pockysh

[lvfelixies]

the fact he became interested about beaver dams because leper lepellier was really into them : ((

[dr-reids-fidget-toy]

i dont think house killed himself after wilson died. i think he mightve tried to. idk what he does throughout the years. no one knows hes still alive. but one night, when everythings become too much for thirteen, she sees a figure come into her room. it has houses face. he waits for her to nod that she's ready.

the next day people find her dead on the couch. an empty vial sits on the cushion. it has houses fingerprints

[giftideasfromaycaramba]

Small Pleasures is a historical romance novel written by author Clare Chambers. It was longlisted for the 2021 Women's Prize for Fiction , and featured on the BBC's talk show Between The Covers as a Book of the Week Pick.

Book Overview

In the best tradition of Tessa Hadley, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Ann Patchett--an astonishing, keenly observed period piece about an ordinary British woman in the 1950s whose dutiful life takes a sudden turn into a pitched battle between propriety and unexpected passion.

"With wit and dry humor...quietly affecting in unexpected ways. Chambers' language is beautiful, achieving what only the most skilled writers can: big pleasure wrought from small details."--The New York Times

LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION

1957: Jean Swinney is a feature writer on a local paper in the southeast suburbs of London. Clever but with limited career opportunities and on the brink of forty, Jean lives a dreary existence that includes caring for her demanding widowed mother, who rarely leaves the house. It's a small life with little joy and no likelihood of escape.That all changes when a young woman, Gretchen Tilbury, contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth. Jean seizes onto the bizarre story and sets out to discover whether Gretchen is a miracle or a fraud. But the more Jean investigates, the more her life becomes strangely (and not unpleasantly) intertwined with that of the Tilburys, including Gretchen's gentle and thoughtful husband Howard, who mostly believes his wife, and their quirky and charming daughter Margaret, who becomes a sort of surrogate child for Jean. Gretchen, too, becomes a much-needed friend in an otherwise empty social life.Jean cannot bring herself to discard what seems like her one chance at happiness, even as the story that she is researching starts to send dark ripples across all their lives...with unimaginable consequences.Both a mystery and a love story, Small Pleasures is a literary tour-de-force in the style of The Remains of the Day, about conflict between personal fulfillment and duty; a novel that celebrates the beauty and potential for joy in all things plain and unfashionable. 

[higginbothampublications]

Wild Sparks Collection

What would you do if the love of your life gave you the keys to the kingdom, but won’t let you in? Throwing down the gauntlet has never been so wild as Hadley Beckett’s quest for wedded bliss perseveres.Chasing the Wild Sparks Marriage. That word drives my nuptial-phobic boyfriend of three years, Finn Wilder, who is Richmond’s sexy, golden boy daredevil sportscaster, to the brink of madness.…

[ingek73]

Good luck finding a spare copy of "Spare" at your local library

Axios Local

Illustration of a book surrounded by a line of velvet rope.

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

If you're trying to nab a copy of Prince Harry's new memoir "Spare" from your local library, chances are you've got a long wait ahead of you.

Why it matters: The massive demand for the royal tell-all highlights how libraries remain a key public resource across America — and how a blockbuster bestseller forces them to make tough decisions to keep borrowers happy.

By the numbers: Many library systems are showing waits of "several months" for "Spare" on the online borrowing app Libby. Some, including Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis, added dozens of additional copies over the past week. A look at the demand, as of Friday:

Chicago Public Library: 1,520 holds for 217 print copies.

Columbus Metropolitan Library: 1,789 holds for 250 print copies.

Denver Public Library: 852 holds for 163 eBook copies.

Free Library of Philadelphia: 755 holds for 50 eBook copies.

Hennepin County Library (Minneapolis): 1,395 holds for 132 print copies.

Indianapolis Public Library: 441 holds for 15 print copies.

Multnomah County Library (Portland, Ore.): 1,057 holds for 38 eBook copies.

What they're saying: "The interest is nuts on this one. NUTS," Tim Paluch, the Des Moines Public Library's marketing and communications supervisor told Axios. "We are seeing holds and request numbers unlike just about any book since before COVID."

"Even the book on CD has 17 holds right now, which is wild."

Other highly requested books right now include "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus, "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy and all of Colleen Hoover's oeuvre — "but Harry's got them all beat."

The big picture: It's not as simple as just buying more copies to meet the demand. Libraries were pushed to the financial brink during the pandemic as they took on roles like community centers and vaccination sites.

Paluch said the Des Moines Public Library uses a formula based on the number of holds to decide whether to buy more copies, but applying it "Spare" would be too pricey.

"People will certainly wait a little longer, but the demand is just so high on this type of zeitgeist book that we don't really have another choice," he added.

Reactively ordering more print copies also means competing with other libraries and stores facing the same issue, leading to longer delivery times, according to Krystel Green, chief marketing officer of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Between the lines: Even eBooks, which Green says become available within a day of ordering, can't solve the supply-and-demand problem thanks to licensing issues that make them a finite resource.

eBooks, like most digital content, cost nothing to duplicate, but publishers and authors long ago used copyright law to create a kind of artificial scarcity to protect their incomes.

The resulting compromise leaves everyone — from booksellers to librarians to readers — dissatisfied, but has preserved some financial incentive for people to continue to write and publish books.

The bottom line: It's not inconceivable that the United Kingdom could have a new monarch — probably not Harry, at least — by the time you're finally able to check out "Spare."

Axios' Jason Clayworth, Monica Eng, Lindsey Erdody, John Frank, Ashley Mahoney, Hadley Malcolm, Alissa Widman Neese, Scott Rosenberg and Torey Van Oot contributed to this story.

[illicitreadings]

Books Read in August 2022

The roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund-Broka ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Stranger Things - Worlds Turned Upside Down by Gina McIntyre ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Ice Planet Barbarians (Ice Planet Barbarians #1) by Ruby Dixon ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Barbarian Alien (Ice Planet Barbarians #2) by Ruby Dixon ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Barbarian Lover (Ice Planet Barbarians #3) by Ruby Dixon ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Hired: Hadley (The Foster Brothers #2) by Nora Phoenix ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Barbarian Mine (Ice Planet Barbarians #4) by Ruby Dixon ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Ice Planet Holiday (Ice Planet Barbarians #5) by Ruby Dixon ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Barbarian Prize (Ice Planet Barbarians #6) by Ruby Dixon ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Master of Mayhem (Frat Wars #2) by Saxon James ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Friends with Benefits (Never Just Friends #3.5) by Saxon James ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miss Memory Lane by Colton Haynes ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Princess Diaries (The Princess Diaries #1) by Meg Cabot ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Princesa in the Spotlight (The Princes Diaries #2) by Meg Cabot ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Pride and Prejudice (Graphic Novel) by Jane Austen ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Sex Coach by Garrett Leigh ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Cocky by Sean Ashcroft ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Princess in Love (Princess Diaries #3) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Princess in Waiting (Princess Diaries #4) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Princess in Pink (Princess Diaries #5) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Princess in Training (Princess Diaries #6) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Princess Party (Princess Diaries #7) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Princess on the Brink (Princess Diaries #8) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Princess Mia (Princess Diaries #9) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Princess Forever (Princess Diaries #10) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Royal Wedding (Princess Diaries #11) by Meg Cabot ★★☆☆☆

Will Byers: Scret Archives by ★★★☆☆

You Deserve Valetine's Brunch by Sarah Hogle ★★★★★

Kiss me, Liar by ★★☆☆☆

[smugbugunderarug]

Smug Bug Reads: Fleetway’s Sonic the Comic #13

         Double Trouble introduces yet another villainous look-alike for Sonic... however, instead of originating from an opposite yet parallel dimension or from the lab of Dr. Robotnik, he comes from a power up most would expect to aid you instead of have a grudge against you...

         Script: Mark Millar          Art: Mike Hadley          Lettering: Ellie de Ville

         The first panel shows Tails losing his football (or his soccer ball, Americans) in a cluster of bushes whilst playing around in Emerald Hill. While rummaging about the foliage, he comes across what most fans that have played Sonic the Hedgehog can easily recognize -

         - one of these things. You’ve seen this before, right? An extra life tv box, a one-up, whatever you wanna call it. These are good things. Grab them when you can. They come in handy.          Now what Tails found doesn’t look quite as harmless.

         Granted, compared to Shadow or Metal Sonic, this “Sonic” does look a bit like the real deal (at this first glance close-up, anyways). He gives this story to Tails about how Robotnik trapped him in the T.V. box (later we find that that’s not entirely false) and that he had to press the button in order to get him out. Tails, completely falling for it, does as he says. The button is pressed, and “Extra Life” is free.

