be the primary focus of Wheeling this offseason.
They need to figure out what these other teams have done that has allowed them to see the levels of success they have and figure out how to beat them at their own game. If those teams are successful due to playing with speed, try to build a team that can counteract that and play with the puck more to keep them from using that speed against you.
If they do it with strong goaltending, put together a team that is able to create opportunities by forcing the goalie out of his comfort zone, whether that’s making him move around his crease to keep up with strong passing or earning odd-man breaks against him. Considering 54 out of their 72 games are within the division, finding a way to be stronger in those games has to be a top priority for the Nailers going into next season.
Considering you came into this article as just a hockey fan and not a writer, what did you learn from this experience that will help you improve this space for the 2023-24 season? Did this give you a new or better appreciation for the Nailers or for people who write about sports for a living?
As a person who does math for a living, the thought of trying to sit down and write about something, even something I love like hockey, every week almost made me break out in hives.
Luckily, I have a lot of supportive people around me who have given me really good feedback throughout this season, and I feel like I’ve really come into my own in how to present this information in a usable way to the readers. That being said, I wish I could have done this for at least a couple more weeks, if the Nailers could have found a way to continue to play beyond this weekend, but I’ll have to take what they were able to give me and enjoy this along the way. It has definitely been an eye-opening experience for me in terms of how to write things that are informative while also being what I think is interesting enough to keep people wanting to read it, which is really the most important thing when writing for public consumption.
I could sit here and just keep pumping out statistics and make it bland (at least, bland for the average reader, but utterly interesting to someone as numbers-focused as I am). But I really wanted to make this interesting while also showing the world of hockey in a way that the average viewer may not see it, and I really hope you all enjoyed being along for the ride. I really look forward to hopefully getting to do this for you again next season.
As for my appreciation for the work of those who do this for a living, it’s definitely opened my eyes a little bit at the thought of doing this every day, not just once a week.
Both my wife and my brother did their undergrad schooling for journalism (although neither of them works in journalism, so take that for what it’s worth), so I already had an idea of what it took to do something like this, but the thought of having to pump out not just consistent articles but ones that people would want to read on a more consistent basis is hard to imagine for someone who doesn’t have that background. And for my appreciation for the Nailers, I will say that it’s made me think more about what these guys work at day in and day out, not knowing if they’re still going to be here or Wilkes-Barre or wherever else opportunity may strike.
They are the definition of professional, between everything they do in the community, different media appearances throughout the season (between the Power Hour and the players who were able to join us during the sports hour on River Talk ), to practices and games.
They have given everything they could for 70 games thus far, and while it, unfortunately, wasn’t enough to continue their season, I will say I’ve come away from this with a greater appreciation for what these guys have gone through this year, and I look forward to seeing them do it again come October.
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2022/11/07 05:48
Yesterday I did something unusual, at least for me; I pre-ordered a physical copy of Pokemon Violet, which is scheduled to be delivered to my apartment on the day of release on November 18th, 2022.
The last time I pre-ordered anything video game related was back in January 2017 in anticipation of the March release of Nintendo Switch and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Since I was attending the launch event at the Nintendo NYC store, it was the kind of situation where camping out for both the pre-order and the actual launch were mandatory.
Seldom do I purchase more than two or three "retail level" video games a year, and since I mainly use my Nintendo Switch at home, I've set aside my digital-centric habits from the 3DS era and buy all my major Switch releases on cartridge.
In 2021, my entire haul of retail Nintendo Switch games, and modern video games in general, was limited only to Metroid Dread, and Mario Party Superstars.
In 2022, the only games I've purchased are Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and my experience in having to drop by three different stores before finding a copy of Pokemon Legnds: Arceus is what made me decide to pre-order Pokemon Violet.
Pokemon Violet will be my first physical purchase of a Pokemon game since Pokemon Black Version 2 on the tail end of the Nintendo DS's lifespan.
The fact that I carried my Nintendo 3DS nearly everyplace I went without exception during the lifepsan of that system made carrying around a bunch of cartridges a tiresome prospect, so I took to downloading most major releases once that option became available.
But playing my Switch at home the overwhelming majority of the time prevented the inconvenience of carrying around cartridges from being an issue, and concerns over the long term robustness of digital game delivery systems has lead me to purchase physical games whenever I have the chance to do so.
Digital games also made it easy to forget the uncertainty of having to go on pilgrimage from store to store the day a new game releases, checking to see which locations have sold out of a hot new title already, presuming they even received their shipments in the first place.
My quest to obtain Pokemon Legends: Arceus in physical form on launch day was a real edge-of-my-seat affair, as I had already announced plans to stream the game on my Twitch channel that evening on the day of release.
So for the first time since 2017, I actually paid in advance to reserve my copy, and in a first time ever for me, rush delivery to my home the day of release is assured, pending any unforeseen complications.
So I'm interested to see how this goes. Hopefully Pokemon Violet shows up early on the 18th and I have plenty of time to get it ready for the stream.
If not, I'll just have to stream Pokemon Puzzle League while I sweat nervously waiting for the game to arrive!
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Adam Barlow & Daniel Osbourne Episode Guide
~And potentially for the Barlows I’m starting with just how to catch up with them from their return in November 2016 (so, work n progress?), particularly with Adam, because he’s trash bae, and Daniel bc he’s also a fave + for Rob Mallard fans.
As with Kate & Rana episodes, all recent episodes should be available to download on UK Soap Share (if you need them or if eps are not online to watch!) so I’m posting a guide of where you can only watch these episodes and/or scenes, the dates of episodes and the most important moments of the storylines/for the characters. If there’s anything specific you want to find, if I haven’t posted it, please ask me and I’ll try to add me, and also feel free to contact me if there’s something else or if there’s dead links. :)
Barlow Boys are back in town~
Daniel’s Best Moments
Adam’s Best Moments
2016:
Adam & Daniel return: 16th November: (1 - Daniel first scene @ 2:41) (2 Adam @ 2:00) (3) (4)
(or: Adam first scene & Daniel first scene & second ish w/ fam~ tho disclaimer Daniel wasn’t actually a ‘secret son’ lmao, they knew about him he just hadn’t been seen for years.)
Aftermath of return and Ken’s stroke for the next eps~
17th November (1) (2) (3) (4) (Fam dinner)
18th November Part 1
18th November Part 2 (1) (rest not online to watch sorry) (missing - some guy is suspicious around the house)
21st November Part 1
21st November Part 2 (8 mins in Peter RLLY awk’ly asks Daniel if he likes fellas)
23rd November (1) Daniel not getting along with Tracy, & others at the Rover’s
24th November. Daniel aftermath, w/ scenes w/ Peter while Tracy snoops at his flat, plus Adam and Simon scenes and Adam’s car is ~stolen.
25th November Part 1 + 2 if you go throughthe vidss~ Daniel is blamed for Adam’s stolen car, who admits his mother left him. (Lots of good Barlows scenes w/ Adam being a shit in these eps) Adam’s car is still stolen. ... Ahem.
28th November Daniel and Ken bonding, Adam flirts with Eva.
5th December Part 1 (1) (2) (3) Adam’s now into Maria, Tracy warns him off, Daniel’s getting kicked out his flat, has scenes w/ Ken & Peter about his mum.
5th December Part 2 (1) (2) (3) (Adam and Maria, oh yay~)
7th December (1) (2) (3) Aftermath of Daniel’s revelation + Adam & Maria um sexing.
8th December (1) Tracy & Adam scene at the end. (3) Adam & Maria.
9th December Part 1 (1) (2) (3)- Daniel and Peter scenes. Also some Tracy and Mary, and Daniel and Billy interact awkwardly.
16th December Part 1 (1) (2) (3) Adam and Maria awkwardness + Adam and Sarah scene <3
19th December Part 1 (2) (3) Adam gets hella dragged by Audrey. Adam/Maria awks... continues. Part 2 (2) (3)
21st December (1) (2) (3) Highlight: Adam talks shit, gets hit. End of the OTP to end all OTP’s that was Adam/Maria.
23rd December (1) (2) (3) Basically Barlow Christmassy scenes~ while Adam works a black eye.
24th December (1) (2) (3)
25th December Everyone watches Peter and Nick’s hilarious fight~
26th December Part 1 (1) Ken and Daniel discuss Peter. Part 2 (1) Bit of Daniel w/ Ken, Simon, Peter.
Bonus~ Samuel and Rob being cute and Christmassy!!!
2017
2nd January (1) (2) Adam takes an interest in the factory again... AND IS 6 FOOT!!!!! (background info for this sl: Adam inherited the factory when his dad Mike Baldwin died - but his half brother and Leanne kept the will from him, until Leanne gave Adam the will. Adam settled for 40% of the factory, but he sold it to the Connors when he left last time, but still has a connection to the factory bc of his dad.)
4th Jan (1) (2) Daniel’s birthday. Adam’s plotting continues, as he calls the police n Aidan.
9th Jan Part 2 (1) (2) Adam’s cocky, and Daniel has a thing for angry, ketchup-wielding, Peter & Adam cash. Daniel crushes on Sinead. (Warning for full ep: Michelle loses the baby & it’s the worst thing ever.)
13th Jan Part 2 AD (And there is Michelle aftermath.)
16th Jan Part 1 (1) Adam makes fun of Daniel working on his MA application.
18th Jan (1) (2) (3) Daniel and Sinead.
23rd Jan Part 1 (1) (2) Adam’s unhappy over the factory and Ken spending more time w/ Daniel + teases Luke and Tracy (;_;) - Ken considers a DNR order.
25th Jan Adam (1) (2) (3) Aidan vs Adam continues. Adam and Alya team up. (TW death for Michelle & the funeral)
27th Jan Part 1 (1) (2) (3) Tracy bae’s birthday. <3 Adam and Alya plot. And the end of Adam’s masterplan~ (there’s also gr9 Tracy/Luke in these eps ;_;)
Part 2 (1) Adam and Alya scene~ Daniel makes fun of Adam for once~ & Ken lectures him. (2) A nice scene between Adam & Daniel at the flat. (3) Adam apologies to Ken.
30th Jan Part 1 (1) Tracy tells the Barlows they’re official. (2) Adam helps Ken with his will. Don’t mention the paperweight rip.
Part 2 (1) (2) (3) Todd and Adam become saltmates 5eva <333
1st February (1) (2) (3) The Barlows meet over Ken’s will.
3rd Feb Part 2 (1) Daniel and Sinead go for a drink.
6th Feb Part 1 (1) Adam and Ken react to Peter and Toyah’s relationship. (Rosie and Sophie also return in this ep! :o) (3) Daniel judges Adam’s study style & flirts w/ Sinead some more...
Part 2 (1) (2) (3) Daniel and Sinead flirting late at the factory.
8th Feb (1) (2) (3) Adam cheats, after some classy making fun of Daniel’s virginity - which doesn’t last long. (dry heaving)
10th Feb Part 1 (1)(2)(3) Daniel tells Ken Adam cheated (resulting in what is basically a public Todd/Adam break up </3) - Adam retaliates by telling Chesney that Daniel slept with Sinead.
Part 2 (1)(2)(3) Adam and Tracy find Luke stuck under a car engine. Daniel and Sinead aftermath (Sinead drags Adam, Daniel gets angry at Chesney.) Sinead/Daniel is go, Adam drinks with Rosie.
13th Feb Part 1 (1)(2)(3) Adam wakes up with Rosie, and makes fun of Daniel/Sinead (+runs into Todd), who are still dealing with repercussions. Rosie tells Adam about the drugs.
Part 2 (1)(2)(3) Adam digs for (and finds) the drugs~ Ken walks in on Sinead in a towel at Daniel’s flat after he misses an important meeting.
15th Feb (1)(2)(3) Adam discusses selling the drugs to open a business with Todd. Rosie and Sophie discover he’s stolen the drugs. Kevin is not happy. Adam blackmails them. Awk Sinead/Daniel fam dinner with Ken.
16th Feb (1)(2)(3) Todd and Adam go see a house~ But Todd discovers where the drugs are from.
17th Feb Part 1 (1)(2) Adam goes for an interview. Part 2 (1) & for a drink w/ Trina. They go back to the flat and Adam and Daniel chat proverbial phrases.
27th February Part 1 Daniel and Sinead have a romantic meal.
1st March Sinead/Daniel drama continues, w/ everyone disapproving.
3rd March Part 1 & 2 Sinead is late and Adam helps at the florist. -Sinead is preggers and Adam borrows the car to see drug dealer Ronan Truman’s pace.
6th March Part 1 - Daniel & Sinead discuss the pregnancy, before Daniel talks to Rana about it. Todd sees through Adam (as do Rosie and Kevin), Adam charms Mary for his own ends & goes see Ronan Truman while Ken’s frustrations with him grow.
Part 2 - Daniel makes a decision about the pregnancy, Adam has to decide between selling the drugs or doing the right thing and staying with Amy. A lot of these scenes are on Corrie’s YT channel~ (1)(2)(3)(4-cw abuse)
8th March Daniel and Sinead have money concerns. Amy tells Ken to be nicer to Adam. Daniel has an interview with Robert. Ronan Truman is sneaky at the pub and threatens to hurt Tracy and Amy if Adam doesn’t give him back his money - which Ken has helpfully stolen, and burns. ;_; #endsoapmoneyburning2k17
10th March Part 1 - Adam continues to suffer the consequences. (There’s also a cute Adam and Sarah scene~) It’s also Sinead’s birthday. YT vids of most of the Adam scenes- (1)(2)(3)(4-cw violence)
Part 2 CW violence. Ken and Adam hospital scenes (backstory alert) (CW discussion of addiction) - (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) (elsewhere, tumblr.com user helenhuntingdon’s adam barlow obsession officially begins~)
13th March Part 1 Ken tells Daniel Adam’s returned to Canada...
17th March Part 1 Daniel and Sinead consider moving (after a random woman stops by to tell Adam to drop dead.) Daniel gets a letter. Part 2 Daniel weighs up his options.
20th March Part 1 Daniel and Sinead flat hunt while Daniel tries to hide his Oxford offer. Part 2 Ken fucks up Daniel’s plans and is a misogynist bastard to Sinead (and about Deirdre! oh god end his life already)
24th March Part 1 Amy is secretly plotting with Adam. Ken stirs some more in everyone’s lives. Part 2 Sinead has an abortion.
27th March Part 1 Daniel is devastated. Part 2 Daniel is even more devastated. Everyone searches for Amy, while Adam is sneaky, and Ken faces the consequences~ (CW violence?)
29th March Aftermath with all the Barlows in the hospital. Adam returns well quick from ‘Canada’~
31st March Part 1 The Barlows are questioned. Part 2 Who start to turn on each other~
3rd April Part 1 Ken is conscious but doesn’t remember what happened & suspicious of his family. Adam gets an alibi from Rosie. Part 2 The police talk to Ken and then Adam again.
5th April Lots of Barlows being suspicious of each other (for a while tbf) espesh when Daniel is questioned again.
7th April Part 1 Suspicious suspicious Part 2 suspicious
17th April Part 1 Adam ~investigates Daniel & tries to get Ken to believe it wasn’t him. Part 2
19th April Adam and Mary scene ;_; and Amy~ Tracy and Luke break up :((( Peter, Daniel and Adam are suspicious of Tracy.
21st April Part 1 Adam gets arrested. Part 2
24th April Part 1 Adam is still being questioned. Part 2 Ken and Daniel scene plus Adam tries to put Tracy in the frame.
28th April Part 1 Adam is still in questioning while Tracy plans to go on the run.
1st May Part 1 Adam is released and looks for Tracy. Daniel’s not happy. Part 2 Adam’s still after Tracy and Amy.
3rd May Adam finds Tracy and Amy’s phones.
8th May Part 1 Tracy’s been found but Amy hasn’t and Ken still hasn’t forgiven Adam. Part 2 Daniel and Adam are at court as Tracy is about to confess...
12th May Part 1 Daniel scenes w/ Kate, Tracy, Sinead...
17th May Adam doing manual work but not being Spanish (w/ Rosie)
19th May Part 1 Part 2 Adam and Rosie ~investigate Daniel while he’s away, while cute as heck (Adam answering the door in pants alert~)
22nd May Part 1 Adam is watching Daniel.... before lowkey stuffing him in the boot of his car... Part 2 And trying to get him to confess. (ICONIC honestly, including ~that wall slamming scene)
24th May Adam is suspicious of Daniel and Sinead still. Daniel is questioned. Ken remembers sth.
26th May Part 1 Ken is trying to remember more, and suspects Daniel (at first) while Adam is told to sling his hook. (cute Adam and Rosie scene~) Part 2 Adam is arrested AGAIN.
29th May Corrie’s 9pm week begins! ~Finally leading to the conclusion of who attacked Ken - no Adam while he’s arrested, but Daniel’s in all eps. Some darker issues are dealt w/ in these eps so major TW’s for self harm, sexual assault and abuse (in Bethany’s sl) and mental illness.
30th May
31st May
1st June
2nd June
5th June Part 1 Part 2 Aftermath to 9pm week - Ken decides whether to press charges, and gets Adam from the police station. The rest of the Barlows’ reactions.
7th June Peter and Adam discuss his future, including his addiction, while Ken forgives Daniel.
9th June Part 2 Daniel tells Denise to leave again.
14th June Daniel’s isolated and depressed, and Adam doesn’t help (but does take a photo of Aidan/Maria snogging by the bins!)
16th June Part 1CW Drugs - an old drug dealer friend of Robert’s offers him drugs, to which he declines, but Daniel orders for him and takes an overdose. Part 2Robert and Adam find Daniel, CW hospitals~ (lovely Adam and Daniel scenes)
19th June Part 1Adam supports Daniel to see a counsellor, then leaves for London for 2 weeks. Part 2 Daniel and Robert scene.
26th June Part 1 Part 2 Couple of random Daniel scenes.
30th June Part 1 Chesney asks Daniel about the overdose.
3rd July Part 1 Adam returns and blackmails Aidan and Tracy is ~not pleased with Adam and Daniel being 2 psycho living together in domestic bliss. CW Violence Chesney gets stabbed. Part 2 Daniel helps Chesney (and makes a SHOCKING confession regarding his fave back to the future film). Adam schemes~
5th July Adam starts his business (and has the loveliessst Mary scenes) while Ken is there for Daniel.
6th July Todd checks out ‘Barlow & Grimshaw’.
7th July Part 1 Todd signs on Adam’s dotted line~
17th July Part 1 Part 2 Adam blackmails Aidan some more, then gets involved in Eva’s revenge plan.
19th July Eva and Adam plot against Aidan.
21st July Part 1 Part 2 Eva and Adam plan to get Eva an office job t oge the factory.
24th July Part 1 Part 2 Daniel reveals too much about the stabbing, Adam represents Chesney.
