#Homecoming Columbus

[justinspoliticalcorner]

The Proud Boys are back: How the far-right domestic terrorist group is rebuilding to rally behind Trump

Aram Roston at Reuters:

A dark SUV cruised past former President Donald Trump’s supporters near his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey on a windy April afternoon. Billowing from the vehicle were three flags: one for the Trump campaign, two others with the initials “PB” – the insignia of the far-right Proud Boys movement. Through the open windows, three Proud Boys flashed the “OK” sign with their hands, a gesture often associated with white supremacy and the far right. Trump’s fans cheered. Four men dressed in the signature black-and-yellow shirts of the Proud Boys spilled out of the SUV and began glad-handing the crowd like homecoming heroes. The Proud Boys are back. Four years after the failed effort to overturn Trump’s 2020 electoral defeat, the violent all-male extremist group that led the storming of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, is rebuilding and regaining strength as Trump campaigns to return to the White House, according to interviews with eight Proud Boys, two U.S. law enforcement officials and four experts who track the group’s online activity.

Since the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, four former Proud Boys leaders have been convicted in federal court of seditious conspiracy, each sentenced to 15 or more years in prison. At least another 70 members were charged with participating in the violence. But that crackdown hasn’t stopped the Proud Boys. Some Proud Boys say they are preparing to emerge once again as a physical force for Trump, drawn to his hardline nationalism and convinced their leaders will be pardoned if he wins. Trump himself promises to pardon convicted Jan. 6 rioters if he’s elected. After last Thursday’s historic guilty verdict against Trump, an Ohio Proud Boys chapter vowed “war” and posted a video of Proud Boy street brawls that ended with the message, “Fighting solves everything.” A Miami chapter said, “Now, more than ever, we are recruiting!” Some posted images of the upside-down American flag symbolizing the “Stop the Steal” movement that falsely claims Trump won the 2020 election. One Proud Boy told Reuters that America is in a period of “calm before the storm.”

The group’s main Telegram channel, however, posted a message urging Proud Boys to stay calm and not get drawn into a trap and risk arrest. “Trump is, of course, getting railroaded but we will not be walking into any honey pots over this.” In recent weeks, the group has become more prominent at pro-Trump events, highlighting the risk of renewed violence in this year’s presidential election. Dozens of Proud Boys – some in body armor and helmets – marked the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection with a show of force at the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. On April 20, nearly a dozen gathered at a rally for Trump’s Republican campaign in Wilmington, North Carolina.  More recently, groups of Proud Boys from two chapters mixed with tens of thousands of Trump supporters at a campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, in May.

On a boardwalk near the entrance of the Wildwood rally, several Proud Boys identified themselves as members of the “New Jersey State” chapter. One said they were there to provide security and stop agitators from “disrespecting or assaulting everybody.” Inscribed on his wraparound sunglasses were the initials “POYB” – short for “Proud of Your Boy.” He wore a ring with the initials “PB” and a black shirt with the yellow laurel wreath of the Proud Boys. Three men from another chapter greeted them, their faces hidden by gaiter masks. The re-emergence of the Proud Boys at Trump’s political rallies and events coincides with polls showing a majority of Americans fearing political violence will flare around November’s election. It also comes when Trump’s use of incendiary rhetoric is inspiring his supporters to target his opponents – including judges, prosecutors and political rivals – in a wave of threats that’s unprecedented in modern American politics.

Trump himself has not ruled out the possibility of political violence if he loses in November. “If we don’t win, you know, it depends,” he said when asked by Time magazine in April if he expected violence after the election. If he’s jailed or put under house arrest, “I’m not sure the public would stand for it,” he said in a Fox News interview that aired on Sunday. “At a certain point there’s a breaking point.” Before the last election, Trump told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.” Three months later, federal prosecutors say, the group’s leaders plotted and led the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol. Trump’s baseless, rigged-election claims inspired the gathering, and Trump himself urged the assembled crowd to march on the Capitol as Congress certified Democrat Joe Biden’s victory.

A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to questions for this story about his rhetoric, Jan. 6 and the Proud Boys. As the Proud Boys regroup, they’ve made changes designed to make them less vulnerable to law enforcement scrutiny, including doing away with layers of top leadership, according to interviews with members. The Proud Boys now operate with self-governing chapters in more than 40 states, with little apparent central coordination, members said. While the group’s structure has changed, its Canadian founder remains an inspirational figure to today’s Proud Boys. Gavin McInnes, a British-born far-right commentator who lives in New York, announced his resignation from the Proud Boys in 2018. But he remains deeply involved with the group, according to interviews with Proud Boys.

[...]

After McInnes stepped down, his successor, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, raised the Proud Boys’ profile, pulling them from the fringe of the far-right toward the center of Trump-era Republican politics. Tarrio, a Floridian of Afro-Cuban descent, was sentenced last September to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, defined as an effort by two or more people to overthrow the government or use force to hinder its operations, and other charges related to the Capitol riot. He has appealed.

Two criminal defense attorneys for Tarrio did not respond to emailed questions and phone calls. In the past, McInnes, Tarrio and a group of leaders dubbed “Elders” spoke publicly on the group’s behalf, set the agenda and guided its confrontations with left-wing groups around the country. They sat atop a formal structure and could disband Proud Boy chapters or expel members. Now, members say, the chapters are largely independent of each other and ban communications with the media. Most members who spoke to Reuters for this report did so on condition of anonymity. The group’s resilience has surprised some extremism experts. “The amazing thing is that so many people from the Proud Boys can be in jail and yet you have these active chapters,” said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the nonprofit Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. “Traditionally when the head of a neo-Nazi or white supremacist group goes to jail or dies, the organization will collapse, but that does not seem to be happening with the Proud Boys.”

[...]

During the Trump administration, the Proud Boys engaged in large-scale street brawls with antifa – antifascists – and other leftist groups across the country, typically by taunting demonstrators to instigate a fight. They adopted the slogan “Fuck Around And Find Out,” and emblazoned the letters “FAFO” on hats and t-shirts. Some historians compare the Proud Boys to fascist European militias of the 1920s and 1930s such as the Brownshirts, a Nazi paramilitary group that helped bring Hitler to power in Germany. Proud Boys say they’re nothing like the Brownshirts and bear no resemblance to fascists. But street violence and extreme nationalism are features of both groups. In the weeks before the Capitol riots, some wore a patch inscribed with “RWDS,” short for “Right Wing Death Squad,” a term used to describe Central and South American paramilitaries who supported right-wing governments and dictatorships. [...]

After Trump left the White House, the Proud Boys turned to America’s culture wars. They clashed with supporters of abortion rights and vaccine mandates, and harassed organizers of Drag Queen Story Hours, where female impersonators read at libraries or bookstores to children. Fights often ensued. Since the 2021 Capitol attack, Reuters identified 29 incidents of political violence involving the Proud Boys, almost all of them centered around social issues. All but one of the eight cases in 2023 involved clashes between Proud Boys and left-wing activists at demonstrations supporting LGBTQ+ rights. The tally was based largely on news reports and court records of fights, assaults and other physical confrontations. This year, the Proud Boys have returned to politics. In the first three months of 2024, there have been far fewer Proud Boys public events than in the same period last year. But half of them have been pro-Trump and the rest have been political in nature, related to guns or immigration, said Kieran Doyle of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit that monitors political violence.

On April 24, Proud Boys founder McInnes appeared at Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian protests. He told Reuters that the Proud Boys were not getting involved in the anti-Israel unrest, saying he was there to “ridicule” liberals by pretending to be a left-wing journalist. It didn’t work, he said, because people saw him and posted alerts on social media. “They recognized me and were scared.” There’s no authoritative count of Proud Boy members. McInnes claims there are about 5,000, down from 8,000 during Trump’s presidency but up from lows after the Capitol riot arrests. Official estimates of the Proud Boys’ strength vary widely, from 300 to 3,000 members, said a law enforcement source who has monitored the group. Reuters could not independently corroborate its numbers. Some former Proud Boys have abandoned the group for other, more overtly racist and violent groups, including the neo-Nazi Blood Tribe and the underground “Active Club” scene, a white supremacist male movement, one Proud Boy told Reuters.

Reuters has an informative article about far-right domestic terrorist group Proud Boys is rebuilding to rally behind convicted felon Donald Trump.

After the January 6th Insurrection, the group turned towards right-wing culture war items to launch protests, such as COVID mitigation measures (esp. vaccine mandates), drag story hours, and abortion access.

Read the full article at Reuters.

[columbusfirefighterdiaz]

The New Guy

Eddie Diaz wasn't nervous as he walked into the firehouse for his first shift as a probationary firefighter for the city of Columbus. Through the birth of his son and two tours, he always kept his cool and was the rock that everyone anchored themselves on. Eddie Diaz was also a liar because just as he was during the birth and those two tours, he was nervous as hell. However, during all these moments, his father's voice rang clear in his head telling him that even if he was nervous, a real man sucks it up and doesn't show anyone what they are truly feeling.

