stanford noooo

grian you are the literal farthest thing from tech support.

nost-owl-gia moment

The throne room-

Testing out some oil brushes, turns out its really hard to completely switch your brush set. I think its a good challenge but I really don't like how it turned out.

I could NOT get this out of my head for the life of me

Shitposting cuz its funny

Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3, Pt 4

bro i hate living in ohio i thought a squirrel got trapped in my bathroom (again) but i opened the door to this absolute tomfoolery. do i need to involve cops or can i just call animal control?? idk how long it's been in there but if it fucked with my toothbrush ill be livid

(inspired by the lovely work of @squidflavoredsoup !!)

fellas is it gay to cover my entire house with imagery of my muse, the centre of my life, the sun in my galaxy

Really can't get over the CAN WE TALK? stickynotes. And I mean I think part of it really kinda clicked when I've seen some fanart about it. We really see in TBOB that Ford after beginning to hear voices slipping through the cracks and questions Bill, to learn what Bill really intended, ENTIRELY shuts down his communication with Bill. And you see Bill when he gets questioned in that moment responds with a heavily implied dialogue along the lines of "haha, yeah I tricked you, I'm here to overtake your dimension". But Bill still expects Ford to respond to him in some way, and it's very clear that Bill is shocked when Ford REFUSES to talk to him. And what's interesting is Bill doesn't just IMMEDIATELY begin with threats; he actually leaves stickynotes first, before Bill realizes he's FUCKED UP big time and gets really nasty. There's something pleading with the CAN WE TALK? sticky note. There's a point where Bill does realize he's not getting what he expected, that he's missing Ford, and that he's willing to possibly even smooth some things over, explain things better (maybe even the part that the nightmare dimension is unraveling perhaps) or persuade Ford into Bill's plans. But Ford refuses, and it's already too late for Bill because just like with Stan, Ford feels betrayed and when Ford feels betrayed he'll mercilessly cut the person out of his life. Ford deeply, deeply holds hurt and betrayal and as a result he has zero desire to speak with Bill again (and also uhhh big red flag to take over the world, so also. Yeah).

And it's interesting because it's a slower ramp up until Bill is desperate and threatens, uses violence, because that's what he's always used when it comes down to it, and an ultimatum is given. It wasn't just threats out of the gate; Bill DID try to speak to Ford (btw this is not me being like Ford should have spoken to Bill and it would be magically healthy, cause no matter how you slice it it's just a toxic mess tbh). Threats out of the gate would have been faster; there's over three weeks in the timeline, before Ford goes through the portal (althought we don't get too much context around exactly when everything occurs). That's a lot of time! But Bill didn't threaten Ford immediately. And I think part of that reason is because Bill expected Ford to speak to him, expected their relationship or at least their project to mean enough to Ford that Ford would speak to him and then continue their work, once his anger cooled off. And I think also part of it is because Bill cared about Ford, not that he'd admit it in the moment; but he'd rather Ford willingly be alongside him, then have to force him through threats to do the work on the portal. You see that, even after Ford spends 30 years trying to kill him and nearly even does, when he offers him during wierdmageddon to be a henchmaniac. Bill cares about Ford, wants Ford beside him. But then Ford continues to refuse to engage with him at all, and Bill realizes he's lost Ford, and progressively gets more desperate and angrier as he's still refused, and falls into the violence he usually uses, to get Ford to cooperate.

Anyhow it's one of those things that you wonder what would've happened if they DID speak, but that would ultimately be defying a big part of who Ford is... So in a way it's a juicy juicy tidbit to chew on, the implications beyond the writing on the sticky note.

@the-gay-prometheus THANK YOU YES! It'd been a while since I read TBOB, but with the details you really see that even though there are instances before even the sticky note, Bill doesn't do much direct physical harm to Ford, even if it ultimately ramps up to very verbal/situational abuse with only a dash of physical abuse... Even though Bill usually will happily go for physical abuse. And I mean, also looking at Bill scratching at the door thing... Bill is also desperate. There IS a timeline for how long they can stay in the nightmare realm and I think there is something terrifying on Bill's end of having that escape suddenly be shut off to him... (But that also doesn't detract from the horror of what Ford is experiencing).

