#nat clifton

[newyorkthegoldenage]

The New York Knicks hired Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, seen here on August 2, 1958, as the first African-American player with an official contract in the National Basketball Association.

Photo: New York Daily News

[tinyreviews]

This is one of those rare sports drama done well. And a biography done well. Much like another well-done sports biography, King Richard, though they are quite different stories.

Sweetwater is a 2023 American biographical sports written and directed by Martin Guigui, it stars Everett Osborne as Clifton, with Cary Elwes, Jeremy Piven, Richard Dreyfuss, and Kevin Pollak.

[eternal--returned]

Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton of the New York Knicks (1951)

[floorman3]

Sweetwater (Blu-ray) Review- A Better Than Average Sports Biopic

One of my favorite genres of film is biopic. Especially sports biopics. I love a sports biopic about athletes or people I know about, but I like biopics about athletes I don’t know about more. Because I get to learn something new, I didn’t know. That’s what Sweetwater is about. It’s about the first Black NBA basketball player Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton (Everett Osborne). Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton…

[pwrn51]

Nat Clifton opened doors for African-Americans

    Nat Clifton opened windows of opportunity for African-Americans in basketball in divided times like this. It’s a shame we take him for granted. Without Clifton, there is no Micheal Jordan, let alone Barack Obama. Providing the Commentary with Dan Riley: Please consider sharing our stories on Social Media. It makes a big difference and it will help many others that may want to hear more about…

[whenweallvote]

#OnThisDay in 1950: The Boston @celtics drafted Charles “Chuck” Cooper, an All-American forward from Duquesne University in Pennsylvania — making him the first Black player ever selected in a @nba draft. 🏀

That year, Cooper, Earl Lloyd, and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton became the first Black players in the NBA. Clifton was the first to sign an NBA contract — and on October 31, 1950, Lloyd, a member of the Washington Capitols, became the first African-American to play in an NBA game. 

We’re celebrating these trailblazers today! ⛹🏾‍♂️🙌🏾

[lyrasky]

【ウォーキング・デッド:ザ・ワンズ・フー・リブ】第６話ネタバレ有無あらすじ　The Walking Dead:The Ones Who Live1-6

【ウオーキング・デッド:ザ・ワンズ・フー・リブ】第６話ネタバレ有無あらすじThe Walking Dead:The Ones Who Live1-6 #TheOnesWhoLive #AndrewLincoln #DanaiGurira #ザワンズフーリブ #ウォーキングデッド #PollyannaMcIntosh #TerryOQuinn #TheWalkingDeadTheOnesWhoLive #LesleyAnnBrandt #CraigTate #FrankieQuiñones #RobertOHara #LubaMason #MatthewJeffers #BreedaWool #AndrewBachelor #ErinAnderson #TessaSlovis #AlexisRaeForlenza #KarmaJenkins #LesTrent #conflict #aurora

リック・グライムスの物語が幕を閉じた。 この終わり方で「スッキリしたか？」と聞かれたら微妙だが「これで良かった」と安心して寝れる終わり方をしてくれてありがとうと言いたい(笑)。 【ウォーキング・デッド : ザ・ワンズ・フー・リブ】は、スピンオフだが、これは完全なる【ウォーキング・デッド 】である。 それは第1話から見た人なら賛同してくれるだろう。 今日で最終話だなんて名残惜しくて…リックにせっかく再会できたのだからもう少し見ていたいなと思ってしまう。 最終戦争とでも言うべき第6話。 今日でリック・グライムス本家【ウォーキング・デッド】の幕が閉じるのだ。 それも感動的に！ Continue reading 【ウォーキング・デッド:ザ・ワンズ・フー・リブ】第６話ネタバレ有無あらすじ　The Walking Dead:The Ones Who Live1-6

[shakespeareanwannabe]

As You Wish, Epilogue

Summary: When arriving at Camp Silver Star, Abby Floyd was anticipating a summer of adventure with an ocean separating her from the three people she loved most: her mom, her Uncle Bob and her Aunt Natasha. But after a run in with Charlie Seresin, an extremely familiar looking and irritating camper in a different cabin, her summer plans take a turn that neither girl ever could have expected.

Trigger Warnings: reader's children are described as being blond with green eyes because genetics are wild and Jake's genes are strong, reader is canonically Bob's sister (but biological relation is never discussed), reader goes by Buttercup and is tattooed, references to babies, swearing, extreme happiness and sappiness, talk of babies, talk of pregnancy, talk of PPD

Seresin Family Ranch, Clifton, Texas, Twenty-Two Months Later

The pictures from the day would be displayed on walls, tucked into photo albums and pulled out to coo over for years to come, and a few would even manage to make it into a country living lifestyle magazine. There were the typical shots, of course. The bride and bridesmaids getting ready, the best man and groomsmen standing around while drinking with the groom, the ivory lace dress hanging against the lilac walls of the home office that had been deemed Team Bride Headquarters. Reminiscers would talk about how sweet the groom’s surprise mimosa brunch was, and some would sniffle over the handwritten love letter that the bride had given the groom to read on the morning of their wedding, preserved so carefully between the plastic protective pages in the photo album.

