#i guess jamie's more punk than anything

[abiiors]

overall getting more and more disappointed in the 75 space / people involved in it :( people writing off gabbriette’s starbucks post as being “uneducated” / going back to casually talking about her/reblogging her being like “omg so cunty 😍😍 she’s mother!” (she’s closer to 30 than closer to being a teenager, she’s far old enough to understand.) her deleting palestine comments/censoring them, the band/dirtyhit/jamie not doing anything about those two pest brothers groping UNDERAGE women at their shows, matty making his whole brand being an activist just to not talk about the very active genocide (guess it just doesn’t benefit him to talk about.) and the kanye west listening party gabbriette was casually posting about lol. it seems a lot of what happened in this last year would make him a bit softer and wanting to show people he’s not as bad as people say (the nazi comments / everything else.) all to go see kanye (something we wouldn’t have known about had she not casually been posting about it.) and not talking about something so obviously important after calling the malaysian government “fascist cunts” and saying rage against the machine isn’t actually punk for playing in malaysia, when he’s being as meek/embarrassingly about palestine as people in the fandom criticize (like taylor swift) and potentially losing jack as a friend.

idk i hope this made some sense, i’ve been looking at some of mattys old speeches/stories from 2021 and he seemed so much more confident, comfortable and happy. overall not as miserable seeming and a lot more open about his beliefs instead of playing up the weird truman black act he has going on.

i agree 100% with what you’re saying, i am honestly genuinely disappointed about everything that’s happened with the band recently — not talking about a genocide, extending special privileges to creeps (and like i’m also referring to the whole adam powell thing that happened ages ago) it’s just left a bad taste in my mouth because before i was so sad that shows are ending soon and now i just think the break might be a good idea honestly

[longeyelashedtragedy]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

i was faux-tagged by @prosopopeya ! it was fun reading your answers!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

147...damn

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

434,625

3. What fandoms do you write for?

right now i only write "Men's Football RPF," but occasionally i have the desire to write in my previous fandom, and then never do.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

these are all a song of ice and fire/game of thrones fics from way back in the day

drabbles of ice and fire (does what it says on the tin)

captivated (arya/jaqen AU)

ends and beginnings (arya/jaqen university AU)

egg baby (arya/jaqen, au)

arya saves the day (arya/jaqen, the same university AU)

...as you might have guessed, i was THEE arya/jaqen BNF back then, lol. (if you have familiarity with the characters please note these are all AUs because arya is aged up in order to ship her)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

i try, i really do! comments just get my executive function so snarled up and i wind up forgetting.

6. What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

that's most of them. how am i meant to choose? it's hard for me to get through the end of "i tore off the golden branch" without crying even to this day. "like a song on repeat, nothing has to end" has some nice sad transfer window angst, and as i've said, the ending to "visited upon the sons" really slaps. is it cheating to say mare liberum?--that ending only exists on my notes app, and it's more "tragic" than angsty i guess.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

oh, hmmm. i wanna say... "5.VII." poor dejan, always fearing he'll somehow be alone and unwanted, not good enough, and in that moment at the end of the fic those worries leave him.

“So...that means...these things...These things we do together...” Dejan waits impatiently.  No, he’ll be honest with himself.  He’s waiting nervously.  “We’re just going to have to keep doing them forever, right, brate?”  Dejan lets go of the breath he’s been holding and as he does, he feels those wings again, stretching out from his shoulder blades and shaking themselves out and giving him an incredible lightness. He could float away right now with Šime in his arms. They could float away together.   “Yes. I guess we will.”

8. Do you get hate on fics?

not really, i think they're so poorly written or strange that they just don't get much notice. i did see some "piquira" people back in the day talk about how my fic "soy loca con mi tigre," where shakira pegs piqué (RIP) with sergio watching them on video chat, was "weird." god, it must be painful to be that boring

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

unfortunately yes. i think it's usually pretty straightforward, but maybe not blunt enough to be grimy-hot. i don't like anything flowery. i wish i could write some m/f from time to time, but i have too many gender issues to feel comfortable writing about an AFAB body in a sexual sense most of the time. i am trying to channel this discomfort into writing a fic where jamie jamie jamie takes franko out clubbing to drown his sorrows and they pick up some Girls it is what it is!

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

i used to with my ex, we had an amazing AU where we crossed over a million different punk/metal/alternative musicians with some other rpf type people. oh, and not to forget--my first ever footyfics were crossovers, lol.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

i sure have! it was shameless as fuck. however, justice was served because my version got more kudos and comments, so i didn't even bother to start shit. as they say, she thought she ate!

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

yes, into russian, chinese, and persian. i have enough fics translated into russian on ficbook to have my own Author Page on there--a point of pride, because i love ficbook :)

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

yes, many with said ex! i would love to do a collab again--anyone? hit me up

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

idk? rakidrić, šejan, movren, xhakarteta RIP, JAVEY from AFI, cersei/jaime, aged up!arya/jaqen. am i missing anything?

15. What's a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

maybe my really long 'ivan rakitić coming of age' fic, where the running plot is "what is he doing to keep himself at barça even tho he's out of favor?" as you can see, it would be very outdated, plus it was never intended for a wide audience

16. What are your writing strengths?

not sure :/ characters' emotions, good use of repetition and parallelism (i like to think !) and good use of rhythm. i also think i write a good ending. my bff said "the way you describe love and loss is unlike anyone else" which i thought was nice!

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

plot, pacing. good porn, being unfiltered (like--my writing feels too repressed lol)

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

it has to make sense so it doesn't feel like tokenization or fetishization and can't be cheesy. the only time i think i was going to include actual multiple lines of dialogue in anther language (spanish), i then changed it so the fic didn't have it.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

the first like, true established fandom i wrote for was a song of ice and fire/game of thrones. before that i wrote a lot of bandfic, but mostly for bands and artists who didn't really have any fic or canons. like, 98% of it was private for just me and my ex, but a few of the pieces still exist online here and there.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

i cannot pick favorites. there's so many reasons why something would be a favorite. and i have 147 fics on ao3! plus many things that aren't. plus my unpublished bandfic was some of my best writing. i don't know!

i almost wonder if it's "his return: a story of ghosts" which...i initially wrote as a fic but then changed it up. it was a "magical realism" au based on my undergrad senior thesis, lol. (the most common remark about it in my advanced creative writing seminar was "uh, it sounds like you know what you're talking about.") it's so imperfect, but writing it was SO much fun, and i had a whole soundtrack i listened to as i wrote, and then a few years ago i did a massive edit of it which was even more fun and it's still very imperfect and can't figure out why. i also don't like daniel's name but i named him after 2 ppl i knew at the time and now i can't change it, lol.

OH AND ALSO: granit's first flashback chapter in dangerous AU!

if you write fic, you are tagged, but i definitely tag: @new-berry @protect-daniel-james @fanficburner @purefractals @colorsofmyseason @bsaka7 @arsenalgbt AND ANYONE ELSE I FORGOT please do it if you see it!!!

[greywindys]

Weeb anon returns :'D : Samurai Flamenco wedding suit cards in the spinoff app is probably the most infamous example, but there was also Lucky Star (wedding scenario official art), I think Hibike Euphonium and a couple more yuri anime I'm not caught up on (girls in wedding dresses are a lot more popular, wonder why :P ), Kaworu and Shinji from Evangelion had wedding ring merch and wedding outfits for merch… I'm sure there's more of it though, Japan is always on top of its subtle fanservice merch.

Interesting what you're saying though! Again, might just be me coping, but I honestly feel like Jamie and Damon could crack at some point, if only to spite bigots, since the world is pretty ugly these days and they're punks at heart (not the correct technical term… but y'kno what I mean lol). Kinda like MCR used to make out on stage just to piss off some crowds. I think their perspective has definitely shifted over the years, especially since they're getting a lot of younger LGBTQ fans and they know it. Damon's out there dancing with a pride flag, singing "are you tranz like me?" and kissing Seye in all fairness haha. But they probably don't want to undermine 20 years' worth of work and ending up getting asked about 2doc every interview or sideline Noodle and Russ even more than they already are. I dunno, don't wanna play a mind reader. TLDR: I'm not starry-eyed thinking it'll ever happen, but I see a small possibility of them being fine with it now more than ever, whereas there was no chance a few years ago.

Ahhh okay! I'm learning a lot here. I'm very basic with my anime/manga consumption and really haven't ventured out of the shonen genre....ever idt lol. Up until recently I had only read or watched 4 different series. Thanks for sharing what you know!

I guess I'm skeptical of them not because I think they're uncomfortable with the idea, but moreso because I don't think they care enough about really developing the lore and characters. I also don't think the ship aligns with either of their personal, for lack of a better word, "headcanons" about 2D and Murdoc. Of the two, I think Jamie would be more likely to go, "fuck it" and let the writers do whatever. He already kind of does this - since P4, it's been the writers who have been the source of all the 2Doc hints we get in interviews, tiktoks, etc. Afaik, Jamie isn't involved in that.

Damon, as far as I know, doesn't seem to have any semblence of shipper vision. During P5, he said in an interview that 2D was happy Murdoc was in jail, and wanted him to stay there forever haha. And most recently, if I remember correctly, he said he didn't care about the PR side of Gorillaz at all, which I assume included the character interviews, lore updates via social media etc.. All of which he is entitled to feel! But I bring them up to support my impression that he isn't a shipper, and I wouldn't expect him to go to bat for 2Doc if he wanted to make a statement. But I might have missed some things, so if you or anyone reading this knows of any counter-evidence, I'm open to hearing it.

And that's true that canon 2Doc would probably be the final nail in the coffin for Russel and Noodle's relevance. And that would be a bummer, ngl. I'd feel bad for my friends who are fans of them.

That all being said, I think you bring up some good point, and ia that Jamon are both supportive of the fans and LGBT community, and are comfortable being open about that. But does that overlap with their respective interpretations of 2D and Murdoc? Idk. I think if I was placing a bet, I'd put money on Jamie giving Noodle a girlfriend before any ship between the guys. But my main theory is that management will eventually see that 2Doc is popular and accepted by enough of the fandom that it will help them trend lol. But I'm also not expecting anything...but it's fun to conjecture about.

We'll see how this post has aged after 20 years 🤣

[emo-band-recommendations]

About!

Hello! I'm the owner of this account. You can call me Jamie, Jam, or Emo, or just the blog name. I use they/them pronouns. I have a special interest in emo music and made this blog to share it with others, and to educate other emos about some parts of the scene they might not be aware of!

Info about tags, asks, how I decide if something’s emo, and a quick explanation of the waves of emo below the cut!

Tags: #answered asks - This will be used for any submissions. If you submit an ask anonymously, this is the only tag indicating it was from your recommendation. If you don't submit anonymously I will also tag you at the end of the post. #not a band rec - For answering asks, posting updates, and anything else that is not a band recommendation

Ask Submissions: -If the band is obscure enough that it's going to be difficult to find information on it (i.e. if there isn't a wiki page or in-depth article that I can find with a quick google search), please include links to information! -If it's your personal band and there's not info about it online, indicate that it's yours, and then just give me as much information as you'd like included! -Feel free to submit corrections to posts, just give sources! -If the band you submit is not considered emo, I will most likely answer the ask saying as much. If you want to make a case and can give me a good amount of evidence from the community showing that it is considered emo, I might change my mind. -I will listen to at least a song or two of any band I post about!

How is it determined if a band is emo? Because emo is very subjective, there will always be minor disagreements. Typically, I use isthisbandemo, r/emo, wikipedia, and any news articles or forums I can find talking about it all together to determine what the general consensus on a band is.

If you disagree with something I say, please feel free to reply to a post or submit an ask about it! I will warn you that I do have some communication issues and I do best when things are very literal. Tone tags are appreciated if you're able to use them. If you're overly aggressive or refuse to give any reason other than "well I think they are" I will stop engaging with you. If you have good evidence to back something up, I may change my mind on the matter.

What are the waves of emo? Emo is divided up into 5 waves (or sometimes just 4, because we're still early in 5th wave and it's very difficult to draw a distinction). Here's a quick explanation of each of them: 1st wave - 1985-1991 - Emotional hardcore/emocore. These bands are all still hardcore punk, but with more focus on melody, and lyrics that tend to be about more personal topics ("i'm depressed and my girlfriend broke up with me" as opposed to punk's typical "capitalism fucking sucks you guys"). It originated in DC during the Revolution Summer. Most of the well known bands from this era are either from there or another part of the east coast. 2nd wave - 1992-2001 - Midwest emo, skramz, and the start of emo pop-punk. This is when we see people inspired by emocore start to get further into the melodic side of things while keeping true to the confessional lyrics, creating the subgenre of midwest emo (named for the fact that the scene started in Illinois and then spread around the midwest). We also see screamo, or skramz, develop in San Diego and later parts of the east coast, heavily inspired by emocore and hardcore. The difference is that skramz bands, you guessed it, use a vocal style referred to as screaming (because that's... basically what it is). We also see the start of emo pop-punk, whose origins are quite messy, but are considered part of the scene due to the confessional lyric style and similar punk influences. 3rd wave - 2002-2008 - Emo pop punk, post-hardcore, and metalcore influences - This is the scene most people think of when they hear 'emo'. The genre became mainstream, specifically the pop-punk side of things. It grew less confessional and poppier as bands tried to appeal to wider audiences. Post-hardcore, a more experimental form of hardcore punk, also became closely connected with the scene due to their shared origins and sound. Because metalcore was also getting popular around the same time, you can see its influence in many 3rd wave bands. This is where you'll see probably the most debate around which bands are and aren't emo. 4th wave - 2009-2018ish - Midwest emo revival. This is a straightforward one. Emo pop-punk fell out of mainstream and more people started to move their focus back towards midwest emo, creating a revival movement. While for the most part the sound is incredibly similar to that of 2nd wave's midwest emo, it should be noted that many of these bands had more pop than punk influences. 5th wave - 2018ish-now - all of the genres. This is a very difficult genre to define. Midwest emo is still very, very prevelant, and you can hear at least a little of it in most popular 5th wave bands. Screamo is also gaining traction again. There's a lot more external influence, as we see genres like shoegaze and bedroom pop start to get incorporated into some bands. Alright, that's all for now. If you actually read all of that, thank you! It took me an hour to type this all out.

[spushii]

wait i should learn more into my furry girl ocs all being part of different niche subsections of alternative subculture

[mjfsupremacy]

Epilogue. I guess it's your turn.

HEH HEH HEH

Okay, not actually. More like, I had writers block and this was what was blocking me so you get a tiny little epilogue for the sunshine series while I keep slugging through the next thing.

Part 9 (epilogue) Part 8

*MASTERLIST*

Moderate language. Mentions of Britt Bakers nose, i.e the most fragile thing in AEW since CM Punk left. (LOL I'M SORRY I'M A PUNK GIRLIE I SWEAR)

"And then I told him if I wanted to associate with poor’s, I would’ve fucked him mom when she begged me last night. He didn’t have much to say after that. Typical.” Max tuts, adjusting the AEW title around his waist. You grin, gazing at him as the pair of you walk to the curtain for his segment. He scowls at you when he notices. “What?”

“Nothing. I just like you.” You reply, voice filled with mirth.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“I guess you’re okay.” He admits, grabbing your hand and giving your fingers a gentle squeeze.

“Careful,” You warn, jokingly. “That almost sounded sentimental.”

“I love you.”

