#I would only be there for a hair show. and also maybe broadway if I can swing just one show.

[kittlyns]

I might take a train to NY next year

[d-criss-news]

Darren Criss 'doesn't need' a Glee reboot as he teases new project he has 'special feelings' about

Singer and actor Darren Criss revealed whether he believes Glee should get a reboot.

The 37-year-old, who played Blaine in the hit Fox series, spoke with The Mirror US at Elsie Fest, Broadway's annual music festival. While many shows have gotten the reboot treatment like Boy Meets World, Saved By the Bell and That 70s Show, Darren doesn't feel like a Glee reboot would be necessary.

"I don't need to [reboot Glee] personally, but that's not to say I don't think it could happen, but it's, I'm the lowest ranking member of the totem pole that makes those kinds of decisions," he told us exclusively.

This comes after Glee creator Ryan Murphy teased the possibility of bringing the show back.

Speaking on the And That’s What You REALLY Missed podcast in 2022, Ryan said, "I’m at the phase now with that show [Glee], you know, where it’s like, well, there’s been enough time. Like, maybe we should really re-examine it as a brand.

"You know, should we do a reboot of it in some way? Should we do a Broadway musical of it in some way?"

However, nothing has come of that since. Instead, Darren has teased a new project that he's especially excited for - his upcoming Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending. In the musical, he stars as Oliver, a Helperbot, facing the stark reality of obsoleteness as his model becomes increasingly outdated.

Darren not only gave a first look at the title song at Elsie Fest but he also spoke with The Mirror about the upcoming show. "I just started rehearsing for a new show, maybe happy ending that we open previews in October and opens officially in November," he shared.

Left: Image: Variety via Getty Images Right: Darren Criss spoke with The Mirror at Elsie fest

He added: "I think it's very, very special and I'm, I've never really had that feeling about doing something before, which is not to say the things I did before weren't special. This one just keeps creeping up on me in a way that I am so delighted by and I feel like I'm part of something very, very unique that I'm very excited for people to see it."

Darren not only performed at Elsie Fest but he created the event. The festival launched in 2015 and ran every year up until 2021. This year, Elsie Fest returned after a two-year hiatus. When speaking on what it was like for the festival to be brought back, Darren revealed it was "an honor and a joy" to serve the theatre community.

"I'm just happy that there are still people here that are interested in this kind of an environment. The show, and this sounds like such a cliche, but it is made up of the fans," he said.

He continued: "This is not for our benefit, it is for theirs. Because, you know, I, sort of saw this hole in the market of there's this fan base that really loves to celebrate and perform this kind of material but doesn't have a venue to kind of let their hair down and kind of, you know, be a little unfettered. And so to be able to provide that is, is, is an honor and a joy as a huge musical theater fan."

[fountainpenguin]

Liveblog remarks from my FOP: A New Wish re-binge (Up to "Lost and Founder's Day" since that's the last one on Netflix right now).

Liveblog opinions under the cut. If you don't want to see personal opinions or spoiler-filled references to later episodes, this post may not be for you.

- Not a liveblog technically, but I was shocked and delighted to glimpse ChalkZone as I was navigating to watch this show. Also, apparently all the FOP seasons (including Season 0) are on Paramount, which surprises me because I thought they only had up to Season 3.

- Forgot one of Hazel's early lines is describing herself as "New car smell." That's so funny...

- I really like Hazel doubling down (to Cosmo and Wanda) about how hard she worked to not complain when her parents uprooted her life and moved her to Dimmadelphia. I'd love to explore more of her pre-Dimmadelphia life.

- ?? Why did it take me this long to realize when Hazel told Tony the ant that they were the second "ant tony" she knew, she was referring to Antony? <- Because of how she pauses, I've always thought she had an Aunt Tony.

- The wish punch cards puzzle me so much. Why is it a big deal that one wish is "on Cosmo and Wanda" instead of Hazel? It's not like they charge her money for wishes, so what's the implication?

- Why are there so many kids playing VR games in the cafeteria?

- "You can't make us test prep during lunch! Isn't that illegal or something?" - Crying...

- Principal Krentz is so funny. Just in general.

- Extremely concerned about Angela and Marcus knowing (I presume) that Hazel was hosting a sleepover, but never coming down to check on her.

Do... do they NOT know Hazel is having a sleepover? HAZEL??

- I think I said this on my first watch, but Hazel acting confident during her Broadway show and then turning shy when everyone claps for her is adorable.

- Stuart / Hannibal replying "Yes" to Hazel's question of whether their mom often throws away trash inside a giant rug... ???

- I love Jasmine's backpack design (It has a cute flower on it).

- Dev licking the fan blades of his au pair drone brings me so much concern. Why did he do that.

- Marcus putting hours of research into how to do his daughter's hair is my everything...

- Wanda and Cosmo sitting in the corner when Diana is talking to Hazel... Wanda's just reading a book... Girl, your godchild is getting harassed by talking hair.

I think Wanda's reading the same book Cosmo later pulls out during "Weird Science."

- Why did Marcus pin bows to his eyes.

- I think I said this in my first liveblog, but it cracks me up that Hazel's response to losing her hair was to admire her bald head and how low-maintenance it was.

- Ah, maybe "Trial & Hair-or" is supposed to be the 'Episode 13 when Cosmo is a horse,' which he references in "Battle of the Dimmsonian." I did go looking a while back, but I must have missed this one.

- Trev and Bev are so funny... The puppy squeaks they make when Diana is yelling at Hazel... Nerds.

- Shout-out to Cosmo in this series and the many books he has on him at any one time. Specifically, I'm referring to his physics book in "Weird Science" because I am a "Cosmo loves physics books" truther ("77 Secrets of the Fairly OddParents Revealed").

- How did I miss Kennueth blushing and acting evasive every time he mentions the fairy that visited him when he was inside the whale? Okay...

- At one point, I drafted a post about Prime Meridian and the parallels to Dev and Hazel... I might go dig that up. I have opinions about it...

- Does Dale know Dev owns a sword?

Alternatively, if it's not Dev's, do I dare ask what childcare service the au pairs are supposed to provide with that sword?

^ Face of a man who has some questions.

- I would love to know what's inside Hazel's closet considering she owns a wardrobe where she actually keeps her clothes. Be honest... Did your dad put a machine in there to protect you?

- I remembered Hazel owned copies of her same sweater and jeans, but somehow I missed that she has like 3 dozen of the same pair of shoes. Girl knows what she likes.

- I still think maybe Cosmo shouldn't be putting on a 10-year-old girl's clothes, but I respect the presumed innocence that led him to explore new fashion options.

- I don't think Dale can drive and that's why he lets the helicopters crash to the ground.

- Dale's "buy one-time use items from me to save the planet' presentation is horrific. How on earth did he sway people into buying from him? Fascianting.

- Do Tina Churner and Mayor Teddy Bear share a voice actor?

They do not :(

- ???? The Pe-Az voices are changed in the Netflix version from the one I first watched. Major whiplash.

There were minor details in the early episodes I didn't remember on my original watch, and I wonder if anything else changed. Probably not because that would be a lot of work, but who knows.

- I still think it's clever that most kids show off the Dimmadome logo on their phones, but Hazel has a ladybug phone case that hides hers. She doesn't care to flaunt the branding.

- I say this knowing full-well that taking over Fairy World and removing pizza from the universe are different levels of life endangerment, but something something, Guzman announcing that Dev "doing the right thing in the end" counted as kindness in "Peace of Pizza" vs. Wanda in the finale making a point to emphasize how little "goodness" Dev has in him despite him doing the right thing in the end.

Something something, Wanda turning on Dev for endangering her bio son, but she was happy to let Timmy spend seasons romantically pursuing a girl who blatantly tried to murder him and cut him into pieces... Hey, Wanda, can I ask about that?

I'm glad the danger senses are tingling, and I support that, but these really are two different-tone shows, huh? Certain aspects are so wild to compare...

It's interesting to rewatch some episodes and remember all the foreshadowing I thought I saw (Ex: Hazel telling Kennueth he should "rewrite his story" and "make things right" with Duckworth [Dev]) and how "hard left" the finale shifts tones from what I thought we were being set up for. Fingers crossed for a Season 2... I really want to know where they wanted to go with that Kennueth & Duckworth forgiveness moment, because apparently it wasn't the finale.

- I'd love to learn more about Duckworth as a character, because it's very clear Dev relates to him on a deep level (even tearing up when Kennueth tells him that he forgives him for what he's done, and Dev whispering "Duckworth would have loved to hear that").

Including a scene like that in the finale would've been a cool callback to this moment, and I was totally expecting it given the other parallels between Dev, Hazel, and Prime Meridian, so I hope we get that in Season 2.

- So funny Dev's the only one in the know to truly recognize Kennueth, but he also, like... doesn't question why a manga character is in the real world. So curious. Did he think he was a cosplayer? Did his mind get hit with magic so he can recognize Kennueth, but not make the connection that says "Hey, this makes no sense" ?

Why didn't they cut the Project H plot from the final script if it drops off immediately after its reveal... It makes me so sad. It totally sets you up for expecting Dale to do villain stuff, but he doesn't :c I need that man to get told off for stalking a 10-year-old girl. Please Dale, I want you to screw around in Season 2... I need to see you face consequences. Dev is a minor, but you know better than that!!

My mind is brimming 24/7 with a montage of Dale trying to sneak close to Hazel and inviting her parents over for dinner or following her to restaurants and bake sales. I cannot express how much I want to do an animatic full of Dale hiding under tables like a weasel.

- I really hope I get to see the Pixies in Season 2, especially with how much set-up they did regarding Hazel's love for dull paperwork, plus Irep's model having a square head. I'd love to know how Hazel and H.P. interact. Yet another man I do not want around children! - It drives me wild how much set-up there was in one plot direction, including the original takeover plot intended to involve the Pixies - whose thing IS taking over Fairy World when the Anti-Fairies have never really been into that - and !! I didn't !! get !! to see it !! The finale's hard turn plot-wise drives me bananas, and I really want to see if a Season 2 makes me fall in love with it. - I wonder if the OG finale plan got to the script-writing phrase or if the Pixies' appearance was scrapped before it was written? I would LOVE to know how Dev behaves in that Pixie-themed finale (where Dale was supposed to be the big bad) and if that finale still would have felt out of place to me... H.P., my beloved... Save me, H.P. I want to love the finale, but if feels weird on so many levels... I think I'll like it someday in retrospect, but please let Season 2 offer me that chance. I don't wanna write the post-episode life myself- I want to know what THEIR plans were.

