#Danny is now even more motivated to find a cure

[bet-on-me-13]

Danny is the son of Mr Freeze

So! Danny was adopted as a Kid.

It was never really that big of a thing to him, just a small footnote in his life. He never really cared about finding his Bio Family, or even looking into it at all. His new Family was enough for him, no need to complicate it all that much.

But then, the Accident happened.

After he got shocked by the Portal and passed out, his parents had rushed him to the hospital. Apparently his Heart had been pulsing irregularly, so they had decided to not take any chances.

While at the Hospital, the Doctors noticed a particularly strange result in his blood tests. So, a few months after he had been discharged (it took a while for the blood work to come back), they asked him to come back in for further testing.

At first, Danny was scared that they had found out about his Powers. But when he walked into the Room, they had other news.

He had been diagnosed with Huntingtons Disease, a rare neurological condition that apparently had no known cure. The only possible way to contract the Disease was to have inherited it from one of his parents.

They said it was in its early stages at the moment, but as time passed he would become weaker and weaker, and he would become more sickly. They diagnosed that he had just over 5 years left before he died, and there were no treatments or cures that could save him.

Danny got a second opinion with Frostbite, since he knew more about Ghost Biology and might know if it was truly a fatal Disease for a Halfa.

And yeah, it was. No matter how much of him is Ghostly, he is still half Human, and the Human Disease in his body can and will kill him. And there's no guarantee that he will become a full Ghost upon death. For all he knows it will just End him.

So, Danny had a time limit to find a way to cure himself. He didn't have much time to study, what with the constant Ghost Attacks, his School Work, and keeping his parents from attacking innocent Ghosts, but he managed where he could.

Speaking of his parents, they had been looking into the disease as well. But they seemed convinced that they could find a way to save him by simply dissecting a Ghost to study its biology. (It was as if this was just a convenient excuse to dive deeper into their obsession)

After a while, he mamaged to resolve the Ghost Attack stuff and got his grades under control, but he was still making little progress on finding a Cure.

So, he looked into other people who might be studying the same Disease, to see if he could look I to their research. But that search came up empty.

There was nobody who wanted to fund research into such a rare disease, so nobody was studying it. There was one man who was studying it, but he was a convicted Supervillain. Danny decided that he would be his backup plan, since he wasn't sure how Jazz would react if he teamed up with a known Villain.

He just kept on studying his condition.

...

It had been about 4 years since his initial diagnosis, and Danny was 18. And he needed help.

He had made no progress in developing a Cure, and his condition had worsened. He could barely walk without a limp anymore, and his limbs felt weaker by the day.

He did manage to get some luck when he found out that lowering his Body Temperature would slow the progress of the Disease. He was never more thankful for his Ice Powers than on the day he figured that out.

But he had hit a roadblock. He needed help, and unfortunately there was only one place he could go to get it. The Supervillain he had read about all that time ago, Mr Freeze.

Now he was headed to Gotham City to seek his help, even if it meant becoming a Villlain himself.

[five-rivers]

Changeling Chapter 1

A DP Fae Au fic. I've been promising you this for so long XD. I can hardly believe I'm finally delivering, even if it's only one chapter for now.

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Chapter 1: In the Beginning, There Was an Offer

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They studied legends. According to those legends, today, Beltane, was a time of renewal, of birth, of fertility.

It was not supposed to be… this. Their dreams weren’t supposed to be crushed today. Not under this sun, not under these blue skies and among softly blooming flowers.

This kind of news should have come with rain. It should have come with storms.

Maddie wiped tears out of her eyes and Jack patted her on the back. The air smelled sweet and dusty at the same time. The bench was uncomfortable.

“We could try adoption,” said Jack. He sounded shocked, too. Drained. His voice was pulled taught over a great hollowness. “Lots of people adopt. We can- can do some good in the world, maybe.”

Maddie sniffed and cried harder. She’d wanted her own children, and Jack knew it. Adoption was all very well and good, but at this point the suggestion felt like some consolation prize, and she felt terrible for even thinking it was, because Jack was right, it could be a good thing, and…

She wanted children. Her own children.

“Excuse me, I believe I can help.”

There was something about how he said that, about how the voice wound and slipped through her ears that had Maddie’s head snapping up. The man who stood to the side of the bench wore a long coat with a deep hood. Symbols, symbols that Maddie had spent hours, days, weeks, researching were stitched into the fabric. His eyes glittered in the shadows. The fingers of his hands, clasped in front of him, were too long, their coloring faintly lavender, as if they had been dipped in ink and retained the stain even after they’d been washed clean.

This was not a human.

“How?” asked Maddie, feeling hope drip back into her limbs even as Jack tensed behind her. “How can you help?”

.

“We shouldn’t have done that,” said Jack as they drove home. “We really shouldn’t have done that. Maddie, they’re evil, there’s always a catch and it’ll always be looking for a way to push us into it.”

“The catch is in the open,” said Maddie, leaning back against the seat of the car and closing her eyes. “It isn’t as if it’s in the fine print and we’re going to stumble into it. We have one, and then I get my tubes tied, or you get snipped, and we go on with our lives.”

“What if we have twins? Triplets? Maddie, we should have talked about this.”

“There wasn’t any time,” Maddie said defensively. “I had to decide right away.”

“What are we going to do if we have twins, Maddie?”

Maddie bit her lip, her eyes opening without her full permission as she thought. “We know how to deal with things like him.”

The car jerked just a little to the right as Jack failed to suppress his flinch. “Do you remember our work on motivations? On why they take artists, musicians, children?” he asked. He forged on without waiting for an answer. “Creative sterility, we called it. For this one to be able to cure sterility, he has to be powerful. I don’t think nails in pockets and inside-out clothing is going to stop him.”

Such protections were hit and miss to begin with. One faerie might hate bread, another might love it. The sound of bells would drive off one, and another would wear them in their hair. Even cold iron was no guarantee against them.

“We’ll have to find something better, then,” she said, firmly.

.

Maddie laughed. Not a twin. A single child showed on the ultrasound monitor. A girl. A beautiful baby girl. Perfect.

On the other side of the bed, Jack sunk into a chair, obviously relieved. “She’s healthy?” he asked the OB/GYN.

“Completely,” she said. “This is quite the miracle the two of you put together here.” She shook her head. “We must have gotten something wrong during our examination. I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am to have put you through all that, and I won’t blame you if you wanted to find a new doctor.”

“It’s fine,” said Maddie, patting the woman’s arm. “It happens.” Yes, being approached by a powerful fae just ‘happened.’ “The important thing now is to make sure there aren’t any complications.”

.

They made sure Jazz was born on a Sunday, with two middle names, one of which Maddie made sure to forget. They scheduled her baptism for as early a date as possible, even though both Jack and Maddie were as lapsed as it was possible to be.

Precautions.

Jack had his surgery only a month later.

They were safe. They had won.

The family of three snuggled together on the couch. Well, Jazz snuggled inasmuch as a newborn was able. They watched TV.

“Jack, dear,” said Maddie, roused to awareness by a news story about a rising young businessman. “Is that our Vlad?”

Jack blinked at the screen. “I think you’re right,” said Jack. “I haven’t seen him since college. I don’t think we’ve talked to him since college.” He frowned. “Did something happen? The three of us used to be so close… He was the only one in the whole folklore department that would put up with our theories, do you remember?”

“I don’t know,” said Maddie, trying to remember. “It was like he was there one day, gone the next.”

“Do you think he’ll mind us getting back in touch?”

“Only one way to find out.”

.

(As it turned out, Vlad did not particularly care to get back in touch.)

.

Jazz was not a normal child.

She saw too much. She understood too much. Her teeth grew in early. She learned how to get the milk out of the fridge at about the same time she learned how to walk. Her eyes were too large, even for her age. She didn’t start talking until she was almost two, and when she did, it was in complete sentences. She took to responsibility like a duck to water. No, she demanded responsibility, from waking up the family in the morning to answering the door. She loved rules and games, and the rules of games.

But they had never raised a child before. Perhaps this was simply how they were. Perhaps this was within the expected variety of humanity.

Most importantly, Jazz was theirs. Completely.

.

Maddie was not terribly concerned when her period missed a few days, or even when it was late by a week. But when it started pushing two…

She bought a test.

It came back positive.

.

Danny’s birth was different from Jazz’s in almost every particular. Instead of being infused with a sense of joy, proceedings were overshadowed by dread. Jazz had been born in a hospital. Danny would be born at home, behind every ward and protection Jack and Maddie could conceive of. The midwife they hired was more than used to odd belief systems and threw a few of her own traditions in as well.

It couldn’t hurt.

.

It didn’t help.

After the birth, Maddie held Danny in her arms. He’d been born in a caul, which had been slightly alarming, even though Maddie had known that it was a thing that happened regularly, and that, by most accounts, it was lucky.

He was such a tiny little thing. Smaller than Jazz. Which made sense, he was a little premature.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” she promised him, whispering into the silky, wispy curls on top of his head.

Someone knocked on the door. Maddie jerked her head up, even though the front door wasn’t at all visible from the basement. Jack flinched hard enough to drop the towels he was holding. The midwife froze.

“Hospitality,” croaked Maddie. Those rules were always humanity’s first defense against the uncanny. Don’t want something in your house? In your life? Don’t invite it in.

Although, she had arguably already invited in the fae they were worried about. Hence all the other contingencies.

The knock came again. And again, louder.

Jack let out a sigh of relief. “It can’t get in,” he murmured. Then he smiled, broad and bright. “We just have to wait it out.”

Maddie nodded, tears in her eyes. The knocking continued. This was far from ideal, obviously, but she’d been half expecting the fae to simply rip through the wards like tissue paper.

Perhaps the theory that more powerful fae were more bound by custom, more vulnerable to their weaknesses, held water? She and Jack had always dismissed it as fanciful, but they’d never been able to gather evidence before.

Then, a sound that made her heart stop.

“I’ll get it!” called Jazz, childish voice muffled by distance and the obstacle of the floors above. She’d been told not to answer the door when Danny was being born, to wait patiently in her room, but for all her unusual maturity, she was only three.

Faster than she’d ever seen him move, Jack bolted for the stairs, pushing aside several pieces of furniture and medical equipment in his haste. He took the stairs four at a time and nearly taking the door off the hinges.

He wasn’t fast enough.

“Who are you, mister?”

“Me?” said a voice Maddie had prayed against ever hearing again. “I am your uncle, my dear. Did your parents not tell you about me?”

.

Jazz tipped her head to one side and stared up at the man, making her eyes extra big. She knew it made a lot of people uncomfortable when she looked at them like that, so she treated it as a kind of test.

The man smiled, kind and patient. He was kind of funny looking, but in a good way.

“No,” she said finally. “Are you Mommy’s brother or Daddy’s brother?”

“Ah, you already know about uncles, then. I was worried I’d have to explain. May I come in? I would like to greet your little brother, as your parents promised I could. I have gifts for both of you.”

Jazz liked gifts. “Okay,” she said. “But I dunno if Danny’s been born yet. Mommy said it can take a while. And I dunno if he can have gifts, yet. He’s gonna be really little. That’s what all my books say, and also the internet.”

“Jazz! Don’t!”

Jazz turned to see her Daddy skid around the corner, just as her uncle stepped across the threshold.

“Not quite on time, I fear,” said uncle. “Young Jazz has already let me in.” He patted Jazz on the head. She ducked away and stuck her tongue out, like she always did when Daddy did that. “Having greeted my niece, I would like to see my nephew.”

.

The fae did walk past the rest of the wards as if they weren’t even there. It didn’t even break them, just ignored them. Some of them he even commented on, as if approving.

He gazed down at Danny with his otherworldly eyes. The midwife had retreated to the corner of the room, refusing to look at what was happening. Jack had attempted to attack the fae with his bare hands, only to be pushed away with something approaching gentleness by an invisible wall. Maddie didn’t know where Jazz was. Upstairs, somewhere, hopefully.

“So beautiful,” the fae said, brushing Danny’s forehead with his off-color fingers. Faster than Maddie could react, he had a pair of scissors in his hand and was cutting off a lock of hair. “A lovely child.” The lock of Danny’s hair disappeared into the fae’s coat.

If Maddie didn’t know better, she’d call the expression on the fae’s face love. But she did know better. Love was as incomprehensible to the fae as fae laws were to humans, so she’d call it by its true name: avarice.

She tightened her grip on Danny, as if she could keep the fae from plucking him from her arms.

“Not now,” said the fae, after another moment. “Soon, I should think.” It ran a hand over Danny’s head. “Soon.” The fae looked up, meeting Maddie’s eyes. “I will return,” he said, “in one year.”

“For what?” demanded Maddie, unwilling to get her hopes up.

The fae blinked slowly. “For his birthday.” He tilted his head. “To determine whether or not he is ready. Perhaps, also, to visit my niece.”

“You stay away from Jazz!” snarled Maddie. “You have no claim on her.”

The fae merely shrugged, then smiled, slyly. “She does, however, have a claim on me. I promised her gifts, before your husband whisked her away.”

“Gifts,” repeated Maddie, hoarsely.

“For the sister of my child, yes,” said the fae, voice and face as calm and even as ever. “Would you ask me to forswear myself?”

“Then,” said Maddie, “you can leave them here, with us.”

“You will give them to her?”

“Yes,” said Maddie, through her teeth. She did not say how long she would let Jazz be in the presence of these ‘gifts.’

“Very well, then,” said the fae, pulling a number of boxes out from beneath his coat. “One year. Be prepared.”

And, with that, the fae faded from view, as if he had been an illusion all along.

Danny was still with them. Their son was still with them. Still theirs.

“One year,” she said, breathless. “Only one year.”

“One whole year,” corrected Jack, rushing to her side. “You’ll see, Maddie. Next time, that fae won’t know what hit him!”

“One whole year,” echoed Maddie, weakly.

“One year to prepare,” said Jack. “Look what we did with half that time! We’re Fentons! We can do it!”

“We can do it,” breathed Maddie. “One year. We’ll be ready.”

Jack nodded, firmly. “We’ll be ready.”

[anotherbeingsworld]

The Last Seconds of Fate

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x F!MC (Casey Valentine) 

Summary: This is my attempt on a rewrite for the diamond scene in chapter 11 with Bryce , but.. I kinda put it in my own twist. 

Inspo: Before You Go - Lewis Capaldi

Warnings: mentions of dying. Besides that, none.

A/N: It’s back to back fics for now, I just hand in my first ever assignment and why not a celebratory fic djdkdkdk! I may be busy in days to come, but.. I will try my very best to write more! Writing has been an outlet for me this year, and it definitely made me very happy! I hope all of you are enjoying it so far, thank you for all the sweet comments on my past fics! It has been an honour, and I really hope you enjoyed this one too! Special thanks to @fantasyoverreality98​ , @mvalentine��� and @bratzlahela​ for assuring me about this fic! I wasnt feeling much confident about it, but.. I feel proud of it! It doesn’t follow the scene from the book, it is somehow... my own way of writing it! I am very terrified about this, since I don’t want to mess it up. JSDHSJD, enough babbling! Enjoy!! 

Tags:  @bitchloveskcbaseball​​​ , @storyofmychoices​​​ @jaxsmutsuo​​​ , @mvalentine​​​ , @princess-geek​ , @lahellacute​​​ , @kacie-0156-deactivated20200905​​ , @this-person-is-busy​​​ , @annekebbphotography​​​ , @brycelahel​​​, @mrsbhandari​​​ , @dcbbw​​​ , @choicessa​​​ , @choices-confessions , @aylamwrites​​​ , @fantasyoverreality98​​​ , @drakewalker04​​​ , @baltersome​​​ , @thecordoniandiaries​​​ , @thundergom​​​  @starrystarrytrouble​​​, @ohramsey​​​ , @kelseaaa​​​  , @rookie-ramsey​​​ , @bratzlahela​​​ , @ohvamsey​​ , @choicesficwriterscreations​ , @soft-for-drake​ , @lalizah​

LINK TO MY MASTERLIST 

The room was quiet, as it was only Casey and Bryce. Both of them are laying down on the hospital bed, which is too small for their liking. But, nothing ever stop them before. The way his arms were wrapped around her waist. Beneath the suit, as it gave her a sense of comfort and homey feeling inside of her. Somehow, being in his arms felt like being back at home, where she felt safe from the monsters and stories that can be seen on the other side of it all.

It was them against the world, time, and all the forces in between. The day went by as a traumatic experience for both of them, a day they never expected to see. It felt as if the universe is giving them a sign, somehow that life can be very short for both of them. Tomorrow will never be guaranteed, as long as we learn how to enjoy the present.

‘If it was my last night, do you have anything you want to tell me?’ Casey started, earning a look of sadness in his face. An expression that wasn’t well known to the scalpel jockey. It was new, every day she realizes, there was always something new about one Bryce Lahela. The tricks he had on his sleeve that manage to blow her mind, he never failed to be the reason she was smiling every day.

‘Casey…’ The softness in his voice made her heart soothe, as the longing to be with him after all this time.

‘Answer me, please…’ She took his hands in hers, as she lets out a squeeze. His eyes soften, a sad expression was plastered on his face followed by a long silence. Somehow, he was constructing an answer in his mind, and honestly. He can’t think of anything, not even an answer crosses his mind, until he suddenly blurts it out.

‘I love you.’

The words left his mouth, a spontaneous act that he never saw it coming. Bryce felt a pang of nervousness, as the 8 letters left his mouth in a sudden manner. Casey was speechless, as they never made it official, but… deep down, she knows every interaction they had, every kiss, hug, moments they had together was better than anything in this world. It felt like a rare presence that she never expected, but didn’t know she needed it.

