#i wanna go to the beach with kirk

[veryace-ficrecs]

Academy era star trek fic rec

This list will include all ratings and tags, so read at your own discretion! :)

A Star To Light The Way (In which Jim never thought he’d live past 22, anyway) by AlyssiaInWonderland - Not Rated

“So, captain,” she began, eyeing him mischievously. “Where would you be if you hadn’t joined up?”

Jim shrugged nonchalantly, pursing his lips for a moment in thought. “Dead probably,” he finally replied, lightly but absolutely serious– oblivious to the shocked expressions of his crew around him. “Or halfway to it in a bar in Iowa somewhere.”

Or, Nyota's journey from first meeting Kirk, to loving Jim, through three, increasingly angsty, incidents spanning Academy Era to post 2009 film.

Touch Me, Tell Me All Is Forgiven by BeautyGraceOuterSpace - Not Rated

He stops trying, after everything. Frank. Tarsus. Years of conditioning against contact. He never initiates touch, and is wary of receiving it. He’s had his flinch response well in hand for years by the time a couple of Starfleet cadets go head to head with him in the bar in Riverside. Hell, a fist to the face feels like home. He almost craves the touch. Almost.

put yourself in my suitcase by weird_bird (2weird4) - Rated G

When the flash on the antique camera goes, neither of them is looking straight into the lens.

A Non-Comprehensive List of What (Not) to Do Plebe Year by sppacecowboyy - Not Rated

Neither Leonard McCoy nor James Kirk knew what they were doing when they signed up for Starfleet Academy, which makes these two overqualified but underprepared plebes perfect (or maybe not) roommates. Aside from the stress of their classes, Jim and Leonard will have to face pranks, drama, computer malfunctions, relationship issues, and--perhaps worst of all--living with each other. But hey, if they wanna be able to survive five year missions in deep, unknown space, first they've gotta figure out how to survive freshman year at Starfleet Academy (and also maybe each other's company).

And We Will Find Each Other in the Stars of Our Hearts by CC99trialanderrorgirl - Rated T

A rather romantic look at the relationship between James T. Kirk and Leonard "Bones" McCoy, from the academy years to the start of the five-year mission.

Inappropriate Comments (Or, How To Get Leonard McCoy to Punch You in the Face) by faithfulpenelope - Rated T

It takes a lot to get McCoy to actually hit you.

Hymns with the Devil in Confessional by InsaneSociopath - Rated T

Jim mutters that he's fine. Jim is not fine. Not at all. For the anon Prompt: Academy adoption fic because that's my jam: Jim hides an illness from Pike, until it becomes too late

Wear this on my heart by Areiton - Not Rated

It’s about three months into their first year at the Academy, when they both have a rare night off and decide to hit a local bar, that Jim realizes it. Leonard McCoy’s got shit taste in clothes.

Theory and Practice by Writer_at_the_Table - Rated T

He's sitting stiffly, back straight and face utterly blank. There is no laughter twinkling in his eyes. She feels wary at the sight of him, this cadet who only superficially resembles the one she thought she knew. Starfleet Academy professor Anita Cornerstone calls Cadet Jim Kirk to her office to discuss his response on an essay assignment. The conversation they have is not the one she was expecting.

I Took the Stars from My Eyes (and Then I Made a Map) by canistakahari - Rated E

At the end of their first year at the Academy, Jim decides he's taking Bones for a beach vacation.

A Toast to Your Success by BeautyGraceOuterSpace - Not Rated

In which Chris just wants to celebrate Jim getting through his first year at the academy, and instead winds up more than a bit sloshed. Based on a prompt from insane-sociopath.

Leonard H. McCoy's Guide to Keeping a Friend by highschool-facelesshellion (mutalune) - Rated T

Leonard came to Starfleet with nothing except a half-finished degree and an empty bottle of cheap booze. It took him months to realize he had a best friend waiting in the wings for him to get his act together. Or: How Leonard made a best friend by being an unobservant but decent person and how his conscience wouldn't let him be undeserving of the kid's freak affection.

5 times Jim Kirk showed everyone he was not just a pretty face. by TryingNotToCry - Rated T

The thing about Jim Kirk is that he never takes anything seriously, that's why everyone thinks he's just a pretty blond.

Hidden love by lokilenchen - Rated G

Jim and Leonard have been hiding their relationship from all the people around them. This is how they reveal that they have been secretly dating for quite a while now.

Imposter's Insignia by calderaNightOwl - Rated T

“Hey, if we got married, we could put in a request for family housing – get a whole apartment with a kitchen and a living room.” Jim laughed, swallowing back the memories of the sixth months following Tarsus that he’d lived on base in just such an apartment. Jim meant it as a joke, but when he didn’t hear Bones laughing, he looked up and caught Bones staring at him seriously, considering. “What, no, seriously?” Jim squawked. OR The one in which Jim and Bones get married the day they meet in order to skirt Starfleet housing regulations. There’s one problem with the plan: Jim isn’t actually enlisted, and no one knows – not even Bones.

Step 1: Enlist in Starfleet. Step 2: ????? Step 3: Profit. by hellostarling - Rated T

Jim spends three years at the Academy, and he totally manages it all by himself. Well, Bones helps a little. Or a lot. Maybe. This is Jim's Starfleet education and all that entails: the ups, the downs, the prank wars, the winter vacations, and the awkward boners.

This is Your Fault by Catchclaw - Rated T

Sharing a dorm room with James Kirk is a challenge. Sharing an apartment? That's more complicated.

Pavlov's Cuddles by InsaneSociopath - Rated T

Chris decides the absolute best way to get Jim to behave is to classically condition him using candy. Because. Um. That's perfectly normal and acceptable right?

Little Bones by Joules Mer (joulesmer) - Rated G

Jim learns the hard way to never answer another man’s comm. Not even by accident. In retrospect, however, it might be the best mistake he’s ever made.

Change my Name by InsaneSociopath - Rated T

Jim won't join the Academy as a Kirk. He refuses to deal with people accusing him of nepotism. Problem is, Pike won't let him use his name either.

#veryace recs #star trek #star trek fic rec #jim kirk #leonard mccoy #spock #nyota uhura #the crew of the uss enterprise #star trek academy #ao3 fic recs #fanfic recs #ao3

[loorain]

Sims 4 Fontenot Legacy - The Twins' Birthday!

Morning rises at the Legacy House as another milestone approaches the family! Yes, the twins are leaving toddlerhood behind for the next phase of life!

Sigrid: Ohoho! Look at these two cuties! Are Lilith and Angela ready for a day of fun?

Alma: Yeah!

Sigrid: That's the spirit! Well, girls, time for one last hoorah!

Soon enough, sims start piling into the backyard, ready for some fun under the sun!

Anya: So my blockhead brother really managed to build this treehouse all by himself?

Robin: With just these two hands! Took me some time and I'm still picking out splinters, but it's worth it. You know me, anything for my girls.

Anya: Well that's surely something I have always respected you for. You're a good pops, little bro. Dad would be proud.

Robin: Thanks, sis. That means a lot.

Anya: Don't get used to all this praise. You're still my snotty little brother.

Robin chuckles, but the two smile with an immense amount of understanding between them.

Sigrid: Wow, Matilda! You really went all out with your costume!

Matilda: Oh, this old thing? Just some scraps that was about to head out to the thrift shop. You know I'm all about helping the less fashionable.

The two giggle.

Matilda: Nah, I'm just glad I convinced Colt to dress up as my evil twin. Gives him the opportunity to let out all that pent-up anger.

Sigrid: He's still heartbroken about his ex?

Matilda: Yes, won't stop talking about her. But no worries, that's where Auntie Tilda comes in!

Sigrid: What would we do without you?

Sabrina: Juno's having a blast. Having Milo and Roddy? He'll always have a buddy.

Beau: He's such a sweetheart, I'm sure he'll make tons of more friends in elementary school.

Sabrina: Hard to believe he'll be aging up soon, too. When the twins' birthday comes around, it really puts things into perspective that he's growing up just as fast.

Beau: Time waits for no one.

Sabrina: Are we getting old?

Beau: Nah. I still got plenty of good years ahead of me. Don't know about you though.

Sabrina gives him a look.

Sabrina: Ha ha, very funny.

Sabrina: Nyla, you're rocking those sunglasses!

Nyla: Perfect accessory to complete my outfit! And of course, the perfect accessory to help me survive a sweaty summer children's party.

Sabrina: Tell me about it. Gonna have to keep my arms down through the day. I'm sure Juno will have me chasing him around all day.

Nyla: Well I'm also seeing another little tyke here. And what I'm assuming is his hunky daddy?

Sabrina: Oh, Milo and Coty? Yeah, they came to spend time with the kiddos. Milo and Audrey have been especially close.

Nyla: They're the ones we saw at the beach, right?

Sabrina: Mhm.

Nyla: Coty was making googly-eyes at Sigrid, you know.

Sabrina pauses.

Sabrina: ...You noticed that too?

Nyla: Anyone with eyes noticed it. Might wanna keep an eye on that one.

Sabrina: I'm sure he doesn't mean any real harm. In any event, we'll be seeing more of him thanks to Milo.

Nyla: And with that, I need a drink.

The day is filled with tons of fun, with the birthday girls getting in their playtime, older sims enjoying some time on the dance floor, and three sets of twins finally being reunited for the first time in a long time.

This is especially big, since it means Lloyd and Wren (previously known as Kirk) are finally reunited, a very rare occurrence due to the housing arrangments.

Sigrid: So good to have all the twins together again.

Yolanda: Yeah, thanks to Anya. She really did help give me some perspective on Sergio. It's not perfect, but at least we can communicate a little better.

Sigrid: Does he still want to take Wren and Lloyd?

Yolanda: Yes, but I don't know... Wren's going through a lot, and with their identity changing, teenage hormones, I don't want to create more unecessary change. They know me, they've grown up with their sisters and me. Losing their mom, everything shifting so drastically at such a young age... They need stability.

Sigrid: And you can't take Lloyd?

Yolanda: It's not that I "can't", per se. It's just... I'm already raising three kids on my own. My place isn't the biggest, and I already feel bad about having the kids all crammed into one room. I just can't afford a bigger place right now. It wouldn't be fair to take in a fourth. It's complicated. But we'll find a way. We always do.

Sigrid: You know you always have the Lay's full support. Whatever we can do, we'll do our best.

Yolanda: Thanks.

And before they knew it, the time had come for the girls to blow out their candles. Say goodbye to toddlerhood, Alma and Audrey...

And hello to childhood! May the next phase of life bring you many great experiences!

#sims 4 #sims 4 fontenot legacy #sims 4 legacy challenge #sims 4 legacy #sims 4 modded #simblr #ts4 #ts4 simblr

[jean----ralphio]

BoB liveblog ep 7

Episode 7: The Breaking Point. YEAH, OF MY FUCKING HEART

I HATE THIS EPISODE. I HATE IT WITH THE FIERY INTENSITY OF A THOUSAND BURNING SUNS.

00:00 I really don’t wanna do this you guys.

00:38 Can’t we just pretend this episode doesn’t exist?

01:22 OMFG I CAN’T ALL THE SWEET IRL MEN ARE CRYING NOOOO IT HURRRTS

04:05 RICH! Ok I feel a little better. Ahaha, he’s growing a beard. It’s got nothing on the quarantine beard he’s rocking nowadays tho

04:22 That whole scene is hilarious but I’m too distracted by Rich to appreciate it properly

05:18 Horsie

05:30 Hey Fassy

05:57 He’s so obsessed with the Luger, oh Hoob ☹

06:07 Ahhh that second where he looks into the camera and fires ☹ He’s so happy

06:31 IT’S SHIFTY MY ANGEL SON, MY ANGEL CHILD, LOOK AT HIIIIIMMMM!!!! MY BABY! I’M SO HAPPY! THIS IS THE ONLY GOOD PART OF THE EPISODE! HE’S SO HUMBLE AND PERF ILY SHIFTY

06:51 He is such a fucking angel, I swear. “What happened to the horse?” PETA would be pleased you care, baby.

07:01 Look at my son, look at his little angel face

07:27 Buck seems a little better??

07:47 Gold.

“Shut up boys.”

“Shutting up, Sarge.”

But notice my angel is perfectly well-behaved

08:00 “That was no rifle.” Shifty just Knows Things.

“What do you see, Shift?”

“Nobody out there.” HE’S JUST A BOSS SNIPER ANGEL ELF BABY OK

08:15 Oh Hoob

08:43 Oh God

09:03 ROE OMG NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR JOKES “Did you think it was a German leg, Hoob?” I MEAN LMAO BUT NO

09:33 Nooooooooooo

09:44 Oh God, the way Buck and Perco are cradling his face ☹

10:04 Husbands, do something, reincarnate him or something

10:32 Oh Dick is shivering aw

10:38 Lip, baby, no, do not cover for than incompetent POS

10:48 The husbands are unimpressed

11:39 Nice gloves tho Dike

11:57 “At present, as per usual, but I’ll clarify that with you at a later time.” No. No. He’s asking now. He needs to know now. Wtf.

12:39 IS THAT RICH??

13:12 RICH! BEARDED RICH!

13:23 I LOVE HIM SO MUCH YOU GUYS

13:26 Just gonna pause here a little while, excuse me

13:47 Lip is such a boss. We love you Lip

14:13 Bill’s laugh <3 RICH’S SMILE <333

14:48 Dick omg your flirting, so cute. They are in love.

15:20 Fassy is judging you… that means Alicia Vikander is coming for you…

15:50 Omg Nix knows his husband so well

16:24 Aw, Bill and Babe <3 BROTP

17:33 Bill, sweetie, no, I’m sorry but Buck is not fine!

17:58 Oh God the foreboding. Rich ☹ <3

18:01 WTF is Luz smoking LMAO

18:33 RIIIIICH

19:08 “Well, they had a point. You’re an idiot.” Oh Penk. I’ll miss you Penk.

19:31 UGH GTFO. To be fair the actor does a great job with this role.

20:01 Dike is so random. But it’s nice he’s taking an interest??

21:20 NIX LMAO

21:33 Ugh, Dick. Stop. I know it’s to establish a sense of normalcy and ritual but Come. On. Buddy. Lol I love how Nix is just like LMAO NO I’M NOT GOING. I wish I could just say no when asked to do things by my bosses. We know it’s cos Nix can’t bear to be apart from his husband for so long <3

22:33 Guys, don’t be mean. Fassy, no, come on.

22:53 Wtf are Penk and Rich doing…

23:05 LMAO @ Dick and Sink.

“Got to keep the morale up for the folks back home.”

“Why?”

“Damned if I know.”

Iconic. Valid.

23:34 Lol my Joe/Charlie thought he was gonna get in trouble, but Dad just wanted to nag <3

24:24 Oh Bill <3 “Tied me own boots once last week, all by meself.” <3333 Bill please never change.

24:30 Rich <3333

24:36 Riiiiichhhhhh <3

24:48 Johhny ‘unimpressed’ Martin is already looking unimpressed, new kid, watch out, you’re not off to a great start.

24:56 Rich’s helmet still has bullet holes from the last episode, love the continuity <3

25:07 “You’ll find out, son.” Oh, Alley <3

25:17 Rich is hilarious in this scene, he’s having so much fun <3

25:22 Hey Lieb, I’ve missed you

25:46 Riichhh <3

25:53 OMFG that exchange!

               “How are those nuts, sarge?”

               “Doin fine, Bill, nice of you to ask.”

               Wtf Lip!!

26:05 Bye, Fassy!

