#but hey I am ~canadian~ and snow's kind of our thing

[mercuriallily]

Hold on to your wallets, or else kitty will find you :3

[storiesofsvu]

it's thursday, lets round up law and order night

Just discovered I can select citytv toronto so I can watch this shit at 5pm. Fucking win. 

Okay, the way these eps are airing doesn’t make our hypothesis about the maddie case coming to canada to launch CO:TO make sense, we’ll see… 

Not shaw instantly knowing it’s a dating app 👀👀 

Jfc...word on my laptop doesnt want to open, im stuck doing this through safari, fuck i hate the way technology is changing... hoping it works later, i was planning on writing tonight. Ugh. 

Man, the way that receptionists/door staff is always all “hey! Excuse me! You can’t go back there” always makes me laugh, like, first off, how do the cops know where they’re going/that the person theyre looking for is actually back there?  

Why are there no lights on in this courtroom? Wtf? 

Nolan just tells sam to do all the work and then takes lead on all the cases, huh? 

The way this ep is going its lowkey looking like mccoy is getting fired/forced to retire, not doing it voluntarily lol. 

Lol, i give no shits if they fire nolan, just don’t touch my samantha bebe pls. 

Okay so they really are setting mccoy up to being fired, hey? 

All of these shows would be SO much better if they actually just acknowledged that they all exist in the same universe/city. Like... i’d love to see the same recurring cast members as the defence attorneys/judges/etc as the same characters in all three shows. Or like, have them mention each other, like in this ep they easily could have at least been like “hold on, I'll call benson, maybe she caught the case” no need to guest star, just mention it. Though they could guest star the other characters considering svu is only giving screen time to M and Ice... 

I am SO bored watching jack in court... where’s the spunk? 

There is way too much political shit that goes into this. Ugh.  

Also this send off is lame. They really couldnt have done it any better? The promos made me think it was some big celebratory thing... 

Yeah that was lame as shit. 

Alright... moment of truth.... is CI Toronto going to be good or absolute crap? 

Why is it tinted blue? This is like when shows “go to mexico” and they just tint the screen yellow. Do they think canada is blue tinted because of the snow/cold? 

Theme song does not slap. 

Where did my subtitles go?? 

Okay the liutenant is my faourite part so far. I like her. Female detective is on the fence for me right now, i don’t like the dude. 

Are they not carrying guns?? Does dick wolf think canadian cops don’t carry guns? Cause i assure you they do... 

LOL at the casual dropping of facts about characters we know nothing about. She has a kid, noted. 

... i stopped paying attention, i can’t lie. This isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great. We coulda had For the Defence... 

Okay, so like i said, not terrible, but i found it pretty boring.  

Moving on to SVU 

Okay this is clearly some kind of abduction situation going on. 

Velasco got a line! Yay! 

Wanna steal that plaid...ngl. 

“aren’t you a captain” THAT IS EXACTLY MY QUESTION, HOW DOES THIS SQUAD NOW HAVE TWO CAPTAINS??!! Make it make sense!! 

“and you needed a rollins” thank you fin for telling it like it is. 

Liv is off her fucking rocker man, like yeah, the kid on the train obvi needs help, and they should intervene and there is a slight chance that it is related to the maddie situation, but that’s the only thing she can see righ tnow and it’s not making for a good show. 

Say pittsburg one more time. I dare you. 

“it’s captain benson” uh... eileen called *her* why did that phone convo go like that? 

The delulu in this episode is stronger than my delulu imagining being married to fictional charaters jfc.. 

“happi burger” ?!?!? I'm having s9 flashbacks 

Aaaand a guest star that was on the show in the last year and a half is guest starring again... as a different character... not surprised. *sigh* (at the v least she’s acting her ass off and is good at what she does so...) 

Liv you have as many issues as this agent, don’t try and make her seem like she should open up to you lololol. 

“you sure youre not just projecting?” THANK YOU 

Thank fuck this gd maddie shit is finally done with. I am over it lol. 

Liv's out here just adopting rescues from all sorts of different departments temporarily, this doesn’t make any sense. 

Omg this OC flashback just made me so excited, all the amazing shit that happened last week LOL. 

Literally thought that old man was mcgrath.. 

I'm sorry... if i find something in a *bathroom* garbage can, the last thing I'm doing is putting it in my *mouth* 

Ayanna being all “gimmie!” about the stuffie is adorable. I may have to write some kind of fix it fic for her/this situation.... 

Okay that was lazy writing, Rita’s friend literally just basically repeated the exact same phrase twice... 

“no gps to pull from a camera” that is a straight up fucking lie. Both my point and shoot and my dslr have gps... 

This other tech guy working for them (ai guy?) he reminds me of kevin from crimi. Not sure if that’s just the over eager-second choice tech- guy vibes or if its something else... 

I don’t trust this bitch. At all. She's gotta be in on it. 

Hahahahaha elliot’s face when he walks in to jet and bobby in the room lol. 

This hate crimes guy is growing on me. 

Anyone else looking at the parallels of liv being hyperfocused on maddie and finding her, meanwhile elliot was so wrapped up with the Rita situation in the last season and now is so upset/lost about losing her... 

AYANNA CUDDLING HER LIL STUFFIE AHHHH *soft* 

[okumuruwu]

I miss my… best friend (renga oneshot) FLUFF & WHOLESOME

After Langa’s father’s death, his life has not been… easy. However, how could it be? After losing such an important part of oneself, easy is not the word to describe each passing day. He and his mom started off kind of a new life the moment they moved to Japan where the rest of the family were. And to be honest? That big and shocking change did not make his life any worse, instead, it helped the blue haired boy to cheer up and to keep moving forward.

At first, he did not think that transferring from Canada to Japan was a good idea, but who would have told him that there he would find such an amazing family? No jokes, Langa does consider them a family. He found peace in a group of boys who skate. Funny. There are the two parental figures (who literally everyone knows they are dating… or fucking, both as well), a cool uncle who may seem intimidating at first and one… cat-little brother? Well, of course then there’s him. His best friend? Brother? Dude? Screw all that, Langa is in love with him, maybe not since they met, but probably from not much after. He had a hard time understanding he fell in love with Reki, although he accepted it right away.

Nevertheless, it did not matter anymore. He couldn’t even tell him, actually, Langa couldn’t talk with him. They both had a fight around a month ago and Reki has been ignoring him since.

“How about you give him some space?” Langa’s mom suggested this when he broke down to her. She assured him that his friend would eventually come back or at least talk it out. And she was right in some way, we all need our space sometimes, we are humans after all. Feeling is what keeps us breathing.

This way, days kept passing by as his life continued getting harder and harder.

“Hey Snow” he was greeted by Joe as he arrived where the group had decided to meet.

“Mornin’, isn’t Cherry with you?”

“Can you guys stop implying we’re dating already? It’s getting out of hand”.

Simultaneously Cherry appeared with two water bottles “What’s getting out of hand?”

“Nothing” Joe reached out his hand to get the bottle he asked for. “Thanks, babe”.

Langa looked at him in shock, making him regret his life’s choices.

“Say anything and you’ll end up eating Joe’s skateboard” The long-haired guy warned out.

“Why mine?!”

“You really think I would use Carla to hit anyone? Please, at least I’m considerated”.

Fair enough.

After Miya and Shadow got there, they all went around and skated for a bit. They met every week after the fight because Langa’s mother told them how hurt his son was. However, no matter how hard they tried nor the times they went skating, Langa didn’t seem the same.

That is why the four of them had a plan. When they stopped that day to eat something, they all reached for each other’s eyes and nodded.

“Langa,” started off Miya “we’ve got a plan”.

“Dumbass! Where the fuck did the ‘are you feeling better these days’ is?” Shadow exclaimed.

“Ignore them” Cherry sighed. “But it is true, we have come with a plan for you and Reki to make up”.

The poor boy was shocked, that was way too direct.

“We know you both aren’t doing okay” Joe continued. “I have been talking with Reki and I can assure you he does miss you too”.

“That is why we want to help!” Miya cut him off. “Okay! Let me explain”.

“No way” he was pushed by Joe. “I’m the one who had the idea”.

“Bullshit,” Cherry threw at them some fries “okay, Langa, listen carefully”.

After getting back home that day, the blue-haired boy went straight to his room and threw himself into his bed. His head was hurting. He felt grateful his friends came up with all of that just for them but, what if it does not work out? What if him and Reki are destined to be apart? His mind was filled up with tons of involuntary negative thoughts.

Even so, what was he losing if he already lost it all just by not having him in his life? Therefore, he prepared himself all the time he had left before the planned day.

Wanted or not, time didn’t stop, and the important day came by faster than expected. Although Langa was a bit scared, he went on with his friend’s plan and went to Joe’s house.

Maybe it was a bit risky, but everyone felt it was necessary. Their plan consisted of locking them both in one of Joe’s rooms and… kind of forcing them to face each other? Yes, now thinking about it they realized how dumb they are.

“I told Reki to come here around 4 p.m., so he should be here any minute now”.

Precisely, the red haired boy arrived not much after. “Joe?” he asked entering his house.

“Up here! Can you come up here for a moment? I need help”. All lies. The moment Reki entered the only room that was opened, he was trapped right behind him. “Now you guys can talk, I’m meeting with the rest of the guys so don’t worry, nobody will hear you. Bye-bye!”

“What in the world, Joe?!” Reki started knocking on the blocked door as hard as he could. He had a bad feeling about all this. And of course, that hunch became real as he turned around and saw Langa standing there grabbing both his sweater paws.

The room was immediately filled with awkwardness and a discomforting silence was the only thing that could be heard.

Reki sighed and sat on the floor with his back facing Langa. “Then I cannot do nothing more than wait for him to come back…” He tried to look tough, but the truth was that he was holding his tears back. He missed seeing his face, hearing his voice, skating with him… even laughing about nonsense or falling off their skateboards. His emotions were literally fighting in his heart: a part of himself wanted to get up and break the door somehow and never see him again and the other one desired to walk directly to his friend and hug him as if there was no tomorrow.

“Reki… I- Can we talk?” just by hearing his voice his tears started flowing down his cheeks. “I understand if you don’t want to say a word to me… probably you just want to hit me”. Yes, Langa, he wanted to hit you because now he had to sob quietly for you not to notice the warm traces his tears were leaving down on his face. “Please, can I at least apologize? Wait, you don’t have to answer, just make me sign if it’s okay with you…” The crying boy froze, he knew that if Langa continued talking, he wouldn’t be able to keep his crying silent. “Reki?” His friend was starting to worry. Slowly, Langa moved forward to Reki and touched slightly his back with his shaking hand. Now how could he hide his tears? He turned him around a little and his heart dropped into a black abyss. “Why are you crying?”

Without thinking twice, he embraced his friend as quickly as possible and brought him closer to his chest. Reki completely broke down and his crying became a waterfall.

“Reki, you cannot imagine how sorry I am. I should have listened to you. I shouldn’t have broken our promise in the first place” Langa little by little started crying as well in his shoulder. “I understand if you don’t want to continue being my friend, but I wanted to tell you one last time how important you are to me. You… you brought peace to my life when I was in war internally. Thanks to you I found happiness, a family to rely on… Reki you are the one who lights up my days”.

How can he blurt all that out and expect him to answer?! How could him with just two minutes make him forget all the madness he felt towards him?

“Langa I…”

“You don’t really have to say anything if you don’t feel like it, I really don’t want to pressure you”.

“No, Langa, really” the red haired boy pushed him away slowly and tried whipping away his still flowing tears. “I cannot let you be the only one apologizing, I also did wrong by ignoring you out of the blue… I even stopped looking at you… The truth is that I was scared you would get hurt by that dumbass, I just wanted to protect you because…” because he also found himself at ease thanks to him.

“No, no! You don’t need to apologize for that. As well, you don’t have to say anymore, I don’t want to hear it” Langa, damn, that was way harsh. “I- I mean, I don’t want to get hurt knowing what I already know”.

Reki was speechless and completely confused.

“What?”

‘Fuck it’ thought Langa. He had accepted he lost Reki before even coming here, so telling him wouldn’t change anything.

“Okay, this might be way too blunt, but it is now or never. I don’t want to end our friendship keeping secrets from you. The truth is that I have been having feelings for you for a little while ago. To be honest I don’t know when all this started, but the truth is that I really like you… a lot” a literal bomb was thrown at Reki without a single warning. He wasn’t able to process any words coming out of the Canadian boy. “I guess you aren’t really understanding a thing I’m saying…” he laughed nervously. “At first I didn’t even understand myself. However, as days went by, I got a hold of how real my feelings were. Every laugh, hug, handshake… Every memory we made together. They made me realize that I was falling for you” Langa’s cheeks started to blush a little. “And this time we have been apart, my heart made it more obvious I did fall in love with you”.

As he stopped talking, he looked at his friend and saw he started crying hard again.

“I- I didn’t mean to make you feel worse than before” he panicked. “Can- can I hug you?”

Reki threw himself into his arms making them both fall into the floor.

They both stayed quiet and let their sobs fill the room.

Reki used that time to solve the puzzle his mind was now. Could his sister be right?

“If you’re missing him that much, maybe he did matter a lot to you” she told him once they were discussing why Reki wasn’t going to class. “Plus, let me tell you, you sounded like you liked him. Have you ever thought about it?”

The truth is that Reki never imagined his love towards Langa being more than the friendly type. Nevertheless, since his sister said that, he couldn’t stop considering if it was the other way around.

“You know… now that I have told you, if you wanted to keep in touch, you can forget it. I do not want to make things more awkward”.

Reki shook his head as he sat up. “I- Well…” he touched his neck, shaking a little. “These last few days I have been thinking if I have feelings for you… I mean, romantic ones”. Now his face matched his hair color. “I- I am not sure tho!” he shook his hands in front of him. “But as you told me… Well, I guess my heart did a back flip… or an ollie to be more precise ha ha…” he facepalmed internally. “Look, what I want to say is that… Well, first, I do forgive you. And, you see, I think that if we tried dating… well, maybe I could make up my mind?”

A big smile was formed in Langa’s face as his crush was babbling out his answer. “I’m sorry Reki, really, forgive me as well for this”.

“For wha…” he was cut off by the blue haired boy rushing to his lips.

It was kind of a shock for him at the beginning, even though it only took him some seconds to kiss him back, making them both melt into each other. Admit it or not, them both were dying to do that.

After they broke the kiss to get some air, they were somehow shy to say anything.

“I don’t think I can forgive you…” the silence was broken into pieces as he literally made his heart pause for a moment. “I don’t think I can forgive you if I don’t get back what you took without asking”.

Langa smiled and Reki was the one to connect their lips this time. Now, the kiss was soft and sincere. The two boys assured one to the other without talking that they loved each other, a whole lot. Both their hearts were beating together waiting ahead of what life had planned for them, now reunited and honest between them.

[belovasangel]

Come Back to Me

Summary: Shawn missing big events leaves to beautiful memories and Christmas miracles

Pairing: Shawn x fem!Nurse!Reader

Warnings: swearing, light angst, fluff, flashback heavy, holiday feelings 

A/N: Yup. Surprise. Also flashbacks are in italics, per usual. Also I am not Canadian so I don’t know if y’all celebrate Remembrance Day. For the sake of this story, pretend that it’s the equivalent to Thanksgiving.

Shawn took your hand as you barreled down the sidewalk, laughs flying past you in the wind. Tonight had been a perfect date, something great to wrap the summer up, full of time alone with your favorite guy (and your favorite wine). He had been planning this for weeks now, and you can even remember him talking about this back in June when his tour had been announced. The pandemic put a damper on your two’s plans since March, but once the numbers started decreasing did he get calls from managers, and then... there was another world tour. You weren’t mad, music was his passion. Even though you two would be wrapped in each other’s arms after a lovely night, you could tell behind his eyes he longed to play the guitar for different cities. 

That’s why tonight was so important, because he started packing and planning, then he would leave on Wednesday for Prague. And of course, your job needed you in Toronto. While Canada hasn’t experienced any significantly alarming numbers, there were still cases rolling in. You insisted that Shawn goes on tour, so much that you had to pay for his first ticket yourself (he payed you back, though. He insisted). 

Shawn skidded to a stop, turning around and putting his hands on your shoulders. “Now promise me you’re gonna close your eyes, just for a few seconds.”

You huffed and shrugged your shoulders, “Shawn I’m out of breathe, you made me run in heels for about half a mile... Give me 5 minutes instead.” With a quick chuckle, he pecked your lips and turned you around. You heard his shuffling from those black boots he wears to rubble, then decided to look around. He somehow managed to find a quaint park, with a nice bubbling fountain and family’s scattered around. Dogs were running a lit in the distance, and the bustle of the city wasn’t nearly as booming as it usually is. This was nice.

“Okay, turn around.”

With a giggle, you turned around to see Shawn on one knee. Behind him was a tree strung with lights that were glowing, and underneath the tree was champagne and a radio playing your two’s song, Turning the Page (Yeah, we know it’s from Twilight, but that doesn’t stop it from being any less romantic). He was kneeled on a red and white picnic blanket, the typical one you’d see in catalogues for fall. On the blanket were rose petals scattered. 

“(Y/N) (Y/L/N), you have changed my life for the better. The moment you saw me in the E.R., and had to take care of my broken hand, I knew you were just as kind and gentle as you looked. Once you let me in, and take you on that shitty first date, I got to see the real you. The you that cries during every Disney movie, the you that would bring me breakfast in bed when I had a rough day, the you that would rescue a damn pigeon off the street because it looked sad. You are the most sincere, selfless, and intelligent woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I don’t want ever want to stop or slow down. You have become my life and my rock, I’m completely lost without you. I am utterly in love with you, (Y/N). I want us to have a family, I want to make an album for you, and everything in between. Will you please marry me?”

You shuddered awake, looking quickly at your blaring alarm from the end table. Picking it up and turning it off, the time read 4:25 A.M., signaling it was time to get ready for work. You got up, and went to open the blinds to your bedroom, watching the snow fall steadily. Slipping on your socks and bathrobe, you shuffled to the kitchen to get a cup of tea brewing before you hit the shower. 

Mornings like this weren’t incredibly tough anymore, once Shawn was gone on tour. He face-timed you once a week because of tour, sent you letters and packages from your favorite cities, and even had roses delivered on your birthday. And of course, he always said, “Lemme see it. I wanna see you wear that pretty ring. There it is, there she is, soon-to-be Mrs. Mendes.”

