#joel probably recording ty

[amyispxnk]

Sometimes, home is a person.

Summary: Joel loves music and so do you, and he finds the perfect thing for it on patrol

A/N: I wanna dance with Joel AGHHH GOD. Also I'm putting the song I'd put in my apocalypse record player here. Which would you pick??

Pairing: Joel Miller x gn!reader

Word count: 1.1k

Warnings: fluff, language, a vague suicide mention, established relationship

DO NOT COPY THIS WORK IN ANY WAY PLS AND TY.

"Joel! Get your ass over here!" Tommy's voice echoed throughout the large house they'd just cleared out, nearing the end of their patrol for the day.

The stairs creaked beneath his feet as he trudged up them, turning the corner and walking into the room Tommy was stood in, hands outstretched in front of him as he looked at Joel, before gesturing to the space in front of him. "Look!" He said expectantly as Joel turned and let his eyes rove over the items before him.

A blue record player, weathered with age and apocalypse, with a case of records on the floor beside it. There were also posters from some musical bands which were a little damaged too, but a few were still recognisable.

"Well, shit." Joel chuckled, fingertips lightly brushing against the case of the record player as he turned back to face Tommy. "You takin' any of this or 's it a gift for me?"

"All for you, brother. Meet me outside in 10, yeah?"

Joel nodded before turning back around and checking the record player for damage, deciding it would probably still work and moving onto the records. He picked out a few he liked and some more he knew you'd like too, putting them in his pack and finally looking to the posters. He swiftly pocketed the Pearl Jam one and looked for some more, finally ending up with Tommy a little more than 10 minutes later.

"You sure took your time." He had teased as Joel walked out, pack close to bursting by now with all the shit he was trying to bring back. He didn't really get excited over stuff anymore, but he hadn't come across a single record player in.. ever, so it was a pretty big thing for him. Not only that, but you loved music just as much as he did, and he knew you'd be over the moon when he brought everything back.

"Had to make sure I wasn't leavin' anythin' good behind." Joel explained as he mounted his horse, the pair kicking off and starting the journey back to Jackson.

You watched the swirls of stock and water blend together in the pot as you cooked dinner when the telltale sound of heavy footsteps plodding up the porch and the key turning in the lock graced your ears.

"'m home!" Joel called as you turned the heat down on the stove and walked over to the entryway.

"Hey." You smiled, going over to him and giving him a small kiss. "How was patrol?"

"Was good, nothin' special really." He replied, wanting to keep the record player a secret so he could surprise you later.

"No infected?" You asked as you reached to help get his jacket off, before reaching for his pack too. He quickly stopped you from taking it with his hand, causing you to look at him confusedly.

"What? You hidin' something from me?" You questioned with a little smile, before retreating and hanging his jacket up.

"Not hidin' anythin'." He told you in a gruff voice as he took off his boots and followed you into the kitchen.

You gave him an 'ookay then' look, and he knew you'd seen straight through him, but you chose to just let it go. "Dinner'll be ready in a bit, then. You should go shower, you're all stinky." You teased as you wrinkled your nose slightly, making him let out a low chuckle as he walked upstairs.

"Yes ma'am."

That evening, the two of you ate and after you both finished, you were resting on the couch when Joel gently took the book you were reading from your hands.

"Wanted t'show you somethin'." He said, trying to suppress the smile that wanted to etch itself onto his face but ultimately failing.

"I knew you were hiding something!" You immediately responded with a grin as you sat up off the couch and looked at him expectedly.

"Yeah, ya always gotta be right, don't cha?" He smirked as he stood up and reached down into the pack.

"Now close your eyes." He told you, making you let out a small laugh as you did.

"Okay this better be the coolest thing ever Joel, you're really making it seem that way." You said as he stood in front of you.

"It is. Open your eyes."

You did, and when you saw the record player in his hands, you let out a little gasp and looked from him to the record player and back to him again.

"Is this.." you began, before reaching for the little clasp on it and popping it open.

He watched your eyes sparkle like they'd never done before as his heart positively melted.

"Yeah, found it on patrol." He explained as he put the record player on a table then took your hand and pulled you up from the couch.

"Y'gonna keep gawkin' at it or you wanna dance with me?" He smirked as you looked back at him and smiled.

"Yeah- Let's dance."

He put a record on that he knew you'd love and put his hand on your waist, pulling you a little closer as your hands joined behind his neck and the two of you danced slowly, swaying to the music. You looked up at his face and let your left hand trail across his jaw, cupping it as your thumb raked over the coarse stubble that littered along the bottom of his face. Your gaze shifted to his eyes, a deep warm brown which stared back at you with such love that was only reserved for a select few people in Joel's life. His face, scarred from the many battles he'd fought - physical and mental - and from age. A face which you adored regardless of any 'imperfection'. A particular scar on his temple came into view and you lingered on it for a minute. If he had been successful that day, you wouldn't be here, alive even, let alone living the best life you reckoned you could in the apocalyptic world with the man you loved. You shook the thought away and let your eyes finally fall on his lips. Slightly chapped, pink and pouty, just begging to be kissed.

Of course, you oblige as you lean in and press your lips to his, the song coming to a slow end even though you didn't notice since you were so lost in thought, in admiration for the man you were so blessed to call yours. You poured everything into the kiss, wanting to emphasise just how much you loved him without even needing words. He needed to know it, and you'd come to realise that, so you showed him as much as you could every single day.

Thank you SM for reading, I hope you enjoyed! Likes, comments and reblogs are always appreciated and requests are open 💞

[final-girl96]

Firefly Chapter Fifty-Nine

We made quick work of the guys near the record shop. Ellie ended up taking the bow and arrows that the one guy had. It was a lot better than shooting and making a bunch of noise. We walked through the store and out the otherside. All the other stores were closed up tight. “Where are they?!” Ellie and I looked at each other with wide eyes and ran. When we passed a hallway, I grabbed her arm and pulled her down it. “Now what?” She whispered.

I was looking around in a panic until my eyes landed on an air duct shaft that was open. It was a huge risk to go through there. We didn't know what would be lurking inside. “Through there. Hurry.” I pointed, and she looked at me like I was crazy, which I probably am. “We have no other choice, Ellie. We're trapped.” She huffed out, ducked down, and began crawling inside the duct. I took one more look at the end of the hall before following after her.

Luckily, we only came across a skeleton of a soldier. No infected or spores. When we got to the other end, we came out onto a balcony that was above a store. It was dark, but I could see several infected down below. Me and Ellie exchanged looks. We only had three arrows, and there were five or six infected. We ducked down, sitting with our backs to a piece of plywood that had been pressed against the railing. It hid us from the view of people and the infected. Ellie leaned closer to me and whispered into my ear. “I peeked around the plywood to see two men standing in the store on the other side. I looked around for something to throw. Finding a brick, I picked it up and threw it behind me. It hit a shelf, making a loud bang as the merchandise fell off and to the ground. Clickers and a couple runners screeched from below, and the curses of the men filled the air. Two more men showed up to help them…well, and they tried to help them. They weren't fast enough, though.

They did, however, take all but two of the infected. Only one of the men was able to get away, and once he was gone, Ellie took the last remaining infected out before we jumped down. From there, we were able to make our way through another store that came out close to the store Joel was in. There were even more men standing around near the escalators and by the door leading into the frozen yogurt store. It would be tricky, but we had no other choice but to take them out. Ellie let the first arrow go, and that set off the fight. Going back and forth; the two of us against at least six men.

It took a while to finally take them out, but once we did, we were able to get to Joel and stitch him up. “This isn't looking too good. We're going to have to try and find antibiotics.” Ellie looked at me worried. “We have to get out of here and find somewhere else to stay. Maybe we can find a neighborhood.”

When daylight came, we made sure Joel was bundled up before tying the sleeping bag to the horses. I opened the doors, and we headed out into the cold winter air. The snow had slowed down for now. “Do we head back to Tommy?” Ellie asked. “No, we keep heading towards Salt Lake City. That's where the doctors are. But right now, we need to find somewhere we can hold up until Joel is better.” I hoped we could find some antibiotics along the way somewhere.

We walked all day, taking breaks to check and make sure Joel was doing okay. I had to sit him up and give him small sips of water. We didn't have much left, and we only had a few pieces of jerky left. We had stopped at a few stores trying to find more bandages along with medication, but we're unlucky. We eventually came to a neighborhood and picked the closest house that wasn't all boarded up. We led the horses into the garage and closed the door. Ellie stayed with Joel while I checked to make sure everything was clear.

While I was in the house I grabbed a few couch cushions and took them down to the basement, laid them on the floor, and ran back upstairs to get Ellie. When I went into the garage she had found a couple of buckets and filled them with snow for the horses. “Joel, can you stand for me?” I asked, kneeling down beside him. He groaned as he sat up. Ellie came over and helped me get him to his feet. Then we helped him down into the basement. While I got him settled Ellie went back up and got all our stuff. She handed me the blanket and I covered Joel up, zipping his coat before I did so he was warm.

After Joel was settled in Ellie and I sat down on either side of him. “Are you warm enough?” I asked Ellie. She pulled her jacket closer around her neck and nodded. “I can go upstairs and look around for more blankets. I'm sure there are some in a closet somewhere. They might be musty though.” She shook her head. “I'm okay. Should we look through the rest of the houses for supplies?” She asked. I took a deep breath, nodding my head slightly. “Yeah. Yeah, we will. We can do it tomorrow. For now we should get some rest.”

She moved down to lay on the floor, facing towards Joel and laying her head on his shoulder. I stayed sitting up until she was asleep and then went upstairs in search of blankets. I was able to find three of them. They were musty like I figured they would be and a little moth eaten but they weren't all that bad. And besides, you can't be too picky in a world like this. I went back down stairs and covered Ellie up with one of the blankets.

I then laid down on the other side of Joel, laying as close as I could, putting my head on his shoulder, and covered myself up with a blanket. Then I took the third one and threw it over the three of us as best as I could. It should be enough to keep the three of us warm. I was hoping it would keep us all warm. It was getting colder the later it got. I leaned up, kissed Joel's cheek, and then slowly fell asleep.

[disney-prince-quinn-hughes]

So you've probably heard from many Habs fans by now  that this playoff run "Feels like '93"  but what does that mean exactly  and is there an equivalent we have already seen some twenty eight years after Canada's last Stanley Cup victory?

As an '97 born Montréal Canadiens fan (most likely due to the Jonathan Drouin trade with Tampa Bay ) brought up in New Zealand and now currently living in The UK, I didn't know a lot about the 1993-1994 Montréal Canadiens team or what it had meant for Habs fans until I spotted a YouTube video commemorating the 25th anniversary in 2018 .

That exact same video then popped up just before Game One of the first round of this year's playoffs - against  one of the best assembled .  So I , wanting that "Playoff Hype " clicked on it and soon realisation hit . I saw similarities with the team then and the team now .

The similarities side by side are eerie .

First up , in 1993 - it was a season of change after the Canadiens heartache of the two prior off-seasons . A new coach Jacques Demers believed in his players and in his 1st meeting at the beginning of the regular season of that year ,  He echoed " We're going to shock the world . We're going to win the Stanley Cup ." 

So where does that sound familiar with the Montréal team of today ? Well , Dominique Ducharme was brought in under relief for Claude Julien - who was relieved of his coaching duties at the beginning of this year (February 2021 )

Like coaches leading the team to success , General Management also have an equally important role and that's just what Marc Bergevin did , adding important pieces to the puzzle such as  Cup winners Jake Allen,Joel Edmunson , Tyler Toffoli ( Longest 8 game point streak since Vincent Damphousse in 1993 ) , Eric Staal as well as Corey Perry - fresh off the previous years Stanley Cup finals with the Dallas Stars .  Young playmaker studs like Josh Anderson (First Habs Player to score a game tying and Overtime winning goal since 1993 ) and Cole Caufield ( A 5 game point streak )  also slotted into Bergevin's master plan .

However the regular season back then and now weren't that flash .  Goal tending was a struggle especially with Carey Price suffering a concussion late in the regular season  and the Habs of '93 lost the last 5 and 6 of regulation games before the playoff that season .

Losing the first two playoff games against the Quebec Nordiques, (Now Colorado Avalanche ) Montréal Canadiens began to be written off and underestimated by Nordiques players and media . What a bad mistake that turned out to be . (HEY TORONTO! ) 

Another question I had noted was if there had been any equivalent we had already seen in terms of the 1993-1994 Montréal Canadiens and the Canadiens we are watching right now? I say , Yes!

In 2018-2019 , The St Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in seven games to win their first franchise Stanley Cup after a 38 year wait . It has now been 28 years since Montréal's last Stanley Cup victory so there's the waiting game .

St Louis had a real rough season that year with a 15-18-4 record before a change of coach pulled them out of being last place in the league and the odds as favourites to win , were definitely never in their favour -like what we see with the Montréal Canadiens in 2021.

Overall to end this little word dump of my feelings and research, it's a great time to be  Montréal Canadiens fans and to get behind this incredible underdog team . Here's to proving them all wrong . Here's to '93

[baslotteryoffice-blog]

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[santinorps]

K A P O R T A ♣️

thinking about them in domestic situations is still hilarious 

who is the better dancer? joel would probably be good at it if he practiced but i imagine gabe is quite the dancer. 

who likes the outdoors more and who likes the indoors more? JOEL LOVES THE OUTDOORS, he would probably fucking live on a hill if he could. gabe is kinda outdoorsy i guess? but not really as much? 

who’s a cat person and who’s a dog person? joel’s pretty equal on them but he does have a soft spot for the cats more. i think gabe is more pro-dogs? 

who’s more social? gabe. 

who makes the bed every morning? joel.

who likes to keep the house cold and who likes to keep the house warm? joel is basically a lizard which is handy living in arizona; i feel like they both don’t mind a cool temperature most days. 

who takes longer getting ready? GABRIEL. 

who likes scary movies and who likes funny ones? joel’s not big on horror, he’s probably more of a comedy/rom-com fan. not sure about gabe honestly. 

who screams when they see a bug and who ends up killing it? I WANT TO SAY NEITHER. joel wouldn’t let a bug get killed unless it was completely necessary. 

who is more technology challenged? maybe joel? not because he’s bad at it, more just because he veers away from social media and gabe does more technology stuff for a living these days so joel would probs need some practice at it. 

who would be more likely to burn something in the oven? gabe? they’re both keen cooks but i feel like gabe is the idiot who gets distracted by, idk, say… joel’s ass. and forgets he has something cookin’. other than filthy thoughts in his brain hole. 

who talks in their sleep? lmfao joel is definitely a bit of a talker in his sleep, but i feel like gabe does a lot too. 

who leaves the cap off the toothpaste? gabriel……,,,,..,.,.,..

who likes getting dressed up more? both, fer sure. like, if the occasion calls for it, then both.

who’s better at tying ties? gabe does it more, i imagine, so gabe it is. 

who recorded the answering machine message on the house phone? joel probably just leaves the automated one but gabe would the idiot recording something silly on it that joel deletes as soon as he realises it’s there. 

who’s better at planning romantic things? joel… but gabe is when he tries. 

who takes up more space in the closet? fucking…. gabe….. joel has approx three outfits.

who has more of a sweet tooth? gabe? 

who drinks more often? well lmao joel

who is most likely to laugh during a serious situation? mr. saporta the principal will see u now

send me ♣ + a ship and i’ll tell you…

[junker-town]

Tiger Woods is back (again) and he’s got the PGA Tour wins record with him

Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

After a lethargic summer, Tiger’s show of force at the Zozo Championship put him in a share of a wins record thought to be untouchable.

After watching Tiger Woods hobble and scramble his away around the PGA Tour this summer, the thought occurred that maybe the Masters win in April did not mark the resumption of his chase for the majors record but was rather the final capstone in arguably the greatest golf career of all time.

Both options would have been fine but Tiger was hardly competitive in the final three majors of the year. Following four years of crippling injury and some personal embarrassment, he won the damn Masters and it would have been hard to blame him for deciding to party a bit, throttle down, and walk off with it. The Tiger that won that fifth green jacket was not seen again this summer. Watching those post-Masters starts had a tinge of drudgery from those injured years.

This was apparently nothing the seasons turning and a little miracle arthroscopic knee surgery could not fix. Tiger showed up at the Zozo Championship, the first ever PGA Tour event in Japan, and blitzed a loaded field with what may be his most impressive game since this improbable and likely last comeback started in 2018. The Masters win was much more significant, but this was a vintage type of dominance from Thursday through the 72nd hole of a delayed finish on Monday morning in Japan.

The championship started with his first shot going into the water and bogeys on his first three holes. That opening round ended with 9 birdies and his lowest start to a season in his career. He backed up that 64 with another 64 in the second round and the rest felt like a formality in the old way when Tiger would race out to a multi-shot cushion and just watch the rest of the field slowly bleed out over the weekend.

Tiger’s 64-64-66-67 week at the Zozo felt larger than a mid-October win on the other side of the world. He got his knee scoped, took a couple months off, and immediately dominated in his first start of the new season. It looked nearly flawless, too. There were no smoke-and-mirrors or stressful scrambles just to keep rounds on track. The iron play is always what’s differentiated Tiger from his peers. The violence and power off the tee have been seducing throughout his career, and those miracle chip shots or clinching putts get the highlights, but the iron play is what has piled up all the wins in that bleed-them-out fashion. That’s the part of his game that came back in 2018, when he finished at the top of the Tour’s strokes gained approach statistic. In a great interview with Golf Digest this week, PGA Tour player Joel Dahmen, far from a superstar but full of insight, discussed the control it takes to really separate yourself at the very top of the game.

