#legi paints things

[sword-and-stars]

Life is hard. Here’s a mushroom.

#artblogging #legi paints things #watercolor #my art

[ill-meet-you-in-this-memory]

Pippo goes through his feels

Warnings: None

Pairing: Pippo aka Judo & Nobita Nobi

Language: Hindi + English + English Translations done to the best of my ability

Inspired by these scenes:

Doraemon: Nobita & The Steel Troops

Pippo Singing - 46:15

Flashback 1 - 47:20

Flashback 2 - 53:00

Dinner Song thing - 01:04:20

Pippo and his feels - 01:16:50

And this is THE SONG. I swear this brings back so many memories

AO3 Link

Nobita sighed as he sat down against the tree, the golden light of the setting sun painting everything yellow. He could now understand why the calm before the storm was way more terrifying than the actual storm.

"Aisi duniya mein rehna jaha koi na ho sachme khatarnak lagta hai. Kitni khamoshi hai yaha!", Nobita said as he watched Pippo kick a tiny piece of rock towards the water.

(To live in a world where there’s no one feels truly dangerous. It’s so silent here!)

"Nobita to darpok hai."

(Nobita is a coward.)

Nobita couldn't help the instant spark of frustration that ignited through him and yelled, "Main bahadur hoon!"

(I’m brave!)

Pippo turned towards Nobita, "Ji nahi! Tum darpok ho!"

(Nope! You’re a coward!)

Nobita slammed his hands on the ground, "Dekho! Main darpok nahi hoon!"

(Look! I’m not a coward!)

Pippo smiled as he dance around in circles, singing, "Ji han, ji han, tum darpok ho! Nobita darpok hai, darpok, darpok, darpok-"

(Yes, yes, you’re a coward! Nobita is a coward, coward, coward)

Nobita watched as large white flower petals fell down from the tree, stopping Pippo in his words. Pippo froze for a second before screaming in terror as he tried to get away from the petals, his broken blue cover falling off his head.

"YEH KYA HAI, YEH KYA HAI, YE KYA HAI?"

(WHAT IS THIS, WHAT IS THIS, WHAT IS THIS?)

Nobita broke down into laughter as Pippo stopped running and glared at him, "Pippo, tum to dar gaye!"

(Pippo, you got scared!)

Pippo's face turned red as his cheeks puffed up, "Mein to sirf chok gaya tha! Mein dara nahi tha!"

(I was just surprised! I wasn’t scared!)

It only served to make Nobita laugh more, "Bilkul nahi! Tum to sach mein darpok ho!"

(Not at all! You are really a coward!)

Pippo grew frustrated as he disagreed, "Nahi! Mein darpok nahi hoon!"

(No! I’m not a coward!)

Nobita giggled as he continued teasing Pippo, "Ye sach hai! Ye sach hai! Pippo dar gaya!"

(It’s true! It’s true! Pippo got scared!)

Pippo glared at Nobita, anger fueling his words as he shouted, "Abhi tum haslo jitna hasna hai! Ek baar robot sena aa jayegi phir vo tum logo ka kaam tamam kar legi! Dekhte hi dekhte tum sab ko saaf kar degi! Aur mein bhi apne asli roop mein aagaya to tumhe muhjse koi nai bacha sakta! Iske baad tum mujhse kitni bhi maafi maangoge, mein tumhe maaf nahi karunga! Harkis maaf nahi karunga!"

(Laugh all you want! Once the robot army arrives then they’re going to end you! You’ll all be wiped by them! And if I’m in my true form, then no one is going to be able to save you from me! After that no matter how many times you apologize, I’m not going to forgive you! I definitely won’t forgive you!)

Pippo's whole body trembled as Nobita looked at him with a wistful look on his face, a hint of sadness flowing through his voice, "Lekin, Pippo, mein to tumse ladhna nahi chata, bilkul nahi."

(But, Pippo, I’ve never wanted to fight with you, not at all.)

And all of a sudden all the uncontrollable anger in his body disappeared, replaced by a feeling Pippo couldn't name. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized that Nobita wasn't lying at all. Unlike Pippo who had betrayed him twice by pretending to be his friend, Nobita was being truthful. Not only him but his friends too.

Sabse pehle hai pyaar (The first is love)

The look of appreciation and awe on Doraemon, Suneo, Gian, and Nobita's faces as they clapped when he sang for them on the steps after insulting Gian's awful singing. The amount of warmth that spread through him at their reactions.

Mein aur tum dono toh ek hai (You and me, we’re one)

The amount of excruciating pain he felt when one of the higher-ups caught him singing in Mechatopia and punished him for it, leaving him all broken and thrown aside until Riruru found him.

Uske baad aaye aashaayein (After that come hopes)

"Unki madad karne ka kya fayda?" questioned Pippo after barely escaping the robots who had captured Nobita's friends.

(What will you even get by helping them?)

The conviction in Nobita's face as he replied, "Aisi baat hai? Fayda ya nuksan, mein nahi soch raha! Vo mere dost hai! Mujhe unki madad karni hogi!"

(Is that it? Advantage or not, that’s not my concern. They are my friends! I have to help them!)

Tum toh tum ho (You are you)

"Chinta mat karna, mein tumhari madad karungi." Riruru had said as she worked on fixing him after he'd stupidly gotten himself punished by singing.

(Don’t worry, I’ll help you.)

Mein toh mein hoon (I am me)

Suneo had played music as the six of them had dinner, laughing and enjoying with their looming problems put aside as they danced along to the music.

Nobita had smiled in absolute glee as Pippo wiggled his butt to the music while Gian forced food into Suneo's mouth as Shizuka laughed at their antics.

And when Pippo had fallen quiet as Riruru's voice echoed in his mind, Nobita had noticed.

"Suno, Pippo! Tum akele kya soch rahe ho?" Nobita managed to ask before he had been pulled away by Gian.

(Listen, Pippo! What are you thinking about all alone?)

Aakhir mein hum dono soche (In the end, both of us wonder)

Nobita had tried to be his friend from the very start when he'd found Pippo in the South Pole and was busy being excited about building Pippo's real body.

He had tried to be his friend even when Pippo had tricked them into taking him to the mirror world to find Riruru by saving him when the Mechatopian Robots failed to recognize Pippo and attacked them.

He still tried to be his friend even when Pippo refused to cooperate and help them save their planet by creating as much trouble as he could.

Nobita never lied. He had never wanted to fight with Pippo. Maybe it was time for Pippo to stop fighting against Nobita too.

Ki tum kaun ho aur mein kaun hoon (That who are you and who am I)

Pippo burst out into ugly tears as he waddled towards Nobita, crying out for the other, "Nobita!"

Nobita had only let out a concerned, "Pippo?" before pulling a crying Pippo into his arms, letting him cry his heart out into Nobita's t-shirt while he hummed a tune to him, running a comforting hand along his back.

"Tum chinta mat karo, Pippo, mein hoon na? Sab kuch thik ho jayega!"

(You don’t worry, Pippo, I’m here, right? Everything will get better!)

And this time, Pippo didn't hesitate to believe Nobita. Everything would get better.

THE END

#doraemon #nobita nobi #nobita and the steel troops #fanfiction #hurt/comfort #friendship

[hpcarremovals]

Sell My Car Brisbane And Get Cash For Junk Cars

Sell an old car and get cash for junk cars Brisbane! The process of selling an old and used car for cash is not difficult, but it does require some effort. Seller should be proactive about the sale by asking for a quote before selling the car.

Hp Car Removals is the trusted dealers that buy used or broken down cars for cash. They provide a simple online form to help people sell their junk cars today. They offer great offers and the best part is, they buy junk cars in any condition with no hassle or pressure to sell them on the spot!

How to Sell a Junk Car and What Does the Process Involve?

Selling a junk car can be a difficult process, especially if people are not familiar with it. This is best to enlist the help of an experienced car dealer or mechanic to guide people through the process.

First, contact the local authorities and find out if a vehicle is worth anything. If it is worth something, then people will need to get it inspected by a mechanic before they sell it.

If it is not worth anything, then people must remove all personal items from the vehicle and make sure that all fluids have been drained and replaced before selling it.

Also, if the vehicle is old enough, then there are also some things that need to be done before selling it such as: –

Replacing old tires with new ones.

Replacing old parts with new ones.

Cleaning up the interior.

Changing the oil and replacing spark plugs.

Sell My Car Brisbane Easily

Hp car removals are the best old car buyer in Australia, offering cash for junk cars Brisbane. They ensure to provide the customers with a hassle-free experience, with no hidden fees and no pressure.

They offer a service that is reliable and fast, so people can get their cars sold quickly and get back to their daily life. Their team is highly experienced in the industry and can help people with all their old car removal needs. Their professional experts will take care of all the paperwork for clients.

With their services, they make it easy to sell an old car or donate it to charity. It does not matter if people want to sell it privately or through an auto auction – they will make sure that the seller gets top dollar for it!

Things to Consider To Sell a Car in Brisbane?

To sell my car Brisbane is a process that can be difficult for some people. This will help people get cash for junk cars Brisbane by providing them with the following tips.

#1: Make sure to have all the documents prepared

When selling a car, it is important to have all the documents prepared. People should have a title and registration in hand, as well as any other documentation or paperwork that they need for the sale. If the buyer is looking to finance or trade in their current vehicle, it is important to make sure that they are able to get what they need from their bank or dealership.

#2: Be upfront about any issues with the car

If there are any issues with the car, it is important to be upfront about them during negotiations with potential buyers so they know exactly what they are getting into before making a purchase decision. There is no point in trying to sell a used car if there are major problems with it

3: Be honest about the car’s condition

When people are selling a car, honesty is always key. It is important to let buyers know that the car is used and in need of being fixed up and painted so, they know what they are buying.

Conclusion: Typical Process of Selling a Car for Cash

Step 1: Find out if people can sell the car for cash

People need to be able to prove that their vehicle is worth it before they can sell it for cash. If this is not the case, then sellers are likely not going to find someone willing to buy their car from them.

Step 2: Get an offer from a buyer

This step involves finding someone like Hp car removals who wants the old car and offering them a price they are willing to pay. A seller should be prepared with a list of questions that will help them determine if they are legitimate or not, such as asking them why they want the car and what their plans are for it.

Step 3: Negotiate with the buyer

Once sellers have found someone who wants the car, they need to negotiate a price in order to obtain more profit.

Source URL:- https://bignewstime.com/sell-my-car-brisbane-and-get-cash-for-junk-cars/

#junk car removal #scrap car removal #cash for cars brisbane #scrap car for cash #cash for scrap cars #car removal brisbane #cash for cars junk #scrap car

[camelotpark]

http://thisdiscontentedwinter.tumblr.com/post/182179304312/in-which-camelotpark-falls-in-a-whole#notes

These are just some of the terms under your dumb as a box of scotts

"because Stiles isn’t a fucking idiot." (when directly comparing him to Scott and thereby calling Scott a fucking idiot)

"You have to be smart to be at Peter Hale levels of villainy. I’m not sure Scott could think his way out of a paper bag if someone gave him a flashlight and a map, TBH."

"But you know what else is brainless, and also as canonically smart as Scott?

A box of rocks."

Each of these quotes go far beyond just his academic success and instead talking about his intelligence as a whole so you're "I'm just calling him academically challenged" is bullshit. You are calling a latinx character "dumb as a box of rocks" when canonically he was shown to outsmart men I'm sure you consider his superior in every way. Just because you didn't like how he did it doesn't take away it took intelligence and skill to do it. Something the show clearly acknowledged he had and something you have worked hard to strip him of.

"And given that Scott’s bad grades are being mentioned as early as the first few episodes, how do you account for that? "

“Second verse, same as the first!"

Once again your tag goes far beyond his academic intelligence and into you thinking he is as dumb as a bag of rocks (your exact words) as a whole so trying to pull the "he failed classes" tactic now is a weak attempt to save face. A stereotype that most latinx deal with is assuming that they are stupid because they aren't "as smart" as their white counterparts and "because Stiles isn't a fucking idiot" shows you sure as hell think that despite canon showing Scott is more than capable of holding his own

I'm sure instead of just saying "Okay,maybe he had academic troubles,but that isn't a measure of his overall intelligence" you'll just dig you'll heels in more and swerve to prove this latinx character is stupid because you (a white woman) judge Scott (a brown latinx) for not knowing what every single english word means. And yes, that stupid bestiary thing comes up in the tag a lot so you use a latinx's grasp on the english language to call him stupid. You know he speaks english (as you often complain that him not speaking spanish can prove he's not a latino in canon) Yet you used him not understanding one word to prove your point, I would ask if you know that's a racist stereotype too (latinos not speaking the english language well), but it's clear you lack a lot in understanding racial bigotry beyond just hating someone for their skin color or calling them a slur.

