#jeannie and brandon

[talesfromthebacklog]

Side post: Anime Convention Haul!

I went to Kumoricon this weekend! Got some really neat autographs from some really awesome people!

Had Karen Strassman (Rouge) sign my copy of Sonic Generations. And Brandon McInnis (Count St. Germain from the anime) for my copy of Code Realize! The gold Brandon used to sign it was literally perfect.

And finally I had my volume 1 copy of the manga My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom signed by the anime voice actor Jeannie Tirado. She even drew a little doom flag for me! So cool!

So I had an awesome con day.

And also horses. I just really love horses.

There was also a giant Doujinshi booth. I did pick some up but I’m going to leave my Doujinshi taste to be a mystery. 😜

[queencvbra]

Gonna explain the weird time jump between Tory leaving and the Sekai Taikai by saying she went to Korea with Kreese, that’s why no one could get ahold of her. She left Brandon with either the LaRussos or Bobby and Jeanny and vanished.

[goldeneyedgirl]

TwiFicmas23 Day 4: Anathema

Today has been a bit of a mess, and now we've had a small change of plans because today's intended fic is missing a chunk.

So we have two scenes from Anathema since @sonyawix asked so nicely. These follow on straight from Alice and Jasper's very awkward and public first meeting; Anathema is so fun to write honestly.

I hope everyone has a good day, and I'll be back tomorrow!

anathema

The car ride home from the meeting was silent, with both Freddie and I mulling over what had just transpired with the Cullens, and exactly what it meant for us.

Because there was one thing we didn’t want anyone to figure out, especially the council. 

And it was the fact that I wasn’t entirely human. I wasn’t just gifted. 

My biological father was a vampire. 

It was practically unheard of, according to Jeannie. Nearly impossible for a vampire to father a child, let alone for the mother to carry the pregnancy to term. And Jeannie had never heard, in all her family’s diaries and archives, of any of the mothers surviving the birth. 

My mom had been no exception. Lilian Brandon-Myer had died within moments of my birth, when I had ripped my way out of her body with her sharp little teeth. The human body isn’t designed to survive that kind of trauma. I keep telling myself that - there was no way anyone could have saved her. It was a damn miracle that she had even made it that far, really. 

I really didn’t know that much about her. She’d been twenty-seven years old, worked at an art gallery, and had been married for two years, to Richard. I had one memory of her, wispy and thin since I was only moments old - wide blue eyes in a thin, pale face; dark hair, and a lot of blood. She was probably already dead. 

My mother had been Freddie’s baby sister, and he had doted on her - I’d heard all the stories, how much he’d adored her. He’d been completely and utterly destroyed when my mother had died. Hell, Jeanie had alluded that she and Freddie had cared for her during her pregnancy, trying to keep her alive long enough to give birth. And then I had been born a freak of nature, growing so much faster than a human baby. They couldn’t dump me on social services when, by my first birthday, I was already the same as a human three-year-old. 

And Mom’s husband had been too… normal to take me, and I’m not sure he’d have wanted to; I was what killed her. He never would have been able to cope with the realities of the supernatural, let alone raising a vampire-human hybrid who aged three times faster than an ordinary child. Jeanie, at least, had one foot in the supernatural world, and generations of family lore and history to navigate raising me safely. 

She always said that she and Freddie had never been blessed with children of their own, so I was their special gift. I don’t know if either of us really believed that but it was a nice sentiment. 

Even my ‘sister’ wasn’t really any relation to me. Cynthia was Richard’s daughter with his second wife, and my one link to the real, normal world. I had no idea how Freddie convinced Rich to let us be raised as ‘sisters’, but I was grateful - I adored Cynthia, and I wish we could have spent more time together. Rich was actually a really nice guy; he called me on my birthday, and sent me gifts, and always told me that I was the spitting image of Mom and she would have been so proud of me. Honestly, everything I know about Mom, I got from Rich; Freddie never spoke of her, and Jeanie always promised she’d tell me more when I was older. 

“What are we going to do?” I asked softly, and Freddie sighed and shook his head. “D’you want me to go to the beach house?”

Freddie and Jeanie raised me in an isolated house near Neah Bay for the first couple of years, to keep me out of sight - Freddie commuted to the funeral home as needed. As far as the Forks’ locals knew, I had come into their custody when I was ‘twelve’; in reality, I was fully-grown at seven years old and was just slight enough to pass as a middle-schooler with a few adjustments - it’s amazing what a too-big dress and a pair of pink plastic glasses could do. I really had looked like a child being raised by an older couple; awkward and unfashionable. 

But we’d kept the beach house; Freddie and I drove up a few times a year to make sure it was maintained and secure. Freddie had gone to no small amount of trouble and expense to make sure that no one knew we owned the property, especially anyone in Forks. It had to stay as a safe house in case everything went sour. 

One thing that Jeanie was intensely aware of was the Quileutes’ history with the Cold Ones, and she swore that they could never, ever know about me. That she didn’t know what the Blacks and the Clearwaters would do if they found out about me. They would certainly argue that we couldn’t function as Mediators, because we couldn’t be impartial when my sperm donor was a vampire. There was a very, very good chance they’d banish me from the reservation, and hold me to the treaty - if not try and run Freddie and I out of town entirely. 

Or even try to hurt me. 

I hated that; the idea that Sue Clearwater - who had done so much heavy lifting in our household after Jeanie died - could turn on me. That Leah and I wouldn’t tease each other, or that I’d never be able to go down to La Push with the twins again. Besides, I was functionally human - I ate, I slept, I bled, I used the bathroom, I wasn’t venomous - Jeanie had run dozens of tests over the years. My heart-beat was faster than a humans, and I ran warm on a good day, but now that I was mature, I was just me. Just Alice Brandon, illegal mortician. 

And Jeanie and Freddie had established so many precautions over the years - Jeanie had avoided feeding me blood as a baby or any sort of meat - raising me as a vegetarian human - and to this day I wonder if that’s why I’m so small, that my growth was somewhat stunted. But it was a choice she made for my best interests, so I couldn’t hold any resentment for that. I had been kept away from other children and most other humans until I was fully grown and could understand the severity of the situation and how important the rules were; and even then, I had dozens of rules about things I could and couldn’t do, so not to ever reveal any similarity to vampires. 

But Jeanie was certain that Sue and Billy Black would basically turn me into a pariah if they ever caught wind of the situation, and she hadn’t wanted that for me. So, we had kept that a secret. We never spoke of it. 

But now that the Cullens were here, everything was at risk - would they know? Would they guess? Had they guessed? Vampire senses were so strong, and perhaps Jasper’s reaction to me had been because of my biology - would my reaction to Jasper Cullen clue anyone in, or could it be hand-waved away by my gift?

And if they did figure it out, would they tell the Council - perhaps use it as a bargaining chip to renegotiate the treaty?

