#Kelly watches the west wing

[gingerwerk]

“I just want us to talk because I like the sound of your voice” is still one of the most romantic lines I’ve heard in a tv show I know I would fucking fold if someone told me that

[madlori]

West Wing rewatch

(Yes I posted about this last night and then deleted it - initially i was thinking I might do a episode-by-episode reblog but ain't nobody got time for that)

There's a new book out called "What's Next" about the making of TWW and I thought it was time for a rewatch (it's been awhile - for some time there it was too depressing to watch it). I'm on episode 4, so here are some thoughts.

No other show has ever done "initial character introductions" as well as the pilot episode of this one. There's a lot of characters, and they're all so clear from minute one.

Even in their first episode appearances, it is SO CLEAR that Moira Kelly sticks out like a sore thumb. There's a thing with Sorkin's writing that you can either get it in your mouth, or you can't. She can't. The energy is off. She doesn't match the others' freak. Every time I've rewatched this show, this fact is more and more obvious.

Bingeing also reveals some of Sorkin's writing crutches...like the "characters repeat the same line several times to different characters or even to the same one for comedic effect" thing he does all the time.

I'm not here to suck Sorkin's dick or anything but damn, a lot of this dialogue is amazing.

The dramatic technique in the pilot of everyone talking about the President but nobody seeing him until That Entrance he makes is freaking genius.

God, Sam Seaborn is a douche in these first few episodes. His patronizing, aggressive behavior towards Laurie is really inexcusable - happily a lot of the other characters call him out on this but I always feel like the show's kind of on his side.

Also...Sam. You spent several years with Leo McGarry almost 24/7 on the campaign trail, and somehow were not aware that his daughter is an adult and not a 4th grader? Paging narrative continuity.

John Amos as Admiral Fitzwallace is one of my favorite recurring characters. The scene where Leo's asking him about the optics of hiring Charlie, a young black man, to be the President's personal aide and he just has no time for it. "I have plenty of real battles to fight, Leo. I don't have time for the cosmetic ones." Good advice, that.

This show does not work without John Spencer.

Martin Sheen somehow conveys all at once that this President is both very smart and very naive at the same time, as well as that his personal ethics may not be entirely compatible with his job.

God, every time Mandy shows up it's like a needle-scratch and the entire scene grinds to a halt.

Charlie is a great character but I always suspected that after the pilot, they suddenly realized they had an all-white cast (well, apart from Martin Sheen who is Hispanic but isn't playing one here) and were like...um let's add a character who isn't. Maybe that'll be discussed in this book I'm reading.

[isagrimorie]

Watching a scene where Amy Gardener cut Josh’s phone line to get ahead reminded me how much I dislike Josh and Amy together.

It’s like how I love Ainsley as a character even when I don’t agree with Ainsley’s politics and her point of view about the ERA.

It’s the same way I don’t agree with Amy’s point of view about sex workers… which are outdated point of view now.

I think Amy is Sorkin’s attempt to re-write Mandy. Amy is more memorable than Mandy and that is very much due to Mary Lousie Parker— unfortunately for Moira Kelly she never found her footing in West Wing.

But also IMO, Sorkin is not great at writing romance. He tries for the bantery slap-slap-kiss formula but then he goes way too far.

(I haven’t seen The American President— so I don’t know how romance is handled there but that was a movie so directors have more say over writers.)

Amy and Josh were really not great together— and I remain baffled with comments that claim Amy was the only one of Josh’s love interests who can push back at him and is his equal.

And I am baffled because it tells me that the person hasn’t watched seasons 6 and 7 of the West Wing…

Donna had a whole fantastic arc of leaving Josh’s shadow and growing professionally as a savvy political operator.

And, when Josh and Donna finally hooked up in the final season— it was Donna calling the shots and acting very adult.

She knows Josh and knows herself— and she’s learned she loves being a political operator. And, if they let it, it can get swept away into the whirlwind that is the White House work.

I can see Donna working far. Chief of Staff to Flotus is only the first step for Donna to bigger things, IMO. So I love from the start Donna established clear guidelines about their relationship. She’s been caught up in Josh’s wake for so long— that while she wants to be with him, she wants to run parallel next to him and not behind him like she used to be.

[chaotic-super]

Back To Krypton - Chapter 32

Read Back To Krypton on AO3 here!

Alura transports them to a small building close to the edge of Kandor, just a few miles west of the city. It’s surrounded by farming fields, most of which are becoming barren by this time with the impending doom of the planet forever inching nearer.

The conversation on the journey there is incredibly stilted, perhaps from the shock of everything going on. For Kara, it’s seeing her mother alive and well for the first time since she was just a young girl. For Alura, it’s seeing her daughter all grown up whilst knowing there’s a twelve-year-old version of this very woman waiting at home in Argo with her father. For Alex and Lena, it’s pure awkwardness from being in the same space as the pair of them.

It becomes clear very quickly that this is some kind of agricultural research facility, one that is for some reason, empty. One would think that the council would be doing everything they could to keep a place like this running constantly since they are fully aware of what’s coming, even if they aren’t willing to tell the public.

Alura leads them to some kind of stable to secure Bolt into and give him some kind of medical treatment for his wounds where the panther-like animals clawed at his legs and wings when they were trapped in the ship.

When they round the corner and they head inside the stable, they see a familiar winged beast.

“Hey Swoopy, how are you, buddy?” Kara joyfully moves to pat the head of the other H’Raka, the one that Nia, Kelly and Esme had, meaning that they are inside, safe and sound, exactly where Alex needs them to be. Exactly where all of them need them to be. They have a whole heap of questions and they have a lot of confusion surrounding everything but at the very least, they know that their group is safe.

Alura can’t seem to take her eyes off Kara, watching the way she’s interacting with the H’Raka and her gentle nature towards what many would believe to be a dangerous, ugly animal. Her daughter is instead enamoured, filled with love and intrigue, exactly what she’s always wished for her to grow up to be. She might not know how Kara being here is possible but she’s getting the feeling that she and Zor-El must have done something right to have a daughter like her.

Alura is the one to take a look over Bolt’s injuries once he’s been put into one of the pens in the stable, his head harness attached to a ring on the back wall so she can be certain that he won’t instinctively set her on fire for hurting him accidentally in the process of trying to check him over.

She carefully hoses off all of the tree sap from his legs and is almost astonished by the state of his legs. They are very obviously badly cut up and he has some pretty gnarly-looking scratches but what’s strange is the rate that he is healing. His cuts have scabbed over well and look like they have been healing for several days rather than just a few hours, it’s remarkable.

“What is this stuff?” Alura grumbles to herself, mostly just in awe.

Lena, having overheard Alura’s quiet question, jumps in to answer. “It’s tree sap from one of the trees in The Scarlett Jungle. The giant snake thing broke a bunch of trees and when he ran, he got covered in it. The Rebellion use this to heal wounds from the plants from the forest but if what it’s doing to Bolt is any suggestion, it could be used for a whole lot more than it currently is.

“Incredible,” Alura mutters. “It has healing properties that are really quite fascinating. Are you sure this is naturally occurring? I’ve never seen anything like it, nor seen any record of it, although not many dare to venture that far into The Scarlet Jungle, you can see the reason why in that ship you were aboard.”

Lena nods. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, we didn’t go in there for fun. We had a goal in mind and we’re lucky we made it out alive, that’s all thanks to you.” Lena looks over towards where Alex and Kara and surrounding Swoopy, greeting the other H’Raka with lots of fuss and attention. He’s the favourite now they have learnt what a coward Bolt is, Bolt has really earned his name.

“I’m not sure that does make me feel any better, any business you have in there, it isn’t good and since I know Astra was involved, I am doubly scared.”

“What happened to Astra?” Lena questions.

“I think it’s best we wait until we are all inside before we talk about all of that.” Alura brushes her off and gets back to healing Bolt as best as she can.

Lena lets it slide, not necessarily happily, but she’s content to wait because there’s a high possibility that whatever it is she’s going to say, it’s going to be big because in the game they’ve been caught up playing, Astra’s role is ginormous.

The three Superfriends watch Alura as she works for several minutes, bandaging him up and washing him off before adding some of the sap back onto his cuts, this time with a lot more precision since it was Bolt himself that rubbed himself in the gunk.

Alex is practically running towards the building with how fast she’s walking and trying to encourage the others to walk too because she’s so excited to get back to Kelly and Esme. For a second back in the jungle, well for a few seconds, she really thought that she was never going to see them again and she’s honestly shocked that they are standing here now, alive and mostly unscathed, it’s a true phenomenon.

Kara takes Lena’s hand gently in her own, slipping her fingers between Lena’s in a move that is well-practised. They all make their way across the field towards the building with haste in their steps, they know who is inside and they don’t want to waste a moment.

