#Nottingham Debate

[easterneyenews]

Sunak and Starmer launch ‘personal attacks’ in final debate

PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer went head-to-head on Wednesday (26) in their last debate before an election next week, with both launching highly personal attacks over their and their parties’ credibility.With Sunak’s Tories trailing Labour by around 20 points in the polls, the prime minister went on the attack, accusing Starmer of not being straight with the country on migration, tax and women’s rights, and urging voters not to “surrender” to the Labour.Starmer responded that Sunak was too rich to understand the concerns of most ordinary Britons. A snap YouGov poll said the debate had been a tie, with both on 50%.

[ilikemakingstuff]

Okay, no surprise everyone likes Robin Hood, thief of the rich and giver to the poor. Coincidentally, it’s one of my more completed WIPs anyway. So, I guess I’ll lay the foundation of my idea for my Leoichi, Robin Hood, early Edo Japan fic: “Oo-de-lally, Oo-de-lally, Golly What a Day.”

As you can tell, I’m going to base it mostly in Disney’s Robin Hood, with a few elements from whatever samurai and Robin Hood media I find and like. And for the characters, I plan to incorporate from ROTTMNT, SRTUC, and Usagi Yojimbo.

I plan to make Leo as the swashbuckling star, Robin Hood himself, with his brothers and Splinter as the Merry Men; Usagi as Maid Mariam with Gen, Chizu, and Kitsune taking turns as Madame Cluck; Baron Draxum and Tetsujin will share the role of Friar Tuck; Huginn and Munnin will be the church mice; Lord Kugane as Prince John and Lord Hebe (Usagi Yojimbo) as Sir Hiss. I’m currently debating who should be the Sheriff of Nottingham; as of now, I’m thinking of using Meat Sweats.

I’m sorry to say there would be no Alan-a-Dale, because it would be too clunky to add songs to writing.

I also have no idea when I’ll finish and start posting it. I’m a severe perfectionist, and I never submit anything until it meets my standards.

I will also refer Usagi with Yuichi being his first name, and Usagi being his last. I know it’s not canon, but it’s bugged me that his friends call him Usagi while his Auntie, his only family member seen on screen and presumably the one who raised him, calls him Yuichi.

[violetlunette]

Ideas for Villainous Characters for your Yuusona / Ocs in Twisted Wonderland

To help fanfic writers and artists, I thought I’d make a list of characters/items that creators could use to make their own twst characters. Feel encouraged to add if you have any ideas as well! The bigger the list, the better!

These are all things that present a challenge to the heroes in the Disney films or are connected to an antagonistic force, such as the poison apple being connected to the Evil Queen, or are just shown in a wicked light, such as the vultures from the same movie who just follow the queen looking devious.

Below are things that feature from some of the other animated movies that aren't featured in the main story line. (Not all the movies but I'll get to them.)

Live action, games, and etc. will get their own list eventually.

Peter Pan:

*Captain Hook

*Smee

*Any of the other Pirates

*Tik-Tok the Crocodile (debatable)

*The Mermaids (They literally said their intentions were to DROWN Wendy when they first meet her. I'm counting them)

*Tinkerbell (Debatable, but considering she tricked her friends into trying to murder a child, then betrayed her friends to vicious pirates with the only price being not to harm PETER, I’m counting her here. And--even though she “redeems” herself and is labeled a “hero”--she’s primarily an antagonistic force towards Wendy throughout the movie.)

The Indians (Again, debatable, but they were going to kill a bunch of kids)

The Jungle Book:

*Shere Khan

*Kaa

*King Louie (debatable)

*Louie’s monkeys

Sword in the Stone:

*Mad Madam Mim

*The pike fish

*The hawk

*The wolf

Cinderella:

*Drizzella

*Anastasia

*The Key Tremaine uses to lock Cinderella away

*The clock which awoke Cinderella from her dreams and ticked down to end the spell

Pinocchio:

*The Coachman

*Stromboli

*Lampwick (debatable)

*Monstro (Note: This is the name of Azul’s lounge)

*Pleasure Island itself (Note: stated to be a location in the Playful Land Event. However, I argue this as that was NOT Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island was a place that tempted you to be your worst and then cursed you for it. Playful Land just had you drop your guard and use rules against you. It’s basically just a Disney remake.)

The Black Cauldron:

*The Horned King

*The Black Cauldron

*The Wyrms

*The Witches

*Goblin Dude

*The skeleton warriors

Robin Hood:

*Prince John

*Hiss

*The Sheriff of Nottingham

Beauty & The Beast:

*The Enchantress (debatable)

*Leboff

*The Asylum Doctor

*The Wolves

*The Rose that counts down how long The Beast has to fall in love (Debatable)

Mulan:

*Shaun Yu

*The Falcon

*The Huns

*The Avalanche (debatable)

Pocahontas (no connection to history, please):

*Radcliff

*The “drums” of war

*The settlers (debatable in the film)

*Kokocum (debatable)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame:

*The Flames from Hellfire

*The Robed Figures

*Clopin and the Romani People (debatable. They did try to hang the heroes, after all.)

Nightmare Before Christmas:

*Oogie Boogie

*Jack Skellinton (Debatable)

*The Trick or Treaters

*The Doctor

*The creepy doll

*Snake that ate the Christmas Tree

*Oogie’s bugs

[samcampbellfans]

Sam Campbell Podcast Masterlist

Here's a masterlist of podcast episodes that feature Sam Campbell, in reverse chronological order. I tried to find all of the episodes that are available on the internet, do send me an ask if you find any that I did not include here!

Note: some of these links are Spotify links but usually podcast episodes are available anywhere you usually get a podcast i.e. Apple podcasts, Acast, etc.

September 2024

The Adam Buxton Podcast, Ep 226. Sam Campbell. Recorded 26th and 27th July 2024 at Latitude Festival.

July 2024

The Last Video Store. Hosted by Alexei Touliopoulos.

May 2024

Lucy and Sam's Perfect Brains, Ep 6, Ep 7, Ep 8, Ep 9. Hosted by Sam Campbell and Lucy Beaumont.

April 2024

Some Laugh Podcast - Episode 99. Taskmaster, Edinburgh Fringe & Secrets. Hosted by Marc Jennings, Stephen Buchanan and Stuart McPherson.

Tim Key's Poetry Programme. 3. Safari. On BBC Radio 4.

Lucy and Sam's Perfect Brains, Ep 2, Ep 3, Ep 4, Ep 5. Hosted by Sam Campbell and Lucy Beaumont.

March 2024

Lucy and Sam's Perfect Brains, Ep 1. Hosted by Sam Campbell and Lucy Beaumont.

Off Menu with James Acaster and Ed Gamble - Episode 229, Live with Sam Campbell in Nottingham Royal Concert Hall. Note: the episode was recorded on October 18, 2023 and released 2 March 2024.

January 2024

Drifting Off with Joe Pera Ep 12: Australia and its Greatest Horse ft. Cut Worms. Guests: Sam Campbell, Aaron Chen, Guy Montgomery and Yaraman Thorne aka Yaz.

November 2023

Ep110. SAM CAMPBELL / Plato, Purses & Palm Readings. Trusty Hogs podcast. Hosted by Catherine Bohart and Helen Bauer.

BONUS: Ep111. NATHAN FOAD/ Colleagues, Cucks & Cliff Richard. Trusty Hogs podcast - Sam pulls a prank on Nathan Foad at 22:38. Nathan Foad was in Bloods, the Sky TV sitcom that Sam was also in.

