#black friday drop 2021

[hoes4lino]

Poisonous tears

Word Count: 20k

Reading Time: 40 Minutes aprox

WARNING ⊂✦⊃ This story contains NSFW / suggestive & angst content and mentions of infertility, alcohol & cigarettes. Minors please don’t interact, please beware of the content you consume online.

‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊✮‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊ ‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊✮‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊ ‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊✮‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊ ‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊✮‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊

May 8th 2021,

They say that when cats are about to die they run away from their home so that their owners won’t see them die.

In this case, no one is dying, though every day you notice a black stain growing on Minho’s love— as harsh as it sounds.

APRIL FOOLS 😍

But in all seriousness, Fic dropping this Thursday/Friday (Depending on your time zone), let's gooo!!!!!

[12-seconds-to-live]

(Un)Lost: The art of war

Pairing: F12022/3!Grid! x Fem!Driver!Oc

Warnings: DNF’s, angst, a little bit of love, episodes of anxiety, Seb’s retirement, harsh words.

DRIVE TO SURVIVE SEASON 5 - EP. 1  THE NEW ERA

“It’s freezing in here” I said while I was puting my cap in my head, my Williams cap, ready to sit in the famous black chair of Netflix. “Thank you Netflix for make this possible, Bahrain is being cooking itself now” The producer chuckle.

“So, we’re going to let you introduce you and then make you a few questions. Everything clear?”

“Sure” I look for a better position in the chair and look to the camera “My name is Charlotte Robyn-Jones and I’m engineer strategist for Williams Racing Formula One Team” I said with a smile on my face. I saw the people in the back laugh and I copy the action

“You can’t lie to Netflix, kid”

“I think I just did ... Anyway, 1, 2, 3, Monday to Friday, My name is Charlotte Robyn-Jones, I’m 23 and I’m a race driver for Williams Racing Formula One Team” I tilt my head to one side and laugh “Cool”

“So cool. What’s for you to be at the top of the game right now?, obviously avoiding the question that you must  be bored about” 

“Being a woman is fantastic, except for that thing every month but I can’t complain. I have to say that it’s not easy. You can dream of some things happening but all the same time, If you really wanted, the answer is get up and look for your better options to make things happen.” I gassped and look down and to the camera. “I remenber when I told my dad that I wanted to give it a try in karting and I wasn’t even 6, he looked at me like  I was some sort of silly muppet but then he make me promise that I will do great in school and then he will help me with the racing carreer I wanted. The rest is history”

A series of videos of her carreer show up, from her beginning in karts, F4, F3 and her successfull 2021 in F2 finishing as champion, smiling faces all around and obviously a very proud Charlotte.

“You just mention your dad. What about other members in your family? Friends or even a boyfriend?” I look at the producer with a side smile

“You guys are really something else, right?” they laugh “I’m single ready to mingle. I don’t talk to much about my family, I like to be private about that. I almost dropped all this. My family is my priority and two years ago I lost my mom due cancer so...”

“I’m sorry we don’t...”

“No, it’s okay” I smiled to the camera “She’s not here but I still talk about her like she’s just in the back of the house screaming to the dog for being so silly, she’s still here and I know she’s proud” 

“Sure she is. Just to finish ... Any expectations for your team. Everybody wanted to see you in a bigger team like Mercedes or Ferrari, did you hear any rumors about that?”

“Well, certanly I did hear, but the thing is, mmm, I always believe that If you wanna prove yourself is better to start from the very bottom, understand the little things and then you’ll find success, almost glory. Being in this sport is so tricky, like, one day you won in Monaco and the next day you’re out of the points or feeling that all your pasion is going out to your body” I see everybody’s faces like I was saying something fascinating “This is sport is like war, you better watch out your back ‘cause even your own team could kill you.”

“So, this is your year to discover yourself?”

“Yes, my bingo card this year will imply me being playing the art of war that is F1″

“Okay Charlotte, this is all for today. We’ll see you along the year”

“Thanks and don’t spill my secrets. Snitches end up in ditches, they say” 

I go out of the room straight to the Williams garage. Sure thing is that this year is going to be wild, after what happened last year between Red Bull and Mercedes, man, I really don’t want to be any member of those teams.

“Hello Ms. Jones, everything all right with Netflix?” My PR, Ava asked. She was in Alex side of the garage talking to other people

“Yeah, they’re like school girls” She laugh

“Yeah, sometimes. Today is media day so since you’re ready with your Williams merch, we can start signing some caps and cards and then continue with your schedule. Or do you want to start with press?”

“Up to you really, better doing the easiest first then I’ll face the sharks” We walk to a conference room when I found Alex with his girlfriend and his PR. Last year I met the girl in a tournament in the UK and we have been really close since then.

“Oh hello you, my girl and my boy rocking together this year” Lily said and hug me, while Alex put a false angry face

“Nice to see you Lily and yes, we’re going to rock or better than that” I said she smack Alex shoulder

“See, I tould you she has spirit!”

“I know, I think that everybody saw that video of her running along the track after her win in last year championship”

That video.

Well, you don’t win F2 championship many times in your life, right?

“I don’t know what are you talking about”

“Everybody know you do”

“Shh” I sit next to the pile of merch with my face on it. It’s 9:45 so I have time ‘till lunch and more interviews.

INTERVIEW ROOM @14:20

W/ Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel

“Don’t be nervous, ok? I’m not gonna tell what to answer, you’re smart so answer like a pro”

“Like a pro? So I can say <<inchident>> or even ask about the interviewers plans for the summer?” I showed Ava a side smiled

“Please don’t and you’re going to be in between, your name is on the sofa” I enter the room and saw the amount of people organized in the back of the room with notepads, cameras and tricky looks.

“So, welcome everybody to the second session here in Bahrain, we are here with Lando Norris from McLaren, Carlos Sainz from Ferrari, Charlotte Jones from Williams, Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel from Aston Martin. Welcome to the drivers, we’re going to have a round of questions for this sesion, if that’s ok” I look at the others who nod.

“Hello, this question is for Charlotte” Great. “We want to hear your first impresions of your new team, if you have the chance to meet the other drivers and expectations for your rookie season”

I tried to smiled but I suddenly felt like I wanna dissapear and the lights we’re too bright so I put on my glasses and I hear Lewis laugh and how he copy my action and take the microphone “It’s sunny outside so there’s no need to put the  light to bright, thanks guys” And squeezed my hand.

“Yeah, lights, mmm, almost everybody saw me in the car last year when I met the team and my teammate. Everything has been great so far, mmm I spent half of the holidays with the Sainz family, there been close to my mom’s family so, yeah, Carlos and his trainer just help me to get in better shape for this rodeo, something that I’m grateful for” I fist bump with Carlos and laugh “And expectations, well, I prefer to see how it goes after the race, I sent my ideas and questions the past month so I know now that the car is fast and let’s see If we can put Williams on the top again”

Sebastian took the microphone and look at me “Do you know about engineering?”

“Yeah, I finished my degree in mechanical engineering last month, obviously online, so...”

“That’s impresive, kid” answer Sebastian

“Am I the only one scared now?” Ask Lando to everybody. Everybody laugh at that. The interview session went smoothly and not many questions were to me, since Lewis was in the room, the events of november where reminded. Questions about strategies and upgrades for Ferrari and Aston Martin and the chances of McLaren of getting a podium this year. After that, the session ended, Carlos stopped me.

“Welcome officially, girasol” He hug me in the process and we heard a cough

“Are you good, man?” 

“Since my friend here it’s so disrespectfull, nice to meet you, yo soy Lago” 

“Nunca le enseñaste bien español” I said laughing to the spaniard

“Ciertamente él fue un terrible alumno”

“Please don’t. Back to a common language” I smiled to him and oh boy! such beautiful eyes

“Charlotte, rookie, friend of this guy, fan of dogs, chocolate cake and be on my xbox the whole day” I shake his hand and he gasp

“Marry me”

“In a few years, maybe” I look to Carlos who look at me with wide eyes

“I don’t want him on family holidays, ten moths are too much now” As we were walking through the paddock, a few photographers and fans aproach us. Since Carlando were more famous that I am, so I go straight to my motorhome to lay down for a bit.

What a day.

A few headers on instagram and twitter about the conference

2022 ROOKIE READY TO DRIVE AND BEING A THREAT

CHARLOTTE ROBYN-JONES, NEW SENSATION IN THE PADDOCK

IS THIS THE YEAR OF WILLIAMS?

Mind clear and then start proving myself.

I’m a girl, yes, but right now I feel that I have a chance to be like them, it’s ny time.

A champion, one ready to fight.

I finished my day with more media duties, to 6 pm I was going to wait for Carlos who offer a ride to the hotel. While I was waiting in the parking lot, the papaya pair waved at me.

“Hiya, you must me Charlotte. I’m Daniel, the one with good looks in the team” He said with a smile.

“Nice to meet you Daniel, how you guys doin’?”

“All good, we’re heading to the hotel, ready to kick asses tomorrow?” I saw how Lando seems certanly interested in the question

“I’m feeling normal, but yeah, let’s see tomorrow. My driver arrived so... see ya” I waved at them when Carlos opened his car. Daniel and Lando saw the couple leaving the parking lot when the australian looks at the youngest

“Say it”

“What?” 

“Why do you look so shock around her? I mean, even Max who lives in a rock knew about her”

“I’ve been friends of Carlos and I never see her around, it’s weird”

“Ooow, the kid is jealous of the newie” Daniel started laughing and going to his car

“Man stop... I’m not jealous and also I’m a man!”

BAHREIN CIRCUIT @13:45 - FP1 & FP2

“Radio check, please” my race engineer said. Williams had the chance to start fourth in the two practices after Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Red Bull and Alpine.

“ And I thought my heart was detached, from all the sunlight of our past, but she's so sweet, she's so pretty, does she mean you forgot about me? Yeah, yes, I’m going to send you my playlist for the race, what dou you think?” 

“We’ll  evaluate that after practice”

“It’s not a no, I wil take it”

“Ok Charlotte, 30 seconds to start heating the tyres and whenever you ready, your flying lap”

“Copy”

“Now, we’ll have Williams coming out the pits to start practice, first our rookie Charlotte, fresh out the oven as F2 champion. She’s heating the tyres and has 15 minutes to do a few laps and see how that car goes”

On the broadcast, the faces of the team principals were on screen, with their expectations on the girl and see how she start.

“Ok Charlotte, you can start in the next lap with Leclerc and Ocon in front of you” I pressed the copy bottom. Here I go.

One thing about me it’s that I brake late but my left foot likes to keep itself on the throttle. A girl have to give it all, right?

“I feel like I’m watching the Mercedes W11 all over again. Wow! I can see a future world champion, multiple times If she wanted too”

“That car is fast” said Christian Horner looking to Max’s engineer “What the hell?” 

“Definitely it is” 

“Toto, even when she brake the car doesn’t go below 170 km/h. what?” Lewis and Bono stand beside the team principal of Mercedes.

“I think that your eight championship have to wait a bit, I can’t believe my eyes”

“That girl is the real Toretto, don´t you think?” asked Yuki to the french man

“I wanna throw myself down a hill to be honest” 

“What the f***?, which car is that?, I almost get dizzy” asked Charles over the radio

“That was a Williams, the rookie, she’s 3 seconds faster than you”

“This is going to be a long season. F***”

“Well done Charlotte. With his pace you can certanly win every race this season”

“Haha, good job to everybody from those in the factory to the ones in the garage. What about Alex?”

“As good as you, the difference is 0.337″

“That’s good”

“Yes, we’ll wait for you in the garage”

As I parked, I could heard the applauses from my team and the people around the garage. 

And yes.

A very long season ahead.

--

intro

That was fun. 

For those who doesn’t speak spanish, here the translation:

Girasol: sunflower.

Nunca le enseñaste bien español: you never taught him Spanish well.

Ciertamente él fue un terrible alumno: He certainly was a terrible student.

Hope you liked it :)

[lilacmingi]

SECRET SANTA

All my works are 14+ ONLY. If you’re under 14 DO NOT interact with me or any of my works

Pairing: Fashion designer!Hongjoong x fashion designer!fem reader

Word count: 3,170

Note: Since December is starting soon I thought it would be the perfect time to start posting Christmas imagines from 2021. Since this imagine originated on Wattpad, there will not be any continuations

You sat at your station, your half-finished sketch left abandoned and forgotten, your eyes following Hongjoong as he made his way through the massive room, collecting different fabrics for his next masterpiece. The outfit he wore was flawless, as usual—he was flawless. His choppy mullet was tousled perfectly, he wore a black bleach-stained shirt; the collar had been cut, making it hang lower, showing off his beautifully sculpted collarbones and that adorable mole at the base of his neck. On top of the shirt was a leather jacket paired with ripped black jeans and chunky boots.

A pair of hands slammed onto your desk as a body blocked your view. Glancing up, you saw your coworker, Minghao, with a Santa hat in hand.

"Move." You waved your hand in a shooing gesture. "You're blocking the view."

"You can stop staring at Hongjoong long enough to put your name in the hat."

"What?"

"Put your name in the hat. It's for secret Santa."

"I'm not into the whole secret Santa thing."

"Come on. You get three gifts, one on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, plus we're having a big party to end the week."

You gave an indifferent hum in response.

"Hongjoong signed up for it." Minghao mentioned in a sing-song voice.

"If I put my name in the stupid hat, will you let me continue staring at him?"

"Of course."

You quickly scribble your name down on a small piece of paper, dropping it into the hat.

"Thank you." Minghao grinned, sauntering away.

Once he left, Hongjoong had already returned to his station, which wasn't a problem because you had a perfect view of him.

You'd always admired Hongjoong for his killer style and out-of-the-box ideas. You admit, you've only spoken to him a handful of times, so you don't know him that well, but every conversation you've shared with him has been a good one.

Later that day, the names in the hat were shuffled around and every employee drew a slip of paper from the hat. You unfolded your paper seeing the name Taehyung scrawled on it. You were familiar with Taehyung and knew he would be pretty easy to buy for. In fact, you already had a few things in mind.

