#Laura Pritchard

[cee-jay-mcwfc]

‘UNDER THE PERTH LIGHTS 💛🖤’

- Alex’s IG 29.8.24

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

I haven’t done a new dream Taskmaster contestants list since the season 17 lineup came out, so I thought it was time for one. A list based on who hasn’t been cast yet in the first 17 seasons. I’m going to split this into two separate lists.

People who might possibly appear on Taskmaster UK at some point:

- Ahir Shah

- David O’Doherty (even though he is not UK)

- Josie Long

- Chris Addison

- Eleanor Morton

Alternates – by which I mean copouts because I managed to narrow down my top five but I have more that I wanted to list:

- Michael Legge

- Jessica Fostekew

- Rhys James

- Ian Smith

- Sarah Keyworth

- Danielle Ward

- Liam Williams

- Kiri Pritchard-McLean

People who would never appear on Taskmaster but would be on my dream list if we could have anyone, but still with some connection to the sort of people who do the show:

- John Oliver (wouldn’t do it due to: too important)

- Andrew Zachariah Zaltzman (wouldn’t do it due to: insufficiently important, because generally when they pick a comedian who isn’t already TV famous, it’s someone young and up-and-coming and Andy doesn’t fit the bill for that role – but I’d love it if they proved me wrong; also I realize he's younger than Michael Legge who also isn't TV famous, but I think Michael Legge is bigger on social media so that makes him feel slightly more realistic, I think, I don't have a good sense of how famous British people are, also I just remembered that Danielle Ward doesn’t perform anymore so she's probably less likely than Andy too)

- Kitson (wouldn’t do it due to: he doesn’t do anything where people can see him, despite having chosen to pursue a career in public performance, and I would sell out everyone I’ve ever met to have him filmed doing just one team task with John Oliver)

- Grace Petrie (wouldn’t do it due to: musician, though she did that one fucking excellent comedy hour and one or two more could get her in the Taskmaster pool and could also significantly improve my life)

- Gavin Osborn (wouldn’t do it due to: also not a comedian, but he’s on this list mostly because I’m imagining that these lists of five people will make up one Taskmaster season, and I love the idea of Gavin Osborn and Grace Petrie on a Taskmaster team together, or in fact doing anything together, couple of comedy-adjacent socialists with guitars)

…I didn’t mean for that list to become just Chocolate Milk Gang + Grace Petrie, but it’s not surprising that it did.

Dream Taskmaster Australia lineup, because I’ve decided I have one of those:

- Alice Fraser

- Laura Davis

- Tim Minchin

- Tom Ballard

- Adam Hills (I want to really hate him for some of his pro-monarchy shit, and I did object to it enough to stop following The Last Leg last year, but the fact is that I’d still like to see his wildly competitive side come out on Taskmaster)

- Alternate - or actually maybe she's on the list and Hills is the alternate - Claudia O'Doherty

People I’d most like to see fill the National Treasures role, if we pretend that literally no one is too famous to do that role, and also that they’re able to bring people back from the dead as long as they’re sufficiently National Treasure-y:

- Michael Palin

- Douglas Adams

- Sandi Toksvig

- Armando Iannucci

- Olivia Coleman

Dream Taskmaster lineup, any category:

It would be worth setting gender and racial equality back by thirty years, to have these five white guys on one season where the final studio task is to take apart a cow.

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: Passenger Railway Services Bill (Public Ownership) Bill: Committee: Amendment 14

Ayes: 111 (95.5% Con, 4.5% DUP) Noes: 362 (97.0% Lab, 2.5% Ind, 0.6% SDLP) Absent: ~177

Day's business papers: 2024-9-3

Likely Referenced Bill: Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

Description: A Bill to make provision for passenger railway services to be provided by public sector companies instead of by means of franchises.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Commons Bill Stage: 3rd reading

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Conservative (106 votes)

Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alex Burghart Alicia Kearns Alison Griffiths Andrew Bowie Andrew Murrison Andrew Rosindell Andrew Snowden Aphra Brandreth Ashley Fox Ben Obese-Jecty Ben Spencer Bernard Jenkin Blake Stephenson Bob Blackman Bradley Thomas Caroline Dinenage Caroline Johnson Charlie Dewhirst Chris Philp Claire Coutinho Damian Hinds Danny Kruger David Davis David Mundell David Reed David Simmonds Desmond Swayne Edward Argar Edward Leigh Gagan Mohindra Gareth Bacon Gareth Davies Gavin Williamson Geoffrey Cox George Freeman Greg Smith Gregory Stafford Harriet Cross Harriett Baldwin Helen Whately Iain Duncan Smith Jack Rankin James Cartlidge James Cleverly James Wild Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Wright Jerome Mayhew Jesse Norman Joe Robertson John Cooper John Glen John Hayes John Lamont John Whittingdale Joy Morrissey Julia Lopez Julian Lewis Karen Bradley Katie Lam Kemi Badenoch Kevin Hollinrake Kieran Mullan Kit Malthouse Laura Trott Lewis Cocking Lincoln Jopp Louie French Mark Francois Mark Garnier Mark Pritchard Martin Vickers Matt Vickers Mel Stride Mike Wood Mims Davies Neil Hudson Neil O'Brien Neil Shastri-Hurst Nick Timothy Nigel Huddleston Oliver Dowden Patrick Spencer Peter Bedford Peter Fortune Priti Patel Rebecca Harris Rebecca Paul Rebecca Smith Richard Fuller Richard Holden Robbie Moore Robert Jenrick Saqib Bhatti Sarah Bool Shivani Raja Simon Hoare Steve Barclay Stuart Anderson Stuart Andrew Suella Braverman Tom Tugendhat Victoria Atkins Wendy Morton

Democratic Unionist Party (5 votes)

Carla Lockhart Gavin Robinson Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon Sammy Wilson

Noes

Labour (351 votes)