Taskmaster The Podcast. Ep 149. (S16 Ep.10.) Hosted by Ed Gamble.

Northern News. ‘A Spider’s Intern’. Hosted by Ian Smith and Amy Gledhill. Sam Campbell's guest appearance starts around the 21 minute mark.

September 2023

Taskmaster The Podcast. Ep 141. Sam Campbell - S16 Ep. 2. Hosted by Ed Gamble.

May 2023

WTF w/ Sam Campbell. Welcome to Meet You podcast. Hosted by Dart Sultan and Robbie Armfield.

April 2023

Mugg Off #173 Live Show Melbourne. Sam Campbell, Sam Taunton, Tim Hewitt, Laura Hughes.

November 2022

NTS - Hot Mess W/ Sam Campbell (hosted by Babak Ganjei).

October 2022

Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards: The Podcast with Lara Ricote and Sam Campbell.

September 2022

Plot Twist podcast Kevin ‘KG’ Garry and Sam Campbell. Sky TV.

June 2022

Mugg Off #139 - Sam Campbell. Hosted by Cameron Duggan, Gerard McGowan, and Yaz.

May 2022

Backyard Stories - Episode Thirty Four - Sam Campbell

October 2021

Aunty Donna Podcast Ep 277 Nippers Feat. Sam Campbell and Eric Hutton. Hosted by Zach, Mark and Broden.

July 2021

The Phone Hacks Podcast 170. Sam Campbell - Hay Ladies. Hosted by Mike Goldstein and Nick Capper. (Thanks to Cambo Fans!)

June 2021

The Good Stuff - Episode 41 Feat. Sam Campbell. Hosted by Sam Taunton and Tom Cashman.

Australia Debates - ABC Comedy. Series 1 Episode 1 - Should Social Media Be Banned?

March 2021

Mugg Off #80 Tom Cashman and "Dingo Duggan" - Sam Campbell plays Dingo.

December 2020

Mugg Off #069 - Sam Campbell. Hosted by Cameron Duggan, Gerard McGowan and Yaz. Note: this episode was recorded in December 2020 but the video was uploaded June 2022.

August 2020

The Grub podcast, with Nikki Britton, Bjorn Stewart, Sam Campbell, Cameron James, and Danielle Walker. Hosts: Anne Edmonds, Greg Larsen and Ben Russell. NOTE: Sam is only in a few clips in this podcast, not in the whole thing.

July 2020

Circling the Drain - Ep1: Elouise Eftos, Sam Campbell. Hosted by Andrew Wolfe.

April 2020

The Good Stuff - Episode 3 Feat. Sam Campbell (An Expose on Women’s Bathrooms). Hosted by Sam Taunton and Tom Cashman.

January 2020

Mugg Off #20 - Sam Campbell. Hosted by Cameron Duggan, Gerard McGowan and Yaz.

The Grub - 2020 Call-in Special. With Melinda Buttle, Becky Lucas, Sam Campbell, Aaron Chen, Rodney Todd. Hosts: Anne Edmonds, Greg Larsen and Ben Russell. NOTE: Sam is only in a few clips in this podcast, not in the whole thing.

October 2019

The Worst Idea Of All Time - Friendzone Ninety. Hosted by Guy Montgomery and Tim Batt.

May 2019

Special Features with Cameron James and Alexei Toliopoulos - Ep 50. Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) with Tom Walker and Sam Campbell.

May 2018

Aunty Donna Podcast Episode 97: LIVE FROM THE FACTORY THEATRE SYDNEY FEAT. SAM CAMPBELL

October 2017

The Dragon Friends. S3 Ep 18: THIS BOY FREZNO. The Dragon Friends is a DnD podcast and this episode was live. From the podcast description: "Also Sam Campbell wore a mask and an elephant trunk for all of the recording so if it helps, imagine that." Cambo knows nothing about DnD - he went on the podcast to prank his friend Michael Hing (allegedly). Sam plays the antagonist (an evil Michael Hing).

The Dragon Friends. S3 Ep.17. A Dog With Human Eyes with Carlo Ritchie

August 2017

Mike Check with Cameron James & Alexei Toliopoulos - Ep 45. The Gong Show S01E04 & S01E05 w/ Sam Campbell

January-February 2015

Sad Boys, episode 1-3 hosted by Sam Campbell, Eddie Sharp and Anith Mukherjee. Originally broadcast via FBi Radio.

November 2014

Mark Williamson Chat Show - Episode 110: Becky Lucas and Sam Campbell. With regulars Lester Diamond and Ryan ‘Special Comments’ Crawford.

June 2014

Truth Nest - Episode 1 Feat. Alexei Toliopoulos. Hosted by Sam Campbell and Craig Anderson.

Below are 'lost episodes' - I cannot find the audio anywhere, or the audio files are broken. Podcast descriptions say Sam was a guest. Please do message me if you manage to find the audio!

Special Features with Cameron James and Alexei Toliopoulos: 9. 2 Guns with Sam Campbell. July 2015.

Sydney Comedy Festival Podcast. April 2015.

The Loose Five with Marcel Blanch- de Wilt. Episode 107- Sam Campbell & Shubha. January 2015.

Versus on FBi Radio - Witches vs Calendars w/ Sam Campbell and Claudia O'Doherty. December 2014. This episode has unfortunately been scrubbed from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and FBi Radio website.

The Loose Five with Marcel Blanch- de Wilt. Episode 96- Sam Campbell and Gearard McGeown. September 2014.

A massive thank you to @vampire-lily / Lauren for contributing to this masterlist!!

[fourleafclovxr]

7: player

“Quite the player, aren’t you, Kei?” Japeth asks. A scim slithers over the gaping gash on his cheek, comes around the other side of his face, dripping blood. He seems wholly unbothered. “That trick you pulled, to let me out. Drug pretty girls often, do you? Sweet-talk them until they’re kicking their feet and giggling and giving you whatever you want?”

He somehow manages to sound both amused and disdainful. The only woman Japeth has ever loved is his mother, probably, and judging by Rhian’s stories even that’s debatable. Kei rolls his eyes— a well-worn action, around Japeth— and continues pretending he doesn’t exist.

But Japeth, like Rhian, refuses to stop when it comes to getting what he wants. And right now, what he wants is to infuriate Kei. “How did it feel?” he asks conversationally. “Did you feel bad, wrapping that idiot of a girl around your finger?”

He could almost pass off as friendly. Kei does not think Japeth had ever had a real friend.

“I don’t like women,” he says, pointedly not looking at Japeth. They are certainly not friends. They are not even remotely close. Kei would gladly have left him rotting in the Sheriff of Nottingham’s jail, if Rhian hadn’t had plans for him.

“Does it matter?” Japeth coos. “You seemed to like her well enough. What was her name? Dot, was it? What an actor you are, Kei. I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“You don’t know anything about me,” Kei says, “and I don’t particularly want you to.”

“You think terribly lowly of me, don’t you,” Japeth sighs, not a question, not really. “You and Rhian, in your own little world. You know, Kei, I thought you were smart. I don’t quite understand why you choose to follow my dear brother on his fool’s crusade?”

“Don’t you?” Kei asks, blank. “Aren’t we on the same side in the end?”

