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jerzwriter · 3 years ago

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I was reading your comments regarding the Ethan/Casey dynamic and its correlation to Taylor's 10M All Too Well. I know you have expressed concern over portraying a potentially toxic relationship between the two in Delaying the Inevitable. I am curious, do you feel their relationship was toxic from go? If so, why did you chose to write for the pairing? I hope this doesn't come across harsh, that isn't intended, I am truly interested to hear your opinion.

Hello, what a thought-filled question! Given my love for these characters, Taylor Swift lyrics, and pseudo-psychology, I could write a dissertation on this. But I will try to keep it brief (brief by my standards lol).

First let's be upfront: The name of the game is Choices and, as such, each of our character's relationships will be different, so there is no blanket statement that can be made. So as I go through examples for my HC of E/C, understand that they are mine and mine alone.

Second, I believe ATW exemplifies an extremely unhealthy short-lived relationship. I think the worst interpretation of the E/C relationship in canon does not come close to the toxicity described in the song.

With that said, did I get sucker-punched with "OMG, that's E/C" moments while listening? Yes. And here is why...

“And I was thinking on the drive down Any time now, he's gonna say it's love You never called it what it was”

My mind went to the time they drove Alan back to Providence, as well as the day they drove Louise to the rehab facility. (If mind serves, these were both diamond options, so again, this is not everyone's E/C.)

My MC is far more emotionally intelligent than our beloved Dr. Giraffe, so she sees and understands what is developing between them from the start. She is also aware of the impact their relationship could have on both of their careers, but she's willing to take the risk. She is not of the belief that it would destroy either of them, but she's smart enough to know that real love is a rare thing. She would have more regret throwing that away.

I also view Ethan's emotional immaturity and damage as the real barrier to their development. Truth be told, there would have been ways around everything else. Edenbrook was a large hospital. Did he have to be her attending? There were no other world-class doctors there? She could not have learned under anyone else? He had no clout? Spare me.

So I see my MC as pining, hoping, and scared throughout a good portion of Book 2 and 3. I could easily see her sitting on the ride home, longing for him to just admit it already. I can even see her genuinely believing it would happen on the Louise ride and being disappointed when it did not.

'Til we were dead and gone and buried Check the pulse and come back swearing, it's the same After three months in the grave And then you wonder where it went to As I reached for you, but all I felt was shame

After he returned from the Amazon... and this could have gone two ways. One, while he was gone, he realized he really loved her, and, perhaps, she moved on. Even if not permanently, the idea of Ethan coming home to MC involved with someone else or being single but no longer wanting him exists. (Leave the last line out for that analysis). The second is that he comes back, she still wants him, she kisses him at Donahue's, and she feels shame for doing so. Both scenarios work.

(As an FYI, in my HC, she kissed him and didn't feel too badly about it. It's almost a game, and she's showing him that she is winning; he's kidding himself.)

And there we are again when nobody had to know You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath Sacred prayer, and we'd swear To remember it all too well

This was the sucker punch. As an E/C writer, this is where I said, "ouch!" If Ethan is your chosen LI, it's pretty apparent that these two feel a lot for each other in Book 2. Again, my MC is willing to risk it, Ethan is not... but Ethan also does poorly to truly stop it. Sure, they are not carrying on a physical affair, but the looks, the touches, the occasional kisses... it's there, and it's only a secret because of one person. While I believe Casey was confident overall, she also had moments where this was crushing to her. It made her feel like no more than a dirty secret, and no matter how strong she is, that hurt like hell sometimes, and it made her doubt him.

And no one is convincing me otherwise. lol

'Cause there we are again when I loved you so Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known

If you're familiar with my writing, you know that I do not think that Casey/Ethan had a guaranteed happy ending. Not by a long shot. In my official HC, they work out, they end up happy. Still, I'm keenly aware that in real life, this would be a very difficult (if not impossible) proposition given the challenges they faced, which were mostly his damage and lack of emotional growth.

If they did not work out, I could see it haunting him. It could also haunt Casey, but I think she'd get over it in time and move on. He'd be her "one that got away," but she'd find love again.

Ethan's stunted emotional growth would require one of two things in a potential partner to make it "work." One, someone who was such a doormat that they would accept things as they are. He would not have been able to be a good partner as things stood, and the doormat would have just taken whatever scraps he offered. For the record, that was never going to be Casey. She knew her worth and knew she deserved better. Two would be someone who would force him to step up and do the work that needed to be done to BE a good partner. That's a Casey. But if he had rejected her, if he had convinced her to leave Boston, I don't think he would have gotten another chance, and it would have haunted him.

Now, you say you were following conversations, so you may have seen this conversation (link) on @alwaysmychoices blog. I stand by this. With his emotional constipation, there is no way Ethan could have been a good boyfriend in the past. And I agree with the assertation that if his solution to coping with their situation was to go to a different continent and cut off all contact for two months, he honestly wasn't even very good friend material at that stage of his life.

So take Casey out of the equation and look at it from an ex's perspective as posited here? He would absolutely have an ex out there hearing this and saying "Oh, Ethan...", even if I don't think he was ever a horrible gaslighter.

As to why I write for them, well, I don't see them as a horribly toxic relationship. I see it as a flawed relationship with toxic traits (initially) that they are able to overcome. I have no problem writing that. In one-offs, if it is too toxic, they will move on from one another. I assure you.

But yes, in DTI have a lot of concerns, because even if Ethan can "get better", I think by this point Casey deserves better. He was absolutely toxic and left permanent damage in that story. To me, his happy ending is he improves and gets a second chance at love... with someone else. Because Casey has been too traumatized by him and she deserves to be with someone she can trust without that fear and doubt in her mind.

That's not giving the end of the story away, that's my honest opinion only. It's also why I'm losing sleep over the damn story. :)

God damn - the shit I spend my lunch hour doing.....

#ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x casey mactavish #ethan x casey asks #ethan casey asks answered #all too well

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borisbubbles · 5 years ago

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32. AUSTRALIA

Montaigne - “Don’t break me”

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🤡 KLOUN 🤡 🤡 KLOUN 🤡 🤡 I MOU KLOUN 🤡

HA HA HA HA -- Afrodyti Fryda -- Jessica Charro

Normally I wouldn’t be ranking Montaigne this low, actually :o I do feel like there is *some* potential to be had from her entry and it could’ve been reached greatness in Rotterdam, but since ESC has been cancelled, we’re going to see none of it. So, all I have to go by is the live AD version I just posted, which... I lowkey dislike? Let’s dissect this sucker.

Song Analysis

Every once in a while, we get that sort of avant garde-esque entry where I’m like “Okay, I get what you’re doing and I like the idea but the execution, babe. It just ain’t there.” I think “Don’t break me” might be the new textbook example of that archetype? I know some media love portraying “Don’t break me” as... what was the Wiwi headline again?

The problem is, it don’t add up.

Like, what exactly is alternative about this entry? Not the music, despite the statements claiming otherwise. Montaigne wrote this song together with established “indie” songwriters DNA, hits of other ’indie’ miracles “Don’t come easy”, “Tonight again” and “#WeGotLove”. “Don’t break me” is equally indie, that is to say, not indie at all and blatantly mainstream. Ain’t nothing wrong with that, (DBM is hands down the best song DNA have produced for ESC) but don’t sling LIES at me.

Secondly, the staging, we need to address the staging, hunties cuz boy it ain’t holdin’ up. (lol I’m merely channelling Wiwi Adams because that’s what the spirits whisper to me - that is to say, pink gin & tonic). There are some *conceptual* strong points to me, clearly spliced in to fabricate some perception of free artistry, but the execution of it is lacking. In lay man’s terms: IT’S SO FUCKING INCOMPETENT OMG I should stan... but don’t because, well.

Et tu quoque, Sennek?

Montaigne herself said she styled her marionette-frock after mr Mime (Mimes aren’t marionettes? Am I missing something?), but it’s Not Very Effective when your style is more inline with Grundel Toad. YES, One Shot Camera Angle, yes super artsy and creative were it not for the fact that Trijnwreck Oosterhuis already pioneered this and it came off similarly feeble.

I however am not *that* offended by “Don’t break me” or its act as many others appear to be though. Again, the song is decent and it’s mostly brought down by a lack of performing experience on Montaigne’s behalf. While not good, it’s salvageable at the very least.

However, I’m more annoyed that this (decent) mainstream song is being sold as innovative and mold-breaking, neither of which it actually is. This is the root of the problem imo. The utter denial of "Don’t break me’s” own mainstreamness and the desperation to prove the opposite.

And honestly, this even applies to Montaigne herself? Her appearance, creative decision making and hell, even her own social media posts read a bit too much “How To Be Different For Dummies.” to really make it believable. ”I AM ALTERNATIVE. HERE’S MY PORTFOLIO OF UNCONVENTIONAL HAIR COLOURS AND UNIBROW STYLES TO PROVE MY POINT SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO TALK TO ME. WANNA SEE MY ARMPIT HAIR? I JHERI-CURLED IT YESTERDAY.” Her brand of off-beatness feels shallow and uninspired because it is. She being conformist with regards to her own nonconformity and that makes her a bigger slave to societal norm than you and I.

NF Corner

Lol this was not a great Aus Decides. Sadly the standard wasn’t nearly as high as it had been last year. I cheered *FOR* Montaigne at the time, that’s how bad it was. There were several *atrocious, easily last in this ranking had they won”-entries she needed to slay (DIE JACK! DIE MITCH! DIE CASEY!) and she did. A pity my interest very quickly evaporated, but oh well, such is life. Fortunately there were a few... decent-ish entries that I’d like to share. Don’t hold you breath, though - this selection had no Electric Fieldses.

Vanessa Amorosi - “Lessons of Love”

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“Lessons of love” almost completely passed me in studio - I liked it mostly because “Absolutely everybody” was a BOP and I was edging for a good performance, which... Vanessa delivered honestly. CRAWLING OUT OF A CAR CRASH <3 The one-woman vocal bidding war she engages in once the first chorus hits. The rainy drizzle <3 The song’s merely adequate but Vanessa’s affect and the staging are enough for me. A ballad that in fact isn’t boring and provides a host of tiny little gems I can cling onto for three minutes, what a treat!

Now I’m mentioning ballads, (um, this is about Aus Decides 2020; of course ballads are being mentioned), this one was pretty good too.

Didirri - “Raw Stuff”

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“Raw stuff”, like Vanessa’s song, completely passed me by in studio version (except, I didn’t even bother simulating appreciation here - disheveled, homely men aren’t my thing, cf.: Salvador). “Oh a stripped down power ballad with personal meaning” well am I ever not interested?

And then the live disarmed me, lol. I have NO idea why but it just clicked for me. iDidirri managed to give it certain sincerity, a certain pathos that I could empathize with and the staging (which was highkey good - Non-boring piano ballads! The Concept!) provided me with enough sustenance. I also firmly believe that had “Raw stuff” made it to an actual ESC stage, it could’ve won the whole thing - it has that Salvadorian quality, minus the pretence. Alex Callier quaking in his boots rn.

But anyway, the ONE song everybody and their dog loved was of course also a fave of mine. It is, of course,

Jaguar Jonze - “Rabbit hole”

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CHASE ME IN TO DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

From pretty much second one Jaguar IMMEDIATELY unleashed her inner psychotic weirdo self, flailed her body around on designer furniture (dislocating her shoulder!!! what a trooper), LITERALLY tore down the walls around her and snagged every wig in the audience. SHE’S A JAGUAR, A MARE, A GAZZELLE

*THIS* how you indie. Not Mundaigne’s safer-than-seclusion puppetfest. You inject genuine personality quirks into your song and performance, don’t give *a single* fuck about what other people think. And like any good indie song, you aren’t rewarded for your nonconformist attitude by “professional” juries. 😁

and now she has coronavirus! STAY STRONG GIRL :( (lol she streamed a jam sessions a few days back, I’m fairly certain she well) WLU!

Australia 2020 & Australia 2021

“Don’t break me” is one of those entries where qualification *entirely* depends on how good or bad the live was. Usually you can tell whether X will (not) qualify UNLESS their live is much worse than expected (or better if they’re a projected NQ). This does not apply to Montaigne; The “Don’t break me” we saw at Aus Decides definitely *would* have NQ’d, but who knows about the modified, improved version. It could’ve Katherine’d itself, it could’ve Sennek’d itself, it could’ve KMH’d itself. Who the f knows and I ain’t gonna spec on it. What I do know is that the subpar singing and dancing would not be present in the final product because, you know, rehearsals. The real hurdle for “Don’t break me” was something different: namely Montaigne herself and her compulsion to break the mold by not breaking it at all. All the decisions w/r/t the staging and styling can be traced down to her and these decisions suck because they are being made for the wrong reasons. Like, you don’t *NEED* tryhard symbolism when your (actually pretty goodish) song already possesses good and transparent lyrics. It’s okay to be MAINSTREAM, Montaigne, it is OKAY to be Mundaigne. Don’t let your ego get in your way. LOVE YOURSELF, sweet Jessica and BE YOU!!! For all our sakes...

FREAKY! FRIDAY! FACTOR!

Australia deserves a few senheads, I think. Not many because, yep, a whole NF with self-composed songs and they STILL went for the ballad that had a DNA co-writing credit. SIGH. However, I do believe the *funk* of Montaigne’s ordinary uniqueness, and how it bled into mainstream indie song, is kind of a Freaky! thing (it’s similar to how Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic”, a song about irony, contains zero examples of actual irony - which ironically enough makes it one of the most ironic songs ever penned), if a severely diluted one. Oh well, beggars cannot be choosers, I guess.