Of course trying to attack my own intelligence because I misspelled words is tactic you used and clearly show a pattern so I'm not surprised. It's a easy lazy way to try and discredit someone because your defense for your actions are paper thin.

"I know that you never said fandom wasn’t an open place for self-expression and that we all have different tastes. Because clearly you don’t believe that, right??"

You damn right I don't believe that,not for a second. I'm a poc in fandom and have been for a long time. Teen Wolf is not my first dealing with this culture and I've seen poc fans driven from fandoms in droves because their "open-place for self-expression" was attacked. Because they dare challenge the racially bias way a poc character was treated. See, when you say "Open place for self-expression" what you mean is "Let me do what I want, let me paint this poc how I want, and I don't care if it hurts poc fans to see the characters that look like them judged more harshly by fandoms then their white counterparts. You don’t like it,don’t read it."

Then of course those poc go to safer spaces and we have people like you and StickeyKeys and the rest of your crew going "I can be here and say what I want because this tag isn't just for you to celebrate your character it's also for me to let you see how awful he/she is" See, the problem is that you don't want poc to have their space just for them. You want to be in every single part of it and eventually it makes poc fans leave the fandom completely.

An article that dared to celebrate Scott and put him in a space of queer-coded that moc are hardly ever in with fandom was attacked mercilessly and his character was demonized once again. The article never once bashed Stiles or any other character,but of course a place to celebrate a poc had to have people tell everyone exactly why that support was wrong.

A “they do it so I can do it too” is not a reason, it’s an excuse.

Your blog has literally condemned Scott for switching out a white man's cancer pills as evil and cruel when that white man has attacked him repeatedly. Has stabbed him and plainly said he would kill Scott's mother. Scott was painted as non-heroic for potentially killing a man who has tried to kill him before and would have gladly killed Scott's mother. Let's ignore that Donovan telling Stiles he’ll kill his father and attacking him is all the justification you need to say Stiles was not at fault for what he did.

You love to use the word hypocrisy without realizing you are literally the biggest hypocrite there is.

Of course I can hear the excuse now "Heat of the moment!" "Stiles didn't plan it!" "Scott’s was premeditated!" I'm sure if Scott had just slashed Gerard's throat you would back him up and defend him against accusations he's unnecessarily cruel. I'm sure if Scott somehow got the upper hand on Derek on that ice rink and ripped his heart out you would be the first to defend Scott against people saying his safety doesn't excuse his actions. He should have been “better”

I'm sure to you it means absolutely nothing to put a white man's life over a poc's and paint that poc as bad for taking actions against it, but it means something to people like me because this behavior isn't confined to just fandom. So yes, when a poc brings this up it is amazing how fast that "Open place for self expression" disappears.

"And I’m calling Scott not academically smart because that’s what his teachers say. That’s why he had to go to the parent teacher night."

Once again you literally called him no smarter than a bag of rocks.

"We could also talk about how stereotypes are different all around the world, and that your US-centric worldview isn’t the universal experience and that people from different countries and cultures aren’t ingrained with the same racial biases from birth as Americans are."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignorantia_juris_non_excusat

"Ignorantia juris non excusat[1] or ignorantia legis neminem excusat[2] (Latin for "ignorance of the law excuses not"[1] and "ignorance of law excuses no one"[2] respectively) is a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because one was unaware of its content."

The same goes for racism and stereotypes. Just because you are unaware racial bias exist with certain stereotypes does not give you a pass for using them. You learn it, you acknowledge it, and you stop doing it.

"That’s called a metaphor."  "And disagreeing with another woman’s opinion is not misogyny"

I'm glad you know what a metaphor is,but nobody said your disagreement with another woman is misogyny (or your disagreement with a lgbtq man is homophobia) The language you used to defend yourself is. You attacked their sexuality to one up them and saying that a woman or lgbtq man is "sucking someone's dick" when all they are doing is defending a character you don't like is key misogyny and homophobia, metaphorically intent or not. And don't think I didn't notice that you didn't mention your homophobia in your reply. You could have went a million different ways to defend your stance. It is disgusting and you were disgusting for doing it. There is absolutely no defense for that action.

See, you say people are moving goalpost when they dismantle your argument and you try and swerve. It's not. I'm saying what I always said "Scott McCall is not as dumb as a bag of rocks and you trying to prove that true is racial stereotyping"

One last thing. I have never said you can't speak on racism, if you see it by all means call it out. What I said was you can't tell other people (especially poc) what is not racist. That is not your right.

#trash from a land down under #anti-teen wolf fandom #fandom racism #fandom misogyny #homophobia

[mayalaen]

q&a

I was tagged by the very awesome @buckybee. Thank you!! I was a dork and started answering all the questions at the top before I realized I was supposed to answer the questions down below, so I’m leaving both and you get 22 answers :D

Autumn is coming, are you a pumpkin person or an apple person? Neither. My entire reason for loving autumn is Halloween and not dying of heat!

If you read/write fanfiction, what is/are your favorite trope(s)? I very much have a thing for body and/or genderswapping, de-aging, ABO, slavefic, etc. I also really love soulmate AU, time travel, and space/futuristic AU. Casefic is still one of my favorites :)

What was your gateway fandom? (the fandom that got you into fandoms) Stargate. I knew fandoms were out there, but that was only because of Star Wars and the fanboys at the time really turned me off of it, so it wasn’t until I was in my early 20s and found Stargate fanfic that I really glommed onto fandom, which quickly spread to X-Files, AtS/BtVS, etc.

Is there a movie that you watched that, once finishing it, had you thinking ‘I just wasted [x] hours watching this…I’m never getting those hours back.’? What was it? Lots of them, but the first that always comes to mind is Gravity (2013). So many people think there was all this hidden meaning and bullshit, but damn, that movie sucked and it smacked of a 12-year-old girl writing a Mary Sue.

Are there any foods you want to try but haven’t had the chance to yet? Not really. I’m not an adventurous person, and I just don’t care either :D

Board games or video games? Faves? VIDEO GAMES!!! I’ve played a lot of board games too, My family can be very competitive. But I like video/computer games much more. I tend to like simulation games the best, but I also love old school console games and have hundreds of them on my computer along with a USB controller.

If you could have one famous art piece in your home, which one would it be I’m not that big on art. The pieces I want, I already have. One of the artists at my shop makes beautiful paintings and I’ve managed to talk him into selling me two of them. I love them! He has this way of forcing high contrast, and it makes them so... breathtaking while also visceral. I love my Saul paintings <3

What’s an inside joke you have with someone? (don’t explain, just put it down) There’s some kind of shark at the door, and I think he’s got some candy.

What’s your go to comfort food/meal? Pasta with cheese and ketchup.

What’s you favorite history fact? I’m really not into history. History facts are pretty boring and I don’t remember them.

Weirdest thing you’ve ever seen/found on the side of the road? There’s a house in this city that’s covered in metal bugs. This guy makes them himself, and they’re almost steampunk-ish and they’re HUGE. Like three of these bugs take up his entire roof, and he’s got some on the lawn and by the sidewalk. Yeah, the first time I saw them I did a double take and then assumed I was hallucinating.

@buckybee‘s Questions:

What’s your favourite kind of cloud? Altostratus, especially when it’s storm clouds. They look like a soft blanket covering us.

An obsession you had as a child I wasn’t a really obsessive type of kid. I did get hooked on Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and watched that so often my mom had to replace the VHS at least three times.

Do you have any pet/would you like to? I have a Chihuahua named Aimee. I don’t want anything else to take care of, and we’ve always had at least one dog. She’s cute :)

Favourite note (musical note)? Geeee, I wonder what that could be.

Last book you read Okay, seriously, this was one of the worst times you could’ve asked this because I don’t usually read professionally published fic anymore, and instead I list he last fic I read. Don’t Read This, and if you do, remember you asked for it.

What’s the closest object to you right now? An empty Harkins Theaters cup from 2006 (last time I went to the theater was in 2007). I had milk in it to eat my breakfast bar with.

What are you in the mood for today, food wise? Tonight my mom is making tortillas with chicken, beans, onions, red peppers, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa later, so we’re all excited about that. Because of the cancer diet stuff, she’s been making (home-ground) wheat pancakes, rolls, pizza, and tortillas. I never liked wheat, but we’ve all discovered when you grind it yourself and don’t put in all the usual shit they put in wheat, it tastes super good, and I actually like the tortillas and pizza better than store bought or restaurant!

Are you hydrating/did you take meds/got up and stretched you legs? Haven’t had water today (oops), took my meds late (1pm), but they’re in me now, and I’m always stretching/moving my legI at my desk thanks to mild akathisia (which is not near as bad as when I was on antipsychotics, but I still do have it).

Okay but do you know the color of the sky?  It’s actually clear, but it looks light blue today :D

What are you wearing? ;))) A thigh-length sleeveless nightgown inside out (because the seams on this one irritate my skin) that’s light blue with white, blue, and mauve flowers on it and dark blue underwear.

My Questions:

What did you have for breakfast today?

Did you sleep with a nightlight when you were a kid?

When you’re lying in bed at night, is there a sound that makes you fall asleep really hard and/or very happily? (like rain or a fan, etc.)

What is your word whisker? 

What would you like to eat for your last meal?

If you HAD to be on a reality TV show, which one would you choose?

Would you rather be a duck or an owl?

What’s under your bed?

What’s the best way to comfort you when you’re having a really bad day?

What’s the most beautiful place on Earth?

Tagging: @hullosweetpea @divinestrengthbeautifulgoddess @wideawakeandwriting @ellendd @caseofunderjoy @formidablepassion @pod7et @maliciouslycreative @wetsammywinchester @blitzdrake and I‘m tagging @buckybee again if you want to answer my questions :)

No obligation to play. If you wanna play and I haven’t tagged you, consider yourself tagged by me :D

#tagging games #about me

[tipsycad147]

Aleister Crowley Factsheet

'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law'

Aleister Crowley (Edward Alexander Crowley) was born 12 October in the same year as the foundation of the Theosophical Society (1875), at Leamington Spa at 11.30 pm. He was therefore a Libran with Pisces moon and Leo rising. Contrary to popular legend, he died on the 1st December 1947. A review in Cambridge University magazine Granta of 1904 provides some guidance on the pronunciation of the great man's name: 'Oh, Crowley, name for future fame!/(Do you pronounce it Croully?)/ Whate'er the worth of this your mirth/It reads a trifle foully.'

The myth of the magus has grown to prodigious proportions in the half century or more since the old man's death. Crowley is now firmly established in the popular mind as a folk hero (or anti hero?), transmogrified to an icon on a spectrum somewhere between 'the sandman' (Clive Barker version) and 'the gringe'.

To many, Crowley's magick (I am using the archaic form of the term as popularised by AC for technical reasons), provides a neat dividing line between some kind of urban high magical tradition and the supposedly more earth centred styles of neo-paganism. The truth is, as always, a lot more complex. Crowley's magick draws all of it's power from nature, see for example an ancient Egyptian formula: 'so that every Spirit of the Firmament and of the Ether: Upon the Earth and under the Earth; on dry land and in the Water: of whirling Air; and of rushing Fire and every spell and scourge of God may be obedient to Me.' (1)

Crowley spent all of his moderately long life exploring countless dramatic astral and mundane landscapes in search of gnosis. It's a shame he wasn't a good enough travel writer to communicate fully in his many books the real majesty of nature. He seemed to go everywhere, from the deepest jungles to the highest mountains of the earth. An account from Jan Fries' book Visual Magick, amply demonstrates that Crowley never quite lost the taste for the great outdoors and the spirits of nature. In 1925 the mage took the leadership of the 'Fraternitas Saturni on a long walk up the garden path and into the forest. Whenever Uncle Aleister noticed a remarkable plant, stone or tree, he graciously lifted his hat to greet it. This bizarre behaviour apparently astonished his fellows. Some novices, we are told, dared to whisper "What is the master doing?" "The elemental spirits of nature have come to see the master" was the reply "and Sir Aleister is acknowledging their greeting." The whole incident including a rather nice ritual is to be found in an article on 'Pentagramme Magick' in Praxis (1963).

Towards the end of his life Crowley began to lose interest in the Ordo Templi Orientis and other organisations he had fashioned as potential vehicles for the dissemination of the great work. He met Gerald Gardner and together they may have devised a plan to transform the OTO into a more popular witchcraft cult. Gardner duly bought a charter and rose rapidly through the grades, even travelling to America to meet other OTO initiates. Fred Lamond, one of Gardners first acolytes, recalls that American adept Jack Parsons looked very favourably on the idea of a new witch cult. If Crowley had lived long enough to complete Gardner's training, modern paganism would undoubtedly look quite different, but that's another story.