“The difference is,” Japeth says, “Rhian has promised me something very precious to me. Something that I, unfortunately, see no better way to achieve. But you. You have nothing to gain from him.”

“Nothing to lose, either,” Kei says, clipped— and that’s already revealing too much. Japeth laughs, loud and open, and blood trickles from his mouth as it devolves into a wheezing cough. A scim darts across his face, past his pale lips. The blood remains.

“There’s always something to lose,” he says breezily. “Even for people like me. And they say I’m insane. Better than being such a fool.”

“You don’t know anything about me,” Kei repeats, steady. He knows what Japeth means: if he was not a criminal before, then he certainly is now. He will always be marked by dishonesty, by deception, by lies. He will always carry that cruelty with him.

But people are cruel.

But people want him to be cruel.

It is not so much of a loss, in his mind. And in return: a chance to be his own person, forge his own way, outside of the destiny that Arbed House had dictated for him.

Kei has always known, clear as day, what he wants. And it has never been something anyone other than Rhian would give him. A friend and a companion. Someone to follow and to trust. And in return: whatever he has to give, and give freely.

This is the truth: Rhian has never asked anything of him. Whatever Kei has done for him, it has always been his own choice.

Japeth shrugs, then, scims slithering up his face to form his signature mask. Kei can’t help but wince, and Japeth’s mouth curls— or rather, the scims do, twisting into something like amusement.

“You think you’re so different. You’re not. You and I are more similar than you think,” he says, languid. “They hate us both. They think us both broken. Evil, if you’d like to call it that, though I’m aware you don’t subscribe to our beliefs.”

“I’d rather die,” Kei tells him.

“What?” Japeth laughs. High and mocking. “Rather die than be like me? You’re bound to him just the same as I am. Rhian’s clever, my dear brother, he really is. He knows how to pull people’s strings. He’s playing you, you know. He always has been.”

“If Rhian hadn’t said he needed you,” Kei says, ice-cold, “I would have left you to rot.”

“What do you owe Rhian, that you would afford him such loyalty?” Japeth sneers, blue eyes glittering behind his scaled mask. “Think about it, Kei. Think about it.”

And this is where Japeth’s argument fails: Kei owes Rhian nothing. It has always been his choice, to follow where Rhian goes, to believe what he believes. What else would he do? What else could be kinder than this?

He goes back to ignoring Japeth. The other boy huffs in annoyance, scims hissing in eerie harmony as they shuffle over his skin.

“Suit yourself,” he says, unkindly. “You are nowhere near where my brother envisions himself to be. You are nothing, compared to him, compared to us.”

Scim-suit fully formed, he stalks away. Kei settles in to wait; peace and quiet, at last.

Rhian arrives in the middle of the night. Kei lets his face soften upon seeing him, relax into something less guarded, though certainly not less fake. Rhian is golden, gilded. He is glorious.

It’s an easy choice to make.

Rhian sits by him, in the dark, whispering about Sophie (said with a hint of fear amidst the disdain), and Tedros (mocking), and Agatha (almost respectful). He asks after Kei. Then after Japeth. He winces when Kei tells him Japeth had killed the three guards; well, it wouldn't have been Kei, he prefers to keep his hands clean. Rhian must know this already. He must not quite be happy about it. Another complication to weave a lie over, to hastily play to his advantage.

“I don’t like your brother,” Kei murmurs.

“Who does,” Rhian sighs. “I don’t like him either, but it was meant to be the two of us. I’ll just have to drag him along.” He offers Kei a tired smile. “Sorry you had to put up with him earlier.”

“I didn’t tell you that,” Kei says, half a question.

“No one else gets to you like he does,” Rhian says quietly. “Not since Aric. I can tell. What did he say to you?”

“Nothing true,” Kei says easily. “Nothing at all.”

[brick-a-doodle-do]

boo! i'm alive! i told nobody about this :D but i can't get through the season without giving a lil winter fic, can i? i had a christmas fic all planned out but i didn't get around to writing it. i also decided to post this today on christmas eve insead of christmas day bc i know i'll forget dsjfgdjs

i got this idea from a stray cat i saw out in 20-30 degree weather and we felt absolutely terrible for it-- we gave it some food but had to drive off cause some ppl in my family are allergic to cats,, anyways creative brain strikes again! even when i do not want it to! :"D

ANYWAYS

still the wild winds blow

tw: vore (sfw), swearing

wc: 1990

—–—

Tommy shivers, pulling his blue-ridden fingers across his torso and burying his frosted pink heap of chilly skin into his raised knees, his teeth chattering rhythmically. The winter wind paws at his ears, each whip of it feeling like a prickling scream that played dangerously with his ear drums. His body is an uncontrollable bundle of shivers as he sits against the brick wall that towered above him.

Moonlight covers his body, making his inchling body almost invisible.

The late-night streets of Nottingham are quiet and riddled with tourists, and the slurred speech of American and English crowds fill his senses, but they're ultimately drowned from the wind.

Snowflakes drift from the atmosphere above and land on his head, breaking and turning into large pellets of water that drown his clothes entirely. As it does, he shivers once again, shuffling his position in the frosty pavement that was ankle-deep for him. 

Everything stings around him, his skin numbing with every passing millisecond. 

The sound of crunching snow catches his attention and he looks up, curiously gazing at the oncoming human. He shuffles to his feet and stares blankly at them. He can see little but their figure in the moonlight, though the streetlights do offer a fair grasping of the person’s silhouette.

They—or more noticeably he from the lanky and masculine structure Tommy notices—stare over his shoulder for a moment before taking a seat against the wall, just moments from Tommy. 

The man shuffled around. Tommy, in the newfound light now that the human no longer was blocking the main stream of it, could see the fluffy hair of the tall male beside him, holding a hint of what he could assume to be brunet, though in this time of day, any color was appliable.

He could also make out a very subtle outline of glasses that curved at least at the top if not all around. The human seemed to be oblivious to Tommy’s existence, as was the rest of the world, but he still was alert and wasting his energy by standing watch.

Another few snowflakes had seeped into his hair and skin and clothes and left him a nearly frozen-solid mess before the human started moving again.

Tommy fought the discomfort of his frosty corning and stared ahead, meanwhile the human shuffled for a moment before pulling out two things, both of which are indecipherable.

Curious, he wraps his arms around himself and continues watching.

Tommy shivers again as one of the of items sparks and emerges is a small and dainty flame that rushes around in the harsh wind.

Some awkward maneuvering from the guy’s hands and Tommy is left recognizing that the things said guy is working with is a cigarette.

Tommy wrinkles his nose, though something has entranced him with the way the lighter and the butt of the cigarette are a pristine orange color. A flame, a fire, a source of warmth.

Tommy wants that lighter, but the human pockets it before the beginnings of his diabolical plans could be debated.

Tommy frowns and purses his lips to the side, watching irritably as the human draws the tube of drugs to his lips.

He watches as the butt of it lights up a color he craves to be near.

Again, Tommy shivers and is only reminded further of his situation.

He hunches over and with calculated movements, creeps through the snow, just a few healthy inches toward the sitting man. He still seemed so towering even from a position like that.

A sting of jealousy washes him when the guy tugs at his sweater and coat as he sneaked ahead just another few centimeters. 

Tommy freezes up as suddenly a human head that sizes greatly against his own is turning in his direction. He cannot see the facial expression of which the man has flashed, though he can only imagine the look of twisted immorality.

