#he loves arlen he's just from a very tough life and has a hard time expressing that

[baddmintonsart]

Imagine how much better life would be for Arlen's family if he wasn't held to such high standards as a kid and was shown proper love. Fucker would have never unleashed a dormant curse on his family (possibly accidentally) if his dad just said he loved him

[izayoichan]

River: Well done. You're getting very steady at this, and this is very good, a steady hand is necessary for any surgeon, be it a people's one, or a pet. Especially since you'll find yourself doing surgeries on particularly small creatures. Let's put this little girl in the recovery cell on some fluids so the anesthetic wears off.

He placed the cat in the cage and watched as his niece rolled her wheelchair to her desk. 

River: I think you're going to get a very good grade in your report for this class. Arlene: Well I do have the best and most patient teacher after all. -she smiled, she loved working with her uncle, she had to admit it. - Thank you for making all this work for me.

She nodded, filling out the final reports, and files for the cat, then rolled over to the cage, to check on it one more time, making sure it was slowly waking up. 

Arlene: Why don't you go tell dad and Lucas it's done, and I'll sit here and wait for her to wake up? River: Will do. Just call me if you need me.

River walked out of the observation room, leaving Arlene to sit with the cat, then walked up to the staff room. There was a clink meaning there was someone over. 

River: Here's someone I didn't think I'd get to see again. Isn't your partner who usually comes over with Oscar?

River smiled as he saw Carl arrive with the great white Pyrenees dog they had adopted a few  months ago after their old one died. Carl looked at River, it was indeed his partner who normally took their dog over, mostly because he was busy with his job, but this time he had a rare day off, Mel had a fairly full day at his job.

Carl: It is, but today it was my turn. I have a rare day off from my restaurant, while Mel has a very full day. Apparently he is signing some new musicians, if he likes them. 

He scratches Oscar behind the ear, who sits with his tail wagging gently as if to greet River, yet still being true to his training. 

Carl: But he has his vaccine and checkup today, so I said I would take him. Then bring him by his office after so he can stay and help out like always. He loves coming to work. -he watches River.- And thank you once again for somehow having Oscar here for us to have, it was a tough loss

River: I'm sorry, we did all we could for the old man. He lived a full life, not all dogs get to live 20 whole years as healthy and well cared as he got a chance to. I know Mel took it really hard, that's why we went around trying to find another one we could train for you guys.

Beginning - Previous - Next

[mancy-drew]

Rick Arlen // Stay Tuned for Danger

Overall Score - 30/50

looks - 8.5

body - 8

style - 7

personality - 3.5

bad boy factor - 3

Somewhere, if you look up hyper-masculinity in a gender studies textbook, you will be met with a picture of Rick Arlen.  Rick Arlen is sort of like a child-less (as far as we know) DILF.  I can only imagine the hefty file the HR department at World Wide Broadcasting has on him.  Dating (at least) two of the women in your workplace? ..classy.  Given his track record, we would be less than shocked if Rick had secretly been taking wooden nickels from Millie the prop master, if you know what we mean ;)

While Rick has looks that rival a Ken Doll and a middle part that would make a Kardashian proud, he is pretty much a run of the mill white male soap star.  His face symmetry and high cheekbones are good, a little too good… maybe his last name is not the only thing about Rick Aburtuski that has been doctored.  But we won’t hold this against Rick, after all that’s showbiz baby, and is he is one of the best looking men Her-Interactive has produced.  A little saddening considering graphics capabilities have improved exponentially since the late 90’s.  Regardless, stay beautiful, Rick.

Speaking of good graphics, that shoulder to waist ratio is probably one of the best things to come out of this game.  Too bad there aren’t any pictures of a shirtless Rick Arlen superimposed on a real life picture.  Gotta keep the cost down and the rating G.  

Simplistic, classy, elegant: all words that reflect the man's outfit, yet not the man himself.  The color pallet is Yeezy before the Yeezy era.  The mock neck is just taunting us with its modesty.  We can only hope for the population of the ND universe that Light of Our Love had a lot of shirtless scenes.  Oooppps, we seem to be gravitating toward the subject of Rick’s hot bod again, sorry, we’ll move on...

While the graphics team at Her-Interactive was poppin’ in the late 90’s, it is clear that creating dynamic male characters was something they had yet to master.  Similar to the earlier characters, Rick is rather patronizing and does not know when to take a hint.  Although, that seems to be the norm in Hollywood...maybe Her-Interactive knew something before the rest of us?  But hey, he must have been doing something right if Lillian was so mad Rick dumped her ass that she attempted to poison him.  But then again, Lillian is sort of just a crazy bitch (who for the record, does kind of look like a tour guide).

While we here at Mancy-Drew can all get behind a nice strong man, Rick trying to pretend he isn’t phased by a series of very real death threats is a little much for us.  Sure the dead roses were stupid and the arts-and-crafts death threats were a little try-hard, but I am sure that bomb threat tape recorder voice stills haunts the dreams of Her-Interactive players everywhere.  Because let’s be real, that shit was freaky even on your 8th time playing the game.  Play tough all you want Ricky, but yelling for your agent the minute you almost get hit with a falling light takes you from bad-boy to DIVA real quick.

