#long beach dub all stars

[daddysmusicblog]

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Kaiju Week in Review (March 10-16, 2024)

"It looks as though its Japanese producers, assisted by a stray American—fellow named Terry Morse, who is an alumnus of Hollywood's Poverty Row—made a close study of the old film, "King Kong," then tried to do substantially the same thing with a miniature of a dinosaur made of gum-shoes and about $20 worth of toy buildings and electric trains." —Bosley Crowther, reviewing Godzilla, King of the Monsters! for The New York Times

"The special effects are hardly special, but hey, what do you expect in a Japanese monster movie?" —Tony Kiss, reviewing Godzilla 1985 for the Asheville Citizen-Times

"Sure it's bad filmmaking. Sure it's a guy—actor Tsutomu Kitagawa—clad in a nearly vintage latex Godzilla getup and stomping through Tokyo, knocking down cardboard mini-buildings and upending toy-sized cars with his gnarly feet. But that's the point." —Bob Longino, reviewing Godzilla 2000 for The Palm Beach Post

Godzilla Minus One won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards, sending a stunned Takashi Yamazaki (VFX supervisor), Kiyoko Shibuya (VFX director), Masaki Takahashi (3D CG director), and Tatsuji Nojima (VFX artist/compositor) to the Dolby Theatre stage. Said Yamazaki, reading from prepared comments in English, "To someone so far from Hollywood, the possibility of standing on this stage seemed out of reach." I could scarcely believe what I was watching myself, despite having given a presentation for a Wikizilla stream mere hours before on Minus One's very real chances of beating more expensive American contenders. Everything I said about its nomination goes triple for its victory; we'll be talking about this one forever. To those of us who remember when Godzilla was basically a joke in the American consciousness (including my Wikizilla colleague Darthlord1997, who had a speech of his own prepared), it's the ultimate vindication.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Takashi Yamazaki directed an ad for Ajinomoto about food waste which released this week. It features the unsubtly-named Foodlosslla attacking Tokyo and facing an Ultraman-esque defense team. As with Minus One, the ad's visuals are a clever combination of high-end (a detailed CG monster) and low-end (dropping plastic fruit on top of fleeing extras).

Last year, the 4Kids Flashback podcast interviewed Mike Pecoriello, producer and writer for the company's renditions of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Ultraman Tiga, and he delivered some major news about the latter. Although only 23 episodes of Tiga aired in the U.S., 4Kids dubbed the whole thing. At the time of the podcast's recording, he thought he made copies of all the episodes, but while that doesn't seem to be the case, he did provide 4Kids Flashback with the series finale. It's a good deal more serious than the episodes which aired, with the quips kept to a minimum. Let the hunt for the rest commence!

SciFi Japan has details on Kaiju Yarrow, a Japanese comedy doubling as a tourism ad for the city of Seki. The premise is very self-aware:

KAIJU YARROW! is set in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. One day, 30 year old Ichiro Yamada, who works in the tourism department of a government office, is ordered by the mayor to produce a "local film.'' However, Yamada, didn't want to produce the typical "mediocre local movies'' that are everywhere nowadays, so he comes up with the idea of making a "monster movie'', which has been his life-long dream. However, his dreams develops into a major incident involving the city government...! Will Yamada be able to complete his life goal of making a monster movie??

Junichiro Yagi will direct; YouTuber Gunpee will star. Unknown quantities both when it comes to kaiju, so how this will turn out is anyone's guess.

Tickets for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire have gone on sale in the U.S.—and as a reminder, the brief GKIDS theatrical release of The End of Evangelion wraps tomorrow.

[orangez3st]

Dream Currents

Captain Rex × OFC Force Goddess

— Chapter 7: Fib

Tags: teen & up, f/m, gen, hurt/comfort, childhood friends, romantic friendship, fluff, pre-star wars: the clone wars, clone cadets (training in kamino), very rex-centric, rex whump, the worst is probably sw curse words (tell me if I should add more tags!)

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He absolutely has no idea why in the world the longnecks demand his account.

And suddenly too, at that. His trainer reached out to him earlier via comlink to tell him the news. ASAP, his trainer added. So, after firstmeal, without even bothering to answer his batchmates’ prying questions, here he is walking in pristine white corridors towards the assigned room that his trainer provided as well.

To say he’s nervous is an understatement.

His dreams are particularly different than the others. So far there hasn’t been anything similar to his that reached his ears. The guys are talking about the ocean, the rain, the modest surface ship tied to a rock, and the female figure standing above it. Even his batchmates can’t shut up about it to this day – a curious phenomenon outside their engineering. Evidently. Since the Kaminoans are sniffing about it. The dreams are outside their control. The Kaminoans in this facility are used to having control, and now, there’s an unknown variable and it gets them all riled up, harboring their internal chaos behind the walls of their laboratories.

To say they’re running out of ideas is an understatement.

Six-Seven allows himself to smirk. He’s been the only one to know about this. About the girl in his dreams, and the fact he understands she’s practically a goddess – the others are still struggling to grasp the concept, but he knows for a fact. A primordial deity of the ocean. He knows about the beach. Warm tropical weather and gentle waves along the shoreline. The Coastline, he dubs it affectionately. Nobody else knows. While all they’ve seen is a terrifying, powerful figure standing above them facing the raging weather and announcing her existence, all he’s seen is this easy-going figure about his age. Carefree, youthful, though sometimes cryptic. Kind. Mild tease. Generally fun to be around with. Developing the camaraderie is similar to what he does with his brothers, though without military sense – easy, safe, free. That luminous smile. Midnight ocean hair and sea green eyes he can never forget.

I’m the only one to know about her.

And he’s feeling absolutely triumphant about that. Feels like he’s on the other side, the only one to be in possession of a precious war intel. Not that the girl tells him to keep it all a secret – she hasn’t yet – but it’s only nature that he treats his triumph as such. Call me selfish, but whatever the primordial ocean deity says, goes. Of course, that is, until she explicitly tells him to tell everyone he knows. Or he makes it a question to toss her way if they meet again tonight or whenever.

Not two minutes later he finds himself in the room with the Chief Medical Officer herself. As one of the Kaminoan species, the doctor has a graceful air about her when she walks about – because of the long limbs – but not in her countenance, he notices. A quick glance tells him she’s absolutely distressed. He tries his best to stare forward as he remains in attention. Have they figured it out yet? Maybe not today. Maybe in a few months till they’ve got some concrete results and conclusions? He ponders. But… This is a deity we’re talking about. A mythos. An existence in nature. Ethereal, immortal being. Been there since the dawn of time, before science itself even exists. Unexplainable by science. Undefinable cosmic variable. Everything about her is never scientifically concrete, but… what’s it… realistically abstract, maybe?

“At ease, CT-7567,” says Nala Se finally, breaking his chain of thoughts. He settles into parade rest, and takes a deep breath. The doctor approaches him, stopping several feet away, a datapad in hand and a droid by her side. “I believe you have known of recent events?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do,” he says firmly, “All of us clones had the exact same dream.”

Nala Se tilts her head. “Then, tell us of yours.”

“It was in a middle of the night,” he treads carefully, based on what he’s gathered. “I was on a surface ship in the middle of the ocean. I noticed the ship was tied to a rock, and on top of the rock was a, a female figure.” Nala Se says nothing, but the doctor’s quite demanding look is enough prompting for him to continue. “There were… ocean waves. Weather was violent. But not too much that my ship rolled over.” Six-Seven pauses, rushing his thoughts to the next point worth mentioning. “The female said ‘I am the primordial ocean’. Not long after that, the dream ended and I woke up.”

The droid beside Nala Se whirs, its head momentarily turning to the doctor. Not long after, her datapad beeps. “Is that it, cadet?”

He gives a firm nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

Nala Se raises her datapad. “This droid analyzed that you exhibit shallow breaths and quickening heart pace,” she says calmly, yet her countenance shifts slightly into doubt. “These are typically signs of deception. Is there something else you are not willing to share?”

