#also probably going to remove the end of 2022 deadline for this project because it’s literally may lol

[ao3readingproject]

All the Young Dudes — The End: Processing

The first fic I’m reading on my mission to read the top 10 fics on Ao3 in 2022. See a masterpost of all my chapter commentary here. Thoughts on the final section below the cut!

Well. I finally finished this. I’m going to talk more about Grant later, but right now I’m just going to dump my feelings. Actually I’m not because I realized after typing that last sentence that I don’t have any words. I think I just need to lie down for a while. I’m mostly just glad that I realized with four chapters to the end that this ends at the beginning of OotP and not the end. Which would have been obvious from the chapter titles if I knew how to do math. But that doesn’t matter now because what’s really important is that I did not have to experience the last 100 pages of OotP from a fresh new hellish perspective.

I think I’m going to use this space to wrap this into my broader project of fic reading since the ending didn’t leave me with many coherent thoughts about the actual content of the fic. Harry Potter seems to be an outlier in terms of fic in a lot of ways, in that a huge chunk of the fic written for it isn’t actually about the main characters. Wolfstar is the second most popular Harry Potter ship on Ao3, which is both surprising and completely unsurprising. Unsurprising because I’ve been on the periphery of Harry Potter fandom spaces for well over a decade now and I know how loved the Mauraders are, but surprising because I can’t think of a single other fandom where side characters in a completely different generation are this prominent. Especially since I wouldn’t say they get any more or less characterization than the parents of characters in a lot of other hugely popular fandoms. My completely uncited hypothesis is that these characters gained popularity because it can be so easily be read as a queer narrative, while many others in other fandoms can’t — at least not without some more liberal bending of canon. To me it makes sense, since fandom tends to be a queer space.

Overall, it seems fitting that this was the first fic I had to read for this project. Harry Potter was my introduction to fandom, so I kind of like that it’s also my introduction to this weird exploration of potentially unhinged content that I’ve started. Next I have my introduction to rpf, which I’m not too thrilled about, but I am excited at the prospect of truly consuming a fic like a book, so stay tuned!

[markjoeckel]

BizTalk Radio’s Arlington On Tap Notes For April 18th, 2017 By O.K. Carter

Yes fellow Americans, it is TAX day. Midnight, TONIGHT is the from whom the feds toll deadline. IRS should give me a parade since I actually filed yesterday instead of piecing together a last minute extension – it’s form 4868 if you need to go on line to get one. Just keep in mind that you’re also supposed to include what you think you owe and if you come up short there will be a little penalty. Or not so little if you fibbed a lot. By the way, if you were hoping for tax relief from President Trump, his Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin now says getting tax reform legislation Trump by August is unlikely. Mnuchin (love that name) said the August timeline is “highly aggressive to not realistic at this point.” Now he says it’ll be this year anyway, only by year end – don’t take any bets on that. By the way, America needs your tax dollars because according to the IRS, 45 percent of Americans pay no income tax whatsoever.

TWO INCHES of rain at my house yesterday, no surprise this being spring storm season. 

Bet you didn’t know you can  purchase certain supplies tax-free during the Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday, April 22-24 – this Saturday through Monday. There’s no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase. These include: Batteries (the kind for your flashlight, not your boat), fuel containers, first aid kits, mobile telephone batteries, mobile telephone chargers, and flashlights priced at less than $75; hurricane shutters and emergency ladders priced at less than $300; and portable generators priced at less than $3,000.

The Arlington Council passed a toughened smoking ordinance last week 6-3, leaving bingo halls alone but eliminating smoking from most other places…sexually oriented businesses (if you still find one here in Puritan City), pool halls and bars. It’s still not law because it has to pass a second reading next Tuesday, which is normally easy…but not this time. Arlington Republican Club has chimed in saying its members voted almost two to one against the tougher standards. The electronic vapor smoking biz has suddenly gotten alarmed, and the bar owners are organizing. Long story made shorter, expect quite a crowd at City Hall next Tuesday asking the council to remove the item from what’s called a consent agenda and reconsider it. Everybody involved is being lobbied…more proof that no matter what happens in the world, somebody’s ox gets gored. Other than that, not much attention is being paid to other politics, whether it’s city council elections or a couple of Propositions asking voters to fund a new senior citizen center and to set up a civil service system for firefighters. Star-Telegram editorial endorsements are out…early voting April 24, election May 6…

The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recommends Jeff Williams for mayor, Kathryn Wilemon for District 4, Lana Wolff for District 5 and Michael Glaspie for District 8. District 3 (think Southeast Arlington) Robert Rivera not running for re-election, so four people vying for the job…leaders seem to be Roxanne Thalma, Marvin Sutton. Roxanne Thalman gets S-T nod.

