belle of the ball ❄️✨🤍

Can I get a list of all ur ocs?

Well anon youve done it, you made me make a list of all my major OCS in one place. I hope your happy with yourself. Under the cut for obvious reasons, may link in my blog desc later.

Modern/BTD verse!!

Jilly- Ferret beastkin little creature, was recently turned into a werewolf by vincent as well so she's running around on full moons in a wereferret wolf hybrid creature form. Chaotic and friendly and wants to be everyone's bestie. She has the most energy in the world and is very kind hearted. Banned from most Claires for stealing and from one Home Depot for climbing the shelves. Prone to living life with rose colored glasses on and seeing the best in everything/everything even when there's nothing there. Socialization is a must for her and is why being basemented/kidnapped broke her psych so quickly and developed severe stockholm. Sometimes overly talkative/enthusiastic and can scare people off. Even if she sees someone shes decided shes friends with be noticeably 'evil', will convince herself it must be for some reason/her fault and ignore it.

Ciggy- Undead punk still learning to harness his powers to interact with the world as a ghost. Was sacrificed by a cult he joined for free concert tickets and to get laid. Likes to cause problems on purpose both pre and prior death and he's not above possessing someone once he learns how to. Was called Rooster in high school before he dropped out because he's loud, obnoxious and always screaming. And also has bright red dyed hair. Looking 4 ways to become less ghosty bcs he wants to be able to help raise his infant daughter, whom he died before he could meet. Bit annoying and in your face, likes poking at bruises, his or others. Kind of a sad heart seeking attention through volume and persistence.

Mike: Vampire loser! Sells drugs and lives at raves. Was turned when she was attacked by a coked out vampire (whom she supplied the product to) and has major scarring on her face and chest. Needs a somewhat constant influx of blood so shell sometimes take victims back to her place and chain them up, slowly draining them over time. Feels bad (ish) about it tho so it is possible to survive her if you are nice and or interesting enough. Kind of desperate for a friend and for love. Is a stalker. If she likes you enough/finds you interesting, she might just appear in your house one night and start rummaging through your fridge like nothing is wrong and youve been besties for years. Its best to indulge her and be friendly, otherwise she could turn violent quickly if her feelings are hurt.

Kilaine- Regular human woman, but fucked up. Born and raised by an elite waspy society she had an interest in the human body and pain tolerance since she was young. Quickly learned that these traits were socially unacceptable in most professions, so she became a doctor. The only family she cared about was her younger sister who she lost in a car accident, where they were flipped over and trapped inside while it was afire. While her sister burned up in front of her Kilaine only lost her left arm and had major burns on her body. This tipped her descent into sadism and she is now madly obsessed with bringing her sister back no matter the cost. Rude and offstandish, clinical.

Dragon age verse!

Thurwen- My main Hero of Ferelden with a bad temper and a heart of gold. City elf from the Denerim Alienage, 18 at the start of origins. She's a reaver warrior with a lot of pent up rage which sometimes scares others when she lets it out in battle. Over the years she's grown less moody as she's had to take the role of Commander. Crude sense of humor and violent impulses, very sensitive to the plights of others and tries often to help. Never seen crying in public but only cries to herself at night- major martyr and hanged man complex.

Caz- My circle mage elf inquisitor who was an apostate before the conclave. Blood magic, but make it sneaky. Wary of strangers and new faces, always dealing with the impulse to flee/find a high vantage point. Endless curiosity about the unknown/ the forbidden/ naughty, was supposed to be made tranquil for it but she escaped. Kind of a little creature as well, lived on her own for a while as an apostate in the woods, filed her teeth down to sharp ends to make herself look more intimidating (shes 5 ft tall) and less cute (her elf ears are huge and expressive, which shes embarrassed about)

Dag and Thagna- Carta twins! Professional lyrium smugglers since birth pretty much. Raised casteless in dust town and had to work their way up the chain of command by themselves. Dag is the brother, Thagna the sister. Their father traded them to the carta for drinking money and their mom died in childbirth so they have somewhat of a codependent relationship. Both charismatic and calculating, friendly and agreeable but won't hesitate to put a dagger in your back. Hard to pin down morally or physically, squirrelly bastards.

Reila: Dalish elf who works for the inquisition/ is the inquisitor in some aus. She has an extreme fixation on elvhen history and rebuilding what they have lost. Not a people person, prefers solitude. Takes some time to warm up to shemhlen as she has a hard history with them. Good friends with Caz, who recruited her in the first place. Doesn't understand very many social cues and finds societal expectations limiting and frustrating. Fondness for halla and hooved animals, which she finds graceful.

Elder scrolls verse!

Valkya: Near seven foot nord woman whos over a thousand years old by the events of skyrim. Tall and buff, two handed warrior and compulsive hero there to bask in the spotlight save the day. She was killed at the start of the events of Elder scrolls online and had her soul ripped out and sent to coldharbor and she's just been a pain in the ass about it since then. Her body can physically die and will not regrow pieces. Her soul however will escape and teleport to the nearest source of power where her body will regrow from an aetherial plasm until its whole again. Loud and brash, friendly and jovial. Actually pretty keen especially after centuries of life but prefers to play dumb as it makes people underestimate her. Plus, she really does enjoy mud wrestling and drinking contests and acting generally like a rambunctious frat boy. Ha developed a bit of a substance problem and a problem with acting out, as after being alive so long she would turn to anything to dull the ache inside of her that never goes away.

Espira- My Dragonborn! Redguard from Hammerfell who was briefly in the Ash’abah due to killing undead while protecting her parents water farm as a child. Ran away from them after years and went to Cyrodille, then to Skyrim and was caught crossing the border. Reserved, kind and soft spoken, she's a sword and shield warrior who's committed herself to doing good in the world by helping others. Dislikes killing and anything messy but believes it is often necessary in order to protect the weak. She blacksmiths often to save money on the upkeep of her own equipment, and takes up metal jewelry working as a hobby with the excess material. Prone to trusting others too much and giving too many second chances, as shes always looking for ways to make even the most hardened criminal a second look at life.

Riley- Espiras little brother who she locked in the wardrobe during the event of the water farm attack. In preventing him from doing violence against the undead she kept him from being conscripted into the Ash’abah. He's way more chaotic than his sister, and suffers from a case of little sibling syndrome in which he will often pester/poke at people just to get a rise out of them. Still kind hearted as his sister, he tries to hide it because he believes that the world is a cruel place and the cruel survive. Despite that belief he is often still unable to force himself to be cruel/careless, only making a show of it so that others leave him alone and don't see that he's very sensitive and emotional. Deaf in one ear due to a magic mishap in his youth, he trained and enchanted his most beloved rats to live for years and sit on his shoulder, alerting him to noises he would not otherwise notice.

Felria: Evil vamp :/ chaotic evil dunmer necromancer. Small and devilish and likes dead bodies too much. Manipulative and cunning, she loves acting. She's a trained assassin for the dark brotherhood and is the speaker. Likes dressing up for missions and wearing disguises like its all a play. Loves toying with people more than she loves killing them, will act in ways that cause as much trauma as possible for other people just for fun and she finds the reactions interesting. Considers herself too far removed from most people's perception of morality and of her so it's hard for her to trust someone or see them as worthy of knowing her. Finds the psychology of grief and fear to be interesting and wants to study them first hand. The hero of kvatch.

Herren: Fifty something year old rat woman looking for something to keep her going. Ran away from her wealthy family in her youth when they wanted her to take charge of the household, instead became an infamous jewel thief and swashbuckler. Spent most of her life traveling and stealing and double dealing. She's smarmy and sarcastic, a serial romancer of the highest caliber. Bit of a show off and a hedonist, always looking for the next good party or new product to snort. Her family died off due to the hard times she wasn't there for and she keeps looking for bigger and bigger heists to fill her appetite as she's chronically bored and lonely, though wont accept intimacy and will scoff at it out of the belief she doesn't deserve it. Irresponsible and selfish, lonely and terrified of any sort of commitment. Fun to party with though!

Endgame Chat

!!spoiler free part!!

Hey everyone, this is part one of my full Endgame review, hope you enjoy! My blog is now officially no longer spoiler free (I mean it’s been a week, if you haven't seen it by now then wyd???). However, everything will still be tagged with ‘#endgame spoiler’ and ‘#endgame spoilers’. If you do not want to see any spoilers, PLEASE block these from your feed if you haven't already, consider this your only warning! I will not be taking the blame for anything you have spoiled for you from this blog from now on.

thanks babies,

Lara xxx

I fully have no words to describe this film. It was such a satisfying end I barely even knew I needed, and I have so much I wanna talk about, so strap in cus this is gonna be a long ride.

I think I'm just going to do the same layout as my infinity war posts, with one for character arcs and the there for memorable events/moments.

Let’s start with characters. I’m going to talk mostly about the main six, and anyone else just a brief few things.

Thor

“I’m still worthy!”

I have been seeing alooooot of hate for the way Endgame handled Thor’s character, and I have to completely disagree. We’ve become so comfortable with seeing Thor as the most powerful Avenger, the one who was fine when his mother died, father died, brother, best friend etc that it was crucial to see that this was never actually the case. Thor’s decent into alcoholism, obesity and depression showed he was never really okay with everything that’s happened, he only bottled it inside till it all became too much, and having it healed by a chat with his mother was the perfect way to reach his arc. His relationship with his mother has been so overlooked by the marvel fans (me included) and it was so special to see this heart warming moment between them. When he said “I love you Mum.” to her my heart BURST and my eyes suddenly got very teary, not to mention the added heartbreak that he knew it was the day she was going to die. Overall, although yes, It was comical to see him in this state, that was not the only point to his storyline, it was about seeing a more emotional side to his character, a side which proves he isn't just a ‘tough guy’ who can handle the force of a star and wield lightening. He just as emotionally unstable as the rest of us, and needed his family back (both blood and The Avengers), and a reminder that he was still worthy of Mjolnir to set him back on the right path again to greatness. 

His passing of his kingship of Asgard to Valkyrie was also important. Although the Thor franchise had the most perfect beginning and ending, starting with Thor becoming king of Asgard when he was childish and irresponsible and ending with him becoming King when he was actually prepared, the title of king was still not something he chose, and with Valkyrie there to be extremely capable of the role and eager to take it, it makes sense now to allow Thor to go on to actually live the life he wants, and become the true hero his mother tells him to be. I feel he suits the role of a hero who fights the bad guys more than a sensible noble king. I desperately hope he is in Guardians 3, as I think a Quill/Thor bromance is about to blossom beautifully. 

Natasha 

“I used to have nothing, then I got this family.”

I did not see Natasha’s death coming, like not from a million miles away and it BROKE ME. I actually cried at it more the second time I went to see it. We as an audience forget how she really has no one except The Avengers, they are her one true family, and this is emphasised in the scene on Vormir when she explains how she didn't even know her own father's name. Natasha has always been great in every film she's been in, and has been integral to the development of the MCU, however her role in Endgame was something else. Seeing how broken she was over the snap and seeing how she felt it was her responsibly alone to keep track of the events happening across the whole planet shows how seriously she takes her role as an Avenger and how much she wants to earn the title. I’ll talk more about the scene on Vormir in my next post, but it was really something else. The fact it was Clint she goes with was so important, her best friend. The line from him in the guardians’ ship “this is a long way from Budapest” was such a great call back to the first avengers film, and reminds us of the long history the two share. 

When it was obvious one of them was going to die I knew it was going to be her, which is very telling of what I internally think of her character. She would never have let Clint die whilst he had a wife and children at home. Natasha sacrificed herself so that half of the universe could survive, as did Tony. Everyone alive in the MCU owes their life to her, and that is an incredible legacy for her character to leave. She will be desperately missed, but her new film coming out, despite (I assume) being a prequel will be a welcome look into her life again.

RIP Nat x

Clint

“I wish I could tell her we won.”

Opening the film on Clint losing his family was a clever way of reminding the audience of the loss experienced by everyone in Infinity War, not just the characters we followed. It was also interesting to see Clint’s darker side. On his mission to rid the world of the criminals who avoided dusting whilst innocent lives were taken, he murders what we can only assume is hundreds, showing the extreme anger and sadness he was feeling over the loss of his wife and children. It is Tony later in the film who says to Pepper “we got lucky.” in reference to the fact they still had each other, Clint had the least luck, losing three children and his wife, we can understand why he turned to such eratic violence.

