#just in case you missed that season 4 of the boys is dropping on thursday!!

[vergeltvng]

Randomly generated headcanons

Butcher has chronic nightmares.

Butcher tackles and wrestles people to show affection.

It would not take much for Butcher to turn evil.

Butcher can't sit in a chair properly.

Butcher uses the word "fuck" like a comma.

Butcher listens to 80s music.

Butcher desperately needs a hug but doesn't know it and refuses to ask for one.

Butcher likes board games, but no one else wants to play with them.

Butcher has fallen asleep at their desk while working in the middle of the night.

Butcher is in your house.

tagged by: @ausgetrieben tagging: @heartofglass-mindofstone @vikasgarden @thesmartassdetective @hochmvt

[electrictoes]

Time Flies Over Us

For @dailysvu’s Sonny Carisi Week

Day 2: Off Duty 

Characters: Sonny Carisi, Amanda Rollins, Fin Tutuola, Olivia Benson, Dominick Carisi Sr, Gina Carisi, Bella Carisi, Mama Carisi, Jesse Rollins, Billie Rollins

Relationship: Amanda Rollins / Sonny Carisi 

Warnings: Gun violence

Five time Sonny Carisi's off duty time gets interrupted + one time it doesn't.

Read on AO3

1.

Sonny held his newest niece above his head, grinning as she laughed gleefully - he wasn’t quite hiding in the kitchen with his father, but he was definitely avoiding the living room where his mother and sisters were fretting over last minute wedding preparations. Sonny could have been relaxing in his own apartment, getting an early night ahead of tomorrow morning’s chaos, but his father had needed the moral support so he’d packed an overnight bag, collected his wedding suit on the drive over, and had plucked baby Grace from her mother’s arms as soon as he walked through the door.

He’d put up with thirty minutes of his sisters squabbling over how exactly Bella’s hair should be styled in the morning, before his dad had rescued him with a quick, “Hey son, give me a hand with something?”

The something turned out to be emptying the bottles of beer he had tucked away at the back of the fridge behind boxes, trays and tupperware dishes filled with food for tomorrow’s festivities - according to his dad, his mom had been cooking non-stop for almost the whole week. They’d been left to their own devices, sipping beer and passing the time with quiet conversation.

“It’ll all be over soon enough,” his dad was saying.

“Real positive, Pops,”

“You know what I mean,” his father gestured to the door,  “The fuss, the speeches. Your mother’s worryin’.”

“Ma’s never gonna stop worryin’ about Bella, Dad,” Sonny told him.

“It’s you she worries about the most, son,” he said, watching Sonny carefully as he rested Grace against his chest, her head dropping onto his shoulder sleepily, “You gotta get yourself a good woman.”

“Don’t start that again-”

They were interrupted by Gina, a frown on her face as she held out his cell phone like she was delivering a bomb, “It keeps ringin’, Sonny,” she said, exchanging his phone for Grace.

Sonny glanced down at the screen - five missed calls, two from Benson, two from Dodds, one from Rollins. He gave his father a sheepish look as he returned Rollins’ call - better than getting it in the ear from his boss about not picking up, “Hey,” he said when she answered, and she sighed down the phone.

“I know you’re with your family,” she started.

“What is it?”

“It’s bad, Carisi. Four kids,” Rollins said, the stress of the case already evident in her voice, “I told Liv you’re busy this weekend, but she wanted me to try you anyway.”

“Where do I need to be?” he asked, already grabbing his jacket and keys.

“Meet me at Bellevue?”

“Okay, okay. Tell the Lieutenant I’ll be there as soon as I can. But Rollins-”

“I already told her you’re out tomorrow,��� she said, and he nodded gratefully into the phone, though she couldn’t see him.

His dad frowned at him when he hung up the phone, “Duty calls?”

“Yeah, I- I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“What? Sonny, you can’t leave!” Bella said, her arms curled around herself in the doorway.

“I’ll be back in plenty of time for the wedding,” he promised, pressing a kiss to the side of her head as he passed her, shuffling down the hallway to make it out of the house and on the road before his mother caught him sneaking off.

2.

It was Sunday afternoon, the first Sunday afternoon he’d had free in a long time, and Sonny just had a few errands to run before he could get back to his apartment, enjoy some down time for a change.

His last stop at a bodega just down the block from his apartment building was meant to be a brief one - just grab a couple of things he’d forgotten at the grocery store then head straight home. He was at the back of the store when he heard the shout - the demand for money, a scream from a woman near the cash register. He shuffled backwards, already reaching for his badge as he craned his neck down an aisle to get a better view.

Standing in front of the counter was a kid - no older than than fifteen. He had a gun pointed towards the cashier; it was shaking in his hand. He didn’t have a mask or even a ball cap covering his face - he was in plain sight of witnesses and CCTV cameras alike. This was no seasoned criminal.

But he still had a gun in his hand, and inexperienced kids with guns could pull the trigger like a startled animal at any moment. Sonny quietly edged down the aisle, making eye contact with the cashier as he lifted his badge.

The boy jabbed his arm forward, bringing the gun slightly closer to the cashier, “Hurry up. And don’t press no panic button.”

Sonny continued to move quietly forward as the cashier emptied the register, he'd almost reached the end of the aisle before the boy turned around, his eyes widening at Sonny’s proximity, at the badge in his hand. He turned fully, so that the gun was now trained on Sonny. Behind him Sonny saw the cashier reaching under the counter, and he sent up a silent prayer of hope that there was a panic button there, that back up was coming. He held his hands up as non-threateningly as possible as he stepped closer to the boy.

“I’m Detective Carisi,” he said, “NYPD. You wanna put the gun down?”

“I’ll shoot you,” the boy said, his finger moving to rest on the trigger.

Sonny was now inches away from him, an arm extended out, a hand reaching for the weapon.

The boy pressed his finger to the trigger.

It was a miracle that he missed, given how close Sonny was, even with his hand shaking there were plenty of places he could have hit Sonny, but the bullet soared over his shoulder, not even grazing him before it embedded itself in a shelving unit. The recoil startled the kid - he’d clearly never fired a gun before, and he looked around himself in panic. Sonny closed the gap between them, curling his fingers around the top of the gun and wrenching it from the boy’s hands.

The kid was shaking even more now, terror in his eyes as Sonny read him his rights.

A patrol unit arrived barely a minute later, taking control of the scene, but the peace of his Sunday afternoon had already been shattered; adrenaline coursing through him even as he gave his statement and his badge number to the patrol unit.

3.

Sonny had insisted he didn’t want a fuss - was happy to go for a drink with the squad, dinner at his mother’s house. Just another birthday, just another reminder he was getting older, his joints a little achier, his hair a little greyer. But he should’ve known giving Amanda Bella’s number would one day come back to haunt him, because his drinks with the squad had turned into a party that mixed his two worlds, and threw half of his former law school classmates into the pot as well.

He would admit he was enjoying it, though - having almost everyone that mattered the most to him in one room; drinking, laughing, enjoying each other’s company whilst making jokes at his expense.

Although someone seemed to be buying him a drink every thirty seconds, he’d barely managed to actually drink anything, which meant he was still relatively sober when the call came in. He was leaning up against the bar, Amanda at his side just a little closer than she needed to be - Gina standing opposite them with her latest boyfriend talking their ears of about investment banking, when Liv came over to them, a solemn look on her face.

“Sorry to cut this short,” she said, “But we’ve got a case.”

Sonny pushed off from the bar with a sigh, turning to pass Amanda her coat where it was lying beside his.

“Happy Birthday to you,” Amanda said with a wry smile as they shrugged on their coats.

“Told you I didn’t want a fuss,” he countered. He made his way around the bar as quickly as he could, biding goodbye to his friends and family, ignoring the choruses that he couldn’t leave his own party early.

Amanda held back as Fin and Liv left the bar, waiting for him and walking in step with him the few blocks back to the precinct. They were almost there when she stopped him with a hand on his arm, “Hey Carisi.”

“Yeah?”

“Happy Birthday,” she smiled at him and he returned it gratefully. She nodded once before stepping ahead of him, holding the precinct door open for him when they got there; fully disengaged from party mode and ready to throw themselves into whatever darkness Manhattan was bringing their way tonight.

4.

It was their first official date - after Fin’s not-wedding and the kiss he had played on repeat in his head for the last two weeks they had spent as much time together as they possibly could - he now knew the feel of Amanda’s lips on his like kissing her was his sole purpose in life, he knew the touch of her hands, the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled sleepily over at him in the mornings, and it was all beyond what he had let himself imagine - but that didn’t stop him from wanting to make a fuss of her - to take her out for dinner and spoil her a bit - to spend an evening just the two of them, in a way their demanding jobs and her two rambunctious children didn’t often allow for. Sienna hadn’t blinked when they’d asked if she’d stay late on Thursday night - something in her face told him she was happy for them, even if she didn’t say it aloud.

He’d chosen Thursday because trying to schedule anything important at the weekend seemed too much like tempting fate, and so there they were, a quiet evening in a small, family run restaurant that he loved - their fingers intertwined on the table, him trying not to say anything too stupid, given how mesmerised he was by her tonight.

And then her cell phone rang; she released his hand to pull it out of her bag - concerned it might be about the girls, but Sonny’s heart sank as his own phone began to ring barely a second later - Olivia Benson coming up on his caller ID. So much for a night off.

“Hi Liv,” he said, “Everythin’ okay?”

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Liv said, and he wanted to tell her that yes, she was, but that wasn’t how these things worked, so he made a non-committal noise and listened as she told him they needed him at the precinct - that it wasn’t a case that couldn't wait until morning. He could tell from the look on Amanda’s face that she was getting a similar phone call.

They arrived at the precinct ten minutes apart - or rather, Sonny lurked outside for ten minutes after Amanda walked inside - they’d yet to disclose and their first proper date being interrupted was more than enough frustration for one night. When he walked into the bullpen everyone was gathered together, Liv updating them all on the urgent case they’d been called in for - a missing fourteen year old, a suspect in holding who needed a deal to loosen his tongue, and the mayor’s office breathing down their necks because the missing girl was the deputy mayor’s niece.

Amanda had kicked off the heels she’d been wearing earlier - tucked them under her desk and slipped on the old sneakers she kept in her locker - she hadn’t had time to change of out her red dress, though, and from the looks Kat was throwing her way, it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

He got a similar look himself when he approached them, a raised eyebrow as Kat’s gaze moved over the suit he was wearing late on a Thursday evening. Not the same suit he’d been wearing at work earlier that day, “You on a date too, Carisi?” she asked.

“Huh?” Sonny feigned ignorance, his own gaze trailing to Amanda, trying to pretend he hadn’t noticed how beautiful she looked, how much effort she’d gone to - for him.

Liv was impatient; under pressure and not willing to entertain any charades, “Kat,” she said firmly, “Focus.”

Hours later, when the girl and been found and Kat and Fin were escorting the perp to holding, Sonny leaned against Amanda’s desk, ready to head home for a few hours sleep before they had to come back here.

“You can head off, Amanda,” Liv said, walking towards them, her own bag under her arm. “Sorry to have crashed your date.”

“It’s fine,” Amanda said, not meeting Liv’s eye, “I’ll get a rain check.”

Liv looked from Amanda to Sonny and back again, “Well, maybe the two of you can salvage some of the night,” she said, turning away from them, smiling to herself.

5.

Sonny could feel the insistent buzz of his phone in the pocket of his suit jacket, but he was resolutely ignoring it; cursing himself for not having put it on airplane mode before the show started, but knowing he couldn’t pull it out now. Someone wanted to get hold of him really badly - but whoever it was would just have to wait.

He’d taken a last minute half-day to be able to sneak into the auditorium just as the show was about to start, finding Amanda on the aisle and lifting Billie into his lap so that he could claim her seat. Amanda turned to him, a surprised smile on her face, “You got away?”

“Didn’t want to miss it,” he whispered back.

When Jesse had brought home the invitation two weeks ago, Sonny had looked at his trial schedule and found his heart sinking - the Brewer trial - a CEO forcing his unwanted attentions on the high school seniors who took work experience placements at his company - was scheduled for the whole week. He couldn’t pass it off, it was too big a case, and no one was going to let him reschedule a whole trial around his goddaughter / sort-of-stepdaughter’s school talent show.

He’d made a note of the date and time just in case, and he could hardly believe his luck this morning when Buchanan had requested a recess just after 2pm - an absent witness who had yet to be located delaying the case. The judge had glanced at his watch and with a sigh ordered that court would reconvene 9am the next day. It gave Sonny just enough time to call Hadid, explain the delay, and ask if he could take the rest of the day off - all in one breath as he darted from the courthouse, mentally calculating the time it would take to drive up to Jesse’s school. Hadid had reluctantly agreed, just instructed him to keep his phone on, which he had technically done.

He slipped an arm along the back of Amanda’s chair, the other holding Billie steady on his knee as they eagerly waited for Jesse to take the stage. He’d watched her dance with an intense pride - caught the smile on her face when she noticed him and Amanda in the audience, the way she faltered her steps just for a second before rejoining her friends.

His phone continued to buzz; it had been going almost non-stop for at least 10 minutes now, and he was sure the other parents nearby had noticed, based on the looks he was getting. Once Jesse had taken her bow he slid Billie onto Amanda’s lap, “I’m gonna have to take this,” he whispered, and she nodded in understanding - it was a near miracle they’d both managed to be here at all.

There were 27 missed calls on his phone when he slipped out of the auditorium - every single one of them from his boss. “Ms Hadid,” he said when she answered his returned call, awaiting the bite in her tone.

“I told you to keep your phone on, Carisi.”

“I know, I had something I had to do-”

Hadid didn’t entertain excuses, didn’t give him an opportunity to remind her that he’d been allowed to take the half-day, just insisted he return to the DA’s office as soon as possible. New evidence that could shake the trial’s outcome. No time to waste.

He sent an apology message to Amanda before heading out to his car; he was frustrated the whole drive downtown. Some days it felt like there was always one thing after another, like he’d never catch a break whether he was on duty or not. Still, the next several hours spent reformatting trial prep after the latest bombshell were necessary if he wanted to stand a chance of winning this trial. His mind, though, was drifting continually back to Jesse, standing on that stage with a proud grin on her face.

Although both girls were long in bed by the time he got out of work, he still made a stop en route to pick up flowers to give to Jesse in the morning - and when this trial was over he’d make it up to her, take her out for an Uncle Sonny and Jesse dinner to celebrate.

& 1.

Sonny was once again hiding with his father in his parents’ kitchen the night before a wedding, only this time it was his own, and he wasn’t hiding from arguments about hair and makeup, but rather from the intensity of his sisters’ knowing looks, the baby pictures his mother had pulled out and the way she seemed constantly in the brink of tears at the idea of her baby getting married, despite the fact that her baby was comfortably into his forties now.

“I told you,” his dad was saying, sat opposite him at the same kitchen table Sonny had done his homework at for most of his childhood, each of them cradling a glass of scotch, “Your mother worries about you most of all.”

“I’m gettin’ married tomorrow,” Sonny said, “I’ve got two kids, I don’t know what it is she’s got to worry about.”

His father shrugged, taking a long sip of his scotch, “Ah, mothers and sons,” he said, “Kinda like fathers and daughters,” he added, his eyes going to Bella’s wedding portrait hanging up on the wall behind Sonny’s head. The wall was filled with pictures from every moment of the Carisi children’s lives - birthdays, graduations, weddings - although Teresa’s wedding photo had long been replaced with one of the Carisi siblings at the reception - and an empty patch his mother had already cleared for Sonny and Amanda’s wedding photo, another gap just below it ready for a photo of all the Carisi cousins she was hoping to get - Jesse and Billie included. “You’ll get it when they grow up a bit.”

They were interrupted by Gina, once again handing him his phone with a frown on her face, “You can’t run out the night before your own wedding,” she said as he took the phone.

“What harm’d it do?” he argued, though he had absolutely no intention of going back to work, “It’s not like anyone will let me, y’know, see my fiancée.”

“Dominick Carisi Jr,” his mother scolded from the doorway, “It’s bad luck, and don’t the two of you be arrangin’ a work emergency just so you can see each other. I’ll know.”

He laughed, shaking his head as he glanced down at his missed calls - all from Fin - and dialled him back, “Fin, please don’t tell me this is a work call.”

“Okay, I won’t,” Fin said.

