#The Sopranos Christmas Special

[thewisesaltine]

A Very Gabagool Christmas

So, recently I've been watching The Sopranos for the first time. It's a pretty good show, but by sheer happenstance I got to a Christmas-themed episode during the Christmas season. This was not planned at all, but dammit if I'm not gonna take advantage of this coincidence to post jokes on the Internet.

The Sopranos: Season: 3 Episode: 10: To Save Us All From Satan's Power

Now, it's gonna be kinda difficult to talk about a single episode of a serialized television storyline on its own terms, so just to make things clear if you haven't watched the first 3 seasons of The Sopranos...this ain't gonna make much sense.

In this episode it's Christmas in New Jersey, and your favorite Italian stereotypes are feeling the holiday spirit AND seasonal depression. That's right, Tony and his mob friends are sorely missing the presence of their now deceased friend, Pussy. It's been nearly a year since Tony shot him in the face multiple times and then sank the boat that his corpse was in, and he's kinda starting to suspect that doing that may have had some negative repercussions on his mental health.

The episode isn't the first to deal with the repercussions of Pussy's death, but it is the first where you see how deeply the whole ordeal has left a scar on Tony and the gang. The only real "mob activity" of the whole episode is that they need to find another fat guy to play Santa at their Christmas Party now that their usual guy is currently rotting at the bottom of the ocean. Also I think a Russian guy got the shit beaten out of him but I don't really care about that subplot.

It's mostly an episode about Tony's guilt. He's been largely running away from it since the end of the last season, but now certain things are beginning to creep back up. Not consequences or karmic justice, per say, just feelings. The Santa ordeal brings up all sorts of memories in the group. How certain moments in the past suddenly make sense now that they know Pussy was working for the government.

If this all sounds dire and not Christmas-y at all you would be sort of right. Seeing as how it's just another chapter in the extended story of the show, it's not going to suddenly pivot into Christmas cheer so a guy online in 23 years can write a blog post about it. It's still gonna be an episode of The Sopranos, but for an episode of The Sopranos it does commit to the whole Christmastime setting pretty fully.

Basically every plot and subplot is reliant on it being December. Obviously, the main plot with Tony feeling guilty is reliant on them finding the Santa costume. But there's also a whole bit about Carmella and Janice arguing over Christmas dinner. Also they continue Jackie and Meadow's relationship storyline...that's probably the least Christmas-y part of the episode but it DOES come up!

I guess what I'm trying to say is I like that the show actually went through with doing an episode set at Christmas, and didn't just have it be a normal episode with a tree in the background of a few scenes to demonstrate the fact that time is passing in tandem with when these episodes are being released. Paulie and Christopher talk about Jim Carrey's Grinch movie. I mean come on. David Chase should be given every Emmy ever for allowing that scene to happen.

Now, I understand this has been an extremely poorly constructed review. How can if not be when I'm discussing what is essentially a slow, character-building episode of a show? But if I can leave you with any sort of opinion or idea to take away from this it would be this.

...I laughed out loud when Tony got the fucking fish toy for Christmas. Hahaha! GET FUCKED YOU GABAGOOL EATING SON OF A BITCH! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR REFUSING TO FUNDAMENTALLY ADDRESS YOUR FLAWS AS A HUMAN BEING AND ALSO PROBABLY ALL THOSE PEOPLE YOU'VE KILLED!

8.5/10

[shelbgrey]

My MasterList of Stories

Master List part 2

~request are open

Grey's Anatomy

The Sopranos

Codes:

Smut=❤️‍🔥 Fluff=💕 Angst=💔 Funny=💖 Horror=🫀

🔬Bones💀

Dr. Lance Sweets:

Smut Alphabet❤️‍🔥

Caught in the act ❤️‍🔥

Dating Lance Sweets HC💕❤️‍🔥

Adventures in babysitting💕

You belong with me💕

Lance Sweets as a Dad headcanons💕

Dream Warriors💔🫀

Bones Halloween Special🫀💖

Code baby Part 1 💕

Let me take your pain away💕💔

Dr. Jack Hodgins:

Can't buy me love💔💕

Jack Hodgins Having a little sister💕

What's it gonna take to get you out of his lab?❤️‍🔥

Agent Seeley Booth:

Dating Seeley Booth Headcanons💕❤️‍🔥

Being Seeley Booth's Best friend HCs💕

Friends to Lovers Headcanons💕

The day we met💕

In the name of love💕

Agent James Aubrey:

Falling in love with James Aubrey after losing Lance 💔💕

Falling in love with James Aubrey after losing Lance Sweets part 2💕❤️‍🔥

Smut Alphabet❤️‍🔥

Unspoken desire❤️‍🔥

Dr. Wendell Bray:

Witchy Squintern HCs💕

Dr. Camille Saroyan:

who broke the coffee pot?💖

The Squinterns:

Adventures in babysitting💕

Being Hodgins sister and being a goth Squintern💕

Dr. Zack Addy:

I've got your back💕

Who's got him smiling like that?💕

❤️‍🩹Grey's Anatomy🩺

Dr. Derek Shephard:

Halloween special💖🫀

Injured💔

The Ballad of Jayne💔

Stuck in the middle💔💕

Stitches💕

This is Why I Don't Go To The Gym💕

Baby on the brain💕

Dating Derek after he broke up with Meredith💕

Love at first sight💕

Dr. Mark Sloan:

November Rain💔

Faithfully💔💕

We are family💕

Christmas Special💖

Dr. Owen Hunt:

Trauma 101💖

Dr. Jackson Avery:

Love Story💔💕

Dr. Alex Karev:

Heaven💔

Dr. Miranda Bailey:

Your my favorite💕

Dr. Nick Marsh:

Secrets out💕

🗡️Once upon a time🍎

August W. Booth:

Hidden secrets❤️‍🔥💕💔

Killian Jones:

Smut fic with Killan Jones❤️‍🔥

Prince James:

Hysteria💔💕

🩸Twilight🌲

Cullen family:

Fire safty💖

Going to the zoo💖

Cats in the cradle💕

Being Carlisle and Esme's daughter and having the Volturi wrap around your finger. 💖💕

Cullens:

Emmett McCarthy Cullen:

Next to me series💖💔💕❤️‍🔥

Forever now💕

Being Emmett and Rose's daughter HCs💕

Carlisle Cullen:

Being Carlisle and Esme's youngest daughter HC💕

Carlisle as your husband HCs💕

Jasper Whitlock Hale:

Jasper dating Bella's sister HCs💕

Edward Anthony Mason Cullen:

Dating Edward Cullen HCs💕

Crushing on Edward Cullen HCs💕

Rosalie Lillian Hale:

Being Emmett and Rose's daughter HCs💕

Denalis:

Eleazar Denali:

Glory of love series ❤️‍🔥💕💔💖

Dating Eleazar HCs❤️‍🔥💕

Garrett:

Voice of an Angel💔💕

Being Carlisle and Esme's youngest daughter and dating Garrett HCs💕

Wolf pack:

Seth Clearwater:

Perfect 💕

Volturi:

The Volturi:

Being Carlisle and Esme's youngest daughter and having the Volturi wrap around your finger💕

🧫Ghostbusters👻

Peter Venkman:

When unspoken rules are broken💔💕

Dr. Egon Spengler:

Hold on, I love you💔

Two Nerds falling in love headcanons💕

Ray stantz:

Dr. Jelousey❤️‍🔥

Something strange💕💔

🦁🐍Harry Potter🐦‍⬛🦡

Draco Malfoy:

Say Something💔

Dance the night away💕

Just keeping an eye out💕

The truth doesn't always hurt💔💕

George Weasley:

Welocm to Gryffindor💔💕

You belong with me - part 1💔💕

Fred Weasley:

Being a Potter twin and falling for Fred💕

Neville Longbottom:

Your Breaking My Heart💔

Weasley family:

Being adopted by the Weasleys💕

⚔️Supernatural🌘

Gabriel "the Trickster":

Hyper girl💕

The Winchester and the Trickster💕

Love of a lifetime💔

Dean winchester:

Dating Dean Winchester Headcanons💕❤️‍🔥

Castiel:

Being in a love triangle with Dean and Cas💕💔

🎶Elvis Presley🎸

Austin!Elvis Presley:

Love me tender💔💕

💥Marvel🦸

Scott "Cyclops" Summers:

Dating Scott Summers💕❤️‍🔥

A not so White Wedding💕

Clint "Hawkeye" Barton:

Secrets out💖

Whatever it takes💔💕

Tony "Iron man" Stark:

All of me💔💕

Bucky "winter soldier" Barnes:

Treat you better💔💕

Howard Stark:

Time In A Bottle💕

Dr. Stephen Strange:

I won't say I'm in love💔💕

Avengers:

Ohana means family💕

Six avengers and a baby💔💕

[sarahalainn]

Sarah Àlainn - Celestial Christmas Concert

サラ・オレイン

~ 天使と天上の音楽 ~

念願だった日本の協会でのクリスマス。

11年目でやっと実現できました。

色々なサライブをプロデュースして来ましたが、どれも特別な思い入れがある中。

今回は1番印象に残るステージの一つになりました。

これをきっかけに、また日本の教会でコンサートが実現できれば幸せす。

個人的にはとても長崎に行きたく、、、チャンスに巡り合えることを祈っています！

では、プロデューサラからのライナーノート。

今回のセトリ。デザインさせ��頂きました＾＾

夏のオーストラリアで育ったため、リースのサラは半袖。

寒さにとても弱いものの（昨日のライブでもカイロを貼ってて落ちないかドキドキ）、

クリスマスはやっぱり寒いのがしっくり。

1. Pie Jesu (Andrew Lloyd Webber)

2. Bring the Snow『ムーミン谷とウィンターワンダーランド』

3. Toccata (J.S. Bach) ～ Shchedryk/Carol of the Bells

4. Eternal Rest 『蒼き革命のヴァルキュリア』

5. Eight Melodies 『MOTHER』

6. Hijo de la Luna

7. Airmail Special Xmas Vers.

8. Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)

9. Andata (坂本龍一)

10. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence 『戦場のメリークリスマス』

11. Joyful Joyful / 第九

12. O Holy Night

ENCORE

13. Ave Maria (Vavilov)

14. Silent Night

15. Nessun Dorma

16. You Raise Me Up

海外の協会や大聖堂といえば、キャンドル🕯️

本物はNGとのことで、こちらに。帰って我が家のツリーの下に🎄

今回のサラスタイルは、一番好きな純白。

１部はサラッと見つけた衣装！今回ネックだったのは、パイプオルガンの弾き語り。

普段はもっと高いヒールを履いてパフォーマンスをしているのですが、ペダルがもちろんキツく不可能。

因みに、ペタンコな靴でも試したところ、これもこれで初心者にはとても踏みにくく、多少ヒールがあった方が演奏しやすかったです。

長いスカートも足の動作の邪魔になるため、とても苦労しました。最終的には普段より低いヒール（これで）に動きやすいドレスに出会えました。オープニング、アンコール、エンディングの演出としてバージンロードを歩きたかったため、

それにしてはカジュアルすぎる姿かなと思い、裾が長い素敵なビジューのケープに出会えました。

アンコールではお世話になってる方々のお衣装:

Instagram

Dress: DRESS SALON Lu:Che @dress_salon.luche

Veil: @paradisewest

Hair & Make up: @west_kuboki

アー写でも着てた一点もののヴェールとウェディングドレス。

華やかな衣装も大好きだけど、普段着も含めて、基本一色でシンプルなスタイルが1番好き。

見えにくかったはずですが、アクセサリーには十字架のネックレス。

Sarah’s Angels

チャーリーズ・エンジェルともちろんかけてます。

ピアニストの宮本貴奈さんは色々な意味で今回救いの天使でした！

Soprano/ SAK.

Mezzo Soprano/ 渡辺磨裕美

Alto/ 会原実希

Tenor/ 大山桂佑

エグイアレンジにも関わらず🙇‍♀️サラッと歌われて素晴らしかった👏Bravi!

皆さんのシックな衣装が会場にぴったりでした。

実はAngels’のスタイリングもしてたのですが。。なんと、衣装が間に合わず（本番の次の日に到着＞＜）

いつかまたぜひこちらも着て一緒に歌いたいものです！

では、音楽のもう少し詳しい編成や演出について。

聖なる場所で、今回はとても分かりやすいテーマとメッセージがあったこともあり、

MCを最小限にし、音楽中心のコンサートに。

アルバムやテレビと違って、��ンサートでは自分の思いを自由に語れる貴重な場なので、

基本話せる時は話したいですが、今回はより音楽に集中できたため（ツアーでは毎回MC＝ー「笑い」に命をかけていますw）、こういうコンサートも続けたい。

1. Pie Jesu (Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Takanaのクリスマス・アドリブから始まり、イエスキリストを讃える一曲へと繋がる。

色々な作曲家のPie Jesuがありますが（Faureフォーレのも好きで迷いました）、アルバムに収録されてることと、京都音舞台での思い出もあり（お寺でのPie Jesuなんて、日本の神は心が広い）、Andrew Lloyd Webberバージョンに。

皆さん驚かれたかもしれませんが、後ろから登場し、キャンドルを灯し、歌いながらバージンロードを歩きました。

教会の大きな十字架✝️を見ながら歌う感覚。

色々な感情が心に重く、深く、宿る。

2. Bring the Snow『ムーミン谷とウィンターワンダーランド』

クリスマスは基本違和感と寂しい思い出しかなかったですが（夏のオーストラリアで、クリスマスを祝わない家族）、

昔からクリスマスソング・キャロル・讃美歌が大好き。とても嬉しいことに、オリジナルのクリスマスソングを歌わせて頂いています。それも、憧れのムーミンの。映画『ムーミン谷とウィンターワンダーランド』で英語版と日本語版で主題歌を歌わせて頂くクリスマスの奇跡が起こりました。

そんなムーミン一家も、クリスマスはお祝いしません。

クリスマスが何なのかすら、知りません。

でも、「クリスマスさんがやってくる！」

人と勘違いしてる？

ツリーの飾り方も分からず独特。テッペンには薔薇。

そんなムーミンは、何よりも大事なクリスマスのメッセージに気づきます。

そんなハートフルなクリスマスソングを教会でも歌えるなんて。

年に一度しか使えないと思ってゲットした鈴は、今日も大活用。

3. Toccata (J.S. Bach) ～ Shchedryk/Carol of the Bells

さあ、ここからが難関。思いだすだけで冷や汗。

人生初のパイプオルガン演奏。弾き語り。そして途中で指揮。

本来予定してなかったのですが、教会の下見に行った時、オルガンを見て、これは演奏してみたい！、と燃えてしまいました。

どの楽器もマスターするのに難しいですが、その中でもパイプオルガン奏者にはリスペクトしかありません。

ピアノ、チェンバロと違って、鍵盤が三段階。それぞれ音色は違いますが、その音色をさらに左と右横にあるストッパーで調整する。演奏中引っ張ったり押したり大忙し。シンセも昔から好きだったので、感覚が似てて、音色を選べるのはとても楽しいです。演奏してる間は別問題ですが＾＾；そして、私にとって何よりも困難だったのはペダル。ペダルも鍵盤になっているんです！ひ〜

エレクトーンの経験もないので、シクシク家で妄想練習。手書きの鍵盤。

あるピアニストがピアノがなくて紙の鍵盤で練習したという都市伝説を聞いたことがあったけど、

本当だったかもしれない。

最初はオルガンソロのみ予定してて、何が良いかなと思って、冗談で「バッハのトッカータとフーガニ短調BWV 565」なんて！と言ったら、ピアニストの塩入俊哉さんが、「それで良いんじゃない」と真面目に答えられてから、やることになっちゃいました（塩入さん、体調回復されて、元旦でお会いします＾＾）

どうやって鍵盤を弾きながらペダルを踏んで歌うのだろうか。。。練習ができないため、

今回はずっと足を見て演奏するしかない。

そのため、普通のマイクではなく、ヘッドセットをお願いしました。

ここで合唱が登場したらカッコ良いなと思い、バッハからウクライナの新年の曲「Shchedryk」、別名「Carol of the Bells」（ホームアローンやテーマパークでもよく流れるクリスマスの定番）に繋がる。

ペダルを踏んでない時は指揮。オルガンが大きくて見えにくい位置でしたが、さすが聖歌隊、

Sarah’s Angels見事について来ています。

「Carol of the Bells」　「鐘のキャロル」というだけに、パイプオルガンにも鐘があるので、このチャイムをペダルと鍵盤でもONに。

今回は合唱のアレンジをさせて頂き、こちらも燃えました。

GLORIA CHAPELだけに、アレンジに「Gloria」（讃美歌）も取り入れました。

ウクライナ語、早口英語（合唱お見事）、脳みそがフル回転に働かされる一曲でした。

足元の動画をとってあとで見返してみると、おそらくこの姿勢で筋肉痛になったかと。

YouTubeにアップしました！

動画編集に苦戦。いくつかのカメラが音と映像がシンクしない。多分カメラの位置とホールの響きの影響も？

また、見返して思い出したのは、音のディレイ。特にオルガンは、鍵盤を弾いてる時と、実際に聞こえてくる音とズレがあります。ゆっくりなところは大丈夫でしがた、早いパッセージは心臓バクバク。