Once reunited with The Avengers he continues to have a huge role in the film, especially driven by both his desire to bring back his family, and also avenge Natasha’s death which he most likely feels very guilty for. The moment when they all return form the quantum realm except her, and Clint is seen crying is very emotional, and his role in the fight against Thanos is not one he takes lightning. Clint even carries the Infinity Gauntlet for a large proportion of the final fight scene, we thank him for his incredible service! Endgame was definitely Clint’s film. He had a big part in many of the most emotional/nail biting scenes, and dint just spend the whole thing under the mind control of the main villain! Really glad he got to shine through and find his spotlight, and I can't wait for what the Hawkeye series will have to offer.

Banner

“I put the brains and the braun together.”

Okay so when I first saw the Doctor Hulk combo I HATED IT. I remember turning to my friend in the cinema and just going “I hate it I hate it I hate it get it away from me” but then by the end of the film I won't lie, I loved it. I love that he now has the best sides of both banner and Hulk, the funny/smart/kind side, put together with the incredible strength of The Hulk actually makes for a pretty powerful avenger, even standing up to Thor at one point when he asks him to take his hands off him. Banner had some great comedy bits, including when he makes fun of Scott when the kids don't wanna take a picture with him, and the hilarious part when he punches the taxi in New York, but also some important emotional roles. His upset when he discovers Natasha is dead is evident, explaining how he misses her to Steve later in the film, and this is definitely used as a drive for what he goes on to do. He sacrifices his life and uses the gauntlet to bring everyone back, BANNER DID THAT. Can we start appreciating him more now???? THANKS. No but seriously this was a very important moment for him, and was like the finale of the great character arc we have seen over the last 3 films he has been in. In Ragnaork he struggles with his relationship with the Hulk, still being unable to control when he changes from Hulk to Banner, stuck in either when least convenient, nd always under the control of Hulk. In Infinity War, it’s almost like the two are so connected, and hulk is so aware of Banner’s experience that he begins to control when he doesn't want to come out, rather than when he does. The two are much more like a duo, understanding of each other but stilll not necessarily working together. in Endgame they finally merge, forming a mutual relationship where each benefits wonderfully from the other. I’m really happy for Banner reaching this state. I don't know if his character will appear in anymore MCU films to come, but his character arc has certainly reached a satisfying end, and I believe, despite the sadness of losing Natasha, he has a reached a place of peace and happiness.

Tony

“I love you 3000.”

THE BIG SAD. Still can't believe he is dead. The corner stone of the MCU, the man who made it all happen, how can we ever thank Tony Stark enough? short answer: we can’t, but I'll damn well try. Tony Stark has had perhaps the greatest character arc of them all. Growing from being an arrogant, selfish, greedy businessman who sold weapons and funded wars now sacrifices his life for the entire universe, despite knowing he will leave behind his child and wife alone. It is so painful watching the film for the second time, seeing how desperate he is to not lose what he’s got (Morgan), knowing the whole time what is to happen a the end, yet also a sense of pride emerges. It is heartbreaking to know he will in fact die, but also incredible to know that even despite all his personal feelings, he will always put his family, The Avengers and the rest of the beings in the universe before him because THAT is who Tony Stark is. it doesn't matter who he once was, he has grown beautifully as a character, and has the hero’s death he properly deserves. When  Pepper said “you can rest now.” to him I absolutely BAWLED. very good. Awful and painful, but very good.

Also just Tony as a dad, although we didn't get to see it for very long, was a great position to see his character in. He keeps that classic Stark sense of humour “go to bed or I'll sell your toys” whilst also it is immensely clear to see how much being a father has matured him. Although in reality, he is not only a father to Morgan, but Peter too, and choosing to have him die in front of him was truly a STAB to the gut, but also important I think for Peters development now. He will have to go it alone now, without the support of his guardian, which will be a good way to ensure his character can grow independently. Stark was clearly torn up over Peter’s death in a way only a father would, and Peter im sure will carry this bond with him for as long as he lives. I hope to see Morgan and Peter connect in Far From Home, that would be really special, and the perfect way of carrying Tony’s memory.

Thank you to Tony, and RDJ for the incredible 11 years in the MCU, we just could no be here without you, you can rest now, but know you are in our hearts forever.

RIP Tony x

Steve

“You gonna tell me about her?”

“No, I don't think I will.”

Guys okay so I cried at Tony and Nat’s death, but NOTHING got me like Steve’s final scene let me TELL YOU, but first we will start earlier on. 

Steve has a very classic role int he first half on the film, comforting Nat when she needs it, helping Tony, devising the plan etc but he really shines in his trip to New York, the final battle scene, and of course his finale. 

The scene where he fights himself was really great, and the lines “I can do this all day” “yeah I know” was AMAZING! Not to mention the iconic callback to the elevator scene with the added ‘hail hydra’. The Russo Brothers did an excellent job in ensuring the revisited all the best parts of cap’s time in the MCU in Endgame for sure. But, the best bit came in the final fight scene WHEN HE LIFTED MJOLNIR. I SCREAMED. I genuinely don't think I have ever been so excited in an MCU film in my life, when the hammer came flying through the air I thought at first it was going to be Captain Marvel (which would have been cool too) but when it was him I YELLED. I simultaneously couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing whilst also thinking it was the most obvious thing ever. OF COURSE Steve can lift the hammer, of course he is worthy. The added line of Thor saying: “I knew it!” was just perfect too, with their mid-battle banter yet again “you have the little one, I'll take the big one.” much like in Infinity war with “I see you’ve copied my beard!”. Another great moment was of course the: “Avengers... assemble.” which I also absolutely screeched at. INCREDIBLE CINEMA.

But, despite all this excitement and incredible action Steve’s character got, his best part in the film by far was his final goodbye to Sam and Bucky. When he left to put the stones back something in me knew he wasn't going to come back, and although it was sad, it was also relieving in a way. To know he must be going to find Peggy, and to know he would finally “get some of that life” he had always wanted, and find happiness with her was beautiful. When the camera panned round to him on the bench, it was extremely clever to (as he was older and more shrunken) depict him looking the exact way pre-serum Steve did in The First Avenger, with a similar jacket and smaller frame. At first I thought it somehow was younger him, and It was only seeing his face that made me realise that was not the case. By this post I was properly crying. Like tears streaming down my face hiding my sobs crying. His passing of the shield onto Sam was incredibly moving, and before he left to the see when Bucky and him joke about not doing anything stupid whilst he’s gone was also a perfect goodbye. When he went to put his hand on Sam’s and it showed he had a wedding ring, I honestly couldn't even see through my tears, and that final scene. That final scene. The camera panning through the window, the soft music, the slow turning of the camera to reveal Peggy dancing with Steve, I let out what I think is the ugliest noise I have ever made. a full blown SOB. I was actually uncontrollable, the lights went up in the cinema and I just kept going, still crying a good five minutes later. It was an ending that, now it’s happened, seemed so obvious, yet I never saw it coming. Of course The Avengers’ saga had to end that way. The beauty of the ending was that it wasn’t really an ending at all, but a beginning. Yes, Steve has reached the end of his time as an Avenger, but he was only just starting his true, long life he has ahead of him. The perfect finale.

CONCLUSION

I loved this film. I think it did wonders for all the main characters, and to know I know live in a world with no more Avengers films to come is devastating, but I'm just happy I was alive to see them happen, and to be a part of this wonderful community.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far! Check back next Thursday for my post on storylines/events!

Lara x

Fabulous Olicity Fanfic Friday - May 17th, 2019

Happy Friday! So this is my attempt to both thank awesome fanfic writers for their amazing work and offer my recommendations to anyone who is interested. Here are the fantastic fanfic stories I read this week! They are posted in the order I read them. This and all previous Fabulous Olicity Fanfic posts can be found on my blog.

Wait, You Think It's Better Than Mine? by @christinabeggs - Felicity has a sweet tooth https://archiveofourown.org/works/11970201

You're Gonna Pay for That @laxit21 - Oliver and Felicity get into a waterballoon fight. https://laxit21.tumblr.com/post/184786825644/youre-gonna-pay-for-that

Follow the Leader by @bokayjunkie - “I feel really special that you all want to spend time with me today. I honestly don’t know what I did to deserve this attention.” Everyone wants to have lunch with Felicity. Who will she choose? https://archiveofourown.org/works/12012663

Time for a Story multi-chapter WIP by @smkkbert - This fic shows Olicity and their life as a (married) couple with family. Although Olicity (and their kids) are the protagonists, other characters of Arrow and Flash make appearances. YOU NEED THIS STORY IN YOUR LIFE. https://archiveofourown.org/works/3912157/chapters/8757172

Love By Contradiction multi-chapter WIP by @pimsiepim - When Felicity meets Oliver, it’s anything but romantic. Taking her best friend’s spot at a speed-dating event wasn’t exactly how she had pictured spending her Friday night. Meeting said best friend’s soulmate? Even less expected. And even though Felicity never really believed in that silly prediction a fortune teller made ten years ago, the occasion is just too good to pass up. Alena is stuck in a toxic relationship and maybe what she needs to finally get over her ex… is to get underneath someone else. Mission “Get-Alena-And-Oliver-Together” is on the way, and Felicity will stop at nothing to make sure her best friend gets her happily ever after. Nothing. Not even Alena’s lack of interest, or Oliver’s weird tendency to ask Felicity out on fake dates. The plan is perfect, the execution flawless... except for one small detail: it’s not Alena who’s starting to fall for the guy... https://archiveofourown.org/works/18550876/chapters/43969807

We Need to Talk by @smoaking-greenarrow - Oliver and Felicity fight after Oliver punches her boss https://smoaking-greenarrow.tumblr.com/post/165101221814/hey-for-the-prompts-69-we-need-to-talk

Modern Romance by @bokayjunkie - “Hi everyone, Felicity here, back with another video! It’s been awhile since I’ve given you a life update and I figured why not combine this with a Q&A!" https://archiveofourown.org/works/11956233

The Fan multi-chapter WIP by @leuska - For the past couple of months, Felicity Smoak, previous child star known to the world through her alter ego Lisy the Tech Whiz, who ended her career and her growing popularity at the age of thirteen rather abruptly, has sporadically received disturbing notes and gifts in her mail. Police believe the notes to be just little tokens of appreciation by a former fan. Despite having left the spotlight over a decade ago and living in anonymity since, the fan mail keeps coming, increasing in frequency as well as intensity. Thelast drop is when Felicity receives another letter with a love note. A scary, ominous note. A note written in human blood.FBI director Amanda Waller tasks her best Agent to the case. Oliver Queen, a criminal profiler, is currently working on a special task force formed between SCPD and FBI to catch a man dubbed the Start City Slasher, who has murdered at least three young women in the past nine months. Agent Queen is not thrilled with the prospect of holding a former princess’ hand through her problem with a simple stalker while a serial killer is still at large. However, once meeting her, Oliver finds there is nothing easy or simple about Felicity Smoak as their worlds start to intertwine. https://archiveofourown.org/works/17726573/chapters/41820368

Dark Delusions multi-chapter WIP by @missyriver - Oliver was the love of her life and it was time to remind him that she was his. https://archiveofourown.org/works/12032928/chapters/27239901

My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark multi-chapter WIP by @tangled23works - This is a collection of scenes I've written but will probably never have the time to publish as part of a larger fic. Sometimes, there are stories that need to be told no matter how short they are. Anyway, each chapter is inspired by a song. https://archiveofourown.org/works/18804658/chapters/44618395

Blush by @dmichellewrites - Read a Blush magazine exclusive with Felicity Queen as she chats about work, marriage, motherhood, beauty, and more. https://archiveofourown.org/works/12034233

Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere multi-chapter Complete by Bichwhwifi  - Oliver's car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and stumbles upon an MIT graduate that makes him ask why she would live in the middle of nowhere. https://archiveofourown.org/works/12043362/chapters/27268404

The Voyage to You multi-chapter WIP by @obibalwin - Felicity Smoak didn’t want a complicated life. She enjoyed helping people as a nurse at Starling City General Hospital and spending time with her best friend Sara. When a John Doe arrives on the fifth floor of thehospital, she finds herself being dragged into a world of mysterious oaths and visions. The only thing she can hope is to stay strong enough to resist the man who has traveled to find her. https://archiveofourown.org/works/16596788/chapters/38895977

Providence multi-chapter WIP by @so-caffeinated - Will Queen has struggled in silence in the year since he was shot. But when a shadowy crime lord known as Domino targets the only woman Will’s ever truly loved, fate forces him to confront his demons in ways he never could have imagined… Whether he wants to or not. Amelia Prescott has fought to take control of her life since learning two years ago that her personal and professional worlds were manipulated by others. But nothing can prepare her for just how hard she'll have to fight to set her own course, especially when her heart belongs to a damaged man and a crime lord threatens her every professional move... And her life. Destiny brings them together, but as chaos reigns and personal demons haunt Will and Amelia both, it may also threaten to tear them apart. https://archiveofourown.org/works/17919056/chapters/42308753

Pieces of Always multi-chapter WIP by @so-caffeinated and @dust2dust34 - Life continues after Forever is Composed of Nows. Ongoing non-linear collection of family moments for the Queens. http://archiveofourown.org/works/8220479/chapters/18840356

P.S. Hong Kong: Was it Real?!? multi-chapter WIP by @cruzrogue for Olicity trope-tastic award: Fake Marriage - This is off season 3 Flashbacks. When Tommy goes to Hong Kong he doesn’t go alone he takes his friend Felicity as the best information system being to help him locate Oliver Queen. Tommy may leave empty handed but Felicity gets to be a bride… https://archiveofourown.org/works/15025697/chapters/34832747

// @emmaamelia95 // @mel-loves-all // @oliverfel4 // @green-arrows-of-karamel // @coal000 // @miriam1779 // @memcjo// @captainolicitysbedroom // @tdgal1 // @spaztronautwriter // @lalawo1// @quiveringbunny // @wrongshipper // @thebookjumper // @vaelisamaza // @myhauntedblacksoul // @lovelycssefan // @laurabelle2930 // @laxit21 //

Caitsbooks’s Top 10 Most Anticipated April 2019 Releases

This year is absolutely flying by. I can't believe it's April already! This month has some of my most anticipated releases of the year, with a good mix of debut novels, series starters, and continuations! My wallet may hate me this month, but I'll be very happy once all these books come out.

