#like a couple hundred years in the future; during the future trio's generation

[asteriskdisasterisk]

lex is honestly such an interesting sad little man to me in how he chose to cope with everything that had happened to him and just how much he represses it all before it eventually comes down crashing on it.

the whole situation with dusknoir in particular just really shows it in full color imo. lex only ever wanting someone in his age to talk to, someone whom he can at least look at in the eyes properly and not fear that he'll bore them out, because kids are kids and kids think adults are lame. and with dusknoir coming along, making lex fall along with the rest of the gullible masses, yet lex flew higher and harder into something he knew that deep down would *kill him* if he got too close. and got close he did. he bared his heart open to the open flames, aware that it will burn, aware that it will hurt, and took the fall. and all that was left from that experience was just mind numbing emptiness. he knew that dusknoir had none but ill will; a tangible aura of darkness and enough skill under his belt to crush him and ollie if he wanted.

but even so, why did it hurt? why does the heart ache for this feeling of closeness, this gesture that never has meant anything and never will mean anything? why does it hurt to know that his own heart was his own biggest folly, and that he really has no one to blame for this outcome? and lex pushes it aside. he pushes everything that serves as nothing but an emotional burden for him to carry. letting it rot in the corner and fester as he can do nothing but look at it in hopes that it will go away on it's own.

but oh, lex is far more smarter than he lets himself on. your own issues don't go away on their own. your own feelings don't go away on their own. it all eventually comes crumbling down, and it will bury him within. he could push it all away as hard as he could, but his attempts only push him to a breaking point more and more. he will have to answer the call and let it all out, these feelings of gutwrenching heartbreak, fear and disappointment and all that he desperately tries to run away from, or inevitably shatter when there is nothing left to hold onto anymore.

and with him choosing to evolve into ninetales at some point down the line, he will have a good 1000 or so years to think well and well about it all.

SINNOH WHEN I CATCH YOU--

ough,,,pain,,,agony even,,

Lex was never good with feelings of any kind, even as a human. In the dark future you survive through brute force and trickery, there's no time or room to think about anything else... and that's something he unknowingly carried with him into the past.

But he indeed touched the fire and got burned, despite knowing he shouldn't. I mean, it's not like he needed to... so then why? For the desperate hope that he was wrong, that his instincts were mistaken, that Dusknoir was telling the truth? I doubt that even Lex knew...

In the realm of astronomical symbolism, I like to think of Lex and Dusknoir as a binary star system. Two brightly burning stars orbiting each other, pulled together by an invisible force. They get so close that one absorbs pieces from its companion, becoming more massive over time, burning ever hotter, until it eventually collapses in on itself.

Lex was haunted by memories of Dusknoir as if they were ghosts themselves, pushing it all down further and further over and over again until there was no room left. But no matter how densely compacted, it was always bound to explode. When Dusknoir returned to the past (post-redemption), it was the last straw for Lex--the final push into supernova. And he planned to take the bastard down with him.

In the end, the collapse went inwards instead, leaving Lex the only one destroyed. Much the same as Dusknoir, he blames himself for everything that happened. The two are more similar than Lex would like to admit.

A couple hundred years of thinking can change someone drastically. Maybe one day, far in the future, they will find themselves in each other's orbit again.

[amoralityplay]

Kiev, 1992

The baroque house in Kiev was very quiet during the day, only interrupted occasionally by footsteps or hushed conversation between the maid and the handyman—Max was one of very few vampires who still kept thralls, of a sort—or sometimes by the jingle of a cat’s collar bell; Max had always rather liked cats, much to the chagrin of his wife…but, they hadn’t lived together, or really even seen each other in more than just passing, in centuries, so he’d have his cats if he wanted to. 

Audrey wasn’t particularly fond of cats, either, but hadn’t said anything about it. After all, her grandfather had been generous enough to let her move into his sprawling home after her finances had taken a disastrous turn; she’d already been living in Kiev, just a few blocks away from his home there, but the forced sale of her apartment had left her with only two options: stay with Max, or limp back to Boston. And Audrey was not going home, not yet. 

[Cut for length]

“You know, Audrey…it’s been nice having someone around the house again,” the older man mused, setting a teacup and saucer down in front of his granddaughter, the china rattling in his unsteady hands. Max had been turned when he was quite a bit older than many vampires—a member of the Roman senate at the time—and looked to be about sixty, though of course he was much, much older than that. He wasn’t a frail man and looked much like a living version of the Roman marble busts one might see in a museum, but the harsh military life he’d led before joining the senate sometimes showed in the tremor of his hands. “I know the circumstances weren’t ideal…but we never got to spend much time together, once you grew up and started moving around so much. I’m glad you’re here.” Audrey forced a small smile as she looked up. “I know, grandfather. I’m glad, too.” The truth was…Audrey wasn’t glad to be there. The life she’d planned on had unraveled over the last couple decades, starting with her arranged marriage, then her mother’s death, and now financial ruin. Audrey loved her grandfather, but this was not the future she’d hoped for. 

Max nodded, sitting across from her at the small table, set into a corner of a parlor room. “You don’t have to lie for my sake,” he said, reaching over to pat one of her hands where she’d flattened it against the table to keep it still. It wasn’t uncommon for vampires to develop the ability  to read another’s thoughts, and most vampires as old as Max were very good at it…meanwhile, vampires as young as Audrey tended to be equally as bad at keeping their thoughts quiet and were easy to eavesdrop on. 

“I know you don’t want to be here, and it doesn’t have anything to do with me. It’s just been nice, regardless. And you don’t seem so melancholy lately. Is it the birds? Do they help?” He lifted his own cup to sip at the contents—blood, warmed until it steamed slightly. Audrey disliked blood much above body temperature and left her own cup to cool down somewhat. 

It might have been true that Audrey was getting out a bit more than she had for years, really, testing the water here and there at various vampire gatherings…though she wasn’t sure her melancholy had been cured. 

“Well…Cyrus ate one of them,” she said with a small sigh, glancing in the direction of the huge white cat, wearing a blue velvet collar with a golden bell, that was lounging on the rug nearby. The birds her grandfather referred to, a trio of canaries exactly like the ones she’d tried to keep as a little girl, had not, in fact, helped her feel much better. If anything, they’d only soured her disposition further, given the first’s untimely demise and the remaining two that refused to sing at night, just like the ones of her childhood; that had not been an experience Audrey had wanted to relive. “They’ll sing plenty for the maid when she opens the curtains during the day…so I told her she should take them home. They’ll be happier with someone who can let them see the sun a little.” 

“Ah, well, don’t be cross with Fedir for sending them, he hadn’t seen you since you were a teenager. It was what he remembered about you.” Fedir, a vampire Max had sired in the early 1700’s, had always taken a bit more interest in Audrey than anyone—especially Audrey—liked and had been, apparently, rather crushed when she was matched to someone else--he’d long lobbied Max to use his sway with Phersipnai to ensure Audrey was matched with him—and was equally elated to hear the wedding was called off and she’d returned to Kiev. He knew how vampire matches worked and that Audrey was still betrothed regardless of what her current feelings towards her fiancee were, but had made a handful of attempts to garner her attentions regardless. Max thought it was harmless and Audrey found it mildly annoying and certainly hadn’t encouraged the efforts…but she hadn’t exactly put an end to it yet, either. 

“I don’t get cross.” Audrey frowned down at her teacup. 

Max chuckled and nodded. “You have a tendency to be cross, my dear…isn’t that what this is all about? Why you’re in Kiev to begin with? You’ve been cross with Rowan for twenty years, don’t pretend you don’t get cross.” 

“Please don’t start with that,” Audrey groaned. 

“Well. It’s the truth. And your grandmother is supposed to call today—any minute, I think—to talk to you about it, so best you hear it from me first.” He shook his head, running a hand over his short cropped, grey hair. “You should head upstairs, take the call in your room.” Phersipnai hadn’t alerted Max that she’d be calling that day, but after nearly two millennia together, they often had a sense for what the other was doing or feeling, even across continents. Audrey didn’t move immediately, looking down at the blood in her cup as it started to congeal. As she had any time she had been away from her grandmother, she’d remained close with her, writing often or, in more recent years, speaking by phone…but since she’d been in Kiev, the calls had gotten tense…and thus Audrey often avoided them. “Go on. You know she won’t let it slide if you won’t answer.” Max stood and nudged Audrey’s shoulder, and the younger vampire stood with a small sigh. As predicted, the phone rang within a couple minutes of Audrey stepping into her room; she sank into the armchair beside the small pedestal table and lifted the receiver. “Hello?” “Audrey, finally. Do you know how many times I’ve called and that silly little mortal maid your grandfather keeps told me you were out? Have you really been out, or are you avoiding me?” Phersipnai’s voice was unmistakable, lilting with a faint Italian accent. 

“I was out, grandmother. I wouldn’t avoid you.” “Oh, don’t lie, you’re terrible at it. When are you going back to the States, Audrey?” “I don’t know. Maybe never.” 

