#daily clayton picture

[codyroleplays]

### Roleplay Prompt: "The Lucky One"

This is based off a movie but the role doesn't have to be exactly like the movie we can personalize it but keep the same concept for the prompt. I'll play Logan as myself so l'll go by Cody and you can play Beth (you can use the name she is given in the movie or your own name). We will share the roles of the side characters. Thank you for reading! This will be SFW with some potential NSFW content.

Add my discord cody094410

#### Setting:

The picturesque, small-town charm of Hamden, North Carolina, where nature's beauty meets the simplicity of everyday life. The town is known for its lush forests, rolling fields, and a river that winds its way through the landscape. Hamden is dotted with cozy cafes, rustic barns, and friendly faces. It is springtime, and the town is in full bloom, with flowers and trees coming to life, reflecting a sense of renewal and hope.

#### Background:

In the aftermath of a turbulent deployment in Iraq, Sergeant Logan Thibault has returned to the United States. Haunted by the memories of war, Logan carries with him a worn photograph of a woman he found in the rubble during a firefight. Believing the photograph to be his lucky charm, Logan sets out on a journey to find the woman in the picture, hoping to understand the mysterious connection he feels towards her.

Logan’s search leads him to Hamden, North Carolina, where he discovers that the woman in the photograph is Beth Green, a young single mother running a family-owned dog kennel. Beth is strong-willed and independent, having endured the loss of her brother in the war and a difficult divorce. She is dedicated to her son, Ben, and her grandmother, Ellie, who helps her run the kennel.

#### Characters:

1. **Logan Thibault**: A former Marine sergeant who is kind-hearted, resilient, and seeking a new purpose in life. Logan is struggling with PTSD and trying to find peace after the war.

2. **Beth Green**: A compassionate and determined woman who is protective of her family. Beth is wary of new relationships due to her past experiences but remains hopeful.

3. **Ellie Green**: Beth's wise and warm-hearted grandmother, who provides sage advice and supports Beth unconditionally.

4. **Ben Green**: Beth's lively and curious young son, who quickly bonds with Logan.

5. **Keith Clayton**: Beth's ex-husband, a local deputy sheriff with a controlling nature, who complicates Logan's attempts to get close to Beth.

6. **Zeus**: Logan's loyal German Shepherd, who provides companionship and a sense of security for Logan.

#### Plot Outline:

1. **Logan’s Arrival in Hamden**:

- Logan arrives in Hamden with Zeus, tired but determined. He starts his search discreetly, asking around about the woman in the photograph.

- Logan’s inquiries eventually lead him to Beth’s kennel. He approaches the kennel under the pretense of looking for work.

2. **First Encounter**:

- Logan meets Beth for the first time. She is initially guarded and skeptical of his intentions, but Ellie convinces her to give Logan a chance as a kennel worker.

- Logan’s calm demeanor and connection with the dogs quickly impress Beth and Ellie.

3. **Building Trust**:

- Logan slowly becomes an integral part of the kennel’s daily operations. He forms a bond with Ben, teaching him about the dogs and playing games.

- Logan’s presence brings a sense of stability and warmth to Beth’s life, though she remains unaware of his true reason for being there.

4. **Unraveling Secrets**:

- Keith, noticing Logan’s growing closeness with Beth and Ben, begins to meddle, causing tension.

- Logan’s PTSD episodes occasionally surface, revealing his vulnerability. Beth starts to understand the depth of his struggles and opens up about her own losses.

5. **Revelation and Conflict**:

- Beth eventually discovers the photograph Logan has been carrying, leading to a confrontation. She feels betrayed, thinking Logan’s intentions were dishonest.

- Logan explains the significance of the photograph and his belief that it saved his life, attempting to convey his genuine feelings.

6. **Climactic Resolution**:

- Keith’s interference reaches a peak, causing a dangerous situation that puts Beth and Ben at risk. Logan’s military training proves invaluable as he protects them.

- The ordeal forces Beth to reconsider her feelings and trust in Logan.

7. **Finding Peace**:

- In the aftermath, Beth and Logan have a heartfelt conversation, resolving their misunderstandings. They acknowledge the serendipitous nature of their meeting and decide to embrace their future together.

- Logan finds a sense of belonging and purpose in Hamden, and Beth feels ready to open her heart again.

#### Objectives for Players:

- **Logan**: Navigate the complexities of integrating into a new life while dealing with PTSD. Build trust with Beth and Ben, and confront past traumas.

- **Beth**: Balance the responsibilities of being a single mother and running the kennel. Overcome past heartbreak and learn to trust Logan.

- **Ellie**: Support Beth and offer wisdom to both Beth and Logan, helping them see the importance of love and second chances.

- **Ben**: Develop a bond with Logan and show how a child’s perspective can bring healing to adults.

- **Keith**: Create obstacles for Logan and Beth, driven by jealousy and a desire for control. Eventually face the consequences of your actions.

#### Possible Scenes:

1. **A Day at the Kennel**: Characters working together, tending to the dogs, and sharing stories.

2. **Picnic by the River**: A peaceful moment where Logan, Beth, and Ben bond.

3. **Confrontation with Keith**: Tensions rise as Keith tries to assert control over Beth’s life.

4. **PTSD Episode**: Logan experiencing a flashback, with Beth helping him through it.

5. **The Photograph’s Revelation**: The emotional moment when Beth finds out about the photograph and Logan’s quest.

[barnettlawoffice]

What Every Employee Should Do Immediately After Getting Hurt at Work?

In the unforeseen ballet of workplace mishaps, where a slip or twirl can end in an unscheduled solo, the first steps you take are critical to not only your health but also your peace of mind. Picture this: amid the daily hustle, you find yourself suddenly starring in an unwelcome drama—a work injury. Pause the chaos and pirouette into action by seeking safety and summoning aid; even a minor role played by an inconspicuous injury could escalate without proper attention.

[whileiamdying]

THE SCREEN: “Mae West Reveals Herself as a Circus Queen in “I’m No Angel” at the Paramount—Saturday's Millions”

I'M NO ANGEL, based on a story by Mae West and supported by Lowell Brentano; music and lyrics by Harvey Brooks, Gladys Du Bois and Ben Ellison; directed by Wesley Ruggles; a Paramount production. At the Times Square and Brooklyn Paramounts.

Tira .... Mae West Jack Clayton .... Cary Grant Bill Barton .... Edward Arnold Slick .... Ralf Harolde Alicia Hatton .... Gertrude Michael Kirk .... Kent Taylor Thelma .... Dorothy Peterson Benny Pinkowitz .... Russell Hopton Beulah .... Gertrud Michael The Chump .... William Davidson Rajah .... Nigel de Bruller Bob .... Irving Pichel Omnes.... George Bruggeman Harry .... Nat Pendleton Chauffeur .... Morrie Cohen Judge .... Walter Walker

by MORDAUNT HALL.

Arrayed in a variety of costumes which set off her sinuous form, Mae West is appearing at the Paramount in her latest screen vehicle, "I'm No Angel," a title which, as might be surmised, fits the leading character. Here Miss West, who wrote the story herself from “suggestions contributed" by Lowell Brentano, is beheld as a circus beauty named Tira, who wins applause and admiration by risking her blond head in a lion's mouth twice daily.

It is a rapid-fire entertainment, with shameless but thoroughly contagious humor, and one in which Tira is always the mistress of the situation, whether it be in the cage with wild beasts, in her boudoir with admirers or in a court of law.

Tira is ever ready with & flip double entendre and' she permits no skeleton to be found behind her cupboard doors. She has an emphatic personality, which proves a magnet for even social lights with millions. She receives costly presents, Including diamond necklaces, but she is hardly a gold-digger. She refrains from posing, preferring to keep to her natural slangy speech in her journey through the story from a tent to a penthouse.

She admits that she has thrown discretion to the winds, and she sometimes finds herself in an awkward predicament, but through a wily lawyer she succeeds in proving that she is guiltless. The feeble parts of this picture are those in which a criminal known as Slick is introduced. The less one sees of him the better one feels, for the production is interesting only as long as it proceeds on its merry route.

The glimpses of Tira making her impressive entry to the circus arena and then proceeding to the big cage with the roaring lions are depicted shrewdly. Tira does not actually stick her whole head in the lion's mouth, but contents herself by putting her face between the beast's jaws, which is quite enough.

Even this is set forth with a certain degree of fun, and one feels that Tira probably has a pistol ready for an emergency and that other circus employees are ready to shoot in the event that the beast starts to close its mouth. But one is apt to wonder whether they could possibly be quick enough. Society among the spectators is thrilled, all except one snobbish girl, who is furious because her fiancé is very enthusiastic over the performer's courage-and her beauty.

Later there comes the time when Tira puts her fair head into a court of law as the plaintiff in a breach-of-promise case. She sues Jack Clayton, whom she really loves, for $1,000,000, and it is not Tira's artful counsel who wins the case, but the circus queen herself. She cross-examines the defendant's witnesses and turns their testimony in her own favor, the unusual proceeding being countenanced by a judge whose sympathy Tira wins with the utmost ease.

Miss West plays her part with the same brightness and naturalness that attended her second film role. There is no lack of spontaneity in her actions or in the utterance of her lines. She is a remarkable wit, after her fashion. Cary Grant is pleasing as Clayton and Walter Walker is excellent as the considerate old judge. Gregory Ratoff does well as Tara’s lawyer. Wesley Ruggles has directed the film with his usual intelligence.

[gertlushgaming]

Call Of The Wild The Angler Review (Steam)

For our Call Of The Wild The Angler Review, we play a game from the creators of the Hunter: Call of the Wild comes to an open-world fishing experience! Relax and unwind at your favorite spot or explore the beautiful great outdoors with friends as you embark on the journey to become a master angler.

Call Of The Wild The Angler Review Pros:

- Beautiful graphics. - Download size. - Steam achievements. - Full controller support. - Apex Connect integration. (optional) - Graphics settings - monitor, resolution, window mode, v-sync, graphics preset, resolution scale, motion blur, anti-aliasing, anisotropic texture filtering, SSAO, texture detail, shadow quality, geometric detail, vegetation detail, global illumination, volumetric fog, depth of field, screen-space reflections, and water detail. - Multiplayer settings - on/off, cross-platform, player names, activity reports, player join/leave messages, and fish caught messages. - Accessibility options - brightness, accessible cast (one button casting), reeling input type, rod tracking strength, strike sfx, strike indicator, vibration, trigger effects, boat assist, camera shake, field of view slider, crouch toggle, unit system, and subtitles. - Controller and keyboard settings - Invert the axis and sensitivity sliders, and you can rebind the controls for both. - Fishing gameplay. - Plays in first person. - You get to drive a jeep and boat each with three views. - The reserve is called Golden Ridge Reserve. - Many many Collectibles from lore to flowers, trees, and Big Foot sightings. It's weird but it makes sense.. Ish. - 21 fish species and they all have rarity assigned by size and type. - Earn EXP for catching fish and getting the Collectibles, discovering new areas, surveying the land, etc. - Watch towers have a survey spot that triggers a flyover and fills in the map with question marks for key locations. - Fast travel points throughout the map. - Day and night cycle. - Multiplayer is when you join a server and then you can see and interact with other players, Get notifications on what they are doing, etc. - Clayton Johnson is the reserve warden and will give stories, lore, and such. He moves around the reserve. - Sophia Taylor owns the shop and here you can buy equipment and clothing accessories. - Daily and weekly missions. - Beautiful looking reserve. - You can place your own waypoints and markers. - All fish are returned to the water. - Over time you can have waters fill in with fish details on the map. - Ride creator where you can choose the rod, the type (spinner/float), reel, reel wire, and any bait. - When catching a fish you earn exp for every piece of the rod you are using. - Catching a fish will bring up a pic of your smug-looking avatar holding his fish and on the side, it says all the details like fish caught, rarity, size, weight, and what equipment you used. - Full stats menu. - Your handbook fills in with fish caught, and all Collectibles are split up into categories. - The journal houses all collected missions and events, you can track/u track them at will. - The jobs board shows all available missions and events. - You can freely walk and run around the reserve or use the vehicles. - Easy to read Hud. - Reeling in a fish requires balancing out line tension, adjusting the drag, etc. - Float fishing has a focus button so you can zoom in and even see the fish. - You can adjust and set so much of your casting from how high the hook sits or the size of the hook. - If you so wish you can just go out and fish and still get leveled up and buy new gear. - Play how you want. - You can photo-bomb player's pictures. - Three types of fishing - float, lure spinning, and jighead spinning. - So relaxing and fun to play. - You can collect items when in a vehicle. - No fall damage. - Your fish are your fish, other players cannot scare or take your fish. Call Of The Wild The Angler Review Cons: - You cannot change the time of day. - The friend's integration is nothing but being in the same instance, no events or warping to each other. - Cannot skip the survey flyovers. - Doesn't offer stands for your rod or rods as multiple rods deployed would be awesome. - You cannot move once you have cast. - Fish information is only available on some of the water spots. - Doesn't offer weather types. - Not sure what the point of the Ranger is and why I need to know has moved to another point on the map. - The driving is horrendous and with no 3rd person view it is very much a vomit comet. Related Post: Mystic Gate Review (PlayStation 5) Call Of The Wild The Angler: Official website. Developer: Expansive Worlds Publisher: Expansive Worlds Store Links -  Steam Read the full article