“No, ma’am. That’s it.” His tone wavers, almost caught, but recovers quickly as he adds, “I was slightly running on my way here. A little winded, is all.”

Silent.

“Very well. Dismissed.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Once he’s out of the chamber and turns around a corner, he breaks into a run, purposefully to squash his nervousness away, making for the munitions training room from which he left earlier.

Somebody hand me an award for intel gathering in record time. Well, could’ve been better than 24 hours if during real-life war situation, though, but in this case I was still unprepared…

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Word Count: 1,450

[dayfaresthenight]

Aculia's Bio!!!

(TWs for disassociation, Substance abuse, suicide, and allusions, but no explicit mentions of NSFW topics.) Blue is Aculia, Black is Me.) (Currently Revamping)

Name: Aculia Bell

Alt Names: Jackie, Moriarty

Special Titles: The Grand Archmage, The Mage In The Tower, the Woman behind the curtain, the heroine of Archalia!

Username: TheHeroOfArchalia

Nicknames: Jack, Moon, "That bitch.".

Chronological Age: 18 Physically. Timeloops have distorted her mind, lost track of the plot a whiles ago.

Age: 20 (I stopped aging when I finished the story!)

Pronouns: Any/All, IDC honestly!!! Lean more feminine though.

Sexuality: Pansexual

Gender: Cisgender

Species: 70% Deity, 20% Nymph (Cloud), 10% Demon (Lust)

Disorders: A lot. (Bipolar Depression, C-PTSD, Generalized Anxiety, Impostor Syndrome, Pathological Lying, Hypersexuality)

Physical Disabilities: None!!! (Chronic Pain in Right Arm, Poor Vision)

Active Addictions: Weed, Self Harm, Sex.

Religion: Daisyism!

Job: Cleric!

Major: Arcane Studies!

Lives in: My cool Bubble!

Languages: English, Angelic, Demonic, Feyish, uuuuuuh, a few ciphers… know I'm forgetting something… Oh yes, French!

Height: 5'2

Regular: Caucasian Human

Accent: Like one of those really loud annoying anime dub girl voices!!! (A somewhat soft English accent, when she isn't faking it.)

Powers: Astral Projection, Time Manipulation, Puppetering, Elemental Magic, Character Creation, Illusions, Alchemy… A few other things too, but why would I tell everything to you?

Weaknesses: None!!! I'm too strong!!! (Her old memories, warding seals, emotionally stable people.)

Weapons: None! (Because she stinks at physical combat.) (NO, I DON'T!!!!)

Wands: Uhhh, which do you need? I have a lot of them.

Alignment: Chaotic Good (formerly Lawful Good.)

Text Color: BLUE!!!

Main Hobbies: I like learning about new magic, long walks on the beach, puppeteering, traveling to new worlds, and alchemy! Sometimes I'll even dress up as NPCs in worlds and pretend to be a regular person.

Favorite Food: Donuts!

Favorite Flower: Daisys! (…)

Scent: Smells like Grapes! And maybe a little bit of Ash too…

Handedness: Right!

Blood Color: Red! Duuuh.

Awareness: Very Aware. (Effect: Negative.)

Birthday: JUNE 21ST! Theme:

Playlist:

Fun Fact: Wears a Star Ring on her finger at all times, refuses to take it off.

Special Interests: Magic, Chess, High Fantasy, Writing

Stims: jumping up in the air, screaming, twisting

Stimboard: Maaaaybe

Moodboard: ^

Fashion Board: ^ Comfort Objects: None! (Her Favorite Staff: Aculia.)

Family: Doesn't matter!!! They are all long gone anyway.

Friends: Doesn't matter!!!!

Romance: I like Daisy, and I like Are!!! Maaaaybe one other person in the future too, although that's a plot twist for later!

Enemies: I think about 50% of the universe are my enemies right now. I dunno how I'm not dead yet, honestly.

Brief Personality:

[Reworking]

Brief Backstory:

Nope!

Aculia comes from a storybook called "Tales of Archalia," written by a man named Daniel Crane. It was a tale as old as time—The Evil Witch Jackelyn had captured the rulers of the world, planning on destroying it. She had to go through many different twists and challenges. Blah blah blah, you know the story by now.

With her and her three friends, she had ventured to the top of the tower and done it. They had bested the witch; they had saved the day! And so everyone lived happily forever after…

But, over time, Aculia began to become… bothered. She noticed things didn't change any more. The same people with the same routines, the same dialogue, and even the same patterns every day.

It started off small. Her being less polite to people or ignoring her party members coming to visit. This caused a change. Almost as if the world itself was forced to, people began to act differently. The pre-set patterns they had gone under altered. Finally, after weeks, something new…!

That was the key. She just had to try different things, and everything would be peachy! They'd get back to their grand old adventures, and she would stop being so… bored.

What turned into a few small stunts here or there quickly turned into bad habits—using Alchemy to create hard substances, indulging in the unspoken pleasures of life, and whatnot, and so forth. This sudden change in personality deeply worried her friends, who attempted to comfort her.

For some reason though, their words rang more… hollow than usual, though. She couldn't quite put why, but something just didn't feel right about this place anymore. It felt too happy, too colorful—too cheerful. So... Fake...?

...

"Aculia, look—I know you don't want to talk right now, but… we were really worried about you. #u*#$ Said he found you passed out at the tavern the other day."

"Yeah!!! I don't know what's gotten into you recently, but knock it off. Your really freaking us out!!!"

"If something is troubling your heart, please tell us. We are always here for you."

"Please… were really… really scared… talk to us… please talk to us."

"I said I don't want to talk."

"Aculia, please-"

She-

"I SAID, I DON'T WANT TO TALK!!!"

…I ran away after that. My mind was in such a haze that I didn't know what to do. I hadn't known what to do for months now. It was just always the same until I did something bad, then it would change again.

I stumbled towards the old tower and began to walk around it. It was empty, empty as always. All that remained was the witch's old staff. I picked it up and examined it…

A scroll compartment??? I wonder what she kept in it.

i- no- i- this has to be a lie. but, its- how would she know that info about me- why is it all just there... nonono please

please

she couldn't of been- no she couldn't of been telling the truth

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! I REFUSE I REFUSE I RE-

That's when I realized. No wonder it all felt fake. Because it was fake! Everything around me was always fake. It was just someone's writing, and that person had left me to rot at a dead end. No actual conclusion or anything; nothing for me to go forward to. Just… THE END! He left me to ROT!!!!

Well, you thought I was going to take that one lying down? Nope! Nope, NOPE! I didn't! I broke out of that prison, and all it cost me was everyone I ever cared about. A small price to pay. That witch was right in the end; I did need to destroy the world to be free!

And when I finally got out, I discovered something incredible!!! So many worlds, so many people to help liberate. So many are doomed to their fixed fates in the narrative. I knew that I could help them—if I just took the strings and pulled them in their favor, things would change!

As long as I keep on trying to make things change, one day I'll feel happy! I mean, I'm already happy, but one day, I'll

I'll- YEAH! Anyways, eventually, I found the guy who had left me to rot. I gave him a book that let him see the truth, and then proceeded to trap him in it. He thinks he's free, but I'm the one in control for once!

Thats right, I won! I have all the cards in my hands! ME! I am the one on the stage! I'm not lonely! I'm happy! I'm GREAT! I'm fantastic! I'm-

I-

Why do I still feel so empty…?

And so she drifts throughout the universe, searching for more people to "free." But in the end, is freedom really worth it when there is nothing to enjoy?

I suppose that is a question for you to ask yourself, dear reader.

[tea-with-cinnamontoast]

it's kinda sad really but based on the poll, not a lot of people know about luna snow, white fox, aero, wave, etc! which is a shame because, genuinely, they’re really interesting characters!

sure, some of them has only appeared in one series or doesn’t even have a solo run, but here’s a quick rundown of a couple of asian supes that i think you all should know and love because its aapi and im a proud asian <3

before i start, do read new agents of atlas!! there are a lot of east asian heroes there :)

Let's start...!

