#amil smith

[dalliansss]

Ahhhh

Curufinrod and you still want me ? After all the grief and trouble I’ve caused you ?

→ 𝑫𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑬𝑹𝑶𝑼𝑺𝑳𝒀 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹𝑺. 

Many years ago, in. Nargothrond, when things had gone down badly between Finrod and Telperinquar -- Telperinquar had confronted him, Finrod, about the how and the why of his illicit relationship with Curufinwë. It had been a subtle, quiet confrontation. Telperinquar had inherited the softer art of subtlety from Helwë his mother. It had been one of the softest confrontations Finrod had ever faced. Tyelpe had asked to see him one rainy evening, and he'd welcomed him to his private audience chambers, but this time, Tyelpe had not sat down. Tyelpe stood there, hands clenched into fists, a most heartbroken and betrayed expression on his young face. And he'd asked... why? Why would you destroy my family? Why did you this? My Atar will go back to my Amil. This separation is temporary. This is not forever. Their fëar are bonded forever. For as long as Arda exists. Why did you do this, Finrod? Are you so greedy that everyone must love you, and despair?

Finrod remembered very well how he could only offer Telperinquar silence for a few minutes. Then, like the typical villain in these kinds of stories, he'd given also a very typical answer: because I love Curufinwë, and I will not be denied mine heart desire.

You're betrothed! Telperinquar had cried out. You're betrothed in Aman, you have Lady Amarië -- why would you--

And Telperinquar called him cruel. All in hushed words, the look of betrayal never leaving his eyes, and Finrod knew that he too, had a hand as to why Tyelpe disowned his father, and his family.

~

The log in the fireplace crackles. Here in Aman, Finrod is the High King's heir. No longer is he the son of the third son, renowned only for his unusual bloodline, because of the words of Manwë pronounced during his birth. Here, he stands to be on the bloody throne where his grandfather sat, where his uncles sat, where his cousins sat. And they all died over it, in Beleriand.

But, some heir of the High King he is. Here he is, residing far from Tirion, having absconded in the middle of the night, unable to stand the pretense and the expectation to have him pick up his life where he left off. As if thousands of years had not passed. As if Beleriand had not unraveled him completely, turning him into someone else. As if the taste of freedom on the Hither Lands had not changed his heart irrevocably. As if his deeds would ever be acceptable for the throne in Aman -- this land he cannot now leave, and where he shall choke in the hypocrisy and misunderstanding of everybody who never left.

Curufinwë sits before him. He has an emptied pint of ale in his rough smith's hands, and his lovely silver eyes are watching the log crackling in the fire. Finrod, in turn, is leaning back on his seat, his own elegant fingers steepled and resting on his middle. His own eyes watches Curufinwë.

"And you still want me?" Finrod asks. "After all the grief and trouble I caused you?"

Ah yes. In Beleriand he had been both magnanimous, kind, noble and brave. Yet beneath it, carefully concealed by his blinding radiance, Finrod had been exceedingly cruel, and vicious and covetous and unstoppable. Flouting bonds and burning bridges left and right. Those that remained in Aman cannot reach him. Amarië and Helwë could not reach them, no matter how hard they tried. He and Curufin had freedom.

"I should be asking you that question, Ingoldo," says Curufinwë, now turning to him. "But there are few acts in Beleriand which give me pride but I refuse to be ashamed of finding you.”

The log in the fire crackles sharply as they regard each other in quiet.

"How did you die?" Finrod asks next, his voice hushed.

Curufin smirks. Then he reaches, takes Finrod's feet, and rests them on his lap. "With particular viciousness. You would have been very happy if you had seen it. I took a spear in the eye, and Turko tried to get me out of there....but he got riddled by arrows, and so died. The Sindar caught up with us, and the ellon who got me...twisted the spear into my head."

"Nothing less than you deserved," Finrod says.

"Indeed," Curufinwë agrees. He starts massaging Finrod's feet. "And to answer your question. I am here, am I not? Still following you. Still massaging your feet, for Eru's sake. What else of a confirmation do you want of me?"

Finrod lifts his right foot, and rests it against Curufin's chest. They look at each other for the longest time, in quiet.

A smile spreads on Finrod's lips.

@skaelds

[ladysternchen]

All of Arda Is Autistic- Maeglin

Maeglin looked up from the newly-forged sword he had just showed to his uncle, praising it’s many assets, only to stare straight into Idril’s eyes. Immediately, he felt his face growing hot and lowered his gaze, hating himself for his insecurities. 

“I think I never heard you talk so much, and with so much passion.”

It was a statement, nothing more, but Maeglin was sure he discerned a note of accusation in his cousin’s tone. 

“It is a good sword, Maeglin, the likes of which you will not find often even here among the most skilled smiths of Gondolin.”

Maeglin nodded, encouraged once more by his uncle’s earnest praise.

“It is the alloy that makes it special, lord! The mountains are rich with may different metals, but no-one seems to have delved for them in earnest yet!”

“No.” Turgon agreed. “Indeed we have had no knowledge of the strengthening of swords by using different metals. Our interest in those were mainly so to make jewellery and other fair works of art.”

Maeglin bowed courteously, while he could practically hear his father’s voice in his mind, scoffing. What use were fair trinkets, when there were blades to be wrought cunningly, so that they would become near sentient?

Turgon returned the small bow and left, but Idril, to Maeglin’s great surprise, did not. 

“Why are you so, cousin?” she asked, and Maeglin tensed at once.

“How?”

Idril eyed him thoughtfully for a while, then said: “I’ve never heard you talk of your parents’ deaths, nor have I seen you shed a tear for them since. For long, I thought you incapable of any such thing as emotions, but yet here you stand and explain the alloy of metals with such reverence in your voice that it borders on love.”

Maeglin considered what she had said for a moment, then answered: “It is not so that I do not grieve them. My mother, mainly, but also my father. But what good is there in speaking about those grievous things, when they cannot be undone?”

Idril nodded after a while, apparently lost in thought.

“How was it, growing up in the dark? I cannot imagine it being anything but horrible.”

“Yet it was not.”

She looked at him wonderingly, and Maeglin could not help but feel heartened by her interest in him, so he told her of his childhood and youth, something he could never have imagined doing.

“… you see, whatever the common conception, my father was not some kind of monster. He was caught in his own mind, and often so, and never felt at home among the Eldar, but in his strange way, he loved us, my mother and me. He cared for us. All this, the lore of how metals work, I learned from him, and he learned it from the Lords of Nogrod, among whom he was held in great respect. He was a fabulous smith!”

Idril wrinkled her nose.

“Well, but love does not excuse imprisoning others.”

“’t was only in the last years that Amil grew weary of Nan Elmoth. My father could never stand the light of the sun, he said it hurt him. But we wandered the forest by starlight, and we were content.”

A smile played about her lips.

“Aredhel never stayed long anywhere, I guess.”

Maeglin shook his head.

“No.”

“But you know, had he truly loved her, he would have let her go!”

He stared at her, aghast. How could letting go mean love? Idril stared curiously at him and he held her gaze, even if it made him very uncomfortable. After a while, she turned away with a sigh, leaving Maeglin behind, and he sensed that he had somehow said something wrong, but how and what was a mystery to him.

[hotgirlstiles]

What do you consider essential sterek songs? 💓

OHHHH MY GOD I JUST WENT CRAZY. OJAY!! OKAY:

in my room by frank ocean is THEEE one. i heard this song and instantly i was like i NEED to make a sterek playlist. like she started it all!!!