What’s the difference between you and a golfer who’s never going to graduate from the Korn Ferry Tour?

It’s hard to describe, but that guy is never going to have total control of his golf ball. You can see it in his ball flight and around the greens. When he’s hot, he shoots 63 and looks great, but he can’t do it for four days, much less a season. Scratch golfers are really good, but they don’t always know which way the ball is going to curve. I sometimes forget how good I am and can be, then I go play with my caddie, Geno Bonnalie, who qualified for the U.S. Mid-Am in 2017. At an easy course with light rough where he can wedge it on from anywhere, I’ll give him one shot a side. At 7,500 yards with trouble everywhere, I might give him seven a side. Not to sound like a jerk, but people don’t understand the control required to play PGA Tour setups.

No one has ever controlled a golf ball better than Tiger Woods. After a summer that felt n/a from a competitive standpoint, that control was back this week. The best part is it all looked easy and natural, and as a sign of things to come.

What it means now

Tiger has win No. 82, tying Sam Snead’s all-time PGA Tour wins record. That number is the record in the same way that you get a partner in your weekend game by throwing a tee in the air to randomly pair up sides. Calculating what is an official PGA Tour win is hard to do just for Tiger’s career alone, and nearly impossible across different generations. Here’s a sampling of why:

Reminder as Tiger Woods guns for Sam Snead's 82-win mark, Snead's victories include: - 6 against fields of 15 or fewer...including a 4-player field - 3 36-hole events, 1 18-holer - '50 Crosby Pro-Am. Instead of a playoff, four players tied were given W.

— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) October 26, 2019

Snead’s total changed multiple times before the Tour decided to just call it 82. Tiger is now officially at 82 wins at the age of 43. It’s hard to compare eras or even establish records with real comparable value in many sports.

Over the past year, the number 82 was probably marketed into much more than the foundation underneath it justifies. The fact is Tiger has won 82 times, at the least, on the PGA Tour. Whether the record is inconsequential or unknowable, as Jack Nicklaus alluded to earlier this year, is separate from the fact that winning 82 times on the PGA Tour is an obscene amount and it’s likely never going to be accomplished again. Set aside whatever the record is or should be and appreciate the number for what it is.

What this win also means now is that Tiger is a lock for his own Presidents Cup team. He will, and should, make himself one of his captain’s picks next week. It’s a crowded field for four spots but the reigning Masters champ and the game we just watched absolutely deserve it, if he didn’t already. Tiger will be a playing captain.

What it means later

Tiger is back, again. If he’s healthy, he will win again this season. Gary Woodland, the reigning U.S. Open champ who played alongside Woods this weekend, said Tiger’s “distance control was a joke” and he’d “never seen anything like it.” These are quotes we heard in 2000 and 2005 and, after a long hiatus, we’re now hearing again at the end of another decade. It’s the iron play and control we talked about above and it’s been there since the start of 2018. That game is too good to not win again.

This would be the 8th time Tiger has opened a PGA Tour season with a win. In 5 of the previous 7 instances, he won at least one major later that season.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) October 27, 2019

Tiger said he put off the knee surgery he had this fall throughout last year and perhaps that explains some of those lethargic late season performances. Those strugglebus images from the summer were wiped out with this show of force. If he’s healthy, this won’t be his only win of the season and that should have everyone smiling as they sip their Sunday night Monster thinking of what awaits in 2020.

[flauntpage]

Sixers Nets Game 2 Odds: Why The Sixers Will Win Game 2 But Might Not Cover

Game 1 was a letdown for both Sixers fans and bettors who trusted the process as the team clanked its way to a concerning 111-102 loss on Saturday afternoon. Brooklyn used a 20-1 run at the end of the first quarter that bled into the opening moments of the second to seize control of the game and never looked back. Among the Sixers’ concerns heading into Game 2 are Joel Embiid’s health, the team’s hideous 12% shooting from beyond the arc in the opener, and cell phones. Yes. Cell phones.

Amir Johnson

I hope it’s a good reason @RTNBA pic.twitter.com/7ycBX0Xe28

— Ty Perfect (@MrPerfect_Ty) April 13, 2019

Oh, and don’t forget hurt feelings, too. Can’t forget about hurt feelings:

Ben Simmons: "If you're a #Sixers fan and you're going to boo, stay on that side." pic.twitter.com/IWHtkHUkYy

— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) April 13, 2019

Phila Unite!

Not an ideal start, for sure, but will what should be a more focused and desperate Sixers team bounce back in Game 2 to even the series? Will they bounce back in a BIG way and cover the spread? Let’s take a look at some need-to-know betting info and see what we can find out.

Odds

Here are the Game 2 odds as of 8 a.m. Monday morning:

Sportsbook G1Spread G1 Moneyline Series Winner DraftKings PHI -7.5 PHI -345 -210 FanDuel PHI -8 PHI -350 -180 PointsBet PHI -8 PHI -360 -193

Considering the Sixers were as much as a -835 moneyline favorite to win the series before Game 1, these current series prices represent a significant drop, but that’s to be expected when a team loses home-court advantage in what essentially amounts to a two-game swing after dropping the opener. If you believe in the Sixers, then the -180 series price at FanDuel has to be a pretty attractive option.

As for the Game 2 spread, the story is much the same as it was Saturday. Philly opened as a 7.5-point favorite and are now up to as high as -8 at some of the best NJ online sportsbooks.

If you’re looking for some good deals, be sure to take advantage of PointsBet’s  $50 free bet with no deposit and up to $1,000 in risk free bets with code BROADLINES. Over at FanDuel Sportsbook, they’re offering NBA Parlay Insurance. Place a bet of 4+ legs on any game during the playoffs at moneyline odds of -200 or greater. If you hit all but one of the bets, FanDuel will help ease the sting of a close call by offering a cash refund of up to $25.

Betting trends

Let’s first start with each team’s overall against the spread performance. The Sixers haven’t been a good ATS bet this season, going only 38-45. The Nets, on the other hand, were a solid spread performer, compiling a 46-37 ATS record.

The Sixers have also underperformed as a favorite, going 27-32 ATS, including Saturday’s dud, whereas the Nets are a respectable 17-12 ATS in the same role. It remains to be seen if the Nets will be favored in any game during this series, but…the more you know, I guess. More pertinent is the Sixers’ rather average 20-20 ATS performance as a home favorite as well as the Nets’ solid 26-16 ATS road record and 21-15 ATS mark as a road underdog.

Of course, these overall team performance trends don’t tell the entire story, so let’s go a little bit deeper. As for how the two teams have performed head-to-head this season, the Nets hold a 4-1 edge in covers, going 2-1 ATS on the road and 2-0 ATS at home.

The Sixers enter Game 2 between a 7 to 8-point favorite depending upon where you’re shopping, just as they were in Game 1 (prior to Embiid uncertainty moving the line all the way down to -5.5 in some places). Here’s what we know about how each team has performed this season with this specific spread range. The Sixers are 15-10 ATS when favored by at least 7 points, 10-5 ATS when favored between exactly 7 and 10 points, and 6-3 ATS when favored in the same range at Wells Fargo Center.

Meanwhile, a deeper look reveals the Nets’ impressive underdog performance isn’t quite as good with this specific line range. Brooklyn is only 8-9 ATS when a dog of 7 points or more and only 6-8 ATS when a dog of at least 7 points on the road.

Since this is the postseason, the level of competition is an important contextual factor to consider, so it’s probably worth noting Brooklyn is 25-17 ATS against teams .500 or better, 20-14 ATS against such teams as an underdog, and 12-8 ATS as a road dog. The Sixers are only 13-14 ATS when playing teams that are .500 or better as a favorite, but when the spread is 7 points or more, they are 6-3 ATS.

In terms of the No. 3/No. 6 matchup, there’s not an overwhelming trend here, but No. 3 seeds favored by at least 7 points are 24-21 ATS in first round games since 2005.

Assuming Joel Embiid does in fact play in Game 2, it will mark only the 12th time this season that the Sixers will play with Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons, J.J. Redick, and Embiid each in the starting lineup. The Sixers are 8-3 SU and 6-5 ATS this season when those five start together.

Now, let’s look at how the results of Game 1 has impacted Game 2 from a historical perspective. I’d like to tell you teams that lose Game 1 as a favorite usually bounce back and cover in Game 2, but that really has not been the case. Follow me here. Favored higher-seeded teams that are coming off a loss in Game 1 of the first round are 21-6 SU but only 10-15-2 ATS in Game 2 since 2005. Such teams that are favored by at least 7.5 points in Game 2, however, are 17-1 SU and 9-9 ATS. Nothing earth shattering for spread bettors, but that SU mark is great news for Sixers fans. As is this: Brett Brown’s squad is 19-12 ATS after a loss and 10-4 ATS as a home favorite after a loss this season, but just know that Brooklyn’s 25-17 ATS record following a win this season is the NBA’s best mark.

Prediction

My initial thesis here was that favored teams probably come back strong and cover Game 2 because they’re embarrassed, but that simply hasn’t been the case. More specifically, I’m going to guess it’s a safe bet the Sixers won’t shoot 12% from three-point range this time around, but such a large spread still seems curious. Between the pressure, lack of bench depth, Simmons’ comments, Embiid’s injury, and the Sixers’ lack of lineup continuity and chemistry which is needed to play at a high level, this spread is just too high for my taste. I like the Sixers to win the game outright, but I’ll give the ATS nod to the Nets once again in this one.

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The post Sixers Nets Game 2 Odds: Why The Sixers Will Win Game 2 But Might Not Cover appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Sixers Nets Game 2 Odds: Why The Sixers Will Win Game 2 But Might Not Cover published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

[holsthoughts]

t h r e e

this post, entirely about gabbie hanna. which is very fitting considering i associate the number three with her.

where to start? i suppose at the beginning. that being september 2016.

i don't remember exactly when but sometime before drop the mic tour i fell in love with her videos, and i mean i fell fuckin hard lol. i just connected to her on a way i didn't really understand as a just-turned-sixteen-year-old girl. anyway, the first video i remember being posted after i started stanning was ‘how social media ruins relationships’ a dance video, that gabbie rarely posts but has stuck with me as my first proper memory of her. and the beginning of something mad.

if anyone reading this doesn't know gabbie (hi, were have u been?) she's a youtuber. she's the gal in my icon <3 not only is she a youtuber she's also. musician (currently with six (technically 7) songs out and an album called ‘this time next year’ on the way), author (of adultolescence which reached number 3 (three, see?) on the New York times bestseller list, with book two on the way also), illustrator (of said ny times bestselling book and various other designs), tv host (for a while on the revamped TRL) and so much more but of course i'm biased and could go o forever so i'll leave it there.

after deciding to subscribe and do the general social media stalk of and internet personality of someone i’ve just found i was obsessed and over two years later, still am <3

i changed my twitter @ to a gabbie fan account, made friends (with some of the most amazing people) and just felt so at home. sounds crazy but it was like something clicked and not only did i fall in love with gabbie, i also fell in love with her community.

january 2017; something past 2am, i'm awake for some apparent reason and gabbie goes live on live.ly (i know, long ago) of course i join and this is where I got my first gabbie notice (which i know isn't everything but it was something so heartwarming knowing that after a couple months she saw me) she did this emoji game where she’d act out an emoji and the first person to correctly guess and send it in the chat would be ‘best friended’. in this stream she also announced that she’d be coming to london for summer in the city.

summer in the city is a video convention in the uk (obv) in august, this was suuucchhh a big deal as i was already planning to go and the fact that she’d be there was the BEST feeling ever. in the time between she announced and it finally came around i got my follow from her on twitter (which also has a cute story behind it - i made a deal with my step dad, if I got an A in any of my january exams (which i was getting the results for on March 3rd) he would buy me my ticket to sitc. so of course i was v nervous, went to bed - or at least tried to - the night before and work up on the third to gabbie’s follow, which probably doesn't sound like a big deal so literally everyone else ever but it just felt like a lil ‘good luck, u got this’ from her which meant frickin everything. so i got an A, therefore got my ticket and was so ready for august.

august 2017; the fourth of august, my mam, joel and i set off to london on the mega bus. me excited as anything as i was on my way to london after not having gone for about 6 years, getting ready to see three of my best pals (who i was meeting for the first time the next day because of gabbie) and also preparing myself to see gab irl for the first time ever. right as i saw about to try and sleep i got a message from a twitter mutual of a video of gabbie saying hi to me after they’d met her at their hotel lobby, i lost my mind and couldn't sleep after, naturally. the fifth of august, i got up in a shitty ibis budget hotel room in barking early af to get ready and make sure i looked presentable to go to the excel (which was an hour away on the tube, nightmare), went to breakfast and was too nervous to eat lmao (not like me AT ALL) and then we were off. i met chaz first, then eli then toni who where the best company that weekend and i'm so grateful for them. we waited two hours at main stage for the comedy panel to be able to get front row to see gabbie at her first sitc 2017 panel which was crazy emotional. i screamed, laughed, cried (yes, cried) and lost my fucking mind at gabbie literally jumping off the fucking stage and run over to chaz (who i was standing next to) and hugged her and then toni. frickin insane dude. we had such a good day and were all buzzing to se meeting gabbie the next day. the sixth of august, maybe my favourite day of my entire life <3 we ended up leaving the hotel late which wasn't fun considering gabbie had a panel at 12 and of course we wanted to get front row. chaz managed to get there first and toni and i joined her, the doors opened and we (along with the 15 others who also wanted front row ran to the queue, literally RAN and i do not run usually, sis made an exception for my fave <3 anyway we got front row and eli (who was late) sat behind us and we watched gab so sooo well. she kept looking over at us and making cute faces, looking right fuckin at us whilst mentioning her community and projects etc. and she done so fuckin well when hazel hayes (a knob) literally came for her for absolutely no reason, which tuned into a joke lol. next, another main stage panel which we got to second row for since we were late as the schedule didn't have that panel on it LOL (ty for that sitc) next, my fave part, getting legend herself<333 toni and eli went earlier than chaz and i because they had to leave early. chaz and i tried to wait until last but some bitchy af girls were doing the same and we heard that she might have to leave early so joined the queue. meeting her; my favourite moment ever. has went first and i stood recording until gabbie says to chaz “ya who’s the rest of the squad” making me lose me mind internally LOL, i knew she knew about us since chaz had dm’ed her saying and gab had said that she was looking out for us in the crowd of panels AWW. chaz said about how eli and toni had come earlier and then said “so its just me and holly left” and at that moment gabbie looked at me, right into my fucking soul and said “hi holly!” and opened her arms to me <333 OUCH IM SOFT. she was and still is the best. we had a cute AF lil convo where she told the security (because they were looking at us stupid bc of how excited we all were and also bc she spent so much longer with us than anyone else lmao) that chaz an i “are twitter icons” which i died at ouchie. she then complemented my hair (which i’d dyed purple and blue to match hers - cringe, yes - to then find out she dyed hers blonde a week before london LMAO of course. i told her how i also got my nose pierced bc of her and she told me “you gotta do all these now” showing me her ears that had SIX new piercings that she’d got for a vid that wasn't out at the time, saying “next time i see you, next year, you better have five” which of course i did literally five days after meeting her lol, love that for me, even though i didn't see her the next year (ouch)

skipping a lot but gabbie truly means so so much to me, and this for sure won't be the last time i do a post about her. she truly deserves the world <3

- h

[gwynnew]

'La La Land' Choreographer Mandy Moore on Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s Most Romantic Dance Scene

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in the epilogue scene of ‘La La Land,’ choreographed by Mandy Moore (Photo: Lionsgate)

In La La Land, the romance between two California dreamers (Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone) builds to a knockout finale: a wordless fantasy ballet that re-tells the story of the film, as if it were all a musical fairytale building to happily-ever-after. That magical epilogue unfolds like a dream, reaching its peak at the moment that Gosling and Stone re-create their planetarium waltz in an actual sky full of stars. For choreographer Mandy Moore, that epilogue dance was among the movie’s most important scenes. “[Director] Damien Chazelle always said, this has to be the thing that you’re waiting for: the two of them to waltz in the stars, just seeing that love in their eyes,” Moore told Yahoo Movies, adding, “It would have been a real buzzkill if they had come out to dance this waltz and it was underwhelming.” In anticipation of La La Land’s big Oscar night (the film has a record-tying 14 nominations), the four-time Emmy-nominated choreographer (not to be confused with the actress/singer Mandy Moore) talked with Yahoo Movies about the invisible work that went into the film’s most romantic moment.

Watch a behind-the-scenes clip of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s waltz in the stars:

“We started training for that early — that was one of the first things we did,” Moore said of Gosling and Stone’s epilogue dance. “Because waltzing is not easy: as simple and as beautiful as it looks, we didn’t have a bunch of tricks and things in there, but that footwork is really difficult. And if Ryan hadn’t learned how to lead and Emma how to follow, that could have been a trainwreck for sure.”

Related: ‘La La Land’: 5 Echoes of Classic Hollywood Musicals

Leading and following, she clarifies, is one of the hardest things for any non-dancer to learn, “because it’s natural for most people to want to do it themselves and just kind of be like a one-man band.” And while Gosling and Stone had both danced in their careers (Stone as the lead in Broadway’s Cabaret, Gosling as a child hoofer on The Mickey Mouse Club), neither had much formal training prior to their intensive La La Land rehearsals. The waltz in the epilogue and the earlier waltz scene at the Griffith Observatory were both shot towards the end of production, giving Moore time to teach the actors how to dance together. At no point, however, did she expect them to transform into Astaire and Rogers.’

