weird that the shape of love is two beating hearts glued together and not two hands holding each other

ranking the f1 driver pairings as amazing race teams

me and my family have been watching amazing race for years so you KNOW i had to combine my interests !!!

amazing race is basically a show where teams of two race all around the world and preform a series of challenges rhat can range from physical to more mental, and the team that reaches the “pit stop” last is eliminated. plane flights + transportation around the country is also often up to the teams, having to buy their own plane tickets + hailing their own taxis + driving themselves around a country which works against one team dominance

KEY:

detour - teams can choose to complete one of two challenges

roadblock - one person in the team completes a challenge (one person cannot do every roadblock)

express pass - by doing an extra challenge, one team can get this pass that allows them to skip any one challenge

teams are ranked based on how far i think they would make it in a fictional all-f1 season of amazing race :)

10. pierre & esteban

sorry you KNOW they would be a dumpster fire. like the couples who go on and are like “i love my partner so much :))” and then immediately implode the second aomething goes wrong. would start off polite enough before the first detour where one of them is like mildly slow and the bickering starts. they would start rushing in an attempt to catch up and leave an important item behind (passports, clue, etc) and thats just the nail in the coffin for them

9. lance & fernando

tbh i could see them making it maybe 1 or 2 legs more depending on the challenge but. nothing against lance but hes a rich kid. the challenge would be like “find all the items on this shopping list at a wet market” and hes LOST. fernando gets 3/4 of the list AND has to find lance who is desperately looking for duck eggs (it was at the first stall) and then they get back and lance bought regular eggs anyways for a massively jacked up price. sorry but as entertaining as it would be they are doomed to flop

8. alex & logan

SORRY WILLIAMS BESTIES they would be such a silly team and fan favorites but respectfully i dont see them being very good 🥲 i think they would have a very good dynamic but other then that based on the pumpkin carving/drawing challenges,,,, they would not go far 😭 they would get a challenge to deliver something to several different locations (without map) and eventually get lost and be so far behind that when they get to the mat its like. nighttime. but they would be very cheesed and happy still !!

7. yuki & daniel

THE FUNNIEST PAIR EVER can you IMAGINE the dynamic when trying to navigate or drive a stick shift car. one of the friendlier pairs, willing to help point other teams in the right direction at challenges. also between the two of them they have a pretty decent skill set so i think theyd do pretty well at the challenges, plus be able to get around the city well enough. theyd eventually go out on a leg w more physical challenges just by virtue of the remaining teams being better but they have SO MUCH FUN and SO MUCH banter

6. kevin & nico

solid guys overall !! could see them maybe making it another leg further over the next team. definitely one of the most chill teams, sightseeing/enjoying the travels more (not to say that they arent competitive tho) and overall having a great time !! i think their experience with raising children would also factor in well (patience/calmness) and thus would keep them from making little mistakes and stay consistent. would eventually go out in a leg where they start from a lower spot and cant manage to find any earlier trains/flights and thus cant make up any ground and end up going out

5. lando & oscar

they are the most unstable team LMAO they (lando) always take big gambles with challenges to try and get ahead and as such always end up gaining/dropping tons of places in each leg. impeccable dynamic tho !! oscar is def the grounding force and keeps them on track, navigator to landos driver, while landos creative strategies often help them gain places where they might otherwise be stagnant. would eventually go out on a leg where lando insists on trying to catch an earlier train but ends up missing the connector to their destination (setting them back) and they cant catch up, eventually resulting in their elimination

4. valterri & zhou

i actually cant really explain this one guys its just a gut feeling. like i know that valterri is reasonably fit from biking a lot and zhou could help them get around more reliably in asian countries but other then that i dont have an explanation. theyre chill and like just kind of cruising/enjoying themselves. theres a roadblock where they have to name several different types of beer by taste and valterri crushes it. theres a challenge where its watching this person dancing and having to recreate the entire outfit that zhou kills. they go out right before the final because theyre beaten in a footrace to the mat

