#Kevin Phelps

[subsidystadium]

After being told that a Final Four would bring trillions to the area, the city of Glendale accepts that they made almost nothing off it

Around 2010, the NCAA told Final Four host cities to generally expect an economic boost between $70 and $200 million. Last year, Glendale, Arizona was told that it could make $270 million dollars in economic impact from hosting a Final Four event in 2024. This year, some groups mentioned the possibility of the state making an impact between $250-$300 million from the Final Four. Others believed…

[closetofcuriosities]

GODZILLA PROMO HAT - 1998

[sunshiine69]

Celebrities who share

my natal placements ₁

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Cancer Sun ➟

Leo Moon ➟

Cancer Rising ➟

Gemini Mercury ➟

[rhythm86radio]

Kaytranada to Release New Album Featuring Childish Gambino, Thundercat, Anderson .Paak, and More

Kaytranada will release Timeless, his third full-length album, in June. Timeless serves as the follow-up to Bubba, his 2019 Grammy award-winning project for Best Dance/Electronic album. It features a new version of “Lover/Friend,” Kaytranada’s 2023 single featuring longtime collaborator Rochelle Jordan, as well as the previously released “Stuntin,” plus 19 other new songs. Also featuring across…

[theprimeministerofamerica]

i want to study at a Baltimore university

i will run red lights and would not use my turn signal. i would watch Tom Scott and Marty Bass on WJZ all night while drinking a natty boh downy ocean. i’ll have crabcakes every day that’s worth 20 dollars. i would go to Otakon every night. i am also more likely to meet JPEGMAFIA, Michael Phelps, pjackk and Kevin Spacey.

i wish i was baltimoron :(

[arriansarchive]

Regular Request Rules + NSFW Request Rules

Regular (non-smut) Requests Basic Rules

Request in the ask box

I am allowed to not answer (shouldn't have to be said but it is)

Do not request the same thing twice

I might add/change more rules and characters as time goes on because I'm forgetful

Just Notes

Why is my Miles Morales shit post getting reblogged pleeease pick anything other than that

Reader Rules (non-smut)

I will preferably do male reader

I might do gn reader

I won't do female reader so don't ask

I will accept reader being a characters sibling

Character Rules (non-smut)

I will do romantic female characters

I will do romantic male characters

Reader Rules (smut)

I will do dom!top!reader

I will do sub!top!reader

I will not do sub!bottom!reader

Kink Rules (obviously smut)

I will do degradation

I will not do praise (I'm horrible at it sorry)

I will not do pet names of any kind

I might do other kinks if you specify

Character Rules (smut)

I would preferably do m/m

I will try to do gn/m

I will not do gn/f

I will do m/f

Fandoms I Will Do

Spiderman Into/Across The Spiderverse

Miles Morales

Peter B. Parker

Miguel O'Hara

Pavitr Prabhakar

Hobie Brown

Gwen Stacy

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

Neville Longbottom

Luna Lovegood

Ginny Weasley

(depends) Draco Malfoy

Nymphadora Tonks

Harry/Ron

Hermione/Harry

Hermione/Ron

Neville/Harry

Neville/Luna

Shameless

Fiona Gallagher

Lip Gallagher

Ian Gallagher

Carl Gallagher

Mickey Milkovich

Mandy Milkovich

Veronica Fisher

Kevin Ball

Possibly others if you mention them

Young Sheldon

Georgie Cooper

Mary Cooper

IT Chapter 1/2

Richie Tozier

Eddie Kaspbrack

Bill Debsbrough

Stanley Uris

Beverly Marsh

Ben Hanscom

Mike Hanlon

Eddie/Richie (movie/book)

Ben/Bill (book)

Bill/Stan (movie/book)

Stranger Things

Mike Wheeler

Will Byers (male reader only)

Dustin Henderson

Lucas Sinclair

Eleven

Max Mayfield

Steve Harrington

Nancy Wheeler

Jonathan Byers

Jason Carver

Eddie Munson

El/Mike

Max/Lucas

Will/Mike

Nancy/Jonathan

Dustin/Lucas

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children (book)

Alma LeFay Peregrine

Caul Bentham

Jacob Portman

Emma Bloom

Fiona Frauenfeld

Hugh Apiston

Noor Pradesh

Millard Nullings

Enorace

Jillard

Joor

Jemma

Nuwho

Eleventh doctor

Twelfth doctor

Clara Oswald

Amy Pond

Rory Williams

River song

12/Clara

Fear Street

Kate Schmidt

Simon Kalivoda

Josh Johnson

Ziggy Berman

Cindy Berman

Sally Face

Sal Fisher

Larry Johnson

Ashley Campell

Todd Morrison

Travis Phelps

Sal/Travis

Top Gun: Maverick

Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw

Jake 'Hangman' Seresin

Natasha 'Phoenix' Trace

Heartstopper

Nick Nelson

Charlie Spring (x m!reader only)

Tao Xu

Harry Greene

Elle Argent

James McEwan (x m!reader only)

Imogen Heanley

Nick/Charlie

Elle/Tao

The Fosters

Mariana Foster

Jesus Foster

Callie Adams-Foster

Jude Adams-Foster (x m!reader only)

Brandon Foster

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Ari/Dante

Darius the Great Deserves Better

Darius/Chip

The 13th Reality

Atticus "Tick" Higginbottom

Sofia Pacini

Paul (insert last name here since I forgot)

Tick/Sofia

Tick/Paul

Sofia/Paul

[thr4shdoes-selfships]

Soooo...

Intros!

