#didn’t know i was so opinionated about samantha jones

[thanksgiving-isnt-ur-fav-holiday]

chat i watched all of sex and the city in under a week. what does that say about me

[perfectlywrongformend3s]

Shy Girl Gone Popular-Jughead Jones

Authors Note's-  Enjoy the weirdo in the beanie.

TRIGGER WARNING- This imagine will be talking about abuse. There will only be emotional abuse and mentally abuse. Please read at your own risk.

-Samantha

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Your POV

I woke up to having a feeling like today was going to be filled with bad luck. I got up out of bed and groaned when my phone goes off. I walk over to my side table to find that my best friend in Canada was calling.

" Hello." I answered

" Good morning." She said

She then proceeded to talk about random things while I was trying to get ready. I got dressed in some black skinny jeans, a baggy hoodie. I then throw my hair in a messy bun and put glasses on. I then told my friend that I had to go to school, so we both exchanged good-byes. I made my way downstairs to collect everything I needed for school.

'Time Skip'

When I got to my locker I saw Jughead leaning on it. I debated on just turning around but just my luck he saw me.

" Hey Y/n. How life going for you? What was that did you say bad."

I looked at him and said nothing. I just listened to him calling me out and the mean things.

" Y/n why you always wearing dark clothes. Did someone die to are you waiting for you death to come."

I looked down trying not to cry or let him know that his words are effecting me. Before he could say anything his girlfriend pulled him away from me. I opened my locker to gather the things I needed for my classes and then made my way to class.

'Time Skip'

I was in the last class before lunch started and we had about 10 minutes until the bell. I was just drawling when I felt something hit my head. I looked on the ground to find a note. I picked it up and opened it.

'I was wondering if you were going to eat. In my opinion I don't think you should. I think you should lose some pounds.'

My eyes started to water, but I tried to stay strong in class. When the bell rang I ran out of the classroom, I heard people laughing at my actions, but I didn't care really. I made it to my locker. Before I could open it a hand slammed on it. I jumped and saw Jughead there again.

" Aw what are you being a cry baby now. Did you like my note from class. I hope you take consideration to my advice."

I rolled my eyes when he walked away to his friends. I looked at them and frowned. I wish my friend was with me. I closed my locker and went outside to eat my lunch. I found a nice tree to sit at while eating.

'Time Skip'

The last bell of the day rang, so I grabbed everything I needed so I could go home. I closed my locker and walked fast to my car. When I got closer to my car I saw Jughead leaning on it. I stood in front of him.

" Can you please move." I asked quietly

" What? I can't hear you. Y/n/n or should I say Y/n/n loser." He laughed

I tried to go to the other side of the car, but her ended up following me.

" Y/n is a loser. Why are you such a sore loser. Oh maybe because you have no friends." He then left me alone. I then rushed to get into my car, so I could go relax at home.

'Skip about 20 mins'

I walked up to my bed room to call Emmy to rant about my bad day.

" Hey girl!" She said

" Hi, I'm getting tired of the bullying from Jughead."

" Y/n! I have an amazing idea."

" What!" I asked

" You should totally dress different. Like be more girly. You are beautiful and have a killer body. You would look so good."

" I don't know Emmy. What if I get made fun of more for showing my body."

" Girl have some confidents. You are perfect in every way."

We talked some more until I hung up to eat dinner and then headed to bed.

'Skip to Morning'

I woke up and went to my bathroom to have a shower. I then blow dried my hair and curled it. I then went to my closet and found a red crop top and a black skater skirt. I then throw on my black vans to complete the outfit. I ran downstairs to head to school, I was slightly nervous, but was confident.

'Time Skip'

Third Person POV

Y/n got out of her car to find some of the students looking at her and waving. She waved back with a confused face. Jughead was standing next to his locker when he over heard someone ask.

" OMG! Is that Y/n."

He looked in the direction he heard it from to find Emmy dressed in a not so baggy outfit. He saw Y/n wave at him which made him really confused. He debated on waving back, but saw her coming over to him.

" Jughead, I just wanted to thank you for making me a better person. You said things to try and make me hate myself, but it just made me stronger and the person I am today."

Before he could say anything Y/n walked away from him. His friends came up to him and Archie asked...

" Who the hell was that?"

" That was Y/n." He responded

They all kept looking in that direction until the bell rang to head to class. The whole school was still in shock seeing Y/n in more revealing clothes then her regular style.

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Hope you enjoy girl.

-Samantha

[jj-lynn21]

How A Girl Must Live Ch 4

Ch. 4: Dating

  Ch1: A place for singles , Ch 2: Popular Ch 3: opening up  Ch 5: Family  Ch 6 Violence begets Violence Ch 7 Love Birds

taging: @super-pink-a-palouza @luciferreads @glasglowgrin @loomiz @princessloveme123 @hornyhetero @taintedglass @bohemian-brian​ @maryan028 , @scxrsgxrd, lizziejorgie, @waywardtigersandwich​

Warnings: attempted rape, other angst,smoking, mentions of drinking, fluff

“Good luck finding a date after getting the most sought-after boy thrown out.” Missy snidely threw at Samantha as she was leaving with her escort for dinner. “Unless you are actually dating the creepy, crazy, poor, maintenance guy.”  

Samantha was flabbergasted by the statement. There was one more month on dating etiquette and how to be a lady and wife. It was all trying to brain wash young ladies into not thinking for themselves. Bowing to whatever their husband desired whenever he desired it.  

Willard made her feel special. He made her feel like her opinions meant something. He was a gentleman already without needing taught how.  It didn’t mean a thing he didn’t have a trust fund to set them up for life. And the only thing he had ever taken from her was her heart. She was still in a little denial of that. 

When he took her into town for the afternoon it was one of the best times she ever had in her life. They strolled along the sidewalk hand in hand. She adored a lot of the pretty dresses in the window.  

He told her that eventual he would like to make enough money to buy her all the dresses she wanted and the house she always dreamed of having. She especially enjoyed sharing a soda with him at the ice cream shop.

A half an hour after dinner had started for those with escorts, Samantha decided to escort herself to the dining room. As she grasped the doorknob there was a knock. When she opened it, she threw herself around him practically in tears.  

“There, there sweetheart,” Willard stroked her hair gently. “I was worried when I didn’t see you at dinner. Did your date flake out on you?”

She looked up eyes puffy, “They all hate me because that awful boy. He had money to whisk a girl away for her to live like a Princess. That is all they cared about. They don’t care how he acted towards me. They only care about his station. I don’t care about any of that.  I just care about you.”  

He talked softly, “I care about ya to. I wanted ya to get the most out of this place. I didn’t know they were treatin’ ya bad. If ya want, we will leave tomorra. Don’t even tell anyone. We will drive to your parents. I’ll tell ‘em what happened here. I wanna to ask your father permission to date you proper. Then I wanna pick ya up proper at your house for a date.”

“Really, Willard?” She started to beam at him forgetting her sadness for the moment.  

“Yes, Ma’am.” He smiled back lighting up her soul.  “Now let me sneak ya down to the kitchen. Your roommates will probably be back from dinner soon.  I’ll getcha some real food. Maybe there’s a couple of them steaks left I can get Miss Jenna to cook up for us with some taters. Pack your bags when the others fall asleep. I’ll come getcha when they go to breakfast.”  

She did not care about his station in life. She might be...maybe she could be...she was falling in love for the first time in her life. She held her head high as the others passed them in the hall staring. She held Willard’s hand proudly.  

The chef’s helper was just cleaning up as they walked in the kitchen. She looked up puzzled to see anyone in the kitchen after dinner.

“Good evening Mrs. Jenna.” Willard smiled. “Miss Samantha slept right through dinner tonight. Are there any leftovers we could have?”

Mrs. Jenna smiled. “I think there are a few steaks and salads left. Sorry there are no potatoes. But I have some peach pie for dessert. It was for the staff so none of the other students had any.”

“That is mighty kind of you Mrs. Jenna.”  Willard found some chairs pulling them up to the counter.  

Mrs. Jenna wiped down a few more things before turning to the couple. “Do you mind cleaning up after yourselves? My husband is probably waiting outside for me. I must go make dinner for him next. I think the poor man would starve without me.” She giggled like a schoolgirl.

“No problem Mrs. Jenna.” Samantha said after patting her mouth with a napkin delicately. “Thank you for throwing this together for us.”

“Anything to promote true love.” Mrs. Jenna rushed out the door.

Samantha blushed as she took a small bite of steak. They both ate quietly for a few minutes. It was a comfortable silence.  

“I can do up the dishes if you clean off the table?” Samantha suggested before she took her last bite.  

She hadn’t looked up so didn’t notice he had finished before her just admiring how she look under the dim light above them. “I can do that and dry the dishes for ya. Anything high I can put away or pick you up to do. It is always up to the lady in charge of the kitchen in my opinion. In this instance that’s you.”

She laughed. “Is that just an excuse to sweep me off my feet Willard?” She picked up his pie plate, main plate and empty water glass to wash them.  

It was Willard's turn to blush as he grabbed a wet rag from by the sink to wash off the table. “It is not only that.” he murmured.”

“What was that?” She grabbed a soapy sponge to start cleaning the things they use.

He walked over beside her to exchange his damp cloth for a dry one. “I’ll dry these up quick. I’m good at it I reckon. Better than washin’ for sure.”

“Well, I’m good at the washing so we make a good team.” She handed him a dish to dry. He just put it on the top shelf after drying it.  

Willard walked her back to her room. He rubbed is neck a little nervously as they stood by the door. “You still think you are up to introducing me to your Mother and father.”

“I sure am.” she beamed. “As soon as I know all the girls are asleep, I will pack my things quietly. I don’t think they would care much if I left anyway. Good night Mr. Willard Russel.” She leaned up on her toes to kiss his cheek before scurrying off inside the room.

“Night Miss Samantha.” He realized he had not asked her last name yet. It was something he could ask tomorrow. He wanted to greet her Mother and Father proper so her Father would give him permission to date her and possibly marry his daughter someday.  

The next morning Samantha pretended to be asleep as her roommates got ready for their breakfast dates. They still whispered about her affair with Mr. Russel. How they thought she was being promiscuous with him. They were such vile girls.  

When their escorts had picked them up Samantha sprung out of bed to get ready for her adventure with Willard. She was nervous since she had never gone away with any man in a car other than her Father. But anything was less scary than staying at the resort with people that thought she was trash.  

As she finished putting the finishing touches on her light make-up routine there was a knock on the door.  Her heart leaped. She opened the door and all the excitement drained from her replaced by apprehension.

“Mr. Preston?” She put her hands on her hips angrily. “What are you doing here.”

Mr. Preston was best friends with Mr. Goodland in and out of the resort. Him, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Jonas had been taking turns with escorting and going on dates with her roommates.  

“My roommates have already been escorted to breakfast.” She started to close the door.

Mr. Preston kept it open with his hand. “I know that Miss Samantha.” He grinned lecherously as he walked in the room grabbing her upper arms pushing her back on to the bed.

“This is not how a gentleman acts, Mr. Preston.” She managed to free her hand to smack him hard in the face.  

His head bobbed back. A distinctive hand print marked him. “Oh, you like it rough. I have never had sex with a wild girl.” He pinned her arms above her head with one hand as he undid his dress pants with the other.  “You give Mr. Russel a piece, you should have no problem with me taking you. Stop squirming.” He slaps her and tries to pull her panties off under her puffy dress.  

Suddenly he is yanked off the bed with a stronger force than he had ever felt. Samantha slithered off the bed to the far wall. She was shaking. Her knees bent to her chest. Preston was glaring once he stood.  

“You will not treat women with disrespect if I have anything to do with it.” Willard Russel was breathing heavily. He was holding back what he really wanted to do to the boy since Samantha was there.  

“You and your little hussy will be thrown out of this place.” Preston screamed as he ran out the door knowing he could never beat Willard in a fight.  

Mr. Russel knelt in front of Samantha with his hand extended. “Samantha, I’m sorry about all that violence. Will you still come with me? Just forget this place completely. Mr. Jones already knows we are leavin’.”

Samantha’s eyes lifted to his slowly. “We need to leave.” Her voice was meek and shaky.

He helps her to her feet. She wraps her arms around his neck as tears flood her eyes. He picks her. Grabbed her suitcase. And heads out the door to his car. He puts her in the front seat and her suitcase in the back seat before getting in to drive away from the resort.  

“You pay no mind to what Mr. Preston said, Sam.” He popped a cigarette in the left corners of his mouth and lit it. “I already told them we we leavin’.”

Samantha wrapped the scarf from her neck around her hair so her hair wouldn’t go wild in the convertible. “Can, can I have a cigarette Mr. Russel, Willard?” She asked shakily. “It might help me calm down.”

“It sure it will little lady.” He took the pack out of his pocket to offer her one. He lit it politely. “I think it was horse shit they only let the men and boys smoke and drink around here.” He started driving away from the resort. “I was wondering if any of you partook in such things.”

“My roommates were finding places the smoke.” She took a long drag sitting back enjoying the way the wind whipped around them. “I chose to follow the rules but damn I missed it.” Her free hand shot up to her lips. “I am sorry, Willard.”

“Sorry for what, little lady?” He kept his eyes on the road as he puffed on cigarette hanging between his lips.

“That I swore.” She blushed.

Willard chuckled. “Nothin’ wrong with it in my book. Just don’t take the Lords name in vein around my Mamma.”

“You want me to meet your Mother?” Surprise was evident in her tone.

“I sure do Sam.” He smiled. “So, you just enjoy the smokin’ and swearin’. Ya do some drinkin’?

“I don’t exactly enjoy swearing.” She giggled. “I had some White Bordeaux at my cousin’s wedding I liked. I wouldn’t turn down other drinks to try if you offered, I suppose.”

“Good to know.” He took a last puff of his cigarette. Put the bud out on the staring wheel and flicked it out on to the road. “How about we stop to have one of those ice cream sodas you enjoy sharin’ with some burgers and fries. We should be going through that New York City by lunch time. They should have a good soda shop.”

“I would love that.” She squealed. “Finally, some real food.”

[glumvillain]

GlumReviews #10

If you’re like me then the year 2001 was just a shitty year to be alive.  George Bush was president,  Now That’s What I Call Music was on it’s 7th volume, Freddy Got Fingered and Bridget Jones’ goddamn Diary.  The internet had transformed the landscape of music and the industry was pivoting to serve a customer base that no longer wanted to pay for the music they so enjoyed.  Pandora internet radio would not be a public option until 2005.  The ancient technology known as just the plain ol’ radio was a large factor in determining one’s career success.  Yes, you could spend years touring on underground circuits garnishing a cult following from small town to small town, but nothing quite beats a radio single that can be played simultaneously for an entire nation.  In other words, the general public still played a determining factor for your determined breakthrough.

It is with this in mind that I present to you the case for Nickelback’s 3rd studio album Silver Side Up.  One cannot deny the societal connotations that come with just mentioning this band, and in my opinion, that horse has just long been laid to rest and I invite you to open your mind musically for just one second, as I have forced myself to in this series of truly eye-opening reviews.  Taking the title as Canada’s most commercially successful band among many many other prestigious honors of a similar nature.  Surely an entire generation doesn’t consider this band laughable and just a shitty shitty representative of rock music, especially in the year of our forsaken lord 2001? 

Is Nickelback a prime example of male mediocrity failing upwards into superstardom? or is there a valid claim for their status as a “pussy band” (which sounds kinda cool to me tbh) among rock n roll aficionados and real cool dudes in the scene?  We plumb the depths of a road at least 10 million have previously plumbed.

