#car dealer west chicago

[justforbooks]

David Soul, who has died aged 80, stormed to fame in the 1970s as half of the television “buddies” detective duo Starsky and Hutch, who careered across Los Angeles in their red and white Ford Gran Torino, over the roofs and bonnets of other cars, and through piles of cardboard boxes.

“When the Starsky and Hutch series was showing, police on patrol duty were adopting sunglasses and wearing their gloves with the cuffs turned down,” claimed Kenneth Oxford, a British chief constable. “They also started driving like bloody maniacs.” In south London, a council lowered a wall after fans of the tyre-squealing screen action used it as a launchpad to jump on to parked vehicles.

While Paul Michael Glaser played the streetwise, cardigan-wearing, junk food-eating Dave Starsky, Soul’s character, Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson, was the quieter, yoga-loving, healthy-eating one – two cool cops looking after each other as if they were brothers.

Over five series (1975-79), they patrolled a rough area populated by muggers, drug dealers, sex workers and pimps. They also fraternised with Huggy Bear (played by Antonio Fargas), a snazzily dressed, “jive-talking” informant with his own bar.

Soul traded on his newfound stardom to return to his first love, music. He recorded the ballads Don’t Give Up on Us (1976), a No 1 in the US and UK, and Silver Lady (1977), another British chart-topper.

His television career continued, but the starring roles rarely resonated beyond his homeland. An exception was the miniseries World War III (1982), in which he played an American cold war colonel trying to avert a nuclear holocaust. It also chimed with his political and social campaigning, which included supporting the anti-nuclear movement.

He took up the tempting offer to play Rick Blaine in Casablanca (1983), a five-part TV prequel to the film classic, in the role originally played by Humphrey Bogart, but it proved a flop.

Soul found renewed success – particularly on the West End stage – after moving to Britain in the 90s. He even hit the headlines beyond the review pages in the title role of Jerry Springer the Opera (Cambridge theatre, 2004-05), taking over from another American actor, Michael Brandon, as the “shock” talkshow host.

The BBC’s decision to screen Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee’s musical, complete with thousands of swear words, transvestites, tap-dancers dressed as Ku Klux Klan members and a nappy-wearing Jesus, received more than 60,000 complaints from viewers.

Soul simply relished the chance to fulfil his “dream to play in the birthplace of English-speaking theatre” after failing to “cut the mustard” when auditioning on Broadway.

He was born David Solberg in Chicago to June (nee Nelson), a teacher who had also performed as a singer, and Richard Solberg, a Lutheran minister of Norwegian descent. His father’s work as a representative of the Lutheran World Relief organisation during the reconstruction of Germany after the second world war meant the family moved to Berlin in 1949, returning to the US seven years later to live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where David attended Washington high school.

He then acted in plays while studying at Augustana College, before moving to Mexico with his family. Influenced by his father’s work, he initially had plans to join the diplomatic service, and learned Spanish and studied Latin American history. He was also taught to play the guitar by Mexican students.

After a year, he hitchhiked to the US, landed a job singing Mexican folk songs at a coffee shop in Minneapolis and set his sights on a career in music. He also gained some acting experience with the city’s Firehouse theatre company.

While talking with friends about the metaphorical masks people wear, he came up with the idea of wearing a real one while performing so that the music stood on its own merits, and billed himself “David Soul, the Covered Man”. The William Morris Agency signed him up after hearing a demo tape, and he soon had bookings. One was in The Merv Griffin Show on TV between 1966 and 1968, when he eventually dispensed with the mask. More significantly, a talent agent spotted his acting potential.

He had a regular role in Here Come the Brides (1968-70), a comedy western series set after the civil war, as Joshua Bolt, one of the brothers running a logging company in a male-dominated Seattle frontier town and importing marriageable women.

A guest star, Karen Carlson, became Soul’s second wife (1968-77), following the dissolution of his first marriage, to Mirriam “Mim” Russeth, in 1966, three years after their wedding.

Soul was then popping up all over American TV in guest roles himself, and had a short run in 1974 as Ted Warrick, the defence lawyer’s assistant, in Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, before wider fame came in Starsky and Hutch. By then, he was living in an “open” relationship with another actor, Lynne Marta. When he moved on to his third marriage, to Patti (nee Carnel, 1980-86), former wife of the 60s pop idol Bobby Sherman, he hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

In 1982, having already struck Patti several times, he returned home drunk one night following a day’s filming on Casablanca – which he correctly feared would bomb – and hit her repeatedly. He was arrested on a charge of misdemeanour battery, but a judge spared him jail on condition that he underwent therapy. Soul admitted to having a violent streak and, although he and Patti were reunited, the marriage was soon over.

He kept working, landing starring roles as Roy Champion in the cattle ranch soap-style drama The Yellow Rose (1983-84), the private eye of the title in the TV movie Harry’s Hong Kong (1987), and “Wes” Grayson, leading an FBI forensics team, in Unsub (1989), but his star was on the wane. Another marriage, to Julia Nickson (1987-1993), also failed, before he had a relationship with the actor-singer Alexa Hamilton.

Soul’s career was revived when in 1995 the theatre producer Bill Kenwright was looking for an American to star in the comedy thriller Catch Me If You Can on tour in Britain. He played Corban, a newlywed whose wife goes missing. There were other tours and Soul was in the West End as Hank in The Dead Monkey (Whitehall, now Trafalgar, theatre, 1998), Chandler Tate in Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential (Lyric, 1999-2000) and Mack in Mack & Mabel (Criterion, 2006).

In between, he had one-off roles on British television, including as a locum surgeon in two episodes of Holby City (2001 and 2002), a Boston detective helping to investigate his wife’s murder in Dalziel and Pascoe (2004) and a criminology lecturer in Inspector Lewis (2012). Soul and Glaser had cameos in the 2004 film spoof Starsky & Hutch, alongside Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch. In the same year, Soul was granted British citizenship.

He is survived by his fifth wife, Helen (nee Snell), whom he married in 2010, and five sons and a daughter.

🔔 David Soul (David Richard Solberg), actor and singer, born 28 August 1943; died 4 January 2024

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[gregorygerwitz]

stars by the pocketful chapter 2/24

Summary: Greg’s first day at the elementary school

Warnings: mentions of past drug use, the media being invasive

Words: 6,457 (so far)

former child star!Mouse

Sneak Peek:

There hadn’t been any cameras when he left the house that morning, no flashes of light while he slid into the car’s backseat and focused his gaze out the tinted window. It was one of the first private moments he’d had since the move, a whole new team of paparazzi seemingly around every corner whenever he dared to make plans. That was fine, eventually, when he was actually doing things they wanted broadcasted, but it meant his life outside of planned appearances and events was nonexistent.

He hadn’t had many friends back in California, but it was better than having none. There were enough people who wanted to spend time with him on the west coast that he was never bored, even if he couldn’t remember their names a month later. There was no one in Chicago like that. Even the dealers he’d gone to for fixes at the beginning of the summer wouldn’t pick up the phone if he called. Being seen with the most recognizable disgrace in the city was something no one wanted, not even criminals.

[ read the rest on ao3 ] [ masterpost ]

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"ADMITTED GUILT ON TWO CHARGES," Hamilton Spectator. March 19, 1913. Page 11. --- Youths Arrested at the Falls Broke Into Shops ---- Plooard's Record Got Him a Three Year Term ---- William Case Confessed to Theft of $90 ---- Edward Watt, 247 Duke street, and Charles Stratwick, West Hamilton, the two youths brought back from Niagara Falls last night by Detectives Cameron and Goodman to answer a charge of shopbreaking and theft preferred against them by Hayes & Richards, King street west tobacco dealers, were arraigned at court this morning and pleaded guilty to the charge. It is alleged they procured $80. A second charge of shop-breaking and theft was laid against the pair by Daniel Keith, the proprietor of a tobacco store on Locke street. They also pleaded guilty to this charge, and were remanded until tomorrow morning for sentence. Richard Hammill, 83 Poulette street, who was suspected of having been mixed up in both cases, pleaded not guilty, and was allowed his liberty.

THREE-YEAR TERM William Plooard, [pictured] the young man who pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing a hand bag from the rear vestibule of a Locka street car, received a sentence of three years. He has been convicted before, and when passing judgment on him this morning his worship said: "There is no other course open for me other than to send you to the penitentiary for the next three years."

REMANDED FOR SENTENCE William B. Case, 203 Lottridge street, appeared to answer a charge of stoaling $90 from William H. Jones, and pleaded guilty, electing to be tried by the magistrate. He was reminded until to-morrow for sentence.

MUST CLEAN UP. Mrs. R. Durfey, 48 Bay street north, the woman with whom Mrs. Riley who was murdered by her husband last January, resided, appeared be- fore Magistrate Jeifs this morning, on complaint of the board of health department. Dr. Shain said he advised the woman several times to clean up her yard, as it was in a filthy condition, and she refused to do so. She had to pay a fine of $5 and was told that if she didn't comply with the order of the department she would be brought before him again and receive a larger fine.

WAS ACQUITTED. May Clark, 16 Francis street, was acquitted of the charge of wilfully destroying a photograph, the property of Rov Bossil.

WILL MAKE INQUIRIES John Jacobs, of no address, was агrested last night by Constable Pasel, on a charge of vagrancy, and was remanded for a few days until inquiries are instituted into his past.

CHARGE INSANITY. William Thornton, of no address, but who later said that Woodstock was his home town, answered to a charge of insanity registered against him by Constable Pasel and was remanded for a few days to be examined by a commission.

GAVE HER ADVICE. Mrs. Marie McCarthy, 219 Wellington street north, pleaded guilty to a charge of child desertion, but as there was no rider attached to it saying the child was in danger of serious injury. She was allowed her freedom, after a heart to heart talk with his worship.

[Plooard was from Chicago, a common labourer, 20, and had a long criminal record, with two previous terms in the Central Prison and four previous stays in the Toronto Jail. He had a number of tattoos, including a cross on his right shoulder, the letters C.W. and A. N. on his right arm bicep, clasped hands on his right forearm and the letters S. D. near his right wrist. He was convict #F-568 at Kingston Penitentiary and mostly worked in the excavation and trucking work crew. He was reported once, in December 1913, for talking, and lost five days remission. He was released in late 1915.]

[joezworld]

Silverliner Cults and Pet Cars

So this is what happens when @rise-comics and I are left mostly alone in a discord server.

Most of this is canon.

I like to think that the one speaking english is the metroliner cab car

[12:15 AM]and all the acelas speak french just to annoy the rest of the NEC

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:18 AM Buzz(in a Roz voice): I have not a goddamned clue what y’all are saying

📷@Jz1 and all the acelas speak french just to annoy the rest of the NEC 📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:19 AM Then they meet the one Charger who sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger

📷@Jz1 Every charger has a different accent, which really does not mesh well with the rest of Amtrak, most of whom were built in Pennsylvania or Indiana and therefore have the blandest accent possible 📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:21 AM It’s called variety

[12:22 AM]- The one Long Range Charger, currently drunk off their ass(edited) 📷Jz1 — Today at 12:23 AM It's called One train with four accents. They send a Genesis to pick up the new Chargers and he spends the entire ride home regretting ever making fun of the Acelas because at least they don't speak with an accent jesus christ this isn't in english

[12:23 AM]He gets to beech grove and is visibly twitching

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:24 AM When they’re at Chicago, the Genesis has started contemplating murder

[12:25 AM]Until one of the chargers offers up their stash of acid as a bribe

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:25 AM "No one would blame me" [Queens accent from the back] What? "Nothing!" [California Accent from the back] Sounded like something man.

📷@Rise Comics(she/her) Until one of the chargers offers up their stash of acid as a bribe 📷Jz1 — Today at 12:26 AM There's not enough acid to make this bearable

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:26 AM At some point, there probably has to be trolling involved, from the POV of the genesis

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:27 AM By the time they pass through Iowa the Genesis is spreading baseless lies about how Amfleet cars work

Jz1 — Today at 12:27 AM

The Chargers take him at his word and start setting up shrines

Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:31 AM Oh god, Amfleet shrines

📷@Rise Comics(she/her) Oh god, Amfleet shrines 📷Jz1 — Today at 12:32 AM [Chargers] - We must leave offerings to THE SILVER FLEET

[12:32 AM][SEPTA Silverliner parked nearby] - The what now?

[12:33 AM]That acutally would be even funnier - they have no idea what an Amfleet looks like so they Cargo Cult the Silverliners

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:33 AM [The NJT F40s watching this happen] - dying of laughter, hard enough to derail without moving(edited)

Meanwhile the ACS-64 fleet is growing more and more CONCERN with each passing day

[12:34 AM]it is unclear whether they feel that the Chargers are nuts, or if they've missed a memo Jz1 — Today at 12:35 AM

They try to worship one of the Metroliners. It ends badly

Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:35 AM

The Genesis that instigated it is either laughing, terrified, or both

Jz1 — Today at 12:36 AM That Motherfucker hopped on the first Empire Builder west and made this mess someone else's problem

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:36 AM Lol

NEW

[12:38 AM]Then an F59 just gets fed up enough to pull strings and get that guy back into Philly to beat his ass in the most Philly way possible. Jz1 — Today at 12:40 AM Poor sap arrives in Philly and the Entirety of Philly yard is like the locker shrine scene from MIB2 except they're all trying to worship some poor silverliner who is scared out of his mind(edited)

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:41 AM I can only imagine how scary it’d be to be in that situation(edited)

[12:42 AM]Or how funny it is for the SEPTA AEM-7 watching this happen(edited)

📷@Rise Comics(she/her) Or how funny it is for the SEPTA AEM-7 watching this happen(edited) 📷Jz1 — Today at 12:43 AM The entire AEM-7 fleet is laughing so hard they reverted to Swedish

[12:44 AM]The Acelas are laughing in French

[12:44 AM]The entire yard sounds like a fucked up version of Ellis Island

[12:44 AM]A single CSX engine rolls by on the bridge that goes over the yard, stops dead in his tracks, and runs the other way

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:45 AM Lmao

[12:45 AM]Woe be anyone who has to be in the yard at that moment

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:46 AM At that exact moment a Northeast regional shows up with a trainload of Amfleet coaches and a schism forms

[12:46 AM]An vainglorious RDC tries to get his own cult

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:46 AM Lol

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:47 AM No work is accomplished on this day

Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:49 AM

Ah yes, the Amfleet Cult incident of 2016 is one acid trip of a comedy

Was Franz Kafka one of the staff?

