#‘that’s situational ethics and you can’t trick me! I’m going to Win by doing Nothing instead’ | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

douxreviews · 6 years ago

Text

Jessica Jones - ‘A.K.A. I Have No Spleen’ Review

"My name on your case file does not make me a victim."

Jessica Jones is forced to confront her own vulnerability.

You can imagine how well that goes.

There's something interesting going on this season with Jessica Jones and the way they're layering the plot across episodes, and I'm really grooving on it.

'The Perfect Burger' and 'You're Welcome' pulled the time honored conceit of telling more or less the same story from two different perspectives for the sake of making some interesting character contrasts and burying a couple of reveals. That's usually a good trick, structurally speaking, since not only does it allow you to do some character exploration, it also has the bonus effect of making your season feel more tightly focused. 'I Have No Spleen' pulls another variation on this trick by essentially having Jessica spend the entire episode pursuing a false assumption that is ultimately revealed to be a mare's nest before it circles back to the exact same ending point that the previous two episodes shared and giving us some new and unexpected information.

So, that's essentially an entire episode's run time devoted to a side quest that turns out to be irrelevant and mostly serves to mark time until Jessica can be in the right place under the right circumstances to finally pick up the real scent. I say that pretty baldly, which makes it sound like a criticism, but it absolutely is not. It allows a lot of space for character work without feeling like the plot is treading water, and like the technique used in the first two episodes results in the storyline maintaining a lean and focused feel, which is a really good look for the show. If there was a specific complaint I had about season two, it was that it often felt more sprawling and unfocused than it was intending to be. These first three episodes feel like a very specifically designed course correction to that.

There's a clever use of audience assumptions here, since we're all more or less on the same incorrect page. We and Jessica are assuming that she was the target of the attack, and that therefore the attacker must be someone who has a beef with Jessica. This naturally leads both Costa and Jessica to assume that it's one of her clients, since the quickest way to get irritated with Jessica is to have met her. Jessica takes it one step further and assumes that it must be the work of Andrew Brandt, her most recent investigatee. Brandt is of course the ever-so-charming gentleman who had his sister beaten up in order to acquire a statue, and the resident of the apartment that Trish and Jessica both ended up in. See both previous episodes for that complete story.

Of course, that turns out to be not at all what's going on, and we'll talk about that in just a moment, but let's dig into what this episode really had on its mind when it wasn't pretending to be hot on the trail of Jessica's attacker. This episode was about two women who see themselves almost entirely in terms of eliminating all trace of vulnerability from their lives, and what happens when they have the illusion of invulnerability stripped away.

Speaking of invulnerability for just a moment, I can't have been the only one who'd forgotten that Jessica wasn't technically invulnerable, right? When she was stabbed I was genuinely surprised and had a very clear moment of, 'Wait, she can't be hurt, can she?' We get so used to heroes with super strength and the power of jumping really high that we subconsciously just assume that freedom from being hurt is part of the standard package. And of course, it isn't. If it was, Luke Cage wouldn't be so special. Well, sure, his abs would still be pretty special, but that's beside the point I'm making at the moment.

One of the goals for Jessica this season is an attempt to live as a hero. She's genuinely trying to be a better person and to use her powers in a heroic way, as a result of the events of last season. But in her mind, in order to be a hero you have to be invulnerable and she has just had it proved that she is not. That's an incorrect assumption on her part, of course, but it really makes sense for her as a character that she would see things that way. This was actually a really nice way for the show to pick back up the most successful aspect of season one, the way it addressed the sexual assault survivor metaphor. In Jessica's situation, with what Jessica has been through, nothing can be as important to her as her sense of self protection. No burger is perfect enough to protect Erik Gelden if he was in any way responsible for taking that away from her.

Jessica's plan for regaining the sense of control that she needs just to get through her day to day life is to solve the mystery of her attack on her own and not let the police handle it, which is entirely on brand for her. It's touching that Costa kind of gets that and lets her do it. Her plan gets a bit of a setback when she finds out she's been on entirely the wrong track, however, and it's here where the episode shows what I was talking about earlier in regard to a 'treading water' plot not being without value. This is the story of Jessica Jones needing a win in order to regain her sense of security, and not getting it, and that's a story worth telling. Particularly as the thing that ultimately allows her to stay in the hospital and thereby metaphorically accept temporary vulnerability, is the text of help from Jeri Hogarth.

Jeri is Jessica's mirror at this point. She's starting to be unable to ignore the impending acceleration of her ALS symptoms and is desperate to find ways to regain the sense that she's in control of her own life. Unfortunately, for Jeri that seems to involve deliberately seducing her ex-lover in an attempt to break up that ex-lover's current happy marriage, which is... I mean, where do you even begin to unpack that? The look of disappointment on Jeri's face when she finds out that Kith and Peter have an open marriage, and therefore her successful seduction of Kith was entirely meaningless, is heartbreaking and complicated. And look at that, it occurs at exactly the same point in the plot as Jessica's lowest moment in the hospital.

What makes this all fascinating is the scene which is really the emotional core of the entire episode. Jeri comes to Jessica's office, and among other things they discuss one another's current weaknesses. What's fascinating is the fact that they're both constantly attempting to turn the conversation away from their own problem and instead express sympathy and support for the other's. Neither of them can bear to be the object of concern for even a moment, despite the fact that they both quite clearly do care about one another's troubles and the expressions of sympathy they're making are 100% genuine. They're just also a way to avoid receiving sympathy themselves. That's just a great scene.

As for the side characters, They carry on much the same. Malcolm continues his journey to the heart of 'pliable ethics.' Trish continues to embrace the life of a superhero with all the verve of a college freshman who just discovered environmentalism, and is just as intolerable while doing it. Although it was hard not to sympathize with her when her co-host told her she was born to sell crappy clothes on shopping TV. Trish and Jessica's relationship has always been my favorite thing about this show, and I have such grave concerns about where this final season is going to leave them.

And while I'm sharing concerns and hopes, could Malcolm's new girlfriend Zaya maybe not turn out to be evil? Please? Because I'm getting a serious 'I'm going to turn out to be evil' vibe from her. Similarly, I'm really hoping that Erik the burger guy doesn't turn out to be evil, although I find him kind of attractive and everything in my personal dating history guarantees that that means he's evil.

Of course, the real winner of this episode is clearly Doctor 'I Love to Make Spleen Puns.' Totally loved that guy.

Bits and Pieces:

-- I really enjoyed the detail that the hospital totally understands about superhumans and factors that into patient care. That was just a really nice bit of world building.

-- Does Jessica's superpower set involve having a better than average immune response? Because what the show said was accurate; the duties of the spleen are also taken on by the liver and, to a lesser extent, the lymph nodes, but maybe Jessica doesn't want to put too much reliance on her liver handling the job. I'm just saying.

-- Did Jeri have any reason other than trying to break up Kith's marriage to have Malcolm spy on Peter? I think I might have missed something significant regarding that.

-- Minor quibble, but the hospital would have discussed her spleen situation with her before getting Jessica a medic alert bracelet. For one thing, insurance tends to not cover them, and for another they take a bit to get made. There's no way that she would have found out she'd lost her spleen that way. I get that it's 'show don't tell' narrative shorthand, but I felt obligated to put the real information out there.

-- While we're talking sound medical advice from your considerate television review website, blood in your urine (for males) is absolutely typical after blunt force trauma to the torso, and typically will be released before the flow of urine, not after. It's most often nothing to be concerned about, but check with your doctor if it persists or worsens. DouxReviews is not a medical practitioner, and should not be viewed as a source of diagnostic feedback.

-- I was just thinking that Jessica shouldn't be able to walk around as casually as she was doing when she collapsed and passed out. Thank you, show.

-- I suppose that, technically, what happened to Wendy in season one might be described as a tragic accident. But that feels like underselling it.

-- Reading between the lines, Jeri cheated on Kith with Wendy and then left Kith for her.

-- My favorite moment of kindness that I've seen on television for ages: Malcolm, knowing that Jessica would resent any help he gave her as pity, prepared a bill for his time in advance so that she had an out to protect her dignity. That actually made me go 'Awwww' out loud.

-- I adore Gillian, Jessica's new assistant, and have a million questions about her backstory.

Quotes:

Doctor: "That's what I'm trying to ex-spleen to you." It's hard not to love the doctor.

Jessica: "Where would a liter of bourbon a day fall on the reckless scale?"

Jeri: "The Cale Caesar is quite filling." Kith: "Talk about faint praise."

Kith: "See? All of the wine."

Jessica: "A hero is strong. A hero is invulnerable. A hero has a goddamn spleen."

Jessica: "You've been a hero for five minutes. I've been one half my life." Trish: "You've been super, Jess. There's a difference."

Gillian: "It's 12:29. I'm taking lunch. And there's a client waiting in the office. Should I tell them you've recently been the victim of a violent crime and are currently indisposed?"

A really focused and well structured entry into a season that I feel is only just getting started. I mean that in the best possible way. I think the word I'm looking for here is 'disciplined.'

Eight out of ten cases of unabashed verve.

---

Mikey Heinrich is, among other things, a freelance writer, volunteer firefighter, and roughly 78% water.

#Jessica Jones #Trish Walker #Jeri Hogarth #Malcolm Ducasse #Marvel #MCU #Jessica Jones Reviews #Doux Reviews #TV Reviews

6 notes · View notes

the-voice-of-hell · 4 years ago

Text

Rent is Theft, part 23

Read from the beginning here, read the previous chapter here. Note: My MC is a Filipina trans woman and I am not. If you have notes on that or anything else, hit me up.

***

I turned on the fans, turned off any lights I’d missed before. Don’t panic. The quick increase in the heat was counter to what the internet said about concrete, but maybe that was just because it’s a rather thin layer of the stuff. Nothing supernatural in that, right?

We drank our water. I unlashed the twine that bound the ottomans into my fake bed, so we could space our bodies out a bit more as we lay there. I retied them into two beds, as much as I didn’t want the extra labor. You lay on three ottomans in a row, they’ll slide apart on you over time, and your body will be unconsciously tense as you try to hold them together. That would be more work, ultimately.

So we were on two improvised mini-beds, three feet apart, like a Hays Code era film about a married couple. No implied fucking in this household. The conjugal bed is hidden in the attic, along with the gay stuff and prospering criminals and other contraband concepts.

“Did I apologize for this yet?,” I asked.

“Yeah, stop doing that.” She rolled the bottle on her forehead. The cooling effect wouldn’t last.

“Maybe we should talk about something to take our minds off the heat.”

“I can’t think of what. I don’t wanna tell cute stories when it’s like this, because when I think about the story after that, I’ll think about being hot.”

“Yeah. I could play music.”

“But... same thing.”

“Oh yeah, even worse. I know whenever I hear a song I’ll remember other stuff that was going on when I played it before. Maybe we’ll just talk about cold things, see if we can trick our imaginations.”

“I don’t think my imagination is that good.”

“Alright I thought of something I can do, but will you be OK just layin’ there alone?”

“You’ll be here with me, right?”

“You bet. I was gonna go on my laptop and try to get more job interviews.”

“Good idea. Thank you, Courtney.”

“You don’t have to say that.”

I got my laptop out of the living room and brought it in. I knew running it in that heat was a bad idea, but was getting desperate. I lay down on my belly, chin propped with a thin pillow, arms dangling over the edge of the ottoman to my compy. I turned it on.

It took only a little longer to start up from nothing, but once I was past the loading screens, I found performance still very laggy. Slow background startup operations, I’m sure.�� But I had a bad feeling and kept my eye glued to the bottom right of the taskbar.

I was waiting for a specific program to load - one that monitored motherboard performance. I wouldn’t have to open it, because once it loaded from startup, it would display the processor temp right there in thumbnail. A useful little thing.

The thumbnail was only part visible glowing red beneath a pop-up window from the program. “Excessive heat alert. Shutdown recommended.” Shit. That made it official. I couldn’t afford for my computer to melt now, so I turned it off.