1.  Never Again

I’m gonna have a difficult time saying this is a “shitty” band whenever their first song addresses something that (excuse the pun) hits so close to home.  As an intro track they open up with a pretty heavy song about domestic violence “He’s drunk again, it’s time to fight/ She must have done something wrong tonight/  The living room becomes a boxing ring”.  Told from the point of a view of a child growing up to see his mother abused at the hands of his drunken father.  It’s a heartbreaking song that has a satisfying ending for those of us who don’t like to dwell too much on the downsides of life. Especially if one chooses to escape through music, but sad music in sad times is a personal habit I partake in.  This is a great song, content wise.  Kinda weird to have it set to such an upbeat sounding song but I guess it goes to serve the rage of a child being helpless in the face of his abusive father.

2.  How You Remind Me

Does the lead single of this album really need a review? Yes, because this review is about taking a second look at shit you take for granted.  This song is just poetry.  In the fact that it’s just a perfectly executed song, lyrically.  Being non-cryptic and just flat out honest about ones feelings.  There’s thousands of songs about being down in the dumps or heartbroken and I can see why this is easily one of their biggest hits.  It’s a song that doesn’t care about your preconceived notions of masculinity or what rock music should or shouldn’t be.  Some people were put on this planet to make one song to connect the world to each other, and I think this is Nickelback’s song.

3.  Woke Up This Morning

Now I wouldn’t exactly call this metal, but it’s too heavy to be pop-rock.  But it easily straddles these fine picket fences of being almost too heavy for their own lyrics at times.  There’s noticeable flavors of southern rock sprinkled throughout the album which I can see having a blue collar/WWF crowd appeal.  Again another song consisting of being absolutely honest with the listener “I felt like shit when I woke up this morning, I’ve been a loser all my life I’m not about to change”.  

4.  Too Bad

With the events of Track 1 in mind, this song takes a remorseful shift into the story of the father.  Now racked with guilt, the song title lays it out pretty evenly.  It’s too bad.  It’s too late.  Despite the behavior of an antagonistic and toxic father, they made it out on their own without the breadwinner of the family.  At the expense of the mothers time and love, at least they still had clothes on their backs and food to eat.  Another heartbreaking but heartfelt song that is one of the first songs that I’ve reviewed in this series that actually gave me chills.  

5.  Just For

This is the typical male violent fantasy that could lean either way.  It’s either about a girl he lost to another man, or given the past material in the album being about his mom, it could be pertaining to his relationship with his father.  However you feel personally about this band, understand that lead singer Chad Kroger opened his soul up on a record which is rarely an experience put forth in an album.  Now arguably you could tell me that’s what all bands do, and yes I’m inclined to agree.  But it’s rare that it’s not wrapped up in sarcasm or a false sense of confidence.  Usually such displays of anger and torment are disguised with metaphor and mystery.  There’s none of that at play here.  And usually I’d call that dumb music for a monkey brain audience.  But this is just some of the most sincerest lyrics you could listen to.

6.  Hollywood

Now listen I know I said all that stuff about his lyrics being pretty straightforward?  Well I’ll eat my own words on this song, as I can’t really pickup the metaphor he’s laying down...correct me if I’m wrong but is this song about being in a mental hospital or going to a methadone clinic?  Don’t beat yourself up if this track isn’t your cup of tea, I didn’t really vibe with it like other tracks.

7.  Money Bought

Pretty straightforward song about a woman whose living off of her parents just being an all around Samantha .  Songs like this I could really do without, heavy strong riff but if there’s one production complaint I have is that alot of the mixes are too guitar heavy and the drums get washed out.

8.  Where Do I Hide

Feels like a continuation of the previous song with the too loud guitar mix, the lyrics themselves are pretty boring and not really worth going over as I can’t figure out if he’s making an outlaw fantasy song or something about his dad again. There’s a decent little guitar solo but I wouldn’t say to go out of your way to listen to this song.

9.  Hangnail

I’ll give them this, they can kick out some pretty good riffs.  But like good standard rock riffs.  I couldn’t tell you they have their own sound musically.  I think their sound is largely wrapped up in the lead singers voice.  You could convince me it was 3 different bands if 3 different singers sang their songs.  This song feels like a weak follow-up to “How You Remind Me”, and if that’s the case it really missed a mark in my opinion.

10.  Good Time’s Gone

Nothing says “album closer” like acoustic guitar strumming away into a swaying jam.  Definitely leaning more country western than most of their songs, but with a hard rock kick to it.  It’s a nice revamp of energy from the previous couple of songs that just felt to get a little weaker as the album progressed.  Kroger gives a powerful vocal performance to lead us out and I can’t help but think to myself, dear god I just listened to a Nickelback album several times today.

So where do you land on the spectrum of hate for Nickelback?  For me, personally I see absolutely no reason why Nickelback is more hated than say Three Days Grace or Papa Roach, both of which have garnished their own cult followings respectively.  No, I believe this to just be a meme that society has taken and ran with it by constantly making Nickelback be the butt of some non-existent joke.  Are they the best band ever? Fuck no.  Should people be mocked or made fun of for listening to bands they enjoy? Double fuck no.  Because music becomes your personal experience, and we should let others bask in what little, small things bring them joy.  Why gatekeep listening to music?  Music is supposed to connect others and bring about the feeling of belonging, the act of belittling others for their choice in music isn’t only pointless, it’s just downright disrespectful of a persons identity and personal choices.  And with that being said, Five Finger Death Punch is REAL garbage music.

I refrained from mentioning that this album was actually released on September 11th, 2001.  Not wanting that to factor into my writing but it’s at this point that I argue the case that Nickelback was a relic of a time before shit got worse in America.  Without 9/11 in the narrative of some of these tracks I feel like they don’t hit as hard and yeah, in some fucked up way I’m saying that if it wasn’t for 9/11 itself, I don’t think they would have had a breakthrough.  As audiences scrambled to tune into something different I’m sure the radio offered some form of escape from a world ravaged by national news.  I give the album:

⭐⭐⭐/5

This album begins pretty lively and begins to fizzle out about halfway with track #6, saved only by the ending track.  This was a decent album and if you’re curious to check it out, I recommend tracks 1-5, then just skip to 10, the album makes more sense that way. 

[nightskythoughts22]

Thursday Night of a Long Weekend

This is part of the Stargate Fanfic Exchange set up by @brightclam. I was given two prompts and kind of linked them both together. This is story 1 which is for @goddess47. The prompt was SG1 jack/daniel sam/jack or gen. I went with a little bit of all the above. I hope you like it!

It’s a rare opportunity that the original members of SG-1 can get together. However, this week despite all Sam’s doubts, everything has come together without a hitch. There wasn’t a cloud in sight for Saturday. Teal’c made it back to earth and will be staying through Monday. Miraculously, Daniel and her have been able to secure leave that started today and goes through Monday. Jack came back to town last week, DD214 in one hand and a duffel in the other, fully ready to start the next chapter of his life.

Sam and Jack had been seeing each other, with a special dispensation, for the past year and it has all led to this weekend. They will be married in the backyard of his home, which Sam has been living in since she was recalled to the SGC and in which they’ve spent countless barbeques, team nights, and sparingly few long weekends together when they both could get away from their respective responsibilities.

Sam surveys the living room. Daniel is gesturing wildly with a beer bottle in hand. Teal’c was looking on in amusement, if you knew him well enough to accurately interpret the slight quirk of his eyebrow. Meanwhile, Jack, her Jack, sat opposite Daniel in his chair egging Daniel on. She shook her head. It’s Thursday night, the first night with them all together for the long weekend.

Jack suddenly looked in her direction and cocked his head to the side in a silent question when he notices the slight misty look in her eyes. She smiles at him, shakes her head, and looking down at the empty bottles in her hands remembers why she left her spot from the couch next to Daniel.

Jack smiles at her and she rolls her eyes back at him as she turns around and heads to the kitchen.

“Jack! Are you even listening to me?”

Jack returns his gaze to his spacemonkey and takes a sip from his bottle.

“Yes Daniel, I’ve already heard your opinion of Indiana Jones a thousand times. I’m sorry if my mind wanders to my soon-to-be-wife from time to time.”

“Aw, that’s extremely sweet, Jack.” Daniel replies.

“And you are extremely drunk, my friend.”

“And I am sufficiently tired.” Teal’c interrupts the retort on Daniel’s lips.

He stands up and heads toward the kitchen, pausing in between the two men, “Goodnight, Gentlemen. Thank you for the enjoyable evening.”

Teal’c walks into the kitchen to find Sam putting the now-rinsed out bottles into the recycling bin.

“Samantha Carter, I am retiring to the guest bedroom.”

“Aww Teal’c!” She says as she moves closer to him.

Teal’c has long since deciphered the effects of alcohol on his friends. Daniel Jackson gets talkative, expressive, and affectionate. Samantha Carter gets reflective, more open with her feelings, and affectionate. Jack O’Neill (as he has been persuaded to call him since General O’Neill no longer fits) gets introspective, and both more observant and more affectionate than usual. As a not-overly affectionate individual, Teal’c has come to love the ease with which his friends show their affection and drink makes them even freer with it. Teal’c knows his friends’ traits, quirks, and aches. Right now, he knows that Samantha Carter wants a hug, so he opens his arms to her.

Her eyes light up as she snuggles into his body. Teal’c hugs are second to only Jack’s. Teal’c’s mass makes her feel 100% enveloped and safe.

“Thank you so much for making it back to earth.” She muffles into his chest.

“I would not miss your nuptials for anything, Samantha.” He replies.

Teal’c lets her start to slowly sway them in time with the music O’Neill put on once Raiders of the Lost Ark finished, though it wasn’t until the credits were fully finished that the four realized it has ended. Why they insist on having something playing, be it music or the television, when they will only ignore it and talk to each other, is something he’s never quite understood, but he accepts as one of their human quirks.

“You’re so good to us, Teal’c.” Sam says swaying a little more noticeably.

“I am exactly as good to you as you deserve.” He says while slowly moving them in a slightly more coordinated way.

Sam chuckles into his chest and allows him to control their movements.

Back in the living room, an inebriated Daniel turns around to look into the kitchen, to see what’s caught Jack’s eyes.

“Aw they’re adorable.” Daniel tries to whisper when he turns around.

Jack smiles and says, “Yeah, they are.”

“Does it bother you how close we all are with Sam?”

“Not at all. We’re all close, Daniel.” Jack replies.

Daniel meets Jack’s eyes and quickly pulls his eyes down to his hands, now free of the empty bottle he’s placed on the table.

“Daniel,” Jack pauses with a deep breath.

Sam’s laugh reverberates and breaks the slight tension between the two men. They hear her say her goodnight to Teal’c and start to throw the remaining few empty bottles into the bin. After a few moments, they hear the door to the guest room shut. And then there were three.

“I should probably start to make up the couch.” Daniel says slapping his hands onto his knees.

“I’ll get the stuff for you.” Jack says standing, albeit a little slowly which is owed to the bottles that Sam has been taking into the kitchen all evening.

Daniel starts to get up as well, even less steady on his feet and stumbles a bit. Jack easily catches him in his arms helping him retain his balance. Without a though, he pulls Daniel in for a hug.

Daniel has missed Jack’s hugs since he moved to Washington. Even after everything, Jack has always been free with his affectionate pats, shoulder squeezes and his hugs. It’s like he puts all that he is into his hugs, fully embracing and eventually tucking his face into the other person’s neck, as if he wants to breath the essence of the person and take away all the hurt or pain they have.

“Jack, I’m happy for you two.”

Daniel can feel Jack take a deep breath before he slowly pulls back. Jack looks him in the eye and with a completely knowing gaze says “I know you are, Daniel.”

“Guys, I’ve got the stuff for the couch.” Sam says walking into the living room.

“Awesome!” Daniel jumps, trying to move out of Jack’s light hold on his shoulders. When Jack’s hold tightens, Daniel looks at him with a question in his eyes.

“Everything is fine, Daniel.” Jack says as he pulls him back into a hug. Daniel almost falls back into the hug with relief.

Sam smiles at her fiancé and Daniel as she moves behind them to start putting a sheet over the couch.

“Daniel, I know you’re not trying to steal my fiancé, you have to stop worrying.” She tosses back over her shoulder.

Daniel jerks out of the hug, taking a few steps away from Jack, and looks fervently back and forth between the soon-to-be-married couple.

Jack’s hand goes to the back of his neck, as Sam finishes making up the couch.

Daniel’s eyes finally settled on Jack with a question in them.

“I won’t get married with any secrets.” Jack shrugs.

Sam turns around and looks between the two men. Finally, realization dawns. She turns a hard, if slightly unfocused, gaze on Jack.

“You didn’t tell him you told me.”

Jack turns to Sam and gives a shrug.

“Oh my god, Jack.” She shakes her head as she walks up to an almost statuesque Daniel. She wraps him in a hug.

“Daniel, I’ve known about you two for months now.”

Daniel finally moving again, puts his arms around Sam but remains silent.

Sam pulls back from the hug and slowly maneuvers them to the couch and sits them both down. Jack grabs the last two remaining empty bottles, his and Daniel’s, and takes them into the kitchen, giving his two favorite geeks some time.

“Sam, I’m sorry.”

“Whatever for?” Sam exclaims.

“I want you to know there’s nothing there anymore, we tried, it didn’t work, we didn’t want it to interfere with work or-“ Sam cuts him off with a soft hand to his cheek.

“Daniel, I know.” She says softly. “It’s okay.”

“Does Jack know?”

Sam doesn’t even try to look confused by his question. However, before she can answer, Jack replies from the steps leading down into the living room.

“That we’re a weird little incestuous family. Yes, Daniel I know.” He walks up to Daniel and Sam handing them each a glass of water.

“Thank you.” Daniel says softly.

“Thanks.” Sam tells him with love in her eyes.

Jack sits back down in his chair.

Daniel turns his gaze to Sam, “So it doesn’t bother you that Jack and I were together years ago?”

Sam smiles at him, “I’m a little upset that you think it would bother me but no, not at all.”

Daniel smiles at her and then turns to Jack, “And it doesn’t bother you that Sam and I have slept together?”

“Multiple times.” Sam adds.

Jack laughs. “A little upset I didn’t get to witness the two most attractive people I’ve even met get it on, but no I’m not bothered by it.”

Sam grabs Daniel’s hand which pulls his gaze back to her.

“Does it bother you that Jack and I are together and getting married?” She asks sincerely.

“Not at all! I’m so happy for you two and it’s clear you’re meant to be together.”

“Then why would you think it would matter that you and Jack tried it, realized it didn’t work-“ Sam was interrupted by Jack’s snort and turned to glare at him.

“What? It worked!” he said while suggestively wiggling his eyebrows, “We just realized that we didn’t necessary work as a couple.”

“I didn’t mean the sex didn’t work, Jack.” She shook her head with a chuckle and turned back to Daniel, who had an amazed smile on his face.

“See Daniel, we both love you and would never hold anything you’ve done with either of us against you or the other person.”

Daniel nodded and replied, “I think I followed that.”  

“Great, now that we’re all aware that we all know that we’ve all slept together, want to actually sleep together?”

“Jack!” Sam exclaimed.

“I’m kidding! Maybe…” he drawled out.

“Thanks for the offer Jack, but I’m good.” Daniel said with a smile.

“Well if you change you mind,” Sam said as she stood up from the couch.

“I knew it!” Jack exclaimed as he rose to meet his soon-to-be-bride.

Jack wrapped his arm around Sam and placed a lovingly soft kiss on her lips. Pulling back from her, he looked to Daniel.

“You good?”

Daniel wasn’t sure if Jack meant if he was good with the matter, good with the situation, or just good and ready for bed. It didn’t matter. The answer was the same.

“Yeah Jack, I’m good.”

They shared a smile and Jack motioned to Sam, almost asleep on her feet with her head on his chest.

“We’ll see you in the morning.” Jack said as he slowly started to coax Sam into moving towards their bedroom.

“Goodnight guys.” Daniel said to their retreating forms.

“Goodnight Danny.”

“Goodnight Daniel. Love ya.” Came Sam’s muffled reply, already barely audible from the hallway.