[kudosmyhero]

The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) #1.4: Learning to Crawl, part 4

Read Date: December 03, 2022 Cover Date: October 2014 ● Writer: Dan Slott ● Penciler: Ramón Pérez ● Inker: Ramón Pérez ● Colorist: Ian Herring ● Letterer: Joe Caramagna ● Editor: Nick Lowe ●

**HERE BE SPOILERS: Skip ahead to the fan art/podcast to avoid spoilers

Reactions As I Read: ● the opening panel immediately makes me smile. i don't know why. random upside-down Spidey just makes me happy ● yay photographer Spidey! ● Iron Man is really yellow… ● in this version, young Peter Parker is wearing a sweater vest and tie, but this time his classmates are wearing more modern clothes, like t-shirts and jeans. the contrast really emphasizes what a "nerd" he is. I love it! ● things are going… WELL for Peter? prepare for shit to hit the fan in 3… 2… ● Clash/Clayton Cole is perhaps showing us the path Peter could have so easily gone down ● oops, Flash caught Peter sneaking ● omg… Betty Brant ● i do like the colors that accompany Clash everywhere ● HAHA amplifying JJJ's "Sam Hill" (omg just realized I have a cousin named Sam Hill…) ● nice try, Spidey. great fight scene! ● whoa… JJJ apologized to Betty and said to Spidey that he was wrong about him?? this won't last beyond this panel, will it… ● yup, called it ● oof, Peter, you fucked up by "borrowing" everything… ● whew, good issue!

Synopsis: Peter now becomes Spider-Man only to take pictures of other superheroes to sell at the Bugle and his life seems to be back on track. Clash wanting the media coverage that Spider-Man has, attacks the Daily Bugle, but realizing that he does it for notoriety, Jonah declares that he will not have a line, since on the Bugle there is no place for such nonsense. Clash comes to threaten Jonah with death, but Spider-Man enters the scene and attacks Clash trying to disable his weapons with a device of his creation, but fails. Given to build it he used school and Dr. Cobbwell's materials Peter gets in trouble and depressed because he feels responsible for Clash's actions and can't stop him, he goes to let off steam on Uncle Ben's grave.

(https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Amazing_Spider-Man_Vol_3_1.4)

Fan Art: Spider-Man by AndyFairhurst

Accompanying Podcast: ● Untold Spider Talk - episode 06

[seorankerindia]

My goal is not for you just to say, “This is such a pretty picture” or “This photographer took a great picture.” Rather I would want you to think “This is something provided to me by God, let me look around my own world today, my own backyard, the space outside my workplace, on my way to the store, to see something just as beautiful as in this picture” Perhaps looking at it daily will help remind you of the good that is in this world, to appreciate what you have, what we all have, which is this wonderful planet. Contact Information Address — 1324 Clarkson Clayton Center, #333 Ellisville, Missouri 63011–2145 Email — customer@GodisintheDetailsPhotography.com Visit Us — https://godisinthedetailsphotography.com

[dailyrugbytoday]

Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific delay for preseason game

New Post has been published on https://thedailyrugby.com/chiefs-super-rugby-pacific-delay-for-preseason-game/

The Daily Rugby

https://thedailyrugby.com/chiefs-super-rugby-pacific-delay-for-preseason-game/

Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific delay for preseason game

Chiefs train Clayton McMillan is hoping a choice to delay the start to their preseason will assist them in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific opposition, however admits it may all pass spectacularly incorrect.

While most groups have a month earlier than Christmas to get most of the people of their squad on top of things, McMillan decided to take things smooth. We had the capacity to assemble the players for a four week period prior to Christmas, but we elected to only bring them in for multiple weeks.

With All Blacks and All Black XV gamers unavailable that was one of the determining elements. Here’s every squad and all the major changes from an eventful off-season.

Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific 2023 Game

The Gallagher Chiefs fixtures for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific competition have been confirmed. The opening round kicks off on the 24th of February with Gallagher Chiefs vs Crusaders at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch with Super Round Melbourne the following weekend.

McMillan is getting into his 0.33 season in rate of the Chiefs… His first two each being tormented by international issues. The different cause is to try to freshen players up because it’s been a protracted couple of seasons

“With Covid round it looks like lots of returned-to-lower back campaigns so I felt that giving the boys more than one extra weeks (off) this side of Christmas will pay dividends later on next 12 months.”

McMillan has been very happy with those that have been concerned. The boys have are available and labored extraordinarily tough. Like all and sundry we’re looking for an area and produce something different to the desk in phrases of the way we need to play the game.

“We’ve been doing a number of basis paintings, taking pictures numerous (video) photos, seeing how matters work.

“Then while we come returned inside the New Year with some of the All Black and All Black XV gamers returning we’ll be ready to make the most of that month earlier than we begin gambling preseason games.

McMillan is involved with the aid of the amount of rugby a number of his players were concerned in with many having long past from a Super Rugby season to international fixtures then NPC accompanied via All Blacks or Black Blacks XV and now returned into pre-season.

The Chiefs to watch in Super Rugby Pacific 2023 | https://t.co/hM13SLgypn | #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/0zXmBTtphh

— SENZ (@SENZ_Radio) January 5, 2023

That’s all good and well and the players love to be here but when you get to May-June next year we’re better off to have given our guys a little bit of an extended break at this end of the year rather than wishing we had done it when we get tired bodies at the back end of the season.

It could go spectacularly wrong, I could be making a poor decision, but I guess time will tell.

The Chiefs will return to training on January 9th with their All Blacks joining up in late January.

The Chiefs signed Irish prop John Ryan this week to replace the injured Angus Ta’avao.

Chiefs director of rugby Warren Gatland has returned to Wales to coach their national side again.

The Chiefs won back to back titles in 2012-13 and made the semi-finals of Super Rugby Pacific last season.

Chiefs squad:

Hookers: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater, Tyrone Thompson

Props: Aidan Ross, Atunaisa Moli, John Ryan, Ollie Norris, George Dyer*, Jared Proffit*.

Locks: Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, Laghlan McWhannell, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Manaaki Selby-Rickit

Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Pita Gus Sowakula, Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau.

Halfbacks: Brad Weber, Xavier Roe, Cortez Ratima

First five-eighths: Bryn Gatland, Damian McKenzie, Josh Ioane.

Midfielders: Alex Nankivell, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Ngatungane Punivai.

Outside backs: Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Rivez Reihana, Peniasi Malimali*.

Key Gains: Damian McKenzie (Japan); Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Highlanders), Ngatungane Punivai (Highlanders), John Ryan (Ireland).

On the move: Kaleb Trask (Japan), Jonah Lowe (Highlanders), Chase Tiatia (Western Force).

Harlequins and England prop Joe Marler defeat by Bristol on December 27

by debrambuhl on January 3, 2023 at 5:06 pm

Joe Marler has had a lucky escape and his Six Nations hopes are still alive after his latest brush with controversy saw him banned for an initial period of just two weeks. Harlequins and England prop Marler started a fracas in his team’s defeat by Bristol on December 27 when he insulted the mother of Bears forward

ACT Brumbies set to play the first ever Super W game face to Fijiana Drua.

by Brenda Reed on January 3, 2023 at 12:47 pm

ACT Brumbies vs Fijiana Drua Rugby: The Buildcorp Super W competition returns for 2023 with the new season kicking off on Friday 24 March, the ACT Brumbies set to play the first ever Super W game in Fiji against the defending champion Fijiana Drua. Scott Fava’s side will then play their first of two home

Where to Watch Super Rugby Aupiki 2023: Time & Schedule, How to watch in Australia and New Zealand

by Roger Brown on January 1, 2023 at 8:57 am

Super Rugby Aupiki is a professional women’s rugby union national club competition in New Zealand. Its inaugural season commenced in March 2023. It is a steppingstone between the Farah Palmer Cup and the Black Ferns. Women’s rugby in New Zealand will open a new chapter on March 5 when the first-ever Super Rugby Aupiki match takes place at

How to watch World Rugby Hamilton Sevens 2023 When does it start, Live streams and schedule

by Roger Brown on December 31, 2022 at 7:27 pm

You are currently looking HSBC World Rugby Sevens live stream 2023 Hamilton Sevens online in HD. It is possible to watch NZ Rugby 7s games online or on TV without an expensive Cable TV package.  US rugby fans can stream every moment live with a Peacock 7-day free trial. Here are some of the best streaming

Ulster V Munster Rugby is this Sunday on New Year’s Day

by Brenda Reed on December 31, 2022 at 5:30 pm

Ulster V Munster will see both Irish sides get their 2023 underway in what’s set to be a thrilling fixture at Kingspan. Between provincial derbies and the Champions Cup, it has been a mixed few weeks for both Ulster and Munster. For Ulster, they will be aiming to show why they looked so impressive at

[teamcardenas]

“I get to work with my best friends,” said Clayton Cardenas (Angel Reyes). “When it’s time to work though, we give each other our space. We’re professionals having fun.”

Clayton for awardsdaily.

[achliegh]

Golden

Yeehaw Leo… it's all because this song came on one day (I don’t even really listen to country anymore so it really is fate). Leo is based off that song, each chapter is going to be based off a yeehaw song too.

Characters belong to @lumosinlove

Beta: @the-most-slytherin-hufflepuff & @punkkkkboi

TW/CW: Smut, terrible yeehaw sayings and jokes, injuries, mentions of past death/suicide, minor character death, underage drinking, mentions of past arrests, cringe

Chapter Songs (listening in order is recommended):

Chapter 16:

Hours after Noelle Landed in Montreal, Thomas and Clay landed in New Orleans. A few hours ago Clay’s parents dropped his truck off at the airport so he could take Thomas around the city to see his favorite places. They didn’t bring much just carry on backpacks, so walking out the door and feeling the heat was what they did next.

“It’s Winter!”

“It’s so warm, I missed it.” Clay sighs happily and grabs the little dangly adjustment strap to Thomas’ bag and starts leading him to where his parents said his truck was following the directions on his phone that his mom typed out. It stayed in daily parking so they didn’t have to go inside the parking garage. Thankfully. Thomas was expecting Clay’s truck to be just like his one in Gryffindor, large bright red and loud, but to his surprise they start walking over to a teal blue old truck. It must have been from the 70’s or something. Thomas stopped a couple feet back just taking in the scene.

Clay, glowing under the sun just in a shirt and jeans standing next to a light blue truck making this all seem like a picture on one of those tiny calendars with old cars on them. The concrete around them was a bit off but he didn’t mind.

“What? Something wrong?” Clay looks at him from the other side of the truck after finding his keys in his bag and tossing it into the bed of the truck. “You can toss your bag in the back if you want, there isn’t a ton of room in the front.”

“I was just looking at something pretty is all.” Thomas acts all nonchalant as he tosses his bag in the back next to Clay’s and climbs in the now unlocked vehicle. Clay gets in on the driver's side and gives him a confused look, turning his head in the direction of where Thomas was just looking.

“All I see are cars, was there a cool one I missed?” He looks back at Thomas only to find his boyfriend a good inch from his face. He feels his cheeks heating up and hopes Thomas can’t tell. “What?”

“I was staring at you, Stupid.” Clay feels his cheeks get even more red and glares at Thomas a bit. Thomas has definitely stuck to his words recently in telling Clay he is ‘Pretty’ and ‘Beautiful’ all the time but Clay still doesn’t know how to react. Recently it has been smacking Thomas upside the head… then usually smooching him but that's besides the point. He has grown up his whole life being criticized for how he looks, then suddenly girls were throwing themselves at him and calling him ‘Hot’ and ‘Sexy’ but never the things Thomas or Noelle says.

It makes him feel vulnerable when they say stuff like that.

“Shut up.” Clay gives him a quick kiss and goes to pull away but Thomas holds him by his shirt to deepen the kiss, Clay doesn’t even try to fight against it. He smiles and kisses him more sweetly before they actually pull away. “I’m hungry, let's go eat!” He smiles a bit as Thomas laughs and buckles up, pulling out of the parking lot he starts to drive further into the heart of the city. Thomas watches all the old and new buildings mix together to make a wonderful blend of modern and historical.