"Alright." Your boss clasped his hands together. "Now that everyone has drawn a name, I'll go over the rules. Gifts will be given Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We have a ₩60,000 (about $50) limit on each gift. You don't have to spend that amount, but try not to go over if you can. The presents will be collected under the Christmas tree over here and distributed to everyone at the end of the work day. Sound good?"

Everyone nodded in understanding.

"Okay, good. Secret Santa starts in two weeks, so you've got time to shop. Have fun."

A couple weeks passed and you had purchased three gifts for Taehyung and had them all wrapped neatly. You carried gift number one into work with you, placing it underneath the tree before heading over to your station. You stopped when you saw a gift sitting on your desk. You picked up the small box, examining it.

You wondered why the gift was on your desk and not underneath the tree and why your secret Santa would put it there. Glancing around, you decided to go ahead and open it.

You pulled the paper back, revealing a small black box with a sticky note on the top that read: To Y/n. Upon removing the lid, you saw a beautiful pair of earrings and a matching necklace. Your eyes widened as you ran your fingers over the flashy jewelry. There was no way what you held in your hand was worth just ₩60,000. You glanced around the room again to see if anyone was watching, but everyone seemed to be busy doing their own thing.

You couldn't think of anyone that would buy you such an extravagant gift, let alone leave it on your desk.

With no answers to your many questions, you decided to just get to work. You had a few sketches you worked on in the past weeks and had started making a blouse. You headed over to the fabric wall and began picking out the ones you needed. Once you had all the materials at your station, you got to work.

The day seemed to pass by fairly quickly and before you knew it, your boss was handing out secret Santa presents. Since you already opened yours, you watched for Taehyung to get his. Once the present was placed on his desk, he started unwrapping it. His mouth dropped open when he pulled out canvases and a paint set equipped with brushes, an easel, and even a palette for the paint.

You tried to hold back your smile as you watched him pull out the small note you typed up.

You then turned your attention to Hongjoong who had just finished unwrapping his gift. It was some sort of sweater, which didn't seem to be his style. Your face twisted in slight distaste as you saw it. If it were you, you would have gotten him a more edgier-looking sweater, or even a beret. You've seen him wear them before and would assume he'd enjoy receiving one as a gift.

Everyone got ready to leave for the day, you decided to walk up and talk to Hongjoong.

"Hey." You greeted.

"Hi, Y/n."

Your heart melted when he said your name. It sounded so beautiful and melodic when it came from him.

"Nice sweater." You told him.

"Thanks. It's..." He trailed off, giving you a wary glance.

"Don't worry. I'm not your secret Santa." You assured him.

"Ah." He seemed relieved. "Well, it's honestly not my style, but I'm sure I'll find a way to dress it up." He smiled.

"I'm sure you will. You're extremely talented."

He let out a tiny chuckle, glancing at the floor for a moment. "Thank you. So, what did your secret Santa get you?"

"Jewelry. Expensive-looking jewelry too. They also left it on my desk."

"Really?" He raised a brow. "What does the jewelry look like?"

"Here." You dug around in your bag, pulling out the tiny box and opening it.

"Wow." He marveled. "That's beautiful."

"It is. It's my style as well. Makes me curious about what else my secret Santa has in store."

"Well, let's hope they get you stuff you like."

"I'll be thankful no matter what I get." You smiled. "Anyway, I'm gonna head home. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah." Hongjoong smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."

When secret Santa day two rolled around, you placed your present for Taehyung underneath the tree and headed to your work station as per usual.

Sitting on your desk was a sizable box wrapped in metallic deep blue wrapping, a white bow on top. You placed your hand over your mouth, glancing around the workplace. You lifted the small tag on the box, reading the writing on it.

I don't like following rules.

- Your Secret Santa

You debated about wether you wanted to open it right away or just wait. After debating for a moment, you decided to hold off and be patient. However, you found it hard to concentrate as you worked on the blouse. Your eyes kept drifting over to the shiny gift sitting on your desk.

Whoever has been leaving presents at your workspace seems to be a risk-taker, as they're coming in and leaving the gift, chancing getting caught by someone. You could only assume they were arriving before everyone else and making sure no one saw them.

"Ooh." You heard someone say.

You placed your needle onto your desk, turning to see no other than Minghao.

"What?" You asked.

"That shiny gift on your desk." He pointed with a grin.

"It's from my secret Santa."

"Why didn't they put it under the tree?"

"Beats me." You shrugged.

"You're not opening it now?"

"No. I opened the first one as soon as I came into work Monday, but I'm holding back for this one."

"You sure?" Minghao asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm gonna be patient."

"Okay, then. Good luck with your blouse." He waved, returning to his own work station.

The end of the work day approached and it was time for secret Santa once again.

You watched as everyone's gifts were handed out, deciding to watch Taehyung open his again.

You knew how much Taehyung loved his dog, Yeontan, so today's gift was a matching top you made for him and his beloved pet. You used beautiful brown and beige printed fabric and made a button down shirt and a mini version for Yeontan. A bright and brilliant boxy smile spread across Taehyung's features as he saw his gift. You couldn't hold back your own bright smile as you saw his reaction. It made you feel like you'd done a pretty good job of choosing his gifts thus far.

After seeing Taehyung open his gift you went to open yours. Unlike Monday's gift, this one didn't have to be unwrapped. The box and lid itself were wrapped separately so all you had to do was remove the top. Upon removing the lid, you saw a pair of heels. They were black suede platforms with a block heel. There were two straps on them; one strap to go across the toes and one to buckle around the ankle. They were simple, but beautiful and seemed like they'd be easy to walk in, which was perfect for you.

You lifted one of the shoes from the box, examining it and checking the size.

"These are my size." You muttered to yourself.

Placing the shoe back into the box, you put the lid on it and began to gather your things.

You were going to say goodbye to Hongjoong, but he was already gone.

Secret Santa day three rolled around and you weren't sure what else to expect. Your secret Santa had gotten you a stunning set of jewelry and an adorable pair of heels. You weren't sure what would be next.

When you arrived at work, you weren't surprised to see yet another gift sitting on your desk. Today's gift was in a long, flat box and it was wrapped in beautiful glittery red paper with white snowflakes printed all over it. Since it was the last day of secret Santa you decided to wait again to open your gift.

Today proved to be more difficult than the others. You kept glancing over at the present waiting for the work day to end.

Hours passed and your patience paid off. Your boss emerged from his office with a warm smile on his face.

"Alright. As everyone knows today is the last day of secret Santa. I'll start handing gifts out shortly, but first I want to remind everyone of the Christmas party that we're having tonight. It starts at 7:00 and it'll take place at a wonderful venue down the street. They have a huge room that we've rented out for this party. I hope to see you all there."

Like all the other days, you watched Taehyung open his present before you opened yours. For his last gift, you got him a diamond painting kit of Van Gogh's Starry Night. It was a fun little thing he could do during his free time, plus you knew Taehyung loved Van Gogh. After watching his reaction, you turned your attention to your own secret Santa gift.

You pulled back the decorative wrapping revealing a clothing box. You discarded the wrapping paper and opened up the box. Inside was a stunning dress in your favorite color. On top of the formal clothing was a note that read:

Meet me outside under the gazebo at 8:00. Wear all your gifts, please.

- Your Secret Santa

You pressed your lips together, trying to suppress the smile that threatened to break out onto your features. You pulled the dress from the box, getting a better look at it. The garment was medium length, not too short but not long enough to drag the floor. It was a simple dress, but stunning nonetheless. You placed it back into its box and went to chat with Taehyung before he left. You wanted to tell him that you were his secret Santa.

"Taehyung." You called.

He looked up at you with a warm smile.

"Hi, Y/n."

"I just wanted to let you know that I was your secret Santa."

A look of surprise flashed across his face.

"Really? It was you?"

"Mhm." You nodded.

He pulled you into a tight hug. "Thank you. Everything was perfect, especially the matching shirts for me and Tannie."

"I'm really glad you liked it."

He pulled away and ruffled your hair slightly. "I'm gonna head home now. I'll see you at the party tonight."

"See ya." You waved, heading back to your station to pack up.

To your surprise, Hongjoong was standing by your work area waiting for you when you turned around.

"Hey, Y/n." He greeted you.

"Hi, Hongjoong."

"I was wondering if you wanted to walk out together."

"Oh, sure." You placed your bag onto your shoulder and walked out with him.

"Are you coming to the Christmas party tonight?" He asked.

"I am. Are you?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "I'm excited."

"Me too." You smiled, trying to hide your elation.

Hongjoong walked you to your car and bid you goodbye, saying that he would see you at the party.

You arrived at the venue just before 7:00. The building was decked out in bright Christmas lights, wreaths were hung on the windows giving the place a warm and festive feel. Upon entering the building you heard Christmas music being played, accompanied by the low murmur of partygoers chatting.

Your hair was styled perfectly and your makeup was done with a festive theme in mind. You also donned all of the gifts from your secret Santa. The dress, surprisingly, fit you perfectly, as did the shoes. Whoever got them for you knew exactly what they were doing.

You hadn't really considered who your secret Santa could be. You were just so giddy about your anonymous gift giver wanting to meet, you didn't really think about it.

You first stopped at the food and refreshments table to get yourself a glass of punch. You then made your way around the room greeting your coworkers and even danced with Taehyung for a bit. Before you knew it, it was 8:00. Your heart jumped when you glanced at the clock.

It was time to meet your secret Santa.

You made your way to one of the side doors and stepped outside. A concrete landing sat just outside the door, beyond that was a stone path that led to a gazebo. You could see someone standing there, but you were too far away to know who it was. Stepping across the stone path you moved closer to the gazebo, the quiet gasp leaving you when you saw who it was.

"Hongjoong?"

He turned around with a grin on his face.

You had to stop for a moment because he looks so handsome. His hair looked beautiful as always. His bangs were styled in a side part and pushed away from his face, showing off his perfect brows and sharp eyes. His outfit was pristine and high-end. He sported a very nice suit with a large, extravagant fur coat. It was typical Hongjoong attire.

"I'm glad I got your measurements right." He spoke, eyeing your dress.

"You made this?"

"I did."

"You're my secret Santa?"

"I am." He nodded with a shy smile.

You couldn't believe it. Out of all the people that could've been your secret Santa it was your crush.

"Everything you got me was so beautiful." You told him. "It was all perfect."

"I'm glad you liked it. I went a little over the price limit, but like I said, I don't like following rules." He smirked.

His hand extended to you, his rings glimmering under the fairly lights strung up. You took hold, allowing him to lead you all the way under the gazebo.

"This is... really romantic." You commented.

"Good."

His answer surprised you a bit.

He meant for it to be romantic?

"I'm sure you're wondering why I wanted you to wear the things I gifted you." He spoke up.

"Sort of."

"I began planning this the day our boss made the announcement for secret Santa. The jewelry, the shoes, the dress, and meeting up with you right here tonight."

"Why would you plan something so wonderful like this for me?"

"Because I like you, Y/n."

"I'm sorry? Did I hear you correctly?" You asked in disbelief.

"You did." He chuckled. "I've liked you for so long, but I wasn't sure you felt the same. That is until I caught you staring at me from across the room... more than once."

You face dropped, your cheeks becoming hot.

"You have?"

"Yes, and I find it adorable. I find you adorable." He emphasized.

"You do?"

He nodded.

All you could do was stare in disbelief, unable to comprehend what in the world was happening.

Hongjoong's sparkly eyes darted down to your lips before he started leaning in, causing your breathing to quicken. His lips came to a stop just centimeters from yours.

"Look up." He whispered, his minty breath fanning against your cheeks.

You did as he said and glanced above you to see a mistletoe hanging from the wooden beams of the gazebo.

"Oh." Was all you could say as you turned your gaze back to Hongjoong.

He wasted no time closing the gap between your mouths, pressing his lips against yours firmly. His hands found their way to your waist running up and down your sides before his arms slid their way around you, tugging you closer to him. Your hands trailed up to his hair, your fingers playing with the long strands of his mullet, carding your fingers through it.

A hum of satisfaction from Hongjoong vibrated against your lips as his head tilted to the side, deepening the kiss.

It was a little cold outside, but with the steamy kiss you were sharing with Hongjoong, you weren't able to feel the frigid chill in the air. In fact, your whole body was getting warmer by the second.

After parting ways Hongjoong let out a chuckle. "That was so worth it."

"What?" You giggled.

"Hanging up that mistletoe." He answered. "It took me forever to get it up there, but all that hard work paid off."

"Yes it did." You agreed.

He looked at you with a fond expression, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from your face.

"Merry Christmas, Y/n."

"Merry Christmas, Hongjoong."

"Should we go back inside and join the party? Sounds like they're playing some good music."

"Let's do it."

Seonghwa ❄︎ Yunho ❄︎ Yeosang ❄︎ San ❄︎ Mingi ❄︎ Wooyoung ❄︎ Jongho

Masterlist ᝰ — enjoyed this imagine? reblogs & comments are very much appreciated!

DO NOT steal, plagiarize, copy, repost, alter, or translate my works in any way

[hjnxx]

house of cards is a south korean reality show created by mnet. hosted by twinstar’s oh hyewon, it premiered on march 5th 2021 and was broadcast every friday for thirteen weeks until its final episode. the series was broadcasted on the sbs m channel or youtube depending on the viewer’s location.

with fifty - two contestants being entered into the ring, the aim of the show was to debut a four - member group under the rising company kq entertainment. and with the growing success of their boy group ateez, it wasn’t long until those fifty - two slots were filled—auditions being held from january to february 2021.

divided into groups of four, a ‘pod’ would consist of thirteen members recognized in the four main categories needed to be a successful idol groups : vocals, performance, rapping, and personality—the last of the categories surprising its viewers. one member from each pod would be selected to represent themselves in their respective categories, as well as expected to keep up if asked to suddenly perform in the other categories. each week, four contestants were eliminated.

on the final episode of the show, aired on may 28th, it would be announced that the final four would debut later the same year.

in an unexpected turn of events, highly voted contestants choi janelle and yamada emi did not make the lineup. ending up in fifth and seventh place respectively, the top four spots went to kq trainees ahyeon and micha, pledis trainee yuina, and eunji—a recent university drop-out and convenient store worker. outrage from comets—fans of teenstar—and new fans of emi were inescapable for weeks online, marring the reputation of the show. but the hate didn’t matter. not to a certain staff member at kq.

house of cards was the brainchild of creative director yoon boeun, hired in 2020 and tasked with the creation and development of the project kqueenz. with her newly selected four, she would go on to partially introduce the girls to the world on june 14th, faces partially hidden in a similar fashion to their seniors. dancing to rico nasty’s counting up, four girls dressed head to toe in black gave a teaser of what’s to come. despite the show’s negative reception, the dance cover was quick to go viral—hate-watched or not. they would quickly gain popularity due to being of ateez’s sister group.

after the release of their dance video, the group would go through a series of debut preparations—the release of the official group name on july first, hijinxx, individual and group street performances from june to august, posters in public areas—all to raise domestic popularity. and on september first of the same year, hijinxx would officially debut.