Daniel chuckled to himself and was once again amazed and thankful for the friendship shared between all those under this roof. As he settled down, onto the couch he thought this is going to be great weekend.

------------------

I hope you liked it! I’ll be posting story 2 which is connected to this story shortly.

[camillemontespan]

the history of us [drake x camille] [part five: 20th july - i’m right here]

Part Four if you want to catch up.

Warnings: NSFW. Feelings. Angst. 

@jovialyouthmusic @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @pug-bitch @sirbeepsalot @moonlightgem7 @rainbowsinthestorm @stopforamoment @notoriouscs @dcbbw @burnsoslow @emceesynonymroll @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @drakewalkerisreal   @iplaydrake @gardeningourmet @symonde @katedrakeohd @cordoniasmost @sawyeroakleyscowboyhat @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @ccolz88-blog @nomadics-stuff

***********************************************************************************

20th July 2023

Madeleine went to the press and has done a 'tell all' interview about us. I knew she was a snake but I didn't realise she would be this awful. Is that naive? It was for the Cordonian Enquirer, which is pure trash.

Madeleine lied throughout. She said Drake is an irresponsible father who wasn't watching Lily when she broke her arm. Apparently he's too much of a brute to be a Duke which is ridiculous because he's a marshmallow.

Madeleine went on to say that in private, I spend all the tax payers money on decorating the manor and buying designer clothes. How childish can you get? I don't do anything of the sort!

Drake and I have been interviewing potential publicists to try and sort out this mess. We've both agreed that Madeleine was the bar the interviewees have to beat so I guess our standards are pretty low..

In all seriousness, we want a publicist who cares about us. Who can promote us in the way we want, to show us as the family we are. I don't want constant emails or texts telling me how I've managed to fuck something up.

I want someone to help us fix this sudden witch hunt. I know its affecting Drake because I went into his study last night to put back a book I borrowed and his computer screen was on. I didn't mean to look but the screen showed the close up photos of his face when he grabbed that photographer. I know Drake is fixating on it and I wish he wouldn't. He does really care what people think of him, despite his protests that he doesn't. Surely he should know that the only opinions that matter are mine and Lily's? And we adore him!

We're interviewing a woman called Samantha Jones today. I'm tempted to binge watch Sex and the City just to get into the spirit of interviewing. Do you think she likes cosmopolitans?

Drake stopped reading to chuckle. This was the first time reading Camille's diary that he had actually laughed.

He missed her. He missed her laughter and sense of humour. He missed her smile. Drake hadn't seen Camille since yesterday morning when she walked out.

The house felt empty without her and Lily. The TV should be on right now with a Disney film, Lily watching it in rapture. Camille should be chatting away on the phone to Hana or playing with Cheddar on the floor.

He wanted to phone her but after their talk yesterday, he didn't feel it would be welcome.

                            *************************************************

Camille opened the front door to greet their next interviewee. 'Hi there, you must be Samantha -'

'Jones, yes,' the tall blonde woman drawled. She was wearing a fuchsia coat and black stilettos. 'But don't compare me to that caricature of a publicist from that ridiculous TV show. I've heard enough jokes to last a lifetime.'

She shook Camille's hand strode into the foyer. Camille took her coat and hung it up, before leading her to her study where Drake was sat in one of the armchairs.

Drake stood up and shook her hand politely, gesturing for her to sit down. Camille sat on her side of the desk. Before she could speak, Samantha began to take documents out of her bag. She laid them on the table; Drake and Camille stared. The woman had made mindmaps with pictures of Drake and Camille in the web. She then started to talk.

'So it's quite a mess you've got yourselves into,' she said seriously. 'Lily in hospital, Drake grabbing a photographer and now your ex publicist is dragging your names through the mud. All in the space of about 2 weeks.'

Drake and Camille blinked. 'You don't pull any punches,' Drake commented.

Samantha shrugged. 'Why beat around the bush? Now I know what happened. Kids get into accidents all the time, they're a big responsibility which is one reason why I don't want them. Lily is four. Breaking her arm is normal.'

Camille grinned. 'Thank you -'

Samantha carried on. 'Drake, you have a restraining order set on the media which shows you care about your family and your privacy. It may not sit well with the media or the overbearing public but I understand your reasons. It does make a publicist’s job harder but I like a challenge.  But grabbing a photographer wasn't a good idea but hey, it's done now. So, how do we fix it?'

Drake and Camille weren't sure if she wanted an answer. She didn't seem to mind their gawping faces. She just kept talking.

'If I was your publicist, I wouldn't have you grovel. You were doing your job as a husband and father. I can make your reputation and image sparkling after this. I can make you a DILF.'

Drake stared at her. 'DILF?'

'You are aware you are being interviewed right?' Camille asked. 'You've just told your potential boss that you can make him a DILF. Not that he isn't already but..'

Samantha let out a peal of laughter. 'Oh Camille! If you hire me, you'll get used to me. What I mean is I can show Cordonia the family man that Drake is. I can promote him in the best possible light which is as a father and husband. I can make the women of Cordonia fall in love with him.'

Camille gripped the table. 'But I don't want the women of Cordonia to fall in love with him. He's mine.'

'Exactly. He will be unattainable which is even better,' Samantha explained. 'No stuffy Duke crap, Drake. I'll show who you are in the way that you want.'

Drake couldn't resist a smile. 'I do like being a dad..' he said humbly.

‘You’re lucky Valtoria still like you,’ Samantha told them. ‘You were born commoners, which in a way is quite endearing. So, if you were to hire me, I would work on promoting you within Valtoria and work my way out. Duchy first, nation second. If you have the Valtorians in your corner, you will be fine.’

Drake cleared his throat. ‘What’s the first step?’

Samantha pointed to her mindmap. ‘I suggest throwing a garden party. A sort of welcome home to Valtoria for you. You invite the Valtorian people. It will be a family event. I want to show you both as a married couple with a kid; you may be Duke and Duchess but the thing about you both is you are no different from your duchy, other than a title. That’s the angle I want to focus on. So, I’m thinking bouncy castles, alpaca petting station, a DJ, face painting. Your duchy can have fun, talk to you in person, see you for the family you are.  Those nasty rumours that Madeline is spreading about you will be dead by the time the party is over.’

Camille looked at Drake. ‘Drake, we can talk in private for a moment?’

    ******************************************************************************

27th July 2023

The garden party was going so well today. Samantha is fantastic; she may be in your face but she can do her job. She organised everything. The garden was set up with a gazibo, fairylights, a giant paddling pool for the kids, an alpaca petting station, face painting and a bouncy castle. The caterers served burgers, hot dogs, mac n cheese... American home comforts which was such a nice touch. 

Drake was a little nervous this morning. I think he was feeling the pressure to look like the ultimate family man as per Samantha’s plan, but I kept telling him he is already the best family man there is. He’s so natural with Lily- I don’t understand where this insecurity comes from. Is it because his dad died and his mom left? I often think he feels he needs to make Lily’s childhood as happy as possible because of the things he missed out on growing up. I guess I’m the same; I lost my parents and I’ve always felt this gaping hole, like something was missing. Marrying Drake and having Lily is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. So if Drake overcompensates, I get his reasons. I do it too. 

The party was going well until the game of Tag. I didn’t mean to get upset. I talked to him about it and I think we cleared the air. I’m still worried though.

Drake swallowed.  He knew what was coming in this diary entry. 

      *****************************************************************************

The garden was ready for the party. The head maid, Magda, was sweeping the paving. Lily was beside her with a miniature brush, crouching down low to sweep away stones. She liked to be helpful.

Drake was in his study. He was nervous about today. He hoped he would make a good impression and turn around public opinion of him; how much lower could it get? Quickly, he downed a glass of whiskey and cleared his throat, adjusting his shirt. 

He was dressed casual today. A red and green check shirt, blue faded jeans and boots. Taking a deep breath, he left his study and went out to the living room where Camille was standing at the mirror, applying her lip balm. She gave him a mega watt smile. ‘Hey handsome.’

She was wearing a red sundress and tan sandals. On her head was a white fedora hat and gold necklaces laced around her throat.  Drake felt his jeans tighten at the sight of her. 

He wished nobody was coming to this party today and he could just hang out with his wife. 

‘You okay? You look nervous.’

‘I’m fine,’ he lied. Camille moved towards him and placed her hands on his shoulders. 

‘You’re going to be great,’ she told him. ‘You’re already the best family man. You can do this in your sleep. Besides, today will be fun! We have American food! You can eat to your hearts content! No crappy finger food!’

Drake laughed and pulled her in for a kiss. ‘Oh, I plan to!’

She giggled and turned to go out to the garden. Drake cheekily slapped her ass and Camille turned to look at him over her shoulder with a glint in her eye.  Drake went back into his study to find his sunglasses. He heard the doorbell ring; their first guests. 

Drake clenched then unclenched his hands, shaking out his fists in a bid to calm down. He was a good dad. He was a good husband. He didn’t need to prove anything to these people. 

He still located his hip flask from his desk drawer though. He poured some whiskey inside and tightened the screw, shoving it into his jean pocket. 

Liquid courage. 

  *********************************************************************************

Maxwell seemed to be more excited by the alpacas than the actual children at the garden party. 

‘Camille, she likes me!’ he called out, stroking one. Camille grinned and joined him to stroke the alpacas. 

Olivia and Leo had rocked up an hour late. They weren’t the kind of people to attend family events. Why would they? They were together but marriage and babies were far from their minds. 

‘Is there any alcohol in this joint?’ Olivia muttered, her eyes taking in with horror the fifty children running around the garden screaming and laughing. She then saw the alpacas. ‘Please tell me there’s alcohol.’

Leo stared at the children. ‘I only like one child and that’s Lily. This is too much.’

Liam joined her and Leo, laughing at the horror on both their faces. ‘You guys okay?’

‘Just wondering whether to drown ourselves in vodka or slit our wrists,’ Olivia said dryly. 

Liam chuckled. ‘Sadly, there’s no alcohol at this event. I checked.’

The three of them wandered over to Drake, Camille and Maxwell. Hana was decorating Lily’s cast; she had pink and purple pens and was drawing flowers along the side, trying to make it look pretty. Lily was studying Hana’s drawing in wonder. 

‘So, what’s the point of this?’ Olivia asked.

‘It’s to show that Drake is a family man and we’re happy to be home!’ Camille told her, a huge smile on her face. Olivia stepped back. ‘Camille, tone down the fake smile, please.’ 

Camille sighed. ‘Fine. It’s our new publicist’s idea. She wants us to be like a normal family and then the public will like us.’

‘Fucking Madeline..’ Maxwell hissed. 

‘Max!’ the group cried.

‘Since when do you swear?’ Camille asked. 

Maxwell sighed.  ‘I’m so just annoyed at her. It’s not fair!’ 

‘It will blow over,’ Liam told them. ‘I promise. I’m sorry I foisted her on you. It was a bad match.’

Hana finished her drawing. Lily admired her handiwork. She then looked up at Olivia. ‘Aunt Olivia, can you sign my arm?’ 

Olivia took one of Hana’s pen. ‘Sure thing, kiddo.’ 

Lily held out her hand, stopping her. ‘But don’t touch Hana’s flowers. She made my arm pretty.’ 

Hana blushed. ‘It was nothing..’ she mumbled, pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. Camille wrapped her arm around Hana’s shoulders, squeezing her. Hana was always so down on herself, for no reason. 

Olivia signed the cast, making Lily jump up and down now she had acquired another signature. 

‘Can we play Tag?’ she asked the adults.

‘Lily, we have alpacas here and you want to play Tag?’ Drake asked. Lily nodded, not understanding why her dad was confused. What was confusing about that?

‘You, me, mommy, Uncle Maxwell, Leo and Olivia!’ she hollered. 

Olivia let out a dry laugh. ‘Good joke, babe. I don’t play Tag. I’m going to sit down and have some... lemonade.’ She said the word with such disgust. 

She wandered off. Leo shrugged. ‘I’m gonna go join her. But hey, come see me later?’ he said, ruffling Lily’s hair. 

Maxwell cleared his throat. ‘Right. Lily, you’re It!’ 

Lily raced after Maxwell, Drake and Camille. The adults were deliberately slow so she could catch them. 

Drake slowed down for Lily, seeing she was approaching. ‘You’ll never get me!’ he shouted. Maxwell and Camille were beside him, thinking if they all ran slowly together, she could catch all three. Lily caught up and tugged on Drake’s egs. 

The hip flask fell out of his pocket.

It landed on the grass. Lily picked it up and studied it for a moment, working out what it was, before holding it up to him. ‘Daddy, you dropped your juice carton!’ 

The look on Camille’s face was of pure shock.  Drake never had his hip flask on him when he was with Lily. He usually reserved it for when they attended balls together as a couple and he had to endure the nobles. 

This was a family event. 

Lily had held his hip flask that was full of whiskey.

Drake hastily took the hip flask and shoved it in his pocket. He could feel Camille’s eyes staring at him in disbelief. 

Maxwell ran a hand through his hair awkwardly. ‘Hey, Lily, let’s go see Leo!’ he suggested loudly. Lily took his hand and they skipped towards Leo, who stood up and shouted, ‘Look, I’m Leo the Lion! I’m gonna get you!’ He proceeded to chase after Lily and Maxwell. 

While the families around them were laughing, eating food and talking, Drake and Camille stared at each other. It was like nobody else was there. Everyone had faded into nothing and all Camille could see was her husband looking like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. He looked ashamed. 

‘Inside,’ she whispered. ‘Now.’

   ****************************************************************************

‘Why are you drinking at this?’ Camille asked after she shut the door to their bedroom. Drake sighed. ‘I don’t know. It was a dumb idea.’

‘Damn right it’s a dumb idea!’ Camille burst out. ‘Drake, this is a family event. There’s no alcohol being served because this is meant to be a party for the kids.’

‘Look, I’m sorry-’ Drake tried to say. But she cut over him.

‘Lily picked up your hip flask.  She’s only four. I don’t want her finding that sort of shit.’ 

‘I won’t carry it with me again, okay?’ Drake said, his jaw set. ‘I just won’t. I’m sorry.’

Camille bit her lip. ‘Is there something you want to tell me? Have you been drinking more than usual?’

Drake thought back to the double measures. 

‘Not any more than usual,’ he said. ‘Just today. I felt nervous.’

‘I told you that you’re already the best family man,’ she said. ‘I think you’re brilliant. So does Lily. Our opinions are all that matter. I know we’re trying to promote ourselves better but that is just because of our jobs. In reality, I only want you to care about what your family thinks. We will never judge you, Drake.’ 

Drake looked down at the floor. He felt like such an asshole. 

‘I know you wouldn’t. I just needed liquid courage.’

Camille stepped forward and kissed him softly. ‘If you feel nervous or anxious, anything at all, just talk to me. Please. I’m the same, I get nervous about nobles and the public all the time! We’ve just got to be honest with each other. If it gets too much, we have to be able to count on each other here. Communicate openly. We have to be able to do that for Lily.’ 

Drake nodded and took her hands. ‘I didn’t mean to fuck up. It was a stupid idea.’ 

He threw the hip flask in the waste basket. 

Camille smiled.  ‘Let’s go back outside. Socialise. We can do it together.’ 

**************************************************************************************

Drake closed the diary. Camille had been shocked when she saw the hip flask. But why had he lied about drinking more than usual? If he had just been honest..

The front door lock began to turn. Drake jumped up from the sofa, hoping it was Camille. 

It was.

He felt like he hadn’t seen her in years, even though it had only been yesterday. She jumped when she saw him standing in the hallway, staring at her. 

‘You’re home,’ he said. ‘You’re finally home-’

‘I’m just picking up some of my notes for my next meeting with the girls,’ she told him. ‘I’ll only be a minute.’