Love. It is subjective, as everyone will fall in love, out of love, and maybe not at all. The feeling of comfort of love plays a huge role in everyone’s life. Some say it can be a motivator, and maybe a goal to foreseen at the end of the road; marriage. Or, maybe it's just the feeling of being free with that certain someone, who can lift your spirits up with a snap of a finger. But, being there with Bryce. It wasn’t any of those, it was the feeling of being where we were supposed to be.

She always counted on the odds, reeling on the what if’s as medicine was never about the odds. It was a balance of everything as their goal at the end was to find a cure, in order to make life happier at the end of the day. The love of it all made her realize that this field of career, was what she always wanted. And, everything in her life had to happen which leads her to this moment, where she almost died. Or, maybe she will.

‘What about you?’ He brings up a similar question, as the last three words from his mouth are playing like a broken record in her mind.

‘Me?”

He nods slowly, as he was somewhat curious as they were wrapped around each other’s arms with their own companion, the dark night sky as the time was somehow counting down slowly, as maybe it was her final time being in his arms.

‘I am happy to spend the last night of my entire life with you.’ The words felt like vomit coming from her mouth, a truth that she didn’t know she needed.

‘…It’s not your last night Casey, you’ll be here tomorrow. Waking up happily here, as we presume our life forward with each other.’ Bryce’s voice started to broke slowly, an act that she didn’t see coming.

‘Bryce…’ She gazes into his eyes, somewhat it looked different than the ones she used to see at their early walks to the hospital, or when he scores a surgery. It looked somber, somehow the hopefulness in his eyes was absent leaving a sense of fear and dread that was clouding it all.

He strokes her cheeks, somehow examining it after all this time. The way he looked at you, with a sense of fear in him, as your tragedy cast a storm above his head. Despite being in the hazmat suit, it didn’t stop him from leaving warmth on your cold fingers, stroking it slowly and gently with the similar feeling that he always leave you. A breeze of intensity, and the calmness of the ocean.

In a matter of seconds, the tears in your eyes fall. A sudden reaction that is never expected, it felt like a chemical reaction at that moment as the moments in the past circulates with her.

‘It will never be the last night, this is… you are gonna be alright. You will be alright.’ He strokes her hair, as he somehow is memorizing the felt of her smooth hair, it was a little habit of his. It was a sudden reaction, a way of affection.

‘...how do you know that? I don’t feel like it, it felt like the end; I didn’t get to do anything as this is the final place I am gonna be before I died.’ Casey keeps on talking, as Bryce couldn’t hold it in anymore.

‘No, you are not dying tonight or any night. This world is not ready to say goodbye to you, hell… I don’t think I will ever see the world without you in it. You are staying here, and I-..’ He stops himself, taking a deep breath as she sat on the hospital bed. A discourage look on her face says it all, somehow he has a way of looking past her façade, and the way her eyes cast the sense of worry, he knew something was wrong. He stood up from the bed, making his way around towards her.

He is standing in front of her, as Casey’s head is down. He took her hands in his, and squeeze it lightly capturing her attention once more.

It was silence in the room, the sounds of machines were slowly heard in the background as she started to humming. She loved to sing, but it was always just a hobby; since she had become one of the usual for karaoke night at Donahue’s with Bryce which is one of her favorite memories with him.

So, before you go,

Her voice bounces through the walls, as the sealed room made it much louder. The tears started to fall in between, as the news of Danny and Bobby made her heart cry in despair. They don’t deserve this, they don’t deserve to be the one who had to say goodbye.

Was there something I could've said to make your heartbeat better?

Her eyes gaze into his, a strong inferior behind those emeralds, as an attempt to kept herself together.

If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather

She knew she could do better, she knew she can stop them all by pushing them all away. Giving her a chance to do something once, as Rafael’s state floats in her mind, torturing her. Seeing him that way, as the storm hits her once more, where she stood there hoping that it was going to be her.

Her voice was cut off with a sob, as Bryce leans forward. Their foreheads meet through the glass of the hazmat suit, she wanted to give up. He doesn’t want to let her go, as time is the only essence they had left.

The silence of the night, made his heart leap in nervousness, her heartbeat was still there as she finally falls herself into a deep slumber. The quiet killed him, as he doesn’t want to close his eyes. The fear of her being taken away from him very soon made him wept in silence. She looked peaceful, as the day finally gets slower, where it felt like time was never moving at all. Right now, there was nothing he could do. A soft hummed was heard during the early hours of the day, as it was almost time.

---------------------------

‘I will always, honestly, truly, completely love you.’ Was one of her favorite quotes from a movie called; Love, Rosie. She told him about her love for it, as they were having a sleepover of their own, a classic tale of second chances and fate.

Fate was sensitive subject, as he always lived his life in a flow. A path that leads him to the unknown, but when it comes to Casey. Someone who waltzed into his life, as a colleague turns to be more, the flow seems to be a back-up plan instead. Seeing herself in that position, made him wonder if fate would ever turn around for her, or for them.

The lights brought him back to life, as the diagnostics team along with the doctors from Mass Kenmore made their way into the room. A pleasant look on their faces gave him a beacon of hope, a small chance for her to fight.

Ethan walks toward him, a small nod was given in his way. Bryce glances at Casey’s figure who looks peacefully asleep, as a brink of tears falls once more. She is going to make it.

‘We will save her Bryce.’ His voice is slow, not wanting to wake her up. Bryce nods with a head full of thoughts and happiness, that he suddenly pulled Dr. Ramsey into an engulfed hug. A sense of adrenaline was splashed out, as he felt himself smiling all the way through it all.

‘Thank you.’

Ethan just nods, a small smile was hinted on his face. Knowing that he would lose a friend as well, during it all. Both of them stayed that way before it was time to test it out. The moment where all of their lives gonna change once again.

------------------------------

The smile on her face, as the doors were opened to them. The gratefulness on her face, as she ran into his arms. His arms securely around her waist, as she survived. She did it.

She survived, and she is not going to wait anymore.

‘I love you too.’

THE END.

A/N: Heyyy, so I hope all of you enjoyed it! I am very terrified but, hey... i am very proud of it aswell! Thank you so much for reading, and I will see ya soon!! <3 

[monkey-network]

My Issues with Butch Hartman

Call this the sequel to my post on Mr. Enter. But honestly compared to Enter, Butch Hartman has made himself look far worse in so little time. Not only with how he uses his influence, but he basically showed his true colors not long after he left Nickelodeon. With Enter, the worst you can say about him is his opinions on media and his politics. With Hartman, there is a surprisingly lot more under his belt that made the hate towards him .

To preface this, while I’m gonna shit on this dude, I’m not shaming anyone who still likes his past content. With that said, bibbity Boppity boopity. Let’s look at the fucking scoopity.

The Telltale Oaxis

This really takes the cake as the scummiest thing Butch has done. Words and opinions can be one thing, but using your platform to basically trick some people out of their money for a project you abandoned for the most part grinds me gears a lot more. As bad as his marketing strategy was, at least Enter provided effort in his indiegogo project beforehand for god’s sake. Oaxis is one of the most pitiable crowdfunded projects I’ve seen.

It’s nearly two years since Butch got Oaxis funded and what have gotten beyond pure dead silence. Nearly two years and little to no significant updates for Oaxis’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, his Youtube, or the site’s official account. No wait, that last part’s kind of a lie. They had monthly updates on the official site up until September 2019. Could’ve posted this on their social medias but you take what you can get. 

The major takeaway from the updates, in all fairness, was that the kickstarter wasn’t enough and they still need to raise more funds for the service. The “capital-building” stage he calls it where he’s looking for more investors in addition to getting actual programs onto the service. That and Oaxis is a big vision for Butch and his wife in spite of not only giving up the monthly updates and basically secluding any mention of Oaxis from any place else. That’s basically it and I legit feel sorry for everyone that couldn’t get their refund back.

This isn’t HBO Max or Disney+ where you just expect them to have something together after their initial announcement because they’re already media conglomerates, this is an independent project. One that people, your fans included Butch, put over 200K thinking you would at least give people something. But beyond a “sizzle reel” that said nothing aside from Oaxis going to be a thing, you have presented jack after two years. I don’t expect the ins and outs of every business meeting with executives, but staying silent about everything except for monthly newsletters that offer very little encouraging progress and hasn’t updated since September of last year is not a good sign. And I’m especially hard on this topic, Butch, because this is the biggest point where it is seriously hard to trust you. It’s not criticizing your ego when after having too many cracks in your story, you really haven’t put your money where your mouth is.

I don’t wanna presume the guy’s given up on it, hoping everybody would forget it after a while, but he’s really put the effort in to make Oaxis feel like a afterthought. I’m not an expert in business, but even I can believe that after his non-apology for not being upfront with his initial intentions, that he’d try to provide updates on the project to not come off as the scam artist people have accused him as. Even with his Youtube channel that I’ll get to later, I don’t think it’s hard consistently posting about your so called vision if you have that much faith in its success. You’ve already gotten thousands of bucks initially with the crowdfund, people deserve more than your pitiful wishful platitudes and I unfortunately can’t believe you’ll have anything after a few years. It’s not that everyone forgot about it, but you mostly took the money and ran. If Butch pops up with something if he sees this somehow, I’ll eat that crow, but I sincerely doubt it after this long. Like at least post something on the Twitter, I get depressed just looking at it; that account is the textbook definition of famine.

The Childhood Reposter

I’ve brought up Butch’s youtube channel a couple times, and it’s when every time I look at it, it’s a little sad. When it comes to major creators, I typically think that after finishing their projects they’d move to newer things. People like Lauren Faust, Mike Judge, CH Greenblatt are all continuing to make new works under differing studios while new creators are getting the spotlight. Butch though? I mean, he has a new cartoon that I swear you’ve never heard about but other than that, the dude looks like he has little to say for himself nowadays beyond the 2 shows he’s famous for, Fairly Odd Parents and Danny Phantom. I would’ve added TUFF Puppy and Bunsen is a Beast but I can see that those two aren’t his major players seeing as how they’re rarely ever mentioned on the channel.

If it’s not some watchmojo level meme video, almost every other video is about either two of those shows in some varied fashion. I get that he “created your childhood” and made credulous bank from Nickelodeon, but it’s like Danny Phantom is all that stands between him and having an audience. That and drawing anime characters in his style which is... y’know, I’ll leave that to you. It’s like he retired and yet goes on about the good old days like a fluctuating ego. He’s still making a cartoon but to him that’s hardly a factor compared to his known successes.

Personally, I wouldn’t want to just be known as the guy who made two of your countless beloved cartoons. Not that that’s all he talks about, but it’s the insistence of his legacy that unfortunately gives me Bojack Horseman vibes. He no doubt has a good thing going but I believe that this isn’t gonna last. Just saying, dude has 850K subscribers and unless it’s a real hook like with the recent Danny Phantom/Jake Long death battle, he’s hardly getting a good fraction of views anymore. There’s only so many times you can milk Danny Phantom as your masterpiece before everyone moves on.

The Holy Boast

I wanna make this short because I’m not a huge talker of religion, but I stand to say that you should NOT, under any circumstance, believe BPD, PTSD, autism, fucking heart & kidney failure can be “cured” or “healed” through sermons of prayer. This here? This is genuinely something else.

https://www.healingjourneys.today/

For clarity, this was a gospel conference hosted by Butch and his wife and yes, they openly proclaim that BPD, austism, and heart disease can be cured through prayer of holy worship.

Now, I’m gonna give a full disclosure right here because this most certainly biases my point here, like I’m gonna own this. But my grandpa was a religious man that suffer from health problems. He notably prayed to carry on, yes, but at the same time he sought medical help. Even he told me that prayers wasn’t gonna keep the pacemaker going, he went to the doctors and actually did more than read the bible to improve himself. He unfortunately passed, but he was in his 70s and I honestly couldn’t believe, as hard as I try, that he was gonna live forever. My grandpa would’ve no doubt died far earlier if he followed this conference’s logic.

My point is that this is personally unsettling. I seriously cannot believe this is how autism and religion works and it blows my mind that him and his wife thought this conference was a suitable idea. I’m not bashing them as christians, but thinking mental disorders and bodily diseases can be done away with motivational seminars because that’s basically what they are is a legit slap to the face. And the seedling idea that they’ve done this before blows my mind.

The Financial Flaker

This is very recent and everything is generally explained in the 12 minute video but long story short: Butch hired an artist and never paid them for their work. The artist in question, Kuro, describes what happened between him and Butch in this video and provides receipts. Can’t really add anything to this myself beyond this just builds to the idea that Butch cannot be trusted as a professional business maker. I believe he still has people working for him but from this video, it tells me that Hartman will gladly use those lower than him in favorable pursuits and will gladly throw ignorance when he wants to because his cartoon veteran status presents that shield from thinking he can do no wrong, which can mean throttling his hires.  Let’s end this.

The Conclusion

When I get down to it, Butch is almost a Machiavellian character in a way. It’s amazing how much the trust people have had with Hartman have evaporated in less than a couple years. It’s amazing how much his ego has truly shown after he stopped being a namestay in Nickelodeon. Haven’t even mentioned the times he arrogantly deflected criticism because he was a namestay at Nick and how a couple who’ve worked with are well aware of his ego. I can’t help but believe that even after everything, he claims ignorance to his fall from grace and keeps going. Even when more and more are knowing his true self, he’s mostly just doing what he’s been doing for the past few years.

It’s respectable in a way, but shows that the world will move on without him. Again, if you like Danny Phantom and Fairly OddParents, I won’t judge you for it nor say you should be ashamed. This isn’t about cancelling Butch, or get him to stop spreading whatever wacky things he believes in. It’s my personal take of how this man whom I once respected because of what he made before has lost every bit of that from me. It really feels like he grew up with that “I Created Your Childhood” mentality being a 4 time showrunner for almost a couple decades. And when he finally left Nickelodeon, I guess the chance to be that stand out self-made success got to his head and he finally showed his true colors. I now find it hard to believe Butch cares about the little guy that were his fans as much as he rides off his success and others who tolerate him. As such, like JK Rowling, more are seeing this side of him and leaving him behind. Meanwhile Butch is gonna chug on until he just loses steam. It’s kinda like Icarus where the guy will make every effort to fly to the sun. But sooner or later, he’s gonna fall, and in the end I doubt anyone’s gonna care to see it. I know he won’t.

[joonietonin]

Open Heart Book 1 Finale Rant:

Let me start by saying that this will probably be one of my last analytical posts for a while. That makes me a little sad but I'm also very grateful to all of you who read my posts and motivated me to keep on writing. Truly, I had the time of my life writing the analyses. Now, this post was getting too long so I chopped it off I two parts- this one which is a general recap and my comment on the chapter and another one which I will be posting later today which will be purely about Ethan and MC's relationship. So y'all are looking at a LOT of content to read, I'm apologizing before hand! Okay no more sad talk except the evident fact that today was Open Heart Book 1 finale. Which means we'll have to live without Ethan Ramsey and the squad for quite some time. But focusing on the better things today:

The finale was everything! I felt a wave of emotions as I played it. I felt joy, triumph, anger, passion and hope all at the same time. Let's talk about what happened. (My MC is female, pronouns: she/her) So, Declan (or should I say Dick-lan) Nash had quite a few tricks up his sleeve huh, getting Dr. Cyrus and Dr. Wen to wager for him, lol, he really underestimated MC and the team of people backing her up.

I think it was a group effort when it comes to saving MC's career where MC of course deserves maximum of the credit because of all the patients who testified (Willow, Remy, Jake and Annie for me) on her behalf- if she hadn't gone above and beyond for her patients they wouldn't have given such honest and positive statements on her behalf. So props to MC, first! Then, props to the amazing friends MC has.. Sienna, Elijah, Rafael, Jackie, Bryce.. I mean those guys are basically her support system. Without them hyping her up and motivating her, her case would've fallen flat. Also, we can't forget Ines and Zaid, they're polar opposites and have weird ways of showing their love for MC but they've always been there for her. (even Zaid lmao ikr he's a total softie at heart) And most importantly, her friends always stood up for her. So here's to MC's friends!

Next up, to Ethan Ramsey (the light of MC's/my life) who really did not disappoint when he said he wasn't out of tricks. This man really went above and beyond to get hold of Mrs. Martinez's son and show him how happy his mother was before she passed away. Even if Ethan wasn't your LI and was just your mentor, he kind of singlehandedly saved MC from the potential lawsuit. It shows how much he cares about her, romantically or otherwise. He thinks MC is one of the best doctors he has ever seen and he did everything in his power to make sure, MC could be the doctor she has always wanted to be. That man cares for MC and even though he won't say it explicitly, his actions do much more than his words ever could. Therefore, Ethan Jonah Ramsey, the light of my life, here's to you. The man who cares for MC beyond all words. Even when MC herself has accepted that Ethan won't be able to help her out, Ethan kept pushing himself to find some loophole so that he could help her. And he did exactly that. That's why, I stan one (1) man.😌🥂

Next up, of course, is my moody baby yet smol bean Aurora Emery. She had her own way of standing up for MC. Like she said, "That wasn't for you, MC. That was for me." Maybe her intentions were to stand up for herself but doing so, in the process, she stood up for MC and finally knocked some sense into Harper Emery. I think her whole rant to Harper is one of the major reasons why Harper voted for MC to stay. So thanks, Aurora. Here's looking forward to actually being friends with her... or more. *wink*

Last but not the least, we have *drumrolls please* Dr. Naveen Banerji, who is now miraculously cured by MC's brilliant epiphany and Ethan's genius mind. I kinda expected Naveen to enter at the last moment but when he actually did, I swear I squealed like a five year old as if I hadn't been reading all the theories all week round about him walking in at the last moment. Anyways, I love that old man with my whole damn heart. He's literally like a father to MC like he's to Ethan. A grandmentor, if you will. And just like MC saved his life, he in turn saved MC's life=career. We've reached a full circle, my friends. So here's to you Naveen, nay the force be with you. (Y'all see what I did there? No? Okay, why do I try to be funny...)

