#<- number one rod ross fan

[mizzmellos]

HOOOOOLY SHIT IF YOU SEARCH "ROD ROSS DEATH NOTE" ON GOOGLE IMAGES AN OLDDDD FANMIX OF MINE IS THE FIRST FANART THAT COMES UP IM KILLING MYSELFFFF IM SO HAPPY BUT THATS SUCH AN UGLY PIECE LOOOOOL

[whenyouknowyouknow]

Harry the Womanizer

 This thing started because I find the whole womanizer image of Harry absolutely disgusting and wanted people to see how utterly bad and wrong it was.

Please be aware that the following does not reflect Harry’s personality but it shows us the image their label wanted him to be seen as.

Some disclaimer about where the data comes from

written, digital coverage (no print,  1-2 videos, no radio)

google search “Harry Styles”, I looked through the first 20 hits each month but didn’t read all of them ( headlines usually are a dead giveaway if an article contains a new “conquest”)

I did not list every woman that was mentioned in the same article as Harry. Also not those that showed interest in him. But most of those that were said he showed interest in (I might have skipped a few in the worst years just bc it was so freaking disgusting)

Often articles contained offhand comments about his pulling power or unrelatedly recounting his latest conquests in any given article to enforce the womanizer image. These did not make it into the list.

Deleted articles are of course not included (as of Aug 2020)

Some of the women turn up again for a round 2 (or 3 or 4), I only mention them once a year tho

I put the women into the list on the date the news coverage happened/started because many articles date back things by saying  “pics have circulated since…” “They have been reportedly seen together since…” or simply tell a story that supposedly happened a few years prior

Some dates overlap. Thats either bc they pushed several woman at once (very effective to drive the whole womanizer image home) or its bc one woman was seeded in while the other was happening.

Because this is a freaking long post, I’ll put it under the “read more”

About the list

split by years

each year has Harrys age for that given year in brackets

each data set has in brackets the age, occupation and date of news coverage for the woman (if available)

winter gf get their own category as they sometimes overlap with other woman

Some of the woman get brought back up (not just mentioned in passing), those are listed at the end of each year with the dates when they where brought back up

“again” is for those who dated him again

Women linked to Harry

2010 (16)

5(?) girls from bootcamp

Cher Loyd (17, txf fellow contestant, Oct)

unnamed girl fan (13.11.)

2011 (17)

Adele (23, singer, 27.09.)

Sarita Borge (record executive, 29.11.)

2011-2012

Caroline Flack (31, txf, 23.10.-27.01.)

2012 (18)

Pixie Geldoff (21, 09.02.)

Alexa Chung (28, model, 16.02)

Alexandra Burke (23, txf, 20.02.)

Jo Wood (56, ex of Ronny Wood 21.02.)

Denise Welch (54, actress, 21.02.)

Georgia May Jagger (20, Mick Jagger daughter, 21.02.)

Sarah-Louise Colivet (24, photographer, 11.04.)

Lily Halpern (19, singer, 11.04.)

Jillian Harris (32, reality TV star, 13.04.)

Emma Ostilly (18, actor for Gotta be You MV -  22.04.) 

Ellis Calcutt (18(?), friend, deniedm, 30.04.)

Emily Atack (22, TV star, 20.05.)

unnamed girl (Article about her one night stand with H, 06.06.)

Lucy Horobin (32, radio presenter, 24.06., dated back to Aug-Oct 2011)

Caggie Dunlop (23, TV star, 12.07.)

Allyssa Reid (19, singer, 23.07.)

Blond girl with pink bag (from a night out, 26.07.)

Cara Delevingne (19, Model, 05.08.)

Natalie Imbruglia (37, singer actress 28.09.)

 2012-13

Taylor Swift (22 singer 19.10.-07.01. (fling dated back to April 2012 then getting back together)

2013 (19)

Hermione Way (27, reality star, 08.01.)

Millie Brady (18, actress, 24.02.)

Shaniece Nesbitt (fan, 11.03.)

Yvette Fielding (44, TV presenter, 11.03.)

Fia Litton (niece of Preston Mahon (security), 14.03)

Chelsea Ferguson (25, stripper, 14.04)

Kimberly Stewart (33, confirmed by Rod, 27.04.)

Camilla Foss (18, fan in oslo, 09.05.)

Kara Rose Marshall (22, model, 03.07.)

Alexis Allen (19, fan, 21.07.)

Cara Delevingne (20, model, 11.09.)

Paige Reifler (17, model, 30.09.)

Sjana Earp (18, model, 25.10.)

Samantha Armytage (36, TV presenter, 27.10.)

Daisy Lowe (24, model, 01.12.)

Caroline Flack (brought back up, 01.02./11.09.)

2013-14

Kendall Jenner (17, model, 21.10. - 23.02)

2014 (20)

mystery brunette (20.01.)

Alison Mosshart (35, singer, 07.03.)

Daisy Lowe (25, model, 11.04.)

Larissa de Macedo Machado (21, brazilian popstar, 08.05.)

Lou Teasdale (30, hairdresser, 26.05.)

Sinitta (45, Smons ex, 22.07.)

Paige Reifler (18, again, model, 25.07.)

Meghan Trainor (20, singer, 27.08.)

blond woman (at Coldplay concert, 18.09.)

Katy Perry (29, singer, 01.10.)

Erin Foster (31, 08.10.)

Kate Moss (40, model, 03.11.)

two blond woman (leaving a club in LA with H, 30.11.)

Taylor Swift (brought back up, 12.02./02.03./20.08./14.10./04.12.)

Emily Atack (brought back up, 23.03.)

Caroline Flack (brought back up, 26.03.)

2014-15

Nadine Leopold (20, model, 20.12.- 12.03.)

2015 (21)

Emma Watson (24, actress, 14.01. dated back to 26.12.14)

Suki Waterhouse (23, actress, 05.04.)

Joy Muggli (23, talent agent, 12.05.)

Sara Sampaio (23, model, 15.06.)

Georgia Fowler (22, model, inspiration for Kiwi, 15.10.)

Nicole Scherzinger (34, singer, 17.10., dated back to 2013)

Taylor Swift (brought back up, 15.01./13.02./10.03./08.05./13.10./28.10.)

Caroline Flack (brought back up, 24.05./11.10.)

2015-16

Kendall Jenner (again, 30.12.- 31.01.)

2016 (22)

Pandora Lennard (28, model 31.01.)

Lindsay Lohan (30, actress, 10.03., dated back unspecified)

Kendall Jenner (again, 05.09.)

Kara Rose Marshall (brought back up, 07.10.)

Suki Waterhouse (again + dated back to 2013, 11.11.)

Taylor Swift (brought back up, 01.02.)

2017 (23)

Tess Ward (26, food blogger, 09.05.)

Townes Adair Jones (20s, 17.05., dated back to 2014)

Camille Rowe (31, model, 31.07.)

Sjana Earp (22, again, 05.12.)

Taylor Swift (brought back up, 18.04./12.05./03.09./09.11.)

Kendall Jenner (brought back up, 31.01.)

2018 (24)

Delta Goodrem (33, voice coach, 27.04.) 

Camille Rowe (ends 31.07.)

Kendall Jenner (brought back up, 15.07./12.12.)

Taylor Swift (brought back up, 21.03./)

2019 (25)

Kiko Mizuhara (28, denied by K, 12.01.)

Camille Rowe (brought back up, 22.11.)

Kendall Jenner (brought back up, 11.12.)

Taylor Swift (brought back up, 23.08./04.11./13.12.)

2020 (26)

Daisy Lowe (brought back up, 20.06.)

Taylor Swift (brought back up, 02.03./24.07.)

data from here on is not included in the graphs, I will keep adding when things happen

Tracee Ellis Ross (48, actress, 28.10.)

The age differences

The graph shows clearly how

the age gaps are very big in the beginning, likely to attract an older audience in addition to the usual target audience of teenage girls

the amount of woman linked to Harry gets smaller each year because in later years, articles could just reference his history with woman

the amount of woman linked and mentioned in regards to Harry gets significantly lower after hiatus started

A rough timeline of women that where connected to Harry over the years

Why give Harry the womanizer image?

Would the image of a womanizer not damage the image of 1D?

If they’d portrait him as a sleeze it would have surely damaged the overal image of 1D. But Harrys image portrait him as charming, a bit quirky and overall an airhead that likes people and doesn’t want to be tied down. Thus giving the illusion of being potentially available to every woman and showing them a good, no strings attached, time. Which is a massive selling point for boybands to increase the age range of their fans.

In addition, all his conquests would be used to stir up drama or simply generate attention at crucial times to get 1D in the press without mentioning their current promo focus in every headline.

The winter girlfriends had a special role as they were the only ones actively worked as continuous dating. To build some attachment, have a continuous storyline that could be tied to the just released album and bridge the holiday pause, and when the relationship ended generate more drama to be used for promo.

Harry did keep on using his womanizer image to promote both his solo albums but in a very controlled manner. The numbers of new woman linked to him declined to 1 in 2019, for now we are at 0 (1) in 2020

HS promo used 3 woman as inspirations for songs (Towns, Fowler, Swift) and a tour gf (Rowe)

FL promo only uses the previous tour gf as now ex to push the storyline of a breakup album

He is very visibly changing his image while still maintaining a level of connection to his old image. Whether that's due to contractual restrictions or a strategy to not alienate to many fans is unclear

Jeff Azoff

For what I’ve seen Jeff and Harry seem close (the Azoff family having him on family pictures, posted by Jeff’s brother)

Looking at the timeline of Jeff and Harry

2014-03-25 first mention of Harry at Azoff family home in an article about Irvin

2014-04-23 first pics of Harry and Jeff at a sports event (Jeff named as a friend, no name or position yet)

2014-12-22 Jeff not named yet but identified as his agent

2015-01-10 first time Jeff being named and being the link between Harry and a woman

2016-03-07 Jeff leaves CAA as a music agent and launches his own company Full Stop Management

2016-03-11 Harry confirmed to have joined Full Stop Management

Jeff likely took over as Harry’s agent in early 2014. In 2015 Harry’s image change starts to become aparent and changed drastically after hiatus.

Harry choosing Jeffs management firm as soon as he left Modest is a clear indication that he feels Jeff will represent him how he wants

The Timeline - Women connected to Harry and Promo

I started the visual timeline in end 2011 when his womanizer image started to take off

The instances before where likely used as seeding for this image (first instance was a segment in txf where he was linked to 5 of the girl contestants and funny enough one older guy)

purple - women from the entertainment industry

pink - fans/no-names

lilac - winter gf

dark burgundy - thos who date him again

dusky pink - brought back up

light blue - single release

royal blue - album release

mid blue - other releases

dark turquoise - tour legs

Adendum: a few numbers analyzed,

[oohlordhealthisbike]

Open for bootleg trading~

Hello all! I am posting my bootleg list here for now as a temporary list until I get my website up and running- I am open to trading! I’m mainly looking for any Cats production- preferably English or Dutch but any musical would be nice to have and expand my collection. 

Addams Family - Broadway - March 12, 2010

FORMAT: .VOB w/o smalls

CAST:Nathan Lane (Gomez Addams), Bebe Neuwirth (Morticia Addams), Terrence Mann (Mal Beineke), Carolee Carmello (Alice Beineke), Kevin Chamberlin (Uncle Fester), Jackie Hoffman (Grandma), Zachary James (Lurch), Wesley Taylor (Lucas Beineke), Krysta Rodriguez (Wednesday Addams), Adam Riegler (Pugsley Addams)

NOTES: Video quality isn't the best, and audio is sometimes on the softer side. Still a very entertaining show.

Anastasia - Broadway - September 6, 2017

FORMAT: (VOBs w/ smalls)

CAST: Christy Altomare (Anastasia), Derek Klena (Dmitry), John Bolton (Vlad), Ramin Karimloo (Gleb), Caroline O'Connor (Lily), Mary Beth Peil (Maria Feodorovna), Zach Adkins, Sissy Bell, Lauren Blackman, Kyle Brown, Janet Dickinson, Constantine Germanacos, Wes Hart, Ken Krugman, Shina Ann Morris, James A. Pierce III, Molly Rushing, Nicole Scimerca, Johnny Stellard, Allison Walsh (Ensemble)

Aladdin - Broadway, 2014-Nov-05 (SunsetBlvd79‘s master)

Format: VOB + smalls (7.58 GB)

CAST: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), Merwin Foard (s/b Jafar), Michael James Scott (s/b Genie)

NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of latest Disney Broadway offering. Great to see the changes from the Toronto tryout. Michael and Merwin do terrific jobs as Genie and Jafar.

Beauty and the Beast New Zealand April 2006 - Proshot

Format: .VOB w/ smalls

Cast: Jade Steele, Russell Dixon, Glen Drake, Rob Ormsby, Gladys Hope

NOTES: Only the first act & first part of act two! 

Beauty and the Beast (Disney) - Broadway - July 27, 2007 (Unknown's video master)

CAST: Anneliese van der Pol (Belle), Steve Blanchard (Beast/Prince), Jamie Ross (Maurice), Chris Hoch (Gaston), David DeVries (Lumière), Jeanne Lehman (Mrs. Potts), Glenn Rainey (Cogsworth), Ann Mandrella (Babette), Trevor Braun (Chip), Aldrin Gonzalez (Le Fou)

NOTES: Two days before the show closed on Broadway. Good amount of closeups and good quality filmed from the mid-mezzanine; there is a railing issue for a while in Act 1 but the taper improves. 'Me', 'Gaston' and 'Be Our Guest' are all predominantly missing and recording stopped for some time after 'Gaston', which created a little jump in the timeline to where Maurice gets thrown out of the tavern. Still a nice video with great closeups of the last Broadway cast.

Beauty and the Beast - Music Theatre of Wichita (2016)

FORMAT: .VOB w/ Smalls

CAST: Catherine Charlebois, Thaddeus Pearson, Johnny Stellard, Steve Hitchcock, James Beaman, Katie Banks-Todd, Karen L. Robu, Lexis Danca, James Heinrichs, Timothy W. Robu, Tanner Pflueger, John Boldenow

Notes: Pro-Shot. Filmed using one camera on a tripod with excellent clear picture and sound.

Cats - Hamburg - August 21, 1999 (Unknown's video master)

FORMAT: MP4 (2.9 GB) CAST: Julia Howson (Grizabella), Stefano Bontempi (Alonzo), Sean McGrath (Admetus/Macavity), Daymon Montaigne Jones (Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus), Donna Hagan (Bombalurina), Lachlan Youngberg (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Marie Dumas (Cassandra), Valentino McKinney (Coricopat), Juliann Kuchocki (Demeter), Marni Raab (Jellylorum), Nadja Solovieva (Jennyanydots), Clinten Pearce (Mr. Mistoffelees), Deon Ridley (Mungojerrie), Matthew Pike (Munkustrap), Werner Kraus (Old Deuteronomy), Adrianne Richards (Rumpleteazer), Siegmar Tonk (Rum Tum Tugger), Japheth Myers (Skimbleshanks), Angela Roczkov (Tantomile), Rebecca Sutherland (Victoria), Damian Kacperski (Pouncival), Tracey Packham (Sillabub) NOTES: very good quality for the time! Great audio as well. 

Cats - Broadway Revival - August 13, 2016 (Unknown's video master)

FORMAT: .VOB w/o Smalls

STAGE: Broadway

CAST: Leona Lewis (Grizabella), Giuseppe Bausilio (Carbucketty), Kim Faure (Demeter), Lili Froehlich (Electra), Sara Jean Ford (Jellylorum), Eloise Kropp (Jennyanydots), Ricky Ubeda (Mr. Mistoffelees), Andy Huntington Jones (Munkustrap), Quentin Earl Darrington (Old Deuteronomy), Shonica Gooden (Rumpleteazer), Tyler Hanes (Rum Tum Tugger), Jeremy Davis (Skimbleshanks)

NOTES: Some people walking across the image for a few seconds during Jennyanydots and Rum Tum Tugger's number. Sometimes a head is visible but not obstructing the action. Almost no white-outs with very good video quality. Audio is very crisp as well. Filmed from a higher seat, but zooms are excellently done and fluent. Overal an amazing bootleg!

Cats - Sixth National Tour - March 15, 2019 (thehouseonsunset's video master)

CAST: Keri René Fuller (Grizabella), Phillip Deceus (Alonzo), Tyler John Logan (Admetus/Macavity), Devin Neilson (Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus), Lexie Plath (Bombalurina), Timothy Gulan (Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger), Mariah Reives (Cassandra), PJ DiGaetano (Coricopat), Liz Schmitz (Demeter), Maria Failla (u/s Jellylorum), Emily Jeanne Phillips (Jennyanydots), Tion Gaston (Mr. Mistoffelees), Tony D'Alelio (Mungojerrie), Dan Hoy (Munkustrap), Brandon Micheal Nase (Old Deuteronomy), Rose Iannaccone (Rumpleteazer), McGee Maddox (Rum Tum Tugger), Ethan Saviet (Skimbleshanks), Halli Tolland (Tantomile), Laura K Kaufman (u/s Victoria), Anthony Zas (Pouncival), Ahren Victory (Sillabub)

NOTES: Audio is soft in some parts and has a shaky camera. Good video though, nice zooms and high quality. 

Cats 1998 Film - (Pro-shot).

FORMAT: MP4 CAST: Elaine Paige (Grizabella), John Mills (Gus the Theatre Cat), Ken Page (Old Deuteronomy), Rosemarie Ford (Bombalurina), Michael Gruber (Munkustrap), John Partridge (Rum Tum Tugger), Aeva May (Demeter), Geoffrey Garratt (Skimbleshanks), James Barron (Bustopher Jones), Jo Gibb (Rumpleteazer), Drew Varley (Mungojerrie), Susie McKenna (Jennyanydots), Jacob Brent (Mistoffelees), Susan Jane Tanner (Jellylorum), Phyllida Crowley Smith (Victoria). NOTES: pro-shot version of the musical. Multiple cameras and HD video and audio. 

Cinderella - Broadway - March 2, 2013

FORMAT: VOB + smalls

CAST: Laura Osnes (Ella), Santino Fontana (Prince Topher), Victoria Clark (Fairy Godmother), Harriet Harris (Evil Stepmother), Ann Harada (Charlotte)

NOTES: Very good view of the stage, sometimes zooms are a bit slow but it's not bothersome. Very enjoyable experience.

Evita - Costa Mesa - December 14, 2013

FORMAT: (VOBs w/ Smalls)

CAST: Caroline Bowman (Eva), John Riddle (u/s Che), Sean MacLaughlin (Peron), Krystina Alabado (Mistress), Christopher Johnstone (Magaldi)

Kinky Boots - Broadway - May 26, 2017 (Opening Night) (Audio)

CAST: Brendon Urie (Charlie Price)

FORMAT: M4A

NOTES: Brendon is amazing in the role, the audio is not really HD, but it’s still really fun to listen to, especially for P!ATD fans like me haha. 

Legally Blonde - Broadway - 2007-Oct-25

Format: VOB no smalls (4.11 GB)

CAST: Becky Gulsvig (u/s Elle Woods), Andy Karl (u/s Emmett Forrest), Richard H Blake (Warner Huntington III), Orfeh (Paulette), Kate Shindle (Vivienne Kensington), Nikki Snelson (Brooke Wyndham/Shandi), Michael Rupert (Professor Callahan), Haven Burton (Margot), Tracy Jai Edwards (Serena), Asmeret Ghebremichael (Pilar), Matthew Risch (u/s Kyle/Grandmaster Chad/Dewey), Natalie Joy Johnson (Veronica/Enid), Kate Wetherhead (Kate/Chutney), Rod Harrelson (u/s Carlos)

NOTES: Great capture of the two understudies in the role. Shot from the orchestra with amazing shots. Starts in the middle of 'Omigod You Guys'.