Despite the nerves, Eddie was also excited that he was finally going to be able to put his extensive training to work and relief for having a good excuse for being out of the house for 24 hours. While he was sad to miss a whole day with his son, Christopher, Eddie was happy to have a reprieve from having to be in the same house of his claim. Shannon has been unhappy for a while, she makes sure to tell him just how much every chance she gets, but it's not like Eddie has been happy either.

He and Shannon had met in high school and after she became pregnant, they rushed into a claim, and it's been downhill ever since then. That's one reason why Eddie decided to enlist the first time around. They had tried everything they could to salvage their relationship and claim, which hadn't worked so far, so Eddie decided to see if he could at least create some fondness with absence. That choice backfired on him once his son was diagnosed when he was almost 8,000 miles away. Eddie then made another questionable decision and re-enlisted for another tour. He told himself he was doing it for noble and financial reasons, but he could at least admit to himself that he was just trying to distance himself from his many problems.

When he returned from his second tour, there were no happy homecomings, at least where Shannon was concerned. Eddie was at least able to finally build a relationship with Christopher, but it seemed to be at the expense of his already strained relationship with Shannon. When Shannon's mother was diagnosed with cancer, Eddie decided to uproot his family and move to Columbus so that they could be closer to Shannon's mother. Once they settled into their new home, Eddie needed to figure out what his next career would be when fate decided to make the choice for him. While he was out job hunting one day, he witnessed a serious car accident and started to do some any triage that he could. When the firefighters arrived, they complimented him on his skills and jokingly asked if he wanted a job. After looking into it a bit more, Eddie thought it was pretty much a perfect fit for him, so he enrolled in the Columbus Fire Training Academy.

When he was trying to decide which fire house to join after graduation, it only took one meeting with Bobby to know that the 118 was where he was meant to be. He could only hope that the other members of the fire house felt the same way. Once he changed into his work clothes, which he did find weird that the locker room was surrounded by glass walls, Eddie knew it was time to meet the other members of his new team.

@cfdbuckley

[krispyweiss]

Old Crow Medicine Show at KEMBA Live!, Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 25, 2024

Old Crow Medicine Show ain’t sellin’ no snake oil. No, Sir and Ma’am. Their music is a proven elixir for all that ails at the end of a long day.

And the septet has no problem transforming a bluegrass-country show in to an arena-rock extravaganza, making Ketch Secor’s greeting of: “Let’s get ready to rock ‘n’ roll” entirely plausible despite denim, cowboy hats and mostly acoustic instrumentation.

For just as the balmy, rainy Jan. 25 weather made the Columbus, Ohio winter feel like spring, the Medicine men proceeded to make the rural rock - hard - on the show-opening “Tell it to Me,” delivered as it was with the exuberance of a final encore as the band members danced around the stage like youngsters overdosing on caffeine. That the music inside KEMBA Live! was as tight as the players were loose is just another part of Old Crow’s irresistible appeal, even as cheesy faux-preacher asides and incessant references to Ohio and its Buckeyes college football team grew tiresome over the course of the two-hour gig in front of a respectable-for-a-Thursday-night-sized audience.

The engine-revving continued on the aptly titled “Alabama High-Test” and - despite the occasional balladic breather - across the set that chronicled OCMS’ sonic evolution from the 2004 Bob Dylan leftover-cum-huge-hit “Wagon Wheel” to the social commentary of 2023’s “Louder than Guns.”

And by the time the rambunctious, early-set “Carry Me Back” screeched to a dime-stop close, the audience was crackling with as much electricity as the band. The glorious transfer of energy from stage to floor and back continued all evening, whether the band members were arrayed at their individual mics singing two- to seven-part harmonies or lined up at the lip of the stage tossing harmonicas and guitar picks in to the audience.

This was one of the first Old Crow gigs of 2024. And while the band is looking forward to what’s about to unfold, the players spent a portion of the show arrayed around a single mic and looking back at the musicians lost in 2023 with a medley that included Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” CSN’s “Teach Your Children,” Gordon Lightfoot’s “Early Morning Rain” and Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville.”

Performing in front of a circus-tent backdrop emblazoned with their name, Old Crow Medicine Show traded instruments and swapped lead-vocal duties, making themselves sound like a different band on various songs. Working as one, the seven Medicine men, Secor (fiddle, keys, harmonica, guitar, banjo, ukelele); Cory Younts (mandolin, melodica, banjo, keys, harmonica); acoustic and electric bassist Morgan Jahnig; PJ George (banjo, accordion, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, drums); Mike Harris (guitar, mandolin, banjo, Dobro); Dante’ Pope (drums, percussion, keys); and Mason Via on guitar, guitjo and mandolin - transformed CCR’s “Proud Mary” into a hybrid soul-grass revue with dueling fiddles; presented “Tequila” as a drunken barn dance with a guest spot from the sax player of Bird and Byron, whose homecoming opening set served to help the neo-soul group develop before a large audience; and unrolled C.C. Rider as a piano-driven blues as Pope took the keys and mic while George held steady at the kit.

Shades of the big-“B” Band. But this small-“b” band of brothers, is, despite lots of covers - including an angry rendition of “Ohio” and its celebratory antithesis “Hang on Sloopy” with Ohio- and Old Crow-specific lyrics added - its own singular thing. This is what makes an OCMS show one of the only places on Earth a concertgoer can find himself in the 1950s singing to “Great Balls of Fire;” straddling the distant and recent past while dancing down the middle of “Dixie Avenue” and lustily cheering Secor’s taunting of Ohio’s fearmongering Statehouse.

“Trans kids can dance here, too.” he declared.

No snake oil here. Just the healing and the facts, Ma’am and Sir.

Grade card: Old Crow Medicine Show at KEMBA Live! - 1/25/24 - A-

See more photos on Sound Bites’ Facebook page.

1/26/24

[weneverlearn]

I was a big fan of Richard Lewis back to his stand-up days. Around when his stand-up career was kicking in, people used to say I talked like him; and I had something like a mullet for a minute there. He was Grand Marshall for a Homecoming Day parade in Columbus, OH, in 1995. He was an OSU grad, as I'd been a couple years earlier. He did a stand-up performance at the Newport right after that was hilarious, and when he was done, he walked straight off the stage into a limo. Glad he got that third act on the great Curb Your Enthusiasm.

R.I.P. to one of the greats!

Richard Lewis and Larry David at the Playboy Club.

[mvdbutler]

AEW SHOWS OF 2024

BEST 29-APRIL 3, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Collision: Worcester APRIL 5, 2024 ROH Supercard of Honor 2024 28-AEW/ROH MAY DYNAMITE CITY MAY 1, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Winnipeg 27-NOVEMBER 13, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Bridgeport NOVEMBER 14, 2024 AEW Collision: Albany 26-JANUARY 3, 2024 AEW OPENING WEEK Dynamite Rampage Newark JANUARY 6, 2024 AEW Collision: Charlotte 25-AEW/ROH WINTER WAR 2024 FEBRUARY 7, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Phoenix FEBRUARY 10, 2024 AEW Collision: Henderson 24-MARCH 20, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Toronto 23-JULY 10, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Collision: Calgary 22-AEW/ROH EASTER SHOOTOUT MARCH 27, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Quebec City MARCH 30, 2024 AEW Collision: London,ONT 21-AEW/ROH DYNAMITE/RAMPAGE/COLLISION JACKSONVILLE APRIL 24 APRIL 26 APRIL 27 20-OCTOBER 2, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Pittsburgh OCTOBER 3, 2024 AEW Collision: Toledo 19-AEW/ROH Beach Break JULY 3, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Chicago JULY 6, 2024 AEW Collision/Rampage: Southaven 18-MAY 29, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage Los Angeles MAY 30, 2024 AEW Collision: Palm Springs 17-JANUARY 10, 2024 HOMECOMING AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Jacksonville JANUARY 13, 2024 AEW Collision: Norfolk BATTLE OF THE BELTS IX 16-AEW/ROH GREAT JULY BASH JULY 17, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Little Rock JULY 20, 2024 AEW Collision: Arlington 15-AEW/ROH OCTOBER CHAOS OCTOBER 16, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: San Jose OCTOBER 17, 2024 AEW Collision: Stockton/BOTB XII: 14-APRIL 17, 2024 AEW Dynamite: Indianapolis APRIL 20, 2024 AEW Collision/Rampage: Peoria AEW Dynasty ST.LOUIS April 21 13-OCTOBER 30, 2024 AEW FRIGHT NIGHT Dynamite/Rampage: Cleveland NOVEMBER 2, 2024 AEW Collision: Philadelphia 12-NOVEMBER 20, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Reading NOVEMBER 23, 2024 AEW: Full Gear 2024 11-DECEMBER 22, 2024 AEW Dynamite: New York DECEMBER 28, 2024 AEW: Worlds End 10-July 24th 2024 AEW/ROH BLOOD AND GUTS/RAMPAGE JULY 26, 2024 ROH Death Before Dishonor JULY 27, 2024 AEW Collision: Arlington BATTLE OF THE BELTS XI 9-AEW/ROH BIGTIMEMANIA XXXI AUGUST 7, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Winston-Salem AUGUST 10, 2024 AEW Collision: Arlington 8-AEW/ROH BLACK NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 27, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Collision: Chicago 7-MAY 22, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Bakersfield MAY 25, 2024 AEW Collision: Las Vegas MAY 26, 2024 AEW: Double or Nothing 2024 6-SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 AEW Dynamite: Milwaukee SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 AEW Collision/Rampage: Chicago SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 AEW: All Out 2024 5-MARCH 13, 2024 AEW Big Business Boston, MA 4-OCTOBER 8, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Spokane OCTOBER 12, 2024 AEW: WrestleDream 2024 3-FEBRUARY 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Collision: Huntsville MARCH 3, 2024 AEW Revolution 2024 2-JUNE 26, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Collision: Buffalo AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door June 30, 2024 Elmont, New York UBS Arena