26:26 Even when he’s blurred by snow, Speirs is intimidatingly good-looking.

27:01 He’s so polite but so scary

27:23 You’re hot, Speirs, so I automatically trust you. Not sure what that says about me but it’s probably not good tbh

27:57 Joe/Charlie has been back five seconds and he’s already out for blood.

28:58 Hey Lee

30:00 Oh God

31:33 Oh no, Joe/Charlie, my baby ☹

33:39 Bill’s here, baby, it’s OK

34:10 I can’t deal with the hilarity of Babe blocked in by the tree while Joe/Charlie is in such a bad way and being done so dirty

34:56 Oh GOD

35:28 Bill </3

36:11 My thoughts exactly, Luz

36:42 Buck ☹

37:41 “Hey Joe, I told you I’d beat you back to the states.” Bill don’t me laugh while I’m crying. Aw, we’ll miss you <3

37:59 Not really the time but fuck it, I am totally digging Luz’s hair now

38:26 I’m so shook. I’ve watched this series a billion times but it still hurts me. Scene after scene, Joe/Charlie in pain, Buck screaming for a medic, God Neal and Kirk are so good.

39:18 Oh God, Buck

40:00 Rich I love you

40:44 Rich <3 ☹

41:22 Noooooooo </3

41:44 No. No. NO.

41:59 NO. NOPE. CANON NOT ACCEPTED. They’re fine. They’re fine, they’re just off-screen for the rest of the series, chillin with Hoob and Renee on like a nice beach somewhere. Drinking maitais and maragaritas and building sandcastles and shit.

44:00 Hit Malarkey the hardest? NO FUCKING WAY, LIP, HIT ME THE HARDEST, MORE LIKE! But in all seriousness, can you imagine losing your friends, not having a body to bury or time to grieve ugh ☹ </3 OK I concede that Malarkey and I can share the grief 50/50. No wait. 60/40. In favour of me.

45:15 Malark, it’s what Hoob would have wanted. I’d ask him but he’s busy sunbathing and keeping the drinks topped up

46:57 We love you Buck

47:14 Bull <3

47:43 Lieb <333

48:10 Hang on, sweetie, Dad isn’t back yet

48:50 It’s OK, Lip, sweetie, you can do it.

49:38 Lip, listen to me, your Dad’s going to fix everything in about ten, fifteen minutes. And he’ll get you a hot boyfriend in the process. It’s all going to be OK.

50:05 Dick, honey, Dike doesn’t understand a thing you’re saying

50:25 Dike’s like lol who the fuck was that guy?

51:17 Lieb is so blood-thirsty <3

51:23 DON’T STOP RUNNING, IDIOT. NEVER STOP RUNNING! THE REST OF US LEARNT THAT IN THE FIRST EPISODE! GOD!

51:40 WTF ARE YOU DOING, YOU FUCKING WASTE OF OXYGEN

52:09 Poor Lee

52:22 NO, FUCK, OMG

53:14 Don’t send my Lee alone!

53:33 Bull. A cigar. Right now? I like Johnny’s beard, suits him.

54:13 “THEY SHOT ME IN MY ASS, BOYS!” Aw Perco. Iconic.

54:36 Legit one of my fave scenes in the history of television. Dick is just so beside himself and desperate and helpless watching his sons stuck and in so much trouble. He’s in full Dad mode, about to run in there to save his boys. Then, and this is so subtle but it’s my fave bit, HE CUTS OFF SINK. HE IGNORES/SPEAKS OVER SINK. DICK! SPEAKS! OVER! SINK! IN WHAT UNIVERSE WOULD HE EVER DO THAT?! ON WHAT PLANET WOULD HE EVER BE SO DISRESPCTFUL?! THIS ONE, COS HIS SONS NEED HIM NOW AND BEING POLITE AND ADHERRING TO PRINCIPLE AND RANK DOESN’T FUCKING MATTER WHEN EASY IS IN TROUBLE! AND THEN HE CALLS UP OUR BOY SPEIRS. AND SPEIRS IS SO FUCKING GUNG-HO, BOUNCING ABOUT READY TO SLAUGHTER EVERYONE, SO FUCKIN EXCITED!!

And then there’s Nix, lmao, chillin with his binoculars, super relaxed as long as his husband stays safe, tbh.

55:06 Oh that was the new boy, aw

55:12 BOSS BAMF ICONIC WE STAN

55:20 Here you go, Lip, one BF courtesy of your Dad lol

55:48 Oh GOD I MISS RICH

56:24 LMFAO was that the haystack Dike was behind??

57:00 I.C.O.N.I.C.

57:23 “The astounding thing was, that after he hooked up with I company, he came back.” Annnnnd Lip’s in love.

57:49 Aw happy boys

58:09 Noooooo they’ve been through enough! I’VE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH THIS EPISODE OK, FUCK!

58:23 Go on, my angel son, you can do it.

58:36 Go, son. I love you.

58:43 Yes. Good boy.

59:26 Aw Bull piggybacking Perco <3

1:00:23 Oh yay! The church scene!

1:00:39 Look at my angel son <3

1:00:48 Hey Lieb

1:00:54 IT’S TAB! HEY TAB!

1:01:09 Babe <3 GRANT <3

1:01:29 Ahahaha Roe, I see you strategically placed yourself where you could stare at Babe 😉

1:01:59 Only 63 men left? Oh </3

1:02:00 Ahh Joe/Charlie <3 Bill <3 We love and miss you

1:02:20 RICH <333333 I LOVE YOU RICH <3333333 GOODBYE RICH <333333333333

1:02:39 Fuck Speirs is hot

1:02:53 The flirting <3 shooting looks at each other aw

1:03:09 Boys, stop checking each other out. You’re literally in a church full of nuns, go somewhere else to expend your sexual tension, jeez.

1:03:41 Flirting via talk of Roman soldiers, I dig it

1:04:28 Oh God, guys, this bit. Other than the propensity of my angel son, compared to usual, this is the only good part of the episode, I am here for the Speirton!

               “You don’t have any idea who I’m talking about, do you?” HIS FACE IS SO SOFT

               “No, Sir.” Lip, sweetie.

               “Hell, it was you, first sergeant.”

Speirs’ is in love right back. And his continued flirting re battlefield commission GOD. The way he looks at Lip… you deserve the hottest guy in the whole show, Lip, proud of you sweetie.

1:06:48 Annnnnd everything fucking hurts.

 To summarise, I am kinda appeased by the glorious glory that is Spierton. Rich and Penk and Hoob and Renee are FINE. THEY JUST SO HAPPEN TO BE OFF-SCREEN. IT’S FINE. I’M FINE ABOUT IT.

#band of brothers #liveblog #spierton #rsj #this ep ugh

[atomicwedgienerd]

The Grease

Eddy had that kind of hair that made people jealous. It was thick, wavy, and he never seemed to have to do anything to it. He woke up in the morning, ran his fingers through his hair, and just went about the day. His messy bedhead always looked intentional but it was nothing more than good genes and the luck of the draw, and that was the way Eddy liked it. He viewed his hair as the perfect extension of his personality: carefree, wild, and completely untamed. And despite the fact that he put very little effort into things, Eddy always came out on top. He had coasted his way through high school, charmed his way through college, and now he had half-assed his way to a position as an art director for one of the west coast’s premiere surfboard companies. The work was easy, and it left him plenty of time every day for surfing. Eddy had it made.

One day on his way back from the beach, Eddy caught a passing glimpse of himself in a shop window. He could see that his mane was getting unruly, even for himself. All that saltwater was good for volume but damn could it do a number on split ends. Even a guy like Eddy knew you had to do some upkeep. As he continued on his way home, he noticed a barbershop he hadn’t seen before: Berger and Sons. From the striped pole out front to the subway tile lining the walls, this place looked like one of the classic shops you’d see if you googled “1950s barbershop.” Eddy had seen a few of these retro throwback barbershops open in different spots over the city but they had always seemed a little too traditional for a guy like him. Regardless, Eddy had a meeting the next week with a client and figured it couldn’t hurt to have a little touch up on his flowing locks. Plus, if he did it now, it wouldn’t look like he had gotten all dolled up for the meeting. Looking like he didn’t care was alllllll part of Eddy’s allure.

A bell tinkled as he entered the shop and Eddy immediately noticed the smell. A sweet but nearly antiseptic odor hit his nose, reminding him of his grandfather right after he had shaved. Yep, this place was definitely old school. The barber waved him over and patted the seat, inviting Eddy to sit down.

“Welcome to Berger and Sons,” he said. “Let me guess, you want a headshave?” Before Eddy could even react, the barber had burst out laughing. “Just a little light barber humor!”

“Very light,” Eddy deadpanned. “I’m not looking for anything too crazy. Just wanna get these split ends cleaned up.” 

“Ah, an easy enough task,” said the barber as he threw the cape over Eddy’s body and began spritzing his hair with a mist. 

“So is it just you?” asked Eddy, looking around at the otherwise empty barbershop. “I thought the sign said Berger and Sons.” 

“Well, I’m Nestor Berger,” he explained. “So that part’s accurate. Don’t actually have any sons but I figured the name would convey the sort of traditional barbershop experience I try to offer. You see, in these modern times, there’s a lot of people who don’t really appreciate the…” The barber’s voice started to trail off. The scent from the mist he had sprayed in Eddy’s hair was so powerful--so sweet and intoxicating--that Eddy had started to zone out. He felt warm, he felt comfortable, and he felt relaxed. The shop drifted away from him and suddenly he felt someone tapping him on his shoulder.

“Sir? Sir!” said the barber until Eddy snapped back. “What do you think?” Eddy’s eyes came back in focus and he saw his reflection in the mirror and gasped. The barber had ruined his hair. Where his flowing bedhead had been was now a heavily slicked, extremely greasy, and overly combed hairstyle the likes of which one would see on someone from the 1950s. 

“I just asked for the split ends cleaned up!” Eddy bellowed. 

“And that’s really all I did!” smiled the barber. “Ok, I may have taken a little bit off here and there but there’s still length.” The barber showed Eddy the back of the hairstyle in a handheld mirror where the sides and top had been slicked back into a greasy tail. “I just figured I would give you a more dapper appearance. This is a homemade hair grease you know. You can only get it here.”

“Well I didn’t ask for it,” Eddy said as he threw off the cape and stood up to leave. “No wonder your shop is so empty! Maybe try listening to your customers!”

“A barber has to do what he knows is right for each customer,” the barber grinned. “Trust me, you’ll be back!”

“The fuck I will,” Eddy said as he stormed out the shop.

He was furious! He stopped to gawk at himself in a parked car’s side view mirror. This nerdy retro haircut was the opposite of everything Eddy was about! It was rigid, traditional, and just plain uncool. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket. It was his buddies asking him out for a night of drinks. “Sure,” he texted back. “Just let me go home and wash my hair real quick.”

Eddy had never washed his hair that intensely in his life. He shampooed it twice, conditioned it thrice! He even blow dried it. He put a little salt spray in it and when he felt it looked the right level of mussed, he got dressed and headed out to meet his buddies.

---

Lee, Kirk and Drew were at the bar doing shots when Eddy walked in. He waved at them and they gave him an odd glance and ignored him, before Lee did a double take and started cackling. “Eddy! Over here!” Eddy jogged over to join his pals. 

“We saved a shot for you,” Drew said, laughing. “So uh, what’s going on here? Trying out a new look?”

“Well I washed my hair,” Eddy said, “but I wouldn’t say it’s a new…” He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror behind the bar. Eddy’s hair was back in the heavily greased, retro sidepart he had when he stormed out of the barbershop. It looked just as fresh as when he snapped out of his weird daze and saw it for the first time. He touched it in horror and as he pulled his hand away from his hair, his fingers came back with a thick sheen of greasy, oily product that overwhelmed him with that same scent he remembered from the barber shop. His eyes went blank for a moment before he snapped back to reality.

“It’s.. nice,” Kirk said with a wry smile as he handed his buddy the shot of whiskey. “Just very different.” Eddy took the shot and paused. What was going on? He had washed his hair… hadn’t he? He did have to admit though: the haircut did look sort of nifty. Nifty? Where did that word even pop into his head? 

He laughed and threw back his head, downing the shot. It burned terribly, like he had never tasted alcohol before and he began coughing and sputtering as the shot came back up and sprayed on his friends. They erupted in laughter at him. 

“Maybe you should get a glass of milk instead,” Lee said. Eddy protested--although it did sound kind of nice. But no, he was a grown man. He could drink a beer! But even that didn’t seem very nice.

“You know what guys? I’m not feeling super nifty.” There was that damn word again. “I think I’m going to go home and get some rest.”

“Come on, man! It’s still early!” Kirk shouted. 

“No no,” said Drew. “Let the man get his rest. Hope you feel niftier tomorrow.” Eddy blushed. His face felt on fire. His friends were mocking him! He stormed out the door as he could hear his friends burst into laughter. 

“Gosh darnit!” Eddy blurted as he marched down the street. He had intended to use stronger language but it just didn’t come out that way. How strange. When he got home, he decided to put on some football to calm his nerves but stopped on a channel showing old episodes of Leave It To Beaver. He couldn’t help himself. He had to watch.

By 10pm, he was already fast asleep.

------

Eddy’s alarm went off at 6 in the morning. He shot to attention and was shocked when he saw the time. He hadn’t been up at 6 in the morning in years, and yet, his phone had it listed as an alarm that went off every day.

He went to go brush his teeth and was shocked to see his hair still stuck in that crisp, greasy and exceptionally conservative side part. He hopped in the shower and scrubbed and shampooed and when he finally got out, his hair was a sopping, stringy mess. Thank goodness. The grease was finally out, and, just to be safe, Eddy decided to let it air dry. After all, he had plans to go surfing with the boys later, provided they weren’t going to be too mean to him after last night.

Eddy actually felt intimidated by that, which was ridiculous. He had always been the leader and now he felt concerned about what the other guys would think! It was just one rough night; they would forget it soon enough. After all, Eddy was the best surfer among them and he would re-assert himself at the top of the food chain. He gave himself a smile in the mirror as a familiar scent began to wash over him: the same scent from the barber shop.

Suddenly, Eddy’s phone rang and he found himself dazed in a strange location. He didn’t quite know where he was. He answered the phone.

“Bro where the fuck are you?” he heard Kirk say, the sound of waves crashing coming through the phone. “You were supposed to be here an hour ago!”

Where the fuck was he? Eddy looked around and realized he was in some sort of convention hall. Tables and tables stretched in all directions, each of them covered in protective lucite boxes containing… stamps!? He saw the banner: West Coast Philatelist Convention. 

“I’m at a philately convention,” he said.

“A what, bro?”

“Stamps,” Eddy said. “It’s a stamp collector. It’s a convention for stamp collectors.” The sound of unmistakable laughter arose from the other side of the phone.

“He’s at a stamp collecting convention!” he heard Kirk say to the others whose laughter quickly echoed from the receiver. “Well, uh, I hate to interrupt that exciting occurrence but you gonna join us at the beach?”

“Of course,” said Eddy. “I just wanted to stop in here and uh…. Look I’ll be there soon, ok!?” He quickly hung up in shame. He started heading for the door when he caught his reflection in a piece of lucite and gasped.

The hair had come back. Greasier than before. He touched it and his hand came away with a thick coating of sticky wet hair product. His hair was practically dripping. Then, Eddy caught the rest of his reflection. He was dressed in a pair of grey dress slacks and a white button down shirt. Tucked. In.

