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The Devil's Advocate - Chapter 2

Noah Sebastian X Reader

Noah is a delinquent with a lot of anger at the church. You're a pastor's daughter charged with overseeing community service. Rating: 18+ Minors DNI Masterlist

Banner by @flowerynerds _______

“What’s up with you?” Madison asked, punctuating it with a nibble to Noah’s earlobe.

“Nothing,” said Noah.

Madison huffed and moved so she was straddling Noah’s lap. She took his hands in hers and placed them on her breasts. By now, Noah was well aware that she enhanced her size with a generous array of push-up bras, but even without them, she was chesty.

Usually, he liked when she took control, but he couldn’t seem to get his head in the game.

“Put your mouth on them,” she commanded, and he did as he was told, enveloping one of her nipples in between his lips and sucking. She let her head fall back, exposing her neck, and Noah, to his credit, went through the motions. He clutched the front of her neck, digging his nails in the way he knew she liked and she let out a moan that he could tell was played up for any eavesdroppers in the hallway.

“Smack my ass,” she whispered, and he did, letting out a groan when she replied to his actions by grinding her hips down on his. The groan was for show. He felt nothing, which she soon discovered once she unzipped his fly with her grabby hands.

“Are you not into this?” she asked with a tone of accusation. As if she somehow couldn’t fathom a man not being immediately turned on by anything she did.

Noah shrugged. “Not really.”

She scoffed and clambered off of him, searching the room for wherever she had flung the top half of her outfit in her coked-up frenzy.

“I’m gonna go find Folio.”

“Be my guest,” he said and gestured to the door, which she promptly stormed out of.

Noah sighed and leaned back on the couch. He checked his phone. It was 11 PM. The party had only been going on for a little over an hour and he was already over it.

Fetching his shirt from the floor, he threw it back on, zipped up his jeans, and made his way back out into the crowd of people now gathered around his friend Ruffilo, who was performing a keg stand.

He held out for longer than Noah anticipated, but when the guys holding him finally let him down, he lost his balance and stumbled drunkenly into the kitchen counter.

The crowd that had gathered around him applauded, and when he finally regained his balance, he threw up his fist in celebration.

Noah couldn’t help but feel affection for his friend in that moment. Ruffilo and Noah had both had a rough upbringing coming from the same small drug-ridden town. They’d grown up in the same trailer park and had banded together early on. Frankly, it was a miracle that they escaped without addictions, considering how the odds had been stacked against them.

Not that he had very much going for him at the moment. They booked a few shows here and there, but aside from that he spent most of his time running a steel lathe at the local precision manufacturing plant. When he wasn’t doing that, he was blowing off steam at Jolly’s parties.

“Did you see that?!” his friend slurred, throwing an arm around Noah’s shoulders and resting most of his body weight on him.

“I did. That must have been a record for you,” Noah replied.

“Had to be over a minute, at least.” Nick laughed through his words and Noah couldn’t help but share in his friend’s joy, trying to push away the sneaking suspicion that partying and drunken hookups were no longer enough to keep him satisfied.

“Where’s Madison?”

“Probably with Nick,” said Noah. He looked around the room, and surely enough, he had her on his lap, sharing a joint with her.

“What happened, man? I thought you locked that down.”

Noah shrugged. “Listen, I think I’m gonna head out.”

“That’s two weeks in a row you’ve bailed early. What’s up with you?”

“Just not feeling it,” Noah replied.

“You’ll make it home okay?” he asked, hazy eyes clearing for a moment in his earnestness. Noah softened and offered a reassuring smile.

“Promise. Go have fun. I have an early morning tomorrow, anyway.”

“Damn, I forgot you were doing that.”

“Yeah. I don’t want to be hungover for it, so I should head out.”

“Take it easy, man.” His friend clapped him on the shoulder affectionately before making his way back into the crowd.

Noah quickly left the party, lighting up a joint for his walk home. It was cold, but after the humid fog of smoke and sweat that had built up in the house, the fresh air was welcome.

He was listless, he realized, and probably understimulated. The factory didn’t pay well and he had no other career prospects. There was no way he could afford college and his high school GPA wasn’t enough to get him accepted to any even if he found financial aid. If things didn’t work out with his band, he was looking at a lifetime of mediocrity.

His thoughts drifted to you.

You were probably busy studying. Surely you attended the university and probably majored in something like literature or early childhood education. He wouldn’t put it past you to get all your homework done on Friday so that you could spend the weekend relaxing.

Your parents were probably still married. And you called them at least once a week to catch up. They likely made enough money that you could afford school without a scholarship, and he was willing to bet you already knew what you wanted to do with your life. You were self-assured and decisive. And though you were sheltered, you probably still had a better chance at success than he ever would.

He took another drag and flicked the half-spent joint into the nearby bushes before breaking out into a jog. He was stressed, and he needed an outlet, and the only thing available to him at the moment was to physically expend as much energy as possible or else he’d wind up punching a mailbox.

_________

“Head’s up. Nick’s in a mood today.”

“Oh,” you said, noting their time of arrival. 8:09, but you marked them both as on time. “Any idea why?”

“He’s hungover. And he struck out with the girl he was trying to get with last night so his pride is damaged.”

“Dang. What about you?” you asked. “Any luck with the ladies?”

“I don’t need luck,” he said. He held a stern expression, maintaining eye contact with you and you were caught off-guard, until he cracked a smile and you relaxed. He had you going for a second, thinking you’d somehow offended him by questioning his prowess.

“Any hangover?” you asked.

“I didn’t drink last night.”

“Oh?” you said, both impressed and surprised.

“Don’t get too excited,” he said, smile still softening his features. “I’m not turning from my sinful ways. I just don’t want community service to be more miserable than it has to be.”

“Sounds like a step in the right direction to me.”

Noah rolled his eyes and headed to the supply closet to get started on the long list of chores that needed completed. Nick had gone to the bathroom when they first arrived and hadn’t returned yet.

“Windows first?” Noah called out from the back of the room.

“Yeah!”

He walked back in holding the bottle of window cleaner and casually flung the rag over his shoulder.

“You’re in a suspiciously good mood,” you observed.

Noah began spraying the nearest window down and wiping it with the rag. You studied him as he worked, noticing just how much of his skin was covered in ink. He moved casually and with confidence, each of the muscles working in perfect harmony with each other. He carried no tension anywhere in his body.

“I like grunt work,” he admitted.

“I’ve never heard of anyone who liked grunt work.”

“Didn’t your Christ like grunt work?” he asked, amused. “I think I remember something about him wanting to be a humble servant.”

“Huh,” you said, taken aback, “come to think if it, yeah.”

“You seem surprised.”

You continued to watch him as he moved to the next window, finding interest in the movement of his shoulders.

“I didn’t expect you to be so Christ-like.”

He smiled to himself. You caught the reflection of it in the window he was working on.

“I don’t do it because some historical religious figure that may or may not have existed said to,” he said. “I do it because it feels good.”

“Still,” you said. “you’d make a better Christian than a lot of our congregation.”

He laughed. “I went to church until I was 14.”

So far, this was the most personal detail he’d revealed to you. While Nick was an open book, you’d always observed Noah to be guarded. He’d speak, but not about himself, and it was always hard to get a read on him. Perhaps that was on purpose, or perhaps it was just safest for him, but having this little bit of context felt like he was offering you a gift. A small bit of insight into who he was.

“Can I ask what happened?”

“You can ask,” he said, “but I probably won’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s private.”

“Anything terrible?” you pressed. It had to have been significant for him to have so much anger still.

“I’m not giving you anything else, so you may as well stop asking.”

“Fine,” you huffed. “But I still think you should give it another chance.” You followed him as he made his way over to the next set of windows.

“And why’s that?” he asked as he began spraying. Something about the way he stayed focused on his work and didn’t look at you made it easier for you to speak your mind.

“You like humble servitude.”

He chucked, low and soft. “People can be good people without being Christian.”

“But isn’t that like, the basis of Christianity?”

“I think you’re reading too deep into it. There are a lot of people who like humble work. It’s good for the body. It’s good for the mind. That’s reason enough to like it.”

You shrugged. “So, you’re saying it feels good to follow Christ’s teaching.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “That’s a stretch. Trust me. Your church doesn’t want me, and I don’t want them.”

“Windows again?” came Nick’s whiny voice from across the room. “God, can’t we do something more exciting?”

You and Noah locked eyes. “Told you,” he said under his breath.

“Like what?” you asked.

“I don’t know,” he said, plopping down in a pew. “What about raking leaves again? I liked that.”

“You can grab a rake if you want. I still think there are some leaves on the ground out there.”

“Pass,” he said, and you got the feeling he didn’t actually want solutions and just wanted to complain.

Across the room, the doors abruptly opened and a familiar white V-neck and beanie crossed the room, looking determined. He wore his usual relaxed jeans and Birkenstocks. The cut of his V-neck highlighted the cross necklace that dangled between his collar bones.

“Hey,” you said once he made a beeline over to you. “What brings you here?”

“I can’t find my pedal. Have you seen it?”

“No, but I can help you look.”

“That would be great, thanks,” he said and brushed past Nick and Noah without acknowledging them on his way to the stage. Which was a bit odd, in your opinion.

“Um,” you said, trying to diffuse the weirdness, “okay, so Noah, just keep doing what you’re doing, and Nick, try to find something productive to do if you can.” You could tell by their faces that they were both interested in who this standoffish newcomer was, but you decided that was best kept secret.

“It’s orange, right?” you asked Isaac, peering behind the keyboard and into the mess of wires connecting all the different instruments and auxiliary parts to the monitors.

“Yeah,” he said, scoping out the room. He didn’t seem to be searching all that hard. “So how’s community service going?”

“Good,” you said. “We’re making good progress.”

“They’re behaving for you?” he asked.

“Most of the time, yes.”

“The one looks like trouble,” he said, nodding over towards Noah. You knew what was going through his head. At first, Noah’s tattoos and cold disposition intimidated you, too. But for some reason, that same judgement bothered you more coming from Isaac.

Out of the corner of your eye, you could see Noah watching.