“My computer won’t work. There goes that idea.”

“Ugh. I’m sorry.”

“We apologize a lot, don’t we?”

She seemed like she wanted to turn her head to face me, but that it would be too much exercise in her current state, and gave up after the most fleeting glance. “Sorry about that.”

“Love you. I’ll think of something to talk about.”

“OK. Just remember.”

“Nothing that will remind you of this later. Roger.” I drank my warm water and pondered it. There was another knock at the door. Fine.

The doorknob was as hot as a hot shower now, initially shocking to the touch, but not scorching. I got it open. “Deandre. Kids. Pretty messed up, huh?”

Deandre said, “Yeah. Feels like we should all get out while we can. This can’t be safe. What are the odds they see us if we just use the stairs, go down one more floor, and hide out in the hall? Ain’t nobody lives on that floor.”

Knobby asked, “Are we gonna be alright? I’m, eh, gettin’ kinda...”

“I don’t know guys. You could try it, I just... I’d hate so much for any of us to get caught now, y’know? It makes me sick.”

“Heat can make you sick,” said Olivia.

“I know it,” I said. “I say, do what feels right. I can’t tell you what to do and I wouldn’t want to.”

“That’s the problem. Nothing feels right,” said Deandre.

“Well, until you make a move, drink plenty of water and rest as much as possible. Guy said one hundred twenty-five degrees for three hours, but that’s up there. Shouldn’t be that bad down here. It shouldn’t.”

“Yeah.”

Me and Leimomi drank more water, as best we could. It’s hard to chug when your body is starting to cook like a hot dog. I searched my mind in increasing desperation.

“Erotic Grime thriller.”

“What? Why?,” she asked.

“Because it was the first thing I thought of, and the less we think of that guy sexually, the better. You won’t wanna remember this later and you won’t.”

“Heh. Fuck it, OK.”

“So Grime is a fast-paced computer programming man in the fast-paced world of computer programming. The office is abuzz with activity. It’s crunch time. That’s when a product is about to hit a big milestone and we’re lagging behind expectation, so we all have to work extra hours.”

“You’re there?”

“Naw, no thanks. Funny I was thinking of myself as part of that world. I never do that, these days. Maybe it was because I’ve been looking at job listings.

Anyway, Grime is burning the midnight oil. He’s wearing his skinny jeans and one of those ‘communist party’ t-shirts that has Karl Marx and Lenin with lampshades on their heads and bottles in hand.”

“Don’t know that one. Hard to imagine.”

“It’s a bright red t-shirt. It shrank in the wash a little bit. Not enough he would throw it away, but a tighter fit than he’d usually go for. In the cold late fall weather his nipples are pressing against the cloth.”

“Ooh.”

“Yeah, they’re ‘green’ buildings, so management skimps on AC in summer and heat in winter. So Grime is there, nippin’ out, but typing so fast, like Sick Boy in Hackers, green matrix code raining down across his screens. He’ll win the day.”

“Does he have cool sunglasses?”

“Is that hot?”

“We’re all too hot right now, Courtney.”

“His midnight black wraparound shades are ink dark portals to a level of Hell that is pure ice. I think there was one of those in Dante’s Divine Comedy. But yeah, frost is forming on the keys. He has to step back, lest he freeze the whole desk like a liquid nitrogen bath.”

“I can’t imagine it.”

“Point is, he’s sexy action cool. And he thinks he’s alone, but he’s wrong. A sound from several cubicles away makes him leap for the katana at his deskside.”

“Like a ninja sword?”

“Exactly. They let guys have those if they have enough corporate spirit.”

“OK.”

“His blade flashes like blue lightning, but nobody falls to his deadly moves. He sees a guy step into the hall.”

“A guy? Huh. A guy? Are they gonna..? Is there a girl in this one?”

“No way. It’s old school slash, baby.”

“Does that mean..?”

“Yup. So he sees the guy stretching and is embarrassed. He tosses the sword into a nearby cubicle, hoping he isn’t noticed.”

“What’s the guy look like?”

“He’s a silver fox. Name is Michael Haeckel, he’s like six foot four. Not chubby like Grime but not too skinny either. You can tell just because he’s that tall and has big hands, he’s packing *redacted*”

“Whoa. Is he real? Did you used to work with him?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it OK to make a dirty story about somebody else?”

“I dunno. We’re getting broiled like baby back ribs in here. Ethics can wait. Anyway, Michael was kinda sleepy and started to get *redacted*”

“Can that happen?”

“If you’re sleepy enough and you are packing *redacted* in my story. So the outline of *redacted* is pretty visible in his acid wash jeans, and Grime is like, whoa, shit. He hopes he wasn’t noticed. He lucked out. Michael does notice his situation though and picks up a clipboard fake casual to hold over his *redacted* while he goes to say hi.

‘Hey Graeme,’ Michael says. ‘Hey,’ says Grime. They talk about work, and how other guys don’t have the dedication like they do, to work so late on crunch. Randomly, the subject of donating to charity comes up. All the tech boys do it for tax breaks.”

“That’s nice.”

“It would be better for the world if any of those pricks paid their taxes. Michael mentions that he’s giving to some LGBT charity. Grime says that’s cool, but wonders why Michael feels like that’s a good one. After all, he’s married to a lady and stuff.”

“Hm.”

“He says he’s actually bi. One time in college he had sex with a dude and feels like it was beautiful and nobody should be judged for love. Grime is like, cool, but you have been with nothing else but ladies forever. Do you still feel bi?”

“That seems rude.”

“So does the funky bass music starting to play out of thin air - the sounds of love are soon to come. Michael says, ‘Yeah,’ and they have a big moment. Sexual tension in the air so thick you could cut it.”

“Hm. He’s six foot six?”

“Yup.”

“Silver fox? Like a furry?”

“Sure, why not? So the guy says, ‘Maybe my wife doesn’t mind if I do stuff sometimes,’ and Grime is like, ‘Oh shit, I’ve never been with a dude before. Is this really happening?’ And Michael is like, take it slow, and they do.”

“Like taking off their clothes slow and stuff, or *redacted* slow?”

“The first one. Michael suggests they just watch each other *redacted* for a few minutes, see how it feels. Grime and him are alone, think it’s funny. Why not take advantage? They *redaaaaaaaacted*”

“Cool. But I can’t *redacted* myself right now.”

“Good. That would be unethical, maybe. I don’t know, whatever. So the guys are showing each other what they got, and Michael is like, ‘Damn, Graham, what you wanna do now?,’ and Grime says ‘Graeme,’ but kinda chokes on it because he’s *redacted* like it’s water in the desert. Oh. reminds me, drink some water, babe.” I did the same, hard as it was.

“So,” I continued, “Grime is *redacted* Michael has to push him back a little and say, ‘Easy there, tiger.’ And that makes Grime all sad because he was fixin’ to experience *redacted* That thing is too magnificent.”

“What’s it look like?”

“It’s like a white dude’s *redacted*, y’know, all *redaaaaacted, includes missile metaphor*”

“Wow. Haha, his *redacted* is the bomb.”

“True. So Michael says he wants to *redaaaaaaaacted*”

“What’s it feel like, for somebody to have their *redacted* on a *redacted* ?”

“Kinda crazy, like you got two *redacted* in a wrestling match, daring each other to make a move, but they can’t. Not without help. So Grime grabs *redacted* He remembers to check in with Michael, because he doesn’t want to lose his privileges. Michael lets him know, yeah, he’s doing it too *redacted*

So he loosens up his grip a bit, and *redaaaaaaaaaaacted*

“Yeah. So they’re *redacted*?”

“Yeah, y’know *redacted* Does that make sense? Anyway, it feels real good. They’re feeling it, because *redaaaacted* lightly while *redaaaacted* tightly.”

“That was a rhyme. You should be a rapper.”

“Oh yeah. That’s a good job. Where do I interview for that one?”

“Sorry.” She drank more water. “Go on.”

“They can’t take much more of it. *redaaacted* so they gotta step back.

So Grime is looking at the big man’s *redacted* and feeling inadequate, feeling like a child. The guy senses his hesitance and says, ‘I like what you got, kid. Let me see that.’ Then he goes down to his knees, taps an office chair to suggest Grime sit down in it. Our boy rolls into position.

He isn’t feeling it that much, like, *redaaacted* But Michael gives him a look, so kind and beautiful like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Then the older guy nuzzles Grime’s *redacted* He feels Michael’s beard on his *redacted* It feels crazy, but he knows he can't just *redacted* because it would scratch up his *redacted*

Then Michael *redaaacted* Grime is lightheaded, feeling like he might *redacted* at any moment, *redaaaaaaacted*

But then Michael relents, right as Grime is about to *redacted* He leans back and says, ‘You wanna feel this *redacted*?’ He’s gesturing to his *redacted* Grime is speechless. How can he say yes? He’s never done anything like that before. But still, he agrees. Sometimes you hafta jump in the deep end.”

“Whoa. You think Grime would take a *redacted* in the *redacted*?”

“Probably like it better if it was *redacted* but I bet he would. Y’know, it’s just a story though. Grime could have two *redacted* and taste like rose water if we wanted.”

“Two *redacted* and he can *redacted* a furry? OK. Tell me about it.”

“For real? Grime has two *redacted* now? And I’m supposed to get real about the furry thing?”

“You mean he wasn’t really a furry?”

“I guess he could be. What kind of furry do you like? Wolf boys? Horse boys?”

“Um, you said he was a silver fox. And now Grime has two *redacted* and he wants to get a *redacted* in his *redacted* for a first time.”

“Hm. So Grime’s *redacteds* are kinda hanging there, like *redacted* but as soon as the older guy suggests *redacted* they both *redacted*

“Why couldn’t Grime have had two *redacted* instead of the red hands thing?”

“You really picturing that? Because it’s just kinda abstract to me. Hard to call the image to mind, really. For me.”

“I was thinkin’ like what it would feel like to have both in my *redacted* at the same time, be all filled up like that.”

“Damn, baby. I’d like to see that. But I can’t *redacted* right now. It’s too hot.” I took a drink.

“I know.”

“Before I go on, should I describe the fox *redacted* looking like a fox *redacted* or a human *redacted* that maybe has some more hairs on it?”

“What’s a fox *redacted* look like? Don’t do it if it’s real weird. That’s just gross.”

“I don’t know, but I’d imagine they look like regular dog *redacted* which are pretty fuckin’ gross. Moving on then, the silver-furred fox man stood up to his full height, his long human-like *redacted* brushing against Grime’s *redacted* It was time for Grime to *redacted*

They pushed all the printers and folders and three by five cards and highlighters and shit off of the desk, and Grime sat himself there with his legs up in the air. Fox Michael probably made a sound like a fox makes, whatever that is.”

“A howl, probably.”

“Probably he howled. Sometimes a howl is a mournful sound, the baying of bloodthirsty creatures on the moors, singing how theirs is a life of pursuit, of famine and violent feast, and eternal scraping in a social order from which the only escape is death. But for the horny fox man, the howl is of Looney Tunes-esque hubba-hubba awooga-styled lust. He rubs Grime’s *redacted* all over with his big fox paws, giving him little scratches with his short sharp claws. Grime finds that exciting and bites his lip.

Then Michael *redaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacted*

“What are Grime’s two *redacted* doing?”

“They’re wondering why they only have three *redacted* between them and not four.”

“Three *redacted*? What would that be like?”

“Three *redacted* is good when you’re rubbing them on a regular set of two, because the *redacted* go between each other, don’t butt against each other and get sore. It’s pure sensation, like God intended.”

“Damn. That makes me wish I had three *redacted* Courtney.”

“Would you also like two *redacted*? While we’re handing out body parts, it’s OK.”

“No, I don’t know if I could have *redacted* right. I don’t know.”

