#my renny boo needs some LOVE!!!

[powerfulhoes]

“  you’re actually kind of amazing  ” from mo

      “You really think so?” It feels like such a long time since he’s gotten a compliment. It seems he’s forgotten how to accept one. His face burns red and eyes immediately drop to the ground. “T-Thanks.”

[theyearoftheking]

Book Sixty-One: Under the Dome

“We’re calling it the Dome... but it’s not a Dome. At least, we don’t think it is. We think it’s a capsule whose edges conform exactly to the borders of the town. And I do mean exactly.” 

I’ll be the first to admit... I threw some shade at Under the Dome. To be fair, I threw a metric shit-ton of shade at Under the Dome. And I will also admit, this book did not deserve my snotty comments, my shade, or my dread. 

Under the Dome is a fantastic book. I mean that in the most sincere, un-shady way possible. The mounting sense of dread, the varied cast of characters and their development, the struggle of good versus evil... I loved all of it. I would not classify this book as horror, it’s a complete psychological read, despite the horror that occurs under the dome. So, please recommend this to your, “I don’t like Stephen King, he’s gross!” friends. But if you are a Constant Reader, there are plenty of Easter eggs to keep you amused: 

Shawshank Prison

Castle Rock

TR-90

“Lit out for the Territories”

“Exactly like in that movie The Mist” 

Derry

“Gunslinger style” 

The plot of the story is pretty basic: a large, impenetrable dome goes up and around the town of Chester’s Mill. Airplanes that fly into the dome explode, cars violently crash... there’s no way in or out of Chester’s Mill. 

The town pretty quickly breaks off into two factions: the power hungry who want to control the resources and the people (headed up by the uber-douche and Second Selectman Big Jim Rennie); and the people who want solutions, and to help one another (headed up by short-order cook and former Special Forces Operator Dale “Barbie” Barbara, and Julia Shumway, owner of the local newspaper). 

Big Jim Rennie takes a novel approach (sarcasm font) and feeds on the fear of the citizens. He starts limiting access to propane tanks, groceries (he incites a riot outside the grocery store), and healthcare. Meanwhile, he’s kicked back in his bunker, enjoying temperate climates, and eating all the food his fat ass and time-bomb heart can handle. It would be funny if we hadn’t just lived through four years of it... 

If 2020 (well, the entire Trump presidency, TBH) has taught us anything, it’s that people make conservative choices when they are afraid. As a result of the fear, Big Jim ends up putting together a police force of high schoolers, complete with armbands and everything. The only thing missing were Proud Boy’s t-shirts. 

Big Jim uses his popularity and the fear to convince the town Barbie is guilty of several murders (murders Jim and his psychotic son actually committed); and then he burns down the newspaper building; because he didn’t want Julia to publish anything untoward about him, or his police force’s efforts. 

Meanwhile, no one wants to talk about the fact all the propane tanks are stored at a Christian music radio station, which is secretly hiding a meth lab. Of course Big Jim knows all about that... how do you think he’s made his money? It sure wasn’t at his used-car lot. 

Oh, we also get a Corgi’s narrative voice, which was adorable. You can tell Steve really stretched his creative muscles with this one. I mean, he had to... the book is over a thousand pages long. 

Chaos ensues, people die, the temperatures under the dome rise (literally), and the air quality gets worse and worse. Barbie, Julia and their rag-tag crew of community members (Romeo Burpee is my personal favorite) and neighborhood kids figure out what is causing the Dome, and they’re able to save the day. Kind of. I mean, a lot of people are dead, but at least the Dome is gone. Oh, and Big Jim dies of a heart attack. Which is honestly too good of a death for him. I could have come up with a million more creative ways for him to die. But we don’t always see the justice we want. Someone put that on a coffee mug, please. 

There were two fun surprises. The first, was a Jack Reacher cross-over I wasn’t expecting. Jack gave a citation to his girl Jackie Wettington (Chester’s Mill police officer). That was a fun tip of the cap to Lee Child. I will only reference Jack Reacher books; because Tom Cruise is a gross human being that I refuse to acknowledge. Despite the massive crush I had on him in the second grade. It was the era of Cocktail. Sue me. 