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

Markled Tyler Perry RESCUES boys (& girls) that cry wolf.

Illinois Appeals Court Affirms Actor Jussie Smollett's Convictions and Jail Sentence | Newsmax.com

https://www.newsmax.com/us/jussie-smollett-illinois-appeal/2023/12/01/id/1144444/

An appeals court upheld the disorderly conduct convictions Friday of actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying about it to Chicago police.

Smollett, who appeared in the TV show "Empire," challenged the role of a special prosecutor, jury selection, evidence and many other aspects of the case. But all were turned aside in a 2-1 opinion from the Illinois Appellate Court.

Smollett had reported to police that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men wearing ski masks. The search for the attackers soon turned into an investigation of Smollett himself, leading to his arrest on charges he had orchestrated the whole thing.

Authorities said he paid two men whom he knew from work on "Empire," which filmed in Chicago. Prosecutors said Smollett told the men what slurs to shout, and to yell that he was in "MAGA country," a reference to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign slogan.

A jury convicted Smollett in 2021 on five felony counts of disorderly conduct, a charge that can be filed in Illinois when a person lies to police.

He now will have to finish a 150-day stint in jail that was part of his sentence. Smollett spent just six days in jail while his appeal was pending.

A message seeking comment from his attorney, Nenye Uche, was not immediately returned. Lawyers for Smollett, who is Black and gay, have publicly claimed that he was the target of a racist justice system and people playing politics.

Appellate Justice Freddrenna Lyle would have thrown out the convictions. She said it was "fundamentally unfair" to appoint a special prosecutor and charge Smollett when he had already performed community service as part of a 2019 deal with Cook County prosecutors to close the case.

"It was common sense that Smollett was bargaining for a complete resolution of the matter, not simply a temporary one," Lyle said.

Special prosecutor Dan Webb was appointed to look into why the case was dropped. A grand jury subsequently restored charges against Smollett in 2020, and Webb concluded there were "substantial abuses of discretion" in the state's attorney office during the earlier round.

Smollett was not immune to a fresh round of charges, appellate Justices David Navarro and Mary Ellen Coghlan said in the majority opinion.

"The record does not contain any evidence that (prosecutors) agreed Smollett would not be further prosecuted in exchange for forfeiting his bond and performing community service," they said.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission

[lixiesfreckless]

Punch It | l. m.

➸ synopsis: there’s an unexpected opening for the leader position of Changbin’s street racing gang club. Naturally, Minho steps up, ready to fill in the role.

He didn’t expect anyone to challenge him, though.

➸ starring: lee minho x female reader(ft. idols from jypnation)

➸ word count: 5.1k

➸ general content: streetracer!minho, actual street racing, the reader and Minho are both too cocky for their own good, rivals to something more, unacknowledged sexual tension

➸ warnings: mild swearing, briefly mentioned alcohol consumption, reckless driving(it is street racing after all)

➸ rating: teen+

➸ author’s note: this is the first fic I posted that made me feel accomplished as a writer. at the time it was the longest thing I had ever written, and I wrote 4k of it in one day; something that was unheard of for me previously. I want this fic here as a reminder as to how far I’ve come as a writer. this was originally posted in 2021, though, so please understand that it is not up to par with my recent works.

♫ this fic has a soundtrack! you don’t need to listen to it while reading(especially if the lyrics will bother you), but dude. the vibes. the speed. we are breaking traffic laws in style.

yes, it’s meant to be listened to in that order. shuffling it will result in Minho cramming you into an air fryer for 20 minutes at 180 degrees.

♫- Sin City

“A shot of hard liquor please, skip the ice,” Changbin told the bartender, pointing towards his favorite brown bottle behind the counter. 

“Woah woah woah- what about our rule?” Hyunjin said, raising an eyebrow while putting a hand on the older man’s shoulder.

“Yes I know the rule; I was the one who made it,” Changbin scoffed, swatting Hyunjin’s hand away. You guys may break a lot of rules on the daily, but catching a DUI? That was out of the question. Which is why this particular club was used for group meetups and pit stops only; touch a drop of alcohol and you won’t be getting back behind your steering wheel.

Changbin turned to face everyone, sitting at the curved bar with questioning looks on their faces.

“Which I guess brings me to the reason why I called for us to meet today,” he sighed, watching how the rest of the crew glanced between each other nervously. Everyone had been sort of tense upon arrival, since this was a Thursday night instead of their usual Friday meetups.

“I'm stepping down as leader.”

“WHAT?!” was the collective reaction of all twelve members, some slamming their palms on the counter as they abruptly stood up.

“Okay so you don’t need any liquor, clearly you’re already drunk,” Minho rolled his eyes, swirling the ice around in a glass of water on the bar counter.

“Oh I’m sober,” he sighed, taking his keys and wallet out of his pocket, and you could see the color drain from Minho’s face as he realized that this wasn’t some sick joke.

“But why,” Hyunjin piped up, playing with his driving gloves. “You’re the best leader we’ve had since I joined the gang.” 

Everyone nodded in agreement; out of everyone that was there Hyunjin had been in the gang the longest, he would know better than anyone else.

Changbin was silent for a moment before he opened his wallet, taking out a small shiny Polaroid.

He slid it across the counter so the group could get a good look at it.

At the bottom, the name “Seo Chun Ja” was written hastily in black ink, along with a date that couldn’t have been more than a week ago.

In the photo was a woman that you had known by now to be his wife, but she was holding something in her arms on the hospital bed.

A baby girl.

Donning a knitted pink cap with yellow flowers, the child couldn’t have been bigger than Changbin’s forearm as she rested in her mother’s arms. 

It only took a couple of seconds for everyone to register what was going on.

“You’re…you’re a father?!” You squealed, leaning farther over the counter to see the bundle of joy in his wife’s arms. You weren’t the only one surprised; Changbin preferred to keep his personal life private, and the only indication that most people had that he was even married was from the gold band on his left ring finger. He smiled fondly at the photograph before nodding, and took the photo back into his fingertips.

“How old is she?” Someone chimed from the other end of the group.

“Three days? Or maybe four,” he chuckled, sliding the photo back into his wallet. “I don’t know, I haven’t gotten much sleep since she made her grand entrance into the world.”

“Does she cry a lot?” Hyunjin asked.

“Yeah.”

“Yup, she’s a Seo alright,” Minho chuckled, raising his eyebrows before taking another sip of his water. Changbin yelled in annoyance as Hyunjin high fived the older boy, cackling wildly.

Congrats and thanks were shared across the bar for another minute before everyone slowly fell silent, taking in the gravity of the situation as the bass thrummed through the room.

“So…does this mean you’re not going to race anymore?” You said quietly, looking up at Changbin. He squinted his eyes before taking a deep breath.

“No, I’m not going to stop racing,” he started, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “I just don’t have the time for our weekly meetups, not until little Chun Ja can sleep through the night.” You nodded in understanding; racing while sleep deprived would be taking the fast track to heaven.

“And I mean…not that what we do is entirely life threatening, but the wifey is a bit worried that me barreling down the highway at 100 mph isn’t exactly keeping the family’s best interests at heart,” he chuckled nervously, taking the glass that the bartender slid to him and downing it in one go. “I’ll show up every once in a while though.”

“So who’s gonna be the next leader then?” Minho asked, finally putting his glass down.

Changbin threw the keys he had in his other hand towards the middle of the counter, and everyone’s eyes went wide.

Those were the keys to his favorite car, a sleek black 1993 Toyota MR2.

“Changbin, you drove that car here,” Hyunjin said, crossing his arms and tilting his head. “Who’s going to drive you home?”

“You will,” he grinned, and the tall boy slapped a hand to his forehead and groaned.

“I take back what I said about you being the best leader-”

“Shut it, pretty boy.”

“What do you even want us to do with those?” Yeji piped up, your favorite driving partner by far. Her hair was braided into one long platinum tail down her back, and although she used to race motocross, she picked up street racing because those types of bikes weren’t allowed on city roads.

Changbin cleared his throat.

“Since I’m not going to be racing all that frequently, I would hate to see my baby be locked up in a garage to rust away with my other SUVs, so…” he pushed the keys forward with his finger a bit more, “whoever thinks they’re the best driver, after me of course,” he snickered, and you could hear someone snort behind you. “Stand up and take the keys.”

Hyunjin and Minho stood up, but after glancing at Minho, Hyunjin sat back down, to which Minho chuckled to himself.

What Minho wasn’t expecting however, was for you to stand up too.

He stared at you in mild disbelief before looking away and scoffing.

“You’re kidding right?” He said, raising an eyebrow. You folded your arms, taking a defensive stance.

“I’m standing, aren’t I?”

Hyunjin took a sip of his virgin Shirley Temple and side eyed Yeji, who had the same mischievous look on her face.

“I test drove race cars for four years!”

“So?” Yeji chuckled, keeping her attitude at bay while fixing her gloves. “Y/n’s good. Like really good.”

“But doesn’t experience matter more-”

“Alright alright, calm down,” Changbin said, waving his hands while he grabbed the keys. He then swiftly tossed them to Minho, whose face lit up, then quickly fell after seeing Changbin shake his head.

“You know how we settle things around here, don’t you?”

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧ ♫- Automatic ‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

The car rolled to a stop in between two streetlights, stopping at an intersection of an alleyway and a back road on the edges of the city. Minho leaned back in his seat, beginning to roll up the sleeves of his white button down shirt as you pulled up a stopwatch on your phone.

“And out of all the tracks we like to race,” he huffed, glancing at you, “why did you pick the track that I hold the fastest time for?”

“Simple,” you said quietly, propping your phone up on a vent clip.

“That way when I beat you, the look on your face will be priceless.”

His jaw dropped at your confidence, but he would be lying if he said he didn’t find it the slightest bit attractive.

“Everyone’s tried to beat my record, even Changbin-”

“Not me,” you quipped.

“So you’re just gonna claim that you can right off the bat?” He scoffed, pulling the strap tight on his gloves.

“There’s a first time for everything.”

“You’re-”

“Are you gonna drive or are we gonna sit here and bicker all night?” You cut him off, leaning towards him in your seat. “Because I can do both, but I’m sure the gang would love to know who won the race and not our argument-”

“Okay okay, sheesh,” he said, readjusting himself in the seat and taking the car out of park.

The rules were simple. One lap around downtown on the usual track, no shortcuts, no shenanigans, and no cheating of any kind, such as distracting the driver. It was late enough as is so there would be no pedestrians or traffic, not that this part of town was particularly busy at any time of day. The track took a little more than a minute if you were an experienced street racer, but for Minho, his time to beat was fifty-six seconds.

“Start the clock whenever you’re ready,” he mumbled, one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear shift. He was mad, you could tell. You found that hot, which you hoped he couldn’t tell.

“Three-”

He trained his eyes on the road.

“Two-”

He revved the engine twice. The little show off.

“One-”

He clicked the car into first gear, and you barely registered yourself pressing the start button and yelling “GO!” before the blaring sound of the engine roaring to life filled your eardrums. 

You were both pressed into the back of your seats as the car zoomed forward, turning the small dots of light in the streets into streaks while the black rocket whizzed by.

A sly grin grew on his face as he upshifted twice, and after a few seconds he was well over the speed limit, not that any police officers lingered around this side of the city.

He knew this road like the back of his hand. Every pothole, every crack, anything that would slow him down he knew just how to avoid it. Even when he approached sharp turns, he knew just when he had to start downshifting, and even that was seamless.

Calculated.

Precise.

Completely and utterly predictable.

Everything he is and everything you aren’t.

He rounded a corner perfectly and kept shifting gears until he was tearing down the now not-so-quiet street at 70 mph, tapping on the clutch as if he was trying to match the beat of a song. At this speed, he was going to beat his previous record out of spite.

Outside of the constant roar of the engine, things were dead silent inside the car. Minho was too busy concentrating on the road to speak, and you were analyzing his every move, not that there was much to analyze. He never made any mistakes.

Which is why when he zoomed by the starting streetlights with a record time of fifty-four seconds, you were anything but surprised.

“What’s my time?” He huffed, relaxing into the seat as his chest heaved.

“Fifty-four seconds.”

A pleased grin made its way onto his face before replacing itself with a smug smirk, Minho tilting his head as he turned the car off.

“I’m the best you’ve ever seen, admit it.”

“No thanks,” you replied, unlocking the door and stepping out of the car. “I’ve looked in a mirror before.”

Your heels clicked around the front of the car as Minho got out, shaking his head while he held the door open. Stopping in front of the open door, you nodded your head to tell him to get to the other side of the car so you two could get this over with, but he just looked down at the seat and back at you, waiting for you to step in. You reluctantly sat down and he closed the door behind you before walking across the front.

So he is a gentleman, you thought to yourself while pulling the Velcro on your gloves.

And a handsome one at that, was a thought that you quickly shooed away, not liking how your eyes admired the way the streetlights hit his face for a split second before he got back in the car.

You both buckled your seat belts and he cleared the timer on your phone, opening a fresh stopwatch log and waiting for you to look at him.

But you didn’t, you only tapped impatiently on the steering wheel with a manicured nail.

After a few seconds of tense silence you spoke up.

“What are you waiting for?” You gave him an annoyed side eye.

“Aren’t you going to tell me when to go?”

“Okay, go.”

“What-”

“Go!”

You switched the car out of park and straight into first gear, making him shriek and start the timer while you snickered. The car barreled down the street, picking up fallen leaves and rattling trash cans with the engine alone.