“I’m getting married in thirteen hours,” Sonny said, “Whatever it is can wait until I get back from my honeymoon.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Fin mumbled into the phone, “I’m not about to get slaughtered by your bride-to-be. You don’t need to come in,” he added, before launching into the reason for his call - an issue with the ADA covering their cases in Carisi’s absence, a disagreement over something Fin was sure Sonny had already put in place. “I wouldn’t bother you, but I gotta get out here tonight too.”

“You better,” Sonny said, “You’re a groomsman.”

He confirmed Fin’s memory of the deal on the table, offered to call Crosby himself and put the issue to bed. “Nah, I got it,” Fin assured him. “And I’ll be at your folks’ place at 9am sharp.”

Gina reached out a hand for his phone when he hung up, but he kept his fingers wrapped around it, glancing down at the lock screen where Amanda, Jesse and Billie all had wide - ice cream covered, in the girls’ case - grins on their faces. “Nah, I’ll keep it,” he said.

Gina tugged the phone from his hands, the same way she’d taken toys from him when they were young. “No more work calls,” she said, “And Mom says you’re not allowed to call Amanda either.”

“What? I can’t even talk to her now?”

“It’ll be worth the wait, son,” his dad assured him, and he already knew that was true.

And he was right - of course - because thirteen hours later he married the love of his life, surrounded by their family, their friends, their colleagues - no interruptions, just them.

[wfdwqfw]

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[jacksonwhittemoreweek]

Welcome to Jackson Appreciation Week 2018, running September 16th through September 22nd, 2018.

Join us in celebrating Jackson Whittemore in all his lovably annoying glory. Any and all types of contributions are welcome, whether they be fics, art, edits, gifs, playlists, headcanons, shitposts or whatever else you can come up with.

Each day also has an optional theme...

» (DAY 1) Sunday Sept, 16th: Favorite things // Start off the week with your favorite things about Jackson. Favorite relationships. Favorite quotes or insults. Favorite outfits (or lack thereof). Etc.

» (DAY 2) Monday Sept, 17th: Angst // Get yours tissues ready because this is Feels™ central. Bring out the whump.

» (DAY 3) Tuesday Sept, 18th: Love & UST // Give the boy some love. It can be platonic/familial or romantic/sexual. As long as it’s between a limited amount of character because...

» (DAY 4) Wednesday Sept, 19th: Part of the pack // PACK FEELS. Bring Jackson into that Hale and/or McCall pack action, whether it be platonic or romantic/sexual. This could even involve his dropped arc theory, the one about him being Peter’s son.

» (DAY 5) Thursday Sept, 20th: Redemption arc // Jackson needs redemption from his douchey behavior. This is the place to get creative about that.

» (DAY 6) Friday Sept, 21th: Meeting later characters // If Jackson stuck around, he'd have a wide array of new relationships in later seasons. Let’s explore what could have been if he’d never left for London or if he came back for longer than a cameo.

» (DAY 7) Saturday Sept, 22th: Dealer’s Choice // Themes are optional, but here’s a day exclusively to themes we haven’t covered. You can also use it to catch up on any days you missed.

Guidelines:

This event is informal, so there’s no sign-up process. Just create.

You’re not obligated to follow any of the themes. They’re only there for inspiration.

Please don’t feel pressured to participate. If you decide to make something for each of the days, or multiple things for any single day, the more power to you. But, ultimately, you’re allowed to participate in as many or as few days as you’d like. This is about having fun (and giving Jackson attention).

We ask that you post your submissions on your own blog so that we can reblog. We will be using the tag #JAW2018 for the event. Make sure to include that in the first five tags so we can find your posts. You may also @ us in case you wanna increase the chance of us finding you.

Finally, this is meant to be a positive experience. Please refrain from any character or ship bashing. We reserve the right to block people who try to start wank.

You can contact us here with further questions.

[wildflowerrambles]

Hush Hush

Author’s Note: I wrote this in pretty much one sitting in a few hours. Honestly, I’m shook. That rarely happens, but I wish it would more often haha. I couldn’t help myself. I had to go ahead and post it. Hope you enjoy!

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x Beth Henderson (Billy x Reader) Word Count: 880 Warnings: None for this chapter

Summary: Billy has never really noticed cheerleader Beth before until she steals his parking spot one morning. She knows all about Billy though, more than he even realizes. But what happens when Billy finds out Beth has a few deep, dark secrets of her own? You’ll have to read to find out.

In case you missed it: Chapter 1: Pep Rally Chapter 2: Meet the Tigers Chapter 3: Call Me Chapter 4: Cloaked Chapter 5: Precious Chapter 6: G.N.O Chapter 7: The Date

Chapter 8: Valentine

February 14th. Valentine’s Day.

The month kicked off competition season for the Hawkin’s High cheerleading squad, which meant that Beth’s schedule was packed every day of the week. While she was thankful for the distractions, she was looking forward to a day off. Though tonight wouldn’t exactly be a free night because she’d agreed to watch Holly while the Wheeler’s and Nancy and Jonathan went out, she would take it. It was one of the rare Thursday nights she didn’t have to be cheering along with a gymnasium full of Tiger fans.

The squad had squeezed in an extra practice right after school before the basketball team ran them out for their extra practice tonight, which meant that that’s where Billy would be spending his evening, sweaty and shirtless. She dismissed the thought by redirecting her attention to the dolls in front of her.

Holly was thankfully a pretty easy child to watch. All she needed were some toys and someone’s attention every once in a while. Dustin had ridden over with Beth since Mike had decided to stay home. Will and Lucas eventually trickled in, making their way downstairs to play DnD.

Hearing the light footsteps against the carpeted stairs, Dustin appeared before long, a grin on his lips.

“Hey, could you make us some pb&j sandwiches?” he asked, “Your’s are the best.”

Beth’s lip twitched upward. She nodded. Pushing herself off the living room floor, she looked down at the small child, “I’ll be right back, Holly.”

Dustin followed her into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as he stole a cookie from the jar. Beth maneuvered around the Wheeler’s kitchen, gathering the few ingredients she needed.

“So is Billy your boyfriend now?”

She let out a short snicker at how blatant the boy’s question was.

“No. He is not.”

Dustin scrunched his nose in disbelief. She spread one side on each slice of bread with peanut butter before dipping her knife into the jelly jar.

“He’s at your house all the time.”

“He’s been to my house twice.”

“Three times,” Dustin corrected, “He’s been three times because he dropped you off once.”

Beth licked her finger clean of the jelly left behind, stepping back to the sink to drop off the dirty dishes.

“Just because we’re neighbors does not mean you can spy on me.”

She pushed the plate of sandwiches in the younger boy’s direction.

“Just be careful, okay.” He held his grip firm onto the glass plate, pausing when he reached the entryway to the kitchen. His eyes met his older cousin’s. “I don’t want to see you sad like you used to be.”

Holly had gone down for bed shortly after 8pm. The boys were still downstairs, the occasional noise echoing up the stairs to let Beth know they were still breathing. She sat on the couch, her feet resting on the coffee table as she wrote the last sentences on a paper that was due tomorrow.

A knock at the front door broke the silence. Sitting her school work aside, she went to answer it. On the front porch stood Steve.

“Well hey,” he chimed.

“Hi.” The tone of her voice and her brows drawing together must have given away that she hadn’t been expecting him.

“I’m here to pick up the boys.”

“Right,” she remembered. Karen had mentioned that the boys needed to be home by 9:30. Since they likely wouldn’t be back by then, Steve had agreed to swing by after practice and take them home. Beth remembered thinking it was probably just a good excuse for him to spend a little while with the gang. “Right, I’ll go let them know you’re here.”

Steve stepped inside as Beth disappeared downstairs, reemerging a few minutes later.

“They’ll be up in just a few.”

“Oh yeah, that’s fine.”

She bobbed her head up and down, awkwardly shoving her hands into the front pockets of her pants. There was a short wave of silence until Steve spoke up.

“How are you these days?” he asked, “Haven’t spoken much even though you’ve been back for a while.”

“I’m good, yeah.. How about you?”

“I’m good too..”

She hummed.

They were thankful when the group boys rushed up the stairs. They all began chattering at once. Beth reminded them to keep it low because Holly was sleeping. Soon enough, they filed out the door one by one and Mike headed to his room.

“Don’t be a stranger, okay?” Steve turned in the doorway, giving a little wave. “See you around.”

It was nearing 11pm by the time Beth made it home. She yawned as she slammed the car door shut behind her. Her parents hadn’t made it back yet from their date, but she wasn’t overly surprised. Her mom was a nurse and often got stuck with the night shifts at the hospital, which meant that Beth spent a good bit of time with her dad who didn’t get to see his wife as often as he’d like.

Approaching the front porch, she could make out the silhouette of something sitting next to the door.

It was a bouquet of pale pink roses with a tiny yellow piece of paper stuck inside. She plucked it from the mix, one minuscule scribble filling the page.

-B

[mariequitecontrarie]

One Thousand Blessings: A Macelle Fic

Summary: Catching a thief red-handed two days before Christmas is the last thing Joseph MacAvoy expects headed into the holidays with his wife, Belle, especially when the robber in question turns out to be a little boy with blue eyes and tousled blonde curls he can’t seem to forget. Meanwhile, seven-year-old orphan Nicholas Parrish is hanging onto the dregs of hope for a Merry Christmas, and Belle has a bright idea—and a Christmas secret—of her own. Rating: T, for now A/N:  Sequel to Morning Glory, my @maydaymenagerie. Maybe you’re thinking “Really, Marie, a Christmas story in January?” I’ve been planning this for a while, but with the holidays and the stomach flu running rampant at our house…yeah. This is Part 1. I think there will be 4 Parts.

Read on AO3

DECEMBER 23rd: STORYBROOKE SODA AND SUNDRIES The slap of Joseph’s hand against the front door is sharp and cold.

His palm stings with the contact, clammy skin sticking to the icy surface and his breath fogs the glass, obstructing his view of snow-covered Main Street despite the morning sunshine. His other hand shoots out to wrap his knuckles around the door handle, locking his arms around a four-foot boy with a suspicious lump in his coat.

Unless the kid ducks back into the store and heads into the back where Clark, the pharmacist, is standing guard by the employee door, there’s no way out.

Joseph looks down, pinning the back of a curly blonde head with a solemn stare. “What are you doing, son?”

“Uh, nothin.” For a moment, the boy’s shoulders slump. Then he turns his head, smoky blue eyes flashing with defiance, his ragged breath fogging the glass alongside Joseph’s.  

Joseph frowns, his fingers cupping a small elbow in a coat too thin and threadbare for a Storybrooke winter. He slides his hand upward, gripping a surprisingly meaty bicep for one so young, and gently takes hold of his shoulders to steer him back toward the inside of the store. There is resistance—sneakered feet squeak against the tile floor, but after a moment the boy relents and turns around.  

“What?” the kid asks, playing dumb. His eyes flicker briefly over Joseph’s before hitting the floor.

Joseph tilts the boy’s chin up to examines his heart-shaped face—full cheeks, a jaunty chin, and a smattering of freckles. He’s a sturdy little thing, looks to be around six or seven. Not that he would really know.

It’s a rare occurrence to find a thief in a small, affluent town like Storybrooke. Back home in the squalid city of Middlesbrough, north England, where he’d been raised and trained in the priesthood, catching a kid pilfering cigarettes or booze to use or sell off would have been typical.

But here in Storybrooke, most family units were intact, small business thrived, and people had the means to care for their own and share with others. Even the scant handful of children who live at the convent with the sisters have full bellies and enough supervision to keep them from running through the streets and making trouble.

As for Joseph, departing England also meant abandoning his vocation and leaving a life of loneliness behind. Last year, through a series of unbelievable events and thanks to a peculiar angel named Merlin, he’d become the owner of this convenience store where he used to work stocking shelves, and somehow been blessed to marry Belle French, town librarian and love of his life.

Belle. Thoughts of her draw an instant smile to his face and his cheeks heat with pleasure. His wife has such a way with people; she would know exactly what to do with a little boy who was caught stealing. Joseph imagines her now,  crouching down until she was right at his level, eyes sparkling with mirth. She would introduce herself, then lead him away by the hand to read a children’s book featuring the perfect moral at the end of the story. After a scant handful of well-meaning question, the child would fall in love with her natural curiosity and the musical trill of her laugh, and all the details of his life would come tumbling out in a jumble of words and emotions.

At least, that’s how it had been for Joseph.

But Belle isn’t here. The boy is stuck with him—an awkward ex-priest-turned-shopkeeper—and his relative inexperience with children. Since their marriage, he and Belle had talked about the possibility of children in the future, but it was more of a five-year plan, a distant goal relegated to “someday.” For now, his knowledge is limited to the little ones he sees tugging on their parents’ coats in the store, asking for candy at the checkout, or their shy smiles of gratitude and sticky fingers when he serves them a dish of ice cream. There are also the occasional teenagers who sit at the soda fountain counter, sipping milkshakes and chattering with their friends in a language only they understand, iPhones plastered to their faces.

While he’d been a priest, he was usually too drunk to even notice children. Oh, he’d christened a baby now and then, but young ones never darkened the door of his confessional or came to him for advice. And the parish was too small and the congregation too disgusted with their drunken pastor to send altar boys in for training. What words of love or comfort would he have offered, anyway? What life skills could he have taught, other than to demonstrate the quickest way to the bottom of the bottle?

None of that now. The still, small whisper of God fills his mind, delivering the peace he craves. Those days are over, Joseph, and you are a new creation in Me.

Then give me the words now, Lord, he begs silently. I don’t know what to say or do.

He rakes a hand through his hair and refocuses on the boy, who’s now standing with arms crossed over his chest, scrutinizing him like he’s grown a third eyeball.

Joseph knows one thing; the boy picked the worst time of day to make his move. It’s December 23rd — just two days until Christmas — and for the first time in several weeks the store is quiet, a mid-morning lull in the bustle of the season. It’s strange, really; an hour ago he’d been selling boxes of candy and small toys faster than Granny’s Diner sold stacks of flapjacks during the weekend breakfast rush. Now the place is eerily quiet, and the silence gives Joseph space to think.

What drove this poor kid to rob his store on a Thursday morning? Is it a childish prank, or does a deeper need lurk beneath the surface?

Sympathy floods him, along with a sense of calm. He may not be great with advice or problem-solving, but the Lord has blessed him with compassion and discernment, as well as a listening ear.

Joseph drops his eyes from the boy’s face, nodding at the large bulge in his threadbare jacket that’s tucked securely beneath his little arms, his left elbow nearly poking through the sleeve of his coat. On the security monitor, he’d watched him tuck several items against his chest before cornering him at the front door. He should have stopped him sooner, he supposes, but he was puzzled by the odd collection of items he’d chosen. “Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”

The boy’s gaze shifts, a well-worn navy and grey running shoe poking at a bit of melting snow on the floor. “We’re …we’re on a field trip.”

“Oh, a field trip, is it?”

“Yep.” The kid nods vigorously.

Joseph smiles and runs his hand over his whiskers, pretending to consider. He knows a whopper when he hears one. He supposes that’s one positive attribute he took away from the priesthood. “Where’s the rest of your class?”

“My class? They’re uh…oh.”

“Oh.” Joseph nods knowingly, then clears his throat. “Stealing is wrong, son. It’s also against the law.”

“I’m not your son.”

The arms crossed over his little chest tighten protectively around his ribcage, his lower lip jutting out in a sour pout. But there is a wistfulness in the words, and Joseph’s heart gives an answering pang.

“True enough,” Joseph answers.              

His chin jerks up. “Are you gonna call the Sheriff now?” He draws out the words, reluctant.

Joseph smooths his hand over his work apron, thinking.

Sheriff Swan is a close personal friend of his wife’s. She could come in and take over, find out what’s going on with this boy. Within ten minutes, Joseph could make a statement, Miss Swan’s patrol car would pull away with the boy inside, and Joseph would return to running his store. When the clock struck five, he would go home to a hot meal, gaze at the glowing light of the Christmas tree, and tuck himself into bed against Belle’s side.  

He shoots a longing look toward the telephone on his desk. But no, calling the police isn’t the right thing to do. It’ll scare the boy away, harden him toward both Joseph and the law—and that’s the last thing he wants. Somehow, he knows God has intended him to help this child, just as surely as he knows his own name. Still, he has to tread carefully, or he will lose the boy’s trust before it’s even been earned.

