#conley legacy

[coastalcowplant]

Milestone Unlocked ❤️🔒

Madeleine had grown weary of casual dating. She was ready for something deeper, something lasting. Am I?

One afternoon, as she and Elian sat side by side on the couch, a comfortable silence settled between them. Madeleine found herself lost in his eyes, feeling the weight of the moment.

Madeleine: Elian?

Elian: Yes love?

Her heart was pounding in her chest… His gaze never left hers.

Madeleine: What are we?

Elian’s lips curled into a sly yet almost disappointed smile, something Madeleine noticed immediately.

Elian: I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that—

Madeleine: —why? Are you not—

Before she could finish, Elian gently placed his hand on her cheek, silencing her. His touch sent a warm shiver down her spine.

Elian: I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that until Saturday. . . I was planning to ask you to be my girlfriend at dinner.

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before grinning. Madeleine’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at her lips.

Madeleine: Oh Elian, just ask me now!

With a mischievous gleam in his eye, Elian took a deep breath, his voice low and sincere.

Elian: Madeleine Conley, would you like to be my girlfriend?

Madeleine: Yes, Elian! Of course, yes!

The moment felt electric, and for the first time in a long while, Madeleine knew that this was just the beginning of something real.

previous / next / joy of life navigation (all gens)

[witchyfashion]

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • SHIRLEY JACKSON AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST EDITED ANTHOLOGY • BRAM STOKER AWARD NOMINEE FOR SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ANTHOLOGY • LOCUS AWARD FINALIST A bold, clever, and sublimely sinister collection that dares to ask the question: “Are you ready to be un-settled?” “Never failed to surprise, delight, and shock.” —Nick Cutter, author of The Troop and Little Heaven Featuring stories by: Norris Black • Amber Blaeser-Wardzala • Phoenix Boudreau • Cherie Dimaline • Carson Faust • Kelli Jo Ford • Kate Hart • Shane Hawk • Brandon Hobson • Darcie Little Badger • Conley Lyons • Nick Medina • Tiffany Morris • Tommy Orange • Mona Susan Power • Marcie R. Rendon • Waubgeshig Rice • Rebecca Roanhorse • Andrea L. Rogers • Morgan Talty • D.H. Trujillo • Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. • Richard Van Camp • David Heska Wanbli Weiden • Royce K. Young Wolf • Mathilda Zeller Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear—and even follow you home. These wholly original and shiver-inducing tales introduce readers to ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge. Introduced and contextualized by bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, these stories are a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.

https://amzn.to/4eXLQJP

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

Compiled and edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Last Jr.

This collection of twenty-six short stories provides an interesting and different look at some issues I have never thought about. In reading through reviews of this work I found that some reviewers  were able to relate to more of the stories than other readers and some readers were unable to relate much at all. Most went into reading believing the stories would be scary, horror stories, or put them on edge – some did, and some didn’t, in my opinion.

The stories that had the biggest impact on me were:

* KASHTUKA by Mathilda Zeller in which a young woman is pushed by her mother to go with someone she doesn’t want to be with to cook and help with a party. A ghost/scary story is told briefly and seems to allow a Kashtuka to materialize and kill a few people – the twist at the end was a grabber indeed.

* WHITE HILLS by Rebecca Roanhorse looks at what a woman might do to maintain a better quality of life than she was raised in. I hated Marissa’s mother-in-law and husband and really questioned the decision she made at the end of the story.

* SNAKES ARE REBORN IN THE DARK by D.H. Trujillo’s story brought in a bit of magic and touch of horror while talking about respecting and honoring ancient wall/cave paintings.

* BEFORE I GO by Norris Black dealt with grief and loss and made me hope I never run into Mother Night.

* DEAD OWLS by Mona Susan Power is a cold story with ghostly encounters that I hope to never experience myself.

* NAVAJOS DON’T WEAR ELK TEETH by Conley Lyons was dark and disturbing with a main character I wanted to shake and tell to spend time with someone else…someone safer, less abusive, and better for him…that had a darker ending too.