He retraces his steps exactly, backing up to where he’d been moments before, buried in the shadows. As he does so, the human shuffles. Tommy is not entirely sure if they can see him or if they’re simply just aware of something’s presence, and while both are unfortunate and could end not dissimilarly, he hopes the latter. 

“Hello?” the man calls, now no longer facing the other wall of the alley but instead crouching so he can look down the entirety of the shadowed alley. Tommy takes a few more steps back for better measure. The man huffs, scanning the world. “Is somet—one there?” he asks again, taking a moment’s pause to burn his cigarette out.

Tommy swallows, watching with pristine caution. He stays silent as the human continues his desperate search around the sliver of ground that’s visible.

He is right past the line of easily seeable, though he could go for another several steps back. Another bead of water falls from his damp hair into his parted mouth, and he swallows on compulsion to his nerves, and chokes. It clogs his throat and he coughs with wide eyes.

Although he’d been prominent in keeping himself hidden, in the sudden panic, Tommy goes several steps forwards, hands clamped gently over his throat as he tries to get rid of the weird feeling in his throat. In doing so, however, his mind had gone absent and he only became aware of his obviousness when he looked up in relief that quickly turned into regret. 

He stands with his mouth agape, the tingling still in the back of his throat as he swallows yet again.

Shit.

The human stares at him with a crooked smile, looking terribly forced. The lighting is only slightly better now that Tommy had a clearer view of the comically large being.

“Are you alright?” he asks, and Tommy tremors.

His voice is so loud, and it just mixes in with everything else he’s hearing. As he shivers again, he's left wondering if the culprit may be the wind, or this fellow right here.

And he shivers again, and again, and again, and his teeth are chattering furiously.

The human clears his throat, putting emphasis on his need for a response. 

“I’m fucking fine, okay?” he murmurs out, above his chattering teeth. He scoffs to himself.

He tugs his lanky arms around his torso yet again and feels the chilly tips of his fingers hit his numb back through the thin fabric of his shirt.

Tommy wishes for the human to leave him alone, like all humans do—to simply let him remain cold and in deep risk of death by frostbite.

He’d prefer that than anything a human would have to offer. Then again…he remembers the nice sweater and coat the human has, maybe it’d be warm, warm enough for him … just for a bit … he could—no. Prime, no.

Suddenly, a hand is crunching in the thin layer of snow.

It pierces his weak ears, and his attention snaps to it. There’s an oncoming urge to continue on as the man clearly intends, but instead he looks up. He can't see anything beyond the outlines of a face, but he can detect a firm nod, and the gentle words trying to reassure him. “Hey, you can trust me. I think you could use the help, can’t you?” 

Tears are pricking at his eyes, and he pitifully agrees and nods. “Please, I want you to let me help you," the guy urges.

Hesitantly, Tommy lets go of his morals for just a little bit so he can let his body, and probably his mind, (after all he can feel a slickness in his thoughts that remind him aversely of the icy streets), rest.

He lets himself go, scrambling quickly onto the skin of the human.

It's cold, but it’s so much better than what open air could provide. He’s lifted from the ground, which the feeling of is something to get used to, so much to the point where he’s considering un-deciding his fate.

Tommy shuffles a bit and startles when he comes in contact with a wall-like structure that he’s immediately recognizing as four tall fingers that’ve curled around his frail self. He finds the gesture comforting though ultimately deflating. He can…he can handle himself.

The slow ride to the air stops abruptly and he’s now face-to-face with the human. “Hello,” the guy greets. Tommy mumbles a response and shrinks against the new warmth he’s soaking in comfortably. “How can I help you? Are you cold, or sick, or—” 

“I’m cold,” Tommy interrupts while he has the courage to. His teeth chatter as a gust of chilly air finds him through the heated makeshift canopy.

“Okay,” the human replies as if he’s taking notes. He looks a little unsure of himself now that Tommy can see him better. “I could take you to my flat in a pocket, or, uh,” the man trails off, the next option jammed in his throat.

Tommy’s gut churns at that, but he has the common sense to know that being stored would do wonders compared being in a pocket that’s probably drenched in moisture. Prime, he can not believe he is about to ask this.

“...could you?” he asks, hesitantly. He blows his breath into his cupped hands in the meantime, rubbing them together in a weak attempt to get warm faster.

“Pocket you?” the man asks, and Tommy senses that he is trying to stall, or at least sway his mind in a way other than storing the tiny.

“No, uhm,” his voice runs dry. A mutual understanding clicks and the guy’s eyes widen.

“You trust me to do that?” 

Tommy shrugs. “I am fucking freezing, man. If I didn’t I genuinely would not give a shit.”

The man cracks a smile, and nonchalantly offers him his name. “I’m Wilbur.”

“I’m Tommy. Please—” he pauses and shivers, “–fucking hurry, I don’t care about the chitchat, big man,” Tommy finishes.

Another nod and Wilbur is beginning, bringing his hands closer to his mouth, to which he parts his lips, quickly for the smaller’s sake.

A warm breath of air smothers his body and he's eagerly finding his way inside, careful of very subtle predatory teeth that nearly puncture his hand from where he used it to hoist himself over the incisors.

He stumbles on sleek gums before finding a temporary seat midmost on Wilbur’s tongue. The humidity does wonders on his dazed skin, and he can sense that his clothes will defrost within a few moments. 

Wilbur is oddly careful with him, making dramatized moves. He shifts him softly to the corner of his cheek, over his row of teeth. Tommy wrinkles his face at the texture of the muscle on him, running up and down his body to coat him with saliva before he’s sent down.

He’s being prodded at and Tommy nervously calls out his state so he can continue. He’s warmed up, but his fingers are undoubtedly still frosty and his clothes are freezing to the touch. 

He’s maneuvered around to where he’s sitting near Wilbur’s throat.

A soft hum echoes around the humid cavern, to which Tommy replies with a similar comment to before. The gravity soon shifts and there’s an odd feeling in his stomach as he’s swallowed down through the tight gullet and directly into Wilbur’s storage.

If Wilbur's mouth was any good, the cavernous storage was almost like paradise, not so easily cold but instead sealed off to everything and so comfortable. Tommy relaxes against it and allows the relief of not having to rely on himself to provide himself warmth, and he can instead let Wilbur—a complete and utter stranger to him—take care of it.

He knows his life shouldn’t be tossed around like that, he knows that he’ll probably die in this storage. But he is so focused on everything but problems right now, the concern melts away, just as the ice on his clothing does.

–—–

[joyfulmagic]

@aislingarrow // Alastair starter since I have Alastair brain rot —> first meeting

Alastair was Relta’s half brother, only sharing a mother despite their shared coloring, and she was his ‘ward’. As of late, he’d worried about her going to Nottingham alone, and had decided to — with his newly found wealth, wealth made from honest work overseas — check up on her. He’d taken a carriage, carrying gifts for his sister, the princess and true heir to the throne.

Hearing his guard yelp, Alastair got out of the carriage on the side he didn’t hear a body thud to, groaning, the ground with an arrow sticking out of his shoulder. He glanced at his guard, sent by the sheriff of Nottingham in ‘good will’ — aka a bribe — and then went to free the horses so their assailant wouldn’t harm innocents.

“You have me. What do you wish for?” He yelled, going around and kneeling beside the guard, debating how to aid the man. “He needs medical attention, please reveal yourselves. I’m unarmed, my blades packed away. I mean no harm, and hope you are willing to help an innocent man.”