Something was wrong. Eddy would never wear this. He looked like a little dork! He had to get home, but first, he was going to stop at that barber shop and get some answers! He headed for the door but then he caught a glimpse of some fascinating stamps.

“Oooh those are actually pretty neato!” he said aloud. He couldn’t believe he was saying that… or thinking it. But he when he got close to the table, he was dazzled by how cool the stamps were. A vintage series commemorating Star Trek! They were so awesome! He couldn’t help himself. He pulled out his wallet and hesitated.

What was he doing? This wasn’t him. But these stamps were really neato completo. What the heck? Life is short. He plunked down his credit card and bought a few, as well as a book to store them in. 

“You’re gonna need to fill that up, sonny!” smiled the vendor. Eddy couldn’t help himself. He desperately wanted to leave and meet up with his buddies but he couldn’t help himself from examining other tables, buying more vintage stamps, and striking up conversations with other philatelists. Before he knew it, the convention was closing and it was time to go. His phone had dozens of missed calls and texts from the boys wondering where he was. Something very strange was going on indeed.

As he headed back to his apartment with his new stamp book full of old stamps, he spotted a vintage store with a display in the window. The mannequin was dressed in a way that should have made Eddy recoil. It was dressed in a short sleeved white button down with a thin black bowtie. The black flat front slacks came up to its belly button and were cinched with a thin brown belt. On its feet, vintage white crew socks hung in furls as they went into the shiny black penny loafers. This was the outfit of an unmistakable nerd, a relic of a bygone era representing a sort of clean cut, goody two shoes attitude that had always revolted Eddy. But for a brief moment, he saw his reflection where the mannequin’s head was, his face and slicked up hair on the outfit. It almost seemed right, but he shook his head and snapped out of it. 

In a panic, Eddy headed back to his hip apartment and slammed the door. He turned on the TV and tried to relax but couldn’t. Eventually, he flipped to an old episode of Leave It To Beaver and found himself mesmerized. Everyone was so polite and clean cut and old-fashioned. By 9pm, he was asleep.

Before Eddy knew it, it was already 6pm Sunday evening. He had no idea where the time had gone but when he looked around his apartment, he began to get dizzy. Everything looked… different. That’s when memories came flooding back. 

He saw himself at 6am, waking up nice and early, and calling a company to come take his furniture away. Then a flash and he was at the antique store flashing his credit card around and buying all kinds of retro furniture. Another flash and he was at the vintage store loading up a cart with dorky looking clothes. And another flash and he was back at the apartment, showing movers where to place all his many purchases.

Another flash and he was back in the present, standing in his apartment which he no longer recognized. The entire thing looked like it was a set from Leave It To Beaver. His flat screen TV had been replaced with an old woodpaneled TV from the 50s with an antenna on it. His workout equipment replaced with a chess table and two chairs. His slick leather couch was gone and in its place was a floral patterned retro sofa. Everything about his apartment looked old fashioned and drab. All of his records had been replaced as an LP of Bert Kaempfaert’s greatest hits played over the hifi. He ran to his room and gasped. His waterbed had been replaced with a single twin mattress, the bland gray sheets tucked and folded with military precision. Then, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and nearly fainted.

He was wearing a pair of shiny red Converses with white socks and cuffed, deep blue, highwaisted straight legged jeans. His shirt, an orange and green plaid number, was tucked into and fastened in place with a cheap brown belt. In the pocket of the shirt, a pristine white pocket protector sat overloaded with pens and pencils and tools. A dorky white undershirt poked out from under the button down. On top of all that, he had a bright red cardigan with white piping and a big letter B like he was in school or something. He was dressed like he was president of the chess club 1955! And of course, on top of his head, sat an exceedingly greasy slicked haircut that was now nearly jet black. He touched it in horror as his fingers came away thick with the grease.

The grease! This had all started with the grease and that barber shop and that awful barber! He would have answers to what was going on. He could help Eddy undo whatever was happening. Eddy would go and find him and get this all sorted out. But not dressed like this! He tore through his closet and found most of his clothes had been replaced. That would be a pain to fix. But in the top, in a corner he must have missed earlier, he found some sweatpants and an old tank top. He didn’t look as cool as he had hoped, but it was better than the Leave It To Beaver nerd look he had been sporting earlier. 

Eddy ran out onto the street and started hurrying to the barber shop. As he waited at an intersection, he saw himself in a window and gasped. Somehow, he was back in that outfit! The cardigan, the dorky shirt, the highwaisted jeans! Something strange was going on. The grease was changing him, affecting his perception. He had to get to the bottom of this.

A few more blocks and he found himself across the street from Berger and Sons Barbershop. The lights were on so Eddy knew he could get some answers. But the light wouldn’t change. Eddy waited and waited but it didn’t change. There was no traffic. He could just jaywalk across the street. But try as he might, he couldn’t get himself to do it. A little voice in his head kept telling him that it was against the rules. Since when had that mattered? Eddy never followed any rules! But he simply HAD to all of a sudden. His rebellious nature was defeated and he could not cross the street without the light changing. 

It didn’t. Something was stopping it from happening and Eddy couldn’t cross. Defeated, he returned home, fiddled with his TV antenna, and fell asleep watching more Leave It To Beaver.

--------

“Eddy, can I have a word with you in my office?” he heard his boss saying. Eddy blinked and found himself in the conference room of his office, his coworkers staring at him with a smattering of cheeky smirks and barely restrained laughter. He recognized the clients he had a meeting with on Monday but… was it already Monday? He looked down and groaned. He saw it: the outfit from the mannequin. The dorky bowtie, the short white sleeved shirt, the flat fronted highwaisted pants, the slouchy white socks, and of course the super shiny penny loafers. He turned around and saw his presentation: just a big white posterboard that said “Surfboarding: It’s Neato Completo.” All the work he had done for months was gone and this was what he showed up to the meeting with? All his passion for surfboarding and this was the best he had? But when he thought about it, he could barely even remember himself surfing. All he could think about was how much he wanted to get home, look at his stamp collection, and maybe read up on some chess maneuvers. What was happening to him?

Needless to say, Eddy’s meeting with his boss was short. They offered him a month of severance and told him to pack up his stuff and leave. They couldn’t have a square like him working at a surfboarding company. He looked at all the beach memorabilia at his desk and just threw it in the trashcan. It didn’t seem like his anymore anyways.

As he walked back home, he could feel everyone staring at him, giggling at his outfit, looking at his big greasy haircut. He felt dejected and embarrassed and could barely see where he was going. He just looked at the ground and shuffled his penny loafers. When he finally looked up, he saw where he was and he wasn’t surprised. Berger and Sons Barbershop.

The bell tinkled as he entered the shop. Mr. Berger looked up and smiled.

“I knew you’d be back. How are you feeling about the haircut?”

Eddy sighed. “I hate it. Well I hated it, but I can’t make it go away and every day I just feel like it suits me more and more. I don’t know what’s happening!”

“That’s the power of a good grease,” said Mr. Berger. “Once you go slick, you just have to stick!”

“Gee whiz,” said Eddy. “I guess so. I just feel so different now.”

“Would you like me to wash it out? You can go back to the way you were. Or…”

“Or?” asked Eddy.

“Or I can apply one more coating and make it permanent. One more coating of pomade and you’ll be a good retro nerdy boy forever. The choice is yours.”

Eddy sighed a breath of relief. The nightmare was finally over. He was ready to make his choice. And then the strong smell overwhelmed him.

“I’d like to stay this way forever!” Inside, Eddy was screaming. That wasn’t what he wanted at all but the grease was making him say it. The grease was making him sit in the chair. The grease was taking his will to fight. The grease made him sit politely and smile as Mr. Berger took a huge scoop of hair product and began working it into Eddy’s jet black hair. When he was finally done, Mr. Berger spun Eddy around and said, “What do you think?”

Eddy looked at himself in the mirror… and couldn’t see anything. It was a blur.

“Oh of course,” said Mr. Berger. “You’ll be needing these now.” He pulled out a pair of clunky black rimmed glasses with thick lenses and placed them on Eddy’s nose before fastening them in place with a tight elastic strap. The world came into focus and Eddy saw himself in the mirror.

The hair was even neater, even more retro, and even greasier looking than before. The thick black glasses just complimented the hair perfectly. When Eddy reached up to touch his hair, it felt nearly plastic. It didn’t budge at all. This truly was the haircut he was stuck with.

“Gee whiz, it looks neato completo Sir!” he said with a goofy grin plastered on his face.

“You don’t have to call me Sir,” Mr. Berger smiled. He handed Eddy his wallet back and opened it to the ID holder. Eddy’s license had been replaced with a new one. The picture showed Eddy in his thick glasses and greased up hair and where his name should be it read “Edward Berger.”

“Berger and Sons Barber,” Mr. Berger smiled. “I just knew you had potential.”

“Golly thanks for the swell haircut, Dad!” Eddy--or was it Edward--said with a grin.

“Say, son, I know you got fired from your job and I was thinking… isn’t it time you joined the family business?”

-----

From that day forward, Edward Berger spent every day in the barbershop learning the craft. His nights were spent in his dorky apartment studying chess maneuvers, listening to lounge music, and watching Leave It To Beaver. He was in bed by 9pm every night and awake by 5am every day. He wore a tie and pocket protector every day to the barber shop and even on most weekends. Whenever he was on the street, people would point and laugh at him but Edward Berger never felt ashamed. He knew it was better to be a clean cut retro goody two shoes than the hip rebel he had used to be. Besides, nobody had a spiffier haircut than he did.

Finally, the day came when Mr. Berger thought Edward was ready to ply his trade on clients of his own.

“I sent out a few invitations for free haircuts to get you some people to try your greasing skills on.”

The bell jingled and three men walked into the shop. Edward pushed up his thick glasses and ran a hand over his thick plasticene haircut. The men seemed almost familiar but he couldn’t remember why. They signed in and Edward picked up the sign in sheet. 

“Well hello and greetings fellas and welcome to Berger and Sons Barbers. So nice to meet you…” He glanced down at the sign in sheet. “Lee, Drew, and Kirk. Now which one of you is up first?”

The three men laughed at this absolute retro nerdy joke before them. Little did they know, they’d be just like him soon enough.

If you liked this story, why not join us in the nerdification discord? Surely someone has a magic hair grease that will turn you into a retro goody two shoes nerd!

#nerdification #haircut #slickedhair #nerdtf #jocktonerd #transformation #retrofetish

[isvampirismgay]

Band ask!

GNR

Metallica

Type O

😉😘

Gnr (I apologise in advance for picking Steven so much but he's the UwU man)

Cuddle: Steven. Duh

Bang: that saxophonist from use your illusion tour

Go shopping with: Steven (I hate shopping but Steven is too UwU for me to stay grumpy!)

Best cook: weirdly enough I feel like it's Izzy

Listen to records with: slash

Write love poems to: Steven

Go to beach with: Steven

Wardrobe to steal: Duff (and then get everything shortened cause that's not a man, that's a giraffe)

Best hair: Slash

Music lessons from: Izzy

Metallica (i was never that much invested in them so all the knowledge I've got is either CLIFF BURTON BASS GOD or what I've gained through osmosis lmao)

Cuddle: Jason cause they did him dirty

Bang: no offense to all the past and present members but absolutely no one, they all seem like he people who don't wash their hands after peeing

Go shopping with: drunk Kirk

Best cook: papa het

Listen to records with: Cliff

Write love poems to: isn't writing riffs and solos with same structure as Cliff's the same thing?

Go to beach with: just the whole lot of them, seems like a fun vibe

Wardrobe to steal: tbh they don't dress much better than I already do shdjfhdjf

Best hair: Robert Trujillo

Music lessons: C L I F F I'M LITERALLY B E G G I N G

Type O Negative:

I know maybe three songs from this band and nothing about the members that are not Peter Steele

However I feel like the only reason he wouldn't wanna get pegged is cause he'd feel bad making his partner do all the hard work and that's very sexy of him

Anyway this was fun thank you!!

#ask #lionheartmadre

[dustedmagazine]

Dusted Mid-Year Exchange, Part 2: Positive No to Yves Tumour

Six Organs got a lot of mid-year love this time

Welcome back to part two of the Dusted Mid-Year Exchange, in which we tackle the second half of the alphabet. If you missed part one, with its lengthy description of what we’re doing here, you can read it here. Or just muddle through. Cheers.  

Positive No — Kyanite (Little Black Cloud)

Kyanite by Positive No

Who recommended it? Tobias Carroll

Did we review it? No.

Tim Clarke’s take:

Positive No braid tight bursts of guitars, bass and drums into upbeat yet agitated shapes. There’s a touch of Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino in Tracy Wilson’s vocal delivery, or My Bloody Valentine’s Belinda Butcher, especially on expansive opener “Elevator Up.” At just under half an hour, the urgent economy of Kyanite’s songwriting makes all the more sense when you learn that it’s the band’s final album, released on Valentine’s Day this year. As their parting gesture, nothing is wasted, everything invested. As one of the song titles says, “Get In, Get Out. Don’t Linger. Go On.”

 Raspberry Bulbs — Before the Age of Mirrors

Before The Age Of Mirrors by Raspberry Bulbs

Who picked it? Jonathan Shaw

Did we review it? Yes, Jonathan said, “Even in its heaviest metal moments, on ‘Reclaimed Church’ and excellent closing track ‘Given Over to History,’ the record’s punk vibe cuts and grins. It insists on a deadly aesthetic seriousness, and at the same time, it’s tugging the rug out from under its own feet.”

Jennifer Kelly’s take:

Raspberry Bulbs splices punk’s antic venom with metal’s storm and roar, shifting from one mode to the other inside individual tracks, sometimes measure to measure. Consider “Doggerel” which kicks off in a pogo-ing furor, rattling violently over rapid oi band rhythms, everything clipped and percussive, even the vocals, though hoarse and splintered. Midway through, a sirening guitar riff intercedes and the singing turns ominous and measured; all the sudden it’s metal. “Midnight Line” pulls the opposite trick, beginning in clanging, feedback-morphing guitar and larynx shredding howl, then introducing a punk rock palm-muted chug and anthemry. It’s a volatile mix, at times nearly playful, at others agonizingly heavy, at still others (the “Intervals” mostly) surprisingly lyrical.  I lean towards the punk-er tracks—"They’re After Me” and “Doggerel”— metal fans may feel otherwise.

 Stephen Riley — Friday the 13th (Steeplechase)

Who recommended it? Derek Taylor

Did we review it? Yes. Derek said, “Knuffke and Riley are a directly collaborative pairing now and their partnership politely demands many more dates like this one.”

Justin Cober-Lake's take:

Saxophonist Stephen Riley has put together a quartet with a singular idea of playing these classic tunes on Friday the 13th in relatively straightforward and spacious renditions. Their take on Eddie Vinson's “Four” has Riley and cornetist Kirk Knuffke trading long solos. The rhythm section does its job, but it's a horn players' record. The album comes alive most when Knuffke and Riley interact more immediately. On Oliver Nelson's “Hoe Down,” they reveal how great a partnership they have, initially matching each other on the main melody before spiraling off. “Round Midnight” could have been too obvious a choice, but the combo's personalized take on the standard works out. Everyone sounds at ease enough within the song that they take a few more risks, and the horn players supplement each other nicely with more harmonic considerations. The album ends with a trio of spirited numbers, and in each case Riley and Knuffke play off each other's solos with a sharpness that by now makes sense. Riley's listening to Monk and playing like Rollins (hence the title track) as he and his group find ways to make old bop sound new.

