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homebackup · 10 months ago

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Exploring the wild: How to choose a portable solar generator for camping?

In the heart of nature, where modern amenities are scarce, electricity becomes a luxury. But with the advancement of technology, we now have a solution that allows us to bring power with us wherever we go - portable solar generators. In this guide, we'll delve into the world of portable electric generators specifically tailored for camping trips. We'll explore the reasons behind choosing these generators, the different types available, tips for energy management while camping, compatibility with camping equipment, and essential technical support and after-sales service.

I. Why Choose a Portable Solar Generator for Camping?

In the tranquil wilderness, far from the bustling city lights, camping offers an escape into nature's embrace. But amidst this serenity, modern conveniences like electricity are often scarce. However, with a portable camping electricity generator by your side, you can enjoy the comforts of electricity even in the remotest of campsites.

1. Why is Electricity Essential for Camping?

Electricity has become an integral part of our daily lives, even more so during camping trips. It powers our lighting, charges our devices, runs essential appliances, and even keeps us entertained. Whether it's lighting up the campsite at night, charging your phone for emergencies, or powering a mini-fridge to keep your beverages cool, electricity enhances the camping experience in myriad ways.

2. Advantages of Solar Generators Over Traditional Alternatives

While traditional generators have been a staple for powering campsites, portable solar generators offer several distinct advantages. Unlike their noisy and fuel-dependent counterparts, solar generators harness the sun's abundant energy, providing a clean, silent, and sustainable power source. Moreover, solar generators require minimal maintenance, produce no emissions, and operate silently, ensuring a peaceful camping experience without disturbing the tranquility of nature.

3. Real-World Benefits of Solar Generators in Outdoor Settings

The practical benefits of portable solar generators in outdoor settings are undeniable. They offer a reliable and renewable power source that is independent of fuel availability or grid connections. Whether you're embarking on a remote backpacking trip or setting up a base camp for an extended wilderness expedition, a solar generator ensures you have a steady supply of electricity for your essential needs. Moreover, by harnessing the sun's energy, solar generators contribute to reducing our carbon footprint and preserving the pristine beauty of nature for future generations.

II. Which Type of Portable Solar Generator is Suitable for Camping?

As you embark on your camping adventure, choosing the right type of portable solar generator is crucial to ensure you have sufficient power to meet your needs without compromising on portability or efficiency.

1. Foldable vs. Fixed Solar Panels: Understanding the Difference

Foldable and fixed solar panel kit are the two primary types of solar panels used in portable solar generators. Foldable panels are typically made of flexible materials and can be easily folded or rolled up for compact storage and transportation. On the other hand, fixed panels are rigid and permanently attached to the generator's housing.

Foldable panels offer greater flexibility in positioning and orientation, allowing you to adjust them to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day. They are ideal for campers who value portability and versatility. Fixed panels, while less flexible, are often more durable and weather-resistant, making them suitable for long-term or semi-permanent installations.

2. Battery Capacity and Output Power: Matching Your Camping Needs

When selecting a portable solar generator for camping, it's essential to consider both the battery capacity and the output power. The battery capacity determines how much energy the generator can store, while the output power dictates how much power it can deliver at any given time.

For camping trips, opt for a generator with a battery capacity that matches your energy consumption requirements. Consider factors such as the number of devices you need to charge, the duration of your trip, and the availability of sunlight in your camping area. Additionally, ensure that the generator's output power is sufficient to run your essential devices and appliances without overloading the system.

3. Finding the Balance Between Size and Weight for Portability

Portability is a key consideration when choosing a portable solar generator for camping. While you want a generator that is powerful enough to meet your energy needs, you also don't want it to be overly bulky or heavy, making it difficult to transport to your campsite.

Finding the right balance between size and weight is essential. Look for generators that offer a compact and lightweight design without compromising on performance. Consider the dimensions and weight of the solar generator, as well as any additional accessories or carrying cases that may add to its overall bulk. A portable solar generator that strikes the perfect balance between size and weight will ensure that you can easily transport it to your campsite without any hassle.

III. Energy Management Tips for Camping

Managing energy efficiently during your camping trip is essential to ensure that you make the most of your portable solar generator's capabilities while prolonging its battery life.

1. Choosing Energy-Efficient Camping Equipment

Opting for energy-efficient camping equipment can significantly reduce your energy consumption and prolong the runtime of your portable solar generator. Look for LED lanterns, flashlights, and camping lights, which consume less power than traditional incandescent bulbs. Similarly, invest in low-power appliances such as mini-fridges, fans, and chargers that are designed to operate efficiently on limited power sources.

2. Optimizing Solar Panel Placement for Maximum Sunlight Exposure

The effectiveness of your portable solar generator relies heavily on the placement and orientation of the solar panels. To maximize sunlight exposure, position your solar panels in a location where they can receive direct sunlight for the majority of the day. Avoid shading from trees, buildings, or other obstructions that may hinder the panels' ability to capture sunlight. Additionally, consider adjusting the tilt angle of the panels throughout the day to optimize solar absorption, especially during the morning and afternoon hours when the sun's angle changes.

3. Enhancing Charging Efficiency with Solar Panel Accessories

Investing in solar panel accessories can further enhance the charging efficiency of your portable solar generator. Consider purchasing solar panel extension cables, tilt mounts, or portable solar panel stands to increase flexibility in panel placement and improve sunlight exposure. Additionally, using a solar charge controller can regulate the charging process, prevent overcharging, and optimize battery performance, ensuring that your generator operates at peak efficiency throughout your camping trip.

By implementing these energy management tips, you can maximize the performance of your portable solar generator while minimizing energy waste, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted power during your outdoor adventures.

IV. Compatibility of Solar Generators with Camping Equipment

Ensuring compatibility between your portable solar generator and camping equipment is essential for a seamless and hassle-free camping experience.

1. Assessing the Compatibility of Camping Equipment

Before setting out on your camping trip, it's crucial to assess the compatibility of your camping equipment with your portable solar generator. Consider the power requirements of each device or appliance you plan to bring and ensure that they fall within the output capabilities of your generator. Pay special attention to high-power devices such as portable refrigerators, heaters, or power tools, as they may require a generator with higher output capacity to operate effectively.

2. Choosing the Right Charging Adapters and Cables

Having the right charging adapters and cables is essential for connecting your camping equipment to your portable solar generator. Make sure to check the compatibility of the connectors and ports on both your generator and your devices to ensure a proper fit. Additionally, consider investing in universal charging adapters or multi-port USB hubs to accommodate various devices simultaneously and streamline the charging process.

3. Utilizing Battery Storage Systems for Extended Power Availability

To extend the availability of power during your camping trip, consider utilizing battery storage systems in conjunction with your portable solar generator. Portable power stations or battery packs can store excess energy generated by your solar panels during the day and provide backup power during periods of low sunlight or overnight. This ensures that you have a reliable power source to keep your essential devices charged and operational even when the sun isn't shining.

By ensuring compatibility between your portable solar generator and camping equipment, you can enjoy a stress-free camping experience with uninterrupted access to power for all your needs.

V. Technical Support and After-Sales Service

Having access to reliable technical support and after-sales service is crucial for ensuring the optimal performance and longevity of your portable solar generator.

1. Troubleshooting Common Issues with Solar Generators

Despite their simplicity, portable solar generators may encounter occasional issues that require troubleshooting. Familiarize yourself with common problems such as poor charging performance, battery degradation, or malfunctioning components, and learn how to address them effectively. Refer to the user manual provided with your generator for troubleshooting guidelines, or seek assistance from the manufacturer's customer support team for personalized troubleshooting assistance.

2. Warranty Coverage and Repair Services

Before purchasing a portable solar generator, carefully review the warranty coverage offered by the manufacturer. A comprehensive warranty should cover defects in materials and workmanship, as well as provide repair or replacement services in the event of a malfunction. Additionally, inquire about the availability of repair services and authorized service centers in your area to ensure prompt resolution of any issues that may arise during the warranty period.

3. Leveraging Online Communities for Support and Advice

Online communities and forums dedicated to camping and renewable energy can be valuable resources for troubleshooting tips, product recommendations, and general advice on solar generator maintenance. Engage with fellow campers and renewable energy enthusiasts to share experiences, seek advice, and stay updated on the latest developments in portable solar technology. These communities can provide invaluable support and guidance throughout your camping journey, helping you make the most of your portable solar generator.

By leveraging technical support resources, warranty coverage, and online communities, you can ensure that your portable solar generator remains in optimal condition and continues to meet your camping needs for years to come.

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emperformance · 2 years ago

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Electric Cycles vs Electric Bikes

Electric cycles, known as ebikes, are becoming popular in the market. They offer the best features of bicycles and motorcycles, making them a versatile option for commuting. Ebikes are not only cool but also practical, providing the benefits of fitness, convenience, and eco-friendliness. They are suitable for people of all ages and in various locations. Additionally, ebikes are ideal for beginners and for short distances.

Let’s compare electric bicycles and electric motorcycles:

Design and Purpose:

Electric bicycles, or ebikes, have an electric motor that assists the rider's pedalling without replacing it completely. They come in various styles like city bikes, mountain bikes, and folding bikes, and are great for commuting, recreation, or fitness. Ebikes are less bulky than electric motorbikes and have a throttle to accelerate to a set speed limit. On the other hand, emotorcycles are similar to traditional motorcycles but run on electric motors instead of internal combustion engines. They provide a fully electric-powered ride and are used for transportation, ranging from commuter bikes to high-performance models. Considering the distance covered by consumers and the vehicle's utility, ebikes are generally more beneficial than emotorcycles.

Suitability and Usability

Electric cycles are easier to ride than electric motorbikes and require less skill and experience. They work like traditional cycles, but with electric assistance that can be adjusted as needed. The controls are simple, and the motor helps with pedalling effort, making it easier to tackle hills and ride longer distances. Electric bicycles are suitable for those who are too young to drive, for youth looking for affordable, sustainable travel, and for older riders who find traditional cycling tiring. On the other hand, electric motorcycles have limited usability and may not appeal to children or older individuals.

Cost of buying and maintenance

Electric cycles are cheaper than electric motorbikes, making them accessible to a wider audience. They require less maintenance and have fewer expensive components. Electric cycles cost as little as 7 paisa per km to ride.

Legal Requirements

Electric cycles have less regulations than electric motorbikes. Ebikes don't need a driver's license, registration, or insurance, depending on local laws. This makes them more accessible for non-license holders. On the other hand, electric motorcycles require the same documentation as traditional cars.

Manueverability

Electric cycles, also known as ebikes, are lighter and more maneuverable than electric motorbikes. They are designed for easy handling in crowded urban areas with high traffic congestion. Ebikes can access bike lanes and paths, providing a direct and convenient commuting route in cities, even during bottlenecks. Unlike motorcycles, ebikes can easily maneuver through tight spaces in traffic.

Electric cycles have lower power outputs compared to electric motorbikes, typically ranging from 250 to 750 watts. The average speed of ebikes is 20-25km/hr. However, ecycles are being optimized to offer better distribution and use of electric power, extending their range. One advantage of owning an electric cycle is that it can still be used manually even after the battery drains completely, ensuring you're never stranded. Additionally, most electric bicycles have removable batteries, allowing them to be charged with a regular phone charger.

7. Electric cycles and motorcycles are eco-friendly forms of transportation, but e-bicycles have zero emissions and minimal noise pollution. Motorcycle production creates more waste than e-cycle production. E-cycling promotes physical fitness and offers variety compared to monotonous gym workouts.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are superior to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, but there are different levels of EVs depending on personal preference and use. Despite this, ebicycles are a top choice for all users and often outperform other EVs.

#Electric vehicles #Electric cycles #Electric bicycles #Emotorad

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lutoogyan · 2 years ago

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Google Pixel Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Battle of the foldables

After confirming its existence last week, Google has formally introduced the Pixel Fold, its first stab at a foldable phone. Like past foldables, the new Pixel has a vertical hinge that lets it unfurl like a book. When it’s folded, you get a more traditional form factor with a 5.8-inch display. Open it up, and you get a wider 7.6-inch screen for multitasking or watching videos. Both OLED panels…

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jamiedc-they-them · 4 years ago

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The way things moved on (Platonic)

Not requested Imagine: Daisy pays a visit to her sibling, in a bid to get things back to how they were.

AN - Male pronouns for this. But you can substitute as you wish, of course :)

She didn’t know how long she had been sitting there for. She had even turned the radio off, just letting the silence be her guide. She hadn’t said anything, she had put her little scope down a few moments ago anyway.

She had been preparing for this, the moment where you both would meet again.

“Whose that?” Jemma asked, when she saw Daisy going through pictures on her phone of a male, who shared some similarities to her friend, “Not another Miles, is it?” She said in a teasing manner of voice, but the undertones of concern were there.

Daisy smiled at her best friend, “My brother, Y/N.” She said, not wanting to go any further with it.

Jemma, however, seemed to pause at the admission, “I didn’t know you had a brother.” She said, both in a displeased and shocked voice. She had raised it a little too, meaning the others in the common room had heard it.

Daisy tried to quieten her friend down, but had failed to do so and soon the team were in the other chairs, or nearer to this conversation. Daisy sighed, “Just...when we got you back, got a bit nostalgic for a bit is all.” She said, a little quieter, a little bit more hurt.

Jemma put a hand on her friend’s shoulder, “I’m sorry, I should’ve have --”

“No, it’s ok, Simmons. Just…”

“Was that who was in the photo in the van?” May asked, in a voice that was a softer tone of her usual stoicism (or apparent stoicism). Daisy looked up at her SO with wide eyes, surprised the woman even remembered.

“Yeah, that was him.” She smiled a bit, remembering the good times you both shared.

“Seems to have changed a fair amount.” Fitz said, remembering the image Daisy had kept in her room in the BUS vs the one on the phone.

She didn’t like to think that you had changed. That you were different now. Sure, she was definitely different, but you were home. You were both home to each other.

She didn’t put it off any longer, getting out of the van and making her way to the apartment block you were in. It had definitely seen better days.

Still, she was in, and making her way up to your room. She had it memorised after trying to find out where you were on the streets. No one had heard of Y/N Johnson, but the first name rang a bell and they pointed her in the right direction.

Her hand shook as she held it up to the door. It had been years, after all.

“It’s unlocked!” You yelled from inside your apartment. She barely heard you over the thumping sounds from next door and the thumping music from the floor below.

She tried to the door, and was surprised to find that you were right.

She entered, seeing a bare bones place with a sleeping mat, not an actual bed, and not much else in the way of furniture. It was a one room place, and was definitely - somehow - worse than how the building looked outside with it’s run down exterior and frankly rotten interior.

Still, she folded her jacket up in her hand, giving a timid smile as she waited for you to figure out who it was.

“Told you I’d pay the rent by next week.” You said, eyes still closed. You looked anything but comfy.

“Think I can give you a pass on that one.” She said, trying to sound lively.

There was a pause. One that, for her, was the longest she had ever experienced.

Then, it clicked in you who it was.

You looked to her, and her smile stayed; she knew that she probably looked like shit with her goth rock era of clothing, mark on her cheek from a visit with the Watchdogs.

Slowly, you rose up, eyes wide; so many emotions flowing through them at once.

“Hi, Y/N.” She greeted, trying not to look as tense as she actually was.

She approached you, but you pushed her away, “Fuck are you doing here?” You asked, venom lacing your tone.

“I...I came to see you.” She replied, gulping a bit.

“You -- you...what, you done with your little stint at SHIELD?” She had to admit, that hurt a bit.

“I am.” She said, desperately trying to believe it herself.

“Bullshit.” You called, she flinched a bit at it. You got close to her, before throwing a punch; her SHIELD reactions kicked in, as she blocked it and hit you with one of her own.

Then that training was quickly forgotten as you rushed her, slamming her into the wall, she kneed you in the balls, before throwing you into your bed.

“You left!” You exclaimed as you struggled to flip the fight over in your favour.

“I had no choice!” She yelled as you finally managed to push her off, but tackled her onto the ground; the two of you knocking the table over. The thumping music downstairs was turned up more to counter your bumps on the walls and floor upstairs.

“You had a choice to stay! And you chose them over me!” You were pissed, but she had SHIELD training - even if the fight was going the street way of slamming into things and shite punches and knocking everything in the room over as you held onto each other and pushed each other into things in an attempt to hurt the other. It wasn’t a clean fight, glass was also thrown - and somehow missed despite the small size of the room.

She had no choice, grabbing the piss bucket you had, throwing it at you before wrapping her arms around your neck.

“Stop. Stop it!” She hissed, pulling back more, until you went limp.

So much for good reintroductions.

It took a while, but you finally reawoke, “Oh, you fucking asshole.” You groaned as you slowly got up. She put her phone down, stopping her mindless scrolling on the internet and observed you.

You looked older, more tired and more fed up than she had ever seen you. You used to have a spark, now that was gone. To be honest, she used to have that too. Then...Lincoln happened.

Wait --

“What are you still doing here?” You asked, coughing a bit.

“Came to see you, like I said. I’m done with SHIELD. That whole...thing, that’s done. I want us to work together again. We did a bunch of good things; had some fun.” She said, tone actually having life to it now.

You looked at your sister, “Sure your SHIELD best friends would want that for you?”

She shrugged, “Doesn’t matter. I want my brother back. I want my best friend back.”

Despite what had just happened, you smiled; but she could still see the pain in your eyes at the time lost.

Still, from your perspective, Daisy wasn’t wearing the traditional SHIELD getup. So, maybe there was some truth to her words.

She saw the smile, and that was all she needed to know and see for her own one to grow as well.

Maybe there was a chance this would work.

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As you left the complex, you locked it and made your way with your sister outside. As you went down the stairs, your phone went, you pulled it out of your pocket; she saw the number, and it held a picture of a girl who was actually quite pretty. Still, you swiped ‘ignore’ on the call and you both continued on your way.

“Who was that?” Daisy asked as you held the door for her and made your way to her van, to your old home.

“No one, don’t worry about it.” She didn’t push, but she kept the thought of that woman in the back of her mind as you got in the van.

You rode shotgun, but then looked at Daisy, “So, where to first, Skye?” Her smile wobbled a bit at her old name being used, “What?”

“...Nothing, don’t worry about it.” She said, throwing your words back at you. You smiled, before a laugh left your lips. She let out her own out too. That laughter went for a few more seconds before dying down, but your smiles were still there.

She reached back, grabbing her laptop and bringing it to the front, “Here...take a look.” She said as she typed, bringing up the image of a man, a wealthy one who seemed to have all the makings of the cartoon evil capitalists you had seen (not that there were many, or any good capitalists) but this guy fit the cliche bill.