* WINGLESS by Marcie R. Rendon dealt with two boys in a foster care situation no child should find themselves in. I cringe thinking about that story and hoped at the end they both found a brighter future somewhere somehow.

There were a LOT of stories and though I couldn’t relate to all of them, the stories above were the ones that stood out the most to me and will linger longer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4 Stars

BLURB

A bold, clever, and sublimely sinister collection that dares to ask the question: “Are you ready to be un-settled?” Featuring stories by: Norris Black • Amber Blaeser-Wardzala • Phoenix Boudreau • Cherie Dimaline • Carson Faust • Kelli Jo Ford • Kate Hart • Shane Hawk • Brandon Hobson • Darcie Little Badger • Conley Lyons • Nick Medina • Tiffany Morris • Tommy Orange • Mona Susan Power • Marcie R. Rendon • Waubgeshig Rice • Rebecca Roanhorse • Andrea L. Rogers • Morgan Talty • D.H. Trujillo • Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. • Richard Van Camp • David Heska Wanbli Weiden • Royce Young Wolf • Mathilda ZellerMany Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear—and even follow you home. These wholly original and shiver-inducing tales introduce readers to ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge. Introduced and contextualized by bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, these stories are a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.

[rosebudilyy]

The best day of the school year, according to Hannah Conley.

Trevor: oooh, what’s that Han? A letter from your boyfriendddd?

Hannah: You know Trevor, you are literally so annoying - and no it isn’t. 

Trevor: How would you know? You haven’t even opened it. 

Hannah: shut up!

Mr. Singleton: Hannah, Trevor. Is there something you would like to share with the class?

Hannah and Trevor: No, sorry Mr. S.

[softerpixels]

kahlil joined debate club, and he's been getting really close to the other members.

[alexathesimmer]

Pollock Legacy

Homecoming 2022

(in game: September 20, 2022)

[aerialgymnastics]

Clancy Conley (Legacy Elite)

2022 Nastia Liukin Cup (Junior)

[mchasims-blog]

*

*

Eventually Adrian declared he had to leave, giving Washington a slip of paper and saying-

Adrian: Call Me?

Washington realized he was in deeper than expected, and he would definitely see that boy again.

[coastalcowplant]

The perfect moment finally found them💋

previous / next / joy of life navigation (all gens)

[alterrune]

Operation: Hounds Slumber begins.

We’ll be going after Justin’s and Nicholas’s organization, The Blackjacks next.

Here’s what we got.

The Blackjacks are split up into 5 Squadrons. Each Squadron consists of rogue agents from international agencies and from Laurence’s old agency as well. Be careful, as they’re Highly trained and murderously efficient. With the best skills, tech, and training in the world, they're one of the most dangerous predators among the Trinity of Fate that you will be facing.

Squadrons:

Shadow Tide:

A group of paramilitary warlords bent on using their combat expertise and overwhelming firepower to dominate their enemies and expand their territory. Smart and organized, Shadow Tide is led by a former US Army officer whose ruthlessness and combat prowess make she and her combatants a horrifying force.

Leader: Molly "Jupiter" Henderson

1st Captain: Chadwick "Neptune" Brandon III

2nd Captain: Lucy "Venus" Anders

1st Lieutenant: Mary "Saturn" Masters

2nd Lieutenant: Ryan "Mercury" Chang

Burnway’s Legacy:

Bitter survivors and agents of a forced quarantine bent on revenge against those who brutally imprisoned them and the society that stood by and let it happen. Their charismatic, bloodthirsty leader believes everyone is complicit and urges her followers to punish the guilty by spreading sickness and murdering indiscriminately.