(Last updated Feb 19 2025)

Username:

@/theclowndoes-selfships, now @/thr4shdoes-selfships

Name:

I go by Evan or Vannie, but I also use the name Thrash

Stuff I do here:

Selfshipping, OCs x Canon, etc

( here will be only selfshipping and similar stuff to that. If you want other content. I recommend you check my main, which is @thr4shit !! )

But... yeah! I have a self shipping blog now, and... yay!

( Please be aware!! I am legally an adult! But any minor characters I mark as romantic f/o's are in relationships with YOUNGER s/i's!! I know that sounds weird, maybe, but I'm trying to explain that as clearly as I can. With those f/o's, I either make my s/i's younger/towards their age, or I do age ups! I'm not just like: "welp, I'm an adult, but one of my f/o's is this x years old character!" because to me that doesn't sit emotionally right. A similar thing for multiple characters of same fandom, sometimes I will use different s/i's for them because I like too many characters from some fandoms as romantic f/o's and it gets/feels awkward so times. I'm guess I'm kind of like a... f/o multishipper, if that makes sense lol...? :'> plus I still have them as f/o's because I technically considered them f/o's before I WAS an adult, so it felt less weird back then. )

f/o list and more below cut

f/o list!!

Key:

an orange source title means a platonic f/o, a pink source title means a romantic f/o, a purple source title means a familial f/o and a blue source title is a f/o outside those categories, like a qpr, or friends with benefits, etc. noncolored source titles are for uncategorized f/o's, likely new to the list.

(work in progress, give me some time, I'm slow and there are a lot. :'D)

Heavy Shvagenbagen (Metal Family)

Dee Shvagenbagen (Metal Family)

Lif (Metal Family *and familial because of a different oc / s/i*)

Lordy (Metal Family ☆☆)

Bob (Metal Family ☆☆)

Sebastian (Metal Family)

*like, ONLY the Younger version of Glam is a romantic f/o. Glam as an adult is a platonic f/o*

Sal Fisher (Sally Face)

Larry Johnson (Sally Face)

Todd Morrison (Sally Face)

Ashley Campbell (Sally Face)

Travis Phelps (Sally Face)

James (Pokémon)

Jessie (Pokémon)

Brock (Pokémon)

Catfeine (Frowning Critters AU)

Catnap (Poppy Playtime *Smiling Critters*)

N (Pokémon Black/White ☆☆)

Brewster (Animal Crossing ☆☆)

Eyeless Jack (Creepypasta)

Toby Rogers (Creepypasta)

Jeff the Killer (Creepypasta)

Ben Drowned (Creepypasta)

Tim Wright *Masky* (Marble Hornets)

Alex Kralie (Marble Hornets ☆☆)

Bonnie/Withered Bonnie (FNAF 1/2 ☆☆)

Nightmare Bonnie (FNAF 4 ☆☆)

Foxy (FNAF 1)

Shamura (Cult of the Lamb ☆☆)

Leshy (Cult of the Lamb)

Heket (Cult of the Lamb ☆☆)

Kallamar (Cult of the Lamb)

Hvitur (Wings of Fire ☆☆)

Riptide (Wings of Fire)

Flame (Wings of Fire)

HABIT (EverymanHYBRID)

Evan Myers (EverymanHYBRID)

Lady Liberty (Schoolhouse Rock) < yes, I'm confused, too. I don't know how she got here. But she's so pretty ;-;

Bill (Curious George)

Milo Asher (TribeTwelve)

Kevin Haas (TribeTwelve)

The Observer (TribeTwelve)

Vincent "Everyman" (EverymanHYBRID)

Orin the Red (Baldur's Gate 3)

Noah Maxwell (TribeTwelve)

Randall Boggs (Monsters Inc.)

Kat (TribeTwelve)

Beelzebub (Helluva Boss☆☆)

Vortex (Helluva Boss ☆☆)

Brandy (Bluey ☆)

Tom Lucitor (Star VS The Forces Of Evil ☆)

Lanny (Prep & Landing ☆)

Gristletoe "Nancy" Joe (Prep & Landing ☆☆)

Tim Stoker (The Magnus Archives ☆)

Pan (Stray Gods ☆)

Alice Dyer (The Magnus Protocol ☆)

Needles (The Magnus Protocol ☆)

Bystander (The Magnus Protocol ☆)

*s1e21 of TMAGP

Also, just in case...

Any f/o's marked with ☆☆ I am NONSHARING of! So in appreciation/gushy posts please do NOT state your affection for them there! While I won't block, it will simply make us UNCOMFORTABLE!

Ones marked with ☆ I am semi-nonsharing !!

Please don't interact if you hate on people who share f/o's... Hopefully that makes sense? I understand nonsharing. But I DO NOT understand nonsharers who go out of their way to harass people who share f/o's. I am PARTIALLY nonsharing but I will NOT stand for HARASSMENT.

The rest of my DNI is the same as my main.

ps.

to any fictives/introjects/etc of my f/o's, I am so, so sorry if this blog makes you uncomfortable. I get how selfshipping is seen as weird, and gets weirder under various perspectives... so... yeah. Sorry in advance.

[wutbju]

When the +++Positives+++ released this letter in January 2023, they blacked out all of the signatories but one:

The full signature line was:

Sincerely, The Executive Board of the Foundations Baptist Fellowship International Approved unanimously with one abstention by the FBFI Board at the 2022 Winter Board Meeting

So yes, Bob Jones III was writing to his own legacy institution to “being to make corrections.”

