#kimberly forrest

[agreatagency]

Our mission is to bring hope back into the church, to be a church that provides good value, connections and resources. To welcome the backsliders, teach those who are stuck in their faith, and create a safe environment for those that are lost through our business based service of Real Estate, Tourism and Insurance. We want to join people in love through weddings and family. And eradicate the false profits, while bringing ears from around the world to hear that the Lord has to say. And bring salvation and forgiveness to those Jesus Chooses. 🙏

[lcnelyday]

indigenous faces we should have more gifs for in the rpc.

Gil Birmingham Adam Beach Julia Jones Q'orianka Kilcher Irene Bedard Kimberly Guerrero Forrest Goodluck Shauna Baker Tanaya Beatty Jessica Matten Alyssa Wapanatâhk Devery Jacobs Kaniehtiio Horn Zahn McClarnon Alaqua Cox Kiowa Gordon Blu Hunt Martin Sensmeier Grace Dove Cara Gee Michael Greyeyes Phillip Lewitski Dakota Beavers Michelle Thrush Stefany Mathias Deanna Taushi Allison Anna Lambe

*bonus points if the character is not in traditional regalia or a period piece.

[pinewaterbacc]

Meanwhile, Bradley was over at the school fulfilling his life's vocation. The first lesson was Maths and he'd tried to differentiate it into three levels for the children - Aurora, as the only teen, was on her own doing some tougher work; Kimberly, River, Christina and Forrest, as the more experienced kids, had some medium-level work; and Vincent, Alan, Carol and Patrick, as the relative newbies, had some easier calculations to do.

"This is tough, Mr H-R!" complained Rory.

"Well, I know you can do it so it's designed to stretch you. Besides, you all had a fun day full of Science yesterday with Mr Dupont, and he'll probably be teaching you again tomorrow, so we've got to catch up!"

Lunchtime was full of socialisation, especially for the newer kids, who weren't really familiar with that many people yet. While everyone else tucked into some mush from the canteen, Patrick made do with some water (of course)!

[ulkaralakbarova]

A hospice nurse working at a spooky New Orleans plantation home finds herself entangled in a mystery involving the house’s dark past. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Caroline Ellis: Kate Hudson Violet Devereaux: Gena Rowlands Luke Marshall: Peter Sarsgaard Ben Devereaux: John Hurt Jill: Joy Bryant Bayou Woman: Marion Zinser Mama Cynthia: Maxine Barnett Hallie: Fahnlohnee R. Harris Desk Nurse: Deneen Tyler C.N.A.: Ann Dalrymple Nurse Trula: Trula M. Marcus Madeleine Thorpe: Jen Apgar Robertson Thorpe: Thomas Uskali Grace Thorpe: Jamie Lee Redmon Martin Thorpe: Forrest Landis Nurse Audrey: Tonya Staten Creole Gas Station Owner: Isaach De Bankolé Creole Mother: Christa Thorne Papa Justify: Ronald McCall Mama Cecile: Jeryl Prescott Frail Customer: Lakrishi Kindred Luke’s Secretary: Sabah Paramedic: Joe Chrest Party Guest: David J. Curtis Party Guest: Tiffany Helland Party Guest: Brian Ruppert Film Crew: Producer: Stacey Sher Set Decoration: Beauchamp Fontaine Original Music Composer: Ed Shearmur Costume Design: Louise Frogley Producer: Iain Softley Director of Photography: Dan Mindel Art Direction: Drew Boughton Producer: Michael Shamberg Unit Production Manager: Clayton Townsend Casting: Ronna Kress Production Design: John Beard Producer: Daniel Bobker Editor: Joe Hutshing Writer: Ehren Kruger Costume Supervisor: Joyce Kogut Producer: Lorenzo P. Lampthwait Steadicam Operator: Colin Anderson Carpenter: Leo Lauricella Sound Mixer: Peter J. Devlin Set Production Intern: Hiro Taniguchi Key Hair Stylist: Susan Germaine Gaffer: Adam Harrison Sound Designer: Harry Cohen Standby Painter: Andrew P. Flores Location Manager: M. Gerard Sellers Production Supervisor: Gary R. Wordham Visual Effects Coordinator: Stephanie Pollard Greensman: Ronald S. Baratie Key Grip: Thomas Gibson Craft Service: Chris Winn Stunt Coordinator: Buddy Joe Hooker Lighting Technician: Greg Etheredge Supervising Sound Editor: Wylie Stateman Construction Foreman: Chuck Stringer Painter: Andrew M. Casbon III Stunts: Liisa Cohen Transportation Captain: Louis Dinson Scoring Mixer: Chris Fogel Video Assist Operator: Greg Mitchell Special Effects Supervisor: Jason Hamer Thanks: Michelle Guish Post Production Supervisor: Tania Blunden Stand In: Lexi Shoemaker Digital Compositors: Sean McPherson Art Department Coordinator: Stephanie Higgins Frey Makeup Artist: June Brickman Set Costumer: Laurel Frushour Set Dressing Artist: Dale E. Anderson Propmaker: William Davidson Rigging Gaffer: Martin Bosworth Production Manager: Kimberly Sylvester Music Supervisor: Sara Lord Leadman: Jason Bedig Leadman: Brad Bell Grip: Gordon Ard Production Intern: William Jackson Transportation Coordinator: Ed Arter Set Designer: Mick Cukurs First Assistant Camera: John T. Connor Visual Effects Supervisor: Karl Herbst Script Supervisor: Elizabeth Ludwick-Bax Best Boy Electric: Larry Cottrill Production Coordinator: Zoila Gomez Still Photographer: Merrick Morton Special Effects Coordinator: Bob Stoker Editorial Production Assistant: Jen Woodhouse Foley: Craig S. Jaeger Dolby Consultant: Thom ‘Coach’ Ehle Art Department Assistant: Amanda Fernald Jones Sculptor: Fred Arbegast Aerial Director of Photography: Phil Pastuhov Orchestrator: Robert Elhai Visual Effects Supervisor: Dan DeLeeuw Construction Coordinator: Dave DeGaetano Seamstress: Giselle Spence Driver: Bill C. Dawson Property Master: Peter C. Clarke Publicist: Patti Hawn ADR Supervisor: Hugh Waddell Sound Effects Editor: Christopher Assells Assistant Art Director: Jann K. Engel Hairstylist: Kathryn Blondell First Assistant Director: Gary Marcus First Assistant Editor: Davis Reynolds Electrician: Jimmy Ellis Production Accountant: Gregory D. Hemstreet I/O Supervisor: Ryan Beadle Set Medic: John Lavis Visual Effects Producer: Gary Nolin Rigging Grip: Mike Nami Jr. Boom Operator: Kevin Cerchiai Casting Associate: Courtney Bright Stunt Coordinator: Tom Bahr Stunts: Conrade Gamble Stunts: Annie Ellis ADR Mixer: Jeff Gomillion Camera Production Assistant: Alex Scott Storyboard Artist: Richard K. Buoen Assistant Location Manager...