So, basically Landry is gone. FOR GOOD. I'm glad PB didn't force a redemption arc on us. While I'm happy that Landry brought Naveen down, I don't think that one action forgives all the terrible things he has done. So bye bye dirty Laundry, here's hoping I never see you again. Also YAY! AURORA IS OUR NEW ROOMMATE. Not confirmed yet, but y'all know she'll say yes. Sienna has a crush on Danny- YAS OTP. But I do realise that we'll probably have to pay diamonds to set them up next book. Elijah and Phoebe going strong- YAS ANOTHER OTP. Jackie finally admitting defeat that MC would probably win the competition - HELL YAS, now that was a good redemption arc. Overall, I'm very happy how the things turned out for MC's friends.

Now, like I said at the starting of the post, I'll talk about Ethan and MC in detail in my next post but to sum it up, Ethan and MC had mind-blowing sex one last time before they had to face the reality of their situation. Now, I don't necessarily think they're back to square one because let's be real, you clearly care about the other person, you've had sex with them and you kiss them like there's no tomorrow, you can't really expect for nothing to happen even in a professional setting. Like, I do respect MC and Ethan's commitment to their job but then I think they can find some time for themselves.. you know.. for talking.. and dating.. and doing other things. Also, MC's friends finding out about her and Ethan- THAT SCENE WAS EVERYTHING I EVER HOPED FOR. Also, Naveen choosing MC for the position in the diagnostics team was already foreshadowed but I swear that man is the biggest Ethan×MC shipper. He's here for the angst, the mutual pining and he's sure as hell gonna enjoy how long these two struggle before finally giving in. Anyways, I won't lie but even though I'm a little sad that MC and Ethan aren't (officially) a couple, (we all know they've been married for over a year now) I think it will be nice to see the angst and this new phase of their relationship where MC directly works under Ethan and he gets to mentor her even more closely. It will be fun to see their mutual pining now that they've finally pulled the plug and had sex and kind of fallen in love with each other. The angst will be great and like I said earlier, along with Naveen it will be fun for us to see how long these two struggle before they finally give in and say,"Fuck work ethics. Adrian Raines knew better."

So, that's the end of this rant. The Ethan×MC post will be up soon. I want it to be special, like Ethan once said. And here's hoping they release book two soon although rationally speaking I don't see the book coming this summer. It'll probably release in fall. Guess we gotta wait, but some things are simply worth the wait. And I guess, we're all fighting the inevitable. *wink*

[realshowstopper]

Survivors Club AU headcanons

Or I guess canon, because I made the AU??? Whatever lol

If you don't know what this is, check my "survivors club au" tag !!

• Emma, Melissa, and Danny's relationship quickly turns into that of a small family--Emma and Melissa are both helping to raise Danny (though Emma might seem more like a "cool mom" to Danny, while Melissa is a bit more "uptight")

• Danny's main motivation for finding a cure is to help his best friend, who got infected via a batch of weed. The only reason he didn't smoke it is because he thought there was something a bit weird about the dealer. Now she's wandering the streets somewhere, probably singing

• Emma, before the others came, has been tempted to just give in and ~join the hive~ multiple times, most notably by Paul

• Professor Hidgens, even as a musical zombie, has biological knowledge, and Emma has figured out a way for him to teach her biology by tricking him into singing songs about certain topics

• Sometimes the trío have to wear oversized turtlenecks from Hidgens' closet bc they've run out of clean normal clothes

[the-desolated-quill]

Cured - Red Dwarf blog

(SPOILER WARNING: The following is an in-depth critical analysis. If you haven’t seen this episode yet, you may want to before reading this review)

I tried as hard as I could to avoid spoilers for Series 12 so that each episode would be a genuine surprise to me, but I suppose that’s kind of futile on Tumblr. Just over a week ago I came across a very bizarre photo of Lister playing his guitar with Hitler. I was... a bit surprised, to say the least.

The Dwarfers encounter a research facility where the scientists had discovered a cure for evil. Upon arriving they discover some of Earth’s most evil historical figures like Stalin, Messalina, Vlad the Impaler and of course Hitler. But it’s okay guys. They’ve been cured, so it’s okay to like them now!... Really.

Yeah, in the light of recent tragedies like Charlottesville, this could have backfired spectacularly. Of course that wouldn’t necessarily be Doug Naylor’s fault. Series 12 was written and filmed a year before all this shit with the alt-right took off. If this were to go wrong, it would be more down to bad timing rather than any fault on Naylor’s part. Thankfully the show doesn’t put a foot wrong. Yes Hitler is nice now, but somehow I don’t think the alt-right will be in a hurry to claim him for their own. Ryan Gage gives a hilariously camp performance and the show is clearly more focused on mocking Hitler rather than getting us to sympathise with him, which was a considerable relief. In fact at no point did I think ‘wow I really like Hitler.’ I was more concerned with whether or not any of this was genuine. I suspected one or more of them were faking their niceness, which was clearly what the show intended. Soon enough the Dwarfers are put into convoluted deathtraps, which leads to quite possibly the weirdest whodunnit mystery that’s ever been televised. Who’s guilty? Hitler or Vlad the Impaler?

Cured is an extremely funny episode with lots of great gags. Lister trying to teach the Cat how to do a poker face, Starbug only being able to turn left and, of course, Lister performing a soft rock rendition of The Happy Wanderer with Hitler (there’s something I never thought I’d type). But what I especially love about Cured is its central idea. What would happen if you could cure evil? How would that change things? is it even a moral thing to do? Red Dwarf has never shied away from exploring complex sci-fi ideas, and this is no exception. Doug Naylor really did his homework here and it’s impressive how much satirical, social and philosophical commentary he’s able to cram into a 30 minute episode.

Throughout Red Dwarf’s history, we’ve had hints and references as to how dystopic the future is, but Cured gives us our first concrete example of it. United America and ‘the war to end war’ is not only a nice little jab at American foreign policy, but it also sets the tone for what’s to come. In the future, we not only try to stop war, we go that extra step and try to cure evil as well, to the point where United America turns on their own scientist, Professor Telford. This leads to some ethical questions about free will. Telford may be evil, but does he have the right to choose for himself? Would curing his psychopathy strip away a part of his identity? Which is more important? The safety and comfort of others at the cost of an individual’s free will or an individual’s freedom to make good or bad choices, even if that freedom of choice could potentially lead to acts of depravity?

And another thing, if you could cure someone like Hitler and make them good, could you necessarily forgive them? The show makes it very clear that actually no, you can’t. Yes Hitler may be a nice person now and seems genuinely remorseful for what he’s done, but it doesn’t change the fact that he was still responsible for the horrific slaughter of 6 million Jews. You can’t sweep something like that under the carpet and pretend it never happened. This to me highlights why a cure for evil wouldn’t work. While the person may be cured of evil, we would still perceive them to be evil regardless because of our foreknowledge. United America presumably wanted to end war and cure evil in order to bridge the divide between nations and communities, but the truth is that divide will always be there no matter how hard you try to eradicate it.

What i also liked is that Naylor actually dives into the socio-economic factors of curing evil. The sad truth is the world simply wouldn’t function if war and evil didn’t exist. Does that make war okay? Absolutely not! But in some ways we do actually profit from war thanks to armament deals as well as our continued exploitation of second and third world nations. Sometimes the right thing to do isn’t the most advantageous thing to do. The fact is the world is far more complicated than we like to think. Nothing is ever strictly black and white or good and evil. While it would be nice if we could could all be friends and get along, sometimes that just isn’t in our best interests to do so. Look at this very episode. Rimmer is more than happy to leave the ‘evils’ to die from that proto-planet collision, wanting to save his own skin and claiming some moral superiority over them, but Lister quite rightfully points out that leaving them to die would be utterly immoral. We are all evil to varying degrees. It’s just occasionally there are some of us out there, like Hitler and Stalin, who are more evil than others.

At this point I feel I should make an important distinction. The episode talks about finding a cure for evil, but in reality it’s a cure for psychopathy, and to Doug Naylor’s credit he’s very quick to distinguish between the two. Being evil and being a psychopath are not mutually exclusive. Hitler and Stalin are extreme examples of that, their lack of empathy leading them to acts of atrocious barbarism, but really most psychopaths are no worse than the Cat. So one could argue how effective is this cure for evil. Lack of empathy isn’t the only motivation for evil. What about crimes of passion, for instance?

I like that the Cat is getting more attention in the revived series. I’ve long suspected that the Cat is a psychopath, and it’s nice to get official confirmation of that and to explore it in some detail. If the Cat has no empathy, why does he stick with the Dwarfers? Obviously it’s because it’s in his best interests to do so. The Dwarfers have looked after him. They’ve fed him, clothed him and tried to educate him. There was no way he was going to throw them under the bus to side with Telford, and I suspect the Cat’s to-ing and fro-ing was all just a clever ruse to lull Telford into a false sense of security. The Cat may be a psychopath, but he’s not stupid (well... not that stupid). It’s still a good scene and Danny John-Jules really rises to the occasion.

If I had to nitpick, I’m really not fond of Telford. I did kind of see the twist coming plus it’s all a bit too implausible. So Telford reprograms these androids into thinking they’re Hitler and co, dresses them in period clothing that just happened to be lying around for some reason, puts them in stasis chambers whilst taking the time to relabel them and fake a bunch of research for them, and waits for a bunch of explorers to come along and discover them. Hoping that these explorers are just thick enough to not know what Hitler actually looks like, rather than just kill them, he instead befriends them, drugs them and sticks them in convoluted deathtraps that just so happens to correspond to their worst fears, and then runs away while the explorers are debating which evil person is responsible. This isn’t what a psychopath would do. This is what a comic book supervillain would do, and I feel somewhat undermines the intelligent commentary Naylor was making.

Regardless, I still really liked Cured a lot. It’s both funny and clever, exploring morally complex ideas in a hugely entertaining way. An excellent start to Series 12.

[payment-providers]

New Post has been published on Payment-Providers.com

New Post has been published on https://payment-providers.com/dining-out-as-the-economy-reopens/

'Dining Out' As The Economy Reopens

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Memorial Day weekend is upon us – which means here in the United States, summer is officially setting up to begin. Sort of. With the outbreak of an international pandemic, our summer plans have been rather modified, as consumers seem to be considering what the safest summer plans might be, and opting to tread a bit differently than they have in the past. 

As PYMNTS previously reported, the Great American road trip seems set to make a resurgence, and consumers are increasingly nervous about any travel plan that involves sitting on an airplane with strangers. And as it turns out, Americans’ willingness to be seated next to strangers just about anywhere has been one of the biggest questions during the reopening of the economy that is now underway (in some form or another) in all 50 states.

Yes, stores and restaurants are reopening, beauty parlors are allowed to take appointments and consumers are preparing to get back out there as the summer season is poised to take off.

But will the customers go out?

That is the $22 trillion question attached to the phased economic reopening – whether or not consumers en masse will return to something like the old world of physical commerce, after having spent the last eight weeks at home, reorganizing their lives around digital channels.

According to PYMNTS’ most recent consumer survey, there are some valid reasons to believe that some large and valuable demographics might opt to hold off on getting back out there.

Enthusiasm for re-entering a possibly contaminated world isn’t terribly high among millennials, bridge millennials and Gen Xers, many of whom have shifted to digital habits over the last eight weeks or so – and plan to keep it that way, instead of transitioning back to the real world. And the trend is even more visible among more affluent, free-spending consumers: Among those who said they plan to stay online during the recovery period, 38 percent reported earning over $100,000 per year.

So how to get consumers back out there? According to the experts PYMNTS has talked with over the last several weeks, the race these days doesn’t go to the swift – it goes to the safe. And it goes to the places and service providers that make customers feel safest when they choose to physically interact.

Which is why, for the rest of the summer, finding parking at one’s favorite eatery might be a new challenge for those diners who are motivated to actually eat out. Because parking lots are finding a whole new usage by the restaurants they serve: Instead of providing a place to park cars, they’re now a place to park customers – and serve them dinner.  

How the Parking Lot Became a Dining Spot

In Tampa, Florida this summer, restaurateurs are being encouraged to offer more outdoor seating options for consumers, supported by a new pilot program that gives owners more flexibility in utilizing the surrounding sidewalks, streets and parking lots. The goal of the program is to allow restaurants to expand their service offerings while respecting social distancing rules (which require keeping tables six feet apart) and adhering to limited-capacity laws. By adding the parking lot to their countable capacity, restaurants can immediately welcome more guests.

“It was a losing proposition,” Tampa restaurant co-owner Jeff Gigante told CNBC of the indoor restrictions they initially faced in their home state. “[The pilot is] a lifesaver for us.”

The pilot in Tampa is not unique: In Cincinnati, Atlanta, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California and Connecticut, local governments are trying out arrangements to allow restaurants to reclaim space not normally used for serving customers to make reopenings possible. In Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order to allow for outdoor dining.

“If we’re going to continue our great renaissance as a city, we’re going to have to open up more streets and public space to restaurants or … they’re not going to survive,” said Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley.

Will Reclaiming the Parking Lot Help Restaurants Survive? 

Among the few points of universal agreement is that socially distanced dining isn’t a cost-effective option for a majority of establishments. With dining rooms limited to as little as 25 percent up to a general max of 50 percent, the economics simply don’t work for most restaurants, which are low-margin businesses to begin with.

Too low-margin, in many cases, as big-name restaurateurs have elected to put off their grand reopenings until a solution such as a vaccine allows them to operate more normally.

“We won’t be welcoming guests into our full-service restaurants for a very long time – probably not until there’s a vaccine,” Union Square Hospitality Group Founder and CEO Danny Meyer told Bloomberg. “There is no interest or excitement on my part to have a half-full dining room while everyone is getting their temperature taken and wearing masks, for not much money.”

Union Square Hospitality Group runs 19 restaurants in New York City – including the QSR Shake Shack chain, which can run remotely indefinitely. 

Other businesses, like Tampa’s Forbici Modern Italian restaurant, have to reopen at some time in the near future or may never reopen at all. And trying to open at a quarter or half their regular capacity is simply not economically feasible, Co-owner Jeff Gigante explains.

“Running a business at half capacity gives you half revenue – and you still have to staff it as if you’re at full revenue,” he explained.

But the ability to place tables on the street in front of his establishment means they can keep their restaurant open at close to normal capacity – which means reopening enters the realm of economic possibility.

Tampa’s pilot program and the addition of those tables was initially set to run for the next two weeks, but will continue in a modified form, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said in an interview. The program essentially suspends city code and permit requirements pertaining to outdoor dining, making it easier for restaurants to start offering it.

Cincinnati had a similar variation of the expansion of outdoor seating, which allowed restaurateurs to apply for a fast-track permit to set up temporary outdoor tables for reopenings last week. Indoor seating began this week under social distancing guidelines.

Will Outdoor Dining Bring Back Reluctant Consumers?

As is often the case with data bout the novel coronavirus, much remains unknown about how much difference eating outside will make to its transmission between people. Early studies examining Chinese outbreaks seem to confirm that outdoor dining is less conducive to the spread than eating indoors.

Dr. Jonathan Temte has noted that while there is no proof that eating outdoors is more effective at slowing the spread of the disease than eating indoors, there are many “supporting concepts” around other viruses that lead him to believe the transmission risk is lower in open-air environments – as long as people take precautions, like maintaining social distancing guidelines.

“It has to do with the proximity to other people and the time that you’re in that proximity,” he said.

In a related concern, various critics have noted that eating outside encourages people to start forming crowds. Tampa’s Mayor Castor notes that unless outdoor eating is carefully monitored, it could potentially turn into a problematic issue. 

“We can’t have people congregating, waiting on a table. They need to know where they’re going and what time they’re going,” said Castor, adding that the city also has a policy of “no seat, no service.”

Apart from issues with enforcing social distancing, even as diners move outside, Mike Whatley, vice president of state and local affairs for the National Restaurant Association, noted that at best, outdoor eating is a temporary and highly seasonal solution to restaurateurs’ issues. 

On its own, it won’t be enough to lift the struggling industry – which has seen nearly 5.5 million lost jobs since April of this year – out of its various difficulties.

“With summer comes thunderstorms and extremely hot weather, and many restaurants may not currently have the equipment for umbrellas or outdoor seats,” Whatley said. “There are some who are doing it, and it’s great. But this is by no means a cure-all solution that’s going to fix all the industry’s woes.”

At best, he noted, the ability to more easily expand outside has been a temporary “lifeline to operators,” who Whatley said will likely end up needing more government assistance at the federal and local level to weather the crisis.  

But while operators are waiting on the government to decide whether more assistance will be sent, the ability to allow their customers to eat outside has allowed them to serve up something in person that’s been lacking for almost two months: a feeling of safety while dining outside their homes. That feeling, noted Forbici’s Gigante, will be invaluable as his restaurant tries to put its pieces back together.

“People all want to sit outside,” he said, noting that the ability to get what they want is what will ultimately make the consumer comfortable enough to dine out again.  