“You should be careful around them.” Isaac wasn’t bothering to monitor his volume, and you were sure both Noah and Nick could hear him. “They’re bad influences.”

“That seems pretty judgmental,” you said, crossing your arms, the search for his pedal all but forgotten.

Isaac rolled his eyes. “Come on, they’re criminals. You saw what they did to the worship center.”

“How’s it going over here?” Noah’s voice broke through the conversation. You hadn’t noticed his approach and it caught you by surprise.

“Good,” you said.

“Awesome. I’m Noah,” he said, extending his hand toward Isaac, who took note of all the ink covering it. Your throat tightened, already knowing the interaction was about to go poorly.

“Isaac,” he said, grabbing Noah’s hand and giving him a once-over. Noah had at least a good four inches of height over him and Isaac seemed to take his existence as a threat.

“Nice to meet you, Isaac.”

Noah’s face didn’t betray him, but you knew in your gut that he was putting two-and-two together based on the story you’d told him last week.

“Who is this?” said Nick, striding up to join the conversation. You bit the inside of your cheek. Your mediation skills were good, but you weren’t sure if you could fend off any potential conflict given how strong the three personalities before you were.

You bit the bullet and introduced them.

“Nick,” you said, forcing a polite smile, “this is Isaac. He plays guitar for the praise and worship band.”

You saw the slow realization dawn on him like a wave crossing over his features. His eyebrows lifted up towards his forehead, eyes widened, and mouth dropped open in that order before he composed himself.

“Isaac,” he said, grabbing the man’s hand and shaking it firmly. “Congrats, man. Wow, playing guitar for the worship band. That’s a great position. Really prestigious.” You could tell he was absolutely tickled by the opportunity to scope out the man he’d called a coward a week ago.

“Thanks,” said Isaac flatly, catching on to the fact that Nick was not actually impressed.

“Noah,” you said. “Why don’t you take Nick and get him started on raking? Once you’ve finished, you can dust.” Noah, to his credit, nodded and did his best to direct his friend towards the back of the facility.

“Anything for you, Mary,” Nick said softly, sly grin playing on the corner of his mouth.

“Mary?” asked Isaac.

“I’ll tell you later,” you said walking down the steps of the small stage. “Hey, I actually need to get back to overseeing this. I’ll catch up with you later? Hope you find your pedal.” You knew your words were coming out anxious and rushed, but you were desperate for this interaction to end.

“See you at church tomorrow?” he asked.

“Absolutely.”

“You know, I might join you guys,” called Nick as he was led away from the stage and into the hallway. “I’ve been thinking about giving my life to Christ!” he managed to spit out just before the door slammed shut.

You and Isaac fell into a tense silence. You focused on breathing in slowly through your nose, hoping to dispel some of the unease.

“So that’s who you’re spending your Saturdays with,” he said. It was an observation as well as a judgement, rather than a question.

“I know they’re not exactly the best company to keep,” you admitted. “But I think this is important for them.”

“I don’t like it,” he said, crossing his arms. “I’m gonna talk to your dad and see if he’ll let me take over.”

“No!” you said in a rush.

“Why not?” he asked.

“I just feel like you wouldn’t mesh well. They’d be too threatened by your,” you searched your brain to come up with a word that would suffice, “…masculinity.”

It felt gross coming out, but did the trick.

“Hm. Yeah, I could see how that might be a problem,” he said, immediately surrendering. It was a struggle not to roll your eyes.

“Listen, I think you better come back later for your pedal,” you said. “I know it doesn’t look good, but I have it under control. I need you to trust me.”

He looked at you warily. “You sure? You’re not going to be influenced?”

“Do you really think so little of me?”

“No,” he said. “I just…care about you is all.”

There was that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach again. Two weeks ago, hearing those words would have thrilled you. Why was it that they came as soon as your interest in him had begun to wane?

“Thank you,” you said. “But I’ve got this.”

He gave you one final nod of agreement before heading out the side door. Once he was gone, you sighed and sunk down to sit on the steps leading up to the stage. A moment later, Noah padded back into the room. He sat down next to you wordlessly and joined you in staring at the ground.

“So that’s Isaac,” you said eventually.

“Well, he seems great,” said Noah with mock enthusiasm. You glanced over at him and caught the cheeky grin he flashed. The tension diffused and you smiled back at him, soft laughter escaping.

“Sorry about Nick,” he said. “He can be a real jerk sometimes.”

“Sorry about Isaac,” you replied. “He can be closed-minded.”

He huffed in agreement. “I’m familiar with his type.”

“Did you run into that at your old church?” you asked. He leaned back so he could rest his upper body on the stage platform, long legs stretched out over the steps, tucking his palms underneath his head. On their own accord, your eyes scanned over his chest and triceps. If he caught you, he didn’t say anything.

“You could say that.”

“Noah,” you asked, watching him watch the ceiling above him. “Why did you leave the church?”

“You really want to know?” he asked, taking a break from staring at the light fixtures to meet your eyes. You nodded. He smirked to himself and went back to looking at the lights.

“They told me I couldn’t masturbate.”

You felt your jaw drop in real time.

“What?!” you said.

Soft laughter escaped from him. “I’m kidding. I mean, it was definitely one of the reasons, but that was the final straw for me.”

You said nothing, still in shock from his admission.

“This is why I wasn’t going to tell you,” he said. “I knew you’d be scandalized.”

“Just give me a second,” you said. “This is new territory for me.”

“They don’t talk much about that in Sunday School, I’m guessing?”

You swallowed thickly, mouth suddenly dry. “Not really.”

He laughed again. “That doesn’t surprise me. I’m gonna let you in on a little secret.” He turned to face you. “The church is full of shit, and they don’t know anything about what it means to live a good life. Especially when it comes to that kind of stuff.”

“What do you mean?” you asked.

He sat up again. “I mean that they fuck a lot of people up without even realizing it. They talk about sex like it’s a bad thing that you should be ashamed of for wanting and try to make you feel awful about exploring you own body. Do you know what kinds of complexes that gives to a person? No wonder there’s so much sexual abuse happening in the church.”

“I think you lost me,” you said.

Noah sighed and collected himself. “Nobody should be made to feel ashamed of their own humanity. Or their body’s natural sexual response. When I was fourteen, my grandma caught me masturbating and sent me to confessional. I told the priest about it, and he called me a sinner and said I should never do it again. My grandma gave me all this shit about it being unclean and how I should be ashamed of myself for how little self-control I had.”

“Oh,” you said.

“Yeah,” he agreed. “I was just a kid. I was going through puberty,” he said, emotion creeping into his voice. “I was discovering my body—something that’s normal and healthy for a kid of that age—and was made to feel like I was some kind of sick pervert for it. And I believed them at first, until it got to be too much.”

“What happened?” you asked.

“I met my friend Ruffilo. He hadn’t been raised in a church, and didn’t have any shame over his sexuality. And then I got tired of hating myself. Figured it was better for me to just hate the church instead. I moved out of my grandparents’ and in with Nick.”

“That Nick?” you gestured out the door to where the man in question was supposed to be raking leaves.

He shook his head. “Different Nick. Nick Ruffilo. That’s Nick Folio. Met him later.”  

“Sounds confusing,” you said.

“It can be.”

“I’m sorry that happened to you,” you said.

“I know it probably sounds silly to you, but it really fucked me up for a while.”

���It’s not silly.” You were unable to form a more sophisticated thought. Your brain was working on overdrive trying to process the information.

Unbeknownst to him, Noah’s story was eerily similar to your own, but you were still stuck in the guilt and shame, and it had never occurred to you that there might be something on the other side of that.

You’d masturbated before, but not much. And every time it had happened, you broke down in tears, asking God to forgive you because you were afraid you’d either be sent to hell, or God would punish you some other way for your lack of self-control, like not having a chance with Isaac.

The idea that you might not be a terrible and perverted person for having done it was new to you. And that it was something other people had trouble controlling as well. You just assumed you were uniquely bad.

“There was a lot more that went into me leaving the church, but that was the nail in the coffin. I’d been on my way out for a while before then.”

“I guess that explains some of your anger,” you said, wanting to ask him more about what happened, but not wanting to press him too much. He was still a private person, and you were lucky to have gotten that much out of him.

“What I can’t understand is how I seem to be the only one who’s angry.”

“I don’t think you’re the only one,” you said, suddenly noticing how you and Noah seemed to have grown closer in proximity.

“You’re not angry,” he observed.

“I,” you began, “I don’t know what I feel.”

“What’s your take on it?” he asked.

You swallowed heavy, a hard lump having formed in your throat. Your hands were clammier than they had been earlier.

“I don’t know,” you said, wishing the stage would open up and swallow you whole so you could escape the very intense look Noah gave you.

“If you want me to have these uncomfortable conversations about faith, I need you to meet me halfway.”

You groaned in protest, but he had you cornered and you both knew it.

Even still, it took you a few tense moments before you could finally speak.

“I have a lot of shame,” you eventually confessed. “And up until this conversation I assumed it was deserved. But now I’m starting to question it.”

“Have you ever—?”

You nodded before he could finish his question. “I have. But each time was difficult for me to accept.”

You paused to give him an opportunity to respond, but he stayed quietly attentive, waiting for you to continue.

“I…thought God would punish me.”

“Punish you how?”

“I don’t want to say,” you said, flushing.

“Come on,” he said. “I’m not going judge.”

“You will when I tell you,” you said. The energy around the both of you had at last shifted to playful again, which was a breath of fresh air after how charged the last few minutes had been.

“Is it really that bad?”

You nodded.

“Please?” he asked. “I told you my secret.”

“I already paid you back for that,” you said.

He groaned and threw his head back. “Come on!”

Something about seeing this heavily-tattooed grown man acting like an impatient little puppy had you softening, and though you knew he probably used this tactic often to get what he wanted, you couldn’t help but give in.

“Promise you won’t judge?”

He nodded, a tendril of hair slipping out from behind his ear to swoop over his face.

You sighed, locking eyes with him once more for confirmation that he was serious.

“I thought that if I was a good enough Christian, God would reward me by…directing a certain person towards me.”

His face lit up with slow realization.

“That dude?” he said.