“That depends, doesn’t it?”

The boy frowns. “On what?”

“Whether you tell me the truth. If you’re honest, you can save us both the trouble of involving Sheriff Swan or your parents.”

The boy opens his mouth as if to say something, then snaps it shut. Joseph shifts toward the soda fountain, trusting his young charge to follow. “Come with me.”

“Fine.” He drags his feet and huffs an impatient sigh, as though Joseph is the one who has done something wrong.

Joseph bites back a smile at his perturbed little face, and waves a hand toward a stool. He ducks behind the counter, then chooses a sundae glass and lifts the cover on the ice cream case. “You, ah, you like ice cream?” he asks, pausing with the scoop in his hand. Oh, please let the answer be Yes.

“Yeah,” he answers, but the boy eyes the red vinyl seat a with distrusting glare before giving it a spin. He glances around the store, as if looking for someone. “The old lady who owned this place before was real mean. Heard she used to poison the kids who came in here.”

Stunned by the bitter claim, Joseph looks up from mounding vanilla bean ice cream into a dish. He almost cracks a stupid joke about serving poison-free desserts, but behind the kid’s suspicious tone lives real fear. And he’s not far from the truth. The store’s previous owner and his old boss, Bedelia Bluementhal, ran the store with an iron fist. Later, she’d been found guilty of accepting bribes from drug companies and selling drugs to children throughout New England. Thanks to the Lord (and the angel Merlin), she was spending the rest of her life behind bars for her crimes.

“She’s gone now,” Joseph confirms. He keeps his voice steady yet gentle, drawing the boy’s attention away from worriedly scanning the aisles, and meeting his eyes. “You don’t have to be scared of her anymore. Sit down.”  

“I ain’t scared, Mister,” the boy scoffs.

The tension in his small, hunched shoulders melts like ice cream around the edges of a carton, then he hops onto the stool with an energetic exuberance that only children seem to possess. His eyes remind Joseph of Belle’s favorite blue dinner plates when he sees the sundae, but he doesn’t rush to pick up the spoon. Instead he gives Joseph a long, searching look.

Joseph doesn’t take offense at the way he runs his eyes over his sharp nose and greying, shoulder-length hair, but continues to hold his gaze, letting the boy look his fill. If he were a gambling man, he’d bet his store and all its inventory that in this kid’s experience, nothing is free.

“It’s okay,” Joseph says softly.

The boy nods, almost imperceptibly, and Joseph smothers another smile when he digs into the sundae  with gusto, gulping huge mouthfuls of ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and rainbow sprinkles. Melted chocolate dribbles down the side of the glass and puddles on the countertop, and he swipes the goodness up with his fingers and shovels it into his mouth, not missing a drop.

“Good?” Joseph asks as the boy gobbles the ice cream concoction, not really expecting a response. He steps away to shine the chrome fixtures on the fountain, giving him space to enjoy the treat. Instinct tells him the last thing this kid needs is someone watching him eat, like he’s some sort of animal in a cage.

Joseph knows the boy is finished when he hears a soft, contented sigh. He turns back toward the counter. “I’m Joseph. What’s your name?”

The boy scrunches up his face, as if deciding whether to tell. The remnants of the hot fudge sundae are smeared on his chin, his blonde curls adorably tousled. “It’s Nick.”

Joseph can’t contain a delighted laugh. “Nick! Ah, what a grand name. Especially at Christmastime.”

Curiosity leaps into his eyes when Joseph leans closer, and he drops his voice to a just above a whisper as if sharing a secret. Belle says kids love secrets, and he figures it’s worth a shot. “You know, Saint Nicholas is the protector of children. He always gives in secret, alert to the needs of others, and expects nothing in return. That’s a very special name you have.”

“Really?” Nick worries his lower lip. “What’s a-lert?”

“It means he knows what we need even before we think to ask, sometimes before we know ourselves.”

Blue eyes fill with tears, and grubby little balled up fists dash them away in angry swipes.

Joseph drops his eyes to the counter to give the boy privacy, a chance to collect himself. Blindly, he hands him a warm, hot towel scented with lemon, the type fancy restaurants pass out after a meal. Belle’s idea, of course.

Nick mops his face and hands, then slaps the towel back on the counter, now tinged grey and streaked with dirt and chocolate. He sniffles, then picks the towel up again and blows his nose.

When he’s finished, Joseph whisks the soiled towel away and clears his throat. “So,” he begins, keeping his voice low and quiet so as not to attract attention from his staff or other customers, “why don’t you show me what you took?”

Eyes on the floor, Nick unzips his jacket and begins to line items up on the counter with trembling fingers. A red and green fur stocking trimmed in white. Elmer’s glue. A bottle of red glitter. An orange. Peanut butter M&Ms.

They’re trinkets, each item small and inexpensive, except maybe the stocking. Compassion overwhelms Joseph again, along with something else—a strange, tingly sensation he’s never experienced. He braces his hands on either side of the counter, heart tripping over the bizarre emotion.

He absorbs the stillness, waiting for Nick to speak. Other customers have entered the store now and between the thumps of his own heartbeat, Joseph hears the low murmur of voices, the shuffle of feet on the floor, the whirr and ding of the old-fashioned cash register.

Those serious blue eyes find his again, wide with appeal.

“It’s Christmas.” The boy gestures at the pile of loot, and Joseph nods, encouraging him to continue.

“I wanted to make a stocking. The sisters hangs some up by the fireplace.” He presses his lips together, as if fearing he’s already said too much. “But I thought…forget it. It’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid at all.” Relief floods Joseph, and thanksgiving. A boy who wants a stocking is a boy who hasn’t lost hope. A boy who wants a stocking still believes in the miracle of Christmas.

The sisters.

Nick lives at the convent. Pieces begin to fall into place.

“So see, you can’t call my parents. I have none.” The words come out in a practiced rush, like he’s stood in front of the mirror saying them, reminding himself he belongs to no one.

Joseph picks up the stolen orange and digs into the peel with his thumb, sending a citrus-scented spray across the countertop between them. He separates the fruit and offers a section to Nick.

Nick licks his lips and looks at the segment, hesitating.

The convent takes good care of the children, but special snacks between meals—like a juicy orange in the middle of the morning—are few and far between.

“Go on.” Joseph swallows the lump in his throat and gives what he hopes is an encouraging smile. “There’s no catch. Take it. Growing boys need lots of fruits and vegetables.”

“Orange is my favorite,” Nick mumbles in response, then pops the half-moon into his mouth.

“Mine too.” Joseph eats a piece, then offers the boy another. “Many, many years before you or I were born, Saint Nicholas once knew of a poor man who couldn’t find men to marry his daughters because he didn’t have money. Well Saint Nick, he couldn’t let that stand. He gave all the girls gold, just tossed it through the window. The gold coins landed in their stockings, which were hanging by the fire to dry. That’s one of the reasons we get oranges today. Santa gives them at Christmas as a symbol of the gold that was left in those stockings.”

“Wow. So oranges are like gold.” Nick’s face splits in a gap-toothed grin, dropping his guard for the first time since they met at the front door.

“Something like that.” Joseph grins back, pleased to have wandered onto common ground. Again he finds himself thanking the seminary for grilling him in Church history. “Tell me more about this stocking.”

Nick looks down at the red and green striped sock, the stubborn tightness of his jaw returning. He’s still afraid. Either of being turned in or laughed at, Joseph can’t be sure.

Joseph sighs. “Look, I’m not going to rat you out to the Sheriff, and I’m not calling the convent. You have my word. But trust earns trust. You’ve gotta be straight with me.”

Nick continues to chews his orange with maddening slowness, still saying nothing.

Finally, he swallows the bite and leans forward. “Thought if I had one with my name on it, Santa might come. Last Christmas with Mr. Bailey, he couldn’t find the house.” He looks away. “I’m sorry, Mister. Sorry for stealing. But if Sister Astrid finds out…”

Joseph pinches the bridge of his nose, processing this information. He’s guessing this Bailey guy was the kid’s last foster home, but he doesn’t press him again. Astrid is a kind, compassionate woman and a dear friend of Belle’s, not to mention a fellow former member of the order. “The name’s Joseph, remember? And you’re forgiven. I won’t tell Miss Astrid about what happened today.”

“Thanks, Mister Joe.” His little body sags in relief.

Joe?  He barks a laugh. “Joe, huh? Guess I can live with that.” No one calls him by a nickname, not even Belle. No one except…Merlin. But the angel is long gone; he hasn’t seen him in well over a year, and doesn’t expect to again.

An idea hits him, and he looks at his watch. “I hear Santa is going to visit the Storybrooke Public Library today, right around lunchtime. Why don’t you go over there and see if you can share your Christmas list? I’ll bet he’s making something for you in his workshop, even now. Ask for Miss Belle, she’s the head librarian.”

Nick sits up straighter and his eyes ignite with hope. “That’s where my class was going today! The library! But I didn’t know Santa was gonna be there.” Joseph grins, and his chest inflates with pride in his wife and her clever decision to have Santa treat the children to a story before Christmas.

He shuffles to the wall behind the soda fountain, fishes his own grey wool hat out of his coat pocket, then tugs it down over the boy’s shell-pink ears, careful not to cover his eyes. A fringe of blonde bangs peeks out from under the brim. It’s still a little big, but warm enough to keep the winter wind at bay. “If you go now, I bet you can catch Santa and give him your Christmas wishes, but before you leave, I need you to promise me something.”

Nick’s forehead puckers; once again he’s looking for the catch.

Joseph keeps his gaze locked on his, kind yet penetrating. “The hat is yours to keep, and so are these.” He holds up a sturdy, reusable bag containing the once-stolen goods, now freely given, with three extra oranges for good measure. “Promise me the next time you need something from the store, you’ll come to me and ask. No more stealing.” He holds out his free hand. “Do we have a deal?”

“Yeah.” Nick nods and puts his small hand inside Joseph’s and shakes. “Okay, promise.”

The gentle glide of those small, damp fingers across his callused palm makes his knees wobble. Catching his breath, Joseph watches as Nick zips up his coat, hefts the bag of goodies, then heads for the front door.

“Can I ask you one more thing?” Joseph calls, feeling oddly desperate.

Nick peers over his shoulder with a shrug. “Why my store?” It’s a stupid question, really, and Joseph isn’t sure what makes him ask. There aren’t many stores in Storybrooke, and the majority of them sit right here on Main Street.

Another shrug. “I like your sign.”

Joseph feels himself smile. The cheery red and white sign was another one of Belle’s improvements when they’d taken ownership of the place.

Nick breaks into a run and charges for the door, the smack of his hands against the glass making the bell jangle merrily. “Bye, Mister Joe! Thanks for the ice cream and stuff!”

Joseph’s smile widens and he waves, while Nick’s steps along the snowy sidewalk in the direction of the library throw fresh white powder against the front window. He thinks about phoning Belle, imagines her sweet laughter on the line as he tells her about his unusual morning and asks her to look out for a curly-haired boy with a crooked smile. But he can’t do that. He made a promise to Nick, and a promise, once broken, can never be made whole. Closing his eyes, he folds his hands on the counter, still littered with orange peels from the snack they shared. He closes his eyes and prays that whatever Nick’s Christmas wishes are, somehow Saint Nicholas will come through.

###

[highschoolharrier]

Scott Bliss is the head coach of Champlain Valley, a program from Vermont that has completed the trip to Portland 3 times in the past 9 years.

High School Harrier: What was it like for your team to qualify for NXN this past year?

Scott Bliss: Well if you aren't one of the normal qualifiers then it is an amazing feeling.  We had made NXN in 2010 & 2011 but we missed by 4 points in 2016.  That close miss makes it even better because to be honest it is a really hard thing to do.  We had a great chance to make it that year and didn't so you always wonder if you will have another shot or not.  We also did not go into last season knowing that team would be as good as it was.  It ended up being the best girls team I have ever coached and we had no idea that was going to happen.

HSH: Four of your top 5 set their personal records in Portland. Is that a testament to tough courses in New England or smart racing/peaking for your team?

SB: I think it really was a testament to the focus of the kids.  Obviously your training has to play a role in things but they were focused all year and it is a tough stretch at the end of your season when you have your state meet, New England Championship, Nike Cross Regionals and then Nike Cross Nationals all in a row.  It is also a testament to them that they could compose themselves and not let the atmosphere at NXN affect them.  If someone hasn't been there it is a challenge to have all of the stimuli that is coming at you from the pro athletes, to the swag, to elite level HS runners, the show that it is, etc.  We do race tough courses throughout New England but we also race in New York in Section 2 multiple times throughout the season and that helps us immensely.

HSH: Compared to last year, where do you see your program this fall?

SB: I'm not sure.  Every year is different.  We return 5 girls who are sub 20 and all sub 19:50.  I hate using track times for XC but they had good track seasons so hopefully they will springboard off of that and improve even more this fall.  We have a couple of good 9th graders coming in and you never know who might surprise you from your returners.  We had one girl as a senior who was normally probably in the 40's on our team and she trained all summer and was in our top 7 her senior year.  It is amazing what some training and motivation will do at times!  We have had a number of situation like that with the boys and girls teams.

HSH: Do you have any athletes you believe are ready to have a breakout season?

SB: I think that we have some girls who have put the work in and could have some big improvement.  It is amazing what experience and the continuity of training can do for them.  Plus the added experience of going to NXN and dealing with that pressure should help them this year in pressurized moments.  We just try to stay the course and ask them to do the best they can every day.

HSH: How many assistant coaches do you have throughout the year?

SB: I have 3 assistant coaches.  We usually will split the team in half and 2 of my assistants work with one group and myself and the other assistant works with the other half.  I am not sure if we are going to do that this year or not.  It may depend on the size of the team.  When we are 100 or more I don't feel I can give the amount of time that every athlete deserves because of the size of the team.

HSH: How big is your school and how big is your team?

SB: CVU is now in the range of 1,300 or more depending on the year.  The team is normally 90+ to 100 or more.  That is boys and girls combined.  Girls alone is normally 45+.

HSH: Do you have any big regular season meets your team will be participating in this fall?

SB: We race more than a lot of teams probably.  The big meets will be Thetford Invitational because it is the site of our State Meet.  Our priority is the State Meet.  Anything else takes some luck so that is the focus and then see what happens.  Manchester Invitational in NH.  Manhattan Invitational Eastern States is always big just because of the great competition and the race being a bit different because it is 4k.  And then obviously our State Meet is #1.

HSH: What is your philosophical approach to coaching that shapes how you run your program?

SB: Easy.  The team is the most important thing.  Individual state champions....awesome but if we don't have the individual state champion and we win the team championship that is the most important thing.  But probably even over that is our motto of do your best today.  If you do your best on that day and you get beat then you have nothing to be upset about and you should be proud of yourself.  Then we can reflect on are there things we can do better and improve on and go from there.  If you did your best you should not be upset and then respect the effort and talent of the teams/people that beat you.

HSH: What is a sample week of training for your program during the cross country season?

SB: Our long run day is normally Monday.  We will actually do a workout usually on Tuesday.  Wednesday medium distance run.  Thursday 2nd workout which will probably not be as hard as Tuesday was.  Friday easy day.  Saturday meet.  We always do strides when we don't run fast or we end our run with what we call "pickups' were every 20 seconds for 2 minutes they increase their tempo so that they are running their fastest at the end of the run.  Teaching them to switch into faster gear when they are fatigued.

HSH: What type of mileage does your average top 7 runner do during their base phase?

SB: It obviously varies based on each individual and their experience.  The range is probably going to be 30-35 mpw up to 50ish mpw.  But again it depends on the age and running experience of the athlete.  Everybody is different so we will do what we feel is right for each kid.

HSH: Do you have a staple workout you like to do with your program?

SB: Our state course is VERY hilly so our staples are probably hill workouts.  We are called Champlain Valley for a reason though.  Our school is in a valley and no matter where we run we are going to be going uphill at some point and it will probably not be an easy uphill.  I think that is a piece that really helps us because we can't avoid hills.  We also do what I call "combo" workouts where we will work multiple different systems - tempo 10 min. - 4-5 hill repeats - 4-5 simulated finishes.  The workout kind of ends up mimicking a race at times and that is what we are trying to get our kids do...learn to race better.