“It’s OK, I prefer you with *redacted* I mean, if you have a *redacted* and three *redacted* that might be kinda hard to *redacted* without being like you’re getting kicked in the *redacted* all the time, so you have some decisions to make.”

“I don’t know what to do.” She seemed a little upset.

“It’s OK, babe! It’s just a game.”

“Ugh, sorry. It was just the heat. That would be weird if I was sad about pretend *redacted*”

“Oh good. I love you too much, honey.”

“I’d laugh but it’s too hot.”

“I understand. Do you want me to keep going?”

“Can you? It’s bad in here. Real bad.”

“We’re just trying to kill time. How much time have we been doing this?”

“I dunno. Feels like hours.”

I got up the will to look at the time on my phone. “Oh Christ. It’s only been eleven minutes.” I sobbed once, before I even noticed what I was doing.

“Don’t cry, Courtney.”

“You’re right,” I choked it down. “Gotta conserve my water.” I took another drink. “So Grime is holding his *redacted* together loosely, one palm over the *redacted* kinda *redacted* so he doesn’t *redacted* before the fox even gets started. Michael *redaaaaacted*”

“Uh huh.”

“Maybe I should be doing Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”

“Whatever’s easiest.”

“I guess we’re already here. And I’ll have time to get through the whole fucking Grimm Brothers catalog.” I almost cried again.

“It’s OK. You can stop, and we’ll just...”

“No, no. I can do this. So Michael has his *redacted* all *redacted* It’s *redaaaaacted* I think if Michael is basically so humanoid his *redacted* looks like a *redacted* he’s gotta have a tail and an animal head. So his tail is wagging like a happy dog and his face is all, again, awooga awooga. You know, like a cartoon wolf when he sees a hot chick.

He *redaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacted*

Meanwhile, Grime is losing his mind. He’s insane with ecstasy, didn’t even know it was possible to feel that good. But he can’t get it together to help out, or say something, or do anything yet. His mind is a technicolor CG explosion, like a commercial for expensive fruit juice. Meanwhile his grip on his own *redacteds* has firmed into a stiff claw shape, like he’s clutching a stick shift in a muscle car.

Finally, sometime around *redacted* Grime gets his brains back. He says, ‘*redacted*’ Michael is ready and *redacted* Grime knows if he actually *redacted* he’s gonna *redacted* on the spot, *redaaacted*”

“Holy shit, Courtney.”

“So Grime knows it’s basically game over, but he doesn’t wanna go out like a bitch. He’s gotta get Michael to *redacted* somehow. He knows he has practically no chance, but he begs for it, hopes that’ll work. ‘Michael, *redacted* please. I need your *redacted* dude.’ Michael likes that, but will he do it?”

“I don’t know.”

“You could make that up. No pressure. But does he *redacted* first?”

“Yeah, but I can’t say it like you.��

“OK, maybe I can teach you how someday. You can be my bard apprentice. In the meantime, Michael felt his *redaaacted* His mind turned inside out, his mirthful expression went slack as lust stole the blood from his brain, then his eyes bulged and nostrils flared as... I forgot he has a fox head. Let’s say his long pink wet tongue flopped out the side of his mouth and he rolled his muzzle around and his ears went like... helicopters or whatever.

Just for funsies, let’s imagine *redacted* When it’s *redacted* hitting Grime’s *redacted* he feels a thrill *redacted* and he knows he actually won.

He gets each *redacted* in a medium firm grip and they *redacted* For whatever reason, *redacted* Each got *redacted* Grime’s *redacted* was *redacted* but in his excitement, and with his *redacted* it *redacted* A *redacted* in a magic instant, then *redacted* their *redacted* like in the fancy grocery store, where they got those little pipes that spray water on the lettuce heads. You know what I’m talking about? Remember seeing one of those?”

“OK, but it’s *redacted*?”

“Yeah, it’s Grime’s *redacted* and it’s *redacted* He yells in joy and then sucks in his mouth and bugs his eyes. Oops, he thinks, somebody might be around.

Michael *redacted* hastily, but not too fast, just to avoid accidents or discomfort, and uses his tall vantage to look around over the tops of the cubicles. There’s nobody in sight, and he says as much. He takes a wad of tissues out of a box and dabs up the *redacted* on himself while he watches Grime recover.

He’s not recovering fast. When Michael *redacted* the sensation prolonged his *redacted* even more, though there wasn’t much *redacted* left to *redacted* It was kinda pathetic, just his two *redacted* rapidly *redacted* Michael could see Grime’s *redacted* in the crappy green lights and the way they *redacted* Grime’s head lolled and all he could say was ‘oh man’ over and over again.”

“Oh fox man.”

“Good catch. I guess Michael’s probably lapping up the *redacted* from his muzzle and chest, leaving dabbed tongue shapes on his shirt.”

“They didn’t get naked?”

“I don’t remember. That’s a missed opportunity. Coulda said what they look like naked.”

“Fox man and two *redacted* Grime.”

“It’s true.” I exhaled. It would have been a sigh but I didn’t have the strength to muster a good inhale at the beginning, just weakly deflated my shallow lungs. I had to hork down some air a moment later to make up for it.

“You OK, Courtney?”

“Ugh. Sorry. Let’s drink more water.”

***

Read next chapter here.

#Rent is Theft #part 23 #nanowrimo july 2021

0 notes

avknight-blog1 · 7 years ago

Text

Character Personality Test

First off, I love doing personality tests for my characters. Always have. But for a long time, the tests were less about getting to know my characters better and more about procrastination.

However, I'm a firm believer that when there's something about the writing process that you love, you should find a way to incorporate it into your routine. For me, that meant finding a test that was smart enough to actually tell me something about my characters but didn't need several days of extensive research before the test made got useful or made sense. (I'm looking at you, MBTI.)

Hands down, no questions asked, the Clifton StrengthsFinder is my favorite personality test for writing. For me, it hits that sweet spot between effective and efficient. StrengthsFinder does exactly what it sounds like: categorizing people according to their strengths. The test defines strengths as someone's "naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling, or behavior."

Translation: a 'strength' is the way a person inherently looks at or interacts with the world. The more dominant a strength is in a person, the greater the impact of that strength on their behavior. So a person who ranks high on Adaptability -- another thing that's exactly what it sounds like -- is naturally good at going with the flow and dealing with problems as they arise. These strengths help define the way your characters approach the world and show how they'll deal with all conflict that you're throwing at them.

Because people are complicated, every person or character will have multiple strengths. Some of these strengths dovetail together nicely, and others seem like they juxtapose. Sometimes characters push those strengths too far and turn them into flaws. And as we all know, just because something is a strength for that character, that doesn't mean it's a strength for the situation you're putting them in.

So I present to you: The Masterlist of Strengths. I have short summaries listed and a quick character example for each for clarification. Personally, I like to narrow down my character to 3-5 of the strengths that I think determine their patterns of behavior.

(Want an example? hop over here to watch how I apply this to our good friends Harry, Ron, and Hermione.)

Achiever

Get 'er done.

Achievers have stamina and work hard. They like defined progress and tangible outcomes so they can feel like they're moving forward and getting things done. This means they can give themselves too much to do and have a hard time taking a day off. A day without a completed to-do list is a day wasted

e.g., Jack Crawford, Hannibal

Activator

Turning thoughts into action.

Once you've made your decision, act on it. There's no wasting time contemplating other options or potential fallout. If that means the decision is the wrong one, then they correct it on the move. They're not exactly hasty, but they're more concerned with forward progress then debating all the potential outcomes.

e.g., Harry Potter, Harry Potter

Adaptability

Go with the flow.

They live in the now and respond to things as they arise. They can put aside the plan when it stops working and create something new. They're great on the fly, but everyday monotony and everything going to plan can drive them crazy. All that living for what arises in the moment can mean they don't plan for the future.

e.g., Jason Bourne, Jason Bourne

Analytical

Just the facts, ma'am.

Prefer objective and dispassionate facts about a situation, and then use that agenda-free data to figure out the causes and patterns of a situation. They don't act until all the data is compiled, and then use those facts to cut through other people's faulty logic and wishful thinking to get to the truth. The trick is keeping that logic from sounding too brutal to the wishers.

e.g., Spock, Star Trek

Arranger

Flexible organization.

Manage all the variables until everything comes together in the best way possible. Change to your plans isn't bad, it's just a chance to make things more efficient. To them, nothing is ever truly settled because there might always be a better way to discover. Mindless routine is the bane of their existence.

e.g., Hannibal Smith, The A-Team

Belief

Core values.

Core values are unchanging, and those values give life meaning and direction. Believers are dependable because you can always count on them act in accordance with those values, no matter how difficult it might be. Generally, this makes them family-oriented, altruistic, and value ethics in themselves and others.

e.g., Chidi Anagonye, The Good Place

Command

In control.

Take a stand on something and get restless until they've moved everyone else in that direction. They don't mind confrontation because they know they're right, though that certainty doesn't make them persuasive. They confront unpleasantness and believe they're helping other people face the truth.

e.g., Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones

Communication

Turn thoughts into words.

Explain, describe, host, speak in public, and write. They're concerned not just about sharing information, but about commanding people's attention so that their information survives and drives people to act. They give dry ideas life and often are good conversationalists and presenters.

e.g., Jed Bartlett, The West Wing

Competition

I win.

Aware of other people's performance and measure their progress and success against those other people. It's not about meeting goals or trying hard, it's about competing with someone else and winning. Though the competition is invigorating, eventually they avoid situations where they don't think they can 'win'.

e.g., Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, The Big Bang Theory

Connectedness

Everything has a reason.

We are all connected to each other. We all have free will, but we're part of something bigger. There are few coincidences and everything has a reason, so we're responsible to do what's best for everyone. Whether they call it collective unconscious or life force, knowing that we're not isolated provides comfort and confidence.

e.g., Pocahontas, Pocahontas

Consistency

Fairness.

They treat everyone the same to the point that nepotism and special connections are offensive to them. The rules are the rules and should be applied to everyone equally without being tipped for or against any one person. Believe that people do best where things are predictable and evenhanded.

e.g., Mad-Eye Moody, Harry Potter

Context

Learn from the past.

The future is a jumble and the present is unstable, so they figure out what's going on by understanding how we got here. They need to understand the original plans and the underlying structure to make decisions about the present. That means taking time to orient themselves in the past before they can go forward.

e.g., Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter

Deliberative

Walk with care.

Rather than ignore risks, they identify, assess, and reduce them. They plan ahead to anticipate what obstacles there might be. They are careful when they select paths to take, topics to discuss, and people to trust. Life is a minefield, so they identify the dangers, weigh their impact, and place their feet with care.

e.g., Batman

Developer

No one is fully formed.

They see the potential in others and trust that everyone can turn into something better. We're all works in progress and they can help that along. They look for ways challenge people, making them stretch and grow until their potential is realized. Like to see people take baby steps forward, watching potential become realized.

e.g., Gandalf, Lord of the Rings

Disciplined

Order and planning.

Need predictability, so they impose structure on everything. They believe in order, timelines, routines, and efficiency. They don't like surprises and get frustrated with errors. Life is messy, and they like to feel in control. Can come across as controlling, but they see it as maintaining productivity in the face of life's messiness.

e.g., Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

Empathy

Ability to understand.

Sense the emotions of the people around them, letting them see the world through other people's eyes and share their perspective. They might not agree or sympathize, but they understand where people are coming from. Strong intuition about how people are going to behave. Can help others express themselves.

e.g., William Graham, Hannibal

Focus

Stay on target.

Follow a clear destination and use that to filter out everything that doesn't help them move towards their goals. They're efficient and get frustrated with delays, obstacles, and whatever person or thing isn't moving them forward. So goal-oriented that without a clear focus to work towards, life becomes frustrating.

e.g., Dean Winchester, Supernatural

Futuristic

Wouldn't it be great if…

See visions of what the world might be and all that the future might hold. This potential energizes them, and they have the ability to paint that picture for others and pull them into tomorrow too. They're not motivated by living in today, but by a detailed picture of what they want to be over the horizon.

e.g., young Luke Skywalker, Star Wars

Harmony

Can't we all get along?

