#I don't think I've ever had this option WHAT

[hometoursandotherstuff]

I have never seen anything like this remodeled 1930 home in Rochester, MN. It has 3bds, 3ba, and is completely tiled inside and out. The exterior is basically bathroom tile. Asking $849K. Well, at least you don't have to ever paint, just spray it down with shower cleaner.

You'd think that it would at least be something other than the usual white, gray, and black. And, you don't even have the option of painting. Ever.

Tile stairs go up into the living room.

I don't really like the small subway-type tiles on the walls in here. Even the fireplace is tile. The bookshelves & ceilings, however, are wood.

I've never seen a combination fireplace/kitchen counter.

The lower cabinets are nice.

The backsplash is a herringbone pattern.

The primary bedroom has a fireplace wall. As if it doesn't have enough shine, they had to put mirrored doors on the closets.

The en-suite bath has that nice shower door that looks like paned glass.

What is this nonsense? No tiled walls? This is actually very nice. It can be repainted in a very attractive color scheme.

Bath #2 has large pieces of tile joined by metal strips around the tub, plus a wood-tone ceiling. There are 4 different tiles in here.

Bedroom #3 has the small tiles on the walls.

Well, that's different - twin fireplaces.

The finished basement is set up as someone's bedroom, office, and gym. I like the glass wall partition.

There's also a shower down here.

And, a sauna.

There's an outdoor kitchen with storage.

The kitchen is, of course, tile.

The lot is .25 acre.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/902-14th-Ave-SW-Rochester-MN-55902/91456791_zpid/?

#tile house #unusual homes #houses #house tours #home tour

[maychorian]

Dungeon Meshi has fully consumed me, especially a certain tiny union man, and I want to ramble about Chilchuck's traumatic backstory for a bit. Mild manga spoilers under the cut.

The first time I read the manga I missed this bit, since I was reading an online version that didn't have all the extras included. Since I've come across this litte omake, though, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It just explains so much about why Chilchuck is the way he is.

First, at a surface level, it's interesting that this backstory only comes out in the framework of talking about a monster. Chilchuck is offering basically an anecdote about succubi, adding to the conversation he and his party are having about a monster species. It's all very casual and offhand. No one even remarks on what that experience would have meant to Chilchuck on a personal level, and he doesn't dwell on it, either. You have to wonder if Chilchuck would have ever mentioned it at all if they weren't specifically talking about succubi.

But holy heck, just think about this for a moment. On one of Chilchuck's first outings as an adventurer, possibly the first time he joined a party, his fellow adventurers were planning to feed him to a monster. He's only alive now because he had the instinct that something was wrong and had the speed, wisdom, and stealth to run away. He could have died. He could have been murdered. And it's implied that this happens to half-foots frequently in this world.

How traumatizing would that have been for a young adventurer? The people he should have been able to trust to have his back were literally planning his death, all for monetary gain. He was treated as disposable, a resource to be exploited, not a person. Not only is there the trauma of narrowly escaping death here, there's also the trauma of being mistreated and abused by other thinking, intelligent beings.

No freaking wonder he has trust issues. He's been working with Laios and his party for three years at this point and he's never shared a single solitary personal detail about his life, not even his age. He can't bear to allow any vulnerability to show, because he can't allow himself to be taken advantage of again. No wonder he's so prickly and wary. No wonder he's so sensitive to being viewed as anything other than a capable, skilled, fully realized and autonomous adult. No wonder he shies away from affection and any hint of closeness, especially in the early chapters of the manga.

I'm amazed that Chilchuck had the strength and fortitude to stay in the business at all. He considered his options and took steps to keep himself safe, including only accepting pay in advance and starting a union to protect himself and other half-foots. (Another tidbit you don't get at first in the story--Chilchuck is not just a member of a union or the leader, he started the whole dang thing to begin with.)

But what's so lovely, and wonderful, what makes this story take over my brain so completely and utterly, is that Chilchuck doesn't stay this way. Over the course of the manga, he opens up more and more. He allows himself to be emotionally vulnerable; he shares more and more details of his life. He treats Marcille and Izutsumi like daughters, Laios and Senshi like brothers. He loves them and allows himself to be loved in return.

And that's one of many reasons that Dungeon Meshi is one of the best found-family stories I've come across in a long, long time.

#dungeon meshi #chilchuck tims #meta #my stuff

[yuurivoice]

Not to tell you how to do your job or anything, and I don't think it's the audience's place to give suggestions when this is YOUR profession, it's just a small idea that occured to me.

But maybe in the upcoming Auron audio you could add a little note on the screen saying that new Auron content is coming soon, and then like do the same with future compilation videos, since they tend to do so well!! Like to let people know that if they like the characters, this is not where the story ends at all and they should stick around. I say this mainly cause I remember you once talked about how the major numbers on the Finn compilation didn't translate to a major increase in subscribers. Really hope this didn't come off as rude, I just think maybe if people think the compilations are the ENTIRE story it might not occur to them to subscribe!

It also might yield no results at all, idk. I just remember I didn't subscribe until multipleeee videos had been recommended to me over MONTHS, mainly because I had no idea that there was a story to be followed.

I've written like three different responses to this but as I yap on I get new conclusions and ideas. This is v3 of my answer lmfao.

Preface: People don't pay attention to shit and unless you are clever or use a hammer, they do not care. They want the content. ESPECIALLY if they aren't familiar with you. This makes any deliberate Calls to Action run the risk of annoyance rather than making a meaningful impact on conversions.

Bonus note: If a video is scheduled to premiere, there's nothing I can add to it at this point without doing a whole reupload, giving Thoo a bunch of extra work, and all that shit. So that wasn't ever an option anyway.