         I’m going to be honest, when I first saw this dude’s design, I thought of the werehog mixed with Classic Sonic. I still see it!          The shredded looking ears, particularly prickly spikes, harshly angled nose, sharp gaze, and spiked teeth are the details that separate this fake from the hero (at first, I thought he looked greyer than Sonic did, but later on when the two share a panel, both share the same blue). Tails is knocked out, and Extra Life is free to cause havoc.

         Close by, critters from the resistance are building a hideout in Emerald Hill that could hopefully keep them safe from Robotnik. It’s good to see them finally take some action in a sense; they havent done much except follow Sonic around, be saved by him, or be held captive by Robotnik and his creations. Now (or in this issue anyway) they’re actively helping out the... well, I guess you could call it the war effort. It’s good to see that!          But anyways, guess who’s headed their way...          Extra Life sees the group with their unfinished hideout and doesn’t hesitate to undo almost all their labor (while hurting and endangering a lot of them in the process).

         I really gotta wonder how fast one has to go in order to set fire to the forest. Like... dang. Well, it’s clear now that Extra Life can rival Sonic’s speed, so it wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to say that they’re equal in ability.          The critters believe that Sonic was the one who torched their hard work, and frankly, that wouldn’t be a bad assumption for them to make based off of appearances alone (however, by now they should know that although Sonic can be a jerk, he’s not villainous in behavior). Since Extra Life was practically speeding through the destruction, chances are none of them got a good look at him. A blue blur alone must have been enough to pin the blame on the hedgehog... but not the one they originally assumed.

        Although much damage is done, the real Sonic steps in to combat the fake. Since Sonic had the element of surprise, he found himself with the upper hand against Extra Life, and managed to send him flying out of sight... but then, the critters arrive.

        Sonic tries to explain that he wasn’t the one who trashed their efforts, but they deem him too dangerous and want him banished. I think maybe that was perhaps a bit too much and a bit too fast to do, especially after knowing what Sonic is really like (even with the more often than not sour attitude).          Anyways, unintentionally proving Sonic’s claim, Extra Life jumps back into their fight. The critters now realize he was telling the truth after narrowly dodging the storming fake.

         In the distance, Tails finally wakes up from being knocked out by Extra Life, and sees the terror going on further off. Picking up the T.V., he makes his way towards the scene...          Meanwhile, Extra Life seems to be winning against his brawl with Sonic,,,

         If Extra Life doesn’t fair well with a surprise attack, it would make sense that Sonic wouldn’t either.          We do have an origin story for Extra Life, anyway, so that’s neat. It really makes me wonder how long ago the doc turned evil if Extra Life was stuck there for years... So he was probably created some time after Sonic got his super speed, but before the incident happened with Kintobor, but that’s not really a time span that’s been explained in detail just yet. So yeah, really gotta wonder how long he was stuck in there for...          Another thing... how would the box work? Or rather, how was it intended to work? Was he really supposed to be just a “helping hand”? Not something that could revive Sonic if he died or was on the brink of death? Or maybe a more morbid idea; a replacement if the real Sonic truly died??? How does he know about all these things that happened anyways? He knew about Tails towards the beginning of the issue, and he knew about Kintobor going bad... he couldn’t escape his confines, and assuming they’re following game cannon at the time he should have been created before Sonic 1, so how’d he know about these things?          Well, it doesn’t really matter anyway since Tails comes in to set things right and save Sonic... wait... did I read that right? Yes! It’s time for Tails to save the day (woot woot)! He doesn’t do much, but not much needs to be done. All he needs to do is point the telly to the fake, press the button, and presto! The doppelganger is back in his digital cage.

         is this a jojo reference? Well, that’s the end of that. I doubt we will see Extra Life again since he was booted to the cosmos, but after all the trouble he caused, I don’t think they much care. After that, the critters apologize to Sonic for accusing him so quickly, and then the issue ends right there with all of them staring into the sky above.

         I can’t help but feel just a bit bad for Extra Life. The dude was created and (appears to be) sentient, but was kept trapped in a box against his will for years. He probably grew bitter over all that time. It’s not entirely explained why he turned bad since he was created with good intentions, but being abandoned for so long... probably was a main reason why. While this serves as an explanation for all the ruckus he caused, it’s still not an excuse. I guess banishment a la space is what was in store for him, but still... can’t help but feel bad...

         TL;DR: don’t do 1-ups, kids.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Tempted by Love by Melissa Foster

The Steeles at Silver Island #1

 How marvelous to come into a new Melissa Foster series on the very first book! Learning about the island, the main characters of the family and finding out that there are plenty of Steele’s to make this a rich and plentiful group of stories is wonderful!

 In book one we meet three people that will profoundly impact one another. Through their growing relationship they will find friendship, a way forward and a future together. Jock Steele will deal with demons that have plagued him for a decade, Daphne will begin to see herself in a new light and Hadley will provide impetus to the story. The begins at Bayside, sets the scene for the move to Steele Island, provides a happy future for the main characters and sets the reader up for book two soon to follow.

 What I liked:

* Daphne: loving, kind, fiercely protective, daughter and single mother. She is great at her job with dreams of working in event management. Her ex-husband left her with some battle scars – jock helps her get over them.

* Jock: once carefree and happy, a successful author, member of large loving family, a mischievous twin – until an accident that changed his life. Climbing out of the dark well he has lived in is not easy, but Daphne and Hadley will help.

* Hadley: not quite three, dynamic, loving, gentle and knows what she wants. She wins hearts everywhere she goes.

* The PTSD angle to be overcome and how it is done.

* The relationship between Jock & Daphne and how it grew slowly till it sped ahead.

* The Archer-Jock aspect that needed to be dealt with and how it was resolved

* Emotional growth made throughout the story

* The families and friends…supportive, loving and there for one another

* Knowing there is another book in the series to look forward to.

 What I didn’t like:

* Hmmm…there were some losses and heartaches but without them the story would not have had the depth and emotion so…can’t say I wish they had not happened.

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in the series? Definitely

 Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 5 Stars

   BLURB

  Enjoy heart-meltingly beautiful and toe-curlingly sexy romance in Tempted by Love, an emotionally riveting story about a man who has lost it all and carries a torturous secret, a divorced single mother who has everything to lose, and the little girl who helps them heal. Fall in love on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, midnight rendezvous, and the sexy, sharp-witted Steeles. In TEMPTED BY LOVE… Years ago, bestselling author Jack “Jock” Steele lost his girlfriend and baby in a horrific accident that drove a wedge between Jock and his family, keeping him from sharing a devastating secret. An aging philanthropist saved him from the brink of despair, and for a decade Jock cared for his ailing friend who became his family. Now his friend has passed away and left him a fortune—on the condition that he publishes another book. Jock is floundering, unsure how to rebuild the life he’d walked away from, much less find his muse, have another relationship with a woman, or even think about having a family of his own. But he can’t get his sweet, sexy new friend, single-mother Daphne Zablonski out of his head, and her adorable toddler must know something he doesn’t, because she wraps her tiny fingers around his heart and won’t let go. Daphne has been through the wringer with her ex-husband and doesn’t believe true love is in the cards for her. Friends she can handle, but letting a man see her mom bod naked? Especially someone as strikingly handsome and unbelievably sexy as Jock? No, thank you. Besides, she has a toddler to chase after and enough fictional boyfriends to fill her lonely nights. If only her book boyfriends could make her body tingle the way one look from her mysterious neighbor does. As Jock and Daphne’s friendship turns to something too tempting to deny, their lives take an unexpected turn. Can a man who has lost everything find redemption with a woman who has everything to lose? And then there’s that secret… More Steeles at Silver Island are coming soon! TEMPTED BY LOVE (Jock) MY TRUE LOVE (Jules) ALWAYS HER LOVE (Levi) ENTICING HER LOVE (Sutton) CAUGHT BY LOVE (Archer) WILD ISLAND LOVE (Leni)

[brokenandtiredsouls]

Come Home With Me?

a small piece of my parkner fic that i may or may not finish(based on an au from Bela, where Peter is Hades and u know what it kind of doesn’t follow Bella’s au at all but i was insPIRed anyways Hades is Peter y’all ok cool bye), idk but this is for u @parknerplease i hope u like:

----

He's 21.

Abbie Keener?

She's gone.

It hurts, oh god it hurts so much-

“Harley.” The cool voice of Hades shocks Harley enough to ground himself, if not for just a second. The cool floors of his lab are littered with tools and discarded pieces of metal, and he hasn't gone up from his lab in days, probably.