I didn’t know. I couldn’t know; no decision had been made. But I didn’t want to discuss it with them, perhaps negotiate for their silence, in case they hadn’t worked it out. 

Ugh, I hated this so much. I was already mentally packing my bags to hide up in the beach house until we could guarantee I was safe. I’d have to stay there alone; Freddie had the funeral home to run. I’d be lonely and bored and worried, stuck in an old house that was full of ghosts. It was Jeanie’s house, and being there without her… I didn’t like it. 

We pulled up in front of the funeral home and Freddie looked at me. “It’s alright Alice,” he said finally, sounding tired. “We’ll go in and talk to the others, and worry about everything else tomorrow. There’s no need to panic, I promise.”

“I didn’t mean to cause trouble,” I said softly, and we both knew I wasn’t talking about my moment with Jasper. 

“I know, pet, I know.”

//

I made coffee faster than any living being in the world before hightailing it downstairs, to the funeral home’s parlour, where the meeting was happening. Or rather, five adults were having a nuclear meltdown.

“He will not be allowed anywhere near her!” Freddie’s face was bright red as he paced the room. “I want it added to the laws! He’s a damn monster, and I will not lose another…”

“We know, Freddie,” Sue sighed, arms crossed over her chest. “And we agree with you that the Cullens should be informed that Alice is off-limits.”

“But can we do that?” Charlie Swan looked exhausted. “Can he do that? Billy - one of the imprints; could one of the wolves physically stay away from their imprint? Does it work the same way for vampires?”

The Clearwaters and Billy Black exchanged looks. 

“I don’t know about vampires, but no, the wolf could not stay away from their imprint. We’ve seen it attempted before,” Billy said finally. “And most attempts do not last long. We don’t know what a long-term attempt would look like for the wolf or the imprint.”

“Sickness?” Charlie asked. “Feral behaviour? Violence? Madness? Death?”

They all exchanged glances and I decided it was time to make my presence known.

“You’re not going to hurt Jasper?” I asked in my most innocent voice, my eyes wide, and my lip trembling. It wouldn’t work on the Clearwaters, or Freddie - he was too upset - but I knew Charlie Swan wouldn’t be able to deal with a crying teenage girl.

Harry took the coffee tray from me as they all exchanged loaded looks. 

“He didn’t do anything wrong,” I said, sniffling. 

“Calm down, Alice,” Billy said in an even voice. “We’re just discussing our options.”

“I don’t like the idea that keeping them separated could result in violence,” Harry said grimly. “We can’t risk it.”

“But you’re willing to risk Alice?” Freddie exploded.

“He’s not ‘risking’ me!” I yelled back. “No one is! Jasper won’t hurt me!” I looked Freddie in the eye. “You know that!”

“None of us know that,” Freddie shot back. “And I refuse to stand by and let history repeat itself with those monsters!”

“Mom was attacked and raped by Red-Eyes!” I shot back. “The treaty said the Cullens can’t drink human blood! All Jasper wants to do is hold my hand and talk to me!”

Billy Black snorted, and I saw Sue and Harry exchange looks. 

“Alice, he was sniffing your hair,” Sue said slowly. “And the look on his face…”

I looked at her bewildered, and quickly ran through the overflow of visions I’d had. There were a couple that got… well. I would have protested doing that with such a large audience, and it was obvious that his brothers and sister wouldn’t have let him get very far. The fact that that was one of his initial reactions to me was… well, I was a little flattered, to be honest.  

“Oh,” I said, shaking my head. “No, he changed his mind, like, 30 times in less than a minute. That’s why my visions went haywire - my brain couldn’t process that much information that quickly. I think he was doing something, like he w-“

“He’s gifted?” Sue interrupted me. 

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d have to ask him. In person.”

Freddie was already shaking his head. “Absolutely not.”

“We negotiate. I’m sure the Cullens will be agreeable,” I said soothingly. “Chaperoned meetings, like in the olden days, for my protection. All above board and very G-rated. Hell, we can even sit here in the parlour. Just talking.”

“It would lower the risk of any sort of violence to get to Alice, it’s on neutral territory, and we have no idea what keeping them apart could do to Alice,” Harry sighed. “An imprint can feel the effect of a strained bond, it can take a toll on their long-term health…”

“It’s not happening!” Freddie threw up his hands. 

“Freddie, you need to listen to us,” Sue said, trying to act as peacekeeper. “I don’t know what a mate bond looks like in vampires or how it’s formed, but what we do know that in the wolves, it will actively hurt Alice to be kept away from him - she will get sick.”

“What if it was Leah? Or Jacob and the blonde vampire?” Freddie snapped back. “Or Isabella or Seth? Would you still be standing here, telling me that this is a-a risk I just have to accept? Even without Lilian…” Freddie put his face in his hands and took a shuddering breath. “Would you?” he glared at Sue.

Sue frowned. “That is a totally different situation, Fred,” she said evenly. “I don’t believe our genetics would allow such a bond to form. But if it were Leah, I would do every single thing I could to protect her from harm - the harm of a vampire and the harm of a broken bond. I would not allow my daughter to suffer in such a way.”

Freddie was shaking his head. “No, no, I don’t believe you. And Alice isn’t your daughter. She’s my niece. She’s staying right here. He can stay on the Cullen property! They’re never seeing each other again.”

“No.”

Everyone swung around to look at me, and I caught a look of myself in the mirror over the console table - I didn’t look like myself at all. My expression was hard and mutinous. My voice was stern and flat. 

“I don’t know what’s going on. I can only work through the visions I’ve had. But you cannot stop Jasper Cullen and I from seeing each other,” I said in that same, flat tone. There was a tight feeling in my chest, and all I could think of was that look of naked hope on Jasper Cullen’s face when I protested his brother’s roughness. His voice telling his alpha or father or whatever that I was his. He was also mine. 

Freddie was looking at me in horror, and even Harry was looking a little worried. 

“Alice…” Charlie sounded pained, and Billy had taken to gulping at coffee that he looked like he wanted to throw on me. 

“Better a chaperoned meeting than him climbing in her bedroom window, or running away with her,” Harry muttered and Freddie choked. 

“I promise that I will obey whatever guidelines I am given,” I said carefully. “I won’t hide any relevant information from the Council, or put anyone in unnecessary danger. I don’t know what this is, but I do know that meeting Jasper Cullen was inevitable. I’ve Seen him before.”

I think Sue chose that moment to remember my vision about the gurney, as she turned grey, then red, and then looked like she needed something stronger than coffee. 

“Do you know what happens if you don’t see him again?” Charlie asked.

“No, I don’t. And I don’t want to,” I said frankly. 

Freddie sat on the couch, looking exhausted.

“Someone’s going to need to make decisions for Alice in the Council,” Sue said finally. “Freddie, you’re our Mediator. You can’t be objective if you’ve got Alice to worry about. None of us can do it. And none of the Cullens can do it. We’re all compromised.”

