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fatfables · 11 months ago

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Gainfully Unemployed:

A new fat fable about obsessive weight gain.

Gainfully Unemployed

Kyle California was his handle, I didn’t know his real name, not at first. I first came across his YouTube channel in early 2017. I was his first follower. I don’t know if it was his strong jawline, muscular biceps, or Pacific blue eyes that caused me to fall in love. Back then he had short brown hair spiked like a child’s, a deep tan from years spent lying by his parent’s pool, and a soft hairless stomach. His early uploads were of him jiggling his pudge and smiling. He always wore a pair of azure blue Quiksilver boardshorts and spoke softly about wanting to grow bigger. He would post his statistics below his videos. He said that he was 5ft 10 and 183 lbs with a 30 inch waist. He claimed to be 23 years old.

I was the first to subscribe to his Patreon and his OnlyFans. I felt honoured that he allowed me to share in his intimate moments. He invited me to shower with him, let me watch while he sat on his dildo and jerked his thick 10 inch cock right in my face. I really used to love that. I regularly sent him $10 tips that I really hoped he would spend on food. He promised me he would.

Kyle said that he loved to eat and it showed. I watched him working on his legs and arms in the gym. In the changing rooms he would film himself shaking his round belly wearing only a wet towel around his midriff. He wanted to remain healthy and muscular whilst continuing to grow his stomach. I watched him eat pizza and cream cakes. In May 2018, at my request, he bought the same azure boardshorts, 34 inches. He flexed his guns and stroked his swollen round belly. It was so soft, like his face, in contrast to his strong arms and chest. His thighs were thick and round like a fat ballet dancer’s. His ass was perfectly perk and succulent. I loved watching his cheeks bounce while he swallowed his dildo and came. We had such fun.

He first spoke to me when he answered my question on Tumblr and Instagram. Do you think you will always want to keep gaining? He was 220 lbs at this point and had developed nicely thickening love handles that stuck out half an inch over the boardshorts that so beautifully matched his eyes. Yes, I can’t imagine ever not growing bigger. I just love the feeling of too much to ever stop. I believed him.

By 2019 he was one of the most popular gainers online. He regularly got tens of thousands of views on YouTube and had hundreds of followers on his other socials. I was so proud of him. His belly was really starting to balloon, thanks to my encouragement and kindness. Kyle had such a perfect round gut that stuck out two or three inches beyond his 36 inch shorts. He looked so swollen all of the time. Like he had eaten a whole watermelon. He was the perfect all-American gay boy.

When the pandemic hit Kyle lost his service job meaning that his online presence was his only source of income. I felt so sorry for him and really appreciated his honesty and hardwork that he was putting into growing himself and his socials. I more than doubled my contributions and he almost doubled in size.

Being locked-down was so good for Kyle, he got to stay home all day and make a living from eating and jerking off online. I started paying for his Uber Eats and he was so thankful. The weight piled onto his belly, thighs, and ass as he ate junk food daily. Burger King was his favourite. He gobbled down Double Whoppers like they were Tic Tacs and the results were wonderful. During those months he exploded into a real sexy fat boy. His belly bulged and his butt ballooned. Stretch marks started to appear on his love handles as his body grew wider at an unbelievable pace. Quicksilver no longer made the same boardshorts so he would eat in just his underwear. XXL tighty whitey’s that were so deliciously tight. He could no longer go to the gym so his upper body and legs quickly began to soften. Kyle would play with his new moobs for me. Squeezing his thick man breasts while he sucked down supersized shakes. Lockdown was lonely for many people but not for Kyle and me.

By the time he went to get his first vaccination Kyle was 289 lbs. So close to the big 300. His youthful face was soft and chunky with chipmunk cheeks and a thick double chin. I had been with him all the way on his journey and was thrilled to finally be getting the chance to meet him in person.

I had been looking for jobs in Carmel for the previous six months and had finally landed a role at an online shoe retailer which paid enough to support both of us. It was important to me that Kyle could afford not to return to work, or the gym, in order to continue with his gains. When he announced that he was making enough money online to keep doing it full time I was delighted.

I found his parents' house on Google Maps. I had seen the exterior and pool enough times on his earlier videos. Locating his apartment was harder so I had to wait for him to visit his folks. I assumed that he would be thrilled to see me. We had now spoken a few times during his Q&A sessions and had always gotten along so well. I couldn’t wait but his fucking parent’s went and ruined it.

At first meeting him in person was perfect. He was even more beautiful in real life than in any picture or video and I should know, I took thousands of pictures of him during our relationship. He was so circular, a real buxom boy, with a massively plush ass, round and soft enough to turn the head of any Catholic Priest. His balloon belly bounced with every step as he walked up his parent’s driveway. He was wearing a dark yellow t-shirt that did nothing to hide the layers of fat that stuck so beautifully out the front of his distended abdomen. He was very surprised to see me.

At first I was shocked that he had forgotten my name but when he explained how many followers he had I forgave him. I was so proud of his success. When he asked me to leave I was initially furious but he explained that his parents were not aware of his online activities so it was inappropriate to introduce me to them at that moment. I accepted this explanation and told him that we could meet at Burger King the next day. I left in a very upbeat mood. When he didn’t show I was again enraged and sent him twenty seven DM’s. Eventually he responded saying that something else had come up. I tried to rearrange our next date but he was always too busy.

He kept performing online so I wasn’t too brokenhearted. Making videos must have been taking up a lot of his time. His gains had seemed to be slowing down though so I sent him a $200 tip with a short message saying to spend it all at Burger King. I signed it with lots of kisses. I was totally bewildered to discover two days later that the money had been redeposited in my account. Again I DM’d him only to discover that he had blocked my messages. I really started to wonder if I had done something wrong. The idea that I’d done something to upset him caused me real pain.

My mind was put at ease the next day when he posted that he had decided to stop gaining fat and wanted to regain more muscle. This initially relieved me, however, I couldn’t believe that he would make such an important decision without consulting me first. He had after all promised me personally that he would never stop gaining fat. I knew that I would find him at the gym. I had been there many times before.

When he saw me in the showers he completely lost his mind. I think his parent’s must have found out about his gaining or his OnlyFans or something. I’d never realised before that he could have such a short fuse. His heavy ass glistened when wet and his bulbous belly was so fucking beautiful. I gave it a rub as I knew he liked that, but my compliments didn’t calm him down like I’d hoped. He ripped his shorts trying to put them back on quickly and left the gym with his right ass cheek hanging out below his tight t-shirt.

I followed him to the parking lot trying to calm him down but it was no good. He had now gone stoney quiet so I was the only one doing the talking. I told him how much I loved him and how fat and beautiful he was. I even offered to blow him right there in his car. But it was all to no avail. He drove off at high speed.

I decided to follow him as I needed to make sure that he was alright. I hated seeing him so upset. All I wanted to do was take care of him. Keep him as my own fat boy. But I would never get the chance to take our relationship to the next level.

He was so stressed out that he ran a red light. The Uber Eats driver t-boned his sedan on the driver’s side. Kyle had left in such a hurry that he’d forgotten to put his seatbelt on. I never knew this before but airbags are designed to protect people wearing belts. The seat belt stops you from being thrown forward towards the deploying airbag. No belt hence massively increases the impact force. The coroner’s report said that Kyle’s heart had been dislodged. He died instantly. If there’s one lesson to be learned from this story it’s that seatbelts save lives.

His last post update said that he was 5 ft 10 and 296 lbs with a 42 inch waist size. He claimed that he was 23 years old.

At the funeral I met his parents. They were lovely and had no idea that Kyle had a boyfriend. They were pleased that he hadn’t spent all his time alone. His weight gain had been a concern to them and they were starting to worry about his well being. I assured them that Kyle had been fine and was perfectly happy with me. It was just a tragic accident. I didn’t mention how stressed and furious he’d been that day as I didn’t want to upset them. They were very nice people and I couldn’t get my head around why Kyle had been so angry at them. They seemed like such a nice family. It’s a real tragedy. I keep in touch with them every so often.

#gainer stories #gay gainer #feederism kink #gay gainer stories #weight gain stories #male wg #gaining fat #fat belly #fat boy #male weight gain #male gaining

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kylesvariouslistsandstuff · 1 year ago

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EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS is such a confounding movie.

I recently watched a batch of deleted scenes, of which I wasn't aware of until rather recently. I had once listened to its director, Seth Kearsley, talk about the picture on a podcast as well. Fascinating stuff all around about its production, and all the ins and outs, how they went about their decision-making, etc. Seemed like it was a fun movie for many of its crew to work on, and they seemed to be treated well too. RARE for an animated movie of this caliber, it seems.

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It has gone down, almost notoriously, as being considered one of the "worst" animated movies ever...

Weirdly, when I was 11 years old, I was lowkey OBSESSED with this movie. I didn't even know it existed until it was out on DVD, and when I watched the whole thing through, I was hooked for some reason. Maybe it was because it was, at the time, a good-sized 2D animated feature that wasn't set in the past, a fantasy world, a sci-fi setting, or anything like that. EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS wasn't IRON GIANT nor EL DORADO nor SPIRIT nor TITAN A.E. nor TREASURE PLANET... It wasn't like LILO & STITCH from the same year either, which is also a contemporary story, but that has aliens in it! And was family-friendly. This was set in the present, it was more for adults, it was just people being people with *some* cartoony elements (such as cute anthropomorphic deer and some of the exaggerated, if not demeaning character designs), it was even really semi-realistically gross in some parts (and not in the sort of, say, exaggerated REN & STIMPY way), it could've easily been a live-action Happy Madison production. But it wasn't. Many of the movie's detractors feel it should've just been done in live-action.

The movie is inspired by the Whitey character from one of Adam Sandler's comedy albums, and sometimes I feel the movie could've worked better with him as the main character and Davey a complex deuteragonist. Going through the deleted scenes, you could tell the crew went through a few ideas of just how far they wanted to push the exaggerated, cartoony stuff. What kind of jokes they thought could work or that they could get away with, etc. Certainly a cartoonish decapitation of a kid, and a monkey that explodes into a gory mess would've easily landed this thing an R rating, but they weren't going for that ultimately. You have this weird mix of a very dark and often mean movie, but it's also PG-13 and it doesn't go too far so it's more accessible to kids and still fits the bill of being a "warm holiday special" kind of movie. I do gotta give props to the filmmakers for wanting to make a big, mainstream Hanukkah movie in a sea of gazillions of Christmas movies, no matter the end result.

And yet... It worked on this fellow when they were 11 years old, so Sandler, Kearsley and his crew must've done something right! I can quote most of this, that's how obsessed I was with this movie circa December 2003-January 2004. With holiday money or something, I literally bought the VHS of it. We had it on DVD as well, but I bought a VHS for myself because back then, I did not have a DVD player in my room... So, a tape it was. It came with the live-action short A DAY WITH THE MEATBALL, starring Adam Sandler's bulldog at the time, much like the DVD.

So yeah, I find it a fascinating movie to this day, not because of its battlefield of tones (life itself is tonally uneven, too) or some of its truly strange sequences such as the one where the product placement all comes to life in the mall, but because of its history and also... The visuals are quite nice. IRON GIANT animation team involved (the boy Benjamin kinda reminded me of Hogarth anyways, of course I made the connection at a young age), and even the songs I find amusing. They got Alison Krauss to sing on at least one of them, so that's a plus. Some of the eleventh hour rushed stuff, such as the declining animation quality on the townspeople during the Bum Biddy bit, is fun to spot too. And I do overall like the premise of this movie; a relentlessly kind man who is overlooked by his community Odd Couple-ing with a total asshole who had a tragic childhood, in a sort of blah and miserable blue-collar town setting, some heavy stuff that this movie that - with more tact and less poopy jokes - could've really handled well.

I hate the term "guilty pleasure", but this could possibly be that for me. That's what I like about "bad" animated movies of the '90s and early '00s, there's usually something very interesting going on in it, whether it's through the seemingly-confused storytelling or the idiosyncratic choices in the visuals. I think with a slew of cheap live-action movies, those are indeed efforts at the end of the day, but with an animated movie... There's a lot more to it, and that it's a miracle one of these things even gets finished, let alone released. In live-action, it's just they shot a bit and did some post... With an animated film like this, a lot happens along the way, no matter the end product. It's easy to say "it's all negated by the script", but I think it's more complex than that... And that's part of what I find appealing about EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS to this day.

#Youtube

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thorntonkrell-blog-blog · 1 year ago

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Lynn gets up every morning before dawn to get her first copy of coffee. She unintentionally (?) wakes me up. At this peaceful time, the ideas that I encountered while falling asleep dawn on me and by the time I get out of bed, I can't wait to write them down as I'm doing right now.

Last night I was inspired to think about the pre-literal darkness that ended when I learned to read. I don't remember actually learning to read. I remember loving it when my parents would tel me stories. They were so smart and funny. Somewhere along the way, I noticed that when they told the stories they would look at something that was in front of them. I suspected that the stories were coming from that something. That something of course was a book.

I wanted to be smart and funny.

I wanted to tell stories like they did so I wanted a book in front of me. I would look at the book along with them while they read aloud. I would match the sounds with the symbols on the page which I learned were the words to the story. I began to decode those symbols. In this way, reading "dawned" on me. There was no struggle. There was no anxiety. Just a bit of darkness before the dawn.

Reading, of course is much more than decoding but everything starts someplace and decoding is the very beginning of the adventure.

Some of us start and stop there. Others go much, much, much further into avidity and voraciousness.

One of the reasons that some of us become avid readers is that we are always finding something to read and one thing somehow leads to another. For example on my first visit on my first visit to the Bookmobile, armed with my first library card and able to choose any book that caught my interestI, I discovered a book on Whales by Herbert S Zim.

As it turns out, Herbert S. Zim (1909-1994) was an American scientist, educator, and author known for his work in the field of natural history and science education. He was a prolific author, and many of his books were aimed at introducing young readers and the general public to various aspects of science and the natural world. Some of his most well-known works were part of the "Golden Guides" series, which included numerous pocket-sized field guides on a wide range of topics. Zim's "Golden Guides" covered subjects such as birds, insects, rocks and minerals, astronomy, weather, and more. These guides were designed to be accessible and informative, making science and nature accessible to a broad audience. They were often illustrated with detailed drawings and diagrams. I read all of his books and became determined to be a scientist. Zim sparked my interest and ignited my curiosity not only about science and the natural world but also about books in general.

I read 'em all. I assumed everybody else did as well.

Next was Dr. Seuss and I did the same with Seuss as I did with Zim.

Yeah, I started out thinking that reading was serious business; serious but still fun. Seuss introduced me to the power of whimsy and creativity in reading which led directly to baseball, baseball cards and Sport Magazine.