[swallowtail-jumper]

Lair review for @dreamslayer-fr (Thank you) This one was super hard I like a lot of your dragons

Lena gets the honor of going first. She’s so eye-catching!! That blue and purple works so well, and the accent from the collar work well with her smoke. I can’t believe she’s a gen 1, to be honest, because she just seems like something you’d have to spend months or years breeding to get this perfect

Aster is so fashionable! From his gold etched jewelry like design (so intricate!) to the dress he’s wearing, to the mask and feathery wings, he’s so well put together that I’m in actual awe. He should be illegal for being this pretty

Annalee is another so pretty it hurts dragon. But she’s brighter, so much brighter. Her wings seem to actually flicker with the lights they have on them.And all the silks make her that much more elegant. She seems like she’d be poised and collected and able to reduce people to tears with a single raised eyebrow. Which? Honestly? Is complete goals.

Arlen is next. I’m not sure why I’m drawn to him but I’m gonna blame it on his jaguar + okapi They just look good together. Now they I get this close up, I can actually see him better, and the chest guard + eyeliner makes him look like something out of Mad Max. You have a lot of tough-looking dragons and I love it.

(Black and yellow plays in the distance) Another bright dragon! I love how you paired her accent with yellow wings. I feel like a lot of times people would choose a different color so it would stand out more, but this way she looks so much more god-like. Like the deity of the sun: kind and gentle unless those under her care are in trouble. 

I clicked on Dorian because I follow someone on here who also has a Dorian whom is a wolf and my brain said to click on him. I didn’t know the wolf pelts came with wolf claws and you’ve opened me up to some new possibilities. PLUS the opal is the bomb dot com (does the youth still say that?) and i love you’ve incorporated a bunch of red elements so that it’s actually the black stands out

Soren!! Whenever I see cream-ish/pink-ish/possibly stained dragons I always look to see who the parents are. This is a Sunny and Lilah kid!! (And so’s Winnifred but I didn’t want to do both of them) I have one of Soren’s brothers, and these kiddos never fail to make me smile. I mean look at Soren. He’s gorgeous, and gorgeously dressed. You have a real eye for color and fashion (at least dragon fashion- but I’ll assume this carries on into real life)

Siani’s cream iridescent would be off-putting normally. But you have played up the tint that she has by putting green-tint items and it ends up with her look delectable. The bow on her tail hiding behind the trail of her dress is wonderful, and so is the way she’s outlined by the filigree and the accent. She’s very well defined

Josephine!! Snappers generally look older, but she looks younger than most?? Like the yellow does wonders for her. I like how you paired it up, and how the mage apparel goes with the lace. Neither one kind of distract from her necklace, and the way she tilts her head shows it off even further. 

I was going to make a DJ Khaled joke here, but Khalid is too pretty for me to do that to, I love his accent. It’s so fun. He looks like an early morning sky, when the suns up but we can still see the rest of the stars, however faint. His mantle also matches his shimmer, both of them in a gradient that looks very similar to one another. Where one gradient ends the other begins, and it comes out to tie everything-even his eyes- together

[ladyswillmart]

Arlen Facts: Week 1

These were taken from an Alphabet meme that was making the rounds a while back, where one has to come up with some character backstory related to each word, starting with a different letter of the alphabet. I actually did finish all 26 entries on a Discord server by posting one roughly every day, and for brevity’s sake, I’ve decided to post them in more conveniently-sized chunks here.

I can’t find a link to the original meme, but if I find it again, I’ll post it in one of the upcoming entries!

So without further ado, here’s Week 1: A (Alignment) through G (Grudge).

Today's Meme (8/1) Alignment :: What would be their D&D alignment? How might it come into play?

Arlen's alignment is Neutral Good, which is a bit vanilla of him, but I suppose there are worse things to be. Actually, he's very chill about this (and most things in his life, when you think about it). It has already come into play throughout his wanderings as a "Gentleman’s Cousin of Light", but it would seem that we're dealing with a world that does not always have clear distinctions between good and evil; as such, the consequences of Arlen's choices have yet to be fully fleshed.

Having said that, Arlen is not so bound to One True Path that he is unwilling to take responsibility for said choices, or question the forces guiding his hands. He is, to his credit, aware that he is involved in something he does not understand very well. However, he always strives to act with fairness and compassion.

Today's Meme (8/2) Beverage :: What do they most like to drink, and why?

Arlen--not being terribly particular anyway--has become accustomed to a life on the move. Therefore, his taste in beverages veers towards the simple, easy to prepare and perhaps most importantly, whatever he can dredge out of the icebox. A canteen of Thanalan black tea or coffee is simple enough to prepare before embarking on a day trip, to which he may add a pinch of sugar or a squeeze of lemon or orange juice (again, depending on whatever he can dredge out of the icebox that isn't chunky or furry or gaining sentience). Despite this, a close source (Tataru) informs us that Arlen's most favorite beverage is fresh-pressed mirror apple juice, served ice cold with a slice of lemon and a cocktail umbrella.

Signature Drink: Incidentally, Arlen's birth flower (for May 27th) is the lemon blossom. However, his signature drink, Coronal Spring Hat (non-alcoholic)  is something more akin to a toffed-up lemon spider: A healthy sphere of vanilla ice cream (served in a cosmopolitan glass) is covered about 3/4ths to the top in lemon squash. The remaining ice cream surface is decorated with a swirl of strawberry syrup, colorful agar-agar candy shavings and edible flowers.

Today's Meme (8/3) Co-Habitate :: Do they live with anyone? What’s “need to know” before moving in?

