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astrognossienne · 2 years ago

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scandalous icon: david bowie - an analysis

“I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human.” - David Bowie

Spoken like a person with such power-hungry and ambitious signs such as a Capricorn sun and Leo moon. He was the self-described “tasteful thief” who appropriated from and influenced glam rock, soul, disco, new wave, punk rock and haute couture, and whose edgy alter egos invited fans to explore their own dark places. He was a person of relentless movement. He was an innovative, visionary, restless artist. His theatrical flare, creativity, sexual ambiguity, and incredible music kept the public endlessly interested. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest artists in history. As of 2022, he was the best-selling vinyl artist of the 21st century. With his sylphlike body, chalk-white skin, jagged teeth and eyes that appeared to be two different colors, Mr. Bowie combined sexual energy with fluid dance moves and a theatrical charisma that mesmerized male and female admirers alike. He was complex, an explorer of human impulses that could not be quantified. He was the infinitely changeable, fiercely forward-looking songwriter who taught generations of musicians about the power of reinvention. Throughout his career, he reinvented not just his sound but his persona over and over again; his best known persona was the flamboyant, androgynous, orange-haired glam rock alien alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

Beginning life as a dissident folk-rock spaceman, his ascent was measured rather than rapid, but once his album Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars got their claws into the British rock scene, he soared like a supernova, going on to sell over 150 million albums, receive countless accolades, and become a beacon of light for those embracing their sexuality (not least of all those in the LGBT community). He went on to embrace other personas after the demise of the band: a well-dressed, blue-eyed soul singer, a Nazi and fascist-influenced European (the Thin White Duke), a drug-loving art rocker (the Berlin trilogy), a new-wave hit-maker, a hard rocker, a techno enthusiast and a jazz impressionist. His ever-changing, outrageous personae served to mask the painful shyness and insecurity of his younger years. His flair for theatricality won him a legion of fans. His fickleness cost him relationships, friendships and professional partnerships, could be jarring. Members of the Spiders From Mars, his band during his glitter-rock Ziggy Stardust years, learned that they were being fired when he announced it onstage at the end of a 1973 tour. Through it all, David Bowie has definitely always been his own special creation. And it all began for him so long ago when he was just a kid in South London, where he began the journey that, by dint of his genius, his persistence, and his sheer hard work, would transform him into a global icon whose name, image, music, and artistry would endure forever.

David Bowie, according to astrotheme, was a Capricorn sun and Leo moon. He was born David Robert Jones in South London, Brixton, England. His father, Haywood Stenton Jones, belonged to a well-off family who were partners in the Public Benefit Boot Company; his mother, Margaret Mary "Peggy" Jones worked as a waitress at a cinema. The mother of three illegitimate children (including David) at a time when a girl could have been ostracized by society for having even one, Peggy was never afraid to dance to a different drummer. The only child his parents had together, David was born left-handed, which in 1950s England was considered a disgrace, an aberration that had to be corrected at all costs. His schoolmates yelled that he was “the devil,” simply because he wrote with his left hand. Worse still, “the teacher used to smack my hand to try and make me right-handed,” he said. He showed an interest in music from an early age and began playing the saxophone at age 13. He was greatly influenced by his half-brother Terry, who was nine years older and exposed the young Jones to the worlds of rock music and beat literature. Terry was diagnosed with schizophrenia and institutionalized when David was a young man. David suffered another blow, this one quite literal, in a teenage brawl over a girl that caused his left pupil to be permanently dilated.

He attended a high school that would prepare him for a career as a commercial artist. After a few lessons on a plastic saxophone purchased on a payment plan, he began playing in local bands, finding that he liked singing and the female adulation that came with it. To avoid confusion with Davy Jones of the Monkees, he renamed himself after 19th-century American frontiersman Jim Bowie and the hunting knife associated with him. Fascinated by musical theater, David joined a mime troupe led by the dancer (and, briefly, his lover) Lindsay Kemp. By 20, he had spent time at a Buddhist monastery in Scotland and dabbled in theatrical troupes. Bowie met Angela Barnett in April 1969. They married within a year. Her impact on him was immediate, and her involvement in his career far-reaching. With 1969’s Space Oddity, whose dramatic title track told the story of ill-fated astronaut Major Tom, he had a hit. On the following year’s The Man Who Sold the World, he experimented with psychedelia, and in 1971, he fused pop-rock with art pretense and experimentalism with Hunky Dory, his first significant album. Angela and David had a son born during the recording of Hunky Dory, Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones.

After a period of experimentation, he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The character was spearheaded by the success of Bowie's single "Starman" and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which won him widespread popularity. In 1975, Bowie's style shifted towards a sound he characterized as "plastic soul", initially alienating many of his UK fans but garnering him his first major US crossover success with the number-one single "Fame" and the album Young Americans. Extensive cocaine use made him jittery and paranoid, even as it enabled him to be creatively prolific. In 1976, Bowie starred in the cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth and released Station to Station. Seeking calm and anonymity, Bowie spent much of the late 1970s in West Berlin, where he again changed direction with the electronic-inflected album Low, the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno that came to be known as the "Berlin Trilogy". "Heroes" (1977) and Lodger (1979) followed; each album reached the UK top five and received lasting critical praise. These experimentations with ambient sound presaged the synthesizer-heavy music of the 1980s.

After nine years of marriage, Angie and David Bowie separated, and they divorced on February 8, 1980 in Switzerland. In the divorce settlement, she received £500,000, paid in installments, and a 10-year gagging clause. Not wanting to fight over custody, she left their son with David. Returning to live in New York City, Bowie began expanding his range as an actor. He played the lead in a stage production of "The Elephant Man", for which he received critical praise. Bowie regularly released albums through the 1980s and 1990s, although none approached the success of his previous output. He fell in love with Somalian supermodel Iman Abdulmajid, whom he married in 1992 and with whom he had a daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, in 2000. After suffering a heart attack backstage during a tour in 2004, he stopped producing albums or touring for nearly a decade, devoting himself to family life. In 2013, Bowie returned from a decade-long recording hiatus with The Next Day. He remained musically active until his death from liver cancer at his home in New York City. He died two days after both his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).

This is a special birthday analysis for David Bowie. Happy birthday, you Capricorn god.

Stats

birthdate: January 8, 1947

major planets:

Sun: Capricorn

Moon: Leo

Rising: Aquarius

Mercury: Capricorn

Venus: Sagittarius

Mars: Capricorn

Midheaven: Sagittarius

Jupiter: Scorpio

Saturn: Leo

Uranus: Gemini

Neptune: Libra

Pluto: Leo

Overall personality snapshot: Deeply serious yet poetically playful, he may have been torn between the self-imposed responsibilities of his career and social ambitions, and his desire to make a splash and have fun. Both proud and humble, at times he couldn’t decide whether he was the greatest or the most inadequate person he knew. When he got his industrious and playful elements working together, however, the world had better watch out, for in his own steady yet compelling way he could be the embodiment of purposeful ambition. No matter what his job was, he was a born professional. With expertly designed flair, he wanted to shine for himself and to achieve for the world. His reputation mattered a lot to him, and when he knows he has earned his praise he savours it like nobody else. He didn’t really mean to be a snob, but he had a way of nonchalantly lording it over people. This is because his belief in herself and in what he felt he must do was so intense. As a man born with this combination he found his way to the top of his chosen mountain. His was a pairing of sunny high-summer and serious mid-winter, an adventurous, gutsy mix of tough-willed, dedicated service carried out with zest and pizzazz.

He had the charisma of a star yet he worked dutifully behind the scenes, laying the foundations and preparing the party. Then on the day, he made the perfect host or hostess, carrying out his duties with total self-possession and real style. An air of authority and immense professionalism surrounded all his endeavours. He would do whatever was necessary, no matter how hard, to produce a polished performance and a superb result. With a strong social conscience, a real sense of noblesse oblige and a desire to make the world a better place, he was drawn to politics or fund-raising; good works and charities flourished on his enthusiasm and dedication. Whatever he did, he was likely to end up being put in charge, which was just as well, for subordinate positions were not really his scene. At times when the sun was shining he may have protested at having work piled upon him, yet let anyone deprive him of his load and he would feel not only hurt but somehow lost and guilty. Not all his work was totally altruistic. There could be something of the gold-digger in him, constantly alert for opportunities, yet he didn’t expect any free lunches, even if he did enjoy getting the best for the least. He was someone who, to quote her fellow Capricorn/Leo, Jack London, ‘will settle for good pay, good grub and hard work rather than poor pay, poor grub and easy work’. He had pride and confidence in his own achievements and, yes, he thought he could try harder, but in the end, he didn't do so badly, really, did he?

He was tall and slim with good bone structure and clear, open and refined features. His eyes were extraordinary, helping to give him an electric or magnetic aura. His distinguishing feature was his hair, which was always chicly styled, whether long or short. His thought processes were methodical and on the conservative side. He was ambitious and shrewd, serious, practical and prudent, although he could also be narrow-minded, lacking in humour and too concerned with material status. His mind was rational, cool and calculating, and his memory and logic were very good. The Sagittarian qualities that he brought to his career were those of vision, energy, enthusiasm and an ability to organize others. He needed recognition, room to maneuver and a fair degree of authority. He sought meaning and fulfillment in his life through career status and recognition. When dealing with colleagues, he could place strong demands on them. He had boundless enthusiasm and big ideas coupled with high expectations of succeeding. He was also self-sufficient and broad-minded. His genuine pioneering spirit, positive outlook and large-scale personal ambitions led him right to the top. When dealing with colleagues, he could place strong demands on them. He could be an intensely emotional person with extremely strong physical desires. He tended to see himself as a desirable person to the opposite sex. He needed to be loved, but he could also be extremely suspicious of other people and their motives. He acted very cautiously until he was sure of situations and how other people felt. His perseverance was strong, but he needed to learn moderation and not to over-rate his abilities or capacity for doing things. He was interested in foreign names and places, and by anything mysterious.He was a reliable and loyal person. His will and sense of honour were strong and he was a great organizer. On the downside, his self-assuredness could become dogmatism and imperiousness. Conservatism may have affected his creativity, artistic values and love affairs. This expressed itself as self-imposed restrictions or as selfishness. He often felt inadequate, which created an insidious form of oppression over all his forms of expression. He could also take herself so seriously, that people think that he was older than his years.

He was part of a generation that was strongly interested in humanitarian ideals, new avenues of communication and progress in mechanical skills. As a member of this generation, he was able to bring original ideas to both his career and spare-time interests. Crises in thought and ideology arose because he looked beyond tradition and old attitudes towards new original and inventive ways of looking at things, such as music and sexuality. His active mind tended to need constant stimulation and his tastes could be quite fickle and difficult to satisfy. He belonged to a time of peace-loving idealism when the family unit and the way relationships were managed underwent great changes. He could be too idealistic and a little unrealistic when it came to matters of love, sex and romance. As a member of this generation, he needed to be motivated to make the most of his potential, because the line of least resistance appeared very attractive, especially when it involved pleasure-seeking. He embodied the Libra Neptune generation in the sense that he was a huge part of a time when beauty reappeared in fashion. He was part of a generation which was highlighted by the clash between authoritarianism and individualism. As a member of the Leo Plutonian generation, he wanted freedom in his relationships and demanded the loyalty of his friends as a right. As a member of this generation, he wanted power over his own life and was prepared to challenge established structures. He didn’t feel comfortable being dictated to, unless he in some way agreed to it beforehand. He was a part of excesses of the sixties and seventies. He was part of a generation that brought about a revolution in forms of entertainment, recreational activities and leisure time, as well as attitudes towards children. David’s sexual adventures—some partly cocaine-fueled, all ignited by his unbridled appetites and his propensity to cast a wide net, coupled with his unlimited opportunities—typified his generation’s newfound ability to live out their wildness.

Love/sex life: He was the most impulsive lover of this type and the one most likely to forget practicality and follow his instincts. This spontaneity, when combined with his strong physical drives, made him a tremendously exciting, adventurous and unpredictable sex partner. It also got him into more than his share of trouble. But acting in haste and repenting in leisure was not a problem for him. Like all Mars in Capricorn lovers, he rather liked repenting. What was lacking in his sexual nature was subtlety. He pursued his desire with such directness and determination that he could appear inconsiderate and crude and he didn’t control his relationships as much as he bullied people into seeing things his way. The good new is that he was so affectionate and generous a lover that he was easily forgiven his sins. The bad news is that this quick forgiveness only made him more likely to commit the same offense again and again (more on this in my David Bowie sexuality post on my members-only website).

minor asteroids and points:

North Node: Gemini

Lilith: Capricorn

Vertex: Virgo

Fortune: Leo

East Point: Aquarius

His North Node in Gemini dictated that he needed to prevent his idealism from influencing his thoughts to such a high degree. He needed to consciously develop a more clear-minded and analytical approach involving his thought processes. His Lilith in Capricorn ensured that he was dangerously attracted to women who had a scrappy plucky attitude hot-wired into their psyche. He liked a woman who needed to be in control and to be mistress of her own destiny, because her life was in the control of not-so-well-meaning others as a child. Her Vertex in Virgo, 7th house dictated that he wanted a union which would take one to ultimate salvation or spiritual initiation, based on a shared ideal of dedication and service. There was a fantasy of joining with someone who had unique psychic and/or healing powers and the focus is on the practical work which will make everything all right. He was always in a partnership of one kind or another (if only in his head), desperately seeking one, or decided that it wasn’t worth the risk since his expectations would never be met. There was a sense that he wasn’t really complete unless he was intimately involved with someone. On some levels there was an irrational fear of ending up alone. The dark side was that he could get highly self-righteous about acceptable modes of behaviour in interacting with others and thereby alienate the very people he longed for. His parental role model was less than secure in his subconscious perceptions, though it may have seemed fine on an external level.

His Part of Fortune in Leo and Part of Spirit in Aquarius dictated that his destiny led him to a prominent position in life as a leader of some sort. Fame and prestige brought him success and material rewards. Success came to him when he stepped forward into the spotlight. His soul’s purpose asked him to embrace unique and unconventional life experiences. He felt spiritual connections and the spark of the divine when there was a humanitarian benefit to his efforts. East Point in Aquarius dictated that he was more likely to identify with his uniqueness, his individuality and his feelings for justice and fair play. He may have enjoyed shocking others occasionally with unconventional behaviour, designed to prove that all rules can be broken. He may have been very unique and inventive or simply eccentric and strange. He may have been rebellious in a number of areas. He was likely to identify with his mind; he may have been a great rationalizer—able to intellectualize everything.

elemental dominance:

fire

earth

He was dynamic and passionate, with strong leadership ability. He generated enormous warmth and vibrancy. He was exciting to be around, because he was genuinely enthusiastic and usually friendly. However, he could either be harnessed into helpful energy or flame up and cause destruction. Confident and opinionated, he was fond of declarative statements such as “I will do this” or “It’s this way.” When out of control—usually because he was bored, or hadn’t been acknowledged—he was bossy, demanding, and even tyrannical. But at his best, his confidence and vision inspired others to conquer new territory in the world, in society, and in themselves. He was a practical, reliable man and could provide structure and protection. He was oriented toward practical experience and thought in terms of doing rather than thinking, feeling, or imagining. Could be materialistic, unimaginative, and resistant to change. But at his best, he provided the practical resources, analysis, and leadership to make dreams come true.

modality dominance:

fixed

He liked the challenge of managing existing routines with ever more efficiency, rather than starting new enterprises or finding new ways of doing things. He likely had trouble delegating duties and had a very hard time seeing other points of view; he tried to implement the human need to create stability and order in the wake of change.

house dominants:

7th

12th

10th

His attitude towards partnerships with other people was emphasized in hid life, whether on a personal or on a business level. It also revealed his marriage partner. It indicated how he dealt with other people and how his relationships with others affected him. Also had the propensity to attract enemies, and the effect that they had on his life was an issue. He had great interest in the unconscious, and indulged in a lot of hidden and secret affairs. His life was defined by seclusion and escapism. He had a certain mysticism and hidden sensitivity, as well as an intense need for privacy. His ambition in relation to the outside world, the identity he wished to achieve in regard to the community at large, and his career aspirations were all themes that were emphasized throughout his life. All matters outside the home, his public image and reputation were very important to his. His attitude to people in authority, and how he viewed the outside world, as well as the influence of his mother and his own attitude to her was highlighted.

planet dominants:

Venus

Moon

Sun

He was romantic, attractive and valued beauty, had an artistic instinct, and was sociable. He had an easy ability to create close personal relationships, for better or worse, and to form business partnerships. He was defined by his inner world; by his emotional reactions to situations, how emotions flowed through him, motivating and compelling him—or limiting him and holding him back. He held great capacity to become a part of the whole rather than attempting to master the parts. He wanted to become whatever it is that he sought. He had vitality and creativity, as well as a strong ego and was authoritarian and powerful. He likely had strong leadership qualities, he definitely knew who he was, and he had tremendous will. He met challenges and believed in expanding his life.

sign dominants:

Leo

Capricorn

Sagittarius

He loved being the center of attention and often surrounded herself with admirers. He had an innate dramatic sense, and life was definitely his stage. His flamboyance and personal magnetism extended to every facet of her life. He wanted to succeed and make an impact in every situation. As a Leo dominant, he was, at his best, optimistic, honorable, loyal, and ambitious. He was a serious-minded person who often seemed aloof and tightly in control of his emotions and his personal domain. Even as a youngster, there was a mature air about him, as if he was born with a profound core that few outsiders ever see. He was easily impressed by outward signs of success, but was interested less in money than in the power that money represents. He was a true worker—industrious, efficient, and disciplined. His innate common sense gave his the ability to plan ahead and to work out practical ways of approaching goals. More often than not, he succeeded at whatever he set out to do. He possessed a quiet dignity that was unmistakable. He sought the truth, expressed it as he saw it—and didn’t care if anyone else agreed with him. He saw the large picture of any issue and couldn’t be bothered with the mundane details. He was always outspoken and likely couldn’t understand why other people weren’t as candid. After all, what was there to hide?

Read more about him under the cut.

David Bowie was one of the most influential and prolific writers and performers of popular music, but he was much more than that; he was also an accomplished actor, a mime and an intellectual, as well as an art lover whose appreciation and knowledge of it had led to him amassing one of the biggest collections of 20th century art.

Born David Jones, he changed his name to Bowie in the 1960s, to avoid confusion with the then well-known Davy Jones (lead singer of The Monkees). The 1960s were not a happy period for Bowie, who remained a struggling artist, awaiting his breakthrough. He dabbled in many different styles of music (without commercial success), and other art forms such as acting, mime, painting, and play-writing. He finally achieved his commercial breakthrough in 1969 with the song "Space Oddity", which was released at the time of the moon landing. Despite the fact that the literal meaning of the lyrics relates to an astronaut who is lost in space, this song was used by the BBC in their coverage of the moon landing, and this helped it become such a success. The album, which followed "Space Oddity", and the two, which followed (one of which included the song "The Man Who Sold The World", covered by Lulu and Nirvana) failed to produce another hit single, and Bowie's career appeared to be in decline.