Watch a featurette about the making of the movie:

Related: Oscars 2017 Preview: The Hottest Best Song Race in Years 

“Damien was very clear that these people were supposed to be real people,” said Moore. “As a creator, you create from that. It would not have worked if I tried to create for Ryan and Emma thinking that they’re Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. Because they’re not, and they were never supposed to be…. Ryan isn’t a dancer in the film and neither is Emma. [His character is] a musician and she’s an actress. But they sing and dance. So it is a fine line, and it was probably one of the hardest things to do in the film overall, to just find that balance of, how do real people fall into song and dance?”

That’s why, she said, “the waltz in the stars in the epilogue was never supposed to have a bunch of crazy spins and turns and leaps and lifts. Even though that would have been beautiful, it would have been out of character for them, even in a heightened fantasy dream ballet.” Moore left the fancy twirls and lifts to the background dancers, professionals for whom she choreographed “my very best shot at a Jerome Robbins–MGM–Gene Kelly mash-up of great moves.”

After Stone and Gosling mastered the waltz, they faced an additional challenge: shooting the dance in coordination with a moving camera, on a set designed to look like an endless night sky. “At one point Ryan was like, ‘I don’t know where I’m at in these stars, I’m getting lost!’” Moore recalled, laughing. “You turn around and you’re like, ‘That star looks like the next star, which looks like the next star – it’s like, where am I right now?’”

Gosling and Stone eventually found their bearings, and in the final cut, that complicated waltz looks lighter than air. The beautiful simplicity of Moore’s choreography is highlighted by Chazelle’s classic-Hollywood-inspired camera work: long takes and head-to-toe shots that showcase every move, and even the occasional misstep. “There are times where the lines aren’t exactly right, or there’s a little fumble here or there, but I think that’s part of the charm of it all,” Moore said. “I think it helps [the dancing] be an emotional performance. It doesn’t feel just like a perfectly played thing that you can’t access as an audience; I think you feel something.”

Read more:

Oscar Nominee Spotlight: ‘La La Land’ Star Emma Stone’s Busy Awards Season

When the Oscars Get Political: A Look Back At Michael Moore’s Divisive Anti-War Speech in 2003

Oscar-Nominated Makeup Whiz Joel Harlow on Crafting ‘Star Trek Beyond’ Aliens, Marvel Superheroes, and Johnny Depp Disguises

[sparkinsidewrites]

When You Catch Fire

Title: When You Catch Fire

One Shot: 1/1

Character/Pairing: Davey Havok/Hunter Burgan

Genre: Angst

Rating: Mature

Summary:  You can only push someone so far before everything falls apart. Written with Chaosti.

Authors Notes/Warnings:  Nothing in this piece ever happened. I claim no ownership nor do I make any sort of profit from this, other than pride and a sense of amusement.

The air was unseasonably warm for this time of year, but he paid it little mind, walking on ahead into the dead of night. He hadn't taken much with him, he'd left the hotel in too much of a hurry to grab anything more than his wallet and the jean jacket he had left laying out on the bed.

Thinking back, he wished he'd grabbed more. There were things he'd left he knew he could never replace. But that didn't matter much now. He wasn't going back. He had no need to. He had no place there anymore.

He was a fool of the worst kind. He should have known, he should have seen it coming. They all had. They'd warned him. Begged him to listen to them. To see reason. But he refused. He hadn't wanted to believe it. He'd TRUSTED him. Well he knew better now. He never should have trusted him. Never should have cared.

                                                         ---

He had walked out? That was insane, impossible, unbelievable! Davey looked around the messy room, clothes scattered on the hideous brown carpeting. What immediately caught his eye was the guitar case to the side of the far bed. He slowly walked to it, afraid of what he would find, or worse what he wouldn't. He reached out a shaking hand to undo the clasps but stopped himself. There was no way he would be able to handle what this one thing would reveal.

Still, it was his fault wasn't it? His arrogance had finally gotten the better of him. With a glare to the floor he kicked out at the Prince shirt that lay ruffled. He couldn't be completely responsible! He hadn't told him to leave. He sat on the unmade bed, knees together as he thought it all out. Of course it was his fault, he drove him away. He toyed with him. This is what he deserved.

Gulping back tears, Davey stood looking out the balcony window of the hotel room. Maybe he was still out there? Possibly if he looked hard enough there would be the faint shadow of his friend walking away. He could run to him and apologize! It would all be better. That's how it worked out in movies and fairy tales. It should work that way for touring bands as well.

                                                             ---

He had no idea where he was going. And at this point he didn't much care as long as he got away. He'd find a bus station or a cab soon enough, he figured. From there he could make his way back home. What he would do when he got there he hadn't a clue. He would find work somewhere. Be it with another band or the local Stop N Shop, it didn't much matter. He'd find a way to handle this. A way to carry on.

He didn't need the band. He didn't need him. Didn't need Davey. He was so stupid to think he had. He'd based his whole life, his dream on this one man and it had all be a vicious lie. They were probably all laughing at him now. Laughing at just how truly pathetic he'd become. And maybe they were right.

He'd given him everything. All of himself. Whatever he wanted. Why wasn't it enough? It should have been enough. He was just as pathetic as they believed him to be. But not anymore. He was done. He didn't need them. Didn't need anyone. He wouldn't make that mistake again. He couldn't afford to.

                                                    ---

Davey paced around the room impatiently. Why wasn't he barging back through that door right this moment? Where was the goofy laughter that normally filled the room and made it light up? The singer stopped pacing and looked at the door as his thoughts all rushed to the front of his mind. He missed him already and he hadn't been gone for more than a day. He felt guilty and so terribly alone. Over Hunter? No! This couldn't be true.

"Oh god," he whispered, hand running through his hair thoughtlessly. He had fallen. For the one man he had never believed he could feel more than a twisted compassion for, he had tripped and fallen deep in love with him.

Love? No, that was unthinkable for him. Davey fucking Havok did not fall in love. People fell in love with him, people worshipped him! Yet here he was, yearning for nothing more than a smile from the bassist he had taken for granted. He turned once more to take in the garish hotel room. There wasn't much left except for the strewn clothing and the guitar case. He had to know if this was permanent.

Taking a deep breath he once more walked to the guitar case, kneeling down beside it. If it was empty it would mean that there was no turning back. Carefully he unlocked the first latch, then the second. With one shaking breath he lifted the top of the case up. He settled back on the floor, eyes filling up with tears. The bass was still there, but along with it was a plain white sheet of paper with one word on it.

Goodbye

                                                        ---

The wind had begun to pick up as the hours slowly dragged by. He tightened his thin jacket around himself, a desperate attempt to keep warm. But it did little good. The wind bit mercilessly at him. With a sigh, he realized he couldn't stay out here much longer.

If he had been thinking earlier, he'd have grabbed his phone. At least then he could have called information for the nearest motel or bus station. But it was too late to think on that now, he was stuck.

Anger boiled through him. Why the fuck hadn't he thought to bring his phone? For the matter, why the fuck hadn't he just lifted the keys to the rental car Smith had gotten for this leg of the tour. Then at least he'd have heat.

The longer he walked, the angrier he became. This had been a stupid, stupid idea. He should have just called a cab from the hotel, gone straight to the airport. He would have been halfway home by now.

"Fuck!" he screamed into the night, flipping off the trees overhead and kicking at the stones along the road.

                                                          ---

Davey started putting on the closest pair of shoes he could find. As he was tying up the laces he noticed that they were a bit big on him. Frowning, he took a closer look and realized they were a pair of Hunter's shoes. The pair of converse that he had worn when they had gone out for ice cream the night before. For a moment Davey entertained the idea of burning them, but he couldn't. He knew he could never ruin something that was Hunter's. Instead he tied them extra tight.

The idea occurred to Davey that he should try calling Hunter's cell phone. Proud of himself for having thought of something actually intelligent, he pulled his own phone out of the pocket of his tight black jeans. He went to press on the speed dial but remembered that Hunter wasn't on it. What the hell was wrong with him? How could he not have Hunter's number programmed into the speed dial?

Grumbling incoherent curses he dialed in the number. When he saw the time recorder go on, indicating that the call was being made, he pressed the phone against his ear. It rang once and simultaneously through out the room the catchy tune of Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" blasted. Davey shifted his gaze to the night stand where Hunter's white razor phone was vibrating along the polished top.

Growling Davey clicked the off button. Hunter had left his cell phone here? Stepping closer he realized there was only the one. Hunter had two cell phones though! Maybe there was hope yet. He could call the second line and Wait. No, he couldn't call the second line. Hunter had never given him that number because he said that cell was used only for business.

The singer dropped to the ground, slumping against one of the two mattresses in the room. He should have known what the second number was. He gazed at the ceiling, eyes fogging once more with tears. Damn it! Why was he crying so much? He wiped furiously at the tell tale signs of the tears burning in his eyes. This wasn't a bad thing. Hunter had every right to take off during the middle of a fucking tour. Davey snorted with contempt. What were they going to do without him? Hell, what was he going to do without him?

Hunter's phone started ringing again and Davey jumped up. Maybe, just maybe, it was Hunter calling. Possibly he had misplaced his phone and wasn't actually gone. Davey picked the phone up and looked at the number, eyes wide with hope. His wishes were shattered as Adam's familiar phone number appeared.

The singer scowled. Adam was one of the people behind this! Adam had been spewing poisoned words to Hunter, turning the bassist against him. Growling, Davey chucked the cell phone as hard as he could at the wall.

For minutes afterward he felt an immense sense of glee. Then realized that he had broken his friend's phone. He was turning into an asshole. No, that was a lie. He already was an asshole. There was no escaping that fact. He was a grade A asshole who should be pushed off the earth for what he had put Hunter through. He looked up at the ceiling once more. Why couldn't he be telepathic and be able to say sorry to Hunter through his mind?

                                                         ---

His feet throbbed, but still he kept walking. The pain pushed him onward. The pain was worth it. With each step he took, he knew he was farther from Davey. Farther from all of them. They didn't need him. He could be easily replaced. The band had gone through line up changes before, what was one more?

His eyes lingered farther down the road, falling on a familiar glowing blue and white light. A phone booth. And along with that he could see the faint lights of a motel sign. Thank God. He could get a room, crash for the night then see about arranging a flight back to Oakland in the morning. The very idea of a warm bed brought a soft smile to his face. Even if he didn't manage to sleep, he could at least rest for a bit.

Twenty minutes later, he found himself key in hand in front of room 327. The man behind the desk told him he was lucky that they had a room open this late at night. The motel was a popular stop for tourists passing through the state. He'd nodded at the man, taking his key and shoving his credit card back into his wallet.

For a crowded motel, he noted, it certainly seemed quiet. But then again, not many people were up and about at 3:45 in the morning. He sighed, odd hours barely phased him anymore. It was hard to remember that not everyone shared the same schedule he had when on the road.

The room was small, white paint covering the walls along with various pieces of tacky artwork. The furniture was sparse, a mirror across from the double bed with a small table and lamp to its right. Certainly not as cozy as he'd hoped, but he'd slept in far worse and at this hour, he was hard pressed to care.

Listlessly, he toed off his shoes, collapsing on the bed. It was softer than he one he'd slept in the night before, which surprised him somewhat. But it didn't matter now. Closing his eyes, he hoped that the sheer exhaustion slowly overtaking his system would claim him long before his thoughts did.

                                                        ---

Davey stood, walking to the door. He couldn't sit here and do nothing. He had to go out and search for Hunter! What if he got hurt or lost? Or worse...No, Hunter was street smart. Still, you could never predict what might happen. Stopping for just a second to grab a hoodie, Davey made his way purposefully out the door of the hotel.

He checked the watch on his wrist. 3:52 a.m. At least he wasn't tired yet. He might actually get something done. First and foremost came to, where would Hunter be this time of night? He had left his main cell, he had left his bass, and there were random clothes lying about. That meant he had been rushing, or at least that's what Davey assumed. If he was rushing maybe he had forgotten his wallet? No, Hunter practically had that thing attached to his pants. A flight would have been possible, but at this time of night there probably weren't many flights going in and out of the nearest airport.

Which led to the most important question: Where was he going? Home was the immediate option but Hunter was smart. He would probably know that they'd all go looking for him there. Davey sighed as he walked down the corridor of the hotel, boarded the elevator, then got off in the lobby. It wouldn't be easy to find the bassist. He had friends everywhere across the world. For all he knew, Hunter could be on a flight to Egypt.

He made his way out into the hotel parking lot. The wind was starting to blow fitfully across the landscape and he patted his hair with one hand to keep it down. Where to from here? He was in a deserted parking lot, two and a half hours from sunrise, and his bassist had gone missing.

What did cops normally start doing when they were looking for some one? They went to friends: out of the question there. They looked at local haunts. Davey scanned the lot devoid of human life and shook his head. They weren't in familiar territory. So the next best option was an airport, a bus station, or a train station.

Not at all pleased by his task, Davey lifted his hood up over his head and began walking into the night. He had a purpose but God knows he didn't have half an idea where any of the transportation buildings were. Maybe a cab would be wise? He checked his pockets. Of course, he had forgotten his wallet. Biting back a groan of displeasure, he continued moving swiftly onto the sidewalk. If he couldn't have a cab or car to find where he was going then so be it. At least when, or if, he found Hunter the man would know that he had given of himself in his search.

                                                     ---

He tossed and turned for several hours, his mind unable to focus on anything over then the train wreck of a turn his life had taken. He should have known better. He should have seen it coming. If he had bothered to look he would have. If he'd listened, if he'd thought, none of this would have happened. This was just like Heather. He should have known. Why the hell didn't he know?

A frustrated sigh fell from his lips. Rolling to his side, he pushed himself up. Different tune to the same fucking song. Rubbing his eyes with his hands, he glanced down at his watch. A little after five in the morning. Belatedly, he wondered if there would be anyone at the office at this hour. All he wanted was to make his way home, lock himself in his apartment for a few days. Get his bearings back.

                                                         ---

Davey wandered the brightening streets for what seemed like days. His steps became more sluggish as the sun rode further up the horizon. Where was he? He wanted his Hunter. Yes, his Hunter. In his tired state the possessive term made perfect sense to him. He had been the one to listen to every deep, dark secret the bald man harbored. He had been the one to keep him from going insane. He had been the one that fell in love.

What did he have to show for it? Dingy alleyways, pavement being filled with cars and tired motorists, and blood shot eyes from the wearying search. For the hours he had been searching through the city he had screamed Hunter's name as loud as he could. Personally, he had thought that people in China would be able to hear. His heart broke each time he called and Hunter didn't reply. He had become so used to Hunter being at his beckoned call. As he trudged on in vain, he was horribly aware of the fact that he was spoiled rotten.

"Hunter! Please, answer me! Even if it's to scream a big 'fuck you' as long as you talk to me," Davey shrieked, his last resolve crumbling away. He sat down on the sidewalk in front of what looked like a rather rundown motel. Maybe he could get a room? No, he had forgotten his wallet. So like him to be disorganized. Hunter always helped keep him on track. He laid on his side on the concrete slab of sidewalk, eyes blearily staring out onto the street. His only wish was for Hunter to be back.

His eyes drifted closed, his sleep deprived mind imagining different apology scenarios with Hunter. He'd run to the bus stop or the airport or the train station right as Hunter's flight/bus/train was leaving. They would notice each other, and he would cry out with a love filled shout. Hunter would drop his bags and they'd run to each other. Possibly collide, merely for entertainment in Davey's mind, but the kiss they would share would be magical. With a sigh he fell into a fitful, and rather grungy, slumber.

                                                       ---

He handed in his keys, not bothering to do more than glance at the man sitting behind the counter. He was calmer, yes, but no less confused and angry. He'd let Davey make a fool of him. Let them all make a fool of him. But it didn't matter now. He was done with all of it. Better to run now then regret staying later. It was just a band, there would be others. That excuse sounded weak even to his own mind.

The faint chirping of crickets filled the otherwise silent pre-dawn. He'd called a cab from his room, arranging to be taken directly to the airport. From there he'd arranged a flight back to Oakland. The seats were lousy, but at that point he honestly didn't care. As long as he made it back home, that really didn't matter.

Idly, he found himself twiddling his fingers as he waited, slowly rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. The soft light flooding from the office window created elongated shadows on the tattered parking lot. One shadow in particular caught his eye. Uncertainly, he moved towards the shadow, both curious and alarmed. There was something oddly familiar about it. Something filling him with dread.

                                                         ---

Davey shifted enough that his hair, which had been shielding his eyes, fell back to allow the sun it's rightful place of glowing through his eyelids. A soft hiss was dispelled as his eyes fluttered open to be greeted by the bright blue of the sky, a cluster of grey clouds, and the glaring sun which he was finding more and more reasons to hate. What time was it? He shuffled on the cement and pushed himself up into a sitting position.

"You've got to be kidding me," he mumbled, staring across the street to see a sunshine highlighted church, a broad sign proclaiming "All welcome," taunting him. He scowled up at the sky, sending a mental "fuck you," to God for his mocking. He shouldn't feel guilty for seeing a church, especially not a Catholic church where they have confessionals. Confessionals where you admit your sins...against others and against God.

