#living the Facebook mom group dream

[madoka-take-me-away]

Every time I hear about white women eating their placentas all I think about is Hannigram

[cupidlovesastro]

11th house can represent friends, community, groups, the future, networking, social media, technology, hopes, wishes, aquaintences, sudden blessings, audiences, dreams

moon represents emotions, intuitions, comforts, unconscious mind, instincts, spirituality, motherhood, guidance, fertility, femininity, and your home.

topics in this post- general idea of an 11h moon, comforts, good mom traits, bad mom traits, your house/room, 11th house moon celebrities

☆ these people may be the kind of people who says their emotions to multiple people, or often needs to express theirself to multiple people. they may also express their emotions on their social media accounts or even have a “vent” account. they could have friends that guided them a lot in and through life. their friends mom may also have played a role in their life and growing up. you may have surrounded yourself with people who were in a particular group, wether it be a good or bad community, but they guide. you were likely influenced by these people as well. they could’ve played a huge part in your development, especially through childhood. you may feel quite lost without a group or community of support. you can feel like you lack direction when you have less friends, or loose members of a community. you may make many friends on social media, and can also be easily influenced by social media. although, you likely have an audience that sees you as a guidance, and also a community where you feel comforted and supported. you may also learn more about spirituality and look to social media for spiritual content. at some point you may have wanted to start a social media account where you share spiritual knowledge and experiences. you may also be super empathetic when it comes to your friends and can even be a guidance for them as well. you like helping people and you like to be in a community where people are looking for someone to give them advice, mother/ father them, show them the “right way”. especially spirituality or emotionally

☆ you feel comforted when you have a community, a group, a support system, etc. you feel safe when you know you have multiple people to back you up or fall back on. you may also feel comforted through social media, or other things you can watch on technology. like movies, shows, video games, etc. you hate when you don’t have hope in something, and in a way, having hope is what gives you comfort. so when you have people reassuring you, it can make you hopeful and wishful

☆ if you have a good mom, she could’ve been a very influential and strong supporter in your life. she may have been like a friend and a mom in one. she may also text you, call you, or face time you a lot if you guys are away, or live separately. she may have introduced you to child hood friends through her own friends who had children. she gave you a lot of hope and always made you reach for the stars. i could hear her say “nothing is impossible” energy. she always reminded you that if you have no other friends or supporter, that you have her. she may also love posting you on facebook or other social media platforms. she could work in places where she’s offering advice and help to others. so maybe a teacher, counselor, therapist, rehab, etc. she loved helping people and your friends may even see her as a mother figure to them as well. she also cared about your future a lot and could have put things in preparation for your future or for when you were born

☆ if you have a bad mom, she may have often give you to other people to take care of. she could’ve treated you more like a friend than an actual mother and lacked in guiding you as a caregiver. she may talk badly about you on social media or to her friends. she may even tell your own friends bad things about you. there could’ve been a group or community of people in your life (even family) who she failed to protect you from. she may also express her feelings to multiple people and tell all of her or your business to people. she may be very emotional in public and to friends, to gain empathy. she could also get people to hang up on you, to be on her side, rather than yours

↓(if you don’t have a house, apply this to your room)↓

☆ you may want a house that’s on the bigger side so you can house many people if you wanted or needed to. you also could want a more technologically advanced home. your home gives a friendly vibes to others, that make them feel welcomed. your home can also feel spiritual and almost dreamy in a way. your home also has “party” energy, even if it’s not messy. it looks like a house that would be a fun to party in. it could also be social media worthy, like people think it’s worth posting on social media for. there’s also this energy about it that makes people hopeful, and some may even wish they had your house

☆ 11th house moon celebrities- billie eilish, keanu reeves, justin beiber, drake, hillary clinton, george clooney, cameron diaz, gigi hadid, oprah winfrey, kourtney kardashian

[kimulus0check]

can I ask for specific hcs? (ex trans characters or sth like that)

I want to make this to what I personally see while also keeping it to character I can. Like for example I don’t think mean little teenage boys from the 90s to early 2000s know what demiromantic means nor are going to know that theres more than two genders. Much less grown ass men who canonically have Facebook. Just a pet peeve

Hyperspecific or weird headcanons

Bill Dickey

•He is a dictionary definition of a sociopath or has antisocial personality disorder; but has never been to the doctors to be diagnosed. He wouldn’t even think there’s anything wrong with him either nor would think he would have any symptoms, even when they heavily show up a lot.

•symptoms of antisocial personality disorder are characterized by: those with antisocial personality disorder tend to lie, break laws, act impulsively, and lack regard for their own safety or the safety of others. Which we see him do by lighting himself on fire to intentionally burn down the comic shop and everyone in it.

•His overall lack for empathy for others is very prominent from the beginning to the end of the comic series.

•He is not gay, but he isn’t straight either. His hatred and Blanton misogyny towards women compared to his almost religous idolization fictional men is something that speaks for itself.

•Deep down he is aromantic. Though I doubt he would find out about this for himself until he’s seventy-five years old or dead in the grave. He dreams and yearns for sexual intimacy but doesn’t want to actually achieve it with a person in real life. He sees sex more as a social status to achieve than something you do with your partner in a romantic relationship.

•my most extreme head canon I mentioned in my general head canon post was that his parents are divorced and his mother has full custody of him and his sister.

•His father used to be very abusive to him and his sister but neither of them really registered that ‘violence and beating each other is bad’ and that’s why they are so violent towards each other and just physically aggressive in general. Also gives a reason why we never see his father.

Jerome Stokes

•is neurodivergent, more specifically having verbal stimming and stutters when trying to say the letter B. Jerry is more high-functioning on the ASD spectrum.

•Hates having his clothes wet, some clothing material like polyesters or cotton and can’t stand certain smells and lights because of sensory issues. But with his friends or if had partner was around him when he was having sensory problems he would mask and try to thug it out even though he is having a mental breakdown internally.

•It would take a lot for him to even open up about his feelings because he emotionally shuts himself off when his with the club members to get less hurt when they shit on his interest in fantasy or get into fights verbal and literal fights.

•Lives with his mother and father but they’re very religious and conservative so they don’t support his fantasy hobbies at all but let him indulge thinking “it’s just a phase”. They don’t really know how to live with the fact he is neurodivergent, specifically his mother. His father works a job with long hours so he is rarely home, if he is home he’s not awake half of the time. So his mother helicopters him and coddles him when he doesn’t need to be.

•The most open minded person of the group, but will follow in the clubs behaviors because he doesn’t want to be excluded or not have friends despite the ones he has right now are god awful.

•Has definitely was sent to Christian camp over the summer in middle school. His mom has found some of his fantasy porn stash in his closet and thought he was going astray from god.

Josh Levy

•Josh is a collective turned organized hoarder and over consumer. He canonically stated in the comics how he lost the passion in his hobbies and now just grasps at any collectibles he can find just to have them.

•sort of a sudo-masochist. Like he would never enjoy pain for his own pleasure but he’d know when he’s miserable and is aware what he does isn’t healthy, but continues to do it because he’s already in the deep shit of it.

•speaking of shit, the fact he only eats certain food products because they have collectibles even though he hates the food and has horrendous bowel movements on the regular makes him so much more sadder because he is willing to borderline torture himself just to collect.

•He comes from a Jewish family and a very religious family at that.

•he has naturally curly hair but he doesn’t shower almost at all so his curls turn into a greasy oily slick mop of a ponytail.

•moles and birthmarks all over his body.

•secretly closeted gay, and has probably online dated with men but will die in his grave than come out to his friends or loved ones.

Pete Dinunzio

•Pete is seen to have some anger issues in the pilot and in the comics like bill, but his anger derives from a sense of justice and fairness (though only when it benefits him).

•lives with a very strict and intense father and a couple older brothers, along with his more lenient mother.