(also mind you i have 8. EIGHT. playlists for sterek. this might be a little long 🥲😂😅🤣)

BITE ME by kilo kish. just listen to it

home with you by fka twigs DUHHHHH.

seigfried by frank ocean of course. the markings on your surface. your speckled face. i just am a firm believer of derek hale who listens to frank ocean

closer by nine inch nails. It should be in everyones sterek playlist tbh

old money by lana del rey. i love my boyfriend by princess chelsea. NOTHING’S GONNA HURT YOU BABY BY CIGARETTES AFTER SEX. NO EXPLAIANTION NEEDED!!!!

angel by massive attack!!! this is specifically dark derek to me.. ouhhh

YALL THIUGHT I WAS DONE. IM NOT. THATS JUST ONE PLAYLIST.. i have sooo many essential songs for sterek uts drastic

i go to sleep by the kinks as well.. this is just sooo derekpov to me..the lyrics are just so fucking devastating to me... can also be applied to s5 stiles ohgod my tummy hurts

now this is the most important song i think. i bet yall were wondering why i havent even said it yet.. please, please, please let me get what i want by the smiths. or the one by deftones. both just scream DEREK ABOUT STILES so bad !!!! AND ALSO BACK TO THE OLD HOUSE BY THE SMITHS AGHHHHHHH THEEEEE DEREKPOVS ABOUT STILES SONGS likw the lines and youll never know.. how much i really like you cause i never even told you.... and about how he wants to go back to the old house but he cant... GAWD!!!!

distractions by wild painting is SO summer before s3 sterek to me.. like the kinda slow vibes and then the buildup to the bridge... thats just how i see sterek develop always like this crazy and gradual buildup that explodes everywhere

i wanna be good by the walters OHHHH GOD. OKAY THERES A PARTERN. A BUNCH OF DEREKPOV SONGS IT SEEMS.. hes amiling right at me and i feel it in my knees but i dont wanna trust no one.... like hello. god

iris by goo goo dolls. DO I EVEN NEED TO EXPLAIN. and VERY specifically this official live in buffalo, ny. Godfuck

and of course.. francis forever, pink in the night, geyser, and i will, all by mitski 🩷

as a final essential song for sterek…. i’m on fire by the everamazing bruce spingsteen.. 🩷🩷💗🫂

geez... this got too fucking crazy but i hope you like this little playlist almost.. maybe ill make my 9th sterek playlist and its just these songs.... i hope u also see sterek thru these songs like i do.. 💕🎀🍒🧸❤️

[mondoradiowmse]

12/20/23 Mondo Radio Playlist

Here's the playlist for this week's special edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Too Fat for the Chimney" - A Very Mondo Xmas 2023! If you dig these seasonal sounds, don't forget to also follow the show on Facebook and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

Ramma Lamma - Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme - Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme (Single)

Tyler Chicorel Feat. Ashley Smith - Give It All Away - Give It All Away (Single)

Space Raft - Another Holiday Is Here - Another Holiday Is Here (Single)

The Midwest Beat - That's What Christmas Means To Me - That's What Christmas Means To Me (Single)

The Fireflies - Pretty Christmas - The Fireflies Tackle Your Christmas Tree

The Flaming Lips - Little Drummer Boy (Live) - Heady Nuggs: 20 Years After Clouds Taste Metallic 1994-1997

Wooden Shjips - O Tannenbaum - Holiday Cassingle (Single)

Imagene Peise - White Christmas (Binson Echorec Sleigh Ride) - Atlas Eets Christmas

Heidecker & Wood - Christmas Suite - Starting From Nowhere

Jack Black - Oh Hanukkah - Hanukkah +

Amil Byleckie - Whats In The Bag (Old Man)? - Good Angels Guard Thee

Dungeon Broads Feat. Jacob Berendes - O Christmas Tree - A Very Messy Holiday

Alvaro Cordova E Coro Della Piccola Casa San Giuseppe Accompagnato Dal Complesso Speciale Del Pistoia - Bianco Natale (White Christmas) - Christmas In Italy

Capitol Records With Margaret Whiting - Season's Greetings From Capitol 1949 - Season's Greetings From Capitol 1949 (Single)

Kay Starr With Orchestra Conducted By Frank DeVol - (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag - (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag (Single)

Liberace With George Liberace And His Orchestra - The Toy Piano - Christmas At Liberace's

The Singing Dogs - Jingle Bells - Dr. Demento Presents The Greatest Christmas Novelty CD Of All Time

Roger LaVern & The Microns - Christmas Stocking - Vampires, Cowboys, Spacemen & Spooks: The Very Best Of Joe Meek's Instrumentals

Bobby Helms - Captain Santa Claus (And His Reindeer Space Patrol) - Captain Santa Claus (And His Reindeer Space Patrol) (Single)

Sunshine Ruby - Too Fat For The Chimney - Too Fat For The Chimney (Single)

Sugar "Chile" Robinson - Christmas Boogie - Christmas Boogie (Single)

Fat Daddy - Fat Daddy - A John Waters Christmas

Detroit Junior - Christmas Day - Blue Yule: Christmas Blues And R&B Classics

Darlene Love - White Christmas - A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Solomon Burke - Presents For Christmas - The Original Soul Christmas

James Brown - Santa Claus Is Definitely Here To Stay (Vocal) - The Singles, Vol. 7: 1970-1972

Edd 'Kookie' Byrnes - Yulesville - Yulesville!: 33 Rockin' Rollin' Christmas Blasters For The Cool Season

Bob Seger & The Last Heard - Sock It To Me Santa - Heavy Music: The Complete Cameo Recordings 1966-1967

Bob & Doug McKenzie - Twelve Days Of Christmas - Great White North

Heather Noel - Santa Came On A Nuclear Missile - The American Song-Poem Christmas: Daddy, Is Santa Really Six Foot Four?

Monty Python - Christmas In Heaven - Monty Python Sings

James White And The Blacks - Christmas With Satan - Off White

Henry Rollins - 'Twas The Night Before Christmas - O Come All Ye Faithful: Rock For Choice

Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band With The Rootettes - Xmas At K-Mart - Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Xmas

Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) - Brain Drain

Sparks - Thank God It's Not Christmas - Kimono My House

Nilsson - Remember (Christmas) - Son Of Schmilsson

Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard Brew

Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody - Get Yer Boots On: The Best Of Slade

John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - Gimme Some Truth

[ceescedasticity]

continued

In Beleriand, Heledhwen dwelt in Himlad with her father. Caranthir had instructed her in the maintenance of records and account books, and she did much such work for her father and uncle, who had less patience for it. But her joy lay in bookbinding and other crafts of paper and leather. Most of the finest Noldorin maps in Beleriand were in Heledhwen Curufiniel's hand. Heledhwen showed no interest in learning her father's craft, though on the shores of Lake Mithrim she learned to make nails and horseshoes and knives from less prominent smiths. Curufin would have taught her had she asked, but did not push her to.

Narvi looked up, tapping the last line. "Did he push you to?"

"He had no need to, but I think he would have." Celebrimbor raised a hand. "That's not why I took that paragraph out! I just think what she did do is more important than what she did not. And I can't really— If I got into how he paid far more attention to me than to her, I would want to include some of the things she did to get his attention when the deficit troubled her."

"And you can't?"

"Most spectacularly she led him to believe she was pining after Idril Celebrindal. Which was hilarious, but there's a lot of context there that— There are some things that I don't feel it's my place to say publicly given that no one has done so already."

