#Rache Bueno

[upismediacenter]

FEATURE: Welcome to Mobile Legends: UP Fighting Maroons debriefs inaugural UAAP stint

The UP Esports Varsity Team (UPEVT) recently concluded its campaign in the very first season of UAAP esports, where the school proudly sent its 6-player roster for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML:BB). With the national ML:BB phenomenon fostering a continuously growing and thriving community, it’s no surprise that some iskolars ng bayan have found enjoyment and even competitive prowess in the game! I spoke with Aerol Dwayne Balayon, their team manager, and David Lawrrenz Sañejo, their team captain—and here’s what they have to say about it.

The roots of the UP Esports Varsity Team

The UPEVT is a new development created due to the recent introduction of esports in the UAAP. But before it was established, there was already an existing ML:BB team operating within UP Diliman: UPD Oblation Esports, the esports arm of the UP Gaming Guild. “When we were representing UPD Oblation Esports, we weren’t the official representative of UP for anything—any collegiate tournament, or any tournament for that matter. Now that we’re a varsity team, we’re the officially recognized team to represent UP,” Balayon explained. 

Sañejo, before he entered UP in 2022 as a BS Computer Science student, was a former player for Ateneo de Manila University’s Loyola Gaming Esports. “When I knew that there were talks of esports being in the UAAP, at first I couldn’t believe it. We’d been expecting this for the longest time because I was one of the first to hear rumors about this way back in 2022 when I was still playing for LG Esports,” he claimed. “We were probably the ones who suggested, ‘what if UAAP had ML?’ That’s where it all started, and it’s been a long time coming.”

In an interview during an ML:BB Professional League (MPL) Philippines match on August 31, UAAP Esports Commissioner Monique Monasterio said, “Since it was the first time having esports in the UAAP, we want it to be really inclusive, so we looked at having multiple platforms. Mobile was one of the platforms we wanted to include, and of course, we decided on the most popular mobile game in the country. So it was definitely a given that MLBB would be a part of UAAP Esports.”

On the other hand, Balayon would attribute the talks about UAAP Esports with the largest collegiate leagues such as AcadArena Alliance Games, Estudyante Esports, and the Collegiate Center for Esports. “Those are the previous organizations that spearheaded the movement with collegiate esports in general. And I think that it’s just natural that since esports is kind of popular with college students nowadays, it’s going to trickle down eventually to UAAP.”

It certainly took a while for the idea of UAAP Esports to catch on, as the plans for the tournament were only put into action shortly before the opening of UAAP Season 87.

“I think the talks about it started last year, around October,” Balayon recalled. “Of course, we got excited. Eventually, it was announced; originally it was announced to start in May, but then it got moved again and again until such time that the official and final date happened last August.”

When asked about any given reasons as to why it was being moved, he replied, “They didn’t give an explicit answer but we can assume that it was because of logistical reasons. I think they couldn’t find a venue that could handle esports production. They were struggling to find a place that could cater to all those esports needs for production.”

Despite UP being the host for UAAP Season 87, UAAP Esports was held on August 13-21 in Areté, an art center located in the Ateneo de Manila University campus.

Prepping and planning for UAAP Esports

Before the UPEVT could play for the UAAP, they first had to gather the best ML:BB players among the UP community to form the team. But one roadblock they didn’t expect to face was how they couldn’t just handpick from the existing UPD Oblation Esports lineup, where there was no shortage of talent and potential. “When we originally pitched to the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development, they didn’t agree to the arrangement that we’re just going to send our best team,” Balayon said. “They wanted a fair and open tryouts for everyone, so we had to announce to the entire UPD community that we’re opening tryouts for UAAP Esports.” After the announcement was posted on the UPD Oblation Esports Facebook page, aspiring varsity players signed up and underwent a week of tryouts.

Aside from forming a new roster, the team also needed to find ways to support their lineup. They were faced with the challenge of providing for all the team’s needs and expenses. “We had to start from scratch, essentially with zero money. We had to make sure we had a lot of sponsors. The only allowance that was given to us by UP was for our uniforms. We can’t really allocate that for anything else, because that was the particular for that money,” Balayon revealed. In addition to uniforms, the players also needed a place where they could practice together. “We had to ask one of our players to house the team for a while for their practice.”

“We went to an almost two week bootcamp,” Sañejo added. “We lived together—we woke up together, we ate together, and we then played together. It went down for around 10 days where we just trained for the whole day.” 

The two further discussed the training process the team underwent. Sañejo briefly described what scrimming is, which is what the usual ML:BB team does to practice. “We had to take scrims, which is scheduling a training or match against other schools. To sum it all up, our training consisted of just spamming our playing, a lot of rank games, and also scrimming at the same time. That was the core of what we were doing to prepare for the UAAP.” 

“We already have a pipeline of getting scrims; we’re already in group chats with other collegiate teams, international teams, local teams, [and] amateur teams. It was just a matter of scheduling those scrims,” Balayon supplied. “Right after those scrims, we would usually have a VOD (video on demand) review as well; the scrims that we have would be recorded, and after that, regardless of the result of the scrim, we’d review the videos so that we take note of the points we can improve on not only in-game but also [with] communication between the players. If there are days that we can’t secure scrims, if no one is available, then we’d let the players do rank games instead.”

“That goes to show how much passion we were showing and how much hunger we showed to just win and represent our school, because UAAP… it’s a big thing,” Sañejo concluded.

Roster revealed, all troops deployed

On August 12, 2024, the six-member lineup was revealed: Diego Aguila, Joseph Brylle Geronimo, Kin Calvin Martinez, John Lloyd Ramirez, Ralph Laurence Silva, and Sañejo were announced as the representatives of the UP Fighting Maroons for UAAP ML:BB.

According to Balayon, it was a joint decision between the players and the management to assign Sañejo as the captain of the team. “We pretty much saw David as the most stable one emotionally, and that’s what the team really needed at the time. He’s a good player, but also the most level-headed out of all the players. If for example, the team is losing, he doesn’t let that get to him. He doesn’t change his playstyle or communication style.” His consistency and stability led him to become the team’s anchor throughout the tournament.

However, Sañejo confessed that he didn’t expect to be put in a leadership role. “At first I was nervous, I was scared, because I wasn’t the team captain type; I’m shy and introverted, and it really took me out of my comfort zone. What drove me to just do my best and become the best team captain that I could be is the fact that I really love playing this game. My passion for it is overflowing and that’s what motivated me to go all out and lead my team to the championship.”

Disappointing defeat for the Fighting Maroons

Due to the pandemic, many ML:BB tournaments are now being held remotely, with teams playing their matches while in their respective bootcamps. Only the major leagues such as the MPL Philippines have held regular onsite matches since then. This made the first season of UAAP Esports a truly significant event when it was held onsite with a live audience. “We became really excited and motivated to play. When we got to the tournament dates, it was so surreal because our team was so well-planned and the production was just amazing,” Sañejo marveled.

He also talked about the impact of the UAAP on the public awareness and acceptance of the esports scene. “UAAP is a whole other league, even if it’s in the same collegiate level as opposed to the amateur and pro scenes, because it’s more known to the public. Let’s say you’re an aspiring esports player and you’re scared to say that you want to be an esports player because there’s this stigma that it’s not worth it, like “computer-computer lang ‘yan.” But then, in my case, my family and friends became more supportive because they know what UAAP is,” he stated. 

During the matches, there were a lot of interesting strategies that came from the team, such as the Zhask pick in the gold lane which the casters and the audience couldn’t get enough of. Based on the game meta at the time, this mage hero would usually be played in the mid lane, but the Fighting Maroons unexpectedly went down a different path to try and give the hero an early equipment advantage. 

Sañejo attributed the team’s thought process behind the drafts and the gameplay to “the great mind of our coach, Coach Link.” He admitted that they underwent a difficult journey of building trust in their coach and their teammates, but this made them able to cooperate and stick to the team-oriented gameplay, planning, or drafting that worked for them. “It took a while, but eventually, our synergy and chemistry were built not just in the gameplay itself but also when it comes to the pregame, which is the drafting and shotcalling of the playstyle we’re going to go with.”

Within the game itself, the coach no longer had control over the team’s gameplay execution, and all the decision-making had to be done based on the team’s in-game comms. “We don’t have a specific in-game leader that gives all the shotcalling, which is something that you might hear from other esports teams. Think of it as some sort of hivemind, where we give inputs and we all collectively decide on what to do with those. The team’s rotations and execution relies on everyone’s comms, which will make or break the victory that we wanted to get.”

But despite the Fighting Maroons’ thirst for victory, the team ended the tournament with a 1-5 game win-loss record, which were from one match draw against UE and two match losses against Adamson and UST. Sañejo remembered how those losses were devastating for the team, especially after their first match against Adamson. “We couldn’t accept it. There were a few issues, which all boiled down to having a hard time adjusting to the phones they provided, and we weren’t really prepared for that. We stomached that loss.” 

He went on to express that the players dealt with the losses differently. “Some of us got really emotional immediately, but some of us kept our cool and stayed strong. They showed their grit and became the bigger person; they helped cheer up their teammates who were down. They reminded us that ‘May ibang match pa tayo, kaya bakit tayo malulugmok ngayon? Hindi pa naman tapos ang laban.’ We then doubled our effort to get back on track with the motivation and the drive to do better.”

After their devastating loss, the team still had two challenging matches against UE and UST remaining, so they needed a hard reset to be able to give a good fight against those two teams. “We put ourselves in a precarious situation that would be dangerous if we depended our fate on the other teams. We made it a goal to sweep our next two remaining matches, which was a tall task. We expected that we would lose to UST, and we were banking on getting our points from the other two teams, which were Adamson and UE.” After their matches against UP, the UE Zenith Esports and UST Teletigers Esports both qualified for the playoffs and went on to finish first and second in the tournament, respectively. 