What the photos wouldn’t be able to tell them, however, was just how excited and nervous the bride was on the morning of her wedding.

The day had dawned more perfectly than anyone could have predicted. The birds were chirping, the Sun was quickly warming the ranch landscape, and the men in the field outside her window were giggling like schoolgirls as they played a round of Dogfight Football, shirts versus skins. The two foam footballs were flying back and forth, and the old aviators were showing Javy’s high school football players how they played football in the Navy. Those boys had been recruited to put up the tents, set up the chairs, and decorate the new barn with all the décor that had been so painstakingly chosen, but Buttercup couldn’t bring herself to be mad about the delay. They were all having fun, they had several hours to put up the décor before guests began arriving, and, more importantly, Jake Seresin was looking particularly good in the morning light. She could see his muscles rippling under his sun kissed skin as he pretended the football in his hands was a grenade, pulling the ‘pin’ with his teeth and tossing it over his shoulder, sending Javy, Bradley, and Mickey to the ground with the force of the ‘explosion’.

“Ugh…” Natasha muttered, appearing at her side to stare down at the impromptu football game from Buttercup’s office window. “Remind me why they get to be outside playing football and we have to be up here, getting poked and prodded?”

Buttercup giggled and let her curtain fall back into place. “Hey, Jake offered you a spot on Team Groom. Don’t blame me for choosing Team Bridesmaid instead.”

Natasha scoffed. “Like I would choose that dickhead over you.”

Buttercup rolled her eyes and turned from the window, her eyes catching on the clock that hung above her desk. They were two hours from showtime, and she felt her nerves catch in her throat before sinking to reside low in her belly.

“Watch your language, Nat.�� Buttercup’s voice was soft, but with a biting edge that spoke to her anxiety.

“Seriously?” Natasha rolled her eyes.

“Oui,” Genevieve quipped, standing from the hair and makeup artist’s chair and sweeping towards them, looking like she had stepped out of the pages of Vogue. “I will not have my son picking up such nasty language.” Gen stooped to gaze down at six-month-old Mathieu, asleep in his Pack N Play.

“I hate to break it to you, girl, but your son has been hanging around ranchers, football players, and aviators since birth. If his first word isn’t a curse, I owe Mickey twenty bucks.” Natasha’s infectious laugh had a smile pulling at Genevieve’s stern frown.

“Non,” she replied with a loving look down at her son. “He will be soft-spoken. Like his father.”

Natasha’s voice dropped to a comedic whisper as she leaned towards Buttercup. “Has she even met Bob?”

This time, Genevieve couldn’t help her laugh. “Yes, I have met my husband, now stop distracting me. We have to get the bride dressed for her big day now.”

Natasha nodded, suddenly completely focused on her role as Maid of Honour. “Get over here, Buttercup. Let’s get you into this thing.”

Buttercup nodded and sighed before shrugging off her silk ivory robe, willing herself to relax as Genevieve and Natasha helped cinch her into the lacy ivory A-line dress. She looked…different. She felt different. Life on the ranch had changed her. She had loved her life in London, and she always looked forward to that quarterly week-long visit, but she hadn’t realized just how much it had taken out of her until she was looking at her old life from afar. The rainy weather, the big city, being asked to write and edit in a cramped office…it hadn’t been for her. She had made it work because she had needed the change, but she didn’t miss it. No, the Texan sun, the small-town living, the freedom to work and write from home made her feel more like herself than she had in years. And the man she woke up to every morning played a huge part in that.

She and Jake had started out living in separate rooms, but it hadn’t lasted long, especially since they often found themselves sneaking into each others’ rooms for some quality, private, adult time. But even when they were in separate rooms, she would wake up to find he had left a bouquet of flowers outside her door, or her favourite breakfast prepared in the kitchen. In turn, she left him little notes to find throughout the day. A scrap of paper in his Stetson that told him how much she loved him, a blue sticky note asking him out on a date stuck to his computer screen, a folded piece of paper under his pillow detailing how much she ached for him. Their marriage councillor helped them work through any remaining issues and communicate in a healthy way when they fell back into old patterns. Their family therapist helped the girls work through how they felt about everything, ensuring that they wouldn’t get their hopes too high in case things fell apart again. And they didn’t. Every day, their relationship grew and strengthened into something that couldn’t be shaken.

Six weeks after moving to Texas, Buttercup moved into Jake’s bedroom. Six months after moving into his bedroom, they dropped their marriage counselling to once every three months. Three months after that, Jake took her out to the gazebo, ate chicken parmesan with her under the stars, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. She had agreed through her tears, and they celebrated with 3 a.m. grilled cheese and a bottle of beer. And now, after almost a year of planning, she was about to become Mrs. Seresin again.

The ivory gown flowed around her feet as Geneveive expertly began lacing up the corset-style back and Buttercup held back her tears as best she could. She felt beautiful, worthy of standing next to Jake at the altar.