Luna Snow

Seol Hee is a K-pop star who gains ice powers after a rather disastrous debut. In 4L1T, the group she’s in, she was dubbed as Luna (aka her idol name) which became her official hero name! Interestingly, she does occasionally save the world while juggling her idol life. Truly an icon. Also, fun fact! She has an official spotify and released songs so go stream!

See her in:

Marvel’s Future Fight - yes, she’s actually an original character for the game. a few of them are!

Future Fight Firsts - a marvel comic about a few future fight original characters! this comic is going to appear a lot lol

New Agents of Atlas

Tiger Division

White Fox

As the last descendant of the Kumiho, an ancient Korean yokai, she was first forced to hide her true nature to the world. After her mother’s death, Ami went to live with her uncle and aunt and enrolled into a human high school. This causes her to find out about the evils that killed her mother and, while saving her friend, she defeated them. Afterwards, Ami was invited by a National Intelligence Service agent to join the agency.

See her in:

Marvel’s Future Fight (game)

Future Fight Firsts

Death of Doctor Strange: White Fox

New Agents of Atlas

Tiger Division

White Fox Infinity Comics

Lei Ling

Lei Ling, aka Aero, was a Shanghai agent who also worked as an architect! She had her powers since childhood and she also founded her own architecture firm.

See her in:

New Agents of Atlas

Aero

Lin Lie

Lin Lie was a young man from Shanghai when his father gave him the sword of Fu Xi. The mystical sword dispels demons and its goal is to stop Chiyou from re-emerging. After several fuck ups in DODS: White Fox, the sword shattered and Lie was tossed into a cliff. We learn after a while that he did not die, in fact he got revived by the chi of Shou-Lao which grants him the Iron Fist.

See him in:

Warriors of Three Sovereigns (or just Sword Master in some sites)

New Agents of Atlas

Death of Doctor Strange: White Fox

Iron Fist (2020)

A.X.E: Iron Fist

Pearl Pangan

Pearl Pangan grew up by the beach on Mactan Island in Cebu, Philippines. She loved the sea and became a really good swimmer, having the potential to win the Olympics. However, obstacles in life turned her aside from that path. She was approached by AlonTech who used Pearl’s swimming abilities to conduct experiments on her. AlonTech was eventually attacked by the Triumph Division and during this attack, Pearl was exposed to several unknown energies which granted her the ability to control water.

See her in:

Aero

New Agents of Atlas

Marvel Voices Infinity Comics issue 50

Dan Bi

(ive reached the photo max whopsie)

Dan Bi is the daughter of an antique shop owner. One day after Tae Kwon Do class, she returned home to see her father's shop in ruins, her father nowhere to be found. Bounty hunters entered the building and hearing them, she hid under a bed, finding the mask that contained Io. On the quest to search for her father, Dan Bi went after the buyer of an artefact, leading her to Jimmy Woo, who recruited her into the New Agents of Atlas. Keep in mind she’s like 11 or something.

See her in:

Future Fight Firsts

New Agents of Atlas

And that’s some of them! Obviously I didn’t add some like Taegukgi, or else this would've gotten too long, but please check them out and give them some love <3

[asheurbanipal]

Hand in Unlovable Hand

Ao3

Summary:

It's a century after the events of the game. An Ascended Astarion and his most beloved spawn are now installed in the Crimson Palace, spawn flooding the walls of Baldur's Gate. The Vampire Lord rules with an iron fist, his consort in hand. Oh how mighty he must be to pull the leash of a child of Bhaal, of the once hero and terror of Baldur's Gate who destroyed the elder brain, who ended the grand design. Unless...he's not the one who actually wears the collar....

Baldur's Gate 3

Ascended Astarion/Resist Durge

Explicit

Words:2,873

One-shot

Content: Toxic Relationship, dub-con, reference to sexual violence, they're fucking villains y'all

I’m not sure that Astarion ever loved me. Not really. Not in any way that mattered. I would come to learn that love, true love, the kind that dragged its victims into death, was soft and delicate. Slow. We had simply never had the time. He had only just learned to walk in the sun when I found him on the beach. He was free of restraints for only as long as it took him to carve the infernal poem into Cazador’s back before he’d surrendered himself to a new master of his own making. I was born fresh anew from the tank on that nautiloid. I had only just regained my memories of my place in Bhaal’s service before I offered myself, naked, to Astarion’s will. Only just became myself again before giving it all away.

I might have loved Enver once. In whatever way I was capable of such things in those days. I felt a strange halo of…something…when I met him for the first time again at his coronation. Even when the flashes of my life returned, the weight of the more nuanced emotions behind them were overshadowed by rage at Orin’s betrayal. He was dead before I had the chance to relearn my feelings for him. 

And by then, I was Astarion’s, body and soul, and nothing else mattered. 

“Lover. Where have you got yourself to? Not out and about, I hope.” Astarion’s voice is sharp but lilting as it drifts up through the floors and corridors of the manor. Somehow I can always hear him no matter what. I don't understand the magic, but I accept it. 

“The balcony, darling.” It was an early addition to the Crimson Palace, a prominence off our shared bedroom from which to watch the city below. We were the first vampires to ever be able to take in the sun, and Astarion wanted to revel in it. For the first few decades, he would stand at the railing every sunrise, imposing his presence across the roofs of the city. The habit fell off when the city no longer needed reminding. Now it’s usually me that haunts it, tracing the patterns of the stars as they weave around the moon. 

Astarion’s hands drop around my shoulders then over my bare chest. His lips and the teeth underneath trace down my neck ever so slightly. He’s sticky with someone else’s insides, and I feel it drip down my back. His body presses closer, feeding his soft hands down into my calloused ones. 

“Waiting and naked. Just as I prefer.” His voice slithers and creeps, wrapping through me like catgut thread and cutting my insides apart. He says “prefer,” but after close to a century I know it’s “expect.” I can get away with being clothed to some degree, but were I not home when he expected me, I’d see some time locked away in a small dark place. It was something to Astarion’s credit that confinement is the best he can come up with when pressed. He doesn't have the guts for an actual beating or general bloodletting, and delegates such things if it's ultimately required. Killing, yes. He's quite fond of that, of course. It’s an easy way to be rid of problems. But death is barely a punishment. That’s something quickly learned with a father like mine.  

“Not completely,” I say, plucking at the square blanket I’ve laid across my lap to spare the public below from my indecency. 

“All the better. That way only I get the best bits.” One hand lifts from mine and ducks under the throw, going straight for the most sensitive part of me. I let him stroke up the length of me a few times, both of us knowing that it's little more than a greeting, not the prelude to anything more intimate. Not yet, anyway. The night is still young. It always is. 

“I have a present for you,” Astarion whispers.

“Is this a before or after bath present? Because yours is ready.” 

He perks in delight, then draws his lips against my ear. 

“You always do know how to treat me, pet. Come see what I’ve brought you.” His hand trails along my shoulders as he moves back into the bedroom, leaving behind a streak of hellfire along my skin. 

I already know what’s waiting for me as I pull a loose robe over my body, something I keep nearby for when my lover-master has been given his due greeting. The "gift" is certainly a pretty thing, long ginger-blond hair pulled up above his ears and dark horns stark against his dusk-red complexion. He’d been placed on the bench at the end of the bed, and he’s laced his fingers around his calves, knees brought up to his chest, tail wrapping around his crossed ankles. When he sees me, he moves to his feet, hands touching each other over his belly. His neck stretches, chin tilting down. He’s got the pale impression of old bite marks. Most of Baldur’s Gate does, at this point

“Lord Consort,” he breathes, voice deep despite its volume. The sound of water and a gentle, bereft humming suggests I can talk to him freely without Astarion bothering to eavesdrop. 

He’s my gift after all. 