“Ask Dulcie,” I said and everyone looked at me. “She’s been here for years, I think she deserves to be read-in. She can be my guardian ad litem in the Council, and she’d finally understand some of the weirder stuff that goes on around here. Like the limb-bucket.”

Charlie winced at the reminder of that particular incident. 

Freddie sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “Dulcie’s not a bad choice,” he admitted. 

“Plus, now you’ll have to marry her,” I said cheerfully. “Now, I’m going to bed, so you can finish talking about me without me.” And with that, I headed back upstairs for a hot shower and some sleep. 

[freezegirl]

NPC FILES > OTHER STUDENTS

valerian 'val' spex (leo howard) is the grandson of the late nurse spex, who raised him after his parents - his dad: a super and his mom: a regular human who was a news reporter - both died on the job. in her opinion, there is no one better than him in all of maxville. after nurse spex passes away quite suddenly, mr and mrs timmerman offer to foster him. he accepts. val can shoot laser beams out of his eyes and he often uses it on khione and other pretty girls to get their attention. as a result, val often gets turned into an ice statue and is intimately familiar with the super powers of the other girls at school.

morpheus 'morph' hellman (d'pharaoh woon-a-tai) is the son of a regular human and jeannie elast who are now divorced. whereas his mom's mutability power primarily has to do with physical elasticity, morph's mutabilty power makes it so he can shapeshift into other people. currently, he uses his powers for kicks and little jokes here and there. some of them are actually funny. others? not so much. he has this in common with his brother, lash.

(he doesn't pull pranks on khione anymore after she froze him, learning the hard way that elasticity plus ice abilities equals getting fucked up. and not in the fun way.)

khione and morpheus befriended each other on the first day of school (freshman year for him and sophomore year for her) because of their first names and subsequent nicknames - freeze girl and carbon copy kid respectively.

morph can actually carry a tune and he's decided that if this superhero thing doesn't work out, he'll just start a band or become a super(hero) influencer instead.

he abhors the fact that his mom seems to have an actual crush on coach boomer.

tierra fernandez (paulina chávez) is also a legacy. whereas khione's family has had multiple hydrokinetics and cryokinetics in their family tree, many of the fernandez' developed geokinetic abilities. tierra is the introvert to morph's extrovert. despite this, they work rather well together and often partner up. tierra's parents are often traveling around the world and it was during one of their trips that she was born. it wasn't until the fernandez family moved to maxville that tierra had something stable. a place to plant her roots and grow.

jolene hamilton (abigail cowen) comes from a household with no super heroes. she was a late bloomer when it came to her abilities. her parents did not like it so they kicked her out. much like val spex, jolene is also being fostered by mr and mrs timmerman. in school, jolene can often be seen with her best friend, alejandro ramirez.

alejandro ramirez (froy gutierrez) comes from a household with no super heroes as well. all in all, his family took it well and so did his boyfriend, who doesn't have powers either.

karol topolski (grace van dien) is the daughter of leslie topolski, a sky high alumni and her wife francesca. karol can shapeshift too. but the catch is: she can only shapeshift into inanimate objects.

sterling ti (brandon soo hoo) is the son of patty ti and her husband. cousin to magenta lewis, sterling is also named after a color albeit in a subtler way. sterling can replicate and sprout multiple body parts from the surface of any object or living thing - including his own body - and manipulate these body parts remotely. his favorite trick is to give himself six arms.

zayden 'zay' bruber (amir mitchell-townes) is the son of alex bruber and his husband. zay has the ability to turn his saliva and other bodily fluids into acid. he can also solidify his saliva. when he's not training to become a hero, zay writes original songs. who do you think gave morph hellman the idea to start a band in the first place?

[nezoid]

The Last Improv Show 2023 recap!

I’m incredibly proud of the work I do with The Last Improv Show.

I filmed all of this (except I think 4 clips) and I went through hundreds of videos I shot through the year, to edit most, if not all, improvisers and monologists that were on the show in 2023 (excluding The Kennedy Center) into this reel.

I am very grateful to be a part of the team. ☺️

Some monologists featured in 2023 shows:

Bob Odenkirk, Ike Barinholtz, Kumail Nanjiani, Nolan Gould, Kelly Osbourne, Dolph Ziggler, Cameron Esposito, Jaleel White, Billy Eichner, Brett German, Terry Crews, Jeannie Mai, Kathy Griffin, Kristen Schaal, Joel Mchale, Patrick Renna, Paul Walter Hauser, Jason Reitman, Pauly Shore, Rainn Wilson, Bill Nye, and more!

Some improvisers featured in 2023 shows:

Dan Black, Carl Tart, D'Arcy Carden, Jason Mantzoukas, Paul B Welsh, Bobby Moynihan, Neil Casey, Brandon Scott Jones, Nicole Byer, Seth Rogen, Lennon Parham, Anthony King, Ego Nwodim, Betsy Sodaro, Mike Mitchell, Lauren Lapkus, Jessica McKenna, Jon Gabrus, Paul Scheer, Drew Tarvar, Skylar Astin, Edi Patterson, Brandon Gardner, Brett Gelman, Mary Holland, Katie Dippold, Phil Augusta Jackson, Joe Wengert, Beth Appel, and more!

Produced by Christina Calph.

[dwtsfun]

Someone on I think it was Twitter said Brandon's been eliminated the past 4 Halloweens....

It’s been 3. And kinda sorta. Jeannie made it through but had to withdraw for health reasons that next week and didn’t perform. Kenya was eliminated. Jordin was eliminated, though she should not have been eliminated on Halloween week. That was on the judges for making a bad choice.

[muppetydyke]

Muppet MainStage October 7th, 2023

“The Witch is in the House” is a song with music by Michael Giacchino, Brandon Christy, and Adam Cohen and lyrics by Jeannie Laurie. The song was created for The Muppets Wizard of Oz and first appeared with the TV movie in 2005.

The song is performed by Miss Piggy (Eric Jacobson) playing the wicked witch of the west. She is backed by Dr. Teeth Bill Barretta) and the Electric Mayhem (Eric Jacobson as Animal, John Kennedy as Floyd, Tyler Bunch as Janice, and Dave Goelz as Zoot). The witch’s biker gang also join in the song, among these are Johnny Fiamo (Bill Barretta), Sal Minella (Brian Henson), Angel Marie (John Kennedy), Spotted Dick (Drew Massey), Aretha (I can’t find who!), Black Dog (Kevin Clash), Crazy Harry (Richard Boyd), Old Tom (Allan Trautman), Sweetums (John Henson), and Calico (Peter Linz).