Abena Oppong-Asare Abtisam Mohamed Adam Jogee Adam Thompson Afzal Khan Al Carns Alan Campbell Alan Gemmell Alan Strickland Alex Baker Alex Ballinger Alex Barros-Curtis Alex Davies-Jones Alex Mayer Alex McIntyre Alex Norris Alex Sobel Alice Macdonald Alison Hume Alison McGovern Alistair Strathern Allison Gardner Amanda Hack Amanda Martin Andrew Cooper Andrew Gwynne Andrew Lewin Andrew Pakes Andrew Ranger Andrew Western Andy MacNae Andy McDonald Andy Slaughter Angela Eagle Anna Dixon Anna Gelderd Anna McMorrin Anna Turley Anneliese Dodds Anneliese Midgley Antonia Bance Ashley Dalton Baggy Shanker Bambos Charalambous Barry Gardiner Bayo Alaba Beccy Cooper Becky Gittins Ben Coleman Ben Goldsborough Bill Esterson Blair McDougall Brian Leishman Callum Anderson Calvin Bailey Carolyn Harris Cat Smith Catherine Atkinson Catherine Fookes Catherine McKinnell Catherine West Charlotte Nichols Chi Onwurah Chris Bloore Chris Curtis Chris Elmore Chris Evans Chris Hinchliff Chris Kane Chris McDonald Chris Murray Chris Vince Chris Ward Chris Webb Christian Wakeford Claire Hazelgrove Claire Hughes Clive Betts Clive Efford Clive Lewis Connor Naismith Connor Rand Damien Egan Dan Aldridge Dan Carden Dan Jarvis Dan Norris Dan Tomlinson Daniel Francis Danny Beales Darren Paffey Dave Robertson David Burton-Sampson David Pinto-Duschinsky David Smith David Taylor Dawn Butler Debbie Abrahams Deirdre Costigan Derek Twigg Diana Johnson Douglas Alexander Douglas McAllister Elaine Stewart Ellie Reeves Elsie Blundell Emily Darlington Emily Thornberry Emma Foody Emma Lewell-Buck Euan Stainbank Fabian Hamilton Fleur Anderson Florence Eshalomi Frank McNally Gareth Snell Gareth Thomas Gen Kitchen Gerald Jones Gill Furniss Gill German Gordon McKee Graeme Downie Graham Stringer Grahame Morris Gregor Poynton Gurinder Singh Josan Harpreet Uppal Heidi Alexander Helen Hayes Helena Dollimore Henry Tufnell Ian Lavery Ian Murray Imogen Walker Irene Campbell Jack Abbott Jacob Collier Jade Botterill Jake Richards James Asser James Frith James Naish Janet Daby Jayne Kirkham Jeevun Sandher Jeff Smith Jen Craft Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Jess Asato Jess Phillips Jessica Morden Jessica Toale Jim Dickson Jim McMahon Jo Platt Jo Stevens Jo White Joani Reid Jodie Gosling Joe Morris Joe Powell Johanna Baxter John Grady John Healey John Slinger John Whitby Jon Pearce Jon Trickett Jonathan Brash Jonathan Davies Jonathan Hinder Josh Dean Josh Fenton-Glynn Josh MacAlister Josh Newbury Julia Buckley Julie Minns Juliet Campbell Justin Madders Karin Smyth Karl Turner Kate Osamor Kate Osborne Katie White Katrina Murray Keir Mather Kerry McCarthy Kevin Bonavia Kim Johnson Kim Leadbeater Kirith Entwistle Kirsteen Sullivan Kirsty McNeill Laura Kyrke-Smith Lauren Edwards Lauren Sullivan Laurence Turner Lee Barron Lee Pitcher Leigh Ingham Lewis Atkinson Liam Byrne Liam Conlon Lilian Greenwood Lillian Jones Linsey Farnsworth Liz Kendall Liz Twist Lizzi Collinge Lloyd Hatton Lola McEvoy Louise Haigh Louise Jones Lucy Powell Lucy Rigby Luke Akehurst Luke Charters Luke Murphy Luke Myer Margaret Mullane Marie Tidball Mark Ferguson Mark Hendrick Mark Sewards Mark Tami Markus Campbell-Savours Marsha De Cordova Martin Rhodes Mary Glindon Mary Kelly Foy Matt Bishop Matt Rodda Matt Turmaine Matt Western Matthew Patrick Matthew Pennycook Maureen Burke Meg Hillier Melanie Onn Melanie Ward Miatta Fahnbulleh Michael Payne Michael Shanks Michael Wheeler Michelle Scrogham Michelle Welsh Mike Amesbury Mike Kane Mike Reader Mike Tapp Mohammad Yasin Nadia Whittome Natalie Fleet Natasha Irons Naushabah Khan Navendu Mishra Neil Coyle Neil Duncan-Jordan Nesil Caliskan Nia Griffith Nicholas Dakin Nick Smith Nick Thomas-Symonds Noah Law Oliver Ryan Olivia Bailey Olivia Blake Pam Cox Pamela Nash Pat McFadden Patricia Ferguson Patrick Hurley Paul Davies Paul Foster Paul Waugh Paula Barker Paulette Hamilton Perran Moon Peter Dowd Peter Kyle Peter Lamb Peter Swallow Phil Brickell Polly Billington Preet Kaur Gill Rachael Maskell Rachel Blake Rachel Hopkins Rachel Taylor Richard Baker Richard Quigley Rosie Duffield

Rupa Huq Ruth Cadbury Ruth Jones Sadik Al-Hassan Sally Jameson Sam Carling Sam Rushworth Samantha Dixon Samantha Niblett Sarah Champion Sarah Coombes Sarah Edwards Sarah Hall Sarah Jones Sarah Owen Sarah Sackman Satvir Kaur Scott Arthur Sean Woodcock Seema Malhotra Sharon Hodgson Shaun Davies Simon Lightwood Simon Opher Siobhain McDonagh Sojan Joseph Sonia Kumar Stella Creasy Stephanie Peacock Stephen Kinnock Stephen Timms Steve Race Steve Witherden Steve Yemm Sureena Brackenridge Tahir Ali Taiwo Owatemi Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Tim Roca Toby Perkins Tom Collins Tom Hayes Tom Rutland Tonia Antoniazzi Tony Vaughan Torcuil Crichton Torsten Bell Tracy Gilbert Tristan Osborne Uma Kumaran Valerie Vaz Vicky Foxcroft Warinder Juss Wes Streeting Will Stone Yasmin Qureshi Yuan Yang Zubir Ahmed

Independent (9 votes)

Apsana Begum Ayoub Khan Imran Hussain Jeremy Corbyn John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey Richard Burgon Shockat Adam Zarah Sultana

Social Democratic & Labour Party (2 votes)

Claire Hanna Colum Eastwood

[shadowsshowdown]

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Shadow's Showdown: Chapter 1

The Grumpy Cerberus.