#coronation street#corrie#adam barlow#daniel osbourne#rob mallard#etc#links#m#eps#just !!! bc!!!#I need to know easily when things are anyway sh#but to make it easy to watch and find certain things#w/ cw's tw's#and yt vids for the main bits rather#and hopefully easy to see what's more interesting (november ~march)#and what is boring like some of december or when the who attacked ken sl kind of drags for a bit#+ may add old scenes/eps pre 2016 whch I'd def need to order to find again#daniel adam eps
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OWOWOW MY FANGAN
THANK YOU SO MUCH AT EVERYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN THIS SERIOUSLY YOU CAN'T BELIEVE HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME MY HANDS ARE SHAKING (that's also why it took so long to post this akhdjwjs)
Baiko Omori – Ultimate Lucky Student
"My name is Baiko Omori, I am here as the Ultimate Lucky Student. The pleasure of meeting you is mine, my dear friends! There are actually quite many things that I'm talented at and hopefully, this academy helps me find my 'true Ultimate.'"
Birthday: March 11th (Pisces)
Blood Type: A+
Height: 165cm / 5'4”
Weight: 67kg / 148lbs
Likes: vintage 50s music, street food, grocery shopping
Dislikes: cockroaches, the smell of gasoline, betrayal
Baiko never means harm as he values life over everything else. He is friendly and considerate, always smiling. He offers help where he can, sometimes coming off as intrusive but never does something that would put him at a disadvantage. He has the habit of calling everyone his “dear friend” and is in general, quirky and a little detached from normality. When you're around him, you can't help but feel like there's something off but Baiko is too nice for you to bring that up.
Ei Hagakure – Ultimate Ghost Whisperer
"Name's Ei Hagakure, Ghost Whisperer. Sup? My gramps went to this school back in his days. Sadly didn't inherit his spiritual powers, so guess I'll substitute with a bit of science."
Birthday: April 29th (Taurus)
Blood Type: B+
Height: 177cm / 5'8”
Weight: 57kg / 126lbs
Likes: bad television shows, abandoned buildings, the pizza they have on Wednesday at her university's cafeteria
Dislikes: family fights, doctor's appointments, olives
Ei is a laid-back young scientist that leaves the world of academics in wonder at her more or less successful inventions. Her greatest goal is to prove the existence of ghosts based on scientific findings. Despite Ei's grand ambitions, she is relaxed and calm and just weird enough to get along with almost everybody.
Hideaki Yukiyama – Ultimate Mathematician
"Yukiyama Hideaki, Hideaki Yukiyama, Mathematician and the Ultimate at that! This class looks pretty alright so far. You shitwits seem like the type a smart boy like me can have fun with, hehe."
Birthday: May 2nd (Taurus)
Blood Type: 0+
Height: 156cm / 5'1”
Weight: 62kg / 137lbs
Likes: the feeling of chalk, messy notes, his own laugh
Dislikes: boredom, sitting straight, school uniforms
Contrary to what his talent might lead you to believe, Hideaki is actually a brat. Constantly in the search for mischief and entertainment, he likes to ridicule and annoy others. His genius lies hidden in his complicated speech and spectacular knowledge that he uses to confuse the people around him. All negativity and criticism towards his character simply bounces off him. It is not easy to befriend him as he believes that friends hinder him but deep down, he wishes for someone to get through his irritating personality to know him better.
Ichini – Ultimate Robotics Engineer
"My model's name is 1.2, that's Ichini for you. Ultimate Robotics Engineer. Be prepared to have that weirded-out look wiped off your faces, meatbags! Someday I'll drown this world in chaos and rule humanity with my machines!"
Birthday: August 13th (Leo)
Blood Type: 0-
Height: 210cm / 6'8”
Weight: 132kg / 291lbs
Likes: the smell of electricity, children's' shows, energy drinks
Dislikes: being photographed, asparagus, humanity
Ichini is a mean cyborg that has rejected humanity and all its aspects. Xe thinks xemself superior to everyone around xem because they are still human and will not survive the overthrow of the machines that xe is planning. Despite xir large, armed metal body though, Ichini is all bark, no bite and wishes to be more courageous and confident in xir choices.
Jun Nagao – Ultimate Escapologist
"My name is Jun Nagao, I'm the Ultimate Escapologist. There's nothing much about me, really. Sorry."
Birthday: September 25th (Libra)
Blood Type: AB-
Height: 171cm / 5'6”
Weight: 63kg / 139lbs
Likes: flower bouquets, art from the Romantic era, freshly laundered clothes
Dislikes: skin tight clothing, reading out loud, overcrowded subways
After his face was paralysed in a kidnapping incident, Jun has adopted the perception of him being emotionless and cold. As he usually dismisses others and their feelings, Jun is a loner. Because his talent stems from his continued abductions, he finds it distressing to be enrolled at Hope's Peak Academy but accepts his fate to ensure his own safety.
Kaida Tsutsumi – Ultimate Stock Broker
”Kaida Tsutsumi... Ultimate Stock Broker... That is all.”
Birthday: January 9th (Capricorn)
Blood Type: AB-
Chest: 82cm / 32”
Height: 153cm / 5'0”
Weight: 58kg / 128bs
Likes: coffee, Paganini, listening to the rain while falling asleep
Dislikes: the cold, bitter coffee, wool sweaters
Kaida is a small and timid girl, so shy that it is hard to imagine that she works at the stock market. Kaida is great with numbers and probabilities and rather spends time with diagrams and prices than with people. She only speaks as much as necessary and gives her answers clear and direct. Because of her reluctance to talk about herself, she is mostly seen alone but will get extremely attached to you the moment you show that you acknowledge her. It feels like she holds a secret that she can't reveal.
Kyo Kido – Ultimate Horror Author
"My name's Kyo. Uh, Kyo Kido, that's probably how you know me. I'm the Ultimate Horror Author? I'd offer to give out some autographs but my hands are kinda shaking right now cuz– Wow– Hope's Peak, y'know! So it's gonna look kinda ugly, ahah."
Birthday: November 21st (Scorpio)
Blood Type: 0+
Height: 180cm / 5’9”
Weight: 79kg / 174lbs
Likes: romance novels, romantic comedies, the clacking sound of typewriters
Dislikes: ink stains on his hand, sharp pencils, soup
Kyo is really just a normal teenager with a knack for writing; at least, that's what he believes. Like every other teenager, he is a little awkward and shy and, in contrast to his talent, not at all scary. However, Kyo's books manage to evoke such terror in his readership that it's dubbed and loved as 'Kido's curse'. Kyo is flattered but honestly can't handle the fame.
Maxis von Läuterbach – Ultimate Knight
"My name is Maxis von Läuterbach, wielding the title of the Ultimate Knight. It is not often that you see someone as wondrous as me, so my lieges, I am ever at your service."
Birthday: June 21st (Gemini)
Blood Type: AB-
Height: 182cm / 5'9"
Weight: 75kg / 165lbs
Likes: stained glass windows, historic castles, Belgian pralines
Dislikes: blisters, ignorance, ill-behaved children
Growing up surrounded by ruins of glorious pasts and with the wish to set themself off from their peers, Maxis chose to walk the path backwards and do everything in their power to become a historically accurate knight. Unfortunately, Maxis had miscalculated and noticed that a knight lives to serve, not to be served but there is no turning back now.
Shiori Ishimaru-Owada – Ultimate Team Captain
"I'm Shiori Ishimaru-Owada, proudly bearing the title of the Ultimate Team Captain! I'm excited to get along with y'all! Honestly, I don't really know why I'm at this academy, but as long as I make my Dads proud, I'm probably doing the right thing!"
Birthday: December 14th (Sagittarius)
Blood Type: AB+
Height: 185cm / 6'0”
Weight: 79kg / 174lbs:
Likes: racing games, exercise, cooking
Dislikes: reading, hospital stays, basements
Shiori is an intense and upbeat girl. She is a capable leader with strong beliefs that she defends well and at times, imposes on others without noticing. While not being truly talented at a singular sport, she has tried out many things and has always effortlessly attracted a group of allies around her, no matter where she went. She is kind and motivational and, strange for a teenage girl, very attached to her parents.
Tamae Shiroma – Ultimate Whistleblower
"I'm Tamae Shiroma, Ultimate Whistleblower. Pleasure. Before I get any complaints later: Know who you're talking to, alright?"
Birthday: May 21st (Gemini)
Blood Type: B+
Height: 159cm / 5'2”
Weight: 73kg / 161lbs
Likes: hot baths, spicy food, her sister
Dislikes: reality TV, sugary food, caterpillars
Famous for her small but well-placed leaks, Tamae is the tiny thorn in the side of many politicians. In the shithole that she considers the world, Tamae tries to find the truth as painful as it may be to some. She is wary and never fully trusts anyone, knowing that how dirty people play for their achievements. While talking to her, it always seems like she knows more than you've told her. That is probably true. At the cost of her anonymity, she is attending Hope's Peak where she is promised security. Her talent is her duty, whether she is happy with it or not.
Etsuya Iwata – Ultimate Opera Singer
"My name is but fleeting. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, a song of any other melody would sound as fine. For now, call me Etsuya Iwata, forever I am the Ultimate Opera Singer. Allow me to bring pleasure to your ears, my darlings!"
Birthday: July 9th (Cancer)
Blood Type: B-
Height: 174cm / 5'7”
Weight: 65kg / 143lbs
Likes: being on stage, tea, sightseeing
Dislikes: having to keep secrets, incompetence, boring drama
Etsuya is a charming lad that likes to bathe in the spotlight. He comes from renowned music schools and stages and he is aware the extend of his talent such as his vocal range, performance abilities, musical expertise or the languages he is fluent in. However, Etsuya is not arrogant, he rather aims to make people happy with his performances. It's easy to fall for his appeal and compliments but it's just as easy to notice that he is moody and picky and overall dramatic, and terrible at lying.
Rokuro Nakatani - Ultimate Fraud
"Rokuro Nakatani, sixth son of my generation. This school calls me the Ultimate Fraud yet there's no actual evidence for this claim. I fear they might have given me that title based on my sisters who were arrested for theft and forgery. Well, these are only two of my eight siblings, black sheeps aren't uncommon, right?"
Birthday: April 14th (Aries)
Height: 167cm / 5'6"
Weight: 66kg / 146lbs
Likes: lucky charms, rabbits, looking stylish
Dislikes: noisy places, manual labor, seaweed
Rokuro comes from a family of forgers and grew up in criminal ranks with limited contact to a normal life. He is used to being assessed and given a value and, just like everyone else in his clan, is a perfectionist through and through. His talent, artistic skills and his eye for detail all came naturally to him without much effort. Rokuro is the poster child of his family, earning him prestige and confidence but also pressure and envy from his parents and siblings. Towards others, he is condescending and belittling. Despite his standing in the Nakatani family and with his crafting abilities at hand, Rokuro often wonders if there is a way for him to create something original.
Miyoko Iwata – Ultimate DJ
"Miyoko Iwata, Ultimate DJ! The lil' hodgepodge I'm wearin' on my face isn't actually a laser or sumthin', it just helps me see. So no worries, I don't bite! Or at least, not that often."
Birthday: July 9th (Cancer)
Blood Type: B+
Height: 172cm / 5'6"
Weight: 68kg / 152lbs
Likes: bass, crowds, playing violin
Dislikes: the quiet, being lonely, salty instant meals
Miyoko is a young music producer that is known for her remixes and features and grew her large international fanbase through social media. With how many experiences she has made in so little time, she has matured quickly and developed a sort of maternal protection over those she holds dear. However, that protection often slips into violence. Miyoko lashes out and threatens people, sometimes pulling the knife she carries on her. There seems to be something hidden underneath her visor and neon clothes that Miyoko doesn't wish to talk about. She says that she is looking for something.
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More and longer theory chatter with @flash-the-geist with guest stars who popped in. This one is longer since it’s theorizing but turned into something Flash affectionately named the ‘Esprestissimo AU’ which I am keeping because I love it so much.
Most of this mainly features Duet thoughts and then shenanigans ! The most I did was add a missing thing in my own comments for clarification or that my brain skipped over when typing it before, or where I adjust the order of the messages for cohesiveness
please enjoy jdjd
flaaaash — Today at 4:35 AM
hmmm what if the note-taker is Duet, taking notes about "Solo"? that implies they're two different people
Arthur — Today at 4:36 AM
that's what i was thinking-- that the ‘He’ in the note is reverb, and this note is in reference to reverb, but also a comment on Solo, and the Duet 'wrote' this character profile as like-- a case file if they're in charge of the organization
so duet is like 'solo' claims she still needs to study him for research in a note on the file he's taking on reverb or something like that
flaaaash — Today at 4:37 AM
this might be my deep, unfortunate familiarity with bureaucracy talking, but- if the person in charge is also the one taking notes, it's a very small organization
Arthur — Today at 4:37 AM
oh yeah
i imagined it was tiny personally
tempo seems on the smaller side so if it's all based there, i was imagining it was relatively small
flaaaash — Today at 4:38 AM
not international then, perhaps
adkjfakjf oooh now I want to make a little card for Flash
Arthur — Today at 4:39 AM
yeah no-- at least since the name tempo of the town following the motif like seemingly implies it's based in/related to the town since if follows the reference style
or that's my thinking anyways?
flaaaash — Today at 4:39 AM
very true
imagine if Tempo is just Like That and the rest of the world is totally normal
Arthur — Today at 4:40 AM
i personally think vivi didn't grow up in tempo now more tho-- because i think if she did and there is an organization, they woulda gotten wind of her and she probably would've been recruited since she's smart and clearly into that kind of thing
and if she was in the org and knew what she was doing, i don't know if she would've gone to the cave if she was at all in the Know
flaaaash — Today at 4:40 AM
or they would have tried to study Mystery?
Arthur — Today at 4:41 AM
that too!!
even if they brought her in just because of mystery i imagine they would've brought her in
flaaaash — Today at 4:41 AM
maybe that's what the "her research into "REDACTED" is referring to. Research into mystery?
it all does seem to come back to him
Arthur — Today at 4:42 AM
or maybe she's relatively new to tempo still, and duet gave her a job because they intended to bring her in at some point but hadn't yet
like there were steps to take and like-- the cave happened before things could get fully underway
i mean at my job i applied in like-- march, and i didn't get an interview until may, and then i didn't get any training until november, and then i didn't get brought in to learn the job until december. so it'd be easy to imagine that if there was a reason, bringing her in could be a slow process
flaaaash — Today at 4:43 AM
that might also explain why there were all these "go back" signs in the cave
clearly someone with English language skills put the signage there
Arthur — Today at 4:43 AM
that too! it definitely felt like it was to warn off people and keep them from tresspassing
but the gang were kids and also ghost don't haunt the places that aren't super scary and dangerous! so of course they gotta go in!
flaaaash — Today at 4:45 AM
maybe they weren't expecting someone like Vivi at all
she was a wild card that popped up and threw a spanner in the works accidentally
Arthur — Today at 4:45 AM
yeah!
i can imagine her just coming in and completely bamboozling everyone
duet is like 'okay we'll get her in on this but we'll take some time to sort everything and judge where she's at skill wise since we have time and it's not like she can get into any danger with all our protective me--oh no'
flaaaash — Today at 4:48 AM
that calls Duet's motivation into question a lil bc - there's at least a significant amount of time between Lewis dying and them finding him again
since their search is reasonably extensive and Arthur's had time to heal up. So why didn't Duet do anything during this time?
Arthur — Today at 4:50 AM
hmmmm--- well we know it's been less than a year since the cave happened at least, and i think the way Ben talked about it sounded like it was a relatively short time table of only a few months, so maybe they wanted to give them recovery time or they weren't sure how to broach it-- i'm not sure. maybe the comic will give some kind of insight hopefully if the case is that vivi came in like that
i feel like it'd be interesting and make more sense given what she has available magic wise and mystery-wise if she wasn't in town until much later in life to explain why she wouldn’t already be working with the organization. but i'm still like hmm
because you do have a point that there would be a fair bit of inaction, unless for some reason vivi's memory issues or something was a problem or something happens in the prequel to explain or hint
tho now that brings into question if duet knows Lewis is dead, how are things not being managed better
i mean i've had arthur say in the past and i've said once or twice that like-- i think arthur was already working with prosthetics. so he could've had an arm mostly built and just had to make a more functioning one so that could've been fast. so hopefully maybe the prequel comic is set a bit before and might explain duet helping or something in a way that could make sense of it?
especially given he did make galaham's wheels already and such. he might've already built one but needed to make a new one set up for him
flaaaash — Today at 4:54 AM
I'm fairly sure people would at least know he's missing
I guess it's possible that the 'memory magic' thing that makes Vivi forget - it could affect everyone except Arthur and Mystery?
Arthur — Today at 4:56 AM
that's possible--
we have only seen mystery and arthur in the world seeming to know what's going on, so we don't know who knows what. just that vivi doesn't know lewis
but maybe nobody else does either to some degree
flaaaash — Today at 4:56 AM
Arthur being possessed at the time, and Mystery being a magical being himself. We don't have any evidence that anyone else remembers Lewis, although he seems to still be in pictures
Arthur — Today at 4:57 AM
people did seem confused arthur was freaking out in the store in the comic and like
idk. if i knew he lost his best friend i'd be more sympathetic/not look at him like he was crazy. I’d assume something set him off but probably feel bad for him if i knew what happened in the last year?
because i would imagine mental health is in the toilet after going on a trip and losing a friend even if he was only 'missing'
and the way arthur mentioned lewis and when vivi forgets he's just like 'nevermind'. if no one really remembers Lewis, then maybe giving up trying to explain is because he’s used to no one knowing who he means
flaaaash — Today at 4:58 AM
yea h
Arthur — Today at 4:58 AM
what if arthur only remembers lewis? (and mystery does)
Don't forget to take your meds ❤ — Today at 4:58 AM
In fairness most people would be confused if they saw someone having a panic attack in public, no matter how much was known about the person
flaaaash — Today at 4:58 AM
also if Lewis looked like himself for a moment just before dropping Arthur - does that mean Lance saw him?
or did he only see skele-version and thus didn't recognize him as Lewis
Arthur — Today at 4:58 AM
hmmmmm--- i lean to skele vision. he turned back pretty quick iirc
flaaaash — Today at 4:59 AM
I'm torn between analysing between a storyteller perspective and an in-world perspective
Arthur — Today at 5:01 AM
por que no los dos?
also
hmmm-- i think given people were like 'what's up with that guy', it seemed either not knowing what was going on with him or what it could stem from, but if lewis disappeared in a small town i feel like a lot of the details would've spread. so they might assume it had to do with that instead-- so it feels like maybe most people don't know
which seems strange in a smaller community because stuff gets around
flaaaash — Today at 5:01 AM
especially since the Peppers own a restaurant
Arthur — Today at 5:01 AM
yeah-- in a small town place a restuarant is usually a social hub of sorts
so if lewis disppeared i'm sure people would talk given he was a waiter and thus kind of a face for the restaurant
flaaaash — Today at 5:02 AM
also if they think he's missing and not dead, his family would be looking for him too. which means missing persons pics and all that
Arthur — Today at 5:02 AM
yeah and we didn’t see any. and some people not knowing or visitors i could get, but everyone seemed surprised by arthur freaking out, and if they knew lewis was missing and lewis and arthur were friends, it feels odd to like-- none of them to even look sympathetic
i would imagine if they knew lewis was gone they'd assume arthur would be more emotionally reactive than usual-- unless they have no idea that something is going on with arthur because you know-- lewis is erased jdjd
i mean the reason we know vivi doesn't remember is because her eyes glowed as lewis got phased out of the photo
but who knows maybe him being phased out was in general and that just meant she was affected too. everyone gets amnesia
flaaaash — Today at 5:03 AM
also slightly cracky theory but - if they ended up accidentally in the research facility during Ghost, that would explain why Vivi found a fully-stocked fridge alkja;gl
Arthur — Today at 5:04 AM
DSJDDLJSDLFJDSJL
that would be hilarious
lewis is his own scp in his tantrum mansion
they just keep an eye on the lot
flaaaash — Today at 5:05 AM
well what else are they gonna do with him??? xD
Arthur — Today at 5:05 AM
dslsdjdsfljdsfd
''welp no one knows who this guy is soooooo manor in the middle of nowhere time'
flaaaash — Today at 5:06 AM
"so the waiter turned into a vengeful spirit?" "oh uhhhh ok put him in a box i guess until we figure something out?"
ok theory- Duet knows Lewis is dead, but is trying to figure out a way to help/break the memory magic on Vivi, and that's why he's in the mansion/cave for a while before Ghost?