“Stop that. It’s been twenty years and you’re being dramatic, I think that’s plenty long enough to have this little tantrum. You need to go home and sort things out with Rowan. I know he’s written you all those letters and you haven’t even had the decency to write back.” 

Audrey drew in a small, angry breath. “That’s unfair.” “No, Audrey, what’s unfair is I went to the trouble to make sure your life was comfortable and you never wanted for anything, and then made sure to find you a match that could do the same for you and was a decent person, and you turned around and repaid me by running off to your grandfather the moment things got a little unpleasant—“ “A little unpleasant? He humiliated me, grandmother! There were a hundred other vampires sitting in that church, he could have asked to delay things at any time, but he chose then to do it! People still talk about it when I walk into a room at coalition meetings! Not to even mention he was already practically married and you couldn’t even mention that to me!” “You will not shout at me, Audrey Lavinia Alden.” Phersipnai’s tone dropped low with warning. “People still talk about it because you’ve been punishing him for it for two decades. Rowan has been apologetic and there’s no reason you shouldn’t have at least spoken to him. If you had come back after a few months and sorted things out with him they wouldn’t have anything to gossip about. And I didn’t tell you about his partner because it was irrelevant to your arrangement. Do you really think, with as long as we live, vampires only engage in monogamous marriages where they’re romantically in love with their chosen match? You’re naive. Their partnership existed outside of our rules about marriage—call it a loophole, if you want—and thus had no impact on yours or the obligations you have to each other. And you’re lucky enough that Rowan actually does care about you, even given the circumstances and that it isn’t required of him, and you still treat him like you have.” “No impact? You don’t think that would have an impact? Are you insane?” Audrey had never taken such a tone with her grandmother before, but she couldn’t believe she’d have the gall to tell her that her fiancee already being married to another man wouldn’t have any impact on her own marriage to him. “You don’t care about what I want at all! All you care about is getting a great-granddaughter for your precious line to carry on. I’m not anything more to you than a prized cow you want bred.” Phersipnai didn’t say anything for a moment, the line quiet and Audrey nearly wondered if she’d hung up, but then the Elder finally spoke. “You’re right about part of that, but you’re no prize cow, Audrey. You’re an ill-tempered heifer and I can only hope that any child you have has their personality curbed by their father’s influence.” She paused a beat, drawing a slow breath. “Pack your things. I’m coming to get you. I’m not going to tolerate any more of this nonsense. If you want to act like a child, I will treat you like one. You’ve made it clear enough that you can’t take care of yourself and you can’t be trusted to make reasonable decisions. You have 12 hours.”  Audrey’s hand were shaking so hard she nearly lost her grip on the phone receiver. She wasn’t going back. And it didn’t matter to her if Phersipnai was an Elder. She was going to prove that she could live without her grandmother or Rowan or anyone else. “No.” “No?” Phersipnai parroted, incredulous. 

“No.” And with that, Audrey hung up. 12 hours was plenty of time to get a head start on the Elder…and Audrey had always wondered what Tokyo was like. 

[ofamaddock]

KEITH POWERS? No, that’s actually ALASDAIR MADDOCK from the GOLDEN TRIO ERA. You know, the child of BEATHAN MADDOCK and ADA MADDOCK (NÉE BALLINGTON)? Only TWENTY-EIGHT years old, this RAVENCLAW alumni works as a CHASER AND PERSONAL TRAINER and is sided with THE NEUTRALS. HE identifies as a CIS MAN and is a PUREBLOOD who is known to be OBSESSIVE, SINGLE-MINDED, and RELENTLESS but also ACTIVE, DARING, and CREATIVE. — &&. ( DREW, EST, HE/HIM, 22. )

      ALRIGHT. buckle up cowboys, and get ready to entertain my inane ramblings.

backstory:

born to a newly-wed, traditional if unconventional, pure blood couple in the welsh capital ---- there was never any doubt that alasdair had a bright future in front of him. one that was equally as full of secrets as potential perhaps but bright nonetheless.

bright red at times ----- six years old and listening to your parents fight over your mother’s mistress ----- the anger at being stuck indoors while the nearby muggle kids had what seemed to be a wonderful time fading into curiosity as wide eyes gaze into the street and planting a seed of jealousy in his chest. without thinking he started rambling off the questions he had to one of the house elves who not only did not know anything but who else informed his mother about the young master’s questions.

bright orange ----- orange juice creating an ocean on the dinning room table when he tells his mother that he would like a chance to play with the kids in the bark across the street ---- a stunned silence settling over the room for just moments before it transitions into a bustling movement, looking from his perspective a look like the reaction to  a disaster. a sense of urgency blended with shame, settling under alasdair’s skin and never bothering to leave.

bright yellow ----- the colour of the jumper that his grandmother gives him when he arrives for a two week visit during it would be come as stained as the yellow paged books in the library --- - the lack of any mention of muggles mixed with the highly formal behavior from his normally doting grandmother served to remind him that embarrassing his family came at a cost but the taste of freedom tasted bright on his tongue. 

bright blue ---- the sky is clear the day that his uncle first takes him flying and even when his eyes search for clouds they come back with nothing ---- maybe that’s why he misses conditions that come with this, why his parents see the silent promise and he just sees knew information. it’s a new thing to learn about and for a while it holds his attention.

bright green --- his parents expect him to come home with robes lined in slytherin colours --- but it turns out that he’s meant to be a claw and his parents breath a naive sigh of relief believing that he’ll focus on his schooling and not his childish obsession with muggle sports. they’re wrong but it takes them a few years to catch on.

bright purple --- he gets to wear the robes of his favourite team and become his own idol but it, like so many things, came at a cost --- finally it seemed that alasdair could settle down and do something that wouldn’t bring shame to his family even if that was just play quidditch. and it worked for six years before he was asked to turn in his robes. 

that’s not even considering all the years between --- from the war to the loss to the graduating class --- years which were all spotted with their own terrors, fear only grew upon the return of voldemort. his parents had stayed neutral for years but as the situation grew grimmer, he had his doubts about how they would align themselves in the end. and then it was over as quickly as it began and he thought that meant change.

in his spare time, he researched sports in muggle london --- attending dozens if not hundreds of various games. combining those sports with quidditch had been a risky move that didn’t pay off ---- but he managed to sneak into the muggle work looking further into the muggle athletes life and slowly teaching himself to mimic a lot of the techniques he saw, combing them with potions and magic.

just two months before the timeclash saw alasdair take on his first client as a personal trainer, numbers growing to only a handful before he woke up in a different time. 

the lost memories:

in the past twenty-eight years, alasdair has grown his business into a legit company with five other employees in the main office alone and a dozen or so employees who work directly with players in different parts of the world. 

he also has adopted three kids and gotten married ( and divorced ) in that time span ( all are wanted godspeed )

has actually learned a fair bit in regards to muggle culture, not to the point where he can pass as a totally normal person but he can get away with being in public for short periods of time without drawing a ridiculous amount attention and he generally knows how to dress.

[chorusfm]