【LIVE】Shchedryk Carol of the Bells /Pipe Organ, Voice & Choir｜Sarah Àlainn サラ・オレイン | パイプオルガン弾き語り

＜初！パイプオルガン弾き語りinウクライナ語+指揮🎄＞

4. Eternal Rest 『蒼き革命のヴァルキュリア』

ここでやっと普通のMC。

次からは合唱メインの選曲へ。

今回リーダーのSAK.に合唱についてご相談させて頂きました。SAK.とのご縁はゲーム音楽のコンサート。

そんな繋がりもあり、一番最初に合唱とやりたい！と浮かんだ曲は、ゲーム音楽でした。

私の歌のデビューは光田康典さんのゲーム音楽『ゼノブレイド』の「Beyond the Sky」。

よくライブで歌わせて頂いている大切な楽曲。SEGAの 『蒼き革命のヴァルキュリア』でもコラボが実現。

ラテン語で英語で作詞させて頂き、とても好きな世界観。でも、ライブでは一度も歌ったことがありません。

レコーディングでは自分の声を何重に重ねたセルフ・クワイヤー。

ループするようなラインでもないため、ルーパーでも一人でライブでは歌えません。

今日までは！

合唱のおかげで、やっと生でこの歌が届けられる！テーマも「Requiem（レクイエム）」なので教会にもぴったり。

ゲームの中では死神の歌なので、プレイヤーとしてはあまり聞きたくない曲かもしれませんが＾＾；

さらに、この曲は完全にアカペラ。オリジナルと同じように表現できた喜び。

アカペラが大好きで、合唱の皆さんにまたハードルが高い曲を２曲目に持って来たのにも関わらず、Bravo！

正面向きながらの指揮。

5. Eight Melodies 『MOTHER』

ルーツのvgmが続きます

ご縁があり、作曲家のChip Tanaka（田中宏和さん）の前で彼の作品をいくつか演奏する貴重な機会がありました。私が最初にプレイしたゲーム機はGAME BOY(ゲームボーイ）。唯一入ってたゲームがDr. Mario。今でも完璧に覚えてるあのチップチュー��。それがまさかのChipさん作曲。そんなDr.MarioとRPG『MOTHER』をご本人の前で演奏させて頂く夢のようなステージがありました。

その時はサラカルの編成だったため、歌とヴァイオリンはルーパーを使ってました。

この名曲をSt. Paul’s Cathedral Choirが歌われてるバージョンをサラジオでも以前お届けしましたが、

これぞ教会で聞きたい一曲！ゲームでは８つのメロディーが物語のキーとなるのですが、アレンジバージョンには英語歌詞がつきました：

Take a melody, simple as can be

Give it some words and sweet harmony

Raise your voices, all day long now, love grows strong now

Sing a melody of love, oh love…

作詞：Linda Hennrick

作曲：鈴木慶一さん/Chip Tanaka

簡単なメロディーをとって、歌詞をつけて、

優しいハーモニーを当てて、

声をあげて、愛のをメロディーを共に歌おう。

何とも純粋な美しい歌詞。。。

以前のループも生かしつつ、合唱とピアノ演奏を加えた教会バージョンにアレンジ。

Chipさんに映像を送らなければ〜年末は休めるのだろうか＾＾；

今回は出番が短かったですが、ここでサラ・オリジナル八ヶ岳カリンバが重要なところに登場。

シンプルなメロなので、これもいずれ皆さんとカリンバで演奏するのが夢です＾＾

6. Hijo de la Luna

合唱がミステリアスなピアノアドリブの中ゆっくり去っていく。

ガラッと雰囲気を変えて、不思議なスペイン語の世界へ。

スペイン語は話せないので、早口言葉がとても難しい一曲です。

子供の時ラジオでも流れてたヒットで馴染みがある一曲なのに、大人になってから歌詞の意味を知り、びっくり：

か��りダークです

当日のセリフをそのまま:

『母といえば、息子が欲しかったお月様の話、ご存じでしょうか？

ある女性の望みと引き換えに、息子を手にした、お月様

女性は望み通り、夫をもらった。

でも、その間に産まれた子は、夫と違い、肌色が真っ白だった。月のように。

あまりの怒りに、夫は女性に怒り、最悪な結末に。

お月様は、こうして母になった。

「お月様、腕がなくて、あなたはどうやって息子を抱くの？」

「三日月になって、息子を揺らすのよ。」

Hijo de la Luna 月の息子』

やっぱり怖い。

ヨーロッパで大ヒットしたMecanoの名曲。オリジナルがとにかくカッコ良い。

Takanaからお借りしたシェーカー（振り方、角度によって音が変わる！欲しい）も登場。

音楽的にはシンプルに１番、サビ、という構成ですが、違和感がある転調があったり、

演奏してみると意外とミスしやすい（そして目立ちやすい）、難関な曲。

7. Airmail Special Xmas Vers.

今回のセトリからカットされそうになった一曲。

でも、リハで試しに一回Takanaとやってみて、これはやっぱり入れなきゃとcome-backしたジャズナンバー。

「天上の音楽」とはかけ離れたイメージだけど、普段のライブなら元気に盛り上がる・アップテンポな曲が入ってからの重ための曲の流れを意識してるので、やっぱり息抜きできる一曲が必要。

炭水化物好きでもたまには野菜を挟んだほうが良い、的な？

ただ、中々息する暇もない、かなりのアップテンポで音かずが多い一曲。

以前ハマジャズで急遽この曲をやることになり、必死にElla Fitzgeraldの音源を完コピ。

バンドが初めて歌ったと信じてなく、嬉しくも複雑な（嬉しい）ライブでした。あんなに必死に歌を覚えたのは初めてです。

ヴァイオリンでは速い曲はたくさんありますが、歌はどうしてもバラードが多く、

こういう一曲を待ってました！

クリスマスネタをあちらこちらにアドリブで飾っていく。

さすがJazz出身のTakana。刺激されて、色々湧きでくる、セッション！

ちょうど次の曲のセットチェンジもあるので、ここで会場に降りました。

ワンピ＋ヒールが低いと本当に簡単に動き回れる〜

Airmail Specialと並んでYoasobiさんの「アイドル」が同じ部類のもの。癖になる。

続きはPART 2 で!

[broadwaydivastournament]

Movie Musical Divas Tournament: Round 1

Shirley Jones (1934- ): The Music Man (1962) - Marian Paroo, Oklahoma! (1955) - Laurie, Carousel (1956) - Julie Jordan

"An incredibly talented and underrated star! Her soprano is so clear you could see through it (the octave jump in “Till There Was You” lives in my mind rent free). Golden Star of a golden era in movie musicals. Also played the mother on the Parrish’s Family- quintessential 70s TV" - @Kingscatt

Betty Buckley (1947- ): Hair (1979) - vocalist | Tender Mercies (1983) - Dixie | Remember WENN "Christmas on the Airwaves" special episode (1996) - Gloria Redmond

"Kind of a stretch, but she did provide vocals for Hair, and come on, she's Betty Buckley. A living legend. She was also in a special feature-length episode of a musical TV show if that counts? Her songs need to become holiday standards because they're gorgeous." - anonymous

This is Round 1 of the Movie Musical Divas tournament. Additional polls in this round may be found by searching #mmround1, or by clicking the link below. Add your propaganda and support by reblogging this post.

ADDITIONAL PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

Shirley Jones:

"Playing the female lead in Oklahoma OR The Music Man would be impressive, but both? Iconic." - anonymous

Photos submitted by: @mygreatadventurehasbegun | Video submitted by: @mygreatadventurehasbegun

Betty Buckley:

Photos and video submitted by: anonymous

[eugesounds]

A Saxophonist’s Journey

I have been a full-time musician for most of my adult life. I have not gone more than a few days without playing an instrument of some sort since the summer between my junior and senior years of high school.... and that was...gulp, about 50 years ago.

I am not famous and I am not rich, but I have a lifetime of amazing memories, many fantastic friends and colleagues in the industry, and a long history of great students that I feel very fortunate to have spent time with, and have hopefully helped along on their own musical journeys.

My earliest memories are almost all related to music. My parents had an old RCA Hi-fi in our living room. It was a magical box that would come to life with a warm glow, a comforting hum, and an enticing "electronic" smell. It emitted sounds that made the whole family smile and I was a big fan of all of it. When I was 4 years old I stood in front of that console imitating Louis Armstrong. I even kept my dad's handkerchief in my front pants pocket as a prop. Hello Dolly always brought the house down for the aunts and uncles.