However, he made the first of many successful "comebacks" in 1972 with "Ziggy Stardust", a concept album about a space-age rock star. This album was followed by others in a similar vein, rock albums built around a central character and concerned with futuristic themes of Armageddon, gender dysfunction/confusion, as well as more contemporary themes such as the destructiveness of success and fame, and the dangers inherent in star worship. In the mid-1970s, Bowie was a heavy cocaine abuser and sometime heroin user.

In 1975, he changed tack. Musically, he released "Young Americans", a soul (or plastic soul as he later referred to it) album. This produced his first number one hit in the US, "Fame". He also appeared in his first major film, The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976). With a permanently-dilated pupil and skeletal frame, he certainly looked the part of an alien. The following year, he released "Station to Station," containing some of the material he had written for the soundtrack to this film (which was not used). As his drug problem heightened, his behavior became more erratic. Reports of his insanity started to appear, and he continued to waste away physically. He fled back to Europe, finally settling in Berlin, where he changed musical direction again and recorded three of the most influential albums of all time, an electronic trilogy with Brian Eno "Low, Heroes and Lodger". Towards the end of the 1970s, he finally kicked his drug habit, and recorded the album many of his fans consider his best, the Japanese-influenced "Scary Monsters". Around this time, he appeared in the title role of the Broadway drama The Elephant Man, and to considerable acclaim.

The next few years saw something of a drop-off in his musical output as his acting career flourished, culminating in his acclaimed performance in Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983). In 1983, he released "Let's Dance," an album which proved an unexpected massive commercial success, and produced his second #1 hit single in the United States. According to producer Nile Rodgers, the album was made in just 17 days and was "the easiest album" he'd ever made in his life. The tour which followed, "Serious Moonlight", was his most successful ever. Faced with this success on a massive scale, Bowie apparently attempted to "repeat the formula" in the next two albums, with less success (and to critical scorn). Finally, in the late 1980s, he turned his back on commercial success and his solo career, forming the hard rock band, Tin Machine, who had a deliberate limited appeal. By now, his acting career was in decline. After the comparative failure of Labyrinth (1986), the movie industry appears to have decided that Bowie was not a sufficient name to be a lead actor in a major movie, and since that date, most of his roles have been cameos or glorified cameos. Tin Machine toured extensively and released two albums, with little critical or commercial success.

In 1992, Bowie again changed direction and re-launched his solo career with "Black Tie White Noise", a wedding album inspired by his recent marriage to Iman. He released three albums to considerable critical acclaim and reasonable commercial success. In 1995, he renewed his working relationship with Brian Eno to record "Outside." After an initial hostile reaction from the critics, this album has now taken its place with his classic albums. In 2003, Bowie released an album entitled 'Reality.' The Reality Tour began in November 2003 and, after great commercial success, was extended into July 2004. In June 2004, Bowie suffered a heart attack and the tour did not finish its scheduled run.

After recovering, Bowie gave what turned out to be his final live performance in a three-song set with Alicia Keys at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York in November 2006. He also returned to acting. He played Tesla in The Prestige (2006) and had a small cameo in the comedy Extras: David Bowie (2006) for fan Ricky Gervais. In 2007, he did a cartoon voice in SpongeBob SquarePants (1999) playing Lord Royal Highness. He had a brief cameo in the movie ''Bandslam'' released in 2009; after a ten year hiatus from recording, he released a new album called 'The Next Day', featuring a homage cover to his earlier work ''Heroes''. The music video of ''Stars are Out Tonight'' premiered on 25 February 2013. It consists of other songs like ''Where Are We Now?", "Valentine's Day", "Love is Lost", "The Next Day", etc.

In 2014, Bowie won British Male Solo Artist at the 2014 Brit Awards, 30 years since last winning it, and became the oldest ever Brit winner. Bowie wrote and recorded the opening title song to the television miniseries The Last Panthers (2015), which aired in November 2015. The theme used for The Last Panthers (2015) was also the title track for his January 2016 release, ''Blackstar" (released on 8 January 2016, Bowie's 69th birthday) was met with critical acclaim. Following Bowie's death two days later, on 10 January 2016, producer Tony Visconti revealed Bowie had planned the album to be his swan song, and a "parting gift" for his fans before his death. An EP, No Plan, was released on 8 January 2017, which would have been Bowie's 70th birthday. The day following his death, online viewing of Bowie's music skyrocketed, breaking the record for Vevo's most viewed artist in a single day.

On 15 January, "Blackstar" debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart; nineteen of his albums were in the UK Top 100 Albums Chart, and thirteen singles were in the UK Top 100 Singles Chart. The song also debuted at #1 on album charts around the world, including Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the US Billboard 200. At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, Bowie won all five nominated awards: Best Rock Performance; Best Alternative Music Album; Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical; Best Recording Package; and Best Rock Song. The wins marked Bowie's first ever in musical categories. David Bowie influenced the course of popular music several times and had an effect on several generations of musicians. (x)

#david bowie #capricorn #astrology #long ass post #star analyses #mine

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solarsavoy · 2 years ago

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Life in Retail cover for ch37! The Christmas tree is going to get decorated throughout the month and I really have no particular plan for how it's going to go and what I'm going to add, so we're just winging it.

Terry's Chocolate Oranges added for the season! I love these things. Do you have any favorite Christmas candy/treat that the stores only sell in December? Let me know in the comments or reblog! Hello December. XD

And for anyone not reading LIR, this is still Nagisa's story, but Isogai started working at Convenience seasonally. I was thinking of drawing the different employees that also work on Saturdays with Nagisa, starting with him. No idea who I'll draw next week yet, but I'll see you on Saturday for chapter 37!

KKII cover will be posted later today.

#solarsavoyart #solarsavoyfics #yuuma isogai #nagisa shiota #ao3 fanfic #Life in Retail #assassination classroom #christmas

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whilereadingandwalking · 3 years ago

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An Evening with Neil Gaiman in Chicago

On a warm night on Friday the 13th, Neil Gaiman strode on stage in the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. A packed crowd held their recently purchased signed books close as he settled in at the podium, dark blue and grey cloud shifting on a curtain behind him. He had to ask the crowd to calm down, before noting that Chicago is one of the first places he did readings back in the day.

Over the course of the evening, Gaiman read “Orange,” requested by Cat Mihos, and a poem about Batman dedicated to Neal Adams; to my delight, he read “The October Tale,” one of my favorite short stories; and he read “The Price,” which he described as a Midwestern story, “a story as much about living here as it is about anything else.”

He would finish out the night with a reading of “What You Need to Be Warm,” a poem he wrote in his role as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ambassador to usher in a 2019 winter emergency appeal to help refugees. The night held hushed, teary silences, but also many laughs.

@neil-gaiman interspersed readings with answering pre-submitted audience questions—he mentioned early on that our stack of post-its, index cards, and torn-off pieces of paper held the best set of questions he’d seen on his tour.

Here are a couple highlights.

Favorite character to write?

Delirium. “Because she did her own dialogue. And most characters don’t.”

A lot of your works are inspired by religion. How do you do that research?

“I would have loved to have been a practical theologian.” Actually, no, he corrected—he would have liked to be “somebody who professionally made up religions.” The job doesn’t exist, he said. “But it ought to.”

How does he feel about people idolizing his works and teaching them in classrooms?

“Uncomfortable.” Why? “Because I loathe Thomas Hardy.” And he suspects that if he hadn’t been forced to read Hardy at age 12, he maybe could have liked him just fine. So he worries a bit about his works being taught in classrooms.

What advice do you have for working with an artist or illustrator?

He advised asking two questions: What do you like drawing or want to draw that you haven’t gotten to much? and What don’t you like drawing? It can get you into an artist’s good graces, and you also want to be able to try and work with what they’re good at and try to amplify it, push them to be even better. McKean hated drawing big crowds of people—Sam Keith enjoyed it—Jill Thompson doesn’t like cars.

Americans Gods the show gave Laura more personhood (”It did,” he agreed). Will Anansi Boys do the same for its women characters, and how do you feel about updating of your material?

Anansi Boys has wrapped shooting and will be a six-episode miniseries. It will have more of Rosie and Daisy and who they are than in the book, and he’s very proud of this. Neil said at the start that while he would write the first and final episodes, he wanted other writers in the room. Ultimately he worked with four writers of color—two of whom were women—to produce the full product of the Anansi Boys that we’ll get on-screen.

I admit I was personally proud that he answered this one, as it was my question.

What fountain pen and ink are you using right now?

He is using a Pilot 823 and a Namiki Falcon, primarily to sign books. He uses a lot of Pilot inks, because they offer well-packaged, secure sample sizes, which he can buy in a wide variety of wonderful colors, and which then won’t be as much of a liability to the rest of his luggage while traveling on tour.

Who is the coolest person you’ve worked with and why is it Terry Pratchett?

Terry was always certain that he wasn’t cool “and he was terrified that I ‘was.’” But Neil will never forget when Terry called him and said, Do you remember that story you sent me? Are you doing anything with that? And Neil said no, he was very busy with Sandman. “I know what happens next,” Terry said. So they had two options: Neil could sell him the idea, or they could write the book together.

Of course Neil said that they should write it together. “It was like Michelangelo calling you up and saying ‘Do you want to do a ceiling together?’”

Favorite Pratchett story?

One day after Terry’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he called up Neil, starting the call (as he always did) with, “Hallo. It’s me.” He was writing a memoir and couldn’t remember something. Could Neil help him? Neil felt a flood of emotion. His good friend, his brilliant friend, couldn’t remember something. “I could be your memory, Terry,” he said internally.

Well, Terry said, do you remember in November 1990, we were on a book tour for Good Omens? And we went to that radio interview and the interviewer had read the cover but hadn’t realized it was fiction, and he asked us what was so interesting about Agnes Nutter and her prophecies, and we told him, and he believed us? And we would see the engineers, and they knew, because they were knocking against the glass to get his attention? And we let him go on for 15 minutes before letting him off the hook? (Neil noted here that Terry was the one who did so, and that he did it very gracefully, making it seem like the host had been in on the joke the whole time.) And remember how we left the studio and walked down the street singing “Shoehorn with Teeth” by They Might Be Giants?

Yes, Neil said. But...what did you need me to remember?

“Was it 30th Street, or 34th?”

When is Sandman coming to Netflix?

He doesn’t know. Netflix will tell us, when they figure it out. “They say they have algorithms and plans, but I think they just go into a dark room with a knife and plunge it into the wall” then turn on the lights and see what calendar date they hit.

Where would your secret lair be, if you had one?

“I’m a traditionalist, so in an extinct volcano above a shark pit.”

#neil gaiman #an evening with neil gaiman #sandman #anansi boys #terry pratchett #good omens #book events

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peaktotheocean · 3 years ago

Text

For Bees Sake

Pairing: Yennefer/Jaskier Notes: grief ahoy. also I based Jaskier’s outfit off of this lovely art by @srapsodia Summary:

"Beekeepers are careful to tell their bees everything important that concerns the family and household–births, marriages, deaths, a new set of curtains, and suchlike. But that’s not superstition, just the practical observation that if you don’t tell them, they will fly indoors to find out for themselves." - Terry Pratchett and Jacqueline Simpson, “The Folklore of Discworld”

Yennefer loves her bees and she would say they feel the same but that would be foolish. At least, she knows they tolerate her. She hasn’t been stung in years and whether that’s good practice, luck, or a respected partnership, she’s grateful.

Just as she's grateful for Ms. Pankratz, the old woman who saw a successful entrepreneur in Yennefer and allowed her to use the vast acres behind her old house to keep her hives.

"My dear, I'm a florist, I know all about your bees. Their job helps my job. It's the least I can do."

Yennefer wouldn't have guessed florist but who was she to judge, especially after Ms. Pankratz had done her a good turn. She hopes to get the story one day but until then, she invents fantastical reasons to why such a cute yet deceptively lavish cottage is on a vast amount of land.

She doesn't recognize the car that pulls into the driveway. Ms. Pankratz drives an absolute boat of a Cadillac that seems as though it's never going to break down. Whereas this small, bright yellow VW bug, looks as though it's broken down twice just today.

Yennefer doesn’t move a muscle as her bees fly around her and a young man gets out of the car, trudging the long distance between the house and where the trees start.

It’s Yennefer’s clearing, where she keeps the bees. He doesn’t seem scared. Mostly curious and a bit brave to head right towards a woman and her bees.

"Can I help you?" Yennefer asks when he gets close enough for her liking. It works and he stops as though Yennefer had drawn an invisible line he’s not allowed to cross.

"Hello! I'm Jaskier!" He calls, with a simple wave of one hand.

This young man, this Jaskier, is wearing dark navy pants that Yennefer assumed were practical jeans at first glance. She’s unfortunately mistaken. The linen pants are a lovely shade of deep blue but with metallic gold stitched stars all over them. His shirt is a monstrosity all its own: two toned, neon pink and orange, both patterned with cartoonish fish outlines in every possible orientation. She blinks at it, not quite sure what exactly he was thinking when he put his outfit together.

"Can I help you?" Yennefer asks again, flattening her tone even more. She doesn’t have time for this and she doesn’t like to bother Ms. Pankratz unless necessary.

"Um, I've come to meet the bees?" Jaskier stutters, as if he’s suddenly questioning his whole plan. Good.

"This is private property." Yennefer crosses her arms over her chest. There’s a flash in her mind, a moment where she wishes she was some kind of magician or witch, able to control the bees and set them on uninvited visitors.

"Yes, I know," Jaskier says slowly, confused, his voice going up at the end of the sentence. "It's mine?" He doesn't sound very sure of himself and Yennefer wonders if he's even old enough to own land. Generational wealth is a disease, she thinks to herself.

“She didn’t tell me she was selling the cottage,” Yennefer demands, mind already racing with contingency plans. Fuck.

She could move the hives easily enough but she doesn't have any other options when it comes to a location. She should have Ms. Pankratz sign a lease or something for the land but-- Jaskier hiccups, interrupting her thoughts. Horrified, Yennefer realizes that there are tears in his eyes.

"She didn't. Gods." Jaskier wipes at his eyes. "I'm sorry. It's not sold at all. Not really.”

Yennefer manages to realize that they’re having two different conversations before Jaskier speaks again. Her shoulders drop and she knows what's going to come out of Jaskier's mouth. She already hates that she's right.

“She's died,” Jaskier tells her quietly, as if speaking too loudly will remind the world that has just once again started spinning for him after a grief-halted stoppage. Yennefer just barely resists offering him the bed of her truck to sit in. “My grandmother passed away about two weeks ago."

"Ah." Yennefer breaths, not knowing what to say. “I'm sorry."

It doesn’t sound like enough and that’s because it isn’t. But Yennefer doesn’t have anything else to offer.

It’s a moot point because Jaskier doesn’t seem to hear her. He's staring out towards the house with an expression on his face that suggests he's only just remembered now that the building and the land is his. Yennefer wonders why he came in the first place. Perhaps to inspect the property. She's never seen him before but that doesn't mean much. She rarely saw Ms. Pankratz except in passing whenever Yennefer drove right off the driveway and back into the fields. Her grandson. Of course. She knew there was one family member she kept close and he had to be the one.

Maybe his odd clothing is a way of forcing his mood to be as bright as his clothes. Some kind of trick he’s playing on his own grieving mind. Or perhaps he’s just like that. She’s not sure.

Ms. Pankratz never wore wild clothes like his but for all her money, she kept her wardrobe rather practical. Whether that was her style or due to the dirty nature of a florist’s job, Yennefer was never sure. But she loved seeing another woman be one with nature. Yennefer prides herself on the duality of being able to make jaws drop regardless of wearing an evening gown or drawstring pants. She knows for a fact that she can work her beekeeping outfit.

Yennefer isn’t quite sure Jaskier has his wits about him again yet. He’s not swaying but he hasn’t taken his eyes off of the house.

She offers the only thing she can think of.

“I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll tell the bees.” That gets his attention. She had hoped it would be a good distraction. He blinks at her and Yennefer waits for the question.

“The bees?”

“It’s an old tradition." Jaskier looks interested now. And less like he’s about to get snot all over his gaudy buttondown. “You tell the bees about, well, everything,” Yennefer explains. “Life, death, everything inbetween. Otherwise they’ll come in and find out for themselves.”

Jaskier gives her a wet laugh at the punchline and she feels a bit proud of herself. She smiles at him encouragingly and is pleased to see he attempts a weak grin back at her.

"She would have liked that,” Jaskier says wistfully, looking back at the cottage again.

Yennefer doesn’t know why she says the next thing out of her mouth. She should get a confirmation that she can stay on the land and them shoo him away from her hives. But she doesn’t.

She has grieved plenty of times in her life, sometimes even for her life as opposed to the passing of others. There’s a loneliness in it that she’s come to despise and even resent. She resists the urge to press a hand to her chest, to make sure the hollow feeling starting there is just that. Yennefer doesn’t want that for the brightly-dressed Jaskier. He doesn’t look like a person who should stay sad.

But she knows some things can't be helped. Not at the beginning. It's only been two weeks.

“She was always kind to me. If I had known, I would have gone to the service,” Yennefer offers.

"Oh, there wasn't one." Jaskier shakes his head. To Yennefer’s surprise, he smiles at a memory she’s not privy to. “She didn’t want a funeral. She always used to say that she was around flowers so much in life that there was no need to surround her with them in death.” Jaskier’s laughter is a bit deflated and Yennefer doesn't know what to say to that, so instead she says nothing.

Strangely, Jaskier keeps talking.

"She would have loved that you tell the bees about death. It's just her style, truly. She was so excited that you were using her land for the bees.”

That...that is nice to hear. It fills Yennefer with a bit of warmth. The knowledge that even with Ms. Pankratz not around to tell her, she knows that the woman appreciated her work.

"We tell them about life. Just important things in general."

"That's still lovely."

Yennefer knows there could be a better time but there’s an anxiety building in her and she needs to know. "So, I can keep them on the property? The bees, I mean."

"Oh, yes. Yes, of course." Jaskier's eyes widen and Yennefer can see the moment he realizes what it must have seemed like, him coming to the hives with no notice. He rubs at his face and Yennefer wonders when he slept last. "I’m so sorry. I didn't mean to insinuate otherwise."

"You really didn't," Yennefer assures him with a sigh. She had just jumped to a conclusion. A reasonable one, but still.