Jimmy Eat World – Chase This Light

I’m not sure I have ever anticipated a new album with quite the furor that I anticipated Jimmy Eat World’s Chase This Light in the fall of 2007. Futures had been a game-changer for me, the album that transformed me from a budding music listener into a voracious, lifelong die-hard. As often happens when you’re young, the three years that stretched between the October 19, 2004 release of Futures and the October 16, 2007 release of Chase This Light seemed to last an eternity. (I was 13 when the former came out and 16 for the arrival of the latter.) The wait was eased a bit by the 2005 release of the Stay on My Side Tonight EP, but the dark, moody nature of those songs only made me want a full-length. An album packed of songs like “Disintegration” and “Closer”? Count me in. Chase This Light was decidedly not that record. Futures gave the band two basic paths forward. The first was to embrace the moody, late night autumnal vibe that manifested on songs like “Polaris” and “23.” That path evidently led to Stay on My Side Tonight, which was made up of songs the band had written for Futures but hadn’t finished or put on the record. The second possible path was for Jimmy Eat World to keep following their arc as a glossy studio band. They’d made Futures with Gil Norton, a well-respected rock producer known for making big, robust rock albums. Futures sounded appropriately huge, and there was some feeling—particularly in radio singles like “Pain” and “Work”—that Jimmy Eat World could be a massive radio rock band for the new millennium if they wanted to be. They could prove that “The Middle” wasn’t just a fluke hit. That path led to Chase This Light, which was and is Jimmy Eat World’s biggest-sounding, glossiest, most pop-influenced record. They brought in Butch Vig to executive produce, hired Chris Lord-Alge to handle mixing, and wrote songs like “Big Casino” and “Always Be” that had truly massive earworm choruses. It wasn’t their fault that radio rock died a swift death between the fall of 2004—when bands like Green Day and The Killers were delivering radio hit after radio hit—and the fall of 2007. The singles from Chase This Light still did relatively well: “Big Casino” went to number 3 on the rock charts and hit the “Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles” chart. But Jimmy Eat World evidently weren’t destined to become a radio band, and Chase This Light didn’t fundamentally change their fanbase or their general narrative. Monitoring the release of Chase This Light at the time, I remember that some fans were put off by the poppy sound and muscular arrangements. Gone was any trace of the rawer emo sound that had characterized Static Prevails or Clarity. Instead, Jimmy Eat World made a record that—sonically, at least—mirrored its bright, colorful album cover. For a fair chunk of the early fanbase, Chase This Light probably marked the beginning of the end for Jimmy Eat World. Such fans are easy to spot these days: they hail the trio of Clarity, Bleed American, and Futures as the band’s peak and have little use for anything that came after. Personally, I didn’t buy into any of that. I’d become a Jimmy Eat World fan with Futures. I liked their glossier sound. I mostly didn’t think Clarity was all it was cracked up to be. (I’ve since recanted on this point.) And I was at a moment in my life where I really needed a record like Chase This Light—a record that sounded anthemic and hopeful, but one where, if you actually paid attention to the lyrics, you’d hear the sharp singe of heartbreak and the bitter ache of doubt and regret. Chase This Light is the saddest Jimmy Eat World record. It doesn’t sound like it on first blush. Storming out of the gates with the propulsive “Big Casino,” Chase This Light stacks five straight anthems before hitting its first ballad. Those song sound bright and cheerful, too. “Let it Happen” has a refrain that goes “I can laugh it off/Ha ha ha ha ha ha,” while “Always Be” kicks off with finger snaps. Spend a few moments going over the lyrics, though, and these songs morph from blissful pop jams into cruelly catchy confections of heartbreak. “Big Casino,” for instance, is packed with regret and delusions of grandeur, told from the perspective of an aging dreamer who still thinks he’s going to get his big break. “I’ll accept with poise, with grace/When they draw my name from the lottery,” Jim Adkins sings in the chorus, envisioning himself as the guy whose hand everyone will want to shake. He knows it’s not happening (hence the bridge, “I have one last wish/And it’s from the heart/Just let me down/Just let me down easy”), but he’s willing to fantasize. “Always Be,” meanwhile” is a quintessential boy-loses-girl song. The first verse picks up in the middle of a late-night drive, mere hours before a relationship fractures. “I’ll force a laugh to break the silence,” Jim Adkins sings, before acknowledging that “It’s gonna get harder still/Before it gets easy.” The couple in this song has grown so distant that they can’t even communicate with each other anymore—not even when they’re sitting in the front seat of the same car on a lonely dark highway, with nothing but fake, nervous laughter to cut the tension. (Don’t ask me why they didn’t just turn on the damn radio.) “She’ll always be/A little hard for me to reach,” goes the key line in the chorus, and if it’s not the most gutting thing Jimmy Eat World ever wrote, it’s close. Don’t even get me started on “Carry You,” a song about being so hung up on a former flame that you get stuck in a feedback loop of the memories you have of them. “Here’s to living in the moment, ‘cause it passed,” Adkins sings in the chorus. The protagonist in this song can’t stop building up this old, dead relationship in his head. He’s probably built it up so much that he remembers things as being better than they ever actually were. He’s created a total fantasy based on the relationship he could have had, and he legitimately can’t let it go. The most cutting line is “Roll down the windows, let the cold air come in/Slap my face just to feel you somehow again,” because even remembering the worst moments of the relationship is apparently better to this guy than letting go and moving on. And then there’s “Dizzy,” an arguable contender for the title of “best Jimmy Eat World song” (and probably for “best song of the 2000s” as well). “Dizzy” was actually the second song I heard off Chase This Light. When this album came out, it was still a few months before I figured out how and where to watch for album leaks. My brother snagged the leak, though, and he sent me “Dizzy” via email, saying something like “You have to hear this now. I think it might be the best thing they’ve ever done.” In the weeks that it took for the album to come out and make its way to me, I played that song dozens, maybe even hundreds of times. There was an ache to it that wasn’t quite like any other song I’d ever heard. It seemed simultaneously hopeful and completely hopeless—like the relationship at the center of it might be salvageable, but also maybe not worth saving. 10 years later, “Dizzy” still hits me like a bag of bricks to the gut. While “23” is my go-to favorite JEW song, Jim Adkins has never been more on his game as a lyricist than he was on “Dizzy.” Expressions of affection that seem to be meant for someone else; desperate late night calls from a payphone, leading to nowhere but a lonely answering machine; conversations that go around and around in circles without either person saying what they really need to say. “Do you hear the conversation we talk about?” Jim Adkins asks in the explosive chorus. In the acoustic version, it’s “Do you hear the conversation we talk around?” The boy and the girl in this song, they both know it’s over, but neither has the guts to say the words. Ironically, that stubborn reluctance to tear off the band-aid ends up making everything exponentially more painful for both parties. “You said you’ve never have regrets/Jesus, is there someone yet/Who got that wish?” Jim Adkins sings on the bridge, before asking “Did you get yours, babe?” We don’t get the answer in the lyrics, but we know it’s a “No.” In the kind of relationship this song describes, no one gets out without regrets. I can still remember every moment I spent with these songs in the fall of 2007, blasting them as I drove around town with my newly-minted driver’s license, or leaning on them at the end of a few exceedingly hard days. I recall being struck by how good it felt to hear Adkins’ voice again, how listening to this album those first few times felt like reconvening and commiserating with an old friend. Even by Thanksgiving break, a month and change after the album hit the streets, I was still spinning it religiously, reveling in the hooks of “Here It Goes” or “Chase This Light” and wondering why this sound couldn’t be on the radio. These days, it’s hard for an album to take hold of my life like that. With so many records to listen to and streaming services always there to give us instant accessibility, most of us are scattered in our focus when it comes to music. It’s rare now that a new album will get even a week out of me without sharing real estate with half a dozen other LPs. Jimmy Eat World, though, is one of the few bands that can still command my undivided attention. Last year, I went on a road trip right after I got my hands on Integrity Blues. I listened to it five times in about eight hours of total driving time. Still, without Chase This Light, I don’t know if Jimmy Eat World would have ever become that band for me. Futures made me a fan, but Chase This Light immortalized them as an all-time favorite. It branded its hooks, pristine sound, and devastating lyrics onto my soul during one of the most tumultuous years of my life. In doing so, it made Jimmy Eat World a band that I could never turn away from. A few years ago, when I wrote about Futures and how it inspired my obsessive love of music, I called it “a lightning bolt to the heart.” Chase This Light may not have been the commercial success it should have been, but it did prove to me that lightning could strike the same place twice—at least when it came to my own personal connection with music. Futures kept me afloat when I was 13 and staring down the possibility that I’d have to leave my hometown and move someplace where I didn’t know anyone, right before high school started. Chase This Light came along and did the same thing when I was 16, buckling under the pressures of school, adolescence, romantic confusion, and the lead role in a high school musical where I had to bear the brunt of an emotionally abusive director. Since then, every single Jimmy Eat World album has found me at exactly the right time: Invented in the autumn where I navigated through the euphoria of young love and the loneliness of a long distance relationship; Damage as I wrapped up my final weeks of college and bid farewell to my friends and the town we’d called home for four years; and Integrity Blues as a chaotic election year and a fractured world had me yearning for the simpler angst of my youth. For some Jimmy Eat World fans, Chase This Light was the end of the line. I’m proud to be one of the people for whom it was just the beginning. --- Please consider supporting us so we can keep bringing you stories like this one. ◎ https://chorus.fm/review/jimmy-eat-world-chase-this-light/

[sentrava]

Staying in Tennessee for Spring Break? Here are 26 Fun Ideas for You

Staying in Tennessee for Spring Break while the rest of your friends flock to the beach, big cities and everywhere in between? Lucky you—there’s plenty to do in our gorgeous Southern state that neither requires a flight or hotel room. Here are some of my favorite Tennessee day trips in all corners of the state. Feel free to add your own ideas in the comments below!

Explore Memphis’ musical heritage

Any musical pilgrimage in Tennessee begins and ends with Memphis, from its bluesy and gospel roots to its present-day superstars like Justin Timberlake. You could spend weeks in Tennessee’s largest city hopping around live music venues, big and small, and never go to the same spot twice. So many of my favorite artists like Johnny Cash have deep ties to the Bluff City, and there’s no better way to get a sampler platter for the city’s musical past, present and future than an afternoon with the Mojo Tour with Backbeat Tours.

Related post: A Weekend Guide to Eating + Drinking in Memphis

Go waterfall chasing in Southern Middle Tennessee

With record-high rainfall this year, the falls in Tennessee are absolutely gushing! Want the ultimate waterfall loop? Start at Cummins Falls, loop down to Burgess and Fall Creek Falls, then end over near us in Beersheba Springs where you can tackle Greeter Falls, the Blue Hole and Foster Falls. For a milder waterfall experience, Coffee County is full of them, from Old Stone Fort State Park to Machine Falls and Rutledge.