“Our next match was supposedly going to be UE, but then the problems that we had in the first match persisted for the second day. We refused to play under those conditions, which resulted in the broadcast delay in the tournament leading up to the postponement of the match.” It is worth noting that the stream was held up for hours past the match’s 2:30 schedule. On August 19, the announcement was made on the Facebook page of The UAAP that UP’s match against UE was to be rescheduled and held off-stream on August 21 due to technical issues. When asked further about those issues, Sañejo clarified: “The device was so faulty, but we just took it for the first match and we still put up a fight. It just so happened that we were punished because the draft our opponents chose was favored for heroes that didn’t really need a fast device.” He mentioned that the UAAP’s provided iPhone 13 Pro Max units were operating very slowly, even slower than the players’ personal devices.

“We chose the playstyle that we practiced and showed our identity. We were still able to decently execute what we were taught and what we trained. It just so happened that we lost in the micro department,” he lamented, referring to how the players were unable to perform highly skilled mechanical movements due to the devices’ latency.

But despite the losses the team incurred, they gained a different kind of success by cultivating a strong and supportive community. “Even though there were some that were doubting us, we used those doubts as fuel to prove them wrong and to prove ourselves,” Sañejo professed. “It was a big help, because it wasn’t just our friends and family and those closest to us we were getting support from; there was also support from the school, support from schoolmates. It was a big community, and they were all so ecstatic and excited to know that, ‘Oh, may ML na pala sa UAAP!’ They were so amazed that it was possible, and we didn’t want to let them down, so that’s what drove us to give our all and give a good show in our matches.”

Looking to the future of UAAP ML:BB

As this was the team’s very first season, it was inevitable that they would commit errors and encounter drawbacks during their campaign. After their stint in the tournament ended, the UPEVT met and discussed the takeaways that they would be taking for future seasons of the UAAP and in other tournaments. Now, they’re looking to make the improvements necessary to become better players and a better team.

“First is that there’s no one to help us other than ourselves. Hindi kami pwedeng umasa sa iba; kami-kami lang yung maaasahan namin. We needed to put extra effort because no one’s going to spoon feed us. If we really want to win, then we have to be willing to make a lot more sacrifices and be more aware of the sacrifices that we have to make. Hindi na rin talaga siya laro-laro lang; varsity team na ang tawag sa amin,” Sañejo remarked.

“There were so many learnings that we took during UAAP because we went through so much and we also had to face issues of our own. It all stemmed from the fact that we had to be taking this more seriously; sometimes we can’t control the outcome, but what we can control is our training leading up to that point. Moving forward, we’ll be taking our training more seriously—just making everything more streamlined, and being ready to make sacrifices and make everything count.”

Meanwhile, when asked about what they saw in the future of the UPEVT and UAAP esports as a whole competitive ecosystem, Balayon and Sañejo both gave their optimistic perspectives with its growth.

Balayon, aside from being a core member of the UPEVT’s staff, is also a national admin of Moonton Student Leaders (MSL) Philippines. With his experience working with Moonton, he lauded the game developer’s expression of support for the ML:BB community. “Thankfully, Moonton is very supportive of grassroots tournaments and activations. There’s something we call the MSL Network; right now, UPEVT is under that network. With that partnership, we’re given a set amount of diamonds so that we can have the activations that I mentioned. With that in mind, I think there’s a lot of activities that we can do, especially on the community side. I honestly think that the ML:BB scene in UPD in general will turn out to be bigger.” These activations aim to cultivate a stronger support system for the team as well as a passionate community within the campus.

Yet despite Moonton’s support, Sañejo expressed his worry about the league’s longevity, as esports was only included in this season of UAAP as a demonstration sport. “[I’m not] sure if it [will] go on for a very long time as opposed to those traditional sports that are already integrated in our culture. Those sports, they’ve been here for a while and they stood the test of time. I was wondering the same for esports—if the community of the game and the support the game is getting will last. What if the game dies down, the community and all, or they’re choosing to shut down, what happens then to the UAAP Esports side of things? Will they choose to include a new other game, or will UAAP Esports not happen anymore?” These are only some of the concerns that both esports professionals and enthusiasts have when it comes to the long-term continuance of the games they support.

Still, Sañejo remains hopeful that UAAP Esports will be here to stay until the foreseeable future. “This is what we’ve all been working towards, really: to have esports to get the attention, engagement, and exposure it needs to thrive as a real sport.”

UPIS has also had its fair share of small-scale ML:BB tournaments since before the pandemic, namely the Clash tournaments organized by the Applied Science and Engineering track for UPIS Days 2019 and 2020. From watching these, the UPIS community witnessed that there is no lack of homegrown talents from elementary to high school. Thus, there is potential for UAAP Esports to have a juniors division, where UAAP’s member high schools can send their own varsity teams to play competitive ML:BB. 

When posed with the possibility, Balayon responded, “There’s definitely a chance for that.”

“We’re now heading into a digital age, so more and more kids will be familiar with games and everything that concerns anything online. I definitely think that, especially with Moonton’s plans right now, there’s definitely a place for a junior team in the future, pretty soon,” he further added.

With this, we can say that the future is definitely bright for Iskos in the Land of Dawn; it’s now up to the rest of us to watch out for the UP Esports Varsity Team and support them in the tournaments to come!

//by Rache Bueno

[slutforkatya]

LE TATOUAGE EST FAIT

ca s'est trop bien passé, la tatoueuse était adorable, j'aime trop mon tattoo, elle a full complimenté mon espagnol, c'est bête mais ça me rend contente de me dire que je peux vrmt parler couramment dans des situations diverses, je deviens de plus en plus proche d'être trilingue

truc un peu fun : la tatoueuse qui ne savait pas dire si rach et moi étions 'amigas' ou 'novias'... gurl...

none of the above, smth in between i guess

"tu amiga *hésitation parce que par message, rach avait dit "amiga" mais qu'on ne dégageait pas d'énergies très amicales apparemment* o bueno... pues... ELLA, ella puede venir en la sala de tatuaje cuando te tatuo si quieras"

[fredborges98]

Bom dia!

Por: Fred Borges

Faça parte do Clube de Leitura e saiba o que é Etarismo e o quanto uma avó e neto podem ser complementares e superarem preconceitos e diferenças das aparências!

Encontro de gerações; muito a ensinar e aprender e o Etarismo*

Martha Argerich (Buenos Aires, 5 de junho de 1941) é avó de David Chen, ela é uma pianista argentina e suíça de ascendência judaica e catalã, considerada um dos maiores expoentes de sua geração e do período pós-guerra, destacando-se por suas interpretações de Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, Johann Sebastian Bach, Robert Schumann, Maurice Ravel e Serguei Prokofiev.

É largamente reconhecida como uma das maiores pianistas virtuosas de seu tempo.

Sua interpretação do grande Concerto para Piano nº 3, de Rachmaninoff (Rach 3), é considerada por muitos como "definitiva".

Um dos seus grandes amigos é o pianista brasileiro Nelson Freire, com quem tocou em duo em vários recitais.

Argerich também teve uma participação no documentário Nelson Freire (2003), de João Moreira Salles.

Já David Chen( neto de Martha Argerich, nasceu em 2008 em uma família de músicos.

Seu pai é o pianista e compositor Vladimir Sverdlov-Ashkenazy, sua mãe é Lyda Chen-Argerich que é violocinista e advogada e sua outra avó é a professora Elena Ashkenazy.

Já em tenra idade, David Chen é vencedor de concursos de piano como o "Karl Adler Jugend Musikwettbewerb" na Alemanha em 2008, no qual recebeu o 1º Prémio com distinção e o 1º Prémio Vencedor com distinção no "Swiss Youth Music Competition" em piano e duo de piano em 2019.

David participou de vários festivais como o "Progetto Martha Argerich" em Lugano, Suíça, em 2016, onde executou peças de 4 mãos junto com sua avó, Martha Argerich. ( Vide clipe).

Em 2019, David Chen se apresentou no "Argerich's Meeting Point" em Beppu, Japão e no "Martha Argerich Festival" em Hamburgo,Alemanha em 2019.

David Chen vive atualmente em Genebra e estuda no programa musical avançado do Conservatório de Música de Genebra sob a orientação do professor Serguei Milstein.

O que há de espetacular neste encontro de gerações?

O aprendizado, o ensinamento, o exemplo de respeito.

O respeito não vem só dos ensinamentos em sintonia, sinergia e reciprocidade( educação) de uma geração para outra, da " velha" para " nova" e vive-versa, mas pelos laços afetivos, emotivos, trazidos pela convivência, pelo ser, fazer e poder, pela disciplina, virtuosismo, habilidades, competências, admiração.

O que pode parecer particular, privativo, individual de uma família pode ser replicado, ensinado, aprendido, se tornar uma tradição, cultura, educação para toda uma nação.

Muitas organizações privadas e públicas dizem respeitar os mais " velhos", mas escamoteiam, disfarçam, camuflam este preconceito e chamamos este preconceito de prática do etarismo.

RH's em processos de recrutamento e seleção em geral já descartam os considerados " velhos" ou simplesmente, quando fornecem algum feedback, algo raro entre os RH's, afirmam que o perfil do candidato não se adequa ao cargo anunciado, mesmo tendo no currículum dados e fatos verídicos e comprovados em carteira de trabalho e diplomas e certificados anexados, e em caso estes sejam documentos a serem requisitados pelos próprios RHs como forma de comprovação de experiência acadêmica e profissional.

Mesmo os mais" jovens" reclamam deste descarte sumário ou preconceito quando são da área de TI( Tecnologia da Informação). Pessoas com 25 anos são consideradas " velhas"pelos RH's no Brasil.

O certo é que o Etarismo é crime pela Constituição Federal e pelo Estatuto do Idoso.

Observando que considerar idoso numa fila de um banco, ou na fila do INSS( com 60 anos ou mais), não é a realidade do mercado de trabalho que tem suas "próprias leis invisíveis" que se autoproclamam de serem refratárias a qualquer tipo de preconceito, mas na teoria a prática é outra.Pura hipocrisia e cinismo, algo bem conhecido nas " políticas empresariais" do utilitarismo e oportunismo como prática cotidiana empresarial em relação a candidatos a emprego e os já contratados.

