#photos by Joel Goodman

[zef-zef]

Klein

at The White Hotel in Manchester, United Kingdom on January 20, 2022

source: the Guardian © 📸: Joel Goodman

[spacelazarwolf]

in honor of that anon who said jews have done nothing for the world, here’s a non exhaustive list of things we’ve done for the world:

arts, fashion, and lifestyle:

jeans - levi strauss

modern bras - ida rosenthal

sewing machines - isaac merritt singer

modern film industry - carl laemmle (universal pictures), adolph zukor (paramount pictures), william fox (fox film forporation), louis b. mayer (mgm - metro-goldwyn-mayer), harry, sam, albert, and jack warners (warner bros.), steven spielberg, mel brooks, marx brothers

operetta - jacques offenbach

comic books - stan lee

graphic novels - will eisner

teddy bears - morris and rose michtom

influential musicians - irving berlin, stephen sondheim, benny goodman, george gershwin, paul simon, itzhak perlman, leonard bernstein, bob dylan, leonard cohen

artists - mark rothko

actors - elizabeth taylor, jerry lewis, barbara streisand

comedians - lenny bruce, joan rivers, jerry seinfeld

authors - judy blume, tony kushner, allen ginsberg, walter mosley

culture:

esperanto - ludwik lazar zamenhof

feminism - betty friedan, gloria steinem, ruth bader ginsberg

queer and trans rights - larry kramer, harvey milk, leslie feinberg, abby stein, kate bornstein, frank kameny, judith butler

international women's day - clara zetkin

principles of journalizm, statue of liberty, and pulitzer prize - joseph pulitzer

"the new colossus" - emma lazarus

universal declaration of human rights - rene samuel cassin

holocaust remembrance and human rights activism - elie wiesel

workers rights - louis brandeis, rose schneiderman

public health care, women's rights, and children's rights - lillian wald

racial equity - rabbi abraham joshua heschel, julius rosenwald, andrew goodman, michael schwerner

political theory - hannah arendt

disability rights - judith heumann

black lives matter slogan and movement - alicia garza

#metoo movement - jodi kantor

institute of sexology - magnus hirschfeld

technology:

word processing computers - evelyn berezin

facebook - mark zuckerberg

console video game system - ralph henry baer

cell phones - amos edward joel jr., martin cooper

3d - leonard lipton

telephone - philipp reis

fax machines - arthur korn

microphone - emile berliner

gramophone - emile berliner

television - boris rosing

barcodes - norman joseph woodland and bernard silver

secret communication system, which is the foundation of the technology used for wifi - hedy lamarr

three laws of robotics - isaac asimov

cybernetics - norbert wiener

helicopters - emile berliner

BASIC (programming language) - john george kemeny

google - sergey mikhaylovich brin and larry page

VCR - jerome lemelson

fax machine - jerome lemelson

telegraph - samuel finley breese morse

morse code - samuel finley breese morse

bulletproof glass - edouard benedictus

electric motor and electroplating - boris semyonovich jacobi

nuclear powered submarine - hyman george rickover

the internet - paul baran

icq instant messenger - arik vardi, yair goldfinger,, sefi vigiser, amnon amir

color photography - leopold godowsky and leopold mannes

world's first computer - herman goldstine

modern computer architecture - john von neumann

bittorrent - bram cohen

voip internet telephony - alon cohen

data archiving - phil katz, eugene roshal, abraham lempel, jacob ziv

nemeth code - abraham nemeth

holography - dennis gabor

laser - theodor maiman

instant photo sharing online - philippe kahn

first automobile - siegfried samuel marcus

electrical maglev road - boris petrovich weinberg

drip irrigation - simcha blass

ballpoint pen and automatic gearbox - laszlo biro

photo booth - anatol marco josepho

medicine:

pacemakers and defibrillators - louise robinovitch

defibrillators - bernard lown

anti-plague and anti-cholera vaccines - vladimir aronovich khavkin

polio vaccine - jonas salk

test for diagnosis of syphilis - august paul von wasserman

test for typhoid fever - ferdinand widal

penicillin - ernst boris chain

pregnancy test - barnhard zondek

antiretroviral drug to treat aids and fight rejection in organ transplants - gertrude elion

discovery of hepatitis c virus - harvey alter

chemotherapy - paul ehrlich

discovery of prions - stanley prusiner

psychoanalysis - sigmund freud

rubber condoms - julius fromm

birth control pill - gregory goodwin pincus

asorbic acid (vitamin c) - tadeusz reichstein

blood groups and rh blood factor - karl landsteiner

acyclovir (treatment for infections caused by herpes virus) - gertrude elion

vitamins - caismir funk

technique for measuring blood insulin levils - rosalyn sussman yalow

antigen for hepatitus - baruch samuel blumberg

a bone fusion technique - gavriil abramovich ilizarov

homeopathy - christian friedrich samuel hahnemann

aspirin - arthur ernst eichengrun

science:

theory of relativity - albert einstein

theory of the electromagnetic field - james maxwell

quantum mechanics - max born, gustav ludwig hertz

quantum theory of gravity - matvei bronstein

microbiology - ferdinand julius cohn

neuropsychology - alexander romanovich luria

counters for x-rays and gamma rays - robert hofstadter

genetic engineering - paul berg

discovery of the antiproton - emilio gino segre

discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation - arno allan penzias

discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe - adam riess and saul merlmutter

discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity - roger penrose

discovery of a supermassive compact object at the center of the milky way - andrea ghez

modern cosmology and the big bang theory - alexander alexandrovich friedmann

stainless steel - hans goldschmidt

gas powered vehicles

interferometer - albert abraham michelson

discovery of the source of energy production in stars - hans albrecht bethe

proved poincare conjecture - grigori yakovlevich perelman

biochemistry - otto fritz meyerhof

electron-positron collider - bruno touschek

[spaceotter42]

LGBTQ Rep Since Cyrus Goodman on Disney Channel

by spaceotter42

(note: each description below is in the same order as the photos above.)

