#golf via books

[juniperskye]

What are the chances?

Sneak peek: Aaron and you match on Tinder and have been messaging back and forth over the summer…who’d have thought that meet the teacher night would bring him face to face with the woman he’s been sexting.

Aaron Hotchner x Teacher! Reader

Smut/Fluff

Word count: 5335

I have been writing this for weeks and I’m not sure about it – feedback is welcomed (as long as its constructive) Also I am using personal knowledge of teaching (as I work in a school) if it doesn't match your personal experiences I am sorry. Not edited - please be kind.

Warnings: 18+, minors DNI, language, sexting, tinder, online dating, explicit description of sexual activity, age gap (legal - Aaron is 45 Reader is 26), unsolicited sexual messages via dm, mentions of Jack, New Girl reference, mentions of school, teaching, insecurities, mentions of cheating, let me know if I missed anything!

I do not consent to having my work translated or reposted to any other site. That being said I do not own the characters portrayed in this story.

Your phone buzzing pulled your attention away from the book you’d been reading. The notification illuminating your screen was one that filled you with dread.

You had joined Tinder at the suggestion of your colleague, she claimed that after your last relationship plus the significant amount of time you’ve been single equated to you needing to join the dating app.

This on its own wasn’t what was tying your stomach in knots, that was the fact that since you’d downloaded the god forsaken app you’d received a disturbing amount of unsolicited dick pics. Tonight, however, would bring a positive change. You had swiped right on a particularly handsome man a few days ago and had been silently hoping to match with him ever since. You had honestly given up hope until now.

Swiping over on the notification to launch the app would allow you to remind yourself of how handsome this guy actually was.

“Alright Aaron let’s take another look at this profile” you mumbled to yourself as you slid further down the couch.

Scrolling through his pictures you couldn’t help but smile. He only had three, but they were good. The first picture was a close up of him in a suit, he wore a subtle smile and his eyes looked so inviting. The second picture was him in a black T-shirt he looked as though he’d been laughing or maybe talking, a big grin on his face. The third photo…this one left your mouth dry. He’d clearly been on a golf course, the photo taken without his knowledge, but his arms…the way they were flexed and the veins that bulged in his forearms and hands. God the thoughts you had about what he could do with those hands.

You shook your head, trying to rid your mind of the vulgar thoughts you were having about this perfect stranger. He was hot, you couldn’t deny it, but his bio drew you in even further, it was to the point but definitely had you wanting to know more.

I’m a single dad and a workaholic. I love the Beatles. Looking for something real.

It felt like someone may have guided him through it, but you could tell the sentiment was genuine. He was a single dad and you loved that he wasn’t hiding that. It wasn’t something that would deter you from getting to know him either. You loved kids, that’s why you’d become a teacher.

You had mentioned that in your bio, it was short and sweet and exactly you.

I’m a 3rd grade teacher, I love music and reading, and yes, “I have touched glitter in the last 24 hours!”.

You’d thought about messaging him right away but ultimately decided against it. Not wanting to seem too eager, you’d give it some time and who knows, maybe he’d even message you first.

It had been an entire week since you’d swiped right and now he was finally messaging you. He’d kept it pretty simple, but it was late and given the previous messages you’d received at this hour, you were feeling pretty weary about opening his message.

A: Hello, I wanted to message you sooner, but I wasn’t sure how to start this conversation.

Y: Hi 😊 and no worries I get it. Online dating doesn’t exactly have the same effect as an in-person conversation.

A: Precisely. How are you?

Y: I’m doing good, tired. You?

A: I’m good, thank you.

A: I’m so sorry, I travel for work and am currently on the west coast, I didn’t even factor in the time difference.

Y: Don’t apologize! I’m the one who is awake at this ungodly hour. I should probably head to sleep though.

A: Yes, get some rest. Could I message you tomorrow and try this again?

Y: Absolutely, I’m looking forward to it! Goodnight Aaron!

A: Goodnight.

You woke up feeling pretty good, it was nice to not have to wake up at 6:00 am every morning. Once of the perks of being a teacher was the breaks. You were, however, thankful to be at a school that allowed a twelve-month contract which meant your paychecks continued through the summer. You had also made some extra cash by creating and selling assignments through teachers-pay-teachers (TPT) and by holding virtual tutoring sessions for students who were struggling.

Today you were just planning to create a few different anchor charts to upload for sale on your TPT account. You had just finished designing one for homophones vs. homographs and were ready to upload it when your phone buzzed. When you noticed the notification, you couldn’t help but smile.

A: Good morning

Y:  Good morning! How are you?

A: I’m well, glad to be going home. How are you?

Y: Right, you had said you were on the west coast, is that for work?

Y: And I am good, thank you.

A: Yes, I unfortunately have to travel a lot for work. Your bio says you’re a teacher, that’s really incredible, how long have you been teaching?

Y: Travelling for work must take the excitement out of the actual travel.

Y: And thank you! I have been teaching for 5 years now! I love it so much; the kids make all the paperwork and administrative stuff worth it!  

A: It is so great that you have that passion. It seems that it’s becoming increasingly rare.

Y: What about you? I see you’re a federal agent, is that right?

A: Yeah, I am. It’s not as glamorous as it may sound.

Y: I would think it’s busy, and hard work. Especially with you travelling while having kids at home.

A: It is, it’s nice to talk to someone who understands that. I just have one kid, a son, he’s almost 8.

Y: That is a good age!

A: It really is, he’s coming into his own.

A: I just saw the time; I have a plane to go catch. Can we talk again soon?

Y: I would really like that. Have a safe flight Aaron.

**One Month later**

The two of you had talked nearly every day for the past month. He was everything you could’ve hoped for; kind, funny, charming, he asked you about yourself and your job. You were really enjoying talking to him and he must’ve shared those feelings because he had recently asked you to switch over from Tinder to texting.

Aaron and you hadn’t had the chance to meet in person yet, but you texted frequently. In the time you’ve been talking, he’d been out of town a total of three times. The first was when you’d matched, he was somewhere on the west coast then. He was back for two days from that trip before he left again, that time was a short stint in the Midwest. And the most recent time, which he was just getting back from was a whole week, somewhere nearby, you knew based on the fact that you remained in the same time zone.

Getting to know each other had been going well, you two asked one another deep questions instead of surface level stuff. You’d talked about your dreams and how you hoped to continue teaching for a few more years before moving up into the administration side of things, and Aaron had shared that he used to be a prosecutor and while he couldn’t share much about his current job, he shared what he might do when he was done at the FBI. He informed you that you had inspired him and that he’d been considering teaching classes at the local university.

Connecting with him was easy, so easy in fact that you’d both admitted to having deleted your dating apps. You had told Aaron that you really wanted to meet him, and he had agreed with you, and so you had set up a tentative date for the following Friday, provided work doesn’t call him away.

Naturally, work did call him away. He’d texted you as soon as he found out. Short but sweet.

Aaron: Hey, I am so sorry, but we got a case. We’re headed to the tarmac now. Raincheck?

You: Oh, no worries! I understand, have a safe flight. Will you let me know when you land?

Aaron: Of course, I’ll talk to you later sweetheart.

You couldn’t help but blush at the name. Aaron and you hadn’t used pet names or even discussed it…hell, you hadn’t really discussed anything about what you were or where you were headed. You had figured that you would have that discussion over dinner, only now that wasn’t happening.

In all honesty you were starting to lose your resolve. Since you had started talking to Aaron, you hadn’t talked to any other men, which meant you hadn’t been intimate with any other men. You were starting to feel pretty restless. You’d thought about texting him, but again, you had no idea what this thing you were doing was. You had tried to push the feeling aside, keeping yourself busy by watching TV and cutting out materials for your classroom.

It was nearly 10 pm when your phone lit up. You looked down to see Aaron’s contact light up your screen, a smile taking form on your lips.

Aaron: Hey sweetheart, how was your day?

You: Hey! It was productive, I got a lot of prep work done for my class. How was your day?

Aaron: It was long, and brutal. I would much rather be there with you.

This was it; he was opening the door; you would just have to see how far he wanted this to go…would he invite you in given the chance?

You: I’d love it if you were here. I’m just lying in bed.

Aaron: You are?

You: Yeah, just here in bed. Thinking about you.

Aaron: I’ve been thinking about you too.

You: Yeah? How so?

Aaron: Sweetheart, I don’t want you to think that this is just some ploy. I like you; I really do, and I want to meet you in person.

You: I like you too Aaron and I know you wouldn’t do that. I’d also really love for you to continue…I really need to know what you’ve been thinking about.

Aaron: God sweetheart. I’ve been thinking about all the things I’d like to do with you.

Aaron: I’d love to start by grabbing your face and kissing those beautiful lips.

You feel a shiver run down your spine as you read Aaron's text. Your heart begins to race, anticipation bubbling up inside you. The words on the screen ignite a flame of desire deep within your core, making it impossible to resist the growing heat between your legs.

