#i may or may not have acquired an interest in baseball

[eddis-not-eeddis]

I have to be so normal about my newest obsession tomorrow because if I don't I am going to spook my mom's bestie.

[pizzacadres]

Fox Noise (Pizza cadres)

True personality: Sociable,patient,earnest

Shadow personality: unmanned, cunning, hates boredom

Mask ability: “Cunning”

(It can be snatch or cheat as they wish, but it's high risk)

Examples:snatch, unlock,attract items, etc...

"Snatch" can also be used to acquire someone abilities.

Mask features: A half mask covering all but the mouth in the shape of a fox mask.

It has a yellow base with a pattern of curled whiskers.

The eyes are comically deformed.

(As for his nose, it is not particularly disturbing since it deforms and fits while he is wearing the mask.)

He is a framer like Peppino, And he is also a street artist.

He likes to travel in the Framed world.

He is social, earnest and very patient, and he has a reasonable personality.

He rejects the shadow personality, forcing it down after a conflict.

He is truly terminally eroded, so even when he takes off his mask, black tears are constant and sometimes drip from his mouth.

and, he also often moans about his mental distress.

Fighting skills

He primarily uses a special red baseball bat when he fights.

Bombs, Noise crusher, and Skateboards are generated and disposed of using shadows and ink.

If he is wearing a mask, he can change his limbs into beastly ones, dramatically improving his athletic ability.

He also learns everything he can from people from other worlds and gains power from them.

He also seems to be able to use magic, although it is limited to the world of the picture frame.

Brief profile

He is from the same world as Peppino, but they have never actually met face-to-face until they bump into each other in the main story.

In his former world, he is a wanderer, forced to live on the run for one reason or another.

Along with his art activities, he is also trying to make people aware of the existence of the framed world.

He basically wears a hunting cap and a coat in the outside world.

Along with his art activities, he helps people as "Fox Noise ," wearing an orange hoodie and a mask.

Noisette is his girlfriend and assistant.

About his ability

His masked ability "Cunning" is very versatile and can easily ignore gimmicks.

It is limited by Faceless.

Each of his mask skills has a cost, and black ink accumulates in a vessel called "Ink cage".

When the vessel is full, the ability cannot be used for about ten seconds, and the he becomes fatigued.

Incidentally, snatch has the highest cost.

Back story

He and Noisette are forcibly drawn into a distorted, framed world by Faceless' pranks.

Faceless: "Howdy there^^, I know this is sudden, but come play with me, or I won't let you go back to where you came from.

If you play your cards right, I may alleviate the crisis in your home world .

I'm even willing to collaborate with your compatriots, whom you will meet in time."

Noise had no choice but to join in on his game.

His task, like Peppino's, was to repair all the distorted frames.

He travels the same way as Peppino, but takes a completely different route than Peppino.

When they do battle... it will be in the form of a mutual encounter,Faceless comes to check on them and says, "If you show interesting results, I'll lead yours to my place."and would pit the two against each other.

Noise is also interested in Peppino, who does not wear a mask, and tries to test his skills.

He sometimes creates a simple picture frame for a break and temporarily pries open an exit.

However, it is unclear where that exit leads,maybe the exit often leads to other AU.

afterwards

The crisis in his home world was to be alleviated and some of the missing people returned. He can come and go freely to the outside world.

But he is favorite by Faceless.

His appearance remains human, but his body is almost completely mutated, and he is not allowed to age or die.

…But then, so is Peppino.

[popculturelib]

For the Record: Women in Sports (1985) by Robert Markel and Nancy Brooks

Introduction:

Women athletes have participated in a multitude of sports and competitive events since the Games of Hera. Over the centuries since then, barriers to women's involvement in organized sport have been raised and then stormed; many, but not all, have fallen. Women have challenged records in popular and less well known sports and have performed feats of physical prowess. But until now it has been possible to find out about their accomplishments only by tedious and frustrating search that as often as not yielded incomplete or inaccurate information. The records established by women in sports have not been publicized in any organized or systematic format, and the stories behind the statistics—of such inspiration to young athletes and interest to fans—have not been widely known. I have, it is true, received recognition for my accomplishments, but probably more readily because I was the youngest ever on the team than because of my specific achievements. In the past, when women athletes have been noticed, it has generally been for some secondary or even frivolous distinction. This is a time for change. Women athletes are entitled to have their feats recorded and recognized, and they deserve to be seen as part of a tradition. Fans, who in ever-growing numbers are watching women in sports, are entitled to have access to the best information about women athletes past and present to enhance their understanding and enjoyment. And perhaps most important are the young, who will carry on our standards and traditions. Joe Di Maggio and Willie Mays are, rightly, heroes to boys who play baseball; girls playing softball should have a similar opportunity to admire and emulate Bertha Tickey and Joan Joyce. This book is the place to begin. Donna de Varona President, Women's Sports Foundation Gold Medalist, 1964 Olympics

The Browne Popular Culture Library (BPCL), founded in 1969, is the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.  Our focus and mission is to acquire and preserve research materials on American Popular Culture (post 1876) for curricular and research use. Visit our website at https://www.bgsu.edu/library/pcl.html.

[archoniluthradanar]

A Day at a Baseball Game with the Volturi Masters : San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park

Second up in the Summer Fun with the Volturi Masters, polled story series results.