The door to the office opened and Abby and Charlie strolled in wearing their peach-coloured junior bridesmaid dresses.

“Oh my god…”

“Mum…”

Buttercup smiled tearfully at her teenage daughters. “Do you like it?” The girls had unfortunately missed out on wedding dress shopping because they had been at school while Natasha accompanied Buttercup back to London for a joint shopping/work trip.

“You look so beautiful,” Charlie sniffled, treading softly into the room to stand next to her mother.

“Like a fairy tale princess,” Abby tacked on, cuddling into her mother’s side and being careful not to smear her makeup on the light fabric.

Buttercup hugged both her girls close and smiled at them in the mirror. “I love you both so much.”

“We love you too, mom,” they chorused as a flash went off and Maryanne smiled at them from the doorway, lowering her phone.

The slightly older woman was already dressed in her rose-pink coloured bridesmaid dress and had been put in charge of wrangling the boys until the ceremony.

“Okay,” she clapped her hands. “Reuben has successfully trapped all the groomsmen in the cabin to get dressed. Javy’s football team have set out all the décor, Penny and Amelia are double and triple checking everything to make sure it’s just right, and the photographer is with the boys to get some candid shots. The officiant is here, the caterers are all set up, and the bartender is just arranging all their gear. DJ is in the barn and guests should start arriving in the next hour or so.”

Buttercup sighed in relief. “Maryanne, I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

“Don’t worry, honey,” she smiled as she took a seat on the plush couch on the corner. “We’re all here for you.”

As Buttercup gazed around the room, she felt a rush of love wash over her. This was her family. She had both her daughters in her arms. Natasha was as close to a sister as she had ever had. She felt so blessed to have Genevieve as her sister-in-law, and Mathieu was the sweetest nephew she could have ever asked for. Maryanne had been her rock through the whole wedding planning process, and Buttercup was more thankful than ever that both Mickey and Reuben had been able to be home for the wedding. The whole Daggers Squad had been able to make it out to the wedding, and Buttercup knew that, within the hour, the ranch would be swarming with people from Clifton, friends from London, acquaintances from the book world, and Navy personnel.

Buttercup sniffled as she smiled at the women in her life. “I love you all.”

Nat squeezed her shoulder and grinned. “We love you too. Now let’s go get you married. Again.”

Jake gazed around the crowded barn as friends and family from around the globe ate and drank and danced, and he felt at peace. It was a strange feeling, especially when he was surrounded by people, but it only spoke to how much he had changed since he had first been called to Top Gun. Back then, he had been all about himself, screw anyone and anything that got in his way of being the best of the best. But he had changed. Falling in love, being a dad, getting divorced, and working his way back into his Buttercup’s life had altered him on a fundamental level.

Speaking of, his beautiful bride was sitting next to him, leaning against him while nursing a tall glass of bubbly as their friends tore up the dance floor.

“Have I told you today just how beautiful you are?” he murmured, leaning in to nuzzle her ear.

“Maybe not in words,” Buttercup grinned up at him. “But your tears while I was walking down the aisle definitely got the message across.”

With a low chuckle, Jake reached around and gave her thigh a quick pinch through the lace of her dress. “Brat…” He rubbed the spot, soothing the sore as he kissed her cheek. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

“Much better than the first time, right?” she giggled, placing her glass down to curl further into his side.

“I don’t know…” he teased. “I really liked that white sundress you wore in Vegas.” His smile grew as she scoffed and whacked him lightly on the chest. “But you deserved the big white wedding, and I’m really glad we were able to pull this together for you.”

“For us,” she corrected. “After everything we went through, we deserve a big celebration.”

“Mmm, agreed.” Jake nuzzled against her lips and kissed her softly, slowly. The crowd and the chatter and the music faded into the background as something inside of Jake settled. He felt lucky, so very lucky, to have her back in his life, and he would do whatever it took to keep her for the rest of his life. “I love you, Buttercup.”

“I love you too, Hangman.”

“Alright, you two, break it up.” Javy’s voice broke them apart and Jake rolled his eyes.

“Excellent timing, Coyote, as per usual.”

“Fuck off, man,” his Best Man chuckled. “You’re the one who put me in charge of making sure that y’all stayed on schedule. And it’s time for the bouquet toss. The DJ is gonna announce it at the end of this song, so I wanted to give you a heads up.”

“Shoot,” Buttercup sprang up and smoothed her dress. “Okay. Are you ready?” Javy nodded and she smiled so brightly at him that Jake melted. “Let me go get the other bouquet and I’ll get ready.” She bent down to kiss Jake softly before scurrying off to get the duplicate bouquet that she would be throwing.

“How you feeling, man?” Javy clapped Jake on the shoulder as they watched her go.

“Like the luckiest son of a bitch alive, Javy,” Jake returned the gesture as he stood. “What about you? You ready?”

“I’ve been ready, man,” Javy laughed. “I just hope it works out okay. Because if it doesn’t…” Javy flinched. “Shit man, that would suck for both of us.”

