#homegrown hops

[captainmalewriter]

Nymphs

Commission Story

Davis couldn't believe the streak of bad luck he'd been having lately. Between getting laid off at work along with various problems back at home, he simply couldn't catch a break! Although the young 25 year old always carried a nonchalant, 'I don't give a fuck' approach to life, even he grew weary after so many L's.

One late evening, Davis was lazing around on his mattress as he tried to figure out how he was going to get some money fast before deadlines started catching up to him. But no matter how much he racked his brain, all he could think of was selling his homegrown pot brownies to the rich high schoolers down the block or go gay for pay.

Neither option was particularly appealing, and out of frustration, Davis let out a grunt as he flipped onto his back. He took out his phone, and as a porn video was loading, he began to strip down. His dick flopped out and he started giving it a few pumps, causing it to grow from 4 inches to 7 inches. Davis was both a shower and a grower like that. He figured a quick tugging session could release some stress. Or it would've been, had his roommate Jared not barged into the room seconds later.

"Bro, what the fuck!" Davis yelled as he quickly covered up his junk. He didn't want his gay roommate to get any ideas. His fears were unwarranted however, as Jared carried on with his business while barely acknowledging him.

"Sorry to interrupt, but can you jerk off somewhere else? I got a guy coming over." Jared then proceeded to change into a jockstrap with Davis still in the room.

Davis scowled, but left without saying anything back. He knew if he didn't leave, it would just cause another week long fight between the two. And not only that, he knew he had sexiled Jared quite a few times too. It'd only be fair if Jared did the same, but that didn't stop Davis from flipping him off as he left the room.

"Goddamn queer..." Davis muttered under his breath as he hopped on his bike and drove out burning rubber.

He had no idea where he was going. Yet, driving around the city aimlessly turned out to be incredibly therapeutic for him. The summer night wind was blowing on his chest as he cruised by streetlights at daredevil speeds. All the adrenaline coursing through his veins made him feel alive! It was crazy that one night drive did what several years of meds couldn't do. Davis was back in his element, and the devilish grin on his face proved it.

The last stop to Davis' night ride was the local city park. At that park was a duck pond where people often went swimming and skinny dipping in. Swimming in the park pond was illegal, but that didn't stop people like Davis from hopping from the fence and going into the water anyway. Davis helped himself, as he always does.

The cool of night made his skin tingle as he stripped down naked. He went slowly into the water, letting his nude body adjust to the temperature change, then dove straight in. The pond water was as refreshing as it was cold. Davis swam around for a while, then floated along the surface for a while longer. He closed his eyes as he remained submerged in the water. The pond was his sanctuary and he had found his peace again.

But as he swam around in the pond, there was something else in there swimming alongside him. It had been resting dormant in the water for decades now, but Davis had unknowingly woken it up, ready to latch onto a host. His nude body made the thing's work easier too. All Davis had to do was swim by for it to attach itself to him.

What was the thing? It wasn't a fish nor insect of any kind. It barely qualified as a multi cellular organism, but to call it a virus would be a gross oversimplification of what it actually was. The thing had come from a stray piece of space debris originating from Neptune. The microscopic Nymph had wound up in the pond after landing. Without a host body, the Nymph was nothing. But now that it had entered Davis through the slit of his dick head, it had awakened. It entered Davis' body, all without him even noticing.

After the late night swim, Davis went back to his apartment to check out for the day. His shared room smelled like anal sex after Jared had his fun in there. Davis popped open a window and went to bed. The exhaustion of an exciting night caught up to him, leaving him sleeping soundly. 

While he snoozed away, the little aquatic alien began swimming up the full length of his member. The Nymph swam through his bloodstream, where thanks to its small size, it went completely undetected by Davis’ immune system. It went through the digestive system and the cardiovascular system until it finally landed at the brain. It then nestled into the folds of Davis’ brain, locked and loaded for the next step of complete body takeover. 

The next morning came by in a flash. Davis had woken up while Jared was still sleeping over on his side of the room. He groaned as he stretched and got out of bed. Davis looked around and saw the state of disarray the room was in. 

“Fuck this,” he said out loud to no one. “I don’t got time to clean, I got more important things to take care of.”

Davis then proceeded to go about his morning. He showered, ate breakfast, then got dressed for the day. He knew had another long day of job hunting ahead of him. But while he was getting dressed, he couldn’t help but notice his massive bulge. He then walked over to his mirror and dropped his jeans to his ankles to get a better view. 

“Whewww... God-DAMN!!” Davis exclaimed. He ran his free hand through his chest and abdominals. He was flexing as he felt all the toned muscles of his body. He couldn’t help but smirk as he traced his V-line and cupped his bulge for a quick video. “Thank you God for the good genetics.”

It was supposed to end there. Davis just wanted to check himself out for a brief minute before moving on to the rest of his day. But he didn’t want to stop- or, more accurately, he couldn’t stop! The more he rubbed himself down, the more aroused he was becoming. His bulge grew as his member hardened. He kept playing with his hardening cock, teasing it through his underwear until he finally stuck his hand in and started properly stroking it off. He groaned as he jerked. Jared’s snoring reminded him he wasn’t alone in the room. Davis made a mental note to keep it down, but continued his tugging session anyway. 

Davis stopped jerking off for a moment to strip down naked. He kept admiring himself in the mirror. The sight of his naked body kept him rock hard. He flexed in the mirror and smirked. He had just showered, but he hadn’t put on deodorant yet. The faint smell of what was left of his body odor reached his nose, causing him to purr ‘mmm...’ He turned his head to his pits and took a deep sniff.

“God, even my pits smell fucking amazing!! ” 

He then continued stroking his dick while worshipping his own body and musk. The cock head was sensitive to the touch, and the lotion he rubbed on his hands after showering made them extra soft. He cupped his hands and thrusted his dick into it. It was so warm and soft, almost as if he was actually fucking someone’s hole. 

“Ohh... fuck...”

A moan escaped his lips as he pumped his cock. He made sure to keep the volume down to avoid waking up Jared. He knew he shouldn’t be rubbing one out with his roommate still in the room, but Davis couldn’t help it. He could feel the sexual frustration in his body swell up. He had to rub one out, there was no stopping it now.

He was leaking precum like a broken faucet. His face became flushed as his stroking speed picked up. He was grunting nonstop, completely forgetting Jared was still in the room. But he was too lost in the moment. With his dick pointed up, he tightened his grip as he stroked his cock more and more until he finally erupted. Two weeks worth of cum shot out of him like a fire hose while he was panting. He threw his head back in pure bliss as he felt the warmness of a good jerk off session spread throughout his body. That, and puddles of cum had landed on his exposed body, adding to the warm feeling too.

In the heat of the moment, Davis didn’t realize he had his dick pointed up towards him. Because of that, some of the cum had shot directly onto his face. Some of it even landing on his lips! He groaned and wiped it off, accidentally getting a taste of his own sticky spunk. He felt the salty taste in his mouth, but still instead of being absolutely disgusted by it, he smacked his lips as he savored the taste of his own cum. Davis wasn’t sure why, but it tasted amazing and he needed more. He then used his hands and mouth to clean up all the cum. 

Then it happened. The endorphins from masturbating and the taste of cum made the Nymph inside his brain go into overdrive. It hijacked his brain and forced his internal organ systems to start reproducing copies of the alien creature. Within minutes, there were millions of Nymphs inside of Davis’ body. By the time Davis had finished cleaning up and put his pants back on, the head Nymph had successfully completed phase two of body takeover. All that was left was to seize full control.

“Ow... Ow! FUCK!!” Davis screamed out as his temples started throbbing with pain. He fell to his bed with his hands massaging the sides of his head. He was losing control over his body and he was powerless to stop it.

His vision blurred as he thrashed around. His mind felt groggy and heavy, and his breathing grew heavy. Then out of nowhere, he started hearing his own inner voice issuing commands to him. He wasn’t sure why his brain was commanding him, but he obeyed anyway, not knowing it was the Nymph using his own body against him.

Davis stood up, still breathing heavy and face still flushed red. The Nymph scanned the room through Davis, surveying its new surroundings. Its line of sight stopped on Jared, who had slept through Davis jerking off and getting taken over by an alien creature. Davis smacked his lips and his stomach grumbled loudly as he watched Jared’s chest rise and drop with every breath. 

“More... MORE!” 

Davis threw himself to Jared’s side. He was on his knees salivating at the mouth as he slowly but surely removed Jared’s sweats, leaving his limp cock to slip out. Just the mere sight of another dick got Davis excited! He started with stroking Jared off, and once it got hard enough, he wrapped his mouth around the girthy member. Davis could taste the tang of an unwashed cock, but all it did was motivate him to suck harder.

“Urgh.... fuck...!” Jared said while finally waking up. He felt good, and when he looked down and saw Davis sucking him off, he couldn’t help but smirk. “Finally giving men a try, huh. What a good boy.”

Jared put his hand on the back of Davis’ head and pushed him down, forcing him to deepthroat his entire cock. Davis gagged at first, but quickly grew to the challenge. He then got on top of Jared. He sucked Jared while Jared sucked him off. The two men moaned and grunted like mad as they pleasured each other. Jared was living his fantasy of hooking up with his hot roommate, while Davis was ecstatic to get another shot of cum down his throat. 