Arthur — Today at 5:06 AM
i like it! i think them knowing and approaching arthur in the comic and using 'rancid vibes' as an excuse would make sense
flaaaash — Today at 5:07 AM
"so that Vivi person wandered in again somehow and now the vengeful waiter ghost is loose?" "for fuck's sake you had ONE JOB-"
Arthur — Today at 5:07 AM
they know what's actually going on but they kinda act like everyone else while also getting arthur something that might help him in that book that i think will be important in the plot of the prequel
DL;G;HDGSAL;HKGSDHL;DGS
flash you have the biggest brain
flaaaash — Today at 5:08 AM
,kadjgalgkj
"also there was this killer tree-" "I do not care about the tree, one problem at a time"
Poor Duet is having A Week
but the mental image of them trying to avoid Arthur and Vivi investigating, while trying to find ??? and re-capture him while shoving Lewis in a box is hilarious, and then they run into Shiromori and just throw their hands in the air like "can u not????". And then Murder Mystery shows up and they just quit
Arthur — Today at 5:10 AM
dlaajldkljjdl;dldjlfkfd
duet is just like
on their tenth cup of coffee
Don't forget to take your meds ❤ — Today at 5:10 AM
Arthur: Those are rookie numbers
Arthur — Today at 5:11 AM
they see murder mystery and go back inside the shop like 'can you add like 5 espresso shots to this'
flaaaash — Today at 5:11 AM
explains why they're like "Arthur pls your vibes. Do you KNOW what I've been dealing with"
Arthur — Today at 5:11 AM
asdl;;dfslhsdahg;as;dghkghsdllhsgd
flaaaash — Today at 5:11 AM
"five extra shots and a red bull chaser please-"
Arthur — Today at 5:12 AM
(also just still crosses my fingers for medium/spiritually-sensitive!arthur to be canon but if not it will live on in my fannon)
dsldjllssfdf
they just start shoving coffee grounds directly into their mouth
flaaaash — Today at 5:12 AM
this series has a lot of antagonists
akjdalgj just crunching beans down whole
Arthur — Today at 5:13 AM
i need-- to draw duet
looking tired with a coffee
flaaaash — Today at 5:14 AM
Duet with a giant cup of coffee, staring at Murder Mystery with a deadpan stare and going "Absolutely not, I forbid it, there is not enough coffee in the WORLD."
Arthur — Today at 5:14 AM
flash and will if i share this chatter on tumblr would you be okay with it ? or would u rather i block out names if i do
i feel like some of this is hilarious and people need to experience it
flaaaash — Today at 5:14 AM
akdflaf no go for it
I will out myself as a sham of a storyboarder
Arthur — Today at 5:15 AM
duet is that gif of the ghost busters lady going 'mmm nope not today, room full of nightmares'
and turning and walking away
duet is doing their best and needs a nap
tired as Arthur
flaaaash — Today at 5:15 AM
Duet walking around the corner to see the gang facing down Murder Mystery: swivels on one foot and goes right back the way they came
Arthur — Today at 5:15 AM
ldjldljd EXACTLY
Don't forget to take your meds ❤ — Today at 5:16 AM
Heheheheh
Arthur — Today at 5:16 AM
like look at this person
look at their eyebags
they are Tired
they have deal with this bullshittery
they have sass to provide
but they also are Tired and done with this shit
flaaaash — Today at 5:16 AM
I want Duet and Arthur playing a game of caffeine chicken
Marshy — Today at 5:16 AM
Huge massive sigh as they see the whole bullshit situation go down and turns around to go back to the bookshop
flaaaash — Today at 5:16 AM
just lined up at the cafe bar, espresso shots in rows down the counter as they lock eyes-
who shall win- the CAFFEINE-OFF?
Arthur — Today at 5:17 AM
flash
pls if you right that i will pay you money
or maybe art
Marshy — Today at 5:17 AM
It's me I'll win
flaaaash — Today at 5:17 AM
SLFKJLKGS
Arthur — Today at 5:17 AM
dlasd;sdgkd;djslj;dags
i'm rooting for you take those nerds OUT
flaaaash — Today at 5:18 AM
"Duet gives him a look of Supreme Weariness and Nopery. Arthur counters with a double eye-roll of Resignation and Angst. In the true synchronicity of the Absolutely Done, they each take an espresso shot and slam it down."
Arthur — Today at 5:20 AM
djdasd;ds;lsda;ldj;lkdsl;jkdsj;lkasljkdjlkdg
they clink the little cups together first before taking their respective shots
flaaaash — Today at 5:21 AM
they do the thing where they turn it upside down to prove it's empty
by the fifth they're trying to outcompete each other with anecdotes
by the tenth they've moved onto toasting each other
Arthur — Today at 5:21 AM
Bonding!
Don't forget to take your meds ❤ — Today at 5:22 AM
The anecdotes get concerningly similar to each others
flaaaash — Today at 5:22 AM
by the twelfth, Arthur begins weeping. Duet pats him in solidarity and knocks the next shot clean off the counter due to caffeine-induced twitching
Arthur — Today at 5:22 AM
DSGLAHGLDGHDGHAAHDSGDG
EXCELLENT
i
want them to be friends now
flaaaash — Today at 5:23 AM
by the thirteenth, the barista stages an intervention and starts giving them decaf
by this point, they don't notice
Arthur — Today at 5:23 AM
asdlaadjsdsajd
thank you they owe you their life
they could taste the difference if they weren't vibrating into the 28the dimension atm
flaaaash — Today at 5:24 AM
after the fifteenth shot, the counter is clear and they're both full of sympathetic outrage for the other's plight. They sprint from the cafe, steamroll right over Shiromori, and punt the colours right out of Murder Mystery in a fit of industrial-strength caffeinated indignance.
Don't forget to take your meds ❤ — Today at 5:24 AM
Hahahaha
Arthur — Today at 5:25 AM
h;lsadlf;dsldj;fsljl;dfsajdfsa
flaaaash — Today at 5:25 AM
The newly Monochromatic Mystery has to then help Vivi contain the pair before they wipe all paranormal activity off the face of Tempo.
Arthur — Today at 5:25 AM
that's how the fifth video ends
flaaaash — Today at 5:25 AM
Lewis narrowly escapes by hiding in a box. THE END
Arthur — Today at 5:25 AM
dsal;gsdhldgsa;dgsdgs;hldgs;lhdsa
beautiful thank u flash
i owe you my life
flaaaash — Today at 5:25 AM
you're welcome it's my magnum opus
Arthur — Today at 5:26 AM
A+ story telling
i'm including it in the post
flaaaash — Today at 5:26 AM
ALKJGAGK
it's okay I don't have a reputation to ruin xD
Arthur — Today at 5:26 AM
dlasdl;dhsgldgdgs
this is a callout for flash being the funniest person alive--
or undead
flaaaash — Today at 5:27 AM
dead-
sfkjga
l
Arthur — Today at 5:27 AM
djdjdjdj
i thought about it and corrected myself xDD
flaaaash — Today at 5:30 AM
ok I have no idea if anyone will get this pun, but I dub this the Esprestissimo AU
Arthur — Today at 5:36 AM
djalsd;ldsjdsjldf
i LOVE THAT
music puns but espressos EXTRA ESPRESSOLY
flaaaash — Today at 5:49 AM
xD
#headcanon#msa headcanon discussion#tristan rambles#flashthegeist#IT WAS SO MUCH FUN#duet#arthur#vivi#long post#mystery skulls animated#mystery skulls#my original stuff
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the costume
In which Tom dresses as Marty Mcfly for a Halloween party in Malibu and things get progressively wilder.
This is kind of my 200 followers celebration plus just some Halloween fun! Thanks to everyone who’s following, I really appreciate all of you and if you ever need a place to talk, my asks and messages are always open!
Ship: Tom Holland x Reader
Word Count: 1622
Warnings: mentions of alcohol consumption
Rating: K/K+
~
“So, how do I look, Jennifer?” Tom asked you with a raised brow and a smirk, his arms spread in display.
You rolled your eyes in amusement. Tom looked ridiculous in his Marty McFly outfit consisting of jeans, a patterned button up, a Levi jacket, and the iconic puffy orange vest.
Tom was taking you to a Halloween party at Robert Downey Jr.’s Malibu residence that was going to be filled with celebrities, some you know personally and others you were just fans of.
Somehow, he had convinced you to dress as Jennifer from Back to the Future since he was Marty. So there you were, clad in pink floral pants that went way too high up your waist, a white button up, and a denim vest. Your hair was styled into big loose curls.
“Good one Marty. That’s the last time I’m calling you that tonight, by the way,” you joked as you went to peck Tom on the lips. “You look very convincing. Too bad Robert wouldn’t go as Doc. You guys could finally recreate that scene.”
Tom chuckled.
“Yeah. I’m not actually sure what he’s going as tonight. He said it was a secret,” he said offhandedly. You could see a glint in his eyes but decided not to push him.
Instead, you went outside where a driver was waiting to take you to the house party.
The party was in full swing when you arrived, drinks flowing freely among the star-studded crowd. You saw all kinds of costumes, movie characters, famous people dressed as other famous people, memes, mythical creatures, and more.
You were a little star struck, but Tom led you through the crowd, saying quick hellos as you navigated the mansion. People were complimenting Tom’s and yours costumes and you felt yourself blushing.
Eventually you came upon a group of people you actually knew and talked for a little bit. You started looking around expectantly.
“Hey, babe?” you asked Tom quietly. He hummed in response. “Where is Robert? I mean, it is his party after all.”
“Oh you know him. He’s waiting to make an RDJ entrance. He probably won’t be long.”
You accepted that answer and went back to conversing with your friends, Tom leaving you for a moment to grab drinks.
Eventually the lights started flickering.
“Here he comes,” Tom muttered under his breath. You smiled.
Some strobe lights circled the room and on came a spotlight, leading to cheers and applause.
Only a couple yards away stood Robert Downey Junior dressed in full Doc Brown garb, from the Hawaiian shirt and lab coat combo to an electrifying white wig.
Your jaw dropped and you turned to Tom, who was just smirking.
“You knew?” you asked incredulously. Tom shrugged.
“Maybe.”
You rolled your eyes again. Robert scanned the room as people looked between him, Tom, and you. Finally his own eyes landed on Tom.
“Great scott! Marty, is that you?” he asked in an eccentric voice, one finger pointed up to the sky. He marched over as Tom began laughing, unable to hide his amusement.
“Woah doc! I’ve been lookin’ all over for you!” Tom said in an exaggerated northern American accent, paralleling Michael J. Fox’s from the film.
They didn’t make it any further as both men couldn’t help but break into laughter, hugging. The lighting went back to normal and people started going back to their own conversations.
“Well look at this, you brought Jennifer!” Robert said, turning to you. You hugged him quickly and began talking with him.
A few minutes had passed when there was a loud interruption.
“MCFLYYYYYYY!” came a loud exclamation from a male voice. Everyone turned towards the source.
“No. Way.” you said, looking to your boyfriend again. He had a wild grin on his face.
From the crowd burst another man onto the scene: Jake Gyllenhaal.
You couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
He was dressed as the one and only Biff Tannen: cuffed jeans, a white tee, and a grey zipped jacket.
He pointed angrily at Tom, stomping over.
“Why don’t you make like a tree and get out of here!” Jake exclaimed. He, too, quickly fell into a fit of laughter just as the other two had.
He then happily greeting the group as well, hugs all around.
“What’s next, George and Lorraine?” you joked, looking to Tom expectantly.
“No, no. Jake was the last of it,” he assured.
You took a few group photos to show off your great costumes and spoke for a while. After a bit, people started floating around from group to group, saying more hellos to friends and Tom making introductions for you.
You were happy to just hang out with everyone and drink and be merry, but eventually Jake came up and whispered something into Tom’s ear. He nodded and turned to you.
“Okay babe I need to go do something real quick are you good or do you want me to find Chris and the others?”
“Oh, um, well. I think they’re just over there actually, but where are you going?”
“You’ll see,” he trailed, throwing you a wink. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”
He gave you a quick kiss and disappeared with Jake. You resigned yourself to finding your friends but couldn’t help but wonder.
What are those boys up to?
You were mid conversation when the lights once again changed to illuminate the stage where the DJ had been all evening. Everyone turned their attention to see a background revealed to look like a school hallway.
Out came Jake in his Biff garb with a microphone, a giant smile on his face.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Doc Brown and Marty McFly,” he said gesturing to the side before disappearing off stage.
Tom and Robert appeared, now changed into different outfits.
This time, Tom had slacks with a grey and red jacket along with a patterned white button up underneath. Robert was dressed in similar pants with an eccentric red and yellow button up, a white sport coat, and white had with red accenting.
You slapped a hand over your mouth.
Tom shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Doc, she didn’t even look at him,” Tom said in his Peter Parker voice.
The crowd cheered.
One they died down, Robert said the next line, continuing the scene that had been famously deep-faked of the two.
The scene finished quickly with Robert first saying,
“What are their common interests? What do they like to do together?”
“Nothing,” Tom finished. With that, Robert walked off, leaving Tom to look around confused and the lights to go down.
Everyone screamed and clapped and cheered at the scene’s end. You let out a few whoops and clapped as the lights were brought back up, Tom and Robert both laughing and waving.
Robert gave a conductors’ signal for the crowd to quiet and everyone settled down.
“I just wanted to give a big thanks to everyone for coming out tonight,” he began. He gave a quick speech about the circumstances that led to them doing the scene for the party and then turned the floor over to Tom.
“Thank you, thank you! Before I say anything else I first want to call up my girlfriend, wherever she is,” he said, looking around the room. A few people moved and pointed towards you, making it easy for Tom to spot you in the crowd.
“Come on up here, y/n!” he exclaimed. People shuffled around to let you go forward and step up onto the stage. You were confused as to why he wanted you there other than maybe because of your costume.
Tom wrapped an arm over your shoulders before speaking again.
“I need to apologize to my dear y/n tonight,” he started, causing you to give him an equally concerned and confused look. “Y/n, I’m sorry for lying to you about my whereabouts this week. Every time you went to work I came here to rehearse instead of just going to the gym.”
You breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, then smirked.
“Well I guess I should be honest too, then,” you followed, stretching up to say it into Tom’s mic. It was Tom’s turn to look surprised.
“Let’s just say that “find my friends” and snap maps don’t lie...” you trailed, causing the crowd to “ooooh” and Tom to drop his jaw.
“You knew? Since when!?”
“The first day you came here, you goof. I kept dropping hints all week to see if you’d come clean about it.”
“So you’re telling me, in front of all these people, that you knew about our surprise? And you never said anything?”
“Well I wouldn’t say I knew for sure, but that was the best case scenario and I figured I’d give you the benefit of the doubt.”
Tom just shook his head incredulously and gave you a squeeze, planting a quick kiss on your head.
“My girlfriend, everyone! The smartest, and maybe sneakiest, girl I know!”
With that the party continued on early into the morning of November first. By the time you were taken back to yours and Tom’s place, you were both still pretty buzzed from all the drinks you’d consumed after Tom finished his little speech.
Neither of you, however, were all too tired yet.
“So... Marty,” you began as you and Tom walked down the hall to the bedroom.
“I thought you weren’t gonna call me that anymore,” he said with squinted eyes.
“It’s a new day isn’t it?” you replied, sliding his jacket off his shoulders.
“Well I guess it is, Jennifer.” His voice was husky as he began stripping off your own vest.
It didn’t take long for you to exhaust yourselves after that.
~
A/N: Once again, thanks to everyone for reading and following! I know I’m not the most consistent writer but you guys are awesome for sticking around. Hopefully I can get another marriage project chap our by next week :)
permanent tag list: @jackiehollanderr, @one-big-fangirl, @agentnataliahofferson
#the costume#tom holland#tom holland imagine#tom holland x reader#tom holland fanfiction#tom holland oneshot#spider-man#tom holland spider man#robert downey junior#robert downey jr#jake gyllenhaal
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My 2020 Festival Year
It’s a new year! Which means it’s time for a new festival calendar! Oh joy! This is actually my first year doing anything like this. And trust me it took a lot of time, a lot of wine, and a lot of me shushing my perfectionism. It was a huge pain in the ass to put together, I’m not going to lie to you, babycakes. But my hope is that now that I have SOMETHING, it’ll make the process less of a hassle in the years to come. And also hopefully this will help you not want to smash your face into the keyboard when you go to plan out your festival year.
Before we get to the actual plan, I want to talk a bit about how I went about constructing the year.
I mainly used the Hellenion.org calendar as a basis along with Baring the Aegis. I went through both month by month looking at the festivals listed and deciding whether I wanted to celebrate those festivals and when exactly I wanted to celebrate them. Both websites provide information on each festival they mention, but I also did independent research just to back everything up and see if I could find any additional information.
It’s important to note that the Hellenic year follows the lunar cycle, so it doesn’t line up with our modern calendar. It’s up to you to decide how you wish to approach that. The Hellenion calendar transfers the Hellenic calendar onto our modern one which is extremely useful for those of you who want to keep your worship as traditional and historically accurate as possible.
I did not go in that direction (shocker!). I chose to instead adopt the calendar to not only fit the modern calendar but fit my own life. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for me so I won’t get overwhelmed.
Some festivals line up with when about they were traditionally celebrated, but others I decided to move around for various reasons. I tried to spread out the holidays because again I didn’t want to get overwhelmed and some festivals I put on the sacred day of the god being honored because why not? I’m already giving them an offering so why not just make a whole celebration out of it?