[mariacallous]

I got this email from Princeton University Press, and I like to try to share this sort of stuff and I think it might be interesting. And if not, at least I'll have the info somewhere other than my email:

Princeton University Press: Enjoy this edition of Office Hours with Kimberly Kay Hoang

Dear Subscribers,

This month, I am delighted to bring you Office Hours with Kimberly Kay Hoang, author of Spiderweb Capitalism: How Global Elites Exploit Frontier Markets. She has some excellent book recommendations, she offers valuable career advice for graduate students and junior faculty alike, and she shares a story that illuminates how a single conversation can completely change the trajectory of one’s research.

Enjoy!

Meagan Levinson  

Meagan_levinson@press.princeton.edu

What are you reading now?

KKH: I am reading two books right now more for leisure.

Permanent Distortion: How Financial Markets Abandoned the Real Economy Forever by Nomi Prins. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been concerned about elite capture of academia and have found much more inspiration in the work by journalists who take a much more critical approach in exposing systems of welfare for the rich. Her concept of quantitative easing exposes how fractured policies crafted by financial institutions has led to the manipulation of central banking policies around the world. The book sheds light on the widening gap between billionaires and millionaires in what she calls permanent distortion. It also seems most relevant right now with news of a debt ceiling crisis.

Privilege and Punishment: How Race and Class Matter in Criminal Court by Matthew Clair. This is an incredibly rich study of criminal defendants and the differential ways in which they are processed in court based on their race and socioeconomic differences. This is a story about how those from working class backgrounds tend to become their own legal advocates in court while those with privilege navigate the courts with a greater level of trust in their attorneys to advocate on their behalf.

Both books make me think more deeply about the idea of impunity and the ways that it intersects with social class and race not just in the United States but globally.

What book has had the most impact on your career?

KKH: To be honest I can’t name just one. I would say the three most influential books for me have been The Managed Heart by Arlie Hochschild, The Purchase of Intimacy by Viviana Zelizer, and Servants of Globalization by Rhacel Parreñas. What connects all three of these books is an analysis of intimacy and the economy. Emotional labor (Hochschild) and intimate labor (Zelizer) are ways of thinking about the links between the private and public spheres. Parreñas really pushed into new fields by thinking about these concepts globally and at the intersection of race, class, and gender more specifically in domestic work, care work, and sex work. These three texts really shape the foundation for my own sociological imagination.

What is your favorite book to teach?

KKH: This changes for me every single year. In fact, I’m in the process of updating my syllabus right now, and I try to teach new books so that my courses provide students with some of the latest works published. I would say right now the book that seems to resonate with students and generate very interesting conversations is Ballad of the Bullet by Forrest Stuart. Being in Chicago and at the University of Chicago, there is a tradition of research on communities on the Southside. This book really advances that work by looking at poor urban youth and the use of social media technologies to capitalize on the public’s imagination of poverty and violence. Many of my students know of the music Stuart studies in the book and appreciate the nuance that he brings to a study of a local community.

Do you have a favorite moment as a researcher, maybe an encounter that unexpectedly changed your way of thinking or the direction of a project?

KKH: Absolutely. As an ethnographer those moments can feel like you’ve stumbled upon a diamond in the rough. For my latest book, Spiderweb Capitalism, I started with a small question about how foreign investors navigate new frontier markets around the world in different ways based on the laws that govern their investment activities abroad. I remember having lunch with a lawyer one afternoon when he asked me if I knew what a special purpose vehicle or holding company was. As he explained them to me, I found myself suddenly thrust into a whole world of offshoring, anonymous paper companies and a web of financial professionals who are connected but purposefully obfuscated from one other. This moment completely changed the trajectory of my research in ways that were both exciting and intimidating. It forced me to imagine a global ethnography that was not bound to a single space or place and instead theorize webs of people and capital that span the globe.

What is the best career advice you ever received?

KKH: Everyone arrives on their own time. Do not compare yourself to others; instead, focus on your own journey. I think that the journey through a PhD program—and, later, tenure—can create this unhealthy navel-gazing that can make us feel inadequate in relation to those around us. But if you keep your head down and focus on the journey of scientific discovery while also finding joy in making sense of complex data, things do eventually fall into place in their own way and on your own individual timeline.

What subject do you wish more sociologists would study and write about?

KKH: I wish that more sociologists would study elites and the systems that enable them to accumulate wealth. At the same time, I wish there were more research on the elite capture of the academy and social sciences more generally. I think that Charlie Eaton’s book, Bankers in the Ivory Tower, really begins to poke at these questions, but I would like to see much more research in this vein. I often think about how social scientists claiming to be objective researchers are, in many ways, either consciously or subconsciously working in a shadowy role of policy implementation that only serves to legitimize institutions of power. To me, this is concerning and dangerous, especially when it comes to proprietary data provided by private companies or governments.

