#<- NO idea why that tag turned into austin gunn????

[lewispitlane]

pickleball pickles!

tags: @st-leclerc @leftneb @lovedecoded @doodlespng @germanyballartsandanimations

[theworldofotps]

The Chase (Slight NSFW)

Pairing: Jay White x OC Bee Word Count: 2,468 Description: Jay finds himself hooked on the new backstage producer.

Normally don't write for Jay but decided he fit this idea perfectly. Specially written for @omg-im-such-a-masochist Wishing you the happiest birthday babes! I'm so thankful to know you and for the friendship we've created don’t know what I’d do without you. Never forget just how important you are to me and so many others. You deserve nothing but the best I love you so much, happy birthday baby enjoy your story!! 🖤 _________ Tag list: @omg-im-such-a-masochist​ @melissahausen @new-zealand-chic @writtingrose @hotgirlgraps @madhatterbri @sassymox @mrsacklesevansmgk @xladyxfatex @adamcolesbaybay @irish-newzealand-idian-dutch @demonqueen29 @itsicantbelievethis666 @lilred91 @rebellious-desires​ @surdelcielo @letsgivethisonemoreshot @ava-valerie @shortyiceheart @serpantscorpio8497 @thatpanpal @wrestlersownmyheart @vebner37 @seeingstarks @whenimakeitshine1234 @legit9thlunaticwarrior @blaquekitty @ironshamelessyouth @unoficialy-married-to-ace-austin @ripleyswhore @moonrosekk @xbreezymeadowsx @terrortwinunicorn @alyyaanna @elevennbloom @melblacc @alliwant456 @mcreignsera @auburnwrites​ @aews-four-pillars @thatnerdwriter​ @sjwrites22​ If you wanna be added to the list lemme know. _________ Jay White was a major flirt, everyone in the AEW locker room knew that. He was a sweet-talking ladies’ man, not unfamiliar with female company. When Bee joined the company as an assistant producer and right hand for Tony Khan, everyone was intrigued. She had a reputation for being a no-nonsense professional with a sharp mind and a sharp tongue to match. Jay’s interest was immediately piqued.

When he seen her for the first time, Bee was walking through the backstage area with her head held high, radiating confidence. She had an aura of authority and an unapologetic attitude that demanded respect. Jay knew this was his chance to talk with her, so excusing himself from his conversation with the Gunn Brothers he approached her. The usual smirk covered his face as he held out his hand.

“The name’s Jay White but I’m sure you already knew that, and your name must be angel because it looks like you just fell from Heaven.”

Bee looked up from her clipboard with an almost annoyed expression on her face that took him back for a moment.

“Yes I know who you are, and flattery will get you nowhere with me Mr. White now please move along. I have other places of importance to be.”

Walking past him she continued her way down the hall leaving a dumbstruck Jay in her wake. Austin and Colten laughed walking over both wrapping an arm around him, because since they became friends, this was a first.

“I never thought I would ever see the day where a woman would turn down Jay White.”

Colten chuckled watching as Bee made her way down the hallway away from them

“I heard it wasn’t possible that they just automatically all want to jump in bed with him.”

Austin smirked as Jay rolled his eyes shaking them both off him as they went into their locker room grabbing their bags.

“Will you two just shut up bloody hell maybe the fact you guys were around, is why she brushed me off.”

The brothers looked at each other before laughing, causing Jay to flip them both off. Leaving the room, the sound of their laughter followed him.  He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had brushed him off so effortlessly. It was... exciting.

From that moment on, Jay made it his mission to win her over. Whenever Bee was around, Jay would find a reason to be nearby, tossing her a wink or a flirty comment. "Your parents must be bakers because you’re a cutie pie.” or "You know, the ring isn’t the only place I know how to make magic happen."

Bee, however, wasn’t impressed. She remained focused on her job, rolling her eyes at Jay’s antics and refusing to give him the time of day. Her cool demeanor only made Jay try harder.