Cyrus Goodman of "Andi Mack" was the first out gay main character on a Disney Channel series. He was also the first to say "I'm gay" on a Disney show. Played by Joshua Rush, Cyrus ended up with his crush, TJ Kippen (Luke Mullen), in the final episode, "We Were Here," airing July 26, 2019.

Violet Sabrewing's two gay dads were introduced on the DuckTales episode, "Challenge of the Senior Junior Woodchucks!" the Season 3 premiere airing on April 4, 2020. They are named Indigo ‘Indy’ Sabrewing and Tyrian ‘Ty’ Sabrewing.

Luz Noceda, the lead character in "The Owl House," was revealed to be bisexual in the episode "Enchanting Grom Fright," premiering on August 8, 2020. She had a romantic dance with her former nemesis and future girlfriend Amity Blight.

An out gay character, Alex, was seen and described as gay on “Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion." The character appeared in only one episode, "Ultra Matchmaker," airing on July 8, 2022.

Trans actress Juliana Joel introduced her out trans character Nikki on the "Raven's Home" episode "The Fierce Awakens," premiering July 8, 2022. Nikki became a recurring character as Raven's fashion design assistant. She is openly described as "trans" on the show. Shown above is Juliana Joel with Raven-Symone.

Disney Channel's first gay marriage proposal was seen on the "Bunk'd" episode, "No Pain, No Grain," first shown on March 3, 2023. Regular character Winnie (Shiloh Verrico) helped her brother Wayne (Frankie Rodriguez) propose to his boyfriend Nicholas (Jacob Haren) during their visit to the camp.

This article covers only Disney Channel shows and not ones originating on Disney+.

[modern-day-bard]

Other Duties As Assigned: A Joel Miller Fanfiction

Content Warning: 18+ This story includes mature themes such as drinking, stalking, violence, and explicit smut. Minors, do not interact.

Chapter 4: Exit Points

Joel

I know exactly what this woman is doing.

I see the way she treats other people, especially the staff at her father’s house. She may be tough, but she’s not this nasty to anyone else. She also isn’t this scantily clad around anyone else, either.

It started with whatever that gazelle walk was to her bathroom. I was putting away my clothes into the dresser across from the bed, but I could see enough to know what was going on. I averted my gaze immediately. For over an entire week now, Guinevere only seems to address me if she is half-naked. Otherwise, I'm almost completely ignored. It’s made me watch her less at home and at the gym, and I get the sense that she knew that. It was no secret she didn’t want me here, and her body seems to be her first line of defense. I’ve grown to believe that’s part of the reason she’s draping herself on her couch in very short, silk nightgowns when no one else is around.

When she is wearing clothing appropriate for autumn on the East Coast, she’s still choosing shorter skirts or low-cut tops. She’ll usually wear a jacket over the ensemble before removing it when we get where we’re going. Naturally, I look away. My instinct is to give a woman her privacy. But it doesn’t take long for me to remember that watching her is half of the reason why I’m here, the other half being to watch those around her. So when I do need to check on her, I usually settle for looking her in her eyes.

And she is usually already glaring back at me.

Guinevere always makes sure to turn that scowl back into a pleasant smile when speaking to anyone that isn’t either a) trying to protect her, or b) currently working in some corporate capacity for her father. Like the sales people who are fawning over her now.

I would have preferred if Guinevere could have told me ahead of time that we would be venturing into one of the most high traffic streets in the country, but that would make it too easy on me. If she wasn’t so active online, she could probably move about New York with little to no recognition. Thanks to her online presence however, many people looked her way as we walked from store to store on Fifth Avenue. She muttered something about the last stop as we entered Bergdorf Goodman. And the sales staff here descended on her like a swarm of bees.

Over an hour later, they must have taken us through the entire store. It’s hard to tell if the staff actually likes her, or just her money. But from where I stand, her smile seems genuine. She jokes with them like they are old friends. Though now, the three that had been showing her item after item give her some space as she approaches a jewelry counter. They look as if they’re collectively holding their breath.

My cell buzzes in my pocket, and I answer it on my earpiece.

“Miller,” I say.

“Mr. Miller, hello,” a cheery male voice sounds over the speaker, “My name is Ezra Garcia, Mr. Russell’s first assistant.”

“Hello, Ezra.” I hadn’t spoken to him, but I already had his photo on file back at the apartment. “Everything alright?”

“Of course. I was calling to confirm that Miss Russell will be attending her father’s dinner this evening. She doesn’t use an assistant, and it seems she has been unable to reply to her father or myself.”

I glance up at Gwen, who currently has her phone in her hand to take a photo of whatever is in that jewelry case. Unable to reply is a nice way to put it.

“I’m sorry for reaching out to her through you, sir. Mr. Russell hasn’t had one of his dinner’s for some time. It’s recommended that Miss Russell attend.”

I know that by recommended, he means mandatory. “Absolutely. I will remind her.”

“Wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Good to meet you.”

I open my mouth to reply, but Ezra has already hung up.

I walk over to Gwen, noticing how two of the sales people eye me as I do so.

“These are pretty,” I say quietly, leaning to look into the glass case.

Gwen glowers up at me, but she doesn’t speak. I keep my voice low, “You have dinner at your father’s tonight, his assistant just called.”

She turns her attention back to one of the rings she was trying on. “I’m aware. Ezra’s already texted me several times.”

“You didn’t think you should text back so he knew where you were?” I don’t mean it to be accusatory, I just don’t understand what the point is for avoiding these people like the plague.