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:50 AM He only wishes he was

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:51 AM Lol

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:51 AM From that point on, The Charger deliveries were done by BNSF

[12:51 AM]Surely this will cause no problems ever

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:52 AM It’s either four different accents or everyone sounds like a slightly different surfer

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:53 AM It's either very german, very california, very New York, Or very Florida (because brightline)

[12:54 AM]I also like to imagine that the brightline engines turn into Florida Engine the moment they crossed the state line

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:54 AM Yep lol

[12:54 AM]Complete with alligators

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:54 AM Fought a Gator (and won)

[12:54 AM]Fought a Gator (and lost)

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:55 AM Lol

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:55 AM Florida Engine does 'industrial quantity" of Methamphetamines, breaks land speed record Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:56 AM Florida Engine swims across port

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:56 AM Florida engine learns to swim, fights boat

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:57 AM Florida Engine accidentally kidnaps entire Panama City Police Department

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:57 AM Some guy in Lake Okeechobee says he doesn't like trains - the water bubbles and a Charger erupts from the water "I heard you were talking shit"

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:58 AM Lol

[12:58 AM]Florida Engine busted for selling fake golden bricks

📷Jz1 — Today at 12:58 AM Florida Engine arrested for selling stolen fake golden bricks

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 12:59 AM Florida Engine derails, orders Wendy’s in a nearby drive thru

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:00 AM Florida Engine steals his own wheels, puts himself up on blocks Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:02 AM

Florida Engines accidentally welded together in one consist.

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:02 AM Florida Engines try to recreate Baldwin Centipede, accidentally create a different kind of Centipede

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:04 AM Florida Engine gets drunk, tries to fly

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:04 AM Lmao

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:05 AM Florida Engine vows revenge on airplanes - claims "they've had it too good for too long"

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:05 AM Florida Engine arrested for attempted arson via spaghetti

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:06 AM Florida Engine arrested for screaming about "noodle incident" at 4AM

Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:07 AM Florida Engine consumes too much NOs, recreates 2 Fast 2 Furious

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:07 AM Florida Engine jumps drawbridge - claims it was late for court

Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:08 AM

Florida Engine breaks world record for fastest and longest sustained multi track drift

📷Joseph R (he/him) — Today at 1:09 AM and hits a signal

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:09 AM Florida Engine steals house - claims fourth amendment

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:10 AM Florida Engines steal shed to avoid rent(edited)

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:11 AM Florida Engine crashes off end of line - claims he was going to Orlando to "see that rat mickey"(edited)

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:12 AM Florida Engine bites gator - claims it tasted like chicken

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:13 AM Florida Engine invades NASA Cape Canaveral - swears vengeance against SpaceX and Elon Musk

Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:16 AM

Florida Engines steal SpaceX rocket, dunks on Musk

Jz1 — Today at 1:16 AM Florida Engine Hacks Elon Musk's Twitter, Causes Dogecoin Pump and Dump

NEW

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:17 AM Florida Engines block port of Miami in world’s longest consist Jz1 — Today at 1:18 AM Florida Engines claim this act of sabotage was to support the container ship Ever Given "in her hour of need"

[1:19 AM]Florida Engines seemed unaware that Ever Given was freed two months ago Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:21 AM

Florida Engine spills fruit train, creates jam

Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:22 AM Florida car cosplays as train, wears cone as a hat

Jz1 — Today at 1:24 AM Florida Airplane lands on Train Tracks, offers Florida Engine "a fair fight"

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:25 AM Florida Engine and Florida Plane fight in world’s largest Wawa, Florida Boat wins

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:25 AM Hahahaha

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:26 AM A gator was shoved where the sun don’t shine

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:26 AM Florida Engine attacks John Deere Dealership, fights gators

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:28 AM Florida Engine throws pet gator at John Deere dealer(edited)

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:29 AM Florida Engine steals Car, claims he was 'adopting it'

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:31 AM Florida Engine sells stolen cars as ‘pet cars’ 📷1

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:32 AM Florida Engine and Florida Boat conspire to traffic in exotic "pet cars"

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:34 AM Florida Semi-Truck roped into exotic ’pet car’ scheme by Florida Engine and Florida Boat.

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:35 AM Florida Crane arrested in increasingly-large "pet car" bust

[1:35 AM]Florida Submarine also under suspicion

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:38 AM Autoracks stolen by Florida Train

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:38 AM Florida "pet car" bust increases - multiple Florida Engines suspected

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:39 AM Florida East Coast Railway Indicted In ‘Pet Car’ Scandal

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:40 AM Florida Plane denied bail in "pet car" arrests - deemed a flight risk Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:45 AM Florida Train acquitted on all charges relating to ‘pet car’ scandal, still fined for public exposure.

📷Jz1 — Today at 1:46 AM Florida Train thanks Florida Lawyer for proving innocence - Florida Boat and Florida Crane to go to trial next week

📷Rise Comics(she/her) — Today at 1:48 AM Florida Boat was actually Egyptian fishing trawler. Florida Boat still at large.

[spurgie-cousin]

WHW In Memoriam: Unarmed, Murdered Black Americans from History

(Content Warning: Violence, murder, abuse, racism)

So this is definitely not the same kind of ‘weird’ history I usually post about (and it’s not Wednesday quite yet), but in light of the George Floyd verdict I thought it was important to take a moment to remember some of the unarmed, murdered black Americans throughout our history, most of whom have never received justice. Whether their lives were taken by the police or violent, racist vigilantes, their memories should always be a reminder that though we’ve come a long way, we still have a long, long way to go. 

This is in no way a comprehensive list, in fact I start at Emmett Till because the *known* lynchings pre-1955 are too numerous to include in one, two, ten posts. I know I will not have room to include even everyone post 1955 (god there are so many) but please know that all of them, from the unknown to the infamous, from our country’s beginning to today, matter the same.

“History, despite it’s wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” - Maya Angelou

 1. Emmett Louis Till

Born: July 25, 1941, Chicago, IL Died: August 28, 1955, Money, MS

Emmett Till was a 14 year-old child from Chicago visiting relatives over his summer break in August of 1955. Unfamiliar with the strictly racist social codes in the American south, he spoke to a white woman at a grocery store, and was accused of flirting with her. A few nights later her husband and his brother abducted Till, brutally beat and mutilated him, and then shot him before letting his body sink into a river. When he was found, his body was barely recognizable even to his mother. 

In an act of grief and defiance, his mother held a highly-publicized, open casket funeral to show the brutality of what had happened to her child to the world. 

It’s believed that before her death, Carolyn Bryant, the woman from the grocery store, recanted key details from her original story, including that Till whistled or flirted with her. 

2. James Earl Chaney

Born: May 30, 1943, Meridian, Mississippi Died: June 21, 1964, Philadelphia, Mississippi

James Chaney was a 21 year old field/social worker working for Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). He was murdered along with two colleagues, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, by the Ku Klux Klan while they were in Mississippi investigating the burning of a church. The 3 were pulled over by a patrol car being followed by 2 cars full of Klan members, who shot Goodman and Schwerner, beat Chaney, and then shot him 3 times. 

3. Michael Donald

Born: July 24, 1961, Mobile, Alabama Died: March 21, 1981, Mobile, Alabama

Michael Donald was a 20 year-old who on March 21st, 1981 was walking down the street after purchasing cigarettes for his sister. He was chosen at random by a car full of Ku Klux Klan members, angry that a recent Klan members court case had been declared a mistrial. He was beat, hung, and his throat was slit, and was left hanging dead from a tree in a secluded, wooded area. 

Three Klansmen were convicted of Donald's murder. Henry Hays was sentenced to death and executed in the electric chair in 1997. James Knowles and Benjamin Cox were sentenced to life in prison. A civil suit against the United Klans of America caused their bankruptcy.

4. Yusef Kirriem Hawkins

Born: March 19, 1973, Brooklyn, NY Died:  August 23, 1989, Brooklyn, NY

Yusef Hawkins was a 16-year-old black teenager who was shot to death on August 23, 1989, in Bensonhurst, a predominantly Italian-American working-class neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Hawkins, his younger brother, and two friends were attacked by a crowd of 10 to 30 white youths, with at least seven of them wielding baseball bats. One, armed with a handgun, shot Hawkins twice in the chest, killing him. Hawkins and his brother were in the neighborhood to inquire about a used car. 

5. Nicholas Heyward Jr.

Born: August 26th, 1981 Died: September 27th, 1994

13-year-old Nicholas Heyward Jr. was playing cops and robbers inside the stairwell of a Brooklyn apartment building when officer Brian George mistook the boy’s toy gun for a real gun and shot him in the stomach, killing him. 

6. Amadou Diallo

Born: September 2, 1975, Liberia Died: February 4, 1999, NYC, New York

In the early morning of February 4, Diallo was standing near his building after returning from a meal. At about 12:40 a.m., officers Edward McMellon, Sean Carroll, Kenneth Boss and Richard Murphy were looking for an alleged serial rapist in the Soundview section of the Bronx. While driving down Wheeler Avenue, the police officer stopped his unidentified car and interrogated Diallo, who was in front of his apartment. When they ordered Diallo to show his hands, he supposedly ran into the apartment and reached into his pocket to show his wallet. Soon afterwards the four officers fired 41 shots with semi-automatic pistols, fatally hitting Diallo 19 times. Eye witness Sherrie Elliott stated that the police continued to shoot even though Diallo is already down and that McMellon is still shooting even though he is lying on the ground.

7. Kendra Sarie James

Born:  December 24, 1981 Died: May 5, 2003, Portland, Oregon

21-year-old Kendra Sarie James was shot and killed by Portland Officer Scott McCollister when she attempted to flee a traffic stop for a minor violation. Portland police initially said it appeared the car had run over the officer's foot but he did not receive medical attention at the scene or at Northeast Precinct. Police repeatedly refused to identify the alleged traffic violation that caused them to stop James and two companions in the car. Police had taken the driver out of the car and was checking his identity when they saw James slide into the Chevrolet’s driver’s seat. Both officers, while standing on the driver’s side of the car, struggled with James to stop her from driving away. One of them fired a taser gun at her to subdue her. McCollister fired a single round from his 9 mm service pistol at James, killing her.

8. Deaunta T. Farrow

Born: September 7, 1994, West Memphis, Arkansas Died: June 22, 2007, West Memphis, Arkansas

On the night of his death, Deaunta Farrow was walking with his 14-year-old cousin from Farrow’s home to the nearby Steeplechase Apartments where Nash lived.  Along the way the two made a stop at a gas station where they purchased soda pop and chips from the station’s convenience store, and continued down the street. Farrow and Nash turned up the street leading to Nash’s apartment.  At that point two undercover West Memphis police officers, Jimmy Evans and Sammis, who were on a stakeout in a narcotics investigation, appeared from a nearby dumpster.  According to some eyewitnesses, the two police officers confronted the young men and soon afterwards Sammis, noticed something bulging in the 12-year-old’s coat pocket.  As Farrow removed the item, Sammis shot and killed him.

9. Rekia Boyd

Born: November 5, 1989, Chicago, IL Died: March 21, 2012

On the night of her death, Rekia Boyd was hanging out with friends at Douglas Park on Chicago’s West Side at a party listening to music while having a few drinks. Around 1:00 am, Boyd and some of her friends walked to a nearby liquor store. Around the same time, officer Dante Servin was just finishing his shift on his second job. He was off duty, heading to a fast food restaurant for a hamburger, but Servin drove to Douglas Park after a citizen called police about a noise complaint. Servin saw Boyd and her friends and later claimed they were arguing in an alley. Whether Servin calmly approached Boyd and her friends or was rude and aggressive is still debated. One of Boyd’s friends, Antonio Cross, claimed that Servin attempted to buy drugs from the group. When Cross told Servin to “get his crackhead ass out of here,” Servin pulled a gun, stuck it out of the window of his car and fired into the group, hitting Boyd in the head. She was instantly killed.

10. Eric Garner 

Born: September 15, 1970, NYC, New York Died: July 17, 2014, NYC, New York

On July 17th, 2014, NYPD officers approached Eric Garner on suspicion of selling single cigarettes from packs without tax stamps. After Garner told the police that he was tired of being harassed and that he was not selling cigarettes, the officers attempted to arrest Garner. When Pantaleo placed his hands on Garner, Garner pulled his arms away. Pantaleo then placed his arm around Garner's neck and wrestled him to the ground. With multiple officers pinning him down, Garner repeated the words "I can't breathe" 11 times while lying face down on the sidewalk. After Garner lost consciousness, he remained lying on the sidewalk for seven minutes while the officers waited for an ambulance to arrive. Garner was pronounced dead at an area hospital approximately one hour later.