Para eles ( ditos empresários) o ser humano não passa de uma equação micro econômica, financeira e contábil para gerar lucro pela extrema exploração do trabalhador ou um tipo de " escravidão assalariada".

Se dizem engajados socialmente por meio de seus códigos de ética( CE), Compliance**Responsabilidade Social( RS), mas desrespeitam o candidato a vaga e o trabalhador efetivado, e as novas leis trabalhistas instaladas pelo ex-presidente Michel Temer, só fizeram piorar a situação para o trabalhador em termos de cultura e clima organizacional.

Segundo um relatório realizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde com mais de 80 mil pessoas de 57 países, 16,8% dos brasileiros acima dos 50 anos já se sentiram discriminados por estarem envelhecendo.

De acordo com o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), 13% da população brasileira tem mais de 60 anos de idade.

Os mesmos dados apontam que em 2031, o país será formado por mais idosos do que crianças.

Apesar dessa previsão e da atual parcela de pessoas nessa faixa etária já ser significativa, o etarismo ainda é um tema pouco discutido no Brasil.

No geral, ele se refere a uma forma de discriminar o outro tomando como base estereótipos associados à idade.

"Cabelo ou cabeça branca" são termos "políticos" e chamam a atenção para o etarismo e o sexismo.

O etarismo pode se manifestar de muitas formas, desde práticas individuais até institucionais. E todas elas tendem a acontecer mais intensamente “em sistemas onde a sociedade aceita a desigualdade social”, é o que diz Vania Herédia, presidente do departamento de gerontologia da Sociedade Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia (SBGG).

Comentários como “Você está velho demais para isso” são uma forma de etarismo.

Na maioria das vezes, o preconceito assume uma roupagem sutil. E esta sutileza que traz preocupação a todos trabalhadores e cidadãos.

Um exemplo é quando idosos escutam, em tom de “brincadeira”, comentários como “Você está velho demais para isso”.

Empresas que não contratam novos funcionários com mais de 45 anos ou que obrigam pessoas a partir de determinada idade a se aposentar, mesmo que isso não seja do interesse delas, também são casos de etarismo.

Um tipo de prática etarista menos comentada é a benevolente.

Ela é praticada quando o idoso é infantilizado pelos membros da família, que parecem estar somente sendo "gentis".

O comportamento é problemático porque, por trás de um suposto cuidado, existe a ideia de que a pessoa não possui mais discernimento próprio.

A discriminação etária causa diversos problemas para suas vítimas a longo prazo.

A saúde mental costuma ser uma das áreas mais abaladas. Idosos que são constantemente desrespeitados, tratados com desprezo, agredidos ou humilhados têm mais chances de desenvolver baixa autoestima, tendências ao isolamento e depressão.

O certo é que um país que não respeita seu passado, não tem futuro.

E o futuro de um país sem passado é tenebroso.

Assim originalmente, da história privada de uma família( Martha Argerich e David Chen) torna-se metáfora ampliada, o encontro de gerações que muito podem ensinar e aprender para a sociedade, as organizações públicas e privadas,às instituições e principalmente às famílias- base social.

Não há cultura geral ou organizacional ou institucional, se não houver na prática o respeito aos mais "velhos", afinal, com muita sorte, trabalho, e destino guiado por Deus, será permitido muitos envelhecerem um dia e um simples floco de neve na cidade mais fria do Brasil; Urupema em Santa Catarina, pode vir a se tornar uma nevasca em todo país se não cuidarmos do futuro da humanidade no ato de se repensar,readaptar, readequar, de não se renovar, inovar, criar, compartilhar experiências e respeitar a si próprio e a natureza das pessoas e das coisas influenciando os ambientes e o relacionamento entre as pessoas.

*Etarismo é a discriminação contra pessoas baseadas em estereótipos de idade. Etarismo é o preconceito contra pessoas idosas. No geral, ele se refere a uma forma de discriminar o outro tomando como base estereótipos associados à idade, mas afeta principalmente quem já é mais velho.

**Com origem no verbo inglês “to comply”, que quer dizer cumprir, obedecer, estar de acordo, define-se Compliance como seguir as leis, normas e procedimentos internos( CE) das organizações, além de parcerias éticas, seja com o setor público ou privado e seus fornecedores

[faycz]

la sonrisa se hace más grande cuando le escucha. suave gracejo brotando de sus labios cuando contraria propone hacer un brindis en honor a aquel personaje fictício. ' por rache berry. ' alza su copa, dirigiéndola al frente para que estas choquen suavemente antes de dar un sorbo. está animada, la mezcla de bebidas haciendo efecto, porque siente una ligereza que le atribuye al licor, pero también una sensación curiosa en su estómago. podría jurar que algunas maripositas están aleteando. ' ¿curioso ... bueno? ' relame sus labios, para no despercidiar ni una sola gota del licor. ' a mi me ha encantado. ' tanto que da otro sorbo, sin pensar en las consecuencias de beber alcohol de forma tan rápida ¡su resistencia es muy baja! ' sirve para distraerse, ¿no? con todo lo que ha pasado. '

mención femenina no solo resulta sorpresiva, sino que acaba arrancando una risa suave, apenas ofreciendo sonido, pero siendo mano delante de labios lo que denota diversión. ' siempre quise saber a qué sabe el rosa. ' comparte, aceptando bebida que ofrece acompañante. ' no puedo negarme cuando lo pides así. ' exageración es fácil de percibir, incapaz de rechazarle cuando ha ido a divertirse. ' por rachel berry. ' golpetea vaso con el foráneo, simulando un brindis y finalmente saboreando contenido. ' es... curioso. '

[you-moveme-kurt]

Glee «Her mortal enemy» Part III

Agosto de 2022

-¿Tienen planes para esta noche? -¿¡Qué!?... ¿por qué lo preguntas?… —se adelantó en preguntar Kurt abriendo sus ojos como dos huevos fritos. -Por nada… -¿Segura?... ¿qué escuchaste cuando llegaste?... —insistió apuntándole. -Nada… ¿estás bien?... ¿aún piensas en esa araña que no fue?... —añadió la chica moviendo su cabello -No… -Entonces… -¿Entonces qué?... —repitió Kurt volviendo a lo de abrir los ojos. -Kurt… tranquilo… —murmuró Blaine abrazándolo por la cintura, Kurt lo miró un segundo y acto seguido suspiró aliviado, sintiendo, como siempre, que nada malo podía pasar si tenía los brazos de su esposo rodeándolo, ya sea en una situación seria, una estúpida, con Rachel, sin ella, como fuera y cuando fuera. -Super Blaine… —dejó escapar Kurt sin pensar, Blaine sonrió engreído y no pudo evitar bajarse la mascarilla para darle un beso, Rachel blanqueo los ojos para luego hacer notar que ella estaba ahí mediante una carraspera como de enfermo terminal— ¿necesitas agua querida?...—agregó apartándose de su esposo.