Shaking his head and pushing out the breath he had been holding in due to frustration, he knelt on the cement and took in his other surroundings. Obviously the dingy motel was behind him so he wasn't all that concerned to pay attention to it. The span of the street had small family owned shops mingling with the major corporations. His oncoming headache was soothed by the sight of a Starbucks. Seeing no use in kneeling like an idiot on the cement, Davey stood his arms reaching up towards the sky as he stretched. He winced when he heard his back crack but let out a small moan from the sensation.

                                                       ---

This didn't make any sense. Why would he be there? How did he find him? Anger coiled low in his stomach once more. He was here to mock him. To rub it in. Why couldn't he just leave him alone. Damn you Havok. Damn you.

Hands curling tightly into fists, his nails digging into the soft flesh of his palm, he stood, watching the man a few hundred feet before him. He didn't know what to do. What to say. If he had thought, he would have ran. Headed back into the main office of the motel and waited until Davey had left.

But his feet, it seemed were planted where they stood. As much as he hated the man, he could not allow himself to turn away. Davey had already won the battle and he would surely win the war, there was no point in fighting it.

So he watched, terrified that Davey would turn about and find him there. Or worse, he wouldn't turn around at all.

                                                            ---

Davey sighed. So he was in downtown area of what he had rightfully deemed hell, and he had no cash. He had a cell phone, he had impeccable makeup, but he had no stupid money. Running his fingers through his hair he tried to think of what to do. He hadn't found Hunter, he had probably managed to gain his feet blisters, he slept on a sidewalk, and as far as he knew his entire life had gone down the shitter because their bassist was gone.

If he had thought the beginning of a new day could be no worse, he was promptly proven wrong as a very shiny SUV drove into a puddle and managed to splash gutter water all over his front. He stood there, palms up in the air, mouth wide with amazement and misery staring down at his now sopping front side. How could this be possible? This was his punishment for the slight against God. He sat down on the sidewalk, his head falling between his knees and he fought the urge to cry.

Wasn't it enough that he had finally found love and he had abused the man who offered it so willingly? Apparently it wasn't. He wiped his eyes and came back with light purple eyeshadow and black eyeliner staining his fingers. Perfect, now his makeup was ruined. He might as well grab a bit more gutter water and "style" his hair. The master of fashion would be no better than some beggar on the street. If he hadn't been so stunned by everything he would have screamed from the agony of it all.

Despite the tears flowing with greater amounts as the seconds passed, Davey smelled a familiar presence. The mix of Old Spice deodorant and cheap Christmas gift from grandma cologne. He perked up and stood. He knew that scent far too well to mistake it. There was only one man that possessed such a scent. He turned about and his tear filled brown eyes locked on the clear blue green eyes of the point for his new found love.

"Hunter," he whispered, taking a tentative step forward. This is a terrible point for rejection. He could be hurt so badly here, but it didn't matter. All of this would have gone to waste if he kept his mouth shut and didn't let his heart spill to the floor in desperation to Hunter. He wanted him and he would do anything to get him back.

The urge to laugh at the pathetic sight before him was not lost on Hunter. It would be a fitting release for the anger, humiliation and betrayal steadily building within him. Davey would deserve it too. Poetic justice at it's finest.

He didn't say a word though. Barely moved.

To say he froze when Davey's eyes fell on his would be an understatement. He could feel his heart pounding. His mind racing. Elation and anger tore through him. He was there yes, but for what reason. Hadn't he done enough. Hadn't he seen enough?

"Why are you here?" The words fell from his lips as he finally found his voice.

Davey almost squealed with glee at the sight of the bassist. Pushing back the mental note to tell Adam he did have a sense of direction later, he scurried forward. Keeping his head low he stopped merely inches from Hunter then looked him straight in the eyes.

"I'm here for you! I'm here to say sorry and ask you to come back!" Davey rushed his words, scared that if he didn't say them quickly he would over think it and never say it at all. He looked at Hunter taking in every feature. He had dark circles under his eyes, but they weren't too noticeable. His chiseled jaw was clenched tight, most likely in anger. He hadn't shaved this morning, the scruff being the indicating feature. Davey put his hand on Hunter's cheek and felt calm.

"God, I'm so sorry Hunter. Please tell me you'll forgive me for everything I did to you," the singer whispered, laying his head on Hunter's firm chest. He could hear his heart beating and it soothed him from all the different waking nightmares that had plagued him since he had first set out to find the love of his life.

Hunter stared, too shocked and angered to move. The way Davey touched him sent shivers through him that he would much rather ignore. As far as he was concerned his body was a traitor and he would not give into it again.

Stealing himself, Hunter stepped backwards, his body tensing. "Don't," he hissed, "Just don't." He didn't need this. Not now. He was so close to leaving this.

Davey stared at him shocked. Hunter had pulled away from him? He felt as if his heart was breaking. Even during their worst fights Hunter had always allowed touching, had always forgiven him immediately. Why wasn't he doing that now? He had come for Hunter! Had searched all night for him and miraculously stumbled upon the exact motel he was staying at. There had to be a reason for it, it was a slim to none chance that he should have found Hunter.

"Don't what? I came here for you! I walked around all night, I forgot my wallet, I can't let you leave. Hunter you mean so much more than I thought you did and honestly I'm surprised by that," Davey shook his head at his own admission. It was true though, over the past hours he had realized his desire for the bassist stemmed past a simple manipulation for whatever it was he wanted. He deeply cared for Hunter and he'd be damned if he would be pushed away now.

"I'm finished, David," he whispered coolly, "I'm finished giving you all of me and getting shit in return. I'm finished trusting you. A lot of fucking good that's done me. I've made that mistake once and I'm not doing that again. I refuse to make the same mistakes twice. I refuse."

He started at Davey, his body shaking. He was done being played a fool. Done with everything. All he wanted now was just to get to the airport, get on his plane and go home. This was professional suicide. He'd probably fucked himself royally, but that didn't matter to him now. He was free. He'd worry about the details later.

"If you don't want to make the same mistakes twice then don't walk away," Davey said evenly. Hunter didn't want him. He was being rejected and it was taking every ounce of will power to not break down in front of him and beg. What hurt most was that he had come here to give all of himself to Hunter. If he wasn't prepared to do that he never would have gone out in search of him.

Taking a deep breath Davey stepped forward and pressed his lips against Hunter's, placing a hand tentatively on his chest. This was what he had come to do the most. To kiss Hunter and let all the love and warmth pour into the bassist. All he wanted was for his love to kiss back, to wrap an arm around his waist and pull him closer. He waited anxiously, feeling his heart about to plummet so far down his body that it was about to shoot out from his foot into the core of the Earth.

He couldn't breathe. He could barely think. This was cruel. This was uncalled for. But the smaller, debasing side of himself reveled in it. Davey never made the move to initiate anything that passed between them. Never bothered to touch Hunter unless he was the one touched first. Unless he wanted something.

Anger tore through him. "No!" he hissed, pushing Davey away. He couldn't stand to have the warmth of his body against him. Not when it didn't matter. "Haven't you done enough? Wasn't betraying my trust enough for you? Do you fucking have to take this from me too?!"

Hunter was surprised at the words coming from his own mouth. He'd never uttered such hateful words. Not to Davey. Not to anyone. But he needed this and he knew it. He needed to scream. Needed Davey to know he couldn't do this to people. That he couldn't fuck with someone's heart.

"How did I betray your trust? Last I checked you're the one that walked out on my band without giving any one a fucking warning! I'm trying to show you I care but it's not enough for you. What do I have to do Hunter? Get on my god damn knees and beg you?" Davey glared at him turning his sorrow in to rage. This was the only way he knew how to deal with emotions. He changed it to anger to avoid being hurt. Yet despite his anger, despite his misery from being rejected, Davey knelt down before Hunter and clasped his hands together.

"Don't leave me, don't leave the band. I need you," Davey whispered, his voice starting to crack. He wasn't lying, he did need this. He needed Hunter. In the past months he had learned to depend solely on the bald man and no one else. Everything that mattered was given to him by Hunter, no one else. If he lost his friend, his crush, his only chance at what he felt was true love, then he would have no reason to go on.

"I trusted you. And you told them! You told every single one of them! I never thought you would be that cold, that cruel. I fucking trusted you, Havok. And I won't make that mistake again!" Hunter hissed. He hadn't been ready for them to know, hadn't been ready for anyone to know.

How fucking DARE he try to turn all of this on him? Hunter dug his short nails into his palms, trying to calm himself. He never thought Davey would stoop so low. Never.

"You are a soulless monster, David. You don't have a fucking heart. And you wouldn't know what to do with one if you did!"

Davey stood there, jaw slack. Hunter had called him a heartless monster. Was he really that bad? Did other people think that of him? He gulped turning his gaze down to the ground so Hunter couldn't see the tears that were starting to form.

"You're right Hunter. I came here to give you my heart, to try and prove how much I love you. It seems though, that since I don't have one I made the wrong decision," he trembled, forcing the words out. He couldn't breathe. Some unseen force was wrapping a hand around his neck and attempting to strangle him. He kissed Hunter on the cheek then stepped away.

"I betrayed you, I'm the lowest form of savage to ever roam the Earth. Fine, I'll accept that. My only question is what about the band? We've worked too hard for you to throw it all away because of this. This is all I have left now, don't take that away from me too," he sobbed finally starting to let his feelings sound in his tone. He looked up at Hunter eyes streaming with tears stained black, but it didn't matter. His make up was already ruined no point fighting it.

"Stop it," he snapped again, "Just stop. You're good at this, Havok. But I guess I should have known that." He paused, calming himself enough to speak once more, "This band doesn't need me. I'm hired help, that's all I've ever been. You've gone through line up changes before. Once more won't make a bit of fucking difference to anyone."

"It will to me Hunter, and to the others. You were never hired help. You're our friend! Fuck you Hunter, stop being so god damn selfish. You think you're the only one hurt here? When have I ever put myself on the line, or even allowed myself to possibly be rejected. I may have betrayed you but I never rejected you," Davey growled. He glared at Hunter, wiping his tears away. If this was how it was going to be then he shouldn't bother wasting tears. If the band wasn't worth shit to Hunter, if he wasn't worth anything to the man, then he sure as fuck wouldn't allow Hunter to mean anything to him.

"You think you're innocent in all this don't you? Do you really believe that giving every one all the material bullshit they want is going to make them stay friends with you? You give them nothing more than money when what they want is true friendship but what do you care about that? I may be a soulless monster but at least people know what I am. You put on an act better than I could ever do." He stood there staring defiantly at the man he loved and he couldn't stand himself for the words he had spewed. Yet someone needed to say it, someone needed to set the bassist in his place. Might as well be him.

"You don't know shit about me, Havok! So don't you fucking dare stand there and act like you do. And I'm leaving because I'd rather walk away from this band now while it still means the fucking world to me then stay here and grow to hate it. Cause that is what will happen." Hunter was seething, his green blue eyes burning as he glared down at the man before him.

"Because of me right? I'm the big bad singer that makes you miserable. Well guess what Hunter, you can go suck some guy off for all I care. Explore your sexuality, cry over the one that got away," Davey snapped stepping closer to the bassist so that their faces were barely centimeters apart.

"Know this though, you're making the same mistake twice. I hope you enjoy having that hang over your head for the rest of your life. Now I'll let you go, so you can go bitch and moan to someone else about what a prick I am. Sorry to have listened and cared." He stepped back, moving out of Hunter's path so the man could walk easily. Davey wanted nothing more than to drag him back to the tour bus and tape him to a bunk so he wouldn't be able to leave. It tore him apart to know that he couldn't do that.

"You really are an asshole," Hunter snapped back, livid that Davey dared to turn this all on him. "You think you're the best of the best, don't you? Davey Fucking Havok. Well guess what. you're nothing to me. Absolutely nothing. I honestly thought I cared about you. That I loved you. I was wrong, how could I love such a complete and utter snake. You think it makes you the better man, blaming this all on me? Well think again. I'm done. I'm leaving because I don't need to take this crap. Not from you. Not from anyone."

He locked his seething eyes with Davey's, daring the man to try him. To try and pin all of this on him one more time. It didn't matter that each word that flew from Davey's mouth scarred him. That deep down he knew that maybe Davey was right. Maybe he was nothing but a joke. But he would be damned if he said that aloud. He'd be damned if he ever let Davey in again.

Davey shook his head, a mocking smile on his face. If he had it in him he would smack Hunter across the face so hard his head would spin. Problem was, he didn't. He cared for Hunter and not even the insults that he let loose would change that. What was he to do though? Everything had been made quite clear. He meant absolutely nothing to the man standing before him. He was nothing more than another mistake on the long list that Hunter was building over his years.

"If I mean nothing to you then why are you still standing here? There's no use in lying Hunter. You love me and you hate that more than anything else right now. But that doesn't change a damn thing. I've spent my entire life looking for the one person who could make me feel human, and you're that person," Davey said confidently. It was the most honest thing he had ever said in his entire life. Everyone else got pushed away because they made him feel as if he were a pretty mannequin that could walk and talk. Hunter didn't. He was the only one to ever make Davey feel like he mattered, and that was worth all the shit that was happening now.

He froze, why was he still standing there? The answer that echoed through his mind was far too painful to fully comprehend. He loved Davey and yet he hated everything he was. Everything he'd done. The bastard.

Biting his lip to calm himself enough to speak, he dead panned, "I'm waiting for a cab. I'm not going to let you and your holier than thou attitude stop me. I don't need you telling ME how I feel. You don't know the first thing about me. I'd appreciate it if you saved your pity party for someone who gave damn. Why don't you just go crawling back to Jade. Lord knows he'd give you his undivided attention."

As soon as the crass remark about Jade left his lips, he regretted it. The guitarist had been a good friend to him in the past. But he was angry, hurt. And he needed to lash out. Hunter also knew just how close Jade and Davey were. There was nothing remotely sexual between them, but it was certainly a vulnerable spot for the man.

Davey looked at him, finding not his friend but a stranger in his place. Hunter would never say such a thing, especially about a friend. Was he the reason that the bassist was acting like this? It hurt him to know that this was where he was sending there friendship. Straight down the shitter because he was being just as selfish as he accused Hunter of being. There was really only one thing he could do.

"Jade is your friend Hunter, don't insult him. He didn't do anything to you, I did. Look I'll leave you alone. I came here to say sorry and so far I haven't done a very good job of it. I want you to know, even though you hate me, I still love you. I can safely say nothing will change that." Davey stepped away and turned to face another direction. This was how things were going to end. He couldn't stop the inevitable. What he could do was walk away and not make Hunter hate him any more than he already did. No matter how much he wanted to run back, it was better this way.

"You don't know the first thing about love, so stop pretending you do. You're just pissed someone had the nerve to tell you no. By this time tomorrow, you'll have another hopefully twit you'll use to your black heart's content. And I pity them." His voice trembled slightly as he spoke and he cursed himself for it.

The way Davey looked at him, unnerved Hunter. He wanted nothing more than to smack the sickening smirk right off his face. And lord, it had never been so tempting. Unease coiled within him. Why the fucking hell wasn't the cab here yet? He needed to get out. Needed to get away.

Why the fuck wouldn't Davey just leave. Why dud he insist on tormenting him. Pushing him. Telling him all the things he wanted to hear. The things he'd longed to hear since he joined the band. Things that until the past year, he never dared to let himself think on. He just doesn't want to lose his convenient toy, Hunter thought darkly. That's all you ever were to him. A toy. You gave him everything and you're still just a fucking toy.

Davey turned back, startled by the venom in Hunter's voice. How could things have gone so terribly wrong? They were supposed to be friends, to have good times that gave them long lasting memories. You and your friends are never supposed to hate each other. Davey looked at his hands and noticed the friendship ring that Hunter had given him so many months ago. He remembered that Hunter thought he had lost it, but he never had. He had started wearing it as a necklace. Since the friendship was ending, it only made sense to give it back. He pulled it off his finger and held it out before Hunter.

"I never lost this, you thought I had but I didn't. You can have it back. Since I mean nothing to you, then me having this will mean nothing to you. You should give it to....give it to someone who you love and will be able to be a better person for you," Davey choked out. All he wanted was for Hunter to be happy. Even if it made him miserable.

Hunter stared blankly at the ring Davey held before him. The ring he'd found at a flea market during his second tour of Europe with the band, one of two. The pair of rings weren't much to look at, but their simplicity had caught Hunter from the get go. He'd bought them without a second thought.

A few weeks later, he finally worked up the courage to offer one of the rings to Davey. A token of their friendship and bond as bandmates. He'd thought Davey had lost it months ago. He'd been wearing it the entire time? No, that didn't make sense. It didn't fit. He was lying, he had to be. Another underhanded trick. But this hurt far worse than any of the words he'd slung.

"You must really think I'm a complete idiot," he snapped, not bothering to touch the ring. He shoved his shaking hands in his pockets, he'd never wanted to beat the living hell out of a single person as badly as he did that very moment.

"Why? What did I do now? My god, can I do nothing right? Look, if the ring doesn't mean shit to you any more, fine. I'll keep it because it means something to me. It's like...why do I bother? You don't care. Maybe you never cared and it was you trying to feel something again." Davey put the ring back on his ring finger as he said this. Maybe the ring did mean more to him than it meant to Hunter. Maybe it always had. Who knew? Only Hunter had any idea of what was going on in his own mind.