1-AUGUST 21, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Collision: Cardiff AUGUST 25, 2024 AEW All In: London 2024

WORST 12-AEW/ROH SPRINGSLAM APRIL 10, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Charleston APRIL 13, 2024 AEW Collision/BOTB X: Highland Heights 11-NOVEMBER 6, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Manchester NOVEMBER 7, 2024 AEW Collision: Providence 10-JULY 31, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Greenville AUGUST 1, 2024 AEW Collision: Arlington 9-AEW/ROH WINTER IN COMING DECEMBER 11, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Kansas City DECEMBER 12, 2024 AEW Collision: St. Louis 8-SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 AEW Grand Slam: Dynamite & Collision 7-AEW/ROH BEATDOWN DAY 2024 SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Lexington SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 AEW Collision: Dayton 6-OCTOBER 23, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Salt Lake City OCTOBER 26, 2024 AEW Collision: Cedar Rapids 5-JANUARY 17, 2024 AEW/ROH 1ST BIG BATTLE OF 2024 Dynamite/Rampage: North Charleston JANUARY 20, 2024 AEW Collision: St. Louis 4-AEW/ROH THE FINAL WAR OF 2024 DECEMBER 4, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Indianapolis DECEMBER 7, 2024 AEW Collision: Columbus 3-AUGUST 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Champaign AUGUST 31, 2024 AEW Collision: Sioux Falls 2-AEW/ROH JUNE POINT BREAK JUNE 12, 2024 AEW Dynamite/Rampage: Des Moines JUNE 15, 2024 AEW Collision: Youngstown 1-DECEMBER 18, 2024 AEW: Dynamite/Rampage: Washington HOLIDAY BASH DECEMBER 20, 2024 ROH: Final Battle 2024 DECEMBER 21, 2024 AEW Collision: New York

[greensparty]

Stuff I'm Looking Forward To in October

Well it is now Fall and the 4th quarter of 2024. In addition to Rosh Hashanah (10/2-10/3), Yom Kippur (10/11-12), Columbus Day (10/14), Indigenous Peoples' Day (10/14), and Halloween (10/31) as well as the Vice Presidential Debate (10/1) here is what's on my radar this month:

Movies:

Daytime Revolution

As a Beatle fanatic I always appreciate it when a documentarian goes for the less obvious part of John Lennon's history, i.e. LennoNYC, The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, John Lennon: Murder Without Trial, and Revival69: The Concert That Rocked The World since Imagine: John Lennon is the single most comprehensive doc about Lennon. So this new doc about Lennon and Yoko Ono taking over for Mike Douglas's TV show in 1972 has my attention. Opening on 10/9 (Lennon's birthday).

Piece by Piece 

Morgan Neville is one of the great documentarians of our time and he's been on a roll recently after last year's Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with Dave Letterman and this year's Steve! (Martin). Now he's back with a Pharrell Williams doc as documented by legos. What an approach! Opens 10/11.

Saturday Night

Jason Reitman, who has made many great films, takes on the very beginning of Saturday Night Live in 1975. I am a lifelong SNL fanatic and I certainly hope this biopic can live up to the bar that is set. Opens 10/11 (the anniversary of SNL's premiere).

Anora

Sean Baker has very quietly become one of the most exciting voices of indie film to emerge in the last decade with his quirky character studies about sex workers. His new one won Palm d'Or at Cannes Film Festival. Opening 10/18.

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Thom Zimny and Bruce Springsteen are becoming one of the great director/subject relationships in film! They've done performance pieces like Western Stars and Springsteen on Broadway as well as making-of fly-on-the-wall docs like Letter to You and original archival footage like The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts. Now Zimny is back with a chronicle of The Boss's 2023-2024 world tour. Premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on 10/25 (review to come).

Don't Move

Nothing like a good old clock-is-ticking-before-you-die horror flick. In addition to producer Sam Raimi, this was co-directed by Adam Schindler. Way back in the 00s I worked as a PA on the HBO specials Dane Cook: Vicious Circle and Justin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveShow, where Adam was one of the assistants. It's very cool to see how far he has come since then. Premieres 10/25 on Netflix.

Music:

The Smile Cutouts

One of the best albums of this year so far is easily Wall of Eyes from The Smile, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood's Radiohead side project with Sons of Kemet’s Tom Skinner. Since that release in January, they have somehow found time to do a whole new album dropping on 10/4 (review to come).

The Linda Lindas No Obligation

I included The Linda Lindas' debut album Growing Up in my Best Albums of 2022. They are on a roll and recently opened for Green Day. New album drops on 10/11.

MC5 Heavy Lifting

MC5 are pretty much the architects of what became punk rock. I love their legendary live album Kick Out the Jams. Earlier this year we lost founding members Wayne Kramer and Dennis Thompson. But the good news is that just as the band is going to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they recorded a studio album (their first since 1971) that is set to be released on 10/18!

The Pixies the Night the Zombies Came

The 9th studio album from The Pixies is coming at an interesting time. Just two years after their excellent album Doggerel (which I named my #4 Album of 2022 it was easily their best album since they reunited in 2004) and a few months since they parted ways with bassist Paz Lenchantin, their bassist since 2014. New bassist Emma Richardson has been touring with the group since the Spring. I for one am really looking forward to this! Album drops 10/25 (review to come).

Events:

Collectibles Extravaganza

The team that run the Northeast Comic Con are back with their Collectibles Extravaganza. I had fun at the 1-day event they did in July. This one is in Boxborough, MA on 10/5-6.

Film Festivals:

IFFBoston Fall Focus

My favorite film festival is Independent Film Festival Boston, which takes place in the Spring. IFFBoston’s mini-fest Fall Focus happens in the Fall to showcase some of the Fall festival darlings before they get released during end of the year Awards Season. This year's Fall Focus is 10/31-11/3 at the Brattle (Harvard Square, Cambridge).

[thegaytraveler]

Pride Journey: Columbus, Ohio

By Joey Amato, Guest Contributor

Columbus, Ohio, a city known for its friendly and diverse atmosphere, has emerged as a thriving hub for LGBTQ culture in the Midwest. This vibrant community has grown exponentially in recent years, drawing people from all walks of life to experience its inclusivity, acceptance, and celebration of diversity. In this article, we delve into the rich LGBTQ culture in Columbus, exploring its history, events, organizations, and the city's ongoing efforts to create a welcoming environment for all.

Columbus has a long history of supporting LGBTQ rights and fostering an accepting environment. The city's Pride Parade, established in 1981, is one of the oldest in the Midwest. This annual event brings together thousands of LGBTQ individuals, allies, and supporters to celebrate and advocate for equal rights, visibility, and social acceptance.

Additionally, Columbus has a thriving LGBTQ neighborhood, known as the Short North. This eclectic and artsy area is home to numerous LGBTQ-friendly bars, restaurants, galleries, and shops. The Short North is not only a place to socialize and enjoy nightlife, but also a symbol of the city's commitment to LGBTQ inclusion and representation. From popular bars like Union Cafe and Axis Nightclub to LGBTQ-owned cafes and art galleries, this neighborhood offers a safe environment for community members to express themselves authentically. The Columbus LGBTQ Community Center, known as "The Center on High," is a vital resource for the community. It serves as a gathering place for meetings, support groups, educational workshops, and social events, fostering connections and a sense of belonging.

Although the Short North is definitely the city’s most vibrant area, I urge you to check out the Franklinton neighborhood, just a short drive away. The area is home to new shops, restaurants, the Center of Science and Industry, or COSI for short, as well as The Junto, a new independent lifestyle hotel where I stayed for the weekend.

The Junto serves up a very trendy but comfortable vibe in a part of Columbus that is quickly emerging as one of the most sought-after addresses in the city. Aside from the hotel, new apartments and condos are popping up throughout the neighborhood.

The rooms at the hotel feature luxury linens, a separate living room space as well as a super-sized bathroom with a soaking tub in the shower area. Yes, you read that correctly. It was a massive space large enough to fit about a dozen people.

One of the highlights of the hotel is Maudine’s, a lovely café named after a cow. Maudine wasn’t just any cow. She was named Ohio State Homecoming Queen back in 1926. Maudine’s makes its own syrups for their beverages, and you can clearly taste the difference. I ordered a vanilla latte, and it was probably one of the best I’ve ever had. You can clearly taste the difference between Maudine’s version verse the chain store version.