“Fuck, do I need to call an ambulance?”

“Hmm, maybe.” He pulls you in by your hand, pressing a kiss to the corner of your mouth. “Are you going to be here when I get back?” Max had another interview onstage with Renee Paquette, and you were more than willing to wait around and watch; his live interviews were your favourite; you could never guess what was going to spew from his putrid little mouth. You loved it.

“Yeah, I have something I want to talk to you about anyway so I can wait.” You reply, offering TK a little wave with the hand Max didn’t have in his grip.

“Talk to me now, I have time.”

“So, next week, you know how I’m challenging for the AEW women’s championship in the main event against Jamie Hayter?” You start, grabbing his other hand and swinging them between you both.

“I know that next week you’re winning the AEW women’s championship in the main event, yes.” He replies in a dry voice. You beam at his confidence in you. “You don’t need my help with that. I’m doing this whole no cheating thing right now, it’s kinda boring but I’m making so much money on merch, baby. The idiots love it.”

You laugh at the glee in his voice. “I don’t need you to help me win but maybe it would be super duper awesome and supportive if you were in my corner so that maybe Britt and Rebel don’t try anything?” he glares at your fluttering eyelashes before you’ve started talking but he softens the more you explain. “I just really want a fair shot and I think having you out there with me will even the playing field. I can beat her, I know I can, but I can’t beat all three of them.”

Max scoffs, “Yes you could, Sunshine, all you’d have to do is take the crutch of the one with the bad haircut and as for Britt, at this point a gentle gust of wind would break her nose. Bring a fan. But if you think you need someone in your corner next week, you know I’m there. I was just gonna sit back here and watch you win anyway; I’d prefer the front row seat.”

“So, you’ll come?” You are bouncing up and down, squeezing his hands tightly.

“I mean, I guess I can come, if I have too.” He confirms with a little smile.

“I have heard that about you.” You smirk.

“I will stab you in the eye with a fork and I’m so rich no one will do anything about it.”

“Before, during, or after coming?”

“I swear to God.”

“She does see all.”

“Do you understand, truly, how much I can’t stand that mouth of yours?”

“I’ve got an idea, yes. Do you understand, truly, that I’m really grateful you’re doing this for me and that I love you very, very much?”

“I’ve got an idea.”

When you win the title the next week in the main event, Max is in the ring the second the referees hand hits the mat for the third time. He’s pulling you up and lifting you up, burying his beaming smile into your belly. Someone passes you your brand-new belt while Max still has you hoisted in the air, and you raise it above your head to the roar of the crowd.

He slides your body down against his and you hold the belt between you on your forearms, tears filling your eyes. “Told ya.” He smirks, eyes also on the gold.

“You did. I’m really glad you were here, Max. Thank-you.”

He pulls away, pushing you gently towards the turnbuckle so you can celebrate with the audience. “Yeah, yeah, go soak up the adoration, Sunshine.”

You do. When it’s time to head back, the pair of you walk up the aisle and stop on the stage holding your belts aloft, you with a wide grin and Max with a devious smirk. Exactly how you pictured it.

[omegatheunknown]

AEW ALL OUT 2021

In which, not to get ahead of myself here, AEW puts on one of the best major wrestling shows in several years*, following the simple yet effective principle of giving the people what they want and sending everyone home happy and hungry for more.

- The incredibly 'Nitro' ending of the go-home Dynamite, which ran a little long on the 'heels beat everyone up and strut around like assholes almost too in desperate need of comeuppance' bit, short of garbage raining into the ring, did actually increase the heat for both promoted matches. Again, not rocket science, but executed perfectly. Catharsis was on the card, and catharsis went over several times Sunday. - Again, it's time to move on from the Casino theme, shuffling the deck and drawing suits really only detracted from the Battle Royale and seemingly always throws the production crew a curve. If they haven't hammered it by now, it's not going to happen. - Bit unhappy about the PAC/Andrade situation, but still over the moon with Andrade's promo style and Chavito being unhelpful at best.

*Pre-Card

Best Friends and Jurassic Express v The Hardy Family Office and The Hybrid 2 (**) - Not usually much to say about a loaded-up multiteam boondoggle, particularly when the show has yet to begin, but there were some moments worth sitting up to take notice -- there's a lot of talent in the ring, even if Jack Evans/Angelico aren't going to be more than mid-level mooks, little matchups with guys like Luchasaurus and Chuck Taylor are opportunities for innovative/weird spots. - Really this match exists to show-off Jungle Boy, play his theme song twice, and work him in to the aforementioned spots. I don't rightly know what Jungle Jack's ceiling is, but it sort of feels like he's plateauing, at least this version of himself. - Dan Lambert thing is interesting in that it doesn't seem to easily lead to something obvious... I mean who are Scorp and Ethan Page feuding with by proxy here, the concept of contemporary professional wrestling? Orange Cassidy and Kenny Omega?

*Main Card

Miro (C) v Eddie Kingston for the TNT Championship (***1/2) - 'Redeem Deez Nuts' T-shirts now available -- and made immediately redundant now that Miro has graciously redeemed Eddie's nuts. - Imagine looking at Miro, listening to Miro talk, and not really being able to figure out this guy is money. Also imagine panicking when he took a little while to find his groove in AEW. 'The Redeemer' is both entertaining and terrifying, and this match delivered heavily on the promise of two big fellas smacking together repeatedly. - Not only does Eddie's arsenal of power moves target Miro's neck, he may also be quite difficult to put in the full reclined camel clutch. Or he'd quite literally snap in half. It didn't come to that. - Weird heel turn by Bryce's attention span and the overall weirdness of the finish is all that kept this from being an excellent match, otherwise this was a tremendous curtain jerker and started off a dangerously fun run of pure adrenaline.

Jon Moxley v Satoshi Kojima (****) - The stakes were nebulous, the build was abrupt, yet this was a fantastic match and tremendous showcase for an underappreciated great who has been more or less just toiling for a bunch of years as a NJPW Dad. Same deal for Nagata, and I assume Tenzan is the same, Taka Michinoku even -- let's see it. - I have to assume the Cozy Lariat might have put Mox down, but Kojima otherwise played the hits (Koji Cutter, Piledriver, Brainbustaaaa) in a big way and Moxley once again proved he's become a very well-rounded wrestler who can match the intensity of just about any former IWGP champion. - More to the point-- KAZE NI NARE -- out of nowhere, too. Or out of nowhere to those not paying attention to the whereabouts of Minoru Suzuki (Right, he's just over here to fight Daniel Garcia and not Mox?), which I guess is to my own peril. Wow, though. Surprise Number 1- a complete surprise, and a welcome one. Let's have it.

Dr Britt Baker, DMD (C) v Kris Statlander for the AEW Women's Championship (****) - I love Kris and her best friends but she didn't have a prayer of dethroning Britt. She got one promo, several weeks ago, and though she did make a meal of Hayter and Rebel, the chase has been abrupt and not given much discussion, other than Mark Henry and whomever else acknowledging what is extremely evident -- Statlander is stronger than she looks, and she looks really strong. They've got her doing Cesaro-level 'modify your grip while holding your opponent's entire weight' nonsense, and it's amazing and scary. - Even with the reign of the good doctor not being credibly threatened, this was an excellent match that demonstrated the continued growth of the competitors in the women's division, even as it underlined that their storylines remain undercooked and perfunctory: Orange Cassidy whipping off his shades to urge Stat to get up was a beautiful moment. Britt's Panama Sunrise, also, too sweet. Statlander eating shit on her 451 and her pendulum moonsault was properly brutal, as were Britt's curb stomps. Really great match between these two. - Again, if they had bothered to write anything into this story, such as Kris' alien physiology making her immune to the lockjaw or something... actually, maybe that's a terrible idea. it's an idea. Undefeated challenger is defeated, on to the next for Dr Britt. Statlander and OC should tag against some of the boys.

The Young Bucks (C) v The Lucha Bros for the AEW World Tag Team Championship(*****+) - Can't not mention the insane entrance lined up for Fenix and Penta. It was bewildering, it was enchanting, it was aggressive, it was hype. It also reminded everybody how very badly we all wanted the Lucha Bros to win. The crowd has been setting new peaks with their volume since Punk showed up, but things were absolutely thunderous and ecstatic at the end of this match. Absolutely valid response. I yelled on the couch. - Nick's facial hair was a bigger tell that it was time for the Bucks to lose than anything else about this build. There's literally nowhere to go from there -- they've done the hair, the bandanas, the kicks, the animal print, the dangly earrings -- peak visual heel for this time and place. - Sincerely thought this was going to be too much of a full sprint spot-fest (the PWG-esque circle of trading blows is not really 'my thing') but even so they kept finding gears, and ramping and ramping and adding blood and brutality along the way. Even a bit of levity, with the tacked up sneaker, followed by the sincerity of Penta throwing himself in harm's way to protect his brother. Immense match, I think you'd have to go back to the Bucks vs the Addiction and MCMGs Ladder War to find a more thrilling tag team gimmick match. - If there's a single flaw to be found it's in the production not really settling on wide angles for simultaneous action at the start of the match. They figured it out. - Rey Fenix is the best luchador in the world.

Women's Casino Battle Royale (**1/2) - If nothing else, this really shows off that they now have a surplus of women's wrestlers who deserve time to hang in the ring. Unsurprisingly, the match picked right up when Thunder Rosa and then Jamie Hayter got to the ring, with additional props to Tay Conti and Jade Cargill, who was dumped rather unceremoniously given her general booking... - Okay, there was something else. Welcome to the rechristened Ruby Soho, who I've not seen a lot of outside of her extremely limited showcase in WWE, but she has so many friends in the back and in the industry and that's never for nothing, not in wrestling, anyway. Intrigued to see where she fits, and if the women ever get more than a match per show. - Touched on this in the preamble but this was the roughest part of the night for the home viewer, just weird decisions on cutting away from various entrances to show... nothing in particular happening. Also while the commitment to not-kayfabing the countdown clock is... admirable? It makes the pacing hinky. - Almost everyone who got new gear for tonight was looking like the white ranger -- Nyla, Swole, Bunny, someone I'm missing. Except Anna Jay, whose stars and glitter gear looked great.

MJF v Chris Jericho for the fate of Jericho's in-ring career (***) - MJF's unauthorized homage to Y2J's entrance: good. Fozzy's guitarist going off tempo with the instrumental Judas: weak, and would've been sad if this were the end for Jericho. Especially as the build has felt... muted, somehow. - Props to the commentary for continuing to feed the red herring of 'in AEW,' as a caveat to stipulation, it did feel like... a remote possibility that MJF would win. - Credit to Aubrey for calling this one down the middle and not putting the fix in for her friend Jericho, and I guess the Dusty finish will give MJF plenty to gripe about. - MJF wrestles with a pure heel style, holds, chops, blocks, and Jericho is fifty years old, so the level of wrestling on exhibition in these matches is well beside the point. It was solid to good, and I was fighting burn out from the first half of the card's level of excitement.

CM Punk v Darby Allin (***1/2) - There are a couple benefits of Darby as a dance partner, and it's certainly better than having to watch Punk return against like, QT Marshall or Shawn Spears. Darby does make everyone look slow, but he can also be tossed around, and this raises his profile even in defeat, obviously. That said, the stakes here are... meta, at best, in that we want to see the man look good and justify the hype. It's a weird thing to root for. He certainly does look good. (Tights? Tights!) - It's fun to theorize about actually booking an angle where Punk is rusty and needs to regain his prowess, and maybe he'll stumble, but maybe the most we get out of that angle is hitting the GTS a little close to the ropes so Darby falls right out of the ring, in what was, for me, the spot that justified this whole match. - Sting's proud step-dad aura is still a hell of a thing, I really liked the end of the match kudos all around. - Match was good, hard to hang my emotions on. I wasn't watching WWE when Punk was in WWE. Definitely feeding off the excitement of others a bit here, and he sure can talk. I'd like to see him cultivate a stable, certainly.

Paul Wight v QT Marshall (n/r) - ...popcorn match? QT Marshall is like the anti-Daniel Garcia in that while his prominence and presence is just as inexplicable, I don't want it to continue, and he doesn't justify it in the process. - Match was two minutes longer than it needed to be.

Kenny Omega (c) v Christian Cage for the AEW World Championship (****1/2) - Crowd was both burnt out and more or less waiting for the post-match angle. Which I get. it's hard to cruise to the main event and having seen all the different things we've already seen on this card, even a singular performer like Kenny Omega and a legend with whom he (surprisingly? fittingly?) has superb chemistry with in Christian Cage were up against it to deliver something memorable. - Context dependent, I can definitely see rating this below their Rampage match, especially since... I mean Christian isn't winning the AEW title off Kenny at this or probably any other event. - But! It was really good! It was very good! They really do match-up well, and Kenny's v-trigger has rarely looked more devastating than when it knocks Christian flat. Christian got cut open in a novel and initially worrying way, and Kenny followed up a botched moonsault with a harder version of the same move off a rail, but it was a really great match and it deserved more energy than was available.

Post-Show - Calling back and inverting the end of Dynamite, The Elite strut about the ring, slightly less stoked than they were on Wednesday, but with the Bucks smiling through the pain, and Jungle Boy once again subjected to violence for his misguided heroism, Kenny 'not much a promo' Omega lays down a killer line about nobody being fit to challenge him who isn't unavailable, already tired or dead. - The Undertaker ADAM COLE, BAY BAY as Surprise #3 was a minor stroke of brilliance, and a fun swerve because while it's exciting to see him, his appearance at this point in the narrative does nothing to solve the problem of The Elite beating up Christian and Jungle Boy. Unless he's still sore about his unsolved murder, which he isn't. Storytime with Adam Cole is back and it's beautiful. Also Jungle Boy died for this. - Okay. But. Just. Okay. CM Punk and Bryan Danielson are All Elite. They will hopefully tag together. Bryan will head to NJPW, almost definitely. Minoru Suzuki just walked in and started slugging on Mox. The Forbidden Door is wide open. Will Kenny Omega one day return to Wrestle Kingdom? There are so many possibilities and they are all very exciting. This was a phenomenal show and it didn't have Hangman Page, Cody Rhodes, FTR, Santana and Ortiz, PAC, Andrade, Sammy Guevara, Team Taz, and the rest.

- Wrestling is good, actually. Imagine watching like five hours of wrestling and loving wrestling at the end of it.

*What competes- WK11, Dominion 2018, 2019, DoN 2019, 2021.. All-In, probably. Wrestlemania 30. A few Takeovers. Kris Wolf's retirement show...

[brokenfoolishdreams]

Ley´s Release Corner Feb´22 - Girls Edition (1/2)

DISCLAIMER: This is all my personal opinion and most of the impressions are after first listening. So please keep in mind that my opinion can change and that I respect other opinions too. My rating is just based on how I like the song and has nothing to do with hate or anything else against an Artist. When I don't like a song it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the work and effort that are put into it.

Masterlist

Feel free to let me know what you think of the releases and now let's dive into Kpop:

Title: Love Me or Hate Me

Album: Love Me or Hate Me (Single)

Artist: Song Soowoo

Release: 2022.02.03

The girls start strong in february. It´s her debut and a pop-punk song, which I didn´t know I needed so much. The MV shows her in a lot of shots and follows the vibe of the song, but it´s not really spectacular.