You: Mmm, that sounds amazing. I can almost feel your lips on mine already.

Aaron: I want to taste every inch of you. Starting with your mouth, then trailing my kisses down your neck.

The mere thought of Aaron's lips exploring your body sends a surge of wetness between your thighs. You imagine him leaving gentle, lingering kisses along the curve of your neck, nipping at the sensitive skin just below your earlobe.

You: Yes, please. I want to feel your lips everywhere.

Aaron: I'd slowly remove your shirt, teasingly revealing the soft skin underneath until it’s off completely, exposing your beautiful breasts.

You can't help but squirm in bed, the tingling warmth between your legs intensifying with every word. The anticipation builds as you imagine Aaron's hands brushing against your skin, his fingers tracing delicate patterns along the curve of your breasts.

You: Oh God, that sounds incredible. I can’t wait to feel your touch, Aaron.

Aaron: And I can’t wait to give it to you, my sweet girl. I'd worship every inch of your body, my hands guiding my lips and tongue to explore you.

Your breath catches in your throat as the images flood your mind, each one more tantalizing than the last. You can almost feel the soft brush of his lips against your collarbone, the way his tongue would flick against your sensitive flesh.

You: Please, Aaron. I need you now. I can't wait any longer.

Aaron: Patience, sweetheart. We'll meet soon, and when we do, I promise to fulfill your every desire.

As you read Aaron's response, a mix of relief and disappointment washes over you. You understand the need for caution, but the ache within you grows stronger with each passing minute. The desire to feel Aaron's touch, to have him consume you completely, becomes almost unbearable.

You: Okay, Aaron. I trust you.

Aaron: Good girl. Now, close your eyes and imagine my hands tracing circles on your thighs. Slowly inching higher, closer to where you crave me the most.

You follow his command, closing your eyes and allowing your mind to paint vivid images of his touch. The sensation of his warm hands on your thighs sends shivers down your spine as you imagine his fingers inching closer to your pulsating core.

You: Oh yes, Aaron. I can nearly feel your hands on me, the anticipation is almost unbearable. Every nerve ending in my body burns for your touch.

Aaron: That's it, my sweet girl. Imagine my fingers brushing against your wetness, teasingly circling your throbbing clit, driving you to the edge.

Your breath hitches in your throat. The images in your mind become more vivid, your body responding to the phantom touch that you crave with every fiber of your being.

You: Yes, Aaron. I can feel it. My body is on fire for you.

Aaron: I can practically see the uncontrollable desire in your eyes, sweet girl. I bet you look so pretty when you cum.

Your heart races with a mixture of excitement and frustration. The words exchanged between you and Aaron ignite a passionate flame within you, but the distance between you only fuels the longing for his touch. For now, you must find solace in the words that pass between you, allowing your imaginations to create a world where your desires can run wild.

You: I can't wait for the moment when this all becomes reality.

Aaron: It will be worth the wait, my sweet girl. Until then, tell me what you’ve been thinking about. Tell me what you want me to do to you.

You close your eyes, mind racing with a whirlwind of untamed thoughts and secret desires. With each passing moment, the explicit nature of your conversation with Aaron intensifies, leaving you breathless and yearning for more. The electrifying tension between you grows with every tantalizing word exchanged, pushing the boundaries of your imagination further than ever before. You find yourself under Aaron's spell, eager to confess the deepest, darkest corners of your desires.

You: Aaron, I want you to take control. I want to be at your mercy, to feel the weight of your dominance. Do with me as you please.

Aaron: My sweet girl, I will claim you as mine, marking every inch of your body with my touch.

Your body trembles in anticipation of your approaching orgasm. Every nerve ending tingles and pulses, craving the touch of Aaron's hands, his lips, his body against yours. The air is thick with desire as you imagine surrendering yourself to him completely. You slide two fingers into your pulsing heat, slowly thrusting them in and out, imagining Aaron was the one providing you such pleasure.

Aaron: Give yourself over to me. Let go sweetheart. I want to push you to your limits and then pull you back.

Your fingers move faster, matching the rhythm of your racing heart. The room seems to spin as you find yourself on the precipice of ecstasy. One final thrust of your fingers and you are sent hurtling over the edge, your body convulsing with waves of pleasure that crash over you like a tsunami.

As you ride the aftershocks of your orgasm, your breathing begins to steady, and the reality of the moment settles in.

You: Aaron...that was...beyond anything I could have imagined.

Aaron: This is only the beginning. There is so much more for us to explore when we are finally together.

You were growing more confident in whatever this was with him, but you were also becoming more and more frustrated at the fact that you had still yet to meet up with him. You had facetimed many times at this point. Calling one another regularly, to say good morning, to let you know he had landed safely, to tell him all about your day, and even to get one another off at the end of a long hard week.

He was extremely apologetic, given that his chaotic schedule was to blame for you having yet to meet in person. He had even gone as far as to let you know each day they didn’t have a case to see if you were free, but unfortunately as the new school year was approaching, you had become increasingly busier. You had been attending trainings for curriculum as well as the new program the school would be using to take attendance. You had also been going in to start setting up your classroom for a few hours each day.

When you weren’t at the school working on those things, you were at home writing lesson plans, making assignments, and getting your google classroom setup online. You had felt horrible that you had to decline dates, especially given that he finally had time for them, but Aaron was so sweet, assuring you that it was okay. You told him that once the school year started things would be easier since there wouldn’t be so much to prep anymore and once again Aaron let you know that he understood.  

Time had flown by; Aaron and you had been talking and doing whatever this was for nearly two months. Many things had been exchanged between the two of you, promises of exclusivity (without labels for now), explicit messages, talks of the future, nude photos, hopes and dreams, amongst many other things. Since that night, you and Aaron had shared many explicit conversations that had ultimately led to some of the best orgasms you’d ever given yourself. You we genuinely surprised at how quickly you had felt comfortable with a man you’ve never actually met, but him facetiming you regularly helped, you supposed. It was scary to think you could be falling for this man so early on.

Shaking the thought out of your mind you checked your phone, only to see a missed call from Aaron, as well as a voicemail. It made you smile to yourself, nobody you knew left voicemails anymore, they always followed a missed call with a text.

VM <Aaron>: Hey sweetheart, you must be busy, but I wanted to see if you were free this Saturday. I know you have some stuff going on at the school this week, but I thought since you are off, and I just found out it is a mandatory off day for the team, it might be a good time for us to finally go out.

Aaron’s voicemail made you giddy, because him having a mandatory day off on the weekend was rare (as he previously informed you). They tend to fall in the middle of the week between cases to allow the agents a break. But a Saturday! One of your days off – this meant you could finally go on your date! You quickly clicked your phone app, scrolled to his contact, and hit the call button.

“Hotchner.” Aaron said.

“Hey baby!” You greeted.

“Oh, hi sweetheart! I take it you got my voicemail?”

“I did, and I am totally free on Saturday! Were you thinking dinner?”

“Well Jack is with his grandpa on Saturday, so I thought maybe we could spend the whole day together? I have a feeling once I see you, I’m not going to want to let you out of my sight for a bit.” Aaron explained.

“First of all, same! Second of all, I would love to spend the day with you, maybe we could go to the farmer’s market in the morning? I could get some stuff to make us dinner. What do you think?” You questioned.

“Perfect! Alright, well it is getting late, and I know you have a busy day at the school tomorrow, so I am going to let you go. Have a good night sweet girl.”

“Tomorrow won’t be as bad as Thursday, but you are right it is getting late. Goodnight handsome! Text me when you get up?” You asked, hopeful.

“You are going to do great on Thursday, the parents are going to love you. And I will text you first thing!”

With that, you hung up. Aaron was sweet trying to ease your mind of your anxieties. You knew realistically that your meet the teacher night on Thursday would be fine and that there really was no reason to fret, but alas, here you are letting it eat you up.

The next three days passed in a blur, Aaron had been consulting on a case from the Quantico office, something about it not being enough information to warrant travel. You had been finishing up all your last-minute decorations and lesson prep. You also needed to make your slideshow that you would review during meet the teacher.

It had been chaotic, but you managed to get everything completed on time and Aaron had actually helped that precinct close their case. It had been a successful week, and now you on top of your back-to-school jitters, you also had nerves from your pending date. You told yourself to focus on one thing at a time, it would be easier that way.

Which leads you to right now…

Meet the teacher night was the most nerve-wracking and exciting night of the year, you wanted to make a good impression for all the parents, but you also needed to show the kids that you were a safe adult that they could trust who has curated an inviting and cozy space for them to express themselves and engage in learning. 

You had spent the last week getting your classroom perfectly decorated and organized for this moment, and here it was finally happening. You waited, anxiously fidgeting with your sleeves as families made their way into your classroom, greeting them all as they entered. A parent had pulled you aside to talk about their child’s multitude of allergies when another family had walked in, presumably the last one if you had your count right. You excused yourself and made your way over to the father of this student and stopped dead in your tracks. You’d recognize him anywhere, you had memorized his face, arms, hands, broad shoulders and here he was in front of you now.