You nodded.

He laughed a deep belly laugh.

“So you thought that if you didn’t masturbate, you’d be able to date Isaac?”

“You said you wouldn’t judge!” you whined.

“You were right, you definitely shouldn’t have told me.”

You hung your head, pressing your face into your palms to quell your embarrassment.

“I thought it was a good idea at the time,” you said, voice coming out muffled. “I guess it sounds kind of silly when I say it out loud.”

“Okay,” he prefaced, voice vibrating with the remnants of laughter. “Calm down. I’m not judging you for having thought that. It makes a lot of sense considering the messaging you received. But that guy? Really?”

You looked up finally to meet his eye. His mouth still held the hint of a smile, but there was more sincerity in his eyes than there had been before.

“In my defense, the pickings are slim in the church.”

“You can do better than him.”

Noah swished his hair out of his face and your eyes followed the motion, taking in his body language. He leaned casually forward, resting his elbows on his knees, body half-turned toward you. When the moment grew too heavy, he leaned back against the stage again and switched from looking at you to staring at the back of the room.

“You shouldn’t be so ruled by fear,” he said.

You released a large breath. “You’re probably right.”

“Do you want some advice?” he asked.

“I suppose.”

“Masturbate. Do it without the guilt. Do it as a gift to yourself for having tried so hard for so long to be perfect. Treat it like something you deserve. A way to show yourself love.”

You sighed and laid back on the steps, kicking your feet out in front of you. “I don’t know. It’s been so long I feel like I’ve lost touch with that part of myself.”

“So find it.”

You half-scoffed. “That sounds great and all, but I don’t think it’ll be that easy to undo years of guilt and shame. And I don’t even know if I trust what you’re saying. You could just be trying to corrupt me.”

“Oh, I’m definitely trying to corrupt you,” he said. “But not for any hidden agenda. Just because I feel like you could use a little corrupting.”

You looked up at Noah. He half leaned over you, long hair tied back into a low knot that spilled over his shoulder. From where you lay, you could smell essential oil and some sort of incense that you couldn’t quite place.

He held eye contact with you until your eyes traveled down his face to his lips, which pressed together as he swallowed and then parted softly.

“Ehem.”

The sound came from the back of the room, where Nick was leaning on his rake and watching with unconcealed judgement.

“I’m done with raking.”

You and Noah jerked apart, both sitting up and avoiding looking at each other. Noah ran his hands over his thighs, straightening the legs of his jeans. You stood up and walked down the steps towards the back.

“Okay. It looks like it’s almost noon anyway, so why don’t we call it quits for today? Good job, guys. I’ll see you next week.”

Noah hesitated for a moment, but then bid you goodbye and walked out with Nick, who clapped him on the shoulder and muttered something to him that you didn’t catch.

____________

“You motherfucker,” said Nick. It came out friendly, but Noah caught a hidden bite in the hard consonants. “You said you weren’t going to try with her.”

“It wasn’t what it looked like,” Noah said. “We were just talking.”

“About what?” said Nick.

“Church, if you must know.”

“Yeah, it looked like you were getting real deep into religion from where I was standing.” Nick crossed his arms and fixed Noah with a hard stare that Noah didn’t have the bravado to return.

“Dude. I called dibs. How can you not respect the sanctity of dibs?”

Noah rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t work for human beings.”

“It has in the past. Remember Steph?”

“You mean Stacy?” Noah said with a raised eyebrow.

“Sure. You called dibs on her and I respected it.”

Noah felt cornered. He didn’t want to be a hypocrite to his friend, because Nick was right. Noah had done that in the past, and it wasn’t even that long ago, but this felt different. It didn’t sit well with him to treat you like an object. His opinion had changed in a way his friends wouldn’t appreciate, and if he brought it up, they would just say he was only taking the moral high ground to get out of their deal.

“What will it take to get you to drop this?” Noah asked.

“Join in on the bet.”

“I’m not betting someone’s virginity.”

“I’m gonna try to get it regardless, so you can either join in, or you can respect the dibs.”

“Whatever man,” said Noah, having run out of legitimate responses or ways to end this conversation. He stalked off towards his room.  “I’m taking that as a yes,” Nick said to the back of Noah’s head.

“It’s not a yes!” called Noah, already halfway down the hallway.

“Sounds like a yes to me.”

“Let me know when you’ve got your head out of your ass,” Noah replied before slamming the door shut.

Once in the privacy of his room, Noah sank down onto his bed and stared up at the ceiling. It was becoming a regular pastime of his at this point. His thoughts drifted to you and how innocent and doe-eyed you looked staring up at him, regretting that he didn’t kiss you.

He understood the appeal Nick saw. There was no denying how badly you needed it, and how much he wanted to be the one to give it to you.

But you weren’t ready, and he knew it. If he tried anything now, you’d probably have a panic attack about going to hell and he’d have to walk you through it. He didn’t know if he had the emotional capacity to do that, and Nick sure as hell didn’t.

Besides, he had other ways of getting his needs met. There was no shortage of women hitting him up throughout the week, and he could have his pick of any of them if he wanted.

So why hadn’t he returned their texts?

He rolled over onto his stomach, pressing his face into the pillow, and thought about his old church for the first time in ages.

There was a time when he truly believed. He was an active part of the youth group. Went to Sunday school every week. Participated in vacation bible school and church summer camp. Sung his heart out during hymns hoping God would hear him and be pleased. He’d felt so sure of his beliefs.

Now it was so different. He didn’t know what he believed. Wasn’t sure if he even believed in anything at all, except for the fact that man was inherently evil at heart, and if there was a god, he was an asshole for allowing all that evil to take place.

No. He didn’t even believe that. Because there was no way you were inherently evil. You were driven by a deep desire to do good and help the people around you.

So what did he believe, then? He had no idea, but he wished he did. He knew he didn’t believe in the Christian god he’d been taught to follow. There was so much wrong with it. At times he found himself wishing he could believe, but what was once blind faith had long since been replaced with blind rage he couldn’t seem to let go of, no matter what he did.

Growing tired of his room, he huffed and hoisted himself up off his bed. There was only one place where he could truly work through these feelings—his studio.

___________

The studio was very much a makeshift thing. It was set up in an old storage shed in the back yard of Jolly’s house. Noah had spent hours soundproofing and insulating the place. A small space heater in the corner was the only source of warmth, but he didn’t care. When he was inside the studio, nothing could touch him.

He sat in front of his keyboard and allowed his fingers to gloss over the keys. When they found where they wanted to go, he pressed them into the instrument, fingers striking a familiar chord. He moved them over to the next chord. Then the next. And the next. A somber chord progression broke out without him directing it. Noah let his mind relax as his hands took over and he was no longer a person, just a vessel through which music played itself.

He liked you.

His right hand began playing a soft melody while the left kept up with the chord progression.

It’s been a long time since he had liked someone in any significant way. He was used to people disappointing him. 

The volume grew louder, soft notes giving way to an intense, heavy rhythm.

He wanted to protect you from Nick. From others who would see your goodness and try to bring you down to their level. Or use you for their own gain, but he knew it wasn’t his place to get involved. That you were your own person and could make decisions for yourself.

The tempo increased, melody full and moody, with an uncomfortable dissonance that longed to be resolved.

Throughout your life, other people had undoubtedly been making decisions for you. Telling you what to think. What to believe. Who you could spend your time with. The last thing he wanted was to join the ranks of people thinking they knew what was best for you.

His hands violently struck a suspended chord, allowing it to reverberate throughout the room for several beats, before his fingers went back to playing the somber melody from earlier. This time, slower paced and softer.

You were so vulnerable. Your willpower untested, and you had no experience to go on. It would have been so easy for him to take you, right then and there on the stage of the worship center. He could see it in your eyes how badly you wanted it.

His fingers slowed, allowing the melody to come to a close all on its own. He held out the final chord for as long as it would make sound, before switching off the power and leaning back into his chair.

Perhaps he wasn’t giving you enough credit. You had a good head on your shoulders, and seemed to know yourself. You weren’t afraid to question things when they didn’t feel right or genuine, and you saw through a lot of the bullshit that the church had tried to teach you (though your judgement was questionable when it came to taste in men and your own sexuality).

He heaved a sigh. Maybe he was being overprotective. There was nothing that he could say or do to stop Nick from pursuing you. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to encourage you to enforce boundaries and learn to recognize when people had ulterior motives. After that, he just had to trust you to make your own decisions.

He could live with that.

He switched the power on the keyboard back on, connecting it to his laptop and opened up the familiar program. He pressed the record button and began playing the chord progression again, hoping he could at least get a good song out of this.

Click here to be added to the taglist!

[tmbgareok]

So much news! THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS TOUR THE MIDWEST!

John F. here. First off, we are going back on the road in the Midwest this May and June. THE BIG SHOW is landing in select cities, usually for two nights, for an “Evening with” which means it starts early with no opener. 2 very different shows from night to night. 8-piece band including 3 horns. 2 sets. Gets loud. Some shows are in big clubs, some seated.

This is the blurb the promoters are using: "They Might Be Giants are in top form and back on the road with their ever-evolving show. Featuring songs from the earliest days of their Dial-A-Song service, through their platinum album Flood, all the way to their Grammy-nominated album BOOK; each night is its own distinct celebration of the band's singular songbook. Backed by their notorious live band now including a three-piece horn section, expect a spontaneous, sprawling, enthralling musical event unlike any other."

TWO-NIGHT TICKET BUNDLES: A limited number of multi-night ticket packages are available –– that means reduced ticketing fees.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS?: This time around, in some places, our local promoters are supplying our audiences preferred rates for nearby hotels for TMBG fans. In the past these have proven to be very good values, so check it out. Any applicable hotel deals will be listed on the show's event page.

5/9 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/10 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/11 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/14 CINCINNATI at MADISON THEATER 5/15 CINCINNATI at MADISON THEATER 5/17 DETROIT at THE MAJESTIC 5/18 DETROIT at THE MAJESTIC

6/14 MINNEAPOLIS at FIRST AVENUE 6/15 MINNEAPOLIS at FIRST AVENUE 6/16 ST PAUL at THE FITZGERALD THEATER 6/18 CHICAGO at THE VIC THEATRE 6/19 CHICAGO at THE VIC THEATRE 6/21 MILWAUKEE at THE PABST THEATRE 6/22 MILWAUKEE at THE PABST THEATRE 6/23 MADISON at THE BARRYMORE THEATRE

MORE SHOWS!