HSH: What type of ancillary training does your team do?

SB: Before we run we do some shin splint drills to start, toe taps, lunge matrix, leg swing matrix, skip/form drills and agility ladders.  After we will do SAM(strength/mobility), static stretching(rollers and lacrosse balls for their feet or pressure massage).  A few days a week we do Core X and 2 days a week we will do a group strength workout.

HSH: What do you think is the most important aspect of your training program?

SB: Regulated effort.  I'm not into big tough guy workouts or hero workouts.  We work with a purpose and they usually have ranges of reps or times.  They need to be honest with themselves.  If they are spent then stop.  It's not worth the effort.  We want quality effort.  We don't do something just to do it.  There is always a purpose.  I'm not going to go online and see a Great Oaks workout and then have my team do it because they can't.  Can it give me an idea of something to do....yes but we can't do the same workout.  I would destroy my kids.  

I also think one of the other important pieces is we look at the season as a stair case.  We are continually trying to improve and learn as we go up the stair case to get to our state meet.  If we don't perform well during that process then maybe that was good.  What can we learn from it.  We don't overreact and we try to stay even keel and enjoy the process.

HSH: What was the most influential book or coach that helped you get to where you've brought your program?

SB: I will start with the easiest one - Jack Daniels.  My first years coaching using "Daniels Running Formula" as a guide was immense.  Now I use it more as a guide for track and cross I kind of do my own thing.  The book I think that transformed me into I a better coach was "Take the Lead" by Scott Simmons and Will Freeman.  Their attitude toward coaching  and what our job as a coach is really stuck with me.  I absolutely love to talk running and coaching so I try to steal (in a good way!) from anyone I can.  I feel like I have good relationships with the coaches I am competing against and enjoy picking their brain.  Especially Tim Cox from Coe Brown in NH!

HSH: Do you have any team traditions that you do each year?

SB: This an area I wish we were a bit better at.  We name our training groups after famous runners, usually current US runners, we volunteer at a local marathon(organized my assistant coach Cari Causey) and we always meet in a circle with our arms around each other to do our pre-race talk.  We don't have a ton of traditions and I sometimes feel like maybe I have dropped the ball on that area.  I think we try to build a group of people who like to work with each and that is our tradition.

Photo is from Champlain Valley Twitter

[droewyn]

Give Me a Reason (3/9)

<Part 1>     <Part 2>

March 2013

Celestino insisted on carrying the majority of Yuuri and Phichit’s luggage up the stairs to their apartment.  “You’ve earned it, boys,” he told them.  “I’m so proud of you both.”

Yuuri frowned.  He didn’t want to directly contradict his coach, and it was always awkward feeling bad about his own performance when Phichit hadn’t even made it past the short program, but fifteenth place was not what he’d worked so hard for all season.

Celestino was having none of it.  “Did you skate your best?” he demanded.  Yuuri muttered a grudging affirmative.

“What was that, Yuuri?  I didn’t quite catch what you said.”  Yuuri had hoped that Phichit would be fully engrossed with his hamsters by now, having made a beeline for their habitat the instant the door was unlocked.  Apparently the universe wasn’t about to let him get that lucky.

He sighed heavily.  “Yeah.  I skated my best.”  Maybe if he played along, they’d drop the subject.  There was nothing else to do if they were determined to gang up on him, anyway.

“And did you improve on last year’s performance?”

“Yes.”  Last year it had been Yuuri who had missed being in the top twenty-five.  Phichit hadn’t even qualified for Worlds in 2012, ending his own season after a disappointing 4CC.

Celestino beamed as though that made it all better.  “And that is why I am proud of you, and why you should be proud of yourself.  Keep training as hard as you have been, and next season you’ll be in the top ten for sure.”

“And in the meantime,” Phichit added, “It’s time to start the post-season off right with the ritual Eating of the Carbs.  I’m thinking Pizza Papalis?”

Yuuri shot him a halfhearted glare.  “Your Nationals are still coming up,” he pointed out, but there was little actual heat in his voice.  It wasn’t Phichit’s fault that his ‘freshman fifteen’ had been the opposite of most students’, resulting in a good third of his class plying their ‘precious hamster son’ with varying foodstuffs to ‘keep his strength up’.

“I’ll be good after tonight!”

“You could at least blush when you lie through your teeth like that.”  Yuuri rolled his eyes.  “Fine.  Spinach and mushroom, extra garlic, you’re paying, and you’re handling all of the human interaction.”

Celestino laughed.  “I am not hearing any of this.  Celebrate well, boys.  Ciao ciao!”  He let himself out amid Phichit’s whoop of joy and subsequent call to the pizza place.

Yuuri curled up on the couch and opened his laptop.  For once he wasn’t jetlagged after a competition, this year’s championship having been held a bare two hours’ drive away, in Ontario.  He was still tired – a week’s worth of too little sleep while dealing with far too many strangers was stressful enough even without the pressure of competition – but he wasn’t sleepy.  It was an odd, but not unwelcome, feeling.

*Bad channel key for #therapycouchfort

He blinked.  He’d opened the chat client on autopilot, not really intending to socialize even to the extent of text on a screen, but this was an error message he’d never seen before.

/msg SockPuppet what’s a channel key and why is it bad?

*SockPuppet: no such nick/channel

/msg KingElsa hey do you know what’s going on with the chat

KingElsa>> Mess! <3 <3 <3

KingElsa>> They had to password-lock the channel.  I guess there was an invasion of trolls?

KingElsa>> Password is “nuclearoption” with no quotes.

/join #therapycouchfort nuclearoption

* Joined channel #therapycouchfort

* Topic is ‘If you haven’t gotten the new channel password from one of the mods, msg us asap.  Lockdown goes into effect Thursday night.  Thanks for your patience in the meantime.’

* Set by StevenMultiverse on Mar 12 12:04:17 2013

lukewarm_mess: i can’t leave you guys for five minutes, can i

lukewarm_mess: thanks for the pw king

KingElsa: ♡ ＼ ( ￣▽￣ ) ／ ♡

mercyslovechild: nope u go away and evrything goes to shit

suicideflirtsback: wait does that mean mess is the reason we can’t have nice things?

mercyslovechild: pls dont abandon us again

StandardDeviation: you wish flirt

StandardDeviation: wb mess how was the business conf

lukewarm_mess: very business much industry so productivity wow

suicideflirtsback: have you leveled up your synergy or whatever?

lukewarm_mess: my boss seems to think so but..

KingElsa: Your boss is obviously full of wisdom and good judgment and you should listen to them.

lukewarm_mess: my boss let Peaches eat himself sick on maple candy that we can totally get at home but apparently it’s different because it’s travel candy, whatever that means

mercyslovechild: i thouht peaches was a babby

mercyslovechild: babbies get to travel for work?

lukewarm_mess: he’s an intern so i guess?  idk

“I’m a what?” Phichit shrieked from directly behind Yuuri, who winced at the sound.

“Quit reading over my shoulder; that’s why I made you get your own account.  Oh, there’s a password to get in now.  Nuclear option, one word, all lower case.”

“Thailand’s Prince, the Jewel of Bangkok, an intern?  Yuuri, how could you?”  He flopped dramatically over the back of the couch.

“Shut up, I panicked.”

lukewarm_mess: anyway why the lockdown?

lukewarm_mess: king you said something about trolls?

*Peaches_and_Dream has joined #therapycouchfort

KingElsa: I wasn’t here either, actually, but that’s what I heard.  Hi Mess’ roommate.

suicideflirtsback: we were invaded by scientologists

Peaches_and_Dream: Hello mess’ self-friendzoning internet boyfriend

mercyslovechild: woa sickburn.gif

StandardDeviation: or at least people claiming to be scientologists

lukewarm_mess: PEACH

KingElsa: GASP

StandardDeviation: like two dozen of them flooding the channel at once

Peaches_and_Dream: I notice you’re not denying it ☆⌒ ヽ (*' ､ ^*)chu

“Shut it, Intern Boy.”

StandardDeviation: all telling us to stop taking our brainwashing pills and read dianetics

suicideflirtsback: p sure they were on vpns because even with the mods ip banning them they just kept coming back

“Still waiting for a denial, Yuu-chan!  Other than the one you’re in, I mean.”

Peaches_and_Dream: Sounds more like bored channers to me

mercyslovechild: whatevs it was annoying

suicideflirtsback: you mean EPIC

suicideflirtsback: socks just about developed superpowers out of sheer rage

StandardDeviation: after two days the mods decided to make the channel private, and we’ve been lockedin our fallout shelter eating k-rations ever since

KingElsa: Wow, it seems it was an exciting week!

StevenMultiverse: It’s not a perfect solution because it means new people who might actually want to join the chat can’t, but there’s not much else we can do at the moment.

mercyslovechild: where where you king?

StevenMultiverse: In a month or two we’ll try and reopen the channel.  Hopefully they’ll have gone away by then.

lukewarm_mess: works for me, glad you found a solution

KingElsa: I went to a family reunion.

suicideflirtsback: good times?

KingElsa: I suppose.  It was… typical.

lukewarm_mess: how so

KingElsa: I don’t know.  The same faces, the same stories, never any surprises.  Lousy food at the big dinner party.

mercyslovechild: potluck  >:P

KingElsa: Catered.  But still not good.

suicideflirtsback: did you have to be nice to Racist Uncle Tony?

KingElsa: (° ロ °) !  How did you know?!  I mean, he was neither a Tony nor my uncle, but….

suicideflirtsback: EVERYONE has a Racist Uncle Tony

*Deltatangofoxtrot has joined #therapycouchfort

KingElsa: “I’m just concerned about the way your *lifestyle*” – he actually made air quotes with his fingers! – “reflects on us…”

Peaches_and_Dream: Ugh, sorry King.

lukewarm_mess: (( ╬ ◣ ﹏ ◢ ))

mercyslovechild: homophobic uncle tony ><

suicideflirtsback: always the highlight of fam functions

suicideflirtsback: hey fox

StevenMultiverse: hi fox

Peaches_and_Dream: Hi Tango

KingElsa: Hello, DTF.

StandardDeviation: Did you just

StandardDeviation: *facepalms*

Deltatangofoxtrot: RDY ANYTIME BAE ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

mercyslovechild: passes out protection

Peaches_and_Dream: Why sir, I hardly know you! *flutters fan*

KingElsa: …

suicideflirtsback: *is ace*

StevenMultiverse: *is married*

KingElsa: …………

lukewarm_mess: at least take me out to dinner first

KingElsa: !

KingElsa: Et tu, Mess???

lukewarm_mess: you’ve been here how long and you still walked into that??

lukewarm_mess: sorry no sympathy, you deserved it

KingElsa: 。゜゜(´Ｏ`) ゜゜。

KingElsa: I’m ESL?

lukewarm_mess: no excuse, so am i

lukewarm_mess: it has to be somewhere nice, too.  i don’t put out for qdoba

StandardDeviation: Besides, that’s not english, it’s internet

StandardDeviation: *is helping*

KingElsa: Don’t help.  >.>

Headlights flashed through the window as a car pulled into the parking lot.  Yuuri glanced outside and saw the glowing pizza sign on the roof.  His shoulders hunched involuntarily.

“Go hide,” Phichit told him.  “I’ll bribe them to go away, that usually works.”

Yuuri smiled sheepishly before heading for their shared bedroom.  “Sorry,” he called through the closing door.  “It’s just—”

“—No more strangers for a while.  I know.  I’ll say our goodbyes in chat, too.  It’s BFF bonding time.”

<Part 4>

[rowingchat]

US Masters Rowing National Championships – Day 1 musings

Charles Sweeney reports from the big event….and muses on life, rowing and streams-of-consciousness 

I wasn’t supposed to be here, at the Masters Nationals, in Oak Ridge Tennessee, with my crew, the Capital Rowing Club. 

Literally the day after last year’s Nationals, in Worcester, Massachusetts, a nagging back problem blew up into a sciatica case that damn near crippled me and crashed not just a very successful season but a personally important one.

I’d spent a few years trying to hammer myself – in the pejorative, rowing sense — into the boats that won races and went to the Charles. I worked hard and I was pretty strong but, apparently, I just wasn’t that good at this rowing thing. 

And last season started out the same as the others:  bitter, frustrating.

I remember one practice.  Elena, our assistant coach/coach’s wife/Olympic Medalist, who narrates and critiques each practice nonstop in a Russian-accented voice that jumps from operatic praise to severe scolding in an instant, jumped on me like a terrier on a rat and tore me up so long and so hard that I was literally looking around trying to figure out how to get out of the boat in the middle of the river and stomp away from the team, forever.

And there were so many spring mornings where I’d get home and I just wanted to stamp into the shower and wash the stinking Anacostia River and the sweat and shame off my body, and my girlfriend Laura  would be lying there quizzing me like a mom to her kid after a bad day at school, “so, how was it, honey?”

I suck. Rowing sucks.  Life sucks.  That’s how it was.  I don’t want to talk about it.

But, like the peasant turned into a newt by the witch in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I got better.  I started getting into good crews.  Guys would say things like “you’re rowing pretty good this year.  I mean, last year you kind of sucked, but this year you’re not so bad.” They could have put it nicer, but I took in the spirit in which it was offered. I even started rehashing practice voluntarily with Laura.

I felt like I had finally earned the respect of guys who I respected a great deal.  That was probably more important than winning, and the winning was pretty fun, too. 

And then it all blew up in a day.

By late winter, I was convinced I’d miss this season or be so sloppy and slow when I finally made it back that that no one would miss me if I went instead with Laura to Sun Valley, where she had a conference this week. And we could backpack and fly fish the Sawtooths instead of rowing.  When they asked, I said I was “tentative, probably not” for Nationals.

But I finally started erging gently in late winter and then went gently back on the water in May (conveniently missing all that crappy early spring weather.  But that’s not why I waited.  No, really, it’s not).  People seemed glad to see me, which was heartening.  Also in May, Laura got drafted into another conference in San Francisco (where she is today), screwing up the Sawtooths jaunt.  In June I started racing.

A cabin in the woods for Masters Nationals

And now I’m here, in the town that produced fuel for the atom bomb and birthed America’s peaceful nuclear program – promising clean plentiful nuclear power generated so cheaply that there won’t even be any point in metering it. (I was driving back to my cabin in the woods after racing today and there was a mist rising from the river and I thought “Should I be worried about this?” “No,” I figured, I’m sure the government would tell us if there was something we needed to know about.)

There was a mist earlier, too, this morning, coming from the sky, so they postponed racing for a few hours and I ate a humongous breakfast and typed a little, then drove into a generic section of Knoxville to get my yuppie bearings by picking up a map at the REI (an upscale camping store) and checking out the Whole Foods, whose fish looked sub-par.  No Simpson’s three –eyed lake trout, either, despite the nuclear thing. 

I’d heard a rumor that Ace Hardware had eclipse glasses, so I could look at the eclipse coming through the Tennessee hills Monday and not go blind, but they were hoarding them — the line formed outside and the sale started at 4 o’clock, when I was supposed to be on the water. Oh well.  They tell you that lots of things will make you go blind and I’ve done most of ‘em, so we’ll see what happens Monday. 

I dropped off my erg and discovered another 30-minute lightning delay and that the guys at the next trailer were playing hideous whiny Pearl Jam-type music at a significant volume.  So I fled down the road and around the corner to the firing range I’d come across.

First, I read the safety rules and signed a document stating that I was of sound mind, had no felony or domestic violence convictions or drug addictions, and was not currently subject to a restraining order. Then, I watched a short safety video. Now, I’m good to go for a little target practice tomorrow. 

The next-to-last thing Coach said to me today was “when you go to sleep tonight, think about finishing high – blades on the water.” But really, this East Coast urban liberal will be thinking “revolver or automatic?”

Finally, about 4:30, I started getting that pre-race adrenaline, doing a little erging, seeing how I felt.  I always feel like something’s wrong.  Like I didn’t warm up right and my back is waiting to explode. Or I should have eaten a better lunch and now I’m weak. Or I have cancer and it’s showing itself by attacking my thigh muscles.

The first race was the Mixed D class. I love racing in the mixed boats because, with the women, the boats set better and it’s generally a nicer row.  And it’s just fun to row with people you don’t normally get to row with – nothing gets you closer to your teammates than racing with them, and my teammates are pretty cool.