“This guy, well more like this asshole, has been selling out Inhumans for money. As if he didn’t have enough. Turns out his lackey’s have been siphoning that asshole energy too. Turns out, most live around here. Same as him, doing a big deal soon, probably gonna go for a drink.” She briefed you, both of you huddled around the laptop.

She looked at you from the corner of her eye, seeing how your eyes looked more alive just by doing this.

Yeah, she missed this.

“Ok, that’s not too far from where we are; we can get in, do some recon then go in?” You asked as Daisy typed away, trying to get into the camera’s.

“Good idea,” She praised, before going back to the camera’s, “Dammit!” She exclaimed.

“Too much punching, not enough typing?” She punched your shoulder, “Just because I’m right.” You groaned, rubbing your arm.

“You wanna try?” She offered, holding the laptop up to you.

You shook your head, “I’ll take us there, instead, do recon the old fashioned way.”

So, you swapped seats, and were then on your way.

She gave you a pair of binoculars as she looked through her scope, parked on the other side of the bar. The night life of the city being in full swing.

“How long have you both been together for?” Daisy asked as you both continued to look through your binoculars.

“About 3 years. You’d like her.”

“Guess doing the ‘hurt him, I hurt you’ speech is better 3 years late than never.” You hummed at her words, focusing on your targets.

“Got ‘em.” You said, adjusting Daisy’s scope to get them in view; despite her complaining.

“Alright, you go in, I’ll be your get away.”

You lowered your binoculars, “What? Why me?” You asked.

She lowered her scope and looked at you, “I did just say ‘I’ll be your get away’. One of us has got to be that. I mean, you can’t fly...can you?” She asked, the last bit being more hesitant.

“No, why?” You questioned back.

“No reason. I mean, imagine that, right? You get Inhuman powers.” She managed to make the laugh genuine, mainly at the thought of you - someone scared of heights - taking off in flight.

You scoffed, “I’d kick ass with that.”

She looked up and hummed, “No, I don’t think you would.”

“I would.”

Daisy gave it more thought, “No, I don’t really think you would.” She chuckled a bit after; she definitely missed this.

“Whatever,” You said; to Daisy, you were conceding as you got out of the van, “Be right back.” You said, closing the door.

She rolled down her window, “I’ll be around the back!” You just nodded as you continued walking to the bar.

You entered the bar, the nightlife actually helping you in your escapade. The large crowd in the bar helping you blend in. And, despite looking like an evil CEO cliche, he was mingling with the locals. So, the guy might be a monster, but not an antisocial one. So, you had that going for you.

Still, his minions were there, of course, at the bar and chatting to all the women they could, all in an attempt to get a shag. You squeezed your way through, accidentally knocking into one of the men as he was led off with a woman, “Sorry, pal.” The guy said, with a charming smile on his face.

You gave one in return, patting him on the arm as your hand went into his pocket and grabbed his wallet, “Nothing to be sorry for,” You said, passing him, “...Asshole.” You said under your breath as you continued along your way. You passed some faces you recognised, and all looked confused that you were out at this time of night.

Daisy, meanwhile, sat in the van, head against the window and looking at the mirrors for any sight of you. This was the part she didn’t like, waiting.

Before her disappearance, she had always had it come down to a game of rock, paper, scissors, to see who would go in and who would wait.

Now, she had her powers, and she knew she would’ve been recognised. So, she sat and waited.

Your phone buzzed again, this time another call from your partner; this time, Daisy found the name, Angela.

You had gone through ⅘ of the targets, chatting to them before stealing from them, the usual really.

Then there was the big guy (not literally) himself. You were at his table, talking to him and getting along despite the disdain you felt for him and what he had done.

“...My sister used to work for SHIELD.” You said to the guy, trying to get him to trust you further.

“She does?” He asked, becoming suspicious.

“She did,” You corrected, “Left ‘em. Went back to her old ways.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that, then?” He asked, taking a hit from his cigarette.

Time to do what you and your sister did best then, “This,” At that, you held up his credit card; his eyes widened, “Thanks for this.”

“You shit --” He tried to grab you as you got up. He missed, and you entered the packed crowd, you heard him calling after you, but the music and crowd drowned him out. You shuffled through, weaving in different directions so you would lose him better. He was going in a straight line, you were going in all sorts of directions.

You got out, but he was out there too, “HEY!” He called. You sprinted, and he was right on your ass. For someone who sat on his ass all day, he was quick, you had to admit.

Daisy let the phone go, once again, to voice mail. Then she heard it, “Skye!” in the background, and getting louder and louder and the sound of footsteps hitting the pavement in quick succession of each other.

It was you.

“Shit.” She cursed, quickly going to the back and opening the back doors before reversing. Just as she reached the end of the alley, you jumped in, the momentum of the van enclosing you in the safe place of the van. She swerved it to the side, finally facing forward before stepping on the accelerator. You heard the CEO yelling after you, but he was soon too far away for you to hear.

You laughed, laying down and catching your breath. You then sat up, crouching and closing the back doors, then moving to the shotgun seat.

“How much you get?” Daisy asked, and you held up all five cards in response, you shared a high five.

At an ATM, you started to grab all the money you could off of it. The money the crew had made from selling off information on Inhumans was now yours.

And it was a lot. Daisy had brought bags, but you were getting close to filling them up.

After you were done, you sat in your van, counting up just how much it was as your phone went off again.

“She’s been calling all night.” Daisy told you as she continued to zip up the bags.

You answered it, “Angela?...Ho- Hold on, slow down….What do you mean?...Shit....Alright, I’ll be there soon.” Daisy only heard your side of the call, but you then hung up and all that joy from the night was gone.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” She asked you, moving away from the bag and to the driver's seat.

“I need to drive.” You ordered her, tone now serious.

“Y/N, what’s --”

“Skye, just let me fucking drive!” You demanded. She did so with no issue.

“What’s going on?” She asked once again.

“It’s SHIELD.” Was all you said, but it was enough.

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“Y/N, it could be a trap.” Daisy said, trying to get you to not get to Angela. To not get to SHIELD.

“Why the fuck would SHIELD do that, they’re your people, aren’t they?” You asked, driving much quicker than the speed limit actually was.

“They aren’t, not anymore.” She answered, speaking way quicker than she was before.

“Why? I know you, Daisy,” She felt the sting at the way you said her actual name, “You don’t just fuck off and leave. Might as well tell me what else you’ve been keeping!”

It was all getting too much, “Ok, ok! I was brought in after I tried to find things on our parents. But..they aren’t the bad guys, Y/N.” She said, worried; she knew how dangerous the two of you could be when in revenge or protective mode.

“When did I fucking say that? You’re hauling ass from something --”

“My powers! I hurt my friends with my powers.” Your rage changed; it changed to fear.

“...What?!” You screamed, nearly losing control of the van, but being able to bring it back on track before it became fatal.

“W-we’re Inhuman, Y/N. We have to go through a thing called Teri--”

“The pill things, right? I remember something about them.”

Daisy found herself nodding, “You didn’t take any, did you?” She asked, fear coating her voice.

She was thankful when you shook your head, “No, stayed clear of all that shit. Why didn’t you tell me?” The hurt was clear.

“I wanted to --”

“But you didn’t.” Then there was the bite to that one.

“I couldn’t.”

“Why not?” You changed gear and went even faster.

“Because Coulson warned me of the dangers of dragging you into it. I wanted to tell you, warn you, especially after mom --”

“Wait, you found her?”

Shit, “...And dad.”

Your look of rage and disbelief returned, “You -- you found them?” But your voice had softened considerably.

“I did,” She became a little teary, “Dad...he was a murderer, but he loved me - us, mom did too but...Y/N, she tried to start a war with Inhumans against SHIELD. I couldn’t lose my friends.”

You were silent for a moment, and all she did was stare at you, seeing the light from the lights on the road hit your face and show the looks in your eyes that shifted between rage and conflict, “You did what you did, no going back. If I was there, I’d do the same.”

“You would?” She breathed out, not expecting forgiveness.

“You knew your friends longer than our parents.” You justified it as.

“I’m sorry for dragging Angela into this.” She meant that.

You shook your head, “We were coming to an end anyway. Figured with the money, I could maybe set her up with a place.”

“Why are you...you know?” She asked, trying to distract from your destination and the reason as to why you were headed to it.

“Just fell out of love. Shit happens. Can’t stop change, Daisy, just how you react to it.”

You left her alone, knowing that you both had a lot to ponder on as you continued your journey to your old home.

You arrived. And Daisy was impressed, it was a decently sized house. As she got out, despite the reasoning for your visit and your crumbling relationship with Angela, she was happy for you, genuinely.

Then reality set back in, “Alright, you go around the back, keep an ear out, I’ll go deal with them.” You ordered, pointing around for the way to go to the back.

“You sure?” She asked, not in doubt of your ability, just in concern.

You paused, “Might wanna move the bags, just in case.” She nodded, going to do that, as you made your way to the front door. As soon as you approached it, Angela walked out of it, making sure the two SHIELD agents hadn’t followed her as she shut the door, but still spoke in a hushed voice.

“What the fuck, Y/N?! 16 calls and a bunch of texts, and nothing?!” She was pissed, and even shoved you back a bit.

“Look, I’m sorry, ok? I know that’s not gonna do jackshit right now; and I know I’ve got no reason to ask for this, but I need a favour.” You knew what she was going to say, “It’s Skye,” That made her pause, however, “Or...Daisy, now.”

“She’s here?” Angela asked, she had heard about your sister.

“Tracked me down, had a run or two with her.” Angela hit you in the chest.

“That’s why they’re here, aren’t they?” She asked, tremble in her voice, but she knew the answer.

“Think so. She did some shit as well, things got complicated at SHIELD.” Angela nodded, knowing what your request would be.

Daisy, meanwhile, crouched down and was thankful for it being night with the way it covered her movements. She made her way to the back, just as she promised you. Besides, as much as you had a point at running from what she had done at SHIELD, you were her brother, this was different. You had been through all sorts, and she wasn’t going to run from this if you weren’t.

She went to a window, a window that gave her a clear view of yourself and Angela, but she knew who the two SHIELD agents were, she recognised if just from the back of their heads.

Coulson and Mack.

She saw the conversation, the way you scoffed and had an attitude with yourself, the way even Angela did too.

Sure, Daisy knew your relationship was near an end romantically, but it still seemed you cared about each other, even if not in that way anymore.

Either way, the conversation was getting heated, and Mack rose from his seat. Uh-oh.

When Daisy looked back, though, her heart dropped, Coulson was looking right at her.

She only heard one command from you, even if a bit muffled, “RUN!”.

She did. She was running. She was going as fast as her legs could take her, but her lungs were burning. She was running though, as if SHIELD were chasing her.

They were, but this time not...well, maybe not with a kill order.

Coulson wouldn’t kill her, Mack wouldn’t kill her.

But she wasn’t so sure about you.

You were in danger, she heard something smash in the house, so she was sure you and Angela were being dumb. She was sure you were bein stupid and fighting. You were a street kid by nature, and they were trained SHIELD agents.

She had left her van. She had left the money. Fuck, they were going to nail you with --

Her phone went off. She pulled it out of her pocket, allowing herself to stop and catch her breath. He put the phone to her ear, “Yeah?”

“It’s me.” It was Angela.

Daisy let out a breath, “Are you guys ok?” She asked.

“We’re...fine. Your friends are gone, don’t think they saw which way you went. Besides, we managed to hold them back for a bit.”

“God, I’m sorry.”

“No, no, no. It...well, it was almost kind of fun, a change of pace with the two of us. But...he looked happier. So, I need to thank you for that. Gave him a good run in nostalgia.”

“You aren’t pissed?” Daisy was confused.

Angela laughed, “Course I’m not, it’s how Y/N and I met, on the Rising Tide. But, we knew your friends weren’t bad, even if they were a bit pushy. But, eh, nice to have a go at authority one more time.”

Daisy smiled a small amount, “And Y/N --”

“Is fine, they let him go. Says they’ll call back with an offer.”

Oh, “And you?”

“Currently? On a bus to the airport with the money in toe. Already processed and ready to leave this place. I’ll keep an eye on Y/N though, when you can’t.” She offered.

Daisy was now actually smiling, “Thank you.” With that, Daisy hung up.

Time for her to make her own exit.

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

She went back, the house was now empty. Weird, given what had just transpired. Still, empty meant no one there. As Daisy approached, she saw that the money was indeed gone. She shook her head, you guys moved quickly.

Still, her van was there, if probably having been picked through. But, that didn’t matter, SHIELD was gone.

So, she entered it, turned the key in the ignition, and set off.

She knew the way out, afterall, her GPS was there. That, and her leads on a guy who was known as “The rider” was in LA. So, she knew where she was going.

She passed a sign, “Thank you for visiting!” It said. She cleared past it, fully on her way.

But she saw it, she saw it up ahead. She slowed down, thanking the early hours of the morning for not causing a traffic jam.

A SHIELD roadblock. They knew she’d go that way. She looked through her scope, only to see Coulson doing the same thing.

Shit.

She slammed the reverse gear on, stepping on it and doing a J-turn before booking it back into where she came from.

She skidded around a corner, getting out the van in a hurry and running to an alleyway. In any other case, she would be cornered. In any other case, she would be doomed. If she was still the street kid she was - and would always be in some way.

But that was Skye, this was Daisy Johnson, someone trained by an agency and someone with powers.

So, she put her hand on the floor, felt the vibrations…

And shot off to a rooftop.

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

2 months had passed, and Daisy had gotten a few texts from Angela and you. Angela was well, living in Spain now with the money you had stolen from the CEO.

Turned out, that was the only venture that guy had that wasn’t involved in his business, and with the money lost, the Watchdogs turned on him and his goons.

You, meanwhile, had been given a job at SHIELD. Yeah, weird that, but you took it.

You sat in your room, hiding away from your new friends for a moment as you dialed Daisy’s burner phone number, “There he is.” She said over the line.

“Just checking in.” You said with a smile.

“You know me, some things never change.” She said. Despite herself being in pain, you knew that she needed some space. Plus, these calls helped reassure the other that you were ok.

“Somethings never do. But, speaking of that, Fitzsimmons are a thing now.”

You heard slight excitement in her voice, “Really?!”

“Affirmative.” You heard the humorous hum she let out at your word choice, “As for me, I’m settling in now. Mack and I keep having rematch after rematch. Can actually fight now. Heard what you did the other day on the bridge. Scared the shit out of me, but --”

“I’m still alive, Y/N. I’m here.” She said. You knew her mental state was anything but good, but you hoped that these calls helped, that they could maybe change the thinking for a moment.

So, you laid back and let her know what had happened at SHIELD this week.

Somethings had changed, others hadn't. But you knew you had each other. No matter what that change was.

#daisy johnson imagine #daisy johnson x reader #agents of shield imagine #agents of s.h.i.e.l.d imagine #agents of shield

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utilitycaster · 4 years ago

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that’s no moon (...theory)

you know I was going to put this under a jump after a nice little thing about how while I don’t like conspiracy theories this is harmless and I don’t want to yuck any yums but after this video included a clip that was like HERE’S AN UNEXPLAINED FLOATING OBJECT IN THE ASTRAL SEA. LAST WEEK WE SAW A MYSTERIOUS CITY IN THE ASTRAL SEA. and not only did not address it but completely attributed it to something else that does not even make sense, fuck that.

1. The astral plane/sea is not outer space. This whole theory falls apart the instant you are aware that the astral sea is in a different dimension and space is the thing outside of the planet’s atmosphere within the same dimension. When you look up at the sky in real life, and you see the moon do you genuinely think it’s in a different reality? Actually don’t answer that. If you do I don’t want to know.

After that I mean there’s nothing else to say, but I will, and I did put a jump so that I ruin this theory but don’t ruin your dash. You’re welcome.

2. The Gith are not unique to spelljammer, a specific setting for 2e. They’re in the 5e monster manual but have existed in D&D from the first edition; the lore of them being astral plane pirates was there pretty much from the start. The existence of Gith in a 5e D&D game merely means the DM has read the monster manual.

3. I cannot muster the strength to go through every half-assed reference to the moon that a competent editor could have covered in a quarter of the time but:

Circle of the Moon is from the PHB and it’s just a druid circle, the moon indicating the form-changing, wild shape side of druids vs. the more traditional, environmentally-based, and spell-oriented circle of the land. Keyleth was a circle of the moon druid too, which Marisha said at one point was because circle of the moon gains the ability to shape into elementals.

The moon is often associated in most real-world mythologies with the feminine aspect, with change, with night time, with secrecy, with fate, and, particularly relevant to this video, with the ocean (see: season 1 finale of Avatar the Last Airbender, also the existence of tides on the REAL EARTH like I cannot stress this enough, Catha and Ruidis are fictional but please tell me you have some basic knowledge of what a moon is).

Tolkien frequently associated elves with moonlight, starlight, and nighttime.

Sehanine Moonweaver is just part of normal forgotten realms lore that was folded into the Dawn War pantheon which in turn is what Matt used for the pantheon in Critical Role (+ Sarenrae from the Pathfinder canon, because funnily enough you can take lore from something without the entire source becoming canon immediately).

A moon-touched sword is a common magical item (Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, page 138).

4. All the stuff about Molaesmyr and the sword seems more like links between the Blooming Grove and Molaesmyr (both being blessed by Melora and Corellon, both being in the Savilirwood). Additionally, Molaesmyr is one of the few cities that survived the calamity before later falling to the blight that sounds much like the blight that came to the Blooming Grove and was notably an elven city which meant it was more likely to include worshippers of the moon goddess Sehanine, a deity who is, and I cannot stress this enough, stated in the video to be primarily an elven deity. It is not weird that a researcher of the moon would be like “yeah I look for information about the moon in one of the few locations on this continent that did not fall during a nearly world-ending event, full of people who worshipped the moon goddess.” I mean it’s no mysterious astral blip you’re completely ignoring, but you know when people are saying something on a podcast that’s extremely wrong and you know the answer and you’re just screaming in your car? This video was that, but for over 51 minutes, like there were so many dots ripe to be connected and instead you made me watch a clip of an anime in the sancitity of my own house.

5. Further occam’s razor notes: the parent of a toddler/CEO of a company/working actor/person with ADHD being on their phone briefly during a D&D game and then getting off their phone and paying attention? goodness me! what other strange rituals have you observed in your travels? Oh, the artwork of a world that’s explicitly stated to have two moons depicts two moons? wild. Asking a weird question on the spot of someone who once played a character who tried to murder santa got you a troll-like response? wow. better read into that.