My approach in this current iteration of how I do things is that rather than slob on somebody's knob begging for a sub, they're encouraged to either watch more videos or go to the homepage. My working hypothesis is that you're actually MORE likely to get a curious viewer to drop by your homepage before they subscribe, because they want to see what else is available.

The most recent changes I made to the channel homepage should make it abundantly clear that there are multiple stories, characters, and styles of content to jump into. Making sure that the homepage is great has probably made a massive difference in that regard, without impacting the videos themselves.

Playlists are horribly underutilized in this niche in particular, and on lots of YouTube channels really. So I made sure to try and nail that down. Still need to get the channel trailer locked in but tbh I don't know how effective those really are in 2024.

All of that being said, a ~15 second welcome intro at the start that explains what the compilation is and invites viewers to sub/explore the playlists would probably be the easiest way to accomplish that without intruding on the listening/viewing experience in a way that feels desperate or pander-y. That in conjunction with the end screen prompt would probably be the easiest way to do it.

I don't feel like that immediately turns massive hit videos into untapped wells of subscribers that I missed out on, it could help contextualize things a little more and who knows, maybe it WOULD be a big deal. Hard to say!

The context for me not immediately being like OH IT'S A SLAM DUNK HOW DID I NOT THINK OF THIS is because I run a very lucrative business converting viewers to patrons and I have very minimal in-video notes about hearing the spicy bits on Patreon. People often figure things out for themselves if they're motivated enough, and you run the risk of chasing them off if you come across like a desperate ass hoe. lmfao

I appreciate the ask, but also can assure you that I've spent several hours mulling over these very specific issues and I've considered just about every angle. If I had included every little detail and wrinkle of information I was cooking up in the various iterations of this answer it would be a mile long. So trust me. I've thought about it in great detail, have worked with people on it, workshopped things and much more!

Y'all got me yappin' up a storm on here lately. lmfao

[findusinaweek]

watching playthrough of Amphipolis and Brasidas’ death for.... research....reasons....and whoever played this had Alexios and Brasidas at odds with each other. Arguing about loyalty before the battle. I cannot see this as them not just fighting about loyalty to Sparta, but some slight between each other. I want to shove them in a room and give them the time to talk things out.

#When Alexios asks to prove his loyalty he has this look of desperation #and my smut brain engaged. Like no Adrian this is not the time. This is a TRAGEDY. Alexios can't just fix this by [REDACTED] #I thought we were friends? Yeah uh they are more than friends. #ONE OF THE OPTIONS IS TO SAY I AM LOYAL TO YOU instead of I am loyal to Sparta. #I don't think I've ever had this option WHAT #I AM HEARTBROKEN. MY STOMACH PHYSICALLY HURTS. I MIGHT PUKE. #also wearing the ares armor? I see we are pregaming for the post-death rage that overtakes Alexios #I always have Alexios put on that armor and just cut across Greece. #then I get sad and think this is not what Brasidas would have wanted so I restart the game. Again. #I can only finish the game as Kassandra. I become far too hopeless with Alexios. There is too much grief. #a bad day for athens a glorious day for sparta? BOY ARE YOU WRONG #its a bad day my friend #you want war? no deimos I want you to go to therapy. #I take everything so personally? Yeah I'll show you personally. #deimos my beloved #Shut the everliving fuck up #I wish they made it a possibility to choose whether to chase Kleon or to return to Brasidas side. #I wish they had made a choice where you kidnap Brasidas and he kicks and screams but lives. #you can hate me all you want my love but you will not die today #Sparta does not deserve your loyalty #ok sorry but I just had a lot of feelings for the 10000th time

[wildermouse]

vent iii.

#yeah i could just make a 'read more' post but tags are better for me #more hiding #anyway #i have this problem where my sister is probably moving out next year but she can't rly do that without me bc her dog has issues #and i would have to take him out and feed all the animals while she's at work during the day bc nobody else can #but even with that being taken into account she would still charge me over double what i'm paying now for rent and i cannot afford that #and she says i'd have to get a job too but excuse me how am i supposed to work when i also have to be home to look after your animals?? #barn job would be nice bc short hours but it also wouldn't be enough to pay what she'd charge me #so i'm screwed there #anyway i WISH i could make enough money to live on my own but i CAN'T #ik i probably sound very lazy and spoiled and i get that i am definitely priviliged to get to live at home for cheap rent #but it also fucks with my mental health so bad living here. and i want to live on my own but it's just not an option rn #i have dreams and they're such basic sad dreams that i still don't think i'll ever accomplish #like i want to live in my own small travel trailer. that's all. my own space. or a tiny falling apart cabin that i can fix up #that's all i want and it seems impossible for me #i'm not built to live in this world. my body and mind cannot take it. i have tried. i've tried so hard #honestly if i had to work full time again i don't think i'd actually be able to stay alive to benefit from it. it would burn me out too bad #there's no win for me #i'm still trying to figure something out but i'm honestly not hopefull at all