You have managed to persuade Aro to fly the four of you to America to watch a baseball game, by convincing him it is a seasonal requirement of humans. Go to a game and support a team, or die. He is intrigued by this, unaware that humans have such laws. You run to the throne room where you find them sitting off to the side, studying at the table and reading old manuscripts in languages you don't understand.

Aro turns and moves quickly to your side. "Is something wrong, my dear?"

"Not at all, Aro," you reply, breathless. "I was able to acquire tickets to a baseball game in San Francisco, America! A luxury suite," you tell him. "Now, if you can provide the transportation to get there..."

Aro smiles. "Of course, we'll take one of the private jets and rent a limousine for our arrival at the airport. When is this...sporting event?"

"Next Tuesday," you reply, grinning.

"What accommodations have you acquired for us?" Caius asked, interested.

"They're called luxury suites, Caius, and they have various types. Ours will hold up to 20 people, so if you want to invite any of the guards to come..."

"Not this trip," Aro interrupts. "Perhaps later, we will go back, if we enjoy this venture."

"Well, the luxury suites have privacy, with interior seating, should it be sunny that day. And there are seats out in front of the suite, where we can mingle with our neighbors." You become more excited the more you describe the trip to the masters. "If you don't mind, Aro, they cater food. May I choose something to order for myself?"

"You have no need to ask, child. We don't want you starved," Marcus remarks with a small smile.

"It's not the healthiest food, and you know how our chef is." The Volturi's chef generally makes you healthy snacks, by order of the masters, although he will sneak fresh-baked cookies to you when he can. You see hot dogs, chips and dip, chicken tenders, and ice creme sundaes served in mini baseball helmets in your future.

Once all the arrangements have been made and approved by Aro, he calls the Volturi pilot to have one of the private jets made ready for a quick journey to America Tuesday next.

On the day you're to fly to San Francisco, you rise early and shower, and dress in jeans and a sweater shirt, knowing the city by the bay can be cool, even in Summer. Excited, you throw some things into a tote bag, and leave your quarters to go in search of the masters.

You find them in the throne room, waiting for you. You greet each with a hug and kiss on the cheek. Your smile is reflected on their faces. You hope they enjoy this sample of human sporting events, considering that they may have seen the original Olympic games or the gladiatorial games in ancient Rome.

Felix brings a car around the back gate for the drive to the Pisa airport. When you arrive there, you all head for the private jet gateway. The pilot, who is a vampire as well, is there waiting for you.

Aro goes to speak with the pilot while you, Marcus, and Caius enter the jet and get settled. Not the largest jet in their inventory, this one is suited for long hauls. There are four oversized seats at the back of the interior that face each other, while two sofas sit opposite one another and closer to the flight deck. Since there are only four of you, it is more than roomy.

The flight begins and you look out the window to see Italy fall away, but you know you will be back. It's your home now. Soon, you begin to think of the coming trip, short as it will be. You sit next to Marcus on a couch, and show him the brochure of the baseball stadium called Oracle Park. It sits on the San Francisco Bay, with their suite having great views of the entire park. The suites are high up in the stands, with interior and exterior seating. There is a small fridge that will contain drinks for you. You've also ordered one of the food packages that will be in the suite, waiting upon arrival. You haven't had an honest-to-goodness hot dog since you left home.

The limousine is at the San Francisco airport, picking you up for the ride into the city. It pulls up to the front of the stadium, letting you all out. It will come for you as soon as you call to let the driver know the game is over, or the masters have grown bored and wish to leave. You hope it won't be the latter.

Once you get out of the car, you inhale deeply of the bay air. You've been to San Francisco before and remember it with fondness. Smiling with excitement now that you're here, you check to make sure the masters are ready to go inside. "Come, Aro. This way inside, everyone."

The masters have dressed casually as suggested by you. All are donned in black jeans and grey or blue Italian wool pullover sweaters. You think them all very handsome, and notice more than one woman you pass seems to be thinking the same thing. You smirk when you ponder the fact that these men, these vampires, look at you as their companion and assistant, and trust you completely.

The group is met by a park docent, who leads you to the suite assigned to you. Marcus has placed his arm around you, feeling you need protection in this crowd. Aro and Caius lead the way, looking around with mild curiosity. You know they're probably thinking with distaste, "Too many humans". They have, of course, fed only a couple of days prior to this trip, and you've warned them to keep a low profile while here.

Finally, you reach your suite and enter the spacious unit perfect for private game viewing. You'd never be able to afford this on your own, but with the Volturi, money is no object. The docent hands each of you a team mini bat as a souvenir. The Volturi masters look at the strange object, but you thank the docent and close the door after he leaves.

"What are these?" Aro asks you, looking the small bat over, turning it around in his hand.

"It's a souvenir of the game. Some days, visitors get free items to take home. Today is what they call Bat Day.

Caius' eyes gleam when he begins to swing the bat around as if it were a weapon.

"Caius, put the bat down," you warn him.

"But they gave them to us," he protests.

"Not to use against anyone!" You hold out your hand, silently asking for the bat. Caius refuses.

"There is no one here in our private suite. I promise not to hit anyone with it while here."

You lean in and kiss his cheek. "Make sure you keep that promise."

Aro turns to you. "My dear, you do seem to be taking liberties with the freedom we give you. The way you speak to us..."