“Fuck...! I’mma cum...! Argh!!!” Jared cried out as he shot out a load of cum. Davis happily swallowed all of it, but kept sucking Jared off even after he licked his dick clean. Davis then thrusted his hips down to make Jared deepthroat him. He kept the rhythm going strong while he cummed a second time. Jared had no choice but to swallow his load too. 

By this time, Davis was chalk full of microscopic aliens. And so was his own cum. Jared noticed Davis’ cum was way saltier than most men, but took it down his throat like a champ anyway. Big mistake. Now the Nymphs were hard at work taking over Jared’s body as another host. Jared felt the piercing pain of having his mind getting taken over, but with Davis laying right on top of him, he couldn’t even struggle against it. Jared quickly succumbed, and all that was left to his mind was the simple command: MORE CUM.

Davis and Jared kept sucking each other until both men’s bodies were completely drained of any and all cum. Only then they did get off each other. Both of their eyes were dilated as they stared into each other’s eyes.  Their bodies were alive and they were still fully conscious of their actions, but their minds had been hijacked by extraterrestrial aliens who only had two things on their agenda: gather cum and spread. Because of the Nymphs, their sex crazed actions made sense to them as if it was just another ordinary activity. They had become cum hungry sluts under alien control.

The Nymphs had changed their bodies too. Davis’ musk became more potent, he reeked of masculinity and lust. Jared’s body became more muscular, going from toned twunk to ripped bodybuilder. The changes were subtle, yet they made both of them more sexually attractive to other queer men. Perfect for aliens’ sole mission. 

The two men looked at each other, both of them suffering from severe mental fog. Then, a naughty, lustful smile spread across both their faces.

“Threesome?” Jared asked. Davis shook his head.

“Foursome. More men, more cum.”

The two Nymph controlled men then went out to catch more men under their web, hungry for more.

Thank you for supporting!!

[daisychainsandbowties]

Is it just me or does shin hati lacks personality?

i think it’s pretty obvious i don’t think of Shin as lacking in personality. i love what i’ve seen of her so far - think Ivanna is absolutely killing it with her performance so far, playing this mixture of intensity and homegrown Jedi calm, of a girl who is very alone and also trying to hold herself away from caring about anyone she might have to kill. i mean, i don’t know why you think she has no personality (i’d be interested in hearing your reasons) but to me she’s a fantastic character. if you know me you know that it takes A LOT for me to write fic for a character or a ship. so if wolfwren has moved me, i can pretty much guarantee i don’t sell out for looks with no personality.

but let me actually explain why i like Shin

firstly, she’s had very little screen time, to the extent i’ve probably got gifs of every frame of her so far on my blog. meanwhile Sabine has all of Rebels, Ahsoka has The Clone Wars, and Huyang is, frankly, a very typical example of a speaking droid. reminds me of c3po (i think he’s great, just not original characterisation). and they’ve all had more screen time in these four eps than Shin, who nonetheless has, in my opinion, demonstrated tremendous presence in every single scene she’s appeared in.

how she shows up on Lothal, stands there and says in her maddeningly calm tone, “we’ve been looking for this.” it’s just… so tongue-in-cheek, and Shin could so easily have sic’d the droid on Sabine and made her escape, could have smacked her against a wall with the Force and strolled away. but she chooses to stay. and the way she dances around Sabine’s blows… grabs the hilt of her saber to manipulate her in the fight, putty in her hands. flips her over her shoulder and plays plays plays with her… the grace and the wildness and the strange fascination of their fight. god she’s just!! so intriguing.

i think people pay too little attention to how much characterisation there is in a fight scene. we have Sabine fighting with a style that’s very much a mesh of form 1 and form 3. it’s defensive, it has hints of Ahsoka in it, her own modified and slightly more useful variation of Soresu (form 3) and then we have Shin. i need to examine her moves more closely to tell what forms (i think definitely forms plural) she’s drawing from - not much makashi, which makes sense since Baylan is Jedi-trained. her movements remind me of Maul’s style in The Phantom Menace, but there’s an element to her style that feels more… joyful, freeform, free verse.

she spins and pirouettes and barely avoids the cut of Sabine’s lightsaber. there’s relish in those movements. she can clearly block blaster bolts magnificently, has the athletic and acrobatic ability for ataru (the form yoda favours, and anakin to an extent). she’s a muddle of contradictions. silent so often but when she fights, when she flies that fighter…she’s golden.

and wry, too. watch for those slight smiles. the “you almost got them” and her hop-skip in the forest on Seatos, the “hello there” energy reminding me so much of Obi-Wan. and then her obvious terror when the Inquisitor falls, spewing green smoke. at the time i thought she was afraid for herself, of Ahsoka, but she was really afraid for Baylan. he’s trying to be a Jedi Master to her - there’s distance in their relationship, and GOD you can see her longing for contact, for touch, for something she can push and feel pushing back.

i think it’s why she antagonizes Morgan, why she waits to duel Sabine. she wants to… touch something and not just in a physical sense but in terms of connection. the light is so much about embracing life and i think of Shin trapped in the middle of that, not good or evil, light or dark, but caught in a terrible silence. her care and her fire is contained but it burns. especially when she fights, when she loses her temper “you have no power”, choking Sabine at the end, and that’s just the fire that creeps out under the door! beware the smoke.

the moments of fear, of guarded concern, of delight and fascination, anger and joy. i mean!! she’s a girl of few words, but when she speaks she SPEAKS. and when she doesn’t you can see so much going on in her body language, her face, her eyes, her actions. i think both of her fight scenes are beautiful examples of character through conflict.

i always use duels and fights for character-building. a fight is boring with nothing behind it - and with Shin we see, at first, fascination. wanting to prove herself, to show she’s the better padawan, but she also… i think she could have killed Sabine very easily. i would have run from Ahsoka too, but she honestly could have murdered Sabine right there. i love how they’re creating this sense that Shin is both… disturbed and intrigued by Sabine in episode 4. angry and also… holding her by the wrist, standing between her and Morgan.

listen, i am going to ship wolfwren whether or not my cows come home, but i really don’t bother with characters who aren’t interesting. so, yeah, i think Shin has plenty of personality! i love what star wars has been doing with the girls who have red(ish) sabers lately. i adore Reva, i am regularly insane about Trilla Suduri, and i think Shin is very different from them but no less fascinating! i’m loving the tentative line she’s walking between dangerous and vulnerable.

and, yeah, i think they should kiss.

[trapangeles]

Djin Boii Snotty Drops Crusin Ona Last Day Of Summer Vol.2: The Ultimate Coast-to-Coast Vibes Mix

As summer fades into fall, Djin Boii Snotty delivers a soundtrack that perfectly captures the season's final moments with his latest SoundCloud mix, Crusin Ona Last Day Of Summer Vol.2. This mix is a masterful blend of West Coast heat and out-of-state fire, showcasing an eclectic mix of today’s most talented and buzzing artists. Whether you’re cruising the streets of L.A. or vibing out at home, this playlist is the energy you need to keep the summer vibes alive.

What Makes This Mix Special? Djin Boii Snotty has a unique talent for curating music that speaks to the streets. His latest mix bridges the gap between California’s homegrown talent and artists making noise across the map. It’s a seamless journey that highlights the diversity and vibrancy of urban music today.

The tracklist features a powerful lineup of artists that fans of rap, hip-hop, and R&B won’t want to miss. From rising stars to established names, here’s who made the cut:

Loe Shimmy

Lambo4

Sietegangyabbie

P1

Luh Tyler

Bfb Packman

J Cole

Bino

Flashy B

Kalan FrFr

Tay Keith

Icewear Vezzo

ASMBopsta

G Perico

Big Sad 1900

Baby Stone Gorillas

John Mack

This lineup alone makes Crusin Ona Last Day Of Summer Vol.2 a must-listen, but it’s not just about the names—it’s about the flow. Djin Boii Snotty has curated a mix that feels like a story, with every track contributing to the overall vibe.

Why You Need to Listen This mix isn’t just for West Coast heads; it’s for anyone who appreciates good music. The blend of local L.A. sounds with tracks from out-of-state artists makes it a versatile listen. Whether you’re driving down PCH, hosting a house party, or just unwinding after a long day, this mix hits every mood.

It’s also a testament to Djin Boii Snotty’s skills as a DJ and curator. His ability to pair California’s brightest talents with heavy-hitters from across the country shows his ear for what’s hot right now and his commitment to pushing the culture forward.

Support the Culture: Listen & Follow Ready to vibe out? Hit play on Crusin Ona Last Day Of Summer Vol.2 and see why Djin Boii Snotty is one of the most talked-about DJs in the game right now. Don’t forget to follow him on SoundCloud to stay up to date with his latest mixes and projects.

🎧 Listen Now:https://soundcloud.com/i-am-snot 📲 Follow Djin Boii Snotty on SoundCloud for More Fire Mixes!

Have you been spending all your money and time on making music and shooting videos, but still not getting any exposure? Tired of just spinning your wheels? You know to get exposure you need to get featured on blogs, radio stations, playlist, and get your music e-mail blasted out to the masses. Need help getting all that done? Then check out the Package we’ve made available for you below!