6. Okay I’ll stop being sarcastic for a full 15 seconds to note that the height of half-orcs is “between 5 and 7 feet tall”; Fjord is well within that range and in fact towards the top of it; if you’ve been imagining him shorter than Yasha, that’s a you problem (unless you are imagining Yasha as like 6′6″, which is also not canonical but I have transferred my annoyance about Yasha’s height over to this garbage video so like, do what you want). Yeah he’s on the smaller side but within normal size ranges; this could just mean his human parent was short and skinny, or his orc parent was short and skinny for an orc, or his non-orc parent was actually elven, or that one parent was a half-orc and one was human, or that someone who grew up in an orphanage was malnourished and never got super buff. I mean, Yasha and Reani are both aasimar and don’t exactly look alike. I’m 5′5″ and when I see a 6′8″ person I don’t ask them if they’re from space.

Really, in addition to not making some glaringly obvious and far more valid connections the thing that grinds my gears here is that this video, despite editing that I found illogical and frustrating, did compile a good deal of moon and space (and astral plane, which is not the same as space, I will keep saying this) lore. It is worth considering that there are magical meteors! Ruidis really is, in Exandrian lore, alleged to have connections to the betrayer gods! I’d love for someone with two brain cells to rub together and a basic understanding of logical fallacies to take a crack at what’s going on there! But instead I got this. I mean it’s not even a tin foil hat, it’s like, crumpled tin foil covered in the moldy remains of bad takeout pizza that someone put on their head.

#okay i'm done #critical role #i thought i would hate this theory and i do but not even for the reasons i thought i would

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maddayout · 4 years ago

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SSD Vs. Hard Disk: What'S The Distinction?

Perform you like your storage space plentiful as well as low-cost, or quick as well as shockproof? Listed below is actually exactly how to select in between a typical disk drive as well as a solid-state drive in your next COMPUTER.

You extremely likely got a solid-state drive (SSD) as the main boot drive if you got an ultraportable laptop computer anytime in the final couple of years. Bulkier gaming laptops have actually relocated to SSD boot drives, as well, while merely a part of spending plan devices still favor HDD drives. The boot drives in prebuilt pc Personal computers, in the meantime, are typically SSDs right now, also, except in the most cost effective versions. In many cases, a desktop computer features both, with the Solid State Drives as the boot drive as well as the HDD as a bigger-capacity storing supplement, check ssd vs hdd lifespan.

Whether you must pick simply one, however, how perform you select? Let's get involved in the variations in between HDD as well as ssds, as well as stroll you with the advantages and disadvantages of each to aid you decide.

HDD and Solid State Drives Explained

The conventional rotating HDD is actually the essential non-volatile storage on a personal computer. That is, details on it doesn't "go away" when you turn off the system, unlike information stored in RAM. A hard drive is actually basically a metallic platter along with a magnetic finishing that stores your records, whether weather reports coming from the final century, a high-def duplicate of the original Superstar Wars trilogy, or even your digital music compilation. A read/write head on a branch accesses the information while the platters are actually turning.

An SSD executes the exact same general feature as a HDD, yet information is instead saved on interconnected flash-memory chips that retain the records also when there's no power circulating by means of all of them. These flash chips (commonly referred to "NAND") are actually of a various type than the kind used in USB thumb drives, as well as are actually generally quicker as well as a lot more reliable. SSDs are actually consequently even more expensive than USB thumb drives of the very same capacities.

A History of SSDs as well as Hard Disks

HDD innovation is actually pretty ancient (in relations to computer system past history, anyhow). There are popular photos of the IBM 650 RAMAC hard drive from 1956 that made use of fifty 24-inch-wide platters to keep a monstrous 3.75 MEGABYTE of storage room. This, naturally, is the size of a normal 128Kbps MP3 file today, stashed in the physical room that can hold pair of commercial refrigerators. The RAMAC 350 was actually confined to federal government and commercial usages, as well as it was out-of-date through 1969. Just how much we have actually come!

The COMPUTER HDD form variable standardized at 5.25 inches in the very early 1980s, with the now-familiar 3.5-inch desktop-class and 2.5-inch notebook-class drives happening soon after that. The inner cable television user interface has transformed over times from serial to IDE (right now often phoned Identical ATA, or even PATA) to SCSI to Sequential ATA (SATA). Each essentially performs the very same point: connect the hard drive to the Personal Computer's motherboard so your information can be actually shuttled to as well as fro.

Present day 2.5- and 3.5-inch drives mainly use SATA interfaces (at the very least on most Computers and also Macs), though many fast internal SSDs right now utilize the faster PCI Express user interface as an alternative. Abilities have actually expanded from multiple megabytes to several terabytes, more than a million-fold rise. Existing 3.5-inch Hard Disk drives are actually right now on call in abilities going over 10TB.

The Solid State Drives possesses a much briefer past history, though its roots do arrive at several years into the past. Technologies like bubble memory showed off (pun intended) and disappeared in the 1980s and 1970s. Existing flash memory is the logical extension of the very same idea, as it does not require continuous power to keep the records you save on it. The 1st primary drives that we understand as SSDs started appearing during the growth of netbooks in the overdue 2000s. In 2007, the OLPC XO-1 used a 1GB Solid State Drives, and also the Asus Eee COMPUTER 700 collection used a 2GB SSD as primary storage. The SSD chips on these notebooks were completely fastened to the motherboard.

SSD versus HDD speed

This is actually where SSDs radiate. An SSD-equipped COMPUTER are going to shoes in far lower than a minute, commonly in just seconds. A HDD calls for time to accelerate to working specifications, as well as it is going to remain to be actually slower than an Solid State Drives in the course of ordinary make use of. A COMPUTER or Macintosh along with an SSD shoes quicker, launches and also runs applications quicker, and also transfers files faster. Whether you are actually utilizing your computer for organization, fun, or school, the added speed may be the difference in between completing punctually as well as straggling.

SSD versus HDD Dependability as well as Toughness

An Solid State Drives has no relocating parts, so it is actually more likely to maintain your data safe and secure in the unlikely event you fall your notebook bag or even your system acquires shaken while it's working. A lot of disk drives station their read/write heads when the system gets out, but when they are actually functioning, the heads are actually taking flight over the drive plate far-off of a couple of nanometers. Besides, even hand brake possess restrictions. If you are actually rugged on your equipment, an SSD is recommended.

The Storage space of Tomorrow

It's uncertain whether SSDs are going to completely change traditional spinning hard drives, especially along with shared cloud storage space standing by in the wings. The cost of SSDs is actually boiling down, yet they are actually still as well expensive to completely change the terabytes of information that some users have in their Computers and also Macs for mass storing that doesn't require to become fast, just merely there certainly. Cloud storage isn't totally free, either: You'll remain to pay out so long as you want personal storage space on the net. Local area storage will not vanish till we have reputable cordless Web everywhere, including in airplanes and out in the wilderness. Naturally, by that time, there might be something much better.

#SSD Vs. Hard Disk #Hard Disk #SSD #ssd vs hdd

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motox3m2-blog1 · 5 years ago

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Electric Scooters Vs Electric Bikes - Which is better?

In the 21st century, no one is amazed that there are plenty of electric transport options - e-bicycles, e-scooters, e-skateboards, and of course a lot more, and e-mopeds.

Consequently, if you want to buy an electric car for the very first time in your life and are considering what will be the best fit for you, we hope that our article can allow you to discover the best alternative for an electric companion!

The parent website of this post is Geekwake.

Electric Scooter VS Electric Bike: What Differentiates Them?

First, let's learn the positives and negatives of both of these vehicles separately.

E-Bikes:

An e-bike is a car that has a seat like a conventional bike but is equipped with an electric engine. It may be responsible for the bike's propulsion, or, even it may rid you of the requirement to pedal if you are somewhat on a side.

The engine will help riders move uphill or against the wind, while with bicycles, you want to use your muscle power only. The ability of this engine in e-bikes can range from 150W to 1000W, which enables an e-bike with the most powerful motor to get a speed of up to 50 km/h (30 miles per hour).

On the other hand, the battery capacity of e-bikes is rather small, and consequently, you can't travel distances larger than 50 kilometers (30 miles). They also may take a lot of time. We are going to add E-bikes to our website Geekwake too.

E-bike owners might need to get a driver's permit to start working their personal electric vehicles, and also the requirements usually vary by state or nation. For example, some states in the USA, such as Alabama, Hawaii, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Virginia, and also a few others, set certain requirements for e-bikes:

The vehicles shouldn't be controlled by any persons under sixteen years old. Another rule says that an e-bike is considered a vehicle when operated on a street along with a driver's license or learner's license is consequently required, etc..

Still, statistics state that only 55 percent of cyclists have continued to ride their own conventional bikes after they've tried riding an e-bike. That means that lots of people that have weighed the benefits of both standard bikes and e-bikes tend to choose the bike.

Let us take a peek at the prominent pros of using e-bikes.

You are able to do great cardio workouts which may help with getting fit or losing weight.

It's versatile: you can ride in 0 bike lanes, ride hilly terrain, and take part in bike rides.

They are much easier to ride in poor weather conditions.

It empowers seniors and physically handicapped people to travel extended distances.

The hub motor can pick up the slack when you're exhausted.

It could reach speeds of up to 80 km/hour (50 miles per hour) using a 1000W battery!

The bike can be easily converted to an electric mountain bike to take you off-road.

It takes very little upkeep.

Nothing is without its flaws!

An electric bike may be heavy. It might be challenging pedal up a hill or to put away when the battery is depleted.

The cost of such a bicycle is twice as large as the price for a conventional one.

Riding an e-bike for the first time needs a little amount of practice.

E-scooters:

An electric scooter is a vehicle that comes from an electric skateboard in the simple fact that there is a handlebar. Compared to the kind of scooter, a engine is packed by its own e-version and is self-propelled after the initial kick-off.

Equipped with a strong accumulator, e-scooters allow overcoming distances . They remove the requirement to push the floor with your legs off since it moves with scooters.

Some e-scooters also incorporate a seat, making riding one even more comfy. With an average scooter accumulator ability of 250W, you are able to ride about 10 miles (16 km).

The largest battery power potential is greater than 1000W, which will enable riders to travel up to 60 miles (96KM). To have an e-scooter, you do not need to find any permit, insurance, or registration.

You can just buy one in even a physical shop or an e-store and begin riding it. Statistics show that 70 percent of those folks across the U.S. view new electric scooters and their prevalence positively. There are many electric scooters om Geekwake from where you can choose according to your preferences with ease.

Here are its pros:

It does not really take much practice to ride a scooter safely.

An e-scooter is highly affordable compared to a bike or a car.

Some scooters allow you to either stand or sit.

The speed is readily controlled by twisting the throttle.

Cons don't lag too much supporting:

When a scooter runs from battery, it might be hard to maneuver the vehicle (you will likely have to walk it).

Compared to a normal bike, the cost of a scooter might appear high.

E-scooters are stolen frequently because of their portability and lightness.

E-bikes VS E-scooters: Which Wins the Battle?

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Comfort of riding E-bikes essentially don't let you stand, so if you feel you need some diversity or to alter your posture, an e-scooter are a good choice - especially for those of you who wish to continue to wear tasteful clothing.

On the flip side, you may want to sit after a moment. If that's the instance, you'd be better off picking an e-scooter that offers both options, as it is a more versatile car.

This round's conclusion: the e-scooter wins!

Speed The best speed of an e-bike packed with a potent 1000W battery is approximately 80 km/h (50 mi/h), though most scooters will offer a max speed of about 32km/h (20 mi/h). You may be able to start faster on a scooter, but you will end up going faster on a bike.

In the speed-round of the "electric kick scooter VS “electric bike" comparison - the latter wins.

Tire dimensions Many e-bikes have larger wheels compared to e-scooters (e-bike tires are typically around 16 inches, whereas E-scooters are between 10-12 inches).

The significant size of the wheels means improved comfortability and stability on different roads and provides more capabilities for carrying objects and people.

Smaller wheels, however, mean simpler reliability. No matter comfort and stability when riding are important for all of us.

This round ends with a success for your e-bike.

Riding space Electric bikes offer an option - to unwind and allow the vehicle ride by itself, or, once the battery is empty, to use pedal assist. Scooters can't offer you the identical transport choices.

As soon as an e-scooter runs from charge, all you can do is simply push it or walk it, which is why they need stronger batteries. The ability of the best e-scooter is usually enough to go a distance of approximately 60 miles (96 kilometers ), whereas the best folding electric bicycle may earn a space of approximately 55 miles (88 kilometers ) on a single charge.

The e-scooter is the winner of the one.

Weight An e-scooter includes a very simple construction. It normally weighs approximately 27-28 lbs (12-13 kg). An electric bike has an average weight of about 50-55 lbs (22-25 kg). It creates an e-scooter a vehicle that is lightweight and mobile.

Electric scooter VS electric bike: weight- that the e-scooter wins!

Popularity E-bikes are remarkably popular around the world, particularly in China. There, virtually every household has a vehicle. People today use them for commuting as well as other functions.

Although there's been a surge of e-scooter sharing solutions all around the Earth, scooters are nowhere near the prevalence of e-bikes.

The e-bike requires the popularity award!

Cost point An electric scooter VS electric bike -- what is more expensive? The price of a traditional bike is high, so the cost of their electric counterparts is greater.

When we're talking about electric bike sales, you will face costs. Should you would like to shell out your cash on the best folding electric bike, it will cost you about $2500.

The costs for e-scooters on Amazon starting from $250, together with the priciest reaching $2000 or more.

The round "electric scooter” VS “electric bike”: COST POINT ends with a victory for the e-scooter.

Safety of the ride Because of its lower top speed and capability to stop easily, the e-scooter is a much safer option for daily commuting and riding on the sidewalk. E-bikes supply the freedom to ride and utilize a phone concurrently (for a few ), so those who do these things simultaneously put themselves at risk, especially when they need to react to the risks on the street.

The winner is the e-scooter!

Traffic legislation and principles In the USA, there are a whole lot of states that consider e-bicycles as a transportation which needs prior to riding them licenses to be got by buyers.

While electric kick scooters do not require insurance or a license and are legal in most countries. Simply put, that the e-scooter is the winner .

Theft protection Now, let us consider the security of your investment. Scooters are portable and mild (to their advantage), but on the other hand, this makes them a little more appealing to thieves.

There are a lot of stories which end with"my scooter has been around for the whole time I was here, but when I lost the sight of it only for a minute, it was immediately stolen!"

When they're secured, they are easy to lift. E-bikes, on the other hand, are usually equipped with a lock and weigh a whole lot more than e-scooters, making them more difficult to steal.

Both vehicles can be protected additionally having an alarm program, but at the circular "protection against thieves," the very first wins.

So what do you believe: an electric scooter or electric bike? You like the idea of buying them both?

We expect our input can help you determine what your best choice is. Ride safely!

For more about E bikes, electric scooters or hoverboards, click here.

#ebike #ebikelife #escooter #electricbike #electricscooter #hoverboard

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cancerbiophd · 6 years ago

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How to plan a wedding during grad school (and not lose your mind)

I received a lovely ask from @brandnewleaves about wedding planning while in grad school. Congrats on your engagement!

I also got engaged and married during grad school and learned a lot about planning a wedding during such a busy and stressful time. It does take a lot of time and energy and money, but it can be done! (A quick note: I had a huuuge reception (more than 250 guests), so some of these things may not apply to smaller celebrations.)

Here’s my advice from what I learned:

Probably the most important thing: Do not do everything yourself! Get help from as many people as possible, especially your partner (as it’s their day too!). Divvy out the tasks, and set strict deadlines. Have regular meetings with those involved if necessary (I had at least 2 meetings with both families together to go over important details, and to reach compromise on conflicting traditions).

Start early, so you don’t have to do a whole lot of everything all at once, and space out the tasks, so at most you may be spending like, 30 min a day on wedding planning to not feel overwhelmed (tho you can def spend longer/day if you want! Time does fly when you’re having fun!). I think giving yourself at least a year to plan a large wedding reception works well (large/fancier venues need to be reserved a year in advance anyway since they fill up so fast)

Do your research. Wedding planning is a whole new territory to learn about and conquer (there’s a reason people can make a living from being a wedding planner!). Not only do you have to find all the vendors and your venue, there are lots of major things to know, like how far in advance to reserve/purchase ____. I recommend wedding websites like TheKnot and WeddingWire, and chatting with those who have done it before (like me!).

Then, set a timeline and schedule major events/deadlines into your planner/calendar. That way you can see if you have time to do everything you want to do, and whether you can take things a bit slower, or if you need to fast-track some things.

Determine a budget for items. For this part I sat down with my fiancé/husband and determined which things we were comfortable splurging on, what things we could be more thrifty, and what things we could do without. The exact $ spent in the end will most likely change, but it’s good to set boundaries and expectations early on (esp on a grad student salary!!)

Stay organized. I used a plethora of excel sheets to keep track of everything, from to-do lists to budgets to the day-of-schedule. I used Google Drive so I could easily share with others who needed to be in the know, like my parents, and so I could see it on my phone the day-of (using the Google Sheets app). I also bookmarked sites on my browser (like useful resources), and kept a powerpoint slide of pictures of dresses and color schemes I liked (you can also use Pintrest, but I didn’t want to get sucked into that time-sink lol). This collection of ideas is also useful to show your dress/suit consultant, florist, hair-dresser/make-up artist, venue decorator, DJ, cake baker, etc so they get the vibe of your day right.

Use a website for guests to RSVP if you’re going to have a lot of them. TheKnot provides a free website that you can customize, or you can sign up for one at Squarespace. You can also use the website to collect info such as dietary restrictions (and to remind them of the address and other details).

Get things on the cheap!! I know Amazon is kind of a horrible company but MAN I got SO many things on Amazon and saved a ton of money: my veil ($25 on amazon vs $300 on David’s Bridal??? are you kidding me???), my jewelry and hair pieces (aside from the rings lol), all the bridesmaid dresses (I have prime so if I didn’t like them I just returned them), all the faux fur wraps for the bridesmaids, a ton of decor such as table numbers, parts of the wedding favors, the groomsmen belts and shoes, etc etc. And if you’re not particular about reusing decor (that’s been used literally once), people are always selling things on Craigslist!

DIY is fun and saves money, but make sure it’s doable for your skill, time, and energy. My husband I opted to hand-fill small jars with tea and hot cocoa and hand-fold these cute lil boxes for wedding favors, but in hindsight that was a horrible idea because we had way too many guests.

Something that’s overlooked: wedding planning will take up space. Like, physical space, to store all your wedding things such as decor, wedding favors, outfits, etc. My guest bedroom was pretty much unusable for a few months because it was filled. Something to take into consideration if you live in a small space.

If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, stop. Step away. Take a break. Bring things into perspective. Don’t let wedding planning be a bad experience. Don’t let it bring out the ugly in the people involved. Always remember that this is a day to celebrate with your family and friends the love and commitment between you and your partner.