Blog || Goodreads || Bookstagram || Twitter  || Reviews

April Releases

Note: These are in order of release date

April 2nd 

10. Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy #1) by Emily A. Duncan This book is probably my most anticipated debut novel, if not one of my most anticipated books overall for 2019. Wicked Saints has gotten a lot of hype, and after reading the ARC, I can say it deserves all of it. This book broke me, in the best possible way, and I don't think I'll ever be over it. Read my review here for more of my ranting.

"A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself. A prince in danger must decide who to trust. A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings. Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war. In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light."

9. Defy Me (Shatter Me #5) by Tahereh Mafi The Shatter Me series has been one of my favorites since I first read it as a trilogy back in 2015. While I was nervous at first about the series being continued, I am now 100% on board and so excited for the next installment! The Kenji novella, Shadow Me, really got my hyped for this book!

(Spoilers below for the Shatter Me series, books 1 - 4) "Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her—secrets that change everything. Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge."

8. Defy the Fates (Constellation #3) by Claudia Gray

I cannot express how excited I am for this book. I loved the first two novels, and I've been dying to find out how it all ends! If you're looking for a new sci-fi series, definitely pick this one up!!

(spoilers below for Defy the Stars and Defy the Worlds)

“Hunted and desperate. Abel only has one mission left that matters: save the life of Noemi Vidal. To do that, he not only has to escape the Genesis authorities, he also must face the one person in the galaxy who still has the means to destroy him. Burton Mansfield's consciousness lives on, desperate for a home, and Abel's own body is his last bargaining chip.  Alone in the universe. Brought back from the brink of death, Noemi Vidal finds Abel has not only saved her life, but he's made her into something else, something more. Not quite mech, yet not quite human any longer, Noemi must find her place in a universe where she is utterly unique, all while trying to create a world where anyone--even a mech--can be free. The final battle between Earth and the colony planets is here, and there's no lengths to which Earth won't go to preserve its domination over all humanity. But together, the universe's most advanced mech and its first human-mech hybrid might have the power to change the galaxy for good.”

7. The Princess and the Fangirl (Once Upon a Con #2) by Ashley Poston

This is the new companion novel to Geekerella. The first book was absolutely amazing, and I can't wait to see where Ashley Poston goes with this one!

"Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year's ExcelsiCon isn't her last, she'll consider her career derailed. When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That's easier said than done when the girls step into each other's shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these "princesses" race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after. "

6. The Devouring Gray (The Devouring Gray #1) by Christine Lynn Herman

This book is one of my most anticipated debut novels of the year. People have been comparing it to The Raven Cycle, one of my all-time favorite series, so obviously I need to devour it. (Yes, I know that was a bad pun)

"On the edge of town a beast haunts the woods, trapped in the Gray, its bonds loosening… Uprooted from the city, Violet Saunders doesn’t have much hope of fitting in at her new school in Four Paths, a town almost buried in the woodlands of rural New York. The fact that she’s descended from one of the town’s founders doesn’t help much, either—her new neighbors treat her with distant respect, and something very like fear. When she meets Justin, May, Isaac, and Harper, all children of founder families, and sees the otherworldly destruction they can wreak, she starts to wonder if the townsfolk are right to be afraid. When bodies start to appear in the woods, the locals become downright hostile. Can the teenagers solve the mystery of Four Paths, and their own part in it, before another calamity strikes?"

5. You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this back in January, and it blew me away. It was so much more than I expected. This is definitely not a book to miss!

"Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things. But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen. Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. From the start fans want them to be more than just tour mates, and Annie and Clay can’t help but wonder if the fans are right. But if there’s one part of fame Annie wants nothing to do with, it’s a high-profile relationship. She had a front row seat to her parents’ volatile marriage and isn’t interested in repeating history. If only she could convince her heart that Clay, with his painful past and head over heels inducing tenor, isn’t worth the risk. "

April 9th 

4. Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

This book has been called a YA Game of Thrones, filled with political intrigue and mystery. This is another book that has gotten a bit of hype, and I'm looking forward to seeing if it lives up to it.

"Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered—and that the killer is someone close to her. Hesina’s court is packed full of dissemblers and deceivers eager to use the king’s death for political gain, each as plausibly guilty as the next. Her advisers would like her to blame the neighboring kingdom of Kendi’a, whose ruler has been mustering for war. Determined to find her father’s actual killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by death, since magic was outlawed centuries ago. Using the information provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of Yan at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?"

3. The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1) by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

I think everyone can agree that Magnus and Alec are some of the best characters in The Shadowhunter Chronicles. Needless to say, I'm so excited that they're getting their own series!!! I've been waiting for this for too long.

"All Magnus Bane wanted was a vacation—a lavish trip across Europe with Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter who against all odds is finally his boyfriend. But as soon as the pair settles in Paris, an old friend arrives with news about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that is bent on causing chaos around the world. A cult that was apparently founded by Magnus himself. Years ago. As a joke. Now Magnus and Alec must race across Europe to track down the Crimson Hand and its elusive new leader before the cult can cause any more damage. As if it wasn’t bad enough that their romantic getaway has been sidetracked, demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever—even if it means revealing the secrets they’ve both been keeping."

April 16th 

2. Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Last year, I finally started reading Jenn Bennett's books, and fell in love with them. I went on a binge of all of her YA contemporaries, and I'm dying for more. At this point, it doesn't even matter to me what it's actually about. If it's written by Jenn Bennett, I'll read it.

"Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel. In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel. To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel."

April 23rd 

1. The Tiger at Midnight (The Tiger at Midnight Trilogy #1) by Swati Teerdhala

I am living for all the new fantasy novels coming out, and especially #ownvoices ones! This synopsis has me so intrigued and I can't wait to dive in.

"Esha is a legend, but no one knows. It’s only in the shadows that she moonlights as the Viper, the rebels’ highly skilled assassin. She’s devoted her life to avenging what she lost in the royal coup, and now she’s been tasked with her most important mission to date: taking down the ruthless General Hotha. Kunal has been a soldier since childhood, training morning and night to uphold the power of King Vardaan. His uncle, the general, has ensured that Kunal never strays from the path—even as a part of Kunal longs to join the outside world, which has been growing only more volatile. Then Esha’s and Kunal’s paths cross—and an unimaginable chain of events unfolds. Both the Viper and the soldier think they’re calling the shots, but they’re not the only players moving the pieces. As the bonds that hold their land in order break down and the sins of the past meet the promise of a new future, both rebel and soldier must make unforgivable choices."

What is your most anticipated release this April?

Related: - My March Favorites + April TBR - My Top 10 March Releases + TBR

western wednesday. so the SZA show soldout.

so it's our inaugural western wednesday. i thought this day was essential just because weeabookstore is an American-run blog with an inherent American perspective (Viet Texan more specifically). as such, maybe reading these will give some of you insight into some of my other thoughts and opinions.

today, we'll be talking about music. i just wanted to preface that i don't actually listen to that much j-idol music (which is why discog thursday will be a thing). the music i keep on my phone is probably the most accurate representation of my tastes. western music takes up 54 percent of the ~3000 songs i keep. Korean is 38 percent (don't crucify me, guys), Japanese is 6, and Viet is 2. concerning genre, i'll listen to anything.

lately, i've been in a chill r&b phase (because there are a lot of elements in modern r&b that i'm trying to incorporate into my own music). currently, the standout pop album of 2017 is CTRL by SZA. i've been listening to SZA since she came out with the Z EP which i was interested in because of features from Chance (who i got to see right before he blew up) and Kendrick (whom i missed the opportunity to see FOR FREE). i was super psyched when i heard SZA's tour was stopping in Texas, and then really sad when i found out the shows were sold out. because fucking everyone loves SZA now.

now obviously, i'm disappointed, but i'm glad that artists i like are getting time in the spotlight. so i've put together a short list of similar artists who i think also deserve a boost.

who to listen to when the SZA show's soldout. (we at weeabookstore enjoy alliteration.)

01. Lion Babe.

you'll find in this list that i discovered all these artists through more established acts. for Lion Babe, a "neo-soul" r&b duo who released their debut album last year, that star collaborator is Childish Gambino. Donald Glover, the industry professional i probably respect most in this world, has an admittedly forgettable verse on the song "Jump Hi," but thank Childish that i was introduced to Lion Babe because their album Begin is full of gotdamn bops. Lion Babe's biggest criticism is that they're too focused on producing "hits" as opposed to "art." i think differently. this is Lion Babe's first full-length, and imo showcasing general appeal and marketability at this point isn’t illogical. but then again, this is coming from a kid who listens to Asian idol music, an industry that is almost solely concerned with what "sells." anyway, Lion Babe is probably the "peppiest" of those mentioned here, a lot of funk-filled grooves with some disco sprinkled in a song or two. off Begin, i'd probably most recommend "Jump Hi," "Stressed Out!," and "Where Do We Go."

02. Noname.

formerly Noname Gypsy, when this act comes to mind, i think rapper before anything else. first appearing before me in Chance The Rapper's Acid Rap, I often find Noname's flow to be relatively similar to her now radio-famous colleague albeit with a more generally lowkey vibe. her debut mix Telefone is all about those keys. i just really love the piano work throughout the whole record. compared to Chance's pop-minded Coloring Book, Noname stays grounded, injecting listeners with that open-mic poetry vibe. it's pure storytelling from the perspective of the black female Chicagoan. chill, sentimental rap is my shit and Noname checks all the boxes. picking only three favorites off of Telefone is hard, but "Diddy Bop," "Forever," and "Reality Check" probably do it for me.

03. Kilo Kish.

also brought to you by Childish Gambino, i first heard Kilo's voice through features on Royalty and Because The Internet. though she may also spit some bars every once in a while, Kilo is first and foremost an alt-r&b artist, emphasis on artist. among the three i've listed here, Kilo seems most concerned with trying the conceptual and experimental, a trait which probably allows her to vibe well with Donald Glover. i'm most familiar with her last EP Across. Across, along with its older siblings, features this signature ambient, ethereal Kilo sound that's paired with the sort of haunting tones that make up Kilo vocals. more conceptually, her more recent LP debut Reflections In Real Time is just as the name suggests. Reflections is a stream-of-consciousness composition of personal experiences and observations made in theatrical fashion. "Hello, Lakisha" in particular is a relatively unorthodox but fitting introduction to both the album and the artist herself. Check out "Curious," "Locket," "The Opposite Sex," and "Collected Views From Dinner."

and in case y'all wanted to know my favorite songs from SZA's CTRL (which i found out has a repackage now! CTRL + ALT), they're "Drew Barrymore," "Garden," and "Broken Clocks."

hope you weebs don't hate this. tomorrow is discog thursday which might better suit your Jap-centric sensibilities. "weeapinion" posts will now be tagged as such.