Like I said, I designed this calendar specifically with my needs, interests, and life in mind. And I encourage you to do the same. In no way are you required to celebrate every festival so don’t put pressure on yourself to do more than what you can manage. Remember you can always alter and update the calendar each year to add more so there’s no need to jump into the deep end right away. Do what makes sense to you, your worship, and your life.
Okay one last thing before the calendar. I want to note that there are some special days that I will be celebrating monthly which are:
Noumenia - Celebrated the first of the month (traditionally on the New Moon) this holiday is used to prepare for the new month. Great time to set goals for the month, reset your energy, and of course ask the gods and any household daemons to bless and protect you.
Sacred Days - Some of the gods had days of the month which were sacred to them and were given offerings or libation in their honor on those days. Athena (3rd), Aphrodite and Hermes (4th), Artemis (6th), Apollo (7th), Poseidon (8th), and my own personal addition Persephone (First Quarter Moon).
Hekate’s Deipnon - Celebrated the last day of the month (traditionally on the Dark Moon) this holiday is all about doing what needs to be done to let go of the old month. Tying up any loose ends, making sure all debts are repaid, all obligations have been fulfilled, reflecting on the lessons learned, and just doing what you need to so you don’t bring any baggage into the new month. You wanna start fresh! Also it’s time of the month to honor Hekate to make sure you stay on her good side and a good day to do some charity or volunteer work. Especially anything involving feeding the homeless and those in need.
And now we can finally get to the calendar! I didn’t include descriptions of the festivals because I’m going to make separate content for each one and update this post with links as I do. Also if you don’t want to wait you can research them with the resource links I already provided!
Okay finally! Here’s my festival calendar for 2020!
January
3rd - Athena
4th - Aphrodite and Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Apollo
8th - Poseidon
23rd - Theogamia
31st - Hekate’s Deipnon
February
1st - Noumenia
2nd - Imbolc, Persephone
3rd - Athena
4th - Aphrodite and Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Apollo
8th - Poseidon
14th - Valentine’s Day (Aphrodite, Eros, Psyche)
29th - Hekate’s Deipnon
March
1st - Noumenia
2nd - Persephone
3rd - Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Elaphebolia (Artemis)
7th- Apollo
8th- Poseidon
9th- Dionysia
19th - Ostara
31st - Hekate’s Deipnon
April
1st- Noumenia, Persephone
3rd- Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Apollo
8th - Poseidon
10th- Mounykhia
13th - Olympeia
22nd - Earth Day (Gaia)
30th- Hekate’s Deipnon
May
1st - Beltane, Noumenia
3rd- Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Thargelia
7th - Thargelia
8th - Poseidon
10th - Mother’s Day (Hera)
30th - Persephone
31st - Hekate’s Deipnon
June
1st- Noumenia
3rd- Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Apollo
8th- Poseidon
11th - Death of Alexander the Great
21st - Litha, Father’s Day (Zeus)
28th - Persephone
30th - Hekate’s Deipnon, MY BIRTHDAY!
July
1st - Noumenia
3rd - Khalkeia
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Apollo
8th - Poseidon
17th - Aphrodisia
27th - Persephone
31st - Hekate’s Deipnon
August
1st - Lammas, Noumenia
3rd - Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Boedromia
8th - Poseidon
25th - Persephone
31st - Hekate’s Deipnon
September
1st - Noumenia
3rd - Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Kharisteria
7th - Apollo
8th - Poseidon
23rd - Mabon
24th - Persephone
29th - Thesmophoria
30th - Thesmophoria, Hekate’s Deipnon
October
1st - Thesmophoria, Noumenia
3rd - Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Apollo
8th - Poseidon
23rd - Persephone
31st - Samhain
November
1st - Noumenia
3rd - Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Pyanepsia, Oskhophoria
8th - Poseidon
22nd - Persephone
30th - Hekate’s Deipnon
December
1st - Noumenia
3rd - Athena
4th - Aphrodite, Hermes
6th - Artemis
7th - Apollo
8th - Poseidon
13th - Poseidea
21st - Yule, Persephone
31st - Hekate’s Deipnon
Hope you all have an absolutely blessed year in 2020! <3
#Hellenism#Hellenic Polytheism#Hellenismos#theoi worship#theoi#Hellenic religion#hellenistic witch#pagan#paganism#polytheism#deity worship#witchcraft#my festival year#2020 festivals#hellenic festivals#hellenic holidays#wheel of the year#pagan holidays#pagan festivals#hellenic festival calendar#hellenic calendar
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Wounded Hearts 2
Summary: When John Winchester leaves his two high school-aged sons in a motel in Fairfax, IN while he goes off on a hunt, they both make friends. What happens after they have to suddenly leave when John comes to fetch them. Will those friendships endure? Does Dean leave a piece of his soul behind?
Word Count: 3,408
A/N: This is a sequel to Past Haunts, but it’s mostly what happened in the thirteen years between high school and when Sam and Dean return to take care of a haunting in their old stomping grounds of Truman High. The first couple of chapters will be mainly Dean’s POV and then after that, each chapter will switch from Dean’s POV to Rebecca’s POV. I will label them appropriately.
Rebecca’s POV
The walk home is kind of uncomfortable. My crotch is sensitive and tender and these jeans are not helping at all. I think over what just happened. I just gave my virginity to Dean Winchester. The boy who came out of nowhere and walked the school halls like he owned the place. I briefly thought about how just last week he was all about Amanda Heckling, the popular girl, the head cheerleader. Had he fucked her too? They had seemed hot and heavy for a minute but then, just as quickly as he showed up, they were over and he was proclaiming to the halls that he was a hero. Had he taken Amanda's virginity too?
I shake my head and huff a laugh. No way was Amanda Heckerling a virgin. Not since freshman year at least. She had been caught with her pants down, literally, with Justin Scott in her bedroom. So, no Dean definitely hadn't taken Amanda's innocence.
As soon as I get home I rush to the bedroom to change out of my- now damp from the remnants of what had transpired between me and Dean- panties. Thankfully it's just my cum filling my underwear; Dean had wrapped it up before he fucked me.
I change quickly, wadding my ruined panties into a ball and stuffing them to the bottom of the hamper. My mom yells that dinner is ready and I pause, taking a breath and praying that neither she nor dad can sense the change in me. I'm no longer their innocent little girl but a woman, an adult capable of safely fornicating.
I can feel their stares, hear their whispers as I walk to my locker. Does everyone know? Are all my classmates aware that I am no longer pure and virginal Rebecca Quentin. Do they know that I oh so easily gave it up to Dean Winchester? Or am I just imagining it all?
I grab my books and sign in then take my regular seat in Mrs. Meadows' English Lit class. My heart is pounding in my ears, knowing that shortly Dean would walk through the door. Would he sit beside me, like he did Amanda? Would he ask me to be his girlfriend? I mean, we've already done the deed so that's the next step, right? Ok, so our steps are a little misconstrued but so what?
I hear him before I see him, his heavy army-style boots stomping down the hallway. As soon as he enters the room, my breath catches in my throat. I'd always thought Dean was good-looking but now? Damn is he sexy as hell! I can't help but turn away to hide the blush on my face as I remember his touch and how it felt to have him inside me. My heart drops as he passes by the empty desk beside me to take his seat at the back of the room. Dammit, maybe it wasn't as special to him as it had been to me. Maybe he was used to defiling girls and then acting as if they didn't exist. As Mrs. Meadows calls for attention I vow to confront him at lunch. Hopefully we can have a quiet discussion and not cause a scene.
By the time the bell rings for lunch, I am a nervous wreck. The more I thought about it, the less I wanted to address the obvious elephant in the school. Dean Winchester conned his way into my pants; pretending to be a gentleman and noble when in all reality he was a fraud, a hustler. Watching him with his little brother yesterday, how he had made sure Sam was well-fed and taken care of had to have been a ruse! Just a way to get me to let my guard down and then he struck when that window of opportunity opened; like a snake, a conniving devious snake.
Deciding I can't civilly accost Dean, I make my way to the vending machines. I'll just go to the motel after school and talk to him then. I just hope he hasn't duped his next victim there. That's what I feel like; a victim, a casualty of the trickster that is Dean Winchester. I scan the lunchroom as I enter but see no sign of Dean or his brother Sam. I sigh in relief as I don't think I could handle being ignored again. I sit at a table in the corner and open my bags of chips.
The rest of my classes were dull and lackluster. I just couldn't concentrate on anything any of my teachers were saying. The concept that Dean was ignoring and avoiding me was breaking me, was breaking my heart and soul. I wanted to know why. Why did he choose me? Why did he have to defile what could have been an incredible friendship? Maybe even a wonderful and dare I say loving relationship. Did getting the privilege of saying he slept with me mean more to him than that? The more I thought about it, the angrier I got until I had furiously scribbled a hole into the paper on my desk. I was going to that motel after school and finding out!
When the last bell sounds, I gather my books and head to my locker. I look morosely at locker #214, the one Dean had been assigned. It was only a few down from mine. I hadn't seen him all day; not since he so openly ignored me during first period. It is painfully obvious he was avoiding me. Well I am going to put a stop to that. I march out of the building and head down the same path we had walked yesterday, straight to the place it all went downhill, room 7 at the Motel Monroe.
A few hours later
I knock on the door and wait. And the longer I wait, the more upset I get. How dare Dean ignore and avoid me and act like I don't exist in his world. Yesterday, he acted as if he made me believe he was interested in being my friend, if not more and today I'm nobody?
I'm not a nobody. I get perfect grades and in less than a year I will be moving away, going to college and in a few short years graduate with a master's in psychology and on my way to becoming one of the best behavioral counselors in the country. I have plans and dreams; I'm not just some girl to pass the time with.
After a few minutes and another knock, there is still no answer. I step to the window to see inside but the curtain is closed tight. 'Oh no you don't, Dean Winchester,' I think silently. 'You are not hiding from me. We are going to hash this out like adults.' I walked toward the manager's office to find out if there is a way to get him to open the door. Instead I find devastating news when the manager tells me, "They cleared out about 3 hours ago."
I walk away from the motel, the place I lost my virginity in with tears threatening to roll down my face. Will I ever see him again?
Eight weeks later
Time is a fickle thing. Some days it seems to rush by while others it seems to just stand still and turn stagnant.
After finding out that the Winchesters had left town, I turned my attention back to my studies. I only had a few more months until I'd be graduating high school and moving on to bigger, brighter things.
Thanksgiving had come and gone and now we are all hurtling toward Christmas and the almost two weeks off from school. The whole school is abuzz with excitement and enthusiasm for the break. Me? I am just going through the motions. I had gotten ill a few days ago, puking my guts up and just feeling horrible. Whatever it is, I wish it would just run its course already. I am tired of feeling weak and feeble.
Today is the school's last day before Christmas break and I was just looking forward to being able to lay around and let the flu or pneumonia or whatever gets its claws into me. Something grabs my attention and I look at the calendar hanging beside my desk. A big old red circle is around the 4th, the day I should've started my period. I grab the calendar and turn it back to November and see another big red circle. Two months. Two missed periods. And I know that they are missed because every time I start I always draw a line through the circle and these two circles have no lines. What the hell? I try to remember having my period in November but I am coming up blank. The last period I remember was in October, the first part of October. I remember because it was right after my Mom's birthday. I turn the page and yep, October 5th has a circle with a line through it. So why didn't I mark through November's and December's? I scan through the month of October and my eyes land on the 14th.
The day I spent with the Winchesters, the day I lost my virginity to Dean, the day that…..oh fuck. Oh god no!
At school, I can’t concentrate on anything. My calculus teacher calls on me and I don’t hear her. The words ‘I’m pregnant’ keep repeating over and over in my head. I can’t be pregnant. I only had sex once. But once is all it takes, I tell myself.
I get through the rest of the day, barely, and by the time the last bell rings I am a nervous wreck. I know what I need to do. I have to go to the pharmacy and buy a test. But everyone knows everyone in this town and I know old Mrs. Wilson will tell my parents that she sold me a pregnancy test.
Walking into the drugstore I am praying and hoping that Mrs. Wilson possibly has the day off and someone else is working her shift but no such luck. As soon as I walk in she sees me and smiles. I return the smile and walk down the farthest aisle from the one I need. As I trek slowly through the store, pretending that I am looking at different things, I come up with a plan. I’ll just take one off the shelves and ask to use the bathroom.
When I get to the correct aisle I feel overwhelmed. There are so many! Different brands, different processes. I find one that looks easy enough; what is more easier than just peeing on a stick? Stuffing the box in my bag, I head toward the front of the store, grabbing a package of maxi pads on my way.
“Hello Rebecca,” Mrs. Wilson greets me. “How are you today?”
“Hi Mrs. Wilson. I’m good. Listen, is there anyway I can, uh...use the facilities here?” I ask as I show her the maxi pads. She nods in understanding and points me toward the bathroom.
I quickly shut and lock the door and lean against it, taking a breath. ‘Come on Rebecca. You can do this.’ I think to myself. ‘It might even be negative. Could be something completely different wrong with me.’
I pull the box out of my bag and step toward the toilet. I know I don’t have that much time before Mrs. Wilson comes to check on me. Pulling the test out of the box, I quickly read the directions.
1. Pee on stick
2. Wait 5 minutes.
3. Two lines means pregnant; one line means not pregnant.
Ok simple enough. I do as instructed and place the stick on the sink. This is going to be the longest five minutes in history!
How can something so inconsequential as a piece of plastic change your whole life? Plastic is nothing but synthetic polymers that can be molded into whatever is needed. In this instance, this piece of plastic was sculpted into a thin white stick with a window on the end. And in that window was life-altering news. Two pink lines.
I stare at the test for what seemed like forever. I’m pregnant. I am only a few months away from turning 18, graduating high school and going off to college. Yet, here I am carrying Dean Winchester’s illegitimate child. I place my hand on my still flat stomach and look in the mirror. “I’m pregnant,” I whisper to my reflection. I didn’t even realize I am crying until I see the tears streaming down my face.
Hearing Mrs. Wilson heading my way, I hurry and wipe my face clean and pick up the positive test, sticking it in my pocket. I open the package of pads and take one out and cram the unused one into the bottom of the trash can. At least, that way it will look like I used one and not raise any suspicions with the old busybody.
After paying for the one item I won’t be needing for a while, I leave the store and head home. How am I going to tell my parents that I’m pregnant? Of course they're going to want to know everything. Well, maybe not everything. They know how babies are made, they have me after all. But they are going to ask a million questions. Who’s the father? Where is he now? Does he know? Is he going to be a man and step up? I only know the answer to one of those. Dean Winchester is the father. That’s all I know. He used me and then up and disappeared the very next day.
I get home and am relieved that both my parents aren’t home yet. I have a few more minutes to come to terms with the fact of my situation myself. I run upstairs to my room and fall onto my bed, burying my face in the pillow. While I am alone, I decide to go ahead and get it out. The anger, the frustration, the heartache.
I am 17 years old, a senior in high school and pregnant by a boy who split in no time afterwards. The tears come instantaneously. How am I going to be able to fulfill my dream of going to college and becoming a psychologist? I can’t be raising a kid while going through years of study at Harvard to get my bachelor’s plus an internship. By the time I’d be done with all that my child is going to be at least 10 years old.
Damn him! Damn him and his boyish charms and his mesmerizing green eyes and his sexy as hell body.
“Damn you Dean Winchester! I hate you. I wish I’d never met you,” I scream into the fluffy cushion. “I hope wherever you are that your dick falls off and you can’t do this to some other poor girl!”
Fuck, is all I can think. How many girls had he done this to? How many illegitimate babies did he have? He had said his family traveled a lot so there were probably girls all over who were pregnant or had bared his offspring.
"Fuck," I sigh. "If I get an STD because of him I'll hunt him down and kill him," I growled. I begin punching the pillow, pretending it is Dean’s face. I can’t believe him. How dare he take advantage of me like that!
But then I realize, he didn’t take advantage; I clearly gave him exactly what he wanted. ‘Dumbass! I am such a dumbass. I walked right into his trap and didn’t even understand what I was getting into. I was so dumbfounded and surprised that he wanted to talk to and hang out with me that I just followed him along like a lost puppy. And then I gave him the one thing that I could never get back. All because of a few words and some attention. How much of an idiot am I?’
Shaking my head at my stupidity I head to the bathroom to clean off my face and get prepared to confess to my parents. They are going to be so disappointed in me. It’s going to break their hearts. I’ve been talking about going to Harvard and becoming a psychologist since I was in middle school and now that is just a pipe dream. It won’t ever come true now.
I don’t have much of an appetite so I just push my food around on my plate. I feel bad about it because Mom had rushed home from work and went straight to cooking and now my stomach is all twisted up and I can’t eat. It looks like they are about to be finished with their dinner so I decided no better time than the present.
“Mom? Dad?” I begin. “We need to talk.”
“What is it sweetie?” My dad says as he gets up to put his plate in the sink. “Did you get a C in class or something?” he turns back to the table with a jesting grin on his face. “You know you don’t have to be completely perfect in everything.”
Mom and Dad have been telling me for years that I was pushing myself too hard. That it doesn't matter to them if I get straight A’s or not as long as I don’t fail. But I wanted to prove to them, and myself, that I could. And so far I had; I am only a few credits shy of graduating high school with honors.
“Oh, I’m not perfect,” I tell him, looking down at my hands in my lap. “Far from it actually. I-uh-I have some not so good news. You might even call it upsetting news.”
My parents both look at me, perplexed. Mom speaks up first, “What is it Rebecca? Are you dying? Do you have cancer or something?”
Leave it up to Mom to think about a worse-case scenerio. Of course in her mind, the most distressing would be that I only had a few months to live. Which, in this case, it’s kinda true. A few more months and life as I know it is over.
I pull the positive pregnancy test out of my hoodie pocket and lay it in the middle of the table. Clear as day, anyone can see what it is. My dad suddenly sits down and puts his head in his hands and Mom…well, Mom stands up, looks at me with pity and walks out of the dining room. A few minutes later, I hear their bedroom door slam shut.
The commotion brings Dad out of his stupor and he looks up at me. “How did this happen, Rebecca?” I quirk an eyebrow at him at the absurdity of his question. “I mean, I know how it happened. When?”
“Back in October. I hung out with this guy and his little brother and we watched a movie and ate pizza and popcorn. After the movie was over, his brother wanted to go to the arcade and it left me and Dean in the room, alone. One thing just led to another.” I finish with a shrug of my shoulders.
And just like I assumed, Dad begins badgering me with questions. “Who is he? Does he know about the baby yet? Is he going to step up and take care of it and you?”
I sigh before I answer. “His name is Dean. Dean Winchester. No, he doesn’t know and probably never will. He and his brother were staying in the motel across town while their dad was working. He’s gone now. Left the day after. I don’t know how to get in touch with him.”
Dad and I sat there in silence after I told him about Dean and how he was no longer around. I can see the steps of processing Dad is going through on his face. At first he is angry, livid even. Then he is just mad. But what breaks my heart is when my dad looks at me and all I can see is disappointment.