[ulkaralakbarova]

After reckless young lawyer Gordon Bombay gets arrested for drunk driving, he must coach a kids hockey team for his community service. Gordon has experience on the ice, but isn’t eager to return to hockey, a point hit home by his tense dealings with his own former coach, Jack Reilly. The reluctant Gordon eventually grows to appreciate his team, which includes promising young Charlie Conway, and leads them to take on Reilly’s tough players. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Gordon Bombay: Emilio Estevez Hans: Joss Ackland Jack Reilly: Lane Smith Casey Conway: Heidi Kling Mr. Ducksworth: Josef Sommer Charlie Conway: Joshua Jackson Greg Goldberg: Shaun Weiss Adam Banks: Vincent Larusso Fulton Reed: Elden Henson Tommy Duncan: Danny Tamberelli Connie Moreau: Marguerite Moreau Jesse Hall: Brandon Quintin Adams Terry Hall: Jussie Smollett Les Averman: Matt Doherty Guy Germaine: Garette Ratliff Henson Philip Banks: Hal Fort Atkinson Frank Huddy: Steven Brill Judge Weathers: George Coe Mighty Ducks Fan Scenes: Ryan J. Gilmer Principal: Claudia Wilkens Gordon at 10 Years Old: Brock Pierce Gordon’s Father: Robert Pall Lewis: M.C. Gainey Peter: J.D. Daniels Dave Karp: Aaron Schwartz Tammy: Jane Plank McGill: Michael Ooms Larson: Casey Garven Science Teacher: Mark Bradley Paramedic: Peter Syvertsen Film Crew: Screenplay: Steven Brill Director of Photography: Thomas Del Ruth Editor: Larry Bock Producer: Jordan Kerner Producer: Jon Avnet Original Music Composer: David Newman Editor: John F. Link Director: Stephen Herek Costume Design: Grania Preston Co-Producer: Lynn M. Morgan Set Decoration: Julie Kaye Fanton Casting: Renee Rousselot Production Design: Randy Ser Key Hair Stylist: Angela Nogaro Key Makeup Artist: Jeanne Van Phue Art Direction: Tony Fanning Co-Producer: Martin Huberty Stunts: Jeannie Epper Stunt Coordinator: Ronnie Rondell Jr. Stunt Coordinator: Manny Perry Second Unit Director: Michael D. Moore First Assistant Director: Douglas E. Wise Set Designer: Jack Ballance Second Assistant Director: Randy Suhr Stunts: Danny Weselis Stunt Double: Kim Robert Koscki Stunts: Catherine Petra Villalobos Chief Lighting Technician: Danny Buck Chief Lighting Technician: Michael Katz Camera Operator: Buzz Feitshans IV Movie Reviews: r96sk: Very good. ‘The Mighty Ducks’ is a film that I’ve heard about for a long, long time but this was my first time watching. I enjoyed it, in short. Satisfying sports story, a solid message, decent humour and a serviceable cast. Emilio Estevez is fine in the role of Gordon, he’s definitely the best actor on display here. The numerous child actors are all alright, Shaun Weiss (Goldberg) is the one who stands out in my memory most. A nice little film about a local, youth ice hockey team, one for the family.

[emzeciorrr]

Toyota GR86 x Initial D : Mastering The Craft, Director's Cut from PLUMEHEAD STUDIO on Vimeo.

Director's Cut for the Toyota x Initial D project.

Director: Annis Naeem Agency: Intertrend Intertrend credits: Exec. Creative Director: Rosanne Kang Jovaovski Creative Director: Eugene Kim, Harim Kim Sr. Copywriter: Neal Persaud Executive Producer: Jeanette Kung

Executive Producer: Frank Mele // Lawrence Fells Productions

Production Studio: Plumehead Executive Producer: Annis Naeem Senior Producer: Ardees Rabang Coordinator: Jacob Plough

Storyboarding: Wynton Redmond Production Design & Art Direction: Annis Naeem Character Designer: Jiuwell Sun Zhou Environment Art: Yeonji Rhee, Jiuwell Zhou

VFX Supervisor: Arielle Estrella VFX Lead: Jeremy Lightcap Senior 3D Modeler & Texture Artist: Milen Ivanov Previz & 3D Animation: Annis Naeem Rigging: Marc Woodall 2D Animation Supervisor: Liane Cho Han Key Artist: Sandrine Hanjin Kuang Mid Anim: Louise Bergholts Cleanup: Louise Bergholts, Eleonora, Heidi 2D FX: Sylvain Decaux Motion Design: Neptali Cisneros Compositing: Remedy Jeannie Hyunh

Sound Design: Zelig Sound Edit: Nomad Edit (Brandon Porter), Plumehead (Annis Naeem) Color: Company 3 Color Artist: David Hussy

[oldsalempost-blog]

The Old Salem Post

                  Our  Local Tamassee-Salem SC Area News each Monday except holidays                                          Contact: theoldsalempost@gmail.com                              Distributed to local businesses, town hall, library.                            Volume 7 Issue 30                                                                                                  Week of August 7, 2023                https://www.tumblr.com/settings/blog/oldsalempost-blog                                                         Lynne Martin Publishing

EDITOR:  Likely no one can dispute the need for Keowee Elementary to have a new facility.   That is not the case for our beautiful Tamassee-Salem Elementary If you have an interest in trying to keep our Tamassee-Salem Elementary School from closing you need to do something:  write letters to the school board, fill out the (absurd) survey online, or call up other parents and grandparents and join us at the next Oconee County School Board meeting on Monday, August 14th at 6:30pm at the Seneca High School.   (This is not the normal location or time due to summer graduation taking place at the Seneca High School.)   You may call the administrative office at 864-886-4400 to be a speaker.  You can just show up with a polite sign with a message to save the school.  Now is not the time to be silent.  LMartin

Town of SALEM:  Election: The Town of Salem will be holding election for Mayor and 2 Council seats.     held Nov 7, 2023 at the Salem Town Hall.  Candidate filing is from Friday Aug 11, noon  through noon Monday Aug 25th. Candidates must reside within the Salem town limits…..We will begin collecting Toys for Tots on Sept 9th, 5pm at the last summer Car/Truck/Motorcycle & Jeep show.  Fire Dept will be selling burgers and more for their local Christmas fundraising.  There will be first and second places for car show exhibits and for the group and/or club who brings the most toys. We are asking all local churches and businesses to participate to fill up our boxes.  We helped 94 children have Christmas last year within the Tamassee-Salem area.  944-2819.                                                                 ***Visit the Downtown Market every Sat 8am-12pm.                                                                                                                         *The children’s area at the Town park is closed for now for renovations.  The picnic shelter can still be rented. County National Awareness Day: Friday, August 11  9am-1pm Across from Salem Fire Department:  free smoke detectors, information on emergency situations and more.  