“Why'd you take her,” Harley rasps, voice raw and broken from all the screaming and sobbing. His voice cracks, and his eyes hold a fury Hades has only seen rivaled by Ares himself.

“Why'd. You. Fucking. TAKE HER!” Harley screams, flinging a wrench in his direction.

“Harley-” Hades’ eyes seem darker than usual, shadows swirling within them.

“Why are you always tAKING?” Harley has tears streaming from his eyes, again, and he picks up his latest piece of tech, a gorgeous piece of metal with intricate wiring twisted within, a copy of Tony’s gauntlet but with more power, more destruction within. 

He throws it at Hades. Hades lets it crash into him, and stumbles back a little. 

“Please, Harley. Harley I never wanted to take, I'm so sorry, please, I don't want to take you too, please,” Hades’ eyes are dark, deep, and full of such emotion it just breaks Hadley even more. “Harley, please,” he begs.

He drops to his knees and runs a grease covered hand through his hair, wild curls sticking up in every direction. 

“Why,” Harley breathes out, rocking back and forth slowly. “Why do you have to take?” His voice is thick and broken and his grief is worn so raw and open in front of Hades that his breath catches a little in his throat.

“I don't know,” Hades admits sorrowfully. He can hear his own grief, and he thinks maybe Harley can, too, because he stops rocking for a moment to glance up at Hades.

“I don't know,” he whines, low and hurt, in the back of his throat, and Hades doesn't think he's ever been this open to a mortal before, to anyone before, and it feels like a dam has opened in his chest and he can't stop.

“I don't know, I don't know, Harley, I don't know,” Hades sinks the the floor too, eyes large and panicked, chest heaving. “Harley, I'm so sorry, but I don't know, the gods before me chose and I never asked to take I never want to take and there's always so much grief and pain,” he turns to Harley, who is now openly staring at the god before him, on his knees and letting out the sorrows of his ancient soul.

“Harley,” he breathes, tears running their own tracks freely down his pale cheeks. “Harley, I'm so sorry.” And he feels the sincerity of it resound in his chest and tries to pour as much of it as he can into his words, begging mentally for Harley to forgive him, if only, please.

Harley can’t. But Harley does, because he knows. He watched Abbie get hit, and he thinks it’s all his fault. He can’t blame it on the god. “It’s,” Harley’s voice cracks and he has to stop, trembling on his little place on the floor, and for a terrible moment, Hades thinks every time he comes to visit all he will receive from the boy with the stars etched into his skin, the universe trapped behind his eyes, and the brightest, most beautiful soul, is an unforgiving coldness. He fears this might break him. But then again, Harley has always been unpredictable. Stronger than anyone had ever really given him credit for.

Hades jumps when he feels Harley crawl into his personal space. He’d been too busy panicking to watch what Harley was doing.

The beautiful, messy head of golden curls lay themselves onto Hades’ shoulder, and he can still feel the shaking of his shoulders, but his soul just glows brighter, warmer in the presence of the god of death.

“Yeah,” Harley breathes, pain lacing its way into his voice, but there’s no anger left. It’s a tired, broken voice, but it’s there and it’s trying. “It’s not your fault.”

The god melts into Harley’s touch, and Harley takes it in stride, wrapping his arms dotted with the stars around Hades’ shoulders, breathing evening out.

“Harley,” the god whispers, scared to break the calm silence, but needing to say it again.

It’s ok, it’s ok, Harley whispers into Hades’ unruly dark curls, words colliding with Hades’ I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.

They stay there until MILES (my Modern Intelligence’s Luminous and Endearing Snark) reminds them they aren’t alone.

“Young sir, Miss Potts is preparing you another meal to bring to you in approximately twenty minutes.” his voice is gentle, and Harley can hear the concern lacing his words. He pauses, then pushes onward. “Would you like me to ask her to stop?”

Harley hums, resting his cheek on Hades’ hair. 

“I think you should tell Pep to make it small, babe.” Harley smiles gently at the approving hum he gets from the AI in response, and lifts Hades from off his chest. “I don’t think I’m coming with you today either, Darlin’.”

Hades turns to Harley and smiles, softly, but surely.

“I don’t want to take your soul for a very, very, long time,” he murmurs gently. He leans forward and presses a cold kiss to Harley’s cheek. “Take better care of yourself, princess.”

He leaves, and Harley can feel blood rushing to places they really shouldn’t be rushing, especially given he was probably on the brink of genuinely working himself to death.

Pepper finishes not ten minutes later, holding a tray of warm pasta and a cup of water. Worry laces her voice as she rushes in through his now unlocked doors, dropping the tray onto the nearest surface to pull him into a tight hug. Words are exchanged, but there are tears, and love, and then Tony comes in, too, and Harley can barely breath, they’re smothering him in such fierce love.

The weight of Abbie’s death weighs heavy on him, and there’s still a gaping, aching, Abbie sized hole in his chest, but maybe, just maybe, he was starting to heal.

He makes it through.

----

[laresearchette]

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: FOODTASTIC (Disney +) RUMBLE (Paramount +) YOUNG ROCK (City TV) 8:00pm KENAN (City TV) 8:30pm MR. MAYOR (City TV) 9:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT iHEARTRADIO JINGLE BALL 2021 (CW Feed) A VERY CHRISLEY CHRISTMAS (NBC Feed) THE ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS CAKE (Premiering on December 16 on City TV at 8:00pm)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME/CRAVE/NETFLIX CANADA/CBC GEM:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA SHATNER IN SPACE

CRAVE TV MURDERS AT STARVED ROCK

DISNEY + STAR RON’S GONE WRONG UNKNOWN WATERS WITH JEREMY WADE

NETFLIX CANADA ELITE SHORT STORIES: PHILLIPE CAYE FELIPE THE HAND OF GOD MASHA AND THE BEAR: NURSERY RHYMES (Season 1 part 2) MASHA AND THE BEAR (Season 5) SELLING TAMPA SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE SUPERSTORE (Season 6) TAXI DRIVER

NBA BASKETBALL (TSN3/TSN4) 7:00pm: Heat vs. 76ers (SN1) 7:30pm: Lakers vs. Mavericks (SN Now) 8:00pm: Pacers vs. Bucks (SN1) 10:00pm: Clippers vs. Jazz

THE OTHER SIDE (APTN) 7:30pm: A historic village is filled with artifacts of a past long forgotten and the grave of an eccentric Dutch who still prowls the grounds at night.

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 8:00pm: Capitals vs. Chicago

CANADA WOMEN’S HOCKEY (TSN/TSN5) 8;00pm: Canada vs. US A SHOW-STOPPING CHRISTMAS (CBC) 8:00pm:  A passionate theatre director has to find a way to keep her theatre from being sold by making this year's play a huge success with the help of a handsome Hollywood actor.

SKINDIGENOUS (APTN) 8:30pm:  Pablo is part of the Huitoto tribe in the Amazon forest in Southern Colombia. He is preserving cultural traditions like body-painting.

FIXER TO FABULOUS HOLIDAY SURPRISE (HGTV Canada) 9:00pm: Dave and Jenny gift the Bella Vista Animal Shelter with a very merry renovation; after tackling a major refresh, new kennels and a custom cat playroom, they'll reopen the decked-out shelter with a festive pet adoption event.

IN THE DARK (CTV2) 9:00pm: As Murphy closes in on finding out what happened to Jess, Clemens and Josh move one step closer to finding Murphy.

A UNICORN FOR CHRISTMAS (CTV Drama) 9:00pm:  A young girl discovers a real-life unicorn at a Christmas carnival and must protect it from a greedy fair owner.

THE REAL HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (Discovery Canada) 9:00pm:  Secret events surrounding the Russian submarine, Red October, that went missing on March 8, 1968, taking the Soviet Union and U.S. to the brink of war.

HOLIDAY HOOPTIE CHALLENGE 2021 (Discovery Velocity)  10:00pm:  David Freiburger and Brian Lohnes put Fred Williams, Faye Hadley, Steve Dulcich, Eric Malone, Lucky Costa and Tony Angelo through spectacular driving challenges in some of the most questionable junk this side of the North Pole.

[your-dietician]

Spring sports season was triumphant, therapeutic- Southern edition

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/sports/spring-sports-season-was-triumphant-therapeutic-southern-edition/

Spring sports season was triumphant, therapeutic- Southern edition

Let’s face it.

A full sports season was just what the doctor ordered.

And the 2021 spring campaign delivered in every way.