“Whatever agreement she had with you, I’ll gladly keep as long as you’d to stay.”

Yennefer exhales in relief and Jaskier looks back at his junker of a car. In that split second, Yennefer realizes she wants him to stay. Just a little longer.

"Would you like to meet the bees?" She asks casually, as if it’s every day occurrence to be asked out to any hives, let alone her’s.

Jaskier's eyebrows raise, hiding under his bangs. "Can I?"

Yennefer doesn't say I'm on your property or even No, I take it back.

She wants to give him something and this is all she can manage at the moment. Yennefer can't tell a man she just met that he needs a shower, a hot meal, and perhaps his coziest sweater. But she can introduce him to her bees.

She has a dozen hives over the large clearing. It's a nice number but she thinks if she adds more, she'll go up to fifteen. It's not an even number but there's something round and pleasing about it to her anyway.

Jaskier follows her over to the closet one and she gestures for him to move forward. He goes to take a step and then falters, not out of nerves, she doesn't think. He just doesn't know what to do. Or how to do it.

"There's no right or wrong way to talk to them," she assures him. She debates moving away to give Jaskier and the bees some privacy but there's something in his expression. Yennefer wants to stay close and she thinks that he wants that too.

He takes a single brave step forward and Yennefer sees an onslaught of tears coming forth.

"Oh." Jaskier wipes at his eyes. "Gosh, I'm sorry. I'm a mess," he manages to say as he fails to hold back his tears. He is a bit of a mess but the bees don't mind and neither does Yennefer.

Yennefer plants her hands on the side of her truck bed and hoists herself up so she can reach in and grab a mostly clean rag. She's nearly positive it doesn't have any honey stuck to it.

"That's all right," she says smoothly, handing over the rag. Jaskier takes with a nod and doesn't hold back as he blows his nose.

"What do I even say?" He asks, nearly pleads.

"Tell them about her."

"That she..."

"You don't have to go into that," Yennefer says gently. "How about you tell them about her life?"

"Oh." Just like that, Jaskier's smile is there, even through the tears.

“You can shout at them later if you’d like too," she adds with a wink. "Very cathartic."

“Surely they wouldn’t like that.”

“They’re still getting the information and you’re getting it off your chest. It's a win-win.”

Jaskier's laugh is so soft that Yennefer wishes she could cup it safely in her hands and keep it safe. “I suppose. I might have to take you up on that.”

He sits cross-legged in front of the hive, not at all worried about his fancy pants or how close he is to the bees. He takes another deep breath. Yennefer thinks it'll take a few more minutes for him to start talking, perhaps another rag. Maybe it'll come out in a whisper or maybe he'll take her traditions as foolish, something he's only doing while grief-stricken and leave in an embarrassed huff.

But Jaskier starts talking.

And doesn't stop.

"She didn't tell anyone she was dying," he starts, diving right in. "But, of course, she knew. Eleanor knew everything. Anytime I came into the flower shop after a rough day at school or home. You could never hide anything from her. Not that you'd want to.

It was such a safe haven for me. And now it's mine. The shop, I mean. And I want to make sure it stays that way for anyone else who might need it. I know people..." Jaskier pauses and swallows here, a few more tears threatening to fall. "I know people sometimes say that flowers aren't worth the trouble. That they're a waste of money because they die within a few days. But they still live before that. And if you take care of them and appreciate them then...I think they're worth all the trouble. And she did too. I think that's a good lesson."

Jaskier pauses to wipe a few more tears. And then a few more. His eyes follow a few of the buzzing bees as they spin around his head, at the mercy of the blustery day.

Yennefer doesn't know what compels her to do so. But something about seeing Jaskier earnestly bear his soul to her bees just breaks something open in her previously hollowed chest. It's hot and has the consistency of honey. She closes her eyes to hold back her own tears. But then when she opens them again, she comes closer and places a firm hand on Jaskier's shoulder.

“She was very grateful for all your work with the flowers," Jaskier tells the bees but Yennefer knows, she just knows, that he's talking to her. "They brought her much joy so I’m in your debt as well.”

They're both silent. The only noise comes from the bees and the wind and Yennefer thinks about how how similar they sound. Jaskier sniffs again, really utilizing the rag to its full potential.

“Thank you," he whispers. "But god, I should let you work." He shifts and just like that, Yennefer's hand slips off his shoulder. "I should be going.”

Jaskier gets up but doesn't move. He watches the bees a little before turning to Yennefer.

“Can I…Can I come back sometime?” He sounds so small and Yennefer isn’t sure if he’s worried about her response or if he’s just forgotten that he owns the land.

If she's being honest with herself, she doesn't want him to leave at all. But she wonders what wild outfit he’ll have on next time.

“Of course. You’re always welcome. We'll be here.”

on ao3 here

#jaskier x yennefer #yennskier #this is my fic tag

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blackkudos · 5 years ago

Text

Ledisi

Ledisi Anibade Young (born March 28, 1972), better known simply as Ledisi, is an American R&B and jazz recording artist, songwriter, and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Records with Sundra Manning. Anibade and Ledisi released an album entitled "Soulsinger" (black and white cover on the LeSun Music independent label) featuring the song Take Time, which gained substantial airplay from San Francisco area radio stations. A twelve-time Grammy Award nominee, Ledisi has released eight studio albums between 2000 and 2017.

In 2000, Ledisi re-released her first major label signed album, titled Soulsinger: The Revival. Ledisi and her group toured in 2001. In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album won an award for "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards.

In 2005, Ledisi signed a record deal with Verve Forecast and released her third album, titled Lost & Found, on August 28, 2007; it sold almost 217,000 copies and earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas.

In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose, which earned her two Grammy nominations, followed by her fifth album Pieces of Me (2011) which debuted on the US Billboard 200 album chart at number eight, becoming the first top-ten album of her career and her highest-charting album to date. It also garnered three Grammy nominations at the 54th Grammy Awards including for Best R&B Album. In 2013, she received a nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards for her collaboration with fellow R&B and jazz musician Robert Glasper for the album cut "Gonna Be Alright" from his fifth album Black Radio (2012). In 2014, she released her sixth album The Truth to critical acclaim and moderate sales. She portrayed legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in the 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic, Selma.

Early life

Ledisi was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She grew up in a musical family; her mother, Nyra Dynese, sang in a Louisiana R&B band and her stepfather, Joseph Pierce III, (deceased) was a drummer in the New Orleans area. Her biological father is soul singer Larry Sanders, the son of blues singer Johnny Ace. He left the family when she was a baby and they did not meet again for nearly three decades.

Ledisi first began performing publicly at age eight with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. Ledisi moved to Oakland, California, where she attended McChesney Junior High School, now Edna Brewer Middle School. She was shy about her singing abilities and would sing only upon request when students in her gym class would implore her to sing Deniece Williams's version of Black Butterfly, bringing the entire locker room audience under the spell of her very mature, melodious voice. As she sang more publicly her music career blossomed. She was nominated for a Shellie award in 1990 for her performance in a production of The Wiz and performed in an extended run with the San Francisco cabaret troupe, Beach Blanket Babylon. She studied opera and piano for five years at University of California Berkeley in their Young Musicians Program.

Musical career

1995–1999: Career beginnings

In the 1990s, Ledisi formed a group called Anibade, alongside Sundra Manning (producer, keyboards, songwriting), Phoenix (LaGerald) Normand (background vocals, songwriting), Cedrickke Dennis (guitar), Nelson Braxton (bass), Wayne Braxton (sax), and Rob Rhodes (drums), playing a jazz and hip-hop influenced kind of soul. The group won acclaim in the San Francisco Bay Area with a cult-like following of die-hard fans who referred to themselves as "Ledites" and meet her with love at every event, singing along verbatim to songs that though unrecorded at the time, were well known by their fans. The group later recorded a demo of one of the songs from their set, entitled, "Take Time" which was played on local stations and requested non-stop. Ledisi tried to get the group signed to a major label, but had no luck. Ledisi also performed often with jazz saxophonist Robert Stewart throughout the early 1990s in San Francisco.

2000–2003: Soulsinger: The Revival and Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue

In January 2000, Ledisi released her first album, Soulsinger: The Revival, independently on her label, LeSun Records. The album spun off four singles, "Soulsinger", "Take Time", "Get Outta My Kitchen", and "Good Lovin'". After the release of Soulsinger: The Revival, Ledisi toured with her group Anibade.

In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, which was also released independently. The album featured the singles "Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue" and "Autumn Leaves". During this time she also recorded commercials for the Sci Fi Channel. In 2003, Ledisi won "Outstanding Jazz Album" for Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue at the California Music Awards.

2006–2008: Lost & Found

During her five-year hiatus, Ledisi made appearances on soundtracks. In 2007, she signed with Verve and released "Blues in the Night" which featured on the tribute album, We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song.

In August 2007, Ledisi's third album, Lost & Found, was released. During her hiatus, Ledisi stated that she was unsure of wanting to stay in the music industry. In response, Ledisi wrote the song "Alright" to express her life. "Alright" became the lead single and debuted at #45 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart. The album's second single, "In The Morning", debuted at #49 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart. Other songs from the album charted but were not released as singles. "Think of You" charted at #71 on the Hot R&B charts, "Joy" charted at #103 on the Hot R&B charts and #29 on the Adult R&B Airplay.

In December 2007, the album earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi continued her tour to promote the album, Lost & Found. By January 2009, the album had sold 216,894 copies.

In September 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas, which featured the singles "This Christmas" and "Children Go Where I Send Thee". In December 2008, Ledisi's T.V. special aired on Gospel Channel, titled "Ledisi Christmas". Ledisi performed a few songs from her Christmas album. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Give Love On Christmas Day" charted on the Hot R&B charts at #113.

In 2008 Ledisi performed the song "The Man I Love" as a blues singer in the Leatherheads movie.

2009–2010: Turn Me Loose

In 2009, Ledisi's fourth studio album was announced as Turn Me Loose. The album was released on August 18, 2009. Speaking in April 2010 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis – Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul – Ledisi explained the album's title reflected its musical diversity: "The title 'Turn Me Loose' is basically me saying 'I don't wanna be boxed in! Let me be myself as a performer and singer, because I do EVERYTHING! Not just one particular style!'." She employed production from seasoned R&B songwriter-producers such as Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright, and Carvin & Ivan. The first single from the album was "Goin' Thru Changes". The second single was "Higher Than This", produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and James "Big Jim" Wright.

On May 13, 2010, Ledisi performed at Charter Oak Cultural Center's 9th Annual Gala, a fundraiser for free after-school youth arts programming in inner-city Hartford. She performed several songs from Turn Me Loose, and also performed a duet with Anika Noni Rose, a tribute to the late Lena Horne.

2011–2012: Pieces of Me

Ledisi toured with R&B/soul singer Kem on his North American INTIMACY Tour. On March 10, 2011, during her opening act in Atlanta, Georgia, Ledisi announced that she had finished recording her fifth studio album, Pieces of Me, on March 9, 2011. It was released on June 14, 2011. It debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 38,000 copies in its first week. The album's title track served as the album's lead single.

Ledisi has performed at the White House seven times at the request of President and First Lady Obama.

Ledisi headlined her first tour to promote her album, Pieces of Me. The Pieces of Me Tour played to 22 sold out shows across North America. With this album, she received three nominations for the 2012 Grammy Awards, in the categories Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, for the album and the lead single "Pieces of Me".

Ledisi released her first book, Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power on Time Home Entertainment, Inc. in 2012. The book, an innovative collaboration with ESSENCE, is filled with the singer's personal photos, quotes, lyrics, and richly detailed stories of her journey to acceptance of her beauty, talent, and power.

On April 6, 2012, Ledisi announced her second headlining tour, B.G.T.Y., with Eric Benet serving as an opening act. In December 2012, VH1 announced that Ledisi would perform at their 2012 VH1 Divas show, a concert benefiting the Save The Music Foundation charity. Ledisi performed a Whitney Houston tribute medley with Jordin Sparks and Melanie Fiona.

2014–2016: The Truth

On March 2014, Ledisi released her new album The Truth. She is also on tour with Robert Glasper in partnership with the magazine "Essence" (which featured her on one of their three April covers as well as Erykah Badu and Solange Knowles).

In April 2014, Ledisi was cast to play Mahalia Jackson in the American historical drama film, Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb and DuVernay. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In the film and on the official film soundtrack, Ledisi sings "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". Initially slated to perform at the 57th Grammy Awards as part of a tribute to the Selma March alongside Common and John Legend (who performed their Oscar-winning duet "Glory") she was ultimately snubbed by the Recording Academy and recording artist Beyoncé, who performed in her place. Ledisi's snubbing and Beyoncé's performance received mixed reaction from social media. In 2015, she received her ninth Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance for the single "Like This" off of her seventh album The Truth. She lost to Beyoncé and Jay Z for "Drunk in Love".

2017–present: Let Love Rule

In May 2017, Ledisi released a single titled "High" produced by Darhyl "Hey DJ" Camper and Rex Rideout. Her eighth studio album called Let Love Rule was released on September 22, 2017. In November 2017, she received three more nominations at the 60th Grammy Awards in January 2018 including Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best Traditional R&B Performance. Ledisi won a Soul Train Award 'Soul Certified Award' for the album.

Ledisi helped the BET Awards pay tribute to Anita Baker, the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient of the night on June 24, with a rendition of the singer's 1986 ode "Sweet Love".

Ledisi was then a part of the Aretha Franklin Tribute that was put together by the annual award ceremony known as Black Girls Rock. Ledisi delivered a rendition of the hit "Ain't No Way".

In October 2018, Ledisi performed with Adam Lambert in an NBC broadcast, A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway, before a live studio audience at the Marquis Theatre in New York, singing "As Long as You're Mine" from Wicked.

Discography

Studio albums

Soulsinger: The Revival (2000)

Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue (2002)

Lost & Found (2007)

Turn Me Loose (2009)

Pieces of Me (2011)

The Truth (2014)

Let Love Rule (2017)

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Ledisi has been nominated for twelve career Grammy Awards.

BET Awards

BETJ Virtual Awards

California Music Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

2008, BET J Cool Like Dat Award (Nominated)

2008, Female Artist of the Year (Nominated)

2003, Outstanding Jazz Album, Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue (Won)

2011, Centric Award (nominated)

2009, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (nominated)

2014, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (Nominated)

2017 Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (Nominated)

2017 Soul Certified Award (won)

2018 Soul Certified Award (won)

NAACP AWARDS

2012 Best Female Artist (Nominated)

2015 Best Female Artist (Nominated)

2018 Best Female Artist (Nominated)

2018 Best Traditional song - High (Nominated)

2018 Best Visual - High (Nominated)

Honors/Special Awards

2016, NAACP Awards Theatre - Spirit Award Honoree

2016, America For The Arts - Music Honoree

Tours

Pieces of Me Tour (2011)

B.G.T.Y. Tour (2012)

The Truth Tour (2014)

The Intimate Truth Tour (2015)

The Rebel The Soul The Saint Tour (2017)

Let Love Rule Tour (2018)

Ledisi Live UK Tour (2019)

Filmography

2008: Leatherheads (as the Blues Singer)

2011: Leave It on the Floor (as Princess' Mother)

2014: Selma (as Mahalia Jackson)

2016: The Tale Of Four (Short Film) (as Aunt Sara)

2020: American Soul (as Patti LaBelle) (season 2, upcoming)

#03/28

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sl-walker · 7 months ago

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Color Cards for sale

Or: Custom nails!

*updated 9/3/24*

Want some professional looking stick/glue-on nails on a budget for yourself or someone else? Since I am still unemployed and my wife makes these stunning creations as art therapy, we're looking to sell them to keep us afloat and do things like buy food until I have a new job. (She already owned all the nail stuff.) So, if you want a set of truly gorgeous nails, take a look and contact me here or on that one chat app starting with a 'D' where I am also sl_walker.

Nails will be sent in a padded envelope with cardboard to protect them, though I might clip the longer color cards in two for mailing. Shipping is free to the continental US! (Though if you wanna toss me a couple bucks towards it, I won't turn you down. It's about 4.50 per package. LOL!) Probably you'll also get a handwritten note and maybe even a sketch from me. Several of these nail sets are three hours or more of work! And as you can see, they really are beautiful. Just ignore my very amateur photography, Tumblr's assholish image compression and the occasional cat hair. I promise I won't send any kitty dna with the nails! And you can also contact me and ask me for a set of pics emailed without compression.

As they're sold, I'll update this post by striking those through! And YES! SHE DOES CUSTOMS! (We just finished a set of Boba Fett nails and we're working on Maul ones!) If you want a custom color card (or loose nails once you know your sizes! I'll try to write the sizes on the color cards when I can see them), just contact me with a description and we'll let you know if she's able to do it. She can do cat meme nails, no joke. Or like-- fandom themed. So please do feel free to ask after that.

Also, if you request it, I'll throw in a little tube of nail glue, too.

1.) Autumn's Coming - $40

Stunning set of thirty nails, which means that you'll be able to find your exact size, but you might be able to wear a couple different sizes and have nails enough for two sets, too! Amidst the gorgeous fall-themed colors, you have cats eye magnetic metallic nails, plain color, blossom decals and a gorgeous coppery metallic crackle. They're shorter and with a blunt tip; in fact, I'm wearing a set right now, albeit in a different color theme.

2.) Good Omens - $30

This is a set of thirty nails. My wife's a huge fan of Sir Terry (sorry about the other guy) and so she came up with a Good Omens set! The red is metallic and magnetic cats eye with silver and white decals, while the white nails are themed in gold. I can definitely attest to how pretty these are, since she also made me a set of my own; I'm wearing them as I type (badly because I'm not used to wearing nails) and they're pretty enough for me to learn how to type with nail tips. LOL! She said to warn whoever bought them that she had to glue one back to the card. Sorry about that! It doesn't affect the nail itself.

3.) Thinking of Spring - $36

Another set of thirty, this time more spring-themed! With some popping magnetic metallic green cats eyes interpersed with some softer pink/orange metallic magnetic starbursts, cats eye and be-dazzled, you also have the lovely decals adorning the white nails, too. This is another beautiful set that reflects a similar quality to the autumn themed nails.

4.) Dusky - $26

A set of thirty, these are relatively simple by comparison: Done in a dusky metallic magnetic cats eye on one side and a brilliant, eyepopping holo on the other, they're classy and beautiful.

5.) Better Call Prince - $24

This fun set of twenty-four is absolutely sparkly; with metallic purple on one side and purple holo on the other, all of them also have holographic decals on them! They're busy, but if you're a redneck like me (or just really love sparkly things!) they'll make you oooh when you see them live!