- Shout-out to Guzman assigning homework partners in a way that breaks up couples who went to the Under the Sea dance.

- Why does Cookie keep feeding Furry stuff he shouldn't eat, like cameras? Girl...

Alternatively, why does Furry keep eating her stuff? Boy...

- Cosmo showing up in the conference room with no shoes...

- Very sweet that Hazel refers to Puppet Hazel as "old friend" and greets it warmly.

- Honorable mention to Puppet Hazel's consistent it/its pronoun usage in all its episodes.

- Watching Hazel overly enthuse about Dev in "Lost and Founder's Day" hits harder after "Stuck In My Head" where she was overly paranoid about losing her friends... Tell us how you really feel.

- Dale and his magical invisible earpiece... I see why I didn't pick up on the fact that his "Eat a lizard" comment was directed to his phone on my first watch.

- The way Dev talks big about his dad vs. the way he deliberately un-machos his dad when we see his thoughts, my beloved... I had a whole post drafted about this, but I must have deleted it because I can't find it now.

- I like how when Dale walks offscreen, you can still hear the jingle of his spurs. I looked it up at one point and I'm pretty sure he shouldn't be wearing those in public if he's not riding a horse.

- Does Dale re-sell Vicky's bear toys?? I'm pretty sure the designs match, in which case it is INCREDIBLY funny that the au pairs - presumably programmed by Dale - make a special effort to call them out on as poorly constructed toys. I'm not sure they've done that for any other object.

Is Dale keeping tabs on Vicky even though we know Vicky wasn't keeping tabs on him? Horrifying! :)

- When the scene cuts to Dev inside Dale's command tent, he has popcorn, implying he wandered the festival before looping back to see his dad.

- I like how a Founder's Day booth is selling wolfish hats that look like the one worn by a Dimmadome ancestor.

- Dale being incredibly high in the air and still managing to set off a smoke bomb by hurling it down as hard as he could - near a crowd of people - fills me with terror.

- Lol, the shadow of Hazel's hat glows gold because it's covered in lights.

- Oh geez, the Dimmadome house isn't just shaped like Doug's hat, but it's also shaped like his face...... Dale, c'mon, man.

- So curious about the decorative pillows on Dev's bed. I assume the au pairs make it for him, but it's an interesting detail.

- This is already something I took into account for my Dev character study, but I can't stop thinking about how the only time we see Dev's room in a state less than perfect cleanliness and perfection, it's when there's books and of toys at the end of his bed he was trying to distract himself with before giving in to misery at the end of "Lost and Founder's Day..." It haunts me...

That is all.

[sillyname30]

Darren Criss spoke exclusively with The Mirror about how he doesn't feel Glee needs to be redone amid the booming reboot culture

Singer and actor Darren Criss revealed whether he believes Glee should get a reboot.

The 37-year-old, who played Blaine in the hit Fox series, spoke with The Mirror US at Elsie Fest, Broadway's annual music festival. While many shows have gotten the reboot treatment like Boy Meets World, Saved By the Bell and That 70s Show, Darren doesn't feel like a Glee reboot would be necessary.

"I don't need to [reboot Glee] personally, but that's not to say I don't think it could happen, but it's, I'm the lowest ranking member of the totem pole that makes those kinds of decisions," he told us exclusively.

This comes after Glee creator Ryan Murphy teased the possibility of bringing the show back.

Speaking on the And That’s What You REALLY Missed podcast in 2022, Ryan said, "I’m at the phase now with that show [Glee], you know, where it’s like, well, there’s been enough time. Like, maybe we should really re-examine it as a brand.

"You know, should we do a reboot of it in some way? Should we do a Broadway musical of it in some way?"

However, nothing has come of that since. Instead, Darren has teased a new project that he's especially excited for - his upcoming Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending. In the musical, he stars as Oliver, a Helperbot, facing the stark reality of obsoleteness as his model becomes increasingly outdated.

Darren not only gave a first look at the title song at Elsie Fest but he also spoke with The Mirror about the upcoming show. "I just started rehearsing for a new show, maybe happy ending that we open previews in October and opens officially in November," he shared

He added: "I think it's very, very special and I'm, I've never really had that feeling about doing something before, which is not to say the things I did before weren't special. This one just keeps creeping up on me in a way that I am so delighted by and I feel like I'm part of something very, very unique that I'm very excited for people to see it."

Darren not only performed at Elsie Fest but he created the event. The festival launched in 2015 and ran every year up until 2021. This year, Elsie Fest returned after a two-year hiatus. When speaking on what it was like for the festival to be brought back, Darren revealed it was "an honor and a joy" to serve the theatre community.

"I'm just happy that there are still people here that are interested in this kind of an environment. The show, and this sounds like such a cliche, but it is made up of the fans," he said.

He continued: "This is not for our benefit, it is for theirs. Because, you know, I, sort of saw this hole in the market of there's this fan base that really loves to celebrate and perform this kind of material but doesn't have a venue to kind of let their hair down and kind of, you know, be a little unfettered. And so to be able to provide that is, is, is an honor and a joy as a huge musical theater fan."

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

The DCLA names and how likely I would be to name my kid that

Keep in mind that I do not live in a latin american country, which means some of my choices would be based on the types of names common or uncommon where I live. Some names I think are nice but would stick out a lot more over here.

Violetta: The thing is, I love this name, but if I name my child this I will just think about Violetta the character every time I say their name.

Francesca: Yeah!

Camila: If, and only if, my child is red haired. Source: Every Camila I've met irl has been red haired, and Camila in the show is... well not naturally red haired but it's hard to not to picture her with red hair. (Side note, every Camila I've met have also worked as a teacher or in childcare?????)

Ludmila: I think so?

Natalia: Maybe... although, where I live, it's more common to have a variation of the name, Natalie.

Maxi: It's too common! I've met a lot of Maxi's in my life, although it's short of Maximilian rather than MAXIMILIANO.

Leon: Yeah!

Andres: Not really. Maybe the variation, Anders. But Anders is a "only men over 40 are named this" type of name so... probably not.

Diego: I could consider it, but idk if I'd pick it as a final name

Tomas: no.

Broduey: Everyone will misspell it as Broadway and I just don't want to give my child unnecessary hardships

Federico: I'm very unsure about that tbh

Angie: Yes <33 I'd have Angie as a full name instead of just a nickname too.

Jade: I'd consider it!

Matias: Never in a million years

Germán: Naaaah...

Olga: I don't really think so...

Lisandro (Ramallo): No, not really.

Luca: Yes, I like that name!

Pablo: It's a fine name, but it also feels like a name that only works in certain age groups. Like a teenage boy or a middle aged man named Pablo is fine, but I have a harder time picturing a newborn baby named Pablo.

Roberto (Beto): The name Robert is more common here than Roberto, and I have a relative named Robert already lol

Jackie: Maybe? It would be pretty gender neutral too.

Emma: NEVER. I associate that name with a childhood bully of mine.

Lara: Yeah, I'd think about it

Helena/Lena: Well, I associate this name with middle aged teachers lol. But I wouldn't be opposed to it.

Mara: "Mara" is a slang for a witch in swedish. Also my name is Sara and it feels so cliché to have a name that rhymes with yours.

Ana: Ana, or Anna is so common that I really want to pick something else.

Maria: Maybe?

Antonio: Yeah, maybe...

Gregorio: I don't think so

Esmeralda: In my judgement, people named Esmeralda are either the sweetest humans alive or the meanest and brattiest people you'll meet. And I am not sure if I wanna risk it.

Clement: No.

Marco: I could picture naming my child Marco tbh.

Gery: No???? I'd just associate it with HER.

Nicolas: I could. Potentially.

Napoleon: Maybe...

Braco: I could think about it at least.

Luna: I could.

Ámbar: Honestly, yeah. Maybe without the accent so it's easier for people to spell lol. But yeah.

Simón: Absolutely! Although without the accent as it'll work better here without it.

Matteo: No.

Nina: I know so many Nina's in my life - some of them are really kind, and others I wrote in my diary in fourth grade that I wanted to murder. All in all, it's just a too common name.

Gastón: I could, because it just has this... "memorable" vibe over it, like you're definitely gonna remember someone named Gastón. However, it's a high chance people associate it with Gastón from Beauty and the Beast and make jokes like that all their upbringing.

Monica: Every single Monica I've met has been a teacher or a lunchlady. Also they'd be tormented with the swedish hit single "Hej Monica" which is one of the most annoying songs ever produced from Sweden. Listen to it and you'll see why. Especially in the end of the song where the singer just straight up SCREAMS. So maybe I'll spare them of that.

Miguel: Hmm... idk

Rey: I think the name Rey is pretty cool. So I'd consider it.

Jimena: Ok, when I first heard her full name, my immediate reaction was "That's a strange name?" - because for me living here, it was never a name I heard about before. But then I thought about how many names there are from my country that would sound pretty strange to other cultures, so I tbh should be quiet. All in all, I think Jimena is a pretty nice name, but I also know that over here where I live, people would have a bit of a "can you repeat that?" when someone says it.

Yamila: I think this name could work more... although I feel like some people would be like "Haha you wanted to name them Camila but be different so you changed it to a Y didn't you" (you know, as I'm writing this, I realize just how much swedes are judgemental of names jfc)

Ramiro: I could think about it... not sure if I'd pick it as a final name though.

Pedro: Hmmmmmmm I'm hesitant

Jazmin: Yeah, I think so.

Delfina: If I name my child Delfina I will expose them to so many dolphin jokes for their entire life, so I think I wanna spare them of that

Mora: There's a town in Sweden called Mora so I think if I tried to submit the name it would get disapproved because no child should be named after a town. And yes, we have to get our names approved... which tbh most countries do, it's just that specific one country that doesn't so they think everyone else in the world are "super strict" about it.