FIVE UNDERAPPRECIATED CHARACTERS (and five runners up)

A few caveats before we begin. Firstly, the difference between underused and underappreciated. An underused character is one that the writers haven't done much with at all. An underappreciated character is one that fandom doesn't pay much attention or give credit to despite what the writers have done with them already as is that should warrant more attention. Secondly is that this list is biased as fuck. The only person on it who isn't one of my special favorites is Moira MacTaggert. I tried for that not to be the case, but the fact is, the Marvel Universe is really, REALLY big, and there are soooo many characters that I can really only get to know a specific few. And so of course the ones I know best are the ones that I know have done stuff that should be more widely appreciated by fandom. So if your under-rated favorite isn't on here and you think they deserve to be, it's not that I looked at them and said "what a loser" and deliberately left them off, I just probably don't know who they are and what they accomplished to deserve to be on this list. I'm sure that the characters who deserve to be on it could fill a book. That's why I just put "five underappreciated characters" instead of "top five", because I don't think these are objectively the TOP underrated characters, they're just five of the ones that I know and like best. Thirdly, my definition of "underappreciated" is based solely on what *I* have seen of fandom in *my* experience with it...and I am not someone deeply involved in fandom. I largely stay out of it, only venturing in when looking for info on a preferred character, or just happening on stuff by chance. So I might be totally wrong in how I've gauged the popularity level, or lack thereof, of a character. Thus, one or more of these might actually not be "underappreciated" at all.  Which, hey, would be great! Anyway, on to the list...

FIVE UNDERAPPRECIATED CHARACTERS

- Moira MacTaggert: If you're imagining a sexy young American CIA agent, stop it right now. I'm talking about comics Moira. Comics Moira is around Charle's age, very Scottish, and she is actually DOCTOR MacTaggert, a world-renowned leading geneticist whose area of specialty is mutants. She's badass, she's smart, she calls Charles out on his shit when no one else does, she has dark issues of her own, and she goes after a kelpie with a giant gun. She's a longtime ally of the X-Men, she lives at the mansion and forms a relationship with each team member of the time, and even forms/leads her own team of X-Men on Muir Island (the site of her research center) when it appears the original team has been killed. Moira debuts at an early point in the comics, and is an important player in numerous stories for years to come up until her death at the hands of Mystique, but not before she discovered the cure to the Legacy Virus, saving the lives of countless mutants. If you remember no one else on this list, remember Moira MacTaggert. - The Hellions: During the 80s when Emma Frost was still a villain, she ran a school of her own and the Hellions were her teenage proteges. They were rivals to the New Mutants, but with the exception of Empath and maybe Roulette, not evil at all. They were just mutant kids that Emma had gotten to before Xavier did. Some of them formed friendships with the New Mutants, and their clashes were more like contests than real battles. They all had distinct personalities, most of which were quite likeable and interesting, but were never used to their full potential. They might have had big futures ahead of them, but when the 90s came along, they were all wiped out in a mass slaughter (except, ironically, Empath, the one character I don't think anyone WANTED to survive) which prompted Emma Frost to join the X-Men, as she felt her future students would have a better chance of surviving if she were with them. While the Hellions are still beloved and mourned to this day by a small but devoted number of comic fans, their fascinating and unique personalities make them worthy of so much more remembrance. - Destiny: I see more fanart of Mystique and Azazel than I do Mystique and Destiny, and I think that's a damn shame. Azazel was just a dude who knocked Mystique up. Destiny was a woman she had a lifelong relationship, never leaving her side even when she grew old while Mystique stayed young. Historically, same-sex relationships in comic books and other movies were used to show how evil and depraved a villain was to engage in such a thing, but Mystique's love for Destiny was used to humanize her instead. While they could never actually be called lovers on-panel, they pushed the envelope as much as possible for the time, living together and even raising an adopted child (Rogue) together. How is fandom not all over that? God knows there's a fuck ton of fanart of Charles and Erik raising the latter's kids together, and that didn't even happen! But she's more than just Mystique's wife or Rogue's mother. She's an enigmatic but influential force in the Marvel universe who affected all of the X-Men even long after her own death. She was far less malicious and malevolent than the rest of the Brotherhood, yet her predictions are what steered their actions. Did she really want to achieve their cause of mutant supremacy? Or was she manipulating them to shape the future in a larger way? And the diaries she left behind recording her visions both predicted and moved plots in the 2000s, making her a more important character post-mortem than she was alive. She's also neat in that not only in that she was one of the first LGBT mutants (and represented positively, no less, despite her villainy) but also in that she wasn't a hot sexy villainess, she was an elderly woman and neither she nor her relationship with another woman was sexualized at all. That's very rare. It's even more rare to see older gay people represented; the 'face' of the LGBT community is typically portrayed as people around 30 or less, seldom over 50. Therefore, I think she deserves more recognition both in terms of being a diversity milestone and for just who she was and what she did. - Fabian Cortez: Yes, there's a little personal bias here, but I really do think Fabian deserves more spotlight in fandom than he gets. This dude showed up at the beginning of the 90s, expertly manipulated the retired Magneto back into villainy for his own purposes, then orchestrated his death for the same reason, framing humanity for it. He then used Magneto's image as a martyr to gather a cult called the Acolytes that numbered far more than any incarnation of the Brotherhood ever had. They were vicious, they were bloodthirsty, and they did anything Fabian said. Fabian manipulated heroes and villains alike, attempted to sway Quicksilver to his side. When that failed, he became his nemesis of the era, and during Blood Ties he even kidnapped Quicksilver's daughter to hold hostage as he deliberately plunged the nation of Genosha into a bloody civil war. After the return of Magneto and addition of Exodus, Fabian loses his badass status and gets put more in a "Toad" role as the slimy subordinate who is abused by his superiors as he secretly schemes against him. But while he ceases to be important in the OVERALL story, he remains important in relation to Magneto and Quicksilver, as there's obviously still a lot of animosity between them. This animosity remains right up until Magneto kills him once his use for him runs out. So, what makes Fabian Cortez unappreciated? Well, when's the last time you met a fan who knew who he is? Did you even know who he was before you read this blog? He's a major player for the first half of the 90s, then attached to a major player through the next half (and one that is IMMENSELY popular in fandom), yet no one knows who he is. Even fans of Magneto and Quicksilver, whose stories he was very important in during the entire decade, don't know this guy. Then there's his personality. Fabian is the WORST and it's AMAZING. It's not just that he's a manipulative liar who will do anything for power, it's not just that he abuses and even sacrifices his followers for his own gain, it's not just that he's a major egomaniac, he's also a tremendous sexist and tremendously thirsty, with goals of forming a harem. He even causes a 15 year unexplained mystery because he was staring at a woman's butt! He's threatening and competent, yet at the same time, utterly hilarious in his sex-crazed misogynistic pompous cowardly assholery. He also has some fantastic lines, such as MY WILL BE DONE SO SAYETH ME in the animated series, and telling Quicksilver that he scream his name very well. He's also in some hilarious scenes, like vanishing even faster than QUICKSILVER can see when Quicksilver says he has explaining to do. Seriously, if you don't recognize him for his importance to plot as a villain or for his role as an enemy to Magneto and Quicksilver, recognize him for his epic doucheyness and epic hilarity. - Kwannon: If you love Psylocke, you need to love Kwannon, or at least know her, because everything Psylocke is today is due to Kwannon. In both the 90s cartoon and the X-Men movies, Psylocke has always been depicted as Asian, but in fact, she's not---Kwannon was. And in many regards, she was who Betsy has been since. You see, Psylocke originally was a well-mannered little lady from England. Her time with the X-Men made her want to be a fighter very much...and she got her wish when she was body-swapped with Kwannon, a Japanese ninja assassin, in order to save the latter's life. The swap was done by the Mojoworld villainess Spiral, but arranged by Japanese crimelords Mastu'o Tsurayaba and Lord Nyoirin. Once it was done, each of them attempted to manipulate the two mentally confused women into both their loves and personal weapons. The swap also resulted in their minds merging to a degree as well, so that they absorbed skills, memories, and personality traits from each other. For Psylocke, she gained Kwannon's ninja abilities, and a much more brutal personality. The latter was only exacerbated by her rage at how she had been used and victimized, how her agency had been taken from her to the point her body literally was not her own, of what these men had done to her. This was the beginning of the Psylocke as we know her now. As for Kwannon, she suffered an identity crisis. Thanks to absorbing some of Betsy's memories during the swap and the manipulating lies of Nyoirin, she believed herself to be the REAL Betsy Braddock, mentally as well as physically, and accused Psylocke of being an imposter. Due to their scrambled psyches, this could not be worked out for some time, and it was not until the time that Kwannon was on death's door with the Legacy Virus that she was finally able to realize the truth of who she was and what had been done to her. She perished in the white body of Betsy Braddock, while Betsy lived on in her Asian body, which is now the appearance most associated with her today. Kwannon deserves to be remembered both for what Betsy gained from her, and as a character in her own right.