You move to Aro's side, placing a hand on his chest. "Master Aro, I love you all, and I just want to help protect you from discovery by humans." You caress his cheek and smile sincerely. "You have given me your trust. You and Marcus and Caius may be thousands of years old, but because you rarely leave the castle, you're actually quite naïve to modern ways. I can help with that, if you heed my suggestions. Please? You know how much I respect each of you."

Aro smiles and turns to you. "You're right," he tells you. "We do trust you, and look to you for knowledge of this modern world." He kisses you on your lips with typical familiarity.

You walk around, checking out the suite. Seeing a table to the side covered with bowls, you inspect them to see food inside. You grab a potato chip and dip it in a small bowl. "Mmm...ranch." Then you take a chicken tender and dip it was well, and go to check out the outdoor seating.

You stand where the seats are, perusing the entire stadium. "This is fantastic. Marcus, come look!"

Marcus comes up behind you, placing his hands on your shoulders. "It is larger than the Coliseum."

"You were really...there? I knew it," you say, laughing.

You excuse yourself to run to the restroom, and make a stop at the stadium store. You buy hats for everyone, wondering if they'll agree to wear them.

When you get back to the suite, you're wearing your hat and offer each master one. .

 Caius sees someone wearing their hat backwards, so puts his on that way. You marvel at how easily he would fit into modern times with his blonde good looks.

Marcus  allows you to put his hat on him. His long hair is pulled back into a ponytail, and you admire him with your eyes and a smile.

Aro dons his hat and sits in his chair, his legs crossed, still acting as if he were lording over his realm.

When it's time for the game to begin, everyone stands for the anthem. As an American, you do as well, but the masters keep their seats. You just hope no one notices. When someone does cast a glare at the seated trio, you say, "They're Italian." The person shrugs and looks back at the field.

Caius sits on the far-left chair while Aro sits at his right. You are sitting next to Aro, with Marcus on your right. The game begins, and you explain what's happening whenever one of the masters asks a question. The game continues, the Giants currently ahead, 3-1 in the fourth inning.

You make a plate of food for yourself and grab a beer from the mini-fridge. The masters peer at your plate, unable to avoid making faces at what you are eating. You just laugh and eat more.

The next batter steps up to home, and misses the first two pitches. On the third pitch, the batter swings hard, and the ball flies straight and fast, right for your part of the stadium. Suddenly, you see Aro lift up his right hand, and the next thing you know, he catches the fly ball, bare-handed. You look at the jumbotron, with all of you on it, the camera pointed right at your box. The announcer is talking excitedly about the speed of that fly ball and Aro's bare-handed catch. The stadium is cheering. and Aro is smiling, enjoying seeing his face on the display, larger than life. You tell Aro to give you the ball, raising your hand in the air once he complies. You smile broadly at the camera, then go inside the box. Aro follows you, confused.

"You are upset. What is the matter?" he asks you.

"This is not keeping a low profile," you say, waving the ball around.

"It's not like I asked to have this ball thrown at me," he protests. "I thought it was well played myself."

You sigh and relent, hugging Aro while you apologise. "If you're not worried, neither am I. Being a good catcher doesn't tie you with being a...you-know-what."

When he smiles at you, you give him a wink. He returns to his seat while you go to the food table to fill a plate with more food. The hot dogs look good, so you make one up with mustard, relish, and onions. "It's too bad you can't eat any of this yummy food. I can't even imagine not being able to eat food like this." You sit down and take a bite of the hot dog.

Aro reaches over and with a finger, removes a dab of mustard from your mouth. You offer him your napkin to wipe it off his finger. He does so, and tosses the napkin in a nearby trash can. He then gazes at you.

You know why too. "Aro, I didn't mean that I won't. I will, eventually. You've never mentioned a deadline or forcing me." You reach up to touch the Volturi pendant that sits on his chest. "One day, you will place one of these around my neck, and it will be official."

"Aro, the game? Let's not discuss family business with our dear one, while the game is being played."

You take Marcus' hand and squeeze it, grateful for his intercession.

You receive the ordered ice creme sundae from a docent, who is told only one is necessary. You eat it from the souvenir mini baseball helmet, making noises while devouring the cold treat.

Caius starts to make denigrating remarks after what he deems a poor play. The man on a chair in the next suite hears him, and demands Caius shut up. Now Caius is angry at the human, and begins to wave the small bat.

The man rises from his seat and hangs over the dividing rail, blocking Aro, who is trying to hold back Caius and maintain his own temper.

You get up from your seat and tell the man, if he values his life, he had better sit down. The tone of your voice and the stare you give him, makes him back down, and he returns to his seat while muttering. "You see, Aro, I'll make a great one." You then face Caius, giving him a look begging his indulgence for the sake of peace, and to avoid getting kicked out of the park. He relents and sits down.

The last inning is being played, and the Giants are winning. People start to leave the park and Caius asks if it is over, since the players are still on the field.

'It's a thing," you tell him. "When the game looks like an obvious win, people leave early."

"Then shall we go?" he asks you.

"We can, if you wish," you say, going to put the rest of the food on a plate and covering it with several napkins. You put the now washed mini helmet into your tote along with anything you can take with you.

Aro leads you all out of the suite and goes back the way they come in, easily remembering the route.

You happily follow him, full and content. "Marcus, did you enjoy the game?" you ask.