WutBJU doesn’t know who was present at this Winter Board Meeting of the FBFI outside of Bob Jones III.

But here’s the current slate of officers of the FBFI:

Dr. Kevin Schaal President/CEO Northwest Valley Baptist Church 4030 W Yorkshire Drive Glendale, AZ 85308 Phone: 864.268.0777

Dr. Gordon Dickson Chairman Calvary Baptist Church 2000 Broad Ave Findlay, OH 45840 Phone: 419.422.6842

Pastor Taigen Joos Vice Chairman Heritage Baptist Church 8186 Dover Point Road Dover, NH 03820 Phone: 603.749.0762

Dr. Bud Steadman Secretary Baptist World Mission PO Box 2149 Decatur, AL 35602-2149 Phone: 256.353.2221

Pastor Michael Privett Treasurer Summit View Baptist Church 31 N Highway 25 Bypass Travelers Rest, SC 29617 Phone:  757.206.9544

And the Executive Board:

Dr. Ron Allen Bible Baptist Church 2724 Margaret Wallace Road Matthews, NC 28105 704.535.1692

Rev. Mike Ascher Good News Baptist Church 3252 Taylor Road Chesapeake, VA 23321 757.488.3241

Dr. James Baker Tabernacle Baptist Church 717 N. Whitehurst Landing Road Virginia Beach, VA 23464 757.424.4673

Rev. Earl Barnett King Cove Bible Chapel PO Box 45 King Cove, AK 99612 (907) 497-2076 (907) 414-1402 Cell

Dr. David Byford Faith Baptist Church 7023 Deer Trail Road Manhattan KS 66503 785.539.3363

Dr. Robert Condict Upper Cross Roads Baptist Church 2717 Greene Road Baldwin MD 21013 410.557.7427

Rev. Jeff Davis EMU International 325 Regency Circle Anderson, SC 29625 864.617.7156

Mr. Roger Duvall 22 Elmwood Drive Taylors, SC 29687 864.420.0892

Dr. Ken Endean Tri-City Baptist Church 2211 W Germann Road Chandler, AZ 85286 480.245.7969

Pastor Tony Facenda Stillwaters Baptist Church Milepost 4 1/2 US 158 Nags Head, NC 27959 (252) 255-1835

CH (COL) Gary Fisher 2634 Wisser Street​ Honolulu, HI 98619 785.492.7667

Pastor Terry Hamilton Friendship Baptist Church 700 Boyson Rd NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 319.393.6990

Dr. Mike Harding First Baptist Church of Troy 2601 John R Troy MI 48084 810.689.4555

Dr. Craig Hartman Shalom Ministries Inc 2152 Ralph Avenue #601 Brooklyn NY 11234 718.232.8233

Dr. Dale Heffernan Midland Baptist Church 1860 North Tyler Road Wichita, KS 67212 316.721.1860

Rev. Arin Hess 7210 Orchard Street Lincoln, NE 68505 402.750.0555

Dr. David Innes Hamilton Square Baptist Church 1212 Geary St. San Francisco CA 94109 415.673.8586

Rev. Don Johnson Grace Baptist Church 2731 Matson Road Victoria, BC CANADA V9B 4M5

Dr. Stephen Jones Bob Jones University 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd Greenville, SC 29614

Dr. Larry Karsies Harvest Hills Baptist Church 9713 North County Line Road Yukon, OK 73099 405.721.1920

Dr. Mark Minnick Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 115 Cedar Lane Road Greenville SC 29601 864.233.1684

Rev. Jeff Musgrave The Exchange 10100 Glenayre Court Parker, CO 80134 303.798.1204

Dr. Larry Oats Maranatha Baptist University 745 West Main Street Watertown WI 53094 920.206.2324

Dr. David Pennington Penn Coaching & Consulting 2018 Freeport Drive Indian Trail, NC 28079 317.507.6001

Dr. Chuck Phelps Colonial Hills Baptist Church 8140 Union Chapel Road Indianapolis, IN 46240 317.253.5597

Dr. Kent Ramler People’s Baptist Church 6648 Carpenter Road Frederick, MD 21703 301.473.5635

Dr. C. Matthew Recker Heritage Baptist Church PO Box 7925 New York NY 10016 212.947-5316

Rev. Stephen Russell Central Baptist Church 1812 Honeysuckle Road Dothan AL 36305-4224 334.794.9214

Dr. Dale Seaman Calvary Baptist Church 1768 N Newcomb Street Porterville, CA 93257 559.783.0857

Dr. Will Senn Tri-City Baptist Church 6953 W 92nd Lane Westminster, CO 80021-4074 303.424.2287

Rev. Ron Smith Jr Victory Baptist Church/AFBM PO Box 2462 California City CA 93504 760.373.7314

Rev. Jeremy Sweatt Farmington Avenue Baptist Church 149 Mountain Rd West Hartford CT 06107 860.521.8380

Rev. Dan Unruh Westside Baptist Church 6260 West 4th Street Greeley CO 80634 970.346.8610

Dr. John C. Vaughn 109 Saffron Way Taylors SC 29687 864.325.2531

CH (COL) Joe Willis USAR RET 2021 Bradbury Rd Adams TN 37010 813.767.2734

Pastor Doug Wright Keystone Baptist Church 15 Keystone Lane Berryville, VA 22611 540.955.3410

Dr. Mike Yarborough Faith Baptist Church 1445 Fertilizer Road Riegelwood, NC 28456 919.622.5309

Dr. Wayne Van Gelderen Jr. Falls Baptist Church N69 W12703 Appleton Avenue Menomonee Falls WI 53051 414.251.7051

