#The Love of Johnny Johnson | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lukesvangelista · 1 year ago

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁ᵏʲ⁹¹

in which kent needs some backup in babysitting, and y/n becomes his knight in shining armor.

warnings; babysitting, kids, date nights, two of the gaudreau kids do not actually exist (exist simply for the plot), ohio state / michigan rivalry, kent is a big softie

Kent Johnson really thought he could do it.

When Johnny had called and asked him to babysit that day, he really thought he could manage, so he said yes. Nick had babysat the three kids, all under the age of five, once before, and he said they were absolute angels. If Nick approved of it, how bad could it be?

Bad.

An hour in, Noa was cuddled into his chest, sobbing because Luca had hit her after they argued over a toy. Before Kent had the chance to scold him, he had run over and attempted to climb on top of the refrigerator. Oliver had grabbed a ton of clothes from his dresser and left a trail of them throughout the house.

It was total and utter chaos. He couldn't call Johnny or Meredith. They were on a date, and Kent could hear the desperation in Johnny’s voice when he called. So he did the next best thing he could think of.

After Noa had calmed down, Kent had managed to pull himself out of her grip. Next, he grabbed Oliver and placed him down next to his sister. Finally, he made his way over to the fridge and grabbed Luca from behind, placing him on one of the stools at the kitchen counter.

Before they left, Meredith had explained that if Kent needed backup, your number was on the counter. He pulled out his phone and began dialing the 10 digits. He had heard that you had met a few of the guys last season, back when he was still with the Michigan Wolverines. As he patiently waited for you to pick up, his green eyes scanned the kids carefully. Oliver and Noa were now at it, and Luca was repeatedly banging his head on the counter.

Finally, he was met with, "Hello?"

You were the kids usual babysitter, except for in the summer when Johnny was mainly off and you were home on summer break. Due to the fact that you had just moved back to campus to start the new school year at Ohio State, Meredith had called you to see if you were available to watch the kids. Unfortunately, you had to work, but the Gaudreaus' completely understood and went to look for someone else.

You had just gotten off of work and were walking back to your dorm when your phone began ringing. You groaned, not even bothering to check the number, and picked up, "Hello?"

You were met with an anxious voice, which sounded oddly familiar to you, "Uh, hi. I, uh... Luca, stop, you're going to hurt yourself! Sorry, I'm babysitting for Johnny and Meredith and I sorta, uh... need some help."

You chuckled to yourself. The boy sounded somewhat panicked and you knew the kids well enough to know that they were trying to break him, to see if he was worthy of being a future babysitter for them.

"I'll be there soon, give me 15 minutes. In the meantime, ask them what they want for dinner. When I get there, we'll order it," you replied, smiling to yourself.

You could faintly hear a sigh of relief before the boy spoke again, his voice growing fainter by the second as you assumed that he had dropped the phone, "Oliver, underwear does not function as a hat."

Hanging up, you allowed yourself to laugh once again before heading to your dorm to get changed into more comfortable clothes. After quickly leaving a note for your roommate, you hopped in your car and began driving the route to the Gaudreaus' home.

Luckily for you, the Gaudreaus’ house wasn’t too far from campus, so the drive wasn’t terrible. As you were driving, however, you couldn’t help but think that the boy's voice sounded oddly familiar. You simply couldn’t place your finger on who it would be, though. You had met some of Johnny’s teammates at the beginning of the season, but the voice on the other end of the phone didn’t sound like Jack Roslovic, Sean Kuraly, Boone Jenner, Zach Werenski, or Elvis Merzļikins, so you were unaware of who it could be. As some soft music played through the old speakers of your beaten up car, however, you didn’t let it bother you too much.

Within 15 minutes, you arrived at the familiar home of Johnny and Meredith. Hopping out of your car, you could see the living room light on inside of the house, and you took in the sight of a fairly new Honda CRV in the driveway, covered in a Blue Jackets bumper sticker and a University of Michigan bumper sticker. You cringed at the sight of the latter, and laughed a little bit to yourself as you looked down at the Ohio State Buckeyes hoodie you were wearing before making your way to the front door. You laid down a few solid knocks on the black painted door as you waited patiently to be let inside.

Within seconds, the door swung open to reveal a a tall blond boy, his hair disheveled and his sage green eyes wide with both panic and relief. The poor boy had three kids hanging on to some part of his body, the two boys wrapped around each one of his legs, with Noa managing to wrap her arms around his neck as she hung down his back, and you recognized him as Kent Johnson, “Thank God you’re here,” he whispered out softly, gaining a chuckle and a small smile from you, before he composed himself just enough to introduce himself to you, “I’m Kent. Thank you for doing this.”

“Y/N,” you laughed, reaching out to shake Kent’s hand before drawing back after realizing he was using them both to support little Noa from falling, “can I come inside?”

“Oh my god, of course,” he apologized, doing his best to move out of the doorframe with Luca and Oliver attached to his legs. You watched in amusement as Oliver was gently dragged across the floor just enough so that you could step inside of the house. As you did, you almost immediately noticed the pile of toys and clothes scattered across the living room carpet. The kids had gotten Kent good. Luckily for you (and Kent), you had handled this situation many times, and immediately sprung into action as you shut the door behind you.

“Who left the pile of toys out, and who was messing with the clothes?” you asked Kent, who looked at you with his beautiful green eyes. He explained that Luca had made the mess of toys and Oliver was playing with the clothes. As the boys had heard their names, they both had finally noticed your presence, shouting your name with their excited voices and untangling themselves from both of Kent’s legs before running up to you.

“Hi boys,” you greeted them kindly, watching as Noa grinned at you but continued to stay comfortably in her place on Kent’s back, “Do you guys want to play a fun game for me?”

This peaked the not only the boys’ attention, but Kent’s attention as well. Luca and Oliver both nodded at you as Kent watched you with curiosity. You smiled at the blond as you wrapped one arm around both the young boys in front of you, focusing your attention back on them, “Okay then, this is what’s going to happen. You boys have to pay close attention to the directions in order to play, alright?” you paused as you waited for a response from the boys. When both of them nodded their heads, you continued, “Kent’s going to grab two buckets from the other room, and when he gets back, we’re gonna see who can put all of the toys and clothes away the fastest. The winner gets to pick the movie after dinner, okay?”

Luca and Oliver both nodded excitedly as you watched Kent disappear from the room, reappearing 30 seconds later with two bins. You told Luca to go by the toy pile and Oliver to go by the pile of clothes as you placed the two containers in front of each of them. Sitting down on the couch with Kent and Noa next to you, you and Kent each pulled out your phone to time the boys. Kent was in charge of timing Luca and you were in charge of timing Oliver. You had assigned the responsibility of telling the boys when to go to Noa, who wanted to be involved somehow. As soon as she had yelled, “3…2…1… go!” you and Kent had started the timers and the boys were off.

As the boys moved as hurriedly as a three year old and two year old could, you turned your head to Kent, “What did they say they wanted for dinner?” you asked, moving to wrap an arm around Noa as the young girl cuddled into your side.