•closeted gay but is homophobic to out gay people because he can’t process his own turmoil and eternalized homophobia. (his family is catholic Italian New Yorkers they probably don’t fuck with gay people.)

•Pete is impulsive and vain. Not thinking about the consequences of his choices like the other boys but his hobbies do take a toll on him more differently than the other three. when he gets older he thrives in an environment where they enable his worst habits and addiction to the point where he is a assistant producer in snuff films, horror porn, etc.

•you could hold the argument where Josh has a similar path in his career as swell, but Josh is only and editor while Pete is a co-producer. Having a higher job title and embedding the fact that this is no longer a new he hobby but apart of who he is in the worst way possible to where he is taking sexual advantage of the women who work for him.

•He wants to be covered in tattoos when he’s older with full sleeves and everything, but in his later years has a couple of five to eight tattoos scattered over his body.

•this is very much a stretch but I think he warms up to people like rigby from regular show. (stay with me-please) He is very distant and mean at first but if he warms up to you he will grow to be very loyal towards you.

[abroadlifeactually]

The Soft Life or Slightly Cushioned?

I find myself contemplating what the “soft life” really means? During a conversation with one of my good friends from back home she said “girl, just embrace the soft life”. I was stunned for a minute, because nothing about my life at the moment felt soft. Is this the soft life!?!?Because it didn’t feel very soft. It hadn’t even occurred to me that it could be labeled that way.  I was a full-time housewife who’s free time was spent cleaning. I started looking into what exactly constituted a “soft life”. Quickly I realized, that label was being used very generally for vastly different ways of life. For example, there are stay at home moms (SAHM), and there are stay at home moms with nannies and/or housekeepers, and those two moms are living very different lives. At the time I was living the former.

When we first moved into our apartment, I was the main caregiver of Sunbeam, with help from my husband who is a very active dad. I was also solely responsible for all of the house upkeep, luckily my husband likes to cook and grocery shop so I had help with that part. This was the most grueling work I’ve ever done, and I worked in PR in NYC, and at a non-profit with what felt like 60% turnover. There were no breaks, no downtime, and you are plugged in 24 hours a day. The only time to myself was in the bathroom, which had to be quick because the Sunbeam is very active, and eventually that became similar to an open floor plan. I was exhausted and would crash immediately after Sunbeam went down. Nothing about that felt soft to me. There are people out in the world who would love this life, but being a housewife was never my dream. As a former professional woman, I found it much more challenging than any office job I’ve ever had.

After a few months of living in a haze, we finally sought help. A friend advised us to tear numbers off flyers on the grocery store bulletin board to find a nanny/help, which sounded crazy to me. Turns out it’s a legitimate way to find help here, so we did. We also joined facebook groups and put up help wanted posts. Eventually we found our nanny/housekeeper who changed my life. She works part-time so I’m still with Sunbeam most of the time, but now I have someone to help with the upkeep of the house, and allows me to go to appts, run errands, etc without having to pack a bag and drag my stroller onto trains and busses.

I will admit this is definitely a “softer” life, and affords me the flexibility in my life to do more self-care and things such as blogging, and working out, which is nice and necessary. However, my life does not look like what Tik Tok demonstrates as the soft life. There are no trips to chanel, or champagne brunches. My cupboard is not neatly laid out with monochromatic jars, and no matter how much we clean the apartment is always covered in toys, crushed cheerios, and whatever Sunbeam gets into. I’m still not convinced that I am living the soft life, certainly not as shown on social media. So maybe I’m living a slightly cushioned life??

I am grateful for the life that I have now, and I realize that flexibility is very privileged and that I live a life that some may desire. I love being home with Sunbeam and I wouldn’t change that for the world, but there are always challenges. Being a SAHM doesn’t feel like less work or soft work, but different work. And it’s very easy to lose your identity and feel bored and lonely, especially when living abroad. Daily meal planning (three healthy meals and two snacks) and creating an educational environment for a toddler all day with no attention span is not easy. The closet that I passionately curated over the course of several years now sits still, and is quickly being replaced by shirts with built-in bras, birkenstocks, and jogging pants. You dress for comfort and stains, which leads to fewer excuses to indulge in shopping like I would have previously. I can only speak for my experience, which might be different since I live abroad and my nanny only works part-time. But when I check-in with the fellow expat housewives in my little cohort, they all express similar sentiments so it’s not just me.

I understand the desire and the benefits to living this way, so my words aren’t meant to dissuade, but to just give perspective. From what I can see, unless you have unlimited amounts of money and a partner who doesn’t mind how you spend it, then if I am living what is considered a soft life, then it doesn’t look the way it’s shown on social media. At least if you have kids.

[echoingbirdsofprey]

Lightning On My Lips (Every Time You Kiss Me)

19 - Home Was A Dream, One I'd Never Seen, Til You Came Along

Pairing: Tyler Owens x OFC Georgia Tennley

Rating: Explicit (MDNI!)

Warnings: SMUT, talkin' bout babies again, piv, rough!Tyler (even when he's rough he's gentle though)

A/N: This was a little self indulgent hehehe

Playlist

Kate and Javi left the next morning, heading to her mom’s to clean up the old barn and set up a base for themselves. Tyler was going to suggest they just set everything up here, but he didn’t have full reign of the property quite yet. Emmaleigh and Mattias' things were all still here. Good thing about that was that they could use Mattias’ tools. So Tyler had begun to tinker with Georgia’s truck again. It was mostly body work that needed to happen and luckily Tyler was pretty handy at that, so over the next few days, he didn’t see much of Georgia as she had begun to clean up her saddles and bridles and get the two mares back into light work. She was mostly just walking them around the arena in hand, but it was a start. She’d sat in the house for a bit on her laptop, wondering if Tyler had been serious about getting her another horse.

She looked through some of her old Facebook groups and Instagram accounts. She hadn’t touched any of it for the past year or so, after the mares had retired. She still had messages from old friends asking if she could help them with their horses. She decided to message a few of them, offering her services if they were interested. She was surprised when over the next few hours she received several messages asking her when they could trailer out to the ranch and take a lesson.She even had a girl ask about working for her in exchange for lessons. She took a break, trying to digest what exactly was going on. She went out to the garage and found Tyler underneath her truck, having changed into a tattered hi-vis yellow t-shirt that had the name of Bobby’s garage on the back. He heard her dainty booted footsteps and crawled out from under the truck, standing and wiping his hands on a rag that he’d hung from the damaged side mirror. He’d replace those completely soon enough. 

He smiled at her. “I’d kiss ya but I’m kinda fuckin’ disgustin’.” He said, and she leaned against her truck. She was quiet and glanced down, toeing the ground, tapping her heel, and then sighing deeply. Tyler stepped closer, his fingertips gently connecting with her upper arms. “What’s’matter, Peach?”

“I messaged a few people about teaching. I had some replies. Even someone asking to work for me in exchange for lessons.” She murmured and Tyler’s grip tightened and he did kiss her, and he smelled like diesel and oil, but she was totally fine with that. 

“That’s amazin’! You gonna take her up on that?” Tyler asked and she shrugged.

“I wanted to ask you if you thought it was a good idea. I feel like if I’m gonna do this, I should try to write up some contracts and rules and shit. We have six more stalls...I could offer boarding as long as they’re not high maintenance...but we’d need to separate the pastures because Wilene will beat the shit outta other horses. She only doesn’t kill Twist because they’ve lived together their whole life.” Georgia explained and Tyler stepped away, nodding his head in agreement at all of her thoughts.

“I think that all sounds great. I think it’s up to you...I know you wanna include me, but it’s ultimately your decision. I’m just the labor.” He joked and Georgia smacked him lightly on his arm.