“All I have are gifts for my sister. Take them, sell them, just please aid this man,” he yelled again, putting pressure on the wound to suppress the bleeding, despite staining his expensive looking clothing with the blood.

[velvet-cupcake-games]

Even more NPCs who look hella good 🥹, do these three guards have any complex backstories, motives or are they simple soldiers that execute Geoffrey will? 🧐

They aren't terribly complex characters because they don't need to be for their role in the story.

However, the question you're asking is at the heart of a debate between Robin and John. Robin believes that Geoffrey is behind the corrupt actions of the Nottingham guard, but John isn't so sure. He thinks there might be a ringleader within the guard itself who is profiting from their protection racket and other nefarious deeds.

Who is correct?

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

Next Saturday (May 20), I’ll be at the GAITHERSBURG Book Festival with my novel Red Team Blues; then on May 22, I’m keynoting Public Knowledge’s Emerging Tech conference in DC.

On May 23, I’ll be in TORONTO for a book launch that’s part of WEPFest, a benefit for the West End Phoenix, onstage with Dave Bidini (The Rheostatics), Ron Diebert (Citizen Lab) and the whistleblower Dr Nancy Olivieri.

#20yrsago Five perspectives on spectrum allocation https://memex.craphound.com/2003/05/14/five-perspectives-on-spectrum-allocation/

#20yrsago Vonnegut on “Shock and Awe” https://web.archive.org/web/20030512065845/https://inthesetimes.com/comments.php?id=191_0_4_0_C

#15yrsago Universal Music: when we get hit with copyright damages, that’s “unconstitutionally excessive” https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2008/05/double-standard-umg-fights-excessive-infringement-damages/

#10yrsago Inside the world’s largest ghost mall, America finds schadenfreude and comfort for its fears of a Chinese century https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2013/05/07/watson-china-ghost-mall.cnn

#10yrsago Osaka’s fascist mayor defends WWII policy of sexual enslavement: “a comfort women system is necessary. Anyone can understand that.” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-22519384

#10yrsago Highest-paid state employees: usually a school sports coach, sometimes a med school dean https://deadspin.com/infographic-is-your-states-highest-paid-employee-a-co-489635228

#10yrsago Canadian govt turns the national science agenda over to incumbent big businesses https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/research-councils-makeover-leaves-canadian-industry-setting-the-agenda/article11745246/

#5yrsago Efail: researchers reveal worrying, unpatched vulnerabilities in encrypted email https://efail.de/#faq

#5yrsago UK government will deputise newsagents to collect and retain identity documents from the nation’s pornography viewers https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/porn-passes-newsagents-shops-online-pornography-website-id-uk-government-a8349281.html

#5yrsago London cops are using an unregulated, 98% inaccurate facial recognition tech https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/met-police-facial-recognition-success-south-wales-trial-home-office-false-positive-a8345036.html

#5yrsago A vital guide to the Canadian encryption debate https://citizenlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Shining-A-Light-Encryption-CitLab-CIPPIC.pdf

#5yrsago Realtor claims Uber and Lyft erode the premium homebuyers pay for good public transit links https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-and-lyft-are-changing-where-rich-people-buy-homes-2018-5

#5yrsago The CIA is psyopsing America to help torturer Gina Haspel get the job of CIA boss https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/20/us/politics/gina-haspel-cia-director-influence-campaign.html

#5yrsago To understand the future sainthood of Donald J Trump, just look at George W Bush https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/donald-trump-may-be-the-best-thing-that-ever-happened-to-george-w-bush/2018/05/11/69ae6c7a-5319-11e8-9c91-7dab596e8252_story.html

#5yrsago Profiles of flat earthers: report from the front lines of weaponized media literacy https://www.vice.com/en/article/zm8b74/i-went-to-a-flat-earth-convention-to-meet-flat-earthers-like-my-mum

#5yrsago Exit West: beautifully wrought novel about refugees, mobility and borders https://memex.craphound.com/2018/05/14/exit-west-beautifully-wrought-novel-about-refugees-mobility-and-borders/

Catch me on tour with Red Team Blues in Toronto, DC, Gaithersburg, Oxford, Hay, Manchester, Nottingham, London, and Berlin!

[keenmiraclenightmare]

7 Horrible Mistakes You're Making With fast

Saskia Howard-Clarke is really a “promotions Woman” from London. She was the fifth evictee with the Major Brother home on July one 2005 when she participated while in the sixth number of the favored tv programme.

In the very first handful of months, Saskia proved to get popular with housemates and viewers alike. This was obvious in 7 days two when the entire housemates were being put up for eviction via a community vote as a result of rule breaking for the reason that when Saskia’s name was introduced, the live studio audience cheered her.

Nevertheless, events took a turn for the even worse items took a Incorrect flip each time a divide in your house occurred and two users of her team, Anthony and Maxwell were banned from nominations – leaving Saskia from the susceptible position of remaining nominated by another team who sided with Makosi Musambasi following a heated confrontation between the pair.

A lot of the comments Saskia made in her argument with Makosi sparked a debate about racism being a Think about the house and both of those Maxwell and Saskia have been set up for the general public vote. Saskia was evicted by a bulk seventy one% of your vote and greeted the gang to some mixed reception on Day 36. She obtained the best percentage of any eviction vote over the total series.

In her submit-eviction job interview, she afterwards denied the make any difference by stating she was 1 / 4-Sri Lankan, an announcement that did not justify or change the opinions of many viewers.

This was Saskias nomination fast history during her stay in the large Brother residence:

1st (Day 5) – Saskia was nominated by Derek and Mary.

2nd (Working day 11) – Saskia was nominated by Craig, Derek, Lesley and Vanessa.

3rd (Day 18) – Saskia was nominated by Science only.

4th (Day twenty five) – Saskia gained no nominations.

fifth (Working day 32) Saskia was nominated by Derek, Kemal, Makosi and Vanessa and was evicted via the public vote.

During her time in the massive Brother house Saskia coined phrases like “end of” and “it’s Pet dog eat dog” Even though she didn’t last as well very long and was evicted fifth when she and the oafish Maxwell had been equally nominated.

Even in advance of her stint on Major Brother, Saskia loved courting “popular” people and earlier boyfriends have provided an Olympic swimmer, a Premiership footballer and he or she also dropped down several divisions to hook up with Nottingham Forest striker Adam Nowland.

Saskia promises to go to the health club 5 times each week, she will get her nails finished every month and is obsessed by phony tans.

Since leaving your home Saskia has been fast paced touring grotty nightclubs inside a double act with Maxwell whilst also posing for glamour photographs in lads mags to be sure she continues to be in the general public eye.

[archeraemb003]

Meet the Steve Jobs of the fast Industry

Saskia Howard-Clarke is a “promotions girl” from London. She was the fifth evictee with the Significant Brother residence on July 1 2005 when she participated in the sixth number of the popular tv programme.

In the main few weeks, Saskia proved being well known with housemates and viewers alike. This was obvious in week two when most of the housemates were being set up for eviction by means of a general public vote as a result of rule breaking simply because when Saskia’s title was declared, the Stay studio viewers cheered her.

Even so, functions took a switch to the even worse items took a Improper change whenever a divide in your house occurred and two members of her group, Anthony and Maxwell have been banned from nominations – leaving Saskia inside the vulnerable situation of becoming nominated by the opposite group who sided with Makosi Musambasi after a heated confrontation amongst the pair.