Rating: 8/10 for Love Me or Hate Me (Instrumental: 8,5/10; Vocals: 7/10; Lyrics: 7/10; MV: 6/10; Overall Vibes: 8/10)

Title: Pity Party

Album: Pity Party (Single)

Artist: JAMIE

Release: 2022.02.03

It´s an all-english song and I wish I would like the chorus more because I love the prechorus so much. The lyrics are kinda encouraging like don´t care and grow stronger. The MV fits very well, tells a little story and shows her dancing beside masked dancers in front of a guy that gets drugged or something like that.

Rating: 7/10 for Pity Party (Instrumental: 7/10; Vocals: 7/10; Lyrics: 7/10; Cheography: 6/10; MV: 7/10; Overall Vibes: 7/10)

Title: Good Night

Album: Fighting (EP)

Artist: Rolling Quartz

Release: 2022.02.08

I don´t know why I always skipped this to the very late in the month to listen to this. I love it though. It´s a cover from Dreamcatcher´s "GOOD NIGHT" and I really like the original, so I was afraid I wouldn´t like it, but it´s pretty good. It's sounds a bit more heavier than the original. I´m a little bit disapointed though because they chose this as their title and not a song of their own and this fact made it a little bit hard to judge the song to be honest (I guess I lower their points by 1 because the points normallybelong to Dreamcatcher if you know what I mean).

The rest of the album consists of their own songs as far as I know. They all are in the rock genre and are pretty enjoyable. If you search for a Krock girl band, you have to check them out.

Rating: 7/10 for Good Night (Instrumental: 8/10; Vocals: 7/10; MV: 7/10; Overall Vibes: 8/10)

Rating: 7,5/10 for Fighting because I love the rock sound of this group but I felt like something outstanding is missing

Title: Bop Bop

Album: The 1st Mini Album ´Beam of Prism` (EP)

Artist: VIVIZ

Release: 2022.02.09

It´s the re-debut for half of GFRIEND and I think it´s okay for what it is. If you like typical girl group songs, I guess you will like this one too. Unfortunately, I get annoyed by this too easily. The MV show them being on stage posing for photoshootings, etc. which is kinda nice because somehow I get some inception or breaking the 4th wall vibes.

"Intro." is an intro, like you know, nothing to say here. "Fiesta" is happy pop but simply feels like it doesn't end. The song "Tweet Tweet" has a more experimental style, which isn't that bad. "Lemonade" has a retro vibe but again feels like it wouldn't ever end. "Love You Like" is more upbeating and "Mirror" feels almost encouraging.

Rating: 6/10 for Bop Bop (Instrumental: 5/10; Vocals: 7/10; Lyrics: /10; Cheography: 6/10; MV: 6/10; Overall Vibes: 6/10)

Rating: 6/10 for Beam of Prism because I didn't really like the retro songs, but I really liked their vocals

Title: INVU

Album: INVU (Album)

Artist: TAEYEON (Girls Generation)

Release: 2022.02.14

This MV is so beautiful and magical, having some ancient warrior vibes. I love her vocals, but I didn´t really like the chorus of the song and that's so sad because I like the rest of it so much. The lyrics are like the title says about being envious about someone and that there is no way to overshadow that person.

But the whole album has so many beautiful songs. "Some Nights" and "Heart" are beautiful ballads that surprisingly aren't too boring for me and they really showcase her vocals. "Set Myself On Fire" feels more heavier for a ballad and "Toddler" goes more in the electro pop direction. "Siren" is a calm pop song while "Cold as Hell" kinda follow the guitar sound with some kind of bass and electronic sounds from the last month pre-released single "Can't Control Myself" (Review here). "Timeless" is also a pop song that gives off little retro vibes. "No Love Again" and "You Better Not" feel like a "typical" pop song and "Weekend" is the most different with a funky sound but it's from 2021 so I won't include it in the rating which is good because it would have bring it down. Lastly, "Ending Credits" also goes for the rock pop sound. There were a lot of songs that are very good. Espescially "Set myself on Fire", "Siren", "Cold as hell" and "Timeless" went straight into my playlists but also the other did after listening to it fully. The only songs that actually didn´t were "INVU", "Toddler" and "Weekend".

Rating: 6,5/10 for INVU (Instrumental: 6/10; Vocals: 8/10; Lyrics: 6/10; Cheography: 7/10; MV: 8/10; Overall Vibes: 6/10)

Rating: 8/10 for the album because I love the most songs

Title: Dilemma

Album: HORN (Album)

Artist: Apink

Release: 2022.02.14

Again a song where I love the pre-chorus and the chorus is bringing it all down for me. The MV is beautiful but not really rememberable for me.

The whole album has pretty solid songs but they all didn´t flash me. "HOLY MOLY" goes for the retro style, while "My oh My" is a pop ballade which was okay. "Nothing" is a song sung by a sub unit has a tiny hip-hop vibe but I didn´t even really liked this one I mean it´s not bad but I have no need to listen to it ever again. "Red Carpet" is also a sub unit song and has a little bit more alternative sound which was better than I expected.. "Single Rider" has a more groovy like sound and "Free & Love goes for a happy beat but I don´t like both songs to be honest. "Just Like This" is more calm and "Trip" is a pop ballade and somehow the first track I actually could enjoy on this album. "Dream" is definitely my favorite of the album. "Thank You" is the last track with a happy sound that was pre realeased last year.

Rating: 6/10 for Dilemma (Instrumental: 5,5/10; Vocals: 7/10; Lyrics: 6/10; Cheography: /10; MV: 6/10; Overall Vibes: /10)

Rating: 6/10 for HORN because they are solid song but I just don´t like the retro style in this one

Title: Heart Rider

Album: Heart Rider (Single)

Artist: Rocking doll

Release: 2022.02.14

I didn´t know them, and just judging by their group name, I thought we got another k-rock band but not at all. I still search for the rocking in the rocking doll. They just went for the cute concept in every part and for my personal liking it was just way too much. They look really pretty though and even when the MV was way too pink for me, they had a few good elements.

Rating: 4,5/10 for Heart Rider (Instrumental: 4/10; Vocals: 6/10; Rap: 5/10; Cheography: 6/10; MV: 5/10; Overall Vibes: 4/10)

Title: Every Other

Album: Dear Hope (Single)

Artist: Rumble-G

Release: 2022.02.16

This song felt a little bit repetetive to be honest and like it was held back to it´s full potential. Lyricwise it´s a good message that you don´t want to stick with someone who isn´t good for you and you´re better off alone. The MV is pretty but not really special, but to be fair, my standards have gotten very high lately since I watched way more MVs these days.

I just want to point out that we got 4 versions of the song "Every Other" in this album and 2 of " Dear Hope" in this single. But we always ignore instrumental versions so we do it again. "Dear Hope" feels very lightly and happy and promises that everything will be good. The accoustic version of "Every other" was better than the normal version because their vocals show off way better. I see the potential and I hope they will get a chance to show it in the future.

Rating: 6/10 for Every Other (Instrumental: 6/10; Vocals: 6/10; Rap: 6/10; Lyrics: 6,5/10; Cheography: 6/10; MV: 6/10; Overall Vibes: 6/10)

Rating: 6,5/10 for Dear Hope because I think they have way more potential

Title: Dying Every Second (with. Han Yo Han)

Album: Dying Every Second (Single)

Artist: YongYong, Han Yo Han

Release: 2022.02.16

Does this count? Idk Idc I like it too much to not count it in. The MV has it´s own vibe and even when it´s not the most beautiful thing I´ve ever seen, it has it own charms like the song too. I fell in love with her vocals right away and loved the whole song so much that I have to check out her whole dicography very soon.

Rating: 8/10 for Dying Every Second (Instrumental: 7/10; Vocals: 8/10; Rap: 8/10; MV: 6/10; Overall Vibes: 8/10)

Title: RUN2U

Album: YOUNG-LUV.COM (EP)

Artist: STAYC

Release: 2022.02.21

I know the retro sound is a trend right now and sometimes it really adds something but I think in this case, it was´t the best choice for me. It´s again the chorus who felt underwhelming but maybe it´s a grower we'll see. The MV has really beautiful elements and although it looks like the definition of Valentine's Day I found myself enjoying it. The lyrics fit the Valentine's Day too. They´re about love and it framed the feeling that nothing can stop you from getting to the person you love.

"SAME SAME" is a pop song that really stays in my head, although I don´t want it too. The vibey "247" and "YOUNG LUV" a rock pop song were pretty good. "BUTTERFLY" was more in the R&B style and "I WANT U BABY" is a powerful ballad. Both are solid songs.

Rating: 6/10 for RUN2U (Instrumental: 5/10; Vocals: 7,5/10; Rap: 7/10; Lyrics: 6,5/10; Cheography: 6,5/10; MV: 6,5/10; Overall Vibes: 6/10)

Rating: 7,5/10 for YOUNG-LUV.COM because I fall in love with their youthful energy, which was really unexpected for me

[strongsassysexysloane]

Take me for a Ride, Jack... 5

I don’t really care how bad this may be, im having too much fun writing it. 

. . . . 

It's mid morning when you regret not getting a coffee to go at the Diner but it seems Jack may be able to read your mind as she brings you a cup of coffee. Hopefully she hasn't been able to read any of your other thoughts.

"I was just thinking I needed one of these. Thank you." You smile at her sweetly, thankfully her body blocks the team from seeing your stupid grin.

Jack smile brightens. "You're welcome."

"Hey, what about us?" Nick whines from behind Jack causing her to turn and step aside so you can see everyone. Ellie has a big grin directed at you. McGee looked between you and Jack then went back to his work. Nick however is looking at Jack like a sad puppy who wants attention.

"Don't know your coffee order Nick." She gives him a one shoulder shrug sipping her coffee.

"It's called a phone, Jack."

"Oh yeah, forgot we all have one of those. I can't remember, when was the last time you got me a coffee?" You smirk at the sarcasm dripping from her tone. Both Ellie and McGee scoff as Jack has clearly got the upper hand over Nick.

"Last..." He scratches the back of his neck.

"Never." Jack raises her eyebrow and Nick slumps in his chair in defeat.

"Fine, when did Y/N last buy you a coffee then?" He turns his gaze to you and you sip your coffee innocently looking at your computer trying to not pay attention to them.

"She'd tried to this morning." And with that drop of too much information she exits stage left and you are left with curious eyes all on you again.

"Great." You mumble into your cup, suddenly the nice gesture of coffee isn't worth the questions that are about to start.

Thankfully Gibbs re-enters the bullpen and the questions on everyone's tongue disappear and they dive back into work.

It is around lunch time when McGee finds a lead, Petty Officer had a few recent callers from a different burner phone each month. Turns out his older brother owed some bad people some money and when he couldn't pay up he went to his family for money, parents cut him off a few months ago so he slunk to his good little brother for help. Petty Officer didn't have much but he gave his brother what he could but that stopped as well a month ago. Brother confessed to his debt, threats from the cartel boss about hurting his family and he guessed they went through with it after he couldn't find the cash.

The team stakeout the cartel hangouts over the next few days, finally when Friday rolls around you get audio of one of the higher members talking about whacking a petty officer and going after his mum next if the punk brother doesn't pay up. The team arrest him and the case is thankfully closed right in time for the weekend.

"Netflix and chill please and thank you." You sigh, collecting your things and turning off your desk lamp as everyone else packs up as well.

"Jack coming over?" Nick smirks.

"Wow, no." You laugh nervously, you hadn't even thought about asking her, should you? You'd talked a few times but it was mainly case related and you'd brought her coffee yesterday as pay back for her's the other day. "Sister is ordering pizza as we speak and I am picking up icecream on the way home. Much never sister bonding time." You all say your goodbyes and all head home.

The night relaxing, exactly what you needed after a stakeout and dealing with cartel men. Jamie has the pizza ready for when you get home and you shove the icecream in the freezer for later then get changed into comfy clothes. You watch one of your favourite movies and now you're half way through Jamie's favourite when you feel your phone vibrate.

'Sorry I missed you tonight, wanted to ask if you wanted to join me on a ride this weekend?' Sent by Jack. You grin from ear to ear.

"That message from Jack?" Jamie slips down into the couch beside you and bumps your elbow.

You shove her off, trying to hide your smile. "Maybe." Your fingers ghost over your mobile, trying to figure out how to reply.

"Love how your hesitate every time she texts you." Jamie laughs, sipping on her glass of wine and you just poke your tongue at her. "Child."

You don't reply to your sister. Instead turning your attention back to your phone. You take a bite of your pizza before replying.

'I would love to. When and Where?'

You place your phone beside you on the arm of the couch and pick up your wine glass, side eyeing your phone every few seconds waiting for the reply. It takes a few minutes and you get up to refill your glass of wine and finish your slice when your phone dings from the couch. You run to it as Jamie goes to take it. "Don't you dare!" You snatch it right before she can reach it.

"Just teasing. Someones fiesty."

You walk back into the kitchen with your phone and jump up onto the kitchen counter, your back facing the lounge room.

'How about Sunday? Any places you want to visit? I don't mind where we go.' You smile at her open to suggestion reply, clearly she was more interested in the company than the ride.

'Sunday works for me. Gives me Saturday to do all the fun chores that my sister always forgets to do. Did I mention I want to move out? You pick the destination as you're the one driving.' You slip off the counter, sipping your wine, you walk back to the couch.

"What you two talking about? I need some juicy love life gossip." Jamie giggled, looking from you to the tv.

Shrugging slightly. "We are making plans to go for a ride on Sunday." You look over at your sister who is waggling her eyebrows at you. "Shut up."

"Never. When will I get to meet her?"

"Hopefully not soon." You tease and Jamie just laughs.

"I'll be around on Sunday." She suggests and you just drop your head back onto the couch, just a tad dramatically.

"No. I'll be out the door before you know she's here." Leaning forward to sip your wine before placing it back down on the coffee table.

Jamie smiles at you less teasingly now. Her tone softer. "You really do like her."

"Jams, I've never felt like this before. I just don't want anything to mess this up before it's even started." You sigh and turn your face back to the movie.

Your phone vibrates again. 'But if you move out, you'll still do the chores so what's the difference? Let me have a think, do you enjoy going to markets?'

You snort at yourself thinking of a reply.

"What?" Jamie pokes your shoulder.

"Nothing."

'The difference is, there'd be no one poking me every few minutes wanting to know what we're texting about. I enjoy a good market.'

"You're making fun of me in your texting, aren't you?" You fake a shock expression at Jamie and laugh. "I knew it."

"Only a little. Just how you don't like doing chores."

"Hey you hate them as much as me!" She flicks your shoulder. "There's your girlfriend again." She smirks, hearing the vibrations of your phone.

'Your poker face needs work then, sweetheart.' You almost spurt out your wine reading the last word. You hear Jamie laugh and show her the text.

"Nawwww." She coo's at Jack's text. "She likes you." You feel the phone vibrate in your hand and snap back to see Jack sent another text.

'I hope you didn't spit your wine out over that.' You drop your head back onto the couch. She knows you too well already.

'You've either got cameras in my apartment or I'm just too predictable.' You send, her reply doesnt come for a few minutes, the wait makes you squirm. The movie lost in the background.

'Only in the bedroom and livinig room, kidding! I may have had a few scotchs before sending this.'

You laugh. 'I like tipsy Jack.' Really you just like everything, Jack.

'I'm glad. What are you and Jamie up to?' You love that she continues the conversation on past the initial weekend planning, although you realise you actually hadn't made a time.