Slipping in the hot shower, you played some of his songs, some of your regular playlists, and when you were throwing on your outfit, your two’s song. You missed Shawn. He had missed your two’s favorite holiday, Halloween, where you two always did the cheesy couple costumes. He missed your birthday, but he sent his family in place. He missed Remembrance Day, because in Europe that wasn’t a thing. And tomorrow is Christmas, where he has no sign of coming home whatsoever. That’s fine, though, because you took the long shift at the hospital.

When the song came to an end, you threw on your coat and snow boots, grabbing all the food and equipment you would need for a 12-hour and began to head out. Shawn sent you his daily vlog and you watched that on the shuttle. Once that was over, you got to the hospital where you would forget about your slightly more aching heart. After work, the routine would basically go in reverse. Commute home, get back into your pajama’s, drink some tea, get dinner, and go to bed, where you would have a restless night in an empty bed.

“When do you think we should have the wedding?”

Shawn looked over, a piece of popcorn hanging onto his lip like a lifeline. His cheeks were flushed and he still looked a little sweaty from the show he just played at TD Garden. He knew you were doing the planning to keep yourself from descending into madness (well, not entirely, but you only brought it up when you really missed him). “I think we should do a summer/fall sort of wedding, like when the leaves are red but it isn’t freezing by 5, ya know?”

You hummed in agreement, a smile picking at the corners of your mouth. “I completely agree. Do you want it to be outdoors then, because of the leaves?”

Shawn took another few things of popcorn from the bag and popped them into his swollen lips, he always licked them when he was frustrated by how a show went, or just when his mind was reeling. “I think we should get married outdoors, and then have the reception indoors. Kind of like-”

“Twilight...”

You both looked at the screen and snorted, sending both of you into fits of hysteria. “Shawn, we really base our relationship off of those books, didn’t we?” He looked over, licking his lips once again. “Explain, babe. I get a little bit, but our whole relationship?”

You shuffled in the bed a little bit, “Hear me out, Shawn-y boy. We met when you were hurt and I had to save you, or more-so your career. Edward saved Bella from the car, right? Right. So, there’s that. Then that girl who you worked on the album with tried to get you on the few dates, but that was long after we were official. Boom, Jacob plot line. Then you leave me for your first tour, which I get 100%, so don’t be upset over that. But the girl you worked with saw you kind of sad and made it her mission to befriend you and then attempt to change your mind over me... And our song is the one from their wedding, and we want an outdoors-y wedding.....”

Shawn looked at the screen, then back to the popcorn leaking butter in his hands. “Damn. So you’re saying that I’m Bella?” You began to shake your head, cheeks turning red. “Maybe I meant that wrong, but-”

“No, no you’re saying I’m Bella. Does that mean I get to wear the dress? I cannot wait to get married with no emotions and then have the ugliest CGI baby in the history of cinematics. Aren’t you so excited for that, my love?”

“Absolutely thrilled.”

The alarm on your phone blared once again, pulling you from Shawn. You picked up the phone, getting a few “Merry Christmas” texts from family and friends. You assumed Shawn was out partying with his crew mates, plus it must’ve been a busy day altogether. Turning off the alarm and standing, you pulled on the slippers and followed your routine again. 

Once it got to 6:07, and still no text from Shawn, you decided to call him. Immediately, you were sent to voicemail. With a sigh, you waited for voicemail.

“Hey bubs, Merry Christmas! I miss you more than ever, it’s snowing here pretty rough. I know you’d probably go outside right about now and insist to make a snowman or some angels, so that might be a mission for me after work. Um, I wanted to let you know that I love you so much, and I hope you’re having fun on tour... The apartment isn’t the same without you here, especially around this time. You’re probably having fun with your friends and I don’t wanna intrude on that, so I’ll hang up. I love you Shawn, be careful. Stay safe, come back to me soon. Bye.”

Wiping the tear that fell down your cheek, you stepped outside your apartment, hopped into the elevator and began the commute to your shift. You got to work on record time, beginning your patient rounds and vitals, then celebrating with the coworkers. Working 6:30 AM-9:30 PM would be a tough one, but whatever to keep you under that roof. Plus, double-time because of the holiday.

Once it hit 9:30, you booked it out of the hospital and onto the shuttle. Your eyes were barely open as you saw the texts from Shawn.

(Shawn) 7:59 AM: Hey babe, I’m so sorry I didn’t answer your call! I can’t wait to see your face tonight, you still up for FaceTime?

(Shawn) 9:26 AM: I bet you’re busy, but I’m gonna be in a few conferences and doing press so I won’t be able to talk for a while. Love you!

(Shawn) 3:14 PM: (Y/N) I don’t think we can FaceTime tonight, I have to do something for a fan and it’s really important. I am so sorry.

(Shawn) 8:44 PM: Are you mad at me or are you still working?

(Shawn) 9:32 PM: Something is waiting for you at home, it’s your gift. I hope this can make up for the call!

You hopped out of the shuttle, heart feeling extra heavy as you walked into the apartment. The string lights and streamers along the walls were taunting you as the elevator brought you to your floor, and you tried to compose yourself until you would get inside. Stepping up to your door, you looked for the present, to no avail.

(Y/N) 9:45 PM: Shawn I don’t see a package

(Shawn) 9:45 PM: Mom must’ve brought it inside, I’m sure it’s there.

With a huff, you shoved the key into the door, and walked inside. Chucking your purse and coat onto the hooks, while flinging off your shoes, you composed yourself enough to look for the package. If he got it express-shipped it had to be good. Checking the kitchen was no luck, and the living room looked normal. 

(Shawn) 9:48 PM: Bedroom, babe

With a gasp, you quickly buzzed to the bedroom, and laid your hand on the door. You stopped, hesitant to what was behind the door. What if it isn’t him? Taking a deep breath, you dismissed the negative thought and opened.

The room was filled with lit tea lights, rose petals on the bed and the floor, and Shawn. He was standing there in that chunky-white knit sweater you loved, with flushed cheeks and watery eyes, holding a bouquet of flowers, and your favorite song playing softly in the background.

You gasped, running into his arms with a squeal and sob, him mimicking the sound. He held onto the small of your back, and one hand on the back of your neck, and you felt his tears falling onto your skin. “I missed you so much, (Y/N). You don’t even know.” He pulled back slightly pressing his lips to yours in a soft embrace.

After a minute of kissing, you pulled back. “Merry Christmas, Shawn.”

“Merry Christmas, (Y/N).”

[artificialqueens]

You Better Werq, part 1 (Branjie) - Q-tip & TheDane

Welcome to this new series from Q-tip and I! It takes place in the same world as our other work, Cruising for a bruising, so please enjoy this Werq the World adventure, as we travel around Europe!

“Do you think it’ll cause problems?”

“What will?

“You being here together? If you haven’t seen each other much?”

“Well we almost broke up on a 10 day cruise.” Brooke smiles. “So what could possibly go wrong when we have 12 countries and 22 days?”

Brooke wasn’t really sure what he had expected when he had arrived in Barajas International Airport in Madrid. He had read his contract over well, knew exactly what was expected of him as he did his first tour with Werq the World abroad. WtW Europe 2020 would be his last public appearance as current reigning, and though Brooke was sad it was coming to an end, it was also a relief that his year was almost over.

What Brooke had forgotten however, was the footnote that WoW presents had commissioned a documentary of the tour, Voss Events agreeing to let a man join the almost 30 person crew for the 22 days the tour would take.

To have a camera showed in his face, the sun just rising, after he had spent 11 hours flying in from L.A, was not exactly at the top of the list of things he was interested in right now.

Brooke had rushed from appointment to appointment in L.A, flying from fitting to fitting on new costumes since he was actually home, touching base from his just finished Canada trip to make sure every loose end was tied up before he went to Europe. Brooke had juggled it all, on top of packing everything Vanjie had forgotten in their L.A home, barely cuddling the cats and Riley and making sure Courtney who had followed him from Canada had everything she needed to be their house sitter for the next month.

“So.” Brooke looked into the camera, a man who had introduced himself as Jasper Rischen, holding it up. He looked sweet, brown eyes, short hair, but he could also be anywhere between 15 and 35. “I didn’t expect this whole thing to start so soon.”

Jasper moved slightly, allowing Brooke to see his face. “Is it making you uncomfortable?”

“Oh, no! No.” Brooke held out his hand, his handler Liam already taking his suitcases away. “It was just a long flight.”

Brooke knew WOW had paid for a documentary, that Jasper would be following them around, even sleeping on their bus instead of the crewbus, but it still made him feel on edge.

“Are you going to be following me this entire time?”

Brooke wished he had done more with his hair, or at least not worn the workout pants Vanjie had tried to throw out several times telling him that they were basically trash, which Brooke knew very well. They were, however, also comfortable and lived in, and Brooke hadn’t exactly expected a camera to be shoved in his face the moment he landed.

“Follow all of you.” Jasper smiled.

“Well, we better get going then, huh?” Brooke grabbed his duffle, life on the road truly starting again.

///

Brooke sits in a car, backlight illuminating his blonde hair as it drives through the streets of Madrid.

“How I feel about this tour?” Brooke is turning his phone, flipping it back and forth between his fingers. “Excited. A little nervous.” Brooke laughs, his nose scrunching. “It’s going to be a lot.” He sits, looking out the window. “This is going to be a new experience for me. I like my independence, I like being my own boss, and if there is one thing that you are not while on tour, it’s the boss.”

Images of Brooke performing fly over the screen, Brooke truly coming alive under the stage lights, the crowd.

“Not that I ever am, when Jose is around.”

“How does it feel to know that you have to pass on your crown?

Brooke looks thoughtful. “Strange.” He pauses. “I’ve already done it once before, giving up a crown I mean, but Drag Race is a totally different experience from Miss Continental.” Brooke leaned back. “Of course it’s sad to say goodbye, but I have to admit I’m also excited at the thought of having time to sleep, see our pets and finally go on the vacation to Aruba I promised Jose on the show.” Brooke laughs, his face lighting up. “We haven’t seen each other much lately.”

“Do you think it’ll cause problems?”

“What will?

“You being here together? If you haven’t seen each other much?”

“Well we almost broke up on a 10 day cruise.” Brooke smiles. “So what could possibly go wrong when we have 12 countries and 22 days?”

///

“So we have to go left, then right?” Vanjie looked at Chancellor, their main choreographer, lifting a brow. “Or is it the other way around?”

“It’s left, left right.”

“Cool. Cool cool cool.” Vanjie grabbed his water, wiping his forehead, when he heard the best sound in the universe, Brooke’s warm voice yelling out a ‘hello hello hello’!

“Brock!!” Vanjie shot down from the stage, leaving both Detox, Asia and Kim Chi high and dry. He ran towards the door without a shred of shame, jumping directly into the arms of his boyfriend who had barely stepped inside the rehearsal space, Brooke surrounded by suitcases. “You’re here!”

“Hey boo.” Brooke laughed, holding Vanjie without a choice as he had thrown his legs around Brooke, clinging to him like a koala bear, hanging onto him as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. “Did you miss me?” Brooke’s eyes sparkled with mischief, the blue orbs watching every inch of Vanjies face. He hadn’t seen Brooke in 6 days, he and Asia doing a two day gig with Porn Idol London before they had both flown to Madrid earlier in the morning.

“Bitch you know I did.”

Vanjie grabbed Brooke’s hair, only briefly registering the camera that was hanging back, clearly filming everything, but he was a man with needs, and as long as he had heard no ho telling him to keep it PG-13, he was going to kiss his boo liked he deserved.

Kissing Brooke was wonderful, his lips soft and full, and Vanjie smiled into the kiss, the fresh taste of mint dancing on their tongues, Brooke without a doubt popping one in the taxi before throwing on new deodorant too, his prime canadian beef thoughtful like that. Vanjie was about to go in for a second filling, when a hand forced its way between their faces, Detox effectively cutting them apart. “Okay, that’s enough. This isn’t that kind of show.”

“Hey!”

Detox laughed, clearly not giving a fuck that Vanjie was yelling. Brooke transferred Vanjie to his hip, a surge of warmth rushing through Vanjie at how easily he was handled, Brooke carrying him as if he weighed nothing.

“You gotta share girl, can’t keep Brooke all to yourself.”

“I can keep him exactly where I want!”

Detox laughed, putting an arm around Brooke to get his own hug, nearly hitting Vanjie in the head, but Brooke just smiled, readily accepting the love from one of his closests drag friends.

“It’s not gonna be a problem.”

Detox snorted, clearly not believing Brooke’s low rumble. Jasper had lost interest, the man moving across the room and to the stage, filming away at Kim Chi who was getting a special lesson from Chancellor. The latinax paying intense attention to where Kim Chi’s feet where, and Vanjie knew it wasn’t without right, Kim falling almost as many times as Aquaria during last years Werq.

“If I know any of you whores right, it will be.”

“D, since when have you become such a prude?” Brooke smirked, his hand firmly planted under Vanjies tank top, spread out against his skin. It was hot in Madrid, Vanjie knowing he had to be damp from the rehearsals, Brandon Voss arranging this bootcamp for that exact reason. Madrid the perfect climate to get the queens into gear, on the same beat, force them to work in the heat that will be unavoidable, and to give them a chance to get to know their back up dancers before they hit the road. Vanjie had already run through his first number, a tongue in cheek performance of a Milkshakes remix, props and all, with the two dancers that were his primary ones.

“I’m merely saying that  while I have seen the goods.” Detox’s eyes ran over Brooke’s body, Brooke nearly choking on a laugh. “I’d like to keep all sucking noises, pussy poppins and van jams to a minimum.”

“Bitch when have you seen the goods?!”

“You know what they say.” Detox released Brooke, a big smile playing on his lips. “Sister dick will make you sick.” Detox slapped Vanjie’s thigh, turning around and walking back towards the stage.

Brooke made a move to put Vanjie down, but Vanjie only clung to him further, throwing his arms around his neck.

“Nu-uh.” It had only been 6 days since they had last seen each other, but it somehow felt like a lifetime. They had dated for almost 2 years, Brooke inching into the last weeks of his reign. Vanjie could smell the warmth of the cologne he had gotten Brooke for Christmas, the ever so familiar scent of sweat and what was so uniquely Brooke just underneath. They had both been booked for the finale taping only 2 weeks after coming back, Brooke’s fittings with the designer he had chosen from the landslide in his inbox the only reason he had even touched down at home. It was infuriating that Brooke hadn’t told him anything about his finale look, hadn’t even shared what colors he was going for, but Brooke had laughingly told Vanjie that he would consider sharing something that big when he had seen Vanjie keep something as simple as a birthday present a secret, which he guessed was a fair enough reason.

“Did you bring my shoes?”

Brooke laughed, sitting down on one of the audience seats, grabbing the gym bag he was still carrying and opening it with one hand. “Here.”

Vanjie yelled in delight, Brooke handing him a pair of sneakers still in the box, everyone momentarily stopping on stage to make sure Vanjie was okay, all of them resuming when they saw Vanjie tearing into the wrapping.  

The sneakers were perfect, so crispy white they looked like new fallen snow.

“Biiiitch!” Vanjie immediately stood up, toeing off the Adidas he was wearing to pull on the brand new Nike’s he had ordered online while on the road. Online shopping was one of his favorite activities, favorite distractions, whenever he was spending long and often lonely nights in anonymous hotel rooms after club gigs that left his ears ringing from fan screams and the heavy bass.

“Look how fucking fresh I look!” Vanjie turned back and forth, parading his new kicks.

“Real fresh.” Brooke laughed, crooking an eyebrow at Vanjie’s antics.

“Thanks babe!”

“Next time, can you please have them delivered when you’re actually home? It was an absolute nightmare squishing pickup in.”

“They’re limited edition.” Vanjie said, though the look on Brooke’s face told him it apparently wasn’t enough of an explanation. “I didn’t want some lobby boy nicking them if I got them sent to a hotel. Besides,” Vanjie sat down in Brooke’s lap, taking his head in his hands. “Imma pay you real good for your Canadian Express delivery. Give you a real nice tip.”

“Mmh?”

“Yup.” Vanjie popped the p, pressing their lips together for another round of deep kisses, when they were interrupted by a call, Chancellor yelling for Brooke. His dancer was finally ready for rehearsals as Kim Chi had just finished. Brooke stood up, shedding his hoodie and throwing it on a seat, already halfway on the stage when Vanjie picked it up and threw it on, pulling it up the hood to watch his man practice on stage.

///

“Are you gonna snitch on me if I smoke?” Detox smiles, his eyes looking just left of the camera. “Good.” Detox lit up, his pink claws a natural part of his hand. Detox is in an alley, an orange shirt somewhat clashing with his hair. “Do you smoke?”

“No.”

“You better start.” Detox laughs. In the background, Kim Chi opens the stage door and slips out, a bottle of cola in hand. “We all need someway to escape this madness.”

“You think this tour is going to be madness?”

Kim Chi laughs, moves next to Detox, who throws an arm around him. “Let me give you my predictions.” Kim Chi holds up a finger. “Violet and Valentina is going to be late for every meet and greet.” Detox nods. “Detox is gonna be mad that Valentina is late for every meet and greet.”

“Hey!”

“Vanjie is gonna fight someone just cause.“ Kim Chi counts. “A’keria is gonna look amazing as always, Brooke will be utter perfection and the cause of at least one Vanjie related breakdown, and Shangela is gonna get lost at least twice.”

“Kim here is the unofficial employee of the month.” Detox laughs. “They all love her. Model citizen and all, but watch out. Her shade is deadlier than her farts.” Detox pushes Kim gently, and they both cackle. The door opens, and Chancellor calls them both back in.

“Hey, Detox?”

“Mmh?” Detox turns around.

“You were on the Atlantis cruise, right?”

“Look at you Mr. Journalist.” Detox smiles. “Seems like WOW has hired a clever little gayboy for this.”

“I’m 24.”

Detox huffs, the smile still playing in his eyes. “Yes, yes I was on the cruise.”

“Brooke said something about him and Vanjie almost breaking up, and now with Kim. They always seem so happy, so I was just wondering. I’ve never heard about that bef-“

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

The camera lowers, no longer capturing Detox face. “Oh, no. Of course not, I was just-“

“Brooke and Vanjie are… Well, they’re Brooke and Vanjie. Nauseatingly sweet and an absolute fucking mess. Brooke and I have been friends forever, and I love the dumb bitch with my entire heart, but if there is even an ounce of drama on this tour, I will have had it. Officially.”

///

“So, we have a lot of new girls with us this year.”