Jottings from Jeannie: Our Bible study encourages us to BALANCE diligence in our work with rest and prayer.  A widow  shared that living alone, she MUST be diligent.  Her day is busy caring for her house, yard, and pets.  Then she must buy groceries, pay bills, and finally before she goes to bed, she must be sure that the doors are locked and the security system is set. FINALLY, she may rest.  Her reward for a day of diligence is a night of deep rest. Rather than fretting over neglected duties, Kathy is thankful for her blessings and remembers the sick and the lonely in her prayers.  Her life is balanced.  She is at peace... You Princesses of Picket Post!  You Kings of Keowee!  Let's follow Kathy's example.  Use your time to complete  housework rather than wasting time watching junk TV. -- Then Your Heavenly Father will hear your prayers and grant you  sound sleep and energy for the new day!  Miz Jeannie Loves You!!!                                                                                                                            

JOCASSEE VALLEY BREWING COMPANY,(JVBC) & COFFEE SHOP 13412 N Hwy 11 Open  Wed–Sat-Sat 8am-9pm. Sun: 12pm-7pm.  Events this week:  Thurs:  Kiss My Asada Food Truck 5pm.  Old Time Jam at 6:30pm Fri–  Food: RAD DAD’s BBQ  at 5pm  Music: Greysin Slade at 6:30pm.  Sat–Food: Iron Pig 12pm—Music: Freddie Vanderford & Brandon Turner  6:30pm.  Conservation Libation Release Collaboration with Golden Grove Brewery at 5pm.  Sun: 12pm-7pm Food Truck: Lobster Dogs starts at 12noon.  Music Fayssoux McLean & Brandon Turner  at 1:30pm and  Brenda Turner  at 4pm    More information call  864-873-0048          

THE PENDING COFFEE:   We were sitting in a small coffee shop and two customers arrived.  “ Five coffees please, two for us and three pending.”    They paid for five and only get two.     I asked, “ What is pending coffee?” and was told to wait and see. Two more customers arrived and paid for their two coffees.   After a while  three more customers came in and ordered seven coffees.  Three for now and four pending.    While I was there what appeared to be a homeless man entered the shop.  He approached the counter and with a soft quite voice he asked,  “ Do you have any pending coffee?”      This type of charity began in Naples, Italy.       People who are able pay ahead for coffee or meals for those who cannot.  story is shared by OSP reader J.C.

Here is the CONCLUSION of Pauline Kelley Cannon's story:                                DAR SCHOOL STUDENT FROM 1942-46 RECALLS:  (Nineteenth and Final Installment of Pauline Kelley Cannon's Memoir). . . A LOOK BACK. . .I still have the footlocker in my attic if the rust hasn't eaten it up. I also kept my boat, but after Ernest and I got married it got left behind somewhere as we were moving from one place to another. . .There are many new buildings that have been built at Tamassee since I went to school there. They include the new dining hall, the auditorium, the gymnasium, the North Carolina Gibson Chapel, the Michigan Building, the California Building, and the New York Cottage. The infirmary is now a daycare facility. They also have a new water plant and have built a new building on Highway 11 for the rummage sales. I'm sure there are some more that I have forgotten. . .Some buildings that were there while I was there are gone. The Indiana Cottage and the Scout Hut were torn down, and the Ohio Hobart Hall burned down in 1988. . .Each time I go back to Tamassee to visit, I feel as if I have left a part of me there, and I am homesick for at least a week before I get over it. I have so many memories of friends and teachers that I learned to love while I was there. . .I thank God for Tamassee. It is truly the place of the sunlight of God!!. . .END OF STORY (Footnote written by Ashton Hester: As I said at the outset of this story, sadly, Mrs. Cannon died a few years ago, but not before being able to tell her story!)

EAGLES NEST ART CENTER , 501c3, 4 Eagle Lane, Salem                            DHEC kitchen available & rentals

TALENT SHOWCASE:  August 12th.  7pm-9pm.  Come to be entertained! Tickets $5 at the door.  Call 864-280-1258 or email eaglesnestartcenter@gmail.com.  Doors open at 6pm for general admission.  Treasure store will be open.

SONGS of the COWBOY Trail- Aug. 19th, 7pm– Jef Wilson sings the songs of Gene Autry, Bob Wills, Cowboy Copas and others.  Show only  $10 or Cowboy Dinner & Show $20. Tickets available on the eaglesnestartcenter.org website on Ticketleap or at the Town or Salem. Or, call 864-280-1258

                                             CHURCH NEWS                                              Bethel Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) 580 Bethel Church Rd, Walhalla, 29691 Worship at 10:30 am. Sermon: Sunday, August 6. Message by Mel Davis  "Who Do We Trust?", Scripture reading: Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16.   The remainder of August: Aug. 13, by George Harper, Aug. 20, by George Harper; August 27, by Mel Davis. Come as you are. All are welcome.                                                                                                                                                                                     Salem Methodist Church:  Community Women’s Bible Study each Monday morning, 10am in the Fellowship Hall. Worship Service each Sunday at 10:30am.  Sunday School at 9:30am.  Sunday Breakfast at 9:00am

Quote this week by inspirational speaker, Sharon Jaynes, and author of When You don't Like your Story.   “It’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.”   I found her on 96.7 at 8am Focus on the Family ministry broadcast.  Tune in each weekday to uplifting encouragement and inspiration for life, and  keeping families and marriages together.  She spoke of real life disappointments and how God uses these to prepare us for what is next. I love to tune in daily!  LRM                                                                                                                                   ****Please send news, stories, and church events to theoldsalempost@gmail.com to share in your local paper!                                                         

Happy Birthday Sister Sherry!  L

[spinstrackingsystem]

Country For A Cause Raises $60,000 For Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Once again, great things happen when the country music community comes together for a cause! Country For A Cause pulled out all the stops during their CMA Fest 2023 concert at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley and raised $60,000 for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Hosted by country legend T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang, along with Devon O’Day, an eclectic group of stellar performers, including Mark Wills, Wade Hayes, John Conlee, Paulette Carlson, Tim Atwood, Makenzie Phipps, Elizabeth Cook, Michelle Wright, Heath Wright of Ricochet, Terry McBride, Leon Everette, Brandon Davis, Jake Hoot, and Jamie O’Neal donated their time and talents to raise money to help children in health-related crisis. The evening didn’t come without several surprises including Alex Miller, T. Graham Brown, Jeannie Seely, John Schneider, John McEuen, Charlene Tilton, and a special tribute to Jeanne Pruett. The event was sponsored by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms Chicken and the group of dynamic entertainers performed to a sold-out house for the fourth consecutive year. “We have always considered it an honor and pleasure to host Country For A Cause. To see it grow into such an incredible event that has helped so many is truly a blessing for us both. It continues to succeed because of the efforts of Scott Sexton and the great board along with so many great friends and artists who have performed and given their time to support such a worthy cause. Read the full article

[newmusicradionetwork]