Jay did everything he could to get Bee’s attention. He hadn’t realized it yet, but he was hooked. Every time they were in the same room his eyes drifted towards her, one day he heard Mark Brisco make her laugh. And it was the best sound he had heard in his life, watching her head fall back slightly as her eyes lit up with happiness. No matter what he did Bee brushed him off, after their last encounter he knew he had to change.

Bee was trying to juggle a bunch of tasks and Jay’s failed attempts at flirting were the last straw.

“Jay, you’re a great wrestler and clearly good at what you do. But I’ve worked too hard to get here to be distracted by some pretty words and a handsome face. If you want to impress me, show me you’ve got more than just a silver tongue. Respect me as a person not just a possible piece of ass.”

For once, Jay was at a loss for words. He realized Bee wasn’t playing hard to get—she was just being honest. She wasn’t impressed by superficial charm, and if he wanted a chance, he’d have to dig deeper.

So, over the next few weeks, Jay dialed back the flirting and started paying attention. He saw how Bee managed the chaos of the production room, how she stayed calm under pressure, and how she treated everyone. The more he watched her the more he realized he wanted to know more than just the work side of her, he wanted to know the woman behind the image she showed everyone.

One day after working late Bee was crossing the parking lot. She hadn’t caught any of her coworkers for a ride and the closest uber was twenty minutes away.

“Need a lift? Maybe even go somewhere and stop off for a drink?”

Turning, she groaned internally when she saw Jay walking out of the building with a bag over his shoulder and keys in his other hand.

“No thank you I appreciate the offer, but I don’t mix business with… whatever this is. And besides, I’m not interested in being another notch on your belt.”

“Wait.”

He said catching up with her and stepped in front of her.

“Look I actually want to apologize.”

“What?”

She asked, completely confused by his words, that was the last thing she ever expected to hear from him.

“Apologize for what?”

“For chasing you and being so persistent while making you feel like I don’t respect you as a human.”

Jay shifted on his feet, for the first time in ages he felt vulnerable as he looked into her eyes.

“I realized that my behavior hasn’t been the best and I wanted to apologize. I just find myself fascinated with you and then to be turned down so many times has been well different.”

Bee looked at him, and for a moment, there was a hint of a smile on her lips. But it quickly faded.

“A woman doesn’t owe you anything Jay and I certainly don’t.”

“I know that and I’m sorry for my behavior I would like to give you a ride and that drink offer is still up. I promise no Switchblade charm will be involved, just Jay. Maybe we could be friends eventually? Or if you rather not I can just walk away after dropping you off wherever it is you’re going.”

Bee eyed him for a moment, weighing her options. She really didn’t want to walk all the way to her hotel, and she was thirsty.

“Alright fine, I’ll take the ride and drink but the first moment you try any funny business I’m gone and you will never get near me again outside of the work place.”

“Deal.”

Holding his hand out Jay smiled as she looked at his hand then held out her own, giving it a shake the two made their way to his car.

“Would it be pushing it if I suggested the idea of getting some food with that drink before I drop you off? You like Italian food?”

Glancing over at him slightly surprised she nodded her head.

“Yeah, I love Italian food it’s my favorite, I suppose food doesn’t sound bad after all you owe me for your terrible flirting.”

“Oi my flirting is top knotch thank you very much.”

Opening the passenger door for her then walking around to his side Jay got behind the wheel. Kicking off her heels Bee sighed, settling back into the comfortable seat, her eyes closing for a moment as she relaxed. Soon arriving at the restaurant, the pair made their way inside grabbing a table.

Jay and Bee's first meal together turned out to be more than just a simple outing—it was the beginning of something new for both of them. Over the course of their conversation while dining, Bee discovered that Jay White, the infamous flirt, was more than his reputation suggested. He talked about his journey from New Zealand to the wrestling world, the struggles of being away from home, and the constant pressure of staying on top. There was a genuine vulnerability in his words, something Bee hadn't expected.

From that night on, things began to shift between them. Jay still had his playful moments, but his approach was different. Instead of throwing around pick-up lines, he’d offer a genuine compliment, ask Bee about her day, or checked in on her when he saw her working late. He was serious when he said he wanted to try and be her friend.