After being deprived of a season in 2020 due to COVID, spring athletes and coaches were primed to make up for lost time and they certainly did so from start to finish.

For the first time since the winter campaign of 2019-20, we had a full regular season and postseason and plenty of memories were made.

On the diamond, South Portland wasn’t expected to win the Class A state title, but thanks to a postseason surge, that’s exactly what the Red Riots did. Scarborough, the reigning champion, was upset in its first game by Portland. Cape Elizabeth, meanwhile, got to the Class B South quarterfinals before losing a 10-inning marathon to York.

Softball also produced a champion, a perfect champion for that matter, and this time, it wasn’t Scarborough, but the best Cape Elizabeth team in program history, which won Class B for the second time. Scarborough’s three-year reign in Class A ended in shocking fashion with a loss to Falmouth in the Round of 16. South Portland lost in the same round, dropping a weather-delayed, nine-inning, nearly four-hour decision to Thornton Academy.

Boys’ lacrosse saw Cape Elizabeth stake its claim as not just the Class A champion or best team in the state, but arguably the most dominant in program or state annals. Scarborough enjoyed a season of resurgence which saw it get to the Class A South semifinals before losing at Berwick Academy. South Portland won a preliminary round game over Massabesic, then was also eliminated by Berwick Academy, in the quarterfinals.

On the girls’ side, there were no titles this year, but Scarborough had a season to remember, improving from one win in 2019 to 11 this spring. The Red Storm made it all the way to the Class A South Final before losing to eventual champion Kennebunk. South Portland was ousted in the preliminary round by Bonny Eagle. Cape Elizabeth, the two-time reigning Class B champion, won at Cony in the state preliminary round, then lost to Yarmouth in the quarterfinals.

The outdoor track state meet produced plenty of highlights, including Scarborough’s boys capturing their fourth Class A crown since 2016. The Red Storm won four individual events, but they weren’t alone when it came to first-place finishers from the area.

Tennis saw Cape Elizabeth’s girls get to the Class B state final before dropping a 3-2 decision to Waterville. Scarborough dropped a narrow decision to eventual regional champion Falmouth in the Class A South semifinals. South Portland was ousted in the preliminary round by Cheverus.

Cape Elizabeth’s boys lost in the Class B South quarterfinals to Greely. Scarborough’s boys fell in the Class A South quarterfinals to Thornton Academy. South Portland was eliminated in the preliminary round by Windham.

We’re already enjoying summer, but let’s take another look back and pay tribute to some of the best moments of the spring.

Team state champions

Cape Elizabeth Capers softball, Class B Cape Elizabeth Capers boys’ lacrosse, Class A Scarborough Red Storm boys’ outdoor track, Class A South Portland Red Riots baseball, Class A

Regional champions

Cape Elizabeth Capers girls’ tennis, Class B South

Individual state champions

Track Hadley Mahoney, Cape Elizabeth, Class B girls’ mile Hadley Mahoney, Cape Elizabeth, Class B girls’ two-mile Zach Barry, Scarborough, Class A boys’ 800 Nicholas Connolly, Scarborough, Class A boys’ shot put Jayden Flaker, Scarborough, Class A boys’ 110 hurdles Jayden Flaker, Scarborough, Class A boys’ 300 hurdles Elaina Panagakos, Scarborough, Class A girls’ shot put Geneva Holmes, South Portland, Class A girls’ discus

Michael’s top five stories/moments

5) Scarborough track wins again

Scarborough’s Jayden Flaker won both the 110 and 300 hurdles at last month’s Class A state meet, helping the Red Storm win the team championship. Ben McCanna / Portland Press Herald

It turns out that about the only thing that can keep Scarborough’s boys’ outdoor track team from winning the Class A state title is a pandemic. After missing out on a chance to win the title in 2020 due to the season being canceled, the Red Storm returned to their familiar perch this spring, tallying 82 points to beat runner-up Edward Little (64.5) and the rest of the field. Scarborough won four individual events at states, as Jayden Flaker took the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles, Nicholas Connolly won the shot put and Zach Barry was first in the 800.

4) Scarborough girls enjoy bounce-back campaign

Scarborough’s Sawyer McFadden celebrates the Red Storm’s semifinal round playoff win over Massabesic.  Brianna Soukup / Portland Press Herald

Scarborough’s girls’ lacrosse team didn’t wind up bringing home a championship, but the Red Storm were undoubtedly the feel-good story of the spring. Coach Emily Field vowed her team was better than its 1-11 record in 2019 showed and that it would show great improvement this season and she was spot-on. Scarborough unleashed a potent offense and a steady defense with standout senior goalie Kathleen Murphy holding down the fort as a last resort. The Red Storm won their first four games, went 9-3 in the regular season, then downed both Gorham and Massabesic to reach the regional final. There, Scarborough met its match in an unbeatable Kennebunk squad, but the Red Storm are back where they belong near the top of the heap and they figure to remain there for the foreseeable future.

“It’s certainly not the ending we’d hoped for, but looking at the entire season, holy smokes I am so proud of my girls,” Field said. “I’d confidently say we accomplished just about everything we set out to do this year. To come from a 2-10 no playoff season, to a 1-11 no playoff season, to no season, and now to finish 11-4 with two of the four losses by only one goal, and runners-up in the Class A South Final. I mean, that’s pretty incredible.”

3) Cape boys crush just about everyone 

Cape Elizabeth’s Caden Lee and his teammates had a lot to celebrate this spring, culminating with a stunningly one-sided 19-6 victory over Falmouth in the Class A state final. Brianna Soukup / Portland Press Herald

Words like juggernaut and team for the ages don’t do the 2021 Cape Elizabeth boys’ lacrosse squad justice. The Capers didn’t just win their first Class A title and the 21st overall in the history of the state’s most storied program, they did it by absolutely crushing the opposition, especially teams that thought they might be able to give Cape Elizabeth a game. The Capers out-scored the opposition 199 goals to 47 during the regular season and beat eventual Class B champion Yarmouth by 15 and 14 goals respectively, won by 15 goals at two-time reigning Class A champion Thornton Academy, handled rival Falmouth by nine and closed with an 11-goal romp at Scarborough. Cape Elizabeth had no trouble with Noble or Gorham in its first two playoff games, winning by a composite 40-3 margin, but in the Class A South Final, the Capers would be tested for the first and only time, by Berwick Academy, before holding on for an 11-9 victory. Then, in the state final versus Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth broke it open with four goals in a 47-second span late in the first period, took a stunningly commanding 15-1 halftime lead, then went on to a 19-6 victory. The only remaining question is where this squad ranks all-time.

“Statistically, this is probably the number one group we’ve ever had,” longtime Capers coach Ben Raymond said. “As lacrosse players, they’re pretty darn close. We had some other great teams that would probably argue.”

2) Cape softball simply perfect

Cape Elizabeth’s Julia Torre hoists the state championship trophy after the Capers completed a perfect season by beating Winslow in the Class B state final. Michael G. Seamans / Morning Sentinel

Speaking of all-time powerhouses, Cape Elizabeth’s softball team was equally dominant this spring, the Capers first under coach Kristen Duross, who has yet to experience a loss with the program. Cape Elizabeth out-scored its 16 regular season foes by a jaw-dropping 221 runs to 13. Not only did the Capers punish the softball like no one else, the pitching staff, led by senior ace Anna Cornell, threw 10 shutouts. After beating Freeport and Poland by a combined 35-2 margin in the first two playoff rounds, Cape Elizabeth got pushed to the brink by Medomak Valley in the Class B South semifinals (scoring a seventh inning run for a 1-0 victory) and Fryeburg Academy in the regional final (the Capers scored twice in the seventh to survive and advance, 5-4). The state final saw Cape Elizabeth return to its unstoppable ways, as the Capers scored 19 runs and beat Winslow, 19-6, in five-innings, for the second championship in program history.

“This team dominated on both sides of the field,” said Duross. “We had a deep team this year. One through nine could hit the ball hard and I could put anyone anywhere on defense and they would be able to make a big play. This team is the real deal and deserved nothing less than what they earned. They’re very, very talented.”