Gary: No.

Tamara: I could think about it, but not sure I'd choose it as a final option.

Juliana: Maybe.

Sharon: I think I'd just picture a british old lady, and so it can be hard seeing my little newborn child be named that. The name wouldn't fit them until they're adults.

Amanda: Yeah, it's a name I've actually thought about before that I could picture my child be named.

Ricardo: Not Ricardo, but possibly the variation, Rickard.

Lili: Yeah, it's a cute name!

Bernie: Possibly?

Maggie: I could.

Alfredo: I think I'd shorten it to Alfred if I named my kid this.

Bia: Yeah! And I know her name is short for Beatriz, but I think Bia as the full name is really cute.

Chiara: Yeah, possibly!

Celeste: Sure!

Daisy: I'd definitely think about it, but I also knew a Daisy irl that was really annoying and has definitely ruined the name a bit for me.

Pietro: It's a cool name, but I think everyone would mishear it as Pedro when I say it.

Alex: Naaaah... it's too common

Manuel: Yeah! It's a nice name!

Pixie: It's a very sweet name, so I'd think about it

Victor: I think so!

Lucas: I really wanted my little brother to be named Lucas before he was born, so it's always been a name I liked.

Thiago: I'm... unsure

Carmín: It's a pretty cool name, so maybe!

Alice: I've always liked the name Alice, ever since I was a kid. So yes.

Jhon: Not spelled like that, I'd spell it like John. Although, still not a name I'm super into.

Marcos: No, I'd rather name the kid Marco.

Guillermo: No...

Aíllen: I don't think so.

Mariano: I don't really think so.

Paula: I do like the name Paula! Even though I'm not a big fan of the Bia character Paula lol

Luan: Maybe! And Luan is a pretty gender neutral name too.

[ipoxcky]

🕷️

spider-verse_headcanons

MILES MORALES:

whenever he gets nervous/embarrassed, he'll turn part of himself invisible, like maybe he'll stick his hand in his pocket and make it go invisible

SCENARIO: at the college admissions office, rio would tell the lady, "he makes sure that he recites his time tables every night so that he can't mess up on those challenging calculus problems!" and then he would do the invisible thing and go "stop, mami, she doesn't need to know that..."

he'll also put his head on the desk with his hood up and turn his face invisible in school if he's bored

he would probably also do that when he's crying

did the invisible hand thing with fake blood to prank ganke on april fools, ganke freaked out and almost called an ambulance before miles told him it's a prank

had a shoe-collecting phase at some point

aggressively tender headed bc his hair is always nappy from putting on the suit and his mom goes CRAZY with the comb

got little twists in his head when he was younger, but now he keeps it out. his mom will still twist his hair occasionally just for fun and he hates it

secret SoundCloud rapper whose account has like 20 followers and it's him just freestyling. the only person he told about the acc was uncle aaron who's his number one fan

PAVITR PRAHABKAR:

always pulls the "is it bc i'm _____?" card, ESPECIALLY with hobie just to mess with him and hobie would go "don't chat to me mate i don't even like the u.k. myself"

talks with his hands definitely

has seen every romance movie known to man and forces the others to watch them with him if they can

VERY facially expressive, throws the STANKIEST faces at people he doesn't like, yes he's good at reading others but it doesn't take much to read him

falls over when something shocks him bc it's like his little joke

laughs to himself a lot but doesn't tell anyone why

knows a bunch of horror stories on command, the first spiderpeople sleepover he freaked everyone out and miles couldn't sleep without the light on

just dance GOD

can raise both eyebrows individually

GWEN STACY:

had an agressive minecraft phase when she was 8 where she got the creeper hoodie and never took it off

definitely had a full pixie cut at some point

theater kid, definitely goes to watch broadway shows with her dad every so often, has met famous people because of it, her favorite one is probably dear evan hansen (idk i haven't seen it)

ben platt worshipper

drums on anything she can get her hands on

music blaster

tried electric guitar for a blip of a moment

morning person, stretches anywhere and everywhere

her favorite thing is DESTROYING pointe shoes because she can take out all her anger. this one time it got to a point where after her shoe destroying sesh she started crying because she didn't realize she had so much pain built up inside her

tutu hater

takes french and already knows a ton from ballet

wheeze laugher

pastel note taker

really pretty handwriting when she tries, chicken scratch when she doesn't

HOBIE BROWN:

surprisingly good american accent

knows a bunch of magic tricks to entertain kids experiencing homelessness on the street

headphones always on so they're absolutely demolished and holding on for dear life, too bothered to get a new pair

REALLY good with kids, does anything to help them preserve their childhood because he feels like his was gone too quickly

good whistler

beats everyone in board games

knows a lot about politics for someone who doesn't rlly like them

can judge people's character based on first glance

black nail polish never leaves his fingers

goes on really long rants about the state of the world

reads self help + philosophy books

hops the subway/metro thingy

lips always moisturized, but his hands and knees r lowkey ashy sometimes (i'm blk it's okay y'all)

doesn't drink soda

tries to be vegetarian because of the stuff he's seen (worked at a fast food restaurant and was grossed out about the stuff they were serving), that and he loves animals so

natural remedy kind of guy who would drink chlorophyll water

dreams of being a tattoo artist

uses sound effects of random things in his music, raps/sings his poetry about capitalism and stuff

keeps tin jars and cans

doesn't kill bugs and instead lets them go free

[helloiamadrawer]

Class 1-A Boys + music they listen to 🎵🎧 (PART 1)

Ojiro and Shoji would a b s o l u t e l y vibe together to meditation music, yk like the two most calmest bois of 1-A inviting each other to their dorms to chat, study or hang out to meditate after training to find some inner peace within themselves 😊✌️

Koda gives Animal Crossing vibes so much (probably plays Animal Crossing too 🥺) so he would listen to cutecore music for enjoyment, maybe a a bit of lofi if he has to study. Nervous boi would be so scared of showing off his music to his classmates because of how they would feel about it 🥺

Izuku loves all pop songs from 2000's to now pop music. But if you ask who is his favorite artist...probably Shawn Mendes, Harry Styles or Boywithuke. The first song he got attached to was 'Stitches'. Other types he likes are techno and dubstep

One time, after dinner at the dorms, Izuku and Todoroki were washing dishes in the kitchen and Izuku had his headphones on listening to said song and little did todoroki know..broccoli boi started ✨singing✨ it. His lovely voice ringing through the room, making the peppermint haired boy look at him in suprise. And poor boi din't notice it until he glanced back and immediately started apologizing and blushing like a mad man lol.

Todoroki was always a man of variation but he was never introduced to much music cause you know...

Until one day..he was just scrolling around youtube and all he could see was everything ✨slowed and reverb✨

It couldn't go away from his field of vision he clicks on a slowed version of Dancin by Aaron Smith and let me tell you when he did this

HE DID THIS jsgakjsbgiua

Starts to literally v i b e in his dorm room. It's like he's been teleported to another world where he can zone out and dance and when the song ended, he wanted more. Now everytime you see him, he has his earphones in listening to the sweet sounds of reverbed music (until he has to go to bed ofc cause he has curfew) and has about 200 songs on his Spotify playlist (he clearly hasn't stfu about it 😂) but outside of his new addiction, he also likes techno like Izuku does. Definitely plays it on his speaker too if hanging with the DekuSquad

When baking, Sato likes to play some indie music cause for some strange reason, it naturally speeds up the baking process for him. Yes, even the song from Lazytown Cooking by the Book (it's a guilty pleasure

Random headcanon: he gained a liking for broadway music and he had a theatre kid era once before he got into the whole baking/cooking spiel.

Tokoyami is the MOST obvious one of them all. He just loves being the emo/alt lord and loves metal/heavy metal to death. I mean probably every time he sees a new metal band he'll seek them out to see if they're good or not. He did come across a band that Kuroiro showed him once when Class B came to the dorms after the whole training tournament the band was called Nemophila ⬇️

He liked it, buuuttt he wanted 'more power' so he asked him what other bands he liked so he sent him this⬇️ Broken by the Scream

He took one look at the album art and literally thought that his twin emo is fooling him but when he listened to it holy shi- it's so good WhAt so much power 🤟😯 mans was even more shocked that it was an ✨all girl✨ band (yes even a girl did the deep voice) he was s h o o k e t h but in the greatest way possible, he even recommended this song for Jirou to listen and he NEVER does that. He includes it in his playlist and discovers there's more songs by them. He doesn't mind playing it out loud sometimes but he feels like it's only for him not being selfish or anything metal is a genre he treasures to him and doesn't give af what ppl think of it PERIODT.

Part 2 is coming soon since this part was sooo long than expected hope y'all enjoyed this part 🤟✨

[thegettingbyp2]

Hiya, can I please request something with Aaron Tveit, I love the way you write him. Maybe the reader is also on Broadway as Euridyce in Hadestown but it's her closing night, and Aaron is obviously there watching her. Just the two of them being emotional and lots of fluff. (Feel free to ignore this if it's too specific, I'm just not over Eva Noblezada's final flowers)

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Standing on the stage after your finale curtain call of your run as Eurydice in Hadestown, you couldn’t stop the tears from pouring down your face. This was your first show as a lead role in a show on Broadway and you couldn’t fathom the idea of no longer playing her. You were surprised that you’d managed to keep it together during the show after seeing Aaron sitting right in the middle of the front row. Even though you knew he was going to be there, there was something about actually seeing him there that made you push through the show and you’re pretty sure you’d just had your best performance.

Now, you stood on the stage as all of your cast mates were giving speeches about you, but the only thing you could think of was where Aaron had gone. You swear you’d looked away for two seconds and he was gone.

‘And now,’ Reeve Carney, your Orpheus, began, turning towards you, grinning, ‘I would have got you flowers, but I’ve been giving you a flower eight times a week for the past year and a half so I feel like I may have filled my quota on that.’ You couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped your lips, smiling as you wiped yet more tears away. ‘But we do have some flowers for you and we thought there was no one better to give them to you than a Broadway veteran, and the guy who has been sitting in this theatre, watching you shine on this stage, looking prouder than I thought anyone could ever look for about three quarters of your run.’