Country For A Cause Raises $60,000 For Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Once again, great things happen when the country music community comes together for a cause! Country For A Cause pulled out all the stops during their CMA Fest 2023 concert at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley and raised $60,000 for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Hosted by country legend T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang, along with Devon O’Day, an eclectic group of stellar performers, including Mark Wills, Wade Hayes, John Conlee, Paulette Carlson, Tim Atwood, Makenzie Phipps, Elizabeth Cook, Michelle Wright, Heath Wright of Ricochet, Terry McBride, Leon Everette, Brandon Davis, Jake Hoot, and Jamie O’Neal donated their time and talents to raise money to help children in health-related crisis. The evening didn’t come without several surprises including Alex Miller, T. Graham Brown, Jeannie Seely, John Schneider, John McEuen, Charlene Tilton, and a special tribute to Jeanne Pruett. The event was sponsored by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms Chicken and the group of dynamic entertainers performed to a sold-out house for the fourth consecutive year. “We have always considered it an honor and pleasure to host Country For A Cause. To see it grow into such an incredible event that has helped so many is truly a blessing for us both. It continues to succeed because of the efforts of Scott Sexton and the great board along with so many great friends and artists who have performed and given their time to support such a worthy cause. To say we are thankful is an understatement for all who have worked so hard.” – T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang “Our deepest appreciation goes to Scott Sexton, T.G. and Kelly Lang, and the entire Country For A Cause team for putting this amazing event together,” said Meredith “Mamie” Shepherd, program manager for Seacrest Studio at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “Community events like Country For A Cause help advance our mission of compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and clinical training. We are so grateful to Country For A Cause for their steadfast support of this vital work.” “In its 9th year, Country For A Cause broke a fundraising record earlier this month as the country music community came together before a sold-out house at 3rd & Lindsley on behalf of fundraising efforts for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. It takes hundreds of hours and multiple volunteers to make this event happen every year, but all involved with this organization understand the stress and helpless feelings families face when dealing with the illness of a child. If the money we raise helps with children’s medical research or assists with the treatment of a child in need, then every ounce of energy that we pour into this annual concert is worth it. Next year will be our tenth anniversary of our CMA week Country For A Cause concert, and we are setting the fundraising bar even higher!” – Sherri Forrest, President of Country For A Cause About Country For A Cause: Country For A Cause is an annual concert held just before the CMA Music Festival in Nashville. Artists who have performed throughout the years include Crystal Gayle, The Bellamy Brothers, Mark Wills, Ty Herndon, Doug Supernaw, Baillie and the Boys, Collin Raye, Billy Dean, Jeannie Seely, Jan Howard, John Rich, Ashton Shepherd, Leona Williams, Jody Miller, Lulu Roman, and countless others. In 2018, Country For A Cause teamed with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as the sole beneficiary of proceeds raised. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/1661154010787818/ and facebook.com/countryfac. About Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt: Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals, treating and helping to prevent a full range of pediatric health issues from colds and broken bones to complex heart diseases and cancer. Achieving 10 out of 10 nationally ranked pediatric specialties in 2022, Monroe Carell was again named among the nation’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” for the 16th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, the hospital earned the distinction as the No. 1 pediatric hospital in Tennessee, and for the second year shares first place in the Southeast Region. Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a nonprofit organization, opened in 2004, expanded its physical space in 2012, and recently added four new floors encompassing 160,000 total sq. ft. The new expansion helps to advance the size and scope of the hospital’s mission. For more about Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, visit ChildrensHospitalVanderbilt.org. Suggested post: #countryforacause along with hosts @kellylangmusic and @tgsheppardmusic raises $60,000 for @vumcchildren. #countryforacause was sponsored by #gusarrendale & @smfchicken Read the full article

[newmusicweekly]

Country For A Cause Raises $60,000 For Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Once again, great things happen when the country music community comes together for a cause! Country For A Cause pulled out all the stops during their CMA Fest 2023 concert at Nashville's 3rd & Lindsley and raised $60,000 for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Hosted by country legend T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang, along with Devon O’Day, an eclectic group of stellar performers, including Mark Wills, Wade Hayes, John Conlee, Paulette Carlson, Tim Atwood, Makenzie Phipps, Elizabeth Cook, Michelle Wright, Heath Wright of Ricochet, Terry McBride, Leon Everette, Brandon Davis, Jake Hoot, and Jamie O’Neal donated their time and talents to raise money to help children in health-related crisis. The evening didn’t come without several surprises including Alex Miller, T. Graham Brown, Jeannie Seely, John Schneider, John McEuen, Charlene Tilton, and a special tribute to Jeanne Pruett. The event was sponsored by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms Chicken and the group of dynamic entertainers performed to a sold-out house for the fourth consecutive year. “We have always considered it an honor and pleasure to host Country For A Cause. To see it grow into such an incredible event that has helped so many is truly a blessing for us both. It continues to succeed because of the efforts of Scott Sexton and the great board along with so many great friends and artists who have performed and given their time to support such a worthy cause. Read the full article

[queencvbra]

ㅤㅤㅤ❝ 𝐈  𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓  𝐇𝐄'𝐃  𝐁𝐄  𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄  𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃.  ❞  But  of  course  he's  not.  Bobby  Brown  is  a  gentle  man,  and  maybe  better  than  what  she  deserves  as  a  father.  It  was  shitty  of  her  run  away  again,  she  knows,  and  worse  to  not  give  him  or  Jeanny  any  indication  of  what  she  planned  on  doing.  Truth  be  told,  at  the  time,  she  wasn't  sure  what  she  was  gonna  do  either.  Run  to  South  Korea  with  Kreese  .  .  .  or  anywhere  else.  She  already  sabotaged  everything  again  in  anger  and  grief.  The  least  she  could  do  is  try  to  make  all  of  this  pain  mean  something  in  the  end.  ❝ I  didn't  want  him  to  know,  but  I  figured  he  would  realize  something  was  up  when  I  never  came  to  pick  up  Brandon.  ❞  She  hates  that  he  had  to  find  out  that  way,  and  that  Jeanny  did,  too.  That  anyone  did.  But  if  she  had  told  anyone,  they  would  have  talked  her  out  of  it,  or  found  some  way  to  stop  her.