Related post: A Day Trip to Burgess Falls

Shop along Franklin’s stunning Main Street

Franklin may be known internationally for its Civil War history, but it is also an insanely popular destination among both locals and tourists for its well-preserved downtown and abundance of well-curated, independently-owned shops flanking its main drag, plus a growing number of restaurants (GRAYS on Main, 55 South and OBJ are my downtown favorites). Once you’ve spent some cash, posed in front of the Art Deco-style Franklin Theatre and had happy hour at Frothy Monkey, head over to the Factory at Franklin or out to Leipers Fork at sunset.

Related post: Travel Franklin’s Masters & Makers Trail

Drive (or bike) up to the Domain

I may be biased as I was a student there for two years, but Sewanee is, in my opinion, one of Tennessee’s greatest treasures. Hike the Perimeter Trail, have a specialty coffee from Stirling’s, wander the campus aimlessly, grab a bite and a beer at Shenanigan’s, drive out to Natural Bridge, then end your day at the iconic Cross, overlooking the valley below.

Related post: A Hike Out to Sewanee’s Natural Bridge

Take a food tour of East Nashville

I’m in love with Karen-Lee Ryan’s passion for food and Nashville history, both of which are evident in the trio of tour routes she now offers through Walk Eat Nashville. My personal favorite is the Five Points route, though I’m a sucker for SoBro’s growingly diverse palate, as well. Really, with Karen-Lee at the helm, you can’t go wrong no matter which tour you pick!

Related post: Eat, Sip, Stroll: The Best Food Tour in Nashville

Rent a paddleboard and SUP on Percy Priest

Percy Priest Lake is a reservoir that snakes its way through Davidson County; when arriving by plane from the south, it’s often the first thing you see of Nashville before touching down. And Nashville Paddle Company just happens to be based out of the lake’s Hamilton Creek Recreation Area. Take a SUP Yoga class, join a moonlit group paddle, or even invest in your own board as SVV and I did a few years ago. (Pro tip: Buy one of the gently-used models from the previous year and you’ll save money.)

Related post: My Outdoor Fitness Routine

Spend an afternoon learning about Murfreesboro’s Civil War history

Murfreesboro is full of old 1800s buildings, as well as bluegrass and Americana music, but it’s also Tennessee’s first capital and was one of the more active spots in Middle Tennessee during the Civil War. Ever heard of the Battle of Stones River? How about Hoover’s Gap? You can do your own self-guided tour of the prominent battles that took place in Rutherford County (and maybe even give your kid extra credit for learning over Spring Break!).

Related post: Bluegrass & Americana Music in Murfreesboro

Visit Smyrna’s historic downtown

Who knew that Smyrna’s old train depot and the historic district surrounding it were getting a reboot? Thanks to non-profits like Carpe Artista, the area is brimming with arts—from music classes to rock camp—as well as a cafe, ice cream shop, and a growing number of murals. In warmer months, the depot also boasts a great farmers’ market.

Related post: Rutherford County’s Artistic Epicenter Looks Toward the Future

Hike out to Stone Door

South Cumberland State Park is made up of nine different sections, including the nearly 16,000 acres and 55 miles of hiking trails comprising Savage Gulf State Natural Area that houses one of my favorite easy hikes and scenic overlooks: Stone Door. Once you get out, you can take a narrow staircase down to a couple of spectacular rock formations and slot canyons. Nearby is the Fiery Gizzard Trail for those looking to get their steps in.

Related post: Hiking with Dogs in Middle Tennessee

Spend an afternoon in Lynchburg

Jack Daniel Distillery brings in nearly a half-million tourists a year to the tiny town of Lynchburg. And for good reason: It’s one of the most recognizable brands in the world, plus the tour is just plain fun (if you truly want to taste your way through Jack, I must recommend the Angel’s Share experience). Don’t like whiskey? The tour is still fun, whether you imbibe or not. Plus, the square has an old-timey general store and other curiosities, not to mention Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House, the place to eat if you’re passing through. The delightful hostesses will give you an earful on the history of the area as you stuff your face with Southern treats, both savory and sweet. Looking for a whiskey twofer? My home of Tullahoma is the next town over and lays claim to the distillery of Jasper Daniel’s famous pal, George Dickel (now called Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., an unfortunate rebrand in my opinion).

Related post: On the Whiskey-Fueled Tennessee Backroads

Test your balance on Tims Ford Lake

Love waterskiing? Always wanted to try wakeboarding? Want to be hooked up to the back of a ski boat and go for a spin on an oversized float? Middle Tennessee’s largest lake recreational facility is totally for you then. Tims Ford State Park sits at the cusp of three counties—Franklin, Coffee and Moore—and draws the adrenaline junkies en masse. We’ve always launched from Holiday Landing Marina—if you don’t have a boat of your own, you can rent one for the day there—but the new Twin Creeks development has added even more options, including a dock restaurant, Drafts & Water Crafts.

Related post: Introducing Tims Ford’s Latest Lakefront Development

Take a trip back in time to Bell Buckle

If you want to time travel, there’s nowhere quite like Bell Buckle for a dose of old-fashioned fun paired with a MoonPie sundae. It barely has a couple hundred residents, yet Bell Buckle is one of the area’s biggest tourist destinations, and with plenty of antiques malls, a quaint square and a mighty fine cafe, it’s easy to see why.

Related post: The Charming Town of Bell Buckle

Get tipsy on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Obviously, you’ll need a designated driver (or the assistance of Lyft) for this one, but you know I love the two-year-old Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which now boasts more than 30 member distilleries. Don’t have time to do the full trail? A few of my favorites—including Nelson’s Green Brier and H Clark—are in Middle Tennessee so you can base yourself in Franklin or Nashville and make the most of your day or weekend.

Related post: Traveling the Tennessee Whiskey Trail

See a drive-in movie

I love me a good night at the movies; it’s one of the few times I shut my brain (and phone) off for a two-hour stretch. And what’s better than seeing a movie beneath the twinkling stars? Drive-ins are a dying breed, but Estill Springs right near where I was born has a two-screener, Montana, and I’ve also always wanted to go to Stardust Drive-In Theatre in nearby Watertown, as it just screams nostalgia. Bonus: You pay for one movie and can stick around for both showings if you please.

Check out Lebanon’s charming square

As Nashville booms in all directions, its neighboring cities get that much cooler. Growing up, we only went to Lebanon for the outlet mall or sports tournaments, but now it’s a bona-fide destination itself, not only because of its I-40 locale but also the revitalization of its darling town square. Also worth visiting while you’re in WilCo: Sweet Biscuit Company, Long Hunter State Park, Voodoo Smokehouse and the towering Cedars of Lebanon State Park.

Related post: Discover Majestic Pogue Creek Canyon in Jamestown

Rent a houseboat out on Center Hill Lake

Just 45 minutes east of Lebanon is one of Tennessee’s most popular lakes—and for good reason. Center Hill Lake was a dam constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1948 and now is a popular recreation destination with houseboats, marinas and campgrounds aplenty.

Related post: City Dog Explores Edgar Evins State Park

Channel Johnny and June

In the town of Bon Acqua, Johnny Cash’s legacy very much lives on. Though he and June Carter Cash got rid of all of their pastoral properties over time, they did hold onto one: a 107-acre farm in Hickman County where they resided for three decades. A few years back, it was purchased and revived; it’s now the Storytellers Museum that not only honors the Cash memory, but also has a weekly “Saturday Night in Hickman County” singer-songwriter show.

See a show at the Opry

So many people I know journey from all over the world to see a show on this iconic stage. Yet so many Nashvillians I know have never in their lives been to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. How is that possible? Shows take place several nights a week year-round, are very affordable, and introduce show-goers to a bevy of talent, some newcomers and the others industry veterans. Don’t miss the VIP Backstage tour.

Related post: Date Night at the Grand Ole Opry

Get your thrills at Dollywood

Good golly, Miss Dolly is my favorite Tennessee resident by far, and her theme park Dollywood is every bit as fun as the songbird herself. While you’re there, see one of her dinner shows, and check out a pair of my favorite East Tennessee distilleries, Sugarlands and Old Forge.

Related post: Planning a Dolly-Themed Vacation to the Smokies

Experience the peaceful side of the Smokies

Not looking for the bright lights of Sevier County? There’s a quieter side to the Great Smoky Mountains, and it’s located in Blount County. Rent a cabin in Townsend or stay in Maryville, bike Cades Cove, tube down the Little River (once it opens later spring) and explore this more peaceful mountain experience.