Growing up Italian in NJ, it's only natural that Frank Sinatra's voice became the soundtrack of my childhood. I once asked my mom if we could "turn the volume down" as Sid Mark's radio show "Friday with Frank" blared from the living room at dinner time. She looked me dead in the eye, pointed down at the floor and said "Go eat in the basement". True story, but I digress.

My mom and dad loved to dance, so their record collection was full of great LP’s from the Big Band and swing eras. I would spend hours listening to old 78’s by Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and others. And if there was someone my father admired slated to be on late-night television, he would wake me up so that we could watch them together.  I can still hear my mom saying "Arnold, just let him sleep!”. Those moments were so very special and they made a huge impact on me.

I was constantly trying to make music on anything I could get my hands on, from pots and pans to toy instruments. I'd tap out melodies on glasses full of water that were left on the table after a holiday dinner, trying to imitate something I saw on Ed Sullivan no doubt. I remember watching a half-time marching band show and then seeking out an old Maxwell House coffee can with a plastic lid to drum along.

I constantly asked my parents for any sort of toy instrument they might find and they provided me with a steady supply of plastic trumpets, small keyboards, slide whistles, and harmonicas. They made the mistake of getting me a snare drum one Christmas, but later came to their senses and allowed me to order a beautiful wooden Hohner recorder with a few leftover books of Green Stamps (look it up kids). By the way, the snare drum is long gone, but I still have the recorder.

There is one event from my childhood that looms larger than any other and accounts for why I chose saxophone as my main instrument when I had the chance. When I was 7 years old my mom sent me to get a haircut at "Uncle Lou's". Lou Cipriano was my godfather and a barber by trade. I'd walk over to his shop that was about a half mile from our house and he'd cut my hair. On this particular occasion I was walking home with a "fresh do" and happened upon what must have been a Memorial Day parade. 

As I made my way closer to the marchers, a magical sound caught my ear. I inched closer to catch a glimpse and stood mesmerized as a line of army veterans wearing period fatigues, complete with the flattish, "dough-boy" helmets, and brown boots laced up to just below the knee, approached. They were playing (what I now know as) curved soprano saxophone and I still get chills remembering that moment. It was as if the Universe was saying "Oh, you like that? Well that's just fine because you will be doing that exact thing for a very long time".

The distinct sound of those horns leapt into my ears and traveled directly to my core. I vividly remember how stunning, interesting, and beautiful I thought the saxophones were, and I knew instinctively that I could play that instrument if given the chance. I'm sure I stood in awe for many minutes until the men passed out of earshot. But that sound, on that day, has stayed with me my whole life.

A few years later my family moved from New Jersey to Massachusetts and the public school there had a robust music program. So mom, dad and I visited Robinson's Music on a Saturday morning to pick out an instrument. Mr Robinson pointed out the trumpets, clarinets, French horns and his favorite "The slide

trombone!". But there was not a chance in hell that I was leaving the store, on that day, without a saxophone.

I had wonderful teachers and mentors along the way and I enjoyed my time in concert band, marching band, and jazz band. They are some of my most cherished musical memories and I remain in touch with many buddies from those days, some of whom still make music an integral part of their lives. That's a huge testament to our teachers who encouraged us at every level.

As I mentioned up front, there was a short time between my junior and senior year of high school that I just put the horn down and was unsure if I wanted to play any more. But who was I kidding? My academics were woeful (I still don't get math) and music was one constant in my life. I distinctly remember my dad taking me aside that summer and saying "You want to quit? It's up to you. But God gave you a gift." And that really struck a chord with me as I was reminded of those soldiers marching by all those years ago.

I decided to attend the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. I never desired to teach in a school system and instead opted to teach privately and pursue a playing career. You've probably never heard of me and that's fine. I have a wonderful studio full of students and get to play with a bunch of great musicians in and around the Dallas area where I make my home. 

With all of the distractions available today, I am happy to report that people of all ages still have the desire to learn saxophone, often after experiencing a musical moment like the one I had. I have a small YouTube channel where I post videos about once a week. I don't edit or add any special effects and almost every one was done in “one-take” so you’ll hear some goof ups now and again. I simply try to present that same, pure sound that I heard when I was 7 years old outside of Uncle Lou's barber shop, with the hope that I might encourage folks on their own musical  journey. 

[kayssweetdreams]

Facts about Kaylo Crescendo

Art done by the awesome @alex-frostwalker

She lives in the ROTG/GOC Earth, that she calls the "Sucky Earth" and calls the Guardians a Cult (this is before the movie)

She used to be a Gypsy child in her past life...1200 years ago

She refuses to celebrate Christmas or Easter, as they both are connected to the Guardians

Ultimately has not lost a single baby tooth yet.

In a betrothal with a prince named Feathrik. However, it's not official until the two of them can actually start aging

Kaylo's reign is significantly longer than any other ruler before her

Kaylo's hair used to be white and her eyes brown, until she shoved a large piece of Pink Corruption into her head

Has a ever growing hatred of Mortals, but loves children.

Kaylo's sells off her memories in a memory auction in another dimension every 5 months, and every time, her memories get replaced with someone else's memories

When she gets REALLY mad, she usually takes her anger out on the person who made her mad...usually in a very terrifying and painful way

Since she's the only "Sortal" she got to place herself on the Interdimensional hierarchy. She placed herself right in the middle.

Is under VERY strong hypnosis to make not fear anything. Only Soprano knows the Trigger Word to undo the trance, but she won't say what it is

The members of Kaylo's court have the option of having their friends and family under her protection

When she "charms" people, everyone's eyes gain the same neon pink as her

She drinks. A lot. There is a special ale in Rhythm Heaven that is alcoholic, but safe for kids to drink

She like BeezleJuice

Kaylo DESPISES rabbits, and has called them "Good for nothing rodents with longer ears" (has a particular vendetta against Bunnymund)

Takes the Joy Pills from "We Happy Few" when ruling Rhythm Heaven gets hard for her

Is trying to find an heir to take her place on the throne...the key word is TRYING

Kaylo has a music note rapier sword. But she'll rarely use it, unless she's sparing with Keys or a last ditch effort. She usually sticks to her mallet

[ashleywool]

What do I have left to be delusional about?

Back in late June, shortly after the Spectrum Club 7 found out we were going to make our Broadway debuts but we weren't allowed to tell anyone yet, we were processing all our feelings about it in our group chat.

All of us have faced some struggles to fit in, struggles to find and use our authentic voices in a world that wasn't designed for us. We had a lot of conversations about "imposter syndrome" and how it manifests in very specific ways in neurodivergent people--particularly women/AFABs.

"If I'm going to be on Broadway," one of us said, "what do I have left to be delusional about?"

That's something that's stuck in my head for the last few months, as I've hit career milestones that I never would have believed were possible for me as an openly autistic person. I originated a principal role on Broadway. I did an Instagram takeover for Playbill the day our show was announced. I performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry know who I am. People are flying in from all over the country to hand-deliver fan art to me. All while we're still in PREVIEWS.

And sometimes I feel like an asshole for saying all of this, because it sounds like I'm making it up for clout, or like it's some kind of self-insert fanfic, but it's MY ACTUAL LIFE.

But other times, I can process this as reality. And those times, I allow myself the freedom to dream even bigger. If this happened, what else can happen? What other pie-in-the-sky dreams might I put out into the universe? What, indeed, do I have left to be delusional about?

Here are a few of the things I've come up with:

Host my own Christmas special, in the style of Bing Crosby and Judy Garland. I want to sing with a huge orchestra and choir and have a giant Christmas tree on stage with me. It will be called "Ashley Wool's Chosen Family Christmas" and it would feature all of my friends who wanted to participate.

Play Kira in a Broadway revival of Xanadu. I can't go more than a week without mentioning this somewhere. Kira is to me what Fanny Brice is to Lea Michele, and she made that happen, so why not me?

Also, play more Golden Age roles. I'm happy to screlt my face eight times a week, but the only place I get to use my soprano register is in church choir. I want a shot at Sarah Brown, Julie Jordan, Amalia Balash, any of 'em.

Collaborate with Missy Elliott on HTDIO remixes. Or...literally anything. (Maybe Ludacris can put in a good word for me?)

Release a full-length album of my original songs. This is probably the most technically realistic goal. For those who don't know, I already have three original singles out there. I think they're pretty good, even though they are suffering from a lack of Missy Elliott.

Buy a house. Just one. Nothing fancy. But an entire house. With a full kitchen and a dining room where I could host Thanksgiving sometimes and a yard big enough for a catio and a water feature. You know, like people used to be able to do with a high school diploma and a minimum-wage job. Well, maybe not with the water feature, but still. A house. A house would be nice.