Don't see the value of conflict or friction. They believe everything is more productive when we look for consensus rather than trying to impose our views on others. This means they'd rather talk about practical, down-to-earth topics that we might actually be able to agree on. Common ground is better than conflict.

e.g., early Daniel Jackson, Stargate: SG1

Ideation

Enlightening.

Revel in discovering the simple concepts that lurk beneath complexity. The explain why things are the way they are. They're always looking for connections and love it when disparate things come together elegantly. They like twisting normal things around and viewing them from a creative, conceptual, and original angle.

e.g., Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher, Phineas and Ferb

Includer

Widen the circle.

Want to include as many people as possible and make them feel a part of the group. They're instinctively accepting, and believe that fundamentally we are all the same and all just as important as one another. Everyone should feel like they're part of the group. Yes, everyone.

e.g., Rapunzel, Tangled

Individualization

Everyone is unique.

Intrigued by the unique qualities of each person. They like to accentuate these differences and focus on what makes each person distinct. There are no 'types' of people, there are individuals with things that are special and distinct about each of them. They draw out the best in each person.

e.g., Dr. Who

Input

The Inquisition.

Collect things and information just because it interests them, and they find many things interesting. They don't have a particular purpose for their new information and maybe they never will, but they find it interesting enough to research, and that's reason enough.

e.g., Stiles Stilinski, Teen Wolf

Intellection

Mental gymnastics.

They like to think and stretch their mental muscles in multiple directions. This doesn't mean they like to think about specific things in particular, but just that they like to think. They enjoy alone time because it's time for musing and reflection. Although, sometimes they get worried about not doing enough with those thoughts.

e.g., Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock

Learner

Excuse me while I research.

Drawn to the process of learning more than they are the content or result of that learning. They like the journey from ignorance to competence, no matter what they're busy learning. Not about becoming an expert or achieving a goal, but more about the process.

e.g., Rory Gilmore, Gilmore Girls

Maximizer

Accentuate the positive.

They don't focus on what they lack, they focus on making their good traits better. It's more fun and more productive to refine those strengths and turn them into excellence then it is to turn something bad into a good. They capitalize on the gifts that they already have rather than fix the places they're lacking.

e.g., Tony Stark, Iron Man

Positivity

Always look on the bright side.

Generous with praise and on the lookout for the positive. Their enthusiasm is enough to make the world better. They have the energy to lighten spirits and make everything, no matter how dull, more vivid. They believe it's good to be alive and that no matter what trouble happens, you can still smile.

e.g., Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter

Relator

Relationship creator.

Take casual acquaintances and deepen them into real friendships. Comfortable with intimacy because relationships only have value if they're genuine. Willing to share with people and take risks together in order to forge a genuine bond. Take pride it turning strangers into friends.

e.g., Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

Responsibility

Utterly dependable.

Take ownership of anything they commit to and follow it through. When they make a mistake, an apology or a rationalization isn't enough. They have to make it right. This ends up with impeccable ethics and a drive to make sure things are done right. Should be careful not to take on too much since they have to follow through.

e.g., Captain America, Winter Soldier

Restorative

Problem solver.

Enjoy analyzing symptoms, figuring out what's wrong, and finding the solution. Know that without their intervention this thing, technique, person, or company might have ended without them. The kind of problems they might prefer revolve around other traits and life experiences, but they all want to bring things back to life.

e.g., Gregory House, House

Self-Assurance

Certainty.

Have faith in their strengths and their ability not just to get things done, but to do them in the right way. They know what the right decision is and trust their own judgment above all. Other people can suggest, but they alone have final accountability for their life and know what the right choice for them must be.

e.g., Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock

Significance

Stand out.

Value being recognized and be heard. They bring things to the table and they want to be appreciated for them. Different traits mean they focus on being acknowledged for different things, but it drives them to be exceptional rather than mediocre. FIlled with goals, achievements, or qualifications they crave.

e.g., Bonnie Plunkett, Mom

Strategic

Find the best route.

Sort through all the clutter and find patterns where other people see only complexity. They ask themselves 'what if this happened?' again and again, until they find their path. They shuck off the wrong options until they find the right path and start forward.

e.g., Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock

Woo

Winning others over.

Like the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like them. They're rarely at a loss for words and like forging new connections. Once those connections are made, they move on to make more new ones. Can put people at ease, but struggle to turn it into a stable relationship.

e.g., Neal Caffrey, White Collar

#personality test #writing #character #characterization #Clifton StrengthsFinder #StrengthsFinder #Strengths

5 notes · View notes

tamboradventure · 5 years ago

Text

You Should NOT Visit Syria Right Now

Posted: 2/27/2020 | February 27th, 2020

If you’re like me, you associate travel with positive emotions: the feeling of the sun on your shoulders halfway around the world, of breaking bread with people from cultures different than your own, and the inner joy of making your way across unknown lands safely.

Travel improves our lives, broadens our horizons, and helps us understand the world we inhabit.

Yet these are experiences few humans will ever have.

As widespread as it has become in recent years, travel is still a privilege afforded only to a few.

That is especially true of war zones, where residents are more concerned about living through the day than seeing the wonders of the world. Things we take for granted — the ability to turn on a tap and get drinkable water, to flick a switch and get light, to walk to the store and find food on the shelves — are rare or absent for those suffering through such conflicts.

While there many places in the world that are like that, today I want to talk about one in particular: Syria.

Lately, I’ve seen a number of folks visit Syria as tourists. When asked why, they usually talk about trying to highlight the good people in the country and how such places aren’t “just what you see in the media.”

And while both of those things are almost always true, I don’t think one should visit conflict zones as a tourist — whether you’re a writer, blogger, or everyday Joe or Jane. I think it’s reckless and shows a complete lack of empathy and respect for the people suffering through the horrors of war. It’s self-centered. It doesn’t actually help in any real way. It usually creates a distorted picture of the situation. It’s a misuse of Western privilege.

No one doubts there are wonderful people and places in Syria. In fact, one of my greatest travel regrets is not having visited Syria before the conflict, because friends waxed poetic about how the hospitality and openness of the locals were second to none.

And the media is always more “doom and gloom” than the reality on the ground.

But that doesn’t change the fact that there is a continuing war going on in Syria where millions continue to be displaced and dying. While bloggers or tourists are there taking pictures, hundreds of thousands are freezing.

The country has been in a civil war for close to nine years. Over 400,000 civilians have been killed (some estimates put that number as high as 585,000). That’s more than the entire population of places such as Iceland, Belize, the Bahamas, or Malta.

On top of that, over 13 million people have been displaced — with half of those being forced to leave the country entirely. And many can never return due to retaliation from government forces against them or their families.

And almost half of the schools in the country have been affected, with one in three children unable to attend.

And while ISIS has been pushed back, they still have control of some areas, and thanks to Trump, there is also now an influx of both Turkish and Russian troops. (And that’s only causing more chaos.)

As millions suffer through ongoing war, chemical attacks, and displacement, visiting as a tourist and having a fun time is a horrifying idea to me. It makes those who go seem more concerned with their ego than the plight of the country. “Well, I just really want to see the country, so fuck those who are suffering!”

War zones are not tourist attractions. Bombed buildings that used to be filled with life are not backdrops for Instagram shots.

While millions suffer and die just hours away or are displaced and cannot return home, bloggers or tourists shouldn’t be frolicking in the places where they used to live and laugh and spend time with their children, snapping pictures and having fun while giving lip service about how it’s sad to see what is happening to the country. That to me seems like a major disconnect.

If someone wants to go there and report as a journalist to educate the world and try to mobilize action to stop the conflict, that’s one thing.

But I’ve yet to see one person who wasn’t an actual journalist from the mainstream news media do that. Instead, I hear talk about how “complicated” the situation is, how things are being rebuilt, and how everyone is happy and things are safe, whitewashing the war crimes of President Assad. If you follow these accounts, you get the impression the worst is behind the country. (It’s not. And the fighting in Idlib is getting incredibly worse, with children being greatly affected.)

But that’s because these bloggers are (a) in government-controlled territory and (b) likely talking to Assad supporters or those too afraid to speak out.

Then there’s willful ignorance. Take the example of Drew Binsky. I’ve never met him, though I do enjoy his videos. And I’m sure he’s a well-intentioned guy. But he went to Syria and, when challenged about this for the same reasons I’m bringing up, said, and I quote:

I know that Syria has been in a constant state of war for nearly a decade and I choose not to make that a focus. Why? It’s a lose-lose for me, because A) it’s a touchy subject and B) I don’t know much about the war and politics in general. In fact, I can’t even tell you a thing about American politics cuz I don’t really care! I’ve spent the last 8 years on the road and I’ve purposely separated myself from any politics because I choose to spend my time doing other things that make me happy. I guess the bottom line here is that more eyeballs on my videos means more haters, and we all know that haters are gonna hate!

Apparently, people who bring up the notion that maybe going to a war zone is not a good idea are haters. And here he admits to not knowing much about the war or caring too much about the subject.

How can you visit a country torn by war and not want to learn more about it?

How can you have a platform and seek to educate people and not talk about the conflict? It’s a pretty important thing!

And he’s not the only one who has done this, just the most well known. There have been many others. (It would be hard to link to them all, but they are easy to find via a Google or Instagram search.)

I think trips like these to war zones or repressive regimes are further examples of the lack of ethics in the online travel industry, as well as “look at me” vs. “learn from me” writing that puts the reader second to the influencer’s own ego. Rather than using this visit as a teachable moment to expand people’s knowledge, educate, and talk about a dire situation, they visit without thinking about that deeper impact.

But against the backdrop of war, egos must wait.

A visit to government-controlled territory during an ongoing conflict is simply playing into the propaganda that says that the news is exaggerating the plight of the people. What gassing by the Assad regime? What war crimes? What factionalism? There’s nothing to see here, right?

Many of the Syrians I spoke to had even fewer kind words for those who go there. They talked of those who visit now as “taking joy in others’ misery,” whitewashing Assad’s crimes, and Western privilege. This quote from Zaina Erhaim, an exiled Syrian journalist, sums up what I heard from Syrians I spoke with:

Besides the active war going on and tens of civilians being killed on a daily basis, beside whitewashing Assad as [someone] who has brought life and security back, using their privileged background [to get] released if stopped at checkpoints, above all that, to cross to our home where half of us are forbidden from going to, as we are forced into displacement and in exile, to walk above our memories and wounds in order to get some extra views, is inhuman.

Their blogs step on our trauma as they take smiling pictures in our streets, with our destroyed homes and favorite restaurants in the background, while we are prevented from going back to because we simply did our work and protested for basic rights.

***

I think travel boycotts are dumb. People are their governments. But when war is happening and millions are dying and displaced, our desire to travel must wait. When Syria and these other countries are done fighting and need to be rebuilt, tourism dollars are a wonderful way to help make that happen.

Take Afghanistan or Iraq. While turmoil still exists there, these countries are trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild. There are new governments, and the society is trying to move past the conflict. There’s a functioning economy and civil society. Now is the time to visit those places.

But Syria? There is still an active conflict with other nations rolling tanks through part of the country. (Turkey and Russia are in conflict there, and Israel recently sent missiles into Damascus). Wait until the conflict is over, people aren’t dying and starving in the streets, and there is (hopefully) some sort of brokered truce or long-lasting cease-fire.

That’s when people will need our tourism dollars.

If you want to help those in Syria, lobby governments to try to find a way to end the conflict. Give to aid organizations like these:

Tight Knit Syria

Doctors Without Borders

International Rescue Committee

Basmeh Zeitooneh

Save the Children

Islamic Relief USA

Tahirih Justice Center

Project Amal ou Salem

But don’t go visit. Don’t give Assad his propaganda wins. Don’t make people think everything is fine and the world should move on. Don’t go to a place where so much suffering is going on just because you want to see it. It’s just the wrong thing to do.