Gesturing to the side of the stage, your head turned and you gasped, more tears filling your eyes when you saw Aaron walking towards you holding a huge bouquet of red carnations. The moment he was next to you, you took the flowers and his arm quickly wrapped around your waist as you leant into him.

‘So, this is where you disappeared to,’ you said, smiling up at him as he pressed a kiss to your forehead.

‘I’m so proud of you, baby,’ he murmured in your ear, for only you to hear and fresh tears worked their way down your cheeks.

The rest of the curtain call seemed to go in a blur, the only thing you were focused on being Aaron’s arms around you and his chest pressing comfortingly against your back. However, the second you got back to your dressing room, you spun around, throwing your arms around him, still crying.

‘Baby, if you keep crying, you’re going to make me cry,’ Aaron mumbled into your hair, his voice thick as he tried to hold in his own tears as his arms wrapped tightly around you, holding you against him, kissing the top of your head every now and then.

‘I can’t help it,’ you said, your voice muffled by his shirt. ‘How do you do this every time you leave a show?!’

‘I don’t cry as much as you,’ he teased, cupping your cheeks as you lifted your head to look at him. ‘Plus, yeah, it’s sad that you’re finishing up this show, but you’re going straight into another show, a show you love might I add, so focus on that. We’re going on holiday for two weeks and then you’re straight back into rehearsals and I’m going to be front row in that audience too as often as I can.’

‘I love you so much,’ you told him, reaching up on your toes to press a gentle kiss to his lips.

‘I love you too, and I’m so proud of you.’

[droughtofapathy]

"Welcome to the Theatre": Diary of a Broadway Baby

The Outsiders

April 18, 2024 | Broadway | Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre | Evening | Musical | Original | 2H 30M

The Outsiders is at its most tolerable when all book and lyrics are excised and the story told through movement. With well over two hours of the most pedestrian book and exposition-heavy lyrics you can possibly imagine ("My name is Ponyboy, I'm the youngest of the three," in the opening song...), this show would have done well with substantial cuts. Book scenes are slow and plodding with long bouts of silence amid bland dialogue that does a disservice to the book's well-paced narrative. Each song is virtually indistinct from every other, with a few minor adjustments to tempo, and they all follow the same horrifically-bad lyric structure. The song "Great Expectations," - the Dickens book replacing "Gone with the Wind" - repeats the title a dozen times over. And there's a reprise later, don't worry.

Choosing to begin and end with the same badly-written song doesn't help matters either. At the end of the show, Ponyboy says, "I love bein' a greaser. And I love greasers... But I ain't just a greaser. I got a lot more inside me than just grease." A line delivered so apropos of nothing, I'd have cackled aloud had I been a ruder person. (The couple behind me had no such qualms, and I respect that.) Ponyboy says this to his brothers, who have just spent an ungodly slow scene telling him he's capable of getting out of their situation and being something more, so like...yeah...who are you arguing with, Ponyboy? They just told you that. Why are you acting like they just said you're nothing but grease and never will be?

This feels like a show that wants to play with the big kids, but for some reason, the creative team insisted on writing it with an elementary school audience in mind, dumbing down each moment to make sure the audience couldn't (somehow?) misunderstand a single second. The production value and complex, innovative staging itself doesn't match the sophomoric writing. This is a straight play forced into being a musical, and as a result, loses the gripping essence of the story in repetitive music not written for the stage. I understand wanting to bring different genres to Broadway, but to be a musical, the music must be suited to a fucking MUSICAL.

There is a single ten, maybe fifteen-minute interval in the second act during the rumble that feels like a balm. The fight scenes are choreographed so masterfully that it's almost painful to watch, but you don't dare to look away. The undercurrent of lighting and the (wordless) score only elevates this impressive feat. And then it's right back to bad book and lyrics for the rest of the show.

Verdict: Enjoyable, But Left No Lasting Impression

A Note on Ratings

I did not actually enjoy it, and it was a horrible slog, but I'm giving extra points for the staging aspects. Absolutely worthy of nominations.

Also. I need someone to explain to me why the three girls (who don't do jack shit, let me tell you) are made up like the Powerpuff girls? Red hair, pink dress; blonde hair, blue dress; dark hair, green dress. Exact hair and dress color schemes. This can't be a coincidence, but why is a nineties cartoon being referenced in a 1967-setting show? What are we doing here? It left me with so many questions that the show's pedestrian dialogue, for once, didn't blatantly answer.

Not pictured: girl in green dress with dark hair.

[the-kr8tor]

I need 1940s Hobie out of my system fr. But aside from that, I give you Hobie with an actress s/o. ( I listened to Broadway soundtracks today). I just adore the thought of him in the front row, every show. Doesn't matter if he's just gotten off of patrol. In a suit or mismatched clothes, he's there. With flowers obviously and a big smile that makes her performance that much more exciting. I think it would be even more fun if she was the sweetest thing in existence and wouldn't hurt a fly but gets cast as the antagonist often. Hobie isn't surprised, he knew she had it in her with how witty she could be but damn is he feeling so kind of way watching her. Example, one of the Heathers from Heathers obvi. Maria Reynolds from Hamilton. You get the picture. I also would like to think he gets ideas from scenes and she knows this by the glint in his eyes. Cue late night fluff as he helps her take care of her hair and skin because she's tired. She does the same after his shows. They both support each other. 💕💕

I would say I'm a closeted theatre kid but I only spent one year in drama and absolutely hate performing but love watching others perform. The tech side of it seemed fun too.

AHHHH THAT'S SO ADORABLE!!!!! The way I imagined hobie sitting in the front row holding a bouquet of your favourites with a big smile on his face makes me giggle

Awwwee he takes care of r too after every show! Get you a man like that fr

Maybe you can get into theatre tech instead? You get to watch the show and be a part of it! Best of both worlds

[urlocalnonbinarybastardwrites]

Heyy I love your writing and your blog!! If you're, could you give me an Outsiders ship?

I go by Stevie or Sadie.I have short, masculine, side parted, chocolate brown hair, pale green eyes, and light skin. I rim my eyes with black eye shadow. I'm around 5"1' (😟). I dress sort of grunge/teenage dirtbag if that makes sense? I absolutely adore listening to music. I have two signature jackets that I wear; a black denim one and a hugely oversized camouflage one. Recently I've been wearing the black one a lot. I listen to folk, emo-punk, pop-punk, Midwest emo, Eminem, and Broadway. I also play the Viola in my school's orchestra. I love reading and writing as well. I also love history, Greek Mythology, nature, and WCs.

My friends say that I'm super nice and caring, almost so much so that I'm kind of a pushover (😕) and that I look all scary on the outside but I'm actually just a big softie. I get easily stressed out by school work even though I'm an honors student- At school I'm quiet unless I really like the teacher and I only get in trouble if I'm with someone who causes trouble. When I'm with my friends I'm loud and I like to think I make people laugh. I'm more extroverted than I'm introverted and I love to perform on stage. I want to be an actor someday. I'm also an ESFP-T if it helps.

I'm so sorry if this is too much! Again, I love your writing !!

Why thank you I appreciate the compliments about my writing and my blog!!

Your outsiders ship: Two Bit Mathews!

Explanation: I think physically he would be extremely attracted to you. I feel like he would absolutely be obsessed with the color of your eyes and compare them to really silly things like frogs but just absolutely adore them. I think he might tease you about your gender a bit in the sense that you know he would literally can’t tell what you are and I feel like he would tease you a bit to try and find out, but it wouldn’t be out of hatred. It would be out of genuine curiosity, and if you were ever uncomfortable with it, he would stop. One thing he wouldn’t stop teasing you about is how freaking short you are. He would never let you hear the end of that. He would literally pick you up spin you around do anything he would make so many jokes about how short you are. I think he enjoys your sense of fashion and really likes the grungy aspects of it and I don’t know it just screams angst and I think he’s in love with that. It’s very contrasting to his goofy ass, Mickey Mouse shirt. As for your hobbies, I don’t think he knows a lot about Greek mythology and things like that and he would be absolutely fascinated if you told him and you know told him the interesting stories of Greek mythology. I think he’d find some of those super funny and then start using them as like inside jokes and references that only you him and pony boy would understand. I think he’d be willing to let you introduce him to some of your music and he actually ends up liking some of it a lot and then frequently listens to what you listen to. I don’t think you’re intimidating exterior would phase him too much because I think he would just make jokes about that until you finally cracked and we’re able to show a bit of your more comfortable self to him and then he would start getting more comfortable with in return. you guys would also contrast because he definitely is a troublemaker in class and loves messing with the teacher and I feel like you would actually help him to kind of be like dude shut up and make the teachers actually tolerate him. I just think that would be so funny you both in class. He also comes to all your shows as an actor and always claps like obnoxiously loud and maybe even gets kicked out of the theater, but he would absolutely support your careers and actor and always like he he I think he has great comedic timing so if you ever chosen more comedic role, I think he would actually do a lot to help you out with that and I think you guys are overall just a really cute and kick ass couple !!!

[she-karev]

Cousin Jen

Age Rating: 12+

Chapters: Five of Six

Fandom: Grey’s Anatomy

Summary: Amber catches up with Jen and Jackson while Andrew talks to Jen about Matt.

Words: 2700

I walk down the hall outside the surgical floor putting my baby blue scrub cap on getting ready to assist Alex and Amelia with their open brain surgery. Since Qadri took my place with Jackson and they needed an assist I was put on the board. The patient is a 12-year-old girl named Kimmie Park who has a recurrent low-grade glioma that came back. Now we’re operating on her while she’s awake so we can get the tumor out and hopefully don’t damage her in the process.

Twenty minutes of prepping her and I already like the kid and that’s saying something since kids normally annoy me. She’s the only pre-teen I know who loves Broadway musicals and I mean all musicals, not just Hamilton. Although I will admit it is great for a 21st century show. She also sings, she sang Maybe This Time from Cabaret while I was prepping her, and I joined in because like her I find Liza Minelli soothing.

“Hey.” I turn to find Jen grinning as she walks toward me just before I get past the red line. She’s wearing a loose gray sweater with light wash boyfriend jeans and black high heel boots, “I just thought I’d see you in doctor mode while Pierce and your boo are working on mine.”