Contribute in some major way to affordable (and ACCESSIBLE and environmentally SUSTAINABLE) housing in New York City. And other places. But especially New York. Because people are always like "iF yOu CaN't aFfOrD iT tHeN mOvE" and like...no. I love this city, millions of people love this city, and people should be able to live reasonably well in any city they want without being kajillionaires. People should be able to afford to live in the city where they work ANY JOB. I don't know why this is radical. It seems pretty basic to me. Bla bla bla bleeding heart leftist bla.

Anyway. That's my "self-insert fanfiction" list for the end of 2023.

Maybe next year it'll be even more ridiculous.

[orchidsandtulips]

So… I have no problem with movies getting a different person to act as a character’s singing voice. The problem I have is when the singing voice is VERY OBVIOUSLY not the same voice.

You hear it in the Miraculous Ladybug movie, and the song Aerith sings in the second volume of the FFVII remake. Marinette’s voice abruptly swaps over from her high-pitched, bright-toned, probably-soprano Christina Vee speaking voice to a deep, warm-toned, mezzo-or-alto-y singing voice. Aerith’s voice goes from a soft, high, classic Disney Princess-ish voice to a mezzo soprano belter. By all logic, Aerith’s singing voice would sound somewhere between Ariel’s and Snow White’s. We’ve heard Christina Vee sing in the Miraculous Christmas special, so it was definitely easy to hear that there was a different person singing for her. I mean no disrespect to the singers, because they have beautiful voices. Disconnect between speaking and singing voices just presses the wrong button in my mind.

Again, I don’t inherently dislike the practice of getting a different singer, especially if the original isn’t comfortable with singing when the movie is being made, but you need to at least try to match the voices’ tones. Anastasia did it. Liz Callaway’s voice sounded very much like it could be Meg Ryan’s. High School Musical 1 did it before Zac Efron had the hang of singing. Until the credits, I bet most people didn’t even realize it was a different person. What changed? Are the casting directors unable to hear the difference? Do the music directors not care if the voices don’t match?

[bjfinn]

What are your Dewey Finn x Rosalie Mullins headcanons? There really isn’t enough of them around! I love your writing by the way 😁

Thanks for this! Dewey and Rosalie's relationship is definitely going to become more and more important for my stories, so it's a great excuse for me to work out some of the details! And I'm so glad you like my writing!

So, on to the headcanons:

First, I think that in order to understand their relationship and where it might be headed, we need to understand a couple of things about Dewey. Historically, he wasn't the most attentive boyfriend -- mainly because, for him, the music always came first. I think his previous relationship ended when she told him that he had to choose between her and his guitar -- "Sayonara, sweetheart!" was his response to that.

In bed, as well, he wasn't the greatest -- mainly because he wasn't very attentive to his partner's needs. So long as he enjoyed it, that was really all that mattered.

But with Rosalie, things are different -- firstly, she's a soprano, so she understands how he feels about music. It's the most important thing in her life, as well.

Second, she came to his rescue when he was confronted with his lies and threatened with arrest. Rosalie didn't have to cover for him, remember -- she could have let him suffer the consequences of his actions, and I doubt even Dewey would've blamed her. But she understood what he meant to the students -- and what an asset he would be for the school. In other words, she showed him that she thought he was worth doing that for -- possibly the first person in his life to treat him that way.

Now, Rosalie is, and likely always has been, a "good girl" -- studied hard, got good grades, never got into trouble. That's obvious, I think, because one doesn't become an operatic soprano and the headmistress of a prestigious private school otherwise. Nonetheless, she longs to throw off the shackles of convention -- to loosen her hair, throw off her glasses and let herself go. It wasn't until Dewey came into her life, however, that she got the opportunity to do it -- and even then, it took some convincing on his part. And Stevie Nicks' "Edge of Seventeen" on the jukebox in the diner.

She likes looking after Dewey -- making sure he eats properly (not just pizza and beer), getting him a decent sweater for Christmas, maybe some new underwear (his old ones probably have the elastic worn out). As well, she wants to broaden his musical education beyond rock -- jazz, classical, etc.

And Dewey likes seeing Rosalie let her hair down and have fun -- "We're here for a good time, not a long time" as the Trooper song goes.

He recognises that Rosalie is someone special -- maybe she's even the one. So, unusually for him, he's letting her set the pace -- she'll be the one to decide when they'll sleep together. (And I believe it happened before Christmas -- I hinted broadly at it in "Holiday Plans".) And with her, he's unusually considerate in bed -- maybe too considerate. I think his instinct is to treat her like she's a delicate flower, but she wants to get wild. It'll take some convincing on her part to get him to "rock her like a hurricane" -- but soon enough he'll get the message, have no fear.

Now, they need to be careful with their relationship -- she's his boss, after all, and if they were found out there would definitely be negative repercussions for both of them (but especially for her). So their dates mostly are spending time at Dewey's place, listening to music, watching rom-coms on TV, etc. When they do go out, it's mainly to places in his Brooklyn neighbourhood, where they are unlikely to run into parents or other faculty members (I personally think Horace Green Academy is in Staten Island). They could also attend concerts together -- with the excuse that they're both music teachers.

Both of them do hope to one day make their relationship public, however -- as fun as it can be to sneak around, eventually it can and will take its toll. They just have to figure out when and how.

The big question is, of course: "Will their relationship last?" No one can really know the answer to that, but I'm an optimist -- and an incurable romantic. I think Dewey knows when he's got a good thing going, and he wants this relationship to work -- that's why he's letting Rosalie take the lead. For her part, Rosalie also wants it to last -- I think she's been hurt before (because who hasn't?), so she's going into this with her eyes wide open. She sees Dewey's potential and knows his limitations -- maybe better than he does -- and she's smart enough not to try to "fix" him, just ... tidy him up a bit.

[tvrundownusa]

tvrundown USA 2024.12.11

Wednesday, December 11th:

(exclusive): Queer Eye (netflix, season 9 available, all 10 eps), One Hundred Years of Solitude (netflix, series premiere, all 8 eps), This Is Not Hollywood: Avetrana (hulu, Italian true crime dramatization, all 4 eps), Dream Productions (dsn+, animated 'Inside Out' spinoff limited series premiere, all 4 eps)

(movies): "Maria" (netflix, opera soprano Maria Callas biopic, ~2hrs+), "Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World" (netflix, autistic teen documentary short, ~25mins)

(streaming weekly): Shetland (BritBox, season 9 opener), Bad Sisters (apple+), Shrinking (apple+), You Would Do it Too (apple+, "Tú También lo Harías" season 1 finale), Light Shop (hulu, next 2 eps), The Fiery Priest (hulu), Buy It Now (APrime), Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? (APrime), Pop Culture Jeopardy! (APrime, next 3 eps), Ink Master (Para+, season 16 finale), The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On (netflix, next 3 eps)

(also new): "A Neighbor's Vendetta" (LMN, Lifeteime original movie, 2hrs), "A Motown Christmas" (NBC, music special, 2hrs)

(earlier - hour 0): Max & The Midknights (NICK) / . / NFL Slimetime (NICK)

(hour 1): Sullivan's Crossing (theCW, season 2 finale), The Masked Singer (FOX, penultimate), The Challenge (MTV, 90mins), Survivor (CBS, penultimate, 2hrs)

(hour 2): Sistas (BET), Inside the NFL (theCW), The Floor (FOX), The Challenge (MTV, contd), Survivor (CBS, contd)

(hour 3): Average Joe (BET, 2hrs)

(hour 4 - latenight): Average Joe (BET, contd, season 1 finale)

[musicarenagh]

Embracing Holiday Spirit: Alison Wahl & Brian Berggoetz's Heartfelt Tune "Christmas is the Right Time for Us" by Alison Wahl and Brian Berggoetz is a great song in Christmas music. This duo took a step back from the normal norm and have produced a breathtaking single that pulls at your heartstring. For starters Brian Berggoetz is an accomplished guitarist who taught himself how to play and  thanks to that he has many successes under his belt, shows off his special way of playing. His guitar skills, learned from playing at SXSW Festival and with well-known singers, make the song feel real and happy. Alison Wahl, is also famous for her great singing and songwriting skills, and she shows off how good she is through complex finger strumming patterns and creative words. Her great soprano sound brings color, sharing an uplifting message with depth and thought. [caption id="attachment_53484" align="alignnone" width="1795"] Alison Wahl, is also famous for her great singing and songwriting skills,[/caption] The synergy between this duo is something that can be felt throughout the song. The best words in the song say, "When love is enough for us to share, Christmas is right time". These phrase summarizes the theme of the song– celebrating our feelings above everything else. That's a big lesson of this music too! This holiday song is not just any ordinary one. It shows a secret chat between two people in love, hoping the magic of Christmas will push them to do something about their affection for each other. Starting with Brian's happy guitar playing and Alison's light singing, the song shows a story of hopeful love. It tells a story we can relate to, saying that love is more important than getting things during holiday time. "Christmas Is The Right Time For Us" is special because it's full of joy and happiness. Alison's singing, like a sweet snow fall, goes well with Brian's soft voice. This makes it feel close and loving. Listen to Christmas Is The Right Time For Us below https://open.spotify.com/track/6LLnDZGZskpoBr5WQnyFCW Follow BRIAN BERGGOETZ Facebook Twitter Spotify Instagram  

[ilovemushystuff]

from What’s on TV

[bottledkriegmen]

talk about your rtc headcanons please.