Heledhwen was injured in the fall of Himlad and barely survived the desperate flight to Nargothrond, and feared she would endanger all by slowing their progress. It is said that every time Heledhwen suggested that she be left behind, Curufin glared at the borders of Doriath with more hatred.

"I do not know if anyone besides me has said that. But it is true. —Truly it was not a situation which much endeared Doriath to anyone present. Which I can't say, so it is tempting to just attribute it to Atya, but— I shouldn't."

"Hmm," Narvi said. "I think you should."

"I really shouldn't."

"If it's true…"

"…I'll ask Galadriel about it."

But she was carried through and reached Nargothrond, where they were made welcome and given aid by Finrod and his people. Heledhwen was not idle even as she recovered; there were regrettably many maps to be revised.

"She was good at getting enough out of a verbal description alone to accurately redraw a border or a landform. Edhellos said she would be a gift in a command tent. My father was not happy to hear that and demanded that no one say so to Heledhwen."

"That seems a little unfair to Heledhwen," Narvi said. "—Wait, the same Edhellos who was feuding with your mother?"

"Yes. Edhellos changed a lot in Beleriand, or maybe on the Ice — I don't think she spent much time at all in the court at Barad Eithel, or even much at Nargothrond. She was a ranger more than anything else." Celebrimbor looked thoughtful. "I don't think Amil would have gone that route, so I'm not sure how they would have managed to keep up the rivalry. At any rate Edhellos wasn't in Nargothrond very long after we got there."

Died, Narvi assumed.

"It was Finrod — that's Felagund — and Finduilas and Arameldis, and then Orodreth a few years later. They were all very good to us. Heledhwen finally had a chance to get to know Orodreth and Arameldis — we were the first great-grandchildren— Well, anyway, then the Lay of Leithian happened."

Narvi was mostly sure he remembered that, but— "That was when your father and uncle usurped Felagund, right?"

"If it had just been that— I'm not going to say I could have forgiven that. If it had stopped at keeping anyone else from going after the Silmaril I might have forgiven it, but they didn't stop there, and— Losing Finrod was devastating, and they gloated over sending him to his death, and pushing Orodreth around. They stopped telling me things after I wouldn't go try to spy on Orodreth for them — it wouldn't even have worked, Finduilas stopped speaking to Heledhwen and I couldn't even blame her— And they were right to, if I'd had any idea what they were—"

Narvi looked at the papers, but they seemed to skip ahead. "I'm not sure I'm following."

"Yes. No. It's—" Celebrimbor shook his head. "Taking Lúthien hostage to try to control Elu Thingol was — insanely risky. Gambling with the lives of everyone in Nargothrond at a minimum. But, probably not worse than killing a bunch of people trying to defend their homes. Trying to coerce Lúthien to marry Celegorm—"

"…Ah."

Celebrimbor shook his head again. "When it all came out, but before they realized how the mood had turned, my father said that of course Celegorm would persuade her, so he didn't see why we were so upset, but…"

After Finrod's death, Celebrimbor renounced his father's deeds before all; Heledhwen shut herself in her rooms and would not unbar the door until Curufin and Celegorm were gone from Nargothrond. She said only that she knew her father and uncle would never conceive of laying hands on a woman in such a way as Lúthien had been treated, so these must be some vile simulacra created by the Enemy.

"She knew they weren't, not truly. She would never say so, but she knew." Celebrimbor sighed. "If it had been more socially acceptable for me to have hysterics and lock myself in a room, I might have, too. But I think she regretted not saying goodbye to Huan."

Narvi definitely did not remember who Huan was but decided it wasn't the time to ask.

At the Fall of Nargothrond she picked up a sword left behind by its owner and fought as ferociously as any of her more infamous kin. She let others escape, slew many orcs, and could not be taken alive fell there could not be taken alive.

"I was away from the city — barely escaping the battle at Tumhalad — so I wasn't there for that. The first part was told to me by some of those she allowed to escape. I'm not sure of the last part, but… I think they would have tried to take her alive. I do not know if she could not escape herself or felt she had no right to."

"My sympathies," Narvi said.

"Thank you. This— It's not right to say no one remembers Heledhwen. She's remembered as one of the innocent dead of Nargothrond, by the survivors. If I wish to speak of Heledhwen there are people I can speak to."

He was almost at the end of the papers.

In the War of Wrath Maltarainë Maltraen took up sword and shield and came to Beleriand in the Host of the West. She asked her son to return to Eldamar with her, but when he would not went back to await the return her daughter alone.

"I'm still not used to this idea of your gods just… sending you back after a while," Narvi said. How would there be space for them all?

"It seems like mentioning it would just be a distraction, that's why I took it out. I'm not sure I want 'alone' there either, though. Possibly I don't need to include it at all, but it feels incomplete to leave it out."

fic: not titled yet but it's another absence of evidence thing, part 1 out of probably 3?

At Narvi's usual greeting question at their monthly meetings — "And what are you working on today, my friend?" — Celebrimbor made a face.

"Something that does not agree with me at all," he said. "I have been writing."

"But you draw runes so beautifully!" Narvi replied, mock-shocked.

"Very funny." Celebrimbor slumped back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. "It has occurred to me that if I am going to put my grandfather's star on my city, I should make sure our history has a better account of his descendants than Loremaster Pengolodh has thus far written. Perhaps my father and uncles do not deserve it, but my cousins and my sister do."

Narvi blinked. "I… did not know you had a sister?"

"It seems most people do not. You would think they would deduce I had a mother, but for some reason people seem surprised when I mention her, too. Never mind— Actually, would you mind reading some of my drafts?"

"Not at all."

"I mean to show the finished work to Lady Galadriel, but not… this." Celebrimbor opened a desk drawer — one of the ones with a puzzle-lock — and drew out a sheaf of messy papers. "Here, here's what I have for my mother and sister—"

Curufin wed the jeweler Maltarainë Maltataniel Maltraen Maltheniel Maltwegiel.

"I forgot for a moment that that grandfather did live long enough to take a Sindarin name… We did see him occasionally in Beleriand, but he fell out with Atya — I think Atya made some insensitive remarks about my maternal uncles — and went to follow my uncle Caranthir instead, so we were not close."

Narvi raised his eyebrows. "If I recall the history correctly, the Lord of Thargelion was, ah, not particularly known for sensitivity himself…"

"No. I can only assume my maternal uncles never came up in Caranthir's presence."

As one might expect of the woman Curufin wed, she was a skilled artisan and entirely loyal to Fëanor, as were all her nearest family. Maltraen carried the feud where Nerdanel was unwilling to, among the noblewomen of Tirion. She was as disrespectful to Indis and Anairë as she could get away with, and actively pursued rivalries with Edhellos and Elenwë. Even when there was friendship between Curufin and Angrod, Maltraen and Edhellos remained at odds, though some said there was a kinship buried under the rivalry. And when distance grew between Fëanor and Nerdanel, Maltraen turned against Nerdanel as well.

The paragraph had been written out and struck through twice. "I gather you're not sure about this part?"

"It seems… sordid, I suppose. Like something that would be included to make people think worse of her. It's just so… foundational to how I remember Amil that I don't want to cut it out completely." Celebrimbor sighed. "I don't think Atya even knew how she got about Grandmother in Formenos. She never did it in hearing of him or my uncles — or my grandfather. That would have gone over poorly. Grandfather didn't always speak well of Grandmother, either, but he was the only one permitted to do that."

Narvi would have liked to attribute all this to elvish dysfunctionality, but it strict honesty there were dwarven houses nearly as bad. (Nearly.) Instead of trying to unpack any of it, he asked, "Were Angrod and Edhellos married? I'm not recalling those names."