Arlen lives by himself (save for his 50 snails, 10 toads and 1 chocobo) at:

The Sultana's Breath Apartments Room #44 The Goblet, Ward 2 Western Thanalan

His suite is small and moggled, but could nevertheless support one more resident (even a non-mollusc one). Still, any discussion regarding the matter of cohabitation yet remains firmly in the arena of wholesome dreaming.

As for the Need-to-Know, Arlen likes to keep things tidy and smell-free. He's only willing to clean up after you if he likes you (granted, you really have to work hard to get Arlen to dislike you), and his pet peeves are toast crumbs in the butter, mildew, windowsill scum and little slivers of soap getting stuck to the dish (though the latter three aren't really anyone's fault). Despite being somewhat of a space cadet, Arlen sticks to a regular schedule of chores. He visits the Goblet Launderette once a week, dusts every other day (if possible) and cleans out the snail tank on weekends.

Today's Meme (8/4) Decor :: What kind of home do they keep? Are there any defining details?

As written earlier, Arlen maintains a tidy, but rather modest apartment dwelling in suburban Ul'dah. Though the space is small--and at times, slightly trying (and dusty)--Arlen has surrounded himself with decor done in a style evocative of the charming Moghome of the Churning Mists, featuring whimsical moggle-themed furniture, wallpaper and meadow green accents. His choice of furniture is practical and need-based; as Arlen is fortunate enough to have his own workshop space in Vesper Bay, he keeps Home at home and Work at work. That means his space is welcoming and warm, and not at all cluttered with boxes of metal bits, clock parts, assorted cogs, geegaws, gadgets, half-eaten candy bars from the Garlond Ironworks vending machine, coffee cups, oil rags or sat-upon Garlond goggles in need of recalibration and repair.

Except, of course, when it is.

Lately, Arlen's home appears to be filling with greenery, as he continues to receive flowers from well-wishers, benefactors (mysterious or just the regular kind) and gentleman callers with wholesome intentions.

Today's Meme (8/5) Escape :: What do they do to destress? How successful is it?

Though one may not expect such a thing from Arlen--with regards to his generally mild-mannered demeanor--but when he begins feeling grungy and stressed from the day-to-day, the exceptional days and the just-plum-terrible days (which seem to be numbering somewhat higher than usual), his favorite way to unwind is to dance.

Allegedly, the lad learned the very basics of the Terpsichorean arts from one magical teenage summer spent as a pit pianist at The Mermaid's Garter, Limsa Lominsa's oldest and raunchiest dinner show/burlesque. Little pitchers have big... eyes, in this case, and Arlen saw it all and absorbed it like a cheap beer mat: The box step, the grapevine, the kick-ball change, the bee's knees, the kitten's ankles, the Lominsan hornpipe, the Gridanian jig, the Garlean slipped disc, the shim-sham, the boogaloo, the mashed popoto, the nitty-gritty, the bump, the hustle, the magitek slide... And rumor has it he won a boobie bouncing contest at the tender age of 15 (the boobies being purely hypothetical--it's all in the shoulders, you understand).

Happily, he has found an enthusiastic and talented partner with Tataru Taru; when things are getting especially grinchy at the Rising Stones (or wherever else things get grinchy), the two will clear a space, fire up the Orchestrion and cut a rug or two. The endorphin rush is a perk that can't be denied, but at the very least, they always manage to lighten the mood.

Today's Meme (8/6) Fluff :: What hits their soft spot? Does anything melt them into emotional goo?

What? You mean besides the moggles?

Arlen is generally a sentimental person, and he isn't afraid to show it. Despite the reputation he seems to have accumulated for himself over the past several weeks, Arlen doesn't so much have a soft spot as he is a soft spot on the planet--a fact that actually stokes a surprising amount of rage from (at least) one extremely specific subset of the population. In particular, he is moved by tales of selflessness and good deeds, especially when performed by unexpected parties, as well as any display of the Power of Friendship.

Also, he has been known to shed a tear or two at family-centered melodrama--tales of parents, siblings, long-lost children, even when he has no relation whatsoever to any parties involved. Several witnesses also watched the lad weep joyously as he harvested a single Dzemael tomato from a pot at the Rising Stones: "That little tomato gave its all," he said, trembling while fat tears rolled down his cheeks. "Even while all its brothers and sisters shriveled on the vine 'cos the soil type was all wrong and there's not enough light in here and nutkins kept nibblin' on it like it was going out of style. Aye. But I never stopped believing. Oh, I'll make it into a worthy mixed green salad, I will."

And he did, one which also drew much emotion from the first bite to the last scritch of the fork against the dish. Then again, enjoying the fruit of one's labor--even literally--tends to tenderize even the hardest of hearts.

Lastly, as a passing word of advice: Do not even mention the tale of "The Little Lost Sabotender" in earshot of Arlen Askew, unless one has a tissue or handkerchief or square of toilet roll to spare.

Today's Meme (8/7) Grudge :: How bad does an insult go over? Do they hold a grudge long?

Arlen Askew is one Mellow Fellow, which means that even if you sling your grodiest glob of mud in his general direction, it'll either roll off his back or go whizzing clean over his head. He is the type to forgive and forget, though, and he may be, at times, forgiving to a fault. He can be too soft on those who would benefit from tough love, and because people know this, Arlen may occasionally moonlight as a doormat, particularly when the plaintiff is someone he's a bit afraid of (e.g. Rowena, Jessie... Uh... That's about it, actually).