(1) From Liber Samekh, as adapted by Crowley from an ancient Hermetic fragment. The cosmology of the Egyptian original made no sense to Crowley's teachers, hence his slight paraphase - the original reads: 'so that every daimon, whether heavenly or aerial or earthly or subterranean or terrestrial or aquatic'.

Crowley Today

Aleister Crowley may have died in 1947, but his influence is still very much felt by the magician of the 1990s. The CD soundtrack The Beast Speaks sold 8000 copies since its release in 1993, and the paperback edition of Crowley's Confessions was number two in Virgin Megastores top ten books. Don't be fooled into thinking that the magician of the nineties is a slavish follower or member of some mind bending cult. Crowley's word was Thelema (The Crowleian pronunciation is Theh-LEE-mah, the accent bewatching on the vowel of the second syllable, Greek speakers ay the accent should be on the vowel of the first syllable for it to be pronounced right....ThEH-lee-mah) - which means [free] Will. Those who choose to follow this magical path aim to de-condition themselves, to develop independence of spirit and ultimately to become their very own self. One of the many attractions of Crowley's type of Magick, was this advice to follow one's own way and create your own life style. You don't need a priest or a judge to tell you how to act - work it out for yourself.

As part of the process of developing self knowledge, Crowley advocated the practice of Magick. This he defined as 'the science and art of causing change in conformity with will.' The history of magick is the history of human beings. Many of the things that are now labelled 'culture' began as experiments in ritual and magick viz. drama, music, art, dance, philosophy and poetry etc., etc. Magick has played a role in many key moments of our history, for example during the fourteenth century, it was the philosophy of the Renaissance. In our own time, many modern art movements have been driven by magical ideas, for instance, the first abstract painting was made by the Theosophist Kandinsky. Magick is a valuable and reputable activity to undertake.

Crowley's Books

Whatever else one can say about it, magick certainly is not a mass activity, neither is it a spectator sport. Magicians are in many localities in a minority of one and have to teach themselves the skills traditionally part of the art viz. trance, divination, invocation and creative imagination. The solitary magician gathers most of his or her information from books and Crowley made a substantial contribution to the vast number of books on the subject. Most of his books are now in print, something like 100 titles. The secondary literature of commentaries and studies, as one might expect after more than 50 years, is very extensive indeed. However there is no need to read everything the master wrote. There are a handful of key texts that should give you a good grounding in the man and his magick.

Sadly, there is still no really objective biography of Crowley. The standard biography is John Symonds' The Great Beast, (lastest edition of which is entitled King of the Shadow Realm) which records all of the salient facts but is very hostile to Crowley's ideas and therefore gives a lively but unbalanced picture. Jean Overton Fuller's Magical Dilemma of Victor Neuburg is slightly more objective and written with much inside information. A modern attempt is the late Gerald Suster's Legacy of the Beast, which is too short to cover all the facts, and too sycophantic -nevertheless, it is not without value. Gerald Suster also wrote Crowley's entry in Dictionary of National Biography - Missing Persons (OUP 1993) which is also worth a read. Incidentally, 1993 was also the year in which Crowley made it to the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations for the first time with his motto 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.'

Several newer biographies have recently appeared, two in particular are worthy of note: Martin Booth, A Magick Life and said by some to be the best of the whole lot: Do What Thou Wilt by Lawrence Sutin for St Martin's Press.

There is a 2004 reissue of Megatherion by Francis King, published by Creation Press, which was originally published in 1977 under the title The Magical World of Aleister Crowley. There is also an excellent study of Aleister Crowley's followers in America during the Golden Age of Hollywood, entitled The Unknown God, W.T. Smith and the Thelemites by Martin P. Starr, published in 2003 by The Teitan Press, Inc.

The modern generation of Thelemites, admires something in the spirit of Crowley rather than the word. He could be a interesting writer but as is often the case, the present day re-working of his material is often easier to follow and less peppered by some of Crowley's offensive cultural baggage. Writers such as Jan Fries in Visual Magick and Jack Parsons in Freedom is a Two Edged Sword, seem to have a better understanding of the magical philosophy for which Crowley was a conduit. However, you will undoubted want to make your own mind up in this, so apart from biography and if you have the stamina his massive autobiography, and the following are Crowley's principal works.

1. Magick - alternatively called Magick in Theory and Practice -or Book Four. This is his textbook of magick, leads the reader from basic yoga techniques through Golden Dawn type ritual to his own unique gnostic rituals, many of them with veiled sexual content. But beware, this is not a book for the beginner and you might do well to ask a more experienced magician to suggest a study plan for it beginning with Liber O, or even look at some of the secondary literature first. For example see Lon DuQuette's The Magick of Thelema or Israel Regardie's Middle Pillar, Eye in Triangle, and others.

2. The Book of Thoth, along with the tarot cards of the same name, is his brilliant study of the tarot, difficult to follow in parts if you have no familiarity with his 'Thelemic' imagery, but well worth persevering with. The tarot deck he created with English 'surrealist' Lady Frieda Harris, is fast becoming the most widely used esoteric tarot deck in the world.

3. 777 and other Qabalistic Writings. A essential summary of his symbol system, which also contains a reprint of Mathers' instructional essay on Qabalah.

4. Holy Books of Thelema - all brought together under one cover, including Liber al vel Legis - Book of the Law. The mystical poem that formed the core of Crowley's magical system. 'Delivered' to him by discarnate entity Aiwass during one of the most important mystical experiences of his life.

Crowley's People

There are a small but growing number of groups, based in this country that work with Crowley's ideas. The following list is not exhaustive, but gives some of the main contact points. It is recommended that you do not atttempt to join all of them at once.

OTO This stands for Ordo Templi Orientis (Order of the Eastern Temple). A magical order, based on eastern eroto-gnostic techniques, some derived from Tantrism. Existed, long before Crowley came on the scene but soon became the principle vehicle for his magical work. Has undergone a big revival over the last ten years. Perhaps it is fortuititous that the OTO split into several rival tendencies following the death of Crowley's successor, Karl Germer. Many magicians feel that magical orders, structured on medieval lines, may not be the appropriate vehicle for Thelema. But as things stand the aspiring candidate must make a choice after investigating and weighing up what both groups have to offer, if anything. In England there are two main groups claiming title to Crowley's mantle: In other parts of Europe and the world, other OTOs exist and can claim priority. There are currently legal threats flying between these groups, so I hope I get it right.

i. OTO 'Caliphate' - BM Thelema, London WC1N 3XX - International HQ: Postfach 33 20 12 D-14180, Germany. More 'traditional' if it can be termed so. Uses original OTO Masonic style rituals and charges annual subscriptions and initiation fees.

ii. OTO 'Typhonian' BM Starfire, London WC1N 3XX. Ruled by famous occult scholar Kenneth Grant, whose book Aleister Crowley & the Hidden God, revolutionised the understanding of Crowley magick. Ditched the old Masonic style rituals in favour of the syllabus very like the Argentinum Astrum, i.e. individual graded magical practices leading to adeptship.

Non OTO Thelemic Groups

Apart from the 'OTOs' there are a number of 'new wave' magical groups and orders that are trying to refashion the occult community on more 'rosicrucian' lines, which seem more in tune with modern needs. Strict hierarchies, authoritarianism and obscurantism are definitely out. An honest attempt to build a fellowship or sodality of magicians is on the cards. Amongst these are:

Golden Dawn Occult Society

PO Box 250, Oxford, OX1 1AP. (email C/O [email protected]  Offers a foundation course in magick and other training to associate members (associate membership is £5 pa.). Is part of a growing network of individuals and groups throughout Britain and all over the world. Online newsletter

Chaos Magic and the Illuminates of Thanateros (IOT)

C/O, BM Sorcery, London WC1N 3XX, Another important new style of magick that has developed out of the Thelemic one. Other influences include new physics and European shamanism.

The Kaula-Nath Community (including AMOOKOS). C/O PO Box 250, Oxford, OX1 1AP. East- West tantrik groups, founded by Dadaji, one of Crowley's disciple's in the 1930s who, on the master's advice, went to India and became a sadhu. A unique blend of western occultism with authentic magical Hinduism. Has an older equivalent of Crowley's 'Law of Thelema' - viz: svecchacara - 'the path of ones own will'.

Crowley and the Media

There has been precious little media attention to Crowley, there is still no film or documentary devoted in entirety to Crowley's life. This situation is changing slowly. In year 2000, BBC Scotland made a short documentary about Boleskine, Crowley's house on the banks on Loch Ness. The show was called The Other Loch Ness Monster, but the BBC have so far refused to show it outside of Scotland. Channel Four have filmed a more thoroughgoing documentary although broadcast has again been delayed due to editorial difficulties. It will eventually appear as part of a series dealing with occult themes. BBC Modern Times are currently filming a fifty minute piece on serious magick, which will include a fair amount of material on Crowley. There are been one or two short radio pieces and an interesting stage play by Snoo Wilson some time back. Snoo Wilson appeared in a fifteen minute broadcast for UK's Channel 4 (text reprinted in Thelemic Magick I fromMandrake of Oxford.) Snoo Wilson's Novel I Crowley, has been published to critical acclaim and should go into production as a feature film. It is based on events at the Abbey of Thelema in Sicily.

Obtaining Useful Books etc

Books by and about Crowley are now widely available in UK booksellers such as Waterstones, Borders, Ottakar's etc. The best selection is still to be found in specialist bookshops such as the world famous Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum St, London WC1, and Watkins Bookshop, 19 Cecil Court, London WC2 4EZ, as well as several others throughout the UK. However, if you don't live in London or getting to a bookshop is difficult, there are several good mail-order suppliers, including Mandrake of Oxford (mandrake@[removeme]mandrake.uk.net) which is run by and for working magicians. Information is available here on local stockists and sometimes links if you prefer to deal with a bookseller in your own country.

Love is the law, love under will

Fact Sheet © Golden Dawn Occult Society, PO Box 250, Oxford, OX1 1AP.

Note: The contents of these pages are copyright Mandrake of Oxford. These contents can be reproduced for non commercial use, as long as source and copyright are acknowledged. [http://www.cix.co.uk/~mandrake/crowley.htm]

http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/an_introduction_to_paganism/aleister_crowley_factsheet.asp

[rurounidrift]

June 28 Blurr’s HOrror Stream - Life

A Hot Rod showed up. Drift fell all over himself.

Apparently he’s tired of the type of movie endings this one has, because he ranted a bit about it.