Brooke crossed his arms, slowly tapping his foot up and down. Brandon Voss had gathered them all for lunch, Jon, the tour manager, standing right by his side. Violet and Sharon had been the last to fly in, Violet coming in from Milano with a secretive smirk on her face, Sharon somewhat buzzed from flirting his way into several refills from the flight attendant who had turned out to be a race chaser.

“There are a few rules we want to go over.” Jon stepped forward, already flipped to the first side of his board.

A’keria leaned back in his seat, emptying his protein shake while Brandon droned on about bus schedules, sleeping arrangements and minibar use.

“We expect all of you to have your phones on you so we can reach you, if you’re not with your handler. Is everyone officially in the group chat?”

“Sounds almost kinky, huh? A handler?” A’keria whispered.

Brooke peaked out of the corner of his eye, A’keria wearing a shiteating grin that was only just hidden by his drink.

“Though I guess some of us brought those from home.”

“Bitch shut up.”

Brooke had to hide his own grin, Vanjie chiming in from A’keria’s other side in what could barely be considered a whisper, though it was low for Vanjie.

“If you miss transportation, it’s on you to get to the next location. Shangela, I’m looking at you.”

“Ah!” Shangela held up her arms. “You better believe you’re gonna regret those words Miss Jon. New tour, new me.”

“New trade in every town.”

Everyone laughed, Violet’s joke landing at the exact right time.

“We still need those last few files from some of you girls.” Brooke could feel Vanjie shrink two sizes even though they weren’t sitting next to each other, and he almost rolled his eyes. Brooke had turned his own music in on both email, USB and CD, the tech crew practically crying when they realised that every number had been marked, but that was what a background in pageantry did, Brooke knowing without a shadow of a doubt that A’keria had been just as prepared. Vanjie however? That was an entirely different story, Brooke sometimes believing that his boyfriend had never read a full contract in his life, Vanjie’s chaotic personality not always translating very well to the structure that was needed outside of single performances in clubs and at pride parades.

“Oh, and Brooke?”

“Mmh?” Brooke looked up, meeting Brandon Voss gaze.

“We’ve already cleared everything with VH1 and your management, so don’t worry about taping the final of Drag Race. We have everything under complete controle.”

[dayna-scully]

ncis/tiva s7 lb

season 3  |  season 4   |  season 5  |  season 6   |  season 8   |  season 9  |  season 10  |  etc

Truth or Consequences

I’ve never really been able to tell whether or not tony was acting in this bit

small muscles, big brain

coffee aficionado and functional mute

it never fails to astound me how much effort media has put into demonizing muslims

I was gonna say it was love driving tony, but I suppose that factors into vengeance

Tony’s full of bs

tony was not dealing well with not having ziva there

we have to deal with the writers pining over Kate for like 11 years but ducky’s over ziva being around after like 2 months? What is wrong with y’all

ziva’s not replaceable

tony, not keeping himself together as well as he used to

even after jeanne he was not so messy

what kind of failure/the kind with casualties

lotta sand

it’s not normal that we haven’t heard from ziva

I swear to god they use my name the most for tertiary characters, there were at least three just last season

I don’t know why they had to make Tony’s trauma fugue funny

neither of them were expecting that

it had to be you

you should not have come

you thought I was dead? then why are you here?

couldn’t live without you, I guess

he couldn’t leave her alone

she is very melodramatic

but so is tony

isn’t that the same “village” tony went to with Nikki

they’re not aliens, tony

stay alive long enough to not get dead 🤔

her own biological father doesn’t love her enough to save her

yeah gibbo!

I don’t understand how he could have possibly got there so fast but ok

I hate group claps

hella cringey

7x02

she’ll call when she’s ready

she looks so much better

bb girl

an angel

sleazeball

why would you egg a church?

why would you tell someone to their face that they’re “damaged goods” what the fuck

long, silent, meaningful eye contact

and mcgee chattering in the background

spots are still to tender for normal verbal barbs

I will be right here

what is wrong with Abby

he did kill Michael partially because he was jealous

mostly to protect her but

SHE IS ASHAMED OF HERSELF WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU

no normal person ever calls tony sir

so why are you avoiding tony

it had to be said in the men’s room

and double parked/yes, I noticed

I could not afford to trust you

cue ugly crying

I wonder why he could not look her in the eye

the neck grab is so intimate, and definitely echoes her face touch

waiting in dad’s basement

HE’S HER DAD

ziva’s here

7x03

that is total salami/baloney

ew dinozzo

oh bb ziva

7x04

it looks like a damn teen wolf convention

ziva hasn’t been ziva since we brought her home

everyone just keeps dumping on her

gibbs isn’t acting like he���s on team ziva

at any cost

he’s her dad

I did not mean to live through it

he’s her dad i’m cry

bb probiee

7x05

agent David

personal space

uhhh let me check, ziva?/no

digital images don’t work that way!!!

that’s so high school flirting

I say it with love

prankster probie

7x06

sleepy probiee

who says you have a say

stealing our precious body fluids

wh…what body fluids is ziva stealing from you tony?

ah, shame, my pencil broke

smug lil probie

we have been instructed to sit on the baby

I wanna see ziva with tali 😖

worth is so much hotter with long hair

7x07

normal work partners

that really looks like the diner from bones, and it’s definitely the one they used previously, but I would assume the bones one was on the fox lot? And that cbs wouldn’t have access to it

tony goes on a schpiel about how attractive Kai is and then tells ziva they must be alike

ok tony

you annoy me sometimes/sometimes?/most of the time

why is she nice to you and not to me?

because you’re emotionally repressed and can’t keep your mouth shut dinozzo

hey ziva, what the fuck

does tony have to sit behind ziva to work?

Tony’s jealous of mcgee, he’s jealous of Dunham…he can’t get any and his crush doesn’t seem to like him back

well well well how the turn tables

he cleans up nice/not that nice

he’s not being a big brother ziva

brother-zoned

last thing I need is a chad Dunham

hey ziva what the fuck

why are you looking at Tony’s dick

if you believe in that kind of thing

yeah mcgee a double date

oh mcgoo

7x08

that’s a looong time to be stuck in an elevator

it was either you or the watch

well we could be stuck here with tony

7x09

are you letting some blonde bombshell baste your bird, tony?

you dork!!!

normal

track-tor

I guess?????

I wonder if they styled that girl like flashback!shannon on purpose

ew god why

the favourite gets to ride shotgun

ziva, mean muggin’

aw, happy gibbs is so rare

7x10

yes I’m sure souther California gets a lot of snow

stop making my team fat

with his brother Darrel and his other brother Darrel

including the language of love, ten

those look more like sugar cookies but ok

bullheaded stubbornness

you’re one to talk, z

bah humbog

tearing up cause she’s proud of her boyfriend

7x11

tweeeeeting

perhaps baby bird is ready to leave the nest

jet packs…yeah, it’s gonna be a weird one

we spend a lot of time here, just the three of us

smug!!!

we always get the shots of ziva checkin these dudes out

you’re quoting better off dead, I told you to watch that

McGee is such a dork

fucking adorable

is that, like…necessary

a Thief

oof gibbo be nice

she acts like she hates me, but she talks like she likes me

gibbs has a crush

I don’t speak Canadian

hmm

why can’t shows just shoot pictures instead of photoshopping them badly

7x12

mind your own business/ooh, grouchy

ziva is ziva, nothing to tell

that is too disgusting to translate

why in the world did they ever hire senior

Tony’s REAL dad meeting his bio dad

ugh I hate him

poor tony

you may have to hire someone to protect him from me

gibbs has several children, one of whom is your son

Jetlag

ahhhhh!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!! Paris!!!!!!

I slept well last night, why, didn’t you? You certainly looked…comfy enough

oh???? Really????

that is not an innocent face

cute cute cute

we had enough “together”

you askin me on a date, duck?

I think Paris changed her

act natural!!!!!

you’re complementary

are you sure you two never?/no. positive. definitely no.

a good fit

she’s so soft about tony though

even if she is lying about where she slept 👀👀👀

caveman grunts

she adores him

why did you just lie to mcgee?/why’d you lie to Nora?

she’s trying so hard not to blush

his favourite picture

7x14

ugh that’s cringey

well we know his “little dinozzo-makers” survived…

the kids giggling about dad and his crush

TOTALLY NOT EAVESDROPPING

totally innocent

I am going to go…get a haircut

I think technically we own the building

come on ziva

(soft!!!!!)

what salim did was bad enough

I don’t really remember a lot of these episodes

the big tiva ones, yes, but the other ones not really

I guess we just have better nerds than you do

7x15

aww worth bb

I wish they could’ve gotten him to replace dinozzo

“get ziva and dinozzo out of bed”

“individual beds”

EVEN MCGEE THINKS THEYRE SLEEPING TOGETHER

boyfriends

how does ziva know where he sleeps

worth is very werewolf-y

no I was wrong they’re not boyfriends they’re husbands

ziva’s got sex face

Jean jacket ziva 💕💕💕

cutie

don’t be a dick tony

I only have one nose and it’s on my face

jealous tony

yeah whatever, you already slept with my wife

F U!!!!

Tobias dukes-in’ it

i wasnt askin ya!

it’s fun to make tony jealous

7x16

book suppository

our girls

7x17

keep your story straight but not so straight that it’s exactly the same

7x18

I’m glad I wasn’t your valentine/so am I

Casey!!!

but it is the coast guard

she loooves him

you mean he’s deceased, too?

he used to sing with the monkees/real monkeys?

I envy your brain sometimes

ducky’s bow ties are back

movie date!!!

What are you doing with me, watching a movie on a Friday night at work

you are my friend

really/no

both of your “dates” “cancelled” so you…decided to have a date together?

what was she thinking of saying??

she loooves him

7x19

are you two dating now?

a seven year bitch

that was a very bad fake slap

why couldn’t they have had ziva there

ziva is barely in this one

she loves him

things were hanging out? that is disgusting

7x20

once and future king of dorkland

Sand mites might bite

ziva is very proud of her dad

we have hit a shamu

I may have to hurt you

7x21

what would this woman possibly see in you

take ziva with you

ziva’s not used to being the jealous one anymore

tony is being a creepy stalker

Rivera turns out to be a villain, I think

ziva is concerned about tony

I forgot that Obama was president when this would have aired

tony sitting separately says a lot

he would usually be the one beside ziva

tony, being unwarrantedly intimate with a stranger

a quiet bookstore owner as a Russian spy is actually really interesting

7x22

Jamie!

toe cheese

realizing tony and ziva lied about Paris 👀👀👀

oh gibbs

7x23

cowboy gibbs

what are you, anti flan?

ooooh gibbo

oh gibbs

7x24

fathers and daughters

they’re his children, not his coworkers

staring at dad

personal space

ziva bb

looking for her dad and her boyfriend

[youtube-chatroom]

Happier-Chapter 6

Aaron had tears in his eyes. Wade was hugging him and rubbing his back trying to calm him down. Aaron stood up with tears in his eyes and grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. He started to write a letter to Mark.

 Dear Mark,

I finally understand why you are upset with me and I understand why Bob beat me up. Please just know that a week after I moved, my father took my phone and ‘broke it’ or at least that’s what he told me. I now know he lied to me and used my phone to talk to you and hurt you. I had no idea he was doing this. The reason I’m back in town is because my mother and father got divorced and my mother wanted to move here. If you don’t believe me I’ll understand. If me being here upsets you to much than tell me and I’ll go back to England and live with my father.

Sincerely Aaron

Aaron folded the letter up and handed it to Wade.

“Please give this to Mark and don’t let Bob see it.”

“Okay I will.”

Aaron hugs Wade one more time.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“I’m not sure but please make sure Mark reads that.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Wade leaves and Evan comes in.

“Hey.”

“Hey”

“You going to be okay?”

“...I don’t know.”

Evan pats his back and says ,” It’ll be okay.”

Aaron checked the time and saw it was time for Not American Club.

“Evan we need to get to our club.”

Skip to club

“$4 coffee. Incredibly stupid”, Phil complained. “Someone actually came up and asked ‘Is that a British accent?’ Like can you seriously not tell”, Dan complained.

“Someone asked me “are you Irish?’ and we’ve known each other for three years!”, Nogla screamed.

“People keep accusing me and Nogla of being drunk or having alcohol simply because we’re Irish!”, Brian pouted.

Everyone was pouting, making jokes, and complaining. Aaron was happy again.

“Delirious said when he gets home he’s going to microwave tea.”, Aaron cringed.

Aaron watched Phil shutter and say ‘that’s horrible.”

“And another thing,” Dan raged, “Yes I’m British but that doesn’t mean all I drink is tea!”

“Yeah,” Evan cheered, “ And the canadian national anthem says nothing about polar bears, snow, or maple syrup!”

“Really? Are you sure”, asked a shocked Nogla.

Aaron lost it at that and was dying in laughter.

“YES I’M SURE!”

Everyone was laughing and having an amazing time. It made Aaron feel a lot happier then he has in a long time and he was sure he was going to love this club.

Evan was laughing so hard he had to grab onto Aaron to stop himself from falling out of his seat. Aaron looked at Evan and smiled. Yeah he was going to like it here.

Skip to end of the day

Aaron said his goodbyes to everyone and started heading home. He hadn’t got far out the door when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned around thinking it was Evan wanting something but was meet with something he hadn’t expected. Jack.

Aaron didn’t know what to say. He didn’t have a chance to get a good look at Jack during the fight so he was shocked to realize that the man who punched him square in the face was so short. ‘How did he even hit me’, Aaron asked himself.

Aaron expected rude comments or fight, what he didn’t expect was Jack asking, “ Are you okay.”

Aaron was shocked; he didn’t know what to say.

Jack sighed guiltily. “Look I’m sorry for punching you earlier. It’s just when I heard you were the one who who hurt Mark all those years ago, I kind of lost it I guess. I let my anger get the better of me and that’s not who I am.”

Aaron thought about it for a second and he realized if he had been in Jack’s place he would have done the exact same thing. “It’s okay. I did find out why it happened and if I was in your place I would probably have done the same thing.”

Jack shook his head but looked like he still had something to say.

“If you don’t mind me asking why did you say such rude things to Mark.”

Aaron lightly sighed.

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.”

“Oh come on.”

“I mean it. You would think I was trying to hide the blame.”

“Just tell me.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I know what will happen, you won’t believe me, you’ll go and tell Bob, and what happened this morning will happen again! If I wanted to be beat everyday I would have stayed with my dad back in England!”

Aaron ran out of the school, leaving Jack staring after him. Aaron got home and found a note on the counter in the kitchen.

  Dear Aaron,

I have to work late tonight. There’s twenty dollars for pizza, there’s soda in the fridge, and if you made any friends today you should invite them over. Have fun.

Love Mom

‘To bad I forgot to get anyone’s numbers’, Aaron thought as he made himself a glass of soda. He decided he’d order the pizza later. He went and sat down on the couch and started watch some gaming videos on YouTube, when he got a text message.

Hey Aaron it’s Evan.

(authors note- I hope you are all like my story and I apologize for it being so short)

[theklaudinelog-blog]

SAPPORO 🇯🇵  1/2

Hey!

A few days ago I was in Sapporo freezing my cheeks off with my best friend and it was one of the best trips so far this 2019. Granted, it’s only January but we’ve got to be positive! It’s the new year! 🤗

We only had one legit day to spend around Sapporo and although we could have done so much more while we were there, we had a really good time still. Our flight landed around 7:45 in the morning and we got to the hotel around 8:15 checked in and what not so we were out of the hotel in our winter clothes and in search for some food because we were hangry. 

Right across from the hotel we have a good selection of food chains. So decided to cross the street and go for KFC, I know right, I’m in Japan but I go straight to a KFC, no judgement, I’m h a n g r y at this point. But it was closed when we got there, literally got escorted out of the established because gomenasai, we are still closed, lol. 

Oh well, off to the mall we go since we saw people come in and out of it already. In Manila, malls open around 10 am if it’s SM, 11 am if it’s Shangrila so it wasn’t our first option since we assumed it would still be closed but the mall near us opens at 9 am! Thanks, AEON! 

So we made a beeline for the food court. Went around and looked at our choices and we ended up eating Udon and Tempura for breakfast. I was thinking I could do this for the rest of my life, eat deep fried vegetables and chase it with fat carby noodles like it’s no big deal but I would get sick and be fat and I would have to eventually die faster so –– this is getting out of hand. 

But you know what I mean. Yum. 

Pretend I caught the tempura party in this photo but soon after I took this photo the lady was pleasantly smiling whilst she places the fried veg on that sad empty white plate. 

After that we went around the mall, scouted the grocery store because we are slaves for Japanese grocery stores and the home things they sell.. THE HOME STUFF, GOSH. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about purchasing several pots, pans, containers, trash cans, basins, chopsticks, convection oven, blenders, coffee makers in one go with a 23kg baggage limit, not even considering Japan uses 110V and all the appliances I will buy will just blow up the moment I plug it on. Good times. 

And then of course, we found some cute things I wish wouldn’t be nuisance after I bring it home and toss it to the pile of things I-thought-I-needed-but-ended-up-becoming-trash or the I-would-totally-use-this justification excuse we always come up with when we’re faced it smol cute things.

But I really wanted those coasters and those side dish plates would look nice with all the cooking I will do. (I won’t)

Okay, listen. Aside from all of the junk I have lying around my house, these kinds of cups will always find a home in my cupboard but I didn’t get one since they look so fragile and I’m not as gentle as you think I am. 

*internally screams as I take this shot* Look at Bokuto and Akaashi. They facing each other instead of looking to the right, my heart. 

Then it was snowing like this when he headed back to the hotel, it was snowing so hard that it got into our mouths, noses and eyes. It was pretty intense. Snow looks cute and all but they’re pretty intense when they want to be. The winters in Sapporo seem to be super intimidating because of it but that’s not what I meant when it came to being intense, Canadian, European and some American winters are for sure harsher and much more biting cold than Sapporo’s but the snow just never stops and it covers the roof of houses so satisfyingly perfect like the ones you see in animes. It’s real y’all! lol 

Anyway, stay tuned for part 2 where I’ll show you photos of when we went to the famous Sapporo Beer Museum, Susukino district and more snow! 

X,

Klaudine ✨

[actuallylorelaigilmore]

the ultimate citation list for Schneider of ODAAT, volume 1

A reference collection of quotes and details, organized chronologically, for the first 26 episodes of One Day At A Time. Used to create this character guide.