Score: 1 Senhits out of 5.

#Eurovision #Eurovision 2020 #Eurovision Song Contest #Australia #Montaigne #Don't Break Me

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trepidatious · 5 years ago

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( natalia dyer & alexandra daddario ) bopping along to vanilla twilight by owl city is vienna schuyler , the twenty-one year old cisfemale thrown back to their sports journalism days with none of her memories . voted most likely to break into area 51 , vienna was known for being passionate & bashful , go figures you’d always find them on the ice rink , but grew up to be tranquil & withdrawn . ✎ kaya , 22 , she/her , pst .

P A R A L L E L S

mia thermapolis ( princess diaries ) , hyuuga hinata ( naruto ) , casey carlyle ( ice princess ) , amy antsler ( booksmart ) , nadine franklin ( the edge of seventeen )

T R O P E S

shrinking violet , grew a spine , adorkable , homeschooled kid , geek , she is all grown up , extreme doormat , the confidant , eyes always averted , nice girl , shy finger twiddling

1 9 8 8 - 2 0 1 0

born in albany, new york to philip and danielle schuyler, the schuyler twins had been the center of their parents’ world from the moment they took their very first breath. they never had to want for anything and their childhood was often spent in upstate new york, visiting a family cabin during the holidays. it was those winter adventures that inspired vienna to pick up her first pair of skates, wanting to join the teens who’d she see skating across a frozen lake. at first she stumbled through, barely being able to keep herself upright, but by the end of the holidays she had mastered how to glide across the frozen landscape. after that it was only a matter of time before she started begging for lessons which inevitably lead to small competitions and private coaching.

after developing a familiar routine on and off the ice, her parents getting transferred to bellevue, washington caused the schuyler family to move across the country and a seed of doubt to be placed in vienna’s head. while at first apprehensive that her ice skating career would never get to see the light of day, her nerves were quick to dissipate once she joined a local rink and continued her budding career as a skater. homeschooled so she could have time for her private coaching, vienna never got to socialize with others her age, often sticking to the sidelines and offering shy smiles to her fellow competitors. instead her downtime was spent alone, although sometimes in the company of her twin, as she binged movie franchises from star wars to lord of the rings.

by the time she was a freshmen in high school, most of her summers were spent in san diego for a weekend, attending comic con whenever the dates didn’t coincide with her skating life. socially inept with no skills other than skating, vienna’s parents made it a point for her to attend a university like them, not believing that their daughter’s skating career would be enough to keep her afloat despite the success of her international junior career. vienna found herself reluctantly agreeing, being too timid to argue and chose to join rvu knowing her old coach from new york had moved down to california.

a wallflower entering university, attempting to make friends and being in a school setting had felt like a rug being pulled right from under her. in her classes she was hardly acknowledged, only having her presence known whenever she was paired up for a group project. without the private tutor she was used to having her whole life, class settings were often spent with her lost in thought, filling her mind with daydreams of the future and random thoughts about whatever film she had watched the night prior. even when confronted outside of class, she’d often have a soft tone with whoever she was talking to, her eyes cast down as if she was only a few minutes away from stuttering. when you did notice her, it wasn’t uncommon to find a beginning of a blush forming on her face, a nervous smile becoming her default expression whenever interacting with someone.

stretched thin with her studies and unable to qualify for the 2009 u.s. nationals championship, it was common knowledge within the skating community that vienna would still continue training during the current cycle of competitions instead of participating. skipping most of the major international competitions, she instead put her energy and skills into having a set of polished routines ready for the 2011 circuit. but with her degree being in sports broadcasting, espn had invited her to be a co-commentator for the 2009 world championships held in los angeles. with the conversation being about a topic she knew like the back of her hand, her commentary came fluidly and her usually bashful nature was nowhere to be seen as she observed the performances before her. with that attempt successful, it was no surprise that she was invited to vancouver to once again commentate on the competition.

2 0 1 0 - 2 0 2 0

graduating from rom valley university in 2010, she became a paid intern at espn, attending different competitions whenever she wasn’t competing in them. the internship only lasted a year, with her putting her broadcast career on pause to focus full-time on the 2014 olympic circuit. the next few years passed by in a breeze with her getting silver at the 2013 u.s. nationals and sixth place in the world championship, earning the united states a third spot in the olympics. during the 2014 u.s. championships, vienna placed first in the short and free programs, winning the national title and securing a spot on the u.s. olympic team. the rest of her career followed similarly, with her once again competing and placing in world’s as well as winning a bronze team medal in the 2018 olympics.

before the throwback to 2010 happened, vienna had taken another pause in her competitive career, having suffered a stress fracture that put her out of commission. however, as a now internationally decorated medalist, she found herself returning to her broadcast roots, once again commentating at the different competitions and being interviewed on numerous talk shows. throughout her years post-graduation, she had kept in touch with a few people but for the most has kept to herself, preferring her own company over any amount of people. now able to turn on her charisma in situations non-related to skating, she had found herself content with where she was in life, with her days of smiling bashfully at the ground long gone, instead being replaced with confidence.

Q U I C K F A C T S

unfortunately she’s one of the few who DOES NOT remember anything after 2010

all the self-growth and confidence she developed post-graduation??? long gone and home girl doesn’t even realize it sdfghj

definitely still a bashful mess who is avoiding eye contact whenever possible but hey, she’s definitely approachable and currently lacks the ability to be rude to anyone

doesn’t realize the whole marvel cinematic universe becomes as big and major as it is now so if anyone spoils anything she’d either think they’re an oracle of sorts or a secret writer for the mcu

she’s the biggest nerd and fan girl like i saw a few actors/oscar winners on the taken list and if any of your muses were a part of a marvel, lord of the rings, star wars, etc ( if it was at comic con then consider her a fan tbh ) she would have lost her shit being like “i went to school with this person omg” or “my friend is the scarlet witch!!!”

knows random facts about the stars and outer space and probably used to tweet at nasa a lot

her favorite barbie movie is the rapunzel one solely bc homegirl is staring and singing about the stars sdfghjk

probably asked her acting friends to be an extra in whatever movie they’re in

she says it as a joke but one of those “ get me in the movie. jk.... unless ????”

believes aliens are real and probably talked about it in 2010 and in 2020

like her theories about area 51??? and the government???? she could talk about them for days tbh

avoids drugs like the plague. will not even be anywhere where there’s weed smoke bc she’s scared it’ll pop up on her drug test bc she’s a paranoid dumb lil bean

probably doesn’t really drink that often but when she does it’s tito’s vodka

big nerd who speaks sindarin, can read aurebesh, and can somewhat speak togruta despite the limited amount of words that are known

named after the billy joel song and proud of it

ANYWAYS PLS PLOT WITH ME !!!!! my discord is medieval 4loko gang#5402 but feel free to hmu on here <3

i have a stats page here and wc page here !!!

but also come check out her pinterest board here

#again:intro #honestly?? i hate this #but what can u do dfghjk

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kello-unknown · 4 years ago

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NEVER THOUGHT IT’D BE HER

Summary: Max lives an… entertaining life. She just got out of a relationship she thought would last forever. Meeting one person leads to more people in her life, and before she knows it, she’s falling in love with someone she never expected to fall in love with.

Words: 1,492

Warnings: like one flashback (but its a flashback of a flashback so), brief mention of alcohol consumption, flirty talk (kinda)

Author’s Note: dont forget if u wanna catch up on what happened in the last chapter, you can click down below and re-read and remember what happened to the gang lol :D