And then the board members they keep around on an “Advisory Board”:

Rev. Mark Brock Crossway Baptist Church 4600 Ashe Rd. #318 Bakersfield, CA 93313 661.900.2578

Dr. Ron Ehmann Northwest Baptist Missions PO Box 548 Toole, UT 84074

Mr. Mark Herbster Maranatha Baptist University 745 West Main Street Watertown, WI 53094

Dr. Marty Herron Harvest Baptist Church PO Box 23189 Barrigada, GU 96921

Dr. Jeff Kahl W10085 Pike Plains Road Dunbar, WI 54119 704.989.8517

Dr. Greg Kaminski Westside Baptist Church 1375 Irving Road Eugene, OR 07404

CDR Tavis Long, CHC, USN 1820 Sunsprite Loop Chesapeake, VA 23323 662.812.5288

Ch. Maj. Nathan Mestler International Baptist College 2211 W Germann Rd Chandler, Arizona 85286

Rev. Dan Pelletier Hamilton Square Baptist Church 1212 Geary Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94109

CH (COL) Michael Shellman 206 South Courthouse Road Arlington, VA 22204 910.309.6776 Board Emeritus

Dr. Rick Arrowood 104 Rambling Creek Cv Byron, GA 31008-9584 317.217.1600

Dr. Charles Britt Sr. 3979 Kristen Street Spring Hill TN 37174 931.489.9248

Dr. Gerald Carlson 53 Gideon Road Sebring, FL 33870 252.452.1112

Dr. Edward Caughill 206 Cooleys Crest Lane Inman SC 29349 757.479.1195

Dr. Walter Coles Good News Baptist Church 3252 Taylor Road Chesapeake VA 23321 757.488.3241

Dr. Johnny Daniels Calvary Baptist Tabernacle PO Box 3390 Carolina, PR 00984 787.750.2227

Dr. Bill Hall 75 Wintergreen Ave Greeneville TN 37745 423.638.8087

Dr. Bruce Hamilton Hamilton Acres Baptist Church 138 Farewell Avenue Fairbanks AK 99701 907.456.5995

Dr. Bob Jones III Bob Jones University 419 Library Drive Greenville SC 29609 864.242.5100

Dr. Peter Maruyama Narashino Baptist Church 4-17-10, Moto-Ohkubo Narashino, Chiba 275-0012 JAPAN 011.047.477.8910

Mr. Mike Moreau Harvest Media, Inc 22 Briarwood Court Schaumburg IL 60193 847.352.4345

Dr. Fred Moritz 149 Marsh Creek Drive Garner, NC 27529 (256) 318-0897

Dr. Les Ollila PO Box 40 Pembine, WI 54156 715.324.6900

Rev. Wilbur W. Schoneweis Emmanuel Independent Baptist Church 411 Blunt Street Clay Center KS 67432 785.632.5939

Dr. Robert Taylor Colonial Hills Baptist Church 8140 Union Chapel Road Indianapolis IN 46240 317.253.5597

Dr. George Youstra 1984 Georgia Circle Clearwater FL 33760 727.538.1920

I’ve bolded those names who are either current or former members of the BJU Board of Trustees. UPDATE: I eliminated this indication after receiving all the names who signed.

The men present who voted unanimously were either all of those or some of those. We don’t know. We can presume that the Officers were all likely present: Kevin Schaal, Gordan Dickson, Taigen Joos, Bud Steadman, and Michael Privett.

Who abstained? Bob III didn’t. Mike Harding as a present BJU Board member? Stephen Jones as a very absent member of the Royal family? Mark Minnick as a current employee?

The only name on there that I can guarantee did not abstain was Don Johnson, but he’s an old friend of mine. ;)

What do you think?

UPDATE, May 15, 2023: The Positives have added an unredacted signatory list. WutBJU will mark all those signatories on the above list in bold italics.

[toadlilyaus]

Okay this is like 90% true but also 10% false.

Like "court" is just what they call the US Olympic exy team (for some reason) so while "the perfect court" isn't like its own separate team its essentially an 'elite' group within the US Olympic team. Like Riko, Kevin, and Jean were at one point on that Olympic team (its mentioned once or twice but not nearly enough that Kevin was simultaneously on the Ravens, the Olympic team, and some random pro team all at the same time before Riko broke his hand.)

They obviously weren't the ONLY people on the Olympic team, but the idea behind it was that Riko was going to sort of predict who would qualify for the Olympic team and eventually, at some point, would have named enough people in the right positions for the entirety of the team to be made up of the 'perfect court' that he selected. Now whether or not Riko would have ever actually gotten around to finding and claiming people to make up the rest of the team or if he just liked dangling the idea of it over people's head like a bargaining chip or a noose is a separate matter. But it wasn't purely a thought experiment either. The 'perfect court' was an imaginary future version of the 'Olympic court' that Riko would have hand selected. And with him and Kevin as the strikers, Jean and Neil as the back liners, and the implication that he at one point was considering Andrew as his goalie, they were really just a couple dealers away from having a full starting line up.

So like, yes, it's not anything official. There's functionally and practically no difference between being 'perfect court' and being 'court' beyond getting a number tattooed on your face and the hype boost from the fans from your having being 'selected' and 'claimed' by 'the king of exy'. But it's also not like a 100% fake concept.