-No… —contesto alargando la «o»— solo necesito que me presten atención y que se den cuenta que hay más personas aquí…—añadió señalándose  ella y a Brandon que seguía inmerso en el universo de su teléfono móvil— así es que no se ponga a hacer sus… cosas… —añadió poniendo mala cara. -Muy bien entonces… —dijo Kurt caminando dos pasos para sentarse pierna arriba, Blaine se acercó a él y se sentó en el brazo del sofá— ¿pudiste grabar decías? -Por supuesto y no quiero parecer petulante pero… me quedaron sensacionales… ¿cierto Brandon?... —dijo dándose vuelta para mirar al chico en cuestión, este solo se limito a lo de alzar un pulgar nuevamente— hombres… —murmuró negando con la cabeza. -¿Y qué canciones escogiste? -Pues las mejores de mi «répertoire»… -Por favor no me digas que usaste los aparatos de última generación que tiene mi esposo para grabar «Don’t stop believing» y «Don't Rain On My Parade»… —dijo Kurt alzando su ceja inquisidora mientras le tomaba la pierna a Blaine cuando mencionaba lo de su esposo.. -Por supuesto que no… -Fue exactamente lo que hizo… —murmuró Brandon sin despegar sus ojos del teléfono, Kurt y Blaine soltaron una risa la unísono -¡Oigan!... ¡son mis canciones y yo sabré que elegir!… —exclamó la chica cruzándose de brazos molesta al máximo -Como digas…—agregó Kurt abriendo sus manos y aun riendo. -¿No deberíamos?... —dijo Blaine señalando su reloj pulsera, Kurt lo miró con el ceño fruncido tardando un par de segundos en caer en la cuenta. -¡Si!, ¡obvio!…—exclamó recordando lo de la cena— claro que sí… en fin… —dijo levantándose— ¿ya te vas Rachel?, con Blaine tenemos un montón de cosas por hacer antes de nuestro viaje a Lima… —añadió moviendo sus manos como si tratara de hacer que un rebaño de ovejas abandonara el salón y no su amiga del alma. -¿Que cosas?... -Cosas Rachel, cosas… —dijo Kurt repitiendo lo de las manos. -Pero pensé que podríamos cenar juntos… ya que a Brandon aquí lo único que le interesan son las teclas de colores del tablero P no se cuanto… -De hecho es la AR… da lo mismo… ahora bien… —añadió Blaine acercándose a ella— fue un gusto verte y ayudarte… vuelve cuando quieras… y lamentablemente no podemos cenar juntos porque como dijo mi esposo Elwood, mi jefe, nos invitó a  su casa en el lago Cayuga y el camino para allá es largo y… -Un momento… —interrumpió Rachel levantándose con las manos en alto— ¿no es que tenían que prepararse para ir a Lima?…—pregunto mirando a su amigo de manera alternada. -Bueno… -O uno o los dos me están mintiendo y me parece super horrible de su parte que lo hagan, parece que quieren deshacerse de mi o algo… —añadió haciendo tras la mascarilla, un gesto infantil de tristeza con su boca. -Nadie se quiere deshacer de ti Rachel —corrigió Blaine—  la verdad es que… -La verdad… —se adelantó en decir Kurt temiendo que su esposo tuviera uno de sus arranques de sinceridad y terminara por revelar todo— la verdad  es que Blaine tiene indigestión… -¿Qué?... —preguntaron Blaine y Rachel al mismo tiempo. -Eso,  ya sabes es super vergonzoso hablar de la palabra con «d»…—agregó con una mano cerca de su boca en un gesto de disimulo— por eso tenemos que quedarnos aquí… donde hay baños a la mano… lo siento. -¿Es verdad eso?... —preguntó Rachel mirando a  Blaine, este a su vez miró a su esposo que abría sus ojos como diciendo en silencio «di que si por favor» -La verdad es que sí… —contestó tocándose la panza— no se que fue, pero… ya sabes…—agregó haciendo una mueca de dolor como si le hubiera dado un retorcijón en ese mismo instante, Rachel puso cara de asco y se decidió a irse. -Esta bien… agendamos para otro día la cena entonces… -Oye… —dijo Brandon mirando su teléfono— ¿este eres tú?... —pregunto enseñando la pantalla del aparato y la foto de él con las protagonistas de West Side Story. -Con un demonio… —murmuró Kurt tocándose la frente. -¡No!… —contestó rápido Blaine acercándose a él— no… —repitió como mirando la foto de mas cerca— en fin… fue un gusto conocerte Brandon, las puertas de mi estudio siempre estarán abiertas para ti… —agregó casi llevándoselo a la salida. -No puedo creer que conozcas a Adriana de Bose y a Rarchel  Zegler… son super sexys… —insistió. -¿¡QUE!?... —exclamo la otra  Rachel levantándose como en cámara lenta y con cara de loca demente, se acerco a Brandon y le quito el teléfono de las manos. -Rachel.. —dijo Kurt tratando impedir con voz calma lo que seguramente venía. -¡¿QUÉ DEMONIOS SIGNIFICA ESTO?! —grito mostrando la pantalla a todos. -Rachel… —repitió Kurt aproximándose a su amiga. -¿Qué demonios significa esto Blaine?... ¿cómo puedes hacerme esto?… -¿Hacerte qué?... -¡ESTO!... ¡esta foto con esta gente!... ella es mi enemiga mortal… dile Kurt… —añadió meneando el teléfono de Brandon hasta que lo arrojó lejos. -¡Oye!... —dijo este yendo en busca del aparato que por suerte había caído en uno de los sillones de la sala. -Nunca olvidaré esto… ¿me oyen?...¡NUNCA! —exclamó mientras tomaba su bolso y se arreglaba la mascarilla. -Y yo nunca olvidaré que eres una histérica… no me vuelvas a llamar… —agregó el técnico en sonido mientras revisaba su teléfono móvil para cerciorarse que si funcionaba y encaminaba sus pasos a la salida. -Y yo nunca olvidaré que casi rompes mi lámpara Tiffany con ese exabrupto de adolescente que te dio… si eres tan amable… —dijo Kurt señalando la salida. -¡Uy!... —exclamó de vuelta Rachel empuñando sus manos— están en mi lista… —agregó señalando a ambos— además, yo soy la que debiera estar disgustada… te dije que ella era… -Tu enemiga mortal.. lo se… —dijo Kurt con fastidio -¿Entonces?… ¿por qué no se lo dijiste a él?... -Se lo dije… -Entonces es un problema de entendimiento… ¿tanto gel en el cabello te produjo una disminución de neuronas?… —añadió mirando a  Blaine. -Ok… ahora solo estás siendo una arpía desagradable… vuelve cuando  se te haya pasado todo esto…—dijo su amigo insistiendo en lo de señalar la salida -¡Uy!... —repitió Rachel con mas ah��nco—nunca los perdonaré por esto… ¡nunca! —agregó mirando a ambos con el ceño fruncido como si les echara una maldición de manera silenciosa o algo parecido, se dio media vuelta y le dio un buen golpe a Kurt en la cara con las puntas de su cabello. -Vaya… —dijo este señalando hacia atrás y mirando por donde se había ido su amiga. -Si… vaya… —repitió Blaine con las manos en los bolsillos -¿Puedes creer su comportamiento? -En realidad… si… —respondió su esposo arrugando la nariz -En realidad yo también… —agregó Kurt soltando una pequeña risa. -Y lo más increíble, es que ni siquiera llegamos a mencionar lo de la cena de esta noche… —dijo Blaine también riendo. -¡Es verdad!... ¿te imaginas qué hubiera pasado?… -Una hecatombe más grande de seguro… -De seguro… -¿Crees que es verdad eso? -¿Qué cosa?... —preguntó Kurt acercándose a su esposo. -Eso que dijo que «no nos perdonará nunca»… —respondió Blaine tratando de imitar a Rachel con movimiento de cabello y todo. -No… de seguro ya nos perdonó en el piso 8… me disculpo en su nombre en todo caso… -¿Si? -Obvio… ¿por qué esa cara?...  —quiso saber Kurt al ver que su esposo lo miraba con suspicacia divertida. -Por nada… es decir… me encanta cuando haces eso…—contestó tomándolo por una de las trabillas del pantalón para ceñirlo a él. -¿Qué cosa?... —preguntó de vuelta dejándose llevar. -Eso de pedir disculpas o decir lo siento… —Kurt alzó un poco su ceja— y no me malinterpretes, no lo digo por criticar es… los problemas que tuvimos en el pasado esa fue una de las causas… y lo que trato de decir… es que me alegra que ya no lo sea…—termino por decir abrazándolo para luego darle un beso. -Ok…  —dijo Kurt coqueto— ¿qué tal…?... ¿qué tal si ahora me disculpo porque las cosas se están poniendo un poco calientes aquí?... —agregó bajando sus manos por el cuerpo de él. -Disculpas aceptadas… —contesto Blaine rindiéndose a aquello.

[macaroni-rascal]

Same anon as the Gadbois packaging question: H/D, Disco brits, Canadanes, L/L and I'd be seriously interested to see what you'd give P/C.

Okay! So, if I was in charge of music/packaging for these teams, here's what I would do:

Hubbell and Donahue. I would give them something slow but jazzy, something like the song Hot Dreams by a band called Timber Timber, the ending of that song would just be an excellent vehicle for a step sequence/choreographic sequence and/or twizzles, I think they could do it amazing justice. I see Madi in some for of bedazzled black dress with long sleeves, but black stones not silver ones, so that its just like a texture difference and very subtle, Zack could be in all black with some slight matching to Madi. Listen to that song, and tell me they wouldn't rock the hell out of it.

The Disco Brits. This one is hard, because they have really only done one style and have very much stuck to that. I think I'd like to see them do a more rock music type program? Something where they could still show personality, but where they aren't just giving sass and fun, but they also aren't giving lamenting heartbreak and brooding. More soulful and enticing, maybe something like an Alabama Shakes program? They could have some instrumental to start and then the singing could come in in the second half, because I think they have really really relied on the use of lyrics in the story telling of their skating, and I'd like to see them do something without that support there. I think they would have fun with a song like On Your Way, the way it builds and has quieter moments, then more intense moments. Lilah could wear something similar to what Britney Howard wore on SNL, that sort of shimmering dark blue sleeveless piece, and Lewis could match with a bit more mesh, cause that boy loves some mesh. I think that would be really interesting for them.

Canadanes...hmm...I would give them similar music to what Shoma Uno skated to in 2016-17, the Buenos Aires hora cero and Balada para un loco, get some interesting Astor Piazolla in there. Give Lolo a deep open back dress, in like a dark green forest colour with a long enough skirt that she can play with it, but a high neck, and a simple black high waisted pants and white shirt for Nik I think. They could kill a sort of tango program that was a different style and feeling from the Spanish Caravan program they had a couple years ago. I'd love to see them do something like that, they have an intensity and sensuality that would just kill a program like that.

For Marjo and Zak, I want them to come back to something similar to their Warsaw Concerto, but not exactly that. With Zak's piano playing, I think something classic and piano based would really suit them and let them both shine. It's been done, and its considered a warhorse, but I think they could do a really really good Rach. 2 program. With the correct choreography, and the right music cut, they could create SUCH a moment. They have the speed for when the music gets fast to really match it well. No tea no shade, but then Marjo also wouldn't have anything to sing along to and be distracting, and I would love that. For costumes, I'm seeing like a dark teal coloured dress with bright silver crystals. Simple but elegant, and a matching shirt for Zack. Him in sleeves, her not. Sometimes, a team needs a warhorse, and that's that on that.

Both amazing and hilarious you asked me about P/C, because honestly? Anything. Anything besides the lyrical, overwrought, boring, pretentious shit they have been pedaling for the last 7 years I would love to see. Just for the novelty of it. The issue is that I don't really know what else they could handle? We've seen repetitively in the short dance that they struggle with anything that isn't Their Style, or they just turn the necessary rhythm into their style, like their slow as hell Fame program. I think I would like to see them do something with fast paced music, because historically they cannot handle it even a little bit. Like, let's see them do a Hip Hip Chin Chin program, just for shits and giggles and for chaos. They could wear something bright and colourful, no pastels, and no long sleeves for her, she also can't wear a long skirt to hide her legs and give the impression they are moving faster than they actually are, and he can't wear a deep v or mesh. Those are the only stipulations I'd put.

This was fun, and it got really long!

[marinerach]

today has been super long and im super tired and sad but impromptu invite to a BBQ with my girl @alexandrawr94 tomorrow so thank god for my social angel getting me to actually leave my house lol

[miasswier]

miasswier’s ultimate glee ranking: no 8

8: Hold on to Sixteen

Written by: Ross Maxwell Directed by: Bradley Buecker

Overall Thoughts: I don’t know how Glee did it. I don’t know how they spent seven episodes making a giant mess of things, only to bring it all to a conclusion in one of the best episodes it ever made. And yet, they did. Somehow Glee took all those boring, messy plotlines and brought them together for one of the absolute best episodes ever. It’s amazing what the Glee writers can do when they actually set their mind to it.