Bee, in turn, began to appreciate these small gestures. She still had her guard up—years of dealing with overconfident athletes and the wrestling world's unpredictable nature had taught her to be cautious. But she found herself enjoying Jay's company more and more. She saw a side of him that wasn’t about bravado or flirtation, but rather a man who genuinely cared about those around him.

One evening, after another long day, Jay found Bee sitting alone in one of the empty stands, looking out at the empty ring. He could see the exhaustion on her face, but also a sense of quiet pride. He walked over and sat down beside her, not saying a word at first.

“You know, I’ve seen a lot of crazy things in my career.”

 Jay began, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

“But I think watching you run a show is right up there.”

Bee chuckled softly, glancing over at him.

“You’re just saying that because I didn’t kick you out of the production truck earlier when you tried to help.”

“Nah that’s not it.”

He chuckled sipping the drink he had in his bag and held out a fresh bottle of water to her.

“I mean it. You’ve got a way of keeping everything together. It’s impressive.”

Bee smiled, feeling a warmth in his words that she hadn’t expected to feel.

“Thanks, Jay. That actually means a lot coming from you.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both enjoying the peace of the empty arena. Finally, Bee spoke up again.

“You know, you’ve surprised me, Jay White. You’re not just the flirt everyone thinks you are.”

Jay looked at her, his expression serious for once but with a softness in his eyes.

“People see what they want to see, Bee. But you… you took the time to see more. And I appreciate that.”

Bee nodded, feeling a connection forming that was deeper than just friendship.

“I guess we’re both full of surprises.”

Jay leaned back, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

“I guess we are.”

“And from that moment on I knew my life would never be the same, now look at us married and enjoying our honeymoon in New Zealand.” Jay looked over at Bee as she adjusted her sunglasses wearing the same smile that captured his heart. They have been lying on the beach together reminiscing about the early days of their relationship.

“Feels like it was yesterday instead of four years ago now. You were so serious I thought I’d never crack that shell of yours.”

Jay mused, his voice low and gentle, not wanting to disturb the calm they had settled into.

Bee opened one eye and gave him a mock glare.

“Maybe I liked keeping you on your toes, White. Besides, you were insufferable back then.”

Jay laughed, a deep, warm sound that made Bee smile as he adjusted his sunglasses.

“I’ll give you that. But come on, admit it you were a little impressed with my persistence. Right?”

She rolled her eyes playfully as she reached out to poke his stomach.

“More like annoyed. But… I guess I was eventually a little curious. You were different from most of the guys I’ve met in the business. And I mean that in the best way possible.”

Jay chuckled, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face.

“I hoped I’d win you over eventually. Just had to show you the real me even if it took you turning me down a lot to do so.”

Bee’s smile softened, and she turned on her side to face him.

“Yeah, you did. And I’m glad you did.”

She paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.

“I was so focused on proving myself, on keeping things strictly professional while also making sure my walls I’d built didn’t crumble. I never thought I’d end up falling for someone like you.”

“Someone like me?”

He teased, raising an eyebrow as he wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her onto his chest.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Bee laughed, a light, warm sound that Jay loved more every time that he heard it.

“You know exactly what I mean. Mr. ‘Switchblade’ Jay White, the notorious flirt, and ladies' man.”

Jay feigned a hurt expression, placing a hand on his chest as she smiled down at him.

 “Ouch. That’s how you see me?”

A smile crossed her face as she shook her head pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

“Not anymore. Now I see the guy who stayed up late to help me in the production truck, who took time to listen to my crazy stories, and who made me feel seen when I needed it most. I see the guy who’s got a bigger heart than he lets on.”

“And who is also incredible sexy and your new husband.”

“Yeah yeah sexy and my husband.”

She said as his hands continued to slide over her back as they listened to the waves hitting the shore for a bit longer until a smirk slowly crossed his face.

“You know something, it’s been a while since I’ve shown you how much I love you.”

“We literally did it twice this morning.”

“Yeah, but this is our honeymoon a third time won’t kill us.”