“Hi” it came out as a breath; you were stunned that he was here now.

“Hi, I had no idea you were Jack’s teacher. The email I got must’ve been your last name…” Aaron tried to explain.

“No, don’t worry about it, we hadn’t exchanged full names. I um maybe we should talk about this after.” You’d just remembered that you were in a room full of parents and your soon-to-be students.

“Right, that’s a good idea.” Aaron said as he made his way over to Jack and some woman.

Your stomach dropped as Aaron greeted the woman, clearly someone he was very familiar with. Had this all been a lie, the last two months. You zoned out, completely disassociated as you gave your presentation, welcoming the families, going over pickup/drop-off procedures, discussing how you would communicate with parents and going over the scope and sequence of the curriculum for this year.

As you spoke, you found your eyes drifting back to him. Your stomach dropping every time he meets your gaze. How dare he. How dare he smile at you like nothing is wrong, like he isn’t here with some other woman.

You made it halfway through the powerpoint which was a chance for parents to ask any questions that they had thus far. A few parents had asked about the school lunch program and what after-school activities they could anticipate throughout the year. Another parent asked about one of the board adopted reading curriculums and how it would be implemented – all tame so far. Then his hand went up. You steeled yourself before gesturing to him.

“Mr. Hotchner” You signaled him to ask his question.

“Yes, I wanted to know more about the art program here. Which classes are provided as the kids’ specials?”

“That’s a great question, our school has received a grant from the state for our arts program, it is one of the best in the U.S.. The students will participate in multiple specials throughout the week such as Art, Physical Education, Chorus, Computers, Robotics, Gardening, Band, and Dance. They will have two specials classes on every day of the week, save for Wednesdays, since those are half days.” You explained.

“Wow, that’s amazing, thank you!” Aaron smiled at you again.

You were proud of the fact that your school had the ability to have such a wide variety of electives to offer your students. Your heart swells when talking about it, knowing that you worked tirelessly to help lock in that grant for your school. Aaron’s smiley response, however, makes your stomach churn.  

You continued throughout the last few slides, closed out your presentation and said your goodbyes, answering the few remaining questions while picking up stray crayons and cups scattered around the room. As you threw the last few cups in the trash you turned to see Aaron lingering in the back of the room alone.

There was a nagging feeling eating away at you. He surely didn’t have the audacity to come here with another woman. Not when you had spent the last two months sharing the most intimate parts of yourselves with one another. Granted he didn’t know it would be you, so maybe that was why he was here with her. All you wanted to do was grab your bag and get the hell out of here.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.” He started.

“Sooo, should we just ignore the fact that I’ve seen you naked? Just pretend like the last two months never happened. I don’t want to put Jack in an awkward position. And I certainly don’t want to come between you and your girlfriend.” You huffed.

“Woah, sweetheart, hold on. What are you talking about? As far as I am concerned the only person who I would call my girlfriend here is you, but obviously we haven’t discussed that and seeing as we are only just meeting now, I figured we’d go on our date before labeling anything. I don’t want to forget about any of this, I want to keep this going, see where it leads.” Aaron reached for your hand gently.

“Aaron, if you are seeing that woman you came here with then this has to end. I’m not looking to be a third, or to be your mistress. You can’t do that to her. You can’t do that to Jack!” You shook your head and pulled your hand away from his.

“Oh my god. No, that’s Jess, Jack’s aunt. I thought I told you about her. It’s Jack’s mom’s sister. The only person I want to see is you baby.” He reaches for you again.

This time you let him pull you into his embrace. You shake your head, feeling like an idiot for even thinking Aaron was capable of something so awful.

“I’m so stupid. Aaron I am so sorry!”

“Sweetheart it is okay! I can’t even imagine how it must’ve looked.” He pressed his lips to the top of your head.

“I can’t believe you are actually here right now.” You whispered, pressing your face further into his chest.

Aaron squeezed you tighter, rubbing his hands up and down the expanse of your back. You took a deep breath in, savoring the smell of his cologne.

“You know, I could have Jess take Jack home, and maybe we could go grab a bite to eat?” Aaron suggested.

“Really?” You looked to him for confirmation.

Aaron replied with a subtle “mhmm” to which you nodded. He quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and shot a quick text to Jess. He was sure to give her a brief explanation of the situation, this of course caused her to agree to take Jack for the night.

You should have known you wouldn’t even make it to dinner. Aaron had suggested going back to his place since it would be empty and ordering in. How could you say no, it was a brilliant idea.

The two of you barely made it through the door before your lips met in a fiery kiss, tugging at one another’s clothes. Aaron had picked you up, wrapping your legs around his hips as he carried you the rest of the way to the bedroom.

He gently laid you on the bed, holding his weight up by his elbows on either side of your head. He leans in to kiss you once more before pulling away entirely.

“Sweetheart, I want to make sure you really want this. I can wait and I don’t want you to think this is all I want because trust me I want you. All of you.” Aaron expressed.

“Aaron I want this, all of this with you.” You gently brushed your finger against his jaw.

With that, Aaron dove back in and kissed you with fervor. His hands gripping your plush thighs sliding up to your hips. Your hands reaching to unbutton his dress shirt, unsuccessfully so. Aaron’s hands come up to meet your own, he moves to remove his own shirt which allows you just enough space to remove your own. Garments are strewn about the room as Aaron leans down attaching his lips to the top of your breasts. His hands come up to grope them, your body arching into his touch. He tugs the lace down, exposing your nipple, it immediately perks to the cold air, and he attaches his mouth to it. You can’t help the gasp that releases from your throat. You card your fingers through his hair raking your nails against his scalp.

Aaron presses his hips to yours, allowing you to feel his growing length against your inner thigh. Heat courses through your body as your heart races. He undresses you with a slow, deliberate intent, unhooking your bra and allowing your breasts to bounce free. The vulnerability of it all makes you feel alive, desired, cherished.

Your hands explore his body, his muscles hard and defined under your touch. You run your fingers across the faint lines of scars, evidence of his journey, the stories he's lived. You gently trace them, feeling his rough skin, the warmth emanating from him. You feel like you know him, like you've been waiting for this moment your entire life.

He stands, his eyes locked with yours. He reaches down, unbuckling his jeans and sliding them down his legs. Your eyes follow the movement, taking in every inch of his body, he is standing before you, naked and exposed. You feel a wave of desire wash over you, a fiery need to be closer to him. Your hands reach for him, your fingers brushing against the curve of his hips, the muscles in his thighs, the hard line of his abdomen. You run your fingertips along the slight indent of his navel, and he lets out a low groan.

Your body is alive with desire, every breath you take sharper, every touch more electric. You know this moment will be etched in your memory forever, the beginning of something beautiful. And as you take his hand, pulling him back to the bed, you know that this is where your story will unfold, a story of passion, love, and a bond that will last a lifetime.

[saintmeghanmarkle]

'Tiger Woods is the Prince Harry of sport': Author James Patterson's cutting barb about Duke as his new book uncovers the affairs and addictions that ruined the golf star's marriage. by u/AnyBowl8

'Tiger Woods is the Prince Harry of sport': Author James Patterson's cutting barb about Duke, as his new book uncovers the affairs and addictions that ruined the golf star's marriage. https://ift.tt/VcYT7DG please archive for us....the Prince Harry of...is going to be my new call-out post link: https://ift.tt/07DT8a2 author: AnyBowl8 submitted: August 24, 2024 at 07:47PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[germanpostwarmodern]

The austere beauty and precision of Mies van der Rohe’s has literally been captured by thousands of photographers, be it amateurs or Hedrich-Blessing, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Michael Wesely and even Julius Shulman. What all of them have in common is the focus on the auratic appeal of Mies’s buildings, a quality that admittedly is hard to ignore. The German photographer Joachim Brohm approaches Mies’ architecture differently: between 2013 and 2023 he visited sites buildings of Mies van der Rohe but refrained from the usual, wide-angled architectural photography that dominates the perception of his architecture. Instead, Brohm focused on the materiality, the many transformational interventions and the reconstruction as well as interpretation of Mies van der Rohe’s architecture.

A selection of photographs from this long-term project Brohm published last year in the book „LESSMORE - Buildings, sites and scenes in reference to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe“ via his self-publishing house BR-ED: on 300 pages the book shows less of the buildings as an iconic whole and more of their checkered history, their transitory state. This approach has become a hallmark of Brohm’s more recent work, e.g. in his „Areal“ series, and offers the spectator a novel perspective on an architecture seemingly well-known. Photographs of the Neue Nationalgalerie during restoration, the rebuilt Barcelona Pavilion or the temporary resurrection of the never built Golf Club in Krefeld trigger a reflective process about the historicity and museumization of Mies’s buildings. In this context Wolfgang Ullrich brought up Roger Buergel’s leitmotif of documenta 12 in 2007: „Is Modernity our Antiquity?“, a fitting question in view of the fact that Mies’ heroic projects are roughly a hundred years old and the context in which they were conceived become ever more foreign to today’s spectators. Brohm’s photographs show these buildings as modern antiques in which different layers of time have inscribed themselves and deconstruct the perfect image we have of them. But embedded in this challenge is the opportunity to gain new insights into the meaning of modernity as well as its contemporary condition. A brilliant book!