Welcome to the 'speedxstealer' room. The chat room has been cleared by the moderator. B l u r r: [[ fair warning, comcast is sucking asss today, so i may possibly lose the stream )) B l u r r: [[ im not even showing anythingand it's dropping frames ]] Hot Rod: ( iM HERE ) B l u r r: ( A SMOL! ) B l u r r: / skids in on fast pedes and vents. Hiss steam from pauldrons. He is here! / Soundwave: *Rumble stumbles in after him, slightly off-balance.* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Somebody catch th' plate on that fragger?// Hot Rod: *so conFUSED as he comes in* B l u r r: / snickers and flicks claws in his direction / B l u r r: Hnn? /a new face. He doesn't recognize it / Hot Rod: *squinty-eyed look at the others* "...Bonjour...?" Sunstreaker: -and he's here in place of Blaster tonight- B l u r r: ... /sharp tooth grin/ Bonjour. K-Kyeheheh. Hot Rod: *nervousness intensifies, as he plants his servos on his hips* "Alright, merci beaucoup, strange one." B l u r r: Blurr. /motions around with claws/ This is my ship. Sunstreaker: -glances around at the crowd. Only recognizes a few. Gets ready for a long night of not knowing what is going on- Hot Rod: *nods and looks around* It's a very... /nice/ ship. B l u r r: How sweet... B l u r r: You haven't even seen the best part of it yet. B l u r r: But, that's off limits for now. Hot Rod: "It's /quite/ alright. Im content on standing RIGHT HERE.." Bevel: *trundles in* B l u r r: Kyeheheh, if you want to. Whirl: *slinks in and makes his way for his hammock* Sunstreaker: -snorts, and goes to sit, somewhere out of the way- B l u r r: Snacks are set up. We just got new supplies, so they're all fresh. B l u r r: So, feel free to pick and choose. /vents/ Or what have you. Drift: *look who finally showed up!* B l u r r: / wiggles claws at / Drift: ((which continuity hot rod is here? 0v0)) Whirl: *sticks out the legy to rock his hammock* Anything liquid? And strong enough to strip the paint off ya? B l u r r: (( hes tyran, i think )) B l u r r: (( he new friend! )) B l u r r: Yes, we made liquid treats this time. Bevel: *waves to Blurr as she gets some of said liquid treats* B l u r r: / waves at Bevel / Drift: *wiggles fingers at blurr, and flops next to* B l u r r: / smirks at / B l u r r: D: where hot rod go? I was excite to see! )) Bevel: *now to find someplace to sit* Hot Rod: ( omg sorry IM HERE ) Whirl: And the "strong enough to strip your paint" bit? B l u r r: ( yay! ) B l u r r: ... Hell, I don't know. I have a different flavor pallette. B l u r r: But, I know one of them smells extremely sweet. Whirl: Hmm. *hauls himself up and stalks over to inspect them* Hot Rod: *claps his servos together* alright, i need names. Who are you all??? Bevel: *looks up from the drink she's grabbed* My name is Bevel. B l u r r: You already know me. /eyeing him/ And I think I know you. Hot Rod: ( eyes him back ) "Monsieur, I do not think you do." B l u r r: No, but... I could know you real fast. /licks sharp denta/ You look like you taste good. Whirl: *holds a glass under his helm, huffing in the scent* I... am Ultra Magnus. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble squawks. That's HIS joke!* Drift: I'm Drift. *nods at Whirl* Ultra Magnus over here is my second-in-command. Hot Rod: ( FROWNS ) "You touch me, I'm punching you, mon ami. I suggest you do not." Sunstreaker: Sunstreaker. B l u r r: K-KYAHAHAHA!! /kicks pedes. He's wheezing. He's joking/ Whirl: *you snooze you lose, pipsqueak* Drift: S'okay, Blurr doesn't eat guests unless they're causing trouble. Sunstreaker: -and just going to sigh at the joke. Really?- Bevel: *laughs* Hot Rod: ( nods at everyone else, offering a charming smile ) "Bonjour, quite a pleasure to meet you all. && I do not think you are Ultra Magnus?" Whirl: *sets the glass down, having apparently decided not to drink it* And why would that be? Hot Rod: "It eez... a gut feeling." B l u r r: / nudges Drift and snickers / He thought I was gonna actually eat him. Drift: Oh, that's just because he's not in his suit. Bulks him up a lot. Whirl: Well, you're wrong. As you can see, my fellows will vouch for me. Whirl: *retreats to his hammock* Sunstreaker: -No he won't- Hot Rod: "Alright, I stand by my beliefs." ( huffs ) "I have no idea who you are and I literally just came here. Can you blame me?" Bevel: *realized she clearly missed a chance to say she was Shockwave or Astrotrain or something* Whirl: Yes? I can? Whirl: You don't know a damn thing about me or where I come from. Why would I LIE? B l u r r: Stop picking on him, guys. What if I get in troubl-... / trails off/ Ah... Optimus Prime of Tyran breaking in to kill me. B l u r r: /SIIIIIGH / Whirl: He might very well step on you. Whirl: Slowly. B l u r r: He might... Hot Rod: ( confused french noises ) Hot Rod: ( perks up ) Hot Rod: "Man, Optimus is like my sire. He's rather cool!" ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave trudges in and looks over at Whirl.* B l u r r: ... you know him closely , then? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Ultra Magnus, Blurr, Bevel, Drift. Greetings.]] B l u r r: / waves at Soundwave / Whirl: *it's a good thing he's so dam good at poker faces* Soundwave. *nods gravely* Sunstreaker: ((SNEK! Primus-mun says hi ItsyBitsySpyers: *Parks himself on his seat.* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((hi!)) Whirl: ((YOOO)) Hot Rod: "Kinda close?" Hot Rod: "I'm pretty sure that even if we weren't close, he would still step on you." B l u r r: .... That's fantastic. B l u r r: Come sit with me and Drift. Sunstreaker: ((she's not having a good day, like at all B l u r r: (( hi Primus - mun! )) Drift: ((hullooo!)) Whirl: Yo. Pipsqueak. *clicks his vocalizer*

Missed a little. Hot Rod gave his name and Drift immediately, enthusiastically, and repeatedly welcomed him to their couch. Blurr called him out on it.

Drift: *swats at blurr* Life's too short for subtlety. I'm NOT scaring him away, I'm welcoming him. This is his first night here, right? It's polite. Hot Rod: [ looks very awkward and squints ] That would be a stupid law. B l u r r: / rolls optic/ Great, now you're gonna spend the whole time with him. /joking / Hot Rod: [ THEN looks at the other and hesitantly slides over ] "Zhen it would alright if I sit here?" B l u r r: Sure, I won't bite you. B l u r r: I'm under strict orders not to hurt your... kind. Drift: Yeah, absolutely! 0v0 Drift: *pokes blurr* Hey. I can spend time with BOTH of you, you know. B l u r r: Now where have I heard THAT before? Hot Rod: [ curious look ] You can't hurt MY kind? I do not understand? B l u r r: ...We're different. But, I know hurting you might back fire on me. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble manages to hoist himself up the leg, also with great dignity, and settles in.* B l u r r: [[ oh, does anyone need captions? I can turn it off. ]] Bevel: [[i do please B l u r r: [[ okie we leave them on! ]] Hot Rod: [ sits all prim and proper, jesus, rELAX HOT ROD ] "Hurting bots in general would backfire, irregardless." Whirl: *counter-settles and, content that his Clever Ruse is well underway, looks to the screen. And, staring fixedly at the screen, he veeery subtly nudges Rumble* Whirl: @R: Thanks, by the way. B l u r r: / rolls optic/ Oh, relax, Hot Rod. You're fine. I'm not gonna bite. B l u r r: Besides, Drift here would have a panic attack if I tried /snort/ ItsyBitsySpyers: @W: //Huh? What for? I mean, like, yer welcome 'n all, but I dunno why.// Drift: He's right. I'd panic, and then I'd attack. Whirl: @R: Basically all of Monday. Sunstreaker: -Can they not? Sunstreaker is off-duty now- Sunstreaker: -He'd like to remain off-duty- Hot Rod: ( HUFFS ) "I can handle myself in a fight. I am no damsel in distress." B l u r r: / snerk / Drift: Oh no no, of course not! B l u r r: Anyway, baguette, you're perfectly safe on my ship. So long as you don't cause damage. Whirl: *SNK* Whirl: *he approves of the nickname* ItsyBitsySpyers: @W: //Oh. Oh, yeah! No problem, mech. Got your back, swear.// Drift: ... "baguette"? B l u r r: It's a french thing. Hot Rod: ( HISSES LOUDLY ) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave eyes the new mech curiously* Whirl: *nudges again, in silent acknowledgement* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Just listening to that. And Rumble nudges back.* B l u r r: K-Kyeheheheh. Drift: *he /hisses/. wow.* Hot Rod: "Baguette is a STUPID nickname." Hot Rod: *he can make many other noises* Sunstreaker: -settles to watch humans being stupid on screen- B l u r r: Oh, is it? Well, I suppose I could come up with something later. B l u r r: [[ also, btw, some gore shyte is comin' up ]] Drift: I'll just call you Hot Rod. 0u0 Hot Rod: "It eez Hot Rod && ONLY HOT ROD" Hot Rod: "Merci beaucoup!" B l u r r: Aut ' 'Od? B l u r r: / smirking more / Whirl: *squints* what is it, like, an amoeba? Whirl: A very tiny barnacle...? Drift: *paps blurr's head* Don't make fun of him. B l u r r: / scoffs/ Sunstreaker: ...... Hot Rod: "HOT. ROD. You imbecile!" B l u r r: I'm just playing with hi- ItsyBitsySpyers: //Looks kinda like a... whatcha call it. Lich. Lichen... Leech!// B l u r r: .... /optic flare / Whirl: A leech. *blank stare. Pertraxia flashbacks* B l u r r: / engine growl / I am NOT an imbecile. Whirl: Not sure it's a leech... but it IS leech-like. Whirl: *he can understand the one scientist's pride. Who wouldn't love a horrid little blob baby.* Hot Rod: ( tips his helm up ) "Then call me by my proper designation." ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Heh. Node.]] B l u r r: That's what it SOUNDED like to me. B l u r r: Though, I admit. It's nice to meet an Autobot with some taste. Drift: ... How about both of you be nice to each other. Whirl: ExCUSE you. Whirl: I'M an Autobot and I have EXCELLENT taste. B l u r r: I meant from Tyran, you bolt. B l u r r: Aside from Roadbuster, I haven't met a mech who wanted to take control of an accent. B l u r r: I was COMPLIMENTING him. Hot Rod: ( clears throat and pronounces slowly ) "Hot. Rod. And of course, I know that I have excellent tastes." Hot Rod: ( ok you made him happy because his lil dorrwings are fluttering ) Bevel: Is Calvin gonna eat everyone? *knows what kinda movies Blurr shows by now* B l u r r: / smirks/ Hot Rod it is. Whirl: I hope it gorws into some kind of monster. I mean. That's what I EXPECT, of course. Hot Rod: ( pleased purr and settles to watch the movie ) B l u r r: I hope it's a monster. I love monsters. Bevel: *giggles* Whirl: *side-eyes Hot Rod; interesting noise. After a moment, he mimics the purr* Drift: I like the accent! *belatedly and uselessly* Whirl: *not quite purrfectly but very close* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Hey! Hey! We got accents. Just they don't sound like that one.// Jazz: *drops down from the ceiling and drapes over Soundwave's couch* BUDDY! Hot Rod: ( embarrassed smile now ) "Merci beaucoup, Drift." ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave is up off that couch, turned around, and waving wary feelers in a FLASH.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Primus.]] Jazz: *grins* Did I scare yah? Drift: *he got a smile!! smiles back brilliantly* Hot Rod: ( laughs at Whirl trying to mimic him. Does a little purring noise again ) Whirl: *mimics again--it's much better this time* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[You nearly lost your helm.]] Jazz: Whoa... new mech! ItsyBitsySpyers: *Pauses his irritation to look at the screen. Neural network?* Jazz: *looks at soundwave* Awww, you sound like you'd be sorry if I did. Whirl: Aww, look at it! Already growing. Most likely into something bloodthirsty. <3 B l u r r: Hopefully. Crosscut: Hello? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Yes, well. He does have an oath to keep. He would be loathe to break it.]] Crosscut: -enters- Jazz: *shrugs and struts across the room for some snacks* Sunstreaker: -Yep, crowd watching is more intersting right now- Whirl: *quick glance to Crosscut, but is not obvious about it* Jazz: Well, the all spark an' I thank yah, Sounders. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Yo!// Wave to Crosscut. He tries to make it not look as excited as it is. //Ain't seen you in a long time. How ya doin'?// ItsyBitsySpyers: [[You should.]] Whirl: *Look at the thing!* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Sits himself down and watches the creature with interest, now that Jazz is moved* Crosscut: Why helllo, I suppose it has been some time hasn't it? Whirl: *zoops towards the screen* B l u r r: [[ lmao poor whirl. ]] Whirl: ((IT'S CUTE THO)) B l u r r: [[ good luck. ]] B l u r r: [ DONT BLAME ME ]] Whirl: ((BY HIS STANDARDS)) Crosscut: I'm well, busy but well. Hot Rod: "Ewwwww... it's WIGGLING" Whirl: It's precious. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[...How is it progressing so quickly...?]] ItsyBitsySpyers: //Yeah? Whatcha been up to?// Hot Rod: ( covers his face ) Crosscut: -is there room to sit by the tiny writer?- Whirl: *he's in the Hammock, but Whirl nudges him--if he wants to go to CC, he can* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Tiny writer is by Whirl, so that depends on Whirl* B l u r r: .. Are you scared of it? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Oh! He's being nudged. Well, he'll scamper over, then.* Jazz: *flashes visor and waves at the peeps he knows * Hot Rod: "It's gross and yes, its kinda scary" Whirl: *glances after him, looking briefly very satisfied with himself* B l u r r: K-Kyeheheh. Don't worry, it's just a movie. B l u r r: For now. Hot Rod: "But not as scary as the dinobots." Whirl: *JUST AS KEIKAKU* B l u r r: ... /makes a face/ Dinobots are... rather intimidating. Crosscut: -takes a seat- Well, looking into moving preperations mostly. Hot Rod: "If you saw MY dinobots, you would be terrified. The first time I saw them, i fainted" ItsyBitsySpyers: *Bounces up onto the seat just enough nearby to be friendly without going full fanboy.* B l u r r: I HAVE seen your dinobots. B l u r r: I don't want to see them ever again ItsyBitsySpyers: //Movin'? You leavin' the ship?// Hot Rod: "And when I woke up, i was in their nest for a few days." Crosscut: -Pfft, no mini bots in lap- Drift: Saw them. Watched a documentary. Crosscut: Yes, planning on it. B l u r r: /nudges thumb at Jazz/ He's more accustomed to them, honestly. Jazz: *sipping cube* they're snugglers. Whirl: The little tyke got loose. Sunstreaker: -wow, alarms from the lab. Surprise.- Hot Rod: *nods slightly* Hot Rod: "They like to... cuddle a lot." Hot Rod: "Normally im up for it, but its real scary" Jazz: Aw, they're just lonely sometimes. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Where ya gonna go? You gonna go politics again?// Jazz: *flashes visor* Jazz: I don't know you, do I? You're new. *grins* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[The Tyran Dinobots, snuggling?]] Crosscut: Just Cybertron. Hot Rod: ( thinks back to all the times he's been chased ) Crosscut: What? Oh no no, no politics anymore. B l u r r: / nudges Drift / Hey. Maybe he can get Optimus to kill me and you can go celebrate with him. Hot Rod: "I don't... think I've met you either?" Drift: Shut up. Optimus can maim you, but killing is off-limits. Jazz: Probably not. Been gone for a while. *holds out claw* Name's Jazz. First Lieutenant, mech. B l u r r: Okay, but that doesn't mean you can't hang out with him. /pokes Drift's helm/ Crosscut: I have enough savings, I'm going to focus on my writing mostly, or that's the plan at least. B l u r r: You giant flirt. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Crosscut's gonna write again?* Hot Rod: ( takes his hands and shakes it ) Hot Rod, soldier and World War 2 veteran. Pleasure to met you Jazz: *grins and magnets to his servo. Shake shake* Sunstreaker: -watching screen again. What are the humans doing this time?- ItsyBitsySpyers: //Awesome. Got enough politics mechs around.// Sunstreaker: ... Sunstreaker: ............ Drift: Oh, you've been on Earth that long? Hot Rod: ( confused looks to their servos ) Hot Rod: ( goodness, are they sTUCK ) Hot Rod: ( nods happily ) "Oui! I have been there for that long." Whirl: *recoils a bit. mmmmmm* Drift: *... he's going to lose a hand* Whirl: *VERY QUICKLY LOOKS AT HIS HAMMOCK* Sunstreaker: -well slag- ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble pings Whirl.* Drift: *distraction time* Hey! Whirl! Hot Rod: "whats happening" Jazz: *shake shake and releases servo* Sunstreaker: -That's not good- Jazz: I don't remember you...  but you feel familiar. Hot Rod: ( tERRIFIED SQUEAKING ) Drift: Whirl, have you put more thought into the whole—ship—thing? The little ship. B l u r r: / uh. Awkward. Uhm. Pats Hot Rod's uh... arm...? / Drift: *was drift too late* Whirl: *antenna twitches; he's still looking down* Sunstreaker: -stares and doesn't like where this is going- Sunstreaker: And it is out Crosscut: -watching the film- Drift: *was clearly too late* Crosscut: ((NO! Not that cute fat boy!)) ItsyBitsySpyers: //...Is it gonna go Alien on it?//

