The song "Oblivion" by Bastille has always held a special place in my heart since its release. When you fall asleep with your head upon my shoulder When you're in my arms but you've gone somewhere deeper Are you going to age with grace? Are you going to age without mistakes? Are you going to age with grace? Or only to wake and hide your face? When oblivion is calling out your name You always take it further than I ever can When you play it hard and I try to follow you there It's not about control, but I turn back when I see where you go Are you going to age with grace?
The song "Oblivion" by Bastille has always held a special place in my heart since its release. When you fall asleep with your head upon my shoulder When you're in my arms but you've gone somewhere deeper Are you going to age with grace? Are you going to age without mistakes? Are you going to age with grace? Or only to wake and hide your face? When oblivion is calling out your name You always take it further than I ever can When you play it hard and I try to follow you there It's not about control, but I turn back when I see where you go Are you going to age with grace?
Melanie tried to help me get a new iPad (and you can help too!) by commissioning me to create a lettering design for her name.
The brief is simple:
Name: Melanie Kat
- Chosen Style: Clean
- Preferred Colors: 🩵🩷🤍🏳️⚧️
- Phone Model: iPhone 15 Pro Max This is the lettering design I came up with:
I love the given color palette; it's fun and cute but also delicate.
I've offered this as a free wallpaper for iPhone, iPad, and PC. However, if you could donate a little, it would mean a lot to me as I am saving up for a new iPad as my birthday present this month.
I love the word "fearless," but eliminating fear is impossible. Instead, we’d be better off focusing on being less fearful and taking steps toward a more meaningful life.
Grandma is dying; there’s no way around it. She’s already 94 years old, so no one is surprised, and we’ve all been preparing for it in our own ways for a long time. Still, when the doctor said she had less than a month, putting a definite deadline on something we were too scared to think about, it made us realize that it’s really happening and not just some arbitrary prediction anymore.
So, I tried bullet journaling in 2022 and then evolved into my own system mixing both analog and digital tools. But this year? I fell off the planning wagon hard. Like, barely-planned-a-thing hard.
Here are the lessons I learned from my epic planning fail: Too much on my plate: Digital tools let me add infinite tasks, which is a recipe for overload. Guilt trip: Seeing unfinished tasks made me feel paralyzed.
Hi! I’m Ning. If you’ve been following me, you might have come across some, or hopefully all, of my lettering pieces over the past two months.
Long story short, I kicked off my lettering journey in April with almost zero knowledge of design and lettering—just a pure love for typography. I assigned myself daily lyrics lettering in May and daily LGBTQIA+ character name lettering last month.
Here's what I've learned after two months: Lettering is More Than Letters: It's the whole graphic design process.
One of the most nerve-wracking things in life is falling in love with your best friend. The heartache of unrequited love is tough, but trying to salvage the friendship afterward? That's on a whole other level of difficulty. Yet somehow, Amy managed to do it, even if she hit a few bumps along the way.
Her feelings for Karma are like a rollercoaster—authentic, complex, and sometimes leaving you with your heart in your throat.
I wouldn't have learned about intersex if I hadn't watched "Faking It."
This show features some of the most inclusive LGBTQIA+ characters in the most welcoming environment I've ever seen. It flips the script of high school stereotypes by making the "cool kids" LGBTQIA+, showing that being true to yourself is what really matters. Sadly, this is quite the opposite of the real world we live in.
As one of TV's first intersex main characters, Lauren's journey is groundbreaking.
If you’re into Girl’s Love stories, definitely give the Thai dramas “Gap” and “Blank” a watch. These two shows are set in the same universe, and the main characters are sisters. Their names—Neung, Song, and Sam—literally mean 1, 2, 3 in Thai. What a lazy way to name your kids. 😂 These dramas tackle controversial relationship topics like status, age, and gender with a refreshing twist.
What could possibly be worse than having to fight someone you love for the fate of humanity? Honestly, nothing comes to mind. It's a nightmare scenario no one wants to face, but Albus Dumbledore found himself right in the middle of it. Not only did he sacrifice his own happiness, but he also handled everything with such grace.
Despite a tragic history with Grindelwald, Dumbledore rises like a phoenix (pun intended) as a beacon of guidance and support for young wizards, using his magical abilities to fight against dark forces.
Crowley and Aziraphale from "Good Omens" is the ultimate slow-burn love story that’s been simmering since the dawn of humanity. Seriously, talk about taking it slow—these two redefine the term! 😂
I’ve never seen characters complement each other so well; they’re like the perfect embodiment of yin and yang, perfectly balancing each other out. Separately, they’re intriguing; together, they’re downright magical.
What sets their relationship apart is the pure, non-sexual love they share.
"Klaine"—the ship of Kurt and Blaine's relationship on "Glee"—was nothing short of iconic. They were one of the first gay teen couples on TV to be portrayed as a genuine, multi-layered relationship. Fans were all aboard the Klaine train, swooning over their undeniable chemistry and cheering for their happily ever after.
But let's be real—it wasn't all rainbows and unicorns for these two; their journey was a rollercoaster. Kurt, with his compassionate heart and depth that went far beyond his sexuality, was a breath of fresh air, challenging stereotypes.
Remember “Glee”? That gloriously over-the-top show that had us all singing in the shower and believing high school was one big musical number? Well, I firmly believe it paved the way for the teen LGBTQIA+ community back in the day. Seriously, it was like a rainbow-colored beacon of hope. It was the first time I realized that figuring out your identity is a process, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right now.
“One Day at a Time” is a show that effortlessly weaves humor with heart, engaging viewers in a genuine and impactful way.
The characters feel like old friends you can't help but root for. The way they navigate complex issues like mental illness, immigration, racism, and the complexities of identity through the lens of a Cuban-American family—with wit and warmth—is nothing short of captivating.