Leader: Carter "Hornet" Leroux

1st Captain: Lori "Termite" Baker

2nd Captain: Tegan "Luna" Silver

1st Lieutenant: Elija "Huntsman" Le

2nd Lieutenant: Jason "Titan" Barnes

Concealed Agenda:

Escaped prisoners and agents from High Security Prison’s, these hardened criminals are led by dangerous leaders and individuals. They take what they want from the wreckage of the world, determined to live like kings and queens. With no love for their enemies and no mercy for anyone they come across, they rule parts of the world through blood and fear.

Leader: Bardon “Vanguard” Breener

1st Captain: Marley "Shade" Yarrow

2nd Captain: Sueko "Wraith" Tanagi

1st Lieutenant: Linette "Dusk" Edwards

2nd Lieutenant: Skyler "Belfry" Williams

End of Watch:

A private military squadron who’s members were originally protect certain corporate assets. End of Watches agents and operatives were abandoned by their clients once the quarantine hit. They have placed huge chunks of The Word under their version of martial law.

Leader: Faye “Tusk” Lau

1st Captain: Bridgette "Viper" Douglas

2nd Captain: Felix "Kestrel" Sokolov

1st Lieutenant: Dustin "Magnus" Xavier

2nd Lieutenant: Alicia "Circe" Coswald

Warlords of the Blackjacks:

The secret Warlords of the Blackjacks contractor with ties to political and industrial leaders. They are comprised of elite soldiers that have a long history of working with the U.S. government. Their primary objective is to neutralize The Toppats and GEOGRAM and take control of Altering the Outcome.

Leader: Justin and Nicholas

1st Captain: Vivian “Scarecrow” Conley

2nd Captain: Javier “Rainer” Kajika

1st Lieutenant: James “Warden” Dragov

2nd Lieutenant: Theo “Vulture” Parnell

Eliminate 4 Squadrons to draw out The Warlords of the Blackjacks.

CHAPTER 2, ACT 6 - SIBLING RIVALRY

(The five of us are being flown out by Charles again, currently flying over the base first squadron on the hitlist, the Shadow Tide.)

Alright guys, here's the plan. Just like last time, you'll parachute down to the base and enter through the top. This time, I'll land my helicopter in a secure area where they won't detect me on their radar, instead of crashing it, as this chopper isn't one of my usual disposable ones.

Great. We doing this?

Actually, I have some intel on the place that you should know. Apparently the base has some kind of signal jammer-type system that blocks all spirits, beast forms, and exoskeleton abilities from working...but Kyle isn't on that blacklist. Your brothers apparently didn't think you'd get anything like that, too, so you can use your abilites as much as you'd like.

Nice. Let's move, team.

(We all jump out of the helicopter and land on the roof. Violet tries to use Leadhead to cut a hole in the roof, but the power-blocker seems to have blocked Violet's sword from working, too.)

Drat! Kyle, can you write anything with that pen of yours?

You bet I can.

(I quickly whip out my fountain pen spirit, Storyteller, write the words "entryway hatch" on the roof's surface, and the words turn into a hatch we can go through, which we all do. Upon entry, we all see a door that says "Meeting Room". I kick open the door, and we find that all 20 of the squadrons' leaders are there. I quickly use Storyteller again and write "beanbag chair", which spawns in a beanbag chair for me to relax in while the CSB handle each squadron's leaders.)

Ahhh...nice to finally relax. It's not like I don't want to help the CSB, I'd already be up if that was the case. However, this time they don't need my help at the moment, so I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy the bloodbath.

(Not too long after, the CSB win the fight. The CSB didn't kill any of them, but they did heavily injure them, with all of them having at least two broken limbs. I suddenly notice a microphone on the desk which says "P.A. System Mic" on it. I quickly grab it and start speaking over the loudspeakers.)

Hello, Blackjacks! This is Kyle Gibbons, representative of the ColorStreak Battalion speaking. We just seriously wounded your leaders. They're not dead, but if you don't allow us to leave here and unconceal the location of this base, we will kill them. Trust us, we'd really rather not kill them.