Alura opens the door to the building with a code, pressing multiple buttons with various Kryptonese symbols scrawled across them in a rapid movement that she has obviously done many a time before today, all the while she has the three women behind her watching every move she makes while they wait with an obvious impatience to get inside.

The second the door is open, Alex shoves her way passed Kara and Lena, effectively tearing their joined hands apart so she can get to her wife and daughter. Kara and Lena don’t so much as bat an eyelid though, they just let her go ahead and race their way in themselves, unaware of the look Alura is adorning, one of inquisitiveness.

Her eyes aren’t on the group, just one person, and she’s almost afraid to look away, too curious about the woman that is obviously her daughter, the woman that came out of a birthing pod just twelve years ago, a woman that looks like she’s in her mid-twenties, a woman that doesn’t make any sense and yet makes all the sense in the world because she’s her daughter and that’s all she needs to know and yet there’s more she yearns to know.

They immediately enter a large room, the floor made of what appears to be tile except it’s not smaller tiles like they have on Earth, the entire floor is one giant tile. There are muddy boots and clothes tossed aside in a far corner and there’s some kind of tap or hose-like feature coming out of one wall over a drain. This is definitely an agricultural facility of kinds because this is the wet room for washing off before heading into the building fully.

They don’t wash off though, despite the fact that they are all kinds of dirty, they aren’t fussed. Instead, they direct themselves completely towards the door that they just know leads to the rest of their group, and Alex wastes no time in grabbing the handle.

She tries to pull the door open as hard as she can, almost falling on her butt when the door doesn’t actually open. Kara snickers as she regains her footing and takes over, gripping the handle and sliding the door to the side. She really thought that the time they spent in the other accommodation would have prepared Alex for the sliding doors Kryptonians prefer.

Alex barely even registers Kara’s amusement though because the moment the door is open, she’s going through it and she’s rushing to find the others. She doesn’t have to look very far though.

The door leads directly into what looks to be a common area with a couch and a few chairs, all oddly shaped, their backs curved into the silhouette of a mountainside. They might be odd, but they are inviting, especially to their tired bodies that yearn for rest except it’s not the couch they are interested in, it’s the people sitting on the couch.

“Mommy!” Esme spots Alex before Alex can spot her and there’s barely a moment’s notice before she has her arms full of the little girl. Without missing a beat, Alex pulls her to her chest tightly and presses her nose into the shoulder of her daughter, overwhelmed with her joy and relief that she’s been reunited.

It’s not a few seconds later that Kelly is in the mix, the little family huddled together while Nia pops up to drag Kara and Lena into a hug too. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey Nia, are you ok?”

Nia nods into the pair, happy to be held between two of the women she’s spent the last couple of days worrying about. “I’m good, your mom is really nice, Kara.”

That kind of snaps Kara out of the daze she’s been in since seeing her mom again, the daze that has stopped her from fully comprehending what it means that they are in the same place and that she is interacting with someone that she shouldn’t be interacting within the best interests of the future and someone that in her timeline, has been dead for decades.

Kara releases Nia and Lena from the hug and moves to hug Kelly and Esme. Once they are all reacquainted and settled, she can move on to the discussion they all need to have, preferably one without her mother first so the group can get back on the same page and share information about what’s going on because for the others to be here and have spoken to her mom, they must know something they don’t.

Alura allows them the time to say hello to each other and check over one another to ensure everyone really is ok and only once she’s certain everyone is satisfied does she speak. She starts by clearing her throat to get their attention. “So, I think we have a lot to talk about, shall we sit?”

She gets several nods in response but no verbal confirmation but she figures that everyone is just as nervous as she is so she just takes a seat at one end of the couch with the hope that it will allow her the opportunity to sit beside Kara but not pushing it by outright expressing that desire.

Everyone follows suit and takes a seat. Kelly and Alex take chairs beside each other with Esme on Alex’s lap and Nia takes another chair not too far away. There’s one chair left and then the other side of the couch that should really only fit one other person but Kara and Lena squeeze in together.

It was Lena’s decision to do that, she knows Kara and she knows her well. She can tell that Kara wants to be near her mother and she wants to allow herself to be open towards the strange interactions they are going to have to have but she’s nervous, more nervous than Lena’s seen her in a while.

It’s not the same kind of nerves she’s seen in Kara when they are in a sticky situation or when something terrible is happening to make them fear for their lives. Instead, it’s the kind of nerves she’s seen when Kara’s got an interview with someone she admires or the nerves she’s seen when she used to help Kara get ready for a date or two back in the day. The nerves she sees now are much more poignant though.

She can see it in Kara’s face, the way her right eyebrow twitches slightly and the way she can see Kara’s jaw move as she nibbles at the side of her tongue. It’s tiny things but she knows them well and she knows she can help so she’s unafraid to do something that makes her look a little strange in order to be there for Kara.

Kara does still end up beside her mother, she’s just also squished up into Lena’s side with her arm draped over Lena’s legs and Lena’s arm wrapped around her shoulder loosely.

“Alright, where shall we start?” Kara asks, all too eager to have as much clarity on their situation as possible.

Alura hums as she thinks, a trait that Lena can’t help but notice that Kara also does and it makes her heart ache in a strange kind of way to realize that it’s one of the only things Kara has left of her mother, tiny traits of characteristics she can barely recall but still does without a second thought.

“I think it’s best I just explain why I’m here to start with and then you can explain why you’re here,” Alura says with a hint of a demand, her voice strong enough that everyone can tell she’s not going to back down easily but not so firm that it was an order. It reminds Kara of the days when her mom used to tell her to clean her room, it was simply a task she had to complete.

Kara sniffs, her nose full of smells she hasn’t smelt for a long time. The smell of an air conditioner and scented pouches of herbs that were always around their home when she was young. She can smell the dust that she can see gently scattered over the windowsills and the faint scent of her mother’s perfume, one so ghostly familiar it makes her want to cry. “That sounds good.” Her voice is thick because she’s barely holding back her emotions but nobody comments on it. Lena’s arm just tightens around her shoulders by a tiny fraction.

Alura presses her lips together in a movement that once again, mirrors an action they have all seen a thousand times before in Kara, and then she starts her explanation. “Right, so, Astra came to Argo to see Kara, my Kara, and we caught her. She offered to make it easy for us, to hand herself over without a fight and to talk openly about what has been happening with The Rebellion if I speak to her privately. I couldn’t pass up on the information so I agreed, with precautions of course.”

Kara sucks her cheeks into her mouth to stop her from snapping at her mother for the obvious anger she holds towards Astra, a woman she loves because she loves her no matter what her flaws are. Astra offered up what little she has to get them to safety and yet her mom is still speaking down on her now.

“She told me that she knew she wouldn’t get the chance to fulfil a promise she made and wanted me to do so for her, she begged me to and that was what got me to agree. Astra is many things but she’s never been someone to beg. She told me where I could find your group  and asked me to help you in any way I can and she gave me her spy beacon, she begged me to keep you all as safe as I can and to help you all out, she told me it will all make sense when I see who it is in the group, something that confused me quite a bit when I first saw just three people, all of whom I’ve no connection to.”

“And then the beacon went off.” Kara fills in.

“And then the beacon went off,” Alura confirms. “I’m not sure why I even went out into the jungle that far, I could see that it was dangerous but something in my gut just told me I had to go and that I would regret it if I didn’t so I went and found the rest of you. I knew who you were the moment I saw you and I wasn’t about to leave you behind. I couldn’t.”

Kara can’t look at her mother. It’s been a long time since Astra died in her time and since she learned of the way her mother so ruthlessly sentenced her own twin sister to Fort Rozz and she thought she had dealt with the emotions that come with that a long time ago but it’s quite obvious to her now that she’s fooling herself because that’s not true, not now that she’s seeing it play out in real-time.

“Where is Astra now?”

“Let’s hold off on that for a while.” Alura says, “I want to know all about how you got there and why you’re here.” She reaches over to try and take Kara’s hand but she pulls it away.

“No.” Kara shakes her head. “I need to know what’s going on with Aunt Astra. She’s been there for me and she’s a better person than you seem to think she is.”

Alura sighs, looking down at the couch cushion between them for a long few seconds before looking up and trying to find Kara’s eyes. “Kara, your aunt isn’t as good of a person as she has led you to believe, she’s done things that are—”

“She’s done things that aren’t great out of desperation to save the planet you’re hiding the impending doom of.”

“She’s killed people, Kara.” Alura looks desperate to get Kara to see reason but it’s not happening.

“And you think the planet dying isn’t going to kill people. Wilful negligence is murder too and we both know you have had a hand in hiding the truth from the public. You’re two sides of the same coin and yet you still want to toss her away like she’s nothing more than a nuisance to be rid of.”