My other “more my totally personal opinion” tips:

Spend the money on a professional photographer. If you’re gonna throw down the big bucks on anything on your wedding day, I suggest it be a professional photographer. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but then I saw how amazing my photos were, and how much I--and all my friends and family--cherished such an amazing memory, and I’m soo glad I spent the money. A professional photographer will charge anywhere from $150-300/hr, but even 1 hour of photography for you and your partner and your family members at the venue before everyone else arrives will be well worth it. Not only will the photos be high quality, but wedding photographers know all the best poses and angles. (Also, support your local photographers!)

If appropriate, ask for cash instead of physical gifts. We did this by saying “no boxed gifts - cash or check only” on our invitations. I think this is becoming more common these days, and I honestly think it’s more practical. I legit don’t want any dish-ware bc I already have a set? But money? Heck yes. If asking for money may not fly by your more-traditional guests, consider using Honeyfund, which is like a wedding registry but for honeymoon items, so your guests can give money towards say, the plane tickets.

I caution against picking vendors (including venues) that are too far/time-consuming/expensive to travel often to. You may have to go back quite a few times for meetings, tastings, etc, and many of these places aren’t available to do these on the weekends and evenings (since that’s when they’ll be busy with the weddings!). Our wedding venue and all our day-of vendors (florist, cake baker, etc) were located in our hometown 1.5 hrs away, which isn’t super far, but we had to take some afternoons off work to make it to important meetings, and that kinda sucked for a grad student. However, you can of course video call in for stuff, or opt to trust how the food tastes, etc!

I think I covered most of it! If you have any specific questions, my ask box and chat are always open! (I didn’t mention it, but I also had to balance 2 conflicting cultures/religions, so I have some experience in that alley too)

Once again, congratulations on your engagement, and I wish you and your love a fantastic wedding and all the happiness in the world!!

#life advice

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gingywritesimagines · 6 years ago

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Mistakes and Decisions (Part 2)

Title: Mistakes and Decisions

Chapter: 1 2

Fandom: Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda/Love, Simon

Pairing: Leah Burke x reader, platonic!Simon Spier x reader

Description: After the Halloween party, you look to start anew, but that proves difficult when the person you’re trying to move on from seems to be absolutely everywhere. It gets worse when one of the friends you seek comfort in has his respect, privacy, and well-being violated in the worst way.

Warnings: cursing, public outing, M*rtin *ddison being his evil self, Simon Spier is sad and that makes everyone else sad

A/N: Part 2 is here! School is back in session and I am crying the gayest of tears- hence why the September chapter is being published now. This part has about as much M*rtin hating as the last chapter so yaaay FUCK M*RTIN. This also puts a lot more attention on the reader and their friendship with Simon, and their transition in friend groups. Hope you enjoy!

Taglist: @fandomsneverdie14 @mcoomcoo @tina20213 @berry-kitten-paws @caelestii-e @sims4ccshopingcart

Months after the Halloween party, you had been trying your best to live a blissful, Martin-free life. You’d been spending more and more time with Simon, Leah, and their friends. Bram and Nick often talked to you about lunchtime snacks or soccer- sometimes even asking you if you could come film their practice. Abby would plan girls nights with you and Leah, seemingly determined to have at least one stereotypical, 90s-teen-movie-esque sleepover. Garrett felt a lot safer about hanging out with you, but he would sometimes still apologize for what happened, still feeling like it was kind of his fault.

Simon was kind and comforting- as always- but something felt off. You’d sometimes notice him slink off into another room, Martin either closely behind or leading the way. You were sorta worried; your first thought on the situation being that either Martin was scheming his way back into your life through Simon, or Simon was dragging Martin away to guarantee he wouldn’t talk to you. Either way you were concerned, but you decided it’d be best not to think much of it, and shook those thoughts out of your head to tune back in to Taylor Metternich’s speech about her Christmas plans.

“-after swimming with dolphins, we fly to Saint Martin for New Years. Anyone else? Christmas in the Caribbean?”

You rolled your eyes, sharing a look with Simon as you folded yet another play program. Simon chuckled slightly before answering Taylor.

“Staying here. We have a classic Spier tradition of French toast on Christmas eve.”

“I’m staying too.”

“I’m going to an unheated vacation house in the middle of nowhere.” your band friend, Cal Price, groaned, “As is our bleak family tradition.”

Before anyone else could answer Taylor, Martin shot out of his seat, “Ow! Ow! Oh, man. Ow.”

“You okay?” Simon asked, clearly unamused.

“Oh, yeah, that’s a papercut.”

“Overdramatic.”

“Um, Simon, do you know where the bandages are?” he asked, leaning in uncomfortably close.

“Uh, yeah.” Simon muttered, turning back to the program in his hand, “They’re in the supply closet.”

“Okay, do you mind showing me?”

At that question, everyone paused and eyed Martin suspiciously. He’s 17 and he can’t find the damn band-aids himself? Before anyone questioned him though, Simon stood with an exasperated sigh. Martin smirked as he watched Simon lead the way.

“He’s like a nurse, this man.”

Everyone was at least a little confused as they watched Simon and Martin slink off into the distance, but no one said anything for the rest of the day. After that, you noticed Martin hanging out with Abby and her friends a lot more, Simon shooting you an apologetic half-smile as you left to sit with Suraj. You saw minor bits of unaddressed tension happening within that friend group, and you were honestly a little surprised that they made it to the homecoming game together.

“Hey, (Y/N)!” Simon called, ushering you over to sit next to Abby on the bleachers, “How’s it going?”

“I’m good.” you smiled, sitting down, “How are you guys?”

“I’m okay.” Abby smiled, leaning the bag in her hands so the opening was closer to you, “Popcorn?”

“Sure, thanks!”

You popped a fistful of popcorn in your mouth as Leah answered your question, “We’re good. Nick and I just came from dinner.”

You almost choked, “Dinner?”

“Yeah, I took Leah out for dumplings. It was a nice date, we had a good time.” Nick answered, “Right, Leah?”

“Yeah, I had a great time.”

Your heart sank at that. You were happy for them, you were, but some part of you was screaming- some part of you was breaking at the idea of Leah going on a date with someone else. You two weren’t joined at the hip, and it wasn’t like you’d told her you liked girls, but that didn’t change the smile that popped onto your face every time she entered the room, or the years of butterflies she never failed to give you...

...before you could ponder any further on the subject, the field’s sound system crackled to life.

“Please stand for the national anthem.”

As everyone stood, Taylor walked up to the platform they’d put down as a stage, “This goes out to all the refugees... and my vocal coach, Monica Lewis. O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proud...” Before she had even finished the first part of the song, the Creekwood mascot ran up to the platform, wrestling the microphone out of Taylor’s hands, “What the hell are you doing?”

Grabbing the mic, the bear ripped the costume’s head off to reveal Martin, “Hi everyone. Uh, sorry to interrupt.”

“Why are we interrupting the national anthem?” You heard Mr. Worth ask uncertainly.

“But I have something to say... that's a little more important than the national anthem. No offense, America. Abigail Katherine Susso…”

As he said that, Abby squeezed herself between you and Simon, and you could have sworn you’d heard her whisper, “How does he know my middle name?”

“-when you transferred to Creekwood High School, just a short three and a half months ago, you not only transferred into a new school, you transferred your way into a new heart, belonging to me. My heart. Right here. And whether it was being your partner in pong, or your Waffle House warrior, I have cherished the 135,300 minutes that we've spent together. Oh, I'm sorry. 135,301 minutes. And I know that you're this smart, talented, perfect creature. And, uh, I'm just a sweaty schlub in a bear costume. But like old Bogie used to say, it's a ‘crazy mixed-up world.’ So, Abby, without further ado... will you go out with me?”

With every word he said, Abby sunk further and further into you and Simon, but she reluctantly sat up to go answer him. Some random crowd member shouted “she’s too hot for you, assface” as she squeezed her way to the front of the bleachers.

“Martin, I am so sorry, I don’t feel that way about you.”

“You don’t?”

“No. But I really like hanging out with you and I don’t know, maybe we could still be friends, you know?”

“Yeah.”

In that moment, your phone buzzed. As you pulled it out of your pocket, you saw a notification from a walkie-talkie app that Martin had made you get ages ago. You opened the app to hear Suraj’s voice on the other end.

“What did she say? Should I release them?”

“Them?” You asked quietly, “Suraj, does Martin have birds prepared for this or something?”

“Doves, yeah. I have no clue where he got ‘em tho-”

“Suraj.” You sighed, deciding that now would be when you got your revenge, “Release the doves.”

After a couple of seconds, you heard soft gasps from a few places, and Leah was one of them, “Are those doves?”

“No, no, hey, hey! Suraj! Hey! No, no! She said no!” Martin cried, waving his arms wildly, which Suraj took to mean ‘open the other cage’, “No, don't!”

The crowd started laughing as the second set of doves flew away, and you heard Nick mutter to Simon, “Yo, I thought you said she liked him.”

“She might’ve.” You answered, “But the humiliation he just put her through probably ruined it.”

“Not the ceremonious dove launch I was hoping for. But still uplifting to free some birds. Yeah. Okay, uh... Enjoy the game.” Martin was clearly trying to remain positive, but everyone was more focused on Abby’s feelings.

“That was terrible.” She muttered, sitting back down between you and Simon.

“Are you okay?” You asked, suddenly regretting the dove decision.

“Yeah. It’s nice that Suraj released the doves even when I said no. Expose Martin for going way too big for something like this, ruin his moment, save those poor birds.” She smiled at you, but her eyes showed she was kinda uncomfortable.

“Don’t worry.” Simon assured her, “People will get over it in a few weeks.”

Contrary to what Simon predicted, the whole incident had become a massive meme on CreeksSecrets and although Abby hadn’t had to deal with it since a week after it happened, Martin had been mocked online well into Christmas break. However, that wasn’t the worst possible thing to happen over Christmas break. Less than a week before the actual holiday, you logged onto Tumblr and decided to check the school blog, but your heart dropped straight into your stomach as you read the words that first showed up on the screen:

Dear fellow Creekwood students, Simon Spier has a secret male pen pal. Because he's gay. Interested parties may contact him directly to discuss arrangements for butt sex. Ladies need not apply. We should all probably be talking about this instead of Martin Addison's homecoming debacle which was actually kind of sweet, and romantic, if you think about it. Sincerely, Anonymous.

Immediately, you grabbed your phone and texted Simon. You weren’t sure what approach to take, so you decided to act like nothing was wrong.

I just made cookies, want some? :)

You waited for an answer, but two hours later, he still hadn’t replied. You decided to call him, but it went to voicemail.

“Hey, this is Simon. I can’t make it to the phone right now, but you know what to do.”

“Hey, Simon, it’s me. I just wanted to check in. I know it’s barely been a week since school got out but I miss you, buddy. I have cookies, and I, uh, I know you’re having a tough time right now, so please just call me back. I love you, Simon, and I wanna help. Please let me. Okay, uh, merry Christmas. Call me back. Bye.”

You’d placed your call at 8pm, and refused to go to sleep until he answered you- but he didn’t. He didn’t text or call you back all night, and once you realized he probably never would, you took a long nap before getting to work. You got dressed, grabbed the box of cookies off the counter (yes, you’d told him you baked them but you didn’t actually have time for that right now), threw the cookies and all Simon’s favourite things from your house into a messenger bag, and biked your way to the Spier household. Mrs. Spier opened the door when you knocked.

“(Y/N)! Good to see you! How’s your Christmas break?” she cheered.

“It’s good, Mrs. Spier, thanks.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, but, um, is Simon home?” You asked, not meaning to be rude but worrying more about your friend than the conversation.

“Oh, yeah, he’s just upstairs. Come on in.” She held the door open for you as you entered, “I think something may have happened though, he’s been in his room since yesterday.”

“Oh.” You said, acting as though you knew nothing, “Is it okay if I go up and check on him?”

“Oh, yes, of course, sweetheart. Go on up, just make sure to knock before you go in, okay?”

“Of course.”

With that, you ran up the stairs and navigated your way to Simon’s room, using the vague memory of the night after Bram’s to guide you. Suddenly, a room opened up, and Simon’s sister stepped out, stopping when she saw you.

“Hey, (Y/N), right? You’re Simon’s friend?” she asked.

“Yeah. You’re Nora, right?”

“That’s me.” She smiled weakly, “Are you here about the post?”

Your stance fell, and a solemn silence fell briefly between the two of you, “I’m just here to make sure he’s okay. What he went through- what he’s going through- is terrible, but he shouldn’t have to go through it alone.”

She nodded, gesturing to a door a little ways away from you two, “That one’s his. And thank you, for doing this for him.”

You offered her a smile, and headed straight for Simon. You knocked on the door and his voice very weakly answered from the other side.

“I’ll be down in a minute, mom.”

“I’m not your mom, Simon, it’s me.”

Almost immediately, the door flew open, and a very red-eyed Simon stood practically looming over you, a look of shock and confusion etched on his face. You could tell he had been crying, so you pulled the cookies out of your bag.

“I brought you some cookies.”

With that, Simon visibly untensed, taking the box from you slowly and stepping a side to silently invite you in. You were both silent for a while, just sitting on his floor, until he cleared his throat.

“So, I take it you saw the post?”

“Yeah, I did.” you nodded slowly, “I wanted to come make sure you’re okay. I can’t imagine what I’d do if someone outed me.”

Your friend’s head whipped toward you so fast you thought he might get whiplash, “Wait- Wait, you’re...” there was a pause, as though he was struggling to get the word out, “...you’re gay too?”

“You bet your ass I am, sweetheart.” you chuckled, “Girls? Perfection.”

Simon laughed too, “So you, you can kinda understand what’s going on?”

Your smile fell with those words, “I can’t imagine, Simon. I can’t imagine the pain or the anger or the humiliation that you must be going through.”

Simon frowned at that, staring down at his carpet in defeat, until you put your hand over his, “But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be here for you, no matter what. Wherever this bullshit takes you, Si, I’m there- right by your side.”

“Thanks (Y/N).” your friend smiled, “You’re a really good friend.”

Over the rest of the Christmas break, you talked with Simon almost constantly. You regaled him with tales of your father’s decorating mishaps and your new years adventures with Suraj. He showed you the gifts he’d received and he told you that he still hadn’t talked to anyone else from school; in his defence, no one was making an effort to reach out either. By the time school came back into session, you and Simon were closer than ever, but with his other friends- not so much. You even saw him get out of the car alone when he arrived, so you ran up to make sure everything was okay.

“They didn’t want a ride this morning.” was all he said, but you tried to comfort him as best you could.

The rest of the morning was a painful blur. Sneers and whispers were thrown at Simon from all directions, but you were the only person who made direct eye contact with him all day. His so-called friends avoided him like the plague, and lunch made it much, much worse. Everything was fine, just you and Simon eating at a table by yourselves, until sudden music came blaring into the cafeteria. Two assholes- Aaron and Spencer, if you remember correctly- came skipping into the café, one dressed normally and one dressed in a wig and scarf (clearly mocking Ethan, Creekwood’s first out gay kid). They got up on one of the tables and started dancing and making obscene gestures, mocking Simon directly but dragging Ethan into it as well. Rage bubbled up inside you, but Simon got up first.

“You have something you wanna say to me?” he roared, marching up to their table, “I said do you have something to say to me?”

Ms. Albright came up behind Simon, grabbing the speaker that was blaring music and turning it off.

“Hey, Ms. Albright.” The one dressed as Ethan smiled, but his smile quickly fell as her glare hardened.

“Don't ‘Hey, Ms. Albright’ me. We're not friends. You're not gonna braid my hair or paint my nails. Get your ass off the table now! You sweaty, hormonal virgins. You know what? You're about to be suspended for so long, that by the time it's over, you're gonna be the fat, bald, unhappily married, wildly mediocre nobodies you're destined to become.”

“You can't talk to us like that!”

“Actually, I can, 'cause I just did. And you know why? Because you're just those two assholes that did that shitty thing in front of the whole school. And guess what? Nobody feels sorry for those assholes, especially me. Now, walk. Mr. Worth's office now. Bye.”

The boys got off the table slowly, and started walking out of the cafeteria. One tried to get the speaker back from Ms. Albright, but she pulled it away sharply.

“Uh-uh. That's mine now. I'mma sell it. Get my tubes tied.”

“Um, Ms. Alrbight?” you stood, and walked over to her, “May I?”

You gestured to the two assholes as they turned to look at you. Assuming you just wanted to yell at them, Ms. Albright nodded, gesturing for you to continue. You nodded in thanks, walked up to the boys.... and sucker-punched both of them. The entire student body gasped, and at least two teachers ran up to keep you from doing any more damage, but you threw your hands up in mock surrender. You turned around, gave Simon a hug, and started walking to Mr. Worth’s office, throwing your middle finger in the air as you walked out. When you arrived at Mr. Worth’s office, he was initially excited to see you.

“Hey! (Y/N)! Good to see you! How’ve you been? What can I do for you?”

“Ms. Albright sent me.” you said simply, sitting down in one of the chairs across from his desk.

His face scrunched up in concern, “Oh? How come? Everything okay?”

“Aaron and Spencer committed a small hate crime against Simon and Ethan so I decked ‘em.”

Mr. Worth’s eyes widened, “B-by ‘decked em’ you mean...?”

“I punched them so hard they fell over.” You explained simply.

Mr. Worth nodded slowly, clearly still in shock from both what you did and how casual you were being about this. He said that although violence was never the answer, he understood why you did what you did, and he assured you that Aaron and Spencer would get the punishment that they deserved. He explained that because you took violent measures, he’d have to suspend you for at least a couple days, and you explained that that was fine- you knew the consequences when you took action, and you were prepared to deal with them. You and Mr. Worth agreed on a week-long suspension, and he sent you to get your things out of your locker and make arrangements to get homework while he called your parents. You told Suraj everything, having run into him on your way to your locker, and he offered to bring you your homework while you were gone- also mentioning that he’d seen Simon and Ethan entering Mr. Worth’s office earlier. Deciding that you should check on Simon, and that his meeting with Mr. Worth was probably over by now, you ran out to the parking lot to find him. However, when you got out there, the first thing you heard was Martin’s whiny bitching.

“-I got in a lot of shit for Homecoming, and I wanted everyone to focus on something else, you know? I just didn't think it was gonna be a big thing.”

“I don't care if you didn't think that my coming out was gonna be a big thing, Martin!” You heard Simon yell, “Look, you don't get to decide that. I'm supposed to be the one that decides when and where, and how and who knows and how I get to say it. That's supposed to be my thing! And you took that away from me. So, well, can you please just get the fuck away from me?”

You walked out around a car to see Simon storming into his car, and Martin standing there, looking pathetically helpless. With a sigh, he turned around, but stood there gawking when he saw you watching.

“(Y/n), I-”

“It was you.”

“What?” he asked, acting nonchalant but clearly guilty.