Les Misérables - West End - November, 2018 (NYCG8R's master)

FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD)

CAST: Dean Chisnall (Jean Valjean), Bradley Jaden (Javert), Carley Stenson (Fantine), Amara Okereke (Cosette), Toby Miles (Marius), Elena Skye (Éponine), Samuel Edwards (Enjolras), James Hume (u/s Thénardier), Vivien Parry (Madame Thénardier), Logan Clark (Gavroche), Andrew York (u/s The Bishop), Adam Filipe (u/s Grantaire), Barnaby Hughes (Combeferre), Joe Vetch (Feuilly), Oliver Brenin (s/w Courfeyrac), Ben Tyler (Jean Prouvaire), James Nicholson (Joly), Andrew York (Lesgles), Adam Bayjou (Brujon), Ciaran Bowling (s/w Babet), Sam Harrison (Claquesous), Ciaran Joyce (Montparnasse), Adam Bayjou (Factory Foreman), Anna McGarahan (Factory Girl), Anna McGarahan (Crone), Sam Harrison (Bamatabois), Ben Tyler (Pimp), Barnaby Hughes (Fauchelevent), Adam Bayjou (Champmathieu), Ciaran Bowling (s/w Major Domo)

Les Misérables - The All-Star Staged Concert - December 2, 2019 (Closing Night) (Pro-Shot's master)

FORMAT: MKV (HD)*

CAST: Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean), Michael Ball (Javert), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine), Lily Kerhoas (Cosette), Rob Houchen (Marius), Shan Ako (Éponine), Bradley Jaden (Enjolras), Matt Lucas (Thénardier), Katy Secombe (Madame Thénardier), Earl Carpenter (The Bishop), Raymond Walsh (Grantaire), Craig Mather (Combeferre), Vinny Coyle (Feuilly), Niall Sheehy (Courfeyrac), James Nicholson (Jean Prouvaire), Ciaran Joyce (Joly), Andrew York (Lesgles), Leo Roberts (Brujon), Stephen Matthews (Babet), Oliver Jackson (Claquesous), Adam Bayjou (Montparnasse), Gavin James (Factory Foreman), Celia Graham (Factory Girl), Tamsin Dowsett (Crone), Earl Carpenter (Bamatabois), Oliver Jackson (Pimp)

NOTES: The digitally released proshot, edited differently to the live cinema stream.

Les Miserables - Broadway - Feb. 17, 2007

FORMAT: VOB + smalls

CAST: Alexander Gemignani (Jean Valjean), Norm Lewis (Javert), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Fantine), Gary Beach (Thenardier), Jenny Galloway (Mme Thenardier), Celia Kennan-Bolger (Eponine), Ali Ewoldt (Cosette), Adam Jacobs (Marius), Drew Sarich (u/s Enjolras)

Little Shop of Horrors - Encores! Off-Center-New York City Center, 2015-July-1 (Opening Night) (NYCG8R's video master)

Format: VOB + smalls (4.21 GB)

CAST: Jake Gyllenhaal (Seymour), Ellen Greene (Audrey), Joe Grifasi (Mushnik), Taran Killam (Orin), Eddie Cooper (Audrey II), Marva Hicks (Crystal), Ramona Keller (Ronnette), Tracy Nicole Chapman (Chiffon)

NOTES: Opening Night filmed from the very back of City Center, so there is some spotlight washout that's never too bad and a head that's shot well around.

Phantom Of the Opera - US Tour - August 12, 2015 (Unknown master)

FORMAT: VOBs w/ Smalls)

Chris Mann, Katie Travis, Storm Lineberger, Jacquelynne Fontaine, Edward Staudenmayer, David Benoit, Anne Kanengeiser, Frank Viveros, Morgan Cowling, Mark Emerson, Eric Ruiz, Edward Juvier, Dan Debenport, David Foley Jr., Allan Snyder, Christy Morton

Spider-Man - Turn off the Dark - Broadway - October 14, 2012

FORMAT: (VOBs)

CAST: Matthew James Thomas (alt. Peter Parker/Spiderman), Kristen Martin (u/s Mary Jane), Robert Cuccioli (Green Goblin), Katrina Lenk (Arachne).

NOTES: Post-Changes

The Book of Mormon - UK & Ireland Tour - 2019 (Rumpel's master-RARE)

FORMAT: .VOB (no smalls) (HD)

CAST: Kevin Douglas Clay (Elder Price), Connor Peirson (Elder Cunningham), Nicole-Lily Baisden (Nabulungi), Will Hawksworth (Elder McKinley), Ewen Cummins (Mafala Hatimbi), Thomas Vernal (General), David Brewis (Cunningham’s Dad), Tre Copeland-Williams (Doctor), Johnathan Tweedie (Prices Dad/Joseph Smith/Mission President), Cleopatra Isaac (Mrs Brown), Jemal Felix (Guard), Lukin Simmonds (Guard), Alex James-Hatton, David Brewis, Evan James, Fergal McGoff, George Crawford, Isaac Hesketh, Jed Berry

NOTES: One of the best videos of this show out there. Recorded from the right wing, doesn't miss any action. High quality video and excellent sound. Kevin is a very good Elder Price.

The Book of Mormon - Chicago - December 23, 2012 (SunsetBlvd79's master)

FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (HD)CAST: Nic Rouleau (Elder Price), Ben Platt (Elder Cunningham), Syesha Mercado (Nabulungi), Pierce Cassedy (Elder McKinley), James Vincent Meredith (Mafala Hatimbi), Christopher Shyer (Mission President), David Aron Damane (General)

The Book of Mormon - Broadway - March 1, 2011 (Preview) (NYCG8R's master)

FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD)

CAST: Andrew Rannells (Elder Price), Josh Gad (Elder Cunningham), Nikki M James (Nabulungi), Rory O’Malley (Elder McKinley), Michael Potts (Mafala Hatimbi), Lewis Cleale (Mission President)

Wicked - Broadway, 2013-May-12 (Lanelle's master)

Format:  M2TS (HD) - (24.02 GB)

CAST: Willemijn Verkaik (Elphaba), Katie Rose Clarke (Glinda), Kyle Dean Massey (Fiyero), Adam Grupper (The Wizard), Randy Danson (Madame Morrible), Catherine Charlebois (Nessarose), F Michael Haynie (Boq), John Schiappa (Doctor Dillamond)

NOTES: Filmed from the right orchestra, at a slight angle, but excellent quality. The taper originally released this as a blu-ray, 2-disc DVDs and 1-disc DVD, so make sure to get the version that best suits your needs.

Wicked - May 12, 2013 (Lanelle's master RIP WITH SUBS)

FORMAT: .MKV w/o Smalls, With English & Chinese Subtitles

CAST: Willemijn Verkaik (Elphaba), Katie Rose Clarke (Glinda), Kyle Dean Massey (Fiyero), Adam Grupper (The Wizard), Randy Danson (Madame Morrible), Catherine Charlebois (Nessarose), F Michael Haynie (Boq), John Schiappa (Doctor Dillamond)

NOTES: Warning- Moderate quality. Some quality of the original master has been lost through conversion from blue-ray to MKV. Has English and Chinese subtitles. Audio is great and video sometimes has some white-outs. 

Wicked - Broadway - January 2nd, 2015 (unknown master)

FORMAT: VOB w/o Smalls

CAST: Caroline Bowman (Elphaba), Kara Lindsay (Glinda), Matt Shingledecker (Fiyero), Tom McGowan (The Wizard), Kathy Fitzgerald (Madame Morrible), Robin de Jesus (Boq), Arielle Jacobs (Nessarose), Timothy Britten Parker (Dr. Dillamond)

NOTES: The camera moves a bit but follows the actors well. Some parts are a bit washed out but the audio is good. 

Wicked - Broadway, May 28, 2006 (Unkown master)

FORMAT: VOB w/o SmallsCAST: Eden Espinosa (Elphaba), Megan Hilty (Glinda) Derrick Williams (Fiyero), David Garrison (The Wizard), Carol Kane (Madame Morrible), Jenna Leigh Green (Nessarose)

---

If you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to contact me! Like I said I would love any cats bootleg- especially the older ones in English and Dutch from like the 80′s till the 00′s. I am also looking for more diversity in my list- and I’m also looking for the classics- Dear Evan Hansen, Falsetto’s, some more Phantom Of the Opera, Mean Girls, Legally Blond, etc... 

[overanalyzingelswordiswhatido]

The Elsword Anime

I see A LOT of complaining about it. And I dont understand where most of the complaints come from. Sure, the anime can be as canon or not as you want it to be really, but there are plenty of things going for it.

Aesthetically, its absolutely gorgeous. Its obvious how much effort was put into the characters and the environments. When the caves flood you can see a line where the water levels reached as they go down. I've rarely seen an animation include that kind of detail. Anime rarely ever includes the pink in the inner corner of the eye but the Elsword Anime includes it in at least some of the close up shots of a character's face. You can see that the environment around the water temple was frozen very very quickly, because you can see the leaves still on the trees and stuff through the ice.

From a character standpoint, they all live up to their in universe abilities. I saw someone complaining about how in the anime Elesis carried the group through Hamel. I actually really liked that detail. From a game design standpoint, even if you're making a multiplayer game, each character has to be able to carry themselves, at the very least in the hands of a good player, but in general is the better way to go. And having played at least one route for every character, it is possible to play every one of them solo. They can carry themselves. And an interesting detail is they can easily carry themselves up until the point where they join the El Search Party in the story, at which point it becomes more difficult. Though at no point is it impossible to solo any given character as long as you're patient and play to their play style strengths. In an anime however, none of those things need to be taken into consideration. You don't NEED to balance out a character so to speak. And its actually better to keep the focus off too large a number of characters so that the story doesn't get muddled. And Elesis has her in universe reputation for a reason. It wouldn't make sense for her to have that reputation if she wasn't one of the strongest players on the board. Also, it is implied in the dialogue scenes that Elesis may have carried them at least up to Ran as far as the actual story is concerned. Her skill is often commented on and for one of the Magmanta's Cave quests she's even described as rushing through. Elesis being one of the more powerful characters doesn't take from the others at all in my own opinion. Especially since in Lanox we barely actually see her in the anime. Also, there are multiple moments in Hamel where she steps back and lets Elsword shine. If she really was being used as a narrative excuse to get them through Hamel then she wouldn't have allowed Elsword to help her fight Victor, let alone hung back so that he could the finally hit in. She also encouraged Elsword to help Chung take on Ran. And with Elsword being the title/main character, of course he's the one she steps back for most of everyone. Even in the game that's the case.

On that note, one thing a game can include that would bring an anime down is extra details. This is another common complaint in book to movie adaptations. Details have to be left out for the sake of pacing. That's why we don't see Rod Ross, or Penensio, or even the entirety of Sander. And I know those are cool to be left out because I introduced my mom and younger siblings to Elsword via the anime and they were fine. They weren't confused. They understood what was going on perfectly fine. All of those extra details are just filler. Its crazy to me that people complain when details are left out of adaptations but then complain about filler in content created originally in the medium that's being adapted into. You have to keep in mind the kind of audience the new medium caters to. Just because a game/book fan would be willing to sit through a ridiculously long show/movie adaptation doesn't mean that the general audience for shows/movies would. And that general audience HAS to be taken into account when making the adaptation. Adaptations are never made just for the original audience. I'm not saying that adaptations can't completely butcher their source material because they can. All I'm saying is that the mediums are inherently different. A pencil sketch isn't going to look the same as an oil painting. It just isn't and books and games and movies and shows follow that same exact principle.

Another thing about the anime is that a lot of the character moments are absolutely golden. People complain all the time that no one called Add out. In the anime almost every single other character in the search party calls him out in one way or another. At one point or another. Some are more subtle than others but even so. One big huge important character moment that the anime shows us that the game doesn't do as well is that Eve is allowed to distrust Add. Often times in a narrative where you have a yandere type character the other characters are either oblivious, think its funny, or think its cute to have someone so unhealthily devoted to you. In the Elsword Anime, Eve's distrust of Add is completely validated by almost every other character. Another big moment is for Elsword. He realizes quite quickly that Elesis doesn't trust Add. And instead of simply following his sister like he had up to that point, he decides that he's still going to trust Add. That's a really big moment for Elsword because it's that same route that decides to step off his sister's path to walk his own. At the same time though when Add tells Elsword how easy of a target he is to take advantage of, Elsword calls the trust he placed in Add into question. But another important thing is that Elsword doesn't ask himself. He asks Add if he was wrong to trust him. And when Add can't answer Elsword reaffirms his decision, not just for himself but for Add. And that's a huge moment for both Add and Elsword.

Also, there are plenty of moments that allude to game mechanics. There is of course, Chung and Ara's awakenings. There's also the fact that Chung is rather conservative with his canonballs until he goes into awakening (where they essentially become unlimited). There's also the moment in Lanox where Elsword and Ara are looking for Ignia. Elsword is completely exhausted and says that Ara walks too fast and its hard to keep up. Having played an Elsword that was paired with an Ara, truer words were never spoken. There's also the fact that when Add volunteers to break the seal on Artea, he just goes right up to her and ends up getting smacked by a bunch of rocks because he was too focused on the seal to pay attention. That alludes directly to his shite defense stat.

Almost every character interaction in the anime is like that. There's weight to the things that they say and do, and their development is made painfully clear, instead of having to make an inference based on various details gathered from however many places. I don't reference it in my analyses because we don't know how canon it is but I don't really understand why everyone complains. Especially when the complaints I've seen seem to be shallow. Rarely ever does someone take the anime medium into account when they complain about the Elsword anime adaptation.

I'm not saying you have to like it. If you prefer the level of detail that's included in the game then that's your preference. What I am saying is that the anime itself is not inherently bad simply because it doesn't fit your preference. I don't like enchiladas. Plenty of other people do and that's cool. Just because I don't doesn't make them awful disgusting horrible things as a general rule. They just aren't one of my favorite things.

[d2kvirus]

Dickheads of the Month: June 2019

As it seems that there are people who say or do things that are remarkably dickheaded yet somehow people try to make excuses for them or pretend it never happened, here is a collection of some of the dickheaded actions we saw in the month of June 2019 to make sure that they are never forgotten.

You’d think the Orange Overlord’s visit would’ve been the biggest farce in British politics that week, but then The Independent Hashtag Change Hashtag Now Group Ltd saw six of their eleven MPs jump ship - including lead egotist Chuka Umunna as well as company secretary Gavin Shuker

Of course it was a matter of hours before Chuka Umunna started another new political movement promising the usual yadda-yaddas about how politics was broken and he’s the one person on earth who can fix it...sort of like he did a few months earlier with his previous project that he flounced out of at the first sign of failure - and a few days later he fucked off to join the Lib Dems, meaning the constituency of Streatham has been under control of two political parties (and one limited company) in 2019 all because their sitting MP keeps party-hopping and refusing to call a by-election

While none of the runners and riders in the Tory Leadership Drug Off covered themselves in glory, particular mention has to be reserved for Michael Gove for his admitting to taking cocaine while angling for the Tory leadership job and the Premiership that comes with it considering that, as Education Secretary, he introduced legislation saying any teacher who was caught using cocaine would be fired immediately, which sounds uncannily like he believed there should be one rule for him and another for the plebs

Perhaps the buffoon act Boris Johnson has spent over a decade performing isn’t a complete act, not when he has Priti Patel running around telling everyone about how much integrity he has while he hides in his safe space in case anyone might actually want to ask him a pertinent question - yet somehow he surpassed this when convicted fraudster Conrad Black was happy to vouch for Johnson’s credibility while slagging off any journalist who dared question him

On the subject of Boris Johnson and integrity, did Alan Sugar really believe nobody would notice him go from saying Johnson should be jailed for his lies during the EU referendum to saying he should become Prime Minister in the space of six months - a 180 that had nothing whatsoever to do with him saying he’d relax the tax rate that Alan Sugar just so happens to reside in?

Almost as soon as Pride Week began we had Anne Widdecombe volunteering her ignorant waffle about a “gay cure” - which also happens to be as close to a policy announcement as we’ve heard from The Nigel Farage Ego Project - and, naturally, it didn’t take long before sentient testicle Toby Young chipped in with the usual “it's so haaaaaard being a straight white male these days” bollocks

Another month passes and the BBC once again demonstrate their inability to cover an election result properly, this time giving so much airtime to Nigel Farage after the Peterborough by-election even though not only did his candidate come second, but when he realised that Labour candidate Lisa Forbes had won Farage literally ran and hid in the toilet, all of which makes it look as if the BBC had planned for their coverage to be a victory lap for Farage and didn’t bother to change their plans even when Farage didn’t win

Of course, this has led to the Faragists claiming conspiracy with some blather about postal votes and the local South Asian community, aided by Ross Kempsell falsely claiming that 69.4% of the vote was postal votes as opposed to 69.4% of those with postal votes used their vote (which is actually a decrease on the 85.1% average postal vote turnout from the 2017 election) all of which is little more than them begging to be told “You lost, get over it” - which, of course, soon led to Rod Liddell penning yet another of his “I know this might sound racist, but...” articles that never sound racist, they just are

Add to that how there was something sad about Nigel Farage marching to Downing Street (when nobody was there) to deliver a letter demanding he be part of negotiations with the EU - which would have carried some weight had he won in Peterborough, but having lost it made him look like a tragic figure in complete denial of what had happened

Don’t you dare interrupt a black tie dinner when Mark Field is there, as he will respond by getting out of his seat, grabbing you by the throat and shoving you into the nearest pillar to make you shut up and know your place - which was followed by Peter Bottomley congratulating him for assaulting somebody and Nadine Dorries prattling some nonsense about Jo Cox, while of course Julia Halfwit Hartley-Brewer was saying how more people should feel this way about climate protests...a few weeks after howling that throwing a milkshake at Nigel Farage is a crime, and Laura Kuenssberg somehow found a way to use the story to take potshots at Labour

Yet somehow Field wasn’t the only Tory involved in deeply unsavoury incidents with women within those 24 hours, as Boris Johnson was involved in a spat with partner Carried Symonds which saw the police being called, but that’s not the end of it: first the Metropolitan Police attempted to deny they were called, and it was only because The Guardian did a journalism and were able to cite the incident number that caused the police to admit they were there, but also those looking for any defence be it sentient testicle Toby Young comparing the neighbours to the Stasi while Alison Pearson posted a tweet that was outright inviting somebody dox the neighbours who reported the story while inviting harassment against them, while James Cleverly gave the downright dangerous advice that people shouldn’t call the police if they hear their neighbours in a furious row where things are getting smashed

There appears to be a humanitarian crisis in the Slovenian education system judging by how Damir Skomina can’t tell an armpit from an elbow, let alone the complexities of the differences between a deliberate handball and ball-to-hand, judging by his giving Liverpool a penalty for no logical reason within thirty seconds of the Champions League final kicking off - and it was hardly an isolated derp, either, as Son Heung-min was also penalised for “handball” when the ball his his shoulder in the second half

Although it does say it all that West Ham United were quick to take to Twitter thinking it would be a smart idea to try and rub Spurs fans’ noses in their being fucked over by Skomina, which only made them look like a bunch of insecure children

Yet somehow this wasn’t the worst tweet about the Champions League final, as that honour went to George Galloway for his utterly bizarre claim that there won’t be any Israeli flags on the Champions League trophy, because apparently Tottenham Hotspur and Hapoel Tel Aviv are the same club - so of course Tracy Ann Oberman was quickly rushing to Twitter to declare herself a Spurs fan, because after the farces with both Peter Herbert and David Baddiel using the club’s reputation as a testing bed for weaponising antisemitism, having one of the people who apparently makes a living out of weaponising antisemitism declare loyalty to the club is just what they want to hear...

