#peterson event center

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Ilana Berger at MMFA:

Even after demonetizing the YouTube channel of climate-denial think tank The Heartland Institute in June, other large channels still contain climate-denial content that seemingly violates the platform's policies. 

[...]

Channels run by Tony Heller, PragerU, John Stossel, and Jordan Peterson are still being monetized while seemingly violating YouTube’s misinformation policies

Tony Heller

Like the Heartland Institute,Tony Heller regularly posts YouTube videos that attempt to delegitimize scientific consensus on climate change. In January 2024, the Center for Countering Digital Hate published a report that highlighted Tony Heller as one figure still promoting the false narrative that Arctic sea ice isn’t melting. Since CCDH published its report, which analyzed videos from January 1, 2018, to September 30, 2023, Heller has posted well over 100 videos, many of which promote the idea that the warming we are currently experiencing is not being driven primarily by burning greenhouse gases. For example, Heller posted the documentary Climate: The Movie, which promoted “more than 2 dozen long-debunked myths” according to Skeptical Science, a blog that was launched by academic and disinformation expert John Cook. One such myth is that climate change is caused by the sun; in fact, the sun’s energy has decreased while the Earth warms. Heller also relies on an outdated theory suggesting that a warming period that occurred around 6,000 years ago debunks the idea of man-made climate change. [Skeptical Science, 3/23/24; YouTube, 3/21/25, 6/5/24, accessed 7/25/24; Center for Countering Digital Hate, 1/16/24; NOAA, 10/21]  

[...]

PragerU

PragerU videos receive millions of views, and the channel has a history of posting videos that feature climate change denial. Media Matters recently identified six videos on PragerU’s website that dismiss the scientific consensus that the changes we are currently experiencing are primarily being driven by burning fossil fuels. These videos can also be found on PragerU’s YouTube channel, and they have over 14.7 million views combined. [Media Matters, 4/16/24; YouTube, 4/15/24, 10/25/21, 2/5/18, 4/18/16, 7/27/15, 7/27/15]

[...]

Jordan Peterson

While Peterson does not post videos about climate change denial as often as other influencers or organizations devoted entirely to the topic, his videos have a much larger reach than Heartland’s, amplifying their impact. After the Center for Countering Digital Hate released a report about YouTube climate deniers, Peterson uploaded an interview with climate denier Dr. Patrick Moore, who falsely claims to be a co-founder of Greenpeace. The April 11 video is titled Climate Lies, referring to Moore’s views on the scientific consensus on climate change. The video has over 253,000 views, far more than the 10 most recent videos from the Heartland Institute combined. [Greenpeace, 7/6/10; YouTube, 4/11/24, accessed 7/25/24]

[...]

John Stossel

Former Fox Business host John Stossel sued Meta after it said that two of his videos about climate change were missing context. In 2021, Stossel sued Meta (then Facebook), claiming the company defamed him by adding a fact-checking label to these videos. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed and the court found that Facebook’s labels were protected under California’s anti-Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) statute. One of the videos included excerpts from an event Stossel moderated at the Heartland Institute. This video can also be found on YouTube. In it, one climate denier on the panel claimed that climate change is not causing sea level rise because “water has been rising for approximately 20,000 years and probably will continue.” He also claimed that hurricanes are not becoming more intense. [E&E News, 9/28/21; Courthouse News, 10/13/22; Climate Change Litigation Databases, 10/11/22; YouTube, 11/19/19]

Google demonetized climate change denier outlet The Heartland Institute.

[easthavenhq]

EAST HAVEN'S 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT: THE WIND STORM

With the 1 year anniversary of East Haven's opening, we have decided to have an event that centers around a wind storm that is blowing it's way through town, inciting chaos where ever it goes. The event will start on January 5th at 12pm (noon) and end on January 15th at 12am (midnight). No new starters should be posted after January 10th.

You were placed into groups that are listed below. You will be expected to write with at least one character in that group that you normally do not write with. You are still free to do other threads with others in the group, but are required to at least one.

Participation for this event will be mandatory. Acceptances and checks will be held as usual. Reminder: Injuries need to be in by January 3rd*. You can find the form here. Details of this will be posted on the 5th.

Characters and locations are listed under the cut and will be updated with acceptances & unfollows. Please use the tag easthavenevent007.

East Haven Memorial - Maple Hills

Stevie Wagner - Kayla Johnny Wagner - K Sunny Hussan - Jennie River Jackson - Star Sarah Ruiz - El Gale Peterson - Nadine Callum Jackson - Madison Alec Kincade - Justin Aubrey Miller - Lital Wesley Levitt - K

City Hall - Downtown

Nate Clairmont - Kayla Brody Evans - Jackie Aarin Duskin - K Chantel Bedford - Katelyn Ann-Marie Seigert - Jennie Maggie Sommers - Kayla Mallory Sinclair - K Verity Wagner - Mat Max Diax - Star Isabella Castro - JimJam Andrew Jackson - Nadine

Willow Springs Apartments - Downtown

Ashi Hussan - Kayla Emre Ediz - K Orion Blakely - Justin Jude Sanchez-Khalid - Star Amerie Chen - Mat Dana Allen-Lopez - K Apollo Williams - Desi Riley Day - Marie Celine Ediz - Gigi Beyza Senkan - Kayla

Heywood University - Downtown

Liliana Santos-Blake - Nadine Cami Quintana-Lopez - Marie Cristian Hernandez - Dix Asher Spring - Kae Wyatt Wheeler - K Prue Cassidy - Kayla Marcus Reyes - K Alex Fontenelle - Madison Frederick Sullivan - Star Genevieve Hernandez - Beki

Fire Department - Downtown

Connor Bowen - K Penelope Ruiz - Nadine Benjamin Jackson - Justin Harlow Hanlon - S Eddie Castro - Kayla Ari Seong-Paterson - Katelyn Keely Seigert - Desi Brady Levitt - Jennie Roman Rhodes - G Javier Rivera - Dix Renee Thompson - K