I hate rowing with the women because I think that they secretly (sometimes not so secretly) think that the men are just a bunch of artless muscle-heads.  And I’m the team poster boy for artless muscle heads, though not as muscle-y as I might like (especially when I’m wearing my uni rowsuit) and I feel like – especially from five seat – I’m confirming the worst fears of the four mean girls immediately behind me.

The winsome foursome rowing behind me are incredible rowers with years more experience and way more big wins at the highest competitive levels than I have, and I knew that if we boys could work enough artistry into our muscling to keep the boat reasonably set, we all might come away with some hardware.    

Allison reminded me not to spazz out at the start (she said it nicer than that, our women are only “mean girls” in my paranoid imagination) and we got off the line in third, not bad for us. Chinook, who’s always tough, had us by a seat and Ashville had them by two more. 

It was like “Ashville?”  We’d never rowed against them, that I can recall, and certainly never gunned down to the line for a photo finish with one of their boats.

I wanted to like Ashville.  Seems like kind of the place you want to move to when you chuck the rat race and open a little steak frites joint with unisex bathrooms to piss off the conservatives and host traditional acoustic mountain music Tuesday nights and acid jazz on Thursdays.  You know: work, camp in the Great Smokey Mountains and row for a club that wins a few big races.

But not this race.  Not against us. We caught them at the halfway point and slowly walked past.  It was Chinook we had to fight off in the end, finally putting them away with our monster sprint which was actually only like four strokes long because our cox misjudged the finish line and it wasn’t ten seconds after she yelled “take it up” the horns went off. If she’d called the sprint a little earlier we might have won by more than eight tenths of a second.  But, no harm, no foul.  Besides, we’re all afraid of her, so what are we going to say?

Sue was back for the next race, the men’s E-8.  We won a race earlier this summer with the E boat lineup and the coach said “good win – you’re defending national champions, remember” which was a thought I‘ve always found slightly surreal.  I’ve never been “defending national champion” in anything and a few years back, when I read the Capital Rowing Club website before coming back to the sport, I read “competes on a national level” and decided to go out for the less gung-ho club team.  But, there it was.

There were some changes from last year. I was coming back from the injury, another guy had a baby and a third guy had been creamed by an idiot while cycling to practice and was out.  But we rowed the new lineup regularly and you could really feel the boat coming together, rowing pretty well.  I like rowing with the old guys, the geezer boat – eight of us raging against the dying of the light but with a certain élan.   

And this year, maybe because I’d expected to have such a lousy season, I was more attuned to the boat as a whole — to being part of a lineup rather than a guy whose first priority was trying to fight his way into the lineup.   The boat felt good.

Ashville lined up next to us again, a boat with a distinctly thuggish look which made me want to move there and join their club even more, steak frites and acid jazz or not.  Boats where the guys mostly look like dive bar bouncers not only win races, I suspect they’re fun to drink with after.

But it was Western Reserve and Riverfront Recapture who jumped out on us, taking seats at the start — as someone always does, dammit! But, if we didn’t row as pretty as we’ve rowed in practice, we rowed pretty good and caught ‘em — as we often do.  And with Sue calling the sprint at a more appropriate distance from the finish we raced into a two second win over two strong crews. 

It must have been sometime in January and I was laying off the hydrocodone [opioid pain medication] and my back hurt and I was out of shape and bitter and the weather was cold and I was looking at unemployment because I worked in government and the government was changing, and I was stomping around and whining that “next season is fucked, just fucked!”  And Laura, who probably also saved my life after my wife, Stephanie, died, gave me this look she saves for when I’m just being stupid (she’ll take a little whining, but she hates stupid) and just said “no, no it’s not.”

And she gently encouraged the self-rehab and the cult gym workouts that seem to help your body’s balance and, eventually, the erging even when it was inconvenient to her and when she had to listen to tedious analyses of the day’s workout.

And the guys, our team, welcomed me back and did the hardest thing: showing up every morning tired and sore and determined to work to the edge of exhaustion and row better every day — and forge eight of us into one boat. 

And women’s and mixed boats medaled in two other events, a great start to this year’s racing.

And Guennadi and Elena – who have patiently coached me up over six seasons and once again showed their talent for bringing out our best when it matters most. 

And seven months after I though the season was busted, I was in Tennessee, doing that asshole thing of strutting around with two medals on my chest, showing off and enjoying what a friend of mine calls “the clank factor”  and feeling a little amazed and very grateful.

It was a great day – for the team. 

The post US Masters Rowing National Championships – Day 1 musings appeared first on Rowperfect UK.

Related posts:

World Championships Day 2

World Championships Day 3

     from Rowperfect (On-Demand) http://ift.tt/2uR68To

[auburnfamilynews]

UAB @ #21 Auburn

Tuesday: 6 – 4 L

This was a gut punch. Yeah, it was a midweek loss so it didn’t count against the SEC record but it did hurt Auburn’s above average RPI. Just from that one loss, the Tigers fell 3 spots from 14 to 17 which doesn’t sound that, however UAB entered the contest at 159 in the RPI and that alone makes it the Tigers worst loss of the season (Jacksonville St entered the midweek near the 150s but improved their rankings greatly with a midweek win as we will find out below). There were some positives to gleam from this one though. Will Holland again went 3 for 4 with another double and a run scored while Matt Scheffler and Conor Davis continued to get reliable hits and Edouard Julien showed flashes that he might be feeling it again getting two base hits including a great hit against the shift, going the opposite way. On the mound Ryan Watson, Garrett Wade, Kyle Gray and Will Morrison combined to hold the Blazers hitless, giving up 6 walks with 4 strike outs in 4.1 innings of work. Auburn can bounce back from this and hit its goals that were set at the beginning of the season, which is pretty remarkable to think about with the injuries to the pitching staff and lack of offensive production, but Auburn will need to figure things out in a hurry with Georgia this weekend.

Around the League

#2 Vanderbilt

@ #5 Louisville, TUE: 6-2 W

Just Vandy being Vandy and knocking off a sure fire regional host going away. Now the Dores return to Hawkins field for (hopefully with the weather) a major series with Mizzou. I am interested to see if this will be another sweep for Vandy because if it is, we may see them run 12 straight conference wins to close the SEC regular season, and that would be an accomplishment.

MID 3 » Let's go Cinco! https://t.co/2lmoYpVP7S#VandyBoys 2, Louisville 0 pic.twitter.com/Cfx0bDOgeS

— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 7, 2019

#4 Mississippi State

vs Memphis, WED: 10-9 W

WOO Boy this was a close one, State entered the bottom of the 8th down 9-8 and that’s when Elijah MacNamee slapped a double to center to score 2 and lock up the win. Now State hits the road to take on all the sudden hot Ole Miss in the Egg Series. I wish this was the Thursday Night game so I could enjoy this tonight but I guess LSU and Arky will have to do, but the good news is that it is the only conference game going Saturday night so settle in for that one.

He gets the big hits!#HailState | @Elijahm_2 pic.twitter.com/4N2pZjUuJC

— Mississippi State Baseball ⚾️ (@HailStateBB) May 9, 2019

#8 Georgia

@ Jacksonville State, WED: 9-8 L/11

This was about all Auburn could have hoped for to be honest. Georgia had to use 6 different arms and while they were sparingly used, they still had to go and throw live so there’s that. The Dawgs suffer a tough extra innings loss that I personally wish would have gone about 5 more innings but we can’t have everything. Georgia is still the favorite this weekend but there a lot of unknowns that we will get to in a bit.

#14 LSU

vs Louisiana Tech, TUE: 12-1 L

This was over from the word go and good for La Tech, who had been really struggling since a tornado ripped through their baseball stadium a few weeks back. LSU didn’t crack the score board until the 7th and by that time it was 7-1. Now, LSU must regroup and play maybe the toughest homestanding team in the conference in LSU and on a short rest week.

#18 Tennessee

vs Austin Peay, TUE: 9-4 W

Nice bounce back win for the Vols after the dropped Mizzou series and now we get to see a human interest study in Gainesville. Tennessee seems to be a lock to end the SEC’s longest drought in the NCAA tournament (and with Mizzou seemingly a lock as well, that mantle would fall to Alabama, having last made it in 2014). Can Tennessee go and inch closer to .500 in the conference which would also give them a shot at hosting with their strong RPI ranking. Meanwhile, in Gainesville…

Florida

vs South Florida, TUE: 7-3 W

Good win for the Gators as every win is big for their resume. Florida has a real shot to make a case for their Tournament lives as there is an argument and a way that Florida misses even Hoover (it’s an outside shot but it can still happen, which is amazing). Florida needs this series more than Tennessee does for sure, but needing it doesn’t mean it will be given to you. This is a major test for the Gators this weekend.

Bye bye baseball! Wil Dalton's 6th homer of the year makes it 6-2 #Gators after seven. Watch Now: https://t.co/664xSJdOn3 pic.twitter.com/uoK2sqvEut

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) May 8, 2019

Kentucky

vs Indiana, TUE: 5-2 W

Very nice win for the Wildcats as Indiana is battling for their postseason lives (if it isn’t over already). This is great momentum for the Bat Cats as they head down to Columbia to take on the Gamecocks for the inside track for that last spot in Hoover. I will have my money on Kentucky taking 2 of 3 but it will be tough.

Alabama

@ Troy, WED: 7-3 W

Speaking of that last spot in Hoover, Alabama gets a solid momentum builder before they head home to take on the Aggies. It would be massive for Alabama to get the series win and match either Carolina or Kentucky on the weekend, but it will be an uphill battle with 2 of the better starting pitchers in the conference.

South Carolina

vs Furman, WED: 7-4 L

Ouch. The Auburn and LSU losses this week were worse than this because of post season standings but for a team this one hurts. Carolina has to get their heads right for Kentucky now and a chance at any games in Hoover. That will be tough but if they can scratch out 2, the Gamecocks might extend their streak of getting to the Tournament.

On Deck (with SEC Schedule and this week’s C&M Top 25 Rankings)

#20 LSU @ #3 Arkansas (THU-SAT)

#23 Missouri @ #2 Vanderbilt (FRI-SUN)

#4 Mississippi State @ #13 Ole Miss (FRI-SUN)

#7 Georgia @ #24 Auburn (FRI-SUN)

#17 Texas A&M @ Alabama (FRI-SUN)

#18 Tennessee @ Florida (FRI-SUN)

Kentucky @ South Carolina (FRI-SUN)

Now this is more like it! 4 Top 25 matchups and a postseason play in series to boot! For Auburn, it’s just another series it really needs to have against a Top 10 ball club. In this week’s installment, it’s the 7th ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia is fighting to catch up to Vandy in the SEC East and is also playing for a bye on Tuesday in Hoover. The Dawgs, like Auburn, are also looking to get back their ace this weekend, Auburn with Tanner Burns and Georgia with Emerson Hancock. Hancock has sat out the last 2 weekends to mixed results (a blowout loss to State and a win against Florida), and has SEC Pitcher of the Year numbers with a 1.04 ERA in 69 innings with a 77 to 15 K to BB ratio. He also has a sterling .143 BA/against. Look for Georgia to also throw Tim Elliott (2.56 ERA) and Tony Locey (2.63 ERA) on the weekend. If Auburn can somehow work pitch counts and get them out of the game in the 4th or 5th innings, they are ahead of the game as the Georgia pen is pretty good, but not exceptional. At the plate, there are 3 to 4 names to remember. LJ Talley leads the Bulldogs with a .341 BA and is second on the team with 8 bombs. He is followed closely but A-a-ron Schunk and his .337 BA while Riley King is also above .300 with a .307. Tucker Maxwell is the Mark Reynolds of the team as he paces the Bulldogs in Home Runs and Strikeouts with 10 and 50 respectively. He is also a lefty so handle him with care against the Monster.

As I mentioned, Auburn looks to get back Tanner Burns and if they do, this would be the first time since the Tennessee series that Auburn had the Burns and Owen matchup on Friday and Saturday. It was also the tail end of Auburn’s winnings streak. So the question is, can the renaissance in pitching depth equate to better production with the bats. Perhaps the offense won’t press feeling it NEEDS to score runs and just play the game? It’s amazing to think that we still have questions with 7 games left on the schedule, but this hasn’t been a normal season to say the least. If Auburn can get back to the form we saw in early March, this will get very interesting.

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2019/5/9/18538213/midweek-round-up-uab

[noprepracing]

When you hear the term “all in “you usually think to poker tournaments or betting like that, but not normally drag racing. When it comes to Ronnie and Emerald Pace they are the exception, they are “all in” in this lifestyle now and will do everything to make it work. This is their only way of life right now and we couldn’t be more thrilled and excited for their dedication and what is to come this season. Ronnie was born in Georgia then moved to Weatherford TX when he was 10-11 years old. That’s when and where he met Emerald. Now I’ve heard of high school sweethearts, but junior high sweethearts is a whole other level of sweet swoon goals, like a made for TV movie. She caught his eye walking down the hallway and near he gave himself whiplash. It’s been like that ever since, turning heads and making others love jealous. They are a true ride or die pair. Emerald and Ronnie have been together for 32 years and married for 28 of those years. They have two children and 4 grandbabies in total. Ronnie has been into cars all of his life, he remembers being about 8 years old at his grandpa’s house where his grandpa and uncle were working on a Chevelle with a 4 speed. “They threw me in the back seat and I’ve been in love ever since.” It’s been a nonstop journey with and no plans of stopping. Most guys have a main job and then racing comes next, but not for Ronnie. He had a small concrete business but had to let it go to pursue racing full time. This is what we mean when we say they are “all in”, it is not just a metaphor. During the events Emerald is his rock, not only does she look fabulous lining him up on the starting line, but she whispers words of encouragement, helps calm him down at the light, plus she does all the computer work for the car. She isn’t afraid to get dirty, looks out for him in case someone tries taking advantage of his kind and trusting nature, “she’s my right-hand man and I couldn’t do it without her.” Emerald is someone to look up to that doesn’t get nearly enough recognition for us female race fans. Ronnie is old school and a die-hard street racer who happens to love JJ the boss and loves the heads up style of racing. Not so much a fan of all the other ways to do a street race like taking the hit and so on. He currently has 4 cars, 71 black Nova, 71 green Nova, 68 Nova, and a blue 71 Nova and a partnership with a 67 Camaro. Many people wonder how Barefoot Ronnie got his name, well here is the quick story. Ronnie was at a street race many years ago with Street Outlaws, he was on the line backing up, and Big Chief starts knocking on the window. “Damnit boy where’re your shoes at?” Ronnie replies “I don’t wear em.” “You’re going barefoot?!?!, ok then, Barefoot Ronnie it is.” Thanks to Big Chief years prior to the nickname stuck and here we are today. When Ronnie’s car caught fire on TV, Chief and Shawn were the first ones to reach out to him to check and see if he was ok and needed anything. It’s things like that, that aren’t shown on TV all the time, and solidifies that this sport is truly a family. Sometime after that Ronnie received a phone call at 11 pm on a Thursday night asking if he could make it to a No Prep Kings event. Of course, he jumped at the chance and worked all hours of the night to make it to Oklahoma for Friday night at 7 pm. He made it there with one minute to spare at 6:59 pm for the drivers meeting, which was his first time ever down an actual drag strip and his first time on NPK. He lost to Barry Nicholson in the first round. He’s still learning how all of this works, using the tree instead of a hand drop or a flashlight, and selling shirts at the events to help make it to the next race. It’s all a learning curve for them, this time next year look out! It took Ronnie and Emerald a long time to agree to do the show, they were so afraid of losing their credibility of street racing. Ronnie is the type of guy who will drive around looking for a street race, it’s the adrenaline and thrill of it all, as it is with most of the drivers. In the very first Street Outlaw season, his goal was to get the 66 Chevy Nova on TV but not him. Ronnie explained that when they saw the cameras coming around, the entire family would hide out of view in the trailer. One race against Doc, Ronnie’s brakes went out, he went through an intersection, jumped the tracks and ended up a ¼ mile deep into a cornfield. Luckily everyone was ok. Emerald and Ronnie are always looking to improve themselves in every facet of this lifestyle. She’s always nervous for what he is about to say while the cameras are on. In terms of boasting themselves up, they don’t. They are a very quiet couple who does not brag or trash talk about a soul out there. The social media accounts are simple and they let the car do the talking for them. A purest approach which is extremely appreciated in the eyes of the fans. Although there was one time Ronnie beat Kye Kelly, which is his grandson’s favorite driver, he had to call his grandbaby and tell him who he sent home. The Pace family has such a kind mentality and a humble spirit. They get along with everyone on the circuit and has deep admiration for the majority of them. It’s no secret that Ronnie and Emerald don’t come from a lot of money aren’t ballers in the sense of fancy trailers, spare parts or team members. When the couple says they are “all in to do whatever it takes to make this work”, they mean it. He works on his own car, does his own paint and body work. They love to travel and to see as much as they can while on the road, but it doesn’t come easy. One time headed to a race in North Carolina they ran out of fuel, they had no money or no credit cards. Ronnie jumped out and started panhandling, doing anything he could, even offering to sell his personal belongings. Luckily someone pulled in at the gas station and recognized him and filled his tank. We need more people like that in this world. After making it to the race event, they survived off of selling shirts, shared value meals and copious amounts of sandwiches. This life is a hard one to try and live, but with the help of this racing family they couldn’t have made it at times. The pair have a special thanks to James “Doc” Love, Joe “Dominator” Woods, Ryan Marin, and Cali Chris Poncia, who helped them with anything they could including groceries. The Pace’s owe them so much and will always have their backs no matter what wherever they are. On top of the many thanks, they have for the drivers and their families they also owe their gratitude to Mark, Bobby, and Darren at DMB Motorsports in Delaware/Maryland. Without them they would not even be at the point they are now. A highlight of Ronnie’s career was when he wasn’t even racing. He went to a different racing event and through the pits he heard his name being shouted. It was Clay Millican, and he wanted to take a picture with Barefoot Ronnie, a real street racer, which took Ronnie by surprise. His dream car is a 69-70 Superbird with a big ol’ wing on the back. He is also currently pursuing his dream job of driving and hopes that it will eventually pay off. Most people make a judgment about their favorite tracks by the racing surface, but they also take into consideration the tracks accommodations. Since the pair has a small travel trailer without sleeping quarters or water, they look for warm water to use to freshen up. They have a window unit for A.C. in the trailer, use a hair dryer for heat all the time (even at home), and a torch to make grilled cheeses. With that being said Norwalk is at the top of their list. Despite hardships, it has not made them jaded, in fact, because of all this, they are even more thankful for the fans and opportunities they have before them. Ronnie’s huge heart shows when he meets and greets every person he can that comes to see him, they love hearing all the stories about the people and how they got there and stories about their own cars. He will never say no to a signing or a photo op, and if you can’t afford something of his, just tell him, don’t steal it, he’ll most likely just give it to you because he knows what it’s like to go without. Ronnie and Emerald at one point turned their living room into a workshop for fans. They have over 100 pieces of random car bits and parts and signed each and every one of them. Just like B-Rad Brad Eglian, Ronnie also hands out hot wheel cars to the children when they come around to his pit. “The fans mean everything to me, if they stop coming, we stop racing, we’re so incredibly lucky to be a part of this”. When, not if the day comes that Ronnie and Emerald start to make it big, their dream is to help others. Visiting children in the hospitals, bringing other guys with them to brighten up the kids day. Show them that dreams do come true in this world. He would also love to start a raffle somehow at the beginning of the season for the younger crowd. He would like to build a car and at the end of the season hold the raffle for it. It’s a way to get the younger generations involved and help start them off so the sport doesn’t die out. He would also like to send his momma on a vacation as well. After traveling and racing, the couple loves to come home to their family and momma and daddy, to have a Sunday dinner with them, and play cars on the floor with those grandbabies they love and miss so much. Not many people realize that this lifestyle isn’t all flashy lights, cameras, and a huge bankroll. We forget there is off camera things happening, friendships being made, and non-blood families coming together to help one another out. Ronnie and Emerald Pace prove to the world that there is still hard work and dedication that goes into family, the sport, and trying to make dreams a reality. We may not know which car for sure he will show up in, but look for the shirtless, shoeless guy in the pits, and if you can, bring him some ice cream, he’ll be our best friend.