She began to stride to where her office was. Drake followed her. She was wearing a white trench coat, purple bodycon dress and nude heels. She was business chic today; she always dressed up for her meetings. 

‘I’ve been reading your diary,’ he told her. ‘I didn’t realise you wrote in it so much. It’s amazing.’

‘Good. I’m glad you’re reading it,’ she replied, rummaging through her desk drawers. She found a folder and placed it in her bag. ‘Okay, I’m going.’

Drake caught her by the arm. ‘Camille, please. Talk to me.’

‘I told you we can talk when you’ve gone through the box-’

‘You keep saying that but you won’t tell me why!’ he protested. ‘You’re being secretive.’

‘Ha!’ she laughed bitterly. ‘Pot kettle.’

A wounded expression passed over Drake’s face. He looked down at the floor, trying to hide it, but Camille had spotted it. She gently placed the folder down on the desk. 

‘Drake..’ she whispered.

He kept his eyes on the floor, trying to hold back tears. He was not going to cry again. His shoulders shook as he kept the tears in, swallowing sobs. 

‘Drake..’ Camille whispered again. She reached out and placed her hands on either side of his face. She gently brought his face up to look at her. Drake’s face was wet. Camille rubbed his face softly with her hands. ‘Don’t cry,’ she said, her voice wavering. ‘Please don’t cry.’ 

‘I’m not crying,’ Drake replied, his voice thick. 

‘You are.’

‘Just sad, that’s all. I miss you.’

There was a silence. Camille wrung her hands together before murmuring, ‘I miss you too. I miss the real Drake Walker.’

‘I’m right here,’ he told her, his hands shaking. ‘I promise, I’m right here.’ 

They were a mere inch apart now. Drake could smell her coconut hair and Chanel perfume. His eyes roamed her face, taking in her brown eyes with gold flecks. He settled on her lips, like rosebuds. Before he could stop himself, he pulled her towards him and their lips met. 

Camille sank into him. He could taste her watermelon lipbalm. Her hands went up around his neck, pulling him in closer. Drake groaned and lifted her onto the desk, his hands reaching down to pull up the hem of her dress. Camille unbuckled his belt, his jeans falling to the floor. She pulled down his boxers, releasing his erection. 

As their tongues twisted and swirled like a vortex, Drake positioned himself at her entrance. She was ready for him. He was ready for her.  

Camille let out a cry as he entered her. He wasted no time in driving into her deep, wanting to fill all of her. She could feel every inch of him and she clenched his arms, digging her fingernails in as she braced herself for each hit and impact. 

Drake felt desperate. He needed her. He wanted her. He needed her. He needed her back in his life. He needed her back like this. He needed to know she loved him and that they were okay. That this could be salvaged. He needed to salvage this. 

‘No, Drake!’

She shoved him away. Drake stared at her as she jumped down from the desk and pulled her dress back down. Hot tears filled her eyes.

‘We can’t just fuck like this and pretend everything is okay!’ she shouted, the tears falling down her cheeks now. ‘This is making it too hard! I shouldn’t have come here, I should have just gone to my meeting without the fucking folder. But I see you looking upset and you say the real Drake is back and oh God, I wish that was true. I really want him back. But I can’t fuck you and pretend we are okay. I can’t lie to myself.’

Drake exhaled shakily. ‘I want to fix us.’

‘If you finish the diary, go through the box, we can talk,’ she told him. ‘That’s all I ask of you, Drake.’

‘I want to see Lily,’ he begged. ‘Please. Let me see my daughter.’

‘No, Drake.’

‘Why not?’ he burst out. ‘I miss her. She must miss me! She’s my girl.’ 

Camille closed her eyes. Her lips were shut tightly.  Drake kept begging, not caring how desperate he looked. 

‘I just want to see her, even for a minute, to see if she’s okay-’

‘She doesn’t want to see you, Drake!’

Drake stepped back as if he had been shot. Camille looked away from his horrified face, clenching her jaw. She couldn’t look at him.  Holding her folder to her chest, she moved past him and opened the study door, leaving him reeling. 

[socialyawkdude]

The Road So Far: A Overview of Supernatural

Hello, again my socially awkward friends and its time again for another review. Well, it's not a review in the normal sense, it is more of an overview. What is this mystery show, at that I will be covering? If the title didn't give it away let me give you a little background on the show.

Premiering on September 13, 2005, on The WB network; it is the longest-running American fantasy tv show. That isn't the only thing, this show is the last remaining original WB network show remaining. Yeah, I'm talking about the tv show supernatural. I'm guessing that you already know that supernatural's 15th season will be the last.

When the news of the final season, came across the wire, I was shocked. I had just recently started watching again, in season 13. Supernatural has always been my go-to show, in times of boredom. Hey, how could it not be? Supernatural has been in Syndication since January of 2010 and i could always find a episode, at the most random times. 

All good things must come to an end and supernatural was going to end at some point. Which brings us to present day and I'm doing a full-on binge of supernatural. The current goal is to watch every single episode of supernatural by the October 10th, 2019 premiere date. Currently, I'm in season 8 around episode 16.

So in honor of the final season, I'm going to my 10 favorite supernatural episodes.

10. Season 7 Episode 20: The girl with the dungeons and dragons tattoo

FELICIA DAY ("THE GUILD," "EUREKA") GUEST STARS - Dick Roman (James Patrick Stuart) acquires Frank's hard drive that contains sensitive information about the Winchesters and gives it to an unsuspecting brilliant hacker named Charlie (guest star Day) telling her she has 48 hours to crack the firewall or she is fired. Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are tipped off that Dick has the hard drive and race to get to Charlie before she breaks the code. Meanwhile, Bobby (Jim Beaver) tries to help the brothers, but his rage towards Dick for killing him starts to get in the way.

9. Season 8 Episode 11: LARP and the real girl

FELICIA DAY RETURNS! - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate the mysterious deaths of two LARPers (Live Action Role Playing) who were playing a game entitled Moondoor. The guys are thrilled to discover the Queen of Moondoor is none other than Charlie (guest star Felicia Day). The three learn that a fairy (guest star Tiffany Dupont) has been commandeered to harm people and the only way to stop her is to find her master.

8. Season 8 Episode: Pac-Man Forever

DEAN INTRODUCES CHARLIE TO CHEAP PANTSUITS - Concerned about the physical toll the second trial took on Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles) benches his brother from hunting until he heals up. So, when geektastic hacker Charlie (guest star Felicia Day) stumbles upon a case and finds the boys, Dean decides it's time to teach Charlie how to be a hunter-in-training. While happy to see "her highness," the boys suspect Charlie is hiding something; a secret that could get her killed.

Supernatural was my introduction to the wonderful Felicia Day. If it wasn’t for supernatural, i would’ve never have never ave seen The guild.

7. Season 12 Episode 6: Celebrating the life of Asa Fox

THREE WINCHESTERS ARE BETTER THAN ONE – When hunters gather together to celebrate the life and tragic death of one of their own, Sam (Jared Padalecki) Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Mary (guest star Samantha Smith) must take action when a demon starts picking off hunters one by one.

My favorite moment I love the most about this episode is hearing Man in a Box by Alice in Chains. In my opinion, this one song made this episode.

6. Season 11 Episode 4: Baby

NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER — Seen entirely from the POV of the Impala, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) go on a road trip to fight monsters and demons

5. Season 13 Episode 16: Scoobynatural

JINKIES! "SUPERNATURAL" GETS ANIMATED WHEN SAM, DEAN, AND CASTIEL ARE TRANSPORTED INTO THE WORLD OF SCOOBY-DOO – Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Castiel (Misha Collins) are transported into the animated world of Scooby-Doo where they join forces with the Scooby gang to solve a ghostly mystery.

Try and watch this episode and not think its awesome.

4. Season 13 Episode 10: Wayward Sisters

KATHRYN NEWTON, KIM RHODES, KATHERINE RAMDEEN, BRIANA BUCKMASTER, CLARK BACKO AND YADIRA GUEVARA-PRIP RETURN – When Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) go missing, Jody Mills (guest star Kim Rhodes) calls Claire Novak (guest star Kathryn Newton), the rebellious rogue hunter, and tells her it is time to come home – they need to find the Winchesters. Claire returns and reunites with Alex Jones (guest star Katherine Ramdeen), who has stayed behind with Jody and tries to balance a "normal" life with being a part-time hunter. While Jody is happy to have Claire home again, she's plagued by Patience's (guest star Clark Backo) disturbing vision involving her adopted daughter. Claire and Alex search for Kaia Nieves (guest star Yadira Guevara-Prip), the dreamcatcher responsible for opening the rift that Sam and Dean went through, as she holds the key to their whereabouts. Jody calls her friend, Donna Hanscom (guest star Briana Buckmaster), to round out the team and the women head off on the most important hunt of their lives.

3. Season 5 Episode 5: Fallen Idols

PARIS HILTON GUEST STARS - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) decide to start hunting together again and their first case leads them to a small town whose inhabitants are being killed by famous dead icons like Abraham Lincoln and James Dean's car. However, after two teenage girls come forward and claim their friend was kidnapped by Paris Hilton (in a cameo role as herself), the brothers aren't sure what they are hunting anymore.

his one is pretty simple, I get to watch Paris Hilton get shived.

2. Season 12 Episode: Don't call me Shurley

ROB BENEDICT RETURNS – Amara (guest star Emily Swallow) unleashes a dark fog on a small town, causing everyone to go mad. Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) realize this is a stronger version of the original black vein virus Amara previously unleashed. They team up with the sheriff to protect the town but their old remedy no longer works. Meanwhile, Chuck (Rob Benedict) returns with an interesting proposal.

Chuck is god! What else can I say? I had my suspicions, that something was up with chuck, but it wasn’t this. Also Rob Benedict’s cover of fare thee well, blew me away.

1. Season 4 Episode 8: Wishful thinking.

A WISHING WELL THAT REALLY WORKS BRINGS CHAOS - Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate a small town where the wishing well really works. A teddy bear comes to life, someone wins the lottery and the town geek gets a hot girlfriend. The brothers realize that while everyone is happy now, the end result will be disastrous. 

My all time favorite episode of supernatural. Why is this season 4 episode ,y favorite?, you ask. Well, the answer to that question is quite simple, really. Teddy! Seeing a giant teddy bear try to blow his brains out, with a shotgun, always has me on the floor.

So there is my top 10 list of supernatural episodes.  What are your favorite episodes? I would love to read your own top 10 list. Like always; don't forget to like, share, follow, and reblog. until the next time we meet, stay awkward my friends.

[league-of-light]

Week 4 Pick’em

Look, I know I’m late on the picks this week.  I wanted to get them in yesterday, but other things came up and I didn’t get to it.  I’m sorry, ok?  To make up for it, I have written quite the long pick’em for this week.  I’m not entirely sure if I will be able to make them this long every week, but I think I should be able to. 

Why would I spend all this time writing the pick’em? Great question.  Isn’t there a more productive use of your time? Probably.  Will, you’re moving next week, shouldn’t you be packing or something?  Are you just spending way more time writing picks as a means to delay the inevitable anxiety you’re going to feel about starting a new job and moving?  Do you think this is the healthiest way to deal with that? Psh, you’re not my therapist. 

Anyway, here goes

Yerboi vs Brenner? I hardly know’er

This Will vs. Brenner bout, should be promotionally billed as “Chronically Injured and Underperforming” vs “Complete Lineup Ineptitude”. Both teams come into Week 3 at a resounding 0-2, and are looking to get their season on track after some of high profile trades in the first couple weeks of the season.

There are always big expectations when you make a trade in Fantasy Football.  Typically speaking, you hope and expect that the players you got are going to outperform whomever you traded away (or at the very least perform somewhat similarly). Unfortunately, that won’t always be the case.  Sometimes there are weeks like last week, where JuJu outscored T.Y. Hilton and I am forced to sit there and reflect on how I would have won if I just kept JuJu.  Other times, there are weeks like this week, where Brenner ensures he doesn’t have to deal with the emotional trauma of a trade gone awry because he benches the players he traded for. (No there aren’t, this literally never happens)

I pick myself, simply because I don’t think I’ve actually ever seen a team projected to score as few points as Brenner.

Story To Watch: How quickly it will take Drew Brees to score more than the 3 points Brenner got from Tyrod Taylor.  My guess is 4 plays.

Tangiphil vs Hewie and the Hashslingers

After a fairly explosive first week of the season, we can all finally exhale — Phil’s team is bad again. Shockingly, his 3-headed Running Back Monster is down a head.  Unlike the legend of the Hydra, instead of another head growing in it’s place, Phil decided to chase last week’s bench points and play Nelson Agholor.  If you check his bench this week you may notice Joe Mixon outside of the IR slot, Isaiah Crowell’s wasted 18 point TNF total, and another Jets receiver.  That’s right folks, it’s week 3 and Phil is already in midseason form.

But enough about Phil. Steve is 2-0 and I expect his win streak to continue this week.  In my humble opinion, his team is underprojected with only 98 points, as Big Ben, Melvin Gordon, and Marvin Jones all look poised to be playing catchup in potentially high scoring games.  Look for Steve to hopefully rise in the power rankings after squashing Phil.

Story To Watch: He may be the second head of a three two-headed running back monstrosity, but Adrian Peterson is going to look more like Mike Wazowski than James P. Sullivan this week.  The Packers offense comes to FedEx Field with an offense that looks like two-day expedited shipping, while the Redskins offense has been looking like the Pony Express. Game script gets away from the ‘Skins and they abandon the run.

Kyle vs Sean

Close to half of this league isn’t from Rockland, so I’m going to use this opportunity to tell a story.  To the hometown heroes - some of the overarching details may be incorrect, but I don’t care I have the talking stick. If you want accuracy you can write the damn blog post next week.  Anyway, in sixth grade every middle school student has to take World History.  The curriculum is geared towards ancient civilizations, and a decent chunk of time is spent on Egypt.  As such, every year there was (is?, not sure if they still do it) a grade-wide Egypt project where students had to use their knowledge of Egypt, make something, and showcase it to the class.  Think of it like a science fair, but with crappy Egyptian dioramas instead of baking soda volcanoes.  Since I was a bright eyed ambitious young man who loved art and mythology, I knew I would do great on this project.  I chose the ambitious task of making a sculpture of Horus, the Falcon-headed man prince of the Egyptian pantheon. It wasn’t long before I realized my doodling skills didn’t translate well into making 3D models, but I was in far too deep.  I molded the clay as best I could, and then “accidentally” left it in the oven too long so it burned to a crisp and was nearly unidentifiable.  Needless to say, I didn’t do very well on that project.

Why am I telling you this? Because look at Sean’s team.  Does it look real good on paper? Sure. Does that mean he is likely going to win this week? Probably.  But has his overconfidence blinded him into creating a team made of glass with absolutely no depth in a 16-team league? 67%, yes.  (Because that is the grade I got on the project.)

Story to Watch: Alex Collins has become the running back equivalent of Hillary Swank.  Hot or not? Stay tuned this week and find out…

You Guys Again vs. Johnson Ertz

The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here folks.  I…..I can’t believe it’s finally happening.  After almost two full years, the day has finally come.  Dylan Feldman vs. Dylan Costa are facing off in a fantasy football matchup which I am officially dubbing “The Battle for the Right to be Called Dylan in the Fantasy Football League Group Chat” (and since we love our acronyms here, aka TB4TR2BCDITFFLGC).  Two Dylans enter, only one Dylan leaves. This matchup is arguably one of the most important matchups we have ever seen in this league, and has a chance to change the history books forever.

Unfortunately for Dylan Costa, his squad isn’t exactly striking fear into anyone these days.  I’ll have to go with Dylan Feldman, but his lineup has more red letters than Hester Prynne after an all weekend slumber party at Arthur Dimmesdale’s Dimmesdale Dimmahome.