You reached over to your left side and pressed a button, lowering all of the windows in the car at once, and Minho looked at you in disbelief.

“Do you not care about the drag you’re gonna get from that?” He yelled over the roaring wind.

“Not one bit.” You grinned, fixing the rear view mirror with your right hand.

It was at this point that Minho realized that he had never been in a car while you were behind the wheel, and his hand instinctively held on to an interior handle while you upshifted again. His heartbeat started to pick up as he noticed that you didn’t downshift, in fact whereas he usually would be two gears lower by now, you upshifted again and he held the handle tighter.

“Y/n,” he began calmly, looking at the speedometer, “do you see that turn up ahead?”

“Uh huh,” you yelled, holding the steering wheel with both hands now.

“Are you not going to slow down?!” He suddenly yelled, frightened at the calmness in your voice.

“Why would I do that-”

“To keep us ALIVE?!” He screamed, grabbing onto the middle console. “Because that’s how you handle turns?!”

You quickly looked behind you before pushing yourself far back into the seat, pressing your heeled foot a little bit further onto the acceleration pedal.

“This is how you handle a turn.”

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as you spun the wheel to the left just before you hit the corner, and you and Minho were suddenly pressed into the right sides of your seats, the centrifugal forces taking over the black vehicle. The wind whistled through Minho’s window as the sound of tires skidding along the pavement filled the street, and just as he got a grasp as to what was happening, you spun the wheel the other way, realigning the car with the road ahead before you slammed on the acceleration.

And that’s when it hit him.

You were a drift racer.

And you didn’t slow down at all that entire turn.

You screamed in delight, almost as loud as the engine did as you tore up the street, the car swerving left and right as you drifted around nearly every corner, barely pausing to downshift or brake at all. You kept your mischievous eyes on the road, both hands on the wheel, and your foot on the acceleration the whole time.

Minho, in a panic, glanced at the stop watch after you shredded your way through a hairpin turn.

Thirty-eight seconds.

Oh my god, she’s going to beat me.

The final turn of the course approached quickly, thanks to your apparent resentment to using the brakes, and Minho started to grip the center console again, but instead of drifting around it like you usually did, you held onto the gear shift, pulling it towards you in succession just like he did when he drove. You shot him a wink before you rounded the corner, and his heart raced, but no longer out of fear.

The starting streetlight shot by you and you didn’t even bother to slow down, glancing at the stop watch to see that it read forty-seven seconds before taking the route that led to the highway.

“Where are we going?” He yelled, frantically putting his window back up, and you followed suit.

“Back to the club, silly,” you responded, before upshifting one last time.

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧ ♫- Break From Toronto ‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

You pulled the life out of the car with a twist of the keys, killing the engine before turning it over in your hands. The once shiny Toyota symbol was now faded to a dull gray, and many of the markings for the lock buttons were missing.

“Why...why didn’t you drift on the last turn?” Minho finally spoke up, looking at you while his chin rested in his palm. “You would have gotten a faster time-”

“I don’t care about records Minho,” you stated, undoing the Velcro on your gloves. “I already knew I was going to beat you, that was just to show off.”

You swiftly unbuckled your seatbelt and got out of the car, stepping into the parking lot which was mostly empty by now, and he slowly did the same. He was still mostly in shock, lacking comebacks and sass just because he couldn’t process that he had lost. 

Walking across the front of the car, Minho approached you with a hand outstretched, wanting to keep good sportsmanship despite his colossal defeat. You gladly accepted it, closing your hand around the keys you were twirling and offering it to firmly shake hands with him.

“They’ll have a good leader,” he said, nodding his head slightly.

“I don’t doubt that for a second,” you replied, before taking his hand and pressing it to his chest.

The keys to Changbin’s car fell into his hands as he looked between you and them, confused.

“But...you won,” he whispered, turning the key over in his hands.

“Damn right I did,” you chuckled, “but I don’t really want to be the leader, and besides, his car doesn’t have a Bluetooth radio, and I don’t feel like switching it out.”

He furrowed his eyebrows in shock, trying to come up with a response.

“So what do I tell them then?”

“Whatever you want Lee, I don’t care,” you said, stepping closer to him. His breath caught in his throat as you paused, looked him up and down, then straight into his eyes.

“You can tell them I lost, but we both know who the fastest racer in this city really is.”

And with that, you spun on your heels, walking towards your car as Minho stood there, dumbfounded.

“You’re going home?”

“Yeah,” you called back to him, “I’ve had enough excitement for one night.” Your heels clicked away at the pavement and Minho couldn’t help but watch, trying to make sense of the strange whirlwind of emotions in his stomach.

“Oh and uh...a word of advice,” you laughed, turning back to look at him, “you’d be a lot more enjoyable without that pole up your ass.”

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧ ♫- Early ‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

“Sheesh,” Hyunjin swooned, trailing his fingers over the black exterior of the vehicle, assessing its every curve. “This car is sexy.”

Minho sat on a bench on the curb, trying to let the bass from inside the club soothe his mind as he held his head in between his hands. 

“Ugh and it even matches my hair- if I had this car, I’d never bleach my hair again,” he sighed dreamily, adjusting a rear view mirror so he could look at himself. “Imagine showing up to parties in this baby, and-”

Hyunjin paused, narrowing his eyes at his best friend on the bench, who had barely said a word since he walked into the club and declared himself as the new leader. 

“-and why do I get the feeling that I’m more excited about this car than you?” He said, trading his grin out for a concerned pout as he joined Minho on the bench.

“Because...I don’t deserve it,” Minho said slowly, staring at the license plate.

“Are you kidding?” Hyunjin scoffed, looking at the other in disbelief. “You’re the best racer that I know! Of course you deserve it, you wo-”

“She won.”

Hyunjin tilted his head, letting a small nervous chuckle escape his lips.

“What?”

“Seven seconds Hyunjin,” he began, standing up and rubbing his face with his hands. “That’s how much she beat me by.”

Hyunjin’s face went pale.

“That’s...that’s impossible,” the taller boy whispered to himself, and Minho laughed bitterly at that statement, reminding him of what he had thought earlier that night.

“Not for a drift racer, apparently!”

Minho turned around, facing the other who had shock written all over his face.

“Have you seen that woman drive?!” He practically yelled, and Hyunjin stopped to think.

“Come to think of it, no,” he realized, looking up at his friend. “She’s always helping Yeji learn the ropes when we go on our group drives, so they carpool-”

“Well you should watch her drive,” he continued, more hysterical laughter spilling from Minho’s lips, “she’s reckless, and she doesn’t slow down, and she drifts around every corner, and she drives with the goddamn windows down, and in the last hour she’s made me question everything I ever knew about street racing!” He paused to take a deep breath.

“I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

“She’s that good?”

“God, she’s incredible,” he confessed, leaning against the side of the car. “And she could have lowered her time too; at the last corner of the race she downshifted almost perfectly, and didn’t drift because ‘that was just to show off.’”

Hyunjin started laughing, for it wasn’t often that he got to see Minho all riled up about something...or someone.

“Never,” Minho spat, “never in my eight years of driving have I ever met anyone with the audacity to-”

“Minho! Minho Minho Minho,” Hyunjin chuckled, getting up off the bench to stand in front of a wide-eyed Minho, placing his hands on his shoulders. 

“Hey,” he gave him a knowing smile, “it’s okay to have a crush-”

“Yah! Does everyone have to be drunk these days?” He yelled, pushing the younger one off of him as he opened the car door to get in. Hyunjin collapsed to the ground, lost in a fit of giggles among the asphalt.

“Call me when you want to talk about your feelings,” he swooned, erupting into laughter again before Minho slammed the door, shaking his head.

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧ ♫- Get It, If You Let Me ‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

The highway seemed awfully quiet as Minho zoomed along the shoulder, watching the street lights flicker through the car like a broken headlight as he let his mind wander. This night had taken more turns than the Le Mans race track, and he was way overdue for some sleep.

He sighed, looking through the windshield, and as he shifted his vision he noticed something amiss on one of the vents.

You had left your phone.

You must have forgotten to put it back in your bag, and Minho cursed at himself for forgetting to take it out and give it to you.

Then again, he was apparently desperately needing driving lessons, specifically the ones where you learn to drift.

Minho slowed down, coming to a stop at a red light as he pondered his decision. He knew where your house was, and knowing you, you’d still be awake, thanks to the countless times he had muted your endless chatting with Yeji in the group chat. 

He was definitely too arrogant earlier. Would you even be willing to accept an apology or give him a second chance?

The light in the left lane flickered to green, letting an absolute lack of drivers make left turns and U-turns back into town, and Minho’s grip on the steering wheel tightened once again.

To hell with this.

He slammed on the acceleration, crossing the three empty lanes between the shoulder and the left turn lane before making a U-Turn, and nothing had felt more right than when he grinned and shifted the car into second gear.

Only one thing left to do now I guess, he thought to himself.

Punch it.

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

“You should have seen the look on his face,” you practically squealed, kicking your legs up off the couch while trying not to spill your glass of wine. “The man was going to pee himself!”

“I know I nearly did the first time I rode with you,” Yeji chuckled, unscrewing the oil cap with a click. “H-Hey, I got it to come off!”

“Good!” You sat up on the couch, suddenly focused. “The oil is coming out black right?”

“Yeah...it’s kinda gross,” she drawled.

“Make sure you empty it all the way-”

Your train of thought was broken by the low rumble of a familiar engine on your street, slowly pulling into your driveway. You squinted your eyes in concentration, trying to identify who was at your house at this hour as Yeji confusedly called your name through the landline.

“Yeji? Are you going to be up for a while?” You said suddenly, holding the receiver up to your face again.

“Yeah...I have a couple more things to fix,” she said, and you heard the sound of a wrench clattering to the floor through the receiver. “Why?”

“I think Minho is at my house.”

“Ooooooooh-”

“Shut up, I’ll be right back,” you laughed, and then swiftly hung up, just in case this took longer than you expected.

You walked up to one of the windows near the driveway, lifting up one of the blinds to see if your suspicions were correct, and they were; Minho got out of his new car, shoving the keys into his pockets before closing the door behind him.

One glance into a mirror and you realized the absurdity of this situation.

You had quickly ridden yourself of the glittery makeup and cute outfit in favor of pajamas as soon as you got home, and here he was walking up to your door, still looking as sharp as he did earlier that night.

Good thing you didn’t care what he thought of you.

Mostly.

A hand through the hair would have to suffice for now.

He stepped up to your door, contemplating whether a knock or doorbell ring would be better, but you quickly erased both options, opening the door as soon as he stood on the welcome mat.

“I knew you’d be back but…” you looked him over and smiled, “...not this soon.”

He only responded with a light chuckle before pulling your phone out of his dark wash jeans.

“I wasn’t planning on being here like this but this was left in my car,” he said, holding it up to his face. “Figured you’d want it.”

You hummed, nodding in thanks and quirking an eyebrow.

“But…?”

“But what?” He laughed nervously.

“But no man in their right mind would drive to some chick’s house just to give her something that could have waited until the next morning,” you tilted your head in amusement and swirled the wine in your glass. “Unless you’ve come to apologize.”

“For?”

“Um, underestimating me?”

“Oh yeah, that,” more nervous laughter fell from his lips. “Sorry about that.”

“And the arrogance.”

“And the arrogance,” he mumbled, rolling his eyes.

“Cool. So now that that’s out of the way,” you whispered, putting your glass on a table inside near the door, closing the door behind you and leaning against it, “why are you really here?”

His eyes widened, clearly not prepared for you to have read him so easily.

“I…” his hands fumbled with the edges of his rolled up sleeves as he tried to get his thoughts together. After a few seconds of silence he dropped the act, relinquishing his cool demeanor.

“Back there, when you were driving,” a slow look of astonishment spread across his face, “how did you do that?”

“Do what? Drift?”

“Yeah.”

“You want to be a drift racer?”

“Not necessarily,” he explained, “it's just...we should have flipped over- I don’t get how you did that.”

“All I did was let the weight of the vehicle drive the car instead of me,” you said, nodding towards the hunk of metal on your driveway. “If you’re driving fast enough, turning sharply will make the car drift; the back wheels will try to swing to the front and centrifugal force and whatnot.”

Minho visibly winced.

“To put it simply, it’s about controlling a lack of control.”

“How is that safe?” 

“It’s not,” you laughed, then turned serious. “Not that anything we do is safe.” He just blinked at you, trying to process what he was supposed to do with this information.

“Minho, on average, how much do you lower your record every time you attempt to beat it?”

“Uh,” he squinted his eyes. “I don’t know, like a half second maybe? Why?”

“You do the same thing every time don’t you?”

“Why does that sound like a bad thing coming from you?” He chuckled nervously, shifting on his feet.

“Well then it’s no wonder how I beat your record so easily,” you cackled, “you’ve basically optimized your route; to you, nobody can beat it, because nobody is going to try anything different.”

“Where are you going with this?” He tilted his head, assuming a defensive stance.

“You can’t get better unless you try something new.” You deadpanned, looking him straight in the eyes. “In other words, you can't beat me until you quit being so scared.”

“I’m not scared!” He retorted.

“You basically tried to become Mariah Carey when I drove!”

He opened his mouth to snap back, then for his own safety, decided not to.

“Look, I get it,” you said quietly, “losing control in a car while you spin in a metal box isn’t everyone’s idea of fun-”

“Not when you put it like that-”

“But,” you chuckled, and the sparkle in his eyes returned, “because I know how this is going to keep you up tonight-”

“I’ll sleep just fine, thank you,” he laughed, folding his arms.

“I’ll give you one tip, for free.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“Loosen up,” you said, giving him a light shove, and he stumbled backwards slightly. “Otherwise you’ll be stuck at fifty-four seconds.”

He just watched you turn to leave before you added, “I’ll be at the giant abandoned parking lot past downtown tomorrow night with Yeji, in case you want a lesson or something.” And with that you stepped behind your door, flashing him a smile before closing the door.

Minho stood there, blinking hard and trying to regulate the erratic beating of his heart before you opened the door again, giving him a strange look.

You pointed at him and raised an eyebrow, and he looked down to where your finger was pointed.