The post Going ALL IN with Barefoot Ronnie and Emerald Pace appeared first on No Prep Racing NoPrep.com.

[racingtoaredlight]

RIVALRY WEEK! degenerate’s guide to TV watch ‘em ups

It’s rivalry week as I’m sure you know. Especially since a bunch of games have already happened. Boy, what finishes, huh? Expect more of the same today!

Of course I have no idea what happened on Thursday or Friday. I’m writing this on Wednesday night. It’s not like my insightful nature exists anyway.

You know about the lines and the schedules and the whatnot, I trust. If you don’t it doesn’t really matter at all. There’s football a-playin’ and gamblin’ afoot. Join us!

Saturday, November 24

Matchup                                               Time (ET)                       TV/Mobile

11 Florida at Florida State                   12:00pm                          ABC

FSU needs to win here to become bowl eligible. Florida can just keep losing and never drop in the rankings. The line is currently up to UF -6.5 and that seems like a decent buy given how bad FSU has been this year but keep in mind that Florida is very likely to not show up at any given moment.

Georgia Tech at 5 Georgia                   12:00pm                         SECN

The first leg of my dream scenario for this weekend involves Georgia Tech winning this game. I am a curse, you should know. Bulldogs by 50.

Marshall at FIU                                      12:00pm                      Facebook

A vocal segment of Miami fans and alums wanted Butch Davis to return to The U a couple of years ago. I bet that idea would poll higher among Miami fans now.

4 Michigan at 10 Ohio State                  12:00pm                        FOX

There are so many different potential bad outcomes for this game that I don’t know how to root in it.

Navy at Tulane                                        12:00pm                    ESPNU

This is a neat little “rivalry” in that Midshipmen are fighting Green Waves. Tulane has been very up and down, fittingly so, this season but Navy has just been down. Put a couple of bucks on -7 for me.

Purdue at Indiana                                   12:00pm                    ESPN2

I think this is the best these two teams have been at the same time since the 80s. The fact that either of these teams are relatively good within the frame of their respective program histories is wildly pathetic.

20 Syracuse at 20 Boston College        12:00pm                     ESPN

They’re both ranked 20? That’s one thing to be interested in.

Texas Tech vs. Baylor (in Arlington, TX)   12:00pm                     FS1

The world’s handsomest football coach is sort of in danger of being fired but I think his buyout is significantly lower if they wait a year and what else is Texas Tech going to do, win? Mike Leach ain’t coming back any time soon.

WKU at LA Tech                                       12:00pm                   CBSSN

Louisville fell apart this year and so did Western Kentucky. FSU isn’t looking so hot, either. The whole Bobby Petrino coaching tree rotted and died in 2018. The Bulldogs are favored by 11 over the Hilltoppers in this classic rivalry game with a very rich history.

NC State at North Carolina                     12:20pm                Raycom Sports

It’s got to eat at Duke homers a little bit to know that NC State gets the rivalry week game against UNC. Not just because it’s an easy win this year, I mean every year. It’s little things that I’m thankful for this year.

Wake Forest at Duke                                12:30pm                 RSN/ESPN3

David Cutcliffe has lead Duke into a golden era for football. Right now. This is the golden era for Duke football. This might be the most talented Duke team ever. And they didn’t win the Coastal division in one of the worst years ever for a power 5 conference.

Old Dominion at Rice                                1:00pm                         ESPN+

It doesn’t get much worse than this. Rice has one of the oldest football programs in the country, plays in Texas, and for rivalry week they are playing a 5-year old program from Virginia. There are three other Texas schools in Rice’s division in C-USA. To top it off they are a 7.5-point dog at home.

Georgia Southern at Georgia State          2:00pm                        ESPN+

This is an actual rivalry, carried over from 1-AA days, but the teams look the same and play similar styles and are both GSU and I will never remember which one is which. You won’t either.

New Mexico State at Liberty                      2:00pm                       ESPN3

New Mexico State is so bad at football that they’re an 8-point underdog to Liberty. Why field a team at that point?

Troy at Appalachian State                          2:30pm                       ESPN+

Finally an interesting off-brand game and of course it’s on ESPN+. If we all agree to never learn what that is these types of games will move back to ESPN2.

Wyoming at New Mexico                            2:30pm                        ATTSN

I like Wyoming’s home browns a little better but this is still a cool uniform matchup. Like a generic sports game for the background in a TV show or a commercial.

Louisiana at ULM                                        3:00pm                          ESPN+

I wonder if dropping Lafayette from their branding has actually helped the directional school now simply billed as “Louisiana” in any appreciable way? Are they just trying to catch recruits too stupid to know they aren’t signing with LSU?

Southern Miss at UTEP                               3:00pm                         ESPN+

Another one for ESPN+. What a curse.

Stanford at UCLA                                         3:00pm                        Pac-12N

If UCLA wins this game to finish with back-to-back wins over USC and Stanford this season will be a huge success for the Bruins, even at 4-8. Related: I always laugh a little when talking heads say things about the UCLA football team and something is happening in Westwood. The football team plays in Pasadena.

UAB at Middle Tennessee                           3:00pm                        ESPN3

UAB is gunning for a 10-win season just a couple of years removed from not having a program. That’s pretty cool. MTSU is also a decent team this year. If you’re looking for an off-the-radar game of the week, this might be it. The line has moved in UAB’s favor but oddsmakers still have it pretty close.

Arizona State at Arizona                              3:30pm                         FS1

I’m not surprised that Arizona is playing for bowl eligibility here but I am still amazed that Herm Edwards got ASU to 6 wins. Kevin Sumlin coaching Khalil Tate to be a pocket passer has been the most frustrating thing in the CFB world this season.

Auburn at 1 Alabama                                    3:30pm                       CBS

Kick Six will never get old. Sorry, Cabbage. If it’s any consolation, the line is 24 and might not be high enough. If you’re a draft aficionado this game should be a catalog of all Jarrett Stidham’s limitations as a quarterback. But maybe not. Maybe Gus Malzahn has been coaching all year knowing that his team wasn’t quite championship level so he decided to hold back all of his formerly great gameplanning skills to unleash hell in the Iron Bowl. If that seems far-fetched to you then I take it you have no idea what the Iron Bowl actually means in the state of Alabama. I’m old enough to still be annoyed that they don’t play in Birmingham anymore.

Illinois at 19 Northwestern                            3:30pm                      BTN

If I recall correctly, Lovie Smith has an astronomical buyout number that will keep him at UIU for at least another year. On the plus side for the Illinois program they haven’t been noticeably worse under his stewardship than they have been under other coaches, at least in the long run. Season to season they still haven’t made a bowl game, though, and he gets paid pretty well for leading a team that’s among the worst power 5 teams every year. Northwestern is the B1G equivalent of Duke and, hey, this is their most talented team in years if not ever. They won’t get much out of that distinction but they are 17-point favorites against (bitter?) rivals Illinois. Take the Cats in this one.

Maryland at 12 Penn State                            3:30pm                       ABC

If the TBL comments section were properly valued by society this would be known as the Byrd Bowl. Why is this conference so packed full of loathsome athletic departments?

Minnesota at Wisconsin                              3:30pm                       ESPN2

Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 714 yards and 7 TDs in the last 3 weeks. Minnesota doesn’t play defense. That -10.5 is looking pretty good to me.

24 Pitt at Miami (FL)                                      3:30pm                       ESPN

Miami owes Pitt some serious payback for last year but Miami is also disintegrating as a team. Actively. This is separate from the earlier disintegration that is already completed. Jeff Thomas left the program, no 2019 commits are particularly strong, and every single junior is probably considering leaving early. The only hope for next year is if Manny Diaz stays on for another year as DC. I’m not very hopeful. The Canes are favored by 4.5, which seems like a mistake. Maybe N’Kosi Perry is actually really good and can overcome the loss of the team’s top two WRs and all of their TEs?

SMU at Tulsa                                                   3:30pm                     CBSSN

All of the money is on SMU and the under. Not great margins in this one.

Temple at UConn                                             3:30pm                     ESPNU

UConn’s post-Big East football existence is underrated as one of this decade’s best comedy acts.

Arkansas State at Texas State                        4:00pm                     ESPN3

I have no interest in this one. My brand is ruined.

Rutgers at Michigan State                                4:00pm                      FOX

Michigan State’s true rival is Rutgers. In case that comes up later.

Tennessee at Vanderbilt                                    4:00pm                     SECN

A battle of 5-6 teams with Vanderbilt a slight favorite. Is it too early to talk about Tennessee buying out the entire football program with no planned replacement?

Charlotte at Florida Atlantic                              6:00pm                   Stadium

The Kiffins need a win to go bowling and they’re favored by 17.5 but it would be really funny for him to lose and go back to being an OC where he belongs.

Colorado at California                                        7:00pm                   Pac-12N

I know they’ve fallen apart this year but Colorado firing their head coach still caught me off guard. He’s been overall pretty good for them, I thought? Oh, well, maybe they have somebody better ready to take things over.

Kansas State at 25 Iowa State                           7:00pm                      FS1

Matt Campbell’s future is already clear: he’ll go to the NFL, have some better-than-expected early results, then settle into a dull forgettable career. Better than what David Montgomery will get from the league.

15 Kentucky at Louisville                                   7:00pm                    ESPN2

Louisville’s disaster of a season finally comes to a close. Kentucky needs to run up the score now, there’s no telling when things will be like this again.

North Texas at UTSA                                           7:00pm                    ESPN+

North Texas has been one of this year’s great off-the-map success stories. Decent chance they get to 10 wins after the bowls. I think that would be their second 10-win season ever.

San Jose State at Fresno State                          7:00pm                    ESPNU

The o/u is 49.5 which seems like easy money. Fresno should get over 50 if they were ever worth a top 25 vote.

South Carolina at 2 Clemson                             7:00pm                     ESPN

I really thought South Carolina was turning a corner back in September. I was wrong. Look for 5+ TD passes from Trevor Lawrence.

7 LSU at 22 Texas A&M                                       7:30pm                     SECN

aTm wins. Sharpie.

3 Notre Dame at USC                                           8:00pm                      ABC

I like the idea of coaching and upset of the #3 team in the country to gain bowl eligibility and then getting fired before the bowl game. Please, Clay Helton, give us this much.

Oklahoma State at TCU                                       8:00pm                      FOX

Great primetime matchup between a 5-6 team and a 6-5 team. 

Nevada at UNLV                                                    9:30pm                  CBSSN

Nevada is OK. UNLV is bad. This is Mountain West football!

BYU at 17 Utah                                                      10:00pm                   FS1

This is not Mountain West football but it should be.

21 Utah State at 23 Boise State                            10:15pm                 ESPN

This is a legitimately good game on the blue turf and it will last until 2am Eastern. This is what degenerate football is all about but these are two ranked teams. Our time is now, readers.

Hawaii at San Diego State                                     10:30pm               ESPNU

This is way more degenerate than USU-Boise. It has the added advantages of being a better uniform matchup and you don’t have to worry about East Coasters complaining because they won’t even know this game is on.

[thegloober]

Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 6

Boy o’ boy, it’s that time of week again. Mid-week, the player you claimed on the waiver is getting acclimated with your team, all that’s left is to tinker. But as any fantasy football coach knows, your team is only as good as your weakest link. So with that in mind let us try to find out who is your weakest link and how you can avoid the loss this week. Let’s get started with the Starts and Sits of Week 6.

Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 6

Quarterbacks

Start Em

Matt Ryan Vs. Tampa Bay

Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu: all of these players are high powered weapons against a soft Tampa Defense. Last week Tampa had a bye, but from the four games they have played the average score for their opponents is 34.75 points. Those are some high scoring games, minus week 2 when they held the Eagles from afloat. Ryan has found some chemistry with the new rookie wideout Calvin Ridley and throughout the past four weeks, they have hooked up for SIX touchdowns.

Sam Darnold Vs. Indianapolis Colts

Last week on Thursday Night Football, Tom Brady carved the Colts’ secondary. Now Darnold is no Tom Brady yet, but he and Robby Anderson showed that their chemistry is beginning to spark. Darnold already had the “shake” with Quincy Enunwa, now the “bake” is coming in for an optimal recipe. To add, the Colts Defense has been averaging 389.4 Passing Yards to all opposing QBs, so Darnold should be considered a startable player in your roster.

Sleeper Start

Josh Rosen Vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have been aired out over the past five weeks of football.

Week 1, 261 passing yards against.

