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narrans · 2 months

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My Borrowed Son | 9 | ABCs and Wearable Things

Chapter Nine | ABCs and Wearable Things

If Amanda was being honest, this wasn’t the craziest thing she had done. Threading a needle to make her adopted two-inch tall child clothes definitely wasn’t the craziest thing she had done. She bit her lower lip in concentration as the thread slipped through the needle’s eye.

Amanda thought gluing the fabric might be easier, but her trials proved less fruitful than she wanted. The edges tore away too easily and absorbed into the fabric if she didn’t coat a certain amount; and at that point, she might as well glue the whole thing together. So, Amanda thought – knew – he was worth it. He couldn’t wear togas forever.

After hours of scouring the internet, Amanda could find nothing easily accessible too buy to clothe parker. She had found someone on Etsy who would custom make doll clothes for any size, but even he was surprised when Amanda asked for a one inch shirt and one inch pants.

In all reality, this was easier than trying to explain to a stranger the dimensions she needed for Parker’s clothes. Hours of work produced a dozen shirts and about the same amount of pants which Amanda had stitched together.

She found folding the cloth and cutting the pattern was the easiest. Making things a little bigger not only helped make the clothes, but it also made Parker look that much cuter. It also gave her safety pin harness more room when he wanted to explore.

Ever since the park incident, Amanda tried keeping Parker safety pinned when he was just out and about without her watching. It wasn’t all of the time. It was just when they went outside or if Amanda had to step away from the couch or the kitchen counter. He was becoming more adventurous by the day, and Amanda already had a few close calls with him nearly falling off of extremely tall heights that might injure him.

It felt like those parents who put the monkey backpack leash on their kids, which made Amanda feel absolutely sick, but she had few other choices if she wanted to step away and not leave him in his box or unsupervised.

She didn’t use it frequently, but she did use it for safety when she couldn’t always have her eyes on her adopted son. After all, what kind of life would it be if he had to stay in his box for the rest of his life.

His box, at least, was something Amanda was quite proud of now.

Parker’s room, as Amanda was now referring it, had push lights Parker could control as well as a proper bed, comforter, and pillow Amanda sewed. No more washcloth beds for the tiny boy. There was even an old matchbox she used as a bedframe, and she started folding paper clips to hold his clothes up on the string she put in there.

Parker had a bell to signal when he wanted something until Amanda installed a baby monitor so she could hear him. Amanda was enjoying setting up Parker’s room. She even gave him a chance to pick out his own “trim,” which was just colorful duct tape, and the colors of his walls, which he wanted to be a light blue with cloud themed tape.

It was precious and reminded Amanda of Andy’s room from Toy Story. A few toys and even a soft crochet blanket and rug later made Parker’s room actually feel like the room of a little boy.

Seven months and he finally had a proper room.

Seven months and he finally had a relatively decent wardrobe with a change of clothes.

Amanda let her hands rest in her lap as she glanced over into Parker’s box. He was playing with some miniature Tinker Toys Amanda had found online, and he was loving them. Amanda chuckled as she watched him play, amused by his nearly imperceptible babblings.

Had time really gone so fast?

She gazed down at him and noticed how long his hair had gotten and how he seemed just a little bit taller when he stood. His mind absorbed all of the information she gave him, and still he wanted more, which she happily provided.

He was growing up so fast, and everything felt normal. Despite their differences in size, Amanda felt as though there were no true difference between her and Parker. Seven months had taught her that much.

Amanda decided, after another twenty or so minutes, that she should get lunch started. Rather than just pick up Parker in his room and bring him with her, she decided to ask and offer him a choice. He was old enough to make choices after all.

“Parker? I’m sorry to interrupt but are you ready for lunch?” asked Amanda. Parker turned his soft brown eyes toward Amanda and nodded eagerly, the Tinker Toys in his hands as he continued to put the pieces together.

“Yes, momma,” he said as he finished fitting the pieces together and then standing up expectantly, raising his hands for her to pick him up. “Up?” It made Amanda’s heart melt.

“You want to come with me?” she asked. Parker nodded and grabbed with his fingers. “Use your words.”

“Could… yes momma. Could I go… um… go with you to… um… make lunch?” Parker’s adorable little “ums” as he pieces the words together quickly into fully coherent sentences was absolutely astounding. He was learning so fast every single day. She wanted to pat herself on the back for guiding him to use manners and proper words, but that wasn’t what parenting was about.

It was about teaching Parker to be a polite young man. He was her son after all.

“Yes, you may,” said Amanda as she lowered her hand into his room and he stepped on, grabbing one of his toys before he did. The two of them went to the kitchen where Amanda placed Parker on the counter next to the bread box. He knew where he was and was not supposed to go, but Amanda insisted on strapping the safety pin harness to the back of his shirt and pants

“Mom? Momma? Why… why do I need to wear this?” asked Parker. It was a question he had asked a million times as Amanda finished attaching the safety pin.

“Remember Parker?” asked Amanda. “It’s for safety. The countertop is very high, and if you fell you would get hurt. I don’t want you to get hurt.” It wasn’t the first time Amanda needed to explain this to Parker. He knew the reason. Still, he always seemed a little anxious when Amanda attached him to the line.

“Oh, okay!” Parker said as he sat down and began singing the alphabet song while Amanda crunched up some chips and made them both sandwiches. He was on his third time through when his little voice piped up. “Momma? Could… um… could we pway the afabet game?”

The alphabet game was something Amanda had seen online for young children. It was when you asked what sounds the letters made or what letter made what sound. The game also proposed, for advanced children, what words had the letter in them.

It wasn’t something that Amanda didn’t think a young child would be particularly interested in, and she only started integrating it to educate Parker; however, the more he learned and the more she read to him, the more he wanted to play the game.

The question made her heart swell with pride.

“Of course, Parker. Are you ready?” asked Amanda.

“Yes, momma,” said Parker. He placed his toy on the ground and looked up at her eagerly.

“Okay, what letter makes the ‘mmm’ sound?” Amanda asked.

“M!” replied the small child without hesitation.

“Good job! What about the ‘p’ sound?” asked Amanda, making it sound like a little puff of air.

“P!”

“Good job, Parker. You’re so smart.”

The two of them continued all the way through the alphabet, pausing only when Parker had trouble with some of the letters that had the same sounding letters like “i” and “e” and “c/k”. Amanda rewarded Parker with a little piece of chocolate and a promise they would continue the game once Parker finished his food and washed his hands.

True to her word, they continued playing when Parker finished his meal and insisted on washing his hands immediately. He asked when they could read and when they could play Sneak and Peak again, to which Amanda promised they would while she did some chores around the house.

At one point, Amanda began asking how to spell different words. They were simple, like door and cat, but he was sharp enough to sound out the letters. They sat and colored and drew out the letters for hours until dinner. It took everything in Amanda to tell him they needed to get ready for bed at the end of the night.

It almost resorted in tears, but Amanda reasoned with Parker that they could keep playing during bathtime and until they fell asleep, to which the toddler agreed.

Never before did Amanda know a toddler who was so adamant about playing learning games. He was hungry for knowledge, and Amanda would not deny him.

As Amanda laid down and drifted off to sleep with Parker learning how to spell “bed,” she knew what she wanted to get him. He needed some little books and pencils to write with as well as some workbooks. It would take some ingenuity, but ideas were forming in Amanda’s head.