  Gil Scott-Heron and Makaya McCraven—We’re New Again, A Reimagining (XL Recordings)

Who recommended it? Jenny Kelly.

Did we review it? Yes. Arthur Krumins notes, “McCraven lays down a lush musical backdrop that allows Scott-Heron’s words to have emotional impact.”

Jonathan Shaw’s take:

The word “reimagine” has a sexy resonance, and for that reason, it’s often too casually used. But in the case of We’re New Again, the word is warranted. Drummer and producer Makaya McCraven doesn’t just remix Gil Scott-Heron’s final record, I’m New Here (2010); McCraven shuffles the track list, adds some relevant recordings of Scott-Heron’s voice, and creates entirely new arrangements, moods, and musical accompaniment for the earlier album’s songs. It’s ballsy — I’m New Here is justly recognized as a masterpiece, and it’s marked by a stylistic austerity. On that record, Scott-Heron sang and spoke and recited his poetry over minimalist beats, a strummed guitar, or his own piano playing. McCraven attentively reimagines the tunes, working with polyphonic, post-Bop ensembles; busy hip-hop soundscapes; gospel and funk quotations. Remarkably, none of the richness of Scott-Heron’s vocals and none of the complexity of his poetry get obscured. More often, McCraven inventively intensifies the impact of Scott-Heron’s songs. And the reordering and recontextualizing of the tracks reveals a different narrative, grounded in the resilience and the suffering of Scott-Heron’s upbringing and too-short life. You listen and you feel it. It’s a terrific record.

Six Organs of Admittance — Companion Rises (Drag City)

Companion Rises by Six Organs of Admittance

Who recommended it? Jennifer Kelly

Did we review it? Yes. Jenny said it’s “straight-down-the-middle Six Organs, not as loud and abrasive as the first Hexadic disc, not as reticently wisp-y as the older folk-derived records.”

Patrick Masterson’s take:

Back when Dusted was still a dot-com, we talked about making a site-specific canon for our 10th anniversary, a kind of “Dusted 500” field guide. There was a shared spreadsheet and talk of a benefit show and a mixtape comp and so on that never amounted to anything for myriad reasons, but I can promise you Ben Chasny would’ve figured into it somehow — and nearly a decade on from that, my promise stands. The latest (30th? Let’s call it 30th) Six Organs of Admittance record is a beautiful slow burner that shows why, all astral spirits and slow-rolling starlight guitar plucks that is, as Jenny rightly notes, a Six Organs line drive. My belief after numerous spins since early February — mostly in the mornings, for which this music also seems suitable accompaniment — is that, like the rest of Chasny’s oeuvre, it will appeal to anyone who likes guitars or reads this. On the off chance you stumbled in here or haven’t heard this record yet: Welcome. It’s always been this way.

Patrick Masterson

 Spanish Love Songs — Brave Faces Everyone (Pure Noise)

Brave Faces Everyone by Spanish Love Songs

Who recommended it? Ian Mathers

Did we review it? Yes. Ian said, “it’s more a record of solidarity and mutual support than it is anything more prescriptive.”

Patrick Masterson’s take:

L.A. quintet Spanish Love Songs occupy a very specific point on what I like to think of as the Bar Band Spectrum, where one end is a bottom-rung covers-only collective found in just about any weeknight dive pre-COVID playing for beer money out of boredom and modest ambition… and the other end is Bruce Springsteen. This band isn’t as ramshackle as, say, Ladyhawk, nor have they yet hit a glass ceiling à la the Constantines; they sound to me more like Beach Fossils or Single Mothers, where everything from their songwriting to their slightly glossy production suggests they’re as ready as they’ll ever be for arena life. And what a record to make the case, too: Brave Faces Everyone is the sound of Run for Covers Records growing up or early onset Gen Z realizing a glass of wine after everything is, in fact, a coping mechanism for adulthood in a profoundly uncaring world. It’s got a big, young heart to match its big, old sound. It says, loudly, that in the increasingly untethered reality of 2020, we are all losers forever — but there’s still a “best of it” to be made if you wanna and the bravest face is an optimistic one. I’ll rock with that (from the quarantined confines of home and the other side of another lousy livestream, of course).

Patrick Masterson

Squirrel Flower — I Was Born Swimming (Polyvinyl)

I Was Born Swimming by Squirrel Flower

Who picked it? Patrick Masterson

Did we review it? Nope.

Arthur Krumins’ take:

Making the most of a dour mood, Squirrel Flower squeezes disaffection from her vocal delivery. The instrumentation is reminiscent of a less noisy Built to Spill, or maybe Julie Doiron, and is effectively now a retro indie rock sound originally from the late 90s or early 2000s. The jamminess of some of the drawn out riffs feel both pretty and sad, and could be a good soundtrack to a rainy drive. The heaviness is well developed without being bogged down. The lyrics catch your attention with their plainspoken narration of conflict (“You slap me, I’ll slap you right back” she repeats in “Slapback”). A fitting album for looking your troubles head on while still being totally surrounded by them.

 Waterless Hills — The Great Mountain (Cardinal Fuzz)

Waterless Hills - 'The Great Mountain' by Waterless Hills

Who picked it? Bill Meyer

Did we review it? No.

Arthur Krumins’ take:

A dissonant flow that steadily increases in intensity starts this record, which is a live recorded improvisation. The combination of aching, modal violin by dbh with slightly overdriven cascading electric guitar by C Joynes makes for a feel reminiscent of “Venus in Furs” by the Velvet Underground. The percussion by Andrew Cheetham, a drum kit plug some extras like a hung Chinese gong, creates texture and mood. Sometimes there’s just a steady counting of time in the background, at other moments waves of cymbals crash and make a cacophonous emphasis as the music rises and falls. The overall effect of the jams is hypnotic, like getting absorbed in a swirling light show. The players’ sensitivity to the musical interplay of their instruments, combined with a masterful looseness, makes it a trip worth taking.

Well Yells — We Mirror the Dead (Self-released)

Who recommended it? Ian Mathers.

Did we review it? Yes. Ian Mathers notes, “tipping towards the slightly industrial/EBM side of the genre, We Mirror the Dead gains a kind of gloomy propulsion without losing any of the atmosphere or intensity of [the band’s] prior work.”

Jonathan Shaw’s take:

The Gothic is not famous for stylistic restraint, and neither are the various contemporary subgenres that have inherited goth music’s romance of dark interiors, painfully fraught feeling and highly stylized self-fashioning. A few recent acts have cut against the grain of those established maximalist textures: see the grim industrial rancor of Street Sects, and the more experimental, sample-based austerities of Wreck and Reference. Well Yells’ music feels similarly stripped down to a pulsing electronic essence. But the record is more interested in the strobing spaces of Clubland than in decrepit factory ruins, and the darkwave gloss of We Mirror the Dead presents a more conventional relation to goth’s sensations. At its best—as on album opener “Kill the King”—the music of Patrick Holbrook, sole member of Well Yells, snaps and glimmers with compelling dread and arch sophistication. Holbrook’s breathy tenor is a useful counterpoint; his vocals are vaguely reminiscent of the best of those other habitués of Clubland, the British New Romantics (remember Bronski Beat?). It’s good stuff, somehow simultaneously polished and dirty.

  Lucinda Williams—Good Souls Better Angels (Thirty Tigers/Highway 20 Records)

Who recommended it? Justin Cober-Lake

Did we review it? No.

Bill Meyer’s take: I haven’t listened much to Lucinda Williams; the one record I have by her, Sweet Old World, is 28 years old. The first thing that hit me when I listened to Good Souls Better Angels is what’s changed. Williams’ voice is much rougher, and she’s adjusted the music correspondingly, adding Hendrixian guitar flourishes to “Bone of Contention” and coarsening the domestic violence scenario “Wakin’ Up” with bad-trip electronics. The next is how pissed she sounds. Violent boyfriends are bad enough, but having a charmless sociopath for president is even worse. Fortunately, bile hasn’t overwhelmed her writing chops. Big-sounding roots rock isn’t really my thing these days, but if I feel the need to change that, Good Souls Better Angels is a good place to start.  

  Wire — Mind Hive (Pink Flag)

Who picked it? Andrew Forell

Did we review it? Yes, Andrew said, “Mind Hive is concise yet full of restless intelligence, musical ideas and willingness to push boundaries.”  

Derek Taylor’s take:

I tapped Wire late and left early. That truncated exposure lends a narrow vocabulary in describing their music contextually, pre- and post-reunions. This latest missive sounds alternately like what I remember and at least several zip codes removed with a heavy lean into synths. “Be Like Them” and “Primed and Ready” fall in the former category, while “Off the Beach” trades gangly ennui and menace for what almost resembles instrumental optimism until the lyrics stack dutifully into another ode to the disaffected and disconnected. “Oklahoma” feels inscrutably weird. “Hung” drops as the album’s extended, incremental, post-industrial dirge. There’s additional insulation sheathing this Wire, an inevitable adjunct of ascendancy to elder status, but the current foursome is still dependably conducting current.

 Yves Tumour — Heaven to a Tortured Mind (Warp)

Who recommend it? Patrick Masterson

Did we review it? No.

Ian Mathers’ take:

Listen to music for long enough and you might realize that most of the time when you hope any artist goes in any particular direction with their work, you’re bound to be disappointed. But every so often, maybe after a promising album that you just didn’t fully click with, an artist does exactly what you were hoping for and fully manifests all the potential promise you thought you glimpsed. Yves Tumor’s 2018 album Safe in the Hands of Love was admirable in many ways, but it was really only on crucial single “Noid” that all the combustible elements were really brought together into something that properly bangs. Well, Heaven to a Tortured Mind might not have as many showcases for the ambient/noise chops that Tumor definitely has, but it does consistently bang for 36 minutes of should-be alternate universe pop hits, from the brassy “Gospel for a New Century” to the floaty duet “Kerosene!” For anyone who loved “Noid” and then found more to respect than the viscerally love on Tumor’s last record, this is the record you were waiting for, and it is magnificent and ferocious.

#dusted magazine #midyear #positive no #tobias carroll #tim clarke #raspberry bulbs #jonathan shaw #jennifer kelly #stephen riley #derek taylor #justin-cober lake #gil scott-heron #makaya mccraven #arthur krumins #six organs of admittance #patrick masterson #spanish love songs #ian mathers #squirrel flower #waterless hills #bill meyer #well yells #lucinda williams #andrew forell #wire #yves tumour

[sonicawareness]

The Best Albums of 2019

After listening to more than 2000 new albums in 2019, I’ve narrowed my picks down to The 20 Best Records of 2019.

I’ve included 3 essential songs from each pick, as well as a choice lyrical clip and a brief description of the album.

Noting beats actually LISTENING TO MUSIC! So don’t just read my thoughts: follow and listen to the Spotify playlist containing 60 songs from the top 20 albums:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5TWlfWoo54MQ5cYTMmB0RI?si=M_23L6DDRieVuA845A90Pg

01: Yung Gravy - Sensational

Aptly titled Sensational, this debut full-length is a thirty minute party that dances between the hottest trap beats, well-placed samples, and the young Minnesota rapper’s braggadocious persona and ridiculous raps

Hey Alexa, how many bitches can we fit in the Tesla?...Pull up in that Model X with your model ex!

“Whip a Tesla” • “1 Thot 2 Thot Red Thot Blue Thot” • “The Boys Are Back in Town”

02: TWICE - &TWICE • Feel Special EP • FANCY YOU EP

Nine young South Korean women radiate endless energy, bountiful bliss, and some of the catchiest songs to come out not only in 2019 but recent memory 

Even when things go wrong, feelings out of control: lessons, to be sure. Be okay, all right! Even a crying face is glittering, filter and laugh! You can return to invincibility, right? Blow off, and we havin’ fun! [Translated from original Japanese]

“Fake and True” • “Breakthrough” • “Stronger”

03: Sublime with Rome - Blessings

Frontman, bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Rome Ramirez delivers his finest record to date: eleven heartfelt reggae-driven songs that are as well-written as they are masterfully recorded and produced

Watching you feel good tonight: it's your song up on the station, and we don't even know no words. I wanna hear you roll your R’s, singing Spanish in the car, “Dime algo hermosa tonight”.

“Wicked Heart” • “Light On” • “For the Night”

04: Bring Me the Horizon - amo 

Cohesive yet genre-spanning (metalcore, hip-hop, electronic, and pop, to name just a few), the sixth album from the English quintet is an emotional yet insightful rollercoaster masterpiece

Before the truth will set you free, it'll piss you off. Before you find a place to be, you're gonna lose the plot. Too late to tell you now, one ear and right out the other one ‘cause all you ever do is chant the same old mantra.

“MANTRA” • “wonderful life” • “i apologise if you feel something”

05: Weezer - Weezer (Black Album)

Expertly produced and instantly memorable, the long-running Rivers Cuomo-driven California quartet is once again in top form, adding yet another fresh and unique — but distinctly Weezer — record to their extensive discography 

Don't get mad at me, I'm just being honest. I should have lied, now you're mad at me? I'm just being honest. How 'bout from now on you'll write the script, I'll read the lines?

“Can’t Knock the Hustle” • “Zombie Bastards” • “Living in L.A.”

06: Big Data - 3.0

Like this sophomore album’s lyrical content — exploration of the impact artificial intelligence will have on humans and on the Earth — the latest project from producer, multi-instrumentalist, and mastermind Alan Wilkis is paradoxically dark yet bright; like AI, this album’s execution is equally flawless and Dangerous

I created a monster, it's out of control, it's going to take me...I didn't know what I was making...But now it's coming, coming for all of us!

“Monster” • “See Through” • “Evolution Once Again”

07: blackbear - ANONYMOUS

Vibrant yet dark, personal yet accessible, the fifth album from Mat Musto is a collection of 18 vulnerable, confessional songs told over slick electronic and hip-hop sounds

You drop the bag and ask me how my weekend was. I love that, though. You laugh when I make stupid jokes, and when I went to rehab, you didn't judge me that bad. I struggle with addiction probs, you always got my back. What am I gonna do the day that my drug dealer moves away? Whatever am I gonna say to my new plug? It just ain't the same.

“DOWN” • “HATE MY GUTS” • “DRUG DEALER”

08: Denzel Curry - ZUU

Hit-after-hit of hip-hop bangers pack this album’s half-hour runtime, with a plethora of guests joining the fray but never quite knocking it out like the young Miami native, Denzel Curry 

First they mockin', now they hoppin', all on the wave, 'cause they see me poppin'. Big-big-big large pockets, they start flockin'. Here's what I say when they ass keep knockin'...

“RICKY” • “BIRDZ” • “ZUU”

09: DaBaby - KIRK / Baby on Baby

On his two 2019 albums, his first proper efforts after countless mixtapes and singles, DaBaby unleashes his signature, incessant vocals over relentless trap and modern hip-hop beats

Prolly heard I was broke from a broke nigga, prolly heard I'm a ho from a ho! I don't know what you know, I ain't runnin' from no nigga, let’s go!

“BOP” • “OFF THE RIP” • “Suge”

10: Bayside - Interrobang

On their eighth album, the Anthony Raneri-fronted New York natives sound refreshed, focused, and tighter than ever telling their trademark tales of heartbreak and healing

I love that music saved you, and Lord knows it’s saved me too, but songs never love you back, and you never know the person preaching to you...

“Interrobang” • “Prayers” • “Bury Me”

11: The Hold Steady - Thrashing Thru The Passion

Few frontmen can weave an album’s worth of compelling narratives, yet the Brooklyn band’s Craig Finn finds himself on the seventh The Hold Steady album once again delivering ten more engaging, interlocked tales over his band’s fierce guitar riffs and all-too-catchy choruses

Thanks for listening, thanks for understanding: tequila takeoff, Tecate landing.