Another highlight of the pet-friendly property is the Gear Garage where guests can rent anything from bikes or kayaks to vintage Polaroid cameras.

After checking into the hotel, my boyfriend and I decided to explore the Franklinton neighborhood. A short walk away is The Bee Collective. The owner Luke was gracious enough to give us a tour of the property and show us the inner workings of the extensive hives, some of which contain thousands of bees. We even got a chance to taste some local honey, which beats out the store-bought variety any day.

A few blocks away from The Bee Collective is Makers Social, a gathering space where visitors can create a variety of leather products all while indulging in delicious cocktails, or in our case, mocktails. I made a beautiful leather-bound journal while my guest decided to create a wallet. And don’t worry, all of the projects come with detailed instructions and the friendly staff will also be more than happy to assist if you get stuck. The business was founded by Megan Pando in 2020 and serves as one of the key gathering spaces for the Franklinton community.

Next, check out a new fashion district called Common Thread, located in downtown Columbus, home to local designers and boutiques including Gerardo Encinas, Xantha, and Alex Vinash.

For dinner, head to Speck, a modern Italian eatery located downtown. We decided to start with an order of the Blistered Shishitos, which were served with parmesan, malden sea salt, and a lemon aioli as well as the Mussels special prepared in a delicious white wine broth. For our entrée, we shared the Fungi pasta, which consisted of a variety of sauteed mushrooms served over pasta in a delicate cream sauce.

Every time I visit Columbus, I have a good time, but if you happen to visit in June, check out the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and Parade. Held every June, in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots of 1969, this festival showcases the vibrancy, resilience, and unity of the LGBTQ community. Participants enjoy live performances, food vendors, workshops, and a powerful parade that brings together people from all backgrounds to march for equality and justice.

Numerous organizations in Columbus are dedicated to providing support, resources, and advocacy for LGBTQ individuals. Among these, Stonewall Columbus is a prominent nonprofit that offers a wide range of services, including support groups, counseling, health services, and youth programs. The Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO) is another crucial organization working to combat violence against LGBTQ individuals and provide assistance to survivors.

As Columbus continues to evolve and champion LGBTQ rights, it serves as a reminder to other communities around the world that embracing diversity is not only the right thing to do but also a catalyst for creating a richer, more harmonious society for all.

[huntikfan1017]

Unioto Sherman Tanks - 2023-2024 Arena Ballgames Season Schedule

Ross County – Chillicothe OH OHSAA Division II , Region 8 – * Frontier Atheltic Conf. Aug 26 – H- Oxford Talawanda (II-8) 3:30pm Sept 2 – H – Waverly * (III-11) 8:00pm Sept 9 – A – @ Columbus Bishop Ready (II-7) 4:05pm Sept 16 – A – @ Greenfield McClain * (III-12) 12:00pm Sept 22 – H – Jackson * (II-7) 7:00pm Sept 30 – H – Washington CH * (I-3) (Homecoming) 12:00pm Oct 7 – A – @…

[gussiemiller]

Columbus! It’s about to be on at @nataliesgrandview get your tickets for my show presented by @wcbe905fm for Sunday March 26th at 7:30 PM! (Link in bio) featuring @reggied7drums @_daveonbass @dennisjhodges @stevenwillismusic and special guest @aajmusic ! Derp grooves and soaring vocals are guaranteed! #pop #jazz #neosoul #nataliesgrandview #livemusic #liverecording #columbusohio #homecoming (at Natalie's - Grandview) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqGW4yEPY5y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[s-o-n-de-r]

Crown The Empire

05.31.22 | Marquee Theater | Tempe, AZ

Written and photographed by Brian Andersen

If you’re anything like me, there’s a part of you that’s about a decade old that will thank you for checking out this tour. Crown the Empire, accompanied by Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, The Word Alive, and Until I Wake, kicked off the 10 year anniversary tour of The Fallout in Albuquerque at the end of May and stopped at Marquee Theater in Tempe, AZ on the 31st. From start to finish Marquee was packed with energy, nostalgia, and anticipation. The crowd was electric. There were multiple walls of death-s? and a circle pit that extended past the sound booth. The crowd was here for it just as much as the artists that have been there for them since their not-a-phase.

It’s okay if you haven’t heard of Until I Wake until now. This relatively new four piece metalcore band from New York made their debut in 2020. There’s been a lot going on since then. But now that you know, you know. They have a really cool sound that will make a welcomed addition to any playlist featuring the other artists on this tour. They set the tone for the rest of the show and ensured the crowd was well warmed up for homecoming band, The Word Alive. This band from Phoenix is clearly not only at home in this city, but on stage as well. Performing fan favorites like Why Am I Like This? and Trapped, they did not leave fans disappointed. None of these bands did, as a matter of fact. The Word Alive frontman, Tyler Smith couldn’t get enough of the crowd and even made an appearance during the DRUGS set. The last time I saw DRUGS perform live was at Warped Tour 2011, just after their only studio album dropped. The band’s lineup has changed since then, but that didn’t stop those 11 year old songs from resonating. Though they have only one album, they’ve been recently releasing singles. Despite the crowd’s seeming unfamiliarity with their recent work, they surprised singer Craig Owens when he was teaching the crowd participation part of Outcasts vs Everyone. “Wow, that was actually on key! It’s okay to sing out of key if you guys sing a little louder,” he exclaimed. The crowd definitely sang louder. The audience and the bands were in their element.

Then the stage was cleared. With each band’s exit, a little bit more of the stage opened up. Until the curtains obscuring the props were pulled. A new image in back replaced the last under cover of shadow, but not so discreet as to not build hype from the crowd. A familiar, warm colored image with a silhouetted couple in embrace framed by the remains of a collapsed city recalled memories a decade old. “And in a flash came the flood” of energy as the band entered and the lights cut on. Smoke created an atmosphere. The band set the tone and the speakers commanded the crowd to move. Crown the Empire has always had a theatrical flair about them which aids the story telling of their songs. It also allows for a lot of really cool moments on stage. Lead vocalist, Andrew Rockhold, possessed the crowd as only a thespian could. These dudes wear showmanship like it was woven into their clothing. But more than theatrics, a great show is marked by how much fun the artists are having on stage. This was, in fact, a great show. This may have been aided by the local cannabis legislation. Naturally, they played plenty of classic tracks from The Fallout, but there were also some surprises in there for fans who have kept in touch throughout the years. Like I said. 10 years ago you will thank you for catching this tour.

You can buy tickets here and check out remaining dates below.

United States:

06.17 // Elevation @ The Intersection // Grand Rapids, MI

06.18 // The King of Clubs // Columbus, OH

06.20 // Mr Small’s Theater // Millvale, PA

06.21 // The Opera House // Toronto, ON, Canada

06.22 // Gramercy Theater // New York, NY

06.24 // Reverb // Reading, PA

06.25 // Paradise Rock Club // Boston, MA

06.26 // Baltimore Soundstage // Baltimore, MD

06.28 // The Masquerade // Atlanta, GA

06.29 // The Orpheum // Tampa, FL

07.01 // White Oak Music Hall // Houston, TX

07.02 // South Side Music Hall // Dallas, TX

07.03 // Vibes Event Center // San Antonio, TX

---

Like this? Sonder is an independent music, travel and photography publication at sonderlife.com. Give us a follow here or at our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook if you like this!

[amysbooketlist]

Qotd: what catches your eye in antique shops? Last thing you bough that was old but new to you? . Books! I bought an English anthology published in 1793. It my precious. . Sometimes treasure can be found where you least expect it. In the decade since high school graduation, Christine Sawyer has realized her dream of opening Treasure Hunting Antique Mall, the place where shoppers find gems that are new to them. Between her store, her house, and her role as a doting aunt, she’s happy with her life–if a bit lonely. But she’s used to being less lucky in love than her fraternal twin sister. Britney was always the popular one, the head cheerleader who dated the homecoming king and quarterback, while Christine stayed in the shadows. Brent Nicholson is still trying to come to grips with the shambles his life has become. After leading his football team to a state championship, he suffered a career-ending injury. Now he’s lost his construction business thanks to his so-called best friend. So when his great-aunt Midge asks for his help readying her home to put it on the market, the opportunity to spend time with his biggest fan is a balm to his bruised soul. But the antiques Brent finds in his aunt’s house lead him to an unexpected partnership with Christine. After being blind to her for so many years, is it too late for the former high school jock to win the heart of the self-proclaimed “nerdy twin”? As they shift through items of the past, Christine and Brent learn to let go of the pieces they don’t want to bring into the future–and realize the value of what’s in front of them today. “Hometown charm and swoon-worthy second chances make this a must read.” –Kristen Mckanagh, author of Snowball’s Christmas . #prelovedbooks #bookstafeatures #bookclubsofinstagram #instabookstagram #bookishgirl #bookreviewer #bookobsessed #ilovereading #booksofinstagram #booknerdigans #bookishaesthetic #booksarelove #bookpicture #cozyreads #bookbuying #booksandcandles #readingtime #readingoutside #booksandwince #booksandtravel #booksandcoffee #booksaremylife #bookslovers #booksy #booksandtea #bookstagrammer #morebooks #SomethingOldSomethingNew #sweetromance #Christianfiction (at Columbus, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnCoAU1rPM2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[morgansyorkie]

Everyone seriously loves Killa Cam 🥺

[capitolcitysound-blog]

Organizing an event comes with many responsibilities as planning for food, decoration, theme, and entertainment. Amusement is the crucial aspect to ensure the party livelier and entertain guest. When you planning for the Graduation Party Columbus, hire reliable Djs services is the best alternative to add fun in your event. In order to make the event memorable, a  professional Disc Jockey is needed that make sure that all the guests enjoying themselves thoroughly.