Davey jumped when he felt his phone in his pocket vibrating. He pulled it out and looked at it. Nils. What did he care about Nils? Nothing, the boy was just another little lap dog who followed him around. With no second thought, he shoved the phone back in his pocket. Right now Hunter was what mattered, not some little pretty boy back in L.A.

"Well aren't you going to answer that? You wouldn't want to keep one of your play toys hanging." He couldn't believe the things he found himself uttering. He was never this callous, this cold. But he was angry. Yet again Davey stood dangling everything Hunter had ever wanted in his face. Tempting him with the one thing he knew he'd never possess. It was cruel and he was done with it.

His eyes were cold as he stared down the man before him. He couldn't force himself to look at the ring or where Davey had placed it. On his ring finger. Like a promise. A commitment. Something he now knew Davey could never do. Davey didn't love him. Davey never would love him. He was just a means to an end. Nothing more, nothing less. Davey didn't want to lose his free affection and adoration. He was nothing.

"No, I'm not going to answer that. There are things more important than toys," he said, looking Hunter straight in the eyes. Nils wasn't worth a minute of his time if Hunter's love was what he might possibly lose. What did he care if the little twenty something year old got his feelings hurt. He didn't matter. Hunter mattered, Hunter was everything in the world to him.

Behind him he heard the sound of a car stopping. It was probably the taxi. It was too soon! Hunter couldn't have a chance to leave already. What in the world could he possible do to make the man stay? His thoughts raced around, tagging each other back and forth but seemingly no answer was available.

"Hunter...I. Fuck please! Don't leave, I'll do whatever it takes to make you stay. Anything and everything. I screwed up, I degraded you horribly. And I am the biggest piece of shit to have ever existed. I don't deserve a minute of your time, but I'm here begging you. Please, don't leave."

"No. I'm done. I've wasted enough of my life pining after something I should have known was a lie and I refuse to let you fuck with me anymore. I'm done." His words were clipped, cold. He pushed past Davey, back straight, forcing himself to only look ahead. He could do this, he had to do this.

He slowly climbed into the cab, pulling the door shut behind him. He didn't dare look back to see what Davey was doing. He couldn't let himself look back. He refused. That chapter of his life was done. Finished. He didn't need them, didn't need any of it anymore.

With a surprisingly steady voice, he told the cabbie to take him to the airport. All Hunter wanted now was to simply go home and forget. Forget how hurt and betrayed he felt. Forget what a fool he was. Forget AFI and just how much it had come to mean to him. Forget Davey. He just wanted to forget.

Davey stood perfectly still as he watched the cab pull away from the curb, drive down the street, then disappear around a corner. It took a minute for the fact that Hunter was in the cab to process in his mind. He would have run after it, but it would have been hopeless. He had tried his best to reason with Hunter. He had been willing to give away everything for the man, but his pleas were cast aside without thought. This, he realized, was what all those sappy love songs described. A broken heart.

He placed a hand over his chest absently to see if there was still beating. Yes, he could feel the familiar pounding of the pesky organ which represented that which it was not responsible for. Love had failed him greatly. Why hadn't his apologies worked? Hunter was not supposed to walk away. It was proven over and over again in the past that no matter how stupid he had acted his friend would always forgive him. So where was his forgiveness this time? Dropped along the roads of tours past? Or had he really gone too far this time? Gulping he began the long trudge back to the hotel with a location he could faintly recall.

                                                           ---

The soft rumble of the engine seemed deafening as they pulled farther away from the motel. From Davey. From the life he'd built for himself. He sighed, closing his eyes and leaning back against the seat. It was a welcome distraction from his thoughts. Anything was at this point in time.

                                                          ---

Davey rushed down the street, not to the point of running but going fast enough that his surroundings were starting to blur. Then again, that could have been due to the tears streaking down his face. Vaguely he could remember the way back to the hotel where the band was staying at. By now the others had probably woken up to find both him and Hunter missing. Chances are they were at the very least concerned about Hunter's absence.

Twelve blocks of mindless fast pace walking brought him back to the front of the hotel. He saw Adam leisurely standing in front of the tour bus with their beloved tour manager. Both looked mildly concerned but not too worried. Davey huffed, marching up to them not caring that he probably looked like hell with his smeared make up, fly away hair, and smelling horribly of sweat.

Adam looked over when he heard the pounding of shoes on the pavement. His eyebrows raised in surprise at the sight of the disheveled singer. It wasn't often you would see Davey looking anything less than immaculate. His will power to not laugh was running low with each step that his grungy friend took towards him.

"Don't look at me like that!" Davey snapped angered. He stopped in front of the two men and glared at both in turn. Smith was laughing openly while Adam was obviously fighting it. He didn't care. They should have acted more concerned and because they hadn't his anger burned even more.

"What's wrong with you, Havok?" Adam started, noting that something was indeed quite wrong with the man standing before him. Not just physically. Davey's entire demeanor had changed. He seemed afraid. Broken. Something Adam hadn't seen in his friend in years.

Davey stared back at the drummer incredulously. Had he not noticed? Had no one noticed yet that the best man in the entire Earth had departed from their quartet? A sick sense of glee spread through him. At least he wasn't the only one who had always taken Hunter for granted. Apparently Adam and Smith did as well. Chances are Jade would be the same way not having realized that the bassist was missing.

"I'll tell you what's wrong drummer boy. Hunter fucking left. He's gone. Not coming back. He quit on us. Glad to see you noticed. By the way, thanks for roaming the streets with me last night in search of him. It was good to have someone to sleep in the gutter with me. No...wait, you weren't there were you? Bastard!" Davey screeched, all his previous despair from the situation returning tenfold.

"Hunter's what?" Adam stumbled out, his eyes widening. He knew Hunter was upset, knew things between him and Davey had gotten wildly out of hand, but he never dreamed Hunter would just LEAVE. Hunter never quit. He was always the one pushing them on, encouraging them to try this or to do that. He wouldn't just abandon the band. Not when Adam knew just how much it meant to the bassist.

Smith gaped at Davey in much the same manner. Hunter...Gone. It simply didn't make sense. "You're kidding, Dave...Right?" he asked, though he knew the panic and hopelessness in the singer's eyes was genuine. The first genuine emotion he'd seen in them in years.

"No I'm not fucking kidding Smith! Hunter left, he took everything with him. He took the hope for the band, he took his talent, he took my fucking everything. And he doesn't care!" Davey screamed louder, fearing that if he didn't stop screaming he would start crying. There was no escaping the feeling though. No matter what he saw or heard or even thought, it all somehow directly led him back to Hunter. He felt hatred rushing through him as he saw Jade ambling out of the hotel. Another bumbling idiot who hadn't been there to help him try and convince Hunter to stay.

Jade smiled lazily as he walked closer to his friends, not taking notice of their obviously distraught state. As he stopped before them he finally allowed the sight to take root in his mind. Adam was staring helplessly at Smith, his brother was holding a hand over his eyes in despair, and Davey...Davey had the strangest of all expressions. The singer was looking positively manic.

"Hey guys, um...where's the funeral?" He joked, hoping to ease the chaotic mood of misery that was obviously gripping his group of friends. The lack of Hunter added all the more to his deep rooted fear for what could possibly be wrong.

"Hunter's gone," Adam voiced softly.

Confusion spread across Jade's face, "Gone? He's coming back, right? I mean we have a show in 10 hours. He has to be coming back."

Smith looked at Davey expectantly. Deep in his heart he knew that Hunter was officially gone, that it was far too late to bring him back. Even with that knowledge he could help the overwhelming hope that the singer would tell him this was all a joke. That Hunter would of course come back. It was when Davey's eyes connected with his that the hope burned out. Hunter wasn't coming back and for the first time in years he could see that Davey felt guilty.

"No, he's not coming back," Davey gulped. He couldn't scream anymore. It wasn't helping, if anything it was harming more. His throat was feeling raw. Possibly from his effort to beat back the tears or from his screams. Part of him felt that it was a mix of both. He sat down on the dirty asphalt of the hotel parking lot, pulled his knees to his chest as best he could, and laid his head between them sobbing. "He's never coming back and it's all my fault," he whispered.

[mayramoss-blog1]

Transfer Window Man United Arsenal Real Madrid need defenders Man City PSG to wait?

The transfer window is nearly upon us, but clubs across Europe are already planning for their January business. Who will come in? Who will depart?

ESPN FC's club correspondents delve into the deals which may be on the cards.

Premier League

MAN CITY: In need of a holding midfielder

With help from former Tottenham and Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli, we show you a step-by-step guide to a transfer.

Can a 44-year-old man cut it in the Premier League? Our writer suffers -- and suffers some more -- through a medical at Everton.

FC Exclusives

What does the team need in January?

Manchester City have two quality players for every position, with the exception of defensive midfield and left-back. The holding role in the centre of midfield is a crucial position within Pep Guardiola's setup -- acting as a pivot going forward and crucial defensively -- and while Fernandinho plays the role perfectly, at the age of 33 he can't be overplayed and any injury would be a serious setback.

Benjamin Mendy is the only left-back at the club and is ruled out until February, although Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko have done a good job as replacements.

Who are the major targets?

Guardiola has ruled out any major new signings in the January transfer window. The City boss is aware that his squad is short in the centre of midfield and wanted Italy international Jorginho in the summer -- before he opted to follow Maurizio Sarri from Napoli to Chelsea. Netherlands international Frenkie de Jong is now a leading target for the position, but with Ajax reaching the Champions League knockout stages and battling PSV for the Eredivisie title, the 21-year-old wants to wait until the summer before considering a move. City are prepared to be patient.

Who will be leaving?

Highly-rated young forward Brahim Diaz has turned down a new contract, and with his deal running out in the summer, he looks set to leave in the January transfer window. Sources have told ESPN that Real Madrid are leading the chase for the Spain under-21 international and are prepared to spend around £10m to show their commitment, rather than waiting until the end of the season and picking him up for free.

Centre-back Eliaquim Mangala has not played this season and could leave, while fringe players Philippe Sandler and Yangel Herrera could also go out on loan.

Any new contracts?

City have already been busy tying up some of their most exciting young talent to new deals over the past 12 months. Guardiola has revealed that the club have opened talks with Leroy Sane over an improved contract, although the Germany winger's current deal doesn't run out until the summer of 2021. John Stones is also seen as part of the long-term future but is signed up until 2022.

City have three players out of contract at the end of the season: Diaz turned down a new offer, and Mangala will be allowed to leave for free, which leaves captain Vincent Kompany. The 32-year-old has had injury problems in recent years, but has played his part this season. After a decade in Manchester, he wants to stay. -- Jonathan Smith

LIVERPOOL: Will injuries force them to spend?

What does the team need in January?

Liverpool's position up until to the past few weeks has been that there would be no January incomings. Injuries, however, may force Klopp, who has been reluctant to make additions midway through a season, to reassess his thinking. Liverpool currently have just two centre-backs fit and available.

Will that mean Liverpool make a move for a centre-back next month? It remains unlikely given that Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are expected to return shortly after the New Year, but Liverpool will be open to activity in January.

Who are the major targets?

The links to Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic, whom Liverpool have tried to sign in the past, will not go away. Sources have told ESPN FC that the U.S. star is keen on a new opportunity, with his Dortmund contract expiring in 2020 and no sign of a new deal forthcoming. However Dortmund's stance, both publicly and privately, remains that no "essential" player will be sold in the winter as they sit atop of the Bundesliga.

World Cup-winning right-back Benjamin Pavard has been linked with a move recently, although there are suggestions that the €35m release clause in his Stuttgart contract only comes into force in the summer.

Who will be leaving?

There should not be any high-profile departures this January. This time 12 months ago, Philippe Coutinho was gearing up towards his £142m move to Barcelona. But Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have all signed long-term contracts at Anfield in recent months.

An agent for Simon Mignolet told ESPN FC that his client is seeking a move next month but appreciates that it will be difficult for Liverpool to grant that wish. Elsewhere, a number of teams desperate for a striker may take a punt on Divock Origi, and Dominic Solanke could leave on loan, having not made a single appearance this season.

Any new contracts?

Liverpool have been proactive in locking down top players to new contracts, but it's a different story for Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno. Both of their contracts expire in the summer, and Moreno is expected to leave on a free transfer, with sources telling ESPN FC that his former club Sevilla are monitoring the left-back.

Meanwhile, teams will be keeping close tabs on Sturridge's betting case with the English Football Association. Sturridge has been given until February to respond his charges from the FA of allegedly breaching rules on betting. That could rumble on. -- Glenn Price

MAN UNITED: Quiet January ahead at Old Trafford?

What does the team need in January?

In terms of personnel, Manchester United need a centre-back and a right winger but more importantly, they need to find some inspiration from a new manager after the sacking of Jose Mourinho. There's a chance that bolstering the squad may offer some of that, but the problems at Old Trafford extend beyond the players and former manager. A new signing might lift the mood ahead of the second half of the season, but it's difficult to know what position is most important because United are struggling at both ends of the pitch.

Who are the major targets?

Sources have told ESPN FC that despite Mourinho's exit, the club are still happy to spend in January if long-term targets become available. There is, though, an acknowledgement that it is not an easy window in which to do business, and they will not panic-buy just for the sake of it. If defenders like Kalidou Koulibaly, Milan Skriniar or Nikola Milenkovic were made available for a reasonable price, United would be interested.

Who will be leaving?

There is discontent among the players who are not featuring regularly, although Mourinho went on record to say no one has asked to leave. Andreas Pereira, Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian will consider their options if offers are made in January, but the bulk of the squad should stay together unless individuals push to leave.

Sources have told ESPN FC that United will reject offers for Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez, but they are braced for their resolve to be tested with cut-price offers -- particularly from Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

Any new contracts?

Sources have told ESPN FC that United are in talks with Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Ashley Young, who could all be free agents in the summer. David De Gea and Anthony Martial are also priorities but they have deals until 2020 and United have time on their side. -- Rob Dawson

ARSENAL: Defensive help is a priority

What does the team need in January?

A defender, preferably two. A proper winger would be nice as well, but shoring up the injury-ravaged back four must be the priority for Arsenal. They currently only have three fit centre-backs in the squad, with Laurent Koscielny only just coming back from a seven-month layoff, while all four of their full-backs have had injury problems this season.

Arsenal's unbalanced attack also needs a natural wide player, but those are expensive and the club might be reluctant to ruin the prospects of starlet Reiss Nelson when he comes back from his loan at Hoffenheim next season.

Who are the major targets?

Sources have told ESPN FC that both Chelsea's Gary Cahill and Manchester United's Eric Bailly are on Arsenal's radar, but that would require either club being willing to sell to a direct rival. Real Valladolid's Fernando Calero has also been linked and could be a more realistic target. Then there's always the possibility that recruitment head Sven Mislintat will take everyone by surprise by unearthing some relatively unknown talent. In terms of attackers, Lille's Nicolas Pepe, Roma's Cengiz Under and Boca Juniors' Cristian Pavon have all been frequently linked, but it's unclear whether Arsenal can afford a deal for them at this point in time.

Who will be leaving?

It's unlikely we'll see any major departures unless other clubs come in with good offers for players that are surplus to requirements. Arsenal would probably entertain bids for Mohamed Elneny, for instance, but the Egyptian has shown an unwillingness to move in the past. Aaron Ramsey's contract is up in 2019, but he is expected to stay in order to collect a major signing bonus when he leaves as a free agent in the summer, although Arsenal would want to cash in on the player while they can.

Any new contracts?

The possibilities of Ramsey's contract talks being resurrected seem slim to none, while Danny Welbeck isn't expected to get a new deal either. Goalkeeper Petr Cech's contract also expires in the summer and Arsenal might consider giving the 36-year-old a one-year extension -- if he's willing to remain a backup to Bernd Leno. A few mistakes have crept into Leno's game lately, so the club might be wise to keep Cech around a bit longer. -- Mattias Karen

CHELSEA: Can they get a top striker?

What does your team need in January?

Chelsea clearly need an elite goal scorer, as Maurizio Sarri's faith in Alvaro Morata fades with every passing game and Eden Hazard required to be as much of a creator as he is a goal threat. Strikers of such proven calibre are rare, though, and none appear to be available in January.

Sarri's reluctance to look to the transfer market for solutions, coupled with his insistence that his current first-team squad is too big, will likely dull Marina Granovskaia's sense of urgency. Only the threat of an imminent FIFA transfer ban could significantly alter the landscape.

Who are the major targets?

Borussia Dortmund starlet Pulisic fits the profile of a Chelsea signing perfectly, particularly since both Willian and Pedro Rodriguez are getting older and Hazard could leave next summer. But there is little sense in Granovskaia making a concerted push in January unless FIFA action or the threat of a Premier League rival -- Liverpool have also been heavily linked with Pulisic -- forces the club to bring forward their plans, particularly since Dortmund sound determined to charge a hefty premium for any midseason squad disruption.

Who will be leaving?

Chelsea will drive Danny Drinkwater to Fulham if Claudio Ranieri decides he wants a Leicester City reunion at Craven Cottage, while Sarri has made it clear that club captain Gary Cahill and Victor Moses are not in his plans.

Cesc Fabregas seems to be linked with a move to Serie A in every window these days, but Sarri would require a replacement if the man he regards as his only cover for Jorginho is confirmed as a departure. Denis Suarez, unsettled on the fringes at Barcelona, could be a reasonably priced successor.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christensen will stay unless they agitate to leave. There could also be loan moves for Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi -- the latter only if he signs a new contract first.

Any new contracts?