Like & Listen To Our Spotify Playlist

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The Latest Music, Videos, News, Entertainment……

[juliehamill]

🎶 Hand it over 🎶

Yesterday I met with George Allen (‘Morrissey Mercury’) to talk about the annual Mozarmy meet which he’ll be curating in 2025. As you know, after eleven years of hosting the best weekend of the year with the greatest people on earth, I’m stepping down.

George and I have been friends on social media for a long time, and the first time I met him was at Hop Farm in 2011. He declared it the first proper ‘meet’ of people who knew each other from Twitter, and recalls me dashing up and down the coach introducing passengers to each other - ‘do you know so and so? Oh she’s sitting 4 rows behind you.’

George was correct - we arrived strangers and left friends, and that little group was part of what grew into a global phenomenon.

George was quietly spoken then (he still is) a shy young gentleman, reflective, pensive, the opposite to overly chatty, overly keen, loud, bombastic me. George is warm and kind, he thinks before he acts. I adored him from the get go.

I’m exceptionally proud of the Mozarmy community we all created with a brand that is cited globally. #Mozarmy is never used with malice, always kindness and it has legitimately saved lives by pulling the isolated and lonely into a place they feel they can belong. Over the years it has become a support network through Smiths & Morrissey music, a chance to dance away bad feeling and trouble, and enter the Xanadu of love. It is non-political, non-commercial, and takes no sides. People save their pennies all year to get flights, trains and coaches Manchester just to feel happy in the Mozarmy party atmosphere again.

I led our community with a lot of gut feeling, doing the right thing, rather than the thing I often wanted or the lazier thing that required less work. Over the years there have been choppy waters, and I steered the ship as best I could so that we all stayed together as friends. What I know to be true is, we all just really want to dance and sing without judgement, and I kept reminding myself of that.

The meet is inclusive and it always will be. It is welcoming. It is open. It is equal. To feel that we belong to something is what makes humanity bloom.

It’s because of the crowd that the guests have been so sublime. Everyone who has come and graced the S&G stage has not known what to expect and felt it initially daunting (there’s a lot of persuasion upfront 🤣) but they’ve all left floating on air, knowing they were carried by something special.

For the past few years George has handled all the press we’ve had, so if you’ve seen us in the paper, that was GA. He’s a successful journalist, a podcaster, a fanzine creator and he enjoys a mid priced wine (nothing over a tenner, mind) and his homegrown success has inevitably led him to the point where he’s ready to bring his ideas to the party.

Traditions will remain - Mr Cardboard Morrissey, the signs, badges, the meet-raffle, bands, DJs, special guests, Mozarmy fun.

I’ll say farewell now, but thanks to all special guests, S&G staff, helpers and huggers, you are epic! Thanks especially to Louise, who has put up with so much 🧨 and to Andy Barnett for his help.

Welcome, George - unite and take over 🕺🏽 Welcome Chris, the new raffle raconteur 🎟️

See you on the dance floor! (And after eleven years of leaving the stage to these words - this time I really mean it!)

Love

Julie

[sweetsimapples]

I was tagged by the lovely @damseljamsel This is my first time being tagged in one of these and I’m so excited! Thank you!  Jamsel posts awesome diary entries for her sim, Cher. If you haven’t seen them I definitely recommend checking them out!

I don’t know if this is what I’m supposed to do but I’m going to answer this for both my favourite sims since they are co-founders of my legacy. 

"Allow us to introduce ourselves, 'cause we’re new here!  We are Leo & Elsye Smith!”

Are you named after anyone?   Leo & Elsye are a variation of my grandparent's names which are Lionel & Edith. They lived on a farm too!

2.  When was the last time you cried?  Leo: When our rooster, Visery’s was taken by a fox!  Elsye: When my friend Sara gave me a beautiful homemade gift. I’m so lucky to have made such a thoughtful and kind friend in the short time we’ve been here. 

3.   Do you have any kids?  Leo: Not yet *winks*  Elsye: We would both love to be parents someday. 

4.  Do you use sarcasm?  Elsye: Never.  Leo: If I think it will get a laugh then sure. 

5.  What's the first thing you notice about people?  Elsye: Oh that’s a tricky one...their hair or maybe their clothes.  Leo: I usually notice if they need a hand.  Elsye: Like he means if they need help, not if they’re an amputee or anything.  Leo: Yeah, though I’d give an amputee an extra hand if I could.  Elsye: *laughs* I know you would, honey. 

6.  What's your eye color? Leo: Blue  Elsye: hazel

7.  Scary movies or happy endings?  Leo: Aw everyone loves a happy ending, right?  Elsye: Happy as long as it doesn’t make me cry! 

8.  Any special talents? Leo: probably gardening.  Elsye:  Actually, Leo’s talent is the gift of the gab.   Leo: Ok, true. Elsye’s talent is catching the stove on fire though so ... no talking your way outta that one.  Elsye: I’m getting better at cooking, I promise!  Leo: Nah she is improving a lot and her cross stitching is looking pretty nice too. 

9.  Where were you born?  Both: Windenburg  

10.  What are your hobbies?  Elsye: gardening, I love flowers!  Leo: I love gardening too and anything to do with animals. 

11.  Have any pets?  Leo: Oh yeah! We’ve got a super cool dog named Max and cows, chickens and a wild rabbit that likes to hop by.  Elsye: Max is the sweetest dog, he absolutely adores Leo. 

12.  What sports have you played?  Leo: I played some football in High School, I do believe that’s what made Elsye fall for me.  Elsye: No, it was because of your jokes! I’ve never had any interest in sports. 

13.  How tall are you?  Leo: I’m 7 foot and Else is a nice 5 something.  Elsye: Actually we’re the same height, 5′10. 

14.  Favorite school subject?  Leo: Agriculture. I’ve always wanted to be a farmer.  Elsye: I loved science! 

15.  Dream job?  Leo: Farming! I love that we have made the move to Henford-on-Bagley. Elsye: I love the farming life too! Cooking with homegrown ingredients is the best feeling. I would also love to own a little shop someday selling candy or treats to locals. That would be nice. 

This made me smile! I get really emotionally invested in my sims and their lives!

  I would like to tag @pixelbasil  @chickenome  @psychotic-sims  @desimetto and  @keiyad  

As always, no pressure to do this!

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Meghan Markle clapback! Jam is homegrown from their Montecito garden etc etc by u/RoohsMama

Meghan Markle clapback! Jam is “homegrown” from their Montecito garden, etc etc Original: https://ift.tt/hvVMypi https://ift.tt/DCNYdF0 like Meghan and her sugars are hopping mad that her friends’ insta posts have generated sales - for King Charles’ Highgrove preserves!“‘All the fruit came from Harry and Meghan's home garden in Montecito,' the source told The Daily Mail last night” - snidely, I might add. Meghan and her squad remind me of those mean girls in Hollywood movies who can’t stand to be upstaged. Guess what, Meghan? You’re upstaged. post link: https://ift.tt/4Xx9cvd author: RoohsMama submitted: April 19, 2024 at 05:15PM 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.

[nwbeerguide]

Releasing on their anniversary April 13th Bale Breaker Brewing mystifies your senses with "Crop Circles Hazy IPA".

Press Release Yakima, Wash … Bale Breaker Brewing Company, a brewery located on their family’s 4th generation hop farm in the beautiful Yakima Valley, is excited to announce their newest series of Hazy IPAs - the first in the 16oz series, Crop Circles Hazy IPA, is releasing on the brewery's 11th anniversary, April 13th.  "We wanted to have fun with this one," says brewery co-owner Meghann Quinn. "Our past 16oz series have been a little more serious and reflective of our family's legacy as 4th generation hop farmers, but this year, we just wanted to make a delicious beer with fun artwork and no deeper meaning." The brewery is leaning into the alien vibe on Saturday, April 13th at their 11th Anniversary Party in Yakima, turning "Field 41" into "Area 41". Customers can expect the release party to feature space vibes, live flash tattoos by Crave Ink, the season's first YOXI hard seltzer slushies, Seattle favorite Outsider BBQ serving up delicious food, and plenty of Crop Circles Hazy IPA flowing on tap. The beer will be available on Saturday, April 13 on draft and in cans at their Ballard taproom as well.  Crop Circles Hazy IPA will receive full distribution throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho the week of April 8th– find it using Bale Breaker’s online beer finder. Washington customers can also order their beer via their online store after launch. Crop Circles Hazy IPA 6.5% ABV Get ready to have your taste buds abducted with this new limited release beer, Crop Circles Hazy IPA. A bright, bold hazy featuring our homegrown Citra®, Mosaic®, and HBC 1019 hops, grown right here on Area 41 - er, we mean, Field 41. RELEASE DATE: SATURDAY 4/13 About Bale Breaker  Crafting fresh-off-the-farm brews from the middle of a hop field, Bale Breaker Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery located in the beautiful Yakima Valley. Backed by four generations of hop farming experience, Bale Breaker started in 2013, and has grown to become one of the largest independent craft breweries in Washington.  With a 30-barrel brewhouse at a 27,000 square foot facility, Bale Breaker crafts eight year-round canned beers, including the widely celebrated Topcutter IPA, and a diverse offering of seasonal beers in cans and on draft. They have two taprooms: one onsite at the Yakima brewery; and another in Seattle’s Ballard Brewing District. Bale Breaker beer can be found in retailers and bottleshops throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. For more information, visit www.balebreaker.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram. from Northwest Beer Guide - News - The Northwest Beer Guide https://bit.ly/49lX9Ic

[madmaxproductions]

Underdog of Connecticut

Documenting the life and times of DJ Mad Max.