Story to Watch: With the return of Aaron “I smoke Marijuana so Bowers thinks I’m a bad person” Jones coming back to Green Bay, Jamaal Williams’ usage should be monitored. As the kids say, he hasn’t been very good over the past two weeks, and Aaron Jones is ready to come in blazing *~!420!~*

Bearkley vs. Watch Me

Imagine my shock when I saw I won the bidding war for Ryan Fitzpatrick.  I immediately rushed to find the owners of the Tampa Bay WRs so I could celebrate our good fortune as Fitzmagic showers us all with fantasy points.  Now imagine my shock when I saw Samantha has benched Chris Godwin, not only a rookie (we all know my irrational hype with rookies), but a rookie whose name is lit a combination of God and Win.  I don’t know about you, but doesn’t it feel like Samantha has renounced God and doesn’t want to win this week’s matchup?

On the flipside, Nico runs our Dungeons and Dragons group, and if the 80s taught me anything it’s don’t feed weird aliens after midnight, and that D&D is for devil worshipping heathens.  With any hope of good Christian fun squandered for this matchup, it really is anybody’s game.  I want to believe in the underdog, but more favorable matchups lead me to believe that Nico will pull out the W.

Story to Watch: Saquon Barkley caught 2 of 6 targets week 1 against the Jags.  That number increased to 14 of 16 targets last week as Eli Manning completely lost interest in holding on to the football for more than 1 second.  Is it possible that Saquon receives 28 targets this game as Eli Manning has to look JJ Watt and Jadaveon Clowney in the eyes?

Washington vs. Walshington

I want to take a second here and pour one out for Walsh, who didn’t answer my trade offer or my text message regarding Dalvin Cook and Allen Robinson.  Walsh, you took an injury bullet for me and I will forever be grateful.  It’s appropriate that I mention taking a bullet, because rumors have it Frank Gore was actually there when the first metal bullet was shot in 1425.  Between Gore and Kerryon Johnson, Walsh will be lucky if he gets 14.25 points from his running backs this week.

Andy surprisingly continues to ride or die with Andrew Luck, despite Luck being unable to throw the football more than 15 yards. At this point I assume he is just taunting Arielle with Bortles on his bench, and we have to assume that if Bortles continues putting up 30 point games, eventually Andy might start him.  The biggest story on this squad is how Andy managed to get two of the best big play boom or bust WRs with John Brown and Will Fuller, while also having Amari Cooper and Mike Evans.  That’s a solid receiving core you got there pal, and I just want you to know I see it and appreciate it.

Story To Watch: C’mon, it’s Philip Lindsay.  Every week it’s Philip Lindsay. Everyone loves a hometown hero and I have greatly enjoyed watching this kid ball out.

Bowers v Arielle

I’m high on Dylan Leone Arielle’s team this year.  How could you not be? It was drafted by a man who has $45,000 in fantasy football great young woman who has shown her commitment to the league.  For whatever reason, ESPN’s site stopped working just as I was going to look at this matchup, so unfortunately I am going to have to give an abridged write up of my pick.  I have played these teams back to back so you would assume I know who is on their rosters, but I can’t remember anything other than Russell Wilson and James Conner on Arielle’s team, and Golden Tate and Kirk Cousins on Bowers’.

Based on this limited memory alone, I suppose I am going to pick Bowers in what will likely be another close matchup for the Reikland Reavers

Story to Watch: The story of life as I take this momentary absence from ESPN’s Fantasy Football to reflect on the finer things in the world.  Like Yahoo Fantasy Football.

Jason v Harnsowl

ESPN is still not working for me, neither on my phone nor my computer, so I can’t really give much analysis here.  However, not much analysis is needed.  Unlike his godless sister, Jason is a man of faith. And if George Michaels taught us anything, it’s that you gotta have faith.  You gotta have faith, faith, faith.  Carson Wentz returns this week and I don’t care whoever Harnsowl is playing, it doesn’t really matter.  I mean, as far as the matchup is concerned it might matter, but emotionally speaking, Jason has already won this week. 

I can’t be expected to pick a winner in a matchup that already has a winner, so instead I’ll take this time to remind you to spay or neuter your pets.  Bob Barker used to do a fantastic job of reminding the American people to do so, and if I am being completely honest I just don’t think Drew Carey delivers the message with the same panache. Like sure, I know Drew still says it at the end of the show, but does he really even believe it? Only Drew can really answer that question, but if I had to guess I would bet $100 $101 Drew.  While we’re on the topic, if any of you ever manage to go on Price is Right and you do that thing where you bid one dollar higher than someone else did, you can consider our friendship over.  Not only is it the worst strategy ever, it’s also rude as hell to the other contestant.  In some cases I’m sure the people legitimately don’t know what to bet after someone else bet around the same thing they did, but for the love of God at least bet like $10 higher so there is some tension in the room.  

But yeah, back to football, I pick Jason

Story to Watch: The next episode of Price is Right, Monday September 24th

[sueboohscorner]

Suits, Season 8, Episode 6 - "Cats, Ballet, Harvey Specter" - Review/Recap/Spoilers

#Suits - Season 8, Episode 6 “Cats, Ballet, Harvey Specter,” Review/Recap/Spoilers

Rating:  6/10

(Airdate 8/22/2018)

Last week’s theme was ‘family,’ this week it was ‘friendship.’  I’ll say it…this was NOT one of my favorite episodes!  There were some good scenes, but the show seemed to drag.  I usually say it’s the fastest hour on TV but not this episode.  #SorryNotSorry 

The majority of the show Harvey seemed pissed off at Louis, Donna and Samantha were at each other’s throats, Louis having baby-on-the-brain, and Katrina and Brian getting a lot more chummy.  I was really looking forward to this episode because, well, Louis and Harvey going to “couples counseling” – who wouldn’t want to see that?  I mean the two actors were great last week with their bantering, but when they go to see Dr. Lipschitz all they end up doing is yelling at each other and Louis storming out of Lipschitz’s office.

Harvey, who we saw on the phone with his brother is informed that Marcus and Katie were getting a divorce despite Harvey’s work last week.  Then Louis walked into his office telling him that Harvey’s oldest client, McKernan Motors was leaving the firm because Dominic, the owner, wanted to sell.  Meanwhile, Donna walks in to tell Louis that one of his oldest clients, Joan Walsh had an emergency and is waiting to talk to him.  Louis pawns off Joan’s emergency to Harvey because he had to go have sex with Sheila.

As for Louis pawning off a client to Harvey and a case to Katrina just to make time to have an “afternoon delight” (as Harvey put it) with Sheila is seriously unprofessional.  And I’m so done with his storyline.  In my opinion, when you add a baby it’ll kill the show.  It’s happened before.  But to each their own.

Harvey goes to see Lipschitz without Louis and it turns out that Harvey is upset because Louis now has something that Harvey doesn’t; and that is a woman in his life (Sheila) and they are trying for a baby.  Once that happens, Harvey basically won’t be the center of Louis’ world.  Harvey tells Lipschitz “they all leave”.  He tells Lipchitz, “Because they all leave.  Everyone leaves, Mike, Rachel, Jessica, my sister-in-law…everyone.”  My heart hurt for Harvey!  I love vulnerable Harvey and the strong Harvey.  Oh but how I want Harvey to continue to see a therapist to get the help he so needs (and not end up sleeping with the therapist!)  I’ll also admit that the scene between Harvey and Louis in the bullpen was cute; where Harvey tells him, he was afraid of losing him.  Louis accuses him of pulling a Litt and that they are “brothers from another mother.” That made me laugh, and Louis was ok in my book again.  Thanks Harvey!

I would have rather seen more of the case of the social media star Harvey goes against for Joan!  The case is about a 16-year-old social media darling named Daisy Jones who has 50 million followers.  In this social media-crazed day and age, this case would be fascinating to watch.  The case is basically that Joan’s company produced a concealer which caused an allergic reaction to Daisy’s face.  Daisy was played wonderfully by Ava Allan; she went toe-to-toe with Harvey stating because of her 50 million followers she can be very influential and potentially cause his client to lose more than the $10 million she wants.  I hope the writers continue this storyline because it would be interesting to see this play out since it is relevant these days with all the Kardashian-like social media fame.

Katrina picked up Louis’ case because Louis told her it would improve her chances to be the next named partner.  Because, according to Louis all the partners needed to vote on it and there has been one partner holding out, the infamous Paul Porter.  Katrina recruits Brian to help her, and of course, he does whatever she needs.  They are cute and funny together and seem very comfortable together; sometimes a bit too comfortable.  Donna walks into the library where Katrina and Brian are having a working dinner.  She doesn’t interrupt them when she sees an innocent gesture of Brian wiping sauce off the side of Katrina’s face.  Donna immediately thinks there is something more than just friendship.  She talks to Katrina the next day indicating the ‘heart doesn’t always listen to the brain,’ Katrina gets paranoid thinking that her actions with Brian are being perceived as something more than friendly because maybe she does like Brian more than she was ready to admit.  I hope they don’t couple these two for anything more, except as colleagues and platonic friends, especially since Brian is a husband and a new father, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

And saving the best for last…Donna and Samantha.  This storyline and the social media case were two of my favorites tonight!  I will say I’m beginning to like Katherine Heigl’s character!  My husband still doesn’t trust her.  [Yes, we have discussions about Suits, and debates about Samantha Wheeler.  He is such a Donna fan!]  Donna was skeptical of Samantha from the beginning.  Who wasn’t?  However, in “Cats, Ballet, Harvey Specter” the two ended up working together to take down the head of a charity.  Donna had a pro-bono case for a close friend of hers’ charity for underprivledged girls, she wanted Alex Williams to handle, but he declined because he was too busy.  He talks to Samantha about it, and Samantha agrees, she even gets one of her clients to donate $5 million to the charity.  That impresses Donna enough to assign the case to her, but she still doesn’t trust Samantha.  Samantha goes over the charity’s files and realizes that something isn’t right.  The charity seems to be spending more than what is usually spent on galas and such.  She tells Donna who said she was sure it was just an accounting error, and she would ask her friend Peggy.  Samantha insisted there was something more than a simple explanation, but promised not to do anything until Donna spoke to her friend. 

However, Donna and Samantha are similar because neither would be able to sit on the sidelines when they know something bad is happening or when someone is being taken advantage of, especially when that someone is someone they know and care about.  In this case Donna’s friend and for Samantha a charity whose cause she cares about.  So I knew the moment that Donna told Samantha not to do anything until after she spoke to her friend that Samantha was going to do something.  I was shocked that Peggy got fired!  But in the end, Donna and Samantha worked together and had the head of the charity to step down and name Peggy as his replacement.  I would love to know more about Samantha’s background; we’ve seen a little last week when she mentioned to Alex’s daughter that she didn’t have anyone to influence her in her life when she was young, and in 806 she and Donna were going to go for a drink where Samantha said she was going to start trusting.  I would love to see that scene!  Hopefully, there will be more Samantha/Donna scenes to come this season.

So Suits fans…what did you think of “Cats, Ballet, Harvey Specter”? 

Next Week…

”.  See Sour GrapesNext Week’s episode is entitled “preview below.

Until next week Suitors!!!

[brinaedwards]

Inside our Culture: Its Definitely Something

When I would talk to my grandparents about what life was like growing up during the Great Depression, or when I would ask my parents what it was like growing up during the Civil Rights Movement. The response was always the same “it was definitely something”. I never understood what that meant when I was younger. I never understood why the answer didn’t have more detail. I would ask myself “where are the stories” “what really happened that the history books left out”. But now that we are in the middle of such a changing time, a time where we are dealing with a global pandemic, a vast cultural movement and wondering what the next day will bring, I can now understand why the answer was simply “it was definitely something”. I can understand that because well, it definitely is something.

We live in a world that is basically controlled by the media. I’m not wrong in saying this because I can post something now and a year later be shamed for it. My words or posts can be used against me to prove a point. We all know I’m talking about cancel culture and while yes it is warranted, I feel that is taken in the wrong direction. That it fell victim to wrong hands. Media has given us this false idea that everything has to be perfect and if we fall out of line we get shamed for it. Not just by your group of friends, your town, your state but by the whole world. Once you have been canceled by a majority, there is not going back. Betty Hart puts out an idea that we should “suffer” together in her TED Talk about Cancel culture. She doesn’t mean that in a bad way, however she means it in a way that we should respect each other's opinions, that we should go about ideologies in a “compassionate way” rather than such a hateful and one sided position. Easier said than done right?

I fell into this cultural rabbit whole and like many vast movements there are so many moving parts. It’s not just limited to one thing, everything is connected. As I was in my search I noticed that cancel culture and the #MeToo movements are connected. These past few years, sexaul assault confessions have been made more public. We saw a new light shine on Hollywood which shook a lot of people. More stories came out and the world got a huge wake up call that our systems our, our abuse of power went to very dark places. That power was abused by powerful men, men that would before be seen as Saints and could do no harm. The MeToo Movement page says that rape culture isn’t just sexual assult. It can be subtle jokes, misogynist phrases, even unsubtle statements.

The more I found out the more I came to the conclusion that there is another aspect of cancel culture. Racism has always been an issue in our society. It can be subtle, it can be full-frontal even. The more I dug the more disgusted I got by a society I grew up in. A society I was taught to love and respect. But then, it hit me. The emotions I’m going through, the thoughts swirling through my head of what the next day will bring must have been what my parents and grandparents felt during their time in such an unknown world. 

In that moment I knew I had to ask others what life was like back then, what it must feel like now with all this chaos going on. I reached out to five people who were willing to tell their stories, reached out to those in high professional positions, to those who live as normal residents.​​ I spoke to Mookie, a Brooklyn resident of Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. John “Bluto” Blutatsky a former D. C man who is facing his own battle with cancel culture. Dr. Gilbert Lowe who was close friends with Dr. Lewis Skolnick, the scientist facing multiple rape allegations. Wan Li a.k.a. “Short Round”  a very close colleague of the late Dr. Indiana Jones and Samantha Baker-Ryan.

MOOKIE:

Q: It’s been a little over a year since the death of George Floyd. How do you feel about his death being the tipping point of this year's recent BLM activity?

A: People like to think that what happened to Floyd was a new thing. Shit like that happens all the time around here. Police didn't do shit, they killed our friend Radio Rakeem back in the day. Everyone saw it but did nothing.

Q: If you could change one thing about how police behave or their procedures, what would it be?

A: HA! For one thing I would change the man on the top. Switch him out for someone like us, someone who knows what it is like growing up around here.

Q: Do you feel that police back then were different from police today?

A:No. They all the same. They may change how they word shit, dress everything up all nice for the cameras but it's all the same. Ain’t nothing ever changin no matter what everyone is tryin to do.

Q: Do you think there will ever be peace in this world, well America, when it comes to the topic of race?

A: Peace? Listen there is one thing I know, one thing that only matters and that’s doing the right thing. Whether that be for your community or yourself. I’ve been living here all my life and i’ve seen alot of shit. But ain’t no one asking me about peace. You want an answer to that? No, not in my lifetime and probably no in yours. Like I said everything is the same, the players may be different but hunny its the same game. We all play even if we don’t want to.

Q: What would you tell your younger self about the world today?

A: Hang on tight cuz it only goes downhill from here.

JOHN “BLUTO” BLUTATSKY:

Q: Do you believe school/college is harder than it was when you were a student?

A: In all honesty I don’t remember doing much studying back then but with all these gadgets and high speed internet it don’t think it would be that difficult.

Q: You were recently “canceled” how are you dealing with that

A: I'm not a subscription to some magazine that can just be deleted. You can’t cancel anyone that is absurd. Is that what we are calling that? “Canceled” Jesus what did I do? That was all in the past, Get over it.

Q: I take it you don’t agree that people should bend to todays culture?

A: Listen, I am not responsible for the Bluto of the past, I'm only responsible for the man I am today. I should not be ridiculed for things I did as a young adult. I was drunk half the time so what? I say one thing about a dress code and now I am the bad guy. I could have done something with my career, I could have gone far up in D.C but no.