Missed some, idk how much. Crosscut got scurred.

ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble nudges Crosscut.* ItsyBitsySpyers: //You holdin' up, mech?// Crosscut: W-what? Oh..no, I mena yes. Crosscut: I'm fine.. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Note to self. Crosscut probably isn't ever going to write scary stories.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[They should never have shocked it.]] Crosscut: -He's fine with scary stuff!  just not...parasites or things similar to it.- Drift: ... Listen, Whirl. I know that you're... Sunstreaker: That was...a very bad idea Drift: *mm. no. don't say that.* You can stay on the Lost Light, if you want. It's just...it's not a ship anymore—it's more like an apartment complex. Drift: Nobody HAS to leave. Whirl: And stay there. On Cybertron. Hot Rod: ok, this isnt that scary anymore B l u r r: [[ so i missed all of that 8') ]] Drift: ... I take it that's a no. B l u r r: [[ had to be the convenient "yell at speedy" time ]] Whirl: With Starscream, and the NAILs. *his voice is getting flatter and flatter; when Whirl's not actively trying to emote, his voice sounds very dronelike* Whirl: No. Whirl: It's definitely a no. Drift: *nods* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Humans really gotta stop goin' to space.// Crosscut: ((My sassy sassy rat, so big and cute and fat~)) ItsyBitsySpyers: //They don't do nothin' but get killed.// Crosscut: Hah ha. Bevel: [[this is too much for me, i'm gonna step out,  night everyone Drift: ((gnight)) Sunstreaker: ((g'night! B l u r r: Humans should stay away from space in general. Sunstreaker: .........so, two down already? Whirl: ((gnight!)) Hot Rod: "Humans are so cute, i love them" Hot Rod: ( night! hope you feel better soon, sweetpea~ <3 ) Crosscut: Who si that actor? Crosscut: He's so familar.. B l u r r: Humans disgust me... but I digress ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Which one?]] Jazz: I used to like 'em... *huffs* Now I'm just picky. Crosscut: I enjoy them. Hot Rod: ( excited look ) "I especially like the French people!" Jazz: Yo, French people are great. Jazz: They got the best style! Crosscut: They value entertainment more than most planets, they're very creative....It may hold them back quite a bit but they're very rich in culture. Whirl: *glances over, briefly* How d'you feel about French cinema? Crosscut: I quite enoy it, one of the first Earth languages I learned actually. Crosscut: *enjoy Whirl: ...well, I was talking to Hot Rod, but no reason not to poll the room. Crosscut: (omg im sorry i can't type tonight, i am juggling a rat in my hands- Crosscut: __ Crosscut: )) Whirl: ((A GOOD RAT)) Crosscut: ((He is good)) Drift: ((you notice how they kinda sway/bob back and forth while they're talking, since they're floating and all?)) Hot Rod: "I really do like French Cinema, especially their animations! They are very good." Drift: ((imagine the actors standing on solid ground and slowly leaning back and forth to pretend they're floating)) Crosscut: ((cut)) Crosscut: *cute Sunstreaker: ((hah! Jazz: (( pffft)) Whirl: If you've not checked out Jean-Luc Godar's work, you should. Whirl: ...y'know, it's been a while since we had Cukture Club. Whirl: *Culture ItsyBitsySpyers: //Lil while, yeah.// Whirl: .....*Godard ((GDI)) Drift: Whose turn is it? Whirl: Prowl's, I think. B l u r r: What is a culture club? Hot Rod: "Oh! Thank you, ill keep that in mind!" B l u r r: Humans are so hard to restart. Crosscut: ((-imaging all the typos tonight as drunken slurring- )) Drift: /Ugh/. Whirl: It's a thing I host every now and then. We all pick movies, and watch them. Whirl: You're welcome to come, as always. B l u r r: ... Ah. B l u r r: / frowns/ Cultural things? Whirl: Though I... guess I don't. Know where we're gonna do 'em, now. B l u r r: I'm afraid I've been stunted on culture thanks to the Decepticons. B l u r r: ... It's beautiful. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Stop attacking it.]] Whirl: Precious! ItsyBitsySpyers: [[It reminds him a little of octopuses.]] B l u r r: It's smart... very smart. B l u r r: It's learning... /smirks/ Crosscut: That's terrifying. B l u r r: I want one. Sunstreaker: Humans have a...very /very/ active imagnation ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Fascinating.]] Whirl: Strong little guy. B l u r r: ... Oh, you're an idiot. B l u r r: That's not how you survive. Crosscut: No, stay in there. B l u r r: well, if they didn't attack it, it wouldn't be defending itself. B l u r r: It saw them as the enemy the instant one of them attacked it B l u r r: so, if one is hurting it, to Calvin, they all will. Drift: I think hating somethinig that just killed three of your friends is pretty rational, actually. B l u r r: Hating something is easy. Whirl: I mean, if it were me, I'd try and find a way to kill it regardless of whose fault it was. Sunstreaker: -watching in mild fascination again- B l u r r: Survival calls for killing it, yes. Hot Rod: "Oh gosh, this is-- an oh gosh moment" Hot Rod: OH MON DIEU Hot Rod: MERDEEEE Drift: *looks at Hot Rod* You all right? B l u r r: He's having a moment. Hot Rod: "I would say oui, but non Sunstreaker: Yikes Hot Rod: I am not ok B l u r r: It's just a movie. It won't hurt you. B l u r r: They don't have escape pods? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[And if it got in one with them?]] Jazz: ... Yah blow up the one it's in. Jazz: Or yah push it out into space. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[With what?]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Motions to the screen.* Jazz: Shouldn't escape pods have navigation? Jazz: I mean, ours did. Sorta. Sunstreaker: ........ B l u r r: It's eating the other crew, too? Whirl: Looks like it. B l u r r: Well It's hungry. B l u r r: Well, he had a newborn. By horror logic, he was slated to die. Hot Rod: "oh no, sho.i loved u" Sunstreaker: I...have no more words left for this movie Whirl: Look at the little guy crawling. Whirl: ...well, that looks bad. ItsyBitsySpyers: //New rule: take swords to space.// B l u r r: If they're worried about their planet... B l u r r: why don't they just use what they can to get themselves further from Earth? B l u r r: Instead of struggling to go back Whirl: Best to keep a sword on you at all times. Just in case. Drift: They don't HAVE anything to get themselves further from Earth. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Where's yours?// Sunstreaker: Because they are being idiotic Drift: They're out of fuel, the little mini-rocket thing broke off... They're out of stuff. B l u r r: But they're still struggling to find a way back. Whirl: *shifts a bit, flopping back on the hammock, and whips his sword out of subspace. He points it straight up at the ceiling* Drift: Were they? I thought they were just kinda, being resigned here to not going back. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Holy frag. I didn't think ya actually had one.// B l u r r: Maybe. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Boss. Boss, I want a sword.// ItsyBitsySpyers: [[We will ask Bevel.]] Crosscut: Goodness, whirl put that away. Whirl: Yep. *still holding it aloft* Picked it up on the batle for Luna-1. B l u r r: .I have swords built into my frame. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Yeah?// Whirl: Dunno who you're talking to, Crosscut. I'm Ultra Magnus. B l u r r: Yep. Crosscut: BT B l u r r: / snort / B l u r r: / He's finding this character slightly endearing / Whirl: *he feels you, pilot guy* Jazz: *sad face* Whirl: *at last, puts his sword away, but doesn't un-flop* Crosscut: ((I know it's the end but I'm falling asleep)) Whirl: ((if you're headin out, GNIGHT MY DUDE)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((gently blankets you)) B l u r r: /nudges Drift / Drift: Hm? Drift: ... Isn't HER turning on the candle gonna mess up the plan? B l u r r: I would lure some alien creature away for you. Crosscut: ((I'm gonna try to stick it out.)) Sunstreaker: ((g'night! Sunstreaker: ((or not Whirl: ((HANG IN THERE)) Drift: Aww. I'd lure one away for you. Drift: ... But we should fight it together. B l u r r: But if it came down to saving your planet, I'd rather lure it away. Drift: Don't need to lure it if we kick its aft together. B l u r r: Mm true. Whirl: ((its loving embrace)) Drift: ... Where's she going? She's going to mess up the plan. B l u r r: oh she's in it. Crosscut: -nodding off, starting to tilt over to the side- Drift: *scoots to edge of seat.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave stretches a feeler out and tips Crosscut upright* Drift: ... I swear, if they decide to pull some "it falls to Earth and the last thing we see is it surviving and heading to civilization" slag... Whirl: *is presently a limp pile of elbows on his hammock, with a head zooping lazily out* B l u r r: What do you expect?Humans can only think so far. Drift: That's got nothing to do with humans. That's gonna be on the movie makers. Crosscut: -is pushed back up into a sitting position, but optics still dim- Drift: If the movie makers decide do that, I'll be torqued. B l u r r: ... Drift, those are humans. Drift: ... I thought you were talking about the characters. B l u r r: No, I meant the people who make the movies. Sunstreaker: And here comes the mess Whirl: At least it's happening for a reason--Calvin's doing it. Drift: Oh. Then no, I'm not talking about their ability to think so far, either. I'm talking about their decision to have a HAPPY ENDING. B l u r r: Happy endings don't exist. Whirl: *mmm TIME TO LOOK AWAY AGAIN PERHAPS* Drift: And a happy ending is an ending that doesn't finish with humans being endangered. Drift: They do in movies. B l u r r: Then it's more realistic for it not to end happily. Drift: I don't want a realistic ending. I want a happy ending where they save their planet. B l u r r: ... /shrugs / B l u r r: It's so CUTE. Whirl: *peeks back* Crosscut: ((smooch)) B l u r r: Maybe I'm just cynical. /completely is / Drift: ... Yeah, I think they made it to deep space. We're good. Crosscut: -flops forward, laying over own lap- Sunstreaker: -sits back to watch- ItsyBitsySpyers: *Tips up again and taps with feeler claws.* B l u r r: / flexes claws/ I'm not even allowed back on my planet. So maybe my attachment is a little strained. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Yo. Yo, you're missin' the end, mech.// Crosscut: Wha-...huh? Crosscut: Oh! Oh i'm -yawns- sorry. Drift: ... Yeah, fair. ItsyBitsySpyers: //'S cool.// Drift: ((it froze, what's happening???)) Sunstreaker: .............. B l u r r: [[ oh, she mcfuckled and went into deep space. ]] Crosscut: ((It froze what happened? B l u r r: he brought calvin to earth ]] Crosscut: I'm gonna guess his ship landed and hers got flipped into space? Drift: DAMMIT! Sunstreaker: There goes Earth B l u r r: [[ she tried to pilot ]] B l u r r: [[ and fuckked it up ]] B l u r r: [ SO THATS HER FAULT TBH ] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((the hit to the solar panel *** up her system and piloting so she went into deep space)) Whirl: Interesting, that Calvin kept him alive. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((and calvin stopped him finishing the manual override)) B l u r r: For a reason, I'm sure. Drift: I asked for ONE THING! B l u r r: It's a movie. Whirl: *blinks, and then gives a little snort* Whirl: Spirit in the Sky, eh? ItsyBitsySpyers: //Well, he's smart, ain't he?// B l u r r: / shrugs/ Besides, Earth is a disgusting planet. Crosscut: That was, well...a rather predictable ending. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Horror films often have them.]] Crosscut: This is true. B l u r r: I have no idea why anyone is surprised. Crosscut: Do like this song though. Sunstreaker: You mean there are other endings besides 'everyone dies?' Drift: Yeah, there's sometimes "the enemy is defeated and a single female survives." Crosscut: -rubs helm- Sorry for dozzing like that. B l u r r: Well. Sunstreaker: -snorts- Close enough B l u r r: I like that the monster didn't die. Crosscut: I'm more tired than I though I guess. Drift: No! It's different! Because this ending is an apocalypse. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Hey, you oughta recharge.// Jazz: Earth IS an apocalypse... Jazz: in most situations. Drift: I'm sick of implied apocalypses. I /lived/ through one. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Then perhaps you should watch happier movies.]] Drift: Multiple! Multiple apocalypses! Crosscut: Yes, I suppose I should. Sunstreaker: Mech, most of us here have Crosscut: I will. I'm going. -stands on tired, stumbly legs- B l u r r: Horror movies are horror for a reason. The outcome isn't a success. most of the time. B l u r r: That's the "horror" Drift: I know! Why aren't more of you annoyed that it's gotta end with an implied apocalypse? ItsyBitsySpyers: //Don't fall asleep drivin' or - however ya move. Seeya, mech.// Whirl: C'mon, Drift, surely we could go through a few more apocalypses before we're done. Sunstreaker: Because it is /fiction/ B l u r r: / looks at Drift / My Master /wanted/ an apocalypse. Drift: No, the horror is the stuff that happens DURING the movie. I want it—I'd like it all wrapped up and OKAY again at the end. Drift: Yeah but that doesn't count, because I'd be rooting for you guys. Sunstreaker: We just watched a horror movie ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble bounces back to the hammock, thrilled that he spent most of the movie with a secret idol, and attempts to scramble in* B l u r r: I would be angry if they killed the monster. B l u r r: It was defensive the entire movie. Crosscut: Goodnight. Jazz: I dunno... I'm kinda leanin' on Drift's side. I mean, if it's fiction, then I guess a better endin' would make more sense. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Night!// Crosscut: -waves before turning to take his leave- It was nice seeing you again, Rumble. A shame we don't get to do so more often. Drift: I /just/—I want more movie endings that don't imply that humanity is going to go extinct. Sunstreaker: Yes, a happier end would have been nice Whirl: *un-flops and shifts to make room* Jazz: Humans sure don't give two scraps about any other species goin' extinct... Sunstreaker: But apparently the writers thought differently Jazz: *scratches helm* But, I don't wanna see their race run out, either. Drift: Oh NOW you're agreeing that a happier ending would have been nice? After snarking at me for the past five minutes? Drift: I'd just—I'd like a FEW more that are terrifying for two hours, and then after the two hours the humans are, presumably, going to be okay. Not ALL humans. The main cast can die, I don't care. Drift: But humanity, in general. Sunstreaker: You are taking a work of fiction too seriously Drift: Shut up. Let me have my damn opinion. Whirl: *nudges Rumble* You should ring him up sometime. He's not a hard mech to get a hold of. Sunstreaker: You have your opinion, I have mine Sunstreaker: And if I have to respect yours, then kindly /do the same/ Drift: Yeah, and I didn't ask you what you think of mine. B l u r r: Ohfor pit sake... B l u r r: / rubbing temples / You liked the ending. You hated it. There. B l u r r: We're done Drift: I never said you can't have my opinion. I'm just sitting over here talking about mine while you're— Drift: one—implying that there ARE no other endings—two—implying I'm an idiot for having an opinion based on living through apocalypses because oh wow, so have other people— Sunstreaker: You got upset over the fact that not everyone in the room shared yours ItsyBitsySpyers: //No fraggin' way.