Tarrant County College Trustee.. One of the few trustees with an even longer career in public education, Diane Patrick of Arlington, is running for re-election to District 3. Patrick has served more than 25 years as an elected official on every level of the education system, including the Arlington school board, the State Board of Education and the Texas House, where she served on education committees.  Challenger Sean Hayward of Arlington is a consultant who wants trustees to campaign more actively on behalf of public education. He should be encouraged to continue his advocacy. The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recommends Diane Patrick in Tarrant County College District 3.

Proposition 2 on the May 6 ballot is aimed at creating a system for firefighter personnel that would keep political pressure out of the firefighter hiring and promotion processes. S-T says if  Proposition 2 is approved, an extra layer of bureaucracy — a local civil service commission — would be added to oversee those processes.

Fairness and lack of “politics” in the fire department’s personnel office need to be a priority to Arlington firefighters and the residents they serve, but a new level of bureaucracy isn’t the best way to handle it. Arlington voters shot down civil service twice before. The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recommends a vote against Proposition 2.

Prop 1. $45 million adult learning center i.e. Senior Center. As welcome as the center is, mobility to and from it remains a concern. The chosen site is on the west side of Arlington, across the street from the fire department’s training center. Since Arlington doesn’t have public transit, this location could be difficult for many residents to reach. District 4 council member Kathryn Wilemon says the site is “near perfect.” Lake Arlington is close by, new “empty nester” homes are being built nearby, and the center is off one of the most accessible streets, Green Oaks Boulevard. The center is scheduled to be completed in 2022, so that gives the city some time to think more about transportation issues. Moving ahead with a high-end senior center is worth the possible mobility headaches the S-T says.  The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recommends a vote for Proposition 1 in Arlington.

Home prices in Arlington…been saying for years homes in Arlington an astonishing bargain…maybe no more. The competition for available homes has driven up median home prices. There’s less than a two month supply, the norm being five or six months. In Tarrant County, the median price is now $210,000, a 15.4 percent increase from a year ago, according to the Arlington Board of Realtors and Texas A&M. In Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, the median price has jumped 13.5 percent to $244,000. In Arlington alone, the median climbed to $195,500, up 18.5 percent.

After the economy crashed in 2007 and 2008, companies that specialized in building the type of moderately priced houses bought by first-time homebuyers and others went out of business…some haven’t returned. On a semi-related topic…. Development Corporation of Tarrant County (DCTC) has partnered with the City of Arlington to increase homeownership by constructing quality, affordable single-family workforce homes. Since 2011, 10 such homes have been constructed through the partnership. That’s a drop in the proverbial bucket but every little bit helps. As part of National Community Development Week, DCTC will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 20 to showcase three of its newly built houses in Arlington. All three of the houses are within walking distance of each other. The following locations will be showcased: 1100 and 1102 Sanford Street 401 Orange Street

Maybe you don’t want a single family residence? Pretty soon you can check out The chocolate-brown complex on Lamar Boulevard north of Interstate 30 (between Cooper and Collins near Rolling Hills Golf Club)  that’s been taking shape for about a year. The four-story structure occupies land that once was home to three blighted apartment complexes built in the 1970s. It’s the first phase of the Arlington Commons, an upscale apartment complex that will be marketed to young urban professionals…i.e. millennials who often prefer lifestyles not requiring a lawnmower.  It will feature big balconies and a roughly 450-space parking garage that the apartment building wraps around, almost hiding it from view. It will provide close parking spaces for tenants on the upper levels. Lots of downsizing seniors also seem to be interested. Pre-leasing starts in May, with the first occupancy in August. Where is it: 425 E. Lamar Blvd., on the north side of Lamar, between Ryan Plaza and Van Buren drives. The $50 million first phase sits on 5.6 acres of the 24-acre site. The four-phase, $200 million project would be built over the next 10 years with at least the originally planned 1,328 units---year that’s a lot of units. School district probably going nuts about it.