Our Arlen is not one to hold a grudge, even when the list of transgressions and trespasses against him recalls crimes beyond compare: Attempted murder, betrayal, theft, assault, imprisonment, copying off his engineering exams, trampling his flower beds, calling him a “smellf”, etc. Instead, he favors the rather optimistic belief that justice will prevail in some way, even if he ends up being the one delivering it.

"No hard feelings, of course," he adds, shrugging.

[riffrelevant]

(By Brian Halsey, Staff Writer, RiffRelevant.com)

Where do I start with THE AGE OF TRUTH and their début full length, ‘Threshold‘?  What a goddamned beautiful piece of heavy rock.   

The first listen was so moving that I took back half of the bad shit I’ve ever said about Philly, the other ten million complaints are just facts, but alas the city may finally be redeemed.  ‘Threshold’ is a masterful display of fuzzy riffage and vocally driven horsepower.

THE AGE OF TRUTH crushes a dreamy brand of blues inspired doom, mixed with a voice that is eerily familiar, in a way that is magically nostalgic.  The guitar work is sharp and the recording is clear.  This band would not sound out-of-place in a dive bar with 28 drunk dudes, or in front of 100,000 screaming fans in an arena.

It’s a really weird vibe to nail down, because to most underground bands, being called a “radio band” is not necessary a compliment.  But they are kinda like what a radio band would sound like, if the radio was good.  Get it?  Every note and melody sounds carefully constructed.  Every song is catchy and memorable.  There is an extraordinary quality to the aesthetic of Threshold that makes this album an appealing listen for a wide variety of people.

THE AGE OF TRUTH features Kevin McNamara (Vocals), Mike DiDonato (Guitar), Scott Frassetto (Drums, *current) and William Miller (Bass).  These guys are totally self-aware of what’s going on here, this is much more a brotherhood than it is a band.  Their sound is fluid and cohesive, you don’t really need time to get into the album.  It just rocks.  Engineered and mixed by Joseph Boldizar at Retro City Studios in Philadelphia, PA, and was mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering Chicago, IL.

Threshold chugs along and does its thing with style.  The album sounds tough on every track without trying too hard.  THE AGE OF TRUTH has just enough ruggedness to get lumped in with some really strong doom bands, but overall they’re just dishing out hard rock the way it should be done.

Play it loud, or don’t play it at all:

 *Eric Fisher was on drums during the recording sessions for Threshold.

I was (un)lucky enough to catch up with some of the dudes from THE AGE OF TRUTH and put their geographically renowned shit-talking skills to the test.  With the Eagles finally putting a competitive squad on the field, I thought I’d ask them some questions about their team, album, and unique brand of culture.  I’m happy to report they didn’t let me down.

The Age Of Truth

HALSEY –     Congrats on Threshold.  The album sounds great, it is both unique and familiar at the same time.  Could you try and describe the sound you were going for, and how you feel about the outcome?

BILL MILLER –    Thank you Brian!  We weren’t really going for anything, we just had songs in us and this is how they came out.  The idea was to record it as we sound when we get on stage, so we tracked it live using our tones and kept it as real as possible.  We had great help, Joe Boldizar from Retro City Studios in Philly is great to work with, and after all of it he is family now.

He let us do all the things we wanted to do and contributed great ideas, as well as a calming sense of confidence as we worked through it.  We really do love Threshold, had a great time making it and are proud of how it turned out.  It gets better with every listen, which is insane, because we have been with these songs since the very beginning and still love hearing and playing them.

KEVIN MCNAMARA –   Well, we basically wrote everything on the spot?  Like literally on the spot (beers and other things included😁) and just kept rolling.  I wrote a ton of lyrics while working (F U, work!) and that’s how we kinda did it.  I just recently got asked to sing for this band by the way.   (Craig) Gibbs from Sasquatch and Bill were drinking and texted me that I now sing for The Age Of Truth.  Kinda bad ass when Gibbs texts you, you know?

HALSEY –     As a band from Philly, I think it’s important to take note of the Eagles current Super Bowl run.  What is your prediction for the game?

BILL MILLER –    Prediction?  Pain.

KEVIN MCNAMARA –    I’ll be drinking whiskey, for sure!  Go Birds!

HALSEY –     What do you say to the people (aka a vast majority of the country) who call you the worst fans in all of football?

BILL MILLER –   Seriously?  It brings nothing but joy to our hearts.  We love that everyone hates.  This is Philadelphia, it’s not a fucking Chuck E. Cheese.  Pull out all the old clichés about snowballs and batteries, we wear each and every one of them with honor.  It keeps all the pussies out and keeps the smart ones with their heads on a fucking swivel.  We are the worst fans in all of football, just ask the Vikings fans or everyone else on Faceplant who’s not from Philly.  It’s the latest outrage, if you didn’t know.  Animals.  Scoundrels.  Maniacs.  It’s all true.  We will come into your homes, fucking eat your household pets and leave with your lady, right after drinking all of your beer and pissing on the rug.

KEVIN MCNAMARA –   I think it’s nonsense.  Yo… every city has its share of assholes!  We are no different!  I’ve been in Baltimore and Kansas City and the fans were cool, but you always have that element that doesn’t know when to shut it off.  It’s a game!

HALSEY –     I just saw THE AGE OF TRUTH get some play on the Doom Charts.  Great stuff.  What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in the band?

BILL MILLER –    Is being the worst fans in football an acceptable answer?  If not, just being able to do this thing with a bunch of dudes who all love each other and want nothing but success for each other.  We wake up every day, thankful that we get to play music with each other and pull this weird, heavy shit out of each other every single time we get together.  At least once a week on the band text thread, someone will say “I love this band”.  I hope that never stops.