I feel like such a failure. I failed my parents and myself the moment I allowed Dean to come into my life. The moment I had sex with him.
@lostinaseaoffictionalbliss @spnbaby-67 @tftumblin @sea040561 @delightfullykrispypeach @larajadeschmidt13 @atc74 @vicariouslythruspn @squirrelnotsam @sandlee44 @blacktithe7 @hoboal87 @mogaruke @deanwanddamons @supraveng @deandreamernp @akshi8278 @lyarr24 @markofdean79 @travelingriversideblues-x @akshi8278 @keymology @natura1phenomenon @drakelover78
#dean winchester#john winchester#sam winchester#wounded hearts#past haunts sequel#rebecca quentin#smut#fluff#angst#dean x becka#high school
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Sunday Thoughts: Democracy delayed but maybe not denied in the time of COVID
2020 has already seen massive changes to the political landscape of New York without one election actually being held. The COVID crisis has made us think on the fly about how to hold elections, delay elections, and in some cases whether to hold them at all. The crisis has also shined a light on the inadequacies of our New York Electoral system and how hard it is to change it. We muse that this crisis is going to change things in our society and in terms of elections I hope it changes the assumptions about how easy it is to run them and people realize that we can’t put off electoral reform year after year.
This year the Covid Crisis has already forced us to move our April 28th Presidential Primary and Special elections to June 23rd, postpone the March 18th Village elections and May 19th School elections to a date yet to be determined, redesign the absentee ballot procedures for June, and rethink where we can hold elections. Now comes word this week that the special elections scheduled for June 23rd are cancelled, and it is possible the Presidential primary will be cancelled after a meeting of the State Board tomorrow.
It is rightful to be concerned about these changes and the effect it will have on the New York electoral system. In light of our national assault on Democracy through gerrymandering and restrictive voting regulations used to give partisan advantage, these changes can be seen as worrisome signs. Fears about what this could mean for the November elections are only natural.
However we only need to look at the Wisconsin primary on April 7th to see what happens when officials ignore the dangers and push through with elections without adjusting. The Wisconsin GOP over ruled the Governor who wanted to delay the election in hopes of using the Pandemic to suppress turnout and win a WI Supreme Court seat. They also went to the Supreme Court to limit absentee voting. Voters had to stand in long lines as polling places were closed due to lack of inspectors. The Gambit didn’t work. Voters turned out and the results at the ballot box, with the Democrat winning by substantial numbers, should be seen as a warning to those who try to limit democracy. At what cost though. BY last count dozens of new COVID infections have been traced to the April 7th elections.
New York was correct in delaying elections and is further doing the right thing by allowing an expanded absentee balloting. The New York Constitution does not allow straight vote by mail, so Governor Cuomo is doing the next best thing. He has by executive order allowed anyone to apply for an absentee by using the “temporary illness” excuse because of the COVID crisis. He further made it easier to apply by allowing for email applications. Now on Friday he announced that Board of Elections must mail an application to every voter with postage paid returns. You still need to apply, a ballot won’t, and can’t, be automatically mailed. And if you don’t want to wait, in Onondaga County you can go to onvote.net and apply now. Soon a phone option will be launched as well.
Activists and some voters will take issue with the cancellation of state and local special elections and the possible elimination of the Presidential Primary. Certainly cancelling elections is a concern and it would be reflexive to just say we should hold these elections anyway. Unfortunately the answer is, as usual, not that simple. The Special Election, Presidential Primary, and local primaries are three different elections under NYS law. This means separate ballots and separate check ins for each election. This would double the amount of inspectors and possibly triple the amount of mailing costs for local boards. Also there could be voter confusion both at home and at the polling place by voters and inspectors alike. Part of the OVID crisis has prevented Boards from holding training of inspectors and we would be faced with doing this on the fly on Election Day itself. This confusion in and of itself could be seen as a form of vote suppression.
Normally I would say damn the costs and confusion and give a lecture on the need for investment in Democracy. However the Specials and Presidential Primary have devolved into what can best be described as inconsequential elections. The winners of the special elections would not take office now until July, traditionally the session for the New York legislature ends in June. Holding the already scheduled elections in November will mean a representative will be in place for the start of session next year. There are also staff in all of these seats to address constituent concerns and those staff continue. Not ideal, but definitely not something that is earth shattering.
The Presidential Primary may come to an end as well on Monday. State Board Commissioners were given the right to determine whether a candidacy was active and drop them off the ballot. At the time this was passed there were scheduled to have 11 candidates on the NY Primary ballot, 9 of them had already dropped out of the race and endorsed another candidate. The other 2, Biden and Sanders, were publicly giving every indication they would stay on well past June. This was a way to simplify the ballot for voters and make it easier for Boards of Elections. However now Bernie Sanders has also dropped out of the race and endorsed Biden. So now the State Board Commissioners could remove him from the ballot ending the primary.
Sanders supporters will point to Sanders wish that his name remain on the ballot so he can rack up delegates for the party convention. The question remains does the State of New York have a vested interest in spending public dollars on a party squabble? I am an advocate of primaries over caucuses because I believe the State of New York has a vested interest in determining the candidate that appears on the General Election Ballot is truly the representative of the citizens’ wishes. However that is not at question here. Keeping the Presidential Primary will double the amount of absentee costs for every county, and close to 1/3 of the counties will have to open up polling places on Election Day (when they otherwise wouldn’t have to).. It may be better to allow the Biden and Sanders camps along with the New York State Democratic Party make alternate plans on delegate selection.
Onondaga County would have to open up anyway in June so I take no personal position, but simple solutions on both sides of this question overlook the complexities involved. These complexities are made more problematic by New York’s still antiquated election laws. So much progress was made last year but many things like Automatic Voter Registration, absentee reform, ballot access, and minor election law changes were left on the table. When the legislative session comes resumes voting reforms should once again take center stage so that when the next crisis hits our Democracy can be more nimble and put the needs of the voters forward. We have a great deal of work to get to a more accessible modern voting system. Hopefully we will learn from these tribulations and build a better New York together.
Dustin Czarny
NYS Elections Commissioner Association Democratic Caucus Chair
Onondaga County Elections Commissioner (D)
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KARMA FILES - SuXXess 2020 - MONEY & POWER
CANCER
MONEY: With Uranus in Taurus affecting your house of hopes and wishes until July 78th 2025, your aspirations and ideas are going to change without a doubt. Some of these changes will come from outside sources/events that occur, “forcing” you have a different perspective towards your path to success. The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in your sign on January 10th was sign of things to come, highlighting the end of the old you/ how you present Self to the world, facilitating an internal/external makeover. Learning to keep emotions balanced and developing a thicker skin.
Your house of good luck, expansion, opportunity and higher learning is the focus of Neptune in Pisces until March 31st 2025, Harvest full Moon in Pisces, September 2nd and Mercury retrograde in Pisces February 16th - March 5th. These transits are a call from the Universe to take off the rose-colored glasses and see life in its reality, not the vision you have created, that isn’ quite what is going on at all. It won’t be easy to do this but very necessary if you’re to avoid, disappointment created by others and Self, because of giving qualities too people who are incapable of being that type of person. Mercury retrograde in Pisces, will bring back situations from the past to remind you of this fact.
Saturn moving into Aquarius March 21st - July 1st initially, will reside in your house of joint financial partnerships, karma, the past, legacies, debts and secrete enemies. Financial problems from the past may come back to haunt you in order for resolution to take place. The most important thing is take responsibility and lear the lesson the Universe is trying to show you. If you’re in a partnership with friends/acquaintances, you may find that they don’t really have your best interests at heart which would mean, eventually you have to part company. This will allow new people, hopefully, individuals who truly support you, to take their place. When Saturn retrogrades in Aquarius, May 11th - July 1st, things may seem really difficult to get off the ground, but that’s because the weaknesses previously mentioned haven’t been resolved. Saturn in Aquarius cycle is about you trusting your instincts and counsel and developing greater self-worth to go it alone if necessary, acknowledging the talents that make you special.
Saturn goes back into Capricorn July 2nd - December 17th, December 18th - March 8th 2023, Saturn moves permanently into Aquarius, so you’ll have plenty of time to do what needs to be done. Mercury retrograde Aquarius, March 5th - 10th, will bring people form the past and issues unexpectedly for youth deal with.
Jupiter will join Saturn in Aquarius December 20th 2020 - May 14th 2021. This will be the time when all your hard work will start to pay-off, assuming you’ve been moving forward with the Universe and working on personal issues at the same time.
The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius, June 5th, may bring about a change of employment, or at least the kind of work you’ve been doing up to this point. The turret is, you can do better, but for this too happen a “leap of faith” is needed, to get you out of your employment comfort zone. A new health regimen wouldn’t be a bad idea either, you’ll have more energy at your disposal during the day. The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius December 14th, opens the door of opportunity to expand with your knowledge/experience in the area of work. Offers that you receive will reflect this and you should give them serious consideration. A chance to serve others and Self at the same time.
POWER: Mars will be in our house of career, goals, ambition, authority and power, June 29th 2020 - January 7th 2021l. Throughout this cycle the urge to push forward with new career goals will be strong and the desire for independence/freedom to express your executive ability even stronger. You’ll also be filed with the strength and motivation to withstand competition from others. However, when Mars retrogrades in Aries, September 9th - November 13th, frustration will get the better of you, because of not being able to get as forward as you would have liked/hoped. This is just temporary. the key to success and achievement, is to do the best you possibly can, exercising consistent perseverance. At the same time, if you’re involved with being in the public eye, be mindful of how they’ll perceive your words and actions.
Your main power will come from developing the spiritual side of Self, especially with Venus in Gemini resting in this house April 9th - August 8th. This particular transit is about building a stronger deeper relationship with Self, through meditation and similar modalities. Especially during Venus retrograde, May 13th - June 25th. A a result you’ll become internally stronger, more empowered and be to meet life challenges.
This is a year of tremendous growth for Cancer, a chance to become a stronger force in the world and in your own life.
KARMA FILE
When you feel drawn to a particular line of work, creative skill or study this year it’s because in the past you had exceptional gifts in that particular area, experienced great happiness and success. It is your choice, whether you choose to follow the path from a particular lifetime. You and you alone will know, if once again you can achieve the success/fulfillment of the past. But, yes, the past holds the key to your future.
LEO
MONEY: The Full Moon/Super Moon in Virgo March 9th, affects your house of money material possessions and self-worth. If you’ve been demonstrating tact, tolerance and kindness to others where money, career, ambitions, authority/power are concerned , implementing new structures that are helpful to all not just yourself, doors will close and new more prosperous ones will open. However, if the opposite has been the case, your status could be affected, bringing criticism from others.
The house of karma, joint financial partnerships, secret enemies and the past is another area of be aware of. Neptune in Pisces is in the is house until March 31st 2025, joined by Mercury in Pisces, February 4th - April 11th, followed by the Harvest Full Moon i Pisces, September 2nd. All this Pisces activity, is a way for the Universe to bring to your attention the concept of Cause and Affect. You seem to have blind-spot in this area of life, perhaps thinking that there are no consequences for a person’s actions. Well, during this cycle especially when the retrogrades occur, Neptune in Pisces, June 23rd - November 28th, Mercury in Pisces, February 16th - March 5th, situations will manifest to show you that in actually fact that situations form the past/people can come back to haunt you.
The lesson here is to satay on the right side of Natural Law as much as possible, at least, if you want to make life easier and less stressful, when it can be avoided. Watch out for people and their undermining influence.
The other area of life to be concerned about is work, health, service to others and Self. This house is being maintained by Capricorn. Saturn in Capricorn, December 20th 2017 - March 21st 2020, July 2nd - December 17th, Pluto in Capricorn, December 27th 2008 - January 22nd 2024. All this activity indicates that there will be an employment upheaval at some point during these cycles. Major changes that will affect finances and status in life, hopefully for the best Pluto and Saturn together are about uprooting very stagnant situations that do not serve the needs of you or others and can actually create a great deal of negativity, if a person is unaware of what is happening or lacking in self-awareness would be a better way to describe things. Jupiter being intros house too “shines a light’ on all the strengths/weaknesses that need to be looked, in order for positive outcomes to manifest.
Throughout this cycle, health will be an issue. Stress, overwork, increasing responsibilities, limitations with diet need to be addressed and not left unchecked Overindulgence is not an option. Energy levels will be drained if you go down that path. Ultimately, you also have to accept the fact that there limitations and obstacles that are beyond your control, things that can’t be easily fixed if al all.
POWER: With Uranus in Taurus until July 7th 2025, your status in the world is definitely going to change whether you like it or not. How this change manifests in your life really depends on the way you’ve been operating up to this point and throughout the transit. Uranus is the unexpected and tends to cause sudden events to happen that shake and remove stagnant situations that aren’t positive or karmically correct. If you stubbornly hold onto to what you believe is yours or deserve, the Universe will make the decision for you. Pay attention when Uranus retrogrades this year, August 25th - January 14th 202!. Events that occur during this time will be an indication of whether or not you’re moving in the right direction.
The Nodes of the Moon changes signs May 6th, South Node to Sagittarius, North Node to Gemini. The South Node sits in your house of creativity, happiness, risk and childhood. There are so many things you’ve learned growing up that influence how you interact with others and present Self to the world, that not longer serve a viable purpose or present you in the most positive light. It’s time to broaden your life perspective, interact w with different kinds of people and try to be less judgmental, people might then respond to you differently than they do currently.
With Gemini in your house of groups, friends, hopes and wishes, once you’ve acquired new knowledge, brought new people into your life, current hopes and wishes will change. This is how you get out of current stagnation in certain areas of life. If you become too fixated on your own opinion and all the things you learned growing up, life will leave you behind, because theUniverse is constantly growing/expanding and we, as humans, are supposed to do the same. this is the way to accomplish goals and achieve happiness. Venus will be in Gemini, April 4th - August 8th, a time for added emphasis on how you interact with groups of people and friends. Ask yourself if you’re really all on the same wavelength? Venus retrograde, May 13th - June 25th, will be a time for retreat, spending more time on building a better relationship with Self and reassessing hopes/wishes, that may have seemed like a good idea sometime ago, but not now.
2020 is going to be a very challenging year for Leo when it comes to Money and Power. Leo loves to be the center of attention and in control. However, the Universe will bring to your attention the concept of boundaries and being more aware of how your actions affect others. If you’re open to learning these lessons, 2020 will be a year of personal achievement and a different more positive view of life in general.
KARMA FILE
There have been instances in past lifetimes, where you have not exerted kindness to others, to the degree of causing shame/humiliation. In the present, this behavior has produced certain debilitating habits that are hard to break, combined with deep feelings of guilt, unhappiness and self-depreciation. If you can begin a spiritual path of some kind, that involves positive affirmation of Self, in that, you are a kind loving human being, deserving of happiness/success and wiling to help others who need your assistance, you will find, over time, the necessary healing will occur.
VIRGO
MONEY: The Full Moon/Super Moon in virgo march 9th, marks the end of the way you serve others, how you present Self to the world and the world sees you. Criticisms that people may have had in the past begin to fall away, as they see you in a new light. By the time the next Full Moon/Super Moon occurs, a month later, April 7th, financial partnerships will also be on the “chopping block”., especially if it involves working away from home and/or with people of other cultures. New opportunities will present themselves to take their place and yo must not fear expansion of horizons out of your comfort zone.
The New Noon/Solar Eclipse in Cancer, June 21st, presents an offer connected. to pr, tv, marketing and/or social media. If you’e been working towards gaining more recognition, this could be for chance. It could be from the past, because Mercury in Cancer will be retrograde at the same time, June 18th - July 10th. Remember to not sign any documents or agree to anything without discernment. If you’re ok with using the offer a temporary stepping stone, it might still work out for the best in the end. Watch out for difficulties and delays.
Uranus in Taurus, March 7th 2019 - July 7th 2025, highlights the house of expansion, good luck, higher consciousness, travel, other cultures and beliefs. Uranus in this house is a sign that your prosperity consciousness needs to be changed, if you want to increase finances. Much broader persecutive is needed and a stronger sense of self-worth, self-confidence, if you want to present your ideas on a public level.
Saturn moves out of Capricorn briefly March 21st - July 1st, into your house of work, service to self/others and health. This is a cycle about building a solid structure that serves your needs and ability to demonstrate unique talents, something healthier than the employment you’ve been dong for sometime (Saturn). Structure is the key. It must be strong, in order to support your goals. Saturn retrogrades in Aquarius May 11th - July1st, before it moves back into Capricorn for the last time.
When Jupiter moves into Aquarius, December 20th - May 14th 2021, all the structure building and personal work you’ve been doing will begin to pay off in the area of work. However, you must pay attention to health. Weight gain is likely (Jupiter being expansion). affects the diet, eating habits, which could cause health problems because of over-indulgence. During this Jupiter cycle in the house of work , travel and increased monetary reward is very likely.
Mars moves into Aries and your house of joint financial partnerships, karma, the past legacies and debts (karmic and monetary), secret enemies and all things hidden., June 29th - January 7th 2021. As a result there may well be conflict over joint finances, legacies etc, that resurface from the past, especially when Mars retrogrades, September 9th - November 13th. If you’re assertive enough to meet the issues that arise head-on, without too much conflict, you’ll avoid creating enemies. Although, it may come to light that there are certain individuals who don’t have your best interests at heart and have been undermining projects, plans and ideas for some time.
Everything you do now to increase finances will pay-off in the long-term, especially when Jupiter moves into your house of work. Therefore, don’t give up or get too despondent when you hit blocks or barriers, time will resolve all.
POWER: The Planetary Nodes of the Moon will be shifting May 6th, South Node will be in Sagittarius, highlighting karma that needs to be overcome, the North Node will be in Gemini - the goal/persona to be reached. These Nodes affect everyone from microcosm to macrocosm. If you have Sagittarius or Gemini prominently placed in a birth chart the affect is even greater.
Sagittarius represents the truths that have to be faced and overcome/verbalized in order to have a broader view of life, understanding your life purpose, the “lessons” you came her to learn and overcome. Having onto old beliefs and ideologies will keep you stagnant, especially those brought forward form home/family experiences. With Gemini in the North Node, allow yourself to be happy in the growth process, taking the best of your childhood experiences, creativity and talent, then shaping them into something special. If you can do this and transform your ideas and ambitions into a format that can be communicated to others with simple clarity, you’ll have the formula for personal success and recognition.
The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius June 5th, will bring to a close an aspect of the home, family, foundation of life, that is n’t necessary helpful to growth, expansion or prosperity. You would have seen the signs prior to this aspect, so pay attention and be ready for when it happens, because this is the beginning of a cycle of major changes in your life. By the New Moon/Solar Eclipse December 14th, the void left by the Lunar Eclipse will start to be refilled with new things. A major opportunity to rebuild will present itself before the year is over and you’l have a glimpse of what can now be accomplished.