CHAPTER 1, CHAPTER 2, CHAPTER 3, CHAPTER 4, CHAPTER 5, CHAPTER 6, CHAPTER 7

MASTERLIST

~~~

CHAPTER 8

THE next few days begin the same for the most part. Alex starts to wake up a bit earlier every day now that she’s becoming used to waking up in Max’s bed. The two see each other before Max leaves for work and Alex starts to plan for her day. Alex had called her boss, who had, over the course of the years she has worked there, become a close friend, and told her a brief story of what happened. Her boss told her to take as much time as she needed to recover, and Alex intended on doing just that.

Throughout the first week of her being at the house, Alex spends most of her days taking walks down the street and visiting the town since she lived a few towns over before everything happened. She gets home around five o’clock usually, and Max comes home from work a little more than an hour later. The two would eat dinner together and share their day. They’d watch a silly movie or something stupid so that there would be background noise as they would just talk to each other and enjoy the time they have. After a while, one of them would say that it was late and that they should go to bed, the other would agree, and the cycle of activities would repeat the next day.

One day, as she’s taking her daily walk, Alex comes by what looks like, to her, a night club. She walks by and realizes it’s just a bar. She’s practically explored the whole town at this point, and this seems to be the only bar in this area. Then it hits her. She remembers what Max told her about the night she and Natalie broke up.

After what feels like hours of crying, Max gets up and walks to the fridge, looking for the one thing that’s always been there for her whenever she’s had a problem that no one else could help her with. Downing one bottle of beer, she goes to grab another one, along with her house keys, and goes for a walk. Ten minutes go by, and she arrives at her go-to bar, stumbling in….

This must be the bar Max went to drown all of her sorrows. And by the looks of Max, there must have been a lot of sorrows.

Alex pulls her phone out of her pocket and goes through her text messages and clicks on one name. She hasn’t told anyone about what happened between her and Devin, not even Casey, her best friend since God knows how long. She couldn’t imagine life without her. Casey was always there for her, no matter what.

“Hey girlie, you doing anything tn? I have a lot to tell you…” She sent the text and looked back up at the bar front. She hears a ding, brings her face back down towards her phone and sees that Casey already texted her back. “omg yes ofc. its been a while, im sure u do lmao. have anywhere in particular u wanna go?” Alex smiles.

“There’s this cute bar I just found. ‘The Black Lion.’ Idk if you’ve ever heard of it, but I’ll send you the addy and meet you there.. say 8ish tn?”

“i think ive been there once or twice if memory serves. ill be there bitch ;)”

Alex puts her phone into her pocket and continues on her walk.

After being out for almost four hours on her walk, Alex gets back to the house around the same time she usually does and notices Max’s car in the driveway. Curious as to why she’s home much earlier than usual, she heads inside to see what’s up. Walking in the front door, she sees Max sitting at the counter on her phone. Max looks up to see her roommate and greets her. Alex does the same as she walks over towards her and asks why she’s home so early in the evening. “My boss was convinced I was too tired to work even though I already finished my work for the day. So, she sent me home early since ‘It’s Friday,’ and I should go out with my ‘friends to celebrate the end of another week.’ Her words, not mine,” Max explains.

Alex giggles. “Well good for you then, I guess. Anyways, I was actually going out with one of my friends tonight since I haven’t seen anyone in a while.” Max’s eyes widen.

“That’s great! Where are you guys gonna go?” she inquires.

“That bar in town.. I think it’s called ‘The Black Lion’?” Max nods.

“Oh! I love the BL! That’s my go-to bar. It’s great.” Alex smiles at Max’s enthusiasm. “Listen if anyone - and I mean anyone - gives you a problem trying to get in, tell them you know me. I’m a regular there and if that doesn’t work, call me. I’ll come down and show off the guns.” She then rolls up her sleeves and flexes her bicep. Alex bursts out laughing, and Max does the same not too long after she starts. After they both finish laughing, Alex, wiping tears off her face, excuses herself and starts to go get ready for her night out with Casey while Max goes to her text messages.

“You doing anything tn? I got the house to myself if you wanna come over ;)??” She sets her phone down to walk to the fridge and grabs a drink. On her way back over to the couch, she picks up and checks her phone to see if she had gotten a message. Nothing yet. She tosses her phone onto the couch, grabs the remote and sits down. As soon as the tv is on, she hears a chime coming from her phone. She leaves whatever is playing on the tv and picks up her phone.

“im actually going out with one of my friends tn lol. maybe later on in the weekend if u can? its been a while ;).” Max sighs. She hasn’t seen Casey in a while since Alex has moved in. But she gets it. It’s a bros before hoes type thing.

“I get it lmao. I’ll have to check ahead to see if I have any work to do,” she knew she wouldn’t have any work, but she likes to play hard to get sometimes, “but I’d love to get together over the weekend. Have fun tn.” As if almost on cue, Alex emerges from the bedroom. She’s got on a pair of blue skinny jeans and a black – no, maybe dark grey – crop top on. She walks over to the couch with her black heels in her hand. “Well you look cute. Are you trying to get with this friend of yours tonight or are you just trying to make him drool?”

Alex rolls her eyes. “First, thank you for the compliment. I finally went back to the apartment to grab most of my clothes. Luckily, Devin wasn’t there so I didn’t have to deal with him.” Max nods. “Second, no I am not trying to get with my friend, and lastly this friend is a girl. So politely fuck off.” She sends a smirk to Max, who just chuckles and throws her hands up in surrender.

“Alright. You can still technically get with her, you know. My first statement still stands, though. You look hot.”

Alex raises an eyebrow. “I thought I looked just cute a few seconds ago. Now I’m hot? What made you change your mind?” she teases. “Is it the heels? It’s definitely the heels,” she says, as she now sends a wink to her roommate.

Max sits in her spot on the couch, laughing softly while shaking her head. Alex stands up and starts to gather what she needs for her escapades and heads for the front door. Before she leaves, she hears Max yell out, “If you need the bedroom tonight, make sure you text me at least 10 minutes before you get home!” Alex laughs, yelling out a quick “Okay!” as she closes the front door. She walks down the driveway, grabs her phone to text Casey to tell her she’s leaving now, and starts her walk to the bar.

When she’s just around the corner from the bar, Alex texts Casey to see if she’s close. As she walks up to the front of the bar, she sees her best friend coming from the other direction. She smiles, walks past the bar and up to Casey. They both hug each other tightly.

The two get in without a problem, the bouncer having recognized Casey from her coming to the bar so many times before tonight. The two sit down at one of the tables in the corner of the bar and their night begins.

tags: @maggie-elise13, @elizabethfictionwriting, @lesbian-deadpool, @the-very-tired-gay, @timelords-13, @tangled-up-in-bad-decisions, @natashaswhitesuit, @its-a-me-mario-hihi, @marvelfansince08love

#never thought itd be her #ntibh #short story #story #mine #kello-unknown

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geekofmanyforms · 5 years ago

Text

New Beginning

Chapter Four

***This chapter has been edited by my Beta, Casey. Please leave her some love for all of her hard work in the form of some reviews.***

It had been four days since I had spoken to either Salvatore. Not surprisingly, they had been easy to avoid. Seeing as I'm not my sister, their constant attention isn't necessary. I would sincerely like to bottle whatever is in the blood of the Petrova's, I could rule the world with that shit. Just like Katherine, Elena had everyone wrapped around her finger and fighting for her safety. Hell, she even has a Bennett witch on her side.

Although, things have been going a little pear-shaped for Elena here lately. She's started to pick up on small stuff about Stefan — details of his life that don't make sense. With my sister distracted and in her own little Salvatore bubble, I was able to deal with my issue with the elder Salvatore without intrusion.

Over the past few days, Damon had started playing with Caroline, acting as if she were his personal pop machine. I've been seeing less and less of her — and that was something I needed to take care of. He should know better than to mess with my friend.

Staring ahead at the large white house in front of me, I narrowed my eyes. I could feel my bubbly friend was alone inside and was glad; I didn't want to see anyone else right now. The rustling of the trees behind Caroline's house caught my attention, and I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of the light breeze as it swept past me, rustling my hair around my face in a whirl of red. I could smell the wet grass from the rain that had spilled overnight and was grateful for the small modicum of peace the familiar scent gave me.

I stepped up onto the porch of the Forbes residence. There was more reason than just my anti-social mood this morning for waiting to come here until Damon left. I didn't want to reveal myself to him just yet. After everything that had happened between myself and the two brothers, I just wasn't in the mood for any more Salvatore drama. For now, that could remain my sister's forte.

It only took my blonde friend a second to answer the door. Her face was pale and peckish. A long white bandage covered the left side of her neck; the sight made my stomach roll. Her blue eyes widened and then narrowed as she took me in. Before she could shut the door in my face — something the healthy Caroline would have never done to me — I slammed my hand against her door, a harsh smile on my face.

"Hey, Carebear. You've been avoiding me," I said with slight annoyance.

It was true —since Damon picked her up at the Grill, she's avoided me. She's even gone as far as blocking my phone calls, no doubt Damon's compulsion was to blame. He was probably hoping I wouldn't catch him using my friend as an all you can eat buffet. Caroline feigned laughter, looking at her feet as she stepped aside, obviously knowing she was between a rock and a hard place. She knew now that I had her in my sights, and there was no turning back. I can be just as stubborn as she can, especially when it comes to those I love.

"I don't know what you're talking about, girl, I've just been busy with my new man," she said, pulling her hair over her shoulder to hide the bandage, brushing the strands between her fingers nervously.

She backtracked towards the hallway, blue eyes watching me with unease as I nonchalantly took in my surroundings, hands tucked in my jacket pockets. When she saw that I wasn't going anywhere, she let out an aggravated huff and turned around, tracking back towards the other end of the house, presumably to finish getting ready. I waited until she headed to her bedroom before I stepped into the kitchen.

"I'm going to grab a bottle of water!" I shouted down the hall.

I headed for the sink where the water filter system was attached to the spout. I reached into my jacket pocket and took out a little black leather pouch of vervain, sitting it on the counter beside me. Very carefully I took out the water purifier's filter and added a small chunk of vervain, layering it over the screen so that the water could still seep through it. Releasing a sigh, I shook my head, now all I had to do was make sure I'm the one to change the filter whenever it needed it, which wouldn't be too hard considering how often I'm here.

After I put everything back together, I turned on the faucet, allowing the water to run for a moment so that I could make sure the vervain wasn't causing any issues. Once I was satisfied I hadn't screwed anything up, I took a bottle of lemon water from the fridge and headed to Caroline's bathroom and repeated the process. When I had finished with all the filter systems, I even went as far as to add ground vervain to their coffee. I was sure they'd never notice, and now both she and her mother would be drinking vervain every day. I had read in the Gilbert family journals that Liz Forbes was in the know about everything supernatural, so I was almost certain she was already on a daily dose of vervain - but I couldn't be positive, so better safe than sorry.

For the last part of my plan, I headed back into Caroline's room, where she was still getting ready for the day. She stood in front of her vanity, curling her long blonde hair.

"Hey Care, I got you a gift,"

She turned her head quickly at my bubbly demeanor. Her pink, freshly glossed lips parted with a gasp. "What? You didn't have to do that!" she jumped in excitement.

I pulled out the small gold pouch I had in my other pocket. Inside was a delicate silver bracelet with a little heart locket dangling from the end. The pendant was sealed with vervain. That way, I would always know she had something to protect her. I placed it on her wrist and smiled brightly at my best friend. I would protect her for as long as I could.

"Omg, Ellie bean! This is gorgeous with a capital G!" she squealed, delighted by the smell of her charm.

"What is that? Rose?" she asked, lifting her wrist to her nose.

She inhaled deeply, eyes fluttering closed. I hugged her and nodded; she didn't need to know what it was.

"Just promise you'll wear it always. It's like a best friend bracelet,"

I showed her my wrist where I wore an identical bracelet — minus the vervain. For some reason, I've never needed vervain to protect me. I couldn't be compelled. I've never found out why, but I'm certainly not complaining.

I took Caroline's curling iron and finished off a few curls for her in the back, while she put on mascara.

"So, you need a ride to school?" I asked.

"Yeah, that would be great. Damon had to leave early today," she said, fidgeting with a purple neck scarf.

I ignored the mention of my asshole of an ex. The situation with Caroline had shown me exactly how much he had changed. I followed her outside and hopped into my car. Once she had joined me, I drove us both to school, smiling at the idea that Damon would soon realize he could no longer play with my Caroline. I'd make sure I was there for the reveal, just in case he thought of hurting her. Caroline played with her new bracelet's pendant, smelling it over and over again with a smile on her glossy pink lips. Every time she did, a smile of my own would grace my lips, mine one of much less innocence.

I parked beside Elena in the school parking lot. She stood by her car, speaking with Bonnie. Before I had completely stopped the car, Caroline jumped out and sped past both of them. Bonnie raised her hand, Caroline's name on the tip of her tongue, her eyelashes fluttering in confusion — avoiding her friends must be apart of his compulsion. What an idiot, it only makes everyone more suspicious.

"Hey El, what's Caroline's problem?" Elena asked me, her dark hair fluttering in the breeze.

My sister's perfect dark hair fluttering in the breeze, made me want to dump my bottle of lemon water over her head. I shrugged my shoulders for dramatic effect and took a long sip. Shaking her head and turning away from where Caroline had disappeared — much like a female version of Batman, Bonnie turned back to Elena, forest green eyes hesitant.

` "Listen, Elena, I'm not saying you shouldn't date the guy. I'm just saying take it slow," she said.

I caught on quickly, understanding Bonnie must have had a vision. Witchy powers activate!

Elena sighed deeply. "You were the one who said go for it," she said.

I ignored the rest of their bickering when I saw a familiar spiky head of hair heading our way. His stupid attractive face irritated me to no end; it was too early for brooding vampires. Suddenly finding my converse very interesting, I watched my feet, tapping my toes in an unfamiliar rhythm.

"Good morning, Elena, Elara. Good morning Bonnie," Stefan said, always the proper gentleman. With a resigned sigh, I looked up at him with a quick jerk of my hand, and for a split second, I saw him as I had once known him. My eyes clouded, my back stiffened.