[unproduciblesmackdown]

that moment when: everyone's lives are restricted and constricted and these imposed consequences are attributed to anyone's continual individual failures to seek, find, and follow the Correct Path through Life, and so everyone is left on their own to only be seeking & finding these failures as well as the only answer to how their lives can be better....versus Not seeing the world as the free marketplace meritocracy of everyone's personal failures/successes, nor everything in your own life, and thus not forever having to scrutinize Where You Must Be Bringing It Upon Yourself by fucking up or at least failing to do the correct thing, and exist only in perpetual punishment for your ongoing failure and occasional temporary reprieves from it. recognizing everything that wasn't & isn't & wouldn't be [this is because you're bringing it upon yourself] and thus having more capacity & capability to look at the realm of your personal individual self, reality, experiences, life through the perpetual instances of seeking, finding, and following your own needs/wants through one's inherent personhood and exercises of autonomy and recognition of where & when & how one recognizes moments of their existing freely & in more resonant genuine alignment with themself, you know? endless examples to be found in endless fractals of [where & how are people's lives made smaller]. and that of course this doesn't preclude the ability/option at any time to question one's choices, since you'll be able to find more Actual choices available to you (and, also crucially, find more actual choices made by others that are in the pursuit of limiting Yours) to look at, and people getting to exercise their autonomy isn't the same as "everyone doing anything they want regardless of how it affects others" since that [how does it affect others?] element instead being Regarded would be able to lead to recognizing that, in fact, an effect might be the infringement on others' autonomy, hence: There's A Problem....like the ability to just go ham with [questioning???] anything in existence, certainly including oneself, b/c the "norm" is such that rather you're only supposed to be able to question yourself for your failings (or those positioned as less than, thus, beneath you) and not even have the language to express a questioning of aspects of life beyond that b/c stop calling anyone "cis" they're just Normal, Just Be Normal and it would all be fine

#brought to you by: i think one of my feelings lately of A Shift is in my less than ever running this like continuous background function of #looking for Thee Answer (just like the black suits) in any & everything that could serve as the Key to like. whatever could fit into place #to like set things on a [hell yeah. life? better] path. juxtaposing this recent sense of things with the [lol. in retrospect i Do see a new #context wherein i can Recognize smthing abt myself] past going on of like. granpa greentext story be me be fifteen i'm in college b/c i hat #school i also mostly assumed i'd probably fail out freshman yr but didn't. i've never known what i'd wanna major in & as a sophomore i'm de #supposed to figure it out in time for scheduling my jr yr classes (though Ideally have known from the start / been scheduling thusly) & so #many evenings during dinner i'm furiously perusing the daily print news as i've been doing for some yrs to Keep Up W/Current Events but now #also consciously like ''boy i hope in the course of doing this i stumble across some info that sparks some eureka moment of Getting what my #major should Obviously be so i can understand the rest of my life around [do job] b/c i sure as hell don't understand it around [be married #much less [be parent] so one option remains obvi'' whereas now i realize like lol you Were figuring out a guiding light in doing so & that #perspective being honed was one of Having A Political Analysis times....which also provides another Example of [only being able to interpre #what makes your life & your world the way it is: via Your Personal Failures to have already Had Better] in that just like i often forget i #misguidedly (but also reasonably; clearly also using & seeking that autonomy & freedom) tried to have a better existence within the #situation i was in by Coming Out As Trans to parents via an email that was then not directly discussed ever; b/c any legitimate discussion #was not permissible like how so many matters of [supposed correct existence] are Unspeakable so as to be Unquestionable #languaging that succeeds & sustains itself having to be expansive / flexible / creative / evolving too. Making Up Words hell yes #anyways so i also forget i Did try to propose majoring in things that Did more approach what i was suspecting were things i'd wanna do #but even the first like expression of anything on the periphery of that was met with ''no you'd hate it b/c you'd have to deal w/Stupid Ppl #every day'' (by which was meant; with believed inherent synonymity: poor people) & then i also will oft forget i pushed for it any further #which i Know i did b/c of it next being met with angry & aggressive ''i've never heard you talk abt that interest before So'' #(wonder why? withholding info to protect yourself=finding room in one's life for existing more freely; exercising the autonomy to Do That) #but it's easy to forget b/c The All Encompassing Perspective was rather [i'm sure Failing to just Know my major for the sole possibility fo #defining one's entire life: The Correct Dream Job] & then Failing to push it or just express it & be understood ''correctly'' even if i Did #have any ideas in that realm. vs seeing how i Was succeeding & was recognizing shit & pursuing it & looking out for myself & etccc #it's undeniable lol like the framing even that Blaming Oneself is an autonomy seeking response. b/c your autonomous power in your own life #sure Would be more immediate if Everything Really Was Your Fault (when ofc really this is abt obscuring & denying the responsibility of ppl #who have the power over others' lives & then have to act like this is all the fault of the Others; they themselves have never Truly Chosen) #no victim blaming no condemnation of anyone's ''passivity'' here babey #re: the undeniability it's how like. maybe you've only Just realized you're not cis but in doing so it's like ''oh That's what i already #recognizing in various ways throughout my whole life'' it's all always Been there/going on & perspex shifts + new lenses can reveal them

[woofety]

Aaaaaaand once again I am neglecting this place, it's not a big thing if not for the fact that I need to catch up with some messages that are dated months ago st this point, for that I feel awful 😣 I'm really sorry, the year didn't start in the best of ways (it would have been enough to be goodish, but not even that), problems keep accumulating and my mental health has been... that's just bad, like it hadn't been for quite some time, I mean I had worse times but I feel it has reached quite a low peak recently, and I'm not sure given the circumstances how soon it will be able to improve a bit...