Related post: Sip Your Way Through East Tennessee’s Moonshine Culture

Learn about science and nature at Discovery Park of America

Up in the northwestern Tennessee town of Union City is the ultimate family playground: 70,000 square feet of interactive indoor exhibits and 50 acres of outdoor space comprising Discovery Park of America. From lessons on wildlife education to how to build a cardboard boat, the park’s offerings are wide-ranging and appeal to all ages, plus there’s currently a Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibit through May showcasing Lego renditions of the world’s most impressive skyscrapers. While you’re in the area, be sure and check out Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge and Reelfoot Lake, which was formed by an earthquake more than two centuries ago.

Experience peace and quiet in Ijams Nature Park

Over the past few years, Ijams Nature Center’s lush 300 acres has become one of my favorite Knoxville retreats in warmer months. It’s got 10 miles of hiking trails, a pair of quarries, an adventure center—oh, and did I mention it’s FREE to visit? The activities like zip lining do cost money, but you can also just go hang by the water or check out the blooms and not pay a penny.

Related post: The Perfect Weekend in Knoxville

Geek out at Beechcraft Heritage Museum

This may or may not be one of SVV’s favorite places in Tullahoma (it definitely is), and it’s easy to see why: Beechcraft Heritage Museum hosts regular fly-ins of world-class planes, but even when there’s nothing going on, the aviation museum is open and full of glimmering beauties.

Related post: Don’t Miss These Must-See Spots in Manchester and Tullahoma

Blast off into space at the planetarium

You don’t have to be a budding scientist to love the hands-on experiences at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville; the 44,000 square foot building lays claim to 175 exhibits running the gamut of biology, astronomy, physics, earth science, energy, weather, sound and space. Most notable is the Sudekum Planetarium, featuring various shows in the giant, 63-foot domed theater, as well as fun special activities like Yoga Under the Stars on the last Saturday of every month. The themed laser shows set to soundtracks like Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd are not to be missed.

Related post: How to Do Nashville with the Whole Family

Fore! Golf at the Honors in Chattanooga

My golf-loving brother-in-law Josh tells me the Honors is the Holy Grail for golfers in Tennessee. Given that he’s racked up his own set of honors (by way of countless trophies and golf championships) in the four years he’s been a Tennessean, I’d defer to his recommendation on anything sports-related. This Pete Dye-designed, 18-hole course in the northeast Chattanooga suburb of Ooltewah was born the same year as me and, according to the website, “was considered radical in the 1980’s because of its acres of tall, native-grass rough, unusual Zoysia grass fairways and terrifying speed as lightning greens.” Bear Trace at Tims Ford is another top-notch course I’ve actually had the good fortune of playing.

Mural hunt in Nashville

You may have noticed, but Music City’s street art scene is booming. And SVV and I have photographed more than 100 Nashville murals and put together this handy map for you.

Related post: Check Out These New Downtown Murals in Nashville

I could probably go on with 26 more ideas for day trips to take in Tennessee, but each of these are relatively manageable to plan last-minute if you’re looking for something to do, like, this weekend or even tomorrow.

What are your favorite ways to take advantage of Spring Break in Tennessee?

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Staying in Tennessee for Spring Break? Here are 26 Fun Ideas for You published first on https://medium.com/@OCEANDREAMCHARTERS

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Chart-topper Harry Styles on how his new album was ‘therapy’, the future of One Direction and his sexuality

In a special edition of Bizarre, the 1D superstar tells all from his critically acclaimed new album to his dating life, and talks Mick Jagger, Simon Cowell and Adele

HARRY STYLES is hurtling towards chart domination in the UK and US this week with his critically acclaimed debut album. But as he emerges to greet me — dressed head to toe in black — from the back of a trailer parked behind the venue of his first ever solo show in North London, it’s clear he is in a reflective mood.  

Harry Styles backstage at his first ever solo gig Security have just ordered us not to move more than two metres from the modest caravan — where his band members are chilling after sound check — to avoid the ­hundreds of fans gathered nearby. It’s for their own safety, of course. Who knows the reaction if they knew just a fence and four guards stand between them and the new prince of rock ’n’ roll? The ONE DIRECTION superstar shrugs it off — this level of hysteria has become a commonplace part of his day-to-day life.  

 Harry reflects about how his life was turned upside down by his time in One Direction My first interview with the band, in the X Factor canteen seven years ago, took place as a number of teenage girls were climbing on the roof. It was a sign of things to come. This is the first time I have seen Harry since 1D went on an ­indefinite break at the end of 2015 and there’s a lot to talk about. While the 23-year-old is famously guard­ed about his ­personal life, he reveals that ­writing his own music let him reflect on how his life was turned up­side down by being part of 1D. 

He tells me: “I found it really therapeutic to write. “Sitting at an instrument, you allow yourself to be vulnerable in a different way to speaking to ­anyone, even if you know them really well. I found it to be therapy — things that I’d either not thought about for a long time or hadn’t ­processed really because things had been moving so fast. “I wanted to put out a piece of me that I haven’t put out before.” Harry’s drawl is more intense and he talks more slowly than he has previously. He’s so chilled out and cool it’s like watching someone in slow motion. Like so many teen idols, Harry admits there were times he struggled to cope with life on the road. He explains (slowly): “It’s really hard to go from doing a show with thousands of people there to your hotel room — from being around people to nothing. After five years of doing that, I learnt a lot about myself. “There’s no textbook telling you how to go through that stuff. “With this album, rather than just go in and tell the story about what happened, I got to think about how it actually made me feel at the time. “I feel like it’s a good way of saying what you want to say about something without having to sit and be like, ‘You know what, this really p***ed me off.’ But I also wanted it to be fun to listen to. I didn’t want it to make me depressed.”  

Harry gives the thumbs up while leaving his first solo gig How did he avoid turning to drink and drugs as a crutch like so many of his pop star contemporaries? He answers: “On the first couple of tours it was so exciting as we’d have a drink and go to parties. “But for me, the albums got higher so they become harder to sing so I knew if I didn’t come off stage and go to bed I wouldn’t be able to sing the next night. Also, it’s just not for me. I’d rather wake up with a clear head. I’m not straight edge or anything. I’ll celebrate and hang out with friends when it’s the right time. “But I like knowing I’m not going to be stressing about having to do something the next day. “I usually go long stretches without having anything, have a couple of drinks and wake up feeling like s***, so I have another long stretch of not drinking.” It was important for Harry to be “really honest” on the album.  

 “I didn’t want to sit and edit lyrics down,” he says. “Me ­listening to my favourite artists, I want to know why they chose to be alone one time and how that makes them feel, rather than, ‘I bought some ­champagne’.” On Friday, Harry said on Radio 2 that SIMON COWELL had given him an “anxiety ­problem”, something he insists was a “total, absolute joke”. He says of the X Factor mogul: “He’s wonderful. I spoke to him recently actually. “It’s been cool to go from working with him to have him call as a friend. He’s nice. I wouldn’t be here without him — a good guy.” But given his ex- bandmate ZAYN MALIK has told of his battles with anxiety, I wonder if it’s something he has suffered from seriously. He says: “I get nervous. Doing stuff like this, it would be ­difficult not to get nervous. I try to see it as a good sign that I realise what it is that I’m doing. “But I think it’s really ­important. People should always talk about things that are ­bothering them. It’s important to be open.” I ask Harry about sexuality in pop, a topic in the headlines after MILEY CYRUS spoke openly about her pansexuality. What’s his take? He says: “Being in a creative field, it’s important to be ­progressive. People doing stuff like that is great. “It’s weird for me — everyone should just be who they want to be. It’s tough to justify somebody having to answer to someone else about stuff like that.” So has Harry personally labelled his sexuality? He replies: “No, I’ve never felt the need to really. No.” Would he like to elaborate? “I don’t feel like it’s something I’ve ever felt like I have to explain about myself.” Harry is also steadfast that he won’t talk about his famous exes, singer TAYLOR SWIFT, TV host CAROLINE FLACK and reality TV star KENDALL JENNER. And he remains tight-lipped about his current lady TESS WARD the chef who promotes a “naked diet” and was in the crowd to watch his first solo gig, at London’s The Garage, on Saturday night. I wonder how he has gone about dating during his time off. He says with a laugh: “No, I’m not on Tinder! “I don’t really know. I try not to overthink too much. I don’t really talk about it I guess. “The rollercoaster affects ­different people in different ways. One of the ways that helps me dealing with that is compartmentalising between working. “All that stuff for me, is just a different thing.” Does he feel burnt by high-profile relationships from the past? He says: “You just learn. It’s part of growing up. “When we started I was 16. I’ve kind of learnt what makes me feel uncomfortable. That stuff to me doesn’t feel like ­anything I’ve had to explain.” Harry has managed to hang out with Taylor, Caroline and Kendall since the break-ups. So can you be friends with an ex? He gives a wry smile and answers: “Everyone should be friends, right?” THE future of ONE DIRECTION remains hotly debated – fans are still convinced the band’s hiatus will prove to be short-term. I’ve always doubted that and, ­hearing Harry’s accomplished album, it feels hard to see him rejoining. He giggles nervously when I ­suggest this, then says: “If you listen to anyone’s music, everyone’s is pretty different.” “The thing that I’m happiest about is that I didn’t leave there in a place of, ‘I feel so supressed.’ I never felt like I was faking it. I really enjoyed it. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” Of reuniting, he added: “It’s something I would never rule out doing. Right now everyone’s getting a chance to explore things they want to try and it’s really cool to see what they’re coming up with when it’s just them in a studio writing.” In the first episode of my Bizarre Life With Dan Wootton podcast, NIALL HORAN raised the ­possibility 1D could return as a trio. Where does Harry stand on that? He says: “Um, I dunno really. I can’t say I’ve ever thought about it. “It’s an interesting one. Maybe. I don’t think any of us would rule it out.” To me it feels like something that might happen in a decade, not two years. He replies: “Right, OK. I think it’s tough. I’ve enjoyed ­writing a lot and obviously I’m going to go on tour so I’m doing that at least for the next little bit. “I don’t know with timelines. But in general it would be really bad for any of us to say: ‘No, I don’t want to do that again.’ So you leave the door open? “Yeah, absolutely.” In December, the band were in the same room at the same time for the first time in a year following the death of LOUIS TOMLINSON’s mum. Harry says: “It’s really ­difficult to see people under circumstances like that. But it was really nice to see everyone and get to support Louis.” Absent was ZAYN MALIK, who left 1D before they split and has been largely negative about his time in the band. Harry says: “It’s a shame he felt that way. But I’d never wanna force anyone to do ­anything they didn’t want to do. Life’s too short.”