Stefan stood outside of his family home, bowing to me slightly in greeting as I exited my carriage. His brother, Damon— my Damon — smiled at me from beside him.

I felt tears come to my eyes and blinked them away; not quick enough. Stefan's vampire senses must've picked up the slight smell of saltwater. He gave me an odd look but continued speaking to my sister. She was apologizing for Bonnie's swift exit, that I just now noticed myself.

I shook off the memory...or vision...and looked around me to remind myself of the time we were in.

"She doesn't know you. She's my best friend. She's just looking out for me. But, when she does, she'll love you," Elena tried to explain.

Unbeknownst to Elena, Stefan and I knew she never would. When she found out what he really was, she would hate him. It's in her DNA. Witches of nature were predisposed to hate vampires; their very existence is against nature.

"Here's what you're going to do. Are you free tonight?" Elena asked him, suddenly excited.

"Yes."

Stefan's eyes crinkled as he smiled handsomely. Elena grabbed my elbow and yanked me next to her. My arms flailed, causing me to almost drop my water bottle. I frowned at her exuberance, fixing my hair once I'd regained my balance.

"Perfect. Dinner, our house, 8:00 — You, me, Elara, and Bonnie. You two will spend some quality time, and she'll get to see what a great guy you are. Mission accomplished," Elena said firmly with a grin.

I rolled my eyes, earning a smirk from Stefan, who was watching me with humor. He knew me too well, and he also knew what Bonnie was. It didn't matter how handsome or charming Stefan was; she would never be able to see past his affliction.

I pulled away from her, my 'spidey senses' (as I sometimes humorously called them) tingling' something was about to happen. I turned towards the parking lot behind Stefan and zeroed in on Tyler gripping a football in his right hand, positioned to make a long-range throw. I closed my eyes and tilted my head slowly.

"Stefan. The ball," I said, low enough to keep Elena from hearing.

A moment later, a football flew towards us. Stefan spun around quickly and caught it. His face had the definition of shock, obviously curious about how I knew that was going to happen. Along with the force field I had cast on him and his brother, there would be no way I could hide my gift from them any longer. Damn it.

I avoided Stefan's gaze as he tossed the ball back, knocking Tyler backward a few inches. I stepped in front of Stefan and gave Tyler the finger before heading inside. That jackass had made me reveal another one of my gifts. Usually, I could hide the premonitions, but I had spoken without thinking.

Stupid, stupid Elara.

I never allowed him or Damon to see my gifts in the life I had spent with them. If I had, and their father had found out, I would have been burned for witchcraft — well, sooner than I had been.

Now I would be forced to explain everything, and I wasn't sure I could trust Stefan to keep his mouth shut around Elena. I didn't want my family to know the truth about me, my gifts, and my impending doom. They would try to help, no matter how many times I told them they couldn't. It's impossible; no one can help me. I would have to spend my last year in this life fighting against what can't be changed.

That afternoon, I sat in the bleachers on the football field, waiting for Stefan's turn to try out. I was oddly excited to see how well he hid his vampire side, especially since he had pissed off Mr. Tanner with his obvious superiority in history class. I eyed the other side of the field where Elena surprised everyone by showing up for cheerleading practice. As exciting as that was (sarcasm intended), my attention was grabbed by an arguing Caroline and Damon. I smiled brightly and hopped off the bleachers, heading for the parking lot. I caught Stefan's eye and sent him a thumbs up, telling him I would handle it. A few feet from their fight, I saw him grab hold of her arm as his eyes bored into hers. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips, drawing their attention to my approach. He instantly let her go and stepped away.

"Care, can you please give me and your ex here a minute to talk," I said, my voice stiff.

Caroline's ponytail swayed as she nodded quickly. I gave her arm a reassuring squeeze as she passed me. Once she was on the field with the rest of her lively group, I stepped closer to Damon, looking up to meet his gaze. Even with the apparent height difference, his eyes were wary, obviously wondering to himself what I was capable of.

I leaned into him, my mouth near his jugular. I moved my nose against his skin. I wanted the upper hand, and this was the easiest way to throw him off.

"I know how you see me, and you should know, you are sorely mistaken if you think I'm still that shy and passive girl you planned to marry. I have been through a lot since then, and I have been taught by powerful and dangerous people," I said quietly, my breath fanning against his neck. "So, if I were you I'd avoid hurting the people I love. Caroline is one of those people, and I have taken measures to protect her. Your compulsion will not work, Salvatore. So back off."

He brushed my hair from my shoulder, and an involuntary shudder passed through me. He smirked at my reaction, taking it as permission to lean in and kiss me. Before his lips met mine, I reared my fist back and punched him, putting every bit of power I could behind it. He flew back against his car, leaving a sizable dent. I shook my hand out, jumping up and down in pain. Already my skin was turning black and blue.

"What the hell, Elandra!" he shouted in annoyance.

I held my hand close to me, whimpering. I felt a sudden change in the air, and Stefan stood beside me.

"What did he do? Are you okay?" he asked, glaring at his brother.

Damon stood and pointed his finger in my direction, accusingly.

"It was her fault — she should know better than to punch a vampire. Even if she did a good job at damaging my damn car,"

He bent over and looked over his car, running his hand over the damage. Stefan took hold of my hand and pulled it towards him. He ran his fingers over the discolored skin.

"Ow Stefan! Careful!" I whined

Even if I had gone through a lot worse, I tended to be a big baby about pain. Stefan smiled at me and continued to look my hand over. I ignored him and smirked at Damon, who was still looking over the damage to his car.

"You shouldn't have tried to kiss me. We are not together," I said cooly.

He flipped me off and looked around for witnesses before popping the dent out as best he could.

"He tried to kiss you?" Stefan looked at Damon and sighed. "What am I saying, of course, he did. You're... you," Stefan said, more to himself than anyone else.

"What's that supposed to mean Stef?" I said, biting my lip and trying not to move my hand.

Damon looked at my hand once and then at Stefan before jumping into his car.

"Well, it looks like you have this handled, brother. Elandra, always a pleasure," he said, nodding his head at me.

I glared at him as he sped away, leaving me in the care of his brother, yet again. I shuddered at the memory. Stefan must have caught on because his face hardened for a moment before he schooled his features. He looked back towards the field before pulling me into him and speeding off. I closed my eyes as the wind rushed past us. I put my face on his chest and held on for dear life. It was like riding a roller coaster without being strapped in, utterly terrifying.

The wind around us stopped suddenly, and I finally forced my eyes open. We were back at my house...in my room. I pushed away from him awkwardly, realizing how glued to his chest I had been.

"Thank you," I said, clearing my throat.

He snickered at my unease and bit into his wrist awkwardly holding it out to me.

"Here, I doubt you want to explain a broken hand to your aunt or sister. I promise to not be an ass about it this time. I'm sorry about what happened before. That was immature," he said blushing, avoiding my eyes.

I gingerly took his wrist and drank from him before he could stain the carpet. His blood repaired my injured hand quickly, and I moved it around, grateful when it was pain-free. Once I was fully healed, I sat on my bed and motioned for him to join.

"Listen, Stef, I forgive you. Hell, I forgive Damon. I just want you both to know that you need to be careful. I will not allow the people I love to be hurt," I said, keeping my voice firm.

"I will protect the people you and Elena care about. I promise. But we need to talk— I need to know what's going on with you," he said.

I felt his intense stare but refused to look at him. This was the moment I had been dreading. I ran my fingers through my hair as I pulled out my phone, sending Damon a quick text to meet us here. There was no way I was going to do this twice. It took him less than five minutes to blow through my window, a single crow feather falling to the floor below him.

"Your dramatics haven't changed much, I see," I sighed.

His face was stern and emotionless. I'm sure he was preparing to kill me if he thought it necessary. I knew if I told them the complete truth, I'd be fighting for my life by the end of the conversation. So, I decided to keep to the basics. I ignored the fact that Rebekah had also joined us not too long ago. I refused to try to explain my ability to see the dearly departed...or daggered. She smiled brightly just to annoy me. I rolled my eyes at her and stood, motioning for Damon to join his brother on my bed. Once he was seated, I stepped in front of both vampire brothers, my nerves on high alert.

"Okay, I have no clue where to start so bare with me," I said.

"Just start at the beginning baby," Damon said with a smirk.

I ground my teeth at his use of the pet name I had always hated. Should I start from the beginning, or would that give them too much information? I glanced at Rebekah for help.

"You look creepy staring off into nothing, Ellie. Just give them the basics. Don't use names," she warned her eyes stern.

She would know exactly what I needed to leave out, so I choose to listen to her. I cleared my throat and let out a deep breath. I paced back and forth, picking at my nails anxiously.

"Well, a very, very, long time ago I lost my parents. My real parents." I started, taking a seat on my vanity chair after Damon glared at my constant pacing. "I had nowhere to go after their death. They were poor, and my mother was a known witch. A very rare breed of witch at that, so, of course, that didn't make her very popular." I ignored their shocked gazes and looked straight at Rebekah, which to the brothers would make me look like I was staring off into the distance, but I needed her strength. The strength of my sister, the one that had been there from the beginning.

"There was only one person in our village who had ever liked my mother; she had befriended her after she had found out what she was. This woman was a powerful witch of nature. When my mother died, she was the only other witch around — well, apart from me. I had inherited my mother's gift, and I was the last of our kind. This woman took me in and agreed to train me as best she could, seeing as she and I were not the same kind of witch. She had a large family, and they were well respected and wealthy. Though, the father was a total dick." I growled loudly. Stefan jerked, looking at me in shock. I leaned forward and smiled.

"Sorry. It's true, though — he really was," I said with a weak laugh.

Rebekah paled and managed a small laugh. I sent her a sympathetic frown and managed to look away. This story was hard on both of us.

"I managed to make my place in the family by helping with spell work and chores. Her children were kind to me and accepted me. Her daughter and I bonded incredibly quickly. She was my best friend. But another development had occurred as well. I had begun to fall in love with one of her sons. After a few years, he fell for me, as well. He and I loved each other deeply, but, when we decided to come clean about our relationship, we were met with hostility." I stood and walked to the window my back to them. "I was nothing, no family, no place in the village, so, we were denied the right to marry," I said.

A single tear fell at the memory of a human Niklaus. He had been so kind and gentle, even though he was being tortured by his beast of a father, he still showed me, love. I could feel a presence behind me and saw the ethereal form of Rebekah, her hand hovering over my shoulder. I gave her a half-smile and looked back at the men in front of me. Their faces were hard, especially Damon. I fought to cringe at the hint of betrayal in his eyes.

"During the next few months, his mother pushed him and me further apart. I thought she had succeeded." I frowned as my eyes clouded over with memories."Until one day, he found me in the woods alone. I had been picking berries for dinner." I closed my eyes and smiled, turning back around to face the brothers I opened my eyes. "I can still smell them if I close my eyes." I laughed, earning a hard glare from Damon. Rebekah smiled and leaned closer to me.

"When I finally realized he was there, he was already on his knee. He gave me this lengthy, beautiful speech about love. I wanted to refuse him, I knew nothing good would come of it, but I couldn't. I could deny him nothing, I loved him too much, so I accepted. We hid it for a long time. We planned on taking his siblings and running away, starting a life away from his horrible father. That was, until the day his youngest brother died. He was murdered, brutally,"

I looked away again, remembering little Henrik, his smile, his laugh. He was kind and gentle. He didn't deserve the death he received.

"After that, his father talked his mother into creating a spell that would make all of them powerful enough to avenge the boy's death. She enlisted my help, and I felt so bad for the poor boy that I agreed,"

I wracked my brain for a way to end the story without giving away the full truth of what happened next. Damon tried to interrupt me, but I held my hand up for silence, my eyes tired and pained. I took a deep breath and looked at the two men; two vampires who could hold me partially responsible for their existence. I turned my head away from them and looked at Rebekah, she grimaced and nodded her head at me. I sighed and pushed on.

"In the middle of creating the spell, the witch brushed her hand against mine, and suddenly I had a knife to my throat. I don't even remember her moving. It all happened so quickly. We had been left alone to prepare — though even if we hadn't been — I wouldn't have wanted anyone to intervene. If the father had found out, it would have meant watching them being beaten for helping me. Somehow when the witch had touched me, she had seen my connection with her son. She had seen my acceptance of his proposal. I barely noticed when she slid the blade from my neck and into the palm of my hand, stealing some of my blood. The witch told me that after we finished the spell, she would deal with my betrayal. I was afraid but knew there was no sense in trying to run,"

At this point, I was openly crying. The next part of my story was hard to recount, for it was the one memory I did my best not to think about. Stefan reached for my hand, but I jerked it away. I didn't want to hold his hand as I revealed I was partially to blame for their condition, even if they wouldn't know that was the spell I was telling them about. I took in a few deep, shaky breaths.

"After the spell was cast, I stood off to the side, next to the witch while the rest of the family sat at the table. I watched in fear as their father stood — I had no clue exactly what the spell entailed or even did, so when their father shoved a blade into each of their backs, I was in utter shock. I remember my knees smacking the ground as I collapsed in anguish. The man I loved lifted his hand and motioned for me to stay where I was, to not move. So, I did. After the last of his children died, he pushed the blade into his own chest,"

Stefan gasped in shock, and I wiped the tears from my face. Rebekah sat beside me on her knees staring off into the distance, clearly remembering her death — and rebirth.

"What happened, Elandra?" Stefan whispered.

I tore my gaze from the blonde beside me and looked him in the eyes. His face was blurry through my tears.