It's a social construct being powered by Riko, yes, the same way fans will separate out a 'big three' of any given sport or show or what have you and say "these are the best, these are the ones everyone knows about". It was a way of very publicly and permanently saying "yeah sure, other people have talent, but THESE GUYS are gonna be the biggest names in exy." And then because Riko said it, (and because hes "the king" ,) it became true. Ya know what I mean?

So when people say that Jean and Neil were forced to be perfect court, they don't necessarily mean they were being forced to join a specific pro team or whatever, they mean they were forced to be part of Riko's inner circle and forced to perform both as an athlete and a celebrity on the level of being 'the best of the best' (the way getting declared as part of this imagined 'perfect' future line up for the Olympics would entail.)

It's like 90% everything OP mentioned about Riko claiming ownership and using the Ravens cult like mentality to have people fight for positions he had no intention of ever giving them. But also like it does very much so come with certain professional 'perks' as well as expectations that you would not only be on the Olympic team, but be the very best at it.

You don't need to be 'perfect court' to still make court. But the implication is that once Riko had formed his full team lineup, everyone who wasn't part of it would lose their spot to whoever Riko chose to fill that position. Like being 'court' but not 'perfect court' was basically like making the team with the understanding that you were just the temporary understudy who would one day get ousted by the real star. That's why everyone else wanted it so badly. Can you imagine fulfilling a childhood dreams of making it to the Olympics just to have everyone treat you like you don't really matter still? all because this one guy didn't give you his personal stamp of approval? Like sure you made the team, but your not Micheal Phelps, your not Simone Biles, you're not Kevin Day, so who gives a shit.

And that's very true of real life in a way, like how many Olympic level athletes can you name off the top of your head without looking it up? Maybe one or two per sport, if that, right? Unless you're involved in the sport yourself, you probably only really pay attention to the names the media tells you to. It's about who shows up on talk shows and gets their face on a cereal box and all that. You might be a great athlete, you might even have better scores than the dude everyone is paying attention to, but if you don't have the 'star quality' to back that talent up no one's gonna remember you over the person with magazine spreads and thirst trap edits getting made about them online.

Being made 'perfect court' was Riko very much so taking ownership of your life in a symbolic if not literally way. But it was also him telling the world "These one's. These are the names you will actually remember. These are the people who matter. These are the people who will bring home the gold."

So like.... mostly fake. But also very real for anyone who truly believes in it. And it's not an official special contract or anything. But it is a guaranteed 'sucessful' future in the sport. And it's not it's own separate team. But it would be one day. In theory. And it has nothing to do with talent level. But it does. Because these are the names the world will remember and the order they will remember them in.

Hold on yall realize the perfect court isn't...real, right?

Like that's the big tragedy here. The perfect court isn't a real team, they don't belong to any league. There's no tryouts and no recruiting and no contracts. It's made up. It's all made up.

That's why the Ravens spend years fighting for numbers Riko never even considered giving them. Why a 16 year old without a game to his name debuts with a number and why their biggest critic has one forced on him within two weeks in the Nest. They were never a mark of skill, despite the correlation. They were never an attainable goal, or even a reward for sufficient sycophanthy.

The perfect court was always and solely defined by Riko's total ownership of their lives. It's an abusive social circle invented by a pair of 10 year olds and perpetuated by cult dynamics and overpriced stadium merchandise.

[robbweigel]

Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health in Men’s Athletics

Mental health in men’s athletics has historically been a topic clouded by silence, misunderstanding, and stigma. For decades, the cultural narrative surrounding male athletes has emphasized toughness, invincibility, and resilience, leaving little room for vulnerability or emotional openness. While this image of the unshakeable male athlete can inspire and motivate, it often comes at a significant cost—the neglect of mental well-being. Today, more athletes, advocates, and organizations are speaking out to challenge these outdated stereotypes and foster an environment where mental health is prioritized alongside physical performance.

The Origins of Stigma in Men’s Athletics

To understand the stigma surrounding mental health in men’s athletics, we must examine the broader societal constructs of masculinity. Traditional notions of masculinity often equate emotional expression with weakness. These ideals are magnified in sports, where athletes are celebrated for their physical dominance, stoicism, and ability to endure pain. The locker room culture frequently reinforces these values, with phrases like “man up” or “tough it out” becoming part of the vernacular.

This cultural backdrop discourages male athletes from discussing their struggles, fearing judgment or repercussions. Many worry that admitting to mental health issues will be perceived as a sign of weakness, potentially jeopardizing their careers or standing within their teams. The stigma is not only perpetuated by peers and coaches but also by fans and the media, who often expect athletes to be superhuman.

The Mental Health Crisis in Athletics

The pressure to perform at an elite level can be overwhelming. Athletes face grueling schedules, intense physical demands, and constant scrutiny. These stressors can lead to a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and burnout. Studies have shown that athletes are not immune to mental health struggles; in fact, they may be at a heightened risk due to the unique pressures of their profession.

The transition out of sports also poses significant mental health risks. Many athletes struggle with identity loss, financial instability, and a lack of purpose once their playing days are over. This period of adjustment can be particularly challenging for male athletes who have been conditioned to associate their self-worth with their athletic performance.

Breaking the Silence: Athlete Advocacy

In recent years, a growing number of male athletes have courageously shared their mental health journeys, helping to dismantle the stigma. High-profile figures like NBA player Kevin Love and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps have opened up about their battles with anxiety and depression, emphasizing that mental health struggles do not discriminate based on fame or success.

These athletes’ stories have sparked vital conversations and inspired others to seek help. Their openness has also highlighted the importance of normalizing mental health challenges, showing that even the most accomplished individuals face difficulties.