[alihalee-blog]

be my peace, baby🌈💙

[bozzny]

To look for what is beautiful is its own reward. A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for? (The Lost City of Z, 2017)

The Top 10 Films of 2017: Get Out, A Ghost Story, Call Me By Your Name, Columbus, The Lost City of Z, The Beguiled, Personal Shopper, Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Florida Project, Lady Bird

[no-one-fuck-a-man]

Berry Blues

Season Two

Part Two - (Britney/Brittany) There's Drugs. And There's Whatever The Hell That Is

Quinn Fabray x Reader

Summary: It was only the second week of the new year, and you were already scarred by your sister, disgruntled by your teacher, sick to your stomach, and confused by the head cheerleader... this truly bode well for the school year.

Word Count: 6,982

WARNINGS: Shitty teacher, bad reaction to medication, some feelings.

(A/N): A week late. Sorry about that. Life threw me a curve ball and brought some shit. But we’re here now!

-----

'Christopher Cross'

"All right!" Mr Schue spun on his heel after writing the name down on the board, facing the club. "Who can tell me who Christopher Cross is?"

'Someone who I don't want to know anything about?'

"He discovered America," Brittany said assuredly. With Finn nodding along with a dopey smile.

"That's Columbus, honey."

"Close. He did write an iconic chart-topper, 'Sailing'."

"And this was when?" you asked.

"I have a bad feeling about this lesson," Kurt spoke beside you, leaning closer to Mercedes.

"Never heard of him. Don't wanna hear about him," Tina was next to voice her disdain.

"Now. Some people think of the term "easy listening" as a bad thing, but I'm gonna let this music speak for itself." He nodded, pointing to the sheet music in his hand. "You guys love Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones, and you guys are really good about putting it all out there. But really good music can also be controlled and restrained."

"Are you trying to tell us what you're into, Mr Schue?" you asked, voice taking on a mock cautious tone, "Because I think that's a case waiting to happen."

He ignored you.

"It doesn't have to attack the audience. It can let them come to you." He finished by handing Quinn her sheet music personally.

"How can you get caught between the moon and New York City?" Finn asked, "They're like a hundred miles apart."

"Try almost two-hundred and forty thousand miles away," you corrected before turning to your teacher, "And dude, my grandpa listens to this song. He used to play it on repeat when he would take me and Rach out for ice cream."

"So, you'll know it then."

"Mr Schue, if I may?" Kurt raised his hand. "I think I speak for all of us when I say that it's not that we don't love the idea of spending a week on this silky-smooth adult contemporary. It's just that, as teens, this isn't the easiest music for us to relate to. However, there is a burgeoning Facebook campaign that has swelled to over five members. The ardent demand? That this week, at the fall homecoming assembly, the McKinley High School Glee Club perform a number by, wait for it, Ms Britney Spears."

Gasps sounded once Kurt had finished talking. Excitement buzzed throughout the room at the suggestion.

"Free Britney!" you said, arms shooting up into the air, fists clenched.

Artie waved his hand. "Yo, Spears is fierce, yo."

"Sorry. Kurt," Mr Schuester interrupted the chatter flowing around the room from the excited teens, "Kurt. Sorry. No. No." He shook his head vehemently.

"Uh, Mr Schue," you input before the man could finish, "People in this school actually want to hear us perform something. Maybe if we do this, people may start liking us more, and we may even get some new members. I mean, wasn't that what the entirety of last week was about?"

Rachel looked awkward and guilty when you finished your sentence, but everyone ignored it.

"I-I just don't think she's a very good role model."

"And neither are most of the adults in this school. What's your point?"

"Yeah, Mr Schue, we kind of grew up with her," your sister added.

"You try being in the media since you were a kid and not be messed up by that."

"She's literally why I wanted to become a performer," Tina said, defending one of her icons.

"I don't want to do Britney," Brittany spoke up, looking discouraged.

"Why no Britney, Brittany?"

"Because my name is also Britney Spears."

In one fluid motion, everyone turned to face the girl. Curious as to what she meant.

"What?" you and your teacher asked at the same time. Mercedes soon followed.

"What the hell is she talking about?"

"My middle name is Susan. My last name is Pierce. That makes me Brittany S. Pierce. Brittany "Spierce"," the ditzy blonde explained.

"Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me," you whispered to yourself, lowering your forehead into your hand, shaking it lightly. All the while, the team's eyes dulled with what the girl was saying, not believing what they were hearing.

"I've lived my entire life in Britney Spears' shadow. I will never be as talented or as famous. I hope you'll all respect that I want Glee Club to remain a place where I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears."

"Well, there you have it, guys."

"By 'it', do you mean 'destroyed brain cells."

"Shut up!" Santana called over.

"It's been decided. No Britney. Sorry."

"Thanks, Britt. Thanks a lot," Kurt said sarcastically.

"Leave Brittany alone."

"Gay," you muttered when Santana reached over to rub the girl's back in comfort. Jumped to her defence, once again.

"Thank you for understanding. It's been a hard road."

"Um, can we move on?" your sister asked, raising her hand.

"Yes." Mr Schuester jumped at the chance. "Let's talk about Michael Bolton."

"The Christmas guy?"

"That's Michael Bublé," Tina corrected you.

"How did my gay ass forget that?"

---

"I'm gay."

Was the first thing you said when the dentist Mr Schue had brought in to talk to the club entered the choir room.

"I'm gay."

You repeated when he introduced himself as 'Carl', Miss Pillsbury's Boyfriend.

"Am I gay?!"

Scared now by the attractive man standing at the front of the class, you glanced to your left, spotting Tina. Looking the girl up and down, you confirmed what you already knew with a nod.

"I'm gay."

Mike swiftly threw his arm over his girlfriend's shoulders after you had so obviously checked her out, pulling her into his side as he peered at you with a soft glare.

"I'm gonna steal your girlfriend, Mike," you teased your friend.

"All right. Here's the deal." Carl brought the attention back to him, showing a pill between his fingers to the class. "You chew this little capsule. And if there's any plaque you missed, the dye will stick to it and turn your teeth blue."

While the man was talking, you caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye. Causing your brows to furrow and a spike of jealousy to flair within you.

Quinn, -just like you had Tina- checked the man out from head to toe and back again. Only much slower, with a dreamy smile splattered across her face.

Now that you took the second to fully look at them, more than half of your team were looking at him the same way.

"Can I just say that you are the hottest dentist I've ever seen?" Santana informed, raising her hand.

"Yeah, I get that all the time."

"No. Like, seriously, you can totally drill me whenever-"

You burst out laughing at her innuendo joke as Miss Pillsbury clapped her hands and spoke up to stop the girl.

"Santana! Okay. Let's stay focused."

Carl brushed it off, "It's all rock'n'roll, Ems. And besides, this guy-" He pointed towards your Spanish teacher, soon making his way over to his side. "Now, this guy's pretty easy on the eyes too, huh?"

"Well..." you remarked, disbelieving what the dentist said, "He never made me question my sexuality. Even if it was for only a second."

"And you know what? No matter how hard I tried, I bet I couldn't sing and dance like him."

"Ah, probably not."

"All right. Let's take a look at those chompers, huh?" Carl said, throwing you a capsule of your own, as he made his way back to hand out the rest.

Almost timidly, Kurt raised his hand into the air. "Before we chew, I would just like to alert Mr Schue that there's been a new addition to the Britney Spears Facebook campaign."

"Sorry. The answer's still no," the teacher said, not sounding sorry in the least bit, if anything, he was annoyed by the boy's information as Miss Pillsbury looked at him, disapproving of his answer. "Capsules, guys."

"Yes, chew away." The guidance counsellor clapped. "Chew, chew."

The capsule did not taste the best. But call you Thomas, because you still chewed along with your friends.

"Do you swallow it?" you asked.

"Oh, well, you can, but-"

"Good, because I already have."

"-You don't... have to..." Carl finished slowly.

Everyone showed off their -still- pearly whites.

"How's mine looking?" you asked, leaning over the gap between your and Tina's chairs.

"Good," the girl notified. Mike, nodding along, behind her, eyes on your teeth, "Little blue around the edges, though."

"Yeah, I slept in this morning. Kinda had to rush everything."

"Is that why you're wearing dad's shirt?"

"I'm what-?" You looked down to find that you were, in fact, wearing your dad's T-shirt. About to say something more when you were stopped by Finn's outcry.

"Oh, my God," Kurt uttered, looking over his shoulder.