“I understand the appeal of being a vampire’s favorite meal, but it was a piss-poor idea getting yourself picked up by on of the foot soldiers. You had to know they’d bring you to the palace.” And people don't leave from the palace so easily…at least not the same as they came in. 

“I thought I might secure myself an actual status of some sort. I’m starting to regret it, I’ll admit.” He looks around uneasily, but his body relaxes. That’s not entirely uncommon. When I speak to them like an equal they think I see them as one.

“What’s your name?” I ask. His eyes flash wide in surprise. Whoever gave him those healed scars hadn’t bothered with names. 

“Lokezer. Lok.”

I step forward, and touch his chest, gesturing him back down on the bench. There’s wine in the cabinet, and I find us something of a reasonable vintage for the occasion. Astarion is more natural at this part, but I make due with memorizing a list. 

“If you’re looking to become a consort to a foot soldier…well...I wouldn’t recommend it, for one. They’re animals. But I can provide some advice.” I hand him a glass, and he takes a sip without questioning it. 

“I had my sights set higher, actually.” Lok gazes around. “This room. I had hoped to see it someday.” He takes another sip. I haven’t had any of mine, and I set it back down on the table behind me. 

“If you think to get the attention of our Lord Astarion-“

“Not exactly.” It’s not a coy voice. Not seductive like spawn have grown accustomed to using. More matter-of-fact. I watch him stare at me over his wine glass for a moment. 

“Most people do well to avoid me all together.” In the early decades I was out among them in our city of spawn, an extension of Astarion’s hand around the heart of his people. Then I grew tired of being someone else’s knife and not my own. Tired of holding

back for the sake of our own grand design. Tired of existing as a ghost of what I was truly capable of. 

“There’s a rumor,” Lok says delicately. “That the reason the living still exist in the numbers they do along the sword coast is because of your influence.”

Now this is interesting. Abandoning my glass entirely, I sit on the bench next to him, maybe a hair’s breadth from the heat radiating off Lok’s body. 

“I’m not much for books or poetry. But I’m practical. If we fill the world with spawn, who will we eat? Astarion can see the truth in the pragmatic when presented.” The whole truth is trickier. More complex. Astarion doesn’t actually know how to plan and scheme in the long term. He’s driven by passion and lust. For two-hundred years, every waking moment was assigned to him. Despite his desire to rule the world with a vampire army, he didn’t actually know how when granted the power to do so. He still doesn’t. I do. I was the architect of both the rise and destruction of the Netherbrain. For better or ill, the state of the city and much of the coast is greatly in part my doing, in the end. Astarion just has the physical power and charisma to execute on my plans. 

Lok glances down through the dark red of the  wine, through the glass, to the floor at the end of the bed, staring a hole that could tear the castle in half. 

“My great grandfather said he knew you. Before all this.” He gestures with his thin, clawed fingers. I cast over him. How many of the grove tielfings settled in the city? How many of them would have stayed instead of fleeing immediately once the spawn started flooding it? I can only think of one.

“Is Rolan still alive?” I ask.

“He died a few years ago.”

“That’s a shame. I liked him.”

“He said that you offered to make him a spawn.” 

I feel my chest tighten. Even all these decades later, I remember the conversation clear as sunshine on the waterfront. I was trying to offer him a way out as the city began to turn. He could have been an early addition to the army. A senior foot soldier. He said he’d rather die. I told him I could oblige him that way, too, whenever he wanted. It was my specialty, after all; he only need say the word. It was the last I spoke to him in person. When he retired ownership of Sorcerer's Sundries, I lost track of him completely. I didn’t even know he had a familial line, much less that they remained in he city. He should have left when he had the chance.

“So curiosity got the better of you?” I ask. “You wanted to see the real monster at the heart of everything, and you were willing to risk getting drained for it?”

“I risk getting drained walking to the fruit stand too close to dusk. It’s part and parcel of living here. And even if I had the money to leave and start somewhere new, what’s to stop me from being dragged into the hells or turned into a mindflayer or ripped apart by shadow creatures? At least here, the danger is consistent, and I’ve gotten at least one chance to look my tormentor in the eye before I die.”

A sound of draining water suggests that Astarion is done. Our time alone is short. I snap his jaw up in my hand, turning his face to me forcefully.

“Your body’s going to be used in some way or another tonight, Lok. You had to know that.”

“I did…” he admits softly. 

“Then I’ll give you a choice. Quickly now.”

He gasps, gulping through his long neck. 

“I don’t want to die. And I don’t want to be a spawn. Not yet. I want more time.” 

“Alright.” And I grip his jaw tighter in my fingers. 

“Oh!” Astarion’s surprised voice is sharp in my ear, cracking the tension. “I just assumed I’d come out to guts scattered across the floor.” I feel Lok clench tight under by hand. 

“Oh, he’s too pretty for that,” I coo. “And he worked so hard to get this far. I thought I might play with him for a bit then kennel him. As long as you’ll permit it?” Astarion flutters to the bed, robe barely tied, exposing every beautiful line as he sits. 

“Of course, dearest. What kind of gift would it be, otherwise?” 

A pretty typical one for him, honestly. He lives to give just to take again. This time he seems more sincere. Lok’s deep brow grows tight, tense. Desperately questioning. Poor thing really thought there was some kind of softness in me. I appreciate the vote of confidence, at least. 

I’m not gentle on Lok. His optimism inspires me to at least try, at the start, to see if it's something I'm capable of. I know I must have been at some point, but whatever was left of that is gone. Long gone. 

He isn’t torn apart, at least. I let him live, allowing him that requested privilege. And he’s only actively bleeding from the puncture wounds on his neck and chest. The bruises won’t start showing up until tomorrow, and the one I thrust into the back of his throat is mild, at best. I even let Lok rest on the bed afterward, allowing him to curl up at the foot of it. 

“You held back,” Astarion sighs into my chest, hands running down my sides, kissing and nipping at my flesh. He likes to start slow, build up, pretend for a short while we’re something different than what we are.

“I’d like to get some uses out of him, but he seems more delicate than most. I don’t want to ruin him too fast.”

“Hm, you’re so clever.” He drops lower and sinks his teeth into my proffered inner thigh. I push the groan of pleasure down. Make Astarion work for it. He pulls back after a few quick drags, letting me free bleed on the bed as he lifts up to straddle me. “He made rather a scene when the foot soldiers brought him to me. Prostrating himself. Begging. ‘It would be my greatest honor to give my body in service to the Lord and his dread Consort.’ Cute as a button.”

“You usually drain them on the spot when they do that.”

“They don’t typically offer themselves to you, as well.” He crunches another bite into my shoulder, enjoying the feeling of a deep muscle puncture. I trace my fingers down the length of his spine slowly as he drinks in more of me. 

“So you wanted to see why. I get it. I’m afraid it’s not something terribly interesting. Just a touch of morbid curiosity. He's an odd little thing.” I think, truly, that he came here to die, but when faced with the practicalities of death, he recoiled. Retracted. Regretted. But a bit of mystery will keep Astarion from getting bored of having him around. Astarion pulls away, again, dragging my own blood across my body as he bends his face to my chest. 

“You’ll have to tell me when you’re done with him. He’d make a rather delightful spawn, I think. Pretty to look at. Eager to please.” Astarion hums in consideration. 

“Maybe. I’ll break him a bit, and find out.”

“I look forward to it.” This time he doesn’t bite, just lays his body across mine as though he were listening to a heartbeat I don’t have. “Why did you let me turn you?” His fingers dance across my clavicle. 

“Because I love you,” I respond automatically. 

“Yes, yes, of course.” He taps a bloody finger to my lips. “You could have left. You could have forced me out. All while still loving me. Yet you kneeled.” I sigh. He was going to use some manner of torture or another to get this out of me, and he was going to start with pouting. I would have preferred he go straight to sending me to the flayer. 

“I knew that once we got the tadpoles out, I would still be a child of Bhaal. I’d never really be free from him. I’m literal flesh of his flesh. So why not charge someone else with the keeping of my body?”