Mount Aston Lodge - Mount Aston

Josiah Huddington - Katelyn Neena Wagner - Gigi Dilara Baysal - K Malik Farouk - Jackie Travis Jackson - Kayla Samuel Bradford - S Cameron Hatcher - Dix Mason Paterson - K Josh Pryce - Nadine Diego Castro - Star

Gas n Go - Sutherland Park

Shane Marshall - Jay Alice Cheung - K Bridget Levitt - Kayla James Morrison - Sam Quentin Levitt - Nadine Hunter Renner - Star Bee Bowen - El Estella Harris - Lital Julieta Alvarez - K Alliannah Vaughn - Katelyn

Animal House Shelter - Maple Hills

Evren Osman - Katelyn Morgan Fontenelle - K Alaric Farrow - S Lance Browne - Justin Roberta Rhodes - Kayla Gavin Gunther - Jackie Chanse Ainsworth - Kae Chloe Austin - Madison Mateo Torres - K Isla Ricci - Mat

South Pines - Primrose Heights

Abraham Wilson - K Julian Heywood - Nadine Luciana Medina - Kayla Owen Bentley - Star Ricky Thompson - Jennie Luna Morales - Lital Simon Heywood - Marie Matt Wheeler - Kayla Valentina Delgado - K Rohan Belton-Stone - Justin

Old Maple Way - Maple Hills

Dean Walker - Dix Nicole Peterson - Kayla Haven Sinclair - Katelyn Oliver Hensley - JimJam Aster Moon - G Hazal Senkan - K Kanyon Webb - Jackie Aindreis Blythe - Marie Yasmin Ansari - K Sydney Heywood - Gigi Demir Ediz - Lisa

Tequila Cowboy - Sutherland Park

Donovan Morgan - Star Marcel Vaughn - Mat Amayah Fontenelle - Nadine Abel Morgan - K Teagan Weatherford - Katelyn Jaslene Clairmont - K Maverick Bennett - Dix Sofia Carmichael - Kayla Romeo Clark - Jackie Graham Winters - JimJam

Maple Hills Mall - Maple Hills

Parker Campbell - K Xia Huang-Clark - Kayla Viktor Pierce - Dix Lenny Clairmont - K Nancy Lee - Kayla Nora Sinclair - Beki Tyler Day - Star Summer Cassidy - El Ali Webster - Sam Daniel Kwon - Nadine Harrison Lee - Jennie

Moose Lodge Rentals - Primrose Heights

Nick Wagner - Kayla Eli Browne - K Vivek Virani - Jackie Charlie Davis - Star Waverly Erickson - Em Cael Montgomery - Nadine Adem Sahir - Madison Jeremy Lieberman - Kayla Jo Spring - Marie Logan Walker - K

*We did change this so we could have time to talk to and plan these injuries.

[tsunami--tsunami]

"Paul Reubens' Friends, Family Members and Loved Ones Celebrate His Life on What Would Have Been His Birthday" - People

On Sunday, Aug. 27, Reubens' memorial was held on what would have been his 71st birthday and was attended by 350 of his friends, family members and loved ones at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California.

Speakers included Conan O'Brien, Phil Rosenthal, Lynne Stewart, Joe Manganiello, Abby Rubenfeld, David Arquette, Maya Rudolph, Elida Berry-Donat, John Moody, Natasha Lyonne, Lily Alberts, Josh Meyers and S. Epatha Merkerson, a rep for the actor confirms to PEOPLE. Judd Apatow, Jimmy Kimmel, John Waters and The B-52's shared their remarks through a pre-recorded video. Pee-wee's Playhouse star Lynne Marie Stewart and Reubens' best friend, Elvira actor Cassandra Peterson closed out the celebration and led guests in singing "Happy Birthday."

"Guests were were able to appreciate and pose within two installations of his memorabilia and collectibles created by close friends Marc Balet and Prudence Fenton."

The jelly bean portrait from the Playhouse kitchen! And the 'wallpaper' is made from TOPPS Pee-wee trading cards. All the attendees wore tiny red bowties. This seems like an event planned by a very particular man who knew his time was coming.

(Photos swiped from Instagram and People).

[syn4k]

go

thank you whoever you are for enabling me on this btw you have saved my life

(if you read through this review and decide that you wanna check this series out or buy it, the link to the official website is here!)

OKAY

SO

The Wingfeather Saga is a four-book fantasy series by Andrew Peterson. Despite being a series written and aimed towards children, it also deals with serious themes in a way that doesn't trivialize them or shove them to the side.

Do you like dragons? This series has dragons. Do you like themes of healing and dealing with some pretty heavy shit but healing nonetheless? This series has that too. Do you like hella good worldbuilding and a solid plot that is richly detailed and makes sense, but isn't muddled or confused? Like hell you do! Do you like actually decent representation in your works? You're never gonna guess what this has! That's right! It's got it all, baby.

This book has next to no romance in it, and all of the major relationships that it focuses on are platonic. But what even is in it in the first place?

The story is centered around a small family living in a small town. Their surname is Igiby, and they lead as quiet a life as one can whilst being occupied entirely by what's essentially a fully armed army. More on that later.

The members of this family are:

Nia, mother

Podo, grandfather

Janner, eldest sibling (12 when the series starts, 15 when it ends)

Tink (Kalmar) (11 when the series starts, ~14 when it ends)

Leeli (8 when the series starts, ~11 when it ends)

Now, the world these people inhabit is called Aerwiar. In it reside half-lizard creatures called Fangs, which have been making the lives of the people living on the content Skree horrible for years. The Fangs are under the command of Gnag the Nameless, the whole villain behind the whole thing, although we don't really figure out why he is like he is until the fourth book.

Through a series of events, things happen and this family alongside a few other characters go places and eventually have to run from their home.

What other characters? I'm glad you asked!