“The boys were very enthusiastic about pizza,” Kent replied, and you nodded. This was a common occurrence. You also knew that Noa wasn’t as enthusiastic about pizza and would prefer some other meal. Turning to her side, you told her that you and Kent were going to order pizza for dinner and asked her what she wanted instead.

“Could I get ‘ghetti?” she asked, and you nodded, knowing that she meant spaghetti. She thanked you quietly as you heard Kent yell out, “done!” and you looked up to see that Luca had finished putting his toys away. He cheered happily as Oliver finished putting the clothes away shortly afterwards, and you and Kent both clapped happily to reward the both of them.

“Good job, boys!” you spoke, getting up from the couch to give each of them a high five. Kent followed shortly behind and you grabbed both the bins, instructing Kent to put Just Dance on the TV as you carried the toys and clothes into the boys’ bedroom. You could faintly hear Kent asking the kids which song they wanted, all of them unanimously deciding on Rasputin, before you made your way back into the kitchen.

You sat down on a barstool at the Gaudreaus’ kitchen counter, opening your laptop that Meredith had graciously gifted to you for your 19th birthday in order to order some dinner. Kent sat down next to you, remote still in hand, and you smiled at him, “I’m about to order dinner. Do you want to look at the menu to see if anything sounds good?” you asked, sliding the laptop over to him as he nodded.

“Thank you,” he smiled gratefully and began to look at the menu. You couldn’t help but admire him as he scrolled through, his radiant green eyes focused hard on the menu in front of him. You tried not to stare, but a wisp of his blond hair fell over his eyes, and as he moved his hand to brush it behind his ear, you couldn’t help but notice that he needed a haircut. He was already attractive, but maybe that could make him more attractive.

You quickly looked away as Kent spoke up about some cheese ravioli and parmesan garlic breadsticks, pretending to focus on the three kids dancing in the living room. Luckily for you, he didn’t seem to notice as he slid the laptop over to you and smiled at you, allowing you to order a large half-cheese, half-pepperoni pizza, Kent’s cheese ravioli and garlic parmesan bites, your buffalo wings, and of course, Noa’s spaghetti. When you were done ordering, you softly spoke about the food being here in 25 minutes, but we’re cut off by Noa, “Y/N?” she asked sweetly, and you closed your laptop to look up at her.

“Yes, sweet girl?” you answered, your eyes meeting her own.

“When I done eating my food, can I paint you nails?” she asked, her voice soft, and you laughed a little bit.

“Yes. While your brothers pick out the movie, you can paint my nails.” you replied, but she wasn’t done.

“Yay! Y/N?”

“Yes, Noa?” you asked curiously, waiting for her next question.

“Can I paint Kenny’s, too?” you smiled at the adorable toddler in front of you, looking over at Kent. His eyes went wide for a little bit before you whispered that you had nail polish remover in the bathroom, and he physically relaxed before telling her that she could paint his nails too. Noa was satisfied with that answer as she returned to playing Just Dance with her brothers.

You couldn’t help but laugh as Kent turned to you, relief still evident in his eyes about you storing some nail polish in the bathroom. He thanked you kindly and as you acknowledged his words of gratitude, you asked him a simple question, “She likes you, you know?”

Kent smiled at your words, “I’m glad to hear that. I was a bit worried earlier when she originally avoided me like the plague.”

You let out a soft chuckle at Kent’s words, “She does that when she thinks a boy’s cute. Take it as a compliment.”

“I will,” he laughed, his nose scrunching slightly as he did so. Turning to meet your gaze, Kent turned the conversation over from himself to you, wanting to get to know you a little better, “How’d you get into babysitting for Johnny?” he asked curiously, running a hand through his dirty blond hair.

“My parents are good friends with Meredith’s, so we’ve known each other since I was born. She used to babysit me, actually,” you responded, finding it a bit funny and pretty interesting to see how everything had come full circle.

“That’s cool,” Kent complimented, continuing shortly after, “so are you from Columbus?”

“No,” you replied, watching carefully as Luca and Oliver attempted a particularly difficult move to the beat of the song they were currently dancing to. As you realized they were okay, you turned back to Kent, “I grew up in Cincinnati, but I’m a full time student at Ohio State, so when Johnny came here from Calgary, Meredith reached out to me.”

Kent nodded in acknowledgment, and opened his mouth to speak again, but you cut him off, “Enough about me. Where are you from?”

“I’m from a town in British Columbia called Port Moody,” he answered, “It’s about half-an-hour outside of Vancouver.”

“How’d you end up in Columbus?” you asked again, folding your arms across the counter.

“The Blue Jackets drafted me 5th overall while I was playing at Michigan—”

“And you lost me there,” you teased, shutting down his conversation as soon as he mentioned what college he had attended. You knew he had some ties to that team up north when you caught sight of his bumper sticker, so you knew it would eventually come up in conversation, but you decided to tease him about it anyway. You got up from your seat and began making your way towards the refrigerator to prepare three cups of milk for the kids, but you had to hide a laugh when Kent looked at you with very blatant confusion spread against his face.

“What?” he asked, internally panicking and wondering if he did something wrong. Truth is, Kent had thought that you were extremely beautiful and a very sweet girl, and he wanted to get to know you. Getting to know you wouldn’t be easy if he had done something to offend you, however.

“I don’t affiliate myself with Wolverines,” you commented, and Kent suddenly knew that it wasn’t that serious.

He smirked at you, “Well, you better get used to it, because you’re gonna be stuck with one for the next few hours.”

As you carried the three sippy cups of milk to the table, you knew that you had the last laugh, “You know, I could always leave. Last time I checked, Johnny and Meredith asked you to babysit, not me.”

A small smirk made its way across your face as you watched Kent’s eyes widen with panic, remembering the rough times he had experienced with the three kids before calling you over, “Fine. You win.”

“That’s what I thought,” you smiled teasingly, handing him a couple forks and knives as the doorbell rang. He rolled his eyes playfully and set the silverware down on the table before making his way to the front door to grab the food, leaving you with the job of wrangling the three toddlers. Noa obeyed your commands pretty easily, making her way over to the table, but you had to pick up both of the boys and place them into their high chairs as Kent passed out all of the food. You made sure that Noa got her spaghetti as you instructed Kent to cut up two pieces of pepperoni pizza for Luca and one piece of cheese for Oliver.

“Y/N,” Kent called you as he placed the plates of pizza in front of the boys, “Do you need anything to drink while I’m up?”

You smiled gratefully at the boy’s kind offer, “A glass of water would be great, Kent. Thank you so much.”

He nodded and shortly after, a glass of water was placed down in front of your wings. Kent then sat down and began to dig into his cheese ravioli. For the most part, dinner went pretty smoothly. There were a couple moments where you and Kent had to intervene in order to stop Luca and Oliver from throwing their food at each other, and Noa was constantly asking Kent what color he wanted his nails to be, but it went well overall. Soon enough, everyone was done eating and Luca, being the winner of the little competition held earlier, was eager to go and pick out a movie.