“My drive and people doubting me are my biggest motivators. Fear is not trying and failing.” - Maxwell Coughlan

What does Connecticut mean to you?

“Connecticut means everything to me, it’s my home, where I was born and bred. I grew up in South Norwalk on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in Townhouse Gardens. South Norwalk shaped who I am today because of the authenticity. My community made me protective of other cultures and stand up against racism/injustice. It’s very challenging to be successful from my hood because of the obstacles many face such as the temptations of the street life, drug addiction, and not taking our education seriously or expressing our talents because of peer pressure. The crabs in a bucket mentality is huge and means people don’t want to see someone with potential make it out. When I look back on the past, it’s sad when you find out someone you knew went to jail or overdosed at a young age because you’re like damn they didn’t make it out.

“As a child, I attended private Catholic schools and my peers constantly looked down on me because of my environment. Many would say “you live in the hood” or “wigger.” Comments like that would hurt, but after a while I blocked them out because South Norwalk was home, and that’s all I knew. I grew up on Hip-Hop and R&B culture, throwback Mitchell & Ness jerseys, baggy clothes, and fresh sneakers. Personally, I couldn’t relate to Vineyard Vines, Docksiders, or the music my peers enjoyed. God truly blessed me with a strong support system from my mother. She pushed me from birth, which helped me receive an academic scholarship to St. John’s University in Queens, New York. If you don’t have a supportive family, then you really have to grind and bet on yourself.

“I feel like Connecticut doesn’t get much love because it’s a small state and the culture is untapped. Connecticut has quite a few success stories like: Chris Webby, Cassie, John Mayer, Calvin Murphy, Justin Long, and Meg Ryan. The biggest issue with my home state is the void of entertainment opportunities for creatives to thrive financially, plus many natives don’t support homegrown talent. The lack of support forces the dreamers to relocate to achieve their dreams.”

How do you plan to give back to Norwalk?

“My goal is to give back to people who are suffering from cancer and other illnesses. Donate money to cancer research at the Whittingham Cancer Center of Norwalk Hospital and educate individuals on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Even at a young age, you’re at risk which is unfortunate. Aside from healthcare, I would like to establish clothing drives as well as hosting seminars on becoming independent and dreaming beyond difficult circumstances.”

What city would you be from in Connecticut outside of Norwalk?

“If I had to choose another city besides Norwalk, it would be Hartford. Hartford has an extensive entertainment scene compared to other cities in Connecticut and provides greater opportunities for artists and journalists. They have notable venues such as: The Xfinity Theatre, The Webster, and Infinity Music Hall. The diverse population is a great draw plus the city is one of the most affordable areas in the state.”

How will you contribute your talents to “Hollywood?”

“I will be a breath of fresh air for Hollywood. My talent as an actor/entertainer stems from being original and paying homage to the legends.”

What was it like gaining a role on Power?

“It was amazing. I learned a lot about how a major television production is organized and operated. It was strict and time efficiency is key. I was featured in a club scene where a fight broke out between rapper Yung Bleu and another person. It was a dope preview of what will eventually become my future in television/film production.”

Dream role in a movie?

“This is tough for me because I feel like a role has to match the actor’s personality. I always wanted to have a lead role similar to Tony Montana in “Scarface” or Nino Brown from “New Jack City.” I would love to do something in makeup similar to Johnny Depp’s role in “Dark Shadows.” My agent believes I would make a great undercover cop as well. In the future, I could see myself starring in a potential biopic like Eminem’s “8 Mile” to showcase my life’s journey to success. I am open to many different roles, but those are a few roles that come to mind.”

Predict the future of the motion picture industry?

“I think you’re going to see more independent filmmakers thrive because of the lack of creativity from major production studios and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. I say it all the time, there’s no more classics! It’s rare for me to enjoy more than one film that comes out each year. The remakes are played out and there’s an absence of authenticity. Entertainers don’t receive what they are truly worth because executives at the top make the majority of the box office profits. The strike exposed that. I always valued going to the movie theaters when I was a kid and still do. Due to social media, I feel like the youth couldn’t care less about going to the theaters when they don’t have the attention span or can just watch the film on Peacock from their couch. It may be hard to receive the fruits of your labor right away when you’re an independent filmmaker, but if your material can get praised at film festivals and picked up by streaming services you will become successful.”

What draws you to the Western United States?

“That’s where the entertainment scene is thriving in my opinion. Las Vegas has a huge nightlife entertainment scene and helps artists build successful careers. It’s an affordable city to start out and grow. On the other hand, Los Angeles has been calling my name for years now. I’ve been enthralled by the west coast vibe since a kid. Hosting, acting, and other forms of entertainment opportunities are like non other in Los Angeles. I believe California is the place where I will live out my dreams.”

A word from Neno

"Bro I wish you nothing but the best you're a super talented person and I know you will be super successful in anything you put your energy into. God bless you.”

Define your definition of independence?

“My definition of independence is building your own foundation and having the creative freedom that will supply your desired lifestyle.”

Goals for 2024?

“Continuing to build a loyal team is a major goal this year. I’ve done everything myself and now that I’m working into the industry more, it’s time to put together a solid team that can help broker strategic business deals and partnerships. I’ve thought about getting a manager, but it has to be a trustworthy relationship. They say teamwork makes the dream work and I’m open to it."

“I want to develop my own independent film as well as a reality show. Even though music and sports are my main passions, film was my first love. I wanted to be a writer and director since childhood. I remember writing short stories in my journal that my mother bought me for Christmas in the third grade. I wrote to many legends in the industry asking for advice since the age of 10. Wes Craven, Francis Ford Coppola, and John Carpenter are a few people in the media industry that responded and it meant the world to me! As I got older, I changed as most people do and became more enthralled with music, which led to my beginnings of DJing and my current path now. Since I started acting, it’s sparked my love and creativity for film/television again. It would be dope to collaborate with independent actors and filmmakers because I believe that is where the industry is heading now. There are talented people out there not getting an opportunity due to nepotism and social media clout. That has to stop. While the industry isn’t talent-based like it once was, you can’t give up on your dreams. You have to create your own opportunities, and if I can be the one to give talented people their shot, that would be an honor.”

Thank You

“I would like to give a big thanks to everyone that has supported my journey so far, it’s only up from here!”

Photography captured October 2023

Developed by Mad Max Productions

[clatterbane]

The latest pickling experiment underway: dilly beans made with thawed-out commercial frozen green beans!

It seemed worth a try. You need to blanch fresh green beans for a few minutes anyway, to neutralize weird bean chemicals. Those are already blanched, and they stay crispy enough that it might work.

I haven't tried any from fresh green beans in years, and...that never turned out well before. Every batch I have made before molded on the top. Probably because the blanching does essentially pasteurize them, wiping out the natural lactobacteria hitching a ride on basically any kind of produce.

One way to get around this, I guess: mix things up!

I have certainly known people to pickle corn and beans separately, but never together like that. Guessing that probably is an extremely old combination, for some people. Throw in some squash, and you'd have some Three Sisters mixed pickles.

My Nana regularly did make dilly beans alongside the crocks of kraut and brine dill cucumbers. Guess she really liked that flavor profile too. No idea how she kept the beans from molding.

My original workaround thought was to try laying maybe a cabbage leaf in on top, as good as it is at fermenting itself. They're also great to help keep anything else from floating up to mold.

But, I decided to go one up this time, and fish a donor starter piece of leaf out of the last still-working batch! I had enough already out, so that jar got a couple of layers anyway. Plenty to go around.

I had expected the radish skins to leach a bunch of color, but not enough to turn the brine so pink!

That hopping active cabbage did almost immediately cloud up the top of the new brine. Taking that as a promising sign

Otherwise, that's got fairly standard dill pickle type seasonings. I did throw in another of those little frozen homegrown chiles, a big clove of garlic halved, and a pretty big sprig of fresh dill tucked down in the middle. Since I'm using dill from the store and don't have any seed heads, I also threw some dill seeds in the bottom with the peppercorns, mustard seeds, allspice, bay leaf, and a few of those nice Assam tea leaves for extra tannins to help keep things crispy.

Now in what I suppose is turning into the Pickle Drawer. I guess we'll see how this turns out. With any luck, it (a) won't go moldy, and (b) won't turn too strange a texture. I'll be counting this as a success if it does manage to meet those criteria. But, we'll see.

[ectonurites]

For me an industry plant is "someone who may or may not be that talented, but they’re still pushed to stardom because they have an entire company marketing/investing in them" and using this term on a fictional character is kinda tricky, but I do think it can be applied to Tim, since *on average* DC's writers/editors tend to showcase him in a more positive light compared to other Batman-related characters due to their bias towards him.