"What? Oh, yes. Angrod was one of Lady Galadriel's brothers — not Felagund, she had two others — and Edhellos was his wife. They were also Gil-galad's grandparents." Celebrimbor reached for a pen. "I'll at least put in the rivalry with Edhellos. And I should mention Indis and Anairë."

Maltraen carried the feud where Nerdanel was unwilling to, among the noblewomen of Tirion. Her rivalry with Edhellos wife of Angrod was a regular fixture of Finwe's court. Even when there was friendship between Curufin and Angrod, Maltraen and Edhellos remained at odds, though some said there was a kinship buried under the rivalry. Nor was Maltraen a friend to Indis or to the wives of the house of Fingolfin.

"How's that?"

"Easier to understand," Narvi agreed. "Only the wives?"

"She wasn't trying to pick fights with Lady Galadriel or Aredhel Ar-Feiniel, no."

Curufin and Maltraen had a son Celebrimbor; much has already been written of him and he dwells yet in Middle-earth. But they also had a daughter, Heledhwen. She was the delight of everyone in Formenos.

"Not a position I envied her."

All who knew Maltraen wife of Curufin would have predicted she would be among the first to follow Fëanor on his quest, but she was not. Like many of Fëanor's followers, Maltraen was in Formenos when Morgoth came; like all others in Formenos save Finwë himself, she fled from Morgoth's approach. After Morgoth left with the Silmarils, those who had fled dispersed in various ways. Some went to inform Fëanor; some went to seek help; some set up temporary camp. Maltraen was one of those who ventured into the holdfast to see what had happened there. They confirmed Finwë's death and the ransacking of the treasury.

"Where were you, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Not at all. I was wasting everyone's time trying to convince my uncle Amras that I was old enough to be part of the perimeter they were setting up."

"How old were you?"

"Old enough, but Amras was the baby of the family and took being older than me very seriously, so he would never admit that. Hence it being a waste of time."

While more messengers went forth, Maltraen remained inside Formenos, to tend to Finwë's body. She was aided by others, some of whom had dealt with bodies before in Cuiviénen or in the aftermath of accidents, but she was there the entire time until Fëanor returned, in near-darkness, in the wreckage.

"I'm not sure I'm… conveying properly, the bravery it took to do that, under those circumstances. The Darkening— Well, I'm not the only one who struggles with that."

Fëanor arrived and screamed wailed howled keened already in the deepest grief and the heights of rage. All heard his cries, but his words He spoke It has not been reported what he said then, to his sons or his law-daughter or the Valar to anyone else.

"…Another difficult paragraph here?"

"Everyone knows he was — very, very affected. I don't want to go on about it unnecessarily, but it was significant… I'm not sure I should use that exact wording, either, because I'm not certain it was never reported. I haven't seen any record of it and no one would report it to me. There were arguments among my uncles over whether he had meant whatever it is that he said, but no one ever told me what that was."

…Ominous.

What is known is that when the Noldor were regrouping in Tirion, Maltraen was overcome with horror: of Morgoth, of the Darkness, and of Fëanor. She could not bring herself to go nearer to any of them.

Celebrimbor's eyes were haunted. "What I was most struck by even then was that my father did not try to argue with or reproach her. I think he knew that if something had happened sufficient to rattle her faith, there would be no mending it with words. Her brothers tried. It went badly."

"These would be the same brothers who your father made insensitive remarks about later?"

"Oh yes."

Maltraen proposed that Heledhwen should remain with her. Curufin might have agreed, save that he felt that darkened, near-abandoned Tirion under the dubious protection of the Valar was surely no safer than the heart of the Noldorin host.

"She didn't ask about you?" Narvi asked. "I suppose being older, and a man…"

"I think she would have wanted me to stay if I had been as young as my sister. As it is… I do not believe anyone ever questioned whether I would go, not even I."

So Curufin brought both his children as the host marched, and after the fighting died down they were called forward to ride through the charnel-house made of Alqualondë's piers to the bloodied swan-ships. Celebrimbor bade Heledhwen close her eyes, but she saw enough to be frightened.

"This leaves out the part where my uncles Amras and Amrod continued to treat me like a child, so I sat with Heledhwen outside the city the whole night instead of finding out whether I had it in me to slay kin."

Narvi didn't think there was anything to say to that, so he patted Celebrimbor's hand and read on.

Maltraen's brothers Maltaparmo and Maltayondo were slain by the defenders of Alqualondë, and their father Maltweg was very wroth.

"The brothers, I see."

"Maltatan was angry about them dying, angry that neither they nor Atya had gotten Amil to leave Tirion, and very angry that Atya said they were asses who'd had one job and botched it."

"What did they do?"

"I never had the nerve to ask."

[daillpitbull]

The General is back! This boy continues to impress me with his dedication, his Fight iQ and sacrifice! Everyones Proud of you!

One Championship - 11/12/20 - main card - Haggerty Vs Naito

Do not miss this fight!

#jonathanhaggerty #onechampionship #Teamundergroundmma #aklfitness #muaythai #boxing #hellbows #TheGeneral

ONE Championship Team Underground MMA page

[richardarmitagefanpage]

Eight years ago today, Amil Dave shared a photo of Richard with  audio editor Joy Smith during the recording of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel.

[theelvenhaven]

This is a super random question, but I'm curious about your thoughts; do you have any ideas as to what trades/hobbies/skills the sons of feanor would have?

Oh random questions are always welcome and accepted here 💖 

I do have several ideas as to what their trades, hobbies, and skills could certainly be! I’d like to think that all of Feanorians are artistic somehow or another, between their Amille and Atar they got plenty of creativity and artistic abilities between the two of them!

They may all be Princes but I don’t doubt for a second that all dabbled in trades that would keep their hands and minds busy outside of court and politics.

Maedhros: 

Outside of court and politics, I like to think that Maedhros is into carpentry. Be it he’s carving super intricate designs into the wood or building furniture I feel like this would be a great way for him to work with his hands and relieve his stress. Obviously post Angband this becomes a much more difficult process, but I have no doubt if he could learn to fight better with his nondominant hand that he could still continue carpentry. 

Maglor:

Music as we know is Maglor’s greatest passion and love, so this would undoubtedly be his hobby and one of his greatest skills. If he were to have a trade that he was into it would be crafting musical instruments. From lutes to harps and wooden flutes, he’d mostly do this as a hobby. Only making these instruments for close friends and family as well as himself.

Celegorm:

Hunting as we know is Celegorm’s favorite past time, trade, and hobby all wrapped into one. With as avid as a hunter as he is, nothing would ever go to waste even if it was beyond the means that his family was able to use. Skins being tanned, making leather to be used for clothes or gear, extra meat being given to other elves or vendors to sell it.

Caranthir:

Caranthir as we know is a very business savvy ellon, but I feel like his biggest trade would be textile. It would fit in well the headcanon that he embroiders, so not only does he have a hobby that helps him destress from the toils of every day life. But he has a great way, if he wanted too, to make additional money. In Valinor especially, he’d make his own beautiful fabrics in looms to sew together lovely and intricate tunics. I feel like at some point he would’ve dabbled in smithing as well, but would’ve ended up liking embroidery.

Curufin:

It is no secret that Curufin is extremely similar to his Atar, so what better way to embody that than to take up smithing. Being just as great in skill as his father. This would be both his hobby, trade and greatest skill outside of how clever and skillful with his tongue as he is. Curufin can craft things from armor to weapons to jewels and jewelry easily, and enjoys every single second of it. Unafraid to craft for other people, for a price of course.