He chuckled standing up and lifting her in his arms as he made his way back towards their beach house. Bee couldn’t help but laugh again as she wrapped her arms around his neck pressing soft kisses to his sun heated skin. That was one of the things she loved about being so close to the water; it didn’t take them very long to get from the beach to the bedroom.

When Jay laid her on the bed, he quickly removed their swimsuits, placing hot wet kisses against her skin. Her hands tangled in his hair as he didn’t bother wasting time before parting her legs and sinking into her wet heat. Their soft gasps and moans soon filled the room as Jay sank into her repeatedly. His lips moving against hers with a hunger that still managed to make her insides quiver. His fingers pinched her nipples smirking as she cried out his name, that was a sound he’d never get tired of.

“Jay please.”

“Shh let go for me baby we’re just getting started.”

[sydsaint]

Sweet Gunn boy ily <3

Summary: The reader enjoys a lazy morning at the hotel with Austin.

It's early in the morning when you are woken up by the sun streaming in through the window, right into your face. Your eyes flit open and a yawn escapes past your lips. You move slightly and feel the presence of a warm body pressed up against your back.

It takes you a moment, but you are quick to remember that you brought Austin back to your hotel room last night being out for drinks with him and his buddies from Bullet Club Gold. You carefully turn around in bed and set your arms on Austin's warm chest. His eyes flutter open upon feeling your hands on him.

"Mmm, morning." Austin greets you with a yawn.

"Morning." You reply softly. "Sleep well?" You ask Austin while snuggling your head deeper into your pillow.

Austin lazily nods and you feel him set a hand on your hip gently. "It was one of my more comfortable nights." He admits with a cheeky grins.

"Please tell me that you don't have any early morning plans?" You ask another question lazily. "I'm too comfy to go anywhere anytime soon." Your eyes flutter shut with a content sigh.

"You'd have to pry my cold dead body out of this bed right now." Austin jokes. "Especially when I've got such good company." He adds and leans forward.

Your eyes peek open when you feel Austin's lips on your neck. You let out a hushed giggle and push against his chest. "Go back to sleep." You whine playfully.

"You sure?" Austin whispers a reply, his lips brushing against your ear.

"Yes." You push against Austin's chest again. "Sleep, please." You ask him again.

Your eyes remain shut as you attempt to snuggle back into bed and fall back asleep. But unfortuniatly for you, Austin is wide awake now. And he's eager to make sure he milks all the attention he can get from you.

"Austin!" Your eyes fly open when you feel Austin's hands wandering.

"Yeah?" Austin replies with a sly smile plastered on his handsome face.

You roll your eyes and turn away from Austin before rising into a sitting posistion. Austin watches you stretch your arms above your head and yawn again before you get to your feet.

"No! YN, I'm sorry." Austin whines. "Come back to bed." He pleads and reaches out in an attempt to grab you and pull you back into bed.

"Too late. I'm awake now." You shake your head and head for the bathroom door.

Austin groans and flops back into bed. He watches your hips sway in the most enticing way under your shirt as you head into the bathroom. You flick the bathroom light on and walk up to the mirror. Your peer at your dishevled reflection and frown. Your hair is in a tangled mess despite being pulled into a neat ponytail and there are hickies littered all over your neck and chest.

"Admiring my handywork?" Austin sneaks into the bathroom and comes up behind you, snaking his arms around your waist.

"God, I don't think I'm going to have enough concealer for all of this." You complain. "I'm going to have to drop by an Ulta sometime today and buy another tube."

Austin sets his chin on your shoulder and pulls your body back into his chest. "I'd be happy to tag along and pay for that concealer." He offers.

"You want to go makeup shopping with me?" You quirk a brow in the mirror at Austin.

"Why not?" Austin shrugs. "We can grab lunch or something after." He suggests. "As long as I get to spend some more time with you before work."

You smile to yourself and set your hands on Austin's arms now wrapped across your chest. "You're awfully clingy, Gunn." You tease him.

"Well when you manage to land a woman as sexy and cool as you are, YN. You gotta make sure everyone knows that she's already got a man." He jokes with a grin.