Hazard remains adamant that he will keep his options open until the summer, but Chelsea have other decisions to make. David Luiz and Fabregas are both set to be free agents next summer, although there is an option to extend Olivier Giroud's stay by one more year.

Hudson-Odoi's contract situation is also causing some concern at Stamford Bridge -- his current deal expires in 2020, the same year as Hazard. Chelsea regard him as one of the brightest talents their academy has produced, and they are well aware that the example of Jason Sancho's defection from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund is an enticing one for many youngsters. -- Liam Twomey

TOTTENHAM: Midfield depth is thin

What does the team need in January?

Spurs need to increase the proportion of homegrown players in their squad, having been forced to leave three out of their Champions League squad because of rules limiting the number of non "locally trained" players. Their inability to sell unwanted foreign players in the summer was just as big a problem as their failure to sign anyone, so there is every chance that Tottenham's squad will get smaller in January. But the north Londoners could do with a central midfielder as Mousa Dembele seems to be coming to the end of his time with the club, while the injury-plagued Victor Wanyama cannot be relied upon.

Who are the major targets?

Tottenham tried to sign Jack Grealish in the summer, and he would tick a couple of boxes, but the 23-year-old signed a new five-year contract with Aston Villa in September. Bournemouth centre-back Nathan Ake has also been linked with Spurs amid ongoing uncertainty about Toby Alderweireld's future.

Who will be leaving?

Striker Vincent Janssen has not made a single appearance this season, while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou is also wasting time at the club having had only one substitute outing this campaign. Dembele and Fernando Llorente are out of contract in the summer and seem unlikely to sign new ones; if Spurs want to get any money for them, they will need to cash in next month. Michel Vorm will also be a free agent in the summer and having lost the No. 2 goalkeeper spot to Paulo Gazzaniga, he'd be allowed to leave if an offer came in.

Any new contracts?

Jan Vertonghen's deal expires in the summer, but he has stated he expects Spurs to activate a clause that will extend his stay until 2020. Meanwhile, Alderweireld is out of contract in the summer, and although Tottenham can activate a one-year extension, that would also activate a release clause making the Belgian centre-back available for £25m in the summer. Outside of those two, the priority is to get Christian Eriksen to commit his long-term future to the club as he's entering the last 18 months of his deal, and his status is a growing concern. -- Ben Pearce

Europe

BARCELONA: Will they spend big on a centre-back?

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What does the team need in January?

Barcelona don't feel they can improve their starting XI in January but may turn to the transfer market to ensure their relatively thin squad doesn't become a problem in the latter stages of the Champions League. In that sense, they may move for a centre-back on a short-term deal if Samuel Umtiti's knee injury doesn't improve. Other plans, though, such as signing a midfielder and a long-term Luis Suarez replacement, are likely to wait until the summer.

Who are the major targets?

The club have been cagey on defenders they could target if Umtiti is going to be out for a long time. Their options will be limited (Diario Sport say Chelsea's Andreas Christensen is the preference) given they only want a stop-gap to fill in until the summer, when they will go all out for Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt.

Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong is also a target for next season, while Adrien Rabiot, who could be available for free in six months, is also on the table.

Who will be leaving?

Barca's squad size -- they have just one senior left-back, for example -- means there's not much room for departures. Midfield is one area where they could potentially subtract, but only if the players themselves are desperate for more minutes elsewhere. Rafinha might have fallen into that category, but an injury has ruled him out until next season. That means Denis Suarez is the only player with an uncertain future next month. There's plenty of interest from Spain, Italy and England.

Another to keep an eye on: B team midfielder and England youth international Marcus McGuane.

Any new contracts?

The Catalan club have the biggest wage bill in the world largely thanks to Lionel Messi's renewal last year. Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Marc-Andre ter Stegen have all been tied to new terms recently, too. The only player, then, waiting on a pay rise is Jordi Alba. His deal is up in 2020, and talks have begun between the club and his agents, although an agreement is not yet close.

Munir and Thomas Vermaelen are out of contract in the summer but both, as things stand, look set to leave for free. -- Sam Marsden

REAL MADRID: A January "Galactico" is unlikely

What does the team need in January?

The first six months of the season have shown huge issues in a Madrid squad that suddenly appears to have grown old together. They could really do with a new big name attacker to fill some of the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo's exit, as goal scoring has been a big problem for both Julen Lopetegui and his replacement Santi Solari. Some experience in defence would also be very welcome: ideally someone who could cover both centre-back and left-back.

Who are the major targets?

The most discussed options in the Madrid media continue to be PSG pair Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, two long-term targets of club president Florentino Perez. Chelsea's Eden Hazard is also regularly mentioned, although there is a widespread acceptance that a "Galactico" name is unlikely in January. Instead Madrid look set to continue their policy of snapping up the best available young Spanish talent, with sources confirming to ESPN FC that a move for Man City starlet Brahim Diaz is close.

Who will be leaving?

Sources have told ESPN FC that homegrown midfielder Marcos Llorente will push through an exit in January should he lose his place in the XI when Casemiro returns to fitness. Another youngster, Jesus Vallejo, could leave having barely featured this season. Bigger names like Isco and Keylor Navas are unhappy at a lack of playing time under Solari, but have not yet done enough to force the situation far enough for a January exit.

Marcelo has been linked with Juventus -- by former teammate Ronaldo himself -- but the Brazil left-back has denied the possibility of leaving midseason.

Any new contracts?

A policy of keeping all their players tied down to long-term deals means there are no players out of contract next summer. It had been expected that Luka Modric's stellar year would lead to a pay rise, but there has been no change yet to the deal that is set to end in 2020. The contracts of Navas and club captain Sergio Ramos are also entering their last 18 months, with both those situations more likely to come to the boil after this season ends. -- Dermot Corrigan

JUVENTUS: Marcelo would be great if they could get him

What does the team need in January?

Cristiano Ronaldo summed up Juve's plans this winter by saying they do not need to add anybody to their already competitive squad, although he would welcome former Real Madrid teammate Marcelo. The Bianconeri already have excellent cover in all departments, with the return to fitness of Emre Can ensuring that the midfield also has great depth. Any new arrival could depend on whether any player asks to leave.

Who are the major targets?

The only players Juve would theoretically target would be ones who could improve the current quality of the squad and add depth. Marcelo would certainly fit in that category, giving coach Massimiliano Allegri another option at full-back or wing-back.

Otherwise, Paul Pogba continues to be linked with a return, and while Juve already have many options in midfield, they would not turn down a player of his calibre -- who already knows the club inside out and would not need time to settle in -- if the price and conditions were right.

Who will be leaving?

Central defenders Medhi Benatia and Daniele Rugani have both expressed agitation at their lack of opportunities, and if Juve were to offload any players this winter, one of their back four would be a prime candidate.

Left-back Alex Sandro, who has suitors in the Premier League, has also been tipped to move if a significant offer is received even though he recently extended his contract. Young Moise Kean could also be loaned out (as he was a year ago) since his first-team opportunities have been limited so far this season, although Juve are not keen on letting him leave on a permanent deal.

Any new contracts?

Mario Mandzukic is becoming a fan favourite in Turin and Allegri knows he can rely on the Croatian forward, whose contract is up in 2020. An extension is likely to be signed before next summer, with the 32-year-old seemingly keen to dedicate the final years of his career to the club. Central defenders Andrea Barzagli, whose contract expires in the summer, and captain Giorgio Chiellini, could also extend their stays, with both expected to end their careers at Juve. -- Ben Gladwell

BAYERN MUNICH: Need a statement signing and depth

What does the team need in January?

Nine points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund and with a lack of squad depth, Bayern need a statement signing to show they've not given up hope of winning a seventh consecutive title. However, lacking full-backs and pace in central defence, they must also add depth if they want a deep run in the Champions League.

Who are the major targets?

Bayern have signed 18-year-old winger Alphonso Davies and have reportedly agreed a summer transfer for France and Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard. Ahead of a summer of upheaval at the Allianz Arena in which the Bundesliga record champions will invest big, Munich are yet undecided whether to spend in the winter.

The club have been linked with Ajax midfielder de Jong, along with a host of other clubs (including Man City), and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, but with Joshua Kimmich getting more playing time in central midfield and right-back Rafinha entering the last six months of his deal, Bayern could look into reinforcing the full-back positions.

Who will be leaving?

James Rodriguez has reportedly contemplated cutting his loan at Bayern from Real Madrid short. But despite the Colombian star's discontent, the club will not allow him to leave without a suitable backup. Striker Sandro Wagner could depart amid a lack of playing time, yet the 31-year-old remains the sole backup for star attacker Robert Lewandowski. There is also an outside chance that one of Jerome Boateng or Mats Hummels could leave if Bayern bring in Pavard in January.

Any new contracts?

Arjen Robben has already announced he will leave next summer, and 35-year-old Franck Ribery has no future at the club so won't be offered new terms. Serge Gnabry has been in fine form this season and is set to enter the final 18 months of his contract, so the 23-year-old should land a new deal as Bayern look to the future. -- Stefan Uersfeld

DORTMUND: Sales will be the priority in winter window

What does the team need in January?

Borussia Dortmund's squad depth and the right mix of experience, hunger and youth in all positions make January signings unlikely. The Bundesliga leaders, however, are hoping to offload several players to reduce the size of the squad.

Who are the major targets?

BVB already unveiled Paco Alcacer in November and plan to sign on-loan Real Madrid defender Achraf Hakimi on a permanent basis in the summer; there are no targets for January.

Who will be leaving?

Only a huge bid in the region of €80m could change Dortmund's mind over a Pulisic transfer amid the club's first title challenge in seven years. Germany midfielder Julian Weigl, whose stock has dropped under Lucien Favre, might be allowed to leave if the price is right. While the media focus will be on Pulisic, Dortmund will hope to offload several fringe players.

Japan international Shinji Kagawa has flirted with La Liga for a while and midfielder Sebastian Rode's services are also no longer required. Once hailed as the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Swedish attacker Alexander Isak, 19, could also leave the Westfalenstadion after two years in which his impact has been limited.

Any new contracts?

Midfielder Mario Gotze and versatile Portugal international Raphael Guerreiro are entering the final 18 months of their deals. Dortmund look in no rush to prolong Gotze's contract as he's still finding his feet in his second stint at the club. Although he struggled with injuries last term, Guerreiro has shown his worth with four goals in the Champions League and a return to form in the Bundesliga. -- Stefan Uersfeld

PSG: Summer spending is more likely

What does the team need in January?

Thomas Tuchel has been vocal in his desire to have a defensive midfielder added to his ranks by sporting director Antero Henrique. However, financial fair play (FFP) uncertainty could mean that Tuchel has to wait until next summer.

Who are the major targets?

Sources have told ESPN that the club met with the representatives of Ajax's Frenkie de Jong, although the player himself doesn't want to leave in January and would cost €75m. Elsewhere, Lyon's Tanguy Ndombele and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz have been mentioned, while Celta Vigo's Stanislav Lobotka and Borussia Dortmund's Julian Weigl have also been regularly linked since Tuchel arrived.

If PSG do move for a player in January, only Lobotka looks reasonably within reach. With Marquinhos growing more and more comfortable in midfield, do not be surprised if PSG opt against winter reinforcements and instead focus on contract renewals with the intention of significant transfer activity next summer.

Who will be leaving?

Henrique is desperately trying to move forgotten man Jese Rodriguez on, so there could be movement there if there is a club willing to take a risk on the Spaniard. Otherwise, Lassana Diarra will be allowed to leave if a suitable offer materialises, and U.S. international Timothy Weah is almost certain to leave on loan until the end of the season.

Any new contracts?

Adrien Rabiot and Alphonse Areola are about to enter the final six months of their contracts, and PSG do not want to let them reach the point where they can start discussions with other clubs. Layvin Kurzawa has also been offered a two-year contract extension, and discussions with Marco Verratti over a new deal have been ongoing, but Rabiot and Areola are the two most pressing issues.-- Jonathan Johnson

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[thrashermaxey]

20 Fantasy Hockey Thoughts

Every Sunday, we'll share 20 Fantasy Thoughts from our writers at DobberHockey. These thoughts are curated from the past week's "Daily Ramblings".

Writers: Michael Clifford, Ian Gooding, Cam Robinson, and Dobber

  1. Although Mikko Koskinen has better numbers than Cam Talbot at the moment, I’m not sure if he'll remain Edmonton’s starter for the rest of the season. But right now, you have a new starting goalie who will reap the benefits of the Ken Hitchcock effect. That means you need to add Koskinen immediately if he’s available in your league and you need a goalie. (nov23)

  2. Caps’ John Carlson now has 20 assists on the season. Following Saturday’s game, Carlson was third in both assists and points among defensemen. In case you were worried that Carlson’s 68-point effort last season was a fluke, Carlson is now on pace for 93 points after the first quarter of the season. It’s probably fair to say now that Carlson is for real, which means he should be considered a top-tier fantasy defenseman. (nov25)

  3. I know people may be freaking out about Colton Parayko but here are a few things to keep in mind:

– Parayko’s shot attempt rate is down from his previous three years but nothing to really get in fits over. What’s interesting is his shot on goal rate from 2015-18 was 6.33 and this year it was 5.52 before Saturday action. That’s a decline of about 14.7 percent, which ‘is’ something to get in fits over. The fact that his shots are missing the net is probably just a bit of randomness. I would expect that to normalize and Parayko’s shot rate to climb.

– The 25-year old blue liner has yet to manage a 5v5 primary assist on the year. Were that rate to be in line with his recent seasons, we could add 3-4 assists to his current total and he’d be on pace for 35-40 points again.

With a new coach in town (and likely another one on the way,) things may be a bit rocky for now,but that would be the time to buy low. He may even be available on the waiver wire. I wouldn’t wait too long, though, because the next multi-point game slams the window shut. (nov24)

  4. The Senators and Oilers swung a minor trade on Thursday, with Chris Wideman heading to Edmonton. Wideman hadn’t ever been a 20-minute-per-game defenseman this season but he was receiving second-unit power-play minutes in Ottawa. Wideman has a bit of offensive upside, although he’s probably only worth an add in the very deepest of leagues. I would totally expect to see him on the Oil’s second power-play unit in the near term, though. Long term, he’s simply keeping the seat warm for Evan Bouchard, or Ethan Bear. (nov23)

  5. To the commenter in my last Ramblings: you’re right, it’s not fair that I would say Max Domi will slow down without mentioning Jeff Skinner, as well. The latter is currently shooting at a 22.5 percent clip this season, which is a full 10 percent higher than his career average. So, he absolutely will not continue to score at this pace. Selling high is always an option. However, Skinner exceeding his career high of 37 goals is a very real possibility. Did he ever have a linemate in Carolina that possesses the high-end skills of Jack Eichel? (nov25)

  6. The New York Rangers are slowly coming along and one reason has been the play of Kevin Hayes. He’s on pace for what would be career highs with 50 points, 200 shots on goal, over 19 minutes per game of ice time, and he only has two power-play points to date.

Hayes plays a deep center position and someone with 50 points, 200 shots, and 12 PPPs at center isn’t a significant fantasy contributor but he’s a guy to monitor. When such a player (playing over 19 minutes with good power play time) heats up, there could be a point-per-game player for 2-3 weeks here. Deep leaguers should see if Hayes can be had for little in a trade. (nov24)

  7. The most notable change that new coach Jeremy Colliton has made is loading up the Blackhawks’ top line with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad. Kane and Toews are what you might expect – six/nine points, respectively, in the nine games since the coaching change). As for the previously struggling Saad, he also has chipped in three goals and three assist in the six games he’s played since Colliton replaced Joel Quenneville. Saad is definitely worth taking a flier on if he’s available. He has also received more than 20 minutes of ice time per game in three consecutive skates.

But, that means other Hawks’ forwards are hurt by the line shuffling, in particular Alex DeBrincat. After skating with Toews for much of the first quarter of the season, Debrincat has been moved onto a line with Artem Anisimov and Nick Schmaltz. Debrincat has just three points (two goals, assist) over his last nine games. (nov23)

  8. Probably the most glaring example of a player who has been hurt by the appointment of Willie Desjardins as Kings’ coach is Ilya Kovalchuk. After scoring a goal and two assists in Willie D’s debut on November 6, Kovy has now gone eight games without a point.

As much as Kovalchuk has supposedly struggled (five goals in 22 games), he’s actually the Kings’ leading scorer with 14 points. That’s a scary thought if you’re a Kings’ fan. That means we’re looking directly at Anze Kopitar. So far, the coaching change has had little effect on Kopitar bouncing back from what has been a noticeably subpar first quarter, as Kopitar has just four points over his last nine games.

The Kings as a whole have scored 17 goals over those nine games, so you’re hard-pressed to find anyone else that has been helped by the coaching change. All in all, it’s shaping up to be a long season in LA. (nov23)

  9. Leafs’ Andreas Johnsson earned the hat trick on Saturday, scoring first-period three goals in an eventual 6-0 win over the Flyers. Even though Johnsson is Dobber Prospects’ top-ranked Toronto left wing, this goal explosion wouldn’t have directly helped very many fantasy teams. Johnsson hadn’t recorded a point over his previous five games, and he’s only 1 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. Maybe this effort will help him get noticed more in markets outside Toronto (assuming you tune out all the Toronto news in your sports media consumption). (nov25)

  10. After a couple of partial seasons, Cam Atkinson had 39 points in his first full NHL year, followed by 40, and then 53. After that, he broke out to 62, but was then hurt the following year and produced similar numbers, though in just 65 games. Now in Year 6 as a full-timer (Year 8 overall), he’s on a point-per-game pace.