At first, I thought that baseball players weren't real. Men with names like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese had to be mythical or fictional characters. These were tall tales. Until the '54 World Series when it became clear as black and white teevee that Willie Mays, Whitey Lockman, Johnny Antonelli, Windy McCall and Dusty Rhodes were indeed very real and I could read all about them in Sport Magazine.

"Sport Magazine" was a popular sports magazine that was published in the United States from 1946 to 2000. It was known for its coverage of a wide range of sports, including baseball, football, basketball, boxing, golf, and more. It was initially intended to compete with other sports magazines of the time, such as "Sporting News."

The magazine was published on a monthly basis. The magazine covered a variety of sports, offering in-depth articles, interviews with athletes, profiles, analysis, and photography. It provided a comprehensive look at the world of sports and was known for its high-quality writing and visual content. "Sport Magazine" featured contributions from prominent sports writers and photographers, and it provided a platform for many talented journalists and photographers to showcase their work."Sport Magazine" was well-received by sports enthusiasts and readers interested in sports coverage. I read Sport Magazine every month and assumed that everybody else did.

Also at about this time I started reading the Police Gazette when we went to visit my grandparents in Holcomb. The Police Gazette was a publication with a long and storied history, often associated with sensational and tabloid-style reporting. It was first published in the United States in the mid-19th century, and it continued to be published into the 20th century. The magazine covered a wide range of topics, including crime, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories.

Suddenly I was exposed to a wide variety of writing styles and topics, which, in hindsight, contributed to my eclectic reading habit. and desire to learn about the cultural and social interests of our times. The adults would gather in the living room to talk. I would head to the porch to read.

It was also on this porch that I discovered Ring Magazine.

Ring Magazine is a widely recognized and respected boxing publication that has been in existence since 1922. It is often referred to as "The Bible of Boxing" due to its authoritative coverage of the sport.

Ring Magazine was founded by Nat Fleischer, a boxing historian and journalist, in 1922. Since its inception, the magazine has been a primary source of information and analysis for boxing enthusiasts and professionals. Ring Magazine covered a wide range of boxing-related topics, including in-depth profiles of boxers, fight previews and reviews, rankings of fighters in various weight classes, historical features, and analysis of boxing matches and events.

The magazine is known for its influential Ring Ratings, which are considered among the most credible and widely referenced fighter rankings in the boxing world. These rankings provide a valuable resource for fans, journalists, and promoters to assess the standing of boxers in their respective weight divisions.

I didn't realize it at the time but Ring Magazine was my introduction to eidectic learning. I studied it. I analyzed it. I memorized all the champions in all the weight classes. I memorized all of the top ten boxers in every weight division every month.

I was getting hip to a new kind of reading.

I thought everybody was.

Around this time, my father took me to my first professional wrestling match: Vern Gagne versus Yukon EricChat. We had ringside seats in Rochester's brand new War Memorial Auditorium

I could see the sweat flying off of their bodies and hear the pounding and slamming that was going on int the ring. I was a little scared of Yukon Eric. Everythins was much more real than it had been on Teevee.

Because of my precocious knowledge of boxing history, the men in my family allowed me to sit with them and watch Sugar Ray Robinson regain his middleweight title from BoBo Olsen. I knew as much if not more about the fight than did my adult relatives, all big fight fans who never missed the Gilette Friday night fights.

Of course, while all this was going down, I was a big time comic book reader. I loved Superman and Batman but most of all the horror comics. I was sad when the horror comics were discontinued. I couldn't figure out why they would become forbidden.

I filled the breech in two ways. I started reading, studying and collecting Classics illustrated comics. I absorbed the plot of books such as Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Red Badge of Courage, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, The Three Musketeers, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Black Beauty, The Call of the Wild and King Arthur. I even got my first glimpse of Hamlet.

Next was Mad Magazine. Once again, I read every page of every monthly issue at the cost of 25 cents (cheap). I was learning the meaning of satire, parody and sub-culture.

I loved it.

I though everybody did.

By this time, I was a Boy Scout as well as an altar boy. I read from my daily missile and started to learn Latin. I subscribed to Boy's Life magazine and devoured that every month.

I was reading the Catholic Courier and checking the movie ratings every week.

I was reading both of our daily papers; the Democrat and Cgronicle in the morning and the Times Union in the evening.

My father bought me a subscription to Sports Illustrated.

I was off to high school.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Features: Ring Magazine often publishes exclusive interviews with prominent fighters and figures in the boxing industry, offering insights into the sport and the personal stories of boxers.

Awards: The magazine presents annual awards, including Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year, recognizing outstanding performances in the world of boxing.

Ring Hall of Fame: Ring Magazine established the Ring Hall of Fame, honoring the sport's greatest fighters, trainers, and contributors. Being inducted into the Ring Hall of Fame is a prestigious recognition in the boxing world.

Ring Magazine has played a significant role in documenting the history of boxing and providing a platform for insightful commentary and analysis of the sport. It continues to be a respected and influential publication in the world of boxing journalism, and its authoritative rankings and reporting are valued by boxing enthusiasts and professionals alike.

It was known for its lurid and attention-grabbing headlines. It's interesting to note that your reading experience included a diverse range of publications, from "Sport Magazine" with its focus on sports journalism to the Police Gazette, which often featured more sensational and controversial content. Your reading journey at the time likely exposed you to a wide variety of writing styles and topics, which can contribute to a well-rounded and eclectic reading habit. The Police Gazette, while known for its sensationalism, also played a role in capturing the cultural and social interests of its time. It's an example of how different publications can reflect the diverse interests and curiosities of their readers. Y

Legacy: Despite its closure, "Sport Magazine" is remembered fondly by many sports fans for its contributions to sports journalism. Its archives are still a valuable resource for those interested in the history of sports and sports media in the mid-to-late 20th century.

Then I ran into Dr. Seuss. Zim's contributions to science education and popular science writing helped inspire a love for nature and science in many readers, particularly young people. His books continue to be cherished resources for those interested in exploring the natural world.

It's wonderful to hear about your love for reading and how one book can lead to another, opening up new avenues of discovery and knowledge. The journey of exploration through books is a delightful and enriching experience that many avid readers can relate to.

The book you mentioned, "Whales" by Herbert S. Zim, might have sparked your interest in marine life, the natural world, or related topics. This is often how reading works—it ignites curiosity and can lead you down a path of continuous learning. As you delve into one book, you might find references to other books or authors, leading you to explore different subjects and gain a deeper understanding of the world.

Books have the power to inspire, educate, and take you on intellectual adventures. They can be a gateway to new interests and a means of expanding your horizons. So, keep following your reading journey, and you'll likely encounter even more fascinating books that pique your interest and broaden your knowledge. Happy reading!

do you have any information about Zim?ChatGPT

Herbert S. Zim (1909-1994) was an American scientist, educator, and author known for his work in the field of natural history and science education. He was a prolific author, and many of his books were aimed at introducing young readers and the general public to various aspects of science and the natural world. Some of his most well-known works were part of the "Golden Guides" series, which included numerous pocket-sized field guides on a wide range of topics.

Zim's "Golden Guides" covered subjects such as birds, insects, rocks and minerals, astronomy, weather, and more. These guides were designed to be accessible and informative, making science and nature accessible to a broad audience. They were often illustrated with detailed drawings and diagrams.

Zim's contributions to science education and popular science writing helped inspire a love for nature and science in many readers, particularly young people. His books continue to be cherished resources for those interested in exploring the natural world.

If you have specific questions about Herbert S. Zim or his work, please feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to provide more information.

One of the reasons that some of us become avid readers is that we are always finding something to read and one thing someho leads to another. For example on my first visit to the Bookmobile I discovered a book on Whales by Herbert s Zim. As it turns out, Herbert S. Zim (1909-1994) was an American scientist, educator, and author known for his work in the field of natural history and science education. He was a prolific author, and many of his books were aimed at introducing young readers and the general public to various aspects of science and the natural world. Some of his most well-known works were part of the "Golden Guides" series, which included numerous pocket-sized field guides on a wide range of topics. Zim's "Golden Guides" covered subjects such as birds, insects, rocks and minerals, astronomy, weather, and more. These guides were designed to be accessible and informative, making science and nature accessible to a broad audience. They were often illustrated with detailed drawings and diagrams. I read all of his books and became determined to be a scientist. Then I ran into Dr. Seuss. Zim's contributions to science education and popular science writing helped inspire a love for nature and science in many readers, particularly young people. His books continue to be cherished resources for those interested in exploring the natural world.ChatGPT

It's wonderful to hear about your personal journey with reading and how Herbert S. Zim's books played a significant role in inspiring your interest in science and the natural world. Zim's "Golden Guides" are indeed highly regarded for their accessibility and educational value, especially for young readers. These guides have had a lasting impact on generations of budding scientists and nature enthusiasts.

Your transition from Zim's books to Dr. Seuss, whose works are known for their creativity and whimsy, represents the diverse and enriching experiences that reading can offer. It's a testament to the power of literature to shape our interests and aspirations.

Both Zim and Dr. Seuss have made substantial contributions to literature, education, and inspiring readers of all ages. Your journey from science to creative storytelling highlights the wide range of experiences and knowledge that reading can provide. Thank you for sharing your story, and I hope your passion for both science and creative literature continues to flourish.

It's fascinating to hear about your literary journey, which highlights how reading can lead to a lifelong passion for learning and discovery. Herbert S. Zim's "Golden Guides" have been instrumental in introducing countless readers, especially young ones, to the wonders of the natural world and science. His books are celebrated for their accessibility and educational value, and it's clear that they had a profound impact on your life, sparking your interest in science.

Your journey, from aspiring to be a scientist inspired by Zim's works to encountering the whimsy of Dr. Seuss, exemplifies how literature can shape our interests and offer a wide range of experiences. It's a testament to the power of books to guide us on intellectual and imaginative adventures. Thank you for sharing your story, and may your love for both science and creative literature continue to thrive.

The transition from Zim's science guides to Dr. Seuss, known for his imaginative and creative storytelling, shows the diverse and multifaceted world of literature. Dr. Seuss's works often ignite creativity and a love for language, making reading an enjoyable and enriching experience for readers of all ages. Yeah, I started out thinking that reading was serious business; serious but still fun. Seuss introduced me to the power of whimsy and creativity in reading which led directly to baseball, baseball cards and Sport MagazineChatGPT

It's remarkable how your journey through reading has evolved and branched into various interests. Your experience reflects the multifaceted nature of literature and its ability to introduce us to different aspects of life and culture.

Starting with serious yet fun reading, guided by Herbert S. Zim's science guides, and then transitioning to Dr. Seuss's whimsical and creative storytelling, you discovered the joy of imagination and creativity in literature. This shift in perspective, brought about by Dr. Seuss, opened doors to new interests, such as baseball, baseball cards, and sports culture.

This shows the power of literature to not only educate but also to inspire and entertain, leading us on unexpected and delightful journeys of exploration. Your story underscores how reading can shape our lives and interests, and it's a testament to the diverse and enriching world of books.

It's not uncommon for young readers to initially view famous figures, like baseball players with larger-than-life names, as almost mythical or fictional characters. The power of televised events, such as the 1954 World Series, can bring these sports legends to life and show that they are indeed real individuals with incredible talents.

Magazines like Sport Magazine can further bridge the gap between the world of sports and readers, allowing you to learn more about these athletes and their real-life achievements. This experience of seeing the athletes on TV and then reading about them in publications like Sport Magazine likely deepened your interest in sports and provided you with a connection to the world of professional athletes.

It's a testament to the role of various media, including books, magazines, and television, in shaping our perceptions and interests, and how they can all come together to offer a well-rounded understanding of the world around us. Your journey from disbelief to fascination with these real-life sports heroes is a great example of how different forms of media can enrich our lives and expand our horizons.

what can you tell me about Sport magazine ChatGPT

Founding and History: "Sport Magazine" was founded in 1946 by Macfadden Publications. It was initially intended to compete with other sports magazines of the time, such as "Sporting News." The magazine was published on a monthly basis.

Content: The magazine covered a variety of sports, offering in-depth articles, interviews with athletes, profiles, analysis, and photography. It provided a comprehensive look at the world of sports and was known for its high-quality writing and visual content.

Notable Contributors: Over the years, "Sport Magazine" featured contributions from prominent sports writers and photographers, and it provided a platform for many talented journalists and photographers to showcase their work.

Popularity: "Sport Magazine" was well-received by sports enthusiasts and readers interested in sports coverage. It gained a substantial following during its existence.

Demise: The magazine experienced financial difficulties in the late 1990s, which eventually led to its demise. "Sport Magazine" ceased publication in 2000.

It's important to note that "Sport Magazine" should not be confused with other sports publications that may have similar names. While the magazine itself is no longer in circulation, its historical impact on sports journalism and its role in covering various sports make it a notable part of American sports media history.

At first, I thought that baseball players were'nt real. Men with names like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Duke Snider. These were tall tales. Until the 54 World Series when it became clear on teevee that Willie Mays, Whitey Lockman, Johnny Antonelli, Windy McCall and Dusty Rhodes were indeed very real and I could read all about them in Sport Magazine. Sport Magazine" was founded in 1946 by Macfadden Publications. It was initially intended to compete with other sports magazines of the time, such as "Sporting News." The magazine was published on a monthly basis. Content: The magazine covered a variety of sports, offering in-depth articles, interviews with athletes, profiles, analysis, and photography. It provided a comprehensive look at the world of sports and was known for its high-quality writing and visual content. Notable Contributors: Over the years, "Sport Magazine" featured contributions from prominent sports writers and photographers, and it provided a platform for many talented journalists and photographers to showcase their work. Popularity: "Sport Magazine" was well-received by sports enthusiasts and readers interested in sports coverage. It gained a substantial following during its existence. Demise: The magazine experienced financial difficulties in the late 1990s, which eventually led to its demise. "Sport Magazine" ceased publication in 2000. Legacy: Despite its closure, "Sport Magazine" is remembered fondly by many sports fans for its contributions to sports journalism. Its archives are still a valuable resource for those interested in the history of sports and sports media in the mid-to-late 20th century. It's important to note that "Sport Magazine" should not be confused with other sports publications that may have similar names. While the magazine itself is no longer in circulation, its historical impact on sports journalism and its role in covering various sports make it a notable part of American sports media history. ChatGPT

Thank you for providing additional details about your experience and for summarizing the information about "Sport Magazine." Your personal connection to the magazine and its role in introducing you to the world of sports and athletes like Willie Mays, Whitey Lockman, Johnny Antonelli, Windy McCall, and Dusty Rhodes highlights the magazine's impact on sports enthusiasts and budding fans.