[toomuchracket]

hi mads, random, but are you from glasgow? i'm going there in a few weeks and wondering if you had recommendations for cute places, shops and cafes to visit???

technically no but i practically live there at this point lol. ok so i think you should go out the west end (get the subway to hillhead/kelvinhall/kelvinbridge/maybe even partick) and go to kelvingrove gallery and/or the botanic gardens - there are a lot of cute cafes and restaurants out that way too!! alternatively, get the train from central and hang out in shawlands for a bit, there are some really lovely independent shops, and you could also get off the train at pollokshaws west and go to see the highland cows in pollok country park (there are baby ones!!); there's also the burrell collection, a gallery, within the park too. if you like pizza, paesano is the move (there's one in the west end AND one in the city centre), and definitely sugo for pasta (literally my fav place of all time). for drinks in the city centre, i like stereo and tabac for something chill, king tuts is iconic, and devil of brooklyn is meant to be fab - for coffee, tinderbox (they have a few locations across the city), laboratorio espresso, spitfire, or social bite on sauchiehall street (their proceeds go to helping reduce homelessness, and the cakes are AMAZING). drinks in the west end, i'd go to inn deep or banana moon, or somewhere down ashton lane or oran mor if i was feeling a bit fancier, and i tend to buy coffee in the alchemy experiment whenever i'm out there just for an excuse to go in lol - it's a gallery space/cafe hybrid, where they sell art and other little independently-crafted bits and bobs, and if you're there then walk a few doors down to onawallnearyou for prints as well. if you're going any further east than glasgow cross - which you should, to go to the barras market at the weekend - saint luke's and the winged ox for drinks (nice food, too), and us v them for coffee. OH also if you're looking for something cute to do, definitely go pottery painting at the craft pottery (book via insta), and golf fang is meant to be really fun crazy golf but i have yet to try. and tbh if it's live music you're after then i'd just see what's on in stereo/king tuts/broadcast/nice n sleazys while you're there lol you might end up seeing the next big thing!! yeah there's so much to do. gonna tag jade @theseventyfive to see if she has any recs that i've forgotten lol <3

[harrisonarchive]

June 9, 1968. Pictured: Bud O’Shea (Apple Records Promotion Manager, Bay Area), George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Mal Evans; photo courtesy of Bud O’Shea, via Ken Mansfield’s The White Book.

“Then George suggested a round of golf. Golf on a nice day like this? Hit a ball about for hours on end? No chance, I thought! To my amazement (and his, I think!) George talked us all into golf. And it was fantastic! They had these three-wheel electric carts to drive around the course. So we were bombing up and down the hills having great fun. And the actual golf? Pattie and Maureen were doing 20-yard-hops, but Ringo really got it together and hit several good shots. Mind you, we only played a few holes! If any sightseers had spotted George they’d have never connected him with the Beatle of the same name. Picture him standing there, enormous sunglasses beneath an orange trilby with bright orange suit to match, golf club clutched in his fist seated in the middle of a green in this crazy little go-go cart!” - Mal Evans, The Beatles Book, August 1968 (x)

[purplesurveys]

1936

[sarajade @ bzoink]

What were you doing one hour ago? I was in the car at the parking lot of the mall we were at, waiting for my family to finish shopping. I wasn't in the mood to stroll + besides, it's Halloween weekend so the mall was fucking packed with kids asking for candy and running about...I couldn't handle the energy LOL so I asked permission to go ahead in the car, where I had no problem waiting for them.

Where were your parents born? My dad was born in a province an hour away from Manila; my mom was born within Metro Manila but I'm not giving away the city.

Have you ever used public transportation to get to work? No, I honestly don't know how to commute. I'm not willing to learn until this country gets their shit together and improves our public transport system. I've booked trips to the office via Grab, though, but that's the closest to commuting that I'm willing to do.

What do you miss the most from before Covid times? Honestly...very little. Society is ever so slightly a lot more slow-paced now, which I feel is an effect of the pandemic that we were all successfully able to carry over into the post-pandemic era. People are a lot more conscious about personal space; we're all a lot more cautious whenever we need to cough or sneeze; most offices follow a hybrid set-up except for the few assholes who've implemented a full RTO...things like that.

If anything I only feel regret that I wasn't able to spend all four years of college onsite.

What has been the best thing to happen to you in the past year? Geez, it would be hard to tell. This year felt like a fucking car crash, but I guess it's also my quarter-life crisis in action. Hm...I like that I saw Seventeen, I like that Jin and J-Hope are back from the military, and I like that I was able to travel to Vietnam. Those three I would say have been the highlights of the last 366 days.

Who do you have listed as emergency contacts in your phone? I don't think I have anyone, but in general I usually list my mom.

Are you prone to jealousy? No, I'm pretty nonchalant these days.

How did you get through the lowest point in your life? I drowned myself in work + discovered BTS.

Have you ever been someone's first love? I think so, yeah.

Have you ever played frisbee golf? Not sure what that is so I'll say no. I casually played frisbee in high school, though.

What is your favorite silly, feel-good movie? 13 Going on 30 :) To be fair, the older I get, the more problematic I increasingly find some of its plot elements to be (Jenna tracking down Matty?? Matty cheating???), but I guess I haven't and can't let go of how cute I found it to be at some point.

How old were you when you got your first gaming console, and what kind was it? I never really got gifted 'my own' console because I was never a gamer to begin with, but the first one I had exposure to was the PS1 just because we already had one when I was born.

Who in your family has the coolest job? I really admire my cousin, who's a teaching assistant in economics at our alma mater.

Is cereal technically a soup? Well, no, it's just milk.

Have you found your first gray hairs yet? They come up every now and then but always irregularly.

What is something that drains your energy really quickly? Unreasonable clients, clients who message on the weekend, clients who have sky-high expectations...you get the route I'm headed.

Did you parents teach you how to make a budget before you moved out on your own? They never taught me anything about money. They've just sort of expected to me to learn on my own, which I guess is not wrong but I do wish I got guided just a little bit.

What is your favorite food to put gravy on? Just fried chicken. I'm not so much a fan of gravy...

Do you know anyone from Canada? I've had a couple of friends/family friends move to Canada. It's a fairly popular country for Filipinos.

What's your opinion on astrology? No.

Do you use TikTok? Yeah but only because it makes up a sizeable portion of my work. I'm constantly working with influencers and digital media, so I need to know who's been getting popular/what the trends are.

What do you have going on the rest of the day? I printed out coloring sheets that I'll be filling out. I'm also gonna play a bit of my rhythm game tonight.

[littlemuoi]

WESSEXES' TOUR A TRIUMPH: PEI, Halifax, Montreal, St John's on Edward and Sophie's Itinerary by Scott Burke (2001)

Summer brought a Royal homecoming in the persons of Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex. A very happy Prince Edward Island tour was Sophie's first visit to the Canada, after which Edward and she proceeded to undertake further duties in Halifax and Montreal.

Touching down at Charlottetown Airport just after 3 pm on July 14, Their Royal Highnesses made their way to Province House where they were officially welcomed by the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier and the Solicitor General who was representing the Prime Minister. Crowds stood for some hours in the sun as they awaited the Royal couple, aware that it was Sophie's first official visit outside the British Isles. But HRH delighted those she met during the walkabout following the arrival ceremonies, seeming natural and relaxed in blue suit and matching accessories as she worked the crowds. I was delighted to be able to present her with a bouquet of flowers which HRH seemed happy to receive. As she signed the Golden Book, this keen Royal-watcher noticed that she shares a trait with her nephew Prince William: both are left-handed! But the ease and informality of the Royals were to prove typical of the entire trip: made possible by the down-to-earth nature of Edward, the charming and kind personality of his elegant wife and their joint fondness for a little light-hearted humour.

In his welcoming remarks, Premier Pat Binns observed that "The Crown remains a symbol of freedom and justice, and of our hopes for peace and dignity for all citizens. In reaffirming our support for the Monarchy, we are reaffirming our support for ideals, values and aspirations that it represents." After reorganizing his notes which wind had blown off the podium, Prince Edward replied with a very informal thank you. "Over the years," HRH observed, "Canada and Canadians have always been extremely kind to me, and I've always enjoyed the time I spent here. I am sure you will all extend the same hospitality to my bride. I am told you are not supposed to use the term after a year of marriage, but I can't really believe that it has been more than a year since I took that plunge. Time flies when you are enjoying yourself." After a brief tour of the Confederation Chamber, the couple returned to the Delta Prince Edward, their home during the stay, another name sake for the Prince. That evening, they attended a performance at the Fathers of Confederation Centre for the Arts, hosted by the Premier.