If you could have dinner with two sociologists, living or passed, who would you choose, and why?

KKH: I’ll pick one of each.

Ibn Khaldun, who has passed, is someone I would love to sit down with. I only discovered his book The Muqaddimah within the last couple of years and often wondered why this work is not part of the canon of sociology. I would love to hear him talk more about his theories of the rise and fall of dynasties, power through states and bureaucracies, and the birth of social groups.

I would love to have dinner with Ruha Benjamin. I have her book Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want on my nightstand and will read a chapter here and there before bed. It reminds me of this mantra that inspired me as a graduate student: “personal is political”. Viral Justice does this work of forcing us to confront systems of injustice as they relate to mental health and the carceral system while also offering a vision for how we might be inspired to build a more just world. Perhaps this is my way of manifesting this, but I would just love to have a one-on-one dinner with her because I feel that I would not only learn so much but also find inspiration in her idea of collective healing. I think that as sociologists we are very good at identifying problems and systems of injustice and less creative when it comes to finding viable solutions to the problems we care about so deeply. Viral Justice provides a great model that broadens my imagination.

[joyffree]

✨IT'S #FREEBIEFRIDAY ✨ I present to you this week's bag of mixed delights

⇒The Bright Black Sea: The Lost Star Stories Volume One: Science Fiction by C. Litka ⇒Guardians of Medieval Wales box set: Medieval Historical Romance by Sarah Woodbury ⇒Nearly Mine: FBI Crime Thriller by Molly Black (audio and ebook on nook, kobo) ⇒Salvation's Kiss: Paranormal Romance by Kathryn Jayne ⇒Modern Magick, Volume 1 Books 1-3: Humorous Urban Fantasy by Charlotte E. English ⇒Studmuffin Santa: A small-town military hero holiday romantic comedy by Tawna Fenske ⇒The Steamborn Trilogy Box Set: Steampunk Science Fiction by Eric Asher ⇒Harleigh Sinclair and the Raiders of the Lost Anhk: Urban Fantasy by Tamara Grantham ⇒The One Month Boyfriend: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance by Roxie Noir ⇒Mozzarella Murder: Cozy Mystery by R.M. Murphy ⇒At Any Price: Billionaire Auction Romance by Brenna Aubrey ⇒Tea With Monsters: A Paranormal Shifter Romance by Kimberly Forrest

Until next week May your journey be magical 🔮

[booksandwords]

Sanctuary (Anthology)

Read time: 2 Days Rating: 5/5

Edited by Carol Shaughnessy Contains contributions by: Sherrilyn Kenyon/McQueen, Sheri-Lynn Marean, Rachel Hailey, Nicki Nance, Kris Kellen, Kimberly Forrest, T. Elizabeth Guthrie, L.J. Sealy, Sam Brenton, Jennifer Forist, Jennifer Becker, Cathy Graham and Kim May

This is a book that I never knew I needed but absolutely did. Sherrilyn McQueen's Paladins are some of the most supportive people (mostly women) I've ever been around. This shows they also use their creativity well and clearly know their source material. Sanctuary is a collection of fanfictions written by Paladins centred on the titular Sanctuary bar and grill. Sanctuary itself is one of the most popular places in the Dark Hunter world. Everyone is welcome there just don't try anything stupid. Or as Kim May phrases it in A Fox With New Fur “Don’t start no shit and there won’t be no shit.”

What is interesting is the similarities and differences between the stories and their interpretations of the world. The biggest similarity between most of the stories is the use of Dev. While canonically the quads (except maybe Remi) and Fang rotate door duty so many of writers choose to use Dev the humorous and most recognisable Quad as an outsiders first introduction to Sanctuary. Also commonly if there was a character with an existing relationship with the bar it is nearly always the male. The other thing that I missed until I started writing this review, there are few if any Dark Hunter OCs. They are all Weres or other supernaturals.

The order of the stories is good. Choosing what was first and last was the most important for Carol Shaughnessy. Her choices of Dragon Heart Awakened by Sheri-Lynn Marean and A Fox With New Fur by Kim May respectively are effective choices. Dragon Heart Awakened is heavily romantic and echoes Sherrilyn McQueen's writing so well. Enemies to lovers with a twist, honestly it is an enjoyable start. Kim May's Megumi is one of the characters out of her element entirely and A Fox With New Fur is not a romantic story. It is just Megumi reclaiming her life. This is one for fans. Only fans will appreciate this. But you must remember reading that these are only interpretations of our beloved Hunterverse, they may or may not align with your perception of it.

The Legend of Sanctuary by Sherrilyn Kenyon

And I will leave everyone with one small reminder. These are fan stories, written by fans. While I gave them the ability to write in my world, what they have done isn’t necessarily Dark-Hunter canon. This book exists outside of the time line of the Dark-Hunters. And I hope all of you enjoy our little side adventure. Hugs!

This is the forward. The story of Sanctuary, the reasons Sherri chose to include the bar and an introduction to the anthology itself. Honestly, I really like the legend behind Sanctuary, why the Peltiers set it up. It really is one of the best known and popular stories in the Hunterverse.

Dragon Heart Awakened by Sheri-Lynn Marean

“I understand, and apology accepted. Love makes us do things we normally wouldn’t. How did this vendetta arise anyway?” “It started when a crazy ancestor of mine cursed all of dragonkind.” Aimee shook her head. “No one can ever simply get along, can they?” “Not in my experience,” — Aimee Peltier and Evany

Evany and Sawyer are great creations. Evany feels like every inch a Sherri heroine, intelligent and protective. Sawyer is a strong male who does need something even if he's not sure what. I could see him being from the mould of a Hellchaser. The whole thing feels very much like the princess saves herself, but I'm glad we don't go into the dark parts right before the end. It would be so hard to do justice do in such a limit word count. It was a strong choice to start on.