Peet the Sock Man (that's not his real name, it's later revealed to be Artham- again. lore. i'll explain later), the local village "crazy man" who lives in a huge treehouse in the woods and is actually related to the Igibys.

Oskar Reteep, the local librarian who runs a small bookstore called Books and Crannies. It's an odd place, but as a family friend of Nia and Podo's, he ends up going with them when they have to flee to their home.

Now, here's the thing. I mentioned representation earlier, right? Here's the cool thing. I wasn't kidding. This shit's fuckin' awesome. Let me explain.

Leeli, the aforementioned youngest sibling, has had a lame leg for as long as she can remember. She walks with crutches, and it's just regarded as a casually natural thing. She can keep up with her brothers just fine, but they also know that if she needs help, she'll ask for it. (This is literally said in plain text like, 6 pages in.) Even though she needs additional help from her family sometimes, they're also very respectful about it and stand up for her where they can!

Podo, the grandfather, was a sailor once and has a wooden leg. His original one was eaten by a dragon. He gets around just fine with this, and makes a lot of casual jokes about it as well.

"But Amys!" you say. "Why's it called the wingfeather saga if there's no mentions of wingfeathers in it at all??"

Allow me to elaborate.

The Shining Isle of Anneira was a kingdom that got totally and utterly destroyed about ten years ago by Gnag the Nameless for reasons that are elaborated on later about halfway through book four. It's revealed at the end of Book One that Nia used her maiden name of Igiby when she and her family fled to keep them all safe, but her husband's name was Wingfeather, so basically everyone's last name is Wingfeather. Yeah.

Where's the husband? Oh, he's dead. (Or is he?)

See, during the attack on the castle way back then, he just straight up dissapeared amongst the fire and the ashes. Everyone has long since made their peace with his death, or something close to death. Except for Artham, a.k.a Peet the Sock Man.

Artham, as it turns out, is heavily implied to have some heavy trauma/PTSD for [waves hand vaguely] lore reasons. I can't explain this perfectly, I'm trying so hard to not spoil anything because the best thing to do would just be to read it. Anyways, here's the incredible thing- at one point, he DOES face his fears and get through a large part of his trauma. Even then, though, he has recessions sometimes due to triggers! Healing isn't linear, and in fact he still struggles with his past throughout the entire series!! How fucking amazing is that! god i love artham he's one of my favorite characters in this entire goddamn series

Uhhhh let's see here *flips through notes* what else is there this is my second time writing this goddamn post (thanks Tumblr) oh yeah! There's uhhhh nonhuman transformations there's seriously good worldbuilding and lore and explanations for things there's some serious advice on how to persevere through difficult things there's a focus on the good in the world despite the evil within, there's really silly but still genuinely touching poems, there's a bittersweet ending that's still incredibly satisfying and zero plot holes that I have found, and best of all the art in jt SLAPS.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention. There is some SICK ASS ART in this series, both on the covers and in the pages of the books themselves. I can't find a good source for any of that so you'll just have to take my word for it but trust me it fucking SLAPS.

anyways i'm trying to not spoil anything so that you can go into this yourself because this series is chock full of detail and completely rewired some core bits of our brain. i promise uou will not regtet it i habe been going insane over this for years OLEASE AT LEAST TRY TO GET THENFIRST BOOK IF YOU CAN

thank you for coming to my ted talk, fuck you tumblr for deleting my first draft, and please for the love of god just give it a try

[rumbleonthemill]

Ok so, this is a returning problem now in this community, some people glorifying and centering around trauma, and mainly, the kids’ trauma, just to self-legalize the adults being the biggest assholes in the franchise.

but here’s what’s actually a fact. Neighbor cannot keep his son tamed, that’s the bigass deal. I’m fucking tired of certain people just focusing on how much the kids, who trespass and break laws, suffer. In the eyes of a cop, it is still breaking the law, they don’t fucking care, why you did that.

Just Neighbor went through two fucking traumatic events after each other, that we see he can barely cope with. The evidence is there in HS after Diane’s death(him sitting in a dark room, actually staring at fucking nothing, unable to even move!!!) and him digging Mya’s grave (man’s completely broken, despite being strong af, he can barely lift up the shovel. And yall are forgetting that he wants to protect his remaining family member, he doesn’t want to directly hurt him!)

Aaron tries to escape twice, in hn and then in hn2, he actively works on betraying his own dad(collaborating with a fucking random ass journalist who simply wants to take him away…sir, what will you do with a kid?! But then he poof changes his mind! Sit down and think!) , instead of staying on his fucking ass and waiting for something to happen and figuring out, that the thing happening with BOTH OF them is a horrible situation. But it feels like he wants revenge on someon, who’s going through the same.

either the cage was built because of smth that was scrapped OR because there was no other way to keep him in one place! He can pick the lock, people. He will escape again. And mind you, he’s given everything possible from a bed to toys, he’s not just tossed in an empty room ffs! is neighbor bad at communication? Yes! But does he want to harm his son? No! If he wanted to harm him, then he’d tie him up in a fucking empty ass room, leave him there, he would not give him stuff and bandage, even. Aaron even betrays his dad entirely in hnvr, that’s why I don’t give a fuck about him anymore. He literally stabs him. All he should’ve done is wait and trust. They went through the same shit, his dad is visibly in pain and suffering in the game from the kids, the Petersons were ALSO losing their remaining family members, and in the end he successfully gave his dad away too, and now he whines about staying alone. Fucking cunt.

go and get along with your manipulative fucking demon friend, good luck.