Detroit, Laura’s apartment.

It was late afternoon when Laura’s smartphone started to ring. She didn't want to answer the call, but Pritchard didn't like to wait either. Besides, she needed a job, so playing too much with her boss wasn't a good way to keep it. Luckily Laura managed to know Frank enough during those few weeks of working under his command so that she was aware of how far can she push the line.

"Laura it's urgent! See you at my office, you've got 10 minutes!" Frank yelled from a loudspeaker as he always does.

Laura was forced to leave reading her favourite book about hacking tricks for later. She lazily put it back on the table and finished cold coffee. „Archn3rd0 can wait a few minutes. There’s always a lot of fuss about nothing.” She thought while slipping into a green turtleneck, and a blue high-waist skirt. „Farewell, comfy clothes.” That’s what seemed to express her face. Finding shoes was a great challenge. Laura’s apartment may be luxurious, and not cheap at all, but at least she can keep it messy because nobody visits her. Laura Werner talking to you live from… Mordor. That's a good way to describe this mess.

"Stalker, you idiot!" She growled with fury at her black cat. Because of him, she would almost lose her teeth.

Fighting with long, brown-reddish hair consumed most of the precious time. Frank interrupted that battle with text messages. Asshole sent ten of them within a minute. Finally, she pinned hair in a bun, giving the final touch with a magnolia-shaped hairpin. Soon Laura was ready to go. With few books under her arm and a file in her teeth, she locked the door with the key. Miss Werner was an old-fashioned girl, a weirdo, they say. Going down the staircase, she heard the Newmans yelling at each other. The Cornwel family apparently had a party downstairs. Loud music was pouring out on the corridor, mixed with laughing and raised voices. Maybe she would drop by, but the track list wasn't really what Laura likes the most.

Before walking down the wide street, she looked ahead, admiring the Chiron apartment building for a moment.

„They have such a great life.” Thought with a heavy sigh.

On the way to her working place, she was passing by a dark alley, where groups of shady types were making the deals. The reek of weed, cigarettes, and spilled beer was terribly annoying. She always tried to avoid places like this one. You can't tell what those guys can be capable of. Prostitutes were leaning against the walls of gloomy skyscrapers raised on both sides of the road. People were talking about the weather, politics, and mostly about augs. Some of their chatting were muffled by passing cars. Laura looked up, longing for the blue sky, which was barely visible because of dense clouds.

„When I’ll be old I want to live in a small house with a garden, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I will sit on the porch, drink cocoa, and stroke the cat occupying my knees.” Warm thought made her smile to herself for a short moment. Sadly, these are only dreams.

She hated all those blinding lights, neons screaming from every corner with advertisements, electronic books, and newspapers. Everything. Good old days are gone - That was the greatest sadness consuming her thoughts. What’s more, she’s alone here in Detroit and not eager to make any new friends. The mission must be completed, and after that, she’ll be gone for good.

Sarif Industries headquarters - The monument of a new era, a place where all of your dreams come true. If you have money of course. Laura passed by the wing-shaped installation lit with bright yellow lights and followed to the front door.

“Great world, here I come!” She almost screamed out loud when the glass door opened before her.

Sarif Industries headquarters. Lobby.

Two months, before the first attack.

Forget, disappear, do not exist. She wanted it so much at that moment, the moment that changed her life forever…

Nothing extraordinary used to happen on the way from the door to the escalator. And Laura didn't expect that something will today. Same as yesterday, and days before, she was passing by some workers busy with gossiping about unimportant things, security guards keeping order, and people coming to sign contracts to supply prostheses from Sarif Industries. Today, however, everything was completely different.

"Do not use this code!" She screamed at her colleague through the speaker of her smartphone. "Do I speak a foreign language? Didn't I make myself clear enough?!" She pressed. "Great!" She muttered, ending the call. "Idiot…"

At the same time, Laura felt like she was bumping into something or someone. A pile of books fell on the floor and scattered around her feet. She lost the grip on the paper coffee mug so it soared up high, pouring out the wet brownish content. She momentarily saw that big, wet stain on a dark brown, cotton turtleneck and part of a black coat. Her body seemed to scream an order to run away as far as she could and hide deep underground. But she couldn't. She was just standing like a pillar of stone, unable to move or say anything. She must have looked stupid at that moment, but the victim didn't seem to notice.

"From zero to zero cool? The code has you? The dark side of the code?" Laura heard his voice for the first time in her life and it was the sweetest melody she’s ever experienced. He was kneeling in front of her, mumbling book titles like nothing really happened. "Working with Pritchard is quite a challenge, miss…" He paused and raised his head up giving Laura a long careful stare with his hypnotic blue-gray eyes.

"Werner" She replied after a moment of silence. "Laura Werner. I am very sorry, Mr. Jensen. I really am. I'll pay for the cleaning, please send me the bill."

Adam was so formal and cold, but yet there was something that pushed her towards him. Luckily she did some research, and thanks to this she knew something about him.

"Nothing really happened." He replied with a rough tone of the head of security. "Was your boss the one you were yelling at?" Jensen asked handing over her books.

"No, not at all. After all, he's my boss, I'd get fired for such impertinence. I like my job so..." Hearing every spoken word Laura realized that she’s talking without any sense.

“So, you work in Cyber Security and I don't know you, but you know me. How is that possible?” Adam has changed the subject smoothly, and his tone has become colder.

“I insist, Mr. Jensen. Your coat is dirty because of me.” She just tried to spin around that stain and buy some time, but Jensen wasn't fooled.

“We’re not talking about my clothes Miss Werner. I asked you a question, so please answer.” Listening to him was almost the same as talking with a cop during interrogation at the police station. The only difference is that Adam is handsome as hell and most of those flatfeet not.