Rachel's smile fell just as you turned to face her. Spotting her luminous blue teeth.

"Holy hell!"

"What?" she asked, hastily digging around in her bag for her compact mirror to evaluate her teeth for herself. "Ah!" She covered her mouth with her hand to hide the blue. "I don't understand! I floss between classes."

"That's insane."

"Well, sometimes it's genetics," Carl said.

This confused Puck, who uttered, "Wait... so, if that's the case, why aren't your teeth blue?"

"I don't know how many times I've gotta tell everybody I'm adopted," you snarked, "I've already told you three times, Puck."

"I think I might be better at brushing and flossing if I could see myself in the mirror," Artie said, bringing the attention to his own blue teeth.

"Then move the mirror down," you suggested, "Or get another mirror."

Santana then spoke up to tease the boy, "There you go, blue tooth."

"I don't brush my teeth," Brittany said, "I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist."

You felt sick.

"Haven't you kissed Brittany?" Tina asked, turning to you.

That's exactly why you felt sick.

"Please don't remind me of that right now."

"I got this, em," Carl said, calming his girlfriend, moving to give Brittany's teeth a closer look. "With some deep bleaching little scaling, you'll be as good as new. All right, open up." The man grew disgusted himself. Waving for the girl to lower her lips. "No. No. Close. Close again."

"You should probably go too, Y/N," your sister said, referencing the man's dental practice.

You were slightly insulted, to say the least, "What? Why?"

"You haven't been in four years," she pointed out.

"It smells too clean!"

---

Brittany left school early for an emergency dental appointment with Carl once the club had finished the meeting.

Which left you to walk along with your sister and best friend, considering you and Finn had Spanish together next.

"Are you all right?" Rachel asked her boyfriend, "You seem a little down. Didn't you like the banana bread I baked you?"

"Yeah. It was awesome." He smiled.

"Wait, hold up. He gets banana bread? Why don't you make me anything?!"

"You're not my boyfriend."

"No. But I'm your sibling." She playfully rolled her eyes at you, and you looked over her short head. "But she's right. You okay, bro?"

"It's just- How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?" Finn asked her, and you nodded solemnly, knowing what this was about.

"I'm actually kind of happy about it. Then I don't have to fantasize about what song I'd sing at your bedside if you were in a coma."

The boy gestured his head to the side. "Yeah."

You snorted lightly at him.

"But I'm just so not cool now, you know?"

"Well, it's just less of a chance of you running off with some cheerleader."

Your eyes widened at your sister's petty words. Obviously, she was still sore about the whole thing with Finn, Santana, and Brittany last year.

"Wait. So, you want me to feel bad about myself?"

"No. I just... I want to be the only thing that makes you feel good."

"That's psychotic," you said as she moved to lean her back against the lockers beside Finn's.

Rachel shrugged softly. "I'm just trying to be honest."

"Hey, dwarf," Santana's voice sounded, pulling her attention to the Latina walking down the hall with Brittany -back in school- by her side, "Anyone ever tell you you dress like one of the bait girls on 'To Catch a Predator'?"

"Also, I'm more talented than you," Brittany added.

Now, you love your sister, and you would have defended her.

However, you were too busy laughing to really do anything.

"You could have defended me," Rachel said after Finn's chuckle.

"Well, Santana has a point." He shut his locker with a clang. "Just trying to be honest."

Following Finn to class, you turned to walk backwards so you could still talk to the brunette.

"You're my sister, and you know I love you. But." You shrugged. "They're right. You can like how you dress. That doesn't make it any less true."

"Can you believe her?" Finn asked as soon as you caught up with him.

"I know, dude. Trust me." I've known her basically my whole life. Except for those peaceful four months before she was born."

---

You shoved Finn lightly when he startled awake in the Glee Club lesson the next day.

"-Making Christopher Cross a Golden Globe, Oscar and five-time Grammy Award winner."

With Brittany's raised hand, Mr Schue paused his lesson on the man you would soon forget everything about once you exited the room.

"Brittany?"

"I would just like to say that from now on. I demand to have every solo in Glee Club." Your sister startled at the blonde's words. Whilst you were just amused.

"What?"

"When I had my teeth cleaned, I had the most amazing Britney Spears fantasy. I sang and danced better than her. Now I realize what a powerful woman I truly am."

"I went with her," Santana said, "And I had a Britney fantasy, too. Although, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm not really sure how our fantasies combined. That doesn't make any sense."

"You see, Mr Schue? I told you," Kurt spoke up next, much to the teacher's dismay, "Britney Spears busted our Britt out of her every day, fragmented haze of confusion and gave her the confidence to step up and perform."

"I'm more talented than all of you. I see that clearly now."

You chuckled at the girl's arrogant words in your seat beside Tina.

"It's Brittany... bitch."

"Guy's, we're not doing Britney Spears, and that's that."

"What is it with you and this woman, huh?" you asked, "Why does she grind your gears so much?"

"Mr Schue, you're letting your own personal issues get in the way of something that we are all telling you we really want to do." You moved your hand to point in Kurt's direction while still staring your teacher down. "I mean, this club regularly pays tribute to pop culture, and Britney Spears is. Pop. Culture. To suggest otherwise is heretical-"

"Kurt!" he snapped. "I'm done talking about this."

"Jeez! Let loose a little, would you? Stop being so fricking uptight all the time!"

Along with the rest of the silent club, your eyes were wide, and a smile on your face. Shocked by the usually tame boy's frustration. Knowing that he had just yelled himself into punishment. Even when your teacher was also in the wrong.

"Kurt," Mr Schuester spoke slowly, "I'll see you in the principal's office."

Kurt strode out of the room with everyone watching on.

"So, I'm gonna be the one to say it?" you asked rhetorically, turning to your teacher, "He was right. You gonna send me to the principal, too?"

Before speaking slowly, Mr Schue's jaw ticked, "Back to Christopher Cross."

---

"What are you wearing?" you asked as soon as your sister stepped out of her room, "What the fuck are you wearing?!"

"Language!" LeRoy called throughout the house.

"She's wearing a sexy schoolgirl outfit!" you yelled back.

"She's what?!"

"My eyes! Oh, God, my eyes!" you blinked harshly as if your retinas had just been burned out by the sun, quickly moving to cover them with your palms.

"Would you stop overreacting?"

"Oh, you're one to talk," you snarked back, "God, you look like you're gonna do porn."

What you didn't know was that your father had just walked up behind you, intent on investigating what was going on with his children.

"How would you know that?" LeRoy asked with his hands on his hips.

'Shit'

"Uh... common knowledge?"

---

"What's up with you?" Quinn asked as she came to sit beside you in the choir room as everyone was still filing in.

"I'm traumatized."

And you looked it.

Sat staring straight forward at the shiny floor. Unblinking, with a tight jaw and crossed arms.

"Why are you traumatized?" Mercedes asked next.

Santana groaned. "You didn't catch the Hobbit and Finnosance doing it, did you?"

You shook your head,

No. Thankfully, you did not see that.

And God, you hoped you never would.

And then in walked Rachel.

Only making you let out a painful whine, covering your eyes once again as everyone watched Rachel with wide, shocked eyes and open mouths.

Santana spoke up again once everyone had settled into their seats.

"Well, Rachel, congratulations. Normally you dress like the fantasy of a perverted Japanese businessman with a very dark, specific fetish, but I actually dig this look. Yay." The Latina finished by miming clapping, and you let out yet another of your pained noises.

"Thank you." Your sister smiled brightly.

Tilting your head back, you finally pulled your hands from your eyes, moving to look at the blonde at your right without having to see your sister.

Only to find Quinn with her head tilted to the side, peering at your sister, sitting in the chair just in front of you.

"What are you-?" Realization dawned on you. "Why are you checking out my sister? Stop checking out my sister."

"I wasn't checking her out," she said, no longer looking at Rachel, instead moving to straighten out her Cheerios skirt.

"Oh, really? Because it sure fuckin' looked like what you were doing."

Just then, Kurt slowly began to rise from his seat. "I think, what Santana's trying to say, Rachel, though I risk expulsion by saying so." He juts his palms out for the teacher at the front of the class. "Is that it seems Britney Spears has really helped you blossom." He looked directly at Mr Schue. "That's all."

"Wait. Rachel, is that true?" he asked, "I mean, you are sort of dressing differently."

"Oh, now you care," you said, "As if we didn't already know you had favourites."

Quinn nodded beside you.

Artie, however, ignored your words and decided to comment upon how your sister was dressed, moving his hands as he did.

"Bouncy. Bouncy. Bouncy."

"Hey, hey," Finn stopped him at the same time as you exclaimed.

"Hey! Do that again, and I'll roll you out on the field while the football team's practising. Without pads."

After both your and Finn's scolding, Artie looked down, ashamed of himself.

"All I know is that I had a very vivid Britney Spears fantasy at the dentist, and since then, it's made me feel free to get out of my own way." Rachel shrugged as Brittany nodded, silently telling her that she was welcome. "I think I've just always been afraid to dress like a pretty girl because I've never really felt like one before." You felt a pang of hurt for your sister at that. "Now I realize it's okay to feel that way about yourself every now and then. Maybe it's a good thing."