“Oh, right,” he chuckled, handing you your phone and you laughed, taking the device from him.

“Goodnight Minho,” you whispered before closing the door again, not giving him time to respond.

Your ability to make him speechless was getting out of hand.

Something tells me I’m supposed to get used to this…

“...goodnight.”

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

Punch It

a lixiesfreckles_ production

cast(in order of appearance)

Seo Changbin as the only one with a life

Hwang Hyunjin as the drama

Lee Minho as the obvious choice

Hwang Yeji as the best friend

in memory of my old self. you had no idea what you'd be capable of one day.

do not copy or repost. all rights reserved.

[mariacallous]

Forty-seven years ago today, everything changed. True believers might already know what it was: On May 25, 1977, Star Wars hit movie theaters and irrevocably altered nearly everything pertaining to the act of moviegoing. Lines around the block, overly excited nerds, an appetite for action figures. Star Wars taught Hollywood that certain genres—sci-fi, fantasy, anything that percolated in the offbeat TV shows, books, and comics of the 1950s and ’60s—had fans, and those fandoms would show up. Star Wars made a meager $1.6 million in the US in its opening weekend. But people kept coming back, and by the end of its initial run it had made more than $300 million. Hollywood’s Next Big Thing had arrived.

Common wisdom dictates that Jaws, which came out in 1975 and made some $260 million, was the first summer blockbuster. That’s true, but it was Star Wars that shifted the idea of what kind of film future popcorn flicks tried to be. In the years after its release, a trove of sci-fi and genre films landed in theaters: Blade Runner, Alien, E.T., the Mad Max sequel The Road Warrior. By the ’90s, the summer movie energy had shifted to action fare—Twister, Speed, Jurassic Park, Independence Day—but nerd stuff still ruled. For every Forrest Gump there was a Batman Returns or Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Then came a little juggernaut called Marvel. By the time Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies started clearing nine-figure opening weekends in the aughts, it was obvious that comic book heroes’ true superpowers involved making your money disappear. The Avengers opened in early May 2012 and nearly recouped its $200-million-plus production budget in three days. Suddenly, there were at least two superhero movies every year, if not every summer, and some new Star Wars flicks at the holidays.

The one-two punch of Covid-19 theater closures and streaming pretty much kneecapped this entire process. The summer of 2020 had virtually no blockbusters, and by the time moviegoers returned to multiplexes in 2021 and 2022, there had been a vibe shift. Movies like Black Widow and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness did well, but they weren’t events. Rushing to Fandango for tickets didn’t feel as urgent as it once did. Last summer, Barbenheimer was the buzziest thing in movies. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 made money, but they still got beat by Barbie’s might.

Overall, this year could be a wake-up call for studios that superhero fatigue has fully set in, says Chris Nashawaty, author of The Future Was Now, a new book out in July about how the movies of 1982—Blade Runner, E.T., Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, among others—ushered in the current blockbuster era. That epoch, he says, “was always going to be something that couldn’t last forever; I’m frankly surprised that it lasted as long as it did.”

Nashawaty says the success of Barbenheimer—both movies—indicates that audiences are hungry for smart films, but Hollywood’s risk aversion likely means studios will greenlight more projects based on toys and games like Monopoly rather than movies about physicists. “This is a real existential moment in Hollywood right now,” he adds, and studios need to be bold to stay relevant.

Summer 2024, which unofficially begins this weekend, promises a move away from the formula that has been in play for decades. There are only a handful of big popcorn-ready movies coming, and they’re decidedly less family-friendly than the blockbusters of yore. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which dropped on Friday, is a teeth-chatteringly gritty prequel about a kidnapped woman (Anya Taylor-Joy playing the younger version of Charlize Theron’s character from Mad Max: Fury Road) who ends up in a war between two overlords and has to fight her way out. Deadpool & Wolverine is a Marvel movie, yes, but it’s apparently a paean to pegging and cocaine so hard-R that Ryan Reynolds won’t shut up about it.

The series of weird indies coming in the next few months—the thriller Cuckoo, Ti West’s latest horror flick MaXXXine, a new collab from Poor Things pals Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos called Kinds of Kindness—finally have some room to get into the summer movie conversation.

Make no mistake: I am typing these things with glee and admiration. Glossy family movies have their place, but they’ve grown awfully predictable. Safe—not necessarily in their plots, but in their substance. No matter how fun last year’s barn-burner The Super Mario Bros. Movie was, you can’t say anything about it was surprising, much less new. No one walked into the theater for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and walked out as gobsmacked as they were when they saw Star Wars, or even Speed.

This is not a “Hollywood is so homogenized” argument. Rather, it’s a reminder that Tinseltown wasn’t always this way. Its influence used to introduce people to the future. What’s happening now has the potential to mark a return to the kind of startlingly original movies that used to be hits. Between the pandemic, streaming, and the Hollywood strikes of last summer, a lot of old habits got broken, and there’s a sense that a renaissance is afoot.

This revitalization won’t come easy, if it comes at all. Summer 2024 still has its share of redos and sequels—a new Inside Out movie, reboots of ’90s summer staples The Crow and Twister. (The latter is the aptly-named Twisters; there are more tornadoes this time, apparently.) But even those movies at least feel like they’re grasping for the prefranchise days, even if they’re birthing franchises in the process.

Furiosa is currently projected to bring in more than $40 million at the US box office this weekend, a figure that would bring it close to Fury Road’s tally but may not convince Hollywood execs that it should bankroll more R-rated, original shockbusters. It would, presumably, best The Garfield Movie, which is also out this weekend and has the makings of a more surefire hit: well-known IP, animated, PG-rated. (For the record, though: Critics seem to think it sucks.) Early ticket sales for Deadpool & Wolverine are already breaking records for an R-rated movie. Should it dominate the conversation for a couple weeks while also raking in money, that embrace of a very not-Disney Disney movie—coupled with Furiosa and Hot Barbenheimer Summer—could signal a tipping point.

Look, nothing will ever completely derail Hollywood’s reliance on sure things. Video game adaptations remain poised to take the crown long held by superhero flicks. (Borderlands, starring Cate Blanchett, is coming to theaters this August.) But if this summer’s ever-sprawling slate turns up just enough weird hits, maybe we’ll once again know the feeling of walking out of Star Wars for the first time.

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 11/7/2023

three days until my birthday problems. i have been very busy with 1) prepping my costume for ren faire and 2) onboarding a new henchwoman to the evil lair, a talented little tabby we're immediately extending full health benefits to with no trial period

listening

good morning afternoon by rebecca sugar. if i had not already known it was rebecca sugar by the voice and the understated guitar, i would have known it was her by the gorgeous synthy chimey chimes. spotify

on my release radar playlist

-

reading

stop fucking using personally identifiable details in your passwords. also stop reusing your passwords and burner emails. especially if you're doing crime

A pivotal clue for validating the research into Apathyp/Fearlless came from the identity intelligence firm myNetWatchman, which found that gezze@mail.ru at one time used the passwords “геззи1991” (gezze1991) and “gezze18081991.” Care to place a wager on when Vkontakte says is Mr. Sherban’s birthday? Ten points if you answered August 18 (18081991). Mr. Sherban did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

-

watching

the 2006 anime BLACK LAGOON, we're going to yoink this from wikipedia bc it's serviceable enough

The series follows the Lagoon Company, a four-member team of pirate mercenaries smuggling goods in and around the seas of Southeast Asia with their PT boat, the Black Lagoon. The group takes on various jobs, usually involving criminal organizations and resulting in violent gunfights.

unfortunately i am genetically inclined to boats and ex-military boats. it is extremely 2006 in sensibility and animation choices. there are remarkably sophisticated and fun battle sequences, and a lot of ass but little upskirting. revy (pictured below) is a dual-wielding gunslinger who is simply the worst. horrible woman that gets space to have a bit of a messy complex character arc and have a messy complex time of it. her writing and character are quite good period, not just quite good for 2006. i adore her.

the second episode has our pirates take out a helicopter with a torpedo boat (no deck guns! they just use the torpedo!) in a way that made me stand up, lift mackintosh above my head, and hoot like a tusken raider.

this is about as violent as your average spaghetti western, and much like spaghetti westerns i don't think the series is always successful in using its setting to make points about grey morality and not like. shock for shock's sake? certainly one to look up trigger warnings for.

the why: now i have a bootleg chromecast i have been watching more things on my actual television, remembered "hey this exists on hulu why didn't i finish it several years ago". still not sure why i didn't finish this several years ago. i am pirating the second season, but it's the sub which is a shame bc i quite like the dubbed voice actors, but it's a nightmare trying to find a dub with subtitles. i rarely have the patience to fuss with my own subtitle files.

-

playing

turnip boy commits tax evasion, a 2021 game that was recently free on Epic. it is the studio Snoozy Kazoo's first game. i had a very strange time with this, bc the first fifteen minutes up to the first boss fight lulled me into a sense of complacency and then the minute i had to do something slightly complicated at the first boss fight (pay attention to my timing) i lost interest. i don't know if i will return to this, bc the humor didn't always hit for me (extremely online, but twitter online) and there's a major genshin update later this week.

-

making

new evil lair employee, phil (short for philip marlowe)

recap of tragic backstory: i had seen her Around for about a week or so, realized on friday night when i scared her out of the dumpster that she had something stuck to her, and didn't see her again until sunday night, when she was too lethargic to skitter away from the dumpster. she has a VERY gnarly wound on her left flank and leg, the urgent care vet thinks she got dragged or caught in something. it is healing remarkably well, all things considered, and it's not infected bc the thing stuck to her was some vetwrap. so someone at some point patched her up?

she is SO full of milk. i have not found the kittens but there are a Lot of strays in this neighborhood, so my hope is that some other momma cat has engaged in some kidnapping.

i have a formal vet appt on the 17th for mackie that ive added phil to, so we'll see about her heart murmur, if she has a microchip (unlikely) and getting her spayed after she heals up a bit more.

mackintosh is Fucking Pissed!!! we will do incredibly slow introductions and phil will probably live in the office/guest suite for. several months. i had not originally planned on adding another henchwoman so soon, but i do have the spare bedroom, the shelter wasn't doing intakes or clinic appointments until friday, and the wound. really could not have waited until friday. it was free cat.

[leelahsrose]

HONEY. | LIL MEECH

Hey y’all! Long time no see, I know it’s been a while since I’ve been on here + Wattpad but I am back for sure and ready to write again. For my comeback story I’ve decided to do a Lil Meech fanfiction, i haven’t seen anybody writing for him and I want to change that. Of course this is always going to be a black!reader! I hope you all enjoy, I already have the first three chapters written up for y’all so comment, like, + share for me! 🫶🏾❤️

chapter one.

“𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙧.” -Key Glock, circa 2021

12:30 PM

This story starts in the strip club, yes you read that correctly. The club. The place where there is a multitude of beautiful and seductive women? Yes, that's exactly where it starts. You might be thinking it will begin with a dancer herself, no? Maybe not, the club was always filled with lost souls every night. But, there was one diamond in the rough there. On the outside, she shines bright. Her energy as beautiful as the features on her face. The inside is where all the good stuff hides. In this story, only one person will bring it out of her. But, at what cost?

THE DIAMOND.

the story of

DETROIT.

khaleesi

PRESENT DAY.

"Big ol glock, nigga." Key Glock's cops & robbers shakes the whole Diamond. The beat bangs against the walls as the hundreds of people on the floor move in their own way. Red cups are held in the air, filled with a variety of alcohol. Hennessy, dussé, crown. Pulsing low blue lights fill the large room all the way up to the balcony, hundreds of dollars float slowly and down into the air as a dancer graces the sizable circle platform in the middle of the room. The way her body twists and turns around the pole was like art. Her heels clacked together loudly when the beat drops.

The Diamond is a two-story entertainment club with the most attractive and jaw-dropping women in Detroit. It was and currently is the hottest strip club in the city, the amount of money that filled the place on Friday & Saturday nights was thousands. Maybe millions. Everybody knew, if you wanted to have fun... the Diamond is the place to go. But, our story starts with Khaleesi Taylor.

"Cash rules everything around me." The song changes causing the lights to fade into a soft blush color. A young lady, 21 to be exact, sits at the bar with a shot glass in her hand. Her legs crossed and her walls up as her back rests against the counter. Khaleesi's dark eyes gaze up at her sister on the pole, her orbs filled with the pink lighting. She watched carefully as Kali's hands grip and hold the metal, the sound in her ears had tuned out. She had stayed hours with Kali to help her practice, motivating and being there for her.

Khaleesi sits her glass down and runs her hands down her thick thighs, her long & tall square nails were decorated with colorful decals and bright colors. Her glistening and smooth brown skin was rich, she found the time to moisturize using oil with lotion. It's what made her skin feel like a cloud. Her button nose had two gold piercings on each nostril, one of the small hoops has a yellow butterfly hanging freely.

Khaleesi wears a denim mini skirt, it was light blue. The top, a dark brown crop top with baby blue thick heeled-boots. Her tummy poking slightly through her skirt, for some, it was an insecurity but for her she loves her tummy. There's a black bag that hangs from her shoulder, the bundles in her head were thick & wavy: the silky tresses cascading down her back beautifully. A buss down jet black middle-part was her favorite style, she believes it really compliments her face.

She stands up and pulls at her skirt, Khaleesi had always been thick. It was a disadvantage & advantage at the same time, for example, she couldn't wear things like this without her cheeks showing. Sometimes, she just says fuck it. Her slithering gaze skims the club as the tip of her thumb sits on the edge of her lips. As she walks, the beat catches up with her. With every step her hips switch, her plump behind flowing like water. Times like this, she felt so confident.

The many eyes of men & women follow her, she waved at some of the girls that said hi to her as Khaleesi glides past to the dressing room. She comes to the back of the club where a matte black door stands. She flashes her wristband at the buff security, he nods and opens the door for her. In the room, multiple girls were walking around. Some naked, some screaming and chatting with friends, others getting dressed to go out on the floor. "Let's go girls! Get y'all asses ready!"

Khaleesi pushes her way to the corner were Kali was gathering her makeup and supplies quickly. Her head switches toward her sister sharply. "Girl, where the hell you been? We have to go asap!" Kali grabs the black bag and rips it open, she takes out a black sweatshirt and blue jeans. A pair of white tennis shoes came right after. "Dad's gonna kill us, fuck Leesi."