Brave by Rachel Hailey

“My mom is going to kill me.” “Yeah, been there, done that, and bled on the t-shirt.” Hannah twisted around to find a tall guy with jet-black, wavy hair leaning against the bar. He regarded her with eyes of deep jade. “What?” “I'm pretty sure my mom made attempted murder a holiday tradition. It's good to know my family isn't the only one that puts the fun in dysfunctional.” She shook her head with a light laugh. “Definitely can relate to that.” He sank to a stool next to her with a dazzling smile that displayed two deep dimples. “I'm Kearse.” — Hannah and Kearse

Okay, I need to start this by saying I really like the doll nickname Kearse uses for Hannah and I'm not even entirely certain why. It just suits him and I kinda feel like it suits New Orleans too. Brave isn't an out-and-out romance story. Brave not only relates to how Hannah is with Kearse, the lines between them but for the start. This is a demigod, Hannah coming into her own, protecting the innocent with her life and empowering herself. Kearse is a Sherri man to his core, amusing, kinda flirty, he wants her and knows she is his mate but respects her beyond all things. I like the ending. It gives a solid end and understanding to Kearse's story.

Mourning Shadows by Nicki Nance

“You’re gorgeous, Shem. I couldn’t pull my eyes away.” She reached forward and handed him the blue bundle she was now fisting, then she stepped back. “Welcome to my world. I’ve been looking at you that way since I was 15.” — Masciarina and Shem

This is one of my faves in the collection. It plays the world in an interesting way. Assuming I interpereted the signposts correctly, it's an alternate timeline. Shem and Mar are both wonderful. Shem is the one who twists the world on its head. Mar just makes some interesting adjustments to the characters. We do get one surprising get appearance.

Dreaming of New Orleans by Kris Kellen

“That’s an understatement. Let’s see, how to put this. I’m the friendly one,” he paused as both Aimee and Quinn laughed. Glaring at them he continued. “Cherif, you haven’t met him yet, he’s the oldest and acts it, Quinn over there is the quiet one, and, well, Rem is the grumpy one.” Looking at her he shook his head, “Remi doesn’t talk to people, not if he can help it. So, him sharing about the family, yeah, that seems weird to us.” — Dev Peltier

This takes the let Remi be happy idea and runs with it, and I couldn't be happier about it. Remi deserves happiness, I needed someone to write this. Canonically Remi is only in love with Quinn's mate Becca not a spurned male. He just needs to find the right woman/female to help. Leading lady MacKenzie Galanis is a brilliant choice. She feels like the daughter of a Dream Hunter, my fave of the Hunters. It was a pleasure to see Max, so many people forget about him. The ending of this fic will possibly be slightly controversial, even if the whole concept is not.

Hot Wings and Howlers by Kimberly Forrest

“I guess a lot of people around here have a thing for Artemis.” It had been said more to herself than for Simi, but the woman scowled blackly, muttering, “Nasty old heifer goddess.” Taken aback by the vitriol behind that statement, Jack repeated, “Heifer goddess?” “Artemis,” Simi confirmed grumpily. “She a mean old heifer. The Simi hates her.” — Jackelyn “Jack” Phillips and Simi

In some ways this has clever framing, the Eric that is mentioned as a cousin is from Chronicles of Nick. Maudaug's brother, Tabby's boyfriend. I forgot that he was a Squire though I don't know for who. This one is so short and deceptively simple. It has no romantic subplot just someone auditioning to join the Howlers part-time. What little magic is in play is the standard Were stunning the human. Though it's really nice to see Tori getting a mention. Forrest does a brilliant job capturing the voice of the Simi.

The Fugitive Jackal by T. Elizabeth Guthrie

Kenzie’s first thought was how tall and wide the man in front of her was. He looks like a tank. A very yummy tank. Falling back on her training, she realized he had to stand well over six feet tall. “Yummm,” purred her instantly horny witch. — Kenzie

Colt seems popular with fans as the hero, he has more than a little chemistry with Kenzie (another Kenzie?). What I really do like about this is the language Guthrie chooses to use. Kenzie is more than a little sassy and has a great observation of Fang, Colt is brilliantly written in his confusion and Fang is perfectly captured his humour (but Fang, Fang, Fang don't piss off your mate). I was honestly not sure how to feel about this story. It tells the story it needs to tell and it is a wonderful use of a bounty hunter, those we know are hunting Weres and were-Jackals (we've known some over the years why do I feel like they are all idiots?).

Ravaged Angel by Mary E Jung

A famous biker bar known to most locals, it stood resolute under the moonlight, as if daring deadly beasts to crawl out of the darkness and step over its threshold. By the scent of danger in the air, Melody would venture that gauntlet was picked up more times than not. — Melody

This is a sweet fic featuring demigod Melody and Wereleopard Angel, the lead singer of The Howlers. Melody is a haunted and hunted woman, hunted by Apollo (woo 😒). I could have used a couple of quotes from Ravaged Angel. Their relationship is so soft. I like seeing the empowerment that comes with being defended in Sanctuary's walls, the power that Melody gains from seeing people caring for her. Total respect to Jung for using Angel in a personal context, away from the stage.

Sanctuary by Carrie Humphrey

Kedah opened one eye, knowing that if she opened both, she would officially be awake and wasn’t ready to commit to that nonsense. — Kedah

To me this is possibly the weakest of the 14 stories. It's a vampire and mate meeting the members of the Peltier family for the first time and offering her services to fix a problem. It is one of if not the only story set pre-Bad Moon Rising, Nicolette and Papa Bear are still around and running Sanctuary. It's great to see Nicolette again. I do like the writing though, there are some fantastic quotes. But the story just leaves me wanting something, like it should be longer, like there are chapters missing.