I’m done with Aaron in the new lore. I end up hating characters I used to like, because everything’s being overwritten.

aaron not being able to cope in HS was a character, but him literally actively working on to KILL his dad, just because he cannot think (and yes, he’s old enough to think!) is just bad.

and don’t get me started on the kids, who fantasize about killing a man, break in, break out (they could’ve done everything they do in hnvr with the help of a cop, and no, the cliché of adults not believing them is not an excuse)and then in a totally separate game, they break in to a park to steal shit, and then they fantasize about killing the man again! They could just leave a fucking dangerous amusement park they have no reason to be in, but noooo. neighbor brought a wrong decision with Nicky ending up in his basement, and he has to bring it again and again, because apparently kids in RB have nothing better to do, than overthink his existence and literally attempt to cancel the man by breaking in from multiple directions, call the cops on him as in the AS, and then people are surprised the Neighbor is mad? Wow! maybe it’s FOR A REASON?! HN showed how unnecessary they are, Nicky did escape just with the help of Aaron.

So if anyone from here just wants to say “but uh adults bad, kids suffer, trauma, they good, neighbor needs to suffer” then fucking leave me alone. You don’t understand shit, you don’t want to look at the other perspectives. you only hyperfocus on kids having traumas, and glorify something horrible in the first place. Adults do suffer. They do go through trauma they may not be able to cope with. And if you don’t believe me, then I honestly wish you to experience it from first hand someday, because then it means there’s no other way to convince you. I’ve lost all of my patience towards people who want to argue or cancel others because of such fucking thing. Trauma doesn’t happen to everyone, but the ones who are lucky enough to avoid it, keep whining that the ones who went through it, are doing the coping wrong. And everything wrong. Fuck you. If you’re so fucking smart, then lemme see you cope with things correctly. Ffs.

[blowflyfag]

SPARK OF SOMETHING SPECIAL 

THE RISE OF THE AMERICAN JOSHI PROMOTION

As Japanese women’s promotions continue to gain influence worldwide, joshi-inspired companies have begun popping up around the U.S. In this feature story, PWI helps explain the growing phenomenon

TEXT BY KAREN PETERSON

PHOTOS BY JORDAN WILLIAMS

[Maya Yukihi, a two-time former champion of the Ice Ribbon promotion, twists the limbs of COLOR’s leader SAKI. This meeting in Orlando marked the very first singles bout between the two.]

OVER EIGHT YEARS of working the Japanese independent circuit contemporaneously, Maya Yukihi and SAKI have crossed paths numerous times. With showcase matches at Pro Wrestling NOAH and All Japan Pro Wrestling, competing in Stardom’s 2023 Triangle Derby, and working at multiple women’s promotions in Japan, they’d never faced off in a one-on-one bout. However, that changed on October 14, at the Englewood Neighborhood Center in Orlando, Florida, where these world-renowned freelance wrestlers finally locked horns in a main-event singles match for the inaugural SPARK Joshi Atlantic championship. “We’ve wrestled plenty of times, but always in tag and three-person matches,” Yukihi said enthusiastically. “I didn’t expect this to happen in the united states!”

The North American scene, in particular, has seen a significant uptick in Japanese wrestlers exploring the international wrestling landscape with fly-ins for single commitments, while others gain notoriety by making frequent visits to various North American and European promotions. Showcase tournaments such as the Mae Young Classic and the success of Japanese stars in WWE and All Elite Wrestling have served as the gateway for many to begin exploring their options outside the big companies.

American independent promotions–GCW, Deadlock Pro, West Coast Pro, and Prestige Wrestling, to name a few–have showcased Japanese talent, further contributing to the interest and continued success of the Japanese women’s wrestling scene. Even legends including Chigusa Nagayo, Bull Nakano, and Manami Toyota have all worked with international promotions to help make joshi more accessible across the board.

[“If wrestling in Japan isn’t a goal, I would question your intentions as a wrestler.” Thus says Australia native KZT, seen here making good use of her jiu-jitsu skills against Kelsey Raegan.]

The diversity in the North American independent scene isn’t just minted to athletes from Japan, as many wrestlers have relocated to the United States to hone their craft or work in backstage capacities. While she competes for WOW Superheros as Exodus, works behind the scenes t a major American promotion, and frequents East Coast outfits including GCW and frequents East Coast outfits including GCW, and DPW, KZT is an Australia-born wrestler based in Orlando with a full plate and an even bigger bucket list. “Wrestling in Japan is an absolute goal of mine. If wrestling in Japan isn’t a goal, I would question your intentions as a wrestler,” KZT mused, looking back at a recent work trip to the country. 

When asked for her thoughts on being an Australian working in an American-based Japanese-inspired promotion in SPARK, she smiled. “It pretty much goes in line with who I am as a person,” explained KZT, who showed off her jiu-jitsu skills against Flordia mainstay Kelsey Raegan. “People always assume some things about me, but as soon as I open my mouth, they notice my Australian accent, and they find out things like I’m a black belt. I’ve never been one to fit in.”

For many wrestlers, making the journey to Japan–even for one single match–remains a bucket list item, as trying to find a foothold within the competitive market can be rather challenging. Founded in 2023, SPARK Joshi Puroresu of America is one of the latest showcase promotions to further expand opportunities for Women’s wrestling–and specifically, for wrestling on an international level.

The existence of Japanese-inspired wrestling promotions, such as Kitsune Women’s Wrestling and SPARK Joshi Puroresu of America, has inspired excitement among fans and wrestlers alike. These leagues provide another avenue for fans to experience Japanese wrestling without the international airfare; offer Japanese competitors chances to experience the international fan response while wrestling deserve opponents from around the world; and serve as a potential proving ground for talent interested in achieving the elusive dream of wrestling in Japan.

“When [SPARK] contacted me, I [realized] that this is something that I can bring my British skills to, plus what I learned in Japan. Said Xia Brookside, just prior to her title bout with SPARK Joshi Pacific champion Ram Kaichow. “And with all the talented women here, we can show an American audience what women wrestlers are made of.”

Brookside, a former member of the NXT U.K. roster, made her Japanese debut with Stardom at 18 years old. Now 25, the daughter of retired British grappler Robbie Brookside has completed five tours in Japan. Her most recent excursion was for the Triangle Derby in January 2023, when she completed as part of Mina Shirakawa’s unit, Club Venus.

[Maika Ozaki applies a camel clutch to Amber Nova during their encounter at RISING HEAT East.]