"It was unusual. Not as exciting as the gladiatorial games, but interesting. Your team won, which is laudable. I enjoyed the company, child." He graces you with a smile, then again, places an arm around you to protect you from the now exiting crowd.

The limousine is waiting for you all, so you all climb in for the trip to the airport. You lean against Marcus, fatigue finally overtaking you.

The pilot is waiting outside the jet, and greets Aro, giving him the status of the flight, while Caius gets in, holding all the mini bats. Marcus picks you up in his arms and carries you inside while you hold your plate of food and the tote.

Once everyone has settled in, the flight takes off for the trip back to Italy. You look out the window, watching the city off in the distance. Then you snuggle against Marcus, sighing happily. You smile, grateful to be friends with such inquisitive vampires.

[xreynadel]

MERROCK TASK #9

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND...

Reyna Antonella Delgadillo

—

Playing Next: 🎶

Sunday Kind of Love by Etta James [x]

Oh Yeah by Foxy Brown [x]

hope is a dangerous thing… by Lana Del Rey [x]

tw: mentions of abandonment issues and child neglect

Reyna was fun to develop because where the others this far had been inspired by my surroundings, Reyna was completely based off of a wanted connection and a conversation with Katie. Reyna was the product of the wanted connection for Rafael’s stepchild and a crazy idea. Not stepchild, what if Rafael had a child he never knew anything about? I mean, nothing shakes up one’s world like an 18 year old showing up claiming to be your kid. But plot twist, she’s not actually his child. Shoutout Katie for being all in, not knowing Reyna’s favorite talent would be giving Raf gray hair! <3

In all of this, FC choice was the easiest. Mexican-Italian decent and in her thirties, Selena made perfect sense. Funny story, the same week I applied as Reyna the episode of OMITB where we met Mabel’s dad aired, and guess who was playing her dad! lol just thought that was a funny little coincidence — anyway! Reyna grew up fairly well off financially, especially in comparison to my other characters. While some would consider her lucky, it made sense that her financial privilege be countered with a fairly emotionally neglectful upbringing. Though not intentional, being raised by a single mother with a demanding job until she remarried and started a new family that Reyna never felt quite a part of, it left Reyna with feelings of unworthiness and deep craving for love in any capacity. This was further heightened upon her arrival in town. Especially in the shadow of just how deeply Reyna was affected emotionally in learning who she thought was her biological father her whole life, he was in fact not.

Now Reyna’s life since meeting Raf was another adventure. She very quickly acclimated and attached herself to the lifestyle that not only working for Raf but being a surrogate daughter provides her, which made the transition from New York to Maine a lot easier. Being unofficially adopted into the Bardales family and learning all she knows about real estate from the best has allowed for her success to back up the overly confident, princess persona she puts on. And though it is mostly an act, a part of Reyna is that spoiled princess who believes that she is loved just enough by a very select few to not deal with consequences. This is how she gets away with what we lovingly refer to as her bullying people to show them she cares. And while her lack of affectionate upbringing plays into that as well, there’s a sort of you may not have created the monster but you feed it and have to live with it type of relationship to those closest to her.

However, just under the hard exterior, femme fatale aesthetic, and princess attitude is a very broken little girl. Reyna may have mended her relationships with all parental figures in her life on the surface, but she has a long way to deal with the emotional damage she has acquired due to the situation.

The broken off engagement was just for added drama. Reyna has had exactly two long term relationships in her life, the second ending in a broken engagement. That has only further built up her walls and discomfort with genuine affection. Though she isn’t entirely shut off to the idea of finding love again, she considers it to have been sound advice having been raised to prioritize her career over men, at this point.

When it comes to her interests and hobbies, Reyna is the girliest girl who considers herself one of the boys. She lives in a world of wearing diamonds and full glam to watch her beloved Yankees play. The Yankees may be the only team you hear her follow closely, due to baseball being the only sport I understand, but sports as a whole are a huge love for her. Her classic car collection is something inspired by my family. The only part of my own personality pulled into Reyna is our shared love of air conditioning and the fact that I too was one of the boys growing up with almost all brothers. That.. And our love of clothes.

Her fashionable aesthetic does not negate that has an easier time relating to and bonding with men, likely due to both her tumultuous relationship with her mother on top of having attended an all-girls catholic school, and desiring the sort of power that men hold in society at large. It was very much instilled in her growing up, that her career would be the path to that power. Her career is essentially, in her eyes, all she has. And maybe all she needs? That career is what allows me to relate to Reyna, as once upon a time in life, I too worked in real estate. Making her a luxury agent specifically provides for keeping up as close to a lifestyle in Maine as she was accustomed to — and working a food service job again being her worst nightmare. She is simply trying her best, while keeping up a persona she has put on long enough not to detach herself from.

Once solely out of insecurity though, she now has achievements and successes to stand on, unbothered that she may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Unless someone implies that she gets preferential treatment on the job. That’s probably the greatest offense in her eyes.

[stingslikeabee]

@dojimakaichou . from here

That kiss - it had been the most fascinating event of the past few months in relation to the delightful whirlwind of emotions that was Daigo Dojima. As a target, he offered everything she required - raw, pure chaotic energy made from a perfect mix of volatile feelings all bottled inside one person and which should have been too much. On top of that - the guilt, the heavy burden of being responsible for the fates of many, the regrets of not doing enough.