6.) Pride - $18

This is a set of twenty-four. My wife actually made these for me, but they're too long for me. But boy, they sure are pretty. With the silver cats eye magnetic metallic on one side and the glittery rainbow on the other, this is a great set for you if you want something pretty with a relatively low price-tag!

7.) The Art of Subtlety - $18

This set of twenty-four is actually more gorgeous the brighter the light. All one set, all the same, these beautiful cats eyes in a sedate blue actually have a subtle holo effect on top of the loveliness that is that magnetic metallic polish; I wasn't able to capture it, but it's there! These are great for business people who like to have pretty nails to tap on a table top as illustration for their annoyance while still having that whimsical underlying hint of color.

8.) Slightly Better Than Business Casual - $16

This set of twenty-four is what my wife calls 'scratch and dent', not because they aren't pretty, but because there are a few minor flaws in the finish of the tips on the teal side. Despite that, they're a damn pretty set and will feed the cats for a few days!

9.) Where There's Smoke - $26

The first set of matte nails on offer! This set of thirty (eleven regular, three half-sizes) is three different shades of matte gray, one more silvery/metallic and two more literally smoke-colored. Perfect for someone looking for that bit of elegance, no reflective topcoat necessary!

10.) A Touch of Class - $34

This set of thirty includes three half-sizes on the end for better sizing! A gorgeous set of nails with white, decorated nails meeting silvery gold magnetic metallic meeting a gorgeous deep green glitter! This is a really lovely set, my cat Ajax really wanted to see them up close. LOL! You can't beat that endorsement. (But we're selling them anyway to help feed Ajax. XD)

11.) The Denver Mint - $30

Oh man, I actually gasped when Erin showed me these. Just the richness of the metallic silver and copper looks awesome in person offset by the plain beige nails interspersed through the set. This is another set of thirty that has the three half-sizes, too! A really lovely and elegant set of almond shaped nails.

12.) Please Forgive Ajax - $36

This is another stunning set, this time with printed decals and some custom hand-drawn art on them! Please ignore the stray cat hair, they will not come with; the culprit is sitting on my lap right now completely unashamed. But anyway, beyond those lovely green nails, the silvery-gold magnetic metallic nails will absolutely transfix you in the light. Heck, they transfix me and I can't even wear them. This set of thirty also includes the three half-sizes.

13.) Tropical Daydreams - $30

With the deep teal and the gold metallic and an almond shape, this set's sure to invoke the tropics; same as the others above, a set of thirty with three half-sizes! They're a relatively straight-forward set compared to the rest, but no less beautiful in person.

14.) Is Star Sapphire a Villain? - $34

If you're a DC Comics fan, you might giggle. But for everyone else, this particularly cute (and even conditionally chunky!) nail set is a lovely group of pink, dusky sorta violet, and actual violet magnetic metallic flake! So they're especially interesting in motion, and the bling on them are a whimsical kind of fun, too!

15.) The Spider-Gwen Special - $34

Protect Trans Kids. (Like my nephew!) And thank you, makers of the Spider-Verse, for having that poster on Gwen's wall and inspiring the name! Anyway, the theme of this set of thirty (no half-sizes on this card) is obvious; short nails, they'll look good and probably not interfere too much with typing! And the jewels are supercute, too.

16.) Cool Colored Chameleon - $40

THESE ARE SO DAMN COOL! Ahem. ANYWAY. Several of these are actually temperature-reactive! So, they change color with the temperature. Like a mood ring, kind of. They're also really super pretty in-person, not gonna lie. I can't tell you how many of the nail sets Erin shows me cause me to go O.O and oooh. This was a big one, I think I might have squealed. A set of thirty, with the three half-sizes, this one's just ridiculously fun.

17.) Pretty in Pink - $32

Another one of those sets with some breathtaking magnetic metallic, this time in a soft silvery pinkish color! Mixed with the flat nails and the occasional bit of bling, this delicately colored set nonetheless has enough flash and flare to make your average redneck (meaning me) happy. Hopefully they'd be able to make you happy, too!

#custom nails #help steff and erin afford groceries!#also like-- these really are pretty #even if the kitties are inordinately fascinated with them #then again--#they also will eat corn off a cob #proof they're ohio kitties thoroughly

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goatkingwc · 5 years ago

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MASCOT WITH MENACING EYES Episode 2 of CRWC GOAT KING WRITERS CLUB,

GOAT KING WRITERS CLUB, The loosest storytelling Podcast in all the land, were we don’t let Grammar get in the way of a good yarn.

MENACING EYES by SEAN CONWAY

Freshly squeezed orange juice, beans, mushrooms, eggs and a stack of bacon drizzled in maple syrup. This was a regular breakfast for the farmer which is why he is bulging out of his overalls.Despite his size, the farmer is a unassuming man, living alone miles away in the back woods, only making the trip to town to sell his wares.

By the way he dressed you would think he was Amish, he probably could be Amish if it wasn’t for his 1955 Ford Pick Up truck and his love of beer. He wasn’t one for fancy beer, he only had one preference that is must be cold, refreshing, and American made. The Farmer loved nothing more than a few Coors Lite after a hards day work. The farmer does most of his drinking on a Sunday, he does extra work on Saturday so he can sit back and enjoy that afternoons football game reminiscing about his days playing all those years ago.

Devouring the last of his breakfast feast that could easily feed a family of four, he enjoyed his meal oblivious to the fact that menacing eyes were staring at him with murderous intent only a few short steps away. The farmer slurped down the last of his orange juice and set out for a hards day work in the fields, unaware that today will be his last day working in those fields if the onlooker with those menacing eyes has his way.

Ploughing through the fields, the first of many chores for the day, singing along with gusto to the smooth sounds of Billy Joe Shaver, George Jones and Johnny Cash. The hours flew past with heavenly harmonics echoing through the isolated fields.

It was time for the Farmer to park up his plough and enjoy a well-deserved lunch. Nothing exciting, just a white bread sandwich with way too much bacon and a drizzle of homemade barbecue sauce made from a recipe passed down from his grandmother. Sitting on his plough, tapping his feet to the beat of Waylon Jennings, and enjoying his heart attack in a sandwich lunch, blissfully unaware of the danger that lay ahead as the beholder of those menacing eyes spied on the unassuming Farmer from a distance.

The Farmer finished his lunch and went about finishing the remaining chores for the day. He feed the chickens, he feed the cows, he feed the sheep and even had time to change the shoes on his beloved horse Bo named after his favourite Auburn Football player Bo Jackson. Bo wasn’t a racehorse, but the Farmer would watch Bo in the field and daydream of him raising the Kentucky Derby Trophy alongside the only creature he considered a friend.

One last job before The Farmer could call it a day, and that was to feed the pigs their gruel. He wouldn’t feed them any ole gruel, because these weren’t any ole pigs. These were Blue-Ribbon Award-winning pigs. The Farmer would spend hours cooking and refining his gruel recipe until he had the perfect concoction.

The Farmer walked over to the barn to retrieve his gold star gruel for his gold star pigs, but on his short journey, The Farmer stopped, he had a peculiar feeling he was being watched, a strange sense for the Farmer who lived alone on an isolated farm miles from town. The Farmer looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary, he paused for a moment before he chuckled to himself. Paranoid thoughts were a very rare occurrence for the level headed farmer, but the Farmer wasn’t being paranoid, we was indeed being watched by menacing eyes that had murderous intent that had plans to make this the last day he ever worked on that farm.

Collecting the gruel from the barn and still humoured by his bout of paranoia, the Farmer pulled up to the pig sty in his 1955 Ford Pick Up truck, blaring his music as loud as it would go, the Farmer despite being level headed, had a collection of strange theories, he believed playing loud music for the pigs comforted then and made the meat taste better. A strange theory indeed, but whose to argue with his logic considering how many Blue Ribbons he had won.

As the day grew longer The Farmer had to struggle with the weight of his homemade gruel out of the pickup truck before he entered the pig sty. Despite his tiring body The Farmer still had a peep in his step as he enjoyed the music along with the pigs. He poured the gruel he took such pride into the troff, the sound of the Farmers home cooking hitting the metal troff sent the hungry pigs into a frenzy, bashing and crashing past the Farmer.

The Farmer’s large body was no match for the stampede of giant award winning pigs as the sound of the bones in his legs crushing drowned out the sound of the music blaring from his pickup truck, the pigs giant mass has crushed his legs and The Farmer collapsed under his own weight in agony, his screams echoing through the freshly ploughed fields of his isolated farm.

The pain was unbearable but he managed to crawl through the wet mud that was a mix of dirt and pig shit, and lean his broken body against the chicken wire fence so he could see the extent of the damage to his legs. The Farmer tried rolling up his pant legs, but his legs were so severely broken that the bones had ripped through material of his blood-soaked overalls. The sense that he was being watched overcome the Farmer once again, he was now face to face with those Menacing eyes that had murderous intent that had been watching The Farmer since breakfast, they’re eyes all too familiar to The Farmer, they were the eyes of Hog Brady, a runt of a pig the Farmer had raised since he was piglet, naming him Hog Brady for his hatred of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

The Farmer had grown to love this runt of a pig over the years even though he wasn’t a Blue Ribbon pig. Hog Brady though, had no love for the Farmer, watching him for years and years routinely butcher his family and friends and devour their corpses, and for what? A few blue ribbons from the county fair. This did not sit well with Hog Brady at all, he has waited years for the opportunity to exact his revenge on the butcherous Farmer, he was going to enjoy feasting on the Farmer, starting with mutilated legs.

The Farmer punched and screamed at Hog Brady, has hard as he could but he was no match for his vengeful foe, the punches and the screaming only forced Hog Brady to consume The Farmer faster. This once runt piglet was now devouring The Farmer as quickly as he could. The other pigs on the other hand, have devoured their gruel, and with their appetites not yet met, the Farmer looked like a plentiful dessert.

The pigs made easy work of the Farmer as they feasted on his flesh as they enjoyed soothing melodies of Tammy Wynette blaring from the pickup truck. It only took a few short minutes for The Farmer to be no more.

Spending hours and hours perfecting a recipe for his Blue Ribbon winning Pigs, it would The Farmer himself who would become a 5 Star meal for his 5 Star pigs.

MASCOT by NATHAN HULL

I had been summoned to the general managers office. A rare thing for a lowly team mascot, yet here I was sitting outside his large office trying to figure out whether this was a positive or potentially terrible thing for my career. Thinking back on the last week what I it was, good or bad that I could have done to land myself waiting like a nervous school child outside the Principles doors.

“You can go through now” The uninterested receptionist sighed fiddling with her phone not even taking the time to look up at me. “yeah thanks’ I replied before taking a deep breath and walking in to meet my fate.

Upon entering the room I shuffled nervously, waiting to be acknowledged before Mr Grandioso finally told me to sit “ Well well if it isn’t everyone’s favourite mascot” he said dismissively, lighting a large cigar and pouring himself a brandy “Make mine a double” I said with a laugh trying to break the tension in the room. Mr Grandioso just stared unimpressed at me before continuing. “As you know we are having a terrible season, we are 1 and 11 and making the finals is now almost impossible, heads must roll’

I wasn’t entirely sure what this had to do with me as a mascot, I mean all I did was run around in a large Goat costume trying to draw some attention away from the teams terrible performance each week, so I put my fist to my chin and nodded importantly “yes yes I agree” I said hoping that maybe I was about to be given a raise from Mascot to head coach. ‘What can I do to help Mr Grandioso” I said reaching into my pocket for a pen and note pad, trying to look as prepared and confident as I now I assumed the other coaching candidates would look.

“Put that pen away Manfred, Im firing you” Mr grandioso sighed. ‘What me? firing me? Im the only person who actually does what there paid to do on game day” I yelled “this clubs a fucking joke a fucking shithole joke!’ I screamed making my situation much worse than it already was.

I lept out of my chair and was tackled to the ground by two of Mr Grandioso’s assistants “ listen you jabbering little cock sucker” he hissed “ you think I don’t know how bad this team performs? The amount of money I have invested into the most useless team in the history of this club?” he continued “If it where up to me id fire the lot of them but after the pre-season promises made the outrages spending spree the internal cover ups I need to at least galvanise the fans, so I’m placing the blame squarely on you”

My head was spinning a moment ago I thought I was going to make the dream leap from Mascot to coach a feet only ever achieved once by Lucky the Dolphin in 1937, now however I realised I had lost everything, I was a patsy a fall guy a nobody.

I slunk my way out of the stadium and over to the closest bar where I found Terry the Turtle drinking alone .Usually during the season id have no time to chat with our cross town rivals mascot but seeing as I was just fired I sat at his table and over a few drinks explained my situation.

During the course of the afternoon and a long chat it came to light that many mascots where feeling displaced and abused, and one by one we called the others eventually coming up with a plan to not only claim justice but also make us rich. The plan was simple I would take $2000 from each mascot and place a seemingly impossible bet that my ex team would go on to win every remaining game including the championship for the year it was a $40000 bet put on at 1000 to 1 odds a $40,000,000 pay day.

And so for the remainder of the season the plan was executed. Mascots would tamper with play books and equipment disrupt practices, some even going as far as secretly injuring or poisoning star players. Doing whatever it took to ensure our bet payed off. And so it did we succeeded in fucking with the entire league and claiming a nice $2,000,000 each. Not bad for a bunch of no body mascots, once down trodden and laughed at we now where kings and I was the King Goat.

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the-master-cylinder · 5 years ago

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SUMMARY Andrew Norris is the new music teacher at a troubled inner city school. As he arrives on his first day, he meets fellow teacher Terry Corrigan, who is carrying a gun. When Andrew asks about the firearm, Terry assures him he will learn why the protection is necessary. When they enter the school, Andrew is shocked to see everyone scanned by metal detectors and frisked. He spots a student with a knife, but the security guards let the kid go because they are so overworked.

The halls of the school are covered with graffiti. Andrew learns he is expected to patrol the halls as a security guard during his off periods. In his first class, a group of five disruptive students are roughhousing and causing trouble. The leader of the gang is Peter Stegman, the only member of the group who is actually registered in that class. They all eventually walk out, and Andrew discovers the rest of the students actually want to learn, especially Arthur, who plays the trumpet, and Deneen, who plays the clarinet.

As Andrew gets to know the school and the area, he decides that he wants to put together an orchestra with his more advanced students. Peter’s gang sells drugs, run a strip club, and cause all kinds of mayhem. They follow Andrew home and taunt him one night.

At school, Andrew is confronted with more and more evidence of Peter’s crimes. The two grow increasingly at odds. Eventually, after Stegman killed Terry’s animals in his lab, Andrew and Stegman wind up in a bathroom alone together. Peter throws himself into a mirror and beats himself, claiming that Andrew attacked him. Trying to clear things up, Andrew visits Peter’s mother at home. Frustrated when Peter still plays the victim and his mother will not hear Andrew out, he hotwires Peter’s car and drives it into a wall. During lunch, Stegman’s gang start a “food fight” and force their friend Vinnie to stab Arthur, which he does so and causes him to be sent to a hospital. Vinnie is arrested and held in a youth detention center. Terry is driven insane after the incident with the animals in his lab and is killed after crashing his car when trying to kill Stegman and the others.

Andrew’s orchestra is about to give its first concert. As his wife Diane gets ready at home, Peter’s gang breaks into the house and gang rapes her. One of them takes a Polaroid of her being raped and has it delivered to Andrew on the podium, just as he is about to start the concert. Horrified by the photo, he runs off the podium in pursuit of Peter’s gang. Andrew and the gang chase each other through the school. Andrew kills them off one by one, and finally confronts Peter on the roof. Their last scuffle ends with Peter falling through a skylight and getting tangled to his death in the ropes above the stage. His corpse falls into full view of the audience as his neck is broken by one of the ropes. Andrew is never charged because the police could not find a witness to the crime.

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Interview with Director Mark L. Lester

What was the initial inspiration for Class of 1984? Mark L. Lester: I was visiting my old high school, and I noticed there were gangs walking around with no shirts, really tough kids, and the whole school had changed. Then I started to do some investigating, and found that there were some schools, just a couple, that were starting with security and checking for guns. I thought, “Boy, that’d be a good idea for a movie,” and started researching violence in high schools. Over about a year, I came up with the story.

I read that the dialogue the detective (Al Waxman) has is verbatim from interviews you did with cops while researching the film. Mark L. Lester: Yes, I went to a police station and talked to the juvenile officer; I described a case like this and the scenes in the movie—“What would you do?” I just copied his answers down and put them in the script.

Mark L. Lester

Psycho II and Fright Night’s Tom Holland has story and co-screenplay credit; were there significant differences between his draft and what wound up on screen? Mark L. Lester: There was an additional writer [Barry Schneider] who didn’t take credit, but we worked on making it more like A Clockwork Orange, with the dialogue. None of that was in Tom Holland’s script, so we rewrote it to be more like Clockwork Orange, where the gang talked in their own kind of language. And then there was a large punk element added, because that movement was just taking hold in England. I got the costuming and the whole flavor of the punks from that, from British magazines and so forth.

How difficult was it to find a school to shoot in? I imagine a lot of high schools would object to a movie like this filming in their hallways. Mark L. Lester: Well, that was Toronto’s Central High. We shot it during the summertime, so the school was available. We did put graffiti on the walls and it was very hard to get it off, so when the kids came back to school, all the graffiti was still there. It caused quite a stir.

How did you wind up casting Perry King as Andy Norris? Mark L. Lester: I just interviewed him; I had seen him in Bad, the Andy Warhol film. But when it came time to do the scene in the wood shop, it was a mini-revolt. He said, “No, I can’t kill a kid on a table saw! That’s too gruesome, with the blood splattering on my face… That’s beyond anything I could do.” I said, “But Perry, don’t you remember, you boiled that slave alive in Mandingo!” He said, “Oh, that’s rightI guess it’s OK then.”

How about Roddy McDowall? He’s terrific as Corrigan. Mark L. Lester: I just knew him from Planet of the Apes and had always wanted to work with him. So I asked him to do it, and he was fantastic.

McDowall drove the car himself for the scene where Corrigan tries to run Stegman down. Was that his choice? Mark L. Lester: I was gonna use a stuntperson, but he said, “No, no, I want to drive, and I’m gonna drive really crazy.” I got in the back seat to do the sound, and he just took off and started driving insane, right up to the crash point. It was unbelievable; he was swerving all over the road.

So he didn’t have any qualms about the film’s violence? Mark L. Lester: No, he was a real professional. Everyone wanted to be involved in a hip, young movie that was different, and cutting-edge at the time. Even Lalo Schifrin, who was considered a very prestigious composer, wanted to do it, and he brought in Alice Cooper to do the theme song (“I Am the Future”).

That was quite an odd match of musical talents… Mark L. Lester: Yeah… Schifrin brought in a guy named Gary Osborne to write the song with him, and brought Alice Cooper in to perform it, and he did a really good job.