“It was you!” you screeched, barrelling towards him, “You’re the pathetic son of a bitch who outed Simon! You did this to him!”

“(Y/n), I can explain-”

“Save it, Addison! I cannot believe you!” You screamed in his face, “You manipulate me and abuse me and treat me like shit! You get called out on it so you just toss me aside like a wet rag! You act sketchy for months, then you humiliate the shit out of poor Abby! And when you were too much of a pussy to deal with the consequences of your own fucking actions, you put Simon’s life at risk because you couldn’t take the fucking heat?”

“Hey, hey, hey! I never abused you!” he held up his hands defensively, “And I didn’t know people still did that stuff-”

“What part of ‘save it, Addison’ did you not understand, mother fucker?” You spat. When he became silent, you continued, “You wanna talk so fucking badly, answer me this, Martin: How the fuck did you get a hold on Simon’s emails?”

He looked down at his feet, “I, uh, used the computer in the library after Simon. His gmail was still up. I read a few of them- ‘cause they were just right there- and I, um, I screenshotted his emails... so he’d help me get with Abby.”

Your eyes widened in rage at that, “You what?”

“I-”

“No, no, asshole. You screenshotted the emails of an innocent kid and threatened to out him in the bible-belt of America, if he didn’t help you get with a girl who’s barely known you for three months- as thought that was a better plan than just fucking talking to her- and then you forcibly outed him anyway when your little plan didn’t work out because, surprise surprise, she didn’t appreciate that you didn’t see her as anything more than a piece of meat for you to parade around!”

As you screamed, Martin got defensive, “Well, when you put it that way, it sounds bad!”

“NO SHIT IT SOUNDS BAD, MOTHER FUCKER, YOU RUINED A KID’S LIFE JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE PATHETIC BUT YOU STILL CAN’T KEEP IT IN YOUR FUCKING PANTS!” you were booming with rage now, and you wouldn’t have been surprised if the whole school could hear you, “As if ruining my life wasn’t enough, you had to rope Simon and Abby into this shit too, you selfish fucking bastard!”

“Ruined your life?” He repeated, as though he didn't hear anything else you said, “We were friends!”

“No, I was your plaything, Martin. Just something to manipulate, and use, and beat up on until something better caught your eye and you could toss me to the curb! Then you’d just pick me back up and do it all over again once you lost interest. I was never your friend! I never mattered to you! I didn’t mean shit to you!”

Martin blubbered trying to find a justifiable way to defend himself, “Why does it matter how I treated you? I bet you never liked me anyway!”

“For fuck’s sake, you were like family. I loved you, Martin!”

“You, you loved me?”

“Yeah, I did.” You spat, opening your car door, “Worst mistake of my fucking life.”

You climbed into the car, slammed the door, and sped off- almost running him over in the process. Not that you cared; the world could do better with less people like Martin Addison.

#love simon #simon vs the homosapiens agenda #leah burke #simon spier #love simon imagine #svthsa imagine #leah burke imagine #love simon x reader #svthsa x reader #leah burke x reader #mine #My Story #not MY gif #gingywritesimagines #gingywritessvthsa

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pcwpolwrestling · 6 years ago

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Howard Schultz Talks 2020: PCW Extreme Political TV

THIS WEEK ON EXTREME POLITICAL TV-Samantha Bee gets full frontal with a steel folding chair-The Polar Vortex of Doom vs. Phil…from Punxsutawney -Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz talks 2020 -Drama in Des Moines 2020 is one year away -Dawn McGill and the art of the deal -Average Joe in a match of Titanic proportion -The SEC implodes-Jill Berg returns-Jack Fraiser vs. SNAFU- PCW Title #1 Contender’s Match

================================

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Blue background. The top of the Capitol Building occupies the left hand side of the television screen.

Centered in the middle of the screen: “P-SPAN. THE POLITICAL CHANNEL.”]

P-SPAN Announcer (off screen): The P-SPAN Network bring you long-form public affairs programming from the nation’s capital and are a public service of…

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Logos of twenty three different cable and satellite television companies replace the Capitol Building and P-SPAN graphic.]

P-SPAN Announcer (v/o): …your television provider.

[ON SCREEN GRAPHIC: Returns to the blue background with the top of the Capitol Building occupying the left hand side of the television screen with “P-SPAN. THE POLITICAL CHANNEL.” centered in the middle of the screen.]

P-SPAN Announcer (v/o): P-SPAN. The Political Channel.

===============================

DAWN McGILL’S OFFICEThe owner of PCW works at her desk making sure tonight’s show goes smoothly. She’s on the phone with the backstage crew when…

youtube

Dawn looks up. She looks around. Shrugs. Goes back to work. A few seconds later.

youtube

Now she’s slightly annoyed. She pauses. Then back to work. She starts to type on her laptop and-

youtube

Properly annoyed, Dawn gets up from her chair and marches out of her office, down the hall, and into the floor of the arena where she sets eyes on the obnoxious noise bothering her.

Dawn McGill: Oooh! I knew it!

‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’Host Samantha Bee

McGill marches right down to ringside…grabs a steel folding chair from underneath the ring…walks around the ring…and before Bee can screech again…

*BLAM*

…Bee gets a steel chair facial and that’s the end of that.

McGill simply drops the chair, turns around, and heads back towards her office.

==============================

PCW Extreme Political TV on P-SPAN Sunday February 3rd, 2019 Taped February 2nd at the Peoria Civic Center Peoria, Illinois

Announcers:‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave‘Low Level Reporter at the New York Times Trying to Make a Name for Herself’ Colleen Crowder

==============================

The camera pans all over the Peoria Civic Center Center as PCW is on the air!

Crowd: PCW!…PCW!…PCW!…

Cut to the ring where ‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave and ‘Low Level Reporter at the New York Times Trying to Make a Name for Herself’ Colleen Crowder stand.

Johnny Suave: Hello everyone and welcome to Political Championship Wrestling!

Crowd: PCW!…PCW!…PCW!…

Johnny Suave: I am Johnny Suave. She is a low level reporter at the New York Times trying to make a name of herself Colleen Crowder. And-

Crowder is upset about Dawn McGill dropping Samantha Bee with a chairshot to start the show.

Colleen Crowder: If Dawn McGill wasn’t a woman, you’d think she’d be exhibiting toxic masculinity.

Johnny Suave: Or perhaps Miss McGill is fed up with the toxic femininity that oozes out from Samantha Bee.

Offended, Crowder accuses Suave of toxic masculinity.

Johnny Suave: Well speaking of Dawn McGill and her toxic masculinity, here she comes to the ring and I’m guessing it’s to address the business transaction that took place this past week.

DAWN ADDRESSES THE PCW FAITHFUL McGill thanks the crowd for coming out to the show. She doesn’t want to take too much of their time so she gets right to the point.

Dawn McGill: Ladies and gentlemen, as of this moment the PCW Heartland title is once again the P-C-W title!

The fans stand and let out a roar.

McGill states the deal is the stereotypical corporate, cliché-ish ‘win-win.’

Dawn McGill: Mr. McMann gets his sports entertainment empire…the Political Wrestling Federation…and all the bells and whistles that go along with it. We…PCW…we get our freedom and we keep our traditions. Extreme Election Night stays right here. We continue to have a seat at the table of the Political Universe.

More thunderous applause.

McGill says PCW gets to show the world…and the Mitch McConnells of this world…that money…especially corporate money isn’t the end-all, be-all. PCW may not have the financial resources of a big corporation but PCW doesn’t need the financial resources of a big corporation to make it work because we have something they don’t- heart.

Dawn McGill: Bigger isn’t necessarily better. We aren’t wrestling for a soulless corporate overlord concerned about profits. We are wrestling for you.

As for Nancy Pelosi’s comments…

VIDEO: Nancy Pelosi (CA-Progressive Alliance)

Nancy Pelosi: Dawn McGill is making a big mistake here. She needs us. PCW needs us. All businesses need a strong, central government telling them what to do and how to succeed. She’s giving all that up to go on her own.

McGill fires right back at her…

Dawn McGill: …we don’t need you, Nancy. We don’t need you telling us what to do. We don’t need you telling us how to succeed. PCW are masters of our own destiny. All we need from you is to stay the hell out of our way. We can take care of ourselves just fine.

McGill thanks everyone again and reminds them about next week’s supershow at the D.C. Armory,

Crowder thinks McGill is misguided is she thinks she doesn’t need Nancy Pelosi or even Mitch McConnell’s help to succeed.

Colleen Crowder: She didn’t build this. PCW needs Nancy Pelosi more than Nancy Pelosi needs PCW.

Suave ignores her and moves on to the wild winter weather that invaded the Midwest last week.

THE POLAR VORTEX OF DOOMClimbing into the ring is a new PCW personality- the Polar Vortex of Doom. He’s about six foot eight tall. Not very athletic. Dressed in all blue.

His theme music is the Cold Miser song from the classic Christmas show ‘A Year Without a Santa Claus.’

Johnny Suave: Three days ago, the temperature in Peoria was about sixty-five degrees colder than it is right now.

The Polar Vortex raises his arms menacingly to the crowd.

Colleen Crowder: This is all global warming’s fault! See? Al Gore was right.

Johnny Suave: WAIT A MINUTE!

Suddenly PCW Heartland Champion ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism comes down to the ring.

Colleen Crowder: What is he doing here?

He slides in. Boot to the gut. Lift. Anti-Hollywood Blockbuster to the Polar Vortex.

Colleen Crowder: Not sure that was called for.

Chism leaves. Next down, ‘Canadian Bad Boy’ Justin Beaver.

Johnny Suave: It’s been really cold in some parts of Canada. Like Siberian level cold.

Beaver takes the dazed Polar Vortex and hits his finisher- the Pop Star. He exits.

Next down, PCW Tag Team Champions Weapons of Mass Destruction. A. Tom Bomb. Hy Drogen Bomb. Daisy Cutter-Bomb.

Colleen Crowder: This is not his fault. This is our fault for changing the climate and using fossil fuels and-

Atomic Powerbomb to the Polar Vortex. A-Bomb exits.

Hydrogen Powerbomb to the Polar Vortex. H-Bomb exits.

Daisy Cutter Powerbomb to the Polar Vortex. She exits.

By now, there’s a line of PCW wrestles waiting to climb into the ring.

As the carnage continues…

STATE OF PCW ADDRESS SET…Suave reviews the week.

Johnny Suave: Both the Red Brand and Blue Brand held shows this weekend following the end of the shutdown. The President of the PCW Executive Committee Nancy Pelosi has invited PCW CEO Donald Trump to give his ‘State of PCW’ Address on Tuesday February 5th. The new deadline date is February 15th. Can both factions- the Progressive Alliance and the American Patriots- find a compromise way forward on Trump’s security concerns?

Colleen Crowder: Johnny, it would all be simpler if the Trump and the American Patriots simply acquiesced to the Progressive Alliance’s view of the situation.

MORE DRAMA BETWEEN McCARTHY AND McGILL Suave reviews the latest installment of the war between Professor McCarthy and PCW Heartland Owner Dawn McGill…

VIDEO: Last Week’s Show – The Flock AttackProfessor McCarthy’s Flock attack Rah and Halitosis during their match against the Progressive Alliance’s ‘New Age Sensitive Guy’ Blaine Thomas-Taylor and NPC.

Johnny Suave: …Professor McCarthy’s Flock have attacked Rah and Halitosis and it’s a fourteen on two beatdown!

Deep State #1 wields the infamous baseball used two weeks ago in the attack on Ray McAvay. He whacks Halitosis in the back with it and takes out the Luchador with Insane Bad Breath.

…

Johnny Suave: AND HERE SHE COMES!

McGill, Universal PCW Champion Ray McAvay, The Les Miserables (General DeBauchery, Al Cahall, Nic Koteen), Truckin’ Perfectly Average (Ken Worth-American Trucker, Average Joe, Brad Company) and Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja (Hank, Tiny, and Stan) crash the ring and it’s on.

McAvay has the Big Bertha driver and wields it like a crazed samurai. He pole axes his way through the crowd taking out everything in sight. The Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja chase the Young Jerks to the back. McGill chokes out Codee Pink (Codee Pink Glitter Bombed McGill two weeks ago).

Suave notes that ‘this time’, McGill was ready for the attack and came down in numbers to chase Professor McCarthy’s Flock to the back.

Crowder differs in her assessment. She blames McGill for escalating the situation by responding in an overly violent way.

Johnny Suave: Because swinging a baseball bat with the intent of hurting someone isn’t the least bit violent.

Colleen Crowder: Or a Big Bertha Driver?

Johnny Suave: Touche.

POLAR VORTEX- PART 2 There’s still action going on in the ring. Now it’s Couch Potato who’s getting his shots in on the Polar Vortex of doom.

Johnny Suave: Isn’t that cute.

In between chasing down the Twinkies that the PCW fans throw into the ring, CP has the Polar Vortex of Doom locked up in the Barcalounger Stretch.

Colleen Crowder: That’s just wrong.

CHISM SENDS DANIELS OFF Suave talks about Stone Chism sending ‘Mr. Hollywood’ Kevin Daniels back to the Blue Brand last week after Chism defeated him.

VIDEO: Last Week’s Show- Chism vs. Daniels

Daniels pokes Chism in the eyes. Daniels for a True Hollywood Blockbuster.

Colleen Crowder: That’s it! END IT!

Chism kicks through and flips out.

Johnny Suave: NO! HE REVERSED IT!

Colleen Crowder: NOOOO!

Backslide. Cover.

One…

Two…

THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

Johnny Suave: AND THAT’S IT! STONE CHISM HAS DEFEATED KEVIN DANIELS!

Colleen Crowder: Kevin Daniels goes back to a better place…a more enlightened and tolerant place where Hollywood stars are given the reverence they’re entitled to in the Blue Brand.

Johnny Suave: Yeah, whatever.

MORE POLAR VORTEX STUFF The crowd roars again. Millennial Mark, accompanied by Snowflake Suzie, runs down to the ring.

Johnny Suave: Hey Look! Even Millennial Mark is going to get into the act.

Colleen Crowder: Aw come on!

Millennial Mark slides into the ring. And like Malak getting in the last stab in after Arnold Schwarzenegger vanquishes his opponent (see the movie Conan the Destroyer), Mark aims carefully and hits his Parent’s Basement Dropkick on the semi-conscious Polar Vortex.

Colleen Crowder: All right, are we done with this yet?

Johnny Suave: We’ll be back right after this.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

=======================

Johnny Suave: And we’re back on Extreme Political TV and-

POLAR VORTEX- THE ULTIMATE DECISIONSuddenly, a giant groundhog (or someone dressed in a groundhog costume) waddles down to the ring.

Johnny Suave: Hey look! Here comes PHIL! And he’s from Punxsutawney!

Colleen Crowder: Phil? What? Are we still doing this?

Johnny Suave: Hah! You said Kevin Daniels went to a better place. Would the Blue Brand have a giant groundhog come to the ring and…

The giant costumed groundhog pulls the Polar Vortex up…puts his head between his legs and places him upside…and then drops…

Johnny Suave: …PILEDRIVE the Polar Vortex! Oh…HOLY CRAP!

And that takes care of the Polar Vortex.

Colleen Crowder: Okay, are we done with this now?

Johnny Suave (facetiously): I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, that move ought to be banned…of course, we’re talking about the piledriver!

Crowder rolls her eyes and sighs.

Suave runs down the rest of the show… –Drama at Des Moines is one year away- the start of the road to Extreme Election Night 2020–Professor McCarthy comments from the Blue Brand Show in San Francisco last night–The Sports Entertainment Corporation: P.M.C. Banks and Kirk Walstreit vs. Rick Beam- Country Club Pro w/Pool Boy Pete and Jack from State Barn Insurance–Former Starbucks head honcho Howard Schultz speaks about 2020.–Mr. McMann tries to keep the Sports Entertainment Corporation together–Main Event: SNAFU vs. Jack Fraiser in a PCW Title #1 contender’s match–Next week’s D.C. Supershow preview

AVERAGE JOE INTERVIEW PCW backstage interviewer Blair Moise introduces Average Joe. Average Joe comes out in his bright yellow t-shirt with ‘Average Joe’ emblazoned in the front (think the shirt from the movie ‘Dodgeball’) and red shorts.

Average Joe tells Blair he’s very happy with the dawning of a new era in Political Championship Wrestling.

Blair asks about his opponent tonight. Average Joe says he has no clue who he is and where he came from except that he apparently arrived here on a big boat.

Cut back to Suave and Crowder at the broadcast table.

Johnny Suave: Let’s go to Kimber Marshall in the ring.

MATCH #1 – Average Joe vs. Billy ZaineKimber is in the ring and ready to roll.

Kimber Marshall: Representing Truckin’ Average Company…

Valet/Manager Tequila Sheila comes out next to her theme music.

‘Tequila Sheila’- Bobby Bare

‘Pour me another…tequila…

Sheila twirls around as the crowd shouts out: ‘SHEILA!”

Brad Company and Ken Worth-American Trucker appear first.

Average JoeHT: 6′ 2″ WT: 220 / HOME: Defiance, OH FIN: Average Slam

All three men shake hands and walk down to the ring.

Kimber Marshall: And his opponent…

Billy ZaineHT: 5’10” WT: 175 / HOME: Pittsburgh, PA

Zaine starts down to the ring dressed like the character Caladon Hockley in the movie ‘Titanic’- a stylish 1910’s vintage tuxedo with a white bow tie. Crowder calls him well-dressed, well-cultured and wonders what he’s doing in PCW.

Zaine reaches halfway down and suddenly veers over to the barricade. Suave wonders what he’s doing. He’d find out fast enough when Zaine plucks a young child from the crowd, holds him up in the air, and calls out…

Billy Zaine: I HAVE A CHILD!

With said child…that he has, Zaine takes off towards the ring.

Billy Zaine: I HAVE A CHILD!

Colleen Crowder: What the hell is going on here?

Johnny Suave: He has a child!

The parents jump the barricade and run after him. Zaine hits the ring and shows the child to the referee.

Billy Zaine: I HAVE A CHILD!

The referee just tells him to get in the ring already. He does. The child stays at ringside until his bewildered parents take him back to his seat.

Johnny Suave: All right, this Titanic struggle is under way.

*DING-DING*

Zaine taunts Average Joe that “I HAVE A CHILD!” Average Joe attacks and they brawl in the ring. Average Joe throws forearms and uppercuts, then boots Zaine down! He drags Zaine right back up and boots him back down. Zaine tackles Average Joe and they roll around in the ring. Back to their feet, Average Joe dropkicks Zaine’s legs out. Average Joe has Zaine set for the Average Slam. Zaine reverses into a small package. One…tw- easy kickout for Average Joe! Zaine shouts “I HAVE A CHILD!” again. Average Joe fires up the fans, runs the ropes and returns with BIG lariat! Cover, one…two…Zaine kicks out.