Travel enriches the mind and expands the soul.

But it loses its charm when a place that is still shattered like glass and those around you are mired in a conflict without end.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all those I use — and they’ll save you time and money too!

The post You Should NOT Visit Syria Right Now appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site https://ift.tt/3a28M9c via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

0 notes

yuki-d-raizel-blog · 8 years ago

Text

Hero

Chapter 8/??

Relationship: Todoroki Shouto x Reader (Your/Name), (Full/Name)

Summit: It all begin at the Sports Festival when Shouto’s other half met Endevour by mistake. The student never thought to see his partner fight against his father just to show him that he is wrong. It started from that instant, Shouto’s new path started exactly from that moment thanks to his friends and his beloved one.

---

Midoriya is so nervous right now that he doesn’t hear the annoying commentary. His mind is full of what Ojiro said to him and the accident with (Y/N) and Endevour. He’s aware that his focus need to be on the match, but his big heart and his hero instinct are betraying the owner.

<<Sorry, I’m late.>> All Might is there to encourage his young pupil, <<Did you figured out One for All, right?>>

<<No, I’m still worried how to use it…>> he answers honestly, <<Plus, I cannot think about Todoroki-kun and (Y/N)-chan. I understand why he never used his left side but I think that is wrong. And I’m still shocked about (Y/N)-chan’s words. Moreover, how is she?>>

<<She is fine, a little dazed due to the meds but she is more relaxed now.>> the man explains with a sad smile, <<I went to see her before and I saw that she couldn’t hold a glass of water, so young Todoroki helped her. I can’t believe with how much strength she was closing her fists.>>

<<For me is unbelievable that she faced Endevour like nothing.>> mutters Izuku.

<<Young (Y/N) is a wonderful woman with a strong sense of justice and judgment. She must have her reasons to be like that and she is the true figure of a hero, just like you.>>

<<What? I would never have the nuts to insult Endevour like she did!>>

<<But both of you cannot stay aside when someone feels down, or when someone talks ill about somebody, even if you don’t know that person. She sacrificed her hands to young Todoroki, she clearly can’t fight with those wounds and a numb body, even knowing that, you saw how she replied to Recovery Girl.>>

<<…..Wait, why this situations is somehow familiar?>>

<<She will not have absolutely no merit on doing this, but that’s create the opportunity for it to shine brightly and rise to the surface. You did the same thing when you put yourself on the line to save young Uraraka.>> the hero sees happily that his successor has understand what a real person his classmate is, <<That’s right. Once again, it rises to the surface, the most important qualification of a hero: the spirit of self-sacrifice.>>

<<B-but can I help her now? I need to do something but I’m not sure about myself, if I can do what she asked to me.>> here we go, the muttering phase of the future number one hero, <<But first I need to focus on this match, but can I win-GHA!>> All Might hit him personally with a strange and funny move.

<<You should just say: “I’ll do my best, damn it!” you prince of nonsense! Is the of the hero you’re trying to be that flimsy?>> a giant hand pat Izuku’s fluffy hair, <<Listen, it’s the times when you’re scared or worried that you should deal smiling! Look at you, you’ve made this far. Stand proud, my son!>>

---

You want to cheer for your dear friend and Shouto accompanies you. He was too stubborn about the fact to lay down on the couch until it’s your turn, but you managed to convince him to go on one of the many stadium bleachers. Once arrived, Mic introduces the fighters too much excited while they climb the stairs to the ring.

(The rules are simple! Force your opponent out the bounds or immobilize them! You can also win by making your opponent say, “I give up!”. Bring on the injuries because we’ve got our very own Recovery Girl waiting on standby! Put your morals and ethics aside for a moment, and of course, anything life-threatening is crap! It’s not allowed. If you go too far, Cementos and Midnight will stop you right away. Ready? Start!)

<<Brainwashing quirk, eh?>> you discover the student’s power just remembering all your equal in ages saying that they didn’t remember anything and all of them were paired with that guy. <<Don’t do something stupid, Izu…>> he was running but he stopped and now he’s standing still, <<Never mind.>>

During the match, the staff calls Todoroki to let him know that he should be prepared for his turn, so once he is completely sure that you will be with the others after this match, he leaves. The girl is praying so much that her friend doesn’t go any further, if he does that, he’s out. Midoriya is too pure, he’s easy to trick even when he knows what he’s gonna deal with.

“C’mon, c’mon, Izuku! Don’t lose now! You can do it! What…?” the girl sees that Midoriya activates part of his quirk, “Eh? He should be under the brainwashing, did he break it? Then why he is still walking?! Damn it, stop Izuku, stop! There’s no space for another step!”

Suddenly a strong wind blows through the stadium and Mic voice yells what happened.

(Midoriya’s stopped!!)

“Jesus Christ…” you rest a hand on your chest, “I’m so glad…” then his fingers caught your attention, “I guess Shinsou didn’t train himself on martial arts for the chance when his quirk would be useless, Midoriya can win! What he’s doing?!” the little green student is immobile with his mind somewhere else, <<Charge, Izuku!!>>

Your scream wakes him up, motivating him to run at full speed to push his opponent out the ring. The battle is still nerve-racking, when everyone thought that Midoriya won, Shinsou pushes him back or hits him on his injured fingers. Until when Izuku, supported by the cheer of his friends and the arena, grabs Shinsou’s shirt and copying the same move used on Bakugou, All Might’s successor smashes his opponent on the ground.

The silence is broken by Midnight who announces the winner, <<Shinsou is out the bounds. Midoriya advances to round two!>>

(Man, what a boring first match! But both of you fought good. Everyone clap your hands for them!)

---

Meanwhile on the corridors, Shouto exits from the waiting room and walk toward his side of the ring. He heard Mic’s voice; his next opponent is settled then. When he turns…

<<Get out of mt way.>> Todoroki’s voice changes immediately when he sees the figure of his father.

<<You’re acting disgracefully Shouto.>> the man speaks with his body on the wall, his son begins to walk again, ignoring him, <<If you used your left side, you would’ve had an overwhelming victory in the obstacle race and the cavalry battle. Stop this childish rebellion already; you’ve a duty to surpass All Might. Do you understand it?>>

<<……….>> the student doesn’t stop his feet but he can’t control his own rage that is increasing fast.

<<You’re different from your siblings, you’re my greatest masterpiece!>>

<<Is that all you can say, bastard?>> his voice is a furious roar, <<I will win and advance only with just mom’s power. I won’t use yours when I fight.>>

---

Meanwhile on the bleachers reserved only for students, Midoriya comes back from the infirmary and crosses the way with (Y/N). She looks paler than before, so he offers a hand to help her walking. Uraraka and Iida call them and show the booked seats just for them. When they see better the two friends, Tenya and Ochako jump a little scared.

<<(Y/N)-chan how are you feeling?>> Izuku asks sitting next to you even if he’s a bit embarrassed, <<Do y->>

<<(Y/N)-kun what happened?!>> , <<Oh my lord, (Y/N)-chan are you ok?>> your friends attire the class attention, and everyone is shocked to see your hands all bandaged and your pale face.

<<Calm down guys, I’m fine.>> your hands are shaking and on your arm, there’s goosebumps that before there wasn’t, <<It’s just the effect of the medicine that Recovery Girl gave to me.>>

<<Are you cold?>> Yaoyorozu saw the goosebumps and with her quirk she made a blanket, <<Are you sure you are feeling alright?>>

<<Yes, thank you for the blanket. I feel my body a little numb but it’s not a big deal.>>

<<Can you fight on these conditions?>> Tenya is moving his arms like a broken robot, <<You should->>

<<Everything is fine.>> the girls smile to everyone, <<I’ll win the match without using my hands! And Izuku.>>

<<Y-yes?>> “Oh crap, she saw it, right?” Midoriya jumps when he sees your scary smile.

<<What was that? You fell on that stupid trick? You’re my strategy rival, how can you fall for something so silly. And when you broke it, you were standing still like a dead fish, what were->> she stops to see the next fighters walk inside the ring, <<Something is wrong.>>

<<Eh? What do you mean?>>

<<Shouto…>> the woman stands up and goes near the edge to see her beloved one with a strange aura around.

(Thanks for the waiting! Next up is… these guys!) Mic introduce the students with sarcasm and goes straight to the beginning announcing it, (…….)

………..

Not even one minute passed and the whole arena goes silent. A huge iceberg is covering half stadium…

<<I knew it…>> only your whisper shakes off the shock from your classmates.

<<S-Sero-kun, can you move?>> even the heroine Midnight is half frozen and when the student replies, she announces the winner, <<Sero is immobilized! Todoroki advances to the second round!>>

<<…..Is he challenging my self-control?>> the terrace when you are, is crushed by your grip and a darkish aura is coming out your body, scaring even your friends. Izuku is the first one who tries to calm you down.

<<W-w-would you like t-to go to->>

<<Where the fuck is that bastard?!>> Midoriya jumps scared when you close your fists breaking the cement of the balcony, <<This time All Might will not save you!>> the girl turns her heels and runs over the stairs but the movement was too fast that she must cling on the wall for a second.

<<(Y/N) you’re not in the conditions, please.>> Midoriya, Tenya and Kirishima block your way, <<Please, first calm down and->>

<<Step aside.>> Kirishima do as you said, that gaze was too much to deal, and his angry friend runs out to go somewhere else.

<<There’s blood on the balcony! Deku-kun, her hands!>>

Moved by a mix of strong emotions, Izuku runs after you while Tenya goes to call someone to stop you.

---Continue....

Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, Last Chapter

#todoroki shouto #shouto todoroki #midoriya izuku #bnha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #scenarios #bnha scenarios #fanfictions #deku midoriya #anime #manga

5 notes · View notes

deggowaffles · 8 years ago

Photo

Watch and engage with movies however you want, but CinemaSins is straight up bullshit. Forgive me for this excessive amount of words but I need to write about this fuckery:

Would you say Coca Cola is better than Pepsi? Sure, if you felt that way there’s no reason for you not to. They have similar tastes, look and consistency. There are grounds for comparison. Would you compare Pepsi to an orange soda? Sure, it’s a soda. But if you’re looking for something that tastes like orange flavored, why would you even go for the Pepsi? Sometimes you never know you wanted something different, so you roll with the flavor of the orange soda. It’s a pleasant surprise. Would you compare soda to an ice cream? No, because that’s fucking ridiculous and the two only go together with a root-beer float kind of deal. How about a soda to a pizza? Fuck no. What’s wrong with you? If you’re hungry, you get the pizza. If you’re thirsty, get the soda. They are clearly two different states of matter. You wouldn’t complain about a soda not being solid enough, nor would you complain about a pizza being liquid enough (also they’re not healthy but you get the point). So why do these arguments in the vein of these comparisons come up with movies?

Let’s talk about CinemaSins. What is the point of them? They certainly point things out that occur in a movie, but never actually the context of events. And if they do point out singular context of a scene, they don’t talk about how it impacts anything else surrounding that scene. Look at this image from their Kong: Skull Island video.

The video calls out Shea Whigham’s character for being anti-war (a thesis of the film) while he grins, looking at the bomb’s going off. Only that’s not Shea Whigham’s character. That’s another grunt. Shea Whigham continues to posit about the dangers of lives driven by war. It’s right there. It’s maybe the most consistent thread of the entire movie.

Or how this image of the giant spider monster thing (idk what it’s called, it’s just my ultimate nightmare).

CinemaSins calls out the scene for not being heard or seen by the men walking through the jungle. It’s not seen by them before the scene starts because that’s not how movies work, and it’s clearly how the monster hunts prey. It’s legs clearly blend in with the bamboo, so they’ve stomped onto its hunting grounds. It’s all there on the screen for us to see. Of course, you’d have to actually be watching the movie to understand what was happening.