“Can you believe it's only been 10 months since you moved in? I remember 'cause I got my five year sober chip and your mom baked me that cake. I enjoyed watching you guys eat it." 1x01

"You're 40 and you look stupid." “I'll have you know, I was invited to several Pride parades." 1x01

Uses a “very expensive” Damascus steel hammer. 1x01

"I've been doing some outreach down at the rec center, talking to at-risk youth. You guys wanna start takin' bets? Actually, scratch that. I'm addicted to gambling.” 1x01

"Love isn't even real. It's just something your nanny says sometimes to your dad." 1x02

"Hey, I may have money in the bank and two living parents, and four living stepmothers but there is a hole in here. We never had family meals. I ate alone in front of the TV. Oh, don't get me wrong. It was a massive TV. Sometimes my nanny would join me, but only if I agreed to watch telenovelas. This one time, Rosa got jealous of the housekeeper 'cause she was makin' a move on her man, so she threatened to throw live scorpions on her while she slept. Rosa was my nanny. Ex-nanny. Now, stepmother." 1x03

[Lydia and Pen fighting] “It's startin' to feel kinda like home in here.” 1x03

Schneider cooks fancy hipster food. "Nutted quinoa, wilted��broccolini with radish micro-greens, and venison carpaccio on a bed of nettles. Grab a cedar plank and dig in." 1x04

"Always interesting to be the sober one at a dinner party." 1x05

"I immigrated here illegally. I'm a Canadian. But yeah, born in the 'Couve, overstayed my student visa, forced to live in the shadows of Pepperdine University. Anyway, it's fine now. My lawyers made it all okay." 1x05

Uses sheet masks, knows about chauffeurs, butlers, estates. 1x06

“The kids barely touched my black olive tapenade.” “Thanks for helping out, but maybe next time pick a food a kid would wanna eat or has heard of.” “Yeah, and maybe next time, don't hand out masks with my face on them.” 1x07  

"The members of my college band have finally put aside our differences and we're reuniting to play at the fair this afternoon. My band, Full Sail, plays yacht rock. These guys were like family. I used to show up at their dorm rooms unannounced and just hang out for hours and hours and hours." 1x07

"We were setting up for the show and our keytarist threw a decorative anchor at me. This is why Full Sail broke up in the first place. Too many passionate personalities." 1x07

Has a magnifying glass in his costume trunk. 1x07

"I know nothing about my grandparents and I never will. And they live in Pasadena!" (but he goes to 'the depot' in Pasadena) 1x09

"I have never seen such un-professionalism. This is why I don't work!" 1x09

"I need to find a new place to get my eyebrows threaded." 1x10

Has a safe. 1x10

"Well, Father believed it's best to have this kinda discussion in a car because you don't have to make eye contact. Plus, you're traveling in the same direction, which fosters intimacy. So we're in the Bentley with our chauffeur, Paco. Father said it's time to have the talk. We came to the next stoplight. He hopped out, Paco told me everything." 1x10

"I didn't get the period talk till I was 12. Paco just called it 'Shark Week.'" 1x10

"When I was a kid, there was an adult section in the back of the video store. Behind the beads. I'd always chicken out and just rent a Jane Fonda workout tape. Still worked. Still works." 1x10

"You'd be surprised how many of my hookups started with 'Ugh!' ...When I was 15, I told Father I wanted to be a professional tap dancer. He laughed. It was that lack of support that contributed to my drinking and drug problem. Oh, do you find that amusing? Because 15-year-old Schneider's drinking peach schnapps out of an unused tap shoe right now." 1x11

"You have a girl over here and you were offering to have sex with me?" - "Yes, Penelope. That's the kind of friend I am." 1x11

"My dad never came to my games. All he ever did was put me through rehab six times and buy me this building." 2x01

"Maroon 5 is the best." 2x01

"Okay, I decided to take a break from dating. See, I realized that women were just another one of my addictions, like alcohol, drugs, gambling, cigarettes, snow globes. The point is, I've broken the cycle of addiction with spinning. Five hours a day, every single day. I have to do it! Plus, it's the perfect substitute for dating, 'cause it burns a lot of energy and also numbs my junk!" 2x02

“Snow globes? Is this one of our family?” 2x02

"I come over, tell him to do stuff to me, he does it, I go home. You should get one." "I think what Nikki was kinda dancing around is that you don't always have to have a relationship with a capital "R." Sometimes all you need is what the great poets of the Renaissance called a junk buddy." "Exactly. You don't even have to like them." 2x03

"See, the great thing about having a green card is you get to live here without having to do all the stuff Americans have to, like vote or serve jury duty or become obese."

"Okay, but at least you vote in Canadian elections." "Mmm. No. Even in Canada, nothing ever changes. Clean air, sensible gun control, free health care. The system's rigged." 2x04

Can picture himself “doing it” with Elizabeth Warren, was Stephen Hawking for Halloween. 2x04

"You have to pay taxes with a green card? I just texted my accountant, and he said 'cause I'm in the highest income bracket, I don't have to pay taxes." 2x04

Keeps on hand: panic room, gas mask, water purification pills, MREs, enough cash to get to Cape Verde by boat. Followed Max on Instagram. Would be honored to be Penelope's maid of honor. 2x05

"I'm very patriotic. Look in that basket. There's a bald eagle thong." 2x06

All Elena's video game equipment belongs to him. 2x06

"Penelope, tell my third stepmother I loved her! Not the second one, though. She was kind of a jerk." 2x06

"Hummer limo's downstairs. My third stepmother used to take me to the racetrack to spy on Father. For the longest time, I thought she was saying, 'Your father is with Rebecca, that horse!' It's like I'm back at the racetrack with my stepmom. What's next? Throw a mint julep in his face?” 2x07

"I love Cuba! I've been there four times. Property manager, job's just temporary. My father owns the building. I'm really a musician. Play a lot of rap-rock-ska. I'm like a male Gwen Stefani. When you're hiring a nanny, make sure she's not too hot. That's how I met my fifth mom. I had four nannies and look at the results." 2x08

Did not speak a word of Spanish when he first met them, is interested in single moms. 2x08

"If you joined an adult kickball team after saying you were too busy to join mine, you are on a long road to forgiveness." 2x09

"Your idea of stress is when your chest-waxer goes out of town." "Roberto is the only one who doesn't make it sting!" 2x09

"I shouldn't have to need these either, but I do. To see. So it's Fourth of July, 2011. I'd been sober for a while, so I thought I'd celebrate with a beer. Woke up three days later in an alley. Then the bowling ball hit me. I was in the gutter for a long time. It's really slippery without the shoes. That was the day I truly accepted that I can't have alcohol or drugs, ever. Not a beer, not a glass of wine, not even six hits of acid at a Grateful Dead show, no matter how well it makes me dance. I kinda get where you're coming from. There's something I want that I can't have for the rest of my life." 2x09

He and Pen are best friends. Also considers Max his bestie. Wants to Netflix and chill with them both, together. 2x09

"My abuelita used to put Vicodin in her coffee. And her lemonade and her sandwiches. Maybe she had a problem. As my father said to me on my ninth birthday, 'You don't need me anymore.' I use my garage for pickling and sea horse breeding." 2x10

Loves puns. "This is Elena Alvarez, my handyman mentee. Or handy-manatee." "The toilet is a cruel mistress. She is flush with complications." 2x10

"Herb and Sherb McGurb. Her real name is Sheryl, but she gets a kick out of Sherb." 2x10

"Bonsai's for dorks. This is penjing. The gentle Chinese art of tray scenery. Now that you're working for me, I finally have some leisure time." "Oh, look, there's little people. Wait, is that my family?" "Could be any Cuban family." 2x10

"I may only look two or three years older than you, but I have the wisdom of that ancient bonsai!" 2x10

"Always take the lemonade. That's Handyman 101! So you watched Jeopardy with them and then what? Well, now we know what your problem is! You fixed their toilet, but you didn't fix their souls. Elena, growing up, I had everything. But I was always alone. I don't want my tenants to feel that way, so I do more than just fix stuff. Apartment 306, macrame with Mrs. Watson. 201, lose at chess to Mr. Roth. 402, listen to all their Cuban nonsense. That's the job. That's what takes four hours. That's the difference between being a handyman and a super." 2x10

Has heard 'you're fired' a lot. 2x10

"After a grueling 30 minutes of thought, Nikki, will you be my starter wife? You're on the rebound. That's the best time to get married. You don't have time to think. So you were never thinking about me? My emotions? My feelings? You used me, Nikki, Finn's mom! And not in the way I like! And that's not all, Sister Barbara. We knew each other. Biblically. And while we were doing it, she took the Lord's name in vain. A lot!" 2x11

"Last night, I was testing the pH of the water in my seahorse ranch and, as I looked at those vomiting little guys, I realized I suck at tests. All tests. Drug, sobriety, vision, IQ, smog. You name it, I fail it!" 2x12

"Have you ever been arrested?” “Does public nudity at a hockey game count?” “There is, uh, no mention of a public nudity charge in your file.” “Oh, you just go to YouTube and type in 'Zam-boner.'" 2x12

"Yeah, they didn't specifically ask if I got drunk and tried to ride a moose, so after that I was golden." 2x12

"How important is having kids to you?" "Never really thought about it." 2x12

"I'll have you know I babysat my babysitter's kids while she was babysitting my dad, so, yeah, I got a little experience under my belt. Oh, it's my cousin Gordy. He still thinks I'm full-on Canadian. All right, good news is Gordo bought it. Bad news is I'm judging a poutine festival in Saskatoon next week." 2x12

"You're the single greatest mother I know." "Thank you. That means a lot coming from a guy with five moms." 2x12

"Fuzzy Afghan she likes, picture of the Pope, picture of a different Pope, picture of your dad, picture of the family, picture of me with the family, picture of me by a waterfall. I'm just gonna keep talking 'cause I'm not good in crisis situations." 2x13

"It's so crazy how we're both immigrants. I mean, I would never compare my story to yours, but the parallels are spooky. You were 18, I was 18. You left your family behind. I left four step-families, a maid, a butler, a chauffeur, and a horse groomer who really got me. But Father was expanding his business to the US and so I had to go. I remember, at the airport, I was crying. But Father put his arm around me and he said, 'Son, only losers cry.' So that was a long flight. You don't know how dirty a dirty look can get until you're crying for a whole plane ride and you're not a baby. I really didn't wanna be in America. So I drank. And I recreated the snowy plains of Canada with cocaine. I'm told I attended classes at Pepperdine University, but I will have to take that on faith. So, I'm in a detox center in El Segundo. This was my fourth rehab. My re-re-re-rehab. I thought I'd been doing a kickass job keeping my drug stuff a secret from all the tenants and then you showed up in my room at that clinic. You brought me sopa de pollo and said it's Cuban penicillin. You told me, 'You eat this, you get some sleep, and tomorrow, you try again.' And then you tucked me in and kissed me good night on my forehead. Forehead kisses are wildly underrated. Just something really comforting about 'em. Then again, it might just be you. Dad never did that. Or my horse groomer. After I got out of rehab, I started hanging around your apartment a lot more, 'cause it helped. Back then, it must have felt like you had this annoying, intrusive guy over. Not like now. 'Cause now you're my family. Don't worry. I haven't legally changed my last name to Alvarez. My lawyer said it was a whole thing, so... Anyway, Pen said no crying, so I'm not gonna. Actually, for once, I agree with Father. Only losers cry. And we're not losing anybody today. Let's hit that oath ceremony soon, okay?" 2x13

[perksofwifi]

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet First Drive: Isolation Angel

I eyeballed the achingly good-looking, red-roofed 2020 Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet in GT Silver Metallic parked out front next to my Ford. The fleet company left the sanitized key inside the unlocked car then essentially ding-dong ditched me. This Porsche—the first convertible version of the Best Driver’s Car–winning 992 that MotorTrend has had in for testing—will not be tested.

The California Speedway, our test facility, was not designated as an “essential” business (methinks someone in Sacramento is gonna need to give the word “essential” a rethink) and as a result, we ain’t testing nothing for the foreseeable future. What to do with this $147,280 thing, then? A rhetorical question, for sure, though with the world’s economy tanked and in the gutter, a relevant rhetorical query at least.

The answer is my own personal Hozomeen. The car world knows this “Hozomeen” as Angeles Crest Highway, a 66-mile-long ribbon of two-lane excellence that begins just minutes from my front door. One of the planet’s great roads, no question. An actual jewel, and my most perfect place possible to go psycho-ish in a Porsche.

What is a Hozomeen? It refers to Hozomeen Mountain, situated just south of the Canadian border in the Northern Cascades range, about three hours from Vancouver, B.C. It was made (sorta) famous by the two sequels to On the Road, Jack Kerouac’s Dharma Bums and Desolation Angels. In the latter, the father of the beats spends a summer as a fire lookout atop Desolation Peak in extreme isolation and seems to spend half the book staring at, chatting with, humanizing, and straight up exalting a particularly mighty-looking peak called Hozomeen. The peak serves as his only friend (aside from a mouse, the antagonist to his Duluozian protagonist, as well as “the void.”

I dusted off my copy of Desolation because, hey man, the mood fits. Makes sense, too, as Kerouac writes, “The void is not disturbed by any kinds of ups or downs, my God, look at Hozomeen, is he worried or tearful? Even Hozomeen’ll crack and fall apart, nothing lasts, it is only a faring-in-that-which-everything-is, a passing-through, that’s what’s going on.” Like everything—including Kerouac’s constant flirtation with Buddhism—this sickness, and the strange, isolated world it’s created, will pass.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I spend (arguably) too much of my time up in the Angeles National Forest within the San Gabriel Mountains on this fantastic road. First of all, if you’re facing north standing basically anywhere in L.A., you’re staring at the mountain. A quarter of the time it’s literally in your face. I am lucky enough to drive and test cars for a living, and ACH is the closest great road in a city literally littered with them. I’d bet I know two thirds of the Crest’s turns by heart, and the plan is to one day learn them all. Some people learn the Nürburgring. My quest is the Crest. As such, ACH was my first choice of place to take this ragtop Porsche, as well as my only choice. Maybe, like Kerouac, being alone on a mountain will teach me something.

What’s the 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet Like to Drive?

Right, up my Hozomeen I go. Top up? Top down? The weather has been a soggy, Southern Californian version of frigid the past few weeks. Daytime temperatures in the low 60s, and even dropping down to the mid-50s on occasion. Up on the Crest, altitudes rise (as high as 7,900 feet at the tip top), temperatures drop, and precipitation hangs around in the form of snow.

I leave the top up for the heavily trafficked section that rises out of the ritzy suburbs of La Cañada Flintridge, everything below Clear Creek, right at the turnoff for Angeles Forest Highway.

I continue on up in Sport mode up until I get to what I call the Jethro Bovingdon Turnout. Good old Death Row has filmed a number of historically awesome drifts for camera around the big turnout, most impressively with a Cadillac CTS-V for an episode of Head 2 Head—which you can binge watch for $1 a month on the MotorTrend app. I’d guess that 75 percent of all the pictures you’ve ever seen of cars on Angeles Crest were taken at this massive and otherwise unnamed turnout.

It’s cold and quiet but not too cold. Top down, I continue northeast toward Mt. Wilson-Red Box Road.

Now’s the part where I mention that during normal times and under normal circumstances, I have but one rule when it comes to testing convertibles: The top must be down unless it’s hailing. But in the Age of Desperate Illness, is it socially acceptable or medically advisable to drive around sans roof? Probably not. Besides that, the passing air is actually cold, the wind chill is making it worse, and I get to the point where I decide to violate my only rule. After all, I’m up on Hozomeen to test the car, not shiver and get a stupid creeping crud. I pull off into the turnout where we filmed a video with a 2019 Ford GT. Seems like a world ago. I can’t even imagine being around that many people these days. Shaking hands seems like a lifetime ago. Top goes up. Away we go.

How Fast Is the Porsche 911 Convertible

The thing with convertibles is, with the rare exception of carbon-fiber tubbed droptops like McLarens, removing a roof reduces a car’s stiffness and adds weight. Both are enemies of performance. When it comes to a Porsche 911, performance is (perhaps) the most important part.

Luckily for 911 Cabriolet customers, the 992 version of Porsche’s icon starts from quite a lofty place, performance wise. Adding a few pounds and slicing off the lid hurts things, but not enough to complain about. Judging by the previous-gen 911, the 991, the weight gain switching from hardtop to soft is about 150 pounds, give or take and depending on options. That’s right around the 3,500-pounds mark (we’ve weighed two 2020 911 Carrera Ss—one was 3,369 pounds, the other was 3,413).

In terms of measured performance of the old 991, that added a tenth of a second in 0–60 mph, quarter-mile, and figure-eight times. That’s hardly a thing. If the same holds true for the new car, we’d be talking 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, the quarter mile in 11.3 seconds, and a figure-eight time of 22.8 seconds, plus a probable stopping distance under 100 feet. All of which are world-class, supercar numbers. However, since we can’t test anything right now, it’s all just speculation and educated guesswork.

I experienced nothing while driving this silver-and-red beauty that would lead me to believe it would be any slower, any worse, or any clumsier than my guesses. Remember, the Carrera S’ twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six produces 443 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. That power is routed through Porsche’s brilliant new eight-speed PDK (twin-clutch automatic) gearbox and then to only to the rear wheels, which are wrapped in better than average 21-inch Pirelli P Zero tires. The staggered fronts are 20-inchers. Grip, even on cold asphalt, is staggering.

How Expensive Is the Porsche 911 Cabriolet

I should also mention that aside from being the best-looking soft top currently on sale, Porsche’s folding top is amongst the best in terms of sealing the outside world out. No, the Cabriolet doesn’t make you feel like you’re inside a coupe, nor is it supposed to. But you do get struck by a sense of quality.

As you should, because the car’s base price is $127,450, with this one reaching $147,280. I know, I know—Porsches are expensive, and in other news water is wet. But still, the base price of a GT3 was $144,850, and the last six-speed manual GT3 we tested cost $147,890. Different customers, I know, and different purposes, believe me I know. Plus the GT3 is out of production, and the eventual 992 version will cost more … I’m just sayin’.

My photo crew showed up, and we shot a very surreal, socially distanced, alcohol-wiped shoot. Back down ACH, and the Porsche felt at home. Then I hit the grocery store where four bags (of not toilet paper) fit easily in the Carrera S Cab’s frunk. Then home.

Two days of #SaferAtHome later, I decided to head back up. Hozomeen beckoned as always. And I’m weak. After gassing up at the Shell station at the bottom in Montrose, the plan was to drive hard with the top down all the way up to Newcomb��s Ranch. Much further than that, and I’d be running into early spring snow (there’s no winter in SoCal). Being somewhat more familiar with the car, I pushed her harder.