The Role of Teams and Organizations

Sports organizations and teams play a crucial role in addressing mental health stigma. By creating a supportive environment, they can encourage athletes to prioritize their well-being without fear of judgment. Here are some strategies organizations can adopt:

1. Education and Awareness

Organizations should provide mental health education for athletes, coaches, and staff. Workshops and seminars can help demystify mental health, challenge misconceptions, and promote empathy.

2. Access to Resources

Teams should offer accessible mental health resources, including counseling services and on-site mental health professionals. Normalizing the use of these resources can help athletes feel more comfortable seeking support.

3. Policy Implementation

Organizations can implement policies that prioritize mental health, such as mandatory mental health screenings and paid mental health days. These policies signal that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Changing the Narrative in Media

The media plays a significant role in shaping public perception of athletes. Historically, coverage has often glorified athletes who "play through the pain," reinforcing the notion that toughness is paramount. However, media outlets are beginning to shift their narratives to celebrate vulnerability and resilience in the face of mental health challenges.

Journalists can contribute to breaking the stigma by:

Highlighting stories of athletes who have overcome mental health struggles.

Avoiding language that perpetuates stereotypes or diminishes the importance of mental health.

Partnering with mental health organizations to raise awareness.

The Importance of Peer Support

Peer support within teams is a powerful tool for overcoming stigma. When teammates foster a culture of openness and mutual respect, it creates a safe space for athletes to share their struggles. Team captains and veteran players can set the tone by modeling vulnerability and encouraging honest conversations.

Shifting the Paradigm: The Role of Coaches

Coaches have a profound influence on athletes’ mental health. A supportive coach can make all the difference in an athlete’s willingness to seek help. Coaches can:

Foster an environment where mental health is discussed openly.

Encourage athletes to prioritize self-care and seek professional support when needed.

Reframe "toughness" to include mental resilience and emotional intelligence.

The Power of Role Models

Role models in sports have a unique platform to influence societal attitudes toward mental health. When male athletes share their experiences and advocate for mental health, they challenge the stigma and inspire others to do the same. Initiatives like the "#SameHere" movement and partnerships with organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) amplify these voices, reaching audiences far beyond the sports world.

Practical Steps for Athletes

While systemic change is essential, individual athletes can take proactive steps to support their mental health:

Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who understand and support your mental health journey.

Seek Professional Help: Don’t hesitate to consult a therapist or counselor. Professional guidance can be invaluable.

Practice Self-Care: Incorporate activities that promote mental well-being, such as mindfulness, meditation, and adequate rest.

Speak Up: Sharing your experiences can inspire others and help normalize mental health discussions.

Looking Ahead: A Culture of Acceptance

The tide is beginning to turn, but there is still work to be done. Overcoming the stigma of mental health in men’s athletics requires a collective effort from athletes, coaches, organizations, media, and fans. By prioritizing mental well-being and celebrating vulnerability, we can create a culture where athletes feel empowered to seek help and thrive both on and off the field.

The message is clear: mental health is not a weakness; it is a vital component of overall well-being. As more voices join the conversation, the stigma will continue to erode, paving the way for a future where mental health is embraced as a cornerstone of athletic success and human resilience.

Robert Weigel

Works Cited: “Mental Health and Men's Athletics” prompt, ChatGPT, 20 July version, Open AI, 20 July 2023, http://chat.openai.com/chat

[raspodcast]

RAS #655 - S.O.S.

On the show this week we visit the history of the radio series CBS Radio Mystery Theater. Then we have four listener stories. An author has something strange happening with one of his manuscripts, a true story about a deadman floating home, a pen that can duplicate itself, and a ghost boy who lives in a cemetery. Our featured story asks the question, What does crime look like in the year 2185? A group of criminals find out that crime doesn’t pay. The story is titled SOS and comes from the OTR series The Mysterious Traveler.

Featured Story - S.O.S.

Our featured story comes from the OTR series Mysterious Traveler.  The radio series debuted in 1943 on the Mutual Broadcasting System. Our story is about a gang of thieves working in the future, 2185 to be exact, and coming to the realization that not only doesn’t crime pay, but also has its consequences. As you might guess this one falls under the umbrella of science fiction.  It is oddly titled SOS and first aired on May 2, 1950. 

Other Stories Include: Murder Under The Big Tent, History of CBS Radio Mystery Theater, My Manuscript, Deadman Floating Home, Pen Or The Tulpa, and Ghost Boy Lanie.

Episode #655 Show Links: Here is the link that Ron spoke about for this episode. The Gravestone of Lenie Michelle Phelps.

Ron’s Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible - You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Your Stories: Do you have a story that you would like to share on the podcast or the blog? Head to the main website, click on Story Submission, leave your story, give it a title, and please tell me where you're from. I will read it if I can. Links are below.

Music Used In This Podcast: Most of the music you hear on Ron’s Amazing Stories has been composed by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Other pieces are in the public domain. You can find great free music at FreePd.com which is a site owned by Kevin.

Program Info: Ron’s Amazing Stories is published each Thursday. You can download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

Social Links: Main Podcast Site by LibSyn The Blog Site by WordPress Facebook Link Twitter Link Contact Links: Email Story Submissions Contact Ron

  Check out this episode!