 - The Sun

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Here’s What Female Politicians Are Doing To Fix Child Care

This post was originally published on this site

What Women Want Now is a program by HuffPost and sister sites dedicated to creating content about the issues and stories that matter most to women. Read more here. Join the conversation with #WhatWomenWantNow.

Kristel England-Keefe has helped literally hundreds of families find child care over the last three years in her role as a referral specialist with a nonprofit organization that serves Sonoma County, California. But when she and her husband have tried to find care for their own two boys, they’ve struggled.  

Both parents are college graduates. Both have jobs. But England-Keefe says that putting the two kids in child care at the same time would cost at least $2,000 a month and probably a lot more. As it is, she says, they can barely cover rent in their two-bedroom apartment, which has no washer-dryer, no air-conditioning and sits just above a noisy street next to a fire station in the city of Santa Rosa.

Their makeshift child care solution is sending the older boy, who is four, to preschool. There, he gets the kind of activity and outdoor time he can’t in the apartment building. But keeping him at preschool all day would be too expensive, so England-Keefe drops him off on her way to work and picks him up on her lunch break to drive him home, where her husband has been watching the younger boy, who is two, since morning.

A few hours later, at around 4:30 p.m., England-Keefe finishes work, drives home again and takes over watching the kids so her husband can go to his job auditing tables at a casino. His shift ends at 2:30 a.m., which means he gets only a few hours of sleep before the 2-year-old is awake and the cycle begins again.

Aaron P. Bernstein via Getty Images Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) is a former preschool teacher and working mother, so perhaps it’s not surprising she’s been leading the charge for Congress to do something about child care.

When England-Keefe and her husband get a day off together, they frequently spend the time taking turns sleeping. “We are not married … we are housemates,” she quips. “Our entire family is in a constant sense of stress.”

If they could find more affordable child care, England-Keefe says, they could get a little time every day to recharge. Or maybe her husband, who has trained as an emergency medical technician, could go back to school and get a nursing degree ― and the much better pay it would bring. “We would just be a family and work on our relationships or work on our economic status, or really work on anything,” she says.

Finding good child care is a struggle all over the U.S.

Stories like England-Keefe’s are pretty common in the U.S. For two-parent families, the average cost of child care for each child works out to about 10 percent of income, according to Child Care Aware of America, which has been compiling these figures for more than a decade. But that figure disguises a lot of variation. The cost burden can be absolutely crushing for parents who live in high-cost areas, have lower incomes or are paying for more than one child at a time. 

In Mississippi, for example, the average cost for accredited infant care is $5,300 per year. That’s about 7 percent of median income for a couple in that state. But in California, the average cost is $16,000 a year, or 18.6 percent of a couple’s income.

For single-parent households, the burden is a lot higher because household income tends to be a lot lower. In California, that $16,000 for infant care represents a whopping 60.4 percent of a single parent’s income, on average. And, again, that’s for just one child.

This problem is almost uniquely American. In France, Sweden and pretty much any other economically advanced country, the government finances extensive child care programs. The systems don’t work perfectly, but the reality is that working families in those countries can usually find high-quality care for their children at prices they can afford.

MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE via Getty Images When the U.S. needed women to work in factories during World War II, the government made sure to provide child care. But lawmakers let the program, known as the Lanham Act, lapse when the war ended.

In the U.S., working parents seeking help with child care must rely on a patchwork of relatively modest federal, state and local initiatives. Some families find their way to programs like Early Head Start, which has a heavy focus on child development and is available at no cost. But only low-income families are eligible and, even for them, slots are extremely limited.

In Texas, more than 46,000 low-income children were on a waiting list for subsidized child care as of last September, according to a report in the Texas Tribune. That number was actually 38 percent lower than earlier in the year, thanks to new federal funds that became available, and experts think it still represents just a fraction of the families that would be eligible if they applied.

The consequences of unaffordable child care are particularly perverse for women, who frequently end up with primary or sole responsibility for child-rearing. Some end up turning down jobs or promotion ― in some cases, because better-paying jobs require different, more expensive child care arrangements that they are unable to make. In other cases, it’s because higher income could mean they are no longer eligible for government programs that target the poor. 

“For families who qualify for subsidies, many times a promotion and raise of even 20 cents an hour would push them over the income limit for programs and so they have to turn down these opportunities,” Lauren Hipp, senior campaign director at the advocacy group MomsRising, told HuffPost.

Many experts believe the lack of affordable child care in the U.S. is among the reasons that the percentage of women in the workforce has actually fallen slightly since the 1990s, while it is has risen in peer countries like Canada, Germany and Japan.

“This has important ramifications for their future work prospects, including their career path and earnings potential,” a trio of researchers concluded in a major 2017 report from the Economic Policy Institute. “Likewise mothers’ career paths and earnings have implications for family income levels and well-being and the economy as a whole.”

Not that the only effects are economic. Kids end up in poor-quality settings, the worst of which are downright hazardous. Parents like England-Keefe end up with complex, overwhelming arrangements that undermine the whole family’s well-being.

And the political system has paid only fleeting attention ― until now.

Child care is on its way to becoming a top-tier issue.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton introduced a proposal designed to make child care more affordable while simultaneously boosting its quality. A year later, a group of Democratic senators led by Patty Murray, from Washington state, wrote and formally proposed legislation to do the same thing. And just last month, Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator running for president, unveiled a major child care initiative of her own.

At the moment, the odds of any of these proposals becoming law are low. In theory, child care isn’t a partisan issue. In practice, the most serious initiatives require some combination of new spending and new regulation, two things the Republicans who have run Washington for the past few years generally oppose.

Boston Globe via Getty Images Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) just rolled out a sweeping child care proposal as part of her presidential campaign, giving the issue new visibility.

But Murray and her allies, including her counterpart in the House, Virginia Democrat Bobby Scott, have been working to shore up support for their measure. Warren’s proposal could give the issue a much higher public profile — because she made it the first major spending proposal of her campaign, and because the size of the investment she has proposed works out to something like four or five times what the federal government already spends on existing early childhood programs.

There is even action at the state level. Lawmakers in both Massachusetts and Washington are pushing legislation that would create a universal child care program. Newly elected governors in California and New Mexico have said guaranteeing access to affordable child care is atop their agendas, though they’ve yet to specify how they would do that on a permanent basis.

Only twice before in U.S. history has child care gotten this kind of political attention. One time was during World War II, when the U.S. needed women to build the war machine. Stories of moms leaving young children sleeping in the back seats of cars parked outside factories helped prompt the federal government to set up and run child care centers all across the country.

The arrangement worked well for parents and kids alike. Research later showed that the families ended up with higher incomes, while the kids did better in school. But after the war, Congress let the program lapse, in no small part because many lawmakers wanted men back in the factories and women back at home.

Not that all women were stay-at-home parents. Mothers in lower-income families frequently had to work just to keep food on the table, and finding child care was a struggle. But by the 1960s and ’70s, they had a lot more company, as traditional gender roles started to break down and more women gained access to the workplace.

This created a new demand for child care, and for a brief moment, it looked like the federal government would respond. Congress passed a bipartisan bill to create a universal care program in 1971 ― only to have then-President Richard Nixon veto it because, he said, government provision of child care would weaken families and move the U.S. closer to communism. 

New York Daily News via Getty Images In 1971, then-President Richard Nixon followed the advice of conservative adviser Pat Buchanan (right) and vetoed a major child care bill, citing the proposal’s “family-weakening implications.”