#I wonder #I don't even know why I'm writing but I don't really have no one to talk to rn #and it's taking quite a toll on me #my friends (well more like one atm) have their lives and tbh I don't think they will ever understand me #my parents... well they're one of the reasons of me being a mess rn #today it's Father's day and I may have exchanged 10 words with my father in the last week #because I called him out for using an inappropriate tone with me during a discussion #almost yelling at me to speak up when I was trying to figure out what to say #after I had received news about yet another problem we have to face #not something I did btw - and apparently he cmgot offended because I accused him of having an authoritarian tone #which is not really new and I remarked it to him other times even if more gently #but he took an issue with that and apparently I'm the one who has to apologize for speaking out of term #for having said just that? I might as well have insulted him #and my mother sided with him - once more I'm being reminded that I'm alone for now and if I want support #I can only count on myself because nobody in my life is going to give it to me #I'm alone and until I hopefully find at least better friends I have to take care of myself on my own #I'll get used to it like I've been trying ro do in the past years but it's taking such a toll on me lately #among the stupid things I've been considering with all these situations piling #I might have just to pay someone to speak with me at some point to have some sort of release from all this #family is not an option to talk and true friends are a mirage so there's that #I'm ranting rn and I'm going to delete this eventually because what's the point but whatever

[becausegoodheroesdeservekidneys]

We had one of Steff's comedian friends staying with us on the weekend, lovely lad called Sam from Singapore. He had never been to Wales before, and he requested that we take him to a Welsh restaurant so he could try Welsh food

That's surprisingly difficult, actually. Like a lot of Welsh culture, our culinary traditions have not exactly been applauded over the years, so you don't really see them. But a lucky Google search revealed a brand new one has just opened in SA1 called the Welsh House, so great! Away we went.

Fuck me, they went all in.

It wasn't just the menu (though fuck me, what a menu - one of their 'for the table to share' options was little mini leek and cheddar Welsh cakes with salted butter and they were paralysingly good). It wasn't just that every alcohol was Welsh, even including the wine (surprisingly good btw, called 'Naturiol'.)

The table centerpieces were daffodils. All signs for the toilets were Welsh only. The walls had photos of Wales, modern and historical; the windows had the fleur de lis; the specials board (pork belly in Welsh cider and damson sauce with honey and wild garlic glazed carrots) had dragons on. I realise this is probably normal for country-themed restaurants, but I've never been to one for Wales before.

But the best bit, see, was the music

I clocked, when we walked in, that they were playing If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next by the Manic Street Preachers (you always clock the Manics). Ah, I thought. A Welsh song! In a Welsh restaurant! Ho ho ho.

As they seated us, it became What's New Pussycat. Ah! I thought. Another Welsh song! Fu fu fu.

Then they played Monster by the Automatic and I was like my god are they only playing Welsh music?? That's so cool! What an eclectic mix that's going to be. We should suggest to them they should look into Welsh language music too, really mix it up.

And then they played Anrheoli by Yws Gwynedd and lads, Steff and I lost our shit. We lost our fucking shit. Sam's sitting there, utterly bewildered. The staff are nervously edging away from us. We don't care. It's the first time I have ever heard a Welsh language song played outside of a Welsh language setting. We're so excited.

"They're playing Welsh music!!!" says Steff. "Holy shit!!!"

"Imagine if they played Sebona Fi!" I say, humorously.

"Nah," says Steff. "You can't in a restaurant. There'd be a riot, it's faerie music."

"...what?" says Sam

We explain the cultural phenomenon that is Sebona Fi. The song changes: Primadonna Girl, by Marina and the Diamonds.

"She's Welsh??" says Sam.

"She's from Abergavenny!" we beam.

"I don't know what that means," nods Sam, who is from Singapore.

Next: The Bartender and the Thief, by the Stereophonics. We're in high spirits. The extraordinarily Welsh wine arrives, as does the rarebit on sourdough starter. Sam, a gay man, delightedly orders the faggots and peas.

They play Ben Rhys by Gwilym Bowen Rhys, and we lose our shit again. Sam is now used to this, because comedians are adaptable. "They even have daffodils!" I say, misty eyed. "Is that relevant?" Sam asks, fascinated.

They play Hiraeth, by PLU. Hard to explain that one. Very hard to explain the effect it has when it's played in a restaurant, but Sam looks around the suddenly muted room and whispers "Are we in church?"

"It's about Hiraeth," whispers Steff. "So kind of."

Next: the Masses Against the Classes, by the Manics. Utter tonal whiplash. This playlist is not remotely restaurant appropriate. It's perfect.

"You'd think they'd pick like... a genre," Sam says dreamily. "We just went from church to the barricades."

The faggots arrive. "I forgot it would be a western sized portion," Sam says morosely, of what to me is a normal sized plate of food. He tries one, and brightens.

They play Sebona Fi.

The place erupts.

#I am going back there #going to try the rarebit next time #and the popcorn cockles #WALES! #closed for cleaning on mondays

[swordfright]

this might just be because i'm a bit older than your average mcyt fan, but it makes me kind of sad to see all these younger fans scramble to wipe their mcyt fanworks off the internet the second a content creator is revealed to have done something awful.

don't get it twisted, I'm a big believer in rescinding financial support to ccs you no longer agree with or admire by unsubscribing, deciding not to buy merch, or refusing to give them ad revenue by watching their content. if you don't feel comfortable giving someone money, don't give them your money. material support isn't what i'm talking about here - I'm talking about fanfic, fansongs, fanart. yknow, content that fans create for themselves and each other, stuff that's not for ccs.

in the past year (and especially the past week, obviously) i've seen tons of mcyt fans saying they're planning to delete their art (or that they already have deleted) because they don't want their work to be associated with content creators who behaved badly, and that they want "a fresh start." I've seen fan writers say the same thing about their fics. and like, this is fine, do what you want with your stuff, but i'll be honest...it does make me sad that so many younger fans seemingly have been made to feel such a high degree of responsibility for ccs that they're unable to enjoy fandom (a thing that is FOR US! FOR YOU!) or take any measure of pride in their past fanworks.