Q: How do you feel about the recent sexual assault allegation against your once school mate Eric “Otter” Stratton?

A: What Otter did to those girls has nothing to do with me. Next question.

Q: Do you think your daughters or granddaughters should be treated by men the same way you and your buddies treated girls back then?

A: Oh my God, of course not. We were just young men back then, hormones!! Not for nothing but those girls should have known better than to flaunt themselves around like that. I know my kids and grandkids know better than to dress like that.

DR. GILBERT LOWE:

Q: Your best friend's ex wife came out saying that she was raped by Lewis in college. Do you care to elaborate on that?

A: I had no knowledge of that at the time. He told me it was consensual and I believed him. He had no reason to lie to me.

Q: She stated that he “dressed in the same costume as her then boyfriend, performed sexual activity without revealing his identity. Gilbert, would you consider that to be rape?

A: Well I suppose yes but, she could have had him take off the mask beforehand. Like I said, Lewis told me it was consensual back then.

Q: So do you believe that it was right your friends relationship, hell, marriage was based on sexual assault?

A: I say this again, I was told it was consensual at the time. Even if it was rape, the statue of limitaions is way up. Nothing legally could be done about it now. Can we move on please.

Q: Can you elaborate on your collaboration with the cameras you and your friends placed in the sorority house?

A: I'm not going to elaborate on that at all. After what happened to my friend, saying anything about a napkin the wrong way can tank my career.

Q: Just one more question, do  you believe that selling nude images of a girls photo in a college fair was wrong at the time?

A: I'm leaving.

WAN LI “SHORT ROUND”:

Q: Can you describe your life before you met Indiana Jones?

A: Ah, yes. I don’t remember much. It happened such a long time ago but from what I do remember, it was awful. I was what would be called “trafficked”. I remember  being so scared being sold off to someone. I didn’t know what would happen to me.

Q: Do you think Indiana was racist and did he ever make you feel less than?

A: No, I don't think he was racist. He was a man of knowledge and culture. He never stayed in one place. He wanted adventure, he wanted to learn new things, new people. I was treated nicely by his side. I learned so much, I was given so much. He treated me like a son and for that I am grateful.

Q: How do you feel about the recent allegations of your late friend being defamed a racist?

A: I feel sick. Who ever said that is reaching, looking too hard at something that isn’t there. I told you the man was always looking at different cultures, he was very open minded. If anything he was the one who fell victim to racial scrutiny being the only white man in some of the places we explored.

Q: Do you think you benefited from being with Indiana?

A: My time with Dr.Jones was the best time of my life. I would have been dead a very long time ago if it weren't for that man, he was my best friend.

Q: How do you think this world can be changed culturally?

A: I think this world could use a little self reflection. I believe if people were to just put away the hatred. Put away the finger pointing of the past, to accept the bad things and to maybe forgive. We could all benefit.

SAMANTHA BAKER-RYAN”

Q: Samantha, being a highschool principal what do you think is the problem with cancel culture?

A: Oh I think it is consuming children. Kids stare at their phones all day concerned about their favorite actors and actresses being persecuted from God knows what. Not to mention how it is affecting the parents.

Q: What are your thoughts on the recent sexuall assault allegations against one of your teachers?

A: The situation is being handled, I can’t elaborate on it anymore.

Q: Being a highschool principal, what are your thoughts on the dress code, specifically to the girls?

A: Our dress code is there for a reason, girls can wear very provocative things, and don't want boys getting the wrong idea now. I understand why that question would be brought up and I have had my arguments with parents but I don’t make the rules I just enforce them.

Q: With the recent allaegations against on of your teachers, have you held any assembles regarding sexual assault, consent etc?

A: Yes, we have. There are weekly assemblies about the matter. We focus on the use of safe sex, consentual sex and if there is anyone who has fell victim to such assault to come forward.

Q: Have you known someone that fell prey to such things?

A: I don’t know this person personally but I heard such things happen at my old highschool when I went there. It was disgusting to think that men could do as they please even when you weren’t conscience.

After those interviews I came to the conclusion that, we can’t change everyone’s point of view on things. Betty  Hart said it right when she talked about “compassion” there will be those with different opinions but we have to understand from another perspective. Luvvie Ajayi talks about being a domino. That change only happens when that first domino falls. With that I like to think that we are all the dominos, falling waiting for the sequence to end. But like some domino setups, things may take time. There may be bigger things that need to fall. At the end of the falling dominos, a picture is revealed. We all may just have to wait till the picture is seen. 

Buchanan, Larry, et al. “Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 3 July 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html. 

“Canceling Cancel Culture with Compassion” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbihoXj0QwM 

“Get Comfortable with being uncomfortable” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QijH4UAqGD8 

Vogels, Emily A., et al. “Americans and 'Cancel Culture': Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship, Punishment.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech, Pew Research Center, 27 Sept. 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/05/19/americans-and-cancel-culture-where-some-see-calls-for-accountability-others-see-censorship-punishment/. 

“You're Not Alone.” Me Too. Movement, 16 Apr. 2021, https://metoomvmt.org/disrupt-rape-culture/. 

[thetombraiderbound]

TOMB RAIDER (2018) MOVIE REVIEW

THIS IS MY REVIEW FOR TOMB RAIDER (2018). IT CAN HAVE MINOR SPOILERS FROM THE MOVIE (SOME SCENES, NOT MORE)

First of all, I’m not a journalist nor experienced writing reviews, so please, keep that in mind. Also, this is my opinion from the movie. That means that is MY opinion and MUST BE respected at all cost. And last, I’m going to be bloody honest. You’ve been warned.

There’s a culture phenomenon about the curse that haunts videogame movie adaptations. It’s a fact, and it has a very simple and logic reason behind that: a videogame —that lasts 20 hours per normal— cannot never be contained in a few hours, and neither the experience you get by playing it.

When you play a videogame, you play your way, spending a lot of hours with a character and the world they wrote. That creates a lot of emotions between the character and yourself, so that means that a videogame is —in fact— pretty much closer than it’s a film. It’s like a book, where you get to rethink the world around yourself and put faces to the characters the author describes. With that clear, let’s begin.

The movie started, and I was crying already. Somehow, I cried a lot during the movie and I suppose that is good(idk). Roar Uthaug (The Wave) took care about this movie, knowing how passionate we the croft fans are —making some hits and a few misses. Geneva Robertson-Dworet did a good job rewriting the reboot Lara Croft, taking some things from the videogames and from Rhianna Pratchett (the writer from the games). And here comes the but. The BIG BUT. I know what they tried to do with this Lara, which can pass If you didn’t play the games at all, but if you did, you are going to miss a lot of things from her —and not only her, because the storyline has been completely changed. I don’t want to spoil you anything, but that rafter airplane scene is the greatest similarity from the 2013 game. After that, everything has been remade. I also hate the decision about going back to her “lost father” issues that have always been in the games, because in the 2013 game we see a girl that just graduated from university helping her friend joining a documentary about the island. Well, all of that has been erased from the movie —including amazing characters like Grimm, Roth, Samantha or Alex. Also Whitman and Reyes, too. So, they ripped them off and just make it all about Richard. That also happens in Rise —yes, some things from the second game are in the movie— going back to her father.

Also, they showed us a very weak Himiko, and they totally forgot about the supernatural thing behind the storms and the island —that didn’t appear as much as I wanted. They didn’t think that could be important, and they made Yamatai just another common island and Himiko just like a dusty mummy. And that make all the storyline flop, because in the game it was Lara against an army of armed men —Himiko’s guard or human— and in the movie is Lara with a lot of help, tho she’s still very powerful.

I don’t want to go further in the story/plot since I don’t want to spoil you anything —or try, at least— so now, let’s talk about the acting.

Alicia Vikander just punched everyone in the face by portraying the most amazing Lara Croft the big screen has seen. YES, I’M ANGELINA'S FAN, but come on, where did the old Lara show any emotions? In this movie, Alicia makes an amazing jump of faith and does it extremely well, and that saved the movie. And that’s not the only thing, because she also put muscle —lot of it— in this Lara, showing to the screen a muscled female protagonist —and that’s not as common as we would it to be. The other actors… well, Lara’s father (Dominic West) is pretty great, so is Mathias (Walton Goggins), showing us a complex antagonist. Lu Ren (Roth’s place, portrayed by Daniel Wu pretty well) is a very interesting character, but it doesn’t appear as much as Roth and none of these characters shows its depth. Ana Miller (Kristin Scott Thomas) shows Ana as we know her —manipulative, a bad bitch— and does it very good, but that’s all. I understand that Geneva choosed storyline over character development, because she had a limited amount of time to make everything work, but the storyline is not that complex anyway.

This 2018 Tomb Raider movie drinks a lot from the old Indiana Jones movies, it’s a mix of action and adventure and a little amount of “seriousness” that characterized the games —with a few Easter Eggs from there and even one quote from the old ones (guess which)— becoming a well-aimed shoot that keeps you close to your seat but misses the apple in the last second, and at the same time still the best videogame adaptation ever made. Or at least, to me as a Tomb Raider fan. And don’t get me wrong; I’m so happy that the movies are coming back again to the big screen, but the Lara I know from the games can make it even better, and so can do it all the team behind! To finish, I loved the soundtrack and the credit-theme —Run for Your Life from K.Flay. I’m looking forward to the new movies.

Let me know your thoughts about the movie, please!

[atmosphericdistortion]

1 to 60:)

You’re probably doing this to mess with me but i’m a procrastinating college student with no life so i’m going to do all of them.

1) selfie.

Here have this incredibly basic photo of me about to spend a beautiful sunny 67 degree day working in a lab

2. what would you name your future kids? who knows. actually this question is so hard because I don’t know whether i would give them an Indian name or a non-Indian name.

3. do you miss anyone? yeah ofc i miss all my friends back at home and my sister

4. what are you looking forward to? the hypothetically better future

5. is there anyone who can always make you smile? my sister probably or birds

6. is it hard for you to get over someone? depends

7. what was your life like last year? weird stress limbo because i had gotten into johns hopkins but i still felt stupid and inadequate and instead of worrying about whether i’d get in, i was then worrying about why i got in which was very annoying bc i thought the self hatred and self-doubt would just vanish when i got into college.

8. have you ever cried because you were so annoyed? no.

9. who did you last see in person? my roommate Rebecca

10. are you good at hiding your feelings? yeah i am. I’ve noticed actually that although i’m much more open about my feelings now than i used to be, i only let people know what i want them to know. like i always try to have control over other people’s impressions of me. that’s probably a thing everyone does but anyways

11. are you listening to music right now? no.

12. what is something you want right now? an internship for the summer lol

13. how do you feel right now? stressed af because of all the homework i have

14. when was the last time someone of the opposite sex hugged you? um probably my dad over winter break like 5 weeks ago or something

15. personality description. idk.

16. have you ever wanted to tell someone something but you didn’t? of course

17. opinion on insecurities. they are stupid and they suck

18. do you miss how things were a year ago? parts of it.

19. have you ever been to new york? yeah.

20. what is your favourite song at the moment? Dvorak American Quartet, Haydn’s The Bird, Dvorak Romance for Violin and Piano, Elgar Enigma and Variations, uhhh I’ve been listening to a lot of Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga too (i know i have an fucking weird music taste) but i don’t think i really have a favorite

21. age and birthday? 18, May 9th.

22. description of crush. don’t have one.

23. fear(s) being average and unexceptional. not making a difference in the world.

24. height 5′2′’

25. role model JK Rowling or Elizabeth Warren tbh

26. idol(s) same as above + Kate McKinnon, Emma Watson, Samira Wiley, every astronaut

27. things i hate awkward conversations with strangers, xenophobia, the noise people make when they chew, probably lots of other things i’m full of hate

28. i’ll love you if… you tell me i’m smart tbh i’m desperate for validation

29. favourite film(s) idk i don’t think i have one. hidden figures maybe?

30. favourite tv show(s) Parks and Rec, The Office, Orange is the New Black, Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, 30 Rock, SNL

31. 3 random facts. I’m a freshman in college, I really love birds a lot, I play the viola in my university’s orchestra but I’m not as good as i’d like to be (but i also never practice so…)

32. are your friends mainly girls or guys? used to be mainly girls because i was lowkey scared of boys but in college I think i have a fairly even gender distribution

33. something you want to learn. how to be confident and assertive.

34. most embarrassing moment. idk

35. favourite subject. too many. probably biology.

36. 3 dreams you want to fulfill?

1) win the nobel prize

2) end all wars + capitalism

3) become an astronaut and never come back

but realistically,

1) have a career where i make a real difference in the world, that makes me happy and fulfills me

2) have a nice apartment/house

3) get married?

37. favourite actor/actress. hmmm idk i don’t get super attached to actors/actresses like that. Emma Watson? not necessarily for her acting but for who she is and what she does?

38. favourite comedian(s)

Oh shit

Amy Poehler, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, Trevor Noah, Aziz Ansari

39. favourite sport(s). i don’t really like sports but i like watching soccer i guess. and i like watching the olympics? esp gynmastics and ice dancing. are those sports?

40. favourite memory. i have many this is too hard

41. relationship status. single lol

42. favourite book(s). HARRY POTTER; also Orlando by Virginia Woolf

43. favourite song ever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX1zicNRLmY

close your eyes and listen to it for maximum transcendental effect.

44. age you get mistaken for. idk

45. how you found out about your idol. read the harry potter books?

46. what my last text message says

“Oh I see you” to my friend who walked in late to an APO meeting and was telling me where she was sitting because I couldn’t see her but she could see me.

47. turn ons. intelligence, talent, hair

48. turn offs. stupidity, ignorance, arrogance

49. where i want to be right now

Mars

50. favourite picture of your idol

i don’t have one

51. starsign. Taurus

52. something i’m talented at. nothing

53. 5 things that make me happy

1) friends

2) my sister

3) political comedy like John Oliver, SNL, etc.

4) good food

5) Harry Potter

54. something thats worrying me at the moment. i have SO much homework to do and not enough time and i need my GPA to be higher than last semester and I have a research paper to read which i just remembered now and what am i doing with my time instead? answering these questions bc i’m garbage

55. tumblr friends. they’re all people i know irl. i don’t have any friends i made on tumblr.

56. favourite food(s). eggs, chocolate, all fruits

57. favourite animal(s). BIRFS BIRBS FURDS DIRDS BIRDS BIRDS i love birds

58. description of my best friend. i have a few. but they’re all very warm, friendly, caring, funny, and i can be myself around them.

59. why i joined tumblr. because i missed it lol

60. ask me anything you want.

holy shit i can’t believe I actually answered all 60 i have no life

[willreadforbooze]

Hello!

ITS TOME TOPPLE!!!!!!

Reminder:Our Will Read For Booze twitter account (formerly Sam’s personal account) is going to be dedicated to the whole blog! So go check us out kthxxxx. While that’s amazing, Sam has to start from scratch on a new account, let’s show her some love huh? Check out her new account TheBooktender_  She’ll love you forever and ever.

Ginny’s Updates:

Hello everyone! Sorry for missing last week. My opinions on those books have been sent to the deep never to return. But I’m back this week with the news that I’ve read over 180 books this year (there were plenty of novellas and graphic novels) but I still have no idea how that happened.

Currently Reading:

Scrum by Jeff Sutherland: This is the book that will never end. I read maybe another chapter.

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith: This book is a freaking delight. The main character is so much fun (35 year old woman who decides to open a detective agency and help people), she’s crazy self-sufficient and has such interesting interactions. This book, set in Botswana, also is full of quiet moments of culture and… I’m sure I’ll end up writing a review (and also I haven’t finished yet) but boy is this fun.