'Netflix, wine, pizza and soon to be icecream. What are you up to?'

The movie you've been ignoring comes to an end and Jamie picks another one as you didn't reply to her offer. To which you now regret.

'Slightly jealous. I'm reading and drinking the Scotch I mentioned.'

Now you have a picture of Jack with her reading glasses sitting on the tip of her nose, licking the tip of her tongue and turning the page in her book and the visual makes you close your eyes and hold in a very quiet moan.

'I'll invite you over next time. Although your night sounds just as inviting'

It takes a while for Jack to send a reply through and you get fidgety thinking you may have over stepped the welcome mat but she started the flirt texting. You're onto your fourth very full glass of wine and half way through your ice cream when you hear your phone vibrate again.

'Sorry, fell asleep. I'd like that. I'll bring the Scotch and pizza.' You don't have the heart to tell her you arent a big Scotch drinker but she could twist your arm into starting.

'Done deal. I won't keep you up, good night J.' You spent way too long trying to figure out the right way to finish the text and you think making a nickname for Jack is good enough.

'Good night, sweetheart, I'm sure I'll dream about you and that's not just the drunk me talking.' This time you did slightly spit out your wine.

"I'm glad she makes you happy but please don't waste my wine." Jamie shakes her head.

'I can't wait for sober J to read this conversation. G'Night, Sweety.' You regret send Sweety but can't think of a better one because you really want to type babe but feel it's way too soon.

There's no reply from Jack and you spend the next hour finishing the awful movie Jamie picked out and eating icecream. It's past midnight when you hit the rack, falling asleep or passing out when your head hits the pillow and you don't wake to your phone vibrating a few times early in the morning. You wake up when there's a crash of glasses in the kitchen at around 0800.

"What?!" You groan and walk down the hall, checking on Jamie.

"Sorry, wanted a glass from the dish rack but all of them wanted to come with it. Don't give me that look, my head hurts as much as yours does." She whines, filling up a glass with water and chucking two aspirin in her mouth followed by the water.

"Hand me one will ya." She does as you instructed and you groan sitting down at the counter. "We should know better." You rest your head on the counter and moan.

"It's always fun at the time. You heard from Jack  this morning?" At the sound of her name, you jump up too fast and hold your head in response to the banging going on because of your quick movement but you head back to your bedroom to find your phone.

'Oh. My. God.' Reads the first text, you are already laughing.

'I really should learn to put a harder pin on my phone for when drunk me thinks its good to over step boundaries.'

'Hope we are still on for Sunday?:)' They were all sent within a minute of each other around 0600.

You flop down on your stomach onto your bed and think of a reply. 'You were quite entertaining last night. No boundaries were over stepped, just pushed further along. What time you picking me up tomorrow? You aren't getting out of it that easily, J. :)'

It takes a minute but she replies. 'I've only been in embarrassment waiting for your reply for the past two hours. I see you've made my name even shorter, I like it. How does 0800 sound?'

'Well I didn't pass out as early as someone did. I needed my beauty sleep but it didn't help this killer head ache, you're lucky I didn't wake up to your texts, I'm no morning girl, J. 0800 is great.'

'Someones feisty in the mornings. Sweetheart, you don't need beauty sleep, come on. 0800 it is.' You can see her eye roll and laugh.

You don't reply, letting her wait a little, you wake yourself up with a nice hot shower and get changed into track pants and a sloppy joe before replying to Jack. 'Alright, feisty me has gone. What are you up to today?' You wonder back into the kitchen to find Jamie has left, conveniently in time for when you decide to do chores. First you need a coffee though.

. . . . 

And there it is. Apologies for any mistakes. I enjoy the writing not so much the editing. However this will be the last chapter for a while as I’m going to the US tomorrow for a quick holiday :D NCIS Paleyfest here I come

[fanficsaremylifeline]

Fandom: Captain America (Movies) Relationships: Rebecca Barnes Proctor & Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes & Rebecca Barnes Proctor & Steve Rogers Summary:

Rebecca's calm life in the retirement home is turned upside down once more, when all of a sudden Steve, who to her recollection died about seventy years ago, stands in her room, here to make good on a promise he made to her 81 years ago.

***

“Ms Barnes?” After a soft knock, Nurse Moira poked her head through Rebecca's door.

“What is it, dear?” Rebecca looked over at the woman and put her book down.

“You have a visitor.”

“Oh, I thought Adelaide wasn't going to come around this week.”

“No, Ms Barnes, there is a charming young man here, who'd like to see you”, she smiled.

Huh. Rebecca was pretty sure that the only charming young men she knew, worked here at the nursing home. Well, except for Philip, her godson. Though it would be very unlikely for him to visit on a Wednesday morning.

Nurse Moira turned around, probably to the man in question and gestured at Becca's door.

“Thanks.” He stepped into the room. And Rebecca could not believe her eyes. “Hey Becca.”

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me!” With what was probably a new record time for her, she jumped up from her chair and dashed straight towards the visitor. “Steve? Is that really...” She cupped his face, pulled him a little down, so she could properly inspect who she was pretty sure was a) dead and b) six years older than her, even though the man standing in front of her didn't look older than thirty. “Is that really you?”

“Yeah”, he nodded with the widest smile. “I know it's weird, but it's me.”

“Oh my!” She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “I missed you, so, so much!”

“I missed you, too.” Steve held her tight, leaning down just enough so he could rest his head on hers, while she pressed her face against his chest. It may have been 70 or so years, but Becca basked in the familiarity of his touch, his scent and her eyes filled with tears.

“Becca, you know damn well that if you start crying, so will I”, Steve laughed, but he was clearly choked up.

“Tough”, she sniffled, “that's just what you get for coming back from the dead.”

“Fair enough.”

Becca leaned back and looked up at him. “Steven Grant Rogers, you always were an impossible punk.”

“I think that's a compliment.”

“Yeah.” Without missing a beat, she boxed against his arm, as hard as she could.

“Ouch!”, he cried out, his face falling into offended confusion. “What was that for?”

“For dying after promising me you'll come back home! And this”, she hit his other arm, “is for you and Bucky needing to be self-sacrificing idiots!”

“I'm so sorry, I really am! We...”

“I'M NOT DONE YET! This”, she boxed against his stomach, “is for taking seventy years to come back.”

“Are you done?”

“One more. How DARE you look that good at 94?”

“That isn't actually my fault”, he defended himself, his arms raised up defensively.

Not that she had actually managed to hurt him; as fit as she was for her age, she was an old woman in her late eighties and Steve was – apparently still – in the prime of his life. Whatever Howard Stark had cooked up back then, it still worked wonders.

“Well, how about you and me go for a nice cup of coffee and you can tell me what the hell happened.”

Becca grabbed her purse and her walking stick and linked her free arm with Steve's.

“I don't suppose Mildred's is still open?”

“'Fraid not. But the one here in the park is just as good.”

After Steve had finished his story, Rebecca could only stare at him. “So, let me get this straight: you didn't actually die, you were just... deep-frozen?”

“Something like that. Don't ask me how they defrosted me, though; Bucky was always the science nerd.”

“Yeah... They didn't thaw my brother out with you by any chance?”

His smile dropped and he shook his head. “I'm sorry.”

“Not your fault.” She put on a smile, but Steve saw how much it pained her, and he got it. He felt just the same. Not exactly the same, to him all that was only weeks ago, not seventy years... “Besides”, she added, “I have made my peace with that. With losing you as well. Thank you, for that very unnecessary heartbreak.”

“I can't tell you how sorry I am.”

“I know you are. I know my Stevie after all”, she added with a grin.

“Yeah, you do. So, tell me about your life! What happened to you? Did you become a lawyer?”

“I did”, she smiled proudly, “eventually. I didn't get into a lawschool until '61, I tell you, it was a lot of work and fights to get through. But it was definitely worth it, I was one hell of an attorney.”

“I don't have any doubts, because you, my dear, are fierce.”

“You have no idea...”

“Oh, yeah I do”, Steve laughed, “I have been on the receiving end of your fierceness plenty of times.” She could get down right scary; almost as much as Steve's Mum.

“Well, you deserved it every time. I didn't get married. I don't feel like I missed out on anything though, all my nieces and god-children were enough for me.”

“Oh wow. Lizzie, Ruth... Are they...”

“No”, she shook her head, “you missed Lizzie by about four years. Ruthie, she… she got sick, just after the war ended.”

“Oh.” Steve’s heart just broke into a million pieces. The Barnes-girls were like sisters to him, and knowing he’d really never see the two again really hurt.

“Yeah... Lizzie did the whole housewife thing though, got married, has two amazing daughters, Jamie and Stephanie. Can you guess after whom they are named?”

“She named her daughters after us?” Oh, Steve felt his eyes starting to sting and filling with tears. This was so bizarre yet so amazing!

“Yeah. Jamie is 57, works in Seattle at an advertising firm, she has two sons, Richard and Martin, wonderful boys, both in college at the moment, Richard doing IT and Martin becoming a teacher. Stephanie is 55, lives in Washington, she studied politics and works actually in the White House. Being named after Captain America probably helped with that”, she giggled. “Anyways, she has a daughter, Melissa, who works at a publishers, and she is going to be married soon!”

“Wow.” So much information about so many people Steve should know but didn't. “I can't wait to meet them”, he just smiled.

“They'll be ecstatic to meet you too, Uncle Steve.”

He couldn't keep the snorted laugh in anymore. “Uncle Steve?” That sounded somehow weirdly nice, yet all kinds of wrong at the same time.

“That's you, believe it or not.”

“It is not the most improbable thing that happened in the last few weeks… So, Lizzie’s husband… Do I know him?”

“You do”, she grinned, “on the third of April 1954, she became Mrs George Davis.”

“No.” Steve’s jaw hit the ground. “She married little Georgie? Seriously?” Little Georgie… He lived just down the street, was a year or two under Steve and Buck, and an adorable fellow. “Buck always assumed that he was gay.”

“He wasn’t. Steve, you should have seen him, he was one hell of a guy, protective of Lizzie and the girls like you wouldn’t believe and such a wonderful father… A guy like George I might have married”, she smiled. “But that guy, who promised to make an honest woman out of me if we both were still single by 35 just had to dive an airplane into the ocean, didn't he?”

“Oh my”, Steve laughed, “I did promise that, didn’t I?” After he caught his breath again, he smiled over at her. “Well, I can’t help but notice that we are both over 35 and still single…”

“Steven Grant Rogers.” He braced himself for being cussed at for such a ridiculous comment, when she raised her eyebrow. “If you think that this counts as a proposal you are sorely mistaken.”

“Wait, what?” His eyes went big as he tried to comprehend what she just insinuated.

“I might be a badass lawyer, but I’m also a romantic woman”, she continued, keeping their eyes locked. “So, until you go down on one knee, don’t expect me to even consider it.”

Huh. “Alright…” He cleared his throat and took a deep breath before smiling at her again. “Duly noted.”

“Good. Then, how about you escort me back to the home? I should be back for lunch.”

“Of course, my lady.” Steve got up and held his arm out to her and together they walked back through the garden to the home’s dining room, where they were greeted by some curious looks.

“My, Rebecca, who’s your friend?”, one lady asked, looking Steve up and down, which only made him a tad uncomfortable.

“That’s Steve”, she explained as he helped her into her chair. “You could say I’ve known him my whole life.”

Steve came by almost every day. He was offered a small apartment in Brooklyn, only a few streets from where she lived; it was like back when they were young. With the difference, that them meeting went over a lot calmer and quieter; they mostly spend their days out in the park or in her room, talking, catching up.

“So, my dear”, Steve smiled, as they sat out on a bench on lovely Tuesday afternoon, enjoying the sun beaming down on them, “I have made a promise to you, a long time ago. And well, I am a man of my word.” He searched his pocket and got up, before kneeling in front of her and holding out a simple silver band with a red gem on top.

Rebecca was speechless, which was quite the unusual feeling for her, as Steve took her hand. “Rebecca Dorothy Barnes, would you do me the honours of becoming Mrs Rebecca Dorothy Rogers?”

“Steve… you punk are impossible”, she smiled and nodded happily. “Yes, I would love for you to become Steven Grant Barnes.”

With a laugh he put the perfectly fitting ring on her finger and nuzzled into an embrace.

“If Bucky could see us now”, she laughed, “he’d be so jealous!” She grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently. “I always assumed he’d be the one Barnes you’d put a ring on.”

“Yeah…” Steve softly stroked her hand. “Wait.” He stilled suddenly, turning to her with wide eyes. “You… You knew?”

“Of course I do”, she chuckled, “I know my two idiots after all.” She looked up at him with an encouraging smile. “I don’t know when it happened that your friendship turned into more, and I also don’t know if you two ever were together, but know that I support you.”

“Thanks”, he sighed, clearly relieved.

“At least you're gonne be a Barnes, one way or another.”

“Well, first of all, I was under the impression I became an official Barnes the day Buck adopted me in... fourth grade I think it was. But more importantly, you are not some leftover, because I can't marry your brother. I could not wish for a more awesome, fierce and beautiful bride.”

“Aw, Stevie”, she cooed and, to keep from blushing too much, she cupped his face and put a soft kiss on his forehead.

“Besides, you'll look so much more lovely in a wedding dress than Buck ever could.”

The visits became a little unregularly, once Steve became an Avenger. And here Rebecca was, thinking her worrying about that boy had ended with the second world war, but no, he was back in uniform, fighting aliens and so many more unimaginable things.

“You are my fiancé”, she scolded him, “I do not appreciate you putting me through this torture again!”

“I know. It’s my job, though.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Softly, she stroked the bruise on his face.

“At least we won.” Steve offered her a shy smile and damnit, that just got her every time. “Fine. You are forgiven.”

“Phew…”, he grinned. “And I promise to do my best to always come back, alright?”

“You made that promise once before”, she reminded him of the last time they had seen each other, back in the forties.

“And I kept it, didn't I?” With a skew grin he tried to mask the pain of his memories, but Rebecca knew him well enough to see right through it.

“This time 'round I might not have 70 years to wait for you anymore”, she just shrugged and went to inspect his bruised and battered arm. Sure, some of this country's best doctors had taken care of Steve, but she was damned if she didn't properly look after her fiancé.

“Never say nev... OUCH!”, he cried out, when she got a little too close to a particularly bad bruise.

“Wuss”, she just scoffed. It did look extremely painful though. Whatever those Alien-robots had been doing to the Avengers, it was effective. As aware as she had been all these years, in this moment she knew it more so than ever before: she couldn't live through mourning him a second time. “Promise me something else”, she asked of him.

“Anything.”

“Promise me not to die again. I don't care if you come back again or not, but do not make me mourn you, not one more damn time. You got that?”

“Yes”, he nodded and squeezed her hands. “I promise.”

“Hey Becca.” Steve put his head through her door and smiled at his fiancée.

“Steve”, she sighed and waved him over. “Come on in.”

He stayed in the door. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Are you finally marrying me?” Not that they were ever going to be married. It was however one of the greatest joys of her last few years and months, to have their fun with a promise they had long outlived.

“Better.” He opened the door wider and pulled someone in after him. All she could see at first was long, brown hair; when it was brushed away, her heart skipped a beat. “Wha…”

“Hey Becca”, her brother smiled and after a push from Steve, he walked over to her bed.

“James? Is that…” With all the strength she had left, she pushed herself up, Bucky holding out a hand, helping her sit up.