It is comical how many of the shows that have yet to sell out have just 50 or 100 tickets left, as some folks had to return tickets due to rescheduling. We know it’s far away, but now is not the worst time to make a move.

ON SALE NOW! AUSTRALIA www.theymightbegiants.com/shows for direct links to regular tickets SOLD OUT 2 Oct Adelaide 4 Oct Sydney 5 Oct Sydney 7 Oct Brisbane 8 Oct Brisbane 10 Oct Melbourne 11 Oct Melbourne 13 Oct Perth

ON SALE NOW! THE BRITISH ISLES www.theymightbegiants.com/shows for direct links to regular tickets

1 Nov Southampton SOLD OUT 2 Nov Cambridge 3 Nov London SOLD OUT 5 Nov Glasgow 6 Nov Newcastle 8 Nov Belfast SOLD OUT 9 Nov Dublin SOLD OUT 12 Nov Manchester SOLD OUT 13 Nov Leeds 15 Nov Nottingham SOLD OUT 16 Nov Bristol SOLD OUT 17 Nov London

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Smithsonian Magazine:

On a sweltering summer day in Madison, Wisconsin, Jade Kochanski wades through a prairie bursting with wildflowers. Insect net in hand, she carefully scans the colorful blossoms. She’s on a mission to capture and identify the bumblebees that live there. If she’s lucky, she’ll discover a rare find—an endangered rusty patched bumblebee, named for the red-brown smudge that workers and males of the species sport on their backs.

Kochanski, a PhD student in integrative biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, meticulously measures the bumblebees she captures and snips off a tiny piece of leg, a common, non-lethal way to obtain genetic material from these creatures. Each sample she collects from rusty patched bumblebees is destined for a lab in Utah to help researchers uncover the genetic secrets critical to the bee’s survival. DNA analysis will help scientists estimate the number of colonies, identify patterns of inbreeding within those colonies, and understand overall genetic diversity and health of the rusty patched bumblebee populations.

Once common across the eastern United States and Canada, rusty patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) populations have plummeted by nearly 90 percent over two decades due to habitat loss, pesticide use, pathogens and climate change, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Now, they are found in only a fraction of their former range, with scattered populations in the Upper Midwest and Northeast United States. In 2017, the rusty patch became the first bumblebee to be listed as endangered in the United States.

In response to listing, Kochanski joined a network of scientists who began collecting tissue samples from rusty patched bumblebees across its range. The initiative started in 2020 when Tamara Smith, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s lead biologist for the rusty patched bumblebee, organized a meeting with bumblebee researchers in Minnesota. Their goal: to identify conservation tools that could help save the species. “Genetics was the No. 1 question that came out of that [meeting],” says Smith. “We needed to get a handle on what was going on with this species if we wanted to move forward with some of the other tools that would help with conservation.”

Their research was published this past spring in the Journal of Insect Science and provides the first range-wide genetic study on the species. The findings offer key insights that can aid conservation of the species, but also raise questions and concerns about the ability of the species to recover. “Genetically, they’re not doing as well as we had hoped,” says Smith.

The study revealed a surprisingly low number of rusty patched bumblebee colonies, even in places where the bee seems prevalent. “We’ve seen the Upper Midwest as the stronghold of the species,” says John Mola, an ecologist at Colorado State University and lead study author, “but what we’ve seen from the genetic data is that even within these strongholds for the species, they are still far fewer colonies than we might have expected.”

Since only queens produce offspring, bumblebee populations are measured by colonies, not individuals. Each spring, queen bumblebees emerge from hibernation to create nests where they produce non-reproductive female workers that forage, nurse larvae and defend the nest. Later in the summer, queens switch to producing reproductive individuals, including males and new queens, which will form their own colonies the following year. Each colony can contain over 100 individuals. Thus, even if several worker bees are seen in an area, they could all come from just one or two large colonies.

According to the study, having few colonies poses significant risks, including making them vulnerable to local extinction from unpredictable events like fires on the prairies where they live. In light of the study, land managers will need to be more strategic with using prescribed burns for managing prairies within the bee’s range. To assist these efforts, as part of her dissertation, Kochanski is developing burn recommendations that balance the need for prairie maintenance with protecting bumblebees.

[hockeychatstea]

https://www.tumblr.com/hockeychatstea/765635501712670720/i-have-some-thoughts-and-have-noticed-a-few-things?source=share

so this whole post is inch-resting for a few reasons, because it confirms i'm not fucking crazy lol. i've noticed some of this shit for months now, basically since those two started dating lmfao (well, publicly anyway)

so the queer sibling and his sister are EXTREMELY close. like, would take a bullet for each other close. closer than sway is to his sister close. the queer sibling also lives in chicago, while beth and her fam are in new york so so they can visit boston more regularly. i wanna say it was on puckgoss that someone who knew alessandra from high school said she was really good at being manipulative and fake nice in order to social climb, so it wouldn't surprise me if she was pulling the same shit on beth (esp since they see each other like 2-3 times a year at most?) because her being a bigot would NAWT fly in that house.

AND OKAY GOOD i'm not the only person who noticed the stuff going on with the wags. rebecca (pasta's wife) apparently HATES her, she's now seemingly been shunned from the main group of younger girls w amanda, ryen, paula, madison, etc. so now she's stuck clinging to katrina, a woman in her late 30s who also has a rep with locals for being a nasty cunt, but is also head wag so i guess not surprising she'd attach herself to the "queen bee" for clout. i saw a rumor on the athletic of all places, in the comments on one of the swayman contract articles, saying that during playoffs alessandra was incredibly rude and entitled towards the other wags/service staff during a cam neely foundation dinner that the front office put on for the wags, to the point where she got reprimanded by cam/his wife themselves for it being a bad look on the bruins org 😬 if true then holy YIKES no wonder the other girls want to distance themselves. i def noticed she didn't get invited out to any of the dinners after that night which i thought was sus, but didn't really think much about it at the time back in may lol.

the house thing is just. insanity lol. i've been convinced since june that they've been rushing the relationship because he was about to become one of the bruins core players and needed to look "settled" for optics because he's about to turn 26 this year which is "late" by nhl standards. his relationship with his ex tori lasted what, almost three years? they never moved that fast and that was with someone he literally described as the "girl of his dreams" on a podcast back in 2020. meanwhile he's moving in with with a girl he's known for less than a year, has nothing in common with, and who was actively hunting for a hockey husband to bankroll her luxury lifestyle while she sits around unemployed and badly plays instagram and tiktok influencer online. uh huh, sure jan. if the plan is to endgame then i sincerely hope sway is smart enough to keep his finances separate/in trust away from her because the vibes are absolutely rancid with that girl.

the one thing i'm gonna push back on is the fake nice thing, only because as a fan who has followed him for years now, him being like this is very VERY recent behaviour and pretty much started when he started dating alessandra. i've talked to so many other b's fans online who have noticed his entire personality change because of this girl. if it was a long-running issue there would probably be way more stories about him being a dick to people, but most anecdotes about him since college have always emphasized him being a genuinely sweet and well-adjusted (read: non hockey bro) guy. why he's decided to turn into country club frat boy mcgee to impress a girl i'll never understand, but it really ain't cute. like, the pussy CANNOT be that good. 😭

Yeah it's honestly pretty sad if he's changing that much for her 😕

[kieraplaysthesims]

Under the attentive guidance of his mothers, baby Gamon embarked on a journey of discovery, soaking in knowledge with each passing day. The nurturing environment provided by Yên and Madison became the fertile ground for Gamon's blossoming curiosity and learning. Every day brought new milestones and achievements as the little one absorbed the lessons of the world, supported by the patient encouragement and love of his mothers. Through shared moments of laughter, exploration, and gentle guidance, the bond between Gamon and his mothers deepened, creating a foundation for a bright future filled with growth, understanding, and the promise of endless possibilities.

Fortuitously for her mothers, Vasia proved to be an incredibly affectionate and cuddly child, finding solace and joy in the warmth of their embrace, especially after her extraordinary encounter with death. Despite the brief sojourn into the afterworld, Vasia remained surprisingly resilient and exuded happiness. Her radiant spirit and content demeanor became a source of comfort and delight for Yên and Madison, reinforcing the profound bond they shared. The experience seemed to have bestowed upon Vasia a unique appreciation for life, and her infectious happiness became a beacon of positivity, filling their home with a sense of gratitude and the preciousness of each moment spent together.

A flea infestation had taken hold among the dogs, prompting a series of costly visits to the vet. The relentless presence of fleas not only posed a nuisance but also necessitated numerous trips to address the health and well-being of the furry companions. Yên and Madison, committed to the welfare of their pets, navigated the challenge with diligence, seeking professional help to alleviate the issue. Despite the financial strain incurred by the repeated vet visits, the well-being and comfort of their beloved dogs remained a top priority, underscoring the lengths they were willing to go to ensure the health and happiness of their cherished canine family members.

Faced with the inconvenience of an hour-long bus ride to the nearest vet, Yên and Madison made a strategic decision to invest in a solution that would not only benefit their dogs but also the local community. They decided to embark on the ambitious project of transforming an old building into a veterinarian's office. In a bold move, Madison chose to leave her job and take on the responsibility of running the veterinary office. This decision not only addressed the immediate challenge of accessing veterinary care but also reflected their commitment to providing a valuable service to their community. The undertaking symbolized a significant shift in their lives, marking a fusion of personal passion and a desire to make a positive impact on the well-being of both their pets and the neighborhood.

[theworstfoundingfathers]

Who is the worst founding father? Round 3: Button Gwinnett vs Alexander Hamilton

Button Gwinnett (March 3, 1735 – May 19, 1777) was a British-born American Founding Father who, as a representative of Georgia to the Continental Congress, was one of the signers (first signature on the left) of the United States Declaration of Independence. Gwinnett was killed in a duel by rival Lachlan McIntosh following a dispute after a failed invasion of East Florida.