Amrod:

Amrod like his elder and twin brother, would very much have hunting as an easy trade, though not nearly as dedicated as Celegorm to tan skins and help create leather gear. But I think the other trade Amrod would have ended up taking up is a medical trade and the art of healing. Growing his own healing herbs, learning how to do sutures and tending to basic and simple injuries and crafting homemade salves and poultices. Sometimes offering aid and help in the healing halls in Valinor. Though in Beleriand keeping his skills reserved between himself and his brothers.

Amras:

Amras, again like his twin and elder brother, would have hunting as his trade, though I feel like he thrived well when it came to fishing despite the abundance of energy. Having great patience for the trade, and doing almost better than Celegorm when it comes to spear and net fishing. Amras would be excellent at crafting his own nets, even in crafting extras to other fishermen in need in Valinor. He’d probably also take after Celegorm, learning from him on how to tan skins and use the leather to make his own gear.

[dream-of-wanting-me]

Hype Williams directed the MTV of my childhood

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_Williams_videography

1993

Erick Sermon – "Hittin' Switches"[2]

Positive K – "I Got a Man" (version 1)[3]

Mangu – "La Playa"

K7 – "Zunga Zeng"

M.O.P. – "How About Some Hardcore"

K7 – "Come Baby Come"

Poor Righteous Teachers – "Nobody Move"

Mysterme – "Unsolved Mysterme"[4]

1994

Sam Sneed – "U Better Recognize" feat. Dr. Dre

Craig Mack feat. Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Rampage & Busta Rhymes – "Flava in Ya Ear" (remix)

Wu-Tang Clan – "Can It Be All So Simple"

Jodeci – "Feenin'" (Co-directed with DeVante Swing)

Mic Geronimo – "Shit's Real"

Da Bush Babees – "We Run Things (It's Like That)"

Gravediggaz – "Diary of a Madman"

Craig Mack – "Get Down"

Wu-Tang Clan – "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit/Shame on a Nigga"[5]

Miss Jones – "Where I Wanna Be Boy"

Casserine "Why Not Take All of Me"

Mary J. Blige – "Be Happy" (co-directed with Sean "Puffy" Combs)(uncredited)

Men At Large – "Let's Talk About It"

Usher – "Think of You"

Usher – "The Many Ways"

1995–1999

1995

Snow – "Anything for You"

Naughty by Nature – "Craziest"

The Notorious B.I.G. – "One More Chance" (version 2: remix)

Warren G – "So Many Ways"

LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men – "Hey Lover"

LL Cool J – "Doin' It"

Brandy – "Baby"

The Notorious B.I.G. – "Warning"

The Notorious B.I.G. – "Big Poppa" (co-directed with Sean "Puffy" Combs)

Brandy feat. Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, & Yo Yo – "I Wanna Be Down" (version 2:remix)

Adina Howard – "Freak Like Me"

Montell Jordan – "This Is How We Do It"

The Notorious B.I.G. – "One More Chance" (version 1)

Guru & Chaka Khan – "Watch What You Say"

Montell Jordan – "Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz" (version 1)

Boyz II Men feat. Treach, Craig Mack, Busta Rhymes and Method Man – "Vibin'" (version 2)

Brandy – "Sittin' Up in My Room"

Blackstreet feat. SWV and Craig Mack – "Tonite's the Night" (remix)

Hodge – "Head Nod" [Remix]

Mic Geronimo – "Masta I.C."

OutKast – "Benz or Beamer"

Ol' Dirty Bastard – "Shimmy Shimmy Ya/Baby C'Mon"[6]

Solo – "Where Do You Want Me to Put It"

Lin Que feat. MC Lyte – "Let It Fall"

Immature feat. Smooth – "We Got It"

Double XX Posse – "Money Talks"

A Few Good Men – "Tonite"

Little Shawn – "Dom Perignon" (feat. The Notorious B.I.G)

Brownstone feat.Craig Mack – "If You Love Me (Street Vibe Remix)"

World Renown – "How Nice I Am"

1996

Tupac Shakur feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman – "California Love" (version 2: Mad Max, version 3: remix)[7]

D'Angelo – "Lady"[8]

R. Kelly feat. Ronald Isley – "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" (version 1)

Busta Rhymes – "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" (version 1)

R. Kelly – "Thank God It's Friday"

Maxi Priest feat. Shaggy – "That Girl"

Nas feat. Lauryn Hill – "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)"

Nas – "Street Dreams"

Nas feat. R. Kelly – "Street Dreams (Remix)"

A Tribe Called Quest – "1nce Again"

Blackstreet feat. Dr. Dre & Queen Pen – "No Diggity"

R. Kelly – "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" (remix)

Brandy feat. Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men – "Brokenhearted" (Soulpower Remix)

A Tribe Called Quest – "Stressed Out" (version 1)

Jay-Z feat. Mary J. Blige – "Can't Knock the Hustle"

LL Cool J featuring Total – "Loungin'" (remix)

Foxy Brown featuring Blackstreet – "Get Me Home"

R. Kelly – "I Believe I Can Fly"

Group Therapy feat. Dr. Dre, RBX, KRS-One, B-Real & Nas – "East Coast West Coast Killaz"

B-Real, Coolio, Method Man, LL Cool J & Busta Rhymes – "Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)"

Mista – "Blackberry Molasses"[9]

The Isley Brothers feat. R. Kelly – "Let's Lay Together"

Total – "No One Else"

Babyface feat. LL Cool J, Jody Watley, etc. – "This Is For The Lover In You"

LL Cool J feat. Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe, and Foxy Brown – "I Shot Ya"

R. Kelly – "I Can't Sleep (Baby If I)"

R. Kelly – "Down Low remix (Blame it on the Mo)"

1997

Missy Elliott – "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"[10][11]

Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans & 112 – "I'll Be Missing You"

R. Kelly – "Gotham City"[12]

The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – "Mo Money Mo Problems"

Mary J. Blige – "Everything"

Busta Rhymes – "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See"[13]

Missy Elliott feat. Da Brat – "Sock It 2 Me"[14]

Jay-Z feat. Foxy Brown & Babyface – "(Always Be My) Sunshine"

Busta Rhymes – "Dangerous"

Mase – "Feel So Good"

Wild Orchid – "Supernatural"

Will Smith – "Gettin' Jiggy wit It"

Usher – "Nice and Slow"[15][16]

Refugee Camp All-Stars feat. Pras and Ky-Mani Marley – "Avenues"

Scarface – "Mary Jane"

R. Kelly – "Gotham City Remix"

Snow – "Anything for You" [All Star Cast Remix]

1998

DMX feat. Sheek Louch of the LOX – "Get At Me Dog"

DMX feat. Faith Evans – "How's It Goin' Down"

Faith Evans – "Love Like This"

Mel B feat. Missy Elliott – "I Want You Back"

Jermaine Dupri feat. Mariah Carey – "Sweetheart"

Mýa feat. Noreaga & Raekwon – "Movin' On"

Kelly Price feat. R. Kelly & Ron Isley – "Friend of Mine"

Busta Rhymes – "Gimme Some More'"

DMX, Nas, Method Man, and Ja Rule – "Grand Finale"

R. Kelly – "Half on a Baby"

R. Kelly feat. Keith Murray – "Home Alone"

Taral Hicks – "Silly"

Taral Hicks – "Ooh, Ooh Baby"

1999

112 feat. Lil' Zane – "Anywhere"

TLC – "No Scrubs"

Q-Tip – "I Can Do It"

Ja Rule – "Holla Holla"

Ja Rule – "Holla Holla (Remix)"

Ja Rule feat. Cadillac Tah & Black Child – "Murda 4 Life"

Ja Rule – "It's Murda/Kill 'Em All"

Ja Rule feat. Ronald Isley – "Daddy's Little Baby"

Ja Rule – "How Many Wanna"

Method Man feat. D'Angelo – "Break Ups 2 Make Ups"

Busta Rhymes – "Tear da Roof Off/Party Going on Over Here"

Busta Rhymes feat. Janet Jackson – "What's It Gonna Be?"[17]

Nas feat. Puff Daddy – "Hate Me Now"[18]

Missy Elliott – "She's a Bitch"[19]

Mase feat. Blackstreet – "Get Ready"

Noreaga – "Oh No"

Puff Daddy feat. R. Kelly – "Satisfy You"

Mobb Deep feat. Lil' Kim – "Quiet Storm" (version 2: remix)

Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg – "Still D.R.E."