“Yeah”, he smiled and immediately the siblings were in a tight hug. “I missed you.”

“I missed you more”, she cried, holding tight onto him out of fear he’d disappear again if she let go.

Eventually, they did break apart; his face just as tearstained as hers; from the corner of her eye she saw Steve wiping the tears off his cheek.

“I love you, James.”

“I love you more.” He took her hands in his and softly kissed them; until his eye fell on the ring on her finger. “Hold up.” He straightened himself out and looked from Becca to Steve, back to his sister. “Steve told me about Ruthie, about Lizzie, but he never mentioned you being married… Please tell me you didn’t marry Arthur Thompson.”

Yup, there was her big brother, protective of Becca and the guys courting her. “I did not”, she clarified and smiled at Steve. “So, you didn’t tell him. Interesting.”

“Didn't tell me what?”

Steve turned a few shades redder and cautiously walked over, sitting himself besides the siblings. “Well...”

Buck held his hand up to shush Steve and turned back to Becca, who couldn't suppress the wide grin any more. “Seriously?”

“Back in the day he promised to marry me if I were still single by 35. I was still single by 88, so, being a man of his word, he proposed to me.”

After a short moment of silence, James just burst out laughing. Until now, Becca hadn't even realized how much she'd missed that sound and was happier than she ever thought she could be that she got to hear it again. “You guys are impossible... Did you get married?”

“Unfortunately, Captain America over there was too busy saving the world”, she commented with a roll of her eyes.

“Of course...”, he scoffed before turning towards Steve. “You better do right by my sister or I'll go all Winter Soldier on your pretty behind.”

“What's Winter Soldier?”

The way both Steve and James' faces dropped at her question, left her to be sure that it was nothing good.

“Nothing you need to worry about”, Steve smiled. “But Buck is right. I made a promise that I'd like to keep. What do you say, doll?”

“That I am not the one to make an honest man of you”, she answered with a warm smile. Steve and Bucky always were the dream team. And now that fate had given them a second chance, it was not on her to stand in their way.

“You met somebody else?” With wide eyes, James turned back to Steve. “Are you cheating on my little sister?”

“Of course not!”, he defended himself, “I would never!”

“I should hope so”, Buck grumbled and turned back to Becca. He took her hands back in his and softly brushed his thumb over her fingers. “I know that punk over there didn't ask me, but you two would have my blessing.”

“Aw, sweetheart!”, Becca smiled and pulled him into a hug. “And you two have mine”, she whispered into his ear. By the way he jumped, it was probably not what he had expected to hear from her.

“What?”, he choked out with wide, unblinking eyes.

“You heard me.”

“Heard what?” A little confused, Steve looked between the two of them.

“Nothing”, Bucky was quick to answer, blushing just enough for Becca to know that the past eighty years didn't change too much.

She smiled up at Bucky. “Just hurry, I'd like to see you get it sorted out and I don't think I have too much time left.”

“No, please don't say that! I just came back!” The insinuation about Buck and Steve's relationship was forgotten, as the tears filled his eyes once more.

“It's only fair. I had to mourn you, too.”

“Yeah, but you're stronger than me and Stevie put together...”

“Now that's some bull”, she laughed and took Steve's hand in her free one. “You two are gonna be fine. You got each other and that got you through the war, it'll get you through living in the 21st century.” Looking from one of her boys to the other, both with tears in their eyes, she got emotional as well. “Stop crying, you two. You know that when you cry, I'll start as well.”

“Sorry”, Steve chuckled and wiped his eyes.

“I'm not”, Buck made clear. “I love my pain-in-the-ass little sister.”

“I should hope so”, Becca laughed and, with the boys' help, she lay back in her bed. All that excitement was just a little too much, and maybe a nap would do her good.

She wasn't afraid to close her eyes, either; her two boys barely left her side and whenever she woke up they sat next to her. With Steve's celebrity status, nobody made too many problems for them ignoring all rules of visitation hours. They even stopped going on missions and as little as she would want to keep either from doing their jobs, Becca was eternally grateful not having to worry about them.

It took about two weeks for the boys to get their heads out of their asses and finally admit to the other how they felt and walked into her room hand in hand.

“Please tell me this means what I hope it means”, she sighed.

“Yeah, it does”, Buck grinned, his cheeks flushing a bit and looking over at Steve who had the biggest heart eyes.

“Finally”, Becca smiled. “Now I can die in peace.”

[puckinghell]

Before He Cheats | Jamie Benn Drabble

I was listening to this song and wanted to write something so here’s a little unedited drabble!

--

“You know this is like, really illegal, right?”

Jamie is walking a few steps behind you, a frown etched deep into his face. He looks like he kinda wants to physically restrain you, but is worried about the consequences.

Good. If he tries, you might have to kick him in the nuts, best friend or not.

“Yep,” you sing song, quickening your pace. You hear Jamie’s footsteps speed up behind you.

The parking lot is dark. It’s past midnight so there’s not a lot of cars there, but the darkness makes it hard to find the car you’re looking for.

“It’s a black pick up truck,” you tell Jamie, even though the chances of him being of any genuine help are slim to none. “Why must it be a black pick up? Does the entirety of Texas have a black pick up?”

“This is such a stupid idea,” Jamie says disapprovingly, and he’s using his captain voice.

He only ever uses his captain voice when he’s speaking to misbehaving rookies, a misbehaving Tyler, or, well, a misbehaving you, apparently. It’s a voice laced with stern disappointment, fatherly but criticizing.

You turn around, so suddenly Jamie nearly slams into you. He jumps back and stumbles, his hands finding your hips to steady himself.

Normally, his touch would throw you off. Normally, it would remind you of how in love you are with him and how wrong it is of you to be in a relationship with someone else.

Tonight, though, you barely notice. Besides, you’re not in a relationship anymore.

At least, you don’t think so.

“When you find out your boyfriend has been sleeping with some bleached-blonde tramp behind your back, you can give me another speech about stupid ideas. Until then, let me make my own dumb decisions.”

Jamie’s eyes soften a bit and he holds up his hands in surrender.

“Fine,” he grumbles.

It’s not like he can really say anything; when you told him about your boyfriend’s - ex boyfriend’s? - affair, he got so angry he nearly punched a hole in his kitchen wall.

“You deserve so much better than that punk,” he’d yelled, “I told you he wasn’t good enough for you, I said so!”

He had said so, but the thing is, Jamie never thought anyone was good enough for you, so you stopped paying attention to his opinion a long time ago.

Turns out this time he was right.

“So,” he says now, looking around the empty car park. “Do you know his license plate?”

A small smile tugs at the corner of your lips as you shake your head, then point to the black truck just to your right.

“No, but only an idiot would have a bumper sticker like that.”

Everything’s bigger in Texas the sticker reads, and Jamie snickers.

“Except his brain,” he mumbles.

You take your key out of your purse and glance at your best friend.

He looks uncomfortable, standing with his hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans, hiding his chin in his hoodie.

“You don’t have to be here, Jam,” you tell him softly. “This isn’t your battle.”

He raises an eyebrow, looks almost offended. “All your battles are my battles,” he says stubbornly.

“But there’s a lot more on the line for you. If I get caught, a police officer will tell me off and I have to pay some damages. If you get caught, the entirety of Dallas will know by tomorrow morning.”

You can already see the headlines: Dallas Stars’ captain arrested for property damage.

It won’t even matter that he’s just standing there. The fact that he didn’t stop you would be all they needed. He might even lose his position as captain.

“You gotta go, Jamie,” you tell him, more sternly now. You might be in the mood to ruin your own life but you don’t wanna ruin his in the process.

Jamie crosses his arms now; there’s determination in his eyes, the kind that you usually only see on the ice.

“You’re my best friend,” he says. “If you’re going to jail, I’m going to jail with you.”

You’ve known Jamie for a long time. Long enough to know that if he says he’s staying, there’s no army that could remove him.

And so you curl your fingers around your keys, think about your cheating boyfriend making out with some trampy blonde inside a dingy bar, and dig the key into the black paint.

The noise sounds like a scream in the quiet air of the night, and it feels exhilarating to do something like this; hurting his car will hurt your boyfriend more than anything else ever could and it brings you a warped sense of peace, knowing that.

You’re hurting. It’s only fair that he’s hurting too.

“Tires,” says Jamie, snapping you out of your trance, and when you look confused he points down to the floor. “Don’t slash all four, if it’s only one he can’t make an insurance claim against it.”

“You evil genius,” you whisper, and pull the valve out, snapping it in two and dropping it on the floor.

You guess he’s inside right now, looking at his drunk mistress and thinking he’s gonna get lucky. Boy, will his night turn around when he gets to his car.

“Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats,” you say to no one in particular, admiring your work.

But the next time he cheats, it won’t be on you. That, you’ve just made sure off.

“Okay, time to go.” Jamie’s hands are heavy on your shoulders as he stands behind you. “We don’t wanna get caught red handed.”

You let him lead you away from the scene of the crime, and it’s not until you’re safely in his car that the adrenaline wears off and you realize what you’ve done.

“Oh God,” you whisper. “I’ve committed a crime. I’m gonna have a criminal record. Jamie, I could go to jail.” The last part comes out as a whimper and suddenly you’re crying, tears hot against your cheeks.

You’ve buried your face in your hands but you feel the car pull over and the engine shuts off, and then Jamie’s arms are around you and he’s pulling you into his chest.

“You’re not going to jail,” he says softly, comforting. “And if you are, I’ll be with you.”

But then you’re thinking about how you’ve ruined Jamie’s life; Jamie, who’s so intrinsically good with his heart of gold who only ever wanted to be a good friend, and you’re jusr crying harder.

“Shh,” Jamie hums. “It’s okay. You’re okay. And you’re gonna be okay without him.”

It’s an awkward position, and the gear is pressing into your side, but with Jamie’s warmth surrounding you and the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath you, you start to calm down, slowly but surely.

“You told me it was a bad idea,” you sniff. “Why do I never listen to you?”

“Hmm, most people don’t,” Jamie chuckles. “Tyler, for example, hasn’t listened to me even once in his life. I guess I like ‘em a little stubborn.”

“Well, if you know anyone who likes ‘em a complete mess and really dumb, give them my number.”

You push yourself off his chest and wipe at your eyes, expecting Jamie to joke along with you and start the car back up.

But he doesn’t. It’s eerily quiet, for a while, and when you look up his eyes meet yours and they’re filled with somber clouds.

“You’re not a mess.” Finally, he speaks, and his voice is a little more forceful than is probably absolutely necessary. “You just had bad luck with guys who turned out to be assholes. You’ll find someone who treats you right. I could...”

He cuts himself off so suddenly it’s almost like he forgot how to speak, then, he swallows visibly and turns towards the road.

“One day,” he mumbles, and you’re not really sure if he’s talking to you or to himself.

“One day,” you echo, and you allow yourself to hope that he means one day it will be you and him.

[shemakesmusic-uk]

After releasing her film Black Is King as a Disney+ exclusive a few weeks ago, Beyoncé has shared the visual 'Brown Skin Girl' on YouTube. Featuring SAINt JHN, WizKid, and daughter Blue Ivy, the clip features appearances by former bandmate Kelly Rowland, Noami Campell, Lupita Nyong’o, and more. The video coincided with a special message the star shared with Good Morning America. "It was so important to me in 'Brown Skin Girl' that we represented all different shades of brown," Beyoncé said of the video, crediting director Jenn Nkiru with the concept. "It was important that we are all in this together and we're all celebrating each other." [via The FADER]

Eivør releases a new single and video, ‘Let It Come’, the latest lifted from her forthcoming album Segl. The transportive new clip - filmed in Iceland - is a prequel to the video for previous single release ‘Sleep On It’, which Eivør released last month. Both videos are directed by Einar Egils and feature actor Tómas Lemarquis (Blade Runner 2049, X-Men: Apocalypse). Speaking about ‘Let It Come’, Eivør says; "It’s one of those songs that took many shapes before it reached its final destination and I guess the opening line pretty much explains it all: “Sometimes I overthink the most simple things”. This song is a follow up to my previous single 'Sleep On It' - whilst that was about insomnia and making difficult choices, 'Let It Come' is about coming out at the other end of this struggle, embracing the uncertainties you might find yourself in and finding the courage to believe that something good will come your way." Of the interplay between the two music videos he has created for Eivør, director Einar Eglis adds; "'Let It Come' is a prequel to the end of the world that was portrayed in the ‘Sleep On It’ video. Eivør has been stuck in a loop of uncertainty for years, until she sees a vision that will end everything as we know it, and she is the key towards redemption. She must face these facts and embrace the golden idol she is to become."

The gentle, hypnotic sway of 'god's chariots' is central to MaryLou Mayniel's first full-length project Galore. Her catalogue of experimental electronica is impressive whichever way you look at it. Creating everything from video game soundtracks to an EP sampling the likes of Miley Cyrus and Carly Rae Jepsen to vast instrumental odysseys and empowering pop anthems, Mayniel can turn her hand to almost anything. 'god's chariots' is at the helm of the singer-songwriter's latest drop of new music. “It’s a fantasy, a place you’re in to escape reality, but it’s also about being so lonely that you kind of lose your mind,” explains Manyiel. A fragment of her forthcoming debut full-length project 'god's chariots' is just one piece of the ever-expanding story which Oklou shares on Galore. With additional tracks 'nightmare' and 'rosebud', also out n ow, we get to piece more of Galore's narrative of emotional rebirth together. Already an illuminating experience with its first six songs out in the world, soon you'll be able to witness Manyiel's first masterpiece in all its glory when the rest of the project is released next month. [via Line Of Best Fit]

Madeline Kenney has shared the visual for her Sucker's Lunch album track 'Cut the Real'. 'Cut the Real' is one of the most lyrically confrontational tracks on Kenney's new album Sucker's Lunch. Kenney has unveiled the accompanying self-directed visual filmed in Oakland that sees her dressed in a Rococo style suit and makeup, giving a heartfelt performance of the song's fierce lyrics. Madeline Kenney: "I wrote 'Cut the Real' when I was feeling particularly insane / depressed /"out of my mind" as I was starting a new relationship. I really struggle with self confidence and found myself spiraling out into deep holes of self-loathing -- even though I knew what was going on I couldn't stop that cycle. The concept was inspired by the aesthetic choices in recent Aldous Harding videos as well as old Annie Lennox videos. I wanted to put on a gender-neutral Rococo outfit and just really allow myself to ham it up, and occupy that same spinning-out headspace as I was in while writing the song." [via Line Of Best Fit]

Four years after she released her solo debut Slugger, Speedy Ortiz leader Sadie Dupuis is getting ready to release Haunted Painting, the second album released under her Sad13 alias. The album comes out next month, and  now we get another new song, and it’s got a pretty great music video attached. The new Sad13 track is called 'Hysterical,' and it’s a zippy synthpop track with layered lyrics: “I wanna see you disappear and laugh like I don’t need permission.” In a press release, Dupuis says that the song is about “unfunny comedians [who] love to argue that ‘PC culture’ destroys comedy.” Dupuis plays almost all the instruments herself. The video, directed by Kate Banford and Jamie Loftus, features Dupuis alongside comedy-world mainstays like Loftus, Mitra Jouhari, and Demi Adejuyigbe. Like the new horror movie Host, the whole thing takes place on a computer screen, and it’s all about what happens when a ghost shows up in a Zoom party and kills everyone. [via Stereogum]