Gwinnett’s business activities took him from Newfoundland to  Jamaica. Never very successful, he moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1765, and opened a store. When that venture failed, he bought (on credit) St. Catherine’s Island, as well as a large number of enslaved people, in order to attempt to become a planter. Though his planting activities were also unsuccessful, he did make a name for himself in local politics and was elected to the Provincial Assembly.

During his service in the Continental Congress, Gwinnett was a candidate for a brigadier general position to lead the 1st Regiment in the Continental Army but lost out to McIntosh. The loss of the position to his rival embittered Gwinnett greatly.

He became Speaker of the Georgia Assembly, a position he held until the death of the President (Governor) of Georgia Archibald Bulloch. Gwinnett was elevated to the vacated position by the Assembly’s Executive Council. In this position, he sought to undermine the leadership of McIntosh. Tensions between Gwinnett and McIntosh reached a boiling point when the General Assembly voted to approve Gwinnett’s attack on British Florida in April 1777.

Gwinnett had McIntosh’s brother arrested and charged with treason. He also ordered McIntosh to lead an invasion of British-controlled East Florida, which failed. Gwinnett and McIntosh blamed each other for the defeat, and McIntosh publicly called Gwinnett “a scoundrel and lying rascal”. Gwinnett then challenged McIntosh to a duel, which they fought on May 16, 1777. The two men exchanged pistol shots at twelve paces, and both were wounded. Gwinnett died of his wounds on May 19, 1777. McIntosh, although wounded, recovered and went on to live until 1806.

Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757 – July 12, 1804) was a Nevisian-born American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first United States secretary of the treasury from 1789 to 1795.

On February 15, 1781, while working as Washington’s chief of staff, Hamilton was reprimanded by Washington after a minor misunderstanding. Although Washington quickly tried to mend their relationship, Hamilton insisted on leaving his staff. He officially left in March, and settled with his new wife Elizabeth Schuyler close to Washington’s headquarters. He continued to repeatedly ask Washington and others for a field command. Washington continued to demur, citing the need to appoint men of higher rank. This continued until early July 1781, when Hamilton submitted a letter to Washington with his commission enclosed, “thus tacitly threatening to resign if he didn’t get his desired command.”

In 1784, Hamilton founded the Bank of New York.

Early during the Constitutional Convention Hamilton made a speech proposing a President-for-Life; it had no effect upon the deliberations of the convention. He proposed to have an elected president and elected senators who would serve for life, contingent upon “good behavior” and subject to removal for corruption or abuse; this idea contributed later to the hostile view of Hamilton as a monarchist sympathizer, held by James Madison.

During the Revolutionary War, affluent citizens had invested in bonds, and war veterans had been paid with promissory notes and IOUs that plummeted in price during the Confederation. In response, the war veterans sold the securities to speculators for as little as fifteen to twenty cents on the dollar. Hamilton felt the money from the bonds should not go to the soldiers who had shown little faith in the country’s future, but the speculators that had bought the bonds from the soldiers.

Strong opposition to Hamilton’s whiskey tax by cottage producers in remote, rural regions erupted into the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794; in Western Pennsylvania and western Virginia, whiskey was the basic export product and was fundamental to the local economy. In response to the rebellion, believing compliance with the laws was vital to the establishment of federal authority, Hamilton accompanied to the rebellion’s site President Washington, General Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, and more federal troops than were ever assembled in one place during the Revolution. This overwhelming display of force intimidated the leaders of the insurrection, ending the rebellion virtually without bloodshed.

During the election of 1796, Hamilton urged all the northern electors to vote for Adams and Pinckney, lest Jefferson get in; but he cooperated with Edward Rutledge to have South Carolina’s electors vote for Jefferson and Pinckney. If all this worked, Pinckney would have more votes than Adams, Pinckney would become president, and Adams would remain vice president, but it did not work. The Federalists found out about it and northern Federalists voted for Adams but not for Pinckney, in sufficient numbers that Pinckney came in third and Jefferson became vice president.

In the summer of 1797, Hamilton became the first major American politician publicly involved in a sex scandal. After engaging in an affair with 23-year-old Maria Reynolds, Hamilton was blackmailed by Reynolds’s husband and ended up paying over $1300 in payments to him. After being arrested for counterfeiting and speculating, James Reynolds implied he had evidence of illegal activity by Hamilton during his time as Treasury Secretary. Threatened by attacks against his integrity as a public servant that claimed his business with James Reynolds had to with improper speculation, Hamilton published a 100-page booklet, later usually referred to as the Reynolds Pamphlet, and discussed the affair in indelicate detail for the time.

Hamilton served as inspector general of the United States Army from July 18, 1798, to June 15, 1800. If full-scale war broke out with France, Hamilton argued that the army should conquer the North American colonies of France’s ally, Spain, bordering the United States.

To fund this army, Hamilton urged passage of a direct tax. The eventual program included taxes on land, houses, and slaves, calculated at different rates in different states and requiring assessment of houses, and a stamp act like that of the British before the Revolution, though this time Americans were taxing themselves through their own representatives.

Hamilton is not known to have ever owned slaves, although members of his family were slave owners. At the time of her death, Hamilton’s mother owned two slaves and wrote a will leaving them to her sons. However, due to their illegitimacy, Hamilton and his brother were held ineligible to inherit her property and never took ownership of the slaves. He occasionally handled slave transactions as the legal representative of his own family members.

[dankusner]

How to Watch Yellowstone

The fifth season of the hit ranching drama Yellowstone went on a mid-season hiatus way back in January 2023, but after a seemingly interminable wait, the much anticipated conclusion of the season (now known as season 5B) is upon us!

Whether you need a refresher on all of the dangerous goings-on at the Dutton ranch—or to find out what all the hubbub is about by watching for the first time—here's everything you need to know to get caught up on Yellowstone.

Streaming

The first half of Yellowstone season five is now streaming on Peacock.

It joins the previously aired four seasons of the show, which already call Peacock home, meaning now is the perfect time to catch up on all of the drama before the show returns for its final episodes.

Despite what you might assume, given that the series airs on the Paramount Network, the show is not currently available through the Paramount+ streaming service.

However, the hit prequel show 1883 and the second Dutton origin story 1923 both air there.

While Yellowstone isn't currently on Netflix or Hulu, all of the current episodes are also available for purchase through Amazon Prime (unfortunately, the show is not currently free to Prime members.)

The show is also available for purchase through iTunes or Vudu. Cable

Yellowstone premieres exclusively on Paramount Network, though for the premiere of season 5B they're making the historic move to also air the episode on CBS—the episode will hit Paramount Network at 8 p.m. eastern, with a replay on CBS at 10 p.m.

Episodes can also be watched online at Paramount Network's website when you sign in through your television provider or on live TV subscription services, like Philo.

Historically, Yellowstone has also had concurrent airings on TV Land, CMT, and Pop, though it's not currently clear if that will continue for season 5B.

Kevin Costner and Kelly Reilly play the father-daughter pair John and Beth Dutton on Yellowstone.

What's Yellowstone about?

The show follows the trials and tribulations of the Duttons, a family of ranchers operating the largest contiguous ranch in the U.S. But you don't reach the Dutton family's level of wealth and success by playing nice;

not out where the west is still wild.

The family is constantly attending to conflicts from the outside—including land developers, political opponents, and clashes with the local reservation—as well as from within, as the complicated dynamics between the family patriarch John (played by Kevin Costner) and his children—frustrated, ambitious Jamie (Wes Benton), deliciously vicious Beth (Kelly Reilly), and formerly estranged Kayce (Luke Grimes)—play out with plenty of scheming, secrets, and no little bit of bloodshed.

Will there be a season six?

Though Yellowstone and the ever expanding Dutton universe continue to be a massive success—the show now has two prequel series, another in the works, plus a spin-off called The Madison starring Michelle Pfeiffer and another announced spinoff set on the 6666 ranch in Texas—in May 2023 it was announced that the show would indeed end after season five.

Since then, stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have reportedly been in negotiations to return for a sixth outing, but thus far no official announcements have been made, leaving fans to assume that season 5B will indeed be the last.

ENTERTAINMENT

The end might be near for Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Yellowstone’

Part 2 of Season 5 coming, but a surprise Season 6 is rumored

Taylor Sheridan’s neo-western Yellowstone returns Sunday with part two of its fifth and possibly final season.

Whether you are a loyal fan or a newcomer, here’s what to know.

What is Yellowstone about?

The show centers on John Dutton (Kevin Costner), the patriarch of the Dutton family.

The family fights off a rotating group of foes (a local Native American tribe, land-hungry corporations, etc.) who want to own their sprawling Montana ranch.

Conflicts also pit the Dutton children against one another and their father.

How can I watch it?

Part two of Season 5 premieres Sunday at 7 p.m. on Paramount Network. CBS will air the show at 9 p.m.

The six episodes of Season 5B are widely expected to mark the end of the series.

But a surprise sixth season may be on the table, Variety reported.

Where’s Kevin Costner?

Costner will not be in the upcoming episodes of Yellowstone.

After a rumored dispute with Sheridan, the show’s co-creator, Costner confirmed he was departing earlier this year.

He has recently been focusing on his four-part Western saga, Horizon .

“His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful … and I’ve never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone,” Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter last year.

Sheridan went on to say he was disappointed by Costner’s exit, adding “it truncates the closure of his character.”

Costner’s Dutton appeared in a recent trailer for Season 5B, but it’s unclear how the show will deal with his absence.

Yellowstone has North Texas ties:

Since debuting on Paramount Network in 2018, Yellowstone has become one of the most-watched television series in America.

The show has spawned several spinoffs, some of which filmed in North Texas.

Sheridan, a Fort Worth native, shot scenes for Yellowstone and a prequel, 1883 , at his ranch in Weatherford.

1883 also filmed at Pearl’s Dancehall and Saloon, Hooker’s Grill and the Fort Worth Herd cattle pens, among other Cowtown locations.