Alura breaks eye contact with Kara, she can barely stand to look into them. They are so familiar and yet so foreign. She’s stared into them so many times over the twelve wonderful years she’s had with her daughter but this version of her, this Kara, she’s jaded in a way Alura doesn’t like. She’s seen things that haunt her, it’s written across her irises in a way that can’t be hidden and the anger…The anger in her eyes is nothing short of scorching, terrifying and untameable.

“Kara, I don’t know what you think you know, but there are a lot of factors at play at the moment and there’s a lot you don’t know. Astra has handed over information about The rebellion and now she’s being transported to a secure location until her trial, which won’t take place until I’m present.”

Kara shakes her head. “She’s just put herself in so much danger to protect me and you don’t even care.”

“And how is it that she’s put herself in danger? She was already surrounded, she wasn’t escaping.”

“You’re going to sentence her to Fort Rozz along with any other members of The Rebellion you’re going to catch because of the information you got from her will be sent there too. Do you think they’re going to forget that she’s the one that sold them out between being attacked by phantoms in The Phantom Zone? I don’t think so.”

Alura doesn’t want to think about that. “Kara, how are you here?”

“I think that’s obvious.”

With Kara’s tone growing more and more aggressive and accusatory, Lena decides to jump in because it’s clear from the awkward expressions on the rest of the team’s faces that nobody else wants to because it’s a family matter. To Lena, that’s just bullshit. “We’re from the future and we have a mission to accomplish in order to save a lot of lives.”

In some ways, Alura was expecting that, she kind of guessed from some of the comments Kara made back when she first got out of the ship and from simply guessing from having her prepubescent daughter suddenly be standing before her as an adult but having it confirmed is a whole new ballgame.

“You’re being serious?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the mission?”

“I can’t say.”

“Why not?”

“With all due respect, we’ve done way too much damage to the timeline already by simply interacting with you. We’ve already changed too much and we can’t risk anything else happening that can cause rifts we can’t fix.”

A sour look crosses over Alura’s face. “I need something. You may be my daughter, Kara, but you have given me no reason to trust that you aren’t going to cause major issues by exposing council intellect. The people of Krypton can’t know what’s coming, it’ll just cause panic and we have so many avenues to explore that could solve the issue before we even get to the kind of stages where we warn people.”

“We need a piece of technology from Father’s lab in Kandor. That’s what we came here for. We had to land far away from the city so we weren’t detected and then the plan was to trek all the way on foot. Astra helped us out part way through our journey. That’s all I can share and even that is too much.”

Alura’s eyebrows pull together as she tries to make sense of what she’s been told, the whirring of her brain only increasing with each new tidbit of information she manages to gather. “You came from off-world, was that because of the time travel or because you came from another planet?”

“Both,” Lena answers. “We came from Earth.”

“Oh Rao, no.” Alura mumbles, all of the pieces clicking into place in one swoop. Kara’s strange anger towards her, the look in her eyes, the way she holds herself, it all makes sense now. They might be working on solving the issues with the planet but they still have a backup plan in all else fails and that backup plan is Earth so for them to have come from Earth, that means they fail. They fail and this is who Kara will become because of that failure; a woman haunted by the rotting corpse of her planet and the family she’s lost.

Kara and Lena find themselves looking to each other for answers as to why Alura just reacted that way, unaware of the pieces of the puzzle that just fell into place for her and just all around too tired for the conversation they are having and too in the dark about too many things to make sense of it all anyway.

“If you came from Earth then that means Krypton is gone,” Alura answers their silent question. “Kara, please tell me it isn’t true.”

“I can’t do that, ieiu.” Kara switches to Kryptonese at the end, referring to her mother as she always did as a child, hoping to bring her some kind of comfort she can’t help but think she doesn’t fully deserve.

Alura turns in her seat, moving her body to better face Kara before grabbing her hand again, this time with enough strength that Kara doesn’t bother fighting it. “How long?”

“Not long.”

“Days? Weeks? Months? How long? I need to know.”

“I can’t tell you that.” Kara shakes her head, “I can’t tell you anything.”

Alura drops her head down onto their hands, breathing deeply while she absorbs what that really means. Billions of people are going to die and she doesn’t have the power to fix it.

She takes a while to collect herself enough to lift her head again but when she does, she’s still completely unable to think of anything else or bring herself to pretend that she’s alright when she’s very well not. “I think we should go and rest and then reconvene to continue this conversation at a later time, we all have a lot to think about.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Kara says, voice small but not timid, just soft.

“The others can show you where the rooms are, go and wash up and get some sleep, you know how grumpy you can get if you don’t get enough sleep.” Alura tucks a stray strand of Kara’s hair behind her ear and presses a kiss to her forehead, an act this is just second nature to her.

Kara’s eyes immediately flood with tears. She can’t decide if she’s happy about her mother being here or not and seeing her again after all this time and a lot of that is because she can’t decide if she wants to hug her or if she wants to slap some sense into her. Either way, her mother isn’t going to let her hide anything so for better or for worse, she’s stuck with her now.

Kelly guides them all up to where there are several bedrooms. This place isn’t as big as the accommodation is so they have to share anyway. For the group, there are only two bedrooms, one with two large beds inside of it and one with just one large bed.

Kara and Lena are very happy to find that they are being allowed to take the room with just one bed for themselves but Kara knows why they are letting her have it. They know she has issues with her mom, they just saw it first-hand, and so they are trying to give her space.

Luckily, not all of the group want to give her space because, within minutes of being in their bedroom, their packs are dumped, their shoes and clothes shrugged off and they are beneath the sheets, heads resting on the same pillow and their eyes are closed. They can wash up later but for now, they just need to be close and they need to have the ability to hold a conversation without their eyes closing.

Read the next 3 chapters early on my Patreon here!

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #53: June 25th - July 1st

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from June 25 - July 1, 2023! Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing!

[EDITOR’S NOTE: With the way Twitter was limiting users this week, it is very likely we missed something. Please feel free to send us a DM on Twitter if we missed something you posted and we will make sure we add it to the next briefing! Thanks for understanding!]

Challenges/Prompts:

The following is a roundup of open challenges/prompts. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

We (@twwpress) are bumping our anniversary Wheel of Destiny drabble challenge to Saturday July 8 - Sunday July 9 because of Twitter rate limit problems this weekend. We’ll continue to keep you updated on our tumblr!

The Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda Josh/Donna prompt fest (hosted by @jessbakescakes and @thefinestmuffin) revealed on June 24. Prompt claims and submissions are still open. Details here.

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from June 25 - July 2.

Dule Hill appeared on Good Morning America, The View, and GMA3 to promote the second season of The Wonder Years.

Dule Hill posted a photo of himself with Donald Aison on the set of The Wonder Years. 

Dule Hill posted a promo video for Wednesday’s episode of The Wonder Years. 

Dule Hill posted a photo of himself with his wife and son at Universal Studios. 

Josh Malina posted a photo of himself on stage in Leopoldstadt. 

Marlee Matlin posted a photo of herself with her niece and nephew. 

Marlee Matline posted a photo of herself with her mother-in-law along with an 80th birthday wish. 

Mary McCormack posted a cute photo of herself and her husband. 

Mary McCormack posted a promo poster for her show Heels on Starz; the second season premieres on July 28. She also posted a promo video. 

Rob Lowe appeared on the Kelly Clarkson show. 

Peter James Smith posted a photo of his new haircut. 

Peter James Smith posted about a play reading he participated in.

William Duffy posted a photo of himself with Josh Malina after a performance of Leopoldstat.

Donna Moss Daily: June 25 | June 26 | June 27 | June 28 | June 29 | June 30 | July 1

Daily Josh Lyman: June 25 | June 26 | June 27 | June 28 | June 29 | June 30 | July 1

No Context BWhit: June 25 | June 26 | June 28 | June 29 | June 30 | July 1

@twwarchive: June 25 | June 26 | June 27 | June 28 (1) | June 28 (2) | June 29 | June 30 | July 1

Edits/Artwork:

#CJTOBY: it’s the last thing i wanted. by @livsbenson [VIDEO EDIT]

#ABBEYANDELLIE: i love you for giving me your eyes. by @livsbenson [VIDEO EDIT]

#CJTOBY: i would go anywhere that you lead. by @sapphiccjcregg [VIDEO EDIT]

Editors’ Choice: 

Roll down your window and crank up the tunes! This week we're bringing you some of our favorite road trip fics.

Some Basic Principles of Relativity, with Assorted Games and American Landscapes by raedbard | Rated M | Sam Seaborn/Toby Ziegler | Complete | Sam's bright idea is a Senior Staffers' field trip through the beautiful landscapes of New Hampshire. That this isn't going to go at all the way he planned it is hardly his fault. and so it was (we never saw it comin’) by hanyolo | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | By the time Donna’s second week on the campaign comes to an end she has learnt three crucial things.