“They know I’m coming, Mr. Miller. I don’t have a choice.”

“Ezra wasn’t so sure.”

One of the sales associates, a perky brunette with a ponytail, approaches us from behind the counter.

“I think you’re right, Daisy. The emerald will just suit her so much better.” I don’t even recognize that calm, polite tone from Gwen.

The associate perks up even further, “Excellent. Would you like me to wrap it up for you?”

“Yes, please.”

Daisy takes the whopping jewel away from Gwen with a smile.

“Who is the ring for?” I fold my hands on the countertop, which seems to disgust her.

“Why? In case they copy my fingerprints off of it with a piece of tape?”

I huff, “Hadn’t actually thought of that one. I was just curious.”

Gwen ponders that for a moment before replying, her blue eyes narrowing with speculation. “My friend, Harper. It’s her birthday soon. We’re having a party for her on Friday. So I guess that means you’ll be attending the party, too.” She sighs to herself.

Now wouldn’t be a good time to explain that I already know who Harper is, what she looks like, what school she attended, and how long the two of them have known each other. What I didn’t know about, was the party.

“I’ll need the details about that party, Miss Russell.”

“And you’ll get them, Mr. Miller. Just be patient.”

I interlock my fingers on the countertop, lightly cracking them. “It’s Wednesday.”

“Correct. And Wednesday isn’t the same day as Friday, now, is it? I promise I’ll give you the details tomorrow. That should be more than enough time to plan where you're going to stand and do nothing all night.” She pats one of her soft, manicured hands on top of mine as if to physically stamp her condescending tone. She then turns her attention back to the jewelry. I squeeze my fingers together until my knuckles go white.

I learn shortly afterwards that part of my duties include carrying tens of thousands of dollars in shopping bags. On the bright side, when Rodney drops us off at her apartment, Gwen actually begins to get ready for dinner. When she starts to shimmy out of her skirt in the middle of the living room though, I think it best to wait in my room. With the door closed this time. I think about giving Tommy a call to update him on everything, but I don’t trust Gwen not to leave without me. Thankfully, the walls are decently thin. I can always tell when she’s walking down the hall, or talking on the phone, even if I can’t hear exactly what she’s saying. Still, I don’t want to get distracted.

Her shoes tonight make it even easier for me to hear when she’s finished getting ready forty minutes later. The click-clacking reverberates down the hall as she makes her way to the living room. I stand from my spot at the end of the bed, cracking my neck and looking myself over in the full-length mirror in the corner. I button up one extra button and smooth back my hair with my hands. No one ever discussed a wardrobe requirement with me, and I hadn’t given it much thought. Most of this past week has been split between chasing Gwen whenever ‘spontaneous’ plans come up, and scheduling the best reps I know to install the new security system. But to wait outside or stand at the edge of a room, I feel like this should be fine.

That is, until I walk into the living room and feel my breath get caught in my throat. Gwen’s waves have been pulled up off of her neck with a few pieces left loose to frame her face. A face that now had pinker cheeks and glossier lips. For the first time, focusing my attention on her face didn’t seem like a good idea. At least what she had on now was more coverage than she’s had since the first day I met her. A clean, black strapless dress. It may be incredibly short, but she finally put tights on. When she leans over to adjust the strap on her heels though, I need to look away regardless.

“I’ll text Rodney that we’re ready to leave,” I say to the sofa.

I can feel her disapproving frown on me anyway. “He already knows.”

Inhaling deeply, I say, “Again, Miss Russell, we need to work out some logistics together,” I risk a glance at her, “But I am glad he knows.”

She doesn’t give me anything besides a huff and a look at my button-down. At least I know if there is a dress code, she’ll be the first one to tell me that I missed the mark.

Rodney meets us in the underground garage, which I count as a win. I have taken to sitting in the front seat instead, trying to abide by her request for space as much as possible. The ride to her father’s house takes less than twenty minutes, and when we get there, she actually allows me to get out and get her door for her first. For this, I’m thankful, especially because her father’s brownstone has no rear or alternative entrance. I make a note to research later if this is standard for oldschool brownstones, if they’re protected by some historical society, or if we can look into changing things.

Even calling this place a brownstone feels wrong. It’s the castle of brownstones. You could probably fit three, multimillion-dollar brownstones inside of this one. I’m glad Gwen doesn't live here as it’s so much more ground to cover. That, and the fact that she’s impossibly uptight and unsettled as we walk inside. Her shoulders are tighter than normal, and she shakes her head a little before walking through the doors. Maybe one would think that it was to get those few little locks out of her eyes, but I disagree. To me, it looks like a boxer rolling out their shoulders before stepping into the ring.

“Miss Russell!” A smiling, younger man of moderate build brightens as we walk through the doors.

“Ezra, how are you?” Gwen’s returning smile is kind as she unbuttons her jacket. Instinctively, I move to take it from her. She gives me a quick, speculative look, before turning her attention back to Ezra.

Ezra, who is now looking at me. I fold Gwen’s jacket over my arm and extend my hand to him. “Joel Miller, we spoke on the phone.”

Understanding washes over his face. “Ah, Mr. Miller. Good to meet you in person. Most of the guests are already in the dining room,” He nods toward the back of the wide foyer. I’ve memorized this floor plan top to bottom, and Gwen and I visited a few days ago for a meeting with her stylist, Evelyn. Still, knowing the layout doesn’t take away from its beauty. The home was clearly restored to its original glory, just adding modern finishes. If I were in another situation, I would want a tour. I’m wondering if I’ll be able to look around during the meal when a tall brunette man walks around the corner. The sly set of his smile has my instincts firing off immediately.