“Alright bud, give Kent and me one moment, okay? We’ll clear the dishes and then you can go and pick out the movie you want to watch.” you smiled at Luca, and he seem satisfied with that answer. You grabbed the boys’ plates and handed them over to Kent, who had already made his way to the sink in order to wash them. As he did that, you grabbed the plastic containers of empty spaghetti, ravioli, breadsticks, and wings to throw out and wipe the table down.

“Y/N?” Noa asked you, and you turned to look at her.

“Yeah?”

“When can I paint your nails?”

You smiled at her, “You can paint them when Kent takes the boys over to pick out a movie. After you’re done with me, you can paint his while I make some popcorn. Does that sound good?” she nodded, “Alright then.”

Kent seemed to hear the conversation as he moved back over to the table, scooping up both the boys in his arms to bring them over to the TV. You laughed as both Luca and Oliver squealed excitedly, rolling your eyes playfully at the little grin plastered across Kent’s face. Your smile grew as little Noa tugged gently on your arm, wordlessly asking you to sit down so she could paint your nails. You immediately obeyed, your eyes radiant as you watched her open her container housing the nail polish. When she asked you what color you wanted, you told her navy blue in honor of her dads (and Kenny’s, as she called him) team.

Soon enough, your nails were (messily) done. Despite that, you grinned as you gave her words of praise, telling her what a good job she had done. After thanking you, she ran over to Kent and her brothers, gently yet excitedly tugging on Kent’s arm. He smiled at her, telling her that he’d be over at the table in just a couple minutes, and she made her way back. A few minutes later, as Kent walked over, he let you know that Luca had decided to watch “Brother Bear” before making his way to Noa, who grinned happily at his appearance. You nodded and placed the popcorn in the microwave, politely asking the boys to go change into their pajamas so you could all settle on the couch and watch the movie as soon as possible. They didn’t give you any trouble as they ran off to their shared bedroom.

10 minutes later, Noa excitedly ran over to you, her hand around Kent’s arm as she dragged him over to the living room, “Look, Y/N, you and Kenny match!”

You looked at her confused as Kent put out his free hand so you could get a good look at his nails. As you did, you realized that he had asked Noa for the same color nail polish you had, and the both of you now had navy blue nails. You smiled first at Kent and then at Noa, “We do match, don’t we? That’s awesome, Noa! Now, you wanna do me a favor?”

She nodded. You smiled at her again, “You wanna go change into your pajamas so we can start the movie?” she nodded her head again, racing off to her room.

As all three kids were in their bedrooms, you and Kent were left alone. The two of you made some conversation as you took the popcorn out of the microwave, placing it into four different containers, but it was nothing too serious. Kent placed the DVD into the DVD player and gathered some blankets for the five of you, and soon enough, the kids were out of their rooms, ready to watch the movie. You brought over the four containers of popcorn, handing one to Kent for you and him to share, and one to each kid as you all settled onto the couch. Noa was settled into Kent’s side as Luca settled into yours, and Oliver settled between the two of you. As soon as everyone was ready, Kent hit play on the movie.

Within 20 minutes, Luca and Oliver were both fast asleep, and within 45, Noa had joined them. Slowly and carefully, Kent had taken Noa to her room and placed her in her bed as you first took Oliver, and then Luca. You made sure the boys were still fast asleep before gently shutting the door to their room and meeting Kent back out in the living room. The remote was in his hand and as you placed yourself next to him on the couch, he asked you, “So what do you wanna watch?”

Turning to meet his gaze, you crossed your arms, “What’s wrong with Brother Bear?” you interrogated him, and his eyes widened a little bit.

“Nothing’s wrong with Brother Bear—” he panicked, but you cut him off before he had the chance to work himself up too much.

“I’m kidding, Johnson. Put it on whatever you want.”

He nodded, but was now too scared to change it from Brother Bear. You laughed slightly as you noticed, but didn’t pay too much attention to it. Instead, you turned to him as his gaze focused back on the movie, “Can I ask you a question?”

He looked over at you quickly, propping his head up on his elbow, “Depends how personal.”

You mirrored his actions as you peered into his shining green eyes, nodding slightly as you did so, “Johnny told me you gave up number 13 for him when he came to Columbus. How come?”

Kent shrugged nonchalantly, “He was my idol growing up, the one player I looked up to. I modeled my own game after his and knew that as soon as I found out he was coming to play for the Jackets, that I was giving him that number.”

You smiled softly at him as he answered you, “Well, he hasn’t stopped talking about you since last August. I hope you know that he looks up to you just as much as you look up to him. You’re a good guy, Kent.”

He smiled gratefully at you, thanking you wordlessly, but soon followed up with a question of his own, “That reminds me. Before I was rudely interrupted earlier, I had a question for you.”

“Shoot, Johnson.”

“Do you ever come to any of our games?”

“Sometimes,” you replied, “whenever Meredith brings the kids, I’m usually there. Unless the game is on a Thursday, because my classes run late that day.”

He acknowledged your reply, following up with another question shortly after, “How come I’ve never seen you before? One would think that I’d remember a girl as beautiful as you.”

You blushed at his compliment, laughing shortly after, “By the time we get down to the locker room after the game, the kids are exhausted and only want Johnny, so him and Meredith are able to tackle everything pretty easily. So, Meredith lets me go after the game ends.”

Before Kent had the chance to ask his next question, he was interrupted by the door to the garage opening. Johnny walked in, Meredith on his trail as they smiled at Kent. When they noticed you, their eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but they greeted you kindly anyway.

“Kent, thank you so much for doing this for us tonight,” Meredith thanked him, and the boy next to you simply nodded as a way to say “no problem.”

Johnny acknowledged you next, “And Y/N, thank you for helping him out. Is he worthy of being asked again?” Johnny jokes, and you laughed.

“No problem. Work was slow tonight so I was able to get off early. And yes, I’d say he’s worthy. I think sweet Noa even has a little crush on him,” you joked, and Meredith laughed as out of the corner of your eye, you could see Kent blush.

“Well, thanks again, guys. You’re free to go now if you want to head home,” Johnny told both you and Kent, and you both hopped off the couch to say your goodbyes to the couple in front of you.

When you were done, Kent came over to you, “Can I walk you to your car?” he asked sweetly, and you nodded.

“It’s parked right next to yours, but yeah, I’d like that,” you replied as Kent held the front door open for you, closing it after he exited behind you. He nodded nervously as the two of you made the short walk to the driveway, but you didn’t notice how anxious he was. As you reached your car, you thanked him, “Thanks for this. I had a fun time with you tonight.”

He nodded, running a hand anxiously through his dirty blond hair, “Uhhh, Y/N, if it’s possible, could I get your number?”

You smiled softly at how nervous Kent was, but nodded anyway, “You already have it, from when you called me earlier. But it’s there if you want to text or call me.”

“Oh, right,” he chuckled, opening your car door so that you could hop in. You smiled graciously at him as you made your way to the driver’s seat. As you were about to shut the door, Kent spoke up again, “Y/N?”