Personally speaking, I have seen way more writers claiming that Tim is their favorite Robin compared to the other Robins (although Dick is a close 2nd) Which explains why they're desperately trying to make his whole thing be "he's the best Robin!" by always making him appear smarter/more capable than the others and why he is rarely treated in a negative manners by the narrative compared to lets say Damian or Cassandra, who had awful storylines with the goal of demonizing them for no other reason than "someone in a high-position in the company hates their guts."

Well I mean, if we're using different definitions for the same term then obviously we're gonna come to different conclusions about it sgdfdhgfjhg

Like when I hear 'industry plant' I can not separate that from the idea that their connection to the larger entity backing them is kept secret/downplayed—that just feels like way too large a piece of what the term actually means to be tossed aside. Every one of the multiple definitions for the term that I came across while searching includes something about that aspect of it. To include a few:

Noun. industry plant (plural industry plants) (slang, derogatory) A music artist associated with a label but appearing as if they are independent and self-made. (slang, derogatory, by extension) A music artist whose popularity is perceived to be due to marketing efforts alone. (x)

An industry plant is an artist who has Major/Indie Label backing their movement but presents themselves as a "home grown start up" label to create a pseudo organic following. They act as if things are miraculously happening for them based on their talent (via blog coverage, media coverage, mtv playing their vids, etc.) The reality is a low risk/high reward situation for labels looking to build the next "new star" (x)

The term ‘industry plant’ is a musical term derived colloquially from hip-hop which is understood to mean, “an artist who has a major/indie label backing their movement but presents themselves as a ‘homegrown start-up’ to create the illusion of an organic following”. (x)

Even in the early days, there was some debate about how best to define an Industry Plant. On a fundamental level, it is an artist whose development takes place away from the public eye. While the major label downplays its influence, it quietly hones the artist into a star. While their rise to fame might appear to be organic, it’s actually been meticulously planned by a major label. As a result, Industry Plants are usually regarded as lacking authenticity. In the eyes of genuinely DIY artists, the Plant is merely a puppet whose success results from someone high up in the music industry ensuring they have the best connections. The key element here is deception. (x)

So the lack of an attempt to deceive/downplay a connection to a bigger entity/character is what makes me really really strongly disagree with the term applying to him.

I also think there’s something else to address in what you’re saying, which is maybe another reason we disagree here:

I think it's totally fair to say that nowadays there is a bias from people at DC towards Tim which makes them prioritize him over others. I'm 100% in agreement with you on that part, and it's annoying the way they try to push him as the 'best Robin' and downplay other characters like Damian and Cass.

But that became a problem after Tim had already become popular.

Like, he certainly had a dip in popularity for a while (largely bc of the New 52) and one could argue there’s been a sort of artificial push to bring him back to popularity in recent times… but when we're talking about the idea of him as an 'industry plant' I think we need to be looking specifically at when he first rose to popularity like 30 years ago. Because otherwise we’re not talking about how/why he became popular in the first place, we’re talking about the effects (and ups and downs) of his existing popularity.

When Tim was introduced and first rose to popularity in the late 80’s/early 90's.... that was years before Damian or Cass as we know them (i say this because technically the baby that would become Damian existed but like, that is not the same character) were introduced to even compare to the way you’re talking about.

At the time he was created, DC wanted to fill the Robin/‘Teen Bat Character’ spot after readers voted to kill Jason because they didn’t like him… Thus, Tim was designed to fit a specific niche—DC knew there would be an audience for a new Batman sidekick as long as they learned from what happened to Jason and created a character different from him that would be better received. Back then it's not that he was 'the young Batman character that people internally decided they like more than the others and thus push more' it's that he was 'the young Batman character'.

He had the opportunity to become a popular character because of being Batman’s new sidekick and managing to be more well received than Jason. Like, that's really it. But that was totally out in the open—he was by Batman's side before he got his chance to go solo, and promo for his solo made a point of bringing up Batman and featuring him. The connection to Batman was always incredibly clear and highlighted.

When we're trying to apply these slang terms from other industries to comics, Tim's situation is just far closer to 'nepo baby' than anything else. He had the opportunity to become popular because he was designed to fill a specific niche connected to an already popular character.

[jminter]

Vancouver Folk Music Festival returns for the 46th year with an impressive line up

The 46th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival returns this July 14-16 at Jericho Beach Park, thanks in no small part to audiences’ huge support and a groundswell of support. The 2023 edition of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival carries on the great legacy of musical excellence and eclectic discovery the annual summer tradition is renowned for bringing to the park.  From July 14-16, some of the world’s finest traditional and contemporary folk, world and roots music artists will spend the weekend bringing their works to friends, fans, appreciators of music and those who love the magic of this festival are invited to gather again to celebrate.

Board member and Programming Committee Chair, Fiona Black says: “This festival is a touchstone in the lives of so many of its far-reaching community: long-time and new audience members, out-of-town visitors who come year after year, volunteers, donors, sponsors, artists and so many more. I think this year everyone appreciates this iconic festival a little more. None of us take it for granted. For the VFMF, “folk music” is an inclusive term that encompasses as broad a range of roots-based music from around the world as you can imagine. The beauty of this festival is that it brings such an extensive range of artists together for three days of connecting with each other, inspiring unique collaborations and making lasting memories for the amazing gathering of folks that unite every year to celebrate life, community and music. That tradition continues this year with these artists, and we welcome everyone back to the park this summer to be part of this joyful experience.” Some 40 music acts from 10 countries, 6 states and 8 provinces will be found performing on the Festival’s three daytime stages and an evening stage over the summer  weekend. Additional artists will be announced shortly. The festival’s gates open at 3pm on Friday, July 14, and music runs on Saturday and Sunday, July 15 & 16 from 11am to 11pm. This year's lineup includes a number of acclaimed artists known to many in the festival’s audience, including: Arizona’s Tex-Mex outfit Calexico, women’s music icon Ferron, the multi-faceted Joachim Cooder, the award-winning William Prince, and two genuine music legends, Joe Henry and Albert Lee. Music from around the world takes centre stage at the festival as well, including a towering figure in the world of traditional Persian music, Kayhan Kalhor and, among other international visitors, three groups who live for the music of the dance. From Italy’s Kalàscima, teaming up at the festival with stunning singer, Andrea Ramolo comes the passion and energy of the tarantella; the Cláudio Rabeca Quartet with special guest, Serena Eades play forró, the popular dance music of Brazil, and; we’re exciting to share the remarkable collaboration in the Melón Jiménez & Lara Wong Flamenco-World Trio. From south of the border, a number of artists are slated to bring the sounds of the US to the Jericho stages. Including one of zydeco and Cajun music’s great accordionists, Cedric Watson, who performs with fiddler Jourdan Thibodeaux; East LA’s Las Cafeteras’ son jarocho tunes will sure to bring folks to their feet; and folk music treasure, Aoife O’Donovan, brings her beautiful voice. Emerging artists are also on the roster including the Berklee College vocal trio and internet sensations, Tiny Habits; a strong and clear voice for social justice, Tré Burt, and BC’s own hip hop adventurer, Ruby Singh and The Future Ancestors. Homegrown talents are well represented on this year’s roster, including Jim Byrnes, The High Bar Gang, Jill Barber, The Sojourners, Ceileigh Cardinal and Newfoundland’s Rum Ragged and many more. This year's Vancouver Folk Music Festival curates an event that offers a truly global spirit, broad and eclectic in range, with something for everyone of all ages. In addition to whetting your musical appetites, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival offers a wide range of ways to feed you soul with food and artisan vendors as well the festival prides itself on its environmental awareness, sustainability initiatives, and accessibility.  With over 30, 000 people expected to descend upon the park get your tickets soon. Find the full Festival line-up and information about performers, vendors and artists at thefestival.bc.ca https://youtu.be/G_tDW04H6P0 Read the full article

[autumnalwalker]

Empty Names - 5 - Rite of First Refusal

Author's Note: I'm not quite sure how I ended up writing two chapters in a row of "Two friends have dinner together and discuss future employment," but here we are. But also, worldbuilding! Finally getting to see that Crossherd place that's been mentioned a few times before now. Word Count: 3,293 Content Warning: Expressions of fear of potential injury and death while doing dangerous work. Reference to past injuries that required hospital visits, but not details.

<-Previous Chapter Masterpost Next Chapter->

People often speak of places having a life and personality of their own.  Traits molded by but independent of their inhabitants.  And like most living things, places can dream.  And like most dreams, strange and wonderful things can result from them being shared.  

Or at least that’s the most common theory on how Crossherd came to be: The collective wistful dream of every small town that could have been a metropolis if only history had gone a little differently.  

These days it’s the largest and most connected-to pocket dimension in North America.  A shortcut across the continent for those in the know.  A transfer hub for travelers using the anchor world to ease the hop between realities.  A petri dish for imported magic and homegrown science to cross-contaminate and give birth to innovations both yearned for and unexpected.  A forest of concrete and chrome and color paradoxically vaster and less populated than its “real world” counterparts whose mystique its dreaming parents sought to capture.  A dialectical mess of half the population running translation charms at all times yet still unable to agree on whether to pronounce it as “Cross-Herd” or “Cros-Sherd.”