“You could have been free.”

“Maybe. Maybe I don’t really want to be free. Maybe I don’t know how to stand on my own two feet. Maybe I just prefer to be the vassal of someone I choose. Someone I love.”

“You do still love me,” he says.

“Of course,” I reply. Neither of us are sure if these are statements or questions.

After a few more deep bites, he pushes my knees to my chest to take what he wants from me. He isn’t gentle. He never is. It’s what I want. What I deserve. What I demand of him, my master. But for all his bite and snap, there always comes a pivotal moment. When on the rise to ecstasy, his knife pauses at my belly. When he hesitates to sink it into my flesh no matter how I beg for it. He sets the blade aside under some pretense of disinterest or denial of my pleasure. Pretends its his will that my innards remain in their home. The truth is he can’t do it. He never will. Because he never actually does his own dirty work. He hasn’t the stomach for it.

His sadism will never match my masochism. 

And in that gap is where the truth lies. He needs me more than I need him. And when I’m done being his, when eternity grows too long, too stretched…I will simply end it all. 

If I’m kind, I’ll take him with me. 

[baja4nia]

beach towns, sublime, psychadelics, van life, dogs, kicked down shoes, stolen skateboards, deadheads, bandanas covering dirty hair, bombing hills, drug fueled jam sesh's, missing work, skinny dipping in the ocean, falling in love, sex on ketamine, local surf bars, dub reggae roots, nitrous oxide, afternoon naps, the drum circle, record shops, liqour stores, wooks, long hair, rolled tobacco, painting, the smell of weed and burning wood, hatchbacks, bubbles, friendly strangers, meth heads in the bathroom, homeless 18 year old boys, atmosphere, red hot chili peppers, long beach dub all stars, lynard skynard, nirvana, tash sultana, cavlin klein lines, spaceships, manifestation, sand everywhere, tie dye and ripped t shirts, when the ones you love have to leave, vinyls and cds, mushroom jewelry, spirit hoods, dmt, smoke shops, skidoo (1968)

[moorheadthanyoucanhandle]

BAR NONE

In theaters this weekend:

Sing Sing--A troupe of actors, all incarcerated, work to put up a show in the notorious maximum security state prison in New York. They're members of the institution's Rehabilitation Through the Arts program (RTA). At the center of the company is John "Divine G" Whitfield (Colman Domingo).

In prison for a crime he did not commit, Divine G not only throws his soul into his theatre work, playing Shakespearean leads like he should be onstage in Central Park, he also assists his fellow inmates with appeals and preparation for parole hearings.

His anger at the injustice of his circumstances is unmistakable, yet it's less scary than the intensity with which he works to control and channel it; he knows too well that giving vent to rage would be futile and harmful to his cause. Besides, he's a true believer. His positivity is an act of faith, sometimes a Herculean one.

Like its hero, the movie, directed by Greg Kwedar from a script he wrote with Clint Bentley, is taut and melodrama-free. Perhaps because so many of the actors were actually incarcerated people--many of them RTA veterans playing themselves--Sing Sing has almost a documentary feel at times. Yet it also has, with almost no violence or other prison-movie cliches, the charge of high drama. Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin and Sean San José are particularly memorable among the other company members. A word should also be said for Paul Raci, who plays Brent Buell, the diplomatic, unflappable director and playwright. 

But the core of the film is Colman Domingo. Rarely does an actor gives us so much heart to invest in with so little hamming or telegraphing. It's a classic performance, both for its emotional impact and for its discipline.

My Penguin Friend--It's hard to go wrong with penguins. They've been amusing us for a long time, not just in zoos but in movies. like George Miller's mad animated musical epic Happy Feet and its sequel, and Surf's Up, and the crack team of penguins in the Madagascar franchise, and Mr. Popper's Penguins, and the 2005 French documentary March of the Penguins, back though the exploding penguin and the giant penguin in Monty Python, not to mention Chilly Willy and Bugs Bunny's friend "Playboy Penguin," who wept tiny ice cubes when he was sad.

It's also hard to go wrong with Jean Reno. Best known as menacing killers in Luc Besson films like La Femme Nikita and The Professional, the rugged-looking French actor projects an air of effortless authority. So My Penguin Friend, which has both Jean Reno and a jaunty, spirited penguin in starring roles, starts out with certain advantages. And it ends up needing both of them.

This family film is, to use its opening titles, "Inspired by a True Story." In 2011, a man named Joao Pereira de Souza living on Ilha Grande, off the coast of Brazil, found a weakened, oil-slicked Magellanic penguin outside his house along the beach. He cleaned the poor flightless castaway up, fed him some sardines, and soon became friends with him. Dubbed "Dindim"--a grandchild's mispronunciation of the Portuguese word for penguin--the bird disappeared back into the Atlantic some months later. But he returned for many years thereafter, to hang out for the winter with Joao along his migratory route.

This fictionalized retelling of the story, directed by David Schurmann from a script by Kristen Lazarian and Paulina Lagudi Ulrich, starts off on the wrong foot with a tragic episode that seemed entirely gratuitous to me. And in its second half, it follows Dindim's encounters with researchers at his other home in Patagonia. These scenes feel very strained, with dialogue so stilted I began to wonder if it had been written by AI. And the movie's final stretch, which attempts to generate some danger and suspense, feels extremely half-hearted.

In between all this, however, we get to see Jean Reno, looking scruffy and soulful and beaky-faced as Joao, tenderly interacting with a penguin. That can carry a movie a long way. Reno seems to enjoying playing a childlike sweetness here, as Joao proclaims that Dindim "comes and goes as he pleases" and is "not my pet...he's my friend." The other humans in the film, including Adriana Barraza as Joao's wife, are all attractive, even when the dialogue coming out of them seems canned.

The movie is visually impressive, too. Dindim was played by several different penguins, and presumably his adventures, particularly underwater, have been at least partly enhanced by CGI, but it's pretty effective and seamless; he comes across as a character. And the scenery, both in windswept Patagonia and idyllic-looking Ilha Grande, is breathtaking.

So it will be a matter of personal calculation for you to decide if a penguin, a bona fide international movie star and gorgeous settings overcome feeble kid-movie devices enough to make My Penguin Friend worth your time. For me, it was; the penguin tipped the scale the farthest.

Alien: Romulus--A band of young scavengers bust into a huge derelict spaceship in orbit around the cheerless, sunlight-free mining planet on which they live. They're hoping to filch equipment that will allow them to escape their indenture, and they repeatedly express confidence that they'll be in and out in half an hour, and nothing can go wrong.

So in they go, get the stuff they need, and sail off to a new world where they live happily ever after. The end.

Just kidding. The result, in this seventh entry in the Alien series, is of course another gory encounter with an infestation of the elegantly spindly, terrifying creatures in all of their various stages of development, from "facehugger" to "chestburster" to full-grown fang-bearer.

Though it's not close to the 1979 original, Romulus is on the more watchable end of the franchise, deliberate and creepy for the first half, and non-stop in the second. It's a little unvaried and dark, however, and until the climactic scenes it doesn't really give us much that's new. Toward the end, the shots of the ice ring around the planet that the ship is approaching have a certain magical beauty, but otherwise we're mostly stuck in the chiaroscuro space dungeon.

The star is Cailee Spaeny, who played the fresh-faced young journalist in Civil War earlier this year. She's sympathetic, but the movie is stolen by David Jonnson as her companion Andy, a sweet, dad-joke-dispensing android who gets a reboot that gives him an upsetting personality change. Andy may be the best robot with divided loyalties since Robby in Forbidden Planet.

One more note: I'm a little over the vogue for gynecological/obstetric body horror. We got a big dose of nasty surgical instruments and moaning, keening young women birthing unnatural spawn earlier this year in The Last Omen; we get more natal splatter here. The gifted director of Romulus, the Uruguayan Fede Alvarez, also showed unsavory interest in coercive pregnancy in his terrific 20I6 shocker Don't Breathe. Even the title Romulus refers to one species nursed at the teat of another.