281 Week 2.

196 Week 3, but that is not accounting Josh Allen ripping it up with his feet.

465 Week 4.

311 Week 5.

Progressively this team keeps giving it up through the air. Additionally, QBs don’t seem to be scared of the Vikings secondary and Xavier Rhodes anymore. In all, the Vikings are averaging 378.0 yards to the opposing QBs, making Rosen a considerable start.

Other Sleepers

Jameis Winston Vs. Atlanta Falcons

Sit Em

Dak Prescott Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

I know what you’re thinking, “But Thaddeus, the Jags got scored on so much and Patrick Mahomes threw for 313 yards.” I know, I know. But the Jags didn’t give up one score in the air to Mahomes, and that was on his home field. Kareem Hunt got all the attention on Sunday, minus one QB sneak from Mahomes. Prescott does not have such luxuries as Mahomes when it comes to weapons. Of course, there’s Ezekiel Elliott, but take him away and Prescott is left with a fairly scavenged field of play. Cole Beasley isn’t what they hoped for, along with Allen Hurns barely being fantasy relevant. Once Dallas finds their star Wide Receiver, then, and only then, will Prescott be playable.

Marcus Mariota Vs. Baltimore Ravens

In today’s day of a passing league, Marcus Mariota is soon being forgotten as the once dynamic player he used to be. With no running game being produced from either Derrick Henry or Dion Lewis, Mariota has had quite a weight on his shoulders to overcome. His once top tier Tight End Delanie Walker has been out since the season began, and number one wideout Corey Davis has only had one good game of connections. Mariota is a sit for the foreseeable future.

Other Sits

Deshaun Watson Vs. Buffalo Bills, Derek Carr Vs. Seattle Seahawks, C.J. Beathard Vs. Green Bay Packer

Running Backs

Start Em

Marshawn Lynch Vs. Seattle Seahawks

Doesn’t it sound like a dramatic soap opera, Beastmode returning to the one team who took him to the Super Bowl, but didn’t give him the ball? With all the nonsense aside, Lynch might be a stable play against his former team. On average, the Seahawks have been giving up 129 rushing yards to opposing Running Backs. This has all the tellings of a field day for Lynch, especially since Amari Cooper and Jared Cook have been somewhat hit or miss for their QB.

James White or Sony Michel Vs. Kansas City Chiefs

New England is beginning to exercise their Running Backs a little more this season. Whether it’s because of Tom Brady’s age or their explosive backfield, they have been patching together their machine of a team. The Colts were a witness to their fire power and with the Chiefs coming up, the defense could have a nightmare situation on their hands. All of the Patriots weapons are back to receive the ball but we all know Belicheck has no problem handing the ball off and doing a little ground and pound. Kansas City’s defense is giving up 118.8 rushing yards and 343.0 passing yards per week, so it should be stated that all New England players should get a start.

Sleeper Starts

Peyton Barber Vs. Atlanta Falcons

Who is the starting Running Back for the Tampa Bay Bucs? Peyton Barber, that’s who. What is interesting about his matchup this weekend is the fact that it is against a fairly squishy Falcons Defense. Running Backs walk away averaging 121.4 yards from their game against Atlanta and this is where he may be of fancy to you. Tampa is also giving the start to Winston so it would not surprise me if his check downs might be a little quicker and easier to dump off to his starting Running Back.

Other Sleeper Starts

Tarik Cohen Vs. Miami Dolphins, Mike Davis Vs. Oakland Raiders

Sit Em

Kenyan Drake Vs. Chicago Bears

We all know who just blew into the Windy City, Khalil Mack, and already he is making waves. The Bears defense went from good to great when his cleat fell onto the field, and there has been no turning back. The Dolphins hot start this year has been surely cooled after giving up a 17-0 lead going into halftime last week. Clearly, some holes are beginning to be seen for the Miami Dolphins so their running backs are going to be a “hard pass” this week.

Saquon Barkley Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Admittedly this is a tough pill to swallow. Behind the Chicago Bears for the best rushing defense, is the Philadelphia Eagles. They are giving up only 66.4 rushing yards a game and that is only 2.4 worse than Khalil Mack and his bear cubs. Barkley is a number one draft pick and as a number one pick, we all know you don’t bench him. I do want to establish that if you have other viable options on your team, you might want to lean toward them. But if you built around Barkley, it is understandable why you wouldn’t want to put him on the bench.

Other Sit Ems

Joe Mixon Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Derrick Henry/Dion Lewis Vs. Baltimore Ravens, Alex Collins Vs. Tennessee Titans

Wide Receivers

Start Em

Devin Funchess Vs. Washington Redskins

With Christian McCaffrey getting all the attention in the backfield, Funchess should be a good start against a worn out Redskins D. Drew Brees recorded his record braking achievement on them, and Cam Newton should do the same. The Redskins have been allowing 240.0 yards to opposing quarterbacks so Cam should be spreading the love Funchess’s way. Not only that, the Redskins have been having some on the field trouble with star corner back Josh Norman. Give Funchess the green light to have a solid start.

Demaryius Thomas / Emmanuel Sanders Vs. Los Angeles Rams

Is it odd that one of the more dynamic defenses of the season has been dropping the ball? Of course, with all the money LA has put into their defense we would hope that they would be a little more sturdy then they have been in previous weeks. Not only that, the Rams have had 17 breakout opposing receivers go for the long ball on 20+ yard plays downfield, along with eight opposing receiving touchdowns. That’s about a TD and a half a game to the receivers lining up against them.

Sleeper Starts

Tyler Lockett Vs. Oakland Raiders

With Doug Baldwin’s return, fantasy owners thought it was the end for our boy Tyler Lockett. This is undoubtedly not the case. Baldwin had barely a reception against the Rams and Lockett still looked to be the star. Russell Wilson has began converting his attention toward Lockett as his break out man in the offense when the running game isn’t working. Leaving Doug Baldwin in the dust. The Raiders offer up an average of 286 yards through the air, so be on the lookout for Lockett’s consistent performance.

Other Sleeper Starts

Mohamed Sanu Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DeSean Jackson Vs. Atlanta Falcons

Sit Em 

DeAndre Hopkins Vs. Buffalo Bills

The Houston Texans offense is primarily riding on Watson’s shoulders and without any running game help, Hopkins is sure to suffer. Lamar Miller is battling an injury, Alfred Blue might emerge as a patch-work back and Will Fuller on the other side of the field, make Hopkins an uneasy play this week. The biggest concern is newly found star corner Tre’Davious White. He has been dealing with a bum ankle but if he is a go, then he will certainly have to ability to shut down Hopkins. Buffalo is averaging less than 250 yards to QBs through the air, along with just 1.6 TDs, so this weekend might pan out as a long one for Hopkins.

Kenny Stills / Devante Parker Vs. Chicago Bears

Like Drake, Stills and Parker should be expected to have a lackluster time against the Bears. There is no way Ryan Tannehill will have time to give Stills his long ball or do enough three-step-drops to give a quick slant to Parker. Mack’s entity on the field is one that empowers the players around him and if these teams go with the ground and pound as history suggests, this might be a nightmare matchup for any Miami player.

Other Sits

John Brown Vs. Tennessee Titans, ANY DALLAS RECEIVER Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Corey Davis Vs. Baltimore Ravens

Tight Ends

Start Em 

Eric Ebron Vs. New York Jets

Oh Eric Ebron, he finally found a home where a Quarterback appreciates his talents. That or Andrew Luck was forced to give him the ball because his back up receivers weren’t doing anything. Ebron displayed his athletics for us on Thursday Night Football, when he tore through the Patriots secondary and got two big TDs for the Colts. Admittedly one of these was a garbage time score but the fact that Luck still only wants to give him the ball in garbage time speaks enough for itself. Ebron should be a start this week since T.Y. Hilton could be doubtful and nobody else on the Colts offense wants to step it up.

Sleeper Start

Charles Clay Vs. Houston Texans

Charles Clay has been virtually nonexistent in the Buffalo offense. With no rushing game, there will be no passing game. So with the lack of success of the Buffalo running backs, we can see that no receiver or tight end can be as much of a flavorful start. This could change when it comes to the Houston defense; on average they have given up 269.2 yards a game with a grand total of 12 TDs through the air. This could be a weak spot that the Bills should attack, making Clay a sleeper start if your other fantasy options are uneasy.

Other Sleeper Starts

Eric Tomlinson Vs. Indianapolis Colts, Austin Hooper Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, C.J. Uzomah Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Sit Em

Trey Burton Vs. Miami Dolphins

Trey BooBoo has not been what the preseason led him to be. Along with that, last week when Mitch Trubisky had his franchise record day, Burton was only targeted a handful of times and scored on a broken pass play. This is his common production count, low targets for maybe 40+ yards. If Burton is the only tight end on your team, I would understand playing him since the depth at tight end in fantasy football is so shallow. But it should be noted that Trey BooBoo has some caution signs on him, and they shouldn’t be ignored.

Rhett Ellison Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Thursday should turn out to be a rough day for Eli Manning. He is going against the second-best defense in the league and to top that, his favorite tight end, Evan Engram, is still out. Unfortunately, Ellison has not produced nearly the same attention that Engram had so it is fair to say that the attention that was on Engram, is now dispersed to the receivers. Since Engram’s injury, Sterling Sharpe has emerged has the second best target and there has been no turning back.

Other Sits

Any Jag Tight End Vs. Dallas Cowboys, Jonnu Smith Vs. Baltimore Ravens

Defense / Special Teams

Start Em

Atlanta Falcons Defense Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With no more Ryan Fitzpatrick Magic, the air has gone from the sails of Tampa Bay and flown over to the other Florida teams. Jameis Winston will be starting for the first time this year, so it could end with some incidental interceptions and fumbles. Matt Ryan and the boys have been doing a good job scoring points, minus last week of course, but it would be fair to say that if the points begin racking up against the Bucs, Winston’s errors may begin to take place.

Sleeper Starts

Dallas Cowboys Defense Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

This one might be a tough pill to swallow but hear me out. Blake Bortles threw for his four TDs because his team was getting scored on consistently. Therefore taking him out of his usual run first and second, then pass on third. His routine should go back to its usual state with the high powered offense gone and that is where Dallas comes into play. Expect this game to be a defensive slugfest and Dallas should force some turnovers.

Other Starts

Green Bay Packers Defense Vs. Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants Defense Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Sit Em 

New England Patriots Defense Vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Patriots have been allowing 252.0 passing yards to opposing quarterbacks along with 11 TDs through the air. This might become a shock to everyone that likes football, but Patrick Mahomes is coming to town and the kid has an eye to spread the ball. With this high powered offense headed to Gillette Stadium, the Patriots Defense might be a tough play.

Kansas City Chiefs Defense Vs. New England Patriots

Everything about the Chiefs, switch it over to Tom Brady and his arsenal of an offense.

Other Sits

Washington Redskins Defense Vs. Carolina Panthers, Oakland Raiders Defense Vs. Seattle Seahawks

Source: https://bloghyped.com/fantasy-football-start-em-sit-em-week-6/

[itsasif007-blog]

A round table 93% the stamkos game 12

New Post has been published on https://www.highasduck.com/a-round-table-93-the-stamkos-game-12/

A round table 93% the stamkos game 12

Curt tweeted Thursday that his father had been placed hospice care. State officials both parties said they have observed Tennessee become more conservative since Bredesen’s tenure. No Salesman. The Bucks come into this game with overall record of 30 and a road record of 9. Lowry went 4 of 9 from 3-point range. Boise State is 89th Division 1 with 78 points per game this year. Does not always locate holes away from the play design. The motor cortex of the initiates and controls muscle movement throughout the body. College underclassmen have until a . Wednesday, May 16 AT&T Park Probable Pitchers: vs.

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Did the Blue Jackets make the wrong deal with Vegas? Last we saw , he was made to look like a fool by Seth Rollins. http://www.wholesaleelitejerseyschina.com He’s still a very good player, but he’s a much better fantasy football player than he is reality at this point. grabbed one rebound and dished out four assists, accumulating a plus-minus of -13 his 28 of playing time. The bullpen has struck out 186 and walked 82 Wholesale NFL Jerseys Supply batters this while opposing teams hit .253 against them. I ‘t really think that’s the case. Denberg of the AJC breaks down the game and what went right out West for the Hawks… They are 21st the league team earned run average at 4.

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‘‘It definitely changes the math Wholesale NFL Jerseys Supply Wholesale Jerseys Cheap for running backs,” said after the Bears’ practice Friday. The Vikings are 2 Week 1 the last two years and have a solid rotation of quarterbacks. Arizona as a pitching staff has walked 106 batters and struck out 213. Iowa is 164th turnovers, as they turn the Cheap MLB Jerseys ball over average of 16 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Read Read Less One E-mail A Week Is All You Need! They have allowed 143 home runs this and they allow 1 homers per Wholesale Jerseys Cheap nine innings as a staff.

[getseriouser]

20 THOUGHTS: Nic Nat Tackle Whacked

DONALD Glover, aka Childish Gambino, has released a very provocative music video for his latest hit This is America. Why mention that here? That’s a song and subsequently a film clip too that is about gun violence, American politics, race-based atrocities. This column is about none of those things, most weeks anyway.

But one theme that Glover touches on with the way the video is choreographed is about where your eyes focus. In it you naturally take notice of him, centre of shot, dancing, smiling, making faces. The subtext explored is that because the viewer does this, they miss all the more important stuff happening in the background, which is natural but undesirable human behaviour – a metaphor the for the political landscape in the United States on a number of sensitive but highly pertinent issues.

So what’s the link?

Whether it’s state of the game, suspicious tribunal reports or the reasons we immediately think in diagnosing why Essendon’s bad, or the Brisbane-Collingwood game is good, our proclamations might not necessarily be accurate. What’s happening in the background, what’s the root cause of what we’re seeing and sensing. Are we just being lazy in our judgement?

Not here we ain’t. We proclaim we get serious here. And we do. On that note…

  1.    So we start with tonight’s tribunal sittings. Firstly, Tom Hawkins, touching the umpire. The precedent on this is Heath Shaw, who was dismissive in his physicality without being overly demonstrative. Hawkins was similar. But we say Shaw was a good ‘precedent’ but in reality, that will be relevant in predicting the punishment as how good a mood the sitting Tribunal members are in tonight. How good was their day, did they have a good lunch, did their Uber run late which really got their goat, did their Foxtel not record Masterchef last night and they can’t get the Tenplay website to work as well? For me, it’s a week. Not because he is playing Collingwood but because any sort of fine doesn’t say much. If umpire contact is a big deal, when deliberate, then it’s a week.

2.    Now, young Nic Naitanui. Tackles a bloke strongly and he has a date with the tribunal. But as per the Ryan Burton-Shaun Higgins incident of a few weeks back, the theme in 2018 is that if your actions are good, ok, legal, but the injury is purely accidental, you’re ok. So in that case, from a technique standpoint, other than a push in the back free Naitanui did not do anything to warrant a suspension. So he should get off, not even any sort of minimal fiscal sanction either. Watch him get two weeks down to one or something and we’re back for an appeal on Thursday but he should not get anything.

3.    Quick divert to other sports before back to the Footy – first, Ice Hockey. Yep, you saw that coming. Shout out to Nathan Walker. Who? Yep, fair call, but he is someone you should know about. He is the first Australian to play in the National Hockey League, he has played only nine games, seven of which for the Washington Capitals. But today he was the first Aussie to take part in a playoff game. And he scored a point too, an assist. Bloody good on the bloke.

4.    And then also in the US, Ben Simmons. Haven’t touched on the fella in this column yet but oh my. His 76ers are only a game away from having their season come to an end, still a pretty good performance even if they don’t get the chance to play for a title. But no question now that he is this country’s biggest star. The fact he plays just like Magic Johnson, someone we’ve all heard of, and just maybe could be just as talented as Magic too, is phenomenal. Sure, he will go to the Olympics and help the Boomers finish with a Bronze, maybe, one day, perhaps, but what he’ll do in his NBA career on a global stage will amaze. He won’t just amaze us patriotic few back here, he’ll amaze the natives over there, which is quite something.