again, at the end of the day you should do what you want with your own shit. but what i will say is, if what you want to do with your work is delete it, at least think first about why you're considering the nuclear option. you aren't responsible for a cc's behavior, and that goes for literally anyone who's ever had a hand in making anything you like: books, movies, games, anything. you shouldn't be made to feel ashamed of having created fan content for a piece of media that a shitty person was involved in making. straight up, this kind of shame isn't something i believe should exist in fandom, because it's parasocial in the same way that positive emotions towards media/creators can be parasocial.

and also, as someone who's been involved in fandom for a long time, i can say with confidence that creators will keep disappointing you like this. there are shitty people out there. if you're searching for a piece of media with zero shitty people ever involved in the project, you will not find it. i'm not saying this to normalize shitty behavior on the part of creators, I'm saying this to emphasize that bearing the shame and guilt of every creator to this degree is not sustainable or healthy (and it's not how fandom used to operate, but that's a conversation for another day, perhaps.)

i understand why so many folks are considering deleting their fanworks, and if that's you...think about it before you do it. that's all i'm asking. you don't want to create a habit of divesting yourself of all evidence of having been passionate about art created by someone who sucks, because if you do get into that habit, then your chances of ever truly enjoying a fandom again are, unfortunately, pretty slim.

#mcyt #fandom #also deleting all your stuff is a nightmare for archivists but that's admittedly a selfish reason for asking ppl not to delete lmfao #....sigh #idk it just makes me sad to see so many kids panicking like this #long post

[alfheimr]

My Favorite Cheap Art Trick: Gradient Maps and Blending Modes

i get questions on occasion regarding my coloring process, so i thought i would do a bit of a write up on my "secret technique." i don't think it really is that much of a secret, but i hope it can be helpful to someone. to that end:

this is one of my favorite tags ive ever gotten on my art. i think of it often. the pieces in question are all monochrome - sort of.

the left version is the final version, the right version is technically the original. in the final version, to me, the blues are pretty stark, while the greens and magentas are less so. there is some color theory thing going on here that i dont have a good cerebral understanding of and i wont pretend otherwise. i think i watched a youtube video on it once but it went in one ear and out the other. i just pick whatever colors look nicest based on whatever vibe im going for.

this one is more subtle, i think. can you tell the difference? there's nothing wrong with 100% greyscale art, but i like the depth that adding just a hint of color can bring.

i'll note that the examples i'll be using in this post all began as purely greyscale, but this is a process i use for just about every piece of art i make, including the full color ones. i'll use the recent mithrun art i made to demonstrate. additionally, i use clip studio paint, but the general concept should be transferable to other art programs.

for fun let's just start with Making The Picture. i've been thinking of making this writeup for a while and had it in mind while drawing this piece. beyond that, i didn't really have much of a plan for this outside of "mithrun looks down and hair goes woosh." i also really like all of the vertical lines in the canary uniform so i wanted to include those too but like. gone a little hog wild. that is the extent of my "concept." i do not remember why i had the thought of integrating a shattered mirror type of theme. i think i wanted to distract a bit from the awkward pose and cover it up some LOL but anyway. this lack of planning or thought will come into play later.

note 1: the textured marker brush i specifically use is the "bordered light marker" from daub. it is one of my favorite brushes in the history of forever and the daub mega brush pack is one of the best purchases ive ever made. highly recommend!!!

note 2: "what do you mean by exclusion and difference?" they are layer blending modes and not important to the overall lesson of this post but for transparency i wanted to say how i got these "effects." anyway!

with the background figured out, this is the point at which i generally merge all of my layers, duplicate said merged layer, and Then i begin experimenting with gradient maps. what are gradient maps?

the basic gist is that gradient maps replace the colors of an image based on their value.

so, with this particular gradient map, black will be replaced with that orangey red tone, white will be replaced with the seafoamy green tone, etc. this particular gradient map i'm using as an example is very bright and saturated, but the colors can be literally anything.

these two sets are the ones i use most. they can be downloaded for free here and here if you have csp. there are many gradient map sets out there. and you can make your own!

you can apply a gradient map directly onto a specific layer in csp by going to edit>tonal correction>gradient map. to apply one indirectly, you can use a correction layer through layer>new correction layer>gradient map. honestly, correction layers are probably the better way to go, because you can adjust your gradient map whenever you want after creating the layer, whereas if you directly apply a gradient map to a layer thats like. it. it's done. if you want to make changes to the applied gradient map, you have to undo it and then reapply it. i don't use correction layers because i am old and stuck in my ways, but it's good to know what your options are.

this is what a correction layer looks like. it sits on top and applies the gradient map to the layers underneath it, so you can also change the layers beneath however and whenever you want. you can adjust the gradient map by double clicking the layer. there are also correction layers for tone curves, brightness/contrast, etc. many such useful things in this program.

let's see how mithrun looks when we apply that first gradient map we looked at.

gadzooks. apologies for eyestrain. we have turned mithrun into a neon hellscape, which might work for some pieces, but not this one. we can fix that by changing the layer blending mode, aka this laundry list of words:

some of them are self explanatory, like darken and lighten, while some of them i genuinely don't understand how they are meant to work and couldn't explain them to you, even if i do use them. i'm sure someone out there has written out an explanation for each and every one of them, but i've learned primarily by clicking on them to see what they do.

for the topic of this post, the blending mode of interest is soft light. so let's take hotline miamithrun and change the layer blending mode to soft light.