And then there’s this bullshit.

HE’S JUST KILLED THEIR FRIEND AND IS TRYING TO TAKE ANOTHER ONE, OH MY GOD. This isn’t funny. This isn’t criticism. This is someone with too much time on their hands, in a condescending voice, trying to establish their superiority over a popular movie people like.

Watch movies however you want but when you have reductive criticisms that basically equate what’s happening onscreen as “unrealistic” or “this doesn’t exist,” you’re asking questions the movie isn’t worried about answering. We need to meet a movie on its own terms. When someone says a Fast & Furiousmovie isn’t realistic, that’s not a legitimate criticism against the series. Realism is the last thing they’re striving for. Talk about how the film flows, how the action propels character and vice versa. Or why my biggest issue with the series is how F8 of the Furious only feels like a betrayal of what I love about the franchise in its disregard of Han Seoul-Oh (#JusticeForHan), while still delivering a team-up I never knew I wanted between Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Statham. That’s like complaining that Batman v. Superman isn’t funny enough. The problem for me isn’t that it’s oppressively dark and questioning the ethics of heroes, it’s that I don’t think the structure builds up thematic or narrative consistency. Sorry to use that punching bag but I want to illustrate something most people would relate to.

The only wrong way to watch/talk about a movie is when you’re talking about something the movie isn’t showing you. You can have personal gripes or discrepancies outside the context of the movie, or maybe a specific type of movie isn’t for you and that’s okay. No movie is universal. You’re not obligated to enjoy everything.

Take this scene from Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2:

Harry Osborn has just found out Peter Parker, his best and only friend, is actually Spider-Man, the man he blames for the death of his father. He hears a familiar cackle through the halls of the Osborn penthouse, turns and sees the ghost of his father. Norman Osborn, alive within Harry, antagonizes his son into falling into the torment of the Osborn legacy. He breaks a mirror, revealing a secret Goblin lair the audience has had no inclination of before this moment. It’s unrealistic as shit but absolutely perfect for the moment.

Two things:

Harry talking to the ghost of his father has no logical consistency with our world. But in the world Sam Raimi has built in his trilogy? Of gliders, robot octopi, and web-swinging New Yorkers? Why not allow it? It’s already a heightened reality and speaks thematically to the character of Harry. Even in death, Harry can’t escape the shadow of his overbearing father. After losing MJ, his revolutionary fusion experiment to Dr. Octopus, and Peter as a best friend, all Harry has is his legacy. A legacy that lives within him.

That’s a pretty bold move on Raimi’s part to not show the actual lair of the Goblin in the first film, revealing it to the audience in the second without any hint of it prior. It works because it’s more than just lip-service to the idea of Norman haunting Harry. Even when he physically rejects the ghost of father, Harry’s only option is to walk through the shattered mirror and accept the mantle left behind. It was within him all along.

So we have two moments, tossing out any semblance of believability for the sake of narrative clarity. That is filmmaking. It’s not striving for realism. It’s striving to tell us a story with magic tricks. Some movies might aim for our reality, and there’s nothing wrong with that either. Confront art on its own merits. From there, confront what it means to you. Because at the end of the day, we’re all just people living in a fucked up world (insert reminder to punch all Nazis). If we’re spending our free time being cynical and reductive dicks, we’re doing it wrong.

There’s this unfortunate attempt at justification where CinemaSins is proclaimed as satire. Yes, satire is a form of comedy. CinemaSins is not. Where satire ribs and side-eyes to inform, CinemaSins uses reductive arguments aimed towards art as the butt of jokes. This person was standing one way in this shot, now they’re standing slightly in another shot? Classic. It’s an exercise in cynicism, meant to provide empty snark and smarter-than-you pretentious bullshit. And before anybody else just says it’s all for fun, Jeremy of CinemaSins even brings up the same points in his actual on-camera reviews of movies!

It’s just so odd to me how there’s a perception of film criticism revolving around snobby attitudes, and these videos still maintain a strong viewership in the millions per upload? The medium of film criticism already has a reputation of people looking down upon other’s views/opinions on what they love. There’s an unfortunate situation where cynicism wins out in popularity, even though it’s exactly what is flocked to? For people looking at legitimate criticism or avenues of discussion, there’s just no place for this. That’s not why people do this.

Furthermore, I don’t want to point fingers, I’m simply trying to sort out my thoughts and feelings on this. Because frankly, I think it’s a plethora of things to blame. From the knee-jerk reactions brought up upon negativity to the way emotions are often repressed because it’s not “cool” to care about things, the culture of film itself has been feeding it. And it’s not going anywhere as long as we keep feeding it.

Focus on writing that benefits discussions on art. If you know me or my writing, you know I don’t mind a snark. But I don’t stand for cynicism or nihilism; not needlessly, anyways. So here are a handful of blogs, twitters, and voices to follow who provide engaging and thoughtful talks on movies by people who love movies:

Alicia Malone

Andrew Boyd Allen

Anton Reyes

AudiencesEverywhere

Austin Shinn

Beth Ann

Becky Belzile

Cameron Carpenter

David Shreve

InSessionFilm

Josh Lewis

Josh Rosenfield

Matt Guringo

Patrick Campbell

PcCaseStudy

Priscilla Page

ReelFilmChatter

Richard Newby

Rron

Shaun/No, Totally! Shannon Strucci

Shayan Farooq

Soren Hough

TalkFilmSociety

TheWafflePress

Tony Zhou

#CinemaSins #my writing

4 notes · View notes

gocasualrunawaycollection-blog · 7 years ago

Text

vermont insurance trade practices act

"vermont insurance trade practices act

vermont insurance trade practices act

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://freeinsurancequotes.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr

RELATED QUESTIONS:

What's affordable about obamacare?

or the Affordable Care Act that so many want us to call it so that Obama hopefully isn't yoked with this monstrous failed program for the rest of time.

What is the best but affordable health insurance w/h low deductibles anyone knows about?

Cheap Car Insurance for 17 year old around 2500-3000?

Hi, got my test in a month so looking for cars like 1.1 saxos and 1.0 106s as you can pick up a good one for about 1000 or less. But then comes the quotes which are like 4, 5 grand even Quinn direct! please help me find a website with cheap insurance around 2500-3000 THANKS!""

How much would my insurance rate differ if i bought a car with cash or financed?

I am 16 years old and the quote i received for buying the car in cash was about 1200 a year. how much more would my insurance be if i financed ?

Does anyone know where 2 get cheap car insurance for high perforfomance cars .....n.ireland?

Why is the tripling of insurance premiums called Affordable Health Care ?

I got a letter from my health insurance company that my current policy (which I was just fine with) would be cancelled in 2014 and if I did nothing I would automatically be changed ...show more

Car insurance question?

My car got hit... the bumper is almost falling off. It is not my fault and the other person's insurance is covering it and they are sending me a check to cover the cost of it being fixed. Here's the thing... my car is a POS. I doubt it's even worth $1000. Do I have to get my car fixed with the money? Or can I use it how I want (such to help get a new car with)? I know the ethical thing to do would be to get it fixed, but it may actually be totaled (still drivable but the cost of getting it fixed may be more than it's worth). I was thinking about telling the insurance company, but I don't want to risk losing the $ to get it fixed... I've heard of other people getting in accidents, then getting the check and just not getting the car fixed. Anyone know?""

""I want a 2005 mustang for my fist car, how much would the insurance be ($prices?) I have state farm insurance?""

I really want a 2005 Ford Mustang (NOT a GT) for my fist car. Please give prices of how much the insurance would be if I had state farm insurance. Thank You, and please give me good prices so my dad will get me a mustang!!!""

My mums with the AA car insurance what are the likely implications for canceling her insurance mid way?

my mum has paid annually (141 quid) lucky sod. and she is considering canceling it to add me to a cheaper car insurer as adding me on the AA insurance is MIND BLOWINGLY EXPENSIVE, (talking 5grand plus per annum) and with aviva its less than half that... but before she cancel she wants to make sure the AA have no hidden cost as all they state is a refund will be paid if insurance has been paid in full and a cancelation fee of 50 must be paid. thats all the information she could find but she wants to know if there are any hidden tricks insurers pull off if your try and cancel.... please help i know its a bit wordy.""

What is the cheapest Insurance for a 16 year old?

I just got my license now i gotta get insurance...

Do you have health insurance?

how old are you and how old are your kids?

Car insurance and Road Tax?

How many cars can be covered with a fully comp.insurance cover ... and road tax Is a person with a fleet of vehicles allowed to run a business for repairing and selling cars in a no through road, which is also taking up space for visitors and residents (who have to pay community tax) to park.""

What is the average cost of insurance for new drivers in Massachusetts?

During late November, I will be receiving my license and will have the responsibility of paying for my own car as well as insurance. At that time, I will be roughly 16 and a half years old. I am looking to purchase a late 1990's Honda car but can not narrow it down further as I do not know specifically what car I will have. I heard during my drivers education class that grades effect your cost of insurance. I am a straight A students that takes challenging classes as well as having a part time job. I live in a city environment in Massachusetts with a population of less than 50,000 residents if that matters. What do you think will be roughly the cost of insurance for my situation?""

How can I get cheaper car insurance as a new young driver?

Hello I'm a first year University student and I'm now looking to get my first car. As you may all know, the prices for insurance specially on young drivers are very high and I obviously will not be able to afford 350 a month for insurance even on my part-time job. I just wanted to know if there were any legal ways of my getting a cheaper quote. Could I insure under my uncle's name who has 9+ years NCB on his license? I'm aware of fronting and that most parents do it in order to get a cheaper quote for the son/daughter but i'm sure there are other legal ways of getting cheaper insurance right? I've previously driven in other countries if that also helps. All help will be greatly appreciated Thank you, Robert""

Insurance On First Vehicle?

If you buy a used vehicle (in Indiana) and your 15 and your not going to drive it for another couple of months, is it still required you have insurance for it even though your not going to drive it for a while. And if there is an amount of time you have to get insurance, how long is that?""

Isn't it patriotic to want all Americans to have access to affordable healthcare?

I just got pulled over for not having my seat buckle on and I'm wondering how much my insurance will go up?

This is the first time I've EVER been pulled over and I've had my license for a little over a year now. I get good grades and all that stuff so my insurance is pretty low for the average person right now. I'm wondering how much my insurance will go up? SOMEONE HELP! Kinda freaking out here. :p

The best personal & affordable health insurance plans in Michigan that offer around 70% coverage?

I am looking for insurance for my boyfriend. He is almost 30 & works for a small business that does not offer an insurance plan. He especially needs dental and vision but would also ...show more

What penalities will I get having invalid car insurance?

Two nights ago police stopped me when I was delivering food and checked my insurance details. I had insurance for social purpose only. They told me to change my insurance to business insurance and they let me go with warning. Last night same guys stopped me again and again they checked my car and found me delivering food. Luckily they let me go again but they reported of the offense. What will happen now? will I get points or fine or what?

Insurance prices?

Why is insurance so high on a 08 suzuki 1300. I am 42 and was quoted 900 a year. Is that bout right

Whats a basic cheap Car Insurance for a 18 year old?

Hi I am 18 I live in New York and have had my lisense for about 6 months now and my insurance is pretty expensive like 1200 for HALF A YEAR which is crazy so I was wondering if anyone know of a cheap insurance company for basic insurance thats maybe 1200 for a whole year or cheaper. I also drive a 1994 Saab 900 S Hatchback 2 door

Can a home insurance company increase the amount of insurance on your house without your request?

Of course when the amount of insurance in increased, the insurance premium also increases. I have only $125,000 left on the mortgage and insurance company has increased the insurance to cover a value of $305,000. Real estate value of the home is $450,000. My credit rating is excellent and I have not had any insurance claims""

Finding Health Insurance is impossible?