11. Breonna Taylor

Born: June 5, 1993, Grand Rapids, Michigan Died: March 13, 2020, Louisville, Kentucky

A narcotics investigation regarding suspected drug dealer Jamarcus Glover, led detectives to Breonna Taylor’s residence in the South End. Glover was a previous acquaintance of Taylor and she was under suspicion for using her home to his receive mail, hide his drugs, and stash money earned from his drug sales. Taylor, who was 26, at the time, lived in a Springfield Drive apartment with her 27-year-old boyfriend Kenneth Walker. Taylor and Walker were asleep in bed, on the night of March 13, 2020, when they were awakened by a loud banging at the front door. Taylor called out, asking who was there, but heard no response. Walker, a licensed and registered gun owner, armed himself and headed towards the front door, when it suddenly came off its hinges.

Under a “no-knock” search warrant, Louisville Metro Police Department Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, Detective Brett Hankinson, and Officer Myles Cosgrove, all in plainclothes, stormed into the apartment. Taylor’s boyfriend Walker, thinking this was a home invasion robbery, fired one shot in self-defense. Sgt. Mattingly was hit in the leg, and in response, the other officers opened fire, releasing more than twenty rounds into the apartment. Taylor was shot eight times and collapsed in the hallway of her apartment. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

12. Daunte Demetrius Wright

Died: April 11, 2021 (20 years old)

On April 11 of this year, Daunte Demetrius Wright was fatally shot by police officer Kimberly Ann Potter during a traffic stop and attempted arrest for an outstanding arrest warrant in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. After a brief struggle with officers, Wright was shot at close range by Potter, who had confused her gun with her taser. Officers pulled Wright out of his car and administered CPR, but were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

[nothingnothingaaa]

‘We all have Hoop Dreams’: Bittersweet tale of first 'reality TV show'

By Motez Bishara, May 4 2019 (CNN)

When Dwyane Wade was a 12-year-old shooting jumpers on the playgrounds of Chicago, a movie came out that would help navigate him through his future Hall of Fame career.

Released in 1994, "Hoop Dreams" shadowed the bumpy fortunes of Arthur Agee and William Gates, two inner-city Chicago youths dreaming of NBA stardom.

Wade's path to the Final Four with Marquette and championships with the Miami Heat would be lined with the same challenges faced by Agee and Gates, including the pressures of injury and young parenting, and the avoidance of drugs and gun violence.

Twenty-five years since its premier, "Hoop Dreams" still impacts Wade. "I watched it many times, and it resonated with me because we all have hoop dreams," the recently retired three-time NBA champion tells CNN.

"Growing up in Chicago you struggle," he adds, "I look at "Hoop Dreams" and I can see myself in those individuals at the time."

Film critics like the late Roger Ebert lauded the three-hour documentary for exposing a side of America rarely depicted at the time: A class system stacked against the poor, coinciding with rising corruption in youth basketball.

Filmmakers Steve James (left), Peter Gilbert (centre) and Fred Marx worked on a very thin budget until three years into "Hoop Dreams," when they were able to secure enough funding for the project.

So what has changed since then?

College basketball is coming off a thrilling season, but faces intense scrutiny as a second corruption trial involving shady figures and illicit payments around the sport unravels in court. Meanwhile, Agee and Gates remain close -- bonded not just by their fame from "Hoop Dreams," but two devastating murders in their families.

"You can't script this stuff," says Gates, 47, a youth basketball coach in San Antonio, Texas, to CNN. "Our stories continue to (overlap) like that, because he lost Bo and we lost Curtis."

Gates' brother Curtis, a former high school star who flamed out, and Agee's father Bo were both featured on screen. Curtis was shot in 2001, reportedly in a dispute over a woman, while Bo - whose redemption from crack addiction and jail time was a seminal part of the film - was killed in a robbery three years later.

"It was very heartbreaking," adds Agee, who still lives in the West Side of Chicago, not far from where he grew up. "It's so eerie that me and William always say "Hoop Dreams" was a gift and a curse, and we both lost people that played a big part of our lives.

"And then for both of us not to make the NBA, you know, that eeriness, that gift and a curse is there."

Though neither athlete played in the NBA, both received college scholarships -- no small feat coming from the dire housing projects they grew up in.

Agee, 46, who attended Arkansas State, went on to play professionally in the now-defunct USBL and had a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. He then turned to acting, with small parts in a film and commercials.

Agee remains tied to "Hoop Dreams," which provides his motivational speaking platform in schools, and still inspires viewers to send warm messages from places as far off as Australia and China. He also sells apparel inspired by the film, including a throwback jersey from his school days.

Gates was the more heralded of the two, receiving interest from top college basketball programs and a grant to attend the prestigious St. Joseph's high school -- the same school that is shown releasing Agee, seemingly for not playing well enough as a freshman.

But Gates blew out his knee at 16, then rushed back to the court after surgery and re-injured it. Though he played at Marquette University, the injury crippled his pro potential.

"For me, it's bittersweet on many levels," says Gates about the film which he has not watched in over 16 years. "It was a constant reminder of what could have been and what didn't happen, and also a reminder that Curtis is no longer here to hear his voice."

Nevertheless, he looks back on "Hoop Dreams" as a "life turning situation," one that led to an allegiance with Michael Jordan, who invited him to pickup games before his comeback with the Washington Wizards. (An injury derailed Gates' own tryout with the Wizards, however.)

"It has opened doors," he says. "It has done things that I never thought would happen in my life."

Dwyane Wade is pictured dunking the ball.

THE FIRST REALITY SHOW

What began as a short film idea from director Steve James and producer Frederick Marx to shoot Chicago playground basketball in 1987 with a budget of $2,000 quickly took on greater ambitions.

The pair hired Peter Gilbert as a cinematographer (later added as a producer), and the trio followed Gates and Agee on and off for nearly five years. With 250 hours of footage to edit, the production took seven years in total, eventually raising the $750,000 necessary for completion.

When it was finally released in 1994, "Hoop Dreams" went viral, though the term had not yet been coined. It was nominated for best film editing at the Oscars, but snubbed for best documentary and picture, which had critics like Ebert up in arms.

"I've actually gotten way more mileage personally as a filmmaker out of not being nominated than I ever would have by getting nominated," says James, who stays in contact with Agee and Gates. "Over the years a lot more people seem to be upset on our behalf than I was personally."

By the time it ended its theatrical run, "Hoop Dreams" became the then-highest grossing documentary of all time, paving the way for hundreds of sports documentaries and streaming series currently on air.

"I call it the first reality show," says Gates. "I think it was groundbreaking."

Gates' enrollment in Marquette was mirrored exactly 10 years later by Wade, who also struggled to qualify academically for an NCAA scholarship and sat out his first year for academic reasons, the university confirmed.

Wade shared other similarities with both Agee and Gates, including feeling the pressure to rush back to action after knee injury which required surgery at Marquette. Though the operation was successful, Wade later said it led to complications as a pro.

"I watched it when I was at Marquette from a different (angle), knowing that (Gates) was staying in the same dorm that I was standing in," says Wade, who -- also like Gates -- was caring for a child (son Zaire) while in college.

Wade was separated from his mother Jolinda at a young age when she succumbed to drugs, leading to spells in jail. Like Agee's father Bo, she turned to religion after getting clean, now serving as a church minister.

"Obviously, I was able to make it," but there are challenges, he adds. "What I learned at the time is you learn a lot about other people sharing their story."

William Gates was a 17-year-old high school junior when his daughter Alicia was born.

CONTROLLED CORRUPTION

Rewatching "Hoop Dreams" 25 years later lends perspective to how fast top college recruits are forced to grow up, and how much is at stake early on.

Gates' daughter was born when he was 17, during his junior year of high school. Trying to be a father and student while rehabilitating from two knee surgeries to make it as the next Isiah Thomas -- the former St Joe's and NBA star who makes a cameo in the movie -- became too much to bear.

By the movie's final scene, with his passion for the game already waning, Gates remarks, "When somebody says, 'When you get to the NBA, don't forget about me,' I should say to them, 'Well if I don't make it, you don't forget about me."

It's no wonder he needed a break from the sport by his third year at Marquette.

"I didn't feel like a 19 or 20 year-old-kid, I felt like a kid who had been working 10 to 12 years at a job," Gates says, estimating that basketball practice and travel would take up to 60 hours a week in college. "I had a lot on my plate."

Agee had his own growing up to do, with his academics thrown into disarray after his brief spell at St Joe's, followed by Bo walking out and his mother Sheila losing her job.

In one scene, Sheila cannot pay her electricity bill and the family is left without power, while a clearly humiliated Agee broods at the camera.

(The filmmakers pitched in to get the power back on, leaving that detail out of the film. "We didn't want to look self-serving, but we felt an obligation to do that much for them," says James.)

Agee transferred to Marshall High, leading the team on an improbable city championship and state semifinal run.

In recent years the public high school has been rocked by gun violence, leaving seven former basketball players dead and two paralysed, including Agee's ex-teammate Shawn Harrington.

"I didn't let St. Joe's defeat me; I didn't let my neighbourhood and my environment pull me in to gain drugs, carrying the guns -- that whole lifestyle," Agee reflects.

It helped that the teenagers had the right people on their sides. Gates and Agee admit they were given cash during their basketball ascent by the likes of so-called street agents, drug dealers and university affiliates who often helped promising players.

In "Hoop Dreams" Agee pays for Air Jordan gear at a store with money received from drug pushers. While at Arkansas State, he says a "big street pharmacist" whose team he played for in a high school summer league bought him a car.

"That was part of the deal," says Gates of being offered gifts from universities as a highly touted recruit, before committing to Marquette. "It was like, 'Hey, you need anything let us know.' And you let them know and they took care of stuff.

"Hey I need transportation, hey I need clothes, I need shoes. They figured out how to get it to you," he says. "They did it through a friend of the program that you didn't even know was a friend of the program. That's the way it was."

In response, Marquette said it "is committed to the highest ethical standards for the recruitment and retention of our student-athletes," while Arkansas State said it had no knowledge of Agee's car purchase and that "there are too many unknown variables to comment further about a relationship from approximately 25 years ago."

Arthur Agee was recruited to play at St Joseph Arthur Agee was recruited to play at St Joseph's prep school as an eighth grader. A year later he was asked to leave, and his parents were billed for tuition they struggled to pay for.

Arthur Agee was recruited to play at St Joseph's prep school as an eighth grader. A year later he was asked to leave, and his parents were billed for tuition they struggled to pay for.

Somewhat fittingly, Gates is now a full-time coach in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the collection of summer leagues that insiders say has replaced high school basketball as the launching pad for college prospects.

Among the players that have passed through Team Hoop Dreams are all three of Gates' sons, William Jr., a recent graduate of Houston Baptist University, Jalon, a junior guard at Houston Baptist, and Marques, currently in high school.

AAU has come under fire by an ongoing FBI investigation involving sneaker companies funnelling money towards recruits to land at big university programs. The AAU told CNN it does not fund its teams, calling the situation an "apparel company scandal, not an AAU scandal."

"People are buying and selling players; it's a human trafficking market." says Michael Sokolove, author of "The Last Temptation of Rick Pitino," which sheds light on college basketball corruption.

Multiple federal investigations have led to guilty pleas from four college assistants on bribery charges, the conviction of an Adidas executive, and the firing of Pitino from Louisville.

Pitino maintains he had "no knowledge" of infractions during his tenure as Louisville's head coach. James Gatto, Adidas' former head of global sports marketing, is appealing his nine-month prison sentence for wire fraud and conspiracy charges in connection with a $100,000 offer to the father of a Louisville recruit.

With athletic wear companies paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to support top AAU programs, the potential to use them as a means to distribute money to the families of top players or an influential coach is high, says Sokolove.

"Some of this is laundered money. These teams can be used as pass through," he says, adding that the ultimate goal is to breed loyalty with players who become walking advertisements for the shoe companies on the court.

The stakes have become much higher to land top recruits like Gates was in the days of "Hoop Dreams," notes Sokolove. "There are more people with their hands in the cookie jar and the kids are largely pawns in this whole endeavour."

In 2017 the NCAA surpassed $1 billion in revenue, mostly through TV rights, while top players like Zion Williamson of Duke are limited to a compensation of tuition, room and board with a modest stipend.

Like many around the sport, Gates thinks college players need to get paid. He suggests universities contribute $100,000 towards a "graduation fund" for the player if he stays in school four years "to get prepared to live life."

Gates sees the current NBA age requirement of 19 as an obstacle towards paying black athletes, calling it a "controlled corruption" not seen in mostly white sports like baseball, tennis, golf or soccer.

"The two sports that are heavily dominated by African-Americans, it seems like there is always an issue when it comes to money," he says. (The NFL enforces a three-year rule before most college football players can turn pro.)

NCAA president Mark Emmert told the Associated Press this month that the organisation has "serious issues which require serious change," but paying players will remain unlikely.

William Gates (centre) is now an AAU coach in Texas. His sons William Jr. (left) and Jalon played together at Houston Baptist University.

PART OF A BIGGER STORY

Coinciding with the movie's anniversary, Gates and his wife Catherine just celebrated their 25th year of marriage. The eldest of their four children Alicia, who was born during filming, is 30 and works as a dental hygienist.

For years Gates would not allow his sons to watch all of "Hoop Dreams," fearing the scenes of his injuries would spook them. He finally relented, though Will Jr underwent four knee procedures of his own in college.

Agee has fathered five children, with his youngest Devin a budding youth basketball player in his own right. Devin's mother Jennifer Genovesi stood by Agee in the wake of a 2017 arrest after a woman accused him of battery.

Agee was quick to call James -- who he refers to as an uncle -- to assure him of his innocence. The charges were dropped shortly afterward.

"I'm part of a bigger story in this film. I never want to bring any despair or negativity into the story," Agee says. "He was like, 'We'll get through it together,' and that was good as that."