I raise an eyebrow at her, “You wanted to give the guys privacy so they can speak freely, didn’t you?”

She shrugs unashamed, “What can I say you rubbed off on me in the four years we’ve lived together. What are you doing right now?”

I tuck my hair strands inside my cap, “I’m helping Alex and Shepherd with an awake brain surgery on a kid. She has a tumor and we gotta get it out.”

“Sounds fun. If this EKG shows nothing does that confirm he’s a lying son of a bitch and I should clear his things out and find a roommate on Craigslist.”

I chuckle, “Okay first stay away from Craigslist when it comes to human beings. Don’t ask me how I know and second if the EKG is negative, we’ll do an echo to check for heart abnormalities and tests to rule out artery obstructions and seizure activities.”

Jen looks worried, “It’s a lot of tests for one man. You’re not doing this just for me are you?” I grin at her sincerity, “I know I’m pushing for an answer but I don’t want to impose.”

“As much as I adore you, I wouldn’t do that. I’m doing it for Matt, the guy who stole from my junk food stash and took up half my bathroom shelf.” We chuckle at the memories of our time in New York.

“You know he complained about you too.” Jen informs me, “He said you never set the coffee timer and that you never let him choose movie night.”

“I let him pick the musical for my half birthday my generosity ended there.” I look at the door and see Alex and Shepherd putting their booties on. I turn to Jen, “I really have to go, I’ll see you after surgery.” I open the double doors and walk past the red line off to save a life.

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

After getting the results of Matt’s EKG and asking questions about his engagement Andrew walks down the hall and spots Jen outside the surgical floor turning to leave. He doesn’t know if Jen is right to worry about Matt having cold feet but he knows it would put her mind at ease to know what he said when he subtly interrogated him during Maggie’s exam. He approached her with a grin to put her worries at ease.

“Hey, I finished playing Law and Order with your fiancé while Maggie did the exam.” Jen’s eyes lit up, “Do you want to hear what he said when I asked him how he felt about getting married?”

“Well that depends on whether his exam explains these fainting spells or now.” Jen retorts still worried.

“When I asked him if he was nervous, he said the only time he felt nervous around you was when he let you row the boat in the central park lake.” Jen grins at that memory as Andrew chuckles continuing, “And he said he was right to because you flipped the canoe over and you two almost drowned and ended up a TikTok meme.”

“That lake was crazy filthy, I had to shower twenty times to get the New York gunk out of my hair and…other places.” Jen shudders grinning at the recollection. She looks at Andrew grinning assumingly at her that she is able to discern, “You seem like a nice guy and I am happy that for once my best friend found that in a place where her previously hated brother lives of all places. And I appreciate you doing this for me and I would also appreciate you giving me a straight answer about Matt’s exam so I can know if I should be worried or not.”

Andrew frowns at that and gets to the point, “The EKG came back negative for any heart abnormalities and the blood test we did before that looked okay as well. All the tests point to him being healthy.”

Jen inhales and looks conflicted, “Thank god…right?”

Andrew can tell Jen is going down the route Roy planted again and tries to console her, “Jen we don’t know that this has anything to do with you.”

“We don’t know that it doesn’t.” Jen counters and sits in a chair in the waiting area looking up at him with sad eyes, “My mother married a guy who didn’t love her and she was miserable. I mean she thought she knew him but the drugs and the lying and the cheating it all came out after they got married.” Andrew sits next to her listening attentively, “I can’t repeat the past after what I saw growing up I just can’t.”

Andrew nods understanding, “Yeah I know the feeling. My parents got divorced too and it was really bad like move to another country to get away from your husband bad. I would worry I would end up like my dad but I’ve learned not to compare myself to him. And you shouldn’t compare Matt with your father, do you really think after two years he doesn’t love you?”

Jen sighs and leans back in the chair, “I don’t know…he could just be using me for the sex I guess.” Andrew clears his throat in discomfort and shifts in his chair causing Jen to chuckle, “Oh come on you’re a freaking doctor me having damn good sex shouldn’t make you react like a nun in a brothel.”

Andrew chuckles, “You sound like my sister. Look Jen I don’t know Matt that well and I don’t know the whole story between the two of you but I do know you shouldn’t let the past hang over like a chandelier.”

Jen looks slightly convinced, “I know I’ve done enough therapy to get to that point…but you gotta honest here, the timing of these spells and the proposal it’s pretty damning isn’t it?” Jen sighs in despair as Andrew looks at her in sympathy.

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

After Kimmie’s surgery I walk down the hall to talk to Jackson so I can be briefly distracted from reality. During the surgery we found out that the tumor is too close to her speech center and removing it would make Kimmie lose her speaking abilities but keeping it in would make it grow and kill her in a few months. Now Shepherd and Alex are discussing chemo treatment with her grandma which made it my cue to leave. After Matt’s EKG came back negative, we sent them to a hotel so they can rest before we do another test in the morning. I’m sure Jen is wracking her brain trying to decide if the whole relationship was a lie or not.

I need something to distract me from that and a little girl dying or suffering from chemo and Jackson might just help me. Ever since I talked to him yesterday about Priya, he hasn’t texted me or asked me for her number. I am slightly offended that he is wasting all the time and energy I put to fixing him up with multiple women. I might be overly ambitious but when I start a project, I like to see good results and I need to let Jackson know that. I walk past Catherine as she gets out of the lab and enter the lab to find Jackson looking annoyed.

“Hey how goes it in the future of medicine?”

Jackson exhales, “Well despite my mother’s efforts I am fully committed and trying to make headway even after you abandoned me for Shepherd.” I frown at that and glare at him reminding him of why I did that, “But you didn’t plan for your cousin’s fiancé to have a mysterious illness so I can’t fully blame you. I kind of wish you’d chosen someone other than Qadri to assist me I’m pretty sure there’s puddle of drool she left next to me.”

I snicker at Qadri’s obvious crush on him, “Well everyone else was taken, Hellmouth’s with Grey, the chief has Blood Bank, Parker’s with Hunt the only interns left were Roy and Qadri and as much as I would like to, I don’t want to see you bash Roy’s head in with the microscope ruining your work.”

Jackson looks at me confused, “And why would I do that to Roy?”

I widen my eyes realizing that I revealed something I shouldn’t have, “No reason?”

Jackson raises an eyebrow at me and turns his chair to face me fully with an inquired look, “Come on spill it what do you know?”

I groan at what I just did, “You really don’t want to know trust me.”

“Well now I need to know tell me.”

I sigh at his request and reluctantly comply, “He’s uh he’s sleeping with your ex.”

Jackson raises an eyebrow at me, “Which ex?”

I give him a ‘really?’ look, “Your ex-wife, Dr. Kepner.” After that reveal instead of roaring in anger he’s laughing like a little kid being tickled genuinely surprising me, “Well that’s a reaction I wasn’t expecting.”

Jackson stops but still grins, “Amber I’ve known April for a long time for years and trust me when I say she is not the kind of person who has meaningless flings with random guys let alone interns with party boy personalities. Who did you hear this from?”

“Roy.” Jackson scoffs like I’m confirming he’s lying, “And I wouldn’t trust his word alone except she runs from him every time he walks up to her. Women only scurry like that with one night stands they seriously regret and with Roy it wouldn’t be a first. You have to admit she’s been a little south of acting responsible lately given how me and Andrew went to Joe’s last week and she was playing hot bartender with the interns. And then the next morning I administered fluids into her at her request.”

Jackson looks away in shock and disgust, “Roy?” I nod bitterly and he groans, “Great now I’m wishing I never asked you.”

“Hey, I tried to warn you man.” I remind him, “If it makes you feel any better, he called my cousin a dumb bimbo last night and she responded by punching him straight into his strawberry basket.”  

Jackson winces at that and chuckles in delight, “It does make me feel better actually, I wish you recorded and posted it.”

“I’m sure there will be another girl Roy offended who will assault him and I will be ready with my Instagram account and 300 followers.” Jackson nods in delight, “Now on to business, did you call that girl I picked up for you the other night?”

Jackson clears his throat, “Um no I was busy.”

I look at him offended, “You know science has proven that endorphins can relieve stress and as a result the brain functions are higher and your energy level increases. I mean you’ve been working nonstop at this and the pressure is clearly getting to you it would get to me, when was the last time you got laid?”

Jackson pinches the bridge of his nose clearly annoyed, “Please tell me you didn’t just ask me when I had sex.”

“Oh, come on just tell me I won’t judge, I mean I will judge but in my head.”

Jackson scoffs, “I am focused on this contest there is no time.”

I chuckle at that, “Oh please there’s always time and your gender has proven to have fast reaction rates when it comes to this. I’m an intern, I’m busy 24/7 and DeLuca and I find the time in whatever private space we can.”

Jackson looks away horrified, “Dear god do you and my mother have the same brain?”

“At least she and I get laid unlike you.” Jackson groans at that and even I wince at it, “Too far?”

“Way too far now go away please.”

I try to amend myself, “Look I’m sorry I’m not trying to scar you. I’m just wondering why you’re wasting all the work I put in for you.” He looks at me confused, “I mean the whole point of this is to find you someone to connect with causing me to bask in the glory of our success.”

Jackson chuckles, “You were the girl that made her friend work out to help them loose weight even when they quit aren’t you?”

I shrug unashamed, “When I start a project, I like to see good results and I can’t get results if the control isn’t reacting. My ambition aside, I just came back from an open brain surgery on a little girl who needs chemo to get rid of a tumor that’s just gonna come back. Also, my loving cousin who found love with a good friend of mine is doubting that love and might call off the engagement. I need something good from today and you are not giving it.” Jackson looks away guilty like I planned, “Now Priya is nice and elegant and hot not to mention a lawyer. A civil rights lawyer, she’s not in it for the money from keeping the fat cat’s fat. She’s generous it’s sexy.”

“Then why don’t you sleep with her?” Jackson asks clearly annoyed which I don’t take.

“Why don’t you?” I counter causing Jackson to sigh, “Now listen here I took the time to be your wingman and I introduced you to over a dozen women all of them beautiful and amazing in their own ways and you know what you did?”