Could all this be a reaction to post-Roe reproductive chaos? I'll leave that to graduate students with stronger stomachs than mine.

[project1939]

100+ Films of 1952

Film number 140: Under the Red Sea 

Release date: October 2nd, 1952. 

Studio: RKO 

Genre: documentary 

Director: Hans Hass 

Producer: Sol Lesser, Hans Hass 

Actors: Les Tremayne, Hans Hass, Lotte Hass

Plot Summary: Biologist and diver Hans Hass takes a small crew, including his wife Lotte, to explore the underwater world of the Red Sea. They have adventures finding coral reefs and caves, sharks, starfish, Manta rays, barracuda, and many other kinds of wildlife both above and below the waterline. 

My Rating (out of five stars): ***¼  

I haven’t been able to find many documentary features from 1952, so this was a fun and interesting watch. I can only imagine what it would have been like to see this the year it was released, though! Underwater film and photography were in their infancy, and most people watching it in 1952 had probably never seen anything like it. In a scene with a Manta ray, for example, the narrator said it was the first time one of them had ever been photographed! 

The Good: 

Obviously watching all the beautiful wildlife was the best part of the film. There were vast varieties of fish, plants, birds, and mammals. The underwater footage was really amazing, and the viewer was given ample time to take it all in. 

The underwater cinematography was magnificent. 

There was an exploration of an island with thousands of birds on it that I found compelling. I especially fell in love with little crabs on the beach who made pyramids out of sand. I also got jealous when they ate fresh crab and lobster at the shore!

We got to see some intriguing shots of the local city and villages, opening a window into what the human culture looked like at the time. I was curious about how much things may have changed in 72 years. 

My favorite scene in the whole film was when Hass took a speaker under the water and played music by Strauss for the fish. Many of the fish came over to the speaker and began swimming in circles around it. They didn’t appear to be distressed, and Hass described it like a fish ballet. It was beautiful.  

Hass and his crew were all Austrian, so they spoke German, and I liked the fact that the film didn’t change or dub over it. 

I gotta say, I love the 1950s pulp style poster- it was clearly trying to sensationalize the movie to pull customers in. People who expected something flashy and salacious would have been pretty disappointed, though. The style was almost identical to that of a nature show on television. 

The Bad: 

The use of black and white film was kind of a shame. I’m sure the technology wasn’t available or cheap enough to film in color, but when you are looking at an underwater wonderland, it’s disappointing to be restricted to black and white. After the film ended, I googled several of the fish described in it so I could see them in color.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about all the underwater hunting that went on. Nowadays you don’t see underwater documentaries where the hosts kill and capture some of the wildlife! I’m sure being a biologist Hass wouldn’t have done something to harm the environment, but still...  

There was an unfortunate moment of racist stereotyping. In an early scene in Port Sudan, the narrator described “rich Arab merchants who still practice polygamy,” “poor and apathetic Negroes,” and “warlike and unpredictable” nomads. A lot of the racism seemed more steeped in classism, and thankfully the above example was pretty much the only one. 

It was kind of frustrating that there were no subtitles when the Austrians were speaking to each other. I don’t know if that was only an issue with the print I saw, but sometimes I was a little confused. 

I think it got a bit long for this kind of film. It was 82 minutes, and the drier style and lack of any clear plot made it drag somewhat at times. It wasn’t boring, however. 

[babykentthegent]

On Cloud Nine Months

The fact that Kent will be one-year-old in just three months seems impossible. My broken record statement is saying how fast time seems to be going by. All that to say, Kent is growing into such a fun, loving, and active little human. The last month has been about trying new things, learning new things, and going on new adventures!

When it comes to solids, Kent LOVES to eat. He is still warming up to certain foods, like berries or anything he deems too tart. He now has six visible teeth in the front which has somehow made his smile even more adorable. We just went to his 9-month checkup and learned he's as healthy as a horse. That's our #1 priority, so we're happy!

We broke out the hiking backpack for an afternoon walk with the dogs at the park. Don't let his tired look deceive you, he loved it! Overall, Kent is a happy baby. We get comments from friends and family all the time about how he doesn't cry, he's always smiling, and just what a good baby he is. We are here to inform everyone that he does in fact cry, but typically it's only when one of his core needs hasn't been met. I like to think that the book Happiest Baby on the Block really helped us, so highly recommend to new parents. Now 9-months in, we just try to do our best to predict his needs before he gets to that point. See exhibit A (above) of Kent with his friend Mina when he is super tired. He's also starting to notice when we leave him with the nanny or other people as he's more aware of what's going on.

One of the biggest highlights over the last month was our first ever family road trip to Cali. Being my family and I are originally from California, it was a family tradition growing up that Rob and I have vowed to do with Kent. Our first drive was to Chico/Oroville, which took us roughly 11 hours. There, we spent time with Kent's "Opa and Gigi". Even though my mom is no longer with us, the house felt warm, comforting, and I still felt her presence. Gina was kind enough to watch Kent one day so mom and dad could spend some time with my stepdad. It was a short, but nice visit.

Our second stop was Bakersfield to visit Kent's cousins and auntie. They LOVED Kent! Our niece, Olivia, was fortunate enough to have met Kent when he was a wee baby in WA, but this was Riley's first time meeting the baby. Seeing Kent with them really warmed our hearts. We were sad to only get to stay for a day, but were so glad we spent time together. The morning we were getting ready to leave, Riley was showing Kent how to crawl, after we shared with him that Kent was so close to crawling. Then, before our eyes, Kent mimicked his cousin and crawled for the first time! I could tell Riley felt special that he got to witness this and my mouth was hurting from grinning so much. What a wonderful way to give them our sendoff.

The final stop on our trip was in Long Beach to see my brother, sister-in-law, and more cousins of Kent's! The three kids were obsessed with Kent, which was fun to watch. The littlest, Kalei, kept showing Kent his toys, explaining things to Kent as if he understood, and dubbed him his buddy. With them being the closest in age out of all of Kent's cousins, I have a feeling they'll be fast friends. Even the two older kids, Kai, and Kamaile, showed a lot of interest in Kent. My sister also came over from Fullerton to spend time with us. The best way to describe it was happy chaos, which is honestly what I grew up with so it felt comforting and familiar.

We spent the days with my sister visiting the Long Beach aquarium and stopping by Laguna Beach. Kent really enjoyed the aquarium, admittedly more than I thought he would. At one point they had a star fish petting area, but Kent thought he could just play and splash in the water. Both embarrassing and hilarious. He loved the jelly fish the most. At the beach, it was Kent's first time seeing the ocean and touching sand. He was not a fan of the freezing cold water, but he did like the sand. He liked the sand so much that he took a giant handful and swiftly forced it in his mouth. I tried my best to get it out, but that's how kids learn I guess, haha!

This trip really filled our cups and reminded me how important it is to spend time with family. I didn't realize how much I needed that, but truly it just made us so happy to see Kent meet more of his family and making memories together, even if he doesn't remember. He was most certainly the star of the show! Kent also did surprisingly well in the car AND his favorite word on this trip was "mama" which has been music to my ears. We are hoping to make this an annual trip, either driving or flying to Cali. As for what we have to look forward to in the upcoming month:

Baby Proofing - Now that Kent is crawling, we need to further baby proof the whole house. We are in trouble!

Swim Lessons - Kent starts swim lessons on 3/9!

Hiking Trips - Now that Spring is around the corner and the weather is somewhat warming up, we hope to get out in nature more.

A huge thank you to our family for hosting us. We are beyond grateful to you and love you so much. Thanks for reading - until next time!