“Yes, Kent?”

“I, uhhh… well, earlier I was going to ask you if I could swap out the Ohio State sweatshirt you’re wearing for a Michigan sweatshirt, but I already know that that’s not going to happen…”

“Damn right, Johnson.” you interjected.

“So, uhhh…” he continued, making nervous eye contact with you once again, “instead, I was wondering if next time you come to a game, and maybe the next time after that, if you would switch out your Gaudreau jersey for a Johnson jersey?”

You smiled softly at him, falling for his adorable charm. Luckily for Kent, that proposal wasn’t out of proportionality. You already knew that you were going to say yes, but decided to tease him a little bit instead, “I’ll consider it, Johnson.”

He smiled widely at you, seeming satisfied with your answer, “Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Goodnight, Kent,” you replied, watching as he made his way into his gray Honda CRV. Little did you know, he already had Johnny’s contact pulled up, ready to leave him a little message before pulling out of the driveway and heading home.

thanks for asking me to babysit tonight.

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ifelllikeastar · 7 months ago

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Johnny Shines was taught to play the guitar by his mother and spent most of his childhood in Memphis, playing slide guitar at an early age in juke joints and on the street. In 1932 he moved to Arkansas and worked on farms for three years, putting aside his music career. A chance meeting with Robert Johnson, his greatest influence, gave him the inspiration to return to music. In 1935, Shines began traveling with Johnson, touring in the United States and Canada. They parted ways in 1937, one year before Johnson's death. Shines played throughout the southern United States until 1941, when he settled in Chicago.

Born John Ned Shines on April 26, 1915 in Frayser, Tennessee and died on April 20, 1992 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the age of 76.

* Johnny Shines was the most vigorous surviving practitioner of acoustic Delta blues.,with his intense vibrato, his observant, imaginative, yet tradition-soaked lyrics, and his incomparable slide guitar.

#johnny shines #love #music legend #delta blues #slide guitar #tennessee #alabama #chicago #arkansas #juke joints #black lives #robert johnson

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nothinggold13 · 1 year ago

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#i just love them so much. ok?#dirty dancing #dirty dancing screencaps #johnny castle #penny johnson

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psxrwj · 11 months ago

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#psxrwj #absent father #mentally unstable #ray william johnson #morrissey #michael cera #johnny marr #scooby doo #peter scully #gay #lgbt #gay boys #doomed yaoi #doomed love

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papermoonloveslucy · 2 years ago

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LUCY IN THE METAVERSE!

Lucy on Lucille / Lucille on Lucy

Lucille Ball created the Lucy character to live in a real world; a world also populated by movies stars, one of whom was film and radio performer Lucille Ball! On rare occassion, the Lucy character dared to acknowledge the existence of her famous portrayer giving viewers a rare visit to the metaverse. Lucille believed that comedy was better if it stayed close to the truth. Her sitcoms are full of references to her own life and the lives of those around her - but that’s not enough to be Meta! Here are some moments that transcend mere references and become self-referential!

In 1946, Lucille Ball (the actress) met Lucille Ball (the filly), courtesy of jockey Johnny Longden. This meeting no doubt influenced Longden’s playing himself in “Lucy and The Loving Cup” (1957).

~ META MAGAZINES ~

Lucille Ball was on the cover of a local edition of TV Guide (January 25, 1952), which was casually left on the coffee table during “Breaking the Lease” (1952).

In “Ricky’s Life Story” (1953), the photo of Lucy ("That's a fine picture of my left arm!") holding Little Ricky, may actually be of Lucille Ball because the monogram on the blouse are the initials 'LB' - although it could be 'LR' as the lower part of the 'B' is blocked by the baby!. It could also be another person wearing Lucy’s blouse. Very meta!

When Look turned up in “Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio” (1952), the June 3, 1952, issue actually had Lucille Ball on the cover!

Look was part of a 1952 flashback intro during Lucy’s pregnancy. Vivian Vance has her hand over Ball’s photo. Inside is an article by Desi Arnaz about his wife.

Another ‘meta’ magazine appearance was in “Ricky Has Labor Pains” (1953) where a pregnant Lucy is reading the January 1953 McCall's (January 1953), which clearly has a cover that say “Why I Love Lucy” by Desi Arnaz!

~ META COSTUMES ~

Desi Arnaz was such a golf nut that he built a second home on the 17th fairway of the Thunderbird Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Ricky Ricardo (an East Coast golfer) wore the Thunderbird insignia on his cap in “The Golf Game” (1954). Desi ad-libs a verbal mention of the club at the start of “The Charm School” (S3;E15) earlier in 1954.

RICKY: “You know, the whole membership of the Thunderbird Club was around the 18th hole. All I had to do was make this measly two-foot putt to win, and I missed it!”

In “Lucy and Aladdin’s Lamp” (1971), Lucy Ricardo’s trademark blue polka dot dress turns up at Lucy Carter’s garage sale! The dress is a visual Easter Egg but is never talked about.

~ META MUSIC ~

For “Lucy’s Last Birthday” (1953), Ricky’s birthday present to Lucy is a song called “I Love Lucy.” In reality, viewers had been listening to the Eliot Daniel theme song for nearly two years, but the previously unheard lyrics by Harold Adamson were new.

In “Job Switching” (1952), nine weeks before it was announced that Lucy Ricardo would have a baby, Ricky is heard idly whistling “There’s A Brand New Baby in Our House,” a song that Desi Arnaz wrote several years earlier for the birth of his daughter. When Ethel asks Ricky if he wrote the song, he replies that he wrote it for Lucy. But since Lucie and Lucy are pronounced the same, Desi may be talking about his daughter!

A few weeks later, in “Sales Resistance” (1953), Ricky sings the song in full, recording it on a reel to reel tape recorder in his living room. Coincidentally, the song was released on the B side of the “I Love Lucy” theme song.

~ META CASTING ~

In “Don Juan is Shelved” (1955) Lucy thinks real-life Hollywood producer Dore Schary is an out-of-work actor so she hires him to pretend to be... Dore Schary! Schary was supposed to play himself in the episode, but backed out at the last minute and the role was recast with Phil Ober, marring the mega meta nature of the episode. An added layer of meta was added by casting Ober, who was married to Vivian Vance and was - at times - an “out-of-work actor.”

Frank Nelson memorably played the exasperated train conductor dealing with Lucy Ricardo in “The Great Train Robbery” (1955), then reprised the role to deal with Lucy Carmichael when “Lucy Visits the White House” (1963). Since the conductor was never given a character name - it is possible he exists in both metaverses!

William Frawley made his last scripted television appearance in “Lucy and the Countess Have a Horse Guest” (1965) as a horse trainer. When he is out of earshot, Lucy Carmichael turns the Countess (Ann Sothern) and says:

LUCY: “You know, he reminds me of someone I used to know.”

Frawley spent nine years playing Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy.”