What I Like:

Where to even begin?

Oh, I know, MY BOY SAM EVANS IS BACK

The amount of interactions that Quinn has with women in this episode! Rachel, Shelby, the Troubletones… It’s amazing! And I so love how it was Rachel who managed to talk Quinn out of her ridiculousness, and then Quinn used that to get Rachel to help her bring the Troubletones back.

Going off this, fuck do I love it that it was Quinn who brought the Troubletones back. It would have been so easy to have made it Finn who did, but thank god they didn’t. I love that scene in the bathroom, and I love that Quinn knows her friends well enough to pre-emptively ask Rachel and Schue about the Troubletones doing a number for competitions. I just love that whole scene, okay?

I know it’s a little happily-ever-after, but fuck if I care, I fucking love how Mike’s story ended up! He didn’t get as much focus as the rest of the plots during these eight episodes, but I’m glad they gave him several scenes to work his plot out. It didn’t feel rushed, which allowed it to be really emotional. Mike’s face when he sees his dad arrive in “ABC” always gets me.

Tina is also the best girlfriend ever and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.

Even though it was also a much smaller plot (much, much smaller), I’m glad they resolved the Blaine/Finn tension. It also happens to make for an awesome scene where Blaine is super angry and super tiny and Finn is so tall and trying to calm him down. Love it.

That it was Santana’s decision to allow the New Directions to join Troubletones if the Troubletones won. It’s such a small detail, but it makes it so much more powerful.

At the strip club when Sam sees Rachel and is like “Rach-RACHEL” and gets all wide-eyed

Sam’s dad being Clark’s dad from Smallville

It’s so funny seeing Blaine and Sam be at odds when you know that they’ll become ultimate BFFs as the seasons go on.

Blaine wagging his finger during “Red Solo Cup” and Kurt looking at him and asking “What’s wrong with you?”

Honestly just Kurt’s judgemental looks during “Red Solo Cup” while everyone gets super into it

The fact that Santana actually kept a notebook of burns for Sam when he came back. Like I’ve said before – Sam and Santana had such a great opportunity to be frenemies, and it sucks they didn’t use it as much as they could have.

The music is so awesome in this episode.

That short scene with Kurt, Blaine, and Sebastian. It’s particularly funny because it makes me think of that Glee crack video where Kurt is like “I don’t like you” and then that song that’s like “I don’t like that bitch” starts playing. I always hear it in my head when I watch that scene.

Barely any Will!

When Sam is telling Quinn about that John Mellencamp song and Quinn is like “please don’t sing”

Sam and Mercedes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! End my entire fucking existence I love those two so goddamn much

I absolutely love the imagery in “We Are Young” of Santana standing by herself after everyone has had somebody come and bring them back into the Glee club, and then Rachel comes over and brings her home. I saw a post (that I can’t currently find) that talks about this in detail, about how much it must have hurt Santana that everyone was so upset over Mercedes and Brittany leaving ND but nobody seemed to care about her. Then all that shit goes down with Finn and her coming out, and it just becomes this giant mess, and she feels so alone, like nobody really cares. And then, this. Everyone is welcomed back, but nobody comes to get Santana. She stands alone, asking someone to carry her home. So Rachel comes, and carries her home.

What I Don’t Like:

Shelby’s scene with Quinn always leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. She talks down to her, and basically excuses her bad behaviour with Puck. Honestly? Quinn had every right to tell Figgins about Shelby and Puck. What she did was wrong. I’m not sure if it’s actually illegal, but seeing as she’s in a position of power over Puck it makes consent a bit dicey. This was Shelby’s mistake, and yeah, Quinn’s reasoning wasn’t really in the right place (is it ever on TV shows when teachers and students date?), but Shelby was still the one in the wrong. Shelby, and Rachel, make it sound like Quinn would be ruining Beth’s life by reporting Shelby, yet nobody stopped to think that maybe it was Shelby’s selfish and immoral actions that would ruin her daughters’ life instead.

Quinn trying to get back with Sam. I just really don’t dig that pairing, and they still look like literal siblings.

Finn and Blaine fistbumping and saying that they’ve got this during the Troubletones performance. That’s just rude.

Honestly, it was pretty rude of the Troubletones to tell ND before the competition that they’d let them into their club if ND lost. Just tell them after, sheesh.

Songs:

Red Solo Cup: A fun and cracky number. Love it.

Buenos Aires: I really like this song. Plus, Kurt’s “oh my god it’s the gerber baby” will always make me laugh.

I’m a Survivor/I Will Survive: I do like this song a lot. Really, I do. But I mean, it’s no Adele mash-up. They can’t really top that.

ABC: A fun, upbeat song to start off an awesome setlist with! I really like how Tina sang 80% of the song. Yes, Tina! Kill that solo!

Control: I really wish Blaine and Artie did more songs together. Their voices go really well. That being said, this song isn’t a personal favourite. The choreography is awesome, though.

Man in the Mirror: A great way to end off the set, and I like that all the guys who weren’t in “ABC” got a solo! I think this is the first competition in which every member of ND that is on-stage sings at least one solo line (you know, band members non-withstanding)

We are Young: Most of the time, I find end songs unnecessary. Sure, I usually enjoy them, but most of the time I don’t find that they fit the episode well enough. This one, though. This is one of maybe four end-songs that just work so fucking well. It’s so powerful, and just the setting of them all just chilling wherever they are (auditorium? I’m not really sure) and singing because they can and they want to. Then the girls come back and sing with them, and everyone just sings together and is happy and friends. Fuck. I’m not doing the feelings this song invokes in me justice. I just really, really love it.

Final Thoughts: Season three of Glee was a mess. It relied far too heavily on Finn and Rachel’s relationship, and aside from the first eight episodes didn’t seem to be very coherent. Even then, the first eight episodes were coherent, but that didn’t make them good. There are two episodes in those first eight that I purposefully re-watch. This is one of them. This is one of those episodes that I don’t watch with shipper goggles, or that I love because of one specific story. I love all the stories, I love how they all turn out, I love all the characters, I love watching it all unfold, and I love the music. It’s such a strong episode, which I still don’t understand considering what all led up to it. But it is. It really is. And I fucking love it.

[peytons-place]

⌜‧ ˔ ✧ʾ Is that LIANA LIBERATO walking down the streets of Blackrock Cliffs? Oh no, it’s just PEYTON MURRAY-JONES, a TWENTY-ONE YEAR OLD CISFEMALE that works as a BABYSITTER/HOSPITAL INTERN. She has been around for TWENTY ONE YEARS, ELEVEN MONTHS, AND TWENTY SIX DAYS and she seems to be PERCEPTIVE and COMPASSIONATE. Someone said she is also SHELTERED and INTROVERTED.⌟

hi hi hello! ‘tis i, your friendly neighborhood spider-rach, and i am so excited to introduce you to my bae, peyton. she’s currently one of my go-to muses to write, so i’m excited to bring her to all of you! if you’d like novels, please feel free to read her (very long) bio, but also you can find a bunch of info about her under the cut! also please like the thing/reach out if you want to talk connections/plot because i am such a sucker for plotting kaycoolbye

CW for Chronic Illness!

Peyton Ava Murray-Jones definitely belongs to the “looks like a cinnamon roll & is also a cinnamon roll” grouping (though i would actually call her more of a neutral good than a lawful good but that’s besides the point)

She was home-schooled through her senior year of high school but this past May she graduated from UC: Santa Cruz with a BS in biochemistry

She’s was on a pre-med track & will be taking the MCAT in the early spring in preparation for med school applications

She currently has an internship at Blackrock Hospital and babysits Ches Elswood’s tiny human ( @cheselswood​ )

She’s also studying & trying to get a jump-start on her applications & trying not to burn herself out because that’s definitely happened before but what are the chances it’ll happen again?

But I am #gettingaheadofmyself !!

Peyton is the daughter of two Blackrock natives who were both Blackrock High alums

Her parents are also one of the #tokengaycouples in Blackrock & like...they’re just a lot basically

Phoebe (mom #1) loves music more than like anything & runs Murray’s Music Shop in downtown Blackrock

Stella (mom #2) is always chasing an adrenaline rush from some sort of adventure whether that’s white water rafting or skydiving etc.

Peyton’s younger sister is named Reagan

Reagan is a genius & I mean that literally

She is basically a mathematical prodigy & at six years old was doing math far beyond the level of her ten-year-old older sister

She is sassy and blonde and great -- like think an older version of Mary from Gifted pretty much

Peyton has chronic lyme disease

She contracted it at age 3 when she & her moms camped out for a night in Colorado during a road trip

The whole camping thing was unexpected & also Peyton was three & it’s hard to tick check a three year old & it was flu season so like...basically the symptoms went unnoticed because no one really thought much of the fever and fatigue

But when Peyton’s hearing practically disappeared overnight her moms knew something was up & lo & behold Peyton had that telltale rash on the back of her neck

Peyton still gets waves of exhaustion/fatigue (especially when she’s stressed and overworking herself) but really the only symptom that has been constant since diagnosis was her hearing loss

Peyton wears hearing aids but she doesn’t love them; though it was great for college lectures when she could connect them directly to professors’ microphones, they don’t do so well during normal conversations where everyone is talking all at once, & they can get uncomfortable

Peyton is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) & English (because that was her first language) but has a preference for ASL just because its easier for her to understand & the vibrations of her own voice in her head while she’s got her hearing aids on just makes her really uncomfortable

If Peyton is ever talking to someone who doesn’t know sign language/doesn’t have someone around to help aid with interpreting she can/will talk to people, she just doesn’t make a habit of it when she doesn’t need to if that makes sense?