“You’re not just the labor, Tyler. You’re a part of this too. You included me in everythin’ with Kate and Javi, even though I only had a basic understanding of some of the shit you were talkin’ about. I wanna include you.” Georgia said, invading his space. She could smell his cologne through the diesel soot and engine oil and the mixture of it sent a shiver down her spine. Her cheeks went rosy as she gazed up at him.

“ Oh, Peach...” He purred, noticing her complexion change as their bodies connected, belt buckles clinking together. “You know how pretty you look when you want somethin’ from me? And God , I’ll give you everythin ’, that I fuckin’ promise.” His tone slid down an octave, still bearing softness and sensuality in several notes, and Georgia’s lips turned up, lids lowered, as she draped her arms around his well-built shoulders. His hands landed at her hips and drew her in. They stayed quietly connected for a few more moments before they parted. 

“Can I help with my truck?” Georgia asked and Tyler kissed her once again.

“Nah, Peach, you can answer those people back and look pretty while doin’ it though. Lemme play around with the truck a bit more and then I’ll come in and make dinner for you. Boone and Lily should be here in a day or two.” Tyler explained and Georgia nodded and smiled, as she waved and turned to head back into the house.

Twist and Wilene whinnied as they saw her come from the garage, so she stopped to give them some love before going to sit on the porch with the puppies. The puppies who had settled right into being wonderful little farm dogs, and had been relaxing by the front door, waiting for Tyler and Georgia to come back. They had become accustomed to their humans flitting around, doing all kinds of things so if the puppies didn’t feel like it, they didn’t follow, and just chilled out on the porch.

Georgia sat in the rocking chair on the porch, answered some messages and emails, 

When Boone and Lily arrived the next afternoon, Tyler let the puppies out first. Boone jumped up and down with excitement and Lily immediately sat on the ground, so she could get bowled over by the three puppies. Tyler stepped down off the porch, making his way to the truck, a newer Dodge, another dual-wheeled diesel but with a long bed, painted a dark pine green. It had a rack like Tyler’s truck and bright KC lights, a busted tail light, a fucked up tailgate and performance shocks underneath. With some modifications, and welding a roll cage onto the frame, it would be tornado ready by next season. 

“Boone, we’re gonna look like fuckin’ Christmas chasin’ these storms.” Tyler joked and they hugged and shook hands. Tyler hugged Lily too and proceeded then to check over every inch of the truck with Boone. Georgia came outside a few minutes later and hugged Lily.

“How are you doin’?” Lily asked, and Georgia smirked. 

“Did Tyler tell you yet?” She asked and Lily shook her head.

“Tell us what?” Boone inquired as he pulled Georgia into a tight hug as they’d rounded off looking at the truck. Tyler put his hands on his hips and smiled.

“Gee and I are havin’ a baby.” Tyler said, proudly, and both Boone and Lily’s eyes went wide before Boone jumped in the air and whooped loudly. He skipped around for a couple seconds, then hugged Tyler and Georgia separately and then he kissed Lily, which took her by surprise.

“We’re gonna be Uncle Booney and Auntie Lily, baby!” He exclaimed and Lily just smiled and pulled Georgia into an embrace. 

🌪⛈️🌪

Georgia stared out the window over the kitchen sink, taking a sip of water and feeling immediate nausea. She wished it would stop, but now she knew the reason. She just wished she could have it both ways, because a few weeks in and the nausea was draining her completely. She had no problem with being pregnant, but the morning sickness was horrible, and sometimes it would persist into the afternoon. Today in particular was a bad day, halfway through the morning and she’d just gotten out of bed. Tyler spent day and night with Georgia, hidden away in their-soon-to-be home and even though he was always doing something, he made sure he made time to check in with Georgia, even if they weren’t in the immediate vicinity of each other. 

He’d been out most of the morning, having come back in several times to check on her. This time he was thinking maybe he was getting hungry, and he wanted to see if Georgia was feeling up to eating anything yet. She’d made a doctor’s appointment at his behest, knowing that he was worried about how severe her morning sickness had been right away. She wasn’t at a point that it was debilitating, but Tyler was ready at any moment to take her to the emergency room if needed. 

She heard footsteps behind her but she didn’t look because she knew it was him. She could tell by the slight hesitation in his left foot as he stepped. It was as if he didn’t place all of his weight across the whole bottom of his foot. If he did, he’d get a sharp sting running up his leg and through his hip. It was the smallest limp, but it was noticeable to her. She’d clocked it the first time she’d met him and he had been pretty damn good at hiding it, but he always let his guard down around her, especially if they were alone. He knew he could relax and show a little weakness with her. She accepted him as he was.

She felt a hand weave around her waist. The other around her jaw, turning her head slightly so that he could capture her lips with his. His body was warm as it enclosed her from behind, his hips pressing hers into the counter. In fact, his shirt was sweat soaked and she could smell the soot from the trucks on him. 

“How ya feelin’? He asked, his voice raspy and deep. Georgia pushed her back into his chest and his hand that was on her jaw traveled down to cup a tender breast and begin to knead it gently through her tank top. “I just sent Boone and Lily to the store for a few things. Should be back in a half hour or so...” He said, as Georgia moaned softly at the feel of his hand on her tits. They were so sore and his warm, calloused hands felt wonderful to her. His other hand pulled up the hem of her shirt, fingers caressing circles around her belly button.

“Tyler...I...” She began but she gave up saying much of anything as he ground his hips against hers. She reached down and unzipped her jeans. She pulled them down just enough to expose her most sensitive parts to the humid air. Tyler did the same, freeing his cock from the confines of his tight jeans. He licked his lips as he pressed kisses up and down the side of her neck and cheek. He moved her hair to one side so that he could nibble her earlobe and kiss her jaw. 

“You want me right here, over the kitchen sink, darlin’? He asked, lust evident in his tone as it took on a thick and sweet quality that only reminded her of a top shelf bourbon that they used to never be able to afford.

“Yes, Tyler, please.” She groaned, not wanting to wait any longer. The nausea had gone, and more than a few times now it was because Tyler had come in, hot and heavy and ready to fuck her again. Her desire for him overcame everything at this point. She knew a lot of it was her hormones were on overdrive, but Tyler certainly wasn’t helping any. He took his length in hand, swiped it through her very wet and very ready folds before pushing inside her. She grasped for purchase on the window sill with one hand, and the counter on the other. Tyler pressed forward, wrapping one arm around her waist, holding her away from the edge of the counter so she wouldn’t have bruises. His other hand intertwined with hers on the window sill, as he thrust, rough and sloppy. 

“Oh, fuck, Ty!” Georgia’s moans were long and drawn out as he continued carelessly rutting into her. His grip tightened, lack of rhythm apparent as he struggled to connect his lips with her neck. The only sounds that reached her ears then were their belt buckles jingling, the slap of their skin together as Tyler thrust roughly in and out, and his breath at her ear, whispering the dirtiest shit he’d ever said to her. 

“You’re such a fuckin’ naughty girl, Gee. Where else you gonna let me fuck you, darlin’, huh?” He asked, voice deep as the depths of the ocean with an almost animalistic yearning. Few times had she felt Tyler like this, and she knew when he was this riled up, he was tired. 

“Wherever you want, Ty. Whenever you want.” She breathed, as he thrust once more, coming undone. She didn’t even need to finish, because the feeling of him spilling inside her, as he bent her over the kitchen sink, had her pretty damn satisfied. 

“Goddamn, Peach. I almost forgot how wild you are.” His words were drawn out, strained, as pressed his nose into her neck, breathing in the faint fruity scent of her shampoo and soap, mixed with her sweat. His hips stuttered and stilled, as he settled in weight behind her, his knees shaky. He’d feel this later. 

“Why are we so horny, Ty?” She asked jokingly and it made him laugh and press his lips to the back of her neck. He sighed, resting his head against her back. She settled over the sink, nostrils flaring, feeling nausea creep up again, but she pushed it down as best as she could. 