And yet, if you know where to look, those small town roots still show through.  Turn down the right alleys and linger on the right empty streets and you just might find a place like ’s Diner.  The name on the sign in front of the possessive ’s changes every week and the cook’s accent changes every day, but the waitstaff always remembers your last visit.  Even if it’s their first day on the job.  No matter the crowd there’s always a cozy booth waiting for you.  Just don’t think too hard about the floor plan or the fact that no one’s actually seen the inside of the kitchen.  

The endemic paradox of deep-seated nostalgia and ever-shifting novelty made ’s Diner Eris’s favorite restaurant from the first time she walked in.  So of course it’s here she brings her friend and soon-to-be-coworker to celebrate.

“I still don’t get how you order the same thing every time we come here,” she says once the waiter is out of casual earshot.  “The menu’s literally different every time.”

“I get what I know I like,” Lacuna replies from across the table with a shrug.  “The consistency is nice.”

“That’s not what I - but you know what?  That too.  We’re supposed to be celebrating.  Live a little!  Working together with professionals, traveling, doing good, and not to mention practically a blank check on equipment requests.  This is gonna be awesome!”

Lacuna gives a soft chuckle at Eris’s enthusiastic gesticulating followed by a sigh.  “Yeah.  Yeah, you’re right.  Maybe I’ll get a slice of pie or something after for dessert.”

Eris grins wide.  “That’s the spirit!”  She says in what barely qualifies as an inside voice.  A moment passes and the grin fades.  She leans forward, elbows on the table.  “But seriously,” she continues, more softly now, “what’s bugging you sis?”

“I… What gave it away?”

“You’ve been sighing all afternoon.”

“Oh.  I have?  I hadn’t noticed.”

“Yeah, that’s a thing you do.  A lot.  Worlds’ worst Poker face.  It’s endearing, really.”

“Thanks?”

“You’re welcome.  But between that and the hoodie you may as well be wearing a neon sign saying ‘I’m stressed out.’  That thing’s like a security blanket for you.”

“Oh…”

“Hey, nothing to be ashamed of.  We’ve all got something.  And dressing like a cute meme is probably healthier than some of the stupid shit I’ve done.”

“Ugh, I never should have shown you that part of the Internet.”

“Too late.  I’m thoroughly corrupted with the Internet brain rot and it’s all your fault.  I hope you’re happy.”

“Heh.”  Lacuna touches her fingers to her forehead and shakes her head in mock exasperation.  “You’re the worst, you know that?”

“Would you have it any other way?’

“No.”

“But yeah, anyway,  if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s cool too.”

“Thanks.  I appreciate it.  It’s not that I don’t want to.  It’s just…”  Lacuna breaks off her approximation of eye contact as the sentence fades halfway through.

Eris waits in silence for her friend to find the words.  She’s learned the hard way that interjecting here to prompt Lacuna  would only be more frustrating.  Concern’s starting to creep in though.  For all her trying to keep things upbeat, it’s been a good while since the last time she saw Lacuna let something eat at her like this.  Not since that time she called her up in the middle of the night asking for a ride to Doc’s.

“Here you go ladies.”

Eris and Lacuna look up in unison to see the waiter’s returned.

“Tonight’s special for you,” he slides a plate of something fried, unidentified, and between two buns in front of Eris.  “And your usual,” he finishes as he places a pile of fries, cheese, and gravy in front of Lacuna.

Eris notices the waiter shiver as he walks away.  Poor guy must be new.  Implanted memories are always a trip.  She makes a mental note to leave an extra tip later.

“Is it just me,”  Lacuna finally speaks up, “or does this place listen in on people’s conversations and time the food to it?”

“Oh, it definitely does.”

“Creepy.”

“Eh, I kinda like it.”

“You would.”

“It’d be worse if it was a person, but it's a building, you know?”

“A psychic, debatably sentient, ideological construct of an archetype.”

“Someone’s been doing her research.”

“Enough to know it's creepy.”

“But you still come here.”

“The food’s good enough to outweigh the creep factor.”  Lacuna shoves a forkful of gravy-covered-cheese curd in her mouth for emphasis.

“And again I ask: How do you keep ordering that?  I don’t even see it on the menu most of the times we come here.”

“Uns un ostalja,” Lacuna says around another mouthful of food.  She swallows and tries again.  “I’m pretty sure this place runs on nostalgia and tailors the menus.”

“Nostalgia?  You’re not even Canadian.”

“Family trip as a kid.  Visited my aunt up in Vermont then drove across the border to Quebec with her.  Good times.”

“That the trans aunt you mentioned a while back?”

Lacuna nods.  “Somehow didn’t realize it until after I came out to my folks.  Turns out my mom having been through it all with her sister as teenagers makes the process a lot easier.  Also, I’m like sixty percent certain that she’s a witch of some kind.  Just not sure how to bring it up yet without risking a Masquerade breach.”

“That’s all cool, but how’s my getting something different every time fit in with your nostalgia theory?”

Lacuna shrugs.  “You were a trucker for a while, right?  First job after leaving home?  Maybe it’s got something to do with that.”

Eris eyes her sandwich, searching for hints of familiarity.  “Maybe…”

The rest of the meal continues in relative silence.  Mouths too full for talking.  Eris’s mind begins to wander as she tries to recall if she’s ever had a wild boar sandwich before.  Or maybe she just saw it on a menu somewhere and meant to get it during a next time that never happened.  That train of thought comes to a halt when she hears Lacuna’s fork clink down on the plate, finished.  She swallows her current mouthful and takes a sip of her drink.

“What was it that you told them?”  Lacuna finally breaks the silence.  Not so much looking at Eris as past her.  “Road I mean.  About me.”

Not where Eris thought that conversation was going to go when it inevitably came back around.  She rubs the back of her neck as she takes a moment to think.

“After he gave me the pitch for this team he’s putting together,” she begins, “we got to talking about who else was going to be on board, and he said he was still looking for a ���tech guy’ - finger quotes and all - and asked if I knew anyone.  I remembered you were in the market again, so I told him how the company you were working for on some sort of advanced AI thing got bought out by some big corp and you chose to walk instead of working for them.  Said you were the best programmer I know.”

“Eris, I’m the only programmer you know.”

“And while I’ve got no idea what you’re saying half the time you go on about it, I can tell that you do, and that you really care about what you’re working on.”

“What I was working on.”

“Sorry.  Sore spot?”

“Just a bit.  Also, ‘he’?”

“Road’s fluid about that.  And they were he at the time so, eh.” Eris shrugs.  “I try to handle that on an individual basis, and Road said something along the lines of ‘whatever fits in the moment’ when I asked them about it.

“Anyway, when I told them-slash-him about you he said that he remembered you.  They said some stuff about you having natural talent and being the kind of person to run towards problems to solve them instead of away to safety.”

“More like having dumb luck and being sleep deprived enough for my self-preservation tendencies to be shot.”

“You’re selling yourself short again.  Whatever it was you did, you made enough of an impression that I didn’t even have to say all that much before Road jumped all over the idea and said that he’d call you first chance he got.  Which was apparently before I even got home that night.”

The conversation hangs.

“Why do you ask?” Eris asks.

“Well...  I...  You know...  Haven’t actually accepted Road’s offer yet.”

“Oh?”  That one syllable is all Eris can think of as she wonders to herself if she should have seen this coming.

“Some of the stuff they were saying…  They were throwing out words like ‘hacker’ and ‘artificer’ and ‘magi-tech’.  Like they’d gotten the idea into their head that I was some kind of action movie cyberpunk net wizard and I’m just.  So.  Very.  Not.”

“And you told them that?”

“Tried to anyway.  Said that I don’t ‘hack’ things.  Just because I’m a programmer, that doesn’t mean I do cybersecurity.  You wouldn’t call a plumber to change the locks on your house.  You know?”

“The apartment maintenance guy does both.”

“Okay, bad analogy.  Also, Jim’s awesome enough to probably be an outlier.  But you get my point, right?”

“Sure.”

“But I’m not sure Road does.  Even after I tried to explain, they toned it down a bit but were still talking me up enough that I couldn’t help but feel they’re overestimating me.”  Lacuna lets out the longest sigh of the night.  “It would be wrong of me to jump into this unqualified.  Especially when…  well, I’ve seen how you wind up on nights I need to help you back to your apartment.  Or to Doc.”

“Well, I doubt you’d actually be in the field, and if you did end up there somehow, there’s no way Road or I would let anything happen to you.”

“But what if I let something happen to you?!”

Lacuna cringes at the volume of her own outburst and looks over her shoulder in embarrassment.  Thankfully, ’s Diner looks to have inserted a dozen or so empty booths between the two of them and the next party over at some point in the conversation.

Well, damn.  Eris has known her friend since Lacuna first came Backstage, and this is the first time she’s ever heard the slender woman raise her voice.

“Lacuna, look at me,” Eris says after recovering from her surprise enough to keep her voice low and even.  “That’s not going to happen.”

“You can’t know tha-”

“Trust me,” Eris cuts her off, “that’s not going to happen.  I know Road can be… like that… when they’re trying to psych people up, but I wouldn’t have recommended you if I thought they were going to ask anything of you that you weren’t capable of.  And even if you two have different ideas right now of where your strengths lie, I trust that you’ll find a way to help that you can do.  And yeah, sometimes we’ll get hurt, that’s part of the job, but it won’t be your fault.”