It wasn’t long after Trump stated the NHS was on the table for any negotiations before Richard Tice casually gaslighted the British public with completely fabricated claims about pharma companies ripping off the NHS that would be solved by carving it up a la the American system - rather than the reality that the NHS significantly drives down the prices of medications compared to the American system, which Big Pharma hates

Similarly on the gaslighting trail was John Humphreys when he attempted to deny that Donald Trump had said that the NHS was on the negotiating table for any UK/US trade deal - which Labour MP Andy McDonald did not take lying down, calling out Humphrys for outright lying and reducing him to a gibbering wreck on his own show

Guido blog gobshite Paul Staines obviously had a quota to fill when he posted an article claiming that Jeremy Corbyn stated that Britain should have rolled over if the Nazis arrived on British shores, which took a remarkable amount of editing on Staines’ behalf to get the quote to say that - and, of course, this was rapidly regurgitated all over Twitter by Rachel Riley and Tracy Ann Oberman because they’re so far down David Collier’s rabbit hole they’re the best advertising Guido blog doesn’t have to pay for

At last the BBC finally said they were doing something about the vetting process for their political programming...unfortunately this didn’t mean they were going to stop Tory councillors posing as members of the public in the Question Time audience nor would they stop hiring actresses to pose as Anglican vicars on Newsnight, instead they didn’t like it when a member of the public kept asking Boris Johnson difficult questions about him being an ignorant pig when it comes to race relations so are making sure that only people who follow the script are allowed within fifty feet of a microphone whenever Johnson is interviewed

It’s almost fitting that England fans decided to celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day by hurling bottles at Portuguese fans and scuffling with the local police - yet somehow they didn’t even end up being the scummiest involved in these incidents, as that honour went to Tommy Robinson after he posted a video demonstrating his hardman credentials by sneaking up behind one of them and punching them in the back of the head while flanked by his heavies

It appears that Suzanne Moore was a little too keen to push her narrative in the latest Guardian piece on how terrible it is that Jess Phillips isn’t leading the Labour Party, considering she not only tried to claim that Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t have any female MPs in his inner circle - which must be news to Diane Abbott, Angela Rayner, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Dawn Butler (among others) - but when she deigned to acknowledge the shadow cabinet isn’t a sausage fest she used the highly demeaning phrase "a suitable female pet has to be groomed or the revolution may stall" to describe their status within the shadow cabinet while dismissing any and all contributions they have

Rather than criticise the US women’s football team for their overly elaborate goal celebrations even when they were putting the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth goal past the Thailand goalkeeper, instead I’m going to criticise them for their response of “You wouldn’t criticise the men for doing it!” which not only showed how quickly they were willing to play the victim as soon as they were being criticised, but it was downright insulting to even use that as a defence considering that men tend to stop celebrating goals when it’s starting to become a drubbing, most notably the German players didn't celebrate the fifth, sixth or seventh goal they put past Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi final

On the one hand Bethesda thinking that it wouldn’t look ridiculous to announce Fallout 76 would have NPCs and questlines during their E3 conference is dickheaded enough considering those are things in most Fallout games at launch rather than nine months later - but this dickheadedness was drowned out by the bloke who runs The Elder Memes for his remarkably YEAH! irritating habit of YEAH! yelling YEAH! like an obnoxious YEAH! jackass YEAH! during YEAH! the YEAH! entire YEAH! conference YEAH!

According to EA lootboxes aren’t gambling mechanics at all, they’re “surprise mechanics” so there is no justifiable reason to make them the subject of any gambling laws in any country

It was inevitable that, in the wake of the plaudits headed HBO’s way for Chernobyl, others would attempt to get a piece of that remarkably radioactive pie - although nobody could have guessed Russian state broadcaster NTV would put a series into production claiming the entire thing was due to sabotage by the CIA and nothing to do with poor design, unsafe working practices and gross incompetence 

Noted Dubai resident Jim Davidson wittered about how Sadiq Khan being Mayor of London has caused him to leave his beloved city...even though he’s lived in Dubai since 2004

And last but by no means least, failing to understand that the moon and Mars are distinct celestial bodies (let alone the difference between Wales and whales...) is Donald Trump and his attempts to deny he called Meghan Markle “nasty” before spending the remainder of the month saying he couldn’t have raped somebody as she wasn’t his type, blaming the Democrats for migrant deaths at the border, and retweeting a failed gameshow contestant who is banned from South African for spreading racial hatred

[aubrey-plaza]

Staubrey theater au? :)

there are SO MANY iterations of this- Aubrey and Stacie as actors who hate each other- tyrannical director Aubrey and diva actor Stacie- diva actor Aubrey and annoyed techie Stacie- major fan Stacie and diva actor Aubreyand that’s not even counting musical theatre and all those dynamics

but let’s go with:

Stacie Conrad is one of the best new costume designers on the east coast and it’s something she’s worked very hard to achieve. She might still be considered ‘up-and-coming’ to some but nobody can do what she does and she knows it. This gives her the freedom of picking her projects so when Cynthia Rose Adams, a brash and sharp stage director, approaches her and tells her she’s doing an all-female production of Glengarry Glen Ross and has David Mamet on as a consultant, Stacie instantly says yes

Cynthia Rose has a clear and crisp vision and her production manager Flo is a dream to work with and Stacie’s looking forward to this project

She sits in the far-back of the theatre, hidden, during callbacks and starts sketching outfit ideas for each of the women as they read lines

They cast Levene (Cynthia Rose takes a chance on a new girl called Jessica Smith from Wisconsin), Aaronow (Emily Junk, theatre legacy who’s been in the business since a child on account of her mother), Moss (Ashley Jones who’s trying to make the jump from musical theatre to plays), Williamson (assertive Australian Amy Hobart who Stacie is quite honestly pretty excited about seeing on an American stage) and even the detective (Denise Walmsley, an unexpectedly stellar actress who’s only done off off Broadway plays)

There’s some backlash from some men’s rights groups so Cynthia Rose reluctantly casts Jesse Swanson as the sole male in their production and Stacie sniggers when Cynthia Rose ends up giving him the role of the weakest man (Lingk)

They still don’t have a Roma because Cynthia Rose has someone very specific in mind. Flo assembles her crew and Stacie’s excited to meet the people she’s going to be working with but Cynthia Rose still won’t tell her who’s going to be Roma and Stacie is starting to get impatient because she wants to finalise her looks to present to Cynthia Rose who apologises and says it’s all under wraps

When they do find out who’s playing Roma, Stacie has to reluctantly agree that Cynthia Rose had been right not to tell her because there is no way she could have kept that secret

Aubrey Posen hasn’t been in the business long, but the work she’s done has been phenomenal. Stacie hadn’t even known that Posen was up for grabs because of her residency as Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire in London that’s earned her a Laurence Olivier award and okay, so maybe Stacie has a small crush

“Aubrey, this is Stacie Conrad, our costumier,” Cynthia Rose introduces them

“Nice to meet you, Stacie, I look forward to meeting the woman in charge of making me look good.”

“I can only make you look better than you already do,” Stacie says awkwardly and Cynthia Rose grins with surprise over Aubrey’s shoulder at Stacie but Aubrey just laughs softly and Cynthia Rose leads her over to the other crew members

“What was that?” Chloe teases and Stacie is mortified

“Nothing! Go back to ogling the set designer,” Stacie snaps at Chloe who laughs before walking away to talk to Beca

And, okay, Stacie is hot as hell and Aubrey has eyes but she also has a pretty strict rule about dating within a production and no matter how incredibly inviting Stacie’s boobs might be, Aubrey’s a professional. She knows Stacie has a crush on her so she’s a little mean on purpose just for the brunette to stop tempting her

Once they actually start working together, Stacie realises how absolutely Difficult™ Aubrey Posen can be and somehow, she ends up liking Aubrey even more (and has several “jesus christ Stacie what is wrong with you?” moments along the way)

“Measuring time, Posen,” Stacie calls out while Lilly plays with the measuring tape next to her

“I already sent in my measurements,” Aubrey says back, returns to her script

“I don’t care,” Stacie says but Aubrey completely ignores her so she gets up and walks over to Aubrey, ripping the pages from her hands.

“Hey!”

“We take fresh measurements, Posen, get over there,” Stacie says and the blonde is glaring at her but she does follow Stacie’s instructions and lets Lilly measure her as Stacie notes down the numbers

Lilly whispers something to Stacie who shakes her head. “No, just looking at her I can tell that she’s clearly not a 32, do it again please,” Stacie says to Lilly who measures Aubrey again and mumbles something to Stacie. “That’s more like it,” Stacie says with a nod, very aware of the glare being levelled at her by Aubrey

(okay, so maybe she’s being purposefully difficult as well because the measurements Aubrey had given them was correct, but Stacie really likes pushing Aubrey’s buttons)

Aubrey comes into the theater one day early for rehearsals and finds Stacie on the stage, fabric draped over her shoulder and singing some Adele song. She’s standing on a step to reach the curtain rods while she sings, and Aubrey doesn’t mean to sneak, but she stays as quiet as possible as she watches Stacie work and sing. Stacie finishes the song with a flourish as she hops off the step stool and Aubrey forgets that she’s trying to be sneaky and claps her hands and Stacie whirls around at the voice, a loud “AAH Fuck!” falling from her lips.

Aubrey laughs softly and walks closer, drops her bag on a chair in the first row. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I thought I was alone.”

“You have a gorgeous voice.”

Stacie shrugs. “Thanks.”

“Why aren’t you on Broadway?” Aubrey asks and Stacie rolls her eyes

“We’re not all cut out for the stage,” Stacie says but Aubrey cocks her head inquisitively, arches an eyebrow and Stacie melts. “I’m a terrible actress.”

“Shame,” Aubrey says with a coy smile. “You certainly have the looks for it.”

“You been checking me out, Posen?”

“Hard not to when you always have enough fabric for our costumes but never for your legs,” Aubrey says offhandedly, referring to the short shorts that Stacie likes wearing, flipping through her script even though Stacie knows she’s known all her lines since the first rehearsal and it’s one of the first signs Stacie gets that Aubrey might actually like her back

The second happens during one of their fittings. Aubrey’s in a tight pencil skirt but there’s something off about the inside lining so Stacie’s frowning and staring at the skirt as she says, “I’m gonna put my hand under the skirt now, okay?” and Aubrey nods but when Stacie reaches up under the fabric, her fingers brush up between Aubrey’s thighs to tug down the loosened inside lining and Aubrey gasps loudly and Stacie’s gaze flicks up in surprise at the sound, finds Aubrey blushing bright red. “You okay?” Stacie says and Aubrey just nods, clears her throat and says “Fine.”

The third time, Stacie’s standing in her underwear in the dressing rooms when Aubrey comes in. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she says immediately, but she’s staring at Stacie’s body and Stacie doesn’t even have to suppress a smile because Aubrey is staring nowhere near her face. “It’s okay,” Stacie says but Aubrey’s breathing is stunted as her eyes trail down Stacie’s stomach and hips, linger on her underwear before looking further down at Stacie’s legs. Lilly urges Stacie to turn, so she does, grateful for the mirrors when she can keep watching Aubrey, sees as the blonde melts, biting her lower lip as she stares at Stacie’s butt. Lilly holds out a dress and Stacie steps into it and that’s what finally snaps Aubrey out of her staring and she’s blushing fiercely as Stacie turns to her while Lilly zips up her dress.

“You look nice,” Aubrey says and Stacie laughs because that’s an understatement coming from someone who just spent a good minute ogling her. “What’s that for?” Aubrey asks, moving further into the room and closing the dressing room door behind her as she puts her bag down on one of the tables

“Opening night,” Stacie says. “Do you like it?” Stacie twirls even though she hears Lilly grumble behind her and Aubrey’s caught in a daze again as she nods, watching Stacie

They’re two weeks away from previews and the flirting dies down considerably. Stacie has a million tiny things to do and Aubrey is super focused. There are still small moments, like when they do their first run-through in full costume and Stacie calls out “Roma!” and holds out the hanger with her outfit and Aubrey brushes her fingers against Stacie’s as she takes the hanger and softly says “Thanks for making me look good”

They go through two weeks of previews and lock down the final performance. Critics aren’t allowed to watch the previews but somebody leaks that the production is very good and suddenly they’re sold out for the first 3 weeks of the show. The opening night performance goes off without a hitch and the crew are all backstage celebrating with a few bottles of champagne afterwards when the actors come backstage. Before any of them can even reach for a glass, Stacie loudly says, “Costumes, please!” and everybody slinks towards their dressing rooms because the past two weeks have shown them just how relentless Stacie is with keeping the clothes in perfect form.

Aubrey comes off stage and Stacie knows how wired she gets, how intense she can be so she doesn’t take it personally when Aubrey sharply says, “Stacie, come with me,” and just follows the blonde to her dressing room. She takes it very, very personally when Aubrey pushes her up against the closed door and kisses her, unleashing all her pent-up adrenaline on Stacie. Stacie kisses her back, but then her hands brush against Aubrey’s hips and the fabric there and she pushes the blonde away from her

“Stop,” Stacie says but it comes out so breathless

“What?” Aubrey asks, face falling, suddenly regretting making a move because shit is going to get really awkward now, all because she’s grossly misinterpreted Stacie’s behaviour. She bites back tears as she pulls away, her adrenaline rush crashing fast as she says, “Stacie, I’m so sorry, I—”

“Take off your clothes,” Stacie interrupts and Aubrey’s getting whiplash from the sharp turns this conversation is taking

“What?”

“Strip.”

“Huh?”

“Aubrey, please take off your clothes before I rip them off you and ruin all my months of work,” Stacie says darkly and—

“Oh.”

Aubrey moves away from her as she untucks her blouse from her skirt and starts unbuttoning it, and Stacie stays pressed against the door as she watches Aubrey unzip her skirt and step out of it, hanging it up and then shrugging out of her blouse and draping it over the skirt. Aubrey drops down onto the couch and bends down to roll her thigh high stockings down her legs slowly. Once she’s done she stands up again and gestures to the garments draped over the chair. “Happy?”

“Clip,” Stacie says, points to Aubrey’s hair and the blonde smiles, bending down to look at herself in the mirror as she takes out the bobby pins and clip holding up her hair. Stacie’s eyes are drawn away from Aubrey’s legs when blonde hair tumbles down Aubrey’s back as she stands up straight. Stacie pushes off from the door and strides over to Aubrey, and the blonde barely has enough time to turn around before Stacie’s hands slide around her middle and pull her closer as she leans in to kiss Aubrey

And okay, Aubrey knows she has a rule about dating within a production, but it’s unfair how good Stacie looks in a black turtleneck and leggings and now that she knows how soft Stacie’s hair is all she wants to do is tug it free from the tight ponytail Stacie keeps it in during shows and run her fingers through the strands

When Aubrey tells Stacie that’s why she’d been so standoffish in the beginning, Stacie laughs and just kisses her harder

send me a Staubrey AU and i’ll tell you 5 of my headcanons for it

[allfandomxreader]

The Interview pt. 3

Request: Something about clingy(but not annoying), cuddly and soft joe??? Or something smutty af? Idk, whatever floats your boat Pairings: Joe Keery x Reader Words: 1,906 Summary: Joe questions why you want to keep your relationship a secret. Warnings: Swearing Part: 3/5 A/N: Ahhhh, finally part 3!! I hope you enjoy!

Part 1  Part 2  Part 4  Part 5

Sunlight trickles in through the small crack in the curtains sending warm light throughout your hotel room. Your eyes fall on the sleeping man beside you. He snores calmly, his mouth barely agape, his hair fans around him in crazy directions on the pillow. You can’t help but smile at his peaceful state. A warmth spreads through your whole body just by looking at him, never wanting to leave the bed or the man that occupies it with you.

Joe begins to stir, finally being brought out of his slumber. His eyes flutter open and lock with yours almost immediately. His arms wrap around your torso, they gently tug you closer to his body, he plants a sweet kiss on your shoulder before nuzzling himself into your hair. Your fingertips trace lazy shapes onto the exposed skin of his arm, something you often do when he’s overwhelmed. Neither of you say a word, an unspoken agreement to lay in bed for as long as you can.

“Joe,” You whisper, only getting a grunt as a response, “We have to be on set in an hour,” You continue to draw shapes on his forearm as he sighs, not wanting to leave the shared bed. You attempt to untangle your limbs from his, but his grip around only strengthens, “Joe!” Giggles echo around the small room as you wiggle in his arms, “Joe, come on, let me go.”

“No!” He mumbles into your hair, refusing to let go. “We have a whole hour to get ready, Y/N. You don’t even have to do anything, Jovi does everything for you,” He whines, you can hear the frown in his voice in efforts to guilt you into staying in the comfort of the bed.

“You’re literally going to see me all day, we’re filming Olivia and Steve’s reunion I think,” You think back to the conversations you had with Ross during the past couple of days. Joe lets out an aspirated sigh, slowly unraveling himself from you and out of the bed. You follow his lead, throwing the covers off of yourself, exposing your skin to the cold air that fills your room.

“It’s not the same,” He admits grabbing a clean shirt from the small pile of his clothes that’s collected at the foot of the bed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You question, finding one of his clean hoodies and throwing it on over your tee.

“I don’t want to be Olivia and Steve, I want to be Y/N and Joe.” He stops messing with his clothing, locking eyes with you, “I mean I want to hold your hand, to kiss you, to rave about you to my friends and family --to actually feel like I have a girlfriend.” Joe rants, your eyebrows raise in shock at the words that fill the tiny room. “Why don’t you want to tell anybody?” The anger in his voice quickly turns into pain, not wanting to know your answer, “Are you… Ashamed of me?” You rush towards the man, carefully grabbing his hand.

“Of course not, why would you even think that?” You search his features for an answer.

“It’s been almost six months, why don’t you want to tell anyone?” You stand motionless, not knowing how to answer his question. Joe’s eyes drop from yours as he pushes past you, purposely shoving into your shoulder as he makes his way to the door. “Forget it. I don’t want to know anyway.” Joe slams the door shut, leaving you stunned and with your thoughts in shambles.

You sit beside Natalia walking her through everything Joe had said within the hour. “I’ve never seen him so angry... Or hurt.” You explain, “I don’t know why I froze I just, I don’t know,” You’re at loss for words. Jovi stands behind you, wrapping your hair around her beloved curling iron, listening in on your conversation but says nothing.

“Are you ready to go public with your relationship?” Natalia questions, searching through the scrunches that were littered on Amy’s makeup table.

“I… I don’t know,” You admit, “I just, I’m scared.” Your thoughts race through your head, building crazy accuses to keep your relationship a secret, “Everyone just loved Maika and I’m worried that when everyone finds out Joe and I are dating it’ll bring a lot of negativity and that’ll ruin us.” You shake your head, not having a clue how to fix anything.