For Japanese natives performing outside of their home country, one of the biggest eye-openers tends to be the energy of the international crowd–especially how vocal fans are with their opinions and expressions. Typically, Japanese audiences don’t break into song, rounds of chanting, or candidly express their opinions. However, the overall positive energy is definitely not lost in translation. “Because we’re in America, I was curious what the atmosphere would be like,” confessed Miu Wantanaabe, a popular member of the TJPW roster who has only wrestled internationally a handful of times. “The fans know and love Japanese wrestling, so it made me so happy.” In her victory over IMPACT’s KiLynn King, Wantanabe put her strength and power to the test, refusing to let the language barrier impede her performance. 

One of the clear advantages of SPARK and similar promotions is the shared enthusiasm to pay homage to Japanese wrestling traditions, but to present them in a way that is more accessible to the non-Japanese speaking market. SPARK showrunner Chibi (C.B.) joins with inaugural SPARK Atlantic champion SAKI (founder of freelance group COLOR’S) to open and close each show with a self-produced, Japanese pop-inspired theme song called “ZA SUPAAKU” (“THE SPARK”).”I was able to come to the United States for the first time with the advent of SPARK Joshi,” SAKI told PWI, after defeating Maya Ykihi in the main event of RISING HEAT EAST in Orlando. “So, I want to do my best to help take the company to new highs.”

[Xia Brookside struggles to break free of Ram Kaichow’s grip during an unsuccessful bid for the SPARK Joshi Pacific title.]

[SAKI, as the newly crowned SPARK Joshi Atlantic champion, closed out RISING HEAT EAST on a high note.

MODERN MYTH PHOTOGRAPHY]

With the various women’s promotions in Japan opening their doors to more international wrestlers, promotions such as SPARK offer opportunities for American prospects to build rapport with potential future colleagues, while also gaining a career understanding of what they should expect when they touch down in Japan (should they choose to pursue that). “It’s a dream come true,” said Texas native Jessie Elaban. “I wanted to bring everything that I learned in Japan to the States.”

Elaban, who formerly competed for NXT under the name Jessi Kamea, also joined Mina Shirakawa’s Club Venus stable during a 2023 Stardom stint. In a conversation after the show, she seemed grateful for the dynamic new platform in SPARK. “I am having to make adjustments between Japanese and American styles,” admitted Elaban. “But I feel like I'm able to be more fluid with the new me.”

In addition to helping talent grow and prosper, proliferation of American international leagues is an obvious benefit for fans of exciting, athletic, and hard-hitting wrestling. Promotions such as SPARK and Kitsune–and Sukeban, which filmed a colorful TV pilot this past September in New York City–have captured the imaginations of those who stream joshi shows and covet chances to see their favorite ring performers mix it up in person.

With the global presence of joshi continuing to mount, the future is bright for women’s wrestling. And, with the ever-increasing interest in Japanese wrestling, forbidden doors are getting kicked open around the world.

[SPARK Joshi offered Florida wrestling enthusiasts appearances by Tokyo Joshi Pro standouts Miu Wantananbe (left, victorious over KiLynn King) and Miyu Yamashita (inset, landing a hard strike to Jessie Elaban.)

MODERN MYTH PHOTOGRAPHY]

[chaos-and-recover]

Adding to the fuckery of the Teeth of Good presale mayhem this morning, I have questions for their US booking agents. These venues are all over the place in terms of size. I've been to a ton of shows and consequently looked at a ton of tour dates and eventually you come to recognize venue names outside your own city, and can guess where a band is playing in each city based on where they're playing in yours. But Teeth of God is??? Unhinged???

Like yeah the vast majority of dates are theatres with capacities of about 3,000-5,000 people, some as low as 2,500 or as high as 6,800 and that's probably based on market and just what kind of venues actually exist in each city, so it tracks.

But then there's Tampa, Colorado, Pittsburgh and Montreal/Laval, where they're playing arenas/amphitheatres. The smallest of those four is Red Rocks with a capacity of 9,500. Peterson Events CEnter in Pittsburgh seats over 12,000 people. They end the tour in Canada playing a HOCKEY ARENA in Laval, QC (where the PWHL team plays) and then go to Toronto and play a theatre that seats 2,700. Hello???

[thebestbookrecommendations]

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

(The Hunger Games #3/3)

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding. It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans—except Katniss. The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay—no matter what the personal cost.

Read if You Like:

Young Adult Fiction

Science Fiction

Dystopian Fiction

Romance

Adventure

Teen Protagonist

Strong Female Characters

Recommended if You Enjoy:

Lois Lowry (The Giver)

Hugh Howey (Wool Omnibus)

Aldous Huxley (Brave New World)

Stephen King (The Long Walk)

Cormac McCarthy (The Road)

Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus)

Margaret Peterson Haddix (Among the Hidden)

Veronica Roth (Divergent)

William Golding (Lord of the Flies)

Scott Westerfeld (Uglies)

Catching Fire (Movie, 2013)

Rating: 4/5

First Book in Series:

Previous Book in Series:

[3thurs]

Third Thursday events and exhibitions for September 19

The next Third Thursday — the monthly evening of art in Athens, Georgia — is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. All exhibitions are free and open to the public. This schedule and each venue’s location and hours of operation are available at 3thurs.org.

Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia

Yoga in the Galleries, 6 p.m. — This free yoga class surrounded by works of art in the galleries is led by instructors from Five Points Yoga and open to both beginner and experienced yogis. Sanitized mats are provided. Space is limited and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis; tickets are available at the front desk starting at 5:15 p.m.

On view:

“In Dialogue: On Wonder and Witnessing at Tallulah Falls” — 19th-century landscapes of Tallulah Falls and contemporary photographs of the area by Caitlin Peterson, illuminating the contradictions involved in marking off natural wonders and the paradoxes of witnessing nature. 