3. lewis & george

these guys are EFFICIENT. lewis somehow manages to get them on the earliest flights possible. george reads the map once and immediately find the fastest routes from place to place. they are reasonably good at most challenges. their downfall is challenges requiring them to work together closely, which happens in the final where they are required to learn a traditional wedding dance and preform it and they just cant sync up, costing them major time, and the entire experience just leaves them irritable which eventually leads to them claiming third

2. max & checo

similarly to lando & oscar, max is the competitive force with checo grounding their team. highly competitive (though not to say they dont enjoy themselves), always going for express passes and valuing efficiency. their strategy works for the most part, with them racking up the most leg wins. their downfall ultimately came during the final challenge, where they had to match moments from previous legs with their locations, and neither of them really remember LMAO. just barely misses out on first which goes to…

1. charles & carlos

impeccable dynamic. gets one express pass and uses it strategically. very supportive of each other during challenges. they are just a generally overall solid team but not outstanding, never really winning and just beats out valterri/zhou for the third spot in the final. but in the final leg they are just incredibly in sync which allows them to complete the challenges efficiently, and at the end challenge they have memories tied to each place and are able to figure it out faster then max/checo and beat them to the mat to take the win !!!

okay thanks for listening to my rambles ☺️ maybe a part two of this later ranking old driver pairs OR an f1/survivor ranking

Do you add extra letters to words sometimes? (ex. haaaa) I did as a teenager. Though I have no clue what the point of that ever was?

Do you like the letter Z or Q better? I’m gonna go with Z because it’s in my name. Yes, that’s my logic and I’m sticking to it! Who would you like to be stuck on an island with? Whoever I know who could assist me in getting OFF the island. Perhaps my friend Tim who’s in the Navy? What’s your favorite quote? I love far too many poems, songs & book passages to ever choose one single favorite quote  Name one random fact about your best friend. Again, I have too many best friends to pick just one!

Do you like vegetables or fruit better? I eat veggies far more regularly, but fruit is great too!  What brand of shoes do you wear? Most of my shoes are Keds or just cheapo flip-flops  What’s your favorite smiley face? My favorite smiley emoji is the one that’s somewhat blushing and holding its hands up for a hug  Do you believe that if someone goes to bed thinking of u, u dream of them? That’s cute but if that were the case, I’d show up in a LOT of bizarre people’s dreams.  Have you ever snitched on someone for cheating? I don’t think so. I’ve been in the position where I really wanted to break the news but I decided not to. Do you own a Snuggie? I did in high school  What’s your favorite number? 7 Which of the 7 dwarves are you most like from Snow White? Sleepy, for sure. Although I share a lot in common with Sneezy these days too... 

What’s your favorite month? Oh, tough! I love October-December, but I also love July because of all the birthdays in my family (including my own). And I like March a lot too for some reason. 

Do you like the smell of campfires? Love it! If you could do one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Raise a family while I write for a living Is there a song out right now that you can’t stand? I don’t listen to the radio but I can only imagine what kind of... gems are out there right now.  If you could stay one age forever, what age would you pick? I think I’d get bored and restless if I didn’t age What’s your favorite state? Despite the cost of living, I have a lot of love for New York & I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.  Have you ever went in public with your tag still on your clothes? I’m sure I have at some point 

Would you say your loud or shy? I’m definitely more on the quiet side. I don’t feel the need to talk just for the sake of talking. 

What’s your favorite symbol on the computer? Uhhh what? Are you afraid of clowns? Not necessarily but I don’t LIKE them, either.  Do you wear glasses? Mhm  Ever rode on a horse? Just once as a kid  Do you have trouble saying or spelling some words? I’m an avid reader so most of my vocabulary has been learned from books. This means that I haven’t heard a lot of words out loud & thus mispronounce them when I go to say them Have you ever thought something was just to good to be true? Often Do you like potatoes? I’m Irish & Polish, it’d be illegal not to 