Josh’s watch is seven minutes slow.

Presidential campaigns pretty much run on caffeine and adrenaline.

Run everything by C.J..

She’s also learnt that Josh doesn’t have a filter, that he rarely thinks before he speaks and has zero impulse control, that he’s also kind and funny, that his eyes sparkle when he teases her, and that his dimpled grin gives her butterflies.

This morning, she learns that Josh apparently has no qualms about disrupting her weekend.

// campaign era j/d take a road trip

 Home of the Badgers by ETraytin | Rated T | No Pairings Listed (Gen Fic) | Complete | Donna went home to Wisconsin to try and patch things up with her boyfriend. That didn't work out, so she and her best friend Stephanie go on a road trip to get Donna back where she really belongs.

 Traveling East by krazykitkat  | Rated E | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | Complete | Cross-Country Road Trip.

"You stuck too?"

No. It couldn't be. If Carol was behind this...

 Road Trip by Adrienne [archived by westwingfanfictioncentral_archivist] | Rated T | No Pairings Listed (Gen Fic) | Complete | A car. Four senior staffers. A very, very long drive.

 You're My Best Friend by sam_writes_fics | Rated G | C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler | In Progress | When Toby met CJ, a long time ago.

This story follows a young Toby Ziegler as he embarks on a cross country road trip to California, where he inevitably meets his new best friend, Claudia Jean Cregg.

Title inspired by the song You're My Best Friend by Queen.

 Incredibly Campy Road Trip From Hell, The by Brandy [archived by westwingfanfictioncentral_archivist] | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | Sort of an answer to the Feb. challenge- sort of an answer to the Writer's Block challenge, think of that- Josh and Donna on the worst road trip imaginable

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own.

Josh/Donna

Errors and Omissions by Chinesepapercut | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Best Friends by elizabeth21ella | Not Rated | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

you came like a resolution (under a starry sky) by JessBakesCakes | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Domestic Days by spooky_spacegirl | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Exile by MatthewsMary | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

Here With Me by katecarmella04 | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

 Abbey/Jed

Everlasting Love by mlea7675 | Rated G | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | In Progress

The Rest of Our Lives by Labda | Rated G | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | Complete

 Other Pairings/Gen Fic

Adorable, Yet Ill Adored by HotchkissRoyale | Rated E | Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn | In Progress 

no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin by JediAnnieScrambler | Rated E | C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler | Complete

Figures of Speech by Darsynia | Rated T | Toby Ziegler/Original Female Character | In Progress

Off the Record by  onekisstotakewithme for daylight_angel, miabicicletta, Luppiters, hondagirll | Rated T | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | In Progress

 Multiple Pairings

Golden State by miabicicletta for Luppiters, onekisstotakewithme, hondagirll, ballroompink, stars_inthe_sky | Rated M | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

xx, What’s next?

[missyourflight]

some stuff i read and watched in april:

succession (s1-3 rewatch): probably a mistake emotionally to do this in the thick of s4 but we move!! it's so good obviously

the diplomat: solid west wing-flavoured nonsense heightened by the ridiculous hotness of keri russell and david gyasi and rufus sewell!! sometimes television is just about wanting people to kiss and that's okay!!!

the righteous gemstones (s1 rewatch): judy gemstone is the most important comic creation of our times and judy/bj is a Romance, thanks 💎

dungeons & dragons: honour among thieves: i had a very good time and also cried a little bit 🐉

suzume: didn't hit me like your name (what could???), but what a cute little chair

how to blow up a pipeline: this slapped! like if ocean's eleven were fuelled by climate rage

margaret: extended edition obvs, as a briony tallis apologist i fucking loved this!! love a teenage girl desperately trying to make the world fit her narrative and forced to accept that other people have real lives!!! hello to j smith-cameron and kieran culkin!!!

michael cragg, reach for the stars: oral history of british pop music 96-06 and the most fun thing i've read in Ages!! i made a playlist!!

erin kelly, the skeleton key: the plot was fun but the main character was So annoying lol (possibly exacerbated by the fact i did this one on audio? woof)

laurie colwin, home cooking: so so warm and funny, perfect comfort read

[beconcealed]

Tom Fitton (Lawyer)

Tom Fitton

Tom Fitton (Born. 1968) is a known American personality, right wing ideology supporter. And author of the bestselling Book called A Republic Under Assault.Further, the book is based on current President Joe Biden's government. The way opposition leader Donald Trump is being targeted in false cases. And American culture or tradition has been destroyed by Democrats since 2020.Besides, He is a self-claimed expert of diverse topics (Politics, Geography Politics, Society issues, Laws and Order etc.) and fact checker of false news or content spread via fringe elements or democrat's leader.However, he gives clarification that all of the statements or opinions deliver through me on the different subjects. That is all of my personal views only over topics he made.Moreover, He hold a degree in Bachelor of Arts in English. But runs a non-Profit Organization called Judiciary Watch and He is the president of the Organization.Read also: Christina Bobb | Age, RNC, Author, Attorney General, Twitter, Lawyer, Parents, Family, Boyfriend, Husband, Net Worth

Basic Descriptions

Name: Tom FittonIdeology holds: Right wing, PatriotismProfession: Author, Activist, Political CommentatorNationality: AmericanReligion: ChristianityCategory: OrthodoxCollege/University: George Washington University, New York, USAEducational Qualification: Bachelor of Arts in EnglishBirth Place: West Nyack, New York, United States of AmericaHometown: Washington, D.C., USAMonth, Date, and Year of Birth: May 30, 1968Parents: N/AGirlfriend: Kelli Janko Wife: Kelli Janko (Entrepreneur)Children (s): Not Yet Is Tom Fitton a Lawyer? Well, when it comes to know, "Does He Lawyer or Not?" Then, by education or profession, He is a Bachelor Degree holder in English Stream. And professionally, he is an author, Political Commentator and Activist.At the same time, He runs an organization called Judicial Watch and He is the president of the organization himself. And the good thing is that he doesn't charge any USD to anyone.Whether they are facing personal legal issues or political victims through the Democrats monsters. It is totally a non-profit organization, as Fitton himself claims.Physical Appearances Height: '5'8' Age: 56 Years Old (as of 2024) Eyes Color: Brown Body Measurements: Biceps size: 16 Inches; Chest size: 48 Inches; Waist size: 44 Inches Hair Color: Grey Skin tone: Cool WhiteTom Fitton Net Worth The Fitton is a noted personality in Electronic Media, Print Media as well as social media. And used to participate in debates, political events or in the podcast runs by the same ideology people like Patrick Bet David Podcast etc.Along with, run an organization and events. And owns a Fact Checker team. And write some of the best-selling books (which we have mentioned above in detail; you can scroll up to read them if you haven't).However, if we come to the point (Net Worth) that "How much does he make a dollar?". Then on the basis of data available as well as after analyze his work.Therefore, you can say it could be approximately from $4 to $5 million USD Dollars including other sources of Income. For instance, Royalty from the Book, Investment in Stocks or Real States and so on.Favorite ThingsPolitician (s): Donald Trump, Former President (United States of America); George W H Bush, Former President, USAPolitical Inclination: Republican PartyHobbies: Traveling, Reading BooksAuthor: Christina BobbFoods/Cuisines: Cow, Buffalo (Beef); Chipotle, Tacos, PizzaSports: Golf, FootballTom Fitton Official Website, Social Media Profiles and PagesJudicialWatch.org JudicialWatchBook.com X (Formally Twitter) Facebook TikTok YouTube InstagramNote: (Sources Info); Hi there, we are delighted that We have come to this point. And I just want to say all the information or facts provided above are based on the information available either on the Internet or the Author's Official Website, Social Media Profiles and Pages.Thus, you (Users, Viewers, or Readers) can check or verify each piece of information by scrolling through the person's social profiles and pages or visiting the site only. And that's it for now in this particular article, We will see you in the next one Bye. Read the full article

[thingstol00kat]