YES I WILL AHAHAH THANK YOU

i have a note open on my notes app full of hcs >:]

(some of these will be pretty ship centered, but they could probably be seen as platonic!)

~~{☆}~~

Jane/Penny

• bites people. out of love. i think

• autistic because i said so

• new special interest every week

• long-term hyperfixation on doll collecting

• like girly has a terrifying amount of dolls

• she/they/it/doll/star pronouns fuck you

• forgets what her own voice sounds like sometimes so randomly she'll just.. start talking to himself.

• has a pet axolotl

• queer platonic relationship with ocean

• has an old galaxy note phone but it's kept it pristine condition

• can beatbox

• has really good rhythm!!

• soprano 1

• devilishly good at escape rooms

• along with mishca, the choirs bodyguard

• isn't allowed in the kitchen without supervision

• stims by just... riffing

• yk that riff in tbojd? that.

• favorite time if the year is Christmas, specifically for the carolling

• takes the choir to carol with it all the time

• cannot spell for shit

• cosplays with ricky constantly

~~{☆}~~

Ricky

• had a nightcore phase

• SCENE KID <3

• makes the most killer hot coco ever

• teached the choir asl after the accident BCS THEY ALL COME BACK IN THE END FIGHT ME

• every year for the different choir members birthdays she draws them as a cat. (he gives them fursonas i dont make the rules here).

• uses all pronouns

• named a cat after each of the choir members but refuses to tell them

• genderfluid as fuck!!

• has one of those samsung phones that can fold

• makes cat stickers for fun

• her mobility aids are covered in stickers and has little trinkets that dangle

• had a warrior cats phase

• got noel into warrior cats in middle school

• has 3 hairless cats

• obsessed with the Labyrinth

• gets high with mischa weekly

• fucking pro on an electric guitar

• has a baseball cap with cat ears attached to the top

• jazz hand stims

• makes the choirs halloween costumes every year

• excellent seamstress

• also loves tf outta Halloween

• she gets to dress up as a swinging space age bachelor man and wouldn't get judged, ofc she loves it

• stims by.. meowing and purring?? for fun??? its fun try it

• has a lifetime pass to any cosplay convention that happens in Uranium ( idk if thats a real thing but it is now )

~~{}~~

Ocean

• horrid asthma

• avarage glee watcher

• IS gossip girl

• they/she user

• neurodivergent as hell but is undiagnosed because their parents SUCK and don't believe in that stuff

• asexual lesbian real

• has to use either Constances or Mischas washing machine/dryer to wash her clothes.

• hates the beach

• they sunburn so easily

• sibling relationship with both mischa and noel

• has a yellow iphone with an otterbox phonecase

• keeps little Polaroid pictures of her and the other choir members in a journal she has

• she likes taking pictures I said so

• was the last one to grasp asl, but she is trying!!!!

• cuts her hair themselves and as genuinely good at it

• soprano 2

• has horrid OCD

• loves deer sm

• loves Christmas time <3

• hot mocha enjoyer

• her and noel have kareoke night every friday

~~{☆}~~

Constance

• vocaloid enjoyer

• pumpkin spice latte drinker

• mom friend. keeps bandaids, candies, an inhaler, toothpicks, waters, and koolaid packets in her bag at all times.

• pansexual queen <3 i love her

• she/her pronouns, but doesn't mind they/them

• her family has threatened to adopt literally every single one of the choir members - noel and ricky

• listens to 90's rock music

• love language is physical touch!!! she loves holding everyones hands and gives the best hugs imaginable

• wrote pjo fanfiction in middle school

• it's still on ao3

• fandom junkie

• has a dark green motorola phone with a pastel blue case

• alto

• really good at crochet and makes sweaters for choir during their birthdays

• makes small sweaters for rickys hairless cats during winter

• K-pop stan

• has asked noel to dress up as a k-pop idol before

• adhd haver

• has hundreds of little lists for random things

• favorite holiday is Christmas and she loves giving the choir gifts

• giving love language is giving gifts fight me

• has a pet frog named Jeremy

• sometimes she just spins around as a stim

~~{☆}~~

Mischa

• HATES coffee, claims it tastes like dirt

• languages master ( teaches noel french bcs duolingo isn't helping at all)

• dad friend

• menace in the kitchen

• HIM AND NOEL HAVE MOVIE NIGHTS YES!!

• talia is real and they're in love... fuck you

• mischa "two hands" bachinski

• is the reason the choir room has a swear jar

• loves bearded dragons

• unreasonably terrified of snakes

• bisexual king

• He/They supremacy

• can and will down an entire bottle of straight vodka

• very proud of that fact

• transmasc real!!!!

• talia helps pay for their T shots and after hearing about noel being trans too she buys her a binder <3

• so in love with noel and talia both he has too much passion

• brotp with ricky they're brothers your honor

• only one besides noel that can drive

• made vines

• works at a haunted house with penny during halloween

• his adoptive parents are rich as fuck

• can tell you the history of rap if you asked him to

• love language is words of affirmation bcs i said so

• sometimes he just carries around the other choir members (usually ocean) on his back for fun

• body heater

• has a red iphone with a clear case

• it has so many cracks

• godly at stick n pokes

• has a pet hampster his adoptive parents know nothing about

• has gotten a lightbulb stuck in their mouth twice

• has the most batshit insane ideas

• really into pop music but will NEVER tell anyone

• he has autism btw

• really good at critiquing movies

• baritone/bass what's the difference

• carries ricky up and down stairs even if it isn't needed

• giving love language is physical touch fight me ( him and constance are always touching eachother in someway, either by holding pinkies or leaning in eachother. platonic or not, take it as you please)

• its a real struggle with talia but they make do

• movie nights in his basement happen every Tuesday after choir rehearsal, usually only him and noel are there but ricky and penny join every so often!!

• the choirs bodygaurd

• he's friends with the detention teacher

• has the second highest gpa out of the choir

• special interest: RAP

• DRUMMER

• listens to imagine dragons unironically

• halloween enthusiast

• always dresses up as some cheesy horror movie villain

• sometimes, mid conversation, he'll just start speaking in Ukranian. he won't realize until the person he's talking to mentions it.

• has a pretty bad lisp

• flappy hand stimmer fight me

• ambidextrous

~~{☆}~~

Noel

• starbucks employees know him by name

• stereotypical gay tbh, he drinks tf outta iced coffee

• tries to learn french through duolingo but fails miserably

• he/she noel supremacy

• always steals food from taco bell before a performance to give to the choir

• introduced rocky horror picture show to the choir and now they all wont stop quoting it

• TRANS MAN

• mlm/wlw hatred solidarity between her and ocean

• but in a sibling way

• unreasonably obsessed with peacocks amd doves (specifically white doves, they're so pretty)

• literally so oblivious to mischas crush its hilarious

• hates his job. so. much.