"It's such a good thing. I can't believe it," Brittany said.

"That's all well and good, but-" You winced. "My eyes."

Quinn rolled her eyes at your antics as you jokingly began to shake like you were crying. And yet, she still reached over and rubbed a palm up and down your thigh. Shaking her head lightly all the same.

"William." You were all brought to see Sue Sylvester standing in the doorway. "A word."

---

"Listen, Y/N, about earlier. I'm really sorry," Artie said. Pulling your attention away from one of the shitty magazines sat in the dentist's waiting room. "It was inappropriate. And I really don't want you to push me out onto the field while they're training. With no pads on."

You chuckled lightly at the boy before nodding. "Okay, Artie. Don't worry, you're safe. I forgive you. But you better not do it again."

"I won't. I swear." You hummed, looking back down at the article. "And thanks for driving me here.

"Don't mention it. I was coming anyway."

You hated to admit it.

But Rachel was right.

You needed to get your teeth checked up, so here you were.

After helping Artie into his own dentist seat, you took a seat in the one just across the cabinets.

Apparently, Carl could work on two patients at once. Coming between the two as he did.

"Well, your teeth look fine," Carl told you as he poked around your mouth, "But you do have a small hole in one of your molars. It's gonna need a filling. But I have to drill you first."

He stepped away from your mouth, giving you the chance to say, "Santana's gonna be jealous."

Carl snorted. "I bet she is. All right, I'm gonna put you under with your friend." He gestured to Artie. "You won't feel a thing. Don't worry." He turned the radio on. "You'll have some music to listen to the whole time."

"Oh, well, that's a relief."

---

"I'm serious. You should put ranch dressing on it."

"On pizza?"

"Yeah. It's delicious. You should try it."

"I'm one-hundred per cent in love with you right now."

"Hey, Britney." Artie smiled, waving bashfully at the woman. Who sure enough was Britney Spears.

"Oh, hey, Artie!" She greeted. "Hi, Y/N."

"Hi," you replied back, mildly confused by the woman's presence, "What are you doing in our school? And why you wearing a Cheerios uniform?"

"Spending some time with you guys."

"Right..."

"Girl, you are such a fool for being up with such a sweetheart." Britney turned to Tina.

"I know, Britney," the girl said, "Artie, I'm sorry."

"And I'm stronger." He rolled away, hi-fiving Britney as he did.

"What the hell is going on?"

"It's okay, Y/N," Britney soothed, "Just let it happen."

"What?"

"I'm serious. You're hot."

"Brittany?" You turned to the girl in confusion etched across your face at the whole situation.

Suddenly, you were out on the football field. Sitting in the stands. Clothes changed into 'McKinley High' apparel.

"Okay, what the hell?"

Ohh, hey yeah

Your attention was snapped up to the boy rolling onto the field in full football gear.

"Why is Artie singing?" you asked nobody but yourself.

Hush, just stop

"Why are Finn and Puck there?"

You were eternally confused as to what was going on right now.

There's nothing you can do or say

Baby

I've had enough

I'm not your property as from today

Baby

You might think that I won't make it

On my own

But now I'm stronger than yesterday

Now is nothing but my way

My loneliness ain't killing me no more

I, I'm stronger

Oh, yeah

Wait.

That wasn't Artie's voice.

Looking down at yourself, you realized that-

'Why am I singing?!'

Here I go, on my own

It was like you weren't in control of your body as you stood and walked from the bleachers.

I don't need nobody

Better off alone

Thankfully, you didn't walk out onto the field like you predicted you would.

Instead passing up and down the sidelines, eyes intent on the team gathered upon the field.

Here, I go, on my own now

I don't need nobody, not anybody

Here I go

That was Artie again.

You really wanted this to stop now, please.

You were starting to feel dizzy.

Here I go

Stronger than yesterday

It's nothing but my way

My loneliness ain't killing me no more

No more

I, I'm stronger

The last thing you saw was Tina standing glumly on the bleachers, behind a giant sign that read 'loser'. Before you were once again back in the dentist's office.

Faintly, you heard Artie hum and say, "Britney."

You, on the other hand?

"Oh, fuck," you gasped. Making Carl rush into your line of sight.

"Calm down," the man said in a soothing tone, as your hand came to rest on his shoulder, your stomach turning and eyes wild with panic and confusion, "You're gonna feel nauseous. Man. You fought the anaesthesia the entire time."

"Ugh, I never wanna do that again."

---

"I was pretty sure Artie's legs don't work," Quinn said the next day in Glee Club.

"Quick, someone stab him in the leg, see if he's faking it," you joked from beside Santana.

"Did you get a leg transplant?"

"Nope." Artie shook his head at the girl. "My teammates can push my chair like a battering ram."

"Yep, there's no rules against it. We checked." Finn smiled.

"And I have Britney Spears to thank."

"You're welcome," Brittany replied sincerely.

You and Santana both looked at the girl the same way. With furrowed brows and a judging look.

"The other Britney, Brittany," you pointed out, only for it to fall on her blissfully deaf ears.

Artie continued, "Britney plus nitrous gave me an amazing idea. And it gave me the nerve to tell Beiste that Finn and I both really want to be on the team."

"Wait. You're back on the football team?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah."

"Suddenly, you're way hotter to me," Santana told the boy, giving a single shoulder shrug, "Weird."

"Gross."

"Wait. I don't get it," Puck said.

"What else is new?"

"How come everyone's having Britney Spears fantasies?"

"The nitrous oxide dentists use is a mild hallucinogen," Artie informed, "Studies have proven that it induces vivid dreams, often the last thing the patient thinks of. The subconscious moves to the forefront. Since we've all been thinking so much about Britney, it only stands to reason."

"But I wasn't thinking of Britney Spears when I was put under."

"She was on the radio."

"Ah, right."

"What were you thinking of beforehand?" Quinn asked curiously.

"Nothing." Which was true. "But I still had a Spears fantasy. With Artie in it. It was really weird."

"Yeah." The boy pulled a face at your still groggy state. "Y/N didn't have the best reaction to the anaesthesia."

"Are you alright?" your sister asked.

"Yeah, Carl said that it happens sometimes and that it's usually gone within a few days. Did you not hear me heaving in the bathroom the whole of last night? It was like I was pulling a Quinn when she was pregnant."

The blonde glared over her shoulder at you.

"What? I was there for it all. I can't make one joke about it?"

Before the blonde could answer, Mr Schuester stepped further into the room, only for Kurt's hand to pop up into the air before gesturing between you and the boy.

"Okay, guys. Listen up." The teacher clapped his hands.

"Mr Schue, if I may-"

"Kurt, I overheard what you guys were just talking about. And I know what you're gonna say. The. Answer. Is. No." Most of the group gave an annoyed reaction to the man. "No, I'm not gonna stand in the way anymore. If you guys want to do Britney at this year's homecoming assembly. I'm fine with it." The class at your teacher's sudden change of heart grew instantly excited. Cheering on the news they had been wanting all week. "I know. Oh. And more than that, I am going to perform with you."

Everyone grew quiet. Instantly getting a bad feeling from the teacher's terrible idea.

"Right?" he laughed.

With a groan, you stood from your seat.

"With that, I'm going home for the day. To sleep off the rest of the anaesthesia shit. Rach, get my work for me, would ya'?"

Just as you had left the choir room, Quinn decided to follow you.

"I'm gonna take them home."

"Why?" Puck asked harshly, hating the idea that Quinn even wanted to help you.

"They did it for me when I was pregnant. I'm just returning the favour."

"Oh, so that's why they were both always gone, at the same time," Mercedes mumbled in realization.

---

"How are you feeling today?" Quinn asked as you were both backstage, getting ready for the performance.

"Much better." You nodded. "I really think that fifteen-hour nap got rid of the last of it."

"I'm glad," she giggled.

A dinging sound filled the gymnasium. Making you look up at the high ceiling before your gaze returned to Quinn.

"I'll see you after the performance."

"Yes, you will." You smiled back at her, quickly getting into your positions behind the black curtain.

"Quiet, please, children. Quiet now," the voice of your principal sounded, "First, students who ate the ravioli today and are not up to date on their Tetanus shots should see the nurse immediately. Welcome to our homecoming pep assembly. Because of last week's grizzly train derailment, the dulcimer club is on hiatus until further notice. But do we ever have a treat for you? Fresh off their last-place finish at the regionals, please give it up for the New Directions."

You knew this was a bad idea when the teacher told you about it a few days prior, along with the rest of your team.

Brittany jumped and bent down to peer through her legs, starting the performance. It was at moments like this that you regretted joining the Glee Club. And nine times out of ten, they could all be blamed on your Spanish teacher and his decisions.

Baby, can’t you see?

I’m calling

A guy like you should wear a warning

The man was a fucking hypocrite.

You were grinding into a fucking bowler hat.

The first assembly performance you remember watching -the one that burned your eyes out from their sockets- was very reminiscent of this one. Only this time it was much better performed, there were more members, and Mr Schuester, who was once so mad at the small group performing something sexual in front of the whole school, was now performing with you.