Johnny Suave: Billy Zaine started off fast early on but now it appears he’s hit an iceberg and he’s starting to tread water.

Colleen Crowder: What are you talking about?

Johnny Suave: I just have a sinking feeling this isn’t going to end well for Zaine.

Pumphandle slam by Average Joe and an Irish whip into the corner. Average Joe charges forward. Zaine grabs the ref and throws him in the way. Ref down. Zaine fights Average Joe off but charges right into a superkick! Cover…one…two…Zaine gets the shoulder up at 2.7.

Johnny Suave: Zaine is seriously listing now.

Colleen Crowder: You’re making references to the Titanic, aren’t you.

Average Joe drags Zaine up and plants him with the Average Slam. Cover…one…two…THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

WINNER: Average Joe @ 3:02

Johnny Suave: Average Joe gets the win here on Extreme Political TV. That Average Slam literally broke Zaine in half and he floundered on the surface before his hopes sunk to the depths of the ocean.

Colleen Crowder: That’s oddly profound coming from you.

Post-match, Ken Worth and Brad Company hit the ring to celebrate with Average Joe. The child runs into the ring and kicks Zaine in the balls.

The referee spots something on the mat. He walks over and picks it up.

Close up- It’s a sparkly (and large) Heart of the Ocean necklace. He looks around and slips it in his pocket.

VIDEO: – The Kickoff of PCW’s 2012 Road Show Across America Tour. PCW Drama in Des Moines/Monday, January 3rd, 2012

The crowd chants, “PCW…PCW…PCW” as ‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave comes out.

Suave welcomes everyone to the start of PCW’s Road Show across America tour. Suave states tonight is the beginning of the long road to November’s PCW Extreme Election Night 2012.

Johnny Suave: The main event tonight is the Iowa Caucus Match which is going to be a wild free-for-all bunkhouse brawl match involving: ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott- representing Mitt Romney (R-MA), Farmer John- representing Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Magnum P.O.’d- Newt Gingrich (R-GA), Jim Schmidt- Ron Paul (R-TX), The Right Rev. Randy Richardson- Rick Santorum (R-PA), and Texas Jack- Rick Perry (R-TX)…

Suave says in one year it all begins again – the road to PCW Extreme Election Night 2020 – with Drama in Des Moines-Des Moines, Iowa Feb 3rd, 2020

Who’s officially in consideration to be the Progressive Alliance’s candidate for CEO: Cory Booker (NJ), Kamala Harris (CA), Julian Castro (TX), Tulsi Gabbard (HI), John Delaney (MD), Richard Ojeda (WV), former tech executive Andrew Yang (NY)

Who looking into being in: Elizabeth Warren (MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Pete Buttigieg (IN)

Who’s thinking about being in: Former PCW COO Joe Biden, billionaire Michael Bloomberg (NY), Sherrod Brown (OH), Amy Klobuchar (MN), and Bernie Sanders (VT).

Colleen Crowder: Any one of the candidates, potential candidates would be a huge improvement on PCW CEO Donald Trump.

Suave then notes that Trump is definitely in for 2020. Who else may jump into the race on the American Patriots’ side? William Weld (MA), Bob Corker (TN), Larry Hogan (MD), and John Kasich (OH).

Colleen Crowder: And even one of these four would be an improvement on Trump.

Suave introduces a video from last night’s Blue Brand show in San Francisco, California.

VIDEO: Professor McCarthy speaks at PWF Blue Brand Show last night.

In the ring with his Flock (The Green World Order, The Young Jerks, Codee Pink, Emily S. List) Berkeley, California Professor McCarthy holds up the ‘good book that spells out what’s correct and incorrect’ and denounces the deal made to separate the Red and Blue Brands completely from PCW. McCarthy calls the action giving ‘the fox complete free rein of the hen house.’

Professor McCarthy: For too long, Dawn McGill has been rewarded for her bad behavior and her incorrect views and actions. We must use any means necessary to punish her to make clear to everyone that if you don’t say the things that are correct to say we will shout you down…if you don’t do the things that are correct to do we will shut you down. You will conform to the politically correct things in this book or we will destroy you.

McCarthy declares PCW must be shut down and brought back under the Political Universe umbrella because it’s being run by ordinary people (ie…McGill) and ordinary people need us…the enlightened…the elite…their betters…to speak for them…to tell them what they need to do…what to say…what to think…and what to believe.

Johnny Suave: And there you have left wing fundamentalism in action.

Colleen Crowder: This has nothing to do with religion. What Professor McCarthy says makes perfect sense. At least, that’s what our narrative says.

Johnny Suave: Only if you’re a Washington, D.C. insider beltway elitist okay with what the status quo was before.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

PCW RANKINGS

PCW Title Champion: The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism #1 Contender: Jack Fraiser #2 Contender: SNAFU #3 Contender: ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott #4 Contender: Average Joe

PCW Tag Team Title Champion: Weapons of Mass Destruction: A. Tom Bomb and Hy Drogen Bomb #1 Contender: Island of Misfit Wrestlers: Rah and Halitosis #2 Contender: The Dork Dynasty: Leonard and Sheldon Robertson #3 Contender: The Beer Bellied Softball Playing Ninja: Hank and Tiny #4 Contender: Truckin’ Average Company: Ken Worth-American Trucker and Brad Company

=======================

HOWARD SCHULTZ SHOWS UPFormer Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz walks out on stage. Schultz tells the PCW fans he’s considering a run at becoming the next CEO as a ‘centrist’ independent. He explains he’s been a life-long supporter of the Progressive Alliance but when people look at both factions (American Patriots and the Progressive Alliance) people see extremes on both sides.

Howard Schultz: I want to see everyone win. I will be an independent person who will embrace those type of ideas because I’m not in bed with either side.

Schultz states he strongly disagrees with CEO Donald Trump on many issues but mainly, he feels people are exhausted with the extreme polarization between the factions.

Howard Schultz: Their trust has been broken. And they are looking for a better choice.

Schultz thanks the fans for their time and exits.

Crowder tells Suave this is a bad idea and his bid would draw people away from the Progressive Alliance working to Trump’s advantage.

Johnny Suave: Because having more choices is a bad thing?

Colleen Crowder: No. Because it increases the chances that Trump could get four more years as the CEO.

Johnny Suave: But if John Kasich did the same thing, you’d be okay with that.

Colleen Crowder: Yes. Because it-

Johnny Suave: …decreases the chances that Trump gets four more years.

Suave sends it backstage to Blair Moise.

REACTIONBlair Moise has an angry Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress.

Neera Tanden: If he enters the race, I will start a Starbucks boycott because I’m not giving a penny that will end up in the coffers of a guy who will help Trump win in 2020.

Tanden stomps off in a huff. Then there’s an eclipse…no, wait…it’s Michael Moore. Moore says the same thing. If Schultz gets into the race, he will call for a boycott of Starbucks as well stating an independent bid for CEO that will ‘split the support’ of the Progressive Alliance is not acceptable.

Johnny Suave: Again, because more viable alternative choices for CEO than what the American Patriots and the Progressive Alliance give us is a bad thing.

Colleen Crowder: If the end result is four more years of Donald Trump at the top- yes.

MATCH #2- The Sports Entertainment Corporation: P.M.C. Banks and Kirk Walstreit vs. Rick Beam- Country Club Pro w/Pool Boy Pete and Jack from State Barn Insurance’Party Wherever We Go (SEC Theme Song)- Robert Randolph and the Family Band

‘Sports Entertainment Genius’ Mr. McMann walks out first followed by Banks and Walstreit. The official ‘Mouthpiece of the SEC’ Phil Finebaum joins them…then ‘Charlie Wrestling’ Charlie Blackwell, ‘Hollywood Bad Boy’ Justin Beaver, ‘Hollywood Bad Girl’ Miley Vyrus, and ‘Pop Songstress’ Taylor Switt.

Phil Finebaum: My faction is better than your faction and the SEC is the best!

Walstreit walks around holding up a velvet painting of ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.

Switt, of course, lugs her ever present guitar overfilled with white powder that leaves a trail behind her.

CSPN has their camera following every move the SEC makes.

Banks and Blackwell are the Political Universe Tag Team Champions. Blackwell faces ‘Red Solo Plastic Cup’ Ray McAvay next week at the D.C. Armory supershow for the Political Universe Title.

Johnny Suave: There’s a lot of internal turmoil going on with the SEC right now. Let’s see how things hold together in this match.

Ring Announcer Kimber Marshall introduces Beam, wearing a captain’s hat, dickey, and a suitable sports jacket, and Jack from State Barn Insurance, dressed in the usual red polo shirt and khaki pants, as both are already in the ring. Then she introduces the SEC.

The Sports Entertainment Corporation P.M.C. BanksHT: 6-0 WT: 240 / Gainesville, FL FIN: Bank Statement

Kirk Walstreit – ‘Wall Street Market Analyst with the Man Crush on ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.’ HT: 6’ 2” WT: 220, HOME: New York City, NY FIN: Stock Market Plunge

*DING-DING*

Banks and Beam start off. Elevated flapjack from Banks followed by a drop kick produces the first cover of the match. One…tw- strong kickout by Beam who bails from the ring. Banks dives over the top rope to tackle Beam. There’s a momentarily brawl outside before both men go back in the ring. Banks tags Walstreit in. He trades chops then kicks with Beam. Beam tags Jake in. Both he and Walstreit run the ropes until Walstreit hits a rolling cutter. Cover…one…two…-Jake kicks out. Walstreit avoids a corner rush and catches Jake with a million dollar bomb and tags Banks back in. Banks and Jake trade punches. Banks reverses a whip and slams Jake into the corner. They trade corner offense with Banks coming out on top. Banks gets whipped across the ring into the ropes. He ducks under and connects on a delayed bridging German suplex. Cover…one…two…Jake gets the shoulder up. Jake tags Beam back in.

Walstreit jumps in. He and Banks hits a sandwich super kick on Beam. Banks walks the ropes and takes out Jake while Walstreit, who apparently tagged in, hits a spinning slam on Beam. Cover…one…two…Beam gets the shoulder up. Walstreit sets Beam up for his finisher and drops him with the Stock Market Plunge. Banks races across the ring and takes Jake out. Cover…one…two…THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

WINNER: The SEC: P.M.C. Banks and Kirk Walstreit at 3:15

POST-MATCHBanks and Walstreit high five in the ring. McMann and Finebaum join them but the victors give them a cool reception. Then Walstreit’s personal manager, Gordon Guyko, comes to the ring.

With the CSPN cameras running, Guyko tells McMann that he’s ‘lost his edge.’

Gordon Guyko: You used to be on the vanguard of the sports entertainment movement. You used to have a single-minded vision. And you’ve lost it.

Guyko apologizes to McMann but advises him that his services are no longer needed. He says Banks and Walstreit have signed on to a new company.

THUMP

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP

Pop. Big…big pop.

THUMP

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP

The crowd erupts when the video screen shows the door to a dressing room in the back. A police escort is waiting at the door. One of the policemen knocks on the door.

Policeman: “Ms. Berg. It’s time.”

Colleen Crowder (voiceover): What do you mean it’s time? It’s time for what?

The door opens and eight male bodyguards walk out of the dressing room encircling a petite 95 pound woman and her male assistant in the middle. The woman, dressed in a smart, dark business suit and heels, is busy talking on her cell phone. The man furiously scribbles down notes as the group makes their way towards the ring.

Also following the procession to the ring, PCW veterans Big Oil and four time PCW Champion Yamamoto Tanaka.

Big Oil- MGR: Texas Tex HT: 6′ 11″ WT: 323 / HOME: Houston, TX FIN: Oklahoma Driller (modified piledriver)

Yamamoto Tanaka- The Japanese SuperDestroyer HT: 6′ 9″ WT: 350 / HOME: Nagano, Japan FIN: Japanese Super Destroyer

THUMP

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP

Johnny Suave (v/o): THE SELF-MADE ENTREPRENEUR FROM NEW YORK CITY’S FINANCIAL DISTRICT IS COMING TO THE RING!

A huge roar greets the procession as it emerges from the back onto the stage and starts their way down the ramp.

Johnny Suave: THE PHENOMENON KNOWN AS-

The crowd is rocking and a chant of JILLLLLLLL-BERGGGGGG! JILLLLLLLL-BERGGGGGG! fills the arena.

Two of the bodyguards use a fire extinguisher to create a fog like effect as Jill walks through. Two others hold sparklers up in the air as she passes by.

Johnny Suave: JILL BERG IS HERE!

JILLLLLLLL-BERGGGGGG! JILLLLLLLL-BERGGGGGG!

Berg is helped into the ring and she shakes hands with Guyko.

Jill Berg: P.M.C. Banks. Kirk Walstreit. Welcome to JILL BERG ENTERPRISES!

Berg then turns to Charlie Blackwell and offers him a deal right there on the spot.

Johnny Suave: Berg is trying to poach Charlie Blackwell from the SEC?

Already incensed by the defections of Banks and Walstreit, ‘The Mouthpiece of the SEC’ Phil Finebaum pleads with Blackwell to turn her down flat.

Jill Berg: Well? We’re waiting.

Blackwell finally says no.

Berg shrugs. Banks and Walstreit attack Blackwell. Justin Beaver attacks Banks and Walstreit. Brief brawl until Big Oil clubs Beaver in the back…spins him upside down…spikes him with the Oklahoma Driller.

Johnny Suave: HOLY CRAP!

Beaver out on the mat. Tanaka wipes out Finebaum and McMann. Vyrus and Switt step back away from the carnage and wisely sit this one out.

Walstreit drags Blackwell to his feet…sets him up…and drops him with the Stock Market Plunge. Walstreit covers…Guyko makes the three count. Guyko snatches Blackwell’s Tag Team title belt and presents it to Kirk Walstreit.

Johnny Suave: And that is what you call a corporate takeover.

Colleen Crowder: Wait a minute. Where are the attorneys? Someone should be suing someone about this.

Jill Berg raises her hands in the air.

Johnny Suave: We’ll be back after this.

=======================

**COMMERCIAL BREAK**

Extreme Attorneys Felcher and Felcher- ‘Seriously Bad Lawyers with Seriously Bad Combovers’

=======================

Suave reviews PCW’s involvement in next week’s D.C. Armory supershow.

PCW Tag Team Title Match: Weapons of Mass Destruction: A. Tom Bomb and Hy Drogen Bomb © vs. The Dork Dynasty: Leonard and Sheldon Robertson.

Johnny Suave: These two tag teams met two weeks ago and the Dorks nearly pulled off the upset win.

REPLAY: WMD vs. The Dork Dynasty – 1/20/19 PCW Extreme Political TV

14th MINUTEAmy whips off her shirt.

Johnny Suave: WARDROBE MALFUNCTION! WARDROBE MALFUNCTION!

H-Bomb stares at Amy and shrugs.

Amy: Really?

Sheldon slides in from behind, schoolboy roll up. Referee down to the mat.

Johnny Suave: WE MAY HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

One…

Two…

Colleen Crowder: COME ON!

H-Bomb rolls through…

Johnny Suave: NO!

…and hooks the legs

One…

Two…

THREE.

*DING-DING-DING*

WINNER AND STILL PCW HEARTLAND TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Weapons of Mass Destruction @ 13:20 (10:00 for television)

Suave announces the second match…

PCW Title Match: ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism © vs. the winner of tonight’s match between SNAFU and Jack Fraiser.

SNAFU INTERVIEWBlair Moise welcomes SNAFU and his charismatic manager E.J. Flack.

Blair asks about the match. Flack responds this is what SNAFU has been working towards- a PCW title shot.

E.J. Flack: You’ll never hear me say good…or great…or excellent when I talk. You’ll hear me say ‘elite.’ Or and NARFLE THE GARTHOK!

Crowd: NARFLE THE GARTHOK!

E.J. Flack: In the PCW world, you want to compete for the PCW title. Period. This is the experience I want SNAFU to have. Tonight, he has a chance to earn that experience…to earn that title shot…to NARFLE THE GARTHOK on a larger scale.

Flack motions to SNAFU and both men move on.

JACK FRAISER INTERVIEWAs SNAFU moves along, Jack Fraiser slides in with a Molson in his hand.

Blair asks him about the match. Fraiser says it’s a big one and he plans on going all out to get a PCW title shot. Fraiser guzzles down the last of the Molson inside the can and tosses it away.

Jack Fraiser: I need to go get my Oootlander now.

So Fraiser exits.

MAIN EVENT/PCW TITLE #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH: SNAFU vs. Jack FraiserCut back to Suave and Crowder.

Johnny Suave: So now it comes down to this. SNAFU versus Jack Fraiser and the winner punches their ticket to meet ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism next week in Washington D.C.

Colleen Crowder: None of these wrestlers are good enough to shine the shoes of the wrestlers at the Blue Brand.

Suave sends it to Kimber Marshall.

SNAFU, accompanied as always by Coach E.J. Flack, makes his way out on stage.

SNAFU HT: 5′ 11″ WT: 210 / HOME: Philadelphia, PA FIN: Philly FacebusterMGR: E.J. Flack

’Feel Invincible’- Skillet

The fans chant ‘SNAFU!…SNAFU! as he and Flack make their way to the ring.

The video screen comes to life:

It’s 1946 in the Scottish Highlands.

On the hill of Irish na Dun, British nurse Blaire Rendell hears the tell-tale buzzing sound as she approaches the standing stones. This makes her very happy.]

Blaire Rendell (Scottish accent): Soon, I’ll be back with my true love Jamie and I will be truly happy once again in eighteen century Scotland.

Blaire goes to the standing stones where the buzzing sound gets louder and louder. Soon she faints and falls to the ground. When she wakes up…

Blaire nearly jumps in the air when she encounters a man dressed in heavy plaid lumberjack shirt, a warm coat, and a tuque.

Blaire Rendell: Wh-who the hell are you? And where the hell am I?

Jack Fraiser: My name is Jack Fraiser. You are in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada.

Blaire Rendell: Saskatoon…Saskatchewan Canada? That can’t be true. I’m supposed to be in Scotland.

[A hockey puck comes flying by just barely missing both of them.]

Blaire Rendell: What the *BLEEP*!

Jack Fraiser: Nope. This is definitely Canada.

Jack Fraiser AGE: 24 / HT: 6”3” WT: 205 / HOME: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan FIN: Canadian National RailawayValet: ‘Oootlander Blaire Rendell

Johnny Suave: SNAFU has been here before. SNAFU has held the PCW Television title. Tonight, he’s gunning for the big one…the PCW Title. Jack Fraiser is still learning and he’s been knocking on the door. Can he take the next step tonight?

