Avatar

Want to learn something new in 2022??

Absolute beginner adult ballet series (fabulous beginning teacher)

40 piano lessons for beginners (some of the best explanations for piano I’ve ever seen)

Basic knitting (probably the best how to knit video out there)

Pre-Free Figure Skate Levels A-D guides and practice activities (each video builds up with exercises to the actual moves!)

How to draw character faces video (very funny, surprisingly instructive?)

Playing the guitar for beginners (well paced and excellent instructor)

Playing the violin for beginners (really good practical tips mixed in)

Color theory in digital art (not of the children’s hospital variety)

Retake classes you hated but now there’s zero stakes:

Calculus 1 (full semester class)

Learn basic statistics (free textbook)

Learn a language:

Russian (pretty good cyrillic guide!)

Want to learn something new in 2023??

Cooking with flavor bootcamp (used what I learned in this a LOT this year)

Learn Interior Design from the British Academy of Interior Design (free to audit course - just choose the free option when you register)

How to ride a bike (listen. some of us never learned, and that's okay.)

How to cornrow-braid hair (I have it on good authority that this video is a godsend for doing your baby niece's black hair)

Making mead at home (I actually did this last summer and it was SO good)

Basics of snowboarding (proceed with caution)

How to draw for people who (think they) suck at art (I know this website looks like a 2003 monstrosity, but the tutorials are excellent)

Pixel art for beginners so you can make the next great indie game

Go (back) to school

Introduction to Astronomy (high school course - free textbook w/ practice problems)

Principals of Economics (high school course - free textbook w/ practice problems)

Introduction to philosophy (free college course)

Computer science basics (full-semester Harvard course free online)

Learn a language

Japanese for Dummies (link fix from 2022)

Portuguese (Brazil)

American Sign Language (as somebody who works with Deaf people professionally, I also strongly advise you to read up on Deaf/HoH culture and history!)

Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified)

Quenya (LOTR fantasy elf language)

Want to learn something new in 2024??

Coding in Python - one of the most flexible and adaptable high-level programming languages out there - explained through projects making video games

Learn to swim! (for adult learners. I don’t care if you live in Kansas or Mali or wherever. LEARN TO SWIM.)

[Learn about quantum mechanics again, but in a more advanced engineering/mathematics class. Then read more about the math and physics of it]

Something I learned this year: how to sew a quilt (Here’s a very easy beginning pattern that looks amazing and can be done with pre-cut fabric!)

How (American income) taxes & tax law work (choose “audit course” at checkout for free class)

Pickleball for beginners (so you can finally join your neighbor/friend/distant cousin who is always insisting you join their team)

+ Para-Pickleball for beginners (for mobility aid users!)

School is so much more fun when there’s no tests:

World History [Part 1, Part 2]

Learn a language:

Arabic + Resource Guide compiled from Reddit (includes info on different dialects)

Urdu (frequently recommended course on Reddit) + Resource Guide

Avatar

I do love how the most consistent part of stranger things is Mike Wheeler always being like 'YES I am the weakest one here, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and telepathically, but I AM going to destroy the fucking government' like the poor kid will blow away on a slight breeze but he really thinks he's just gonna yell loud enough that the big guys with the guns will back down. he really thinks he can throw a punch without shattering every bone in his arm. really believes he can intimidate his way into getting El out of prison. he's so angry and delusional I love it

Avatar
Avatar
strawbkiwi

shang-chi to katy on the plane: yeah and after she died, he trained me for YEARS and it was so brutal that I learned to ignore and take on a shit ton of pain, and then he sent me on a hit at just 14 so I ran away and changed my name to Shawn and—

the other passengers:

Avatar

I’ve never loved Sam Wilson so much in my life.

  • The man can read a room. The way he spoke softly with Bucky, matching his tone, when they were on the plane after meeting John Walker... He kept the conversation civil and logical to keep Bucky’s emotion in check. (One of my favorite scenes of ep. 2)
  • Balances emotion and logic. He acts on emotion but also thinks logically and listens which can be seen a lot when he was with Steve (and now with Bucky). For example, when Bucky left the car with Walker, Sam stayed and let Walker finish speaking before getting out. Even though Walker consistently insulted them.
  • Patient and keeps his temperament in check. He will firmly defends himself and others. But he never gets riled up unless he has good reason like when he finds out about Isaiah.
  • Always fights for what is right (THE MAN DROPPED EVERYTHING TO HELP STEVE OUT OF THE BLUE! C’mon guys!)
  • ...But always keeps things light and fun. This is seen throughout his time in the MCU. (which is also what Bucky desperately needs. His therapist told him too)
  • Always says the right thing and affirms what people need to hear. He says it whether they want to or not. He is logical but maintains respect. This can be seen with Bucky, probably because he was working at the VA for vets with PTSD
  • Incredibly compassionate. He is a good man which is why he got the shield. This show just proves it. It shows us what Steve saw in him! (HE TEXTED BUCKY FOR MONTHS DESPITE BEING IGNORED.)
  • Handles situations with such grace and poise. This is despite the stress and grief that systemic racism brings and despite being absolutely humiliated and heartbroken when they gave the shield to Walker. He gives me grounded Black Panther energy.
  • GREAT WITH CHILDREN which is why he and Bucky get along lol
  • Unbelievably charming, hilarious, and charismatic family man who never gives up.

YES, Bucky has been my favorite MCU character since forever and yeah, Bucky’s story is sad and heartbreaking...

BUT you are... blind and/or utterly ignorant if you don’t see how heartbreaking it is for Sam. He is holding it together BECAUSE HE HAS TO!

He doesn’t get the option to act on his emotions and throw a tantrum as a black man. He moves forward because he has to and he continues to fight for a country that doesn’t respect him. These are real world issues. Respect him and his journey.

(Rewatch the episodes. Watch his expressions. Mackie went to Julliard he knows what he is doing. His acting is brilliant.)

Sam is such a good person and an incredible character. I LOVE how tfatws is finally showing it. I have immense respect for this character and...

YES, I am now 100% in love with Sam Wilson.

You are using an unsupported browser and things might not work as intended. Please make sure you're using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.