“Cause we’re in fuckin’ love, Gee. We’re stupid in love.” He said as he reached up to pull her shirt aside so he could kiss her shoulder. He rubbed his stubbly cheek against her soft skin before stepping away. She felt a rush of warmth and emptiness as he pulled out. She whimpered and glanced over her shoulder at him. He was tucking himself back in jeans and she wiggled her own back up. 

“We should probably clean ourselves up before Boone and Lily get back. This kitchen smells like sex.” Tyler laughed and he grabbed her hand, not even letting her zip her jeans.

“But Ty, I was...” Georgia began and he shushed her.

“ Peach, I can fuck you again in the shower .” He smirked and guided her up the stairs. 

“You’re so bad.” She mused, her grin widening, and he kissed her, twirling her slowly before they reached the bathroom.

“You said I could have you anywhere, anytime. Figure we should take advantage of the alone time.” He said and she giggled, nearly jumping on him as they passed the threshold of the bathroom.

[sapphicbookclub]

Author Spotlight: Diane Billas

We at the Sapphic Book Club are excited to bring you a new essay from author Diane Billas, titled Feeling Like I Belong. Billas is the author of the current club read Does Love Always Win?, her debut novel.

I never thought I belonged in the LGBTQ+ community. I’m pansexual and married to a man, so honestly, I very rarely told people my sexual orientation because I was afraid to be judged and wasn’t sure if I was queer enough. I was scared of the inevitable bi/pan erasure to happen. 

But I started to find that this wasn’t healthy for my own mental health. Plus, I was denying people a chance to know who I am as an individual—the real me—and I made assumptions about what people might say that might not actually be true. 

Through the help of my therapist, I joined an LGBTQ+ support group to dip my toes into feeling like I belong somewhere. I first wanted to attend a bi/pan group but I couldn’t find one, so I decided to join an LGBTQ+ support group near where I live and I’m so happy I did. They are the nicest and most accepting group of people I have ever met. My first time attending the group I think I only said a few words but I could tell that I was going to feel comfortable confiding in them. They made me feel like there was actually a spot for me in the LGBTQ+ community, and for that, I am so thankful. 

By the time my sapphic young adult novel, Does Love Always Win?, was picked up by a publisher, I was finally feeling more sure about myself, thanks to my support group and therapist. I decided to take the leap and tell my family about myself. I wanted to be able to talk about my book authentically and why I wrote it, and in order to do that I needed to be out. 

The press release about my book was getting ready to be released, so I drove two hours to my parents’ house to tell them about myself. I was so scared and thought I was going to throw up but the discussion went better than I expected and my mom even said she wishes I told her sooner. 

Some days I still have doubts about myself and if I really do belong in the LGBTQ+ community, but then I remember how accepting most people have been, and realize that yes, there is a place for all that identify there, no matter what. 

Diane Billas is the author of the young adult sapphic contemporary romance novel Does Love Always Win? and the young adult superhero LGBTQ+ novel Superficial releasing September 2024, both published with Creative James Media.

Diane Billas lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her husband and son. When she’s not writing she can be found reading multiple books at once, performing the French horn and piano, or dreaming of the next country she’s going to visit. Diane can be found at dianebillas.com, on Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @dianebillas, and on Instagram @dianebillaswrites.

[hi-its-meg]

I’ve cried so much these past few days. My heart just hurts so much.

Growing up I had quite a few close friends. 4 families really accepted me as their own and I spent a lot of time hopping between their houses so I wouldn’t have to go home- I’d go weeks without going home. I was always welcome no questions asked- even on school nights, I was always fed, I was always looked after, and I was always loved.

One of these families was just so filled with love and acceptance and they truly had the healthiest family dynamic I’ve ever seen. The parents were best friends and they never stopped being so in love. They cherished their kids and everyone their kids loved. That house literally poured acceptance and encouragement. Their love was the kind you dream of- the kind where there is absolutely no doubt that they were meant to be together. No amount of hardship was going to stand in their way and they faced a lot of it over the years- from health issues, financial ups and downs, and their families not supporting them as an interracial couple.

Three years ago the dad died and their entire world fell apart. They lost everything- they lost their house, they had to rehome their dogs (the only dog my friend still has is my dogs brother. The dad LOVED him so much that my friend couldn’t let him go. I offered to take him if they needed since I couldn’t let my dogs brother go to a shelter when I’m the one who brought him here, but thankfully my friend made it work), and everyone got separated at that point just so they could all survive. It destroyed the mom. She struggled so much these past few years.

Last week I had to message my friend because I saw a post her mom made on Facebook saying that she was going to end her life. I’m so thankful I saw it so quickly and she was able to send an ambulance to her mother’s apartment in time. A couple days in the hospital and she was back at home and seemed to be doing better.

Yesterday we got the news that she has passed. It doesn’t appear to be self inflicted thankfully, but it’s so sudden and unexpected. My heart is so broken for my old friend and her younger sister. They have no parents anymore. We’re all in our 20s, they shouldn’t have to go the rest of their lives without their parents who loved them so much. It’s just not fair that the best example of a loving family many of us had ever seen got destroyed like this. I cannot express how amazing these parents were and how much their daughters did not deserve this. My heart is just so broken for them.

The mom saved my life as a teenager and I will never be able to thank her enough. She forced my family to stop ignoring that I was hurting myself and that I really needed help. I’ve known and loved this woman since I was 7 years old. She always listened and she always cared.

A bunch of us stayed the night in their basement- which was super common- but this time my now-husband was there. We had been dating for a couple of months at the time. My friend group was always pro boy/girl sleepovers so this wasn’t anything scandalous. The next morning I got up and she was making breakfast for us all. She grabbed my shoulder and smiled at me and she gushed over my husband. She was so happy that I was finally moving on from my ex and she hadn’t seen me this happy in a long time. That he seemed like a good one and that everyone loved him being there. She always knew what to say.

I’m not really sure why I’m posting this. I think maybe I just needed to get it out of my head. This will be the first funeral I’ve gone to where I’ve truly been impacted and loved by this person and I think I’m struggling with that. I’m struggling with how unfair the world is.

The first girl I ever had feelings for passed suddenly a couple days before this. The girl that made me realize that I liked women and I could truly see myself loving her if she let me. I always thought she was the most beautiful person. Her name became my favorite name, it’s still my favorite name. She was so funny and so kind to me when a lot of people weren’t back then. She had a hard time in life but she never stopped being so kind. It’s really sad that she’s gone.

Death tends to come in 3s so now I’m just waiting.

[kindheart525]

Tag yourself! I’m Slowly Dying, Discord Server Mod, and Poor Little Neigh Neigh

[Image Description: Chibi-styled headshots of the Thirdverse cast with the following descriptions under them (character names indicated in parentheses, not part of image):

Homophobic Dog (Celestial Blessing)

Would rather drink a smoothie than go to therapy

“You have depression? Just cheer up”

Gives you a dirty look if you start crying

Constantly judging everyone

Slowly Dying (Bismuth Sun)

Full time student with a job, doesn’t even need it to survive

Three majors and five minors, considering another

Attends every single community event

Somehow has time for online discourse too

Quiet Quitter (Evergreen Blaze)

Does the bare minimum at work

Works with someone for 5 years and never learns their name

His favorite color is “personal information”

Avoids his coworkers at the grocery store

Influencer (Moonray Chill)

Goes on annual trips to Disney, thinks this is normal

Believed in Santa until she was 14

“If you’re homeless, just buy a house!”