Also, I think some of the 'niceties' Bill goes for could also be construed as 'carrot and stick routine', especially after the rooftop incident, with the fire and the chess set, but the thing is that it DOES come out of Bill's care for Ford and not just him wanting Ford to boot up the portal (it's a look at what we had; we can have this again, I want this again too. But it's only possible if you co-operate). And I think it comes out of the fact this is such a incredible well done depiction of an abusive relationship because just as there are often good times in abusive relationships that have people coming back to them, the person who is abusive most of the time does have a form of deep care for or love the other person, but it's a selfish love that is twisted by that person's own desires and needs which overrules their partners own autonomy (perhaps a better word is deeply attached... one can argue the definitions here. Also this is NOT me excusing those folks. Get the fuck out of there. It's just that relationships and caring for people can be more twisted than what people like to assume on the surface). And you see that with them. Bill cares about Ford, but he's also extremely selfish and not only that but self-destructive; this triangles got a whole SWATH of issues, and he can't for the life of him be honest about anything, especially regarding losing face. He lies and lies and lies (which I've chewed on over here lol). The only time we really see him be honest is with Ford about his dimension when he calls himself indirectly a monster (cough, self destructive tendencies from guilt)... And I think what's compelling is that he HAS been somewhat truthful with Ford before, because he does care about and relates to Ford. And it's possible if they did talk he would have been possibly honest again with Ford, about the nightmare dimension falling apart. But it doesn't happen because Ford refuses, which makes perfect sense narratively. And I really can't see it going any other way, without them not both being the characters that they are.

And I think WHY I really like the both of them as you've said is the tragedy of it. That Bill actually CARES but he's too fucked up over things to be able to really care properly. On top of the fact that they're both very similar characters and have found refuge and love with each other, even if it's codependent as fuck. And it all falls apart, even if there was real care and love in it, before it turned (exponentially) toxic. Good tragedy is when things COULD have turned out okay but the characters (will always) fail to make the right decisions, will always fuck it up. And you see that, cause you wonder what would happen if Bill was honest about the nightmare dimension, and to some degree if Ford would have actually spoken to Bill (and if Bill was honest in that conversation). But that's not them. Besides they've also got a fuck ton of other issues they'd have to deal with on top of that...

OH THIS THANK YOU @kerink!!! The simple fucking fact that Bill can literally rewire Ford's fucking brain to obey him if he wanted to (due to Ford AGREEING to possession) hits the nail on the head to display that Bill cares for who Ford is, and so vastly prefers Ford to join him 'willingly'. Afterall, if you just make someone love you (via fear, like Bill's usually ruled, or via brain rewiring...) it isn't the same as someone willingly choosing to love you, like Ford did, and Bill desperately wants that back (and subsequently leans on his usual tactics of fear to try and get it back once Ford refuses to speak to him). To digress, the actual extent of Bill's power is a bit unclear; especially as Bill lies, and the most powerful (beyond weirdmageddon) he tends to be is usually within the dreamscape emulated as real life, which he has immense control over... But then also you have direct evidence of Bill rewiring Ford brain with Fordtramarine, so that IS within his scope of powers, at least within the contract of possession. Also... taking a step back to a Dolyelist explanation, GF is a comedy and follows a narrative (especially looking at TBOB), so lots of Bill's powers directly stem from what makes sense narratively, and/or is something comedic, so I also have a distinct feeling Bill's powers less follow a Watsonian explanation.

Also I completely agree that Bill sees himself in Ford; they're so similar when they meet, and much like in some ways Ford projected onto Dipper, Bill projects himself onto Ford... and I think that's why he assumes Ford would be ultimately fine with Bill's take over, especially Ford openly does wish violent retribution regarding being treated poorly for being different (ie, Ford's comment about Rudolph). However (small peanuts here tbh) I wouldn't perhaps say he wanted the exact same experience from Ford, to destroy his dimension; I think already Ford's falling out with Stan is strong enough of a resemblance for that imprinting... Mmm it's more like I don't think it was a conscious thought within Bill, but also wouldn't be surprised if he would also be eager about that parallel if he was consciously aware of it (and may have been unconsciously eager about it). I think Bill really is a reactive person more so than someone who is actively planning what they are doing; I think that as a conscious desire in Bill is a bit too much for a character that is very reactive, and I think Bill more was driven by the desire of I want Ford by my side. And I think that also influenced his thoughts that Ford would end up agreeing with him; sometimes when people (especially if they're more self-focused) assume that their desires are their partners desires, (cough, projecting, like previously mentioned) even when it's very much not true.