• her favorite stim is just repeating lines from the Blue Angel in a french accent. she knows it's a german film, but french accents are just too fun man

• she's autistic too btw ive decided

• hyperfixated on french history

• and scented candles

• holy shit she has so many scented candles

• has those fake candy cigarettes but absolutely hates how they taste

• has a notebook of little shirt stories of moniques life

• absolutely has thought out entire movies with Monique as the main character

• really really bad abandonment issues

• love language is quality time <3

• she is genuinely so angsty i have so many sad hcs for her

• has terrible eyesight but refuses to wear glasses

• instead, wears shitty contacts

• musical theatre nerd

• paints his nails so he would stop chewing them but it doesn't work

• purple iphone user, has one of those square cases with the gold accents please know what i'm talking about

• has an old cat named Nyxl and she is treated like a got damn queen

• token tenor

• has a notebook full of poetry

• has a book full of edgar allen poes stories

• she loves them

• picky eater picky eater picky eater picky eater

• has to be chewing on something to even exist

• usually a toothpick, since she got scolded by ocean once because she bit a hole in her lip

• favorite holiday is valentines day

• he'll say he hates it but absolutely loves the romantic aspect of it

~~{☆}~~

thanky ou for indulging me i needed yhis <3

[trashpidgeon48]

Cornley Annie cast

Annie- Annie Twilloil

Mr. Warbucks- Chris Bean

Grace- Vanessa Wilcock-Wynn Carroway

Ms. Hannigan- Sandra Wilkinson

Rooster- Max Bennett

Lilly St. Regis- Lucy Grove

FDR/Bert Healy/ others- Dennis Tyde

Sandy/ Mr. Bundles/others- Robert Grove

Other Orphans- Cornley Elementary school children 

I just had a little thought, what if the CPDS did Annie, so then I cast it, I shall put my reasonings under the cut

Annie- 1. Haha Annie as Annie 2. Nancy has a very pretty singing voice 3. She works as a little girl, she’s short, spunky, and we’ve seen her as one before. Chris would also trust her as Annie.

Chris- I feel like he just works the best as Mr. Warbucks, in a similar way that we’ve seen him as a grumpy old man, and he is one.

Vanessa- She has a very pretty soprano voice and has that kind of kind elegance about her. Perfect for Grace.

Sandra- She’s sassy and has an ego, plus I think it would be fun for Sandra to play a true villain, we’ve seen her semi-villainous before, but not like an out there villain.

Max- He would be hilarious as rooster, I bet 10 bucks he would have the time of his life making those noises.

Lucy- She has so much potential, I think Lilly would be a nice role to push her out of her comfort zone. Plus she’d be paired with Max, who’s always very friendly and comforting

Dennis- FDR Dennis would be funny because he doesn’t have the gravitas and messing up the larger speeches would be very funny. Plus I put him as burt as well because Jono has a wonderful singing voice not heard much outside of MMNI.

Robert- I just feel like Robert would be on probation number 2 because of shooting chris, also Robert doesn’t have the best singing voice as seen in the Christmas special and the use of a live dub

Orphans- The kids were told they’d get a free couple days of school off if they participated.

[thewidowsghost]

Daughter of the Sea - Chapter 1

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

(Y/n) stands in the kitchen of her mother and step-father's apartment, making the bean dip Smelly Gabe liked so much.

(Y/n) fixes her gaze on the counter but then she lets out a yelp as something hits her in between her shoulder blades.

"Hurry it up, girl!" Smelly Gabe snarls.

"Yes sir," (Y/n) murmurs.

A few minutes later, Gabe stalks into the kitchen, takes the dip without so much of a thank you.

(Y/n) fixes her gaze on the shoe on the ground before she moves to her room. She climbs into her bed, getting under her covers. (Y/n) turns, facing the wall.

She closes her eyes, falling to an uneasy sleep.

(Y/n) watches, disconnected from the others in the dream, as one of her brother's teachers turns into something that reminded her of a demon, or something similar that she'd read books about. The woman had bat wings, claws, and a mouth of yellow fangs.

Then (Y/n) looks around, her eyes widening in shock as she sees her brother holding a bronze sword.

Percy swings the sword, the demon exploding into yellow powder, vaporizing on the spot.

A hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder has (Y/n) jolting awake. "Honey? Are you okay?" Sally Jackson asks.

Catching the wide-eyed look of horror on (Y/n)'s face, Sally wraps her daughter in a hug.

(Y/n)'s breathing steadies, and she breathes in her mother's familiar scent - chocolate, licorice, and all the other things she sold at the candy shop in Grand Central Station.

"Did you get all your work done?" Sally asks softly, her thumb brushing over a slightly visible bruise that had appeared at the base of the back of her neck.

(Y/n) hums in reply.

. . .

The next day, (Y/n) is once again lying in her bed, not wanting to have to deal with Gabe throwing more shoes or glass bottles at / near her.

. . .

Percy walks into the apartment, dragging his suitcase behind him, hoping his mom would be home from work. Instead, Smelly Gabe is in the living room, playing poker with his buddies. The television blares ESPN; chips and beer cans are strewn all over the carpet.

Hardly looking up, he says around his cigar, "So, you're home."

"Where's my mom? (Y/n)?"

"Mom's working," Gabe says. "The girl's in her room. You got any cash?"

"That's it. No Welcome back. Good to see you. How has your life been the last six months?

Gabe had put on weight since the last time Percy had seen him. Gabe looked like a tuskless walrus in thrift-store clothes. He has about three hairs on his head, all combed over his bald scalp.

"I don't have any cash," Percy replies.

Gabe raises a greasy eyebrow. Gabe could sniff out money like a bloodhound, which is surprising, since his own smell should've covered up everything else.

"You took a taxi from the bus station," he says. "Probably paid with a twenty. Got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under this roof, he ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?"

Eddie, the super of the apartment building, looks at Percy with a twinge of sympathy. "Come on, Gabe," he says. The guy just got here."

"Am I right?" Gabe repeats.

Eddie scowls into his bowl of pretzels. The two other guys pass gas in harmony.

"Fine," Percy says. He digs a wad of dollars out of his pocket and throws the money on the table. "I hope you lose."

"Your report card came, brain boy!" He shouts back at Percy. "I wouldn't act so snooty!"

Percy slams the door to his room, which isn't really his room. During school months, it is Gabe's 'study.' He doesn't study anything in there except old car magazines, but he loves shoving his stuff in Percy's closet, leaving his muddy boots on the windowsill, and doing his best to make the place smell like his nasty cologne, cigars, and stale beer.

Percy drops his suitcase on the bed. Home sweet home he thinks.

Gabe's smell is almost worse than the nightmares about Mrs. Dodds, or the sound of that old fruit lady's shears snipping the yarn.

Percy sits, lost in his thoughts.

Then he hears his mom's voice, "Percy?" She opens the bedroom door, and his fears melt. "Oh, Percy," she hugs him tight. "I can't believe it. You've grown since Christmas."

Sally had brought Percy a bag of 'free samples' the way she always did whenever he'd come home.

The two sit together on the bed. While Percy attacks the blueberry sour strings, she runs her hands through his hair, demanding to know everything that he hadn't put in his letters. She doesn't mention his getting expelled. She doesn't seem to care about that.

Percy tells his mother that she is smothering him, but secretly, Percy is really, really glad to see her.

From the other room, Gabe yells, "Hey, Sally - how about some bean dip, huh?"

Percy grits his teeth. My mom is the nicest lady in the world. She should be married to a millionaire, not to some jerk like Gabe.

(Y/n) pads into Percy's room, and the dark haired boy brightens at the sight of his younger twin.

"I've got the dip, Mom," (Y/n) says softly. Sally gazes at her daughter for a moment, her gaze sad.

"Wait, (Y/n)," Sally says, and (Y/n) turns back to face her mother. "I've got a surprise for the two of you," she says. "We're going to the beach."

Percy's eyes widen. "Montauk?"

"Three nights - same cabin," Sally replies.

"When?" (Y/n) asks, looking excited.

She smiles, "As soon as I get changed."

(Y/n) can't believe it. Mom, Percy, and I hadn't been to Montauk in the last two summers because Gabe had said that there wasn't enough money.

Gabe appears in the doorway behind (Y/n) and growls, "Bean dip, Sally? Didn't you hear me?"

Percy wants to punch him, but he meets his mother's eyes, and understands that she is offering him a deal: Be nice to Gabe for a little while; just until she's ready to leave for Montauk.

"I've got it, Gabe," (Y/n) says.

"Sorry, honey," Sally says, looking at her husband. "We were just talking about the trip."

Gabe's eyes get small. "The trip? You mean you were serious about that?"

"I knew it," Percy mutters. "He won't let us go."

"Of course he will," Sally says evenly. "Your stepfather is just worried about money."

(Y/n) turns to face Gabe, smiling as kindly as she could. "What if I make a seven-layer dip that'll last the whole weekend?" she asks. "Guacamole. Sour cream. The works."

Gabe softens a bit, then turns back to face Sally. "So, this money for your trip . . . it comes out of your clothes budget, right?"

"Yes, honey," Sally replies.

"And you won't take my car anywhere but there and back."

"We'll be very careful."

Gabe scratches his double chin. "Maybe if the girl hurries up with the seven-layer dip . . . and if the boy apologizes for interrupting my poker game."

Maybe if I kick you in your soft spot, Percy thinks. And make you sing soprano for a week.

"I'm sorry," Percy mutters. "I'm really sorry I interrupted your incredibly important power game. Please go back to it right now."