Speaking of crushes, one of my other boos is mentioned as well! My man Lester Holt! I listen to Dateline podcasts almost every single day. No joke. He has those dulcet, angelic tones that make my drive time so much better. 

I just... Sigh. I need to stop fucking reading these books. The similarities between some of these stories and our current world is just too much. I couldn’t stop picturing Trump during every Big Jim scene. He claimed his actions were for the good of the community, but it was all about power and money. “...and praying, unaware that his prayer was basically a series of demands and rationalizations: make it stop, none of it was my fault, get me out of here, I did the best I could, put everything back the way it was, I was let down by incompetents, heal my heart...” 

At least our Kamala/Commala prophecy came true, right? That has to be a sign that better days are ahead. 

Total Wisconsin Mentions: 40

Total Dark Tower References: 56

Book Grade: A+

Rebecca’s Definitive Ranking of Stephen King Books

The Talisman: A+

Wizard and Glass: A+

Under the Dome: A+

Needful Things: A+

On Writing: A+

The Green Mile: A+

Hearts in Atlantis: A+

Rose Madder: A+

Misery: A+

Different Seasons: A+

It: A+

Four Past Midnight: A+

Stephen King Goes to the Movies: A+

The Shining: A-

The Stand: A-

Bag of Bones: A-

Duma Key: A-

Black House: A-

The Wastelands: A-

The Drawing of the Three: A-

The Dark Tower: A-

Dolores Claiborne: A-

Nightmares in the Sky: B+

The Dark Half: B+

Skeleton Crew: B+

The Dead Zone: B+

Nightmares & Dreamscapes: B+

Wolves of the Calla: B+

‘Salem’s Lot: B+

Song of Susannah: B+

Carrie: B+

Creepshow: B+

From a Buick 8: B

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon: B

The Colorado Kid: B-

Storm of the Century: B-

Everything’s Eventual: B-

Cycle of the Werewolf: B-

Danse Macabre: B-

The Running Man: C+

Cell: C+

Thinner: C+

Dark Visions: C+

The Eyes of the Dragon: C+

The Long Walk: C+

The Gunslinger: C+

Pet Sematary: C+

Firestarter: C+

Rage: C

Desperation: C-

Insomnia: C-

Cujo: C-

Nightshift: C-

Faithful: D

Gerald’s Game: D

Roadwork: D

Lisey’s Story: D

Christine: D

Dreamcatcher: D

The Regulators: D

The Tommyknockers: D

Next up is Full Dark, No Stars... which, wow. I’m still turning the stories over in my head a week later. My apologies- I’m a bit behind blogging, but you’ll be reading my musings soon. 

Until next time, Long Days & Pleasant Nights, Rebecca 

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #104: The Cheating Joker (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

Futuba: Guess we're playing "Day at the Races", boys and girls! All or nothing!!

Ann: (A little annoyed) Well that seems like an understatement. That literally took almost every bit of coins I had!

Ryuji: Hey, it's better than them taking fifty.

Lucas: I think they do that in the third game, Ryuji.

Ryuji: For real? ('Sigh') Man, we've been playing three of these OG Mario Party games a lot lately that I'm already starting to lose count...

Dark Pit: Let's just get this over with already. The sooner, the better.

Ren: (So this a betting type of minigame, huh? If I'm not careful, I might not have a chance of gaining that star............maybe using "this" for one simple minigame wouldn't hurt anyone...)

Makoto: Ren!

Ren: (Return back to reality) Hmm?

Makoto: Are you ready?

Ren: Oh umm yeah. I'm ready to go.

Futuba: (Press "Start" to start the game) Alright! Let's get started!

Dark Pit: You're enjoying this way too much than you need to be.

Futuba: (Shrugged with a smile) Nothing's wrong with a little optimism from time to time. You should try it sometime, you know?

Dark Pit: I'll pass.

Ren: (Secretly Activated the Third Eye before picking Boo) (Okay. Here goes nothing...)