——————————

PYMNTS LIVE TV: POWERING THE DIGITAL SHIFT | MAY 18-22, 2020

Five days of intimate interviews and streaming TV shows ‘starring’ the smartest people in payments. The economy is slowly reopening on a changed world where “business unusual” is now just “business.” Tune in as PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster and special guests from across the payments universe ditch “digital optional” and bring on the digital-first engagements buyers and sellers really want. Join experts in a series of live conversations rethinking business models, customer experiences, payments choice, verticals…everything.

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[secondsofhappiness]

I don't think you've ever said if you think the baby is roberts or not? What are your thoughts about twists happening around or after Xmas?

Aw anon! I’ve avoided this question because it’s such a difficult one to answer for me. I’ve learned NOT to try to guess the storylining of Iain flipping McLeod. He is a law unto himself as show runner but here’s my own set of opinions seeing as you asked for them!!

There are so many theories and possibilities (god bless this creative insightful fandom) and, so far, the theory that Rob isn’t the dad hasn’t been disproven or nothing has happened that makes it very unlikely… it’s still very much a possibility.

I also LOVE the Adam theory. I don’t believe it’s true but it still hasn’t been disproven which is bloody great. Now THAT would be a twist and a half and only fandoms write genius stuff like that no matter what show you look at. It would fit perfectly with their scenes Adam and Rebecca randomly had together, the fact Adam told Rebecca to go find Robert that night, that there was huge focus on Adam’s ability to have kids, that he found the pregnancy test etc. I’d LOVE it to be true but I personally don’t think it is. In an IDEAL world it’d be an ingenious turn of events.

My personal opinion is that Rob is the father. That is just my opinion though. We know the Whites are sodding off (🎈🎈🎈) and clearly one of them will die. We don’t know if Rebecca is dying (insert my already stated feelings on this possibility!) but it’s pretty likely she’s also leaving so that reality, to me, leaves the option of the baby remaining with Rob (and then eventually Aaron too) or leaving with a White. I think these are the likely outcomes…

All factors considered though, there is so much contradiction that it’s difficult to predict the end of the storyline. I’ve tried to make a summary below because there are so many factors that suggest this isn’t a clean cut situation but there are polarising factors that mean it’s confusing… all going under a cut for spoilers!

I mean there’s all of the following…

a) The handling of the ONS fallout. It was a collection of the weirdest scenes that still haven’t been explained or made sense of… you know how, I won’t go into them all. It was about unconventional a one night stand if every I’ve seen one… and on a Soap too. Soaps are never subtle. Maybe it’s more of Iain and his weirdness.

b) The early pregnancy stuff. It was an utter shit show. It was a depressingly bad depiction of a young healthy female and her control over her own sexual health and her handle on her body. It was so bad that it was a slippery slope to not caring in the slightest about Rebecca White. That’s entirely not the point when portraying a newly pregnant woman…

c) No DNA test. Still the strangest factor in all of this. Why even have her shack up with Ross numerous times but have only her assurances that it is Robert’s as the confirmation of his fatherhood….! Jesus.

d) The baby is the major issue between Aaron and Rob. It has continuously been framed as such even specifically stated as such and so any development on that front would have to be enormous and there are suggestions that Aaron is still very uncomfortable around the kid after it’s born. This is very important. Aaron has a heart the size of Leeds but the show has framed this kid as “the issue” from day one so hard work would be needed to ever solve that. That said, I don’t believe Aaron would ever hold anything against an innocent little being. He knows the realities of a poor childhood.

e) Most of the interviews given by Danny or Ryan or Iain barely mention the baby. Emily has done one interview and as far as I can remember it didn’t talk about the parentage much or the eventual future of the kid. A baby is a pretty huge addition to a character’s life and future storylines and you’d think it’d be mentioned more especially where Aaron is concerned

f) The Whites are upping and going. If Rebecca leaves or dies then, to me, that’s an indicator that THAT is the big end to the story rather than a parenting reveal. Her dying is still gross to me but if that’s what happens then it feels odd to have the added “oh and by the way the kid isn’t yours”

g) I get the point that Rob is heading for an epic fall from grace to further snap him out of his ways and prompt a life change and perspective shift but I have this sneaking suspicion that the kid IS the major factor in this. Obviously it is going to be A factor (and should be) but I have a feeling it’s going to be the major one as it doesn’t seem like Rob reverts to his old ways in any big way post Sebastian entering the world. As much as I’m not a fan of kids magically changing a person because it DOESN’T, not entirely, not someone whose actions are extreme and deeply ingrained as Rob! I’ll say it till I’m blue in the face but kids don’t cure people. People’s faults and foibles and issues do not disappear. Children are life changes but they are not magical. I am a product of this as a person and I HATE the idea that kid’s cure a person’s personality. I think based on Iain’s recent interview and the spoilers, Sebastian is going to play a huge part in Rob’s redemption and there’s a high chance that the stuff in December will be the fall out from the Lawrence stuff, Lachlan wanting to ultimately get revenge and I think there’s a high chance the theory that Rob nearly dies saving Liv and or Aaron is going to happen. All of that would have Rob basically banned from his kid’s life, near death etc. I don’t know, I’ve started to wonder if Rob’s life will be made hell by Lachlan and that his life is threatened or Seb’s life and that’s was takes him to rock bottom.

h) I think Thursday’s scenes with Rob and Sebastian (as I’m lead to believe) will revolutionise his character. I am not a massive baby fan but I AM a fan of character development and character based story telling and I’ve THOROUGHLY enjoyed this Rob storyline. It has been hella weird and done in such a damned quirky way that I’ve loved it. We’ve seen him at his worst and I have a feeling we’ll also see him at his best and I think Aaron and Sebastian and Liv will be the things that facilitate his best, his emotional, his human side. I think those scenes may change my opinion on how the storyline will play out as I’m told that they’re highly emotional and show Rob’s character in a whole new light, in that he actively recognises his major faults and that there’s a huge connection there with the kid already that appears revolutionary for him. That’s what I’m told and I’m really looking forward to that tbh. If that’s the case, I don’t think I’d want the baby removed. I don’t think I’d like Sebastian taken from his life if that’s how those scenes play out because if Sebastian is going to be THAT important to Rob or THAT overwhelming for him then I’d like him to keep that. As long as he doesn’t become about bloody nappies or night time feeds I’ll be ok with the baby sticking around and as long as there is further realisation for him that isn’t just Seb related. If Seb turns out NOT to Rob’s in this circumstance then I think I would be devastated too. It’s like the thought of removing Liv from Aaron. Nope. It would be gut wrenching if this is what Seb is to him and perhaps that makes the possibility of him not being the father likely? That’d be an epic kick in the gut if Seb is shown as vital to Rob so quickly and then he’s removed from him… it’s all based on those scenes and I’d love to make a post afterwards as I think they’ll be really revealing.

i) Having Rob think he’s the father then removing that from him is pretty much a repeat of the Adam storyline. Would they do that so soon? (This is what makes the Adam Theory so brilliant to me, he’d be getting the opposite treatment this time! If only we could have this!!)

j) There’s also this major repetition of Aaron and Rob and kids aka having their own. It’s so heavy handed that I wonder if this is all being set up to have Rob realise he needs to be better and as a way to have him realise he does want to be a father but with Aaron. I’d ADORE an adoption storyline with them. For m/m rep it’d be wonderful and these two are nightmares so seeing them parent further down the line would be hilarious but now…? I still feel it’s too soon for both of their characters. Yes their ages are normal for having kids but… well, they’re NIGHTMARES. They’re still growing and learning and doing insane things.

k) For Rob to not be the father it’d mean that Rebecca didn’t know and was a grade A class idiot for not realising that having sex with another bloke in the same week could also mean pregnancy and that condoms break… or that she has been manipulating Rob all this time. I think the latter is unlikely, for me. Rebecca used to be feisty and her whole “nobody uses me” stance at one point has been so brutally buried and killed that, at this point, she’s such a wet drip and so plain and lacking in oomph that I’d struggle to accept she’s been so clever and sharp for months… plus she’s had solo scenes where she’s cried or shown a personal reaction. Granted, there have been few, but like her call to the clinic, they were scenes with no witness or purpose in any manipulation. That said, there are MANY scenes that make no sense in terms of her reactions aka Liv or Aaron and that “don’t hurt me and my baby” stomach shielding (ugh god that was terrible). I can never work out if it’s the acting, the inconsistent writing of her character and Rebecca’s motivations or if it’s actually a THING and that Rebecca will have been interesting all this time without us knowing. I’d LOVE it to be true but the show seems set on portraying her at this hard done by sweetheart who does no wrong, who should be pardoned for all she does, who hasn’t a clue but is so cute about it all that it doesn’t matter… Christ what an awful attempt at writing a bold young female. She could have been so much more. I’d love her to prove us wrong but sadly I don’t feel the show will divert from the current Rebecca.

l) This is a horrible and uninspired way to provide a young m/m couple with a child. It’s just old hat, boring, crass and just yuck tbh.

There are so many other factors that all contradict each other and I don’t know… I guess that’s what I’m saying! I’m quite torn…!

I don’t think I mind either way if I’m honest. I’ve never had an issue with the baby sticking around except for having my personal conditions for it haha :) I have always kind of wanted Rob to show his human side in all this and to show he didn’t hate the kid and did recognise it was an innocent being in all of this.

I think I’m weird because although I don’t like babies, I like kids on the show because they’re often great additions. Look at Arthur or Jacob or Liv or Gabby or April. ED does kid’s well, they just do babies and toddlers badly, imo.

ALSO, I’m also weird because part of me REALLY likes the idea of Rob having something that’s his. A little person who is entirely new and a blank slate to try with and love. Sebastian, if he is Rob’s son, would be Rob’s own little person that wouldn’t leave him, that would look up to Rob, that would see Rob as a hero, that would rely on Rob and I really LIKE that idea. I reckon if Rob stopped being an A class weirdo, expert manipulator and actually thought what he was doing before he did it, I think he could be a great dad, for a soap! Hahaha. I like what it could do for his character. I don’t connect Sebastian to the Whites, though. It’s probably awful but I have zero connection with any of them (except Chrissie a tiny bit) and I couldn’t care less in the grand scheme of things what happens with them. They’re off eventually and so I find it VERY easy to remove them from the equation now. Also, even if they were sticking around, I feel like Rob would always hate them, would always resent them and would never ever feel any connection with them even after having a kid with Rebecca… so, to me, I can separate the two very easily. Shows how bad the writing of Rebecca as a mum has been and how shoddy The Whites are in general!! Adios Amigos!

So anon, what a rant. Who bloody knows! I have really convoluted feelings on the matter and I’m REALLY looking forward to tomorrow’s scenes especially with Rob and Sebastian. I am so excited for them because a friend who has seen them has assured me it’s entirely not like they’re going down the boring stereotypical route, the scenes sound so brilliant for Rob’s character. THAT, I’m here for, even if I don’t find babies cute haha

We shall see soon and whether it’ll all make sense in the grand scheme of things is to be determined but I don’t know about you… if the Whites are buggering off then that’s half the battle for me!!!!! I’m willing to be proven wrong. Do it show, I dare you. Now, as long as Aaron’s character is cared for in this storyline as it progresses then I’ll be pretty happy whatever the outcome. I’m so chill nowadays hahaha. It’s not the Rob centric storyline we wanted but it’s the one we’ve got and in some ways it has been EXCELLENT and so HIM but yeah, there have also been some significant missteps and bloody stupid ideas so who knows at this point… I’m just determined to enjoy it. He’s my nightmare Human. Any centric storyline was going to have him doing nightmare things and learning to be a human so I’m down for that. Hope that answered a bit! ❤️

[hessafeelsfordayss]

Theories/Rants.

This really is my last post on this matter. Unless I find out some new information. I know you all are probably tired of these, but I just really need to vent. I always leave things out in my other posts, but this time I'm gonna try my best not to leave anything out. Just warning you this is going to be really long, might contain some spoilers, and is probably unorganized. The choice is yours whether you read it or not. If you disagree that's fine, just please be respectful. If you agree, please let me know. :)

So first, I'm pretty irritated at the people who still say Jerome's not the Joker. I mean how much more proof do some of you need? Both Cameron and Danny have already confirmed Jerome is the Joker, plus all the clues point to him. He was officially called Joker in Jerome's rebirth promo, plus Danny was talking about Jerome at comic con and called him the Joker. Also, Jerome has way too many similarities with all the versions of Joker (especially Ledger, Leto, and Nicholson) Plus not to mention that you can spell 'Joker' with Jerome's full name (Jerome Valeska). I just don't understand how people can still say that he isn't, even after all the hints, and even confirmations. Not to mention the Joker card was in the episode where Jerome was resurrected. So anyway, to those wondering or doubting, he is indeed Joker (thank God). Just wanted to get that out there.

(There’s a lot more, but I’m just gonna stick with these)

Anyway, my second biggest issue is how people are saying Lee can't be Harley. I just want to point out that Gotham is an entirely different universe, and anything is possible.They stay true to the characters, but they make it their own to make it more interesting. Like for example; no one is supposed to know Joker's real name or his past, but we know a little about Jerome's past, such the fact that he grew up in a circus, with an absent father and a mother that abused him. Plus  we know his real name. So it is very possible for Lee to become Harley. Anyway, the two main reasons people think that she 'can't become Harley' is because she's already an important character in the comics, and shes's too old for Jerome. I understand she's her own character in the comics, but this version of Lee doesn't really match the comic book versions. First of all Lee in the comics is supposed to help Alfred raise Bruce, and be a mother-like figure to him. This Lee was basically just made to be Jim's on and off love interest (so far). She's only met Bruce a few times, and she's never mentioned that she knew Thomas and Martha. Also, Lee in the comics is supposed to be way older, whereas this Lee isn't that old. She said she was around the same age as Grace Fairchild (One of the ogre's victims).. so I would say she's in her mid or late twenties.

Leslie in the comics:

Grace Fairchild:

Now the second reason, is people say she is too old for Jerome. I'm gonna take a wild guess here and say Jerome doesn't care about age. I mean he has come onto both Barbara and Lee. Both ladies are older than him, not to mention he's the one that flirted with them first. I really think he may have mommy issues. Like some girls grow up with either an absent father or a bad father, so they end up having daddy issues. I believe it's the same case for Jerome considering he didn't get the love and affection from his mother that a child should. He's flirted with Barbara and called her gorgeous, and he's flirted with Lee, called her pretty, and asked her if they ever had sex. So he's obviously attracted to them. And I believe they're attracted to him as well. Barbara acted disinterested, but there was moments where she would flirt back. Like she would laugh at his jokes, and she even said 'the kid had a way about him.' Then, to me, Lee has seemed interested from day one. She watched him in the interrogation room and had a slight smirk (the corners of her mouth were lifted slightly), then after the interrogation was over she was still thinking about it and even said 'it was ugly but thrilling.'

This was her still thinking about what happened.

Then when he came back alive and took her hostage you could really tell. At first glance, she did seem disinterested I admit. But when you watch it again, and you pay close attention to the way they look at each other, watch their body language and etc, you can tell they feel something. Whether it be lust, fascination, desire, etc. Of course she was gonna act all hard and tough, I mean he’s a psychotic criminal and she was probably ashamed for her feelings (both because he’s crazy and younger than her), but you see moments where it looks like she lets her guard down and she's close to giving in.  I know he liked both of them, but I think he feels more of a connection with Lee though. Don't get me wrong, he and Barbara seemed to have chemistry too, but I think he has a soft spot for Lee. I noticed Jerome used to get annoyed with Barbara a lot. Like he would roll his eyes at her and shake his head and you could just tell she annoyed him. One of those times was when she punched Lee at the gala. And I know that’s how Joker is with Harley, but I still think he has more of a connection with Lee.  With Lee, he seems kind of protective over her in his own way. He has both saved and spared her life. In 'The Last Laugh' he saved her from being stabbed by Barbara. Then in 'Smile Like You Mean It' and 'The Gentle Art of Making Enemies' she's the only one he didn't try to hurt or anything. In 'Smile Like You Mean It' he killed two cops, and Dwight. Then in 'The Gentle Art of Making Enemies' he went after Bruce and was gonna kill Alfred too. Then he made his own torture circus, where he and his cult tortured many innocent people. He dropped that guy into the piranha tank, and he stabbed the clown that was doing Bruce's makeup. He even shot someone from his own cult just because he was cheering for him too loud. All he did to Lee was hold her hostage, and then tied her hands to the examination table. He didn't hurt, or kill her. And believe me, he had plenty of motive.. considering Jim is the one that put him in Arkham in the first place. He knows how much Lee meant to Jim, and he knew it would have been the best way to hurt him.. but all he did was tie her up, and gag her. And a lot of people say that he only spared her life for the sake of keeping her character on the show, but why did they choose Lee's character to be there anyway? Usually, I would've thought it was a coincidence, had it not been for the fact that Lee was always present during Jerome's most important scenes. She was present during it all. She was there when he was first introduced (she was also the reason they were there in the first place. Both because she had circus tickets, and she's the one that found out about Lila.) She was there when they found Lila's body, she was in the interrogation room (which was the first, and last time she was in there while a suspect was being interrogated), she was at the GCPD when Jerome and the Maniax were shooting up the place, she was the one he and Barbara took hostage at the gala (she also witnessed his death), and she was the one he took hostage when he first woke up. The writers are in control of everything.. why would they choose Lee's character out of all the other characters to be present during all these scenes?