A Top-Down Porsche Convertible in Winter

The steering is quite good, helped no doubt by the optional Rear Axle Steer ($2,090), but like every 992 911 I’ve driven, there’s this wonderful back and forth between meaty accuracy and delicate feel. You can whip this sucker like a rented car yet tenderly make midcourse corrections. Pretty amazing.

The power is stonking—we dyno-tested a 992 Carrera S and discovered it’s much closer to 500 hp than it is to the rated 443 hp. The Porsche assaulted the mountain, there’s no polite way to put it. Power, traction, lovely noise (with the roof stowed, you can truly hear the optional Sport Exhaust, part of the $5,460 Sport package that also includes Sport Chrono and PASM), the blowing wind, the scents—a mix of pine trees, hot rubber, and hotter brakes—vivid late March colors spinning by. Talk about the quintessential sports car experience. This was it. This is the reason you plop down the extra $12,800 for the Cabriolet. Because it’s worth the dough.

I parked in front of the Newcomb’s Ranch sign, took a picture for the ’Gram, and looked around. Two other Porsches were up top with me, a top-up silver Boxster and a Guards Red 997 GT3, all socially distanced, all looking fly. We waved. No other cars bothered to climb this high.

That Jethro fellow said something once about the Ferrari 812 Superfast that I’ll never forget—he called the car “annoyingly good.” Meaning that by all means, it would be great to simply hate $400,000 worth of bright yellow Italian frippery. But you can’t, because the Superfast is so annoyingly good. Same story here way up Hozomeen with this silver Porsche.

Angus MacKenzie always says that we want to love every car, and we’re disappointed when we don’t. But he’s a good person. I approached this 992 Cabriolet the opposite way; I went in looking for flaws, an Achilles’ heel, some weakness other than price (the average American 911 owner earns over $700,000 a year—they don’t worry about the cost, nor should you) that could knock this Porsche down a peg or two. Couldn’t find a thing.

Do sports cars have a point in this day and age? More specifically, does this Porsche? Not sure I reached any concrete conclusions, other than if you feel an uncontrollable urge to climb the mountain simply because it’s there, you sure could do worse. Once things return to normal—and hopefully much sooner than later—and you need to scratch that convertible itch, the 992 iteration of the Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet is about as good as they get. As for me, I’m holding out for the Targa. Perhaps one with a California black plate that reads “HZOMEEN” out back.

2020 Porsche 911 Carerra S Cabriolet BASE PRICE $127,450 LAYOUT Rear-engine, RWD, 2+2-pass, 2-door convertible ENGINE 3.0L/443-hp/390-lb-ft turbo twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve flat-6 TRANSMISSION 8-speed twin-clutch auto CURB WEIGHT 3,600 lb (MT est) WHEELBASE 96.5 in L x W x H 177.9-178.4 in. x 72.9 x 51.2 in 0-60 MPH 3.1 sec (MT est) EPA FUEL ECON, CITY/HWY/COMB 18/23/20 mpg ENERGY CONSUMPTION, CITY/HWY 187/147 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.97 lb/mile ON SALE Currently

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[airoasis]

What if you could trade a paperclip for a house? | Kyle MacDonald | TEDxVienna

New Post has been published on https://hititem.kr/what-if-you-could-trade-a-paperclip-for-a-house-kyle-macdonald-tedxvienna-2/

What if you could trade a paperclip for a house? | Kyle MacDonald | TEDxVienna

Translator: Queenie Lee Reviewer: Cristina Bufi-Pcksteiner My name is Kyle, i’m the pink paperclip guy. But earlier than I get started on that story, I want to draw awareness to this slide behind me. On the establishing of each TED video available in the market, the anything it’s referred to as, the screenshot that precedes the video, every body’s standing like this … All of them. So, demand extra from TED, submit comments online poking enjoyable at this, we need better screenshots for these videos. We can make a greater world of TED with higher screenshots. Onto the paperclip though. This is this form of crazy suggestion I had once I was – Y’recognize, about 10 years ago, I was once watching down at my desk, and i saw a red paperclip sitting there. And that i said, "Y’recognize what, I bear in mind this game referred to as ‘better and better’ the place you start with anything small, trade it for something larger, and you then repeat. I wonder what would happen if I took this crimson paperclip and tried to alternate it?" I posted a picture of that red paperclip on a internet site known as "craigslist." Two ladies named Ronnie and Karina answered and said, "hey, that’s lovely cool! We would wish to exchange with you. We bought a pen formed like a fish." (Laughter) I was quite excited, this used to be a cool pen.This was larger and better than a pink paperclip. "How some distance can i am going with this idea? Any individual want a pen shaped like a fish?" "obviously, my title is Annie, and i have bought a doorknob with a crazy face on it." (Laughter) Two trades in, I’ve already long past approach up from a paperclip, and i used to be thinking, "How far can i’m going with this? Maybe i will be able to hold going except one day I owned a apartment or some thing from this." Shawn says, "Come down to my situation, i’ll prepare dinner your burgers, and i will alternate you my tenting range for that doorknob, since i want it to repair the knob on my stovetop espresso maker.(Laughter) We’re moving liabilities into assets; we’re creating price. We’re making improvements to every other’s lives, albeit on a small scale. However the Sergeant, David J, of the U.S. Marine Corps, he stated, "i have been watching for that specific mannequin of tenting range. I’ve bought further mills, would you love an electrical generator?" To me this used to be a dream come actual: an electric generator. Ultimately, my teenage dreams of being able to create vigour have been realizing.(Laughter) alas, most men and women on the net failed to suffer from a blackout, they failed to need energy. So, my buying and selling in for better and better things that I proposal had price was a legal responsibility. It took me a couple of weeks to be capable to alternate this. However I truly observed yet another individual only in the near past out of his teenage years who did wish to create vigor with this generator. His name was once Martin, and he was in New York city. He says, "look, I’ve received an empty beer keg, i’m going to trade you an IOU to fill the keg with beer and a neon with "Budweiser" sign. What do you say?" So I met up with him. We made the alternate, and this is us displaying all materials of the exchange work. (Laughter) I rebranded the mishmash of IOU beer keg and neon "Budweiser" signal, and called it an instant occasion. Does any individual available in the market need to party? "My identify is Michel Brett, i am a famous radio and tv personality within the province of Quebec, and that i want to make a exchange with you." "without doubt Michel, what do you have got to trade?" "i’m going to trade you my worst snowmobile." I was once intrigued simply with the aid of the thought of an individual’s worst snowmobile.It implied that he now not most effective had multiple snowmobile, however he was once style of cheeky and inclined to show to me that, you already know, I’ve obtained better ones, however i’m going to exchange you my worst. I used to be quite pleased to alternate with him. He used to be a first-class man, and it was once a gorgeous nice snowmobile. Seeing how it was once the middle of iciness in Canada, and it was very bloodless, and a snowmobile at that time of 12 months had extra price than in the summer, a snowmobile journal called "SnoRiders West" referred to as me up and stated, "howdy, we wish to offer you two trips for 2 to the Canadian Rockies in trade for that snowmobile.It will most often supply our journal some publicity, and who would not want to go to the Rockies right now of 12 months?" I stated, "yes, alright, what’s the seize?" They said, "The seize is that you could come to the Rockies; you can’t come to the town of Yahk in British Columbia." I said, "very well, I got to discover a loophole round this." So we made up our minds to kind of blackmail a country wide information institution. It can be a particularly long story, however what ended up happening was once I acquired on television carrying the logo for the shirt I was wearing. It was known as Cintas, the uniform corporation. It was once simply kind of an inside funny story: my cousin’s husband had given me this shirt … An excellent longer story to explain the whole factor. However, the top honcho of that company noticed me on tv with his corporate uniform on, and said, "Wait a 2nd, this is a tremendous liability to me, but additionally it is an possibility." And we met up one night time. He says, "i would wish to make you a exchange. What d’you say?" and i’m like: "I believe that is the best manner we are able to work collectively with out promoting our souls to the corporate ownership satan." He stated, "pleasant, let’s meet up." So we met up.He furnished this van for the go back and forth for 2 to the Rockies, I drove the van to the Rockies; he flew considering that the commute integrated that. And that i wound up with this significant, tremendous computer, a lot higher than a paperclip, arguably better, worst gasoline mileage, but to transport significantly better things than simply that. So, I mentioned, "Does someone out there need to exchange?" And i noticed higher and better was just fairly getting greater, however how would it get better, what was once the opportunity here? And i noticed that i have been furnished a recording contract, a piece of paper, a promise, an opportunity to anyone who’s excellent at song."Does anyone wish to be a recording artist?" So I traded the van for the recording contract with Brandon. He used it to drive round in his band, which was currently traveling around in a 1988 Volkswagen Jetta. Moving as much as the van fairly helped him out. I took the recording contract. "Does anybody wish to be a recording artist?" It seems most of the time everyone on the earth needs to record song. (Laughter) I was once provided my soul from a soul singer, a pinkie finger. Any one definitely furnished me their virginity, which is – (Laughter) I do not know what the legalities, or – needless to say, I said no, when you consider that Jody stated to me, "seem, I’ve bought a half a duplex in Phoenix, Arizona. Half of of it’s unrented. I will alternate a 12 months free hire in my duplex for that. What do you say?" I said yes.I went down there. We made the trade in front of the white wooden fence. Very Americana. Now I had a year free employ. Her next door – one among her tenants truly – Her next-door neighbor, Lesley, learned about this. She says, "i need that free employ." She offered me up an afternoon together with her boss. To start with I was once like this sort of sucks, like oo-er-hoo … (Laughter) on account that I did not know who her boss was. She stood up – "i’ll deliver him out." i’m, "this is bizarre." She brings out her boss’s head. Her boss was once Alice Cooper seeing that she labored at Alice Cooper’s town in Phoenix as the manager of the restaurant.I used to be like, "an afternoon with Alice Cooper, that is pretty mighty, what’s it’ll be valued at?" His tour supervisor called me up and says, "We’re on tour in Fargo, North Dakota. Come up, experience an afternoon with Alice Cooper, see what it can be like." after which after our afternoon this happened survive stage. (Video starts) (Cheering) (Applause) (Video ends) Alice is a particularly pleasant man – this image displays how nice he’s.(Laughter) "look, it is nice you’re doing this. You can find an Italian billionaire who’s a massive Alice Cooper fan. He’ll typically have a number of mansions. He’d quite simply alternate you considered one of them. Promise me one factor?" "What’s that?" Promise you won’t exchange an afternoon with me for a weekend with the Rolling Stones or a night with KISS. (Laughter) I stated, "all right, i will are attempting." The mobilephone rang, and it used to be Mark. Mark says, "i am an newbie photographer with a lot of KISS memorabilia. Are you be involved in any of that?" that is difficult. I rather wanted to trade with him. "What do you might have?" He says, "good, I’ve acquired this, I’ve obtained that, KISS posters, KISS guitars, a KISS snow globe." When he stated KISS snow globe, I immediately stated, "sure, and simplest the snow globe." So, met up with Mark, traded the afternoon with Alice Cooper, a priceless possibility for a KISS snow globe.And the whole world style of type of like oo-oo-oo – and that i was once like this is first-class, it lights up, alterations colors. (Laughter) here is one of the crucial more than a few online responses from the video. That is the worst exchange that I’ve ever heard of, bar none. (Laughter) this is almost certainly the dumbest selection I’ve ever seen anyone make … Ever. (Laughter) except for the folks on Jerry Springer. (Applause) different folks were much more eloquent of their supply. (Laughter) And this was once the only time in the course of the entire mission where I had another alternate lined up. Each other trade had come along serendipitously, and it’d just been this potent expertise. Nonetheless, two months earlier to all this, this man had referred to as me up and said, "howdy, my identify is Corbin Bernsen, i’m a enormous Hollywood actor. I’m making a movie and i would wish to offer a paid, speaking, credited role in a Hollywood movie.Are you interested by buying and selling for that?" I had simply done the recording contract trade, and was like, "sure, certainly, this sounds excellent." He hung up the mobile, and i’m, "Corbin Bernsen, who is this guy?" It turns out he’s very good identified, he’s been in lots of major films, and he additionally, in step with Wikipedia, has the sector’s largest snow globe assortment, over 6,500 snow globes. (Laughter) for the reason that it was once Wikipedia I knew it was once genuine, (Laughter) and that i just form of kept it behind my head.When Mark stated he had a KISS snow globe, I was once like,"this is ultimate." known as Corbin: "Do you wish to have the KISS snow globe?" "ship a photo." sent one. Corbin referred to as again, "now not most effective do i need it, i need it." (Laughter) whilst these comments were coming in like dumbasses, etc, I had no backup plan, and luckily for the challenge and for Corbin, he failed to get hit by means of a bus and he used to be still alive, and we made a alternate.He confirmed us into his snow-globe lair of over 6,000 snow globes, which appears form of like this. (Laughter) Following this, the financial development Officer of the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, a fellow named Bert Roth, known as me up and stated, "We see that you have been doing this undertaking. Our city has a couple additional houses that we own. Would there be a abilities that perhaps we might alternate such a residences for anything you might have?" I say, "i’ve a position within the movie." he is like, "That’d be best: What we had been pondering is having a large residence warming social gathering, a huge party, inviting every person in the world to come back to Kipling. We could present an opportunity: we’ll call it ‘Kipling Idol.’ we’ll have reside auditions for the movie function, here, right in town." I stated, "that’s without doubt best, Bert. What you need to do to make this occur?" he is,"good, we need city council approval." I say, "all right, if you could get it, that’d be nice." He called me back two weeks later: "I did it, I acquired city council approval, we will make the trade." turns out town council approval was once getting two men and women to put their hand in the air.But, full credit score to Bert, he made it happen. And we traveled to Kipling, and there we are. That is the way you exchange a paperclip for a apartment. And that is the house. (Applause) The best part about this whole challenge is fun, making the trades for matters. Easier to inform the story with the objects, however it was the people at the back of it. In Kipling, it sounds as if, Mounties signal the deeds to traded residences. We had a huge apartment warming celebration, over three,500 men and women got here to the town of Kipling, a town of below 1,000 humans, for an entire weekend. There were reside auditions on stage, 500 to 600 individuals in the crowd including the volunteer fire department, in a ability 300-man or woman constructing.So, yeah, they let it slide, however it was an strong expertise. Corbin Bernsen went out on stage, the next day to come on the town, and mentioned, "here’s the winner of the movie role. Written on his back was the identify Nolan Hubbard. Nolan Hubbard had just graduated from high college, was once making minimal wage at the Bottle Depot. Two months after this snapshot was once taken, he was down in l. A. Working on a movie with Corbin. An amazingly proficient individual who, with out this opportunity to make a movie, would have not had that chance. And it used to be all about the persons announcing, "sure, let’s construct anything, let’s do something together, let’s collaborate, let’s have a look at what occurs." That was what one crimson paperclip used to be all about. There, at this apartment warming occasion in Kipling, Saskatchewan, Karina had the customary pink paperclip round her neck in a photograph frame. And men and women have been announcing to me like, "Wow, you traded with a paperclip, but do not you want you had it back now?" (Laughter) that’s received to be valued at some huge cash. That’s got to be – it is rather noted.And that i mentioned to them that day what I nonetheless say today: "It wasn’t concerning the paperclip, it is now not about having it, or promoting it for what it is valued at. If I hadn’t traded away that red paperclip, i’d simply be a guy sitting there at a desk keeping a paperclip in his hand, questioning what would happen if I did whatever with the paperclip." So … If in case you have a paperclip, exchange it away. You might only get a fish pen, however it perhaps the one step that results in an robust journey. And, for me, that ride shall be off this crimson circle. So, I want you the quality. (Applause) (Cheering) .

[batterymonster2021]

What if you could trade a paperclip for a house? | Kyle MacDonald | TEDxVienna

New Post has been published on https://hititem.kr/what-if-you-could-trade-a-paperclip-for-a-house-kyle-macdonald-tedxvienna-2/