here it is at 100% opacity. this is the point at which i'd like to explain why i like using textured brushes so much - it makes it very easy to get subtle color variation when i use this Secret Technique. look at the striation in the upper right background! so tasty. however, to me, these colors are still a bit "much." so let's lower the opacity.

i think thats a lot nicer to look at, personally, but i dont really like these colors together. how about we try some other ones?

i like both of these a lot more. the palettes give the piece different vibes, at which point i have to ask myself: What Are The Vibes, Actually? well, to be honest i didn't really have a great answer because again, i didn't plan this out very much at all. however. i knew in my heart that there was too much color contrast going on and it was detracting from the two other contrasts in here: the light and dark values and the sharp and soft shapes. i wanted mithrun's head to be the main focal point. for a different illustration, colors like this might work great, but this is not that hypothetical illustration, so let's bring the opacity down again.

yippee!! that's getting closer to what my heart wants. for fun, let's see what this looks like if we change the blending mode to color.

i do like how these look but in the end they do not align with my heart. oh well. fun to experiment with though! good to keep in mind for a different piece, maybe! i often change blending modes just to see what happens, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. i very much cannot stress enough that much of my artistic process is clicking buttons i only sort of understand. for fun.

i ended up choosing the gradient map on the right because i liked that it was close to the actual canary uniform colors (sorta). it's at an even lower opacity though because there was Still too much color for my dear heart.

the actual process for this looks like me setting my merged layer to soft light at around 20% opacity and then clicking every single gradient map in my collection and seeing which one Works. sometimes i will do this multiple times and have multiple soft light and/or color layers combined.

typically at this point i merge everything again and do minor contrast adjustments using tone curves, which is another tool i find very fun to play around with. then for this piece in particular i did some finishing touches and decided that the white border was distracting so i cropped it. and then it's done!!! yay!!!!!

this process is a very simple and "fast" way to add more depth and visual interest to a piece without being overbearing. well, it's fast if you aren't indecisive like me, or if you are better at planning.

let's do another comparison. personally i feel that the hint of color on the left version makes mithrun look just a bit more unwell (this is a positive thing) and it makes the contrast on his arm a lot more pleasing to look at. someone who understands color theory better than i do might have more to say on the specifics, but that's honestly all i got.

just dont look at my layers too hard. ok?

#process #art tutorial #unsure what else to tag this as. if this does not post properly i will cry.

[the-modern-typewriter]

Imagine a villain straight refusing to fight another member of the Hero Team just cuz his hero archnemesis is not present

"Where are they?"

"Oh, not again." The protagonist could feel a headache coming on. "Look-"

"-Are they hurt?" The villain's eyes went dark and dangerous. "Who hurt them?"

"They're fine! Oh my god."

"Then where are they?"

The protagonist definitely had a headache. "It's their day off."

"They didn't tell me they had the day off. What's wrong?"

The really concerning part was that the hero probably would tell the villain which days they were working and which they weren't. The two of them were as bad as each other! The hero was going to be unbearable when they came back and found out that the team had fought the villain without them.

"Can we just get this over with?" the protagonist tried.

"No."

The protagonist sighed. They pinched the bridge of their nose and took a few deep breaths. "Okay," they said slowly. "But you realise I'm still going to have confiscate your nightmare robot."

"It's not for you. And don't think I didn't notice you dodging the question!"

The protagonist considered their options; lies, truth, everything in between.

The villain's nightmare robot hunkered down a little more pointedly in the middle of the bridge. Several people honked their horns. It was, honestly, embarrassing for everyone involved at that point.

"Their grandma died."

"Oh no." The villain's whole face softened. "Grandma L or Grandma P?"

Of course he knew the hero's grandparents. Of course he did. "Look, about the robot-"

"-I'll reschedule," the villain said.

"I can't let you keep the robot. My boss would have my head."

"That sounds like a 'you' problem. I have flowers to send."

The protagonist's eye twitched. "If you try and walk away with it-"

"-Do you really want to traumatize this entire bridge of innocent civilians?"

"I'm sure they're traumatized having to listen to you two idiots on a weekly basis."

"I'm taking the robot. When are they back?"

"They haven't said," the protagonist said, through gritted teeth. "As you know-"

"-They'll be doing all the funeral arrangements. Yeah. You know what, give me their number. I'll text them."

"I'm not giving you their number."

"Why not?"

"It's against policy."

"I'd like to express my condolences."

The protagonist looked them dead in the face. "Mm. That sounds like a 'you' problem. I have a robot to confiscate."

The robot slammed a fist into the bridge. It wobbled precariously.

The protagonist raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. They folded their arms across their chest.

"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" the villain snarled.

"I hate you too, don't worry."

"I should kill you."

"They'd have so much paperwork when they got back from the funeral. It would really improve their month, you killing me."

They ended up glaring at each other.

"If I give you the bloody stupid robot, will you give me their number?"

The protagonist smiled sweetly. "That's the only smart thing I've ever heard you say."

Everyone, generally, preferred it when the hero was around.

They all made sure it didn't happen again.

#heroes and villains #villains and heroes #hero x villain #villain x hero #short story #writing snippet #story snippet #ficlet #villains #heroes #idiots in love

[e2019]

wtf... last tuesday i mailed something with usps. originally it was expected to be delivered on saturday, but then it was delayed and the expected delivery date was changed to today. well it still hasn't been delivered, so i decided to check the tracking again, although i didn't really think much of it because the mail is always backed up this time of year, so i expected it to be kind of slow. well the most recent tracking updates show that it arrived at a distribution center in california on thursday and then departed the center on friday... well i mailed it to massachusetts from texas so i definitely understand what's causing the delay now at least.