“Look, Y/N, I’ve seen the way Joe looks at you. It’s as if you put the stars in his sky, Joe isn’t going to throw your relationship away because of people he doesn’t even know,” Natalia’s words put your mind at ease, “Not to mention, everyone adores you. I’m positive everyone would be overjoyed that you’re dating Joe on and off camera, and if they’re not, who cares? What matters is that the two of you are happy --anyone who tries to ruin that can go fuck themselves.” Jovi lets out a laugh.

“She’s right, Y/N, I think you’re worried over nothing,” Jovi takes a thick strand of hair and quickly teases it with your designated comb, “And if you’re worried about the whole fandom finding out, maybe start with the rest of the cast besides Natalia and Charlie. You said Joe wanted to feel like he has a girlfriend, right? After you tell everyone you can stop pretending that you’re just best friends on set and that’ll relieve some stress for the both of you,” You watch the smoke float into the air off of the hot rod, nodding in agreement. “I mean, everyone saw it coming. We all saw the sparks fly between you guys when you first met, it was only a matter of time.” You blush at the new information as Jovi finishes up your hair.

“Thank you guys, I really needed this,” You say to the two women you’ve become significantly close to over the past year. They both give your shoulder a light pat before exiting the room to find Natalia’s outfit for filming, leaving you alone, lost in thought.

You stare at your reflection, admiring the signature Olivia Henderson curls. Even after a year you still weren’t used to seeing yourself dressed in the 80s era. You quickly do a slight touch up to your mascara before slipping into the black leather jacket your character was known for.

Ross mumbles to Joe, the two of them are bent over a script. Joe asks last minute questions to the director as you make your way towards them. “You look ravishing as ever,” Ross mocks at your attire.

“Hey, I believe you were the one that fought for Olivia to be a badass, not me,” He laughs at your remark before showing you the script.

“So, the first scene we’re going to shoot is the reunion for Steve and Olivia,” Ross begins, “Remember Steve believes that you’re heading back to New York since summer is over,” Ross explains to you, “Joe, when you see her you have to be shocked and euphoric when you see her at your doorstep. Steve believes that she’s the love of his life, I need you to really sell that here.” Joe nods, refusing to make eye contact with you. “Okay you two, that’s all the notes I have for this take, you can head to your marks, we’ll start shooting in two minutes.” Ross pats your shoulders before scurrying off to find his brother somewhere in the midst of people.

Joe says nothing as he leads you towards the marks that are sketched in neon tape on the floor. “Joe,” You reach for his hand, only for him to flinch away from your touch. “Please, can you talk to me?” You beg.

“I have nothing to say to you,” He spits opening the door to his pretend home and slams it in your face before you could get another word in. The slam echoes around set, earning brief looks from your co-stars. You sigh in defeat, walking down the painted sidewalk and by the fake trees where your mark is planted. You stand for a few moments before taking over the persona of Oliva.

“Action!” Matt screams, his voice booms around the set. You stall a few moments before you jump into your roll. You shove your fists into the pockets of the leather jacket, marching up the sidewalk once more. You let out a deep sigh, slowly bringing your knuckles to the door. They freeze, for only a moment before they pound against the hardwood. You can hear Joe shuffling behind the door before the lock clicks and he exposes himself to the camera.

His jaw drops in awe when he looks at you, his eyes search your face in silence following the script well. “Olivia?” He gasps, his hands cling to his sides, not sure when to touch you.

“Hey, Steve,” The name sounds foreign when it passes your lips, despite the number of times you say it on the daily. Before you could react Joe’s arms enclose around your body, cradling you gently. He sighs into your hair mumbling hushed ‘I love you’s into your neck. You knew it was just so the scene could seem authentic, but it still made your heart soar.

Joe slowly pulls away from the embrace, removing his hands from your waist and tenderly placing them on your cheeks. His hands were soft and warm as they held you. His eyes scan your face as if asking permission to kiss you. Without hesitation, you stand on your tiptoes and crash your lips to his own. Immediately his lips are on yours, kissing you back with a hunger you’ve never felt on or off screen.

As the kiss melts, the two of you pull away. Your chests heave as your breathing grew frantic from the intense moment you just shared. “Cut!” Ross screams. The crowd of people cheer as the scene comes to a close, snapping you out of the role. Joe coughs, awkwardly clearing his throat as he pushes past you.

“Joe, wait!” You rush after him, your hand reaches for his, but his speed was too fast for you. “Joe!” His pace doesn’t stop, ignoring your pleas. “I love you,” You blurt causing the man to stop in his tracks. “I love you,” You breathe once more, it felt like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders as you confess your feelings to him. “I’m terrified, of losing this, what we have, of losing you. I don’t want anything to ruin it, that’s why I’ve been wanting to keep us a secret, that’s why I didn’t want to go public.” Joe slowly turns to face you, an earnest look taking over his features. “Not once have I ever been ashamed of you, I am so, so sorry I led you to believe that was even a possibility, I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to admit.” You know you’ve loved each other for awhile now, neither one of you needed to admit it to know it was there. But God did it feel good to say out loud.

Joe is in front of you in an instant, he pulls your face towards his with calloused fingertips. Your senses go wild as your lips moved together. The world around you ceases to exist as his lips are on yours, this time, no cameras were rolling.

Tags: @acciohermionejg @empatheric-vibrations @artisticales @uncle-jjezzy @superfrankie111 @brunetteinblack @keely-ansell @moonlightbae14 @stevieboyharrington @thechandlerbingdance @pls-makeupyourmind @leonieandellie 

[dubsism]

Today’s Movie: Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Year of Release: 1949

Stars: Frank Sinatra, Esther Williams, Gene Kelly

Director: Busby Berkeley

This movie is not on my list of essential films.

NOTE: This installment of Sports Analogies Hidden In Classic Movies is being done as part of something called the Esther Williams Blog-A-Thon being hosted by Love Letters To Old Hollywood. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been included in several of her events…frankly, she had me at Van Johnson.  Speaking of which, there’s another event coming for him soon as well.

The Story:

“Take Me Out To The Ball Game” takes place in 1908 and centers on a baseball team known as the Chicago Wolves (not to be confused with the current non-fictional minor-league hockey team of the same name). Ostensibly, this is supposed to be the actual Chicago White Sox because they play all American League opponents, but the producers don’t want to say that as there’s a not-so-subtle reference to gambling and the whole 1919 “Black Sox” scandal later in the film.

Right off the bat, most will notice this movie is a bit thin on plot.  That’s why it works as a musical; a genre where the story-line really only serves to stitch the “song-and-dance” numbers together. To that end, two of the Wolves are also part-time Vaudevillians; Eddie O’Brien (played by Gene Kelly) and Dennis Ryan (played by Frank Sinatra). Obviously, those two are the engine for the “song-and-dance” part of this film (along with Betty Garrett and Jules Munshin).

The plot comes when the team finds out they are getting a new owner.  In and of itself, that would upset the club house of any team, but matters intensify when it is discovered the new owner is a woman who intended to take an active interest in running the team. The team envisions the new owner to be some frumpy dowager, but the reality proves to be the exact opposite.

If I were an umpire, Esther Williams could kick dirt on me anytime.

K.C. Higgins (played by Esther Williams) is not only improbably gorgeous, she just so happens to know baseball.  After the expected period of adjustment beginning in spring training and stretching into the season, the novelty of having a woman as the owner wears off and the “love interest” complications set in.

First, Dennis has eyes for K.C., but all the while he’s the target of the affections of a “Baseball Annie” Shirley Delwyn (played by Betty Garrett). Eddie eventually falls for K.C. as well, and this “J. Geils-esque ‘Love Stinks'” motif teams with the musical numbers carrying the movie until we get to the real “hook” in the plot.

As far as the songs go, they are standard fare for an MGM musical; light and meant to drive the pace of the movie.  Highlights include the require d title track performed by Kelly and Sinatra when they meet the other players in Florida.  They also pair for an “All The Girls We’ve Loved Before“-type number called, “Yes, Indeedy.”  There’s no way you’re getting an MGM musical starring Frank Sinatra without “Ol’ Blue Eyes” doing what he does best, crooning a love song titled “The Right Girl for Me.” Betty Garrett provides a major dose of comic relief with “It’s Fate Baby, It’s Fate;” sung while she seems to be seriously considering jumping Sinatra’s bones.

Interwoven through the messiness of the love interests is the fact that there’s a lot gangsters around this story, the head thug being Joe Lorgan (played by Edward Arnold).  This brings us to the aforementioned allusion of the Wolves as the Chicago White Sox as Lorgan is a thinly-disguised Arnold Rothstein, the man who was indicted but never convicted of conspiring to “fix” the 1919 World Series.  Vaudevillian Eddie gets tangled up with Lorgan when he performs in a show bank-rolled by Lorgan and his cohorts who are betting on the Wolves to lose the World Series. Eventually, this leads to a series of events which result in Eddie being kicked off the team.

The Hidden Sports Analogy:

Much like the Wolves had a incorrect assumption about what K.C. Williams was going to be, if you think the hidden sports analogy here is about baseball, you would be mistaken. Today’s episode is a tale of a real-life K.C. Williams three-quarters of a century after the setting of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.” It’s also a story as interwoven as the love interests in that film…come along on a journey which will take us through Hollywood, the National Football League (NFL), and straight-up sexism.

ACT I – Bob & Carroll & Ted & Alice & Baltimore & Los Angeles

The story starts in 1972 when a businessman named Robert Irsay purchased the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. At the same time, another business giant named Carroll Rosenbloom owned the Baltimore Colts.  Rosenbloom amassed his fortune with the Blue Ridge Clothing Company; by 1959, Blue Ridge had grown to include almost a dozen shirt and overall companies and had over 7,000 employees.  This led to Rosenbloom being known “America’s Overalls King.”

While Rosenbloom was born and raised in Baltimore, he fancied himself being part of the glamour of Hollywood…and he fit the part as well. An athletic, dashing figure, Rosenbloom cut a larger-than-life presence…he always reminded me of Lorne Greene, and I think Rosenbloom would have been right at home as the patriarch of a TV western family.  To that end, he was was one of the largest share holders in Seven Arts Productions Limited, which backed the Broadway musical “Funny Girl,” and the films “Lolita,” “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “The Night of the Iguana.”

Rosenbloom also had the pedigree for a perfect NFL owner. He had an “Ivy League” education having studied at the University of Pennsylvania and playing halfback on the football team.  This is also where his connections to the NFL began; his backfield coach for the Penn Quakers was future NFL Commissioner Bert Bell.

Carroll Rosenbloom and Robert Irsay

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Robert Irsay was bombastic and a heavy drinker who cared little for the glitz of Hollywood. So, in 1972, he and Rosenbloom swapped franchises. Irsay got the Colts and Baltimore, at the time a tough, blue-collar seaport city much more befitting Irsay’s persona…and Rosenbloom got “the team of the stars.”

Carroll Rosenbloom quickly became entrenched in the milieu of Hollywood, and the Rams enjoyed tremendous success during his ownership.  The Rams won their division (NFC West) for a then-NFL record seven straight seasons between 1973 and 1979.  They even earned the franchise’s first trip to the Super Bowl after the 1979 season.  However, the relationship between Rosenbloom and the city of Los Angeles was less than rosy.

The home of the Rams, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was 50 years old at the time Rosenbloom bought the team.  The aging venue not only lacked modern amenities like luxury boxes, but it cavernous capacity of over 90,000 seats created problems with the NFL’s “black-out” policy of the era. In order to protect ticket sales,  games in which all the tickets were not sold 72 hours prior to kick-off were not broadcast in the local market. The reality was it proved difficult to sell that many ticket when even the closest seats were close to 30 yards from the playing field.

The inability to sell-out and the resultant lack of the Rams on Los Angeles television proved to be a vicious cycle with one feeding the other.  Without TV, the Rams struggled to keep drawing fan interest, which drove down ticket sales, et cetera…The continual sag in attendance drove Rosenbloom to cut a deal with the city of Anaheim in burgeoning suburban Orange County. The deal involved Rosenbloom agreeing to hold Rams’ home games in the city-owned Anaheim Stadium once it was expanded to approximately 65,000. “The Big A” was located right off a major freeway, was literally in the shadow of Disneyland, and was already home to baseball’s California Angels.

The future looked bright for both sides. Rosenbloom got a newly-remodeled venue for his football team and the more reasonable capacity likely meant the end of television black-outs. For Anaheim, it meant adding another major attraction to it’s growing list to compete with its gargantuan neighbor 30 miles up the Golden State Freeway.

But Rosenbloom would never see his Rams play football in Orange County.  In April of 1979 while the deal was still being brought to fruition, Rosenbloom suffered a heart attack and drowned while swimming in the ocean off Golden Beach, Florida.

Act II – Georgia On My Mind

Rosenbloom’s memorial at his mansion in Bel-Air was attended by nearly 1,000 wishing to pay their respects. The group was an eclectic hodge-podge of NFL owners and dignitaries, the entire Los Angeles Rams organization, and a solid representative sample of Rosenbloom Hollywood connections.  Comedian Jonathan Winters was the Master of Ceremonies.  Howard Cosell, Ricardo Montalbán, and Ross Martin were among those who delivered eulogies.  In a salute to Rosenbloom’s legendary “raucous” sense of humor, Don Rickles did what Don Rickles does.  Warren Beatty made an appearance, having just played a Ram in the previous year’s “Heaven Can Wait.” Other attendees included Kirk Douglas, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Rod Steiger, and Henry Mancini.

But it didn’t take long for the details of Rosenbloom’s will to emerge. His son Steve had been left with the “managerial and operational” duties for the Rams, and Steve his two siblings, Daniel and Suzanne, and half-siblings, Chip and Lucia each received equal shares in ownership of the franchise, totaling 30%.  But it was Rosenbloom’s widow Georgia who inherited a controlling 70% stake in the team. Another clause in the will stipulated that the ultimate decision as to who ran the day-to-day operations of the team was entirely a matter of “as long as the successor trustee, in his discretion shall determine.”

In other words, the ultimate control of the Los Angeles Rams was now in the hands of Georgia Frontiere.  Would she flex her new organizational muscle, or would she let Steve Rosenbloom run the Rams?

It took less than three months for Frontiere to assume control of the Los Angeles Rams. Frontiere was not the first female owner in the history of the NFL.  When Charlie Bidwell, the owner of the then-Chicago Cardinals, died in 1947, the team was left to his widow Violet.  In the 1950s, the controlling interest of the San Francisco 49ers was held by two brothers, Tony and Vic Morabito. When they died in 1957 and 1964 respectively, control of the team passed to their widows Jo and Jane Morabito.  But none of them ever took over the day-to-day operations of their teams.  In other words, Frontiere took the NFL into new territory.

But the main-stream sports media didn’t wait that long to create a demonstrably false narrative about her. Born Violet Frances Irwin to a beauty queen mother and businessman father in 1927 in St. Louis,  Frontiere grew up to be a voluptuous blond who aspired to be an actress and singer. Her career started performing alongside her mother in various dinner theaters.  She worked her way up through small theater productions, eventually landing on television.  She became a local celebrity in Miami in the 1950s as the host of her own interview show, a gig which landed her several appearances on NBC’s “Today” show.  It was through television that she met her future husband Carroll Rosenbloom.

In other words, Frontiere was “tailor-made” to have the narrative hung on her about being little more than being the rich, old guy’s younger “trophy wife.” Nothing says part of that couldn’t be true, but the hypocritical ass-loafs in the media never even bothered to discover the reality.

That became clear from the first time Georgia stepped onto the field at the Rams training camp as majority owner and team president.  From that moment, it was clear she didn’t give a frog’s fat ass what people thought of her.  She gave the tobacco-chewing head coach Ray Malavasi an “air-kiss” greeting and played catch with starting quarterback Pat Haden.  The New York Times treated this spectacle with it’s usual pseudo-intellectual hypocrisy, quipping that Frontiere “took Haden’s spirals on the edge of her fingertips in a way indicating that she happened to be a woman who’d been catching passes all her life.” The Baltimore Sun referred to Frontiere as “a rather shapely blonde.” But it was the Orlando Sentinel who cut right to the chase by calling her “a bosomy blonde who jiggles.”

Forget about her gender for a minute. There was hardly a mention of the fact that here was an NFL owner despite being well into their 50s could still throw a football and hang with the players on some calisthenics.  While it shouldn’t shock anybody the American media would do a trash-job on somebody; be it 1979 or today, it’s what they do.

To understand why, you need to remember two things about the American media, sports or otherwise. The first is that any semblance of journalistic integrity died with Walter Cronkite, and the second is that no major story in America in the last 50 years has been reported without being shackled to a political agenda of one sort or another.

In Frontiere’s case, this is critical to understanding why the media savaged her as they did.  She ascended to the presidency of NFL franchise precisely at the time the deadline had passed for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  Upon the failure of that amendment, the American media immediately began beating a drum decrying the “oppression and second-class status” of American women.  The problem was that by her very existence, Frontiere was illustrating that much of the media narrative was at the very least conflated.

She made matters worse by not trumpeting herself as some sort of feminist icon; she just wanted to run a football team; the idea being that she wanted to stay busy during her period of grief and believed that is what her late husband would have wanted.  That’s also why her successes were downplayed, if not straight-up ignored.

While the media portrayed her as a meddling dowager of questionable competence and limited intellect, Frontiere in fact proved early on to be a decisive and gutsy leader. In the first instance of Frontiere being treated unfairly by the media, there was a portrayal of her as some sort wallet-driver power monger. The headlines were splashed about with a tale of Frontiere storming into the Rams’ offices in July of 1979 and summarily firing Steve Rosenbloom from his inherited duties running the team.

What was overlooked in that narrative was that Rosenbloom had stripped power from his father’s “right-hand man,” Don Klosterman, who Carroll Rosenbloom and many others in the NFL believed to one of the best general managers in football.  Rosenbloom did this without telling Klosterman, instead he sent a message to the rest of the league stating that all business dealings with the Rams should be addressed to Dick Steinberg, the Rams’ new director of player personnel.

Naturally, this created a bit of consternation within the Rams’ organization and confusion outside.  Frontiere was surprised by the move and when she came to the to the Rams’ training camp to deal with the discord it caused, the media came in sporting dorsal fins. Doing what she normally did, she spent time with the players during which she kicked some footballs off a tee.  This was characterized by The Baltimore Sun as “posing for publicity shots with her well-shaped legs.” This ignored the fact Frontiere tried extending the proverbial olive branch to all parties by offering to create a position of “chief advisor,” thus freeing him from many managerial duties to focus on executive-level decisions.  But a month later, Rosenbloom fired Klosterman and Frontiere fired Rosenbloom that same day.

Don’t tell me it doesn’t take guts to fire your own step-son…especially knowing what the media is going to say about you..

A week later, Frontiere held a press conference which was attended by more than 20 reporters along with camera crews from ABC, CBS, and NBC. Unfortunately, Frontiere arrived late causing  a reporter to state “she must have been out shopping.”

Act III – Meet Me In St. Louis

Another shaft-job Frontiere got from the media was her being blamed for the Rams move to Anaheim starting with the 1980 season.  Everybody conveniently forgot that move was set in place by Carroll Rosenbloom. But the move was terribly unpopular with the Rams fan base, and it was easier to blame “the woman” than the beloved late owner.