“It's simple." She shrugged. "Sarif Industries has many employees in the CSec, but there is only one head of security – You, Mr. Jensen.” Laura said without hesitation, looking straight into his eyes.

“Point for you, Mrs. Werner.”

For the first time, she felt victorious, but it’s only a false feeling. Jensen agreed with her what’s more, he must be tired cause making such a trivial mistake doesn’t fit his professional look.

“Miss.” She couldn’t resist and pointed to that mistake, though she didn't manage to baffle him. Adam was so determined, almost desperate to know the truth, and nothing could possibly stop him from doing so.

“Miss...” Jensen repeated slowly like he had realized his failure. “So how long have you worked at Sarif Industries, and why I know nothing about it?!” His voice changed from ice cold to thunder strike. Laura felt overwhelmed and cornered with one swift stroke. What if he already knows the truth? Impossible...

“I...” She started slowly, trying to choose her words carefully. There’s no place for a mistake. This is now or never.

“The clock is ticking, Miss Werner." He urged.

She felt that her legs are bending under the weight of his words like a willow tree. Laura didn't know what to say exactly, because no one had ever asked her about such unimportant things. He interrogated the suspect with a precision of an old cop, or maybe he used to be one?

“Since the simplest question remains unanswered, the rest of the conversation will take place at my office and I’m afraid that personal search is unavoidable.” It was hard to say if he just tried to scare her off or simply he was serious. Before she regained control, an unexpected rescue appeared.

She was more or less 5'2 tall, green-eyed brunette, wearing a fancy grayish tunic, black leggings, and high heels. With no doubt, she had a big impact on Adam’s behavior cause suddenly he smoothly transformed into a nice guy. If Laura was not mistaken in her evaluation, this is doctor Reed.

“Finally, Megan” Adam sighed with disapproval. “You said it would take you five minutes, and that was a quarter of an hour ago.” He complained.

“Oh Adam, you know that my research is important and everything has to be done perfectly before DC.” Megan tried to explain herself and her sweet talking made him melting like snow in the spring. “I’m free to go now, you must be starving.”

“Mhm, I am. But we'll drop by into my apartment on the way to the restaurant. I have to get changed.” After saying this, Jensen looked at Laura once more. „We’ll end this conversation tomorrow at my office, Miss Werner.” She wanted so badly to just stick out her tongue at him or say something stupid, but playing with this grumpy Cerberus was simply unwise.

She gazed at Adam until his silhouette had disappeared, then she sighed with relief, leaning her back towards the tall neon cuboid with an advertisement of Neuropozine. She’s been watching Jensen carefully since the beginning of their conversation. Without a doubt, he was a grumpy professionalist with a poker-face, who knew his job very well. He was rough in his relations with strangers and seemed to be inaccessible, but every firewall can be bypassed. All you have to do is take the right approach, and he will eat from her hand. If this is a "Song of Ice and Fire" then Laura is the fire that will melt the ice. She promised herself to destroy the wheel and break the chains. Adam won’t stop Laura from doing her job.

Yet with every second, a strange, unknown feeling was growing stronger and it was hard to fight with. She couldn’t resist it much longer, but the message codded in her mind reminded her that superiors don’t pay for fondness. She’s a hacker, the best one, and getting pieces of information is what she’s good at. Laura stood a while longer, looking at Sarif’s face smiling at her from another tall cuboid advertising this company. Finally, she considered that pushing the line further is very risky, and may evolve into an unwanted storm, so she stepped onto the escalator which took her to the first floor, straight into her boss's jaws.

All  chapters can be found: [AO3], [dA], [Wattpad] and [Tumblr]

[theam-cjsw]

A Very AM Canada Day 2024

This week's episode: A mellow Monday morning spent meandering through the decades of Canadian music. More of a contemplative mood, but as someone else put it, Canada Day should be for reflection as much as celebration. Hopefully this sets the right tone for a bit of both.

Hope you enjoy it.

Stream it from CJSW here, or use the embeds below to listen in.

(PS - the semaphore reads "The Public Domain Review", which is where I nicked this gif)

Hour One:

Anything Wondrous is Endless Hollie Kenniff, featuring Goldmund • Single

Dance Four Slow Attack Ensemble • Delay Music

Jitters Matthew Cardinal • Single

Coasting Buildings and Food • Echo the Field

awakenin RAMZi • hyphea

Little Birds, Moonbath Yu Su, featuring Michelle Helene Mackenzie • Roll With The Punches

Wax Wings David Pritchard • Nocturnal Earthworm Stew

The Protagonist Various Artists, featuring Laura Palmer • 11 Objects Lost & Found

Islands Nash the Slash • Dreams And Nightmares

Barnowl Caribou • The Milk of Human Kindness

The Next Question Untrained Animals • Stranded Somewhere on the Planet Fantastic

Hour Two:

Islands in a Black Sky Bruce Cockburn • Night Vision

Into the Hollow Sam Wilson • Wintertides

Close My Eyes Carl Didur • Maybe Next Time

Warning Against Judging a Christian Brother The Hylozoists • La Fin Du Monde

Le Philtre Caméra • Caméra

Fractals for Any Tonality Esmerine • Everything Was Forever Until It Was No More

Bordeaux Boredom Torngat • You Could Be

Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis) Cowboy Junkies • The Trinity Session

J'pense que c'est l'temps Louise Forestier • La prison de Londres

Plaisirs Américains Bernardino Femminielli • Plaisirs Américains

Hour Three:

Cancer - The Moon Child The Zodiac • The Zodiac: Cosmic Sounds

Claire fontaine Contraction • La Bourse ou la vie

Au fond des choses le soleil emméne au soleil Jean-Pierre Ferland • Soleil

Side We Seldom Show Kris Ellestad • Looking for the Magic

Concrete Sea Terry Jacks • Seasons in the Sun

The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore Absolutely Free • Single

Jean-Talon Market Brass Version Julie & Dany • Single

Half Heartedly Gold Hotel Josephine • Single

Honey, Honey Pierre Lalonde • Honey, Honey

All Good Things Bart • Some Kind Of Way

Transformer Man - Unplugged Neil Young • Neil Young Unplugged

Astum - Yonatan Gat Remix Zoon, featuring Leanne Betasamosake Simpson • Single

[markseow]

Passion

2 March 2024

JS Bach St Matthew Passion. Irish Baroque Orchestra, led by Louis Creach'd, conducted by Peter Whelan. Nick Pritchard, Hugh Cutting, Matthew Brook, Aisling Kenny, Charlotte O’Hare, Sarah Keating, Laura Lamph, William Gaunt, Hugo Hymas, Edward Woodhouse.