1) South Portland baseball parties like it’s 1952

South Portland’s baseball team celebrates after defeating Bangor for the program’s first Class A state title since 1952. Ben McCanna / Portland Press Herald

Next year finally came to South Portland. The Red Riots had come oh-so-close to winning an elusive title in recent seasons and could have ended its title drought in 2020 had COVID not wiped out the season. This year, many felt South Portland was too inexperienced to go all the way, but after an 11-5 regular season, the Red Riots put it all together when it mattered most. South Portland dispatched Sanford and Bonny Eagle to start the playoffs, then edged Cheverus in the semifinals and blanked top-ranked Thornton Academy in the Class A South Final. That set up a showdown with always-tough Bangor in the state final and sure enough, there was little separation between the teams. The game would go to the bottom of the seventh inning, tied, 2-2. The Red Riots loaded the bases and Richard Gilboy entered his name into program lore, not with a booming hit, but by taking ball four on a 3-2 pitch, bringing home Frank Tierney with the run that gave South Portland its first crown since 1952.

“The last pitch, I saw it going a little outside,” Gilboy said. “I thought it might get called a strike, but I saw it drop down and I knew it was over.”

“I feel like we’ve been so close so many times,” Red Riots coach Mike Owens said. “It feels good to finally kick that door open. This is so special for our community that has supported us all the way through. I’m almost speechless. They’re all special, but when you can get that first one and it’s been so long, it’s extra special.”

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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[hillbillyhippiemusicreview]

Morgan Wade, Reckless

My initial introduction to the self-effacing force of nature known as Morgan Wade was through a gritty, raw and emotional home-recorded video of a song called “The Night” that was shared across my social media feed a few years ago. On a whim without prior presumptions, I decided to give it a listen, and what I heard changed my life forever. Morgan bared her soul and laid it all out upon the table, creating what has become a mental health anthem for myself and many others, giving people in tango with their demons a bit of hope that brighter days are to be found—if only they can make it through the night. With this one song and her spellbinding vibe, I was hooked and began to seek out all of her music, both solo and with her former ensemble Morgan Wade & the Stepbrothers. Fast forward to 2021, and we find Morgan on the brink of well-deserved stardom with a magnificent piece of work that reveals her heart once again, weaving a creative musical map of who she is as an artist and taking us on a journey of battling love and overcoming addictions, while integrating a plethora of new sounds. Before I dive into the review, I must note that music is not meant to be stagnant, but rather an ever-changing figurative river, changing direction and sound as it goes. To me, a musician is purposefully serving their artistic integrity if they are making the music that speaks to their soul, rather than to the masses, and that is exactly what Morgan Wade has accomplished with her sonically diverse debut release of Reckless via Thirty Tigers/LADYLIKE RECORDS.

Throughout the ten tracks on Reckless, we hear Morgan reinvent not only the sonic wheel, but herself as artist, settling into who she is—and it’s fantastic. The record begins with “Wilder Days,” a rockin’ country tune focusing on the dynamic of an almost-forbidden love between a woman and an older man. She longs to know the man he was in his wilder days, back before he would have considered her too young for him. “What were you like when you were a little wilder, why don’t you show me, why don’t you show me” she begs, eager to get him to let loose and go back to a different time, if “just for tonight.” On the same wavelength as that forlorn kind of longing, “Matches and Metaphors” slows it down a bit back to remnants of the softer, singer-songwriter style that longtime Morgan fans are used to. The title alone was enough to catch my attention, and the lyrics laid claim to my emotions from the beginning—I’ve been in a similar, toxic relationship full of false, metaphorical love that was so difficult to break free from. The ability to grip listeners’ heartstrings with her words is one quality I admire the most about Morgan; she’s an insanely talented writer. Switching melodic gears, “Other Side” cements her bourgeoning status as a “country” artist in today’s market, with it’s up-tempo melody paired perfectly alongside lyrics detailing a secure romance that has seen its bad days whilst living for the good ones to make it to the other side of life. My favorite part? The chorus where she sings “we ain’t nothing but rolling stones, being a gypsy ain’t so bad when you’re with me, ‘cause I never have to be alone;” those lines make me want to grab my man on a summer day, hit the road, roll down the windows, and cathartically sing this tune at the top of our lungs while we make our getaway.

As the record progresses, Morgan yet again incorporates a myriad of influences and styles in her music, effortlessly blurring genre lines. “Don’t Cry” is a grungy, introspective song that is overtly reminiscent of the melodramatic soundwaves of Seattle in the 90s. “I’ll always be my own worst critic, the world exists and I’m just in it,” she bemoans to an audience that can surely relate, urging them to “let it go, face the truth and bare your soul” while surmising how “it’s a beautiful thing to fall apart.” “Don’t Cry” is one of my favorite songs off the record, due to its simple honesty about the power of working through traumas and the importance of taking time “to not be alright.” Speaking of favorite songs, “Mend” is an absolute masterpiece, from the lyrics to Morgan’s voice seeping in desolate, desperate emotion towards a lover, and I’m positively in love with the re-envisioned version on Reckless. The song is truly a masterpiece, speaking for itself—so I will not even attempt to describe it. Take a few moments and listen, letting it rip your heart open before you move on to your “Last Cigarette.” In this song, Morgan touches once more on the topics of love and addiction, intertwining the two as one notion backed by a wickedly fun pop rhythm that I could easily hear on Top 40 radio. Following the pleas of “Last Cigarette,” we hear her transition to her passionate, sensual side with “Take Me Away.” Smoldering embers turn into full on flames as she begs her lover to make her feel something by laying her down to rest her angry bones. Talk about being set ablaze! If this song doesn’t stir up emotions deep inside you, perhaps you need to check to see if your heart is beating—it’s simply that emotive.

Towards the end of the album, the title track will stop you in your tracks; it’s expertly written, produced, and the delivery of the lines in “Reckless” is perfect from start to finish. The verses are strong, but the highly repetitive chorus is the highlight here, as slight differences in Morgan’s vocal inflection expertly frame the feeling of the song, ultimately bridging the proverbial gaps between rock, pop, and country in a song about starting afresh and recklessly moving on. On the opposite spectrum of sound, “Northern Air” possesses a bit of a dark, folky aura, while reflecting on heartache and yearning for a lost lover. “Didn’t know the difference between what I needed and what I was wanting, and the way you looked at me was a little haunting” she sings, reminiscing on the tragic moment of someone she loved fading out of reach. From the first note, I was gutted. By the time the song ended and “Met You” began, I barely had an iota of emotion left. The stark honesty of the sorrowful lyrics and the grief-stricken intonation of Morgan’s vocals had me in tears—I literally could not breathe the first time I listened, especially when she bellowed “you lied and you left, and I’m wonderin’ what the hell I should do, I’d seen it all, or so I thought, until I met you.” It was as if she snapped her fingers and sent me into a disconsolate trance, right back to those moments of lovelorn desperation in my past. Despite the heartache the tune stirred in my chest, my favorite line off the whole record is found in “Met You,” and its reflective of the true poet Morgan is, with her expert use of metaphor and history in framing the song: “But like Hemingway and Hadley, it’s not the end of our story.” Never before has a line in a song made me ache and swoon simultaneously. Though it may not have been the end of their story, “Met You” was unfortunately the end of what has become one of my favorite albums of all time, and the sudden way it ended as she sang the words “I lost you” left me desperately thirsting for more.

Readers, if I’ve said it once before, I’ll say it a million times more: Morgan Wade is the real deal and is on the verge of taking the world by storm. If I could give my audience one piece of advice in relation to Morgan and her debut record, Reckless, it would be to buy the record and go see the show….and NOW. Morgan’s essence and talent will not be accessible on smaller stages for much longer—mark my words, her star will rise quickly. You can find her online at www.morganwade.com, on Facebook at Morgan Wade, and on Instagram at @morganwademusic. Be sure to give her a follow and a thorough listen, and as always, remember the cardinal rules here at HHMR: peace, love, & music.

Stay groovy and I’ll see ya’ll in one of our “Wilder Days,” soon.

Lyssa

Watch Morgan Wade’s music video for “Don’t Cry” below:

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*This is an independent review. The Hillbilly Hippie Music Review was not compensated for this review.

*The opinions expressed are solely that of the author(s).

*These images are not ours, nor do we claim them in any way. They are copyrighted by the artist.

[savetheinformanrarites]

Notes

It includes some Woody Jackson Paintings which you may know from the Ben & Jerry Ads as well as artwork by Neil Blender

Australian version comes with the Keeblin’ bonus disc.

“Feel the Pain” is a playable track in both Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2 video games.

Warner Brothers Without A Sound Bio



Mike Johnson, John Agnello & J Mascis in the studio.