“Entitlement Crew” • “Denver Haircut” • “You Did Good Kid”

12: Electric Guest - KIN

Sugary sweet, the third record from the California duo promptly polishes any rough few rough edges they once had to deliver a perfectly slick yet quirkily heartwarming collection of eleven easy-listening songs

I'm like, “this mothafucka might sue me, and that mothafucka might boo me”. I'ma keep on goin' to a better day, all this other bitterness can fade away.

“Dollar” • “I Got the Money” • “More”

13: Billie Eilish - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

Part punk energy without sounding even slightly punk, part emo diary without being a dashboard confessional, the debut record from American teenager Billie Eilish craftily bounces between genres, haunting sounds, and strange stories

If you think I’m pretty, you should see me in a crown. I'm gonna run this nothing town. Watch me make 'em bow one by one by one.

“bad guy” • “my strange addiction” • “you should see me in a crown”

14: The Cat Empire - Stolen Diamonds

The eighth album from Australia’s The Cat Empire is a full-blown dance party packed with catchy, clever songwriting and a room full of drums, horns, strings, keyboards, turntables, and bass

Operator, please, I can’t get out my head. Tell me where I’m going or where I’m being led. Tell me like an order, and order I’ll obey. Maybe I just thought you said, or did I did I hear you say, “We’re going to ([kill a man]) Kilaman-jaro, jaro…”

“KIla” • “Stolen Diamonds” • “Ready Now”

15: Dirty Heads - Super Moon

Co-frontmen Dirty J and Duddy B return to the beach for the seventh Dirty Heads album, borrowing sounds from across their entire discography of acoustic guitars and witty hip-hop to craft a surprisingly delicate record

I'm a flame, I'm a beacon that won't go out. In the dark, in the rain, I'm your lighthouse. When you can't stand the pain, hope you know now, I'll keep you safe, I'm your lighthouse.

“Super Moon” • “Lift Me Up” • “Tender Boy”

16: TENDER - Fear of Falling Asleep

Dark and uninviting, the second album from this London duo is an intimidating but rewarding listen delicately spiced with just enough hooks to keep you trapped in its atmospheric dreams 

I’ll be looking for the scent when it goes cold. I’ve been trying to beat the maze with a blindfold on. I’ve been foraging through mud and sticks searching for that power that don’t exist.

“Closer Still” • “Bottled Up” • “Handmade Ego”

17: Logic - Confessions of a Dangerous Mind / Supermarket Soundtrack

Logic returns once again with countless rhymes delivered over his trademark breathless bars, frequently painting an all-too-vivid picture of a famous rapper struggling to comprehend the world around him

All these comments got me lost in my mind; all these thoughts that I'm having are not mine. I always post that I'm having a good time so my life looks perfect online...

“Homicide” • “Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different” • “Lemon Drop”

18: Tyga - Legendary

More than just a collection of hits, the seventh album from the Compton rapper is well-sequenced and effortlessly laced with hook-after-hook for Tyga to deliver his signature obscene lines about things he self-admittedly has too many [sic] of: money, cash, hoes, cars, clothes, flows

Hey, shut the fuck up, bitch, you know who I are. Point blank range, and I'm shootin' for the stars. You niggas subpar and I just raised the bar. You got Rollies on your wrist, this is Chopard. Slide on your block like a fuckin' go-kart, my nigga A&R, still got an AR.

“Haute” • “Lightskin Little Wayne” • “On Me”

19: The Chainsmokers - World War Joy

The third album in three years from Alex Pall and Drew Taggart (and no shortage of guests) is an easy, light collection of ten slick relationship-focused pop songs that find the duo largely eschewing their dance-centric history 

You said, "Hey, whatcha doing for the rest of your life?" and I said, "I don't even know what I'm doing tonight". Went from one conversation to your lips on mine.

“The Reaper” • “Family” • “P.S. I Hope You’re Happy”

20: Bear Hands - Fake Tunes

Brooklyn’s Bear Hands returns with another collection of bright, bouncy songs that ever-so-slightly conceal the trio’s underlying sadness and struggles  

I don't see how you think you can come to me, and bitch to me, lay out your problems, like ancient history, like I ain't got no other shit to do. I love you, baby, but my lips are turnin' blue.

“Blue Lips” • “Back Seat Driver (Spirit Guide)” • “Mr. Radioactive”

THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2019

Yung Gravy - Sensational

TWICE - &TWICE • Feel Special EP • FANCY YOU EP

Sublime with Rome - Blessings

Bring Me the Horizon - amo 

Weezer - Weezer (Black Album)

Big Data - 3.0

blackbear - ANONYMOUS

Denzel Curry - ZUU

DaBaby - KIRK / Baby on Baby

Bayside - Interrobang

The Hold Steady - Thrashing Thru The Passion

Electric Guest - KIN

Billie Eilish - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

The Cat Empire - Stolen Diamonds

Dirty Heads - Super Moon

TENDER - Fear of Falling Asleep

Logic - Confessions of a Dangerous Mind / Supermarket Soundtrack

Tyga - Legendary

The Chainsmokers - World War Joy

Bear Hands - Fake Tunes

#best albums

[melodyalanaroster]

Cousin Mels

“Mels!” The little girl ran up to Alana and hugged her tightly. “Ravenna! Hey Kiddo!” Alana smiled as she hugged the little girl back. Ravenna was only about four years old, but she was already almost to Alana’s shoulders. “Mommy, Daddy and Gran Gran said I could hang out with you today!” Ravenna cheered. “Well then! It’s a good thing I don’t have class today!” Ravenna looked at Alana, her eyes big. “Can we go on an adventure?” Alana smiled at the child meekly. “I’m supposed to be taking it easy... So we can’t go on a grande adventure... But I don’t see any harm in a little one.”

So, that’s how the day began. Her cousin, Kai, dropped his daughter, Ravenna, off at the Black Tower and Alana turned into “Cousin Mels” for a while. 

To emphasize the lazy day, Alana did everything in her power to make the day as adventurous as possible... Without actually doing much... They headed to the movie theater to see the latest movie about dragons, went to a toy store to get Ravenna a plush of her favorite dragon, got sandwiches, dropped the toy off at the Tower for safe keeping... They even went to the park where they played on the swings and Ravenna pretended that the swings were their dragons and they were flying through the air.... “Taking it easy... Taking it easy my ass! You’re supposed to be lounging around and being lazy! Running all over the city with Ravenna is the exact opposite of that!” a little voice in the back of Alana’s mind protested. “I don’t get to be “Cousin Mels” that often. I can handle this. And as for whatever punishment my body decides to give me for doing this... I’ll take it.” She’d mentally snap back. “Mels?” Ravenna stopped the swing and looked at Alana. “Yes kiddo?” Alana stopped her swing as well. “I’m hungry.”

They passed by the cafe with the great nachos and Alana noticed Nathaniel talking to the two suspicious guys she came across on her first day back. “While I could shoo those two assholes off, I don’t wanna start anything with Nath right now... And Ravenna should really not be exposed to that kind of thing.” she thought. “That place smelled good!” Ravenna cheered. “It has great nachos... But, I know a place that’s a little more peaceful. And after the adventure we’ve been on today, we need a little peace.” Alana replied as they continued walking.

When they got to the Cozy Bear cafe, they noticed a certain red headed rocker getting bombarded by girls. “What are those girls doing to that guy?” Ravenna asked. “They’re badgering him and getting on his nerves.” Alana sighed. “Why?” “Because he’s a popular musician and they’re his fans.” “Oh.” Alana smiled and knelt down to Ravenna. “Let’s go save him from that nasty mob.” she winked. Within seconds, Alana was standing tall, pressing buttons on her glasses and walking over to Castiel’s table, with Ravenna clinging to the back of her shirt. “Now, ladies! Don’t you know that throwing yourselves at someone like him is no way to get his positive attention?” she called. One of the girls glared at her. “And who are you to talk?” she asked. Alana smiled and with one motion, her glasses turned dark, making the only thing they could see when they looked at her eyes a pair of blue dots where her pupils should be. The girls immediately turned pale, their faces contorted into looks of horror and respect. One girl even motioned her hand across her chest in the form of a cross. “Now. Leave.” Alana stated. Immediately, the girls ran from the cafe in various directions. “I thought you hated using your resources as the Grim Reaper.” Castiel smirked. “I thought you were used to shooing girls like that off.” Alana grinned. “Touche. What’s with the kid.” Castiel motioned to Ravenna, who was still hiding behind Alana. “Do you remember my cousin Kai?” “Vaguely.” “This is his daughter, Ravenna. She came along not long after I joined the R.D.R.” Alana then turned to the child. “It’s okay. This is Castiel. He’s an old friend of mine.” Ravenna came out from behind her cousin and waved. “Hello.” Castiel looked at the child and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you Ravenna.” He then turned to Alana. “So, what brings you here? It couldn’t have been your desire to rescue me.” “It’s a long story.” Castiel motioned to the other seats at the table. “I’ve got time.”

After taking their seats and ordering a snack, Alana began telling Castiel of how Kai had left his daughter in her care for the day, and the adventure that ensued. “It was AWESOME!” Ravenna cheered. “I thought you were supposed to be taking it easy!” he laughed. “Yeah, well, when do I get to be “Cousin Mels?”. I’m usually “Melody Roster”, “The Grim Reaper” or “Alana.”. When I’m the “Cool, big, cousin” I get to be more childish...” “Why do you always talk about yourself as if you’re multiple people? You’re not split apart. You’re just Alana.” Instantly, Hyun appeared before them and delivered their order. “Cute kid Alana.” “Thanks, she’s my cousin.” She turned back to Castiel. “It’s because for the past few years, it’s been easier to compartmentalize my life by separating the aspects into the different parts. When I’m “Melody”, I have to deal with old dealings that my family has had, occasionally checking on the matriarchy, the expectations that are on me by being Lynne Roster’s daughter, among other things. When I’m “The Grim Reaper”, I have do put up with being a high ranking, extremely dangerous, highly desirable, very powerful, very damaged, member of society. When I’m “Alana”, I have a bit more freedom... But, I’m surrounded by the expectations and desires that are put on me by some of my closest friends. Now that I am trying to blend the three... It’s difficult. So, being the cool, older, cousin that can act as a fun role model to Ravenna is a nice change of pace. Trust me, Cas, you’re not the only one around here who has asked me that.” “Oh?” “Nath has asked it on multiple occasions.” “Don’t get me started on him.” “I’m not going to.” Sensing the discomfort, Ravenna looked at Castiel. “So? Mels said you’re a musician.” Cas looked at the child. “Yeah, I have been for years.” “What kind of music do you play?” “Rock music.” “Like Kiss?” “Same genre.” He looked at Alana curiously. “Kirk listens to Kiss. Seraphina listens to country. I don’t know or care about what Chrystal and Kai listen to... But you know I’m eclectic.” She laughed. “Sometimes I forget how insane your family can be.” He laughed. “Yep! The most taboo topics are simple dinner table talk, our tastes in music all vary, we’re huge geeks, and you don’t ever wanna attack us!” Alana cheered. “YEAH!” Ravenna chimed in. Castiel continued to laugh.

A few minutes later as Ravenna was talking about her adventure to Castiel, Alana received a text message from Kai. “We’ll be at the Tower in a bit to pick Ravenna up.” “Shit.” Castiel looked at Alana curiously. “What’s up?” “I’d hate to cut this short, but we’ve gotta get back to the Tower so Kai can pick the kiddo up.” she sighed. “Alright then. Let’s go.” Castiel grinned. Alana pulled out more than enough cash for Castiel’s, Ravenna’s and her orders, laid it on the table and wrote a note that said “Keep the change, Hyun. - Alana”. “Are you gonna walk back with us?” Ravenna asked. “If Alana doesn’t mind.” Castiel smiled. Alana grinned. “You know what? Why not?”.

When they got back to the Black Tower, Kai, Seraphina and Kirk were waiting for them. “Where were you?!” Kai yelled. “Kai Cambridge! Need I remind you, you are in MY DOMAIN. In this Tower, you will give me the respect I deserve!” Alana growled. “Now, as to where we were, we were walking back from the Cozy Bear Cafe. Ravenna wanted to take the scenic route.” Ravenna glared at her father. “Don’t yell at Mels, Daddy! She took me on an adventure! There were dragons!” she called. “Speaking of dragons, I believe you don’t wanna forget this!” Lyra appeared, handing Ravenna her new plush. “Thanks Lyra!” Ravenna took the toy and held it tightly. She looked at Alana and gave her a hug. “I love you Mels!”. She then turned to Castiel. “It was nice meeting you Cas!” she smiled. Castiel grinned at the child. “It was nice meeting you too, Ravenna.” Kai turned to Castiel, “Well, I see you haven’t changed much.”, then to Alana, “I expected you to be with Nathaniel. This is a surprise.”. Alana glared at him. “I have friends outside of Nathaniel... And the fact that you can’t seem to get that around your thick head shows precisely how obtuse you are.” She looked at Seraphina, who was looking around. “Azrael isn’t here. She’s at the beach with her husband. You’ll have to punch her another time.” she explained. Seraphina looked at Alana and nodded. “Good seeing you sweetie.”. “Let’s go.” Kirk stated as he started to leave. 

After the group left the Tower, Castiel looked at Alana. “Why is Seraphina looking to punch Azrael?” “Do you remember when Agatha punched her after the Tower’s Opening Ceremonies?” “Yeah.” “Yeah... Seraphina and Oma wanna get in on the mix... And if they do, it’ll effectively make all six of the primary Roster Women who have punched Azrael at some point.” “Well, damn.” Alana turned to him. “Do you wanna go to my apartment and watch a Disney movie?” Castiel smiled. “I’d love to.”

#my candy love #mcl #mclul #mcl castiel #my candy love castiel #mclul castiel #amour sucre #sweet amoris #amor doce #Sweet kiss #sweet love #Sweet flirt #sweet crush #dolce flirt #cdm castiel #Corazon de Melon #corazon de bombon #slodki flirt

[swearronchanel]

8.03

proceed with caution lol i have comments 

ok late start bc I wasn’t gonna do this but im following grace and frankie as this is the year of “fuck it”

MS VIOLET BUCKLE YASS

“.. and we must move forward, fueled my faith” ❤️

“Congratulations mum” MY HEART

Trixie’s cringe omg

Oo Cyprus, I wanna go

Why is Sister Frances smiling while saying all this? LMAO

Trixie can say anything and I’m just like “YAS QUEEN”

send the truant gremlins to school lmaoo

“Feel free to take it up with him” CLAP BACK WAS SUBTLE BUT STRONG lol like back up Ms Higgins

If only it was that easy to get people now at day’s to vaccinate their kids so these old ass diseases can stop coming back  

“Quite” LMAO shelagh’s face 😂 but also she’s a hypocrite if she doesn’t 🤷🏼‍♀️ no shade just facts

At least they’ll finally give Teddy his 5 seconds of fame 😂

Such a Caribbean family thing to always ask if you have a boyfriend LMAO like no mind ya neck

I love Leonie’s Jamaican accent she’s so good at it

Phyllis my sovereign I’ve missed you

how is teddy like 12 already? LMAO - or does every kid look huge in Laura’s arms?