St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, Drogheda, Ireland.

[crunchyshadow]

Shadow’s Showdown Chapter 57 - The Zero Hour - Part 3.

***

I feel like I'm losing hope In my body and my soul And the sky, it looks so ominous And as time comes to a halt Silence starts to overflow My cries are inconspicuous

***

Sarif Industries Subsection six of the laboratories. 10 minutes to 2 a.m.

Jensen shot several mercenaries while struggling with a sore leg. He thought he saw a woman who looked more like a robot than a human, but she disappeared before he could get a better look. Megan was nowhere to be found, which didn't make him feel any better at all, and Pritchard still didn't answer. The only thing he was sure of was the non-accidental target of the attack. The destruction was done only in the laboratories so whoever was behind it must have cared about research or prototypes.

"Pritchard, can you hear me? Laura! Connor! Anyone!" he tried connecting once again but to no avail. "Damn it," he growled under his breath.

Adam checked the cylinder and searched his belt pocket. The state of spare ammo did not fill him with optimism, so he started looking around for a second weapon on the way. He found only a pistol, which he slipped into a holster on his right hip and a couple of magazines. That had to be enough. Hearing gunshots, he intended to turn back and find out if it was mercenaries killing Sarif Industries employees or if someone had come to help. Everything went silent before he took a few steps so he abandoned that idea. His leg was hurting more and more, and he had one last Vicodin pill left. He searched through first aid kits on the way, but the pills he found there wouldn't help him at all.

"Megan!" he yelled because he had nothing else left. "Megan, where are you?!" "Are you looking for someone boy?" he heard a female voice behind him.

He turned around but saw no one.

"You're lost, aren't you?" again the same voice, again he saw no one.

The Chief of Security wabbled as if he were drunk and leaned his shoulder against the wall. Vicodin raged through his mind with ghastly visions, eating away at his consciousness piece by piece.

Chapter 57 [AO3]

Chapter 57 [dA]

Chapter 57 [Wattpad]

Deus Ex Human Revolution: Shadow's Showdown [Tumblr]

[newestcool]

Sundus Jama for VogueArabia July 2021 ‘’Body Positive’’ Photographer Louis Christopher Fashion Editor/Stylist Laura Pritchard Makeup Artist Maki H Hair Stylist Roberto Di Cula IG

[black-is-no-colour]

Alexandra Agoston in "Closet Classics", photographed by David Roemer and styled by Laura Pritchard for Vogue Arabia April 2021

[lemondedelamode]

MILI PINEIRO FOR VOGUE ARABIA BY DAVID ROEMER

STYLING BY LAURA PRITCHARD

[cee-jay-mcwfc]

Pt. 2 🫶🏻

📹 - Man City

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

When I got home from my trip to the UK this year, I felt like it was oddly freeing. For the past year, I was stuck in a certain set of circumstances. I'd got my time off work approved for my UK trip, so I could stay in this job, I could get a school job with summers off, and that was it. Anything else would risk being in a job where I couldn't get those 2 weeks off for my trip.

But once that trip was over, I realized I was in a position where I could do anything. I've been thinking about trying to move to another province, maybe. At the very least, I finally have some freedom and over a year of experience in my current job, that means I can start looking for stuff that pays more than the low wage I make now. I thought this was a good thing, so I'm not going to book any further trips right away, even though all I want to do is go back to the UK. I have the opportunity to properly sort my life out, I have to take that first.

...So why did I book nine nights in an Air B&B in Edinburgh in August 2025 a couple of weeks ago? Okay, first of all, it's fully refundable. I've committed to nothing here. I only had to pay half the price upfront, the other half isn't due for ages, and I get all the money back if I cancel any time until July of next year. So I'm still not locked into anything. And this way, if I do find that I sort my life out well enough so I can get back to the UK next year, I won't get stuck paying the exorbitant accommodation prices of someone who's not planned ahead for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For the 2024 festival, I booked my Air B&B in November of 2023, and got six nights. In early September of 2024, I booked an Air B&B in a similar location, for nine nights, and the total cost of that was less money than the total cost of six nights this year. More nights for less money, because I booked earlier. You have to book early.

Especially next year. I booked my stay from August 15 to August 24, 2025. Because when I checked in early September, I found that accommodation in the first half of August was already a write-off. Those nights in any remotely affordable hotel or Air B&B, including the place where I've reserved my own stay, was all booked up by the time I checked. Because Oasis is playing in Edinburgh during that week.

I do find it slightly funny that people are so concerned about these little nuances of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as though it can't all be taken out by one well-placed pop band. While I was in Edinburgh for the 2024 festival, I read an article that complained about there being too many people there who were too successful to need the time and space there. I mean, I read multiple articles that complained about that. But I read one article in particular that complained about how the 2024 festival involved too many "Perrier winners from 2006", which particularly annoyed me, because Phil Nichol wasn't even there. Phil Nichol won the Perrier Award in 2006, but, okay, I understand that their complaint about "Perrier winners from 2006" really meant they didn't want people who were successful during that whole decade. To which I would say, the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival had, I'm pretty sure, only two Perrier winners from all of the 00s. Tim Key (2009), who only did a few nights. And David O'Doherty (2008), but if you think there is any situation that's not improved by more David O'Doherty, then that's your own problem.