Are you random? I’d say I’m more predictable than anything. I can  be impulsive, but even my impulses follow a pattern. Do you believe that aliens are real? In some form, yes.  Do you sleep with the TV on? Not intentionally but sometimes it just happens What’s the longest you’ve slept in? 5 pm? Have you ever seen a hairy toe? LOL yes? What’s the last thing you watched on TV? Catfish last night before bed  Do you have a song stuck in your head? WAP, actually.  Who do you talk to the most? Glenn and Kathleen When’s the last time you were sick? A couple weeks ago, although I still have some lingering symptoms 

Which is your favorite: Music, Dogs, Shoes, Books, Jonas Brother? Music: Alternative, rock, pop rock usually Dogs: None Shoes: Also none. But I guess flip fops Books: Domestic, “slice of life” fiction Jonas Brother: Joe? What color is your hair brush? Pink, of course Do you enjoy arcades? Not really. Even as a kid they weren’t my scene Have you ever liked 2 people at once? Yes Have you taken a nap today? Nope, it’s only 8 am. 

Would you ever want to be in a horror movie? As an actress? Yeah that could be fun  Have you ever been to Washington D.C? Yeah for a school trip in 8th grade. It was interesting although I was definitely too young to absorb and appreciate most of it Do you hate when girls have guyish names and boys have girly names? Nah, I love gender neutral names!  Have you lost or gained any weight since February? Lost almost 45 lbs, baby!!  Have you ever had to use a pay phone? Years ago Have you listened to music today? The office Pandora station is playing right now, but it’s hardly audible from the room I’m in.  Do you only drink bottled water? I don’t like water enough to justify spending money on it, so the only kind I drink is tap.  I bet someone is on your mind right now, right? I mean, now I’ve PUT someone there Do you like writing in pen or pencil better? Pen. I DESPISE pencils.  What’s the last magazine you bought? It’s been so long I can’t remember. Which is sad because I used to be a magazine FIEND.  Has anyone in your family ever forgot your birthday? I don’t think so  Was it any of your friends birthday in the past week? Nope  Is anyone else in the same room as you? Also nope Are you one of the popular people in your grade? I’m 28 years old, my friend 

What word best describes you in the dictonary? Anxious  Do you like Soy Milk? Bleh, no.  Where were you at 10:30am yesterday? I was here at work, reveling in my misery. And I have another 10 (now 8) hours of that to go! WOOHOO! Do you think ghosts are real? Mhm  Do you know anyone who has been attacked by a shark? Nope  What is your best friend’s mom name? I have several best friends  Have you ever made out in a movie theatre? Yep  What part of your body do you wash first? In the shower? My face or my hair, it can vary.  Do you have an innie or an outie? Innie. How do you think the dinosaurs died? An asteroid. That’s not really disputable is it?  What’s your favorite flavor of Pringles? None. Pringles are a disgrace to chips!  What was the last thing you got grounded for? As I said a few questions ago, I’m 28.  Did you go to a water park last summer? Sadly no!

What shoe do you put on first? Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure the right.  Finish the sentence: Girls.. chase boys chase girls

Have you ever had a song or poem written about you? Yes, that’s the ultimate expression of love to me.  Did you have a nickname growing up? Little Bit/ Libit, Lala, Enebis  When was the last time you played the air guitar? Ha, I’m not sure  Have you ever been dared to do something that you regretted? I hardly ever chose dares whenever I played that game  Favorite website? Twitter  Worst thing that has ever happened to you? .....  Best thing that has happened to you? Graduating college, getting my own apartment, meeting Glenn & getting engaged to him  Do you have a wii? I did at some point. I think my sister has it now?  Most used phrase on IM? Probably lol or lmao, I’m sure  Have you ever heard of The Beatles? Nope never  Have you ever wanted to give money to a charity? I try to frequently. I don’t have a lot of excess income but I can pitch in here and there. 