She also needed some ideas for his birthday; or, rather, the day she found him. In the blink of an eye, she knew it would be upon her. The mother’s last thought before she drifted off to sleep was how time was moving way too fast and that, very soon, Parker would be five. When was his birthday? And had it really almost been a year?

~~~~~^*^*^*^*^~~~~~

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beegalactica · 20 hours

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HOT GIRLS ARE CONSCIOUS.

I haven't been on Tumblr in about 3 months (life has been busy), and when I finally decided to check back in today, I kept seeing the same thing over and over again, so I am here to dispel some myths.

If you have seen any of my posts, you will know the issues I have with traditional TikTok-y trendy 'glow-up' advice, but today I realised how much of it is just a ploy to get us to spend tons of money on things we CAN live without. I think we all need to be more CONSCIOUS: conscious of what we can realistically afford and implement into our daily lives.

For example, in a typical 'glow-up' advice post, tiktok or youtube video, they recommend these super unrealistic routines that include a full skincare routine of every type of cream you could ever imagine, and an incredibly detailed list that lays out how you need to spend every 10 minutes of your day in order to achieve this perfect form.

It's all hear-say.

Don't get roped into thinking that you need those brand new clothes, or you need those skincare items to be your best self. The idea of turning your 'glow-up' into a sustainable part of your life is to do things you can manage to do over and over again. The secret to glowing up permanently is having a routine that keeps you happy and healthy. Instead of buying a full shelf of skincare all in one go, get 1 or 2 items with positive reviews to start. You don't need to throw out your whole wardrobe and sell your soul to TEMU just to look aesthetic; use what you have. Rather than making short term impulsive purchases, treat every part of your life as an investment.

Especially when it comes to clothing, being someone who has lost weight and no longer fits into all their old clothes, instead of throwing everything out and starting from scratch, I bought a little amazon sewing kit with a couple of needles and different types of thread and started cutting and sewing my way to a better wardrobe. (Even TODAY, I turned an old pair of jeans that I never wear into a cute miniskirt all from a 5 minute YouTube tutorial.) If sewing isn't your thing, you can try using some hemming tape and an iron, fabric glue, or whatever you can. Be conscious of the things you buy and how often you buy them.

I know lots of people like thrifting, and you can thrift online with apps like Vinted, which I personally use and love, if you don't have access to massive thrift stores like they do in America (I'm totally not jealous at all 🙄🙄; I live in the UK and the closest things I have near me are charity shops but there's a sort of stigma around shopping in them but honestly who cares what others think).

When you shop for clothes, look for timeless and versatile pieces you can mix and match, layer and style with lots of different things, allowing you to wear them well. Try to find good staple pieces, that will make the basis of your wardrobe. Be an outfit repeater. Do not blindly follow trends; take the time to curate and explore to find your style. Make a massive Pinterest board of everything you think looks good, and start to make a list of common items of clothing and accessories you save the most; these will be your staples. Don't feel like you have to stick strictly to one aesthetic; my wardrobe ranges from 'fairycore' maxi skirts to y2k denim skirts, but what matters is that I am mindful of whether I will use the things I want to buy.

Of course, feel free to treat yourself, you 100% deserve it, but don't get sucked into the idea that your self worth is determined but WHAT you have; instead it should be how you FEEL in what you have.

I like to see my blog as a little notebook of things I wish I could have told my younger self, and things I want to remind my future self, and I feel like it would be a disservice to not talk about the oversaturation of our feeds with infinite products, to the point where everything feels like an AD.

Moral of the story: don't just take everything you see online at face value. Don't get trapped in extensive consumerism; it's bad for your bank account, it's bad for the environment and it's bad for your mental health.

Also here's my Pinterest if you want to have a peek around <3 Pinterest

#lifeblr #self improvement #becoming that girl #girlblogger #girlblogging #it girl #self care #that girl #consumerism #thrifting #sustainability #sewing #think before you buy #there's enough to go around for everyone

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literallyjustanerd · 2 months

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Could you do Cody or Fox for the music thing? Thank you 💖

Thanks for the ask!! And for the two excellent choices. I ended up doing both :) I'll list the songs first then share some details below the cut:

Cody:

Holy Grail - Hunters and Collectors

Shelter - Porter Robsinson

Way Out There - Lord Huron

Fox:

Typhoons - Royal Blood

Uprising - Muse

Normalisation Blues - AJJ

Anyone else who wants a 3 song playlist on a character of their choice, please feel free to drop a name in my inbox!

My favourite lyrics from each song and some character rambling below:

Cody:

I love Cody so goddamn much okay he's such a good character for the little we see of him. He's strong but gentle and so scarily competent but he doesn't ask for glory. He's absolutely lethal in a fight but he still tries to end conflict with peace and negotiation wherever he can. He falls so easily into the "big brother" role and gives so much of himself to his brothers without hesitation.

He knows the clones' lot in life and instead of fighting against the inevitable, he puts his strength into fighting for his brothers. The songs I chose (it wasn't an easy choice lol) ended up having a common thread of fighting on despite knowing you'll never have a place in history or be remembered like you should. Because I love to make myself sad about Cody.

Holy Grail - Hunters and Collectors

Started out seeking fortune and glory It's a short song, but it's a hell of a story When you spend your lifetime Trying to get your hands on the holy grail ... I followed orders, God knows where I’ve been But I woke up alone, all my wounds were clean I’m still here I’m still a fool for the holy grail

Shelter - Porter Robinson

When I'm older, I'll be silent beside you I know words won't be enough And they won't need to know our names or our faces But they will carry on for us ... And it's a long way forward, so trust in me I'll give them shelter, like you've done for me

Way Out There - Lord Huron

I'm a long way from the land that I left I've been running through life and cruising toward death If you think that I'm scared, you've got me wrong If you don't know my name, you know it now I belong bodily to the earth I’m just wearing old bones from those who came first There are many more flames when mine is gone They will build me no shrines and sing me no songs

Fox:

Okay I've never really been a Fox girlie but the more I think about him the more I do love exploring his whole deal with being closest to the Chancellor during the war.

Typhoons - Royal Blood

These songs ended up being incredibly angsty and mostly about having your own mind turned against you, inspired by the idea that Fox always had his inhibitor chip slightly active to keep him compliant with Palpatine's orders. Especially when Fox's own free will ran explicitly counter to what he was ordered to do - i.e. shooting down his own brother. I still haven't forgiven him for Fives

The last song is actually about the US, it was released in 2020 about Trump's presidency, but oddly enough I think it fits pretty well in this scenario too lol...

Flashbacks, I’m not letting go Tear me up, cast a shadow I got game face, but it’s all for show Can’t give it up, blow my cover ... My thoughts becoming parasites They live to keep me terrified I tell myself I’ll be alright Typhoons keep on raging, and I don’t know why

Uprising - Muse

Paranoia is in bloom The PR transmissions will resume They’ll try to push drugs that keep us all dumbed down And hope that we will never see the truth around Another promise, another scene Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed And all the green belts wrapped around our minds And endless red tape to keep the truth confined

Normalisation Blues - AJJ

I can feel my brain a-changin’, acclimating to the madness I can feel my ourrage shifting into a dull, despondent sadness I can feel a crust growing over my eyes like a falcon hood I’ve got the normalisation blues This isn’t normal, this isn’t good I’m detached and I’m distracted, all keyed up but unproductive Vacillating between being all excited and disgusted And then dozing lackadaisically in this bubble where I’ve made my mental home Connection’s more important now than it ever was, but I’d rather be alone

#thank you again for the ask this was so fun #i love to overthink both song lyrics and my favourite characters so this got me so invested #sw tcw #commander cody #commander fox #ask game #character playlist #answers #cc 2224 #cc 1010

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springtrappd · 4 months

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it being a bad-at-words day means that i am not exactly up for presenting my thoughts in any kind of cohesive or organised order atm, so you'll have to forgive this stream-of-consciousness, fresh off hitting both endings summary of my thoughts on hw2, but here goes:

this game is up with totk for the most reluctant positive reviews i've ever given, and it's for much the same reason -- that totk feels largely disconnected from its predecessor, focused almost entirely on its gameplay while pretending that it has any story worth the effort at all. unlike totk, hw2 is not a ground-breaking flex of how far a dev team can push the limitations of the medium (and the game itself), nor is it trying to be. it is an indie horror vr game, taking its cues from earlier titles like job simulator with its arcade-like, pick-up-and-play approach to level design and the scenarios found within. it is also an incoherent mess.

okay, that's being a bit hyperbolic, but like -- stop for a second, and think about the climactic moments of this game, the big things you're gonna be discussing over social media for the next couple of months. what are they? well, they're glitchtrap, the mimic, vanny, moon, cassie -- they're the conclusions to sb's (and much more specifically, ruin's) story, an add-on to those that adds a little flavour to those existing works. okay, now think about how this game was marketed. who is on the cover? who was in the initial teaser? where is the game's hub set? well, it's pizzasim and sl, of course -- funtime freddy in the centre of the box art, a warning menu that explicitly references the pizza place and a hub world set within it. there's a split down the middle in every single aspect of the game, with ruin on one side and the other shit on the other, and i mean in every aspect of the game.

you have pizzaplex collectibles sat next to the grimy, cartoonish abominations of pizzasim, you have the vanny mask put next to helpy, a fazerblaster with the trash gang -- the neon lights of the pizzaplex next to the dark underbelly of circus baby's rentals, the glowing daycare positioned in parallel to the halloween-y fun of the carousel; it's a lesson in dissonance, a game where you can draw a line down the middle of its level select and split it into two halves with wildly different directions. you can argue that this was intentional, that the juxtaposition is the point; that it is intentional that funfred is at the centre of the box art with absolutely zero new lines, that you're comparing the old and the new in equal measure. this is a wasted argument, considering the secret ending of the game literally has you step into the circus baby's elevator only to twist-reveal that you're actually in the pizzaplex.

that's not to say that i think this was something done out of malice; i'm not in the business of projecting my feelings onto game devs, and most grand conspiracies have far, far simpler explanations. no, the simple answer for what happened here is that they are two different games stitched together. it explains the strange vibe of the early pizzaplex levels, the way any vague plot threads feel half-shaped and empty -- like you're only looking at the edges of a puzzle, the bones of a meal without its meaty centre. and by bones, i mean bones, because to say this game has a plot is to, well, lie -- it very much does not, right up until you complete everything and it goes "oh shit, uh, have a crumb?" and then vanishes into the night. it's confusing the way that sb is, except this time it's polished enough to be intentional, which is, i'm gonna be honest, really not the lesson to be taking from sb.