“Gwenny! You made it.” Him and his loafers stride up and plant a kiss on Gwen’s cheek. Her entire body stiffens, and I take a step closer to her. The man doesn’t pay any attention to me, placing his hand on her lower back to guide her down the part of the hall he just came from. Gwen straightens her already ridged shoulders.

“Daniel,” She says cooly, grabbing his wrist and placing it next to his side. Where it belongs.

“It’s been a while since we had one of our little family meetings.” His confidence doesn’t seem to be shaken in the slightest.

“It’s not a meeting, it’s dinner. And we’re not family.”

“Well, we’re all a part of the Russell Corp. family.”

Gwen legitimately snorts at this. “Whatever makes you feel less inferior, Daniel.” I’m surprised when she tosses a glance back at me. “Have you met Mr. Miller?”

Daniel turns to face me now that we’re standing outside the double doors of the dining room.

“Nice to meet you,” I extend my hand. He regards me with a mixture of displeasure and boredom.

“Mr. Wilson,” Daniel shakes my hand, “You’re the one who’s been put in charge of Gwenny I see.”

I give him a closed-lipped smile, “In charge of her protection, you mean. Yes.”

His brow lifts slightly. “Yes, of course. Well, pleasure.” He abruptly tramps into the dining room, leaving Gwen to follow after. Unsure of what the protocol is, I hang back. But Gwen only makes it a few steps before looking expectantly at me, and curling one long finger towards her.

When I fall into step beside her, she says, “My father will want to meet you, if you haven’t met already.”

I nod, taking in a room so lavish it looks like it belongs in Buckingham Palace. The group congregating around the long, mahogany table is composed primarily of men, though a few women hover next to them. I notice a smaller group, two men and one woman, practically glaring at Gwen. I move so that I’m standing on her left side, blocking their view. If Gwen notices, she doesn’t show it. The next man I see is her father, William, whom I recognize from the photo Arthur provided. He’s deep in what looks to be a serious conversation as we approach, but he ends it when he sees Gwen.

True to his photograph, William Russell does not crack even a slight smile. He has a similar way about him that Arthur does, only way more intense. Maybe all rich guys have that way about them. It’s an unwritten power dynamic; an entitlement. No matter what you do, they’ll always be just a little displeased. Because you’re not one of them. I find it surprising that this displeasure also applies to his daughter. If anyone were going to carry out that entitlement, I would think it would be the only heir.

“Darling,” William says in a mild, low voice. He gives Gwen a quick kiss on the cheek before pulling more than an arm’s length away. “You look well.”

I wonder if he’s seen her since that charity gala.

“Thanks, Dad.” Gwen’s tone is the opposite of her father’s. It’s far too cheerful. “Being watched twenty-four-seven does wonders.”

“I should think you were sleeping better.” William’s voice turns frosty.

“With a strange man in my home? That’s an interesting conclusion to make.”

I cast my gaze down to the floor. I hadn’t thought she would be afraid of me. I should have. I at least should have told her my background, my experience. Though on second thought, the experience could make her trust me less.

“Guinevere. Are you going to introduce me, or not?” William assesses me.

“Mr. Miller, this is my father, William Russell. He’s the one signing your paychecks.”

I shake his hand, “Good to meet you, sir.”

“Likewise,” his handshake is firm despite his age. “I assume Gwen’s security system is being brought up to its proper standards.”

“Absolutely. Working on it as we speak.”

“Excellent.” William gives me a firm nod, but still no smile.

“Dad, why are Ralph and Murphy here? These dinners are supposed to be for the core group only.”

William lets out a humorless laugh. “I think you know the answer to that, Guinevere.”

“Oh,” Gwen grabs a wine glass off of a waitress’s tray as she passes by, “So being exposed as a pervert actually adds to one’s social calendar now?”

Pervert? I look to my left again, trying to ascertain which one was Ralph, and which was Murphy. I’ll need a broader list of the higher ups to brush up on. I’ll also need to know what those two did.

“Don’t start, Gwen. You made the spill, you’re going to have to scrub the floors.” William nearly hisses the last few words. Gwen only smiles at him, and sips her wine. After a moment of tense silence, she turns to me.

“Clearly I’m in good hands here, Mr. Miller. I’ll see you after dinner.”

I give her a quick nod before addressing William again, “It was nice to meet you, Mr. Russell.”

“Likewise,” William repeats, already walking away from both Gwen and me.

“I won’t be far,” I whisper to her.

“Not that it matters,” She says against the rim of her wine glass. I scoff on my way out. Anyone with eyes can see this isn’t a comfortable get-together. I just want her to know we can leave if she needs to. Maybe I have to be more black-and-white with her. Though I doubt she wouldn’t leave on her own accord regardless of the situation.

I take the opportunity to explore the house as I had hoped. Mostly out of curiosity, somewhat out of concern for their own system. I start upstairs as the only time I’ve been here before, I had to spend most of it in the foyer. Ordinarily I wouldn’t have left Gwen alone, but with it being her father’s house, and the fact that she was going to be in a room, changing dozens of times…The foyer was fine.

I notice now that the security is decently tight. There aren’t any security officers inside the house, but I know from my conversation with Amari that there are usually some stationed outside, weather permitting. In the dead of winter, they’ll be inside with the family. The windows have sensors, and the alarm is state-of-the-art. I don’t take the liberty of entering any of the bedrooms, but since even the bathrooms are included in the system, the bedrooms must be as well. Back downstairs, there is more of a buzz. From the back stairs, I can hear the chef and waitstaff chatting at a low volume. There are also a few maids walking about, and I overhear one of them asking if any of the guests plan on staying the night. I recognize each face I see from the portfolio Arthur put together, and I know from their background checks just how vetted each and every person in this home is.

