#recharged

[linkinparkwarrior]

My Therapy!!!

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #445

I'm really glad I went to work today. I know that yesterday I said I was dreading going, and today, I dreaded going up until I walked into my department and was in the presence of Tr and Ka.

Beforehand, I made sure to eat a breakfast; thankfully, going to bed on time enabled me to wake up with enough time to both get dressed and reheat some leftovers and brush my teeth afterwards; it was good. Also, wanting to minimize any stressors from clothing, I wore my regular shoes (as opposed to my boots with the brace, since it squishes my foot), and put my hair in a ponytail instead of a bun (because a bun becomes very uncomfortable after a while).

When I got in, Tr and Ka immediately knew something was up, and so they asked about it. And so I explained what happened with J's sister and some of the mechanics of how that played out. They seemed to understand, and seemed confused at J's sister's response. So then, for the sake of integrity, I asked them both if there are any issues they can think of with me. They both went to great lengths to reassure me that they know who I am and how I do. They know that if they have a trouble, they can just tell me with full faith that I'll adjust. They know.

...They told me that my presence brightens up the space. They said I shouldn't worry about people who have a guilty conscience. I guess that's fair, but... I suppose I don't understand why J's sister should have a guilty conscience surrounding her dating habits and the like; she's gotta do what works for her.

As for Tr and Ka... Tr still plugs along with moving into the new dwelling she recently bought in order to get away from her unscrupulous ex; progress is being made. Meanwhile... Ka struck a deer while driving, and the crash killed both the deer and her car. It's miraculous that she wasn't also killed; I assume it's at least in part because she was wearing her seatbelt. She's bruised up on her torso, and she could probably use a few more days off, but she doesn't seem permanently injured, and that's very good. I hope her car insurance will cover the cost of the new car she's looking at. I guess we'll see.

I spent most of my shift putting cookies on trays for baking. I was actually able to get some pictures for you this time, because we weren't too terribly busy:

At some point today, one of the kindly cart attendants came up to me during my shift to ask me about the plush of you that I carry. I had the honor of telling him that you're the reason I'm still alive.

I felt a lot better after work. I guess I just needed some time with good folks besides those who are closest to me in order to restore my faith in those outside of my social circle. At least for the time being, other humans don't seem so irredeemably treacherous.

I went home after that. I decided that since I did the thing I was dreading and it turned out to be not only fine, but also good for me, it warrants treats. So, on the way out of the grocery, I picked up some heavy cream and some milk in order to make myself some of that pumpkin spice hot cocoa that I got the other day, with you in mind.

...I like to use half milk and half heavy cream. You put it in a cup, mix it up, and stick it in the microwave until it's nice and hot. Then, you add in as much hot cocoa mix as you'd like, and stir it up until it dissolves:

...Sephiroth... given your love of pumpkin soup, I think you would have absolutely. fucking. LOVED. this cocoa. It tasted like a chocolate-covered pumpkin pie. It was wholly scrumptious, and I enjoyed it very, very much. And... it continues to be a very sad thing that all I can do is write to you about it and send along pictures of it instead of actually sharing it with you.

You don't know what I would give to be able to do something crazy like use a small effort of will to open a tiny portal through which to hand various yummies to you. I hate to think about how lonely it must get for you all by yourself over at the Edge of Creation. I wish that there was something I could do. As it is, I'm not even sure that these various and sundry writings of mine are getting to you.

...Come home soon, okay? We miss you.

Suppose that's it for today. It's pretty late already, so... I guess I'll end today's letter here and go to bed.

I love you so much. Please stay safe out there, won't you? I'll write again tomorrow.

Your friend, Lumine

[eegcat]

haven’t done schoolwork in 3 days after orgo midterm

[herlittlebunnyboy]

Just woke up a bit ago from the big sleep! Probably 14 hours, and I feel fucking amazing! Everything is sharper, colors are vibrant. I love it, and even better it's a beautiful day out, sunny but not hot, no real wind. If anyone needs me I will be getting my fill of the outdoors and washing my jeep.

[mikedeodatojr]

@awastudiosofficial Our CCO @og_axel_alonso returns to @TLDR_pod with Nick Friar and @backcrackah to discuss THE RESISTANCE UNIVERSE: THE ORIGINS, our 368-page trade paperback collecting all the first issues of our shared universe for just $19.99. (Please Note: The on sale date is now 12/14.) Listen now via our link in bio. #theresistance #reborns #uprising #moths #eratic #recharged #knighted #thejoneses #theresistanceuniversetheorigins https://www.instagram.com/p/ClD3HlSO91L/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[caw4brandon]

What Linkin Park Was and Always Be

When I was just a boy, I used to visit this neighbor and church friend of mine who plays video games and has older brothers. (unlike me) His name is Gary and he’s a middle child. Whenever I visit him, I would find this corner of his gaming room with this pretty looking stack of albums, arranged neatly next to the disk player. These albums were all named;

The American boy band that, instead of making fun love songs, have girls swoon and make guys to roll their eyes hard. Produced music that makes you want to scream and punch somebody...IN THE FACE!

I...may be getting a little too nostalgic recently. With my Animorphs talk and all. But anyways, I wanted to take this moment of trip down memory lane to talk about Linkin Park. About how their music affected me and the mark they left behind for a generation of teens and adults based on what I have observed.