(I cut the mic, and they comply with our demands. We walk out of the front door of the building, and I pin up a written note onto a corkboard near the entrance that my brothers were using for plan ideas, given the label that says "POSSIBLE PLAN IDEAS" placed above it. We then head to Charles' heli, and he is absolutely THRILLED with our work.)

That. Was. Insane. You guys are amazing with this stuff!

Hey, don't sell yourself short, Charles. You did pretty good, too.

Agreed. You've got some serious skills when you're in the air, Charles.

Aw, shucks, you guys...Anyways, let's head back to the base. Aaron is gonna love this!

CHAPTER 2, ACT 6 COMPLETE!

Achievement Set Unlocked: "Operation: Hounds Slumber"

Achievement Unlocked: "House Of Blackjack Cards"

DISPLAYING ACT EPILOUGE...

(My brothers, Nicholas Zingone and Justin Gibbons, head to the base. They open the door to find that they've been hit by us!)

What the---?! Oh my god, you're kidding me. They got us?!

(sigh) Figures. We leave the base for only a few minutes to get some supplies, and Kyle and his little ragtag group of OC misfits hit us.

Wait...what's that on the corkboard?

(Justin sees the note I left, takes it off the corkboard, and reads it with Nick.)

Hey guys! Been a while since we had a little family reunion like this, hasn't it?

Me and the ColorStreak Battalion were a bit rough with some of the guests, though. They were apparently "squadron leaders" for you? Whatever the case, we didn't kill them, but I'm pretty sure they'll be in full-body casts for...I dunno. A month? Maybe two? Anyways, I'm glad to hear you two are in town, because the reunion's not over. If anything, this party's just getting started.

✍🏼Kyle Gibbons()✍🏼

(Nick grabs the note, turns it into a paper airplane, then hands it to Justin, who flies it into a nearby file cabinet marked "Items That May Come In Handy Later".)

He always knows how to get under our skin...

Yeah, he does. And I hate it.

[ourpickwickclub]

Just wanted to add a thought about the Friends and Heroes. They all sounded and looked great too. I‘d actually seen Martina and Tracy back when they were popular. They were just as good now. It made me think that Blake probably came up with the FH idea after Earl Thomas Conley passed. He said it hit him hard that Earl’s legacy would be forgotten and younger people wouldn’t know his music. Older artists get so few big opportunities even when they perform just as well as before. Kudos to Blake for doing this. I enjoyed watching these people perform as much as I did the first time. Everyone else (including younger people) seemed to really enjoy it too.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on the show! I’ve been catching videos that people have posted, and they are amazing. Tracy moved me to tears with Keeper of the Stars, especially when the crowd sang the chorus. This tour is something really special. I hope Blake continues this format for years to come.

— M

[graphicpolicy]

Miles Morales Swings Into his Biggest Year with a Special Issue

Miles Morales Swings Into his Biggest Year with a Special Issue #Comics #ComicBooks #MilesMorales

In addition to a collection of variant covers, Marvel will celebrate 10 years of Miles Morales with a special double-sized issue of his current ongoing series! On sale this month, Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30 will be a major turning point in the legacy of the young Spider-Man featuring the debut of a brand-new costume designed by artist Chase Conley. The series creative team, writer Saladin…

[daggerzine]

Black Sheep- The Vitamin interview (by Tom Murphy)

Vitamin was a Boston band that formed in 1979 when teenagers Jason Shapiro and Mike McGlinchey. Inspired by the freedom of punk and the more experimental streak of post-punk and No Wave, the group created an angular, free jazz-inflected music bursting with youthful energy and a willingness to go where the music would take them. The lineup solidified when the duo recruited the then 25-year-old violinist Margie Politzer from local art punk heroes The Girls and drummer Chris Gill. Though only around from 1979-1983 (Politzer exiting the band in 1981), Vitamin established itself in the minds of peers and music aficionados of the era who maybe heard “Black Sheep” on the 1981 compilation A Wicked Good Time, the only official release until 2021. The recording session for that song and others was done with Roger Miller of Mission of Burma. On April 16, 2021, Don Giovanni released Recordings 1981, a thirteen song official compilation of the outfit's music with liner notes by Pitchfork writer Jenn Pelly including photos from the era.