She’s really good at reading body language, like she’s fluent in it, just because a lot of work she has to do in following conversations has to do with facial expressions & body movements, not to mention ASL is a really expression-heavy language

Peyton’s also pretty good at reading lips. She can’t do it from all the way across a room or anything, but if some random person is facing her, speaking clearly and not at too fast of a pace, Peyton can pick up maybe 60-70% of what’s being said. With people she knows well, that percent can increase to almost 90%, but it also decreases when people are mumbling/not facing her/speaking too quickly

Basically, in times of chaos, Peyton appreciates being kept in the loop via ASL if possible

Peyton’s moms are complete helicopter parents -- even though Peyton’s turning 22 in five days, she has less freedom than a typical high schooler and it’s no bueno

The fact that winter 2018 was one of the worst seasons for Peyton since she was diagnosed with chronic lyme probably didn’t help, if anything her moms are more hesitant to let her be an actual young adult

Peyton’s really just trying to take things one day at a time but her plate is overloaded and she’s stressed because she just wants away from her parents and out of Blackrock

(Here’s hoping that, one way or another, she realizes there are oh-so-many reasons to stay)

Wanted Connections include: Anyone who knows ASL/wants to learn ASL (bc cute plots are cute), childhood next door neighbors and/or family friends who Peyton would have actually seen during childhood (she didn’t get out of the house much), crushes (mutual or non-mutual; can be any identity of human bean bc Peyton #lovesall), an internet friend (kind of meta i know but peyton was totally the kind of person to keep a blog), maybe someone who works at the Murray family music shop so she knows them because they work with her mom? basically i’m connection trash please come love me & my babe!!

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

Solo Para: Truth (Rachel)

Rachel takes a deep breath to herself before walking in the door. With Audrey and Charlie off at college, Bueno Nacho was boring. Besides, she wanted to get this over with.

She’s right. Her parents’ heads turn in surprise from the table when she walks in. Mom speaks up. “Rachel? Is everything okay? You’re home early.”

Rachel nods quickly at the questions, clearing her throat and setting her purse aside on the counter. “I… needed to talk to you guys.”

Her parents share a very concerned look at that. She clears her throat, going and sitting down, hesitating to meet their eyes as she puts the words together, before slowly admitting to the table, “I know. I—I know about Audrey and me.”

A pause. Dad reaches out to her hands. “Hey—”

“No, no, it’s—I’m not upset.” Rachel looks up quickly, taking his hands, reaching for her mom’s as well. “Not at all, the opposite. You guys—you didn’t, it’s not like… look, Audrey and I were left on the doorstep. It’s not exactly ‘you did this the normal way and hid it’ or something.”

Kim’s eyebrows furrow. “Rach, how long have you known?”

“A few days. I, um…” Rachel takes a moment, stringing the words together. “I met my biological father. Or, well, more like he found me at Club Banana. Said we needed to talk about a lot of things. Told me… told me about leaving me here, and why.”

“And why?” Her parents ask together, sharing a look and turning back to her.

Rachel sniffles, laughing weakly at that and clearing her throat. She doesn’t know why she’s crying, not really. Just the stress, she supposes. “I thought you’d say that. So… it’s, it’s a weird story. A really weird one, even for us.” Clearing her throat, she sits up, pulling away from them both for a minute and shaking her hands out before she starts explaining.

“Audrey and I are… demigods. My birth father is Apollo. And… her mother is Artemis. Apollo says he doesn’t know why she had a kid, or how. He thinks she may have been…” But Rachel doesn’t finish the sentence, shaking her head. Kim brings a hand to her mouth, and Ron’s eyes widen. Rachel nods. “All he knew was, he saw his sister passing off a baby to its father, and the father abandoned it here. He never wanted to make her talk about it, not if she wasn’t ready. But he, uh, decided to snag one of his half-human offspring and put it in the house, too. To know someone was looking out for her. So…”

She weakly offers mock jazz hands. “And that’s why he came to find me. Because Audrey’s in Addersfield, and I’m still here at home. He decided it was time to tell me what was going on, I guess in the hopes it’d make me go there to protect her, too.”

“Mmkay, you don’t have to do anything you aren’t ready for—” Ron starts immediately.

Rachel sniffles and giggles. “You know what, though? It’s probably crazy but… I think I want to go. Community college is… boring, and I really miss them both. And then all of this… I want to be there. Because I think…”

She chews her lip, shaking her head. “Mm, no. Because I apparently have the gift of prophecy from my birth father, and probably always have, because of how often my gut turns out to be right. Anyway, Audrey’s in Addersfield, in Auradon in general, because she knows something about her doesn’t make sense. She knows something about her isn’t… who she thinks she is. And she’s looking for answers. And I want to be there for her when that happens. I want to be able to support her through it. And maybe that’s just because of what he said, but…”

“Um, definitely not,” Kim raises an eyebrow at Rachel and shaking her head with a smile. “You’re the oldest. We think. Anyways, that’s how we raised you. You’ve spent your entire life looking out for your sisters. It makes perfect sense for you to want to go there and protect her i—when, the time comes.”

And she notices that. The small change in language. Accepting what she’d just heard with ease. Same old mom. Rachel smiles, nodding. “And listen. You’re still my parents. You’re always going to be. Apollo—I don’t know him. I don’t care. Charlie and Audrey, they’re my sisters, like mom said. You’re the only family I have, nothing changed how I see things. She’ll… she’ll see that, too. I know it. This, this is our family. Weird and all.”

Kim laughs. “Well, duh.”

“Exactly,” Ron agrees, but Rachel still gets up and goes around to hug both of her parents. Still thinking about the future and the past simultaneously.

Next stop, Illedale University.

For her family.

[upismediacenter]

UP Cherubim and Seraphim shines in summer concert “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing”

The UP Cherubim and Seraphim lit up the IBG-KAL Theater in their concert titled “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” last May 11, 2024.

The UP Cherubim and Seraphim (UPCS), which was founded on September 21, 1971, is the official children’s choir of the University of the Philippines. According to its Director Emeritus Dr. Elena Mirano, former dean and Professor Emeritus of the College of Arts and Letters, “tonight is the culmination of a whole year that marks the coming together face to face, after four years, of our current group, who sang together virtually from their own homes throughout the pandemic, and during that time produced three concerts online.” The last solo in-person concert of the group, “Come Alive,” was held on March 7, 2020.

UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez gave the opening remarks for the concert. “I’m very excited to be here to watch the Cherubim and Seraphim of the University of the Philippines, whom I’ve known since I was a freshman in UP back in ‘83.” He shared a few anecdotes of his experience growing up in the Manobo tribe surrounded by music, and how he enjoyed engaging with both the folk and contemporary music of his time.

“And I am very happy that our children—our kids, our young people, are singing today. Because I think that many of you in UP know my interest in the arts and culture,” Jimenez adds. “I truly believe that it is not a great idea that will move people. To move people, we have to have emotion, and emotion has to be driven by higher feelings. At least, it can help us move towards our dream, which should be, as a university, aligned with the nation’s deepest emotions, our people’s highest aspirations.”

After President Jimenez, Dr. Mirano also gave her own remarks, where she gave a brief preview of the flow of the program which she described as “serious, modern, and fun.”

The first part of the concert included classics from European repertoire. The first four songs were from John Rutter’s “Dancing Day,” a series of Christmas carols from the Middle Ages. They also performed Felix Mendelssohn’s “Laudate Pueri,” a song of praise written in Latin.

The second part comprised contemporary Filipino repertoire, and all songs in this section were written by composers from the UP College of Music. This segment opened with “Sa Dakong Sikatan” by Eudenice Palaruan, then three songs written by National Artist for Music Ramon Santos were also performed: “Dal’wang Sawikaing Pilipino,” “Handog sa Ina,” and “Batang Magalang.”

The third part of the concert featured more recent and popular songs—all with choreography. The last section began with “Top of the World,” originally sung by Shawn Mendes as part of the soundtrack of the movie “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,” and continued with “Don’t You Worry ‘bout A Thing” by Stevie Wonder, the concert’s title song. “You Will Be Found” from the musical Dear Evan Hansen, a song that was part of the repertoire in “Come Alive,” was also in this concert’s lineup. “Permission to Dance” by BTS brought out the K-Pop energy in the theater, and the choir closed out the concert by singing “Joyful, Joyful” from the movie Sister Act 2.

During the third part, the audience brought out white and purple lightsticks dubbed as “Cherubongs,” a mashup of “Cherubim” and the Korean colloquial suffix -bong, meaning “stick.”

Also in attendance at the concert were UP officials Vice President for Public Affairs Rolando Tolentino, Chancellor Carlo Vistan, Dean Jimmuel Naval of the College of Arts and Letters, Dean Jerome Buenviaje of the College of Education, Dean Pat Silvestre of the College of Music; and Mr. Ignacio Gimenez, the sponsor for whom the IBG-KAL Theater was named after. UPIS faculty members Assistant Principal for Academic Programs Dian Caluag, CA-EMA and SSH Cluster Head Cathy Atordido, and Ms. Kat Loyola were also present in the audience.

Behind this production were the UPCS music staff: Director Emeritus Elena Mirano, Associate Director Liya Dioquino, pianists Michelle Nicolasora and Samuel Silvestre, guitarist Luisa Dioquino, bassist Sage Ilagan, drummer Robin Rivera, choreographers Becca Silvestre and Sophia Maunahan, and program cover artist Hubert Fucio.

All in all, the concert ran for about two hours and ended with a repeat performance of “Don't You Worry ‘bout A Thing” as the encore.

To find out more about the UPCS, you may visit their Facebook page (U.P. Cherubim & Seraphim), Instagram account (@up_cherubs), and their website upcherubim.org.