Saturday brought a full day of engagements for the Wessexes as they toured across the Province. Their first stop was the Rodd Brudenell River Resort. Emerging from their helicopter, the couple unveiled a plaque for the property's redevelopment. The ceremony complete, resort guests and some members of the public enjoyed a BBQ on the law with the Royals, which was followed by a brief tour via golf cart, the Prince at the wheel. I had a brief chance to speak to Edward ­ but felt nervous enough in doing so that when HRH asked me if I played golf I confusedly answered "yes" even though I had never tried the game!

The afternoon brought Edward and Sophie to a concert at St Mary's Church, Indian River. This was followed by a taste of PEI's most celebrated produce in the form of french fries at Irving-owned Cavendish Farms in Kensington. The Countess mischieviously confessed to feeling a little peckish and asked if she could have a chocolate milkshake to accompany the potatoes. At this point Edward stepped in and jokingly poked fun at her, warning her not to spoil her dinner! Later the Royals made a brief visit to Gateway Village. This lies at the entry of the Confederation Bridge which links the Island to New Brunswick.

Saturday evening brought the State Dinner for 604 invitees, hosted by the Canadian Government. The gala evening allowed the Countess to wear for the first time the tiara given her as a wedding present from The Queen. Solicitor General and Island MP Lawrence MacAulay who sat with Sophie at one of the round tables in the hotel ballroom stated that he was impressed with her thoughtfulness: "Quite simply she's a lady who wants to make things happen," he observed.

No rest came to Edward and Sophie on Sunday, as their busy day started with Matins at St Peter's Cathedral and a visit to historic All Souls Chapel. A large crowd gathered outside and joined the congregation in singing the Royal Anthem prior to a brief walkabout. Their Royal Highnesses then walked to Fanningbank where His Honour hosted a private luncheon in his home, members of the RCMP Musical Ride flanking the driveway. Around 2 pm they left to visit Confederation Birthplace Commemorative Park on the Charlottetown waterfront where TRH unveiled a small plaque and planted a rose bush, as well as visiting Lobster pound.

As the Royals walked through Confederation Park, they stopped to watch some child gymnasts, at which point Sophie said that she had also tried gymnastics while at school. They also encountered some interpretive guides costumed as Fathers of Confederation and speaking in English accents. The Prince asked a woman in the crowd if she spoke English; on receiving her positive answer he told here "Good, because those people over there need some serious help," to the laughter of the crowd. Martial arts and magic were also on offer in the Park, the Countess observing "I'm glad I didn't volunteer for that" in reaction to a rather distasteful trick involving the appearance of an undergarment from a spectator's cleavage!

Later on Sunday came the event which provided the original inspiration for the Wessexes' tour, the opening of the 39th Annual Canadian Branch Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. In his remarks after viewing some cultural performances, The Earl spoke about the Commonwealth and its parliamentary traditions: "It took us in Britain centuries to develop the Westminster style... is it really feasible to ask others to achieve the same in a matter of decades? It seems to work for us ­ just! But does that mean it works for everyone, and are we falling into the same trap as, say, the early religious missionaries? I don't pretend to have the answer, but sometimes I feel democracy is an evolutionary concept, a bit like growing up."

To conclude the PEI portion of their Canadian homecoming, the Earl and Countess visited the Prince Edward Battery where HRH climbed onto a large crane in order to lift cannon as symbol of the forthcoming restoration project. Later they attended a Fanningbank reception for the CPA delegates As the Royal couple departed for Montreal, I felt delighted to have had the opportunity of meeting TRH, and of hearing The Countess several times repeat how she hopes to return and see other parts of Canada.

Monday, July 17th brought a full day of activities for the Wessexes in Montreal: the Earl presented Gold Awards at a Reception for recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Young Canadians Challenge held at The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Lunchtime found the Royals aboard Shipshaw where they attended a fund-raising lunch for the Award's Charter for Business. And evening brought yet another event to support the Charter, a Dinner at the Headquarters of Power Corporation, controlled by the Desmarais family.

The final day of the Earl and Countess' Canadian sojourn involved two provinces. The morning found them at another Gold Standard ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. This event took place at Pier 21 in Halifax after the Wessexes had been received by the Lieutenant Governor. Her Honour subsequently hosted a Luncheon at Government House in support of the Business Charter. By evening the Royals had flown into St John's, where the tour's final Gold ceremony took place at Pius X Church. It was followed by a BBQ at Gonzaga High School, where TRH mingled with the young participants in the Challenge. By the time of their midnight flight to London, both Edward and Sophie must have reflected on the whirlwind nature of the latter part of their homecoming ­ and of the great welcome and positive media "spin" which greeted them everywhere they went

[eastcoastboyos]

Pivot

Unable to sleep, Joel and I get out of the warm tent and decide to wander the darkness. On our way down the creepy boardwalk, we tepidly dodge blades of grass, having been traumatized from the earlier tick running up my leg. We make our way to the beach and it is empty, dark, and ominous but lit by a full starry sky. We chat and stargaze.

Poor Dylan is fully sick now and can't be getting the best sleep. He borrows one of Joel's eye masks. Allen is also not 100% and craves the AC of the van and hotel. The day's low is 28C. The tent is warm and uncomfortable.

In the morning, Joel and I awaken by the light and sneak out of the tent again, letting the others continue sleeping. We walk to the ocean more and wade into the water. After some convincing, Joel joins me in jumping into the ocean and we enjoy the renvigoration of the waves that remind us of West Edmonton Mall Water Park. The beach is beautiful and empty of the off road trucks that saturated it the day prior.

Assembling ourselves, we mosie to the ferry terminal to Ocracoke Island. We scrounge for coffee, which Joel finds via a vending machine, and meander the nearby shops. We talk relationships on the ferry while dodging sea spit and watch the seagulls ride the air flow above the ferry. Allen zonks out and snoozes in the van. The group decides they don't really want to camp another day in the incessant heat, and Joel books a spur of the moment hotel in Jacksonville, NC.

Orcacoke is an interesting island. All the locals drive golf carts around which we evny in the hot sun. Most buildings are on stilts or owned by rental companies. Seeking food, we stop at Smacnallys for fish sandwiches and plates of shrimp. We do a bit of shopping in the sunny heat and Joel is unfortunately scammed a tip at a local ice cream shop. Joel gives them a calm but firm piece of his mind, and after 15 minutrs of walking, we see a $1.30 reimbursement show up on his email.

After checking out the local lghthouse, we retreat into the van. Dylan, Joel, and I are sunburnt. The group starts to slow down. Waiting around the next ferry terminal, we explore the local fauna and restrooms. Joel entertains me with facts on the meaning of the word "Horizontal and puns like "Imma lichen this bench". Dylan becomes addicted to trader Joe's Licorice.

Arriving back at the mainland, the sun is setting. Our GPS starts going wonky so we have to disconnect and Joel navigates verbally. The surfboard on top of the Jeep in front of us almost flies off and someone is lighting off fireworks near the glass station. We are eager to get to our hotel, but still are over an hour away.

Picking up aloe vera at a massive Walmart, Dylan and Allen are pretty much spent. The mood is low but functional, and we are forced to the drive through of a Wendy's once we realize their doors are not open. Watching cockroaches outside, the staff inform us they are out of chicken and we pivot to beef. Allen is zonked and sleeping again (Sleepytime Tylenol coming in clutch) and the rest of us swap work stories having perked up with food.

The hotel is cheap but cool ❄️. Joel, Blake, and I inspect what appears to be pubes on a bedroom door. I discover that I have left my stinky shoes in my suitcase the entire day seasoning in the hot van, and my clothes smell like ass. Blake and Joel sip beers. Time for bed.

Derek

[anoseforrottenapples]

15 questions. Tagged via @earlymidsomermurders Thank you so much!

1. are you named after anyone? Not that I'm officially aware of, though a few people have claimed I was named after my grandmother's cousin.

2. when was the last time you cried? Wednesday night? Things are still a bit dicey, moving on from my mom.

3. do you have kids? Not yet--just two nephews that I have the privilege of being a top auntie for.

4. what sports do you play/have you played? I have no noticeable athletic skill, though I'm not bad at archery and shooting when I have a chance to go to the appropriate ranges. I've also been told I would like golf...

5. do you use sarcasm? More often then not.

6. what’s the first thing you notice about someone? Since I work in tourism customer service, usually the first thing I notice is a person's attitude and body language. It gives me useful clues to what's going to come next.

7. eye color? Blue

8. scary movies or happy endings? Happy endings. I'm a wuss who doesn't like scary stuff too much.

9. any talents? Wearing dozens of hats at a time, and fixing every conceivable problem my boss seems to dream up? Send help... please.

10. where were you born? Colorado, but that was many moons and states ago.