One Fated Night by L.J. Sealy

Clara’s cheeks heated as she became aware that he was watching her. The fact he hadn’t uttered a word, as if he were happy for her eyes to roam his body, made her heart race. When her gaze met his heavy stare for a moment, she froze. — Clara

I like One Fated Night as a take. Heroine Clara is a Wolfswan on the run from a future she desperately doesn't want, from an abusive man, an abusive future. Hero Axe is a lone wolf who steps in to save her despite being on the way out of the town. After Axe is beaten badly Clara saves him in return. They are both alone in the world but seeing Axe rebel against the bitches work though is something I liked to see. That panic just makes so much sense. I don't think it's something we see it enough.

Valentine's Day at Sanctuary by Sam Brenton

“Poor thing went through absolute hell. We're glad she's out on the other side of that horror." Angela smiled at Ash shyly when he didn't say anything. "Sorry. I just realized how much I rambled. I tend to do that when I'm excited.” — Angela

My lord is this fun. Brenton makes a very bold choice, they choose to write through the eyes of one Acheron Parthenopaeus. His night starts off normal, moves to odd then gets downright insane. It plays heavily with the fourth wall and what would happen if Sherri's characters, specifically Ash with his darkest of dark past and remit to protect the Dark Hunters found out about Sherri's writing.

New Beginnings by Jennifer Forist

“I know you feel what I feel,” he nuzzled his nose against my neck, sending bolts of electricity coursing through my body. “If you think I’m letting my future mate deal with two losers without me—well, we need to get to know each other better.” — Cassian 'Cash'

Oh, this is desperately sweet. I love the protective nature of some were females. Aimee being the badass bear swan we know she is, doing the us females gotta stick together thing with the hurting werewolf. Heroine Satara protecting the lovely Grace, who really needs it. But you know still taking time to check out Cash as he defended her (can't let a good opportunity go to waste). The whole idea of a pack protecting those most vulnerable in the wolf community appealed to me. Forist chooses to give Cash an interesting fear, I like that humanising feature.

From Her Darkest Dreams by Jennifer Becker

He was like a giant stuffed animal curled up next to her, his back to her front. She doubted he would appreciate being called a stuffed animal, though. Men didn’t like to be considered cute and cuddly. — Delphi Sideris

The story of Thrax Gataki a katagarian black panther and Delphi Sideris an oracle. Oracles are not something I see a lot in the fandom but I like the way she is used here. It plays a lot with the tropes of the series. A couple of comments with the name Thrax it feels like Jennifer Becker might also be a fan of The League series Thrax is so close to Thrāix (pronounced Thrace). Also something so, so League is the use of “νεράιδα” (Fairy) as a term of endearment from Thrax to Delphi. Becker is the only one that includes this element.

Falcon's Flight by Cathy Graham

“Who is Savitar? I don’t recognise him as a Were.” Skye looked at Cane. “Savitar is… well he just is.” — Skye Falconi and Cane Whitethunder

Oh I like this one. I like the use of jumping through time to create a complicated family, the idea of the perpetual parents meddling with the children and the idea of a family having a surprising gift from the gods. Cane is our link to the canonical Dark-Hunterverse as the son of Sanctuary doctor/vet Carson, though he himself isn't canon. Skye is sweet and kinda innocent which is always welcome. The plot itself is just kinda amusing. The whole story is lovely. Also that Savitar quote is just fair. What else can we say about Savitar at least until Sherri gifts us a backstory (🥳Which OMG is actually happening😍).

A Fox With New Fur by Kim May

“He some kind of demon?” She nodded. “Oni. He’s been hunting me.” “What did you do to piss him off?” “I rejected him.” “Seriously?” Megumi reclaimed her drink and took another sip. “He’s yakuza. One day he saw me walking down the street and he decided that he had to have me. I said no. When he persisted, I fought back, but he didn’t get the hint. That’s when I broke his neck. His rage and crimes were sufficient to instantly turn him into a demon. and he’s been stalking me ever since.” — Colt and Megumi

With kitsune Megumi as the main character and an Oni as the main villain, I appreciate Kim May's choice to include another pantheon that I have only seen in maybe Chronicles of Nick (if I remember my CoN lore correctly). Though there might be a spark of something between Megumi and Colt that is not the point of the piece. The primary point is Megumi reclaiming her freedom and her life from the man who has been hunting her. And what a way to get it. I honestly do appreciate it as a way to end. So much of Sherri's writing is about female empowerment, something at May manages to capture so well.

Read for @godzilla-reads​ Simple Reading Challenge. Filling the May August prompt: "Read a Short Story/ Essay Collection" As soon as I saw this prompt and this book I knew I had to read it. Sherrilyn McQueen is one of if not my favourite author. Her fandom, the Paladins is one of the most supportive I've been in. This even exists needs to be promoted.

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

Pitch for a Supermassive Games installment:

1) The title: THE ENEMY WAY (referring to the Navajo traditional ceremony for countering the harmful effects of chindi, which are vengeful ghosts)

2) The premise:

In Arizona, the Yazzie family inherits a horse ranch that belonged to a distant relative. Although the Yazzies aren’t familiar with the practice of caring for horses, the family is nonetheless excited over the prospect of moving into a new location. What starts out as a fun trip to the new home quickly turns into a nightmare when they learn that the ranch is haunted by “chindi” aka vengeful ghosts. 

Chindi: The ghost left behind after a person dies, believed to leave the body with the deceased's last breath. It is everything that was bad about the person, the "residue that man has been unable to bring into universal harmony".

Based on the player’s actions, either the Yazzie family will be able to survive the night...or suffer the same fate of the ghosts that haunt their new home. 