//by Rache Bueno

[fmmagalih941]

Sager: “Comprometemos esfuerzos, ideas y proyectos para hacer de la agroindustria una política de Estado y una realidad en el Chaco” “La crisis nos ha generado una oportunidad, la de fortalecer nuestras cadenas de valor mediante el fomento de la exportación y la generación de empleo”, destacó el presidente del Poder Legislativo, Hugo Sager luego de participar este viernes del lanzamiento de la Ventanilla Única, encabezado por el gobernador Jorge Capitanich. Se trata de una herramienta que unificará toda la oferta de programas y financiamiento del Gobierno provincial para empresas agroindustriales. Vía teleconferencia, la presidenta de la Comisión de Industria, Comercio y Defensa del Consumidor, Transporte y Comunicaciones, Liliana Spoljaric acompañó al titular del parlamento chaqueño en la presentación de la plataforma, que tuvo lugar en el Salón Obligado de Casa de Gobierno. También estuvo presente de forma virtual el ministro de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca de la Nación, Luis Basterra, y el vocero del Consejo Agroindustrial Argentino (CAA) y presidente de la Bolsa de Cereales de Buenos Aires, José Martins. En forma presencial participaron de la presentación la vicegobernadora Analía Rach Quiroga, el ministro de Producción, Industria y Empleo, Sebastián Lifton, y funcionarios de esa cartera. “Estamos ante la puesta en marcha de una nueva etapa que comienza tanto en el Chaco como en la Argentina, en la que buscamos fortalecer la incorporación de valor a las cadenas productivas de nuestra provincia”, destacó Sager. En ese sentido, subrayó: “Nuestro proyecto político encabezado por Jorge Capitanich sostuvo siempre que podemos constituirnos en proveedores de alimentos, no sólo para todo el Chaco sino también para la región y el mundo. Por ello, debe ser una política de Estado el concepto de agroindustria”. http://magalihfm.com.ar/articulo.php?articulo=1687 (en FM Maga-Lih 94.1) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDrNT60F108/?igshid=16i4uynaucsgb

[imagenprimero]

Capitanich inició su tercer mandato: “Nuestra vida está hecha de regresos, acá estamos nuevamente para servir”

Capitanich inició su tercer mandato: “Nuestra vida está hecha de regresos, acá estamos nuevamente para servir”

El gobernador y la vicegobernadora Analía Rach Quiroga tomaron juramento a ministros y secretarios, y homenajearon a ex gobernadores constitucionales de la provincia. Capitanich anunció que desde este viernes viajará a Buenos Aires para gestionar las soluciones más urgentes que los chaqueños y las chaqueñas necesitan._

Jorge Milton Capitanich asumió como Gobernador ante el pueblo chaqueño este…

[mik-e-kim]

8/27/17 what’s bueno.

Hello! 

Flying longer than 5 hours is the worst. I was super nauseous for like the 7 final hours of the  flight. I just had to keep reminding myself that it’s basically a miracle that I’m traveling 600 miles per hour, through the air, above the clouds so I have pretty much nothing to be upset about. 

Emotions about leaving home kept hitting me in waves every couple hours and I would find myself praying super hard that the Lord would have his way in everything at home and he would be faithful to continue working in me while I’m in Korea. After I got off the plane I hustled to the immigration line and I was almost at the front when I realized I didn’t fill out one of those mandatory arrival cards. I didn’t know the address of the school, and I had no service so I couldn’t find out where it was, so I was going around asking workers for help in super broken Korean to no avail. Eventually, I got to a part of the airport where I had enough signal to get on the school website after like 4 solid minutes of loading. I had to hop back in at the back of the line and wait an annoyingly long time knowing that I was at the front just a few minutes back. When I went to get my bags I kept circling the carousel and rechecking the video board to make sure I was at the right one and then after a literal 30 minutes I realized someone had taken them off and they were just on the floor next to where I had walked past like 10 times?? For some reason my immediate reaction was oh no someone probably planted a bomb in there, but yeah, the only thing that was bomb was that yung gimbap from the convenience store boiiiiiiiii~~~. 

My initial impressions of my coworkers are pretty positive. They are super fun, friendly, helpful, and seem to genuinely care about the new teachers coming in... but I absolutely definitely need prayer for wisdom in how much I participate in their activities to build relationship, and also where to draw that line and not compromise my values as a follower of Christ. Anyways, today was a pretty good second day. It was really excellent seeing Rach. We went to the biggest museum I’ve ever seen in my entire life and we ate chicken sandwiches called Mom’s touch LOL. Praying that we come out of this experience more thoroughly refined by the fire of God in our walks with Him as well as each other. I THINK I’m gonna start opening up this blog for more and more people to see and read and pray for me because yo I am in desperate need for Jesus every moment. 

- Mikeezy 

[haitilegends]

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE DANY LAFERRIÈRE. ÉCRIVAIN ET SCÉNARISTE HAÏTIEN. ÉLU À L'ACADÉMIE FRANÇAISE LE 12 DÉCEMBRE 2013. Né à Port-au-Prince en 1953 d’un père intellectuel et homme politique, Windsor Klébert Laferrière, et d’une mère archiviste à la mairie de Port-au-Prince, Marie Nelson, Windsor Klébert, qui deviendra Dany, passa son enfance avec sa grand-mère, Da, à Petit-Goâve, dans cet univers dominé par les libellules, les papillons, les fourmis, les montagnes bleues, la mer turquoise de la Caraïbe et l’amour fou pour Vava. Ces épisodes heureux sont relatés dans deux de ses romans : L’Odeur du café et Le Charme des après-midi sans fin. À la fin de ses études secondaires au collège Canado-Haïtien, Dany Laferrière commence à travailler à l’âge de dix-neuf ans à Radio Haïti Inter, et à l’hebdomadaire politico-culturel Le Petit Samedi soir. Il signait, à la même époque, de brefs portraits de peintres dans leur atelier pour le quotidien Le Nouvelliste. À la suite de l’assassinat de son ami Gasner Raymond, trouvé sur la plage de Braches, à Léogâne, le 1er juin 1976, il quitte précipitamment Port-au-Prince pour Montréal. Cet évènement sera raconté dans son roman Le Cri des oiseaux fous. Il débarque dans une ville en pleine effervescence des Jeux olympiques et à la veille des élections historiques qui amèneront l’équipe de René Lévesque au pouvoir pour changer à jamais le paysage politique du Québec. Seul, il observe cette ville nouvelle, et s’acclimate difficilement à l’hiver, parcourant le quartier latin fourmillant d’artistes où il dépose ses pénates. C’est un homme libre de vingt-trois ans qui s’engage dans une nouvelle vie tout en luttant pour échapper à la nostalgie, à la solitude et à la misère. Pendant huit ans, il enchaîne les emplois précaires, parfois dans des usines en banlieue de Montréal, logeant dans des chambres « crasseuses et lumineuses » sans cesser de caresser un vieux rêve d’écrivain. Il se procure chez un brocanteur de la rue Saint-Denis cette fameuse machine à écrire Remington 22, qui l’accompagnera pendant une dizaine de romans. Le voilà installé dans sa baignoire « rose » avec du mauvais vin pour lire tous ces écrivains qu’il ne pouvait se payer à Port-au-Prince : Hemingway, Miller, Diderot, Tanizaki, Gombrowicz, Borges, Marie Chauvet, Bukowski, Boulgakov, Baldwin, Cendrars, Mishima, Marquez, Vargas Llosa, Salinger, Grass, Calvino, Roumain, Ducharme, Virginia Woolf... Il deviendra le lecteur passionné, « l’homme-livre » que l’on connaît. Paraît, en 1985, le roman Comment faire l’amour avec un nègre sans se fatiguer, qui explose dans le ciel littéraire du Québec. À la suite du succès éclatant de son premier roman, la nouvelle télévision Quatre Saisons l’embauche en 1986 pour présenter la météo. Le Québec reçoit le choc d’un Noir annonçant la neige et les angoissantes blancheurs de février, tout cela avec légèreté et humour. Un nouveau personnage est né dans le paysage télévisuel. Ce qui l’amènera à la fameuse émission de Radio-Canada, La Bande des six, qui réunit six des meilleurs chroniqueurs de la presse québécoise. 1986, c’est aussi la mort de Jorge Luis Borges, ce vieux maître aveugle de Buenos Aires qu’il ne cessera jamais de lire. 1986, c’est surtout la fin de la dictature des Duvalier et un premier bref retour en Haïti. Avec son ami, l’écrivain Jean-Claude Charles, il parcourt le pays tout en tenant une chronique quotidienne pour Le Nouvelliste sur la débâcle des tontons macoutes et la fin du régime des Duvalier. 1989, la sortie du film tiré de son premier roman, Comment faire l’amour avec un nègre sans se fatiguer, lui permet de se familiariser avec le cinéma. Le film provoque un scandale aux États-Unis où la plupart des grands médias l’ont censuré. Le cinéma influence grandement son écriture (Le Goût des jeunes filles). C’est l’époque où il fréquente le petit cinéma « Le Ouimetoscope », découvrant un cinéma d’auteur qui imprègnera son œuvre. En 1990, il quitte Montréal avec sa famille pour Miami, afin d’échapper à l’hiver mais surtout à cette célébrité bruyante qui n’était pas compatible avec le silence intérieur qu’exige le travail d’écrivain. Il écrit paisiblement à Kendall dix romans en douze ans, des livres qui forment l’ossature de son œuvre, dont le fameux cycle haïtien : L’Odeur du café, Le Goût des jeunes filles, Le Charme des après-midi sans fin, La Chair du maître, Le Cri des oiseaux fous, Pays sans chapeau… Miami, c’est l’époque studieuse où l’auteur travaille sans relâche, pas loin d’un petit lac dont il fait le tour chaque matin en ruminant les descriptions et les dialogues à écrire. Printemps 1999, le Québec est le pays à l’honneur au Salon du livre de Paris. Invités de l’émission Bouillon de culture, de Bernard Pivot, avec Robert Lalonde et Gaétan Soucy, les trois écrivains québécois se distinguent ce soir-là. Dany Laferrière va jusqu’à souhaiter que l’on puisse remettre un jour le prix Nobel au Québec pour l’originalité de sa littérature. Retour à Montréal après la sortie du Cri des oiseaux fous, son dixième roman, et fin de l’épisode de Miami. Après une quinzaine d’années de travail acharné, Laferrière décide de cesser d’écrire de nouveaux récits pour prendre le temps de « revisiter » ses précédents romans. Il réécrit six romans, ajoutant de nouveaux chapitres, jusqu’à faire surgir une œuvre plus dense. Le procédé de réécriture à la manière Laferrière étonne considérablement la critique et encore davantage les universitaires. Il redessine lui-même son œuvre, aménageant des passerelles entre les romans jusqu’à découvrir qu’il s’agit en fait d’un seul livre : une Autobiographie américaine. Cette Autobiographie américaine permet de lier les deux cycles, le cycle nord-américain, composé de romans urbains, agressifs, et le cycle haïtien, plus calme et empreint de la tendresse de Da, sauf lorsque l’action se déroule dans l’atmosphère de la dictature. Pendant longtemps, les critiques évoquent une autobiographie en dix romans. Il s’agit, selon Laferrière, d’un ensemble comprenant récits, romans et essais, qui forme aujourd’hui un corpus de vingt-deux ouvrages. Après avoir scénarisé Comment faire l’amour avec un nègre sans se fatiguer, Le Goût des jeunes filles et participé activement à l’élaboration de Vers le sud, de Laurent Cantet, avec Charlotte Rampling, Laferrière scénarise et réalise son premier film Comment conquérir l’Amérique en une nuit. Il retrouve sur le plateau son vieux complice Maka Kotto dans ce film qui raconte une histoire pas trop éloignée de celle de cet enfant d’Haïti. Une narration où deux hommes échangent leurs expériences. L’oncle, qui vit depuis vingt ans à Montréal, décide de rentrer tandis que son jeune neveu arrive à Montréal pour y rester. On dirait deux paquebots se croisant dans la nuit sans se voir. Les critiques y ont pourtant vu un seul et même personnage : l’auteur n’a fait que mettre en scène deux périodes de sa vie. En novembre 2009, Laferrière fait une rentrée remarquée avec L’Énigme du retour, qui a un vif succès au Québec avant de recevoir le prix Médicis. De nombreux prix suivront, dont le Grand Prix du livre de Montréal, le prix des libraires du Québec, le Combat des livres de Radio-Canada. Janvier 2010, Laferrière se trouve à Port-au-Prince quand le séisme frappe le pays. Il note sur son carnet noir ses observations de manière si spontanée que les lecteurs auront l’impression de vivre l’évènement en direct. Tandis que la télévision montre les immeubles effondrés et compte les morts, Laferrière raconte la vie quotidienne dans une ville complètement brisée et les tentatives désespérées des gens pour garder une certaine dignité dans le malheur. La littérature, en s’éloignant du scandale, nous fait pénétrer dans l’intimité de la catastrophe. Il publie en 2011, L’Art presque perdu de ne rien faire, qui rassemble ses chroniques sur Radio-Canada. Cet essai remporte un étonnant succès critique et de librairie. Deux ans plus tard, en février 2013, il récidive avec Journal d’un écrivain en pyjama. Dans cet essai, Laferrière fait l’éloge de ses deux passions : l’écriture et la lecture, en deux cent deux chroniques sur des sujets aussi divers que la place de l’adjectif dans la phrase ou le plagiat dans les mœurs de la littérature. Ce livre intéressera l’écrivain en herbe comme le lecteur passionné. Il préside du 1er au 8 mai 2013 les Rencontres québécoises en Haïti, évènement qui rassemble une cinquantaine d’auteurs et de professionnels du livre haïtiens et québécois. Prix international de littérature décerné par la Maison des cultures du monde, pour L’Énigme du retour, en 2014. Grand Prix Ludger-Duvernay, en 2015. En 2016, docteur honoris causa de Midlebury College (USA) et des universités Paris-Sorbonne et Pierre et Marie Curie. Officier de l'ordre national du Québec (2014), citoyen d'honneur de la ville de Montréal (2014), officier de l'ordre du Canada (2015), compagnon des Arts et des Lettres du Québec (2015). Élu à l’Académie française, le 12 décembre 2013, au fauteuil d’Hector Bianciotti (2e fauteuil) Œuvres Certains ouvrages sont édités chez Grasset : Le goût des jeunes filles (2005), Je suis un écrivain japonais (2008), L’énigme du retour (2009), Chronique de la dérive douce (2012), Journal d’un écrivain en pyjama (2013). 1985 Comment faire l’amour avec un nègre sans se fatiguer (VLB Éditeur) 1985 Haïti (Québec) - scénario; réalisation Tahami Rached 1987 Éroshima (VLB Éditeur) 1991 L’Odeur du café (VLB Éditeur) 1992 Le Goût des jeunes filles (VLB Éditeur) 1993 Cette grenade dans la main du jeune nègre est-elle une arme ou un fruit ? (VLB Éditeur) 1994 Chronique de la dérive douce (VLB Éditeur) 1996 Pays sans chapeau (Lanctôt Éditeur) 1997 La Chair du maître (Lanctôt Éditeur) 1997 Le Charme des après-midi sans fin (Lanctôt Éditeur) 2000 J'écris comme je vis - entretien avec Bernard Magnier (Lanctôt Éditeur) 2000 Je suis fatigué (Lanctôt Éditeur) 2000 Le Cri des oiseaux fous (Lanctôt Éditeur) 2004 Comment conquérir l’Amérique en une nuit - réalisation et scénario 2005 Les Années 80 dans ma vieille Ford 2006 Je suis fou de Vava - illustrations de Frédéric Normandin (Éditions de la Bagnole) 2006 Vers le sud (Boréal) 2008 Je suis un écrivain japonais (Boréal) 2009 La Fête des morts - illustrations de Frédéric Normandin (Éditions de la Bagnole) 2009 L’Énigme du retour (Boréal) 2010 Conversations avec Dany Laferrière - interviews de Ghila Sroka (La Parole métèque) 2010 Tout bouge autour de moi 2011 L’Art presque perdu de ne rien faire (Boréal) 2013 Journal d’un écrivain en pyjama 2014 L'art presque perdu de ne rien faire (Grasset) 2015 Tout ce qu’on ne te dira pas Mongo (Boréal) 2015 Dany Laferrière à l’Académie française (Boréal) 2016 Mythologies américaines (Grasset) #HUGO #DANYLAFERRIÈRE