11. hobbies? Currently knitting, writing, cross-stitch, trying to get back into painting and my art again. Also trying to get back into reading.

12. any pets? No, not yet.

13. height? Technically average, but I feel fun-sized most of the time since everyone around me is way taller.

14. favorite school subject? I was homeschooled, so I enjoyed most of my subjects. The most interesting course I did in high school was Movies as Literature, where I learned to analyze films the same way we usually analyze books.

15. dream job? Don't really have one. I've never had an over-all career goal, so I've always found myself landing in various interesting jobs.

Tagging anyone who sees this and wants to nick it!

[mediaevalmusereads]

The Chosen and the Beautiful. By Nghi Vo. Tor, 2021.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Genre: historical fiction, retelling

Series: N/A

Summary: Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society—she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. She's also queer, Asian, adopted, and treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her.

But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire, and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how.

***Full review below.***

CONTENT WARNINGS: racism/white supremacy, use of abortifacients, mild sexual content

OVERVIEW: This book wasn't really on my radar until I saw it at my local used bookstore. The premise was interesting, so I figured I'd give it a go. Overall, there were some interesting things that Vo injected into the world of the Great Gasby, but I think much more could have been done with its themes. As such, this was a 3 star read for me.

WRITING: Vo's prose is very lyrical with evocative, poetic descriptions and turns of phrase. In a lot of ways, it matched the mood and atmosphere of Gatsby's parties and the 1920s at large: decadent, sensuous, and indulgent. I did enjoy it, though it might not be for everyone.

PLOT: The plot of this book retells that of The Great Gatsby through the eyes of Jordan Baker. In Vo's novel, Jordan is a queer Vietnamese adoptee who can perform magic via paper cutting, and she uses it in part to help her friend Daisy.

By far the strongest parts of this book involved the changing relationship between Jordan and Daisy. I liked the moments when Jordan describes being drawn to her friend and when she reluctantly agrees to help her, showing the strength of their bond and the way the world kind of orients itself around Daisy. One of the more memorable scenes was the night before Daisy's marriage to Tom, which shows the degree to which Daisy expects things from Jordan and what Jordan will do to help her.

That being said, I'm not sure the fantastical elements gave any new insight to The Great Gasby or created an original enough story to make the source material irrelevant. While I loved the paper cutting as a way for Jordan to explore her race and her past, I didn't get the sense that the book was largely about identity, and a lot of the magic seemed to have minimal effect on the way I interpreted 1920s New York.

There were some things that did work, however. By making Jordan queer and Asian, the social dynamics were a little more interesting, and I felt like I saw another side of New York's social life that was absent in the source. But because this is a Gatsby retelling, I think the source material somewhat holds Vo back.

TL;DR: The Chosen and the Beautiful is mostly notable for its beautiful prose and compelling protagonist; but as a retelling, it doesn't quite use its fantastical elements to make the reader see The Great Gatsby in a new light, nor does it delve deeply into aspects of race, sexuality, and identity in 1920s New York.

CHARACTERS: Jordan, our POV character, is by far the most interesting person in this book. There's something very alluring about her - between her devil-may-care attitude and deep loyalty to Daisy, I enjoyed following her from party to party, shooting verbal barbs and sipping on cocktails.

All other characters are fine and more or less similar to the way they appear in Fitzgerald's book. Daisy is a bit more three dimensional in that we get to see her more in private, and I did have some sympathy for her amidst her unhappy marriage and desire to be adored. Gatsby himself was something of a side character, and the magical elements honestly made him feel less mysterious, but that might just be my opinion. Nick and Jordan's relationship was interesting in that they seemed to care for one another despite trying to be nonchalant about their attachment, and I liked the way they jabbed at each other and alternated between playfulness and conflict.

[wilsweb-asientour]

Tag 15. 18.07.2023

Schlafmangel. Wir standen 03:00 Uhr auf, natürlich völlig durch den Wind, und stiegen ins Taxi ein. Nach einer reibungslosen Check-In Prozedur schlief Wilson am Gate ein, Webster holte in der Zwischenzeit Kaffee und einen Thunfisch-Sandwich von Subway. Wir flogen dann pünktlich nach Hong Kong los und landeten gegen 10:00 Uhr. Wir schliefen beide im Flieger und tankten Energie für den Tag ein. Dominik, Wilsons Studienkollege aus Delft und gebürtiger Hongkonger, holte uns vom Flughafen ab und fuhr mit uns nach Discovery Bay, ein westlicher Stadtteil Hongkongs.

Wir aßen kurz Mittagessen und machten eineinhalb Stunden Mittagsschlaf. Daraufhin fuhren wir mit der Fähre Richtung Hauptinsel Hong Kongs und liefen am Wasserufer entlang. Dominic zeigte uns mehrere Shopping-Malls und nahm uns via Victoria Harbour dann aufs Festland (Teil Hong Kongs, welches ans chinesische Festland angebunden ist). Wir aßen „Fischbälle“ (frittierte Fischpaste in Golfballform) und Hühnchenstückchen. Wir fuhren dann mit der U-Bahn zu einem Dai Pai Dong, wo das Essen wortwörtlich auf der Straße vorbereitet wird. Wir bestellten Süßsauer Schweinefleische, frittierte Taube und Kartoffeln mit Rindfleisch und nahmen die Mahlzeit auf einem simplen Tisch zu uns, wo ein durchsichtiger Müllsack die Tischdecke ersetzte (clevere Idee um das viele Abwischen zwischen Gästen zu vermeiden).

Schon sehr müde marschierten wir trotzdem weiter und schauten uns verschiedene gefälschte Kleidungsstücke an. Wir wollten T&T jeweils eine Louis Vuitton Handtasche kaufen, ließen es dann aber. Vielleicht das nächste Mal, Mädels. Nach einer Erfrischungspause bei McDonald’s nahmen wir dann die Fähre zurück nach Discovery Bay und tranken mit Dominics Familie ein Bier. Jetzt gehen wir bald schlafen, wir hoffen nach unserer Reise-Odyssee auf eine erholsame Nacht. Viele liebe Grüße aus Hong Kong! Meldet euch gerne über WhatsApp, wenn ihr mitlest!

Day 15. July 15, 2023

Sleep deprivation. We got up at 3:00 AM, of course completely disoriented, and got into our pre-booked taxi. After a smooth check-in procedure, Wilson fell asleep at the gate, while Webster grabbed coffee and a footlong tuna sandwich from Subway. We then flew to Hong Kong on time and landed around 10:00 AM. We both slept on the plane and recharged for the day ahead. Dominik, Wilson's college friend from Delft and a native Hong Konger, picked us up from the airport and drove with us to Discovery Bay, a western district of Hong Kong.

We had a quick lunch and took a one-and-a-half-hour nap. After that, we took the ferry towards the main island of Hong Kong and walked along the waterfront. Dominic showed us several shopping malls and then took us to the mainland (a part of Hong Kong connected to the Chinese mainland) via Victoria Harbour. We had "fish balls" (fried fish paste in golf ball shapes) and chicken bites. Next, we took the subway to a Dai Pai Dong, where the food is prepared literally on the street. We ordered sweet and sour pork, fried pigeon, and beef with potatoes, and enjoyed our meal on a simple table, with a transparent trash bag serving as a tablecloth (a clever idea to avoid constant wiping of tables between guests).

Tired but still pushing on, we continued walking and looked at various counterfeit clothing items. We considered buying T&T each a Louis Vuitton handbag but decided against it. Maybe next time, girls. After a refreshing break at McDonald's, we took the ferry back to Discovery Bay and had a beer with Dominic's family. We'll be going to bed soon, hoping for a restful night after our travel odyssey. Sending lots of love from Hong Kong! Feel free to message us on WhatsApp if you're following along!

[vindieselsfacebook-blog]

Meaning/references behind every Gilmore Girls episode title - Season 1

Hi friends! In today's edition of I'm avoiding work and obsessing because I'm banned from rewatching until September (self-inflicted), I wanted to share my latest deep-dive project: making a clear, concise list of the meanings and references behind each episode title. I'm going season-by-season and filling in references when I catch them.

Some titles (especially in season 1) are quite obvious and literal, but many are clever references that emphasize themes and symbolism happening in the plot or character relationships. I like trying to figure them all out and wanted to share in case I have some wrong or people have caught references I've missed or didn't know writers may have spoken about, etc. ASP has such a deep well of pop culture knowledge, I enjoy mining it.

Masterlist: Season 1 Season 2, Part 1 Season 2, Part 2 Season 3, Part 1 Season 3, Part 2

My notes: - As always, please correct anything I've gotten wrong and share your own insight! - Many of these notes are pulled from and/or learned via annotatedgilmoregirls.com - an absolute icon! I claim no author originality. I'm just the one to compile/edit them. :) - So many of these seem deceptively straightforward... I'm almost convinced there must be sneaky references I'm missing with Kill Me Now, Forgiveness and Stuff and Christopher Returns especially... - This was the first time I realized the exact reference in Concert Interruptus and it's hilarious. I love when they get a little naughty/cheeky. - Looove the contrast between the happenings in Star Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers vs. S6's Written in the Stars. :')

Season 1

Pilot A “pilot” is a test episode for an intended TV series, an early step in series development, much like pilot studies serve as precursors to the start of larger activity.