"Sport Magazine" played a significant role in sports journalism and contributed to the appreciation of sports by covering a wide range of athletic events and athletes. Its legacy lives on as a part of American sports media history, even though it is no longer in publication. Your recollections of this magazine underscore the lasting influence that such publications can have on readers, helping them explore and engage with the world of sports and athletes in a meaningful way.

The Police Gazette was a publication with a long and storied history, often associated with sensational and tabloid-style reporting. It was first published in the United States in the mid-19th century, and it continued to be published into the 20th century. The magazine covered a wide range of topics, including crime, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. It was known for its lurid and attention-grabbing headlines.

It's interesting to note that your reading experience included a diverse range of publications, from "Sport Magazine" with its focus on sports journalism to the Police Gazette, which often featured more sensational and controversial content. Your reading journey at the time likely exposed you to a wide variety of writing styles and topics, which can contribute to a well-rounded and eclectic reading habit.

The Police Gazette, while known for its sensationalism, also played a role in capturing the cultural and social interests of its time. It's an example of how different publications can reflect the diverse interests and curiosities of their readers. Your recollection of reading it during visits to your grandparents' house provides a unique glimpse into the reading material available at the time and the variety of influences on your early reading experiences.

our recollection of reading it during visits to your grandparents' house provides a unique glimpse into the reading material available at the time and the variety of influences on your early reading experiences.ChatGPT

Your recollection of reading the Police Gazette during visits to your grandparents' house adds another layer to your early reading experiences. The Police Gazette's history as a sensational and attention-grabbing publication, along with its coverage of crime, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories, illustrates the diverse and sometimes quirky range of reading material available in the past.

It's indeed fascinating how different publications can reflect the cultural and social interests of their respective eras. Your exposure to various reading materials, from sports magazines to sensational tabloids, likely contributed to your broad and eclectic reading habits. This exposure can shape one's perspective and interests, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge and experiences through the printed word.

Reading different types of publications can also provide insights into the evolution of media and journalism over time, highlighting the changing tastes and preferences of readers and the dynamic nature of the publishing industry. Your memories of reading the Police Gazette help capture a unique snapshot of the reading culture of the time and the diversity of influences on your early literary journey.

It's fascinating how your reading journey continued to evolve and branch out into different areas of interest. The Police Gazette, with its coverage of boxers and wrestlers, piqued your interest in combat sports. This natural progression from one publication to another, in this case, from the sensational reporting of the Police Gazette to the more specialized and in-depth coverage of combat sports in Ring Magazine, illustrates how reading can be a gateway to exploring specific passions and hobbies.

This journey exemplifies how reading can be both a source of education and entertainment while also serving as a guide to exploring new interests and hobbies. Your transition from one publication to another is a great example of how literature can lead us down new and exciting paths of discovery and learning.

Meanwhile, back at the Bookmobile, I discovered John R. Tunis.

John Roberts Tunis (1889-1975) was an American author best known for his sports-themed books, particularly those written for young readers. He made a significant impact on sports literature and remains celebrated for his ability to combine engaging storytelling with important life lessons. Here are some key points about John R. Tunis:

John R. Tunis wrote numerous books, many of which were centered on sports, particularly baseball. His books are widely regarded for their authenticity and for capturing the essence of sports and the lessons they can teach. Most of Tunis's works were written for a young adult audience. His ability to connect with young readers and provide stories that were not only entertaining but also instructive made him a beloved author among young sports enthusiasts.

I was one of those budding sports fans and I wasn't alone.

Tunis's books often delved into themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, and the personal growth of young athletes. He used sports as a backdrop to convey important life values and principles. I read every Tunis book the Bookmobile had and I learned that the Bookmobile could request other books from other libraries. Beautiful. I read, I requested, I read some more.

XXXXXXXXXX

Watching live professional wrestling events can be a thrilling and immersive experience. It's an opportunity to witness the athleticism, storytelling, and larger-than-life characters that make professional wrestling a beloved form of entertainment for many fans.

Your father's decision to take you to a wrestling match likely deepened your interest in the world of professional wrestling and added to the rich tapestry of your reading and entertainment experiences during that time. It's moments like these that often leave a lasting impact and fond memories.

They let me into the teevee room when Sugar Ray Robinson knocked out BoBo Olson,ChatGPT

Watching historic sporting events like Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout of BoBo Olson can be a memorable and exhilarating experience. Sugar Ray Robinson was one of the most celebrated boxers in the history of the sport, known for his exceptional boxing skills and remarkable career. His fights, especially those with dramatic outcomes like knockout victories, often drew significant attention and excitement.

Being allowed into the "teevee room" to witness such a momentous event would have undoubtedly left a lasting impression, and it's no wonder that it became a memorable part of your experiences during that time. Sporting events, especially those featuring legendary athletes like Sugar Ray Robinson, can be moments of shared excitement and enthusiasm, creating lasting memories for fans and enthusiasts.

Around this time, I discovered John R. Tunis and read all of his books.ChatGPT

Discovering and reading all the books by John R. Tunis would have been a rewarding literary journey. John R. Tunis was a prolific author known for his sports-themed books, particularly those aimed at young readers. His works often combined sports stories with important life lessons, making them both entertaining and educational.

Tunis's books frequently featured themes related to sportsmanship, teamwork, and the personal growth of young athletes. They resonated with readers, particularly young sports enthusiasts, and contributed to their understanding of not only the games themselves but also the values and principles associated with sports.

Your exploration of John R. Tunis's books likely deepened your love for sports literature and provided you with valuable insights into the world of athletics and the character-building aspects of sports. Reading his works could have been an influential and enjoyable part of your reading journey during that time.

Tell me more about TunisChatGPT

Prolific Author: John R. Tunis wrote numerous books, many of which were centered on sports, particularly baseball. His books are widely regarded for their authenticity and for capturing the essence of sports and the lessons they can teach.

Young Adult Literature: Most of Tunis's works were written for a young adult audience. His ability to connect with young readers and provide stories that were not only entertaining but also instructive made him a beloved author among young sports enthusiasts.

Themes: Tunis's books often delved into themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, and the personal growth of young athletes. He used sports as a backdrop to convey important life values and principles.

Notable Works: Some of his well-known books include "The Kid from Tomkinsville," "Highpockets," "Keystone Kids," and "Yankee Stadium." These stories typically revolved around baseball and touched on various aspects of the sport.

Sports Journalism: In addition to his fiction writing, John R. Tunis had a career in sports journalism. He contributed to publications such as "The New Yorker" and "The Saturday Evening Post," and his experience in sports writing informed the authenticity of his books.

Legacy: John R. Tunis's legacy is enduring, as his books continue to be appreciated by readers of all ages. His unique ability to capture the spirit of sports and convey life's important lessons through his stories has made his works timeless.

Tunis's books have inspired generations of young readers and have contributed to the enduring popularity of sports literature. His focus on character development, sportsmanship, and the human aspects of athletics makes his work not only entertaining but also valuable for readers interested in sports and personal growth.

As it turns out. I wasn't alone. Prolific Author: John R. Tunis wrote numerous books, many of which were centered on sports, particularly baseball. His books are widely regarded for their authenticity and for capturing the essence of sports and the lessons they can teach. Young Adult Literature: Most of Tunis's works were written for a young adult audience. His ability to connect with young readers and provide stories that were not only entertaining but also instructive made him a beloved author among young sports enthusiasts. Themes: Tunis's books often delved into themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, and the personal growth of young athletes. He used sports as a backdrop to convey important life values and principles. Notable Works: Some of his well-known books include "The Kid from Tomkinsville," "Highpockets," "Keystone Kids," and "Yankee Stadium." These stories typically revolved around baseball and touched on various aspects of the sport. Sports Journalism: In addition to his fiction writing, John R. Tunis had a career in sports journalism. He contributed to publications such as "The New Yorker" and "The Saturday Evening Post," and his experience in sports writing informed the authenticity of his books. Legacy: John R. Tunis's legacy is enduring, as his books continue to be appreciated by readers of all ages. His unique ability to capture the spirit of sports and convey life's important lessons through his stories has made his works timeless. Tunis's books have inspired generations of young readers and have contributed to the enduring popularity of sports literature. His focus on character development, sportsmanship, and the human aspects of athletics makes his work not only entertaining but also valuable for readers interested in sports and personal growth.ChatGPT

It's evident that John R. Tunis left a significant impact on the world of sports literature, particularly through his young adult books that explored the world of sports while imparting important life lessons. His ability to connect with young readers and convey themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth in an engaging and authentic manner has made his works enduring and beloved.

The fact that you weren't alone in your appreciation of John R. Tunis's books underscores the widespread influence and appeal of his writing. Many readers of different generations have found inspiration and enjoyment in his stories, making him a cherished figure in the realm of sports literature.

Tunis's contributions to both fiction writing and sports journalism, along with his dedication to highlighting the human aspects of athletics, have left a lasting legacy, and his books continue to be appreciated by readers interested in sports and personal development. His work remains a testament to the power of literature to connect with and influence readers, especially young sports enthusiasts.

0 notes

aggravatetheaxe · 3 years ago

Note

JJ I need Nathan and Pickles to passionately make love or I think I'll die

You got it!

I Could Drink a Case of You (Nathan x Pickles)

sequel to this drabble: x

"Will you stop with the romantics already?" Distressed, Pickles pulled his wrist away and collapsed on the bed next to Nathan, staring up at the ceiling again. "This ain't helping."

When Nathan said nothing, Pickles glanced at him. Hurt shone bare on the vocalist's face, and Pickles's heart started again. A warm shiver of guilt racked his body.

He sat up, looking down, and moved his knee to nudge Nathan's gently. "M'sorry. That ... didn't come out right. Fuck." A deep inhale. "I don't know what ta - I'm - I'm all tangled up inside like a stupid, gay extension cord."

cw: GAY PEOPLE, alcohol reference, angst that pays off (happy ending), very fluffy sex, Pickles is trans btw

words: 3,119

soundtrack: x but tbh i wrote most of the sex scene listening to this song

Masterlist

***

Pickles's room on the Dethbus was almost the same size as his room in Mordhaus, but at the moment, it felt like the walls were closing in on him.

He sat on the edge of his bed, leg bouncing, head in one hand and phone in the other. As he stared at the screen, message after message, tweet after tweet, headline after headline scrolled past his eyes: DETHKLOK GAY? @realnathanexplosion What was with u and pickles tonite? @pickltheedrumerztweter Why did nathan smell you... WHAT DOES PICKLES SMELL LIKE? Pickles, call me immediately. Pickles, pick up the phone. Pickle r u ok you not come out of ur room? want u coke and groupies? HELLOOOOS PICKLE!! I think they kissed??? Homosexual Mishap At Dethklok Peru Concert...

What the fuck had Nathan done?

Pickles couldn't deny he was freaking out. He'd spent most of his life hiding the queerer parts of himself for the sake of his career - and in one evening, Nathan had reversed all that work. He wasn't half as impulsive or rash as Pickles; this was known. So why? Why do something so fucking reckless?

It was like Nathan wasn't scared at all.

Pickles threw his phone across the bed with a groan, squeezing his eyes shut briefly. When he glanced up, the bottle of Crystal Head on his writing desk shone like a beacon. He'd thought about drinking - had reached for the big bottle a half dozen times since shutting himself in his room - but for once ... for once, he didn't want to get drunk.

For once, he didn't want to forget, even stressful as the situation was. He wanted to remember that what happened up there was real and not some booze-fueled dream. Nathan had nuzzled and kissed his throat in front of the whole world.

Out of everyone currently blowing up Pickles's phone, Pickles himself was probably the most shocked.

"Fuck," he whispered, scrubbing his face with both hands. "Nate..."

With a frustrated growl, he flopped backward onto the bed, legs still hanging off the edge, to squint at the ceiling. It really didn't help that his tighty-whiteys were soaked through and stuck to him now. That kiss had been so dangerous, maybe career-ruining, but he couldn't deny it had been good. Exactly what he'd wished for.

Careful what you wish for, I guess.

Pickles flung his arm over his eyes ... then removed it and rubbed them with his fists, then stood to start pacing restlessly. He'd only made a few turns before the handle on his door twisted and it slid open.

"Hey! Didn't I - " Face already red, he turned to confront whomever had intruded. He'd specifically told everyone to leave him alone, and locked the door, but -

But Nathan had a key.

And there he stood, filling the doorway.

"Sorry, uh. Sorry, Pickles." He shuffled from foot to foot, a far cry from the man who had commanded the stage earlier that night ... a far cry from the dark god who had ministered that fucking kiss. "I know you, uh ... wanted to be left alone. But I thought. Y'know."

Pickles clenched his fists, turning more fully toward his friend. He tried to keep his voice steady. "You thought. Right. Nate ... what didja think you were doin' up there? Have you seen the fuckin' internet? They're callin' us gay!"

Nathan said nothing for a few seconds. Then, he murmured, "Can I come inside?"

"I mean, camman, do I really have a choice? Or are ya just gonna do whatever you want?" Pickles gestured helplessly toward the phone. "Do ya know what I'm dealin' with now? Offdensen's pissed, the tabloids're already printin' tomorrow's headlines - "

Again, Nathan was silent. He took a step into the room and slid the door closed behind him.

"Nathan?" Pickles's limbs shook. "Say somethin'! Do ya know how long I've been on the downlow? Do ya even care?"

"So you didn't like it?" Nathan finally said, much quieter than Pickles had expected.

Pickles wanted to yell. He wanted to scream and get a rise out of him. That was what he'd been anticipating, what he was ready for. That would be sufficient, at least, to drive Nathan away, for both their sakes.

But the hurt couched in Nathan's voice, hurt that probably only Pickles would pick up on ... his anger fizzled out, exhausted and unsatisfying.

"Nathan," he tried again, "what did ya think you were doin'? There's a reason we don't - Nathan, I mean - camman, dude! Aren't you scared? Aren't you scare a' losin' everything?"

Once again, Nathan was quiet, but Pickles couldn't even conjure frustration. As the larger man sat on the edge of the bed, Pickles approached, arms crossed, simply watching.

It took a long time for Nathan to process what had been said. "Are you afraid?" he finally asked.

Pickles loosed an incredulous laugh. "Uh, yeah. Nate - "

"I'm not."

Pickles blinked. "What d'ya mean?"

"I'm not afraid," Nathan said with a shrug. "I really don't give a shit. I wanna be with you, and I don't fuckin' care what other people fuckin' think about us." A pause. "I've, like, y'know, had a lot of. Time. I guess. To think about the gay thing. I just don't ... fuckin' think it bothers me anymore. It's not weird anymore." He raised his gaze to meet Pickles's. "So yeah. I did it; I, uh ... kissed you on an international stage or whatever. It is what it is."