2023 watches

Triangle of Sadness (2022) Ruben Ostlund Where do We go Now? (2012) Nadine Labaki The Whale (2022) Darren Aronofsky The Balcony Movie (2021) Pawel Lozinski Capernaum (2018) Nadine Labaki Stutz (2022) Jonah Hill West Beirut (1998) Ziad Doueri All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2023) Laura Poitras The Insult (2017) Ziad Doueri Moon is the Oldest TV (2023) Amanda Kim Close (2023) Lukas Dhont Oscar Animated Shorts, 2023 White Noise (2022) Noah Baumbach Women Talking (2022) Sarah Polley Tel Aviv on Fire (2018) Sameh Zoabi Wings of Desire (1987) Win Wenders Working Girls (1986) Lizzie Borden Waltz with Bashir (2008) Ari Folman Divine Intervention (2002) Elia Suleiman 5 Broken Cameras (2011) Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi Showing Up (2022) Kelly Reichardt Bad Education (2004) Pedro Almodóvar Wild Life (2023) Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi Air (2023) Ben Affleck Being John Malkovich (1999) Spike Jonze Anomalisa (2015) Ben Affleck La piel que habito (2011) Pedro Almodóvar Habla con ella () Pedro Almodóvar Adaptation (2002) Spike Jonze Synecdoche, New York (2008) Charlie Kaufman Barbie (2023) Greta Gerwig Past Lives (2023) Celine Song Mulholland Drive (2001) David Lynch One Child Nation (2019) Nanfu Wang Hooligan Sparrow (2016) Nanfu Wang Requiem for a Dream (2000) Darren Aronofsky The Artist is Present (2012) Marina Abramovic The Woodmans (2010) Scott Willis What Remains: The Life and Work of Sally Mann (2006) Steven Cantor Shirkers (2018) Sandi Tan The Birds (1963) Alfred Hitchcock The Holdovers (2023) Alexander Payne Andy Warhol documentary (2006) Ric Burns Fallen Angels (1995) Wong Kar Wai Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) Maya Dern Lost Book Found (1996) Jem Cohen Anatomy of a Fall (2023) Justine Triet Belle Epoque (1992) Fernando Trueba

[georgi-girl]

Last Song: “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson

Favorite Color: Indigo

Currently Watching: “The West Wing” marathon with my Mom.

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: My favorite is sweet while savory is a close second.

Relationship Status: Single (but looking for love)

Current Obsessions: The Dreamworks Trolls franchise, Gravity Falls, Netflix Big Mouth, and most recently the UglyDolls movie.

Last Thing I Googled: Tangled characters (needed an image for a meme)

9 People To Get to Know Better

Thanks so much for tagging me @outeremissary !!!! Getting to this one a little late and idk who has been tagged already but if any of my moots see this and want to do it, pls consider it a tag to do so!

Last Song: Wicked Game by Cris Isaak

Favorite Color: Hmmm I think it’s Maroon or Burgundy! I love any deep, dark shade of red tea

Currently Watching: The X-Files and King of the Hill with my sister

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: I definitely lean more towards Spicy and Savory! In the summer it feels like I’m never hungry for anything but ice cubes and popsicles though because it’s too damn hot lmao

Relationship Status: Single!

Current Obsession: Honestly, I think it’s X-Files!! The show honestly just keeps getting better and better and I’m on season 6! Mulder and Scully are my little guys

Last Thing You Googled: “Manhattan Project budget” I wanted to compare it to the budget of GTA 6 that I just saw lmao

[chefdoeuvre]

Under Control

Kelly Severide

Pairing: Kelly Severide x Sister!Reader

Description: Even when you think you have things under control older brothers always worm their way into helping.

Words: 1,595

Requested: yes by @ticklepete; Okay so can you do a Kelly x Sister where y/n is being seriously threatened by someone who she had a run-in with in the past (like an arsonist or former victim, etc) and of course Kelly's overprotective brother side kicks in. Her being the independent woman she is gets a little annoyed but ultimately is thankful. I feel like #46 and #12 would work with this.

Warnings: mention of minor injuries, blood, fluff as per usual.

A/N: I just love Kelly Severide and his overprotective ways. This can be counted as a stand alone or a part two for Rivalry. I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors.

—

There they were again, flowers sent to the firehouse addressed to you. At first, you thought it was sweet how you had a secret admirer. Now after a month and a half of this you were starting to be fed up with it. Of course, you couldn't throw the flowers away they were too pretty for that, clearly, someone had spent a solid chunk of change to get them for you. Obviously, Kelly offered to tell Jay and get him to find out who they were coming from but being the stubborn Severide you are you declined.

The next shift came by in the blink of an eye and this time instead of a large bouquet of fresh flowers you were simply handed an envelope. The envelope didn't have a return address on it only the firehouse's and your name printed on it. You stuffed the envelope into your locker when the announcement system went off signaling a call. The call was a fairly normal rescue. Thankfully, there was a simple solution to saving the victim and it didn't take long to get them to safety.

After heading back to the firehouse you went back to your locker and pulled out the envelope that's been invading your thoughts since you got it. Ripping it open you unfolded the single piece of paper in it and let your eyes scan the words. Reading over them multiple times you felt a pit in your stomach. It was clear to see that they were threats aimed at you. This only confused you, if this wasn't some secret admirer who the hell was this? The words were generic threats you'd expect from a regular old crime show so that's not what scared you. It was the fact that they went through these lengths just to get your attention. Instead of doing what a rational person would do you stuffed the envelope back into your locker and tried to get your mind off of it.

Making your way out of the locker room you bumped face-first into a hard chest. Immediately two arms reached out and grabbed onto your shoulders to steady you. Looking up with wide eyes you're met with the familiar steel blue ones of your brother.

"Hey, you all right?" Kelly asked as he scanned your facial expression.

"Yeah, I'm fine." You nodded quickly.

You tried to sidestep away from him, but his strong arms kept you planted there. Given the fact that he's your brother, he knew you like the back of his hand and he knew what you were like when something was bothering you.

"No, you're not. Talk to me." Kelly urged as you all but looked him in the eyes.

Sighing you shoved his hands off your shoulder and turned on your heel assuring him that you were fine. In truth, you were far from fine but you'd deal with it your own way. Which was being majorly stubborn about it and completely ignoring the fact that you weren't okay. You made your way into the common room and took a seat in between Herrmann and Mouch who were watching an old movie.

Kelly, being the nosy brother he is took it upon himself to check out your locker. Granted he only knew your combination because it was your birthday and as your brother of course he knew you would use that as the passcode for your phone as well. Pulling open your locker the envelope fell out and he quickly pulled it open. Reading the words across the page he suddenly felt the urge to punch someone.

Soon enough, the announcement system went off signaling a call. Apparently, it was a large abandoned warehouse on fire which meant all of Firehouse 51's help was enlisted.

Pulling up to the scene Boden started giving out directions to each unit. Squad was taking the brunt of the work by checking the building along with some of Truck's help. You and Kelly were paired up to go the furthest into the building, biting back a joke about the sibling power duo the two of you were you headed into the burning building. Kelly stood close beside you with a clenched jaw, still angered by the threats aimed at you.

"We're clear on the West wing." Cruz's voice sounded from your walkies.

"Same on the East." Stella agreed.

"All good on the North wing. South?" Casey asked.

You and Kelly were still making your way through the building about to reply when you heard a shrill scream. Looking up in alarm, the two of you shared a glance before setting toward the sound.

Taking the lead you made your way weaving through the crates to where the sound came from. Another high-pitched sound shocked you into place before you started toward the louder noise again.

"I've been waiting for you." A deep, gravelly voice sounded from behind a large crate.

"We have to go, this place isn't gonna last long." Kelly chided looking between you and the wooden crate.

"That doesn't seem to be in my agenda, Lieutenant Severide." The deep voice tutted.

You and Kelly shared a look of confusion. How the hell did this guy know who he was?

"Oh, allow me to introduce myself." The man all but cackled as he stepped out from behind the crate.

In his hands was a familiar-looking bouquet of flowers. He had a devilish smirk planted on his face and dark eyes that made him look demonic.

"It's Charles, but you can call me Chuck." He greeted with a sickly sweet smile and looked dead at you.

Kelly immediately stood to step in front of you and practically growled at the man.

"Cool it, Kell." You shoved your brother aside with a roll of your eyes.

"All right, Charlie was it?" You crossed your arms nonchalantly, "take your flowers and leave or I promise you I'll let the hound at you." You gestured a hand toward your fuming brother.

Of course, you were naturally sassy, but in times of danger, your sass levels would go up by a hundred. Was this the smartest idea to agitate the guy who lit this place up? No, probably not, but your instincts decided otherwise. The man was rendered speechless, to say the least. He was expecting a sobbing woman not a lady who could even out sass Jay Halstead on a good day.

While the man was a blubbering mess Kelly took the initiative to call it into Boden because of course this had to all go down in a burning building. A few moments later you turned on your heel and began dragging Kelly with you.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kelly berated.

"I'd rather get the hell out of dodge before I turn into a crispy treat." You hissed pulling him toward the exit.

Chuck still stood there trying to mutter out a response when he bolted after the two of you. Pushing Kelly ahead of you, you turned around to see Chuck barreling toward you. Grabbing his wrist in a tight grip you all but dragged him out of the building. Just in time the three of you made it out of the building before a huge explosion erupting out of the ceiling.