Would you ever want to have 14 kids? UH. NO.  Are you wearing any bracelets right now? Nope  Do you have any jewelry that once belonged to an old family member? Hmm.. I actually don’t think so Do you dream every night? Always  Give me on of your goals To get another paid writing gig  Do you like skinny jeans? It’s all I wear  Do you ever say stuff that you don’t mean? Hardly, I’m not afraid to be open and vulnerable  Have you ever said “I love you” and not meant it? I would never do that What is your dream guy/girl? Glenn Do you hate when people overract? Yes, although I don’t really have room to talk..  When was the last time you used the oven? A week ago maybe? Have you ever wanted to be free like a bird? I mean, sure?  Are you a worrier? It’s my greatest skill  Does your house have an attic? I live in an apartment  Are you going fishing this weekend? The answer to that question will never be yes 

tag, i’m it!

RULES: Always post the rules. Answer the questions asked, then write 11 new ones. Tag 11 people to answer your questions, as well as the person who tagged you.

I got tagged for a fullmetally thing by @ladywiltshire​ ~ thanks!!

[readmore because this got really long .-. ]

Do you remember your first time watching or reading Fullmetal Alchemist? What was your first impression? I watched it just this past December (i know, i know) and the second episode made me cry. I proceeded to scream about it to Robyn for the next week and a half. At first I was like “this is kinda weird but it’s cool,” and then by episode 19 I was like “this is the best thing I’ve ever watched and I can’t believe I didn’t listen when my ex tried to make me watch it three years ago.”

Tell us about The Fave™. Do you mean my queen Riza Hawkeye? *deep breath* I...I just...I love her so much. Her strength of character, her commitment to making the world a better place, her realistic attitude, her motherly attitude towards the kids. She’s such a good goddamn person and it physically pains me to know how much blood she has on her hands and how it eats away at her soul. She is so kind and gentle in spite of all the things she’s been through, all the unforeseen and unintended consequences of her choices. Christ, this girl permanently wore one of the most dangerous secrets in the world on her back by the time she was ~16/17. She grew up lonely and estranged from her relatives, had to care for a rapidly deteriorating father, had to find her own path after he died, entrusted her tattoo to Roy in hopes of helping him achieve his dreams (an incredibly serious decision for someone so young), joined the military hoping to make a positive difference, was sent to the front lines of a war by the time she was ~20 to participate in a mass genocide, had to live with the fact that she killed hundreds with her sniper rifle and thousands more indirectly because she gave the deadliest alchemy in the world to a dog of the military. She had to live with all of this pain and suffering that the world forced upon her and she still chose to be by Roy’s side as he made the climb to the top, protecting his back and ensuring that he remained virtuous. She still chose to work every day to make the world a better place. When everything she went through showed her that the world was an ugly, unforgiving place, she chose to make it better instead of laying down and accepting the abuse. I cannot find words to express how much I love and respect Riza Hawkeye. She’s honestly such an inspiring person and if I could have an ounce of the backbone that she possesses, I would feel accomplished.

Do you have a favorite fan work? Fanfics? Comics? Oh god fucking Here Dead We Lie by mebh will haunt me for the rest of my life and probably beyond the grave too. No other work of fiction I’ve read has come close to how badly that fanfic fucked me up. I love anything super angsty, especially with Royai. God I have way too many fics I loved to even begin to list them. I also love literally everything that the artists on here draw.. Everyone is so talented and I am so thankful and inspired. I don’t want to call out specific people because I don’t want anyone I forgot to mention feel bad so suffice to say I LOVE ALL OF THE ART AND FICS.