A lot of the feedback Saskia made in her argument with Makosi sparked a debate about racism getting a factor in your house and the two Maxwell and Saskia have been set up for the general public vote. Saskia was evicted by a majority 71% on the vote and greeted the crowd into a combined reception on Working day 36. She obtained the very best proportion of any eviction vote through the complete collection.

In her submit-eviction interview, she later on denied the make a difference by stating she was 1 / 4-Sri Lankan, a statement that did not justify or alter the views of many viewers.

This was Saskias nomination heritage throughout her stay in the Big Brother house:

1st (Day 5) – Saskia was nominated by Derek and Mary.

2nd (Working day 11) – Saskia was fast nominated by Craig, Derek, Lesley and Vanessa.

third (Day 18) – Saskia was nominated by Science only.

4th (Day twenty five) – Saskia received no nominations.

5th (Working day 32) Saskia was nominated by Derek, Kemal, Makosi and Vanessa and was evicted via the general public vote.

During her time in the massive Brother property Saskia coined phrases for example “finish of” and “it’s Doggy eat Doggy” While she didn’t past as well very long and was evicted fifth when she and the oafish Maxwell ended up both nominated.

Even before her stint on Major Brother, Saskia loved dating “popular” people and earlier boyfriends have involved an Olympic swimmer, a Premiership footballer and she or he also dropped down a few divisions to hook up with Nottingham Forest striker Adam Nowland.

Saskia statements to go to the gymnasium 5 times every week, she will get her nails finished every month and is also obsessed by fake tans.

Since leaving your home Saskia has been active touring grotty nightclubs in a very double act with Maxwell although also posing for glamour photographs in lads mags to ensure she remains in the general public eye.

[freegoateeshark]

From Around the Web: 20 Awesome Photos of fast

Saskia Howard-Clarke is really a “promotions girl” from London. She was the fifth evictee through the Major Brother house on July 1 2005 when she participated during the sixth series of the popular tv programme.

In the first handful of weeks, Saskia proved for being preferred with housemates and viewers alike. This was obvious in week two when each of the housemates had been put up for eviction by using a general public vote due to rule breaking due to the fact when Saskia’s name was announced, the Are living studio viewers cheered her.

Nevertheless, activities took a turn with the worse items took a wrong flip any time a divide in your home happened and two customers of her team, Anthony and Maxwell were banned from nominations – leaving Saskia within the susceptible place of remaining nominated by the opposite team who sided with Makosi Musambasi following a heated confrontation in between the pair.

A few of the comments Saskia created in her argument with Makosi sparked a debate about racism remaining a factor in the house and both of those Maxwell and Saskia ended up set up for the public vote. Saskia was evicted by a majority 71% of your vote and greeted the group to a combined reception on Working day 36. She acquired the very best share of any eviction vote through the total collection.

In her publish-eviction job interview, she afterwards denied the issue by stating she was a quarter-Sri Lankan, a statement that didn't justify or alter the opinions of many viewers.

This was Saskias nomination history all through her stay in the Big Brother residence:

1st (Working day 5) – Saskia was nominated by Derek and Mary.

2nd (Working day eleven) – Saskia was nominated by Craig, Derek, Lesley and Vanessa.

third (Day eighteen) – Saskia was nominated by Science only.

4th (Day 25) – Saskia received no nominations.

5th (Day 32) Saskia was nominated by Derek, Kemal, Makosi and Vanessa and was evicted by using the public vote.

During her time in the large Brother dwelling Saskia coined phrases for example fast “conclusion of” and “it’s Doggy consume Pet” Despite the fact that she didn’t very last also extended and was evicted fifth when she as well as oafish Maxwell were both nominated.

Even right before her stint on Massive Brother, Saskia savored dating “renowned” men and women and previous boyfriends have bundled an Olympic swimmer, a Premiership footballer and he or she also dropped down some divisions to hook up with Nottingham Forest striker Adam Nowland.

Saskia statements to Visit the gymnasium five instances per week, she receives her nails accomplished every month and is obsessed by faux tans.

Since leaving the home Saskia has actually been hectic touring grotty nightclubs in a double act with Maxwell whilst also posing for glamour pictures in lads mags to make sure she stays in the public eye.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

The second part of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell Netflix docuseries has landed today - and it makes yet more explosive claims about their lives as royals and why they quit.

The final three episodes of 'Harry & Meghan,' which dropped on the streaming platform early this morning, once again feature emotional reality TV-style confessionals, unseen photos and a behind-the-scenes look at the couple's private lives.

Last week in the first episodes, they talked about the royals' "unconscious bias," Meghan's emotionless first meeting with the Princess of Wales, and claimed there was no protection from the media.

And this week, they carry on making a string of bombshell claims that are likely to be uncomfortable viewing for King Charles and the rest of the royal family, as well as Palace staff.

These are some of the biggest bombshells from the final part of Netflix's Harry & Meghan...

It really was brothers at war, as Harry claims there was a dramatic showdown with William at the now infamous 'Sandringham Summit.'

In the fifth episode of Harry & Meghan, the Duke of Sussex says he was "terrified" when his brother "screamed and shouted" at him during a meeting to discuss his royal future.

The Duke of Sussex also accused his father, King Charles III, of saying things that "simply weren't true" while the late Queen "sat there and took it all in" at the emergency meeting.

Harry says he was given five options and chose the 'half in, half out' one, which meant the couple would have their own jobs but also work in support of the Queen.

"It became very clear very quickly that goal was not up for discussion or debate," he explains.

"It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me, and my father says things that just simply weren't true. And my grandmother, you know, quietly sits there and takes it all in."

"But you have to understand that, from the family's perspective, especially from hers, there are ways of doing things and her ultimate, sort of, mission, goal/responsibility is the institution."

One of the most shocking claims comes from Harry, who says Meghan's handwritten letter to her estranged father "caused" her devastating miscarriage.

The Duchess of Sussex wrote to Thomas Markle on the Queen's advice after he posed for set up paparazzi photos and made negative comments about the royal family in the press.

However, the letter was leaked and large chunks printed in the Daily Mail.

Meghan successfully sued publishers of the Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), in 2021 after the Mail On Sunday published parts of the "personal and private" letter she had sent to Thomas Markle.

Discussing her loss in July 2020, Meghan told the Netflix documentary:

"I was pregnant, I really wasn’t sleeping, and the first morning that we woke up in our new home is when I miscarried."

Harry adds:

"I believe my wife suffered a miscarriage because of what the Mail did. I watched the whole thing. Now do we actually know the miscarriage was caused by that? Of course, we don’t.

The couple blast the "small" cottage they were forced to live in after getting married in 2018.

The newlyweds moved into Nottingham Cottage, a house in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, which had previously been where Prince William and Princess Kate lived with Prince George.

"As far as people were concerned, we were living in a palace. [But] we were living in a cottage," says Harry. "On palace grounds."

Meghan says:

"Kensington Palace sounds very regal of course, it does say palace in the name. But Nottingham Cottage was small."

Harry adds:

"The whole thing was really small on a slight lean with low ceilings."

Despite knowing that his brother lived there before, Harry jokingly adds:

"Whoever lived their before must have been small."

While Meghan reveals that her husband hit his head constantly "because he's so tall," adding:

"It was a chapter in our lives where I don't think anyone could believe what it was actually like behind-the-scenes."