That is why, when I try to open a door attached to the opulent library, I’m surprised to find that it’s locked. There is an office on the other side of the library, who’s adjoining door is just to my left. Maybe it’s a closet? But why would a closet be locked in a library? For all I know, the closet could hold a safe that housed hundreds of first edition old-english literature, or whatever rich people liked to collect. I run through the blueprints in my mind, yanking one last time on the door—

“If you need to use the restroom, Mr. Miller, you could have just asked.”

I whip my head back to the open door of the library to find Gwen standing there, her arms crossed in front of her chest.

“I was, um—”

“Snooping?” Her glossy lips curl upwards on one side.

I mirror her, crossing my arms as well. “Yeah, actually. It’s sort of my job… to snoop.”

“Just in case there’s a monster in there, waiting to jump out and attack me? That’s my father’s home office. You couldn’t get in there even if a monster was trying to come out.”

I sigh, shaking my head. “It’s good to know the exit points, Miss Russell.”

She nods slowly. “Well, on that account, we can agree. I’m leaving, I thought you’d like to know.”

I glance down at my watch. “It’s only been an hour.”

“An hour too long,” She turns on her heel, strutting down the hallway, and I’m forced to keep up with her. We walk past the dining room, and from what I can hear it still sounds relatively full. Ezra also looks surprised when he sees the two of us back in the foyer, with me handing Gwen her jacket.

“Finished already?” He asks, his tone pitched with nerves.

“Unfortunately, yes.” If I hadn’t heard her a minute ago, I would believe that Gwen was actually disappointed to be leaving. “Thank you for your reminders today, Ezra. I’m sure my dad doesn’t say it enough but I don’t think he could put together even a dinner party without you.”

Ezra’s cheeks redden. “Thank you, Miss Russell. I–I’ll be seeing you next Wednesday, then?”

“See you then,” Her smile falters a little as I get the door for her. I give Ezra a nod as I close the door behind us.

When we’re back in the warmth of Rodney’s car, I glance back at Gwen. “Next Wednesday…is that another dinner?”

“Yes,” she hisses, picking at one of her cuticles, “Apparently these are becoming a weekly ordeal.”

I turn my attention back to the road, keeping my eyes on the street as I ask, “With the same guests every week?”

I can hear the disappointment in her voice, “Most likely.”

The remainder of the drive is quiet, just as both Rodney and Gwen seem to prefer it. When we are riding back up in the elevator, I look down to her. “If there is someone who is making you uncomfortable, if they are threatening you in any way, I could prevent them from attending these dinners.”

Her blue eyes narrow at me, “What?”

The elevator dings, and we step out into her apartment. “Those men you mentioned. The…perverts, I believe. It’s my job to keep my clients safe. If you don’t feel safe with them around, I can make it so they aren’t there.”

Gwen pauses mid-unbuckling her heel. “You think I don’t feel safe around them?” Her tone is full of venom.

“No,” I say softly, “I just think there is a little bit of truth behind every joke. And I’m not sure you were joking to begin with.”

Gwen removes both of her shoes, sizing me up even though she is now almost a foot shorter than me.

I continue, “Despite your reservations, I’m an expert in my field. I could talk to your father, explain that someone could be a security risk for any various reason. Do you want me to do that?”

“No,” She scoffs. Then, a little softer, “You really think you could do that?”

“Of course. That’s part of our arrangement. You set your own boundaries and I help enforce them.”

Gwen looks at me another moment, her gaze far less intense than before. As she unzips her jacket, she says, “There’s usually a coat hanger, or a maid to give this to next time. Just so you’re not…so you don’t have to carry it around for me.”

She drops her jacket on one of the sofas before padding off down the hall without another word. That was probably the nicest thing she’s ever said to me. But I’m not naive enough to think it will last.

Next chapter

Previous chapter

Masterlist

[abravefaith]

'Burn down their hatred with hope' - Responding to racist riots

Adam Kelwick, Imam of the UK’s first recorded mosque in Liverpool, embracing an anti-immigration protester. PHOTO: Joel Goodman LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I led a service at a Black majority church in inner city Liverpool, about half a mile from a mosque. I had planned the service earlier in the week, but as I woke to news of protests, riots, violence and…

[earthstellar]

Oh my god that sounds heinous and amazing. I love it, unironically will have to try this, just in a very small quantity because I am old now and this might take me out LMAO. Thank you, hell yeah!!! :) Cheers! <3 

story time: the best and worst drink I’ve ever personally participated in making, mostly because of the way we made it more than anything else 

In university, for some reason they tasked my group with providing drinks for a gallery opening. 

They gave us a budget and everything. 

This was a huge mistake, and we ended up getting an industrial garbage bin, lining it with a huge tarpaulin, lining the tarp with the largest trash bags we could find in some kind of trash bag tapestry, then loading it up with only two things: 

PIMM’S and Grasovka bison grass vodka. 

Roughly 50/50. Also, a ludicrous amount of fruit and ice to throw in there. 

We hung ladles from the rim of the garbage bin and let people serve themselves. 

For an idea of the size of the bin, it was a little larger than this, human for scale:

We had to get a new broom to stir the garbage bin brew, which took two people because it weighed enough (with ice and probably about a metric tonne of fruit chunks in it) that it would otherwise have been impossible to mix. 

Our bin also had wheels like the one in the photo, so we had four large students sit with their backs to the bin on each side to prevent it from dangerously sloshing around as we mixed it with the broom. 

This was obviously a huge mistake to even attempt to make in the first place, but it was also a huge success. We managed to get three tutors/professors so incredibly drunk that they were too hungover to punish anyone for serving what was essentially the British version of Riot Punch from Always Sunny at what was intended to be a semi-professional event. 

the result: somehow nobody ended up in the hospital, so I call it a victory 

It ended up being one of the most successful gallery openings ever, because apparently people were telling their friends from other departments to show up and get wasted on like one glass of booze, then everyone would go leave and do whatever else. 