"We're gonna get back in time, don't worry. Besides, you know dad and mom sleep heavy as hell."

"We still have to go to the store and get some breakfast for this morning, remember, I told them I'd go shopping?"

"Fuck! Kali I told you to go before we left for the club." Kali pushes the bag into Khaleesi's chest as she walks past her. Her flosses and other stage outfits were packed into the bag. They come out of the dressing room quickly, the beginning of Brent Faiyaz's price of fame filling their ears. The drop of the beat shook Khaleesi's body to the core, her hips wanted to sway and move to the beat so badly.

"You know you need to pull your skirt down, daddy would kill you."

"Says the girl who was just in her damn floss on the pole." Kali rolls her eyes and grabs ahold of Leesi's wrist. They move as one through the crowd, pushing through the sweaty people and desperate men. "I'm glad we left anyway, ballers don't come out until later." Khaleesi says when they get outside, they walk beside one another heading to the bus stop. Shoulder to shoulder as they push one another playfully.

Kali holds on securely to another black duffel bag in her hand, it was full of ones and maybe if she was lucky 20s & 50s. She looks just like her younger sister but, obviously an older version. Kali was 24, Khaleesi 21. The warm and slightly windy air was comforting to the both of them, they grew up on a farm. It felt like being in the vast green fields back at home, it was freeing but, they were far from that.

They moved to Detroit at a young age, their father had got a high-end job and was transferred immediately to the city with their mother behind them. They live in a house in a nice neighborhood 10 miles from The Diamond. Their father works for a company downtown and man was it exhausting for him. Their mom, a stay at home mother who loves cooking more than anything. Kali, graduated senior, who works in the club secretly to make money for herself.

Khaleesi, a recently graduated senior, helps her sister out and not by dancing. She covers for Kali and supports her dancing career in the club, carrying her supplies and handing her what she needs when she gets dressed. "So... are you going to move out?" Khaleesi didn't want her sister to leave her, her voice held a certain kind of sadness. Their father and brother was incredibly overbearing hence, why Kali wanted to move.

Her father and Kali have a tension between them, she was more the rebellious sister and Khaleesi the sweet one who abided by all the rules. Kali didn't want to leave her sister but, it was only a matter of time before their father finds out about her night life. Then, she'll be kicked out instead of moving out. "I don't know, you know I can't leave you by yourself."

"Then take me with you, we can be roommates."

"It’s not that easy. You know dad and mom won't let you come with me, especially when they find out about me." The thought of her parents disowning her was terrifying, the two people she believes would love her forever. "Plus, they want you to go to college. I love dancing, no matter how much they don't understand."

“I don't want to go to college, why does everyone want me to go." Kali grabs her shoulder, stopping Khaleesi in her tracks. Her baby blue heels weren't clacking against the concrete anymore. The streets dead quiet, it was expected considering the time. "What?"

"You have to go, don't you wanna be something?" Khaleesi rips her sisters hand from her shoulder and steps in front of Kali.

"I can be something without college, not everyone needs a degree to go out and be something. Hell, I say as long as you're making money a job is a job."

"Tell that shit to dad, bookie." She rolls her eyes as Kali slides past her. Their father was adamant on Khaleesi going to college, when he couldn't get Kali to budge the responsibility fell on Leesi. "Let's go, the gas station across the street!"

"Wait for me!" They run across the empty street screaming happily, their black hair flowing behind them carelessly. Nights like these were the best, the most care-free. Even if they are away from their dad and brother’s strict rules & expectations for a couple seconds, it was always the best feeling however long it lasts. The gas station, no more than two minutes from the Diamond, was packed with hellcats. Cherry red, winter blue, and snow white chargers take up the gas pumps. The music echoing down the street engulfs the atmosphere, men sit on the hoods smoking, talking, and gambling.

"Kali, what's up ma?" They walk past a man in a tracksuit, he grabs ahold of her wrist holding her in place. This causes Khaleesi to stop in her tracks and run into Kali's back.

"Sir, we're tryna get some food." Kali nudges his forehead back and pulls her wrist away from him. "Holla at you later." One thing Kali didn't do was ditch her sister for a man, she didn't put anybody above her. He kisses his teeth and walks away pulling his hood over his head, Khaleesi sighs as they walk into the store.

"I didn't mean to scare away your guy friend."

"Girl please! I already fucked him a while ago. He won't leave me alone. If anything, you saved me." Kali laughs causing the corners of Khaleesi's lips to lift into a smile.

The two sisters walk into the store and are greeted with a booming voice. Nizhoni. Her dad owns the place but forces her to work night shifts on some weekdays and weekends. A green lollipop swirls between her full lips—her teeth drenched in grills. Her nails were cut into a stiletto shape and black as night.

"Leesi and Kali!" They walk over and lean against the counter, the small convenient store was crowded with teenagers and young people shopping & playing around. The TV blasting in the corner was showing a rerun of a football game, a group of older men gathered around it to watch carefully. "I love you two so much, you actually came to keep me company. You know the night life gets busy." Nizhoni collapses down on the countertop and sighs deeply.

She sits back up and pulls her hand purse from the side of her and on to the counter. Niz takes out a nail filer from her purse and begins to scrape it against her fingernails, Khaleesi lifts herself up and sits down on the tall counter. She grabs one of the 99 cent honeybuns from a rack and opens it, taking a big bite. "I know how much you love those little shits so I'll let you have it for free this time." 

"Thank you." Khaleesi tunes out the talking of Kali & Nizhoni, everything around her had seem to become dark and quiet as she chews on her honeybun. Her brown eyes observing the surroundings, she was the paranoid sister. Always watching. Always observing others behaviors and motives. A steady beat bangs in her chest, it seems to cause the whole gas station to vibrate. Everyone's eyes seem to land on the black SUV pulling up to one of the pumps.

The passenger side door opens and a young man jumps out of the vehicle. A smile wide on his face, the whiteness of his teeth dancing with the stations bright lights. Khaleesi's eyes were stuck on him, the way he carried himself was... attractive. Everyone else had paid no mind to him, going back into their own little worlds. Kali and Nizhoni didn't notice, they continued to talk.

Khaleesi didn't notice her breathing had changed, her chest moves up and down in a quick but steady pace. She tilts her head up a little trying to get a better look but, she didn't want to get caught looking in this man's direction. She watched as he converse, talking to other men as his tall figure leaned against the SUV. "I love to love you baby." Donna Summer's soothing voice echoes in the back of her mind, the music on the tv playing faintly but loud.

His cuban chains glistened beautifully in the light: there was one, no- two around his tattooed neck. He wears all black, long-sleeved shirt and joggers. Khaleesi couldn't stop staring at some of the rings on his thick fingers. The veins running through his hands show as he moves them around expressing what he was saying. He has a rough beard on his sharp jawline and a thin mustache going across his plump lips. The hood on his head lowers as he walks toward the door. A piece pushed into the side of his waistband, Khaleesi gasps softly and removes her eyes off of him.

The man has on colors that they were not suppose to associate with, Leesi's heart was thumping against her chest. They weren't usually welcomed on this side of town. But, could still come and go as they please. "We have to go, Kali." Her sisters eyes shift to her as she grabs her wrist.

"What's wrong?" Nizhoni nudges Kali's shoulder and they all look to the double doors. Kamari Parker pushes them open, he walks inside and the room falls silent. A soft green lighting from outside flows from behind him and into the store. Khaleesi didn't dare to look up, Kali had turned her head away as well. Her eyes glued to Nizhoni, Kali bulges her eyes at her begging for Niz to say something.

"Ohhhkay..." Kamari squints his eyes around the store, his heavy steps move around the room as he grabs a bag of chips. Khaleesi's thumb touches her bottom lip as she watches him, his deep voice is heard as he raps random lyrics. Niggas. His voice, Khaleesi couldn't control the sensation between her thighs. It rattled her, it held nothing but power. She quickly crosses her legs and averts her stare when he turns around and walks over.

"Wassup? Let me get a five pack, russian cream." The words that slipped from his lips were smooth and comforting, Khaleesi couldn't feel anything but timid in his presence. He felt familiar, he felt warming and reassuring. Leesi believed he would go after her sister, no one's ever chased after her. Everyone loves her sister, she was beautiful, charming, and a great dancer. And she was just known as Kali's little sister.

Khaleesi sighs and looks back towards the store, her eyes landing on the TV as she tunes out the rest of the conversation. "Let me get some oil too, mama."

"Give me a second and I'll come out there and put it in for you, baby." Nizhoni gently smiles and pops her lollipop out her mouth. Kamari smiles then licks his lips.

"Is it okay if shorty over there does it instead?" Kali and Nizhoni's eyes switch over to Khaleesi. Her big sister slaps her on the thigh to catch her attention, Leesi gasps and glares in Kali's direction.

"What the fuck, Kali?"

"This nice man would like for you to put some oil in his car." Kali has a forced smile on her face, she tilts her head towards the door. "Go on, now. I'll be watching you in here." Kamari grabs his bag of chips and backwoods, he walks backwards to the door. His eyes looked Khaleesi up and down, he bites his bottom lip and walks outside into the summer air.

"Kali, if Q finds out-"

"He's not here and we saw the way you were looking at him, bitch, go." She smiles and laughs with Nizhoni, Khaleesi hugs Kali tightly and runs to the entrance. She walks outside and her eyes automatically land on Kamari, his stare holds on her.

"Come on." He flicks his hand toward him, Khaleesi walks across the parking lot. Her heels slapping the ground as her hair falls gracefully around her shoulders. She heard a few whistles but easily ignored them, she could've sworn she saw a slight sneer or Kamari's face. He didn't like it. Parker lifts up the hood as Khaleesi stands beside his tall figure. She stopped exactly at his shoulder, she was tall herself. He removes the top and moves aside for Leesi. "It's all yours."

She glances over at him and sees he's resting against the car on his side. Just watching her. Khaleesi pours the oil in slowly, she bites her lip trying to concentrate. She could feel his eyes burning into her, her legs becoming weak and her mind was racing with thoughts. Stand up, girl! Khaleesi screams at herself in her head. "Is there a reason you're watching me like this?"

"Just making sure you good, you good?" Khaleesi looks up at him and that was a mistake. He looked so good, she was folding hard. His voice was soft, almost like a whisper but, still had a hint of raspiness.

"Yes, I'm good, thanks for asking." Khaleesi closes the top on the oil and walks past Kamari to throw away the bottle. The friends that he arrived with were gathered around the car talking amongst themselves. His eyes follow her behind as they move up her spine and to the hair laying on her neck. Khaleesi comes back toward him and he grabs her wrist softly.

"What's your name?" She didn't think he would ask her that, Khaleesi panics. They were not under any circumstances allowed to tell their names to enemies. What made him ask her name? Had she caught his attention?

"And why would you want that?" Khaleesi calms her self and begins to play along, she moves close to him. He leans back against the car, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You're beautiful, that's all. I've never seen you around."

"Oh, so you want my name so you can spy on me." Khaleesi smiles, Kamari's arm wrapping around her waist: he pulls her in and clenches his jaw. She turns her head and quietly gasps, she feels his eyelashes graze her cheek softly as he looks down at her body.

"I'm serious, can I please have your name?"

"I'm sorry, no." Khaleesi's finger grazes the skin under his chin. She bites her lip as he looks up in her eyes, he sits against the car.

"Why you wanna play like that?" A half smile rises on his lips, Kamari laughs then sits up. "That's aight, I'mma ask everybody in this motherfucka then." Khaleesi stops him from leaving her sight, she grabs his hand before he can walk away and pushes him on the side of the car. "Damn, nigga." A look of amusement on his face as he returns to his original position.

"Fine, it's Khaleesi. What about you?"

"People call me many names but, the only one you need to know is Kamari."

"Come on, Khaleesi!" Kali runs out and grabs ahold of her sisters wrist. "They're here." Khaleesi's heart drops to the pit of her stomach, she pulls away from Kamari quickly. "Nigga, this never happened." Kali glares at him and he furrows his eyebrows, his eyes never leaving Khaleesi's. He watches as they run and disappear into the night.

[dertaglichedan]

Breitbart Business Digest: ‘The Labor Market Is Supported by Government Payrolls’

Good News in a Vacuum

The U.S. economy generated 206,000 new jobs in June, but even leftist and establishment media were quick to acknowledge that the overall numbers were not all that great.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that nonfarm payrolls increased by more than forecasters anticipated for the month of June, which sounds like good news… in a vacuum.

But this is not a vacuum.

Here is the rest of what you need to know:

First of all, the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1 percent, which is higher than the forecasters predicted and tied with the highest level seen since October 2021.

Now here come the big shocking numbers of the day: The May jobs numbers were revised from 272,000 all the way down to 218,000; and April’s numbers dropped from 165,000 to 108,000.

Yes, you read that right. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cut 111,000 jobs from the April and May combined totals.

We’re not saying these numbers are cooked, but we’re not naïve to what it looks like.

This is wildly convenient for the Democrats and their defenders in the media. The solid topline number got the main headline even though the reality is that prior good news has been completely negated.

It gets worse, still. Long-term unemployment rose by 166,000 to 1.5 million, which is up nearly 40 percent from a year ago.

Black and Asian workers also fared poorly in June. Black workers saw their highest unemployment number in months (6.3 percent), and Asians are experiencing their highest jobless rate since August 2021.

[vesperione]

As of today, the 15th of February 2024, I have been running Vesperione for five years, and it is finally time for me to reintroduce myself to the fandom because I get told time and time again in a “big name” here still??! Anyway I am aware I'm perceived at face value so here we go:

VOTED BIGGEST WIGGLY FAN, BIGGEST HEY MELISSA! FAN, BIGGEST PAUL CATMEWS ADVOCATE AND MOST ACTIVE FAN IN THE 2024 STARCANWRECKEDPULP AWARDS: WELCOME TO TEAM VESPERIONE

Hi, hey, hello, and welcome to my resume. I'm Jay, I'm 18 and I have been in charge of Team Vesperione for half a decade. despite my blunt sometimes borderline bitchy attitude, I am GENUINELY very grateful for the people I’ve met within this fandom and the welcoming community. Like. I love most of you 🫶. I started this account when I was in Year Nine and I am now a university drop out (don't ask me on that). what the actual freak. I also started this account with the username of robertstanion which, luckily, I changed to vesperione (vuh-spare-ee-own) April 2021 before he outed himself as a sexual harasser which was a lucky escape on my behalf, and now I'm a multifandom menace!