Harry then reveals that chat show legend Oprah came over for tea and was stunned by where they were living, telling them:

"No one would ever believe it."

Adorable footage of baby Lilibet is shown in episode six - and we discover her eye colour.

Harry says:

"I think, at the moment, I see a lot of my wife in Archie and I see a lot of my mum in Lili.

She's very Spencer-like. She's got the same blue eyes, sort of like a golden reddish hair."

And we finally discover the identity of one of Lili's godparents - American actor Tyler Perry.

Discussing the moment he was asked, he says:

"I take a minute to take that in, and I thought I'd be honoured. I'd absolutely be honoured.

"And I got off the phone, took it all in, then I called them back, I go 'Ah hold on a second, does this mean we got to go over there and do all of that in the church with them and figure all that out, because I don't want to do that.

Maybe we can do a little private ceremony here and let that be that and if you have to do it there then it’s OK'."

Meghan's heartbreaking suicidal thoughts

Meghan speaks about some of the darkest times in her life - when she contemplated taking her own life.

In heartbreaking scenes, she says:

"I was like, 'All of this will stop if I'm not here'. And that was the scariest thing about it. It was just clear thinking."

Meghan explains how she wanted to get external help but claims the Palace would not allow her to.

She says:

"I wanted to go somewhere to get help. But I wasn't allowed to. They were concerned about how that would look for the institution."

Harry 'hates himself' for not protecting his wife

Harry admits he was "devastated" at not being able to protect his wife while she was having suicidal thoughts.

"I knew that she was struggling, we were both struggling. But I never thought it would get to that stage," he says in episode four.

"And the fact that it got to that stage, I felt angry and ashamed. I didn't deal with it particularly well. I dealt with it as institutional Harry, not husband Harry."

"What took over my feelings was my royal role. I'd been trained to think what will people say if we don't go to this event, if we're late."

"And looking back on it now I hate myself for it. What she needed from me was so much more than I could give."

He also says that everyone expected Meghan to "deal with" her mental health struggles like other royals had in the past.

"They knew how bad that was," he explains. "They thought 'why couldn't she just deal with it. Everyone else has dealt with it, why can't they deal with it'.

"This was really different. If you strip all that away and say it was exactly the same, do we still believe she should have sucked it up like other members of the family? Does one think it's maybe time we stop?"

Meghan's tearful mum 'couldn't help her'

Some of the most upsetting scenes of the whole series happen in episode four - and one of the hardest moments to watch is when Meghan's mum breaks down in tears.

Doria Ragland is understandably emotional while discussing the darkest time in her daughter's life, wiping away tears while heartbreakingly admitting she "couldn't protect" her daughter.

Speaking to camera, Doria says:

"I remember her telling me that, that she'd wanted to take her own life. And that really broke my heart because I knew that it was bad.

But to constantly be picked at by these vultures. Just picking away at her spirit. That she would think of not wanting to be here."

An upset Doria then pauses for a moment, before adding: "That's not an easy one for a mum to hear, you know."

She then stops to wipe away tears with a handkerchief in emotional scenes in the Neftlix docuseries.

"And I can't protect her. H [Harry] can't protect her," adds Doria.

Harry decided to step back - not Meghan

Harry claims it was his decision to step back as a working royal - not Meghan's.

Many people have accused Meghan of wearing the trousers in the relationship, with Donald Trump claiming he was "whipped."

In the fifth episode, Harry says:

"I've seen little cartoons of me on all fours and her holding a dog lead, and me wearing the dog collar. How predictable that you know the woman is to be blamed for the decision of a couple.

In fact, it was my decision. She never asked to leave. I was the one that had to see it for myself. But it's misogyny at its best."

Meghan adds:

"I mean, it took what felt like everything from me – your sense of self, your confidence. And the truth didn't matter, and the clickbait did."

Couple offered to give up titles

The Sussexes claim they told King Charles III they would give up their royal titles if it meant they could leave the UK.

Despite claims they "blindsided" the late Queen and the rest of Harry's relatives, the couple claim they had been in regular conversations with them about the move.

In the fifth episode, Harry explains:

"My father said 'Can you put it in writing?' I said I would rather not because of what had happened last time. He said he couldn't do anything unless it was put in writing. I put it in emails."

The Prince goes on to say he sent repeated messages on January 1, 2 and 3 detailing their thoughts.

He adds:

"In one of those, I said that if it didn't work out, we would be willing to relinquish our Sussex titles if need be. That was the plan.

We thought it would be good to give ourselves some breathing space, but we were also really passionate about continuing our work throughout the Commonwealth supporting the Queen."

Highlighting their keenness to move away from the 'royal rota,' the set of royal reporters who travel around the world covering The Firm's engagements, Meghan said:

"What I think is also important is that the pack of the royal rota is based there in London. If we are not there, they can't cover what we are doing."

Harry's private call with Queen and Meghan 'block'

The Prince has shared details of a private phone call he had with the late Queen about his desire to leave the UK and step back from their royal duties.

The pair spent Christmas 2019 in Canada and had been preparing to return to the UK, with Harry claiming he had sent emails to his father outlining his and Meghan's future plans.

He says that he called his grandmother to tell her they were coming back to the UK and details their private chat.

"Before we left, I spoke to my grandmother as well and told her that we were coming back on the 6th, and I would love to come and see you," he recalls.

"She knew that we were finding things hard. I’d spoken to her many times about it. She told me that she had no plans for the week."

She said:

'Well, why don’t you come up?’ You can have tea, but why don’t you stay the night, you and Meghan?'"

But the couple alleged just before they were due to board a flight back to London, they were told the Queen would no longer be available to meet them.

Meghan says:

"So we were flying back from Vancouver straight to Heathrow and right as we were getting on the plane, this urgent, urgent message comes through to H saying, ‘You are not allowed to go and see Her Majesty, make sure your principal is aware he cannot go and see her. She's busy, she has plans all week'.

Harry adds:

"I was like, 'That’s certainly the opposite to what she had told me.’

Once we were back in the UK, I rang her and said, “I’m now told that you're busy.

She goes:

'Yes, I didn’t know I was busy. I’ve been told that I'm busy. I've been told that I'm busy all week."

And I was like, 'wow.'

And Meghan recalls:

"I remember looking at H, I mean this when a family and a family business are in direct conflict. Because they are blocking you from seeing the Queen. But really what they are doing is blocking a grandson from seeing his grandmother."

Harry says Palace leaked his plans

Harry claims he had discussed proposals to move to New Zealand, South Africa and Canada for months before they announced their plans.

He says a letter he wrote to his father about the Canada move was leaked to the press.

In the fifth episode of the Netflix series, he says:

"It became clear that the institution had leaked the fact that we were moving back to Canada.

"And a key piece of that story that made me aware that the contents of the letter between me and my father had been leaked was that we were willing to relinquish our titles. That was a giveaway."

I was like, "Wow, our story, our lives, literally got taken from underneath us."

Meghan later adds:

"You could feel the ticking clock from that point. So with our team, we decided that we were going to put out a statement to say that we were going to, sadly, be stepping back, not stepping down, but to just have a reduced role."

Harry wants 'genuine apology' from royals

Harry opens up on private chats that were had during his grandfather's funeral.

Speaking about the Duke of Edinburgh in the sixth episode, he says:

"I was actually really happy for my grandfather. He went quietly. He went peacefully. He went happily."