Also "Everyone else has seen the Joker laugh, but only Harley has ever seen him cry."- Arleen Sorkin. Lee held and comforted Jerome when they found his mother's body (I know he was faking, but I still think it counts. The thing that stood out to me was the fact that Lee held him.. because I think Harley is the only one who gets to hold the Joker and see him cry.)

He wasn’t crying here, but she’s holding him from behind in a kind of similar way.

Plus there are many characteristics that she already has in common with Harley. Like the fact that she's a doctor, with trauma training. Even though she's not a professional psychiatrist like Harley, she basically is still somewhat of a therapist. Considering people always go to her when they need someone to talk to, plus she's always giving therapeutic advice. Like she talked to Barbara about Jason, since that was the only way Barbara would have talked to anyone. We all know the reason now, but she still talked to her. Then she was the one Alfred called when he thought Bruce was going through some trauma from being kidnapped and needed someone to talk to. Lucious went to her and asked why someone would engage in such cat and mouse games like Ed was.  And Jim even called her a residential therapist.  A big bonus is not only is she a doctor, but she also worked at Arkham. That's where she was first introduced on the show. Plus in the comics, Suicide Squad, and The Animated Series Joker calls Harley 'doc' or 'doctor' a lot. Lee is the only one Jerome calls doc.

There's also some small, but relevant clues. Like the fact that her name is Leslie Thompkins, but she mainly goes by Lee. Lee is both in Harleen, and Harley (Harlee), so she could easily change her name to one of the two. Plus is you say it out loud, Thompkins can also kind of sound like ThompQuinns. Before Barnes was infected his name was Nathaniel Barnes, but when he got infected he renamed himself 'the executioner'. So she could change her name as well. I know Jim gave her the antidote, but the news reporter said there was only a 90% cure rate. Plus she was infected not only once, but twice. She first injected the blood into her arm willingly, and then she also got hit with it again when the bomb went off. Plus she didn't want to take the antidote, so it may affect her differently than everyone else. And who's to say the antidote would be 100% effective anyway.. considering it was the first batch that was made (I'm pretty sure, could be wrong though). My point is she could still come back, with a new persona. Anything could be possible at this point. She could still have some of the virus running through her veins, and she lied to Jim maybe. Or she could be cured, but because she liked the dark side so much she could choose to be bad still. I don't believe Lee is gonna be gone long, because Morena didn't say she anything about leaving the show or anything. So I believe she will be back. Maybe go back to Gotham and work at Arkham again? Or something along those lines. Another small but relevant clue is she has a sister. As far as I know Barbara was an only child, that little girl looked to be an only child, and I think Silver was an only child. But Silver isn't possible anymore. Since she wasn't in the finale. It's narrowed down between the little girl, Lee, and Barbara. Possibly fish, but I seriously doubt it. Anyway in the comics Harley makes it known that she has a daughter with Joker named Lucy, who her sister takes care of.

So that's a pretty big clue to me. Especially because it's new 52 Harley (the one with red and black hair). Let's also not forget the fact that the writers and David Mazouz said that Harley is definitely in the finale, and Lee was wearing all Harley colors in that episode. First she was wearing a black and white dress, then red and black, and then at the end of the episode she was wearing blue, red, black, and white. (other Harley colors).

Her outfits before the antidote:

Her entire outfit was red and black.. even her sunglasses, shoes, and purse.

After the antidote:

Plus Lee has been highlighted in red a lot this season. Like in the light her hair  highlights red, plus she wore red and black a few times (especially towards the finale), and her house was red and black.

Another small clue is she acted a lot like Harley when she had the virus. She was still corny, she laughed a lot, she was manipulative, she was flirty/ seductive, and a lot of people don't talk about this, but her eyes turned blue in Babs and Tabs club (in the finale may I mention) and in the train. So she was wearing Harley colors, she had Harley traits (enhanced strength and agility; Throwing Butch across the bar), and her eyes turned blue.. all in the same episode which happens to be the episode Harley was supposed to appear in.

Her being corny/sarcastic/flirty:

Harley traits: Red and black, enhanced strength, and blue eyes.

And we have to narrow it down guys. The writers, and David both said Harley was for sure in the finale. Some more things they've said about Harley's character is 'you may have already seen Harley as someone you thought you had met and known for a long time', 'this person will somehow be connected to the Joker Cult World', and 'Harley's appearance is gonna be crazy.' They said her appearance will be crazy enough to be the launching point into season four. So the only ones that match with all of these is Lee and Barbara. The little girl we didn't meet nor know for a long time, as far as we know she isn't connected to the Joker Cult World, but her first appearance was crazy. Some people are saying she had pigtails, and a red purse.. but I’m pretty sure she didn't. She had one ponytail, and her purse was brown. She did however have a checkered skirt on, and a pink shirt I think.

Plus don't get me wrong, but that family seemed happy. Harley's family was damaged. Her father was a criminal, and her mother always compared her to evil people. She wanted to work at Arkham in the first place because she wanted to know why her father was the way he was. In this family the father actually tried to save his family, and the mother tried to guard her. I think they put that family in there randomly just to show Bruce starting to become Batman.. or maybe she will be the future Batgirl. I could actually see that happening, especially since Batgirl kind of looked up to Batman. This little girl will more than likely look up to Bruce since he saved her family. Cameron and Ben were once tweeting each other and Cameron said 'spoilers: BATGIRL' or something along those lines. Ben also got asked if Batgirl was gonna be part of this universe and he said they've been talking about it and they have to see where Jim is, and where Barbara is. Plus someone asked Erin if Batgirl would be part of the show or something along those lines, and she said there probably wouldn't be a baby because that would be the end for Barbara. So the show is talking about bringing Batgirl in it, but Erin said their probably wouldn't be a baby. So I could really see that little girl becoming Batgirl. I think they're either planning on doing that, or it was just a coincidence. I honestly don't think she's Harley. Nothing really 'screamed Harley'  to me other than the fact that she appeared in the episode they said Harley would be in, and the checkered skirt and pink shirt. I think it would be a bad move for them to make her Harley. Because the actress herself was really young. People are saying Lee and Barbara are too old for Jerome.. well the little girl is too young for Jerome and Cameron. I know Harley is supposed to be younger than Joker and Batman, but if this little girl is Harley then we won't get to see any scenes between Harley and Jerome. People are gonna get mad at me, but be honest, when you think of Joker who else do you think of? Harley. And when you think of Harley who else do you think of? Joker. Sometimes Ivy. Erin Richards herself said they're a team. We won't get any Jarley scenes if Cameron is 23 and the little girl is probably 12. Don't you all want to see Jerome and Harley interaction scenes? Or even Harley and Ivy scenes. Once again there won't be any scenes between Harley and Ivy due to the fact that Maggie is 30 and the little girl is around 12. Now I would be okay if they were just showing the little girl to introduce her, and then maybe recast her with someone older.. but I really don't think it's her. She only adds up to one thing, out of three.

Then there's Barbara, who adds up with all three. We've met and known her for a long time, she's connected to the Joker Cult World (she's interacted with Jerome), and I thought it was pretty crazy that she got electrocuted. That could probably be crazy enough to be the launching point into season four. But once again, I really don't think she's gonna be Harley either. She could be, and I guess I would be okay with that if she portrays her right, but I really don't think she is. You all are gonna think I'm crazy, and I probably am for thinking this, but what if Barbara is gonna be Livewire? Now I know her background and stuff doesn't match Livewire's, but she did get electrocuted. If I remember correctly Livewire was electrocuted (I don't know too much about her, so go easy on me.. I'm probably wrong). There are a few different versions of how it happened. Like in one version she was about to be in a helicopter crash when Supergirl saved her. But Supergirl got struck by lightning and the electricity went through her and to Leslie. Another version I think Superman was trying to save her from the stage because it caught on fire and he got electrocuted and it passed through her as well. My point is, pretty much in every version, Leslie became livewire through electrocution. Also when Leslie becomes Livewire her hair turns blue (in some versions bluish-gray) and her eyes get a really light blue. Also her skin becomes really pale. Barbara was really pale, and her eyes were really blue when she got electrocuted. She could have died and it's only natural for her to look like that.. but what if she didn't die? I believe it's possible. Not to mention, in Supergirl Leslie was blonde and had blue eyes, like Barbara. Plus as far as I know, Livewire is seductive and a little corny as well. And I'm not sure how accurate this is, but someone said one of the writers said they would like for Barbara and Harley to team up when Babs and Tabs break up. Harley, Livewire, and Poison Ivy teamed up for a little bit in the animated series. Plus I know Livewire is more of a Superman villain, but she does make appearances in Batman the Animated Series. I'm probably wrong, but it's possible. Either that or maybe the electrocution will make her sane? Maybe Barbara herself will become Batgirl?

I believe she could still become Harley though. She looked pale, and she was already displaying Harley- like character traits. In Suicide Squad movie Joker shocks Harley's brain.. so it's still possible. Also to be fair, I'm not counting anyone out, there was also Fish in that episode, but I highly doubt she's Harley. She does have some characteristics.. such as using a bat for a weapon, she's bi, she has one blue eye, and she wears black and red all the time. But her personality doesn't match Harley's in the slightest. She's more of a leader, and she's mainly about power and respect. So the one I really think is Harley is Lee. She's a character we've thought we've known and loved for a long time (she's changed a little bit every season. In season one she was this corny, sarcastic, lovable doctor. Then in season two she was still the same, but she was becoming a little darker, and then in season three we got to see a really dark side of her. One that acts a lot like Harley). She's connected to Jerome (Joker Cult World) she even nursed one of his cult members and she's seen how they dress. She was present during most of his important scenes, and she's interacted (and flirted) with him. And I wouldn't necessarily say her leaving was crazy, since she said she was going to for a while now, but it did kind of leave us hanging. Plus her leaving and coming back bad again could be a good launching point. Now, when she injected herself with the virus and first became evil, that was pretty crazy. Maybe that's what they meant? 

"She's definitely one of the more unpredictable members of the squad. She also used to be a psychiatrist so she has an extensive knowledge of mental illnesses and how to manipulate people-- I'm sorry, well, she has a lot of knowledge on how to profile people, pick their triggers, and as Harley Quinn she kind of utilizes that to just manipulate people and mess with them." - Margot Robbie. When Lee was infected with the virus she manipulated Jim by saying she was in love with him. I honestly don't think she loved Jim anymore.. because when you love someone you put their needs before your own. She literally gave him no other choice but to take the virus, knowing how much he didn't want to. She was gonna let him die if he didn't take the virus. It was basically a lose-lose situation for Jim and a win-win situation for Lee. And she didn't want to be with the normal Jim, she only wanted to be with him while he had the virus. So Lee didn't love Jim.. at least not truly love him. Because if she did she would have put his needs before hers. They basically confirmed this.

Unrequited Love: Unrequited love or one-sided love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such by the beloved. The beloved may not be aware of the admirer's deep and strong romantic affection, or may consciously reject it.

Another thing that I want to point out is Lee craved darkness all this time. I called it from day one since she watched Jerome in the interrogation room. She was watching him with intrigue, and you can see her smirk slightly when he revealed his true nature. "It's pretty obvious when you think about it. Perfect Doctor Lee Thompkins, why would she be drawn to a man with so much darkness and such an appetite for violence? Unless something inside her liked it. Craved it. Needed it." This makes me think of that sickness Harley has, where it turns her on when her partner does something bad. So if she craved darkness all this time, there’s no way she wasn’t at least a little attracted to Jerome. He’s the darkest character on the show. 

And don’t you all find it a little strange that there was two ‘Doctor Leslie Thompkins’ on the show? Because I do. This is probably the craziest theory I’ve ever had, but what if Lee’s real name was Harleen, and she stole the other woman’s identity.. Yeah this is by far the craziest theory, but I just think it’s so weird that there was two. I know the show loves to keep us guessing, but I’ve also noticed they love to give hints and subtly foreshadow things.

She’s even credited as ‘Doctor Leslie Thompkins’ in the cast.

Some more things that are small but relevant clues:

1. She's seen how Mary Loyd does her makeup (The heart under the same eye as Harley) 

2. She has the obsession part

First she was obsessed with Jerome’s case, then she was obsessed with blaming Jim for Mario’s death, and then she was obsessed with Jim taking the virus and embracing ‘who he really is’. She’s a character of obsession, as is Harley.

3. Histrionic Disorder: 

Histrionic Personality Disorder:

-Dress provocatively and/or exhibit inappropriately seductive or flirtatious behavior

Her whole outfit screamed ‘look at me!’ Her breasts were popping out big time, her eyeliner was heavy enough to draw attention to her, and she was wearing sunglasses. I know wearing sunglasses is normal, but I don’t know about you all but I notice someone a lot faster when they’re wearing sunglasses. 

Her inappropriately flirting with Alfred 

-Shift emotions rapidly

-Act very dramatically, as though performing before an audience, with exaggerated emotions and expressions, yet appears to lack sincerity

(She’s done this quite a lot actually. She made a huge scene and outed Jim in front of the other GCPD officers, she especially did this when she went to the GCPD and told Harvey she buried Jim alive. Not to mention she threw Butch across the bar, not caring who saw.)

-Be overly concerned with physical appearance

-Constantly seek reassurance or approval

-Be gullible and easily influenced by others

(It didn’t take much effort from Jervis to convince her Mario’s death was ‘all her fault’. She’s more gullible than you would expect.)

-Be excessively sensitive to criticism or disapproval

(She was yelling at Jim and blaming him for Mario getting infected, but when Jim stood up for himself, she seemed really hurt.)

-Not think before acting

-Make rash decisions

-Be self-centered and rarely show concern for others

4. Similarities/parallels 

5. She's 'sane' right now, but I believe she will return and be bad again. This is a common thing for Harley. She switches from good to bad a lot 

8. Hers and Jerome's connection..

They show common body language signs of attraction:

1. Mirroring: Copying the other’s gestures, word phrases, etc.

Frequent touching:

She squeezed his bicep.

I understand it’s only normal for her to grab a hold of him out of surprise.. but one of her hands was on his already, and then she hesitantly placed her other hand on top of his other hand. 

Prolonged eye contact: Not to mention the way they look at each other. I haven’t seen them look at anyone else the way they look at each other. You don’t look at just anyone like that.

9. Morena basically confirmed herself as Harley: I think her emoji‘s meant she visited Mad Hatter in Arkham, which then linked to her injecting herself with the virus, and becoming Harley Quinn. <3

Both Lee and Harley have high-intelligence listed as one of their abilities. Amanda Waller once called Harley a genius. 

This is really long and probably very unorganized and I apologize. There’s also probably a lot of mistakes, but I hope you all can overlook them :) I know I said I wouldn't miss anything, but knowing me I probably missed a lot. If you agree please let me know, I love feedback. If you don’t that’s perfectly fine just please be respectful is all I ask :) 

[yeslabyrinth]

DO WORRY. BE HAPPY.

I want to talk about happiness in improv, and I don't mean how to find happiness in doing improv, which I hope you do find, but how to be happy characters in our scenes. I'm not proposing something like out of the book The Secret, about how characters always have to be happy, or the world is some super joyful place, and you just have to look at the glass as half full. I am just saying that, especially with newer improvisers, but even some experienced ones, I am surprised how quickly our scenes turn into not liking each other as characters.

 There are a few reasons I think this happens. For one, you're often taught to add stakes, and weight to your scenes by making strong emotional choices. In an effort to do this, we associate darker emotions with being more prone for stakes. Anger, frustration, sadness, etc. While these are things that will definitely add stakes, and weight to scenes, simply portraying them in the start of a scene isn't going to give you much. If we don't know who these characters are, or where we are, starting a scene right off with conflict is going to be a tricky course to maneuver. It's even trickier if these people are strangers to each other. The reason it’s trickier is because we want to play real, especially real if we're using these strong emotions, but it's so easy to feel fake to an audience. It's extremely rare that I have ever seen someone yell at a cashier in real life, and yet it happens in scenes all the time. When this situation happens in real life, I have seen people get annoyed, and then pretty upset, and then maybe ask to see a manager. So, in our scenes, when we go right to yelling at a cashier, it seems fake. It seems dishonest, and like we're watching people grab at straws in front of us, or try to generate some stakes without knowing any context. You have to EARN these big emotions. We have to see you get slightly annoyed with the cashier, then a little more frustrated, and then maaaaybe you can yell at them, but to start right away with this extreme anger often comes across as a false choice if you're not FULLY committed to the emotional stakes you are trying to add to a scene. Remember, there is no such thing as a bad choice in improv, but there is such a thing as a false choice. Something that doesn't ring true to what we have set up in our scene. It can go either way too. It could be the little pun you try to make after breaking really sad news to someone, but it could also be the choice to tell someone you love them in a scene, when up until that moment you seem to have a platonic relationship.

Another reason we tend to go towards these sad, and angry emotional choices, is we are told, "make today the day something happens." It's a good motto we use often in improv to remind you that an audience paid to watch this set, and if we're just doing scenes of two talking heads discussing the weather, we're not creating great theater. We should try to make our scenes feel like plays, and the classic Joseph Campbell's hero's journey. We try to have some calls to action, and highs and lows for our characters, but too often we like to start with the lows. Scenes about breaking bad news. Scenes about telling someone how what they are doing is wrong. When you think of "the days something happened" in your life, there certainly are some sad ones. The day your parents got divorced, or you lost a loved one, or you didn't get that job you wanted, but, I would dare to say that you have had more highs than lows, but the lows are more memorable. Artists always remember the criticisms, and gloss over the praise. They beat themselves up over their failures, but rarely pat themselves on the back for their achievements. Sound familiar? Maybe you are actually a pretty dark, and sad person by your general nature, and you have always been this way, and not in a depressed kind of way, just that's how you are. Am I telling you not to play characters close to you? Not at all. I am just saying that if you are playing sad, or angry characters in scenes, we need to know why, and it has to be more than, "this is just the way I am." That gives your fellow players no understanding of how to play, and move along in the scene. We need some motivation, or justification for these strong emotions.