#i know sometimes there's practical reasons for it so i'm not really annoyed/concerned about it、still i just think it's kinda funny #tbh the only reason why i even care at all is cuz i'm worried that maybe the person who i mailed it to will start getting impatient/upset #and think maybe it's my fault or something. bc it seems like a lot of ppl don't know anything about how usps works... #...and so they like to hate on usps and/or take out their frustration on the sender... #...but once the package is sent、the sender has nothing to do with it & is powerless do anything about the situation even if they wanted to #like ppl on ebay leaving negative feedback: ''shipping took a whole week! :/'' girl what are u mad at me for... #i sent it out the very next day after u bought it using the shipping option you selected... #so either usps was being slow (not my fault) or you're just too ignorant of how usps... #...works to understand the different between idk priority mail & media mail (also not my fault) #anyways lol. i've heard of stuff like this happening sometimes but it's never actually happened to me before (that i'm aware of at least) #although i have had other issues like: my mail being delivered to a different unit when i lived in an apartment、 #something being marked as delivered but not actually showing up until days later、 #mailman refusing to deliver a domestic package w/o a signature even tho the sender didn't use a shipping option that requires a signature、 #mailman leaving both domestic & international packages in the mailbox despite them requiring a signature (even 21+ signature)、 #leaving a note on the door saying i have to come pick up a package directly from the post office、then the post office doesn't know where... #...the package is when i come to pick it up、then the package shows up at my door later that day、 #package arriving at my local post office & then just sitting there before finally going out for delivery after like a week、 #etc etc... never ever had mail get damaged/broken or lost/never show up at all tho、 #so honestly i don't really mind when stuff like that happens... #i'm patient (buddha nature) & i understand that usps is a low-tech company w/ overworked & underpaid employees #plus it's always so exciting getting a package so the longer you have to wait the more fun you get to have from the anticipation lol

[ao3commentoftheday]

I don't know if you've seen the latest iteration of "tumblr is dying" but if you haven't, Automattic (owners of tumblr) have decided they will put the site into maintenance mode. This doesn't mean that tumblr will disappear, it just means that they'll keep the lights on and that's about it. They're taking the staff who have been working hard to try to make the site a success, and they're relocating those folks to other projects. A skeleton crew will remain on tumblr, keeping the site alive.

If we want tumblr to thrive, however, then we need to do something to support it - and that something is financial.

If you're someone who enjoys your time on tumblr and you're someone who has an entertainment budget, then consider visiting the TumblrMart and buying yourself a badge. Go ad-free. Choose the new option that I just discovered which is "Support tumblr" - that's the shiny t badge I now have that will change colour over time for the longer I subscribe.

This doesn't require every single user to pay for tumblr. Far from it. Just look at AO3 as the example. Time after time, they hit their fundraising goals and beyond, and I don't think they've ever had more than 10K individual donors for a userbase of something like 5 million.

I've been on this site for a decade. It's the only social media I actually like. I think the internet would be worse off if tumblr wasn't around. I'm going to pay what I can to keep this community around, and I'm going to encourage others to do the same.

If that's something you don't want to see, then feel free to block the tag subsidize tumblr that I'll use on posts like that. If you're open to the idea, then expect the occasional post from me on the subject.

Fandom has lost enough homes in my lifetime. If I can do anything to keep this one around, I will.

#subsidize tumblr #deliberately not using the word support here #in order to avoid being derailed #if at all possible

[pizzaapeteer]

Bound

Pairings Mattheo Riddle x Fem Reader Summary After finding the reader left tied up by his sister, Mattheo decides to take the opportunity to have his own fun. Warnings: Restraints, oral (fem receiving) Word count 1400 a/n: Hello! This came to me in a dream lol, and just a heads up that this is my first ever smut fic.

You thrash in the sheets, writhing impatiently awaiting the return of your keeper. Your arms bound tightly to the bed by the metal handcuffs, keeping you from chasing after her. Leaning back, your head rests on the metal headboard, it felt like hours since you had been laying here. This was pathetic, here you were trapped after moments of torturous edging. Waiting, craving for a release; physically and mentally. The push of the door creaks, and your head tilts in anticipation. Mattheo emerges, wondering in, he stops in his tracks as he spots you. He'd only planned to nip in and return something to his sister, but the sight of you made his body run hot. Jaw clenching, his eyes trail up your exposed legs, swallowing as he takes in your lingerie covered figure. He inhales sharply, blood rushing straight to his groin, he whispers under his breath, "Fuck". He had always wanted to fuck you, but his sister had gotten there first. Yet here you were, tied up in a vulnerable oh-so tempting position. At the appearance of Mattheo, you stifled a groan, not too excited to see the other Riddle. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, it didn't hurt to ask if he could release you from your binds. "Little help?" you say head tilting towards the handcuffs. His eyes raise from you to your hands bound, a smirk spreading at the predicament you were in. You didn't feel embarrassed or shy under his gaze, rather impatient as you question his growing intent. You sigh at his amble approach towards you taking his sweet time. Hoping to persuade and hasten his movements, you look at him with puppy eyes, "Please".

He stares at your frustrated state, enthralled by the way you beg for him. His mind wells over the options, a mischievous smile graces his face as he shakes his head. He lets out a chuckled huff, "What and release you from such a compromising position." He clicks his tongue, his figure hovering over you "I don't think so". 