“Lucy The Gun Moll” (1966) is essentially a parody of Desilu’s crime drama “The Untouchables.” The meta madness is that the original actors (Robert Stack, Bruce Gordon, Steve London, and Walter Winchell) were cast, but the character names were changed to protect the innocent! Lucy, as chanteuse Rusty Martin, even mentions the series title to pound the satire home.

At the end of “Lucy Visits Jack Benny” (1974), the world’s most famous bus driver Ralph Kramden makes a wordless appearance. Jackie Gleason played the character on his variety show and the sitcom “The Honeymooners”, airing simultaneously with “I Love Lucy.” Ball and Gleason collaborated on several specials. The meta world that contains Lucy Carter, Ralph also exists!

~ META REAL ESTATE ~

In “The Tour” (1956), the Beverly Hills home of Richard Widmark actually is the home of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. A second unit film crew was sent to Roxbury Drive residence to film establishing shots of Lucy and Ethel walking up to the home. The actors, however, are not Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance, but identically dressed doubles!

When “Lucy Sues Mooney” (1967) with the help of her wily lawyer Wally Wiley (Jack Carter), she gives her address as 780 Gower Street. This was the address of the Desilu Studios Production Offices. An extra layer of meta is added because Carter was best man at Ball’s wedding to Gary Morton. Lucy Carmichael also gives this as her address in “Lucy The Babysitter” (1967).

~ META MENTIONS ~

In “Baby Pictures” (1953) Charlie Appleby tries to impress the Ricardos about his TV station’s catalog of films:

CHARLIE: “We’ve got the newest moving pictures in town. I bought a block of films yesterday, and I want to tell you that they’re going to make television stars out of some of the actors. Now, just remember their names: Conway Tearle and Mabel Normand.”

Conway Tearle’s career bounced between Broadway and Hollywood. One of his last starring roles was in Hey Diddle Diddle, a play that premiered in 1937 featuring a 26 year-old Lucille Ball. The play was scheduled to open on Broadway, but closed after one week in Washington DC due to Tearle’s declining health. Had it succeeded, Ball’s career trajectory might have been very different!

In 1967, TV producer and director Sheldon Leonard (who actually worked at Desilu), arranged to film a bank robbery at Mr. Mooney’s bank - but keeps it a secret from Lucy, naturally. The end of the episode turns very meta when Leonard says:

“I suddenly got this idea for a new television series. It would be about this kooky red headed girl. She works in a bank and she gets into all sorts of impossible situations and… ...forget it. Nobody would ever believe it!”

A guest appearance by Van Johnson in “Guess Who Owes Lucy $23.50?” (1968) is used as an opportunity to promote their recently released film Yours Mine and Ours, where Lucy plays the wife of Henry Fonda and Johnson their best friend.

VAN JOHNSON: “I loved working with that kooky redhead.” LUCY CARTER: “Personally, I thought she was much too young for Henry Fonda.”

During Lucille Ball’s third appearance on “The Carol Burnett Show” (1969) two flight attendants Finster (Carol) and Agnes (Lucille Ball) compete for a best employee award. They encounter a suspicious passenger (Harvey Korman) with a Fidel Castro-like beard, cigars tucked in his breast pocket, and a Spanish accent.

HOOPER (Lucy):“Where are you from, sir? Havana?” PASSENGER (Korman): (alarmed) “Havana? What makes you think I’m from Havana?” HOOPER (Lucy):“Well, if it’s one thing I know, it’s a Cuban accent.”

This meta moment relies on the audience knowing that Lucille Ball had been married to Desi Arnaz, a Cuban immigrant, as was his sitcom spouse, Ricky Ricardo. In the late 1960′s hijacking planes to Cuba was headline news ripe for satire.

When “Lucy Competes With Carol Burnett” (1970), she dresses like a charwoman identical to the one created by Burnett for “The Carol Burnett Show.” When Carol Krausmeyer (disguised as a hippie reporter) asks how Lucy Carter thought up such a crazy outfit.

LUCY: “From some goofy dame on TV.” CAROL: “Well, she must be some kind of nut!”

~ THE DESILU METAVERSE ~

Lucy Ricardo met Danny Williams (Danny Thomas) on a cross-over episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour”;

Danny Williams drives through Mayberry and meets Sheriff Andy Taylor, which spawns “The Andy Griffith Show”;

“The Andy Griffith Show” is where the Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) character began before getting his own show. “Gomer Pyle USMC”;

Gomer Pyle turns up on “The Lucy Show,” although here she is Lucy Carmichael, not Lucy Ricardo (even though both women share the maiden name McGillacuddy).

The outcome is that Lucy Ricardo and Lucy Carmichael exist in the same (TV) Metaverse!

~ METAGRAPHS ~

In “Lucy The Gun Moll” (1966) Rusty Martin’s (aka Lucy) dressing room is decorated with black and white photographs of Lucille Ball performing. Behind Robert Stack is a photo of Ball singing “Jitterbug Bite” in the 1940 film Dance, Girl, Dance. She met Desi Arnaz while making this movie. It was filmed at RKO, the studio that became Desilu.

When Kim decorates her room with posters of classic film stars in “Lucy and the Andrews Sisters” (1969), Lucy Carter finds a poster of Lucille Ball! She looks at it thoughtfully, is about to put it on the wall, and then says “Meh” and puts it down.

When “Lucy Carter Meets Lucille Ball” (1974), the walls of Ball’s dressing room are covered with photos from the star’s real life, including one of her mother Dede.

The black and white photo next to the door is from “The Lucy Show” episode “Lucy and Chris’s New Year’s Eve Party” (1962) where Lucy Carmichael did a silent movie sketch as Charlie Chaplin. So Lucille Ball is playing Lucy Carmichael who is playing Charlie Chaplin!

In 1975′s Lucille Ball special with Dean Martin, “Lucy Gets Lucky”, Lucy Collins admires a photo of Lucille Ball while walking through the Las Vegas MGM Grand Hotel’s Hollywood Hall of Fame.

~ META MASTERPIECE ~

The ultimate visit to the Metaverse is the “Here’s Lucy” episode “Lucy Carter Meets Lucille Ball” (1974), in which Lucy, Kim, and Cynthia (Carole Cook) enter a Lucille Ball look-alike contest.

With the assistance of split screens and doubles (the best technology available at the time, Ball played both roles - and was even billed accordingly!

Lucy, Cynthia, and Kim both don caftans and dark wigs to emulate Ball’s look in her upcoming film Mame, although the film is never directly mentioned. Kim says that a lot of her friends think she looks like Lucille Ball.

LUCY: “That's ridiculous. She's old enough to be your mother!”

And the winner is...

...Lucy, naturally!

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hotvintagepoll · 10 months ago

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Congrats to the ultimate winner of the Hot & Vintage Movie Men Tournament, Mr. Toshiro Mifune! May he live happily and well where the sun always shines, enjoying the glories of a battle hard fought.

A loving farewell to all of our previous contestants, who are now banished to the shadow realm and all its dark joys and whispered horrors—I hear there's a picnic on the village green today. If you want to remember the fallen heroes, you can find them all beneath the cut.