Colleen isn’t paying attention. She’s filing her nails.

E.J. Flack jumps onto the ring apron and fires up the crowd.

E.J. Flack: NARFLE THE GARTHOK!

Crowd: NARFLE THE GARTHOK!

*DING-DING*

Johnny Suave: Here we go!

1st MINUTECollar and elbow tie up. Both men jockey for position. Side head lock from SNAFU, he lands a kick but tries a shoulder block and Fraiser floors him. SNAFU back with a step up hurricanrana. He hits a second hurricanrana and hooks the legs.

One…

Two…

Fraiser kicks out. Both men trade blows in the center of the ring, then shoulder blocks.

Johnny Suave: Back and forth early on. Both men know that with American Citizen Kevin Scott lurking that the road to the title gets a lot harder if they can’t win tonight.

2nd MINUTEFraiser takes down SNAFU with a tilt head scissors. Scoop slam from Fraiser. Neck breaker from Fraiser. Fraiser covers.

One…

Two-SNAFU kicks out.

Fraiser punches SNAFU. SNAFU fires back with a gut wrench release power bomb to take control. SNAFU attacks with punches on the mat.

Johnny Suave: This action is ferocious.

Crowder continues to file her nails and ignore the match.

Johnny Suave: But not as ferocious as Colleen attacking her nails.

3rd MINUTEFraiser goes over and clocks Flack on the ring apron. Flack starts to come in but the referee sees him and goes over to stop him. That allows Blaire to sneak in and kick SNAFU in the balls.

Johnny Suave: HOLY CRAP!

Fraiser rolls him up and gets the referee’s attention.

One…

Two…

SNAFU kicks out and rakes Fraiser in the eyes. SNAFU rolls out and takes five.

Johnny Suave: Good move on SNAFU’s part. He knows Fraiser is getting momentum and this is one way to slow it down.

4th MINUTESNAFU back in after conferring with Flack. Quick go behind from SNAFU. Both men trade wrist locks, then leg sweeps and covers for the traditional standoff.

Johnny Suave: These guys are pretty evenly matched.

Crowder again does not respond. But she does react when the PCW Champion ‘The One Man Anti-Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism arrives at the broadcast table.

Stone Chism: Dawn McGill says if you’re not going to discuss the match and just file your nails then you can leave and I will.

Crowder becomes irate and starts to argue with Chism. She refuses to leave. Chism simply tips the chair and causes Crowder to tumble off. Then he sits down.

Stone Chism: Johnny, I wanted to come down anyways and scout these two.

Crowder unloads a torrent of obscenities and demands Chism relinquish the chair. He doesn’t.

Suave tries to ignore her and discuss the match with Chism. Suave repeats his opinion that SNAFU and Fraiser are evenly matched and will give Chism a good match next week. Chism agrees.

5th MINUTECrowder finally gives up and stomps off to the back…

…

9th MINUTESNAFU, brandishing a chair thanks to E.J. Flack, smacks Fraiser in the back with the chair. He grabs a wrist lock and takes Fraiser down with an arm drag. But Fraiser avoids further offense and connects on his own springboard corkscrew plancha. Fraiser scrambles over for the pinfall.

One…

Two…

SNAFU gets the shoulder up. Side slam from Fraiser and another cover.

One…

Two…

Again SNAFU gets a shoulder up. Fraiser pulls him up and then hits a backwards power slam. Cover.

One…

Two…

SNAFU kicks out and rolls out of the ring.

Johnny Suave: THAT WAS CLOSE!

Stone Chism: Jack Fraiser has improved a lot over the past year. That was an impressive sequence.

10th MINUTEBlaire Rendell gets in SNAFU’s face on the outside. That allows Fraiser to climb up to the top rope. He gets ready to jump but Flack runs over and whacks the top rope. Fraiser loses his balance and crotches himself on the top rope. SNAFU back in…top rope neckbreaker. Cover.

One…

Two…

Fraiser gets the shoulder up and counters an Irish whip with a hand stand springboard knee strike. He hooks the legs.

One…

Two…

TH-no…SNAFU kicks out. Fraiser tries a side slam. SNAFU counters with a tilt a whirl head scissors. Then Flack throws him another chair and *BLAM* Fraiser crumples to the mat. Cover.

One…

Two…*BLAM* Rendell in the ring and she nails SNAFU with a chair. Flack runs in…*BLAM* he gets clocked by the chair. Fraiser goes to cover but the referee is trying to get Rendell out of the ring.

11th MINUTEFraiser sets SNAFU for his finisher. He sticks SNAFU in the corner and goes to the opposite side. He chugs forward and slams into SNAFU at full speed.

Johnny Suave: CANADIAN NATIONAL RAIL-AWAY!

SNAFU tips forward face first. Fraiser turns him over. Cover.

One…

Two…

THREE!

*DING-DING-DING*

Johnny Suave: FRAISER DID IT! FRAISER DID IT!

WINNER AND NEW #1 CONTENDER: Jack Fraiser @ 10:19

Johnny Suave: Jack Frasier will meet this man, PCW Champion Stone Chism for the title next week in Washington D.C. Stone?

Stone Chism: Jack earned it. I’m looking forward to the match next week.

Suave thanks everyone for tuning in. Next week, PCW matches taped at the D.C. Armory supershow plus ‘Red Solo Plastic Cup’ Ray McAvay defends the Political Universe Title against Charlie Blackwell.

Johnny Suave: Next week on PCW Extreme Political TV. See you then.

[‘Trumpet Concerto No. 2 in D major – 3 Allegro assai’ begins to play in the background and P-SPAN quickly cuts away to another political event.]

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lutoogyan · 2 years ago

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Pixel Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Battle of the foldables

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machiiatto · 3 years ago

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dev tea room’s word sprint challenge: What’s in your muse's closet? word count: 555 (353 completed in-sprint)

Kaz’s clothes range from business casual to semi-formal, & each individual piece is starkly tailored - not just to his body, but to hide the tools of his trade such as various knives, & lock picks, or to accommodate specific tastes - such as embroidery or the desire for custom cufflinks in lieu of traditional buttons. the bulk of his clothes fall into the categories of various types of button down shirts, waistcoats, trousers, & jackets.

His gloves are stored in a closet by loose definition of they’re shoved neatly in a box their own special case next to the case he keeps his pocket watch (& more traditional watches in modern verses), & above the other case he has for his cuff links. prior to being stored more neatly in his closet, these cases were stacked under his bed & used to conceal rolls of stolen artwork.

The varied button down shirts range from dark to neutral tones, with the lighter to neutral ones being reserved strictly for daylight business. darker tones mask the ever-present aftermath of violence, & therefore make up the majority of that section of the closet. they’re hung, not folded, & many of them follow the oxford shirt style. he also has several dress shirts that he wears casually just because it suits him. he has several overshirts for when a waistcoat might draw too much attention to himself. he also owns several linen shirts, but wears them infrequently.

in his modern verses where he spent time on the Fahey farm prior to graduation, he has an assortment of t-shirts (typically band of video game inspired), hoodies, flannels, & chambray shirts, but this collection in his closet -- much like some of the sweatpants & drawstring trousers in later notes - is exclusive to these verse variants.

when he’s not wearing collared shirts with buttons, his default is turtleneck style, or something paired with scarves & jackets. outside of his waistcoats, everything absolutely has to cover his arms as far down as the hem of his gloves.

coats & jackets are divided between seasons, then further loosely organized by casual vs formal - in canon verses, he prefers wool coats or a peacoat to stave off the worst of Ketterdam’s dank cold, but modern verses he adds a smattering of lighter jackets, to include at least one leather jacket, & a bomber jacket for the shoulder seasons. in any verse, he has several blazers. in his modern verse, his jackets are additionally tailored with inner pockets for a primary cell phone, & a back up unit that’s more along the lines of a cellular brick that he uses for emergencies.

notably missing from his wardrobe is anything remotely resembling barrel flash. he stays away from sport coats, cardigans, & brightly colored fabrics unless using them strictly for a con, & while he does own a tux & other formalwear, it’s stored to the absolute back of a closet & only used is strictly required.

moving to trousers, Kaz has an assortment of chinos & cords, as well as heavier wool & pleated trousers. he doesn’t have anything resembling drawstring pants, & in his game developer verse only, he has sweatpants but you’ll likely never see them. any jeans he does have are dark wash at a minimum, but preferably black.

#rpcdev #→ kaz brekker // headcanon

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mthvn · 7 years ago

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Truth and simulacrum: whose timeline is it? — Maja Bogojević on Possessed

Factuality itself depends for its continued existence upon the existence of the nontotalitarian world (Hannah Arendt)

Possessed, the latest film made by Metahaven—the collective name of artists and designers Vinca Kruk and Daniel van der Velden—in collaboration with documentary filmmaker Rob Schröder, takes their radical aesthetics and progressive politics a step further from their previous film The Sprawl: Propaganda about Propaganda. Their new hybrid artwork revisits the themes of contradictions and paradoxes of multiple realities, geopolitical landscapes, new technologies, power discourse and ensuing alienation in the age of “post-truth.” Similarly to The Sprawl, this film is not easy to categorise, as it explores the notions of consumer discourse, privacy, secrecy, transparency, surveillance, veiling and unveiling, the impact of social media networks and anarchic utopianism of the internet architecture on our individual and collective lives. Through a documented collage, blending a series of drawings, photographs, animated graphics, documentary footage and fictional reconstruction, it refers to various socio-historical narratives and their processes of subordination, power and inequality, commented upon by a single but multi-fold voice-over in a non-linear narrative, which breaks and fragments in order to not only reflect the fragmentation of multi-layered realities we live in, but also to challenge them.

Possessed begins with the images of burning smart phones, war-devastated cities and landscapes, and a water spring flowing over large dark stones, overlapping with the opening narrated question:

“Would you believe?”

These first spoken words trigger a series of questions relating to the search not of the ultimate truth, but of potential truths amidst fakeness and a fixed set of beliefs regardless of the information overload diversity. The answer is, inevitably, “no”.

But the answer to the question “Would you believe in angels?” is, in the age of cynicism and hypocrisy, a surprising “yes”. This abruptly shifts the initial dystopian tone, foreshadowing the underlying final humanistic message of the film, although “there is no hope” (“what for?”) and there is no answer to the question “would you love?”, followed by the sound of a human breathing next to a smartphone. In this prologue, before the opening credits unfold, Possessed suggests in medias res that the centre of the human universe is a smartphone. The next image shows more clearly a girl lying on a bare mattressed bed, in a ruined house devoid of any furniture, with the presence of only one object—a smartphone. She greets the viewers with the words—both vocal and written—“welcome to the modern age”, followed by:

“You may think that this is a house. But there is no house. You may think that this is a girl. But there is no girl. Don’t ask me who I am.”

Examining the complex mutual relationship between the socio-political context and the work of art which documents the historic period it emerged in, the words are intercut with film negatives of houses, a helicopter, the ‘invisible’ humans (“you never noticed me, I wouldn’t be missed”), a footage of Pope Francis, all accompanied with smartphone selfies made with a raised arm in front of the masses of people and monuments.

“When I was young, I was quiet, I didn’t talk with the others, we never talk, we message… All tenderness is radical in a broken world”… “I want to know, what is a devil today? Do you want to hear the truth? Let the suffering speak. I am a breathing fragment of nothingness. Who lives or dies to care for me.”

This verbal segment is intercut with the images of the cross and a drawing of a hand collaged with the real human arm holding a smartphone, as the new disease to be cured of (by exorcism) seems to be—the reality. The raised arm holding a smartphone becomes the pervasive film symbol—it is present in Vatican, over the heads of a faceless mass, in restaurants, in shopping centres, in our empty homes, in the streets, it is everywhere—questioning the beliefs of people. Religion becomes a kind of superstition, because no matter what people ‘know’ in the information age, they still interpret the world and the reality according to their pre-existing fixed set of beliefs.

As Hannah Arendt puts it (in The origins of totalitarianism): “The true goal of totalitarian propaganda is not persuasion, but organization of the polity. ... What convinces masses are not facts, and not even invented facts, but only the consistency of the system of which they are presumably part of”.

Reconstructing artefacts of the recent and not-so-distant past, the film combines images, videos, TV, satellite/drone footage and an original narration into a seemingly incoherent and fragmented filmic reality, with many (meta)textual/discourse references, including videos of: Pope Francis in Rome, ruined Vukovar, Cologne, Aleppo, US soldiers’ flash mob dance in Afghanistan, Dubai fire and sandstorms, hurricane Katrina, migrant lines in Slovenia, queues of people in urban centres, glacier bridge collapse, statue of Liberty etc. Images of war-torn countries show demolished buildings, torn books, deserted homes with personal belongings left behind, posters hanging on the walls, newspapers, religious symbols etc.

The multiplication of simultaneously run narratives and realities and fragmentation of both the individual and the collective are reflected in the film along the axis of mainstream media/state/corporate structures vs. people/media users/consumers, conveying the notion that our agency in the information process is taking less and less responsibility. The more fake news we are served, the more the ‘truth’ becomes important: the mainstream media (and political leaders) have never been more obsessed with it, insisting in their marketing slots that they are all “telling the truth”, echoing Hannah Arendt’s visionary words: “Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow.”

And:

“The danger is not actual despotic control but fragmentation—that is, a people increasingly less capable of forming a common purpose and carrying it out. Fragmentation arises when people come to see themselves more and more atomistically, otherwise put, as less and less bound to their fellow citizens in common projects and allegiances.” (The origins of totalitarianism)

But because of the new media interface, there is a new level of complex fragmentation along the axes privacy/secrecy/transparency/surveillance and control/enslavement, causing a ‘mental implosion’, in Baudrillard’s terms—“simulacrum has been brought to perfection in the 21st century thanks to media interface.” The collaged images of face recognition software, smart phone pervasiveness, the statue of Liberty, war-devastated buildings, torn books, “god land” with a Vodafone tower in the background suggest that mainstream media and dominant consumer discourses tailor their surveillance methods according to the selling/consuming axis or what they perceive as fit for their consumers’ needs. What the overload of information has brought is the illusory display of capitalist consumers’ choices (various kinds of coffee, carrot cakes, brownies, smoothies), but there are no nuances in interpretation of cultural texts, and this precisely helps to sustain the capitalist order. As corporate profit dictates consumers’ privacy, Baudrillard’s “mental involution” (a phone is melting like a brain could be melting) is bound to materialise, leading to the loss of the autonomy of the agency, the collapse of subjectivity. The imaginary enemy is ‘identified’, the crisis is created, and innocents die as a result.

“The truth?”, the narrator asks and answers: “Let the suffering speak”.

Metahaven’s concept of black transparency is reminiscent of Baudrillard’s concept of simulacrum “Simulacrum is never that which conceals the truth, but the truth conceals that it’s not there. Simulacrum is true.” One fact can arise from many models simultaneously and this anticipation and confusion between the fact and its model leaves space for all possible interpretations, even the most contradictory ones. This is how the politically anomalous - what was regarded as political aberration – can become normalcy.

Hypocrisy, carnage of profile, masked identities, faceless multitudes…

“I grew up in a city of great wealth and beauty” – these words, as it is made clear by subsequent images, allude to the baroque town of Vukovar, destroyed in the Yugoslav war - the first majorly destroyed European town in a battle since World War 2. A sign reads “18. 11. 1991 - Vukovar, sjecate se?” (“do you remember?”), with a series of images of a ghost town, with decaying, deserted streets, demolished buildings and houses, dead bodies, streams of survivors fleeing… reminiscent of today’s devastated Syria. The authenticity of such footage images evokes the importance of the responsibility of the human race in the face of war crimes and atrocities committed by humans.

Possessed, therefore, wants to remind of and challenge human indifference. The shots show rooms empty of furniture but full of books and papers from the period of the existence of Yugoslavia (which was also the leader of the non-aligned movement of the so-called third-world countries): Marxism, Kumrovecki zapisi, Danas: Jugoslavija, samoupravljanje, svijet, Class struggle and socialist revolution etc. These and images of “red” books bargains, Mao posters, Russian symbols, accompanied by the sound of a Croatian traditional song (“Spavaj spavaj diticu”, to make a clear reference to the war in Croatia), are a testimony to the recent European past, as well as a statement against general amnesia that has marked both post-industrial and post-communist societies.

But, “the war is always somewhere else”. The photo of a passport is aligned next to the photos of war tanks, weapons and military airplanes. Footage shows US soldiers rejoicing and dancing to the sampled “music” of gunshot sounds in Afghanistan.

The ‘others’ imply that their bodies are more disposable and mortal, and the pain of ‘others; seems to be peripheral to the human masses, in spite of the power of photography and media. We have face recognition software, but what and how much of human suffering do we recognize in a photo/image? We get an easy automated response to our (consumer tailored) needs (Siri, hello?), but show no reactions to others. We appear to have google maps that locate everything, but there seem to be no ‘maps for human suffering’. “As one can become habituated to horror in real life, one can become habituated to the horror of certain images,” states Susan Sontag in Regarding the pain of others.

Statements such as “we obey a fictional eye” and “our faces were attuned to a watchful eye—to adjust to being seen and shared” question and interpellate the capacity of reason and observation, even ‘common sense’ of the uniform masses, as well as the authority of god.

Indifference ‘to the pain of others’ is underscored by the repeated images of selfies and posing smilingly for selfies with a stick – a prolonged arm for the phone, restaurant images of food and drinks and a supply of a crane for “the ultimate selfie” in order to share the ultimate happiness with the world. Thus, we have cranes for photos to be shared on social media and drones for more arrogant photos and bombs. In parallel realities, innocent people die and disappear in wars, but we insist on more of our presence around the globe, offering our joy to the world.

But is this happiness fake or real? If it is real, how real is it? Do we know we are happy or do we act by orders? “Smile, be happy.” The collapse of the subject in post-modern age of neo-totalitarianism, post-truth and post-Trump?

In The origins of totalitarianism, Arendt stated decades ago: “In an ever-changing, incomprehensible world the masses had reached the point where they would, at the same time, believe everything and nothing, think that everything was possible and that nothing was true. ... Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow. The totalitarian mass leaders based their propaganda on the correct psychological assumption that, under such conditions, one could make people believe the most fantastic statements one day, and trust that if the next day they were given irrefutable proof of their falsehood, they would take refuge in cynicism; instead of deserting the leaders who had lied to them, they would protest that they had known all along that the statement was a lie and would admire the leaders for their superior tactical cleverness”.

As the mutations of the image follow the shifts of historical narratives, so the collapse of the subject as well as networks seems to be imminent. A pamphlet-like verbal segment declares: “Delete your own self, the networks collapse… the screen is crushed, instagram and facebook collapse”, raising a new set of questions: have smartphones become more clever than our brains? Do we base our knowledge on networks? Will our subjectivity collapse with the collapse of networks? Will our arm break together with the stick for selfies?