Another musical highlight is when Stegman surprises Andy by playing a piano concerto in his class. According to the credits, Van Patten wrote that piece himself. Mark L. Lester: That’s right. I was going to use another piece of music, and then he said, “No, no, let me use my own.”

How did Van Patten wind up being cast? Mark L. Lester: I saw him on a TV show, The White Shadow. He was playing a bad kidnot like he does in this movie, but he was perfect. This is his best work ever as an actor; he actually directs now. And Michael J. Fox I saw on TV also; it must have been Palmerstown, U.S.A. I hired him based on that, and it was only his second feature film.

Merrie Lynn Ross, who plays Andy’s wife, was also a producer on Class. How did that come about? Mark L. Lester: She put up some money for the film. I had worked with her before; she was in Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw for me.

It’s interesting that she would help with the financing of a movie in which she’s so rudely treated on screen… Mark L. Lester: Yeah, but she never complained. She’s not naked in [the rape scene], she’s fully clothed… Also, the Canadian producer, Arthur Kent, became the “Scud Stud.” During the first Gulf War with George Bush, he was the guy reporting for the TV news on the rooftop [from the war zone), and became known as the “Scud Stud.” Then he protested a dangerous assignment and started picketing the network that was Arthur Kent.

Your stunt coordinator was Terry J. Leonard, who had just done Conan the Barbarian and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Were there any stunt scenes that posed particular challenges? Mark L. Lester: In those days, there was no CGI, so the whole ending on the rooftop was actually a stunt guy crashing through glass and right into the auditorium. We flipped a car in another scene—but the movie revolved a lot more around the thriller aspects than any big stunts, so in that sense, it was different from films today. It didn’t rely on big action gags through the whole movie, it relied on the suspense of the teacher and what was going to happen to him.

Speaking of potentially injurious situations, you’ve said that a lot of extras in the club were real punk kids. Mark L. Lester: Yeah, I actually held auditions for them. They came in and were all handpicked; they had to have certain hairdos and all that, so it was very carefully done. And then they were really slam-dancing hard into people, hurting them, and we had to carry a few people out of there!

As far as the staged mayhem goes, were there concerns about the film’s violent content while you were shooting it? Mark L. Lester: I didn’t have any, but later on it was banned in certain countries, like Switzerland. It was considered too controversial, with the teacher killing the kids like that. But the wood-shop scene became the biggest crowd-pleaser of the movie. When the teacher and the boy go at it with the table saw, the audience just went wild every time that scene played; they couldn’t wait to see him kill that kid.

Class of 1984 was released in the U.S. by United Film Distribution, which had sent out movies like Dawn of the Dead and Mother’s Day unrated. Was there ever talk of releasing Class the same way? Mark L. Lester: No, they wanted to cut down the table-saw scene and a bunch of others, and it ended up getting an R rating. But the funny thing is, by mistake the prints ended up getting struck with the X version; those were the ones that got released, and no one ever questioned it.

The film got widely mixed reviews when it first came out-but surprisingly, one of the raves was from Roger Ebert, who was on a tear against “dead teenager” movies at the time. Mark L. Lester: Yeah, Ebert really kicked things off; he saw it at the Cannes Film Festival and gave it a great review. About half the reviews overall were great, and then some people didn’t like the violence and so forth. Newsweek was a bad review, Time was a good review, the New York papers liked it-and it did huge business.

Did you think that when you made this way back in the day, that it would have reached cult-status, much like it has now? Mark L. Lester: No, I had no idea that it would take off like it did, although until it opened, it was very controversial when it came out. It was in Time Magazine, and Ronald Reagan once had a speech about education, and they put the pictures from the movie into an editorial, and it had such controversial press, so it took off back then, and at the beginning of the film, I’d put a warning to the country that this would happen, the future couldn’t get much worse I don’t have the EXACT wording.

“Class of 1984” is not a great movie but it works with quiet, strong efficiency to achieve more or less what we expect from a movie with such a title. It is violent, funny, scary, contains boldly outlined characters, and gets us involved. It also has a lot of style. One of the reasons for the film’s style may be that it was made by people who knew what they were doing. …It tells a strong, simple story. It is acted well. It is not afraid to be comic at times and, even better, it’s not afraid at the end to pull out all the stops and give us the sort of Grand Guignol conclusion that the slasher movies always botch. You may or may not think it’s any good, but you’ll have to admit that it works. Roger Ebert – CLASS OF 1984 (1982) January 1, 1982

Interview with Actress Lisa Langlois

Class of 1984, you played Patsy the Punk. A completely different character…as rotten-of-an-apple as you can get. Was it fun to be vicious and terrorizing rather than terrorized? Lisa Langlois: Well, it’s so much more interesting. Although understand, they brought me in to play the nice girl, Michael J. Fox’s girlfriend. I went in and they told me they really saw me in that part. I said, “You know what? Would you just let me come back dressed and acting like the other character?” I explained that I grew up with four brothers. I’ve been around a lot of their friends and I’ve seen these kinds of tough people. I know how to do it. So I came back in, did the role and they loved it.

You really stand out in that film. How much of your characterization was in the original script? Lisa Langlois: I’ve gotta tell you…there was really not a lot of dialogue for me in that film. Everything that I did was improv and they kept it in the final cut. That’s what I liked about the director, Mark Lester. He didn’t have an ego about you throwing a line in or some business. He loved it.

What was the experience like for you making Class of 1984? Lisa Langlois: Not good. One was that all the Canadians (not the Americans) got asked to work for scale. They said they would give us a buyout later because they didn’t really have the money to make this film. And then the movie became this big hit and none of us ever got paid any residuals for television or video, etc. The extras really got mistreated. They hardly got paid. They got peanut butter and jam sandwiches. That scene where the girl takes her clothes off in front of the punks…that was really hard to do. It involved real acting for Tim Van Patton and me because she didn’t want to do that scene. She didn’t want to take her clothes off. She was shaking.

It reminded me of what happened to me in Phobia. You get intimidated and you don’t want to make waves. You’re young. You want people to like you. And they make it sound like it’s no big deal. That poor girl was literally shaking. I remember it was so sad, my makeup artist was making her up and I was sitting next to her. She told the girl, “Don’t worry, I’ll make you up so that no one will recognize you.” And I thought, that’s NOT just the issue. It doesn’t matter whether someone can see your face…in front of everybody, you’re taking your clothes off! Right. Timothy and I were talking about how uncomfortable we were with that. He said something to Mark because that guy was a gentleman. I just loved him.

There’s an almost lascivious nature to your character Patsy in that scene with the naked girl…almost lesbianic…? Lisa Langlois: That was an acting choice I made. Like I mentioned, I made the choices with Patsy because in the script she was just…standing there. That was one of my complaints. We had this really terrific stunt coordinator with Terry Leonard, and he never gave me anything to do in the fight scenes. Nothing. I decided I would be this character who’s really perverted in that I got off on sex and violence. What I would do is, when they were beating people up, I would jump up and down, and dance around. And when someone had to take their clothes off, I would get excited.

Tim was generally unhappy on this shoot. At the time, the movie was very violent. To me, it seemed so surreal and over-the-top and exaggerated because where I came from, I could never imagine kids behaving like that in school or having to go through metal detectors to get into class. Again, it was the wild, wild west we talked about earlier. The punk rockers that were hired to be extras…they weren’t really extras, they were real punks.

Did they cause any problems on the set? Lisa Langlois: Well, for me personally, they knew I wasn’t a real punk rocker. I had my hair purple, pink and some other colors. So a) they knew I was an actor and not one of them, and b) they didn’t appreciate me wearing a dress. Several times, I had punk rocker women come up to me and say, “We’re gonna get you…”

That’s awful! Lisa Langlois: Mark really wanted reality. It would have made more sense for me to have a wig than to dye my hair all those colors anyway. It was hell getting my hair to look normal again. But I was terrified. You won’t notice in the movie, but whenever there were big scenes like in a club or whatever, you wouldn’t see me. Because I would literally disappear.

For your own safety… Lisa Langlois: Yes. I was afraid. When they were slamming people, they were actually doing it. It was for real. They were really hitting each other. The punk extras got off on it.

Lester has talked in documentaries about going out and finding these punks for the film. Lisa Langlois: It wasn’t well thought out for the actors. It wasn’t taking care of us. I was afraid because I knew there was no protection on that set.

Did the female punks consider you a poser? Lisa Langlois: I think that would be the term you would use now. They just felt I was a fraud, I guess you would say. We were embarrassed to be in that film and it ended up being this big, big hit.

What did you think when you saw the finished product? Lisa Langlois: I didn’t go see it for a long time. However, I remember my mother saying that it was the quintessential moment for her when she knew I had done a good job as an actress. Because she was in a theater watching it, and when I got killed at the end, the audience got up and cheered. It was a real memorable moment for her.

Great! The audience was so engaged, they cheered. Lisa Langlois: Although, honestly…I don’t think I’m killed. I think I survived.

A car comes crashing down on your head! We’d have to side with the people who think you died. It’s pretty extreme. Lisa Langlois: Yeah, but it IS the movies. And I’m still talking. Which reminds me, I had completely forgotten about the part where the gang members killed Roddy McDowall’s animal in the biology lab. That was horrible. That was really, really horrible. I watched it and just thought, “Oh, wow…” But it was really great to act opposite Roddy in that movie.

The scene where he has the gun pointed at you is quite a good moment. Lisa Langlois: It was one of those things where you’re thinking, “Oh my God, I have this scene with Roddy McDowall…how am I going to do this?”

Do you think Roddy was one of those people who was unhappy making this movie? Lisa Langlois: I don’t know. Because the scene with the gun was really the only one I had with him. When there’s a big scene like that with lots of people, you don’t get any instant one on one time.

We wanted to ask you about one of the most powerful, unnerving scenes in the movie. The sort of Clockwork Orange scene where the gang goes in and rapes Perry King’s wife. Was that difficult? Lisa Langlois: So upsetting. I just saw it. Again, that was my idea to get a Polaroid camera and take a picture of it.

That was a good idea. It’s certainly revolting! Lisa Langlois: It’s really revolting. And then to give the Polaroid of his raped wife to Perry at the event. It was also my idea to put my finger in my mouth…my middle finger…and summon him with it. I came up with the moment when Patsy, like a little juvenile delinquent, takes her finger and pushes it through a hole she makes with her index finger and thumb.

You should be really proud of yourself, Lisa. Lisa Langlois: You know what? I had to find something to do because they never gave me any lines. In fact, before I thought of lines and things to do, my boyfriend suggested I wear a chain that makes noise. So whenever the audience would hear that chain, they would know that character is present. I thought that would never fly because the sound department wouldn’t go for that. We have to say the choices you made are fantastic. We couldn’t take our eyes off you. Even in the scenes in which you aren’t necessarily supposed to be the focus of attention. There was a certain…unpredictability to your character that made us always want to watch you.

Was the “kissy kissy” thing your idea as well? Lisa Langlois: Yes, that too. Ironically, they gave me a Marilyn Monroe shirt to wear. I’m wearing a shirt with her face on it. I also really hated my makeup in Class of 1984 because in my mind, that was so not punk. The makeup artist that I had was this woman who was not a young person. Privately, I thought, “She doesn’t know what punk is.” She kept bringing out all the glitter stuff and everything. It was so not the character.

Interview with Actor Timothy Van Patten

How did you get cast in Class of 1984? Timothy Van Patten: I have to go in the wayback machine; it was 1980 or ’81 when we made it. I think it was just a routine casting call. You know, the part couldn’t have been further, at that point in time, from the person I actually was, which was sort of a health fanatic. The character was a thrasher, a total punk rocker. In order to prepare for the movie, I went up to Toronto and started hanging out in punk clubs, which was a whole new experience for me (laughs).

Did you get into any hairy situations doing that? Timothy Van Patten: I was with some other actors who were sharing the experience. I never got into any major situations.

What was your working relationship with Mark Lester? Timothy Van Patten: Mark was a very good director, very capable. Decisive. He had a vision, and has turned out quite a few memorable films. He absolutely knew what he wanted, and I remember the entire experience going smoothly.

You’ve got that great scene with Michael J. Fox in the bathroom. What do you remember from shooting it? Timothy Van Patten: Michael was the first person I met on the film. We befriended each other immediately and started hanging out. Actually, we went to a pawnshop and each bought a guitar, and in our free time we’d go to the park and play. We became pretty good friends. Man, so much time has passed. Michael was playing the opposite of me, sort of a clean-cut kid. You could tell the guy was really good even then. He made his small part memorable. As the years go on, I appreciate him more and more because of his body of work.

In a interview Lester talked about the scene where you play the piano concerto, which you’re credited with composing yourself. Is that true, or did you work with the film’s composer Lalo Schifrin at all? Timothy Van Patten: You know something, it was totally improvised. I play the piano, but I don’t read music. At the time, it was just some sort of song I was fiddling around with; there was nothing written down for it. I was under the impression that I would play that piece, and they would replace it with different music by Lalo or something. They ended up keeping it, and they paid me a whopping $50 Canadian for it. I don’t think I even cashed the check. I may still have it somewhere.

In those days, was that like $15 American? Timothy Van Patten: Exactly! It’s hysterical. It totally works for the character. It totally works.

It’s clear that you’re really playing—your fingers are hitting those keys and that really adds to the scene. Timothy Van Patten: I haven’t seen the movie in a long time, but I think they left in the production sound. The sort of music-class, banged-up piano sound.

Do you recall the scene where you beat yourself up in the bathroom to get Andy Norris (Perry King) in trouble? Timothy Van Patten: All those scenes, they were all so heightened that for an actor, they were fun. There’s a lot of stuntwork in the movie, which I loved doing when I was that age. Perry was a very experienced actor, and I had just started acting three years before that. I had come off a television series called The White Shadow, and I wasn’t that experienced. Working with a guy like Perry made it easy. The writing was good, and those scenes worked between Perry and I. That bathroom was rigged, but I remember hitting the mirror as hard as I could, and it didn’t break. I said, “F**k it! I’ve got to stay with this!” and slammed my head into the mirror again, and it broke. If you look at the film, I’m a little bit dazed after that first hit.

Did they give you a stunt bump in pay for that? Timothy Van Patten: No! We all sort of did our own stunts in that film. The big fight with the African-American gang under where the highways converge, that was mostly us. The great Terry Leonard was the stunt coordinator. He was a legendary stuntman; he was Harrison Ford’s stunt double in the first Indiana Jones film. This guy has had every bone in his body broken twice, including his back and his neck. That was a thrill for me, working with Terry.

McDowall’s character “Mr. Corrigan” is shown pointing the gun at the class is an alternate poster. Have you seen that one? Timothy Van Patten: No! I’d love a copy of that. I just thought that scene was extraordinary. I remember looking at his copy of the script, spying it when it was on a desk while he was rehearsing. Every page of scenes he was in was covered, front and back, with notes. Small, small handwriting, top to bottom. It just impressed the shit out of me. That guy was a total pro. He and Perry really anchored the movie. All the other actors like Stefan Arngrim, Lisa Langlois, Neil Clifford and those guys—they lifted me up. I was the oddest piece of the puzzle, because I really wasn’t as experienced as all of them. I didn’t relate to the material as much as they did; Stefan Arngrim had some experience in his life in that world. They were all totally invested in their characters, and they carried me along and taught me a lot.)

youtube

CAST/CREW Directed Mark L. Lester

Produced Arthur Kent

Screenplay by Tom Holland Mark Lester John Saxton

Story Tom Holland

Starring Perry King Merrie Lynn Ross Timothy Van Patten Lisa Langlois Stefan Arngrim Michael Fox Roddy McDowall

Music Lalo Schifrin Alice Cooper

CREDITS/REFERENCES/SOURCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY Fangoria#317 Fangoria#318 dreadcentral terrortrap.com

Class of 1984 (1982) Retrospective SUMMARY Andrew Norris is the new music teacher at a troubled inner city school. As he arrives on his first day, he meets fellow teacher Terry Corrigan, who is carrying a gun.

#80sFilms

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wildshadowtamer · 5 years ago

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Andy the Bird Boy [SDV Fanfic]

Dunno if this counts as a fanfic or not but I'm presuming it is!

Andy belongs to me and all the others belong to ConcernedApe, creator of Stardew Valley.

Warnings: Bit of angst/depression at the beginning but otherwise good. Also short gay boys.

Word Count: 3,170 Words 17,739 Characters 71 Sentences 108 Paragraphs

Story under the cut cuz It’s long:

"And for my very special grandson" Grandpa laid in his bed, a young blonde boy kneeling beside him "I want you to have this sealed envelope." He passed the child a white envelope with a purple seal on it, he tried to open it, but his Grandpa stopped him "No, no, don't open it yet. Have patience" His grandson stopped, looked at the seal and nodded

"Now, listen close." the lad shuffled forward quietly "There will come a day when you feel crushed by the burden of modern life....and your bright spirit will fade before a growing emptiness." The tired man explained, "When that happens, my boy, you'll be ready for this gift."

"Now...let grandpa rest..."

that was the last time he ever saw his Grandpa.

23 years later...

[His POV]

Same job, same work, same life over and over. That's how my life is going so far, just dull and repeating.

My nightmare.

You see, i work at Joja, a large office company that does nothing to make their employees lives good. We barely even get breaks.

For a smoker who can't sit still for too long without going insane like me, that's a few hundred layers of hell on the daily.

Today, i was feeling particularly pessimistic, hunched over at my desk, half-asleep and dreading the next eight hours that followed. That was, until, I remembered my grandfather's old letter he gave me "....hmm."

I leaned back in my seat, opened my drawer next to me and removed the sealed envelope Grandpa had given me way back when I was a young boy "...well, can't get worse than this." I mumbled as i tore open the letter and straightened it out

It read:

"Dear Andy,

If you're reading this, then you must be in dire need of a change.

The same thing happened to me, long ago. I'd lost sight of what mattered most in life...real connections with other people and nature. So I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong.

I've enclosed the deed to that place...my pride and joy: Sunflower Farm. It's located in Stardew Valley, on the southern coast. It's the perfect place to start your new life.

This was my most precious gift of all, and now it's yours. I know you'll honour the family name, my boy.

Good Luck.

Love, Grandpa."

I couldn't help but cry, Grandpappy was the person i was closest to, I was so heartbroken that I wasn't given anything when he died but...I was wrong, Yoba was I wrong!

I flipped over the letter, and there was an extra piece of writing:

"P.S If Lewis is still alive, say Hi to the old guy for me, Will ya?"

I shakily laughed, tears rolling down my face and a goofy smile on my face.