Some really cool things have happened to us since the record came out in November, you mentioned Doom Charts, which is absolutely an honor to be on that list.  Think about it man, 40 different people rated our album.  That that alone happened is cool, and that they rated it highly enough that we even showed up on a list like that astounds us.  So many cool things, like this interview, have happened and we welcome more.  Our band is young, we will be two years old in March, we have a long list of things we want check marks next to before we end up down in that hole.

KEVIN MCNAMARA –    That I got to meet Mike and Bill (and Scott I’ve known forever and always loved him as a drummer).  We as a band always say after we talk, or whatever, “I love you bro.”  It’s what we believe in.  It’s a brotherhood always, and a sisterhood.  Love our brothers and sisters so much!  But for me as a singer?  Meeting these amazing three people who became such a huge part in my life… oh and can I say hi to Gina? (Ha… hi gorgeous!)

(Editor’s note: Can confirm, Gina is gorgeous. – Leanne)

HALSEY –     Do you have any shows, tours, or festivals planned in the near future?

BILL MILLER –   Always playing as much as possible.  We are a live band and that’s what we do.  Hell, it’s why we do.  We all love the experience of making an experience for an audience.  This band isn’t about bringing light shows and fireworks and sharks with laser beams, it’s just sweaty, honest, heavy rock.  We have been branching out and getting some states added to our list lately, and we want do the same with our passports, but no tours planned at the moment.  The Age Of Truth will be at a few US festivals later this year, but they are under wraps for a few more weeks.  Come to them even though we can’t advertise them yet.  No bullshit, they are gonna be awesome even though we are sworn to secrecy at this time.  We are definitely open to more.

HALSEY –     If Foles pulls this thing off for the Eagles, will it prove they are a more complete team than people thought, and not just a product of Wentz’s great year?  If Nick-folean Dynamite plays lights out and the Eagles win, do you have a quarterback controversy?

BILL MILLER –   They are a complete team and they are brothers, you can see it after the games.  Those dudes are fighting for the man next to them, it’s a powerful thing.  An unstoppable thing.  But a quarterback controversy is not gonna happen.  Big Dick Nick, as he is known in the locker room, could go out there Sunday and roast a defensive backfield of Ronny Lott, Neon Deion, Steve Atwater and Jesus, and he is still carrying a clipboard next year in week 4.  We will always love him forever and he will never pay for another drink again in his life if he makes it happen.  But it’s the kid from North Dakota’s job.  He’s magical.

KEVIN MCNAMARA – Noooooo Wentz, did this theory evolve?  Because that statement is Foles.

HALSEY –     The entire band sounds tight, but a lot of reviews focus on the power of your vocals.  When did you realize you had the voice of a golden god?  Was that something you had to work on, or did you just sound that awesome since birth?

BILL MILLER –    Since we are a completely one dimensional band, a better question would be – “are the rest of the band even allowed in the same room as the almighty, majestic, holiness that is the vocalist for this band?”  The answer is: only by papal decree.

KEVIN MCNAMARA –    No I am genital blessed… stuff is huge… ask around, but at one point I had a tiny peen and just went with it?  Ha, no I’m kidding…  I love the classic belters.  It takes its toll, but I recover quick from the training (one bottle of whiskey a day… you’re welcome.)  Walsh, Dio, Shortino, Bonnet, Morrison, Bowie, Ozzy, Anderson, Turner, Springsteen, and most def Peter Gabriel… all these bad motha fuggas… that’s been my source.  I get a lot of ‘Cornell’, but Chris had me at one album, Ultra Mega OK, but he never shaped me.  Shit, I was too locked in at that point to be shaped.  It was already done.

HALSEY –     If each band member had to be assigned a character from ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’, who would they be and why?

BILL MILLER –  Oddly enough, since it’s Philadelphia, we are those people.  Not exactly, but we do show tendencies.  ‘Dennis’ sings, ‘Mac’ plays guitar, ‘Charlie’ is on drums, and the ‘Warthog’ plays bass.  ‘Cricket’ is our road manager, and the ‘McPoyles’ are everyone trying to stop us.  Fuck the McPoyles.

KEVIN MCNAMARA –  I’d be the homeless dude.

HALSEY –     What are a few things you’d recommend to do around the city (that don’t include climbing greased light poles or fighting police horses)?

BILL MILLER –   Don’t ever fuck with an equine cop, ever.  Saw a horse with a badge kick some jackass right in the face once, and I guarantee that dipshit is wearing his terrible decision to this day.  Philly actually kicks ass.  The beer is amazing, the food is peerless, and the scene is special.  At every show, all your favorite weirdos show up and it’s a family reunion.  You can go to shows by yourself because you know everyone will be there anyway.  Just check it out and live like we do, if you come to Philly.  Skip most of the tourist bullshit and find a local spot to hang out in and get in arguments with your newest best friend.  It’s like that.  Bring an edge, but that’s just how you fit in.  You won’t really need it, unless you are a jackass.

KEVIN MCNAMARA –  Ha, drink with Kevin!  Who the fuck punches a horse by the way?  Dickhead!

HALSEY –     Thank you for your time, is there anything additional you’d like to say about THE AGE OF TRUTH to your listeners?