You roll your eyes at his immaturity, not interested in whatever he's planning. Your body jolts abruptly, his hands on your skin tingles under his touch. He traces your hanging arms, goosebumps growing on your sensitive skin. His fingers roam further, across your collarbones and brush the tops of your breasts. Your breath hitches at the intimate caresses, his fingers nimbly unclasp the latch at the front of your bra. "Mattheo, what are you doing?" your voice croaks huskily. He settles himself beside your body, his hands push away the lace revealing the soft swells of your breasts. Your soft peaks harden at their exposure to the cool air. He bites his lips, grinning as he replies, "What I've always wanted to do.” His nimble fingers trace around the exterior of your nipple, extracting a loud whimper from you as you pull at the restraints. His eyes fall to your powerless state, admiring the way your lips part, aching for his touch. Your body craved to be touched in the absence of your former companion, melting into his.

"So, fucking pretty," he hums, pinching your hardened bud between his finger and thumb, revelling in your cry. His hands momentarily stop, spreading your legs apart as he repositions himself between them. A devilish smile braces his face before he dips his head, planting wet, ravenous kisses across your bust. His hands reach cupping, squeezing, the soft flesh. The sensation overwhelming you, his mouth devouring your nipple, making your head fall back. Your mind spins, your desperation growing, yearning for more as your pussy throbbed. 

"Mattheo," you whimper, your eyes pleading. His grip tightens on your body, at the neediness in your voice. Power surges through him at your vulnerable state. He licks his lips, subsiding a groan at your flushed face "Tell me sweetheart, what do you want?". His cock jerks, pushing up against the constraints of his pants, the urgency growing to bury himself in the folds of your wet pussy. But he knows you won't be able to hold out till then. He cocks an eyebrow, awaiting a response, your neediness fueling him. You bite your lip to restrain the whimper, trying to conceal how defenceless you feel. "I want to cum," you state simply. Your body quivering in excitement at the possibility of finally climaxing. He ponders your answer thoughtfully, giving in with an eager smile. The temptations of being in control of your unravelling rouses him. Retreating back, his hands travel down your sides stopping to hook his fingers onto your underwear. His eyes never break from yours, your chest tightening at his deliberately slow pace of removing your underwear. You huff in annoyance, fed up with the amount of teasing you'd had today. Not by one, but two Riddles. The handcuffs cut into your skin at your relentless movements, hips bucking. His large hands hold you firmly in place, he maneuvers, immersing himself between your aching thighs. He roughly kisses your inner thighs, inching closer to your throbbing core, his hand creep up to fondle your breast. His lips sweep across your clit gently, still teasing, his head angling up to watch your chest rise and fall. He licks a long stipe up the middle of your centre, sucking it. His hands sliding around to hold your lower stomach, preventing you from bucking your hips. With his head nestled between your thighs, you admire the way his hair falls tickling your skin. It had been a long time since a boy had eaten you out, often leaving you unsatisfied. Watching Mattheo's alluring brown eyes never break contact, you thought it wasn't possible to be left unsatisfied in his hold. His skilled tongue buried deep inside your folds, lapping at your juices like a starved man. 

Restlessly your hands twitch, grasping the headboard bars. You ache to fuse your hands with his dark locks, yearning to tug him closer. You worked with what you had, squeezing your thighs around his head. His firm grip ceases intention, his hands pushing your legs open; his fingers tantalizing around your heat. He clicks his tongue, his voice low with authority, "Keep those fucking legs still, sweetheart.” Without any warning, he slides two fingers inside your pussy. A deep moan erupts from within your chest, your back arches, hips threatening to rise. The sensation of his fingers leaving you feeling saturated, a feeling of attainment washing over you. 

The combination of his proficient tongue on your clit and his fingers thrusting inside you, induce your high to arrive earlier than usual. Your legs twitch at every flick of his tongue against your overstimulated clit, incoherent words spilling from your mouth, your chest heaves breathlessly. His grip on you tightens as you squirm restlessly as your climate nears. Your eyes burn with bliss, and instinctively they fall shut briefly, snapping open at the harsh slap given to your pussy. "Keep those fucking eyes on me" he demands, a whimper spilling from you. He continues to thrust his fingers inside of you and returns his lips sucking harshly on your clit. 

In your attempt to obey him, you struggle to keep your eyes wide. Your brows furrow, holding eye contact with him, his curls brushing your skin. Mattheo's husky voice rasps, "Come on sweetheart, cum for me.” Your face flushes, heat igniting throughout every inch of your body. Your limbs contorting, back arching at the surge of your orgasm overcomes you. "F-fuck, fuck, fuck," tears well at your eyes, a breathy cry leaving your lips. "That's its baby, fuck," he praises, prompting you on. He continues to lap, watching you fall apart, capturing every drop of your sweet cum. The sounds of your whines forever etched in his mind. 

Your chest heaves, heartrate accelerating, your body twitching in your aftermath of climax. Your mind submerges, sighing relishing in the freeing pleasure of your bliss. Too consumed, you go unaware of Mattheo cleaning himself up. You close your eyes catching your breath and hear the clang of kegs unlocking your wrists. At the unlocking of your restraints, your arms fall tiredly to your sides. You peek an eye open at Mattheo. "Thanks for that," your mouth pulling into a lazy but satisfied smile. He runs a hand through his hair, looking victorious in his own efforts. "I'll have to return the favour sometime" you add cheekily.  His head quirks towards the door at the call of his name, returning his gaze to you he chuckles in response to your offer. “If you can escape the restraints of my sister.” His words dripping in hidden meanings, mockery and challenge sparkle in his eyes. “But I won’t hold back if you do”. 

#mattheo riddle #mattheoriddle #mattheo riddle smut #mattheo riddle x reader #mattheo riddle x fem reader #mattheo riddle x fem reader smut #slytherin boys