Q-Tip – "Vivrant Thing"

Ol' Dirty Bastard feat. Kelis – "Got Your Money"

Missy Elliott feat. Big Boi & Nicole – "All n My Grill"[20]

Kelis – "Caught out There" [21]

Mobb Deep feat. Nas – "It's Mine"

Mobb Deep feat. Lil' Kim – "Quiet Storm" (version 2: remix)

Puff Daddy feat. R. Kelly – "Satisfy You"

Sisqó – "Got to Get It"

Missy Elliott feat. Nas, Lil' Mo & Eve – "Hot Boyz"[22]

So Plush – "Things I've Heard Before"

Q-Tip – "Breathe and Stop" (version 2)

2000–2004

2000

Jay-Z feat. UGK – "Big Pimpin'"

No Doubt – "Ex–Girlfriend"

Busta Rhymes – "Get Out!!"

Macy Gray – "Why Didn't You Call Me"

R. Kelly – "Bad Man"

DMX feat. Sisqó – "What They Really Want"

LL Cool J – "Imagine That"

Wyclef Jean feat. The Rock – "It Doesn't Matter"

Busta Rhymes – "Fire"

Jay-Z feat. Memphis Bleek & Amil – "Hey Papi"

Mýa feat. Jay-Z – "Best of Me (Holla Main Mix)"

Funkmaster Flex feat. DMX – "Do You?"

Roni Size & Reprazent – "Who Told You"

Ja Rule feat. Lil' Mo – "Put It On Me"

The Murderers – "We Don't Give A %^#$"

The Murderers feat. Vita – "Vita, Vita, Vita"

Kobe Bryant feat. Tyra Banks – "K.O.B.E."

The Murderers feat Ja Rule, Vita, Black Child, Tah Murdah, Memphis Bleek, & Busta Rhymes – "Holla Holla Remix"[23]

Crystal Sierra feat. Stylez Skillz – "Playa No More"

Outsiderz 4 Life – "College Degreez"

2001

DMX – "Ain't No Sunshine"

Busta Rhymes feat. Kelis – "What It Is/Grimey"

Snoop Dogg feat. Tha Eastsidaz, Master P & Nate Dogg – "Lay Low"

Eric Benet – "Love Don't Love Me"

Babyface – "There She Goes"[24]

Vita – "Justify My Love"

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes – "The Block Party"

Jessica Simpson – "A Little Bit"[25]

Ginuwine – "Differences"

FUBU feat. LL Cool J, Keith Murray, and Ludacris – "Fatty Girl"

Busta Rhymes – "As I Come Back/Break Ya Neck"

Shelby Lynne – "Killin' Kind"

Stella Soleil – "Kiss Kiss"

Method Man – "Party & Bull%#!*"

Aaliyah – "Rock The Boat"

[admirableringmaker]

wellformed​:

Nelyo nodded, “I told them that I was expecting a child and the mother was a follower of Aule, which was enough for Atar to be hopeful for another smith in the family,” He said with a small smile before shrugging, “Amil is just happy that I am happy though hoping for a wedding.”

“I have never met your mother.” She mused, running her fingers over her stomach. It was curious to think of herself as a mother now, too. "I am sure the child will have many talents. I have never heard of a half-maiar child.”

"Nelyafinwë," Mairon arrived suddenly, pleased to have caught him at home. She had come straight from the forge. "I felt it. The child."

@admirableringmaker

Nelyo paused and turned to the maia, a smile coming over his face and he stepped forward but caught himself, "May I feel?" he didn't want to startle or upset the other, "What was it like?"

[mondoradiowmse]

12/21/22 Mondo Radio Playlist

Here's the playlist for this week's special edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Hooray for Captain Santa Claus and His Reindeer Space Patrol" - A Very Mondo Xmas 2022! If you dig these seasonal sounds, don't forget to also follow the show on Facebook and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

Ramma Lamma - Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme - Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme (Single)

The Fireflies - Pretty Christmas - The Fireflies Tackle Your Christmas Tree

Tyler Chicorel Feat. Ashley Smith - Give It All Away - Give It All Away (Single)

Tyler Chicorel - Christmas At Home - Christmas At Home (Single)

Space Raft - Another Holiday Is Here - Another Holiday Is Here (Single)

The Midwest Beat - That's What Christmas Means To Me - That's What Christmas Means To Me (Single)

Dungeon Broads Feat. Jacob Berendes - O Christmas Tree - A Very Messy Holiday

Alligator Indian - Merry Xmas, Melissa Diaz - New Weird Xmas

The Flaming Lips - Little Drummer Boy (Live) - Heady Nuggs: 20 Years After Clouds Taste Metallic 1994-1997

Wooden Shjips - O Tannenbaum - Holiday Cassingle (Single)

Imagene Peise - White Christmas (Binson Echorec Sleigh Ride) - Atlas Eets Christmas

Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band With The Rootettes - Xmas At K-Mart - Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Xmas

Henry Rollins - 'Twas The Night Before Christmas - O Come All Ye Faithful: Rock For Choice

Johnny Adams - The Little Boy That Santa Forgot - Christmas In New Orleans With Johnny Adams

Cue Recording Studios/Mel Kaiser - Street Noise At Xmas Time - Documentary Sounds, Vol. 1

Ernest Hare - Santa Claus Hides In The Phonograph - Voices Of Christmas Past

Liberace With George Liberace And His Orchestra - The Toy Piano - Christmas At Liberace's

The Singing Dogs - Jingle Bells - Dr. Demento Presents The Greatest Christmas Novelty CD Of All Time

Roger LaVern & The Microns - Christmas Stocking - Vampires, Cowboys, Spacemen & Spooks: The Very Best Of Joe Meek's Instrumentals

Bobby Helms - Captain Santa Claus (And His Reindeer Space Patrol) - Captain Santa Claus (And His Reindeer Space Patrol) (Single)

Fat Daddy - Fat Daddy - A John Waters Christmas

Detroit Junior - Christmas Day - Blue Yule: Christmas Blues And R&B Classics

Darlene Love - White Christmas - A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Solomon Burke - Presents For Christmas - The Original Soul Christmas

James Brown - Santa Claus Is Definitely Here To Stay (Vocal) - The Singles, Vol. 7: 1970-1972

Bob Seger & The Last Heard - Sock It To Me Santa - Heavy Music: The Complete Cameo Recordings 1966-1967

Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) - Brain Drain

James White And The Blacks - Christmas With Satan - Off White

Bob & Doug McKenzie - Twelve Days Of Christmas - Great White North

Amil Byleckie - Whats In The Bag (Old Man)? - Good Angels Guard Thee

Heather Noel - Santa Came On A Nuclear Missile - The American Song-Poem Christmas: Daddy, Is Santa Really Six Foot Four?