3) Influences (movies that you can watch to get a feel for what I’m going for with this pitch):

Poltergeist (this is the main influence), The Exorcist, The Haunting of Hill House, The Conjuring, Insidious, The Evil Dead

If you want to get specific, the Navajo level from Beyond Two Souls 

4) The Playable Cast:

* Grant Yazzie (played by Zahn McClarnon): Patriarch of the Yazzie family / COMMANDING, STUBBORN

* Mabel Yazzie (played by Kimberly Norris Guerrero): Matriarch of the Yazzie family / COMPASSIONATE, HARDWORKING

* Noah Yazzie (played by Tatanka Means): Grant and Mabel’s eldest son / RATIONAL, BRAVE

* Amber Yazzie (played by Jessica Matten): Grant and Mabel’s eldest daughter / INTELLIGENT, PERSUASIVE 

* Raul Yazzie (played by Forrest Goodluck): Grant and Mabel’s youngest son / RECKLESS, WITTY  

* Lenora Yazzie (played by Amber Midthunder): Grant and Mabel’s uoungest daughter / ADVENTUROUS, DILIGENT    

* Jerome Kim (played by Steven Yeun): Amber’s Korean-American boyfriend / ROMANTIC, INSECURE 

* Morgan Reddington (played by Elizabeth Henstridge): Friend of the Yazzie family and Noah’s love interest / LOYAL, INDECISIVE 

5) Non-Playable Cast:

* “The Medicine Man” (played by Wes Studi): A medicine man who coaches the player as the game goes on. He is the game’s equivalent to Eliza Vorez, the Curator, and Dr. Alan Hill.

[marvelousmatula]

[hopeforthelogans]

Steffy finding a picture of Hope & Brooke in her “borrowed” desk...

[dashreads]

2023 Reading List

January:

What Lies Beyond the Veil- Harper L Woods & Adailade Forrest **

What Hunts inside the Shadows- Harper L Woods & Adailade Forrest **

Rhuger's Pearl- Carlotta Hughes ****

_________________________________

February: X

_________________________________

March:

4. Silent Lucidity- Tiffany Roberts **

_________________________________

April:

5. Yearning for Her- Tiffany Roberts ****

_________________________________

May: X

_________________________________

June:

6. That Time I got Drunk and Saved a Human- Kimberly Lemming ***

7. How To Marry A Marble Marquis- C.M. Nascosta ****

_________________________________

July:

8. To Tame a Dragon- Tiffany Roberts *

9. To Love a Dragon- Tiffany Roberts *

_________________________________

August:

10. Taken by the Aline Next Door- Tiffany Roberts ***

_________________________________

September:

11. Blood Moon- Jillian Graves **

12. The Sea Witch- Rebecca F. Kenney ****

_________________________________

October:

13. Rhuger's Cridhe- Carlotta Hughes ****

_________________________________

November:

14. A Duel with the Vampire Lord- Elise Kova ****

15. A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic- J. Penner ****

16. His Darkest Desire- Tiffany Roberts ****

17. Scream for Us- Molly Doyle **

18. Bloodshed- Molly Doyle ***

19. Melt for Us- Molly Doyle **

_________________________________

December:

20. All I wanted was sushi but I got abducted by aliens instead- Petra Palerno ***

21. All I wanted was to become a Scientist but now I've got an Alien Boyfriend- Petra Palerno ***

22. All I wanted was a glass of Vine but an Alien Duke kidnapped me instead- Petra Palerno ***

23. A Court of Sugar & Spice- Rebecca F. Kenney ****

_________________________________

Reading Goals:

Read 45 books (I'm ok if I read at least 20 due to life changes)

Read 10 comics/webcomics/manga

_________________________________

Rook- Jillian Graves (Delayed)

Welcome to Azathé- CM Nascosta (Delayed)

Welcome to Fae Café- Jennifer Kropf

Enchantment- Orson Scott Card *2

My Side of the Mountain- Jean Craighead George *2

The Goddess of Yesterday- Caroline B. Cooney *2

A Little Princess- Frances Hodgson Burnett *3

Journey to the Center of the Earth- Jules Verne *3

Ascendant- Michael R Miller *1

Throne of Glass- Sarah J Maas

Crown of Midnight- Sarah J Maas

Heir of Fire- Sarah J Maas

Queen of Shadows- Sarah J Maas

Empire of Storms- Sarah J Maas

Tower of Dawn- Sarah J Maas

Kingdom of Ash- Sarah J Maas

Dragon Keeper- Carole Wilkinson *1

A Natural History of Dragons- Marie Brennan *1

Dragon's Flight- Anne McCaffery *1

Dragon Keeper- Robin Hobb *1

Phoenix Unbound- Grace Draven

Dragon Unleashed- Grace Draven

Raven Unveiled- Grace Draven

Undying King- Grace Draven

Entreat Me- Grace Draven

House of Earth & Blood- Sarah J Maas

House of Sky & Breath- Sarah J Maas

Jurassic Park- Michael Crichton

A Rake of His Own- AJ Lancaster (Reading)

Parties- C.M. Nascosta

Contact- Carl Sagan

Spinning Silver- Naomi Novik

Iron Widow- Xiran Jay Zhao

Uprooted- Naomi Novik

The Name of the Wind- Patrick Rothfuss

What Sleeps Within the Cove- Harper L Woods & Adailade Forrest (10/17/2023)

Get off the Unicorn- Anne McCaffrey

Cursed Cocktails: A Cozy Fantasy- S.L. Rowland

Run, Run Rabbit- CM Nascosta

Stolen Midsummer Bride- Tara Grayce

Uncommon Verdant- Daria Vernon

Bow before the Elf Queen- JM Kearl

The Crystal Shard- R. A. Salvatore

Streams of Silver- R. A. Salvatore

The Halfling's Gem- R. A. Salvatore

The Legacy- R. A. Salvatore

Starless Night- R. A. Salvatore

What Lurks Between the Fates- Harper L Woods & Adailade Forrest

Shadow Wizard- Jeffe Kennedy

Rogue Familiar- Jeffe Kennedy

_________________________________

Witch Hat Atelier

My Father is a Unicorn

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu

Restaurant to Another World

The Savior's Book Café Story in Another

Campfire cooking in another world with my absurd skill

The Way of the Househusband

Delicious in Dungeon

Housekeeping Mage from Another World

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits

_________________________________

Reading Challenges:

Read 5 Dragon related books (listed)

Read 3 books I read in school (listed)

Read 2 classics (listed)

Read at least 5-7of the Legend of Drizzt books (listed)

Read 5 books recommended to me

Read at least 5 books by Grace Draven (listed)

_________________________________

Total Reading Goal: 50

Just to be kind to my future self when she looks at this at the end of the year: remember that we were pregnant, had a baby, had to look for a new job, and had to move. We just didn't have time. Maybe we will next year.