[rhythm86radio]

Kaytranada to Release New Album Featuring Childish Gambino, Thundercat, Anderson .Paak, and More

Kaytranada will release Timeless, his third full-length album, in June. Timeless serves as the follow-up to Bubba, his 2019 Grammy award-winning project for Best Dance/Electronic album. It features a new version of “Lover/Friend,” Kaytranada’s 2023 single featuring longtime collaborator Rochelle Jordan, as well as the previously released “Stuntin,” plus 19 other new songs. Also featuring across…

[rosesinvalley]

TRASHER magazine 100% agression

Le monde du skate et les exploits des skateurs sont fascinants et nous voulions faire une aparté sur ce magazine mythique, cette bible fondée par Kevin Thatcher, Eric Swenson et Fausto Vitello.  Elle raconte l'évolution du skate, la vie des skateurs et la culture underground, qui gravite avec la musique punk, ska, métal, le graphisme lowbrow et d'illustrateurs indépendants, les exploits, les vidéos amateurs, les marques, les concours et les compétitions depuis 1981.

Le thème Break the rules va parfaitement avec la culture du skate car déjà tu enfreins la loi quand tu fais du street et que tu ne vas pas au skatepark. La plupart des lieux publiques sont interdits aux planches. Tu fais peur aux mamies, la police te déteste, tu détériores le matériel public rampes, escaliers, tu bois dans la rue, tu vis en meute, tu fumes, tu as des tatouages, tu portes des marques qui revendiquent la liberté...Certains revendiquent le style de vie "straight edge"  associé à la musique punk hardcore dont les adhérents ne consomment ni alcool, ni tabac et autres drogues... sont aussi vegans.

C'est une sous culture underground qui tient dans le temps, qui évolue mais qui garde ses racines aux USA.

Bien sûr, chaque skateur a sa personnalité plus ou moins trash, plus ou moins lisse et c'est par la lecture du  magazine que tu apprends à mieux les connaître.

Le plus souvent choisis pour leurs performances et leurs sponsors, les interviews restent brutes et dévoilent leurs atouts, leurs figures, leurs spécialités.

"TU DEFIES LA MORT, tu prends en main ta destinée." citation alambiquée mais representative.

Citation du redac chef sur ceux qui portent du Trasher et ne pratique pas.

“On n’envoie pas de produits à Justin Bieber ou Rihanna ou ces putains de clowns. C’est dans la rue que les vraies choses se passent. Du sang ou des croûtes, est-ce qu’on peut faire plus réel que ça ?“. Jake Phelps

Le skate c'est pour les têtes brulées dont les filles. Mais c'est aussi un sport qui tient pas en forme: tu te brises sur le pavé, tu tombes, tu te ramasses si tu aimes faire des figures. Mais c'est fun quand même! Les moment de relâchement sont cools, les rush videos des exploits vaillent la peine. Les skateurs se soutiennent  autour d'une bonne pinte en sortant de cessions, comptent leurs bleus. 

 La police utilisée "Banco" pour le logo fut inspirée d'un album de Bob Marley au style de vie caribéen et au reggae qui correspond bien aux fondateurs et aux styles des publications cools. 

Thrasher n'est pas qu'un magazine mais l'équipe de rédaction a su créer son propre contenu, propre au DIY, depuis le 1er numéro du magazine publié à San Francisco en 1981.

Découvre toutes les couvertures du mag depuis 1981 inspirantes: https://www.thrashermagazine.com/magazine/covers-archive/

A l'intérieur de THRASHER Magazine, sont présentés des centaines de pro skateurs célèbres du monde entier tels que Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, Bam Margera (Jackass), Steve Caballero (Bones brigade) pour les plus anciens, Stacy Peralta, Tom Sims, Tony Alva, Laura Thornill (70's)  ainsi que Pascal Thomas et leurs équipes à travers des publicités et des articles, de la musique punk rock évidemment car la plupart des skateurs jouent de la musique dans des groupes de punk rock, c'est la Californie.

Les jeunes s'approprient dans le monde entier cet univers, cet état d'esprit, connaissent mieux les marques, les figures, la technique, deviennent fan de ... porte le logo signe d'appartenance.

Chaque année, THRASHER délivre son titre de « SKATER OF THE YEAR », sponsorisé par les divers annonceurs du magazine depuis 1990 avec TONY HAWK.

Jusqu’en 2009, fin du format dvd, l'équipe sortait une vhs par an depuis  1988. Le contenu en ligne maintenant est facile, abondant avec le numérique et la diffusion avec les réseaux sociaux même la façon de faire les vidéos sont allégées avec le matos numérique.

Chaque année depuis 2003, THRASHER organise également le « KING OF THE ROAD », une tournée challenge par équipes impliquant  quatre équipes composées de proskateurs de différents horizons reçoivent un livre d'épreuves et ont deux semaines pour sillonner le pays et atteindre autant d'objectifs que possible.

THRASHER possède également son propre skatepark indoor : « DOUBLE ROCK » où l'équipe invite des personnalités à venir rider, en concrétisant leurs venues en vidéo. en découvrir plus sur:

thrashermagazine.com

2 documentaires à voir pour comprendre le lâcher prise que transfigure le skate, une sensation de liberté et une révolution pour les jeunes ainsi qu'1 marque lyonnaise qu'on aime bien Antiz et qui fait des belles planches.

ANTIZ

Créée en 2002 à Lyon par une bande de 4 potes que sont Julian Dykmans, Julien Bachelier, Hugo Liard et Loïc Benoît, ces boards aux graphismes assez sombres et provocateurs sont composées de 7 couches d'érable canadien pressées en Amérique du Nord chez ABC. https://www.antizskateboards.com/

Antiz video de Bruno Detante https://www.instagram.com/brunodetante/

[draganwhorror]

Can you share some pictures from your celebrity interactions?