like, hw1 has a plot. more than that, it has a goal that -- while separated from the primary, player-driven one of 'complete all levels' -- is one that begins from the very first scene, and heavily incentivizes exploration and replaying; the tapes are a physical, tangible goal that you know how to get more of -- it's just the process of getting to that that might take some extra help. tapes are hidden in levels, go find them, flip the switch to go into hard mode, have fun! it's very, very simple, and it works; you are very, very likely to find a tape at some point during a blind playthrough, and from there pull and pull on that plot thread until you fish up your reward. and that reward is, yes, a plot -- the story of the indie game studio being caught in a trap is, however simple it is, a narrative with progression and stakes and characters. there is an antagonist! can you believe! hell, there's even a little twist in the form of tape girl's instructions not working as intended.

by contrast, the fazforce figures and fazwrench are at no point explained and the player is given zero information for how the fuck you're meant to get further with those. helpy doesn't go "here's your reward for doing so well! :)" or update your clearance or anything -- you just... get given it when the game decides you do, which also has the fun byproduct of blocking your access to hard mode content until you hit whatever invisible trigger the game sets for you. no more can you just clear out the levels you're actually interested in playing; now you have to do everything, blindly tackling as much as you can until the game sees fit to throw you a bone -- and then the steps for getting to hard mode are 1) ruin themed 2) a single poster that says to take off your mask. and, like... what fucking mask, dude? maybe i'm just stupid, but i spent way too long squinting at the screen trying to figure out if this was about to pull a ds-era gimmick on me and make me take off my headset. instead you have to physically reach up and take on and off the mask every single time, which doesn't sound that bad until you're smacking the giant computer strapped to your face to go between levels... and if the hard mode hub wasn't so fucking dull. it's sb's wrecked pizza place, big whoop (oh hey, look, it's that "using the other games to do a surprise ruin reveal" thing again. sure hope that's not common!) -- you ever actually sat in blacklight mode? that shit feels like a fever dream. unmasked mode feels like proving you're enough of a big boy to handle the actual game now, please.

and i'm getting off-topic, but what i'm getting at is that good fucking god does hw2 make understanding what it wants from you as hard as possible while also giving you absolutely nothing in return. collect the voltron reference to get the ending! why? uhhhh, fuck you, collect the memory plushies of the og missing kids to get the secret ending! why? uhhhh, fuck, wait, how does this tie back into ruin again?

and if you think this is just a me-problem, or that this is just some unclear progression -- you are wrong. the entire game is like this. in a classic steel wool studios moment, the tutorial cards are utter dogshit and do nothing to explain how anything actually works. it is Bad. (and i've mentioned it before, but while the idea of the memory plushies is really, really cool, their execution is another symptom of that 'oh fuck we have to make more game now' problem)

and speaking of unclear direction -- god, does it show in the aesthetics of this one. say what you will about hw1 (and i will, and probably have), but god does it know exactly what it is, what it is doing and how it is going to do it. hw1 is a masterclass in good environmental design, with its absolutely massive hub set against the cramped, claustrophobic quarters the entire game takes place in -- it's achingly empty, with dust particles swirling through the air and the gentle crackle of the anomaly peering through the only sound. no, seriously, hw1's hub is silent -- you can tell when glitchtrap is behind you because his audio cue has a bit of distortion at the start, which absolutely slices through the quiet when you get too used to it. from the title screen to the hub to the gameplay itself, it is a game that teases you with its own limitations, sitting by your shoulder with a giggle and a made you look; the threat is always, always there, be it in the looming figures or the space itself. everything about it is dark and grimy and aged, its bulky monitors and massive cables putting you in a retro mindset before ripping it out under you with the reminder that you are in vr -- and even then, the way it talks about it is strange, its sci-fi ideas coached in aged terms; "using proprietary technology developed by Fazbear Entertainment, our VR development teams were able to use vintage control board, almost like plug and play, digitally recreating performances and personalities from the past in an instant," the handunit says.

"help wanted is sooo good at making you feel unsafe in The Fucking Menu," i wrote way back in 2022, barely through the first quarter of the game; its use of atmosphere to build horror was something i immediately picked up on, and pops back up every time i think about the game. it's central to its identity, and best exemplified in the presence of foxy in title screen -- a looming figure who just... stands there, behind you. a threat never followed through. they supply the scare; you're the one who jumps.

"I remember watching markiplier play it for the first time and I was convinced something was going to jumpscare you in the main menu," my beloved bestie mikhail said. i agreed. so does the majority of gameplay footage out there.

in hw2, every single time you boot the title screen, you are greeted by a forced jumpscare of circus baby appearing behind you.

every single bit of hw1 is oozing with style, from foxy being hidden behind you on the title screen to the death messages to the occasional interjections from the handunit to the prize room to the pre-level room (which is on the stage!) to whatever the fuck this is to the absolute fever dream that is blacklight levels.

while hw2... does not have that. one of the little details from hw1 that i've mentioned before is just... the clock on the monitor. in hw1, you start the game at 11:44pm, with every tape you collect progressing forward a minute until you hit the merge ending, setting it to 00:00 (midnight). the level select screen in hw2 features a similar clock, which was what prompted me to make the post i'm referencing here in the first place. i expected them to do something equally cute with it. they did not. it's just a clock set to 12:00am, because it's a computer and those do that. and that is, i think, the best summary i can give of the difference in environmental design philosophy between these two entries. that they never expected you to look at all.

in terms of actual gameplay? it's probably the most polished a steel wool game has ever been, which is great! i only had one level actually truly bug out on me (fazerblast fnaf2), which is a marked improvement from... well, let's just leave it at that. the game design itself is also very good, with gameplay loops that feel fun and intuitive (most of the time) -- significantly less steel wool shit this time around, which is nice. the job simulator focus, however, means that this is a horror game that's very light on the horror, with very few levels that actually have that creeping tension hw1 was so good at. some of the sb levels manage it (with the staffbots and djmm leaning in so close, or glamfreddy snapping out at you, or... anything with moon) -- but most of them don't, which sucks. notably, these are all the front-loaded levels, with all the real spooky shit shoved into the right side of the monitor... where all the pizzasim and sl stuff is, and we've hit that "these are two different games" thing again.

the first level you are presented with in hw1 is a recreation of fnaf1's first night. the first level you are presented with in hw2 is arts and crafts with sun. (and i'm counting it as the first level because native english speakers will automatically look to the top-left of an image/page/screen, and they're not only the primary target audience but the majority of the dev team as well.)

and i've been typing for two hours and my brain is starting to form a vanny-shaped puddle on my bedroom floor, but what all of this builds up to is what is ultimately wrong with ruin, and the tales from the pizzaplex, and security breach as a whole: the idea that the solution to a problem is to throw more ideas at it, focusing on always moving forward over filling all your holes and tying off your threads. the response to the catastrophic release of sb was not to finish what they started, but to build something completely different next to the gaping hole that was sb's plot, and that's not good... anything, but storytelling most of all, and it's how you hit the situation that we're in now: where there are no stakes, no antagonist, nowhere to go and nothing to look forward to. just an empty shell waiting for your money to fill it. and yeah, that's kinda standard for fnaf, except not really? like, guys, fnaf1 had a narrative arc. fnaf4 onwards has had actual characters, with personalities and motives and ideas, and the two most narrative-heavy fnaf games are the ones front-and-centre of this one!

except... in the secret ending of hw2, after you get bait-and-switched from sl to the pizzaplex, you're dumped inside a claw machine and watch as a giant vanny takes glitchtrap in her hands and crushes him into dust. the primary antagonist of hw1, the villainous face of that soft reboot -- taken out back and replaced by the new antagonist. the one we were introduced to in the same game, who keeps having her lines cut and her role shrunk down into nothing and the focus shifted away from until it's time for a new stinger. why did she do this? why is this happening? what does this mean, going forward? no, seriously, who the fuck is the mimic? -- none of that matters, because that isn't actually the point. the game looks you in the camera of the giant computer strapped to your face and says, that era is dead. we're starting a new one.

but really, it says nothing at all.

#speaking!#hw2 spoilers #long post #discourse #ohhhhh my hands hurt #my brain is mush #hopefully this makes sense

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orcelito · 7 months

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Ok on why ITNL 15 was so technically difficult.

Under a cut for ppl who haven't read it & wanna keep it a surprise

So writing traditional action ends up feeling like choreography. I plan out the steps following the motion that feels the most natural. It can be tricky sometimes, but mostly in figuring out how to describe an action I see in my mind. Overall, I end up writing traditional action really quickly actually bc it's Fun and Exciting and it Flows

What went down in ITNL 15 was not traditional action. Really, it was an unconventional torture scene.

So the trickiness came from multiple things. First & honestly one of the hardest things was getting into the head of a madman. Someone who will gleefully kill a lot of people just to hurt someone psychologically. Someone spiteful, sadistic, and just having so much fun with it (but also not Actually having that much fun, bc he was also just Really Angry)

First time writing him, too. So I had to find a new character's voice On Top of exploring the whims he would follow when literally torturing someone.

And then we get to the actual actions of it. There was no choreography because there was no dance to it. No flow of motion. There was a Burst at the start of the interaction, but then it all just Stops. Vash is forced to take it at Legato's pace as he toys with him.

That was a huge part of how tricky it was. Following the thread of where Legato was taking it & being unable to push things along with Vash. Vash was just along for the ride, existing just to be toyed with. Falling right into Legato's expectations with his reactions...

Except for two parts. And these were some of the trickiest.

When he managed to break out of the control Just A Little Bit. And then when he's on his knees, emotionally stripped bare, and decides to go for the one jab that he knows will Hurt Him just as a stubborn "fuck you", since he didn't have any other way to take autonomy in that scene.

He pays for it. The paragraph where Legato broke Vash's nose was the one that took me 50 fucking minutes to write. Which, on that note, I can show a screenshot of my working through it!

Final paragraph: Legato's face twisted in instant fury. His hand tightened harshly in Vash's hair, using it as a grip to bash his nose into his knee with a sickening crunch.

And the progress pic ^ lmao. Something I do while trying to puzzle out wording is push the old version down & start working on a new version, but not deleting the old yet in case I wanna switch back or otherwise re-use any of the wording.