And yet, time and time again he refused to ask for anything that felt like a desire; no tiny wishes, no requests, no cleverly disguised favors. Daigo seemed content to perish in his own personal hell where his well-being mattered next to nothing when compared to others, and it infuriated the demoness.

And that was how they had arrived there - with the darker one concerned about what would make Daigo genuinely in awe of her; a gift he couldn't possibly acquire anywhere else; some sense of belonging that would place her irrevocably at the center of that man's thoughts. Melissa joked about his soul, of course - but who wouldn't? Daigo tasted like the ambrosia of the old gods; the yakuza looked like he was made for the darkness, neon flashing lights and that roughness that made him such an efficient criminal leader when he was required to be brutal.

A match made in hell, maybe - and Melissa wanted more; more of his furious blushing, tight grips and rough kissing that had erupted like the many emotions he kept boiling under the surface. Smiling softly, the demoness made no move to leave Daigo's lap or to acknowledge any of their peers around the stadium - if they chose to look at them rather than at the game, it was on them. As much as baseball had its fun share of chaos and chance, the demoness was much more interested in how it transformed her elected prey.

"Daigo-kun, please pretend I have never seen this game before, no matter what my attire may have led you to believe," the brunette chuckled, going from the polite treatment of his station to something very intimate under less than a minute. A free hand kept moving over his face, enjoying every single soft reaction from the chairman and clearly continuing with that approach on purpose - why else would a demon do anything but to torment another?

('To show you care for him', her eternal counterparty would say.)

"So why don't you explain the rules to me while we're here? Nice and slow," the female-shaped demon eyed him up, honey-colored irises glinting with mischief and amusement. The tone of the request and her relaxed posture meant that there were plans for after the game - but only once it was over. Melissa wasn't about to give him a taste of anonymity and then rescind it immediately - Daigo was unlikely to beg for more, anyway.

For the time being, she would soak all that adoration and the endearingly protective side of his whenever they were in public. Melissa could snap her fingers and have bolts of lightening striking any attacker, killing them on the spot (for dramatic purposes, of course - a heart attack was not as visually memorable)... But no one had ever wanted to look after a creature born from shadows before.

Only Daigo had embraced darkness like that - and for doing so, he deserved to live a bit outside of his gilded cage.

[myownsportsblog]

Streaming

There's no denying that streaming services are the future in broadcasting. While once could argue that there are too many of them and that most have yet to make a profit, this is still the future. The streaming of live sports events is no exception. I have a subscription for NBA League Pass as a benefit to having season tickets to the 76ers. I enjoy watching other teams broadcast, especially, since I don't have cable to watch Sixers away games. Last year an NFL playoff game was only available on Peacock, which had 23 million viewers and I have a subscription to. There are different sporting events streamed on Prime Video and even Netflix is getting into the game with the Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight whenever that may be, as well as other events. While staged, the WWE is going to be available on Netflix next year and everyone's heard that it's going to be uncensored. For those unlucky souls, Apple TV has MLS and Friday Night Baseball and despite my love of baseball, watching it is torture.

The NBA is finalizing a new TV deal, which will have national games on ESPN/ABC, as well as Peacock and Prime Video. TNT will be left out of the new contract, which most of us are aware of. For one thing, TNT's parent company (Discovery) is having financial issues due in part to its acquisition of Warner Media Group. Just another example of a company acquiring another company and being over their heads. The other part to them being left out is that Discovery would rather live without streaming live sports, unless it were bass fishing or something to do with the state of Alaska. This was confirmed a while ago by their CEO that they really weren't interested in the NBA.

We've only have seen the beginning as to the future of streaming however only time will tell its full impact.

[ultramaga]

I think Leftists ONLY understand politics. A lot of the stories were morality tales.

But even a Leftist has to be careful to miswatch DS9, because Leftism is carefully deconstructed. The capitalist parody race becomes sympathetic and interesting, and Nog pointing out the bullshit of the vision of post scarcity was fantastic.

Jake is a typical Leftist, who always claims he is above money and possessions - whilst demanding Nog pay for Jake's stuff.

Nog telling him, politely, to go fuck himself, and Jake then agreeing that if he wants scarce items, he has to work, that is character growth for both of them.

Nog later joins as a Starfleet Officer, and serves with honor. He's no bigot. But he doesn't blindly accept propaganda.

The scene with Garak and Quark discussing the federation as outsiders is one of the most memorable.

They describe it as this insipid concoction that nevertheless seduces people.

Both characters are very critical of the Leftist State. Garak is a totalitarian, but finds the Feds to be hypocritical, AND PROVES HIS POINT.

Watch that episode. You could say it was about politics, but whose? There's no clear winner. It's explicitly not a Leftist victory.

In fact, the whole of trek is full of moral conflicts that are not black and white. Leftists tell us we must Trust and Believe.

Trek shows us that authorities can be wrong, they can lie; we have to trust our own conscience.

Many episodes are centered around disobeying orders - even Spock transported his former captain to a planet that was forbidden on pain of death, which was unique and treated with the utmost seriousness.

Other episodes had characters obey rules such as The Prime Directive, which most fans view as bollocks if used as an absolute.

What are the Politics of Mudd's Women?

At first it is simple. Mudd is a criminal; of course he is doing evil!

Three women decide that they will be brides to three miners, who have money but are lonely and isolated.

Yes, MONEY - so much for the socialist Utopia!