Monty Python - Christmas In Heaven - Monty Python Sings

Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime (Edited Version) - McCartney II

Squeeze - Christmas Day - The Big 80's: Christmas

Heidecker & Wood - Christmas Suite - Starting From Nowhere

Sparks - Thank God It's Not Christmas - Kimono My House

Nilsson - Remember (Christmas) - Son Of Schmilsson

Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard Brew

Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody - Get Yer Boots On: The Best Of Slade

John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - Gimme Some Truth

[venatohru]

Thank you @solas-you-nerd and @chupacabrasmustdie for tagging me to share fancasts for a few of my OCs!

Dragon Age

Segovia Amil as Aeliana Erimond

Monica Bellucci as Medea Surana

Fallout

Ginnifer Goodwin as Lone Wanderer Kat Smith

Ruby Roxx as Sole Survivor Ruby Irving

Tagging: @njadastonearm, @goodbibarbarella, @dreadbythesea, @rad-puppeteer, @black-rose4, @scribbleymark, @pathfinderwrench if you’re feeling it, and anyone else I’ve missed who wants to give it a go (since I think a couple of people’s urls have changed recently)

[daillpitbull]

When your overwhelmed by the natural beauty ♥️

[abusa1978]

Bellator 226: Bader vs. Kongo - Sep 7, on DAZN

Bellator 226: Bader vs. Kongo, Sat, September 7, 2019 at 10:00pm ET, Live on DAZN, Venue: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA, USA. Main Card: Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo, Daniel Straus vs. Derek Campos, Pat Curran vs. Adam Borics, Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Tywan Claxton, Gaston Bolanos vs. Daniel Carey, Sam Sicilia vs. Roberto de Carvalho. Under Card: Peter Ishiguro vs. Elias Anderson, Cornelius Savage vs. Evan Gubera, Favian Gutierrez vs. Alan Benson, Cass Bell vs. Isaiah Rocha, Albert Gonzalez vs. Tyson Miller, Ivan Batinich vs. Daniel Compton, Amber Leibrock vs. Jessica Borga, Abraham Vaesau vs. Renato Alves, Chris Gonzalez vs. Luis Vargas, John Macapa vs. Ashleigh Grimshaw, James Terry vs. Batsumberel Dagvadorj, Daniel Gonzalez vs. Jonathan Adams, Adam Piccolotti vs. Jacob Smith, Hyder Amil vs. Ignacio Ortiz.

Read the full article

[christianworldf]

New Post has been published on Christian Worldview Institute

New Post has been published on https://christianworldviewinstitute.com/bible-prophecies/end-time-events/book-of-daniel/daniel-7-1st-dream/track-field-with-james-van-der-beek-and-kevin-hart/

Track & Field with James Van Der Beek and Kevin Hart

It’s the hottest day of the year, and Kevin Hart is joined by James Van Der Beek in a Track and Field workout. Trained by Olympic gold medalists, the two will make a risky wager to see who can dominate like a true Olympian.

KEVIN HART: WHAT THE FIT is an unscripted comedy starring Kevin Hart, now in its second season. In each episode, Kevin invites one of his celebrity friends to join him on a fun, fit journey, trying out unique and outrageous workouts from jousting like a medieval knight to batting practice with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kevin and his friends hilariously push themselves out of their comfort zones on the way to getting fit.

FOLLOW THE FUNNY: Facebook▶ http://bit.ly/LOLNetwork-FB Twitter▶ http://bit.ly/LOLNetwork-TW Instagram▶ http://bit.ly/LOLNetwork-IG YouTube▶ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRmIdRJgLfmdpJufmBhBuA Snapchat▶ LOLNetwork Official Website▶ http://www.laughoutloud.com

Laugh Out Loud is a comedy brand and multi-platform network founded by the world’s top comedian Kevin Hart. Through his network, Hart delivers his vision for the future of comedy: social, mobile, multicultural and seriously funny. From stand-up legends to globally-recognized digital influencers, Hart and LOL curate comedy’s boldest voices to produce original scripted and unscripted series, stand-up specials, live broadcasts and special events. Hart brings the groundbreaking social-first strategy that earned him 100 million+ followers to Laugh Out Loud, with one core mission: keep the world laughing. Dope Comedy. Delivered Daily. Always On. Always Loud. Directly from Kevin Hart and his hand-picked crew of comedic rockstars.

© MMXVIII LIONS GATE TELEVISION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Executive Producers MATT KUNITZ PIP WELLS REBECCA SHUMSKY QUINN DAVID SHUMSKY MARK HARRIS JEFF CLANAGAN KEVIN HART

Co-Executive Producers MATT KAYE D. MAX PORIS

Hosted By KEVIN HART

Guest Starring JAMES VAN DER BEEK

Directed By ALEX VAN WAGNER

Supervising Producer NARVIN RUSSAW

Line Producer LAURIE LEANNAH

Producers NICK ALARCON CANDICE C. WILSON

Comedy Producers JASON BICE HARRY RATCHFORD

Editor JOE CAULEY

Associate Director JASON EDWARDS

Stage Manager WOLFGANG DELGADO

Director of Photography TIM MURPHY

Production Manager MCKENZIE HANSON

Post Production Supervisor LINDSAY HEMPEL

Associate Producers DANA DIGIACINTO RYAN MCGEE MICHAEL A. ROWE

Story Associate Producer EMMA ALTMEYER

Camera Operators IVAN DURAN ERIK HAMILTON ASHLEY HUGHES MARQUES SMITH NICK TRAMONTANO

Steadicam SEAN FLANNERY

Lead Camera Assistant JEREMIAH THORNE

Camera Assistants VERLON ALLEN COREY COOPER DEANDRE GREEN DAVE HAWES

Tech Supervisor ED DANIELIAN

Tech Department MIKE DELLAMONICA WALLACE L. DIXON DANIEL J. FERRIS

DIT EDUARDO EGUIA

Audio Supervisor KENYATA WESTBROOK

Audio Mixers BRYAN DIAZ AARON LACHAPELLE ROBERT P. MATTHEWS JR.

A2 JORDAN DIAZ

Gaffer AJ TAYLOR

Best Boy DANNY VINCENT

Key Grip ROLAND MARTINEZ

Best Boy Grip MARVIN MEJIA

Electricians JAMES GREEN TIM RYAN

Grips LUIS VELANDIA WLADAMIR VELEZ

Lead Man KEVIN MINCIN

Set Dresser RILEY CRAPPER

Property Person GABRIEL ADAMS KEVIN CAMPOY REGGIE DAVIS JACK LEWIS MARIO OSUNA MASON REYNOLDS

Special Effects MICHAEL PETRUCCI

Clearance Supervisor STEFANI NEWMAN

Production Accountant SHARON PACK

Payroll Accountant JULIE BERNARDS

Talent Producer ASHLEY RHORER

Talent Manager TRASK DONALDSON

Production Associate HANNAH HIGGINS

Wardrobe ASHLEY NORTH DARI ANN SETTEL

Makeup CARRI HAMILTON

Location Manager PATRICK THOMPSON

Key Assistant Location Manager AMIL FUENTES

Transportation Captain GUY MERRICK

Drivers IGNACIO ALVAREZ MIKE BELPEDIO JEREMY COLEGROVE MICHAEL A. MORENO BILLY MEYERS FREDDY MORALES ART ORTIZ JEREMY RIORDAN

Set Medic JOHN B. AUSTIN

Craft Services BRENDON KWAK JUSTIN PARK

Studio Teacher CATHERINE SOLOMON

Lead Assistant Editor CHRIS HICKS

Assistant Editor MONELL VERTUS

Music Supervisor RICK KRIMBEL

Colorist TAL, C.S.I.