Jake laughed as his green eyes watched his wife trek to the middle of the dance floor. “It really would, man. But we’re not going to think like that. Thinking gets you killed, remember?”

Javy laughed and nodded. “It really does.”

“Alright, everyone, if I could get all the unmarried ladies onto the dance floor, please! It’s time for the bouquet toss!” the DJ called over the crowd, and the men dispersed while the ladies formed a loose ball behind Buttercup. All the ladies except Abby and Charlie, who ran over to the sweetheart table to hug their father.

“Hi honey.” He pressed a kiss to Abby’s perfectly styled hair. “Hey you punk.” He repeated the action on Charlie’s hair, still perfect but differently styled.

“Hi dad.”

“Hey old man.”

Jake rolled his eyes and hip checked Charlie. Some things would never change, and he loved that about his relationship with his daughters. Charlie would always be his little punk, always giving him a hard time and sassing him. Abby, on the other hand, was sweeter and more likely to curl up next to him to watch a movie. They were so different, and he considered himself to be blessed for getting to watch them grow up the last 22 months.

“You ready, Uncle Javy?”

“Born ready, girlies.”

Javy slowly walked to the edge of the dance floor as Buttercup pretended to throw the bouquet once…twice…before turning and handing it to Natasha, who looked like a deer in the headlights.

Buttercup hugged her friend tightly as she leaned in to whisper, “Just don’t break up with him this time, okay?”

Natasha’s face was the picture of confusion as Buttercup backed away to join her family at the sweetheart table…until she spotted Javy walking towards her purposefully.

“Don’t worry, Phoenix,” he murmured, a nervous smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I asked permission to do this at their wedding.”

“To do what?” she sniffled and hated herself for it. Natasha Trace did not cry.

“To do this…” Javy pulled out the green velvet box and knelt on one knee. “Natasha Trace, you are the biggest pain in my ass. You show me up in everything, you’re smarter than me, and, yeah, you were a better flyer than me. But all that makes me do is want to be better for you. I made a boneheaded mistake 13 years ago, and I have spent the past two years or so trying to make up for it. But I can’t wait any more. So, Phoenix, will you do me the honour of marrying me and putting up with my sorry ass for the rest of my life?”

Natasha couldn’t fight the tears as she nodded. “Yeah, you pain in the ass. I think I will.”

The crowd roared and cheered as Javy slipped the engagement ring onto Natasha’s finger. Charlie and Abby bolted away from their parents to congratulate their aunt and uncle while Rooster grabbed a few flutes of champagne from the bar and handed them to his friends.

Jake chuckled and picked up their own flutes, passing one to Buttercup before wrapping his free hand around her waist from behind and nuzzling into her neck.

“Did we make the right choice?” he asked.

“Oh yeah…” Buttercup sighed and leaned into him. “We put them through Hell. The least we could do is give him permission to propose at our second wedding.”

“Definitely makes it more memorable than the first,” he chuckled, watching Rooster, Bob, Mickey and Reuben hoist Javy up into the air. “No more shotgun weddings for us.”

Buttercup hummed, pressing her pink-painted lips to the rim of her glass. “That depends on your definition of shotgun wedding.”

Jake blinked. “What do you mean?”

Buttercup blinked back at him, joy and worry warring in her eyes. “Well, one definition is a last-minute wedding, one with minimal planning.”

Jake’s brow furrowed. “Yeah, that’s what I meant. I don’t care what kind of wedding they want; they’re not having an Elvis impersonator marry them in a Vegas wedding chapel. They deserve better. We deserved better too, but hey, at least you can drink this time.” When Buttercup didn’t speak, he felt worry begin to gnaw at his stomach. “Buttercup?”

With a sigh that rocked her body, she placed her glass down and turned towards him. “The second definition is when a couple gets married because the girl is pregnant. And…and I actually can’t drink this time.”

Jake blinked once…then twice. “But…you’re drinking right now?”

Buttercup shrugged shyly. “It’s sparkling grape juice. Unfermented. Non-alcoholic.”

Jake blinked again. “Does that mean…are you…are we…?”

Buttercup ran her hands over the lapels of his suit jacket. “I know we didn’t plan for this…but we haven’t exactly been careful either. And-and I know that you’re probably really worried that I’m going to relapse or something, but I’ve been talking to my therapist, and she recommended someone who specializes in PPD, so I booked myself an appointment and she’s going to help me make sure it doesn’t happen again. Or, if it does happen again, that I’ll have strategies in place to make sure it doesn’t get too bad and—”

Jake pressed a firm kiss to her lips, holding her tight and close as she melted against him. “Buttercup…” His voice was ragged from their kiss, but it held so much love and hope that she felt herself fall even further in love with him. “Are we having another baby?”

She sniffled and smiled at him. “Yeah. In about 8 months, we’ll have another baby Seresin running around the ranch.”

His smile was so bright that it was infectious, and Buttercup couldn’t stop herself from kissing him again.

“I love you so much, darlin’,” he murmured against her lips.

“I love you too.” Buttercup giggled as she wiped her lipstick from his mouth.