It was so amazing, beautiful and fun.

He notices the buildings are getting more off the ground and raises an eyebrow, he goes to ask Clay what the houses are doing on stilts but the NOLA Native beats him to the punch.

“They are for when it floods during storms. Like hurricanes and flash floods, we have a flood wall as well but they don’t always hold up.” Clay has put on his dark wire framed sunglasses, driving with one hand on the wheel and his other elbow resting on the open window seal of the car, wind blowing through his hair. Just looking so in his element. “We are headed towards the harbor because they have the best seafood boil restaurants. My favorite is Mama Junes but Leo’s is Olive and Otto’s. So we tend to fight about where we want to go.” Clay glances over to Thomas who is just soaking everything in. Looking relaxed and calm.

They pull into the small broken concrete parking lot and park right in front. There are old buildings lining the narrow sidewalk just feet away from the docks. The sidewalk was poorly taken care of but it added character. Clay hop out of the truck and wanders over to Thomas side and opens the door bowing to him.

“Your highness.” Then he trips him on the way out making him stumble causing Clay to laugh hard enough he has to lean against the truck so he doesn’t fall over. Thomas rolls his eyes smiling and closes the door. Looking out at the docks he notices all the people doing their jobs and wonders what it would be like to be on a massive ship. He is knocked out of his thoughts by being hit in the side of the head by a pen.

“Where did you even get a pen!?” Thomas picks up the pen from the ground and starts chasing Clay around the truck for a good few minutes before he finally catches him from behind and wraps his arms around his waist picking him up, swinging him around to the other side of him, both laughing uncontrollably. Thomas' stomach lets them know that it senses food is nearby by rumbling loudly.

“That was weird I could feel your stomach growling, we should go eat before the fishermen get off work for the night.” Clay turns around in Thomas arms and just looks over his face for a moment, running his fingertips over the side of his face. He loves Thomas…

He should tell him soon and Noelle, of course Noelle. She is everything, beautiful, smart, sarcastic, and treats him like a real person. Clay didn’t know if he was ever going to date another woman after Ashley, hell, he didn’t even know if he would ever get away from Ashley. But he never expected to get so lucky. He never in a million years ever expected to be loved like two people.

Well, he hopes they love him.

They pull away after just looking at each other for a solid thirty seconds before Clay leads Thomas down the street a bit to a restaurant that looks straight out of the 60’s. Thomas was picking up a theme of stuff Clay likes… the theme is old. Doesn’t help that he and Noelle are older than the southerner either. They get a table, order food, and people just keep coming up to the table to talk to Clay like old friends. Men, women, old and young everyone wanted to talk to him.

When their food does show up it is something called a ‘seafood boil’. Thomas has heard of it before but always thought it was boiled right in front of you, which it is not. It also shows up in a plastic bag for some reason. Clay teaches him how to crack crab properly, only ending in one thumb being cut open by the sharp shell. Whose thumb?

Clayton London Bruss’ and he was annoyed about it.

They finish up eating and paying, Clay gives the young waitress a 50% tip because he can and wants to. They head out the door full and happy, walking past a group of old women who are playing poker at one of the tables out front.

“Well if it isn’t Mr. Bruss himself! Long time no see, Sugar.” The woman the farthest away from Clay smiles at him and Thomas is worried this is going to go bad. “Looking mighty handsome there young man, be careful one of these days I’m gonna leave my husband for you.”

“Mrs. Bell! You can’t say stuff like that!” He laughs and walks over to give her a kiss on the cheek, giving Thomas time to take a good look at her. She was an older looking black woman who has definitely lived a full life, she was wearing a lot of blush and eyeshadow but her ruby red lipstick is what really stood out. Especially when she gave Clay a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m old, I can say what I want, within reason. Now tell me where you have been these last few months! We miss you and Leo on Fridays.”

“You here to stay for a while before you take off and get yourself hurt at those rodeos?” The woman across from Mrs. Bell spoke up, she was a white heavy set woman with a shirt that has two hurricanes on the boobs of her shirt that say ‘Lily’ and ‘Katrina’. He doesn’t know how to respond to that.

“I assure you Miss Lila, I am only here for a day or maybe two.”

“Who is this hunk that with you Clayton, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on him.” Clay smiles brightly and walks back over to Thomas’ side. Ignoring the hungry stares pointed in Thomas' direction by all four women.

“Sorry but he is off limits.” All the women make a mock sound of disappointment. “He’s my boyfriend.” They are stunned for a moment before they all gasp in delight and congratulate them.

“You always knew how to pick them, I always thought Your friend Leo and you would end up together. But I am so happy for you.” Mrs. Bell smiles at them.

“Everyone always thought Leo and I would get together but honestly, he's not my type.” Clay winks at the ladies who all giggle as they walk past, saying goodbye to one another. The ladies pick up their game from where they left off. Thomas was still in shock. Those elderly ladies.. Congratulated them! He was not expecting that. He was expecting to be chased off with a purse or something. Then again, Clay does seem rather close to them.

“How do you know them?” Thomas looks at Clay who is saying hello to the people he knows that pass them on the way to the restaurant. He apparently knows everyone.

“Well, they have a poker tournament every Friday at Mama June’s so Leo and I would volunteer there for fun. Other people would work to get paid but we never needed the money, instead we were the two who would lose on purpose just to give the people their money. Most people who go to the tournaments are on the poorer side of town and we always tried to give back. So that's what we did. We would bet obscene amounts of money just to make sure people could pay their rent or bills or do whatever they do to relieve stress after a long week of working.” Thomas stopped walking, Clay didn’t notice for a few steps and then turned but to look. The sun was sinking down behind him and it made him glow. Thomas has known he has loved Clay for a while now but Noelle and him had a plan to tell Clay together. But at this very moment in time, his heart was so full of adoration he couldn’t help himself.

“I love you.”

Noelle watched, she watched the entire interaction her father had with Leo. She knew it wasn’t going to be good. She had listened to his insult Leo while she was in the kitchen with her mother and honestly it made her feel sick with anger. Leo was exactly what they wanted for Logan. Yet, they brush him off because of something stupid. She was pissed, helping her mother get ingredients out for dinner but decided she didn’t want to help. She was exhausted mentally and physically. So she decided to go take a nap, walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her childhood room.

The biggest bedroom in the house. It was painted seafoam green because that was her favorite color in secondary school, posters of her favorite bands and pictures of her friends all over the walls. Little origami birds made by her best friend hang from fishing line over her king sized bed with pristine crisp white matching bedspread, pillows and sheets. Her full length mirror was next to her large white desk with a lamp that cost forty dollars on it. Her bean bag chairs of varying sizes and colors on the corner next to her TV and PlayStation.

She never noticed how spoiled she was. But being in this room and then thinking about her sisters and Logan’s room, it made her ears ring with guilt. She started going to therapy after she got out of the house because she didn’t understand why she would just be consumed by guilt or sadness whenever she was around Logan. They never had a good relationship when they were younger fighting all the time, Noelle just saying really nasty things that she regrets and now they are pretty much each other's best friends. Her therapist told her that it was because her father was a narcissist and raised her to believe she was better than all her siblings but as she grew older she knew that it was wrong.

After that appointment she called Logan to apologize for everything over the phone, he was confused but still listened and let her get everything off her chest. Then he invited her and their sisters to family skate. There is where she met Thomas, she was uncomfortable around him for a while but she couldn’t understand why. Then it hit her.

Her father would speak poorly of any person of color any chance he got… and she believed him when he said all those terrible things. Things that should never be said. So she erased everything he ever said from her morals and continued to hang out with Thomas, when he asked her out it was a no brainer to say yes.

Her father wasn’t happy but it's not his life to live, she paced up and down her dorm on many nights when she should have been studying worrying about what her dad would say but in the end she understood that none of it mattered… By then she knew she was in love.

Months later she started going to the Godric University in Gryffindor to continue her masters degree she told her parents it was to keep an eye on Logan, she moved in with Thomas but never told her parents. Logan was ecstatic. She hadn’t seen him that happy in… well, when their dad told him he was proud of Logan for getting drafted and “doing something with his life”. It stung but Logan couldn’t stop smiling.

Then there was Clay. Stupid, Charming, Challenging, Beautiful Clay.

He waltzed into their lives like he was meant to. Stumbling once but never stopping. She wasn’t expecting to get a text from a random number saying “Hi, My name is Clayton and I have been talking to Thomas over the phone for a few months. He mentioned he had a girlfriend but I think we have started flirting and I wanted to let you know, because I know Thomas talks about you all the time and is madly in love with you. I just wanted to let you know that… I think I have caught feelings for him and if you would like me to stop talking to him I will.”

It scared her at first not answering the message for days, letting it hang over her like a storm cloud, Thomas had never mentioned an interest in the same sex before and she was worried she would lose him. So they talked about it, Thomas showed her the messages willingly and hadn’t noticed the flirting until she pointed it out. She started messaging Clay. They got on really well and before she knew it, he was all her and Thomas talked about.

They both realized they liked him, together.

Meeting him in person for the first time was intimidating because how do you balance a relationship already formed and stable, to a relationship with a new person at the same time? Would they get jealous? Would they fight? Would they end up splitting up?

But instead, Clay made them stronger, happier. They were happy before but sometimes it felt as though something was missing. Noelle didn’t really know or care about Polyamrous relationships until Logan started talking to her about how it feels to love two people.

“It hurts sometimes but it is also something I can’t live without. One being wild and free and the other grounded and calm, sometimes they switch or we all switch in dynamics but… I wouldn’t trade either of them for the world. It's the most I’ve ever loved and been loved in my life.” and she wanted that as well but never thought she could do it.

Then it happened, she felt like she was on the edge of a cliff ready to dive off at any minute but she was worried she would regret it. She eventually jumped, landing in the water below of safety and love, never looking back. She never would.

Her and Thomas told each other they loved one another on the same day at the same time. A day she would never forget. They were stuck in traffic arguing about something stupid, probably about schedules because that was their main issue always missing each other on the way out the door, they stopped for a moment. Noelle was still fuming but Thomas was calm, he was always calm, he put his hand on her leg and she looked at him. They held eye contact for a few seconds before they said at the same time.

“I love you.”

Clay was stunned. He stared at Thomas letting the words he just spoke sink in. He never expected to be told that by someone other than his parents, Leo, Reg and Eloise. His heart suddenly started aching and his throat became tight as he felt a drop of something on his cheek. Looking up to see if it was raining he only saw a clear blue sky beginning to tint purple. Then he felt a strong arm wrap around his waist and a hand cup his cheek, turning his head to meet those soft dark brown eyes.

“Is it raining?” Thomas smiled a bit at him and wiped his cheek.

“You’re crying. Are you okay?”

“You love me?” Thomas smiles so bright, so calm and so lovingly at him that it makes him feel like he is about to burst with emotions.

“Yes, I do.” Clay puts his hands over his own overworking heart and squeezes.

“Why?” Thomas is a bit taken back by this question, his expression changes a bit to concern for a moment. Wiping away another tear that has fallen.

“Because, you make me happy. You are caring, sweet, kind and…” Clay squeezes his eyes shut listening to Thomas list off things about himself that he couldn’t believe were true. “You are beautiful.” Clay lets out a strangled sound from his throat and turns to bury his face in Thomas’ chest hoping he could hide. “You are so so amazing Clayton, I just wish I could show you what I see, what Noelle sees too.” Oh god, they have talked about being in love with Clay and he didn’t even know! Noelle wasn’t with them but it felt as though she was everywhere. She was in the blue of the ocean, the sound of it hitting the shore. The beauty of the city just so alive yet caring. She was everywhere and not there at the same time.

“Noelle loves me too?”

“Yes, but don’t tell her I confessed for her. She will kill me.” This makes both of them chuckle. Clay pulls away enough to look Thomas in the eyes once more and he says back.

“I love you.”

Judy was waiting by the door, the food for dinner was in the oven staying warm, Garland was outside on the porch smoking a cigarette waiting for the boys to arrive. It would be any minute now. Clay says they just ate but Judy isn’t one to let her guests get hungry. She remembers Thomas from when the team was down at the Knut’s ranch for a week. She remembers him being polite and helping her move the chair around the table to make sure everyone would fit for the meals.

He was also a very good looking man, he was tall, dark and handsome as Clay would say. She never in a million years would have thought that that would be the man Clay ended up with. There was also Noelle who she spoke with when some of the team was at the bar, she was so very sweet and funny as well. But again, never someone she thought Clayton would end up with.

She saw the dust down the driveway and knew the boys were moments away, Clayton knows she doesn’t like him driving at night. She remembers when Clay was just a young little boy, coming home after driving in the dark crying because he almost hit a possum. He was always emotional. She knows people like to take advantage of his kindness and use it against him, his vulnerability showed everyone he has ever met his flaws.