Although not everybody in Washington saw child care as such a fundamental threat to the American way of life, there weren’t many lawmakers terribly interested in tackling the issue, either. More often than not, they treated child care as a “woman’s issue.” And without many women in government, that was just another way of dismissing it altogether.

It’s by no means coincidental that it was Clinton, the first woman to be a major party nominee, or Warren, who has spoken frequently about the challenges she faced as a working mother, who made ambitious child care proposals cornerstones of their campaigns ― or that it is Murray, a former preschool teacher and working mom, who keeps pushing for child care to be a top priority for Democrats in the Senate.

Another reason the issue is getting new attention is a surge of grassroots support, not just from unions like the Service Employees International Union, which has long talked about child care, but also newer organizations like MomsRising and the United Parent Leaders Action Network, or UPLAN. These groups rally members through social media and turn out working parents to appear at rallies ― in many cases with their young children in tow.

Child care is too expensive — and yet not expensive enough.

A major challenge of the child care crisis is that it is really two problems, quality and cost, that are difficult to address simultaneously.

Definitive data on the quality of child care is difficult to find, but one of the most comprehensive studies to date, a major federal research project from 2006, found that the majority of child care in the U.S. was mediocre or poor. Only 10 percent was considered high-quality. A newer set of studies by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank in Washington, D.C., determined that just over half of all American families live in a “child care desert,” which researchers defined as census tracts with either no licensed child care providers or less than one slot for every three kids.

Parents “may settle for a child care setting that doesn’t feel as safe to them, or end up on really a long commute from their home because that is the only care they can get,” Erin Moore, national organizer for UPLAN, says. “People are resilient, find workarounds, but it’s not a good situation.”

Quality child care does exist in some places. The models that experts most frequently praise are Head Start and the system that the U.S. Department of Defense created for military families once the Pentagon realized that a lack of child care was hurting troop morale and causing some families to leave the military altogether.

The care in those models earns praise because it adheres to high standards. Head Start has a detailed curriculum and requires its educators to get extensive training. Nearly all military child care providers must meet guidelines set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children that cover everything from safety to worker-to-child ratios.

Win McNamee via Getty Images Hillary Clinton proposed a groundbreaking child care initiative as part of her 2016 presidential campaign, but almost nobody noticed.

It costs a lot of money to run programs like these, in no small part because it requires paying child care workers a lot more to attract and retain talented employees. Today, child care workers typically make less than $11 an hour, according to official government statistics. Even parking lot attendants earn more than that.

But child care is already so expensive for families that any effort to drive up quality is likely to make it even more unaffordable ― unless, of course, the government also spends a great deal more money.

This is precisely what promoters of these new plans have in mind. The Murray and Warren proposals differ in some important specifics, but their basic approach is the same. Both would spend a great deal more money on child care. Families could get this care by going through either large centers or in-home providers, as long as those live up to the kinds of high standards that Head Start and military child care are supposed to meet.

Like all policy proposals, these proposed initiatives have drawn some criticism. Some of it has come from progressive writers like Kathleen Geier, who, although supportive in general, thinks the proposals should go farther and make child care absolutely free. (Both the Murray and Warren proposals envision some families paying fees, depending on income.) Matt Bruenig, founder of the progressive People’s Policy Project, feels similarly ― but also says the government should do more to help stay-at-home parents.

Others are more skeptical of the whole approach, arguing that the new quality standards would simply drive up the cost of child care without actually improving quality. The Trump administration just put out a report making that point. Murray, Warren and others promoting these plans will need to address these criticisms and, perhaps, adapt their proposals to win support.

But ultimately, the biggest dispute over any major child care initiative would likely be about the dollars involved. The leading proposals all envision increasing federal spending on early childhood by three, four or even five times, depending on the details, and that’s more than some lawmakers would want to spend.

Advocates of these plans already have a clear, firm response to that concern: They say the investment is worth it.

“I have talked to so many people who cannot afford child care,“ Murray told HuffPost recently. “They are not going to work, they have quit their job, they have turned down promotions. … or they are putting their child in a setting where their child doesn’t get the kind of care they should. Every one of those has a cost ― to the family itself, to the community, to the businesses, to our country’s future.”

England-Keefe knows all about this. She’s seen it happen, at work and in her own life. At one point, she says, she and her husband thought briefly about separating just so their household income would change and qualify them for subsidies. They dismissed the idea, even though England-Keefe says she understands why other couples might do it.

“No one wants to work the system,” she adds. “We just want a system that works.”

The post Here’s What Female Politicians Are Doing To Fix Child Care appeared first on The Chestnut Post.

from The Chestnut Post https://thechestnutpost.com/news/heres-what-female-politicians-are-doing-to-fix-child-care/

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Staying in Tennessee for Spring Break? Here are 26 Fun Ideas for You

Staying in Tennessee for Spring Break while the rest of your friends flock to the beach, big cities and everywhere in between? Lucky you—there’s plenty to do in our gorgeous Southern state that neither requires a flight or hotel room. Here are some of my favorite Tennessee day trips in all corners of the state. Feel free to add your own ideas in the comments below!

Explore Memphis’ musical heritage

Any musical pilgrimage in Tennessee begins and ends with Memphis, from its bluesy and gospel roots to its present-day superstars like Justin Timberlake. You could spend weeks in Tennessee’s largest city hopping around live music venues, big and small, and never go to the same spot twice. So many of my favorite artists like Johnny Cash have deep ties to the Bluff City, and there’s no better way to get a sampler platter for the city’s musical past, present and future than an afternoon with the Mojo Tour with Backbeat Tours.

Related post: A Weekend Guide to Eating + Drinking in Memphis

Go waterfall chasing in Southern Middle Tennessee

With record-high rainfall this year, the falls in Tennessee are absolutely gushing! Want the ultimate waterfall loop? Start at Cummins Falls, loop down to Burgess and Fall Creek Falls, then end over near us in Beersheba Springs where you can tackle Greeter Falls, the Blue Hole and Foster Falls. For a milder waterfall experience, Coffee County is full of them, from Old Stone Fort State Park to Machine Falls and Rutledge.

Related post: A Day Trip to Burgess Falls

Shop along Franklin’s stunning Main Street

Franklin may be known internationally for its Civil War history, but it is also an insanely popular destination among both locals and tourists for its well-preserved downtown and abundance of well-curated, independently-owned shops flanking its main drag, plus a growing number of restaurants (GRAYS on Main, 55 South and OBJ are my downtown favorites). Once you’ve spent some cash, posed in front of the Art Deco-style Franklin Theatre and had happy hour at Frothy Monkey, head over to the Factory at Franklin or out to Leipers Fork at sunset.

Related post: Travel Franklin’s Masters & Makers Trail

Drive (or bike) up to the Domain

I may be biased as I was a student there for two years, but Sewanee is, in my opinion, one of Tennessee’s greatest treasures. Hike the Perimeter Trail, have a specialty coffee from Stirling’s, wander the campus aimlessly, grab a bite and a beer at Shenanigan’s, drive out to Natural Bridge, then end your day at the iconic Cross, overlooking the valley below.

Related post: A Hike Out to Sewanee’s Natural Bridge

Take a food tour of East Nashville

I’m in love with Karen-Lee Ryan’s passion for food and Nashville history, both of which are evident in the trio of tour routes she now offers through Walk Eat Nashville. My personal favorite is the Five Points route, though I’m a sucker for SoBro’s growingly diverse palate, as well. Really, with Karen-Lee at the helm, you can’t go wrong no matter which tour you pick!

Related post: Eat, Sip, Stroll: The Best Food Tour in Nashville

Rent a paddleboard and SUP on Percy Priest

Percy Priest Lake is a reservoir that snakes its way through Davidson County; when arriving by plane from the south, it’s often the first thing you see of Nashville before touching down. And Nashville Paddle Company just happens to be based out of the lake’s Hamilton Creek Recreation Area. Take a SUP Yoga class, join a moonlit group paddle, or even invest in your own board as SVV and I did a few years ago. (Pro tip: Buy one of the gently-used models from the previous year and you’ll save money.)

Related post: My Outdoor Fitness Routine

Spend an afternoon learning about Murfreesboro’s Civil War history

Murfreesboro is full of old 1800s buildings, as well as bluegrass and Americana music, but it’s also Tennessee’s first capital and was one of the more active spots in Middle Tennessee during the Civil War. Ever heard of the Battle of Stones River? How about Hoover’s Gap? You can do your own self-guided tour of the prominent battles that took place in Rutherford County (and maybe even give your kid extra credit for learning over Spring Break!).

Related post: Bluegrass & Americana Music in Murfreesboro

Visit Smyrna’s historic downtown

Who knew that Smyrna’s old train depot and the historic district surrounding it were getting a reboot? Thanks to non-profits like Carpe Artista, the area is brimming with arts—from music classes to rock camp—as well as a cafe, ice cream shop, and a growing number of murals. In warmer months, the depot also boasts a great farmers’ market.