We recently had the opportunity to interview Politzer via email about the time and places in which Vitamin existed, the draw and appeal of the music and her current work as a visual artist.

  Dagger Zine [Tom Murphy]: Coming up in the 60s and 70s, how did you get into experimental/avant-garde art and music?

Margie Politzer: I know they aren’t considered experimental or avant-garde, but I think the Incredible String Band opened my mind to experimentation in music. Then in 1976, shortly after I had returned to playing the violin, I heard the free jazz Revolutionary Ensemble featuring violinist Leroy Jenkins, who I found particularly inspiring. That led me to other avant-garde musicians like Anthony Braxton, Don Cherry, Carla Bley, etc. I can’t say I was ever into experimental/avant-garde art, just music.

 D: You were and are a visual artist. What appealed to you about playing in a band like Vitamin? What made it fun?

M: I approached playing music as if I were making art, creating something personal and unique. Jason and Mike were very creative and free, and were open to my ideas and voice. They were fun, young guys!

 D: Why did that time when you were getting into playing music and being in Vitamin seem exciting? What made it seem so open to you?

M: The mid-late seventies were an incredibly exciting time in rock music. At that time, punk wasn’t about a particular style. It was about rejecting what rock music had become and creating something new with a provocative attitude. There was the feeling that you didn’t have to follow any kind of convention, and that virtuosity was not an asset; anyone interested could join in.

 D: Punk and punk adjacent bands in the 70s were pretty different from each other. In Boston, outside of maybe Moving Units and later Mission of Burma, what kinds of bands were around that seemed like-minded and why so?

M: Do you mean Moving Parts, the band Roger Miller and Clint Conley were in before Mission of Burma? [editor – yes, meant that] I don’t think Moving Parts were very like-minded with Vitamin. I think the most like-minded band was The Girls, who were a big influence on Vitamin. (I was a member of the Girls for a couple of months in 1977-1978.) As for other bands, Jaxxt (led by Jason’s brother Nathan) had a similar energetic and free-wheeling attitude to Vitamin (“Psycho Analyzer,” a song on the album, was written by Nathan). Steve Stain (who I occasionally played with and was Vitamin’s drummer for a short while) did visceral improvisational performances, where anything was possible. Bound and Gagged also had a No Wave edge and Christmas were pretty offbeat.

 D: What about Boston at the time seemed to contribute to the rise of bands like Vitamin and Mission of Burma and later stuff like Pixies and Throwing Muses?

M: That’s a good question that I can only speculate about. I believe that Boston had a high proportion of geographically diverse young people, partially due to the large number of colleges and universities and because it was a target city for creative types who wanted to leave their hometowns.

 D: The music you played seems not so strange these days but back then where did you play? How did you go about getting shows at venues that generally showcased music that wasn't as experimental? How open were booking people to what you were doing?

M: We played the Underground (https://www.facebook.com/The-Underground-in-Boston-248918824215/), which was open to unconventional bands, and various lofts, especially around Thayer Street (which at that time was a decaying industrial area; now is lined with art galleries). During my stint with Vitamin, we didn’t play the more conventional venues much, who were not very open to what we were doing. I wasn’t involved with getting us gigs, so I don’t remember how that was accomplished.

 D: The Rat and perhaps The Middle East were venues that people outside of Boston have heard about. Can you share any memories that stand out about those places and playing them?

M: I remember playing a night at the Rat where practically any bands who would play for free were “showcased.” We had nothing in common with any of the three other bands on the bill. The band that played after us was a “hair band” from the suburbs who brought their own fans who clearly didn’t appreciate us. I never played the Middle East, as it didn’t exist as a venue when I was in Vitamin.