Other fandoms I tend to post about most often are Cooking Companions/Dread Weight, Criminal Case (the 2012 facebook game actually), Miraculous Ladybug (it's 2024, cringe does not exist) and Julie And The Phantoms. Following me for Hatchetfield content also means following me for those fandom posts reblogged as well.

I am your worst nightmare when it comes to Hatchetfield Trivia. My (personal) Hatchetfield Timeline goes as such:

Jan 7th 2019: I watched TGWDLM for the first time , April 1st 2019: I watched the Starkid10 announcement, and watched as Black Friday got announced before my very eyes. October 11th 2019: I watched Nick Lang announce NPMD on the IT'S ALIVEstream, November 6th 2019: I watched the Black Friday digiticket (which really changed the perspective of my life, if I'm being honest) and from that point forward, I watched every Hatchetfield project debut in real time.

Because of the above timeline, I am a walking, talking Hatchetfield dictionary and there are some specific tags I use to navigate my way around starkid tumblr being:

consjderthecoconut:;- generic Hatchetfield posts

whatsshakjnbanana:- my Black Friday posts

aljteralmonster:- my NPMD posts

MEOW:- hey melissa tag. look at my pfp and guess my fave nmt story (it's abstinence camp actually)

kickstarter perks:- my workin boys tag

lcverlosses:- my lautski tag

track 14 on fift:- this was originally named the "angel emoji" tag but I changed it. This tag I use when I am Bluntly Correct People On Lore when it comes down to stupid takes for those who can't be bothered to do a Google. (for those curious, Track 14 on Faith In The Future (which is Louis Tomlinson’s second album) is Angels Fly)

Team Vesperione as a collective regards my entire social media presence including my instagram, tumblr, ao3 and tiktok. All socmeds are under the same name as this blog, aside from my cosplay tiktok, which is still a part of Team Vesperione, despite not having the same name. All of my vesperione accounts have (officially) been running for five years now, including my ao3 profile, which is exactly one day older than my insta and tumblr.

For whatever reason, if you want some fun little trivia facts about me, here you go:

As an ex digital media production student, for my final project, I made a Beginners Guide To Hatchetfield Podcast called Hatchetfield Action News so if anyone is Dan Reynolds, it's me. You can find that link here: https://linktr.ee/dothncx.

I’m the person who willed the “Paul is Richie’s uncle” headcanon into existence. The origin was This Aint For The Best chapter,, nine. So youre welcome!

The name Vesperione came from Vesperia + Viperion from Miraculous Ladybug. I chose this name when I became a multifandom blog

My favourite Hatchetfield musical is NPMD but my fave starkid musical overall is VHSCCS

My fave Hatchetfield character of all time is Wiggly. He makes me genuinely feral.

My overall ranking of the HF series goes NPMD, Workin Boys! (proud backer 2019 baby!), Abstinence Camp, TGWDLM, Hey Melissa!, Honey Queen, Yellow Jacket, Killer Track, Watcher World, Time Bastard, Forever And Always, Hatchetfield Ape Man, Black Friday, Jane's A Car, Witch In The Web, Daddy, Perky's Buds.

I have absolutely no intentions of leaving this blog any time soon you'd better prepare to be Sick of me and my angel emoji tag because i am going nowhere.

And if you need more info abt me, check my pinned xoxo

[alexilulu]

Books I Read In 2024 #14: Final Girls Support Group (Grady Hendrix, Berkley Books, 2021)

Lynnette Tarkington is one of 6 girls who survived multiple horrific spree murders and became the Final Girls, the subjects of intense media and social scrutiny, who meet together in secret with a therapist even now, decades after their experiences. When a hypervigilant Lynnette begins to spot the signs that someone is coming for the Final Girls, their lives are torn apart as she races against a seemingly inexorable final stand.

Full spoilers below.

I think I liked this novel more before I started writing this review.

At some point in my life, i began to have very detailed, specific thoughts about horror as a genre and medium. I didn't watch it when i was young (possibly because i had a formative experience of waking up during a slumber party at 9am when, for some reason, the shower scene in Poltergeist was being played very loudly on the TV I fell asleep in front of, but who knows actually), but there is something about the whole genre that I do find interesting. If I'd point to any one thing, it was probably playing Alien: Isolation when it came out that made me really think about it as a genre and method.

I don't think that Final Girl Support Group is horror, per se. It's a thriller that is performing the same genre moves as a slasher movie, but it also can't commit to being a slasher in a proper way. The only people who die in the novel is Adrienne (named for Adrienne King, the actress who portrays Alice Hardy in Friday the 13th, the movie series her Final Girl story is based off of), who is also curiously the only black woman in the novel. The ending is a sop to turning against the cycle of violence in which the women have all been unwillingly placed by having the villain (an incel in plain sight who is trying to kill all the Final Girls as revenge against his mother, their therapist and his groomed and self-manufactured final girl who pushes him to further and further excesses) be captured by police.

I get those criticisms out front here because I don't want anyone to think this is something it isn't. The plot is a third generation copy of Screa, (which is funny, because it already has Scream in it) and it shows. But there is something that shines through it despite the relative thinness of Lynnette's half-baked sleuthing of the solution to Who Is Killing Final Girls?

Lynnette is a fairly good protagonist, in that she is a horrifically damaged, broken woman who has shattered herself into a shape small enough to protect from a world obsessed with the pain and death of women. Each of the women is changed by their experiences; Julia (the Scream Final Girl) is paraplegic after killing her Ghostface with a three story drop, Heather is a former drug user after her experience with the Dream King (which implies some VERY strange things about both her and the world that the novel never answers given the Nightmare on Elm Street inspiration, in one of the better parts of the book) and Dani (the survivor of the Halloween expy) has given up on everything but her wife, her ranch and the support group. Lynnette herself is a PTSD nightmare of a woman, bound to her apartment and the support group and nothing else, a collection of hypervigilance responses in the shape of an adult woman (they never specify the year though, so its hard to place any of them in their ages; presumably given the slashers are contemporary to when the movies released, these are all women in their fourties, but its hard to say).

Lynnette is also a liar. She's unreliable about the state of the world (albeit in an extremely realistic way, as someone who cannot understand her own damage as anything but the logical response to her life), as well as about her own life. In her version of Silent Night, Deadly Night, she was hung from a pair of antlers as a deranged man in a santa claus suit killed her boyfriend, her family and her little sister in front of her while she played dead. This then repeated with the killer's brother mimicing the crime after she was adopted by a new family, only for him to survive his wounds from the police and go on to hold a furious grudge against Lynnette. Fundamentally, this means that she's not truly a Final Girl, which is to say that she did not kill her attacker while surviving, and that is the thematic meat of the novel.

The novel has more to say about the world-building of a group of damaged women who have had to forge themselves into a public identity based around the things that were done to them than as people in their own right. And with that comes in-group safety. These women have looked to each other for comfort and safety for 30 years, but even here they have their intra-community strife. Any group of people placed into isolation with one another will inevitably find something to want to scream at each other for, so the nature of Final Girlhood is immediate and obvious as a way to build hierarchy. Lynnette doesn't even realize it's happening to her, despite everything, because she's so caught up in her own warped worldview to realize that the women around her hold her as lesser than her.

The other thing the novel has so much to say about is the nature of the American obsession with the pain of white womanhood. These women are famous, their trauma repackaged into blockbuster movies (or flops, in some cases), and it changed their lives. Marilyn (the survivor of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre expy) married rich on her own after the movies and made herself into a social crusader (using the money of her prison baron husband, in the classic liberal-meets-conservative marriage of the wealthy). Adrienne, who dies as the instigating motion of the plot, forged the camp from her Friday the 13th experience into a home for traumatized women to learn to trust again and grow past their experiences. Others, like Heather, live like dissolute, past-use Hollywood stars who burned their fortunes on drugs and fast times and now seek only the next cash infusion to reclaim a little bit of that fire. They collectively made their nut off their own pain, but America demands more; the endless sequelification of their pain continues, with Adrienne's being the most prolific as a mirror to the cavalcade of Friday the 13th sequels. Fundamentally, this means there is the same sort of movie fandom around the circumstances of the real lives as there is around serial killers, complete with 'murderabilia' from the acts themselves. In the middle act of the movie, the police, who have Lynnette in custody, arrange horrific pranks and treatment for her specifically, from a papering of her letters to the killer on the plexiglass of her cell to a Christmas themed tableaux in the interrogation room on the other side of the one-way glass.

Ultimately, the plot ends in everyone living, choosing recovery and a new way forward for themselves from the hardened places they had made for themselves, but it feels a little hollow. It's too pat. The most dangerous moments in Lynnette's Final Girl becoming are powerful, but so much more of it is the sirt of pat mystery that wouldn't have passed muster in a movie theater. The final revelation of who the killer is comes from a homemade comic book Lynnette bought off her therapist's youngest son, who is for some reason privy to all the details of his brother's plan and wrote it all down in a homemade comic, that she never once looked at for 250 pages. The phenomenal moments in the novel (the trip out to the betrayer Final Girl who sides with the murders more than her own kind, and her nightmare murder shack filled with murderabilia, the police sequence, and some of the more interesting Lynnette moments like when she finally opens up to the reader about her experience) do little to keep the dull parts from dragging. And yet, I say dragging only in the most superficial way; I finished it in 3 sittings, so can I really fault a novel that made me slam it in 100 page spurts as being boring? It compelled despite it all, mostly because I found Lynnette fascinating. In the end though, I don't know if that's enough to recommend it to anyone but diehard enjoyers of slasher aesthetic (though divorced from the same tropes it speaks to) or the hardened Thriller Reader.

[girlactionfigure]

He was the proud son of Italian immigrants, and he was born on August 3, 1926 in Astoria, Queens, New York. His mother was a seamstress and his father was a grocer. His father died when he was 10.

He grew up during the Great Depression and quickly learned what life was about. With no father, the family lived in poverty, and by the age of 16, the young boy had dropped out of school to support his family.

In November 1944, during the final stages of World War II, he was drafted into the United States Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After seeing the horrors of war firsthand, fighting Nazis, and liberating a concentration camp, he said, "My experience in the Army turned me into a lifelong pacifist and it’s my hope that all wars and violence will become a thing of the past."

He added, "Anybody who thinks that war is romantic obviously hasn't gone through one."

While in the army, he also saw what racism was about firsthand. He got demoted for dining with a black friend, at a time when the Army was still racially segregated.

“An Army officer blasted the two soldiers — one Black and the other White — with a hate-filled rant for being together in public,” according to The Washington Post. “In the segregated military of the day, the two men were not allowed to socialize. Back then, the punishment for Black and White soldiers associating with one another was more severe than if they fraternized with civilians in occupied Germany.”

“This officer took out a razor blade and cut my corporal stripes off my uniform right then and there,” he wrote. “He spit on them and threw them on the floor, and said, ‘Get your ass out of here!’”

~~~~~

He had been interested in singing since he was a child, and after his discharge from the Army and with the help of the GI Bill, he started studying at the American Theatre Wing. He continued performing whenever he could, even while waiting on tables.

One day, singer Pearl Bailey recognized his singing talents and asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village. There he met entertainer Bob Hope who was also impressed with him, and suggested he change his name.

He would eventually cut a demo, remembering his difficult time, growing up, singing the words, "I left my... soul behind me" in the song, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."

By this time, he had taken Bob Hope's advice and had simplified his name, from Anthony Dominick Benedetto to . . . Tony Bennett.

“Tony Bennett, a singer whose melodic clarity, jazz-influenced phrasing, audience-embracing persona and warm, deceptively simple interpretations of musical standards helped spread the American songbook around the world and won him generations of fans, died on Friday at his home of many decades in Manhattan. He was 96,” according to the New York Times.

“Mr. Bennett learned he had Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, his wife, Susan Benedetto, told AARP The Magazine in February 2021. But he continued to perform and record despite his illness; his last public performance was in August 2021, when he appeared with Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall in a show titled ‘One Last Time.’

“Mr. Bennett’s career of more than 70 years was remarkable not only for its longevity, but also for its consistency. In hundreds of concerts and club dates and more than 150 recordings, he devoted himself to preserving the classic American popular song, as written by Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Duke Ellington, Rodgers and Hammerstein and others.”

The Peace Page last shared a story on Tony Bennett in 2019. This is an updated story, remembering Mr. Bennett’s life.

The Peace Page focuses on past and present stories—some seldom told, others simply forgotten, still others intentionally ignored. The stories and chapters are gathered from writers, journalists, and historians to share awareness and foster understanding—to bring people together. We thank you for taking the time to be here and helping us share awareness.

~~~~~

In July 1961, Mr. Bennett was performing in Hot Springs, Ark., and about to head to the West Coast, according to the New York Times.

Bennett's accompanist and arranger for more than 50 years, Ralph Sharon, found sheet music to a song, stashed in a drawer, along with some shirts, according to NPR. “He packed it before hitting the road.”

"I always remember," recounts Sharon. I took this out of my bag, and looked at it, and called Tony. And I said, 'You know something, we're going to San Francisco next.' And I said, 'This is a song here that might be interesting.' "

“Mr. Sharon and Mr. Bennett decided that [the song written by George Cory and Douglass Cross] would be perfect for their next date, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, and it was.”

“They recorded the song — of course it was “I Left My Heart in San Francisco�� — six months later, in January 1962. It won Mr. Bennett his first two Grammys, for best male solo performance and record of the year, and worldwide fame.”

Tony Bennett would go on to become one of the most beloved singers in history, winning 20 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Emmy Awards. He has sold over 50 million records worldwide.

But, he never forgot his past, and he never forgot the promise of America, saying, "we’re the greatest country," but adding the reason is "because we’re all different nationalities and all different religions."