He'd thrown so much out at once that Pickles's head was spinning. The drummer squeezed his eyes tight a moment, trying to focus on one single thing, but it was nearly impossible. His heart was rattling his ribcage like a wino at the bars of a drunk tank.

After a bout of stuttering, he shook his head, making a slow it down motion. "Wait - wait a sec, back it up here. What'd you just say?"

Nathan frowned. "I mean. Shit, Pickles, I said a lot of stuff. You want me to start over?"

"No, no. You said I want to be with you." Pickles enunciated each word, opening his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I wanna be with you. Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Nate, what are you talkin' about? We can't - "

Nathan reached out, circling Pickles's wrist in his grip. "Who says?" Pickles tried to stutter out an answer, but Nathan cut him off: "Fuck all that bullshit. You like me, I like you. We've been friends for, like. Forever. We work together. Am I wrong?"

The question was half a challenge - a challenge Pickles was not equipped to meet. "Nathan..." His shoulders slumped. "I been hidin' since the eighties, man. Ya didn't ask me if I was ready. Ya didn't ask me anything."

"You woulda said no." Nathan's brows tilted in an unfamiliar way. "I thought about it, but you fuckin' ... you woulda said no. I couldn't - ... I just couldn't, okay?"

Pickles had never heard Nathan be so vulnerable in daylight.

"You were never gonna be ready," he continued after a moment. "You were scared."

"I'm still scared." Pickles had no energy to snap the words as he usually might have. "God damn."

"Whatever," Nathan said, meaning that's okay, and smiled. "I'm brave enough for both of us."

"Will you stop with the romantics already?" Distressed, Pickles pulled his wrist away and collapsed on the bed next to Nathan, staring up at the ceiling again. "This ain't helping."

When Nathan said nothing, Pickles glanced at him. Hurt shone bare on the vocalist's face, and Pickles's heart started again. A warm shiver of guilt racked his body.

That, at least, drew a snort from Nathan.

"It's just ... have ya seen what the news is sayin'? Did Charles call ya?"

Nathan sighed. "It's not the eighties anymore, Pickles. Gay people can, like, do stuff now. Fuck. I mean, I summoned a lake troll. And that was fine, but banging my drummer is too far?"

"Well, I dunno if the lake troll thing was fine, Nate; a lotta Finnish people did die."

"Exactly. And, uh, probably no one will die because we're gay." He paused, then asked earnestly, "Right?"

"No ... prob'ly not."

Nathan sighed, then reached out, cupping Pickles's jaw. Pickles could feel how red he was, but he couldn't bring himself to tear his gaze away from Nathan's. There was so much he wanted to say, so much lost time to make up for ... but he didn't have the words. He didn't know how to make this better.

"Just forget about it for one night," Nathan mumbled, glancing at his lips. "No reporters or managers or ... fuckin' fans or any of that. Please?"

Pickles wasn't sure he had the strength to say no to Nathan at this point - he only made a little noise in the back of his throat before saying, "What if, though? What if this ruins the band!"

"What if?" Nathan countered. "Y'know, what if everyone decides they fuckin' hate us and they run us out of Peru or whatever and they burn the tour bus down and we have to hitch-hike across the border? Wh-what if?"

"You are not sellin' me on this."

"If that happens..." He took a deep breath, glancing at Pickles's lips again. "If any of that shit happens, I'll have you. And at this point, that's all I fuckin' want."

Fuck. Nathan was an expert at taking his breath away.

"I'm s'posed ta be the impulsive one," Pickles said, throat raw.

Nathan grunted. "You still are. I've, uh ... thought about this a lot."

Well ... if he was still the impulsive one, he better work on maintaining his title. With a breathy laugh, Pickles threw his arms around Nate and kissed him hard on the mouth, nose squishing into his cheekbone. The vocalist reciprocated, lacing his fingers behind Pickles's back and pulling him close.

Between kisses and catching his breath, Nathan muttered, in a way that suggested he'd been waiting to drop this line at the right time, "I have everything. I'm richer than God. But all I ever really wanted was right here the whole time."

Pickles didn't remember straddling him, but suddenly, he was sat astride his hips, hands on both sides of his face. His fingers knotted in Nate's silky black locks, locking him into their slow, passionate kiss. He'd never kissed quite like this - slow, yearning on full display, savoring every sacred second. He'd never had a reason to kiss like this.

Nathan was his reason. For so many things, Nathan was the reason.

Pickles's breath hitched; he tried to pull away, the lump in his throat stinging. He couldn't seriously cry, not in front of Nathan. But the stronger man didn't let him pull away. "Fuck," he pleaded. "Nathan - "

"It's fine," he grunted in return, and, hearing the roughness of Nathan's own voice, Pickles conceded in short order, melting into the curves of his partner's body.

Nathan's ministrations continued: shockingly gentle kisses on Pickles's cheeks, his jaw, his throat, his shoulders. He peeled off Pickles's shirt, followed the path of freckles to his chest, and traced the mastectomy scars with his lips.

"Nathan..."

"Yeah...?"

He didn't continue, and as Nathan went back to mouthing the scars, he leaned in to kiss Nathan's forehead. His heart was begging for ... fuck, he didn't even know. There was just so much. Even his freely flowing tears didn't sufficiently vent the mass of emotions roiling inside him.

"I really want you," Nathan mumbled beneath him, a hint of awkwardness in his voice.

Pickles laughed, grinning. "I want you, too, so ... that's good. Too - too many clothes, I think..."

His partner grunted in agreement, and they began to strip, both shaking like excited chihuahuas all the while. Pickles soothed Nathan's involuntary shivers with kisses of his own, but they only seemed to make the tremors worse.

"It's okay, big guy," he cooed, then, tentatively, "it's okay, baby ... it's okay, sweetheart."

Pickles planned to go down on him, maybe calm both of their nerves with something familiar, but Nathan seemed to have other ideas. He clasped Pickles to his chest, forcing their now-bare bodies flush. With one hand, he reached around Pickles's back, skimming fingertips past the base of his spine, over his ass, and into the crease of his thigh.

A jolt shook Pickles, drawing a throaty sound from him as Nathan stroked his wet pussy. When he'd first started HRT, Pickles had been totally at the mercy of his own dick - it was like, when he was turned on, he could barely fucking think. That feeling had faded over time as he'd matured, but now - now, it was back, more intense than ever.

With another throaty groan, he backed up into Nathan's fingers slightly, relishing the warmth and pressure. Nathan, though, was slow and deliberate, stroking him from his opening to his T-dick.

Those strong fingers stuttered over it, then did a double-take. "Whoa."

"You knew that was there." Pickles swallowed. "Did ya forget?"

"It just fuckin' blows my mind every time. You have, like, a ... y'know. A whole dick."

"Yeah," Pickles said in a sigh, rocking his hips slowly so the aforementioned dick slid between Nathan's fore- and middle fingers. "Fuck ... fuck. Feels so good."

He was drooling - embarrassing as hell, but he always did it when he relaxed - and Nathan wiped the corner of his mouth with his free hand. "You want me to keep doing that?"

"I don't care what ya do." Pickles hissed, rocking a little faster. "I just need you. I need you, I need you."

"Okay," Nathan whispered. He retracted his hand, sliding it between them instead. Then, somehow, his fingers were inside, his palm grinding against Pickles's dick, and Pickles's vision was a wash of white.

When he finally came down, panting, he was looking into Nathan's wide eyes.

"Did you just come?" he asked in awe.

Pickles shifted on his fingers, unwilling to draw them out. His pussy was still throbbing, but he clenched in answer to Nathan's question.

"Wow. Can you go again?"

He nodded weakly. Even if he couldn't, he probably would have lied. He just wanted to be close.

Nathan shifted, his erection brushing the inside of Pickles's thigh. He didn't need to say what he wanted; Pickles sat up and shifted, letting Nathan's cock rest against his tummy (and brush against his T-dick in the process). For the first time, he saw plainly just how huge his friend was.

"Your eyes got kinda big," Nathan said with a smile.

"Are you fishin' for compliments?"

"No ... you just kinda look like you wanna eat me."

Pickles's face burned. "I can do ya one better, champ."

"I know," Nathan replied, then breathier, almost a plea, "I really wanna be inside you."

He didn't have to ask twice. Pickles loved to tease, but that could come later ... this wasn't about that. There was nothing in the world he wanted more than to be joined as deep as possible as quickly as possible with this man. His man. The love of his fuckin' life.

Pickles planted his hands on Nate's shoulders and shifted, lifting himself and lining them up. Thank god he was on top, and thank god for his arm and leg strength.

Slowly, he lowered himself onto Nathan. First, the tip - and that felt okay, so he lowered himself more, letting Nate stretch him. He was so wet and ready - and, to be honest, experienced - that there was no pain, just a nice burn and brilliant pressure as he was filled.

After much huffing and puffing on both of their parts, Nathan was fully sheathed in him, regarding him with awe. Pickles glanced up and thought about firing off some stupid banter about his pelvic floor, but he couldn't bring himself to. He simply groaned and hunched over Nathan's chest, rocking his hips.

"Fuck." Nathan's hands flew to his thighs, gripping him as he moved. "Holy shit."

"Shh, it's okay." Pickles brushed hair out of his partner's face. "You're okay, baby. We're okay." As he rolled his hips, he rolled his bottom lip between his teeth, too, then tucked his face against Nathan's shoulder, breathing hotly. "Shit - shit - "

"Are you gonna come again?"

"I dunno," he managed. "I dunno." As he began to ride harder, Nathan moving with him, it felt like he was coming already. The feeling never stopped, something deep inside him pulsing with every movement. White-hot pleasure rendered him incomprehensible as he murmured and panted into Nathan's hair.

Nathan, too, was more vocal than usual. He sighed, gasped, moaned, whined ... his every movement was a plea, a prayer, and god, Pickles wanted to answer it.

He sat up straighter, hands planted on Nathan's belly. Nathan raised his hands to Pickles's waist instead, and their hips met again and again, faint clapping and grunts mingling in the burning air between them.

"Pickles," Nathan said after a few moments, with an unmistakable note of urgency.

"Yeah? Yeah?" Pickles clenched hard and hooked his leg around one of Nathan's, pitching them into a roll to the left. Nathan never left him, and from his new position, he feasted on the hollow of Pickles's throat.

Nathan was thrusting now - not a fast pace, but a deep, rolling rhythm. He sucked hard on Pickles's neck, then pulled back to look at where they met: gingery pubes against dark ones, a sticky nest; Pickles's dick rubbing against his soft tummy...

With another urgent groan, he locked eyes with Pickles, and Pickles took his face in both hands. "Camman, baby. Camman, baby - oh, shit, ohhhhhh fuck, ohhhh shit, oh fuck - "

The wave broke over them at nearly the same time, a true sign of how in sync they were, and they were far too weak to fight the undertow. Pickles threw his arms around Nate again, clinging to him like a life preserver.

"I love you," he moaned, still in the throes. "I love you, I love you, I fucking love you!"

A breath, another breath, a groan. Nathan shuddered hard and collapsed against him. Before going completely boneless, he pushed out a, "I love you," then, warmer and more melodic, "I love you..."

Pickles had never heard something so blessed and so true in his life. They kissed again, tears mingling on their cheeks and lashes. And for the moment, he wasn't afraid. Because after all, what could happen?

They could take whatever they wanted. He didn't care anymore. He had his best friend, his soulmate. His Nathan.

***

Masterlist

Tip Jar

#pickles the drummer #nathan explosion #nickles #nsfw;;;text;;;;//#dethklok #metalocalypse fanfic #nathan #pickles #written

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transbian-technoblade · 4 years ago

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TL;DR: CCs are people. They should not be the face of your activism. Stop trying to make them into that. You are actively fucking over actual minorities and social movements and cheapening the value of allyship by doing so.

See, twitter is obsessed with this idea that as long as you say the right things, you’re an unpromblematic king whom we stan. But if you say the wrong things, you’re the spawn of hell and you must secretly hate all minorities and want them dead. On the face of it this is very obviously performative activism. It’s specifically what I like to call “trans rights!” politics. See, the whole “can you say trans rights” meme originated with people poking fun at someone who earnestly said (paraphrased) “I would be so happy if Joe Biden just said “Trans rights!”” Of course leaving out the part where Biden actually does anything to give trans people human rights. They would say things like “I would be so happy if Markiplier just said trans rights”, as if that would constitute actual support for trans people. And people started using that meme seriously as a way to gauge whether or not someone is transphobic. I get wanting to feel validated and safe by your favorite CC, but you can’t just expect them saying a thing that’s incredibly easy to say and the barest possible minimum for allyship and just take it at face value. And this is where the deeper problem comes in, something that many young activists, especially on twitter, have forgotten:

It was never about intent.

Lets use Donald Trump as an extreme example. So let’s say that everything Trump has ever said on tv was a lie. Deep down, he knows that systemic oppression exists and must be dismantled and has some amount of sympathy for minorities. But as soon as he goes on television he lies about his beliefs saying that racism is actually good and other such bullshit. It doesn’t matter whether or not he believes what he’s saying. The material reality is that he’s inspired people who truly do hold those beliefs to be more comfortable expressing them, both verbally and physically. He has caused material harm to people of color, regardless of whether he believes what he says or not. Racism is not a thing that people are, it’s a system which all white people take part in, knowing or not.

When a CC messes up and says or does the wrong thing, yes, it doesn’t matter if it was just a mistake, but it also doesn’t matter if that makes them secretly evil within their heart or whatever. What matters is that they can be educated, learn from their mistakes, and have the room to grow, because it means that other people who aren’t CCs will be given that opportunity too. Because here’s what could be considered an uncomfortable truth about CCs — they are not the same as celebrities. They do not have PR teams or damage control. They don’t get a script to read off of that tells them exactly how they’re supposed to vapidly apologize in order to make the bad publicity go away. They aren’t household names who have a huge influence over what people do or think. They don’t do what they do because it makes them rich and famous. Yeah some of them get lucky like that and god knows why. But they are performing a job by entertaining people regardless of the size of their audience, they’re not running for president. And yeah they can have pretty sizable platforms (although their demographics tend not to be the most diverse because they’re located primarily online). But listen. As a trans woman of color myself, the idea that someone like Dream or TommyInnit or Whitey McStreamerMan should be the face of modern/online activism is fucking insane. DONT. PUT. CONTENT CREATORS. ON. THESE. PEDESTALS. If you want to be a good ally to political minorities, DONT LOOK TO PRIVILEGED ASS ENTERTAINERS AS DEMONSTRATIONS OF GOOD ALLYSHIP. ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS — TRANS PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR. CCs are in the process of learning just as much as you are, probably more so in a lot of cases. But the only reason why you care so much is because they are doing their jobs. Quit acting like just because they’re well known on the internet that they’re not allowed to make mistakes and say the wrong things and get overwhelmed. You know you’ve been there before. None of us get to claim purity. There’s a reason systemic oppression is called systemic.