The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton Lorelai and Rory both deal with Rory’s first day at her new school.

Kill Me Now "Kill me now" is a relatively common, ironic/humorous response to bad news or to a situation that the sender considers so bad that they would rather die than endure it. Likely how Lorelai feels about the idea of Rory’s golf date with Richard.

The Deer Hunters The title references The Deer Hunter (a 1978 war drama film co-written and directed by Michael Cimino about a trio of Slavic-American steelworkers whose lives were upended after fighting in the Vietnam War) as a joke about the deer hitting Rory’s car on her way to school.

Cinnamon's Wake Cinnamon is the name of Babette’s cat. A wake is a watch or vigil held beside the body of someone who has died. Possibly also a reference to the book Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce (an experimental novel with a reputation as one of the most difficult works of fiction in the Western canon due to its linguistic experiments, stream of consciousness writing style, literary allusions, free dream associations, and abandonment of narrative conventions).

Rory's Birthday Parties Rory has both a party thrown by her grandparents and a party thrown by her mother for her 16th birthday.

Kiss and Tell A common colloquialism referring to Rory’s first kiss with Dean. Possibly a reference to Kiss and Tell, a 1945 American comedy film starring a teenaged Shirley Temple. In the film, two girls cause their respective parents trouble when they start to become interested in boys. The plot interestingly involves an impulsive, secret elopement and accidental pregnancy drama.

Love and War and Snow Perhaps a reference to ”All is fair in love and war", a common proverb attributed to John Lyly's Euphues. “Love” referring to Lorelai’s blossoming romance with Max, “War” referring to the Revolutionary War reenactors and “Snow” of course refers to our first introduction to Lorelai’s love of snow and her insistence that good/important things have always happened to her on the first snow of the year - a theme that repeats throughout the series.

Rory's Dance Rory takes Dean to her first high school dance.

Forgiveness and Stuff This episode deals with multiple themes of forgiveness - Lorelai forgiving Rory for staying out all night with Dean, Emily and Lorelai forgiving each other for their fight about Rory and Lorelai being uninvited to the Christmas party, Lorelai forgiving Dean, and Lorelai dealing with lingering issues with Richard and how he raised her, perhaps forgiving him in a way.

Paris is Burning Paris Is Burning is an iconic 1990 documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston chronicling the ball culture of New York City and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it in the 1980s. This is the first episode where Paris gets a more humanizing backstory and causes trouble by outing Lorelai and Max’s relationship to distract from her own issues.

Double Date A common term for a date where two different couples go out together.

Concert Interruptus The title is a play on “coitus interruptus”, the technical term for the pull-out method of birth control. In the same way, The Bangles concert in the episode is interrupted when Madeline and Louise withdraw or “pull out” of the proceedings.

That Damn Donna Reed The Donna Reed Show is an American sitcom which aired on ABC from 1958-1966 starring Donna Reed as middle-class housewife Donna Stone. Although it was the first sitcom to focus on the mother as the central figure in a domestic comedy and paved the way for female-focused TV, it was commonly critiqued by feminists in the 1970s as presenting an idealized view of domesticity.

Christopher Returns This episode marks Christopher’s first visit to Stars Hollow and his seemingly first big return to Lorelai and Rory’s lives, much to the chagrin of every sane fan.

Star Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare refers to the main characters as “star cross’d lovers”, meaning that their relationship is destined to fail no matter how hard they try. The phrase comes from astrology, meaning that the stars are working against them. The title is also a reference to the 1970 comedy film Lovers and Other Strangers, in which a couple’s upcoming wedding shines a spotlight on the marriage problems of their family members. “Star crossed lovers” can refer to multiple relationships facing troubles in this episode - Rory and Dean, Luke and Rachel, Lorelai and Max, Lorelai and Chase (the weird guy her parents try to set her up with), and of course, the lovers in the story behind the Founders Firelight Festival. This is especially endearing when you remember that, in contrast, the episode in season 6 when Luke and Lorelai go on their first date is titled “Written in the Stars”.

The Break Up: Part 2 This episode is the first to pick up exactly where the previous episode left off (Rory running home to Lorelai’s arms post-break up with Dean) in a kind of to-be-continued way, explaining the “: Part 2” in the title. There is also an episode of the classic 1970s sitcom The Jeffersons titled The Break Up: Part 2 where the Jefferson and the Willis families debate about getting Lionel and Jenny back together and George accidentally sets his son up with a sex worker. Perhaps a stretch to think it could be a reference, but ASP is a big sitcom nerd so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

The Third Lorelai We are introduced to Richard’s mother, Lorelai “Trix” Gilmore; Lorelai’s namesake and therefore the third Lorelai in the Gilmore family.

Emily in Wonderland The title is a reference to the children’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, commonly shortened to Alice in Wonderland. It’s an analogy for Emily finding Stars Hollow just as peculiar as Alice found the nonsensical Wonderland.

P.S. I Lo… The title references either (or both) the popular 1934 song PS I Love You, written by Johnny Mercer (recorded many times throughout the years by Rudy Vallée, Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and more) or The Beatles’ 1962 song of the same name, the B-side to their debut single Love Me Do. The title also suggests not being able to bring yourself to fully say “I love you” and both Lorelai and Rory deal with their individual commitment issues - Lorelai struggling to commit to Max and Rory regretting not being able to tell Dean she loves him.

Love, Daisies and Troubadours The title refers to the ongoing plot points weaving together and coming to a head in the finale of season one. Lorelai, Rory, and Luke are all struggling with love - what it means to them, committing to it, and figuring out how to express it, which is what the town troubadour has come to represent (according to Rory) as he faces his first rival in the town. Rory reunites with Dean and finally is able to say “I love you”. Max sticks a bandaid on his floundering relationship with Lorelai with the romantic gesture of 1000 yellow daisies. Daisies can symbolize love, fertility/motherhood, and the return of someone’s affections, while the yellow color is cheerful, vibrant, and a sign of being quick-witted.

[thenightlymirror]

Trying to unpack today

Was supposed to be off at some meeting all day. They decided I didn’t need to go. I didn’t. But I was sort of looking forward to seeing some old friends. They said they missed me. That was nice.

Started work and all management and admin staff were at the meeting. The sales manager was late. Two counselors weren’t coming in, and the others were late. The superintendent was asked to help at another cemetery.

Two burials were basically ready for tomorrow.

Irina calls me to say that a big stone they were waiting until today to install for the family has a giant scratch in it. $25,000. Something like that. I get there and the superintendent is filling it in with black marker. She’s watching.

I call the engraver to see what he can do. He’s out somewhere else all day. He’ll come in tomorrow.

No one is doing the paperwork I’ve asked them to. And now there are suddenly two more burials for tomorrow. (Guess it was a good thing I was there.)

Ricky is missing a permit for the burial that is about to happen that he isn’t here for. Nice. Also, he has a signed document with no space number on it. Also for tomorrow. He sends me a cellphone pic of the document via text message. I print it out on the Konica.

I come over to help the sales office and get stuck there for the rest of the day.

I’m mostly trying to get the burial paperwork finished, but if they make me wait, they can also make me do their jobs as I wait. Bit of a pickle.

Family comes in and their marker is backwards. Woman comes in to yell at me because her monument isn’t installed. Who said it would be? New guy. November 2nd. Amazing guess. Wrong.

A woman calls and says she needs proof her mother and grandmother were buried in the Jewish parts of the cemetery. I can tell her where they’re buried, but she can’t have our documents. What the hell for? Rabbi needs them or else her daughter can’t get married. She just keeps telling me to xerox some legal documents “for Jewish purposes.” Oh. Well if you put it that way.

The thing is, I want to just make her a map, and maybe say, yeah they’re here. Signed, Me. But I cannot find documentation for her mother anywhere. Fucking anywhere. I try fucking everything. Finally, she just goes to work. I say I’ll call her tomorrow. I’m going to have to get up on this ladder and just go through interment books to find her.

So of course there’s a line now. It’s only me in this office. I have a totally different job that is managing the headstones in this giant cemetery, which would just be a golf course, except for all the headstones. But I’m here. Woman wants to by evergreen grave coverings, for a couple people. A little cash. A couple credit cards. Wants to see the silk flower collection. It’s in the back and no one’s pulled them out in a month.

Sometimes people come in asking about markers and, I swear to fucking God every time, yes, they bought one, but they never designed or “ordered” it. It’s just money sitting in a bank. Every fucking corporation these days is just the First Bank of Starbucks. So they’re like “Where is it?” and it’s like, Did you say Simon says? I’m sorry. Then it doesn’t exist. It’s still just frog eggs in the swamp.