What Ginny Finished (I am only including books from this week, if I had to add last week’s books I would never be able to finish writing this):

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon: I will not be writing a review of this book but I have so many good things to say. I read this for Tome Topple, and even though it’s a little over 800 pages long, I breezed through it. All of the characters are well thought out, the twists all made sense, and honestly I can’t get over the ending. 5/5

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante: Read this for a book club. I’ve heard so much about this book that I think I went in with the wrong perspective. This is one of those books that grows on you. Probably going to do a review. Holding the rest of my thoughts for after book club and the possible review.

Best of Luck by Kate Clayborn: This is the third book in a series, and it was a cute and satisfying end to the series. Greer, the main character, had been really quiet in the previous two books so I was really glad to finally get in her head and see the way she processed things. Alex (the older brother of one of the previous heroine’s) also had a fun perspective. This book ultimately was focused on how traumatic events affect different people in different ways and how to come together after the fact. 4.5/5

Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor: This book is wild. I had some trouble reading it, if only because a number of the characters spoke in Pidgin English which is just different enough that I had to pause to translate what was being said, but the ending definitely pushed this into review territory so I’m sure you’ll be hearing more

Sam’s Updates

I AM SO TIRED

What Sam read this week:

  TOME: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin: This is a new book about witches in the Victorian era (probably). When Lou, a witch, accidentally marries one of the witchfinders, she ends up in the belly of the beast. Someone’s out to get her. How can you have hate to love AND fake marriage and I still hated it? UGH drunk reviews are coming (probably right after this because SAM DRUNK)

What Sam’s currently reading:

  TOME: The Burning White by Brent Weeks: This is the finale to the Lightbringer series and it’s the best. Not only did we get a series recap in the beginning I was immediately sucked back into this world. As a reminder: Kip is my child. Gavin is the best. Andross is the worst. Teia>Tisis. I made a mistake trying to read this for Tome Topple because I really want to savor it… Anyway, I’ve been live texting Parker about it because he’s already done and idk anyone else who’s finished it.

Linz’s Updates

Baby showers and birthdays and bachelorette planning and Tome Topple oh my. I did not get a ton of reading accomplished.

What Linz read:

The Mister by E.L. James – YIKES. I mean it was better written than 50 Shades, but that’s a low bar. It’s just, like, I don’t know why she creates these SUPER problematic romantic entanglements.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid – alright this is gonna sound stupid, because I enjoyed reading this forthcoming book we got at ALA, but I don’t know how I feel about it? It’s about a young black woman and the white family who hires her to watch one of their daughters, and an incident that happens to the black woman. Look I’m hungover I’m describing it poorly, and I think a lot of important points are made without beating people over the head, but I’m not sure if I really liked this book?

What Linz DNF

Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones – this is actually pretty well-written, but I didn’t realize Jim Henson was kind of a jerk to his loved ones, so I stopped reading before I ruined the Muppets for myself.

What Linz is currently reading:

The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger – Lots of chatter over this novel about kids trying to get into a “special” school and their insane parents. I’m a few chapters in and really enjoying it.

Minda’s Updates

What Minda is reading now:

TOME: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett – Tome Topple! Let’s just say I’m a little behind, but I am enjoying it. Appreciating the world-building aspects.

Until next time, we main forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Ginny, Linz, and Minda

Weekly Wrap Up: Nov 11-17, 2019 Hello! ITS TOME TOPPLE!!!!!! Reminder:Our Will Read For Booze twitter account (formerly Sam's personal account) is going to be dedicated to the whole blog!

[nancygduarteus]

Historians’ Favorite Anecdote About Victorian-Era Orgasms Is Probably a Myth

It’s among the most delectably scandalous stories in the history of medicine: At the height of the Victorian era, doctors regularly treated their female patients by stimulating them to orgasm. This mass treatment—a cure for the now-defunct medical condition of “hysteria”— was made possible by a new technology: the vibrator. Vibrators allowed physicians to massage women’s clitorises quickly and efficiently, without exhausting their hand and wrist.

It’s an intoxicating insight, implying that vibrators succeeded not because they advanced female pleasure, but because they saved labor for male physicians. And in the last few years, it has careened around popular culture. It’s given rise to a Tony-nominated play, a romcom starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, and even a line of branded vibrators. Samantha Bee did a skit about it in March. A seemingly endless march of quirky news stories have instructed readers in its surprising-but-true quality, including in Vice, Mother Jones, and Psychology Today.

In short, the tale has become a commonplace how people think about Victorian sex. And according to a contentious new paper, it may also be almost totally false.

There is absolutely no evidence that Victorian doctors used vibrators to stimulate orgasm in women as a medical technique, asserts the paper, written by two historians at Georgia Tech. “Manual massage of female genitals,” they write, “was never a routine medical treatment for hysteria.”

“There’s no evidence for it,” says Hallie Lieberman, an author of both the new paper and Buzz, a popular history of sex toys. “It’s inaccurate.”

It’s not hard to see how the idea spread. The entire hypothesis of Victorian vibrators originates from the work of one scholar: Rachel Maines, a historian and visiting scientist at Cornell. Her 1999 book, The Technology of Orgasm—described at the time as a “secret history of female sexual arousal”—argued that clitoral massage was used as a medical technique for centuries, from the time of Hippocrates to the modern day.

But that’s just not true, according to Lieberman and Eric Schatzberg, the chair of the School of History and Sociology at Georgia Tech. There is scant evidence that orgasms were widely understood as a cure for female hysteria, and there’s even less evidence that Victorians used vibrators to induce orgasm as a medical technique, they say. “Maines fails to cite a single source that openly describes use of the vibrator to massage the clitoral area,” their paper says. “None of her English-language sources even mentions production of ‘paroxysms’ by massage or anything else that could remotely suggest an orgasm.”

Instead, they argue, Maines conceals this lack of support by relying on a “wink and nod” approach to primary sourcing and by “padding her argument with a mass of tangential citations.”

In an interview, Maines said that she has heard variations of the paper’s criticism before—and that her argument in The Technology of Orgasm was really only a “hypothesis,” anyway. “I never claimed to have evidence that this was really the case,” she said. “What I said was that this was an interesting hypothesis, and as [Lieberman] points out—correctly, I think—people fell all over it. It was ripe to be turned into mythology somehow. I didn’t intend it that way, but boy, people sure took it, ran with it.”

Maines added that she was a little surprised it took so long for other scholars to question her argument, given how admittedly “slender” the evidence she gave in The Technology of Orgasm was. “I thought people were going to attack it right away. But it’s taken 20 years for people to even—people didn’t want to question it. They liked it so much they didn’t want to attack it.”

Even though Maines now calls her argument a “hypothesis,” her writing in The Technology of Orgasm does not take the same provisional tone. “In the Western medical tradition, genital massage to orgasm by a physician or a midwife was a standard treatment for hysteria,” she wrote in that book’s first pages. “When the vibrator emerged as an electromechanical medical instrument at the end of the 19th century, it evolved from previous massage technologies in response to demand from physicians for more rapid and efficient physical therapies, particularly for hysteria.”

“I intended it as a hypothesis. Perhaps the way I expressed it didn’t communicate that,” Maines said when asked about the book’s declarative tone. “Interpretations of historical data are open to interpretation.”

“In the book, she doesn’t refer to it as a hypothesis at all. She makes the claim that this is a fact, and it happened,” says Schatzberg. “To me, it suggests that Maines was aware of the weakness of her claim, and later, after it was taken up so widely, tried to backtrack.”

Certainly Lieberman did not imagine Technology of Orgasm to be hypothetical when she first encountered it. Her new paper with Schatzberg originated from a classroom aside in 2010, when Lieberman was working on a dissertation about the history of sex toys. Her adviser mentioned that he sometimes found it useful to understand other scholars’ work by checking their citations. “I started doing that on this book, and I found that nothing added up,” said Lieberman.

She brought the book to Schatzberg, who was a professor at Wisconsin at the time, for a second opinion. They began going through the book citation-by-citation—and found what they believe to be significant errors. In one passage, Maines alludes to a technique described in 1660 by the British surgeon Nathaniel Highmore. The original quote, translated from Latin, describes a movement that “is not unlike that game of boys in which they try to rub their stomachs with one hand and pat their heads with the other.” Maines says this is a reference to the difficulty of producing orgasm through “vulvular massage.”

Not so fast, say Lieberman and Schatzberg. “The quote about the boys game occurs in a discussion of complex motions of the fingers, especially when playing stringed instruments,” they write. “Nowhere does this discussion even hint at massage of the vulva.” (When asked, Maines continued to insist Highmore was referring to genital massage.)

In another passage, Maines quotes a 19th-century physician describing how a vibrator can speed up the massage process. A doctor without a vibrator “consumes a painstaking hour to accomplish much less profound results than are easily effected by the [the vibrator] in a short five or ten minutes,” reads the quote.

But this does not describe genital massage, Lieberman says. “Vibrators were patent medicine,” she told me, and they were used as a labor-saving device for many different types of less titillating massage. This physician was actually advocating for vibrator massage of “the intestines, kidneys, lungs and skin,” she says.

Even once Lieberman and Schatzberg had made these discoveries, publishing them was not a given. At first, Lieberman hoped to publish an article that combined her own research into the history of sex toys that with a refutation of Maines’ thesis. But she found that anonymous peer reviewers resisted her framing of The Technology of Orgasm. Eventually, Lieberman removed all her critique of Maines from her article, and it was accepted for publication.

Lieberman, working with Schatzberg, turned that criticism of Maines into a full journal article—and they again struggled to find a journal that would publish it. According to emails reviewed by The Atlantic, editors now felt their criticism should focus on more than one book and that it should be more generous to Maines’ political context. One editor said that they should treat Maines’ claims not as erroneous facts, but as outdated historical interpretation. “You are letting ‘facts’ slide over into what might fairly be called interpretation,” that reviewer wrote. “Don’t we, as example, continually revisit what the ‘facts’ of the industrial revolution were and how it happened?”

The article was published in The Journal of Positive Sexuality in August.

“Some people have said, ‘Oh, you’re attacking [Maines].’ But my life would have been so much easier if her work had been accurate,” Lieberman said. “I did not want to critique her, I do not want to attack her, I have no problem with her. I just want to build on someone else’s work, and when that work is incorrect, it creates problems for scholars in the field of history of sexuality.”

“It’s a real problem if you’re a grad student writing a dissertation, and in what seems to be the widely accepted work in your field, you can’t find any justification for,” said Schatzberg.

Other historians have previously identified problems with Maines’ work. Fern Riddell, a popular historian who studies Victorian sex, attacked the idea that “Victorians invented the vibrator” in a 2014 Guardian article. (Riddell did not respond to an email sent through her publisher.)

And Helen King, a classics professor at the Open University in the U.K., wrote a lengthy scholarly rebuttal of Maines’ use of Greek and Latin sources in 2011. Maines “deliberately skewed” translations of the ancient texts she cited, like interpreting a medical text “in which the lower back is massaged as ‘masturbation,’” King said in an email. “She played just as fast and loose with the secondary material; for example she cited a general article on Roman baths to support her hypothesis that piped water in the baths was used for masturbation, even though that article says nothing about water pressure or women, let alone masturbation!”

Reading the new paper, King said she had one thought: “What comes as a surprise is that Maines’ book is even more flawed than I’d thought. ... I do wonder if anyone at all looked at it for the press.”

That press was the Johns Hopkins University Press, which published The Technology of Orgasm 19 years ago. “As most senior scholars know, university presses peer-review their books by relying on other senior scholars to comment on the quality of the work,” said Greg Britton, its editorial director. “Before it was accepted for publication two decades ago, this book would have been selected by the editor, undergone a rigorous round of single-blind peer review, and then approved by a faculty editorial board.”

He added: “Presses do not, however, fact-check their books as Lieberman and Schatzberg acknowledge. More to the point, Professor Maines has always maintained that her assertions were hypothesis open to further exploration.”

Maines nodded to King’s work as a precedent for the Lieberman and Schatzberg paper. She maintains that she never set out to pass off the notion of vibrators as a Victorian treatment for hysteria as historical fact; rather, she simply wanted to present the possibility as a way to get people thinking and talking about “orgasmic mutuality,” or female orgasms in addition to the traditionally more familiar male orgasm. And given its outsize impact in popular culture, especially through works like Ruhl’s play, “I think I succeeded in that,” she says.

This kind of symbolic victory is exactly what Schatzberg worries about. “In this post-fact era, the one bastion where facts should still be loved, and honored, and respected, and relentlessly pursued is academia,” Schatzberg said.

In the last few years, the social sciences have been rocked by a “reproducibility crisis,” in which once-bedrock findings in psychology, nutrition science, and other disciplines have failed to replicate when tested. Lieberman and Schatzberg believe the same “publish-or-perish” incentives which drove that crisis also explain the vibrator story: Its success, they write, “serves as a cautionary tale for how easily falsehoods can become embedded in the humanities.”

“People are not rewarded for checking previous work,” Schatzberg said. “They’re rewarded for coming up with a sexy new research finding. That’s true in the sciences, but it’s also true in the humanities.”

Lieberman said the entire episode seemed to illustrate the academy’s tendency to confirmation bias. “It was salacious. It was sexy. It sounded like a porn,” she said.“It fit into our belief that the Victorians weren’t as educated or knowledgable as we are about sex—and this idea that we progressively get more enlightened about sex, and that history follows this narrative from progression to progression. It fits so well into this. It fits into ideas that people had that women’s sexuality wasn’t understood.”

“One of the big takeaways for me is that the peer-reviewed process is flawed. Peer review is no substitute for fact-checking,” she added. “We need to fix this, and we need to start checking other people’s work especially in history.”

To King, the takeaway was clear: “People wanted to hear this story,” she said. “Vibrator stories sell.”

from Health News And Updates https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/09/victorian-vibrators-orgasms-doctors/569446/?utm_source=feed

[camillemontespan]

a week at aunt olivia and uncle leo’s [part three]

Part Two if you want to catch up.

Just some more Leo x Olivia x Lily escapades.

@jovialyouthmusic @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @pug-bitch @sirbeepsalot @moonlightgem7 @emceesynonymroll @burnsoslow @ibldw-main @notoriouscs @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @emichelle  @katedrakeohd @drakesensworld  @star-spangled-eyes @dcbbw

***********************************************************************************

Day 4 continued

Leo made Olivia a cup of coffee to try and sober her up before he picked up his car keys and insisted on driving Stacey and Milo back home. Stacey was not fit to drive in her drunken state.

As Olivia took a deep gulp of coffee, she was aware that Lily was watching her by the kitchen door, the bag of frozen peas clasped to her head.

'You okay babe?' Olivia asked. Lily nodded. 'I fell but I'm okay.'

Olivia beckoned for Lily to move closer and she examined her head. 'Ha, barely a bump. You'll be fine.'

Lily smiled and Olivia crouched down, her eyes wide. 'You're actually gorgeous, you know that right?' she asked, her voice slurring. Lily blushed, not used to compliments from Olivia. 'Thank you Aunt Olivia..'

'Honestly, I'm so glad you don't take after your dad,' Olivia continued. 'So glad.'

Lily wrinkled her nose. 'What's wrong with daddy?'

Olivia rolled her eyes. 'Well, he's definitely punching with your mom, that's just my opinion anyway.'

Before Lily could speak, Olivia clicked her fingers. 'Come! Join me in the living room.'

When Olivia was drunk, she adopted a very regal manner. More regal than usual. She strutted into the living room, taking care not to bump into the coffee table, and settled down on the sofa. She patted the space beside her and Lily eagerly curled up, resting her head on Olivia's chest. 'Can we watch Peppa Pig?' she asked hopefully.

Olivia smirked. 'We're not watching that crap.. No, honey, I will pick your education..'

Olivia scrolled through her recordings until she reached her chosen programme. She then grabbed a blanket and tucked Lily in beside her.

The opening bars to the Sex and the City theme tune filled the room.

'What's this?' Lily asked.

