#( ─ conversations ; scott ramírez. )

[twin-skelletons]

Did Adrian attend college?

The only formal education Adrian received was through the ISSP Academy. His mentor, Detective Michael Ramírez, forged Adrian’s credentials so he could get around the background check. Adrian’s ability to quickly adapt to any situation in addition to being highly recommended by Michael put him on the fast track to becoming a detective.

During his time at the academy, Adrian found that he was well-suited to ISSP work. He was interested in topics like law, criminal psychology, and investigation procedures and even spent time outside of classes reading about them. Instructors were surprised by Adrian’s advanced weapons proficiency which they usually only saw from Titan veterans. Adrian explained that Michael had given him lessons from a young age, laying their curiosity to rest.

The one friend Adrian made at the academy was his partner, Detective Evelyn Bellamy, though ‘friend’ is a bit generous. Like many of their classmates, Evelyn quickly became tired of hearing their instructors sing Adrian’s praises. She was just relieved that he was aiming for the narcotics department so that their paths would never cross again. Unfortunately for her, their Captain had other ideas. Assigning them both to homicide, they were forced to find common ground. Let’s just say their partnership is a constant work in progress.

What animal best represents/symbolizes Adrian?

The animal that best represents Adrian is the coyote. Coyotes represent survival, adaptability, and tenacity, all traits that Adrian has honed from a young age. Being able to think on his feet has kept him alive for this long, but it has also caused him a fair deal of pain and suffering. With experience, especially in his role as a detective, Adrian has learned to wield this double-edged sword.

Coyotes have their destructive attributes as well, such as being stubborn, impulsive, and vengeful. Beneath his officer of the law façade, these attributes are at the core of everything Adrian does. While he truly believes he has let go of his past by finding his true calling, it’s his past that drives him to seek justice and eliminate targets. Adrian can’t confront this paradox because, deep down, he knows that it would destroy the very foundation of his identity.

Due to their howling during times of transition, such as dusk and dawn, coyotes are often associated with the concept of death and rebirth. With every death of every person he considered family, Adrian has emerged on the other side as someone completely new. It’s hard to say if it’s for better or worse.

How much does Adrian care for his appearance?

Adrian is all about practicality. One of the things he appreciates about being a detective is that he doesn’t have to think about what to wear. Because of that, he owns ten sets of the same white button-up, black tie, and black slacks. Whenever he gets an injury, usually from his extracurriculars, he patches himself up. He goes into the office the next day like nothing’s happened, causing many of his coworkers to worry and insist he visit a hospital.

Prior to working as a detective, Adrian wore whatever was comfortable. This mostly consisted of t-shirts, sweats, joggers, and baseball caps - all things he still wears when he’s off the clock. Michael was the first person to make Adrian more aware of how he presented himself. His mentor stressed how appearance was an indicator of professionalism and, if he wanted to be taken seriously as a detective, something he needed to follow through on consistently.

After Michael’s passing, Evelyn took on the role of pushing Adrian to expand his wardrobe. On their undercover cases and off-duty meetings, she always has a lot to say about his casual wear. Through her incessant pestering, Adrian has slowly started adding pieces to his collection just so he could make their conversations a little more bearable.

What quote best encapsulates Adrian?

“Show me a hero and I’ll write you a tragedy.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald

While there are countless ways to interpret this quote, two of them are the most relevant to Adrian. The first has to do with the past. Behind every hero, there is usually a tragic event that shapes the rest of their life. For Adrian, that was losing his family. Their murders are the catalyst for him becoming a detective.

The second is more of a warning for the future. Making sacrifices is an unavoidable fact of being a hero. Adrian’s merciless pursuit of justice comes at the cost of everything else in his life. While he believes he has a righteous goal, being willing to go to any lengths to achieve it – violent or otherwise - pushes him further and further away from heroism. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and sometimes you don’t know you’re on that road until it’s far too late.

A note from the author: All questions were shared on the @bebopcrew server.

[longlistshort]

Freedom Fry- Shaky Ground

Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (9/7-9/10/17)-

Thursday

The Regrettes and The Paranoyds are playing a free show at the Dr. Martins Store in  Studio City- RSVP here

Musician and writer Tim Kasher is screening his debut feature film at the Bootleg Theater with a concert and Q & A to follow

LACMA has a free screening of an episode of One Mississippi and includes a conversation with Tig Notaro, executive producer Kate Robin, and some of the cast

For the third installment of Paul McCarthy's free outdoor film series at Hauser & Wirth, the films are Heidi and Waterworld

Chance The Rapper's brother Taylor Bennett is also a rapper and he's performing at the Echoplex tonight with Melo Makes Music

New Mystics are playing at The Echo with HOTT MT, The Red Pears and Yeses opening

Irish punk band Stiff Little Fingers are playing at the El Rey Theatre with Death By Unga Bunga opening

Fruit Bats are playing a solo set with Jed Maheu opening at Resident

Friday

The Ohana Music Fest starts today at Doheny State Beach with Social Distortion, Pixies, TV On The Radio, The Orwells and more- it's not cheap though- each night is $100+ (continues Saturday with Eddie Vedder headlining  and Sunday with Jack Johnson headlining)

To celebrate the life of Jeanne Moreau, the Aero Theatre is showing a double feature- La Notte and Diary of a Chambermaid (Saturday they are showing Jules and Jim and Bay of Angels)

The Wiltern is showing Easy Rider with a live band providing the soundtrack

Corbin & Shlohmo are playing at The Novo

Kolars are playing at The Echo with Livingmore and Moded opening

Saturday

Sunstock Solar Arts & Music Festival returns for its second year with bands Freedom Fry, Robert DeLong, Ra Ra Riot, Fuzzy Crystals, and more

ICA LA (Institute of Contemporary Art) is having it's Grand Opening Weekend with exhibition tours, talks, performances, workshops and more (free, also on Sunday)

It's the second day of the Day N Night Fest in Anaheim and tonight Chance The Rapper, SZA, Vic Mensa, Earl Sweatshirt, Lil Uzi Vert, and Playboi Carti are just some of the many performers (Travis Scott headlines Friday)

Pamela M. Lee, Osgood Hooker Professorship in Fine Arts, Stanford University, will be at LACMA to discuss the art scenes in New York and Los Angeles at the time Virginia Dwan operated her galleries in the two cities. The free lecture is in conjunction with LACMA's current exhibition Los Angeles to New York: Dwan Gallery, 1959–1971

For the opening of their exhibition at Gavlak Gallery, Los Super Elegantes will be performing a medley of their greatest performances

Lemaitre are playing at the El Rey Theatre with Blackbird Blackbird and STANAJ opening

Sunday

As part of the second day of events for ICA LA's Grand Opening Weekend, leading scholars of Latin American art and culture Josh Kun, Rubén Gallo, and James Oles will join conservator Harriet Stratis to discuss the life and work of Martín Ramírez (free, register here)

It's the last night to see The Muppets Take The Bowl and catch the fireworks at The Hollywood Bowl

It's the last day (and night) of the Day N Night Fest- Kendrick Lamar is performing with a huge list of performers that includes YG, 21 Savage and Princess Nokia

Grand Park is hosting the Beat Swap Meet- a chance to score some vinyl and check out some b-boy and b-girl moves (free)