BILL MILLER –  Absolutely.  To everyone who has supported this band, buying our record and merch, coming to our shows, or sharing our songs with their friends, thank you.  We love you.  It’s real.  We appreciate every single one of you who gets what we are doing.  We have more, too, and we have a feeling if you like where it started, you are gonna love where it is going.

KEVIN MCNAMARA –   Our new drummer, Scott, is a beautiful soul who is one of THEE best drummers I’ve ever in my life played with.  And I love my brothers in The Age of Truth.  Totally random collision of worlds.  Thank the gods… new songs underway.

There you have it, eggheads.  I can lead you to lager, but I can’t make you buy.  THE AGE OF TRUTH.  A brotherhood of hard rocking, Philly assholes.  If you’re not sold on this band by now, I don’t know what more I can do to help you in life.

The Age Of Truth:

Web / Facebook / Twitter / Bandcamp / Spotify / iTunes / Instagram

  THE AGE OF TRUTH in NY, NY @ Arlene’s Grocery for Ode To Doom, 11/18/2017

Photos by Leanne Ridgeway (click any photo to open gallery)

Interview w/ THE AGE OF TRUTH – ‘Threshold’ Album Review & Stream; Live Photos From Ode To Doom (NYC) 11/2017 (By Brian Halsey, Staff Writer, RiffRelevant.com) Where do I start with THE AGE OF TRUTH…

[the-record-columns]

Nov. 22, 2017: Columns

A Thanksgiving Than You…

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher

               In last week's column, in which I wrote of the various items I might have taken to the Friends of the Library's Wilkes Antique Roadshow, I mentioned several pieces, including a beautiful Helene Curtis Empress Permanent Wave machine from about 1918. I was given this amazing piece of history by Arlene Staley of Arlene and Friends Hair Designs at Melody Square in North Wilkesboro.

I have been meaning to mention this machine earlier, but had not gotten around to it. However, because we are full-swing into the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, we get much more company at our offices of The Record and Thursday Printing than most other time of the year, and I have written often in this space that my visitors are very often the best part of my day.

               Well, this past Friday evening was the North Wilkesboro Downtown Partnership's annual event, Light Up Downtown. We opened up our offices and our apartment upstairs for company, and had probably the most visitors at any Light Up event in years. We call our apartment The Mayflower, named for the last business which occupied the space, The Mayflower Beauty Shop, and the front door still proudly displays the name, yea these 50 years since it closed.

               I will now tie all this together by reminding you that there is a story which goes along with almost everything that makes up the "poor man's museum" which our offices have become. That 100 year-old permanent wave machine almost looks scary to one who has no idea what it is for, and it often catches the eye of young and old alike, as they make their way though out office. When that happens, if time and circumstances allow, I tell them a short story.

               Being my mother Cary's baby boy, I went wherever she went. One day, I found us climbing up the 26 steps to the Mayflower Beauty Shop on B Street (now Main) in North Wilkesboro. "What are we doing here?" I queried. "I am going to get my hair done; a permanent." she replied.

               Up the steps we went and, sure enough, it looked as though they were going to blast her off into outer space by the time they got all those curler things rolled onto her hair. I was almost scared for her, but she was pleased with the results and that was good enough for me.

               In no time, or so it seemed, we were climbing those same steps again. We had basically the same conversation ending in, "I'm going to get a permanent." When I protested that she had just gotten one, she assured me that it was time for another. "Then it's not very permanent, is it?" I said. My mother got tickled, and, before she could explain that your hair grows out and such, I said to her, "Looks to me like they should call it a 'temporary.'" She was still laughing as we made our way into the Mayflower Beauty Shop.

               My mother Cary never drove a car. In her later years, when my father could no longer drive, she would periodically call me to take her to the beauty parlor, always remarking that she was in need of another "temporary," as she called getting her hair done for the rest of her life.

               And that, quite often, is one of the pleasures I get from the collection of old, odd, and eclectic things that make up the "decoration" in my office. My parents have been gone for 22 years this past spring, and I simply have no words to tell you how much I miss them. Also, most of their contemporaries are long gone, so any chance to remember them and share a story

 about them is priceless to me.

               So, among the many, many things I have to be thankful for during this week of Thanksgiving, one of them is always going to be my company. Because these people so often, without ever having any idea that they have done so, bring a special memory of my parents to mind, and ever so politely allow me to share it with them.

               It instantly makes their random visit the best part of my day.

               Another note on last week's column: For the Wilkes Antique Roadshow, I chose to take an absolutely gorgeous 1880 oak portable toilet, cleverly designed to look like an end table, and suitable for the finest bedroom décor. I was confident it would be the hit of the show. I was wrong. No one gushed to me about how great it was, and the appraiser, Mr. Schweikert, spent about 30 seconds telling me it was in good shape for what it was, and he then priced it at about half what I had in it. I suppose it remains a good thing that I buy things to keep, and not to sell. And, the last note: I have already picked out the piece to take next years event, and I can guarantee that this one will be the hit of the show. Me and Pearl Bailey both say so.

 Truly thankful on Thanksgiving

By LAURA WELBORN

               While it is easy to get ready for Thanksgiving and to remember to be thankful, how do we continue this mind altering practice?

               One way is to write down five things we are grateful for each day, by breaking it down into smaller pieces we can look closer at our lives and the small things to be grateful for.  Do this at night before you go to bed- this is important for several reasons the most important is that this is what you will have on your mind as you sleep.