I think (as a watsonian explanation) that's also why you have Bill ridiculing Ford when he confronts him about the portal; even though he wants Ford to continue to be at his side (and it doesn't make sense to ridicule him if it pushes Ford away). First of all, to a degree he DOES recognize what he's doing is bad even if he denies it 'as improving Earth', and that Ford has compunctions about what Bill's doing; that's the reason why he lies about it, but also mocks Ford in doing something he'd normally never agree to. Secondly, I don't think Bill at this point doesn't quite realize Ford means a LOT to him yet, and hasn't really thought much about the portal reveal, only just vague, it'll be fine, in the end he'll agree sentiment likely due to what I outlined above. Thirdly, Bill's self destructive and thrives on (unhealthy) power dynamics, especially as you know the two of them have had some strained interactions by this point, case in point when they both accuse each other of essentially cheating. It's Bill putting Ford into his place, and he can't resist that. And so it all culmulates into him doing what he ALWAYS does when the truth comes out, and he ridicules Ford. And it goes spectacularly sideways, for Bill especially as @itslikepoetrythat excellently points out, Bill immediately SPECIFICALLY ridicules Ford's intelligence, Ford's load-bearing concept of self-worth... on top of the fact that Bill has been providing Ford's sense of selfworth for a good long time now, especially with Bill's I'm a god of knowledge, and I choose you because you are so special and smart shill. Which of course has Ford feeling immensely betrayed by the person he's closest to, just like Stan, as everything around him that he's cared about and worked towards collapses all around him, but it's worse because he was played like a fiddle and on top of the horror that he's been building a portal to kickstart the end of the world. And so Ford, cuts Bill out of his life. Also like ehhhh more small peanuts perhaps in different opinions of Ford's internal structure in response to everything, but I would say it's less if I can't have this then you can't have this about the portal, but rather a reactive horror to the situation; that's not to say there isn't a revenge aspect at all, but I think it's a very reactive I want nothing to do with this (but also this is my life's work tension thrown in) and a very tangible desire to not want the end of the world to happen (who knows what Bill would do).

Anyhow. Damn these two are the gift that keeps on giving for character analysis...

@huginsmemory I agree that Ford's wish to destroy Bill wasn't all because he wanted to get back at Bill, not entirely anyways. But I think mostly I phrased it like that because the thing I think he most hurt by with the whole Bill Cipher fisaco, is that Bill essentially attacked his self perception in a way that no one really has before. Like, Ford described meeting Bill as the greatest day in his life, 'what a guy' he says as he gashes about Cipher like he's the second coming of Nikola Tesla or smt. And when he's face with the fact that he was wrong about Bill, that he was tricked, made a fool of, he lashes out. Because that's the way he copes, that's the way that he was raised to do (I doubt Filbrick Pines was the face of healthy communication), the only way he could protect himself and in this case the universe. Ford is left in a horrible situation here, Fiddleford is gone, his grant money is basically at its last leg (re: the electric bills from the portal), and Bill has the ability to possess him whenever he sleeps. About a decade of work, research and effort down the drain. In TBOB he thinks about burning the journals, but can't brings himself to do it. And I think that's the moment where Ford made his choice to stand his ground and not give Bill what he wants no matter what. There's an interpersonal stake here, on top of the destruction of the whole world one. Could he have burnt the journals, smash the portal and just be done with it? Yes. But that would mean getting rid of what he spent his entire life trying to reach, to prove. That would mean letting Bill Cipher win. Because he would have essentially be made a fool out of and have nothing to show for it. And Ford, understandably, can not do that. Despite the risk.