What happens next? I'll be taking a break of two weeks to rest from this and prep for the Hot & Vintage Ladies Tournament. I'll still be around but only minimally, posting a few last odes to the hot men before transitioning into a little early ladies content, just like I did with this last tournament. The submission form for the Hot & Vintage Ladies tournament will remain up for one more week (closing February 21st), so get your submissions in for that asap! Once the form closes, there will be one more week of break. The first round of the Hot & Vintage Ladies Tournament will be posted on February 29th, as Leap Year Day seems like a fitting allusion to leaping into these ladies' arms.

Thanks for being here! Enjoy the two weeks off, and send me some great propaganda.

In order of the last round they survived—

ROUND ONE HOTTIES:

Richard Burton

Tony Curtis

Red Skelton

Keir Dullea

Jack Lemmon

Kirk Douglas

Marcello Mastroianni

Jean-Pierre Cassel

Robert Wagner

James Garner

James Coburn

Rex Harrison

George Chakiris

Dean Martin

Sean Connery

Tab Hunter

Howard Keel

James Mason

Steve McQueen

George Peppard

Elvis Presley

Rudolph Valentino

Joseph Schildkraut

Ray Milland

Claude Rains

John Wayne

William Holden

Douglas Fairbanks Sr.

Harold Lloyd

Charlie Chaplin

John Gilbert

Ramon Novarro

Slim Thompson

John Barrymore

Edward G. Robinson

William Powell

Leslie Howard

Peter Lawford

Mel Ferrer

Joseph Cotten

Keye Luke

Ivan Mosjoukine

Spencer Tracy

Felix Bressart

Ronald Reagan (here to be dunked on)

Peter Lorre

Bob Hope

Paul Muni

Cornel Wilde

John Garfield

Cantinflas

Henry Fonda

Robert Mitchum

Van Johnson

José Ferrer

Robert Preston

Jack Benny

Fredric March

Gene Autry

Alec Guinness

Fayard Nicholas

Ray Bolger

Orson Welles

Mickey Rooney

Glenn Ford

James Cagney

ROUND TWO SWOONERS:

Dick Van Dyke

James Edwards

Sammy Davis Jr.

Alain Delon

Peter O'Toole

Robert Redford

Charlton Heston

Cesar Romero

Noble Johnson

Lex Barker

David Niven

Robert Earl Jones

Turhan Bey

Bela Lugosi

Donald O'Connor

Carman Newsome

Oscar Micheaux

Benson Fong

Clint Eastwood

Sabu Dastagir

Rex Ingram

Burt Lancaster

Paul Newman

Montgomery Clift

Fred Astaire

Boris Karloff

Gilbert Roland

Peter Cushing

Frank Sinatra

Harold Nicholas

Guy Madison

Danny Kaye

John Carradine

Ricardo Montalbán

Bing Crosby

ROUND THREE SMOKESHOWS:

Marlon Brando

Anthony Perkins

Michael Redgrave

Gary Cooper

Conrad Veidt

Ronald Colman

Rock Hudson

Basil Rathbone

Laurence Olivier

Christopher Plummer

Johnny Weismuller

Clark Gable

Fernando Lamas

Errol Flynn

Tyrone Power

Humphrey Bogart

ROUND 4 STUNGUNS:

James Dean

Cary Grant

Gregory Peck

Sessue Hayakawa

Harry Belafonte

James Stewart

Gene Kelly

Peter Falk

QUARTERFINALIST VOLCANIC TOWERS OF LUST:

Jeremy Brett

Vincent Price

James Shigeta

Buster Keaton

SEMIFINALIST SUPERMEN:

Omar Sharif

Paul Robeson

FINALIST FANTASIES:

Sidney Poitier

Toshiro Mifune

and ok, sure, here's the shadow-bracket-style winner's portrait of Toshiro Mifune.

#hotvintagepoll #hot men finals #a winner crowned!#fuck that old man (requiem)#shadow bracket #toshiro mifune

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tavolgisvist · 4 months ago

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Now, when Paul in my mind flickers like pure Moon, I need to add to Paul's moons John's moonlight (as the June moon’ light turns to moonlight). First, old good Mr. Moonlight (written by Roy Lee Johnson). Our lads played it a couple of years and then recorded on Beatles for Sale in 1964.

Mr. Moonlight! You came to me one summer night And from your beam you made my dream And from the world you sent my girl And from above you sent us love

And now she is mine, I think you're fine 'Cause we love you Mr. Moonlight

Mr. Moonlight, come again please Here I am on my knees begging if you please And the night you don't come my way I pray and pray more each day 'Cause we love you Mr. Moonlight

And a few years late John is singing:

Mr. Moonlight Now you don’t come my way I’m now here to say you’re gone again I’m here to say Mr. Moonlight Mr. Moonlight Tonight you don’t come my way I pray and pray every day Mr. Moonlight / I don’t cry…

Mr. Moonlight You should be alright And now that I’ve seen the day Du du du du du du du I won’t cry…

Then Blue Moon (written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934), which was covered by Elvis Presley in 1954:

Blue moon You saw me standing alone Without a dream in my heart Without a love of my own

Blue moon You knew just what I was there for You heard me saying a prayer for Someone I really could care for Without a love of my own

And which our lads are singing during I Will session (and it gives us more for reading and understanding - and for dreaming):

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Blue moon You saw me standing alone Without a dream in my heart Without a love of my own

Blue moon You saw me standing alone Without a love in my heart Without a dream in my own

And then there suddenly appeared before me The only one I ever wanted to hold And then you said you’d come and then you’d adore me Blue moon you went and turned to gold

Blue moon No no no no no…

And, of course, John's version (presumed circa 1978).

But blue moon doesn't come to the surface at first, John begins from mad poem (remindes Skywriting and Goon Show):

Twas a night like Ethel Merman, not a sailor in the sky A kind of aged gentleman was giving me a try I remember it distinctly, as clear as yesterday I was excavating mucus and I thought I heard him say ‘O timorous beastly, what o’er the briney sea The news oot the bracken [inaudible] It’s a long way to tipperillo, och aye’ Mine eye was clouded o’er as I heard his mournful song I asked him what the time was, he said it wasn’t long.

Then he goes to Paris:

Do you remember when we were in the café on the left bank?* You could not find your cartier Because it was around your little throat You naughty little chéri Thank heaven for little pearls My God it’s so high up there You know you can’t really do that to yourself You’d get yourself disease! La la la…

purely accidental someone in March 1978 releases album with the song calls Café On The Left Bank

And then - what a nice context for this, isn' - John is singing Blue Moon with such lovely words:

Blue moon You left me standing alone Without a dog or a bone Without a… reasonable chance of recovery…

And in the end John is singing another wonderful song - Young Love (written by Ric Cartey and Carole Joyner, which was recorded in 1957 by Sonny James and in 1969 by Mary Hopkin for the album Postcard which was produced by Paul):

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They say for every boy and girl There's just one love in this whole world, And I know I've found mine.

The heavenly touch of your embrace Tells me no one could take your place Ever in my heart.