"The father woke up first, as something he hadn't expected to be. Once he realized the spell backfired, he went crazy. He wanted blood, so the witch offered him mine. She told him it was all my fault, that I had done something during the spell that made it fail. It was a lie, of course; she had dabbled in magic too dark to be predictable, and there is always a price for that. She just wanted me out of the way, she didn't want me marrying her son. The father took me by the hair and drug me into the town where he told everyone I was a witch and in league with the evil that had killed his son. Everyone in town knew of my mother, so they were quick to believe I was a witch, just like her. They tied me to a pyre, and the last thing I remember was the ethereal form of the witch's voice in my head. She laughed at my agony. She explained that the blood she had taken from me had been used in a spell that would make me immortal. That I would live life over and over but never being able to enjoy it. I would be forced to remember every life I lived painfully,"

I shifted, looking down at my hands as I picked at my fingernails.

"But the worst part of her curse was the fact that I would never live past the age I originally died at, 18. I would never grow a day older. So, during every life, I die on my 18th birthday. Always and forever. Those were the last words I heard. The curse took effect just as the fire devoured me," I said, the last few words in the form of a whisper.

Stefan and Damon sat quietly in shock, both their faces pale and lifeless. Damon leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he shook his head in disbelief.

"I've tried so many times to break the curse, but it never works. I've even found a few friends through the years who have researched and begged other witches to assist me, but I'm older than any witch I've ever met. Even if I technically die and get reborn, my soul is still the same, which makes me the oldest and most powerful witch alive. So, if I've never found a counter curse, then there isn't one,"

My stomach singed at the reminder of what I'll never be able to have; a life. I sat perfectly still as I waited for them to speak. The silence in the room was deafening. After a moment, Damon was the first to speak.

"...Is that why you died in our time?"

"Yes, it is. I died because my time was up. The curse activates on my birthday, and then it leads me to my death. I've tried to resist, but it's impossible, I always lose myself," I explained.

My face was covered in fresh tears. This was the hardest part, trying to help people cope with my impending death. Rebekah sat next to me, a hand hovering above mine.

Damon's face paled even further —- something I didn't think could be possible at this moment — his eyes darting from side to side. Stefan patted him on the arm.

"But...you just turned 17..." he choked out.

I stood up and checked to make sure my door was locked; I had begun to hear people downstairs. I lifted my hand and waved it across my room, mumbling a silencing spell. None of my family needed to know about my visitors.

"So, you're going to die in a year, and you're saying there is no stopping it..." Stefan said.

I almost laughed at the loud sigh Rebekah let out.

"God, were you this slow when we dated?" she asked him.

I hid my smile behind my hand and nodded.

"There is no stopping it. That is why you're not to say a single word to anyone. I mean it!" I said, pointing at them both, my eyes hard.

Damon stood at vampire speed and stepped in front of me, looking me over frantically as if he were afraid my curse was about to activate.

"Have you tried vampire blood?" he asked in a huff.

I sighed lightly and placed my hand on his arm, squeezing gently; the leather of his jacket was cool to the touch.

"Of course I have, Katherine actually fed me her blood. I never woke up once she killed me. I just moved on to the next life," I said.

"Katherine?! You trusted her?" Damon spat angrily, yet still avoiding the fact that she obviously wasn't in the tomb.

I stepped away from his heated gaze the fire in his eyes, making me nervous.

"Yes! But if that's not enough I've been given the blood of several different vampires. It never works, Damon. I've come to the conclusion that the only person who can take away this curse is the person who created it and she is long gone. Even if she wasn't, she'd never help me," I yelled, my face red.

Stefan sat on my bed his head bowed in defeat. He knew the truth and had already accepted it. That was one of the best things about Stefan, he didn't kid himself.

I watched Damon pace back and forth in anger, his hands on his hips, jacket sitting against the tops of his hands.

"Stefan, you should both go. Elena is waiting for you, and Damon is going to drive me nuts with his pacing," I said, hoping to end the conversation.

"No! This isn't going to happen again," Damon yelled, "I won't let it happen again."

Damon disappeared out my window in a flash of black. I jumped back and raised my hands in the air in shock, his sudden abrupt departure surprised me. Stefan stood from my bed and stepped next to me. He kissed my forehead gently and looked out my window where his brother had disappeared, probably to go kill a few people and cool off.

"I'll handle it," Stefan said, following after his brother.

I sat down on my bed and put my head in my hands.

"I'm so sorry my family did this to you," Rebekah whispered.

"Don't start again, Beks. I will never regret meeting you or your family. Even after everything we've been through, you all were the best part of it. Always and forever, Beka. Your mother may have used that against me negatively at one point, but spending the time I have with you since then has more than made up for it. Even if your brother will end up killing us both for not telling him about my curse," I said laughing.

"Yeah, he'll probably wake me up just to dagger me again," she sighed.

I nodded in agreement before hearing my name shouted from downstairs. I waved my hand across the room once more before calling back.

"Be there in a minute, Lena!"

Masterlist

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zoetekohana · 7 years ago

Text

I finally watched “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” and I wrote down all my reactions:

Here it goes... COWABUNGA MY TURTLE DUDES.

Ooooh I love the use of ninja throwing stars for the Paramount stars.

I’m also digging the music.

TURTLE FORMATION

Omg, Mickey, no squirrel formation. (I don’t want to see those creepy squirrels from the 2012 series.)

Honestly, even though the plot of the 2014 film wasn’t great (hopefully this one will be better), they had the personalities down to a tee, and it’s great to see that’s still the case.

The way they depict the sibling relationship between Leo, Raph, Donnie and Mickey is so awesome to watch. Not to forget: the fact that they actually act like teenagers is such a plus.

Case in point: Donnie repeatedly telling Raph to “do it do it do it do it do it [the shellskateboarding thing]”. I love it.

Hahahaah, Kevin the pizza guy. Such a nice Kevin Eastmann cameo!

Donnie: “When I say Knicks you say Go.” I’m reminded of the failed “When I say Vol you say Tron.” speech. But at least the bros got it right.

Vern The Falcon? Oh no....

Hahaha, shooting the little spit balls at Vern and then mimicking his falcon. See, such teenagers.

APRIL IS CALLING DONNIE.

I REPEAT APRIL IS CALLING DONNIE.

Yes, I ship them. Shush.

Also, that blonde wig + glasses look really good on Megan Fox?

Baxter Stockmann... He’d go with a FLY FORMATION.

Donnie to April: “Do you need us there?” Awwww.

April to Donnie: “That birthday present that you made for me?” AWWW.

Yes, April, explain Baxter the difference between geek and nerd.

Omg, Baxter, that laugh.

Ofc there needs to be some Megan Fox fanservice... /eyeroll (She was pretty badass going undercover, but still that was unnecessary.)

HAHAHA I LOVE THE DONNIE SMILEY FACE ON HER WATCH WHEN THE DOWNLOAD OF THE FILES IS COMPLETE!

Oh no, the pizza slice on the basketball court....

Poor Mikey, he just want to “LIVE UP THERRRREEE. Up there where flowers bloom.” (And now I have that South Park song stuck in my head.)

Also, a Transformers reference, really?

Wait;;; How are the copied files on April’s watch being deleted? She downloaded them? She wasn’t streaming them....

But good on her for discovering that Baxter is working with Shredder (where did that hunch come from though?) and that he + the Foot Clan plan on breaking him out when he’s being transferred.

Casey Jones as a law enforcer? That’s new?

Ngl, I don’t really like that detail. It doesn’t suit him.

BEBOP AND ROCKSTEADY!!!!! :D

It’s not a Michael Bay production without car explosions. /eyeroll (again)

Also, NYC believes that Vern stopped the Shredder. Why didn’t the NY police ask him to accompany this super important transfer?

Hahaha, that tmnt theme’d honk. I LOVE.

Great updates on the Turtle Shell, Donnie.

Raph when taking out the last of three foot bikers: “That’s how I roll. That’s how you roll.”

Why didn’t Raph stay on the bike? He could cover more ground that way.

Soooo, Baxter knows of the Turtles.

I love how personalised the Turtle Shell is.

Hi there, Krang!

So, lemme get this straight: Krang needs the three teleport devices he sent to Earth to join them into an arch capacitor to teleport the Technodrome to Earth to conquer it. But he was able to teleport Shredder to where he was. Something does not add up there...

So many plotholes.

But whatever, I’m still enjoying this. :)

Donnie and April make such a great team.

But how is she going to get to the TCRI’s mainframe? (Also, how is she going undercover everywhere? Isn’t she recognised as a television reporter?)

Chief: “Manhole covers?”

That was some nice exposition on Jones wanting to become a detective. Like really? It was so odd to tell your superior who’s clearly mad at you that.

The casting for Bebop and Rocksteady is so spot on.

It’s still weird not to have the Shredder vs Splinter backstory. It feels like Splinter is just there now? He’s more important than that. :(

Is that barkeep the Vulture from b99?

Quickly looked it up, yep, that’s Dean Winters. :D

It’s not a Turtles movie without some Vanilla Ice. ;)

Reporter thing aside... Why go on this important undercover mission on high heels? Everyone can hear you. That’s not stealthy there, April.

I get that the purple ooze is different (iirc from the 1987 series) - although I’m not a fan of a different kind of mutagen -, but why not mention the green ooze? They have the green mutagen from the previous film that mutated the Turtles and Splinter? Or am I completely remembering the 2014 film wrong?

Also, how did Shredder shoot two darts into two different directions?

Yes, that gun has two barrels, but he shot both darts practically at the same time?

Also, how are they mutating into a warthog and a rhinoceros without the DNA from those animals?

The way they transformed, that sequence, was pretty cool, though.

Hmm, so we all have a dormant animal gen. It’s an explanation for not needing the animal DNA, I guess.

YES TO HBIC APRIL O’NEIL!

So Casey wants to be a detective, but then suits up as the Hockey Vigilante we know and love. That really doesn’t make much sense.

April to Casey: “Stacey Moans?”

Stacey’s mom has got it going on.... And now I’ve got that song stuck in my head, haha.

Amell physically makes a good Casey Jones. But I’m sorry to say, he’s so stiff and mainly has two faces: this :| or this :D. I’m not a big fan of this casting. I’m okay with it, but idk. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

And Koteas is forever my favourite Casey Jones.

Casey to the turtles: “Do not eat us humans.” Are we really going with that joke?

I love Mickey’s introduction of the Turtles to Casey. :D

DONNIE’S POSE . <3

Haha, Mikey and Raph keeping Casey out of the huddle.

Leo about Casey: “Raph, grab Friday the 13th.” Great reference.

Casey: “And have the most pretentious names ever.”

”Is it me you’re looking for?” ♫ Omg, Splinter listening to pop ballads. I love. xD

Of course Donnie could turn the ooze so they could become humans.

Don’t keep secrets from your brothers, Leo.

Awww, Mickey. The one who wants to be among humans the most. :(

A Turtle Christmas album?? I WANT!

Leo: “There’s only one vote that counts in this family: Mine!” Harsh, bro.

Awww, ofc Donnie loves museums. :)

Casey to Vern: “See you there.” Mikey to Vern: “See you there.” Vern: “He already said that.” That made me laugh more than it should have.

I love how Leo and Donnie are riding the subway like that.

They’re not monsters. :’(

I want to give Mickey a big hug.

Leo to Splinter: “I can’t get them all on the same page, to think with one mind.” Splinter to Leo: “You shouldn’t want them all to think the same. It’s their different points-of-view that makes the team strong. A good leader understands this. A good brother accepts it.” I love this.

Seriously, the personalities and the interactions are so on point.

Where did Beebs and Rock get a tank???

So many fistbumps in this film, omg.

I forgot to mention this before, but I like that Donnie isn’t as muscle-y as the others. I do like these different personal designs.

Also, Donnie easily jumping to go to the other plane. That was great.

Raph: “What would Vin Diesel do? No regrets, no fear.” Hahahaha.

Whoa, really, shooting from a tank inside a plan? “Dude seriously” is the right reaction.

Also, how is Donnie able to stay inside that open cockpit???

Lbr, Donnie is the mvp in this film.

“THIS PIG IS FLYING!” Hahahahahaha.

Raph seeing that turtle. A reference to Spike, maybe? :D

Okay, that entire river sequence was AWESOME!!!

I wouldn’t change one things about it: from seeing the turtles swim under water, to Raph saving Donnie from the tank missile, to the four of them hiding in their shell (along with that “ploemp” sound effect) when going down the water fall.

Leo (sarcastically): “Thanks, guys. Real time effort.” Wow, way to be a dick there. :/

”Justice comes in all shapes and sizes.” That explains Casey Jones suiting up in his hockey vigilante get-up, I guess. But idk, that little plot could have been written better.

Come on, Vern, you can step up. :)

Oh no, Vern missing the obvious there with the location of the data storage of that hidden camera. hashtag relatable

Leo: “We may be brothers, but we’re not a team.” That hurts....

But that portal technically isn’t your science, Baxter, it’s Krang’s. The names you mentioned might become footnotes, but so would you.

Donnie gathered all that information rather quickly? Unbelievable quickly?

But again, he’s the mvp!

I love that old video console on Donnie’s wrist.

They’re turtles forever. :)

I really thought Shredder was going to say that Baxter would always the same, aka “a fly on the wall” instead of “a footnote”.

Vern: “When something bad happens, you want to be with the turtles.” That is true.

Haha, oh u Shredder. You betrayed Baxter to have all the glory, but you didn’t consider Krang would betray you?

KRANG DOESN’T SHARE FOOD.

Oh, I noticed that Triceration next to Shredder! :D

Wow, Jade spoke for once. :o

I like the way the police protected the Turtles from being seen by the public.

Raph: “SURF’S UP, NY!”

Again with the heels, O’Neil?

I love that shot with the four turtles standing on the edge of the almost finished Technodrome.

Mikey calling Krang “a chewed up piece of gum” and then Leo continuing with “Bubblicious”, haha.

Mickey: “I’m vertical.”

Mickey is the second mvp this film.

I really really love that Donnie and Mickey get most screentime this film.

Great how Casey tricked Beebs and Rock like that. :)

TEAM EFFORT, BB!

Leo: “We got something nobody else has.” Leo, Donnie and Mickey: “Turtle power!” while Raph: “Garbage truck!” Hahahaha.

But seriously: TURTLE POWER!

Finally, April being a reporter again.

Chief to the turtles: “Last name?” Hamato immediately came to mind, tbh.

Some Capril flirting. ;)

HEROES IN A HALF SHELL! ♫

I love the comic style in the end credits.

But see: Splinter’s actor isn’t even mentioned in the special part of the end credits. He deserves better and more.

All in all, despite its flaws (too many expositions or Krang being the main villain with hardly any screentime f.e.), I really enjoyed watching this. It’s so much better than the 2014 one.

(I do hope for actual one on one friendship between Donnie and Mickey next time, though. I love the turtles most together, but separate friendships I love them the most.) (And on that note: Where was my Raph&Casey romance friendship?)

#teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt #tmnt out of the shadows #tmnt 2016 #apritello #capril #zoe liveblogs #zoe liveblogs tmnt #i'm so incredibly late watching this i know #unfortunately i didn't get to see this one at the cinema #unlike with the 2014 film #when my stepsis and i got the entire room to ourselves #that was so awesome!#but i'm finally watching it now #because i've been working hard the past couple of days and dealing with a lot of irl stuff #so tonight i'm going to relax by finally watching this #and liveblogging as i watch it

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forlawfirmsonlymarketing · 5 years ago