There ended up being about 15 of these discarded lines. 111 words of discarded text. Until I finally settled on the version in the thing.

Another thing I focus on a lot while writing is the motion of the words, and that was so much of the struggle here. Such a simple moment, you would think. He's just breaking his nose. But describing it in a way that is Concise while also communicating the gravity of it AND the motion of the words themselves. It's a lot to consider. And it's such a miserable moment for Vash, it was so hard to get it to a point I was satisfied with.

I'm pretty proud of how the scene turned out, in the end. Maybe not 100% perfect. There are definitely a few points that feel held together with duct tape and tooth picks. Then other parts where I'm just like "holy fucking shit, I wrote this???" An interesting combination, but I feel like that's writing in general.

And! It seems like my work paid off! People seem to have enjoyed the chapter, which makes all the work feel a lot more worth it. It's a nice feeling to know all that time is appreciated.

Yeah . A Lot went into this scene. Definitely out of the bounds of anything else ive written before. But I think I can confidently call this a success 😌

#speculation nation #itnl shit #wow this ended up being a lot more words than i expected #talked a good amount about my writing process in general too #but yea. if ur curious about That Scene of ITNL 15 at all. this post is for You

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boburnhamhistorian · 2 years

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Hi, everyone! Since all of my tweets as UBBH have now vanished, I just wanted to create a list of some of my more popular Twitter threads that I’ve copied onto my site:

My 13-part series about Bo and his comedic influences (based on a Facebook Note he wrote to his fans in 2010, which I use as a springboard to explore how that comic has impacted Bo and his works)

My 4-part series of interviews about Rothaniel audience members (including myself!) who were fortunate enough to attend a taping of the Emmy-winning comedy special

My ongoing series of interviews with Content Creators: Sean Himmelberg, Isabel Descutner, and Davy Kynoch

My ongoing series of posts analyzing Jerrod Carmichael and the symbolic importance of his clothing choices

Easter eggs in Inside and the Inside Outtakes you might have missed when first viewing the specials, including the MANY appearances of my beloved disco ball 🪩 and Socko

My primers on Bo’s works and Jerrod’s works, including how to watch them (planning on a Lorene Scafaria one and a Kate Berlant one soon!)

My series on Bo and food/drink preferences: peanut butter, Red Bull, breakfast cereal

My once-a-day recommendations for Inside video essays and Inside content online

And, of course, the thread that kicked off everything for me: the popular Bo repurposing his old clothes in Inside (with a bonus look at his favorite gray hoodie!)

I hope you enjoy reading my threads from the past year, and stay tuned for lots more fun! ✌️

#bo burnham #bo burnham inside #boburnhamhistorian #rip twitter #popular threads #interviews #analysis #recommendations #jerrod carmichael #lorene scafaria #kate berlant #rothaniel #kate #bo and clothing #jerrod and clothing #the inside outtakes #inside outtakes

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vulpiano · 4 years

Photo

From the Video Hook-Ups Archive:

Music Videos as “Low” Filmmaking?

Over the past couple of years I received a question from two different academics in regards to my focus on making music videos. Both of them asked me the same thing:

“Do you plan on moving on from music videos?”

I found the question a bit strange. Why should one “move on” from music videos? Is there something arrested in filmic development about the music video? Some people like to make shorts. They may continue to make shorts while also making feature films, or perhaps they’ll stick with shorts. Music videos are a kind of short film, so what’s going on here? What’s wrong with continuing to make music videos? I was most vexed.

I told both of them that I intended to explore different types of film in time, such as fictional narrative and documentary. In fact, I had already made a couple of works that were not music videos (though they had music in them). Nonetheless, I said I would probably always be interested in making music videos due to the central importance of music in my life, the influence of music videography on my filmmaking style, and the visual images that listening to certain music evokes for me; I have always had an automatic link between sound and color or shape in my mind. I saw at that time no reason to justify it further, but the comments have continued to trouble me to the extent that I must explore this question further.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrwjiO1MCVs

One of my earliest memories in life, for whatever baffling reason, is watching Jane’s Addiction’s “Been Caught Stealing” on MTV. According to my parents, I’d toddle right up to the TV when I was very little whenever Siouxsie Sioux or Kurt Cobain was on the screen. Two of my favorite VHS tapes to put on when I was a kid were Fantasia and Pee-Wee’s Christmas Special, both rather music-heavy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98JrWm9IMMA

Due to being between 1 to 3 years old for all of these incidents, unpacking just why music is so important to me has been an immense challenge. When something has swirled around you your whole life, how do you figure out why it is important to you or what it really means?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpcNaqkrPm8

Certain music has become a kind of shorthand for identity for myself. My partner Dan and I realizing that we had both grown up hearing Soft Cell — thanks to our parents — made us both joke that this must explain our sexual orientation. When I find out that someone likes the Manic Street Preachers, the likelihood that we’ll be in the same neighborhood politically or in terms of literature increases dramatically. Sorting out which men in rock I was attracted to and who I wanted to be like in terms of gender — or both — was integral to sorting out my identity. The list goes on: music underpins my very sense of selfhood in a way that no other medium does and stands in for all kinds of other bits and bobs of who I am and how I view others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQS1czT0Egg

I fell into filmmaking quite by accident. Compared to listening to music, reading books, or playing video games, my film education was quite weak. I grew restless when I was taken to the theater and was easily bored or disappointed. Even at home, I was frustrated at how I couldn’t listen to music while watching a film, as one could with books or even video games on occasion; there’s only so many times you can hear a looping dungeon theme or battle music. It took me some time to break out of the notion that any time spent not hearing beloved or new music is time I must surely be wasting. You only live once and there’s a lot of musical treasure to hunt for — what if I missed something important because I spent 2 hours and 30 minutes watching some dreadful film I desperately wanted to escape from the whole time it was on?

At age 21, I started to go through queer film lists. Perhaps threading film in with identity — as I’d done subconsciously with music — would enable me to more fully enjoy film. I began to watch Derek Jarman’s films and music videos and felt as though a switch had been flipped. I become engrossed in tracking down and watching as many as I could, even watching some more than once (!), something I’d almost never done with film before unless I hadn’t seen the movie in ages. There was a lyrical quality that felt familiar to my own way of thinking, of pairing images with sound, and all kinds of other colorful textures and poetic meanderings. Jarman’s books too filled me with inspiration and admiration, Chroma: A Book of Colour being my favorite.

Emboldened by my Jarman appreciation, I steadily found other films that appealed to me and also turned a more critical eye to music videos. As a teenager, I had previously neglected to look into music videos for the majority of bands that I had been a fan of, unless I had found one or more members attractive. Now I could confidently branch out and find more to enjoy and think on, though male aesthetics is still very much a topic of critical interest for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vajUGdZe1EI

During my education at San Francisco State University, I enrolled in a digital video course. I had previously done very little with video and didn’t know it come to anything more than fulfilling a credit requirement. What I found was that the video editing process was incredibly relaxing and that I’d completely lose track of the passage of time once I really got going. My final project was a music video for my partner Dan. I knew then that this is the medium I wanted to keep going with above all others. I made music videos for other artists on my netlabel Vulpiano Records, as much as gifts to them as creative exercises for myself. I approached artists I value like Pictureplane and Momus to present them with music videos I made in tribute to their work. Everything was going so smoothly as I learned new techniques, incorporated virtual worlds like Second Life into my work, collaged in public domain and Creative Commons resources, and so on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-idB3AQtCk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aC6_C0JPXo

Up until I was suddenly asked if I planned to “move on” from music video.

I first tried to see whether there was any point in this suggestion. I was thinking of fan video edits such as anime music videos, video slideshows set to music of dead or beloved rock stars, and amateur music video work that uses music as a base to cut footage too obviously or simplistically (these colors will flash to the beat, these shots will be cut to the guitar riff, a soaring vocal or synth will be accompanied by a fade to another scene, etc.). I thought of the entanglement of the music video with pop culture, the nostalgia of what MTV used to be at its outset.

Hand-waving away the possibility of the music video is part and parcel of the denigration and oversimplification of pop culture as an inherently stupid wasteland where the intellect is cast off into the dustbin. Accomplished filmmakers must cast-off this embarrassing relic of their past, when they were still learning, surely! Much like the dim view of comic books and video games, and (longer ago) photography and film in general, I think this is another erroneous assumption of the lowbrow or juvenile, viewing the music video as an ephemeral promotional tool and nothing much beyond that. This is nothing to do with what can be achieved with the format itself or whether the music video in question bears any resemblance to the mainstream notion of what a music video is.

In Music Video and the Politics of Representation, Diane Railton And Paul Watson write:

Music video is a significant and interesting form of contemporary popular culture, one which is widely circulated, complex and important. This claim is, however, a potentially controversial one. For it is easy, as many critics have done, to either dismiss music video as a worthless by-product of capitalist business practice or, worse, to ignore it all together. Graham Fuller spells out this situation in ‘A Good Music Video is Hard to Find’ in claiming that ‘the search for the art and artistry of the music video goes on but the consensus is that El Dorado or Santa Claus will turn up first’. He goes on to say that, since the inception of MTV in 1981, ‘what critical evaluation of music video there is relegates it to the trash can of popular culture’.

…while reviews of albums, singles and live performances now regularly occupy a significant number of column inches in both dedicated music magazines and the review sections of the press more generally, reviews of the latest video releases are notable only by their absence. And in many ways this is understandable if we think of music videos only as advertisements. You wouldn’t expect a review of the latest perfume or mobile phone to make reference to the television commercial which was used to advertise it. However, when we consider that music videos have a life of their own – with television channels and websites dedicated to screening them – which other commercials do not, this critical neglect becomes difficult to understand. For music videos are not simply advertisements; they are, rather, as Thomas Doherty suggests, both ‘promo and product’ and, as such, have ‘revised the nature of contemporary music’.

I would go one step further to suggest that, while perhaps not to the extent of music videos, commercials for products have also occasionally attained a life of their own. Sometimes this is through the inclusion of external music that recontextualizes the original content, highlighting or exaggerating the capitalistic fantasy world they embody. Vaporwave is particularly rich with such examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygAY6IAfpL8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrR1TGQY20Y