I got up and headed shakily to the manager's office, there were already two tickets to the farm in the envelope so I didn't care what would happen

"Sir, I quit." I walk in, merely putting the letter on the desk and leaning against it, management nearly choked on his drink, he spluttered and looked at me like I had grown wings "w...what!? You can't do that!"

I looked at him with a completely straight and serious face, "Yes, I can. And I just did." I responded in such a monotone voice i was surprised my voice could even do that, but with that, I shrugged, took my letter, clocked out and went home.

I called my parents, and they were so happy, saying they'd call Lewis to tell him ahead of time since I couldn't go for another week.

One week later.

My alarm went off loudly, and I scrambled to get dressed in possibly the best clothes I have: a white undershirt with a fancy red waistcoat and matching red dress pants.

Terrance, my Mourning Dove, called hungrily, I quickly fed him and scurried to grab my tickets and brush my hair, which is now a flaring red compared to my old childhood blonde.

"Come on, Terry!" I grabbed his cage and made it down to the bus stop, adjusting the fabric cover so he wouldn't be too loud. My heart was beating out of my chest, and I couldn't help but grin happily, admittedly i did get some looks from the other people waiting since i was dressed like i was from the 1700s, but I like it so why should i care?

-------------------

Andy waited patiently throughout the hour-long ride, keeping Terry's cage on his lap as he watched the city turn to landscape, then rolling fields and beautiful forests.

Eventually, the bus rolled to a stop, the young man, being the only passenger left jumped to his feet once he felt the bus stop, he grabbed Terry's cage carefully and stepped off the bus happily.

A mid 40's woman with orange hair waved him over "Hello! You must be Andy!" She exclaimed happily as he approached "I'm Robin, the local carpenter. Mayor Lewis sent me here to fetch you and show you the way to your new home. He's there right now, tidying things up for your arrival." Continuing, she held out a hand, to which Andy shook politely

"The farm's right over here, if you'll follow me." She grins, leading him over to a pathway, a small house in the distance.

"This is Sunflower Farm." Andy took a step back and gritted his teeth in surprise when he saw the state of his old grandfather's farm, overgrown with weeds and trees as far back as it went. "What's the matter?" Robin asked with a giggle, turning to speak to him clearly. "Sure, it's a bit overgrown, but there's some good soil underneath that mess!" she smiled, hands behind her back and giggling as Andy sighed, giving her a glance that read 'are you sure....?'

"With a little dedication, you'll have it cleaned up in no time!" She reassured the nervous boy, turning his attention to the humble little shack behind them "...and here we are, your new home!" She exclaimed; happily, the door slammed open, and an older gentleman with a well-kept mustache walked out "Ah, the new farmer!" He smiled, walking down the steps to stand beside the two redheads

"Welcome! I'm Lewis, Mayor of Pelican Town." he addressed himself, holding out a hand which Andy quickly took "Andy, s-sir." The boy stuttered as he formally addressed the mayor.

"Please, just call me Lewis." He smiled; Andy went red and nodded, pulling his hand away "Y-yes s- uh lewis." He stammered, keeping his hands formally behind his back.

"You know, everyone's been asking about you." Lewis continued, "It's not every day that someone new moves in. It's quite a big deal!" He exclaimed cheerfully; Andy was redder than his hair that resembled a lions mane, no matter how hard he tried.

"So..." Lewis went on "Your moving into your grandfather's old cottage." Andy nodded, the three of them turned and looked at the house once more "It's a good house, very...rustic." Lewis raised an eyebrow at the half-broken home

Robin snickered "Rustic? That's one way to put it! 'Crusty' might be a little more apt, though." Andy smiled awkwardly, trying not to insult his grandfather

Lewis rolled his eyes and glanced at Andy, smirking

"Don't listen to her, Andy. She's just trying to make you dissatisfied so that you buy one of her house upgrades." Andy giggled, and Robin gasped "Rude!" she crossed her arms and looked away "Anyway, you must be tired from the long journey, you should get some rest." Lewis nudged Andy towards the house a bit, to which he half-stumbled over the steps and brushed himself down once he got to the top of the two-step stairs

Lewis smiled "tomorrow you ought to explore the town a bit and introduce yourself" He proceeded "The townspeople would appreciate that." He nods absentmindedly, ignoring the bright red Andy standing in front of him barely able to stand from the embarrassment, Robin tried to hold back her laughter.

Lewis walked off, stopping at the big shipping box next to him "Oh, I almost forgot. If you have anything to sell, just place it in this box here. I'll come by during the night to collect it." and with that, the two walked off, leaving Andy red-faced, embarrassed and tired.

"...wait, what." the last half of Lewis' previous sentence caught up to him "Alright then." He mumbled to himself, calming down and opening the door to his new home "Ohhh boy" He looked around the small room:

a plant, a rug, a single bed, a fireplace, a table & chair and tv was all that stood, in what was mainly a wooden box.

Locking the door, he got changed from his smart clothes into his nightclothes: an oversized hoodie and sweatpants. "Well Terry," he placed the bird on the table "Welcome to our new home."

Terry started calling loudly from underneath the cover, to which Andy quickly fed him before readjusting the sheet one last time and collapsing into a tired heap on the small single bed.

He rolled over and sighed, smiling as he drifted to sleep.

-----------------

Once he woke up, he could hear the birds tweeting outside, and his own hungrily cooing "Alright, alright, gimme a sec..." Andy mumbled, tired from his long day previously

It took him a bit to wake up, but he did eventually feed the Dove and collect the tools that he noticed at the foot of his bed, as well as a present on the floor.

"huh..."

He kneeled down and took a note off it along with some parsnip seeds:

"Here's a little something to get you started -Mayor Lewis." He giggled, grinning at the sight of Mayor Lewis leaving this hear for him in the middle of the night.

Coo! Terrance called loudly "Whaaaat? You're extra loud today!" Andy got up and took Terrance out of his cage, to which the bird flew onto his shoulder and shut up "...you wanna come with me." He sighs jokingly annoyed.

"Alright, fine, but just because your such a cute birdy." He stroked the bird lightly before stepping outside and sighing "... I'll just go meet the residents before I tackle that." Andy excuses it, hurrying over to the town-centre

On his way over, he noticed some beautiful daffodils over by the bus stop, so he decided to pick them and throw them in the backpack he brought with him.

The town-centre was very lovely, clean and relatively old-fashioned from what he was used to, he even spotted a saloon opposite him.

"Oh! A calendar!" He exclaimed, reading the birthdays, he mentally noted that Lewis' was coming up 7 days from then, only then did he notice the sign above it "Pierre's" He mumbled, presuming it was were the glass doors lead to beside him.

"AND a help wanted board? Wow, this town is great!"

The boy continued to explore the town while nobody was up, but someone bumped into him while he was exploring:

"Whoever you are, I don't wanna talk, leave me alone." The man snapped harshly, making Andy stumble back in surprise and start blushing from embarrassment "O-oh, okay sir, s-sorry!" He backed away and hid behind a bush, his face extremely red

"...I didn't even catch his name..." He thought quietly, taking a deep breath and continuing his exploring.

On his way, he met multiple residents:

Gus, Penny, Pierre, Abigail, Caroline, and so many more.

Eventually, he skipped over the nearby bridge cheerfully, until he spotted a jojamart, and his stomach sank, he instinctively felt sick and started shaking. Trying to back away from it, he stumbled into a blonde boy who was just heading over the cobblestone bridge

"O-Oh! Oh, yoba i-i'm so sorry! i just...i..." He trailed off, barely able to stand "Woah, Hey, It's alright!" The blonde boy grabbed him, keeping him upright

"Take a deep breathe, what's wrong?" He asked cautiously, Andy breathed shakily and calmed a bit "I-It's just...I came here t-to get away from J-Joja and...It's just....h-hard to handle." He teared up, getting pulled into a hug by the stranger "Hey, it's alright, I work there too. I know it's pretty bad, but you don't have to go near it if you don't want to." He reassured the short man, rubbing circles into his back.

"S-sorry...U-um..." Andy pulled away, blushing through the tears "M-my name is Andy, I didn't mean t-to scare you." He nervously smiled, the other grinned and chuckled "It's no problem! The name's Sam! If you do need to go into there at any point, I'll stay with ya if you need it, okay?" He tells Andy, who nods shakily and waves him goodbye.

"Ack- No, Andy, don't be falling for cute boys just yet..." He mumbled to himself, his face redder than before.

Eventually, he went on with his day, Terry asleep on his shoulder and by night he decided to go to the saloon.

"Hey, Andy!" Sam called from the side room of the saloon, running over to hug the small, seemingly younger man "What brings you here tonight?" He asked, keeping one arm around him as he escorted him to the bar "Oh...just curious..." He mumbled quietly, his face bright red once again, about the 4th time today.

"Say...are you even allowed to drink? Legally, I mean?" He asked, Lewis rolled his eyes behind them "Uhh....do i really look that young?" He asked nervously, rubbing the back of his neck

Sam glanced him up and down "Yeah, younger than me, and I'm only 20!" He chuckled, Andy went a shade of red that probably isn't possible

He laughed awkwardly "I'm....30..." He said slowly, he felt the whole place stop and stare at him in disbelief:

It was fair enough, he did have a baby face and sounded about 14, acted 17 and was about 5'4, the average height of a 14-year-old, so he was far from offended, just surprised.

"No, waaay!" Sam laughed "30? Damn, I wouldn't have guessed! If you were any shorter, I would have thought you were 10!" He teased, poking at Andy's waistcoat

"Yeeaaahhh..." He wanted the ground to eat him at this point "So, way over the legal age to drink aha" He joked, Sam nodded and gestured for Gus to get the two of them a drink.

"Huh, you're old." A Dark-haired emo appeared next to Sam, his hair covering one eye ", And you look like a vampire, what about it." Andy snapped suddenly, crossing his arms.

The room went dead silent once more, the tense atmosphere so thin you could cut it "....sassy, nice." The emo finally spoke up, Andy regained his usual nervous personality and continued to get redder in the face, especially after he noticed both Sam and emo boy were ever-so-slightly blushing.

"Right, so!" Sam interrupted "This is Sebastian, my best friend!" he put an arm around Sebastian instead "But I call 'im Sebby!" He grinned, Sebastian shrunk into his hoodie, getting more red-faced.

"...Out of all the places you chose to live, you chose Pelican Town?" Sebastian asked quietly, the entire bar focused on them "uhh...y-yeah, the city got a bit too much for me....B-but It's better here, so...hah." Andy grinned awkwardly, stroking Terry absentmindedly

"....what the hell is on your shoulder?" The emo pointed to Terrance, Sam nodding beside him

----------------

[Andy's POV]

The bar was silent and listening in, a few people whisper to one another about my bird "Oh, he's my Mourning Dove, T-Terrance! He doesn't tend to fly so h-he's completely safe, don't worry!" I reassure the two younger boys, Sebastian raises an eyebrow "....right." he mumbled, eyeing Terry cautiously

I squirmed a bit before making a dove call, sending Terry awake instantly and calling back "See?" I hold a hand to Terry's feet, he gladly steps on and coos

"He's completely docile! Got his shots n' everything, so he's fine to hold!" I continued to explain, feeling my heartbeat quicken "Hey Terry, do a twirl!" And with that, Terry flew into the air and follow the instructions perfectly, twirling around and eventually landing on Sebastian's head, cooing softly

Sam suddenly laughed, and Sebby went so many shades of scarlet he resembled my waistcoat "H-HEY! GET YOUR DAMN BIRD OFFA ME!" He yelled, unable to move much "Aaawww Terry likes you!" I laughed, carefully picking Terry off Emo's head.

"....thankyou," he mumbled, redoing his hair now that a bird isn't in it.

"Holy s-" Sam laughed, practically doubled over, Abigail half-choking in the background too "Wooow Seb! Never knew you were a bird guy!" He joked, his friend glaring at him through his hair and blush.

After Sam and Abigail had calmed down, we continued to chat for a half-hour until I noticed someone in the corner of the room

"hm?" I stopped, staring at the familiar person "Oh hey! I think we met earlier, right?" I got up, approaching the man in the scruffy blue jacket

"i thought i told you to leave me the hell alone." He growled, taking another sip of beer from the can he's been drinking all night "Don't mind Shane, he's pretty antisocial" Emily, the bartender, piped up

"...I like your hair." I mumble, trying to start a conversation "does it look like i care?" he shot my attempt down "....alright, sorry...." I mumble, half bowing and backing off

"Geez, what's wrong with that guy?" Sam asked as Andy returned to the group "I-I'm sure he'll lighten up eventually! You can't be salty forever... Besides, he looks older than me, I'm not gonna mess with him." I explained, feeling a bit more optimistic.

"Well, now that we've got hat over with, You three up for some pool!?" Sam jumped to his feet and ran to the back room where the pool table was, I scurried after him with Abigail behind me, Sebastian slowly following.

It was a few hours until people started to leave, but the four of us wanted to stay a little longer "Hey, Andy." Robin piped up before she left "You seem like a nice guy and that house is pretty broken down, how about i upgrade it for you? Free of charge, of course." She suggested, Sam gasped and Abigail grinned while I felt my ears go red

"Uhh yeah sure, thankyousomuch miss Robin!" I stumbled over my words, bowing to her in thank, we waved her goodbye and turned back to the pool table

"Where you gonna sleep now." Sebastian asked quietly "...Sam?" I turned to Sam, who nodded and grinned "Then it's settled!" I giggle, leaning into Sam slightly, although barely noticeable.

Sam showed me where his house is, heading back first with me following, but not before i heard something from Abigail

"Oh their so gay." and a chuckle from Sebastian, I went redder and chased after Sam, getting scolded by his mother for staying out so late without warning but then being welcomed and having a great sleepover.

I think I'm gonna fit in here.

---------------------------------

#stardew valley #Stardew Valley OC #sdv oc #sdv shane #sdv emily #sdv robin #sdv lewis #sdv sebastian #sdv sam #Andy Garth Superhalk #Terrance The Mourning Dove #fanfic #story #my writing

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vernonfielding · 6 years ago

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Life Writes Its Own Stories

Chapter 12. (AO3.)

Leo James looked like hell, faced bruised all over, eyes bloodshot and swollen. The Narcan may have saved him from an overdose death, but Jake thought it was going to take a while to recover from what must have been a brutal assault.

He made Jake and Rosa close his hospital room door before he would talk. His voice was thin and rough, like he’d been strangled on top of everything else.

A cop is running Jazzy Pants, Leo told them. No, he didn’t know the cop’s name. The cop has a few mid-level street dealers on the front lines doing the actual dirty work. He promised to protect them if things turn, but one of them got freaked and snitched to Leo. Leo’s been trying to leak to Jake, but there’s been an ugly vibe on the streets, and he was nervous. He never saw the guys who took him down – it happened fast, and after they’d beat him they’d dosed him with the Jazzy Pants and left him for dead.

“Been a long time since I was this scared,” Leo said.

“Looks like you were smart to be scared,” Rosa said.

Leo nodded, and Jake patted him vaguely on the arm. What Leo had given them was huge, but Jake had no idea what to do with it, where to even begin investigating one of their own on so little information.

“We’ve got an officer watching your room. Try to get some rest.” Jake turned to leave, but Leo grabbed for him.

“Not done yet, Peralta,” he said. Leo nodded toward a chair near the door, where a stack of clothes was neatly folded. “The jacket on top. Inner pocket.”

Jake raised an eyebrow at Rosa, who shrugged. He picked up the jacket and unzipped the pocket. Inside was a Ninja Turtle figurine (Donatello, not his personal favorite). Jake held it up.

“It’s a thumbdrive,” Leo said. “Don’t know what’s on it – didn’t want to look – but it came from the guy who tipped me off. He’s dead, by the way.”

Jake closed his fist around the Ninja Turtle. “Get some sleep, Leo.”

He and Rosa swapped theories on the drive back to the precinct. They agreed that it was possible the whole thing was a lie – Jake trusted his own CI, but Leo’s information was secondhand. A story about an NYPD cop running a drug ring sounded insanely far-fetched, the stuff of urban legends. Taking bribes, sure. Shaving a little off the top of a bag of heroin, yeah, it happened. Every now and then entire kilos of cocaine went missing. But running an entire operation was another matter entirely. Rosa hypothesized it could be a former cop, maybe someone who’d worked undercover in drug enforcement. They didn’t know for sure it was even someone in the NYPD, she pointed out.

Jake didn’t say it, but he was praying that Manny wasn’t involved. It was unsettling that they’d been told the Seven-Eight had a task force. Depending on what was on the thumbdrive, that precinct was probably where they’d have to begin their search for a dirty cop.

Back at the Nine-Nine, Jake glanced at Pembroke’s office to confirm he was still out and wouldn’t be trying to Vulture this investigation away from them. His door was closed and the lights were off. Jake inserted the thumbdrive into his computer; there was only one file, and he clicked it open.

“It’s a ledger,” Rosa said. She was leaning over his shoulder, one hand planted on his desk.

Jake scrolled through the entries – it looked like about eight months of data, starting the previous May. He pointed a finger at one of the rows. “We’ve got dates, times, addresses – looks like they were getting drops two or three times a week.”

“So that’s-” Rosa closed her eyes, lips twitching. “About 80 entries. At least.”

Jake stared at her. “How do you do that?”

“Not that hard, man.” Rosa tapped the screen. “Print this out.”

They set up shop in the briefing room, where they could use the map to pin the locations in the ledger and spread out their paperwork. Right away they figured out there were four main drops, all warehouses in or near Brownsville. They each took two addresses and got to work.

Tracking addresses to possible suspects was tedious work. Most of them led back to holding companies or developers that almost certainly had nothing to do with the drug ring – they were just unlucky enough to own under-utilized property that the dealers were basically squatting out of. One of Rosa’s warehouses turned out to have ties to a known drug cartel, which they filed away for further investigation down the line.

After a couple of hours Jake brought them bags of chips and pretzels from the break room, plus cups of disgusting vending machine mochas because the kitchen coffeemaker was broken again. An hour after that, he gave up on his warehouses and turned back to the ledger.

There were a few stray addresses they had pinned to the map but hadn’t researched yet, so he sighed and began looking them up. Most of them were small units – loft apartments, run-down artist studios – in the same neighborhood as the warehouses. One was a private storage company.

And then there was an outlier: A penthouse property in Dumbo, overlooking the river. It probably had really killer views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

The owner was an LLC, and the owner of the LLC was a man whose name tickled at the back of Jake’s brain – he was sure he’d seen it before but couldn’t place it. He googled the name but still nothing clicked, and then he did an image search. He glanced over the first row of photos, and sucked in a sharp breath.

“What?” Rosa looked up from her laptop.

Jake swallowed thickly, letting the pieces slot into place. “Remember the missing Rat-Dog case, a couple months ago?”