What if you could trade a paperclip for a house? | Kyle MacDonald | TEDxVienna

Translator: Queenie Lee Reviewer: Cristina Bufi-Pcksteiner My name is Kyle, i’m the pink paperclip guy. But earlier than I get started on that story, I want to draw awareness to this slide behind me. On the establishing of each TED video available in the market, the anything it’s referred to as, the screenshot that precedes the video, every body’s standing like this … All of them. So, demand extra from TED, submit comments online poking enjoyable at this, we need better screenshots for these videos. We can make a greater world of TED with higher screenshots. Onto the paperclip though. This is this form of crazy suggestion I had once I was – Y’recognize, about 10 years ago, I was once watching down at my desk, and i saw a red paperclip sitting there. And that i said, "Y’recognize what, I bear in mind this game referred to as ‘better and better’ the place you start with anything small, trade it for something larger, and you then repeat. I wonder what would happen if I took this crimson paperclip and tried to alternate it?" I posted a picture of that red paperclip on a internet site known as "craigslist." Two ladies named Ronnie and Karina answered and said, "hey, that’s lovely cool! We would wish to exchange with you. We bought a pen formed like a fish." (Laughter) I was quite excited, this used to be a cool pen.This was larger and better than a pink paperclip. "How some distance can i am going with this idea? Any individual want a pen shaped like a fish?" "obviously, my title is Annie, and i have bought a doorknob with a crazy face on it." (Laughter) Two trades in, I’ve already long past approach up from a paperclip, and i used to be thinking, "How far can i’m going with this? Maybe i will be able to hold going except one day I owned a apartment or some thing from this." Shawn says, "Come down to my situation, i’ll prepare dinner your burgers, and i will alternate you my tenting range for that doorknob, since i want it to repair the knob on my stovetop espresso maker.(Laughter) We’re moving liabilities into assets; we’re creating price. We’re making improvements to every other’s lives, albeit on a small scale. However the Sergeant, David J, of the U.S. Marine Corps, he stated, "i have been watching for that specific mannequin of tenting range. I’ve bought further mills, would you love an electrical generator?" To me this used to be a dream come actual: an electric generator. Ultimately, my teenage dreams of being able to create vigour have been realizing.(Laughter) alas, most men and women on the net failed to suffer from a blackout, they failed to need energy. So, my buying and selling in for better and better things that I proposal had price was a legal responsibility. It took me a couple of weeks to be capable to alternate this. However I truly observed yet another individual only in the near past out of his teenage years who did wish to create vigor with this generator. His name was once Martin, and he was in New York city. He says, "look, I’ve received an empty beer keg, i’m going to trade you an IOU to fill the keg with beer and a neon with "Budweiser" sign. What do you say?" So I met up with him. We made the alternate, and this is us displaying all materials of the exchange work. (Laughter) I rebranded the mishmash of IOU beer keg and neon "Budweiser" signal, and called it an instant occasion. Does any individual available in the market need to party? "My identify is Michel Brett, i am a famous radio and tv personality within the province of Quebec, and that i want to make a exchange with you." "without doubt Michel, what do you have got to trade?" "i’m going to trade you my worst snowmobile." I was once intrigued simply with the aid of the thought of an individual’s worst snowmobile.It implied that he now not most effective had multiple snowmobile, however he was once style of cheeky and inclined to show to me that, you already know, I’ve obtained better ones, however i’m going to exchange you my worst. I used to be quite pleased to alternate with him. He used to be a first-class man, and it was once a gorgeous nice snowmobile. Seeing how it was once the middle of iciness in Canada, and it was very bloodless, and a snowmobile at that time of 12 months had extra price than in the summer, a snowmobile journal called "SnoRiders West" referred to as me up and stated, "howdy, we wish to offer you two trips for 2 to the Canadian Rockies in trade for that snowmobile.It will most often supply our journal some publicity, and who would not want to go to the Rockies right now of 12 months?" I stated, "yes, alright, what’s the seize?" They said, "The seize is that you could come to the Rockies; you can’t come to the town of Yahk in British Columbia." I said, "very well, I got to discover a loophole round this." So we made up our minds to kind of blackmail a country wide information institution. It can be a particularly long story, however what ended up happening was once I acquired on television carrying the logo for the shirt I was wearing. It was known as Cintas, the uniform corporation. It was once simply kind of an inside funny story: my cousin’s husband had given me this shirt … An excellent longer story to explain the whole factor. However, the top honcho of that company noticed me on tv with his corporate uniform on, and said, "Wait a 2nd, this is a tremendous liability to me, but additionally it is an possibility." And we met up one night time. He says, "i would wish to make you a exchange. What d’you say?" and i’m like: "I believe that is the best manner we are able to work collectively with out promoting our souls to the corporate ownership satan." He stated, "pleasant, let’s meet up." So we met up.He furnished this van for the go back and forth for 2 to the Rockies, I drove the van to the Rockies; he flew considering that the commute integrated that. And that i wound up with this significant, tremendous computer, a lot higher than a paperclip, arguably better, worst gasoline mileage, but to transport significantly better things than simply that. So, I mentioned, "Does someone out there need to exchange?" And i noticed higher and better was just fairly getting greater, however how would it get better, what was once the opportunity here? And i noticed that i have been furnished a recording contract, a piece of paper, a promise, an opportunity to anyone who’s excellent at song."Does anyone wish to be a recording artist?" So I traded the van for the recording contract with Brandon. He used it to drive round in his band, which was currently traveling around in a 1988 Volkswagen Jetta. Moving as much as the van fairly helped him out. I took the recording contract. "Does anybody wish to be a recording artist?" It seems most of the time everyone on the earth needs to record song. (Laughter) I was once provided my soul from a soul singer, a pinkie finger. Any one definitely furnished me their virginity, which is – (Laughter) I do not know what the legalities, or – needless to say, I said no, when you consider that Jody stated to me, "seem, I’ve bought a half a duplex in Phoenix, Arizona. Half of of it’s unrented. I will alternate a 12 months free hire in my duplex for that. What do you say?" I said yes.I went down there. We made the trade in front of the white wooden fence. Very Americana. Now I had a year free employ. Her next door – one among her tenants truly – Her next-door neighbor, Lesley, learned about this. She says, "i need that free employ." She offered me up an afternoon together with her boss. To start with I was once like this sort of sucks, like oo-er-hoo … (Laughter) on account that I did not know who her boss was. She stood up – "i’ll deliver him out." i’m, "this is bizarre." She brings out her boss’s head. Her boss was once Alice Cooper seeing that she labored at Alice Cooper’s town in Phoenix as the manager of the restaurant.I used to be like, "an afternoon with Alice Cooper, that is pretty mighty, what’s it’ll be valued at?" His tour supervisor called me up and says, "We’re on tour in Fargo, North Dakota. Come up, experience an afternoon with Alice Cooper, see what it can be like." after which after our afternoon this happened survive stage. (Video starts) (Cheering) (Applause) (Video ends) Alice is a particularly pleasant man – this image displays how nice he’s.(Laughter) "look, it is nice you’re doing this. You can find an Italian billionaire who’s a massive Alice Cooper fan. He’ll typically have a number of mansions. He’d quite simply alternate you considered one of them. Promise me one factor?" "What’s that?" Promise you won’t exchange an afternoon with me for a weekend with the Rolling Stones or a night with KISS. (Laughter) I stated, "all right, i will are attempting." The mobilephone rang, and it used to be Mark. Mark says, "i am an newbie photographer with a lot of KISS memorabilia. Are you be involved in any of that?" that is difficult. I rather wanted to trade with him. "What do you might have?" He says, "good, I’ve acquired this, I’ve obtained that, KISS posters, KISS guitars, a KISS snow globe." When he stated KISS snow globe, I immediately stated, "sure, and simplest the snow globe." So, met up with Mark, traded the afternoon with Alice Cooper, a priceless possibility for a KISS snow globe.And the whole world style of type of like oo-oo-oo – and that i was once like this is first-class, it lights up, alterations colors. (Laughter) here is one of the crucial more than a few online responses from the video. That is the worst exchange that I’ve ever heard of, bar none. (Laughter) this is almost certainly the dumbest selection I’ve ever seen anyone make … Ever. (Laughter) except for the folks on Jerry Springer. (Applause) different folks were much more eloquent of their supply. (Laughter) And this was once the only time in the course of the entire mission where I had another alternate lined up. Each other trade had come along serendipitously, and it’d just been this potent expertise. Nonetheless, two months earlier to all this, this man had referred to as me up and said, "howdy, my identify is Corbin Bernsen, i’m a enormous Hollywood actor. I’m making a movie and i would wish to offer a paid, speaking, credited role in a Hollywood movie.Are you interested by buying and selling for that?" I had simply done the recording contract trade, and was like, "sure, certainly, this sounds excellent." He hung up the mobile, and i’m, "Corbin Bernsen, who is this guy?" It turns out he’s very good identified, he’s been in lots of major films, and he additionally, in step with Wikipedia, has the sector’s largest snow globe assortment, over 6,500 snow globes. (Laughter) for the reason that it was once Wikipedia I knew it was once genuine, (Laughter) and that i just form of kept it behind my head.When Mark stated he had a KISS snow globe, I was once like,"this is ultimate." known as Corbin: "Do you wish to have the KISS snow globe?" "ship a photo." sent one. Corbin referred to as again, "now not most effective do i need it, i need it." (Laughter) whilst these comments were coming in like dumbasses, etc, I had no backup plan, and luckily for the challenge and for Corbin, he failed to get hit by means of a bus and he used to be still alive, and we made a alternate.He confirmed us into his snow-globe lair of over 6,000 snow globes, which appears form of like this. (Laughter) Following this, the financial development Officer of the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, a fellow named Bert Roth, known as me up and stated, "We see that you have been doing this undertaking. Our city has a couple additional houses that we own. Would there be a abilities that perhaps we might alternate such a residences for anything you might have?" I say, "i’ve a position within the movie." he is like, "That’d be best: What we had been pondering is having a large residence warming social gathering, a huge party, inviting every person in the world to come back to Kipling. We could present an opportunity: we’ll call it ‘Kipling Idol.’ we’ll have reside auditions for the movie function, here, right in town." I stated, "that’s without doubt best, Bert. What you need to do to make this occur?" he is,"good, we need city council approval." I say, "all right, if you could get it, that’d be nice." He called me back two weeks later: "I did it, I acquired city council approval, we will make the trade." turns out town council approval was once getting two men and women to put their hand in the air.But, full credit score to Bert, he made it happen. And we traveled to Kipling, and there we are. That is the way you exchange a paperclip for a apartment. And that is the house. (Applause) The best part about this whole challenge is fun, making the trades for matters. Easier to inform the story with the objects, however it was the people at the back of it. In Kipling, it sounds as if, Mounties signal the deeds to traded residences. We had a huge apartment warming celebration, over three,500 men and women got here to the town of Kipling, a town of below 1,000 humans, for an entire weekend. There were reside auditions on stage, 500 to 600 individuals in the crowd including the volunteer fire department, in a ability 300-man or woman constructing.So, yeah, they let it slide, however it was an strong expertise. Corbin Bernsen went out on stage, the next day to come on the town, and mentioned, "here’s the winner of the movie role. Written on his back was the identify Nolan Hubbard. Nolan Hubbard had just graduated from high college, was once making minimal wage at the Bottle Depot. Two months after this snapshot was once taken, he was down in l. A. Working on a movie with Corbin. An amazingly proficient individual who, with out this opportunity to make a movie, would have not had that chance. And it used to be all about the persons announcing, "sure, let’s construct anything, let’s do something together, let’s collaborate, let’s have a look at what occurs." That was what one crimson paperclip used to be all about. There, at this apartment warming occasion in Kipling, Saskatchewan, Karina had the customary pink paperclip round her neck in a photograph frame. And men and women have been announcing to me like, "Wow, you traded with a paperclip, but do not you want you had it back now?" (Laughter) that’s received to be valued at some huge cash. That’s got to be – it is rather noted.And that i mentioned to them that day what I nonetheless say today: "It wasn’t concerning the paperclip, it is now not about having it, or promoting it for what it is valued at. If I hadn’t traded away that red paperclip, i’d simply be a guy sitting there at a desk keeping a paperclip in his hand, questioning what would happen if I did whatever with the paperclip." So … If in case you have a paperclip, exchange it away. You might only get a fish pen, however it perhaps the one step that results in an robust journey. And, for me, that ride shall be off this crimson circle. So, I want you the quality. (Applause) (Cheering) .

[movietvtechgeeks]

Latest story from https://movietvtechgeeks.com/carrie-genzel-talks-supernatural-fans-state-slay/

Carrie Genzel talks 'Supernatural' fans and her State of Slay

This is part 2 of the Carrie Genzel interview where she gets very indepth on Supernatural, acting and her amazing site State of Slay. You can read part 1 here where she talks about her fun experiences on the set and those pranks she went through with Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. Carrie Genzel is one of those lovely actresses that thought being in Supernatural was so nice she did it twice – she was in Bugs, one of the earlier episodes in Season 1, and in Just My Imagination, one of my personal favorite episodes, in Season 11. Many fans will remember Carrie’s character, Linda Berman, being the one with “Sparkle on her face!” Definitely one of the more iconic moments in Supernatural, for sure. Since Supernatural, Carrie has appeared in Max 2, They’re Watching and Season’s Greetings. Carrie is also the author of State of Slay, a blog about “the state of living in self-love as your authentic self.” Carrie explains further about her blog and her journey to writing it below. Who would you want to work with the most, that you haven’t worked with yet? My gosh … the list is long! Carol, I’ve had a huge long, long-term crush on Harrison Ford. Since American Graffiti. Like … way back. I would love to work with him, but it would really hard for me to keep my cool. There’s so many people whose work that I adore. Cate Blanchett, apparently I like all the Kates, Kate Winslet … Honestly my mind is spinning. It’s like ahhh, who? There are so many people. I go to the movies at least once I week. I still love to go sit in a dark theatre and escape … go to that faraway land, and connect with a story or connect with the characters, or just run away with the circus. I’m constantly watching people doing what they do. Working their craft. The list is long. So how has being Canadian affected you as an actor? I don’t know how it’s affected me. I think that there’s so much work in Canada, it’s affected me in a good way. They need Canadians … so that’s good. In terms of working in the United States, or abroad, I don’t really know. I think that’s really nice, that I’m really proud of, is that around the world, Canadians are regarded as good, honest people, and it’s nice to feel that you’re welcome wherever you are. That’s really nice. When I first moved to the U.S. in the early 90s, people really didn’t know anything about Canada and asked me weird questions, like: Do we live in igloos? Do we have electricity? These are all real questions that I was asked … this is my favourite: Do you hunt for your food? I’m not kidding. Yeah, just strange questions. I have to say, since the 2010 Olympics, a lot of people went, oh wow, there’s a whole city there! Mmm, there’s many! Although I still get the question – I did recently get the question – are you in the Canada that’s near Seattle or the Canada that’s near New York? Well, it’s all one Canada, first off … it’s like, what? I find that there is a lot more awareness to what we have; it’s not just snow and bison. We have cities, and people, and things going on … One of the things that I really love is that when I’m working in Vancouver and the American cast is here, or the international cast – a lot of Americans are here shooting – is how much they love working in Canada. How excited they are to be there and the great experience they are having. It makes me really proud. When I get to work in Vancouver, it is a smaller community and whenever I’m on set I know people, in the crew, or in the cast … So it feels like a family. I don’t feel that when I’m down in LA … it’s much more spread out and bigger, and it’s a little bit of a different experience … it’s nice to be able to walk in and be like hey, how are you, haven’t seen you, what’s going on, how are the kids … that feels really nice. You don’t have so much of that weird first day of school feeling, like okay, how does this work, is everyone going to like me, who do I sit with at lunch. It does kind of feel like that. It’s a nice feeling. I think being Canadian … with the way the market is right now, it’s great. They like us because we’re a tax break. And we’re cheap. And we’re cheaper, typically … but hey, not too cheap. I talk to my agent. I’ll let him take care of that. I think it has changed, it has definitely changed since I first started. For sure. How did you come up with the idea for State of Slay and what are your goals for it? State of Slay is a blog that started probably just over a month ago. It was a long time coming. I actually just wrote a blog about what kind of inspired State of Slay on Sunday [June 2], called A Power Greater than Myself. I had an experience where I should have died. By all accounts, I should not be here. I had a hard time with that, was struggling with that. Why did I survive, why am I here … what am I offering the world … what makes me enough to still be here when I really shouldn’t be. It took a lot of counseling, a lot of journaling, meditation, for me to come up with the reason why I ended up here was to be of service and to give back. There’s a lot of things that I’ve gone through in my life that I’ve never talked about in the press. Typically we’re instructed by PR to talk about the show and how great it was, and how awesome everyone was to work with … yadi, yadi, yada … some funny stories, and that’s the end. I never really kind of talked about the things that I struggle with or have struggled with, or the things that I’ve overcome. I’ve noticed that on social media because we all like to post the shiny happy pictures, that people would make comments thinking that the implication was that I have this wonderful fabulous life and that it’s all rainbows and unicorns, and premieres, and private jets and mansions, and that’s just not the truth and the reality of my life. I would say, Well no, I understand what you’re saying, because I myself went through that. You did? There was this, what? You’re a real person? I made a conscious decision to really put out positive messages within my personal social media. People really started to respond to that. I started to get messages from people that would reach out to me to say thank you so much for posting what you did today; it really helped me because this is what I’m going through, and they would write me this lovely message. It would happen a lot. It got me thinking of being of service. How can I be of service and how can I give back? It’s one of those things, which I’ve also talked about in my blog, when you’re living as your authentic self and you’re on the right path, there’s constantly signs are given to you about where you’re supposed to go next. I kept getting these signs from different places and different people, about writing. It was the beginning of the year and I thought okay, new year. Fresh start. What am I going to do to challenge myself this year. It came to me – start a blog, and talk about me. Talk about all of the struggles and the things that I go through and how I overcome them. How I live my life today in a positive light. Learn to love myself and accept myself, and in turn I’m able to share that light with others. Off I went. I thought, well, what the heck do I call it? Because I wanted it separate from my name, as me, as an actor … even though it’s me writing it, and I don’t hide that it’s me writing it, and there’s a lot of crossover … especially on social media. I just wanted to have something separate, so that it felt like a safe place where people could go and share. It wasn’t necessarily a place where people would go and be like, Oh, let’s see what Carrie’s writing about, the actor, and maybe read things that they might not be comfortable with. This is where this stuff happens, and the actor stuff happens over here. It was important to me that it be a safe place for people to share. I played around with different names and it just kinda came to me. State of Slay – Slay in this case being an acronym for Self Love Appreciate You. I also just liked the image of slaying, you know … of warriors. And I think I took a lot of inspiration from a lot of all of you – the #SPNfamily, and just the image of all of you warriors slaying your day. Because you do every day. That’s kind of how it happened. So I’m like, nobody else has this, the domain’s available, this is it! We’re going with it. It just kind of blossomed from there, which told me that it was right, that I was in the right place. The goal with it really is just to do really what I’ve been saying … to bring some light to mental health, to depression, to struggles that people go through. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, we all have struggles; we all go through times that are difficult. What I found is there’s strength in talking about what’s happening. That we are only as sick as our secrets. If we are harbouring all of those things, and we’re not talking about them, we’re just getting sicker. If we tell somebody about it, it’s out there – it’s gone. It’s not necessarily gone like you don’t have to deal with it, but it’s not weighing you down any more, as this embarrassing horrible thing. It’s out there. There’s really nothing that can’t be worked through. I’ve seen that in myself, I’ve seen that in other people I know that live their life the way I do. Incredible things can happen when we live in our truth and we live in the light … and we share that, and we talk about it with others. Which I think that you all know because there’s so much strength in every day, in even just saying I’m having a tough day … it takes this weight off of you, that really makes a huge difference. You get the support of all of these people that come around you and go you can do it, I know you can, I love you … there’s this whole group of people that circle around you to give you the strength that you might not have in that moment. And that’s really what the intention behind State of Slay was and is. That’s really what’s been happening … which is really incredible. It’s been really wonderful to see the response to it and I’m touched every day by the brave men and women who reach out and tell their stories and their struggles, and their victories. We all get to celebrate with them. It’s been really wonderful. I’ve been literally in tears almost every day, because I’m so touched with what’s been going on. It’s been a lot of work, and some times it’s tough to juggle in with my day, but it’s so worth every minute; it’s really been an incredible journey so far. And it’s just starting. It’s been wonderful reading your blogs … I can definitely tell you that you’ve found your tribe. That’s exactly what the Supernatural family is. You’ve got not just the fans who are open and sharing and always available to help each other; you’ve got the cast, above all you’ve got Jared who’s always so open about his struggles, and you’ve got Misha with Random Acts and the I’m Alive with Jensen … it’s just … I love our cast. It’s incredible, and as I said, I took a lot of inspiration from all of them, just in seeing how open that they all are with their lives and things that are important to them, and what they struggle with. I was just like, it’s time to kind of tear down this false image of perfection, or I don’t know what … it’s bullshit. We’re all real people … just because I have a job that might be more in the public eye, that doesn’t mean … I don’t get a pass from life. Because I have a job in the public eye, I have a bit of a platform where I can share things and people will look at it, so why not use that for something good, and give back …. Connect with people like me, who may be struggling or have struggled, or who knows. Life ebbs and flows, so even though I may be having a good day, I might be struggling tomorrow. And that’s okay, because I know it’ll pass. I’ll get through it, I’ve gotten through so much … I managed to survive a night on the beach, unconscious … I can certainly overcome a bad day. I’ve done a lot of work on myself and continue to, so I’ve picked up a bunch of tools over the years, and it’s all things that I’ve done and still do when I’m with friends, or with people that have reached out to me that I know that are struggling, and I’ll sit with them and really talk things through with them. But it’s now really me just sharing all of those things in a broader sense. It feels really good to kind of let all of that out. It’s very freeing to go this is it, this is who I am … It’s interesting, because I’ve had a few people that I know who are actors that I’ve worked with and I see around a lot, send me messages and go there’s a whole other life to you that I don’t know about … I’m like yeah, because I don’t roll into work this in the hair and makeup trailer … it’s just not appropriate. Unless somebody’s like Carrie, can I talk to you … I’m having a bad day … I’m like hey, yeah, let’s talk. It’s not like I’m rolling in with this stuff. We’re talking about silly, goofy things … It’s fun that people have gotten to know me in a different way, or have gotten to know me at all – because they’ve had a preconceived notion of who they thought I was. It feels really good just to have it out there. And to see that it’s helping people is the best gift ever. There’s nothing that I could ever receive in life that could be greater than that. It really was by the kindness of another person in my life, as to why I am still even here. There was someone in my life, when I was at my bottom, who never judged me, never pointed fingers at me, and just asked me how I felt, what was going on. In the moment when I could have gone left, I somehow mustered the courage to call him and say I need help. So I’ll always just remember that. Because that’s why I’m still here. If I can do that for somebody else, that’s just me paying it forward. Carrie currently has a fun comedy called The Layover coming out on Direct TV on August 3 and in theaters in September 1. It stars Kate Upton and Alexandra Daddario, and was directed by William H. Macy. In addition, fans can see Carrie at Modesto’s Classic Comic Con, Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 in Lake Tahoe California.