So it artificially boosted the visitor numbers, and our department ended up getting additional funding or something because of it, somehow. I don’t know. 

We also got at least three departments completely wasted: Visual arts, Journalism, and I think the Theatre people also showed up. 

obligatory safety warning for those who need to hear it: this is not a great idea, do not do this 

The problem is that bison grass vodka is great, and you really can’t taste it at all if it’s mixed into a flavourful/fruity drink, which PIMM’S very much is. 

So it’s very easy to drink way, way too much of this stuff, especially if you have a massive quantity of it being ladled out of an industrial waste bin. 

Nobody should drink like British university students, just generally speaking, but I will leave you with the most England photo to ever exist (taken by Joel Goodman in Manchester) as my final safety warning: 

This was basically what our university entrance looked like, four hours after the doors opened, lmao 

Patron Saint of all drunk STEM university students 🙏

[damonalbarn]

Damon Albarn at Latitude Festival (the surprise guest Graham Coxon joined on guitar for "Tender"), 2014 photos by Joel Goodman

[jewishmuseummd]

Celebrate the important teachers in your life on Teacher Appreciation Day! 

From the JMM collections: Hebrew Institute graduating class; 1954. Teacher Morton Esterson sits in the back corner of the photo. JMM 1993.37.39.

Students pictured:  Eileen Siegel, Sandra Blumberg, Melvin Kramer, Gerald Kessler, Joel Berelowitz, Edward Morganstein, Harvey Kaplan, Ellis Goodman, Edward Cohen, Janet Kaplan, Gerald Feldman, Stanley Silverman, Stanley Asch, Brenda Reich, Stuart Yuspa.

[dweemeister]

2018 Movie Odyssey Award for Best Original Song (final round)

TAGGING: @cokwong, @dansmonarbre, @dog-of-ulthar, @emilylime5, @fredsbarandgrill, @halfwaythruthedark, @ideallaedi, @introspectivemeltdown, @itsjustangc, @loveless422, @maximiliani, @memetoilet, @mindo80, @monkeysmadeofcheese, @myluckyerror, @nazur, @phendranaedge, @plus-low-overthrow, @saucy-witch, @shadesofhappy, @somequeerdistortion, @stephdgray, @themusicmoviesportsguy, @umgeschrieben, @underblackwings, @yellanimal

Also TAGGING older followers/friends/supporters who I really haven’t been in touch with lately, have done the final before, or are on the inactive side. And also some newcomers who have been supporting the blog a lot: @astorytellertothestars, @babeltwo, @celibatemachine, @classwarhooligan���, @dakotarosie, @emergencyhugs​, @haveyoubeentobahia​, @ineedanumbrella​, @jayb3​, @justtheguest​, @mundi41, @nudehearth, @sadisticsunglasses​, @shootingstarvenator​, @thenarddog, @thethirdman8, @thewolfofelectricavenue​, and @voicetalentbrendan​!

And now the grand finale. For those of you who have never seen this before, I have an Oscar-like ceremony on my blog celebrating all the movies of that year’s Movie Odyssey (all the movies I saw for the first time in their entirety) at the year’s end. For the last four years, I have asked family and friends to help out with the Best Original Song category - because in all other categories, you'd be forced to watch entire movies to decide it. This is a musical thank-you to all of you, who have contributed, in your ways, to support the Movie Odyssey and me. Please do not feel like you have to do this; there are no hard feelings if you do not participate, and you have my thanks either way. But if you are, I hope you enjoy this 2018 edition!

This final round has the largest chronological spread we have ever covered: eighty-eight years. Songs in English, German (making its debut), Hindi, Japanese are all involved. A Vietnamese-language song made its debut for MOABOS, but was eliminated in the preliminary.

INSTRUCTIONS Please rank (#1-16) your choices in order. The top ten songs will receive nominations. Be warned, there is a new tabulation method for this year's final (described in the "read more" at the bottom). There is no minimum or maximum amount of songs you can rank, but because of the nature of this new tabulation system, it is highly recommended to rank as many songs as possible, rather than only one or two. Those who rank fewer songs run a greater risk of their ballots being discarded as I am counting the ballots. Again, this is all described in the "read more". Why not implement at a minimum number of songs to rank? Well, I believe in giving you folks as much freedom as possible.

Please consider to the best of your ability: how musically interesting the song is, its lyrics, context within the film (if you've seen it - this factor also includes integration into the film's score), choreography/dance direction (if applicable; not many song-and-dance numbers this year), and the song's cultural impact/life outside the film (if applicable, and by far the least important factor). Imperfect audio and video quality may not be used against any song, as this disadvantages older and non-English language songs. You may absolutely send in comments and reactions with your rankings - it’s always fun to read reactions to individual songs, and it usually makes the process (for everyone) more enjoyable!

The submission deadline is Sunday, December 31 at 6 PM Pacific Time / 4 PM Hawai'i / 5 PM Alaska / 8 PM Central / 10 PM Eastern. If you're across the Atlantic, that's New Year's Day at 2 AM GMT / 3 AM CET / 4 AM EET / 7:30 AM IST. There will be no deadline extensions.

And now the sixteen finalists in this category, for your listening pleasure (contextual blurbs are provided, and I hope they are informative; if links do not work there are most likely alternatives across the Internet but please inform me if that does not apply to you):

“Bless Your Beautiful Hide”, music by Gene de Paul, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Performed by Howard Keel

The opener to Seven Brides; its melody is used as the main orchestral theme throughout (most memorably in the barn dance scene). Oregonian backwoodsman Adam Pontipee (Keel) has little experience with society (let alone women), as he looks for a bride to take care of him and his six brothers in this satirical musical of gendered misbehavior - which pokes fun of, never endorses, said misbehavior.