Mudd delivered the women, who are irresistible. It turns out he is selling them a drug that makes them beautiful. OMG, HE IS OBJECTIFICATION MISOGYNY UNCLEAN!

But it is a scam. It's a placebo. The women are convinced they are beautiful, and, so, project beauty.

If feminists could see past the surface level, they would understand that men appreciate inner beauty.

This is symbolically represented by the transformed women. The drug is a misdirection, a placebo. They are beautiful because they are confident, and happy to be womanly to the men.

In feminist propaganda, they are victims, surrendering to the male gaze, playing to male fantasies.

But the reality is that they are lonely women who seek lonely men, and they want to be sexy, despite not being born with the best hand of cards.

And real world women can do this. The lesson of the episode is that women can find love, just like men do. By working for it. By being charming, by dressing nice, by exercise.

Not every one gets to be intrinsically gorgeous.

Yet most women can - if they will put the work in - find someone who will see them as beautiful even when they are old and grey.

Just like the men here did. They worked in hard conditions, and sacrificed, like men have always done.

And those women appreciated them, despite their humble social status and appearances.

The Leftist strawman Conservative only wants a doll as a sex toy, and the feminist complaint constantly in movies like Barbie that men demand an impossible physical perfection.

But they only get there by ignoring real men. Real men who clearly say they just want women who make an effort. Who are kind. Who are lustful TOWARDS THEM.

This is Marilyn Monroe.

She wasn't turning on the charm - that was a skill she learnt later. Most men would not blink if they saw a woman like that.

Marilyn learned the skills of how to seduce, how to charm. She was incredible at it. She convinced millions that she was the most beautiful woman of all.

And that is what men want. Doesn't have to be all the time. But if a woman isn't interested in dating her husband sometimes, being the temptress towards him, dressing up in what turns him on - then that marriage will grow stale.

And so - yes, there are politics in star trek, but they are never as banal as Leftists want, or at least they weren't until the reboot.

Star trek is so much more than that.

[red-hared-hasty-horse-yugioh]

(card images recreated in DB’s custom card maker because I couldn’t find images of them in English)

Power Pro Lady Sisters

Level 6 WIND Winged-Beast Normal Monster (1950 ATK, 2100 DEF)

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The three Power Pro girls are best friends! And their passion for baseball soars like a home run! ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Aoi Hayakawa was the first female player in the league. Her signature pitch is a submariner she calls The Marine Ball! ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Mizuki Tachibana is more of a tomboy than her senpai, best known for her Crescent Moon Pitch and her love for the pudding sold down at Pawado! ‎ ‎‎ ‎ Hijiri Rokudo is a catcher with a rare gift for baseball! She's been best friends with Mizuki since junior high and her favorite at Pawado is the Kintsuba!

Power Pro Knight Sisters

Level 4 LIGHT Warrior Normal Monster (1200 ATK, 2400 DEF)

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The stadium is now open, and our all-star ladies are ready to take you out to the ball game! It's the beginning of a new baseball legend! ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Presenting: The three navigators of the Power Pro world! That's Paa-chan on the left, bright, energetic, and (usually) dependable. On the right we've got Waa-chan, calm, earnest, and level-headed (usually...). And Namiki is in charge up front with little Chikuwa in her tote bag, helping us cheer everyone on!

-

Today I want to talk about a pair of normal monsters. Over on Yugioh Masterduel, Konami is doing some strange crossover promotion with their baseball video game series, Power Pros. There is a mission that you complete by logging in three times during the promotion. One of those times just gives you a player icon to use, but the other two each give you a card. 

These cards are royal URs and are actual cards you can put in your deck and duel with. These cards are currently exclusive to Masterduel, which is kinda weird. They are both parodies of existing monsters, Harpie Lady Sisters and Noble Knight Brothers, but with their effects removed. An odd quirk of these cards is that they are effectively limited to one, not because they are on the limited list, but because you can only acquire one. 

Lady Sisters isn’t worth talking about further, but Knight Sisters is kinda interesting. This monster has the highest DEF of any LV4- monster that you can normal summon or set that does not have a negative effect. Not that anyone is randomly going to play a 2400 DEF monster in 2023, but its weird seeing an old record be broken like that. 

Here are the list of LV4- normal summonable monsters with 2400 or more DEF;

Noble Knight Brothers: 2400 DEF. Cannot attack unless you control exactly 3 Noble Knight monsters and no others.

Giant Kozaky: 2400 DEF. Destroys itself and inflicts burn damage to you if you do not control Kozaky. 

Boycotton: 2500 DEF. Makes you take the damage from its battles.

Steel Cavalry of Dinon: 2600 DEF. Halves ATK and DEF while battling a pendulum.

Big Shield Gardna: 2600 DEF. Changes to attack position after battling.

Destiny HERO - Defender: 2700 DEF. Your opponent draws an extra card during each of their standby phases.

This beat the previous record of 2200 DEF, set by: 

Adamancipator Crystal - Dragite

Adamancipator Crystal - Leonite

Adamancipator Crystal - Raptite

Anesthrokket Dragon

BM-4 Blast Spider

Emperor Sem

Gear Golem the Moving Fortress

Gogogo Aristera & Dexia

Gogogo Gigas

Mixeroid

The Lady in Wight

The Weather Painter Snow

Weirdly, that previous list contains only effect monsters. The previous record for normal monsters was 2100 DEF. You would think Konami would grant higher stats to monsters with no effects than monsters with positive effects, but until Power Pro Knight Sisters, that was not the case.