 I want to stress that I am not trying to say don't choose these emotions ever, but I would say that of the “bad improv” I have seen, the majority of scenes that fail could be boiled down to one person upset with another person, and them debating who is right or wrong, and nothing else happens. Again, I get where this comes from. There is an unusual character in most scenes, and we want to explore their logic, and the repercussions of their logic, and call out their weirdness, but by no means do you have to be angry when doing this. If in real life a friend tells me they are going to a restaurant that they love, and I hate the place, we will probably "argue" over whether or not it is a good restaurant, but we won't actually end up screaming at each other. Instead, we will exchange stories of our experiences with the place, and try to understand where the other person is coming from, even if we disagree. We're not trying to ruin our friendship over a small disagreement. Kevin Mullaney calls this sympathetic disagreement, which is a perfect term in my eyes. We want to disagree, but our scene partner is someone we care about, so we're probably not trying to burn a bridge in every scene. If someone one did this in real life, you’d probably just leave, and guess what? This is a trick you can use! If I feel like my character would want to leave this argumentative scene, which is especially true if a random store clerk I don’t know is yelling at me, I threaten to leave. In doing that, the other improviser 99% of the time starts to wind down their rhetoric in order for me not to leave the scene, leaving them all alone on stage.

 Now let me extend some challenges to you for your improv scenes. These are not full proof, because nothing is, but if you find yourself caught in this cycle of just arguing in scenes, here are some ideas to use to help get out of them.

 1) Start your scene enjoying the company of your scene partner. This doesn't mean that as the scene goes on, you can't get upset with them, or argue, but I challenge you to start most of your scenes enjoying their company. This way, even if the scene veers into argumentative territory, you have earned it by showing that your characters like each other, and this is "the day something happens", and you get into a fight. If we don't have that context beforehand, and you're fighting right from the outset, than for all we know this is just any other day for these characters. Nothing special.

 2) Choose to lose an argument. My instructor for Babies, Danny Mastrangelo, was the first person who ever pointed this out to me, and now I can't stop thinking about it when I see people argue. Whenever you are in an argument, think internally, "who is going to lose this argument?" If you find yourself caught in an argument in a scene, SOMEONE HAS TO LOSE, and it's a much more fun choice to let it be your character. Choose to lose the argument. But you may be saying, "I thought you said that in a straight person/crazy person scene, if I'm the straight one then I need to call out the weird? But I can't give up on that right?" To an extent, yes. You do want to call out the weird, but we also want to SEE the weird behavior being played. We can't do this if we're arguing the entire scene. So, choose to lose, or at least let it rest for a minute if you're the straight character. Just go back to your base reality. Let's say you're the crazy one in this scene. What if you lose? Well, that's actually perfect. If you are doing this crazy behavior of getting too close to someone, you both argue, and they "convince" you to stop doing the behavior, we then get to continue the scene, but our comedic minds KNOW that you'll find a way to bring back that behavior. It's a comedy bit as old as time. Pretty much every 3 Stooges episode is them doing an activity wrong, one of them shows them the right way to do it, they appear to get it, and then of course go right back to screwing everything up.

 3) Argue passionately about something you know is stupid. This goes along with the above challenge, and Will Hines covers it great in this blog post https://tmblr.co/ZuvjMy1t3506m , but if you do want to argue with your scene partner, than choose to be the one arguing passionately about something you(the improviser) knows is completely stupid, and illogical, but as if your character 100% believes in it.  Double down on it, and think you KNOW this to be true. So many scenes need someone to be wrong/stupid/naïve, but in real life, we don't want to ever come across this way, so we stray away from it in our improv. Embrace it! Embrace being wrong, and ignorant. You can finally do it, and not have any real repercussions. Choose to be ignorant, but stubborn in your beliefs. Choose to be the  person you could, and should not be in the real world. Choose to commit 100% to this character, and look at the scene through their eyes.  (Side tangent: I have found another reason people like to argue in scenes is they are actually good friends in real life, and this is something they get to do to escape from the norm of loving each other’s company. I understand this thought process, but still try to follow these guidelines about earning it. The audience may not know you actually don’t yell at each other all the time.) The last thing I want to say is that some people come to improv as a form of therapy where they can hash out their problems in scenes. I have said, and I firmly believe this, that IMPROV IS THERAPEUTIC BUT IT IS NOT THERAPY. If you have issues in your life to address, a scene about them isn't going to cure what ails you. If you are angry because of work, and you just need to yell at someone, improv is not the place to displace this anger. Let comedians create laughter, and therapists do therapy.

[echoghost1]

DannyMay 2020 Day 11

Yeah I got the next one ready! Hopefully I’ll have day 12 done tomorrow and I’ll be able to post a few more (I kind of bounced around when writing these and I got 13-16 done already, just need to edit them)

A/N: This is a reimagining of the episode Doctor’s Disorders. Basically, I'm ignoring the whole "I want a perfect body" motive and going back to her roots.

You can read it here 

or down below

Danny felt pretty dumb for not expecting that ghost bug to explode into a thousand tinier bugs. It was so obvious!

When the student body got infected with that weird ghost virus, he and Tucker ended up being the only ones safe from the quarantine. The two boys worked out a plan to sneak Danny into the hospital, all he had to do was use a single power and he'd be in.

He should have known it was a trap.

Spectra floated above him, her shadowy form was somewhat transparent under the dim glow of the operating lights.

"Ah, just what the doctor ordered." She smiled her sickly sweet grin as she held him down. “And I would know, I’m the doctor!”

He hated being looked at like that. Of course it was Spectra that was behind all this. Trapping all the students, making sure they were vulnerable and afraid. And what was worse than being sick with a mysterious illness that might not have a cure, and to be stuck with abilities you can't control, abilities that scare you.

"So Danny, how does it make you feel, knowing you walked right into my trap?" She ran the back of her fingers down his cheek, which would have been a soothing jester if her touch didn’t make him feel terrible.

"Stupid." He admitted against his better judgment. 

She laughed and her shadow form darkened, "And why did you even bother to come in the first place? It's not like anyone here actually likes you."

She had a point, everyone at the school either picked on him or ignored him. And most of them still ran away from his ghost half. It didn't matter what he did, it was a losing battle. 

"It's been a while since our last session, and I believe we left off on a question. Do you have the answer yet? I think you've had plenty of time to think about it." She crossed her legs as she leaned back into the chair next to the bed. 

Somehow she had shifted back into her human disguise and he hadn't even noticed. She might not be holding him down, but he couldn't find the energy to leave either. "What was the question?" He asked hating himself for being so forgetful. 

She leaned forward, taking his hand, and making him sit up. "I asked, what are you? A ghost trying to fit in with humans? Or a creepy little boy with creepy little powers?" Her grip tightened and it wasn't just to keep him there, but to make him answer. 

But he didn't know. How could he? "A living ghost? A screw up that can't even die right."

Her grip loosened but she still held fast. He hated feeling like this, but she was like a large planet compared to him. The gravity of her pulling him into her orbit but it was so strong that it pulled him in too far. He was crashing into the surface and burning up in the atmosphere. There was no escape.

"Why do you insist on saving anyone?" She asked, "If they don't want you around, why bother?"

"It's the right thing to do, isn't it?" He wasn't sure anymore, "I just want to help. I activated the portal, I let the ghosts out."

"Oh, so you're cleaning up your mess? That's not heroic Danny, it's damage control." She set down his hand on his lap and leaned back in her chair, "That's not your purpose." She pondered aloud before changing tactics, "So stop confusing rushes of adrenaline for acts of bravery. Tell me what you really want. What grabs your attention and won't let go?"

"I want to be an astronaut." The words slipped out in barely a whisper. "I want to go to space. I want it so bad it hurts."

"But you can't, can you?"

He pulled his knees up to his chest and hugged them tightly. Of course he couldn't be an astronaut. Not with his grades, and he had no idea if he’d even pass the physical test now. His new normal wasn’t healthy.

She placed a hand on his shoulder, “I think that’s enough for today. We’re making some real progress. And remember, it’s okay to reach for the stars as long as you don’t leave your head in the clouds.” She gave his shoulder an encouraging pat before walking away.

He sat there feeling absolutely numb. 

He had beaten her before, but how? She was stronger than ever and had the student body held hostage. There might not be a cure for them. They might not ever leave here.

Danny got up from the bed in a daze. There was no point in staying if he couldn’t save them.

“Danny!” a bad attempt at a whisper called.

He perked up at the sound of his name to see Tucker.

“You’ve been in here for like an hour and I started to get worried,” Tucker admitted nervously fiddling with the lipstick laser Danny had let him borrow.

“I’m sorry Tucker, I don’t think I can fix this.” Danny looked down at his shoes, “It was stupid of me to even try.”

“Did you not find who did it? I’m sure if we both look-”

“I know who did it Tuck.”

“Well let’s go kick their butt.”

“It’s no use. She already beat me.”

Tucker looked him over, but Danny couldn’t look him in the eye. He was taken off guard when Tucker smothered him in a hug. “Dude I’m so sorry. If I had known it was Spectra, I would have never let you go in alone.” Tucker pulled back and looked Danny over again, trying to catch Danny’s eyes, “What awful things did she tell you this time?”

“Nothing I haven’t told myself before.”

“Oh man I wish I had your mom’s bazooka. I’d both that lady’s mouth clean off!”

“Thanks, I think?”

“You’re my brother from another mother! I’d do anything for you.”

“That’s a little scary dude. And I’m the ghost.”

“Pfft, only half. And the other half is a scaredy-cat.”

“Hey, no fair.” Danny playfully pushed Tucker’s shoulder. “At least I don’t smell like gym shorts and ginger snaps.”

Danny paused to think now that the negative cloud of self-doubt had started to clear. “You still have that cologne on you right?”

“Of course,” Tucker reached into the largest pocket of his cargo pants, “How do you think I got in?”

Deciding to ignore that last comment Danny nods in acknowledgment, “Good, because I have a plan.”

[jessette20]

Cancer Support

A few years ago, the idea of following your doctor on Facebook may have seemed flat-out ridiculous.

Fast-forward to present day and it’s clear that times have changed.

Did you know Darth Vader could help you perform proper CPR? In honor of the release of “Solo: A Star Wars Story,”…

Posted by Florida Hospital on Tuesday, May 29, 2018

According to Deloitte’s 2018 global healthcare outlook, more and more providers are making their presence known on social media.

This migration isn’t due to dollars and cents, though. Instead, the overarching purpose of social media in healthcare is to improve the patient experience and form a “customer-centric relationship” with followers.

Look: it’s no secret healthcare represents a massive, multi-trillion dollar industry and the US’ largest employer.

And just as people are researching products and services via social, they’re doing the same when searching for a doctor.

But the role of social media in healthcare isn’t as simple as attracting new patients. Providers need to not only understand the best practices of using social media, but also the challenges and responsibilities of doing so, too.

Educating the public. Creating communities for patients. Providing stellar customer care. The list goes on and on.

In this guide to social media in healthcare, we’re going to tackle these challenges head-on. Breaking down how healthcare professionals can use social media as a force for good, we’ll highlight what a fine-tuned presence for medical providers looks like in action.

And with that, let’s dive right in!

The Role of Social Media in Healthcare

Healthcare providers are in a unique position when it comes to their social presence.

After all, you’re marketing a service that represents a human necessity rather than a potential impulse buy.

And between rising healthcare premiums and patient anxiety, winning over your target audience is easier said than done.

Social media is a key component of how your practice is perceived by current and prospective patients alike. Practices of all shapes and sizes should therefore prioritize the following to market themselves as a top-tier provider.

Educating the Public

According to a recent Pew Research study, 36% of Americans haven’t visited a doctor within the past year.

Yikes.

This stat signals the need for education among the general public when it comes to check-ups, seasonal wellness and preventative care. The good news? The same Pew study notes that 87% of people hold doctors and their opinions in high regard.

The takeaway?

Educating the public isn’t just as an expectation: it’s a duty. Healthcare marketers actors are therefore tasked with keeping current and prospective patients alike informed year-round about treatments. Topical posts like this one from Florida Hospital represent a much-needed dose of education for their followers.

Chicago White Sox pitcher, Danny Farquhar, recently returned to the mound after collapsing from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Learn more about the causes and treatment for this type of aneurysm.

Posted by Florida Hospital on Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Making Patients Feel Comfortable

Spoiler alert: not everyone is exactly jazzed about going to the doctor.

Something as seemingly simple as a check-up can be incredibly daunting on a prospective patient. In fact, white coat syndrome impacts approximately 30% of the public.

And so you can imagine the need for practices to display their empathy when it comes to patients dealing with terminal illnesses. Social media represents a great avenue to both show off the measures you take to make patients feel at home in their time of need.

Posts like this one from Northwestern Medicine prove that it’s possible to put on a smiling face regardless of the prognosis.

How about a little #FBF to when @starwars characters paid a visit to our patients out at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital? #MayThe4thBeWithYou, today and always!

A post shared by Northwestern Medicine (@northwesternmedicine) on May 4, 2018 at 7:17am PDT

Signaling Yourself as a Staple in the Community

The concept of competition in the health sector is a touchy one. Even so, any given community is full of providers and it’s only natural for prospective patients to “shop around.”

It only makes sense for healthcare marketers to present their practices as the go-to for their respective communities. From showing off employees in action to local advocacy efforts, social media allows practices to be more transparent and personable to prospective patients.

Posts like this one from Massachusetts General Hospital are a shining example of the much-needed personal touch that patients want to see from their providers.

Today is National Nurses Day! We want to thank all of our nurses for providing expert, compassionate care to our patients every day. Please comment below to thank your favorite Mass General nurse.

Posted by Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday, May 6, 2018

Understanding the big-picture goals of social media in healthcare is key to honing in on a content strategy, which leads us directly to our next point.

Which Types of Content Should Healthcare Providers Publish?

As highlighted by the examples above, healthcare content on social doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom.

Nor should it be.

A diverse content strategy is a smart move for any type of marketing and healthcare providers are no different. For the sake of diversifying your content calendar and keeping your followers happy, consider the following types of content which are fair game for healthcare marketers:

1. Educational Content

The growing phenomenon of self-diagnosis and letting Google serve as a doctor again signals the need for practices to educate the public.

Whether it’s the tips for the latest bug going around or touching on health-related news, marketers should strive to keep followers in the loop.

The recent tragic news of Anthony @Bourdain and #KateSpade has increased the importance of #SuicidePrevention awareness. Marcial Serrano, MD, details the signs of #Suicide and how to best prevent it.

For 24/7 support and information, please call 1-800-273-TALK.

— Orlando Health (@orlandohealth) June 11, 2018

Health tips and “Did you know?”-style content is also popular for encouraging interactions and debate among your followers. Whether it’s busting myths or quizzing your followers, posts like Instagram Story from Cleveland Clinic are prime for healthy (pun intended) discussion.

Should you avoid carbs at all costs, or just certain ones? Click 🔗 in bio.

A post shared by Cleveland Clinic (@clevelandclinic) on Jun 10, 2018 at 1:15pm PDT

And although not related to content directly, educating potential patients about your practice is a vital piece of social customer care. If someone has a question about treatment options or what your practice can do to help, strive to respond in a timely manner.

2. Inspirational Content

Especially in the face of progressive diseases such as cancer, patients and their family members could often use a dose of inspiration and motivation.

“Don’t let the diagnosis scare you beyond the initial shock. Be stubborn. Deal with the cancer, and find doctors you can trust. Don’t be afraid to ask for support, and don’t give up. That’s become my mantra: Don’t ever give up.” – Suzanne Stone, a glioblastoma survivor who ran her first half-marathon two years after her diagnosis #cancer #braintumor #braincancer #glioblastoma #survivor #runner #halfmarathon #cancersurvivor #mdanderson #endcancer

A post shared by MD Anderson Cancer Center (@mdandersoncancercenter) on May 9, 2018 at 1:05pm PDT

As such, you’ll oftentimes find patient success stories sprinkled through any given practice’s feed to provide a much-needed sense of hope. These types of posts are oftentimes the ones that get shared around the most, expanding your reach and telling a compelling tale at the same time.

At 22, college athlete and elite runner Gabriele Grunewald was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Today she continues to run, not only for her health but as a way to support other patients and raise funds for research. In August 2016 — seven years after her initial diagnosis — Gabriele learned her cancer had returned. This time, it metastasized to her liver. She had another surgery, and doctors believed Gabriele was cancer-free. But in March 2017, follow-up tests revealed more tumors in her liver. That's when doctors recommended she head to Mayo Clinic, where she now has biweekly immunotherapy infusions, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Through it all, Gabriele has continued to run, applying lessons learned on the track to her approach to treatment. "You have to take running one day at a time, and it's not easy every single day," she tells us. "Running has served me well in this. Gabriele believes it could serve others well, too. She recently launched a foundation, Brave Like Gabe, in part to encourage cancer survivors to incorporate physical activity into their lives. But the most important goals of the foundation, Gabriele tells us, are raising awareness of rare diseases and funds to support the research that may lead to their cures. "So many things are uncertain for me right now, but one thing I can do is work to make a difference," Gabriele tells us. "I have been inspired by so many people and organizations, and that made me want to try to inspire others. I'm trying to do as much as I can by sharing my life story. I'm trying to make some good come out of this diagnosis." Read the full story on https://mayocl.in/2rKVdGK. . . . #MayoClinic #MayoClinicMN #Cancer #PatientStory #BraveLikeGabe

A post shared by Mayo Clinic (@mayoclinic) on May 19, 2018 at 8:00am PDT

3. Harnessing Hashtags

Despite popular belief, social media in healthcare isn’t completely divorced from the world of social marketing at large.