What’s truly spectacular is how One Day at a Time showcases the intersectionality of Elena's identity.
Quentin Coldwater from The Magicians is such a complex character that you can’t help but be drawn to his journey. His transformation from a lost, depressed, and troubled soul to someone who finds purpose and fulfillment in helping others is truly inspiring.
His ability to mend small objects can be seen as a metaphor for his healing process, where he tries to mend the broken pieces of his own life.
"The Magicians" is one of my all-time favorite series, and out of all the amazing characters, Eliot Waugh stands out the most for me. He is a complex puzzle, with his genius magic skills and a dark history of trauma and depression. Eliot is a flawed and real character, which makes him so captivating.
The show started like a darker version of Harry Potter, with troubled characters trying to find their place in a magic school.
Larry Trainor, aka Negative Man, is a crucial character in the Doom Patrol TV series, where his storyline revolves around self-acceptance and overcoming internalized homophobia.
Starting as a closeted gay man in the 1950s, Larry struggled to hide his true identity due to societal pressures and homophobia. His relationships, especially with John Bowers, were kept secret, causing him to feel guilty, ashamed, and isolated. The accident that merges him with the Negative Spirit only adds to his struggles, forcing him to confront his identity and self-hatred like never before.
It’s always a punch to the gut when you see how the media loves to cash in on someone’s gender and sexuality. And “The Boys” doesn’t just take a jab at this issue—it delivers a full-on roundhouse kick. If you’ve tuned in, you’d know how Margaret “Maggie” Shaw, aka Queen Maeve, gets exploited left, right, and center by her dad, Vought, and Homelander.
One thing that hit me like a ton of bricks is how Vought takes Maeve’s queerness, tosses her bisexuality out the window, and slaps a “lesbian” label on her for marketing purposes.
To the Moon and Back (Matalada) is a heartwarming Thai drama that shatters stereotypes by portraying LGBTQIA+ people as loving and capable parents. The character of Grace, Matalada's dad, was a shining example of a supportive and admirable father figure. Despite facing rejection from his own family for coming out as gay, Grace found strength in creating a loving environment for his daughter within his LGBTQIA+ community as a cabaret owner.
“Dreadnought” by April Daniels is a superhero story like no other. Danny’s journey as a transgender superhero is both powerful and touching. The story tackles important themes such as gender identity, acceptance, and self-discovery in a way that is both heartwarming and action-packed. Despite facing adversity at every turn, Danny learns to navigate her new powers and her authentic identity with courage and grace.
“Dreadnought” isn’t just about superpowers and villain smackdowns; it’s about Danny’s journey to embrace her true self amidst all the chaos.
Klaus from The Umbrella Academy is the embodiment of queer energy and I absolutely love it. He is unapologetically himself, never confined by his sexuality or gender expression. His wit, carefree attitude, and humor make him a standout character. And let's not forget, he steals the show in every scene. Definitely my favorite!
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As the first transgender superhero in a major science fiction/fantasy series, Viktor from The Umbrella Academy paved the way for more diverse and inclusive representation in mainstream media. It's not often that a character's gender transitions along with the actor's, and I think this show nailed it. You can see that Elliot Page's involvement in developing the character's storyline adds an extra layer of authenticity to Viktor's journey.
I also read Page's memoir, Pageboy, which includes his experiences as a trans man and his struggles with mental health and relationships.
"You Me Her" really opened my eyes to the world of polyamory in a way that I had never considered before. The show did a great job of portraying the challenges and joys that can come with non-monogamous relationships.
Watching the dynamic between Jack, Emma, and Izzy unfold was truly captivating, and I found myself rooting for them the whole time. The show’s perfect balance of humor, drama, and heartfelt moments resonated with me, leaving me with a newfound appreciation for non-traditional forms of love.
I really appreciate how Dickinson presents the story of Emily Dickinson with a modern twist, incorporating elements like language, music, and references to historical events. The dynamic between Emily and Sue, brought to life by the talented Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Hunt, adds a powerful emotional layer to their forbidden love. 💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering
Gentleman Jack is a captivating show that shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people in the 19th century, drawing from the real-life diaries of Anne Lister, an English landowner, and a butch lesbian.
The series does an excellent job of highlighting the legal and social barriers they had to overcome, while also showcasing their courage and resilience. One of the moments for me was when Anne Lister confidently strutted through the streets of Yorkshire.
Villanelle from Killing Eve embodied the ideal queer character people dream of. Who wouldn’t love someone with such a charming and unpredictable nature with a good sense of humor, even though she was a literal killer? 😂 And her fashion sense? Iconic. The dynamic between her and Eve was truly something special. The way she played off Eve's more reserved demeanor created an electrifying chemistry that kept me glued to the screen.
After two months of a hectic life dealing with health and family issues, I finally made it back to the gym for the first time. I couldn't believe how quickly my strength and endurance had declined in such a short amount of time. I can still manage a poorly executed pull-up, but I can't do a full pistol squat anymore 😩
I knew regaining my strength, skills, and stamina wouldn't be easy.
Love Lies Bleeding is like stepping into a dreamy world of a queer love story. Jackie and Lou are absolutely mesmerizing together, with their toxic yet endearing love. I literally put their love above all the bloodshed in my lettering piece to match the movie title Love Lies Bleeding.
One of the best parts of this film is the rare portrayal of strong, muscular women in such a beautiful way.
I love Orphan Black, and Cosima is my favorite character out of all the amazing ones played by Tatiana Maslany. Her character is a perfect blend of intelligence and warmth, with a quirky, nerdy side that I find so endearing. Her passion for solving problems only matches her love for her loved ones. And let's not forget her relationship with Delphine, which started rocky but became incredibly strong as they faced tough challenges together.