Over in the OCG, back in December, Guard Mantis came out, which is also a 2400 DEF that can be normal summoned or set with no negative effect. It may just be that 2400 DEF is becoming the new normal for big DEF monsters. 

[serve-update]

Billy Beane Net Worth: As Long As He Is Physically Able, He Plans To Keep Playing Sports!

Bill Beane III, born in the United States, played for the major leagues and is now a front-office executive with the baseball team. On March 29, 1962, he was born in Orlando, Florida.

Billy Beane Net Worth

General Manager Billy Beane of the American baseball team the Oakland Athletics earns $3 million per year and has a net worth of $20 million. Billy Beane began his career as a major league baseball player and later became an influential figure in the industry from behind the scenes.  He is presently the Oakland Athletics' vice president of baseball operations, vice president of front office operations, and a minority owner. He joined the Athletics as a scout and has since held the positions of general manager and executive vice president. The following articles may also pique your interest: Randall Emmett Net Worth. His professional baseball career was mostly overlooked, but he went on to achieve great success as a business leader. Statistical analysis of players is only one example of the technical breakthroughs that have facilitated Beane's unconventional approach to baseball management. A novel titled "Moneyball," written by Michael Lewis in 2003, was turned into a film starring Brad Pitt the following year. Billy used to only play baseball, but now he plays a variety of other sports, including soccer. He has recently acquired a minority share in the English Championship club Barnsley FC. In addition, he is a co-owner of the Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch soccer league. Beane cares about more than simply athletics, though. In the software industry and elsewhere, he has also found great success. We hope that you enjoy this content Eric Yuan Net Worth. We got a tweet for Billy Beane Net Worth. https://twitter.com/Society_watch/status/1618998531502624771

Billy Beane The Player.

With the 23rd pick in the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft, the New York Mets took Billy, making him the team's second-ever draught pick following Terry Francona. When the Mets had the first overall pick in the draught, they took Darryl Strawberry. Throughout his time in the majors, Beane had nothing but trouble. We hope you read about Lala Kent Net Worth. Billy played in 148 games throughout the course of his six-year career, hitting three home runs and driving in twenty-nine runs. His lifetime batting average of.219 combined with his lack of productivity to earn him a -1.6 WAR. We can safely claim that his move to the front desk was a life-changing event.

Billy Beane Net Worth

As Long As He Is Physically Able, He Plans To Keep Playing Sports.

Oakland, California— Billy Beane will stay with the Athletics until Oakland gets a new ballpark, which he still expects. Beane said Monday that he would stay with the A's as executive vice president of baseball operations as long as they needed him. Beane has been courted by the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets in recent years, but he has remained loyal to the low-budget A's despite financial restraints and losing star players owing to high contracts. "What makes me happy? Having a new stadium soon. Beane said, "If it's possible while my occupation," laughing. However, we will because the group and city deserve it. That'll happen." Oakland A's owner John Fisher and president Dave Kaval are designing a ballpark for Jack London Square. Beane remarked, "I know that ever since it started with Dave and John Fisher, look, they've been preoccupied with trying to secure a venue here, and it's not easy." My unique perspective lets me share this information with you. It's frustrating because groups want stability. We won't be without a new place. I'm not lazy. I've considered both sides and it's complicated. No "Who's responsible?" City or person. Nope. Both parties struggle." 102-point loss Before COVID-19, the A's home record was 29-51 and attendance was 1,662,211. In May 2021, Major League Baseball authorized Oakland's brass to contemplate relocating if no ballpark agreement could be reached. Kaval has said the club is working on "parallel courses" in Oakland and Las Vegas. The A's are Oakland's lone major league sports franchise after the Golden State Warriors and Raiders migrated to San Francisco and Las Vegas, respectively. The Oakland plan calls for a 35,000-seat waterfront ballpark, 3,000 residential units, office and retail space, hotel rooms, and an indoor performance center to be built for $1 billion with private finance. Must be checked this article Tommy Lee Net Worth. The A's lease at the decrepit Coliseum runs through 2024, and MLB has ruled out redevelopment. "I've seen it," Beane said. https://youtu.be/QCDtLvNqiu4 Final Words If you like the TV show "Billy Beane Net Worth," you'll want to check this out. Even if you don't like the term "Geeeeez," you'll find yourself saying it multiple times throughout this show about a celebrity and his finances. It also has excellent visuals and intriguing animation effects. Watch it right now if you haven't and let me know what you thought of it in the comments if you did. You may easily spend a few hours enjoying it. If you liked this article, follow our website, serveupdate.com, and don’t forget to follow our social media handles.   Read the full article

[bennomartens]

Friday Five Post

(image via)

Here’s five things I thought were interesting recently. Maybe you will too.

1. 

Austin Kleon wrote a blog post a couple of weeks ago imploring folks who create stuff on the internet to have a mailing list.

I cannot believe I’m still having to type this.

This is not complicated. This is basic punk rock show 101 write your address down on this clipboard and we’ll send you a zine stuff.

Stop making it hard for someone to be your fan.

Bare minimum, folks: a website with a box to put an email into.