Also I will admit I've been binge reading some of Tiffany Roberts' work here and there.

_________________________________

Ok this year's reading challenge was completely and utterly slashed. I got overly enthusiastic and just went all over the place. I enjoyed reading when I could, especially after having a baby. February through May was difficult for me as I was in a lot of pain and just wanted to sleep on the last few months of pregnancy. I cried a lot. After I gave birth, reading helped me slowly heal my new found scattered and tired mom brain. I started off slow and after August when I started working again, I came back with a vengeance.

_________________________________

Favorites:

* it was good

** loved it

*** would read again and again

**** Can't stop thinking about it, won't stop thinking about it

Not a fan: X

_________________________________

Top Reads of 2023:

_________________________________

2023 Guilty Pleasure Books:

_________________________________

2023 Favorite Authors:

Tiffany Roberts

Rebecca F. Kenney

Petra Palerno

Kimberly Lemming

Carlotta Hughes

J. Penner

_________________________________

Favorite Series:

Bubble Babes

Orc Matched

Order of the Unseen

_________________________________

Re-reads:

The Martian

Project Hail Mary

Ice Planet Barbarian

_________________________________

2022 Reading List and Reviews- 36

[agreatagency]

The Tale of Holy Mary and Holy Moly

Once upon a time, there were two women Holy Moly and Holy Mary,

Moly was a con-woman who cheated, while Mary was wise and kind, oh so merry.

Moly was blind to the consequences of her actions, while Mary the rules,

She was insightful, humble, and adored by many, a true princess among jewels.

Your choices greatly affect others, so choose wisely like Holy Mary,

For Moly was an embarrassment, desperate and insecure, oh so scary.

The snake is a symbol of manipulation and deceit, a metaphor for the soul,

But Mary represents clothing, food, shelter, love, and family, making her whole.

In the end, tomorrow is the past, today is the present, and your desires are the future,

So think about what you want and who you want to be, and let your choices nurture.

What if Adam and Eve had given the apple to the snake, would the world be better off?

It's up to you to choose like Holy Mary, and let your choices be your crown and cloth.

[miss-atomic-bitchh]

My Favourite Beauty Books 🌸✨

I've only read two full books + two short manuals but here's what I thought of them!

- Your Beauty Mark by Dita Von Teese - The most glamorous book I've ever read! It covers every aspect of beauty from hair and makeup to health and fitness, and the level of detail on topics such as skincare, lingerie, caring for your décolletage, perfume and many other 'niche' topics is what makes this book one of my favourites. It includes picture tutorials, sultry photoshoots of Miss Von Teese herself, and the beautiful message of experimenting and creating your own 'beauty mark' on the world is what makes this book so fun to read!

- Pretty Honest: The Straight-Talking Beauty Companion by Sali Hughes - Written by the British beauty journalist Sali Hughes, this book is indeed 'straight-talking', with brief but informative chapters on skincare, everyday makeup, beauty in illness, how to navigate a department store makeup counter, wedding makeup, beauty 'must-nots' and more. Hughes' tone is very unpretentious and direct, and I really enjoyed the way that she discusses her beauty mishaps and teen years which is great for beginners and younger readers. This book is ultimately for those who want a no-fuss, practical and grown-up guide to beauty.

- The Manual by Rebekah Eller - Rebekah Eller is a British makeup artist with a huge following on Instagram. She released her own 'Manual' - a guide which explains everything makeup related from basic makeup knowledge, how to create a defined vs fluffy brow, creating the perfect base, how to do the best makeup on brides, mature skin and different skin conditions and everything in-between with tutorials for some of the looks that can be seen on her Insta page.

- The Blend Bible by Rebekah Eller - a follow up to The Manual. Explanations of how to use different kinds of makeup brushes, blending techniques, eyeshadow on hooded + mature eyes, colourful looks and a lot more in-depth information about blending on the eyes + skin along with more tutorials to follow.

Beauty Books on My Wishlist:

- The Bombshell Manual of Style - Kimberly Forrest + Laren Stover

- Burlesque and The Art of Teese - Dita Von Teese

- The Cream of Beauty: A Little Book of Beauty Culture - H. Stanley Redgrove

- How To Be Irresistible - Dorcas Pelling

- About Face: Celebrity Makeup Techniques - Scott Barnes

*Let me know about your favourite beauty books! 💖

[dreamcastingbroadway]

Dreamcasting Broadway: LEGALLY BLONDE

“You thought I was dumb, but I think that somebody’s judgement was poor!”

Dreamcasting Broadway: Legally Blonde

Ashley Park as Elle Woods

Cheech Manohar as Emmett Forrest

Lea Salonga as Paulette Bonafonté

Devin Ilaw as Warner Huntington III

Stephanie Jae Park as Vivienne Kensington

Jon Jon Briones as Professor Callahan

Ericka Hunter as Brooke Wyndham

Catherine Ricafort as Serena

Marina Kondo as Pilar

Krystina Alabado as Margot (Elle u/s)

Adam Ali-Perez as Carlos/Lowell/Ensemble

Anna-Lee Wright as Judge/Store Manager/Ensemble (Paulette u/s)

Augustine Nguyen as Aaron Schultz/Guard/Ensemble (Emmett u/s)

Cailen Fu as Cece/Whitney/Ensemble (Elle u/s, Margot u/s)

Cathy Ang as Kate/Chutney/Ensemble (Enid u/s)

Diane Phelan as Leilani/Ensemble (Vivienne u/s, Pilar u/s)

Ethan Le Phong as Pforzheimer/Ensemble (Emmett u/s)