“Waffle House Vistas” — Photographs by Micah Cash taken from inside Waffle House restaurants, plus a newly commissioned time-based work.

“Saint Petersburg as Franz Liszt Saw It” — Organized in conjunction with the Liszt Festival at the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music in October 2024, this exhibition features works on paper that show Russia at the time of Franz Liszt’s visits there in the 1840s.

“A Perfect Model: Prints after Anthony van Dyck’s Portraits” — Prints that attest to Anthony Van Dyck’s lasting impact as printmaker and portraitist.

Permanent collection: A wide range of the museum’s permanent collection is always on view, featuring painting, sculpture, works on paper and decorative arts from the Renaissance to contemporary periods.

The museum’s days of operation are Tuesday – Sunday. Reserve a free ticket and see our policies at https://georgiamuseum.org/visit/.

ATHICA: Athens Institute for Contemporary Art

ATHICA@675 Pulaski St., Suite 1200:

“How to Measure an Ocean: James Enos and Jess Machacek” — Sculptures, wall-based reliefs and objects acting as sensorial metaphors for describing atmospheric variation.

ATHICA@CINÉ Gallery:

“Garden of Dreams: Photographs by Austin Emerson” — Darkroom-based alchemical images.

Lyndon House Arts Center

Please note: the Lyndon House Arts Center will close at 8 p.m. on this Third Thursday.

Artist talk, 6 p.m. — Elaine Stephenson will speak about a public art mural she is creating for Athens with the Athens Cultural Affairs Commission.

On view: 

Ahndhi Stitcha’s VHS Tape Collection in the Community Collections case

“Amiri Farris” — Farris’ work delves into themes of history, culture, perception and time. Through his innovative style, he blurs the lines between contemporary cultures and pop traditions.

“Scissors, Paper, Art: Jack Burk & Claire Clements” — Utilizing paper, painting and drawing, these works sing with the vibrancy of the natural world. Plants and flowers are present in all of the images, expressing a lushness that connects material and subject matter.

“Art in a Bottle: Leonard Piha” —  Local artist creates small sculptures inside glass bottles.

tiny ATH gallery

“Stay On It Stay On It Stay On It” — New shaped paintings, recent works on paper and a selection of pieces from 2017 to 2018 by Jason Matherly.

The Athenaeum

“Fission or, Eclipse” —  New York-based artist Rose Salane uses seemingly mundane objects to explicate systems of evaluation, exchange and organization that shape daily life, arranging collected items of disparate origin from personal and bureaucratic archives to better understand historic cycles through an object’s recovery and storage.

ACE/FRANCISCO Gallery

"Murmur Trestle: Photographs by Jason Thrasher” — Opening and book release, with Avid Bookshop selling copies of “Murmur Trestle” (University of Georgia Press) on-site. Thrasher spent six years focusing his lens on an immersive exploration of the R.E.M. Murmur Trestle, photographing it within its changing natural environment.

“Grit Portraits: Paintings by Tobiah Cole” — Paintings of some of the artist’s friends from his many years at the Grit, a beloved restaurant formerly on Prince Avenue in Athens. A limited-edition fine art print of one of Cole's landscape paintings made in Maine will be available for purchase.

The Classic Center

Closed this Third Thursday between exhibitions.

—

Third Thursday was established in 2012 to encourage attendance at Athens’ established art venues through coordination and co-promotion by the organizing entities. 

Contact: Michael Lachowski, Georgia Museum of Art, mlachow@uga.edu.

[epacer]

55TH REUNION!!

55 years later! Class of "69" so fun to visit with a few of the 1,200 that graduated! Maybe 50 at the park! Thank you Janet Burgess , Linda Sue Peterson and Larry Mahr! Feeling nostalgic with Linda Lee Lowe and Donnalee Hicks at Allied Gardens Recreation Center. Vicky Carter-Sherman post of July 25, 2024 event

[marajuc]

“You and Your Research” 

One of the reasons I don’t devote more time to live events, public speaking, social media, emailing, etc. is because I need to have a clear head to do my work. And in order to do that, my schedule has to be clean. My mind and my time must be free. This was how simultaneously I wrote a book, completed my PhD thesis, and built a newsletter. Each minute spent screwing around on social media or traveling on the road to another gig is a minute I’m not actively thinking, reading, writing, and so on. In his biography about the Russian-British philosopher Isaiah Berlin, the author Michael Ignatieff notes that in the old days, to be a good scholar, you had to have lots of unstructured time to connect dots that most people are understandably too busy to immediately notice. You have to be a little bit selfish. The comedian Adam Carolla says “I like to work really hard, but only once in a while.” Many people in creative professions are like this. They kind of bob around for a while thinking about things. They do a few live events, take part in a few low-effort endeavors. And then suddenly, when the moment is right, the person devotes an enormous amount of time or energy to a passion project. This is the right job for me. I’ll read a few books. Browse some academic papers. Take walks. Write notes. Hit the gym. Take a few meetings. Go to Paris for a weekend. Write some essays. Visit my sister in California. Fire off a few tweets. It’s a pretty good life. But first I had to be a normal person working a series of tough jobs for a while and had to learn something about the value of real work in order to be in a position to be thankful for how things are now. At some point I’ll start getting restless, talk to my agent, and maybe see about doing another book or something. But I have a lot of essays I want to write first. Which requires keeping a unoccupied calendar. Jordan Peterson has described how when he was writing Maps of Meaning, the book out of which many of his other ideas grew, he had to make painful sacrifices with his time.