The prequel, which starred Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, traces the post-Civil War generation of the Dutton family as they travel by wagon to Montana.

At one point, they cross through Fort Worth.

Kevin Costner, Taylor Sheridan ‘Yellowstone’ Drama Explained

What’s the Goss About Cost(ner)?

You might have heard there’s some drama going on out West, and we’re not just talking about all those bodies dumped at the train station.

No, we’re talking drama behind the scenes surrounding two different westerns:

Taylor Sheridan’s mega-hit series Yellowstone and Kevin Costner’s new drama film franchise Horizon.

Yellowstone’s final part of its final season finally premiered on November 10, but it’s not what it was — its lead, John Dutton, who was played by Kevin Costner, is no longer there.

Costner, due to scheduling conflicts with Horizon and associated drama (ooooh), has left the show.

Yellowstone is a ginormous hit for Paramount, with its season-five premiere pulling in 12.1 million viewers, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Meanwhile, Horizon is a huge gamble for Costner — he’s the writer, the star, and the director, and he’s put about $35 million of his own dollars into it (decidedly not earned back in the first movie’s initial theatrical run).

So is this town – the western genre – big enough for the both of ’em?

Below, the fate of Yellowstone following Costner’s exit and the tragic tale that led up to it.

That’s what Paramount says.

The part two of season five premiered on November 10, 2024, and will reportedly conclude the series.

However, stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser are reportedly in talks for another, per Puck on August 28.

It was first reported in February 2023 that Costner might be leaving the show after its sixth season while making himself available for only a week of shooting time to the back six episodes of season five (the first batch finished airing on January 2, 2023).

Then, Camp Costner fired back.

“The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season five of Yellowstone is an absolute lie,” his litigator, Marty Singer, told Puck.

“It’s ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn’t be believed for one second. As everyone who knows anything about Kevin is well aware, he is incredibly passionate about the show and has always gone way above and beyond to ensure its success.”

Yep, he’s done being a Dutton.

In the premiere of the second part of Yellowstone’s final, fifth season, John Dutton is …

Found dead.

His son, played by Wes Bentley, hires assassins to kill him and stage the scene to look like a suicide.

“I think Taylor’s decision to begin this way was incredibly brave,” Christina Voros, who directed the episode, told The Hollywood Reporter.

“I think it is testament to his faith in the characters and the actors who embody them to go, ‘Let’s not make this about the incident. Let’s make this about how these human beings exist in the aftermath.’”

At first, there was hope.

At a 2023 PaleyFest panel, Keith Cox, head of scripted content for MTV Entertainment Studios came bearing the kind of good news that counts as good news only when there’s drama.

“What I can say is that our star, the face of our show, and our executive producer are very confident he is going to continue with our show,” Cox said.

But on May 3, 2023, Entertainment Tonight reported that Costner will not be returning to the show after season five.

Initially, that meant he should be around for the still-unfilmed season 5B — if they could figure out a schedule.

In September 2023, Puck reported that, pre-strike, Costner actually wanted to come back in order to wrap up the character.

He apparently had a meeting with Sheridan to potentially get on the second part of the fifth season despite Sheridan already having written most of the episodes without Costner’s John Dutton.

The talks … did not work out.

Suddenly, on April 11, 2024 (yes, that is almost a year since it was reported he would not be returning to the show), Costner was talking about returning again.

How would that work?

Who can say?

“I thought I was going to make seven seasons, but right now we’re at five,” Costner told Entertainment Tonight while promoting Horizon.

“So how it works out — I hope it does — but they’ve got a lot of different shows going on. Maybe it will. Maybe this will circle back to me. If it does and I feel really comfortable with it, I’d love to do it.”

Kinda?

“We very rarely started when we said we would and we didn’t finish when we said we would,” Costner told GQ in May 2024.

The Yellowstone team proposed schedules that would bite into Costner’s time allotted for shooting Horizon, which he couldn’t accept.

Why did they bother offering timing they knew wouldn’t work?

“I think there was a belief that I couldn’t get it mounted,” Costner added.

“But I didn’t really care what anybody believed.”

He didn’t just imply issues on the creative side.

“The scripts never came,” he said to GQ.

“They still haven’t shot it as far as I know … And so then at one point they said to me that we don’t have an ending or anything.”

He then offered to let John Dutton die and said he had a week of free time during which they could shoot that death.

Originally, he said, he was intending to do three more seasons, but the conflicts made that impossible.

Costner apparently made a hefty list of demands, including a pay increase, a decrease in shooting time, and the right to approve or potentially veto all of the scripts for the season, Puck reported.

Sheridan, who famously writes Yellowstone solo, was not super into that idea (shocker), and conversations spiraled from there, with Paramount walking away as well.

This is not as shocking as it could be. Costner and Sheridan do not get along, per Puck.

The actor had already negotiated short shooting windows for seasons five A and five B.

Then he got COVID-19 and couldn’t work but reportedly counted his sick time toward his shooting window — resulting in the Yellowstone cast and crew needing to reassemble for shoots that were both costly to Paramount and annoying to some of his co-stars.

On the home front for Costner, news of his departure from Yellowstone after season five came a day after it broke that his wife of 18 years, Christine, had filed for divorce.

“It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action,” Costner’s rep told ET.

During a child-support hearing on September 1, Costner testified, per People, that he had wanted to return for a sixth season of Yellowstone.

However, he claimed negotiations hadn’t worked out because less money was offered and there were creative “issues.”

It also looks as if he might sue the show — when asked if he had received payment for the second half of season five, Costner reportedly replied, “I will probably go to court over it.”

The king of Yellowstone is keeping it generally congenial.

“My opinion of Kevin as an actor hasn’t altered,” Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter in a June 21 interview.

“His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful … and I’ve never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone.”

Still, he’s willing to acknowledge a bit of beef, even if it doesn’t come from their personal convos.

“Once lawyers get involved, then people don’t get to talk to each other and start saying things that aren’t true and attempt to shift blame based on how the press or public seem to be reacting,” he said.

“He took a lot of this on the chin and I don’t know that anyone deserves it. [Horizon] seems to be a great priority to him and he wants to shift focus. I sure hope [the movie is] worth it — and that it’s a good one.” There’s no way to gauge the tone here, but we like to imagine the last sentence was spoken in the style of Regina George.

Meanwhile, Paramount played their cards close to their chest. “Kevin has been a big part of Yellowstone’s success, they said in a statement to GQ.

“While we had hoped that we would continue working with him, unfortunately, we could not find a window that worked for him, all the other talent, and our production needs in order to move forward together. We respect that Kevin has prioritized his new film series and we wish him the best.”

Couldn’t be more relevant! Puck reports that, from Costner’s perspective, the shooting of season five was supposed to be completely finished by 2022, but Sheridan couldn’t deliver the scripts on time (because he was preoccupied with his multitudinous other projects).

Costner, meanwhile, wanted to focus on his own upcoming film series, Horizon, a Civil War–era drama he is directing, co-writing, producing, and starring in.

The first two films in the series will be out this summer: Chapter One will be on June 28, and Chapter Two (of a planned four parts) is out August 16.

The full trailer for the first Horizon film debuted on May 17, and it is mostly just grand vibes, without a real, clear plot quite yet.

The film also stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, and Giovanni Ribisi.

Chapter one of Horizon premiered at Cannes on May 19, earning a reported ten-minute standing ovation.

“I’m sorry you had to clap that long for me to understand that I should speak,” Costner said in response, according to Variety.

The three-hour-long film did have some walkouts, though, Variety noted, “many attendees returned.”

But then the film megaflopped at the box office, earning only $38.2 million against a reportedly $50 million budget.

The fate of Horizon remains up in the air.

Sheridan can’t stop, won’t stop.

Chris McCarthy, the president and CEO of Viacom, is bullish on his star writer, and the two have ten projects in the pipeline, according to a McCarthy interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

That notably includes the Yellowstone “extension” rumored to star McConaughey that McCarthy says is going forward whether or not Costner stays in Yellowstone.

Paramount confirmed in November 2023 that it has ordered two Yellowstone spinoffs, currently titled 1944 and 2024.

We’ll have to wait and see if McConaughey turns up in either of them. All right, all right, all right, am I right?

Yellowstone’s new episodes air at 8 p.m. EST on the Paramount Network. You can stream it on Philo, or, if you can wait for the season to conclude, it’ll stream on Peacock. Get along, cowboy.

[fencecompanynj]

Residential and Commercial Fence Installation Madison Residents Trust

When it comes to securing properties and boosting curb appeal, fence installation Madison services offer trusted solutions for homeowners and businesses alike. Whether it’s adding privacy to a backyard or installing durable fencing around a commercial space, having the right fence ensures both safety and aesthetics. Madison’s neighborhoods benefit from versatile options like wood, vinyl, and iron fences, tailored to suit individual needs. Partnering with fence installation Madison experts means working with professionals who understand local regulations, select the best materials for the climate, and deliver solutions that reflect your goals. With decades of experience, Best Gate & Fence provides seamless installations that combine craftsmanship, functionality, and style.

Residential Fence Installation in Madison

Why Residential Fencing Matters: Fence set up in Madison is more than just enclosing your own home—it’s about enhancing your private home’s value, privateness, and safety. Whether you’re maintaining pets secure, adding cut down attraction, or playing extra non-public space in your outside, fences offer sensible benefits for any family. A properly set up fence transforms outdoor spaces into practical extensions of your house, best for unique, gardening, or sincerely relaxing in peace.

Beyond aesthetics, fence set up in Madison plays a vital role in boosting safety. With the proper substances and design, you could create a steady boundary that discourages intruders whilst providing you with peace of thoughts.

Customization and Installation Process: When it involves fence set up in Madison, customization is fundamental to attaining the suitable in shape for your house. Each home has a unique format, and fences need to beautify rather than restrict the space. Our process begins with know-how your imaginative and prescient and presenting layout options that mix seamlessly with your property’s outdoors.

The set-up system for fence set up in Madison is treated by means of professionals who make certain every publish is stable and every panel flawlessly aligned. From traditional wood fences to automatic gates, each detail is carried out with precision, giving your home the lovely, secure boundary it deserves.