They aren’t doing my blind checks still, they’re out standing services.

A woman comes from Arizona having a panic attack and wants her mother’s unused plots. Just because. Maybe she could have called for a thing like that. She’ll wait for the manager.

I end up staying an extra hour. One file for a burial tomorrow just hid on a counselor’s desk for hours. Woops.

One still isn’t done. The other never got dug. It’ll get done tomorrow. Instead of getting more stones in.

New guy said “…You’re so calm.”

I don’t show my face much in the other office, because they just expect me to be the receptionist when I’m there. New guy’s never seen someone in that space not writhe in hysterics immediately. I was. I was.

[hollygl125]

#about me

Tagged by @coping-via-clint-eastwood. (Fun! Thank you!)

1. If you were to attend a costume party tonight, what or whom would you go as?

Miss (Ms.) Scarlet or Mrs. (Ms.) Peacock (depending on whether a red or blue dress is fitting best), with the candlestick (candlestick as prop), in the library (book as prop). (If the party’s really dull, the second prop comes in handy!

2. What are your choice of toppings on a hamburger? And do you prefer gas or charcoal grilling?

Charcoal would be great if available. I don’t eat red meat, so it will have to be a chicken/turkey burger, a fish burger, or a veggie burger. Ideal burger toppings may include: cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, pickles, sautéed mushrooms, aioli, French’s mustard, relish.

3. You are chosen to have lunch with the President. The condition is you only get to ask one question. What do you ask?

What’s next?

4. It's your first day of vacation, what are you doing?

Trying to work up the energy to do whatever I planned to be doing.

5. What is your concession stand must-have at the movies?

Junior Mints or Glosette raisins.

6. Which do you dislike most: pop-up ads or spam email?

Ads.

7. What do you think Captain Hook's name was before he had a hook for a hand?

James.

8. Rock, paper, or scissors?

Scissors?

9. How long was it from ‘the first date’ until the proposal of marriage? How long until the wedding?

This is Tumblr, so I’m just going to move straight to applying this to the fandom context. In that case, it was roughly a decade for our two lovely science nerds. 🐝🦋💕

10. Which is worse, being in a place that is too loud, or too quiet?

Too loud.

11. What is one quality that you really appreciate in a person?

Kindness. (Agreed.)

I will also second @figsr’s answer: understanding.

12. At the good old general store, what particular kind of candy would you expect to be in the big jar at the counter?

Maybe gum balls? Or I could go for a jaw breaker.

13. What is the most distinguishing landmark in your city?

Probably the mountains, though they’re not technically in the city. As part of the city itself, there’s a very large park with a lot of trees and a lot of water around it. It’s very nice.

14. Everyone hears discussions that they consider boring. What topic can put you to sleep quicker than any other?

General business affairs? Golf maybe? My parents discussing mulch over Mother’s Day tea?

15. How many times did it take you to pass your driver's test?

One.

16. If you had to have the same topping on your vanilla ice cream for the rest of your life, what topping would you choose?

Hot fudge, baby.

17. What food item would need to be removed from the market altogether in order for you to live a healthier, longer life?

On the one hand, cheese. But, on the other hand, cheese is often how I convince myself to eat healthy foods…. (Salad? Add cheese! Roasted veggies? Add cheese!)

18. You are offered an envelope that you know contains $50. You are then told that you may either keep it or exchange it for another envelope that may contain $500 or may be empty. Do you keep the first envelope, or do you take your chances with the second?

I hate risk and I’ve been given no odds, so right now I’m sticking with what I’ve got. (“Hey, maybe this envelope has more” does not sound very promising.)

19. If you had to choose, which would you give up: TV, or internet?

Assuming my devices can still access streaming, iTunes, etc., then definitely I would give up my TV.

20. Who is your dream girl or boy from movies/TV?

First things first: I really love love. I would say I’m a romantic; F. Scott—if he were alive and we were personally acquainted—would say I’m sentimental, because I always want happy endings.

So I love Gil Grissom, but I love him for Sara Sidle. I love both characters individually, but I love their love story (their love for each other) more. Similarly, I love Josh Lyman for Donna Moss, Logan Echolls for Veronica Mars (though, four years later, I’m still not ready to talk about that one), Ben Wyatt for Leslie Knope, Seth Cohen for Summer Roberts, and so on.

I think one of the only characters I’ve ever loved really primarily for myself has been Dr. John Carter (although I also liked him with Lucy 😭). I’m also fond of Dr. Spencer Reid. Oh, and… uh… I would totally go for some conjugal visits with Jakes Bridges. 🔥🔥🔥

Mostly, though, if I’m looking to daydream for myself, I will come up with an OC who fits into my own life and shares attributes with various characters (and/or people) I like.

Of course, these days I am pretty much exclusively using Sara and Grissom as my personal imaginary Barbies, so I can push their heads together and actually make them KISS (as well as undertake other activities involving various states of undress), ffs. 💕

21. Have you ever met a celebrity?

I got my picture taken with my celebrity husband (local professional sports hero) at a restaurant once and got an autograph from him and some other players another time. (I’ve had the same celebrity husband since the ‘90s. He is currently participating in an awareness campaign on intimate partner violence, likely cementing this as a lifelong commitment. Honestly there’s nothing sexier to me than a hot man speaking in support of women’s rights.)

As for celebrities people elsewhere might know… I didn’t meet him, but Robert de Niro (he of just becoming a dad again at the age of 79 fame) kind of looked over at me and my mom when he walked past us in an otherwise empty inner courtyard in his NYC hotel. Also, I again didn’t meet him, but my mom talked to Matt Bomer in NYC when he was filming Suits and brought me a note from him. Oh, plus I once rode a hotel elevator with Scott Speedman and his dog. I ate dinner on a patio near Sara Chalke. I once saw Robert Carlyle in the grocery-store checkout, and I’m convinced I walked past Jason Lee in a clothing store. I was on a plane from NYC with Ally Sheedy. But actually met? I don’t really think so.

22. What kind of lunch box did you have as a kid?

My Little Pony, I think (I hope!). (I’m talking good, ‘80s Ponies here.) Maybe Care Bears? I’m certain it was pink. 🦄🦄🦄

If you feel inclined to participate, please consider yourself tagged!

[cazort]

I can't possibly emphasize the long-term benefits of having free or cheap hobbies.

Our world is so full of possibilities, there are almost endless choices of different activities you can do for fun. So, given all that choice, why not choose something free or at least cheap?

Expensive hobbies can really hold you back in life. The money you put into them is money you aren't using to pay off debt, or saving to improve your financial future.

You also may be forced to quit or cut back on an expensive hobby if your income takes a hit, or you find yourself financially strained. Now you're put in a difficult position, if you relied on that hobby for relaxation or self-regulation.

Expensive hobbies are also a magnet for people who are social climbers, conspicuous consumers, and people with wasteful spending habits. The people you will connect with through expensive hobbies, even if they themselves are "rich", are not going to help you get any richer and are probably going to have the exact opposite effect. The really rich ones will spend lavishly and the ones not really enough to afford the hobby will complain about being financially strained and always wishing they had more.

What are some great hobbies? Cooking (can save you money if it allows you to eat out less), gardening (can save you money on produce), bicycling (healthy & enviromentally sound way to get around, and can reduce your car expenses), walking (same reason), any number of free online hobbies like writing, open source coding, running a website, or watching or reading all sorts of free stuff, or just talking to friends. And in person? Just hanging out with friends. Some home improvement or handiwork can be a good hobby if it reduces your spending on professional contractors. Or selling junk online can be a great hobby, simplify your life and even earn a little side income. Watching free media, of which there is practically infinite these days. Learning a foreign language. Learning to identify plants. Using citizen science websites like iNaturalist. Reading books from a public library or engaging just about any way with a public library. Volunteering. Playing games which could be old, free video games, board games that you buy once and can play many times, or even making up games. Creating music especially if you already own an instrument or sing, or can get a cheap instrument. Being active politically like writing letters or volunteering for candidates or even running for office (using other ppl's money!!!) Exploring your neighborhood or town on foot or on public transit. Exploring the world via the internet. Editing Wikipedia. Contributing to any online community. Moderating communities in need of moderators.

Seriously the possibilities are endless. Intense hobbies or lazy ones, you can do them all cheaply or for free.

No one ever needs to stoop to the level of stuff like golf or skiing.

[thebadtimewolf]

uh

i keep forgetting jkr is still alive.... like i keep thinking that i missed the news that she passed away via skiing. not golfing, not rock climbing, just skiing. like we keep talking about her and her villainous behavior but it all feels past tense in conversation and that's probably why i keep thinking she's dead but it's: oh! ok! she's alive! huh. every single time.

i think its because most children's books authors from the 90s - where their character's setting is either home or literal school - are dead. so im always surprised she's alive while barbara park of the junie b. jones books had passed