Eymard Cabling as Elle’s Dad/Winthrop/Ensemble (Callahan u/s)

Jon Viktor Corpuz as Ensemble

Kabir Bery as Sundeep Padamadan/Ensemble

Kay Trinidad as Elle’s Mom/Courtney/Ensemble (Paulette u/s)

Kimberly-Ann Truong as Kristine/Ensemble

Kuhoo Verma as Enid Hoopes/Veronica/Ensemble

Lina Lee as Shandi/Ensemble (Brooke u/s, Margot u/s)

Max B. Ehrlich as Nikos/Beer Bash Dancer/Ensemble (Warner u/s)

Paul HeeSang Miller as Kyle/Dewey/Grandmaster Chad/Ensemble (Warner u/s)

Warren Yang as Ensemble

Yvette Lu as Gabby/Stenographer/Ensemble

Amy Keum as Swing (Vivienne u/s, Serena u/s)

Carol Angeli as Swing (Brooke u/s, Pilar u/s)

Hugh Aparnente as Swing

Marcus Shane as Swing 

Michael Maliakel as Swing (Callahan u/s)

Viveca Chow as Swing (Enid u/s)

Andrea Macasaet as Elle Woods (alternate)

The concept behind this dreamcast comes from a TikTok I came across by user @/thekarlypaige a couple of days ago that has stuck with me for days now. I’ll link it below, but essentially, Legally Blonde through an Asian lens, touching on the “model minority” myth and showing that Asian people can’t be stereotyped into a singular experience. It’s high time for a Legally Blonde revival and I think looking at the material through a new lens would be a great way to revive this fun piece!

https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdryLVJs/

[ncisfranchise-source]

WHEN A HOTSHOT FINANCIAL ADVISOR IS FOUND SHOT AT A NAVAL STATION, NCIS INVESTIGATES THE CASE BY INTERVIEWING THE VICTIM’S THREE-DIMENSIONAL HOLOGRAM OF HERSELF, ON “NCIS,” MONDAY, DEC. 6

“Collective Memory” – When a hotshot financial advisor is found shot at a naval station, NCIS investigates the case by interviewing the victim’s three-dimensional hologram of herself, which she created before her death, on the CBS Original series NCIS Monday, Dec. 6 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

REGULAR CAST:

Mark Harmon

(NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs)

Sean Murray

(NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee)

Wilmer Valderrama

(NCIS Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres)

Brian Dietzen

(Medical Examiner Jimmy Palmer)

Diona Reasonover

Katrina Law

(Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines)

(NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight)

Rocky Carroll

Gary Cole

(NCIS Director Leon Vance)

(FBI Special Agent Alden Parker)

RECURRING CAST:

David McCallum

(Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard)

GUEST CAST:

Stepfanie Kramer

Holly Curran

(Sandra Holdren)

(Ruby Holdren)

Matthew Hancock

(Geoffrey Sullivan)

Todd Waring

(Albert James “Jamie” Beck)

Andrea Forrest

(Navy Petty Officer Third Class Scott Dickerson)

Danielle Larracuente

(Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maria Gonzalez)

WRITTEN BY: Kimberly-Rose Wolter and David J. North

DIRECTED BY: Leslie Libman

[marsoscar]

52nd Oscars Best Actress

5. Marsha Mason as Jennie MacLaine - Chapter Two

I think the acting in the first half of the movie was fine very basic and unmemorable but you can only do so much with a terrible script. Then out of nowhere in the second half of the film she just starts shouting all the time and it’s too over the top. There’s no like gradual build up to it, it goes from zero to a hundred out of nowhere.

4. Jill Clayburgh as Marilyn Holmberg - Starting Over

I don’t think it’s Clayburgh’s fault that the performance isn’t great, it’s more that she just doesn’t get anything to do outside of some small moments. She’s like nervous, shy and panicked which I think was a good way to play the character, didn’t feel like the chemistry between her and Reynolds was that good. Just a very unmemorable performance.

3. Jane Fonda as Kimberly Wells - The China Syndrome

I thought Fonda was very convincing as a reporter wanting to do more serious news and also thought she was convincing in her concerns to expose the truth of the situation. The scene she had with her pet turtle was really impressive because she played it completely serious which must’ve been hard to do since it’s so funny. I think she gives her character a very good arc as we can see Kimberly gradually evolve from naive and submissive to eventually more assertive and willing to chase after the stories she wants to do.

2. Bette Midler as Mary Rose Foster - The Rose

Midler is somehow able to make her character look like she’s both tired and full of energy at the same time. The character is full of contradictions and she has to juggle all that. Making sure to show us that Rose is very argumentative and impulsive but also a very genuine and sweet and vulnerable person. Sometimes a little too over the top but it’s not too bad. When she’s on stage singing it’s just like a constant star quality which makes the character feel even more real. The chemistry between Midler and Forrest is great and so adorable. Her final time on stage is so devastating because you can see how sad and lonely her character is but also how happy and desperate she is to be with the crowd.

1. Sally Field as Norma Rae Webster - Norma Rae

Just a very fierce performance, so powerful and inspirational which is everything we needed it to be. She has amazing chemistry with both Bridges and Leibman in very different ways like with Bridges it’s a sweet love while with Leibman it’s a passionate intense love. The character is very tough and Field always makes sure that the character has a very tough, determined expression on her face which tells us everything we need to know. But she also knows how to switch it and become very sweet like in the scenes with her two love interests, her dad and especially towards the end when she has to talk to her kids about her reputation around town, just very heartbreaking and pulls on your heartstrings.

Conclusions

I don’t think there’s a cohesive theme amongst the five nominees. Two of the films are about dating after divorce and the other two are very much political and about controversial topics like nuclear power and unions. I guess you could look at The Rose political as well in the way singers get overworked and forced to not take any breaks. The lineup overall was pretty mediocre, I guess three out of five good performances isn’t too bad.