For example, you can totally take advantage of clever captions and Instagram hashtags while still being totally tasteful about it. This post from Northwestern Medicine for #NationalDonutDay is a prime example of how to do just that.

Three (now six) chemotherapy treatments down, one delicious donut on deck. This #NationalDonutDay, we wish Jen all the best during her journey to being #cancerfree! #FBF // 📸: @timmort

A post shared by Northwestern Medicine (@northwesternmedicine) on Jun 1, 2018 at 2:02pm PDT

Additionally, there are tons of community-specific health hashtags such as #cancersucks and #cancerfree in which patients and providers alike can show their support to each other. Including such tags on your posts helps you expand your reach and likewise show off your practice in action.

4. ‘Behind the Scenes’ Content

Speaking of practices in action, highlighting the “fun” side of your team by taking followers behind the scenes is always a smart move. Posts like this one from Johns Hopkins serve as both wholesome content and the brighter side of working in healthcare.

A four-legged friend stops by for a special visit to The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s critical care unit, bringing smiles and comfort to patients, families and members of our nursing staff — and getting lots of belly rubs in return. #JHH4EverMagnet

A post shared by Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) (@hopkinsmedicine) on Mar 27, 2018 at 5:47am PDT

5. User-Generated Content

Sometimes the best way to highlight your practice is by letting others do the talking. Through user-generated content, you can provide an unfiltered view of what your practice looks like from the eyes of your patients.

“Use your smile to change the world, don’t let the world change your smile.” #MondayMotivation #KeepingFamiliesClose 📷: @rmhc_albany

A post shared by RMHC Global (@rmhc) on Jun 11, 2018 at 3:45pm PDT

This is why geotagging on Instagram and allowing followers to tag your location via social is so important. People are checking in en masse to let their friends and family know what’s going on, and such tags are critical to spotting UGC in the wild.

Don’t Forget Your Practice’s Reputation

Beyond publishing content, we need to briefly touch on reputation management and its place within social media and healthcare.

Social comments and sounding boards such as Facebook reviews provide an avenue for patients to share their experiences both good and bad.

Since these comments are out in the open, it’s crucial that you respond in a timely manner and address any negative feedback with grace. Just as practices are expected to handle patient concerns in-person with extraordinary care, the same rings true online.

The takeaway? Prospective patients will undoubtedly check out comments and reviews prior to checking out your practice, so just keep social reputation management in the back of your mind.

Important: A Note on HIPAA Compliance

By now your head is probably swirling with ideas.

Awesome!

But also, don’t forget about the need to stay compliant with HIPAA in terms of social media and healthcare. This is perhaps one of the biggest challenges of practices which often flies under the radar.

In short, you need to take special care when publishing patient content which would potentially reveal sensitive information or otherwise violate HIPAA. For example, did you know that using your patients as part of your marketing materials requires explicit written consent?

As such, we really urge you to check out our HIPAA and social media cheat sheet to ensure that what you’re doing is on the up and up.

How Does Your Practice Mix Social Media & Healthcare?

Healthcare marketers have a distinct set of challenges when it comes to social media and healthcare. That being said, there are tons of opportunities for educating the public, creating a sense of community and using your social presence as a force for good. Hopefully this guide was helpful in providing both directions in what you should do in terms of your own social media strategy.

We want to hear from you, though! What do you think is the biggest responsibility for healthcare providers via social media? What’s your biggest challenge? Let us know in the comments below.

This post Social Media in Healthcare: A Surgical Guide for Marketing Professionals originally appeared on Sprout Social.

from http://bit.ly/2lnADJL

[aurriii]

30 Most Haunting Books You’ll Ever Read

There’s finally a fall chill in the October air, now let’s send that chill to our spines and get all Halloween creepy and moody.

The Color Out of Space by H.P. Lovecraft

H.P. Lovecraft’s classic short story about a terrible alien presence that descends upon a rural area, with dire consequences for surrounding life.

Misery by Steven King

The #1 national bestseller about a famous novelist held hostage by his “number one fan” and suffering a frightening case of writer’s block—that could prove fatal. One of “Stephen King’s best…genuinely scary” (USA TODAY).

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

The story remains unchanged, focusing on a young family that moves into a small home on Ash Tree Lane where they discover something is terribly wrong: their house is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

The Descent by Jeff Long

We are not alone…In a cave in the Himalayas, a guide discovers a self-mutilated body with the warning–Satan exists. In the Kalahari Desert, a nun unearths evidence of a proto-human species and a deity called Older-than-Old. In Bosnia, something has been feeding upon the dead in a mass grave. So begins mankind’s most shocking realization: that the underworld is a vast geological labyrinth populated by another race of beings.

The Lurking Fear by H.P. Lovecraft

Twelve soul-chilling stories by the master of horror will leave you shivering in your boots and afraid to go out in the night. Only H.P. Lovecraft can send your heart racing faster than it’s ever gone before. And here are the stories to prove it.

The Hot Zone by Richard Preston

The bestselling landmark account of the first emergence of the Ebola virus. A highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There is no cure. In a few days 90 percent of its victims are dead. A secret military SWAT team of soldiers and scientists is mobilized to stop the outbreak of this exotic “hot” virus.

Requiem For A Dream Hubert Selby Jr.

In this searing novel, two young hoods, Harry and Tyrone, and a girlfriend fantasize about scoring a pound of uncut heroin and getting rich. But their habit gets the better of them, consumes them and destroys their dreams.

Something Wicked This Way Comes By Ray Bradbury

For those who still dream and remember, for those yet to experience the hypnotic power of its dark poetry, step inside. The show is about to begin. Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early. A calliope’s shrill siren song beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. Two boys will discover the secret of its smoke, mazes, and mirrors; two friends who will soon know all too well the heavy cost of wishes…and the stuff of nightmares.

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

Haunted is a novel made up of twenty-three horrifying, hilarious, and stomach-churning stories. They’re told by people who have answered an ad for a writer’s retreat and unwittingly joined a “Survivor”-like scenario where the host withholds heat, power, and food. As the storytellers grow more desperate, their tales become more extreme, and they ruthlessly plot to make themselves the hero of the reality show that will surely be made from their plight. This is one of the most disturbing and outrageous books you’ll ever read, one that could only come from the mind of Chuck Palahniuk.

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

Feed your fears with this terrifying classic that introduced cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter.

FBI agent Will Graham once risked his sanity to capture Hannibal Lecter, an ingenious killer like no other. Now, he’s following the bloodstained pattern of the Tooth Fairy, a madman who’s already wiped out two families.

To find him, Graham has to understand him. To understand him, Graham has only one place left to go: the mind of Dr. Lecter.

We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Lionel Shriver’s resonant story of a mother’s unsettling quest to understand her teenage son’s deadly violence, her own ambivalence toward motherhood, and the explosive link between them reverberates with the haunting power of high hopes shattered by dark realities.

The Whisperer In Darkness by H.P Lovecraft

The Whisperer in Darkness brings together the original Cthulhu Mythos stories of the legendary horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. Included in this volume are several early tales, along with the classics The Call of Cthulhu, The Dunwich Horror and At the Mountains of Madness.

The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

The Lottery, one of the most terrifying stories written in this century, created a sensation when it was first published in TheNew Yorker. “Power and haunting,” and “nights of unrest” were typical reader responses. This collection, the only one to appear during Shirley Jackson’s lifetime, unites “The Lottery:” with twenty-four equally unusual stories. Together they demonstrate Jack son’s remarkable range–from the hilarious to the truly horrible–and power as a storyteller.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.

Pet Semetary by Stephen King

When Dr. Louis Creed takes a new job and moves his family to the idyllic and rural town of Ludlow, Maine, this new beginning seems too good to be true. Yet despite Ludlow’s tranquility, there’s an undercurrent of danger that exists here. Those trucks on the road outside the Creed’s beautiful old home travel by just a little too quickly, for one thing…as is evidenced by the makeshift pet cemetery out back in the nearby woods. Then there are the warnings to Louis both real and from the depths of his nightmares that he should not venture beyond the borders of this little graveyard. A blood-chilling truth is hidden there—one more terrifying than death itself, and hideously more powerful. An ominous fate befalls anyone who dares tamper with this forbidden place, as Louis is about to discover for himself…

The Shining by Stephen King

Jack Torrance’s new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he’ll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote . . . and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.

The Beach by Alex Garland

Richard sets off with a young French couple to an island hidden away in an archipelago forbidden to tourists. They discover the Beach, and it is as beautiful and idyllic as it is reputed to be. Yet over time it becomes clear that Beach culture, as Richard calls it, has troubling, even deadly, undercurrents.

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

In American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis imaginatively explores the incomprehensible depths of madness and captures the insanity of violence in our time or any other. Patrick Bateman moves among the young and trendy in 1980s Manhattan. Young, handsome, and well educated, Bateman earns his fortune on Wall Street by day while spending his nights in ways we cannot begin to fathom. Expressing his true self through torture and murder, Bateman prefigures an apocalyptic horror that no society could bear to confront.

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

Meet Frank Cauldhame. Just sixteen, and unconventional to say the least:

Two years after I killed Blyth I murdered my young brother Paul, for quite different and more fundamental reasons than I’d disposed of Blyth, and then a year after that I did for my young cousin Esmerelda, more or less on a whim.

That’s my score to date. Three. I haven’t killed anybody for years, and don’t intend to ever again.

It was just a stage I was going through.

Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry

In the summer of 1969, in Los Angeles, a series of brutal, seemingly random murders captured headlines across America. A famous actress (and her unborn child), an heiress to a coffee fortune, a supermarket owner and his wife were among the seven victims. A thin trail of circumstances eventually tied the Tate-LeBianca murders to Charles Manson, a would-be pop singer of small talent living in the desert with his “family” of devoted young women and men. What was his hold over them? And what was the motivation behind such savagery?

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

It is autumn 1981 when inconceivable horror comes to Blackeberg, a suburb in Sweden. The body of a teenager is found, emptied of blood, the murder rumored to be part of a ritual killing. Twelve-year-old Oskar is personally hoping that revenge has come at long last—revenge for the bullying he endures at school, day after day.

But the murder is not the most important thing on his mind. A new girl has moved in next door—a girl who has never seen a Rubik’s Cube before, but who can solve it at once. There is something wrong with her, though, something odd.

IT by Stephen King

Welcome to Derry, Maine. It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real.

They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city’s children. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in Derry’s sewers.

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

Inspired by a true story of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940s, William Peter Blatty created an iconic novel that focuses on Regan, the eleven-year-old daughter of a movie actress residing in Washington, D.C. A small group of overwhelmed yet determined individuals must rescue Regan from her unspeakable fate, and the drama that ensues is gripping and unfailingly terrifying.

Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin

Rosemary Woodhouse and her struggling actor husband Guy move into the Bramford, an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and mostly elderly residents. Neighbors Roman and Minnie Castavet soon come nosing around to welcome the Woodhouses to the building, and despite Rosemary’s reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises that she keeps hearing, her husband takes a shine to them.

Shortly after Guy lands a plum Broadway role, Rosemary becomes pregnant―and the Castavets start taking a special interest in her welfare. As the sickened Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated, she begins to suspect that the Castavets’ circle is not what it seems…

Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo

This was no ordinary war. This was a war to make the world safe for democracy. And if democracy was made safe, then nothing else mattered—not the millions of dead bodies, nor the thousands of ruined lives…This is no ordinary novel. This is a novel that never takes the easy way out: it is shocking, violent, terrifying, horrible, uncompromising, brutal, remorseless and gruesome…but so is war.

Night by Elie Wiesel

Night is Elie Wiesel’s masterpiece, a candid, horrific, and deeply poignant autobiographical account of his survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps.

1984 by George Orwell

Winston Smith toes the Party line, rewriting history to satisfy the demands of the Ministry of Truth. With each lie he writes, Winston grows to hate the Party that seeks power for its own sake and persecutes those who dare to commit thoughtcrimes. But as he starts to think for himself, Winston can’t escape the fact that Big Brother is always watching…

A startling and haunting vision of the world, 1984 is so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish. No one can deny the influence of this novel, its hold on the imaginations of multiple generations of readers, or the resiliency of its admonitions—a legacy that seems only to grow with the passage of time.

Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons

THE PAST… Caught behind the lines of Hitler’s Final Solution, Saul Laski is one of the multitudes destined to die in the notorious Chelmno extermination camp. Until he rises to meet his fate and finds himself face to face with an evil far older, and far greater, than the Nazi’s themselves…

THE PRESENT… Compelled by the encounter to survive at all costs, so begins a journey that for Saul will span decades and cross continents, plunging into the darkest corners of 20th century history to reveal a secret society of beings who may often exist behind the world’s most horrible and violent events. Killing from a distance, and by darkly manipulative proxy, they are people with the psychic ability to ‘use’ humans: read their minds, subjugate them to their wills, experience through their senses, feed off their emotions, force them to acts of unspeakable aggression. Each year, three of the most powerful of this hidden order meet to discuss their ongoing campaign of induced bloodshed and deliberate destruction. But this reunion, something will go terribly wrong. Saul’s quest is about to reach its elusive object, drawing hunter and hunted alike into a struggle that will plumb the depths of mankind’s attraction to violence, and determine the future of the world itself…

The Tell-tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe

Written in 1843, “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a dark and eerie tale of a man’s unhealthy obsession that leads him to commit murder. Will his paranoia get him caught? This is one of Poe’s finest and most memorable short stories.

Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

The classic and terrifying story of one of the most famous supernatural events–the infamous possessed house on Long Island from which the Lutz family fled in 1975.

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[gedescopio]

Sci-Fantasy notes on 12th Doctor’s era. (III) Doctor Who? An immortal hero-maker.

After accepting her fate in Face the Raven, Clara tells the Doctor: “Don’t be a Warrior, be a Doctor”. So he replies: “What’s the point of being a Doctor if I cannot cure you…”, and she interrupts: “Heal yourself.” By this point our favorite Time Lord has reached one of his biggest, yet subtle, developments so far; he’s been transformed into something beyond a hero and is ready to fall again by doing what he thinks is right.

I’ve been writing some notes on 12th Doctor’s era from a “sci-fantasy” perspective. The last two were about the Cybermen and Missy. In this final one I’ll talk about the Doctor and where he stands as character right at the start of his final series. I’m happy to share this ideas with you and thankful to all for reading them. So who is the Doctor right now after everything he’s been through?  

3. Doctor Who? An immortal hero-maker.

Great men are forge in fire, it is the privilege of lesser men to lit the flame. –The War Doctor.

The journey of the 11th Doctor faced him against his legacy as a “Mighty Warrior”, where his enemies manipulated his friends and destroyed the universe in fear of him. In the end the Doctor amended the decisions of his Warrior persona –the War Doctor– only to fight another war at Trenzalore. Hence, when we first met the 12th Doctor he’s furious, in the verge of madness and in crisis. Who is he really? A good man? He always ends up in the middle of conflict giving orders like a general and making people risk themselves to death. Rejection to that part of his personality only grew bigger during series 8, refusing empathy for soldiers (mirrors of him perhaps) or despising them like Danny. But the journey of 12 is way more personal and introspective. The big consequence is himself and what he could become. In Listen we learned he’s paranoid when lonely, but also what are his deepest motivations. When the Master saw the Time Vortex went mad, but the Doctor got scared. Forever, deeply scared. Later his turbulent relationship with a grown up Clara transformed his character and helped him to rediscover a facet longtime forgotten. In the series finale Missy tempted him with an illusory Heaven so he embrace his warrior persona once and for all, but fortunately, right at the crucial moment, the Doctor had an epiphany –as seen in this brilliant scene. He’s not a good man nor bad man, he’s an idiot with a box, helping out, learning… In other words, he’s not always supposed to be the hero.

Back in 1963 when the show started the Doctor didn’t call himself like that, he chose the name gave to him almost accidentally by his first human companions, Barbara and Ian, and took it as a promise as well. A promise to help, a duty of care. In many ways the original companions held the role of heroes, doing most of the action or saving the day, while the old, wiseman Doctor provided help, guidance and resolution. Now, all this years later, the Doctor is remembering exactly that. Watching the mutual love of Clara and Danny –two teachers as Barbara and Ian, from the very Coal Hill School– he understands that sometimes he’s there not to take the burden of heroism, but to share it with others. So he gives Danny the means to destroy the Cybermen army and amend his mistakes. The Doctor is no longer the “great man”, is the “lesser” one that lights the flame for the rest.    

In the monomyth of Campbell –the popular narrative model of the hero’s journey that’s base on, among others, the myths of Jesus and Buddha– after a hero ends his cycle becomes a precedent, a guide or an example for the people. A mentor, you could say, as the one the hero encounters during his main journey. The mentor teaches the ways for other heroes to complete new cycles. It’s not coincidence the Doctor was called a “good wizard” by River Song at some point, or implied to be one in the title of series 9 opener. Alike popular mentor figures of today as Gandalf or Dumbledore, the Doctor has already a big track of heroes and heroines taught by him. He learned from them as well. The difference is that those other mentors reached the end of their respective cycles and went away to Beyond. But the Doctor is still here. As Missy, he treasures the most his own immortality and is not ready to renounce it yet.