"I feel like they know that I'm here for them," says James, the film's director.

The special bond between the parties involved in the film was reflected once "Hoop Dreams," which was never expected to be a commercial success, caught fire. In a highly unusual step, Agee and Gates were made equal partners by the producers.

"They weren't just filmmakers," says Agee. "They came in over a period of time and got to know me and my family, and then stayed in touch."

Arthur Agee bought his mother Sheila a house with royalties earned from "Hoop Dreams." He now uses the film as material for his job in motivational speaking.

Gates and Agee first received nearly $200,000 each, and Agee promptly brought his parents a four-bedroom house in a suburb.

His mother, Sheila Agee, who was seen at the end of the movie graduating tops in her nursing class, relocated to Alabama in the wake of Bo's death.

After Curtis' murder, Gates was given an unlikely last shot at the NBA at age 29 with a tryout with the Chicago Bulls. But bad luck struck again when he caught the flu on the day of the workout.

"I said maybe God doesn't want me to play basketball," he reflects. "That's when my ministry life began to open up."

Gates received his master's in biblical studies and worked as a pastor at the Cabrini Green housing project he grew up in before settling in Texas.

He is thankful that Curtis got to meet Jordan before he was killed -- another imprint tied to his fame from the film.

"What came along with that was the responsibility to teach, educate, be a friend, have some compassion and show some understanding," Gates says.

"I've been very honoured, privileged and grateful to be part of "Hoop Dreams," he reflects. "It's been super amazing to be a part of something that has withstood the test of time."

[flxurnati]

— && guests may mistake me as ( ana de armas ), but really i am ( fleur de leon + female + she/her ) and my DOB is ( 10/29/1995 ). i am a ( waitress at a local dinner ) and would like to stay in suite ( #312 ). i won’t be much of a bother because i am ( + resourceful, captivating, appreciative ), but i can also be ( - restraining, vulnerable, narrowing ) at times. personally, i like to ( write poetry, model, volunteer at animal shelters  ) when i have the time to relax, and my favorite snack is ( stuffed jalapenos ) to have in my suite. thank you for checking in! ( duckie, EST, 24 ).

tw: prostitution, drugs, addiction

GENERAL

Name: fleur gabriella de leon Age: 25; oct.29.1995 Place of birth: taos, new mexico Spoken languages: English, spanish Sexual orientation: pansexual Occupation: waitress 

APPEARANCE

Eye color: brown Hair color: blonde Height: 5′6′’ Scars: barely there scars from basic accidents

Tattoos: one

FAVOURITE Color: sky blue Entertainment: finding new places to hang out, reading, volunteering Pastime: reading, playing pool, hanging around the hidden gems of the malnati Drink: water, coffee, chocolate milk/hot chocolate

fleur was a downright southern girl. Growing up on a horse farm in the west she didn’t see much excitement in her life, but that never stopped the craving of adventure that coursed through her body. She was always at home, forced to be homeschooled so she could always be around to help with the horses, not that it bothered her much, there was always a certain connection she had with horses that she didn’t share with anyone else.

Even though there wasn’t much to giver her for fun as she grew up she always searched for the opportunity to sneak out, run through the woods and as she got into her teens she even went out into town and tried to make as many friends as she could, wanting to experience the things she should at sixteen years old going to parties and finding out just what a hangover feels like when you have to clean out a horse stall at five o’clock in the morning. Her parents never found out, which she didn’t think they would care much if they did, as long as she did her work they were happy. . Soon those once a week sneakouts turned into nightly events and the perfect horse girl was grabbing the attention of the town boys. They found her pretty and carless enough to take advantage of by giving her too many drinks and taking advantage of how drunk she was, fleur thought it was all for fun and didn’t realize in town she had the reputation that really made her look bad. Through the years the partying continued and the girl even was in a few relationships that never lasted, she was too much of a free spirit and even though people liked to party with her they found her just not the one to fit in.

She was eighteen when she finally graduated, and the second she did she wanted to be as far away from the good ol’ south as she could get. So applying job in chicago was the first thing she did, it hurt her parents to see their girl go but they knew being the farm girl wasn’t her and she needed to branch out.

 Though, moving wasn’t as easy as she thought. This was no small town where things were easy, her parents were far away and she was all on her own. And soon enough any job she got just… wasn’t enough. And one night after being kicked out of her third apartment; too prideful to go home the girl was walking down the road when a man in a fancy car pulled up, gave her a price and waited for an answer. Fleur didn’t want to do it but… she was used to this. Back home it was almost the same and this time she would be paid, enough to get her a room for a week. Only this didn’t end on that one night. She slipped back into alcohol and drugs to get through the night and soon she was just being passed back and forth from person to person, trying to make it through the week in a fog. It was bad. Fleur was losing everything she knew but didn’t know how to break out of the chain of addiction until she soon had to be forced into seeking help.

25 and attending AA meetings seemed to help slightly but she still needed a place, a home one of the people running the group saw real progress from the girl and they gave her enough money for a room and to keep her going for a month and she wont have to pay them back if she can keep sober. still, she did also manage to get a job at an alright diner close by to keep things good for herself. she is grateful for this turn in her life... but she struggles a lot not to relapse into her old life of easy money and a cloud to keep her up.

it had been a few months of being sober, and fleur really was doing better, a waitress wasn’t the best job but it had it’s perks; being able to flirt with all the customers. 

HEADCANNONS

✘- on the weekends she likes to volunteer at animal shelters. it’s no farm but it reminds her of where she came from.

✘- she leaves notes around for her roommates to find. some are silly little things that motivate them through the day and others are about food they need in the fridge. 

✘- because she in in recovery for her drug/alcohol addiction she is trying really hard to stop. some nights are better than others but sometimes she has to fight herself as hard as she can from not calling a dealer 

✘-sometimes she is afraid of walking into an old client. the fancier men would treat her to nicer stays at the fancier hotels... and one was usually the malnati for a night. she always loved the cool and clean sheets, showers, and the view that would come with the room and being with a rich man. 

AESTHETICS

vhs tapes, rain drops sliding down the window of a parked car, puddles that beg to be splashed in, warm borrowed flannels and soft cotton shirts, long naps in the sun, sticky notes and ink smudged hands, beat up paperback novels that smell like home, baked cookies, popcorn, melodious  voices ,  stories  without  happy  endings ,   slow  music, bare  feet  in  the  mornings ,   naturally  rosy  lips ,   loose  blouses ,   sunshine ,   the  rain  speaks  quietly ,  blooming  gardens ,  tangled  hair  ribbons ,   from  the  dirt  a  flower  must  grow ,  soft  pillows .

CONNECTIONS

/   sisters   /   skinny  love   /   ex - friend  with  whom  she  had  a  falling  out   /   familial  relationships   /   roommates   /   bad  influence   /   unlikely  friends   /  old client    /   aa member who helps her   /   exes   /   someone who comes by the hotel restaurant and always requests her

bianca salazer - (ex-best friend): these two were inseparable. parties, alcohol, and drugs were their normal night out and when it came to being their for each other it was night or day for the two. but when fleur caught up in rehab and she felt like she just needed to distance herself from that life. it was hard enough battling herself from relapsing. and it risked the greatest friend she ever had. fleur wants so badly to reconnect but she is afraid of being tempted.

jackson allen - (friend/volunteer buddy): jackson and fleur first met at the dog shelter, he and fluer volunteer there and when they found out they both lived at the malnati she wanted to be closer with him. now she’s just glad she has another friend living so close.

harlow - (fluer’s favorite youtuber): when fleur found out that harlow, her favorite yourtuber and local singer was in the same building as her she definitely fan girled. fleur has been watching harlow forever and now she gets to listen to her in person at the malnati.

[twentiethcenturymoviesandtv]

Running Scared: The Story

So Running Scared is a buddy-cop movie, right?

Well, heck, you might say. If it’s a buddy-cop movie, I may as well not read the plot description.  A by-the-book cop is forced to work with a wild-card cop to catch the criminal and save the day, while learning to respect each other.  The boss gets mad at them, the car gets destroyed, they’re pulled off the case, and solve it anyway, breaking procedure in the process.

Okay, so you’re not wrong about that second half.  Got me there.  Buddy-cop films tend to not have a whole lot of variety when it comes to cliches, but then again, the same could be said of most genres.  And hey, cliches aren’t necessarily bad.

Before you write off Running Scared as just another attempt to cash in on Beverly Hills Cop, though, there are a couple of things to consider: for one thing, there’s no ‘by the book’ cop.  And these two certainly aren’t being forced to work together.  These guys?  They’re good friends.

Let’s take a look at the setup.  (Spoilers below!)

Two undercover Chicago cops, Danny Constanza (Billy Crystal) and Ray Hughes (Gregory Hines), spot two criminals they recognize: drug dealer Julio Gonzales, and one of his associates, ‘Snake’.  Gonzales, recognizing the pair, drives off before the two can investigate further, but before he does so, he gives Snake a briefcase, which Snake runs off with, and I’m sure is totally legitimate.

Danny and Ray pursue Snake to his third-floor apartment, where they threaten him with a search warrant.  And physical harm.

“Listen, Snake, here’s the situation: I have this gun here. Now I am going to take the gun out and I am going to shoot a lot of holes in the door. If you are standing in front of the door, what can I tell ya? Some of the holes are gonna be in you. Ya catching my drift, Snake?”

Snake lets them in.

The pair open his case, and discover what was so important in there: $50,000.

Unfortunately, possessing $50,000 isn’t evidence of wrongdoing in and of itself, and Danny and Ray can’t make an arrest.  Danny, having an idea, steps outside the apartment, onto the balcony, and makes an announcement to anyone in the neighborhood:

“This block is being designated a Neighborhood Watch Area. There’s a guy up here named Snake. He’s wearing garage-sale clothes and the top of his head looks like a parakeet. He also has FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS in small bills in a briefcase. As his neighbors, it is your responsibility to make sure there are no suspicious characters or evil perpetrators lurking in the area who would seek to do him harm. Again, FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS in small bills, tax free, in a briefcase right in this apartment. Which has a really cheeseball lock! You can bust your way in there, bop him on the head, take the money, nobody would know! So it’s UP TO YOU. Thanks a lot, have a good day.”

Snake, realizing the tough spot he has just been put in, punches Ray in the face so they have an excuse to book him.

While the pair take Snake to the station, they discover that the money in the briefcase belonged to Julio Gonzales.  After a few stops, one at a funeral for Danny’s aunt and the other at the scene of an apparent rooftop jump, the pair take the criminal in.

While at the station, Danny’s ex-wife, Anna, comes in to give him some news: she’s getting remarried to a dentist.  During this discussion, a lawyer comes in with a check for $40,000 for Danny, left to him by his deceased aunt.  Danny is left, presumably, with a severe case of mood whiplash, as he still clearly has feelings for Anna, and is now saddled with quite a bit of cash.

At this point, the plot decides to get going.

See, as it turns out, the ‘suicide’ from earlier wasn’t quite what it seemed.  For starters, the victim was a cop, and he didn’t die as a result of the jump.  He was drowned first.  And seeing as it’s pretty hard to die from jumping off a building after you’ve already died from drowning, the captain of the precinct puts Danny and Ray on the case to figure out who did the police officer in.

The pair decide to use Snake to get to the bottom of it, and convince him (via withholding all but $5,000 of his $50,000) to lead them to Gonzales, planning to get enough evidence to arrest him.  Snake agrees, (again, reluctantly) and leads them to the meeting place, a cargo ship.  While there, they discover that Gonzales is in possession of a box of Uzi machine guns.  During the meeting, Snake pretends that he is in danger, and Danny and Ray rush in, only to be surrounded by Gonzales’s men.  Gonzales announces that he plans to be the next godfather of Chicago, and has one of his lackeys shoot Snake.  As the guns turn on Danny and Ray, two detectives, who have been serving undercover in Gonzales’s gang, announce their identities, and after an ensuing gunfight, arrest most of the gang except Gonzales himself.  After another brief chase, Danny and Ray corner and arrest Gonzales and take him in, clearly expecting to be praised.

Back at the precinct, Captain Logan chews the pair of them out for busting the undercover operation and then needing to be rescued like rookies.  He also orders them to go on vacation.

So, they do.

To Key West, Florida, to be exact.

While they’re there, during their Good Times Montage, Danny decides to quit the force, and convinces Ray to retire as well, so they can open a bar in Key West with the money left to him by his aunt.  Ray agrees, and after their vacation, the pair return to Chicago to deliver their 30 day notice.  

They also find out that Julio Gonzales is out of prison on bail.

Enraged, the two vow to not leave the force until after they put Gonzales away for good, and set off to find him, intending to be a little more careful this time.  On top of that, however, Captain Logan has given them a new assignment: training their replacements before they go, the same two undercover officers from the previous bust.

After an incident involving Gonzales getting away again (This time with Danny and Ray’s pants), the duo are left empty handed (aside from Gonzales’s impounded car, which is towed after Ray spray-paints a no-parking zone around it).

This is probably what the captain is talking about when he tells the two cops they’re ‘training’ that he better not catch them doing anything like what Ray and Danny do.

Armed with a new and improved version of the beat-up car they’ve been driving, (including updates like bulletproof windows, which unfortunately do not roll down) Ray and Danny follow a tip from a criminal to where Gonzales is expecting a shipment of cocaine.  When they get there, however, there are already police officers on the scene, who discover a packet of cocaine estimated to be worth $3 million.  The credit for this find goes to the two undercover cops Ray and Danny are training, and the two are further irritated by the fact that Captain Logan is already treating them like they’re retired.  As the pair head off, they are stopped by a drug agent, who has examined the cocaine and determined that it’s an inferior grade, and, in all likelihood, a decoy for the real shipment.