She can only hope that her son is being treated well up north. She prays they aren’t like Ashley.

The truck pulls up, parking in his normal spot across from the door, hopping out of the truck Judy watches as her son and Thomas link hands as they walk towards the door. Garland stands up slowly, his back and hips have been bothering him as he gets older, shaking Thomas hand after stubbing out his cigarette he leads them inside.

“Ma!” Clay runs over to hug her and lifts her off the ground making her laugh, he seems to be in a wonderful mood. “I missed you.” He starts sniffing the air and making his way towards the kitchen knowing his favorite is somewhere to be found. He was always reminding her of her puppy. Judy places her hands on her hips and shakes her head at him. She looks at Thomas and notices the absolutely love sick face he has on as he watches Clayton leave the room. She smiles. That was something she only ever read about in her romance novels, she wonders if Garland ever looks at her that way.

“Hello Thomas, it's good to see you again.” She watches as he smiles at her and extends his hand for her to shake, she playfully swats his hand away and pulls him into a tight hug. It takes him a minute to hug back but when he does it is tight. Clayton was in good hands.

“Long time no see.” He smiles at her as they pull away, a bit pink in the face. “You look stunning as ever, I might add.”

“Stop hitting on my mom! You’re gonna make my dad jealous.” Clay smiles at Thomas from the doorway of the kitchen with an oven mitt on one hand holding a large bowl of what looks like red beans and rice. Something he always tries to replicate at home but can never get it right. A spoon on the other hand and eating straight from the bowl. Judy laughs for a second.

“Clayton, please use a plate. How many times have I told you that you can’t just eat from the bowl.” Judy takes the towel from over her shoulder and takes the bowl from him, walking in the kitchen. A few minutes later they all sat around the table eating and chatting.

“I think I’m going to bring Noelle down for the two weeks we are back here before we leave for rodeo this summer.” Clay talks with his mouth full and Thomas rolls his eyes a bit. Smiling. Sharing a look with Judy.

“Clayton, have I taught you no table manners over the years.” Judy smiles at him and Garland snorts.

“Nope!” He laughs but moves to the side so Judy can’t smack his arm. “Okay, okay. You have but this is who I am mother goose. I can’t change it.”

Garland actually laughs at this. Thomas has noticed that Garland is a rather soft spoken man, old with a round beer gut but still jolly. Kinda like Santa with the beard, but he doesn’t think Santa wears work overalls. Thomas also notices a bisexual flag pin on his old beat up hat. That must be the pin Clay talks about sneaking onto his dad's hat that he ‘never noticed’ Thomas suspects he did notice. But wants to support his son in any way he can. That makes Thomas feel so happy that he can’t explain it.

Later in the evening before the sun has fully set but the stars are out and bright, plus there is a full moon tonight lighting up the area with ease, Clay had excused himself to the restroom to clean the lipstick off his face while Garland and Thomas went outside to chat.

“Has Clayton told you anything about his last relationship?” Thomas shakes his head no watching as Garland sits down in an old rocking chair and lights a cigarette. Offering one to Thomas. He declines. “Well, she got him into a lot of trouble. Being the Sheriff daughter and all. Plus she had a temper and if I’m being honest I don’t think she ever actually liked Clayton.” He takes a drag and Thomas furrows his brow listening intently. “She only dated him for status, he was one other the only people targeted by the sheriff and he is black so she thought of him more as a chess piece to her rebellion than anything. She is pregnant now and I have a terrible feeling that…” Garland shakes his head, deciding not to tell Thomas what his theory is.

Clay walks out the door and finds them chatting.

“Not giving him the shovel talk are ya, Pa?” He smiles at Thomas and puts out his hand for him to take. “I’m gonna take him on a tractor ride because he has never been before.”

“I wasn't giving him no shovel talk but I am telling him he best respect you.” Clay smiles at his dad and nods. “Go on! I’m not keeping you from counting the cattle.”

“Ha Ha.” Clay rolls his eyes and drags Thomas over to the old looking tractor sitting by the entrance to the gate to the pasture. “Come on! There is somewhere I want to show you!” Clay got them settled, the tractor wasn't very large and it was old so he sat on Thomas’ lap as he started driving in the pasture.

“Comfy?”

“You are a very nice cushion.” Clay smiles as Thomas scoffs and wraps his arms around his waist pressing the side of his head to Clay back. He was having a great time but he was getting a bit uncomfortable from the old seat… and Clay’s ass bouncing up and down on his lap. The drive from a bit before his hard on became noticeable.

“Thomas… are you hard?” Clay can feel his cheeks heating up as he feels Thomas dick under him, ever since Thomas told him he loves him he has been wanting so have some passionate lovemaking… not necessarily on a tractor though. “Please don’t tell me tractors are you new kink.”

Thomas laughs into Clay back and smooths his hands down Clay's abdomen to rest on the top of his thighs. “Maybe not tractors but you bouncing in my lap sure does get me going.” He laughs as Clay pulls off into a grove. Trees surrounding a pond or lake, just a body of water. Wildflowers everywhere, not blooming but he could still smell them. Clay turns the tractor off and stands up doing his best to turn around to face Thomas and not trip on the petals.

“Want to do something about it? We are in a place that Leo and I call ‘Secret’ so we might as well.” Clay straddles Thomas, his arms resting on his shoulders as their faces are just inches apart, only the light of the moon is making them visible to each other. Thomas wastes no time gripping Clay ass and pulling him in for a ferocious kiss. They made out for a while, Thomas smirking into the kiss every once in a while from when he grabs Clay’s ass making him gasp a bit. Normally Clay was very pliant when kissing, very submissive and soft, today he was fighting Thomas for dominance over the kiss and it was incredible.

Thomas felt Clay’s hand slowly fall from his shoulder down to his waistband, unbuttoning his pants with one hand and unzipping them. Thomas rarely ever wore jeans but he felt it was appropriate for meeting parents. Clay ran his finger up and down the bit of Thomas’ underwear that was just behind where the zipper was, teasing him. Feeling his breath hitch Clay smirks, pulling away from the kiss.

“You gonna fuck me or do I have to do it myself?” Clay barley finished the sentence before Thomas somehow maneuvered him so he was on his knees on the tractor seat, resting his chest over the backrest making an ‘oof’ when his diaphragm hit the rest. “Hand me my phone.”

“Think you are gonna get bored?” Thomas raises a questioning eyebrow but hands Clay his phone from the cup holder.

“No… just thought Noelle would Like a video of us.” He smiles looking back at Thomas with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Thomas is stunned for a moment, suddenly whipping out his own phone and pulling up snapchat.

“You’re so smart.” Clay’s smile goes from mischievous to soft in a second, just before Thomas yanks down his pants. “Wait… We don’t have any lube.”

“Check my front pocket, I’ve been carrying it around all day.” Clay is poking around on his phone looking rather uninterested but below the surface he was the most excited he has been in a long time, his dream was to have someone love him, fuck him, and want him in Secret. It’s finally happening.

Thomas reaches into Clay's front pocket, placing a couple small kisses on his back as he does, pulling out a packet of lube he is a bit worried. “Is this gonna be enough to prep you and fuck you?” Clay doesn't answer, just whistling as he kicks his feet a bit, then Thomas sees it, a glint in the moonlight. He looks down and notices… Clay was wearing a plug. He loudly groaned and pressed his forehead to Clay's back. “You’re gonna kill me!” Clay laughs a bit.

“I actually would rather keep you alive for now.”

“For now!?” Clay laughs again.

“As long as I’m alive at least.” Thomas smiles and shakes his head, slowly pulling the plug from Clay. He watches the screen of his lover's phone how his face looks tense but relaxed at the same time. Thomas pulls his own pants down his thighs and tears open the packet of lube with his teeth and pours it onto his cock. Clay zooms in on him.

After spreading the lube on himself he wipes the extra off on Clay’s shirt who is about to protest but gasps as Thomas pushes into him in one smooth glide, not moving just waiting for Clay to adjust. Holding his shirt between his teeth Thomas opens his phone and starts recording with the flash as he starts moving in and out of Clay, slow but deep. Clay’s own recording is on his front facing camera on his face with flash, he actually forgets he is holding his phone for a moment and closes his eyes just enjoying the jolts of pleasure through his body. His phone dips a bit so it isn’t on his face anymore and Thomas stops moving altogether.

“Phone Clayton.” Clay swallows because Thomas never calls him by his full name unless he is in trouble, he fixes the angle without complaining and is rewarded with the deepest thrust yet. Moaning loudly he pushes back onto Thomas a bit and feels him start to speed up. Punching sounds out of him as his diaphragm hits the seat and Thomas’ cock knocks the wind out of him. He is making sure to put on a show as he starts sending the videos to the groupchat of him, Thomas and Noelle.

Thomas’ video also start sending, he is making sure the angle in the video is right to see him fucking clay, sometimes pulling out slow and fucking in fast. Sometimes pulling out fast and pushing in slow. He was taking Clay apart in ways he didn’t know possible.

Clay was getting close, after his third video to Noelle he starts getting shaky, he eyes are rolling back and his mouth is constantly slack. He is used to Thomas tossing out degrading shit when they fuck, and he loves it, but tonight Thomas was completely silent and it made Clay realize just how loud he is. Thomas drives a good three more hard thrusts right into Clay's prostate and then on the fourth he says pressing on it and grinds into it causing tears to fall from Clay’s eyes for the second time today. It sends Clay over the edge, cumming harder than he has in a while and that says a lot because he usually cums hard when he is with his partners.

Clay clenches around Thomas as he starts cumming and it sends him over the edge as well, sending the last video he leans forward and grips Clay's hips tightly as his body tenses. Once he is finished he slowly pulls out, neither of them being a fan of over stimulation, they both wince a bit.

“We don’t have anything to clean up with.” Thomas is thinking about using his shirt but that might be obvious to the parents.

“You could.. Put the plug back in, then use the dirty rag in the bottom of the cup holder for the seat.” Clay isn’t looking at Thomas, he probably thinks it's weird that Clay wants the plug back in. “Just… Just til we get back home.” Clay's face is burning with how embarrassed he is. Thomas thinks for a moment feeling his own face heat up, Clay wants everything he just put in him to stay in him… it was extremely hot but he didn’t know if that's how Clay saw it, taking the plug from his hand that was holding his phone, he help it between his ring and middle finger to make sure they didn’t lose it. He gulps down all his excitement that is threatening to make him hard again and watches closely as he uses his free hand to pull Clay open again. He slowly inserts the plug back into his boyfriend and lets out a shaky breath. How is he supposed to talk to Judy if he knows Clay is walking around with his baby juice still in him.

Oh god.

Clay slowly sits up and rolls his shoulders out, they are a bit stiff. Thomas wraps his arms around Clay's middle after they both pull up their pants and wipe off the seat, Clay’s head falls back on his shoulder, smiling sleepily.

“Hey,” Thomas pokes Clay’s cheek with his nose in a way of telling him he wants a kiss, turning his head Clay gives him a sweet chaste kiss smiling when they rub their noses for a moment. “I love you.” Clay turns around in the seat clumsily, just about falling off but thankful Thomas catches him by his belt loops and pulls him back onto the seat both laughing wildly. Smashing their lips together they are still laughing playfully biting each other's lips and noses.

“I love you too.”

Noelle woke up from her nap in one of her bigger fluffier bean bag chairs, it held her and probably would hold Thomas as well. Her phone was going nuts, sixteen snapchat notifications from Clay and Thomas. She sighs happily, still having an hour until dinner she was excited to talk to her boys, opening her app she clicks on that little purple square and it's a video of Clay's face, but then it zooms in on Thomas… lubing himself up. Sitting up a bit too fast and making herself dizzy, thanks anemia, she starts watching closer. Watching all the videos in full she is incredibly hot and uncomfortable, she curses as she tries to take a screenshot of Clay’s face and accidently closes her phone.

She watches closely at all of the videos, Thomas’ of his cock fucking Clay and Clay’s reaction to this on his own videos. She scrambles to her bag to pull out the gift Clay had gotten her from a fucking tiktok video. It was a rose toy, the first time she used it she came in a minute and a half, crying from how good it was at the same time. She decided to take a video of herself getting off to them… they would appreciate that.

Stripping out of everything except for the hoodie Thomas gave her over a year ago she gets to work. Setting the phone up on the fancy footboard of her bed she gets a bit camera shy, sitting there for a moment thinking about how bad she wishes she was with them. She also was nervous to use the rose on her own because it was really powerful and she didn’t know if she could actually keep it on herself long enough to actually finish.