// Nudges back, following with a private comm because everyone doesn't need to know his fanboying. B l u r r: / scrubs claws over faceplate / Drift: —three—implying I'm an idiot for having an opinion over FICTION—and four—acting like having a damn opinion is "taking things too seriously." ItsyBitsySpyers: @W: //What'm I gonna do, ask him to sign a datapad? C'mon. Probably looked dumb runnin' over there anyway.// Whirl: *prudently also switches over* R: He's not standoffish. You can just TALK. Drift: No, I got upset at your fragging attitude. A care a lot less about the movie now than I do about you apparently having a problem with the fact that I was annoyed over it. Drift: So shut up. You're not cool for acting apathetic about the end of a movie. B l u r r: / twitches finials/ ItsyBitsySpyers: @W: //But I -don't- talk. Not, like. Not where all everybody sees. I'm gonna go to the rebuildin' site. They hear I'm talkin' to old senators 'n writers 'n I'm gonna get a girder to the faceplates.// Drift: *huffs. turns back to blurr.* Anyway. B l u r r: Mm? B l u r r: / now velocity wants to argue. / Drift: Sad 'bout the humans, but at least the monster DID live. So that's a plus. Sunstreaker: -sorry, he zoned out for a moment, he had to answer a call- B l u r r: I liked the monster. Sunstreaker: ((because mun wandered off, my bad Drift: ... I mean /I'm/ sad 'bout the humans. I know you aren't. S'fine. Whirl: @R: So, kick their as s. B l u r r: I just... have a hard time. B l u r r: Finding sympathy for them. Whirl: @R: Since when do THEY get to tell you what you can and can't do? *snorts* Drift: Yeah, I know. That's okay. Drift: My experiences with Earth were... nice. The only bad parts were the parts caused by Decepticons. B l u r r: .. /huffs/ Drift: Your experiences... weren't good. I don't blame you for not caring about them. B l u r r: I care about a few, I guess. B l u r r: But it's not because of me. B l u r r: It's because of someone else. Sunstreaker: -stands up, shaking his helm- Thank you for the movie, but I just got called into the med-bay Sunstreaker: Good night. Drift: Yeah? The ones you know now? B l u r r: Mm... B l u r r: / vents and sinks down/ And I went out the other night with Rodimus, against better judgment. B l u r r: / scratches helm/ Stupid idea. My bounty on Cybertron is incredibly high- higher than Magnus. Drift: ... Well, YOU'RE not dead. So is he? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble makes frustrated motions with his hands. How does he put this without looking weak?* B l u r r: No. Drift: Damn. B l u r r: / looks at the ceiling/ We drank for a while. /flickers optic/ He said he was sorry. Drift: You're still alive though. That's good. Drift: HA! B l u r r: But, I don't believe he's sorry for everything. Drift: Why, what's he want? B l u r r: He just.. wanted to talk. B l u r r: It felt weird. Drift: No no, I mean what's he REALLY want? B l u r r: I don't know. B l u r r: I drank too much. My processor glitched out and I shut down. B l u r r: I'm not supposed to ... Drift: Pfeh. Drift: ... Blurr, why in the world did you let him talk you into drinking? Drift: He was probably trying to fry your processor and kill you. B l u r r: Maybe. ItsyBitsySpyers: @W: //I ain't afraid of kickin' aft. But listen, I'm five times smaller'n you 'n don't nobody respect minicons right. I probably already gotta fight like 20 mechs jus' so won't nobody try nothin'.-- ItsyBitsySpyers: The frag I wanna make it 40 for?// ItsyBitsySpyers: *Hi, he doesn't have very good opinions of most huge bots.* B l u r r: He didn't seem like he was trying. B l u r r: Even so... he erased my bounty. Drift: That's /acting/, Blurr. Drift: ... He definitely wants something out of you, then. He wants you to do something. B l u r r: I have nothing I can do. Drift: If he asks you for ANYTHING in the future, don't agree until you know EXACTLY what he's going to get out of it—including the stuff he isn't telling you. B l u r r: I won't be doing him favors. Drift: Like slag. You have a pirate crew. He could try to manipulate you into attacking his enemies for him. B l u r r: My slate is full right now. B l u r r: Speaking of which. I need you to do me a favor soon. Drift: Like—what if he said "hey, this planet has a treasure I've heard, here's a map as an apology for what a slagger I've been," and really the planet is just one of his enemies. Drift: Oh—yeah? What? B l u r r: Hnh... I can just steal the treasure and leave the planet. Drift: There's no treasure. It's a lie he told you to get you to attack it. B l u r r: In a few weeks, I need you to at least come onto The Emperor once every few days to check on the crew. Whirl: *tilts his head, considering; he can sort of see this position, though not in the exact way Rumble does. He has, after all, dealt with people trying to stop him from doing what he wants* Drift: Yeah, sure. No problem. *he's been spending a lot more time over here anyway* Whirl: @R: If THAT'S the case... then see to it that they don't find out. I won't rat you out to 'em, if you talk here. B l u r r: Cool. Thanks. B l u r r: They're gonna need some watching. B l u r r: They tend to get roudy without me on the ship. Whirl: @R: And, luckily for you, you happen to know a spymaster. Drift: Yeah? Where are you going? B l u r r: As for the planet and treasure, well. I guess I would just bounce and not do anything- what? B l u r r: Oh. /shrugs shoulders/ Roadbuster needs help. B l u r r: Scrap's going sour in his universe. Drift: What's up? Need another warrior down there? ItsyBitsySpyers: @W: //...You better swear. Cause I ain't afraid of kickin -your- aft neither.// B l u r r: No. / said that way too fast/ B l u r r: I mean.. I can ask him. But I don't know if it's strictly Wrecker stuff or not. B l u r r: I bet he'd like you... Jazz: *flips over to sit next to Soundwave. Sliiides up next to* Whirl: *he's gonna swivel his helm to fix Rumble with his optic* @R: You think I WOULD? Drift: ... If you're sure. B l u r r: / vents/ It might be more dangerous than I think. B l u r r: I don't want to drag you down there. Drift: You think I can't handle danger? B l u r r: No, I know you can. B l u r r: It's not that I think you're incapable. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave casually lifts a hand and puts it on Jazz's head so he can't come any closer than he already is.* Jazz: *grins* 'Ey, did you hear that rumor about us? Jazz: * B) * Drift: *crooked, not-really-happy smile* It's not like I've got anybody at home waiting for me. I might as well be out watching your back. B l u r r: ... /shifts a little. Turns behind him and hisses/ Shut UP. B l u r r: / looks back at Drift/ I'll ask... Drift: Anyway. I'd like to meet Roadbuster. And whoever else you've got over there. B l u r r: Roadbuster. Topspin. B l u r r: Crosshairs is a useless fragger. Drift: Whatever Velocity just siad, it was a lie. B l u r r: Drift is all right... B l u r r: He's not as cool as you. Drift: Oh! The triplechanger me? B l u r r: Mmhm. B l u r r: You already know Jazz. Drift: Hey, I wanna meet my alternate. B l u r r: Well, I'll see if he wants to meet up sometime. ItsyBitsySpyers: @W: //...No. It's--// And there's the frustrated hands again. //Ex-Decepticon. Y'know how that scrap is sometimes.// B l u r r: The problem is... they just... /fiddling with claws / They're acting different. They used to be this ring. And I was a dot on the far left ItsyBitsySpyers: [[What rumor about us? And what do you mean, 'us'?]] B l u r r: But, when I come over, they just... open the ring. B l u r r: I don't know what they want from me. Jazz: Yah know. Somethin' about you likin' my claws. Drift: ... Maybe they want you to join the ring. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He does NOT like your claws. He HATES your claws.]] B l u r r: Impossible. Drift: ((SO ATTRACTIVE)) Jazz: I dunno, man. Jazz: They said you thought they were attractive. Drift: ((IT'S AS THOUGH THEY PULL HIM IN)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((LOOK YOU)) Drift: ((HE'S DRAWN TO THEM)) Whirl: *the top shutter of his optic comes down and he regards Rumble with wry amusement* @R: I'm sure I don't, actually. Drift: ((cmon now, i know that soundwave and jazz are very different, but you know what they say)) Drift: ((opposites attract)) B l u r r: [[ omfg ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((i'm going to find you and pour chicken grease on everything you love)) Drift: ((gasp)) Drift: ((what if i say i love all my friends, including you)) ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble grunts.* @W: //I'm shuttin' up before I get my leg in my mouth too.// ItsyBitsySpyers: ((then i'll nibble a drumstick while i do it)) B l u r r: / vents / Anyway. I'll let you know as things come up. /pats Drift / B l u r r: Sometimes I don't come back for a while. Dart is used to those moments. Whirl: *snorts and nudges him* @R: You're good. No harm, no foul. But yeah. I won't blab. If you get obvious about it, I'll tell you. B l u r r: / Dart panicks / Whirl: @R: Got your back. *this choice of words is, ofc, intentional* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[You are as attractive as a bucket of rust. He would not proposition you if you tied Autobot command's worst secrets to your frame and rested on a bed of silver.]] Drift: ((... undress him.)) Jazz: ... Whoa. *lifts claws* Bro, slow down. I got me a mech. Drift: ((then leave with his clothes.)) Jazz: You need to sloooow the frag down. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble is quiet for a second, then nudges back with a grin. Thanks.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Oh, for Pit's sake.]] Jazz: I just think it's funny some mech out there wants to see us together, ya know? Jazz: Gotta run that by m'space wife. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[It's probably YOU trying to bother him.]] Jazz: Nah, it was NOT me. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Are you sure? You're the one constantly trying to hold his hand.]] B l u r r: / flops on Drift/ You wanna go explore this abandoned temple I found? Drift: DO I?? B l u r r: ... Do you? B l u r r: That's what I asked you. Jazz: 'Ey, you HELD it for as long as yah could, so  that's on you, too. Drift: ... That was a yes. Hell yes. B l u r r: Ah... well. Good. Because our maps are indicating we're getting close. B l u r r: By the way. Skychaser misses you. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[You magnetized yourself to him!]] Drift: Does it have treasure, or just the next step in the treasure? Drift: *brightens* Yeah? I haven't seen him in a while, we should hang out. Drift: Hey, how's he been liking space travel? Whirl: *he simple nods, and streeetches* All right. Up, you rust-bucket. Time for me to go. B l u r r: It has a treasure, it says. B l u r r: /twitches finials/ Oh, he's enjoying it... a lot more than I thought. B l u r r: He pilots the ship when I don't Drift: Heh. I'm not surprised. B l u r r: He's gotten a little more outspoken. ItsyBitsySpyers: //I'm scootin'. Seeya, Ultra Magnus. Have fun polishin' your hammer.// Snicker. Whirl: *SNRK* Whirl: *tosses Rumble a salute before he clambers out* Seeya, losers. ItsyBitsySpyers: *A nod from the other seat.* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[We should be going.]] Soundwave looks at Jazz and pulls his hand away. [[-Without you,- whatever your rumors say.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble flips himself out of the hammock and jogs over to the Boss. Up on the arm he goes.* Jazz: *snickers and looks at Drift * He digs me, don't he? Drift: ... WHAT rumors? Whirl: *bobs his head at everyone else and trots off; it has been A Night* Whirl: *and not necessarily a great one* Jazz: So, this gray dude contacts me and says Sounders is sweet on me. Drift: Uh huh? Jazz: So I bring it up and now Sounders is all in denial. Jazz: All he's gotta do is says he digs me. I ain't gonna get mad. Hell, I'm a good lookin' mech. Drift: ... Okay, let's get something straight. Drift: If somebody said that about Soundwave, and it WASN'T true—he wouldn't ever even let the message get through. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[--WHAT.]] Drift: So he's definit— Oh, you're still here. Jazz: *LAUGHS* Drift: *gonna. bite his lips shut.* B l u r r: / snickering against Drift / ItsyBitsySpyers: *You're in trouble, Drift. He doesn't know what kind, yet. But you are.* Drift: *is it balanced out by the fact that he implied you're such a master of communications you can even control your own gossip* ItsyBitsySpyers: *...Somewhat. 10% of his ire chipped off.* Drift: Ssso I should probablyyy go check on my crew... B l u r r: ... Oh, right. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Yes. Unless you have any other incredibly unwise things to say in his presence.]] Jazz: Aw, come on, Sounders. Jazz: We're just kiddin' Drift: Ha ha... ha... That was a... it was... you know I don't really... ahhh... ItsyBitsySpyers: *Leeeeeans closer to Drift.* B l u r r: / HISSES / Drift: Gonna... just... *he's gonna try to figure out how best to get to theDISJDLFJS GOING FASTER heads to the door while taking the WIDEST route away from Soundwave* Drift: *if that includes climbing over couches, so be it* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Straightens up and watches Drift flee, pleased.* Drift: *he is out the door* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Turns to Blurr.* [[And you. Don't think he didn't hear you laughing.]] B l u r r: I laugh at everything. Drift: *and ducks his head back in* The war is over! You shouldn't be afraid of your feelings! B l u r r: You shouldn't be surprised. Drift: **** DASHES* ItsyBitsySpyers: *FEELER SHOOTS OUT AT DRIFT* Jazz: *LAUGHING HARDER* Drift: *TOP SPEED* ItsyBitsySpyers: [][][]One of these days, you're gonna die laughing.[][][] B l u r r: Probably. Drift: *IF HE DIES FOR THE CAUSE OF LOVE IT WILL NOT BE IN VAIN* B l u r r: I mean, it's almost happened. B l u r r: / smirks and stares at Soundwave / ItsyBitsySpyers: *IT'S NOT LOVE, FOR PRIMUS' SAKE. HE LIKES THE -OTHER- SOMETIMES SIC.* B l u r r: / welcome to the voices laughing and snickering / Drift: *LMAO SOUNDS FAKE* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He'll be sure to attend your smelting when it does.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Trudges out. Enough of this nonsense.* B l u r r: Good. Jazz: *grins and waves* Bye bye~