At other times, this is sheerly through the merit of their own artistry or weirdness. The ‘product’ in question is secondary or forgotten in the wake of the surreality of what we’re seeing on screen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq97QAYDDoI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r7yKaDxGvc

Assuming that a whiff of the advertisement is enough to make something no longer art (or, at the very least, less than fine art) is falling into the trap of assuming the value of art is lowered or annihilated as soon as moneybags — even the assumption of their presence — are looming overhead.

How many times have you groaned at the strangely pervasive notion of the “starving artist” or the shocked takes on artists who work on commission?

Association with commercial interests or pop culture should not be enough to bar the music video from artistic creativity among videographers and a critical, careful eye and scholarship among viewers. Unquestioned elitism doesn’t do filmmakers or fellow academics any favors.

#videohookups #music videos

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freddie-mercury-rising · 2 years

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I thought that guy might have been referring to other videos because the thread was risqué, but back then the GL tapes could’ve been surprising. For context, here’s another comment from around the same time: “People still insist they had no idea he was ‘bi,’ but watching some old home movies reveals that he was one step away from being a drag queen. He was so wildly effeminate and campy. Yes, he always had a huge stage presence, but this documentary showed him to be g-g-g-g-gay in a BIG way.”

Ahh you know what this makes me think?

People insist they didn't know Freddie was gay, but as far as I know, he didn't go out of his way to hide it if you were in his circle. He was a completely different person for the public and the press, for various reasons (one of which is that it's none of their fucking business, and another of which that it was still not quite a world accepting of queer people). But if you were around Freddie in person, I have no doubt that he did not hide the fact that he was gay.

And the home movies. Oh the glorious times when he was safe and comfortable, surrounded by people that loved him and accepted him--and was able to be himself in a major way. I think those are so beautiful images of a man who was able to explore all the facets of his personality, including the parts that society often look down upon, like effeminacy for a man.

To have known Freddie that closely would have been a major privilege, and everyone who knew him says how kind and generous and FUNNY he was. <3

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silverdune · 3 months

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1978. | track one: the one who sat beside me

"an angel. a real life guardian angel, right before hongjoong’s very eyes."

minors dni. ageless blogs dni. blank blogs dni. you'll be blocked. <- previous | 1978 masterlist | next -> character(s): kim hongjoong, park seonghwa tags: first meetings, awkwardness, angst, emotions, unsupportive father, leaving home, the tiniest drug reference, smoking, explicit language word count: 3.2k summary: the time hongjoong left home for seoul, only to find a friend in the man who sat beside him..

you looked me in the eyes and said “it doesn’t matter what they think, i’m always by your side in the end;”

× November, 1972 ×

Hongjoong had been on his feet for three hours.

He had a funny mindset about the whole thing: stay on your feet, keep walking forward, each step forward is another one you are not taking back.

He wasn’t sure when his weary legs had finally decided to cave in, but not before long he found himself slumped down on a bench on the side of the road. Three hours was a really long time, but it wasn’t as though he was keeping steady track of it.

With a huff, he pulled his bag up onto the space beside him and dug through until he found his flask. It was just water, but in the back of his mind he wished he had a kick of soju in it; Hongjoong knew that was a bad idea though, he needed to remain sober and keep his mind clear at all times.

Closing his flask after one swig, he gazed around at the bustling city and took in every ambient sound he heard, letting it overwhelm his senses for a little while.

Taking a one way train to Seoul was a risky move.

Hongjoong didn’t really know what he’d even find here. Perhaps he was itching for a fresh start. A clean slate on which he could fashion a new life for himself and let bygones be bygones.

But as he sat on the bench and slowly put the flask back in his leather satchel, he came to realise that he couldn’t make something of nothing.

And in effect, Hongjoong had nothing.

The satchel, a half-empty flask of water, a cassette tape, ₩30,000 in cash and an old acoustic guitar in a worn out case, resting against the bench to his left. He hadn’t even brought any extra clothes or toiletries with him.

Hongjoong gazed at the guitar case and chuckled to himself: he truly did have his priorities straight.

The laughter was short-lived as a frown swept across his face. When he thought back to how his parents felt when he bid them both goodbye - the tears in his mother’s eyes and the certain look of disappointment on his father’s face - it filled his chest with cement and clouded his brain to the point he could feel his own eyes watering.

“I need to go and explore what’s out there for me, ma,” he had told his mother, holding her in his arms and gently rubbing her back. Behind her stood his father, sharp eyes fixed solely on him with his lips thinned out to a gossamer thread. “Everything will be alright.”

The words had died in his throat as he watched his father turn his back.

Hongjoong had had his mind made up for a while, it was just knowing when to leave. He supposed there was never going to be a right time, a perfect time, and that thought had been plaguing him from the moment he got on the train.

Idly, he dragged his fingers across the top of the guitar case, his attention on the never-ending traffic that continuously flooded his vision.

He didn’t even notice someone sitting down beside him.

“That posture’s no good for your back, y’know.”

Hongjoong shifted at the voice then looked left. Beside him, a man had just put a cigarette between his lips and was lighting the end.

“U-Um..”

The stranger held out the open box to Hongjoong, to which Hongjoong silently shook his head. The man shrugged, “Please yourself,” and tucked the box back in his pocket.

Hongjoong stared at this man as he blissfully took a hit of his cigarette and rested his elbow on the back of the bench. Silence settled like mud on cobblestones. Hongjoong slowly took his eyes off the stranger and turned back to the traffic ahead.

Flicking off some embers, the man tilted his head towards Hongjoong. “You new around here?”

Hongjoong was startled, ultimately. He brought his case closer to his side and nodded. Never in his life had someone initiated a conversation quite like this, and so he was struggling to navigate small talk in a way he was familiar with.

The stranger ran a hand through his hair then extended it across the bench, “Seonghwa.”

Hongjoong snapped his head back to the man. His eyes flickered between his hand and his face. “Hm?”

With a laugh, he said, “My name is Seonghwa.” His arm was still outstretched, an invitation for Hongjoong to shake his hand.

Hongjoong cleared his throat and eventually did so. “Hongjoong.”

“Hongjoong? Well, nice to meet you.” They retracted their arms and Seonghwa took another hit. “So.. Hongjoong. What brings you to Seoul? Where are you from?”

“Anyang-si,” answered Hongjoong.

“Ah! I’m from Jinju myself,” said Seonghwa. He took another puff and exhaled. “Moved to Seoul about a year ago, attending university here. What about you?”

Hongjoong swallowed the nervous lump in his throat and straightened his back. That posture’s no good for your back, y’know.

“Uh- um-” Hongjoong hid his lips and looked askance. He wasn’t entirely sure if he wanted to continue this conversation, or relay his life story to a man he’s just met.

In the seconds it took for him to ponder whether or not he should lie, Seonghwa sensed his hesitation and stopped himself from prying. “Y’know, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Your life, your business. Just thought I’d come and keep you company is all. You seem a bit lost and tired.”

And in four sentences, Seonghwa had successfully crashed Hongjoong’s brain into a wall.

Gazing back at the smoker, Hongjoong properly studied his appearance for the first time since he sat down.

Dark, long-ish hair, slightly curled at the bottom, black button-down shirt and a pair of trousers. He wore a trench coat over top and a pair of dress shoes.

A stark contrast to the thrifted band shirt and skinny jeans Hongjoong was wearing.

If there was one thing Hongjoong could say about Seonghwa, it was that he was very.. put-together.

So, what the fuck is he doing talking to me of all people?

The question seemed to translate from his incessant staring to the point Seonghwa looked back and sighed. “I get what it’s like. To be on your own. To not have any direction. To not know what you’re doing with your life. I spotted you from the other side of the road as you basically fell onto the bench. I recognise that kinda-” He gestured vaguely to Hongjoong. “Listlessness. You’re looking for something new.”

Hongjoong blinked a few times. Never before has he been psychoanalysed in this manner.

The static expression on Hongjoong’s face made Seonghwa grin faintly. “See?”

“..Shit,” breathed Hongjoong. For some reason, he started to feel a huge weight being lifted off his chest. He gripped his guitar case. Tears began to fill his eyes again. A lump was forming in his throat.

“I just wanna say.. If you need any help, I’d like to help out.”

Hongjoong had never expected this when he first arrived in Seoul. This was unprecedented to his mind.

“Are- are you sure?” he blurted before he could stop his train of thought.

“Sure!” Seonghwa replied, all too genuinely for Hongjoong to comprehend. “You’re in need of a good meal, a drink, and I’m guessing you’ve got nowhere to sleep tonight?”

Hongjoong shook his head, probably of all sense at the same time. This outpour of consideration and willingness to help him had caught him so off guard. Was he actually about to take Seonghwa at his word? Doubt gradually began to settle in.

“Well, Hongjoong,” Seonghwa stood up, dropped his cigarette and crushed it under foot, “I know a good ramen place just around the corner. Join me for lunch?”

Hongjoong gazed up at him, absolutely dumbfounded. The sun provided the most jaw dropping backlight against Seonghwa’s head. An angel. A real life guardian angel, right before Hongjoong’s very eyes.

“Okay,” was all Hongjoong said. He stood, then put the strap of his guitar case on one shoulder and the one of his satchel on the other.

“Alright then!” Seonghwa smiled. “Follow me.”

He walked off, but Hongjoong stayed rooted to the spot for a few seconds. Everything had happened so fast, and he didn’t exactly know what he was getting himself into. Should he even trust Seonghwa?

Seonghwa came to a stop in the middle of the street and looked back. He gestured in the direction of the ramen shop and said, “You coming?”

Hongjoong took a deep breath. He didn’t know what he was getting himself into.

He started walking. Seonghwa grinned. They eventually began strolling side by side.

Hongjoong was absolutely going to take that risk.

you, who sat beside me my goddamn guardian angel you gotta know what it means to me to have you in my world..

× April, 1973 ×

“Happy Birthday!”

Seonghwa was never really one for surprises, less so on his birthday.

But, he couldn’t hold back a charmed smile as he stared at the cake Hongjoong lovingly made for him, sitting proudly on the table with a single lit candle in the middle.

“You know by now I’ve never been much of a cook, but.. I hope at least my baking’s alright?”

Seonghwa’s smile grew and he let a chuckle go. “No, I remember from the time you managed to set off this block’s fire alarm.”

“Hey!” Hongjoong swatted his arm playfully. “I got it under control, didn’t I?”

“Sure thing, Six-String.” Hongjoong’s mouth clamped shut at that nickname. “Now, what am I wishing for?”

Folding his arms, Hongjoong shifted to one foot. “I’m not supposed to tell you what to wish for, that’s not the point of making wishes!”

“I know, I know, just..” Seonghwa’s eyes flitted around the room, as if willing some divine intervention from somewhere. “..Throwing the question out there.” He leaned closer to the candle as Hongjoong shook his head. Closing his eyes, Seonghwa made one wish before blowing out the candle.

For my 21st birthday, give Hongjoong the big break he’s always deserved.