But idk, I just love my bbg so much. And that Bill suit thing got me cackling at the pettiness ngl, not to mention playing the song 'The World is Small Forever and Always' on repeat so that Bill would get a brainworm when he entered in Stanford's brain is just so damn funny it got me laughing at the book for a full minute.

@itslikepoetrythat god yes, yeah CHRIST it's a fucking mess!!! I completely agree with you there re: Ford's dilemma and lashing out. Also, yeah these are Tumblr posts not a thesis so I v much get not describing to the most minute detail your exact opinions... Was gonna add that sentiment to the last reblog but also subsequently forgot aksjskskl.

Also! FUCK I hadn't really thought explicitly about the fact that Ford's been mocked for his deformity before and his WIERDNESS, but NEVER around his intelligence before... and that's the FIRST THING Bill mocks about him. Which is devastating on top of everything. Although I'd argue that that's less intelligence but mmm more like street smarts, and knowing how to recognize when you're being played... Something that Stan actually is good at! But that doesn't stop Bill from mocking Ford specifically about it!

BACK TO Ford's dilemma, like God it's so GOOD the tensions of everything Ford worked for he CAN'T just let go of even though it threatens EVERYONE AND HIMSELF. And as you've said he can't just let it all GO because then he LOSES his entire build up to prove his intelligence/selfworth... And exactly as you've said it's the selfworth Bill had JUST mocked. So he can't destroy the portal because then he has 'nothing' to show to prove his selfworth which proves Bill right about his failure of intelligence (also the amount of work that went into the portal, in the first place), but at the exact same time he should destroy the portal because Bill can cause the apocalypse using it. But also... The thing is Ford DOES have something to show for it!!! Fiddleford put all his other, non-portal notes together for him, to publish. But he refuses to just publish those because 'they're incomplete', because SURE they'd shock the world, but it's not enough to be declared a genius, to have done something that truly no one ever had done before... which is the portal, and the unified theory of weirdness the portal proves. And Ford CAN'T let that go because his desperation around his selfworth, around proving himself hinges on being a genius, which only the portal proves. And so he doesn't dismantle the portal, he doesn't burn his journals, even though he should and he thinks about it (god, Stan immediately being like I'm going to burn it then when it's handed over and Ford's desperate No!). Because they are his life work, they are his ticket to prove his selfworth and become accepted by people. They're as you've mentioned by FAR not at all just a logic endeavor... the journals and the portal are things that are deeply personal to Ford. Hell, almost half of his journals are personal entries! He's got a big stake in all of it... and so you see Ford desperately trying to make sure Bill can't access the portal, but also choosing to NOT destroy the portal and keep the Journals to see if he can STILL keep something of his dream (the hubris and denial to think that, but also... damn man I'd do the same), even while everything is rapidly spiraling out of his control.

Ah mannnnn I love these two characters...

I feel very delusional rn because my friend gave me a cold but the art never stops (except if I have art block)

mumbo jumbo

I'm literally 3 chapters into the Old Testament, and the only thing on my mind is, "Man, God sucks..."

I'm glad we "stole the rainbow" from this mf. He is just the worst.

Screw this, I'm skipping to the New Testament. Jesus won't do me like this, surely.

Wow. Herod seems like such a humble king, agreeing to worship Jesus despite him only being a baby. Surely, he doesn't have any ulterior motives.

Chapter Title: King Herod Kills Babies.

Hm.

John the Baptist: You sons of snakes! Who said that you could escape the coming wrath of God?

Me, who just read the first few chapters of the Old Testament:

Am I the only one sensing some sexual tension between Jesus and Satan in the desert?

I am in the process of rereading The Dragonet Prophecy and I just got to Gill

And I had the most horrifying thought

I like the headcanon that before he was gone Gill recognized Tsunami, to some extent. Not as his daughter necessarily, but as Coral-- it's a neat headcanon, it makes it more tragic, and Tsunami is the spitting image of her mother.

Gill is too dehydrated to speak. Part of what makes what happened to him terrifying is the fact that he makes no sound as he tries to attack Tsunami.

... Seawings don't need to speak to communicate. They have Aquatic.

Tsunami doesn't know Aquatic.

ok wof halloween headcanons time