At this news, Danny and Ray immediately head off to try to find the real shipment, and when they see Gonzales meeting with a priest and nun at customs, they assume that the drugs must be in the area.  Gonzales spots them and drives off, leaving the priest and nun at the platform.  Ray and Danny, driving their police car disguised as a taxi, pick the two up and take off after Gonzales, leading to a chase scene on railroad tracks.  In the chase, Gonzales’s vehicle is destroyed by an oncoming train, but he manages to get away.  Danny and Ray are left with the priest and nun, who they suspect of smuggling drugs inside the ceramic containers within the suitcases they carry.

At first, they appear to be wrong.  At the station, when no drugs are found within the containers, Danny and Ray apologize for being mistaken and the priest and nun are released.  However, the two discover that while there are no drugs within the containers, the ceramic containers themselves are made of pressed cocaine.  The partners get a new lead on Gonzales’s location, and head out for a stakeout.

Par the course for this film, this doesn’t go especially well either.  Gonzales has arranged a trash compactor truck to meet them there and destroy their car (with them in it) if they refuse to return his drugs for a bribe, which, of course, they do.

The pair escape through the back window in the nick of time, but they’re too late.  Gonzales is gone.  The next day, Ray and Danny take Gonzales’s impounded car out in search for him, and later that day, Anna comes to Danny’s apartment to give him an insurance policy she found, and the two have an argument about Danny’s immaturity.  

“You can’t be a kid your whole life, you’re gonna have to grow up!”

“Why? I don’t like grown ups.”

After their heated discussion, Anna leaves the building only to be kidnapped by Gonzales’s men, used as a hostage, offering a trade: Anna for the drugs.  If Danny doesn’t comply, Anna will be killed.

Lucky guy that he is, Gonzales has just hit Danny’s Berserk Button.

“If you hurt that lady, you’ll never be dead enough.”

Danny agrees to the trade, and with Ray’s help, takes the drugs from the evidence room as they prepare to take Gonzales down.  The plan shakes down like this:

Danny is going to enter the meeting place, the Illinois State Building, with the drugs while Ray sneaks in through the basement.  The two plan to arrest Gonzales after the trade, rescuing Anna in the process.

Considering the way their plans have been going so far, it’s not far off to bet that things go wrong, and sure enough, it doesn’t quite go according to plan.

The only way up from the basement turns out to be the window washing rig, which compounds Ray’s job quite a bit.  Meanwhile, during the trade, Gonzales orders one of his underlings to open fire on Danny and Anna, both in transparent elevators right next to one another.  Danny orders Anna to drop to the floor and shoots the underling as Ray enters the building, hanging from the window washing rig.  At the same time, the undercover cops the pair are training enter as well, and a shootout ensues, all set against the lovely backdrop of Christmas decorations.

Danny rescues Anna, taking her to safety before returning to the action.  He and Ray take out Gonzales, even though there’s some contention over who fired the fatal shot, Anna and Danny lovingly reunite, and the two cops decide that Chicago still needs them, and not to retire after all.

Thus ends Running Scared, competently wrapping up loose ends with a happy finale for all on the right side of the law (except for maybe the dentist Anna was going to marry).  If I were asking if this was a ‘competent’ ending, I would have nothing more to talk about.

But I’m not.

I’m asking if it’s a good ending.

Or indeed, a good movie in general.

Let’s start with that second one, actually.

Running Scared is chock full of cliches and tropes.  From the angry police chief to the car getting destroyed, it merrily tromps through its plot, checking off traditional buddy-cop story devices one by one, except for the biggie: there is no conflict between the cops themselves.  They are in total agreement in everything from procedure to their personal lives.  There is no ‘real’ arguing, there is no distrust or rivalry.  They are very close friends.

Does one subversion make for a good movie?  No, not by itself.  But the way this film emphasizes that subversion really does elevate it, in my opinion, to something special.

The story?  Not that original.  The setting?  Eh, if you wanted a good look at Chicago, you could just as easily pop in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or The Blues Brothers.  The action?  It’s the ‘80s.  It was everywhere, and there were plenty of movies with more action than is found here.

In the case of Running Scared, the uniqueness of this film really comes from how the characters interact with the story, rather than the story itself.  Specifically Danny, who the film seems to be a little more centered on, especially during that final act.  Which seems kind of odd, considering the fact that on first glance, there really doesn’t seem to be that much character development for him, or anyone at all for that matter.  But on a closer look, it’s a little different than that.

See, the interesting thing about Danny is that his life drives the plot.  It’s his inheritance, his bar,  his ex-wife that’s been kidnapped, and his immaturity that caused the split in the first place.  Ray, as central and important as he is, mostly tags along and helps Danny out.  When it comes to the actual story, it is Danny’s relationship with both Anna and Ray that brings everything together.  It is his believable warm, easy chemistry with both characters that, in my opinion, puts this on a level comparable to, but different than, other buddy-cop films of the day.  

Once again, at first it can seem like there’s no development in the movie, and after all, isn’t character development what can make or break a film?

Absolutely.

It’s not overt, but there is a subtle shift in Danny’s behavior throughout the film as he takes more and more responsibility for his actions, acting, as it were, a little more mature.  While ending the film still largely a Deadpan Snarker Cowboy Cop (much like his partner), the kidnapping of Anna and her words to him before it happened change his attitude for the final act of the film.  He takes the situation completely seriously, arguably for the first time in the movie, and demonstrates to Anna that he can be a grown-up, especially when it concerns people he cares about.  Danny’s mildly Man-Child ways are brought up a few times in the film, about as consistently as the subplot involving his ex-wife who he clearly still cares for, his development is less about him becoming less of a wild-card cop than it is him taking responsibility and taking his job, and his life, a little more seriously.  Is it pointed out?  No, not really.  In fact, you kinda have to squint to see it.  The change is pretty subtle, and it’s a little rushed, as it takes place during the equally rushed last act of the film.  For all of its good points, the movie does have a tad of a pacing problem towards the end.

However, it does make a difference.  At the end of the story, the characters decide not to retire, to continue protecting the city.  That wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying an ending as it is had it not been for the slight changes in the protagonist, notably Danny (whose idea it was in the first place) and his increase in maturity.  Also more satisfying as a result is his reconciliation with Anna, again, not as effective if it wasn’t for the actual display of responsibility.

Back to our questions.

Is Running Scared a good movie, and does it have a good, satisfactory ending?

Very simply: Yes, to both.

Is it great?  No.  It’s by no means a work of art, but it’s not really supposed to be.  It’s supposed to be a funny buddy-cop movie, and at that, it very much succeeds.  It gives us some likable characters, a competent story, and enough chemistry and laughs to more than make up for the heap of (not inherently bad) cliches that fill the script.  In some ways, it’s very much a standard buddy-cop film.  In others, it’s just a little different, making for a combination that sets this film a little apart from the rest.

Thank you so much for reading!  If you enjoyed it, stay tuned for more articles on some of the other facets that make up Running Scared, and don’t forget that my ask box is always open for discussion, suggestion, question, or conversation.  I hope to see you in the next article.

[youngboy-oldmind]

ALBUM REVIEW: Late Registration


“So they asked me…Why you call it Late Registration Ye?/Cause we taking these motherf***ers back to school!”

Hip-hop trail blazer and Chicago legend Mr. Kanye West follows up his status-establishing album The College Dropout with a sophomore project that proves he’s far from a one hit wonder, relishing in his own league of musical production, lyricism, and soul touching artistry.

Overall Thoughts

I mentioned in an earlier post that Late Registration is my favorite album by Kanye, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I can endlessly rave about it. In 70 minutes, Late Registration(LR) utilizes the perfect number of skits, Grade-A featured verses from Jay-Z, Nas, Lupe, Common, Paul Wall, Cam’Ron, and Consequence, and a stellar instrumentation that combines old-school soul samples and flawless string orchestration. It also doesn’t hurt that film score composer and record producer Jon Brion helped produce some of the best tracks (Gold Digger, Roses, We Major).

Kanye elevated his pen game on this 2005 classic record. Before he made albums, he was already a solid writer and could definitely put together a verse. On LR, he exceeded to a new level, talking about himself, success, survival, while matching the prophetic vibe of “Jesus Walks” on tracks like “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”, “Roses”, and “Crack Music”. On top of these commentary tracks, he produced the tear-jerking track “Hey Mama”, my favorite dedication-to-mother songs in hip hop period.

I should also acknowledge the skits in LR. Through 4 clips, a story unfolds in a fraternity: Broke Phi Broke. In the four skits, they chant their various financial difficulties and struggles with a sense of pride. And in the final skit, we see Kanye get kicked out of the fraternity for being caught having new shoes in his closet. This is not only hilarious, but a clever commentary on his progress/success, and separation from the common plight and status of black men. Also, the topic of the skits excellently transition to the next song. Skit #1 talks about not having gas money, and the next song is “Drive Slow”; Skit #2 just repeats “broke, broke, broke, broke”, and the next two songs are “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” and “We Major”, both thematically about money and success. Skit #3 ends with a joke about not affording Christmas trees and the mother pretending to be one, and the next song is “Hey Mama”. And Skit #4 ends with Kanye being removed from the frat, and the next track is “Gone”. Expert skit placing on his part.

LR is a near perfect album; The “Empire Strikes Back” of hip hop sequels. This project has a song for any mood and definitely makes my top 10 favorite albums.

Album Breakdown

LR can be broken down into five section, each with their own distinct topics and tones, and separated by the four skits. These sections are:

Section 1: The Hits (Wake Up Mr. West) - Heard ‘Em Say, Touch The Sky, Gold Digger Section 2: Introspection (Skit #1) - Drive Slow, My Way Home, Crack Music, Roses, Bring Me Down, Addiction Section 3: Claim to Success (Skit #2) - Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix), We Major Section 4: Family Business (Skit #3) - Hey Mama, Celebration Section 5: Late Departure (Skit #4) - Gone, Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Bonus), Late

Section 1- The Hits

This section kicks off the album with bang after bang after bang. West and Adam Levine team up on the opening track “Heard Em Say” to lay down two themes of the album: Everything happens for a reason and nothing in life is guaranteed. He says several times “Nothing’s ever promised tomorrow today” accompanied by Levine’s harmonies that echo simultaneous sadness and hope. West also talks about some of the plagues African Americans, including low wages, AIDS, police harassment, admiration of drug dealers, and the pursuit of money and success. While talking about these inherently depressing topics, there’s a twang of hope and faith; there’s an energy of overcoming those obstacles and maintaining the belief that things will turn out alright. 

In a 180 degree flip, the next track “Touch The Sky” completely contrasts the mellow mood of “Heard ‘Em Say”. With exhilarating trumpets sampled from Curtis Mayfield, West and Lupe bring an energy of celebrating success; reminiscing on the where they were before they got to the height they are now. A year before his debut classic Food and Liquor, Lupe spits one of the best verses on the album; matching Kanye’s energy while outshining him with his lyricism.

“Gold Digger”, possibly his most famous song, needs no introduction. This iconic track sampling Ray Charles’ I Got a Woman” is known by deep cut hip hop fans and mainstream fans alike. Jamie Foxx’s vocals on the chorus yelling “I Gotta Leave!” and Kanye’s verses about this girl who only wants him for his money makes an entertaining story but also indicates his new found status. He went from songs about not having money, to songs about dealing with a woman who only want him for his money. Talk about a bragging.

Section 2- Introspection

After two bop tracks we get “Drive Slow”, a track more mellow and laid back than the intro. Through a multitude of car metaphors, Kanye and Paul Wall talk about taking things slow, not to rush things, whether its spending money or sleeping with girls. Generally a middle of the road song for me. Nothing mind blowing but definitely easy to listen to.

In “My Way Home” we get a short, 16-line verse from Chicago all-time great Common, who talks about the struggles of the hood being home. This contrasts the hopeful tone on “Heard Em Say”, introducing a tone of relief he’s out that situation and he’s not going back. Fun fact: this is actually Common’s song that he decided not to add to his album Go!, which is why it just sounds like Common’s song instead of a Kanye song featuring Common. The slowed down samples vocals create a groove that almost makes you forget this is a sad song.

“Crack Music”, one of my favorites, paints an analogy to crack addiction and hip hop, hence the title. The Game brings a unique aggressiveness to the hook, which pairs well with the choir on chorus. However, the final leg of the song introduces an unsettledness: shakiness in the vocals, music freezes, and Malik Yusef delivers a poem that still gives me goosebumps to this day. The voice of legendary Charlie Wilson harmonizes perfectly with the chorus as well.

Next up we hear “Roses”, another instrumental masterpiece with Patti Labelle’s vocals and a Bill Wither’s sample on the chorus. West talks about the hospitalization of his Grandmother and the tightness/unity of his family. I love the quietness that plays during the verses and then the kick of the drums in the chorus. That excellently helps emphasize the intimacy of the situation.

Unfortunately, this leads into “Bring Me Down”, which is my least favorite track. Brandy’s vocals and Jon Brion’s instrumental are perfect, but it seems wasted on West’s verse. It’s disappointing to hear the epic strings and orchestration accompanied by Kanye saying weak lines like “There’ll always be haters, that’s the way it is/Hater n*****s marry hater b**ches and have hater kids” and “Yo girl don’t like me, how long has she been gay/Spanish girls say ‘Yo, no hablo ingles’”. The track honestly would’ve been better as an interlude with just Bandy’s singing, similar to “My Way Home” with just Common. But, the addition of West’s lyrics actually makes the song weaker. 