When Cross Record’s Emily Cross and Dan Duszynski teamed up with Shearwater’s Jonathan Meiburg to form Loma, it seemed like it might be one-off endeavor. But then last month we got news that they’d be following their 2017 debut with a new album, Don’t Shy Away. Along with the announcement, they shared a stunning new track called 'Ocotillo'. Today, they’re back with another one.  The latest preview of Don’t Shy Away arrives in the form of 'Half Silences,' which the band shared an earlier iteration of last year. 'Half Silences' was the first song we recorded for Don’t Shy Away, and we kept tinkering with it after we soft-released an early version last year,” Meiburg explained in a statement. “When you start making a record, you don’t know which songs will make the cut — but this one always seemed to belong, and we wanted to give the final mix (and its DIY video) a proper debut. People have asked if the fireworks are CGI. They aren’t.” 'Ocotillo' was an almost foreboding song, cresting into horn arrangements that teetered on the brink of chaos. In comparison, 'Half Silences' is a dreamier and hazier composition. But in either form, Loma are making some gorgeous, otherworldly music. [via Stereogum]

Back in June, the Bristol songwriter Fenne Lily announced her sophomore album, BREACH. So far we’ve heard advance singles 'Alapathy' and 'Berlin,' and today she’s back with another one. Lily’s latest is called 'Solipsism.' Here’s what she had to say about it: "A lot of situations make me uncomfortable — some parties, most dates, every time I’m stoned in the supermarket. 'Solipsism' is a song about being comfortable with being uncomfortable and the freedom that comes with that. If you feel weird for long enough it becomes normal, and feeling anything is better than feeling nothing. I wanted this video to be a reflection of the scary thought that I’ll have to live with myself forever. It’s surreal to realize you’ll never live apart from someone you sometimes hate. Dad, if you’re reading this you killed it as shopper number 2." The song comes with a video directed by Tom Clover with the non-profit Film Co. “I asked Fenne what products she wanted to be and then worked backwards from there with the illustrators,” Clover explained. “Most of the references came from Asian Supermarket packaging — they are way more interesting. The most important thing was making sure that it reflected upon Fenne’s personality — there’s a bunch of details you might miss on the first watch!” [via Stereogum]

About two weeks ago Oceanator shared 'Heartbeat,' the third and final single from their upcoming full length debut, Things I Never Said and now it has a video. The highly anticipated album via Plastic Miracles captures Elise Okusami’s songwriting at it’s best, a strong effort that sits between pop, rock, fuzzy punk, and alternative radio gold. The video, directed by David Combs and Ben Epstein, is every bit as delightful as the song itself, opening with the same magnetic energy as we find Okusami seemingly lost and looking for companionship. She finds it eventually in the form of herself, quite literally, as she joins herself at a bus stop, and then again in a field, with ten of more copies, al rocking out, all enjoying each other’s company. There’s a brilliant barbershop quartet moment, cool animation, and enough smiles to keep you going throughout your day. Speaking about the song, Okusami shared: “This song is loosely about having a crush, and both the grounding feeling and the anxiety that feeling brings. We recorded it all together like a live performance, and then I went back and added the lead guitars and the vocals. Guitar and vocals by me, bass Eva Lawitts (they), drums Aaron Silberstein (he)." [via Post Trash]

Ontario-based project Falcon Jane – the moniker for primary songwriter of the group, Sara May – have released their soaring new single, ‘The Other Moon’ via Pittsburgh-based label, Darling Recordings – you can watch the new video that comes co-directed by May and Dominique van Olm above. ‘The Other Moon’, which is lifted from a larger body of material set to come from Sara May further down the line, finds the artist exploring deeply sentimental and personal themes, from death to memory, and the miscommunication that can take place between generations. May has a penchant for unpacking these emotions in succinct and comprehensible forms, making something so personal and idiosyncratic to her feel so familiar to the rest of us. Much of May’s forthcoming work found its source of inspiration in early 2019 when her songwriting synched up with a string of deaths that occurred in her immediate family; ‘The Other Moon’ pays a touching testament to her Nonna with May lacing the track’s stark honesty with swooning guitar and her enchanting vocal palette, a sound that co-director, van Olm visualized as May’s DIY journey through space. Speaking about the new track, May says: “‘The Other Moon’ is a letter and tribute to my late Nonna whose death inspired me to start recording this album. Despite being from two completely different generations, and speaking two different languages, my Nonna and I had a very special connection. We understood each other and cared about each other, even if we couldn’t find the words to express it. My Nonna would always cheekily joke about her own death, and through her broken English, she claimed that when she died she’d be going to “The Other Moon”. This song is not a story about a happy-go-lucky relationship between grandmother and granddaughter,” May continues. “It accurately depicts the contrasting dynamic of a very loving friendship mixed with a lifelong trauma-ridden miscommunication. The big hole in my heart, the black cloud over our love. This song feels like the message I always wanted to send to her; pushing through the darkness to find the deep love we shared and continue to share now.”

Baby Queen has released her third track 'Medicine' with a fab new video. The follow-up to ‘Buzzkill', it arrives ahead of her debut EP later this year. "It's about a tangle of mental health and navigating your way through this world,” Bella says of the song, “whilst being so unhappy and equally disillusioned with the cyber landscape that we are forced to live inside, and the different ways people might numb themselves, or try to find a place where they can exist in amongst all of this fucking chaos." [via Dork]

Oklahoma-born, LA-based electro-pop songstress Mothica has released her debut album Blue Hour, accompanied by the official music video for her single 'VICES.' The album was written over the course of a few months, starting with one of the worst moments of Mothica’s life: a psych ward stay for self-harm and ends with a song about never wanting to feel the “crash” of drugs ever again. “Following that incident, I sought therapy and wrote lyrics detailing my journey into sobriety. I am now 13 months sober at the time of writing this, and have never been in a better place emotionally.” With her new album Blue Hour, she chronicles her deep struggle with addiction + mental health and the process of getting sober. “Someone told me that every artist has their ‘getting sober album’ eventually,” she explains. “I find it ironic that my debut album is my ‘getting sober’ album, because I think that’s indicative of how quickly I was forced to grow up."

FKA twigs has always made incredible music videos, and 'sad day' ranks right up there with her best. For this clip, twigs worked with the director Hiro Murai, one of the best music-video directors to emerge in the last decade. Murai has mostly moved on from music videos in recent years. Instead, he’s directed episodes of Atlanta and Barry, two of the best shows on TV, as well as Donald Glover’s Amazon short film Guava Island and the forthcoming apocalyptic miniseries Station Eleven. The 'sad day' video is Murai’s first clip since he made the instantly iconic 'This Is America' with Donald Glover in 2018. I don’t want to give away much of the 'sad day' video, which starts out in a dingy takeout spot and transforms into a surreal dream-logic head trip. But you should know that twigs only made this video after spending three years studying martial arts at the Shaolin Wushu Center, and you can tell. A dancer named Teake, who twigs discovered via social media, co-stars. [via Stereogum]

The latest of Silly Boy Blue's ongoing build is 'Hi, It's Me Again,' a song she describes as the "too long text I didn't want to send at 3 AM to my ex." Like the rumination behind a loaded, emotional message to a former lover, she adds that it took months to assemble the words in her head but only one night to write out the lyrics. "I needed to write a song about this, because it's a very special place between the hate and the void during a breakup." With an almost lullaby melody, the spacey tune slowly builds into the ultimate warning: "You'll be the one I always haunt," Silly Boy Blue sings, her voice beautifully layered and atmospheric. All her thoughts throughout the song are interlaced with the relatable, somewhat insecure backpedal, "I'm sorry," capturing the headspace "just before resilience," as she describes. It's "when you start to understand the breakup, but you still have so many questions popping in your head." In the 'Hi, It's Me Again' video, Silly Boy Blue says she "needed to show the different parts" of her identity. "Some of them are masculine, some of them are feminine, some of them seem confident, some seem shy, some seem to suffocate, some stand proudly." Much like the nuanced feelings during a breakup, she expresses without binaries — and especially through fashion, as she opens the clip in only an oversized men's button-down. Scenes in the new visual roll by like memories or fleeting emotions, ranging from subdued drama to full on meltdowns. At one point, she's shown with a plastic bag pulled over her head to capture the most extreme feelings of dread, juxtaposed against a more innocent shot of Silly Boy Blue in all white with two lone tear drops fixated on her cheek. The artist also loaded in "important" references to her favorite movies, from the Titanic's necklace to The Rocky Horror Picture Show's big mouth. [via PAPER]

Dream Nails have released a video for their new single, 'This Is The Summer'. It's a song from their new Tarek Musa of Spring King-produced, self-titled record out now via Alcopop!. “[It's] a song about how our climate is breaking down irreversibly,” says singer Janey Starling. “Colonial capitalism, waged by UK governments and corporations for centuries, has ravaged our earth. “We need to be urgently fighting for migrant rights so the UK welcomes climate refugees displaced by countries hit by extreme weather. We must demand transparency from oil companies who relentlessly put profit before people, even as the world burns." Guitarist Anya Pearson adds: “We wrote ‘This Is The Summer’ in the heatwave of 2018, recorded it in another heatwave in 2019 and now we are releasing it in yet another heatwave! Our video for the track shows how the current pandemic, white supremacy and climate change are not separate issues but interlinked. The song is about the brazen complacency of getting drunk and catching a tan in the park while the world burns.” [via Dork]

BBC Sound Of 2020 winner Celeste has shared her new single 'Little Runaway'. Out now, the single is about a crisis of faith, and features a towering vocal from the London artist. A song about succumbing to the depths before emerging renewed, 'Little Runaway' began as a jazz sample, before taking on a life of its own. Celeste says... “‘Little Runaway’ is a song about losing your faith, even if just momentarily, and seeking answers from spirits and ghosts as nothing seems to make sense on this planet. My favourite line in the song is ‘good news I could use some’ – I believe everyone has a guardian angel, a protector, and this is me talking to mine.” “The verses actually started as this saxophone sample we were playing around with and eventually it transformed into the melody. I always play the sax back in my head even though it’s not in the song.” 'Little Runaway' features an innovative music video, steered by Celeste’s frequent collaborator Sophie Jones. [via Clash]

Anna Sofia released a brand new music video for her song 'Don’t Play Pretend'. 'Don’t Play Pretend' is from her latest EP Broken Perfection. Over a million streams into her career, Anna Sofia sings this song about her own life. She might not be perfect. She might make mistakes. All that said, at least she doesn’t pretend to be something she’s not. Sofia said she doesn’t have a message. “It’s just real life,” she said. “One day, I hope to fill stadiums all over the world. I want to have fans everywhere and have some way of helping them or guiding them through my music. My confidence comes from being myself and connecting with people.” [via The 360 Mag]

Last year, the K-pop group BLACKPINK made big moves in America with their Kill This Love EP, becoming the highest-charting women-led Korean act on both the Billboard 200 and the Hot 100 (with its title track). They also played Coachella. Earlier this year, they had a guest feature on Lady Gaga’s Chromatica with ‘Sour Candy,’ a single that matched their previous chart record at #33. They’re releasing a new album in a couple months, which was led off by ‘How You Like That’ in June. Now, they’re putting out another song from it, a collaboration with Selena Gomez called ‘Ice Cream.’ The food angle of the track is appropriate for Gomez, who has most recently been in the headlines for her new HBO Max cooking show. [via Stereogum]

Tel-Aviv based artist Noga Erez shares the next in a series of game-changing singles leading into her mysterious second album (details yet to be announced). 'You So Done' and its striking accompanying video are out now via City Slang. Following the sparkling sass of 'VIEWS' and the irresistibly upbeat lockdown anthem 'NO news on TV', Noga Erez and her collaborative partner Ori Rousso's latest offering 'You So Done' has been highly anticipated online since appearing on NBC's Good Girls earlier this year. It sees Erez shift from outward looking political themes to personal soul-searching, opening up for a stirring track about rejection, toxic and emotionally violent relationships, and ones own inner violence. Along with the track she has shared a moving statement, saying: "At some point, exactly one year ago, I started flashing back to one of the darkest times in my life. I was young, incredibly confused and lonely... There was a moment during this period where I was actually so weak, insecure and in need of love that I was not able to step out of what I know now to be an emotionally abusive relationship." She concludes: "It really, truly means the world to me to give this song to you. I hope this story can help some of you to realise that you are not alone. And I really do hope to make it clear that even the darkest places are not impossible to free yourself from. They are eventually an opportunity to learn, grow and to become a stronger person." Erez has created a reputation for the captivating videos that accompany her songs, and this latest video sees her step it up a level yet again. Her third collaboration with Tel Aviv-based director Indy Hait sees Erez as a puppet in a dystopian future, being violently flung to-and-fro by an unknown captor. "The video for 'You So Done' was a big risk taker for me" she comments. "Usually, I have an idea or I work with a director on an idea together. Since this was my third video with Indy Hait, I decided to let him do his thing. He offered up an idea that included a robot and I immediately hated it. I was just not able to imagine how it wouldn't come off as a science fiction video and felt it wasn't my style. But after talking and tearing the idea apart, I realised that this is a truly meaningful character. The robot in this video is actually not the violent character.  Its job was to portray the act of violence through transferring the moves from an unseen character and helping them come alive visually. The video uses muscle memory as the 'engine' to that violent dance act, and muscle memory is something that fascinates me. Eventually this video is far from being science fiction, it is my most personal video to date."

[930club]

We recently chatted with Jamie Stillman, owner and mastermind of Akron, Ohio’s Earthquaker Devices, one of the leading innovators in guitar pedals/effects. We touch on everything from general guitar nerdery to how the pandemic is affecting the day-to-day operations of EQD. You can delve more into everything Earthquaker Devices related here.

Dave Kezer [9:30 Club]: There’s a joke that anyone who starts to listen to rap immediately wants to try to rap. It seems like anyone who starts to build guitar pedals immediately thinks they can start a pedal company. What do you think it takes to actually get a company off the ground in a sustainable way?

LOL! I used to make a similar joke that every guitar player with a soldering iron is a pedal company. It used to feel that way, but I think the craze has died down. It takes a lot of patience, hard work, and (possibly most importantly) good ideas to build a stable effect pedal company. They almost always start out as a hobby and it’s good to realize when it has moved beyond that point. In my case, it was very important to realize when I was in over my head and when to bring on people who have real knowledge in handling the business on a day-to-day level and have the ability to look at the bigger picture. I have punk rock business skills which worked up to a point, but I’m better suited to the creative role.

In your EQDQ&A Ep. 1, you joked about how long it took you to truly start understanding the differences/complexities of gear. I nerd out on gear so much that sometimes I lose focus on just enjoying playing instruments for the sake of it. How far is too far when it comes to putting every facet of gear under the microscope?

I think the threshold is different for everyone. There are people who won’t settle down until every piece of gear they own is top of the line and Reddit approved and there are people who don’t give a shit if their cable crackles if it moves a certain way. I put myself in the middle. I don’t really care about the proven quality or name brand of whatever I’m using, and I just make sure it works 100% of the time whenever possible. I make an exception on pickups, cables and power supplies because I think those are the most important part of the equation for me personally. I’ll always use the best I can find, and I decide what is best by putting it to use and seeing how it performs.

Your feature on the Rainbow Machine focuses on the usability of weird pedals. Have you designed something so weird that it is truly unusable?