🔊this is why you have to vaccinate your gremlin kids bc young babies can’t get them🔊

“Like Kirk Douglas” excuse me while I throw up ((he’s a rapist sorry not sorry))

Damn that clef pallet looks real, technology is wild

this lady’s kitchen is dreamy omg

but I’m assuming she must have lost a baby/child before ? there’s gotten be something that has her super anxious

Phyllis as Akela is the best

ASSISTANT CUBMASTER! NO THIS OLD REJECT MARX BROTHER DIDNT LMAOO

TRIXIE LOOKING LIKE A BAD BI*CH

OK BUT ME LMAO I CANT WEAR CHANCLAS WITH OUT A PEDICURE

Iced cross buns

Phyllis is so pure she wants a beach for the kids 😭

That woman was kinda bitchy but pretty

I swear there’s been a Becker family before?? Why does CTM always recycle names? it bothers me for some weird reason 😂😂

Ms Higgins out here reprising her role as cockblocker #1

ok now the baby looked kinda fake in that shot

there’s sister J, finally

Now where’s sister Monica Joan?

damn they couldn’t at least wait to talk shit AFTER she left ?? extra Rude afff

she lost a son, I called itttt

no shelagh don’t ask yet🤦🏼‍♀️

Val is such a good nurse, she’s handling this well

ofc the Turner’s would find out what happened in 2 seconds

well it’s so understandable, if your baby died and they gave you no explanation as to why you’d act the same way  

THERE’S SISTER MJ 😂

boys aged 3-9 are literal monsters

6 kids tho I’d fling myself off a cliff

Violet really dressin like a council woman, we stan

Trixie’s hair looks good af but why she smoking at the table?

Omg Shelagh’s pink dress is adorable

ok but wasn’t that kinda dramatic, she didn’t really hit the girl she pushed her hand away right?

Smack your dumb son Lmaoo he’s too grown to be acting up

I’m not as emotionally invested in this ep like I was the last one, am I a heartless monster??

Is it measles? Either way poor hazel

Ohh so Ms Higgins drives Lmaoo vroom vroom

“You’re stronger than you realize”😭

I actually like that Ms Higgins is having this moment with her? I’m tired to the Turner’s always tryna save the day like give someone else a chance

no shade ofc I’m just saying the Turner’s take a lot of spotlight when we’re supposed to be calling the midwives here lol

And now here comes Val to the rescue

“the chemist” cracks me up, it makes the pharmacy sound cooler than it is

Val’s outfit is killing, I need those damn plaid pants in my life?? Also gotta be thinner so I can look that good in them 😂

Either way I want, I’m such a whore for nice trousers

YES KID DEFEND YOUR BROTHER

square up with whomever you must

A remembrance plant omg, Ms Higgins being the best part in this episode is THE biggest plot twist 😭

Another good husband in the show aw

Tim playing with the girls how pure

They are sisters ok 😭 they’re so cute

REGGIE!! UGH I love the Buckles what an under appreciated family

Will someone explain what this bank holiday is?

“OH I feel like the queen 😂😂”

Trixie out here looking like a bad bitch!!

But she hasn’t gotten a main storyline yet I’m offended? & there’s also been a lack of sister j wtf is going on lol

Val’s dress is also cute af I love gingham

“.. embrace the warmth of ordinary days..” ❤️

There’s the pretty lady and her adorable daughter

“There is light. There is. Look for it ..” my heart man😭 Vanessa Redgrave always hitting right in the feels

If it was any other narrator it prob wouldn’t hit the same lol

#call the midwife #comments #or whatever #dont attack me pls

[outofmxnd]

NAME: David Breck Kirke. NICKNAME: Washington, Wash, Washy. GENDER: Demiguy. ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Panromantic demisexual. PREFERRED PET NAMES: Y’know I’m not actually sure. He’s happy to be called anything by a partner that’s not derogative or anything of the sort. He finds most pet names endearing. He really likes to call his partners pet names too. Calling them cutie is probably his favorite. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Verse dependent. FAVORITE CANON SHIP: N/A.  FAVORITE NON-CANON SHIP: Agh don’t make me pick I have too many. x.x OPINION ON TRUE LOVE: Wash definitely believes in true love. He’s kind of a lowkey hopeless romantic and doesn’t realize it, I think. Sometimes I feel like he doesn’t think true love is something he personally can achieve. Not even for any negative reasons, he just doesn’t think about it too often. I’ve noticed that in any ships I have for him, they always happen a little suddenly before Wash realizes it. I...Think maybe I’m a little off course for this question oops. OPINION ON LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT: I don’t think he really believes in love at first sight. He’s a little too jaded for it, definitely doesn’t think something as intimate as that happens all at one moment.  HOW ‘ROMANTIC’ ARE THEY?: He’s definitely more ‘lowkey’ romantic. Like...He’s not the type to do anything super flashy or something. But enjoys more subtle things like a night in together watching movies or walks in the park / beach, etc. Smaller things.  IDEAL PHYSICAL TRAITS: He’s really not that picky tbh. He likes muscles and he really likes people’s eyes. But also if you have a really nice smile, he’d be very smitten. He’s very weak for someone’s smile. IDEAL PERSONALITY TRAITS: Once again, he’s not really too picky as long as you’re kind. He tends to be drawn to people with ‘louder’ personalities, so to speak? He likes confidence in a person, but not to the point of complete cockiness.  UNATTRACTIVE PHYSICAL TRAITS: Well that’s kind of mean. UNATTRACTIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS: Overly cockiness tbh. Like..Honestly just don’t be an asshole. As long as you’re an overall good person, he likely will get along with you fairly well. IDEAL DATE: Movies and dinner dates at home after a walk at the park or something. Or like..Nightlife stuff, like going out to eat at night and then taking evening walks to see the stars or something.  DO THEY HAVE A TYPE?: ..Yes. He absolutely is drawn to stronger individuals most of the time omg.  AVERAGE RELATIONSHIP LENGTH: If he loves you, he absolutely is not going anywhere omg. As long as the relationship is stable and healthy and both parties are enjoying themselves, he’ll be in it as long as possible. PREFERRED NON-SEXUAL INTIMACY: CUDDLING!!! He’s a snugglebug once he trusts you, and he’ll wanna cuddle all the time omg. COMMITMENT LEVEL: Very committed! There’s very little that could spook him away from a relationship. OPINION OF PUBLIC AFFECTION: He gets flustered pretty easily, but he’s not inherently against pda. Especially holding hands or cheek kisses--he loves those. But he absolutely will be kind of blushy about it. PAST RELATIONSHIPS?: Also verse dependent. 

tagged by: @southern-bluebell tagging: @misterquickwitted / @zimvasion / @abitofafatass

#⊕ •【 ❝ AM I TRANSMITTING? ❞ ⇁ « ooc. » #⊕ •【 ❝ I FINALLY SAW THE WORLD FOR WHAT IT WAS. ❞ ⇁ « char. study. » #⊕ •【 ❝ I USED TO BE A REAL PIECE OF SHIT. ❞ ⇁ « about. »

[sylviethewizard]

frost harvest and pumpkin beach

frost - if you could give some advice to your younger self, what would you say?Alsjdke Ive had PTSD for,,, a decade and right after my trauma my family like,, split up and i had survivors guilt and all this shit and basically i blamed myself completely for something that happened to me when i was 8 and I'm STILL learning to let go of that so like,,I guess id just say you cant blame an 8 year old for shit thats out of her control?? And like,,, it's okay to be alive harvest - what fictional character do you most identify with? Why?Okay listen Jim Kirk and I are,,,, woww we're both PTSD McGee n we had childhood trauma and we blame ourselves for everything and anything and h but also he's th sunshine kid I've always strived to b and am now working on becomingpumpkin - do you think that humans are inherently good or bad?I've never met anyone inherently bad,, I like to think every one is good at heart,, one time I was at work and I had this patient who was telling me abt how she has two kids my age who won't speak to her now and she said she was a really shitty mom and she doesn't blame them but also shes been clean and in AA and everything for like a year now and she gets that they might never wanna see her again but she misses them and idk it reminds me of me n my dad?? Like I still strongly associate him with my trauma and he's been abusive to my mom and just shitty but I also know he loves me and even if he's awful he's still a person and he's doing his best?? Ya I think everyone just wants to be okay in the end but that could b cause I was raised by a reverend lolThis was long

[kingbrunnhilde]

🦄hi my name's alyssa :D i think i just love going to the beach and reading during summer tbh (also congrats !!!!!!!!)

join my 1.1k celebration!

i love catching up on reading during the summer too! and thank you :)

rate under the cut

🦄 - detailed rate (i’m guessing you want me to rate your sideblog btw)

url:

do i get the reference?: no, sorry |maybe? |yes!length: bit too short |perfect | bit too longoverall: good | superb | awesome | flawless | hermione granger

icon:

do i get the reference?: no, sorry |maybe? |yes!coloring:okay |lovely |excellent |perfection |leonard mccoyclarity: okay|nice |amazing |flawless | spockoverall: great |pretty | incredible | a masterpiece | jim kirk

desktop theme:

format: not my style| good | awesome | flawless | tony starkcolors: not my style|great | pretty| love it | peter parkersidebar: not my style |lovely |excellent |perfection| valkyrieupdates tab: not my style | cool | beautiful |wowow | shurioverall: okay | superb |awesome |gorgeous | thor odinson

mobile theme:

colors: not my style | lovely |excellent |perfection | finntitle: don’t get it | good | awesome | flawless | poe dameronheader: not my style | pretty | incredible | a masterpiece | rose ticooverall: good | great |amazing|gorgeous | rey

posts:

my fandoms?: no|some|most|yes!quality: okay | superb| fantastic | flawless | steve trevoroverall: okay | nice|excellent |perfection | diana prince

overall:

overall: meh | great|love it! |i wanna be you when i grow up | mako morifollowing?: no but ily |i wasn’t before?? | hell yeah| i love you (you know)

#1.1k celebration #bistevebucky #ask

[pidgelings]

How about a list of headcanons for Lance? Just anything that comes to mind. What he does when home alone, is he scared of bees, what's his cooking style (strictly by the book or does he get creative), do birds like him, favourite colour, etc. Anything. Have fun!! And congrats on 100 :D

Interesting! I haven’t really thought about sharing my thoughts on a character and my take on them before outside of AUs –

Of course, I do have a few headcanons that range from obvious to a bit more random and weird, so, let’s jump into them! Oh, and thanks for the congratulations !!

Lance Headcanons

Base Ideas

Boy is an extrovert through and through

We know he’s the youngest so I do see him as being a little spoiled

But, like, it’s the kind of spoiled when he expects to get things and then fight to keep said things

He’s so used to being surrounded by people that he kinda gets thrown off when he’s alone

He can’t sit still and needs to either be doing something or be around others

He’s kinda the guy that’ll call up random friends on Skype or something like that because he doesn’t know what to do and he’s bored

Theater Kid before the Garrison. No doubt

Can be taught anything with the right amount of patience

Wants to send out Good Vibes as much as possible

Gets really thrown off when things don’t go as he expects

[More Under the Cut]

Past Affecting Future

I see his beauty routine coming from having one or two older sisters that had a strict beauty routine themselves and they taught it to him when he was young

His family went to the movies a lot which causes him to remember and recite a lot of movie quotes and taglines

Having a bunch of love and support as a kid caused him to start questioning himself once he got older as that love and support just didn’t exist in the new people he was around a lot (take Iverson from the Garrison)

The speech he gave to Allura in Season 4 is very similar to things his parents and siblings would tell him when he felt doubtful

I want to believe he didn’t have his own room in his house so when we see him sleeping with headphones and a blindfold in Episode 2 of Season 1, that was based on habit from his home life

He was conditioned to be a morning person. There’s no way his family would tolerate him grumpy in the morning

His family took him on many adventures when he was a kid, which kinda made him seek new ones as he got older (which causes him to get into trouble a lot (think him trying to sneak into town with Hunk and Pidge))

He loved growing up in a big family so he wants to have his own big family someday

Self-Doubt

This developed later in life, around the time he got into the Garrison

His Self-Doubt doesn’t cripple him though as much as it causes him to step back and think

He jumps back rather quickly with someone else’s support

He can get knocked down just as quickly as he can get picked back up

He’s the kinda guy who does things because he says he wants to prove himself and the world what he’s capable of but it’s more to the former than anything else

He actually wants to prove his Self-Doubt wrong most of the time(Example: Pidge made him question if he even had a thing at all back in Beta Traz and near the end of the episode he proved to himself and the others that he was worthy of the title “Sharpshooter”)

He knows what it’s like to have Self-Doubt so he hates seeing it when other people have it themselves

Sadly, this can manifest in different ways and some ways are less friendly than others(Think back to Episode 1 when he launches Hunk out of the Blue Lion to get the Yellow Lion after Hunk expressed his worries. Lance was super stressed and seeing Hunk doubt himself at a time like that freaked Lance out so he had to cut the sob show short (even if it made him seem like a bit of a dick))

He uses his knowledge of the feeling to help others with it in short and he always tries to push himself past his feelings

Wacky/Random Headcanons

Star Wars fan rather than Star Trek (he does like Captain Kirk though)

Probably into ASMR and doesn’t tell anyone

Actually really into storytelling and creating (probably loves Roleplaying)

Gives really good relationship advice but promptly forgets all of it the second he meets someone he likes

Absolutely hates being around flowers and trashcans during the Summer because bees just love to crawl into his clothes and sting him (has a huge level of avoidance to bees)

Seagulls and Pelicans have always targeted him for food snatching at the beach so he doesn’t get along with them

He’s a surfer wannabe and can’t surf to save his life (a fished jump onto his board the one time he was doing a good job and he wiped out instantly after he jumped and screamed)

He’s much better at Boogie Boarding and prefers it

He wanted to become a Scuba Diver but his parents made him choose between that or the Garrison. I think you can guess what he picked

He absolutely has to be chewing something when taking off on a plane. Gummy Candy, Gum, or just anything he can chew on until the plane reaches it main altitude (if he couldn’t get something, he swallows his spit A LOT to try to get the same effect). He doesn’t know why but the one time he didn’t, his ears made him suffer for an entire trip (it’s all about equalization (he would’ve learned it if he chose Scuba over the Garrison)) (Bonus: Pidge is the exact same way)

Has probably watched a bunch of videos about the correct way to kiss someone because he does not want to fail his first kiss (he still hasn’t had one)

Does not handle spooky shit well at all -- Please don’t scare this boy --

Talks about his dreams a lot to whoever will listen 

They’re, like, weird dreams too that he doesn’t really fully understand when he wakes up“Was it a dream, was it a nightmare? I have no clue --”

Despite being a social creature, family gatherings throw him off

He’s hella awkward during them and it’s really weird because it’s just, like, that’s not the Lance everyone knows and loves

Sings in the shower all the fucking time(He also sings just while getting ready in the morning.)

MIRROR PEP TALKS !! HE DOES THOSE TOO !!

His neck, armpits, and feet are extremely ticklish. In fact, when he was a kid and his mom would try to put sunscreen on his neck, he’d giggle, scrunch up, and run away from her. Only he can touch his neck like that and not giggle.