Rosa’s brows furrowed, but she nodded. “Yeah, we chased it down for the Vulture’s frat buddy.”

“Well, frat bro owns one of the drops on the ledger.” Jake spun his laptop toward Rosa and pointed to a photo of the man, his arm slung over Pembroke’s shoulders. “I think we found our cop.”

Rosa gaped at the photo for a second, then turned and locked eyes with Jake. A spark of understanding passed between them.

Jake slammed shut his laptop. Rosa began gathering up the stacks of papers they’d strewn about and Jake pulled pins out of the map. They bolted out of the briefing room, both looking toward Pembroke’s still-dark office. Jake checked the time on his phone – it was almost 8 p.m.

“What do we do?” he hissed to Rosa.

“We get out of here,” Rosa said. “Shaw’s?”

It was probably too close, but they needed to get out of the precinct now and Jake couldn’t think of anywhere else safe. He nodded and led the way.

+++

Amy glared at her notepad and the to-do list she’d been crafting for the past hour and a half. Usually lists were so soothing, sort of her go-to for coming down after a hard day, but even the perfectly shaped bullet points and the evenly spaced title letters weren’t helping her relax now. She tapped her favorite list-making pen (it was different from her note-taking pen and her just-jotting-down-thoughts pen and her supposed-to-be-taking-notes-but-actually-just-doodling pen for Terry’s monthly metro staff meetings) on her notebook and racked her brain for more things to put on her list.

She started to write “grocery shopping” – got so far as g-r-o – and then she tried to remember if she had orange soda at home and then she sighed and dropped her pen. That was the problem. Everything on her list came back to Jake.

She knew she should go home already. It was after 8, and Terry and Holt and most of the other reporters were gone; Hitchcock was still at his desk, presumably watching a live feed of a development board meeting, but his eyes had been closed for hours. As lonely as it felt here, Amy dreaded the idea of returning to her dark and empty apartment and not even having work to distract her. Not that work was helping much now.

Her email pinged, and Amy looked up hopefully – maybe someone had shot the mayor or a fire had broken out in a high-rise. But it was just Charles again.

The subject line said: “Just to confirm, neither you nor Jake said the words ‘break up.’” There was no text in the body of the email.

Amy deleted the email and looked up from her desk. Charles was watching her from his spot on the copy desk. She slid a finger slowly across her neck. He gave her an overly dramatic shrug and turned back to his computer.

Charles had figured out after witnessing several hushed conversations between Amy and Gina that something had gone down with Jake. Amy had given him the extremely condensed version of the story – that Jake was mad about Gina’s column and blaming Amy for it – and Charles had been instantly devastated. But he’d rallied an hour later and started pestering her for details. A little after noon, he’d latched onto the fact that they weren’t technically broken up because neither of them had said they were broken up.

At first Amy had found that thought somewhat comforting – it was true, after all – but eight hours later she was fed up. And it wasn’t just Charles she was fed up with. She’d realized, at some point late in the day, that her feelings about what had happened with Jake went beyond just hurt. She was angry with him. Even furious. He’d either never trusted her at all, or his faith had been so fragile, so superficial, that it couldn’t pass even the most obvious of tests.

That thought was heartbreaking and infuriariating and flat-out depressing, all at once.

Her email alert sounded again and Amy groaned and thought about marching straight to Charles’ desk and ordering him to just leave it. But when she looked at her inbox, the email wasn’t from him. And the subject line made her breath catch: “Jake Peralta.”

Amy glanced at the sender but she didn’t recognize the address: b00bman-at-hotmail. “Gross,” Amy muttered. She warily clicked it open.

“Dear Amy Santiago. Peralta has been selling the street drug Jazzy Pants. I HAVE PROOF. He also takes bribes and thinks women shouldn’t be in the NYPD. He also hates puppies AND kittens. ASK ANYONE. I can give you details.”

The email wasn’t signed, and it ended with an address and a time to meet later that night. Amy’s hands were shaking when she went to delete the email, just on reflex. Then she thought better of it and printed it out instead. She ran to the printer so no one else could grab it before her and read it again, her heart racing. When Charles popped up at her shoulder she actually yelped.

“What’s wrong?” he said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I saw you run over here. What is that?”

“Nothing.” Amy held the printout to her chest so he couldn’t read it. “I’ve got to go.”

She hurried back to her desk and shut down her laptop, and slung her purse over her shoulder. She was just at the door when it occurred to her that she had no idea what her next move was. She needed to talk to Jake, but she was afraid if she called or texted he’d ignore her, or tell her to stay away.

“Charles?” She approached his desk with caution. “Do you happen to know where Jake is right now?”

“Oh, thank god,” Charles said, clapping his hands in delight. “I’ve actually been texting with him all day and right now he’s at Shaw’s with Rosa, and he said I definitely shouldn’t-”

But Amy was already headed back to the door. She heard him calling after her, “Yes! Go get him! Love finds a way!”

She paused just outside, feeling weirdly vulnerable, like someone was watching her. She realized she’d left her jacket inside, but she wasn’t going back for it – she already felt like she was running out of time.

Her hands were still unsteady as she called for an Uber. While she waited for the car, she peeked at the email again. She couldn’t explain why the note had triggered such an urgent, demanding sense of apprehension. There was something in the tone of it, a familiarity, that set her teeth on edge. She didn’t think it was just that Jake was the subject, though surely that was the most upsetting part.

Amy studied the email address again, and frowned. Gina’s source had emailed too. It wasn’t unusual to get tips via email, of course, but Amy had a strange feeling. She texted Gina to ask what her source’s email address was. She wasn’t expecting an answer, actually – reporters were generally very protective of anonymous sources, and rightfully so – but they’d reached a sort of truce today, and Amy hoped Gina might feel like doing her a favor.

Her heart stuttered when her cell phone buzzed in her hands. Amy looked at the screen: “b00bman-at-hotmail.” It was followed by a vomit emoji.

Amy’s car pulled up, and she yanked the door open and jumped inside. “As fast as you can,” she told the driver. He rolled his eyes at her in the rearview mirror, but the tires squealed when he took off.

+++

Jake and Rosa were at their same table at the back of Shaw’s, though with pints instead of Shirley Temples (and they’d both done a shot of whiskey, because “what the fuck, the Vulture is a drug runner now?” Rosa had said).

They’d done a bit more googling on their phones on Pembroke’s frat buddy. It wasn’t clear how friendly they were, and the photo of them was about a decade old, but the fact that Pembroke had them running cases for the guy as recently as August was pretty damning. It didn’t prove that the Vulture was associated with, much less running, the Jazzy Pants operation, but Jake knew they had enough leads to launch an investigation.

The question was what to do now.

“Go to Wuntch?” Rosa said. She was tilted back in her chair, looking cool and casual, but Jake saw the way her eyes kept darting to the front door and the exits. Shaw’s was pretty empty, which was good and bad – there weren’t any other cops around to spy on them, but they also were pretty exposed, even in the dimly lit back end of the bar.

Jake thought over Rosa’s suggestion and shook his head. “Wuntch is going to want more evidence. And she may not like Pembroke much right now, but she could still ask him about it and tip our hand. If he’s already twitchy enough to go after at least one of my CIs, no telling what he’ll do if he knows we’re onto him.”

Rosa blew her hair out of her face in a huff of frustration, but she didn’t argue with him. Jake was fidgeting with the Ninja Turtle thumbdrive, twirling it between fingers, and Rosa yanked it away and stuffed it in a jacket pocket. She shot him a glare that he read as “stop playing with the evidence, idiot.”

Jake said, “I could talk to Leo again. He might have a name he for us, maybe one of the dealers working with Pembroke.”

“Dude’s pretty scared,” Rosa said. “Even if he has a name – and that’s a big if – you think he’s going to give it up?”

“No.” Jake closed his eyes and tugged at his hair with both hands. “This is crazy. Is there seriously no one we can trust?”

“Shit.” Rosa’s chair dropped to the floor with a thud.

Jake looked up, alarmed. “What? Is he here?”

Rosa jerked her chin toward the front door. Jake spun in his chair, and it was like everything around him stopped for a moment, and just faded away. All he saw was her.

Amy’s hair was down, framing her face in dark waves, and her eyes glittered as she peered all around the room. She was biting her lip, and twisting her hands together in a nervous way. When her eyes landed on him, her face lit up for a second. And just as quickly the light was gone, replaced by a determination he recognized from their nights working together and something less familiar, a brutal sort of stoicism. His heart fluttered in his chest as she approached their table.

“Jake.” Her voice was flat, and she projected a bit so she could be heard over the music.

Jake wasn’t sure what to say (or do) – too many competing thoughts were bouncing around his head suddenly. He wanted to apologize and he wanted to tell her he still wasn’t sure. He wanted to kiss her and he wanted to send her away and he wanted to take her hand and run with her, he didn’t even care where.

Rosa cleared her throat. “I’m going to- leave.”

Amy stepped back to give Rosa room to squeeze past the table, then took her seat. She leaned forward, hands clasped together again, tightly this time so she couldn’t fidget.

“What are you doing here?” Jake said, bending toward her so he could keep his voice low.

Amy started at that, and a flash of anger creased her brow. “I thought you were done hiding,” she said, the words short and sharp.

“Amy-”

She held up a hand. “Never mind, obviously that doesn’t matter anymore. It’s not why I’m here anyway.” She pulled her purse into her lap and took out a slip of paper, which she read over first, then handed to him.

Jake squinted at the printed text in the dim light. It was an email – his name was in the subject line. As he read, he felt a hard knot form in his stomach. When he was done, he quickly folded the paper in half and then half again. He looked around the room, saw Rosa at one end of the bar and caught her eye, flagging her back to them.

“Do you know who sent it?” Jake said to Amy.

“No, but-”

“Read this,” Jake said, passing the note to Rosa as she walked up. Rosa pulled over a chair from a nearby table and straddled it, then read.

“What the hell.”

“He’s trying to pin it on me,” Jake said.

Rosa closed her eyes, crumpling the note in her fist.

“Who’s trying to pin what on you?” Amy said, looking furiously between them.

“The Vulture,” Jake said, under his breath. “Ames, I can’t explain it now, but this is bad. We need to get you out of here.”

“I don’t understand,” Amy said. “What’s he trying to pin on you?”

Jake glanced quickly around the room again before turning back to Amy. “It’s about Jazzy Pants, and I mean it, I can’t tell you everything right now. But another one of my CIs got hit today, and if he’s sending messages to you now-” He paused, because spelling it all out made it much more terrifying.

Jake felt for his gun at his side. Rosa saw him, and quickly did the same. They locked eyes and nodded.

“Jake, wait,” Amy said, sounding breathless, “what about you?”

“Rosa and I can take care of ourselves. We need to get you somewhere safe – maybe Gina, or Charles.”

“Charles is closer,” Rosa said.

“And he’s been texting me all day, so we know he’s around.” Jake stood up, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair and shrugging it on.

“Don’t I get a say in this?” Amy said, but she stood up too, and let herself be hustled toward the front of the bar.

“We should split up,” Jake said, when they reached the door.

Rosa nodded. “My bike’s out back. Where do you want to meet?”

Jake thought it over but his mind was blank – he wouldn’t be able to think clearly until he got Amy settled. “I’ll text you, half an hour.”

Rosa took off for the back door. Jake set a hand on Amy’s lower back, but he pushed ahead of her, and opened the front door slowly so he could make sure there was no one outside, waiting for them. It was dark and deserted. Jake pulled out his phone to call them an Uber, ushering Amy along.

He said, “I’m sorry you got dragged in-”

A solid weight tackled Jake from behind. His phone flew out of his hand and he heard Amy scream. Jake thrust an elbow back, hard, and heard a satisfying grunt as he connected. He reached for his gun, and then there was a sharp, nauseating pain in his shoulder, radiating all the way down his arm. Jake fell to one knee and he was tackled again, the weight crashing into his back and knocking the wind out of him. Jake tried to kick out but he was pinned, and he couldn’t catch his breath, and then hands were pulling his arms behind his back and binding his wrists, and he groaned in pain. He turned his head, tried to find Amy, and something dark fell over his eyes and he couldn’t see a thing.

He was dragged up to his feet and tugged forward a few stumbling steps, only to be thrown again a moment later, landing hard on his shoulder. He rolled onto his back and heard doors slamming shut, felt the jerk of a vehicle taking off. Someone yanked him up so he was sitting.

He called out, “Amy!”

“I’m here!”

The relief was immediate, and followed just as quickly by terror. At least they were together, and alive. For the moment.

Jake moved his head, tried to see anything through the black veil over his eyes. “Are you okay?”

A fist punched into his stomach and Jake grunted, folding over himself. He felt the unmistakable press of a gun into the base of his skull.

Someone leaned in close to him, breath hot on the side of his face. “No more talking.”

CHAPTER 13

#b99 fic #peraltiago #jake and amy au #newspaper au #life writes its own stories

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multimetaverse · 6 years ago

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Andi Mack 3x10 Review

The Quacks was a very good ep with the game changing return of Marty from the party. Let’s dig in!

Positives:

It’s been over a year and 29 eps but the show’s very own prodigal son has finally returned. The show handled his return very well; not having him featured on the previously on will make it really shocking for the casual audience. Great fake out making it look like Buffy could be calling Walker. Finally a story line with actual stakes to it

Really nice framing to have the ep open and close with Buffy realizing she needed to communicate directly with a boy

Good character growth for Buffy when she realized that winning isn’t everything though I’ll have more to say about the Spikes in the negatives

Coach Deb was a nice little character; it was very funny when she gave the other team orange slices

Good for Andi for being a good friend and trying her best out there

Who would have guessed that Andi wasn’t going to change her name to Quinn on a show called Andi Mack? It was a nice discussion though, I liked Bex’s line about it being important to be able to choose your identity, it could fit as mission statement of sorts for the show

There was a nice bit of subtext of both Bex and Bowie being only children and therefore one of their family names faces extinction. Progressive of the show to have Bowie decide to take the surname Mack

That couples game question about wanting more kids is foreshadowing if I’ve ever seen it. Bex’s line about wanting a puppy and wanting the cuddles but not a clean up can also be read in a similar light of not wanting the hassle of a newborn. Realistically at this point all the other obstacles standing in the Wedding’s way have been overcome; it’s hard to see what other trouble Miranda could stir other than telling or insinuating to either Bex or Bowie that one or the other doesn’t want another kid. That being said I expect that drama to be overcome fairly easily with the wedding being in 3x18 and it would be more shocking at this point if Bex doesn’t reveal that she’s pregnant in the series finale

Nice of Jonah to make an effort to learn sign language though not a wise choice on the show’s part to actually sell Jibby in Libby’s last ep

It looks like the dance class story line will be dropped after this and if it is I commend the show for ending it now rather than dragging it out all season

I actually really liked Amber and Cyrus’ friendship in this ep. It will be interesting to see what they do with Amber in the future as she’s in every ep from here on out except for 3x11, 3x15, and 3x20

Negatives:

I don’t care about the shoe thing but I really didn’t like the line they had about Buffy going to the fall formal and seeing other girls wearing shoes Walker made them; it makes Walker sound like a ‘player’ which feeds into some very ugly stereotypes about black men. I’m sure the writers didn’t intend it that way but it’s not a good line. Not really sure why they couldn’t just have had Buffy say that she realized her and Walker didn’t really vibe well and just leave it at that

Darius wasn’t seen on set again after August so I’d assume we’re getting an off screen breakup for Wuffy which is weird when the show made a point of emphasizing the importance of a face to face break up. Though I don’t think the audience will really care since the show never put any effort into Wuffy. I know that Wuffy only happened because they lost Garren and didn’t learn until later that they could get him back but not a good look for the show to have the only male character of colour have relationships with two women of colour only to have them breakup so they can get back with their white love interest.

Milicent confirmed in an interview that she was only in 2 eps so we’re heading for an off screen breakup at some point. I’d hope the show doesn’t drag it out but regardless it’s going to come off as odd to the audience when they actually put effort into Jibby this ep and had Jonah make a real effort. I wonder if whatever is going on with Jonah leads to the breakup or if it happens after it’s brought up so he can focus on himself for a bit. Funnily enough, this makes Asher revealing that Jonah sings You Girl on his live even more of a spoiler than it already was if the audience is supposed to believe that Jibby might last

It seems to me that having the Spikes suck so much really undercuts the whole girl power message the show has been pushing since the beginning. You could even make the case that TJ is a better captain than Buffy since his team actually shows up and wins. That neither Kaitlin nor Coach Deb are listed for any further eps really suggests that this is the last Spikes game we’ll ever see and that they’re likely to be dropped at some point. I’d guess the show had to choose between Buffy having screen time with the Spikes or with Marty

Looking Ahead:

Next week will be a very interesting ep. It’s likely an ep Terri wrote herself so what she chooses to focus on and what she does or doesn’t get approved will be telling for how the rest of the season will play out especially since this will be the most focus Cyrus gets in a single ep, the only appearance of his parents this season, and could well be the last solo Tyrus scene(s) we see until the finale

Not sure why people thought TJ would be in the promo. Luke was only on set for one day when they filmed 3x11 and it’s not like Disney is going to heavily promo any Tyrus scenes. I’d hope that TJ is the one to really focus on Cyrus and how he’s feeling

That looks like the worst panic attack Jonah has had yet and it could very well be one of the last if not the last one we see on screen. Panic! at the Shiva really was a very spoilerly title. I wonder what triggered it: the funeral itself? being around all the people who know about his panic attacks? Something that reminds him of whatever is going on with his family?

Looks like Buffy is keeping her reconnecting with Marty a secret for now which is actually an interesting secret to keep. Not surprised that it’s Andi asking her what’s going on as Andi was always the one most involved in supporting Buffy and Marty and I’d expect that to continue in future eps

#Andi Mack #Muffy #Buffy Driscoll #Marty from the party #Jonah Beck #Bexie #Jibby #Wuffy #Libby #Walker Brodsky #Amber #Cyrus Goodman #Andi Mack Reviews #Andi Mack Season 3 #Andi Mack Meta

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not-hereforit · 6 years ago

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Gallavich Soundtrack

Alright friends, I’ve compiled a list of all of the songs used in Gallavich scenes (plus a few individual scenes), and let me tell you, reliving Gallavich musically is one of the best (& sometimes heartbreaking) things ever.