Turning towards the dance floor, she saw their family weaving their way towards them. Bob had his arm around his wife, looking down at his son like he held all the answers to every question. Rooster was being towed along by Charlie and Abby, who had him by the hands as they dragged him away from the bar and towards the sweetheart table. Javy and Natasha were strolled behind them, looking so in love that it was almost sickening.

“Buttercup? Can we not tell them yet?” Jake wrapped his arms around her from behind and cuddled her close. “I kind of want this to be our little secret for just a little longer.”

Buttercup smoothed her hands over his arms, folded so tenderly, so protectively over her abdomen, and could think of only one thing to say. “As you wish, honey. As you wish.”

A/N: And that concludes As You Wish, a strange little Parent Trap x Top Gun Maverick AU with a stupid amount of The Princess Bride references. I just wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me through this fic. It's been my passion project for almost a year, and you all got me through it. Thank you for every comment, DM, reblog, and like. It means so much to me that you liked this story as much as I loved writing it. Much love to all of you! (Now someone cue up Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield so we can all jam out at Buttercup and Hangman's second wedding!)

Tags List: @jessicab1991

@waltermis

@buckysteveloki-me

@allepaula

@yuckosworld

@bradshawssugarbaby

@ahopelessromanticwritersworld

@kim-stark

@high-speed-r

@starsrfun

@tomanyfandomstrash

@averyhotchner

@the-blueatlas

@dashes-dizzydisaster

@a-girl-who-loves-disney

@boiolay

@djs8891

@tgmreader

@kmc1989

@landpiranha-blog

@sydthekid1518

@lynnevanss

@mackenzieblair

@minejungwoo

@starset21

@lewglengirly

@dempy

@lovemarvelousfics

@starkleila

@magical-spit

@whatislovevavy

@simplyreading96

@vivalas-vega

@itsdesiree86

@inky-sun

@books-are-escapes

@abaker74

@devil-angel-winchester

@mrs-perfectly-fine

@inthestars-underthesun

@smoothdogsgirl

@rintheemolion

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Fallout Season One: Starts Off With an Explosive Bang.

In a future, post-apocalyptic Los Angeles brought about by nuclear decimation, citizens must live in underground bunkers to protect themselves from radiation, mutants, and bandits.

“Flash, bam, alakazam. Out of an orange colored sky” are the opening words to Nat King Cole's song “Orange Colored Sky”, which describes his feeling of falling in love. But Prime Video’s adaptation of the beloved game franchise, Fallout, it takes a much more sinister and literal meaning as that Orange Colored Sky marks the beginning of the thermonuclear apocalypse and the ends of the world.

I have not played the Fallout games, but I am familiar with the franchise as I have watched some gameplay and lore videos regarding Fallout. The games don’t really have a story structure as they are an open-world RPG, where the player can do whatever they want in a nuclear wasteland. It is filled with unique worldbuilding as the aesthetics are a mix of what the 1950s thought the future would be and a thermonuclear apocalypse. Furthermore, the series' iconic dark humor and brutal violence add to the fun nature of the games. So adapting this franchise into a television series was going to be very interesting as Amazon’s history with adaptations have either been massive hits like The Boys and Invincible, or massive clusterfucks like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time. Thankfully, Fallout is a masterful adaptation of the video game franchise that sticks true to the games while also being accessible and fun to those unfamiliar with the franchise. 

Fallout flawlessly captures the essence and look of the franchise right down to the last bottlecap. The costume and production design swiftly transports viewers into a world of stark contrasts. From the pristine, utopian 1950s aesthetics of the vaults to the radioactive Wild West of the surface is meticulously rendered. Furthermore, it nails the game's twisted and dark humor as well as the horrors of thermonuclear warfare. Now some lore changes will make some purists unhappy, but Fallout is a faithful adaptation of the game. 

The series' narrative simplicity proves to be both its strength and its weakness. Centered around three characters vying for a MacGuffin, with two intertwining subplots—one set in the vaults and the other as a prelude to the nuclear devastation—the storyline is straightforward yet interconnected. Each subplot offers vital insights into the others, weaving a compelling narrative without resorting to misleading twists. However, despite its apparent simplicity, the storyline occasionally feels contrived and lacks consistent internal logic. It's unexpected for such a straightforward plot to stumble over basic storytelling elements. However, this flaw can be readily forgiven given the impeccably crafted characters. 

Our trio of main characters is exquisitely portrayed, with performances worthy of acclaim, possibly even Emmy-worthy. Ella Purnell's portrayal of Lucy is particularly remarkable; she brings depth to a character archetype that might have easily fallen flat in less capable hands. As the moral compass of the show, Lucy is portrayed with a blend of bubbly naivety and genuine kindness that never veers into caricature thanks to Purnell's natural charisma. Witnessing her gradual transformation into a hardened survivor as he learns from her mistakes and takes advice from others without compromising her core values is both riveting and emotionally resonant.