“I am sure your gonna answer it.” Jackson says in annoyance.

“Nothing, nada, niente.” I inform him, “Do you know how insulting that is for me?”

Jackson looks at a loss for words, “…I’m sorry?”

I shake my head at him, “Maybe Jen is right maybe something or someone is keeping you from enjoying my gifts so when you worked that out and are ready to unwrap one of the presents you know where to find me.” With that I walk out the door hoping he got the message and I stop in the hallway suddenly as our conversation about sex got me thinking about Matt’s condition and it’s like a lightbulb went out, “Oh my god.” I rush back into the lab and approach Jackson who looks at me like a little kid bursting in on her dad at work.

“I told you I need-”

“Can constant repetitive motion form a trigger point in the muscle?”

Jackson looks confused for a moment, “What?”

“Can you get a pressure point in the muscle that when pressed causes you to pass out with no neurological symptoms beforehand?”

Jackson thinks, “I mean it’s possible, it happens with athletes but that’s only when they work out in one position only, why do you ask?”

I chuckle in delight, “Because I think I know what’s wrong with Matt.” Jackson looks at me in surprise and I run out the door to see if my theory is correct.

[selecia-garris]

a C.B fanfic (I was bored 🤷🏻‍♀️ so why not also this story doesn’t have a name so if you wanna help me name it comment some name ideas 🫶🏻)

Selecia’s pov

“Jade we should go to New York!!!” I say to my best friend jade, i met her when I moved out here we live in the same apartment complex and there’s a rumor there’s a celebrity staying here but no one has ever seen them, and I heard her talking about it one day I asked her about it and we kinda clicked.

J- why?

S- uh I just seen on sams story that him and Colby are in New York!!!

J- so you want to fly alllllllll the way to New York even though you’re afraid of heights to meet Sam and Colby?!

S- yes!!!!!

J- there is something wrong with you!

S- yea I know start packing

J- ughhhh

S- plus we can walk around Times Square it’s so fucking pretty, and I believe there’s a few musicals there right now, we could go to a broadway show, see jade and I also bonded because we’re theater kids, I was in theater in high school and so was she and when I told her that, that’s when she declared us best friends.

J- you’re so right?! Oh my god

Jade gets up and sprints to her apartment which is only like 2 doors down from me, now to come to thing of it I never see my neighbor or neighbors, what if oh my god?! Maybe we live next door to the mystery celebrity?!! ( what the fuck am gonna go all like Fucking fbi for some shit Lmfaooooo 😭, anyways back to the story)

Jade returns a few minutes later with her suitcase packed and passport in hand, i laugh watching her struggle with her suitcase.

J- this isn’t funny?!

S- yes it is *laughs*

J- I hate you

S- you love me *laughs* especially since I just paid for a private jet to take us to New York!!!!

J- what?! No way?!

S- yup and apparently there’s gonna be only one other person on the plane because they booked it first and it was the only one they had *laughs*

J- ouuu mystery personnnnn

S- yea *laughs* speaking of do you ever seen person next door to us or people I don’t know

J- no why, oh my god I know what your thinking and I like it

S- oh my god I’m so glad you get it *laughs*

J- but how would we figure it out *laughs*

S- I don’t know *laughs* but keep it down

J- right *laughs*

S- I can’t with you now help me finish packing, we leave soon

J- okay

She puts on music and she helps me finish packing and once we’re done, I change into something a little more comfortable and put my hair in a messy bun.

*outfit*

J- you look so cuteee

S- thanks *smiles*

J- alright is the Uber here yet?

S- uh yes, he just arrived *smiles*

J- alright lets goooo New York City here we come

S- yesssss

J- I’m gonna be hungover, I’m gonna be hungover

S- I’m gonna drink a bunch of different drinks and I’m gonna hungover

Jade and I sing walk out of our apartment, we laugh and get on the elevator and it takes us to lobby and we walk outside and head to our Uber which take us to the private jet airport.

We get to the airport and walk over to the jet that’s when I notice a black suv parked off to the side behind us almost, the guys steps out and as soon as I see his face I drop to the ground and sob.

J- dude are you okay?

S- code mendes

J- what?! Where?!

Sh- right here *laughs*

J- holy shit she loves you

S- jeez thanks Jade *laughs*

J- I panicked *laughs*

S- yea me too *laughs*

Sh- it’s nice to meet you guys well I know jades name but I don’t know yours

S- it’s selecia

Sh- why does that sound familiar?!

S- you followed me on twitter the night when you’re gone came out

Sh- oh my god that’s where I remember you from, I love you so much

S- I should be saying that to you *sniffles*

Sh- why are you guys going to New York?

Shawn asks as we walk towards the plane

S- we’re tracking down our favorite YouTubers Sam and Colby they are somewhere in New York right now and we’re gonna find them

Sh- and what are you gonna tell them when you find them and they ask you why you’re in New York

J- girls trip duh

S- exactly

Sh- wow you guys are strange but I like it *laughs*

J- we get that a lot

Sh- do guys smoke?

S- like weed?

Sh- yea?

S- yea I do she does sometimes why?

Shawn doesn’t say anything he just pulls out s joint and shows it to me.

S- where did you get that?

Sh- I rolled it *laughs*

S- wow a joint rolled by Shawn mendes,that weed doesn’t know how lucky it is *laughs*

Sh- *laughs*

S- you don’t look like the type to smoke than I seen those paparazzi pictures on twitter and I was like huh he looks good as a stoner *laughs*

Sh- *laughs* I literally told everybody in a song, I should call my friends and go get higghhhhh

S- oh my god wow it was right there in front of us and we didn’t even see it *laughs* I’m kidding I know and I’m not that surprised but I’m a little surprised

Sh- *laughs* you’re hilarious I love you

S- awe thanks I love you too Shawn

We’re standing by the plane and waiting for the pilot to let us on, a few seconds later the doors over and steps come out and we get on and they put our luggage a wake except for our purses.

S- wow this jet is niceeee

Sh- yea it is

S- ouuu lookkkk it’s got champagne

J- oh yes thank you Jesus

S-*laughs*

We sit down and I pull one my favorite books at the moment, I just bought it it’s called girls like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko, I open to wear I left off and I start reading, halfway through my 3rd or 4th page I look up to see Shawn sitting in front of me.

S- hey what’s up, why are just sitting there

Sh- I like watching you read it’s fascinating

S- you’re weird, how is it fascinating?

Sh- I don’t know it just is *laughs*

S- whatever

I roll my eyes and go back to the book.

Sh- what are you reading?

S- girls like girls by Hayley Kiyoko

Sh- oh I have a copy of that book she sent it to me

S- that’s really cool have you read it yet?

Sh- no is it good?

S- yea this is like my 3rd or 4th time reading it.

Sh- wow that good huh

S- yea *laughs*

Sh- maybe I’ll have to read it then

S- maybe you should *laughs*

Sh- alright I will

S- okay

I advert my attention back to the book and pick up where I left off and continue reading.

S- okay can you please stop watching me read it’s so weird *laughs*

Sh- *laughs* but I like watching you read

S- it’s creeping me out dude

Sh- my bad *laughs*

S- it’s cool

He goes on his phone and he periodically looks up at me and back at his phone

S- you are such a smartass mendes

Sh- what?!

S- I know what you’re doing

Sh- and what is that exactly?

S- I asked you to stop staring at me reading so you go on your phone and periodically look up at me

Sh- I did no such think?!

S- we made eye contact

Sh- pffttt I don’t remember that

S- of course you don’t

J- you two fight like fucking children shut up I’m trying to take a nap

S- ouuuu you woke Jade up

Sh- it was you actually

S- nope it was you

J- it was both of you, and didn’t i tell y’all to shut up?

Sh- yea selecia shut up

S- i was quietly over here minding my own business reading and you came over here and bugged me

Sh- you are so aggravating

S- *laughs* Jade says that too

Sh- well I agree with Jade

J- ugghhhhh both of you separate from each other now

S- bye Shawn

Sh- why do I gotta move?

S- I was here first

Sh- fineeee

He gets up and moves and I go back to my book

J- thank you now I’m gonna take a nap now you two do not speak to each other at all

S- got it

Sh- fine, I’ll miss you bestie

S- oh my god Shawn *laughs* I’ll miss you too

He laughs but doesn’t say anything else and I continue you reading then once I’m done reading i look out the window and and listen to music.

The plane finally lands and we get off and we Uber to the hotel and once we get there I decide to walk to the gas station we passed on the way here and get us snacks and drinks, I put my headphones in and grab my wallet and I head out the door.

I’m walking to the store and listening to music and singing along, when I notice two guys and a girl heading in the direction as me but on the other side of the street, I recognize them instantly oh my god?! It’s Sam, Kat and Colby!!!!

They are all laughing and talking and when they are about to cross the road Colby runs across the road screaming “oh goodddddd dontttt hittttt meeeeeeee” and it causes me to laugh and I guess he heard me cause he turned his head and smiled

C- you seen that?

S- yea *laughs*

C- awh man i embarrassed myself in front of a pretty girl damn *laughs*

S- i thought it was funny, I even have a video i sent it my friend Jade, she’s so pissed she stayed at the hotel *laughs*

C- *laughs* why did she stay?

S- she didn’t want to walk and I didn’t want to pay for an Uber, I’m just walking to the gas station to get us drinks and snacks

C- did you guys just get here?

S- yea, we just checked into our hotel room *laughs* we’re having a nyc girls trip

C- hmmm some how I find that hard to believe

S- what’s that supposed to mean?

C- I can tell in your eyes that your not here for a girls trip

S- my eyes how?

C- it’s hard to explain but basically when you’re lying your pupils get bigger when your telling the truth they stay the same size.

S- wow you’re good, and you caught us we where to see we could find you guys and well mission accomplished for one of us *laughs*

C- I knew it *laughs*

S- shut up *laughs*

My phone starts ringing I look and it’s Jade.

S- hello?

J- where are you?

S- I’m at the gas station

J- okay what are you doing at the gas station smartass?

S- uh talking to Colby Brock

J- still?!