Out of the corner of your eyes, you caught sight of the Severide sibling's favorite detective and pulled Chuck along with you.

"I think your package was sent to the wrong building." You shoved Chuck forward as Jay pulled the man's arms behind his back and cuffed him.

"Thanks, Y/N." Jay nodded with a smirk adorning his features.

"Anytime, detective." You flashed a quick smile before heading back to your fellow firefighters.

Letting out a breath you didn't know you were holding you ripped your helmet off and dropped it to the ground.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Kelly placed his hands on your shoulders before pulling you into his arms.

"Oh, come on. That was totally badass." You chuckled.

Kelly stared at you bugged-eyed, tilting his head in confusion.

"Come here, you big teddy bear." You wrapped your arms around Kelly's waist, hugging him tightly.

Locking your hands behind him you pulled back hissing in pain.

"What? What's wrong?" Kelly scanned you for any injuries.

"Damn bouquet had thorns in it. I'm fine though." You scrunched your brows pulling at the thorns embedded in your palm.

"What do you mean you're 'fine'? You're bleeding!" Kelly exclaimed.

"Dude, they're just thorns." You dismissed.

Kelly pushed you toward Gabby and Sylvie wordlessly as you wiped the little bit of blood escaping your hand.

After getting all cleaned up and heading back to the firehouse you went to find Kelly who was hunched over his desk in his bunk room.

"Thank you." You spoke up leaning against the door frame.

Kelly snapped his head toward the sudden voice.

"What?" Kelly asked with a small smirk.

"I said it once, that's it." You crossed your arms with a pout.

Kelly raised his brows and you let out a defeated sigh, "thank you for being my protective brother, even if I don't need you to be." You stepped forward and placed your hands on his shoulders with a small smile.

"It's in the job description." Kelly reached his hand up to ruffle your hair.

"Seriously, how many times do I have to tell you not to touch my hair?" You laughed, pushing his hand away.

"You're gonna be the death of me, I swear." Kelly rolled his eyes playfully.

[gingerwerk]

Lou hiring Donna and then locking her and josh in a room to make them talk about whatever beef they have so they can all keep working together… I think Lou’s head would’ve spun before she murdered both of them if she knew the truth behind their 7 year situationship

[faraway-wanderer]

BOOKS BY ASIAN AUTHORS MASTERLIST #stopasianhate

In light of recent events and the growing anti- Asian hate in the US and UK over the course of the pandemic I wanted to put together a masterlist of books by Asian authors. Obviously, it’s not extensive and there are HUNDREDS out there, but supporting art by Asian creators is a way of showing support; read their stories, educate ourselves. It goes without saying that we should all be putting effort into reading stories of POC and by POC because even through fiction we’re learning about different cultures, countries and heritages. So here’s some books to start with by Asian authors!

Here is a link also for resources to educate and petitions to sign (especially if you don’t read haha). It’s important that we educate ourselves and uplift Asian voices right now. Your anti-racism has to include every minority that faces it.

https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/

for UK peeps, this is a good read: We may not hear about the anti Asian racism happening here, but it is definitely happening. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/a35692226/its-time-we-stopped-downplaying-the-uks-anti-asian-racism/

 THE BOOKS:

·         War Cross- Marie Lu ( the worldbuilding in this is IMMENSE.)

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. 

·         Star Daughter- Shveta Thakrar

A beautiful story about a girl who is half human and half star, and she must go to the celestial court to try to save her father after he has fallen ill. And before she knows it, she is taking part in a magical competition that she must win!

·         These Violent Delights- Chloe Gong (I told my little sister to read this book yesterday bc she has a thing for a Leo as Romeo- so if you want deadly good looking Romeos, badass Juliet’s and to learn about 1920s Shanghai- this is for you.)

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery. A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. A Romeo and Juliet retelling.

·         The Poppy War- R.F Kuang (My fave fantasy series just fyi- it’s soul crushing in the best way. Rebecca Kuang is a god of an author).

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.

·         Loveboat Taipei-  Abigail Hing Wen  (Really heartwarming and insightful!)

When eighteen-year-old Ever Wong’s parents send her from Ohio to Taiwan to study Mandarin for the summer, she finds herself thrust among the very over-achieving kids her parents have always wanted her to be, including Rick Woo, the Yale-bound prodigy profiled in the Chinese newspapers since they were nine—and her parents’ yardstick for her never-measuring-up life.

·         Sorcerer to the Crown- Zen Cho (if anyone is looking for another Howl’s Moving Castle, look no further than this book)

At his wit’s end, Zacharias Wythe, freed slave, eminently proficient magician, and Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers—one of the most respected organizations throughout all of Britain—ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up.

·         Emergency Contact- Mary H.K. Choi (very wholesome and fun rom-com!)

For Penny Lee high school was a total nonevent. When she heads to college in Austin, Texas, to learn how to become a writer, it’s seventy-nine miles and a zillion light years away from everything she can’t wait to leave behind.

 ·         Jade City- Fonda Lee (I am reading this currently and can I just say- I think everyone who loves fantasy and blood feuds in a story should read this.)

JADE CITY is a gripping Godfather-esque saga of intergenerational blood feuds, vicious politics, magic, and kungfu. The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It's the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities.

 ·         A Pho Love Story- Loan Le

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Ugly Delicious in this funny, smart romantic comedy, in which two Vietnamese-American teens fall in love and must navigate their newfound relationship amid their families’ age-old feud about their competing, neighbouring restaurants.

·         Rebelwing- Andrea Tang

Business is booming for Prudence Wu. A black-market-media smuggler and scholarship student at the prestigious New Columbia Preparatory Academy, Pru is lucky to live in the Barricade Coalition where she is free to study, read, watch, and listen to whatever she wants.

·         Wings of the Locust- Joel Donato Ching Jacob

Tuan escapes his mundane and mediocre existence when he is apprenticed to Muhen, a charming barangay wiseman. But, as he delves deeper into the craft of a mambabarang and its applications in espionage, sabotage and assassination, the young apprentice is overcome by conflicting emotions that cause him to question his new life.

 ·         The Travelling Cat Chronicles- Hiro Arikawa

Sometimes you have to leave behind everything you know to find the place you truly belong...

Nana the cat is on a road trip. He is not sure where he's going or why, but it means that he gets to sit in the front seat of a silver van with his beloved owner, Satoru. 

 ·         Super Fake Love Song- David Yoon

From the bestselling author of Frankly in Love comes a contemporary YA rom-com where a case of mistaken identity kicks off a string of (fake) events that just may lead to (real) love.

  ·         Parachutes- Kelly Yang

Speak enters the world of Gossip Girl in this modern immigrant story from New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang about two girls navigating wealth, power, friendship, and trauma.

·         The Grace of Kings- Ken Liu ( One of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time!)

Two men rebel together against tyranny—and then become rivals—in this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, recipient of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.

·         Wicked Fox- Kat Cho

A fresh and addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.

 ·         Descendant of the Crane- Joan He

In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.

 ·         Pachinko- Min Jin Lee

Richly told and profoundly moving, Pachinko is a story of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty. From bustling street markets to the halls of Japan's finest universities to the pachinko parlors of the criminal underworld, Lee's complex and passionate characters--strong, stubborn women, devoted sisters and sons, fathers shaken by moral crisis--survive and thrive against the indifferent arc of history.

·         America is in the Heart- Carlos Bulosan

First published in 1946, this autobiography of the well known Filipino poet describes his boyhood in the Philippines, his voyage to America, and his years of hardship and despair as an itinerant laborer following the harvest trail in the rural West.

 ·         Days of Distraction- Alexandra Chang

A wry, tender portrait of a young woman — finally free to decide her own path, but unsure if she knows herself well enough to choose wisely—from a captivating new literary voice.

·         The Astonishing Colour of After Emily X.R Pan

Alternating between real and magic, past and present, friendship and romance, hope and despair, The Astonishing Color of After is a novel about finding oneself through family history, art, grief, and love. 

·         The Gilded Wolves- Roshani Chokshi

It's 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

·         When Dimple met Rishi- Sandhya Menon

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

·         On Earth we’re briefly Gorgeous- Ocean Vuong

Poet Ocean Vuong's debut novel is a shattering portrait of a family, a first love, and the redemptive power of storytelling.

·         Fierce Fairytales- Nikita Gill

Complete with beautifully hand-drawn illustrations by Gill herself, Fierce Fairytales is an empowering collection of poems and stories for a new generation.

 BOOKS BEING RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR TO PREORDER:

·         Counting down with you- Tashie Bhuiyan- 4th May

A reserved Bangladeshi teenager has twenty-eight days to make the biggest decision of her life after agreeing to fake date her school’s resident bad boy.