 D: You did some recording with Roger Miller. How did you come into contact with him and how did he come to do those recordings with Vitamin? How was he as a producer/engineer?

M: I knew Roger from the scene before Vitamin existed, likely through my connection with The Girls. I designed the cover of the first Mission of Burma single. Roger was a fan of Vitamin. I don’t remember if he offered to produce, or if we asked him.

 D: At one point you left Vitamin and maybe part of that had to do with the interest of some of your bandmates in hardcore. What about hardcore turned you off? Musically and culturally.

M: Though Vitamin was still eclectic, the attitude and music had become harder; more aggressive. And I couldn’t get on board with the lyrics of some of the new songs. There was less space for me musically or otherwise.

I didn’t find hardcore to be interesting musically. Culturally, hardcore turned me off as it was essentially male-driven. Slam dancing (what we then called moshing) became a cover for some guys to be physically aggressive. It became dangerous for smaller audience members (which included most women) to dance anywhere near the stage. And I loved to dance!

 D: Where might someone go to connect with your creative work these days if that's something you feel comfortable with sharing?

M: Currently I’m painting abstract watercolors, but I’m not ready to share those yet. For about 20 years, I did people-oriented travel photography, which can be seen here: www.mpolitzer.com

 D: With this renewed interest in Vitamin four decades on, what do you feel the legacy of the band is in your life and do you have a sense of the influence or echoes of what you did or tried to do in more recent music?

M: The legacy for me was being part of the exciting experience that was the music scene at the time, and sharing that with others who were a part of it (made easier since the arrival of Facebook).

I don’t think Vitamin had much direct influence since we were short-lived, never toured, and didn’t have any releases besides one song on a compilation album. Since Vitamin existed, there have been so many bands experimenting with different sounds and genres. Maybe it was Vitamin’s spirit of experimentation that echoes the most.  

 www.vitamin1981.bandcamp.com 

www.dongiovannirecords.com

[rosebudilyy]

Kaden : Hey, look finger gu-. Maia, everything okay?

Maia : *sigh* It’s just - you didn’t seem to excited about the baby K, this might be our last baby. 

Kaden : It’s just that - 

Maia : I’m not finished... Kaden, I truly love you. I married you and had two great kids with you. But, I know the feeling isn’t totally mutual. You don’t sleep in our bed anymore, you don’t wait in the morning for me anymore. I didn’t plan on this - so when I found out, I was speechless. I couldn’t believe it Kaden. 

[201909617caic2021]

Trump’s lies don’t fly

Well if there’s one thing no one can accuse Trump of, it’s avoiding digging deeper holes. After a divisive pandemic strategy that resulted in over 200,000 American dead, Trump cemented his legacy of failing to control the virus by taking to his favourite soapbox Twitter to announce both he and Melania had tested positive.

In the following days, the couple were joined by various other visitors to the White House in contracting the virus, including senior advisors Stephen Miller, Chris Christie and Kellyanne Conway. Rumours swirl over whether everyone who tested positive have actually been announced by the White House, as Conway’s case was only ‘announced’ by her daughter over TikTok. The general distrust around the administration’s response was only compounded when the President’s doctor was asked about Trump’s condition and the care he was receiving.

Initially insisting that oxygen wasn’t administered as a treatment, Doctor Sean Conley contradicted himself 24 hours later, explaining that he “was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team, the president, that his course of illness has had,”. The lies continued, with a picture of Trump appearing to sign blank pieces of paper with a sharpie and a video of him returning to the White House and yet still seemingly struggling to breath went viral.

With Trump’s approval rating hovering around 43% and two thirds of Americans either somewhat or very worried about coronavirus, Trump’s clear lack of precautions to prevent his infection and a laughable attempt to conceal the truth from the public don’t bode well for a President facing the ballot box in the coming month.

[alexathesimmer]

Pollock Legacy

Newcrest High Graduation 2023

(in game: June 1, 2023)