Photo via John Agnello

Well, the snows finally came, but it was still a rough winter for J Mascis. First, he picked up a bad case of pneumonia while engaged in a snowmobile trek across Alaska with a famous Canadian guitar player. Once he’d rested up from that, his wrist (damaged in a fast pitch softball tournament in the Philippines) started to give him a lot of damn trouble. Some days the pain was almost enough to keep him off the ski slopes. Then, when he would get out on the mountain, the powder would be clogged by a bunch of no-talent hooligans hogging and trashing the slopes with their snowboards. It was almost enough to make him write off the winter entirely. But finally the snow melted, the spring came, and J’s thoughts turned to the things of warmth: golfing, and recording a new Dinosaur Jr LP.

The results of these twin pursuits are now before us, and they are both damn impressive. Certainly, J’s one-over-par performance at Beaverbrook’s “Our Lady of Keilbasa Invitational” was enough to make him consider renewing his pro status as a golfer. But it seems unlikely, given the majesty of Without a Sound (his current Sire/Reprise offering), that his attention will be diverted too far from Dinosaur Jr in the new future. “For now, Sunday is golf day,” says J. “I really prefer to play the white trash courses. The other places get snooty and strange about letting non-members play. Maybe if I get really famous they’ll treat me better and I’ll feel better about them. I also like the new mini golf course in Hadley (Massachusetts). There aren’t many gimmicks on it and the greens are really weird. It’s one of the most skillful mini golf courses I’ve played.”

And J knows his mini golf. “I played a course at West Yarmouth, on the Cape, every day for two summers. When I was 15, I had a chance to win the club championship, but I choked. It was a lot like the US Open this year. I had maybe a three-foot putt and I choked. We had to go into sudden death and the other guy just kicked my ass. I came in second, so they gave me some toy made of ropes, with a little buoy in the middle. The guy who won got a free season pass for the next year. But I got in free anyway ’cause I knew a guy who worked there.”

J’s career on the links has more serious rootage than that, however. “I golfed quite a bit when I was a kid,” he says. “Then, when I was nine or so, I won the tournament for my age group at the Amherst Country Club. There weren’t that many people in my flight, but I felt like I was at the top of my game, so I quit for a few years. I still have the trophy.”



Recording Without A Sound at Dreamland, West Hurley, NY. J Mascis, John Agnello and Dan McLoughlin.

As to Without a Sound, it was again recorded in the sylvan majesty of Woodstock and also in the wooded glens of Wendell, Massachusetts. For that reason, it seems even more redolent of piney majesty than previous Dinosaur Jr releases. Asked if the studios were close to golf courses, J bristles. “Recording and golfing are not the same at all. Golf is absolutely relaxing, recording is the opposite.”

For the recording, J played guitar and drums. Mike Johnson again handled bass chores (as well as a few mellotron flourishes). Guests this time are Kurt Fedora on two songs and Come’s Thalia Zedek on three others. Rumors that Anthony “Tony” Bennett would appear on Without a Sound, as a return favor for J’s recent musical support on his MTV special, appear to be unfounded. But J has recently been spotted at Worcester’s El Macombo nightclub (a well-known hangout for many noted Italian-American songbirds, including Bennett), so it’s possible that a high-profile collaboration is in the works.

In the meantime, J is hard at work on his short game. “I’ve been hitting drives up to 270” he notes. “I feel like I’ve finally gotten control of the Beast, but I’ve really got to get it together on the green.” He is also putting the finishing touches on the video for “Feel The Pain.” “It’s the first golf video I know of on MTV, but it won’t be the last,” he says. “I think the Manhattan golf cart scenes will start a trend.” And J knows about starting trends, so mark his words. If he says golf is going to be the next hip scene, I suggest you grab your putter and start yelling, “Fore!”

“Feel The Pain” – Written while waiting in the chiropractor’s office, this is the song where J puts the MP back in empathy.

“Don’t Think So” – Imagine J and Tony Bennett swapping choruses while they wander down the fairway. Neil Young could be their caddie.

“Yeah, Right” – Classic thug-stroll-rumble riffs combine with the croak of conscience to free all of our asses. Even Thalia’s!

“Outta Hand” – The sweetest ballad yet to tumble from the haze of Dinosaur Jr. The song had its germination in a house limit poker game that used to run in the back of an Amherst barber shop. More than that I cannot tell.

“Grab It” – An invitation to visit one of the many country fairs that are held each fall in the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. Hit the target, kill a pixie.

“Mind Glow” – Late, late, late at night you remember that time you wouldn’t give Uma Thurman and her friend a ride to the free Scientific Americans matinee at Rahar’s. Fire up a bomber and start your life again.

“Get Out Of This” – When the Connecticut Highway Patrol stops you for exceeding the speed limit by 40 miles per hour, it is sometimes necessary to write a song to explain exactly what you were really doing.

“On The Brink” Subsonic despair of window-rattling proportions. Some days you need a compass just to get out of bed.

“Seemed Like The Thing” – Sometimes shadows appear to be far larger than the objects which cast them. Emotions amplify both volume and distance.

“Over Your Shoulder” – When it all comes down, it’s not just you. It’s all of you.

[wionews]

U-19 World Cup: An opportunity like never before

It's considered the stepping stone for the stars of the future and 16 teams, including three-time champions India, would be aiming to discover their Virat Kohlis and Steve Smiths when the ICC Under-19 World Cup starts off here tomorrow.

From Kohli to Smith, most modern-day greats have learnt the ropes in the biennial event, which has gained significance with every passing edition.

The boys not only become men here, they also become household names with millions following the live broadcast of the competition.

The event begins tomorrow with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan and hosts New Zealand facing reigning champions West Indies.

India, eager to prove themselves after their disastrous showing in the Asia Cup, open their campaign against Australia at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

The tournament's stature has risen to such an extent that a great like Rahul Dravid, the current India U-19 coach, would love to have been part of it back in the day.

"We never played this tournament in my day. After 1988 they didn't hold the tournament for 10 years, so I've no exposure of playing and being part of this tournament. I tell a lot of these boys that I think it's a terrific opportunity for them to be a part of this tournament," Dravid had said in the lead up to the event.

Countless number of U-19 players have gone on to represent their countries at the highest level. Each edition unearths oodles of talent and makes them overnight stars, be it Rishabh Pant or Alzaari Joseph from the previous edition in 2016 when three-time champions India lost the final to the West Indies.

This edition too has created high expectations with a selected bunch already proving themselves at the first-class level.

The likes of India captain Prithvi Shaw, teammate Shubham Gill, Australia captain Jason Sangha, Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi, Afghanistan batting sensation Baheer Shah, they all go into the event after making a mark on the domestic circuit back home.

Shaw, Gill, Sangha and Shah already have a first-class hundred to their name while left-arm pacer Afridi hogged the limelight by taking eight for 39 in the Quad-e-Azam Trophy, the best figures by a Pakistani on first-class debut.

The sensational performances of Baheer Shah too has created a buzz. The 17-year-old averages a staggering 121.77 in his seven-match first-class career, beating even the legendary Donald Bradman (95.14).

He has the highest average in the list of players with at least 1000 first-class runs, leaving behind not just Bradman but also Vijay Merchant (71.64) and George Headley (69.86).

The exploits of India captain and opener Shaw too are well-documented. After grabbing headlines with his performance in junior cricket, Shaw has graduated to the higher-level so seamlessly that he always belonged there. Therefore, it was not a surprise that he hit a match-winning hundred on Ranji Trophy debut 12 months ago.

Adding to the tournament flavour will be the sons of Steve Waugh and Makhya Ntini, Austin and Thando who will be turning up for Australia and South African respectively. Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland's son Will is also in the national squad.

With the IPL auction round the corner, there is every possibility that a millionaire could from the U-19 World Cup, just like Pant had a bagged Rs 1.9 crore deal with Delhi Daredevils after his stellar showing in Bangladesh.

The 22-day tournament, featuring 16 teams and being played across seven venues in the cities of Christchurch, Queenstown, Tauranga and Whangarei, will see 20 matches being broadcast live.

Squads

India: Prithvi Shaw (C), Shubman Gill, Aryan Juyal, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Harvik Desai, Manjot Kalra, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Pankaj Yadav, Riyan Parag, Ishan Porel, Himanshu Rana, Anukul Roy, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh.

Pakistan: Hasan Khan (C), Rohail Nazir , Mohammad Ali Khan, Ali Zaryab, Ammad Alam, Arshad Iqbal, Imran Shah, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Mohsin Khan, Muhammad Musa, Muhammad Zaid, Munir Riaz, Saad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Suleman Shafqat.

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan (C), Afif Hossain, Aminul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mohammad Naim, Mohammad Rakib, Nayeem Hasan, Pinak Ghosh, Qazi Onik, Robiul Hoque, Roni Hossen , Shakil Hossain, Tipu Sultan, Towhid Hridoy.