Movie TV Tech Geeks News

[theloudmute-deadaccountwheee]

The Demon Shield

         Anti laid on the couch in the living room, sprawled out in, what looked like, an uncomfortable position; snoring loud enough to wake the dead. On the TV across from where he lay a Game Grumps playlist was still playing. The sun had just barely appeared, peaking through gray clouds. Dark appeared in the foyer in a burst of flame and dusted himself off. He sighed, then clapped his hands around his mouth. He completely forgot that he might wake Anti. He tip toed through the living room and Anti snorted and shot up, sitting upright.

         “You can sleep through almost anything; except me TIP TOEING?!” Dark whispered through gritted teeth, stopping in his tracks.

         Anti rubbed his groggy eyes and yawned. He sniffed a bit and smelled…blood. But it wasn’t any kind of blood he’d ever smelled before and it certainly wasn’t appetizing. This smell was so putrid…but he could positively tell it was blood. He finally noticed Dark, still as a statue.

         “Hey,” Anti started, standing up and cracking his back. “You’re up early.”

         “Heh, yep.” Dark scratched the back of his head. “You know, we have a bed now. You don’t have to sleep on the couch.”

         Anti chuckled, “Force of habit.” He sniffed again and retched. “You uh…you smell like blood.”

         Dark became rigid again, like he’d been caught stealing. “Oh, you know. Went out for a snack is all. Turns out the Brits taste just like the Americans, ahaha.”

         Anti opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by knocking at the door.

         “Hey, you’d better get that!” Dark ran as quick as he could up the stairs, heading towards the bath, “Gonna take a bath, see ya’ in just a bit!!!”

         Anti didn’t judge him for what he did; that was Dark’s life and Dark chose to feed his demonic hunger…but what human had blood that smelled like…like that?! Someone knocked at the door again- Anti, sleep still in his eyes, walked to the door and opened it. Sukino stood in the doorway, saluting.

         “Good morning, sir!”

         Anti looked him up and down, still not really awake yet. “Yeah, uh…at ease, soldier.” Anti waved his hand, motioning for Sukino to put his down. He did and Anti turned around and headed to the kitchen. “Come on in.”

         Sukino came in and sat awkwardly on their couch, trying not to snoop. Anti prepared a pot of coffee in the kitchen and joined Sukino in the living room, leaning against the doorway.

         “So what are we doing today?” Anti asked, holding back a yawn.

         “Delivering a package to one of our field agents, sir.”

         Anti couldn’t help but groan; he turned back to the kitchen and poured two mugs of coffee and took one to Sukino. “Shouldn’t the CDO already have a postal service?”

         Sukino gingerly held the coffee given to him and took a sip, “Thank you sir. Commander Padula doesn’t want you doing anything dangerous until we know how well your power limiter is going to work.” Sukino looked around, confused, “Sir, where is your lover?”

         Anti, mid sip of coffee, spat most of the coffee he was about to swallow out in a fine mist. “SUKI!” Anti coughed, “JAYSUS- boyfriend, is that so hard to say? Boyfriend.”

         Sukino gulped. “I apologize. Will he be joining us?”

         Dark slowly came down the stairs, dripping slightly, completely naked. He came into the living room and shook the remaining water from his hair. “Yeah, sure, I’ll go. I was gonna nap, but, sleep is for the weak.”

         Both Sukino and Anti’s faces turned bright red, a tiny trickle of blood running down Sukino’s nose. “Dark um…I’d really appreciate it if you got dressed so we can go,” Anti stuttered. Sukino couldn’t stop staring downstairs.

         Dark looked down and noticed his naked body. “Oh. Whoops.” Dark laughed, nonchalant.

--*--

[Canadian Rockies, CDO Field Research Outpost]

         In a flash of light Sukino, Anti, and Dark appeared and Sukino put his transportation device in his jacket pocket. Anti looked around, delighted; snow again! They were surrounded by a plethora of trees on the horizon were gorgeous snow covered mountains.

         “Canada again?” Dark laughed, “Really?”

         “We have CDO members all over the world, sir. It’s a coincidence that we’re back in Canada.” Sukino explained, walking forward. “We’re a little farther south than last time.” The three of them walked for a few minutes and Sukino stopped in front of a large tree, wider than the tree of them combined. Sukino put his hand on the bark of the tree and whistled three distinct notes and pushed his hand into the tree. His hand disappeared and he walked forward until he, too, was gone. Anti and Dark followed suit and found themselves inside the tree.

         The inside of the tree was like the inside of a cozy cottage, with a roaring fire, a few book cases, a Mac computer in the far-right corner, and a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker to the left. A couch sat in front of the fire place and on the couch, was a young woman, feet propped up on an ottoman. She sipped at a cup of tea (it made the whole room smell like peppermint!) with a book in her lap but, once she heard the three enter, she glanced over her shoulder.

         Sukino immediately saluted, “Field Researcher Beatrice! We have a package for you!”

         The young woman, Beatrice, rolled her eyes, “Suki, you’re a higher rank than I am; you don’t have to salute me.” She closed her book and set it back on the couch, then walked to the three who’d just entered.

         Sukino put his hand down. “Doing well, Bea?”

         “Pretty well; how’s your training going?” Bea asked, resting her hands on her hips. Sukino began to answer, but the second Bea and Anti’s eyes met, Sukino’s voice became muffled and her heart skipped a beat.

         Anti’s did the same and his eyes grew wide. They both felt so strange; something about this was eerily familiar.

         “I-I…feel like I’ve met you before.” Bea said, blushing.

         Anti nodded, “It’s strange, I feel the same. But we’ve never met.” He looked the young woman, Beatrice, up and down. No, he’d never met her; not even in passing when with Marzia.  

         “Suki, don’t you have a package for her?” Dark crossed his arms. Dark felt the same, though he didn’t acknowledge the feeling.  

“Oh! Right!” Sukino reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, brown parcel and handed it to Bea. Her eyes traveled from Anti’s to Dark’s as she took the package from Sukino.

         “You…you too, red. I feel like I know you, too.” Bea spoke slowly, cautiously.

         Sukino waved a hand in front of her face, “Bea, hello?”

         Bea shook her head and looked at the package in her hand. It was a rectangular box with no markings, aside from a few official stamps from the CDO. “Yeah, sorry.” She looked up and smiled. “Thanks for bringing this to me.” She pulled a pocket knife from her pocket and slid it through the seams of the package. She pocketed the knife and opened the box. Inside lay a notebook, a silver fountain pen, and fountain pen refills. “Aw, my commanding officer is the best.”

         Dark scoffed. “If you’re a Knight, why do you need a bunch of paper and pens?”

         Bea walked to the couch and set her notebook on the place next to where she sat. “I’m not a Knight, red. I’m a field researcher.”

         “A field researcher…with a sword.”

         Bea laughed and picked up her blade, examining the decorated hilt. “Any field researcher needs to protect themselves…especially when you study kaiju like me.” Bea chuckled and, fast as lighting, leapt over the couch and in front of Dark, her rapier’s end pointed mere inches from Dark’s throat. “Get my point?”

         Dark glared at the end of her sword like it were an insect and raised his brow. “Puns. Goodie.”

         “I’m full of ‘em, red.” She felt so comfortable in front of the group, even though she was only acquainted with Sukino.

         “Bea please…I don’t want you getting in trouble! I haven’t seen a bit of paper work go through allowing you to study kaiju.” Sukino pleaded.

         Bea rolled her eyes, again. “Paperwork? Really? Why would you be caring about paperwork- I can understand having to fill it out but…” Bea furrowed her brow, “Suki, dude…you’re a Knight in training…do they have you doing secretary work?”

         Sukino looked at his shoes, ashamed. “I mean…well, you see, the thing…the thing is…”

         Bea grabbed him by the wrist yanked him out of the tree; they phased out through the wall Anti, Dark, and Sukino came in through. Anti and Dark stared at each other, confused.

         “Sooo…are we done here?” Dark laughed. “Or do you want to see what on earth they’re doing?”

         Anti studied for a moment, “Maybe we shouldn’t interfere.” His eyes fell to Bea’s bag on the couch, filled with notes and writing utensils, a few snacks visible. “Oh, wait. We should bring her bag to her.” Anti picked up her bag and swung it over his shoulder. “And make sure Sukino’s okay.”

         Dark led the way, melting a bit of the snow around them as they walked. It didn’t take long for them to catch up to Bea and Sukino. Bea practically had to drag Sukino behind him.

         “W-we’re going to get in a lot of trouble for this, Bea!!!”

         Bea stopped in her tracks, keeping hold of Sukino’s wrist. “You’re a Knight in training. I promise we won’t get in trouble. I promise you won’t get hurt. But you’ve got to see a kaiju, Suki. You have to get a feel for your line of work, okay? I-I mean I don’t know why you haven’t already!!!”

         Dark cleared his throat, causing the two to turn around. Anti lifted Bea’s bag off his shoulder. “You forgot your research bag.”

         Bea walked up to Anti and took her bag. “Thank you very much, um…”

         “Anti.” Anti beamed. “And this is Dark.”

         Bea smiled in return. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Now, come on. You guys should see this kaiju, too.” Bea turned on her heel and grabbed Sukino’s wrist again, not so much dragging him this time. “I’ve been tracking this optat aprum for a while now.”

         “Uh, what now?” Dark asked, walking along side Anti.

         “A kaiju in the shape of a boar.” Sukino answered.

         “Hey, good job Suki!” Bea praised. “Red, Green, take a mental note. If you want to know what’s going on in the world of the CDO, brush up on some Latin! …or get a language translating app.”

         As they trudged through the snow, the trees slowly cleared out into barren field. The snow around them was compact; not a bit of it was untouched. The remaining trees that surrounded them were slightly bent and missing chunks of bark. Bea stopped the group (Anti was on his phone downloading Google Translate and didn’t stop until Dark grabbed his hood) and examined one of the trees.

         “He’s taken this field. He’s rubbed his tusks against these trees. The Boar Kaiju do that to let others know this land belongs to her. It’s a warning.” Bea moved in towards the middle of the field. Sukino stayed put.

         “We should heed that warning and call in the Knights of this area, Bea!” Sukino cried. “I’m scared, okay? I’ll say it. I’m terrified.”

         Bea kept on. “Good. So was I the first few times.”

         The wind picked up around them and became furious. Tiny black particles floated in the air, moving with the wind. The wind blew to the middle of the field, where Bea was headed. The black particles formed into a mighty, massive boar; it was unlike anything Sukino or Anti had ever seen. The creature mirrored a boar but was made of those small particles. It was one cohesive form of black with its only different feature being it’s round, glowing white eyes. Its form moved with the wind; at points some grains- some tiny particles- would blow away with the wind.

         Bea stopped walking and unsheathed her rapier. The kaiju opened its mouth and roared, blowing back Bea’s hair. She did not flinch. Her face was blank- she was a warrior, tried and true.

         The boar looked past her and locked its eyes on Anti, who stared in awe and disbelief. Sukino stood beside him and clutched the bottom of Anti’s hoodie.

         “The green one…” The boar’s voice was deep and booming; what one would picture a God’s voice to sound like. It shook the ground around them. “The glitch… what is he…” it snorted a puff of more black particles from its nostrils.

         Anti’s eyes grew wide. What did he have to do with anything?

         “He has no quarrel with you. By order of the Clericus Daemon Ordinem, I cannot let a creature of pure hatred roam these lands.” Bea pointed the end of her blade to the beast, it’s point terribly close to its snout.

         The beast burst into millions and millions of particles and blew past Bea, reforming right in front of Anti. Flames engulfed Dark’s hands. Anti’s glitch danced around his hands…the spot on his back where his power limiter was held burned.

         The beast spoke, those same particles dripping from its mouth like saliva. “You are…no demon…you are…no kaiju…you are…no man…what…are…you…”

         A fire burned within Bea. She had to protect these two. No matter the cost. Her blade began to glow; adrenaline pumped through her. She charged towards the beast and jumped high in the air, then came crashing down on the kaiju, plunging her blade deep into the beast. She began her decent, slicing the beast in half on the way down. A black, syrup like substance poured from its wound and the light faded from its eyes.

         That putrid stench. Sukino turned and vomited. Anti covered his mouth. The blood of that beast reeked; he’d never imagined blood could smell this bad…

         Anti turned to Dark, eyes wide with disbelief…this is the blood that Anti had smelled on Dark this morning.

         The kaiju exploded into a million black particles and those particles fell to the snow and seeped back into the earth, along with its syrup-y blood. The blood on Bea’s blade followed and she sheathed her rapier, then wiped the sweat from her brow. “You guys okay?”

         Sukino gave a very weak thumbs up. Anti said nothing…Dark hadn’t realized why Anti was staring at him so intently.

         “Yeah, kid, that was pretty sweet.” Dark laughed and patted Bea on the back. “Glad we stayed for your demonstration.”

         Bea bowed. “That’s why they call me The Demon Shield.” She stood and looked to Sukino who looked like he was about to throw up again. “I should, uh…take him home.”

         Dark looked at Anti, confused. “Same here.” ~*~*~*~*~*~**~~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~* And here we have introduced @fleecal ‘s character, Bea!!! She gave me full permission to write her in! Go check out her stories and RPs they are AWESOME. To explain a bit, if you don’t mind, the reason Bea, Anti, and Dark felt like they knew each other is because, in her universe, those three are in a poly relationship :D So in my universe, they feel tied to each other somehow! Sorry this took so long to get out. I think my writers block is gone? I hope? I think the hardest thing was describing the kaiju. I hope it made sense. Let me know if it didn’t and how I can fix it! Thanks so much for your patience; I’M BACK BITCHES.  

[itsworn]

We Visit The 400-Car Property For Sale In Canada, It’s Wonderland.

For Sale: Wonderland.

Mike Hall’s 400-car collection and all the land it sits on can be yours if you dare to dream the same dream.

I’m sitting in my rental car outside of JP’s Diner in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, because JP very reasonably doesn’t open his doors before 7 AM. There’s a chill in the air as winter gives way to spring here in BC’s interior, with snow still visible on the mountains that ring the town. I’d driven up here before dawn from Kelowna, with Okanogan Lake’s 85 miles of shoreline my near constant companion just off the right shoulder, the sun creeping through the morning mist that until only a few moments ago shrouded the valley’s rocky peaks.

My contemplation of Canada’s weather patterns is broken by the sudden screech of tires and the insistent thumping of lumpy cam. A voice calls out to me from the entrance to the parking lot, a hearty ‘hey, is that you?’ emanating from the driver’s seat of a burgundy ’68 Chevelle SS. I look over at the clump of blonde dreads hanging out the window of the straight-piped muscle machine and smile. Mike’s here, and he’s now laying twenty feet of rubber on his way to the parking spot beside me.

I couldn’t have asked for a more accurate introduction to the barely contained ball of cerebro-kinetic energy that is Mike Hall. Now contemplating the other side of 60, Hall has barely slowed down in any area of his life. Alternately known ‘the Rusty Rasta,’ and ‘the Rasta Blasta,’ he still scales the cliff faces he’s been climbing since he was a teen, leading his team as they blast away dangerous chunks of rock before they can flatten tourists and locals on highways and rail lines below. With explosives. Lots of explosives. He still drives his 396 Chevelle SS with his foot flat to the floor,  and he’s still buying automobiles by the bushel.

This last character trait is a bit of an issue, you see, because Mike’s in the middle of trying to unload western Canada’s largest treasure trove of cars, trucks, and parts. Spread across three yards (and the contents of one museum) are well more than 350 of Hall’s personally-selected vintage machines, a gamut of rides that ranges from 40s-era domestics and European imports, to blistering 60s muscle, to a penchant for Sunbeam Alpines (of which he owns five).

The catch? He’s keen on selling everything, all at once, including the land and the buildings that sit on it, rather than wasting his time trying to deal the vehicles piecemeal to hundreds of potential online tirekickers. The asking price is a cool $1.4 million Canadian (just over $1 million in Yankee bucks), and it’s been nine months since the listing went live. I didn’t have a million of anything, really, but I did have a camera, and I was determined to walk it through the gates of Mike’s Northwestern wonderland before they closed forever.