As the smoke quickly dissipated, Hongjoong’s cheering filling his ears, Seonghwa opened his eyes and stood up straight.

“Now-” began Hongjoong, “shall I go put on some music while we cut the cake?” He was already lifting the cake carefully off the table to take it into the kitchen.

Seonghwa headed into the living room, “Sure. I’ll put on your demo.”

Hongjoong was lucky the countertop was directly in front of him.

When he turned back, about to humbly protest Seonghwa’s proposal of putting on his demo of music, he noticed Seonghwa already heading over to the cassette machine and picking up his tape.

Lifting up the lid, Seonghwa popped the tape inside and closed it, then pressed play.

Hongjoong immediately hid his face as his demo started. It was just a silly little tune, one he wrote about a year prior and recorded on his father’s cassette machine when he was at work. The chords filled the space of the living room, and not long after, Hongjoong’s soft vocals followed.

Seonghwa subtly nodded his head along to the melody; it was probably the hundredth time he had listened to this song since the first time Hongjoong was confident enough to share it with him.

It was about a month into them knowing each other. They had slowly become friends over a few drinks and a few trips to that same old ramen place on the corner. Eventually, Hongjoong came around to tell Seonghwa what the guitar case and the mystery cassette tape in his satchel were all about.

Seonghwa knew nothing about the industry and had no experience in music theory or instruments, having studied chemistry at university. That didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate Hongjoong’s music, and he had accrued a vast collection of vinyls over the last couple of years, ranging from soft rock to alternative to the more experimental. Hongjoong recognised many of them, and had delighted in sharing some listening sessions with Seonghwa over the past few months.

The chorus kicked in as Hongjoong put a slice of cake onto a plate.

“God, this song is just- It’s just got something in it, y’know?” said Seonghwa as he tapped his fingers on the side table.

Hongjoong snorted. “Well, for the record, I did not lace it with anything, okay?”

“Are you sure?” Seonghwa lifted a brow, utterly amazed. “I’ve said it before, Joong, I’ll say it again, you could go places with this..”

Hongjoong paused. He set the knife down on the side and took a deep breath. “You’ve been saying that a lot lately.” The insecurity in his voice won over so fast. He rested his hands on the countertop and sighed.

“And I’ve meant it every single time, don’t think I haven’t.”

Hongjoong closed his eyes. There was never any doubt in Seonghwa’s conviction, not by a long shot. It was always just Hongjoong’s belief in himself. The industry was so saturated, filled to the brim with skill and talent, and Hongjoong never once believed he could make it by even the smallest margin.

The song continued to play. It was the first time it ever made Hongjoong cry after hearing it.

He sank to the kitchen floor, drew his knees close to his chest and sobbed.

Seonghwa pivoted on the spot at the sound of his fall then ran over to kneel beside him. “Hongjoong..?” He rubbed Hongjoong’s shoulder in an effort to comfort him. “Hey, come on, it’s okay..”

“I gave up so much when I left Anyang-si-” Hongjoong cried, wiping away his tears with his sleeves. His breathing was shallow and he sniffled every couple of seconds. Seonghwa frowned, then moved to sit beside him properly. The song was still playing.

“I know.. You took a risk not many would take!” Seonghwa tried to laugh, but it didn’t lighten the mood at all. He drew back to sincerity and wrapped an arm around Hongjoong’s shoulder, letting the moment lie for a few seconds until Hongjoong spoke again.

“I keep thinking about my mum.. And dad.. I see my ma’s face.. Every time I close my eyes, she’s there, in front of me, crying her eyes out and I can’t-” Hongjoong choked on his words and stared at the floor.

Seonghwa glanced over at him. He took a breath, trying to think of the right words or, whether words were appropriate at all.

“I couldn’t let anything or anyone hold me back,” Hongjoong continued, lifting his head. “I guess I was being stubborn and selfish..”

Seonghwa interjected then, “Hongjoong, it is not selfish to follow your passion. Music is in your heart, it’s in your soul! Even when you first arrived and you had no idea what to do, that was the one thing you were sure of. It is your parents' job to love you and support you and they didn’t do that.”

Hongjoong swallowed the lump in his throat. “..Ma supported me. She often enjoyed listening to me playing the guitar.” He smiled to himself in reminiscence. “She was just scared. She was scared of me leaving home by myself and going somewhere I had never been before. I think she would’ve wanted to come with me,” he chuckled through his tears.

“And your dad?”

Hongjoong shook his head. “He didn’t like it. He’s always been under the impression that me getting into rock music was a bad sign. I never knew what he was talking about. I still don’t.”

Seonghwa exhaled. “Have you spoken to your parents recently?”

Hongjoong nodded faintly, “I reached out to ma a few weeks back. I sent her a letter. She replied and..” He wiped away some more stray tears and sniffed. “It was nice.”

“Reach out to her again,” said Seonghwa, nudging him a little. “If she really does support you, don’t let go of that. Don’t be scared of that.”

Hongjoong gazed over at Seonghwa, then knitted his brows as it suddenly dawned on him. “My God-” He covered his eyes with his hands in disappointment. “It’s your fucking birthday, what am I-”

At that point, the song had come to an end.

Seonghwa chuckled, “Don’t worry, it was good to have this chat, allow you to get some feelings out in the open.” He quickly embraced Hongjoong then got up off the floor. Hongjoong followed suit. “Now, let’s eat this cake before it goes bad.”

“Yes, let’s- oh- the song ended,” Hongjoong remarked, glancing over at the machine.

Picking a bit of frosting off with his finger and licking it, Seonghwa ran back over to the machine, “Good excuse as any to play it again!”

“Seonghwa!” Hongjoong called. Then he laughed. A lot. Heartily. “Whose birthday is it again?”

“It’s mine!” announced Seonghwa. “And for my birthday, I wanna play one of my new favourite songs, is that alright with you, Six-String?” he teased, looking back at Hongjoong with a glimmer in his eyes.

Hongjoong pouted and glared, though it wasn’t serious in the least bit. “Don’t tell me that was your wish,” he joked, knowing full well it wasn’t, and that Seonghwa wouldn’t tell him any different.

“Sure, sure..” Seonghwa replied, waving his hands in mock-dismissal. He pressed play again. Something shifted in the room.

Not exactly, Hongjoong, but close enough.

Seonghwa smirked.

Hongjoong enjoyed the slice of cake.

your words are always in my head i never will forget how did i deserve your wisdom trust me, i will always sit and listen oh, dearest friend, i cherish you no matter what, oh dearest friend, i cherish you

× November, 1973 ×

“..Seonghwa.”

“..Hongjoong.”

“It’s happening. It’s fucking happening.”

“It sure is, Six-String. You’ve made it.”

Hongjoong scoffed at him. “Okay, don’t go that far..”

Seonghwa nudged him. “You have made it, my friend.”

Hongjoong glanced over at him. His eyes glazed over and they began to well up with tears. “..Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Seonghwa pulled back, eyebrows raised, “For what?”

“For being the one who sat beside me. For taking me in and not caring about what people might think.”

For the first time in a while, Seonghwa looked at Hongjoong properly.

Nothing had changed in the year since they first met. They’d had their ups and downs, but through it all, Seonghwa stuck by Hongjoong’s side. Hongjoong was here for a reason. He gave up so much to come to Seoul and realise his dream and Seonghwa could do nothing more than admire him for his strength. Passion. Skill. Creativity. Perseverance.

Hongjoong had been through it all to make his dream come true, and Seonghwa had willingly been by his side every step of the way.

To understand that Hongjoong had kept such a thought locked up in his head made his throat close up. “..Hongjoong-” He almost choked on the name. “It doesn’t matter what they think. I am always by your side in the end.”

Hongjoong felt the first tear fall. “You’ll be at the gig next Saturday, yeah?”

With a chuckle, Seonghwa stood up from the bench and turned back to him.

“Hongjoong.. I’ll be backstage.”

Hongjoong’s heart stopped in his chest. He stood up beside Seonghwa and exhaled.

Seonghwa stared back at him and poked his arm. “Join me for lunch?”

That made Hongjoong laugh. “Sure thing.”

As they started walking away from the bench, Seonghwa quickly paused to say something important.

“Oh, and by the way.. Happy birthday.”

Hongjoong smiled. They walked side by side.

It was a new beginning.

taglist: @bikerjongho | @viviixlyy

× tristetconfus (ave). do not repost. ×

#ateez scenarios #ateez imagines #hongjoong scenarios #hongjoong imagines #ateez au #ateez fic #words.(ave)#fic: 1978

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theplumbnerd · 3 months

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Quick Fixes for a Leaking Faucet

Introduction

Dealing with a leaking faucet can be a nuisance, especially when it occurs unexpectedly or during an emergency situation. While permanent repairs may require the expertise of a plumber, there are temporary fixes you can implement to stop the leak and prevent further water wastage or damage to your home. In this guide, we'll explore quick fixes for repairing a leaking faucet in an emergency and provide answers to frequently asked questions to help you address plumbing emergencies confidently.

Emergency Faucet Repair: Quick Fixes

If you're faced with a leaking faucet in an emergency situation, consider trying the following quick fixes to stop the leak temporarily: 1. Turn Off Water Supply - Locate Shut-Off Valve: Find the shut-off valve for the affected faucet under the sink or near the water meter. - Turn Off Water: Turn the shut-off valve clockwise to stop the flow of water to the faucet and prevent further leakage. 2. Tighten Loose Connections - Inspect Faucet Handles: Check for loose or worn faucet handles that may be causing the leak. - Tighten Connections: Use a wrench to tighten any loose nuts, bolts, or connections around the faucet handles and spout. 3. Replace Damaged Parts - Identify Faulty Components: Inspect the faucet for damaged or worn-out parts such as washers, O-rings, or cartridges. - Replace Washer or O-ring: If the leak is coming from the faucet spout, replace the washer or O-ring inside the faucet assembly. 4. Use Temporary Sealants - Apply Waterproof Tape: Wrap waterproof tape around the base of the faucet spout or any visible cracks to create a temporary seal and stop the leak. - Use Plumbing Putty: Apply plumbing putty around the base of the faucet or on the threads of the connections to seal small gaps and prevent water leakage.

FAQs

- Can I use duct tape to fix a leaking faucet? While duct tape may provide a temporary solution for stopping a leak, it's not recommended for long-term repairs and may not withstand the water pressure. Using waterproof tape specifically designed for plumbing repairs is a better option. - Is it safe to leave a leaking faucet overnight? Leaving a leaking faucet unattended can lead to water wastage and potential water damage to your home. It's best to address the leak promptly, even in emergency situations, to prevent further complications. - What should I do if the faucet continues to leak after tightening connections? If tightening connections doesn't stop the leak, it's possible that the faucet may have more severe underlying issues that require professional attention. Contact a plumber to diagnose and repair the problem properly. - Can I use household items to repair a leaking faucet in an emergency? Yes, household items such as waterproof tape, plumbing putty, or a wrench can be used for temporary repairs to stop a leaking faucet in an emergency situation. However, permanent repairs may still be necessary to prevent future leaks. - How do I know if I need to replace the faucet instead of repairing it? If the faucet is old, corroded, or has multiple leaks despite repair attempts, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a new faucet. Consult a plumber for advice on whether repair or replacement is the best option.

Conclusion

While a leaking faucet can be a cause for concern, implementing quick fixes in an emergency can help stop the leak temporarily and prevent further water damage. By following the emergency faucet repair methods outlined in this guide and consulting the accompanying FAQs, you can address plumbing emergencies effectively and maintain the integrity of your plumbing system. Learn More from Plumbnerd Read the full article

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srisakthitex · 4 months

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Unlocking the Essence of Erode Textile Heritage: A Dive into Srisakthi Textiles