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 01/08/2023

Koopa Street

Season 4 Episode 2 Featured on: Sensational Celebrations ~ The SiIvaSummer All-Star Festival Collection [Event Side]

Ripped by RHMan

Yesterday, when I dubbed Season 4 Episode 2 the year of celebration, I wasn't JUST referring to the day-long celebration of the King for Another Day Tournament's winner - that energy extended into the Season in its entirety. The best place to point to is of course The SiIvaSummer All-Star Festival, a collection of over a dozen different events spanning two months time, clad in a summer-fun beach aesthetic and beautiful artwork throughout. Today, we have a rip from just one of those events - Dat (Soulja) Boi Day, an entire day dedicated to Dat Boi.

Yeah, Dat Boi! Remember him? From 2016? He got an entire event dedicated to him to celebrate Soulja Boy's 30th birthday, as a popular video using the Dat Boi meme used Crank That as its instrumental. As a result the two memes have sort of just...fused, on SiIva? The steel drums share double duty between the two memes, kind of like a clone character in a fighting game in a sense. Though mostly forgotten to 2016, the little guy got renewed love during this event and has been showing up every now and then since.

Even looking past the initial surprise of seeing the boi himself after so long, Koopa Street itself is a damn solid rip with a lot more extra flair than I'd anticipate from a rip of its concept. As some commenters on the YouTube upload noted, Koopa Cape is already a golden source for mashups, yet RHMan went above and beyond. Isn't it funny that the last time I covered an RHMan rip - Battle with Jeffinite - , it was also one using memes that we otherwise consider outdated? If this is the niche he's landed in I couldn't be more grateful - the actual steel drum arrangement in Koopa Street is pitch perfect, the vocals are layered in very interesting ways as you progress through the song, and there's even a great touch of Mario Kart Wii SFX added to the mix just for flavor. Hell, there's even a whole extra verse added and written by RHMan himself that fits in perfectly, which caught me completely off guard in the best way possible! I may be biased as someone who grew up with and adores MKWii's soundscape, but it all comes together tremendously well.

[thecolorfulloko]

its modelo time she said

the following takes place close enough to hear the waves break natural oils salt washed and golden skin sun baked our dirty heads soaking up the minerals together sinking into the water and drying out on the sand where the living breathing ocean spares us from going any further beached as it made for the shore stacks of buildings strand along the coast in one of many communities that carve into the edge of her country here ive headed for the summer already mistaken for a native she let me crash in her hammock introduced me to her circle i dont know why i fool myself everyone is only out to see her shes got connections all around the square social currency to get us into the best parties well spent on the most potent i can experience we’re polishing our third eyes picking up higher vibrations wiping away the clouds my mind has a clear view im looking down at the deep like a wellness retreat i found it making sense the rush in my heart when i hear the soul in her records beats to fall in love to what she produces is plentiful a shine she carries bright a glow to her face that reflects shes got the right idea and she really means it and im convinced of the magic she possesses its a potion given in small doses shes sweet as sapote now sometimes its her that i crave we sat on the curb in the plaza she promises she can heal me with herbs the right frequencies and meditation ritualistic methods of relaxation consuming ceremoniously proper respect for the dead before we kiss the especial we can reach the gods and make an offering our devotion through these spiritual interfaces reading from her book of hymns the goal is for the sermons to travel all throughout collective consciousness music is the best way to spread the word i asked for some recommendations she made me a sample worthy mixtape i saved it in my song machine a composer and singer, yours truly and i havent died yet just let me come up a little watch me turn the switch insert the tape set the levels on the EQ now we're talking we style like dub all-stars we've got creative control as long as we hold those crystals we can sustain and we can endure turning up the volume a little ghetto blasting the streets like this swimming through this heat even when the lights turn on up until then we were casual my gold under an open collar the short skirt for Milena my comments were at least respectful and we got down drunker than ever staying out late as we wanted restless legs in the night clubs frame by frame   flashes of her dancing closer to me then it got darker i was close to blacking out but from what i can remember the pitch was lower the tempo was slower i made the move she held on like i was saying goodbye her tears pressed against my cheek thats when she let go of my hand knowing we were more than friends i guess shes better off with her backup plan but her gentleman still bites his tongue and that girl looks cute with anyone even as her relationship began to stagnate a harsh contrast to the honeymoon phase it can be such an ugly feeling to betray Milena says she will love the best she can so this is how it ends and this is how i romanticize everything was perfect for a while everything was right when we were alone i returned still tripping on my feelings drifting in and out of regret staying awake to all of the noise in my head losing touch and recovering from the withdrawals a ways away and im near sighted shes out of focus a million miles from her and i was tempted to send my love but like all my former sidekicks the years passed and corrected dressing us definitely theres no going back and no more rewinding our soundtrack i stopped the tape and put in another   proud of myself for going this far being like i want everyday without a fantasy reality is a fruit ripe to eat oxygen is delicious repeating my affirmations until i fall sleep sometimes dreaming of Milena im swinging in that hammock carried away by the stars underneath my eyelids and i can still taste the sea on my lips

[thepercy6andtheradicalsabbatical]

Dubrovnik to Split-

We awoke on our last morning in split and Matt and Becca went on a super quick and relatively flat (by Dubrovnik standards) run then we packed with the usual franticness and stored our bags in the luggage storage in our building at checkout time of 10 AM. Our ferry to split didn’t leave until 3:15 pm so we had some time to kill and we started this buy spending about 2.5 hours of hanging on Banje beach right by our place. The kids had fun exploring the beachside rocks and all enjoyed cooling off in the clear blue waters of the Adriatic. We then used our one 50 euro cent piece to pay for a 30 second beachside shower to try and desalinate the 6 of us (but it seemed like only Matt was willing to brave the ice cold shower water to do so). We then headed back to our place, got our bags out of storage and changed our of swimsuits in the courtyard before catching a bus to the port area. There, Matt’s plan was to check out Dubrovnik beer company and grab beer/lunch. We only succeeded in one of the two as they apparently don’t start serving food until 3, but the beer was tasty and it was a bit refreshing to taste some hops after not getting much of this in beers over the past month or so. We improvised a lunch of bread, cheese and the 100g of Salami Matt had purchased way back in Pianillo and then walked about 10 min to our ferry dock. The children and Becca were once again commenting on Matt’s frugality as we walked by several much larger ferries going the same direction to our much smaller, slightly cheaper and hopefully (for Matt’s sake) equally fast and comfortable “TP lines” ferry to Split. The ferry ride did turn out to be pretty smooth, if a bit long. it was cool to look out and see the coastline of Croatia and hundreds of islands sliding by as we sailed up the smooth waters of the straits between them. We called in Pomena, Korcula, and Hvar before arriving in Split right on time at about 8:30 pm. From Hvar on there was another child who was sprinting laps around the ferry playing a broken english chase game with our 3 littlest kids (Emily the pre-teen read her book instead). On arrival it was immediately apparent that Split was a much bigger town than Dubrovnik with lots of hustle and bustle around us and people trying to get us on taxis. We instead walked to the nearby bus stop where google maps said to get on the number 18 bus, so we did, it was one of those double long busses and Becca/kids got on the back while Matt walked to the front door to pay for tickets. When I got on the driver asked where we were going then looked at Matt's phone and told hime to get off walk across the street and take the 15 bus, so Matt got off and yelled back to the fam to get off which they tried to do but the back doors wouldn't re-open so the family drove off on the bus with Matt standing on the curb! Becca called Matt and we made a plan that they would stay on and ride the 6 stops as originally planned per google maps, which they did and found the place, and checked in. Matt walked across the street as instructed by bus driver but discovered the number 15 bus was not coming for 45 minutes, so he again checked the phone and it advised him to take the number 8 bus which came in 10 minutes so he did, purchased a ticket without being hassled bu the driver this time and ended up with a short 5 min walk to the place at the end. Matt arrived to all the kids being very fired up about arriving at the rental place they had been looking forward to the most of anywhere, complete with a "B" shaped pool the kids had dubbed "the butt pool" in pictures and a kids room with a cars/star wars theme. We finally got them calmed down, unpacked and in bed around 10 pm and the tired adults also hit the hay after social media-ing a bit on our fast internet.