You roll your eyes playfully and turn around in Austins arms. "I suppose having you around to tow around my bags at the mall isn't such a bad idea." You giggle. "I'm going to grab a shower, you wanna join?" You ask him.

"YN, if there ever comes a time that I answer no to that quuestion, please kick my ass." Austin replies and leans down for a kiss.

You giggle and grab Austin's hand, dragging him toward the shower. It's still early, so you've got plenty of time to screw around before you and Austin are needed for anything.

[wrestlingisfake]

AEW Fake Rankings, 5/16/2021

Men's singles division - babyfaces

Darby Allin

Cody Rhodes

Orange Cassidy

PAC

Hangman Page

Christian Cage

Lance Archer

Sammy Guevara

Dustin Rhodes

Jake Hager

Men's singles division - heels

Kenny Omega (AEW men's world champion, Impact world champion, AAA mega champion)

MJF

Miro (AEW TNT champion)

Brian Cage (FTW champion)

Matt Hardy

Shawn Spears

Anthony Ogogo

QT Marshall

Powerhouse Hobbs

Nick Comorotto

Unranked: Alex Reynolds, Christopher Daniels, Colt Cabana, Danny Limelight, Dante Martin, Frankie Kazarian, Lee Johnson, MT Nakazawa, Wardlow

It feels premature to rank Darby Allin so highly. But given that Chris Jericho's hurt, Kenny Omega's a heel, and Jon Moxley's chasing the tag title, I can't argue any other babyface is ahead of him. Cody's clout and presentation goes a long way, but that only goes so far when he's been barely been on TV and feuding with QT's band of trainees. AEW deserves a lot of credit for giving Allin the ball and letting him run with it. Even though he just lost the TNT title to Miro, his chase to get it back ought to be even hotter than his run as champion.

A lot of the key fueds right now involve factions--Cody's Nightmare Family vs. QT's The Factory, Jericho's Inner Circle vs. MJF's The Pinnacle, and the Hardy Family Office vs. the Dark Order, Orange's buddies vs. Pac's Death Triangle--not to mention Team Taz and Kenny Omega's group running around. As a New Japan fan I dig it, but it does make it kind of tough to decide where one faction's minions rank relative to another's.

Men's tag team division - babyfaces

Jon Moxley (IWGP United Stats champion) & Eddie Kingston

Santana & Ortiz

Best Friends - Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta

Lucha Bros. - Penta El 0M & Rey Fenix

Jurassic Express - Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy & Marko Stunt

Evil Uno & Stu Grayson

Varsity Blondes - Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr.

The Gunn Club - Billy Gunn & Austin Gunn & Colten Gunn

Matt Sydal & Mike Sydal

Alan Angels & Preston Vance

Men's tag team division - heels

The Young Bucks - Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson (AEW tag team champions)

FTR - Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler

Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page

The Acclaimed - Max Caster & Anthony Bowens

Private Party & Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy

The Butcher & The Blade

TH2 - Jack Evans & Angelico

Chaos Project - Luther & Serpentico

Cezar Bononi & Ryan Nemeth

Unranked: Sonny Kiss & Joey Janela

(Names not listed on the AEW website's roster are noted in italics.)

With Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian disbanding their team, the top title contenders on AEW's official rankings are Garrison and Pillman. However, the team that's actually getting a title shot at the May 30 pay-per-view is Moxley and Kingston, because they trashed the champs' dressing room. Just in case you were wondering why I bother doing this when AEW does it every week.

Women's singles division - babyfaces

Hikaru Shida (AEW women's world champion)

Thunder Rosa

Tay Conti

Kris Statlander

Ryo Mizunami

Big Swole

Red Velvet

Leyla Hirsch

KiLynn King

Women's singles division - heels

Britt Baker

Nyla Rose

Jade Cargill

Abadon

Penelope Ford

Diamante

The Bunny

A year ago I was griping that AEW wasn't doing enough with the women's division. They're still not giving them enough time on the main show, but it definitely feels like Shida, Baker, and Statlander are more important to the product now than they were back then. I wanted them to bring in more women and give them a chance, and that paid off big time with Thunder Rosa. Swole, Conti, Abadon, and Velvet feel underutilized, but I'm confident that will change. Cargill is going to be great once they decide she's ready for more than simple squash matches. Granted, There are others on this list that seem to be just...there. But it's amazing how much less frustrating that is when more than two women on the roster are getting pushed.