He doesn’t know if neck kisses will have the same effect on him as the sunscreen, but he’s a little afraid to try because he wouldn’t want to hurt his partner(The sides of the neck are fine for kisses but the throat will cause him to bang his chin on his partner’s head because he’s so ticklish there)

Loves the idea of snow but hates snow itself because he’s so used to things not dropping below 70°F (about 21°C) and he can get cold rather easily (or what he thinks it cold)

Is actually a walking heater and is a great cuddle partner for cold days if you wanna stay warm

He’ll be more than willing to break gender norms if it’ll make someone he cares about happy (like wear dresses for his nieces n’ stuff like that)

Romance Headcanons

Boy is a hopeless romantic, through and through

He’s a softie for whoever he ends up with --

Like, a BIG softie --

The boy will praise his s/o any chance he gets and gush about them to anyone and everyone

The people who have to deal with this might get annoyed very easily

He’s also the one who stresses that communication is important in a relationship and will always tell his partner to tell him if there’s anything wrong

Yeah, he’ll try to hide his own stress from time to time but he’ll always eventually bring it up because hiding it forever won’t fix anything

He’s also really good at reading people so he can tell when something is bothering his partner

He wants to not just be his partner’s boyfriend but also their best friend

If you ask for him to be your friend and not your lover for a conversation, he’ll gladly set his loving bias aside to be that friend that tells you what you need to hear and not the lover who tells you what you want to hear

The boy is emotionally smart (rather than educationally smart) and anyone can see that when they talk to him

Boy is willing to do almost anything for his partner if he’s sure that they’d do the same for him (he wants to be in a mutually beneficial relationship)

Seriously, he can be what you need him to be for a while as long as he knows that when he needs you to be something for a while, you’ll return the favor

If he’s getting married to a girl and she doesn’t want a bunch of eyes on her as she walks down the wedding aisle in a gorgeous wedding dress, he will step up to the plate, wear that dress, and enjoy being in the spotlight

He’ll love someone regardless of where they came from in life

Big on cuddling so cuddles are a must if you’re gonna date him

Loves waking his partner up in the morning with a bunch of loving kisses and snuggles

The hair around the nape of his neck is hella sensitive and stroking/playing with it while relaxing with him will turn him into putty in your hands (Thanks, Tama, for that headcanon~)

Boy is going to try to be one of those fairytale princes for his partner anytime he can but he’ll mess things up a lot more often than you’d expect

When he messes up, though, he tries to play it off like the dork he is --

Will steal kisses from his partner any chance he gets (he loves giving smooches)

Would probably be one of the best dads that spoils his kids because he loves them so much (his partner better be more strict than him if they want their kids to have some discipline)

These are just some of the ideas I have for Lance Headcanons right now. I do have some NSFW headcanons too but I’ll only go into those if people are interested. XD Anyways, thanks for tossing this in and I hoped you enjoyed my ramblings on our favorite Cuban boi --

#Pidgey Chatter #Pidgey Answers #Pidgey Works #Character Headcanons #Lance #Lance McClain #Voltron #Voltron: Legendary Defender #Follower Milestone: 100

[nicolearp]

All of the asks from the 21 ask game

Thank you! Still so intrigued about you anon(s) ahaha

1: How old will you turn this year?

24

2: What is the one thing that you’re looking forward to the most?

My life going back to normal

3: What is the one thing that you’re looking forward to the least?

The time it will take for my life to go back to normal

4: Did you make any new year’s resolutions? What are they?

No. I only tend to make resolutions when there’s something big I wanna do (for example last year my new year’s resolution was to come off my meds, 3 years ago my new year’s resolution was to come out as bisexual)

5: What is something that you will do for yourself this year?

I will do what I can to keep my mental health stable (e.g. taking walks when I’m in all day every day because of working from home during lockdown)

6: Name three movies releasing this year that you’re excited about

The Woman in the Window, A Quiet Place 2 (though I’m also low-key terrified for both those films), Uncharted

7: Name three books releasing this year that you’re excited about

Ooh I don’t know, I don’t really know any books releasing this year. There are some book series I love (like the DCI Logan series by JD Kirk and the DCI Ryan series by LJ Ross) so I’ll say the next instalments in those

8: What is the soundtrack of 2021 for you?

Something optimistic and uplifting. Like one of those happy playlists on Spotify.

9: Which trend would you like to bring back this year?

Fidget spinners! I hear they can be really helpful for some people (like people with anxiety and ADHD)

10: Which trend would you want to get rid of this year?

Every social media platform getting a “stories” feature (wouldn’t surprise me if Tumblr gets one soon!)

11: Name three things you want to learn this year

I want to get better at guitar, cooking and meditation/mindfulness

12: Is there any ritual that you usually go through when beginning a year? What is it?

No

13: Describe your ideal 2021

Back to normal

14: If you could, where is the one place you’d like to visit this year?

A very relaxing holiday, maybe all-inclusive on the beach

15: What are your expectations from this year?

The world to slowly but surely go back to normal

16: What is the one thing you’re going to change about yourself this year?

I ideally want to stop worrying about the things I can’t control. But I don’t think that’s very realistic. So I’ll say I’m going to celebrate the positives more, no matter how small they may seem

17: What is the one habit from last year that you’re keeping?

Reading more. I’ve been reading more for 2 years now and wanna keep it up

18: What is the one thing you’re letting go of this year?

Ideally, self-doubt, and (again) worrying about/being affected by things I can’t control

19: Which artist’s releases are you most excited about?

That’s too hard to choose!

20: How about your Grammy/Oscar predictions?

I think Taylor Swift will win a lot of Grammys. I think Beyoncé and Dua Lipa will win too. No idea about the Oscars

21: What would you like to say to your future self in 2022 right now?

I hope the world and your life is looking a lot better and I can’t wait to see it.

Thank you so much again!

[billybangssteve-blog]

(Harringrove fanfic) Chapter four

Hawkins, Indiana

March, 1985

Chapter four - Don't miss a thing

Billy had cried. Not in front of anyone, obviously. After Steve had fallen asleep and all the kids had gone downstairs to explain to Bobby and Ginny, Billy had gone into the bathroom.

Leaning against the sink, Billy drew in a long breath and held it for a while. His knuckles turned white because he was clutching onto the sides of the sink so hard. A minute passed before Billy looked up into the mirror and exhaled a shaking breath. The tears that had gathered in his eyes dripped into the porcelain sink like a faulty faucet, his lip quivered and he held the back of his hand to his mouth, biting down lightly.

For a moment, after hearing that spine-tingling scream, Billy thought that Steve was dead for sure. And when he saw him, crazed and swinging his bat, Billy thought Steve had lost his mind for sure. And when Steve was catatonic in his arms, staring with a vacant look and looking like a ghost, he thought Steve was gone for sure. But no, Steve was fine- well no, he wasn't. Steve was being haunted by monsters from a polar demention and that wasn't okay. But he was stable, he was safe and Billy was going keep it that way.

Because when Billy was a kid, he wasn't able to protect the one ray of light in his life. His mother, Bonnie.

When Billy was 9, he walked in on something. He'd been hanging out with Stan Mason and Daniel Kirk, running away and towards the retreating and charging waves, when he decided to come home early. Now if he knew better, he'd stayed out as long as he could, because when he was a naive and oblivious kid, he didn't notice his mum's bruised up neck and arms.

But that day, June 10th, Billy leaped into the house with his feet encrusted with soggy sand and he dropped his socks and shoes. Bonnie was being strangled against the wall by Neil, she kicked and punched and scratched at Neil's wrists. Billy juat stood there like a dear caught in head lights, eyes massive and mouth agape in horrified awe. When his father had caught sight of him, he released his grip on Bonnie's neck and she sunk to the floor gasping and crying.

"Get to your room William!" His father had bellowed and Billy had done so, scattering to his bedroom and locking the door. He sat on the edge of his squeaking metal framed bed, hands clasped over his ears as Niel's shouts rung across the house. He didn't sleep that night.

A week later, June 17th, the divorce was announced and, after a drugs test on Bonnie came back that she'd  taken cocaine in last two days, Neil was given full custody of Billy. And separating Billy from his mother was a 5 mile restraining order.

After a year of many girlfriends, like Bethany Levin, a 22 year old beach babe, and Eleanor Connolly, a fucking prostitute, Neil Hargrove some how stumbled upon Susan Mayfield. Susan was a widowed woman with her 4 year old daughter, Maxine. She was a quiet woman with a sweet and forgiving heart and she believed she could fix Neil's 'damaged heart'. Bullshit. But Neil never hurt her, or Maxine, and turned his beating habits to 10 year old Billy. Billy got his first proper beating at 14, but till then it was hands being whipped by his belt or forcing him to take a cold shower. That was the beginning of "Respect and Responsibility".

Then they moved after Max had seen Billy making out with his most recent fuck buddy, Robin Akers. Like his father, Billy had started morphing into a sex-driven asshole with superficial charm. But Billy never beat his fuck buddies. The beating he got was the worst and Neil waited a few months till Bill was fully healed before they moved.

"No son of mine is going to be a cocksucking, pansy-ass faggot! Do you understand me, boy!?" Neil had hollered at him in the car on the way to Hawkins, Max had swallowed hard while Susan had timidly tried to calm Neil down.

"Yes sir," he replied in a deep voice, breathing heavily and leaned his head against the window.

"You are so damn lucky that Susan talked me out of moving to Derry, son.  You know why?" Neil spoke authoritively, eyeing him in the rear view mirror and Billy sat up straight under his gaze. Susan looked concerned at Billy then to Neil.

"Neil stop, he doesn't need-"

"Hush Susan, he's going to know why I wanted to move to Derry and he'll get my point," Neil paused, looking the mirror again.

"You listening, boy?" He growled agitatedly.

"Yes sir," he uttered.

"A boy was murdered in Derry this June at some festival, Adrian Mellon, you wanna know why?" His father had a small, sinister grin on his lips and it made Billy cringe. He remained silent.

"Neil-"

"Because he was a faggot! Three boys pummelled the Devil out of the poofter and his gay friend watched it happen!"

Billy splashed his face with cold water and the words still echoed in his head. Dragging his hands down his face, Billy wiped the memories away with the water and tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. The florescent light flickered for a second and he licked the corner of his mouth. The sound of the tap still running was sending Billy's mind spiralling and he cursed as he turned it off aggressively, watching the water twirl down the sink.

The blond left the bathroom, slapping the light off, and crossed the hall to Steve's bedroom. Quietly, he freaked the door open and peaked inside. He was still asleep. The day had been going agonisingly slow and the sun had only just crept up to the top of the pale sky, spilling brighter light than it had done before through the crack in the curtains. The white light was was painted across Steve's face, along his cheeks and nose, highlighting those precious freckles that Billy loved to kiss teasingly. Steve didn't look peaceful though, he looked exhausted with the black bags beneath his eyes and the irritated skin made them look like bruises.

Sighing, Billy silently strode to the bed they shared and knelt besides it. He looked at Steve and delicately pushed a few strands of his mahogany hair out of his face. Lightly taking Steve's hand into his, Billy lent forward and pressed a soft kiss onto his cheek and rested his head on the mattress, listening to Steve's breathing and watching his face. No way in Hell he was gonna fall asleep, not because wasn't tired but because he didn't want to miss a thing about Steve. Because Goddamn it, he loved Steve Harrington to death and what ever was beyond it.

#harringrove #steve harrington #billy hargrove #stranger things #gay

[david-was-here]

Songs of 2017

So like last year I’m listing my favorite songs of the year in no real particular order. And this year I think I listened to more music than I have ever for this entire year! So expect this to be BIG!!! The critera here is songs released in 2017, which includes singles and deep cuts, as well as songs that were released in 2016 but are hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and songs that were technically released in 2016 but are singles in 2017. Link to a playlist I made on Spotify. So without a further adieu...

Little Bubble, Cool Your Heart (feat. Dawns), Death Spiral, Up the Hudson, Work Together, I See You - the Dirty Projectors

(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano, Plastic 100°C, Kora Sings, Under, Blood on Me, Reverse Faults, Timmy’s Prayer, What Shouldn’t I Be? - Sampha

Hot Thoughts, WhisterI’lllistentohearit, Do I Have to Talk You Into It, First Caress - Spoon

Dangerous, A Violent Noise, Replica, I Dare You, A Violent Noise (Four Tet Remix), Say Something Lovely, Lips - the xx

Pure Comedy, Ballad of the Dying Man, Total Entertainment Forever, Leaving LA, WHne the God of Love Returns There’ll be Hell to Pay - Father John Misty

Avalon, Mrs. Adams, Trauma - Foxygen

In a Body Like a Grave - Japandroids

Things Are Right with You, Enter Entirely, Strange Year, Up to the Surface, Internal World - Cloud Nothings

My Old Man, This Old Dog, For the First Time, One Another, A Wolf Who Wears Sheeps Clothes, On the Level, Watching Him Fade Away - Mac DeMarco

That’s What I Like - Bruno Mars

Scared to be Lonely (feat. Dua Lupa), There for You (feat. Troye Sivan) - Martin Garrix

Call Casting, Bad and Boujee (feat. Lil Uzi Vert), Get Right Witcha, Slippery (feat. Gucci Mane), T-Shirt, Big on Big, Brown Paper Bag, Stir Fry - Migos

Nyakinyua Rise, Enigma - Jlin

Show You the Way (feat. Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins), Friend Zone, Uh Uh, Lava Lamp, Where I’m Going  - Thundercat

Thinning, Dirt, Slug, - Snail Mail

So Close - Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

Doomsday, Shiver and Shake, Anything I Say to You Now, Breakdown, Outbound Train, Broken Anyway - Ryan Adams

Undercover, Keep On, Advice - Kehlani

Big for Your Boots, Cold - Stormzy

Minnesota, Country Song, Tour, Virgo - the Courtneys

BagBak, Big Fish, Love Can Be..., Homage, Crabs in a Bucket, Party People - Vince Staples

Leila 20, Nothing Feels Natural, No Big Bang, Nicki - Priests

Sleepwalker, Melting Grid, All the Land Glimmered - Julie Byrne

For You (DJ Koze Mbira Remix) - Michael Mayer and Joe Goddard

Slide (feat. Frank Ocean and Migos) Heatstroke (feat. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, and Ariana Grande), Holiday (feat. Snoop Dogg, John Legend, and Takeoff), Feels (feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, and Big Sean), Cash Out (feat. ScHoolboy Q, PartyNextDoor, and DRAM) - Calvin Harris

Love, Change, Get Free - Lana Del Rey

Green Light, Liability, Homemade Dynamite, Sober II (Melodrama), Supercut, Perfect Places, Homemade Dynamite (Remix) (feat. Khalid, Post Malone, & SZA), Sober - Lorde (really just the album Melodrama but still...)