Likewise, from the classic 1986 talk “You and Your Research,” by the mathematician Richard Hamming:

“Everybody who has studied creativity is driven finally to saying, ‘creativity comes out of your subconscious.’ Somehow, suddenly, there it is. It just appears. Well, we know very little about the subconscious; but one thing you are pretty well aware of is that your dreams also come out of your subconscious. And you're aware your dreams are, to a fair extent, a reworking of the experiences of the day. If you are deeply immersed and committed to a topic, day after day after day, your subconscious has nothing to do but work on your problem. And so you wake up one morning, or on some afternoon, and there's the answer. For those who don't get committed to their current problem, the subconscious goofs off on other things and doesn't produce the big result. So the way to manage yourself is that when you have a real important problem you don't let anything else get the center of your attention - you keep your thoughts on the problem. Keep your subconscious starved so it has to work on your problem, so you can sleep peacefully and get the answer in the morning, free.” - ROB HENDERSON

[kicksaddictny]

Adidas Eurocamp Announces Roster of Top Next-Generation Basketball Prospects

Adidas Basketball has revealed the roster of top draft-eligible athletes, seasoned coaches, and special guests for the 17th edition of the premier pre-draft scouting event, adidas Eurocamp. The event will take place from June 1-3 at Ghirada La Città Dello Sport in Treviso, Italy. This renowned talent showcase aims to discover the next generation of star athletes, ages 18-22, who aspire to pursue professional basketball careers.

Led by Coaching Director Bill Bayno and Scouting Director Gianluca Pascucci, the high-profile coaching lineup includes David Vanterpool (Washington Wizards), Jason Terry (Utah Jazz), Dave Joerger (Milwaukee Bucks), Jordan Ott (formerly Los Angeles Lakers), Chris Fleming (Chicago Bulls), and Rico Hines (Philadelphia 76ers). These coaches will train and mentor the elite group of players invited to this year’s camp.

Joining the esteemed group of coaches and mentors are adidas NBA athletes such as Nikola Jović (Miami Heat), Austin Rivers (NBA veteran and current ESPN commentator), and Vasilije Micić (Charlotte Hornets), with more special guests to be announced. Additionally, NBA future-Hall of Famer and adidas signature athlete James Harden (LA Clippers) will make a special appearance to support the Harden Vol. 8 "Eurocamp" PE, which is exclusive to this year’s adidas Eurocamp athletes and participants.

The following teams and draft-eligible standouts are slated to participate in this year’s adidas Eurocamp:

Team Next Gen

Jack Kayil (Germany) – MVP of the U18 Final Four Tournament

Savo Drezgic (Serbia) – ABA League champion 2023

Egor Denim (Russia) – FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021

Nikola Bundalo (USA) – Consensus No. 1 player in Ohio, the No. 7 power forward in his class, and a top-30 overall player in the class of 2025

Michael Ruzic (Croatia) – Hoops Agents Player of the Week

David Mirkovic (Montenegro) – 2023 U18 Euro Championship B All-Tournament Team

Team World

Wei Zhao (China) – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023

Mohammad Amini (Iran) – France Espoirs Elite 2022-23 and Euroleague Adidas Next Generation

Lucas Giovannetti (Argentina) – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023

Assane Sankare (Senegal) – U18 Next Generation Team Paris

Julius Halaifonua (New Zealand) – Ambassadors Trophy for Male Junior Player of the Year

Team Eurocamp

Nikola Djurisic (Serbia) – ABA League Top Prospect 2023, Euroleague NGT champion 2022

Mohamed Diawara (France) – FIBA U18 European Championship 2023

Martin Kalu (Germany) – FIBA U16 Challenger 2021

Mouhamed Faye (Senegal) – NIJT All-Tournament Team 2022-2023, Zadar Tournament (ANGT) All-Tournament Team 2022-2023

Ousmane Ndiaye (Senegal) – Early entry candidate for NBA Draft 2024

Bogoljub Markovic (Serbia) – MVP of the ABA U19 final tournament 2024

Reynan Dos Santos (Brazil) – All-Star Five honors at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2022, MVP of the FIBA U18 South American Championship 2022

Ruben Dominguez (Spain) – Silver medal FIBA U16 European Championship 2018, MVP of FIBA U16 European Championship 2019

Michael Caicedo (Spain) – ACB All-Young Players Team 2023

Team USA

Darryn Peterson (USA) – Top 3 HS prospect Class of 2025, Consensus top-5 2025 guard and U16 USAB Gold Medalist

Caleb Holt (USA) – Consensus top-5 2026 guard and U16 USAB Gold Medalist

Moustapha Thiam (USA) – Five-star 2025 center and Central Florida commit

Nate Ament (USA) – Five-star 2025 wing

Joson Sanon (USA) – Four-star 2025 guard and Arizona commit

For more information on Eurocamp and to register, visit adidaseurocamp.com.

[shreyasonkar]

Photography Course in Delhi.

https://picklesanimation.in/

Photography Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Photography

Overview of Photography

History and evolution of photography

Importance and impact of photography in various fields

Camera Types and Functions

Different types of cameras (DSLR, mirrorless, point-and-shoot, smartphones)

Basic camera functions and settings

Understanding Your Equipment

Camera body and lenses

Memory cards, batteries, and other accessories

Module 2: Basic Photography Techniques

Exposure Basics

The exposure triangle: aperture, shutter speed, ISO

Understanding and controlling exposure

Focus and Depth of Field

Manual and autofocus techniques

Controlling depth of field

Composition and Framing

Rule of thirds

Leading lines, symmetry, and patterns

Module 3: Advanced Camera Settings and Techniques

Advanced Exposure Techniques

Bracketing and exposure compensation

Using histograms

Metering Modes

Evaluative, spot, center-weighted metering

Choosing the right metering mode for different situations

White Balance and Color Temperature

Understanding white balance

Adjusting white balance for different lighting conditions

Module 4: Lighting Techniques

Natural Light Photography

Utilizing natural light

Golden hour and blue hour techniques

Artificial Lighting

Types of artificial lighting (flash, continuous lights, studio lights)

Using and modifying artificial light

Creative Lighting Techniques

Light painting

High-speed photography

Module 5: Specialized Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

Posing and directing subjects

Using reflectors and diffusers

Landscape Photography

Composition and perspective

Long exposure techniques

Macro Photography

Close-up techniques

Using macro lenses and extension tubes

Event and Action Photography

Capturing motion and action

Event photography tips and techniques

Module 6: Post-Processing and Editing

Introduction to Photo Editing Software

Overview of popular software (Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop)