It didn’t help matters that Anaheim Stadium proved to be a horrible venue for football. It was originally built to host baseball, and as we’ve learned time and time again, baseball and football do not fit well into the same stadium.  In the case of the Big A,” the sight-lines were awful and many of the seats forced fans to sit at awkward angles to view the field.  But the worst part (and I can tell you this first-hand as a California Angels fan) was the stadium being further inland meant the late summer and early fall heat caused by the Santa Ana winds coming off the desert made the “Big A” a 60,000-seat blast furnace.

The “Big A” got an “F” for football.

The awful stadium, the less-than-ideal conditions, and the 30-mile commute from Los Angeles meant the fan base didn’t follow the Rams to Anaheim. The Rams’ years in Orange County were nearly a decade-and-a-half of declining attendance, running gun battles with both the Angels and the city of Anaheim…and Frontiere taking sniper-fire from the media.

Part of the deal between Carroll Rosenbloom and the City of Anaheim was a partnership in land development around the stadium, which in the late 1970s was surrounded by orange groves and other underdeveloped properties. But the California Angels’ owner Gene “The Singing Cowboy” Autry wasn’t about to let that happen. While to this day Autry is the only person to have a star on the Hollywood in all five disciplines (Motion Pictures, Television, Radio, Recording, and Live Performance/Theater), he became a billionaire by investing in real estate. As such, he became one of the most powerful people in Southern California, which meant there was no way he was letting somebody else get rich building hotels next to “his” ballpark. In other words, Autry and the California Angels successfully sued the city of Anaheim and the Rams to kill those development deals.

Eventually, things got so bad in Orange County that Frontiere entered discussions in 1989 to move the Rams back to the Los Angeles Coliseum.  That died a quick death because of the 1983 move of the Oakland Raiders into that venue, and they weren’t keen to have “roommates.”  That refusal by Raiders’ owner Al Davis, plus his demands for a new taxpayer-funded stadium would lead to both the Rams and the Raiders leaving Southern California within five years.

Naturally, the media blamed Georgia Frontiere for all this.

Maybe that played a role in the next move she made…maybe it didn’t. But what surely did was she couldn’t take the Rams back to the Coliseum, and life in Orange County wasn’t the cornucopia it was supposed to be.

During the transition of moving the team to Anaheim, Frontiere gave herself an insurance policy by acquiring the 30% of the team she didn’t own which was held by Carroll Rosenbloom’s children. With 100% ownership, she was free to do whatever she wished with the Rams, and once it was clear she wanted out of Orange County, the suitors for a NFL franchise beat a path to Frontiere’s door. Cities like Oakland, Las Vegas, Nashville, and San Antonio all showed some level of interest, but in the in the end, it was Frontiere’s home town which became the new home of the Rams.

The city of St. Louis was building a brand new domed-stadium perfectly suited for football.  The city sweetened the deal with incentives like $20 million in annual profits from guaranteed season-ticket sales, personal seat licenses, and a favorable lease. However, the NFL tried to stop the move, noting that St. Louis had been abandoned by another NFL franchise just a few years earlier when the Cardinals left for Arizona. As a result, Frontiere filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the NFL, and she won.

That meant 1995 saw the birth of the St. Louis Rams.

Act IV – The Sweet Smell of Success

Under the ownership of Carroll Rosenbloom, the Los Angeles Rams were perennial play-off contenders, but to be honest they were consistently winning a weak division. Throughout the 1970’s,  the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints, and the San Francisco 49ers were never much of a threat to the talent-laden Rams. While they made the play-offs every year from 1973 to 1979, they just couldn’t over the hump that was beating either the Minnesota Vikings or Dallas Cowboys.  When Carroll Rosenbloom died before the 1979 season, many thought the Rams would drift off to mediocrity from losing the organizational direction he provided.

During the pre-season of 1979, Frontiere firmly established herself as the organization’s leader.  She penned a doctrine in which she made it clear she was the boss…there were literally no “ifs, ands, or buts” about it.  To clear up the mess left by Steve Rosenbloom, Frontiere believed that strong leadership would get the Rams over that hump, and in the short-term, she was right. After she posted her paper to the team, she told Sports Illustrated “Right now, we don’t have much leadership. Oh, they played well—they’re trying to earn their positions—and I’m not talking about the coaching. We have good coaching. I’m talking about the top. There are some things that have to be ironed out.”

Whatever she told the team must have worked, because the Rams finally reached Super Bowl XIV after the 1979 season. The Rams lost to the juggernaut Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19.  There was no shame in that loss; nobody else could beat the Steelers of that era.  But the Rams franchise took the next step, and Frontiere became a bit of celebrity when she appeared in an American Express commercial with the Rams players. and graced the cover Sports Illustrated.

The 1980s saw a series of ups and downs for Frontiere and the Los Angeles Rams. On the field, The Rams of the 1980s remained a perennial play-off team, reached the playoffs eight times between 1980 and 1989, although they did not return to the Super Bowl as long as they remained in Southern California. Frontiere became less “hands-on” with the organization by passing much of the daily financial and football management responsibilities on to key executives.

Things started going downhill in 1986.  Frontiere had remarried after Carroll Rosenbloom’s passing to composer Dominic Frontiere.  That year Dominic was arrested for for lying to a government agent as part of a federal investigation that came from allegedly scalping 1,000 Super Bowl tickets. While he ended up being incarcerated for nearly a year, Georgia was not implicated in any wrongdoing, but this didn’t stop the media from trashing her once again.

By the 1990s, matters were getting bleak. Attendance had fallen to 45,000 fans per game; off from a peak of 62,000. Again, this most of the Rams’ home games were blacked out, and the team had been replaced by the new “team of the stars,” the newly-arrived Los Angeles Raiders.

Naturally, the Rams’ financial health was suffering as well. Frontiere’s attempts at having stadium built in Los Angeles garnered no support from local leaders. By the 1990s, the end of the “Cold War” resulted in massive-scale layoffs by defense contractors in Southern California. As a result, by 1994, the Los Angeles Rams claimed to have lost $6 million, and made only $7.6 million during the previous four seasons. Hence the 1995 move to St. Louis.

Naturally, the media fanned the flames in Southern California, making Frontiere out to be public enemy #1 for moving the team.  But after having lost the Cardinals to Arizona, the city of St. Louis welcomed with open arms Frontiere and her football team.  The city even hosted a rally downtown and thousands of fans chanted “Georgia, Georgia!” Frontiere responded to the cheering crowd with “St. Louis is my home, and I brought my team here to start a new dynasty.”

That’s exactly what she did.  The Rams took a few years to recover from 15 years of being the “red-headed step-child” of the Southern California sports world, but once they did, the Rams emerged as one of the best teams in football in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Frontiere had an odd formula for building a winner in St. Louis, but there’s no doubting it worked.

It began with the 1997 hiring of head coach Dick Vermeil, who had been out of football for 15 years (and who has a Dubsy Award named for him). Vermeil’s first player personnel move was to trade up in the draft to pick offensive tackle Orlando Pace…who would become a consistent All-Pro and ended up in the Hall of Fame. The Rams then traded Jerome Bettis (another future Hall of Fame player)  to the Pittsburgh Steelers for draft picks.

By 1999, there seemed to be cause for optimism for the Rams. They had acquired quarterback Trent Green and future Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk in separate trades, and it looked like offensive coordinator Mike Martz finally had the makings of a winner.  That optimism disappeared when Green shredded the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee; an injury which would sideline him for the entire season.  A tearful Vermeil (hence the category of his Dubsy award) made a solemn vow the Rams would “play good football” behind Green’s backup, a 28-year-old guy named Kurt Warner.

Not only had nobody ever heard of Warner, and his pedigree for professional football seemed rather suspect. No NFL team drafted him out of the University of Northern Iowa.  His only professional experience came from stints with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe and the Iowa Barnstormers of that now-defunct sideshow known as the Arena Football League. In fact, Warner was making ends meet by bagging groceries and stocking shelves in a supermarket before joining the Rams. Most saw the Rams having yet another losing season, some even going so far as to say they would be the worst team in the league.

But the beauty of sports is that it rivals Hollywood for the ability to produce “fairy tale” stories. Something magic happened, and within weeks Warner and the Rams were the toast of the NFL.  Sportscasters dubbed them “the Greatest Show on Turf” because of their high-speed, quick-strike offense which seemed as though it could score at will. The Rams finished the 1999 season with a 13-3 record, and they cruised through the play-offs on the way to a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Frontiere and Vermeil with the Lombardi Trophy

Frontiere, Vermeil, and Kurt Warner after winning the Super Bowl

Hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta that night in January 2000 was the vindication of Georgia Frontiere.  This was the pinnacle of her 28-year ownership; an era which began with sanctimonious hypocrite New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica writing bilge like “The board of directors of women’s liberation ought to keep an eye on sweet Georgia… If she continues to run the Rams, pretty soon it is going to be back into the kitchen for every woman.”

How did that Lombardi Trophy feel when she shoved it up your ass, Mike?

ACT V – Epilogue

Georgia Frontiere was the pioneer for women taking an active role heading professional football franchise. In an era of women’s liberation, Frontiere never saw herself as a feminist icon, which is why the “liberal” media trashed her at every opportunity.  In fact, one of the only times she ever spoke on the subject her words were taken by some as a “shot” at the feminist movement.

“There are some who feel there are two different kinds of people — human beings and women. As soon as a woman tries to be a human being, people think she’s trying to be a man.”

Taken out of context, you can interpret that statement several ways. What is certain is Frontiere didn’t want be a man; she wanted to run a football team the best way she could.  That’s exactly what she did. She may not have been the greatest owner in the history of the game, but she wasn’t the worst either. Her team won a championship, and there’s a lot of owners who can’t say that.

You can say whatever you want about Georgia Frontiere. After her death in 2008, minority owner Stan Kroenke acquired a controlling interest in the St. Louis Rams and moved them back to Los Angeles in 2015. In 1995, Frontiere may have been the most hated woman in Los Angeles, but a quarter-century later her name is headed for the ash-heap of history. But what can’t be argued is her commitment to her team.  Throughout her time as the owner of the Rams, it simply was not possible to attend to a Rams game and not see Georgia Frontiere somewhere in the stadium.

But that doesn’t mean she was perched in a luxury suite lording over her subjects fans separated by so much plate glass.  Georgia Frontiere preferred to mingle with the players, the fans…the people who she knew made it all possible.  On the night of the Rams Super Bowl victory, Frontiere succinctly stated the source of her desire to succeed, “From the time my late husband died, it has been a constant effort to do what he expected me to be able to do. He said ‘If anybody can, you can. You always stick to your ideas, and nobody pushes you around.’”

And nobody did.

The Moral of the Story:

If you’re going to be “the first” at something, you had better be tough.

Check out Dubsism’s Movies and Blog-A-Thons page for a full schedule of projects past, present, and future!

Got a question, comment, or just want to yell at us? Hit us up at  dubsism@yahoo.com, @Dubsism on Twitter, or on our Pinterest,  Tumblr, Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook pages, and be sure to bookmark Dubsism.com so you don’t miss anything from the most interesting independent sports blog on the web.

Sports Analogies Hidden In Classic Movies – Volume 87: “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” Today's Movie: Take Me Out To The Ball Game Year of Release: 1949 Stars: Frank Sinatra, Esther Williams, Gene Kelly…

[hanndleit]

Catastrophic Summer

A/N: AT LAST! After I don’t know how long, I finally finally FINALLY finished “The Fish Fic” 

I promise to get better with writing, and to post more frequently (bare with me.)

As always, feedback is extremely appreciated! I take requests!

Warnings: None. Unless you count implied Waughy and an animal death. 

“Is it illegal to hulk smash sea life?”

It started around 11am - the massive heat wave that was scheduled to hit the area showed no mercy. You were sprawled out on the sofa in nothing more than a pair of shorts and a bikini top, a small fan blowing directly on your face. The blowing air did little to cool you off. In fact, the six fans placed around the room seemed to push hot air around, instead of cool it off. Your boyfriend, George, laid at the other end of the sofa and pushed your feet off of his lap with a groan and a mumble of “Too hot.”

Sat on the floor in front of the couch was both Ross and John, attempting to make makeshift fans by folding the torn-out pages of a fashion magazine you had lying around.

Earlier, you had listed every idea anyone could think of in attempt to find any possible way to fight the heat, but every suggestion was either rejected, or outvoted.

Shortly after you were positive that you might die from the heat, or maybe even melt into the sofa, Matty popped out from the spare bedroom with a bounce in his step and a grin on his lips. This caught your attention, and you pushed yourself up onto your elbow.

“Let’s go to the beach.” He proposed, throwing his arms wide. You took this into consideration, exchanging glances between the others. You hadn’t even thought about the beach. Surely it was bound to be packed, so that was certainly a complication. You weren’t too keen on being elbow to elbow with other sweaty strangers, and struggling to find a place to put a towel down. After tossing a few ideas around, Matty came up with the outrageous idea to borrow a mate’s boat and take it out on the water.

You couldn’t lie - it beat laying around and suffering.

After packing a bag of a few beach items; Sunscreen, towels, a change of clothes for both you and George, sunglasses, and snack foods, you helped Ross fill a cooler with ice and some drinks. Matty came in from the patio seemingly more excited than before, informing you all that his mate had agreed to take them out on his boat. You all cheered, glad to have an escape from the heat.

Piling nearly everything you thought you might need and more into the back of Matty’s van, everyone squeezed in where there was room and you took off for the beach. “Did anyone phone Adam?” Ross asked, seeming to only just notice the absence of the silent guitarist.

“I sent him a text but never got a reply.” Matty answered, drumming his fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel as he drove. “Probably following his girl around like a puppy.”

You frowned and leaned over to smack Matty’s arm. “Be nice. At least he’s able to keep a girl for more than a night.”

Matty rolled his eyes as the other boys “Ooooh”d, telling you to shut up with a swat behind the seats.

Adam had recently found himself a new love, and with new love came the usual “phases” which meant they spent nearly every five seconds glued together, cooing over each other, giggling, and constantly touching. That was something that you could live without, and every one else would probably agree. You and George had gone through that phase for sure, but you had been dating for so long now, you might as well be considered one of the boys.

George replaced the hum of the engine with music, claiming the aux cord for the duration of the ride. Soon everyone was singing along to The Strokes, your back pressed against the door with the cooler between your knees. Matty never bothered to install actual seats in the van, so the only thing in here usually was the two front seats and a mattress. Said mattress had been removed to fit more things you probably didn’t need, so you were kind of forced to sit on the aluminum floor that probably hadn’t been cleaned in years.

“[Y/N] can you get me a coke out of the cooler?” Ross asked you, sitting opposite with his legs stretched out next to yours. You nodded and pulled the top off, reaching in and grabbing a can and handing it to him the best you could. It had hardly been 15 minutes since you departed, yet most of the ice in the cooler had melted.

“Matty, what’s the temp?” You called up to the front of the van, pressing your now icy cold hand against your forehead.

“Thirty-four.” He responded, hazel eyes flickering to the number on the rearview mirror.

“English, please.” You rolled your eyes, their European nativeness making them used to the Metric System.

“Ninety something.” John explained, causing you to groan. You were surprised the van wasn’t melting around you. Resting your head back against the door with a thump, George slipped his hand between the seats, searching for yours. You slid your hand into his and rubbed your thumb over his knuckles in the way he did when he comforted you.

Exclamations of excitement sounded throughout the van as the lake came into view, Ross having scrambled on top of you and thrown open the door, stumbling out before Matty even had the put the van in park. The humidity hit you like a sack of bricks and you found yourself not wanting to move. George took ahold of your hand and convinced you to climb out, standing next to him as he unpacked the van and tossed everything into a pile. Matty had went off to greet his friend, and was now introducing everyone.

“Dan, this is George and his girl [Y/N].” Matty approached with a tall dark haired man who looked to be about in his early thirties. George shook Dan’s hand while you kept your place by the van and gave a small wave.

“The boat is already in the water, and I have fishing tackle but I see you already have… activities.” Dan gestured to the pile of inflatables off to the side.

“Fishing? There are fish in the lake?” Matty asked, arching his eyebrows.

Picking up one of the inflatable inner tubes, you smacked Matty with it before helping George carry the rest over to the dock. “No, it’s just the Loch Ness Monster.” You teased Matty.”Besides I don’t even think you know how to fish.”

“S’not like it’s complicated.” He frowned, shutting the van door and jogging to catch up with the two of you. John and Ross had already climbed aboard the boat and were impatiently waiting to get out into the water.

“Thanks for your help.” George lobbed a towel at Ross before stepping aboard to join them. The gap between the dock and the boat was easy for him to cross due to his long legs, but for you, there was a good chance you’d end up falling in the water. “Here, give me that.” He took the inflatable from you and placed it with the others, turning back and holding out his hand for you to grab. With his assistance, you jumped onto the boat and held onto him to steady yourself. George reached to help Matty next, who stepped one foot onto the side of the boat - not realizing he was pushing it away from the dock - letting out a rather high-pitched shriek and jumping directly onto the boat, nearly toppling both himself and George over.

“Nice one.” Ross laughed, which Matty returned with a glare, taking a seat on the opposite side of the boat.

“All aboard?” Dan asked from the front, untying the rope that kept the boat docked.

“Aye Aye, Captain.” George responded with a salute, making you laugh. The ride out onto the lake cooled you off significantly, leaning your head against the side of the boat and feeling the wind whip through your hair. Dan anchored the boat once he felt you were out far enough, and George was the first one to pull off his shirt and dive straight into the water. Wiggling your shorts off, you placed them on top of George’s shirt and stood on the seat, waiting for him to come to the surface before you cannonballed next to him with a yell. Ross slowly eased himself into the water, complaining about it being cold when John appeared behind him and gave him a shove.

“See? It’s a lot warmer once you get in.” You teased, Ross splashing water at you.

“Matty, are you not going to get in?” George asked, a mess of curly hair sloppily pulled back leaned over the side, a fishing rod in hand.

“Maybe. ‘m going to catch us a dinner first.” Matty gestured to the pole, a look of excitement on his face.

You wrinkled your nose. “I wouldn’t eat anything in this lake, fish or not.” Moving your hand across the top of the water, you looked down expecting to see a fish swim by.

Hours passed by before you had finally decided to get out of the lake and call it a day. Sitting on the back of the boat with your feet in the water, you watched George float on his back a little ways away. Ross had one beer too many and was sat atop an inflatable turtle, wielding a pool noodle and commanding John to pull him around in circles. Glancing over your shoulder at Matty, who sat looking bored with his chin in his hand as he lazily tugged at his pole, you weren’t sure he had even gotten into the water yet.

“What’s the catch of the day?” You called, shielding your eyes from the sun with your hand.

Matty’s line suddenly pulled taught and he sat up, reeling it in quickly. A clump of plant life hung from the end of the line, and his shoulders slumped. “Seaweed.” He sighed, tossing it back into the water. You felt bad for Matty. He was so excited to fish, but it wasn’t turning out the least bit promising. The boat dipped slightly to one side and you turned around to see George climbing aboard. Reaching back, you grabbed a towel from one of the seats and handed it to him.

“You looked pretty relaxed out there, merman.” You leaned into his shoulder as he dried off his hair and draped the towel over his shoulders.