Commercial Fence Installation in Madison

The Role of Commercial Fencing: When it comes to fence installation Madison companies depend upon, safety is regularly the top precedence. Whether it’s a retail space or an industrial facility, having the proper fencing guarantees that your home remains covered around the clock. A business fence isn't always just a security degree—it additionally reflects your emblem’s professionalism and orderliness.

Moreover, fencing solutions can help manage get entry to important areas. From schools to warehouses, a well-mounted fence offers peace of mind, understanding that your space is organized and rancid limits to unauthorized visitors.

Access Control and Gate Automation for Businesses: Effective fence installation Madison solutions regularly encompass get admission to manipulate structures for extra safety. Automated gates are popular with groups due to the fact they provide both comfort and better safety. With far flung access control, you could modify entry without leaving your office, which ensures that best authorized employees can get right of entry to the property.

Gate automation also can improve the purchaser revel in. For companies like lodges or parking centers, automatic access structures streamline operations, making it easy for customers to return and move without trouble.

Why Madison Residents Trust Best Gate & Fence

Fence installation Madison is extra than simply including borders—it’s about making sure security, privateness, and fashion that house owners and companies can depend upon. Madison citizens always agree with Best Gate & Fence because of our established tune record, pinnacle-notch craftsmanship, and customized answers for each fencing need.

Over forty Years of Expertise in Madison: We’ve been turning in fence installation Madison offerings for over four a long time, because of this we recognize the ins and outs of the local landscape. From navigating Madison’s unique weather challenges to know-how neighborhood traits, our revel in facilitates us tailor every venture to perfection.

With every set up, we combo capability with aesthetics, ensuring your fence stands strong while adding to the attraction of your home.

Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction: Every fence installation Madison project we tackle displays our promise to apply tremendous materials. Whether it’s a wood privacy fence for your outside or a secure chain-link fence for your commercial enterprise, we by no means reduce corners. We source best the nice substances to make certain that each fence withstands the check of time.

Our goal is to exceed expectancies by way of not simplest meeting cut-off dates but additionally delivering personalized service. We work carefully with our clients, from the primary session to the final post-set up check-up, making sure pride at every step.

How We Ensure Seamless Fence Installation

At Best Gate & Fence, we take pleasure in handing over a easy and problem-free revel in for fence installation Madison tasks. Whether for your private home or enterprise, our technique guarantees every element is dealt with professionally from begin to complete, supplying you with peace of thoughts with a wonderful fence set up.

Initial Consultation: Tailored to Your Needs

Before starting any fence installation Madison task, we conduct a thorough consultation to recognize your desires and preferences. Whether you want a decorative fence to your garden or a steady boundary on your commercial enterprise, we determine your private home to advocate the high-quality materials and designs.

We additionally provide clean timelines and rates during the session, so that you recognize exactly what to anticipate. This in advance making plans ensures your fence set up Madison is an easy, efficient system without surprises.

Design and Material Selection: Personalized for Every Property

Choosing the right cloth is crucial to reaching the appearance and sturdiness you want. Our specialist’s manual you thru various alternatives, which includes wood, vinyl, and aluminium, to find the satisfactory suit for your home. Each design is customized to healthy the fashion of your home or commercial enterprise, making sure your fence installation Madison enhances both capability and aesthetics.

This collaborative layout manner permits you to be part of each decision, making your new fence sense like a great extension of your house. With a wide range of patterns available, every fence installation Madison we adopt is specific to the patron’s needs.

[parancrmcl]

muse: cleo fuller , mid twenties, madison iseman. plot: slightly based off of the movies unholy and stigmata. basically cleo lives in this small asf town and has been experiencing stigmatas and other 'miracles', enter your muse who is either a priest assigned to her case or a journalist coming to investigate, except they get far closer than they should. verse: horror with paranormal and religious elements. open to: m. though your muse must be either a priest or a journalist. disbelief floods cleo and just about every other soul surrounding her. she has never been a churchgoer, despite her parents begging her to attend sunday service with them when she was a teenager. she didn't even want to move back there, but being broke forced her to retreat from big city living and crawl back from whence she came from.

as soon as she arrived in town small things started happening. dreams at first, and then nightmares. then it almost seemed as if there was a small voice on the back of her head which turned into whispers in the middle of the night. physical evidence didn't come until two months into her stay. she still avoided church at all costs, not a believer since god decided to swipe her entire family away and leave her alone, for all intents and purposes. her hands and wrists started bleeding out of nowhere, of course, the whole town accused her of being depressed. she wasn't the funniest person to be around, but fuck, she did always think her self-deprecating nature held some charm. apparently, she was wrong. still, it caused a ruckus, she knew she hadn't done that to herself and after a psych evaluation, she came back home, to the empty house flooded with memories from her family.

it didn't take long for cleo to start being treated as a freak show. religious freaks coming to her to get some kind of absolution, or miracle, just because she had touched the local wheelchair girl and she started walking again. big deal, surely there was something to be explained, something of a scientifical nature. she just wanted to be left alone, and that was what she was trying to do, feet hanging over the cliff as the sea breeze blew her hair back and she inhaled the smoke of her cigarette, her long sleeves barely covering her bandaged wrists. a sudden whisper made her whip her head back and catch sight of her newest shadow. "oh, it's you," her voice lacked enthusiasm, her so-called miracles had attracted both the media and the church's attention, now their small town was flooded with people searching for her. "come to get the newest on the miracle chick?" the blonde deadpanned feeling less welcoming than usual.

[heathernyb]

Charleston : Foodie Edition 🍍

I recently took my best friend to experience the southern charm of Charleston! One thing about me , I can EAT ! I am a foodie at heart and when traveling I love trying as many fun places as I can . Charleston’s culinary scene is hands down one of the best ! Read along as I share my favorites from this trip …

Drinks + Apps at Saltwater Cowboy at Shem’s Creek . Hands down my favorite spot in Charleston . Shem’s Creek has my 🤍 forever . This was our first stop straight off the plane .

Roof top drinks @ The Pavillion . Here you get great drinks, amazing city views , and can watch the sun set on Low Country ! I love this spot so much !

Dinner @ Church + Union . Such a cool atmosphere! Food is great too but I love the feels of eating in this old church ! This spot was a repeat for me !

Mex 1 on Sullivan’s Island 🤍 home of my favorite beach spot ! We grabbed a quick lunch here before hitting the beach! I love the indoor outdoor beachy vibe and the margaritas are great !!

The Crazy Mason . One word : AMAZING ! If you’re an ice cream lover , omg these were to die for !

Little Jack’s Tavern . So many of my Southern Charm favorites eat at this location , they have even filmed here so of course I wanted to try it ! Was such a cute place and our food was great! Menu was small but they had the basics ! Would definitely eat here again!

Sourghum + Salt .

My sister took us here so props to a local for showing us a hidden gem ! If you want locally sourced fresh food, this is your spot ! They had a super unique menu but everything was super yummy !!

OFF TRACK Ice Cream Shop ! Homemade ice cream that was to die for ! They also have great vegan options !! I got 2 flavors and they were so so good !

MILLERS ALL DAY . Omg I loved this place so much ! It has been on my list for a long time and I finally made it ! The place is so cute ! The mimosas were awesome with homemade juices X the cinnamon roll was to die for ! I also had fried chicken with a biscuit and gravy! Pure southern goodness !!! Can’t wait to go back here again!!

Ok I saved my favorite meal of the trip for last !

HALLS CHOPHOUSE ! I see Miss Pat and Madison Lecroy eating here a lot so I made sure to snag a reservation for our trip! Located on the beautiful King St this place was a 12/10 the moment you walked through the door . The service was out of this world , the drinks were wonderful, the food was so dang good , atmosphere was perfect ! I’m still dreaming about this place ! Highly highly recommend and I will definitely be eating here when in Charleston in the future ! We started the evening in the bar having a glass of wine then moved upstairs for our actual meal . I can’t get over how awesome this experience was !!! Do not skip on Halls!!!

[romavilla19]

Car Accident Lawyer Madison: Strategies for the Entrepreneurially Challenged

In the competitive landscape of legal services, car accident lawyers in Madison face unique challenges, particularly those who are entrepreneurial novices. Building a successful practice requires more than just legal expertise; it demands strategic planning, effective marketing, and exceptional client service. Here, we outline essential strategies to help car accident lawyer Madison, especially those who may feel entrepreneurially challenged, to thrive and grow their practice.

1. Develop a Strong Online Presence

Website Optimization: Your website is often the first point of contact with potential clients. Ensure it is professional, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines. Include informative content about your services, client testimonials, and easy navigation.

SEO and Content Marketing: Invest in search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure your website ranks high on search engine results pages (SERPs). Regularly update your blog with valuable content that addresses common questions and concerns related to car accidents and personal injury law. This not only improves your SEO but also establishes you as an authority in your field.

Social Media Engagement: Make use of social media channels to establish a connection with your followers. Share success stories, legal tips, and relevant news. Engage with your fans by responding to their comments and messages right away.Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter can be powerful tools for building your brand and attracting new clients.

2. Network and Build Relationships

Join Legal Associations: Becoming a member of local and national legal associations can provide networking opportunities and enhance your credibility. Attend events, seminars, and workshops to connect with peers and potential referral sources.

Collaborate with Other Professionals: Establish relationships with other professionals such as doctors, chiropractors, and insurance agents.You can suggest clients to them, and they can do the same. Building a network of trusted professionals can significantly expand your client base.

Community Involvement: Participate in community events and offer free workshops on legal rights and responsibilities following a car accident. This not only helps you give back to the community but also increases your visibility and positions you as a caring and knowledgeable professional.

3. Client-Centric Approach

Personalized Service: Consider every customer as an individual with particular requirements. Personalize your approach to meet their specific circumstances. This builds trust and can lead to referrals and repeat business.

Communication: Continue to communicate with your clients in an honest and open manner. As their case moves forward, keep them updated and make yourself available to answer any questions they may have.Good communication reduces anxiety and fosters a positive attorney-client relationship.

Client Feedback: Solicit feedback from your clients about their experience with your services. Use this feedback to improve your practice. Happy clients are more likely to refer you to others and leave positive reviews.