Watching Vinnie Hinostroza a couple of times this season (and of course last year), and listening to what the local commentators say about him, as well as coaches, scouts and GMs over the years (I lock onto this stuff, put it in the vault, about all players – I devour this stuff and never seem to forget it, which is why I don’t easily adjust my opinion in future years), I can’t help but feel that his career production will follow a similar path to Atkinson’s. A 40- or 45-point guy for a couple of years, mid-50s in 2020-21, low- to mid-60s in 21-22, and then upward from there if given the right linemates (which Atkinson has).

If you’re patient with this player, I believe it will pay off. (nov22)

  11. Damon Severson has six points in seven games, five at even strength. Will Butcher has one point in nine games despite manning the top PP unit. Butcher has just two points at even strength this season. Playing with Ben Lovejoy is tying his hands, in my opinion. Meanwhile, Severson thrives thanks to his partner, Andy Greene, holding the fort. I also think that at 24, and in his fifth NHL season, Severson is coming into his own. I’m not saying he’ll get his 55-point pace. But he’ll absolutely get his career high (currently 31 points). (nov22)

  12. So, it turns out that all Pavel Zacha needed was to show he can dominate at the AHL level in order to properly get a chance at the NHL level. Prior to this recent stint, his only time in the AHL was a three-game run back in 2015 (three points). This time, he was down for four games and got five points. Upon this latest recall, he saw 16 minutes of ice time in four out of five games. In his first 10 games before being sent down, he saw 16 minutes just three times. A big part of that is the fact that he is now playing with Jesper Bratt, as opposed to Tommy Stonehands or Jimmy Lunchpail. Zacha has four points in his last four games and those are his only four points of the entire season. He’s now earning PP time, as well.

Looking at Zacha’s career numbers: As a rookie, he had 13 PPPts with just 1:50 per game. Between that and the AHL, it tells me that he thrives when given room but has trouble creating that room himself. I suppose Bratt’s speed opens things up a little for him. (nov22)

  13. Tanner Pearson should be on your radar if you need a left wing. With a goal on Saturday, Pearson is off to a great start in Pittsburgh, scoring goals in three of his past four games. His linemates? Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin. You shouldn't need me to tell you that you can’t get much better than that. (nov25)

  14. Do you know who could be hurt by the defensive-minded Ken Hitchcock hiring in Edmonton? No, not Connor McDavid, but Leon Draisaitl. He’s a wildly talented player who could still use some further motivation in the defensive department at times. Draisaitl has nine points in his last five games. Life with McDavid is good. (nov21)

  15. So, Drake Batherson seems to be enjoying pro hockey, eh? The 20-year-old concluded a tremendous QMJHL career highlighted by a WJC gold medal and a monster playoff run with Blainville-Boisbriand. He transitioned to the AHL last month and went off: seven goals and 20 points in 14 games before earning the call.

Thus far, the NHL hasn’t appeared to be much of a challenge yet, either. He has two goals and five points in five contests. He has seen some time with a rejuvenated and red-hot Matt Duchene on the top line, and the two seem to feed off of each other’s speed and skill when paired up. Take a look to see if your squad could use a kid on a heater. He’s out there for most of you. (nov21)

  16. Mikko Koivu has 19 points in 22 games this season. I should have given you a heads up that this resurgence would happen because I dropped him at the Draft in one of my leagues. In all fairness to me, though, I shopped him hard at the Draft table for a measly future pick and had no takers – so, everyone else should be just as embarrassed.

I dropped Koivu and drafted Vitali Kravtsov, announcing boldly: “I will draft the first overall pick in our midseason Draft right now…Vitali Kravtsov. I’ll drop Mikko Koivu.” The irony is that right now, Koivu would be the first overall pick in our midseason Draft now. (nov19)

  17. After kicking off the season with five points in seven games, and starting off his NHL career with eight points in nine games, Warren Foegele has hit a wall. He’s gone pointless in 16 games. His ice time remained strong through 10 games of pointless hockey, but he’s run out of leash in the last five outings and Friday saw a season-low 10:33. Foegele is looking at another game or two of this, followed by one in the press box, and then the inevitable AHL demotion.

Coach Rod Brind’Amour is happy with Foegele’s complete game, otherwise he wouldn’t have been given scoring-line minutes for so long despite the non-production. But, in the AHL, he’ll regain his scoring touch and confidence. I like him as a future scoring-line player but had been surprised at how quickly he was moving forward. So, I look at this as a step back from the extra step forward that we didn’t expect him to take in the first place. (nov19)

  18. When Anthony Beauvillier was dropped in one of my leagues last week, I raised a Spockian eyebrow and then I went to his profile page to have a look at line combos, ice time trend and advanced stats. Last year, Beauvillier had 29 points in the second half and meshed really well with Mathew Barzal, so I was pretty bullish of him on Draft day in September. I projected him for 45 points but also made him my top sleeper on the Islanders.

At the time, his game log showed steady ice time and secondary PP time, not trending downwards, and his 5on5 SH% was very low, which indicated poor puck luck. So, I picked him up and held him. Immediately, he spent two games planted on the bench, barely seeing fourth-line minutes. But, I made the investment, so I would hang onto him until roster decisions force my hand. The benching seemed to have worked, as Beauvillier has picked up five goals and seven points in his last five contests.

Between his addition, the return of Tom Wilson from suspension, and the recall of a guy I claimed and stuck in my minors back on the first day – Drake Batherson – my team in that league has unbelievable depth. This is a 14-team league with rosters of 30 players. My five reserve spots for the past week were filled by: Cam Talbot, William Karlsson, Dustin Brown, Kasperi Kapanen and Darnell Nurse, with Max Comtois still on my IR. Depth!

  19.  Still in that league of mine above, I did have a couple of issues (besides the obvious Cam Talbot one, ahem) and I resolved them both in a single trade early last week. John Klingberg, injured as you know. And Anze Kopitar. I can’t lose a top defenseman for a month, and Kopitar…I can’t drop him, the guy just had 96 points, but man what if he doesn’t even get 60 this year again? What to do, what to do?? I packaged them along with a first-round draft pick (I have an extra second and an extra third, so…) in exchange of Victor Hedman and Nicklas Backstrom. The high pick closed the deal, as I figured the guy would have a man-crush on Hedman (as most people would!). (nov19)

  20. Another interesting twist to ‘eight-points-in-one-game’ man Sam Gagner’s career: The Canucks called him back up from the AHL, where he had 15 points in 15 games for the Marlies. With Brock Boeser, Sven Baertschi, Jay Beagle, Brandon Sutter and, at the time, Antoine Roussel out of the lineup, it’s amazing that Gagner has slipped so far down the totem pole. I mean, he gets recalled after five injured forwards? What if the Canucks were like most teams and never had more than four forwards injured at the same time? We’d never see him again? Very interesting. It goes without saying that he is a one-dimensional offensive player. If you are in need of a depth guy, he is worthy of a claim. (nov19)

  He is once again being used as a power-play specialist, logging first-unit minutes with the Canucks. In case you are indeed interested in Gagner for fantasy purposes, do remember that a Brock Boeser Boeser return could push him back down the lineup. Gagner has more offensive upside than numerous Canucks forwards, so it wouldn’t make sense from a scoring standpoint to send him back down to the AHL. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. (nov25)

  Have a good week, folks!!

  from All About Sports https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-home/20-fantasy-hockey-thoughts/20-fantasy-hockey-thoughts-51/

[mendooutdoors]

New Post has been published on Men Do Outdoors

New Post has been published on https://mendooutdoors.com/history-of-snowboarding/

History Of Snowboarding Article You Need To Read

If you have done some searches about the history of snowboarding, you would have most likely come across a lot of articles that had different claims to who was the inventor of snowboarding.

And to tell you the truth, they probably all have some correct facts about them, but with the amount of information provided in each article, you might feel a bit overwhelmed.

So I simplified everything and made it into a short concise history of snowboarding timeline.

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But first, How often do you snowboard? Are you just beginning your journey?

Let me know in the comments below and also check out First time snowboarding? You need to read this

History of Snowboarding

revantoptics.com

So, in all honesty, the snowboarding history can be broken up into two separate types.

One is the day that a piece of wood was used to hit the slopes and two, the modern take on the snowboard.

It’s up to you as an individual to decide whether a plank of wood had a close enough connection to the sport or not.

Snowboarding Facts and History

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16th Century -A single plank with rope for balance was used to shred the mountains in Austria.

This device was called the ruariser knappenroesser otherwise known as knappenross.

There are tales of people using these boards in the 1800’s for races

-around the same time a ritprätt (also called the rittpritt), on which a rider could sit or stand, is supposed to have been used in the Swiss Alps during a similar timeframe

17th Century

-In Turkey’s Kaçkar Mountains there is a remote village in which the people have been riding sideways on flat, rectangular, toboggan-like devices called the Lazboard for over 400 years. They use a rope near the front for balance and a stick in the rear hand to help with steering.

1900

-An Austrian by the name of Toni Lenhardt rode a monogleider (“monoslider”) in the Alps, with contests being held in Bruck an der Mur around the 1914’s

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1929

-Supposedly a man by the name of M. J. “Jack” Burchett, took a piece of plywood or a barrel stave, secured his feet with clothesline and horse reins, and shredded down a mountain.

But this one could be taken with a grain of salt. Just like many other stories and folklore that seems to have popped up over years.

1939

-A patent for the Wicklund board was created by Gunnar, Harvey Burgeson, and Vern Wicklund, which closely resembled the Turkish board.

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1948

-A guy by the name of O. J. Lidberg’s 1948 filed a patent for the Glider Sled, which suggested the use of a stick for steering.

1949

-Arthur Juntunen’s 1949 filed a patent for the Toboggan, which did not require the use of a stick for steering.

Modern Day History of Snowboarding

1965 Snurfing (contributed greatly to Modern Day Snowboarding)

www.snurferboards.com

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A young surf freak by the name of Sherman Poppen who dreamt about surfing the magical pow of the Rockies designed a board which was called Snurfing by his wife.

He built his first prototype which consisted of tying together two 1,20m long plastic planks: otherwise, know as two kids skis. He attached a rope to enable him to steer.

The Snurfer is said to have had a major contribution to modern day snowboarding with more than a million being sold in 10 years.

Have you ever ridden a Snurfer? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.

1967

-Carl E. Hagen’s designed a Snow Board which looked like a toboggan but had their front and back edges turned up at sharp angles.

-Craig T. Christy’s designed a Snow Surface Rider which was a skateboard for the snow which included a rudder on the bottom and blocks on the deck so riders could brace their feet.

1968

-Joel Salisbury’s designed a Snow Sled which looked like a small surfboard

-John Fulsom’s toboggan-like Snow Ski Board curved upward on the front and had rudders on the bottom.

-James L. Rippetoe’s designed a Slalom Snow Ski which was based on a water-ski design, with the front foot facing forward and the rear foot turned at a 45-degree angle to the length of the board.

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1969

-Victor T. Berta’s  Snowboard had magnets to help keep boots in place

1971

-Ronald Carreiro’s designed the Snow Surfboard looked similar to a small rounded wakeboard with a braking device.

1972

-Dimitrije Milovich began developing snowboards for his company ‘Winterstick’ which is believed to be the first snowboarding company.

His design included steel edges, laminated fibreglass, gravel on the board for traction and nylon straps.  After a few years, the company went broke.

1977-78

-Jake Burton released a Snurfer knockoff called the Burton Board and managed to sell only 6 units in the first season.

1978-79

-Tom Sims also began selling Similar boards on the opposite side of the country and also found it difficult to sell the board in the first season

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issuu.com

1982

-First National Snow Surfing Championships were being held with 125 contestants making their way down the hills on Snurfers at speeds of up to 50 miles an hour.

It wasn’t a prestigious event but it helped popularize the sport by broadcasting it to The Today Show and Good Morning America.

in 1985 Burton took over the even and held it in Vermont’ Straton Mountains.

Since then it has grown quite significantly, with more than 30,000 people going to the event each year.

1983-84

-the first resort to open up for snowboarding was Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont in 1983-84.

Other resorts followed suit and by the 1990s 476 resorts welcomed snowboarders on their slopes

1985

-The first snowboarding magazine got published which was called the International Snowboard Magazine.

It provided readers with real stories from the slopes.

1990

Snowboarding becomes the fastest growing winter sport on the planet with more than 6 million people

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gizmodo.com

1992

The Pipe Dragon was built by Doug Waugh.

This heavy piece of machinery was built specifically to create and maintain half pipes and since then has had a huge contribution to the snowboarding freestyle movement

1996

Snowboarding movies became more and more popular as the sport grew, but one that stood out was by Johan Olofsson, where he shredded a 50-degree drop, 3000-foot slope in a mere 35 seconds.

His achievement made it into the Guinness Book Of World Records and has turned him into an overnight legend

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1998

Men’s and women’s snowboarding made their Olympic debuts at the Nagano Games in 1998 with giant slalom and halfpipe competitions.

2005-06

Shaun White completes a perfect season by entering and taking out 12 snowboarding contests among them all five Grand Prix Olympic Qualifiers, two Winter X Games events, and, of course, the gold medal in Torino.

So that is a majority of the History of Snowboarding put in a nice timeline for your reading pleasure. Below you can also watch a bit more about the history.

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Did I miss anything, who do you think is the real inventor of modern-day snowboarding, make sure to comment below and like and share this post.

For more snowboarding facts and history check out

7.4 super interesting snowboarding facts

Snowboarding movies you can watch for Free

For more information on the history of snowboarding check out:

www.skiinghistory.org

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[junker-town]

The List: My early NBA All-Star picks

NBA All-Star Game voting begins Dec. 21. Here is an early look at the players on track to earn spots in 2018.

NBA All-Star Game voting starts this week and this feels like an appropriate time to make some early selections. As was the case last year, fans account for 50 percent of the voting, while media and players each count 25 percent. After the starters are selected, the coaches will pick the reserves.

Unlike last year, we’ll have two teams drawn up between the 24 players selected and chosen by two captains. There will still be a dozen players representing each conference, which doesn’t make a ton of sense given the new format. Also the captains’ choices may be made in secret, which is completely absurd.

Whatever. It’s an All-Star Game. Please note that a few of these picks can and probably will change between now and January when final selections are due.

Let’s start in the East with the backcourt.

Kyrie Irving: Despite an uptick in his shooting percentages, Kyrie’s offensive numbers look an awful lot like his numbers last season with the Cavaliers. So, why does this feel like a breakthrough season? Perhaps it’s because many of us weren’t sure he’d be able to do this as the featured star. Fewer still believed he’d be able to lead the Celtics to the best record in the conference without Gordon Hayward. Kyrie’s been the goods offensively, especially late in games, but it’s his noticeably improved defense that puts him ahead of his contemporaries in this discussion. It’s Kyrie’s world; a big, beautiful, round world.

Kyrie's got his dancing shoes on. http://pic.twitter.com/AZv45dUYDG

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 16, 2017

Victor Oladipo: When I started this exercise I assumed I’d have Kyle Lowry in this spot. I’m going with Oladipo because he’s carried more of a load for the Pacers than Lowry has for the Raps. He’s also been more efficient than Bradley Beal and Demar DeRozan. All of them are deserving, but Oladipo’s been just a little bit better.

Other guards: The Eastern Conference backcourt is crowded with a half-dozen other players warranting serious consideration. Lowry remains as impactful as ever and DeRozan is having another DeRozan-esque season. He’s a three-time All-Star and that will carry weight with coaches. Beal is close to his first nod and so is Ben Simmons, who is the only rookie with a legit shot of being selected. We’ll need to make room for John Wall once he gets a few more games under his belt and Kemba Walker is trying mightily to keep the sinking Hornets afloat. Good players will be left home.

LeBron James: This will be LeBron’s 14th All-Star selection, tying him with Jerry West, Karl Malone, and Michael Jordan. On the grand list of LeBron accomplishments, this is merely a footnote.

With his third-straight triple-double, @KingJames has now logged 10+ assists in a career-high five straight games. MORE HIGHLIGHTS: https://t.co/BuDwa0xSkz http://pic.twitter.com/18Lpf5LgSk

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 18, 2017

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Not much more needs to be said about the Freak. This is his spot for the next decade.

Al Horford: This was the toughest call in the East. I’m giving Horford the edge because of his defense and the Celtics’ place in the standings. You can’t grasp Horford’s impact by looking at the stat sheet and even the defensive metrics don’t quite accurately capture his importance. He’s not just the glue defensively, he’s taken on some of the best scorers in the game and held them in check. Horford was better in November, like everyone else on the Celtics, but those games still count. I doubt he’ll wind up with this spot when the voting is done, but he deserves the trip.

Other frontcourt: If Andre Drummond had Horford’s savvy he’d be an All-Star lock. He’s still a deserving choice. Joel Embiid needs to be on this team. If he can shake off his injuries, Kristaps Porzingis will also get strong consideration. Just make sure to leave room for Kevin Love, who is having an excellent season. The player who will probably get left out is Nikola Vucevic. He’s the Mike Conley of the East.

And now the obscenely loaded West. If this went on straight merit instead of conference affiliation, we’d have 14-16 players from this conference. Some day ...

James Harden: The MVP of the first third of the season, this is the most obvious pick on the board. Harden leads the league in scoring and is third in assists. We don’t need to make this complicated. This is Peak Harden. The only question is who joins him.