“It’s nice. This truly feels like the perfect day.” George commented, putting his feet into the water next to yours. You nudged his foot with yours, making him smile.

A loud yelp of surprise caused the both of you to turn around and look at Matty, who was leaning back on his heels and reeling in something on his fishing line.

“Another plant?” You asked, nudging George to go and help him.

“No no I felt this one move.” Matty pulled hard on the rod. “It’s definitely a fish.”

George stood up and took ahold of the pole as well. “Well don’t tug on it. You’ll snap the line.” He helped Matty reel in the line, and sure enough, a decent sized fish leapt out of the water, making you squeal.

“Yes!” Matty cheered, moving closer to the fish, leaving George holding onto the fishing pole. You laughed, getting up and digging through your bag for your phone.

“Here Matty, hold it up and I’ll take your picture.” You opened your camera, focusing the lens on a widely grinning Matty holding up a wildly flopping fish. George stood off to the side with his arms crossed, shaking his head at how excited Matty was over the fish.

“What happened?” John asked from the water, swimming to the ladder to see what the commotion was about.

“Matty caught a fish.” George informed, and you captured a few more photos of Matty.

Turning to your boyfriend, you held your phone up and focused him in the lens. “Smile!” You told him, George’s expression unchanging. You pouted at him. “Somebody’s not a happy camper.”

The fish had stopped wiggling, and Matty was looking around for a place to store it for later.

“Matty you are not keeping the fish.” George told him, stepping forward to take the line out of his hand. Matty jerked it away, his brow furrowing. “Seriously, give me the fish.”

Matty stepped away, keeping the fish just out of George’s reach childishly. “No, I caught it. I’m keeping it.” He walked to the front of the boat, continuing to search. “Don’t boats usually have something for storing fish? Or can I just use our cooler?”

“For fucks sake you’re killing the damn thing.” George raised his voice, and a lump formed in your throat. You had been with George for long enough to know how he sounded when he was starting to get irritated, among other things.

“No m’ not!” Matty yelled, slipping underneath G’s arm to retreat to the back of the boat. It wasn’t very big, and there wasn’t really anywhere for Matty to hide from the drummer.

“Matty!” George cried, growing more upset than angry. “Fish need water! It can’t breathe!” He lurched forward and grabbed the line out of Matty’s hand, resting the fish on one of the seats so he could get the hook out of its mouth.

Matty backed down, crossing his arms over his chest and stepping closer to watch George free the fish.

“Um, G.” You spoke quietly, noticing how the fish lay unmoving on the seat in front of him. He paid no attention, finally getting the metal hook from the fish’s mouth and walking up to the front of the boat, throwing it far, back into the water. George wiped his hands off on his swim shorts and started to turn back into the boat when Matty pushed him and nearly caused him to fall over the railing and into the water.

“YOU KILLED IT!” Matty yelled, pointing out at the water. Matty’s fish bobbed along the surface of the water, unmoving. “GEORGE, YOU FUCKING KILLED IT!”

George stared at the corpse in horror, taking a step back into the boat. You moved forward to grab his arm, pulling him back to where he could sit down.

“I t-tried to s-save it.” George stuttered softly, staring at the boat floor. You sat down next to him, worry creasing your forehead.

“What the hell happened now?” John piped up, climbing out of the water and grabbing a towel.

“George threw the fish so hard it died.” Matty slumped into the seat opposite to you, fuming.

“Georgey, are you okay?” You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, trying to comfort him while at the same time trying not to patronize him. George being on the verge of tears was as rare as Matty not wearing Gucci. Ross was next to climb out of the water, looking from person to person with confusion.

“What the hell happened?” He asked, quirking an eyebrow.

“George is having a conniption over a fish. I’m surprised he hasn’t yelled ‘Jack come back’ yet.” Matty snorted at his own joke, sitting up a little in the seat.

“Is it illegal to Hulk Smash sea life?” Ross asked, taking a towel from the pile and wrapping it around his waist.

“I don’t think the throw was what killed it.” Dan chimed in. You had almost forgotten he was even here. He had watched the entire ordeal go down silently from the driver's seat. No matter how the fish died, George would blame himself anyway. The drummer hardly knew his own strength, and ended up doing more damage than he did good. He was a gentle giant, which is what drew you to him in the first place. A tall muscular man with a heart of pure gold and a tendency to care for things that couldn’t defend themselves.

“Do you want to head back?” You asked George, petting his hair soothingly. He nodded slowly without looking up, and you offered a soft smile.

John and Ross collected everything from in the water, and Dan started up the boat, heading back to shore.

“I just wanted to save it.” George spoke, and you slid your hand in his.

“I know baby, but Matty had it out of the water for too long. I don’t think you killed it.” You told him, scooting a bit closer to comfort him.

Dan pulled the boat up to the dock and killed the engine, tying it up to the wooden pole. You helped carry the towels and the inflatable turtle, giving your bag to George. It was easier to climb out of the boat than it was to get in, and you offered your hand to G to help him onto the dock. He was silent while you packed up Matty’s van. He was silent when you all thanked Dan and waved goodbye. He was silent the entire ride back to your flat. He was silent while your friends grabbed their things and wished you both a goodnight. After they all had left, you sat down on the sofa next to your boyfriend and let out a loud sigh.

“Alright, what’s going on? You haven’t said a word since we got off the boat.” You faced him, crossing your legs underneath yourself. George sat with his head resting on his hand, staring at his reflection in the black television screen. “George, please.” You reached out and placed your hand on his thigh, telepathically begging him to look at you. He turned his head slightly, unable to meet your eyes. You scooted a bit closer and placed your finger under his chin, forcing him to look at you. “You didn’t kill the fish. It was an accident. Matty had it out of the water for too long, and it suffocated. You didn’t hurt it, I promise.”

George opened his mouth to speak, but clamped it shut. You looked at him expectantly, waiting for what he had to say. “I threw it, though. That had to hurt it.” His voice wavered. “I feel so bad.”

You jutted your lower lip and rested your head on his shoulder, pulling him closer to you. “Oh baby,” You sighed, turning your head slightly and pressing your lips to his shoulder. “I think it died when you were pulling the hook out. It wasn’t when you threw it. It suffocated before you could help it.” You told him softly. This caused George to look at you at last, the guilted and hurt expression on his face slowly fading as he listened to you. “If anything, Matty’s to blame for the murder.” You smiled, giving a small shrug.

“So you’re meaning to tell me…” George started, sitting up a little better on the sofa. “That I cried in front of a few of my best mates over a fish I didn’t kill, and you’ve decided to tell me hours later?”

“Well, you were quite upset and I didn’t exactly know what to say at the time and-”

“You’re a stunner, you know that right?” G cut you off, leaving you a bit lost for words.

“Wh-What does that mean?” You asked, taken aback.

“Nothin’. Thank you for comforting me by the way. I’d have properly broken down if you weren’t there.”

You slouched your shoulders slightly as he changed the subject, but leaned into his side. “Of course, George. You know I’m always going to be there for you.” You took his hand in yours, leaning your head against his shoulder comfortably. Your reflection in the telly stared back at you, and you could just make out the smile on your boyfriend’s face. “Do you want to watch a movie?” You asked, reaching for the remote on the other side of him.

“Sure.” George picked up the telly remote from the table and handed it to you. “What movie?” He asked, leaning his head on top of yours.

“Finding Nemo?”

“I hate you.”

“I know.”

[luisabook-blog]

Dancing With The Stars Period Nine Week One Results: Who Went House?

It's clear that during Season nine of Dancing with the Stars, which begins on Sept. 21, the use of Twitter and Fb by the display's dancers has currently enhanced the way its 20 million fans get their info. There were a number of followers that were shocked by the reports when they had been damaged in the media, and now that it has been announced that her response will be showing on the news show, it is certain that followers will be tuning in to watch what he has to say about the tale.

Dancing with the Stars Drop 2009 7 days one arrived to a final near with the elimination of a second couple. Len called the 3 partners still awaiting their fates "a great bouquet", which I believed was corny but nonetheless sweet. Kelly Osbourne and Louie van Amstel had been proclaimed safe, leaving Kathy Eire and Macy Gray to duke it out. Following that terrible music and waiting around, Macy and partner Jonathan Roberts had been eradicated from DWTS period 9. Sigh. Okay, that's good.

Aaron Carter Kid

It began, curiously enough, when entertainer Donny Osmond's son Don Jr. "tweeted" congratulations to his Father, noting that "You and Kym [Johnson] are going to win this season. You've received my vote each 7 days! Adore ya!" Oops.

By joining Dancing with the Stars, Delay has gotten 1 up on Rod Blagojevich, who unsuccessful to join the reality Television circuit when he was rejected for I'm A Celeb.Get Me Out Of Here! Apart from Tom Hold off, the Dancing with the Stars new solid has its usual mix of expertise and B-checklist star energy. NFL star Michael Irvin and partner Anna Demidova had been aaron carter and hilary duff next up on DWTS with their Samba. Michael's truly experienced a difficult time with the judging panels this period. The factor I value about Michael is his performer's heart: He seems to have enjoyable every week, even when he's nailed by Len, Carrie Ann and Bruno. That said, it believed their Samba lacked a little. It appeared sluggish and just not exactly what I'm used to seeing for the style of dance. Bruno said "sometimes you danced this like a tank" and proceeded to beat him down. Ouch. Carrie Ann said "I certainly believe you have rhythm but you're dancing as well small". Len said "it's a hard dance for a large guy" and "I'm afraid it was a bit disappointing". Oof. Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova's Dancing with the Stars Drop 2009 7 days three scores: five, four, 5 = 14.

Aaron Carter Boyfriend

And Joanna Krupa (who)? Let's just say the reason she is still in the leading five is simply because of Derek Hough. Anybody who is fortunate sufficient to get him as a companion is going to adhere around for awhile. He is, by far, the best dancer on the display (as nicely as Mark Ballas). Derek has some of the best choreography and should really be a fantastic teacher because he goes a long way on each show. There has been much speculation and many media reports surrounding alleged quotes from singer Aaron Carter on the famous King of Pop, Michael Jackson. When a noted interview made headlines over alleged estimates from Carter, the singer quickly denied that he experienced at any time stated any of the things that he was becoming quoted as stating. According to a new update made by the singer by way of Twitter, Aaron Carter will reportedly be featured on E! News today in an job interview in which he will be talking about the Michael Jackson tale. Tom Bergeron rehashed final evening's motion and current judges' standings. And then. the men's component of tonight's DWTS 7 days 1 season 9 elimination started: Louie Vito and companion Chelsie Hightower and click for source and companion Karina Smirnoff were proclaimed secure to dance once more. I'm not truly shocked; they're each cute younger thangs, following all.

Aaron Carter Candy

Samantha Harris then launched a section that includes associates of "the Losers Club": The stars who were initial during their respective seasons to leave Dancing with the Stars. Kenny Mayne was his usual strange self, and was joined by fellow Losers Club associates Jeffrey Ross and Penn Gillette, who seemed keen to welcome the newest member of the group. Mard Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer, Chuck Liddell and Anna Trebunskaya, and Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson were saved from becoming a member of that unique small DWTS sect. The last two elements of the evening were "relay dances," in which 4 pairs of couples at a time competed, with the judges naming first through fourth location winners and awarding factors in accordance to placement. In the salsa relay, it was Donny Osmond, Ashley Hamilton ,Louie Vito and Chuck Lidell. Osmond received the greatest from the judges.

Aaron Carter Party

Hamilton's father, George Hamilton was a contestant on the second period of "DWTS". He came in fifth location. I experienced the chance to inquire Ashley Hamilton about his casting on this period's show. Grammy Successful singer/songwriter Joss Stone took to the phase with her solitary Free Me when the Dancing with the Stars results display ongoing. I don't know about you, but when I look at Joss Stone and her pretty encounter and girly hair, and then listen to her sing, I'm usually stunned by the cacophony between the sight and the audio. Her voice is beautiful, I believe, but just not what I at any time anticipate. Anyway, she was joined by a pair of pro dancers performing their thang on the ballroom floor. It seemed like an elaborate bedroom dance, if you want my viewpoint. Do you want to remain in-the-know? Then sign up to get my posts individually sent to your in-box. Just click on SUBSCRIBE, and you'll stay up-to-the-minute with your favorite actuality shows and stars. Of course, your E-mail will never be shared with anybody else.

[walterfrodriguez]

What it’s like to sell a luxury home in the Upper Keys

94100 Overseas Highway in Tavernier is listed for $24.5 million.

Made famous in movies and TV shows like the Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall classic “Key Largo” and the Netflix thriller “Bloodline,” the Florida Keys cater to homebuyers who want to escape South Florida’s hectic lifestyle and boat, fish or dive — or simply chill.

Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate’s Brian Schmitt, who has been a broker in the Keys since 1983, said out-of-town buyers continue to flock to the Upper Keys, those closest to Miami — Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada — in search of a relaxing, laid-back retreat.

“It’s the color and the quality of the water and what you can do on the water that is attractive to people,” said Schmitt, whose firm, the largest in the Upper Keys, became a Coldwell Banker franchise in 1986.

During the 12 months ending in January, 134 homes priced over $1 million traded in the Upper Keys, excluding Ocean Reef Club. That’s up 25 percent from 107 during the previous 12-month period, according to data from the Multiple Listing Service, compiled by Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate. The average price was $1.615 million, down from $1.815 million, yet total dollar volume rose 11 percent due to the rise in the number of sales. Homes sold for an average of 15 percent less than their original list price.

“There’s more demand based on the number of sales transactions, but sellers are having to reduce their prices to a greater degree to attract a buyer and do a deal,” said Schmitt, who has five offices throughout the Keys, including two in the Upper Keys — in Key Largo and Islamorada.

Meanwhile, luxury inventory is dropping. At the end of January, there were 213 residential properties priced over $1 million for sale in the Upper Keys, versus 240 a year earlier, Schmitt’s data shows.

That’s a healthy sign for the market, brokers say. “There was a pickup in activity, new construction came on the market, and that sold rather quickly,” said Joy Martin, owner and broker of American Caribbean Real Estate.

While the market will no doubt feel some impact from recent upheaval in the stock market, the peak selling season in the Keys is traditionally December through April, as well as July and August, said Martin, whose firm has 35 agents and two offices in Key Largo and Islamorada.

The competition

In all, more than a dozen brokerages compete for listings and sales in the Upper Keys.

“It’s collegial, but it’s still fierce,” said Schmitt, who has 115 active agents and 15 staff. About 1,250 agents vie for about 2,800 transactions annually in all of the Florida Keys, he said.

According to a 2019 market-share ranking by Schmitt’s firm, using Multiple Listing Service data, Coldwell Banker Schmitt held the top spot in the Upper Keys with 314 sales or 16.1 percent of the market. Next was American Caribbean with 202 sales or 10.3 percent market share, followed by Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty with 134 sales or 6.9 percent.

Owned by Russell Post for 10 years, Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty has offices in Islamorada, Marathon and Key West, with a total of 40 agents, including 12 at his office in Islamorada. “The market has been good in the Upper Keys, a steady market over the last three years,” he said.

Broker John Gallant, who previously owned Blue 9 Realty and recently became a license partner of Engel & Völkers Islamorada, said that with a relatively smaller pool of agents in the Upper Keys, the competition is “a lot less cutthroat and more collaborative than in Miami or Fort Lauderdale.”

“Here, if you’re not professional and at least not polite and courteous, you will have a reputation that will run you out on a rail,” he said.

Key buyers

South Florida buyers rank as the top source for luxury vacation home purchases in the Upper Keys. After that come buyers from states along the Atlantic seaboard, New England and Midwestern states that border the Great Lakes, Schmitt said.

Though waterfront Keys properties compete as vacation homes with luxury second homes and condos in Miami Beach and other South Florida areas, the buyers are vastly different.

In the laid-back Keys, the main activities are diving, fishing and drinking, Gallant said.

“It’s not an area that is super attractive to people who don’t share that interest,” he said. And he sees an inverse relationship between what you have and how you dress. “If you see someone who looks borderline homeless, that guy has millions.”

South Florida developers Sergio Rok, Scott Robins and Michael Swerdlow are among those who have long treasured the Upper Keys for second or third homes.

“It’s tranquility. It’s truly getting away from city life,” said Rok, whose father, real estate investor Natan Rok, bought the family’s Islamorada compound in 1987.

Robins and his wife, Deborah, have owned an oceanfront estate on Plantation Key, one of the islands making up Islamorada, for 20 years. Spanning about 2 acres, the property includes a four-bedroom home, tennis court, pool, beach and 300-foot dock where Robins keeps his 35-foot-high fishing boat.

Swerdlow, too, remains a fan of the region, though five years ago he sold his oceanfront estate and private marina in Islamorada. The property holds the record for the priciest sale ever in the Upper Keys, closing for $13.125 million in 2015.

“When I had the house, I would spend 100 days a year there because of the fishing,” Swerdlow said, adding that he holds the record for the largest bonefish ever caught in the United States on a fly rod. It was 15 pounds, 8 ounces.

Price check on the Isles

The priciest home on the market today in the Upper Keys, by far, is the 13-acre bayfront estate at 94100 Overseas Highway in Tavernier, listed for $24.5 million. Compass agents Audrey Ross and Arline Tarte have the listing.

Sales at the higher end of the market have been slow in the past year. Only one residential sale closed at over $5 million in the Upper Keys last year, after 353 days on the market.

According to Martin, “2019 for luxury for us didn’t have the same momentum as previously.”

Brokers wonder what the future holds. For now, the effects of coronavirus on the market remain to be seen.

Schmitt said some buyers are probably being more cautious about making large investments because of the volatility of the financial markets. Yet others may want to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in 50 years.

“When you see something that has some sort of global impact, every market could have a trickle-down effect,” Martin said. “We’re watching it very closely.”

The post What it’s like to sell a luxury home in the Upper Keys appeared first on The Real Deal Miami.

from The Real Deal Miami & Miami Florida Real Estate & Housing News | & Curbed Miami - All https://therealdeal.com/miami/2020/05/25/what-its-like-to-sell-a-luxury-home-in-the-upper-keys-2/ via IFTTT

[alfredrserrano]

What it’s like to sell a luxury home in the Upper Keys

94100 Overseas Highway in Tavernier is listed for $24.5 million.

Made famous in movies and TV shows like the Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall classic “Key Largo” and the Netflix thriller “Bloodline,” the Florida Keys cater to homebuyers who want to escape South Florida’s hectic lifestyle and boat, fish or dive — or simply chill.

Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate’s Brian Schmitt, who has been a broker in the Keys since 1983, said out-of-town buyers continue to flock to the Upper Keys, those closest to Miami — Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada — in search of a relaxing, laid-back retreat.

“It’s the color and the quality of the water and what you can do on the water that is attractive to people,” said Schmitt, whose firm, the largest in the Upper Keys, became a Coldwell Banker franchise in 1986.

During the 12 months ending in January, 134 homes priced over $1 million traded in the Upper Keys, excluding Ocean Reef Club. That’s up 25 percent from 107 during the previous 12-month period, according to data from the Multiple Listing Service, compiled by Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate. The average price was $1.615 million, down from $1.815 million, yet total dollar volume rose 11 percent due to the rise in the number of sales. Homes sold for an average of 15 percent less than their original list price.

“There’s more demand based on the number of sales transactions, but sellers are having to reduce their prices to a greater degree to attract a buyer and do a deal,” said Schmitt, who has five offices throughout the Keys, including two in the Upper Keys — in Key Largo and Islamorada.