Then she starts thinking about how Clay and Thomas will react to the video, definitely would get them going again and she would love to hear or maybe even see what they did. She is starting to think she is a bit of a voyeur… She take a deep breath and starts the video, She awkwardly waves at the camera, noticing how her hair is poking out of her hood over her head and she laughs, taking a deep breath she holds down the button on the rose for three seconds and she feels it turn on, buzzing in her hand. She spreads her legs and places the rose onto herself, instantly she knocks her head back on her headboard. Putting her free hand over her mouth to keep her from making noise she scrunches her brows and squeezes her eyes shut. Pressing harder she feels her legs start to shake and her abs clenching. Her toes start to curl and her eyes roll back as she already starts to fall off the edge, already being so turned on and the power of the rose being too much she cums taking the rose off her and curling forward as she shakes, shivering violently. She is breathing hard and feels around for her phone. Stopping the video she sends it to them with a little heart emoji. She looks at the time and smiles as she still has twenty minutes till dinner, she cleans up and gets dressed in something a bit nicer. Her face is still red and glowy but she doesn’t mind. She gets a notification and it's from Thomas in the chat, three drooling emojis and

‘I love you’.

Later on in the night after Judy and Garland have gone to bed and Thomas was on his phone just scrolling on tiktok, Clay got him addicted, the man himself walks into the room with arms full of snacks, placing them on the table in his room. His room was the size of the living room in the apartment, it had two red walls and two white. It seems like Clay has never been one for monogamy in any sense of the word. It had a large king size bed, on a fancy mahogany bed frame with fancy sheets and bedspread that don’t match in the slightest. A walk in closet that was full of clothes and trophies along with a gaming system and boxes with names on them full of little trinkets that Clay has found. Leo and Eloise's boxes are the only boxes left in there because Thomas, Noelle and Reg have all taken their boxes with them. Judy and Garland have a room full of things Clay has collected for them over his whole life.

“Did you get cleaned out? I want to make sure we pack the plug for home, I think we could have some good fun with that.” Thomas moves to the edge of the bed to sit with his feet touching the ground, about to get up to get some pretzel sticks. Clay had gone quiet, he was just chatting about how he was upset that his favorite heifer was sold and his parents forgot to tell him.

“Ummm… yeah.” Thomas senses something is off and motions for Clay to come over to him with his finger, Clay shuffles over to him between his legs, Thomas rests his hands on Clay hips and looks up at him. Clay is looking anywhere but him.

“Clay, what's wrong?” Clay sighs and looks down, Thomas ducks his head a bit to look Clay in the eyes, he looks worried. This made Thomas worry as well.

“I just- it's embarrassing.”

“What's embarrassing?” Clay starts to fidget, pressing the tips of his fingers in between his other fingers. Thomas takes his hands and gives them a squeeze.

“I still have the plug in… because I want you in me. Always.” Clay feels his cheeks heat up and he is waiting for Thomas to get grossed out but instead Thomas smiles at him.

“I don’t think that’s embarrassing, I think that's actually pretty hot.” Clay looks deep into Thomas eyes before moving onto the rest of his face just to see if he is lying, he realizes he is being truthful and tackles him back onto the bed. They eventually stop rolling with Clay on top of Thomas, they are both only in their boxers so there wasn’t much between them. Clay grinds down on Thomas as he feels him getting hard. Thomas goes to put his hands on Clay's hips but is stopped short, Clay pins his hands above his head smirking down at him.

“I’m in charge tonight, keep your hands here. I’m gonna undress us.” Clay shimmies down the shocked Thomas’ body, yanking his boxers off and tossing them over his shoulder, doing the same with his own. He lays down and slowly takes the plug out of himself after scurrying over to get the lube causing Thomas to laugh.

“You’re so cute.” Thomas lays there buzzing with excitement, He jumps a bit when the cold lube hits his way to hard cock and makes a sound of offense when Clay snickers at him. Swinging his leg over Thomas and not even pausing as he sinks down on him. Humming happily. Thomas can’t help it when he goes to move his hands again but Clay pins them back to the bed.

“You should learn to- listen” Clay is moving his hips not even stopping to take a breath. Thomas was groaning under him. Clay has not ridden him yet and it is so different, Thomas was definitely not in control and Clay was so hot being so bossy. Noelle is teaching him things. He was the one gasping and begging for more and Clay was the one giving yet receiving at the same time. He was in his own state, yeah Thomas could put him into a submissive mood with just a simple gesture but he was enjoying this. Clay eventually lets go of his hands but Thomas keeps them there as he watches Clay just focus on fucking himself. His arms stretched over his head, one coming down to glide down his chest and to tug his own neglected cock every once in a while but he was dragging this out because he was in control.

Eventually Clay takes one of Thomas' hands and moves it to his dick, Thomas starts to jerk him off causing his rhythm to stutter. He was moaning and his head was falling back, Thomas started meeting his thrusts and he groaned. He was getting close, he was about to tell Thomas this when he suddenly felt a heat filling him up, his eyes snapped open and he saw Thomas’ mouth open and his head tipped back.

He just came… before Clay did! That never happens!

The feeling of Thomas cumming in him, and the thought that Clay made him come first for the first time ever. He spurts onto Thomas’ stomach, flopping forward and putting all his weight onto Thomas.

“We” Clay was still catching his breath as Thomas kissed all over his face, sweaty and breathing hard he smiled. “We can clean up, but I want you in me when we fall asleep.” Thomas’ heart soared at the thought, this new kink of Clay’s was quite nice, not gonna lie. They clean up and snuggle into bed in a spoon position, Thomas hard and in Clay as he falls asleep, driving him mad!

After Thomas is positive Clay is asleep and he has gone soft he pulls out and rolls over so his back to Clay and calls Noelle. A couple of rings and she answers sounding groggy.

“Noelle! So much just happened! Clay has a fucking warming kink! A WARMING KINK!” He whispers yells as she snorts at him but tells him to go on. “He just pinned me to the bed after having a plug in after we fucked on the tractor! He fucked himself on me! I Came BEFORE him!”

“And I missed all this just to see my dad kick Leo out of the house! That’s dumb! You guys better do it again when I’m home because I was to see that! Anyways I need to rest because tomorrow will be long and boring and tense. Goodnight I love you.”

“Good luck and Goodnight Sugar Tits.” Noelle laughs at him.

“I love you too.”

[oosteven-universe]

Eternals #7

Eternals #7 Marvel Comics 2021 Written by Kieron Gillen Illustrated by Esad Ribić Coloured by Matthew Wilson Lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles    NEW ARC! NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! MORE THANOS!     The Eternals have learned the truth of their existence. Their society is in shambles. Who can lead them? Who is the visionary that can lead them from the ashes? And how did they take the throne? Hail Thanos the Mad Titan, Eternal Prime.    Well this has been one long main story with arcs that flow through it changing the focus on what we see while still leaving the larger picture in your mind.  What Kieron manages to do throughout this thus far is really redefine the Eternals and try to present them with a new future path moving forward.  It has been complicated, interesting and full of the perfect amount of drama and intrigue.  This is hard to do too because the balancing act without leaning too far one way or another takes great skill and talent to pull off like we see it happening here.  While a portion of the population scrambles to figure out a new leader, to presumably keep the status quo the same, Sersi and the others want to grow, change and evolve as they find a new purpose and new way of life which to some degree Druig is helping achieve albeit in a very dangerous direction.    I’m loving the way that this is being told.  The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well.  The character development that we see through the narration, the dialogue, the character interaction as well as how we see them act and react to the situations and circumstances which they encounter does wonders in showcasing these unique and individual personalities.  The pacing is excellent and as it takes us through the pages revealing the new direction we’re left wondering could this mad scheme actually happen.  Though knowing Thanos it’s a pretty forgone conclusion it will.    I’m impressed with how we see this being structured and how the layers within the story continue to emerge, grow, evolve and strengthen.  I also like how we see the layers within the story open up these new avenues to be explored.  These avenues allow for some great depth, dimension and complexity to be introduced.  How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward are impeccably handled.      These interiors are bloody stunning as they appear so soft and delicate and yet the power behind them is incredibly immense.  The linework is exquisite and how the varying weights and techniques are being utilised to create this level & quality of detail within the work is mind blowing.  How we see backgrounds utilised throughout the book to enhance and expand the moments and how they work within the composition of the panels to bring out the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story is awe inspiring.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masterful eye for storytelling.  The various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show such a monstrous understanding of how colour works.  The light nearly pastels we see and how they manage to convey that strength is beautifully rendered. ​    I love the fact that this doesn’t partake in the mundane daily trappings of the Marvel Universe and instead is its own unique story.  While the ramifications and what happens with the Eternals will eventually be felt by the rest of the Marvel U for now this self-contained story remains one of the strongest titles that Marvel is currently putting out.  Thanks to this stunning display of writing and intense & complicated characterisation and these utterly bloody brilliant interiors really set this apart from what we see on stands anyone today.

[codyroleplays]

### Roleplay Prompt: "The Lucky One"

This is based off a movie but the role doesn't have to be exactly like the movie we can personalize it but keep the same concept for the prompt. I'll play Logan as myself so l'll go by Cody and you can play Beth (you can use the name she is given in the movie or your own name). We will share the roles of the side characters. Thank you for reading! This will be SFW with some potential NSFW content.

Add my discord cody094410

#### Setting:

The picturesque, small-town charm of Hamden, North Carolina, where nature's beauty meets the simplicity of everyday life. The town is known for its lush forests, rolling fields, and a river that winds its way through the landscape. Hamden is dotted with cozy cafes, rustic barns, and friendly faces. It is springtime, and the town is in full bloom, with flowers and trees coming to life, reflecting a sense of renewal and hope.

#### Background:

In the aftermath of a turbulent deployment in Iraq, Sergeant Logan Thibault has returned to the United States. Haunted by the memories of war, Logan carries with him a worn photograph of a woman he found in the rubble during a firefight. Believing the photograph to be his lucky charm, Logan sets out on a journey to find the woman in the picture, hoping to understand the mysterious connection he feels towards her.

Logan’s search leads him to Hamden, North Carolina, where he discovers that the woman in the photograph is Beth Green, a young single mother running a family-owned dog kennel. Beth is strong-willed and independent, having endured the loss of her brother in the war and a difficult divorce. She is dedicated to her son, Ben, and her grandmother, Ellie, who helps her run the kennel.

#### Characters:

1. **Logan Thibault**: A former Marine sergeant who is kind-hearted, resilient, and seeking a new purpose in life. Logan is struggling with PTSD and trying to find peace after the war.

2. **Beth Green**: A compassionate and determined woman who is protective of her family. Beth is wary of new relationships due to her past experiences but remains hopeful.

3. **Ellie Green**: Beth's wise and warm-hearted grandmother, who provides sage advice and supports Beth unconditionally.

4. **Ben Green**: Beth's lively and curious young son, who quickly bonds with Logan.

5. **Keith Clayton**: Beth's ex-husband, a local deputy sheriff with a controlling nature, who complicates Logan's attempts to get close to Beth.

6. **Zeus**: Logan's loyal German Shepherd, who provides companionship and a sense of security for Logan.

#### Plot Outline:

1. **Logan’s Arrival in Hamden**:

- Logan arrives in Hamden with Zeus, tired but determined. He starts his search discreetly, asking around about the woman in the photograph.

- Logan’s inquiries eventually lead him to Beth’s kennel. He approaches the kennel under the pretense of looking for work.

2. **First Encounter**:

- Logan meets Beth for the first time. She is initially guarded and skeptical of his intentions, but Ellie convinces her to give Logan a chance as a kennel worker.

- Logan’s calm demeanor and connection with the dogs quickly impress Beth and Ellie.

3. **Building Trust**:

- Logan slowly becomes an integral part of the kennel’s daily operations. He forms a bond with Ben, teaching him about the dogs and playing games.

- Logan’s presence brings a sense of stability and warmth to Beth’s life, though she remains unaware of his true reason for being there.

4. **Unraveling Secrets**:

- Keith, noticing Logan’s growing closeness with Beth and Ben, begins to meddle, causing tension.

- Logan’s PTSD episodes occasionally surface, revealing his vulnerability. Beth starts to understand the depth of his struggles and opens up about her own losses.

5. **Revelation and Conflict**:

- Beth eventually discovers the photograph Logan has been carrying, leading to a confrontation. She feels betrayed, thinking Logan’s intentions were dishonest.

- Logan explains the significance of the photograph and his belief that it saved his life, attempting to convey his genuine feelings.

6. **Climactic Resolution**:

- Keith’s interference reaches a peak, causing a dangerous situation that puts Beth and Ben at risk. Logan’s military training proves invaluable as he protects them.

- The ordeal forces Beth to reconsider her feelings and trust in Logan.