Young love, first love, Filled with true devotion. Young love, our love, We share with deep emotion.

Just one kiss from your sweet lips Will tell me that your love is real And I can feel that it's true.

We will vow to one another There will never be another Love for you or for me.

So, John is singing:

They say for every boy and girl There’s just one love in this whole world But I, I found mine Boy oh boy I found mine Oh this is thrilling Just one kiss from your sweet lips Tells me no one can ever split your P’s or Q’s or African…

Yes, it isn't about any moons or whatever but about stuff what moon and moonlight are about for people in love.

It's funny how everything is connected to everything. And there are also Blue Moon of Kentucky and New Moon Over Jamaica (and Get Enough)…

Woke up with a lot of Paul's moons dancing to 'Distractions' in my head. My work can't help: they swim, spin and sway before my eyes and Paul's voice deadens the noise from outside.

Paul's moons, John's laugh and Yoko's words: I said, 'You're a good songwriter, it's not June with Spoon that you write.' So, I give up.

I’ll Be on My Way, 1959 (wirtten by Paul but on the BBC's record we hear John's lead vocal and Paul's harmony). Later John and Paul dismissed this song and kidding on it.

'That’s Paul, through and through. Doesn’t it sound like him? Tra la la la la [laughs]. Yeah, that’s Paul on the voids of driving through the country.' (John Lennon, 1980, All We Are Saying, David Sheff) and 'It’s a little bit too June-moon for me, but these were very early songs and they worked out quite well.' (Paul McCartney, Many Years From Now, Barry Miles)

But look: The sun is fading away That's the end of the day As the June light turns to moonlight I'll be on my way <…> They were right I was wrong True love didn't last long As the June light turns to moonlight I'll be on my way hey

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It isn't one time story, apparently:

One day, you'll look To see I've gone For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun

<...>

And now the time has come And so, my love, I must go And though I lose a friend In the end, you will know

(I'll Follow The Sun, 1959)

But we're looking for the moon - so go to Just Fun (1957):

They say our love is just fun* The day that our friendship begun There’s no blue moon that I can see There’s never been in history Because our love was just fun

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*as it was in the original lyrics (and as Paul sings now), or 'They said our love was just fun' as Paul sings in 1969, during Get Back sessions

(and it leads us to others songs, where Paul say about who was/can be wrong, but we need only moons just now)

And if we suddenly remember what I’ll Be on My Way originally was 'a gentle guitar ballad', we can also remember another gentle song about the moon (early days, birds which 'flown from our nest' - sounds a bit like children leave their parents' home or maybe someone' songs elude their autors- and about some other things):

When the moon lays His head on a pillow And the stars settle Down for a rest, Just do me one small favour I beg you Please play me My baby's request

It's the song That we heard When we started. Now the bird have all Flown from our nest But you could bring back memories Departed by playing My baby's request

My baby said That she knows How it goes But you're the one That really knows So go ahead Just one more time and then We'll go to bed

Hmm play me baby's request Please play me my baby's request One more time

(Baby's Request from Back To The Egg, 1979)

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Of course, it means nothing, only distractions, which 'like butterflies are buzzing 'round my head'.

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acepalindrome · 2 years ago

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Much like Welcome to Nightvale, I feel like a lot of people have forgotten just how big and influential Yuri on Ice was. It fully broke into the mainstream. It was everywhere. Evgenia Medvedeva, the top female figure skater in 2016 and 2017, had YOI plushies thrown to her on the ice and wore a Victuuri tshirt to an interview. Japanese pair skaters Miu Suzaki and Ryuichi Kihara skated to the YOI theme at the fucking Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics. The Olympics. Canadian ice dancer Joseph Johnson did the ‘J.J. Style’ hand symbol in the kiss and cry. Johnny Weir made me cry by talking about how he wished the homophobic world of figure skating he experienced could have been more like the kinder world of Yuri on Ice.

There were cameos and references to it everywhere. Everyone was talking about it. People who had never watched anime were watching it. It was so big it crashed Crunchyroll and Tumblr. Twice. And all that for what was at its core, a queer love story that helped pave the way for more queer stories to come.

#yuri on ice #yoi #i got a little fired up at the implication that voltron was somehow #more iconic than yoi #objectively untrue statement #anyway yoi healed my queer heart and helped me find the courage to come out to my family

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doyoulikethissong-poll · 1 year ago

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Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode 1958

"Johnny B. Goode" is a song by American musician Chuck Berry, written and sung by Berry in 1958. It peaked at number two on the Hot R&B Sides chart and number eight on its pre-Hot 100 chart. The song remains a staple of early and later rock music. "Johnny B. Goode" is considered one of the most recognizable songs in the history of popular music. Credited as "the first rock & roll hit about rock & roll stardom", it has been covered by various other artists and has received several honors and accolades. This includes being one of the 27 songs on the Voyager Golden Record, a collection of music, images, and sounds designed to serve as a record of humanity, that is travelling into deep space outside the solar system.

Berry acknowledged that the song is partly autobiographical and that the original lyrics referred to Johnny as a "colored boy", but he changed it to "country boy" to ensure radio play. As well as suggesting that the guitar player is good, the title hints at autobiographic elements, because Berry was born at 2520 Goode Avenue, in St. Louis. The song was initially inspired by Johnnie Johnson, the regular piano player in Berry's band, but developed into a song mainly about Berry himself. The opening guitar riff of "Johnny B. Goode" borrows from the opening single-note solo on Louis Jordan's "Ain't That Just Like a Woman" (1946), played by guitarist Carl Hogan. "Johnny B. Goode" received 86% total yes votes! The other 14% are just not ready for it yet…but their kids are gonna love it.

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#finished #high votes #high yes #high reblog #chuck berry #50s

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intheupside · 8 months ago

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Sidney Crosby was his usual humble, appreciative self on Thursday morning after being informed that he was the Penguins' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

No, he's not overcoming a terrible injury or health issue, and he didn't have to battle adversity off the ice. But with the work he puts into his game, there's nobody else that best exemplifies a dedication to hockey. With his role as a leader on the team, an ambassador to the game and just an overall great human, nobody else best exemplifies sportsmanship. And with him having the season he's having at age 36 -- 39 goals and 45 assists in 76 games, on a mission to drag the Penguins into a postseason spot at any cost, he's a model of perseverance in his own way.

While Crosby may not quite agree with his own nomination -- the second nomination of his career, after he was a finalist in 2013 after his bounce back from concussions -- his teammates sure think he's deserving.

"It's everything he stands for," Rickard Rakell said. "It's about the leadership on and off the ice, the time he puts into getting to the top of his game. It's obviously well-deserved."

"It's the way he carries himself," added Marcus Pettersson. "He represents the game, in a way. He doesn't only represent us, for a long time he's been the face of hockey, too. The passion that he brings, and the love for the game that he brings, he's a very, very well-deserving nominee."