No matches in over 30 days: Awesome Kong, Emi Sukara, Karl Anderson, Leva Bates, Doc Gallows, Mel, Peter Avalon, Riho, Shanna, Shawn Dean, Serena Deeb (NWA women's world champion), Yuka Sakazaki

Same old story with Riho, Shanna, Sukara, and Sakazaki (travel restrictions), and with Kong and Mel (no idea). Deeb is booked for the May 19 show, which is probably a relief for the NWA, since they can finally book some title matches again.

When the AEW/Impact storyline started, I expected a lot more Impact wrestlers to appear on AEW programming than just Gallows and Anderson. As it turns out, even Gallows and Anderson haven't wrestled much on AEW lately. I'm really starting to wonder what the point is for all of this.

Part-time/semi-retired: Dasha Gonzalez, Paul Wight, Rebel not Reba, Sting, Tully Blanchard

I feel weird having Tully here but hell, he's probably had more ring time in 2021 than everybody else in this list put together.

Inactive

Anna Jay (right shoulder - dislocation)

Brandon Cutler (orbital bone - unspecified injury)

Brandi Rhodes (pregnancy)

Chris Jericho (right elbow - dislocation)

Kip Sabian (right arm - storyline injury?)

John Silver (right shoulder - dislocation)

Ricky Starks (neck - fractured vertebrae)

Darius Martin (knee - unspecified ACL injury)

Miro "injured" Sabian's arm recently, and Sabian announced on Twitter that he's getting surgery. So is he just playing into the storyline on social media, or is the storyline designed to cover for an actual injury? Either way I don't expect him back in the ring for a while.

In contrast, Jericho's arm injury is legit but he's still appearing on TV and trying to get a match like it's no big deal. MJF challenged Jericho to a Stadium Stampede match two weeks from now, but Jericho reportedly needs 4-6 weeks to recover. So either the reports are overestimating how hurt he is, or Jericho's going to have to creatively avoid doing anything physical...or they'll have to postpone the match right after setting the date. I'm not sure what they're thinking with this one. (Maybe Jericho could call his new buddy Mike Tyson?)

[ginnyzero]

Project Runway Thoughts

(Originally Posted in Nov. 2017)

I'm almost done with Project Runway. Depending on the results of next week's finale part two, I might end up parting ways with the new seasons and go hunting down older seasons on DVD. This is really difficult for me to write and say mainly because I went to school (at the Academy of Art) for Fashion Design. I love Fashion Design. And Project Runway actually put a flashlight into that world so people can start to understand what goes into their clothes. (I don't care if you shop at Wal-Mart or Haute Couture, the process is the same.)

Personally, I'd never go on Project Runway. I know we should never say things like "I'll never do this." I said that I'd never publish an original book, but here I am. (Granted I'm self publishing so my reasons for not publishing aren't exactly valid.) But I tried going the traditional route and querying agents (probably the wrong ones) and tried to get a book deal which was something I said I'd never do. But here is one thing I put my foot down on, I do not want and will not go onto a reality show like Project Runway or Fashion Star or 24 Hour Catwalk or Launch My Line.

These shows don't do what they claim to do. Project Runway is "on the search for the next big American Fashion Designer." I can name two people from Project Runway that have any sort of success, three if I include one that turned into a television personality and four if we include the teacher who just keeps showing back up in more Project Runway franchises. Christian Siriano, Austin Scarlet (wedding dresses at Kleinfelds), Santino Rice (television personality) and Nick Verreos (and let's be fair, Nick was already a teacher at FIDM before he was on Project Runway.)  We're at sixteen seasons with at least 12 to 16 fashion designers at the start of each season. Four "success" stories. That's close to 200 designers. Siriano was from season four. Austin, season 2. So, it's been 12 years at least since any "break out" fashion designer has made any sort of success for themselves from Project Runway that "matters" in the terms of fashion world expectations. That is a runway show every season and product in major distributors like Barney's, Macy's, Saks and so on. (Boutiques on top of those are nice too.)