No concept of money whatsoever

Common L (Lantern Glow)

Looks at themselves crying in the mirror when they have a breakdown

Has daddy issues or mommy issues if not both

Finds comfort in their childhood interests well past that age

Can’t find a therapist so they have several diaries

iPad Kid (Strawberry Breeze)

Bites people like a rabid dog

Life goal is to scream louder than Krakatoa

Picks her nose and wipes it on the wall

First word was fuck

Better Than You (Earth Day)

Always dresses in style

“I won’t have my son doing makeup like that, his eyeliner is all wrong”

Can convince you that you need something you had no interest in

Joins every single conversation just to be the center of attention

Nepo Baby (Princess Cut)

How much could one banana be? 10 dollars?

Thinks Kim Kardashian is a self-made millionaire

Saves money by cutting out avocado toast and Netflix

Also dad owns a business

Chihuahua In An Itchy Sweater (Sunny Sweet Dreams)

“It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me”

Takes even the slightest teasing personally

Selective in showing affection including to herself

Thinks being school project partners is "too intimate"

Dont Mine At Night (Laffy Taffy)

Curses at you in the Call of Duty lobby

Has a meltdown when the game lags

Fall Out Boy blaring in headphones 24/7

No sleep, bad grades, but defeating the final boss was worth it

Shallow (Galatea Candyheart)

Everyone wants to be her friend

Because she has the cool 24 pack of crayons with the sharpener on the back

She has to check her schedule to plan playdates…in preschool

Calls people she just met her best friend

Oh Worm? (Tiger Lily)

Says I love you to the cashier at McDonalds

Holds the door open for people who didn’t ask

Offers snacks and band-aids to everyone including strangers

Cries harder than you do when you scrape your knee

Discord Server Mod (Daisy Wasp)

The only one with conflict resolution skills

Stays up till 3am to moderate the group discussion

“No venting in the general chat”

Calls herself the friend group babysitter

Poor Little Neigh Neigh (Fairyfly)

Puts all the pressure on himself because his parents won’t do it

Complains about the stress he’s under as if it isn’t self-imposed

Thinks it makes him a better person

“Shut up I’m not short I just hit 4’11”

International Harvester (Blackberry Maple)

Posts travel pics at 12pm on a Tuesday

Accepts every single friend request on Facebook

Knows every stranger’s life story

You only ever see him at Thanksgiving dinner

Living Pinterest Board (Orchard Sunrise)

Does school notes about horrible tragedies in cursive with a pink highlighter

Every outfit is coordinated, even the work clothes

Spends hours in the bathroom doing her makeup

Asks you for help but nitpicks every step of the way

Useless Little Fuck (Fireside Jam)

Quotes distracting vines while his family does dangerous yardwork

Tries to carry the groceries inside but spills the whole bag

Offers to carry one (1) thing and hands it back to mom when it gets too heavy

Parents have to re-do all the chores he did badly

End Description.]

[jackiebarnard11]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 6, 2023

Contact: Chris Boneau/ Amy Kass / Michelle Farabaugh / Kenya Williams

Follow MTC on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook

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Download Press Materials Here

Manhattan Theatre Club

Announces Full Casting for the

New York Premiere of

Poor Yella Rednecks

By Qui Nguyen

Directed by May Adrales

Previews begin Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Opening on Wednesday, November 1, 2023

At MTC at New York City Center – Stage I

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Chris Jennings (Executive Director) are pleased to announce the full cast for the New York Premiere of Poor Yella Rednecks, written by Qui Nguyen (Vietgone) and directed by May Adrales (Vietgone, Golden Shield). Poor Yella Rednecks will begin previews on Tuesday, October 10 and open on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at New York City Center – Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

The cast of Poor Yella Rednecks will feature Jon Hoche (Vietgone, Life of Pi), Ben Levin (Vietgone, “Kung Fu”), Samantha Quan (Vietgone), Jon Norman Schneider (The Coast Starlight), Maureen Sebastian (The Best We Could: A Family Tragedy), and Paco Tolson (Vietgone).

The creative team for Poor Yella Rednecks includes Tim Mackabee (Scenic Design), Valérie Thérèse Bart (Costume Design), Lap Chi Chu (Lighting Design), Shane Rettig (Original Music & Sound Design), Jared Mezzocchi (Projection Design), David Valentine (Puppet Design), Kenny Seymour (Arrangements), and Alyssa K. Howard (Production Stage Manager).

Qui Nguyen, the wildly inventive playwright (and screenwriter for Marvel and Disney) known for his use of pop culture, pop music and puppetry, reunites with his frequent director, May Adrales, for this funny, sexy and brash new play. A young Vietnamese family attempts to put down roots in Arkansas, a place as different from home as it gets. A mom and dad balance big hopes and low-wage jobs, as old flings threaten to pull them apart. It all makes for a bumpy road to the American dream. From the world of Nguyen’s Vietgone, with its comic book and action movie influences, comes a play that melds a deeply personal story with the playwright’s trademark, killer humor. The New York Times hails the writer’s work as “culturally savvy comedy,” and this production shows you why.

Poor Yella Rednecks is co-commissioned by South Coast Repertory and Manhattan Theatre Club. Support for MTC’s production of Poor Yella Rednecks is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation and Laurents/Hatcher Foundation. Developed in part in Center Theatre Group’s Writers’ Workshop.

The 2022-23 season marked Lynne Meadow’s 50th Anniversary as Artistic Director of MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB. Meadow was recently joined at the helm of MTC by Executive Director Chris Jennings, who succeeded Executive Producer Barry Grove. MTC’s mission, which Meadow created in 1972 and has implemented since, is to develop and present new work in a dynamic, supportive environment; to identify and collaborate with the most exciting new as well as accomplished artists; and to produce a diverse repertoire of innovative, entertaining, and thought-provoking plays and musicals by American and international playwrights. Since 1989, MTC Education, which uses the power of live theatre and playwriting to awaken minds, ignite imaginations, open hearts, and change lives, has also been an important part of our work.

Over five decades, MTC has grown from a small off-off-Broadway showcase into one of the country’s most prestigious and award-winning theatre companies, creating approximately 600 world, American, New York and Broadway premieres. Our productions have earned 7 Pulitzer Prizes, 28 Tony Awards, 50 Drama Desk Awards and 49 Obie Awards amongst many other honors. Our Broadway home is the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) and Off-Broadway at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). MTC is an anti-racist organization that respects and honors all voices, and upholds the values of community and equity, For more information, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com. 

TICKETING INFORMATION

Joining MTC’s season of plays is easy! Just call the MTC Clubline at 212-399-3050 or go to www.manhattantheatreclub.com. Group Sales available now, contact Joanna Lee at Jlee@mtc-nyc.org. Single Tickets on Sale September 5.

BIOGRAPHIES

JON HOCHE returns to MTC after performing in the Off-Broadway Premiere of Vietgone and has collaborated with playwright Qui Nguyen for over a decade. Other credits include - Broadway: Life of Pi (Richard Parker Puppeteer, Associate Puppetry and Movement Director), King Kong: Alive on Broadway (Voice of King Kong/Puppeteer). Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey 2 puppeteer); Soft Power (The Public Theater - Grammy Nominated); Vietgone (Manhattan Theatre Club); Soul Samurai, The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G (Ma-Yi Theater/Vampire Cowboys Theater); Hello, From the Children of Planet Earth (Playwright’s Realm). National Tour: Warhorse (Puppeteer/Puppet Captain). Regional: Revenge Song (Geffen Playhouse). TV: “Hello Tomorrow!” (Apple TV+) - @JonHoche

BEN LEVIN’s MTC debut. Ben just wrapped a season-long arc on the CW series “Kung Fu”. Prior to that, he starred in the series Legacies for four seasons. Selected TV credits include “Arrested Development”, “Love”, and a recurring role on ABC’s “Time After Time”. He appeared in a supporting role in the critically acclaimed Independent Spirit Award nominated feature Test Pattern. Ben can also be seen in the Freeform/Hulu feature Turkey Drop. Other features include Allegiant, Admission, and Mike Birbiglia’s indie comedy Sleepwalk with Me. He's thrilled to be reprising the role of Quang in Qui Nguyen’s Vietgone, after starring in the 2018 production at the San Diego Repertory. Ben is New York City born and raised and is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Shout out to TADA Youth Theatre. In addition to acting, Ben makes music under the moniker Grasshapa, available wherever music is found. 