Steph Curry: If Curry’s out much longer with his ankle injury, this spot will go to someone else. As of this date, Steph is still a fairly obvious choice. Please make him and LeBron the co-captains.

Other guards: I thought long and hard about putting Jimmy Butler in that other guard spot and I may wind up doing it before the real vote is taken in January. He’ll get squeezed because that’s the way of the universe, but Damian Lillard should absolutely be in Los Angeles. We’ve gone this far and haven’t mentioned Russell Westbrook. OKC has had its struggles, but it would be shocking if he’s not included. Klay Thompson, who we all vowed to not underrate during the Finals, is being underrated again. Chris Paul hasn’t played enough games yet, but he’ll have a better argument in January. Not all of them will go and it will get contentious.

Kevin Durant: The Warriors might be unfair, but that doesn’t diminish his impact. KD is averaging 26-7-5, while offering outstanding rim protection. In four games without Curry, he’s put up 135 points, 41 rebounds, 27 assists, and 11 blocks. Those are all MVP numbers. He’s a lock.

Anthony Davis: It’s a little strange that he’s gone back under the radar after taking a minor step back a few years ago. During that time, AD has become a complete player. He’s a more competent 3-point shooter, and he knows where to find his offense around the rim. He’s also become a reliable defender. AD is averaging 25 and 10 and he makes it look easy. While DeMarcus Cousins is putting up even bigger box score numbers, it’s Davis who makes the biggest impact on the Pels’ bottom line.

LaMarcus Aldridge: There is no way he’s going to be elected as a starter, but Aldridge gets the nod for keeping the Spurs in the upper echelon while Kawhi Leonard was on the injury list. Good for him. Not many people thought he still had it in him. LMA’s numbers will probably suffer a bit when Kawhi gets back up to speed, but Aldridge’s play in his absence has gone a long way toward rehabbing his standing.

LA http://pic.twitter.com/Uuc0qk7g3Z

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 19, 2017

Others: Boogie’s numbers are really, truly insane. He’ll be in Los Angeles. Nikola Jokic is healthy again and will get back into the conversation. He deserves the scrutiny, but Karl Anthony-Towns is still a factor. Then there’s Paul George and Draymond Green, who both merit consideration for their two-way play. My guess is the coaches will put both of them on the team and some of the bigs will get squeezed. Poor DeAndre Jordan is a longshot with this group. Marc Gasol will have a hell of a time convincing coaches to vote for him. This is going to be really tough.

[flauntpage]

Your Thursday Morning Roundup

Everything was fine and dandy on Tuesday.

The Phillies got their win, the Nationals were embarrassed, people got some money, and NBC Sports Philadelphia got some really good ratings. With Aaron Nola getting an extra day of rest, it felt like the Phils would go 5-0 and we’d see more handshakes.

That was not the case. The first part, at least.

Nola had a bad start, giving up six runs off five hits in three innings with two strikeouts and two walks. But the Phils came back to take a two-run lead. Yet they blew that and David Robertson was an atrocity in the ninth in a 9-8 loss.

After being down two runs in the eighth, Andrew McCutchen came up big with a three-run RBI double to give the Phils the lead before Jean Segura singled him home. Seranthony Dominguez came in for Hector Neris in the bottom half of the inning but had some trouble early, giving up an RBI double to Yan Gomes. With two outs, Rhys Hoskins missed an easy throw form Dominguez (you can also argue his throw was a little off the mark), scoring the tying run. Three errors in the game after none in the first four games.

In the ninth, David Robertson came in and gave up a single before walking the final three batters to seal the deal. Tough.

It’s only one game, but could this be a tipping point for the Phils to try and get Craig Kimbrel, who’s still a free agent? We’ll see. They return to action Friday as they host the Twins.

The Roundup:

Podcast note: A brand new edition of CBFC has dropped. If you like soccer, you’ll like this.

The Sixers were also in action and lost once again. Jimmy Butler (who almost quit basketball) returned, but the result was same as it was on Monday, a 130-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. JJ Redick set the franchise record for 3-pointers in a season, passing Kyle Korver, and led the team with 30 points. But the Hawks had Trae Young who went off yet again for 33 points and 12 assists.

The big struggles came at the charity stripe. The team went 22-of-28 from the free throw line. Butler (10 attempts) and Jonah Bolden (six attempts) made half of their free throws, Redick went 4-of-7, and Ben Simmons went 3-of-8. Tobias Harris made all seven tries. Good for him.

The road gets tougher tonight as the team hosts Milwaukee at 8 PM on TNT. Joel Embiid probably will play. Indiana and Boston are now 2.5 games behind the Sixers for 3rd in the East.

Speaking of big men, the Sixers are bringing in Greg Monroe.

The Flyers visit the Blues tonight at 8 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia + if you like hockey despite the team not making the playoffs. That’s your hockey update.

In other sports news, Robert Kraft’s attorneys allege an illegal search and tactics by police.

Is Conor McGregor ready to fight again?

I want to move forward, with my fans of all faiths and all backgrounds. All faiths challenge us to be our best selves. It is one world and one for all

Now see you in the Octagon.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 4, 2019

Michael Bennett’s injury to the elderly charges were dropped.

Bill and Hillary Clinton are visiting Philadelphia with… Nnamdi Asomugha.

In the news, a suspect has been arrested in the murder of a Philadelphia police inspector’s son.

Enjoy this story that has the headline “What Happens When an Economist Walks Into a Brothel?”

The post Your Thursday Morning Roundup appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Your Thursday Morning Roundup published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

[scottymcgeesterwrites]

A Crash Course on: The Old Testament

    The Old Testament of the Bible is quite possibly one of my favorite set of ancient scriptures – ripe with ancient mythology, symbolism, and inspiration for fantasy writers everywhere.

    I took a Biblical Studies course in my Catholic high school and it was probably one of the Top 3 classes I ever took in my entire educational career. My teacher (we all called him Doc) was the best in the business, being that he himself was going to become a priest. But he was always so chill with us and humorous, never raising his voice for anything. He didn’t need to though – we wanted him to teach.

    Anyway.

    The Old Testament is comprised of 46 books. They are, in order:

  Genesis, Exodus , Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 KIngs, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1&2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach,Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and last but not least Malachi

Collect them all now for a low-price of $25.99!    This list can change though for different sects. For example, when Martin Luther began Protestantism he rejected 7 books as canon - Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 & 2 Maccabees. Basically, Christianity is so fractured into different sects they are like wildly different fan groups of the same fandom arguing about which character romance is canon.

    Just like we have our fandom canons of our favorite character relationships, every religion has its own canons. This is how different sects (and ultimately different religions) form – Protestant, Catholicism, Methodist, Mormon, Baptist, Anabaptist – all of these are like different canons for the same fandom.

     You may have heard of things like “The Council of Nicea” and the council of this and that and so forth. Those councils were basically priests and other clergymen coming together and saying, “Okay, what’s canon?” The actual Hebrew scriptures are different in the literal translation from the Bible you might have lying around somewhere gathering dust. For one example, the literal translation of Genesis suggests that there were more gods – not simply one God.

    These ancient words are believed to have been lingering for ages before they were written down. One can find parallels to old Babylonian mythology (The Great Flood), suggesting a long line of oral tradition before the Hebrew scriptures were written down at around 1,000 BCE.

    We’re first going to talk about the Pentateuch (Greek for Torah, which is the Hebrew word for “teaching”). This includes the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). They are generally the most important in the Old Testament because they narrate the events from the beginning of the universe to the moment Moses leads his people to the Promised Land and dies. The importance is the carrying on of the covenant God gave to his chosen people beginning with Abraham. In short, Christians believe that covenant was finally fulfilled with Jesus Christ. Jews still hold to that covenant that was last tied to Moses.

    Up until the 19th Century, people assumed the Torah was written by Moses – it only seemed fitting. But then there’s the blatant fact that Moses actually dies by the end, and it fucking reads  “And so Moses died."  So scholars began to wonder. It’s like those stupid movies where the main character narrates but dies anyway at the end. So how could they be narrating?

LIke that movie Looper.

    Whoops, guess I ruined THAT for you.   

Scholars scrutinized the Old Testament and actually found something very fucking interesting: There are 4 different writers. You can sort of figure this out on your own by reading your modern Bible over and over if you have literally NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

There are two different versions of stories throughout the Torah. There are two different creation stories in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2-3. Two different accounts of how Abraham sends out Hagar with her son Ishmael to the desert in Genesis 16 and 21. Two different accounts on how many pairs of animals Noah takes to the Ark in Genesis 7:2 versus 7:9 and 15.

Scholars found these and MANY more inconsistencies within the Torah.    

So, they decided to separate them and realized the writing style was unique among 4 different sources.

They named them as the following:    

The Yahwist Source (J) – God is named Yahweh. He’s a much more personal God walking and talking with us. J stands for Jahve, the German word for Yahweh. Because Germans are annoyingly scholarly and can tell the world what to name things.

  The Elohist Source (E) - God is named Elohim. He speaks to us in dreams and there is emphasis on prophecy, one should fear him.   

The Priestly Source (P) – God is also called Elohim. Worshiping him on a somewhat cultist approach. Stresses on obeying law. Likes to list things.

  The Deuteronomist (D) – Within the Torah, unique only to the Book of Deuteronomy. God is called Yahweh. Strong moralistic approach. Stresses on obedience to the law according to Moses.    

One can go much more detailed into these sources, but that’s the gist of it. They sort of pop up in the rest of the OT, but they shine in the Torah.   

The Torah is easy to outline:    

Genesis: the origin of all life which ends in punishment and mercy. Genesis then continues with the “Patriarchs,” every feminist’s worst nightmare. The Patriarchs began with Abraham and continues until Moses in.

Exodus: God saves his people and promises them their own land.

Leviticus: which is literally a huge list of rules to follow once they get the 10 Commandments.

Numbers: also comprised of rules but actually gets into some narrative as the Hebrews wander the desert killing other tribes that get in their way, along with the fabled Ark of the Covenant.

Deuteronomy: Moses’s long speech warning everyone to obey God or lose the Promised Land. Moses actually never gets to walk into the Promised Land; he dies the moment they see it. Spoiler alert. After the Torah is what scholars call the “Historical Books” (Joshua all the way to 1&2 Maccabees).

This set records everything from Moses’ death to the aftermath of the Babylonian exile. Scholars also separate these books by different sources. Joshua to 1&2 Kings is believed to be from the Deuteronomist source, as it is somewhat droll and keeps tying itself back to Moses’s warning.

1&2 Chronicles to Lamentations has its own source labeled “Chronicler’s History”.

The rest, as I mentioned before, is only included in the Catholic Bible. These are seen to others as “apocryphal texts” or aka – non-canonical.   

The Book of Judges is one of my favorites, mainly because it tells of how Israel rose to power through the use of B-movie action heroes with gratuitous violence and gore and adventure. They called these heroes “judges”, because after their violent heroic exploits, they ruled the land for some time and judged with great wisdom. Then the plot repeated itself as Israel turned away from God, sinned, a new tyrant rose, and another judge arrived to save the day. Basically like a typical action movie sequel. I think more people would be apt to look into the Bible if they were aware such amusing stories were written.

Just a small preview, Judges include:    

Ehud – he assassinated the fat tyrant king of the Moabites by gutting him with a sword. He did so in the most Samuel L. Jackson way possible. He went up the king and said, “I have a message from God for you.” The king was so fat that when he fell the entire sword fit inside him.    

Samson – a strong man with supernatural strength like Hercules. He fought lions and slayed an entire army wielding the jawbone of an ass. His only weaknesses were pretty women and the cutting of his hair.   

Deborah – one of the few oldest passages in any ancient scripture having a female protagonist. She led an army against Jabin, who had ruled over Canaan. On her free time she chilled underneath a palm tree and passed her judgments there. Because thrones and courtrooms are fucking boring.    

Abimelech – son of the judge Gideon, who became a tyrant. He died by the hand of a woman who threw him out of a window into a mill-stone. His wounds were fatal, but he was so offended by this that he ordered his armor-bearer to kill him instead so that it won’t be said that he died by a woman. Well, fuck, dude, I guess that didn’t work out did it? Else I wouldn’t be here typing this.

   Dredd - Judge Dredd was the most kickass of them all –haha, only like five people are going to find this funny.

 The rest of the Old Testament is winding down now. There’s more history that I won’t get into until later downward, and then there are fables and "Wisdom books”. Judith and Ester are fables not meant to be taken seriously. They serve as tales to show the glory of serving God and whatever. They also have female protagonists. The Book of Job is another one of my favorites. (It’s the inspiration for my character Job McCony in my sci-fi writings). God and the devil make a bet to see if Job loses faith in God. It’s a classic tale meant to show man’s determination to believe in God even when shit hits the fan. Song of Songs is actually a bit erotic. Proverbs and Psalms are self-explanatory. At this point, I’ve gone through the bulk of the Old Testament except the Prophets. So I’ll skip to that.

The Prophets are books from Isaiah and Jeremiah, then from Ezekiel to Malachi. Like the Judges, the Prophets are separated into minor and major groups.

We need to do a quick jump back here though because there are two major Prophets who DO NOT have eponymous books - Elijah and Elihsa. Their deeds are recorded in the Book of Kings 1 and 2.

Kings 1 and 2 are also the source of many ancient astronaut conspiracy theories, but that’s another topic for another time. Like Judges, they are filled with adventures, but with mysticism and magic.The kingdom was in turmoil then, split into Israel and Judah, and prophecies arose of when all this would be fine and dandy and a “messiah” would come to rescue them from the clutches of Assyrians and Babylonians and whatever other pagan nation that bullied the Israelites. Kings are very entertaining books - I pretty much just love the entire Old Testament at this point, let’s face it. The tales of Elijah and Elisha include intrigue and magic. There is one hilarious passage, 2 Kings 2:23-24, without any clear explanation. A few little boys make fun of Elisha. Elisha then summons two she-bears to eat the boys, and NONE OF THIS IS EVER MENTIONED EVER AGAIN.

It’s great. I really suggest you read it.

See, the reason why Elijah and Elisha didn’t have their own books was because they never wrote down their own sayings. These other men did.

The Prophets are where we get the foreshadowing of a savior, although when he finally did come, things got more complicated. The Old Testament ends with these hopeful prophecies.   

Biblical Archaeology: How Much of This is Based on True Events?

Biblical archaeology is really fascinating. Like any other search in archaeology though, one shouldn’t be focused so much on finding out if legends are true. Rather, one should seek the truth of the culture and history surrounding the legends.    

Most of this shit is old.   

Jericho is noted in the Old Testament as the first city that the Israelites conquered. In reality, it’s one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, reaching as far back as 9,000 BCE.

Do you know how fucking old that is? The Egyptians weren’t even a thing until around the 3,000’s. However, Jericho has evidence of being destroyed, rebuilt, abandoned, and repopulated many times over. 

  Historicity and archaeological evidence presents much broader ranges of time periods in which these events could have occurred. Like Jericho, a lot of this shit is old, and the Old Testament is attempting to illustrate specific events anywhere within 9,000 BCE to about 10 BCE.

This creates some controversy when people really want to place the events told in the Bible in their implied time frame. You hear shit like people finding the Ark or the resting place of Noah’s Ark. Another big dispute is when the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt. There are very little Egyptian accounts of such a time, and when they do pop up it’s much later than when Exodus implies it took place.

Ramses II is a popular candidate as the Exodus Pharaoh, depicted in many movies and cartoons. However, again, there is no concrete evidence. 

Once you start talking about the split of the Israel after King Solomon’s death, their civil war, the creation of Judah, and the Babylonian captivity, the Old Testament actually merges with known ancient history of the world.

Tiglath-Pilesar III (Doc’s favorite historical figure) was an actual Assyrian king who said “Fuck everyone” and conquered the known world at the time, including Israel and Judah. (They later were conquered by Nebuchadnezzar II of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, resulting in the Babylonian Captivity). Tiglath was wily and took advantage of Israel’s civil war. He was known for making mounds of skulls from dead warriors, just to show people how much of a dick he was, I guess. Speaking of dicks, do you have any idea how they kept a number count of the dead after a battle back in the ancient world?

You guessed it – they cut off the dicks of soldiers.

Imagine having THAT GUY’S job.

Ol’ Tiglath was also the inventor of the standing army. He amassed so much that he realized it was a good idea to have a professional army that stood around even in times of peace.

And that’s my first article on the Old Testament. I’m sure I’ll write much more about it because it can honestly take up volumes.

‘Till next time.

Sources:

Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction by Lawrence Boadt

101 Myths of the Bible: How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History by Gary Greenberg

FUN FACTS:

- Elijah battled wits with Jezebel, a pagan princess. Jezebel was known for being very cunning in trying to fool Elijah. For this reason, the name Jezebel has been stigmatized; you were seen as a woman who was a whore and immoral, although in today’s world this is mostly forgotten.

- In the 1981 movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, Marcus Brody mentions that the Bible “speaks of the Ark leveling mountains, laying waste to entire cities.” No such passages were ever written. The Ark is mentioned and is carried by the Israelites but there are only a handful of scenes where it actually does something, which includes inducing plagues and killing farm animals. The last we ever read about the Ark is when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, leading to the captivity. No extra-Biblical sources mention the Ark.

- Ezekiel 25:17 is a passage made famous by the movie Pulp Fiction. The verse in the movie has several alterations though.