Luckily, the project picks up with “Addiction”. However, I’ll admit I’m not a fan of lyrically. This isn’t a track where West is trying to demonstrate any lyrical expertise, so I’m not expecting a load of double entendres and layered meanings and mind-blowing messages. However, even for a surface level track, hearing him fake-stutter became a little annoying. But I like the topic of the song; him being addicted to all three “money, girls, and weed”. Although the topic and lyricism isn’t unique, it was at least entertaining.

Section 3- Claim to Success

Following the second skit, we get “Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)” with hall of fame rapper Jay-Z. This track is interesting because Kanye and Jay don’t discuss the same topic. Kanye talks about his conflict with buying diamonds, knowing they’re Blood Diamonds and his purchase of them could result in the killing of Africans, of whom he’s a descendant. On the flip side, Jay talks about his label and his success. Although Kanye’s verse has more substance, I think Jay’s verse was better. There’s one particular set of lines I’ve always loved

“This ain’t no tall order, this is nothing to me/ Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week/I could do this in my sleep/ I sold kilos of coke, I’m guessing I can sell CDs/ I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man /Let me handle my business, damn”

Then we get the top tier track “We Major”, which is the album’s best collaboration up to this point. Jon Brion shines again with the instrumental, creating this epic atmosphere of accomplishments. Really Doe and Tony Williams illuminate the chorus with the vocals, while Kanye comes through with poeticism he hadn’t reached since “Heard ‘Em Say”. I want to add a quote of my favorite part of his verse, but it would be half the verse. And to top that, Nas comes through with an even STRONGER verse, a contender for the best verse on the album, competing with Lupe on “Touch the Sky” and Common on “My Way Home”. And to top THAT off, the last few minutes are basically Jon Brion, Warryn Campbell, and Tony Williams showing off their expertise while Kanye shouts them out, along with The Roc and his label, G.O.O.D. Music. His vocals during this part are echoed so it feels like the listener is at a concert. You could have headphones on in a quiet room and feel like you’re soaring. Easily a top 10 song in West’s career.

Section 4- Family Business

After the height of Diamonds From Sierra Leone and We Major, the record dies down and returns to mellowness, continuing with the heart-string-pulling “Hey Mama”. Here, we get West’s lyricism reminiscent of the College Dropout style. This definitely was a poem or song he’d written prior to this project. As I said earlier, one of my favorite mother-dedicating songs in all of hip hop.

The next song, “Celebration”, is one of my favorites on the album. The lyrics aren’t impressive; West goofily slant rhymes “wild” and “endowed” at one point. He just discusses drinking, girls, and the accidental birth of his kid through a busted condom. However, I believe it’s the placement of the song on the record that makes me love it so much. After hearing the epic-ness of songs like “Touch The Sky”, “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”, and “We Major”, this song feels like an after party. An intimate gathering that allows West and the listener to reflect a little, over another brilliant composition by Jon Brion. And while the verses are nothing to look twice at, the chorus is serene. West’s harmonization with himself improves his voice. And at barely past 3 minutes, the song is short enough where the sub-par lyrics aren’t too distracting.

Section 5- Late Departure

When I first began writing back in middle school, I used to rap to the instrumental for “Gone”. This song is foundational to my hip hop appreciation and extremely underrated. To start, the Otis Redding sample is perfect. Jon Brion again combines his expertise with West to create a beat that evolves as it progresses, increasing in complexity and instrumentation. The verses improve with song as well, Kanye delivering the first and last, while Cam’ron and Consequence deliver excellent verses in the middle. Between Consequence’s verse and Kanye’s final verse, we hear the beat breakdown and evolve even more, building up to a final verse that leaves the listener speechless. West reflects about a multitude topics: being so innovative that his labels won’t approve his ideas, wanting to leave public light, his come up from being broke just wanting to upgrade from his “cheap ass sofa”, leaving his hometown that had nothing to offer him, inspiring new artists, never selling out, and ultimately showing he’s no longer on-call for anybody to use him. He’s established enough to choose his company and produce as he pleases. This is a perfect culmination of the themes throughout the album, and is the perfect closer.

Now, I say that with hesitation because technically there are two more songs on the record: The original “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” without Jay-Z, and “Late”. “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” is an excellent track. Instead of talking about Blood Diamonds or guilt, West talks about his writing process, feeling snubbed from awards, and ultimately himself. Definitely some of his strongest pen game on the album.

“Late” contrasts the previous song with a very calm feeling, possessing a lullaby quality. Here, he drives home the point that he’s going to be late with things he does, tying together the album title and the context of the album’s release, which was released months late. However, the lateness definitely worth the wait. It’s a toss-up between Gone and Late for which I prefer as the better closer. Gone is an epic reflection on the album’s theme and messages, and displays some of the best lyricism on the album. However, Late is a surreal, warm ending that feels like more of a winding-down end. If I HAD to choose, I’d say “Gone”. Because while both are great, I can’t imagine the project without “Gone”, whereas I could see it without “Late”.

Top 3 Songs:

1) Gone 2) We Major 3) Hey Mama

Overall Grade: A

[rdesai19]

How I got my first job

It was 2 months into the summer of ‘88. I had still not found a permanent job. Here I was, squeezing time from my summer teaching job at the college for a 3-day trip to St Louis for a couple of interviews. I will do a car trip in the Midwest. It will be a bit hectic since I have to be in three cities hundreds of miles apart in three days. 

The first evening, I went from Sr Louis to St Joseph. I remember a beautiful moment of Americana -  I am driving West, into my future, the sun is low in the large blue sky and the prairie is swaying all around me. I promised myself that I will take my time the next time.

I checked into a motel at St. Joseph, late at night. Next morning, I do the whole day interview for adjunct CS professor. I got to see the town on my way in, during lunch and on my way out. The town must have been quite a celebrity in its time - it is where the pony train started. To my untrained eye, It looked like the kind of place where one lived in America, Cute, pretty, prosperous, open, happy. And, to put the cherry on the cake, I would be close to my closest cousins. The winters would suck, the pay would be lower than I expected. But, at least - I won’t be forced into the minimum wage that was PhD.

The interviews went well. I liked the people. They seemed to like me. I could see myself in the role. I could be good. Teach fundamentals to fresh minds. Maybe being an adjunct will inspire me to stay in academia and apply for a PhD, like Vic. Not sure if I can invent something new, But, it would be fun if I really did.

I had not done well in the hiring season. I had been rejected a few times already. A friend had got an awesome package from DEC - one of the best computer companies in the world. Me, I did not even get an interview call from DEC.This interview, even if it was for much less money - was a welcome chance to hope in my luck. Of course, this hope could also turn out to be a mirage.

After the interview, I got on the  road again. I had a long haul - it will be well past 1, by the time I get into chicago, for the interview next morning. But, like many well laid out plans, this plan unraveled. Dilipbhai and bhabhi were supposed to let me in. But, they were so exhausted with new baby - they slept right through the phone and the bell. I spent the night in the car - cold and hungry. Chicago nights get very cold, even in the middle of the night. I tossed and turned. Finally, bhabhi came and poked curiously at the car in the driveway. 

I took a short nap since the interview place was nearby. But soon, I had to get ready and leave.  The interview was a disaster. I was not well versed enough in hardware for their company. And, the lack of sleep did not help either, I am sure.

After the interview - I head to St. Louis. But, being so young and brash, I decide to take a detour to drop by on a girl who went to school at Notre Dame - a 4 hour detour. By the time I hit the road to St. Louis - it is late at night and I have to do an all night drive. I cant even stay over since Tushar needs his car the next morning.

I am so sleepy. I doze in the car. I pull off at a truck stop and slept for a few hours. I remember driving into St. Louis during morning commute. I could barely keep myself awake and drove really poorly. Totally like a DUI. Cars swerved around me. Horns honked around me. But somehow, I managed to avoid an accident and I reached home safe and sound. Tushar rushed off to work, I crashed out.

I had lunch with the kids. Parents were in India or somewhere else. Looking back on it - that was pretty rash behavior. I could have damaged their car, created huge liability, may have even killed someone or injured myself. But, even they did not dwell on these finer details. We had a good lunch and then they dropped me off to the airport.

While waiting at the airport, I get a phone call from St. Joseph’s - offering me $24,000 for a 9-month position. My first job offer. I was thrilled, even though I knew this was much less than what my buddies were getting in industry. I had not done as well as expected. But, hey, it was a job offer :-) Finally after 4 rejects.

I called my parents from the airport, early morning in India. My family was jubilant. Thankfully, they kept the disappointment unspoken. We all hoped something better shows up but no one wanted to say it - at least that’s what I felt. But, it was 5 times more money than graduate school. And I could keep looking for a job. At least, this is not a reject.

Thar summer, I sent my resume to hundreds of positions I found in the classifieds. I managed to get called for 5 job interviews. First one was in Ithaca. A research place. Very academic. Quite prestigious and well-paid. I had technical interviews and gave a well attended talk. I was feeling confident. Over lunch, we talked about our technical passions and I, feeling a bit too much camradarie - went a bit over-board with the truth about my attitude towards programming. They cited that as a reason why I was not a match for their company. I felt quite sheepish.

The second interview was at a real-estate software startup in some small town on the outskirts of Boston. They were two young men looking for a computer guy to build the PC package for them. They knew just enough CS to ask me what a pointer was. But, they could see that I was not going to cut it. 

St Joseph’s was my 3rd interview and it had yielded my one and only job offer so far. The job at St Joseph started in 2 weeks. So, it looked like - those were my two options - St. Joseph or grad school at RI. And then, out of nowhere, I got a call from one of my IIT CS class mates, who was working at HP in California . We talked, he passed my resume and had a word with the hiring manager - Beth about my time constraints.

I got a a phone screen the very next day.I passed and they wanted an on-site interview next week. I said - can we do it this week instead? I will buy the tickets and take care of my hotel. They can reimburse later, if they hire me. They were gracious enough to accommodate my unorthodox request. I had my interview scheduled for that Friday. 

The interviews at HP were the best technical interviews of my life. I remember a long design conversation about showing large outputs with Jeff Vance. Chris Mayo also interviewed me. He was just like the old men in Woonsocket, but younger. He seemed so happy and deeply technical.The hiring manager took me out for dinner after the interviews. Anil had got the offer during dinner. I was hoping for the same. Halfway through the dinner - Beth set my expectations straight. HP would get back to me soon. No offer tonight.

That night, I was dejected. My string of rejects continues, I thought. But, we decided to put it away and make a night of it anyway in Santa Clara downtown. The next day we went to the city. Anil and Narinder gave me the tour of SF. Golden Gate bridge had a special connection for me because of my brother’s pictures from when he lived in SF in 1970. Next day, I flew back to RI.

Over the next few days, I lined up a car and the auto loan. All the paperwork was ready. The plan was ready to be set into motion at the last possible moment. I had till Wed. morning. If I do not hear from HP by then - I have to start spending money. I had the details worked out - sign the papers at the bank, drive to the dealer with Deepak, pick up the car, come back home - pack up the car and start driving West. I would reach St. Joseph by Friday - and start my job on Monday.

I had not heard from HP till Tue afternoon. Only 18 hours left. And, then Beth calls. She congratulates me and makes me an offer. I remember considering negotiating the pay, before realizing my straits and blurting my acceptance.

The long ordeal of job hunting had come to a happy ending. I had met the expectations..I had landed the job I “deserved”. I was on the road to Green Card. I will not have to be a poor graduate student for another year. Now, I can cancel my plans for being on the road. Instead, I can plan a vacation. Oh, happy times.

My starting date was a month away - two weeks after the start of school. I had a bunch of money saved up for the move. Money I did not need now, since HP will move me and put me up. I decided against going to India and instead stayed at home. Ganesh and Ramesh were around and soon enough the new year will start and everyone will be around. There are too many anecdotes about that month. There was a reunion with my high school friends. There were all night teen-patti nights. Ganesh and I got thrown out of a bar. I will write another story around that. 

The good times were here finally All that studying and watching planes fly and dreaming had completed. The final chapter of the dream had become real. I had everything I had been planning all my life for. 

I was lucky to have these connections. People who made if affordable to go job hunting. People who lent me their car; people who put me up at their homes; People who put me in touch with other people; people who intervened on my behalf. It took a village. And, of course - the Asian Immigration Act.and the civil rights movement. 

[karihighman]

Chicago PD recap

Here are my thoughts on the Chicago PD midseason finale “Absolution” :

Upstead

Chicago PD surprisingly kicked off their episode with some subtle Upstead flirting. Hailey has followed Jay to see where he had been sneaking off to (turns out it was to help out Marcus West’s family).

She warned him about his mission, but he reassured her that he’d be okay. Yeah, if only he knew what was to come.

Because not soon after, Jay had to bail on a crime scene to go see Angela (Marcus’ wife) again. Hailey, being the nice partner that she is, covered for him, so he could leave. When Voight asked her what was up, she told him Halstead was simply working some things out.

Later in the day when Jay doesn’t show up for court, Platt comes up to the district to ask where he is. Voight immediately checks with Hailey first, as being the one Jay is closest to, she may know his whereabouts. She had no idea where he was, as she had just gotten done leaving not one or two, but three voicemails on his phone.

I personally enjoyed her line of at two “I’m annoyed”; but 3 “I’m worried.” She’s such a work wife I love that for her.

But anyhow. So they find Halstead’s car, and after Upton tells Rojas to check it (because obviously she knows Jay’s truck hehehe), they find he went under without telling anyone. They go inside the house to find lots of blood, but no Jay. And no Angela. Yikesarama, as Jesse Lee Soffer would say...

Well, Hailey knows she needs to come clean, so she tells Voight about who Angela really is. Armed with this new info, they go to work to track down people involved with Angel, & that are connected to the drug dealer who was tortured in their earlier call (the one Jay left from in a hurry).