SAMANTHA QUAN’s theatre credits include Poor Yella Rednecks (South Coast Rep); Vietgone (South Coast Rep, MTC); B.F.E. (Just Add Water Festival); Masha No Home (Ensemble Studio Theatre); An Infinite Ache (The Globe Theaters), workshops of To Red Tendons, Peerless, Hannah and the Dread Gazebo, Red Flamboyant, American Hwangap (Ojai Playwrights Conference); Monument: Or Four Sisters (A Sloth Play) (Boston Court New Works Festival).  Television credits include “Home Before Dark”, “Elementary”, “NCIS”, “The Mentalist”, “Blue”, “Suburgatory”, “Castle”. Film credits include 4 Wedding Planners, Sake Bomb, Good Grief and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

JON NORMAN SCHNEIDER most recently appeared onstage in Keith Bunin's The Coast Starlight at Lincoln Center Theater. Select New York credits include Catch As Catch Can (Playwrights Horizons), The Chinese Lady (The Public), Henry VI Parts 1-3 (NAATCO), Awake and Sing! (NAATCO/The Public), The Oldest Boy (Lincoln Center Theater), Lunch Bunch (Clubbed Thumb), A Map of Virtue (13P), among others. Regionally, he has worked at Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Alley, Alliance, Barrington Stage, Dorset Theatre Festival, The Goodman, Huntington, The Kennedy Center, Long Wharf, Magic, McCarter, Milwaukee Rep, Mosaic, Northern Stage, The Old Globe, and South Coast Rep. His film and TV credits include Bitter Melon, Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy, The Normals, HBO's Angel Rodriguez, “The Endgame”, "Jessica Jones", "Veep", "30 Rock" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent".

MAUREEN SEBASTIAN’s theatrical credits include, most recently, MTC’s The Best We Could: A Family Tragedy for which she received a Lucille Lortel nomination for Best Featured Performer in a Play; Vietgone (South Coast Repertory) ; Arabian Nights (Berkeley Repertory/Arena Stage); Thunder Above, Deeps Below (Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center/Second Generation); Now Circa Then (Ars Nova); Lonely, I’m Not and Year Zero (Second Stage); and Soul Samurai (Vampire Cowboys/Ma-Yi). Television credits include “Love Life” (HBO), “American Gothic” (CBS), and “Revolution” (NBC). She produced and starred in the web series “Pretty Precious Unicorns” and the short film “Second Province”. She co-created the podcasts “Gulp” and “A Guide to Freedom” with The North Star Fund. She is a member of May-Yi’s Writer’s Lab and The Gotham Film & Media Institute.

PACO TOLSON is thrilled to return to Manhattan Theatre Club where he received a Lortel nomination for his work in Qui Nguyen’s Vietgone. Paco and Qui have enjoyed an artistic collaboration of over 18 years, and Poor Yella Rednecks will mark their ninth full production together. Select Off-Broadway Credits: Fiasco Theater’s productions of Knight of the Burning Pestle (Red Bull), Twelfth Night and Pericles (Classic Stage Company); The Unwritten Song (EST); Slavey (Clubbed Thumb); The Children of Vonderly (MaYi Theater); Soul Samurai (Ma-Yi/Vampire Cowboys). Regional: to the yellow house (La Jolla Playhouse); Fiasco’s Measure for Measure (Actors Theatre of Louisville); The Winter’s Tale and Vietgone (OSF); Peter and the Starcatcher, Vietgone, and Poor Yella Rednecks (South Coast Rep). Audio: (There’s) No Time for Comedy (Playwrights Horizons), The Memory Motel (Two River Theater), Witness (Paramount/Gideon Media), Play On Shakespeare’s Henry V, The Tempest, and Measure for Measure (Next Chapter Podcasts). Film and TV credits include “Billions”, “Law & Order: Organized Crime”, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, “Prodigal Son”, “Search Party”, “The Good Fight”, “Madam Secretary”, “Happy!”, “The Code”, and 7 DAY GIG.

QUI NGUYEN (Playwright) is a playwright, screenwriter, and co-founder of the pioneering geek theatre company, Vampire Cowboys. His plays include Vietgone, Poor Yella Rednecks, Bike Wreck, and the critically acclaimed Vampire Cowboys shows Revenge Song, She Kills Monsters, Soul Samurai, The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G, Alice in Slasherland, Fight Girl Battle World, Men of Steel, and Living Dead in Denmark. For TV/film, he’s written for Marvel Studios, Netflix, AMC, SYFY, and PBS. He most recently wrote Disney’s Raya and The Last Dragon (nominated for a 2022 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature), and he co-directed and wrote Disney's Strange World in 2022.

MAY ADRALES (Director) is a director, artistic leader, teacher and mother; she has directed over 25 world premieres nationally. Her work has been seen most recently at Second Stage (Rajiv Joseph’s Letters of Suresh), Manhattan Theatre Club (Anchuli Felicia King’s Golden Shield, Qui Nguyen’s Vietgone). Awards include: Ammerman Award at Arena Stage; TCG’s Alan Schneider award for freelance directors; Denham fellowship; New Generations Grantee. She is a Drama League Directing Fellow, Van Lier Fellow, WP Lab Director, SoHo Rep Writers/Directors Lab and New York Theater Workshop directing fellow.  She served as an Associate Artistic Director at Milwaukee Rep; Artistic Associate at The Playwrights Center; Artistic Associate at The Public Theater; and Director of Artistic Programs and Artistic Director at The Lark. She serves on the board of Theater Communications Group.  She is currently the Director of the Theatre Program and Assistant Professor at Fordham University.  MFA, Yale School of Drama. (www.mayadrales.net)

# # # #

www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com

Follow MTC on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook

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Exciting update! Ben will be making his Off-Broadway debut this Fall! Here is Manhattan Theatre Club's announcement on Instagram and the theatre's press agent BBB's press release that was sent to our magazine.

Poor Yella Rednecks website link:

[eddieschains]

Since everyone is sharing their end of the year thoughts i suppose i’ll share mine since i am in fact a follower and not a leader.

TW: mentions of drug use, parental issues, abandonment issues, depression, anxiety

I keep saying that this year started out being the best year of my life, and ended with being the worst. But, now that i think back, i honestly think that’s the farthest thing from the truth. This year has brought me some of the best memories of my life and has really changed me and molded me into the person i’ve dreamt of being for the last 22 years.

So for those who don’t know my personal life story, which is almost all of you, let me indulge a little bit.

My mom is a dr*g addict and left me when i was 10 years old, and i never knew my dad. I was practically left to raise myself and figure out life on my own. I was able to move out when i was 16 and have been on my own ever since. It was a struggle of course, but i made it by as well as i could. Unfortunately, when i was 13 i fell into the same habits as my mom. I lost a lot of friends and people in my life, but i was able to pull myself back together and get sober. At 16, i was constantly working and doing my best to graduate school early and start living a life i always dreamed of. And it happened. I found the best group of friends i could’ve possibly asked for, who now have become my family.

Fast forward a couple years, my brother and his wife divorced and neither of them were doing well mentally or physically. They couldn’t take care of their daughter anymore, and growing up the way i did, i couldn’t bear to see her end up in foster care or have her childhood thrown away like mine was. So i agreed to take her. As a 20 year old who swore she would never have children, i was now left to provide for myself and an 8 year old child. And it was honestly great. Until one morning at 2am i got a call from someone claiming to be my mothers fiancé.