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Google Update November 2019 via @martinibuster

There is substantial evidence that an unannounced Google Update is underway. This update has been affecting sites across a wide range of niches. Most of the feedback is negative although there are winners mixed in, including winners in the spam community.

Impact Felt Across Many Industries

Forensic SEO expert Alan Bleiweiss (@AlanBleiweiss) noted in a tweet how this update affected a plurality of industries. He tweeted:

“I monitor 47 sites

Mental Health Knowledge base & Directory – up 20%

Travel booking – up 14%

Travel booking – up 25%

Recipes – up 12%

B to C eCom – up 20%

Tech news – down 20%

Skin care affiliate – down 48%

Alternative health – not impacted

Other Recipe sites – not impacted”

Note: The double listing for travel sites is not a typo. It’s a reference to two travel sites.

Recipe Bloggers Report Update Effects

Google does not target specific niches. The recipe blogger niche is a highly organized community. Because of that when something big happens the community’s voice will be amplified. Thus it was that the recipe blogger community noticed this update. As of earlier today there was a growing list of 47 recipe blogs that had reported losses from this update. Casey Markee of MediaWyse (@MediaWyse) who specializes in food blog SEO said this about those 47 sites that were suffering from Google’s November 2019 update:

“All of them, big sites, small sites, medium sites, all are showing like 30%+ drops. I know it’s tough on bloggers to see drops and thing “OMG I need to make some dramatic changes.” But that’s like throwing darts at a board, blindfolded, in the dark, while underwater. Definitely need to WAIT for more data and until this “update” (or whatever it is) has fully rolled-out.”

I agree, it’s best to wait to hear what Google says about this update. I took a quick look at two of the recipe sites that were lost traffic and both of them had heavy keyword term densities. For example, I extracted the Heading outlines (H1, H2) of both sites and they both were hitting their target keywords hard in every single heading. A keyword density report of two sample pages revealed that the target keywords were being used as high as 5% of all words on the page.

Travel Bloggers

Leslie Harvey of Trips with Tykes (@TripsWithTykes) tweeted:

“Seeing it reported heavily in the travel blog world too – dozens of high traffic travel blogs are significantly down from anecdotes I’m hearing.”

Many First Time Google Update Casualties

A curious note about this update is that there are many publishers reporting that they have never been hit by a previous update and are surprised to have finally been hit by the November 2019 Google update. As a representative example, one publisher tweeted:

“I’m down 25% organic in the last two days. I’ve seen positive impacts from every previous algo update.”

Jim @ UncoveringPA (@UncoveringPA) tweeted:

“Definitely frustrating. First time I’ve ever gotten a big hit from a Google update. Down 20-25%. For my local site, it seems mostly that more official sites got boosted over mine, even though mine has better and more in depth content.”

Facebook-Hat Observations

A member of the private SEO Signals Lab Facebook group had a similar experience. As an example, a Facebook member stated that his seven year old site that’s been in the top three for years suddenly dropped to page two and three. Perhaps of interest or maybe not, this member reported having used content analysis software to analyze the SERPs to understand the kind of words are ranking for queries. Regardless if that’s a clue or not, this is another person out of many who reported having never suffered from a previous Google update and are now having a difficult time with this update. Another Facebook member reported a 20% change in traffic but with little change in keyword positions. That kind of result is sometimes caused by an increase in People Also Ask, Featured Snippets, Carousels, Top Stories and other “helpful” Google features that tend to push organic results down. According to Moz’s Mozcast, the biggest changes has been in the Top Stories, with a spike beginning on November 5th, 2019 that peaked on Thursday November 7th, when evidence of an update was beginning to surge.

Could that be causing some of the traffic declines? It’s hard to say, these are the first days of the update and information is still trickling in. In general, there are more people reporting ranking losses than increases in the SEO Signals Labs group. And on Twitter there are many reporting losses, far more than winners.

Gray Hat Update Experience

Members of the self-described “gray hat” Proper SEO Facebook group are generally positive. This group is focused on Private Blog Network (PBN) links. The Admin of the group posted an Accuranker graph showing that all his keywords were on a steep upward trajectory, with one member saying his graph resembled a hockey stick. Another member remarked that he was having a week to week improvement in sales on the order of 30%, with Friday tracking at a 70% improvement. Several members noted that there have been huge gains in Google Local changes. Overall, the gray hats are responding more positive than negative.

Black Hat Update Reaction

Over at the Black Hat World forums members are discussing dramatic changes to their rankings. Some are reporting losses as high as 40%. A few however are reporting improvements from Google’s November update. According to one member: “There must be something going on, I’ve seen 2 people on amazon affiliate forum stating that their traffic took a huge nose dive. Mine is up 30% yesterday and today.” While in another discussion a black hat member commented:

“Just today I saw massive improvements finally… “

No-Hat SEO Observations on Google Update

Over on WebmasterWorld Forums, members started noticing changes on Wednesday November 6th . One member noted on Thursday that they hadn’t seen conversions in 24 hours. Another member noted:

“I’m seeing serps filled with malware and sneaky redirects from .cf .tk .ml .gq .ga domains. Google can’t tell apart anymore a legitimate site and a spam site. This is serious. The anti-spam team lost the battle.”

That observation seems to affirm the positive reports seen in black hat and gray hat communities. Member Paperchaser said:

“Entertainment industry here, I see lot of movement on my end, lot of sites losing their ranking heavily and couple hours later everything gets back to where they were.”

Fishing Hat SEO Reaction to Update

Someone asked me if I’m a white hat SEO. My response was that I’m more of a camo fishing hat type of SEO. In other words, I color within the lines while doing what needs to be done to get results. That means understanding what Google is trying to accomplish and working within those parameters. It’s not about “tricking” Google. It’s about knowing the lines and coloring within those lines. It’s also about being critical of SEO information that is unsupported by any kind of Google research or patents. For example, for the past year there has been a line of thought that it’s important to add author bios to websites. That’s been debunked by Googlers like John Mueller. There have been numerous responses to recent updates that have proven false because they were based on poor sources of information or poor reasoning. Thus, many of today’s poor observations such as:

The advice that to build an authors page

Advice to display expert accreditation on the site

The advice to improve E-A-T (Google’s confirmed there is no E-A-T ranking factor)

All of that advice have been debunked by Gary Illyes and John Mueller. That poor advice came from using Google’s Search Quality Raters Guidelines as a way to understand Google’s algorithm. The Search Quality Raters Guidelines can be used to set goals for what a website can be and from those goals one can create strategies to achieve those high standards. But that document was never a road map of Google’s algorithm. It was a road map for how to rate a website. That’s all. Two different things. But that document is useless for trying to understand why a site is no longer ranking because there are no ranking secrets in the Search Quality Raters Guidelines.

Google Does Not Target Individual Niches

Google rarely targets an industry. In the past some SEOs promoted the idea that Google was targeting medical sites. They were wrong and now we are stuck with the ineptly named Medic Update to remind the SEO industry that Google does not target specific industries.

Google is Not Targeting Recipe Blogs

Anyone who says that Google is targeting the recipe blogs is wrong. This update has affected publishers from all niches. It’s a broad update that affects a wide range of site topics.

Takeaway About Google’s November Update

The point then is to wait until we hear from Google. Most of the past updates have focused on relevance through understanding user queries better, understanding what web pages are about, and understanding the link signal better. It could be that Google is rolling out a combination of changes related to content, queries and backlinks. That’s a safe bet… but at this point, but we simply don’t know. To say that Google is targeting specific kinds of sites or types of content is to skate on thin ice.

https://www.businesscreatorplus.com/google-update-november-2019-via-martinibuster/

#googlesearchranking #localseo #onlinemarketing #dailydoseofmarketing

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linzerj · 7 years ago

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more tags to fill

ok now for the long ones

Tagged by @thearmada4231 and @fire-fira

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 92 truths about you. At the end choose 25 people to be tagged. (that’s too many people also i hate tagging people sorry) Also you both tagged me with this and they start with the same questions but then get different toward the end so??? some repeat and some change so I might end up with more than 92 cuz im gonna read each and combine them all

Last Drink: water

Last phone call: to CVS trying to refill a prescription

Last text message: “ok” to my mom

Last song you listened to: idk whatever song was on the car radio, I think it was “Brick in the Wall”??

Last time you cried: yesterday when i got upset about something

HAVE YOU EVER:

Dated someone twice: I HAVE DATED 0 PEOPLE EVER SO

Been cheated on: that requires dating, i have not done it

Kissed someone and regretted it: no because this requires i like someone and have the courage to act upon it

Lost someone special: sadly yes

Been depressed: um. maybe? i honestly am not sure if what i feel sometimes is depression or my anxiety

Been drunk and thrown up: nope

LIST 3 FAVORITE COLORS:

Green

Blue

Sunset red

IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE YOU:

Made a new friend: yes

Fallen out of love: n...no(?)

Laughed until you cried: YUP

Met someone who changed you: I mean not really that dramatic. I’ve met some cool people but none that completely changed me.

Found out who your true friends are: this is a weird question to me...i mean, maybe? i think i’ve always known who my friends are

Found Out Someone Was Talking About You: probably i don’t remember the whole year tbh and that shit usually doesnt bother me

Kissed Anyone That Are Your Followers/You Follow: i have kissed 0 people

GENERAL:

How Many People On Your Tumblr Do You Know IRL: shit um...at least 2 or 3

Do You Have Any Pets: Yes, a lovely 11 year old Lab named Holly

Do You Want To Change Your Name: Nope mine is good but I wish it was on more magnets and shot glasses spelled correctly (I’m Lindsay but all I ever see is Lindsey)

What Time Did You Wake Up This Morning: like 11am whoops

What Were You Doing Last Night: reading City of Glass from the Mortal Instruments series and watching Slime Rancher YouTube videos

Name Something You CANNOT Wait For: Young Justice Season 3, and also to graduate college with my master’s degree

Have You Ever Talked To A Person Named Tom: Yes....

What’s Getting On Your Nerves RN: my dog is snoring and i can hear her even tough my door is closed and she’s downstairs

Blood type: AB+

Nicknames: Linz

Relationship Status: single and NOT ready to mingle

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Pronouns: She/her

Favourite TV Show: SHIT DUDE ATLA, Korra, Gravity Falls, Young Justice, Voltron, Miraculous Ladybug, DUCKTALES, man all sorts of shit

Most visited website: Tumblr and AO3 and YouTube

Elementary: MY DEAR WATSON (I stole this from fira, no regrets)

High School: i went to one

College: listen i’d tell you where but i dont feel comfortable sharing that

Hair color: brown

Long Or Short Hair?: fairly short it’s only to my shoulders

Do You Have A Crush On Someone?: not at the moment no

What Do You Like About Yourself: I’m tall enough to reach most high things (this is the first thing that came to mind idk guys)

Tattoos: None.

Righty Or Lefty: Righty

FIRSTS:

First Surgery: does getting wisdom teeth removed count?

First Piercing: ears

First best friend: shit omg I had a trio of friends, Nicole, Alec, and Jack. I think Alec and I were friends first and then Jack joined the group and Nicole was a good friend but not like friends with those two boys, and we would run around the playground in pre-K together like maniacs it was great

First Sport You Joined: is dance a sport? if not then soccer

First Vacation: probably disney world

First Pair Of Trainers (Sneakers): ????????????????

RN:

Eating: nothing

Drinking: nothing

I’m About To: finish packing maybe and then go to bed

Listening To: crickets outside and my dog’s snoring

Waiting For: school to start i guess

Want Kids: NOPE not really

Get Married: probably not, i don’t plan on it

Career: master’s student

WHICH IS BETTER:

Lips Or Eyes: Eyes

Hugs Or Kisses: Hugs

Shorter Or Tall: TALL

Older Or Younger: i don’t know?

Nose, Stomach Or Nice Arms: ......idk arms???

Sensitive Or Loud: i mean I’m both so ????

Hook Up Or Relationship: Relationship

Troublemaker Or Hesitant: a balance???

HAVE YOU EVER:

Kissed A Stranger: No

Drank Hard Liquor: No

Lost Glasses/Contacts: PROBABLY when i was little probably i havent lost my glasses in a while thats for sure

Sex On First Date: No (what’s a date?)

Broken Someone’s Heart: that requires dating (i think)

Had your own heart broken: Nope

Been Arrested: no i am good and pure

Turn Someone Down: no i dont think so

Cried When Someone Died: like a baby

Fallen For A Friend: yes actually, the friend Alec i mentioned, he was my first crush and i think it was because we were friends that i had a crush on him in the first place

DO YOU BELIEVE:

In Yourself: ummmmmmmmmmmmm

Miracles: sure why not

Love At First Sight: noooot really no, except like maybe familial love when you look at your baby for the first time and automatically love them kind of thing??

Heaven: mmmmaybe??

Santa Claus: dude i did once but then my mom was like “you’re 12 he’s not real Lindsay” and I wrote in a diary that my mom was mean and then threw it at her (tl;dr no i don’t sorry santa)

Angels: again, maybe??

Kiss on the first date: N...nooooo??

OTHER

current best friend’s name: I have a few, Ashley and Shannon and Chris and Casey and Sarah and Gigi...

eye color: Blue-ish

favorite movie: shit dude. Harry Potter 3 was good and so was the first Avengers...Doctor Strange and Spider-Man Homecoming, and Ant-Man, and Jurassic Park that’s it that’s the one

#tagged #long post

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all-things-tmnt · 8 years ago

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Thoughts on “The Tale of Tiger Claw”:

He’s been one of our fiercest enemies since season two, and after so many intense battles, it’s time to finally learn a little bit more about Tiger Claw. When a new and dangerous fox assassin arrives in town with a vendetta against TC, the turtles and their friends set out to uncover just who Tiger Claw is and where he came from. Throw in an ancient curse and an unlikely ally, and we’ve got us one crazy adventure. There’s a lot to look into, so let’s get started.

Warning: this review contains some pretty SHARP spoilers (like possibly that one), so if you’re not sure if you’re UP TO THE CUT, don’t keep reading. If you’re ready for a fast-paced fight, watch the episode by clicking here!

Alopex, Alopex, Alopex, ALOPEX.........