Introduction: Welcome to Srisakthi Textiles, where tradition meets innovation in the heart of Erode’s textile industry. In this blog, we embark on a journey to unravel the rich tapestry of Erode’s textile heritage, exploring the legacy, craftsmanship, and innovation synonymous with Srisakthi Textiles.

Exploring Erode’s Textile Legacy: Erode, fondly known as the “Turmeric City” and the “Loom City of India,” boasts a centuries-old tradition of textile excellence. Nestled in this vibrant tapestry of culture and craftsmanship is Srisakthi Textiles, a beacon of quality and innovation in the textile landscape.

ABOUT Sri Shakthi Tex

Sri Shakthi Tex was started in 1994 and now, after almost many decades we have emerged as one of the Superior Manufacturer and supplier of various fabrics in India. We are manufacturer and supplier of various 100% cotton and polycotton fabrics such as plain, drill, duck, canvas and stain fabrics, Eco friendly bag materials, white shirting,pyjama and kurti materials, white karate uniform fabrics, bedding linens, bedsheets, white dhotis, cradle cloth and cotton tapes.

Craftsmanship Redefined at Srisakthi Textiles: At Srisakthi Textiles, craftsmanship is not just a tradition; it’s a way of life. Our artisans, with their deft hands and keen eye for detail, breathe life into every thread, weaving tales of heritage and excellence with each masterpiece they create.

Innovation: The Driving Force: While rooted in tradition, Srisakthi Textiles is also at the forefront of innovation. From state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to eco-friendly initiatives, we continuously strive to redefine the boundaries of textile production while staying true to our heritage.

Embracing Sustainability: As stewards of Erode’s textile legacy, we understand the importance of sustainable practices. From sourcing raw materials responsibly to minimizing our environmental footprint, sustainability is ingrained in every aspect of our operations at Srisakthi Textiles.

Erode textile heritage

Srisakthi Textiles

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Conclusion: Join us at Srisakthi Textiles as we celebrate the timeless allure of Erode’s textile heritage. Whether you’re a connoisseur of craftsmanship or a seeker of sustainable fashion, our journey promises to inspire, delight, and ignite a newfound appreciation for the artistry that defines us. Come, explore the essence of Erode’s textile heritage with Srisakthi Textiles

#handloommagic #srishakthitex #sri shakthi tex

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therugfurnish · 5 months

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DIY Rug Makeovers: Easy Ways to Revamp Your Floors

Rugs are more than just floor coverings; they are an essential element of home decor, adding warmth, texture, and personality to a space. If your rugs are starting to look a bit tired or you simply crave a change, a DIY rug makeover can breathe new life into your floors without breaking the bank. In this article, we'll explore creative and easy ways to revamp your rugs and transform your living spaces.

Painted Rug Designs One of the simplest yet impactful ways to give your rug a makeover is by adding a touch of paint. Create geometric patterns, stripes, or intricate designs using fabric paint or even regular latex paint for a more textured look. Use painter's tape to create clean lines and let your creativity flow. This DIY project allows you to customize your rug to match your decor style and color scheme.

Dyeing for a Change If you have a plain or faded rug, consider dyeing it for a dramatic transformation. RIT dye, a popular fabric dye, is an excellent choice for this project. Choose a color that complements your existing decor or go bold with a vibrant hue. Follow the dyeing instructions carefully, and soon you'll have a rug that looks brand new and adds a burst of color to your room.

Add a Border Enhance the visual appeal of your rug by adding a border. Use fabric, ribbon, or even paint to create a border that frames the edges. This simple addition can elevate the overall look of your rug and tie it in seamlessly with the rest of your decor. Experiment with different colors and patterns to find the perfect border for your space.

Tassel Trim Give your rug furnish a bohemian or eclectic flair by adding tassel trim. You can purchase pre-made tassels or make your own using yarn or embroidery thread. Attach the tassels along the edges of the rug to create a playful and stylish border. This DIY rug makeover adds texture and movement to your floor covering, making it a unique focal point in any room.

Stencil Magic Stencils provide a quick and easy way to transform the look of your rug. Choose a stencil pattern that complements your decor style and use acrylic paint to apply the design. Stenciling works well on both plain and patterned rugs, allowing you to experiment with various looks. Whether you opt for a Moroccan tile pattern or a floral motif, stenciling offers endless possibilities for customization.

Patchwork Perfection If your rug has seen better days and has a few worn-out spots, consider turning it into a patchwork masterpiece. Cut the rug into squares or rectangles and rearrange the pieces to create a new pattern. Sew or glue the patches together, and you'll have a one-of-a-kind patchwork rug that breathes new life into the old.

Bleach Art For a chic and modern rug makeover, try bleach art. Use a stencil or freehand a design on a solid-colored rug using bleach. The bleach will lighten the rug fibers, creating a stunning contrast between the pattern and the base color. This technique works particularly well on darker rugs and adds a trendy, custom touch to your floor decor.

Rug Layering If you have multiple rugs or carpets that you love, experiment with layering. Place smaller rugs on top of larger ones to create visual interest and depth. Mix patterns, textures, and colors to achieve a boho-chic or eclectic look. Rug layering is not only a great way to revamp your floors but also provides extra warmth and comfort underfoot.

Conclusion DIY rug makeovers offer a budget-friendly and creative way to revitalize your living spaces. Buy Handmade Rugs & Carpets Online in India Whether you choose to paint, dye, add trims, or experiment with different techniques, the key is to let your imagination guide you. Transforming your rugs can breathe new life into your home, making it a reflection of your personal style and creativity. With these easy and inventive rug makeover ideas, you can turn a simple floor covering into a statement piece that enhances the overall aesthetic of your living space. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, unleash your artistic side, and embark on a rug makeover journey that will leave your floors looking refreshed and rejuvenated.

#buy handmade rugs & carpets online in india #rug furnish

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niebuhrjacobs70 · 5 months

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How To Unclog A Shower Head - Pay Attentions To these 10 Indicators

However, your specific head is most likely not that easy, which is why you are reading this article” How To Remove a Stuck Shower Head”. This is why knowing things like how to remove a shower head without a wrench can come in very handy. There are a few options of “tools” you can use to remove a shower head other than a wrench. Look for any clues that must tell you if there is rust or calcium buildup around the connection that could make your simple task a bit more strenuous. If you’re lucky, removing the showerhead will be as simple as unscrewing it from the pipe. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to replace a showerhead. Most heads aren’t screwed into place, but if yours is, remove the screws first.- If it’s tough to remove because it’s old and corroded into place, you might need to use a wrench. Maybe it’s time to replace that water-hogging showerhead with a new model.

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If the showerhead doesn’t allow for easy cleaning and scale removal, you may find you go through showerheads very quickly and that an all-metal would actually be cheaper in the long-run. The maximum allowed flow rate of showerheads is 2.5 gallons per minute set by federal regulations. Swapping showerheads to replace them or perform maintenance is common and usually requires a wrench. Preparation is key when working without a wrench in order to get the shower head to a point where it is easier to remove. If there is enough room you could even use a wooden broom handle (if the shower head is stuck, it may fold an aluminum handle). If there is, be sure to clean the pipe with a good cleaner to avoid further damage. You must clean the flow restrictor before reassembly. The whole purpose of a flow restrictor is to limit the amount of water that comes out of the showerhead at one time. 6. Turn on the hot and cold faucets and notice if the showerhead is leaking. Turn off the water supply to your shower.

Masterbating With A Shower Head

These are the normal shower heads you will see in the majority of homes and apartments. In the majority of cases the pipe that provides water to the shower head nozzle comes out of the shower wall, so most methods of removing the shower head follow the same procedure. There is a short pipe that comes out of the shower wall with a head attached to it that creates the spray pattern of the water. Since the wrench is a basic tool that is based on the physics of pressure and rotation, there are other ways of performing the same action with normal household objects. However, they can increase the flow rate of the water as they can increase the pressure. Performance also has to do with its ability of letting you control water pressure. To break up the hard water deposits, soak the shower head overnight in white vinegar to soften the mineral deposits, and then scrub away any remaining residue with an old toothbrush or soft-bristle brush. Be sure to cover the jaws of the wrench with masking tape or place a soft cloth around the neck of the showerhead to prevent scuffs and scratches.Note: Even if you’re planning to throw the old showerhead away, you never know.

With this shortlist of tools put together, here are some steps you need to take to prepare your shower for your new showerhead. Follow along as we explore the 7 simple steps to remove a showerhead without a wrench. 5. Attach the new showerhead by screwing it clockwise into the taped, threaded pipe. 3. Disengage the belt from the buckle while tightening the loop around the pipe connector. While the color changing lights do not react based on the water temperature, they do change every few seconds, turning your shower into what looks like a party. kawaii clothes online boasts seven different colors that gradually change into each other. Depending on the water hardness in your area and the age of your shower head, you will probably need to clean the threads of the water pipe, and the head if you are planning on re-attaching it. In that case, you can go for a rain shower head.

#kawaii clothes #kawaii clothes shop.Kawaii

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moroccanpouf · 5 months

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Creating Comfort: The Art of Making Your Own Moroccan Pouf

Origins of the Moroccan Pouf: Tracing the history and cultural significance of the Moroccan pouf

Moroccan poufs have a rich history that dates back centuries. Originating from the country of Morocco, these unique and versatile pieces of furniture have become a staple in homes around the world. The cultural significance of the Moroccan pouf lies in its connection to traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and design. The art of creating poufs has been passed down through generations, reflecting the skills and expertise of Moroccan artisans. These artisans employ techniques that have been refined over time, resulting in beautifully handcrafted poufs that showcase intricate designs and patterns. The materials used in the construction of these poufs also play a role in their cultural significance, with many incorporating natural and sustainable elements such as leather, wool, and cotton. By tracing the origins of the Moroccan ottoman pouf, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its cultural heritage and the skilled craftsmanship behind its creation.

Choosing the Right Materials: Exploring the different fabric and filling options for your homemade Moroccan pouf

Fabric and filling are two essential components to consider when making your own Moroccan pouf. The fabric you choose will determine the overall look and feel of your pouf, so it's important to select a material that not only matches your personal style but is also durable and easy to clean. Popular options for Moroccan poufs include leather, suede, and cotton. Leather and suede can provide a luxurious and authentic touch to your pouf, while cotton offers a more casual and versatile option. In addition to the fabric, the filling you choose will greatly impact the comfort and shape of your pouf. Traditional Moroccan poufs are filled with a combination of foam and fiberfill, which provides a soft yet supportive texture. However, you can also opt for other materials such as bean bag fillers or recycled materials like old clothes or scraps of fabric. Consider the level of firmness and pliability you desire when choosing your filling material, as this will ultimately influence the overall comfort of your homemade Moroccan pouf.