Sri Lanka: Kamindu Mendis (C), Jehan Daniel, Krishan Sanjula, Ashen Bandara, Hareen Buddila, Hasitha Boyagoda, Nipun Dananjaya, Thisaru Rashmika, Nawanidu Fernando, Santhush Gunathilaka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Nishan Madushka, Nipun Malinga, Kalana Perera.

Afghanistan: Naveen-ul-Haq (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Baheer Shah, Darwish Rasooli, Ikram Ali Khil, Mohammad Ibrahim, Mujeeb Zadran, Nisar Wahdat, Qais Ahmad, Rahmanullah, Tariq Stanikzai, Wafadar ,Waqarullah Ishaq, Yousuf Zazai, Zahir Khan.

Australia: Jason Sangha (C), Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Zak Evans, Jarrod Freeman, Ryan Hadley, Baxter Holt, Nathan McSweeney, Jonathan Merlo, Lloyd Pope, Jason Ralston, Param Uppal, Austin Waugh.

New Zealand: Kaylum Boshier (C), Finn Allen, Jakob Bhula, Max Chu, Katene Clarke, Matthew Fisher, Luke Georgeson, Ben Lockrose, Callum McLachlan, Felix Murray, Dale Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Sandeep Patel, Connor Sullivan, Todd Watson.

Canada: Arslan Khan (C), Akash Gill, Ashtan Deosammy, Emanuel Khokhar, Kavian Naress, Kevin Singh, Pranav Sharma, Randhir Sandhu, Krishen Samuel, Faisal Jamkhandi, Arshdeep Dhaliwal, Rishiv Joshi, Aran Pathmanathan, Pieter Pretorius, Rommel Shazad.

England: Harry Brook (C), Ethan Bamber, Liam Banks, Tom Banton, Jack Davies, Adam Finch, Luke Hollman, Will Jacks, Tom Lammonby, Dillon Pennington, Savin Perera, Tom Scriven, Prem Sisodiya, Fin Trenouth, Roman Walker.

Ireland: Harry Tector (C), Ian Anders, Aaron Cawley, Varun Chopra, Mark Donegan, JJ Garth, Jamie Grassi, Reece Kelly, Graham Kennedy, Joshua Little, Sam Murphy, Max Neville, Neil Rock, Morgan Topping, Andrew Vincent.

Kenya: Sachin Bhudia (C), Maxwel Ager, Abhishekh Chidambaran, Aveet Desai, Jay Doshi, Aman Gandhi, Ankit Hirani , Jasraj Kundi, Jayant Mepani, Gerard Mwendwa, Dennis Musyoka, Thomas Ochieng, Sukhdeep Singh, Siddharth Vasudev, Rene Were.

Papua New Guinea: Sema Kamea (C), Eisa Eka, James Tau, Tau Toa Nou, Nou Rarua, Igo Mahuru, Simon Atai, Leke Morea, Vagi Karaho, Kevau Tau, Heagi Toua, Daure Aiga, Ovia Sam, Sinaka Arua, Boge Arua.

Namibia: Lohan Louwrens (C), Henry Brink, Petrus Burger, Jan-Izak de Villiers, Shaun Fouche, Jurgen Linde, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Lottering, Erich van Mollendorf, Dewald Nell, Mauritius Ngupita, Ben Shikongo, Floris Steenkamp, Ramon Wilmot, Eben van Wyk.

South Africa: Raynard van Tonder (C), Matthew Breetzke , Gerald Coetzee, Jade de Klerk, Jean du Plessism, Fraser Jones, Wandile Makwetu, Akhona Mnyaka, Andile Mokgakane, Kgaudisa Molefe, Jason Niemand, Thando Ntini, Jiveshan Pillay, Hermann Rolfes, Kenan Smith.

West Indies: Emmanuel Stewart (C), Kirstan Kallicharan, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Alick Athanaze, Cephas Cooper, Jarion Hoyte, Kimani Melius, Ashmead Nedd, Kian Pemberton, Raymond Perez, Joshua Persaud, Jeavor Royal, Keagan Simmons, Bhaskar Yadram, Nyeem Young.

Zimbabwe: Liam Roche (C), Robert Chimhinya, Jonathan Connolly, Gregory Dollar, Alistair Frost, Taun Harrison, Wesley Madhevere, Tanunurwa Makoni, Donald Mlambo, Dion Myers, Tinashe Nenhunzi, Nkosilatu Nunu, Kieran Robinson, Jayden Schadendorf, Milton Shumba.

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[todayclassical]

March 05 in Music History

1735 FP of G. F. Handel's Organ Concertos Op. 4, nos. 2-3. Was intermission feature during a revival performance of Handel's oratorio Esther at the Covent Garden Theater in London.

1748 Birth of English composer William Shield in Whickham. 

1774 Birth of German composer Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse in Altona. 

1778 Death of English composer Thomas Arne in London. 

1782 Birth of tenor Raffaele Monelli in Fermo. 

1805 Birth of French composer and harpsichordist Theodore LaBarre in Paris. 

1818 FP of G. Rossini's opera Mosè in Egitto 'Moses in Egypt' at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples.

1824 Birth of soprano Anne-Arsene Charton-Demeur in Saujon.  

1835 Birth of William Steinway son of piano manufacturer.

1850 Birth of American composer Daniel Brink Towner. 

1853 Birth of American composer Arthur Foote, in Salem, MA.  1853 Founding of piano company by H. E. Steinway and his sons in NYC.

1856 Covent Garden Opera House in London was destroyed by fire. 1868 FP of Boito's opera Mefistofele at the Teatro de la Scala in Milan.

1873 Death of French composer Alexis De Castillon in Paris.

1877 Death of German conductor and composer Ernst Julius Otto in Dresden. 

1878 Birth of American ragtime composer Egbert Van Alstyne. 

1882 Birth of soprano Pauline Donalda in Montreal.  

1887 Birth of Brazilian composer Heitor VillaI-Lobos in Rio de Janiero.  1893 Birth of tenor Alessio de Paolis in Rome.  1899 Birth of English composer Patrick Hadley in Cambridge. 

1900 Birth of tenor Josef Gostic in Stara Loka, Slovenia. 

1904 FP of Anatole Liadov's symphonic poem Baba Yaga. 1904 FP of Maurice Ravel's String Quartet, by the Heymann Quartet, in Paris.

1905 FP of Frederick S. Converse's The Mystic Trumpeter. Philadelphia Orchestra, Fritz Scheel conducting.

1907 Dr. Lee De Forest becomes first DeeJay playing Rossini's William Tell Overture on a radio signal sent from Telharmonic Hall at Broadway and 40th Street in NYC, to the receiver at the US Naval Yard.

1915 Birth of baritone Gregorio Fiasconaro in Palermo.

1929 Birth of soprano Sylvia Stahlman in Nashville. 

1931 Birth of English composer Anthony Hedges in Bicester.

1931 Birth of Australian conductor and horn player Barry Tuckwell in Melbourne, Australia.

1932 Birth of baritone John Lawrenson in Fleetwood. 

1933 FP of Samuel Barber's Dover Beach for medium voice and string quartet, with mezzo-soprano Rose Bampton and the New York Art Quartet at the French Institute in NYC.

1933 FP of Malipiero's Violin Concerto No. 1, in Amsterdam.

1938 Birth of bass Dimiter Petkov in Sofia, Bulgaria. 

1940 FP of Aaron Copland's John Henry. CBS radio, Columbia Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, Howard Barlow conducting.

1942 FP of John Cage's The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs with text by James Joyce, in New York.

1942 FP of Shostakovich Symphony No. 7 Leningrad in Kuybyshev.  1943 Death of tenor Louis Treumann in Vienna. 1944 FP of Walter Piston's Symphony No. 2. National Symphony, Hans Kindler conducting, in Washington D.C.

1947 FP of Leonard Bernstein's Facsimile at the Broadway Ballet Theater, choreographed by Jerome Robbins, with the composer conducting in NYC.  1947 Death of Italian composer Alfredo Casella, in Rome.  1948 Birth of English conductor Richard Hickox. 1950 Birth of American-Australian composer Becky Llewellyn.

1950 Birth of American violinist Eugene Fodor in Turkey Creek, CO.

1952 Death of bass-baritone Nikolai Speransky. 

1953 Death of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev in Moscow.   1954 Birth of American composer Jack Stamp in College Park, MD.