“'Bout Time”, music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)

Performed by John Davidson and Lesley Ann Warren

In this Disney musical, Joe Carder (Davidson) has convinced the Bower family to move to Dakota Territory. Joe is suitor to Alice Bower (Warren), their relationship complicated by her grandfather's politics. This song takes place on the first day in their new hometown, and before her first day at work at the schoolhouse.

“Candle on the Water”, music and lyrics by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, Pete's Dragon (1977)

Performed by Helen Reddy

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song

Nora (Reddy) has just tucked Pete in, not before describing the story of her long-lost fiancé (missing sea for over a year) to him. After being scolded by her father for clinging onto the past, Nora goes up to the lighthouse balcony to sing this.

“Chaar Kadam”, music by Shantanu Moitra, lyrics by Swanand Kirkire, PK (2014, India)

Performed by Sushant Singh Rajput (dubbed by Shaan) and Anushka Sharma (dubbed by Shreya Ghoshal)

Lyrics in Hindi (song ends at 16:20)

In Bruges in Belgium, an Indian Hindu woman named Jaggu (Sharma) has met a Pakistani Muslim, Sarfaraz (Rajput) - both are students. This is their love duet before her family objects due to nationalistic and (especially) religious reasons. Don't worry about the dude at the end - he's the one who got them together.

“Charade”, music by Henry Mancini, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Charade (1963)

Performed by orchestra and chorus; conducted by Mancini

Used as main theme throughout this romantic comedy/mystery/suspense film. This song is more famous for its instrumental version without lyrics.

“Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)”, music and German lyrics by Friedrich Hollaender, English lyrics by Sammy Lerner, The Blue Angel (1930, Germany)

Performed by Marlene Dietrich

(English-language version... excuse the badly-edited video) / (German original)

A college prep school professor is angry at his students for passing around photos of cabaret singer, Lola Lola (Dietrich), in class. In hopes to catch the boys at the club, he goes to the cabaret and is overcome with lust for Lola after seeing her perform this song. Their relationship will become toxic, based on his groveling and humiliations.

“Gunfight at the O.K. Corral”, music by Dimitri Tiomkin, lyrics by Ned Washington, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

Performed by Frankie Laine (the above was re-recorded in the 1980s when Laine was in his mid-70s, so those familiar with Laine's voice will notice it sounds weaker)

Played in the opening credits, with additional verses sung during montage scenes across the film. Used as main orchestral theme in the film's score. This version of the song contains additional lyrics that can't be found online.

“Hooray for Hollywood”, music by Richard A. Whiting, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Hollywood Hotel (1937)

Performed by Johnnie Davis, Frances Langford, and Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

Considered an unofficial anthem of Hollywood. Usually played at least once in every Oscars ceremony and other movie awards ceremonies worldwide.

Small town saxophonist Ronnie Bowers (Dick Powell) has just won a contract with a major Hollywood studio. His friends and former employer, Benny Goodman, arrive at the airport to send him off. The lyrics are meant to satirize what people do to become famous as actors.

“Hum Aapki Aankhon Mein”, music by Sachin Dev Burman, lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, Pyaasa (1957, India)

Performed by Guru Dutt (dubbed by Mohammad Rafi) and Mala Sinha (dubbed by Geeta Dutt)

Lyrics in Hindi

Broke poet Vijay (Guru Dutt) encounters his university ex, Meena (Sinha), who is now married to a hotshot publisher who won't publish Vijay's work. Vijay then has a flashback, and within that flashback is this foggy fantasy song-and-dance sequence. Flashback-ception?

“It's Not Easy”, music and lyrics by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, Pete's Dragon (1977)

Performed by Sean Marshall and Helen Reddy

Pete (Marshall) and his dragon, Elliott, are on the run from his abusive foster family. The lighthouse keeper and his daughter, Nora (Reddy), take Pete in. Nora has not met Elliott yet, and believes that he is Pete's imaginary friend.

"Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing", music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)

Non-film version performed by Nat King Cole; film version performed by chorus (and is unavailable)

Used as main orchestral theme throughout this romantic drama's score; version with lyrics sung by chorus first appear at the end of the film.

"Mystery of Love", music and lyrics by Sufjan Stevens, Call Me by Your Name (2017)

Performed by Stevens

(single version) / (use in film; song isn't played in its entirety)

This song appears as the film's main characters, Elio and Oliver, take one of their many day trips in this Italian summer.

“Rain”, music by Shin'ichi Nakajima, Saori Fujisaki, and Satoshi Fukase, lyrics by Saori Fujisaki and Satoshi Fukase, Mary and the Witch's Flower (2017, Japan)

Performed by Sekai no Owari

Lyrics in Japanese (rough translations)

Appears in the end credits; this song is not referenced in this anime fantasy's score (but like the score, there's a prominent and unusual use of a dulcimer).

“Shallow”, music and lyrics by Mark Ronson, Lady Gaga, Anthony Rossomando, and Andrew Wyatt, A Star Is Born (2018)

Performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

Aspiring singer-songwriter Ally (Lady Gaga) has fallen for declining artist Jackson Maine (Cooper). At one of his concerts, he begins to put music to a song she sung to him in a parking lot, inviting her onstage.

“This Is Me”, music and lyrics by Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, The Greatest Showman (2017)

Performed by Keala Settle and company

After being shunned from a dinner including P.T. Barnum’s wealthy sponsors for his circus, the circus "freaks" sing this ballad which eventually becomes a montage, refusing to put up with those harass and put them down.

“You're the One That I Want”, music and lyrics by John Farrar, Grease (1978)

Performed by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John

At the post-graduation high school carnival, greaser and bad boy Danny Zuko (Travolta) is stunned to see his relatively restrained, somewhat prudish, girlfriend, Sandy (Newton-John), committing to change herself for him to win him over.