Hit me with an analysis/opinion you have on the series or characters! Ooh I have one criticism that still irks me! I love volume 15 of the manga, okay? Love it. I wish more than anything that Brotherhood had focused more on Ishval because holy shit that volume made me cry so many times. But Brotherhood did do something I like better than what Arakawa did in the manga, and that’s scattering a few of the scenes from V15 into other episodes of the anime. The scene that really sticks out to me is the one where Riza asks Roy to burn her back. It’s in Volume 15 of the manga but episode 54 of Brotherhood. The reason I prefer Brotherhood’s version is implied audience. Volume 15 is a flashback to Ishval as told by Riza, to Edward. That means that everything we read in that volume is assumed to have also been told to Edward. And I simply cannot believe, not even for a second, that Riza would have told Ed about her tattoo. She may be a realistic and honest person (ex. she told Ed and Al straight up about Shou/Nina Tucker being murdered, while Roy and Armstrong lied about Hughes), but the flame alchemy secret is highly confidential for many reasons, not the least of which it suggests a potential for fraternization. I just really cannot see a situation in which Riza would willingly tell anyone, most especially a volatile teenager, about the array on her back. Brotherhood excised that scene (where she asks Roy to burn her) and transplanted it into episode 54, where there is nobody else around except the viewer to bear witness to that intimate (and frankly, chilling) moment. Placing the scene there, right before That One Big Scene between her and Roy really drives home how deep and complicated their past together is and puts all these emotions fresh in the viewer’s mind, and if you ask me it made That One Big Scene all the more raw and devastatingly powerful.

Tell us about a project you have going on! Or if you don’t have one, maybe something you’ve always wanted to write or draw? Oh god. Well I’m trying to teach myself how to draw and it’s...well it’s stop and go, mostly. As far as writing goes, I have a few one-shots kicking around and I’m now playing with the idea of an AU where Envy impersonated Riza instead of Maria Ross when he murdered Hughes. I don’t know if I can commit to that, but talking with a few friends has really opened up some crazy possibilities. I’d certainly like to write a longfic for FMA but my life is kind of hectic right now.

Favorite opening/ending number and why? My favorite opener is easily Rain (season 5). Even before I knew the English translation, the colors and imagery of it coupled with the singing successfully made me feel unsettled and nervous. SID is an incredibly talented singer and the lyrics, even in Japanese, just give me chills every time. I remember saying to Robyn the first time I saw this opener that the little snippet of Roy spiraling down/Riza hugging Hayate and crying made me feel this overwhelming surge of dread. It’s a very visceral opener and sometimes I watch it on its own because I just like it so much.

Tell me about a scene that really touched you or made you realize something about yourself. One of the scenes that still gets me every time is in episode 5 when Al punches Ed and then grabs him by his shirtfront and gives him that speech: “Survival is the only way, Ed. Live on, learn more about alchemy. You can find a way to get our bodies back and help people like Nina. You can’t do that by dying! I won’t allow you to abandon the possibility of hope and choose a meaningless death!” It chokes me up every single time. I mean there are a bunch of scenes that make me feel things but I’ve talked so much about Roy and Riza that I thought I should give Ed and Al a chance. ;)

OTPs! Who are they? Why are you WEAK FOR THEM?? ROYAI FUCKING RUINED ALL OTHER PAIRINGS FOR ME. I am so weak for how much they love and support one another and god the tragedy of their circumstances. It’s just devastating and it makes me feel so many things. I am so weak. I honest to god don’t have any other OTPs in FMA that I care about as much as Royai. I’m not even joking when I say they r u i n e d other pairings for me.

Funniest headcanon you’ve ever seen. Go! I rarely have the privilege of seeing a lighthearted FMA headcanon but if anyone has some I’d love to hear ‘em!!! 

What spurred you to join the fandom? My friend Maddy finally convinced me to watch the show (she was the fifth person to insist that I needed to see it and I finally caved) and then Robyn found out I had started watching it and asked me to talk to her about it as I watched and I sorta ended up in the fandom through her, which is honestly one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given me. This fandom is absolutely incredible and I am very happy with the friends I’ve made in my short time here.

Definitely the same question… have a fandom meltdown here and tell me why you love your fandom or show/comic so much! I pretty much had like four meltdowns already in this post so I feel like anything more is like...really extra lmao. Although I noticed I baaarely talked about Roy in this and I just want to make it clear that I love Roy just as much as Riza. It was impossible for me to decide which of them to talk about for question number 2 and I ended up flipping a coin.

I don’t know who to tag because pretty much everyone has already been tagged! But if anyone reading this wants to do it too then feel free to recycle these questions (which are honestly really good ones and I definitely couldn’t come up with any this good) and consider yourself tagged.