“I still don’t know if I should.”

“But you want to.”

Lacuna slumps back into the booth and sighs.  She doesn’t look up from her hands as she says, “Yes.  I wouldn’t be so torn up about it if I didn’t.  When… back when Road first brought me Backstage I told myself that this was going to be a new start.  That I was going to start doing something good and meaningful with my life.  And until our project got bought out, I really thought I was.  And then Road comes back into my life with this offer and it’s not at all the same thing, but it’s still something that could help people and make a difference.”

“Then do it.”

“But -”

“Do it.  Stop underestimating yourself and go out and take what you want and don’t look back.  Whatever comes of it is going to be better than spending your life looking back and asking ‘what if?’  That’s how I do things and just look and how I turned out.”  Eris flings her arms wide for emphasis.  When Lacuna looks up, she flexes and pulls an exaggerated grin.  Lacuna smiles faintly in return.

“Heh.  Fine.  I’ll believe in the you that believes in me.”

Eris laughs.  “That’s right you absolute nerd.  Show me that fighting spirit.”

“Oh, I’m the nerd, am I?  Says the woman who replied to the reference with a reference.”

“You started it.  Besides, you’re the one who made me watch that show in the first place.”

“Made you?  We watched the first two episodes together and then you called me up the next day telling me how you’d binged the whole thing after I left.”

“Fun times.”  Eris shrugs.  “Oh hey, the waiter’s coming back.  You want me to ask for the check?”

“Actually, I think I will get that pie.”

*******

As the two of them exit ’s Diner, Eris is pleased to see her friend in a better mood than when they arrived.  The walk back to their exit bridge is uneventful save for a brief stop to watch a one-man-band on a street corner.  The one man’s band in this case being five separate instruments floating in the air and seemingly playing themselves while the street mage conducts.  Eris shakes her head, bemused while Lacuna stares at the performance in delight.  One would think she’d be used to this sort of thing by now.  Then again, it’s not like she ever goes anywhere without Eris dragging her along except the shortest possible path between their apartment complex, the office she’d been working at, and the corner grocer closest to their usual bridge.

The rest of the walk back is spent in casual back and forth banter that quickly morphs into Lacuna rambling on about the book series she’s currently reading.  That suits Eris just fine; easier to keep an eye out for threats along the way.  Not that she actually expects any - it’s a safe part of town, just like anywhere else in Crossherd she ever brings Lacuna along with her to - but habits from a decade of monster hunting die hard.  And perhaps one or two alleyways they cut down aren’t ones she’d want her friend traversing alone.  Lacuna might have a couple inches of height on her, but Eris has literally seen her knocked over by a stiff breeze.  Meanwhile, a sharp glare from the woman who wrestles werewolves into submission as a hobby has proven a sufficient deterrent in the past to send any curious bottom-feeders scuttling back down the nearest storm drain.  Not that Lacuna’s ever noticed, bless her oblivious heart.

Like most bridges in and out of Crossherd, their exit point’s a subtle one, just as easy to miss as it is to head down on accident.  The only sign of its special status is a small stenciled image of a bridge graffitied onto the wall next to a fenced-in empty lot.  As the two of them pass through the open gate of the fence they drop their conversation, keep their eyes fixed on the ground, and let their minds drift until the late-night bustle of the city fades out.  When they look back up they’re standing in an empty lot behind a Huddle House, back in the mundane world a block from their apartment complex.

It’s Lacuna who breaks the silence of the last stretch of their return home, asking “By the way, what’s up with that guy who contacted us after Road’s offer asking for ‘equipment requests for this new business venture’?”

“Oh, Sullivan?”

“I think that’s what the email said, yeah.”

“I’ll admit, I’m not entirely sure what his deal is.  I only briefly met him the once on a job Road was helping me with.  Apparently the two of them go way back.  Got the impression he does a lot of info gathering for Road.  Like, he’s the reason they’ve got such an uncanny knack for showing up just when they're needed.”

“Huh… guess he’s probably one of the other people Road mentioned being on this team.”

“Either that or just bankrolling the whole operation.  From what I hear, he’s absolutely loaded.  Old money shit.”

“That would explain the blank check for a budget, I guess.”

The conversation pauses momentarily as they reach the apartment complex gate and enter the code to open it.

“Although,” Eris picks back up as they cross the lamplit parking lot to their building, “I have heard some weird rumors about him when I tried asking around.”

“What kind of weird?” Lacuna asks after a moment’s hesitation.

“The big one’s that he used to be some kind of hitman.  And that he married some bigwig sorceress to steal her secrets and no one’s heard from her since.”  Eris shrugs.  “Can’t say I put much stock in either of them.  Just doesn’t seem like the kind of guy Road would roll with, you know?”

“Yeah… I mean, you know Road better than I do, but… okay, it’s sort of embarrassing to say, but when they saved me and when they were showing me around Crossherd for the first time, they had this aura about them.  Like they were some hero who’d just stepped out of a story.”

Eris leans against the railing of the stairwell they’ve stopped in.  They’re on Lacuna’s floor now.

“You’re actually not the first to say that.  More than a few guys I know in the monster hunting gig were originally brought Backstage by Road, and they all came away with the same impression.  At least two of them have admitted to getting into the biz to try to copy them.”

“Really?  I wouldn’t have guessed,” Lacuna says.  She’s looking down at the floor again.  

“Yeah.  And I’ll admit I’ve gotten a similar vibe myself the few times I’ve worked with them.  Strict no killing rule.  Encouraging speeches.  Putting saving people above catching the monster.  All the classic hero stuff.”  Hard not to feel like a punch-happy brute in comparison, Eris refrains from adding.

“I see…” Lacuna says without looking up.  “Urgh, it’s late.  I should head to bed.  Thanks for taking me out tonight.  Had a good time.”  The last few sentences come out all in one breath before Lacuna takes her leave of the stairwell.

“No prob.  Sleep well.”  Eris gives a short wave before adding “And sis?”

Lacuna lingers in the door dividing stairwell and hall, looking back over her shoulder.

“Whatever you decide,” Eris says, “we’re still cool.”

<-Previous Chapter Masterpost Next Chapter->

[joinremax]

How Lakeview Development Supports Sustainable and Green Living

Want to live in a place that helps you go green while enjoying lakefront views? The new Lakeview Village in Mississauga offers just that. This exciting community by Lake Ontario blends modern homes with green spaces and eco-friendly features. Here’s how this neighborhood helps you live sustainably while having fun right by the water.

Making Our World Greener: Inside the Lakeview Development

As cities tackle climate change, smart urban planning leads the way. The popular Lakeview development shows how modern homes can help the planet. Set by Lake Ontario, this fresh approach makes green living simple and fun.

The growing waterfront project uses features that help both nature and people, like:

Streetlights powered by the sun

Buildings that save energy

Systems that collect rainwater

Local plants in gardens

Spots to charge electric cars

These thoughtful eco-friendly choices create a cleaner, healthier community where sustainable living becomes second nature.

Living Smart at Lakeview Village in Mississauga

Living here means using smart tech to help the planet. You can track your water and energy use with easy-to-use tools. Want to skip the car? Hop on your bike or take a walk on the many paths throughout the community.

Green Spaces That Bring People Together

The parks at Lakeview Village are fun spots where nature meets daily life. You’ll find walking trails, outdoor gyms, and open areas where people do yoga and join events. These green spots are great for:

Giving local birds and animals a home

Making the air fresh and clean

Meeting up with other residents

Growing fresh fruits and veggies

Residents can plant their own gardens and join monthly markets to sell homegrown foods and handmade items with their neighbors.

Building Tomorrow’s Community Today

The forward-thinking Lakeview development shows how we can live better while helping our planet. By mixing green tech with smart design and spaces for everyone, it creates a model for future communities. People who live here save money on utilities, breathe cleaner air, and stay close to nature — all while helping create a better future for their kids.

[backyardbunnynews]

Will Backyard Rabbits Improve Your Local Food Visibility? Discover the untapped potential of backyard rabbits in transforming your local food landscape. These furry companions aren't just adorable pets; they're powerful agents of sustainable living. Imagine lush gardens thriving on nutrient-rich rabbit droppings, a neighborhood buzzing with sustainability workshops and community events, and conversations sparking at farmers markets about homegrown produce. Backyard bunnies are more than just fluffy creatures – they're catalysts for a new era of local food visibility and engagement. Embrace the potential of these little ambassadors and hop on board the sustainable food movement today. https://backyardbunnynews.com/will-backyard-rabbits-improve-your-local-food-visibility/?feed_id=8968&_unique_id=672766fab582e

[nwbeerguide]

pFriem Family Brewers releases the latest Farm to Market beer, a West Coast-style IPA, for Zupan's Market.

image courtesy Zupan’s Markets

Press Release

PORTLAND, Ore… Zupan’s Markets has partnered with Hood River’s pFriem Family Brewers to release the 23rd Farm-to-Market beer in its private label line. This West Coast IPA is inspired by the Zupan’s Markets experience and offers aromas of tangerine, kiwi and berry with a dry, crisp finish.