He remembered when his good friend Harry Belafonte, who he had known since the 40s when they were both just starting out, gave him a call and "told me what was going on in the South and asked me to join Dr. King on his march to Selma.”

Bennett recalled on CNN in 2013, “I didn't want to do it, but then he told me what went down — how some Blacks were burned. Had gasoline thrown on them and they were burned. When I heard that, I said, 'I'll go with you.'"

“I knew it was important to be there and support. I remember it was decided that we wanted to set up a performance for the marchers one night, but we were in an open field. One of the organizers had a friend who owned a funeral home and they brought in 18 wooden coffins and we used that as the foundation for a stage that night."

“I kept flashing back to a time twenty years ago when my buddies and I fought our way into Germany,” he wrote in his autobiography. “It felt the same way down in Selma: the white state troopers were really hostile, and they were not shy about showing it.”

At the march, Bennett also met Detroit civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo, who had driven Bennett to the airport, according to the Detroit Free Press. The next day, Liuzzo was shot and killed by the Ku Klux Klan .

~~~~~

Bennett continued speaking out for civil rights and would also speak out against apartheid in South Africa.

He would also say his war experience gave him "a social conscience," saying he believes "every gun in the world should melt somehow and as soon as possible," and comparing America’s gun culture and the political tolerance of it to Hitler’s Germany.

He said, "I consider myself a humanist."

When he received the Jazz Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Award, presenter Ben Stiller mentioned his admiration for the singer in taking on social justice issues long before it was fashionable, from marching in Selma to refusing to play in South Africa during Apartheid, according to Billboard.

~~~~~

“There is one other very important thing about Bennett to note and to admire,” according to the The Editorial Board of the Chicago Tribune. “He continued to perform despite the onset of dementia.

“For anyone who watched his late-in-life work with Lady Gaga, here was a remarkable example of someone who showed the world one of the oft-forgotten truths about a condition that afflicts so many Americans: People with advanced levels of dementia still can contribute a great deal, especially if it is something they have done for years.

“Bennett struggled to remember names and faces, but when he started to sing, he went on a kind of autopilot, the familiar smile returning to his face and the notes and even the lyrics flowing like good wine. This was familiar to many people who knew dementia well: a reminder that the original person always is in there, communicating and loving just as at the times when it was far more obvious to those on the outside. In his courage, Bennett offered a great deal of comfort to those who best knew what he was facing.

“Fortunately, Bennett managed to surround himself with kind family members and fellow artists who protected his reputation as they did his spirit.”

~~~~~

The Hollywood Bowl said, "Throughout his life, Tony Bennett has been a dedicated pacifist and proactive humanitarian selflessly supporting many causes whose goals benefit the lives of millions. His love for his country has earned him the distinction of national treasure and the United Nations has named him a Citizen of the World as one of their foremost ambassadors."

Bennett remembered in the army when he couldn’t dine with his Black friend.

“I couldn’t get over the fact that they condemned us for just being friends, and especially while we served our country in wartime,” Bennett wrote in his 1998 autobiography, “The Good Life.” “There we were, just two kids happy to see each other, trying to forget for the moment the horror of the war, but for the brass it just boiled down to the color of our skin.”

Bennett remembered being “terrified by the violence,” but it only confirmed his belief that no one “should suffer simply because of the color of his skin.” He continued to speak out against bigotry and hatred throughout his career, often performing with African American entertainers at a time when it wasn’t socially acceptable, according to The Washington Post.

According to an interview with Susan C. Ingram in October 2018, Bennett recalls what his former neighbor Ella Fitzgerald told him - “Tony, we are all here.” "And Ella was right, we share this planet together and we have more in common than we have differences since we are all human."

~ jsr

The Jon S. Randal Peace Page

[tllgrrl]

The Falcon & The Winter Soldier Episode Recaps

Episode 1: New World Order

Hosted by Rebecca Vashon with Guest Robert Young

This is a Black History Month Throwback Saturday podcast recommendation.

It’s nice to hear discussions of this from Black people in the fandom because…Reasons. (IYKYK.)

Back in March 2021, every Friday a new episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (#TFATWS) dropped into Disney+, and the recaps/reactions followed.

My favorite Recaps were done by The Spectrum Lounge, hosted by Rebecca Theodore-Vachon (co-author of The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline) with Guest Robert Young who is a lifelong comic book geek and an Army veteran.

These episodes were entertaining, informative and fun! Everything you want from a podcast.

Also, one of the podcasts was a Special Episode where Rebecca Vachon talked with Adepero Oduye!

This link is to the Spotify home of the podcast. It’s also available on Apple Podcast. And probably wherever you catch podcasts.

[athetos]

What I’ve been jamming 1/9-1/15: modern grind, punk veterans, and sluggish metal

Instead of doing 10 songs per week, I’m just going to do however many I can based off my schedule and what’s been occupying my mind. I’ll eventually cross-post these to my website once that’s up and running, but for now, here it is!

NOFX - the Decline: 18 minutes may not be an eyebrow-raising song length for a heavy metal band, but for a hardcore punk band that has had as many ups and downs as the world’s most neck-whipping roller coaster, it’s easy to be skeptical that it won’t outstay its welcome, as many believe NOFX itself has. However, this 1999 single is easily NOFX’s magnum opus, and considering the band have finally announced their impending breakup, it both has and will never be topped in the 25 years since. What keeps this jaded anthem from growing stale and repetitive? Fat Mike’s stellar bass lines, a lack of their typical crude humor, and varied tempos and instrumentation that while never goes anywhere completely unexpected, is interesting enough to keep you on your toes. So long, NOFX, and thanks for the Decline.

Gatecreeper - Emptiness: The second longest song on this list, clocking in at a perfectly reasonable 11 minutes, Emptiness is the best doom metal song I’ve ever heard, and it’s not even from a doom metal band. Gatecreeper, hailing from the arid deserts of Arizona, has a reputation as one of the best modern old school death metal bands, but they weren’t content to have mastery of just one genre under their belt. Their 2021 surprise EP, An Unexpected Reality, starts with seven songs of blisteringly fast metal that isn’t quite death, isn’t quite thrash, and isn’t quite grind, but is undeniably catchy and brutal. But it’s Emptiness, the final track, that blew me away three years ago, and still blows me away today. It’s a slow, crushing track that’s saturated with dread and despair, building ever upwards over thick breakdowns and submerged melodies until finally spilling over to glorious catharsis, then fading back into those dreadful depths. It’s powerful stuff, and would have easily have been my song of the year, if there wasn’t competition from the absolute mad geniuses in Archspire and First Fragment.

Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties - In Lieu of Flowers: This song just dropped Friday, and I can’t get enough of it. It’s their first song in a fair while, and Soupy once again proves he’s the undisputed master of writing painfully earnest, heartfelt songs about healing. While their music is ostensibly about the fictional Aaron West and his road to recovery, there’s no denying the truth that it’s grounded in. I was initially surprised, then immediately blown away by the song’s fusion of emo and americana. It’s a triumphant return for one of the scene’s most iconic side projects, and I can’t wait for the rest of the album, especially since the entire thing was recorded with a 16-piece band according to the post they made announcing it. While their music is sonically different from The Wonder Years, veering more into folk rock territory than the mature pop punk they’re famous for, it’s absolutely required listening for fans.

Moonlight Sorcery - To Withhold the Day: Moonlight Sorcery are a band I recently discovered from a “best of 2023” list via BrooklynVegan, and I’m so glad I discovered them. They’re a Finnish black metal band, but this isn’t the lo-fi or harsh sound you’re expecting. They’re easily the most melodic and symphonic black metal band I’ve heard, and they effortlessly blend the discordant, chilling textures of the genre with a dark, catchy, and triumphant atmosphere that at times almost has a power metal bent. Their lyrics bounce back and forth between English and Finnish, and while they of course have the misanthropic and mythological elements found in most bands of this nature, they’re a bit tamer, and a bit more fantastical. Truly a band to keep your eye on, and one I’d recommend for metalheads that don’t particularly like black metal, as it just might change your mind.

Slugdge - Crop Killer: It would be easy to write Slugdge off as just another substanceless gimmick band by looking at the song titles alone, like “Lettuce Prey,” “The Sound of Mucus”, and “Slimewave Zero.” But you’d be sorely mistaken, and missing out on one of the most underrated metal bands of all time. They chose the name Slugdge as a joke after seeing so many sludge metal bands being themed around animals, and created a slug god complete with mythology and lore that they write all their songs around. But don’t be fooled, these guys are anything but unserious. They write haunting and cinematic metal that borrows elements from sludge (obviously), death, black, and progressive metal, and have a sound that’s not quite like anything else out there. Crop Killer is one of their best, who sets the mood right from the beginning with a nauseating 15/8 time signature and a tapped bass riff that’s meant to be disorienting. The mix of clean and harsh vocals really elevates it as well, and makes them stand out from the pack.

Full of Hell, Nothing - Rose Tinted World: I’m pretty sure I talked about the Full of Hell and Nothing grindcore/shoegaze collab a week or so ago, but I just have to bring up this song. The first half is a wall of distortion and beautiful fuzz that’s both punishing and melodic, before the second half takes you to an entirely different place. Radio hosts and weather reports slightly overlap each other as static rises in the background, before enveloping the listener entirely in a muddy mess of screeches and ambient noise. Truly must be heard to be believed, and if I ever did shrooms, I’m absolutely listening to this song on them.

Green Day - One-Eyed Bastard: I haven’t listened to much Green Day in recent years; the last record I ever listened to in full was 21st Century Breakdown, which I purchased at Hot Topic when I was, what, 13? It wasn’t a bad album, and had some great moments, but it was a far cry from their punkier days with albums like Dookie and Nimrod, and didn’t have the same spark that American Idiot had that made it an instant classic of a rock opera. None of the singles released from Uno/Dos/Tres or whatever came after really appealed to me, and I no longer had any interest in paying attention to what they were doing now, especially when I could always listen to their old stuff whenever I wanted. But I’m keeping my eye on this next record, because the singles have been surprisingly listenable, and One-Eyed Bastard is my favorite of the lot. They’re definitely no longer the kids who pelted their audience with mud at Woodstock, at least not sonically, but there’s plenty of value here, with a catchy riff and all the charm and rebellious spirit I’ve been missing from them. Only time will tell if this album earns a proud spot among their legacy, but I’m oddly optimistic.

That’s it! If you have any recommendations for me, or want to chat music in general, send me an ask and lemme know what’s on your mind!

[greensparty]

Stuff I'm Looking Forward To in March

Wow, somehow it's already month 3 of 2024. In addition to Daylight Savings Time (March 10 - Spring ahead), Ramadan (March 10-April 9), St. Patrick's Day (March 17), first day of Spring (March 19), Palm Sunday (March 24), Holi (March 25), Good Friday (March 29), and Easter (March 31) here is what's on my radar this month:

Movies:

Dune: Part Two

Denis Villeneuve has become one of the great visual stylists of recent years thanks to films like Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. I named his film Dune Part One, one of my Best Movies of 2021. How good Part One really was depends on Part Two, which drops 3/1.

Knox Goes Away

Michael Keaton has always been a tremendous actor and now he's back in the director's chair for the second time with a starring role about a contract killer who has a form of dementia and he attempts to connect with his estranged son. Oh and Al Pacino co-stars! Opens 3/15.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 

A Ghostbusters sequel is a tall order. Jason Reitman's 2021 sequel Ghostbusters Afterlife actually had its moments and it had a lot to say about living up to a legacy, in the film it's the grandchildren of Egon, but it could also be Jason Reitman about the fear and honor of continuing a film series that his dad Ivan began. The new sequel is directed by Gil Kenan, who co-wrote this with Jason. The fact that original Ghostbuster cast members are back gives me hope. Sequel drops 3/22.

Music:

Sheer Mag Playing Favorites

I was lucky enough to see Philly rockers Sheer Mag at House of Blues in May 2022. After two solid albums, they are finally back with their third, dropping on 3/1. (Review to come)

Liam Gallagher & John Squire Liam Gallagher John Squire

Former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher's solo career has been a mixed back, but his album As You Were was one of my Best Albums of the 2010s. As shown in the 2019 documentary Liam Gallagher: As It Was, he doesn't need to play music for money or fame, he has plenty. He plays because he loves music. Now he's doing a new album with John Squire, former guitarist for The Stone Roses. Sounds like a serious meeting of musical minds! Album drops 3/1.

The Black Crowes Happiness Bastards

The first new studio album from The Black Crowes since 2009 is cause for celebration. After a bitter break-up in 2015, the brothers Chris and Rich Robinson announced they were reuniting in 2019. In early 2020, I caught an acoustic live show from Brothers of a Feather (my last concert before the pandemic lockdowns) and since that show, The Black Crowes have had some reunion tours (NOTE: by reunion - I mean Chris and Rich, not the original lineup). They've released some anniversary albums, but this marks the group's first studio album in 15 years. Looking forward to it when it drops on 3/15.

The Dandy Warhols Rockmaker

I've always loved Portlandia's The Dandy Warhols. Through this blog, I've had the pleasure of interviewing lead Dandy Courtney Taylor-Taylor and keyboardist / bassist Zia McCabe, the band's 2019 Boston concert, and their excellent 2019 album Why You So Crazy. Now the band is back with a new album dropping on 3/15! (Review to come)

Film Festivals:

Boston Underground Film Festival

Boston's fun genre film festival for horror, fantasy and bizarre is back. I've had the pleasure of covering this fest from 2016 to 2019 and returning last year. The fest returns to The Brattle Theatre (Cambridge, MA) from 3/20 to 3/24!

Conventions:

Northeast Comic Con

I've had a blast covering the Northeast Comic Con for years now (read my coverage here) and the Spring 2024 edition returns with guests like Kevin Chapman (who I worked with on Monument Ave), a Growing Pains reunion of Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller and Julie McCullough, The Go-Go's drummer Gina Schock and more! Convention is at the Boxborough Regency (Boxborough, MA) from 3/8-3/10. (Coverage to come).

Awards Season:

The awards season for the best of 2023 continues on with the Razzie Awards, actually the Worst of 2023 (3/9) and the Academy Awards (3/10).

In a Category all its own...

Shamrock shakes!!!