Meanwhile, luxury inventory is dropping. At the end of January, there were 213 residential properties priced over $1 million for sale in the Upper Keys, versus 240 a year earlier, Schmitt’s data shows.

That’s a healthy sign for the market, brokers say. “There was a pickup in activity, new construction came on the market, and that sold rather quickly,” said Joy Martin, owner and broker of American Caribbean Real Estate.

While the market will no doubt feel some impact from recent upheaval in the stock market, the peak selling season in the Keys is traditionally December through April, as well as July and August, said Martin, whose firm has 35 agents and two offices in Key Largo and Islamorada.

The competition

In all, more than a dozen brokerages compete for listings and sales in the Upper Keys.

“It’s collegial, but it’s still fierce,” said Schmitt, who has 115 active agents and 15 staff. About 1,250 agents vie for about 2,800 transactions annually in all of the Florida Keys, he said.

According to a 2019 market-share ranking by Schmitt’s firm, using Multiple Listing Service data, Coldwell Banker Schmitt held the top spot in the Upper Keys with 314 sales or 16.1 percent of the market. Next was American Caribbean with 202 sales or 10.3 percent market share, followed by Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty with 134 sales or 6.9 percent.

Owned by Russell Post for 10 years, Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty has offices in Islamorada, Marathon and Key West, with a total of 40 agents, including 12 at his office in Islamorada. “The market has been good in the Upper Keys, a steady market over the last three years,” he said.

Broker John Gallant, who previously owned Blue 9 Realty and recently became a license partner of Engel & Völkers Islamorada, said that with a relatively smaller pool of agents in the Upper Keys, the competition is “a lot less cutthroat and more collaborative than in Miami or Fort Lauderdale.”

“Here, if you’re not professional and at least not polite and courteous, you will have a reputation that will run you out on a rail,” he said.

Key buyers

South Florida buyers rank as the top source for luxury vacation home purchases in the Upper Keys. After that come buyers from states along the Atlantic seaboard, New England and Midwestern states that border the Great Lakes, Schmitt said.

Though waterfront Keys properties compete as vacation homes with luxury second homes and condos in Miami Beach and other South Florida areas, the buyers are vastly different.

In the laid-back Keys, the main activities are diving, fishing and drinking, Gallant said.

“It’s not an area that is super attractive to people who don’t share that interest,” he said. And he sees an inverse relationship between what you have and how you dress. “If you see someone who looks borderline homeless, that guy has millions.”

South Florida developers Sergio Rok, Scott Robins and Michael Swerdlow are among those who have long treasured the Upper Keys for second or third homes.

“It’s tranquility. It’s truly getting away from city life,” said Rok, whose father, real estate investor Natan Rok, bought the family’s Islamorada compound in 1987.

Robins and his wife, Deborah, have owned an oceanfront estate on Plantation Key, one of the islands making up Islamorada, for 20 years. Spanning about 2 acres, the property includes a four-bedroom home, tennis court, pool, beach and 300-foot dock where Robins keeps his 35-foot-high fishing boat.

Swerdlow, too, remains a fan of the region, though five years ago he sold his oceanfront estate and private marina in Islamorada. The property holds the record for the priciest sale ever in the Upper Keys, closing for $13.125 million in 2015.

“When I had the house, I would spend 100 days a year there because of the fishing,” Swerdlow said, adding that he holds the record for the largest bonefish ever caught in the United States on a fly rod. It was 15 pounds, 8 ounces.

Price check on the Isles

The priciest home on the market today in the Upper Keys, by far, is the 13-acre bayfront estate at 94100 Overseas Highway in Tavernier, listed for $24.5 million. Compass agents Audrey Ross and Arline Tarte have the listing.

Sales at the higher end of the market have been slow in the past year. Only one residential sale closed at over $5 million in the Upper Keys last year, after 353 days on the market.

According to Martin, “2019 for luxury for us didn’t have the same momentum as previously.”

Brokers wonder what the future holds. For now, the effects of coronavirus on the market remain to be seen.

Schmitt said some buyers are probably being more cautious about making large investments because of the volatility of the financial markets. Yet others may want to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in 50 years.

“When you see something that has some sort of global impact, every market could have a trickle-down effect,” Martin said. “We’re watching it very closely.”

The post What it’s like to sell a luxury home in the Upper Keys appeared first on The Real Deal Miami.

from The Real Deal Miami https://therealdeal.com/miami/2020/05/25/what-its-like-to-sell-a-luxury-home-in-the-upper-keys-2/ via IFTTT

[rickhorrow]

15 To Watch : Decade in Review for Philanthropy 121619

15 TO WATCH: DECADE IN REVIEW 

RICK HORROW’S TOP SPORTS PHILANTHROPY STORIES OF 2010-2019 

with Tanner Simkins

It’s hard to believe, but we have reached the end of yet another decade. And in the business of sport, it’s been a busy one. Here are Rick Horrow’s 15 most influential philanthropic actions in sports. We’re off next week, but stay tuned on December 30 for an early look at the year and decade ahead, and Happy Holidays!

Sports is on the RISE. Founded in 2015 by Miami Dolphins Chairman of the Board and Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross, RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) is a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice, and improve race relations. Through partnerships and programs, RISE inspires leaders in sports to create positive change on matters of race and equality. RISE provides leadership programming for student-athletes, coaches, and administrators at every level to equip them with the skills to stand up against racism and advance the conversation around race relations. It creates opportunities for athletes to amplify their voice, advocate against racism, and promote social change. And it holds events for fans in conjunction with college and NFL games and public awareness campaigns encouraging the public to join with pro athletes and community leaders in taking a pledge to stand against racism. In our fractious times, these issues aren’t going away anytime soon. Colin Kaepernick is still out of the NFL. Eric Reid was out of the league. Both players suffered for their activism. RISE matters, perhaps now more than ever.

J.J. Watt receives Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for his fundraising efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The Texans defensive end raised more than $37 million in 19 days for relief efforts after initially setting a goal of $200,000, which he started off with his own $100,000 pledge. Watt then dedicated himself to finding organizations that will apply the funds in the way he has promised the donors and victims of Harvey. "This award is about the inherent good that lies within humanity," Watt said after accepting his award. "It's about the city of Houston and its ability to overcome adversity at a time when it all seemed lost. It is about the hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country and all over the world who donated to a city they may have never been to, to people that they may never meet.” Before Harvey, in 2010, Watt started the Justin J. Watt Foundation in Wisconsin out of a desire to help underserved kids. His personal motto of "Dream Big, Work Hard" culminated into a mission that he continues to use to impact communities nationwide.

Pete Frates starts the “Ice Bucket Challenge.” Former Boston College baseball player Pete Frates died last week at the age of 34 after a lengthy battle with ALS. Frates popularized the “Ice Bucket Challenge” as a "way to focus attention on ALS," inspiring an "unprecedented outpouring of support for research," with estimates ranging from $160-220 million in donations. Now, the man who created Challenge is being remembered throughout sports. The Boston Herald went with, "ALS Couldn't Hold Pete Frates Down." The Boston Globe concluded, "As A Ballplayer And A Person, Pete Frates Hit It Out Of The Park."  The Bruins tweeted Frates was the "definition of an inspiration." Tom Brady's TB12 Sports brand added, "A big loss for the Boston community and beyond.” Meanwhile, MLB and its 30 clubs as well as Minor League Baseball organized a charity auction for last week's winter baseball meetings that will raise money for five charities related to ALS.

LeBron James opens the I Promise School. In 2018, the Los Angeles Lakers star and the LeBron James Family Foundation opened the I Promise School (IPS), a public elementary school in James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio specifically aimed at at-risk children. James began researching high school dropout rates in Akron in 2011, and decided to create the “I Promise” initiative as a response. Opening with students attending grades three and four, IPS will be fully operational by 2022, eventually teaching grades one through eight. The foundation is funding additional services for the children and families attending IPS, including uniforms, food for families, career placement services, bikes and helmets for each student, transportation for qualified individuals, and job placement services for parents. Additionally, free tuition to the University of Akron is covered under the pre-existing Akron I Promise Network Scholarship, which was developed between the University of Akron, the James Family Foundation, and JPMorgan Chase in 2015. The Foundation has contributed upwards of $2 million in startup and operational costs, and James reportedly considers the school's founding as the most important professional accomplishment of his life.

Boston Marathon charity eclipses $100 million in donations for cancer over its 20 years. The Boston Marathon withstood two homemade terrorist bombs in 2013 and somehow came out stronger. Boston Marathon runners participating on behalf of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since 1990 have surpassed the $100 million fundraising mark. The research center says more than $500,000 has already been raised by runners in next year's race, putting it over the threshold. Dana-Farber was one of the first charities allowed to use the Boston Marathon as a fundraiser. More than 500 runners are expected to take part in the 2020 race as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. They are hoping to raise $6.25 million. 100% of the money raised from the team's Boston Marathon runners supports promising cancer research in its earliest stages. The Boston Marathon is the pinnacle of marathon and media coverage and the race will make positive headlines as multiple charities will be highlighted on the day of the event next year, April 20, 2020.

The Golden Knights help keep VegasStrong. In the aftermath of the horrific mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on October 1, 2017, the brand new NHL Las Vegas Golden Knights, who dropped the puck on their first official home game only eight days later, created an almost unbreakable bond with their fledgling fan base thanks to their response to the tragedy. In the shooting’s aftermath, Golden Knights players embraced the community, thanking police officers, giving blood, and donating tens of thousands of dollars to help victims, their families and emergency medical workers. Noted the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “In a most inexplicable manner, an NHL expansion team of which the majority of players and staff had no ties to Las Vegas before landing here to open an inaugural season, suddenly became a vehicle by which the town could begin its long and difficult road to recovery.” The Knights won nine of their first 10 games and set the tone for what would be a historic season, advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first year. While they didn’t win the Cup, the team continues to provide hope and comfort to the still-recovering region.

NFL players put their best foot forward. Starting in 2016, hundreds of NFL players now showcase causes that are important to them with custom cleats during all Week 14 games for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign. As part of the collaboration between the NFL and players, players represent hundreds of charitable organizations that focus on causes from youth wellness to sex trafficking prevention and support for single parents. On Unboxing Day, players unbox their customized cleats in hospital visits, classrooms, locker rooms and on stadium fields. Through Week 14, players share images of their cleats and the stories behind them on social media, using the hashtag #mycausemycleats. The league also posts videos and profiles on NFL.com to tell the stories. Many players have worked directly with Nike, Under Armour, and adidas to design their cleats. Other teams worked with an independent designer to create cleats for participating players. Players also have the opportunity to raise money for their cause by auctioning their cleats off at NFL Auction; 100% of money raised is donated to the player’s charities.

Roger Federer Hits for Haiti. In January 2010, Haiti was hit with a monstrous magnitude 7.0 earthquake that caused major damage in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel and other cities in the populous region, killed close to 200,000 people, and affected three million more. Shortly thereafter, tennis’ World No. 1 Roger Federer organized a series of fundraising exhibition matches at that year’s Australian Open, BNP Paribas Open, and other major tennis tournaments to aid relief efforts. In Melbourne alone, more than 14,000 fans waited hours to get $9.25 tickets to the "Hit for Haiti" exhibition match at Rod Laver Arena to watch Federer and fellow tennis stars Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Novak Djokovic, and Sam Stosur. Australian Open official Craig Willis announced after the exhibition matches that the crowd had donated A$20,000 in collection boxes with the event expected to raise around A$200,000. Similar exhibitions around 2010 ATP and WTA Tour events, combined with generous player donations, increased that number tenfold.

Rookie IndyCar driver steers toward STEM. In 2018, Group1001 and IndyCar rookie driver Zach Veach announced a partnership with education technology company EVERFI that aimed to bring hands-on STEM teaching to classrooms nationwide and inspire the next generation of engineers. The interactive STEM education program, called Endeavor, introduced middle and high school students to careers in tech fields by using gamified lessons to encourage and prepare students for a career in STEM. As part of the course experience, students virtually hear Veach talk about the incredible amount of technology that he leverages while piloting his race car, and the critical role his engineering and pit crew teams play in powering his performance. This STEM program is available to schools at no cost through 2021. “Since graduating and embarking on a career as an IndyCar driver, I have seen firsthand the importance that a strong science, math and engineering education plays in determining your future and empowering you to achieve your dreams,” said Veach. “I hope to use my story to inspire kids and show them that STEM plays a role in many kinds of industries and that it is not just something you read about in a textbook.”

Curtis Martin strengthens the people in his neighborhood. In September 2018, the City of Pittsburgh, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Group1001 announced plans to design and construct a new youth athletic field in honor of Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin. Located near the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh where Martin grew up, the new multi-sport synthetic turf field was be made possible thanks in part to a $5 million donation to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation from Group1001, used to build a total of ten Youth Development Parks over five years in 10 cities across the country. Since 2010, the Ripken Foundation has 78 completed parks across the country in 22 states and Washington D.C., impacting over 280,000 kids annually. Martin played a variety of sports before attending the University of Pittsburgh where he propelled his football career to the next level. He played 12 seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and New York Jets and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. 

MLS kicks cancer. Major League Soccer may have been in the midst of major expansion throughout the decade, but the league didn’t forget those in need. As part of MLS month-long “Kick Childhood Cancer” campaign each September, MLS Works, the league’s social responsibility platform, and eMLS, the league’s competitive gaming property, teamed up to hold their first-ever 24-hour charity live-stream on Twitch. MLS produced a broadcast featuring 19 MLS clubs and their eMLS professional FIFA players playing the newly released FIFA 20. The event brought in donations from a previously untapped gaming community, and aside from fundraising, the live-stream built awareness around the larger MLS “Kick Childhood Cancer” campaign on social media, contributing to more than 2,000 posts with the hashtag #KickChildhoodCancer during the course of the stream. Kick Childhood Cancer donations have helped strengthen Children’s Oncology Group's research efforts across the entire spectrum of pediatric cancers, including Project:EveryChild — which aims to capture the biology and outcome data of every child diagnosed with cancer. MLS has helped to offset the costs of more than 17,000 enrollments to-date, with an expected 25,000 to be enrolled by year end.

Activist Megan Rapinoe is Sportsperson of the Year. Playing the world’s game – soccer – on the world’s stage, under attack by a world leader, Rapinoe dominated last summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. And in doing so without fear, Rapinoe became a voice for so many across the world as she became Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year. Rapinoe, 34, is just the fourth woman in the award’s 66-year history to win it unaccompanied, a feat that is both a remarkable athletic achievement and a reflection of entrenched gender biases. She earned the honor not only for her part in the USWNT's World Cup win, but for "being a vocal activist for equality." "Rapinoe challenged perceptions of her, of female athletes, of all women. She led her teammates, three months before their tent pole tournament, to sue the U.S. Soccer Federation for equal pay; to declare in advance that they would not visit the White House when they won the Cup; to score 13 goals in a group-stage match against Thailand, without apology,” said Sports Illustrated’ Jenny Vrentas. In addition to her fight for equal pay, Rapinoe has also been a vocal activist for LGBTQ rights worldwide.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series expands outside the U.S. and tops 1 million amateur participants who have raised more than $335 million for communities. Now owned and operated by the IRONMAN Group, part of Wanda Sports Holdings, the Series is known for lining race routes with live bands, cheerleaders, and themed water stations. In 2012, Competitor Group organized its first marathon outside North America when it acquired the organizing rights for the Madrid (Spain) Marathon. There are now 31 events in the Rock 'n' Roll Series spanning nine countries. The Series offers a variety of levels for non-profit organizations to participate and fund-raise for their cause. Since the inception of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series in 1998, charities have raised over $335 million dollars for their various causes. Each year thousands of charity runners take to the streets inspired to run for a greater good while raising funds for a cause close to their hearts – making charity the true Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll. 

Zeke jumps into a kettle. In December 2016, during his rookie season, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott celebrated a “Sunday Night Football” touchdown by jumping into a giant Salvation Army kettle behind the end zone. The unexpected result of that was an influx of donations. By the following afternoon, the Salvation Army had taken in over $180,000 in donations, according to ESPN, which also projected that the advertising exposure equivalent of Elliott’s celebration would have cost the charity approximately $4 million. By Tuesday, those donation numbers had jumped considerably -- the Salvation Army reported that it had received $850,000 in online donations, enough to distribute 91,000 meals to those in need. "We have those kettles there because we do want the visibility of reminding everybody, certainly at this time of year, how doing the most good is putting a dollar in that red kettle,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “To have gotten that attention in front of probably 20 million or so people last night for the Salvation Army was just wonderful." 

Led by the Sacramento Kings, the NBA ends the decade with a new initiative, “Play for Justice.” Perhaps inspired by the NFL, the Kings and the Represent Justice Campaign this season tipped off a new NBA initiative that includes a series of conversations and basketball games at correctional facilities between incarcerated individuals and NBA players and coaches called “Play for Justice.” During the event, Kings players, coaches, and executives – including Head Coach Luke Walton, General Manager Vlade Divac, and Chairman, CEO & Governor Vivek Ranadivé – joined Folsom State Prison residents and formerly incarcerated people to participate in a roundtable discussion. This conversation was aimed at uplifting narratives of hope and redemption in an effort to break down stigmas associated with individuals – disproportionately people of color and the poor – who are impacted by the criminal justice system. Following the discussion, Kings players and coaches served as honorary coaches during a basketball game played by residents of the facility and enjoyed by hundreds more in the stands. Johnny Cash would be proud.

[larryland]

by Lisa Jarisch

Since its arrival on Broadway in 1972, Grease has been the Word in more than 3300 Broadway performances, had 27 productions worldwide, made its way to the big screen as a feature film, been revived on Broadway twice, and has greased and graced the boards of high school stages around the country more times than Betty Rizzo has dated and broken up with Kenickie.

  Now the Class of 1959 from Rydell High has arrived at the Mac-Haydn Theater, with all the rock & roll sound, romance , and teen-age angst one could want on a hot summer night at the theatre.  Director/Choreographer Sebastiani Romagnolo has put his mark on a production that does fair justice to both the original stage production and the wildly-popular 1978 feature film with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the lead roles. What the production may lack in depth, it more than makes up for in enthusiasm and performance value. There is little if any of the raw, edgy language and tone that characterized original versions; while teenage pregnancy, gang violence, and pressure to conform lurk subtly on the edges of this production, they are to some degree “glossed over” in favour of bringing the flavor of 50s adolescence and music to the stage. And frankly, there’s nothing wrong with that, because what they do with this production of Grease, they do with all the expertise, quality, and theatre-goers have come to expect—and receive—from a Mac- Haydn production. As it centers around the romantic inclinations of greaser Burger Palace leader Danny Zuko and new-girl-at-school Sandy Dumbrowski, this Grease is 2 ½ hours of foot-tapping, sing-along, sit- back- and -enjoy musical theatre.