Interesting things: - Tiger Claw’s room is pretty sweet. And I’m pretty sure he’s using a brick to sharpen his sword. (I know it’s not a brick, but at first glance, that definitely looked like a brick. Hahaaa.) - Umm...I think it’s canon that Tiger Claw gets high. - But on a serious note, this scene with the hologram is pretty interesting and I saw we look at it later on. - “I asked to see Xever and Bradford.” Translation: we haven’t done anything notable in the plot in a while so the writers put us in this episode and Xever and Bradford weren’t in the budget. Lol let’s have fun. - HIS NAME IS NOW KITTY CAT MAN. DON’T EVER SAY TIGER CLAW TO ME AGAIN. IT’S ONLY KITTY CAT MAN. - Um.......I think it’s canon that Splinter just got drunk to train with his sons and their friends. - The fact that Leo just thought that openly running, yelling and trying to stab his dad would work is mind blowing. - The fact that Splinter spits on Leo is also mind blowing, but in a disgusting way. - I mean, all things considered, this training scene is hilarious and the boys can’t even beat their dad when he’s wasted. But at the same time, I’m sitting here wondering what in the hell I just watched. - “Leonardo and Michelangelo have the strongest ability to sharpen their intuition.” I’ve been waiting for this to be openly stated for so long now and I’m just crying because someone finally said it. - I’m literally just as offended as Casey is, TBH. How do we go from having Casey do great things in one episode to him sucking again in the next one? - Apritello Shippers – 1; Capril Shippers – 0. - Apparently Karai and the Mighty Mutanimals are a thing now? Okay? - “Karai’s not a kid anymore; she wants her independence. I get that.” I wonder what Leo meant by, I get that, because it can mean a lot of things. Like, does he understand her side because he gets what she’s saying or does he himself want independence as well? Either way, nice subtle way to remind us she has reasons for not staying with the boys, EVEN THOUGH SHE SHOULD BE. - THAT OLD LADY HOLDING ON TO THE LAMP POST FOR DEAR LIFE. BAHAHAHAAAA. - Super appreciation bullet for Casey still having his race car he made way back at the farm house because they took it with them when they left and I just appreciate that little bit of continuity so much more than I could ever tell you guys. - I would sell my soul to hear Bebop’s mixtape and for Rocksteady to keep beatboxing. - “Drop the blades, sweetheart.” Oh, Raphael...wait, how did you know she was a girl? - Welcome to 2012, Alopex! (I’m sure glad that I have in fact been saying your name correctly all these years!) - I don’t know you or know anything about you or why you’re here to stop me but let me monologue and tell you all about these two blades. (Kudos for the violent back story, though.) - ALOPEX JUST STOLE CASEY’S...SHE TOOK HIS...WHICH MEANS SHE GRABBED......ON THE.................OH MY GOD. - No, Raph, Casey doesn’t need you to help as he gets beaten up. - That extremely convenient moment when you run into the guy you were going to hunt down right after stealing the weapons you were going to hunt him with! - Did not notice she was wearing the tail. 10/10, would recommend. - That fox fast tho. - Casey actually thanking Raph for saving him instead of making some dumb or stuck up quip. 10/10, would recommend. - Look, there’s Chompy! Remember him, from last episode?! Remember how he’s important?! Yay Chompy! ........ - I like that little nod they just gave the IDW Raph and Alopex with that line. Hahaaa. - That awkward moment when there’s Timothy...just waiting for some resolution...... - That poster did not burn...at all. Nor did Casey’s shirt. - That awkward moment when we have to remember Karai and Casey kissed. - Does anyone else find it hilarious that the bad guys follow traffic laws? - Kitty Cat Man and Alopex’s backstory had me hooked until the part when they went from the circus to being total badass assassins happened. then I burst into laughter, because that shot of them in suits was just too much. - Wait...so if Alopex only took Tiger Claw’s tail...who took his eye? - Leo is apparently the only one who buckles up in the Shellraiser. - ......That’s why it’s important to buckle up. - This Mikey saying they’re okay thing kinda bothered me and I’ll give it a break down later. - Now how on earth did they know she’d run down there to meet them? This plot is full of conveniences. - Casey having to dodge death continuously is hilarious. - Nice guys finish last, Leonardo. - “The only way to lift the curse is to use them against me.....OR THIS SUPER SECRET OTHER OPTION THAT LEAVES NEITHER OF US CURSED! LOL GREAT RIGHT?!” - GUYS WE HAVE TO HURRY!!!!!! As they all slowly walk. Bahahahaaa. - A part of me will always wonder what Tiger Claw would have said to his sister had she let him speak to her...but there’s not enough time in the episode left so we gotta fight it out. - Omg. There’s more to their backstory. OMGGGGG. - “Back off, Tony!” DEAD. - This entire fight sequence is really cool and I loved every moment of it, but the absolute best part throughout the whole thing is Raph just screaming and carrying Bebop while he runs. I was choking I laughed so hard. - Everybody working hard to keep Casey from dying is so great. Hahaaa. Team work makes the dream work. And keeps the crazy kid alive. - Love the camera angles when Alopex grabs the ice bullet. Seriously cool. - OH SNAP. OHHHHHH SNAPPPPPPPPP. OH SNAP CRACKLE POP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - I LOVE HOW IT JUST ENDS WITH THEM CASUALLY WALKING AWAY AFTER TIGER CLAW GOT HIS ARM HACKED OFF AND ALOPEX JUST GOING I tried to come up with a pun on how Tiger Claw’s arm got chopped off and tie that in with the break downs, but I couldn’t think of anything so...here’s some break downs. If you are unfamiliar with Alopex, let me take a second to give those of you a super quick background. Alopex is a fox mutant originally from the IDW series. In the IDW comics, she’s originally a part of the Foot Clan before she changes sides to fight with the turtles, and that’s leaving out so much amazing detail. Needless to say, she has a hugely different backstory/character in the IDW comics, but let’s just say she’s absolutely badass, and if you needed any reason to read the already phenomenal TMNT IDW comics, let Alopex be your reason.(Seriously, she’s one of my favorite characters in IDW.) Right off the bat, we have an interesting scene with Tiger Claw. He’s using a mouser to project an image of Shredder, and he’s interacting with it as if it’s real, which he clearly knows it isn’t (and he’s sniffing catnip which is a whole other topic to touch on, but one I don’t want to get into too much yet until we know more about that). But he’s talking to this Shredder and trying to reason with him. It begs the question, is he practicing to speak to the real Shredder? We’ve seen Tiger Claw throughout the series question some of Shredder’s choices, and he’s openly questioned some of them with little success. Ever since Shredder’s mutation, TC has been very against almost every choice he’s made, and Shredder has never listened to his concerns. So now, we have Shredder pushing himself to dangerous points with this mutation, and Tiger Claw is more concerned than he’s ever been. Knowing Shredder won’t listen, he’s trying to figure out the wording that will bring him success in this endeavor, because it’s so important to him. Say what you will about Tiger Claw, but if he’s anything at all, it’s definitely loyal. Shoutout to Master Splinter for FINALLY pointing out that Leo and Mikey have the most potential of the four, but most notably, MIKEY! We’ve always known that Mikey can be so great, but we get such few glances of his real skills that it’s so easy to forget that fact. On those all too few occasions that we do get to see Mikey be the best (like no one ever was), we can see the truth behind that statement. But I emphasize the “all too few” part of that fact. So for the writers to openly acknowledge that fact for us is like a breath of fresh air. I can’t wait to see Mikey have more great moments. I think I’m going to start a petition to get Casey the respect he deserves. Honestly, last week, when I finally got to do a break down about Casey doing some things right, I was ecstatic. Now here I am having to complain about him again. He’s shoved aside and made off to be the character that screws everything up. I mean, the line when Splinter basically says Casey has no intuition whatsoever? I was lowkey offended. Casey has done some awesome things in this series so far, and he definitely has skills as a fighter. So to say he’s void of intuition is pretty hard to take with a grain of salt. Writers, PLEASE give Casey some love. I really want to like this version of him, and you guys are making it so hard. Remember the good old days in season one, where our existence was supposed to be a super secret and it was absolute law that no human could see us? Remember how much fun and more suspenseful and more overall ninja-y that made the show? Remember how three season later, they have no qualms about showing themselves to humans? Does that bother anyone else or is that just me? Because seriously, I get that the people of New York are aware of mutants and all of those things now, but I wish the boys were a bit more concerned with keeping their existence a secret like they used to be. Mikey just openly greeting the truck driver dude kinda killed me. I wish I had a better sense of who Alopex is, but we’ve seen very little of her. She clearly values honor and wants to distance herself from a life of doing bad things, but she’s also incredibly loyal to her family. Her and Tiger Claw’s past still have a lot of mystery to it, and I hope we’ll get to see more of it. Alopex has a lot of potential to be a great ally to the turtles. So far, I like her. Let me see her again, though. Lastly, Kitty Cat Man seems to have lost something... Seriously, I’m pretty impressed they went through with the violent action of severing his arm straight off. Of course we don’t see blood, but you can see the inside of his arm in one shot, which was nuts. I mean, seriously...2012 has turned it up. I haven’t kept it a secret that season four has failed to impress me on a lot of levels, but they’ve definitely hit their stride with getting darker and doing more violent things, which is how this show has always needed to be. There is a saying that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword, and it’s nice to finally see these consequences playing out. Plus, it’s definitely going to be interesting to see how Kitty Cat Man recovers from this. How will he go on fighting? Will he get a replacement arm? I can’t wait to look more into this. So let’s end this with some final thoughts. I enjoyed this episode overall. It wasn’t my favorite by any means, but I liked it a whole lot more than last week’s. I’ve been waiting to hear Tiger Claw’s backstory since he was introduced, and it’s so much more complex than I imagined it would be...and there’s still parts we don’t know! What happened to and and Alopex’s parents? So much mystery...but this episode does something great; it makes us excited about one of our major villains all over again. Tiger Claw had kind of faded into the background for me, but I’m pumped about him all over again. There are a few things this plot falls short on, and definitely a few weird moments, like Splinter drinking and Tiger Claw...getting high. Casey’s role was a bit of a let down for me. I wish we had more time to get to know Alopex. All in all, this episode is REALLY fast-paced, and it doesn’t leave a lot of time to absorb everything we see happen. Here’s to hoping we’ll get to know our fox mutant friend more in the future! Her character has potential.And let’s acknowledge that 2012 has gotten so bold as to cut off Tiger Claw’s arm. What does that means for his future role in the series? So much to think about! But for now, let’s close out this episode with a solid 7/10. And now, we’ve come to the the end of a season...there are only two episodes left, and with titles like ˆRequiem” (which means a celebration for the dead and/or an act of remembrance) and “Owari” (which literally means the end), I have a feeling 2012 is about to close out this season with a lot of pain and loss, and hopefully some resolution. It’s time to take the Super Shredder down once and for all, and we’ve got to go all out. We’ve got a few days before all things come to an end for season four, so let’s discuss this last regular episode while we’re all still emotionally alive. What did you guys think of Alopex? How did you feel about the episode overall? Any theories? Let me know here. Previous review for Tokka VS the World here. All season four reviews here. All episode reviews index here. Podcast review here.

#teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt #tmnt 2012 #tmnt 2k12 #the tale of tiger claw #episode review #tmnt spoilers

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pendragonness · 8 years ago

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If anyone wants a novel-length recap on my (limited) adventures at the Sundance Film Festival... (I’ll throw in some photos to keep it interesting)

I am. so exhausted. I was exhausted after the first three days, and it never really calmed down. Between working all day, and a couple late night/early morning shifts, then having to commute back to the town with my hotel, and back in the morning, I never got more than 4 hrs of sleep a night and sometimes less. And the only actual meal I usually ate was a rushed breakfast from the hotel, then my food was just snacking on granola bars or half a bagel, and that was the day. I’m fucking beat.

But I did see 14 films, so, there’s that! The first night of the festival I went to I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore, because a) there were only a few films showing and it sounded the most decent, and b) it stars Elijah Wood so I thought he might be there. He was. I saw Elijah Wood in person. It was unexpected and alarming and delightful. I also got to ask the director a question during the Q&A and made kind of a mess of the question bc Elijah Wood was being forced to hear me speak and that freaked me out, but

lmao little did I know what the next night was gonna be

So like a month ago when I made the post about having learned that Max Riemelt had a film showing at Sundance and was like, ‘does that mean he’ll be there, pls, etc etc..’ I was totally bullshitting myself. He wasn’t actually supposed to be there, guys. I wasn’t prepared for that. I wasn’t prepared to accidentally sit in the row in front of him, four seats to the side. I wasn’t. prepared.

I was talking to my friend and looked across the room and stopped midsentence bc

And I stared, a lot. So much. The ‘friend’ I’d made definitely wasn’t understanding my lack of focus on her and didn’t really care that I was having a crisis about Max Riemelt being approx. 8 feet away from me for the night. He was on his own, seated next to the director and producer, and just idly looked around and flexed his jaw constantly??? A couple times someone in the crew would talk to him and he’d be all laughs and smiles and omf. There was a moment where I was definitely gawking again - so overwhelming, guys - and he turned around and caught my gaze immediately and kind of gave that look like when you think someone’s said something but you didn’t quite hear it? which made me jump basically and look away bc I’d been caught, but we definitely made glancing-eye-contact a few more awful times and I was just so not chill. During the film (Berlin Syndrome; fantastic, btw) I was still not chill and kept casually glancing to my slight right, going from watching Max Riemelt on screen to watching Max Riemelt watch Max Riemelt on screen. aheruhgf. It was delightful.

And then, right as the climax was building in the last 5 minutes of the film - it froze. Just stopped. The audience gasped, I looked over and Max had his hands over his eyes lmao. But it stayed frozen, the house lights came up...and then it played - having skipped ahead to the middle of the final climax. Then froze again, and I saw Max mouth “what the fuck” then just stare up at the lights akjehrujf. And then he and the director walked off, presumably to talk to tech people, and the film skipped to show us the end. So they cut it off, and we had the Q&A, which was very sympathetic (Max commented about being so upset he was shaking at the fuck up) but also fun, Teresa Palmer was really cheery and talkative and Max was pretty funny and damn cute (he was re-enacting the musical score at one point, that was something, omg) and there were good questions and discussion - altho the freaking director pointed at me for my question and then the producer said things were working again, and we were going to finish the film so I never got to have my moment but ok.

(literally every venue intentionally creates the WORST FUCKING LIGHTING FOR PHOTOS)