'This, darling,' Olivia drawled, 'is the best 90s show ever. See, that's Carrie with the curly hair. She writes for a newspaper.'

Lily nodded, keen to impress Olivia with her quick understanding. She pointed at the screen which showed the episode title. 'What's that say?'

Olivia squinted. 'Politically Erect.'

Lily frowned but continued to watch. She snuggled into Olivia and grinned when Charlotte came on screen. 'She's pretty!'

'Yes, Charlotte York,' Olivia said. 'She's the boring one.'

'Oh.. Who's the best one?'

'Samantha Jones,' Olivia replied. She then paused the TV, suddenly aware in her drunk state that maybe this wasn’t appropriate. But, instead of changing the channel, she tried to negotiate with the four year old. 

'Don't tell your parents you're watching this, okay? There's some adult scenes which I will ask you to close your eyes for and I'll fast-forward them, okay?'

Lily nodded obediently and for the next thirty minutes would close her eyes and Olivia would fast forward whenever Samantha had sex or talked about dildos. It meant Olivia only got to properly watch about ten minutes in total but she didn't mind - anything was better than constant Peppa Pig.

When Leo arrived home, exhausted from trying to stop Stacey from hanging her head out of the window like a dog as she screamed about how drunk she was, while Milo sat in the backseat, petrified,  he found Olivia and Lily sat cross legged on the sofa facing each other, looking very serious.

'So what have you learned?' Olivia asked her.

Lily looked up at the ceiling as if reciting lines. 'Mr Big is a mean man, Steve is nice but a little meh, Aidan is the best guy ever and Smith is a babe.'

Leo stared at Olivia in horror. 'You have shown her Sex and the City?! She’s four!’

Olivia shrugged. 'It's educational.'

Leo closed his eyes and counted to ten. 'Lily, bedtime.'

'But we're gonna watch another one!' Lily protested. Leo sighed and crouched down in front of her. 'If I give you some more ice cream, will you go to bed and promise not to tell your mommy and daddy about the TV show?'

Lily looked conflicted. 'But I.. I wanna see Aidan..'

Leo narrowed his eyes at Olivia who avoided his gaze, instead focusing on her fingernails.

'Lily..' Leo tried again. 'Waffles for breakfast tomorrow?'

Lily grinned. 'Okay!'

She jumped off the sofa then turned back to quickly kiss Olivia on the cheek. She did the same for Leo before skipping out the room.  Leo turned to look down at Olivia who was studiously avoiding his eyes. 

‘Liv.’

Olivia looked at her fingernails. ‘Damn it, I got a hangnail.’

‘Liv..’

Sighing, she looked up at him with wide blue eyes. ‘Yes?’

‘You do realise if Drake finds out, he is going to murder you.’

Olivia waved her hand in the air. ‘Please, he won’t find out-’

‘Babe, he found out Lily had fallen down the fucking stairs,’ Leo said bluntly. ‘I’m in shit now. This-’ he pointed to the paused episode of SATC- ‘is probably even worse in his eyes because you have introduced her to men! And sex toys! And sex! She’s like.. twenty years too young for this!’ 

‘First of all, she already has Milo!’ Olivia protested. Leo threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. ‘Exactly! Alarm bells are already going off in Drake’s head! How’s it gonna look when he asks if she’s been watching bloody Peppa Pig-’

‘Hehe, bloody,’ Olivia giggled, ‘I love it when you pretend to be British, it’s so sexy-’

‘LIV!’ 

Leo sat down on the leather armchair and closed his eyes, trying to think. ‘We just need to hope she won’t say anything, okay?’

Olivia rolled her eyes and stood up, slinking over to Leo. She knelt down on the floor in front of him, moving his legs apart so she was between his knees. ‘Leo..’ she murmured.

Leo looked down at her, his green eyes meeting her blue ones. She stank of wine but God, she looked hot in her low cut top and leather trousers. 

‘You’re cute when you’re worried,’ Olivia teased, nipping his ear with her teeth. 

Leo sighed and let her kiss his neck before she pulled his sweater up his torso and up over his head. Her eyes roamed his golden skin, hungrily studying his broad shoulders and muscles. ‘Olivia..’ he groaned. He really wanted to tell her off but he knew she wouldn’t take him seriously, especially now he was shirtless.

‘Let’s forget about kids and parents for a while and just be us,’ Olivia whispered, kissing him deeply. ‘I want you.’ 

In spite of himself, Leo chuckled and he let her drag him off the chair and up the stairs to their bedroom. He was never good at telling people off, especially when it came to Olivia.

   *******************************************************************************

Day 5

The next morning, Lily dressed up in Olivia’s clothes. She had the day off from playgroup and she wanted to make the most of it, so she asked Olivia if she could play dress up. 

‘Sure, babe, but don’t touch these..’ Olivia said, taking away her lingerie and bondage gear, shoving them to the top of the wardrobe. 

‘Can you help me play Carrie?!’

Olivia blinked. ‘Uh.. okay..’

So, for two hours, Olivia helped Lily find Carrie Bradshaw inspired clothing; tricky, considering most of Olivia’s clothes were red, but they managed. They settled on Lily keeping her own pink chiffon dress on, but she borrowed Olivia’s faux fur stole in red and her black stilettos. 

Lily grabbed hold of Olivia’s hand as she practiced walking in the sky high heels. ‘One, two, three, four, five and twirl!’ Olivia instructed. Lily followed her instructions and twirled awkwardly. 

‘Can I borrow a bag?’ Lily asked. Olivia found her a red snakeskin handbag with a gold buckle and Lily hung it from her shoulder, adopting a haughty pose and began to strut/stumble along the bedroom floor. 

‘I’m meeting Charlotte and Samantha for brunch!’ she called, pretending to be Carrie. ‘I want coffee!’

As Lily became more confident in walking in heels, Olivia followed her around the house, holding in laughter as Lily threw herself into her new role. ‘Aidan is my boyfriend!’ she squealed. 

She passed Leo who was making waffles for a late breakfast. ‘Oh wow, look at you, you gorgeous thing!’ he cried, crouching down to give Lily a hug. Lily twirled around, showing off her outfit. ‘Don’t I look pretty?!’

‘So pretty!’ Leo told her. ‘I love your bag!’

Lily grinned and climbed up onto the chair at the kitchen table. Carefully, she placed the handbag on the table like she saw Carrie et al did with their handbags and smoothed down her hair, trying to appear grown up and fancy. She was so fancy! 

She eyed the waffles and Leo gave her a wink, serving up a stack of them with banana and Nutella. Olivia sat down beside her, rejecting the waffles and helping herself to granola instead.

Leo’s phone rang. ‘Oh no, it’s Drake..’ he groaned. Lily’s eyes lit up. ‘Daddy!’

Leo had no choice but to answer. ‘Hey man.’

********************************************************************************

Camille was trying to wash the Vaseline out of her hair when Drake phoned Leo. Drake had been anxious ever since last night when Lily had fallen down the stairs, which Camille understood, but she also felt he was being a little.. overprotective. Lily had said she was okay, which Camille believed, and Leo’s reassurances had been enough.  But that hadn’t eased Drake’s mind. 

‘How is she?’ Drake asked bluntly. Camille wrapped her hair in a towel and winced at his sharp tone; she wished he was a bit more polite. Olivia and Leo were looking after Lily after all. 

‘I don’t care that she’s having waffles, how’s her head?’ Drake snapped. ‘Uh huh.. uh huh.. she’s not got concussion? She doesn’t seem odd to you? You sure?’

Sighing, Camille grabbed the phone from Drake. 

‘Hey, Leo,’ she said, her voice cheerful. ‘Thank you for looking after Lily, we really appreciate it. Can I say hi to my baby girl?’

‘Um...’ 

Camille’s smile faltered. ‘Leo?’

‘She’s eating waffles, she might be too busy to talk-’

‘I wanna speak to mommy!’ Camille heard Lily’s excited voice in the background.

*****************************************************************************************

Leo swallowed. He hoped Lily wouldn’t land him and Olivia in shit about her TV watching. That said, he had made her waffles as promised..

He handed Lily the phone. ‘Hi mommy!’ she shrieked, grinning happily. 

Olivia and Leo’s eyes met, both of them looking terrified. Olivia couldn’t eat her granola as her stomach was in knots. 

‘I’m having waffles!’ Lily continued, shoving a big piece into her mouth. ‘They’re yummy.’

Maybe it would be okay, Leo thought. Maybe waffles were her new obsession. 

‘I’m playing Carrie today,’ Lily said.

Or not.

‘We were watching Carrie and Samantha and Charlotte and Miranda last night!’ she continued. Olivia groaned loudly and Leo bolted to take the phone from Lily. 

‘Hey, Cammie!’ he hollered.

There was a silence on the other end of the line. Camille soon broke it. ‘Cammie?’

‘Just trying out a new nickname..’ he muttered, turning red. 

Lily giggled. ‘Cammie sounds like Carrie.’

Leo could hear Camille and Drake murmuring in the background, the occasional hiss and swear word.  They were not happy.

*******************************************************************************************

‘I swear, she’s been watching Sex and the City,’ Camille hissed. Drake turned white and pulled the phone from her hand, taking control. 

‘Leo, put Lily on the phone,’ he ordered. 

‘But I want to talk to you!’ Leo tried to persuade him. ‘How’s couple time?’

‘Leo..’ Drake ground out. Leo sighed and gave Lily the phone, admitting defeat. She smiled and her legs swung from the chair happily as she took the phone to talk to her dad. 

‘Hi daddy.’ She picked up her sippy cup of chocolate milk and took a big glug, not caring that she now had a chocolate moustache. 

‘Lily,’ Drake said, trying his best to be calm. Maybe it was okay. Maybe she was having a great time and eating right and playing in the garden and reading and having a proper bedtime and just, you know, being a happy kid. 

‘Are you having a good time, Lily?’ he asked. 

He could hear her eating a waffle before she spoke clearly. 

‘Abso-fuckin-lutely.’ 

[willreadforbooze]

Hello!

Here’s our weekly wrap up from the WRFB crew =)

Sam’s Update:

I got a lot of reading done this week. I was in the Poconos for a friend’s birthday and it was super chill, then I made sure to dedicate some reading time since I have 5 (yes FIVE) more books to read to finish up my NEWTs.

What Sam finished this week:

NEWTs E-level Transfiguration: Age of Legend by Michael J Sullivan: This is the 4th installment of this series. This wasn’t my favorite of his books, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t exceptional. I love all of this man’s books. So much.

NEWTs O-level Transfiguration: Lady Smoke by Laura Sebastian: this is the sequel to Ash Princess. I think this one was ok, but not nearly as good as the first. Suffered from 2nd-book syndrome I think.

NEWTs A-level Ancient Runes: All Systems Red by Martha Wells: This was a re-read for me since I had basically forgotten the plot. I knew I loved Murderbot but not what had happened. I’m pretty happy with my reread (also switched this out from Radical Candor because that one was too long for this readathon)

NEWTs A-level Arithmancy: Fireborne by Rosaria Munda: Picked up this ARC at ALA and damn it was a good choice. Great debut, great story. Full review to come.

NEWTs E-level Charms: Illegal by Eoin Colfer: A graphic novel about a boy from Ghana trying to get to Europe for a better life. This was heartbreaking to see the boy go across the desert, across the sea, and all its horrors. Flew through this.

What Sam’s reading now:

NEWTs E-level Ancient Runes: Nottingham by Nathan Makaryk: Another ALA ARC grab, but am listening on audio since it came out on Aug 6th. In this story, Robin Hood follows King Richard on his crusade and it’s Maid Marian who is steals from the rich to give to the poor. Only just started but I am excite.

NEWTs O-level Charms: The Future of Another Timeline by Annalie Newitz: Considering I’m only a chapter in, I will save the summary and my thoughts until next week.

Ginny’s Update:

I hope you’ve had a great week and are ready to jump in to Monday proper. I have a massage lined up for tonight so regardless of how the actual day goes, I know I’m gonna have a great afternoon!

Currently Reading:

Normal People by Sally Rooney: I’ve heard such good things about this book and it finally came up from the library! It follows two teens, one popular/one not, as they start dating away from the public eye. I think it’s going to swap when they go to college but I haven’t gotten there yet. The characters are realistic and can be oblivious in the way I’ve always felt a little bit oblivious, so I’m enjoying it so far. 

Stormrise by Julian Boehme: I literally just started reading this so I’m like 20 pages in and don’t have much to say yes. Except apparently this is going to be Mulan but with dragons!!!!! I’ve been playing a lot of Skyrim recently so I AM HERE FOR DRAGONS!

Just Finished:

Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh: Yeah this is a series where I’m constantly either going to be reading one of the books, or will at least have it on hold at the library. This follows one of the secondary characters is the first book, and includes an F-psy who can forecast the future. There’s a lot of him trying to get her acclimated to physical contact which was not necessarily my jam. A little too much, i know better than her, which, ugh. Regardless, still a fun story and gets a 3.5/5

Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer: I wrote a review. I have strong opinions. Book club for this is Wednesday… … … 

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins: This will surprise no one but I follow a bunch of romance novelists on twitter. They are delightful and have definitely influenced my reading list. I’ve heard about this author forever and I’m disappointed it took me this long to finally read one of her books. Eddy is a badass and is slowly working her way towards California with both good and bad luck. Rhine is a former slave who is light skinned enough to pass as white and has decided to do so. They meet and there’s instant chemistry. Except Eddy shuts that shit down, she knows what happens between a mixed race couple after the civil war…. It’s delightful. 4/5

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow: I love a good portal novel and whoo boy. I’m definitely writing a review of this one because I would like to honor January’s love and honor of writing and the power of the written word.

Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire: This is the sequel to Discount Armageddon which I read last week. The worlds that she builds are SO GREAT! Quick summary. Verity has been warned by her quasi-boyfriend that the Covenant are coming to New York for a purge. Obviously this is worriesome. Review forthcoming.

The Attack by Yasmina Khadra: In my head I’m singing “One of these things is not like the other.” This was a look at what happens in a country that has dealt with constant low level terrorism. The main character’s wife is a suicide bomber in an attack that kills a number of people. He decides he needs to figure out what happened and where he went wrong. The search is interesting, but I found the ending to be a little bit abrupt. While that makes sense in the narrative arc of the book, I still found myself disappointed that there wasn’t some sort of ending that allows Amin to choose a side and make a directional shift. 3/5

Minda’s Update:

Oof. Still doing NEWTs, but it’s slow going.

What Minda is reading now:

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – Moving along, but it’s moving slowly.

Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente – Expected to pick this up last week, but didn’t. This week it is!

Linz’s Update:

Oh god I felt so ready for DragonCon and now I feel woefully underprepared. I literally went into my calendar and blocked next Saturday off to finish work.

What Linz read:

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern: YOU GUYSSSSSSSSSS. UGH. EVERYTHING.

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Asad: Middle East/central Asia-inspired debut fantasy, with djinn and lots of food and some great characters. (It was a solid debut and honestly I preferred it to City of Brass).

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchinson: So, a bunch of girls were kidnapped by a rich crazy guy, who makes them live in a hidden garden and tattoos butterfly wings on their backs.They get rescued (THIS IS LITERALLY IN THE GOODREADS DESCRIPTION NOT A SPOILER), and the FBI tries to pick apart what happened with a cagey survivor. You def already knew what happened so it lost some of the potential tension, and the survivor isn’t really that mysterious, just has a drama-heavy backstory. It was fine?

After by Anna Todd: NOPE. Review forthcoming.

What Linz is currently reading:

I actually had to take a little reading break to get stuff done, but I *did* just get Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree from the library, so likely starting that today, or my ARC of The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Melinda, Linz, and Ginny

Weekly Wrap-Up: August 11-18, 2019 Hello! Here's our weekly wrap up from the WRFB crew =) Sam's Update: I got a lot of reading done this week.