       Anthony DaSilva is spending his first season at Mac-Haydn, and in the lead role of Danny Zuko, he takes to the round stage as if born to it. With just the slightest channeling of John Travolta (which may be totally unintended, as the film was released well before DaSilva came into the world),  he struts into the cafeteria and leads the Burger Palace Boys through their paces, while alternately wooing and ignoring the new girl in school. He has the voice for the role–and then some !– and while disappointed that the song “Sandy” was substituted for “ Alone at a drive-in movie” there’s no denying DaSilva carries off Danny with power, panache, and presence. His voice rises above ensemble numbers, as it should as the leader of the pack. Let’s hope to see and hear more of this up and coming star as the season continues.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

    Emma Flynn in her second season with the Mac-Haydn company is an ideal  choice for the innocent, naive Sandy, taken in hand and under the collective wing of the Pink Ladies at Rydell High on her first day of school, where she quickly discovers the love of her just past “Summer Nights”  is Rydell student Danny Zuko. Flynn has a beautiful pure voice, with stage presence to match. Watching her journey from the wide-eyed ingenue who ultimately allows herself, admittedly at her own request, to be transformed to the bad-girl of Danny’s wildest hopes and dreams is a delight.  “Hopelessly Devoted to you” adroitly channels Olivia Newton-John, which is almost inevitable, as this too is a number “slotted in” to the stage version from its original appearance in the film. Her final solo reprising “Look at me I’m Sandra Dee” is filled with regret, resignation, and ultimately acceptance of her new role as a pure Pink Lady, and her final duet with DaSilva of “You’re the one that I want” literally shakes the rafters of this barn-cum-theatre in the round. A side note on that particular number.In general I am not a fan of music and songs from movie versions being, sometimes, summarily inserted into stage productions, but in this production I must confess it works to great effect, and was probably the better choice than “All Choked Up” was in the original production.

  Grease is an ideal production for an ensemble cast, which undoubtedly is why it is so often performed in schools, summer stock, and community theatres. Offering a variety of supporting roles for Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys makes it a perfect vehicle for the Mac.  Much of the pleasure in this thoroughly-enjoyable production comes from the quality of performance springing from the supporting cast.numbers. Loaded with all the energy of the assembled youthful cast , the stage almost literally shakes, rattles and rolls every time a member of the ensemble gets their turn in the spotlight. Virtually every character is given a featured turn and they make the most of it, with spot-on vocals and solid, committed performances. While none of the numbers are show-stoppers, they perform them as if they are. And so several all deserve their own moments of praise….

  As Doody,  Kylan Ross’s  rendition of “ Those Magic Changes”  earns him an A+ for his spot-on vocals regaling the gang with his mastery of 4 guitar chords learned over the summer. Perhaps my favorite song in the show, I confess to adding my own A, C, F, and G chords to the melody line , no doubt to the misfortune of those sitting within earshot.

Elizabeth D’Aiuto makes the most of her turn as Marty, as she lets her slumber-party Pink Lady guests learn all about “Freddy, My love”, who showers her with gifts sent from his overseas military service. A rogue Twinkie suffers a crushing fate as the Pink Ladies dancingly celebrate the benefits of young love, but D’Aiuto carries off her number with aplomb and vocal accuracy.

       Now, “Greased Lightning”, perhaps the song most associated with Grease…. While Jonah Hale’s lyrics in his portrayal of Kenickie are at times indistinct, or perhaps simply overwhelmed by a band clearly eager to rock and roll the theatre, there is no denying Hale’s enthusiasm as he presents this signature number. He leaps with abandon, sings with gusto, and overall makes us hope for a ride in his cherished automatic, systematic, fuel-injected, chrome-plated rod baby.  Especially impressive is the lighting that accompanies the number—black light, strobe effect, and splashes of vibrant color punctuate this paean to every teen age boy’s dream in the 50s…THE perfect car.

       As Roger and Jan, Joe Hornberger and Zoey Bright inject a lovely dose of almost over the top camp with their rendition of “Mooning”, as Roger musically and physically demonstrates the reason “the guys” have nicknamed him “Rump”  Fortunately for this family-friendly show, he stops short of a “full” explanation, but not before the audience enjoys their rollicking rocking tribute to the fine art of mooning.

  Maya Cuevas shines as Frenchy, the “Beauty School Dropout” nonchalantly attempting to pierce Sandy’s ears while the Pink Ladies smoke and drink at Marty’s slumber party. Her wide-eyed looks of astonishment, and subsequent reactions when her called-upon Teen Angel appears in silver lame, accompanied by a plastic cosmetic cape-draped, sun-glass -wearing Angel Chorus quartet, are worth the price of admission. 

    Last but by no means least of the supporting cast deserving of more than honorable mention is Angie Colonna as the hard as nails self-appointed Head of the Pink Ladies Betty Rizzo.  Sashaying onto the teen scene with a hip-swiveling swagger, Colonna creates the brittle Rizzo personna necessary to play against the sweetness and light of the soon-to-be converted, or subverted, Sandy. Her mocking “Look at me I’m Sandra Dee” in Act 1 is played with nuance and a curled lip; her voice is big, bold, and in perfect keeping with the character. In Act 2, as she reluctantly, angrily, and ultimately tearfully confronts Sandy’s attempts to sympathize with her possibly pregnancy, she declares “There are worse things I could do” with a combination of pathos and defiance that brings perhaps the loudest applause of the evening for a featured performance.

            Wearing his choreographer’s hat, director Romagnolo brings to Grease the signature style that brought him a Berkie Award in 2017. Lithe, sinewy, sometimes almost writhing dance movements infuse much of the dance work throughout the show, and capture in motion the burgeoning craze for rock and roll that was sweeping the nation in the 50s.  Romagnolo stages the assorted ensemble numbers throughout the show with verve and punch. The close of Act 1 brings the energy-charged cast into “We go Together” with rousing hand-slapping, clapping abandon performed in perfect synchronization , and as the cast comes together in “Born to Hand Jive”, the relatively small round stage pounds and  pulses with the gyrations of the dance. Could another Berkie be waiting in the wings…..?

       Scenic designer Kevin Gleason  brings home a Grade A report card for his set work and design.   The black and white checkerboard floor, punctuated with squares of turquoise and pink is the perfect setting for the classic formica tables and chairs that do triple duty as cafeteria, classroom and Burger Palace diner; draped with black leather jackets and hot pink Pink Lady jackets, the set immediately transports the audience back to the 50s before the first musical note. The collection of 50’s memorabilia and ephemera adorning the walls and the stage. Vintage vinyl 45 records, pink flamingos, guitars . From the wall-mounted rotary dial corded phone to the portable transistor radios and metal coolers, every item evokes the now-classic style of the 50s. It’s just a FUN set to look at throughout the show.

     Lighting by Andrew Gmoser complements and enhances the 50s “vibe”  of diners, high school classrooms and cafeteria, teen age girls’ bedrooms, and the occasional outdoor setting in the park or backstreets of Chicago. There is a generous use of color throughout, and happily, the use of a strobe light is forewarned with notices at each entrance to the house , as well as used judiciously and sparingly. 

  Costumes by Alison Zador capture the era of poodle skirts, greaser “bad boys” with their leather jackets, tight jeans and white-shirts, and bouffant hair and prom dresses. 

  While perhaps not the premiere offering of the season, Grease is more than worth a look, perhaps even 2, as one of my companions noted on a full-house opening night    “ I’d see this one again.” Hopefully Producing Artistic Director John Saunders would be quick to declare that “you’re the one that I want “ to make a Summer Night’s journey to Chatham for this production. 

  Grease with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey is this season’s 3 week run at the Mac-Haydn Theater in Chatham, NY,  with performances from July 4 through 21. Direction and choreography by Sebastiani Romagnolo, Associate choreographer Madi Cupp-Enyard. Music direction by David Maglione, scenic design by Kevin Gleason, lighting design by Andrew Gmoser,  costume design Alison Zador, hair and makeup design by Matthew Oliver, props master Joshua Gallagher. CAST: Anthony DaSilva as Danny Zuko, Emma Flynn as Sandy Dumbrowski, Kylan Ross as Doody, Elizabeth D’Aiuto as Marty, Jonah Hale as Kenickie, Joe Hornberger as Roger, Zoey Bright as Jan, Maya Cuevas as Frenchy, Angie Colonna as Betty Rizzo.

REVIEW: “Grease” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre by Lisa Jarisch Since its arrival on Broadway in 1972, Grease has been the Word in more than 3300 Broadway performances, had 27 productions worldwide, made its way to the big screen as a feature film, been revived on Broadway twice, and has greased and graced the boards of high school stages around the country more times than Betty Rizzo has dated and broken up with Kenickie.

[thrashermaxey]

Ramblings: Kucherov Suspended One Game, Kadri Suspension Looming, Caps/Preds/Avs Win In OT (Apr 14)

Nikita Kucherov has been suspended one game for his hit on Markus Nutivaara on Friday. Fair or not, that’s about what I thought he would receive.

Although Art Ross Trophy winner Kucherov was the top-ranked player in playoff pools, he has been held without a point in two games so far and will still be scoreless in the playoffs after Game 3 because of his suspension. Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point, who were projected to go second and third, have also been held without a point in the first two games (see our Dobber Hockey Experts Panel picks for more). In addition, Kucherov has been held to just two goals in his last 14 playoff games. He’s been getting it done and then some in the regular season, but not so much in the playoffs when the intensity is turned up several notches.

So if the Lightning are eliminated in the first round, does that mean the folks that didn’t pick any Lightning players will win their playoff pools? It probably isn’t that simple, but it goes to show that playoff pools aren’t as easy to predict as you might think and sometimes a counterintuitive strategy (although more risky) wins in the end. The silver lining is that if the Bolts come back and win this series, you’ll probably get the same four or five games of production out of them than you thought you would receive from them in the first round anyway.

It's funny how in two short games that the narrative on the Lightning has shifted from being the model franchise to the ultimate choke team. A win in Game 3 would go a long way toward righting the ship. A loss, well…

*

Not to worry, Connor McDavid owners. It sounds like he won’t need surgery for a small PCL ligament tear. The injury from the final game of the season looked a lot worse.

*

On to Saturday’s game action:

Carolina/Washington

Noted goal scorer Brooks Orpik scored 1:48 into overtime to give the Capitals a 4-3 win in Game 2 and a 2-0 series lead heading back to Carolina. Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, and Evgeny Kuznetsov each recorded two points for the Capitals. Ovechkin also dished seven hits (not sure if any playoff pools out there count hits).

Man, was Rod Brind’Amour ever pissed after Micheal Ferland was ejected after his attempted check to the head of Nic Dowd. Ferland recklessly throwing hits in playoff games is nothing new, but my initial thought was two-minute penalty. Like any of these types of hits, it’s subject to debate, though.  

Ferland gets thrown out of the game for a check to the head pic.twitter.com/gSAHQkdoV7

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 13, 2019

Fortunately for the Hurricanes, the Capitals weren’t able to score on the ensuing five-minute power play. Fortunately for the Capitals, Dowd was able to return to the game. I highly doubt Ferland is suspended for this hit.

Dallas/Nashville

Aside from fans of the Stars and Predators, this series might be considered by many to be the least interesting of the bunch. So if we call it the country and western series, would that make it more interesting? Such deep hockey commentary, I know.

Craig Smith scored exactly five minutes into overtime to give the Predators a 2-1 win over the Stars, evening the series at 1-1 heading back to Dallas for Game 3. Smith also led the Predators with six shots on goal in this game.

In spite of the loss, Ben Bishop was stellar, stopping 40 of 42 shots to keep the Stars in this game. With his 1.92 GAA and .946 SV% in two playoff games, Bishop is carrying a strong regular season into the playoffs, where he has been the Stars’ best player so far. Bishop finished the regular season with a 1.98 GAA and .934 SV% and seven shutouts, which are numbers that could result in a Vezina Trophy nomination.

Wayne Simmonds left in the first period after blocking a shot. He wasn’t having a great season by his standards before his trade to Nashville (27 points and a minus-20 in 62 games), but his numbers have taken a further nosedive with the Predators (3 points in 17 games). Even if you figured that the Preds would make a deep playoff run, Simmonds probably isn’t someone you should have targeted in your playoff pool. Some team will probably overpay for the 30-year-old’s services this offseason. Don’t be the one who adopts a similar strategy in your fantasy league, as the power forward’s point totals have been on the decline for the past three seasons.

Mattias Janmark left in the second period after crashing awkwardly into the boards, but he was able to return to the game.

Toronto/Boston

The new divisional format was designed to build rivalries, and this doesn’t seem any more apparent than with these two teams. In other words, they don’t like each other. Fans of other divisional foes (and even some outside the division) might be pulling for the team they dislike less as opposed to the team they like more in this series. If these fans can’t figure out which team that would be, they’d simply hope that these two teams beat the crap out of each other. Well, these two teams might already be headed down that path.

Nazem Kadri has been offered an in-person hearing for his crosscheck to the face of Jake DeBrusk, which means that the league can suspend him for more than five games. Because he’s a repeat offender, Kadri’s going to sit multiple games for sure. That’s even with any perceived advantages that Toronto receives from the NHL office and even with the knee-on-knee collision with DeBrusk earlier in the game likely motivating the hit. I realize hockey is a sport about getting payback when someone on the other team crosses the line, but that reasoning isn’t going to carry weight here. Kadri should know better.  

I’d imagine this lands Kadri a suspension pic.twitter.com/LXi9ZovoS5

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 14, 2019

Kadri’s game misconduct in the third period gave the Bruins a five-minute power play, where they were able to ice the game with an insurance goal en route to a 4-1 victory and a tie in the series heading back to Toronto.

Torey Krug left this game in the second period after taking a hit from Jake Muzzin. Charlie McAvoy totaled nearly 26 minutes in this game, so expect the Bruins to lean heavily on the 21-year-old d-man should Krug miss any time. Connor Clifton, another d-man, also didn’t finish the game for the Bruins.

Auston Matthews is receiving a lot of criticism from Leafs’ fans regarding his playoff performance. Dating back to last season’s series with the Bruins, Matthews has just two points and a minus-5 in his last nine playoff games. He may be struggling to handle the more physical play of the playoffs, or he simply doesn’t match up well against the Bruins. Matthews has the size (6-3, 223 lb.), but not everyone with size has the desire to play a physical style. With Kadri out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, the Leafs will need to lean even more heavily on him.

Colorado/Calgary

By far the biggest question regarding the Flames entering the playoffs was their goaltending. Mike Smith had been downright awful during significant stretches of the season, so would he be able to hold up during the playoffs? Why didn’t the Flames give David Rittich a go instead?

Smith has found his game and then some. Since he doesn’t fit the definition of a stud goalie, he fits the definition of a hot goalie, which can just as well get the job done in the playoffs if he can be hot for long enough. Unfortunately, Smith couldn’t hold off the Avalanche for this entire game. The Avs looked like the better team in Game 2 regardless of the outcome. Regardless, they won in overtime on Nathan MacKinnon’s first goal of the playoffs.

Even though Smith has a brief playoff history for a goalie of his service time, his career playoff numbers are outstanding (11-8, 1.79 GAA, .947 SV% entering Game 2). Maybe that could have counted for something in Bill Peters’ decision to start him in Game 1? The numbers aren’t recent, though, as his last playoff experience was in 2011-12 when he led the Coyotes to the conference final (his playoff numbers are mainly from that season). It’s more likely that Smith’s much-improved play swayed the decision (9-5-1, 2.08 GAA, .916 SV% since February 14).

By the way, MacKinnon fired seven shots on goal in logging over 26 minutes, the most of any Avalanche forward. Not known for his offensive prowess, Erik Johnson also fired seven shots on goal.

After a Game 1 where they were firing on all cylinders, the Flames looked like a strong bet to head to Denver with a 2-0 series lead. Regardless, this series is also tied at 1 and could be more interesting than we first thought. One reason is that Philipp Grubauer has also been a hot goalie.  

*

By the way, I’ll mention that you can read our Dobber Hockey articles over on Fantrax as well. Go to their Fantasy Columns section.

For more fantasy hockey information, or to reach out to me directly, you can follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding.

from All About Sports https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-rambling/ramblings-kucherov-suspended-one-game-kadri-suspension-looming-capspredsavs-win-in-ot-apr-14/

[itsworn]

Blower vs. Turbo: Frank Harder’s 2,000HP 1967 Chevrolet Nova

It’s been a debate that has been going for decades: which is better, turbos or blowers? It’s not often that you find someone who has run both at a high level, and it’s even less often that you find a person who’s run both on the same engine. Luckily for us, Frank Harder of Anderson, California has, and he’s willing to spill the beans on both setups!

The engine that Frank built for his big-tire tube-chassis ’67 Nova wagon is no slouch in its own right, as 565ci of big-block Chevy power is a pretty serious start. But then there’s the boost—a lot of it. For a number of years Frank campaigned the car with a Littlefield 10-71 supercharger along with an Enderle injection hat. The methanol-powered big-block was a handful, but it propelled the car to low 5-second eighth-mile passes.

Frank is a big no-prep fan, which meant the blower was a bit, uh, uncontrollable. Frank might run low 5s, but might go 800 feet to get there instead of the normal 660, as the blower was kind of an on-or-off deal if it spun. I think we even have pictures somewhere of the wheelie bars hitting the guardrail as the car spun and hit dirt. Something had to change.

Frank had the chops with the 565, but he needed some more advanced power. That meant it was twin-turbo time, along with a Big Stuff 3 engine management system and electronic fuel injection. “It wasn’t cheap, but with the boost-ramping nature and turbo top end it was still worth it though!” he notes.

So, we haven’t got apples-to-apples passes yet, but Frank has made progress. “I’ve been sneaking up on the boost, and things are coming along way quicker than we thought,” says Frank. “At 17 psi of boost, we’ve already equaled our blower times at 36 psi, so that’s quite the improvement,” says Frank. Next year he plans to turn the boost up into the mid 30s and get things moving, and we’ll get to see just how fast this boosted wagon can go!

Long Block The engine was built by legendary Northern California racer Jeff Simpson of Jeff Simpson Racing Engines in Oroville, California. Starting with a Bow-Tie block, a Callies crank swings a set of GRP aluminum rods and 11.5:1 Ross Racing pistons to arrive at 565 cubic inches. A DRC solid-roller camshaft bumps Morel lifters, Smith Brothers pushrods, and Jesel rocker arms that are attached to some serious 18-degree Big Chief cylinder heads.

Camshaft Swap Although Frank went from a solid-roller to a solid-roller, the camshaft was one big change going from a supercharger to turbos. With the blower, a DRC cam with 290 degrees at 0.050 with 0.850-inch lift was the hot ticket, but the turbos saw a dual-pattern cam with a little less duration at 278 degrees on the intake, 285 on the exhaust, and a 0.799/0.802-inch lift.

Supercharger to Turbos Frank was initially addicted to the ear-shattering noise of a 10-71 Littlefield supercharger but the writing on the wall was there when the turbo cars started going fast. The new setup has twin 94mm Precision turbos with 60mm wastegates and twin Tial blow-off valves. The headers also had to be refabricated, as did the intake piping, which was all done at Reed’s Rod Shop in Redding, California.

Mechanical to EFI The injection system was another area that got a revamp with the turbo change. The car still runs on methanol, but no longer uses the Enderle injection system, or Falk carbon hat. Now a Wilson Manifold and 105mm throttle body takes in the air, and a Big Stuff 3 stand-alone engine management handles the fuel through eight Precision Turbo and Engine 225 lb/hr injectors, and eight more 500s for when things really start to get serious. An MSD ignition system was used in both cases, but it’s now controlled through the computer.

The post Blower vs. Turbo: Frank Harder’s 2,000HP 1967 Chevrolet Nova appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network https://www.hotrod.com/articles/blower-vs-turbo-2000-hp-1967-nova/ via IFTTT