Related post: Rutherford County’s Artistic Epicenter Looks Toward the Future

Hike out to Stone Door

South Cumberland State Park is made up of nine different sections, including the nearly 16,000 acres and 55 miles of hiking trails comprising Savage Gulf State Natural Area that houses one of my favorite easy hikes and scenic overlooks: Stone Door. Once you get out, you can take a narrow staircase down to a couple of spectacular rock formations and slot canyons. Nearby is the Fiery Gizzard Trail for those looking to get their steps in.

Related post: Hiking with Dogs in Middle Tennessee

Spend an afternoon in Lynchburg

Jack Daniel Distillery brings in nearly a half-million tourists a year to the tiny town of Lynchburg. And for good reason: It’s one of the most recognizable brands in the world, plus the tour is just plain fun (if you truly want to taste your way through Jack, I must recommend the Angel’s Share experience). Don’t like whiskey? The tour is still fun, whether you imbibe or not. Plus, the square has an old-timey general store and other curiosities, not to mention Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House, the place to eat if you’re passing through. The delightful hostesses will give you an earful on the history of the area as you stuff your face with Southern treats, both savory and sweet. Looking for a whiskey twofer? My home of Tullahoma is the next town over and lays claim to the distillery of Jasper Daniel’s famous pal, George Dickel (now called Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., an unfortunate rebrand in my opinion).

Related post: On the Whiskey-Fueled Tennessee Backroads

Test your balance on Tims Ford Lake

Love waterskiing? Always wanted to try wakeboarding? Want to be hooked up to the back of a ski boat and go for a spin on an oversized float? Middle Tennessee’s largest lake recreational facility is totally for you then. Tims Ford State Park sits at the cusp of three counties—Franklin, Coffee and Moore—and draws the adrenaline junkies en masse. We’ve always launched from Holiday Landing Marina—if you don’t have a boat of your own, you can rent one for the day there—but the new Twin Creeks development has added even more options, including a dock restaurant, Drafts & Water Crafts.

Related post: Introducing Tims Ford’s Latest Lakefront Development

Take a trip back in time to Bell Buckle

If you want to time travel, there’s nowhere quite like Bell Buckle for a dose of old-fashioned fun paired with a MoonPie sundae. It barely has a couple hundred residents, yet Bell Buckle is one of the area’s biggest tourist destinations, and with plenty of antiques malls, a quaint square and a mighty fine cafe, it’s easy to see why.

Related post: The Charming Town of Bell Buckle

Get tipsy on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Obviously, you’ll need a designated driver (or the assistance of Lyft) for this one, but you know I love the two-year-old Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which now boasts more than 30 member distilleries. Don’t have time to do the full trail? A few of my favorites—including Nelson’s Green Brier and H Clark—are in Middle Tennessee so you can base yourself in Franklin or Nashville and make the most of your day or weekend.

Related post: Traveling the Tennessee Whiskey Trail

See a drive-in movie

I love me a good night at the movies; it’s one of the few times I shut my brain (and phone) off for a two-hour stretch. And what’s better than seeing a movie beneath the twinkling stars? Drive-ins are a dying breed, but Estill Springs right near where I was born has a two-screener, Montana, and I’ve also always wanted to go to Stardust Drive-In Theatre in nearby Watertown, as it just screams nostalgia. Bonus: You pay for one movie and can stick around for both showings if you please.

Check out Lebanon’s charming square

As Nashville booms in all directions, its neighboring cities get that much cooler. Growing up, we only went to Lebanon for the outlet mall or sports tournaments, but now it’s a bona-fide destination itself, not only because of its I-40 locale but also the revitalization of its darling town square. Also worth visiting while you’re in WilCo: Sweet Biscuit Company, Long Hunter State Park, Voodoo Smokehouse and the towering Cedars of Lebanon State Park.

Related post: Discover Majestic Pogue Creek Canyon in Jamestown

Rent a houseboat out on Center Hill Lake

Just 45 minutes east of Lebanon is one of Tennessee’s most popular lakes—and for good reason. Center Hill Lake was a dam constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1948 and now is a popular recreation destination with houseboats, marinas and campgrounds aplenty.

Related post: City Dog Explores Edgar Evins State Park

Channel Johnny and June

In the town of Bon Acqua, Johnny Cash’s legacy very much lives on. Though he and June Carter Cash got rid of all of their pastoral properties over time, they did hold onto one: a 107-acre farm in Hickman County where they resided for three decades. A few years back, it was purchased and revived; it’s now the Storytellers Museum that not only honors the Cash memory, but also has a weekly “Saturday Night in Hickman County” singer-songwriter show.

See a show at the Opry

So many people I know journey from all over the world to see a show on this iconic stage. Yet so many Nashvillians I know have never in their lives been to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. How is that possible? Shows take place several nights a week year-round, are very affordable, and introduce show-goers to a bevy of talent, some newcomers and the others industry veterans. Don’t miss the VIP Backstage tour.

Related post: Date Night at the Grand Ole Opry

Get your thrills at Dollywood

Good golly, Miss Dolly is my favorite Tennessee resident by far, and her theme park Dollywood is every bit as fun as the songbird herself. While you’re there, see one of her dinner shows, and check out a pair of my favorite East Tennessee distilleries, Sugarlands and Old Forge.

Related post: Planning a Dolly-Themed Vacation to the Smokies

Experience the peaceful side of the Smokies

Not looking for the bright lights of Sevier County? There’s a quieter side to the Great Smoky Mountains, and it’s located in Blount County. Rent a cabin in Townsend or stay in Maryville, bike Cades Cove, tube down the Little River (once it opens later spring) and explore this more peaceful mountain experience.

Related post: Sip Your Way Through East Tennessee’s Moonshine Culture

Learn about science and nature at Discovery Park of America

Up in the northwestern Tennessee town of Union City is the ultimate family playground: 70,000 square feet of interactive indoor exhibits and 50 acres of outdoor space comprising Discovery Park of America. From lessons on wildlife education to how to build a cardboard boat, the park’s offerings are wide-ranging and appeal to all ages, plus there’s currently a Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibit through May showcasing Lego renditions of the world’s most impressive skyscrapers. While you’re in the area, be sure and check out Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge and Reelfoot Lake, which was formed by an earthquake more than two centuries ago.

Experience peace and quiet in Ijams Nature Park

Over the past few years, Ijams Nature Center’s lush 300 acres has become one of my favorite Knoxville retreats in warmer months. It’s got 10 miles of hiking trails, a pair of quarries, an adventure center—oh, and did I mention it’s FREE to visit? The activities like zip lining do cost money, but you can also just go hang by the water or check out the blooms and not pay a penny.

Related post: The Perfect Weekend in Knoxville

Geek out at Beechcraft Heritage Museum

This may or may not be one of SVV’s favorite places in Tullahoma (it definitely is), and it’s easy to see why: Beechcraft Heritage Museum hosts regular fly-ins of world-class planes, but even when there’s nothing going on, the aviation museum is open and full of glimmering beauties.

Related post: Don’t Miss These Must-See Spots in Manchester and Tullahoma

Blast off into space at the planetarium

You don’t have to be a budding scientist to love the hands-on experiences at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville; the 44,000 square foot building lays claim to 175 exhibits running the gamut of biology, astronomy, physics, earth science, energy, weather, sound and space. Most notable is the Sudekum Planetarium, featuring various shows in the giant, 63-foot domed theater, as well as fun special activities like Yoga Under the Stars on the last Saturday of every month. The themed laser shows set to soundtracks like Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd are not to be missed.

Related post: How to Do Nashville with the Whole Family

Fore! Golf at the Honors in Chattanooga

My golf-loving brother-in-law Josh tells me the Honors is the Holy Grail for golfers in Tennessee. Given that he’s racked up his own set of honors (by way of countless trophies and golf championships) in the four years he’s been a Tennessean, I’d defer to his recommendation on anything sports-related. This Pete Dye-designed, 18-hole course in the northeast Chattanooga suburb of Ooltewah was born the same year as me and, according to the website, “was considered radical in the 1980’s because of its acres of tall, native-grass rough, unusual Zoysia grass fairways and terrifying speed as lightning greens.” Bear Trace at Tims Ford is another top-notch course I’ve actually had the good fortune of playing.

Mural hunt in Nashville

You may have noticed, but Music City’s street art scene is booming. And SVV and I have photographed more than 100 Nashville murals and put together this handy map for you.

Related post: Check Out These New Downtown Murals in Nashville

I could probably go on with 26 more ideas for day trips to take in Tennessee, but each of these are relatively manageable to plan last-minute if you’re looking for something to do, like, this weekend or even tomorrow.

What are your favorite ways to take advantage of Spring Break in Tennessee?

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Staying in Tennessee for Spring Break? Here are 26 Fun Ideas for You published first on https://medium.com/@OCEANDREAMCHARTERS