It’s our first meeting in person after a few weeks of phone calls, and after shaking hands and waiting for the rest of Mike’s crew to join us, we walk into the diner and pick a table near the middle of the establishment. Plopping down beside Mike at breakfast is Felix, who confirms the Hall has done little to temper his habit in the face of the impending divestment. Along with his partner, Olivier, seated to my left, the two have traveled all the way to B.C. from Switzerland, where Felix’s custom car shop (Cars and Bikes Schaffhausen) is based. They have spent the last five days taking a serious inventory of Mike’s properties and vehicles with an eye towards buying the entire kit and caboodle.

‘Mike, how many cars did you buy even during the short time that we have been here?’ Felix asks, cajoling his new friend. At first, Hall denies having expanded the collection, but before long Felix, bright-eyed and quick to laugh behind his wild beard, has reminded him of the at least four cars Mike picked up, sight-unseen, over the phone while the duo were in earshot.

‘I’ve actually bought about 40 cars, total, since I first listed everything last year,’ Hall finally admits. ‘It’s the same old story: if I see something I want, I buy it and cart it home, no questions asked.’

It’s this take-no-prisoners approach to automotive accumulation that has landed Mike in his current predicament: what to do with so many projects, and a finite amount of time to get them all done. We’re not talking about mid-life malaise, either, although that has played no small part in Hall reconsidering his approach to car collecting. ‘A friend of mine who was in a similar situation – he spent his inheritance on a car collection – died at 65, and his wife sold everything off at pennies on the dollar. It really made me think that if I drop dead tomorrow, I don’t want to be that guy. My own wife would curse me for leaving her with that burden.’

More immediately, it’s largely about the fact that the man spends the vast majority of his time out on the road with his rock scaling business, leaving him few spare moments to restore any of the vehicles he has dragged home.

‘It’s all I ever did, since I was 18 – hang on ropes, blow shit up,’ he told me over a plate of eggs and hash browns. ‘Try not to fall – a four letter word, only happens once,’ he said, with the gallows chuckle of anyone who’s ever had to square away the realities of a dangerous job with the confidence and competence required to get it done, day in, day out.

The entire time we’re talking – shooting the breeze with Felix and Ollie about the classic car market in Switzerland (Mustangs, Camaros, and Mopars, although Felix just finished a $100k C-body restoration for a client), pointing out the framed photos on the wall of the diner of cars that Mike himself brought back to life – Hall is showing me pictures of recent acquisitions and projects-in-progress on his phone. ‘I’ve got ADD,’ he tells me, ‘so it’s easy for me to get distracted.’

That unrestrained enthusiasm for everything (especially if it’s got four wheels) shines through in the comprehensive nature of what Mike’s ended up collecting over the years. When I ask him what he thinks he has the most of, his buddy Avery, who has also joined us for breakfast, chimes in with a resounding ‘JUNK!’ There’s a roar of laughter from the group, who by now are standing in JB’s parking lot getting ready to make the 15 minute drive up to Mike’s.

By the time we get to the yard, however, my rental car panting and foaming at the mouth trying to keep up with Hall’s SS, I can easily see that Avery’s crack simply isn’t true. From the road, row upon row of Mopars, Fords, Buicks, and Oldsmobiles gleam alongside the White Post Auto Museum that abuts the most recent location for Hall’s armada, but that’s not our first stop. Instead, Mike wheels his Chevelle up the dirt path that leads up behind the museum, past two rows of shops, and into a yard framed by shipping containers on the left, and a garage on the right.

‘Welcome to the overflow yard,’ Mike says to me with an expansive sweep of his arms. This is where his latest acquisitions stop to catch their breath before being sorted and moved to a more permanent resting place, and in a word, it’s glorious. My eye darts from the late-60’s Cutlass hardtop to the pair of 67 Dodge Charger 383s sitting side-by-each, to the patina-ed Ford pickup with the bullet hole in the windshield. There’s a mid-50s two-door Chevy wagon facing off against a Pontiac of similar vintage, cuddled up to a three-door, late-60s three-door Suburban and a two-door former GMC ambulance with an air conditioner carved into the side. In short, it’s a (somewhat) moveable feast for the eyes, sitting proud in the B.C. mud.

‘It started with Novas,’ he tells me as we walk through the muddy puddles that separate the machines. ‘My first car was a ’51 International, but really it was the next one, my ’61 Alpine that got things started for me. After I ran that into the side of a mountain at about a hundred miles an hour – it had a V6 Capri motor in it – I ended up buying six or seven little 62-65 Novas, and eventually a ’67 with an L79 that I traded for my Chevelle.’  The SS has its own unique back-story, of course. ‘I sold the car to a buddy, but regretted it and bought it back 15 years later. Turns out he’d never processed the paperwork, so it was titled in my name that entire time. Technically, I’ve owned it for almost 25 years now.’

I asked him when, exactly, the tipping point occurred: the moment in time where ‘six or seven Novas’ became a living, breathing car collection? ‘Probably when it had grown to 30 cars and I had to move it the first time, then it was 60 and I had to move it the second time, then it was 200 and I came home and the gate on my farm was locked and my wife put her foot down and said “get this shit off my farm,” and then it was almost 400 and I’m like “what the fuck have I done?”‘ he replies, laughing.

We maneuver through the overflow and into the body shop, where Mike’s working on restoring a Plymouth Sport Satellite ragtop with a big block – one of the growing numbers of Mopars that he’s added to the fleet in recent years. I ask him how he decides what to buy. ‘My tastes have changed as I’ve evolved over the years, but I still like all kinds of cars,’ he says to me, pointing out the firewall tag on the car that’s hanging, rotisserie-style, awaiting paint. ‘I’ve got 59 through 61 Buick Invicta bubbletops, 60 and 61 Olds bubbletops, just picked up a 61 Cadillac bubbletop. I just love the design, that back window, man, that skinny little back B-pillar, you roll the windows down and there’s eight feet of air. Super cool!’

The Mopar angle has lead him to some interesting places, with a number of low-production Dodges and Plymouths now haunting the grounds. ‘I’ve got another one of these Sport Satellite rags, a numbers-matching 60 Road Runner 383 four-speed, two 70 Super B’s, a 70 Coronet wagon, a ’67 Formula S, a few Demons, and a Duster 340 four-speed Go-Wing car, although that one’s just a shell,’ he tells me as we walk down the dirt road from the overflow paddock to the museum. He wants to take me inside and show me some of his finished projects, which are mixed in on the floor with cars belonging to the White Post’s owners, Vance and Keri Tierney. I see an Alpine, Chevs, rods, a Model T, but the real show-stopper is a 1946 Mercury Ute – probably the only one in the country, and perhaps the only example left in North America. Originally built in Canada as a coupe, and shipped Down Under to be finished, at the time the pickup bed at the back of the Ute was the largest automotive stamping in the world. Most were Fords, but somehow, this one’s a Merc, and I’ll never see another one in my lifetime.

This Canada-by-way-of-Australia-only specimen is one of over a dozen Canuck-specific cars in the collection. Right outside the museum’s side-door is the highway-facing lot that houses the attention-grabbers in the collection, the cars that cause people to pull over, pull in, and start kicking tires. Mixed in with the Dodge and Plymouth crew are Javelins, AMXs, and a gang of Pontiac Beaumont Sport Deluxes, with the latter never having been offered south of the border. Sprouted from the forehead of the Acadian – Canada’s maple-coated Chevy II – Beaumonts were intended to tickle the premium fancies of the moderately well-to-do, becoming their own model line in 1966 and even offering big block power in Sport Deluxe trim (which also featured full consoles and bucket seats), making them kissing cousins to the Chevelle SS. The full-size Pontiac Parisienne (Canada’s B-platform, top-of-line sedan with vague links to both the Bonneville and the Chevrolet Caprice, only…different) is also represented.

Mike’s all-encompassing automotive tastes are reflected everywhere you look: a 1976 Ford Courier pickup sits in a line of retired American iron, a two-door 59 Chevy Brookwood wagon juts its fins out in a row of Invictas, a 66 Mercury Comet Caliente poses beside a Galaxie 500 fastback. At the back, along a fence, sits a wide array of trucks – a ’26 Chevrolet, an Austin panel, and wreckers from the 50s, 60s, and 70s – nestled behind a gathering of Alpines, panel vans, and a single Opel GT.

To describe each and every vehicle that I’m seeing would require an encyclopedic knowledge of the automotive landscape, but not only does Mike instantly identify, without exception, the make, model, and options offered by each of the cars in the yard, he also has their complete back-stories readily available to him via some fantastical mental Rolodex that has tracked the provenance of every purchase he’s ever made for the past four decades. The fount of knowledge and insight that pours from his mouth, without hesitation, is overwhelming as he gives me a guided tour through his ensemble of classic metal. This is no accidental accumulation, nor the tortured self-made prison popularized by a hundred Discovery Channel hoarders, but the conscious realization of a passion that has consumed most of the man’s life.

‘Every car in the yard I thought, ‘I’m going to restore that one day,’ Mike says as we pile into his Chevelle for a quick trip down the road to the field that holds the remainder – or is that motherlode? – of his collection. ‘And then you wake up one morning and you’re 60 fucking years old and you realize, ‘I’m not going to live long enough.’ You’ve have to be 300 to get it done, and you still might not make it.’

After a full-throttle run down the road, where Hall demonstrates the vibration the SS has picked up above 4,000 rpm in third and fourth gear – ‘I think it’s the driveshaft, at this point’ – we arrive at the gate to the last piece of his empire. Consisting of a restoration shop, a small house, and about 200 more cars sitting in the field just a short walk downhill from driveway, it’s where a mix of the less-common, but still solid pieces of his collection live.

‘I’m not really a car restorer, I’m just learning with these projects,’ he tells me on a quick tour of the shop.’ ‘I like buying them, but I’m going to pick easier ones to do from now on. Some of the cars I’ve done in the past should have been crushed, they were in such a sorry state when we started. But I didn’t know that, and I pushed through and restored them anyway – like that Challenger up on the wall of the diner. It was a 318 car, and we did a 340, and I lost 10k on it after I sold it. I had 400 hours of sheet metal work getting the rust out of it, and there was just no money to be made afterward.’

By now we’re picking our way down the hill – the one that made Mike quit smoking several years ago, he tells me – and I’m getting a full view of the field ahead. It’s the kind of eclectic mix you’ll never find in a salvage yard, because it takes heart, not an accountants beady eye, to gather these vehicles together and then take care of them for close to 40 years. My own peepers pick out a pair of FJ40 Land Cruisers, a Studebaker Lark Wagonaire and sedan, a mid-size Mercedes-Benz and of course another Alpine. Old drag cars, their livery faded but still boastful, sit beside a clump of Corvairs, GM pickups, and even a Simca. I’m blown away, but somehow not surprised when Mike reveals yet another piece of Canadian history – a Meteor Ranchero – that counts only 299 original brothers and sisters, with who knows how few remaining.

It’s the automotive equivalent of ‘Field of Dreams,’ only instead of corn, Iowa, and Kevin Costner, we’ve got mountains, metal, and a far more engaging leading man. I stand there in the spring silence for a few moments, gazing out at the cars carefully organized in front of me. Their doting caretaker stands beside me in a rare still moment of his own, a man whose mind is never far from this hallowed ground no matter how far his work takes him into the interior of Canada’s western-most province. For those few, fleeting seconds, I feel like I’ve tapped into that same, calming peace Mike finds here among his treasures.

We drive back to the main yard, the Chevy’s exhaust roaring and the tires squealing away from every stop. There’s more than one kind of Zen to be had out here amongst these machines, and I’m perfectly willing to accept big block bluster as an equally-restorative form of automotive therapy. On the way, Mike reflects on the magnitude of what he has to offer buyers like Felix and Ollie.

‘It’s a pretty tough sell,’ he admits. ‘Someone’s got to be as stupid as me, or as crazy as me to actually see the potential. If you picked 30 cars, restored them, you could sell the other 350 or so to fund the projects. There are a couple of huge shop buildings sitting on the land here in pieces, that could be put up to add another half a million or so to the property’s value.’

‘One guy can’t do all of this,’ he continues, a realization that he’s had for quite some time. ‘You need a team. Someone who can figure out what to part out, someone who can go online and connect with buyers. I don’t part anything – if I buy something for the shell, 30 years later, it’s still the same shell. If I buy it compete, 30 years later it’s still complete, save for a few four-doors that I’m willing to strip.’ It’s not boasting if it’s true, and I’ve just seen how much effort Hall has put into keeping his cars together, intact, and safe from the tin worm while in his care.

The truth is, there aren’t very many individuals like Mike left in the world. The stream of stories about big yards run by equally out-sized personalities has slowed to a trickle, and will eventually dry up completely as land values continue to climb and the number of people with the savvy and resources to maintain these sprawling collections dwindles away. With big-buck auctions brainwashing the masses into believing the only worthwhile classic is a 100-point restoration that doubles as a stand-in for your 401k, interest in drivers or complete, restorable cars as anything other than parts donors is at an all-time low.

Hall knows it, too. We say our good-byes just outside the overflow yard, and as I thanked him profusely for his time and generosity – I’d just been given a half-day guided tour through automotive history – he tells me how as part of the surge in attention his sale had gotten, he had been interviewed by Carol Ott on the CBC Radio 1’s stalwart ‘As It Happens.’

‘She asked me, Mike, how are you going to feel when they’re all gone,’ he says. ‘I’m sitting there in the shop looking out at all those cars, and I just started to cry.’ He pauses. ‘I realized it was like her asking me ‘how would you feel if we killed your kids right in front of you?’

For a moment his face loses the mischievous spark that’s been in his eyes ever since we met that morning. Then, almost as quickly, it’s back, and he smiles, laughs, shakes my hand again. He turns on his heel and walks back to the yard. After all, there are things to do, parts to order, phone calls to make – and children to take care of.

The post We Visit The 400-Car Property For Sale In Canada, It’s Wonderland. appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

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[nerdythangs]

Because I'm already flooding your dash and I'm bored

1. Do you ever doubt the existence of others than you? Superheroes 2. On a scale of 1-5, how afraid of the dark are you? 1 3. The person you would never want to meet? Any celebrity 4. What is your favorite word? Lovely 5. If you were a type of tree, what would you be? Cherry blossom 6. When you looked in the mirror this morning what was the first thing you thought? "Hey there hair" 7. What shirt are you wearing? A freaking old rope knit sweater from Target 8. What do you label yourself as? Hufflepuff?? 9. Bright room or dark room? Mood lighting, baby 10. What were you doing at midnight last night? Catching z's 11. Favorite age you’ve been so far? 30's been good to me. 12. Who told you they loved you last? I think Jon. Maybe my parents. 13. Your worst enemy? Myself. 14. What is your current desktop picture? Alphonse Mucha art 15. Do you like someone? So many people 16. The last song you listened to? "Clearest Blue" by Chvrches 17. You can press a button that will make any one person explode. Who would you blow up? Trump 18. Who would you really like to just punch in the face? Nick M 19. If anyone could be your slave for a day, who would it be and what would they have to do? Jon. Give me a decent massage. Cmon man. 20. What is your best physical attribute? (showing said attribute is optional) my butt that won't quit. 21. If you were the opposite sex for one day, what would you look like and what would you do? I'd like androgynous and I'd of course pee my name in the snow??? 22. Do you have a secret talent? If yes, what is it? I fall asleep quickly and I orgasm quickly. I know. 23. What is one unique thing you’re afraid of? Cockroaches. Fuck them. 24. You can only have one kind of sandwich. Every sandwich ingredient known to humankind is at your disposal. Vegan Reuben. 25. You just found $100! How are you going to spend it? At REI 26. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, but you have to leave immediately. Where are you going to go? Morocco but only if Jon could come with me. 27. An angel appears out of Heaven and offers you a lifetime supply of the alcoholic beverage of your choice. “Be brand-specific” it says. Man! What are you gonna say about that? Even if you don’t drink booze there’s something you can figure out… so what’s it gonna be? Dogfishhead 120 min IPA 28. You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place? Hate-free island, dudes. 29. What is your favorite expletive? Balls! 30. Your house is on fire, holy shit! You have just enough time to run in there and grab ONE inanimate object. Don’t worry, your loved ones and pets have already made it out safely. So what’s the one thing you’re going to save from that blazing inferno? My flute! 31. You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? Nothing. Everything has made me who I am today. 32. You got kicked out of the country for being a time-traveling heathen who sleeps with celebrities and has super-powers. But check out this cool shit… you can move to anywhere else in the world! Uh... Japan? Maybe? 33. The Celestial Gates Of Beyond have opened, much to your surprise because you didn’t think such a thing existed. Death appears. As it turns out, Death is actually a pretty cool entity, and happens to be in a fantastic mood. Death offers to return the friend/family-member/person/etc. of your choice to the living world. Who will you bring back? Mr. Clemens 34. What was your last dream about? I dknow 35. Are you a good….[insert anything you’d like here]? Human? Uh sure. 36. Have you ever been admitted to the hospital? When I cut my finger open with a Chef Boyardee can. 37. Have you ever built a snowman? Yes...? 38. What is the color of your socks? Smartwool grey/blue 39. What type of music do you like? Indie rock, electronica, jazz, etc. 40. Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets? Yes. 41. What is your favorite milkshake flavor? None. Unless I want to blow up the bathroom. 42. What football team do you support? (I will answer in terms of American football as well as soccer) None. 43. Do you have any scars? On my finger from that damned Chef Boyardee can and on my left knee from roller blading (I was a cool 90's kid be jealous) 44. What do you want to be when you graduate? HAHAHA um 45. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? That my hair would be more predictable 46. Are you reliable? Extremely. 47. If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be? Does any of this shit matter? 48. Do you hold grudges? Nope. 49. If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature, what new animal would you create? Bunny-cat! 50. What is the most unusual conversation you’ve ever had? Have you met my husband? 51. Are you a good liar? Terrible. 52. How long could you go without talking? A few hours. 53. What has been you worst haircut/style? Before grad school I got a haircut that made me look like a Tudor page boy 54. Have you ever baked your own cake? Yes...? 55. Can you do any accents other than your own? Minnesota/Canadian 56. What do you like on your toast? Smart balance and cinnamon sugar. 57. What is the last thing you drew a picture of? A face 58. What would be you dream car? A Volvo station wagon circa 1980's 59. Do you sing in the shower? Or do anything unusual in the shower? Explain. They're 6 minutes long thanks to our terrible small hot water heater. No time for monkey business. 60. Do you believe in aliens? Nope. 61. Do you often read your horoscope? Unless I'm at a coffee shop where they have them displayed, no. 62. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet? I can't pick a favorite. 63. Which is cooler: dinosaurs or dragons? Dinosaurs duh 64. What do you think about babies? Cute smushy things 65. Freebie! Ask anything interesting you can think of. No.