And then at the end of the film, because apparently Teresa and Max aren’t important enough to need the security barrier like everyone else I saw, they were all just chilling in their seats as the audience walked out, so I got to walk past Max and had about half a second to realize I could talk to him if I wanted (it’s kind of acknowledged as common courtesy to leave the talent alone at screenings, or just give them a little space, so I had kept quiet in my 5 min of freaking out before the film started. altho now of course I wish I’d just had the balls to say something simple. I wanted to bring up Freier Fall so freakin badly but like. how would that have worked lmao.), but was that okay?? what to say? all I could think about was trying NOT to gush some ‘I LOVE YOU SO MUCH’ shit, so naturally that’s all I could think to say ajeryiuehf and then panicked because I had zero time, so I just garbled out some sort of “thank you so much, that was a beautiful film, thanks” and the director nodded and smiled but Max just stared and nodded and said “thank you” and I stumbled away before I could go super red in the face or god knows what because I was stressed and so fucking overwhelmed. Honestly seeing Max in real-life-person overwhelmed me more than anyone else I saw, and I saw a fair few people, somehow. I think I’ve decided it’s something to do with him being a foreign actor? Like, he’s supposed to always be in Europe, not somewhere where I could encounter him. Not my first fucking year at Sundance. And then the fact he actually made eye contact with me a few times and vaguely spoke at me......lmao what the fu c k

And then the next night I went to the premiere screening of the #1 film I had wanted to see at Sundance, Wind River. That screening went like it was supposed to, and I got to ask Taylor Sheridan about setting the film in Wyoming and such and the answers were wonderful and there was fantastic discussion and it was a fucking wonderful film and I tried so hard to see it more than once but my fucking work schedule made that impossible, whatever, I’ll wait 9 months or however long it takes.

One of the stand-outs of that night though (other than Gil Birmingham being there, which also super delighted me) was when Jeremy Renner was asked to explain how he approached and portrayed the emotions his character has to do deal with, and in answering the (fairly average) question, he choked up and had to step away from the mic for a second to pull himself together. Everything he said in his answers to questions was just really emotional, interesting stuff, and that response was especially overwhelming. The film knocked the breath out of me, but the Q&A made sure I didn’t catch it back. That was amazing.

So I knew the rest of the festival had to just be downhill, and technically it was, but I still enjoyed everything. The next best film was probably Call Me By Your Name, which I had planned on seeing a couple weeks ago, largely because I can be superficial and dumb and queer Armie Hammer in Italy sounded majorly appealing. I was torn between two different screenings, because I couldn’t go to the premiere since that was one of my two night shifts - and then a really awful snow storm was coming in, so my boss told anyone who had to drive a distance that they could leave early. She tried to let me leave super early into the shift, and I felt bad that they were going to be really short staffed on such a late, busy night (we were hosting the premiere of some awful film about The Grateful Dead and the band was going to be there) and I didn’t know what I’d do with so much freaking spare time anyway, so I said I’d be okay and I’d stay. And two hours later I realized I fucking. could have actually gone to the premiere of Call Me By Your Name. I think it’s the only film (that I wasn’t working) I went to see that wasn’t the fucking premiere. And I cannot let that go. whatever.

also shout out to Casey Affleck for not being at Sundance and therefore I missed seeing what would definitely have been a better film (A Ghost Story was definitely Not Good) and was deprived of seeing Keanu Reeves in person because I thought I’d get to see Casey and that was a waste!! gdi.

Those were honestly the ‘important’ parts of the fest for me. My body hurts like hell from standing mostly stationary for 7-10 hrs a day every day for the past 7 days, my health and skin are awful because my eating habits mostly didn’t exist and weren’t good when they did, I could sleep for 3 days if I was allowed to, and I don’t feel at all interested in shit here, but I still can’t believe I had that experience. I do plan to apply next year, even though after the first two days I wasn’t sure I could actually handle that, and the amount of hours I worked really did interfere with seeing some films and that irritates me, but we’ll see.

I also came to the realization that hearing other ‘filmmakers’ my age-ish talk about films and the industry and their beliefs and goals and shit really stresses me out + annoys the hell out of me. Most of them come across as really pretentious and fucking miserable and I despise it all pretty quick. Or I feel like I’m totally lost and talentless and there’s no hope for me. But it’s the actors I get most excited about, that excite me the most (other than Taylor Sheridan - he gave me fresh life, I swear). It’s hearing how the actors work and understanding how they approach their work, and imagining what it’d be like to work with them and see my writing or vision or whatever become real through them that excites me. I found myself ditching films I wanted to see for the sake of going to premieres to see actors I really like. Which is definitely not the purest approach to filmmaking, but whatever... It was just an epiphany I had, I guess. Not sure where that’s gonna go.

The festival did also help me re-focus about filmmaking too. I’ve fallen way too into routine here, with the country club and the unending monotony of my weekly schedule. I finally feel like I CAN start to write the scripts I’ve been wanting to start for months. I’m actually excited to start job hunting. I don’t feel as nervous at the prospect of moving, if that happens. And - really great - I’m mentally reset about a lot of things lately i.e. The Work Guy. I literally don’t care at all now, am not interested or bothered by anything. I am totally refreshed and have my regular priorities back.

I’ve come away from Sundance feeling predictably ‘inspired’ and totally exhausted and wanting to always gawk at real-life-person Max Riemelt and always hear Jeremy Renner talk about life (he seems so lovely, wtf) but also mentally and emotionally reset and I hope those are all good things

#Sundance recap #featuring special appearances by Elijah Wood and Max Riemelt and Jeremy Renner #and many more #but no Armie Hammer bye

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thrashermaxey · 6 years ago

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Ramblings: Jesse Puljujarvi Surgery; Updates on Martinez, Schenn, and Perron; Svechnikov – March 5

I’m sure most reading this has heard the news already, but it was learned Monday morning that Ted Lindsay, Hall of Famer and Detroit Red Wings legend, had passed away at the age of 93.

For his career, Lindsay accumulated 851 points in 1068 games, was a 9-time All-Star, won the scoring race in 1950, and procured four Stanley Cups, including back-to-back efforts in 1954 and 1955.

It was his impact off the ice for which Lindsay will most greatly be remembered.

Of course, there was the NHL Players’ Association, the union that would look after the NHL player membership. He helped start the NHLPA to bargain for player rights, which would eventually include free agency, a more equitable share of revenues, better pensions, better health care access, and more. Of course, there was a lot of pushback from ownership around the league, and a smear campaign of Lindsay began. Nonetheless, the NHLPA was eventually recognized and would morph into what we know it today.

Beyond that, I came across this little tidbit: Lindsay did not attend his Hall of Fame induction. Why? Because women weren’t allowed to attend, which means his wife could not attend. This was unacceptable to Lindsay, and his non-attendance led to a rule change that would allow women to attend Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Talk to five different people of a certain age and you might get five different answers about what they remember about Ted Lindsay. Some might say on-ice stats, championships, the award named after him, the ferocity of his game, his union assembly, or even his Hall of Fame induction. All that means is this was an accomplished man both inside and outside of the rink. Not much more needs to be said than that.

Condolences to Lindsay’s family, friends, fans, and the Detroit Red Wings organization.

The Sabres announced defenceman Jake McCabe will miss the rest of the regular season – 5-6 weeks to be exact. It didn’t lead to a recall of Lawrence Pilut, though, so it appears Marco Scandella and Matt Hunwick will get some run. I’m not very interested in either for fantasy purposes, even in deep leagues.

Just wanted to chime in briefly on Jesse Puljujarvi’s injury. It’s clear that three years of development from the Oilers has done nothing, and now he’s on the shelf for most of the summer with double hip surgery. To me, that means 2019-20 will be mostly getting back up to speed as he’s behind the eight ball again. Not that this effectively ends his career, but if next year is basically just trying to get his legs under him following surgery, he’ll be four years into his career with little to show for it, even with this year and next mostly being a wash due to injury. I wonder how much longer we wait before the Oilers move on.

Jared McCann remained on Pittsburgh’s top line in practice on Monday. That was following Saturday night’s beatdown of the Canadiens where McCann had a goal and an assist and Sidney Crosby had four points.

Obviously, if he sticks, he’ll have the opportunity to produce. How long it lasts, we’ll see. McCann does have solid shot rates (he shoots as often per minute as guys like Anthony Mantha and Mike Hoffman) so that skill set might mesh well with someone like Crosby. I’m optimistic and he might be worth a look as a bench option for the first week of playoffs. The Penguins are a team with four games next week and they include games against the Sabres, Flyers, and Capitals.

As we look ahead to the 2019 draft, Dobber Prospects writer Jokke Nevalainen had a good read on prospect Vasili Podkolzin. He may have caught the eye of some from the most recent World Juniors, and it's a level-headed look at what he is and what he might be.

Chris Kreider was not at practice on Monday for the Rangers. Maybe it was maintenance, but Pavel Buchnevich took his spot on the top line. Maybe it’ll be something more than maintenance? When we know, you’ll know.

Nazem Kadri was at morning skate for the Maple Leafs skating as an extra. He did not play Monday night but it does look like he’s on the cusp of returning.

Just spit-balling but I’m not sure what to make of Luke Kunin’s season so far. The underlying numbers aren’t great but how much of that is due to injuries on his part and upheaval of the roster by management? It can’t be an easy situation to overcome. By the eye, he’s looked fine whenever I’ve watched him if unspectacular. He should have a big role on this team in 2019-20 (he’s played 17:40 per game over the last month) so he’ll be a guy to follow over the final month. It could tell us a lot about what to expect from him next year.

Alec Martinez was in a regular jersey in practice for the Kings and looks like he’ll be returning later this week. There are serious concerns about point production and plus/minus, but he should see a lot of minutes and that will lead to a lot of peripheral stats. It’ll be up to individual fantasy owners to determine what their team needs and if he can fit into a league’s scoring system.

Both Brayden Schenn and David Perron should be back in the lineup soon, especially Perron as he has completed all necessary medical testing, though Schenn will be the one going on the road trip. Now it’s just up to Perron as to when he feels good to return.

It’ll be interesting to see what they do with the top line. Craig Berube hasn’t been shy to swap guys in and out (O’Reilly for Schenn, Schwartz for Schenn when the injury hit) but with the way the team is absolutely rolling right now, why rock the boat. I would expect Schenn to come in on the second line with Perron, but we’ll see.

Edmonton staged a two-goal comeback, scoring three straight in the second period to beat the Sabres 4-3. With time winding down, Jason Pominville had a glorious opportunity to tie the game and did this:

OMG, Jason Pominville just stopped his own shot at a mostly open net. He literally stopped his own goal pic.twitter.com/dLprCgEZ0h

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) March 5, 2019

I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in an NHL game.

Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist while Connor McDavid picked up a couple helpers. Jack Eichel scored a pair of goals in the losing cause. That makes 25 tallies on the year for Eichel, tying his total from last year.

Casey Mittelstadt had a goal and five shots in the loss. Those five shots are a single-game high for him. He hasn’t been given a lot of ice time generally but it would be nice to see him shooting more often like this rather than what he’s done most of the year.

Let’s check in on Andrei Svechnikov, shall we?

It’s easy for the rookie to get lost in the Carolina excitement right now. It seems Nino Niederreiter’s trade has turned the fortunes of this team around, Jordan Staal is back and healthy, the team is scoring, and even Evander Holyfield is getting in on the fun:

youtube

Watch until the end what they do with Jordan Martinook after Holyfield throws the punch. I couldn’t stop laughing.

Anyway, as I was saying, it’s easy for Svechnikov to get lost in the shuffle. So, how’s he doing?

For one, his ice time has declined since the acquisition of Niederreiter. It’s not a huge decline but losing 40 seconds a game when you don’t penalty kill and play fewer than 15 minutes a night is significant. Even a drop of just 40 seconds a game could lead to 2-3 fewer points over the course of a season. Not to mention that with Micheal Ferland healthy, it locks Svechnikov into a third line role. Not only is he getting less ice time, but lower quality line mates.

It hasn’t really affected his production as he has 10 points in the 19 games since Niederreiter joined the fold, compared to 19 points in 46 games prior. The team has enjoyed a regression of shooting percentage (in a good way) which has led to more goals overall. A rising tide floats all boats, etc.

One concern is that he’s shooting a lot less. He had 120 shots in his first 46 games, or 2.61 shots per game. Since the acquisition of Niederreiter, that has plummeted to 34 shots in 19 games, or 1.79 shots per game. A 40-second ice time drop does not explain such a shooting drop. It’s easy to forget that he’s still just an 18-year old rookie, though.

On top of him just being an 18-year old rookie, the Hurricanes in general have been shooting less: from the start of the season through to January 18th (when the trade occurred), Carolina averaged 35.6 shots per 60 minutes. Since then, they’ve dropped to 32 shots per game. Again, that alone doesn’t account for Svechnikov’s shooting decline, but it helps explain part of it.

The ice time is important to keep in mind when we look at Svechnikov’s 29 points. We don’t expect players getting 14-15 minutes a game to have a significant fantasy impact, even more so at his age. Even Steven Stamkos, who played 14:56 per game in his rookie year, failed to crack 50 points (he had 46). Rick Nash, who played 13:57 per game in his rookie year, only managed 39. Also, Marian Gaborik played 15:26 per game in his rookie year and had just 36 points. All eventually turned into elite players, and sooner rather than later.

Having watched a lot of Hurricanes games lately, he still looks like the guy he always has: an uber-talented 18-year old rookie playing on a third line with third liners. His individual expected goals rate at five-on-five is still among the best in the league, his shot rate his top-50 among all forwards, and his goal rate is solid (it’s actually slightly higher per 60 minutes than Sebastian Aho). Everything else will come along in due time. He still looks like the future superstar we all expect him to be, even if he’s not one of the focal points of the team right now.

from All About Sports https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-rambling/ramblings-jesse-puljujarvi-surgery-updates-on-martinez-schenn-and-perron-svechnikov-march-5/

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