They start putting pieces together, which unsurprisingly lead to Darius Walker. Voight makes a deal and Darius agrees to infiltrate Kevin with Pedro, the guy they know helped run the drugs. Pedro lets Kevin (undercover name, Keyshawn) talk to Jay (known as “Jimmy” to Angela) so we know he’s okay for now.

All the while, wherever the heck Jay and Angela are, he’s trying to keep her spirits up. Things get pretty painful fast though, not only physically (Angela’s stabbed in the abdomen; Jay is bleeding profusely from his head & his face has been beaten), but emotionally too in terms of conversation.

Jay finally came clean and told Angela how he really met Marcus. In prison. Because he’s the cop who arrested him. Cue the dramatic music...

An important scene

Despite this slightly good prospect, the team still has to do the exchange of Angela and Jimmy (Jay) for the drugs. Kevin meets with Pedro, who — big shock (note the sarcasm please) — doesn’t have Angela or Jay to trade off.

A shootout ensues, which led Voight to taking down one guy with a shot to the leg (which I always find entertaining when he shoots someone up. He just never ever hesitates. He gives zero fucks).

Hailey Upton tackles him down, demanding to know where her partner is. “You better hope to God he’s alright,” she scowls at the suspect. Yeah, remind me never to mess with Hailey Ann Upton. She is a freaking badass. Love it!

They play another move in their little chess game by bringing Pedro’s son in. But a significant scene happens right before then that really solidified what Rick Eid said about Hailey’s feelings surrounding Jay’s kidnapping.

Hailey is seen on the phone, wondering where the heck the boy is. You can hear her voice breaking on the end of the call with the lockup people; and you can feel her desperation when she chucks her coffee mug in the sink in frustration.

Adam heats the commotion and comes to lend a shoulder — cough cough, how it should have been in 602, but I digress - and reminds Hailey that they are gonna find Jay.

“Gotta do something,” she says sadly. You see her wipe some tears away and run a hand over her eyes, signaling just how much this is weighing on her.

When the boy shows up; they use him as leverage against the dad and they get what they need. An address. Jay, they’re coming for ya buddy!

The shocking end

What truly made Chicago PD stand out amongst the rest of the finales was their twist ending.

Jay had managed to wrangle himself free of his piped restraints & gave Angela a weapon to protect herself while he took down the offender upstairs.

Remember when Jay confessed his real identity? Fans waited on pins & needles, but thankfully Angela did not sell him out. But hold on, we’re not done yet.

Outside, Intwlligence is trying to find a way inside the stash house. The only one who can get in? A teeny tiny Tracy Spiridakos (no seriously, she squeezed through a hole in the window like, yay big...dang). So up goes Hailey — alone, mind you. She’s offline, she’s gone dark. I’m over here worried something’s gonna happen to her. (But it doesn’t).

The good news? SHE FINDS JAY! Hailey runs to her partner, her voice pleading with him to be okay as she asks. Her eyes don’t really wanna know the answer though as she looks him over. Jay looks at her, and you see a literal sigh of relief on his face that she’s here. Because she means safety. She means he’s getting out of there alive.

“Hey.”

“Hey, are you okay?”

He nods, but remembers Angela. He tells her to stay here (such a good work husband he is!), but that he has to go get Angela from downstairs. Hailey remains upstairs while the camera follows Jay down.

What ensues is something I didn’t see coming. Like seriously not in a million years.

Angela, armed with a gun somehow now, shoots Jay. It’s unclear if it’s in the shoulder or more on his chest, but either way, he goes down for the count.

And that — yes THAT — is how the episode ends. A “to be continued” flashes across a black screen & I am a bucket of emotions. Don’t even get me started on that promo.

And that concludes my semi professional recap of Chicago PD. Now allow me to express my fangirl emotions below:

OH MY FUCKING GOD I CANT BELIEVE ANGELA SHOT JAY AND THAT HE WAS RIPPED AWAY FROM HAILEY YET AGAIN AND SHE DOESNT EVEN KNOW HES BEEN SHOT YET MY UPSTEAD HEART CANT TAKE THIS!!!!

Seriously though, can someone give Jesse Lee Soffer an Emmy? Also nominate Tracy Spiridakos for one too please. Thank you. They deserve it.

I just — Hailey’s look she gave Jay before he left. It was the purest most genuine form of love there is. Like it’s not really so much about what kind of love it is; but more so that it happened at all. In all my years of watching this show, I can’t remember a time when Erin gave him that kind of look. Sure, she was relieved when he was alive in 301; but this, this was different.

Hailey was pouring all her emotions into that look. Just like she always has with Jay. And he was doing the same with her. Because that’s what works between them. And this episode showed everyone (like legit, everyone in Intelligence) how much Hailey cares for Jay. Not just in a partner way. But a “I’m gonna do whatever it takes to get him back because I need him in my life as more than that” way. Because it’s true. She needs him. She loves him. And he needs and loves her too. So that’s why Jay has to be okay — because he needs to get back to Hailey so all can be right in the world again. That’s all I can say.

[theinsanecrayonbox]

Anyone remember ParaDorks, the spooky comic/story by @twisted-persona and myself from a few years ago about a West Coast kid inheriting a haunted library in New England and  learning he can see the dead and must collect the volumes of the Necronomicon before the end of the world? Did you now it had two spin-offs that were plot relevant too? Welp, it’s the spooky time of year, so what better time to remind y’all then now XDD

So much writing below a cut

Paranormicle/ParaDorks

As said, it’s the story about how Norman Brocough, a Hollywood brat, inherits a library in New England from his estranged grandfather. Once there, he learns that the place is haunted, he can see ghosts, and that his grandfather had spent most of his life trying to track down the volumes of the Necronomicon before this cabal of evil witches does who wants to bring about the end of the world with the books. He makes friends with the ghost in the library, and begrudgingly accepts the help of a witch-boy that keeps coming around who claims to have been helping his grandfather...despite everything in his grandfather’s notes saying otherwise. Eventually the two decide that if they’re going to find all the volumes, they’re gonna have to leave the library and go on a spooky antiquing road trip across the country (and possibly the world).

Norman Brocough: He’s our main-main character. Wanting to get away from his controlling parents (primarily his reality show producer father), he moves to New England after inheriting his grandfather’s library/book store...a grandfather he’d never (remembered) meet(ing) before, since his father cut off all ties with him a long log time ago. Once he gets there he learns he’s a Necromancer, though more specifically a Necromancer known as the Watcher (meaning he has the ability to see and communicate with the dead). At first he doesn’t really want to buy into the end of the world stuff (he’s perfectly ok with the ghosts though), but after the store’s attacked one too many times, he really can’t avoid it anymore. At first he’s wary and distrustful (even down right hates) Cas, but as more spooky and magic stuff happens, he realizes that he’s woefully inadequately informed/equipped to deal with the situation, so he begrudgingly agrees to team up...and then it just develops into something more the farther the go along.

Margaret May-Anne: Maggie is the resident ghost in the Brocough library. She doesn’t recall anything from her life; in fact Margaret May-Anne might not even be her real name, it’s just the name that Norm’s grandfather gave her. Grandpa was trying to help her crossover, but with little info to go on...Maggie doesn’t mind though, she likes the library, and often helps Norm with the upkeep. She too doesn’t like or trust Cas, and is pretty much an angry/unhappy cat when it comes to him and misbehaves. She’s unable to leave the library at first too...

Caspian Morrigan: He’s our other main-main character. The mysterious witch-boy that just showed up in the New England town in the middle of nowhere that has a haunted library in it. Cas is over the top, cocky, and flamboyant, always flashing magic...magic that at times van be fritzy. Cas acts over the top though to help cover the fact that he has n memory of who he was before waking up in the backseat of his car in town about 3 months before Norm’s grandfather died. He isn’t lying when he says he was trying to help grandpa look for the books...but he doesn’t exactly know why he was. He has strange markings on his back that become affected each time they come into contact with another volume of the Necromonicon, which seems to unlock a new elemental force in him. He’s also very openly gay, and is often flirting with Norm (especially at the most inappropriate of times) which really gets on the other’s nerves. It was his idea to take the road trip, mainly because he has the car. He’s also afraid of rabbits.

ParaDorks: Graveyard Shift

The first spin-off. Norm and Cas first meet Sam and Tristan when they take their first road trip (a test of sorts) to North/South Carolina, following a lead in Norm’s grandfather’s notes about spooky stuff down there. They find Sam’s graveyard, and her great-aunt helps fills in some details about grandpa’s business since the two of them used to work together many years ago.

Sam’s whole story alone though is about how she’s forced to move from Chicago go live in the spooky South with her only remaining relative after her parents die in a car crash, a weird old great-aunt she’s never met. Once there she learns about her family heritage, how they’ve lived there since the Civil War, and have been care takers of the local cemetery...because it’s a point of converging ley lines, and Sam is a Necromancer too. So not only does she have to juggle high school dramas, but dead people free roaming, and other spooky stuff popping up at random now too.

Sam Devine: Sam’s a 16 year old transgirl from Chicago who’s parents were killed in a car crash, and as said, she had to move to the Carolinas to go live with her great-aunt Muriel who was seen as a crazy swamp lady. So on top of adjusting to small town life from the city, she learns that her family has this ability to make the dead rose again; she’s a Necromancer known as the Waker (meaning she has the ability to put/draw souls back into dead bodies). The local graveyard would always let the dead rise on the equinoxes, thanks to the natural convergence of ley lines, but with her being there now, the dead are all awake constantly. So yeah, trying to juggle high school and dead people in a completely new environment; good times.

Why didn’t the dead free roam all these years with Muriel being the graveyard keeper? Because Necromancers are only born male.

Tristian Delamonte: He’s one of the resident dead of the local cemetery, and was actually a friend of the Devine family back in the Civil War. He’s a bit outdated, and would constantly follow Sam around if she let him to help “guard her”. He’s the only undead that’s kind of allowed out of the graveyard (because Muriel thinks it’s cute how he wants to safe guard Sam); but he’s also the only one allowed out, because without the ley line battery in the graveyard, or being in close proximity to Same herself, the dead loose their ability to function. Turns out, he was actually engaged to Sam’s great-great-whatever grandmother/-aunt, whom she bares a resemblance to, but he doesn’t love her just for that; he’s a man bound by honor, even after death.

ParaDorks: West Coast Ghosts

The second spin-off. Norm first strikes up an online friendship with Ami, while searching messages boards and forums for occult stuff and clues about where the volumes of the books could be. Eventually, during their road trip, he gets Cas to head out west where they go to Roanoke’s Pawns, where we meet Lukas...or should we say Ami...

This story is about a normal girl who gets pulled into all this spooky stuff by accident. Ami was a regular girl, trying to do good as she studied in college with er boyfriend, volunteered at the community center where she mentored a young girl, and ultimately was kidnapped and possibly killed. What she didn’t know was that the girl she mentored was trying to dabble in magic, and tried a spell to find her missing friend...which somehow went wrong so much so that Ami woke up in the body of a strange man in the hospital. Now it’s a story about adjusting to this new life she has, learning what happened to her real body, what happened to land the guy she’s wearing (and what exactly he was doing with his life; spoiler, it’s spooky stuff) helping Tarcy navigate life, trying to keep her boyfriend, and on top of it all, she now has to run a Pawn Shop, with...questionable merchandise.

Ami Corozon: Our typical nice girl, she’s super small and super sweet. She’s a local beach girl, and always made time to volunteer in her community. She was going to school to do social work. She just honestly wanted to make the world a better place. And then she was kidnapped out of the blue.

Lukas Roanoke: Explaining Lukas is tricky, since the “Lukas” we mainly follow is really Ami. As Ami: He wakes up in the hospital as a Jon Doe and frantically escapes and immediately goes looking for Tarcy, since Ami was going to go meet her before she went missing. Luckily, Tarcy puts things together about how her spell went wrong, s they go back to the hospital, where they find out...yeah, they don’t know who the giant red headed guy is. Tarcy fills in Ami about what’s happened since she went missing, they go back to Ami’s apartment, and they try to figure out what happened. Ami goes to volunteer as normal, because sitting around doing nothing is driving her nuts; it’s that type of thing that gets the attention of her boyfriend, who starts questioning what’s going on (because a stranger is doing/acting like his girlfriend) so the two let him in on what’s going on and...it’s awkward sure. They eventually learn that the guy’s name is Lukas Roanoke, and that he owns a Pawn Shop. So Ami goes there to try to find more clues, but it turns out that the shop has a lot of cursed and haunted artifacts. As Lukas: Lukas, as he really is, is a Necromancer known as the Walker (meaning he has the ability to astral project/walk amongst the dead), and he knows this from birth. His family has always been on the darker side of things, and traffics in occult black magic artifacts. Norm’s grandfather actually had altercations with Roanokes in the past (he lost at least 1 volume of the Necronomicon to one of them). Lukas was a broker and dealer for dark artifacts; his last attempt to procure an item though left him incapacitated, thus how he wound up in the hospital. His should wasn’t in his body, thus how Ami was able to take up residency. But Lukas was not a great guy, and he has several enemies, that Ami and her friends will have to deal with now.

Ami, in Lukas’ body does not have his astral projection ability, but due to her crossing the veils of life and death, she can hear ghosts.

Tarcy Dane: She’s a high school kid who decides “hey witch craft looks cool, let’s try it”, leading to her making emoji spells on her phone, and googling spooky stuff, etc. She lives with her uncle in the not-so-best of conditions, which led her to hanging out at the community center, and also with Ami and Ryan at her place. Thus when Ami went missing, she tried to cast a spell to find her friend...but it really just called her soul to her which made it get stuck in the closest available vessel (Lukas). She’s all in for researching the spooky stuff, even past the point of self preservation at times. Ami and Ryan really do become her surrogate parents to a degree.