Online Editor JOSIAH COHEN

Re-Recording Mixer TERRANCE DWYER, C.A.S.

Talent Casting By JB TALENT

Executive in Charge of Talent KATY WALLIN, CSA, MYSTICART PICTURES

Director of Operations Talent, MysticArt Pictures JACK MARASH

Director of Talent, MysticArt Pictures ALLIE STONE

Music By KILLER TRACKS SIGNATURE TRACKS

Graphics By MIDNIGHT SHERPA

Production Assistants OLIVIA BONILLA KARINA DEUTSCH ANDREW DUGAN CHAD ELLIS SANNA HESHMATI BENJAMIN JENIFER SATHYA MIELE CHARLOTTE PETERS JHONNY ROLDAN KATE WATHALL

Special Thanks ASHTON EATON BLUEPRINT POST PRODUCTION BRUCE’S CATERING CARMELITA JETER C-MOUNT INDSUTRIES COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS ILLUMINAR MIXERS POST SOUND SERVICES THE BOSCHETTI GROUP VER EQUIPMENT RENTALS source

[junker-town]

The case for Wichita State as a national championship favorite in college basketball

Don’t sleep on Wichita State. The Shockers are ready to pull another deep NCAA tournament run.

The upcoming college basketball season is shaping up to be the year of the blue blood. Arizona, Duke, Kansas and Michigan State all return key veterans and add 5-star freshmen. But Wichita State is primed to crash the party.

The Shockers bring back multiple stars, have a fantastic defense and are an elite shooting team. That’s a safer and better formula than anyone else has to offer in the preseason.

Everyone’s back

The Shockers ended last season ranked No. 8 on KenPom. After struggling in the non-conference, Wichita State thrashed Illinois State and knocked off a very good Dayton team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Before falling to Kentucky by just three points in the round of 32, the Shockers had won 17 straight games.

Wichita State returns all five starters from that team. Among those who played at least 35 percent of WSU’s minutes, everyone but Daishon Smith returns.

Arizona, Duke and Kansas all lose a ton of talent. Arizona has to replace Lauri Markkanen, Kobi Simmons and Chance Comanche. The Blue Devils are out Luke Kennard, Jayson Tatum, Amile Jefferson, Frank Jackson, Matt Jones, Harry Giles and Chase Jeter. And the Jayhawks have to replace Frank Mason, Josh Jackson, Landen Lucas and Carlton Bragg. Yes, these teams are all adding 5-star freshmen. Unfortunately for them, they are still freshmen and we know the players they lost were all reliable.

Michigan State did not lose much, but the Spartans were 20-15 last year. They finished No. 40 on KenPom. Kansas blew them off the court in the NCAA Tournament. Miles Bridges was excellent last season. But the Spartans were far closer to missing the NCAA Tournament than being a championship contender.

The 2020 version of Arizona, Duke and Kansas might beat Wichita State’s 2020 squad. By then, players will have developed into what makes them lottery picks. But the big four won’t get any points for what their players will be at 21. The Shockers do, though. Conner Frankamp is five years removed from high school, Shaq Morris is finally in his last year of eligibility and Markis McDuffie is playing his third season after being a 4-star recruit.

Then there’s Landry Shamet. The 6’4 point guard orchestrated the No. 13 offense in the country last year. That mark was 54 spots higher than Fred VanVleet’s 2015-2016 squad. Shamet finished 18th among qualified players in offensive ranking on KenPom. He averaged 1.14 points per possession, which put him in the 97th percentile, according to Synergy Sports. As a 44 percent three-point shooter with a quick motion, opponents always had to respect his ability to pull up from anywhere. Put that all together, and he finished in the 89th percentile (per synergy) as a pick-and-roll ball-handler:

Shamet is a better bet than any of the point guards running blue blood teams. Devonte Graham has been a phenomenal two guard at Kansas, but Elijah Johnson can attest that running the offense is different. Parker Jackson-Cartwright is dependable as a lead guard, but he has a 15 percent usage rate. When Arizona needs a basket, he’s not going to take over games.

Whether Michigan State starts Tum Tum Nairn or someone else, the Spartans will also rely on wings to win games. And Duke needs 5-star freshman Trevon Duval to be ready now. Whether he’s ready to run a college offense and space the floor is a big issue.

The defense will remain elite

The Shocker’s defense makes them a safe bet. Wichita State had the No. 13 KenPom defense last season in large part because they had the No. 4 effective field goal defense. Wichita State’s players are tough to get around, and with guys like 6’6 enforcer Zach Brown ready to help, scoring on the Shockers is not easy:

Gregg Marshall’s defenses are always good. Beginning with the Final Four season in 2013, here are the Shocker’s KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency rankings: 20th, 11th, 15th, 1st and 13th. Last year’s team had to replace VanVleet and Ron Baker. Those were NBA guys and four year contributors. Marshall gets everybody to play defense though, and the results are spectacular:

The big four were not as good on defense. Arizona ranked No. 28, Michigan State was No. 38, Duke was No. 47 and Kansas was No. 24.

The Wildcats will be better defensively just by replacing Markkanen. But the Shockers were 15 spots better and had to work through replacing their two best players early in the season. Arizona is unlikely to catch WSU.

There’s no reason to believe Michigan State will catch the Shockers defensively, either. Duke loses a lot so maybe there’s a case they’ll be better, but the Blue Devils have had a top 15 defense one time this decade. With so many new faces, jumping 30+ spots will be tough. Kansas is likely to play a lot of four-out basketball once again with only three traditional big men eligible. The four out offense works, but the Jayhawks finished 24th in defensive efficiency—far lower than the traditional Bill Self team. That happens when teams go small.

Few teams shoot it better

The perennially under-seeded Shockers have fallen short in the NCAA Tournament because of bad shooting days. Even the best teams can have that problem during the dance. In their final game in the NCAA Tournament since 2013, from 3-point range the Shockers have shot: 30 percent, 44 percent, 17 percent, 27 percent and 33 percent from deep. If the Harrison twins hadn’t made every shot for four games, the Shockers might have been champions in 2014. But in the other years, the Shockers have struggled to shoot.

The 2017-2018 Shockers should be fantastic from deep. Brown and McDuffie made 34 percent and 35 percent of their triples, respectively. Both players shot a higher percentage last year than the year prior and attempted more shots. There’s a lot of hope for both players to become even better.

Shamet is money from deep. He hit 44 percent of his 160 3-point attempts. He ranked in the 95th percentile on Synergy in spot up opportunities. His shot is just too fast for defenders off the dribble:

Frankamp is also a knockdown shooter. What seems like a lifetime ago, he made four three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game while teammates with Andrew Wiggins in 2014. He hasn’t stopped making them. He nailed 44 percent of his 163 attempts last season because he’s comfortable from NBA range:

Don’t bet against the Shockers

A Final Four coach returns all five starters from the 8th ranked KenPom team. He brings back a top 15 defense, his star point guard and incredible shooters. If that team isn’t named Wichita State, then it’s probably the consensus number one team to start the season. But this team is named Wichita State.

The Shockers have responded to slights with the motto “watch us.” Those who have recognize this may be the best team in the country.