7. **Finding Peace**:

- In the aftermath, Beth and Logan have a heartfelt conversation, resolving their misunderstandings. They acknowledge the serendipitous nature of their meeting and decide to embrace their future together.

- Logan finds a sense of belonging and purpose in Hamden, and Beth feels ready to open her heart again.

#### Objectives for Players:

- **Logan**: Navigate the complexities of integrating into a new life while dealing with PTSD. Build trust with Beth and Ben, and confront past traumas.

- **Beth**: Balance the responsibilities of being a single mother and running the kennel. Overcome past heartbreak and learn to trust Logan.

- **Ellie**: Support Beth and offer wisdom to both Beth and Logan, helping them see the importance of love and second chances.

- **Ben**: Develop a bond with Logan and show how a child’s perspective can bring healing to adults.

- **Keith**: Create obstacles for Logan and Beth, driven by jealousy and a desire for control. Eventually face the consequences of your actions.

#### Possible Scenes:

1. **A Day at the Kennel**: Characters working together, tending to the dogs, and sharing stories.

2. **Picnic by the River**: A peaceful moment where Logan, Beth, and Ben bond.

3. **Confrontation with Keith**: Tensions rise as Keith tries to assert control over Beth’s life.

4. **PTSD Episode**: Logan experiencing a flashback, with Beth helping him through it.

5. **The Photograph’s Revelation**: The emotional moment when Beth finds out about the photograph and Logan’s quest.

[certainpiratecreation-blog1]

Top 3 Ways To Make Him Love You Like Crazy

3 Tips To Create Long-Lasting Love With Men

By Clayton Max, Creator  of Infatuation Scripts

Do you find yourself  falling hard  for that  special guy ? Is your mind  full of  love and affection  for him, yet  you're not sure  exactly how  to say  it?

Possibly  you're anxious    he may  find you too intense  and pull away , or maybe you're imagining  that  he'll be drawn into  somebody else 's arms .

Whatever the situation , I've got  three  incredible  approaches  to make  him feel  a strong , all consuming  desire  to be close to you .

# 1.   Work Your Way Into His Mind

Many  women presume  that men  intend to  sleep with  a woman  as fast  as possible . Yet  in  my   experience , I found  that you're more likely  to pull him in  by being  good friends  with him first .

I realize that  appears  counter intuitive  since  this could get you banished  into  the "Friend Zone". But  the suggestion    is to not hop  in the sack    as soon as possible  but build a stronger desire and  artfully draw it out  a little bit .

The fact is ,   men  like  the sweet  torment  of the "slow burn".

If you play it right , you'll be able to  keep up  this dance  until  his mind  reaches  a level  where  he can not  imagine  being 'just good friends ' with you  .

He'll want to  move  the relationship  to the next  level.

Discover The 'Emotional  Triggers' To Arouse  a Man 's Infatuation Impulse

# 2. Spark His Desire With Words  

A strong  connection  comes about  when we have  a  habit  of connecting  in a gentle , loving  style .

Of course, in every-day life  communication doesn't ALWAYS work like this , especially when arguments and differences of opinion arise .

However, for  the most part, a relationship  grows  when there are more  words of affirmation and praise  than hostility  or argument .

That's the reason why  a man  is most likely  to react  constructively  to a spouse  who  acknowledges  his positive traits  and  affirms  them through  words of positive affirmation .

For instance , you can  highlight  how handsome  he looks when he's wearing  his favorite  tee shirt , or even  just  the way he knows all that  all that  information about cars or cinema or whatever he's into .

List down the  characteristics    you love  in  him, then put in the effort  to point them out .

Use These Scripts To Activate  His  Infatuation Instinct And Experience  The Dramatic  Difference In How He Responds  

# 3. Make Use Of  Powerful  Body Signals

Maybe you've  noticed  the way  some partners  seem  to perfectly complement  each other ? I'm talking about  how  they finish  the other 's sentences and  already understand  what the other person  is thinking about  without saying a single word .

You might notice this    phenomenon  in close  duos , whether it's your best friend  and  her hubby  or your  90-year old  grandparents. They   appear  to just  connect  on a deep, unspoken  level of understanding .

If you'd like to  mimic  that connection  and set the stage  for you and your spouse , you can  start  with body language .

Obviously , a lasting  partnership  requires you to establish  a connection  through  mutual growth  and so on . But  mirroring  his expressions and habits , for instance , is  a good  means  to set  the foundations .

For instance , if  you're going out  on a date  together  and he's  engaged in the moment , he will probably  be wearing  a content and engaged  expression  on his beautiful  face.

Now you could  mirror  the brightness  of his expression  and, automatically , it  is going to  enable  you to develop  a strong emotional  connection  with him. It is  nothing short of  magical , and it will certainly  feel like you are growing closer together .

The moment you  begin  implementing  these body language techniques , you will  begin  placing  your partnership  on a better  course . Treat  these as practices  you can embrace  as part of  your daily  routine , like eating breakfast or making a deposit at the bank .

Pretty  soon , your partnership  is going to be  rich  with passionate love  and you will have  a lot of  it to continue growing  for years  into the future .

But , did you know that you can also say  a few  specific  phrases  to a guy  and  make him quickly  fall for  you even HARDER? It sounds  crazy , however  there's  a combination  of words that will  essentially  alter  a guy 's emotional state and generate  powerful  feelings of passion for you.

The fact  is that it's based on an obscure  psychological concept . Absolutely any  woman  can use  this through  a mix  of specific  words that will develop  a powerful effect on the way he sees  you.

It's   like re-wiring his mind  so that  he can't  picture  spending the rest of his days  with any woman  except  you. Honestly , it's a degree  of devotion that's almost scary.

If you're ready for this type of  commitment , however, you can find out  the keys  to this technique  right here:

How To Use Infatuation Scripts To Make Him Sure That You're  The One For Him

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1303

Monday, March 2, 2020

 This is a public service announcement. You will be ticketed for parking on the street during a parking ban even though the snow has already been cleared from the roads. We got a ticket parked in front of our house last week because we couldn't get into our driveway after the grader left a big snow bank at the end of it. I hope to spare anyone from being dinged with what I think is an unfair fine.

 Amazing Spider-Man: Daily Bugle #2 - Mat Johnson (writer) Mack Chater (art pages 1-12) Francesco Mobili (art pages 13-20) Dono Sanchez-Almara, Protobunker & Peter Pantazis (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). I can't read the rest of this 5-issue mini. The art really bothered me this issue. It was hard to tell what was going on the first few pages and then seeing Peter Parker in civvies looking almost exactly like the bad guy confused me further. There are interesting mysteries about Spidey's webbing and a Wilson Fisk involvement with an explosion, but this story probably won't matter in the grand scheme of things, so I don't think I'll miss anything if I bail out here.

 Punisher Soviet #4 - Garth Ennis (writer) Jacen Burrows (pencils) Guillermo Ortego (inks) Nolan Woodard (colours) Rob Steen (letters). Frank and Valery go after Konstantin by kidnapping his trophy wife. She's amenable to divorce by Punisher. Thank Garth for improving my mood.

 Basketful of Heads #5 - Joe Hill (writer) Leomacs (art) Riccardo La Bella (additional pencils) Dave Stewart (colours) Deron Bennett (letters). Everything leading up to this issue has been circumstantial. Now the villain tells the complete story. I'm rooting for June to survive this mess.

 Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 - James Tynion IV (writer) Steve Epting & Javier Fernandez (art) Nick Filardi (colours) Travis Lanham (letters). Heh, it's the Joker who helps Lex beat the Batman Who Laughs. It looks like next issue's pulse pounding conclusion will be Lex and his super villains versus the Batman Who Laughs and his infected super heroes. It's been a while since the Main Man has been in a comic that I've read.

 Avengers #31 - Jason Aaron (writer) Gerardo Zaffino, Geraldo Borges, Szymon Kudranski, Oscar Bazaldua, Robert Gill & Mattia De Iulis (art) Rachelle Rosenberg & Mattia De Iulis (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). I haven't seen Tony Stark in a while so I assumed he was dead. Nope. He was zapped a million years into the past by the master manipulator Mephisto. The devil tries to get Tony's soul. This is a wonderful full issue of Iron Man and if Jason wrote an Iron Man book, I'd read it.

 Amethyst #1 - Amy Reeder (story & art) Gabriela Downie (letters). I remember reading the original Amethyst book when it hit the racks in 1983 with the Ernie Colon art. It was fun and weird with a plucky heroine. This new Wonder Comics book has the appeal of having art by Amy Reeder who wowed me with her work on Madame Xanadu and Rocket Girl. Here she is writing as well and the art and story is tight and concise. This is a nice substitute for the dearly departed Naomi book.

 Avengers of the Wastelands #2 - Ed Brisson (writer) Jonas Scharf (art) Neeraj Menon (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). It's the origin of Captain America of the Wastelands. His name is Grant. I think this is a great way to change tried and true Marvel characters to make them fresh and new. Having them fight an evil Doctor Doom is nice and simple. Four Avengers may become five but they have to contend with a super villain first.

 Suicide Squad #3 - Tom Taylor (writer) Bruno Redondo (art) Adriano Lucas (colours) Wes Abbott (letters). The new Squad's first mission under Lok's leadership does not go according to plan. Neither are these super villains what they seem. This is why I read Tom Taylor books. Forget about any new Crises and DCeased and pick up this most excellent comic book for some straight up action and skulduggery.

 Kill Lock #3 - Livio Ramondelli (story & art) Tom B. Long (letters). I get why the calligraphy font is used in the Wraith's word balloons but man, is it hard to read. This issue explains why The Kid is innocent and shouldn't be branded. The four droids find the one who can lead them to the Kill Lock's off switch but she betrays them. This universe of sentient robots is pretty cool.

 Jessica Jones: Blind Spot #4 - Kelly Thompson (writer) Mattia De Iulis (art) VC's Cory Petit (letters). Each issue has started off with Jessica held captive by the bad guy. The end of this issue reveals who that is and how she was killed and resurrected. I am looking forward to the conclusion to see how she defeats the villain.

 Batman Superman #7 - Joshua Williamson (writer) Nick Derington (art) Dave McCaig (colours) John J. Hill (letters). A new story starts here. Part 1 of "The Kandor Compromise" pits the World's Finest duo against Ra's Al Ghul and General Zod. One of the bad guys is working with the good guys. I got bored of the fight between Superman and Rogol Zaar so what happened to the city of Kandor was a surprise to me. I'm interested to see the final fate of the shrunken city.

 Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey and Emma Frost #1 - Jonathan Hickman (writer) Russell Dauterman (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). This mostly wordless $4.99 US one-shot will be a quick read but I read it twice just to soak in the beautiful art. The story starts with the discovery Storm's body and ends with a problem after Ororo is resurrected. This leads into a story where Jean, Emma, Logan and Scott will have to save Storm again.

 Leviathan Dawn #1- Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Alex Maleev (art) Josh Reed (letters). Leviathan succeeded in shutting down every spy agency and the leader has been revealed to be an ex-spy named Mark Shaw. The good guys are still trying to fight back but they're going to need help. Time for Kingsley Jacobs to start up Check Mate again. I like the players he's gathered. I'm looking forward to watching this game unfold.

 Finger Guns #1 - Justin Richards (writer) Val Halvorson (art) Rebecca Nalty (colours) Taylor Esposito (letters). And now for something completely different. This new urban fantasy introduces two teenagers with a weird power. Wes discovers that when he shoots people with his left hand he can make them angry. Sadie can calm people down when she uses her right finger gun. They meet by accident at the mall and try to get a handle on their newfound powers. It's a cool concept and I wonder where these kids are going to end up.

 Fantastic Four: Grimm Noir #1 - Gerry Duggan (writer) Ron Garney (art) Matt Milla (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). This one's all about Ben's bad dreams. I thought the bad guy was Nightmare but it's another one of those mystical villains that generally mess with Doctor Strange. I expected some sort of Mickey Spillane type story but there's no murder, just a pretty dame needing rescue. It's a nice character study of the ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing.

 Detective Comics #1020 - Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Brad Walker (pencils) Andrew Hennessy (inks) Brad Anderson (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). Two-Face is back and he's more bipolar than ever. This is what I like to see, an old villain presented in a slightly new way. We still have the scarred coin dictating how Harvey acts but there's a new twist with a cult of fanatics and the Church of the Two Strikes. I love how the first page hints at the return of the Court of Owls too.

 Falcon & Winter Soldier #1 - Derek Landy (writer) Federico Vicentini (art) Matt Milla (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). This 5-issue team-up starts off with a heavily armed and armoured hit squad attacking Bucky Barnes in his home. The Winter Soldier emerges unscathed and hops his motorcycle to find out who sent the killers. Meanwhile Sam Wilson is searching for a missing vet. The two meet at a government agency office where all the staff are dead. Wanting to know who's doing all the killing has got me interested in reading the rest but when a preppy killer shows up and kicks both of the heroes asses I decided to put this mini on my "must read" list. The kid's name is the Natural. Picture a blonde Damian Wayne in a pair of Chuck Taylors.