Anyway, it doesn't matter. To take a few examples of the variety in fame levels of acts I saw in 2024: too-famous-to-really-belong-there Nish Kumar, three-nights-in-a-big-room Kiri Pritchard-McLean, fast-rising up-and-comer Jin Hao Li, successful-online-comedian-with-not-much-live-profile Stevie Martin, latest MICF winner Sarah Keyworth, cult favourite Laura Davies, debut solo hour Caitriona Dowden, been-on-TV-one-time-for-ten-minutes Ed Night, Aussie hit Dan Rath, too-famous-to-really-need-Edinburgh-for-a-place-to-tell-us-about-cheating-on-his-wife Mark Watson, 2019 Perrier winner who's not seen it turn into a TV career Jordan Brookes - it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter who any of them are, which ones are a little bit ahead of, or behind, the others. They could all be crushed like a bug, in an instant, by the guys who did that Where Were You While We Were Getting High song. Even the people who are successful in live festival comedy - it's still live festival comedy. None of them are bigger than pop music. The whole Fringe Festival might be fucked next year because of one single pop band.

I genuinely admire people who have strong principles about wanting to support independent artists, and to protect the artistic integrity of something that's meant to be for emerging and undiscovered talent. I do have respect for that point of view, even though I saw both halves of Wumar at the Edinburgh Festival last month, because I'd paid a hell of a lot of money to fly across the ocean, and I couldn't do all that to not see my favourites. But I understand and sympathize with the people who think that any fringe festival should be for the underground, not for established acts.

I understand that, and I see their point and why they weren't pleased about Mark Watson being there this year. But also, there's nothing like a well-placed pop band to put it all in perspective. All these acts are merely ants to the Wonderwall Boys, who have no reason to give one fuck about anyone's principles.

Anyway, I did reserve that Air B&B a couple of weeks ago. I really want to be able to say that having nothing booked frees me up to focus on my real life at home instead of just working for the next chance to spend 2 weeks in a fantasy world across the ocean. But none of it feels all that worth it if I haven't got at least the potential of the fantasy world across the ocean to look forward to, in case I'm able to make it work again.

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill Committee: New Clause 20

Ayes: 98 (91.8% Con, 4.1% DUP, 1.0% RUK, 1.0% Ind, 1.0% UUP, 1.0% TUV) Noes: 375 (92.5% Lab, 2.7% Ind, 2.2% SNP, 1.1% PC, 1.1% Green, 0.5% SDLP) Absent: ~177

Day's business papers: 2024-11-12

Likely Referenced Bill: House of Lords (Exclusion of Hereditary Peers) Bill

Description: A Bill to amend the House of Lords Act 1999 to remove the by-election system for the election of hereditary peers; to provide for the exclusion of hereditary peers from the House of Lords over time; and for connected purposes.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Commons Bill Stage: 2nd reading

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Conservative (90 votes)

Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alex Burghart Alicia Kearns Alison Griffiths Andrew Bowie Andrew Murrison Andrew Rosindell Andrew Snowden Aphra Brandreth Ashley Fox Ben Obese-Jecty Bernard Jenkin Blake Stephenson Bob Blackman Bradley Thomas Caroline Dinenage Caroline Johnson Charlie Dewhirst Chris Philp Christopher Chope Claire Coutinho Damian Hinds Danny Kruger David Davis David Reed Desmond Swayne Edward Argar Edward Leigh Gagan Mohindra Gareth Bacon Gareth Davies Gavin Williamson George Freeman Greg Smith Gregory Stafford Harriet Cross Harriett Baldwin Helen Grant Helen Whately Jack Rankin James Cartlidge James Cleverly James Wild Jeremy Hunt Joe Robertson John Cooper John Glen John Hayes John Lamont Joy Morrissey Julian Smith Katie Lam Kit Malthouse Laura Trott Lewis Cocking Lincoln Jopp Louie French Luke Evans Mark Francois Mark Garnier Mark Pritchard Martin Vickers Matt Vickers Mel Stride Mike Wood Mims Davies Neil Hudson Neil O'Brien Neil Shastri-Hurst Nick Timothy Oliver Dowden Patrick Spencer Paul Holmes Peter Bedford Rebecca Harris Rebecca Paul Rebecca Smith Richard Fuller Richard Holden Robbie Moore Robert Jenrick Roger Gale Saqib Bhatti Sarah Bool Shivani Raja Simon Hoare Stuart Andrew Suella Braverman Tom Tugendhat

Democratic Unionist Party (4 votes)

Carla Lockhart Gavin Robinson Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon

Reform UK (1 vote)

Nigel Farage

Independent (1 vote)

Alex Easton

Ulster Unionist Party (1 vote)

Robin Swann

Traditional Unionist Voice (1 vote)

Jim Allister

Noes

Labour (344 votes)