The real success of Project Runway is Tim Gunn. And he's not even designing clothes!

The prizes change my season but usually you get around $100,000, a new car, free makeup help from the beauty sponsor for your the show you do with the $100,000 (because that's how far 100 grand is going to get you) and floor space/online retail space at the accessory wall sponsor. And you used to get a sewing and embroidery studio from Brother and a position as guest editor at a fashion magazine. But those two prizes (probably the most two useful prizes outside of the money) have vanished in recent seasons. These prizes honestly, don't get you very far in the world of runway fashion, that is ready to wear.

Of course, this is reality television and what they claim and what happens really are two different things. But my point is that Project Runway isn't the 'magical' gateway to success that they claim their winners are going to have. It's not really a "once in a lifetime" opportunity (especially if they come back for All Stars, or three seasons in a row). It's entertainment. Entertainment where 90% of America watches and goes "Who would actually wear that?"

At best, Project Runway is a platform, a platform to get your 'name' or brand out there. Then, it's back to the grind. You have to do what Siriano did. You have to roll your product into Barney's, sell the buyer on your product and be able to back it up with a manufacturer to produce your product. That is why Siriano was a success. He took his few moments of fame from Project Runway and kept up his courage and went after the big buyers and it worked. And it worked because he backed up his sales with good product and built good will. "Oh, he's a new designer, but his product doesn't have strings, comes pressed with the proper labels and tags and actually sells. We'll buy from him again." And many, many designers aren't prepared to be able to take that platform and turn it into something marketable and make it really "big" in the industry.

And let's face it, making it "big" in the fashion industry is really difficult. It's an industry worth trillions of dollars and the major brands were established decades ago and bought out by LVHM or Fendi. You are swimming in a current against major corporations with billions of dollars of advertisement and marketing and production money to throw around (even when a lot of these brands didn't make money for their first couple of decades) and designers are notorious to be sharks! I've had loving, well meaning friends and family go "I can't wait to see your clothes on a runway." Or. "You should go on one of those fashion shows." And I have to quietly back up and be polite about how I explain the realities of where money goes in fashion and I don't have that money or the desire to go on a reality television show.

That's also not the type of fashion I do.

This season of Project Runway has been divisive. Between the twins being twins and then the cheating scandal and how it was unprofessionally handled by both the contestants and the producers and the really crazy designers in general. (I mean it, was there something in the Los Angeles water?) I wasn't fond of the briefs either. It's produced a lot of reactions. Then, instead of treating it like a contest and having a final three, there was a final five. (Which to be honest, all 5 were getting 10 grand to show no matter what but to string two of them along that much longer for an additional 100 grand is cruel and not worth it to the audience.) And we're having the same type of edit that we're having when Ashley Neil Tipton won. I've been getting a little put out and putting in plus sized models isn't enough to make me overlook how scripted, over dramatized and downright biased Project Runway has become.

If Brandon wins, as much as I want to support a fellow designer from San Francisco/Academy of Art Alum, I'm done.

I'm on my last straw. And it's not Brandon. It's sadly, Tim Gunn. It's Heidi. It's Zac Posen. It's Nina. And it's about Margarita. I don't like Margarita. I find her unprofessional. (I take it badly when you lie, are hypocritical or talk about other people in a foreign language right in front of them.) However, Margarita has a very specific tropical/warm weather style. It's a valid style. And I liked some of her pieces. It's been on Project Runway before. Uli and Anya managed to run with tropical styles all the way to the finales. Others got thrown off for having poor taste. Tropical style has been on Project Runway for years.