5.    Quick couple on the A-League, and we have to touch on the Grand Final. Yes, it was a pulsating finals series, the standard on show was reasonable and Victory deserve all the plaudits. Now the bad stuff. Adelaide vs. Carlton on free-to-air  Saturday night rated 415,000, 170,000 of that in Melbourne. Only 183,000 people watched the A-League on ONE, 64,000 of those in Melbourne. Both NRL games out rated the game on Foxtel, and the Swans-Roos game matched it as well. So it’s a good thing no-one was watching to see the horrendous attempt at a pre-match obviously choreographed by sugar-high local kindergarten students. Or the missed offside goal…

6.    How does that happen? We acknowledge the score review in the AFL is poor, but compared to the stuff up in Newcastle Saturday night it’s as perfect as Baby John Burgess hosting a TV game show. The fact that the television referee, known as the VAR, lost his feed to do his job correctly 20 seconds before the only goal in the game, a goal that was clearly offside, that the assistant referee missed it too or believed that his mate upstairs would see it anyway so not to worry, that the game continued without any pause or review – disastrous. Then, the audacity with the statement on Sunday morning to not just admit the stuff up but adjoin it with an apology, that they “understand the disappointment and frustration of the Newcastle Jets”. The FFA is as good as running the A-League as Steve Harvey announcing the winner of Miss Universe. Oh my hat!

 7.    Ok, so some Footy again. Where to start. Let’s close off this ‘state of the game’ nonsense. Firstly, the Brisbane-Collingwood game wasn’t the saving grace, which I’ll touch on shortly, but it was decent we concede. But clearly what we could do to ensure that all games can be attractive, not just one or two a weekend, is twofold – remove the ruck nominations and be far more stringent with incorrect disposal. Remove the need for ruckmen to nominate, it means a quicker stoppage, no time to set up, and as long as only two go up, we’re good. The third man up was the issue, why we need to outline who the rucks are beforehand is redundant.

 8.    And then incorrect disposal – how many times do we see play on when the ball spills out, or is dropped, or someone attempts to kick but misses, but gets let off because he had a crack? Bin it. If you take possession, you must get rid of it legally unless your tackler knocks it free, then we are cool for that to be play on. You’ll get a lot more free kicks and less ball-ups. But no-one will be put off because everyone knows if you had prior and you don’t get rid of it properly you’re in danger. So there’s two good moves, no need for zones, which is laughable given it will do precisely zero to congestion. Malcolm Blight, you’re a legend, but on this you’re drunk, or old, or both. Sorry mate. You think it sounds legit but practically it does nothing.

 9.    Now as for that Lions-Pies game, oh, the ecstasy afterwards, the number of children that will be born in nine months’ time off the back of it. It only gets the love because it was a high-scoring thriller. It was high-scoring firstly because both teams uncharacteristically kicked straight, it even broke some league accuracy records. If they kicked at league average it would be 14 goals to 13, or similar, and just a ‘good game’ then. The game in Sydney on Saturday was arguably closer, and if anything more akin to a finals game standard, but everyone got swept up in Sunday twilight. Spare me. The Lions were gallant, the Pies were good enough, move along. Rub your eyes a bit and then look again perhaps? It was decent but not orgasmic.

 10. As for the Swans-Roos result, that’s a far more relevant game to look at, so let’s. Firstly, the home team. That’s the third loss at home, which is strange. Yes, no Franklin, but they didn’t have the Budweiser down at Geelong and got away with it. The forward line, or forward of the ball play, is hit and miss right now for the Bloods. They are so Buddy-focused that without him they are so unpredictable it can mean on-the-road success to a off-guard Geelong, or equally make them ripe for the taking at home to North. A reliable plan B is necessary, may mean they don’t win that Cats game, but it assures them of the home win instead, which is probably a better outcome going forward when he misses.

 11. So how about those Roos? A big scalp. Needed it, so far their wins were not massively persuasive. But ahead of the ledger, playing some good football, the combo of Brown, Ziebell and the return of Mason Wood inside 50 is very dangerous. Reliable down back too but I fear that when it comes to big games, much like the Melbourne loss they a month ago, up against a class, top-8 midfield they’ll be found wanting more often than not. But, great signs for the rebuild, this isn’t about 2017 for the Shinboners, so it’s all good stuff.

 12. Hmm, Essendon. Not good at the moment. Brendan Goddard continues to add to his portfolio of ‘really bad high possession count games’ and the whole ball movement is just ordinary. Certainly putting talent on the park each week but they’re not able to do enough when they have it for long enough, but worse still are not defending anywhere near enough cohesively as a unit when they haven’t got it. Clearly looks a confidence thing, couple bad losses have set them back, a good game or two can turn this around pretty quick; momentum is pretty powerful when you have it (West Coast) but gee, when you haven’t, it’s horrible – hard to stop, hard to turn around.

 13. Joe Daniher is copping plenty around the traps, out of form, a bit of a poster boy for their performance as a team in one sense. Now this is an All-Australian centre-half forward only 12 months ago, so he deserves a little more credit. And mind you, yes, he might not be playing his best, but I don’t think the team setup is helping him too much. For mine sharing the 50 with James Stewart and Jake Stringer is hindering Daniher. Yes, Daniher meshed ok with Stewart last year, but now with Stringer spending a lot of time inside 50, Stewart is now in Daniher’s way. This team does not look good with all three, and its main impact is being felt with the form of their key man. Either Stringer has to get on the ball more, or despite how well he has played in his role Stewart’s spot needs to be looked at. Harsh, yet Daniher can play a lot better but a shuffle of the magnets is required first.

 14. A tick to this column, pardon the forthcoming narcissism. This time last week we whacked Jon Patton, he then had another off night Friday (did a lot rucking though, granted) and the football media then jumped on. Remember where you read it first. They all either read my column or are just massively behind. Either way, stick with this column each week first and foremost.

 15. Freo are just not bringing the effort this last little bit and it’s very concerning. Lots to like about their 2018 prospects as this column outlines but the stats that measure effort and want are looking a little wanting. Has the club been distracted by the Ross Lyon stuff? Do they need a good old-fashioned week of training where mouthguards are required? This team is good enough for September, if they miss it’s a lost opportunity. Still only early May, they remain a ‘Hold’.

 16. Nat Fyfe though, playing beautifully. Best on ground for sure on the weekend, with the reigning Brownlow medallist sharing the same field. They didn’t really play on one another for comparison but as we speak, if you had to do the old-school lunchtime picking teams, Fyfe goes before Martin. Don’t let any Victorian bias let you down, Fyfe is just better.

 17. Um, St Kilda. It’s all a bit scratchy isn’t it? And the real shame is you ask Carlton fans, is there anything to be positive about, winless from seven, worst start in their club’s history, a club that’s properly old, not GWS old? And they respond no, sure, Curnow, Cripps, but no, not really. It’s a very sulky and sad kind of response. But if you ask them to choose between their list and the Saints’, then there’s a pause, followed by a wry smile. They answer theirs, and wonder off with the slightest pep in their step. And I agree with them, the Saints list might just be league’s worst right now. I’d rather Brisbane’s list a well. Trouble at Moorabbin.

 18. Couple on Hawthorn. Think Fox Footy’s Tom Morris might be on good oil here, the Hawks right now would be favourites for Tom Lynch. They will offer more money than Richmond off the top, and whilst I still believe Collingwood won’t be outbid for salary or term, just feel Lynch would chose Dingley over the Holden Centre. As a Roughead replacement it’s perfect. And to be coached by Clarkson, the man who was coach of the last 100-goal season, it makes too much sense.

 19. And on Clarkson too, he might be the biggest threat to Richmond right now. This column doesn’t massively rate his Hawks, but is besotted by his ability to get results, make things happen, strategically and tactically get his team towards the top. And Clarko knows this year’s yardstick, it’s the mob from Punt Road, and can now over the course of three months analyse and break down and plot a method that his less-talented team can deploy should they meet in September. If I’m Damien Hardwick, I’m almost somehow preparing for that already in readiness, Clarko is that good, and dangerous.

 20. And lastly this week, Bomber Thompson. Bad week for him last week, and then curiously this week those especially grubby journos thought it public interest to run a column exposing his long-term love interest who just happens to be Thai citizen. What’s curious is what is the point in doing so? She has nothing to do with anything related to the two-time premiership coach getting into hot water with the law, she’s got very little if anything to do with his social spiralling away from football. The only reason you run that story is, and we’ll be careful here even though we know we don’t need to, is because of … how to be delicate here… her interesting backstory. Or should we say his interesting backstory. Now that’s no-one’s business, nor really that interesting. But clearly that’s the only reason you run that story, yet they didn’t mention it. Bizarre times.

(originally published May 8)

[londonlanded]

Weeks 33 & 34

Happy Monday my people! The 12th saw me heading to our other Four Seasons hotel in the city, the one located close to the Tower of London, though this time I actually had to be there to work as opposed to heading over to play with a $22,000 toilet like I did in September. I spent the evening taking names and helping keep one of my managers calm as her entire client list descended upon the hotel, though the second half of the evening was actually dedicated more towards chatting to some of my old contacts from Toronto, and putting faces to names I'd been hearing since I worked at head office over a year ago!

The rest of the week was fairly quiet, though I had a few funny Four Seasons moments that are worth noting - first off, I'm on my own now, Marielle's last day before mat leave was Friday the 16th, which  means I'm officially fending for myself now at work, there's officially no one to run to anymore and it' starting to feel like I'm actually supposed to be here for a reason! We had a little baby shower/goodbye party for her, the office is definitely going to miss her but considering how much trouble she was having just getting around, I don't think anyone's holding her departure against her.

Second thing to note was that Marielle's last day was actually my one-yer Four Seasons anniversary! I can't believe it, but my longest tenure at any company, anywhere, doing anything has been in hospitality with Four Seasons. They've sent me across the world, trusting me to do three different jobs in three different locations, two countries and one company. I can't believe that all this has come about because of 55 minutes on an airplane. Wanna talk about the butterfly effect?

Sunday morning, an amusing breakfast contrast when I shared a meal with Eve, my colleague at Park Lane. She ordered the big vegan breakfast, which was a massive plate of mushrooms, tomatoes, avocado, toast, margarine, beans and scrambled tofu. I ordered something that consisted of two fried eggs as a topping, ground sauteed chicken, and finished with chicken livers underneath. Vegan I'm not (yet...?).

Monday the 19th (continuing because it was yet another quiet week, leading up to my departure for LA on Friday), of note, it was freakin sunny! And light at the hour I leave the house (between 5:50 and 5:55 AM, with frightening consistency). 

It was an easy last week in  London, and while I had a couple of moments at work that elucidated just how new I am to the role I'm taking over, I survived the mess that was Monday - Thursday, and I officially began to consider myself on holiday. Headed home to pack, and before I knew it, I was headed to the airport Friday morning. Happened to spend a stop on the wrong train, wrongly assumed it was going to Heathrow until I heard otherwise so felt like a bit of a tool as I was dragging my stuff all over the Picadilly line but what can ya do. Unsurprisingly to anyone who's met up with me more than twice, I showed up at the airport ridiculously early, checked in, dropped my bag, and settled in for a few hours of waiting. I was completely calm until I approached secondary security, Americans are a touch more paranoid than the rest of us average Schengen zone bears so you've got to go through another checkpoint as you're approaching your gate. Normally I'd begrudge anything that was remotely indicative of special treatment of one country over another, but not that Friday. I showed up to the gate, opened my passport book, to find it not there. Before the dread could even set in, the woman behind the counter looked at me and said, 'wait, what's your last name? I think I recognize you,' and she did. She leaned over to her colleague's desk and picked my passport and boarding pass up and handed it to me, apparently I had left more than just my luggage at bag drop. Still, goes to show that I didn't need my passport a single time between Security and my gate. Thank god I didn't, because I can only imagine the panic that would have resulted from me losing the single-most important document I possess. Anyway, thank you USA border patrol/LHR security, crisis averted. Seriously though, wrong train and forgetting my passport, two moments that are so phenomenally unlike me that I actually stepped back and wondered if I was losing it. Jury's still out.

Before I settled into my seat, a disgruntled father had asked me to swap with him so he could sit with his family, and I wound up with a ton of legroom in spite of not being able to see any windows for the entire flight. It's a strange experience to see daylight for almost 24 hours straight, by the time the sun set in Los Angeles once I had arrived, it was almost 5AM London time, and I had been awake since 45 minutes after that hour. I was a little fuzzy, to say the least, but in spite of how I felt, I was pretty damn happy to walk outside and find myself in the roaring sunshine, shedding my raincoat and putting on my sunglasses after wiping the dust from their case. Even getting stuck in rush hour traffic didn't stop me from taking in every second of my first hour on the ground, my grogginess fell away as soon as I stepped out onto the street in front of my aunt and uncle's house. My four legged welcoming party took care of me until my cousin got home, and before long we were eating sushi and I was being shown her and her friend's latest dance from their class. In an hour on the ground, I already felt like I was back home.

Saturday morning, after my jetlag roused me at 4:45AM, I decided to go for an explorrun around the neighbourhood I've realized feels my second, third, fourth home? By mile #4, I was down by the ocean, and as I stopped to take a photo, I got asked by a group of runners to take one of them. Turns out they had just finished the LA marathon the week before, and after being their photographer briefly, they decided they needed to take one of me with them too before asking me to join them for part of their run! 

You really never do know what'll happen when you leave the house in LA, though I can't say I was expecting to add a mile and a half to my already-ambitious workout. I suppose my body thought it was 4PM though, that definitely makes my 7AM departure somewhat less impressive.

Home for a shower and a quick sit-down in the sun before heading out on our first adventure - turns out that the word 'birding' means something different in Santa Monica, CA, than it does everywhere else in the world! When Estee told me she had an idea for us, I first thought she had developed the strangest fascination I could have imagined and asked how the hell she got interested in ornithology. It made a bit more sense once she showed me what she meant, turns out birds are electric scooters that have been set up to work on a pay-per-minute system, so you can go anywhere and everywhere accessible by scooter in the Santa Monica area. There are scooters parked everywhere you can think of, parking lots, street corners, sidewalks, every block you can find black birds parked and waiting. You download the app, upload your driver's license information (yep, mine worked even though it's Canadian), you scan the scooter's code and you're ready to go. Seriously amazing system, much to the chagrin of a lot of parents out there who are more than justified in their concern that it might not be the safest option, but I'm of the opinion that getting from A to B with your nose in your cell phone is just as, if not more dangerous than being forced to look at the world while rolling at 15 mph.

In any case, Tee showed me around her neighbourhood on wheels before stopping for lunch at one of her favourite cafes. On the way back to her house, we crossed paths with one of the hundreds of anti-gun  protests that erupted across the USA that day. It's genuinely hard for me to believe that guns are such a massive problem in a country that's supposed to be as advanced as America is, but then again, I'm shocked by a lot of things here. Regardless, you didn't come here to read my opinions, but I'm happy to publicize that I don't think guns have a place in the hands of those who don't need them. And I don't think anyone who doesn't hunt for their own dinner could be considered someone in that position.

Saturday evening, I was reunited with a friend of mine I had met when I was 15 and we found ourselves at the same music camp in Michigan. Niki's born and bred LA, and my trip wouldn't be complete without a little bit of her crazy energy to remind me how special it is to be in her company. We drove down to the water because, well, when you live that close to the sea, you need to take advantage of it. The sun set over Los Angeles, and not even my jet lag could bring me down.

Sunday was on the quiet side, we spent some of the day at my grandmother's house and some of it outside in the sun, the day was fueled with sunshine and optimism but also a looooot of espresso. But also how cool are their espresso cups!!!

That evening, another sushi dinner (reliable choice and repetitive theme in my life apparently), and a movie with some of the other non-family family I’ve spent my years in LA growing up alongside. Every time I come back to LA, nothing changes yet everything does all at once - my cousins grow taller (though not taller than me, ha!), my family friends get older and go from being my cousin’s cousins’ friends to being friends of mine, boys I once knew, who taught me at age 12 to build robots on the floor of the upstairs bedroom, to men who are making movies and trying to crack the acting industry that LA is both infamous and famous for. I leave and I come back and at the same time, everything changes but at once feels more like mine, the less I am here the more it becomes a place I know. Very strange, not sure I even understand what I just said myself. 

Next week, more sunny CA, some work, some play, and the continuation of this gift of a life I call mine. California is a silly place, but the good kind of silly. For all it's perceived vanity, it inspires within me a depth of feeling that is incongruent with the place it is reputed to be. But whatever feelings this place inspires, the one felt most deeply will always be gratitude.

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