Abtisam Mohamed Adam Jogee Adam Thompson Al Carns Alan Campbell Alan Gemmell Alan Strickland Alex Baker Alex Ballinger Alex Barros-Curtis Alex Davies-Jones Alex Mayer Alex McIntyre Alex Norris Alex Sobel Alice Macdonald Alison Hume Alison McGovern Alison Taylor Alistair Strathern Allison Gardner Amanda Martin Andrew Cooper Andrew Lewin Andrew Pakes Andrew Ranger Andrew Western Andy MacNae Andy McDonald Andy Slaughter Angela Eagle Angela Rayner Anna Dixon Anna Gelderd Anneliese Dodds Anneliese Midgley Antonia Bance Bambos Charalambous Bayo Alaba Beccy Cooper Becky Gittins Bell Ribeiro-Addy Ben Coleman Ben Goldsborough Bill Esterson Blair McDougall Brian Leishman Bridget Phillipson Callum Anderson Calvin Bailey Carolyn Harris Cat Eccles Cat Smith Catherine Fookes Catherine McKinnell Charlotte Nichols Chi Onwurah Chris Bloore Chris Curtis Chris Elmore Chris Evans Chris Hinchliff Chris Kane Chris McDonald Chris Murray Chris Vince Chris Ward Chris Webb Christian Wakeford Claire Hazelgrove Claire Hughes Clive Betts Clive Efford Clive Lewis Connor Naismith Connor Rand Damien Egan Dan Aldridge Dan Jarvis Dan Norris Dan Tomlinson Daniel Francis Daniel Zeichner Danny Beales Darren Jones Darren Paffey Dave Robertson David Baines David Burton-Sampson David Pinto-Duschinsky David Smith David Taylor David Williams Dawn Butler Deirdre Costigan Derek Twigg Diana Johnson Douglas Alexander Douglas McAllister Ellie Reeves Elsie Blundell Emily Darlington Emma Foody Emma Hardy Emma Lewell-Buck Emma Reynolds Euan Stainbank Fabian Hamilton Feryal Clark Fleur Anderson Florence Eshalomi Frank McNally Fred Thomas Gareth Snell Gen Kitchen Georgia Gould Gerald Jones Gill Furniss Gill German Gordon McKee Graeme Downie Grahame Morris Gregor Poynton Gurinder Singh Josan Harpreet Uppal Heidi Alexander Helen Hayes Helena Dollimore Henry Tufnell Imogen Walker Irene Campbell Jack Abbott Jacob Collier Jade Botterill Jake Richards James Asser James Frith James Murray James Naish Janet Daby Jas Athwal Jayne Kirkham Jeevun Sandher Jeff Smith Jen Craft Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Jess Phillips Jessica Morden Jessica Toale Jim Dickson Jim McMahon Jo Platt Jo Stevens Jo White Joani Reid Jodie Gosling Joe Morris Joe Powell Johanna Baxter John Grady John Slinger John Whitby Jon Pearce Jon Trickett Jonathan Brash Jonathan Hinder Jonathan Reynolds Josh Dean Josh Fenton-Glynn Josh MacAlister Josh Newbury Josh Simons Julia Buckley Julie Minns Juliet Campbell Justin Madders Kanishka Narayan Karin Smyth Karl Turner Kate Dearden Kate Osamor Kate Osborne Katie White Katrina Murray Keir Mather Kenneth Stevenson Kerry McCarthy Kevin Bonavia Kevin McKenna Kim Johnson Kim Leadbeater Kirith Entwistle Kirsty McNeill Laura Kyrke-Smith Lauren Edwards Lauren Sullivan Laurence Turner Lee Pitcher Leigh Ingham Lewis Atkinson Liam Byrne Liam Conlon Lilian Greenwood Linsey Farnsworth Liz Kendall Liz Twist Lloyd Hatton Lola McEvoy Lorraine Beavers Louise Haigh Louise Jones Lucy Rigby Luke Akehurst Luke Charters Luke Murphy Luke Myer Margaret Mullane Maria Eagle Marie Tidball Mark Ferguson Mark Sewards Mark Tami Markus Campbell-Savours Marsha De Cordova Martin McCluskey Martin Rhodes Mary Glindon Matt Rodda Matt Turmaine Matt Western Matthew Patrick Matthew Pennycook Maureen Burke Maya Ellis Meg Hillier Melanie Onn Melanie Ward Miatta Fahnbulleh Michael Payne Michael Shanks Michael Wheeler Michelle Scrogham Michelle Welsh Mike Reader Mike Tapp Mohammad Yasin Natalie Fleet Natasha Irons Naushabah Khan Navendu Mishra Neil Coyle Neil Duncan-Jordan Nesil Caliskan Nia Griffith Nicholas Dakin Nick Smith Nick Thomas-Symonds Noah Law Oliver Ryan Olivia Bailey Olivia Blake Pam Cox Pamela Nash Pat McFadden Patricia Ferguson Patrick Hurley Paul Davies Paul Foster Paul Waugh Paula Barker Paulette Hamilton Perran Moon Peter Kyle Peter Lamb Peter Prinsley Phil Brickell Polly Billington Preet Kaur Gill Rachael Maskell Rachel Blake Rachel Hopkins Rachel Taylor Richard Baker Richard Quigley Rosie Wrighting Rupa Huq Rushanara Ali Ruth Cadbury Ruth Jones Sadik Al-Hassan Sally Jameson Sam Carling Sam Rushworth

Samantha Dixon Samantha Niblett Sarah Champion Sarah Coombes Sarah Edwards Sarah Hall Sarah Owen Sarah Russell Sarah Sackman Satvir Kaur Scott Arthur Sean Woodcock Seema Malhotra Shabana Mahmood Sharon Hodgson Shaun Davies Simon Lightwood Simon Opher Siobhain McDonagh Sojan Joseph Sonia Kumar Stephen Doughty Stephen Kinnock Stephen Morgan Stephen Timms Steve Race Steve Reed Steve Witherden Steve Yemm Sureena Brackenridge Tahir Ali Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Terry Jermy Tim Roca Toby Perkins Tom Collins Tom Hayes Tom Rutland Tonia Antoniazzi Tony Vaughan Torcuil Crichton Torsten Bell Tracy Gilbert Tristan Osborne Uma Kumaran Valerie Vaz Vicky Foxcroft Warinder Juss Will Stone Yuan Yang Zubir Ahmed

Independent (10 votes)

Apsana Begum Ayoub Khan Ian Byrne Imran Hussain Iqbal Mohamed John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey Richard Burgon Rosie Duffield Shockat Adam

Scottish National Party (8 votes)

Brendan O'Hara Chris Law Dave Doogan Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Seamus Logan Stephen Flynn Stephen Gethins

Plaid Cymru (4 votes)

Ann Davies Ben Lake Liz Saville Roberts Llinos Medi

Green Party (4 votes)

Adrian Ramsay Carla Denyer Ellie Chowns Siân Berry

Social Democratic & Labour Party (2 votes)

Claire Hanna Colum Eastwood

[shadowsshowdown]

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Shadow's Showdown: Chapter 2

The Archn3rd0.

Head of cyber-security - Frank Pritchard's office.

Francis Wendell Pritchard, Frank, Nucl3arsnake, Archn3rd0, or just the boss. Pain in the ass, but there’s one thing that must be admitted - he understands computers like no one else. He's rude to anyone, and his attitude lets, people know that they are not worthy even to look at him. At least that's what Laura observed during her relatively short stay at Sarif Industries headquarters. The exception to this rule are other computer geeks, whom he treats less harshly but they still are dumber than himself.

"Finally! Miss Werner herself!" He squawked unpleasantly with the voice of an old parrot, still staring at the computer screen.

"Hi Frank, I don't like you either." Laura paid back with the greeting. That was a part of their daily ritual. "But I have a little gift for you." She added, handing him over the blue file.