He told me my mom was in the hospital with liver failure and a blood disease and wasn’t going to make it til the end of the week. Now, i made a pact with myself when i was 17 that i wouldn’t let her back into my life unless she was clean and sober. I told myself that i wasn’t going to allow her to hop in and out of my life like she had done prior. But in the end, she’s my mom. And i knew i would regret it if i saw her obituary on facebook and didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. So i went to see her.

Her fiancé had over exaggerated the whole situation. She wasn’t dying, but she was sick. So i visited her everyday until she got out. I knew she was homeless, so brought her care packages of everything she might need when she left. When she was discharged from the hospital, i had no idea. I showed up one day and the staff told me she was gone. She did it again. She abandoned me without a word. So i moved on with my life, and made another pact not to let her in.

I focused on myself, my work, and my schooling until it got to be too much for me. I was constantly thinking about her, wondering where she was, if she was alive or dead. I dropped out of school to focus on my mental health and it slowly started getting better and better. And then last year, it happened again.

Another call that she was in the hospital. I didn’t visit her, but i did call her. I wanted to make sure she didn’t feel alone, but also wanted to keep my distance. She asked if i could drive her back home when she got discharged and while hesitant, i agreed. I drove her to a friends house that was very clearly not a sober house. And that was the last time i saw or heard from her.

It’s been a year since then, and it was really really hard in the beginning. It was hard to get her out of my head. It was hard to stop worrying. I was having panic attacks multiple times a week until i had to just let it go. I let her go and really started the work on myself. I checked myself into a behavioral health center and really pulled my shit together.

This was the first year that i barely thought about my mom. And when i did think about her, it didn’t send me down a spiral. I was living every day in the moment, and enjoying nearly every second of it.

I logged back into my old tumblr only about 6 months ago as a joke to be honest. Just like you guys, i fell down the Eddie Munson/Joseph Quinn rabbit hole and wanted to see if people still write fan fiction in 2022. And thank god they do. I found some really good friends on this app and i am so so happy and grateful that i did.

A few weeks ago, my boyfriend of 3 years broke up with me. While it was incredibly painful, i think i actually dealt with it EXTREMELY well. Maybe a little too well honestly. I gave myself a few days to process, and then i just… moved on. And it sounds crazy but i think a lot of that is because of this app and because of you guys.

This place has become my safe space and you guys have genuinely become my friends. It’s a place for me to speak whatever silly little unhinged and horny thought i have in my head, and i know you won’t judge me.

Well, this was a lot and it probably makes barely any sense but long story short, im so proud of myself for who i’ve become this year, and i’m so glad i found this little community. I’ve finally become the person i always wanted to be and honestly you guys are a huge part of it, as stupid as it sounds. So thank you thank you thank you for allowing me to be part of this whole thing and accepting me for who i am. I love you guys. Happy 2023 🤍

[mybookplacenet]

About New Beginnings in Twinkle Falls: An inspirational, small town romance with holiday cheer and a happy ending. Kylee Croft is a single mom to the sweetest little girl anyone could ask for. Growing up in Paris, the most romantic city in the world, to Kylee it felt like a rite of passage to one day marry the man of her dreams. Now living in Twinkle Falls, she appreciates the ease of small town life and how people look out for one another, though getting to know the sister and father she never knew existed is the icing on the cake. Trace Holburg was one happy man after marrying his first love seven years ago. Soon after, his family felt complete with the birth of their twins. But he received a rude awakening when his soon to be ex-wife left him and the boys for a life of alcoholism. After the divorce and getting sole custody of his boys, he swore he’d never marry again. Kylee has been dating Trace for over a year but worries the man she’s fallen madly in love with is pulling away from her. To complicate things even more her daughter’s biological father shows up in Twinkle Falls—the same man who threatened to make her life miserable. Can Kylee and Trace make peace with their past and find a future together, or does their fate lie elsewhere? Warning… A small portion of this book deals with domestic violence. Please consider this subject when purchasing. Targeted Age Group: 30 Written by: Freda Ann Buy the ebook: Buy the Book On Amazon Link to Series Buy the Print Book: Buy the Book On Amazon Author Bio: I was born in a small town in southern New Jersey but lived with my parents and four older siblings in a sleepy little beach town along the Delaware Bay named Fortescue. When I was six years old, we moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida, a then small town near the east coast. Years later with a family of my own, me and my soulmate moved to another small town outside of Ocala, Florida. Due to numerous food allergies I’ve been a vegan for four years. I love animals, especially dogs and horses. I’m an avid romance reader and movie lover, am obsessed with dark chocolate, coffee, and I enjoy crafting throughout the year.” “Me and my husband like traveling in our thirty-five foot RV with our fur-babies, Sofie and Coco, when we have free time. Many of my sweet romance books have been created while riding with my husband at the wheel and the pups supervising. With five adult children, and nine grandkids, I enjoy lots of family time and host gatherings for everyone to come together so we can catch up when our schedules align. Some of my happiest moments as an author is reading emails from my fans who take the time to share something about themselves, to wish me well (especially during my cancer treatments in 2022), or to let me know what their favorite story was. Follow the author on social media: Learn more about the writer. Visit the Author's Website Facebook Fan Page Instagram Pinterest Read the full article

[abigailharris99]

ELEVATE YOUR EVERYDAY WITH ANGELIC LIFESTYLES!

Welcome to Angelic Lifestyles, where glamorous millennial fashion influencers take you on a journey through the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Are you ready to embrace a chic and vibrant world?

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[fyeahdprian]

CONCERT REVIEW: DPR LIVE & DPR IAN REIGN SUPREME AT THEIR COACHELLA ’23 DEBUT

May 3, 2023

Dream Perfect Regime, better known as DPR, is the ultimate story of underdogs.

Freya Rinaldi

Korean collective of dreamers and misfits, DPR (Dream Perfect Regime), closed out the Gobi Stage on the last night of Coachella 2023.

The unsigned, self-made misfit group of friends performed as the closers on the Gobi Stage at one of the biggest music festivals in the world. Coachella welcomed the collective as two of them took center stage for a sea of adoring fans. The audience went far past the tent they were set to play in and while waiting for them to begin, their iconic chant “DPR We Gang Gang” started to crescendo through the crowd.

As the lights dimmed, DJs DPR Cream and DPR Artic took their position at the booth toward the rear of the stage. First up was DPR’s rapper, Hong Dabin, aka DPR Live for a six song lineup. He is then joined by Christian Yu, going by the name DPR Ian, to do their collaborative songs No Blueberries and Boom which proved to be crowd favorites. Live then exits the stage for Ian to finish off the night with his six song setlist featuring a live band.

DPR boasts an array of eclectic talent that does not go unnoticed.

As a true story of success, what started as a group of friends making music turned into a full-fledged music label and collective. On stage DPR Ian wished his mom a happy birthday and promised his fans that “this is just the beginning.” Their storytelling and larger than life concept generated a cult-like following of fans called “Dreamers.”

Their story of breaking through the industry on nothing but dreams brought them to the Coachella stage with a performance that never disappoints.