The chamber of commerce small business winners have been announced. Get their awards at a Chamber event in May. FOR-PROFIT CATEGORY Stripe-A-Zone Inc. – Founded in 1950, Stripe-A-Zone is one of the nation’s premier pavement marking companies. In 2016, Stripe-A-Zone was recognized as a Top Contractor in their industry and has received similar accolades through various other professional organizations. The company is deeply involved in community endeavors – the Chamber Board, Arlington Rotary, Arlington library, Boys & Girls Club, AISD Education Foundation, Crossroads Christian Church, Women in Philanthropy, Salvation Army and other entities. Sutton Frost Cary LLP (SFC) – SFC provides tax and assurance and consulting services to various industries. SFC has more than 45 employees, including eight partners and 23 CPAs contributing to their record growth. SFC and staffers are involved in the Chamber (and Young Professionals), Rotary, United Way, YMCA of Arlington, Leadership Arlington, UTA Accounting Alumni Association, Dental Health for Arlington and others. Beyond involvement, the firm contributes to numerous entities like SafeHaven, Boys & Girls Club, Theatre Arlington, Patriot Dogs, Levitt Pavilion and many more.

NONPROFIT CATEGORY

Arlington ISD Education Foundation – the Arlington Independent School District Education Foundation serves the students, teachers and staff of the AISD in Arlington and adjacent communities within the school district by fulfilling extraordinary education needs and initiatives not financed by the district or state funding. Through collaborative efforts, the Foundation has shown growth in volunteer support, fundraising initiatives, grants distributed for classroom instruction, diversity and increasing support to economically disadvantaged children.

VETERAN-OWNED CATEGORY Jim Ross Law Group, P.C. – the Jim Ross Law Group is a general practice litigation law firm based in Arlington. Jim Ross is a veteran having served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. Staff member are  active in the Arlington Police Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, Special Olympics, Salvation Army, Arlington Public Library, Theatre Arlington, Junior League of Arlington and many other programs.

Internet access just too expensive? Arlington residents may be eligible for low-cost, high-speed internet through Charter’s new Spectrum Internet Assist (SIA) program. How would you know if eligible? If already a recipient of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) free or reduced lunch, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) age 65 and older only Charter is offering the fastest internet speeds (30/4 Mbps) at a $14.99 per month rate for qualified customers in an effort to make broadband more affordable for low-income families and seniors. A recent Federal Communication Commission report on broadband access found that 34 million Americans lack access to high-speed broadband in the home. About 5 million families with school-aged children in the United States don’t have access in the home.

Writer and Pundit Donna Darovich to wrap up Arlington on Tap season Humorist, satirist and author Donna Darovich will close out the current Arlington on Tap downtown happy hour and lecture series with a nostalgic and funny recollection: The Life and Times of the Old-Time Fabulous Arlington Citizen-Journal.

Save the date: May 9, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Maverick’s Bar and Grill, 601 E. Main St. “Before the world of social media and before the C-J was essentially blended into what is now the Arlington Star-Telegram, the Citizen-Journal dominated the role of informational gate keeper for what was important – or not – in suburban boomtown Arlington,” said Darovich. “The paper had a terrific run from 1897 until the 1990s.” Darovich adds, “Along the way the paper spawned a number of local legends with editors and publishers serving as everything from mayor to president of the chamber of commerce – and no they didn’t quite buy into the tradition of impartial journalistic observation. Some were what we’d call homers. They were also fabulous if eccentric story tellers and great stories in themselves.”

“Darovich knows of which she speaks,” said Mark Joeckel, co-host founder of Arlington on Tap with O.K. Carter – himself a former C-J editor. “She broke the proverbial glass ceiling by being the first female city editor of the C-J. Along the way she won more than a hundred state and national awards for writing – typically in features and columns – and was recently inducted into the Texas Intercollegiate Press Hall of Fame. One of the great honors a UT Arlington journalism student can achieve today is winning the Donna Darovich Scholarship.”