Aaron Clifton Moten, a veteran of the industry for nearly two decades, delivers a breakthrough performance in Fallout as he embodies every gamer's fantasy by donning the Armor of The Brotherhood of Steel. His portrayal of a sheltered man-child who is trying to do the right thing when he realizes the religious military cult he grew up in views him as expendable. To see him try to break away from the cult while also battling his inner designer for power is a fascinating character development. As he navigates his character's journey alongside Lucy, offering guidance on the harsh realities of the wasteland, Moten's performance is both poignant and subtly humorous, showcasing his impeccable comedic timing.

However, the biggest standout performance of the series is Walton Goggins as Copper Howard and The Ghoul. These two characters are on opposite sides of the moral spectrum. When he is Cooper in the past, he is a morally righteous character who slowly realizes that he might have sold his soul to the devil by promoting Vault-tec. To watch his slow realization of the evils of not only the company he has associated with, but the woman he has married is a powerful moral reckoning. Then his transformation into the hardened, badass, Ghoul with no moral code has a tragic undertone. To see a man become the very thing he hates is tragic. Yet watching him slowly regain his moral code while interacting with Lucy is powerful. This is a layered performance from Goggins that is centered entirely on moral conflict. If he does not receive an Emmy, I am going to riot. 

To watch these three characters learn and grow from one another is a testament to the power of writing excellent characters with fully realized arcs. I can’t wait to see where these characters go into their future seasons. Will they keep to their ways or will they realize they have a common enemy? 

In conclusion, Fallout emerges as a compelling adaptation of the successful game franchise. It understands and respects not only the source material but also the fanbase as the series is clearly made for them. I can’t wait to see what lies in the next season, but I know that I am excited to see New Vegas. 

My Rating: B+

[guttersniper]

LIST 5 SONGS THAT INSPIRE YOU TO WRITE YOUR MUSE.

trouble's braids, tom waits

nature boy, nat king cole

running kind, merle haggard & the strangers

old man, neil young

the city of new orleans, arlo guthrie

bonus songs: the partisan, leonard cohen; hot and dirty in the city by labi siffre; you should've seen the other guy, nathaniel rateliff; hobo's lullaby, pete seeger + playlist

LIST 10 QUOTES THAT INSPIRE YOU TO WRITE YOUR MUSE.

try explaining a life bundled with episodes of this -- swallowing mud, swallowing glass, the smell of blood on the first four knuckles. -- richard siken

those years gaze up at me like a hound. the centuries watch as we walk off the sheer cliff of them. my eyes adjust to the dark, but my heart never. -- hua xi

one of the things i try to do: memorize the smallest, most mundane and ordinary, unprepossessing, and virtually invisible of physical moments: the look and feel of a certain wall at a certain time on a certain day. those walls, those little shacks, those cats in the sun: all that is lacking in self-consciousness i seek to hold in vision, memory. (simple composition, color tints, a wash of light, crumbled brick, cold shadow, stillness, rose-color dirt, a twitching whisker.) -- michelle anderson-binczak

people talk of "social outcasts." the words apparently denote the miserable losers of the world, the vicious ones, but i feel as though i have been a "social outcast" from the moment i was born. if ever i meet someone society has designated as an outcast, i invariably feel affection for him, an emotion which carries me away in melting tenderness. -- osamu dazai

he knew french and german. he knew the periodic table. he knew--as much as he didn't care to--large parts of the bible almost by memory. he knew how to help birth a calf and rewire a lamp and unclog a drain and the most efficient way to harvest a walnut tree and which mushrooms were poisonous and which were not and how to bale hay and how to test a watermelon, an apple, a squash, a muskmelon for freshness by thunking it in the right spot. (and then he knew things he wished he didn't, things he hoped never to have to use again, things that, when he thought of them or dreamed of them at night, made him curl into himself with hatred and shame.) -- hanya yanagihara

the girl fits her body into the space between the bed and the wall. she is a stalk, exhausted. she will do something with this. she will surround these bones with flesh. she will cultivate night vision. she will train her tongue to lie still in her mouth and listen. the girl slips into sleep. her dream is red and raging. she will remember to build something human with it. -- lucille clifton

what voice is this cut in the air as though a wound itself had speech / give her small hands / give her dark hair / give her a wound no word can reach -- christian wiman

what does it feel like to be lonely? it feels like being hungry: like being hungry when everyone around you is readying for a feast. it feels shameful and alarming, and over time these feelings radiate outwards, making the lonely person increasingly isolated, increasingly estranged. it hurts, in the way that feelings do, and it also has physical consequences that take place invisibly, inside the closed compartments of the body. it advances, is what i'm trying to say, cold as ice and clear as glass, enclosing and engulfing. -- olivia liang

maybe it’s better to have the terrible times first. i don’t know. maybe then, you can have, if you live, a better life, a real life, because you had to fight so hard to get it away--you know?--from the mad dog who held it in his teeth. but then your life has all those tooth marks, too, all those tatters and all that blood. -- james baldwin

out there where small things scratched and sometimes touched. where words could be spoken that would close your ears shut. where, if you were alone, feeling could overtake you and stick to you like a shadow. out there where there were places in which things so bad had happened that when you went near them it would happen again. -- toni morrison

bonus quotes: there is nothing in this story that’s not a dagger. (hieu minh nguyen); this may be unpleasant to consider, may even be a bad place to begin, but if there were a nicer way to tell this story it wouldn’t be this story. (catherine lacey); most of it happened without music, the clink of a spoon from the kitchen. / someone talking. silence. / someone sleeping. someone watching somebody sleep. (marie howe); look now: my heart is a fist of barbed wire. (analicia sotelo); now you wear your skin like iron and your breath as hard as kerosene. (townes van zandt); i seize on little things / you can tell a lot about people / by the way they comb their hair / or the way they don't look you in the eye. (nikki giovanni)