#chat

[leadingtone]

I would like to write a few dull words about the election and inauguration of the 45th President of the United States which will happen this Friday, the 20th of January—exactly one week earlier would have been more apropos, one feels.

If you’ve no interest in reading them, I certainly do not blame you. We are all exhausted, and it’s only midweek. 

_____

This calamity that it now falls to us to witness and to resist is the result of a highly effective appeal to magical thinking. Magical thinking is defined as the misattribution of cause and effect according to whimsy rather than to logic, generally compelled by superstition, sentiment, or some mix of the two. 

An example of this would be the belief that socioeconomic uncertainty and instability in one’s life are the result of the election of a highly educated and eloquent black U.S. President, instead of the fallout from an oligarchic, military-industrial, hyper-capitalist machinery that, struggling to make ends meet, has as a matter of course increased the rate at which it consumes its own spare parts.

The corollary of such a belief, one might expect, is that the election of a crass, loud, and inexperienced but opportunistic billionaire landlord of German extraction ought to fix things up real nice—instead of ensuring the expansion and further fortification of the oligarchy which, having never exactly accepted this rather gaudy and gauche victor, will nonetheless gladly suffer to be refereed by him, considering the alternatives that were only narrowly displaced last summer. (I speak in particular of the Senator from Vermont, whose quite modest and sensible aspirations toward equality and accountability could scarcely be tolerated even by his own party banner.)

Yes, it was magical thinking that won this election, brilliantly harnessed by a pretty hapless egomaniac and his extremely intelligent and capable friends.

To Make America Great Again was, just as it had so successfully been in numerous instances prior, the perfectly hollow, chameleonic, and moronic clarion call. 

To some it meant the miraculous resurrection of crumbling factories. (Behold, I shew you a mystery: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed).

For others, to Make America Great Again is to watch in smug self-satisfaction as the wheels of the bus go round and round, round and round in reverse over the colorfully banded wrists—or gold-banded ring fingers—of queer and transgender citizens, in fact backing that bitch up as far as the steps of Foster Auditorium in June of 1963, when Governor George Wallace shrilly reminded blacks of their proper place, in patriotic defiance of the Supreme Court and of the will of most of the heathen nation, for that matter.

The driver on the bus goes, “Move on back.”

For all his shortcomings and his predictable lapses of idealism—I believe the man really did try, at least for a while—still President Obama and his family did provide a thirsty nation with a quiet and powerful symbol. The past eight years have seen, in some measure, the American Dream of the minority made manifest: an African-American scholar with an Arabic middle name ran the Oval Office, right where the nation put him.  

The fabric of Wallace’s heavenly order started to sag a little over the heads of those for whom it had long provided the only meaningful existential drapery, like the peeling, deformed roof liner of an ‘85 Cadillac parked for too long somewheres down in Louisiana. 

It is no wonder that the citizenship, the religion, and the ideological allegiances of our 44th President were called into question by hysterical magical thinkers everywhere; no mystery that his administration faced an oppositional legislature that would rather burn down the house than let the help sleep in the massa suite. 

_____

Please understand: the President-Elect does not give a gilded Russian rat’s ass what color you are, whether or not you want to marry a man or a woman, or whether or not you are a man, a woman, or something else entirely that you may happen to find more beautiful and expressive and true to yourself. 

It is pretty much all good with him. In fact, he needs you for bait and tackle. That’s about the full of extent of his concern with the gays and the blacks and whoever is friends with them.    

More to the point, your presence in the society is welcomed and required by all the plump sucklings who will look on, tails a’twitchin’, as their new Boss Hogg does his dance on the steps of the Capitol on Friday. The anticipation will be unbearably adorable, I’m sure, as the piggies await their face time with the swollen, distended teats of the supine State.

They care only about revenues. Optimal market conditions. 

They don’t begrudge anyone who wants such a thing as an advanced degree in gender studies, little as they may understand it. It is not that they hope to see gay teens closeted or disowned; they do not exactly hunger for young black or Latino families to have to strain to so much as visualize a better future for themselves; it is not their desire, one wouldn’t precisely say, to create and perpetuate war, or to dramatically accelerate the destruction of the environment beyond the merely terrifying and into the limply, hopelessly irredeemable. 

They might in fact find it rather sad that some people count themselves fortunate to be able to survive by choosing between food and medication from month to month, while others cannot seem to subsist on ample rations of thoughts and prayers.  

But those are simply the costs of doing business. The model—which is fully board-approved and actually is going fucking awesome at this point—looks like this:

First, you and your values will be painted as deviant, degenerate, and destructive in order that the appropriate persons might stand upon your bent back and declare this terrain to be the moral high ground. Internal studies and the assurances of multiple consultants have proven this to be the surest way to win an election, as it capitalizes on the basest and most reptilian aspects of human psychology.

Then you and, if necessary, your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will pay for your right to subsist with your labor, your money, your sweat, your personal freedom and sense of self-worth, and perhaps even your blood. 

Commerce deregulation and moral panic are jolly good bedfellows! 

‘Tis revenue, my boy, and nothing more! 

Dollars and good sense, dear fellow. Units sold, and profits projected.

Such thinking is not magical in the slightest—not even a little bit, not even enough to be kind of charming.

_____

Cessante ratione legis, cessat ipsa lex. That’s about the only truth I hold to be self-evident anymore, so I’m afraid I have scant little to offer in the way of hope or inspiration. 

If you are repulsed, and angry, and frightened, you are not alone. If in looking at certain people you no longer see them as you did before November, well, I understand how that feels. 

Be on the lookout for those who may need your help, for whom borrowing just a smidgen of your courage and your basic human kindness may make a difference you can’t fathom. 

Pay attention to each other, and pay attention to what people aren’t talking about on Facebook. 

_____

We have all become pawns, every one of us, however actively or passively.