As far as sportsmanship, Crosby is a model of that both on and off the ice. Off the ice, he's an ambassador to the game. He never turns down media, and is almost always available to speak in the locker room after games and practices. He's generous with his time, as exemplified in a story Brian Boyle recently shared of Crosby spending nearly an hour playing bubble hockey with Boyle's young son Declan after a game when Boyle's family was in town during the 2021-22 season, and taking the time to FaceTime with Boyle's kids when they were back home in the Boston area. He's accessible to fans, with Mike Sullivan noting that he's never seen Crosby turn down a kid seeking an autograph or looking to meet him.

"Some of the small gestures for me are the ones that mean most," Sullivan said. "Not everybody gets a chance to see that side of Sid."

Crosby is just a giver too, whether it be for teammates or complete strangers. I've seen him before in front of me on the drive into PPG Paints Arena for game nights, and he's cut across lanes approaching an intersection to get next to the median to give money to a homeless person. One of my favorite stories about Crosby came courtesy of Joseph Blandisi, who recalled what Crosby did for Adam Johnson after Johnson's NHL debut in Nashville in 2019.

"I remember that the day after (Johnson's) first NHL game," Blandisi told me after Johnson's death in October. "Crosby had his tailor in the dressing room and got Johnny a suit from his tailor as a congratulations for his first NHL game. That's a story I always tell when people ask me how it was playing with Sid, I always tell the story that he bought Johnny a suit after his first game. That always stuck with me."

Crosby reflected on Letang's win last season on Thursday, after he succeeded him as the Penguins' nominee.

"Given the fact that he had gone through (the stroke) once before, and then having to go through it again and seeing over the years how hard he's worked and what he's gone through to still be playing to a level that he is, it's really impressive," Crosby said. "It was much more deserving, probably, than my nomination."

sid for masterton 🥹

#pittsburgh penguins #sidney crosby

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lostintransist · 1 month ago

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This Bunny Bites - Part 4

Work started normal. You got in early and did yourself up in the locker room. You don’t wear makeup except for work. It helped that no one could really recognize you without your beauty camouflage. With your heels on and boobs hiked to the sky, you stepped onto the floor.

You saw a few regulars as you made your way around the room. You checked in first with the manager for the night, Todd.

“Hey, I’ve got a dance lined up for you.”

The forty something balding man looked up from the order sheet for the alcohol. Checking out your outfit, his gaze lingered on the scalloped edge of your bra.

“K? What room?” You shift, crossing your arms over the tops of the cups.

Todd looks up at you, startled.

“Uh, room seven I think is where I put him. He asked for you by name.”

Not unusual, you had a few regulars.

“Okay, that is not a problem. Is he someone I know?”

“That’s the thing, he didn’t use your dancer name. He used your legal name.”

You shared a look with Todd, for all his creeper tendencies he did his best to keep stalkers from getting at any of the girls.

“I’ll see what’s going on but maybe swing by in about five to check on me?”

“Yep. You got it.”

Todd waited for you to leave first; man never missed an opportunity to stare at an ass. You ignore the phantom hands sliding over you. Following an instinct that had yet to fail you, you grab your phone from your locker. Shoving it deep down one side of your bra, you enter room seven. You pull the door shut out of habit.

On the black couch across from the door sits the big motherfucker who had escorted Johnny out of the club last night. He sits knees spread wide, hands reaching nearly both sides of the couch. His hard skull mask covers most of his face, and dark makeup covers any skin not covered by the fabric.

You stare at each other, waiting for the other to blink.

He wins.

Pissed, you stride across the room, lifting your shoe and placing it against his chest.

“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t get you kicked out of here and banned for life?” You sneer down at him.

“I pay well.”

“I said good reason. What’s your name?”

His head shifts, taking in every inch of flesh from your toes to the top of your teased hair. Slow as dusk shifting into night he placed his hands on your ankle, your foot still pressed to his chest. With great skill he tucks the small leather strap into the buckle of your shoe, while wearing gloves.

“You can call me Ghost.” He glances up at you, the heat in his gaze pricking somewhere low in your body.

“Mmm.” You pull out your phone and set your foot on the ground.

Pulling up a contact you know will be awake at this hour, you initiate the call.

He picks up on the first ring.

“Detective! Sorry for the late call, but I have been meaning to get back to you and I finally have a second.” You pitch your voice high, chipper.

Ghost pulls out his wallet and drops two bills on the couch after showing you the denominations.

Detective Johnson responds in your ear, “Hey! You know this isn’t too late for me, even when I am not on the clock I am still up late.”

“I understand these late nights do something funny to your sleep schedules,” you laugh.

Ghost pulls out two more bills, same high number. You raise a brow at him.

“I was actually calling to reschedule dinner with you and the missus. You free next Wednesday by chance? We could hit up that new ramen restaurant?”

“Wednesday…wed-nes-day…Hold on I’m checking her calendar. Looks like we are both free. Six PM, okay?”

“Perfect. Thanks, give my love to your wife. I will see you Wednesday.” You end the call with a true smile on your face.

When your eyes fall back to the man on the couch your smile falls into the sultry work mask you keep for the darkness you work in. You hold out a hand, the other tucking your phone back away in your bra. Ghost doesn’t hesitate but moves with deliberate slowness. He places four hundred dollars into your palm, gloves rasping against your skin anywhere they made contact.

“Dances are only ten minutes,” You tuck the money into the other cup. “That is how long I will give you to plead your case for my sorry excuse for a brother.”

You turn around and begin your dance.

“Not here for your brother love,” his Manchester accent a sharp relief to the accents that drift though a port town like this one.

“What could you want with me then?”

“How about a job?”

You let out a laugh, “I don’t think you would be a great dancer, but we might need a bouncer.”

He pulls on the end a few hairs, not hard, just enough to tilt your head back a hint.

“No, I have a job for you.”

You reach back and twist your hair around one hand, pulling it over one shoulder. You know how to lay boundaries without disturbing the men getting a dance.

“What is the job?”

“Classified unless you agree.”

You hummed, low in your throat.

“Pay?”

“Name your price.”

You speak without thinking.

“30,000.” Double what you needed to get out.

“Yours once the job is complete. Wired to any account of your choice and not traceable or taxable.”

“What’s the timeline?”

Ghost paused at this question. You couldn’t decide if he needed to think about the answer or if you had truly distracted him with your last move.

“Three months.” His voice didn’t show any hint of stress.

“Done. Send me the paperwork to sign. I imagine you know where I live already.”

No response. You look back and find Ghost’s gaze glued to the gusset of your thong.

“And that is ten minutes.” You straighten slowly, your ass about his chest in your heels.

His lingering eyes leave a heat pattern on your bones as he works his way up your back.

“Don’t come back here. If you show up again, I will deny you service no matter how much cash you pull out of your pockets.” You whip your head forward, hair flying out behind you.

You leave the room, door open. Todd hadn’t knocked when he should have, something must have happened on the main floor. You nearly catch a fist to the nose from the full-on brawl happening around the main stage.

Part 3 | Part 5

Masterlist

#cod #fanfiction #cod x reader #ghost x reader #simon riley x reader

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