When Venus enters Gemini, April 4th - August 8th, pay extra attention to appearance, because the sign will be in your house of career, goals, ambition, authority and power. People who can help you www be watching the way you engage with others. When Venus retrogrades, May 14th - June 25th, go back an rethink presentation, there’s still work to be done, in order to attract more opportunities into your life. Avoid starting any new partnerships or financial projects doing the retrograde cycle.
With Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter all in Capricorn at this time, the Universe is trying to help you let go past experiences growing up, that have been debilitating landholding you back, causing obstacles, difficulties and all sort of problems affecting happiness. Fear, insecurity and doubt occur when you’re presented with taking risks that would solve many negative scenarios and prevent you getting involved in situations/people that bring sorrow/self-undoing. You don’t have to continue being your own worst enemy. Let go and allow the universe to be your guide
The retrogrades of Pluto in Capricorn, April 25th - October 4th and Saturn in Capricorn, July 2nd - September 29th, will be the time when you’ll be confronted with fear, insecurity, difficulties and delays. If you tread carefully, realizing retrogrades are for internal growth, restructuring, transformation and regeneration (things of the Phoenix symbol), you’ll breeze through the retrograde season with flying colors.
In 2020, Virgo has the capacity to begin building and empire of success, if you trust the Universe to be your guide.
KARMA FILE
The healing needed in various areas of your life can be accomplished using physical methods, mental and spiritual methods combined. In previous incarnations, you felt let down by spiritual teachers who promised the world. Now there is a resistance to commit to any type of ongoing spiritual practice wholeheartedly. If you only apply the physical methods, healing will be limited and temporary. Throughout 2020, try to integrate the other two modalities, to complete the process. Faith, in the fact that we are spiritual beings having a human experience, not the other way around, will help you understand why it’s important to include a spiritual practice in your efforts to bring balance to various areas of life. Repeated affirmation that is not positive will bring imbalance. Each cell of the body is a Universe within itself and responds to every thought, word and deed. If there is dis-ease contained within thought, word and deed, with significant force behind it, disease can manifest physically. Your mind is far more powerful than you realize and what you think/say has a tremendous affect on your life, more than you realize. Therefore, use it to spread Light within you and your life.
#karma files#karma in horoscopes#karma in astrology#understanding karma#definition of karma#cancer karma#leo karma#virgo karma#cancer success#leo success#virgo success#cancer money#leo money#virgo money
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April Forecast for Aquarius
Synergies abound! Until April 20, the Sun is in Aries and your third house of kindred spirits and communication. You’ve got ideas to share and things to express—and you’ll utilize every platform at your disposal. After a month of Mercury retrograde (from March 5 to 28) imposing a gag order on your genius, you’re ready to let those creative concepts out of the bottle. Writing, teaching and media outlets could be your playgrounds.
The April 5 Aries new moon sets the stage for a brand-new project or collaboration. With the moon in your third house of local affairs, you might find the perfect “test kitchen” right in your neighborhood. Look for resources in your own backyard or pilot a community project, from a pop-up shop to a trunk show to a small event where you can teach your new methodology. A conversation or a seed of an idea could blossom into something truly meaningful between today and the October 13 Aries full moon.
If you feel intellectual or creative chemistry with someone this month, explore! A person you meet near the new moon could turn out to be a synergistic supporter or partner in crime. Don’t rush to anoint anyone your brand-new BFF though, Aquarius. From April 10 to August 11, expansive Jupiter will be retrograde (backward) in Sagittarius your eleventh house of groups and friendships. Let the relationship unfold in due time. Only when you see who a person is through various situations will you know how trustworthy and solid they are.
Bountiful Jupiter is making its once-every-12-years visit to Sagittarius from November 8, 2018, until December 2, 2019. Your connections are going through an important evolution and possibly a few growing pains. Perhaps you’ve synced up with an avant-garde new crew or joined a group endeavor. Since the eleventh house rules technology, your social media presence could have blossomed this year. Maybe you got involved in an exciting digital venture.
Global Jupiter is bringing interesting friends and like-minded people your way in droves, perhaps from far-flung places. But have you rushed into a collaboration too quickly? You might feel a bit stifled by a group project now, which could stir a rebellious streak if you don’t get some breathing room. As much as you like a shared victory, you can’t do it at the expense of your individuality. Rather than capsize a team effort, find a way to put your unique stamp on a project or carve out something that’s yours and yours alone. Pull back and do that over the spring and summer, then you can rejoin the crowd in the fall. If you’ve sidelined a few loyal, longtime friends to be part of a new circle, use the retrograde to reconnect since these rear-facing transits connect us to our past.
Jupiter is the first of three slow-moving outer planets to start a retrograde this month, to be followed in late April by Saturn and Pluto. These luminaries make their U-turns around the same time most years, so it’s nothing to panic about at all. In fact, these celestial slowdowns can be a blessing, giving you the spring and summer to soul-search, recalibrate and correct course.
So, Aquarius, what DO you really want? A visionary moment arrives on April 19, when the Libra full moon illuminates your ninth house of big-picture goals. Under the light of this full moon, you’ll see sweeping new possibilities (ah!). You could be inspired to take a leap of faith, especially since this is the rare second Libra full moon of 2019. The first, a supermoon, fell on March 20—smack in the middle of Mercury retrograde. The conditions weren’t totally ripe for risks then, but after a month of letting the energy settle, you could be ready to make your big move. From travel to launching a startup to spreading your message far and wide, this no-limits lunation could bring a huge epiphany around your life purpose—AND the ideal platform for expressing it.
Your energy gets a bit more earthbound the next day, when the Sun begins its annual visit to Taurus and your anchoring fourth house of home and family. Slow down a little and make sure your roots are firmly planted before you blast into the Next Big Thing. Connect with loved ones, rejuvenate with self-care and feather your nest.
That said, you may experience a shakeup in your foundation on April 22, when the Sun makes its annual conjunction (meetup) with your co-ruler, disruptor Uranus. There could be a sudden change of residents under your roof, an unexpected urge to move or a need to pull up the stakes and relocate. You might decide to renovate, redecorate or make some other radical shift to your lifestyle. While that’s all well and good, this IS a one-day transit, and the dust will settle not long after. So unless you absolutely MUST make a swift change, you might be better off capturing your ideas then following up with due diligence. Start with a Pinterest board instead of impulsively painting a wall or ordering all new furniture.
The Sun-Uranus conjunction in this family zone could also bring a tense moment with a relative. The fourth house is linked to mothers and women whereas the Sun is one of the astrological symbols for a father figure. Unresolved anger might erupt out of the blue, or you might need to deal with a change related to a parent.
Resolutions take time, especially when you get to the root of them, and you’ll have plenty of time for that over the spring and summer. Transformational Pluto will be retrograde in Capricorn and your twelfth house of endings from April 24 to October 3, followed by Saturn in this same sector from April 29 to September 18. You may need to excavate some old emotions for the purpose of examination and healing. Forgiveness or closure work could be on the agenda—and with these two heavyweights in your twelfth house, the only way around it is through it.
These five-month retrogrades can be rich times for developing an artistic project or honing your spiritual practices and abilities. You may need to go a little “off the grid” to meet the muse—and she may only show up in the quiet spaces. Some media- and phone-free time would benefit you greatly now. Where have things gotten excessive in your life? Scale back, surrender and reduce the ruckus. Powerful messages and guidance will come to you if you can find that space of inner calm.
Love & Romance
Play for keeps or just keep playing? You’ll need to answer that for yourself before you can expect someone else to fill a role, Aquarius. With love planet Venus in dreamy Pisces until April 20, you might still be holding out for something with a fairy-tale ending. Yet Venus is in your second house of pragmatism and security, so you realize everything requires SOME degree of compromise. If you’re not clear about what you want and need, you won’t be able to call in the person who can satisfy that. Even if you’re in a relationship, you could be sending out mixed messages about what’s important to you: Is it enchantment you want or a rock-solid guarantee?
Confusing matters more, over in your passionate fifth house, lusty Mars is revving his engines in easily distracted Gemini all month (from March 31 to May 15), which can tempt you to do the very things that will UNDO stability. You could be attracted to excitement with an edge, which could make you shortsighted in your choices. It’s not easy to reconcile—and that’s is where self-awareness comes in. Apply yours liberally when you feel whipped about by dueling desires and temptations.
Self-discipline might be totally MIA on April 15, when Venus squares off with indie-spirited Jupiter in its own liberated sign of Sagittarius. You want to have your gluten-free cupcake and eat it too—and maybe take a few bites of someone else’s as well. Don’t paint yourself into a corner that you can’t get out of, Aquarius. Be honest with your love interest (and yourself!) and admit you’re not sure what’s best for you at the moment.
Venus scurries into straight-shooting Aries and your communication center on April 20, which might begin to give you the clarity you so desperately seek. Hopefully you didn’t burn any bridges earlier in the month. By staying open and amenable to working things out, you can get things back on track—and if you’re finally ready, the fast track.
Key Dates
April 10: Venus-Neptune Meetup
Pampering: incoming! Today marks the annual alignment of romantic Venus and dreamy Neptune in your second house of sensual luxury. You don’t have to reallocate a rent payment to enjoy some world-class indulgences, like a hot-stone massage or a deliciously decadent meal. And if you can enjoy this with your favorite plus-one, all the better!
Money & Career
You’ve got ideas for days, Aquarius! And finally, you also have the green light to express them. Last month, communication planet Mercury was retrograde from March 5 to 28, making it hard to get a straight answer or clear direction. Now that the mixed-message mania is over, you can forge ahead. The Sun is in Aries and your communicative third house until April 20, perfect for writing, teaching and learning…or just to put your thoughts together into something original.
The April 5 Aries new moon could deliver an aha moment or spark a conversation that leads to more. Explore collaboration with a like-minded person and consider testing your synergy on a trial project. Over the next six months, this could potentially develop into more. But tread slowly, because risk taker Jupiter will turn retrograde (backward) in your collaborative eleventh house from April 10 to August 11.
Focus on ramping up your own star power before you share the stage with too many people. With energizer Mars in Gemini heating up your creativity zone all month, your inner performer/artist needs an outlet—and a spotlight! The April 19 Libra full moon in your visionary ninth house could bring a major epiphany about your purpose. An opportunity to travel, study or showcase your ideas through media could be part of this magical moment. The next day, the Sun enters Taurus and your domestic fourth house for a month, conjoining inventive Uranus on April 22. Carve out an “innovation station” at home because some of your best ideas could come to you while you’re relaxing at Chateau Water Bearer. Meditation, journaling and creative visualization could turn up serious epiphanies with metaphysical Pluto retrograde in your subconscious twelfth house from April 24 to October 3, joined by structured Saturn retrograde here from April 29 to September 18. If you have healing or artistic gifts, consider working with a coach or getting certified by a master trainer.
Key Dates
April 12: Mercury-Jupiter Square
Watch that you don’t exaggerate or make promises you can’t keep. It’s not that you’re trying to deceive anyone…it’s just that exuberant Jupiter can inflate reality, especially when it’s squaring the communication planet! If anything, undersell yourself or what you can do. People will respect your humility—and then be impressed when you “overdeliver”!
Love Days: 9, 14
Money Days: 20, 29
Luck Days: 18, 27
Off Days: 11, 16, 24
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Happy New Year! 2019 Reflections, 2020 Resolutions
This is the time of year to reflect on everything that has happened in the past year and look forward to the new year and perhaps make some resolutions. We are also entering a new decade, which is something that I have never thought much of in the past. The 2010’s have been interesting and life changing for me that is for sure. Going back even further to the beginning of the millennium, it’s certainly been quite a journey. 1999 was the year that I took up theatre as an adult so 2019 marks the 20th year that I have been doing theatre. It has been quite a ride and the road has been long, winding, and often quite bumpy! Relationships, pets and business ventures have come and gone, whereas other aspects of my life have remained constant or improved.
In 2018, I had made a commitment to myself that whenever I had money to spare I would enroll in classes and workshops for acting or personal development. I got 2019 off to a good start by taking the Essentials of Film and TV class at Company of Rogues starting in January. That month I also volunteered as an usher for the One Yellow Rabbit High Performance Rodeo. My blog post about the festival resulted in a feature on me as a volunteer in the One Yellow Rabbit newsletter. Rehearsals also started that month for Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Princess Ida” with Morpheus Theatre. I also started as a volunteer with the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), mostly as a cat caregiver. I volunteer at the animal shelter about 2 to 3 times a month.
I turned 45 years old in February. I also took a stunt combat workshop with Adrian Young Action Services which was fantastic. I also did a story slam workshop one evening which was something a bit different as I had never done any sort of oral storytelling before. I also participated in the Dead Cold Run, a 5K run in South Glenmore Park. I am looking forward to completing the run again in 2020.
In March I joined the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF). To date, I haven’t done much with my membership other than volunteer one evening, but the intention to do more with it and get involved is there! I took Bruce Horak’s creative workshop, Tendencies, which was fun and I also volunteered as an usher for the Festival of Animated Objects which was very enjoyable. I also participated in the Rogers Insurance Run for L’Arche and ran my first 5-mile race (8K), a new distance record for me. March also was the official end of my relationship with my boyfriend of the past 4 years.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Princess Ida” with Morpheus Theatre opened in April and ran until May for a total of 14 performances. I participated in the Onesie Run in Prince’s Island Park and also started seeing my current boyfriend during this month.
In May, “Princess Ida” finished its run. I started getting regular IATSE 212 stage call work. The film industry was getting busy so permittees such as myself were able to get more work. I took the Bouffon Intensive Masterclass workshop this month which fulfilled its promise of pushing my boundaries and challenging me as a performer. I also participated in the Rocky Mountain Soap Company’s Fast and Female women’s run (completing the 5K distance) in Canmore. This was challenging as there were hills and Canmore is at a higher altitude. I hope to participate in it again in 2020.
In June, I ran my first 10K in the Huntington’s Run for Hope, I also started to work on the summer trains for Aspen Crossing and did a day on set as background for Tribal. I also volunteered at Horror Con selling tickets. This was also the month I started to put the wheels in motion to find employment within the film industry, submitting my application for permittee status with IATSE 212 in film.
In July, I started a series of vocal lessons with Naomi Williams. I took the set etiquette workshop with IATSE 212, a requirement for the film permit and at the end of the month I took the production assistant workshop with the Director’s Guild of Canada, Alberta District Council. July was also a great month for stage calls with IATSE due to the Calgary Stampede. During the Stampede this year, my boyfriend and I checked out several bands on the Coca-Cola Stage - Metric, Bishop Briggs, Dear Rouge and Death Cab for Cutie - and played the midway.
At the beginning of August, I was offered a role in “Babette’s Feast” with Fire Exit Theatre, which I of course accepted. I did the performer set etiquette course offered by ACTRA and also did a couple of days as a background performer on “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”. I did a road trip with my boyfriend to Grande Prairie to see his parents, returning to Calgary via BC, staying in the fabulous Three Valley Lake Chateau for the last night. At the end of the month, I left the legal industry for good and began work as a production assistant in the locations department on a TV series called “A Teacher” which was shooting until October.
In September, I participated in the Pride Parade with ACTRA and DGC. Rehearsals started for “Babette’s Feast” and I would be playing Babette. I went to Ontario to visit my family for my Dad’s 80th birthday. My sister was also there and I hadn’t seen her for 15 years so it was a fantastic reunion.
In October, I worked on the Train of Terror as a scarer for Aspen Crossing. I also had a day on set as a background performer for “A Teacher” and towards the end of the month worked as a locations PA on a Canadian feature film called “Chasing Justice”. I also accepted a role in “Clue: The Musical” with Dewdney Players. I also got to see Morrissey and The Interrupers live in concert this month.
In November, I took the mermaid course with Adventures in Scuba. I did a day on set as a background performer for “Winter in Vail”, a Hallmark movie. I also had a few IATSE stage calls.
Photo Credit: Jen Carty
In December, “Babette’s Feast” with Fire Exit Theatre opened at the Engineered Air Theatre in Arts Commons and ran for 7 performances. I also worked on the Polar Express for Aspen Crossing. On a personal note, I also made the last payment on my car loan.
Generally, over 2019, I formed and maintained some great habits. I was happy to have continued regular exercise and increase my running distance, however, after I stopped being a full-time office employee with access to a gym at lunch, I stopped running for a few months. It was also difficult to maintain an exercise program when working 14-hour days on set as a PA, however locations work can be physically demanding and IATSE stage calls certainly are. I discovered that I enjoy physical work much more than office work - it’s great to get paid to work out! I have recently started to run again and finding the 5K distance easy to do and looking forward to all the races that I can participate in next year.
I am happy to say that auditioning has become a habit. I auditioned a lot last year. It took 18 auditions (screen and stage) before I was offered a role in “Babette’s Feast”. The role of Babette was definitely worth persisting for, because I admit, after rejection after rejection, that negative little voice inside my head kept suggesting I give up, that being an actor is too hard. I am glad that tenacity took over and I kept on going. As far as auditioning goes, I felt very happy that I was invited to audition for Vertigo Theatre twice last year. Those experiences have made auditions in general easier and not so scary. I have three theatre auditions lined up for January 2020 already.
Writing is developing as a habit. I have been keeping a journal on and off since a teenager and I try to write in my journal every morning. I completed a short story in November, which I submitted for a competition (still waiting to hear), and am working on several scripts. I am learning to focus more and work on one project at a time - taking on too many projects has definitely been my downfall in the past and I have many incomplete ones.
I have also seen a lot of live theatre this year. 52 shows! I have been able to see this many shows as I volunteer as an usher as much as I can. I have learnt so much as a performer and writer from the shows that I have had the privilege of seeing this year. Here in Calgary we certainly have a vibrant scene both amateur and professional. There seems to be a great demand for it as well as many shows sell out even with long performance runs. There was only one show that I did not really enjoy (which shall remain nameless - it was more to do with the actual story than the production itself), but my ten favourite shows this year were, in no particular order, “Cafe Daughter”, Alberta Theatre Projects (part of the High Performance Rodeo), “Deathtrap” - Vertigo Theatre, “Tria Fata” - La Pendue (part of the Festival of Animated Objects), “Giant” - Ghost River Theatre (part of the Festival of Animated Objects), “Avenue Q” - Front Row Centre Players, “Boom X” - Rick Miller at Theatre Calgary, “The Invisible” - Catalyst Theatre/Vertigo Theatre, “Iceland” - Theatre Calgary, “Monster” - Seadreamer, and “A Christmas Carol” - Theatre Calgary. “Deathtrap” was my overall favourite for total entertainment value.
2019 was not a great year for real estate. It wasn’t for a lot of Realtors. For me, working full time and trying to run a business was not easy, but now I have the time to focus more energy into my business, to help more clients and hopefully bring more results!
2019 was a not a great year for me in terms of background work either, especially compared to 2018. I only had 5 days on set as a background performer this year. This is one of the reasons I decided to pursue work as a crew member, which I found fulfilled the desire to simply be on set.