There had to be some sort of laws against this, right?

You’re dangerous

I’m loving it

“I love Britney Spears!” Jacob called from the crowd, voice wavering slightly from excitement.

Too high, can’t come down

Losing my head

Spinning round and round

You wanted to yell and point at the student who whistled for the singing man, to ‘not encourage him’.

Oh, do you feel me now?

With a taste of your lips

I’m on a ride

“I wanna be that hat!” Lauren Zizes had joined the boy in verbally commenting about the sexual performance. Raising up with the school, staring straight at your teacher, with want in her eyes.

‘This is a French Farce’

You’re toxic

I’m slipping under

With a taste of a poison paradise

I’m addicted to you

Don’t you know that you’re toxic?

Well, at least the school was liking the performance at the very least. For the first time, they were actually cheering on the group.

You were right.

Listening to the school’s -very limited- demands was the best outcome for the club.

Too bad your teacher didn’t listen to you then, but was now instead, doing it for alternative reasons, that you could clearly tell were selfish and no doubt for Miss Pillsbury.

And I love what you do

Don’t you know that you’re toxic?

“Take it off,” Jacob called once more, pulling off his jacket as your team ground into the hats again. The boys, and yourself, moved from the centre of the stage, allowing the girls to gather there seductively. Soon leaving your sister and Brittany there, “Yes!”

It’s getting late

To give you up

I took a sip from my devil's cup

Slowly it’s taking over me

Too high, can’t come down

It’s in the air

“Mr Schue, let me be your Britney!”

Well done, Mr ‘S’. You have successfully gotten a bunch of teenagers wanting to fuck you when you’re a grown adult man, all because of a fellow teacher. That’s not creepy at all.

And it’s all around

Oh, can you feel me now?

Oh!

With a taste of your lips

I’m on a ride

On a ride

You’re toxic

I’m slipping under

“Oh!” Jacob groaned.

With a taste of a poison paradise

I’m addicted to you

“It’s so sexy! It’s so sexy!” the boy continued. Jumping and pointing toward the singing group.

Don’t you know that you’re toxic?

Quinn slid up to you, her back to your front, leaning into your body, letting you feel her warmth. Causing a flurry of emotions and memories to hit you at the missed, familiar feeling.

That was until she leant forward and pressed her ass into you, spreading an entirely different form of “longing” that coursed through you seconds ago.

Then the blonde spun ‘round to face you, grasping the white suspenders upon your chest, pulling on them teasingly for the performance, as she stared deep into your eyes, The slight, hidden spark behind them notifying you just how much shed liked this herself.

I’m addicted to you

“Mr Schue, I want your babies!” Zizes piped up again.

Don’t you know that you’re toxic?

Intoxicate me now

“Don't stop doing that! Don’t stop doing that!” Jacob’s voice sounded from the audience. Making your skin crawl, with how much he was vocally enjoying it, “Yes! Yes!”

I think I’m ready now

Intoxicate me now

With your loving now

I think I’m ready

I think I’m ready now

With Quinn’s sultry, husky words, the song came to a close. Looking over her shoulder to your also posing form as she sang.

You swear.

You didn’t know where you stood with this girl most of the time.

Her attitude towards you changed faster than Kurt changed his outfits.

With Mr Schue's flourish and kneeling pose came the unmistakable sound of the fire alarm. Ringing throughout the whole school.

Screams filled the gymnasium as students started to rush down the bleacher seats. Piling into the floor as they tried to exit through one single door.

"Run the other way!" Sue yelled to them, waving them in the opposite direction.

The main joy you got from the chaos was watching a group of guys carry an unconscious Jacob out of the room.

"This is terrible fire safety," you stated.

---

You were with Finn by his locker. Back pressed up against the cream metal next to him, waiting for him to grab what he needed, when he pulled out a thick textbook.

"'U.S. History'?" he asked the book. The literal book, "Crap. I forgot I was taking that."

"You're an idiot."

"Congrats, Finn."

"Gah!" you exclaimed when Quinn was suddenly in front of you, touching the boy's shoulder, "Where the hell did you come from? Give me a warning next time."

Like many times before you and the blonde had grown closer, her full palm pressed against your face, pushing your head back into the lockers, muffling your voice.

"Oh, not the hand thing again."

Recently it just seemed like taking one step forward and two steps back with Quinn.

The blonde ignored you, still smiling at Finn as she carried on.

"You're back on the team. I'm head cheerleader again."

'Wait. Hold the phone'

'This better no be what I think-'

"Some kind of symmetry. Don't you think?" she asked, "With all the nastiness between you and I behind us, I think we should be together."

'It is!'

"What?"

"We'd be a shoo-in for Homecoming King and Queen." You rolled your eyes. "So, what do you say? You and me, eight o'clock, Breadstix?"

"Look, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for you."

"What?!"

"Probably always will."

'Same, brother'

Finn swallowed and closed his locker door before continuing. "But I'm not gonna get back together with you. There's someone else, and you know who that is. I'm asking you to respect that." You smiled brightly at the boy's words behind Quinn's hand. "I'm sorry," he said, making his way around her, intending to stride down the hall.

That was until you reached out a hand and grasped at the shirt on his arm, pulling him back, as Quinn left in the opposite direction, finally releasing your face.

The boy gulped as you stared him down.

"You said- And did the right thing, Finn." The smile that took over the boy's face quickly fell when you said one word, "But... It reminded me of something. Something I forgot to do and should have done a long time ago."

When silence filled the space between you for a few seconds, Finn's eyes moved side to side, waiting for you to continue.

"What?" he finally voiced.

"The shovel talk."

"What?" he sounded mildly fearful now.

"If you ever hurt my sister, I will hurt you in ways you couldn't even begin to imagine."

"You didn't do anything to Jesse when he broke Rachel's heart," Finn pointed out, voice slightly timid.

"This is different! I wanted to hurt Jesse, just everyone stopped me."

"How is this different?"

"I don't know! But it's the same!" you yelled. Confusing the boy to no end. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I've got a blonde to go interrogate."

And off you went to find Quinn.

Which wasn't that hard, considering you spotted her not even a minute later, by her open locker.

"What the hell was that?" you instantly asked, cutting to the chase when you slid up to her, "What? Did you do that just to hurt my feelings, or what?"

She turned to you, and from just the hard look in her eyes, you knew she was going to get straight to the point.

And she did.

"Rachel asked me to do it. She told me what to say. She wanted to make sure he wouldn't stray."

You scoffed, rolling your eyes at your sister's actions.

"Of course she did," you muttered, then turned back to the girl, "But did you really have to do that in front of me, though?"

Quinn considered you for a few good long seconds before answering.

"It was an opportune time." 

You could read it behind her eyes. She wanted to know your reaction.

"And the hand thing? I thought we were passed all of that?"

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Are you?"

"I am."

You believed her.

With a single nod, you walked away.

Well...

That was serious and slightly depressing, considering the circumstance.

---

As soon as Mr Schue entered the room, Rachel raised her hand and asked to perform a song. One that was from the original assignment of the week.

"Great, Rachel." Your teacher nodded her up to the front. "Well, let's hear it."

"I'd like to dedicate this song to my boyfriend," she announced, "Finn... I was wrong. I shouldn't try to control you."

'Well, no shit'

"I've just never been this happy before, and I realize that I was trying to hold onto how you were making me feel so much that I was strangling you in my hands, like a little bird."

"Morbid."

"You've told darker jokes," Quinn pointed out.

"Doesn't make this not morbid."

"I get now that, in order for this relationship to work, I have to." She swallowed. "Open up my hands and let you fly free."

"Finn can fly?"

"Really?" Kurt asked, leaning closer to Brittany.

"Wait. I thought I was the only one getting the solos from now on," she pointed out, confused, "Next week, I'm going to be performing a musical number by Kesha."

Mercedes 'shhed' her, raising a finger up to her lips, as the band began to play.

"Oh," you started, as you heard the tune, "This is gonna be a sad song, isn't it?"

When I was younger

I saw my daddy cry

And curse at the wind

He broke his heart as I watched

As he tried to reassemble it

And my mama swore she would

Never let herself forget

And that was the day that I promised

I'd never sing of love

If it does not exist

But, darling

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

Oh

Oh

I've got a tight grip on really

But I can't let go

Of what's in front of me

Here

I know you're leaving in the morning

When you wake up

Leave me with some kind of proof

It's not a dream

Oh, oh, oh

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

The familiar burning jealousy filled your chest once again, as you watched Quinn stare intently at Puck, as she and the other girls repeated that phrase.

You are the only exception

What you didn't expect, however, was for your chest to swell with a much different feeling indeed. When Quinn turned to where you sat behind Mercedes, doing the same thing to you, without making it incredibly obvious.

You could see the girl start to get emotional as she sang to you. Puckerman silently fuming behind her, as she tried to fight off the tears welling at the corner of her eyes.

She looked so sorry.

And you knew she was.

You are the only exception

And I'm on my way to believing

Oh

And I'm on my way to believing

-----

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