Bleeding in the Bus - Code Orange

Not This Time, Anything Could Happen, Breathing Room - Bash & Pop

Chanel, Biking (feat. Jay-Z and Tyler, the Creator) - Frank Ocean

Third of May/Ōdaigahara, Fool’s Errand, Cassius, -, Kept Woman, One Another Ocean (January/June), Mearcstapa - Fleet Foxes

Slip Away, Otherside, Go Ahead, Wreath, Braid, Every Night, Choir, Die 4 You, Sides - Perfume Genius

Tellin’ Lies, Midwestern States, House on Fire, After the Party - the Menzingers

Shake Em Off - Syd

Pleasure, Get Not High, Get Not Low, Lost Dreams, Any Party, A Man is Not His Song, Century (feat. Jarvis Cocker) - Feist

Kinda Bonkers - Animal Collective

Free Smoke, Get it Together (feat. Black Coffee and Jorja Smith), Madiba Riddim, Passionfruit - Drake

The Heat Part 4, HUMBLE., ELEMENT., FEEL., LUST., XXX. (feat. U2), FEAR., DUCKWORTH., DNA. - Kendrick Lamar

Crazy Crazy (feat. Charli XCX & Kyary Pamyu Pamyu) - Yasutaka Nakata

Ran, Cave, Time on Her Side, Through the Roses, North Star, Ancient Water, Day Glow Fire - Future Islands

Ascension (feat. Vince Staples), Andromeda (feat. DRAM), Strobelite (feat. Peven Everett), Momentz (feat. De La Soul), Out of Body (Kilo Kish, Zebra Katz, & Imani Vonsha), Let Me Out (feat. Mavis Staples & Pusha T), Sleeping Powder, Garage palace (feat. Little Simz), Saturnz Barz (feat. Popcaan) - Gorillaz

Daisy, Animal, Exercise, Dreams of Grandeur - Wavves

This is the World of the Theater, Whiteout Conditions, Colosseums - the New Pornographers

Limerence - Yves Tumor

Seaweed, Ravens, Swims - Mount Eerie

Sugar for the Pill, Slowmo, Star Roving, Don’t Know Why, Everyone Knows, No Longer Making Time - Slowdive

Cold Cold Cold - Cage the Elephant

Don’t Take the Money, All My Heroes, Dream of Mickey Mantle, I Miss Those Days - Bleachers

Stay (feat. Alessia Cara) - Zedd

iSpy (feat. Lil Yachty) - KYLE

Sign of the Times, Two Ghosts, Sweet Creatures, Ever Since New York, From the Dining Table - Harry Styles

The Cure - Lady Gaga

FOR MY PEOPLE, TEMPTATION, RING THE ALARM (feat. Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight, & Meechy Darko), AMERIKKKAN IDOL - Joey Bada$$

‘71: I Think I’ll make Another World, ‘88 Ethan Frome, ‘92: Weird Diseases, ‘01 Have You Seen It in Snow?, ‘05: Never Again, ’66: Wonder Where I’m From, ’67: Come Back as a Cockroach, ’68: A Cat Called Dionysus, ’69: Judy Garland, ‘73L It Could Have Been Paradise, ’77: Life Ain’t Bad, ’98: Lovers’Lies, ’04: Cold-Blooded Man, ’12: You Can Never Go Back to New York, ’14: I Wish I Had Pictures - the Magnetic Fields

Broken Halos, Either Way, Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning, Millionaire, Scarecrow in the Garden - Chris Stapleton

Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe), Nightmare Logic, Waiting Around to Die - Power Trip

Minneapolis, 100 Years, Cleaning House, Cold Apartment, Alive and a Well - Vagabon

The Bus Song, 1 Billion Dogs, Take It - Jay Som

Halfway Home, Skyline, Stay Happy, Hug of Thunder, Towers and Masons, Victim Lover - Broken Social Scene

Truth, Humility, Integrity - Kamasi Washington

Want You Back, Nothing’s Wrong, Little of Your Love - HAIM

In Cold Blood, Adeline - alt-J

Hungry Ghost, the Navigator, Rican Beach, Pa’lante - Hurray for the Riff Raff!

Feel it Still (even though I grew sick of it by the end of 2017) - Portugal. the Man

French Press, Julie’s Place, Fountain of Good Fortune - Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

Gone, Gone, Gone, Time Will Tell - the Feelies

Wedding in Finistere, What’s That Perfume That You Wear?, How We Met, the Long Version, How Can I Tell Him - Jens Lekman

Thinking of a Place, Holding On, Up all Night, Pain, Strangest Thing, In Chains, You Don’t have to Go - the War on Drugs

call the police, oh baby, other voices, tonite, emotional haircut, american dream - LCD Soundsystem

The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness, Day I Die, Born to Beg, Guilty Party, Carin at the Liquor Store, Turtleneck - the National

Close But Not Quite (feat. Sampha) - Everything is Recorded

Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson) - Clean Bandit

Heavydirtysoul - Twenty One Pilots

Love on the Brain - Rihanna

Wild Fire, Nouel - Laura Marling

Mildenhall - the Shins

Renato Dall’Ara (2008), Here’s to the Fourth Time!, For Whom the Belly Tolls, Hung Empty - Los Campesinos!

Yer Killin’ Me, Art School, Crash Test Rating, Strawberita, Trying 2 Fool U, I’m My Own Doctor - Remo Drive

God Bless Ohio, Window Sash Weights - Sun Kil Moon

Darling, Serve the Song, Stained Glass, White Light - Real Estate

3AM (Pull Up) (feat. MØ), Roll With Me, Boys, Backseat (feat. Carly Rae Jepsen), Femmebot (feat. Dorian Electra and Mykki Blanco), Out of My Head (feat. Alma and Tove Lo) - Charli XCX

Lucid, Anxi. (feat. Jenny Hval), Evolution, Bird - Kelly Lee Owens

Paradise, Ricochet - ANOHNI

Cut to the Feeling - Carly Rae Jepsen

Golden Cage - Nilüfer Yanya

Bad Liar - Selena Gomez

Can’t Help It - Baba Stiltz

Forever Young (feat. Diplo), Better (feat. Stefflon Don), Dirty Mouth, All Around Me (feat. YG and Kamaiyah) - Lil Yachty

Run - Foo Fighters

Everything Now, Signs of Life, Put Your Money on Me - Arcade Fire

Strangers (feat. Lauren Jauregui) - Halsey

Met Gala (feat. Offset) - Gucci Mane

J-Boy, Ti Amo, Goodbye Soleil, Tuttifrutti, Fleur de Lys - Phoenix

Hard Times, Told You So, Forgiveness, Idle Worship, Rose-Colored Boy - Paramore

Open Water, Melting, Billabong Valley, Anoxia, Doom City - King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Something Just Like This (feat. Coldplay) - the Chainsmokers (I’M SO SORRY)

You Never Loved Me, Rollercoasters - Aimee Mann

Alexys, Crushed Glass - Freddie Gibbs

The Call, Wondering, At Last, At Last - Xiu Xiu

Castle on the Hill - Ed Sheeran

Chelsea Hotel #2 - Kyle Craft

My Old Man, All the Best - Zac Brown Band

Build You Up - Kamaiyah

Praying, Let ‘Em Talk (feat. Eagles of Death Metal), Rainbow, Hunt You Down, Boots, Spaceship, Bastards - Kesha

911/Mr. Lonely (feat. Frank Ocean and Steve Lacy), Foreword (feat. Rex Orange County), Who Dat Boy (feat. A$AP Rocky), Pothole (feat. Jaden Smith), Boredom (feat. Rex Orange County and Anna of the North), I Ain’t Got Time!, November, See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis) - Tyler, the Creator

New York, Pills, Los Ageless, Happy Birthday, Johnny, Fear the Future, Slow Disco, Sugarboy - St. Vincent

Trees on Fire (feat. Amber Mark and Marco Mckinnis) - DJDS

Exhumed, Siphon, Veka, Wiseblood, Remains - Zola Jesus

Never Been Wrong, 8 Ball, Silver, Brass Beam - Waxahatchee

I Promise - Radiohead

I Don’t Wanna Die in This Town, Bad Luck Charm, She Hates Everybody - Old 97′s

In Undertow, Plimsoll Punks, Not My Baby, Lollipop (Ode to Jim), Foreget About Life - Alvvays

Cario and Southern - Son Volt

Magnolia - Playboi Carti

I Don’t Like You, Jucebox Baby - the Regrettes

Give me a Reason, Quiet - Ibibio Sound Machine

Speakerbox, Bait Face (feat. Scratchy), Laptop (feat. Manga) - Wiley

If We Were Vampires, Cumberland Gap, Anxiety, Molotov, Hope the High Road - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

One of Us - New Politics

Saunter, Urchin, Castration, Whip, Desafio - Arca

If You’re Here – Cornelius

The World’s Best American Band, Judy French, Little Silver Cross, the Satch, Party Next Door, Another Day – White Reaper

The Violence – Rise Against

G.K.A.C., I Only, Bangladesh (feat. Heems), Help (feat. Edan and Wiki), You Can Do It! (Give Up) – Your Old Droog

Nickelodeon Girls, Meme Machine, I Do It for My Hood, She’s So Nice, Uber Pussy, High School Blink193, I Will Get a Vasectomy – Pink Guy (RIP)

Sixteen, Bite Back, Leo, Barf Day, Tummy Ache – Diet Cig

Forrest, Birhtdays, Song for You, Shine – the Smith Street band

Misery, Black Rain – Creeper

Long Time, Fragments – Blondie

123, Sleepless, Your Heart, Powerplant, It Gets More Blue – Girlpool

Proud, Bobby, Witch, Judge, Powerful Man – (Sandy) Alex G

Déjà Vu, Picture That, Broken Bones – Roger Waters

The Great Debate, Lost Without You, Wandering Boy – Randy Newman

Street Power, Knuckle Up – Ho99o9

Love Galore (feat. Travi$ Scott), Drew Barrymore, Prom, Garden (Say It Like Dat), Broken Clocks, the Weekend – SZA

Shark Smile, Watering – Big Thief

Lights Out – Royal Blood

Cry of the Martyrs, the Underside of Power, Cleveland, the Cycle/the Spiral: Time to Go Down Slowly, Walk Like a Panther, Death March – Algiers

Crybaby, Tin Can – Kevin Morby

Da Next Day (feat. Big Rube), Order of Operations – Big Boi

No Halo, A Portrait Of, Disappeared, Second Letter from St. Julien, Leave the Fan On – Sorority Noise

Met me in the Street, Just Can’t Get Enough, Rank and File, Turn it Up, Milk and Honey, Pure desire, Can’t Play it Cool – Sheer Mag

Boyish, 12 Steps, The Body is a Blade – Japanese Breakfast

The Moth, Lead, SD, the Wolf – Manchester Orchestra

SHC, Static Space Lover – Foster the People

Just Like Love, Weakness, Wild Woman, All American Made – Margo Price

Dean’s Room – Allison Crutchfield

S.A.D., Bravado – Kirin J Callinan

For Cypresses, Three Rings, Systole – Grizzy Bear

War is Coming (If You Want It), Beach Life-in-Death – Car Seat Headrest

The Way You Used to Do, Domesticated Animals, Feet Don’t Fail Me – Queens of the Stone Age

Call it Dreaming, the Truest Stars We Know – Iron & Wine

Less Than, the Background World – Nine Inch Nails

Nomadm All I C is U & Me, NVR 4EVR, Holy Books – Death from Above

No Fear – DeJ Loaf

Four years and One Day, Blue Train Lines (feat. King Krule), Audition, Delta, You Look Certain (I’m Not So Sure) (feat. Andrea Balency), SP12 Beat – Mount Kimbie

Delta, Feels Like Heaven, Dedicated to Bobby Jameson, Bubblegum Dreams, I Wanna Be Young, Dreamdate Narcissist, Acting (feat. Dâm-Funk), Santa’s in the Closet, Time to Live, Another Weekend, Kitchen Witch – Ariel Pink

Half-Ligth (feat. Kelly Zutrau), Gwan – Rostam

Mi Gente (Remix) (feat. Beyoncé) – J Balvin and Willy William

The Man, Run for Cover, Out of My Mind, Have All the Songs Been Written? – the Killers

Don’t Delete the Kisses, Space & Time – Wolf Alice

Righteous Woman – Torres

Prey, Say it First – Sam Smith

Lush, Daughter, Planet – Four Tet

Frontline, Take Me Apart, LMK, Onanon, Waitin – Kelela

I Wanna Be Like You, Numb – Ibeyi

You’re Dreaming, Flies on the Sun, Baby Blue – Wolf Parade

Roots Remain – Mastodon

Medicine, Flowerchild – Citizen

Up All Night, Colors, Seventh Heaven, Square One – Beck

Over Everything, Blue Cheese – Kurt Vile & Courtney Barnett

Biscuit Town, Dum Surfer, Vidual, Half Man Half Shark, the Ooz – King Krule

Processional, the Spaniards, the Long Goodbye, Half-Life of an Autodidact – William Patrick (Billy) Corgan

You Used to Say (Holy Fuck), Grand Finale, Vacation Town – the Front Bottoms

WE KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE, Saturnalia – Marilyn Manson

Gone, Double Helix, Want Me Around – Knuckle Puck

Laila’s Wisdom, Power (feat. Kendrick Lamar and Lance Skiiiwalker), Pay Up, Nobody (feat. Anderson .Paak, Black Thought, Moonchild) – Rapsody

In the Morning, Tinseltown Swimming in Blood, Saw You at the Hospital, A Light Travels Down the Catwalk, La Regle du Jeu – Destroyer

16 Psyche, Vex, The Culling, Scrape – Chelsea Wolfe

Little Dark Age – MGMT

Happy Hour, Weekend Woman, Mexican Fender – Weezer

Appointments, Turn Out the Lights, Sour Breath, Televangelist, Even – Julien Baker

Mustn’t Hurry, IDK About You – Fever Ray

Pills – Joji

90’s Kids, Blooming, Cloudy, Float, Straight Boy, Astral Plane – Shamir

Should I – Little Dragon

Mirage, Labyrinth – Toro Y Moi

Do U Love Me, For Y’all (feat. Jacquees), Liger (feat. Carnage)– Young Thug

Sylvia Says, Rest – Charlotte Gainsbourg

Lemon (feat. Rihanna), Voilà (feat. Gucci Mane and Wale), 1000 (feat. Future), Don’t Don’t Do It! (feat. Kendrick Lamar), Rollinem 7’s (feat. André 3000), Secret Life of Tigers, Kites (feat. Kendrick Lamar and M.I.A.) – N.E.R.D.

Jupiter, Ode from Joyce, Quintessence – Benjamin Clementine

The Gate, Body Memory, Courtship, Losses, Tabula Rasa, Claimstaker – Björk

Red Flag Day, You’re the Best Thing About Me, the Little Things That Give You Away – U2

Sky Walker (feat. Travi$ Scott), Banana Clip, Told You So – Miguel

GOLD, STAR, TRIP, SWEET, FACE, GUMMY, QUEER, SWAMP, JUNKY, BOOGIE, RENTAL, ZIPPER,JOHNNY, BLEACH, ALASKA, HOTTIE, HEAT – BROCKHAMPTON

Another Sad Love Song, Young Dumb & Broke – Khalid

Highway Tune – Greta Van Fleet

Gucci Gang – Lil Pump

We Were Beautiful, Sweet Dew Lee – Belle & Sebastian

All I can Think About is You, A L I E N S – Coldplay

Havana (feat. Young Thug) – Camila Cabello

Unforgettable (feat. Sway Lee) – French Montana

Rain in Soho, Andrew Eldritch is Moving Back to Leeds, Unicorn Tolerance, Paid in Cocaine, Abandoned Flesh – the Mountain Goats

Walk on Water (feat. Beyoncé) – Eminem

Strange or Be Forgotten – Temples

Runnin’ Outta Luck, Country Figs, Strangers Kiss (with Angel Olsen) – Alex Cameron

Tonya Harding – Sufjan Stevens

The One to Wait – CCFX

Crossifre/So Into You – Nai Palm

Still Serving – 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin

Neon Guts (feat. Pharrell Williams), XO TOUR Llif3 – Lil Uzi Vert

Mask Off (Remix) (feat. Kendrick Lamar) – Future

Lay It on Me – Vance Joy

Perplexing Pengasus – Rae Sremmurd

Midnight – Jessie Ware

Blanket Me – Hundred Waters

The Pathways of Our Lives – Mark Barrott

Find Me – Porches

Kill Jay-Z, Smile (feat. Gloira Carter), Caught Their Eyes (feat. Frank Ocean), 4:44, Family Feud (feat. Beyoncé), Bam (feat. Damien Marley), Legacy – Jay-Z

Global (feat. Ilovemakonnen) – Lil B