 The Amazing Spider-Man #40 - Nick Spencer (writer) Iban Coello & Ze Carlos (art) Brian Reber & Peter Pantazis (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). The fight between Spider-Man and Chance had to do with a bet that Chance could get one of Spidey's web shooters. What bothered me was how easily that was done and Spider-Man's lack of urgency to get it back. There's a couple of foreshadowing scenes that will keep me reading however. One involves the Clairvoyant device and the other is who Norah Winters is working with.

 X-Men #7 - Jonathan Hickman (writer) Leinil Francis Yu (art) Sunny Gho (colours) VC's Clayton Cowles (letters). This issue is dedicated to a new Mutant Ritual called the Crucible. It's a lot shorter than calling it the Arena of Death and Rebirth. It shows how mutants who have lost their powers can get them back. But first we have to endure a deep philosophical discussion between Cyclops and Nightcrawler. It's a real snoozer if you're an action fan.

 Action Comics #1020 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) John Romita Jr. (pencils) Klaus Janson (inks) Brad Anderson (colours) Dave Sharpe (letters). I wish they would stop with the deceiving covers. It looks like Superman is trying to come between Lex Luthor and Leviathan but what actually happens inside is Superman fighting Lex and the Legion of Doom. If it weren't for Young Justice helping out I would have found this issue boring.

 X-Men/Fantastic Four #2 - Chip Zdarsky (writer) Terry Dodson (pencils) Rachel Dodson, Karl Story & Ransom Getty (inks) Laura Martin (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). There's a lot of heroes accusing heroes of shenanigans concerning the disappearance of Franklin and Valeria. They are actually guests of Doctor Doom. Victor wants to reverse what Reed did to his son and I want to know why. With the X-Men converging on Doom Island, good old Doc Doom is prepared for an attack.

 X-Force #8 - Benjamin Percy (writer) Bazaldua (art) Guru-eFX (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). Why did Oscar Bazaldua stop using his first name in the credits? Domino and Colossus attack the flesh factory making assassins using Neena's DNA. The organisation funding the flesh factory has a mysterious benefactor and I'm hanging around to find out who that is. I wish they would change either Sage or Jubilee's costume. I keep getting them confused.

[deniscollins]

Who Killed the Knapp Family?

The stock market is near record highs, but working-class Americans (often defined as those without college degrees) continue to struggle. If you’re only a high school graduate, or worse, a dropout, work no longer pays. If the federal minimum wage in 1968 had kept up with inflation and productivity, it would now be $22 an hour. Instead, it’s $7.25. In some ways, the situation is worsening, because families have imploded under the pressure of drug and alcohol abuse, and children are growing up in desperate circumstances. It would be easy but too simplistic to blame just automation and lost jobs: The problems are also rooted in disastrous policy choices over 50 years. If you owned a business, what, if anything, could you do to address this situation?

Chaos reigned daily on the No. 6 school bus, with working-class boys and girls flirting and gossiping and dreaming, brimming with mischief, bravado and optimism. Nick rode it every day in the 1970s with neighbors here in rural Oregon, neighbors like Farlan, Zealan, Rogena, Nathan and Keylan Knapp.

They were bright, rambunctious, upwardly mobile youngsters whose father had a good job installing pipes. The Knapps were thrilled to have just bought their own home, and everyone oohed and aahed when Farlan received a Ford Mustang for his 16th birthday.

Yet today about one-quarter of the children on that No. 6 bus are dead, mostly from drugs, suicide, alcohol or reckless accidents. Of the five Knapp kids who had once been so cheery, Farlan died of liver failure from drink and drugs, Zealan burned to death in a house fire while passed out drunk, Rogena died from hepatitis linked to drug use and Nathan blew himself up cooking meth. Keylan survived partly because he spent 13 years in a state penitentiary.

Among other kids on the bus, Mike died from suicide, Steve from the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, Cindy from depression and a heart attack, Jeff from a daredevil car crash, Billy from diabetes in prison, Kevin from obesity-related ailments, Tim from a construction accident, Sue from undetermined causes. And then there’s Chris, who is presumed dead after years of alcoholism and homelessness. At least one more is in prison, and another is homeless.

We Americans are locked in political combat and focused on President Trump, but there is a cancer gnawing at the nation that predates Trump and is larger than him. Suicides are at their highest rate since World War II; one child in seven is living with a parent suffering from substance abuse; a baby is born every 15 minutes after prenatal exposure to opioids; America is slipping as a great power.

We have deep structural problems that have been a half century in the making, under both political parties, and that are often transmitted from generation to generation. Only in America has life expectancy now fallen three years in a row, for the first time in a century, because of “deaths of despair.”

“The meaningfulness of the working-class life seems to have evaporated,” Angus Deaton, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, told us. “The economy just seems to have stopped delivering for these people.” Deaton and the economist Anne Case, who is also his wife, coined the term “deaths of despair” to describe the surge of mortality from alcohol, drugs and suicide.

The kids on the No. 6 bus rode into a cataclysm as working-class communities disintegrated across America because of lost jobs, broken families, gloom — and failed policies. The suffering was invisible to affluent Americans, but the consequences are now evident to all: The survivors mostly voted for Trump, some in hopes that he would rescue them, but under him the number of children without health insurance has risen by more than 400,000.

The stock market is near record highs, but working-class Americans (often defined as those without college degrees) continue to struggle. If you’re only a high school graduate, or worse, a dropout, work no longer pays. If the federal minimum wage in 1968 had kept up with inflation and productivity, it would now be $22 an hour. Instead, it’s $7.25.

We were foreign correspondents together for many years, periodically covering humanitarian crises in distant countries. Then we would return to the Kristof family farm in Yamhill and see a humanitarian crisis unfolding in a community we loved — and a similar unraveling was happening in towns across the country. This was not one town’s problem, but a crisis in the American system.

“I’m a capitalist, and even I think capitalism is broken,” says Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater, the world’s largest hedge fund.

Even in this presidential campaign, the unraveling of working-class communities receives little attention. There is talk about the middle class, but very little about the working class; we discuss college access but not the one in seven children who don’t graduate from high school. America is like a boat that is half-capsized, but those partying above water seem oblivious.

“We have to stop being obsessed over impeachment and start actually digging in and solving the problems that got Donald Trump elected in the first place,” Andrew Yang argued in the last Democratic presidential debate. Whatever you think of Yang as a candidate, on this he is dead right: We have to treat America’s cancer.

In some ways, the situation is worsening, because families have imploded under the pressure of drug and alcohol abuse, and children are growing up in desperate circumstances. One of our dearest friends in Yamhill, Clayton Green, a brilliant mechanic who was three years behind Nick in school, died last January, leaving five grandchildren — and all have been removed from their parents by the state for their protection. A local school official sighs that some children are “feral.”

Farlan, the oldest of the Knapp children, was in Nick’s grade. A talented woodworker, he dreamed of opening a business called “Farlan’s Far Out Fantastic Freaky Furniture.” But Farlan ended up dropping out of school after the ninth grade.

Although he never took high school chemistry, Farlan became a first-rate chemist: He was one of the first people in the Yamhill area to cook meth. For a time he was a successful entrepreneur known for his high quality merchandise. “This is what I was made for,” he once announced with quiet pride. But he abused his own drugs and by his 40s was gaunt and frail.

In some ways, he was a great dad, for he loved his two daughters, Amber and Andrea, and they idolized him. But theirs was not an optimal upbringing: In one of Amber’s baby pictures, there’s a plate of cocaine in the background.

Farlan died of liver failure in 2009, just after his 51st birthday, and his death devastated both daughters. Andrea, who was smart, talented, gorgeous and entrepreneurial, ran her own real estate business but accelerated her drinking after her dad died. “She drank herself to death,” her uncle Keylan told us. She was buried in 2013 at the age of 29.

In the 1970s and ’80s it was common to hear derogatory suggestions that the forces ripping apart African-American communities were rooted in “black culture.” The idea was that “deadbeat dads,” self-destructive drug abuse and family breakdown were the fundamental causes, and that all people needed to do was show “personal responsibility.”

A Harvard sociologist, William Julius Wilson, countered that the true underlying problem was lost jobs, and he turned out to be right. When good jobs left white towns like Yamhill a couple of decades later because of globalization and automation, the same pathologies unfolded there. Men in particular felt the loss not only of income but also of dignity that accompanied a good job. Lonely and troubled, they self-medicated with alcohol or drugs, and they accumulated criminal records that left them less employable and less marriageable. Family structure collapsed.

It would be easy but too simplistic to blame just automation and lost jobs: The problems are also rooted in disastrous policy choices over 50 years. The United States wrested power from labor and gave it to business, and it suppressed wages and cut taxes rather than invest in human capital, as our peer countries did. As other countries embraced universal health care, we did not; several counties in the United States have life expectancies shorter than those in Cambodia or Bangladesh.

One consequence is that the bottom end of America’s labor force is not very productive, in ways that reduce our country’s competitiveness. A low-end worker may not have a high school diploma and is often barely literate or numerate while also struggling with a dependency; more than seven million Americans also have suspended driver’s licenses for failing to pay child support or court-related debt, meaning that they may not reliably show up at work.

Americans also bought into a misconceived “personal responsibility” narrative that blamed people for being poor. It’s true, of course, that personal responsibility matters: People we spoke to often acknowledged engaging in self-destructive behaviors. But when you can predict wretched outcomes based on the ZIP code where a child is born, the problem is not bad choices the infant is making. If we’re going to obsess about personal responsibility, let’s also have a conversation about social responsibility.

Why did deaths of despair claim Farlan, Zealan, Nathan, Rogena and so many others? We see three important factors.

First, well-paying jobs disappeared, partly because of technology and globalization but also because of political pressure on unions and a general redistribution of power toward the wealthy and corporations.

Second, there was an explosion of drugs — oxycodone, meth, heroin, crack cocaine and fentanyl — aggravated by the reckless marketing of prescription painkillers by pharmaceutical companies.

Third, the war on drugs sent fathers and mothers to jail, shattering families.

There’s plenty of blame to go around. Both political parties embraced mass incarceration and the war on drugs, which was particularly devastating for black Americans, and ignored an education system that often consigned the poor — especially children of color — to failing schools. Since 1988, American schools have become increasingly segregated by race, and kids in poor districts perform on average four grade levels behind those in rich districts.

Farlan’s daughter Amber seemed to be the member of the Knapp family most poised for success. She was the first Knapp ever to graduate from high school, and then she took a job at a telecommunications company, managing databases and training staff members to use computer systems. We were struck by her intellect and interpersonal skills; it was easy to imagine her as a lawyer or a business executive.

“PowerPoint presentations and Excel and pivot charts and matrix analytics, that’s what I like to do,” she told us. She married and had three children, and for a time was thriving.

Then in grief after her father and sister died, she imploded. A doctor had prescribed medications like Xanax, and she became dependent on them. After running out of them, she began smoking meth for the first time when she was 32.

“I was dead set against it my whole life,” she remembered. “I hated it. I’d seen what it did to everybody. My dad was a junkie who cooked meth and lost everything. You would think that was enough.” It wasn’t. She bounced in and out of jail and lost her kids.

Amber knew she had blown it, but she was determined to recover her life and her children. We had hoped that Amber would claw her way back, proof that it is possible to escape the messiness of the Knapp family story and build a successful life. We texted Amber a few times to arrange to get photos of Farlan, and then she stopped replying to our texts. Finally, her daughter responded: Amber was back in jail.

Yet it’s not hopeless. America is polarized with ferocious arguments about social issues, but we should be able to agree on what doesn’t work: neglect and underinvestment in children. Here’s what does work.

Job training and retraining give people dignity as well as an economic lifeline. Such jobs programs are common in other countries.

For instance, autoworkers were laid off during the 2008-9 economic crisis both in Detroit and across the Canadian border in nearby Windsor, Ontario. As the scholar Victor Tan Chen has showed, the two countries responded differently. The United States focused on money, providing extended unemployment benefits. Canada emphasized job retraining, rapidly steering workers into new jobs in fields like health care, and Canadian workers also did not have to worry about losing health insurance.

Canada’s approach succeeded. The focus on job placement meant that Canadian workers were ushered more quickly back into workaday society and thus today seem less entangled in drugs and family breakdown.