1961 Death of baritone Richard Bitterauf.

1973 Death of Polish born, Swiss conductor Paul Kletzki. 1984 Death of Italian baritone Tito Gobbi. 

1990 FP of David Ward-Steinman's Intersections II: Borobudur. Canberra Institute of the Arts with percussionist Daryl Pratt, composer at the piano in Australia.

2000 Death of tenor Alexander Young. 

2003 FP of Bright Sheng's Tone Poem for Pipa, Sheng, Cello, Piano, and Orchestra Song and Dance of Tears with Wu Man, pipa; Wu Tong, sheng; Yo-Yo Ma, cello and Emanuel Ax, piano. New York Philharmonic, David Zinman conducting.

2004 FP of Gerard Schurmann´s Trio by Richard Hawkins, clarinet; Peter Rejto, cello; Christiana Dahl, piano. Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival in Tucson, AZ.

2005 Death of Romanian-American conductor Sergiu Comissiona in Oklahoma City, OK.

[willykappymarnsmatts]

Someone You Loved (B. Hadley/Finny)

Chapter 1

*Brinker’s POV*

My father had just come for his bi-monthly, dreaded visit. I am absolutely not in the mood to talk to another human being. Getting called a disappointment by your own father for two hours takes a lot of energy out of you. But of course, because he has impeccable timing and I swear he can read my mind, Finny casually walks into my dorm room.

“I’m not in the mood, Finny,” I tell him, not really looking at him. I see his face fall out of the corner of my eye and look up at him. He doesn’t leave, instead, he moves toward me and stands in front of me, forcing me to look up at him from where I’m seated on my bed.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, his eyes filled with concern.

”It’s nothing.” I reply matter of factly.

I expect him to leave at that, but he frowns and plops himself down next to me on my bed. Neither of us says anything, sitting in slightly uncomfortable silence. Finny bumps his knee against mine in an attempt to be comforting, but all it does is make my heart jump against my will.

He wraps his arm around my shoulders, and I lose any sense of control I had over my emotions. Tears stream down my face uncontrollably, and I know I should probably feel embarrassed, or at least a little bit self-conscious, but I don’t. I feel safe in his embrace.

Eventually, my tears peter off, but instead of encouraging him to let go, he pulls me tighter towards his chest.

“Wanna talk about it?” He asks gently, his eyes searching mine.

And I don't, I really don’t, but something inside me cracks and I spill anyways. “It’s my father,” I tell him, staring at my feet. That’s all he needs to hear before he jumps up from the bed, stretching his arms out. I immediately miss the warmth of his body against mine, but I try not to focus on it, pretending the feeling isn’t even there.

“Let’s go,” he states matter-of-factly.

“Go where, Finny?” I sigh.

“I don’t know, let’s just go!”

I shake my head, grinning slightly in awe at him. “You’re crazy, you know that, right?”

“Sure, but you love me anyways,” he responds with his back to me. He has no idea how true that is.

•••

Finny left to his room a few minutes ago and I start to think that he’s not coming back. I start to pull a book off the shelf, when he bursts through my door again, this time dressed in his obnoxious neon orange swim shorts.

“Why aren’t you dressed!” He exclaims. “Brinker, c’mon, get changed!”

“You never even told me where we were going you little shit!” I laugh, almost against my will. Finny is grinning wide, and he starts to rummage through my drawers. He throws socks and shirts at me, both of us smiling and laughing wildly. We attempt to shush each other, but it only makes us laugh harder.

He throws a pair of navy blue swim shorts at me, which I didn’t even remember I owned. “Put them on,” he says casually. I look over at him expectantly, waiting for him to leave the room. “Don’t look at me like that, I’ll turn around, weirdo.”

I quickly undo my belt and change into the shorts, while Finny collects our flip-flops and towels, running between our rooms, throwing things into a bag that seemed to manifest out of thin air.

“Finally, you're dressed, let's go!” He throws the bag into my arms and grabs hold of my hand to lead me out of the room. I feel my heart begin to beat uncontrollably once again. He really doesn't understand what he does to me.

We get to the bike rack and he mounts his bike. We ride together, and when I fully realize where we’re going, I try to make Finny turn back.

“We… you do realize we have school tomorrow! It’s late Fin. They're going to notice we’re not there! We should head back,” I tell him, although I’m not entirely sure I want to go back. Really, I think I’d go anywhere to be able to spend time alone with Finny.

“Shut up, Brink! You’re literally top of the class, and they won’t even notice we’re gone. It’ll be fine. Don't you trust me?” his eyes really said it all, they're what broke the thin layer of rationality I had left. I really can't say no to Finny when he gets like this, and I think he's finally realized that.

We continue to bike the short distance along the boardwalk to the beach, where we’ve both been many times, but never together. Especially never alone together.

We reach the sand and Finny jumps off his bike, landing with a thud in the sand. I pedal to a stop and throw my head back laughing. He whips his head around to look at me from the ground, a smile bright across his face. “Hungry?” He asks, collecting a fist-full of sand.

I take a deep breath, breathing in the scent of the different food vendors, although I can’t really focus when Finny’s looking at me like he is. “Uh, yeah? I could eat,” I shrug. “Shit, I didn’t bring any money with me.”

“That’s okay,” he waves me off. “I got you.” I literally cannot breath why is he like this.

We pick up our bikes and walk them alongside us. There’s a slightly awkward silence until Finny points out an ice cream vendor. “Wanna?” He looks like a puppy, his eyes begging.

“I thought you said you were hungry. That’s not food,” I laugh.

“Yes, it is. You eat it, idiot. It’s food.”

“Ice cream is not dinner, stupid,” I respond, my voice dripping with so much affection it’s disgusting.

So we compromised and got hotdogs. Finny drowns his in ketchup, and I put half the amount of mustard that he has. I shake my head at him, and he shrugs. He’s so carefree and happy. I really am in love with him, and I hate myself for it.

We walk for a bit, content with the hot dogs. It’s different from the fancy food at Devon, and it makes me miss home. As soon as Finny throws the last bite in his mouth, he starts again.

“Can we please get ice cream Brink? Please?”

“Yeah, sure, let's get ice cream.” I sigh, but in reality, I wanted ice cream just as bad as Finny did.

So we get ice cream, Finny gets chocolate and I get vanilla. Then we bike with our ice creams in hand to an emptier part of the beach. We get off our bikes and sit on the sand, sliding off our running shoes. As soon as Finny finishes his chocolate cone, he jumps up and grins at me. He nods his head toward the water and I roll my eyes but push myself off the ground. I throw what’s left of my vanilla cup in the garbage and walk back towards Finny, hyper-aware of his eyes on me.

When I get back to him, he grabs my hand and pulls me forward. My cheeks heat up from the contact, and I pray he doesn’t notice. Just the sun, I tell myself. Finny dives into the water and I stay back and wait for him to come back up for air. He’s under for a second too long, and a slice of panic cuts through my stomach, but the next moment his head bobs out of the water and he waves to me. “Come on, Brink! It’s so warm!”

So I dive in, too, but Finny’s a liar. The water is freezing, and as soon as my body is submerged I come back up for air. I yell at him, and of course, he’s laughing. The sound of his laughter, his laughter because of me, makes me forget about feeling cold, about needing to get back to Devon, about the impending war. It fills me with warmth and I want nothing more than to hold him right here, in front of everyone. I want everyone to see that he’s mine, that I love him.

But I can’t. I can’t, because he doesn’t love me. Finny swims towards me until our noses are nearly touching. I can’t breathe, I don’t want to breathe, for fear of ruining the moment. His bright green eyes are on mine, and I make a conscious effort to keep eye contact, forcing myself to not glance down at his lips. But, of course, because it’s me and the universe and whatever God there is are out to get me, my eyes trace down his face to his lips and linger there before meeting his again.

I curse myself, and the look on Finny’s face is unreadable for a second, but he goes back to grinning slightly so quickly that I question if that look was all in my head. Maybe, by the fucking grace of God, my lapse in judgement lasted only a second, quicker than possible for Finny to notice.

The waves push us further together, to where our legs are brushing against each other. I watch Finny glance down, peering into the water, and he slowly looks back up. Neither of us moves, neither of us breaths for fear of breaking the moment. My heart is beating so fast I think in the back of my mind that Finny must hear it, and the thought is mortifying. But he doesn’t say anything, so the thought quiets down.

The corners of Finny’s mouth turn up and his eyes sparkle. He is smiling for me, only me at this moment, and I want to treasure this forever. Nobody but me will ever see Finny this beautiful, in this light, with his legs brushing against theirs.

Only I will ever get to see Finny like this, at this moment, and I don’t want this moment to ever end.