FIVE RUNNERS UP

These are the characters that I think deserve more recognition for whatever reason, but also aren't truly what I would call underappreciated either . Sebastian Shaw: Sebastian Shaw has been a big name in the comics fandom since his first appearance, and for very good reason. He's a major baddie, and he's very good at it, though admittedly he's never managed to top his first story. Poor guy peaked too early. But he's still managed to be a pretty cool villain, and a fairly consistent one, though his role wanes more with every decade. Still, he's always been at least B-list in fandom. Maybe not everyone's favorite, but at least everyone knows who he is, what he does, and the basic reasons why he does it. The evil billionaire who just wants more money and power and will do anything to get it isn't new or original, but Shaw does it very well, and with a mindset that makes him more realistic than the stock stereotype and with a flair very distinct to him...also, he takes his shirt off every chance he gets and it's hilarious. He's great, and even fans who don't love him have generally still recognized his importance as a good villain. But with the rise of movie fandom, that's changed. The movies have far overtaken the comics in reach and popularity, and while I don't think that's a good or bad thing, it does mean that now most people think Nazi Kevin Bacon when they hear the name Sebastian Shaw, who has nothing in common with comics Shaw. The fact he hasn't done any proper villainy in the comics for like ten years doesn't help. And I think Shaw deserves better. He's not a sympathetic villain, he's not even a particularly complex one, but he's interesting in his own way, and he's both threatening and fun. Threatening because of his ruthlessness, how he uses political and economic power as much as punches, his willingness to throw all of mutantkind under the bus for his own gain, and his incorrigible perseverance. He's also got a pretty fleshed-out past which could easily have been used to make him tragic to the point of cliche, but isn't, which I find neat. He's not tragic in the SLIGHTEST at all, actually, he's so self-interested and awful it's kind of hilarious. And he has some great dynamics with other characters. So, why would I only make him a runner-up? Because I think that while he's not getting as much credit as he used to, and that he does deserve a little more spotlight, he's not totally deprived of it either. There are still plenty of comic fans out there who know he is, and who say, yeah, that dude was pretty cool. He's not as big a name as he used to be or as he could be, and he probably is never going to get out of Movie Shaw's shadow ever again, but he's hardly forgotten either. I think if the comics find cool new things to do with this fucker, he'll start gaining back some of his former glory from the classic days ASAP in fandom. He's a character in All New All Different right now, and they do seem to have SOMETHING planned with him, so here's hoping! Madelyne Pryor: As with Shaw, the rise of the movie fandom overtaking the comic fandom has made her name more obscure, but lots of comics fan still know her. But I think the underappreciation factor is that many only really know her as the Goblyn Queen, the insane villain, the evil ex-wife, the Jean Grey clone gone wrong. The fact that she was good guy character for six years, and even a member of the X-Men in addition to their friend, goes forgotten. Before she was the Goblyn Queen, she was just Maddy, and she had a lot of adventures with the X-Men where she was a hero, and a strong character in her own right for reasons that had nothing to do with being Jean's clone or Sinister's creation or the rest of that stuff. I think that the original Maddy, the real Maddy she was at heart before everything went so wrong, needs to be remembered too. But I've never seen so much as a single piece of fanart where she wasn't in her villain garb. That said, I can't call her underappreciated altogether just because one aspect of her is overlooked. Many fans still know who she is and recognize the tragedy of who she became, even if they don't really know who she used to be, and there's a lot of sympathy for her in comic fandom to this day...and skimpy fanart, of course. Haven: Haven is a big-time favorite of mine, that's no secret. Other villains, I love because they're nasty, but Haven, I love because she's good. She's really, really good. And while I've seen villains who are good people before, I've never seen a villain that was a pacifist, and who not only never harmed the heroes, and barely even threatened to, but even healed them and helped them and rescued them. It's a really unusual decision, and a risky one (TV Tropes says she was killed off because readers refused to root against her) and it can be interesting to the point of distressing to read her comics, because it gets really hard to tell who should be seen as the bad guy. Because in spite of all the bad things we're told that her cult is doing offscreen, all that's shown onscreen is the heroes attacking a gentle compassionate woman who doesn't want to fight and doesn't hurt them back even though she could. It's such a unique dynamic, and brings conflict not only to the story but the reader. Haven also brought other unique ideas to the scene as well. For one thing, she wasn't a mutant herself, but her unborn child was, and she could access its great powers (hence why the Adversary probably chose her) That's a really neat idea, and it also puts her in a unique position of not really being human or mutant but sort of both, and having lived half her life as one, half as the other. She brings up the perspective this gives her at one point, and I really would have liked to see that expanded on. Another thing I'd liked to have learned more about is her books and lectures; in addition to being a supervillain and a charity worker, she was a best-selling author and lecturer who promoted mutant/human peace. Even though she's little-known to fans, she was apparently pretty prominent in-universe, and I think having a voice in the mutant/human debate that for the first time wasn't white, male, and Western was neat. I would have liked to know more about her perspectives and arguments and how they compared and contrasted with those of others, from Graydon Creed to Professor X himself, and how the public viewed her. Also, she's just endearing. Again, TV Tropes says that fans of the day refused to root against her, and I can see why. She heals the sick, she feeds the hungry, she cares for orphans, and she tells X-Factor she loves them. How do you bring yourself to fight someone like that? It's easy to stand against bad guys who are mean and nasty, who doesn't wanna punch Fabian Cortez in his smug gross creeper face, but Haven creates the dilemma of making the heroes (at least some of them) very reticent to apprehend her or even believe the accusations against her. It's a much more complex setup than is typical, and as I said, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it anywhere else. The fact that the reader finds out she's not really doing this of her own free will (though the heroes never discover this) makes her all the more sympathetic. Ultimately, though, I don't think she counts as truly underappreciated because that word implies she deserves much more recognition than she gets, and I think she simply wasn't major enough to the story to warrant that (unlike, say, Fabian Cortez, who was VERY relevant). And unlike the Hellions, I don't think she had potential to go on to become a lasting character. Her story could only end one of two ways. Either she died tragically (as she did), or she was saved from possession and went on to live a normal life as a normal human. Either way, she would be removed from the scene. I guess they could have had her stay on as part of the team or something like that but...I can't see that happening at all. What would she even do? And would she want to? I mean, can you seriously see HAVEN as part of a government strike force? No way. Haven simply is not cut out to be a major character in an action comic, and once you take away the Adversary forcing her into conflict, she's out. And she just...didn't do much while she was in. Consequence of refusing to hurt anybody, I guess. I think she's definitely worth looking into for fans who are interested in seeing an unusual type of character like her, but she's far from being a "must-know" little-known. Zaladane: Magneto's family has been a point of interest in canon and fandom for a long time, and the rise of the movies has only increased that. There's fanart GALORE of the Magneto clan, most prominently him and the Maximoffs but also Polaris, Speed, Wiccan, and Luna (Magda and Anya tend to be forgotten...) And now there's a kid named Nina from XMA, apparently? And yet, there's nothing to be seen of poor Zaladane. Few people even know who she is, let alone that she is almost certainly a child of our favorite iron-controlling helmet-head as well, or at least was until recent continuity changes fucked up that possibility. So, who was she? She's a sorceress from the Savage Land that the X-Men faced as a foe more than once. On one occasion, she kidnapped Lorna Dane aka Polaris. She revealed that her real name wasn't Zaladane, it was Zala Dane, and Lorna was her long-list sister. She then proceeded to use a machine to transfer Lorna's magnetic powers to herself. Lorna had no memories of Zala and dismissed her claims of sisterhood as a crock, but Moira MacTaggert confirmed that the machine required that the two people in worked on be genetically related in order for the transfer to take place. In other words, Zala was indeed related to Lorna, either as her sister or some other connection. Not content to steal the powers of Lorna alone, Zala later went after Magneto, and successfully took his as well using the same machine. So, if the machine requires the people involved have similiar genes, to be family, to work...and she could use it on Magneto....it follows he and she are related as well. And if Zala is Lorna's sister...and Magneto, as we now know, is Lorna's father...well, the math does itself. Zala is Magneto's daughter too. Though Zala must surely have worked this out, she never mentioned it to him, and Magneto killed her without ever knowing their likely connection. Unlike many X-villains, she has yet to make a resurrection. This all went down during the 80s and 90s. During the 2000s, writers who had either forgotten Zaladane or simply didn't care made alterations to Lorna's history that make any relation between Zala and Magneto impossible. But me, I think that could be easily explained---just say she came from another universe! She sure wouldn't be the first alt-dimensional child of a character to come to 616, and it might help explain how the hell she got to the Savage Land, as well as why Lorna had no knowledge of her.I think Zaladane should get more attention because, well, Magneto's other kids get so much love. However, there's really nothing about her besides her potential pedigree that makes her stick out enough that I think she's truly "unappreciated" aside from this. Hence her only having a runner-up status. Shinobi Shaw: There's really nothing important about Shinobi. He wasn't in any big stories, he didn't do anything major, he barely did anything at all. Calling him "underappreciated" would in no way be justified. There is no reason he deserves appreciation and recognition. But you know what? He's funny. He's really, really funny. He's ridiculous, and that's my entire reason for reading him, and I think the outlandish shit he manages to get up in his 20something issues of existence is enough that he bears warrant as an honorable mention. There's no real reason you NEED to know who he is, but I think you'll be get a lot of laughs if you do look into him. He's basically the Emperor Kuzco of D-list X-villains, and I wouldn't have him any other way. Seriously, bless this vain selfish lazy wine-loving bisexual idiot, I love him so much.

Doja Cat’s Continued Live Success Shows That Cancel Culture Has Its Limits

Ken Franklin

Amala Zandile Dlamini has gone from cat, to cow, to duck all in the space of a month, illuminating the dangers of viral success and the limits of so-called “cancel culture” in the process.

The 22-year-old Los Angeles native had spent the last several years making a name for herself as the colorful internet rapper and singer known as Doja Cat, garnering a small, but loyal, following of fans with the quirky, internet culture-influenced tracks found on her 2014 independent EP Purrr! and on her eclectic Soundcloud page. That following was enough to land her a label deal with RCA Records which spawned her debut album Amala earlier this year. Amala came and went without much fanfare, but Doja Cat experienced an explosion in fame when her jokey video for loose track “Mooo!” went viral on social media five months later in the middle of August.

“Mooo!” was almost guaranteed to become a viral sensation from the jump, with its lo-fi aesthetic, created by Doja herself using iMovie, a green blanket, and a few hilarious props to declare, “B*tch, I’m a cow.” In the video, she twerks and primps in front a series of blog and pop culture-culled background images, including the old Windows XP default wallpaper and a bouncing pair of anime boobs, while she rhymes Mother Goose-ish flexes full of subtly clever wordplay and old school hip-hop references that belie the frivolous concept. As a loose goof, the video is a gift; as an introduction to her expansive back catalog of more polished, artistically focused material, it was a savvy bait-and-switch, disarming the dubious doubts of knee-jerk skepticism endemic to internet natives for whom detached snark is a default reaction to practically any new artist who arrives petitioning their serious consideration.

But then, just as the wave of both critical acclaim and social media approval began to crest, it all came crashing down. Doja Cat “milkshake duck-ed” — aka when a suddenly viral entity reveals itself to be racist/homophobic/otherwise problematic after content mills start doing background research on the newly famous meme subject — in world record time. Years-old tweets wherein the young(er) Doja Cat freely used homophobic terms and expressed disgust for the idea of queer sex (as many unworldly teens — especially the ones raised mostly on hip-hop — are wont to do) resurfaced, and nearly instantly, the breakout star was denounced as canceled, the dreaded state of internet-enforced exile whereby mass denizens of social apps like Twitter declare an entity persona non grata. Her feel-good story of overnight celebrity was at its end — or was it?

It certainly didn’t appear that way from my experience at the Los Angeles stop of her Amala Tour last Friday night (September 21) at the Echoplex. From the line extending down the block even further than it usually has at other hip-hop shows I’ve attended there, to the enthusiasm on display from the wide-ranging, diverse crowd of starry-eyed teens and LA hipsters, it didn’t seem like the online backlash had extended to dampen Doja’s fans’ spirits in the least. Energetic but shy preteens crowded into the all-ages venue alongside teens and young adults and even a few middle-aged concertgoers, with their cat ears and cow horns on headbands all to take in the live spectacle that is a Doja Cat show.

Even more intriguing, there were plenty of fans taking in the concert at home as well, courtesy of live streaming app .WAV, which gained a slew of new subscribers with its previous partnership with Kanye West for his Wyoming campfire Ye release party. As a sponsor for the show, the app provided yet another avenue for the digital and physical worlds to cross over, even as the concert itself highlighted the ways in which both diverge in practice.

For one thing, it quickly became obvious that nary a fan in attendance was there because of the virulent success of “Mooo!” despite the bovine accessories adorning many of their hairdos and wardrobes. Their certified appreciation was evident as they sang along word-for-word to older, more obscure material from across Doja’s discography. Over the years, I’ve observed how cell phone cameras make appearances at concerts at the start of specific, meaningful songs such as hit singles and emotional deep cuts, but this night, those phones continued to pop up at the beginnings of nearly every song Doja performed.

Tracks like “No Police” and “So High” from Purrr! were given equal import with “Cookie Jar” and “Candy” and “Go To Town” from Amala and both received similar reception to Soundcloud staples such as “Nintendhoe.” When she performed the ’90s sitcom-inspired ode to her “twins,” “Tia Tamera,” complete with the screen behind her alternating images of the titular fraternal duo and even more anime clips of the metaphorical variety, the crowd reacted like the song — which currently only exists online as a snippet captured from an Instagram live stream — was a top ten Hot 100 single.

Far from being “canceled,” Doja Cat’s star power and charisma shone from the simple stage setup of a cow print tablecloth over her DJ’s table and the aforementioned screen. By the time she did perform “Mooo!” at the end of her set — with LA underground rap vet Verbs in a literal cow mask prancing across the stage for good measure — her assembled fans were more than willing to participate in the onstage antics, as she pulled three bold souls up to dance with her as she writhed and bounced her way through the novelty track. One was male, with a full face of Youtube-tutorial quality makeup, one was a bashful ten-year-old girl who practically shrank into her shirt under the spotlight, and the last was a full-figured Black woman in her twenties who Doja complimented on her top. They couldn’t have been more different, yet here they all were, united by the love of this “problematic” artist, having the time of their lives.

In trying to learn more, I talked to a number of attendees to find out why, with the tide of public sentiment seemingly turning on her, so many of them turned out in such force to support Doja Cat in spite of the backlash. What I gleaned from those short chats is that Twitter’s reach is a lot more limited than it looks from the other side of the screen. Sharra, 28, and Lexi, 27, told me that they didn’t even have Twitter accounts — news of the outrage against Amala hadn’t even reached them. Sharra told me she first found out about Doja Cat with “So High” while Lexi said she’s followed the singer online for years through Instagram instead, joking that Twitter had “too many words. I don’t like to pay attention to what people talking about.”

The ten-year-old from the stage turned out to be Jaden, along for her second concert ever with her mom, Megan, and her sister, Layla, 11. Megan had been a longtime follower from Instagram as well and roped her girls onto the bandwagon. Her daughters told me they loved Doja Cat’s voice and her style. Jaden, despite her bout of stage fright, has her own aspirations to become a singer, a dream fully supported by her mother, who said that she uses the content in the lyrics to talk to her girls about things she knows “they’ll hear anyway” and was peripherally aware of the controversy of the old tweets.

“I feel like it’s really hard because we’re picked apart and judged for every single thing that we’ve done in the past,” Megan explained. “Now we have our past documented online, but we grow and evolve so much over the years that it’s not fair to throw something we’ve said years ago in our face today. I think that we still have to be held accountable, but a lot of us talk certain ways in private that, once it’s thrown online, can be misconstrued or blown out of proportion.” Megan’s view is one that has been reflected online as well; many outlets have covered the respective dangers of “cancel culture,” while Uproxx’s own Caitlin White is currently publishing a series of essays on Medium about the causes and effects of online trauma, such as the bullying that can occur when “woke shaming” Twitter users pile onto a celebrity or even a regular person for out-of-context or old tweets that speak more to who we were or what those users project onto those tweets.

However, while the echo chamber of online social networks can lead to a false sense of increased cultural homogeneity, where we begin to think everyone in our sphere believes all the same things as us — or should — in reality, the old axiom “different strokes for different folks” holds as true as it ever has. People still learn things at their own pace, and what seems obvious to Aaron or Megan may not seem so much so to Amala. Cancel culture is ugly, but it’s only the dark shadow of the necessary process of online accountability and the sometimes painful learning process online.