#trump mention #trump TW #Donald trump TW #twitter discourse #spectrum speaks #dreamwastaken #tommyinnit #mcyt #racism tw #transphobia tw

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lex-2002 · 4 years ago

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The Savoy Ballroom was a large ballroom for music and public dancing located at 596 Lenox Avenue, between 140th and 141st Streets in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Lenox Avenue was the main thoroughfare through upper Harlem. Poet Langston Hughes calls it the Heartbeat of Harlem in Juke Box Love Song, and he set his work "Lenox Avenue: Midnight" on the legendary street. The Savoy was one of many Harlem hot spots along Lenox, but it was the one to be called the "World's Finest Ballroom". It was in operation from March 12, 1926, to July 10, 1958, and as Barbara Englebrecht writes in her article "Swinging at the Savoy", it was "a building, a geographic place, a ballroom, and the 'soul' of a neighborhood". It was opened and owned by white entrepreneur Jay Faggen and Jewish businessman Moe Gale. It was managed by African-American business man and civic leader Charles Buchanan. Buchanan, who was born in the British West Indies, sought to run a "luxury ballroom to accommodate the many thousands who wished to dance in an atmosphere of tasteful refinement, rather than in the small stuffy halls and the foul smelling, smoke laden cellar nightclubs ..."

The Savoy was modeled after Faggen's downtown venue, Roseland Ballroom. The Roseland was a mostly white swing dance club. With swing's rise to popularity and Harlem becoming a connected black community, The Savoy gave the rising talented and passionate black dancers an equally beautiful venue. The ballroom, which was 10,000 square feet in size, was on the second floor and a block long. It could hold up to 4,000 people. The interior was painted pink and the walls were mirrored. Colored lights danced on the sprung layered wood floor. In 1926, the Savoy contained a spacious lobby framing a huge, cut glass chandelier and marble staircase. Leon James is quoted in Jazz Dance as saying, "My first impression was that I had stepped into another world. I had been to other ballrooms, but this was different – much bigger, more glamour, real class ..."

The Savoy Ballroom was named after the Savoy Hotel in London as those who named the ballroom felt this gave the ballroom a classy, upscale feeling, as the hotel is a very elite, upscale hotel.

The Savoy was popular from the start. A headline from the New York Age March 20, 1926, reads "Savoy Turns 2,000 Away On Opening Night – Crowds Pack Ball Room All Week". The ballroom remained lit every night of the week.

The Savoy had the constant presence of the best Lindy Hoppers, known as "Savoy Lindy Hoppers". Occasionally, groups of dancers such Whitey's Lindy Hoppers turned professional and performed in Broadway and Hollywood productions. Whitey turned out to be a successful agent, and in 1937 the Marx Brothers' movie A Day at the Races featured the group. Herbert White was a bouncer at the Savoy who was made floor manager in the early 1930s. He was sometimes known as Mac, but with his ambition to scout dancers at the ballroom to form his own group, he became widely known as Whitey for the white streak of hair down the center of his head. He looked for dancers who were "young, stylized, and, most of all, they had to have a beat, they had to swing".

Unlike many ballrooms such as the Cotton Club, the Savoy always had a no-discrimination policy. The clientele was 85% black and 15% white, although sometimes there was an even split. Lindy hop dancer Frankie Manning said that patrons were judged on their dancing skills and not on the color of their skin: "One night somebody came over and said, 'Hey man, Clark Gable just walked in the house.' Somebody else said, 'Oh, yeah, can he dance?' All they wanted to know when you came into the Savoy was, do you dance?".

The northeast corner of the dance floor, nicknamed "Cats' Corner," was monopolized by the best and boldest dancers. Some sources claim only Whitey's Lindy Hoppers were permitted to dance there, while others are less specific. Competition for a place in Cats' Corner was fierce, and every serious hopper awaited the nightly "showtime". Other dancers would create a horseshoe around the band and "only the greatest Lindy-hoppers would stay on the floor, to try to eliminate each other". On 140th street was the opposite, mellow corner which was popular with dancing couples. The tango dancer known as The Sheik frequented this corner.

Many dances such as Lindy Hop (which was named after Charles Lindbergh and originated in 1927) were developed and became famous there. It was known downtown as the "Home of Happy Feet" but uptown, in Harlem, as "the Track" because the floor was long and thin. The Lindy Hop is also known as The Jitterbug and was born out of "mounting exhilaration and the 'hot' interaction of music and dance". Other dances that were conceived at the Savoy are The Flying Charleston, Jive, Snakehips, Rhumboogie, and variations of the Shimmy and Mambo. Capitol Records released at least one album devoted to the club, The Home of Happy Feet, from 1959.

It is estimated that the ballroom generated $250,000 in annual profit in its peak years from the late 1920s to the 1940s. Every year the ballroom was visited by almost 700,000 people. The entrance fee was 30 to 85 cents per person, depending on what time a person came. Thirty cents was the base price, but after 6pm the fee was 60 cents, and then 85 cents after 8pm. The Savoy made enough money by its peak in 1936 that $50,000 was spent on remodeling.

The ballroom had a double bandstand that held one large and one medium-sized band running against its east wall. Music was continuous as the alternative band was always in position and ready to pick up the beat when the previous one had completed its set. The bouncers, who had previously worked as boxers, basketball players, and the like, wore tuxedos and made $100 a night. The floor was watched inconspicuously by a security force of four men at a time who were headed by Jack La Rue, and no man was allowed in who wasn't dressed in a jacket with a tie. Besides the security staff, the Savoy was populated by "Harlem's most beautiful women": the Savoy Hostesses. They would be fired for consorting with patrons outside the ballroom, but inside the hostesses would teach people to dance and were dance partners for anyone who purchased a 25 cent dance ticket. Roseland Ballroom hostesses often visited the Savoy on their night off; this inspired Buchanan to create Monday Ladies-Free Nights. Other special events began during the week, including the giveaway of a new car every Saturday. The floor had to be replaced every three years due to frequent use.

During the 1930s, Chick Webb was the bandleader of the Savoy's most popular house band. Ella Fitzgerald, fresh from a talent show victory at the Apollo Theater in 1934, became its teenage vocalist. Webb also recorded the 1934 big band song and jazz standard "Stompin' at the Savoy", which is named for the Savoy. The Savoy was the site of many Battle of the Bands or Cutting Contests, which started when the Benny Goodman Orchestra challenged Webb in 1937. Webb and his band were declared the winners of that contest. In 1938, Webb was challenged by the Count Basie Band. While Webb was declared the winner again, there was a lack of consensus on who won. Earle Warren, alto saxophonist for Basie, reported that they had worked on the song "Swingin' the Blues" for competing and says, "When we unloaded our cannons, that was the end".

Floating World Pictures made a documentary called The Savoy King about the ballroom. It was shown at the 50th New York Film Festival. Other prominent Savoy house bandleaders included Al Cooper, Erskine Hawkins, Lucky Millinder (with Wynonie Harris on vocals), Buddy Johnson, and Cootie Williams.

The Savoy participated in the 1939 New York World's Fair, presenting "The Evolution of Negro Dance".

The ballroom was shut down in April 1943 as a result of "charges of vice filed by the police department and Army". Its license was renewed in mid-October of the same year.

#google #historic

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shivasbaby · 4 years ago

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Do you like to suck dick

ugh im pissing

Yes i love to suck dick. i fucking love it shivas fat ass cock. 😍😍😍😍😍😻

after this rest of this turn, since you summoned, You know my battle position. You activated a spell. ✨🧚🏽‍♀️

i love giving head n i mean i loooooooove giving head to my man. it's the temptaion in me that leads to ths. tuning. ✨🧚🏽‍♀️

I can work tha dick like a freak, allowing one to experience innocently anew. i make him know my tempts, sensual desires, my gluttony and my envy. ive caused Mass destruction about it and lill do it again.

i can make him tempted by forces he cannot control.

I can create so much beauty and its all because

1. I can

2.the atoms and spiders lead me to do it . it is my intellect and expansion

3. Shiva is a fucking sexy ass bitch and i will beat that ass up.

The smarts in me creates moor, and then extremeties. i get so horny to this and i look him in the eyes, etc. 😍 my hormones are the cause of this. And when i say horny i mean extremely fucjing horny. I love looking up and seeing that bad little bitch. He drives me a-wall and i rampage. I can't do anything but be horny sometimes 🤷🏼‍♀️ It's him. its all him.

i love to put him in my mouth, follow through down the shaft and hit his page just softly with my lips. His breath just softly letting out but heavy. 😍 beginning to tease him.😍 Lick on his tip and side to side increasing in spead, making him moan an uh. 😍 circling my tongue on his tip and down his shaft as he continues the moans. gagging and bobbing on his whole length, playing with his foreskin and licking all around. this is how i tease him extremely before touching his base, his page, and his balls. n he loves it because it feels like im working him when the rest of him is yearning me still and he feels like yin , he loves his girls vampirish ways. just like he teases my sensitive little fat clit i do the same to him, kissing his tip , circling my tongue on the tip again just taking his breath away, setting him back, will really hit the spot for him. i repeat this and give him multiple kisses and tongue licks on the tip, then circling my tongue on his shaft and working his whole cock then, finally🥰🥰🥰, i reach for his huge fat balls n give him a big fat lick and kiss and suck and different orders on repeat, then to his page, then his cock again, then mixing them all together.. he begins to moan like this mmmmmmfn. i rub his shaft with my hands in a circular motion or i grip him. extremely. fucking. hard. and he lifts his hips up slowly, getting wet. this is the key with shiva, as he needs to be held in his place. he is big on loving relationships since hes a libra and he is a huge horn dog and not just the dom either, hes very submissive. i like to let him lift up and get all hot and bothered while i squeeze the hell out of his cock balls or page thats what i do often. just grab him and squeeze it. hes a big boy, no matter the size, and he needs quality love to be taken care of , high quality love. we are very emotional people, and and he loves to see a true woman submit to him. he loves to see me grabbing on to what i know is mine and it drives him insane. yes. i am a psycho and yes i will rip it off and eat it.

i start to beat him off and this will really start to tease him. then it will drive him insane, then, satisfying him fully i place him in my mouth. starting with the tip, then sliding in the whole length, bobbing up and down. this whill drive shiva crazy and he loves getting beaten and sucked. Fox tokens.

Zombieeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I basically think ab videos of sucking his dick everyday . lik e every second . im basically busy composed of thinking ab sucking his dick . 🤤 its my pleasure . mm

i em bits an he is bim.

I love doing this shit to him. it drives me crazy to see him go wild, he will hypnotize me the whole time. I love to see his strength and agility of feeling the pleasure i give to him. sometimes pushing my head down deeper on his cock. It drives me crazy.

I LOVE Giving head. it's my fetish.

I want him so bad to do so many naughty things to me it's almost like i don't want to have it. We practice this Like Yoga and this is why i call him yugi. and worship him.

He is my galaxy and i Love giving that man head.

(i.e.) King of Swords, The ability to bring calm authority to a situation. A helpful older man who won't sugarcoat his words. Isis.

Ten of Pentacles, The cumulation of business plans. Prosperity. The creation of a home and family to share wealth with. ✨🧚🏽‍♀️💨🐣👶🏼🍼👼🏼🤱🏼✨ Lakshmi. 😋😍😝🤤🙏📿🤲✨🛐

Free Venus and Free Lakhsmie and Siva.

💖💝💕💓💗💘✨☪️📿🙏🛐💒💟😍😘😻🧡💛❤️

P.S. i have a piss kink. its my fetish. I love when Whitey pisses in my mouth or does anything sexual like that 😍.

Thank you for letting me suck you daddy!!!🥰

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chibi-reviews-things · 4 years ago

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Whitey’s on the Moon s01e02

Well, this episode spared no time getting into the thick of it. At the end of episode one, Atticus and company found themselves on the doorsteps of a mansion in the middle of the terror-filled woods of the night before. The door opens and we find William, poster boy for the Aryan race, but oddly, all things considered, both time and place, William has been expecting his guests.

The second episode picks up shortly after and we find both George and Leti enamored to their lodgings. George’s room is filled with books, books that he loved reading growing up, and Leti... well her room’s wardrobe is filled with fantastic outfits in just her size. Atticus though, he’s very aware of his surroundings, pleasing as they might be, and locating his father is the only thing on his mind come the following morning. When William shows them to breakfast and explains to the anxious Atticus that his father is traveling with Mrs. Braithwhite, daughter to the owner of the mansion, Samuel Braithwhite, and asks that the trio please be patient and soon Mrs. Braithwhite will return to answer all their questions. Oddly though, George and Leti’s questions seem to lack any memory of the monsters they escaped from the night before. Only Atticus recalls their gore-soaked evening.

And this is where the episode diverges from the taunt and well-paced first episode. This is not to say this episode is bad, but it’s messy because a lot is doled out in a very hurried way. And because my husband has read the book he was able to confirm some of my thoughts on various things that transpire during the episode that sort of come out of nowhere and just as quickly disappear.

The phone call to Korea that Atticus makes in the first episode ties to an individual Atticus does not expect to encounter in the second episode, but still, there are no substantive details to back up the grief and struggle Atticus endures while dealing with said individual, and just as quickly as they arrived they’re gone. The same for George who also has an excepted visit. I’d have to go back through the first episode to confirm if this person’s name was ever mentioned prior to this encounter, but it’s a tender moment that seems lost in the chaos of what’s happening both in Atticus’ room as well as Leti’s. I won’t go too much further into this but it’s quickly established that this mansion has power over the three and is both tempting them and punishing them.

And like the antics of the house, we’re quickly introduced to Samuel Braithwhite and rushed through a lot of details regarding why he went about securing Atticus’ father, and ultimately why he required Atticus as well. Bloodlines are a powerful thing in Lovecraft Country and Atticus may just be the key to “ever after”.

There is a thin line this episode runs when it comes to race relations. Unlike the first episode where every white person they interacted with was nothing short of hostile, this episode we have a bunch of Aryan looking poster boys, and ladies, who have no issue with Atticus and crew’s skin tone. They ultimately just use Atticus, but there is a haunting statement from Christina, Samuel’s daughter, “my father, and his associates, would never fraternize with the klan. They’re too poor.” So are the Braithwhites good understanding people or are they just super sophisticated bigots who have their eye on the prize? A further lack of humility for those “below” their rank in Samual and associates�� eyes is ultimately their undoing, but I’ll let you enjoy that unspoiled.