Gabe's eyes narrow. His tiny brain is probably trying to detect the sarcasm in my statement, Percy thinks.

"Yeah, whatever," Gabe decides; he goes back to his game.

"Thank you, Percy," Sally says. "Once we get to Montauk, we'll talk more about...whatever you've forgotten to tell me, okay?"

For a moment, (Y/n) can see anxiety in her mother's eyes, but then her smile returns, and (Y/n) figures that she must've been mistaken.

. . .

An hour later, the three are ready to leave.

Gabe takes a break from his poker game long enough to watch (Y/n) and Percy lug the bags to his car. He keeps griping and groaning about losing her and (Y/n)'s cooking - and more important, his '78 Camaro - for the whole weekend.

"Not a scratch on this car, brain boy," Gabe warns Percy as he loads the last bag into the car. "Not one little scratch."

Like I'd be the one driving. I'm fourteen, Percy thinks.

Watching Gabe lumbers back towards the apartment building, Percy gets so mad that he does something he can't explain. As Gabe reaches the door, Percy makes the hand gesture he'd seen Grover made on the bus, a soft of warding-off-evil gesture, a clawed hand over his heart, then a shoving movement towards Gabe. The screen door slams so hard it whacks him the the butt and sends him flying up the staircase as if he'd been shot from a cannon.

. . .

(Y/n)'s POV

Our rental cabin is on the south shore, way out at the tip of Long Island. It is a little pastel box with faded curtains, half sunken into the dunes. There's always sand in the sheets, spiders in the cabinets, and most of the time the sea is too cold to swim in.

I loved the place.

Mom, Percy, and I had been going ever since Percy and I'd been a baby. Mom had been coming even longer. She'd never exactly said, but I know why the beach was special to her.

It's the place where she'd met my Dad.

As we get closer to Montauk, Mom seems to grow younger, years of worry and work disappearing from her face. Her eyes turn the color of the sea.

We get there around sunset, open all the cabin's windows, and go through the usual cleaning routine.

Mom, Percy, and I walk on the beach, feed blue corn-chips to the seagulls, and munch on blue jelly beans, blue saltwater taffy, and all the other free samples Mom had brought home from work.

I guess maybe I should explain all the blue food.

Gabe had once told Mom that there was no such thing. They had had this fight, which had seemed like a really small think at the time, but ever since, Mom went out of her way to eat blue. She baked blue birthday cakes, mixed blueberry smoothies, bought blue-corn tortilla chips, and brought home blue candy from the shop. This - along with keeping her maiden name, Jackson, rather than calling herself Mrs. Ugliano - is proof that she isn't totally suckered by Gabe. She did have a rebellious streak, just like Percy.

When it gets dark, we make a fire. We roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Mom tells Percy and me stories about when she was a kid, back before her parents had died in the plane crash. She tells us about the books she wanted to write someday, when she had enough money to quit the candy shop.

Eventually, it seems that Percy gets the nerve to ask about what is always on our minds whenever we come to Montauk - our father. Mom's eyes go all misty. I figure she would tell us the same things she always did, but neither Percy or I ever got tired of hearing them.

"He was kind, Percy," Mom replies. "Tall, handsome, and powerful. But gentle too, like you, (Y/n)." Mom says and I soften. "You have his black hair, Percy, and you both share his green eyes.

Mom fishes a blue jelly bean out of her candy bag. "I wish he could see you two. He would be so proud."

I wonder how she could say that when I'm the girl who cowers from her stepfather. The girl who hides in her room to get away from said stepfather.

"How old were we?" Percy asks, pulling me from my thoughts. "I mean . . . when he left?"

Mom watches the flames. "He was only with me for one summer, Percy. Right here at this beach. This cabin."

"But . . . he knew us as babies."

"No, honey," Mom replies. "He knew I was expecting twins, but he never met you. He had to leave before you were born."

I try to square that with the fact that I seem to remember . . . something about my father. A warm glow, maybe a smile.

Percy and I had always assumed that our father had known us as babies. Mom had never said it outright, but still, I'd felt that it must be true. Now, to be told that he'd never even seen us . . .

I feel angry at my father. Maybe it is stupid, but I resent him for going on that ocean voyage, for not having the guts to marry Mom.

"Are you going to send me away again?" Percy asks. "To another boarding school?"

Mom pulls a marshmallow from the fire.

"I don't know, honey," her voice is heavy. "I think . . . I think we'll have to do something."

"Because you don't want me around?" Percy says and I flinch, avoiding both his and Mom's gazes.

I glance up to see that Mom's eyes had welled up with tears. "Oh, Percy, no. I - I have to, honey. For your own good. I have to send you away."

"But you never send her away," Percy says and I look up, eyes wide with surprise.

Mom looks at Percy, eyes wide with shock.

Finally she says, "I have to keep both of you away from each other as much as possible. I thought you'd finally be safe."

"I tried to keep you as close to me as I could," Mom says. "They told me it was a mistake. But there's only one other option, Percy, (Y/n) - the place your father wanted to send you two. And I just . . . I just can't stand to do it."

"Our father wanted us to go to a special school?" I ask.

"Not a school," Mom replies. "A summer camp."

My head spins. Why would my dad - who hadn't even stayed around to see me and Percy be born - talk to Mom about a summer camp?

"I'm sorry, (Y/n)," Mom says, seeing the look in my eyes. "But I can't talk about it. I - I couldn't send you two to that place. It might mean saying goodbye to you for good."

"For good?" Percy asks. "But if it's only a summer camp . . ."

Mom turns towards the fire, and I know from her expression, that if we asked any more questions, she would start to cry.

Word Count: 2413 words

[scorchrend]

Should i get into dragalia because the music on that love wins video slapped severely

you should get into dragalia! dragalia music slaps. but the music on the love wins is not from dragalia, but rather Bravely Default— a JRPG for the 3DS (the song is Love's Vagrant, the character theme for Ringabel— an amnesiac who joins the party)! the music bangs. i'm still gonna link dragalia music because i'm insane. i'm gonna link songs i like from launch until now. i'll also link bravely default songs after

also, dragalia has already announced end of service. there's no confirmed date, only that it will be after the main story ends (which is soon, but it won't end immediately after). i understand if you wouldnt want to get into something thats ending already but i still recommend the game

anyways here are the songs

a lot of the dragalia launch songs feature vocalist DAOKO, but as the game went on every new event produced new music. ill try to be chronological but i could be wrong. from varying yt links bc im on mobile 💀 the music style changes quite a bit throughout because they stopped having daoko songs added idk? they went for variety. its good.

the playlists on yt are a little messy honestly just look up dragalia lost ost and play whatever comes on.

the first dungeon theme, Onisan Kochira

the regular boss theme goes crazy

it has a night version

the volcano dungeon

boss theme against the ch 5 boss iirc

boss from an event about a soprano choir (by lucrezia) (first event to have special music i think!)

idol summer event

void boss theme

a version of the fire emblem theme

chapter 11 quest theme

the agito (phase 1)

the agito (phase 2)

bon fever (one of my personal faves!)

island death game

2nd anniversary event boss themes!

legend agito phase 1 + 2

the phantom's ransom (opera event) belladonna solo karina solo (theyre the same song but sang by 2 people and in different keys)

princess connect crossover theme

case i (pretty much a pivotal emotional moment kinda theme. i recommend reading the lyrics, theyre in the comments)

demons

hollow dance

2.5 anni event theme

we are with the fish people (by lucrezia, recurring artist!)

unique (personal fav! even if the event was eh. the music goes hard. this artist, WON, is also recurring! hard recommend WONs music)

oh no stranded on an island with my siblings! (i like this one a lot. also its the song of the video in my pinned)

3rd anniversary event all phases

we get an aromaticist and androids to perform theater on halloween

christmas event about a guy and his dragon father and basically the goddess of this world (also by WON)

primal dragon trials phase 1 & 2

3.5 event theme (the last event theme we'll be getting...)

chapter 26 part 2, the final part of the main story is coming very soon! tomorrow, actually. we might get new music then, who knows?

ok now for some bravely default songs. these go fucking crazy. i wont link as much since its been a while since i played and i dont remember the songs or all of the story. composer is revo

the playlist, just because.

pause menu

default battle

forest dungeon theme i think

asterisk battle theme, basically u beat them and get jobs/classes

crystal bosses

tiz arrior's theme, You Are My Hope

agnes oblige's theme, Wind's Direction

edea lee's theme, Baby Bird

ringabel's theme which i mentioned earlier, Love's Vagrant

spoiler boss themes ahead. if you care about spoilers dont read the comments

1 | 2 | Final Boss

holy shit that was long. anyways. happy listening.