Another successful strategy is investing not just in prisons but also in human capital to keep people out of prisons. The highest-return investments available in America may be in early education for disadvantaged children, but there are also valuable interventions available for adolescents and adults. We attended a thrilling graduation in Tulsa, Okla., for 17 women completing an impressive local drug treatment program called Women in Recovery.

The graduates had an average of 15 years of addiction each, and all were on probation after committing crimes. Yet they had quit drugs and started jobs, and 300 people in the audience — including police officers who had arrested them and judges who had sentenced them — gave the women a standing ovation. The state attorney general served as the commencement speaker and called them “heroes,” drawing tearful smiles from women more accustomed to being called “junkies” or “whores.”

“I thought we’d be planning a funeral instead,” said one audience member whose younger sister had started using meth at age 12 and was now graduating at 35. Women in Recovery has a recidivism rate after three years of only 4 percent, and consequently has saved Oklahoma $70 million in prison spending, according to the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

Bravo for philanthropy, but the United States would never build interstate highways through volunteers and donations, and we can’t build a national preschool program or a national drug recovery program with private money. We need the government to step up and jump-start nationwide programs in early childhood education, job retraining, drug treatment and more.

For individuals trying to break an addiction, a first step is to face up to the problem — and that’s what America should do as well. Our own reporting in the past focused on foreigners, affording us an emotional distance, while this time we spoke with old friends and had no armor. It has been wrenching to see them struggle. But ultimately we saw pathways forward that leave us hopeful.

One of our dear friends in Yamhill was Rick (Ricochet) Goff, who was part Indian and never had a chance: His mom died when he was 5 and his dad was, as he put it, “a professional drunk” who abandoned the family. Ricochet was a whiz at solving puzzles and so dependable a friend that he would lend pals money even when he couldn’t afford medicine for himself. We deeply felt Ricochet’s loss when he died four years ago, and we also worried about his adult son, Drew, who is smart and charismatic but had been messing with drugs since he was 12.

Drew’s son, Ashtyn, was born with drugs in his system, and we feared that the cycle of distress was now being passed on to the next generation. We exchanged letters with Drew while he was in prison but lost touch.

Then, when we were visiting a drug-treatment program in Oregon called Provoking Hope, a young man bounded over to us. “It’s me, Drew,” he said.

We have been close with Drew since, and he fills us with optimism. With the help of Provoking Hope, Drew will soon celebrate two years free of drugs, and he holds a responsible job at the front desk of a hotel. He has custody of Ashtyn and is now an outstanding dad, constantly speaking to him and playing with him. Drew still has a tempestuous side, and occasionally he has some rash impulse — but then he thinks of Ashtyn and reins himself in.

“I’m a work in progress,” he told us. “The old me wants to act out, and I won’t allow that.”

Drew keeps moving forward, and we believe he’s going to thrive along with Ashtyn, breaking the cycle that had enmeshed his family for generations. With support and balance, this can be done — if we as a society are willing to offer help, not just handcuffs.

“It’s a tightrope I’m walking on,” Drew said. “And sometimes it seems to be made of fishing line.”

[thecomicsnexus]

The prophecy of Madame Web!

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #210 NOVEMBER 1980 BY DENNIS O’NEIL, JOHN ROMITA JR, JOE SINNOTT AND BOB SHAREN

SYNOPSIS (FROM MARVEL DATABASE)

Rupert Dockery is talking to five masked hoodlums in the basement storage room of the Daily Globe. Their instructions are clear: they are to kidnap the "good-looking woman" and if necessary kill anyone who gets in their way. The elevators will be closed and the switchboard inoperative, continues Dockery, so they should have no trouble. Meanwhile, Peter Parker and Debra Whitman are strolling through New York City's China-town. Peter is surprised to learn that Debra is seeing a clairvoyant. Then Debra shows Peter the business card of the psychic, Madame Web. Peter remarks that Madame Web looks like a fraud to him. Just then, Peter sees a clock and realizes that he must attend a meeting at the Daily Globe in five minutes, so he has to abandon Debra on the sidewalk. He arrives 15 minutes late, but when he tries to enter the elevator the guard tells him that no one is allowed in the editorial department before five o'clock. Peter finds this peculiar, and he goes to a storage room to change into his Spider-Man costume. Then he climbs up the building to the 14th floor. In the Globe's conference room, Rupert Dockery introduces the newspaper's publisher to Barney Bushkin, April Maye, and Mike Mullaney. This is the first time they have met K. J. Clayton, who to their surprise turns out to be a stunning blonde. She apologizes for having been so secretive, explaining that she has come forward now to turn control of the newspaper over to Rupert Dockery.

Suddenly Dockery's five hoodlums break through the conference-room door. Holding the newsmen at gunpoint, they grab the woman introduced as Ms. Clayton, but Spider-Man suddenly smashes into the room through the window. The hoodlums immediately open fire, but Spider-Man dodges their bullets and knocks four of them out. Unfortunately, the remaining hoodlum escapes with the woman. As Spider-Man starts out in pursuit, Dockery blocks his way, and the delay is Just long enough for the criminal to escape down the elevator. Disappointed at his failure to stop the kidnapping, Spider-Man sees a scrap of paper on the floor, apparently dropped by the criminal or the victim. The paper has Madame Web's picture on it, and Spider-Man web-swings across town to Madame Web's apartment. He enters through an open window and finds the psychic at the center of a large, spider-web-like contrivance. When Spider-Man inquires about the structure, she explains that it is a life-support system designed by her late husband, without which she would be dead in a minute. She explains that she has certain "gifts," and although she is blind, she can see things beyond normal sight; she is a clairvoyant. Further, she continues, she is able to nurture this power in others who are born with the ability. When Spider-Man asks how reliable her powers are, she says she can guarantee nothing. Spider-Man then hands her the slip of paper with her picture on it and asks whether she can tell him anything about it.0 The aura from the picture, explains Madame Web, is that of her newest student, Belinda Bell, a model, and actress. Belinda handled the paper in a moment of great peril while cooperating with a second woman, Katrinka Janice Clayton.

Belinda realizes that she has done wrong, continues Madame Web, and now she is afraid. Although Madame Web cannot tell where Belinda is, Spider-Man presses her, and she has a vision of railroad cars piled up as if there were an accident. She then urges Spider-Man to hurry, because unless he can locate Belinda, both she and K. J. Clayton will die. In the basement of the Hickory Dockery Toy Store in lower Manhattan, Belinda Bell is tied to a pillar, the captive of four of Dockery's hoodlums. An electric train set is assembled in the middle of the room. (it is this toy train that Madame Web saw in her vision.) The thugs explain that their orders are to hold her until they hear from their boss; he might let her go, and he might not. Dockery himself is four miles uptown at the penthouse suite of the Daily Globe with the real K. J. Clayton. She is bewildered because she trusted him and now he wants to kill her. Dockery explains that by disposing of her he will gain complete control of the newspaper. Because she felt old and unattractive, K. J. Clayton operated the Daily Globe as a recluse, never allowing herself to be seen. She went along with Dockery's plan to hire Belinda Bell to appear in her place at the staff meeting, never suspecting what Dockery's real objective was. There is no one to hear her cry for help, says Dockery, and after making a telephone call, he shall attend to her personally. Then he telephones the toy store and tells his hoodlums to dispose of Belinda Bell. Fortunately, Spider-Man arrives at the store in time. Smashing through the glass roof and using the electric-train table as a giant shield, he disables the hoodlums and knocks them out by dropping two shelves of toys on them.

He explains that he found the place when he realized that the trains in Madame Web's vision were toys, and on checking discovered a toy store owned by Dockery. Then he unties Belinda, who tells him that Dockery is about to do away with K. J. Clayton. Spider-Man web-swings to the Daily Globe as fast as he can, and he finds that the penthouse office has been set on fire. As smoke fills the building, Spider-Man smashes through a window and rescues Ms. Clayton. Then Spider-Man descends to the sidewalk, where he finds Dockery entering his limousine. Spider-Man turns the vehicle over, tears off a door, and pulls Dockery out. Dockery quickly confesses. Later, in his apartment, Peter Parker reads in the Times about Dockery's capture and confession. He also reads that K. J. Clayton has decided to suspend publication of the Daily Globe.

This is annoying, because now Peter has no one to work for and no source of income. Then his telephone rings. Peter answers, and it is Madame Web, who congratulates him on his success and tells him that she will protect his secret identity as Spider-Man. She also tells him not to worry about money, because someone is considering hiring him. Sure enough, J. Jonah Jameson is trying to call Peter at that very moment. Irritated when he finds Peter's line busy, Jameson will keep trying to get through.

REVIEW

In what seems to be a standalone issue, we get Madame Web, a character that kids that grew up in the nineties may know from the Animated Series.

Apart from her first appearance, there is little else to this issue. Sure Peter Parker loses his job, but in the long run, it doesn’t seem like anything else happening in this story will matter.

John Romita Jr makes Spidey look good and clean. He is still to develop his unique style, and in the meantime, he is just keeping the tone of the book (I can see Milgrom’s style in the final output though).

I give this issue a score of 7

[jcusnetworksba1002july2019]

Instagram: Power or Impairment

Figure 1: Symbols of engagement on Instagram ( Dudharejia, 2018)  Retrieved from https://images.app.goo.gl/DAkDrsSDHqm5XP368

Despite the mindlessness of scrolling through Instagram and double tapping on the photos, the user possesses a lot of power in his thumbs. Power can be defined by physical capabilities, competence or in this case, control. The photos I post or not post is determined by how many likes I think I would get and the kind of comments I would receive. We would want to think that we are autonomous, and we are making our decisions by ourselves without much outside influence (Schüler, Sheldon, Prentice, & Halusic, 2014), however with the existence of social media it is no longer the case.

Just like the panopticon, where the guard in the tower can observe every prisoner from behind the two-way mirror (Foucault,1979), we hide behind our screens and watch the daily movements of the people we follow online. The prisoners in that jail will become more self-conscious and less likely to deviate from the rules knowing that they are being watched (Foucault,1979). Similarly, we become more aware and less likely to transgress social norms for fear of being judged.

In a world where we measure our self-worth based on the number of likes, favourites, shares and retweets (Lup, Trub, & Rosenthal, 2015), we give our followers a lot of power over our well-being. Research such as those conducted by Hendrickse, Arpan, Clayton, and Ridgway (2017), have shown that people, especially women, increase in dissatisfaction with their body after exposure to pictures of other women who are thinner and smaller than they are. The constant comparison also gives raise to the phenomenon of FoMO (Fear of Missing Out), where individuals, especially young adults, are glued to their phones constantly trying to keep themselves updated with what their peers are doing and to find out if they were missing out (Rogers & Barber, 2019). An article by Today highlights the danger of the “pursue of likes” and its impact on the new generation: https://www.todayonline.com/big-read/big-read-dangers-lurk-youths-chase-social-media-likes . The article leaves a question of why have we surrendered the control over our mental well-being to those numbers and the individuals that constitute it?

We relinquish the power we have over our own Instagram account to our followers by basing our post on the interactions. We have also allowed Instagram to impair our ability to enjoy the content on our feed by constantly fearing that we might be missing out something. While as followers we have power over the accounts we follow, we are also impaired by the very same power.

 References

Dudharejia, M. (2018, November 14). How to optimize your Instagram account for search engines. Retrieved from https://images.app.goo.gl/DAkDrsSDHqm5XP368

Foucault, M. (1979). Panopticism. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Hendrickse, J., Arpan, L. M., Clayton, R. B., & Ridgway, J. L. (2017). Instagram and college womens body image: Investigating the roles of appearance-related comparisons and intrasexual competition. Computers in Human Behavior,74, 92-100. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.027

Humphrey, B. (2016). Instagram. The School Librarian, 64(4), 211. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.elibrary.jcu.edu.au/docview/1860947754?accountid=16285

Lup, K., Trub, L., & Rosenthal, L. (2015). Instagram #Instasad?: Exploring Associations Among Instagram Use, Depressive Symptoms, Negative Social Comparison, and Strangers Followed. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking,18(5), 247-252. doi:10.1089/cyber.2014.0560

Rogers, A. P., & Barber, L. K. (2019). Addressing FoMO and telepressure among university students: Could a technology intervention help with social media use and sleep disruption? Computers in Human Behavior,93, 192-199. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2018.12.016

Schüler, J., Sheldon, K. M., Prentice, M., & Halusic, M. (2014). Do Some People Need Autonomy More Than Others? Implicit Dispositions Toward Autonomy Moderate the Effects of Felt Autonomy on Well-Being. Journal of Personality,84(1), 5-20. doi:10.1111/jopy.12133

Synonyms of power. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/power

The Big Read: Dangers lurk in youth's chase for social media 'likes'. (2019, July 27). Retrieved from https://www.todayonline.com/big-read/big-read-dangers-lurk-youths-chase-social-media-likes