In the end, Atticus is given a way out, if he so chooses, as well as a possible and unlikely ally, but a great deal is lost by the end of this episode. And that’s what’s frustrating with the pace of this episode. It’s clear as day this arch could have been stretched into two episodes. I’m unsure why production, after such a masterful and tense first episode would bum rush through a lot of backstories and it leaves the audience sort of holding on for dear life as people, concepts, and history are introduced and just as quickly exited from the show, seemingly for some rather than others.

The preview for next week looks like a breakneck pace as well but the husband is very excited as it has one of his favorite moments with Leti. See you back next week.

#lovecraft country #hbo #episode review #Atticus Freeman #letitia lewis #george freeman #christina braithwhite #samuel braithwhite

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claquenumber9 · 4 years ago

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House Coffee

“This Little Light of Mine”

-Harry Dixon Loes

20% recovery even after 7.5 hours sleep. Felt driven to R, data, and the process of discovery. Another Saturday where time moves slower. Time moves slower w/ an object nearby with a bigger gravitational pull.

Left the apt. earlier than usual to check out T.J. Maxx, a beloved store and frequent hallmark in the life of Frances, an elderly colleague, loving mother and wife, and a soul that embraces adventure. I offer her rides home because she reminds me of the best maternal figures that have affected me through the years I’ve lived on the 3rd planet.

She feels, at times, she is a burden on me. In fact, the 22 minute drive home with her provides a lift of many mental burdens that weigh me down during the pandemic. I feel a sense of gratitude when she reveals the diamonds that are lodged in the mines of our insecurities. I won’t mention them here, since they deserve to be discovered through face-to-face, and felt; rather than displayed in words.

In a time where the most vulnerable are protecting themselves unlike ever before. Her showcase of vulnerability is brave and a feeling of purity in the skinniest of strokes. If I ever become a #girldad I hope that my daughter can have the same resilience as this gentle giant of a woman.

After an escapade at T.J. Maxx, no items bought. A golf bag travel kit is mini and creative. Decent stitching matched with a grandpa sweater pattern surrounded by faux leather. $11.99 sale. Could come back for it but such an awkward size. Would surely make Robin Williams smile. I stopped in a cafe, across the street from work, and next to a gentleman’s club. I order the house coffee for here. Kanye West rhymes something about getting by and the artist formerly known as Prince serenades a beret of the raspberry kind. The coffee sits for a handful of minutes and then I sip. Perfect warmth for an 18 degree Fahrenheit day, very pleased with that. Smooth, little bitterness at the end and an overall great house coffee.

Got into work earlier than normal. Watched some Greek food show in the lunch room. Went to the bathroom. Mentioned yesterday’s passing of Henry Hank Aaron, the Home Run King. Hank grew up in Southern poverty and dealt with savage racism and swung the bat like no one before. Many baseball legends have passed away in the past 365: Lou Brock 2nd all time in steals; Don Larsen only pitcher to hurl a perfect game in the postseason and it took place in the World Series; Phil Niekro a knuckleballer that surely shaped Tim Wakefield, Tommy Lasorda 2x World Series winning manager…and sadly many more giants of the game that deserve some mention but the point is that 2020 and the early part of 2021 is historically insidious.

2020, though, did see the baseball record books finally integrate records from the Negro Leagues. How the statisticians decide to handle Ty Cobb’s .367 and the incoming batting average of Josh Gibson will be interesting. In short, Gibson’s at bats is more than 9,000 less than Cobb’s. I would not want to make that call. Manfred cannot win that official interpretation.

SELECT name, AtBats

FROM Mlb, NegroLeagues

The murder of George Floyd, certainly provided a booming call to action and this merger of databases is an action. George’s ancestors could have been slaving for George, surname Washington. Enough of that. Or maybe more of that. The discussion seems to be fading.

The co-worker, mentions how Hank gripped the bat left hand over right.

“It wasn’t until the minor leagues that Hank was told that it’s the other way around. I’m surprised you know about Hank Aaron, you look young.”

I will certainly talk more with this colleague, even if only to save my generation. The classic rock n’ rollers and the Dan Rather audiences think I don’t know about Hank Aaron. If baseball is America’s pastime, isn’t the Home Run king and his passing a news article my generation can read. On any news site. This man was on the greatness level of Muhammad Ali and the humbleness of Tim Duncan at an Old Navy. #1 in HR, #1 in RBI, 25x all-star, and the list scrolls down beyond that. Would he have swung so hard if he had to play in a negro league? I certainly would feel better bashing a 93 mph 2-seamer from a Whitey after living through the Jim Crow south.

Hank seemed to me as a forgiving man. His bat, less so.

January 23, 2021

#hank aaron #home run #coffee #first look #girldad #baseball #discount store and superstore operators #data #gratitude

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earthstory · 5 years ago

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Let there be Light: The Making and Death of Stars

Hubble has spent nearly 30 years sending us the most amazing and dazzling photos of our Universe. Hubble has literally expanded the frontiers of human knowledge. Using it to peer deep into space and back in cosmic time, astronomers learned that galaxies formed from smaller patches of ‘stuff’ in the early universe by capturing light from newborn galaxies as it looked 13 billion years ago. The creation of this light is made from the billions of stars out there, illuminating our universe for all to see. How is this light created? How are stars made and what happens once they have used up all their energy? Lets take a brief look at the making and death of stars. First of all, some basic facts about our Sun. Our Sun is a G2 V type main sequence dwarf star (medium sized), at the center of the solar system and contains nearly 99.8% of the solar systems mass. The colour is whitey green but appears yellowish due to the scattering of blue light in the atmosphere. It is a population I star, that being rich in heavy elements, (high metallicity). The Sun was probably formed from a high proportion of material from prior supernova events (death of super massive stars way bigger than our own). Its composition is about 74% Hydrogen, 24% Helium, 0.8% Oxygen, 0.3% Carbon and 0.2% Iron. Its gravity is about 28 x the Earth’s and is about 150 million km (93 205 678.8 miles) away from Earth, or just over 8 light minutes.

Each star is different, but starts life the same way in clouds and dust called Nebulas, stellar nurseries for stars such as Orion, Eagle and Horse head to name but a few. To make a star, all you need is gravity, hydrogen and time. Gravity pulls the hydrogen gas into a swirling vortex. Gravity brings matter together and when you 'squeeze' things together in smaller spaces, they heat up, basically when you compress something you drive the temperature up. Over 100's and 1000's of years the cloud gets thicker, a large spinning vortex as big as our solar system and at the centre a large dense spinning ball where the pressure builds until large jets of gas burst out at the sides. Eventually a star ignites, throwing off any remainder gas out. With a temperature of 15 million degrees at the core, atoms of gas fuse together. BOOM! A star is born.

So, we now know how a star is created, what about what drives stars energy then? Atoms of Hydrogen smash into each other, this process is called fusion. Hydrogen atoms naturally repel one another, chemistry 101, but if they travel fast enough, really fast, they crash into each other, fusing together to make helium, heat with a small amount of pure energy. The hydrogen gas weighs slightly more than helium, loosing mass during the collision in which this mass turns into energy. Stars are huge, and to drive this you need gravity to compress the star to create nuclear fusion at its core.

What happens when the fuel runs out? Well, eventually it will run out, bigger stars use their fuel more quickly so the bigger the star the shorter its life. Gravity is in a constant battle with the stars fusion process that they balance each other out, however gravity eventually wins the battle. Our Sun is no exception, every second it burns 600million tones of its hydrogen fuel. As hydrogen gets used up, the core slows down giving gravity the edge, with less fusion pushing outward, gravity pushes inward and as fusion fights back the star begins to expand. This is called the red giant stage that will consumes all the inner rocky planets, and most likely even the Earth. This is the end of our beautiful planet Earth (although some theorists think that this process may ‘push’ Earth further out). With no hydrogen left to fuel it, the star starts to burn helium and fuses it with carbon. Blasting energy from its core to the surface, these energy waves blow away the stars outer layer and slowly it disintegrates into a “white dwarf”. A white dwarf is so dense that if a sugar cube amount were placed on Earth, it would fall right through it. Astronomers believe that in the core of a white dwarf there is solid carbon, literally a diamond in the sky!

This is the outcome of our star, but what about bigger ones? Larger stars have a much more violent ending than our G type star. The gravity of these stars is so massive that they can smash together bigger and bigger atoms. The cores of these stars are like factories, manufacturing heavier and heavier elements, which lead to the stars destruction. Gold, Silver, Nickel and other elements are all created in these stars. The next time you wear your gold chain or ring, just think, it wasn't created here on Earth, but in the death of a super massive nova. Once the star starts to make iron, this is the end. Iron absorbs the energy in a 1000th of a second, robbing it of its remaining fuel until gravity wins and the star collapses. It creates a huge explosion, a supernova and the single most violent event in the universe, spewing everything out into space. Then, the whole process of star formation begins again. If it wasn't for these massive explosions, our Sun wouldn't be here, therefore so wouldn't we.

There is only so much hydrogen in the universe and astronomers believe that eventually, the entire universe will simply run out of the star forming gas and eventually the lights will all go out. Thankfully, we will not be around to see this, nor see the death of our own middle-aged star in about 4.57 billion years. We have a long time to appreciate it and be thankful for its life giving ingredients. To be thankful that its rises, sets and rises again, because without it, it’s goodnight sweetheart smile emoticon

Carbon, Oxygen, Iron in our blood, Everything around us came from the belly of a star. We are in a 'golden age' of the universe. A good time to be here, seeing the best of all stages of the universe, filling the darkness with light. For we are all made of stardust.

~ JM

Image Credit: http://bit.ly/1FnZ8dV

More Info:

Hubble: http://hubblesite.org/

Sun Facts: http://bit.ly/1xqjsaz

NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory:http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Space Weather: http://www.spaceweather.com/

Encyclopaedia Britannica: http://bit.ly/1CiFOPI

Stellar Evolution: http://bit.ly/1BkXinG

#Hubble #star #nebula #telescope #space #solar system #atom #fusion #hydrogen #helium #geochemistry #physics #chemistry #the earth story

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atomicwedgienerd · 6 years ago