So what does 2020 have in store for me? I guess I will have to wait and see with 20/20 vision! My main resolution is to continue with the work I have been doing. To keep exercising, keep running, ride Stardust more, more mermaiding, swimming, walking, exploring. For acting to keep taking workshops and classes when I can and keep auditioning and hopefully get more auditions in film and TV. I am going to continue to write and complete things, allowing others to read them. I have a short film script that I would love to see produced next year. I hope to do more real estate, more PA work, more IATSE work and more background work. I also want to travel. I would dearly love to go to Ontario for my mother’s 70th birthday in March and for my brother’s 40th in December. I also want to visit my cousin in New Mexico. But mostly I resolve to stay true to myself, to not accept second best and to keep striving for excellence, inspiring others and myself at the same time.
Happy New Year!
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1 Year of Learning Korean
One of the most popular questions I’ve gotten since coming back from Korea is: Are you fluent in Korean now??*
*Spoilers: I am not. 🙃
Looking back, I probably would have become more conversational if I had just done a 3-month intensive program. Although, compared to just learning by myself in the Bay Area, being in Korea definitely gave me more opportunities and motivation. I was placed in the high intermediate class for orientation (switched to low intermediate), but I would say that I’m now truly at an intermediate level. I think my Korean’s more or less the same as my Japanese (which has regressed a lot, and I only took 3 semesters in college) but with very shaky foundations.
Anyways, here’s a brief timeline of what I did this grant year. Let’s go~
[Initiate lock n’ load montage]
July
Korean Intensive Program (8-12pm, 1-2pm M-F)
Because of how the program was structured, I didn’t feel like I learned very much. This is partly why my foundation is so full of holes...we skipped around here and there.
August
Korean Intensive Program
September
Korean was put on pause due to troubles adjusting to homestay
October
Occasionally did a few chapters of Billy Go’s Korean Made Simple at school
Studied some Korean vocab
November
???
December
I don’t think I studied Korean at all
January
Got a wakeup call when I spent 5 minutes trying to read the back of a sign at a smoothie shop and realized how slow I was at reading
February
Vocab grind (1000 Essential Korean Words), plan was to finish by the end of March. Two weeks of intense vocabulary cramming on Quizlet (did nothing in the end lol don’t try that)
Bought the Real Life Conversations Intermediate book
Studied Korean in Kpop lyrics
Started a side coding project to help my touch typing (K-pop lyric typing game)
March
Memorized dialogues from Real Life Conversations book with Lauren
Improved reading skills slightly by listening and following along with the audio recordings that come with the book
Read through the dialogues with the Korean literature teacher in my gyomushil
Continued to learn song lyrics
Wrote sentences with each new vocabulary word, got my co-teacher and the Korean literature teacher to check them (<-this was probably the most helpful game changer...it helped a lot with my spelling too)
Continued working on the K-pop typing game
April
Stopped learning new vocab at around Chapter 11 of Essential Words, focused on retaining old vocab through Anki flash cards
Finished the Go! Billy Korean Made Simple book that I bought ages ago (tbh it was too easy for me at this point but I was just too lazy)
Finally sat down and “learned” Korean verb conjugations (I’d just been going by gut instinct before…tbh I still kind of do 😅)
Kind of dropped the typing game after finishing the MVP 😅but I’m gonna try to finish it up now that I’m back
May
Started to panic about leaving Korea in 2.5 months but still sucking at Korean
Signed up for private lessons once a week for 90 minutes (My tutor asked me to give her a shout out. Her name is 서영심 ([email protected]). If you’re in the Cheongju/Ochang area, she comes to you! She’s very professional and you’ll get your money’s worth.)
Started at the intermediate book that focused on grammar
Learned ~5 grammar points every week
Started writing and reading a lot more and actually seeing how words are spelled. The first time I saw 여기--a super common word (yogi) that means here--written out I thought it was so strange...not that I had thought it was 요기 (also pronounced yogi) but I just didn’t have a visual of it in my head, I guess.
June
Depressed about lack of improvement
Continued with private lessons but felt like I wasn’t really retaining the grammar dump from each week
At the very least, Korean homework kept me on track and made me practice even when I didn’t want to
Started Anki again since I hadn’t actively studied vocab since April.
An old K.Will song that I hadn’t listened to for a long time came up and I realized I could suddenly understand the lyrics. That was pretty cool and one of my small win moments.
July
Feeling pretty hopeless with Korean
However, hung out with more Korean friends that only spoke Korean and felt like I was actually able to contribute to the conversation. (3 hours of Korean Listening ...🙃)
Was able to understand 70% of the conversation at my gyomushil’s final farewell lunch for me. I contributed to the gossip!
Went home and immediately lost 50% of my Korean skills upon touching U.S. soil.
So basically, after my burst of inspiration in February, my confidence and motivation in Korean just kept plummeting. Even now as I write up this post I feel an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. But I do want to highlight the progress that I’ve made since orientation.
Korean Reading
We were all supposed to be able to read Hangul before we came to Korea. Being able to recognize the alphabet is different from being able to read and also different from knowing the pronunciation rules and where to pause in your reading. During my first semester, my eyes would automatically glaze over whenever I saw Korean text. When the second semester started, I tried to force myself to read everything I came across - storefronts, street signs, advertisements on buses, etc. Even if I didn’t know what it meant, I would force myself to read it. Right now, I can navigate a Korean shopping website and read a menu semi-comfortably. I’m still waiting for the day when I’ll see English sounding hangul and be able to read it as fast as English. Although, I will say it’s really nice to be able to read the Korean titles in Kpop videos on Youtube, especially when I come across really old songs (like Super Junior’s No Other 너 같은 사람 또 없어) and realize I now know what it means.
Also, a new world that has opened up to me is...노래방!! Karaoke is such an adrenaline rush. I’d compare it to sight-reading or DDR/rhythm games where you know something is coming up and the satisfaction you get when you get it right with the beat of the music is 👌. It’s so gratifying to be able to sing along...거기 너 I FANCY YOU 아무나 원하지 않아 HEY! I love you (LOVE YA)!!
Korean Writing
Back during orientation, I couldn’t spell anything on my own. I knew words every koreaboo knew like 어떻게 and 괜찮아 but I couldn’t write it because I didn’t know how spelling worked. It’s no wonder my spelling didn’t improve since a) I didn’t write and b) I didn’t even read. Even now I still make a lot of spelling mistakes, but I pay attention to words when I see them. It’s still a very slow process, but now I can picture the hangul in my head when I think of the word.
Typing: I started orientation with around 15 wpm, then by the end of orientation I got to around 30 wpm. Currently, I’m at 60 wpm when I start cold and after I get warmed up I can go up to 80wpm. Being able to touch type is so useful, especially when I’m typing up long sentences from my textbook and I don’t have to look up.
Korean Listening
Dare I say...my Korean listening is my strongest point??? I remember when I took French listening tests in high school, I would always lament with everyone else that they spoke too fast for me to understand. But interestingly, for both Japanese and Korean, I never had that problem. If it only contains words and grammar I know, I can understand it perfectly fine even if it’s fast. I intuitively understand most Korean verb endings and exclamations so it’s not hard to know which way the conversation is flowing or when to interject with “세상에,” “맞아 맞아,” or “말도 안돼.” I used to think my poor lack of vocabulary was the number 1 thing blocking me from understanding, but then I learned more grammar and realized the things I didn’t know. I do feel like parts of the fog are being lifted...sometimes...
Korean Speaking:
I still feel pretty embarrassed when I speak Korean because there are some sounds that I can’t pronounce. Compared to orientation, I have a few more stock phrases tucked and ready to go, but I still feel unable to express myself. Every conversation will start out fine, but they’ll all stagnate to the same topics and sentences after a while.
Complications with other languages
I talked about how knowing some Japanese and Chinese was both an advantage and a disadvantage during my beginning stages, but this is true even now.
Ever since I started getting more comfortable with typing and spelling Korean, I’ve started seeing the actual Hangul in my head when I think/hear Korean. I’ve also started to associate the locations of the Hangul characters with their locations on the Korean keyboard.
One day, I was trying to text back my mom with “那是什么?” (Na Shi Shen Me/What’s that?) but was confused because those characters weren’t showing up. Then I realized I was typing “sk” instead of “na.” Some of you guys might get it....because “s” is where ㄴ(n) is and k is where ㅏ(a) is on the Korean keyboard. Clearly, my brain can’t handle it. It’s interesting because both the Japanese and Chinese keyboard uses the same alphabet placements as English.
Another time: I was watching a Talk To Me in Korean video where Hyunwoo talked about how 하다 is a very versatile verb. I immediately thought about how the Japanese equivalent is 수루 and even mentally mapped it out on the Korean keyboard...before realizing this is WRONG, WRONG, it’s する not 수루 LOUISE WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING. (They are both pronounced suru)
What’s next?
Now that I’m back in the States, it’s going to take even more determination and self-discipline to keep up with my Korean. But I really don’t want everything I’ve worked towards to just wash down the drain. I’ll aim to finish my intermediate grammar textbook and grind anki flashcards. Hopefully, I can find a language partner or a study group. We’ll see!
#language learning#studying Korean#korean#fulbright korea#sorry for the long post#but yes i am back in california#also which one of you messaged isabel about my blog#thanks for reading whoever you are!!#also shout out to my buddy#i actually have one more post to make on my school festival#and then i'll wrap up this blog#learning korean
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A Look Back at the Past 10 Years
I had wanted to put this in the video description for the 10th Gag Reel vid :
https://youtu.be/ovzRypMF_BM
However, it told me the description was too long. So I’ll post it here instead and link it from the video info. Basically, these are just some thoughts and memories looking back at my first major video from each of the previous years’ worth of content.
2009 : "Mega Man 1 - Cut Man Perfect Run"
Ahh, my first video, back where it all started. Yeah, my vocal energy has changed a lot since then as I got more confident in what I'm doing, kind of found my own groove, that sort of thing. I've had people ask if I'd ever go back and re-do these with my current energy or what have you, but I think it's important to remember the past, it's kind of interesting seeing how I've grown since then, if that makes sense. That and I really would rather not re-do some of these stages again, thanks.
2010 : "Mega Man 9 - Splash Woman Perfect Run - Part 1"
Continuing on with the Perfect Runs, by this point, I had acquired the Gamebridge, my first video capture device. It had its issues, sure, but hey, it opened up a lot of possibilities for things I could work on. Also interesting to see, this was a "Part 1," due to the old YouTube video length limitations. When I first started, videos couldn't be longer than 11 minutes. It later upgraded to 15, and now these days, no more limits.
2011 : "Let's Play Secret of Mana - Pt 1 - Who So Pulleth Out This Sword..."
Secret of Mana is probably one of my favorite projects I've done on the channel. I have a lot of nostalgia for this game due to playing it with my mum way back in the days of the SNES. It was a project I had intended to do for awhile, but other things kept getting in the way. It led to an inside joke when the people on Pink's old forums made a Touhou-style game where I was the Stage 5 boss. One of my spell cards was called Event Horizon "Delayed Mana."
2012 : "The Situation At Hand, and Also Endless Mega Man 3"
Something I always try to do is keep my fans and viewers informed if something has gone pear shaped on my end. I do a lot of info updates on my social media, mostly Twitter these days, Tumblr if I need more room to talk. If however something is going to cause very long delays, I try to upload update videos to fully discuss things. This particular update video was, sadly, due to having to take time away to deal with the aftermath of my mum's elderly aunt passing away.
2013 : "Mega Man Maximum Demo - Bell Man Stage"
Okay, so I cheated a little on this one. There was actually a video in 2013 that came earlier than this, but it was a short five minute audio only update in which I discussed the then "secret project" (Eternal Darkness Blind Run) taking longer than expected to finish up. During the downtime, I ended up recording this demo. It was really nicely done, though sadly, I haven't heard much since about progress on the game. It's one that honestly I wish had gotten finished, it seemed quite promising.
2014 : "Where Has the Dragon Been? - The Medical Lowdown"
The first vid for this year wasn't even in January, and ow, there was a good reason for it. This was the era of Appendageddon. For those not in the know, late December of 2013, my appendix went boom. So during January, I was under strict orders to take things easy after the surgery. By February, the stitches were out, everything was healing well, and I was finally starting to get back to normal routines, and so I was able to finally tell the tale of my apparently horrifically large mutant appendix that had somehow wrapped itself around other organs. Seriously my doctor couldn't resist telling everyone stories about how unusual it was. It was kinda weird yo and squicked me out a good bit. And then he wanted to show me pictures he apparently took... Thanks no.
2015 : "Let's Play Silent Hill Homecoming - Pt 34 - Hard Mode : the Abridged Version"
Generally, I finish my horror LPs during October, November at the latest. Of course, this doesn't count issues of technical difficulties like Silent Hill Shattered Memories or Resident Evil's Advance Mode. Sadly, this delay had nothing to do with technical difficulties. In early November of 2014, when I had been working on the Silent Hill Homecoming LP, my aunt passed away in the hospital, losing her long battle with cancer. This loss hit my family hard, so I had to take a good bit of time off for this one.
2016 : "Let's Play Megaman Battle Network 4 - Pt 76 - Grinding and Gunplay"
Hoo boy. The MMBN4 project. This one took a LONG time to finish. Seriously, this project lasted 90 vids, stretching from Part 1 on March 1, 2015, to Part 90 on July 11, 2016. To be fair, there were phases where I simply couldn't work on it due to things like our house's central air conditioning going out during an intense summer heat wave (yeah, wearing headphones in that was not fun) or taking breaks for things like that year's October horror project, but also, a lot of periods of burnout. When I say I want to wait to do MMBN5 until I truly feel like it? This kind of thing is why. I'm not quite ready to throw myself into that long of a project again just yet.
2017 : "Let's Play Spyro 2 : Ripto's Rage - Pt 18 - Regurgitate"
Mostly what this reminds me is that I still need to take some time to do more testing with the Elgato card I now have so that I can hopefully do more PS2 and Gamecube era stuff again. I really want to get projects like Spyro 3 and Pikmin 2 going. Still also really hoping Spyro Reignited Trilogy gets a Switch release... As far as channel related stuff for this one, I don't remember too much going on around this point in time, just the average "working on the current project" type thing.
2018 : "Make a Good Mega Man Level 2 Blind Run - Pt 10 - Chomp Man"
Another lengthy project, and another where things got delayed through January. This time, it was our internet connection breaking. Good ol' HughesNet, they're just the best. This had been after the lengthy setup of trying to get my room rearranged so I could get Groose (my current computer) up and running, which was experiencing a lot of delays due to the unfortunate fact that my step-uncle was in and out of the hospital. Sadly, in March of 2018, we lost him as well. The last ten years have definitely seen a lot of changes in our household. This project itself would also see further delays due to our internet breaking again to where I couldn't upload videos for awhile for some reason, and one of Groose's cooling fans breaking.
2019 : "Let's Play Cuphead - Pt 14 - The Haunted Mouse (1941)"
And so, here we are on my 11th year of work. It's been quite a ride, and one I hope to continue for quite some time to come. I just want to thank all my fans, viewers, and supporters, whether you've been with me since the humble days of 2009, or if you've just joined us here on the channel. Your continued support and enjoyment of my work is truly what keeps me going, and hopefully there will be plenty more fun to be had in the years to come.
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A DYSTOPIAN WORLD WITH ANDRÉ ANDERSEN OF ROYAL HUNT
Interview by Ken Morton - Photo by Allen Ross Thomas
Royal Hunt has returned with their 15th studio masterwork entitled Dystopia, and it’s guaranteed to intrigue progressive power metal fans all over the planet. From the imagination of founding member André Andersen and featuring the mesmerizing lead vocals of long time collaborator D.C. Cooper, Dystopia’s rock opera style presentation also contains guest performances from the likes of Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteem, Ring Of Fire) and Mats Leven (Candlemass, Therion). Highwire Daze recently interviewed André Andersen to discuss the world of Dystopia, working with former Royal Hunt vocalist Mark Boals on the new album, opening for the legendary Uriah Heep right before the beginning of the pandemic, a solo album he did for Frontiers Music Srl with Paul Laine (Danger Danger) and David Readman (Pink Cream 69), and others topics from a vast and epic career. Read on…
Is there any overall story or concept behind the new studio album Dystopia?
The album name is inspired by a Ray Bradbury famous novel Fahrenheit 451. So, I was looking for a name for it, and in every article, I would dig up, they would describe it as a Dystopia – the world-famous novel. So, I just settled on Dystopia.
Mats Leven of Candlemass, Therion, and Treat appear on the single The Art Of Dying. How did he become involved with that song and the album?
I knew Mats for a bunch of years and when I was thinking about creating this kind of dialog in the song – a duet if you wish – I was looking for a specific kind of voice which was different from D.C.’s our original singer. Mats was just right there, so I just gave him a call and we worked a little bit on the song – and it turned out great!
Mark Boals is also on this new album in a guest appearance. What has it been like to work with Mark again?
It was fun! It was fun, because we made like two albums together, so I knew exactly what he likes – what kind of melodies and stuff like that. So, it was very easy working with him again. I just gave him a call and we talked a little bit – I explained to him that every singer will have a specific character in the story – and he got involved right away – he was into it. And it was pretty painless – it was pretty quick – we just exchanged some files here and there because for obvious reasons we couldn’t do it in Copenhagen, Denmark. So yeah, we exchanged files a couple of times and did some little corrections and adjustments – and that was it basically.
When you look back on those albums you did with Mark Boals as the lead vocalist, what do you think of them now in retrospect?
Excellent albums – especially the second one – because Mark is very well known for his high-pitched voice – I mean working with Yngwie Malmsteen and Ring Of Fire – so on purpose we shifted every single song down almost like half an octave to put him down a little bit – and realized he has excellent low range – very colorful – and we really exploited it on that particular album. So that’s my favorite of him.
What do you think has made you and D.C. Cooper work so well together on many of these Royal Hunt albums, including the new one Dystopia?
That’s hard to tell. I don’t know. We started way back in the 90’s on the first run. Yeah, we just clicked – maybe we think the same with this kind of music – it’s hard to tell. And on a social level as well – we’re getting along really, really well. So that probably some of the main reasons.
You have two members of Narnia in your band. One current – Andreas “Habo” Johansson (drums) and one former – Andreas Passmark (bass). How did they become involved and are you a fan of Narnia?
To be completely honest, I have never heard of them back in the day. Andreas the bass player – I think he joined in 2009 – a great player and a great guy. And then I kind of realized that he was playing in Narnia and this and that, so I had heard them for the first time. He’s been in the band for a few years. So, by the time Allan Sorensen our original drummer left, I started talking about drummers and Andreas suggested Habo – they were playing in Narnia together which was a great thing – because both of them living in Stockholm and they know each other – and it’s pretty important for a rhythm section. So, I said, “Let’s try it” and it worked out. Great guy!
Has Royal Hunt ever played here in the States?
Way back! We went and played there – I guess it was ’95 or ’96 or something like that. It was way back. We played support for a lot of bands. It was a weird time in the States – very weird. I think we played like 45-50 shows – in small clubs of course. And that was basically it. And since then, the only place we went back to twice is the Prog Power Festival in Atlanta. The last time I think was in 2015-16 or something like that. A great festival – a lot of great bands and nice people. We also played in I think 2010 with Mark Boals and the second time I believe was 2015 with D.C.