“The arrogance of the camera. This helicopter won’t come to the rescue. It will patiently film my killing”.

These words echo Susan Sontag’s statement that “the shock can become familiar: the ultra-familiar, ultra-celebrated image—of an agony, of ruin—is an unavoidable feature of our camera-mediated knowledge of war”. By analogy, they also mirror Glauber Rocha’s famous words that “the camera is a lie” or Jean-Luc Godard’s that “film is a reflection of the reality or the reality of reflection?”

The irony and powerlessness of the proliferation of narratives and realities can be demonstrated further by another example (not shown in the film): the phenomenon of Ron Haviv’s photo taken during the Bosnian war in March 1992, and used by Jean-Luc Godard in his video masterpiece Je vous salue, Sarajevo (1993), which pictures the Serbian soldier Srdjan Golubovic treading over a Bosnian female victim’s head; Srdjan Golubovic later became a famous DJ Max performing in various night clubs in Serbia, until he was arrested in 2012 not as a war criminal, but for possession of drugs.

“Good citizen, happy citizen, legal citizen, undocumented person, see-through person… I travelled here from far… I tried to forget what happened to me before I fled. No one believes me. I have to be the evidence. I’m my own document”

This verbal narrative is intercut with the images of identity papers shown at borders, finger print scan check at airports, and “Ausländer” signs & grafitti, showing that, in spite of techno advances in industrial capitalism that might signal the arrival of a cyborg citizenship, the Western context, actually, reflects the return to hierarchy of white capitalist patriarchy, struggling with transculturality (which is one of the most significant influences of late post-modernity in Europe) and becoming more homogenous, closed and insecure at a time of increasing fascism and racism.

“You were quiet, you never talked”. “I” becomes “you” as an older “I” (the new generation) speaks to “you” in the future “that you never saw coming”.

“Will it be enough to love yourself?”

Contradictions and paradoxes of technology suggest that human bodies have become a source of maximum exploitation in the visual age: is it the end of the image, the end of knowledge, of imagination? Is the future foreseeable based on facebook, instagram and twitter? New forms of expression and representation are needed to reflect the changing and challenged subjectivity in the process of becoming autonomous agents of knowledge.

As the film title suggests, we are all ‘possessed’ by multiple master narratives: by technological advances, corporate structures, general amnesia, by the collapsed subject, beliefs that border on superstition, by our “shared” need to broadcast our lives to the world, selfies, fake smiles, illusory happiness (“the device did one thing really well – it made us always smile”), fake choices, fake needs created by fake consumerist capitalist discourse, by our own voyeurism and exhibitionism, by insanity and monstrosity of political leaders, powerful consumerist discourse, by our own powerlessness and indifference, failure to take responsibility, by the absence of empathy and love (“love yourself”), possessed by our own negligence to use our ‘cultural mirror’ in the midst of the collapse of the notions of self, knowledge and truth. We have timelines, but no time in the age of multiplication of signifiers and the collapse of the signifieds.

“If I had all faith, but have no love, I am nothing. Love is patient and kind, it doesn’t envy or boast, it’s not arrogant or rude… it rejoices with the truth.”

The acknowledgement of the ‘fact’ that we forgot how to love adds a new ontological dimension to Metahaven’s visual research, a more hopeful one than most current sci-fi dystopian narratives, as the present reality we live in, not the imaginary future, is already dystopian. In other words, the imaginary of the social and technological can be equally democratising and constraining, but if approached responsibly, it will rather be the former.

By analogy to Alain Badiou’s Eloge de l’amour (2009), this new neither/nor space, which is not free of imperfections, but is free of estranging social confines and prohibitions, can work as an “angel of love”, a new imaginary space for a human encounter that may never occur, but could create a new unrestrained space of love and empathy.

Such an ending, in spite of the detached, almost robotic youthful voice-over, may offer a much needed disalienating, humanistic message, simultaneously subversive and self-authenticating, as the technological and hyper-rational advancements don’t necessarily imply human progress - to paraphrase Hemingway’s words: the invention of an airplane doesn’t mean that we move faster than a horse. An alternative to this ending is the return to pre-social, pre-linguistic, pre-discursive and – pre-technological, as the final images show warehouses in ruins, desolate lands and several masked women, wearing scarves to hide faces (with emojis, stickers & comic strip captions, designed by Metahaven), whispering inarticulately with their black shadows and holding big stones instead of smartphones.

Finally, in a call to challenge the structure of subjectivity, socio-political relations and the social imaginary that supports it, Possessed transforms the current debate of the binary opposition truth/facts and lies into questions of interpretation and epistemology, contextualising them, further, to not only how something is interpreted but who it is interpreted by (are we ‘preaching’ only to the converted?), who are the agents of knowledge and how newly gained knowledge serves to justify the existing beliefs of the masses. In other words, whose timeline is it?

This is, of course, only one of possible interpretations of the multilayered filmic reality.•

Maja Bogojević (PhD) is a freelance film theorist/critic, founder and editor-in-chief of the first Montenegrin film magazine, Camera Lucida, founder and President of the Fipresci section of Montenegro, and a member of FEDEORA and UPF. She has been, until recently,_ _film theory professor and Dean of Faculty of Visual Arts at Mediteran University Podgorica, and, previously, the Dean of Faculty of Arts at the University of Donja Gorica.

#majabogojevic #possessed #metahaven #robschröder

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quantumdotdot · 7 years ago

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Marvel Masks: Earth-218, Session 1

We played the tabletop role-playing game Masks: A New Generation in an alternate version of Marvel’s Earth. This starts with stuff that we did as part of character creation, world-building, and “Session 0″ as it’s called, then going into the actual start of the narrative! I’ll be posting updates as the campaign continues.

You won’t need mechanical knowledge of the Masks system to understand it, though I definitely encourage anyone who’s interested in playing a superhero RPG, especially one involving teens, to give it a look. I realized I’d never put this up anywhere but Twitter, and this campaign is honestly too good to keep to ourselves.

Also, shout-out to @Zhurenaissance for doing the lion's share of the initial world-building/prep; he's an incredible writer and I honestly couldn't have done it without him.

So, here ya go... Earth-218.

Cast of Characters

Shatterstar (he/him) - The Bull

Very tall (6’ 4”/6’ 5”), long red hair, about 18-19

Was actually born maybe(?) but thinks he was created in the genevats of Arize

Fought in gladiatorial combat on Mojoworld. Has 2 braids in his hair, a tradition for revolutionaries to show how many Spineless Ones he has killed

Tells people he and Rictor met by being at the same school

Billy Kaplan (he/him) - The Nova

16-17, skinny and short, wears t-shirts when not in combat

Has always been able to do small things with his powers

Recently had a back-against-the-wall moment with bullies and fought back, causing “property damage” when his powers manifested in full force

Hurt bystanders as well during the incident, which upset Billy. He found a mentor in Dr. Strange, who was training Billy to be the next Sorcerer Supreme, before Strange had his power stripped from him and stolen by some unknown assailant

Jen/Jennifer Walters (she/her) - The Transformed

Late 20s-early 30s, tall, looks ordinary

Jen is Jennifer Walters, not She-Hulk. Very important

Has been working as a lawyer/attorney in NYC, specializing in the rights of marginalized people, especially mutants

Her She-Hulk form changed dramatically post-Civil War and she is still dealing with the death of Rhodey, her boyfriend. Bruce also got killed shortly thereafter.

Tries not to transform into She-Hulk and has been hiding her emotions and grief. She is very unsure of her place in life, and looks to the kids of the team for help and support

Alex (they/them) - The Reformed

Looks 18. Looks thin, but is deceptively strong

Is a child created by Cyttorak the demon god to take over Teens totally normal human Teen, what are you talking about

“When our team first came together…”

Bull/Shatterstar: We defeated a dangerous enemy. Who or what was it?

Alex Summers. After Scott died, Alex was having a bad time, so Madelyne Pryor, Goblin Queen, convinced him to embrace his dark destiny as the Goblin Prince

Maddy has a classy black jumpsuit that shows minimal skin, whereas Alex gets a Sexy Badass Costume Change

The team fought off a bunch of goblins who had showed up at the school to claim it for the Goblin Queen

Nova/Billy: We destroyed our surroundings in the fight. Where was it? What did we destroy?

The fight was as the indoor/outdoor gym complex. Goblins took a basket hoop/pole, which was animated so that the hoop was a tongue and the backboard was a face. It blew a raspberry at the team as the goblins carted it away. The goblins also tried to take the biggest trophy from them but it ran around from them. It’s now a pet animated trophy.

Billy and Havok had a one-vs-one, Billy struggled with his shield powers, trying to shield the team and the school from Alex’s blasts, but lost control and the blasts ricocheted everywhere, collapsing several walls. Billy had to do detention to clean it up since the Xavier Institute is all about learning to take responsibility for your powers.

Maddie wasn’t happy with her Goblin Prince after looking at all the trash the goblins brought back.

Transformed/Jen: We drew attention and ire from plenty during the fight. One important person in particular now hates and fears us. Who is it?

J. Jonah Jameson now has an axe to grind against both the school and the team in particular after the mess from the goblin fight spilled out into Central Park a little bit. Not everyone listens to him, but a lot of the police and the Olds do. So that’s tough. He doesn’t have time for pictures of Spiderman now. Spider-Man has also never been confirmed to exist, he is a cryptid. JJ has hundreds of extremely blurry pictures of Spider-Man.

Reformed/Alex: We fought a terrible enemy from my old life. Who was it and what did they take from me?

Erik the Red worked with Maddy to send the goblins to the school as a smokescreen for testing Alex.

Nightmare also showed up at the school, who is this universe’s version of Toad; he’s a demon who is also part goblin. He carries a spinal hobby horse that summons a spectral horse that keeps the spine/bone ghost head.

Lower status among demons because he’s part goblin

He stole Alex’s staff from the locker room, that let them channel their powers through the staff while fighting.

Relationships

Shatterstar

Billy is your “love”.* You’ve opened up to them about the worst parts of your past.

Star saw the destruction Billy caused after standing up to the Goblin Prince and got stars in his eyes. He thinks Billy has the heart of a warrior and told him about his past in the dueling arenas, which freaks Billy out a little bit.

Alex is your “rival”. They tried to control you at a crucial moment.

Alex knows a little bit about fighting, but they and Star come from very different schools of thought. They tried to tell Star how he should fight during the Goblin fight and Star holds a grudge against them for that.

* (Note: Shatterstar is still dating Julio, the "love" is a mechanical thing for Shatterstar's class. Billy is the only one he's opened up to on the team.)

Billy

You hang out all the time with Jen to blow off steam.

They bonded over baking cookies. Billy tries to bribe the other kids to be friends with him by sharing cookies. He once walked in on Jen hurling a stand mixer through the wall after getting frustrated, and now Jen calms down by watching Billy bake in the giant Xavier Institute kitchen. He learned how to bake at a young age by peering over the counter top on a step-stool when his bubbe was baking.

You once hurt Alex when you lost control of your powers.

Billy thinks that he hurt Alex during the goblin fight by making some that had poison spit lose their poison and accidentally hit Alex. Obviously, Alex is fine, but Billy still feels extremely guilty about all of it.

Jen

Shatterstar comforted me when I was at my lowest.

Star reassured Jen when she was about to Get Angry and hulk out after the Goblin fight. She was trying to stay calm and not lose her head after avoiding her ugly emotions and it hadn't been going well. Shatterstar helped by reassuring her that she had helped them and that she had a place with them on the team.

Laura / X-23 / Wolverine knew me before I changed.

Laura knew Jen from before, and fought her in a 1v1. Jen defeated her then, but ever since Civil War ended, Jen hasn’t been the same. Laura has faith in her that she can become the Jen she once knew again, so they can have a rematch and Laura can win fair and square this time, and so tries to encourage her. Laura maintains she could have defeated Jen if she had to though. Jen lets her think so.

Alex

I’ve earned the trust of Billy, and I follow their example of what a hero should be.

Alex wandered by when Billy was serving detention for the destruction he caused to the athletics facility. Billy had Alex help him clean up while they talked, and Alex looks up to Billy as an inspiration of what good guys are.

I did something terrible to Jen once. I hope they can forgive me one day

Jen was having trouble sleeping once, and Alex was a little low on energy, so they selfishly drained Jen, forcing her to go to sleep but leaving her feeling worse than it was. They feel terrible about it.

The Story, So Far...

It is the third and final day of the Super-Human Law seminar hosted by Jen at the Charles Xavier Institute for Mutant Academics and Outreach, located smack dab in the middle of Central Park, NYC. Once Jen has concluded her final topic and wrap-up on “Know Your Rights: How to Talk to the Police As a Mutant,” headmaster Kitty Pryde walks up on the stage and thanks Jen, calling for a round of applause. Jen looks visibly awkward. Kitty also brought up Claudette and Nicole St. Croix, the “Monet Twins” and the self-dubbed school cheerleading squad. They’ve composed a song with call and response that the whole school takes part in to see her off:

“Teacher and Students Yes-sir-eee We have a lot of fun Cuz’ Teacher and Students are We! Though our time is ending We learned a lot you see! We’ll never turn a frown Cuz Teacher and Students are We!”

The normally zoned out and distant Claudette transforms into a carefree girl for the duration of their choreographed song and dance. As soon as it ends, Nicole explains that she and Claudette wanted to show their thanks on behalf of both them and the entire school. The entire time, Jen was a bit tuned out, checking her phone and generally not loving being the center of this particular brand of awkward attention. Once the thanks are said and the dance number is over, Claudette folds back in on herself, only to be shuffled off the stage by her twin-caretaker.

After that, Kitty gestures to Jen to take a seat, and uses the opportunity of the assembly of 6th-12th graders to introduce the new transfer student Ginny Wayword. As she tries to introduce Ginny to the school, a loud thumping starts off-panel. Kitty keeps going with the introductions and a wide smile, but sweat starts to stream down the side of her face. The thumping gets louder, and eventually turns into vampires arriving by bursting through a wall in a cloud of bats. When the bat cloud disappears, it reveals a vampire lord with a group of hungry, feral vampires who reveal they are here for “Jubilation Lee” and demand that the school hands her over. Kitty tells Junior Squad to get in formation while she sizes up the situation and the rest of the students flee the assembly hall.

Meanwhile, Shatterstar has been running behind rapidly-emptying chairs, because he knows a threat when he sees one. Without waiting for the rest of the team, he leaps into action, stabbing the vampire lord with both blades. Rictor had asked him not to bring his swords to the assembly, so we get a flashback of him sitting at the assembly while his swords poke into the person next to him, and the person behind him tries to look around their hilts in vain. Shatterstar is smug in his knowledge that he was indeed right about bringing them along.

Star sinks his swords deep into the chest of the vampire lord, but it doesn’t work--vampires can’t be hurt by normal swords. The vampire laughs at Star mockingly: “Foolish mortal, swords cannot hurt me!” Star marks the condition Insecure because he’s just been laughed at by this vampire he tried to take down, and is locked in combat as he tries to free his swords.

While Star is in the fray with the vampire, Billy sees all the students trying to flee the assembly through the single door (the vampires broke through the wall with the other ones) and decides to shield them to make sure they can get out safely. Caveat being the team won’t be able to escape easily.

Alex finally arrives late with a piece of toast in their mouth, confused at why everyone’s leaving and assuming that means Jen’s speech is over. They try to clamber up to the stage with toast in their mouth after making their way through the swarm of students, asking Jen and Kitty what’s going on. They keep nervously talking through what they should do to combat the vampires while Kitty phases through her School Principal blazer, knee-length skirt, and hose, revealing her Shadowcat uniform under this weird ice skating costume version of Business Formal. Kitty tells Alex to get in formation as they continue to talk, but while they’ve been talking, the feral vampires have crept up on Alex. Alex tries to defend Jen and Kitty, and fails, and the vampires almost let Alex’s secret slip before they use their powers to drain some energy from the surrounding vampires.

With Alex, Shatterstar, and Billy occupied, Jen takes a second to assess the situation, realizing that the best way to end this conflict quickly is to give the vampire lord what he wants, or talk to him, which is gonna be a little tricky given that Shatterstar is currently grappling/being grappled by him.

Star takes a moment to roll backwards, regretfully leaving his swords stuck through the vampire lord’s Armani blouse for the time being, and asks what he wants with Jubilation Lee, and using that as an opportunity to assess the situation. He remembers from watching Buffy that wood can kill vampires, so he takes a particularly-splintery piece of wood and tries to stab it through the vampire’s heart. The vampire reads his move, and dodges with preternatural speed in a cloud of bats, reappearing behind Shatterstar as he was about to strike. The vampire lord hoists Shatterstar up by the collar, and, testing his weight, feels how light he is. The vamp gets curious and hurls Shatterstar as far and as hard as he can, smashing Star up against the part of the wall that’s still standing.

Star lands face-first, and his white eye lands against the wall, flaring up and glowing white as Star slides down the wall like a splatted bug. His powers go haywire from the blow, tearing open the fabric of reality as he falls like a knife cutting through a screen. The edges of reality splay open, revealing that Star has inadvertently opened an extradimensional portal into Limbo, where there are demons in jerseys playing basketball, a la the Mon-stars from Space Jam. Star is dazed, laying down on the ground beneath this tableau.

Billy, seeing Star in trouble, leaves the barrier where it is and sneaks over to try to help Star up. He tells Star what happened and asks if he can help, to which Star replies, confused: “Space…. Jam?” Once he comes to a bit, he tells Billy that he’s fine, and that Billy needs to go help the others while Star recovers.

The Vampire Lord, having finished with Star, turns to Jen and Kitty, finally introduces himself as “Alexandre Francois Bourgeois, Lord of the Vampires, head of the Bourgeois Clan,” and once again demands that they give her Jubilation Lee as he advances on them with his vampire legion. Alex sees this and tries to provoke one group of the vampires into a chase using themselves as the bait of a “tasty snack,” while Billy distracts the others by levitating and rattling chairs threateningly.

Alex’s plan fails though, and the vampires follow them, but not the way they wanted. Alex nervously tries to use their “Aw, gosh” demeanor to fend the vampires off, but it’s no use. We end as the vampires advance on Alex, saying they smell more like predator than prey, and taunting their attempts to appear as a normal mortal teen. Alex nervously replies "I'm not ugly, Arnold."

Final Thoughts

We didn't get to play too much because we did a lot of world-building, but overall I'd say Marvel Masks is a rousing success and I look forward to playing it again with the crew of awesome players I was lucky enough to have!

#powered by the apocalypse #masks a new generation #shatterstar #billy kaplan #tabletop roleplaying #pbta #masks #actual play #marvel #jennifer walters

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