ㅤㅤㅤ❝ I  hate  it,  but  they  won't  stop  hovering.  Especially  when  you  guys  are  around.  Guess  they  don't  like  seeing  me  talk  to  their  enemies.  ❞  Their  enemies.  Not  hers.  Still,  she  can  barely  bring  herself  to  look  at  Jeanny.  There  is  a  pause,  a  quiet  that  falls  after  her  sister's  question,  and  a  wall  threatens  to  shutter  itself  between  them,  as  has  been  Tory's  instinct  for  all  her  life.  Instead,  she  lets  the  truth  fall  through  a  shaky  whisper.  ❝ Not  good.  ❞  Her  throat  goes  dry,  not  even  a  deep  breath  able  to  make  her  lungs  feel  clean  again.  ❝ Mom  was  getting  better,  and  then  suddenly  she  was  just  .  .  .  gone.  And  I  fucked  it  all  up  again,  Jeanny,  like  I  always  do.  I  had  to  do  this  for  myself,  I  know  I  had  to,  but  it  still  feels  wrong  wearing  that  damn  snake  on  my  gi  again.  But  what  else  could  I  do?  This  is  the  only  chance  I  have.  ❞

@queencvbra season six part two starter.

"Dad   said   you   can   stay   in   Cobra   Kai   but   if   you   loose   you   are   grounded   for   a   year."   Jeanny   said,   even   if   she   is   upset   by   this   turn   of   events,   she   cannot   be   mad   at   her   and   her   father   already   seem   to   have   known   she   would   gravitate   toward   Cobra   Kai   once   again,   it   was   only   natural,   so   Jeanny   tries   not   to   judge   about   it.   After   a   moment   she   sits   beside   her,   now   that   Kwon   and   the   rest   seem   away   from   Tory.  

"The   other   cobras   seem   to   be   your   bodyguards,   I   hate   them."   Maybe   they   don't   trust   her   enough   or   this   is   just   what   happens   under   a   new   regime   like   Kim   and   Kreese.   She   is   not   particularly   fond   of   how   Kwon   is   all   over   her   sister   but   she   has   to   endure   it.   Grief   is   a   companion   she   does   not   know.   She   lost   her   uncle   Tommy,   and   her   mother   had   never   been   in   her   life   to   be   grieved,   but   Tory   knew   her   mother   and   only   her   mother   for   all   those   years.   "How   you   holding   up?"

[dietgaymags]

A definitive ranking of DWTS Season 29′s celebrities thus far

So I'm obsessed with Dancing with the Stars as much as the next guy. I’ve seen every season since number 11, when I was like 9 years old. But I dropped off a few seasons ago, disappointed that they really had the nerve to put the legend Lindsey Stirling on the same season as the other legend Jordan Fisher. That was not fair to anyone, because Lindsey would have wiped the floor in literally any other season. 

But Season 29′s cast was released and I got excited again. About 80% of these names I was not only familiar with, but were people I enjoyed for some reason or another. Skai Jackson, Nelly, Johnny Weir, AJ McLean, Nev Schulman, Carole Baskin, Justina Machado, Monica Aldama, and the list just goes on. They really said “we need to get young people back into the show.” And they did. I was hooked. And though Len is gone and Carrie Ann is going some sort of which way with her votes (we don’t talk about it), I’ve watched every episode with bright eyes and so much excitement. We have some good dancers this season. And some bad ones. But mostly good. So here’s my definitive ranking of this season’s stars (and, by extension, pros). And if you don’t agree, that’s fine. I am simply a nineteen-year-old girl who likes to watch ballroom dancing. 

NUMBER 15: CAROLE MF BASKIN AND PASHA PASHKOV

Besides the moral obligations to not allow a murderer to appear on the show, I think DWTS did a good job trying to rope people in by bringing her on. When the cast list was released, my jaw dropped because I knew she was going home first and I wanted to be there to see it. 

And somehow, she did not... go home first? She made it another episode? While I’m sure it was a ploy to keep people interested in the show so they didn’t watch the premiere and drop off, Carole Baskin is sure to go down in DWTS history as one of the worst competitors. Her highest score was a 16, sure, but her lowest was an 11. We’re treading Master P territory. And I had a full traumatic episode watching her in a lion-esque unitard. Fuck, I needed to bleach every orifice on my body. (Overall Rating: 1 dead husband/10)

NUMBER 14: CHARLES OAKLEY & EMMA SLATER

You cannot tell me this man isn’t having the most fun he’s had in a minute. He was another easy-to-spot early elimination, but I actually enjoyed watching him to some degree. Emma danced circles around him, but you could really tell he was trying his damnedest and I appreciate it. And his performances didn’t strike cold, dead fear into my heart like other people.

He also got the same average score as Carole over the first two episodes, but one of those was NOT an 11. Slightly better, imo, just a little less improvement than Carole---which is why Derek booted him in the first place. (Overall rating: 1.5 left feet/10)

NUMBER 13: JESSE METCALFE AND SHARNA BURGESS

Did they---did they ever dance? I literally don’t remember anything other than that Newsies dance, which I have to say I particularly enjoyed. It might be because I like Newsies. It might be because Sharna’s hair is gorgeous this season. I don’t know, but it probably wasn’t because of Jesse’s dancing. 

That’s literally all I have to say. (Overall rating: 2 confused braincells/10)

NUMBER 12: CHRISHELL STAUSE AND GLEB SAVCHENKO 

WOAH, she’s coming in with the hot takes! Chrishell hasn’t even been eliminated yet! And look, it’s not even Chrishell’s fault that she’s so low on the list. It really isn’t. She’s been performing, well, okay thus far. Not great, considering her highest score was a 26 on a Paso double where she literally did not even dance (look, I’m not a judge, but I would’ve given it a 21 MAYBE). She’s trying, and she seems to be really enjoying it; I absolutely adore her energy. But most of the issue here is attributed to her partner, Gleb.

His choreography is just... I don’t know... lazy. He throws himself around like a god among men and Chrishell is just there. I don’t really appreciate the pros who prefer to dance over their partners instead of with them. I don’t understand why he thinks this method will get him a mirrorball, but it’s just not gonna happen. (Overall rating: 2 measures of actual dancing/10)

NUMBER 11: ANNE HECHE AND KEO MOTSEPE

Look how happy they look! No, but seriously, they didn’t do that bad. They just had a bad week. Week 2, they had a higher average score than SIX other couples on the show, and they left with a score of 21. I legitimately think that their Disney night dance was underscored. Sure, it wasn’t wonderful, but it didn’t deserve a fifteen.

I know they had no chance to win the mirrorball, but Keo has a history of being stuck with less-than-stellar partners. Anne was not a bad match; they just had bad luck and better competition. I did love watching them, though. And Keo is beautiful, but need I say more? (Overall rating: 3.5 early elims/10)

NUMBER 10: VERNON DAVIS AND PETA MURGATROYD CHMERKOVSKIY

I honestly haven’t enjoyed Peta’s choreography since Season 22, when she and Nyle DiMarco ate up the dance floor and left not a single crumb. She and Peta were another pair where I was like, “Wait, who got eliminated? They’re still here?” The judges were right in saying Vernon had a lot of energy on stage, and look at him here. He’s big cheesin’.