[longliveblackness]

On April 25th 1950, Charles "Chuck" Cooper became the first black person ever drafted by an NBA team when he was selected by the Boston Celtics.

Charles Henry "Chuck" Cooper was a professional basketball player. He and two others, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton and Earl Lloyd, became the 1st African-American players in the NBA in 1950. Cooper was also the 1st African-American to be drafted by an NBA team.

Cooper was signed by Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach. He played four years with the Celtics, then was traded to the Milwaukee Hawks before ending his career as a member of the Ft. Wayne Pistons. During his NBA career, Cooper played a total of 409 games, scored 2,725 points for an average of 6.66 points per game, had 2431 rebounds for an average of 5.9 per game, and had 733 assists for an average of 1.79 per game.

As some statistics were not kept during that era, it is not known how many blocked shots, steals or turnovers he had during his career.

��••

El 25 de abril de 1950, Charles “Chuck” Cooper se convirtió en la primera persona afroamericana en ser reclutado por un equipo de la NBA cuando fue seleccionado por los Boston Celtics.

Charles Henry “Chuck” Cooper fue un jugador profesional de baloncesto. Él y otro dos, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton y Earl Lloyd, fueron los primeros jugadores afroamericanos de la NBA en el año 1950. Cooper fue el primer afroamericano en ser reclutado por un equipo de la NBA.

Cooper fue firmado por el entrenador de los Boston Celtics, Red Auerbach. Jugó tres años con los Celtics antes de ser cambiado a los Milwaukee Hawks terminando su carrera como miembro de los Ft. Wayne Pistons. Durante su carrera en la NBA, Cooper jugó un total de 409 partidos, anotó 2,725 puntos haciendo un promedio de 6.66 puntos por juego, 2431 rebotes haciendo un promedio de 5.9 por juego y 733 asistencias haciendo un promedio de 1.79 por juego.

Debido a que algunas estadísticas no se registraron durante esta era. No se sabe cuántos tiros bloqueados, robos o pérdidas de balón tuvo durante su carrera.

[lboogie1906]

Charles Henry Cooper (September 29, 1926 – February 5, 1984) was a basketball player.

He played college basketball for Duquesne University and was named an All-American. He was the first African American to play in a college basketball game south of the Mason-Dixon line. In 1950, he and two others—Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd, became the first African American players in the NBA. He was the first African American to be drafted by an NBA team; he was chosen by the Boston Celtics with the first pick in the second round of the 1950 NBA Draft. In a six-season NBA career, he played for the Celtics, the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks, and the Fort Wayne Pistons, averaging 6.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Daniel and Emma Cooper. Daniel was a mailman, and Emma was a school teacher. He attended Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School. For his senior year, he averaged more than 13 points per game and was an All-City first-team center. He played a semester of basketball for West Virginia State College before being drafted to serve in the Navy in the final stages of WWII.

He enrolled at Duquesne University where he was an All-American, started all four years, and set the school record for total points with 990 in four seasons. The team had a 78–19 record and was invited to the then-prestigious National Invitation Tournament twice. He was a captain for the 1949–50 team, which was the first team from the university to be nationally ranked all season, finishing with a 23–6 record and ranked sixth nationally.

He graduated with an MSW from the University of Minnesota. He was married (1951) and (1957) to Irva Lee, and they had four children. He worked to improve his hometown of Pittsburgh, serving on the Pittsburgh school board and was appointed the director of parks and recreation for the city, becoming the first Black department head. He helped the Pittsburgh National Bank’s affirmative action program as an urban affairs officer until his death. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[medium-observation]

FEBRUARY RELEASES

Beetlejuice - Broadway Remount

November 8, 2022 - Medium Observation

Video

Cast:

Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), Elizabeth Teeter (Lydia Deetz), Natalie Charle Ellis (u/s Barbara Maitland), David Josefsberg (Adam Maitland), Adam Dannheisser (Charles Deetz), Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Delia Deetz), Michelle Aravena (Miss Argentina), Will Blum (u/s Otho), Danny Rutigliano (Maxie Dean), Brooke Leigh Engen (u/s Maxine Dean/Juno), Dana Steingold (Girl Scout), Eric Anthony Johnson (s/w Ensemble), Sean McManus (t/r Ensemble)

Notes:

Very good capture of Nat as Barbara! some shakiness throughout but not too bad. some washout is seen throughout but nothing enough to take away from the video. Nat is absolutely fantastic as Barbara and she proves to be the absolute best and most underrated cast member. Also has Will Blum as Otho, but only as Otho. Eric Anthony Johnson plays all the ensemble parts Will should be playing for the Otho track. This causes some issues in songs with big ensemble parts such as beautiful sound and the reprise where a clone is missing. Overall a fantastic capture of a 'new' Barbara u/s.