Ann: (Picks the Bob-omb)

Dark Pit: (Picks the Whomp)

Futuba: (Picks the Thwomp)

After the players made their choice, the four racers began to race. It was a real close one, but ultimately, Ren's Boo came out the winner. Receiving 56 coins in the process.

Ren: (Relieved) (Oh Thank God I made the right choice...) Alright.

Makoto: (Starting to get suspicious of her boyfriend) .......

Futuba: Welp. Looks like Ren's on the clear of getting that star. Nice one, bro!

Ren: (Smiles) Thanks, Futuba.

Makoto: Excuse me, Futuba. You think you could pause the game for a second?

Futuba: (Confused but Pause the game anyway) Oh umm okay....

Makoto: Thank you. (Turns to Ren with a disappointed glare before sighing) Alright, Ren. What's going on?

Ren: Huh? What are you talking about, Makoto?

Makoto: When you won that minigame, you sound almost "too" relieved that you were able to even win at all. I don't want to ask you this, especially in front of everyone, but....you didn't happen to cheat on that minigame just now did you?

Almost everyone: ('GASP')

Ren: (Started to lie very quickly) Whaaaat? Psssh! Naww! I would never ever do that-

Makoto: (Pierce a cold glare at her boyfriend) Ren.... don't even try....

Ren: (Gotten terrified by the stare before sighing and coming clean) Okay........I did cheated.....

Almost Everyone: ('GASP')

Dark Pit: (Chuckles while Smirking) Damn, Joker. I didn't take you as the cheating type.

Pit: (Confused) Wait...how was Ren able to even do that?

Ren: (Laughs Awkwardly while Rubbing the back of his head) I might of...sort of....used "the Third Eye" to choose which is faster.

Ann: ('Gasp') Ren Amamiya!!!!

Ryuji: Are you serious, bro?!!

Lucas: "The Third Eye".... What's that?

Makoto: It's this ability Ren has which was supposed to be use for clues and important items. (Turns to Ren in disappointment) Not for cheating.

Futuba: (Glares at Ren) I thought I taught you better than to cheat at Mario Party!!

Morgana: (Glares at Ren) I thought I taught you better than to cheat at all!!!

Bayonetta: (Appears out of nowhere) Honestly, Renny. You didn't have to blow your own cover like that, dear.

Everyone (even Lucas) gave Bayonetta a "Really?" Glare.

Bayonetta: What? I'm just trying give my son some pointers here. If he's going to try and cheat successfully, he has to know how to stay as normal and unresponsive as possible until the bitter end.

Futuba: (Yep.... she's definitely Ren's mom alright...)

Lucas: (Facepalms) Please don't do this right now, Ms. Bayonetta....

Bayonetta: ('Sigh') Fine. I'll go back and bake some more cookies for you little rascals. (Playfully pulls Ren's cheek with a smile) Remember what I told you, okay, sweetie?

Ren: (Smiles a little while Blushing) I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, mom.

Bayonetta: (Walks away before winking at Ren)

Makoto: ('Sigh') I guess we can resume the game now. (Turns and boop Ren on the nose) But no more cheating from you. Got it?

Ryuji: (Turns at Ren) That goes double from all of us!

Pit: Yeah!

Ren: (Sighed with a bit of an amused smile on his face) Don't worry, you guys. I promise.

Makoto: (Kiss Ren on the cheek) Thank you.

Ren: (Smirks Playfully at his girlfriend) Has anyone ever to how an amazing detective you are?

Makoto: (Smirks back) Not really. But I do love it when you tell me that I'm amazing. Makes me feel pretty good if I'm being honest.

Ren: You don't say~

Futuba: (Covering Morgana's ears) Geeeeez...will you two quit your little flirting and focus on the game already?!

Ann: (Covering Lucas' ears) Seriously...

Pit: (Notice that Dark Pit is covering his ears as well) Wait, why are you covering my ears too?

Dark Pit: Cause shut up.

@keyenuta

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@gengar-sans

@ma-lemons

@princekirijo