They kind of existed for me is all I have to say. The only reason they’re ranked higher than Anne and Keo is because their average score was just overall better. They never scored extremely well, with their highest score being a 22, but they never did too horribly either. They were meh. (Overall rating: 4 touchdowns/10)

NUMBER 9: NELLY AND DANIELLA KARAGACH

Another hot take? Yes. I can never tell whether or not Nelly enjoys being here until he actually dances. During rehearsal, confessionals, critiques, he always looks a little embarrassed or nervous? I’m not sure. But just like Vernon and Peta, all of their dances have been kind of meh. 

That’s not to put Daniella down in any sense. It’s her first season as a pro, and her abilities definitely shine through in her performance. But like I said about Gleb earlier, she has a tendency to dance over Nelly at times (see: the Freddy Krueger dance from last week). I don’t see Nelly living up to the standards the judges say he’s lived up to thus far, but that might just be my personal opinion. (Overall rating: 5 heeled sneakers/10)

NUMBER 8: MONICA ALDAMA AND VALENTIN CHMERKOVSKIY

Another surprisingly hot take. I actually really enjoyed each of Monica’s dances this season, especially since she’s someone with essentially zero dance experience. I’m still very pissy that the Ratched dance sent her home---it was one of my favorite dances of the night, and I have no clue why she only got a 22 for it (especially when Chrishell and Gleb got a 26). 

Val has always been someone on the show who can take a non-dancer and genuinely make them better. This is the case with Monica. We saw so much improvement with her over the weeks. We’re getting to the part of the list where I love all of the dancers. Still, Monica and Jeannie should not have been the bottom 2 last week, but in the case between the two, it’s right that Monica was eliminated. Still, I would have loved to see her next week. (Overall rating: 6 cheer pyramids/10)

NUMBER 7: SKAI JACKSON AND ALAN BERSTEN

Sure, she got the first 10 of the season. Sure, the Chucky dance was kind of spectacular. But she’s also had the lowest score for two out of seven weeks so far. She has yet to be in the bottom, but I’m sure that’s the fans working for her. I can’t deny her talent on the dance floor, but I would argue that objectively, Skai has made the most mistakes out of everyone this season.

She’s been remarkably inconsistent over the course of the season, but when she’s good, she’s really, really good. She was my pick to win when the cast was released, but now I don’t see that happening unless the fans really come to vote on her, which I think they will. But there is no excuse for an 18 on Week 6. She can do better. I know she can. But until then, she stays in the middle of my list. (Overall rating: 6 Ms. Kiplings/10)

NUMBER 6: JEANNIE MAI AND BRANDON ARMSTRONG

To be completely honest, I had Jeannie Mai pegged as an early elimination from Week 1. But she and Brandon continue to astound me as a team. I love every single one of their dances, sad that they’ve been consistently underscored. That Hannibal Lecter paso was stunning, and the Up dance on Disney night made me tear up a little. 

They’re not higher for the sole reason that others are just better. Not because I don’t love what they put out on the stage every week, but Jeannie just isn’t the strongest technically. Until they get eliminated, though, I’ll be watching with bated breath. (Overall rating: 7 hole-in-ones/10)

NUMBER 5: KAITLYN BRISTOWE AND ARTEM CHIGVENTSEV

Do I just not see what everyone else is seeing when they’re obsessing over Kaitlyn Bristowe? I mean, everything she’s done so far has been wonderful, but she’s not my favorite. Technically, it’s on point 85% of the time. and she has the second-highest point total so far in the competition, but she has yet to do a dance where I step back and think, “Wow.” That’s what puts her behind the top four.

I did not like the Cruella DeVille paso doble at all last week, but I think that was attributed to the song choice more than anything else. I have yet to be taken aback by Kaitlyn and Artem, but their work is undeniably, objectively some of the best on the show. (Overall rating: 7 roses/10)

NUMBER 4: AJ MCLEAN AND CHERYL BURKE

Now we’re at the spot on the list where if any of these guys win the mirrorball, I will be satisfied. Something about AJ is simply magnetic. He has such a kind disposition and wonderful talent on the dance floor, it’s so hard not to love him. His samba is one of my favorite dances on this season so far, and I’m genuinely concerned that he’s been underscored this whole time. 

Cheryl is a mf VETERAN at this, too. She knows how to teach this man to destroy a dance floor. The energy he brings, the life he brings, the nasty footwork that he DEMOLISHES. I did not expect to love AJ as much as I do. In my opinion, the most improvement we’ve seen in a star this season. (Overall: 8.5 backstreets/10)

NUMBER 3: JUSTINA MACHADO AND SASHA FARBER

Justina is living proof that you don’t have to be as big around as my pinky finger to do ballroom dancing well. She’s easily the best female star this season, and Sasha has accentuated her talents on the dance floor without overpowering her, which I enjoy. On top of that, she looks so happy to be here, which translates heavily into her dancing. 

I will say, not every dance from her has been my favorite, but there hasn’t been a single dance out of her that I haven’t liked. Her presence is so powerful and destructive that everyone needs to watch their backs. Remember, this is a sitcom mom, not a professional dancer. (Overall rating: 8.5 days at a time/10)

NUMBER 2: JOHNNY WEIR AND BRITT STEWART

I am a firm believer that Johnny and Britt should have gotten a perfect 30 on their contemporary back in Week 5. I am also a firm believer that they should have gotten a perfect 30 on their Viennese waltz last week. I am consistently blown away by Britt’s choreography every single week, and their chemistry as a pair is unlike anyone I’ve seen in the show’s history. 

What I like about them so much is how much of a team they are. That really makes so much difference out on the dance floor. Their grace and style is completely unmatched, and as a first season pro, Britt is destroying some of the pros who have been here for years... Gleb. I can’t wait to see their performances every single week, and I hope they continue to dance together somehow even after the show is over. (Overall rating: 9.9 triple axels/10)

NUMBER 1: NEV SCHULMAN AND JENNA JOHNSON CHMERKOVSKIY

Hey, quick question: did you expect this? Because I definitely didn’t. Catfish has always been my guilty pleasure show to watch when I’m bored and lonely, and Nev has always been this super dorky guy, so when they announced the cast list, I was like “Oh, this is gonna be funny as hell.” Because it could only go one of two ways: 1) Nev fumbles around like a dork and goes home pretty early, or 2) he wins the mirrorball. 

APPARENTLY it’s the latter. Nev surprised me, and I think everyone, with his natural talent, and Jenna is heavily playing off that in her choreography. She’s been giving him very difficult, technical work and he’s has continued to astound. With the first 30 of the season rightfully deserved, Nev is a force to be reckoned with. Like I’ve said earlier, some of the pros like to dance over their partners to hide their weaknesses. I would go so far as to argue Jenna lets him dance over her. Together, they’re an absolute wildfire, and if they continue at this pace, consider the competition already won. (Overall rating: 10 chest hairs/10)

[dwtsforever]

My favorite premiere night performances and also easily my favorite three couples in the competition.