S- yea *laughs*

J- just make out and come home jeez

S- oh my god Jade you’re weird dude *laughs*

J- I know but hurry up I want my snacks bitch

S- alright im coming give me 5 minutes *laughs*

J- okay

S- 10 cause Shawn just walked in

J- ughhhh I hate men *laughs*

S- *laughs* bye

J- bye

I hang up and walk over to Shawn.

S- ayeeee mendes what’s up!?

Sh- your strange garris

S- I know *laughs* but that’s why you love me

Sh- is it though?

S- *laughs* what’s the reason then?

Sh- I don’t know *laughs*

S- exactly *laughs* what are you doing in ny anyway?

Sh- celebrity shit *laughs*

S- what the fuck is celebrity shit?! *laughs*

Sh- meetings and stuff *laugh*

S- then just say that Jesus *laughs*

C- hey I thought you left *laughs*

S- hey Colby, Colby this is Shawn mendes, Shawn mendes this colby Brock, don’t say a word mendes I swear to god I’ll stab you

Sh- ohhhh so this is the dude you came allllll the to New York to find?! He hot you go girl *laughs*

S- mendes you better fucking run I swear if you don’t you will die

Sh- shit bye Colby nice meeting you say nice things about at my funeral

He takes off and I run after him and I loose him in the crowd of people that and he’s fast as fuck wow Manz can run.

C- I’m guessing you lost him

S- Manz is fast as fuck dude?! Like wow

C- *laughs*

S- he runner he a track star *laughs*

C- *laughs* you think he’s gonna come back?

S- no he’s not that stupid *laughs*

C- you right *laughs*

I get Jade and I snacks and say bye to Colby and I watch as he meets back up with Sam and Kat and I walk back to the hotel.

S-every time I look at you,I’m lookin at a star it’s the way you light up the room just by being who you are I sing with Justin as I wait to cross the road, I can’t help but think of Colby when I hear that part, I smile at the thought and I look up and see Colby smiling at me, I wave and cross the road and I just know Colby’s checking me out. I eventually make it back to the hotel and head to our room I get there slide the card through the card slot and open the door.

J- it’s about time you got back

S- sorry dude *laughs*

J- so is Colby hotter in person

S- yes oh my god it’s like how’s it feel to be gods favorite sir *laughs*

J- right? *laughs*

S- anyways he’s super for fucking sweet dude oh my and his Fucking smile I melted

J- girl you like him!!!

S- girl I just met him!!!

J- so love at first sight *laughs*

S- true but still anyways I’m gonna go to bed I’m tried

J- or your gonna go text colbyyyyy or should I say Colbae *laughs*

S- oh my fucking god *laughs*

J- I knew, wyd beautiful, nothing much laying in bed

S- oh my lord I can’t even with you bro *laughs*

J- *laughs*

I lay down and go to twitter that’s when I see that I have a couple notifications and I check them. It’s an off guard photo of me and Colby tweeted it with the caption “it was a pleasure to meet you😌🥰” I smile and like it and quote tweet it and caption it “dude it was a fucking pleasure meeting you thank you so much for everything you do for me and the fandom we fucking love you, colby is so fucking sweet” I smile and post it and a few seconds later Colby likes my quote tweet and I smile, I exist twitter and I put my headphones in and listen to handwritten and go to sleep.

That’s so long for no reason 😭😂🤷🏻‍♀️ but anyways enjoy lmk if I should do a part 2!

[marastriker]

One Small and Tiny Detail I Would Change About all the StEx Update Costumes If I Was In Charge Of The Costume Department:

Rusty: he should always have curly hair, let's not have the wig look too flat. It took me a moment to really come up with something for him cause I honestly believe the Rusty costume is the BEST it's ever been now.

Pearl: more volume and length in her wig!

Greaseball: Most would expect me to say add some padding! He's gotta have muscle! But honestly I would redesign the makeup. It's quite boring honestly, and it needs to have some pizzazz to it like back in the Broadway days.

Dinah: give 👏 her 👏 a 👏 collar 👏 I really don't like bare necks

Momma: listen I don't know why they exaggerate the padding on her....cough, backside like that but it looks kinda weird. Get rid of that, it's a strange way to show that she's an old woman

Elektra: the corset piece around his torso beneath the chest piece NEEDS to be more form fitting. Right now it's like an ill fitting crop top

Caboose: WHY....why is he the only one without something at his ankles. Why. It looks weird and out of place. Give him black spats with silver buttons to match his headscarf. Peak design would be reached.

Carrie: I will admit the 4 suitcases on the headpiece is a little too much. I think 2 would suffice, that way you can see her hair and diamond hairpiece more clearly and it's less crowded.

Brandi-Belle: she needs to be less...yellowish orangish? And have more of a dark reddish brown palette. Mahogany comes to mind when I think of her, kind of that dim and romantic feel that a lounge would have.

Rockies: I mean the obvious thing is to cast more POC, but that's not related to the costumes themselves so - I think if you're going to make the artistic decision to have them look a little older and perhaps with some graffiti on them, then it shouldn't be so uniform between them? Either make the worn-downness unique, or actually commit to making them uniform. And let Rocky 3 have green lipstick!!!!! If 1 can have blue to match and 2 can have yellow to match, why doesn't 3 match?! Let her look like freight!

Dustin: Also the obvious thing to do is to cast more actors of size, but again. That isn't related to the costume. The update already toned down his makeup so it isn't so nightmare inducing clown aesthetic anymore which I genuinely appreciate because it doesn't match his character at all....otherwise I can't think of anything that would massively improve the look.

Flat Top: okay someone fix his hair situation. I get you're trying to keep that "flat top" hairstyle but it looks like something that belongs on a muppet. Brick can still be a hat, that's fine, idc

Nationals costume gripe in general: they have asymmetrical gear and it bothers my poor little brain

Coco: it's so obvious the fabric around her neck is the exact same fabric used for Elektra's costume. Could you be any lazier...please give that part of her costume a unique design.

Ruhrgold: I got nothing, he looks like a good stable man.

Brexit: I understand what you're trying to do with the tie.....I get it. But you know that party is racist right? Right? Regular funky dad tie pls.

Espresso: he should have a different hat. Fight me. Otherwise his costume looks great!

Manga: I have no issues with the Manga costume, gonna be real. He looks wonderful!

Turnov: I think the black base is a little out of place?

Killerwatt: I feel like there should be SOMETHING that indicates he's actually a train. I don't know what it is, but something. Maybe wheels on his gloves, like all the others?

Volta: you have two options. One - give him a B L A C K codpiece because the silver one looks weird. Option two: get rid of the codpiece all together! Krupp or Purse didn't need one! Why does male!Volta/Zero?

Wrench: they already fixed my only gripe which was the crane helmet fitting on the head so that you can see the ears of the person alright. Otherwise I really don't have any issues with this costume, it looks fantastic

Joule: as much as I appreciate Joule sometimes having butch hair, I think her wig needs SOMETHING funky. Cause Joule is funky and would do crazy stuff. A mullet or rattail braids? She would.

Trax: I think the codpieces on them are so out of place cause I don't even know if they're trains? They shouldn't have elaborate costumes with all the stunts they're doing obviously but idk what I would do to fix that

[notebookmusical]

Back for Part 2! Gosh..I think the Ragtime casting is so amazing too and I think Joshua Henry will be so great in this role. Haha wow..I remember watching the bootleg and being pretty impressed with the prologue especially. I do find the show a bit confusing or hard to follow so I couldn't imagine going in blind omg. There's just a lot of characters and stuff going on but I can totally see why you cried. Now thinking about it, I might have cried at Wicked or Hadestown..maybe Rent or Color Purple but not sure. It wouldve only been a few tears though and maybe like awe for seeing the show..idk. I'm not really a crier I guess. I remember my sister crying when we watched Finding Neverland bootleg though. Can't wait to hear about the Notebook experience!

I honestly don't remember much about Gypsy except Mama Rose so I'm not too interested in the rest of the cast honestly but she would be great! I only remember a few songs from the musical and can barely remember any other characters singing lol. But I do think Audra will be a star and give it her all so I'm still excited. This is why I like revivals..it reminds me about shows I've forgotten about lol. I am really hoping The Last Five Years will be good..it's the opposite where that's a show I know all of it well mostly cuz it's sung through. I did get pretty used to the movie and Jeremy singing the songs and I think Nick Jonas might not be that bad with these songs or too far from that. I mean..it's not as difficult as Les Mis and maybe he's improved from that or since then lol. Adrienne's voice does not seem very much like Cathy though so I guess we will see. I agree The staging and it only being two people will be hard to do on Broadway and mainly just by yourself singing songs. What else is the stage design supposed to look like or have on it..so things like that, but maybe it doesn't matter too much. Idk what they usually do either.

Those are nice choices! I am not as familiar with some of these shows..I can barely remember Drowsy Chaperone and am only familiar with a few songs from Secret Garden and Wild Party. But your Bridges choice seems great lol and A Chorus Line would be interesting. It is hard to think of older shows to revive sometimes but somehow they are doing Sunset Boulevard again after only like 6 years I think back in 2017 so you never know. I would pick Passion for another Sondheim musical and wonder how that would be since all Sondheim revivals seem successful.

I was enjoying both of these but honestly haven't been reading so I might read more today and tomorrow. My favorite tropes are second chance romance, friends to lovers, right person wrong time, love triangles if it makes sense, and like star crossed lovers forbidden love or secret relationships and poor boy loves rich girl lol. I also like stories that describe the whole characters relationship and how it got there. I'm a fan of past and present timelines mostly. I'm not really a fan of fake dating at all. In YA, I like a lot of mental health and more tragic stuff though and stories about friendships and families. What about you?

So at first I thought the casting was for Beach read and wasn't sure about it but I guess People we Meet on Vacation fits more. I'm not familiar with either of them so I really don't know. But I can try to finally finish the book and maybe try to picture them as the characters so it's like a movie. I'll see how that goes since I only know him from Ballad of Songbirds and he had another hair color lol. I hope it's good cuz they were approved by Emily I think. I also just found out that Every Summer After will have a sort of sequel about the characters brother romance and idk how to feel about it but I guess I'm looking forward to it. I'm enjoying this one but I think Every Summer After would still be my favorite but this didn't seem similar to me. I still haven't read Meet Me at the Lake so maybe will read that will people we Meet too, since that was announced as a movie a while ago too. I guess I'm happy about it cuz I always like romance movies anyway haha.