How do you make one month last a lifetime?

·         Gearbreakers- Zoe Hana Mikuta- June 29th

Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they're fighting for a common purpose--and falling for each other--in Zoe Hana Mikuta's high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu's Legend series

·         XOXO- Axie Oh- 13th July

When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.

·         She who became the sun- Shelley Parker-Chan- 20th July

Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan's She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy.

·         Jade Fire Gold- June C.L Tan- October 12th

Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they're fighting for a common purpose--and falling for each other--in Zoe Hana Mikuta's high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu's Legend series

  Keep sharing, signing petitions and donating where you can. The more people who are actively anti-racist, the better. And if your anti-racism doesn’t include the Asian community then go and educate yourself! BLM wasn’t a trend and neither is this. We have to stand up against white supremacy, and racism and stereotypes and we have to support the communities that need our support. Part of that can include cultivating your reading so you’re reading more diversely and challenging any stereotypes western society may have given you.

 Feel free to reblog and add any more recommendations and resources of course!

[you-are-so-much-better-than-that]

Do you know what if you had asked me in 2004 I for sure could have done the jackal for you. These days it's just snippets. First Rikers Iiiiisland, then they hid him in the state peniTENtiary! said the charge was, Grand Larceny that was, nineteen eighty-five, and today if he's still alive they'd call him, The Jackal...and then that runs into Cruise control, built for speed chrome on everything. And the stereophonic speakers. Though he really didn't need them. When they called him. The Jackal. That song doesn't make an awful lot of sense lol but I did used to know all the words because I'm nerdy that way. But I digress! Your questions:

1) Apropos The Jackal, do you have like a weird performance thing that you do on demand? I always wonder like, how did that idea come about? Can you recite a sonnet or lipsync to something (which I suppose is more common now since drag race hit the mainstream). Do you have a Thing?

2) Thoughts on Justin Trudeau?

3) What do you do with your old tech? Do you get rid of it straight away? Do you have a drawer full of old phones? Do you take it out back and shoot it like clay pigeons? What?

🐕🖤

I had never even heard of that song before I watched CJ perform it. Even after, I've never heard it outside of youtubing that scene. Which I've done a lot. But now I just wanna see you do it!

1) Literally no one would ever demand it because I make the tone deaf sound like Kelly Clarkson, but can sing a very large chunk of the Disney discography. And, again, no would would ever ask, but I've forced people to sit and listen to me give impromptu history lectures. Like I'll force them to sit and listen to me talk about the wives of Henry VIII. None of these things tend to do well at parties.

2) Boy. That's a can. Well. He's got great hair! And cute kids. Aaaaannnnddd....he looks great when he stood next to Trump and your Boris. But that's not a high bar. He's a blob of wasted potential. He's a liberal's wet dream! He says all the things I wanna hear. But he doesn't do anything. Lots of big talk and no actions about election reform and environmental issues and better indigenous relations. He's been PM since 2015 and he's been a useless blob with a mouth and great hair. And there have been some shady side business dealings he's been caught in. Still, I'd rather a blob with amouth and great hair than a conservative Tory that actually does things I don't want, so guess what party I'd vote for in the next election anyway? 🙄

3) LOL I have a box. An entire tote of old electronics sitting in my sister's basement. We sold the house we grew up in last year and in doing so, we threw out 30 years of my family's stuff. Just junk my parents had acquired, things my sister and I didn't throw away as we got older. But I still didn't get rid of a single old laptop or cellphone. Most of them don't even turn on! But in my head, maybe I can get someone to take the hard drive out and see what's on it? Is this a thing that's possible? I don't have clue! I don't know how computers work! But it's gonna sit there until someone tells me it won't work.

Then I think it would be fun to go out to an empty parking lot with a baseball and break it all! Though I'd probably just...leave it out in the bin on trash day.

Thanks for the questions Howl! Always fun. Here have one of my favourite West Wing scenes ft CJ Cregg

[scotianostra]

24th July 1411 saw the Battle of Harlaw, near Inverurie.

Get this "biggie"  out of the way first, it is also known as  "Reid Harlaw" (Red Harlaw)

Is it okay to have a favourite battle? Well maybe not the event itself, it was a bloody affair by all accounts, and sadly an all Scottish affair, classified as a clan battle, the reason I like it is more to do with the song and the monument to those that fell.

In 1411 Lord Donald of the Isles and his army marched across the north east of Scotland. Two miles north west of Inverurie the Highlanders met a Lowland army to resolve competing claims to the Earldom of Ross. The battle was inconclusive, but the Highlanders withdrew.

The battle has become shrouded in myth and mystery and means different things to different people. From the time of the battle onwards it has cast a large shadow. Writing only a generation later, John Major recorded that school children in Aberdeen played out the battle during play time. The first ballads to record and commemorate the battle date from 1548. Ballads, songs and stories continued to be written concerning the battle over the centuries and have embellished, exaggerated and distorted the reality of Harlaw, which makes it great for those looking into as so many differing accounts have been written.

The immediate cause of the battle was a struggle for power between Donald, Lord of the Isles and the Earl of Mar, Alexander Stewart over possession of the Earldom of Ross. However, the roots of the battle are feudal and relate to an ongoing power struggle in the country at the time. On the one hand were Donald, Lord of the Isles and a number of clans. On the other hand were elements of the Stewart family, particularly those known as the Albany Stewarts.

The battle itself took place where Donald chose to camp, near Harlaw, two miles north of Inverurie. Harlaw has been described as a town, but it was more likely to be a 'fermtoun'. Typically these comprised several families and a number of houses.

Donald's forces chose a strong defensive position in this predominantly farming country they stopped on a plateau, which was surrounded by wet land to the east and west. Mar broke camp and crossed the River Urie. Mar split his men into two divisions and the vanguard was led by the sheriff of Angus and constable of Dundee leading the Angus and Mearns men.

Donald's forces were rallied by a battle song, which also shows that Donald's forces were in three divisions. Red Hector of the Battles, Hector Roy Maclean of Duart, was Donald's overall general, leading the forces on the right wing, at the head of his clan. The left wing was led by Callum Beg, chief of the MacIntoshes, whilst Donald commanded the central battle force. Mar's vanguard was lead by Scrymgeour and Sir Alexander Ogilvy, sheriff of Angus. The vanguards clashed probably near to where the present day monument stands.

The battle was probably entirely fought on foot. The wealthier lairds and knights may have worn plate armour. Chiefs on the Donald side may well have worn mail with a conical helmet and jupon, a jacket or tunic worn over or under armour. The main body of the men, on both sides, would have been armed with lances, spears, axes and swords and would not have worn armour, or anything that would have weighed them down. I don’t normally go into the apparel, but this relates to the video in the song, which will become apparent if you watch it.

In the immediate aftermath of the battle both sides claimed victory but in reality it had been a bloody and costly engagement for both sides. Nevertheless, Alexander Stewart's actions had saved Aberdeen and checked Donald of Islay's attempts to expand his influence eastwards. Alexander later went on to defeat Donald of Islay's son, also called Alexander, at the Battle of Lochaber (1429). However, two years later Alexander Stewart was defeated at the first Battle of Inverlochy in 1431.

The Battle of Harlaw is often mentioned as the biggest clan battle in Scottish history, and it demonstrated the tensions that were part of the political intigue in the country at the time. 

The Monument which stands on the approximate site of the battle was designed by Aberdeen architect William Kelly  It was commissioned and paid for by the Corporation of the City of Aberdeen and built  by John Smith of Inverurie at the cost of £325 and inaugurated in 1914.  

The coats of arms are a more recent addition and are those of Alexander Stewart Earl of Mar, The City of Aberdeen, Lord of the Isles, Clans, Davidson, MacLean of Duart, and Irvine of Drum.

Like the battle itself, there are many versions of the songs that go with it, some of them go back centuries it was one of the songs listed in the 'Complaynt of Scotland' in 1549, Child ballad 163 is 25 verses and 163B gives 3 alternative verses. Sir Walter Scott  wrote 11 verses of a ballad about Harlaw, saying it was sung by Old Elspeth, a character in his book 'The Antiquary' 

The oldest mention of the battle I found is from the 15th century bard, Lachlan Mor MacMhuirich  whose family served for over 700 years as poets to the Lords of the Isles, he wrote The Harlaw Brosnachadh.  The brosnachadh or poem was sung as an incitement to battle, calling on the men of Clan Donald and their allies to give of their best in the anticipated fight.

I suspect the first version of the song was written by someone more affiliated with the Albany Stewarts as the main versions all give them as the victors. All the major players have recorded versions of it through the decades, The Corries,  The Battlefield Band and Jean Redpath among them. The version I have chosen has some great video, which has elements of a number of movies in it, don’t take them as historic though, the battle scenes with kilts is way off the mark, look out for the flypast of the monument at the end, and enjoy. 