 - It Starts with Meteora -

I’ve tried so hard, and got so far

Formed in 1996, The sound of Linkin Park is described as a fusion of heavy metal and hip hop and was later transitioned into more electronic and pop-influenced music. In their early years, the band was founded by three high school friends: Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, and Brad Delson under the former name; Xero.

After a long and difficult journey of finding a lead singer while struggling to get a singed record deal, Xero became Linkin Park; an homage and play on words to Santa Monica's Lincoln Park, now called Christine Emerson Reed Park and on October 24, 2000. <Hybrid Theory> was released, earning the status of best-selling album of 2001 followed by is successors <Reanimation> and <Meteora> on March 25, 2003.

Things went from quiet to eleven very quickly as the band gained major stardom for their unique sound mixture of genres with lead singer; Chester Bennington's dynamic vocal range and screamo. Backed up with Mike Shinoda's raps and very occasional singing.

Very quick personal story. The actual first album that introduced me to the band was the Extended Play, <Collision Course> a collaboration with Jay-Z when I was just eleven years old. Given that there was a whole stack of albums at Gary’s and given that he’s my friend with good taste. I decided to give it a try, loving it since then. Linkin Park was not the only thing the bandmates worked on though. On the side, Mike worked on Fort Minor while Chester went on stage with the likes of DJ Letha and Dead by Sunrise.

- What They’ve Done -

Put to rest, what you’ve thought of me

At this point, I REALLY got into Linkin Park. The songs I’ve heard on that poor disk with no cover (which could have been my dad’s or uncle’s), on the radio or on good ole MTV had me headbanging, rapping and screaming in the car like a mad man which probably annoyed my mom who had to send me to school every morning. (Sorry mom)

At around this time, LP made a comeback in <Minutes to Midnight> The album that I used my hard earned pocket money to purchase and listen to. So much so that I can recite <Bleed It Out> with ease. Even till this day.

But, I won’t lie. At that time, I was moving on to other stuff like Japanese music; UVERWorld and The Back Horn or listened to something a lot more religious; Planetshakers and Everfound. All banger bands might I add.

Of course, LP never left the little corner of my angsty heart and I was surprised but listened with interest to their album <Recharged>, <Living Things> and <The Hunting Party> about a year or two later in college thanks to a fellow churchmate of mine who selflessly bought the albums to me as a gift. Which I played, in the middle of the night at my college house! (Now that I think about it, I'm a terrible housemate.)

But, eventually...I had to grow up and all that screaming had to stop one way or another. I placed my albums at a safe place in my childhood bedroom and never looked back since. But every now and again, that angsty corner would send those earworms to me and I would begrudgingly search it up and sing along with little to no problem. 

THAT was just a week ago when this post goes up.

Needless to say, Linkin Park is a name that lingers in the air and its something I like to revisit then and again. Every time I revisit, still a hell of a band!

- Why is Everything so Heavy? -

I know I'm not the center of the universe...

From my teen hood to adult hood, The sound of Linkin Park speaks a different tone now. The songs are no longer just headbangers but felt like fragments of the struggles that bleed into words from heart and soul of Mike and Chester. Accompanied by the pure talent of the great musicians of the band.

So, after all this talk. What was Linkin Park’s legacy? It surely must have created a generation of angry monsters right? Well...No. At least from what I can see. It has created a generation of people who are empathetic, a little bit intense but thought-provoking, with a layer of kindness to them and their music even saved someone from their lowest point thanks to a fan. [Story Here]

While I don’t have a music degree or anything. I could feel that no matter what form the band took in the past seven albums they’ve made, its prove that Linkin Park is not bound by genres and themes. While other parts of social media loves to use songs like “Crawling” and “In The End” for meme reasons I can’t completely understand. I get a sense that as artists, LP is far more versatile and adaptable than others while maintaining an ethos (character) of themselves.

By the time I was done with college and nearing my final year. On July 20, 2017. The news broke out that Chester Bennington lost his life by committing suicide and while I am very much more of a casual. The loss was felt and there was not much to say. It truly was a dark day.

And then, Here WE are...2021

 What Linkin Park Was and Always Be to me is STRENGTH. Even when it its hard to get up. Even when no one cares. THEY say, “we do” The themes in most of Linkin Park’s songs deals with topics that are (no pun intended) Heavy like, frustration, depression, loneliness and fear but it also builds on empathy, taking back control and allowing one’s self to occasionally tell the world to go screw itself sometimes which can be quite cathartic. (At least for me)

They also remind me of veterans. Fighters and survivors from some kind of war whom are now lowering their megaphones and taking a more gentle approach with storytelling and messaging. Change is a frightening thing, especially for a band that’s all about the angsty, rebel, punk style but change could also mean, they’ve grown, matured or developed into something new compared to their yesteryears.  

It has been FIVE years since the band and the community lost Chester and FIVE years since the band went silent after but from what I’ve heard, Mike and Linkin Park are in the works for a comeback.

What I will leave with is this, there truly is nothing like Linkin Park the themes, the lyrics or even the iconography. While it definitely won’t be the same and would certainly take time, it would surely be good to have them return.

- To Chester and to Linkin Park -

Thanks for Reading

- B -

[waycoolbabylove]

The less you respond to rude, egocentric, argumentative people, the more you will raise your vibration and meet your intentions. It is possible to choose peace over conflict and make all your next moments even better.