With that said, it’s intriguing to note that those “different strokes” can also include opinions that haven’t been touched by the ostensible ubiquity of social media. It would appear that much of the online hand-wringing about “canceling” entertainers for screwing up can only go so far. In the case of someone like Doja Cat, she may have learned a much-needed lesson about how her public comments can be received, but if the real goal truly is to hold everyone accountable for their words and actions, canceling them on Twitter will probably never be the most effective tool. As for Doja, let’s hope she’s learned her lesson, because whether she’s a cat, a cow, or a duck, her clear talent deserves a second chance.

Amala is out now via RCA Records. Get it here.

source https://uproxx.com/hiphop/doja-cat-cancel-culture-live-show-echoplex/

 Hey hey! How was the weekend? I hope you had an amazing one. I’m back home feeling refreshed and inspired from the weekend’s events. It was my 5th IDEA World fitness conference, and each time they’re just as enjoyable as the previous ones I’ve been fortunate to attend. This year brought a new opportunity as I was asked to emcee for the Studio Spotlight stage at the Expo. While I was hesitant about doing it (I was like, “Why are they asking me? They know I’m awkward, right?”), in the end I decided to go for it. I found that it wasn’t nearly as awkward or terrifying as I anticipated because it was about FITNESS and new studio classes, aka things I genuinely enjoy with all of my heart. So this year I ended up spending a lot of time at the Studio Spotlight stage and got to check out so many new and amazing formats. (Thank you so much to the reader friends who came up to say hi at the conference!) The Studio Spotlight stage was towards the side of the expo, and the entire time, participants wandered in to take classes from the latest and greatest in studio fitness. Many of the classes were packed and the energy was off the hook. Here are some of the highlights: Jazzercise: I still feel like I need to make up for lost time with Jazzercise. (I waited forever to try it and when I finally did, I loved it.) The moves are easy to follow and I really enjoy the upbeat music. It was great to catch up with some of the Jazzercise girls and take their classes on the studio spotlight stage.  (Source) FitSteps:  (Source) FitSteps was a unique twist on traditional dance cardio as they focus on ballroom-style movements without a partner. I had a smile on my face the entire time! The waltz was especially beautiful, and the instructor Crystal was graceful and enjoyable to watch.  HIGH Fitness: (Source) You guys. HIGH Fitness is a PARTY. It’s modern aerobics with current music and killer cardio moves. The instructors were a blast and their dance moves and style they brought to the class made it even more fun. I’m actually thinking about getting certified even though I might need to start drinking caffeine again to teach haha.  Full Body Fitness by Roger Romero: (Source) The creator of this format came to present along with an entire crew from Peru. They had SO much energy and I loved Roger’s mix of aerobics, dance cardio, boxing, and plyometric movements.  BollyX: (Source) I already swooned over BollyX in my last post, but it deserves another mention. The movements were SO fun and different – it was like hip hop meets Bollywood- and they drew a huge crowd for each of their demos. Something about Bollywood music makes me insanely happy and I loved dancing along. I’ll definitely be checking out their YouTube channel when I want a little at-home cardio.  Flow Barre Dance:  (Source) The creator of this format, Edvania, was here all the way from Brazil. (And reads the blog! HI!) This format combines dance, Pilates, and barre, and had beautiful fluid movements. She has a huge following in Brazil, and I can see why so many people love taking her class.  STRONG by Zumba: (Source) This is another that I feel like I’ve been missing out on. STRONG is totally unlike traditional Zumba. There’s zero dancing and is strength, cardio, and plyometric movements synced to the music. The music was driving and powerful; the perfect accompaniment to jumps and martial arts-style punches. The master trainer Ai Lee (from Switzerland. She’s in the pic above) was INCREDIBLE. I would want to take her class all the time.  Beachbody LIVE PiYo and Insanity:  (Source) It was great to take an Insanity class from Danille (Fit and Funky). I’ve followed her online for a while and she’s a powerhouse instructor. All of the Beachbody Live classes were perfect representations of the formats I enjoy so much. (Check out my review of PiYo here and Insanity here.) While the IDEA sessions and classes are a haven of happiness, I always look forward to catching up with blog friends, (with Ashley, Giselle, and Tara. I also got to spend all day Wednesday and Thursday with my bestie before she left for a trip.) and exploring the expo.  The expo is pretty much my Disneyland. Just picture all of the latest and greatest in fitness gear/equipment + healthy foods, snacks, and fitness apparel under one roof. *Sighs* It’s just so good. The LaCroix booth was my very favorite; they had free LaCroix for everyone, hats (! to match my swimsuit), and many photo ops. We had some great meals, too. Thursday evening Betsy and I grabbed tacos and margaritas at Puesto, and Friday night, I met up with Giselle, Ashley and Tara for cocktails and dinner at Rustic Root. This year, I didn’t end up going crazy with a lot of lectures and workshops. After the past month, my body and mind needed a serious reset. There’s been so much going on, especially packing up the house, living in hotels with the girls in Valdosta and in Tucson while the Pilot drove here, unpacking, getting settled, and more behind-the-scenes stuff, it all kind of hit me at once. I ended up sleeping in each day and enjoying slow mornings before heading to the Expo for the official adventures. (One morning, I went to Better Buzz and walked around Liberty Station, and it was lovely.) I still got to see and do a ton, but usually after IDEA, my body is EXHAUSTED (in the best way!) from all of the classes and lectures. For the first time,  I didn’t feel tired at all coming home. I’m still not quite sure what my teaching schedule will be like in Tucson – I can only teach one or two classes a week right now, so I’m subbing at a local studio. For next year’s conference I’ll likely have a solid purpose for the workshops and lectures. I’m still trying to figure everything out and decide if I want to get certified in a new format, create my own format, or teach something that I know and love (like spin, barre, or BODYPUMP). I really, really missed the girls during this trip. For my first night away, I was like YES I CAN SLEEP UNTIL WHENEVER I WANT, but after a couple of nights, the loneliness and missing set in. I missed those little monkeys so much and being back home with them is the best ever. It’s always nice to get a little bit of a break and time to enjoy cocktails with friends, but whenever trips like these are over, I’m so ready to get back home to our little fam. Thank you again to my friends at IDEA for an incredible weekend. I’m already looking forward to next year. What’s your all-time favorite group fitness class? Any new studios you’ve discovered lately? xo Gina More IDEA recaps:   2013 Conference recap 2013: The Expo and other fun stuff 2014 snack stash 2014: What I learned 2014: What I knew 2015: IDEA World and BlogFest 2016: IDEA Recap The post A great IDEA appeared first on The Fitnessista. from The Fitnessista https://ift.tt/2KILs3O via IFTTT

http://www.fitnessclub.cf/2018/07/a-great-idea.html

A great IDEA

https://healthandfitnessrecipes.com/?p=6907

 Hey hey! How was the weekend? I hope you had an amazing one. I’m back home feeling refreshed and inspired from the weekend’s events. It was my 5th IDEA World fitness conference, and each time they’re just as enjoyable as the previous ones I’ve been fortunate to attend.

This year brought a new opportunity as I was asked to emcee for the Studio Spotlight stage at the Expo. While I was hesitant about doing it (I was like, “Why are they asking me? They know I’m awkward, right?”), in the end I decided to go for it. I found that it wasn’t nearly as awkward or terrifying as I anticipated because it was about FITNESS and new studio classes, aka things I genuinely enjoy with all of my heart.

So this year I ended up spending a lot of time at the Studio Spotlight stage and got to check out so many new and amazing formats. (Thank you so much to the reader friends who came up to say hi at the conference!) The Studio Spotlight stage was towards the side of the expo, and the entire time, participants wandered in to take classes from the latest and greatest in studio fitness. Many of the classes were packed and the energy was off the hook.

Here are some of the highlights:

Jazzercise: I still feel like I need to make up for lost time with Jazzercise. (I waited forever to try it and when I finally did, I loved it.) The moves are easy to follow and I really enjoy the upbeat music. It was great to catch up with some of the Jazzercise girls and take their classes on the studio spotlight stage. 

(Source)

FitSteps: 

(Source)

FitSteps was a unique twist on traditional dance cardio as they focus on ballroom-style movements without a partner. I had a smile on my face the entire time! The waltz was especially beautiful, and the instructor Crystal was graceful and enjoyable to watch. 

HIGH Fitness:

(Source)

You guys. HIGH Fitness is a PARTY. It’s modern aerobics with current music and killer cardio moves. The instructors were a blast and their dance moves and style they brought to the class made it even more fun. I’m actually thinking about getting certified even though I might need to start drinking caffeine again to teach haha. 

Full Body Fitness by Roger Romero:

(Source)

The creator of this format came to present along with an entire crew from Peru. They had SO much energy and I loved Roger’s mix of aerobics, dance cardio, boxing, and plyometric movements. 

BollyX:

(Source)

I already swooned over BollyX in my last post, but it deserves another mention. The movements were SO fun and different – it was like hip hop meets Bollywood- and they drew a huge crowd for each of their demos. Something about Bollywood music makes me insanely happy and I loved dancing along. I’ll definitely be checking out their YouTube channel when I want a little at-home cardio. 

Flow Barre Dance: 

(Source)

The creator of this format, Edvania, was here all the way from Brazil. (And reads the blog! HI!) This format combines dance, Pilates, and barre, and had beautiful fluid movements. She has a huge following in Brazil, and I can see why so many people love taking her class. 

STRONG by Zumba:

(Source)

This is another that I feel like I’ve been missing out on. STRONG is totally unlike traditional Zumba. There’s zero dancing and is strength, cardio, and plyometric movements synced to the music. The music was driving and powerful; the perfect accompaniment to jumps and martial arts-style punches. The master trainer Ai Lee (from Switzerland. She’s in the pic above) was INCREDIBLE. I would want to take her class all the time. 

Beachbody LIVE PiYo and Insanity: 

(Source)

It was great to take an Insanity class from Danille (Fit and Funky). I’ve followed her online for a while and she’s a powerhouse instructor. All of the Beachbody Live classes were perfect representations of the formats I enjoy so much. (Check out my review of PiYo here and Insanity here.)

While the IDEA sessions and classes are a haven of happiness, I always look forward to catching up with blog friends,

(with Ashley, Giselle, and Tara. I also got to spend all day Wednesday and Thursday with my bestie before she left for a trip.)

and exploring the expo. 

The expo is pretty much my Disneyland. Just picture all of the latest and greatest in fitness gear/equipment + healthy foods, snacks, and fitness apparel under one roof. *Sighs* It’s just so good. The LaCroix booth was my very favorite; they had free LaCroix for everyone, hats (! to match my swimsuit), and many photo ops.

We had some great meals, too. Thursday evening Betsy and I grabbed tacos and margaritas at Puesto,

and Friday night, I met up with Giselle, Ashley and Tara for cocktails and dinner at Rustic Root.

This year, I didn’t end up going crazy with a lot of lectures and workshops. After the past month, my body and mind needed a serious reset. There’s been so much going on, especially packing up the house, living in hotels with the girls in Valdosta and in Tucson while the Pilot drove here, unpacking, getting settled, and more behind-the-scenes stuff, it all kind of hit me at once. I ended up sleeping in each day and enjoying slow mornings before heading to the Expo for the official adventures.

(One morning, I went to Better Buzz and walked around Liberty Station, and it was lovely.)

I still got to see and do a ton, but usually after IDEA, my body is EXHAUSTED (in the best way!) from all of the classes and lectures. For the first time,  I didn’t feel tired at all coming home.

I’m still not quite sure what my teaching schedule will be like in Tucson – I can only teach one or two classes a week right now, so I’m subbing at a local studio. For next year’s conference I’ll likely have a solid purpose for the workshops and lectures. I’m still trying to figure everything out and decide if I want to get certified in a new format, create my own format, or teach something that I know and love (like spin, barre, or BODYPUMP).

I really, really missed the girls during this trip. For my first night away, I was like YES I CAN SLEEP UNTIL WHENEVER I WANT, but after a couple of nights, the loneliness and missing set in. I missed those little monkeys so much and being back home with them is the best ever. It’s always nice to get a little bit of a break and time to enjoy cocktails with friends, but whenever trips like these are over, I’m so ready to get back home to our little fam.

Thank you again to my friends at IDEA for an incredible weekend. I’m already looking forward to next year.