“We’re thrilled to partner once again with pFriem Family Brewers for the 23rd installment of our popular Farm-to-Market series,” said Zupan’s Markets President and CEO Mike Zupan. “pFriem continues to be a leader in craft beer innovation, and we’re honored to offer this Northwest hop-inspired IPA as part of our Farm-to-Market program.”

The pFriem Family Brewers Farm-to-Market IPA is available at all three Zupan’s Markets locations in 16-ounce cans for $15.25 (four-pack) or $4.99 for a single can.

pFriem Family Brewers is known for artisanal beers influenced by the great brewers of Belgium while staying true to homegrown roots in the Pacific Northwest. 

“Sipping this tasty IPA is like wandering the aisles of Zupan’s – there’s crafty goodness at every turn,” said Josh Pfriem, Founder of pFriem Family Brewers. “We value our continued partnership with Zupan’s Markets, along with their ongoing commitment to bring customers exciting food and beverage choices from around the region.”

…

Farm-to-Market Beer Profile ABV: 6.7%

Tasting Notes: This beautiful IPA pours a bright golden color with intense aromatics of sweet oranges, tart pomelos and ripe kiwi. On the palate this beer dances brightly with hints of tropical fruit and bright hops, leaving you wanting another sip.

Pairing Notes: Citrus marinated pork chops, green papaya salad, Thai chicken larb with lime and fresh herbs and any bright, fresh and spicy flavors that will make your tastebuds sing!

About pFriem Family Brewers pFriem Family Brewers (pronounced “freem”) is a Northwest and Belgian-inspired 15-barrel brewery and tasting room in Hood River, OR. Founded in 2012 by Josh pFriem, Ken Whiteman and Rudy Kellner. Best known for artisanal beers influenced by the great brewers of Belgium while staying true to homegrown roots in the Pacific Northwest, pFriem craft brews are unmistakably unique in both flavor and balance. For more information visit www.pfriembeer.com, or onsite daily at 707 Portway Ave., Suite 101, Hood River, OR 97031.

About Zupan’s Markets  Founded by John Zupan in 1975, Zupan’s Markets is a local and family-owned gourmet market that has served Portland’s food-loving community for more than 40 years. Zupan’s Markets has three locations that focus on quality, selling everything from the best meats and wines to the freshest produce, baked goods, gourmet deli products, specialty foods, flowers and more, always emphasizing locally sourced, artisan products when possible. For more information, visit https://www.zupans.com. 

###

from Northwest Beer Guide - News - The Northwest Beer Guide https://bit.ly/3KLPISe

[musicindustry123]

How Mumbai's Music Industry Adapts to Changing Trends

The music industry in Mumbai is known for its adaptability, reflecting India’s dynamic cultural landscape and keeping pace with shifting global trends. From Bollywood’s dominance to the rise of indie and hip-hop scenes, Mumbai’s music industry continuously evolves to meet the changing preferences of its listeners. This adaptability is powered by technological advances, collaborations across genres, and the ability to incorporate both local and international influences seamlessly. This article explores how the music industry in Mumbai has transformed to keep up with changing times, embracing new sounds, platforms, and trends that make it a unique powerhouse of creativity and innovation.

1. The Rise of Hip-Hop and Gully Rap Culture

One of the most significant transformations in the music industry in Mumbai has been the explosive rise of hip-hop and "gully rap," a genre of rap born out of the city’s streets and expressive of the struggles and aspirations of its people. Artists like DIVINE and Naezy pioneered this style, bringing authentic stories and local slang to the mainstream. Their lyrics highlight the raw realities of urban life in Mumbai’s underprivileged areas, addressing issues like poverty, crime, and resilience.

The popularity of gully rap surged after the release of the Bollywood film Gully Boy, which featured Ranveer Singh portraying a character inspired by real-life Mumbai rappers. This movie catapulted hip-hop into the spotlight, allowing gully rap to resonate with audiences nationwide. As a result, rap is no longer an underground genre in Mumbai; it’s part of the mainstream and continues to shape Mumbai’s music landscape.

2. Impact of Streaming Platforms on the Music Landscape

Digital streaming platforms have been game-changers in the music industry in Mumbai. With platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Gaana, and JioSaavn, music is more accessible than ever before. These platforms allow users to discover new artists, genres, and even old Bollywood classics with just a click. For artists, streaming services offer a chance to reach a broader audience without the backing of a major label.

Indie artists and smaller genres now have a platform to share their music and grow their fanbase. Before the era of streaming, Bollywood songs were the only widely accessible music in India. Today, listeners have access to music from all over the world, as well as homegrown indie and regional artists. Streaming has also allowed the music industry in Mumbai to access data insights that help understand listener preferences, which is instrumental in developing targeted promotional campaigns and giving the audience what they want.

3. Social Media’s Role in Audience Engagement and Artist Growth

Social media has become indispensable for musicians in Mumbai, allowing them to build and engage with their audience directly. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have revolutionized how music is marketed and consumed. For instance, Instagram allows artists to share sneak peeks, personal moments, and collaborations, creating a personal connection with fans that was not previously possible.

YouTube has also been pivotal for emerging artists in Mumbai’s music scene. Many indie musicians upload their songs and music videos on YouTube, gaining fans and followers without a huge budget. Success stories like Shirley Setia and Armaan Malik demonstrate how YouTube and other social platforms can propel talented artists to stardom. TikTok, before its ban in India, was also a major player in popularizing songs through short videos, helping many artists go viral almost overnight.

4. The Blending of Genres: From Bollywood to Fusion Music

Mumbai’s music industry has long been known for Bollywood, but genre-blending has become increasingly common, attracting fans who crave innovation and creativity. Bollywood composers now regularly incorporate elements from various genres, including hip-hop, electronic, jazz, and even reggae. This shift reflects a generation that values diverse sounds and influences.

Fusion genres are gaining immense popularity, with artists blending Indian classical and folk music with Western styles. This combination results in a fresh, unique sound that reflects Mumbai’s multicultural essence. Notable artists like AR Rahman, Amit Trivedi, and Pritam frequently experiment with fusion music, bringing classical Indian sounds to contemporary audiences. For the indie scene, bands like Indian Ocean and The Raghu Dixit Project blend traditional Indian instruments with rock, jazz, and blues to create a sound that is distinctly Indian yet globally appealing.

This fusion trend is not only limited to Bollywood. Live music venues and festivals across Mumbai regularly feature fusion bands and artists, further enriching the diversity of the city’s music scene. Mumbai's audiences are open-minded and curious, making the city an ideal place for musicians to experiment and take risks.

5. Audience Evolution: Younger Listeners and Their Diverse Tastes

The tastes and preferences of Mumbai’s younger audience are also driving change in the music industry. This new generation is exposed to global music through streaming and social media, leading to more eclectic music tastes. Younger listeners are not just satisfied with Bollywood; they’re open to indie, electronic, regional, and even experimental genres.

Today’s audience is also more discerning, valuing authenticity and originality over formulaic hits. This has given rise to more unique and thought-provoking lyrics, with artists addressing a range of social, political, and personal themes. Fans are more vocal about the music they love, frequently sharing recommendations, engaging with artists on social media, and supporting local talent at live events. This shift in audience preferences has compelled the music industry in Mumbai to move beyond Bollywood hits and embrace a wider range of genres and artists.

6. Global Collaborations and Cross-Cultural Influences

The music industry in Mumbai has become more globally interconnected, with Indian artists increasingly collaborating with international musicians. These collaborations bring fresh perspectives to Mumbai’s music and introduce Indian sounds to a global audience. For example, Indian pop artist Ritviz collaborated with Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire, blending his signature Indian electronic sound with global beats. Similarly, Bollywood’s Rahat Fateh Ali Khan collaborated with British pop artist Ed Sheeran, creating a unique fusion that appealed to diverse audiences.

These collaborations highlight Mumbai’s growing presence on the global stage. They also benefit emerging artists who gain exposure through collaborations with established names in the international music scene. This trend of cross-cultural collaborations is expected to continue, further broadening the appeal of Mumbai’s music industry.

7. Embracing Change: Where is Mumbai’s Music Industry Headed?

As the music industry in Mumbai continues to embrace new trends and technologies, its future looks promising. The rise of indie music, digital streaming, social media, and genre-blending all indicate a shift towards a more inclusive and diverse music scene. Artists now have more freedom to create authentic work without having to conform to Bollywood’s formula. This evolving industry reflects Mumbai’s culture as a city that thrives on creativity, resilience, and inclusivity.

The post-COVID landscape also suggests a resurgence of live music, with audiences eager to reconnect through concerts, festivals, and intimate gigs. Hybrid events combining live performances with online streaming offer an expanded audience reach and a way for artists to connect with fans in innovative ways. As Mumbai’s music scene adapts to these changing dynamics, it is sure to remain a leading force in Indian music, showcasing a blend of traditional roots and contemporary influences.

Conclusion:

The music industry in Mumbai is constantly adapting to shifting trends, driven by a blend of technology, diverse genres, and evolving audience tastes. From the rise of gully rap and digital platforms to fusion music and global collaborations, Mumbai’s music scene showcases a dynamic mix of sounds and cultures. As the industry continues to evolve, it will remain a vibrant space where tradition and modernity coexist, shaping the future of Indian music. For music lovers and artists alike, the future of the music industry in Mumbai holds boundless opportunities and creativity.