Personally, I don’t find the Rainbow Machine to be so weird, but a lot of other people do, so we ran with that. I know the “pixie trails” function of the Magic switch is obnoxious, but I think it’s cool. There are way weirder pedals out there, lol. I’ve definitely designed things that I thought were cool but not exactly functional in every setting, but I usually work to make them more multi-dimensional. There’s only one that I’ve been working on for a really long time that has a million controls with minimal functionality. I’m not sure I’ll ever finish it but it’s (kind of) fun to keep trying once or twice a year when the mood strikes.

Are there any guitars that you’re completely satisfied with and won’t continue to modify? It seems like for gear people (myself included), a piece of gear will operate at 99% of its maximum potential, but the search for that 1% will make your brain itch forever and lead to continued modification.

No, I constantly modify all of my guitars lol. I change pickups a lot, more than anyone should. The closest I think I’ve gotten to “perfection” would be my stock Nash Telecaster and a heavily modded Fender Jazzmaster. The Jazzmaster is a 60th anniversary that I gutted and replaced almost everything except the neck and body. It has Seymour Duncan custom shop ’59 humbuckers for Jazzmaster with 500K push/pull pots for coil tapping and the rhythm circuit is removed. It also has locking tuners, a Mastery vibrato, bridge, and string tree. It still feels too new, but it sounds perfect.

Your Reverb “Does This Work?” interview focuses on old effects and their tendency to break down over time. What are the typical things that cause old circuits to stop working?

In my experience it has been dust, humidity, and neglect resulting in bad switches, corroded solder joints, cracked wires and dried caps. I never get around to fixing my old gear though. I’ll get in there if I really want to use something, but I’ll usually turn it over to Joe Golden, our in-house repair wizard. Most of the broken gear in the Reverb video is still broken…

Two of my favorite EQD pedals are the Tentacle and the Acapulco Gold, if not simply because there are one/no options to choose from when getting sounds. I tend to get freaked out when I see a pedal that has 4+ knobs, which is something I’m working on, haha. Where do you draw the line when it comes to simplicity vs. versatility when designing pedals?

I used to have a “whatever it takes” approach to design as long as it wasn’t confusing for the general user, but I’ve been moving towards a “less is more” approach. I don’t think pedals should require hours of reading manuals and menu diving to use. The faster you can get to making actual music the better. That’s not to say I don’t have some elaborate, sometimes confusing, products in the pipeline but I’m generally leaning towards simple design.

Don’t mean to be a bummer, but I have to ask — how has the pandemic affected EQD’s business operations? If I understand correctly — it seems like your builders are assembling pedals at home?

We have taken the pandemic very seriously. We knew the shutdown was coming and some of our employees had already been working to get things in place to make the transition to home building as easy as we could. We had almost 50 employees working from home for almost three months and the production capacity was greatly reduced. We didn’t ship any product for about two months. We kept all the employees on the payroll and had regular Zoom meetings to keep everyone up to date on what we were doing. Now, as of June 16, 2020, we are still mostly working from home but we have a skeleton crew in the shop so we can populate PCB’s more efficiently and start shipping product. We completely rearranged the shop to spread people out and invested a lot of time and money into making it a safe and sanitary workspace. We have gone above and beyond all the recommended protocols — too many precautions to list. It would be very hard to catch any illness inside EQD now.

Do you have a favorite “Let’s Go!” guitar riff? For example, whenever I’m driving and “Unchained” comes on the radio, I dime the volume and start driving like a complete lunatic.

I’m pretty reserved but, oddly enough, “Unchained” is also one of my favorite riffs ever! I think I play it at least once every time I pick up a guitar. Also a big fan of “Siberian Khatru” by Yes once it kicks in. Same with “In the Light” and “Rain Song” by Led Zeppelin and anything on Sonic Youth’s Sister. I guess these are more riffs that I wish I wrote than riffs that make me lose my shit. I guess most of them also make me sound like a real dad rocker too.

Is there a piece of gear you’ve spent a completely stupid amount of money on simply because you had to have it?

Yes, a Sunn Model T and it was worth every penny! It’s the most perfect amp I’ve ever owned.  

Not asking you to talk smack, but do you have a “Dumbest Pedal Ever Designed” award in your head?

I’ll keep my mouth shut on this one.

Finally, have you been through D.C. while touring or seeing shows? Anything about D.C. venues or the music scene in general you’d like to share?

I’ve been through D.C. about six or seven times, maybe more. I’ve always held D.C. in high regard because of Dischord records and bands like Ignition, Bad Brains, Jawbox, Fugazi, etc. 9:30 Club is actually one my favorite venues ever. I’ve been through twice when I was tour managing and the staff was super friendly and accommodating, which is unfortunately rare in the touring world. It also has the best green room of any venue I ever worked in; the bunks are a nice touch!

— Dave Kezer

[purplesurveys]

708

Basics

what is your best friend's full name? I’m not saying that on here since she has a very lengthy name and enumerating it here would make her too specific of a subject, but she goes by Angela.

where was he/she born? I have no idea but I’m taking a wild guess and say she was born in the city she currently lives in. Idk, she’s lived there all her life and it makes a lot of sense to think she was also born there.

where does he/she currently live? She lives in a city very near mine, but it’s already a part of Metro Manila so she technically resides in a different region.

who does he/she live with? She lives with her parents, a couple of kasambahay or house help, and her grandfather. Unfortunately her grandma, who I used to see, greet, and spend time with whenever I came over her place, just passed last Sunday.

how many pets do they have? She has two dogs, Hailey and Kennedy; but the family also has an aquarium with like 20-30 fish. Hailey is the only one allowed to walk around the house because Kennedy bites and barks. OH I just remembered they also have a lab but I don’t really get to see it a lot, and I dunno the name either.

what are the names of all of their pets? ^ Already touched on that.

how many vehicles does their family own? They have one family car. She was supposed to get her own so she can start driving herself to school, but I forgot why the plans for that fell through.

when is his/her birthday? September 15.

what colour are his/her eyes? Dark brown.

what colour is his/her hair? Black is the natural color, but she’s recently dyed it a very light brown, almost blonde shade.

how tall is your best friend? She’s a bit taller than me, probably around 5′3″ or 5′4″.

how old is he/she? 21.

how many bedrooms is in their house? Her family continues to live in the house her mom (who had a number of siblings) grew up in so they have a number of bedrooms even though her immediate family is just three people. I can remember seeing four bedrooms, but there could definitely be more.

About Your Relationship

how well do you think you know your best friend, from 0 to 10?  I’d say 8.5. She’s my best friend and I know the deeper stuff about her like her quirks, tendencies, how she’d react to something, etc. but I barely know her favorites.

what's the best moment you've had with him/her? Like I said, she’s my best friend. Honestly every time with her is a blast, and that rings much louder now that I only get to see her once every few months. The most recent most fun I’ve had with her was when we went clubbing at BGC last month til 2 AM. We’ve never really partied together before so that was a great time.

when did you meet? It was the first or second day of the first grade and since our surnames came in alphabetical order we were seated beside each other.

how long have you known him/her? 15 years in 2020.

how long have you been best friends with him/her? We’ve been best friends the same amount of time. It didn’t take long for us to get close.

how much time do you spend with him/her weekly? We don’t see each other weekly anymore as college has made us extremely busy. We do talk on Messenger a lot and I’m really thankful we have a low-maintenance friendship that doesn’t bank on having to physically be with each other all the time.

do you have a song that reminds you of your best friend? Anything by The Maine as they’re her favorite band.

do you keep secrets from each other? I don’t remember ever keeping anything from her. She knows about my secrets *a bit* *JUST A BIT* more than Gab does. If anything the only thing she doesn’t know about me is this blog.

can you be completely honest with him/her? Yes, always. She doesn’t judge and she has never flipped out on me and she’s the first one to reassure when she can tell I’m getting angsty/antsy.

Their Life

what was your best friend's happiest moment? Ooh ya got me. Probably when she and Hans got together, or maybe something related to her parents as she’s incredibly close with them.

what was your best friend's saddest moment? I can’t give you the absolute lowest point she’s had but I know she’s struggling rn with the death of her grandmother. She was also very close with her.

what job does he/she have? She doesn’t have a job for now but she’s studying to be an architect.

is your best friend married, or does he/she want to be? She’s not married but she wants to be, someday.

Does your best friend have children, or does he/she want them? No kids, but she also wants them. I wanna have nieces/nephews by her, too :(

what vehicle does your best friend have? She doesn’t have a car. Her dad drives her to and from school daily which is understandable because she lives incredibly close to UP and it’s no hassle for her dad to drive her.

what is their house like? It’s kinda like an ancestral house in that it’s been owned by several generations before her, so you can definitely see the features of vintage Filipino houses from the stairs and the windows, which they’ve remained unchanged. It’s also pretty spacious because it used to house a lot of people, which makes it a great venue for when they host parties.

Dreams

what does he/she most want to do for a job? She’s studying architecture but recently she’s come to really dislike her course, and she’s confided in me that this was no longer what she wanted to do. I figured it would still be a freshly sensitive topic to ask her what she wants to be now, so I haven’t found that out from her just yet.

where would he/she most like to visit in the world? I think Europe would be a safe guess.

what is their dream car? She had a phase where she was crazy about the Ford Ecosport cos it’s the perfect car for college students like us - not too flashy but not too tiny or lowkey either. I’m not sure if her thoughts have since changed, but yeah that’s the last thing I remember hearing from her.

what do they most want in the world? Happiness and her parents’ happiness.

if you could give your best friend anything in the world, what would it be? Right now, a giant hug.

Their Interests, Hobbies, Likes and Dislikes

what is their favourite food? I honestly have no idea. We rarely get to go on food dates. I don’t know what exactly her favorite food is, but I can say her favorite cuisine is Japanese.

what is his/her favourite colour? OMG I also don’t know. I told you I can’t tell her favorites!!!!!!!!!! :(((( WAH I’m gonna take a guess and say white? I feel bad now :((

what is his/her favourite animal? Ok this one I know - dogs.

what is his/her celebrity crush? I dunno either dude, it’s probably still one of the guys from The Maine. I know she also had a crush on Jamie Campbell Bower and Xavier Samuel at one point.

what is their favourite way to spend a day? Seeing Hans and trying out new and adventurous things with him. One of the last times I saw her she was talking about going to see Hinulugang Taktak with Hans on her BREAK which is pretty insane, considering where we go to school and where Hinulugang Taktak is.

name a few things your best friends dislikes. President Duterte, conflict, her course, stupid people.

what is/was their favourite school subject? Math and all types of it.

what is his/her favourite TV programme? Right now she’s watching Money Heist and Elite. We also share a common love for Friends and she’s the reason I got into it in the first place.

what is his/her favourite movie? I don’t know. :(

what is his/her favourite music? She used to like alternative rock/pop punk/pop rock (All Time Low, The Maine, You Me at Six, The Summer Set, We Are the In Crowd, The Cab, etc) like most teens during those days but now she’s taken a liking to pop, R&B, some indie.

name one of your best friend's favourite musical artists. THE MAINE

name one of your best friend's favourite songs. Maybe the Night by Ben&Ben.

[theanonauthorfanfic]

Reunion (Part 1)

Steve and Bucky had grown up together. They went to elementary school together, then started to transition into middle school and that is when Bucky’s parents got a divorce. Bucky was forced to move but he continued to write to Steve as much as he could. Eventually he stopped getting responses back so he stopped writing. It had been 10 years since Bucky had heard from Steve. Bucky had just graduated from MIT with his Bachelors in Engineering after his accident. He had felt so accomplished even though he graduated college 4 years later than he should have but he needed to heal first before he could have completed what he was passionate about.

Bucky had thought a lot about the night of his accident. It was something that was plaguing his nightmares still even though it was 4 years earlier. He was riding his Harley Street 750. He had gotten it from his deadbeat dad as a graduation gift from high school after he hadn’t had any contact with George for like 3 years. The bike Bucky had named Dot was his priced possession. Bucky drove her everywhere. When it was raining, he was extra careful with her. He was living in Massachusetts with his mom and sister easier to ride around the streets. The snow made it hard, he usually just used the T.

Well, that faithful night he had Dot for almost 6 months. It had been raining pretty heavily his mom warned him about driving when the temperature was dropping like that Bucky didn’t listen. He had done it so many times before. He didn’t think anything was going to happen to him. He was driving on Memorial Drive in Cambridge when he hit the black ice. Dot skidded and he couldn’t stop her. He swerved to try to regain control he was hit at 50 mph by a pickup truck whose drive was falling asleep at the wheel. Bucky woke a week later in ICU at Mass General Hospital with his mom and sister sitting around his bed.

Bucky tried to speak but nothing was coming out. His mom grabbed his hand and shushed him.

“James, you are okay. Calm down you are in the hospital. Are you thirsty,” his mom asked lovingly? Bucky nodded squeezing her hand. His mom motions to Becca to get him some water. When Becca came back his mom helped him drink some water. His throat felt so sore and like he had swallowed glass. “Jamie, you were in a really bad accident. A pickup truck hit you. Your left arm was destroyed Jamie. They had to cut it off otherwise you would have died,” his mom continued. Bucky didn’t know what was going on. He was starting to get overwhelmed.

Bucky shook his head to stop remembering the accident. Bucky was happy he had both of his arms back. Bucky had moved back to New York City Soho specifically since he now has a job at Stark Enterprises as on of the engineers. Tony Stark who never does interviews had interviewed him because of his prosthetic since it was something Stark had created for him. Bucky found that out after he got the job when Tony made a comment on how it was difficult for him to make sure the arm was light enough that Bucky didn’t walk with a limp on his left side. He laughed at Tony and just shook his head. Bucky had been working for Stark Enterprises for almost a year now.

“Hey Barnes, do you want some shawarma,” Tony asked while coming into the lab.

“I probably should eat. Shawarma sounds good,” Bucky responded to Tony.

“Jarvis can you order our regular orders from the shawarma place down the street,” Tony spoke to the ceiling.

“Will do, Mr. Stark,” Jarvis stated plainly. “It should be here in 45 minutes. It seems they are busy today.”

Bucky and Tony both ate in the lab talking about the new project Bucky was working on. It had to do with making sure kids that have lost a limb can get affordable, light weight, stable, and intelligent prosthetics. Bucky had a special place because of his arm which is why Tony tasked him with the job. Bucky had the prototype worked out. He just needed to get it into manufacturing to be able to get it out to the public.

“Barnes, I want you to work with our marketing department. Actually, I think you and the head marketing artist will work great together. He has worked here for 6 years now. His work is amazing. He usually does all the campaigns I run. You have seen his work. I know he will be able to help you market these beauties to get the kids excited to be able to have their limb back,” Tony ranted. Bucky just nodded. “I need you to be more vocal, you know. Shy and awkward was cute now its boring. You need a new thing buttercup.” Bucky rolled his eyes at Tony.

“Tony, I can be vocal. You do enough talk for both of us. Yes, I will work with head artist in your marketing department. Jesus, man lay off the coffee or the alcohol which ever is worse,” Bucky turned around getting back to work.

“No, work-y. I need you to meet Steven. He is another shy and awkward type like you. You both should be perfect for each other. Plus, I hear he is single,” Tony spoke confidently.

Bucky’s jaw dropped. “Are you trying to set me up to date him? I can find someone myself.”