[likethetailofacomet]

Ah! Rach, what a response!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!

One of the reasons why I love ES as much as I do is the variety of the characters and all thier different traits and flaws. I’m stoked to explore them and interpret them in this way.

It’s killing me to have Jake just barely dangling here but it’s a dangerous world that they’re in and sometimes people get hurt. He’s in really really excellent hands between Michelle’s literal lifesaving skills, and Kara’s soul level lifesaving love. It’s new but it’s real and it gives them something to keep going for. Kara is terrified as this is happening and Jake is trying his best to hold it together for her even through his pain.

They both think very similarly, that’s for sure. They are both well equipped for this world. Doesn’t mean it’s gonna be easy but they think the way they need to to adapt and survive. Trying to deny thier feelings was just something they were trying to do to survive, but it turned out that what they needed was to give in to it.

The traffickers are definitely no bueno and will be back. Sorry.

Michelle is the realest mvp. She’s my hero in this series. Glad she kept you calm along with Jake.

Thank you so so much for reading, love!! Glad to have you along on this wild journey.

The End Is Here- Chapter 1: Not Again

AN ENDLESS SUMMER ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE AU

This all started when @zaffrenotes sent me a prompt asking how Jake and Kara would meet in a zombie apocalypse au. So, thanks, D! Because now I’m obsessed with sweaty, bloody, dirty end of the world Jake and Kara. Ah, true love. 

Warning: there will be violence, blood, death, and adult relations in this series. 

tunes: No Light, No Light - Florence and the Machine 

(happy to be debuting this mess for @brightpinkpeppercorn and @mysteli ES APPRECIATION WEEK!) 

TAGGING: @zaffrenotes @ooo-barff-ooo @sleepwalkingelite @brightpinkpeppercorn @endlessly-searching-for-you @mind-reader1 @agent-bossypants @endlesstaylormckenzie @endlesshero1122 @akrenich @jovialyouthmusic @mysteli @feartheendlesssummer @sophie-summer @beccasbadchoices @indiacater @nekkidmolerat @gardeningourmet @cordoniantrash @endlessmayhem-xo @choices-is-life @choiceslife @simmerbychoices this will be an ongoing series, so let me know if you’d like to join the fray! 

It was happening. What she told herself that she’d avoid at all costs was happening again. Losing Garrett had been hard. They’d just begun to explore what their relationship could be. They’d just started feeling out the words “I love you”, tasting them on their tongues. They’d just started patching each other into their lives- sharing stories and secrets and pet peeves and interests, meeting friends and family and co-workers, moving a tooth brush into the other’s place. He’d saved her life, and he’d paid for it with his own, and it weighed on Kara with every breath she took. Make your breaths worth his life, she’d say to herself. It was the only thing that kept her putting one foot in front of the other without tripping over the guilt of surviving. It had been hard to lose him, but she had found a way to keep going.

Losing April had been nearly impossible. Her sister had always been her hero. She was taller and smarter and kinder and cooler. She was more athletic, more adventurous. April was braver and more selfless and Kara had always wanted to be just like her, had always looked up to her for those things. So when she joined the army it seemed only fitting that she’d get to become the hero she’d always been. She was on the front lines during The Incident, when R & P Corp. unleashed their weapon, ChemiCrys, and it had backfired tremendously, launching them into the world that they now knew. April’s unit had been stationed in New York for weeks already, and when The Incident occurred, they’d been sitting ducks. She’d been attacked, bitten, and a fellow soldier had had to make the agonizing call to take care of it. Kara had received April’s tags along with a brief letter from the man who’d saved her sister from becoming one of those things- a Private Kenji Katsaros. April had mentioned him before, and Kara thought that maybe there was something between them. She found herself hoping that there was; that April’s last minutes had at least been spent with someone that she loved, that loved her, that was willing to do for her what Kara didn’t know if she could bring herself to do. Losing April was crushing for Kara, and as the ChemiCrys crisis began to exponentially spread out of control, she told herself that she’d never get close to anyone else. Not like she’d been with her sister or Garrett. She couldn’t lose another person to what the world had become- it was bad enough that she still had Diego to worry about, that she still had him to lose. She wouldn’t let anyone else matter that much to her. She refused.

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