Spotify playlist here & song breakdown under the cut! (anything with an asterisk (*) means it wasn’t available on Spotify)

What I Said by Alien Crime Syndicate “Iiiiian Gaaaallagherrr!” Mickey’s first appearance

It’s Thunder and It’s Lightning by We Were Promised Jetpacks Ian’s studying with Mandy at the Milkovich house and hooks up with Mickey

Wham Bam by Clooney Mickey & Ian go for round two at the baseball field

Nothing to Lose by The Marys Ian & Mickey caught in the walk-in by Frank

Drink While We’re Young by Red Devil Squadron Ian looks for “that look” in Mickey’s eye at the high school

Guided Missiles, Misguided Men by Holy Fever Mickey tries to sell to idiot kid at shop & Angie convo

Hysteria by Ceremony Mickey & Ian run from security after Mick beats up Ned

The Store by Toothpick Warriors Robbing Ned’s mansion

Oh by FIDLAR Ian looks for Mickey in abandoned building but Mickey won’t talk

Diamonds by The Lisps Ian goes to confront Mickey before his wedding

Bad Blood by Ana Egge Mickey holds back tears after Ian tells him he’s enlisting and he can’t bring himself to stop him

Canyons by Paw City Mickey retrieves Ian’s photo from magazine then punches bathroom mirror

Dirty Work by Sydney Wayser Lip asks Mickey if he’s heard from Ian, tells him he’s missing

Heat by Barrie Gledden* Mickey finds Ian at the club/lap dance

Wind Me Up by Taxi Doll* Mickey tries to convince Ian to come with him after lap dance

The Boy’s Had His Fun by Cold Shoulder* Mickey carries Ian after he passes out outside the club

Into the Darkness by Will and the Indians* Mickey watches a passed out Ian sleep & is caught by Svetlana

Take a Chance by Bosshouse* Mickey blows Ian

Move Like U Stole It by ZZ Ward (Paul Oakenfold Remix) Mickey kisses Ian at the club

In My Veins by The Fieros Mickey confronts Ian outside after he pulled a knife on Kenyatta

Pick Me Up by Between Borders Carl sees Mickey sleeping in Ian’s bed, asks if he’s Ian’s boyfriend

Fisherman by The Peach Kings Mickey leaves for the baptism after telling Ian yes they are a couple

Sleep Forever by Portugal. The Man Ian kisses Mickey on the head outside the bar after the brawl with his dad

Feelin Good by The Stevenson Ranch Davidians Mickey working as a respectable mover

Run Boy Run by Mom’s Basement Mickey runs errand (beats up Patel)

Black Soap by Ex Cops Ian is riled up after the confrontation at the soldier’s funeral

All A Lie by The Bixby Knolls Ian tosses Mickey’s shit in the yard during his cleaning spree

Man Child by Redgrave Ian runs away with Yevgeny

Discoloration by Dawn Golden Picking up Ian from police station & car ride home

Lost Soul by Dark Matter Ian’s admitted for a 72 hour psych evaluation

Peace Love With You by Moroccan Knights Mickey gets ready to go see Ian in the hospital

Go! by Soft Swells Mickey stumbles around drunk and trips over Ian’s jacket

Racketology by Breed Mickey plays guitar drunk and naked

Falling Together by Mason Brothers “Sorry I’m late.”

One More Minute by Locksley Mickey gives Ian his pills & tells him no caffeine

Walkin’ by Wild Party Mickey gives Ian a donut so he won’t take his pills on an empty stomach

Basic Instinct by The Acid Baseball field fight/hookup

Love Is A Battlefield by Pat Benatar Mickey & Ian drunkenly sing on their way back to the Gallagher house

Cigarettes by Coby Brown Ian & Mickey try to fight off the MPs

Don’t You Start by Sleepy Kitty Sammi taunts Mickey & Fiona after the MPs take Ian

Where the Ocean Is by Shadow Shadow Mickey headbutts Ian’s photo, leads to scene of Ian lying in truck cab

Marble by Bronx Cheerleader Ian lays in grass outside trailer, Mick calls (phone background now pic of them)

Hyperflowers by Los Waves Mickey runs to Ian after he calls to tell him he’s back

Going Out Fighting by Minutes to Midnight Mickey runs, shouting at Sammi while she shoots at him

Livin’ in the Fire by Motopony Ian and Svetlana visit Mickey in prision

You And I by Margaret Glaspy Ending credits after Ian finds out Mickey escaped

Skulldiggin by Black Joe Lewis Ian waits for Mickey at the docks and is kidnapped in a van

HEAL by Strand of Oaks “Let’s ride.”

Just What You Feelin’ by Kemo The Blaxican In the car driving to Mexico then pulling over so Mickey can hit that

Swing Ya Rag by T.I., Swizz Beatz Mickey & Ian hookup in the car after kicking Damon out

Crashed Cadillac by Bot’Ox Mickey finds Jesus at a Quinceañera

Volca by Born Rivals* Mickey and Ian go to get money at the bank

I Ain’t the One by Spoon Ian watches Mickey cross the border into Mexico

Sunrise by Broken Bellows Ian walks to his cell

Pink + White by Frank Ocean Mickey shows up as Ian’s cellmate (Previously: Endgame)

Hot for Hagar by The Ginger Faye Bakers Ian & Mickey get frisky in the morning/the mayonnaise debacle

When You Smile by Floral Fauna Ian is brushed off by guard when he asks for a new roommate

Baccarra by Cardova* Mickey & Ian race to shiv Chester

Petty Thieving by FEET Ian attempts to throw his parole

Ad Blue by FEET Ian’s released from prison

I’ve Been Wrong by Food Court The Gallaghers throw Ian a welcome home party

Firebreather by Lead Pony Mickey tries to escape from prison via medical waste bin

Might Be Right by White Reaper Mickey chases shoplifter at Old Army/mall

Let’s Go by Clear Blue Fire Mickey catches a parolee for Paula

Deliver Me by TRUETT Mickey agrees they need to kill Paula

Eyes on You by 3 ONE OH Ian & Mickey suspect each other of killing Paula

Cramp by Shawn Lee (Skeewiff remix)* Ian asks neighborhood officer for advice about lawyer, gets marriage idea

Kidnap Runaway by The 1900s Mickey meets Ian at Patsy’s

Off My Mind by Ben Reneer Ian & Mickey get engaged at Patsy’s

Explode by City Silos Ian & Mickey realize neither one killed Paula

Happily Sinking Heart by Mother Sun Ian doesn’t sign the marriage license

Soul Sucker by Lead Pony Ian falls down stairs after Mickey punches him

Fuckin’ Love It by Naked Elephant* Mickey makes a ruckus arriving via vespa

Red Anxiety by Floral Fauna Ian and Liam leave on errand to buy Mickey’s engagement ring

Broke the Cup by Lead Pony Ian goes to talk to Mickey, tries to give him promise ring

Bad Idea by Bad Sea Empire Mickey rebuffs Ian, Ian pees in vespa

Rescue Me by OneRepublic Ian arrives at the bar with Cole

All the Good Things About You by Imperial Mammoth Ian & Mickey watch the band perform at bar

This Life by Vampire Weekend Ian beats up Byron and proposes to Mickey

Inherent Vice by Midnight Divide Mickey and the Gallaghers when Lip announces he’s moving

Let You Go by City Silos Mickey confronts Terry outside the Gallagher house

Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi Ian has Mickey serenaded at The Alibi

Son by Deep State Mickey robs drug den for wedding money

It’s You by Rebel Kicks The wedding venue is on fire

I Kinda Like It by Them Vibes Mickey grabs shotgun to go after Terry

Cannonball by Dirtwire Debbie tells Mickey to nut-up, they’re gonna white trash the wedding

Champion by M. Rivers Gallaghers and crew come up with idea to try The Polish Doll for a venue

Obsession by Joywave Mickey & Ian arrive at The Polish Doll, lie to owner

Blue Bell by Golden Daze Ian & Mickey take in the sight of their new venue

Face to Face by Rex Orange County Guests arrive for the wedding, final preparations for the ceremony

Lights Down Low by MAX Ian and Lip talk, prepare to begin the ceremony

At Last by Etta James Ian’s song choice for Mickey to walk down the aisle to

Morning Flowers by Brock Tyler Mickey and Ian exchange vows

Raising Hell by Kesha (ft. Big Freedia) Ian & Mickey walk down the aisle as husbands

Coming Out by Joywave* Ian & Mickey dance with family and friends at the reception

Firework by Katy Perry Ian talks to Debbie about missing Monica

Perfect by Ed Sheeran Mickey & Ian slow dance

Wake Up by Fialta Mickey & Ian wake up in their honeymoon suite

Perfect Day by Turf Club* Ian & Mickey after Terry shoots up their suite

#gallavich #mickey milkovich #ian gallagher #shameless #gallavich playlist

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closetofanxiety · 6 years ago

Text

50 Wrestling Questions: Why Not

Remember this? It’s been a while. Let’s do this again. Let’s twist again like we did last summer. Or the summer of 2017 in this case.

1. What got you into wrestling?

People ask me this all the time, and I don’t really have a good answer. I’ve liked it on and off since I was very young, and who knows why you like the stuff you like when you’re a little kid?

2. What is your favorite wrestling promotion?

Of all time: ECW, even though I would probably think of it very differently if it were happening today. Currently: Beyond Wrestling.

3. Favorite male wrestler of all time?

Gorgeous George, but if we’re talking about people who were alive when I was alive, Dusty Rhodes. I want to say Bruiser Brody, but in my heart I would know I was just saying that to look cool.

4. Favorite female wrestler of all time?

Gail Kim. For the longest time, she was the only woman in a major global wrestling company who got over based on her wrestling ability. She was doing stuff in TNA that was years ahead of its time, and could adapt her style to get great matches with a variety of opponents with very different backgrounds. And she can still go, as she showed in the match against Tessa Blanchard the other night. I know it would be cooler to say Bull Nakano or Chigusa Nagayo or something, but I don’t know enough of their stuff to make that claim credible. I am who I am, a person who goes to the mall to buy shoes.

5. Favorite current male wrestler?

Nick Gage

6. Favorite current female wrestler?

Momo Watanabe

7. Favorite theme song?

Joey Janela’s music captures his vibe perfectly, and sounds great being blasted out of PA speakers inside a small bar or VFW hall. Of all time, probably, I don’t know, Honky Tonk Man? In an ironic way that slowly becomes sincere?

8. Least favorite theme song?

Ricochet’s WWE theme music is pretty dreadful.

9. Favorite gimmick?

Currently: Orange Cassidy. All time: Road Warriors maybe? They were almost 100 percent gimmick, and they were the biggest tag team in the world at a great time for tag team wrestling.

10. Least favorite gimmick?

All the racist and gay-hating gimmicks that have been used throughout the years are more or less equally horrible. If we’re talking about a terrible gimmick that was non-malignant, I’d say it was taking giant indestructible ass-kicker Mike Awesome and making him “That 70s Guy.”

11. Best entrance (either their usual entrance or a special one, like a Wrestlemania entrance)?

Gorgeous George had the best entrance of all time, and it’s been copied ever since (Ric Flair’s entrance is basically Gorgeous George’s, scored with a different piece of classical music). The Sandman also had a great entrance. He was kind of all-entrance, now that I think of it. I also love those old shows in Japan where Brody would come out to “Immigrant Song” running through the crowd, swinging a fucking chain over his head like a lunatic. An entrance that makes you fear for your life: mission accomplished.

12. Best Undertaker Wrestlemania match?

I am not the right person to ask for Undertaker superlatives, but the Lesnar match had a legitimately shocking conclusion that I still appreciate

13. Most overrated?

I’m tempted to incur the wrath of the online by making a contrarian hot take selection like Ken Omega, but in reality it’s probably the Undertaker.

14. Most underrated?

There are a million choices from before the 1980s, the Before Time of contemporary pro wrestling. Edouard Carpentier, say; he was having matches in 1970 that would not look out of place in 2019. Since the 1980s, I’d say Jerry Lynn is a very strong contender for most underrated. The popular choice would be Sid or Lex Luger, but I think they’re pretty much rated exactly as they should be.

15. Have you ever been to an event? If so, which one?

I certainly have been to many pro wrestling events. I go to one or two a month. Like a lot of things, wrestling is pretty much always fun in person. It helps that the Northeast has a ton of good companies within easy driving distance. My favorite show of all time might be Americanrana 2016.

16. Who has the best merch?

We’re in a weird period where people on Instagram are making better shirt designs (in insanely limited editions) than the vast majority of wrestlers or wrestling companies. I will say that Kris Wolf has yet to make an ugly or boring piece of merchandise, which is a huge complication in this day and age.

17. Do you own any merch?

Nope! Wait, I mean, “yes, entirely too much.” Shirts, 8 x 10s, DVDs, magazines, random pieces like fancy enamel badges and a stack of Okada bucks. The one thing I’ve never gotten into is action figures, and that’s probably good for the ol’ bank balance.

18. Best nickname?

"The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes is an all-time classic.

19. Worst nickname?

"The Game” is a dumb nickname. “The Cerebral Assassin” is also a dumb nickname. Are assassins supposed to be stupid? I bet they’re typically very smart, although of low moral character. “Triple H” is his only good nickname, and even that sounds like the nickname of a guy who owns a car dealership out by the highway.

20. Best mic skills?

Nobody was ever better than Bobby Heenan, who had incredible range and versatility. He could do comedy and he could do menace. He could do calm and he could do spitting rage. He had an uncanny sense of timing and was quicker on his feet than almost anyone. No one really comes close at matching his astonishing depth, but Dusty Rhodes was an all-time great promo. He really made you care about wrestling matches, which is not an easy thing to do.

21. Most annoying?

I mean, it has to be Vince McMahon.

22. Most attractive male?

Is Tanahashi too obvious a choice? Best hair in wrestling. It’s incredible and luxurious, like an untamed mountain stream. Andrade “Cien” Almas or whatever they’ve shortened his name to (”And”) is a handsome man. Killer Kross: very handsome. We live in a golden age of attractive wrestlers. Just look back at the gassed-up Zubaz mastodons of the 1980s, or the territories-era guys who all looked like they were 48 years old and had pot bellies. You almost have to try to find unattractive wrestlers. Nick Gage, for instance. But I’m sure even he has his swooning admirers.

23. Most attractive female?

Again, what a time for attractive wrestlers. It may be shallow, but wrestling is a business that’s at least partially cosmetic. Attractive people sell tickets. I would, and have, bought a ticket to see Hana Kimura.

24. Favorite faction?

Of all time? Probably the Barry Windham-era Four Horsemen. More recently, Team Pazuzu.

25. Worst faction?

BULLET CLUB. No, it’s not the Bullet Club, as exhausted as they’ve become. It’s probably the nWo after early 1998 or so, when they had like 60 members and dragged down every storyline.

26. Best ring gear?

Su Yung and Pentagon Jr.

27. Who do you think would be the nicest in real life?

I bet Jerry Lynn is a good guy to know. People in wrestling universally praise Little Guido, which is very rare. The Young Bucks seem like they might be decent dudes. Willow Nightingale told a story on a podcast about Nick Gage excitedly playing with Solo Darling’s dog backstage, so you never know.

28. Who would be the rudest in real life?

On the indie level, it’s probably someone who doesn’t work very much. Above the indie level, I bet some of those British guys are secretly horrible, like Jimmy Havoc.

29. Favorite heel?

Currently it’s a tie between MJF and Alisha Edwards, two of the only people who can regularly get indie crowds to boo them. Of all time, heel Flair was hard to beat.

30. Most hardcore?

It’s definitely either a guy in Japan or a guy in Mexico, and he’s definitely been burned by explosive charges multiple times. Onita? It’s probably Onita. Or Jun Kasai? I think Onita has probably been exploded more times than Jun Kasai.

31. A wrestler you could beat?

At wrestling? Not a single one of them. Nicholas, the small boy who won the WWE tag team championship with Braun Strowman, would wipe the floor with me. Even the most callow bodybuilder-turned-wrestler would not break a sweat beating me senseless. But writing talking points for senior administration officials in preparation for legislative testimony? Now you’re on my turf. Not so tough now, huh, Nicholas?

32. Best story line?

Freebirds vs. Von Erichs or Stone Cold vs. Vince. My heart says the former, my head says the latter.

33. Biggest missed opportunity for a story line?

The WWE blowing the invasion angle after purchasing WCW is the obvious one. More recently, they blew it by not turning Reigns heel.

34. Worst story line?

Ha, so many of them. Impossible to choose just one. At least most of the dumb embarrassing Russo ones in WCW and TNA were basically harmless, like the time Samoa Joe got kidnapped by ninjas. The Chuck and Billy wedding thing was far worse. A low point even by Vince’s impressively cretinous standards.

35. Which wrestler should turn heel?

I’d like to see a Jordynne Grace heel run in Impact. Heel Finn Balor would also be good.

36. Which wrestler should turn face?

Samoa Joe has a good fiery babyface, “I’m tired of doing your dirty work, McMahon!” run in him.

37. Who would be the worst to room with?

Can you imagine sharing a living space with Enzo Amore? Or the thicket of twee Disney merchandise you’d have to negotiate every day if you lived with Johnny Gargano?

38. Who would be the best to room with?

I bet Eddie Edwards would be a surprisingly thoughtful roommate, like he’d always do the dishes “because I love doing them!,” that kind of thing. I have nothing to base this suspicion on, he just seems like my old roommate, Shane, who was like that.

39. Who would be your best friend if you were a wrestler?

I’d like to say Jushin Thunder Liger, and posit that we would go on exciting adventures, but the answer is probably something like “Comp Time” Terry Dandridge, who wrestles monthly for 2Xtreme All-Pro Wrestling Alliance out of Euphoria, Kansas and has a 9 to 5 as a hardware store manager.

40. What would your job be in a wrestling promotion?

I’d normally make a self-effacing joke here, but I do social media training at my real job, and so many wrestlers are badly in need of help in this area.

41. Favorite wrestling podcast/Youtube channel?

I like AIW’s “The Card is Going to Change” podcast a lot, and there’s one by the owners of RevPro that’s pretty good. It’s hard to find a well-produced wrestling podcast that talks about independent wrestling. My favorite wrestling YouTube channel is OSW Review.

42. Favorite finisher?

BURNING HAMMER

43. Least favorite finisher?

The Bayley-to-belly suplex. HOW IS THIS A FINISHING MOVE

44. Favorite match?

Kerry Von Erich vs. Jerry Lawler at Superclash III. It was a bloody, weird, engrossing spectacle, and it was the symbolic end of the territories era.

45. Favorite PPV?

Royal Rumble is the last PPV my casual fan friends reliably want to see, and with good reason: it’s engrossing.

46. Guilty pleasure wrestler?

Big Banter Baron Corbin, but I feel no guilt here. He rules.

47. Favorite submission?

THE KATA HA JIME, otherwise known as the Tazmission.

48. Most entertaining to watch?

All time? Randy Savage. Currently? Io Shirai.

49. Best spot?

Anyone spitting mist into the unsuspecting eyes of their foes

50. Who do you most respect?

I respect you, booker man.

#50 questions #lists

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