Asked about what it was like returning to the UK for the funeral, Harry says:

"It was hard, especially spending time having chats with my brother and my father who just were very much focused on the same misinterpretation of the whole situation."

"So none of us really wanted to have to talk about it at my grandfather’s funeral, but we did.

I’ve had to make peace with the fact that I’m probably never going to get genuine accountability or a genuine apology.

You know, my wife and I, we’re moving on. We were focused on what’s coming next."

Royals were 'cold' to Harry

Harry says his relationship with his family during his final engagement as a working royal "felt cold."

In the fifth episode, Meghan says that the first time they saw the rest of the royal family during their farewell tour was at their final engagement – a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London.

"The first time that we saw the other members of the family was in public at Westminster Abbey," she explains.

Harry says they were nervous, adding:

"We were nervous about seeing the family because of all the TV cameras, and everybody watching at home, and everybody watching in the audience… And it’s like living through a soap opera, where everybody else uses you as entertainment."

He admits he felt distant from the rest of his family during the event.

Harry adds:

"I felt very distant from the rest of my family, which was interesting, because so much of how they operate is about what it looks like rather than what it feels like. And it looked cold, but it also felt cold."

Meghan's private texts with Beyoncé

Meghan reveals Beyoncé Knowles messaged her to see if she was OK following her bombshell Oprah interview.

As the couple watch back the interview together from the comfort of their own home, Meghan notices a text from the Single Ladies singer.

"Beyoncé just text," Meghan gasps, as Harry turns to look down the camera in shock and raises his hands in surprise, then replies:

"Shut up. Just checking in?"

"Just checking in. I still can't believe she knows who I am," Meghan adds before reading out the heartfelt message.

Beyonce wrote that the Duchess of Sussex was "selected to break generational curses and to feel safe and protected."

Meghan continues:

"She admires and respects my bravery and vulnerability. And she thinks I was selected to break generational curses that need to be healed."

[uniqueeval]

How did gun crime in Nottingham inspire hit BBC drama Sherwood?

BBC David Morrissey reprised his role for the second series The return of BBC series Sherwood has once again had viewers gripped. The hard-hitting, gritty drama focuses on gun crime and gangs in post-industrial Nottingham. But some viewers have taken to social media to debate the credibility of its opening plotlines. Warning: This article contains spoilers from episodes of the second…

[newsstoryoftheweekblog]

28/6/24 - final election debate

'In the second and final debate between the two leaders, hosted by the BBC, they clashed over the economy, immigration and their prime ministerial qualities. Loud protests were heard from outside the building in Nottingham during the exchanges.' (Elgot and Crerar, 2024).

REFERENCE

Elgot, J. and Crerar, P. (2024) 'Sunak and Starmer clash over gambling scandal in final election debate', Guardian 26 June [Online]. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/26/sunak-and-starmer-clash-over-gambling-scandal-in-final-head-to-head-election-debate (Accessed 28 June 2024).

[ordertrackercom]

The Temu effect: mastering the marketing strategy behind the addictive e-commerce retailer!

Temu: the ultimate shopping playground

With Temu's flash deals, gamification, and rock-bottom prices, shoppers are hooked. Manchester-based Lucy Clark, 27, was lured in by the virtual casino-like experience. Introduced via TikTok, Temu offers a dizzying array of cheap gadgets. Clark, accustomed to Shein's delivery times, doesn't mind waiting. Temu's eclectic inventory ranges from beard-trimming bibs to mini toilet golf. Despite variable quality, shoppers like Clark stay hooked due to the thrill of snagging bargains. Temu's pricing strategy, experts note, taps into consumer psychology through gamification. Other brands, like Starbucks and Sephora, are following suit. However, Temu's simultaneous and overt use of these tactics sets it apart. As a billion-dollar Chinese platform, Temu's formula ignites frenzied shopping. The question remains: Is Temu's approach the future of shopping?

Temu: your sweet addiction in shopping

According to retail analyst Neil Saunders, Temu is akin to sugar for consumers, providing a continuous stream of dopamine through its addictive experience and pocket-friendly prices. He emphasizes that regular promotions and the website's bustling interface create a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging shoppers to dive in and hunt for deals before they disappear. Temu distinguishes itself from competitors like Shein and Wish by strategically incorporating social proof, scarcity tactics, and dynamic animated elements to capture and retain consumer attention. Vilma Todri, an associate professor of Information Systems, highlights Temu's mastery in employing these psychological triggers, surpassing its rivals in engagement tactics. Professor Mark Griffiths from Nottingham Trent University underscores Temu's seamless integration of shopping and gamification. By utilizing timers and countdowns reminiscent of slot machines, Temu creates a sense of urgency, prompting customers to act quickly to secure deals. Despite comparisons to ultra- fast fashion brands, Temu elevates its gamification strategies to another level. Todri further emphasizes Temu's reliance on social proof as a persuasive technique. By showcasing product reviews, star ratings, and real-time purchase data, Temu effectively taps into consumers' desire to conform and be part of the trend. This multifaceted approach not only enhances the shopping experience but also cultivates a sense of community among Temu's user base.

The allure of the spiral

While some users claim addiction to Temu's sales platform, Professor Griffiths remains sceptical, suggesting that only a small minority could develop such a consuming dependency. However, he acknowledges the potential for Temu's gaming elements to lead consumers to make unwise purchasing decisions, akin to gambling. Despite the debate over addiction, the persistent use of Temu's marketing tactics can have a profound impact. Griffiths describes a spiral effect, where consumers are enticed with promises of free gifts but find themselves continually drawn in, often encountering additional hurdles such as referring friends to unlock rewards.

Temu's dominance: a threat to competitors?

As consumers gravitate towards Temu's marketing strategies, other brands may feel compelled to follow suit to remain competitive. However, replicating Temu's success is challenging due to its unique business model, which relies on operating at a loss to scale and dominate the market. Elizabeth Clark, CEO of Dream AI Ltd, highlights Temu's aggressive growth and ultra-low prices, making it nearly impossible for smaller brands to compete. She notes the impact on businesses firsthand, emphasizing Temu's rapid expansion and pricing undercutting competitors. Despite its power, Temu faces scrutiny from regulators for data breaches, exploitation of trade loopholes, and allegations of slave labor. With its significant user base in Europe and the US, Temu is subject to increased monitoring and regulatory pressure. While Temu's gamified approach may initially attract consumers, Vilma Todri suggests that over time, skepticism may arise. However, for consumers like Lucy Clark, Temu's appeal lies in its affordability, outweighing concerns about product quality. As Temu's influence continues to grow, the debate over its ethics and market dominance intensifies, leaving both consumers and competitors to navigate its impact on the retail landscape.

In conclusion

Temu's rise as a dominant force in the retail landscape is undeniable, fueled by its addictive marketing strategies, ultra-low prices, and aggressive expansion tactics. While competitors may strive to emulate its success, the challenges they face in replicating Temu's business model and market dominance are formidable. Despite its allure, Temu faces increasing scrutiny from regulators and ethical concerns regarding its practices, casting a shadow over its seemingly irresistible appeal. As consumers grapple with the temptation of Temu's gamified approach and affordable prices, the evolving dynamics of the retail market underscore the need for continued vigilance and ethical considerations in the pursuit of consumer satisfaction. Only time will tell whether Temu's reign as a retail giant will endure or if consumer skepticism and regulatory pressures will ultimately reshape the landscape once again.