Trying to find health insurance for myself and my daughter is impossible. We arrived into the country in December 2011. I am now a permanent resident, my daughter (2) is a a US Citizen. We live in California. Have tried applying but I get declined due to the non-resident clause that most insurance companies have. And then because I get declined I can't get my daughter covered, as well. Have also been reading that most companies don't do child only policies. Just can't win. Anyone here, got any advice or been through this. Would like to get some coverage, we are both healthy without existing conditions, but its the what if's, and as she is 2, I would like to know that I can go to the doctor""

What is the best Pregnancy Insurance Available to a already expecting Mom w/no health coverage at the moment?

Health Insurance for Pregnant Women!

Does anyone knows an affordable weight loss camp for a 20 years old?

I am desperate to lose weight and i need a healthy, but affordable way to do so in the Florida area OR new England""

vermont insurance trade practices act

Who has the cheapest car insurance?

who do you think? im looking for east coast providers

""I want to insure my trike,anybody know a good and cheap insurance company....thanks!!..?""

I want to insure my trike,anybody know a good and cheap insurance company....thanks!!..?""

Should i get life insurance for my child?

my child gets ssi money every month and we really do depend on that money and our child has a health condition that she could die with in a year or so or she could get better with a miracle and life a happy life i dont know is i should get life insurance for my child or not who is any a year old. if so please say where i should go to get one?

Cheapest estate cars to inusre?

hi, im a 18 year old male looking for a new car, im looking at estates as i surf and need alot of space for boards etc. my last car, a clio 1.5 diesel was super cheap to run and tax (60mpg +) and insurance group 9 so didnt completely bust the bank. im looking at cars like the skoda fabia estate (1.2 and 1.9 Diesel) and the peugeot 307 and 207 1.4 diesels as they are also cheap to run and insure. the problem is i live in devon and any cars that are reasonably cheap are scarce. I average around 8-10 thousand miles a year. and am still in education so cant afford to run a 30-40 mpg car. any ideas? thanks""

How do I transfer medi-cal insurance to PA for college?

Hi guys, I'm 17 and currently live in california and have medi-cal insurance because my family is low income. I'm planning on going to Philadelphia for college, but I'm not sure how I can transfer my medi-cal to Pennyslvania? Is it even possible? Or do I have to apply again in Pennsylvania? I Need proof of insurance to enter school and I don't know if medi-cal is enough. I have health net as well. I need it by the 23rd of July and it is now the 25th of June. Will I have enough time to get insurance? any help is appreciated. Thank you!""

What's a classic British car that's cheap and insurable for a learner?

Cheaper than a mini or morris minor.

I live in PA...I never had car insurance but I'm buying my first car. I can't get a car insurance quote so...

how can I drive the car off the lot if I don't have insurance? I'm lost...can somebody help me solve this problem? Thank you.

Insurance question HELP PLZ?

On the insurance to get a quote, it says to list all the violations within the last 3 years. I have got one speeding ticket but was cleared because i took the Stop Class. So do i have to put this down as one of the penalities""

Car tax and insurance?

how mich is yax and insurance on a car for over 25s my bf is nearly 25 and starting to drive xxx

Will geico insurance rate go up from storm damage?

My car got hit from a piece of tree/brances and scratched and dent it a little, will insurace go up?""

Is my car insurance in place.?

basically i applied for a car insurance and in the quote i put in a false licence held date as i only had my licence a month ago but i put in march 2012. They have taken the deposit of 300 already from my account so does that mean i got away with the lie about the licence held date and does that mean my insurance will be in place soon. I lied because i think insurance is cheaper if you have old licence. thanks

In California I Pay $16 for my two kids' health insurance as low income family?

can I do the same in New Jersey? I am afraid to move to a new state whereI don't know the roads and malls but may have to for a better life

Auto Insurance Is trying to screw me?

My insurance company totaled my 2002 audi a4 after I hit a puddle and hydro locked my engine After investigating and taking over 3 weeks to finally give me a figure they offerd me 12500 including the taxes the Kelly Blue book rates it at 14000 and the Nada Value is 15,700 I dont know what the process is but i dont understand how they can do this and its very frusterating as well as hard being without a car for over a month now the car was in great condition and had low miles for the year any advice???""

Stopped for no car insurance but we do have insurance car seized not fair?

11.30pm last night pulled over said no insurance.Did not have insurance document in the car,just the license.Because of the time they seized the car because they could not phone the insurance company.Told them only way i can get proof is bank statement as i was 20 miles from home,but that was still not good enough.I have paid insurance by direct debit for the last 2 years and no problems.so i am well cheesed off this has happened. Have produced the lenience at local station,and shown them documents,they phoned the insurance company and have now give released papers to pick up the car.I am very unhappy with this whole situation and now out of pocket. Is there anyway of claiming the costs from police or insurance company,whoever it is to blame,as there is no way i can be liable for something i am paying for,and to pay 30in taxi fares another 20 to get to the car compound and another 170 to release the car.There must be a way i claim this money back as i feel i am in the right.plus have to fight the 200 fine and 6points also totally unfair and messed up situation this is. I just can't except the inconvenience and the costs that i have to pay when i am legit on the road.surely i can claim if anyone knows""

Were do i get classic insurance for 91 calibra 4x4 turbo.?

""If I go to traffic school, will the point be taken away and my car insurance be the same rate?

Traffic school/ Car Insurance

Is it better to say i live alone instead of with my grandparents when buying car insurance?

i already bought the policy but i said at the time i lived with my sister which bumped it up $100!!! so its been a month and i called to say i live with my grandparents now but there saying i have to come in to take my sister off and put my grandparents on. i told them i lived with my grandparents in hopes that it would go down! not put them on my policy. they have their own insurance, have had it for years, and they will NEVER be driving my car soo WTF insurance is a ripe off. what should i tell them??""

Weird health insurance situation?

My hubby had two claims from a sleep study clinic that were marked as Out of network by my insurance. As such, the insurance company cut me a check for the portion of the bill that they are required to pay (instead of paying the clinic directly). I had to cash them immediately or else the checks would be void. Normally, we get a bill from the clinic with our total bill (including what the insurance needed to pay) and we then pay what the insurance wrote us a check for in addition to our portion. Now, the clinic has decided to write off what was marked as out of network. So, I have the money and nowhere to pay it. Is it ethical/legal for me to just keep it? It feels really wrong...""

Do you have to pay car insurance when you lease a car?

if you aren't driving a car(i live in canada) but you're leasing it. do you have to pay for car insurance as soon as you buy the car? or can you start whenever?

Self Drive Hire car insurance?

Is therer any insurance company out there will insure under 21 on self drive hire cars?

I'm a 17 year old guy wanting to earn some extra money to help pay car insurance what can i do?

I'm a 17 year old guy i'm looking at an extra way of earning some money sensibly to help pay towards my monthly car insurance i already hold a day job any help would be appreciated thanks

Does owning a home increase car insurance rates?

A coworker once told me that once you're labeled as a homeowner, your car insurance rates go up b/c you can be sued for your house. Is there any truth to this? If it matters, I live in NY.""

Help with getting health insurance?

I'm a 22 year old college student and need health insurance. My mother doesn't work and has medicare/medicaid. I don't speak to my father. I'm a resident assistant on campus, which doesn't offer health insurance as a benefit of working. The school offers health insurance but it's around $2,000 a semester (four months) for very little coverage. There is commercials on TV about automotive insurance and life insurance but I don't know how to find health insurance. Where can I go to find more information on different real insurance companies and what's the average price (either per month or lump some) I would have to pay for health insurance? Any help would be great! Thank you!""

Can i get car insurance at age 18 with a permit in NY?

Hey,i have looked around but i seem to have found mixed answers,so i posted my own question to get a straight foward answer.....Will i be able to get Car Insurance with a permit? I am 18yrs old and live in NY state. Thanks""

Free car insurance quote?

What is the best car insurance quotes & rates site to get free car insurance quotes from? Simpler the better!? I was wondering if you guys would be able to shed a little light on the simplest free car insurance quotes sites out there for U.S. citizens specifically?

vermont insurance trade practices act

How much is the average insurance cost for a new driver?

Hi in 3 months, my daughter is getting her drivers license. I just want to know the average cost to insure my daughter. I have a great insurance company, but I am sure they would be too expensive for a new driver. My daughter has all A grades in high school, but I dont know any more information that would change the price. We have a Honda Minivan, so she would drive that, not a fancy sports car. Thanks!""

What would be a good job for someone who wants to get out of insurance claims?

I want to get out of the insurance claims world. I hate the business and I hate dealing with people who have experience loss. My degree is in English. I have applied to a lot of Human Resources jobs with no call backs although I have an excellent work history with proven results. Thank you for any constructive advice that can be given.

Will health insurance cover IVF procedure?

As of right now, my health insurance have been covering all of my wife procedure of IUI and her surgery for unblock 1 of her tube. But after 3 procedures of IUI and all are negative, I think my Dr will go to IVF next and just wondering if health insurance will cover the IVF procedure.""

How much will my insurance cost? Just turned 16?

I want to get a 1994 Mitsubishi 3000gt, but my dad said the insurance would be way to high. Can anyone estimate the price per month insurance would be for a 16 yearold that just got their first car and lisence? Thanks, Dustin""

Insurance is ridiculous on a new car company why?

Basically i live in the UK and i want to buy from the uk dealer a 14k SUV by great wall cars from china, they have only been making commerical cars for like 4 years i think. i have been driving for 3 years with 3 years no claims. I went to look at insurance and it shows up as 11K a year!? is this because its a newish company and they really dont want me to drive the car? or what?, i can get insured on a 40k car cheaper than that!!""

What happens after i complete traffic school for a speeding ticket?

I'm 17. I got a speeding ticket in February, payed it in March, and finished traffic school this month. I went to take my traffic school certificate this week. Does this mean it is cleared? I live in California? I'm wondering because I'm trying to get an insurance rate and it asked if i ever got a ticket.?""

What is a good affordable health insurance company?

I am 21 yrs old, with no existing health conditions, but I make too much money to get coverage from the state. My employer does offer insurance but it's very expensive and the coverage isn't worth the amount of money they want me to spend.""

Can i get insurance w/out a car and vice versa?

i have my license just not a car. so can i go buy a car without insurance OR can i buy insurance THEN buy a car?

Where can you find the best/cheapest car insurance for a 17 year old?

I am 17 years old and I hav recently jst passed my driving test. I was wondering where i can find the cheapest car insurance. Preferably, i would like to put myself as second driver of the car (under my dads name who is the main driver). But does any1 kno where i can find the cheapest car insurance for someone my age? Thanx in advance.""

How much is a teen's car insurance per month?

I am planning to get a 2004 Lexus is300. I know because it is a luxury car, the insurance will be a little higher, but the car is 10 years old...I am recently licensed, a female, and I have a 4.0 gpa so I know I will have some discounts. I will be turning 18 in 6 months but will only be having my license for less than a year. So if any other teen, parent, or car insurance agent knows how much a teen's car insurance would be for a 10 year old luxury car (specifially Lexus), please help me out by letting me know!""

Classic Car As A Daily Driver In Michigan?

I'm a hot rod & kustom guy, have building and restoring old cars for awhile now..love the looks of em and the feeling I get driving them, I'm opening up my own shop soon too. I drive a 2001 Grand Am GT and it's about to die 190,000 miles needs tires, brakes, bearings, engines making noises but for the price I paid and miles I put on it, it worked well. Now I need a new daily drive to school 72 miles round trip 2-3 times a week. I live in Michigan, was wondering what it would be like to drive an classic car as a daily...say a 1958 Chevy Bel Air with a 283 motor...the insurance is cheaper, easier to fix and find parts..but may be more in gas...just wondering if anyone drives a classic everyday and how is it in the winter...I'd have to figure out heat some how. I have many cars 1968 Caddy Deville on air bags, 1930 Model A Coupe hot rod, 1951 Mercury custom, 1956 Cadillac Deville...etc""

How much does life insurance cost monthly for a 28 year old nonsmoking female??