I honestly don't know what Taylor will do for the recordings either. Both options sort of make sense, but I think I agree with you. my sister even said today and we agreed since we already had a new album, she wouldn't mind waiting a year instead of nothing to look forward to next year when tour is over. I know people might want them done or as soon as possible, but I don't really mind. Well she already announced Speak Now TV and 1989 TV on tour..so I think she would again if it's that soon and of course I would be excited. I agree with your Collab choices too even if I'm not sure which will happen. I could totally see Maggie Rogers or Halsey for rep though. I'm so happy for Maisie and Holly for opening, and could even see them as good choices for debut too haha but she might want to keep it country people. I don't think Kacey likes Taylor though and not sure how their voices would be.

I finally listened to Clairo and enjoyed it. She kinda has a specific sound and voice that makes her music unique. I've listened to Gretta Ray a little bit..maybe I should listen more. I think she's okay but maybe too similar to Maisie to me. I also listened to Kacey's deluxe album which was fine but I think she picked the right songs on the album and they all started sounding alike. This week I am also focused on listening to Beabadoobee's album who also opened for Taylor! I would say this album is almost similar vibes to Taylor and softer than her previous albums. I wasn't impressed at first since I prefer some rock and guitar but it's growing on me now. The song Coming Home kinda had a similar feeling to Sweet Nothing and I really liked her song Beaches which was a good mix of her two styles. If you like Bea, i'd say Soccer Mommy is pretty similar actually! Like she does rock but also has some softer songs and I have a feeling her new album might be like that too. I just love her for her super relatable lyrics and vibes. I can try to give some recommendations if you want too. My favorite color is still pink but I changed it to green in 6th grade for some reason and I feel like it is an underappreciated color. Clearly I was always meant to be a Wicked Stan! I love saying pink goes good with green cuz those are the two colors I wear the most haha. Also omg how were the concerts? That's so cool and fun..I'd love to see Olivia live. Do you have any tips or anything since I am going to my concert next week? I will also send a review after. Actually tour starts tonight and I'm going to try to avoid spoilers if I can! I hope you have an awesome trip in New York if I don't talk to you again!!!

replying under the cut <3

i actually don't know a whole lot about gypsy either so you can take my sondheim stan card away haha. i love revivals but i wish sometimes they were a little more innovative and different! i tend to be a revival enjoyer unless it's like, the recent west side story revival haha. i'm really intrigued by the last five years, and my brain keeps wanting to classify it as a revival but no!! it's a new musical! it's never had a broadway transfer. it'll be interesting to see how it does stacked up against everything else! ooh i would love a passion revival! i think we should always have a sondheim show running on broadway 🙂‍↕️

oh i am so sleepy but i will give you some recs hehe:

second chance romance: this is everything 2 me. i loveeee second chance romance. and also i don't have a lot of good second chance romance recs ASIDE FROM PERSUASION the og :( everything i've ever read that's second chance tends to disappoint me.

friends to lovers: love, rosie (movie), where rainbows end (book love rosie is based off of), people we meet on vacation (book), when harry met sally (movie, perfection), the flatshare (book)

right person wrong time: MY FAVORITE TROPE ......... unfortunately have yet to find it in a book that i think is good enough but. once (movie/musical, which you obviously know). roman holiday (movie). oh it's everything to me. i guess normal people (book, tv) if you squint. kind of.

love triangles: i cannot think of a single love triangle book right now i am so sorry

star crossed lovers/forbidden love/secret relationships: also blanking on this one

poor boy loves rich girl: i don't have any rec recs here for books or movies but if you ever want to suffer through 6 terrible seasons of gossip girl (my beloved) for dan and blair (my most beloved) they're perfect to me i will not take criticism on this one. in hindsight i would also put normal people here.

also have i pitched the seven year slip to you? i'm sorry if i have! i am very sleepy haha. which i think you can tell from the jumbled reply here but i wanted to reply before your concert!!!! anyways, it's perfect and i do think you'd like it it's kind of adjacent to a lot of these tropes but not quite. but i love it dearly.

some of my favorite tropes: right person wrong time, second chance romance, friends to lovers (similar to you)! i don't mind fake dating; i actually love most tropes if done well and especially if they manage to put their own spin on things!

i didn't know every summer after is getting an adaptation!! that'll be interesting! i loveee a good romance movie! especially rom coms! we need the like 90s-2000s rom com movement back!

do we think she's announcing rep tv tomorrow? i guess by the time you see this and reply we'll know! part of me wants to say yes but i really don't think it's going to happen tomorrow. we'll see though! i feel like i keep seeing more things that make me go hmmm maybe and then i'm like no never mind i think she's just messing with us. i would love a maggie collab — i think about her cover of tim mcgraw all the time! i still haven't listened to the new halsey songs, i should do that soon! i'm so proud of holly and maisie both for opening :") i watched both sets on livestream and was just so so happy for them both. andddd yeah i don't think kacey likes taylor much haha

i loveee the new clairo. it's just so good! and gretta and maisie are friends so it makes sense that you think they're similar — and maisie sings backup on one of gretta's songs :) i haven't listened to new kacey yet, but i did listen to the new beabadoobee last week and enjoyed it. i haven't listened to it again since though and i don't think any particular track really stuck with me unfortunately but it is a solid album/listen-through. i also finally listened to the new hozier! i'll check out soccer mommy! i've heard good things but haven't yet! and in return, have you listened to alessi rose? i really like her ep and have been playing that quite a bit lately! that and the new del water gap deluxe songs :) oh and skullcrusher! you know i'll always take recommendations from you my friend!!

my concerts were both really really fun! i loved olivia's set and she's really grown as a performer since she was first starting out :") and the japanese house was so special because i got to see her with a close friend and at the zoo AND it was her biggest headlining show to date!! eep! i think my only concert tips are: bring earplugs! if you don't have them already, i recommend the loop ones but if you forget them no big deal (i forgot mine for olivia and had to ask for some) most arenas/stadiums will have earplugs!! just go to guest services or accessibility 🤍 and triple check the bag policy! sometimes you're allowed to bring a factory sealed water bottle which i love doing. and i personally like drinking a liquid iv when i get home post-concert (liquid iv + tylenol) just because i know i've screamed a lot/need to hydrate more. other tips: wear comfy shoes! bring a backup phone charger! if you're sensitive to flashing lights, try wearing sunglasses so it's not as IN your face — i did that at olivia and it helped a bit i think! but most importantly: be aware of your surroundings and HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!

i can't wait to hear about your concert!! sending love and big hugs!

[marlowe1-blog]

"The Fourth Alarm" (The Stories of John Cheever)

Nostalgia vs 1970

I was surprised to find material on this story including a Wikipedia article about it, castigating Cheever for his conventionalism and misogyny. Of course, is Cheever a misogynist or just his characters (the same depiction vs. authorial intent dilemma that induced me to give Flannery O'Connor the benefit of the doubt with her characters all spouting the N-word with wild abandon)

I was surprised because this feels like a nothing story. Maybe it wouldn't be a nothing story if I read it on its own, but probably not since this is your standard Cheever character - the gin drinking husband vaguely unsatisfied with his wife and having a bit of a problem with his mistress. He's just there being an upper middle class suburbanite, doing upper middle class suburbanite things

Then we get to the story which is that his wife decided to go into acting because there's a play on Broadway (or off-Broadway) where the actors get naked. The wife is very excited by it. She's so excited that she pushes past everyone in the audition to get to the front and get naked.

This doesn't sit well with the narrator. For the second time in a row I don't know the narrator's name. Should I assume that it's John Cheever? His protagonists are getting less involved in their own lives. That's probably a theme.

Anyhow, the story is very short and mostly it's about the narrator worried about his wife throwing off her inhibitions and getting naked in a Broadway show. The only frame of reference he has is the Burlesque dancers with husbands who were sad comedians. But that's all terribly dirty and this is an actual challenge to the patriarchy.

The narrator is all about the tradition and the patriarchy. Oh sure, women get naked but only for the male gaze. Oh sure, there's infidelity but it's mostly mistresses of gin drinking suburban husbands. (see previous posts where I note how Seinfeld seeing "having an affair" as an adult thing is actually a generational thing as far as George is concerned. The so-called Greatest Generation had affairs while holding miserable marriages together. The Baby Boomers just got divorces).

Speaking of which, the narrator can't even get a divorce because New York divorce laws won't allow it. Actually I don't think they allow it today, at very least, it's hard to get a divorce in New York. The wife sees no reason to get a divorce.

This leads us to the last set piece where the narrator goes to the play and everyone is naked. Ozymandias II, the play, would be a parody but it feels more like a fantasy concocted by a lame suburban type when they hear that there is nakedness in Hair.

Like everyone is naked all the time and they are simulating sex and...

Let's take a moment for the narrator to have a nostalgic reminiscence of a childhood experience going to the movies where the movie The Fourth Alarm is playing. I suspect that this is Cheever's creation as it's a movie about how a fire department still uses horse drawn carriages but only when all the trucks are in use. So the movie has everyone in the horse division feeling useless until there's a really big fire and then the horses are employed and they save the say. YAY! Traditional values. Those old horses really do have something going for them.

And then he wakes up to Ozymandias writing "something obscene" on his wife's butt. Yeah, this is a ridiculous play where nothing happens but a bunch of naked people writing nasty things on each other and then they make the audience get naked.

The audience gets naked.

Yeah. My suspension of disbelief is broken. Audience interaction is usually confined to one of the actors sitting on your lap. But in this case, the audience gets naked. The narrator gets naked (also the narrator gets hit on in the theater. I kind of forgot to mention that. He doesn't react) and if only they didn't ask him to give up his keys and his wallet with a lot of peer pressure, he might have given in.

But he doesn't want to give up everything. So he gets dressed and goes home and feels happy to be smug.

As Huey Lewis said "It's hip to be square"

Also this one was published in Esquire in 1970. So men be manly.