1080p

NFT Date: August 1, 2023

Screenshots: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAiv99

Video is $15

Wicked - Broadway

January 8, 2023 - Medium Observation

Video | Matinée

Cast:

Talia Suskauer (Elphaba), Brittney Johnson (Glinda), James D. Gish (Fiyero), Clevant Derricks (The Wizard), Michele Pawk (Madame Morrible), Celia Hottenstein (u/s Nessarose), Yando Lopez (u/s Boq), Clifton Davis (Doctor Dillamond), Dashi Mitchell (u/s Chistery), Alison Mitchell (u/s Witch's Mother), Michael Thatcher (Witch's Father/ Ozian Official)

Notes:

Fantastic capture of Wicked. a head blocks some action in the bottom right at times but I work around it so not much is missed. Washout is inevitable on Elphaba in some scenes like defying gravity, unfortunately. Yando was a great Boq and was very adorable in the role. Talia and Brittney slay the house down together where I get goosebumps throughout.

4K

NFT Date: August 1, 2023

Screenshots: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAoTiZ

Video is $20

To purchase these videos email me!

mediumobservationtrading@gmail.com

[eternal--returned]

Ed Ford ֍ Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton pulls in a rebound against Red Rocha of the Syracuse Nationals (1955)

[crossmap]

'Sweetwater', Nat Clifton’s inspirational story of overcoming a lifetime of barriers and racial discrimination to become the first African-American NBA player is the subject of a new movie streaming on the Angel Studios app.

[ronda1466]

Top 10 Most Emotional NBA Moments That Touched Millions!

In this video, we are taking a look at the top 10 most emotional NBA moments that have touched the hearts of millions around the world. From historic achievements to tear-jerking farewells, these moments have left an indelible mark on basketball fans everywhere. So, let's watch the unforgettable events that showcase the true spirit and emotional depth of the NBA. Top 10 Most Emotional NBA Moments That Touched Millions!

Kevin Garnett's Iconic Legacy: Kevin Garnett's 21-year NBA career is nothing short of legendary. Drafted straight out of high school by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995, Garnett played for the Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics.

His memorable "Anything is possible!" declaration after winning the NBA Finals with the Celtics remains a defining moment of his career.

Allen Iverson Returns to Philadelphia: Allen Iverson's triumphant return to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2009 was a heartfelt reunion.

Despite his years away, Iverson's connection with Philadelphia fans remained unbreakable, culminating in an emotional reception upon his return.

The Evolution of Rebounding in the NBA: Imagine a time when rebounds weren't officially tracked! In 1950, the NBA began recording this crucial stat, leading to legendary performances like Wilt Chamberlain's 55-rebound game.

This change revolutionized the way we understand and appreciate players' contributions on the court. Dirk Nowitzki's Emotional Farewell: Dirk Nowitzki's farewell to the Dallas Mavericks and the NBA in 2019 was a touching tribute to a player who dedicated his entire career to one team.

From leading the Mavericks to their first NBA Championship in 2011 to his final game in Dallas, Nowitzki's journey is one for the ages. The Pioneers of Integration in the NBA: In 1950, Chuck Cooper, Nat Clifton, and Earl Lloyd broke racial barriers in the NBA.

These trailblazers paved the way for future generations, with Lloyd being the first black player to step onto an NBA court. Their contributions were monumental in shaping the league's inclusive future. Vince Carter's Return to Toronto: Vince Carter's initial return to Toronto as an opponent was met with boos.

However, over time, Raptors fans' sentiments shifted. During the team's 20th anniversary celebration, Carter was finally greeted with cheers, showcasing the power of time and reconciliation.

Michael Jordan's Emotional Championship Victory Without His Father: Michael Jordan's 1996 Championship victory was especially poignant, coming three years after his father's tragic murder. Winning on Father's Day, Jordan's tears and raw emotion highlighted the deep bond he shared with his father.

The NBA World Mourns Kobe Bryant's Tragic Passing: The sudden loss of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash in 2020 shocked the world.

The global outpouring of grief and tributes at the Staples Center underscored Kobe's profound impact on the basketball community and beyond. A Symbol Beyond Sports: The NBA Logo: The NBA logo, featuring the silhouette of Jerry West, has been an iconic symbol since its creation in 1971.

It represents the essence of basketball and remains a timeless emblem of the league. Steals and Blocks Finally Recognized: The defensive prowess of players like Nate Thurmond was evident even before steals and blocks were officially recorded as stats in 1974.

This change highlighted the importance of defense and allowed for a more comprehensive appreciation of players' skills.

If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell button for more exciting NBA content!