— — — —

Connect to DPR LIVE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Connect to DPR IAN on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Discover new music on Atwood Magazine 📷 © 2023

[sa7abnews]

Oklahoma college students say they were drugged at Cancun resort pool bar in vacation nightmare

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/09/oklahoma-college-students-say-they-were-drugged-at-cancun-resort-pool-bar-in-vacation-nightmare/

Oklahoma college students say they were drugged at Cancun resort pool bar in vacation nightmare

A dream vacation turned into a nearly fatal nightmare after two Oklahoma State University students were allegedly poisoned after ordering water from a poolside bar at a Cancun resort.  Disturbing photos shared by Zara Hull and her family show the moment Hull and Kaylie Pitze say they became unconscious after drinking the tainted water Aug. 1. “I had called my mom at like 10 that morning to tell her how beautiful the resort was and how amazing it was. By 4:30, Jake called her and let her know that I was completely incoherent, like I was gone, like I was unconscious,” Hull told Fox 32 News.Hull and a group of friends were in Cancun for a four-day trip that was quickly cut short after she and Pitze had a few drinks of the tainted water.AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS ON SPRING BREAK TRIP CONFRONTED WITH ‘RIFLES IN THEIR FACES,’ GIVEN THREE OPTIONSStephanie Snider, whose son Jake is Hull’s boyfriend, said in a series of Facebook posts that Hull and Pitze were slipped a drug while they were at the resort in Cancun last Friday. She said it was in their drinks and caused both girls to pass out at the same time.”Our son, Jake, and his girlfriend are finally back in the U.S. after the most horrific 48 hours of our lives,” Snider wrote in a post on Facebook. “What started out as a fun vacation with friends for them ended up as our worst nightmare.”Jake also described what happened at the pool, adding that he believes a resort employee was responsible. “They sit down, the bartender gives them water, which now we see a bubbling fizzing effect in the picture that I took of them in the water. So, something was in there. So, they take a sip of it and not even one minute or two minutes later they both drop at the same time,” Jake told Fox 32 News.TROPICAL RESORTS POPULAR WITH AMERICANS NO LONGER ‘OFF LIMITS’ FOR CARTEL KILLERS: ‘THE RULES HAVE CHANGED’After leaving the pool, Jake explained that Pitze was taken back to their room in a wheelchair, while he carried Hull. Hull began throwing up and having what he thought was a seizure. “Zara started having what the resort doctor called a ‘seizure’ and said she needed to be taken to the hospital. Once she was there, the hospital demanded $10K just to look at her to help her and start treating her. The money was sent. By the next morning, we were told more money was needed to continue treatment,” Snider said.Snider said thankfully Pitze did not end up in the hospital, but he said she struggled for the following day after the incident.”Neither of the girls have any memory of what happened after they took that last drink, which happened to have been a glass of WATER. We think it was whatever was put in that glass of water that did it. Both girls collapsed at the very SAME time. They both are battling feelings of not knowing what happened and ‘why them?’” Snider said. CALIFORNIA WOMAN SHOT DEAD IN MEXICAN RESORT TOWN POPULAR WITH AMERICANSNearly 27 hours later and after spending thousands of dollars, Hull’s family was able to negotiate with the U.S. Embassy and have her flown to Dallas to continue medical treatment. On Thursday, Snider posted that Hull was finally getting her appetite back and able to drink more fluids on her own instead of solely through an IV. Snider said she hopes this is a warning for others traveling to resorts like this.”They did exactly like we told them. Don’t leave the resort. You have no reason to leave that resort. You stay there,” said Snider.”Like people say, ‘Don’t leave the resort and you’ll be fine.’ It started at the resort. The resort was not safe,” Hull said. “They say the resort is the safest place; don’t leave it. That’s not true.”Snider said the name of the resort or hospital is not being released at this time due to legal and privacy issues. 

[chelsybybirth]

From balancing switches to see if the light turns off or not, to balancing the days to give yourself some rest, we've come a long way.

From having those first sight crushes in school to the yearning of having just one person with us who would understand us, we've come a long way.

Life, from being so unpredictable when we lost connections to yet being so predictable because knowing what's coming next is so important, we've come a long way.

From adjusting in the friend group while we laughed around and took every heinous joke lightly to forgetting attachments because we already got too much on our plates, we've come a long way.

From having that longing for one tiny drop of rain in order to watch that morning cartoon show at home to sighing in disappointment when clouds gather because dude, how would we reach at work? We've really come a long way.

From having the desperation to create your first Facebook account because "I want to be the coolest in the group" to deleting your social media account every single month to get detached from everyone, we've really come a long way.

From waking up early at 6 to surprise mom and dad with that handmade Christmas card to turning off the cell phone on your own birthday to get even a single hour of sound sleep, we've come a long way.

From dropping at your friend's house unannounced knowing that they would be there no matter what to begging your friends even for a single phone call, we've really come a long way.

From the dreams of following your interests, and living "that" life to accepting whatever comes your way, my friend, we've really come a long way.

~chelsy

[epacer]

Classmates

Elizabeth Ann Bond Sczempka, Class of 1977

Someone San Diego Should Know: Beth Sczempka

Volunteer extraordinaire built a hairstyling school in Tijuana

Thirteen years ago, Beth Sczempka, her husband Joe and their three teenaged children traveled to Tijuana to help build a house for a needy family. They ended up building more than a house.

During a break from mixing cement, Beth learned that Build A Miracle, the San Diego nonprofit sponsoring the project, was expanding into job-training programs and wanted to create a hairstyling school. But the group was having difficulty.

They knew Beth was a hairstylist and asked her for advice. Instead of giving advice, Beth agreed to lead the effort for Build A Miracle.

Two months later, Bloom Beauty Academy opened in the El Florido neighborhood of Tijuana with the first class of eight students.

Today, the Academy teaches six-month courses that include hairstyling, nails, makeup and skin care. Each course has 60 to 90 students. About 500 students have completed courses.

The academy employs local hairstylists as teachers, including some graduates. The director is a single mother who was in the first class.

Beth regularly visits the Academy to teach while maintaining a salon in Rancho Penasquitos.

She has developed close bonds with many of the students.

“We’ve had girls who left abusive relationships and pretty horrible situations,” Beth said. “Many don’t have anything beyond a third-grade education. But they don’t need to even read or write to learn to use their hands in an artistic way.

“The academy gives people the chance to have dreams, goals, pride and a future of independence. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”

Every six months, course graduation ceremonies are held that attract hundreds of families and friends celebrating what is for many students the biggest accomplishment of their lives.

“A lot of tears and celebration,” Beth said. “I cry at every graduation. I view these women as family.”

After graduation, students serve customers at home, often shacks without floors, flea markets or at the clients’ homes.

Beth, who also spent a month in Cambodia teaching hairstyling to trafficking victims, has never been paid.

“Helping people is the best gift for me,” she said. “It feels so good.”

Born in 1958 and raised in San Diego, from an early age Beth enjoyed volunteering and helping people, something she attributes to her mother who was an incessant volunteer.

“Mom was an incredibly giving person,” Beth said. “She taught me unconditional love and the value of helping others. She would say, ‘always treat every person with respect and put yourself in their shoes.’”

Growing up in east San Diego, Beth attended Crawford High School where she regularly volunteered for school activities. In her senior year, she volunteered for the two-person school mascot costume — a horse.

“I was the back half if you must know.”

That earned her an invitation to perform in the Disneyland Christmas parade. A few years later, she was selected to portray Snow White. There, she met Joe, who portrayed Prince Charming. They have since been married 39 years.

Their storybook beginning continued as they created a family dedicated to helping others.

Fifteen years ago, their son questioned why the family gave each other Christmas presents since there are so many families in need. Ever since, family members no longer receive presents (except for the three young grandchildren) and, instead, give presents to underprivileged families.

“A manager for low-income apartment buildings helps us find families each year and makes a list of gifts for the parents and children,” Beth said. “Each family member gets one gift. I post on Facebook and Nextdoor inviting people to participate. We get many participants.

“Close to Christmas, we go into their apartments and set up gifts, sometimes decorations and a Christmas tree.”

The family’s giving nature never stops as they continue to help build houses in Mexico. “I’ve mixed a lot of cement, hung drywall and painted,” Beth said. “I’ve attended over 75 house dedications.”

As for the Bloom Beauty Academy, there are plans to expand and include a barber course.

“I will never walk away [from the academy],” she said. “You never walk away from family.” *Reposted article from the UT by Jan Goldsmith on February 23, 2024