[duchesschameleon]

CHARLIE you’re making me restart the west wing (but it’s fine because i love rewatching the first two seasons).

also IS IT NOT SO WEIRD TO SEE MORIA KELLY AS ANYONE OTHER THAN KAREN. i watched tww first but she seems so natural as karen omg.

join me I’m almost done s2

and I totally flipped seeing moira kelly as someone not karen roe. it was so weird and that’s partially because mandy is so different from karen

[prettyinlimegreenboots]

“Why are you even worrying? The kid’s just going to ignore the toy and play with the box.”

There are no warnings! Enjoy!

“What do you get an 11 month old for Christmas?” Race’s eyes went wide, looking over at Spot. “I don’t know what to get our goddaughter.”

“Why are you even worrying? The kid’s just going to ignore the toy and play with the box.” Spot shrugged.

Race’s eyes went wide. “I can’t just show up with an empty box wrapped.”

“Sure you can. She’s 11 months, Race. She’s not going to remember what we got her.” Spot explained, walking into a Toy Store behind Race.

He headed to the dolls section, pacing the aisle, before looking between the shelves for something to jump off and tell him to buy it for Lillian Kelly. “Give me something, Spottie. What can I get her?”

“I think you should just wrap up a box with tissue paper. You’ll make her day with that.” Spot shrugged.

Race sighed, looking towards the ceiling hoping it would show him some sort of sign. “This is pure agony, Spot. I just don’t know what to get her.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help but overhear.” A lady stood at the end of the aisle, giving them both a look. “You’re looking for something for a young child?”

Race looked over at her with a smile. “Our niece, 11 months old.”

Slipping down the adjacent aisle, she pulled a box out and gave Spot and Race a look. “This is a toy that she can walk behind and it has things that she can play with - it’s a win win and my children have all enjoyed them.”

Spot and Race traded looks with one another before they both smiled at her. “Thank you so much, we greatly appreciate it.”

Christmas Morning

Spot and Race had spent the night at Jack and Kat’s only to see Lillian open her presents. The four adults were up earlier than the 11 month old. Coffee was on, the tree was illuminated, and Kat gave the three men a look. “If you wake her, I will personally kill you all.”

“Awww Kat, you’re going to shed blood on this holy day.” Race gave his sister-in-law a look grinning.

“If you wake my sleeping daughter, yes, yes I will.” Taking a sip of her coffee, Kat gave them a look. “You didn’t hear her screaming this morning around 2am? She needs her beauty sleep.”

Race and Spot looked at one another, shrugging. “Didn’t hear her at all.”

“Neither did my husband.” Kat looked at Jack, a hint of a smile on her face. “If she’s not up by 9, you can go wake her up.”

The three looked at the clock - 7:34am - and groaned. “How about I make some waffles and we can eat while she’s still asleep?”

They grabbed their coffees and moved the party into the kitchen. Streaming music from her phone to the bluetooth speaker, Kat grabbed the ingredients for waffles as the boys sat at the counter, sipping their coffee, quiet conversation between them.

Pouring the batter in the waffle maker, she leaned against the counter, looking at the family in her kitchen. She was so thankful that Spot and Race were spending the holiday with them - Medda was visiting friends in Florida while her parents were visiting her brother in California, leaving her and Jack in the city.

“Kat?” Jack asked, giving his wife a look. “You with us?”

Shaking her head, she smiled. “I sure am.”

“You okay?” Spot gave her a look.

“Just thinking . . . head in the clouds.” She grabbed the waffle from the maker, putting it on a plate and putting it on the counter before putting more batter in the maker. “Go ahead and eat, don’t let it get cold.”

Jack grabbed the waffle, drizzling syrup on it before cutting it up. “These are really good, Kat.”

“Chew with your mouth shut.” She gave him a look, passing over a stack of napkins

Her phone beeped with a message. She grabbed it, smiling at the video that was attached. “Race, do you want to go get Lily?”

“She awake?” Race asked, giving her a look.

Showing them the video on her phone, Race nodded, standing from his seat. They watched him leave the kitchen, heading to Lily’s room.

Kat grabbed the waffle from the maker, sliding it onto a plate before giving it to Spot. She moved to refill her coffee mug before pouring more batter into the maker. “So what are your plans for the rest of the week - you mentioned that you’re done working until January, right?”

Spot nodded. “Honestly, we’re looking forward to doing nothing the next couple of days. I know Race has a couple of Netflix shows he wants to get caught up on but I’m glad I don’t have to go into the office and can sleep in.”

“That’ll be nice.” Kat smiled. “Which shows does he want to watch?”

Shrugging, Spot popped another piece of waffle in his mouth before taking a sip of his coffee. “I know The Crown is on his list along with rewatching The West Wing. Other than that, I don’t know - but he has a list that he wants to check off.”

“Here she is . . .the Christmas princess.” Race exclaimed as he walked back into the room with a wide awake Lily.

Jack took his daughter from Race’s arms, snuggling with her. “Merry Christmas Lily!”

“Da!” She yelled back with just as much excitement as Jack had, causing everyone to laugh.

Kat passed Race a waffle, leaning over to press a kiss to her daughter’s head wishing her a Merry Christmas. The three men entertained Lily, Jack feeding her a bottle as she grinned at them. Kat made herself a waffle before joining them at the counter.

Before long, everything was cleaned up and they made their way to the living room. Kat giggled because while she was cooking, they must have separated the presents into piles for everyone. Jack grinned at his wife as he discreetly pointed to her pile in the corner, next to Lily’s.

Grabbing Lily from Jack’s arms, she walked over to the pile with a few big boxes before sitting down. “Lily, look. You got some presents.”

Kat set her on her feet, as she banged her fists on the big box from Race and Spot. “Should we see what your uncles got you?”

She tore a piece of the wrapping paper, putting it in Lily’s hands as she grinned gummly at her mom, before tearing it back further. Soon the box was revealed as Kat oohed on Lily’s behalf. “Thanks boys. I’m sure she’s going to love this.”

Race and Spot beamed at her praises, as they watched Lily play with the wrapping paper from the box.

Jack picked the box up, opening up and starting to assemble the walking toy as Kat moved onto the next present. Lily was fascinated by the tissue paper, crinkling up a piece in her hands as her eyes went wide at the sound it made.

Kat shook her head, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s head before opening the present from her parents, clothes for Lily along with a teether toy.

Lily, growing bored with the tissue paper, crawled over to Jack to check on him. She sat in front of him, watching him putting her new toy together. Before long, it was assembled. Jack picked Lily up and put her behind the toy as he put a hand on her back to steady her while pushing it forward with his other hand. Her feet followed as Jack moved it along. She flashed her gummy smile at her parents while slowly walking towards her parents. “I think she likes it.”

“We had some help picking it out.” Race grinned from behind his coffee mug. “Didn’t really know what to get her.”

Kat grinned. “This is perfect. Thank you!”

When Lily’s presents were all open, the adults turned to their own piles, opening up the few gifts from each other. Race gasped at the pair of new dance shoes that Spot had gotten him, he had been complaining he needed a new pair but didn’t want to go out in the habloo of the crazy shopping frenzy. Spot grinned as he flipped through the book Jack and Kat had gotten him about engineering feats in the United States over the last 200 years. Kat loved the calendar Race and Spot had made her filled with photos of friends and family over the last year. Jack was thrilled with the grilling set Spot and Race had gotten him - he had taken up grilling over the last few years and was always eager to throw something on the grill and cook it.

Putting down the calendar, she scanned the room. “Where’s Lily?”

The three men, startled by her question, looked around the room, not seeing the 11 month old anywhere. Kat’s eyes went to the stairs but the gate was firmly closed. Jack went to move the box but stopped, laughing loudly. “I found her.”

Lifting the flap of the box, they all laughed seeing Lily laying in the box with several pieces of tissue paper and wrapping paper in her hands, crinkling them loudly.

Spot gave Race a look. “Toldya you should’ve just wrapped up a box with tissue paper and given it to her. Kids, for whatever reason, love boxes.”

“I’ll have to remember that for next Christmas.” Race grumbled, hating that his husband was right about Lily.

Spot threw his arm over his shoulder and cuddled him tight. “It’s alright snookums. She’s going to love her present but at the current moment, the box is much more entertaining.”

Jack and Kat watched their daughter, looking over at Spot and Race. “Thank you both for the box and the toy. We’re so happy you guys could be here with us.”

“There’s nowhere else we’d rather be.” Race grinned, kissing Spot’s check, flashing his sister-in-law and brother a cheesy grin.

Thanks @wide-eyed--wonderer for sending this in!!!