Perhaps they took advantage of a small fissure in your family, worming into it and then writhing and wriggling so as to transform the home into an ideological battleground, just as they have with mine and many others I know.

Or maybe they drew a dotted line through your tightly-knit circle of friends, through your school, or across your church. There are about a thousand different ways that can happen. 

Maybe you spend a lot more money and live a lot less life than you used to, and call it growing up, and plan on the same for your kids. In the age of the sassy meme and the decree-by-tweet, pretty much anything is possible. Click to emote. Type to express. What time is it? ... Time to get up. 

If they gave you the world and then snatched it back—then this is me hugging you, and reminding you that there are things, baby doll, that can never be taken from you.

I really do have some faith in what gleams within people. On a good day, I extend that munificent confidence even to myself. I have watched the embers die too many times for want of a hardy poke, sure. 

But I have also seen ‘em blaze. Carpe noctem. 

[swapnagangadharan]

How would I go about it now that I knew I was going to trek to Kedarnath temple?

My friend Pankaj guided me. He put me on to his close friend who was a senior trek leader and with whom he had done tough treks.

I wanted to know the how and what of Kedarnath as in where do I go from Haridwar, where do I stop, where can I get accommodation? I was going on a journey where everything was left out in the open.

Vishu as Pankaj fondly called him was a big help. He gave me all the info but most importantly in his own way he gave me the confidence I could do this. Ditto with Pankaj whom I credit big time. He simply said You are a tough woman, tu kar legi(You can do it)

Believe me, those so called  simple words can be such a boost to a person. Especially to a woman traveler going on her first solo trek.

Vishu told me I was to take a bus, an early morning bus to Sonprayag. This would take at least 9 hours journey. So the earlier I got into it, the better.

I would find some lodging, a guest house to stay back at Sonprayag. Then the very next morning I could trek from Gaurikund which was 5 kms away from Sonprayag and that would be my start to Kedarnath temple. The total distance for trekking one way would be 19 kms.

Since the devastating landslide in 2013 that destroyed the original route completely, the new route had increased from 16 to 19 kms.

He also told me to pack up for it, carry some dry hard candy, packed fruit juices, Elektral Packets some salty snacks to keep me going.

Ideally the first day, 10 kms trek would be good, then  I could camp half way at this place Lincholi for the night where they had tents, then trek the remaining 9 kms the next day and then stay back at Kedarnath that night and start back down the following day.

I was totally pumped up. At least I had the outline and a path to get going.

After I arrived in Delhi airport, I took the metro to get to the station and I must say, Metro is a blessing. Safe, clean and easy!

The bane of having to book a taxi and be on alert all the time, the bloody traffic to get into the city, all that was done with thanks to the Metro.

So next time, you get an opportunity to get into Delhi, please, just please use the Metro!

My train was at 11.30 pm and I would arrive at the unearthly hour, 3.20 am at Haridwar. I knew it would be a sleepless night, what I didn’t know was later I would have what is called a nightmare night.

As I woke up groggily and the train reached Haridwar station around 4 am, I walked out and saw the whole world was already buzzing about. This was no ordinary town.

There were hundreds of devotees already getting into buses and making their way either to Rishikesh or Gangotri or Yamunotri or Badrinath or somewhere else. The options were immense.

I started asking around as to which bus would take me to Sonprayag. It would not be the government ones but private buses. And right across the station were people already shouting destinations their buses were going to.

I got into one, got the front window seat and immediately paid for the seat next to me too. Yes I did that because it was a tiny seat and I really wanted to put my feet up or even lean a bit and it was a 9 hour journey to wherever I was going.

Finally the bus set off at 5.15 am. I remember not caring about how fast the bus was going or how rocky the ride was or anything, I was just happy and very sleepy catching a few winks whenever I could..

At one point when the sun rose, I saw the most beautiful sight.. The beautiful Mandakini river glazing, shining like a silver  hue, like a painting and following us throughout the journey.

I started chatting with the bus conductor as we stopped for Breakfast. He was shocked I came as far as from Hyderabad and was doing this Kedarnath trip on my own. Something I would hear from all the people I would meet on this trip.

He gave me some sound advise.He told me not to stay back at Sonprayag but take a shared taxi to Gaurikund which was just 5 kms from there and stay back for the night. There were lots of options to stay there and anyways the trek was starting from there.

I so wish I had listened to him then which I didn’t. I told him nope I will stay back at Sonprayag and manage with whatever was there which I regret like hell now.

Finally at 2 pm we reached Sonprayag. It was a major hub because all buses drop offs and pick ups happened here. This was THE point.

There was the Police station, the Biometric Scanning office -mandatory for anyone who was doing the Yatra. Check posts started from here.

And the only transportation that could go to up to Gaurikund were shared jeeps – monitored by cops with IDS and ponies – yes the same ones that would be used if one wanted to for the journey to the temple.

From Gaurikund the available forms of transport till Kedarnath temple was walking, ponies, palkis(palanquins & baskets) and if you had loads of money there were Helicopters with set pick up and drop off timings you had to book in advance.

But in terms of accommodation at Sonprayag, all I saw were a few houses, small ramshackle old buildings and I started asking around. And at one point I felt there were hundreds of people, all eyes on me.

Here I was, a solo female traveler, in fact the ONLY solo female traveler. Why wouldn’t they? There were no government guest houses.

On my way to I saw a big resort called Shivalik Resorts in Sitapur, just 2 kms before Sonprayag. And yup I wish I had stayed there too that night.

I was so dazed, confused and tired at that point.  I asked a guy who was having this dhaba and he said he had accommodation. As I went up the narrow steep stairs it started getting scary. Scary as in it was a hell hole, no wait, a pit hole or a great combination of both!

I couldn’t believe what I saw. It was a room with a big bed and the bathroom looked like the Bubonic plague of London had hit it! Dark and wet!

I immediately got out and started asking for other options and the only decent one rejected me. Yup. Not giving it to a solo woman traveler. They were that frank about it.

The thing is most of these accommodations whether in Sonprayag or Gaurikund go by ‘Beds’ not by rooms. So each room had at least 4 beds as in a family or a group of 3- 4 friends could take it in bulk, so a solo traveler and a woman at that would have no chance of getting one.

I still should have gone ahead and taken that shared cab to Gaurikund but yeah if one seeks an adventure, they get it right? Maybe that’s what my mangled brains were doing so off I went to the first accommodation and took it.

The way I looked at it was it’s only for a night and I would start off as early as 4.30 am so hey let’s manage.

The guy Alam Chauhan was sweet. He knew I was feeling uncomfortable, he said Madam, I will bring the food to your room, chai whatever, don’t worry. I was like, I need to stay out of this room as much as possible and just shut my eyes for the night.

I got out and started walking towards Sitapur and entered into that beautiful resort. The moment i checked the rooms, I was like man, I should have stayed here but there was the logistics to deal with.

There would be no bus that would drop me to Sonprayag at 4 am from there. I would have to walk for 2 kms and in between there were signs on the road saying watch out for wild animals especially Bears . I decided that after am back I would stay here for the night.

I walked around, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, felt the fresh breeze on my face, had piping hot chai at the dhaba below my room.

I came to know that anyone doing the ‘Char Dham Yatra’ which included Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri – either one of them or all of them had to get a biometric scanning done and get their ID printed.

Super efficient unlike other government offices, they took a photo copy of my driving license, asked for my contact number and emergency contact number.

An ID was given with my photo and I would have to show this at check points and keep this with me until I completed my Yatra and get it scanned on my way back. It is an amazing system to keep track of Yatris (pilgrims).

They also had a medical fitness center and if one were at a certain age limit or were big or heavy structured they had to get a Medical certificate done.

By the time it was 7 pm my eyes were shutting down. The sleepless night, the whole tiresome journey was getting to me and I had to start the trek early.

As Vishu suggested, I would keep the backpack back at Sonprayag with the room owner and I would carry a light daypack.

And I would say that was a really good advise. Vishu kept insisting, go light just take essentials, go very light the trek is tough and that helped me a lot. So I carried the essentials with an extra set of clothes(I would be thankful for later!)

I had Maggi noodles and Chai at 8 pm as I had no lunch that day. It was the room, my tiredness, everything was getting to me.

I packed up everything, checked the door bolt which was not that strong and got into my sleeping bag as I was worried about any bugs entering or meandering in the room ( I wouldn’t be surprised if there was any) and I crashed off keeping the alarm for 3.30 am.

Except..

Around 1 am, I heard a loud banging on my door and suddenly the door opened and I mean wide open with a thrashing sound.

And I saw a man standing right in front of me totally pissed drunk in that darkness.

  The Unexpected – Part III How would I go about it now that I knew I was going to trek to Kedarnath temple?

[sword-and-stars]

I wonder what my theme is for watercolor class this month.

#artblogging #watercolor #legi paints things #my art

[sword-and-stars]

Distract my brain from the terrible news, it’s not living if it’s not with you ♥️

#artblogging #legi paints things #watercolor #my art

[sword-and-stars]

You can let it be your medicine when you hear that ocean song 🌊

#artblogging #watercolor #my art #legi paints things

[sword-and-stars]

So on the one hand I’ve absolutely overloaded myself on programming for q1 but on the other, I still remember how to paint.

#artblogging #watercolor #my art #legi paints things

[sword-and-stars]

Sometimes I make art 😌

#artblogging #watercolor #legi paints things #my art

[sword-and-stars]

take no prisoners, take no shit.

happy pride!

#artblogging #watercolor #legi paints things #my art

[sword-and-stars]

What’s your process for painting landscapes in watercolor? I’m just starting out and it’s really hard.

Watercolor is hard!! Even if you’ve been doing it for a couple of years, it’s still hard and there are always new things to learn. I’m gonna preface this by reiterating that not only am I not a professional but i also don’t consider myself advanced in any way—an advanced beginner, maybe. But I’ll walk through how I do a landscape, if only because I actually painted one this afternoon and photographed each step.

Fun fact! I actually used a photo reference for this one. Most of the the time I don’t and even when I do use them, they usually go out the window pretty quickly, but they’re nice to have as a guide, especially if you’re maybe a bit blocked on what you want to paint. This is the one I used:

So generally I start with whats furthest away—in watercolor you work light to dark so for me it’s usually easier to just get the sky and shit out of the way from the beginning. For this, I laid down a layer of clean (CLEAN!!) water and dabbed in some peachy orange (quin red mixed with indian yellow and a little lemon yellow) down at the base of the horizon and then up top used turner’s freshwater. Let that shit dry completely. Next I mixed a little cerulean blue and Mayan blue and watered that down to make a gradient for the mountains in the background, along them darker at the top and then fading them down to nothing at the horizon line.

While the mountains are still a bit damp, I used some of my blue mixture but in a slightly stronger tint to add the impression of distant trees. This works better if you’re not an asshole who gets easily distracted. However, i’m an asshole who gets easily distracted, so I let it dry a bit too much, hence why it’s less fuzzy than I’d like. To counteract the sharp lines, I added a little water to my brush and smudged it out a bit.

While that’s still slightly damp, add your favorite green aiming for a forestry shade. I used turner’s evergreen and added a bit more Mayan blue but whatever works. Make a few more tree smudges, closer this time, and darken your horizon. Once that’s dry, use that same green with less water to add in the details of trees. I like to have some popping out and some in front, but not too many.

The rule of thumb is that shit gets darker the closer you get, so darken your green with maybe some indigo or a nice brown (whatever helps you get to something you like) and map out your shoreline. I actually did do this early on with pencil but much like my photo references, these tend to get thrown out early. Dab more dark green on the edges of your shore to give it depth, as well as a bit to your trees. I used a little burnt sienna on the wet bits of shore to give the impression of shifting from dirt or sand or clay to grass, and added a little island-y fucker right in the foreground. Is this a river? Is it a lake? I don’t goddamned know and neither do you.

Adding your water is where things get a little tricky. You want the reflection of your sky and background but not in a way remotely detailed, because I don’t have time or the patience for that. For this, I used more clean water and then dabbed in bits of color where I wanted it: some of the leftover peachy orange to reflect off the water, a good amount of freshwater, and some of your green mixture (heavily watered down). Water has no actual color of its own, and while it’s easy to just paint it blue, it’s a little better to try and take into account what color it would actually show up as in your piece. But what do I know? Live your dreams.

At this stage I also added a few river rocks by blobbing on some graphite gray and putting in some grassy details along the shoreline in the deep green. Once everything’s all dry, I used some bleedproof white to give the water a little sparkle, a little detail to the horizon, and some little bits of grass.

Here’s what I ended up with when it was all done:

Hopefully that was helpful? I hope it was, anyway.

#artblogging #watercolor #legi paints things #my art