What’s your all-time favorite group fitness class? Any new studios you’ve discovered lately?

xo

Gina

More IDEA recaps:

  2013 Conference recap

2013: The Expo and other fun stuff

2014 snack stash

2014: What I learned

2014: What I knew

2015: IDEA World and BlogFest

2016: IDEA Recap

The post A great IDEA appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Credits: Original Content Source

THE LADY TRAVELERS GUIDE TO LARCENY WITH A DASHING STRANGER by Victoria Alexander: Spotlight & Excerpt

NOW AVAILABLE/HARLEQUIN

Join the Lady Travelers Society in their latest romantic misadventure, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander

She must secure her future 

A lady should never be obliged to think of matters financial! But when Lady Wilhelmina Bascombe’s carefree, extravagant lifestyle vanishes with the demise of her husband, her only hope lies in retrieving a family treasure—a Renaissance masterpiece currently in the hands of a cunning art collector in Venice. Thankfully, the Lady Travelers Society has orchestrated a clever plan to get Willie to Europe, leading a tour of mothers and daughters…and one curiously attentive man.

He must reclaim his heritage 

Dante Augustus Montague’s one passion has long been his family’s art collection. He’s finally tracked a long-lost painting to the enchanting Lady Bascombe. Convinced that the canvas had been stolen, he will use any means to reclaim his birthright—including deception. But how long before pretend infatuation gives way to genuine desire?

Now they’re rivals for a prize that will change everything 

Willie and Dante know they’re playing with fire in the magical moonlit city. Their common quest could compromise them both…or lead them to happily-ever-after. 

Buy Online: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Add to Goodreads

  Excerpt

“Perhaps, Wilhelmina—” Poppy chose her words with care “—now is not the appropriate time for a trip abroad.”

“On the contrary, Poppy, this is not merely the ap­propriate time but it’s imperative that I leave as soon as possible.”

“Are you in some sort of danger?” Poppy’s brows drew together. “Have those beastly creditors threatened you in some way?” Her expression darkened. “I daresay between Lady Blodgett, Mrs. Higginbotham and myself we can probably come up with a name or two of some disrepu­table types who might be able to—”

“No, no,” Willie said quickly. “It’s nothing like that. As I said, I have already paid off George’s debts and I have enough left to repay a loan and reclaim something of great importance to me. Well, to my future really.” Wil­lie paused for a moment to consider her words. She did so hate to make George appear more of a disappointment than he was but it really couldn’t be helped. Besides, he was dead and probably would be more amused than an­noyed by her revelations. And she did need to look out for herself now. After all, aside from two loyal servants and an elderly relative, she was on her own. “When I began to sell, er, take inventory of the furnishings in the Lon­don house—something I admit I should have done years ago—I became aware that a few somewhat valuable ob­jects were missing. A small Ming vase from China, an exquisite snuffbox that reportedly belonged to a queen of France and a painting left to me by Grandmother.”

Poppy gasped. “Not the Portinari!”

Willie wrinkled her nose. “I’m afraid so.”

“Your grandmother loved that painting.”

Poppy and Willie’s grandmother Beatrice had gone to school together and had remained fast friends through­out the rest of Grandmother’s life, even if their lives had taken entirely different courses. Grandmother had mar­ried the Earl of Grantson, who died far too young and never lived to see his only child—Willie’s mother—past her third birthday. Poppy, of course, had married Mal­colm Fitzhew-Wellmore and had become—according to Grandmother—shockingly independent as her hus­band was out of the country as often as he was home. As Grandmother had made that pronouncement with what sounded suspiciously like envy, Willie understood that being an independent woman—while not especially ac­cepted by society—was not a particularly bad thing ei­ther. Beatrice and Poppy did manage to see one another several times a year. Some of the brightest memories of Willie’s childhood were of those meetings between the two old friends.

When Willie’s mother died when Willie was barely ten, she was sent off to Miss Bicklesham’s Academy for Accomplished Young Ladies. It was to her grandmother’s house she returned for holidays and the summer months. Even if her father seemed to have little use for her in those years, Willie had no doubt as to the affections of her grandmother, her godmother and dear Lady Plumdale.

“Do you have any idea what might have happened to it? Was it stolen, do you think?”

“Not exactly.” Once again Willie was reluctant to place the blame on George where it belonged. This was her late husband’s doing and she wouldn’t pause for a moment to point an accusing finger at him if he were still alive. But one did hate to speak ill of the dead even when they deserved it. “According to some correspondence and a note of collateral I discovered in George’s study, he used the Portinari to acquire a loan from an Italian gentleman. A conte, I believe, a resident of Venice and apparently a passionate collector of Renaissance art. I have enough left from the sale of the country house to repay the loan as well as the accumulated interest.” She drew a deep breath. “What I don’t have is the means to get to Venice.”

  About Victoria Alexander

New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.

Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.

Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!

Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.

They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Friday, December 1st: View from the Birdhouse

Friday, December 1st: The Sketchy Reader – spotlight/excerpt

Monday, December 4th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Tuesday, December 5th: Reading Reality

Wednesday, December 6th: Books a la Mode – spotlight/excerpt

Thursday, December 7th: The Romance Dish

Friday, December 8th: What I’m Reading

Monday, December 11th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, December 12th: The Sassy Bookster – spotlight/excerpt

Wednesday, December 13th: From the TBR Pile

Wednesday, December 13th: BTH Reviews

Thursday, December 14th: Blogging with A

Friday, December 15th: OMG Reads

Monday, December 18th: A Holland Reads

Tuesday, December 19th: A Night’s Dream of Books

Wednesday, December 20th: Jathan & Heather

Thursday, December 21st: Books & Bindings

Friday, December 22nd: Book Reviews and More by Kathy

  THE LADY TRAVELERS GUIDE TO LARCENY WITH A DASHING STRANGER by Victoria Alexander: Spotlight & Excerpt was originally published on The Sassy Bookster

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A smoking hot bod can launch a career, but it can’t always sustain one. Some stars were born to enjoy the spotlight for their entire lives— ahem, the entire Kardashian brood springs to mind— while others, it seems, stepped into it with a tad more reluctance and seem content with a slow fade from the red carpet’s taxing eye. Many of Hollywood’s hottest starlets fare the same. They’ll release a new blockbuster or record a new album every 2-3 years, but for the most part prefer to stay out of the headlines. Some settle down and allow Hollywood to pass them by, and others fade in popularity not through personal choice, but because people simply stop caring about them. A few party themselves to obscurity, and others graduate into more mature, indie-art house film roles that don’t generate much buzz. Tragically, they (and their glorious physical assets) fade from public memory until they become irrelevant. Most of the stars on this list have been in the limelight for around a decade or so and seem to have lost the ability to really make headlines. Some can’t find good roles, or their fans have moved on to other things. For many, their personalities simply wear thin on the public, and fans tire of their act. Others’ time in the spotlight seems simply to never have been meant to last— not every celebrity can age as well as Jennifer Aniston. For most, it takes far more than good looks to remain relevant. Here are the hottest women of Hollywood that, despite how good looking they are, no one cares about anymore.

#1 Britney Spears If some celebs step out of the spotlight with grace and others do so in an involuntary struggle to stay relevant, Britney Spears definitely locates herself among the latter. Spears was once the hottest pop idol of the 90s, her bleach-blonde mane an icon in the era of Friends and NSYNC. Her scantily-clad dance routines helped to define a time when sexualized costumes still mattered to the American public, when girl-next-door Southern innocence transitioning into sexy schoolgirl was still fresh enough to demand attention. A new album hasn’t done much to erase the permanently hungover look she seemed to rock continuously throughout the mid-2000s. The days of Spears as Hollywood’s favorite “teen idol” seem long gone. Fans hungry for a flashback to 2004-era Britney can check out Lifetime’s upcoming biopic Britney. Even worse for Spears, teenage sweetheart and fellow Mickey Mouse club alum Justin Timberlake remains a leading frontman in Hollywood, with both film and music careers keeping him continuously relevant all this time.

#2 Amanda Bynes The former Nickelodeon star hasn’t got much to show for the past five years after a surprisingly successful transition into film roles. The Hairspray and Sydney White actress, despite carving out a niche in the hearts of 90s kids everywhere, retired from acting in 2012 and has demonstrated no interest in returning. Instead, she’s been involved in a string of DUI arrests and has spent time in and out of rehabilitation clinics. If there’s a single leading lady on this list who is almost certain to never make positive headlines again, it’s Bynes. For as likeable as she was on All That and The Amanda Show in the 1990s, the former teen idol is stuck in the mud as far as her career goes, and her former fans doesn’t seem to mind one bit.

#3 Heidi Montag Among careers that were never meant to last, Heidi Montag probably stands alone as the persona who fell the quickest. No one can doubt her stunning looks (before all the plastic), however, and she’d deserve a spot on this list even if she hadn’t fallen quite so far, so fast. After leaving The Hills, Montag made a few appearances on reality television shows, most notably her controversial stint with husband Spencer Pratt on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Her first foray into the music industry, 2010’s Superficial, failed to recoup its production budget. She’s largely remained out of the spotlight since, however, losing out to replace Megan Fox, in the third Transformers instalment. Perhaps it was for the best. Montag’s career seems to be permanently buried, never to be resurrected.

#4 Reese Witherspoon Of the irrelevant stars on this list, Reese Witherspoon is perhaps the one who has fallen the least into irrelevance. She remains semi-popular, a lazy and uninspired performance in 2014’s Wild notwithstanding, and though we all seem to know her, few can be said to look forward to seeing her in new movies. Indeed, her casting seems to define the term uninspired when it comes to film roles. She’s a safe, but never interesting, bet for casting directors. Witherspoon’s attractiveness stems less from an outstanding physical appearance (though she’s certainly not lacking) but from a gentle, bring-home-to-mom personality that, while charming, can quickly get nauseatingly dull. Witherspoon has descended into irrelevance not because audiences don’t care about her, but because they don’t get excited about her, and haven’t for quite some time.

#5 Katie Holmes Did Katie Holmes become irrelevant before or after her marriage to Tom Cruise and subsequent conversion to scientology? Whatever the answer, she’s clearly not relevant today. The days of Dawson’s Creek sure seems like a long time ago, don’t they? Holmes has focused more recently on smaller drama films like 2015’s Touched With Fire, where she plays a bipolar poet who finds love in a psychiatric hospital. So, yeah, not really relevant for every audience. Unlike others, however, Holmes seems primed for a career resurgence. She’s set to star in next year’s Logan Lucky alongside such stars as Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig, Hillary Swank and Adam Driver, which is primed to be a smash hit.

#6 Jessica Simpson This bombshell departed the spotlight far more quietly than many others on this list. In the past few years, Simpson has seemed content to work in the fashion and beauty industries and making only small, occasional public appearances. A string of high-profile relationships, from ex-boyfriends John Mayer and Tony Romo to ex-husband Nick Lachey, saw her fail to gain the favor of public opinion, and likely contributed to her rather quiet exit from Hollywood A-List-dom. When is the last time you actually cared about Jessica Simpson? 1998? This is one career that likely won’t be rejuvenated any time soon. An awful reality show, a few pregnancies and a string of successful business ventures seem to have convinced Simpson to leave her acting career where she left it.

#7 Courteney Cox Despite leading roles on one of television’s all-time most popular shows, most cast members of Friends went on to lead only semi-successful careers after the show’s finale. Among them, Courteney Cox has had perhaps the second most successful run after the one and only great Jennifer Aniston, but her post-Friends work can’t be classified as anything more than average. Yes, Cougar Town was okay, but how many Scream sequels can one person appear in without becoming irrelevant? A case could be made that Cox lost all relevancy when Friends ended over a decade ago, a sad argument that could be made for most of the show’s other stars. Cox had a great run, but perhaps it’s best for fans’ lasting image of her to be the perpetual stream of Friends re-runs that never seem to get old. We cared about both Courteney Cox and Monica in the 90s, and in the 2000s we began to let go of Monica just a bit… but in 2016, it’s only Monica who’s relevant anymore. Sorry, Courteney. You did this to yourself by being a part of such a universally well-liked show.

#8 Halle Berry What was the last good movie Halle Berry was in that wasn’t part of the X-Men franchise? Like Aniston, Berry seems to have aged uncommonly well— she’s still as gorgeous as she was in 2002. Uniquely mature and sophisticated, Berry has always played the part of the sexy older-sister type with flair and sensuous conviction, and the public adores her. My personal all-time favorite (and most-underrated) Bond Girl, Berry also takes the honor of having played the hottest Catwoman, narrowly beating out Anne Hathaway‘s performance in the slightly more-recent The Dark Knight Rises. Hathaway, however, has managed to stay relevant to audiences in 2016, while Berry’s popularity has suffered from some rather conservative role choices. Only so many roles in superhero films, no matter how sexy their leather jumpsuits, can sustain a career in a market so flooded with them lately.