Uh, sure. I'll put them under a read more so it's not so spammy. I look like a chubby hobo in most of these, so there's that... (I have lost 30 lbs since January 1, 2024, but I still look like Jello)

Tom Hiddleston (2013)

Phelps (Weasley) twins (2017)

Billy Boyd (2019)

Cary Elwes (2019)

Robert Englund (2022)

Michael Rosenbaum (2022)

Steve Burns (2022)

Tom Ellis (2023)

John DiMaggio (2023)

Mary Lynn Rajskub (2023)

David Arquette (2023)

Alec Baldwin (2023)

Ted Raimi (2023/2024/2024)

Jeffrey Combs (2024)

Judd Nelson (2024)

Heather Graham (2024)

Ally Sheedy (2024)

Tyler Labine (2024)

Kevin Durand (2024)

[little-corritrice]

Oliver & James ~ Mafia (Part 3)

Waking up was a pain, literally. My side was hurting, and I was attached to wires. I looked at my surroundings, noticing I was in a nice room and it had some tables with tools and stuff. I sat up, seeing clothes sitting on the table next to the bed. I carefully removed the wires, and got up with a lot of struggle. I put the clothes on, and bandaged my arm where the wire was. I looked around for the gun, but found nothing. I took a deep breath before opening the door. I walked out to where the voices were, and found the twins sitting talking. "y/n! Your supposed to be resting." Oliver said, standing up and about to come over. I stopped him by stepping back, holding the wall for support. He sighed and stepped back. "We won't hurt you. Come sit and we will tell you everything." He said. I went to sit, and let me tell you he kept his promise. After he told me everything, I ran to the room, fear consuming my body.

I started pacing before I decided to just leave. I went to the door, but it swung open and I stepped back. James stood there panting, but I was too scared so I did what I was taught to do. I mean, if you are in a house full of a mafia, you would be just as scared. So, I knocked him out, and booked it. I made it to the front door and saw some maids running towards me. But I didn't need to wait any longer. So, I swung the doors open and ran for it. It was snowing and very cold, but I still ran. I was in too much pain by the time I got out of the gates, but I kept pushing into the surrounding forests. I fell to my knees, panting hard and crying. I leaned against the nearest tree, resting my head on my knees.

It wasn't long before I heard yelling when my head perked up. I started breathing heavily again, and my tears started once again. I couldn't go back there, who knows what would happen to me. A hand on my shoulder made me scream out, backing away. "y/n! It's just me." Oliver said, and I backed away. "L-leave me alone. D-Don't touch me!" I screamed, standing up. I limped back, but he kept moving towards me. "Stop!" I sobbed, looking around for anything. I found a stick, and picked it up. I was on my knees, pointing the stick up at him. He held his hands up, crouching down. "I promise I won't hurt you, y/n. We will help you. If you go out here by yourself, the rest of Kevin's gang will hunt you down." He said, adding more fear. "But me and James will protect you, we promise." He said slowly, holding his hand out. I thought about my options.

Either one, go out by myself and most likely get killed, or two, go with the twins and have their protection. I obviously went with the latter. I dropped the stick, and was about to grab Oliver's hand, but gunshots went all around us, making me scream and fall to the floor. "You killed Kevin, Phelps! We know you're out here!" Some guy yelled, and Oliver was behind a tree a little ways from me. He looked at me, and put his hand to his mouth. I nodded, not saying a word. He got up and ran somewhere, and more gunshots were heard. My hair was grabbed, and I screamed out. "I got her!" He yelled, holding his gun to my head. "Bring her back!" Another man shouted, and I was suddenly being dragged through the snow. I started sobbing, trying to move the guys hand, but nothing worked. "Stop moving or I'll shoot you!" He threatened. I just sobbed as he dragged me, holding his hand on my hair. "Oliver! Help me!" I cried, but nothing.

We were almost to where the gunshots were coming from when the guy holding me was suddenly shot, blood splattering all over me. I let out a shaky breath, my whole body shaking in fear and from the cold. I looked at my hands, seeing blood all over them. "Hey, your okay." James bent down, wrapping his jacket around me. I slowly got up, grabbing my stomach as everything hurt. "y/n, let's get you inside." Oliver said as he ran over. "Take her to the house." Oliver said to James who nodded in response. "I'm going to pick you up." James informed, but I didn't say anything. I held onto his neck as he held me, trying to find some warmth from the jacket. He held me closer as we walked a little slower. "They're coming, so sit here and just cover your ears and hide." James said as he set me down, moving some hair from my forehead.

I did as told, and all I heard was faint gunshots and yelling. Soon though, it was all over and I heard nothing but the cold wind, and the animals chirping. I didn't move, but when someone touched me, I instantly opened my eyes, ready to knock someone out. However, it was James trying to pick me up. "Let's get you inside now." He said, picking me up again. I was already trembling from coldness, and everything felt numb. Oliver ran up next to us, speaking to James, but I didn't hear any of it as I was trying to focus on my breathing and to get warm. We made it back to the house, and the maids ran all over the place as Oliver and James shouted orders to them. I was carried to a fancy bathroom, and the tub was running with hot water, and there was clothes on the counter. James set me down on the counter, grabbing a wet towel.

[kevinthescoutblogger]

Praise to the Man!

By Kevin V. Hunt (Photo copyright by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Kevin’s Mission “Talk in Church” PRESENTED MARCH 24, 2024 – Pacana Park Ward We sing a popular hymn #27, as written by William W. Phelps.   With gusto, we sing, “Praise to the Man”.                 Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah                 Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer Blessed to…