Tony laughed, “Tall, dark and brooding doesn’t work for you Buckaroo. You haven’t dated anyone since your accident. Plus, its quid pro quo.” Tony smiled wide and wiggled his eyebrows. Bucky wanted to punch him in the face right now. “Go, scoot, skedaddle off to meet Steven.” Tony pushed him out of the lab. Bucky walked to the elevator and then headed to the floor marketing is on.

When Bucky arrived on the marketing floor. He looked at the front desk.

“Are you looking for someone sir,” the redhead asked politely.

“Yes, someone named Steven. He supposed to be the head artist,” Bucky replied.

“Of course, Mr. Barnes. Mr. Stark said you would be up. Just a heads-up Mr. Rogers doesn’t know you are going to be meeting with him. Mr. Stark wanted to surprise him, I guess. My name is Wanda if you need anything Mr. Barnes,” Wanda showed him Steve’s office. “Mr. Rogers will be back in a few minutes. Just wait inside his office Mr. Barnes. Have a great day. If you need anything Just holler.” Wanda had walked off. Bucky slowly walked into the office staring at how neat it was for an artist. He was lost in thought about who this Steven Rogers is. He was thinking about the punk he grew up with name Steve Rogers.

Bucky jumped when a hand landed on his right shoulder. His heart started racing and his breathing became ragged.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Steve the head artist in marketing here and you are,” Steve asked apologetically.

“I’m James, but you can call me Bucky. James is too common of a name. No need to apologize. I was lost in my head while I was waiting for you. Tony sent me to work with you on art work for the prosthetics I have been working on for kids who have lost a limb,” Bucky mentioned as calmly as he could. Steve cocked his head to the side and stared for a minute. “Steve are you okay? You don’t look to good, why don’t you sit down big guy.” Bucky grabbed his arm helping him into his chair.

“You look familiar. Do we know each other or at least we knew each other? I recognize your name,” Steve mumbled.

“I grew up in Brooklyn until my parent divorced then my mom moved me and my sister to Massachusetts. I had a best friend name Steve Rogers. He was this little punk that never knew when to back down. I haven’t spoken to him in years. After I moved away, we wrote for a while and then the letters stopped all of a sudden,” Bucky entertained Steve. Steve placed his head in his hands.

“I stopped writing because my ma died Buck. I am so sorry. I am so so sorry. I didn’t mean to just disappear like that. I was just going through a lot. I was taking care of her while she went through her chemo treatments and then she just died in her sleep one night. I shut everyone out. It was about a year later when I hit my growth spurt and grew out of my asthma. I am sorry Buck,” Steve sniffled refusing to look at Bucky.

“You are not the same Steve Rogers. You can’t be. Steve was a little shit and never backed down from a fight. He would be covered in bruises and cuts. My Stevie would be all piss and vinegar. You can’t be the same person,” Bucky immediately answered shaking his head. He was going to kill Tony. He told Tony he was in love with his Stevie doll and how when he had graduated high school he was going to try and find him before his accident happened. He wanted to make sure Steve knew he loved him. Bucky swallowed hard staring at the blonde Adonis in front of him.

Steve slowly looked up at him while reaching a picture frame on his desk. “This picture was from my 10th birthday when my ma and your ma took us to Coney Island. We spent the day on the rides. You made me go on the Cyclone and I threw up,” he handed the photo over to Bucky. Bucky grabbed the photo staring at it. He almost dropped it in shock. He remembered that day. They spent the night on the beach watching the fireworks. He told Steve that the fireworks were for his birthday and not the 4th of July. Steve’s birthday was more important that night.

“Shit, you grew up. I missed you Stevie. That night of your 10th birthday those fireworks weren’t for the 4th of July to celebrate the country it was to celebrate the best guy ever birthday. I am sorry about Sarah. She was an amazing woman and loved you very much. I wish I had known I would have come to help you or been to the funeral. Stevie you were my best friend. It hurt so much when you stopped writing,” Bucky admitted to Steve which he hasn’t done in years. He handed the photo back to Steve. He was going to get the chance to tell him he loved him. He didn’t want to say it yet. He didn’t know this Stevie. Bucky didn’t know if Steve was even gay or bi.

“You’re thinking to hard jerk,” Steve smiled.

“Shut up punk. Tony mentioned you were single. I am sorry I just don’t know you anymore. I want to get to know you again,” Bucky shyly said.

“I am single. I was dating a woman for a while name Peggy Carter. She was nice but I always felt there was something missing. I called it off. I have been single since. How about you Buck,” Steve asked.

“I am single I have been since my accident. I lost my arm right after high school due to a motorcycle accident. I also haven’t found anyone who wanted to be with a shy, awkward insecure guy,” Bucky shrugged.

“I am sure you will find someone Buck. Shit, I would have known you had almost died if I kept in touch. I feel like an asshole. You were my best friend and I abandoned you,” Steve tapped his fingers against his desk blaming himself for losing touch with Bucky years ago.

“Steve you were going through a lot of shit. I understand why we lost touch now. I don’t blame you. Don’t blame yourself,” Bucky moved gripped Steve’s shoulder. Steve looked up worried at Bucky.

“I am going to beat myself up because I would have been by your side while you healed Buck. I would have been able to help you through the physical therapy, therapy in general,” Steve lowered his head avoiding looking into Bucky’s eyes. Bucky felt like he should have just talked about work things and that’s it. He felt like shit since Steve was blaming himself for what happened to Bucky.

“I am going to go Steve. I am sorry I brought all this up. I will send an email on what I want the ads to look like and then have you design them. I am being unprofessional,” Bucky turned and started to walk out of Steve’s office. Steve jumped out of his chair and grab Bucky’s wrist. Bucky stopped as his breath hitched.

“Don’t go. I am being unprofessional. Tony knew that we both were going to react the way we did. That is why he cleared our schedules the rest of the day. Let’s get make the best of it,” Steve squeezed Bucky’s wrist tighter. Bucky looked at Steve’s hand and smiled to himself. He felt like nothing had changed but everything had since they last saw each other. They both were different people. Bucky looked at Steve’s face and nodded following him back to the couch in the office. They talked for a few hours.

Bucky had headed home all he could think about was Steve. He thought he had moved on from the feelings he had for Steve from when they were kids. He realized when he was alone in his apartment, he hadn’t moved on just buried the feelings down deep inside of him. Bucky stripped out of his suit and laid down on his bed in his boxer briefs.

He palmed himself through his underwear. He was getting hard thinking about Steve’s hand on him. He wanted to feel Steve’s breath against his skin. Bucky whimpered as he closed his eye imagining Steve was there with him. He slowly pulled off his boxer briefs and his cock bobbed free. Half hard he reached out with his right hand lightly feeling his collarbone then tracing his finger tips down his chest. When he reached his nipple, he licked his thumb as he started to play with it. He was moaning to the sensation that he saw Steve in his head licking and sucking on his nipples. Slowly his fingers trailed down his tight abs teasing his happy trail before grabbing his cock. He jumped at the sensation. He hasn’t had himself this worked up in years since the accident. Bucky stroked his shaft slowly picturing Steve’s hand stroking him. Bucky teased his head playing with the glans. “Yeah, that feels good. Just like that Stevie,” Bucky moaned as he picked up the pace keeping his eyes shut as he pumped his heavy, hot, throbbing hard cock. His hips started to thrust into his hand on their own accord at the pleasure that was running through his veins. Bucky can see Steve staring into his eyes as he strokes Bucky to cum. Bucky’s hand works faster thumb catching the slit squeezing as he arches back into the mattress. “Don’t stop Stevie. Play with my head more. I am close,” Bucky whimpers as his hand starts to tease the cap before he circles his fingers around it stroking and slightly squeezing. Bucky moans loudly, biting back a scream by biting his bottom lip hard. “I’m gonna cum for you Stevie. Fuck, I’m gonna cum,” Bucky’s body tenses as his had strokes his cum out of his cock. Spurts hit his stomach some of them reach his chest, he shivers as he comes down from his orgasm.

Bucky leans over to his nightstand grabbing some wet wipes cleaning himself up. He knew from that moment he was fucked. He needed to get back to being Steve’s friend if nothing else. Bucky needed Steve back in his life. He didn’t realize how much he needed him until then. Bucky turned on his side pulling the sheet up to his chin as he passes out in a blissful post orgasm state. Bucky was utterly in love with Steve.

Tags: @buckmesideways22 , @oleanderbat ,  @buckyzgurl , @kombatfather1796

[bearlywatchable-blog]

TOP 880 “SUPERHERO” MOVIES IN 2019

by Maverick B. Updated: Jan. 11, 2019

#1 - GLASS

Glass has bang or bust potential, and from all the birdies fluttering around, critics seem to think it’ll be the latter. I have unfounded high hopes for this, as it’s an interesting take on a new universe of superheroes/thrillers. Let’s coin it the Shyamalaniverse. Easy to say and spell, so that should catch on quickly.

Yes, Mr. M. Night has definitely disappointed us before (Re: The Last Airbender & Lady In The Water), he seems to be making the right moves here.

This continuation proves that Unbreakable was ahead of it’s time, and thankfully Bruce Willis hasn’t yet aged out of the character. Casting the genius of James McAvoy solidified that tertiary role as compelling and intriguing. Even if somehow the movie is a bust, Shyamalamadingdong has already qualified that by hinting the movie isn’t the movie represented in the theatrical trailers. That leads me to believe the 3 central characters, which pivotal aren’t what we will be watching for.

Enter: Casey Cooke. If that’s not a superhero secret identity name - well I guess I’m outsmarting myself. No more comments on this as theories can be just as bad as spoilers.

#2 - CAPTAIN MARVEL

Leave it to the Marvel Universe to release super fucking awesome minority character titles, right before the decade long saga blockbuster finales. Black Panther was an almost perfect Marvel movie, sadly over shadowed by the high anticipated Infinity War (Avengers 3-A). Now that they are closing out this intense storyline in Endgame (Avengers 3-B) a month after Captain Marvel is released, another minority superhero title will overshadowed by the majority of movie goers + critics. Yes, all signs point to Endgame being the film of this century, but I’m much more excited to see a female lead with such wicked awesome (MCU) power potential.

Sure - If Adam Warlock is just a diversion, Captain Marvel could play a huge role in Endgame, which would be so wonderful in my opinion. However, anyone who knows anything about the Infinity Gauntlet Saga, would be hard pressed to say that C.M. will seamlessly integrate into that storyline. This is actually why I’m more excited for Captain Marvel than Endgame. If it stands alone, it will be the foundation of the next saga of Marvel Movies (Phase 4). If it plays as a prequel to the final Avengers movie, then she will have a huge role in restoring the order of the Universe v. Thanos (Ya know, because she can time travel, among her many other super cool abilities). Both scenarios are fucking badass and exciting to me.

P.S. Brie Larson is gonna fucking kill it. You haters can go fuck yourselves.

#3 - DARK PHOENIX

//rant - Apocalypse (2016) was so bad I actually forgot it existed. Now that I have been reminded by many friends of the shit that FOX put out there- I was poised to move this down on my list. But then I went back and watched First Class (2011) & Days Of Future Past (2014), and it gave me hope again. AND THEN I watched The Last Stand (2006) again, and realized I’m obviously a masochist.

Bryan Singer is a mad man with no baseline. He, possibly, could have lucked into making one good X-Men movie on the coat tails of Matthew Vaughn, subsequently losing steam with Apocalypse. And now I’m down in the rabbit hole of the thought process; “Well Simon Kinberg wrote Days of Future Past, which was solid - and has been producing the the show Legion, which is phenomenal… and Bryan Singer is off this project so all signs point to this being more in the DOFP And First Class caliber”… meanwhile all I can do is think about Sansa Sta… I mean… Sophie Turner’s eyes and charisma… and then justify Apocalypse as a Phoenix timeline primer… which then spins me back to how bad The Last Stand was. How did that not ruin Hugh Jackman’s career? I presume Halle Berry, Kelsey Grammer, Anna Paquin, Rebecca Romijn and Famke Janssen all died in post production depression from that movie. Fucking Patrick Stewart was still knighted 4 years after that, which was probably only by the grace of Ian McKellen and sheer will & power of the Star Fleet.

*head explodes* - rant//

Okay- maybe I’m just really in love with Sophie Turner and want definitively nothing more than for her to kill it! Yeah, that sounds less psychotic. I think…

#4 - Avengers: ENDGAME

Do I really have to explain this one? If you’ve been living under a rock for a decade here you go:

Iron Man (2008) spawned a wonderful series of movies that became the Civil Wars/Infinity Gauntlet Saga. And now’s it’s almost over. So - like… go watch them all and then come back to this list. NOW!

PS. You can skip Captain America: Winter Soldier. It’s a little important to the timeline… but only if you really care to waste two hours of your life.

#5 - Shazam

If you’re not excited for this, then your inner child is dead. This movie, in the same vain as Aquaman, will be the good kind of bad. Which is the best we could hope for with this type of Comic based movie. Think more “Great American Hero” than Shazam reboot.

AND the planned release of DC’s “Captain Marvel” (what Shazam was called previously) is just a giant “fuck you” to the MCU. So you can assume they have recruited the greatest comic book nerd minds and put them in god mode for the production of this. Or they just picked up a screenwriter and director from a street corner and give them 30 million dollars in a gigantic gamble that is certainly not gonna be a disaster.

I CAN’T FUCKING WAIT, FOLKS!

#6 - Joker

Here’s how the equation works for the modern time Cinematic Jokers.

Jack Nicholson = Terrible Joker Heath Ledger = Amazing Joker Jared Leto = Amazingly Terrible Joker Joaquin Phoenix = Terribly Amazing Joker?

Ya dig?

#7 - SPAWN [Delayed?]

It’s not a hard story to tell. Boy meets devil. Devil punks boy. Boy feels punk’d so he tries to murder the Devil. Just like Ross and Rachel, it’s that whole “will they, won’t they” game, and it’s a beautiful train wreck.

You’re right, that’s really not a good synopsis of Spawn. This is a can’t miss though. Three simple words: Jamie Foxx, brah!

What I really mean is, if it ever gets made, this will be a great movie.

#8 - FAR FROM HOME

Homecoming really nailed it for me, and this Spider’s contribution to the Avengers movies was great. I have no reason to put this so far down on the list except I’m really done with the same story over and over again, and they haven’t really promised me anything fresh for this movie. That being said, as long as Tobey Maguire doesn’t breathe near this film, and Marc Webb is never allowed near a Marvel movie again, this franchise has been revived and will continue to rock!

PS. Tobey Maguire is the dumbest way to spell either of those names. I know it’s not his fault, but he really had options - especially in hollywood - to fix this a long time ago. *sigh*

#9 - #877 ANY RANDOM BULLSHIT MEDIA THAT PEOPLE PUT OUT DURING 2019

This is the unofficial sum of the movies/videos/short films/youtube rants/whatever that will be put out there for the public to view that will be better than the final 3 films on this list.

#878 - THE NEW MUTANTS

Calling it right now, it’s going fail so hard that people are going to walk out of the theater. If it doesn’t, I’ll vow to destroy the thing most precious to me. (currently that’s my Uber Eats App)

#879 - SUICIDE SQUAD 2

FUCK… THIS… SHIT… How did they get funding for another one. I blame Will Smith for letting this continue. FUCK THIS SHIT!

#880 - HELLBOY II

Why? I’m not even going to waste my time with this one either. FUCK THIS SHIT x2!