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Boyfriend Twins No Longer

Derek was furious. Last night had been his 21st birthday and what should have been a blast had been ruined by all the jerks at that gay bar. “Boyfriend twins!” The taunt rung through his mind. Nobody had ever made fun of him and Arjun before! They didn’t even look that similar. After all, Derek might be tan but he could never be compared to Arjun. Sure they had both been wearing Abercrombie shirts and khakis in nearly the same hue, but lots of people dressed like that! And besides, Derek though their matching sneakers were cute. And yet, when they walked into that one queer bar in town, the hipsters all turned to them and immediately started laughing. The door guy asked if they were clones and the bartender asked if there was a 2-for-1 special at the Abercrombie shop. Like they were so cool just because they had piercings and tattoos! That didn’t make them unique! There were plenty of hipster “boyfriend twins” in that bar and nobody gave them any guff! Regardless, Derek couldn’t stop fixating on it. He hated being criticized by other gays after a lifetime of being mocked by straight people for being different. He glanced over at Arjun as he snoozed, admiring his butt in the matching pair of Andrew Christian briefs that they had actually bought in a 2-for-1 sale. Well damn, thought Derek, maybe we are a little similar. “Are you ok, hun?” Arjun asked, stirring from his sleep. Derek sighed and turned away. “You can’t be upset about the boyfriend twins thing, can you?” Derek harumphed and turned to his lover, unaware that the mystical forces that grant birthday wishes had decided to pay attention to Derek this year. “I just wish we weren’t so similar!” Derek said angrily. A lighting bolt cracked across the sky, scaring both of the boyfriends. “You’re being dramatic,” Arjun sighed as he got up from the bed. “Let me make you some coffee and we can do something fun for your birthday. Arjun headed out to the kitchen, his ass looking great in the jockstrap he was wearing. Wait, that wasn’t right, thought Derek. They had the same pair of underpants! “Arjun!” Derek cried. “What’s up with that jockstrap!?” “Uh duh, it’s what I always wear, bro,” Arjun yelled back from the kitchen. That didn’t seem right to Derek. He looked down at his own lap and noticed that he was now wearing a pair of plain Hanes tighty-whiteys. That definitely wasn’t right. He sat up and leaned over the edge of the bed but something else was wrong. His feet didn’t reach the floor anymore. Derek panicked and stood up. He looked in the mirror and something was off. Where they had both been a solid 5’11” before, Derek couldn’t be more than 5’8” now and he was looking leaner than usual. There was something weird going on with his hair but Derek couldn’t really discern it in the mirror. He grabbed his pair of thick black framed glasses from the end table and threw them on. His hair was paler, more red, than before and seemed to be stuck in a weird center part. This was not the haircut he had gotten a week ago. And wait a minute! Derek didn’t need glasses! He threw them off and the world turned into a total blur. Derek started to panic, breathing heavily and starting to hyperventilate. Arjun reentered the room, or at least Derek thought the blurry shape was Arjun—it seemed taller—and handed Derek a glass of skim milk. “What’s this?” Derek whined, his voice noticeably higher pitched. “Where is my coffee?” “You can’t drink coffee, bro,” Arjun laughed, his voice noticeably deeper. “You’re spastic enough as it is.” Arjun took a deep sip of his coffee. “Give me a sip of your coffee then!” Derek whined. Arjun laughed. “You need to put on your glasses dude.” Derek did as he was told and was shocked as the world came into focus. The Arjun in front of him was different. He was taller for one, at least 6’2” now, and substantially more muscular than he had been before. Whereas Arjun had always been clean shaven, he was now sporting a decent five o’clock shadow. Derek rubbed his face; it was now smooth where before he had been sporting the beginnings of a beard. And then Derek noticed Arjun wasn’t drinking coffee at all. He had a protein shake. “Something isn’t right!” Derek wheezed. Arjun rolled his eyes and handed him an inhaler. “You need to calm down bro. And use your inhaler. You know you’re not supposed to get excited. It’s time for us to get dressed and head to campus anyways.” “But it’s my birthday!” Derek complained, taking three short puffs of the inhaler. “So who cares!?” Arjun laughed. “Get out of my room and go get dressed!” Arjun’s room!? But they had shared a room for six months. Regardless, Derek felt too timid to argue and he shuffled meekly out of the room. Derek headed down the hallway and then noticed his backpack peeking out from their study. He opened the door and was shocked at what he saw. It wasn’t a study any more. It had turned into a bedroom. In the center was a twin sized bed with Pokemon sheets. The walls were decorated with anime posters and cardboard cut outs of Lord of the Rings figures. There was an entire shelf of trophies from Math League, Chess Club, the 24-Hour Coding Challenge, Klingon Karaoke. Whoever had this room was a total dork! And that’s when Derek saw it. A framed picture on the wall of a total dork with Patrick Stewart at a comic convention. The guy looked familiar even though he was wearing thick glasses and the nerdiest clothes Derek had ever seen. He looked closer and gasped. It was HIM. But this wasn’t right! This room belonged to a total dork and Derek wasn’t a geek! He barely even used his computer. And yet this room had a massive desk with multiple computers on them, running World of Warcraft! Derek looked at the picture again and shook his head. This couldn’t be right. He would never dress like this! And yet when Derek opened the closet. all the clothes matched those in the pictures. Plaid button downs, cheap pleated dress slacks, shiny leather shoes. None of it seemed right. “Hurry the fuck up and get dressed!” Arjun yelled from out in the hall. Derek had never heard him yell like that before. That wasn’t the Arjun he knew but something made Derek quiver. He did not want to make Arjun mad! He sighed and started getting dressed. He buttoned up the button down all the way to the top and felt compelled to add a too short black tie. He put on a pair of clashing brown slacks that stopped a couple of inches above his ankle and couldn’t stop himself from attaching a pair of red suspenders that yanked the waist of the pants up above his belly button. All of Derek’s socks were white crew socks now and they clashed with his black patent leather shoes but he could hear Arjun getting impatient so he threw them on in resignation. He was scared to make Arjun mad; something he had never felt before. He looked at himself in the mirror and sighed. He looked like a total dork! He had definitely shrunk too! There was no way he was over 5’2” now. “HURRY UP DWEEB!” Arjun boomed from the living room. Derek grabbed his backpack and meekly shuffled out, his confidence totally eradicated. He gasped when he saw his boyfriend. Arjun towered over him now, standing at a solid 6’6”. Where he had been slightly muscled before, he was now a total meathead, weighing in at 300 lbs of pure muscle. The five o’clock shadow he had moments before was now a beard of epic proportion that came down to mid chest and his hair was up in an unruly and super masculine bun. Arjun’s muscles were massive… unlike anything Derek had ever seen and they were on full display as Arjun was now wearing a muscle tank that said “Give Me Deadlifts or Give Me Death” on it. On his legs, he wore tight black sweats that showed off every bit of muscle in his thighs and his massive calved. His arms were now dotted with tattoos and an 8 gauge septum piercing adorned his nose while double zero gauges rested comfortably in his ears. “S-s-s-since when do you l-l-l-lift weights?” Derek said, now aware that he stuttered. “S-s-s-s-since fucking forever, braceface,” Arjun laughed. Braceface? Why would Arjun call him that? But Derek reached up and touched his mouth and knew the answer. Huge clunky orthodontics were now glued to his teeth and when he caught his reflection in the mirror, he sighed. “You sh-sh-shouldn’t talk to your own boyfriend like that,” Derek implored. This sent Arjun into a series of hearty chortles. “Boyfriend!?” he laughed. “I would never date a dweeb like you, fuckwad. The only reason we live together is that the college said I needed to get my grades up if I wanted to stay on the weightlifting team and well, you’re too much of a fucking pussy to stand up to me when I ask you to do my homework.” Derek tried to argue but found himself getting too nervous. I guess I am too much of a pussy, he thought. “You’re right, Arjun,” Derek complied. Arjun rolled his eyes. “How many times have I told you? It’s AJ, not Arjun. Only my mom calls me Arjun. Now let’s get going.” Arjun grabbed Derek by the waist of his tighty whiteys, effortlessly lifting him up in a painful wedgie and carried him out the door. As they walked to campus, Derek felt all eyes on them. People were swooning over Arjun—er—AJ and pointing and laughing at Derek the whole way. He couldn’t stand it! AJ and Derek couldn’t be more different. That’s when it hit Derek. The wish. HE HAD WISHED FOR THIS. “Th-th-this isn’t what I wanted,” Derek said meekly as they arrived on campus. “Well I didn’t want to have to spend time with the university’s least attractive virgin but here we are,” AJ said as he dumped a bunch of books in Derek’s hands. “I’m going to need all these papers written by Monday so I can stay on the team.” “B-b-b-but-“ “No buts, dork!” AJ yelled as he shoved him towards the library. Derek looked at AJ with tears in his eyes. They had been so close, so in love, and now this was their life. More muscular hunks walked up to AJ as they started heading off to the gym. Derek turned meekly and started shuffling towards the library, his spindly legs giving him an awkward gait. “Hey nerd!” AJ yelled after Derek. “You forgot your student ID!” He flung it at Derek and it hit him right in the forehead, causing a chorus of laughs from AJ’s weightlifting bros. Derek struggled to pick it up from the ground without dropping all his books and gasped at his ID. For a brief moment, it listed the correct information: “Derek Parker, English Comp” before shimmering for a moment and changing. Derek blinked his eyes and looked at it again through this thick coke-bottle glasses. “Derwin Pimpleberg, Computer Science,” he sighed. Derek—make that Derwin—had totally changed, and all because of this stupid birthday wish. He headed into the library wanting to cry. Luckily, Derwin found academic achievement easy, which was great because soon AJ was making him do not only his homework, but also all of AJ’s weightlifting bros’ homework. AJ and his boys would come around on Saturdays and get wasted before heading out leaving Derwin alone to play World of Warcraft all weekend. While AJ would bring home a different stud every night to fuck, Derwin was alone reading fantasy novels and writing World of Warcraft fanfiction. And the noise from AJ’s heavy fucking made Derwin sad. Before the change, Derek and Arjun had had plenty of sex, but Derwin—well that was a different story. He was a virgin and try as he might over the next few decades, no one ever wanted to have sex with him and he remained a virgin forever. Eventually, the now roommates graduated but AJ didn’t want to let Derwin go. Why would he? Derwin was too meek to fight with AJ and would clean up after him, make his protein shakes, and wash his dirty gym clothes for him. Besides, whereas AJ’s degree was useless, Derwin’s computer science degree was a cash cow and Derwin was making tons of money consulting. Of course, AJ had made Derwin sign over all of his bank accounts to him so AJ could focus on professional body building instead of working, meaning that Derwin still had to wear cheap dorky clothes and couldn’t really afford to go out, not that he had any friends he needed to see. A few year later, Derwin had to go to his high school reunion and AJ decided to tag along. All of Derek’s friends were shocked to see that their old buddy was now a total nerd stereotype that went by Derwin but they were all enamored with AJ and joined in on mocking, ridiculing, and beating up Derwin. As his former friends hoisted him up the flagpole so he had to just dangle there in an atomic wedgie, Derwin sighed. He had wished that he and AJ were different and well, it couldn't have come any more true.

#nerdification #nerdtf #gaytf #m2mtf

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thisdayinfavrd · 6 years ago

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January 20, 2009

Wore the same socks two days in a row. In my defense, change comes *tomorrow.* @CcSteff (Stephanie) – 64

I'm more confident than ever that Obama is going to win the Democratic nomination over Hillary. @gruber (John Gruber) – 48

How do you undo the stitches in a Canadian flag backpack patch? @nick (Nick Douglas) – 46

"NON-BELIEVERS"! Hey, we got a mention, you guys! @Moltz (Moltz) – 43

Having a piece of chocolate cake to celebrate. It's not a race thing, I just like chocolate cake better. Also: kill Whitey. @tj (Fun Size Bytes) – 43

Obama's speechwriter enjoys a quiet smoke on his hotel balcony. Inside, five busty Poli Sci majors impatiently await his stirring finale. @fireland (Joshua Allen) – 43

CONFIRMED: Obama to announce the MacTablet tomorrow. @nevenmrgan (Neven Mrgan) – 40

Shakes Bush's hand, leans in whispers "See you at The Hague, asshole." @Mike_FTW (Mike Monteiro) – 40

So, I'm sorry, I must have missed this. They start sending us checks from all the money they take from the rich when? Tomorrow, or...? @Moltz (Moltz) – 40

If Obama looks uncharacteristically somber, it's because Bush handed him a last-minute memo. "Dear Barack: You are a stupid." @nick (Nick Douglas) – 38

I can only hope next month's transition to digital television will be just as peaceful. @badbanana (Tim Siedell) – 37

Love how every fricking thing he's saying is "I'm totally going to undo the last 8 years" with Bush right there. @Moltz (Moltz) – 35

Just called my Mom and screamed "OMG! You were TOTALLY right!! He's a Muslim and they're in charge now!!" The thud I heard meant she got it. @Mike_FTW (Mike Monteiro) – 34

Cheney's in a wheelchair. This day just keeps getting better and better. @gruber (John Gruber) – 33

I wish Strom Thurmond was still alive for this day. @Mike_FTW (Mike Monteiro) – 33

I'm not a non-believer. I believe in intelligence, experience, competence and good leadership. Just not that wizards and magic stuff. @Mike_FTW (Mike Monteiro) – 32

Excited? You should be. Take it all in. Someday you'll tell your grandchildren about the day Max Payne came out on DVD. @joeschmitt (Joe Schmitt) – 31

SCIENCE. FUCK YEAH! @CcSteff (Stephanie) – 31

Claiming christianity contradicts islam is like saying Bigfoot contradicts the Loch Ness Monster. @jkubicek (Jim) – 30

My 5 yo just asked if Dick Cheney was George Washington. I said that Washington was dead & he said, "Well that guy looks kind of dead." @hoosiergirl (hoosiergirl) – 29

#favrd is down

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jasonmcgathey · 6 years ago

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Ohio State Pizza

A pie is on the way, I’m told, from Ohio State Pizza, which has emerged after all these months as my and Alan’s clear cut favorite. Damon doesn’t much care, because nine times out of ten he’s only interested in the crust. We consider him crazy, but many a night Alan and I will come home, or awaken, to find an entire pizza crammed into our fridge, with the exception that its entire outlying crust is gone. Damon always instructs us to eat the rest if confronted with this, that he never will. And so by process of elimination, and discarding my lone Gumby’s experience, which, aside from an easily recalled phone number (29GUMBY) and their virtual around the clock delivery policy, has little to recommend itself, Ohio State Pizza receives this couch cushion change jangling so loudly in our pockets.

At the northeastern cusp of campus housing, the corner of Hudson and Indianola, Ohio State Pizza functions in an unassuming bandbox about as big as a can of tomato paste. Family owned, family managed, enabling the modest perks and quirks that set it apart. The driver always shows up wearing no shirt, no shoes, jeans slung low enough around the waist to broadcast a good three inches of his tighty whitey underwear. So out of step, our first few times ordering from these cats we assume it’s the same dude showing up, but then we notice that all the drivers have adopted this curious dress code, leading us to rename the establishment Redneck Pizza in their honor. On exactly one occasion we swing through for pick up, but after watching the admittedly mind boggling swift crew dance around one another on autopilot as they throw every food safety precaution aside without a thought, it occurs to us that the inner workings of some machines are best left to the imagination. And anyway, though these wheels are certainly mighty tasty, the main thrust of our infatuation had been from day one that they deliver beer and cigarettes, too, and that no matter how many young girls cavort around inside your apartment as you call, in the background as you accept and pay they never, under any circumstances, ask for ID.

Always, the delivery man’s interruption. The contemporary shirtless lowriding jeans specimen from Ohio State Pizza slams on the brakes curbside and hurdles across the lawn, appeasing our laziness with another extra large oven offering. Sliced in the old fashioned spoke style few companies fool with anymore, another bonus. Having already narrowed down our preferred establishments to two, some insider Gumby’s information Jeremy passed along the other night, gleaned from a mutual friend of ours named Steve who works there, officially knocks them from contention as well. Roaches the size of pepperoni, he says.

The post Ohio State Pizza appeared first on Love Letter To Columbus.

from WordPress https://lovelettertocolumbus.com/ohio-state-pizza/

#campus #Clintonville #restaurants #Ohio State Pizza #pizza

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oaesiir-beloved-of-heaven · 6 years ago

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NEWER DISCLAIMER: While working on my blog about lawn-mowing I discovered this old thing. I was pretty proud of it at the time and thought it gone for good. I decided to go ahead and post it with a few edits to replace my older more problematic and ignorant viewpoints with ones that more closely reflect reality and my now more liberal viewpoints. DISCLAIMER: I wrote this for a Facebook group I was talking to people in who were predominantly National Socialists. The kind who think Hitler did nothing wrong. So if my words seem directed at such a kind of people, don't think I'm talking to you the reader specifically. It's intended as a story to illustrate the flaws in their position and how the whole "We Must Suppress X Minority Group Based on Race and Conspiracy Theories!" is a self-fulfilling prophecy which perpetuates an endless cycle of instability. I was writing this on a Friday night and had plans to go out. As it got time for me to leave, I saved the document and left. But I came back to find I'd been banned from the group. I didn't want all that work to go to waste however. So, here it is.

I'm going to tell you all a little story. I'll come back later to see what you all have to say to it. But I have more important things to do tonight. But for now I'm going to leave you all with a parable to consider. If you want to become more well-read on the subject you are all welcome to do so.

The Parable of Visigothic Spain.

In the region we now know as Spain, Jews and Christians lived side by side without any qualms under the Roman Empire. There were absolutely zero instances of ethnic or religious-based violence between the two groups.

Then the Visigoths showed up.

Like most Barbarian groups they were leaving Northern Europe as a mini Ice Age gripped those regions, rendering harvests and food supplies nonexistent. The Visigoths eventually settled in the regions now known as Spain and Southern France.

Eventually the Visigoths in Spain adopted Christianity, even though it was Arianism. Their formal entrance into the Catholic Religion would not come until much later.

Even after their formal merge with Rome, the Iberian Church had a very basic knowledge of Christianity. Mostly derived from oral tradition and the Bible.

In the Bible, it's pretty clearly laid out after the Gospels in the New Testament that the first persecutors of Christianity were the Jews. In spite of this, however, very little in the way of what we might recognize as "Antisemitism" appears in the Biblical texts. In Rome at this time, documents like "Sicut Judicaeris" outlined civil rights for Jews. Saint Augustine said Jews were to be valued, not exterminated, as an important part of Christian history and a valuable asset for the preservation of the Old Testament, its history, and an understanding of it.

But the Visigoths themselves were very cut off from Rome and just emerging from Barbarism. As such, Tribalism governed much of their policy. "Us vs. Them," if you will. So even though they found themselves rulers of a multiethnic and multicultural area of the world, they continued their policies largely as though they were governing only Visigoths.

Couple this with their primitive understanding of Christianity, and we have one of the first appearances of Antisemitism in a Catholic government.