4. Leverage Technology

Case Management Software: Invest in case management software to streamline your operations. These tools can help you manage case files, track deadlines, and automate routine tasks, freeing up more time to focus on client service and business development.

Virtual Consultations: Offer virtual consultations to accommodate clients who may have difficulty traveling to your office. This can also expand your reach to clients in remote areas.

Online Payment Systems: Implement secure online payment systems to make it easier for clients to pay their bills. Convenience is a significant factor in client satisfaction.

5. Effective Marketing

Targeted Advertising: Use targeted online advertising to reach potential clients. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to target specific demographics, increasing the likelihood of attracting clients who need your services.

Email Marketing: Build an email list and send regular newsletters with updates on legal developments, success stories, and tips for accident victims. This keeps you top-of-mind for potential clients and referral sources.

Referral Programs: Develop a referral program to encourage satisfied clients and professional contacts to refer new clients to you. Provide rewards like gift cards or discounts on more services in the future.

6. Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Stay Updated: The legal field is constantly evolving. Keep up with any changes to the laws and rules that impact instances involving auto accidents. Attend continuing legal education (CLE) courses to enhance your knowledge and skills.

Evaluate and Adapt: Regularly evaluate your business strategies and adapt them based on what works and what doesn’t. Be willing to attempt new things and absorb what you've learned from your mistakes.

Conclusion

Building a successful car accident lawyer Madison requires a blend of legal expertise and entrepreneurial savvy. By developing a strong online presence, networking, focusing on client service, leveraging technology, implementing effective marketing strategies, and continuously learning, even the most entrepreneurially challenged lawyers can thrive. These strategies will help you build a reputable practice that attracts and retains clients, ensuring long-term success in the competitive legal landscape.

[tmbgareok]

So much news! THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS TOUR THE MIDWEST!

John F. here. First off, we are going back on the road in the Midwest this May and June. THE BIG SHOW is landing in select cities, usually for two nights, for an “Evening with” which means it starts early with no opener. 2 very different shows from night to night. 8-piece band including 3 horns. 2 sets. Gets loud. Some shows are in big clubs, some seated.

This is the blurb the promoters are using: "They Might Be Giants are in top form and back on the road with their ever-evolving show. Featuring songs from the earliest days of their Dial-A-Song service, through their platinum album Flood, all the way to their Grammy-nominated album BOOK; each night is its own distinct celebration of the band's singular songbook. Backed by their notorious live band now including a three-piece horn section, expect a spontaneous, sprawling, enthralling musical event unlike any other."

TWO-NIGHT TICKET BUNDLES: A limited number of multi-night ticket packages are available –– that means reduced ticketing fees.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS?: This time around, in some places, our local promoters are supplying our audiences preferred rates for nearby hotels for TMBG fans. In the past these have proven to be very good values, so check it out. Any applicable hotel deals will be listed on the show's event page.

5/9 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/10 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/11 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/14 CINCINNATI at MADISON THEATER 5/15 CINCINNATI at MADISON THEATER 5/17 DETROIT at THE MAJESTIC 5/18 DETROIT at THE MAJESTIC

6/14 MINNEAPOLIS at FIRST AVENUE 6/15 MINNEAPOLIS at FIRST AVENUE 6/16 ST PAUL at THE FITZGERALD THEATER 6/18 CHICAGO at THE VIC THEATRE 6/19 CHICAGO at THE VIC THEATRE 6/21 MILWAUKEE at THE PABST THEATRE 6/22 MILWAUKEE at THE PABST THEATRE 6/23 MADISON at THE BARRYMORE THEATRE

MORE SHOWS!

It is comical how many of the shows that have yet to sell out have just 50 or 100 tickets left, as some folks had to return tickets due to rescheduling. We know it’s far away, but now is not the worst time to make a move.

ON SALE NOW! AUSTRALIA www.theymightbegiants.com/shows for direct links to regular tickets SOLD OUT 2 Oct Adelaide 4 Oct Sydney 5 Oct Sydney 7 Oct Brisbane 8 Oct Brisbane 10 Oct Melbourne 11 Oct Melbourne 13 Oct Perth

ON SALE NOW! THE BRITISH ISLES www.theymightbegiants.com/shows for direct links to regular tickets

1 Nov Southampton SOLD OUT 2 Nov Cambridge 3 Nov London SOLD OUT 5 Nov Glasgow 6 Nov Newcastle 8 Nov Belfast SOLD OUT 9 Nov Dublin SOLD OUT 12 Nov Manchester SOLD OUT 13 Nov Leeds 15 Nov Nottingham SOLD OUT 16 Nov Bristol SOLD OUT 17 Nov London

[anjali12]

NYC's Leading Sports Photographer for Dynamic Action Shots

Capturing the essence of sports in the bustling environment of New York City requires a unique blend of skill, timing, and passion. At Darcey Stone Photography, we pride ourselves on being the go-to Sports photographer in NYC, delivering dynamic action shots that bring every game, match, and event to life.

The Importance of a Professional Sports Photographer in NYC

Sports photography is an art form that demands precision and expertise. It’s not just about snapping pictures; it's about capturing the peak of action, the intensity of competition, and the raw emotion of athletes. A professional sports photographer in NYC understands the fast-paced nature of sports and knows how to anticipate and capture those fleeting, decisive moments that define the game.

Why Choose Darcey Stone Photography?

Choosing the right sports photographer in NYC can make all the difference in how your event is remembered and celebrated. Here’s why Darcey Stone Photography stands out:

Unmatched Expertise: With years of experience covering a wide range of sports, we know how to capture the perfect shot, whether it’s a fast-moving basketball game, a thrilling soccer match, or an intense tennis tournament.

High-Quality Equipment: We use state-of-the-art cameras and lenses to ensure every shot is crisp, clear, and professional. Our equipment allows us to capture high-speed action with precision and detail.

Passion for Sports: Our love for sports drives us to deliver the best possible images. We understand the nuances of different sports and what makes each one unique.

Customized Services: We offer tailored packages to meet the specific needs of your event. Whether you need full event coverage, individual athlete portraits, or team photos, we have you covered.

Capturing the Spirit of Sports

As a leading sports photographer in NYC, we focus on capturing the spirit and energy of every sporting event. Here are some key elements we emphasize in our sports photography:

Action Shots: The heart of sports photography. We capture athletes in motion, highlighting their skills, agility, and determination. These shots are ideal for showcasing the excitement and intensity of the game.

Emotional Moments: Sports are filled with high emotions, from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat. We aim to capture these genuine moments, providing a complete narrative of the event.

Team Dynamics: Team sports are all about collaboration and strategy. We capture interactions between team members, coaches, and even opponents, showing the camaraderie and competitive spirit.

Atmosphere and Audience: The crowd's energy adds to the event’s overall atmosphere. We make sure to capture the reactions, cheers, and overall vibe of the venue, adding context and depth to the coverage.

Services Offered

As a Premier Sports photographer in NYC, Darcey Stone Photography offers a variety of services to cater to different needs:

Event Coverage: Comprehensive coverage of sports events from start to finish, including action shots, candid moments, and posed team photos.

Individual and Team Portraits: Professional portraits for teams and individual athletes, perfect for promotional material and personal keepsakes.

Highlight Reels: A series of photographs that highlight the most exciting and significant moments of an event, providing a comprehensive overview.

Action Collages: Dynamic collages that showcase multiple key moments from an event, ideal for social media and marketing purposes.

The Vibrant Sports Scene in NYC

New York City is a vibrant hub of sports activities, ranging from professional leagues to local community events. The diversity and energy of the city make it an ideal place for sports photography. As a sports photographer in NYC, we are privileged to cover a wide range of sports, each with its own unique challenges and rewards.

From the iconic Madison Square Garden to the local parks and sports fields, there’s always something happening in NYC. This variety provides endless opportunities for capturing stunning sports photographs that highlight the city’s vibrant sports culture.

Why NYC Athletes and Teams Choose Us

Athletes and teams across NYC trust Darcey Stone Photography to capture their most important moments. Here’s why:

Reliable and Professional: We are committed to delivering high-quality images on time and within budget. Our professionalism ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience for our clients.

Creative and Innovative: We bring creativity and innovation to every shoot, ensuring that our images stand out and make a lasting impression.

Personalized Approach: We take the time to understand the unique needs and goals of our clients, providing personalized services that exceed expectations.

Book Your Sports Photography Session Today

If you’re looking for a Professional Sports Photographer in NYC to capture your next event, look no further than Darcey Stone Photography. Our commitment to excellence and passion for sports ensures that you’ll receive high-quality images that perfectly capture the spirit of the game.

Contact us today to discuss your sports photography needs and to book a session. Let us help you preserve the excitement and emotion of your sporting events with our expert photography services.

[the-final-straw-blog]

"Clean For Who? Safe For Who?": Asheville Business Improvement District

We sat down with three local activists to talk about the proposed Asheville Business Improvement District, a model of service provision using public funding to increase policing in downtown by an unelected and unaccountable body of largely business and property owners. For the hour, Grace, Madison and Elliot talk about attempts to ram the BID through public process, some of the businesses and individuals behind it, how bids have panned out in other cities around the country and what space there is left to oppose this further privatization of public space in Asheville. We didn’t mention it here, but there have also been rumblings of the BID model, a version of which was fought and never funded in 2012, being applied to other parts of Asheville, for example West Asheville. You can find more information and ways to get involved with folks organizing against the Business Improvement District at AshevilleBID.com and on Instagram at @NoAVLBid. This is our show for the week of May 12th.

As a quick note, there are a few acronyms frequently used in this conversation. One is RFP, which stands for Request for Proposals and is a process of contracting out an element of a project. Another acronym is ADA, in this case Asheville Downtown Association which is an independent pressure group made up of individuals, business and property owners. Not to be confused with the Asheville Downtown Commission, which was created by the City Council and contains appointed representatives from the ADA, city council, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and few other community members including business owners.

. ... . ..

Featured Tracks:

Asheville BID song (unknown artist)

Moving Through The Streets (instrumental)

Check out this episode!