It turns out I didn’t have a mailing list, so after reading this I made one. I don’t know if I’ll ever use it to actually send an email out to people, but if you’re interested in that sort of thing, you can sign up for mine right here.

2.

As someone who has worked in community development and planning for nearly 14 years, I’ve been to my fair share of public meetings. And almost every single one of them has been shockingly unproductive. There are a lot of reasons for this, but it mostly comes down to the format of such meetings not rising to the level of its purpose.

So I really got a lot out of this post at Strong Towns about a different way to approach community engagement. Making things interactive, visual, and more like play seems like a more nuanced way to get the kind of quality interactions with and buy-in from the people you’re trying to help. 

This goes along with the Strong Towns Approach to Public Investment: 

3.

In light of the news that the Major League Baseball lockout will likely result in a delay to the start of spring training, and possibly of the regular season, I am choosing to instead focus my time and attention on bringing back baseball sweaters. Before those old satin jackets and, more recently, performance-material pullovers and the like, players wore these absolutely dope-ass sweaters (Do the kids still say “dope-ass”? Did they ever say that?).

Baseball By BSmile is one of the very few baseball-related Tumblrs, and one of my favorite follows. That site is also undeniably on “Team Bring Back Baseball Sweaters,” and I love it.

4. 

I’m really annoyed that Wordle was acquired by The New York Times. This is why we can’t have nice things. Something as innocuous as a little word game showed the least bit of viral popularity, and thus potential for profit, and was snapped up by a goddamn corporation that will inevitably put it behind a paywall, plaster it with ads, and suck all of the joy out of it.

5.

Lastly, it’s snowing like crazy as I write this here on the shores of Lake Erie. Local weather folks say we’re in for anywhere from 1-2 feet of snow by the time the storm is over (I’m writing this on Thursday, so it should be done by the time this post publishes). 

Snowmageddon, as people are wont to call these sorts of storms, is a staple of life here in the Midwest. In order to not let the snow, cold, and gray skies that are near-constant here in the winter to become overly depressing, folks who live here get creative with their approaches to the season. Like this person, who lives a couple of streets over from where I spent my mid-20s in Lakewood, Ohio. My 4-year-old nephew saw this and suggested I get one for shoveling, too. I’m considering it, but think I may go the baseball mascot route.

Thanks for reading this week, my first writing here at The Edge of America. Hope you have a great weekend!

[nichtsgeschiehtmitzufall]

Altering Your Mans Underwear And Having Away Along With It

Men dislike acquiring their very own under garments. Solitary gentlemen tend to whiz into major departmental shops, getting the 3-load up under garments that are dyed within the dullest colors, wishing how the woman on the check out counter-top is not really younger and pretty. If they have obtained a partner or better half, the process is almost immediately delegated quickly to her. After all, she is the only person who notices.

Best Sissy Pouch Panties for Men: click here

But what will happen underneath those clothes is extremely important towards the females, which explains why Angies Panties Online Store has created many ways for females on the way to choose the best undergarments for men and women. The guidelines entail three simple steps that involves, to begin with, training what kind if man you possess, deciding on the sort of under garments and lastly, obtaining enough levels the newest fashion in to the man’s cabinet before detailing on your own.

Starting Point – What kind of man you will be handling.

The first step involves exercising what kind of person you might have. Try using the subsequent information:

Ubermale – This guy is really interested in his appears which he will handle his own under garments and you can be assured you could rely on it will appear good on him. It is recommended to ensure that he is not going to end up out-getting dressed you within the under garments section. A very important thing for this person would be to palm him a mens g-string so he can adore his butt within a match.

Metrosexual guy – He has at the very least some sort of face product and does get pleasure from buying. It might be normal to see this person sporting one thing from Zara or American Clothing. Trunks will be the factor for this sort of guy. He will be well aware that Calvin Klein have nice looking trunks.

Family gentleman – Spends the majority of his time with children climbing throughout him. Therefore one thing comfortable and easy are crucial like briefs. When he crawls into bed soon after placing the infant to get to sleep you won’t recognize what they have on in any case.

Lad – This person is occupied across the neighborhood bar watching football, humming to music as he showers within the baseball altering space. Finest guidance is way too get him something which will not embarrass his buddies on the membership. Good old designed boxers are fantastic for him and you can even opt to differ the material by buying anything silkier.

2nd phase – Ordering

A person will usually dress in one set of under garments provided that probable without transforming. It is pretty nauseating, consequently ladies need to ensure he alterations it and possesses a minimum of 14 days and nights worth of under garments offer. This way you can make certain he will receive around to his cleaning every fourteen days. Even so, in order to ensure he washes his under garments on a regular basis, the remedy is apparent, get less undergarments. A friend once obtained a solitary three pack only.

Phase three - Generating the swap

Now, easy methods to clear away the old styles. The easiest way to is by using the immediate approach. Dump the underwear in the rubbish over a rubbish working day. You undoubtedly don’t want him rummaging in the garbage can trying to find them while cursing at you. Ensure his new under garments is positioned specifically where the existing kinds would have been. In case the colors complement, the change in under garments kind may even go unseen for several days if you’re privileged.

Move four – Explaining your self

When your man asks where his beloved underwear disappeared to, you can choose your how you need to explain the reality. It is possible to repeat the washer chewed it or go direct for that cliché, “I like you without them” and them mind for that very hot rumble that follows, helping him overcome the fact his favored y-fronts go.