What hasn't been on Project Runway is the sniping, condescending attitude about warm weather/tropical fashion. In the one model off duty challenge, they very snidely/condescendingly called Margarita's outfit "very Miami." (Margarita responded by lying about whose idea it was to make the look the way it was and threw the blame on the model instead of owning her look. One of the reasons, I don't like her.) Apparently, Miami is now the armpit of American Fashion Centers. (I knew it was number three or four, not that it was smelly and the inbred cousin which the tones used in the show made it out to be like.) Now, normally, Tim Gunn is above this sort of nonsense. The reason why America loves Tim Gunn is not only is he honest, he's fair and he's encouraging. He does all his critiques out of a sense of love and desire to push the designers to be the best at what they do and not be anyone else.

Tim Gunn even used his save on Margarita because his advice was what got her sent to the bottom, so much, that they eliminated her. I understood his motivations even if I didn't agree with the save.

So, you can imagine my horror and shock when Tim goes and visits Margarita in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is looking at her collection and tells her to "Take the girl off the beach and put her on the streets (of New York.)" Did falling down a flight of stairs do something to his brain? Where was the Tim that told Uli and Anya to embrace their tropical loving selves? What happened? Why the reversal of 15 seasons of precedent? Especially after he saved her because of her color loving tropical looks gone a tad bit wrong.

And then Heidi compounded the matter by telling Margarita during the project critiques that she needed to remember that she was showing in New York City and not Miami.

This is bullshit. Everything gets shown at New York City. New York City is this amazing melting pot of a place with fashion designers of all calibers and walks of life trying to get their visions out there. It's also the Spring/Summer collection showings where the really crazy neons and bright colors come out on every runway imaginable. No one in New York is going to bat an eye at Margarita's bright bold colors and crazy prints. Because it's New York City, the home of beautiful crazy murals and boroughs of every racial type on this Earth. And on top of it, who cares if Margarita's style is a bit more Miami? From Puerto Rico, Miami is the logical place for Margarita to show her later fashion shows. Not New York. (And why the disdain for Miami? Why? I know it's Florida but still, major fashion center.)

They wouldn't have said this to Anya. They definitely wouldn't have said this to Uli. They didn't push either of those two to "make New York fashion." And I know this because being so focused on designing fashion the last month or so instead of writing, I've watched both of their seasons! (Anya's season is one of my favorites, as it was one of the first seasons I actually broke down and watched Project Runway. I didn't have a lot of television growing up/during high school.)

This hypocrisy disgusts me. I hope against hope that it's the producers at Weinstein butting their noses in where they don't belong. But with Tim Gunn now being a producer on the show as well, you'd hope he'd stand up to them a little and go "No. I'm going to let Margarita design for her beach girl. Because that is Margarita's customer."

As for Brandon, it was interesting to see the inside of the new Fashion Building at the Academy (that looks exactly the same as the inside of the building where I went when I attended. Imagination when it comes to decorating, the Academy has not.) However, Brandon's collection looks to be exactly the same things he's done all season and gotten no negative push back on from the judges. He hasn't evolved. He can't tailor. As a fashion designer, I don't know who is going to wear his clothes. And instead of producing two or three groups of clothes for his collection, he produced one. One set of textiles, one set look. And it still looks like it belongs in a video game.

It's Neil-Tipton all over again. It's the producers going "let's choose a story and a winner of said story... oh this guy is a sweet nice guy with an odd look, let's push him through to the win." It may not be as politically correct as Neil-Tipton's win, but it still feels scripted. (They didn't give him a conflict or something to overcome, instead the twins and cheating theatrics took 'center stage' as a distraction.) I saw exactly what I expected to see from the collection pieces he showed to Tim and the judges. That's not what I expect from a Project Runway winner.

(Good grief, if he had just tailored some of his clothes instead of doing all oversize. But this is the Academy here, my expectations on drafting and sewing skills aren't that high. Still, there are books. Books you're supposed to buy for classes. Books he could use that he was back in San Francisco and not on the show. Metric Pattern Cutting. I own all three books and two of them I didn't need to buy because I'm in Women's Wear!)

We'll see how next week's finale goes. I just hope I don't end up heartbroken.