               Too often I read a murder and mayhem book or watch a scary movie before bed and I have bad dreams all night. This helps wire your brain in a positive mode. Then the next morning when you wake up read the five things you wrote down, and it will start your day in a positive direction.  I think the practice of children saying their prayers before bed is a wonderful mindful practice tradition that we should carry over even after children are grown.  

               Then there are the times of crisis in health and situations where being thankful seems more than we can bear.

               Still do it.

               Make yourself do it even though it may seem cheesy.  Keep this in a journal so you can go back and look at what you were thankful for, or as a legacy of gratitude when you are gone. And if you look back and see the dates of when you were in tough times and yet still found something to be grateful for - it can inspire you to just how resilient you were.  This small practice actually helps the brain develop resiliency and the ability to overcome tragedy.  When your brain reads the words you wrote down the day before it releases serotonin -- which is like an antidepressant medication.  

               Praying for others has this same effect, the release of serotonin (the feel good hormone)  I try and write gratitude Christmas cards where I write why I am thankful for that person.  This really helps me get into the Christmas spirit and gives me a boost of serotonin, plus passes on a happy thought to another person.  I think of it as the next step after Thanksgiving towards Christmas. Gift giving is thinking about another person and intentionally thanking them.

               One more thought.

               On Nov. 7, we lost Eric Payne- longtime friend of many and strong supporter of Wilkes Heritage Museum.  My memories of Eric brings me a smile with his hats to fit all occasions and playing his accordion New Years Eve.        My favorite memory of Eric was this past fourth of July.  Eric had finished several rounds of chemotherapy but his spirits were high and he rode in the parade in an antique fire engine with his friend, Tom Graves. Tom and Eric joined us on the deck at our apartment to watch the fireworks and when I asked him if he enjoyed riding in the parade he said, "I had the time of my life." He then smiled and was one of the loudest to ooh and aah over the fireworks.     I will always keep this memory close to my heart and remember to see each experience as "the time of my life" being thankful in the moment as Eric was.

                  “Oh, the Humanity”

By HEATHER DEAN Reporter/Photojournalist

It's always a hard thing to lay a dear friend to rest, especially one who has fought the battle with cancer.

               Cancer sucks. So does Dementia, Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's disease, and a thousand other ailments that we watch our fellow humans suffer with everyday.

               Funerals are never an easy thing to attend. But you know what I love about funerals? It brings together people that I would have otherwise never met, get to meet someone that loved and adored this person, and hear things about them that I would have never known. It bonds people in a way that we could never be in life.

               This was the case at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro on Saturday, at the funeral of Eric Payne, as I listened to one of his school chum's reminisce.

               This man and I had never met, but he echoed in his sentiments of the sweet soul that I knew Eric to be. For instance, it's hard to imagine Eric Payne ever being mad. And his school chum said he had never seen Eric mad, except once when someone was cruel to his dog. Eric loved his dogs.

               I've had the privilege to get to know and adore both Marilyn and Eric in the past several years, what with the historical Ghost Tours and Wilkes Heritage Museum goings on. I want to share with you my favorite story that Eric told me about he and Marilyn's marriage.

               Eric had said that they had never really had a fight; that in fact, whenever a quarrel did arise, the three words that would stop the discussion immediately and have them both in a fit of giggles was "Oh! The humanity!"

               He told me it started when he and Marilyn were watching a documentary about the Hindenburg.

"You can hear the news announcer live on radio giving details of everything that was transpiring. And then the newscaster exclaims "Oh! The humanity!!"

               "And we've used it ever since to diffuse whatever quarrel was arising."

 Maybe it gave them perspective- whatever was going on, it's not as terrible as being blown up in a blimp.

               Maybe it was their secret code, as most married couples have, for "you irk the crap out of me sometimes, but I love you more than life."

               Maybe it will just be something that the two of them shared, like no one else can, who knows?  

               What I do know, is that when I think of my friend Eric, I will forever remember the smile on his face, especially when he looked at his wife, his family, his friends, pat his chest and say "Boy, now this is the life right here."

               I'll miss that man and his accordion.

                            RIP

                     Eric Payne

    July  26, 1942-November 7, 2017

 Heather Dean is a theatre major working in jouralism. She keeps pinky promises, and never turns down shenanigans. You can reach her at therecordofwilkes@gmail.com  

 Best friends

By EARL COX

Since its reemergence as a nation in 1948, Israel has suffered opposition on nearly every possible level. It has been attacked repeatedly in the military arena by its Arab neighbors, in the public relations arena by the world media, in the political and diplomatic arenas by the United Nations and the European Union, and in the religious arena by mainstream Christians and their Replacement Theologians.

               In recent years, however, a groundswell of support for Israel has arisen, creating a new and powerful friend for Israel in the form of Evangelical Christians. From all over the world these Evangelical Christian believers, including many Americans, are proud to be labeled as "Christian Zionists."

               They use their political, financial and spiritual leverage to help Israel withstand whatever attack might come next.

               Without the Evangelical Christian community standing in the breach with both prayer and action, the United States may have entered a free-fall in its foreign policy that would have ended in a far more hostile environment for Israel.

               The Obama White House encouraged, aided and facilitated the destabilization of the Middle East, as evidenced by its use of either diplomatic or military assets (or both) in Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt and Syria. Amidst all the political and social upheaval in the name of democracy, the result was the elevation of Islam, Islamic-centered constitutions, and Islamists being "elected."

               The longstanding tradition of the US being Israel's closest ally was arguably dismantled by the previous U.S. administration through positions and policies detrimental to Israel. While the Trump White House is working to reverse this, there has always been one ally that has remained steadfast to Israel … the Evangelical Christian.