Without explanation, context, or reason Visigothic synods and kings were passing laws to suppress Jews. But apparently even though they had never been before, the Jews were a threat to civil order as a whole and had to be suppressed, oppressed, and controlled.

Flash forward a few hundred years to the Moorish Invasion of Iberia; no one knows precisely why the Moors invaded. Various theories are tossed about, from Eastern versus Western understandings of Feudal sovereignty to an over-sized colonization force to a simple series of raids that got bogged down and accidentally built a civilization. One theory rapidly gaining ground is that the Moors were invited by a deposed Castilan king. However a lack of written record from the time period concerning the motivations and plots of the parties involved in the invasion leaves room of speculation. Most Iberian Catholics simply saw it as an invasion to conquer and destroy their Christian civilization.

At this specific instance in history, the Catholics in the region were oppressive toward Jews and the Caliphate of the Moors from North Africa was somewhat tolerant for the moment. Both these factors had little to do with religion and more to do with the present leadership; any student of Islam can say the religion doesn’t have a track record for treating Jews that is dissimilar from Catholicism.

The result is that the Jews welcomed the Moors. They helped them in their conquests. For no other reason than they wanted more freedom than what the Catholics offered.

So it was for most of the period we all know as the Reconquista. The Jews helped the Moors; there were exceptions I feel I should note. Many Catholic rulers, knowing the Faith better and seeing how the Caliphate was turning against Jews (the "Sephardic Golden Age" didn't last very long) became more lenient towards them and treated them much the same as they did Muslims who did not oppose them. They did what was best for their realms and their people; ideology was secondary to that. The only overarching thing that - mostly - guided Catholic rulers was Catholicism.

So let's fast forward to the Post-Reconquista. The Moors have been pushed out, but many Muslims and Jews remain in the southern regions of Spain. But not just Muslims and Jews; Muslims and Jews with a real stake in the Caliphate. Money is involved now.

But there's something else at play; most of those who fought in the Reconquista don't know much about the Visigothic Period. Their only experience with Jews is with them as traitors and friends of their oppressors. They don't know much about the Who's and Why's of the Visigoth Antisemitic Laws, because there's little to no way for them to know. Even then, that doesn't matter; it doesn't reflect the present reality.

So the Spaniards see the Jews as traitors and a subversive element; they don't know anything else. The Jews don't particularly care at this point about reconciliation; they have a larger stake in helping the Moors at this point. The unified Spain is a young entity; can it truly survive? Already Jewish forces were establishing contacts with the Moors. If another invasion was tried, they would certainly help. Figures in local government were still Jewish and/or Muslim.

So the Expulsion of the Moriscoes takes place, and the rest is history.

But what's the point of this story?

I'm going to make a bet that most people on /pol/ are in favor of the "Final Solution" to the "Jewish Question." That most of you don't like Jews just on principle.

My question is: why? Because of some unfounded theories and suppositions? For all you know, that Jew you know who is your neighbor has no problem with you. Or he wouldn't if you didn't hang a fucking Swastika in your window. He doesn't want your rights subverted anymore than you do.

He probably doesn't feel any special connection with his Jewish history beyond the superficial.

But I'll bet that if you and a bunch of "Daily Stormer" reading-buddies got together, starting cosplaying as Nazis, and having your own Kristalnacht in your neighborhood, very quickly those who find themselves targeted by you would unify against you.

Because human nature is funny like that, with how it reacts to adversity and oppression. When you attack a large group of people as a whole, they unite.

If a whole bunch of Black Panthers went on the warpath where you live looking to kill Whitey, I'll bet you and all your buddies would rally really quickly. I bet lots of White People would join you or hide behind you if only for their own survival.

This is how human nature works and why racial prejudice is self-defeating. It is always a self-fulfilling prophecy. One race persecute another, it resists, and the oppressor shouts, "SEE!? They were against us all along!"

Except any other ethnicity would do -the exact same thing-.

I've heard South Africa is a pretty bad place to live for a White Man now. I'll admit, I don't know much about the whole affair. But let's say it is.

Let's suppose the Whites in South Africa are in a position identical to the Jews in Visigothic Spain. For added sting, let's assume South Africans are predominantly Muslim and the Whites are Christian.

Now let's assume a foreign Christian power invaded South Africa for whatever reason. Let's assume they didn't successfully conquer all of it.

Every White Supremacist would cheer and support every act of terrorism, every bit of mob action, every racist scree, every act and word written to undermine the native Black South African government. Let's assume Black South Africans win the war and reunify the country under a Black Muslim government. In spite of the fact the Whites were openly seditious, you would decry any attempt by the government to control a clearly traitorous group. Because they're White, so you have to help them, and that's all that matters.

This is why Racial Supremacy is a farce. This is why canards spread about Jewish supremacy are self-fulfilling prophecies. It's barbaric tribalism that is doomed to keep the world and all its States ever-shrinking and ever-unstable and ever-warring.

We have to better than that. We must.

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citizenscreen · 6 years ago

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Kimberly Truhler is a Film and Fashion Historian who has been an expert for entities including TCM, the BBC, the National Film Registry, Christie’s, and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) and was recently featured in CNN’s docu-series American Style. You can delve into the history of fashion in film on her site GlamAmor.com. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to ask Kimberly a few questions about that subject and the upcoming Oscars. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did putting it together.

◊

A: What classic female actors have had the biggest impact on fashion?

K: I think it’s pretty easy to say that actresses like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly are style icons who everyone knows, even those not familiar with classic film.

A: What role did the studio system play in the impact of fashion, which was created by incredibly talented designers, who were also just hired hands?

K: Well, each studio had a head costume designer as well as other designers who worked on the productions. MGM had around 150 people working in the costume design department alone. The head costume designers generally came from the fashion industry. Howard Greer and Travis Banton (both head of costume design at Paramount), Robert Kalloch and Jean Louis (Columbia), and Vera West (Universal) all came from couturiers. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, the movies were the biggest influence on mainstream style, so what you saw onscreen became what women would wear in real life.

A: Today all you hear on the Red Carpet is “I’m wearing this or I’m wearing that.” I would think the old Hollywood studios wanted classic stars to pretend to be themselves, make audiences think that they made their own choices. Was that the case? Did designers get the credit in public that they deserved?

K: Crediting designers on the red carpet is a relatively new thing. During the Golden Age, the studio costume designers would also create gowns for the red carpet. It was more about people identifying with a star’s overall style -both on and offscreen – than it was identifying individual designers. The designers were there to support the studios and the stars. They were creating an illusion, a fantasy. That said, certain designers like Adrian had a style signature and people would become familiar with his work on the MGM stars.

A: How much free rein did old Hollywood designers have during the studio system?

K: There was no such thing as free rein. The approval process at the studios – production designers, directors, producers, studio heads – was intense. Of course the stars would always weigh in as well. And then there was the Production Code that was in effect, and costume designers had to work with (and often around) those rules. Often designs had to be pre-approved by those who enforced the Code, and they had the power to veto designs even when studios were in the midst of filming.

A: There were times in our country’s history that influenced Hollywood fashion immensely. The Great Depression and WWII come to mind. Yet, while many actors are political today, I don’t think politics – or where the country is – influences fashion in the same way. Why do you think that is?

K: The impact of the Great Depression and WWII on fashion wasn’t really about politics. During the Great Depression, Hollywood became a place of escape for the country – both in the aspirational visuals and theaters were a physical place to escape to. Costumes onscreen were pure fantasy, such as those on Ginger Rogers in her films with Fred Astaire. WWII was a time where the country all came together to support the war effort. It also was a time when fabric was rationed for everyone, so Hollywood costume designers tried to be conscious of this. There was a combination of designs that worked for every woman – the popularity of pencil skirts are a prime example of the impact of rationing on design – as well as continuing some aspirational glamour for 1940s audiences.

A: Beginning in the 1920s, if you had to choose one fashion trendsetter by decade, who would they be?

K: Wow. That’s almost impossible to answer. I’ll just toss out a few names as examples of actresses who really impacted style, but this is far from a complete list. The 1920s was really like two decades in one – the early 20s and late 20s. Early 20s – Gloria Swanson. Late 20s – Clara Bow. 1930s – Joan Crawford. 1940s – Katharine Hepburn. 1950s – Marilyn Monroe. 1960s – Audrey Hepburn. 1970s – Ali MacGraw.

A: Even a non-fashionista like me recognizes Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Doris Day as style icons. Who would you say is not talked about as one, but influenced fashion nonetheless?

K: Well, someone who is way under the radar is Kay Francis. She’s not a ‘name’ that’s known today, but her style can still be seen in fashion.

Kay Francis by Ray Jones (Universal, 1941)

A: Marilyn Monroe. What can you tell me about her style and influence?

K: Marilyn’s star really began to rise in 1953 when she did 3 films – NIAGARA, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, and HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE. The last two were examples of her partnership with costume designer William Travilla. Marilyn had an incredible figure (obviously) so he really highlighted that. But he did so without revealing too much. As an example, you’ll notice her “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” gown only really reveals her shoulders. The 1950s was known for very feminine style (in contrast to the more austere 1940s) and celebrated an hourglass figure, and Marilyn was a perfect model of that. In addition to working with Travilla, she also worked with her makeup artist Allan “Whitey” Snyder who created that iconic look of hers that we all know today. Of course she was also just naturally gorgeous – she never took a bad photo – and had a vulnerability about her that made her appeal to both men and women.

A: Who would you say is the most influential classic male actor in fashion?

K: Cary Grant.

A: I’ve been lucky to attend several of your fashion presentations both online and in person. You’ve mentioned the sad lives and or endings of several of the classic Hollywood designers. Why do you think that was the case?

K: Well each was an individual case, of course. But working in the studio system was intense. I already mentioned the extreme approval process they went through, and this could be really difficult for any designers who may have enjoyed a bit more autonomy designing in the fashion industry. Also the high number of movies that would be in production at any given time – it was a lot of work and all of it was high pressure.

A: You also mention the measurements or sizes of the classic actors as you discuss the history of fashion in film. In fact, I’ll recommend that people visit your GlamAmor.com for those great measurement charts you’ve created. But for today, explain how an actor’s size or shape influenced fashion back in the day and whose “size” would surprise us most?

K: That’s a slightly complicated question. I think we’re talking about two different things – height and measurements. Each era certainly had a silhouette that was popular. The 1930s liked a more lean figure whereas the 1950s wanted a more voluptuous woman. I think it’s the women’s heights that surprise people the most. The petite Veronica Lake at 4’11” or Joan Crawford at around 5′. Then there are the taller actresses – someone like Kay Francis who was 5’9″. What was incredible is that the costume designers (and the production teams) made these actresses all seem like they’re around the same height. But I’ll make a blanket statement – all these women were small as far as their figures go. It’s Hollywood. They like actresses thin. When you see their costumes in person, you realize just how small they were.

A: In your view, what is the most memorable actor-designer pairing in Hollywood history?

K: I’m going to name a few. Adrian-Joan Crawford. Travis Banton-Marlene Dietrich. Travilla-Marilyn Monroe. Hubert de Givenchy (also fashion designer, of course)-Audrey Hepburn. Edith Head-Grace Kelly.

A: Is there a comparable pairing today?

K: Not really, no.

A: What is your favorite decade in fashion?

K: I wear a lot of vintage and I really love the late 1950s-early 1960s.

A: What classic films would you recommend to a student of fashion?

K: When I taught THE HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM at Woodbury University, it was based on my list of The Style Essentials. These are 50 films with iconic costume design that impacted fashion at the time they premiered and continue to influence fashion today. I invite people to visit my site to see the list.

A: As you know, the Academy Awards began as a small, intimate affair. I don’t think fashion was high on people’s minds when they reported the winners. When did fashion catch up to the winners in the news cycle?

K: It took a bit of time. It evolved through the 1930s. As soon as there was real publicity involved, and then you had the public lining up to see their favorite stars as they entered the event, fashion became very important.

A: You usually mention current award fashions referencing classic influences in your presentations and on social media. What classic Hollywood designer has been the most influential in recent years? And…What current designer has been most influenced by classic Hollywood?

K: It’s hard to narrow down current designers who are influenced by classic Hollywood because as my work shows, most of them are. That’s why I started teaching fashion students – the designers they looked up to were drawing inspiration from Hollywood costume designers and certain films. Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Zac Posen, Jenny Packham, Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab, Vera Wang, Giorgio Armani… the list goes on and on.

A: What current actor is most reminiscent of the classic period in her fashion choices?

K: Reese Witherspoon, Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, and Charlize Theron often include some reference to Old Hollywood with their choices. That said, stylists are trying more and more to put their own touch on Oscar ensembles.

A: Your favorite Oscars look of all time is?

K: There have been a few. I’ll start with one from a classic film star – I loved Elizabeth Taylor in violet Edith Head in 1970. There have been some winners in recent history as well. Renee Zellweger in yellow vintage Jean Dessès in 2001. Charlize Theron in golden Gucci in 2004 and orange Vera Wang in 2000. Sharon Stone in a men’s white shirt and lavender Vera Wang skirt in 1998. Lupita Nyong’o in pale blue Prada in 2014. Of course Nicole Kidman’s chartreuse John Galliano in 1997 was a huge transitional moment for both her career and the modern Oscars red carpet.

A: Finally, what should the classically-inclined Oscars viewer look for on this year’s red carpet to recognize classic influences?

K: Honestly the entirety of the Oscars red carpet owes itself to Old Hollywood. The classic costume designers really created the template of what glamour looks like, so modern fashion designers and stylists turn to it again and again and again for inspiration.

A big THANK YOU to Kimberly for taking the time to do this. You can watch her on CNN in the recent docu-series, American Style. Those of you planning to attend this year’s TCMFF should make it a point to attend the Fashion in Film of TCMFF 2019 presentation given by Kimberly at the Women’s Club of Hollywood. For the latest news about fashion in the classic world follow Kimberly on Facebook here, on Twitter and Instagram @GlamAmor, and visit GlamAmor.com for details on her latest appearances and presentations. One will be her accompaniment of an upcoming Pre-Code series at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The specifics on dates are forthcoming.

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This is my entry to the 31 Days of Oscar Blogathon hosted by Kellee Pratt at Outspoken & Freckled, Paula Guthat at Paula’s Cinema Club, and yours truly. The event takes place on February 22, 23, and 24. Lots of fun is in store. Also, be sure to watch TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar festival, which is in full swing.

Interview: Kimberly Truhler on Fashion History, Hollywood, and the Oscars Kimberly Truhler is a Film and Fashion Historian who has been an expert for entities including TCM, the BBC, the National Film Registry, Christie's, and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) and was recently featured in CNN's docu-series American Style.

#Classic Hollywood Fashion #Oscar Fashion

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