Essential Tools and Supplies: A comprehensive list of everything you'll need to create your own Moroccan pouf

Creating your own Moroccan pouf is an exciting project that allows you to customize the design and materials to suit your style. To make the process smooth and efficient, it's important to have all the necessary tools and supplies on hand. Here is a comprehensive list to ensure you have everything you need to bring your homemade pouf to life. First and foremost, you'll need a sturdy sewing machine to handle the thick fabric typically used for poufs. Make sure it's in good working condition and equipped with a heavy-duty needle. Additionally, a pair of fabric scissors will come in handy for cutting both the outer fabric and the inner lining. You'll also need a measuring tape for precise measurements and a fabric marker to indicate cutting lines. To secure the seams, a strong, high-quality thread that matches your fabric is essential. Finally, don't forget about the stuffing! Opt for a durable and comfortable filling material such as foam, polyester fiberfill, or even recycled fabric scraps.

Step-by-Step Instructions: A detailed guide on how to construct your Moroccan pouf, from cutting the fabric to stitching it together

To start constructing your Moroccan leather pouf, begin by cutting the fabric into the required shapes and sizes. The standard shape is a cylinder, so cut two circular pieces for the top and bottom and a long rectangular piece for the sides. Ensure that the dimensions accommodate your desired pouf size. Next, it is time to stitch the fabric together. Take the rectangular piece and sew the short ends together, forming a loop. Then, pin one circular piece to the loop, aligning the edges. Use a sewing machine or hand stitch the pieces together, removing the pins as you go. Repeat the process with the other circular piece, leaving a small opening for filling. Once the fabric is securely stitched, turn the pouf right side out through the opening. Now, it is ready for filling and adding your personal touch.

Adding Decorative Embellishments: Ideas and techniques for adding embroidery, tassels, or other decorative elements to personalize your pouf

When it comes to adding decorative embellishments to your Moroccan pouf, the options are endless. One popular technique is embroidery, which allows you to create intricate patterns or designs on the fabric. Whether you choose to use vibrant colors or stick to a more minimalistic approach, embroidery can add a touch of elegance and uniqueness to your pouf. Another way to personalize your pouf is by adding tassels. These decorative elements can be attached to the edges of the pouf or used as playful accents throughout the fabric. Tassels not only add a tactile element to your pouf but also give it a bohemian and festive vibe.

Styling and Placement: Tips on how to incorporate your handmade Moroccan pouf into your home decor

When it comes to styling and placing your handmade Moroccan pouf in your home decor, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. First, consider the overall color scheme and aesthetic of the room where you plan to incorporate the pouf. Choosing a pouf with complementary colors or patterns can help create a cohesive look. Additionally, consider the size of the pouf in relation to the space available. If you have a smaller room, opt for a smaller pouf that won't overpower the area. In terms of placement, the Moroccan pouf can be quite versatile. One popular option is to place it in front of a sofa or armchair as a footrest. This not only adds comfort but also serves as a stylish accent piece. Alternatively, you can position the pouf next to a coffee table or side table to create additional seating when needed. Don't be afraid to experiment with different arrangements until you find the one that best suits your space and personal taste.

Care and Maintenance: Guidance on how to keep your pouf clean and in good condition

Keeping your Moroccan pouf clean and well-maintained is essential to ensure its longevity and preserve its aesthetic appeal. Regular care and maintenance will not only extend the life of your pouf but also keep it looking fresh and inviting. One of the most important steps in caring for your pouf is regular spot-cleaning. Accidents happen, and spills or stains may occur. To tackle these mishaps, gently blot the affected area with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any excess liquid or debris. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing, as this can spread the stain or damage the fabric. Instead, apply a small amount of mild detergent diluted with water on the stain, and gently dab with a cloth until the stain is lifted. Finish by blotting the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Allow the pouf to air dry fully before using it again. Additionally, it's important to regularly fluff and rotate your pouf to maintain its shape and even wear. Give it a gentle shake or pat to distribute the filling evenly, preventing it from becoming lumpy or sagging in certain areas. Rotating your pouf every few months will also ensure that it wears evenly and avoids excessive strain on one side. If your pouf has a removable cover, take advantage of this feature and wash it according to the fabric's instructions. This will help keep it looking fresh and clean.

Alternative Uses for Moroccan Poufs: Creative ideas for using your pouf beyond just seating, such as a footrest or a side table

One creative way to use a Moroccan pouf is as a footrest. Whether you're relaxing in your living room or sitting at your desk, placing a pouf at the base of your feet can provide a comfortable and supportive surface for resting. The soft and cushiony texture of the pouf makes it a perfect accessory to elevate your feet and promote relaxation. It can be especially beneficial for those who spend long hours on their feet or suffer from foot-related discomfort. By incorporating a Moroccan pouf as a footrest, you can enhance your comfort and create a cozy atmosphere in your home. Another alternative use for a Moroccan pouf is as a side table. The sturdy and flat surface of the pouf makes it ideal for holding small items such as books, beverages, or decorative accents. By placing a tray on top of the pouf, you can create a stable platform for organizing and displaying your belongings. This versatile approach not only adds functionality to your pouf but also allows you to maximize the utility of your space. Whether used as a bedside table, a makeshift coffee table, or a convenient surface by your favorite reading nook, incorporating a Moroccan pouf as a side table is a practical and stylish choice.

Repurposing Old Materials: Environmentally-friendly suggestions for upcycling old fabric or repurposing existing furniture to create a unique pouf

If you're looking to give new life to old materials while also reducing waste, repurposing old fabric or existing furniture is a great way to create a unique and environmentally-friendly Moroccan pouf. One option is to upcycle old fabric by transforming it into a cozy cushion for your pouf. Old blankets, curtains, or even clothing can be repurposed for this purpose. Simply cut the fabric into square or rectangular shapes, stitch them together, and stuff them with filling to create a comfortable and stylish pouf. Another option is to repurpose existing furniture that may no longer serve its original purpose. For example, an old coffee table with removable legs can be transformed by adding a cushion top and turning it into a versatile pouf. This not only saves resources but also adds a touch of creativity and uniqueness to your space. By repurposing old materials or furniture, you can create a one-of-a-kind Moroccan pouf that reflects your personal style and commitment to sustainability. • Upcycle old fabric by transforming it into a cozy cushion for your pouf • Cut the fabric into square or rectangular shapes and stitch them together • Stuff the fabric with filling to create a comfortable and stylish pouf • Use old blankets, curtains, or even clothing as repurposed fabric options • Repurpose existing furniture that may no longer serve its original purpose • Transform an old coffee table with removable legs into a versatile pouf • Add a cushion top to the coffee table to create a unique piece of furniture • Save resources by repurposing old furniture instead of buying new items By repurposing old materials or furniture, you can not only give new life to these items but also reduce waste and contribute to sustainability. Creating a one-of-a-kind Moroccan pouf using environmentally-friendly methods allows you to showcase your personal style while making conscious choices for the environment.

Showcasing Your DIY Skills: Inspiring examples of how others have customized and showcased their homemade

When it comes to showcasing your DIY skills, there are countless inspiring examples of how others have customized and showcased their homemade Moroccan pouf. From unique fabric choices to intricate embroidery designs, these DIY enthusiasts have taken their creativity to the next level. By incorporating bold patterns and vibrant colors, some have created poufs that truly stand out as statement pieces in their homes. Others have opted for a more subtle approach, using neutral tones and minimalist embellishments to create a chic and sophisticated look. Whether you prefer a bohemian vibe or a sleek and modern aesthetic, there are endless possibilities for customizing and showcasing your homemade Moroccan pouf. In addition to the fabric and design choices, the styling and placement of the pouf can greatly enhance its visual impact. Some DIYers have used their poufs as unique side tables or ottomans, adding functionality to their space while still incorporating a touch of Moroccan flair. Others have created cozy seating areas by grouping multiple poufs together, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. By placing their poufs in prominent areas of their homes, such as the living room or bedroom, these crafty individuals have successfully showcased their DIY skills and added a touch of personality to their spaces.

What is a Moroccan pouf?

A Moroccan pouf is a type of low seating that originated in Morocco. It is typically round or square in shape and is filled with a soft material, such as foam or stuffing, to provide comfort.

What are the different fabric options for making a Moroccan pouf?

When making a Moroccan pouf, you can choose from a variety of fabrics such as leather, velvet, linen, or cotton. It is important to select a durable fabric that can withstand daily use.

What materials are needed to create a Moroccan pouf?

To create a Moroccan pouf, you will need fabric, filling material (such as foam or stuffing), a sewing machine, thread, scissors, a needle, and a zipper or buttons for closure.

Can you provide step-by-step instructions for making a Moroccan pouf?

Yes, our article includes a detailed guide with step-by-step instructions on how to construct your own Moroccan pouf. It covers everything from cutting the fabric to stitching it together.

How can I personalize my Moroccan pouf?

You can personalize your Moroccan pouf by adding decorative embellishments such as embroidery, tassels, or other decorative elements. Our article provides ideas and techniques for adding these embellishments.

How can I incorporate my handmade Moroccan pouf into my home decor?

Our article provides tips on how to style and place your handmade Moroccan pouf in your home decor. It suggests different ways to incorporate it into your existing furniture arrangement.

How should I care for and maintain my Moroccan pouf?

To keep your Moroccan pouf clean and in good condition, it is important to regularly vacuum or spot clean it. Our article provides guidance on how to properly care for and maintain your pouf.

Can a Moroccan pouf be used for purposes other than seating?

Yes, Moroccan poufs can be used for various purposes beyond just seating. They can serve as footrests, side tables, or even as decorative accents in a room.

Can I use old materials to make a Moroccan pouf?

Absolutely! Our article suggests environmentally-friendly options for repurposing old fabric or existing furniture to create a unique Moroccan pouf. It provides tips on upcycling and repurposing materials.

Are there any inspiring examples of customized homemade Moroccan poufs?

Yes, our article showcases inspiring examples of how others have customized and showcased their homemade Moroccan poufs. It provides visual examples and discusses the unique features of each pouf.

#moroccan pouf

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