What has it been like to write and release new music in the middle of a pandemic and so much social unrest in the world?
We were actually a bit lucky in that respect because when we started writing and working on the album, it was actually before the pandemic started. We actually had a new plan, so I feel a little bit sorry for some of the bands I know – they were kind of planning tours and stuff like that, so it was chaos literally. But we started working on the album at the time, so when the pandemic hit, it didn’t change our plans that much. Of course, some things became a little more complicated, because you can’t travel and stuff like that. Generally, it didn’t affect us that much I’ll say.
And with the worldwide Internet you could do just about anything. You don’t even have to ever meet your band members…
Yeah, well we prefer to work in the studio all together – and we were actually fortunate enough to do most of the work even before the pandemic hit. But of course, some overdubs and the special guest singers has been done on Internet. Of course, we’re supposed to be on tour now – we were planning to tour in October / November 2020 but of course it never happened. We knew about that in March and April that it was not going to happen, so we didn’t suffer as much as so many other bands.
I haven’t seen a live show since March (2020). Live concerts, what are those?
Everything’s dead! It’s unbelievable.
What was the last live show that you saw?
Actually, it was the last show that I played. It was last year (2019), we played in October I believe – we played support for Uriah Heep here in Copenhagen.
What was Uriah Heep like? Did you get to hang out with them at all? They’re wonderful live!
Of course, yes – very nice guys. Very nice guys! I met them before. But it was fun – it was one of those bands that I listened to when I started out in the 70’s. It was unbelievable. I saw them a few times – such a jolly bunch!
Definitely a jolly bunch. Phil Lanzon their keyboard player has released two amazing solo albums. Let’s talk about your solo work now. When you look back on that Andersen / Laine / Readman album you did entitled III, what do you think of it now in retrospect?
Oh, I didn’t listen to it at all – I’d rather do my own albums. It was a fun project. It was very strange in the beginning because the idea was completely different when it started. I’d been in touch with Frontiers Records and they suggested I write a few songs for the at the time unknown and unnamed project. So, I did a few songs and then all of a sudden, they said “Okay, we’ll have different singers on it.” So, I said “Okay, whatever.” For some reason, like a month later they called me back and said, “Can you write the rest of the songs as well?” That was something completely different – not what I expected, so I ended up writing ten songs – and they actually came up with those two singers – Paul Laine and David Readman. So, it was a strange project but somehow it worked, and it came out fine.
It just seemed so unusual to have André Andersen from Royal Hunt working on an album with Paul Laine from Danger Danger – but it works like you said…
It was a strange combination, but it was one of those ideas that Frontiers has. They kind of became famous for doing these kind of projects – they have a few musicians – brought them together and see what’s gonna happen – and the album comes out. This particular one was probably one of these.
Do you have any other solo albums or projects on the horizon?
Not on the horizon – not at the moment because this Dystopia thing – it’s only the first part. Actually, it’s called Dystopia Part 1 – so I’ll continue working on Part 2 with different guest singers. So, it’s basically what I’m doing right now – because we can’t tour, so I might as well write. And we’re planning to release it – if everything goes well – in winter of next year (2021). And hopefully by that time we’ll be able to tour. So, let’s see what’s going to happen.
Do you have any messages for Royal Hunt fans here in the States?
I know we haven’t played in the States that much and not everybody was able to see us in Atlanta at those Prog Power Festivals – and by the way I hope we’ll play that Festival again. But anyway, we have a new album out – and it’s a very interesting one with different singers – it’s kind of like a rock opera in a way. So, give it a listen – give it a chance. I’m pretty sure you’ll like it.
That would be pretty amazing if you performed the entire album live with all of the guest vocalists…
Actually, that was the original idea. And that’s why it was very sad when October November didn’t happen, because we had already talked to Mark Boals and Mats Leven about participating – and we couldn’t at all. But now we have another person who is able to do Part 2 by next year (2021) when we start touring. So now we’ll have the entire concert built on those two albums (Dystopia Part 1 & 2) with all the singers. And that will be excellent.
(Interview by Ken Morton)
Follow the band on Social Media:
https://royalhunt.com/
https://www.instagram.com/royalhuntmusic/
https://www.facebook.com/royalhunt
https://www.twitter.com/royalhuntband
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XOXO 2018
ARIES
2018 will be a year of endings and beginnings in the area of romance. January 31st ushered in the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Leo, indicating the end of a love affair. An affair that on the surface seemed to be full of mutual happiness, but if you looked deeper and further, you would have seen the flaws. Before you’ll be ready to embark upon something new with someone else you must look to your childhood for insights into what you believed was the ideal love relationship. These beliefs probably haven’t served you well, living by a “model standard”, consciously or unconsciously, that just doesn’t work.
When Leo retrogrades July 26th - August 18th, your old lover may return. It’s very rarely a good idea to go back unless growth and healing has occurred. Therefore use discernment to avoid repeating the past, giving you a chance to move forward. By the time the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Leo comes around August 11th, you should hopefully be in a better place to begin a new relationship. If you use the “lessons” of the past as a platform to build something that is strong and mutually beneficial, happiness in love will become a reality.
TAURUS
With Jupiter in Scorpio sitting in your house of long-term love until November 8th, you’ll be motivated to transform the weaknesses in the relationship into strengths, while at the same time dealing with secrets and hidden motives. Jealousy seems to be lurking and undermining the success of the relationship overall. While Jupiter is retrograde, March 28th - July 10th, it’ll be a time to delve deeper into underlying issues between you and your partner that have yet to be resolved. Most of all deciding between the two of you and individually, what type of relationship you want that can be agreed upon. If single this applies too. What kind of relationship would make you happy. This way hurt feelings can be avoided.
With Venus retrograde in Scorpio, October 5th - November 6th, be careful of getting involved in secret affairs with others, whether it’s you or your partner. If the secret affair happens it won’t work out as expected and will cause irreparable harm, pain and sorrow, plus the affair will eventually comets light. The “warning signs” will be there once Venus enters Scorpio September 9th until January 7th 2019.
Jupiter will leave Scorpio and enter Sagittarius November 8th for one year, putting the focus on intimate aspects of love. This will be a time to look beyond the physical, towards a deeper more fulfilling relationship. The concept of sensuality instead of sexuality. Learning to appreciate the person your with externally and internally. Also considering different types of people, outside of your comfort zone, for a relationship. Single Taurus will find long-term love traveling to far away places and with people from other cultures/beliefs.
As 2018 comes to a close you will begin a cycle of learning that true beauty/love comes from within and transcends all boundaries.
GEMINI
With Saturn joining Pluto in your house of intimate relationships, you’ll be influenced to focus on stability and commitment from the person you love. This is good, because without a strong foundation of continuous commitment, relationships very rarely survive. You and your partner, or individually, have to decide what you want the commitment/foundation to be. Pluto in Capricorn will bring up a great deal of fear, insecurity, doubt and issues of trust for you to confront, so that you can also look at whether your needs are being served. Saturn will provide the inner strength, discipline and perseverance that’s needed in order for a relationship to consistently grow, evolve and endure the “tests” of time. This isn’t a cycle to fall into fantasy, illusion or delusion, because facing reality will empower you to overcome any and all problems in the relationship.
Once Jupiter moves into Sagittarius, November 8th for one year and in your house of long-term relationships, you should be ready for love to move up to the next level of greater honesty and belief that your partner is willing to work with you and be straightforward with their intent. If not, don’t worry, Jupiter will bring many new potential partners into your life, who most likely will be different from your usual choices in many ways and from different walk of life.
Most of all, you should feel more comfortable and internally secure to be your own person in the context of love, empowering you to be yourself and maintain Unity through Diversity in 2018.
CANCER
Balance needs to be established between being detached towards your partner and being too clingy. Somehow you have to find a “middle-ground” in 2018. With the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius July 27th, things that have been bothering you will come to the surface to be dealt with. Just do it gently, ,because changes have to happen, maybe even “endings” but not overnight. Therefore, think before you express your true feelings, otherwise more harm could be done instead of good.
Both Pluto and Saturn in your house of long-term love, once again highlights change and/or upheaval. All and everything that has been buried/ignored will slowly but surely present itself for you to deal with. A cycle in which you must avoid being the “ostrich” with its “head in the sand”. This isn’t necessarily going to be an easy time for long-term love, because Pluto will stay in this area of life until 2025, Saturn until 2020.
Jupiter moving into Sagittarius November 8th for one year, affects the house of romance, happiness and childhood. An indicator that for both single and attached Cancer, it’s time to have a change of heart, in terms of who and what makes you happy in love. The beliefs you’ve held since childhood haven’t really manifested your expectations, so you need to explore exactly what your expectations really are, then work towards them slowly. Lack of self-worth is at the root of your problems in love. You deserve better. In fact this should be your mantra for 2018.
The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius, February 15th, is likely to bring someone new, unexpected and different into your life, that may start out as a friendship and later grow into love. When Mars retrogrades June 26th - August 27th in Aquarius, unexpected confrontations and/or news that creates it, could arise as certain individuals from the past return.
2018 won’t be boring, but you’ll need to be “on your toes” to keep focused on what is the right thing to do that’s in your best interests.
LEO
The chances of a long-term relationship coming to an abrupt end is very likely in 2018, especially around the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on July 27th. Although unexpected in some ways, the end was actually really obvious, if you’d been paying attention, especially in communication. What you say, how you say it and the affect, past and present conversations included. When Mars retrogrades in Aquarius, June 26th - August 27th, some type of conflict or untimely revelation can be expected, leading to confrontation and /or unsettling scenarios in this part of your life, so be prepared. If you look back to February 15th, around Valentines day, events that occurred during that time (New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius), were the writing on the wall.
Jupiter will move into Sagittarius for one year on November 8th, residing in your house of romance, risk, happiness and childhood. This means there will be plenty of people available and willing for dates, a chance to interact with many different types of people. In fact you could find love on vacation to a faraway place, with someone you never imagined would be relationship potential. An opportunity to have a great deal of fun. However, remember Jupiter is a “magnifying glass”, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, As a result, you may fool yourself into thinking you’re happy with the dating world at your feet, but deep down you could find yourself wanting more depth and closeness. The key with Jupiter in this house, is to face Self and be more honest about what you want in love and be willing to expand your horizons to get it. With Jupiter in this house at the end of the year, you should at least try because ultimately you are the Creator of your happiness/unhappiness. You’re no longer a child, but an adult and it’s up to you and you alone to encompass a broader perspective of love relationships and to stop deluding Self.
VIRGO
Saturn has joined Pluto in Capricorn -December 9th 2017 - December 17th 2020 and Pluto until 2025, urging you to become more disciplined, persevering, patient and committed to working towards greater happiness with your partner, consistently creating a strong solid foundation of love. Yes. you will be faced with fear, insecurity and doubt, carried with you from childhood, but this is nothing you can’t confront and overcome, if you’re willing to try.
Neptune in Pisces remains in your house of long-term love until end of March 2025. An indication that the realities of being in a long-term relationship are being presented for you to focus on. As this is also the house of open enemies, you’ll have to deal with people you know who don’t have your best interests at heart when it comes to this particular area of life. These individuals will be revealed during this cycle, as the “veil”is lifted. . These are people who really don’t want you to be happy in love and will consistently try to erode your self-worth and self-confidence and ultimately create sorrow and self-undoing if you listen to their so-called “good advice”. When Neptune retrogrades in Pisces, June 18th - November 20th, you’ll repeat this type of experience with certain individuals. Also be warned, if you have anything hidden, that your partner should know about, Neptune in Pisces will bring it to light eventually, as long as it resides in this house. Better the truth comes from you, instead of via some other source.
2018 is the year to see the “beauty” in long-term love and the person you choose to be with, internally and externally and have realistic expectations of what can be achieved when love prevails between you and your partner. Learning that love is the most powerful force in the Universe, when felt and demonstrated in its purest and highest form. Therefore, work towards developing a strong spiritual bond with your partner, that has the power to obliterate all negativity internally/externally.
LIBRA
With Uranus in Aries affecting long-term partnerships, until May 15th, then again November 6th - March 7th 2019, how you conduct yourself in extended love relationships will change. It’s a sign to be more wary of people you’re attracted to and bring into your life for close attachment. Realizing it’s important to be your own person with the person you love so that you’re able to complete your life purpose. When Uranus moves into Taurus on May 15th, then March 7th 2019 - July 2025, the worth and value of intimate partnerships will become an even bigger priority . This aspect will empower you to align yourself with someone who enhances your life and doesn’t trample on your self-worth/confidence.
The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius February 15th, will be in your house of happiness, risks, love, childhood and creativity. This is a “message” from the Universe to focus on your unique Self in order to be fulfilled/happy on a deeper level. To be responsible for loving yourself first and foremost without feeling the need to look to others or depend on them for approval or self-worth. This aspect begins a cycle of empowerment, whereby you can move towards attracting/being around people of like-mind, who are a strong positive influence and will help you become more of your own person.
When Mars retrogrades in Aquarius June 26th - August 27th, some aspect or past love you thought made you happy could return. However, tread with care and be cautious about repeating mistakes from the past. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius will bring an end to a cycle of this person or similar individuals coming into your life, at least the worst of it should be over.
2018 is a year to create, mold and shape your happiness, love and life to be the best it can be.
SCORPIO
When Uranus moves into Taurus, May 15th - November 6th, into your house of personal relationships, you’ll be influenced to reassess whether or not the people you choose to love have anything positive to offer, or helped to implement a solid structure/foundation between the two of you. You’ll have plenty of time to figure this out and the Universe will put you to the “test” throughout the cycle.
The “lesson” to be learned here is to not waste time with people just for the sake of a physical experience and expect to be fulfilled on a deep level for any great length of time. It’s time to look for potential and existing partners who have more depth of character and integrity.
With Neptune in Pisces in your house of love until mid 2025, you’ll be going through a reality check, learning/seeing how you are your own worst enemy when it comes to love, having unrealistic expectations and giving people qualities t hey don’t have. Then becoming resentful when the object of your affection can’t live up to your standards or provide what you want the most. Therefore, 2018 is a time to take responsibility, realizing that to a large degree you are the Cause of the Affect and the Creator of your happiness or unhappiness.
Regardless of whether you want just a quick romance or something long-term, there must be a strong foundation mutually agreed upon, that makes you both happy. Nothing less will do.
SAGITTARIUS
Uranus in Aries in your house of romance indicates that as much as you want to change certain aspects of your love-life, you can’t do it overnight, it has to be implemented with forethought, especially if there is someone else involved, otherwise you could cause unnecessary hurt and sorrow. Uranus in Aries remains in this area of life until May 15th then November 6th - March 7th 2019, so you still have time left to do what needs to be done. Acting on impulse where love is concerned very rarely has a positive outcome if patience and a peaceful demeanor isn’t incorporated. Therefore avoid acting in a way that causes others to react against you, which in turn defeats the purpose of the very thing you want to manifest. When Mercury retrogrades in Aries, March 22nd - April 15th, be very careful what you say and the affect of your words.
The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Cancer July 12th, could initiate the renewal of a deep relationship with someone you care about past or present, giving you a chance to clarify your true feelings about Self and the person. If everything goes well, a major positive transformation could take place and set the tone for a more unifying and empowering love relationship. On the other hand, you could end up being “set free” from individuals that are not “healthy” in mind, spirit or Soul, that do more to bring you down than make you happy.
You’ll know when the time comes what to do and decisions to make, leaving room for true love to come into your life.
CAPRICORN
With Uranus moving into Taurus May 15th - November 6th, the March 7th 2019 - July 2025, the lessons you learned growing up about love and how/if they apply now will become important. You’ll begin to realize that being with someone whose character brings worth and value to the relationship is a major key to happiness, as well as being an individual, adding strength and value to the relationship. This allows both people to bring a wealth of positive energy to the partnership, supporting growth of each other and creating a formidable team, with the power to overcome undermining influences. Any type of negativity lying or dishonesty, whether from you or your partner will only serve to erode the positive aspects of the relationship. Something to bear in mind this year.
While Uranus is still in Aries, it will continue to affect your foundation of life, indicating that changes are going to happen between now and the end of the Uranus in Aries cycle March 7th 2019. These changes will also set the tone for Uranus moving into Taurus at that time. Hopefully the alterations will remove negativity that has kept your foundation of life stagnant and affected new beginnings.
The New Noon Solar Eclipse in Cancer July 12th, will be a sure sign that these changes are happening. The Eclipse occurs in your house of long-term partnerships/open enemies, a time when certain irritants affecting this area of life will being to be removed and be replaced by individuals who support nurturing partnerships and have your best interests at heart, especially people in authority/power. Once things start to improve there will be a “ripple affect” into your love-life, bringing comfort, fulfillment and emotional balance on deeper levels.
This experience will show, that regardless of your experiences growing up with family, that affected how you feel/interact in love, you have the power to chart your own course and create your visions of happiness/love.
AQUARIUS
The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Leo January 31st, initiates the end of a certain direction you’d been moving towards that certainly did not bring happiness and affected love in your life. A time when certain “friends” had to be let go because they didn’t have your best interests at heart. Open enemies.
By the time the New Moon Solar Eclipse occurs on August 11th, you’ll be in a better place to start focusing on rebuilding your love-life and long-term relationships. The “lessons” being, you can’t allow “friends” to have that much affect or “power” in your love-life/happiness, to the degree it not only has a debilitating affect overall and you get misled off on tangents to nowhere. When Mercury retrogrades in Leo July 26th - August 18th, certain lovers/partners could return to cause unhappiness and chaos. See them in their true colors and for who they really are. Importantly, don’t allow them to linger too long in your life. You know what you and it’s important you stand up for it.
For Aquarius, 2018 is a year of dramatic and maybe life altering changes on many levels Therefore to know what you want and who you want in your life to make you happy is really what counts. You cannot allow people who have ulterior motives or agendas to enter your life, stand in your way or impede your personal happiness.
PISCES
For Pisces in love, 2018 is about being emotionally confident to nurture romance in the direction that’s the highest and best. Realizing there are certain family and childhood experiences that have left a “mark/scar” on the heart and the way you perceive love and interact on this level. This is especially connected to your mother in some capacity. Its about learning how to communicate your needs in a healthy balanced way, that the person you love can understand, then both of your needs can be served. This is the best course of action in order to avoid retreating into a “shell” of deep hurt and sorrow.
The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Cancer July 12th, marks the beginning of a cycle where you should feel the emotional power/strength of this aspect influencing you to be more independent in romance and not so needy. To love Self first which will give you the strength to build a healthy strong love relationship with another person.
Remember, it’s not necessary to be a martyr for love, giving too much of Self and getting little or nothing back in return. A person that takes and gives nothing is to someone to be with or have in your life.
This is the blueprint you must embody in 2018, if you want to be happy in a long-term love relationship.
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