What is the cheapest insurance I can get after an accident in NJ??

I am 18 years old so insurance is already extremely high for me(1100 for a 6 month policy through GEICO) and I recently had a minor accident where I rear ended another car and got a careless driving ticket. Im sure my rate will skyrocket in my next policy and I am wondering what I can do about it.

What's a good health insurance option for a 22 yr. old male?

My boyfriend just lost his coverage under his parents policy and needs insurance that's pretty affordable but still covers things such as: -emergencies (of course!) -vaccinations -yearly doctor visits/sport physicals Any recommendations are welcome! Thanks!

If someone kicked car and left a lage dent will my insurance company pay for the repair?

some jackass kicked my car so now i have a huge dent just wanna know if insurance will cover the cost of fixing the dent and if my insurance will go up? thanks for your time.

I have a health insurance question for baby?

Hey, I was wondering if there is a type of cheap health insurance me and my husband could get since we don't have any and are wanting to have a baby? We both work and have good jobs but, no insurance. Is there and insurance just to cover the baby because as long as the baby's needs are covered I could care less about us? That includes like before the baby is born but, all the doctor visits pertaining to the baby.""

Teenage Boy Car Insurance.?

My 17yrs old son is about to pass his driving exam and then go through the pass plus test too. We were looking to buy him a cheep second hand car for about 500 but when it came to insurance we have been repeatedly quoted around the 3500 mark for third party. Does anyone know where I can get cheep insurance for a boy?

I live in up state newyork need some help with finding some affordable health insurance.?

Looking for the best prices in auto insurance and Quick!?

I know there are some reliable auto insurance companies out there with killer rates. Anyone know something good?

Cheap auto insurance in gresham/portland oregon?

I just moved to Gresham, OR from the Dallas, TX area. I am a 19 year old female who has been driving for over 2 years and has never gotten in a wreck. In Texas I had auto insurance for $88 a month from a local independently owned company. All the quotes I am getting from popular companies here are unbelievably high. Does anyone know of any cheap independently owned companies in the Gresham/Portland Oregon area. I'm trying to shoot for my insurance to be under $100 a month. Please let me know, thanks.""

Are hearing aids covered by health insurance?

Since I was born, I've had a hearing problem on my left ear that I have to go to the audiologist for every year, and every year they say my ability to hear in it goes down by a fragment. I'm 16 now, and in high school, and they originally tried to get me to get hearing aids in 6th grade, but I threw a fit because I was afraid people would make fun of me, and they haven't brought it up since. This year I'm really noticing that my hearing is shot. I'm constantly asking people to repeat things, and whenever someone says something to me and I'm not looking at their mouth, it's all a jumbled mess. If there are a lot of people talking, and someone is standing directly in front of me, but I'm not looking at their mouth, I miss probably a fifth of what they say. I've been thinking about getting hearing aids, but I was wondered if they were covered by insurance. My mom gets the insurance through Fl Hospital, if that helps, and as I'm just now looking into it, I don't know many more details about it.""

Affordable dental insurance for dream act kids?

So, my girlfriend is a dream act student who will be going to university next year. recently she had a huge tooth ache and she found out that she had to get a root canal. She had a cavity for over a year because her divorced parents both refused to pay the fee -_-, they kept saying that the other should have to pay, and now a year later its so bad that she has to get a root canal. Root canals are freaken expensive and her parents are probably not going to want to pay for that, so my question is: are there any sort of affordable dental insurance for students on the Dream Act, keep in mind they don't have much money. would any government programs cover her as a dream act student? please give me any information that could help her with getting some sort of insurance. It's like this with her parents for anything that has to do with health care, -_- neither of them ever want to pay.""

""Howmuch would a110, 000 $ home insurance cost?""

Howmuch would a110, 000 $ home insurance cost?""

How much would insurance cost for a 17 year old with a bimmer ?

Probably a late 1990's model. I have to pay for the car and 1/3rd insurance - so I'm just wondering how much insurance would be around for a BMW ?

Car insurance for my 18 year old son Vauxhall Corsa Value 800 Getting Quotes of 5000 !!! HELP !!!!!!!!?

vermont insurance trade practices act

Will a ticket for expired license plate or possession of marijuana make my insurance go up in cost?

I got both at one time.

Car insurance car location?

Hi, im looking to buy a car that i would occassionally use. i work in birmingham and live in the city centre but need a car for oncall. when im not oncall i get the train. when i dont need the car i would leave it in nottingham with my parents where my dad would occassionally use it. the car would be kept more at the nottingham address than my birmingham one. insurance is cheaper at nottingham so can i put that as the car location even though it would sometimes be in birmingham. it sounds obvious but an insurance company has really confused me saying it must be in birmingham which makes no sense as the car would be kept more in nottz. ive been told insurance companies will try there hardness to avoid paying out say for example if the car was stolen. please help!""

Can a family friend put me on their car insurance?

So i live in the state of california. I have had my learners permit for more than six months now. I want to get my drivers license but due to the economic crisis my parents aren't able to pay every month to have me on their car insurance. A family friend has offered to put me on their car insurance, but what my parents want to know is if that is legal in the state of california or do I HAVE to be insured by my parents?""

How much will motorcycle insurance cost?

I'm 16 I got a 97 Kawasaki ninja how much to I have to pay I have my own car insurance policy can I get it with the same company

Can i get a ticket for not having car insurance?

if i get pulled over with my parents car, the car has insurance but it just isnt in my name but my parents name. i have my L's""

Cheapest car insurance?

I'm trying to insure my first car. It's a Rover Metro SI 1.4 auto. I'm 20 years old + am still driving on a provisional lisense. I've held this lisense for 1 year. I'd do around 5000 miles a year when I pass + want third party as the car is only worth 350. I'm also a lady as I know that makes some insurers cheaper. I've tried moneysupermarket.com + confused.com + Quinn comes up the cheapest with a deposit of 109 + then 10 months at 43. However both sites have a big list of insurers that they could not provide quotes for. Does anyone know, or is anyone with a cheaper insurer than Quinn Direct? I live in England, so no American insurers thanks :)""

I need health insurance?

i am a student in college from the ages of 18-26 looking for a affordable health insurance..

Is it legal for our group insurance company to mandate life insurance?

Our group health insurance provider is now saying we have to buy life insurance through one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. Is this legal in the State of Ohio?

What is a good insurance policy for a motorcyclist?

I'm 17 and I have good grades and a job. Im driving to school and to work. Im geting a ninja 250 cc. I litterally own the motorcycle, I paid in cash from a dealer. Do I need liablity insurance? How about comprehensive? collision? medical? Please, I want to pay an addordable insurance policy. Please give me some good policy rates for a 18 year old. ty""

How can I get the cheapest car insurance in the UK?

I am 29 and have had a driving licence for 11 years but in another country (non EU). I just got my UK licence and am looking for a cheap insurance. the cheapest quote I have found is over 2000 which is too much. I have a 1.6 automatic Golf. Is there any company that accepts my previous licence as my experience? I also tried to get my No Claim Bonus letter from my Insurance company but they simply don't answer me as the system is different in my country so no chance of getting that. thanks

Car Insurance Question?

First, I recently passed my road test and I am allowed to drive by myself. The problem is that the pink card (car insurance) has my parent's names on it and not mine. But, my parents recall putting me in a car insurance plan with them. So technically without my name on the card, I would be driving without insurance? And that's illegal right? (At least in Canada, Alberta) Would I be able to drive or no?""

Dog life and health Insurance?

In June I got my first dog ever, he's part Yorkie and Chiuua. He's 4 months old and I'm wrecking my brain looking for resonable insurance for him, can someone please help me, I am on a budget, however, I have health and life insurance for myself and granddaughter, my new baby should be covered as well. But I don't have a clue and I don't want to get ripped off either. Thanks""

Ca dmv insurance online?

heres the deal. i want to renew my tags online but it says my insurance needs to be on dmv file to be able to do that. so is there a online system i can file my insurance on or do i still have to go to dmv to do that

Coverage characteristics of health insurance?

What are some of the coverage characteristics of health insurance

18 yr old Car Insurance Advice?

I recently moved out of my parents home due to family issues. Im 18 yrs old and need car insurance but can no longer get it through my parents which made it much cheaper. Im wondering what my best options are.

Moving out and my father says my insurance rate will go up some $80 or so. Hmmm?

Im 19 years old, and moving out of my parents house within the next month. Im already paying $140/month full coverage through State Farm, and my father says that if I move out, my insurance rates will rise approximately $80, to $220/month. Im just curious as to know if he wants the money himself rather than the insurance company? Fact or Greedy Father?""

How much would the nissan altima coupe's insurance cost per year?

Prescott Valley, AZ""

Car Insurance Claim Help?

Car Insurance Claim Help? On the 4/7/2011 I was at a set of traffic lights that was (RED) of my way to the shops. As the lights went green I begin to move off slowly as I did another car came from the left of me and tried to turn right as he speed up he crashed into the drivers side of the car. He clearly jumped a red light (Clearly Seen on CCTV). I was in total shock at the time! After he crashed into my car he went to drive off by reversing, I jumped out of my car to stood in his was so he could not drive off the witness behind me called the police while I was stopping his from driving off he started to drive forwards trying to me me out the way. After the driver spoke to the police on the phone, he then gave me his Name, Phone number and Insurance information. The next day I called my insurance company they was vary helpful and I believe the clam would be settled in my favor as I had CCTV of the crash as I had a camera inside of my car and a witness that was behind my car at the time of the crash. After nearly 4Months I have now revived a letter stating that the claim has been closed on a Without Prejudice Basis. When I contacted Aviva to see what the 3rd party has not accepted full liability they said it was dealt with like this as the 3rd party who crashed into me was not responding to and calls or letters that have send him. Aviva did not asked to see the CCTV of the crash and did not take into account the witness statement. WHAT CAN I DOOO??""

Need help choosing car insurance HELP!!! =)?

Im 20 yrs old. i've had my drivers liscence for 2 yrs, and i have a clean driving record..I need affordable car insurance for my 01 mitsubishi, eclipse, in california... any suggestions???""

What should i do about car insurance?

Basically in 2009 i got caught speeding without insurance. Biggest Mistake of my life. Lost my licence and had to start from provisional again. Now i have passed my test and it is a few years on i dont know what to do about getting insurance. I refuse to drive without it now. The thing i need to know is do i tell my insurance company about the claims that were less than 5 years ago or don't i? the reason is because my licence was taken away without a ban put back to provisional and now re-started fresh so do i still have to put them or not? Also if i do what would happen if i don't? Just out of curiosity as it would be a lot cheaper but if i have to i will obviously. Thanks

""If I open a bank account with USAA, will I pay less for USAA car insurance?""

I'm a college student who inherited USAA car insurance through my mom. I'm transferring to a 4-year Uni and looking for all the simplicities and money saving options available ie; overdraft protection, quick debit records, free atm anywhere, no monthly charge, online features........ pretty much everything USAA has standard. As of now I still bank with BOA, but it may be simpler and cheaper to bank with USAA... especially if they offer a price cut in monthly car insurance. Much thanks to those(asside from insurance salesmen or banking officials) with information. =)""

""Premium financed insurance, any risks?

What scenarios can bank repo the collaterals in premium financed insurance? It seems too good to be true.

How much does a salvaged title make your auto insurance go up?

I am an 18-year-old first time driver that just got his license a week ago. I got a car that's a salvaged title and a theft recovery. I got a quote on the car before I ...show more

Is renter's insurance required for tenants in california?

Affordable health insurance? My husband's work does not pay for mine nor our son's insurace so we pay out of?

pocket. We have Aetna right now but they just keep jacking our prices up. My husband has not been to the doctor at all this year and they have raised his prices too. Does anyone know of a good health insurance plan that is affordable please?? Thank you!

vermont insurance trade practices act

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/get-florida-car-insurance-quote-isaiah-gibson/"

0 notes