While Pritchard was enthusiastically flicking through the papers, Laura had some time to memorize his office. Computers, more computers and…even more computers. It is the simplest description of his kingdom. Pritchard had a decent server room here, which probably contained quite a lot of useful information. All that she needed to do was to learn the system well, then bypass its firewalls and at the same time fortify herself with one, redirect connections, let a worm into the system, break a few passwords... - she calculated in her mind. It is doable, a piece of cake. The server lights flickered rhythmically and froze. Frank cursed silently as he leaped up from his chair.

"This piece of junk crashes again." He muttered as he kicked the metal case and regretted it immediately afterward.

"Can I have a look?" She asked with a raised eyebrow as the boss bounced in place on one leg.

"Suit yourself. Although I doubt that you are smarter than me." He replied with a poisonous smile.

"This blue wire should be plugged in here, and the green one is redundant." She spoke more to herself than to him. "Try to reset." She asked.

Frank unwillingly returned to his chair and typed a few commands. He almost wanted to say "Didn't I tell you ?!" with that proud tone of his when the message "Connection restored" appeared on the screen. Laura was standing right behind him but didn't say a word. The black leather jacket with orange inserts on the shoulders and white on the sleeves squeaked unpleasantly as he moved. Pritchard fixed his white turtleneck and grunted. He didn’t want to admit that she solved the problem, and simply thank her for that. Frank was too proud for this. An awkward silence floated in the air, repeatedly disturbed by the tapping of a pen on the desk surface. Finally, he tossed a new pile of papers on the desk.

"Why are you still standing here?!" He growled irritably. "Are you growing roots here or what? You have nothing to do?"

"I'm gone." Laura replied shortly with dissatisfaction, gathered the papers, and disappeared behind the door.

"You have to correct it for me by tomorrow, even if it may take you the whole night!" He shouted after her.

Walking along the long corridor, she passed by more offices surrounded by glass walls. Camera lenses followed her steps, making sure that she won’t break the law, but Laura had a few tricks to fool them if she wanted to. The escalator was already turned off, so she was forced to use the ordinary stairs. In addition to reviewing and correcting what Frank had given her, she also had to work out a strategy to fight with Jensen. Things were getting too complicated, and soon could jeopardize her mission, but that wasn't what scared her the most.

Detroit. Laura's apartment.

She got home early in the evening, but there was no time and place for resting. The pile of papers seemed to be bigger now than when it was on Pritchard’s desk. This means only one - she won't be going to bed soon. The Newmans stopped arguing, and from the party at Cornwells, she managed to pick out the lyrics.

There's something cold and blank behind her smile

She's standing on an overpass in her miracle mile

'Cause you were from a perfect world

A world that threw me away today, today, today

To run away

A pill to make you numb

A pill to make you dumb

A pill to make you anybody else

But all the drugs in this world

Won't save her from herself

"Their taste has improved." she thought, going upstairs. Stalker greeted her as soon as she crossed the threshold. Of course, she knew he was only interested in food, but she nevertheless stroked his head tenderly. He replied with a long purr as he walked slowly between her legs. Laura tossed the keys on a nearby locker, took off her uncomfortable shoes, and put on slippers. She placed the pile of folders carelessly on the sofa, then headed to the kitchen. She turned on the light and froze. An overturned jug was lying on the cupboard, and the water ran in streams, dripping onto the floor. The coffee mug, she had left when she was gone for work, now was shattered into pieces, and the culprit looked at its mistress with his usual innocent expression.

"Stalker, you little...! How many times do I have to remind you that mugs DON’T BOUNCE?!" Laura screamed with fury.

After confronting Jensen and an episode with Frank, she had enough impressions for today. Besides, she had some extra work, that her boss had ordered her to do and now that mess in the kitchen. Before she started cleaning, she slipped into a loose-fitting t-shirt and sweatpants. While sweeping the floor, Laura realized that her plan to defeat Adam turned out to be more difficult than she thought it would be. This guy was as cunning as a fox and nosier than her neighbour. Apart from Megan, she found no other weak points in his defence. When she was done, she prepared a bowl of Crunchy Pirates and sat down on the couch, leafing through the papers. At least half of them were useless and messy, but some gave her hints on how she could hack into Pritchard's database or even deeper into company servers. It was highly unwise to entrust such important things to anyone, and that observation made Laura even more curious. Despite his repulsive nature, Frank had to trust her, or he simply wanted to check her out because she did not consider him as a complete idiot. She dealt with the additional task extremely quickly, so before going to sleep she managed to take a hot shower and wash away the events of today. Laura always tried to leave things behind, but not every time she succeeded.

"Morning always comes too soon." She thought as the alarm clock rang and echoed loudly among the bedroom walls. The cool sheets still reminded her about the unexpected dream, the one about someone who shouldn't even be there. Laura felt as if her software had been attacked by a virus, breaking through all defence lines. Stalker jumped on the pillow and dabbed his tail against her cheek. She pushed him away with a little dissatisfaction, slowly scrambling out of bed. She slipped her feet into the soft cat-shaped slippers, stretched with a loud yawn, and that was the end of her nice, lazy morning. She jumped out of bed at light-speed when she realized what time it was.

"Frank is going to kill me!" She screamed so loudly that the frightened cat scuttled under the bed. The shower took her 5 minutes instead of 10. Dressing up 15 instead of 30, and she didn't even touch her breakfast. She left Stalker a full bowl of cat food and poured water into the second one. She grabbed her backpack and ran out of the house. Halfway she turned around because she forgot to lock the door. Along the way, she bumped into a nosy neighbour, who didn’t stop cursing even when she already disappeared from his sight.

Fate did not spare Laura today, she was terribly late and a heavy downpour welcomed her outside. She put on the hood, which at least gave her apparent protection, and rushed down the street. Water splashed from under the soles of the shoes with her every move. The almost entire way she was on the run, pausing only for a moment to catch her breath. By the time she got to the company, she was already soaked to the bone.

All  chapters can be found: [AO3], [dA], [Wattpad] and [Tumblr]

[perfect-illusionsss]

Laura Pritchard by Nick Eucker

[beautifullytwistedmind]

Publication: Cosmopolitan Kazakhstan Photographer: Marley Rizzuti Stylist: Laura Pritchard Model: Amelia Rami and Reece Perkins

Magical duo!