Basic editing workflow

Editing Techniques

Cropping, resizing, and straightening

Adjusting exposure, contrast, and color

Advanced Editing

Retouching and enhancing portraits

Creating HDR images and panoramas

Module 7: Developing a Photography Style

Understanding Photography Genres

Exploring different styles and genres

Finding your personal style

Storytelling through Photography

Creating a narrative with images

Series and photo essays

Building a Portfolio

Selecting and organizing images

Presentation techniques for digital and print portfolios

Module 8: Professional Practices

Photography Business Basics

Starting a photography business

Marketing and branding strategies

Client Relations

Working with clients and managing expectations

Contracts and legal considerations

Ethical and Legal Aspects

Copyright and intellectual property

Ethical considerations in photography

Additional Resources

Recommended Reading

"Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson

"The Photographer's Eye" by Michael Freeman

Online Tutorials and Courses

LinkedIn Learning

Coursera

Udemy

Course Delivery

Lectures and Demonstrations

Hands-On Projects

Peer Reviews and Critiques

Guest Lectures from Professional Photographers

Assessment and Evaluation

Quizzes and Tests

Project Submissions

Final Portfolio Review

This course structure aims to provide students with a comprehensive education in photography, covering essential technical skills, creative techniques, and professional practices to ensure they are well-prepared for a successful career in photography.

[wpanews]

Pitt construction site accident: GoFundMe for woman killed

Aleia Lopez was killed near the Peterson Events Center in Oakland. A GoFundMe fundraiser to cover her funeral costs has been set up. Source: Pitt construction site accident: GoFundMe for woman killed

[yankbarry]

Philanthropist Yank Barry donates meals to the Philippines 

Philanthropist Yank Barry, co-founder of the Global Village Champions Foundation (GVCF) with boxing legend Muhammad Ali in 1995, has been a consistent donor to the Philippines for over two decades. His contributions include over 100 million documented meals to the country, with specific aid, such as two million meals for Typhoon "Yolanda" victims, including 120 tons of rice. 

On January 15, GVCF, in collaboration with Jeunesse Kids and Barry, delivered a 40-foot container of Vita Pro Food pails to be distributed to those in need in the Philippines. The distribution efforts are supported by Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Cesar Montano, Richard Gomez, and Mother Joan from the sisters of the Poor Convent in Naga City. 

Notably, Barry, along with GVCF Goodwill Ambassador Evander Holyfield and Filipino-American producer-director Ace Cruz, visited Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao in March 2013, who is now also a GVCF Asian Goodwill Ambassador. 

In a recent event on January 25, Barry reunited with his former rock n' roll band, The Kingsmen, in a concert at the Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala, California. This marked the first time in 40 years that Barry performed with the band, where he was the lead singer from 1968 to 1970. The Kingsmen, known for the hit "Louie Louie," still actively tours. 

Reflecting on the reunion, Barry, who has been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, shared the significance of the band and their iconic songs, bringing back cherished memories. Current and original band members, Dick Peterson, Mike Mitchell, Todd McPherson, Kim Nicklaus, and Steve Peterson expressed their appreciation for the reunion and highlighted Barry's remarkable humanitarian efforts since his time with The Kingsmen. 

Apart from his musical endeavours, Barry has built a substantial food empire and is committed to fighting hunger through GVCF. The organization has delivered over 961,000 meals worldwide, and Barry and his team have gone above and beyond by freeing more than 50 Syrian refugees in Bulgaria. He provides for their basic needs and sets them up for a new life without burdening the host country. 

In recognition of his extensive humanitarian work, Barry has received numerous awards since 1995, including the Gusi Peace Prize for Social Services, Philanthropy, and International Humanitarianism in Manila, the India Humanitarian Service Award, and the Bahamian Red Cross Humanitarian Award. GVCF, with support from donors and notable figures like Ali, Holyfield, and Gary Bonds, aims to be a global leader in private, humanitarian nutrition delivery, contributing to the eradication of hunger worldwide by providing nearly a billion meals to those in need. 

[maplelms]

Salesforce World Tour NYC 2023 on December 14 — MapleLMS

MapleLMS is presenting at the Salesforce World Tour NYC 2023 on December 14, at Booth #108. Come join us for the session and discussion with our LMS experts!

Join MapleLMS at Salesforce World Tour NYC 2023 on December 14 @Booth 108

Discover the future of LMS integration with Salesforce and the Event software at the Salesforce World Tour NYC 2023 on December 14, with MapleLMS at Booth #108. The event details are as follows:

Day: Thursday, December 14, 2023

Venue: Javits Center, NYC, and Salesforce+

Timings: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET

Our LMS expert, Matt Peterson will be there to share the main KPIs in our exclusive session on “Unifying Data for Success: Top 10 Key Performance Indicators from Salesforce, Event Software, and LMS”!. He will also share insights on how to utilize data after integration with other systems to increase productivity by improved decision-making, customer engagement, and sales performance.

We are also distributing, a SPECIAL GIFT, a USDA-approved organic MAPLE SYRUP at the event. You can pre-book your Maple Syrup bottle by registering at the link below:

Booking Link:- https://zfrmz.com/QZiVvAIp7RWZt2GqiEIj

NOTE: “You can receive your FREE Maple Syrup from Booth #108 and carry it easily on the plane while traveling as both the bottle and its quantity are on the allowed list.”

MapleLMS has a decade-old experience in elevating the learning experience through useful insights of Salesforce LMS. If you would like to learn more about how we help organizations in their learning and training initiatives, please click the link below to book our LMS expert, Matt’s calendar:

We will be more than happy to welcome you at our booth during the Salesforce World Tour 2023 event. Please share this news with your colleagues or within your networks, who are attending World Tour NYC. Keep a close look on our social media channels for more updates until then. Hope to see you soon!