#9 Megan Fox Megan Fox burst onto the scene in 2007’s Transformers, instantly exploding into one of Hollywood’s most alluring and enticing sex symbols. Fox inspired so much media attention that various online blogs and outlets decided to boycott mentioning her name for short periods of time— a true testament to how popular she’d become. As she struggled from the beginning with unwanted media attention, it’s not a huge surprise Fox has largely avoided the spotlight in recent years. Marrying and raising three sons seems to satisfy her lately, though she’s still one of the most tantalizing starlets to have ever graced the red carpet. Let’s hope that Fox will learn to own the hottest-mom-in-Hollywood look. Fox’s distinctive eyebrows and her tremendously seductive gaze make her irresistible. She’s one seductress on this list who we haven’t exactly stopped caring about, but rather forgot about because she’s been so quiet lately. She’ll be back (we hope).

#10 Paris Hilton Paris Hilton was never really famous for doing anything, though she does have a surprisingly long list of acting credits on her resume. Helped along by the scandalous-heiress image perpetuated by the release of her 2004 sex tape with then-boyfriend Rick Salomon, Hilton always seemed to be someone people flocked to like magnets yet never really seemed to truly like. Paris’ personality seems to have worn thin on the public, which wasn’t helped by an arrest, a few only semi-successful albums and a failed Oxygen reality show in The World According to Paris. Nowadays, Hilton seems content to focus on her successful fragrance business and event promotion duties, for the most part staying out of the media’s spotlight.

#11 Katherine Heigl Katherine Heigl‘s career has had an unusual trajectory. After rising on the breakout success of Grey‘s Anatomy, she peaked with a series of successful rom-coms, among them 27 Dresses and Knocked Up, but then immediately fell off and hasn’t risen since. Who knows what’s going on in Heigl’s life that’s made her post-2010 career so much less successful, but let’s hope this bombshell can return to form soon— watching her exchange banter with Gerard Butler in The Ugly Truth was simply too much fun. Heigl’s intelligence and innocent wit, coupled with her fondness for playing charters that slowly sink into depravity, made her a favorite with fans. And with one of the hottest smiles in Hollywood, how can we blame them?

#12 Snooki Some may argue about Snooki’s inclusion here, not because they think she isn’t irrelevant but because of the frankly astounding polarity centered around two important questions: Was Snooki ever relevant? Was she ever hot? For the sake of Snooki’s notoriously unstable emotional state, we’ll do our best to avoid causing any kind of meltdown and give a hesitant yes to both questions. At her best, Snooki made us feel better about ourselves. At her worst, she made us feel awful about humanity. She was at least marginally likeable while doing so, however. The spectacle that was Jersey Shore certainly could not last. Perhaps the best thing we can conceivably say is that, for all the popularity of the show, Snooki was by far the most relevant at the time, and possibly the hottest as well  Sorry, Pauly.

#13 Jessica Alba Talk about a career plummet. What sorcery could possibly make a person think doing Spy Kids 4 could be a good idea? Jessica Alba, despite her tempting and comely looks, never seemed to grow into a very strong or adaptable actress. To her credit, she’s been an outspoken critic of Hollywood’s sexualization of women and refuses to appear nude in any of her films, even going so far as to sue Playboy for inappropriately using her image, receiving a personal apology from Hugh Hefner himself. Though she’s been named countless times as being among the hottest and most alluring people in the world, Alba has shied from the spotlight in recent years, no doubt in part to what seems like her limited repertoire as an actress. Alba’s personality is charming enough as well, yet somehow she never advanced past supporting film roles outside of Honey and Into the Blue after successful television stints in The Secret World of Alex Mack and Dark Angel. Alba seems doomed to forever wear spandex in mid-level action thrillers.

#14 Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie has made more headlines the past decade through her personal life than through any especially successful blockbusters. Her recent separation from husband Brad Pitt seems only the most recent in a string of controversies that don’t exactly endear Jolie to fans. Worse so, her filmography as of late has been anything but stellar, with only Maleficent deeming mention. Jolie did work as a producer on 2014’s Unbroken, but other than that she’s been quiet lately, muddling in the grey area between “less popular than she once was” and “nearing complete irrelevance.” Fans already fed up with Jolie’s antics during and following her relationship with actor Billy Bob Thornton are seeing a reprisal in recent weeks as she argues back and forth with Pitt over their impending separation and over who will receive custody of their many children. The worst part of the separation for Jolie’s public profile seems to be that it confirms an already popular sentiment of her as a shrewd, vindictive and spiteful person— and it certainly won’t be helping her film career anytime soon.

#15 Keira Knightley Okay, so she isn’t exactly “irrelevant.” No one will deny Keira Knightley hasn’t fallen hard, however, she seems to no longer be capable of carrying a film on her own. In her most recent major roles, The Imitation Game and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, she’s reduced to playing the good-looking, mature-female-presence type that could probably be played by anyone (but boy does she play it well). A far cry, clearly, from Knightley’s days scouring the seas of the Caribbean with Captain Jack Sparrow by her side. Whatever high-seas adventures await Knightley, fans have hope that they come sooner rather than later. Despite recently receiving her second Academy Award nomination, Knightley herself hasn’t really been making headlines recently. She’s set to star in Collateral Beauty alongside an ensemble cast including Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Edward Norton and the immortal Helen Mirren.

Source: TheRichest

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Introverts: How to Trump Over Our Social Anxiety

You’re reading Introverts: How to Trump Over Our Social Anxiety, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

“Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.” Albert Camus Not too long ago, I was assigned to lead a fairly large project at work. It involved heavy interactions with various departments, endless meetings, lots of brainstorming exercises, and more importantly—a need for a skillful and charismatic leader, who can build a good rapport with all types of groups and individuals. For many—especially extroverts—this opportunity will present an outright prospect to shine in the spotlight—a harbinger of future successes and recognition, and possibly a solid step toward the pinnacle of one’s career. Of course, it doesn’t mean—we all know this—that an introvert is not going to be up for the challenge, nor that we can’t excel or exhibit preeminent managerial skills and talents. We are equally suited for the job, but such a high-visibility position comes with some acute preparation. It will simply require more mental priming and longer time spent in our “restorative niches,” thus— making our quiet times outside of work a precious gem, worth savoring. But when we add another nuance to the situation above—if that introvert is also shy and suffers from social anxiety, things shift in a rather different perspective. Frequently, the ostensibly incompatible combination of introversion, shyness/ anxiety, and exemplar leadership can easily be foreseen as a recipe for a disaster. It’s a well established fact that not all introverts are shy, nor are they socially anxious. Although these states may be closely linked, they are distinct. But research also tells us that introverts are, on average, more likely to be shy than extroverts. The dynamics of the affair between introversion and shyness tend to exhibit a downward spiraling effect. That is, if one is shy and introvert, introversion intensifies our feelings of shyness, which—in turn—may lead to a further walk down the rabbit hole of social aversion and more acute craving of alone-time. Admittedly, in work settings, the combination is inherently unwelcome, as it often reveals a poignant tale of self-dissatisfaction and perceived unworthiness. For all who are introverts and suffer from social anxiety, it appears that we are at a serious disadvantage professionally and socially—one that may be very challenging to remedy.Or, as one may bluntly state the prevalent stance in this situation—“we are doomed.” Well, contrary to such stereotypical thinking we often get tangled in, losing our safety net and venturing in new foreign lands—especially ones that we have been conditioned to believe we’ll never belong to—is indeed frightening, but has the potential to make us more—more fulfilled, more resilient, more daring. Here’s what I have found to work for me—to help distance oneself from social uneasiness, so that we can gain from our introvert powers instead. • Focus on the issue at hand first, not on the people—I know, I know. Being solely task-oriented goes completely against what we’ve been taught to believe over and over— about the value of networking and about the importance of paying close attention to people, this may not always be the right initial approach if we are to ease our social anxiety. Focusing on the task or the result can help divert our thoughts from worrying about the impression we think we are making on others. On the other hand—we will appear more driven, focused and efficient. In the long run, an accomplished leader will need to master both skills and sides—people and tasks. But as many introverts can attest, we often need some extra time to warm up to others. So, in the interim state of becoming comfortable enough with a group, establishing competence may just be the better approach. • Don’t pretend that you are invisible…because you are really not (unless you own Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak, of course). Shyness can often make us want to claim a quiet nook in the room and stay in the shadows, where we can observe rather than engage. Naturally, such a passive-defensive approach is barely a winning career strategy. Rather than playing invisible, if we are socially bashful, the smarter approach is to unfold gradually, at a pace we feel comfortable with, starting with just a few comments at every meeting. A phased strategy will help us slowly improve on our shyness, as we grow more familiar with others, but it will also let us leverage our strengths as introverts—as discussions in small groups are our forte, our chance to shine, to be heard. Letting it all slip away—by fussing about our lack of extroverted-type eloquence and enthusiasm—will simply be a missed opportunity to claim out spot at the table—not only as quiet leaders, but also, as individuals who can raise above the ingrained (but sometimes just perceived) setbacks of their temperaments. • Ask questions—Form the years of experience I’ve had in the corporate world, I have grasped a major observation. Asking questions doesn’t make us appear less knowledgeable, slow at grasping ideas, or not clever enough. On the contrary, research tells us that asking questions is a highly constructive undertaking, it shows inquisitiveness, a desire to understand, to learn more, so one can be more helpful. However, high social sensitivity may often prevent us from fully and effectively engaging with others, and of exploring a matter in depth to find a better solution. Advanced preparation comes quite handy here. If you are the leader, draft a list of discussion points, be ready to address any questions, and exercise some assertiveness when someone tries to hijack the conversion. Having a pre-defined script will make it easier to overcome our anxieties. Admittedly, asking questions will put us in the spotlight—but in the right way, where we, once again, will have an opportunity to draw from our introvert strengths of reasoning, analytical thinking and shrewd decision-making. • Get Excited—We may be reluctant to admit it, but we all have a certain degree of vanity. When we speak, especially in a small group, people usually pay attention. No matter how horrifying the idea may be, it’s possible to enjoy the Broadway-type of moment when our quiet powers become more visible, as it may also present a great opportunity to earn us the respect and recognition many of us deserve in our extrovert-dominant world. The trick is to not let the inner hurricane of negative thinking and anxiety (“What if they are secretly laughing at me? Do I sound reliable enough? Do I project enough confidence? Do I have something between my teeth?” etc.) self-escalate to a point that it tints our credibility. One way to reign in those rebellious butterflies in our stomach is to reframe our anxiety, as Prof. Alison Wood Brooks of Harvard University tells us. Instead of trying to calm down ahead of stressful and high-visibility events, we should feel excited. Adopting an “opportunity mind-set” (vs a threat mind-set), can improve our performance. It’s really simple too—it entails some straightforward self-talk (“I’m excited”) or encouraging messages (“Get excited”). Therefore, it appears that trying to cool down—a strategy we’ve been prescribed for years—may not be the “cool thing” to do after all, when it comes to controlling our anxiety. • Finally, even if things don’t work out the way we anticipate, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up too hard. Rather, embrace the mantra by Scarlett O’Hare from “Gone with the Wind:” “After all, tomorrow is another day.” No matter what, we are still the heroes of our life stories. Some recent discoveries in social psychology reveal that we can choose to edit these stories and to craft more meaningful and purposeful messages. It’s up to us to decide how to build the setbacks, the failures and the unfavorable experiences into our life narratives—as “learning” and “experience-gathering” episodes, or as markers of our inability to win over our anxiety and to have successful careers. Some re-framing, or “story prompting,” has been shown to produce some rather incredible outcomes. Because ultimately, our stories are not just tales we tell ourselves and believe about our personalities. They are our personalities. What we assume about ourselves, will eventually guide our behavior. And who we elect to become depends largely on the scripts we ourselves let to be written in the stories. To again address the question I posited in the beginning—are we really predestined career-wise (and personally too) if we are introverted and are shy too? Of course not. Sometimes, we just need a bit of time to become comfortable with new people, tasks or situations. Other times, we may have simply been missing the proper tools and aids that can enable us to move forward and succeed. But we are not to be bound by the society’s stereotypes for success. Even if we believe in the invariability of our innate personality traits, we can still opt to become more courageous and demand to have our voice heard. It may be scary at first—true, it may feel uncomfortable for a while, but in retrospect—it would have been worth it. The famous poem by Erin Hanson eloquently sums it up: “There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky, And you ask “What if I fall?” Oh but my darling, What if you fly?”

Evelyn Marinoff is a Canadian, currently living in Dublin, Ireland. She is a social introvert, a mother, an MBA, a passionate reader and a writer in the making. She holds a degree in Finance and Marketing, but spends her free time reading, writing and researching new and intriguing ideas in psychology, leadership, well-being and self-improvement. On her blog mind-chatters.com, she writes daily tips and pieces on self-enhancement. You can also find her on Twitter at @Evelyn_Marinoff.

You’ve read Introverts: How to Trump Over Our Social Anxiety, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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