               In America, many members of Congress and the Senate, various pro-Israel Christian organizations, conservative Christian media and Evangelical Christians in positions of influence are working to help guide the policies of this current administration as they relate to Israel ending the "blackmail foreign policy" of the Obama administration.  Remember the remarks of former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (who is the current Mayor of Chicago)?  Rahm Emanuel sought to tie the US pressure against Iran's nuclear program to an Israeli unilateral land-for-peace giveaway. This "blackmail foreign policy" may have been far more severe if those remarks, said behind closed doors, had not been widely reported. Evangelical Christians shout the loudest about the lack of balance toward Israel at the United Nations, in the media and on college campuses where anti-Semitism and BDS cmapaigns are on the rise.

               Israel is one issue that energizes Evangelical Christians. As events in the Middle East continue to spiral out of control, Evangelical Christians are a valuable asset for Israel. It is this courageous and vocal group that makes up the hedge and stands in the gap for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people.

               Many people will remember back when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself acknowledged that Evangelical Christians are "Israel's greatest friends." A few years back speaking to a large group of Christians in Washington D.C., Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "Israel has very few friends, and these Evangelical Christian leaders are the best friends that Israel has in all the world."  This sentiment is something which he has reiterated numerous times since.

               Many Evangelical Christian organizations in Israel, with support from Evangelical Christians around the world, are providing food and other assistance to thousands of Israeli immigrants and poor families. Others have provided portable concrete bomb shelters to protect Israeli residents living along the borders with Gaza and Lebanon. Christian radio and television networks in America are broadcasting Israel's message around the world. Millions of Evangelical Christians are proud to be considered Israel's best friends and supporters.

               They are not ashamed to speak out against the pro-Muslim and pro-Arab agendas of anti-Semitic hate groups.  These same Evangelical Christians are hard at work helping to pass pro-Israel legislation at the local and state levels as well as influence policy at the national level.

               The God of Israel does not need anyone to support Israel, but He tends to work through the hands, hearts and voices of men and women who seek to serve Him. One voice Israel can count on is the heart-felt cry of the Evangelical Christian, who stands with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who happens to love Israel and the Jewish people whom He calls the 'apple of His eye.'

 A Lamb, a turkey, and Dressing

By CARL WHITE

Life in the Carolinas

The Thanksgiving season is filled with traditions that celebrate family, food and a grateful heart.

If you close your eyes and imagine the perfect Thanksgiving gathering, chances are you will see family and friends gathered around the table with a grand meal featuring a beautifully prepared turkey. There will be a wide variety of side dishes with a generous offering of dressings and gravy.

Everyone has their favorite side dish. I posted the question to our Facebook followers. What is your favorite side dish for the Thanksgiving meal?  Variations of dressing or stuffing with gravy or cranberry sauce were by far at the top of the list.

Here are a few other favorite sides, Lynn Akers likes corn casserole, Robin Brueckmann has Mennonite heritage and enjoys corn pudding and shoofly pie. Karen Goodsell enjoys her grandmother’s recipe for Squash Casserole. Laura Crews is crazy about roasted Brussel sprouts with lemon pepper seasoning. Ann Graves is wild about Minnesota wild rise. Terri Reid enjoys a good Waldorf salad with her turkey. Micheal Nelson likes Strawberry salad. Bill Evans loves fresh turnip greens, and Vivian Hopkins likes Cranberry Salad. Dena Burton-Claus loves her dad’s creamy, flavorful mashed potatoes.

The last Thursday in November is our National Day to gather, be grateful, eat, play and for many get ready for the excitement Back Friday.  We do this every year, and in great part we have the author of Mary Had a Little Lamb to thank for the holiday tradition that brings so much joy. The story goes like this. Sarah Josepha Hale was a widowed mother of five children; she was a poet, writer, and editor.

Sarah became the literary editor of Godey’s Ladies Book, which became the most read magazine of the 19th century and it would be this platform that would give great momentum to her big project, which was to establish an annual day of Thanksgiving nationwide. On October 3, 1789, President George Washington proclaimed November 26th 1789 as a day of Thanksgiving for that year.

Sarah believed that America would be well served to have a set day every year to celebrate our great American Festival of Thanksgiving and for many years she would write letters to political leaders including five U.S. Presidents for this cause. It would be her letter written to President Abraham Lincoln on September 28, 1863, that yield the favorable response she was seeking. On October 3, 1863, President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation was signed. There would be other Presidential Proclamations signed. However, it was this one that set the stage for many of the Thanksgiving traditions and foods we celebrate with today.

It is not in doubt that there was an event at Plymouth in 1621 where various people gathered for a meal and prayerful Thanksgiving. There are other recorded dates on which various forms of Thanksgiving was celebrated.  

The story of Sarah Josepha Hale is one for which we can be thankful. Sarah married David Hale, and for nine years they dedicated two hours, a day to study, and it was during this time that Sarah would gain confidence in the power of her mind. David died of a stroke, and Sarah became a widowed mother of five. Little did Sarah know that she would make a difference in the lives of three hundred million Americans. Mary’s Little Lamb would bring joy to countless children around the world and the turkey, dressing and all the other delightful sides and other traditions would give us all something to celebrate.

In our collage, President Lincoln is portrayed by our friend Authur Lightbody from Waxhaw NC. Photo credit: Titus Lightbody.