Ryan Noble: Poor guy, he’s completely normal and just gets his whole life turned upside down. He’s Ami’s boyfriend, studying something at college too, woudl sometimes volunteer with her at the community center; sure everything wasn’t perfect, seeing as he kept putting off introducing Ami to his family even though he was considering purposing her, out of fear of them rejecting her. But then Ami disappears and he’s a wreck; then Lukas shows up being a creeper (from his point of view) only to find out after he confronts the red head that he’s actually Ami?? Ryan is very confused and freaked out, but he agrees to help Ami and Tarcy try to figure out things and a way to fix this. Things continually get awkward at moments though wen Ryan somehow easily forgets that the giant red headed man isn’t his tiny girlfriend...but is.

[minefavorites]

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[parabellum-rpg-archive]

N A M E: Amelina Martinez A G E: Twenty-Nine O C C U P A T I O N: Bartender @ Sinclair’s L O Y A L T Y: Sinclair Crime Family

                                   SOME RISE BY SIN,                          AND SOME BY VIRTUE FALL.

Amelina was born and raised in Chicago and is very famlliar with the Costello and Sinclair feud. Growing up on the south side, the names were familiar for most illegal things one could get their hands on. She never had any interest in drugs, escorts, or firearms, but it wasn’t Amelina who entangled the families into her life. It was her older brother, Luis. Amelina was ten years younger than Luis, the two didn’t get along often due to their age difference. By the time Lina was ten, Luis was twenty and falling into the wrong crowds. He joined a gang, which eventually turned into him going to prison. After serving four years for evading police, car theft, illegal possession of a firearm, and endangering the life of a police officer - Luis was released on parole. By this time, Amelina was fourteen and starting high school. Drugs became more prominent in her life, as her peers began trying different things and experimenting. Lina was out with some friends one night when they went to meet someone’s dealer. As they approached the alleyway they found Luis, he was now working for the Costello family. Her brother made her swear she wouldn’t tell her parents and she promised. Unfortunately, only six months later, Luis would be found dead of gunshot wounds on the street. No one was ever arrested for his murder, but Lina always held the Costello family responsible.  

After her brother’s death, Amelina became obsessed with the lifestyle the Costello and Sinclair families lived. How was it possible in this day and age, that people could still get away with running illegal businesses right under the nose of the Chicago Police? Wanting to find revenge on the Costello family or help take them down, Lina decided to snake her way into the Sinclair family, the Costello’s biggest rival. She was aware that the Sinclair’s had a neighborhood bar on the border of the south side and the west side, and knew that was her in. She just needed to impress someone. Anyone. Amelina walked into the bar with her chin held high, expecting to be interviewed by some lackey. Instead, she was interviewed privately in a small room, one on one. With Morgan Sinclair. She left the interview feeling completely swept off her feet. It wasn’t just the fantasy of a mob mentality driven world suddenly. It was the boss himself. She was in love and she wanted him. Morgan had her in awe after one conversation, she couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a day alone with him.

Lina watches him with Penelope, sure he looks happy. Maybe even in love, but is he really? She’s pretty and strong, Amelina admires the strength Mrs. Sinclair holds above all the employees, but she’s not meant to be Morgan’s queen. She’s more like his partner. Lina doubts they even still have sex. She clearly doesn’t satisfy his needs, not in the way she knows she could. She waits anxiously for the times he marches into the bar, every step with a purpose. His cologne is a signature scent that she can spot from a mile away. With all the commotion and talks of the wedding nearing closer and closer, she’s hoping all of the distractions can give her enough time and space to finally get Morgan alone. To show him that maybe a second, younger wife may be his best, next big move.

                                CONNECTIONS:

— Relationship Status: Single — Other: Morgan Sinclair (Interest)  

FC: Eiza González

The role of AMELINA MARTINEZ is currently OPEN.

[bloodkingdomrp]

♚ALP.YAVUZ

“ Them boys don’t think about the wrath that’s about to set down on ‘em. .“

✚ AGE & DOB: Twenty-eight & November 13th, 1990 ✚ OCCUPATION: Private Investigator ✚ AFFILIATION: Unaffiliated

♛THE HISTORY♛

If we don’t have each other, what else is left?

It was Dede’s favorite saying: how he’d reassured Harika when she ran away at age seventeen and came back pregnant and sobbing and alone, fearing her father wouldn’t take her in; what he’d said when they were evicted from their little apartment and all three of them, grandfather, young mother and five-year-old boy, had to share a single room for a while; what he’d told Alp when they finally finished the Mustang—the car was beautiful, yes, and they should be proud, but their family was still the most important thing of all.

And Alp took it to heart.  He was fifteen when Dede died and their family narrowed to two, but two was enough.  His mom was everything to him, and he was everything to her, both of them fighting to keep afloat in a world that seemed determined to turn against them.  But if they had each other, they’d be fine.  Alp was sure of it.

Harika’d just turned eighteen when she had him, just a kid herself, but to Alp she was perfect—never too busy to read or play games or sing to him, her voice mellowed by the cigarettes she was so careful not to smoke near her little boy.  And when he got older, she made sure to take the early shift at the drugstore so she could come to his games—all his games, baseball and basketball too, even though they both knew football would be the key.  With a football scholarship, he’d be able to go to college, something she’d never been able to do—she never said it was because of her pregnancy—and make something of himself, and become something better than a mechanic like Dede, or a cashier like her.  And he’d told her that there was nobody better than her or his grandfather—but he worked as hard as he could, kept his grades up, got more game time and finally the starting quarterback position, and then, finally, after years of Harika’s dreaming and Alp’s blood and sweat, he got a full ride to Illinois State University.

And for a while, things were perfect.

They still didn’t have a lot, but with Harika’s work at the drugstore and Alp’s part-time jobs they were able to get by, and in just a few years he’d have a criminal justice degree and could be a policeman or detective or even eventually (Harika said, and Alp laughed) an FBI agent.  She told him how proud she’d be to know he was out there as “one of the good guys,” helping to make the world a better place; he told her to start picking out paint colors, because as soon as he got a job he was moving her to a better neighborhood, one without bars on the windows or bums on each corner.  And she’d laughed and kissed his forehead and said that that sounded awfully nice, but all she really needed was to have him come home safe each day.  Because if they didn’t have each other, what else was left?

And then, out of nowhere, she had lung cancer.

Alp was 20, almost done with his sophomore year at Illinois State, and when the phone call came he left school and never went back.  How could his mother have cancer?  How could it be so advanced?  Sure, she smoked, she’d been smoking his whole life, but that was the only bad thing she had ever done!  And she wasn’t even forty yet!  And damn it, he needed her!

He joined the Marines the next day.

Harika cried when he told her—Dede had been to Vietnam, and although he’d never wanted to talk about it, she knew it’d been terrible.  He’d lost his brother there, and his best friend had taken his own life, and what if that happens to you, Alp?!  How can I live if something happens to you?!

He couldn’t guarantee anything, but he’d promised it wouldn’t—that he’d train so hard, even harder than for football, that nothing and no one would be able to hurt him.  And anyway, he’d said, the important thing was, he’d be sending money home for treatments they couldn’t afford otherwise.  And if we don’t have each other, what else is left?

So he left for basic training, and he worked as hard as he’d promised, and no matter how tired or sore or angry he was, he pushed on.  Harika was his secret weapon, the thought of her giving him enough motivation to finish the endless and seemingly-impossible drills, the picture of her in the barracks enough to make him first out the door every morning.  And then his superiors asked if he wanted to transfer to SEAL training—and they told him how hard it would be, but they also told him how much more he’d be paid, and he didn’t think twice before saying yes.

He spent the next year pretty sure he was a step away from dying.  But no matter how he felt, shivering in the ocean or covered in wet sand or paddling boats until his arms were numb or nearly-drowning as he worked knots loose, he knew his mom was feeling worse.  She was sick, and she needed help, and he’d help her no matter what.  I love California, he wrote the day after Hell Week, when it hurt to even pick up the pen.  He’d slept four hours in five days.  Training’s going great.  I can’t wait to see you.

She told him things were going well for her, too; that the doctors were optimistic, that she was feeling a little better, that she loved him and missed him.  And knowing she was okay, that he was helping keep her alive, was enough to get him through anything.

And then, just after he’d come back from Kodiak, with four weeks left in SQT and all set to get his trident, Alp got called out of mess hall to take a phone call.

Harika was dead.  And the doctors told him she hadn’t had chemo in months—that they’d told her it wasn’t working, and she’d found her own way of dealing with the pain.  And she hadn’t told him about it.  She’d died alone.

What else is left?

He still doesn’t know where he went after that, only that someone yelled after him as he ran, and then later, in the middle of the night, he was in the desert with a car he didn’t recognize.  Stolen, the judge said later on, from some old lady at a gas station.  The lady was there in the courtroom, but it was like Alp had never seen her before.  There’s a lot about the next few weeks he doesn’t remember, just running around the West with nowhere to run to, nowhere to go, nothing to lose.  –Or so he’d thought.  Because losing his mom hadn’t been enough—when he finally wandered back to Coronado and tried to explain, they’d refused to listen.  You think you can just leave a mission?! Warrant Officer Alvarez had shouted.  Before, Alvarez had hinted about recommending him for the SEAL team he’d served with.  You think we’ll succeed out there if we can’t even count on our own team?!

And they were right—Alp knew they were right—but these were guys he’d spent a year with, been through hell with, and couldn’t they understand?  They all knew he’d enlisted to help his mom.  They all knew she was sick.

But his friends turned their backs when he collected his things, and the court branded him with a dishonorable discharge, and he had nothing left.

And Chicago wouldn’t give him anything, either.  No one would hire him—not even the auto shop where Dede’d worked, where they’d known Alp since he was a baby—and the landlords wouldn’t let him reapply for the lease, and their apartment was full of drug paraphernalia he didn’t recognize and couldn’t stand seeing.  Why hadn’t she told him?!  Why had she done this to herself?!

And then, he had one thing: the need for revenge.

He’d gone into the bank bent on finding out what she’d done with the money, whether she’d left any trail to her dealer, but to his complete surprise he walked out with a job offer.  And he couldn’t say no.  He had a place to live, work he could handle, maybe—impossibly—a friend.  So if The Money asked him to overlook certain things, well, Alp would do it.  It was none of his concern.  And if his boss asked him to investigate people—well, he’d put in a year for the SEALS.  He might as well use the training.

But that wasn’t the only thing he looked into.  He kept his ear to the ground, always looking for signs that’d point him toward his mother’s killer (and in his mind, there was no other way of looking at it.  They must have gotten her hooked).  The only clues he had were the strange drugs they’d found traces of—something more than what anyone could buy from petty dealers.  But although he burned for revenge, the SEALS had given him patience: Don’t run to your death.  And so he kept on the hunt, tracking down every rumor and possibility, until they finally started to come together.

And in the meantime, he keeps busy untangling the web of mobsters that want The Money’s support.  Some seem half-promising, others dangerous—and the more he finds out, the more it looks like The Money’s involved in crime, too.  But they were the only person willing to give him a chance when his world looked the darkest, and that’s a debt he’ll never take lightly.  They didn’t question him, so he won’t question them—but he’s sure as hell not going to let anything happen to them.

And anyway, backing out would lose him the one supporter he has…and if we don’t have each other, what else is left?

♜ THE DETAILS♜

(+): Loyal   +Efficient   +Hardworking  

(-): Taciturn     -Vengeful   -Conflicted

Facelaim: Cagatay Ulusoy

written by K | CST

[merrykleiman386-blog]

Florida ‘flakka’ importer pleads guilty as feds battle drug’s spread

By Zachary Fagenson MIAMI, Sept 21 (Reuters) - A South Florida woman pleaded guilty in a West Palm Beach federal court on Monday to conspiring to import the drug alpha-PVP, also known as "flakka," part of a major law enforcement crackdown against mail-order synthetic drugs from China. Jamie Nicole Lewis, 2-diphenylethylpiperidine 22, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine at a December sentencing. She and co-defendant Kevin Raphael Bully, who has pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment, were in April among the first alleged flakka dealers arrested in Florida. The drug, nicknamed "$5 insanity," is said to give users who overdose a sense of superhuman strength and powerful hallucinations. Flakka, which has also shown up in Ohio, Houston and Chicago, has made its biggest impact in South Florida, police say. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) apprehended the pair following a tip from London about multiple packages intercepted from a Chinese chemical company en route to South Florida. Bully was arrested with three cellphones, $60,000 and an empty shipping bag from the company, according to a DEA agent's affidavit. There were 44 flakka-related deaths in the last 12 months, according to the Broward County medical examiner's office. The Broward Sheriff's Office has handled 792 cases involving flakka this year. What concerns officials most is how easily and cheaply dealers obtain synthetic drugs. One kg (2.2 pounds) of flakka, worth $50,000 on the street, can be bought online for as little as $1,500, drug experts say. Law enforcement agencies face further obstacles because flakka and drugs like it are not illegal in China. Manufacturers there typically classify them as "research chemicals" and offer discreet delivery. A 26-year-old former Florida International University student now in federal prison said he was able to make $30,000 a week selling a similar drug called methylone, according to the Miami Herald. He spent the money on Rolex watches, a four-bedroom townhouse and an orange Lamborghini. The Italian sports car eventually became his undoing when law enforcement was able to track him through its registration, according to the Herald. (Reporting by Zachary Fagenson; Editing by David Adams and Eric Beech)