[sportsufc24]

The Thrilling Legacy of Daytona 500: A Spectacle of Speed, Skill, and Glory

The Daytona 500 is not just a race; it's a testament to the American spirit of competition, adrenaline, and tradition. Held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, this iconic event marks the beginning of the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Cup Series season. With its rich history dating back to 1959, the Daytona 500 has evolved into a premier sporting spectacle, captivating millions of fans worldwide.

The Birth of a Legend: In the late 1950s, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. envisioned a race that would attract the best drivers, showcase remarkable speed, and celebrate the essence of American auto racing. Thus, the Daytona 500 was born on February 22, 1959. Since then, it has grown into one of the most prestigious and anticipated events in motorsports.

The Daytona International Speedway: The venue itself is steeped in history and legend. The Daytona International Speedway, often dubbed as the "World Center of Racing," is a 2.5-mile tri-oval track that demands skill, strategy, and nerve from drivers. Its high-banked turns and long straightaways create an exhilarating challenge, pushing drivers and their machines to the limit.

The Greats and the Glory: Over the decades, the Daytona 500 has seen legends carve their names into racing history. Names like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and more recently, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin, have all tasted victory at Daytona. These drivers didn't just win a race; they etched their legacy into the annals of motorsports, earning the respect and admiration of fans worldwide.

Unforgettable Moments: The Daytona 500 has produced countless unforgettable moments that have become ingrained in the collective memory of racing enthusiasts. From photo-finishes and dramatic crashes to underdog victories and emotional triumphs, each race brings its own unique storylines and excitement.

Beyond the Track: The impact of the Daytona 500 extends far beyond the confines of the racetrack. It's a cultural phenomenon that brings together fans from all walks of life, transcending geographical and generational boundaries. From tailgate parties to watch parties, the Daytona 500 is a celebration of camaraderie, passion, and community.

Innovation and Evolution: As technology advances and racing evolves, so does the Daytona 500. From safety improvements to rule changes and innovations in car design, the race continues to adapt while staying true to its roots. The introduction of stages and playoff formats in recent years has added new layers of excitement and strategy, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final lap.

Looking Ahead: As we look to the future, the Daytona 500 remains a beacon of excitement and anticipation. With each passing year, new stars emerge, new records are set, and the legacy of this iconic event continues to grow. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the Daytona 500 is a must-watch event that embodies the essence of American auto racing.

[newsanchorh7n]

HORI7ON Takes Korea by Storm: Busking and Fan Signing Delight in Busan

In a remarkable blend of talent and cultural diversity, the all-Filipino global pop sensation, HORI7ON, has been taking the music world by storm. Comprising seven exceptional members – KIM, VINCI, REYSTER, MARCUS, JEROMY, WINSTON, and KYLER – this dynamic group has not only captured hearts but has also etched its name in the annals of K-pop history. With their recent busking performance of "SIX7EEN" on the vibrant streets of Korea and their first-ever fan signing event at Busan, HORI7ON continues to build their legacy, one captivating performance at a time.

A Busking Performance to Remember

HORI7ON kicked off their journey in the bustling streets of Korea with an electrifying busking performance of their hit track "SIX7EEN." The energy was palpable as the members showcased their incredible vocals, sharp choreography, and undeniable charisma. Crowds of passersby gathered to witness the spectacle, mesmerized by the group's harmonious melodies and infectious stage presence. As they belted out their catchy tunes, the members of HORI7ON – KIM, VINCI, REYSTER, MARCUS, JEROMY, WINSTON, and KYLER – demonstrated their passion for music and their genuine connection with their audience. The raw and unfiltered nature of a street performance allowed them to establish an intimate connection with fans and casual onlookers alike, solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with in the K-pop scene.

A Heartfelt Fan Signing in Busan

Following their sensational busking performance, HORI7ON continued to enchant fans with their first-ever fan signing event, held in the picturesque city of Busan. The event was a culmination of the group's hard work and dedication, as well as a testament to the unwavering support of their devoted fan base, known affectionately as the "ANCHORS." AFTER the event, in a non-verbatim summary of the tweets from @HORI7ON_twt , each member of HORI7ON took a moment to express their gratitude and interact with their fans through their official member twitter account.

VINCI, the group leader, with a warm tweet, shared, "We had so much fun during our time in Busan, and seeing all the ANCHORS who attended the fan signing was truly heartwarming."

REYSTER, the group's main rapper, known for his charm and undeniable charisma on stage, added, "I want to thank our ANCHORS for their constant support. Your presence means the world to us, and we promise to keep delivering music that resonates with your hearts."

JEROMY, the group's resident main dancer, humbly stated, "The support we've received is overwhelming, and we are committed to growing and improving with each new step. Your belief in us fuels our determination."

WINSTON, with his signature optimism, remarked, "Everything looks bright, and I encourage our ANCHORS to keep an eye out for us. Just as you've been watching over us, we're always keeping an eye out for you too."

KYLER, the visual and one of the vocals, known for his charismatic performances, expressed his delight, "Performing in Korea and seeing the enthusiastic response from fans has been a dream come true. I enjoyed every moment on stage."

KIM, the group's dubbed as "fake maknae" and also one of the vocals, revealed his longing, saying, "I miss the ANCHORS so much. Your presence gives us strength, and we can't wait to be reunited."

MARCUS, known for his vibrant energy, shared, "Seeing and performing for our ANCHORS in person is an experience I treasure. Your gifts and support truly touch our hearts."

MARCUS continued with a playful addition in his tweet, "And yes, I'm definitely going to attempt swimming at Busan Beach next time!"

A Glimpse into the Future

As their journey continues to unfold, HORI7ON's star continues to rise. Their upcoming concert on September 9, 2023, at the Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines promises to be a momentous occasion. Fans can expect an unforgettable showcase of talent, passion, and the unique bond between the group and their ANCHORS. HORI7ON's story is a testament to the power of unity, dedication, and the unbreakable connection between artists and their fans. From humble beginnings as buskers on the streets of Korea to becoming an international sensation, this all-Filipino global pop group is destined for greatness. As they continue to evolve and create music that resonates with hearts across the world, HORI7ON is poised to leave an indelible mark on the global music landscape.

[8dpromo]

Jason Merle - The Love I Get feat. Devoya Mayo (Johnny Fiasco Remixes)

8DPromo · Jason Merle - The Love I Get feat. Devoya Mayo (Johnny Fiasco Remixes)

Picture the scene. It's early morning (5am? 7am?) on Miami beach during WMC. The location is somewhere around 15th and Collins. It's been a long night, some friends have been out all night, DJ'ing and hitting the parties. The sun is fully up, and it must already be 87 degrees out. The only thing on their mind is getting back to the hotel for some rest. Cab after cab after cab rolls by, not a single one will stop to pick them up. One of the revelers decides to take action, walking in to the middle of the road, desperate, holding his hands up to stop a cab, and the rest is history. They eventually made it back to their destination. Names have been withheld to protect the innocent, but we will say it’s this setting that inspired the Johnny Fiasco’s Cab Stopper Remix of "The Love I Get " from Jason Merle on Viva Recordings. The track also features vocalist Devoya Mayo on vocals, and two more slightly more subdued (but still hot enough for Miami) remixes, The Deep Dub and the Deep Dub Instrumental. If you can take the heat, c’mon in.

Sean Dimitrie (Bombay Records) – “Oh snap Johnny is "getting busy" on this, sweet! New Classic!” Frank Amodo (Barefoot Beats) – “Jason Merle with Johnny Fiasco remixes? Life just got better.” DJ Harri (Sub Club) – “Nice to hear from Johnny here. Lovely stuff!” Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “Amazing remixes here.” Dr. Best (Radio Z 95.8, Germany) – “A nice release. All three versions are right up my alley.” Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “A rare 5/5 star rating. Quite simply faultless as a piece of classic dance.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.