During series 9 we saw the Doctor rediscovering his mentor persona, influencing even his enemies with his teachings, like a young Davros with a bit of mercy, or dissuading Bonnie –a rebel zygon– to achieve peace. However he was not exempt from mistakes. By saving a ‘storyteller-heroine’, Ashildr, he created a tidal wave that ended up with Clara, the ‘magician apprentice’, dead in a beautifully mirrored situation from Mummy on the Orient Express. In the monumental Heaven Sent the Doctor is trapped in his own limbo. He could leave by confessing what he knew about the hybrid, but instead chose to stay and find his way out. “He always assumes he’s gonna win”, said Clara in The Witch Familiar, and here the Doctor responses in his mind: “Can’t I just lose? Just this once?” It doesn’t matter to stubbornly burn 8 billions of hearts if he will survive anyway. The Doctor wasn’t only mourning his best friend or looking for revenge, like Buddha reaching the Nirvana in an endless cycle of death and reincarnation, the Doctor was making atonement. A punishment for his immortality. In the end, he was ready to fall again and become a Warrior to do justice for her friend, breaking his rules and promises of “Doctor”, so it had to be her apprentice the one to stop him and making him forget. “Memories become stories when we forget them. Maybe some of them become songs.”  

It was only logical that during the last two stories we revisited River Song, another big apprentice of the Doctor, the one that introduced us to the “warrior vs good man” narrative back in series 4. More recently in The Return of Doctor Mysterio, we saw the Doctor accidentally creating another hero, this time super. And by the look of the trailers, it seems the show will continue developing this facet of the Doctor as a mentor even further by being a uni teacher and Bill calling him “professor.” It is pretty much “a time for heroes” indeed, ‘cause you know as Moffat said in a recent interview: “Doctor Who is television’s first and most successful myth. It will outlive all of you.”

For now I can only add that I loved how 12th Doctor’s era has been drawing big callbacks to the very roots of the show from a complex (perhaps too much) perspective and tone. And, whatever happens next, the future looks really exciting. So thank you all for reading and please have a happy series 10 watching!!

[aion-rsa]

15 Reasons Why “Batman & Robin” Isn’t the Worst Movie Ever

By any reasonable standard, “Batman & Robin” is not a good movie. Joel Schumacher’s film suffers from a multitude of bizarre choices that pull it in a thousand different directions at once. In 1997, both critics and comic fans savaged the film for being a feature length toy commercial defined by campy performances and an incoherent tone. After two decades of continued mockery, the movie’s reputation has rotted even more, and the film is widely considered one of the worst movies ever made.

RELATED: Digital Justice: 15 DC Comics Video Games You Forgot Existed

With “The Lego Batman Movie” weeks away from release at the time of writing this, it’s a perfect time to revisit the older toy-friendly Batman movie. Now, CBR is taking a look back at 15 reasons why “Batman & Robin” isn’t the worst movie ever. Although the film remains deeply flawed, it’s a fascinating production that reveals some truly redeeming qualities upon closer reexamination.

THE SPIRIT OF “BATMAN ‘66”

In the 1990s, Batman occupied a different place in pop culture than he does today. In the wake of the 1960s’ “Batman” show, the character had been primarily considered a children’s character for decades. By the 1990s, Batman had just started to step out of that show’s shadow thanks to the works of creators like Frank Miller, Paul Dini and Tim Burton. Instead of shunning it, “Batman & Robin” whole-heartedly embraced the legacy of the Adam West era and tried to update it for modern audiences.

While that move backfired spectacularly, lighter takes on the Batman franchise have become more accepted since 1997. In recent years, DC Comics has reclaimed the legacy of the 1960s’ “Batman” with comics like “Batman ‘66” and the animated film “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.” Like “Batman & Robin,” these newer projects are filled with tilted Dutch angles and corny jokes. Although darkness still largely defines the modern Batman franchise, “Batman & Robin” reclaimed a perfectly valid version of the characters years before anything else did.

UMA AND ARNOLD

One of “Batman’s” most notable features was its cast of over-the-top Technicolor villains. “Batman & Robin’s” main antagonists are perfectly logical extensions of that era’s campy foes. Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy channels Mae West, Julie Newmar and Cruella de Vil in a performance that relishes every bad gardening pun. Since Ivy was created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff in 1966’s “Batman” #181, that era’s aesthetics are a foundational part of her character. Although Ivy never appeared in the old show, Thurman’s Ivy would’ve been right at home facing down Adam West and Burt Ward’s Dynamic Duo.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s turn as Mr. Freeze is one of the film’s most reviled aspects, but it’s a faithful update of the Mr. Freeze of the 1960s. In his three appearances on “Batman,” Mr. Freeze was portrayed as a heavily-accented, pun-loving villain by George Saunders, Otto Preminger and Eli Wallach. Schwarzenegger’s Freeze has the exact same traits with his TV predecessors. Even as Mr. Freeze tries to freeze Gotham City, Arnold’s good-natured, jokey performance keeps the character from ever becoming truly evil, which enables his redemption by the movie’s end.

HEART OF ICE

While “Batman & Robin’s” Mr. Freeze is largely an extension of his 1960s persona, the film recognizes that “Batman: The Animated Series” added a deeper dimension to the character. In the Emmy Award-winning episode “Heart of Ice,” Paul Dini and Bruce Timm gave Mr. Freeze a tragic origin involving his attempts to cure his terminally ill wife Nora Fries. That’s a compelling motivation for any interpretation of Mr. Freeze, even Schwarzenegger’s neon-blue decathlete.

Schumacher and scriptwriter Akiva Goldsman wisely incorporate Victor Fries’ attempts to cure Nora into “Batman & Robin.” While it doesn’t totally work here, the movie replicates a moving “Heart of Ice” sequence where an imprisoned Mr. Freeze stares longingly at a snow globe that reminds him of Nora. By injecting this pathos into Freeze, the filmmakers make him a sympathetic figure who realistically seems like he would help cure a terminally ill Alfred from the same disease that took his wife.

ALFRED’S STORY

After appearing in two Tim Burton directed Batman movies and Joel Schumacher’s “Batman Forever,” Michael Gough’s Alfred is tasked with carrying a lot of “Batman & Robin’s” emotional heft. While Gough had a fairly distinguished career as an actor, his Alfred was largely a supporting character in his first three Bat-film appearances. In this film, Alfred’s sudden terminal diagnosis becomes the driving force behind Batman’s emotional journey towards accepting his place among his adopted family.

While this subplot doesn’t have the space to cohere into something really substantial, Gough elevates the script with the warmth and tenderness that his Alfred shows Bruce Wayne. Although Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy doesn’t share much with “Batman & Robin,” this film sets a precedent for foregrounding the Bruce/Alfred relationship. While those later films would explore their dynamic to great effect, this film uses that same familial warmth to fast-track Alicia Silverstone’s Barbara Wilson, Alfred’s niece, into the Bat-family.

BATGIRL’S PRESENCE

Despite its faults, “Batman & Robin” contains the only live-action feature film appearance of Batgirl. Although Yvonne Craig’s Batgirl joined Adam West and Burt Ward’s Dynamic Duo after their big screen adventure, the character’s inclusion here is another nod to the 1960s “Batman” series. In the ’60s series and that era’s comics, Batgirl is secretly Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Commissioner Gordon. Since the elder Gordon hardly has a presence in this movie, Batgirl’s familial relationship to Alfred makes more sense in the context of the film.

Although she doesn’t share a last name with Barbara Gordon, Silverstone’s Barbara Wilson shares her aptitudes for computers and motorcycles. While she doesn’t get much screen time in-costume, the film treats Batgirl as an equal to Batman and Robin and gives her a pivotal role in the film’s climax. While Batgirl seems like a fairly likely candidate to show up in the upcoming “Gotham City Sirens,” “Batman & Robin” remains one of Batgirl’s most visible appearances outside of comics right now.

GOTHAM CITY RACER

In one of the film’s better action sequences, Silverstone’s Barbara and Chris O’Donnell’s Dick Grayson race each other through the streets of Gotham City in an underground motorcycle race. Within the context of the film, the event gives Barbara and Dick a chance to establish a kinship over their shared love of thrill-seeking.

In the race sequence, the film’s various tones coalesce into a stylistic delight. The crowded scenes that set-up the race feature several explicit references to films like “Mad Max” and “A Clockwork Orange,” and even an inexplicable cameo from the rapper Coolio. In a strange but inspired choice, the race plays out like a real-life level of “Mario Kart,” complete with balloons and explosions littering the track. Set against the pulse-pounding beat of Underworld’s minor techno classic “Moaner,” this sequence is legitimately thrilling. While the rest of the film struggles to find the right balance between campy comedy and serious action, this scene finds the perfect tonal blend.

BATMAN & ROBIN: THE ALBUM

While “Batman & Robin” was only a moderate commercial success, the album featuring “music from and inspired by” the movie was a smash hit, filled with an eclectic mix of artists. In 1997, the album produced several chart-making singles across genres. The album’s lead single was the Smashing Pumpkins’ “The End is the Beginning of the End,” a frantic mix of distorted guitars and electronica that won a Grammy in 1998. The compilation also featured R. Kelly’s “Gotham City,” a bizarre ballad that ends with a children’s choir praising Batman’s hometown as an inspirational “city of peace.” In addition to Underworld, the album produced memorable singles from rappers Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony, singer-songwriter Jewel and pop-rockers the Goo Goo Dolls.

Although Elliot Goldenthal’s score never reaches the heights of Danny Elfman’s seminal scores for Tim Burton’s Batman films, insertions of his bombastic theme are subtly woven throughout the film. While this might seem like a minor note, it adds a sliver of cohesion to the film’s tonal inconsistencies.

ROBIN’S ARC

The film’s puzzling plot seems to pull most of its characters in wildly divergent directions amidst changing motivations and shifting alliances. While he’s underserved in this overcrowded feature, Robin’s character arc has a clear trajectory that’s true to his comic roots. After being introduced in “Batman Forever,” O’Donnell’s older Robin expresses the same exasperation with being Batman’s sidekick that fueled Dick Grayson’s evolution into Nightwing in the comics.

While Schumacher’s Robin is called Dick Grayson, his quick temper, endless frustration and recklessness seem to be borrowed from the comics’ second Robin, Jason Todd. “Batman & Robin” is only this Robin’s second adventure, and recasting Grayson’s desire to move beyond the Robin identity as an extension of his Todd-esque immaturity works. Since Robin’s emotional arc encourages him to outgrow those emotions, it conveniently paves the way for a return to the status quo at the film’s conclusion. Instead of flying solo, this Robin reaffirms his status as a more equal partner to Batman and Batgirl.

BATMAN IS BATMAN

When this film was released, George Clooney’s turn as Batman was criticized for making the character supremely arrogant and intensely unlikable. Even though decades of stories have conditioned readers and fans to think otherwise, that’s not an invalid interpretation of the character. In the franchise’s most beloved iterations, Batman remains a regular source of frustration to his closest allies. Since most stories cast Batman as a protagonist, these unlikable failings can be easily glazed over in favor of showing Batman doing something cool.

As 2014’s “The Lego Movie” proved, an unlikable Batman can still star in a compelling story. Given Batman’s fundamentally altruistic mission, the interpersonal flaws enrich the character. While Clooney’s Batman seems uncaring, he spends a great deal of time rescuing civilians and thawing out frozen civilians. While some more recent superhero films have featured wanton destruction and loss of life, Batman repeatedly goes out of his way to save Gotham and protect its citizens from danger. Regardless of any other factors, that concern for the well-being of others cements the validity of Clooney’s Batman.

IVY’S POISONS

Despite Thurman’s delightfully exaggerated performance, Poison Ivy never really comes into her own as a multi-faceted character. Although she plays an increasingly less important role as the plot progresses, the script finds some clever ways to tie her into some of its more outlandish aspects. Before she’s doused with plant chemicals and becomes Ivy, Dr. Pamela Isley is seen doing research cross-breeding animal and plant DNA. While the full extent of this Ivy’s control over plant life is nebulous, these experiments explain how she can facilitate the growth of sentient monster plants so quickly.

Brilliantly, “Batman & Robin” also gives Ivy a role in the creation of Bane. As part of her experimental research, Ivy inadvertently creates the Venom serum. While Bane is reduced from a criminal mastermind to a gurgling plant monster, he is given super-strength from Venom just like his comic counterpart. Even if Bane is used as Ivy’s glorified henchman, the revelation of her involvement in his creation ties the characters together well.

JOHN GLOVER’S JASON WOODRUE

A few years before John Glover started his lengthy tenure as Lionel Luthor on “Smallville,” he played a small but essential role as Jason Woodrue in “Batman & Robin.” In comics, Woodrue, also known as the Floronic Man, has had a fascinating trajectory from a minor plant-based DC villain to a mystical “Swamp Thing” antagonist. While Woodrue is only a human here, he plays the mad scientist who’s in charge of Pamela Isley’s research lab and is responsible for her evolution into Poison Ivy and the creation of Bane.

In a sequence that would be right at home in the “Batman” TV show, Woodrue tries to sell the Venom serum to a group of dictators called the “Un-United Nations.” As the character, Glover seems to channel every B-movie mad scientist cliché there is with extreme gusto. Glover hones in on the maniacal glee at this movie’s core and embodies it perfectly during his brief time on screen.

BATMAN LORE

Even though this overstuffed movie barely has enough room for all of its characters, the film is still filled with a number of allusions to Batman lore. Although “Batman & Robin’s” Bane only has surface connections to the Bane of comics, the character’s inclusion here is still noteworthy. When the movie was released, the character had only been around for four years after his 1993 comic debut. Along with the inclusion of a Nightwing-inspired Robin costume and the “Heart of Ice” references, the film showed a remarkable willingness to engage with that era’s Batman mythology.

The film also includes several nods to older, more obscure Batman lore. Wilfred Pennyworth, Alfred’s rarely seen older brother, earns a mention in the film. When Batman’s recounting Mr. Freeze’s origin through the Bat-Computer, there’s a subtle reference to the villain’s original moniker Mr. Zero. The producers of the 1960s’ “Batman” series changed the character’s name to Mr. Freeze for an episode that involved a diamond robbery. The movie references that specific episode by making diamonds the source behind Freeze’s power suit, ice gun and giant freeze ray.

FLASHES OF BRILLIANCE

Despite the tonal confusion that plagues so much of the film, Schumacher and the production team manage to capture a few striking moments of brilliance from the midst of the film’s madness. In one blink-and-miss-it scene, an extreme close up on Poison Ivy’s toxin-filled lips highlights their neon hue and reframes them in the same way a documentary might showcase a poisonous tropical plant.

While some of “Batman & Robin’s” action scenes are very silly, most of the chase sequences work pretty well. In the middle of a chase with Mr. Freeze’s gang, Batman cuts power to the Redbird, Robin’s motorcycle. As Batman continues pursuit, Robin is left to cry out in agony on the fingertip of a skyscraper-sized statue. O’Donnell lets out a scream that releases years of unseen frustration in one of the movie’s best pieces of acting. Having already seen Robin’s exhilaration during the motorcycle street race, the audience is left to linger on Batman’s cruel indifference to his partner’s wants as the chase continues.

GOTHAM CITY

The Gotham City of Tim Burton’s Batman movies was a dense gothic urban environment, shrouded in perpetual dusk. In “Batman & Robin,” Schumacher’s Gotham, brought to life by production designer Barbara Ling, is filled with neon lights and garish color that seems to expand infinitely upwards. With dense pockets of buildings and elevated roads, the city seems to be built around giant figures that look like giant Renaissance era statues come to life and then trapped in steel.

While these design choices are deeply impractical, they bring a hint of operatic grandness to the fundamentally silly proceedings. The cavernous Batcave seems to reduce everything but the Batmobile into miniature size and the Gotham Observatory sits in the palms of a giant statue that towers over the city’s skyscrapers. Schumaker’s Arkham Asylum twists like a whimsical dungeon pulled from a hallucinogenic-fueled nightmare. Where most modern depictions of Gotham have some basis in reality, “Batman & Robin’s” Gotham boldly highlights the inherent unreality of a world with superheroes.

IT HAD TO HAPPEN

Despite its multitude of flaws, “Batman & Robin” was a necessary growing pain in the development of the superhero movie as a viable genre. The failure of this fascinating experiment killed the idea of campy superheroes on film and made it clear that the next wave superhero movies couldn’t just be live-action Saturday morning cartoons.

In the decades following “Batman & Robin,” filmmakers learned from its mistakes and, from its ashes, created the modern superhero film as we know it. These revelations led to a greater emphasis on the sci-fi elements of the X-Men franchise in the early 2000s. As the general public grew more accepting of superheroes, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and the early Marvel Studios movies found a streamlined story-driven approach to embrace full-fledged superheroics. The failure of a supposedly kid-friendly Batman paved the way for Christopher Nolan’s adult-skewing “Dark Knight” trilogy in the 2000s and Zack Snyder’s even darker take on the character in the 2010s. While “Batman & Robin” remains defined by misguided choices and tonal inconsistency, it’s never dull and hints at the future highs that awaited the resilient Batman franchise.

Stay tuned to CBR for the latest on “The Lego Batman Movie” and the Dark Knight’s continuing adventures! Let us know what your favorite Batman movie is in the comments below!

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