Well, have at it! And thanks for your time and consideration! You may submit your responses in any way, as long as they come in before the deadline. I am free to answer any questions about anything you have about the process. The 2018 Movie Odyssey has been a rewarding one, and I have been glad to share it with you.

TABULATION Like the preliminary... a respondent’s first choice receives 10 points, the second choice receives 9, the third choice receives 8, etc. HOWEVER, the points system is used only for tiebreaker purposes.

The way the winner will be decided is through a process called instant-runoff voting (IRV; the Academy Awards uses this method to choose a Best Picture winner, visually represented here - you should really watch this video if the below doesn't make sense... which it probably won't):

All #1 picks from all voters are tabulated. A song needs more than half of all aggregate votes to win (50% of all votes plus one... i.e. if there are thirty respondents, sixteen #1 votes are needed to win on the first count).

If there is no winner after the first count (as is most likely), the song(s) with the fewest #1 votes or points is/are eliminated. Then, we look at the ballots of those who voted for the last-placed song(s). Their votes then go to the highest-remaining (non-eliminated) song on their ballot.

This process (in #2) repeats until one song has secured 50% plus one of all votes. We keep eliminating nominees and transfer votes to the highest-ranked, non-eliminated song on each ballot. NOTE: It is possible after several rounds of counting that respondents who did not entirely fill in their ballots will have wasted their votes at the end of the process. For example, if a person voted the second-to-last place song as their #1, ranked no other songs, and the count has exceeded two rounds, their ballot is discarded (lowering the vote threshold needed to win), and they have no say in which song ultimately is the winner.

A song wins when it reaches more than fifty percent of all #1 and re-distributed votes.

Tiebreakers: 1) first song to receive 50% plus one of all #1 and transferred votes; 2) total points earned; 3) total #1 votes; 4) placement on my ballot; 5) placement on my sister’s ballot; 6) tie declared

Previous years’ results for reference: 2013 final 2014 final (input from family and friends began this year) 2015 final 2016 prelim / final 2017 prelim / final

[rivaltimes]

Russia denounces the "interference" of the US in criticizing the ban on LGBT propaganda

Russia denounces the “interference” of the US in criticizing the ban on LGBT propaganda

Archive – Protest in London for anti-LGBT legislation in Russia – JOEL GOODMAN / ZUMA PRESS / CONTACT PHOTO The Russian Embassy in Washington has denounced “interference in internal affairs” after US criticism of a recent bill, approved by the Duma, which aims to ban LGBT propaganda. “We take note of the statements of several US officials who criticize the bill (…) to prohibit the dissemination…

[zef-zef]

Klein

source: theguardian photo: Joel Goodman

[tarka-the-bloody-otter]

The greatest NYE photo of all time

Taken in Manchester by Joel Goodman a few years ago

[edduleycomstudio]

Studio Session - 03. GRAD601

Collage and Photomontage

Collage in particular is the use of a range of materials and elements in “unlikely or unexpected juxtaposition”. It uses various methods to create the final image and more importantly, it is built on freedom of the mind. It is up to the artist what they want the composition and structure or lack of structure to look like. The way I see it, It’s about putting together things that might normally not exist on the same page or in the same design, it’s about being unconventional and simply experimenting.

Photomontage on the other hand is specifically built around the combination of photos. It is often a digital process however it can also be done in analogue similar to collage. It appears that Photomontage is more formal and follows more structure however with the development of technology available, photomontage has never been as limitless as it is today.  

Collage/Photomontage Artists:

- Hannah Hoch

- John Heartfield

- Lazlo Moholy

- Francis Picabia

- Johanna Goodman

- Ashkan Honarvar

- Amy Selby

- Sammy Slabbinck

- Joel Kefali

Below I have Included some of my favourite collages I found from these artist.

Artist - Hannah Hoch

Artist - Francis Picabia

Artist - Sammy Slabbinck

[anhedonia-and-anomie]

Photo © Joel Goodman

“Intolerance of ambiguity is the mark of an authoritarian personality.”

— Theodor W. Adorno

German philosopher, sociologist, & psychologist

[jeffparkeractor]

Chita, not Patti.

My daughter, Grace, who is about to graduate with a BFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, has a classmate, Tyler, who had adamantly convinced himself that her Dad had worked with Patti Lupone.  She texted me for confirmation, I replied, “Chita, not Patti.” It is a lie, I have not worked with Ms. Lupone, though I would very much welcome it someday.  Many of my Chicago colleagues have, though, most recently in the Goodman tryout and subsequent Broadway mounting of War Paint and in her several appearances at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois, north of the city. But I have worked with Chita Rivera. Chita, not Patti.  I was hired as a swing for the Goodman Theatre’s 2001 world premiere production of Kander and Ebb’s musical, The Visit.  With direction by Frank Galati, a book by Terrence McNally adapted from the Durrenmatt play and choreographed by Ann Reinking, the production also starred the late John McMartin.

The day I came aboard, was the day after 9/11.  I had been informed that I gotten the swing job on 9/11, having been called by stage management and told not to come in. Well, I hadn’t gotten the job yet.  Stage Manager, Joe Drummond, said “Well, you have and you don’t need to come in.” Next day, I entered a shell-shocked rehearsal room.  The cast and creative team had many NY based folks.  All were processing the calamity then still unfolding but for the New Yorkers the stress was particularly acute.  How do we begin this day?  Then, our rehearsal pianist, very softly began to play “America the Beautiful”, bringing the room to silence and many to tears.  I don’t remember director Frank Galati’s exact words but their sense was this: “In the face of moments like these, our obligation as theatre artists is to go on.”  And so we did.

(pictured, Chita Rivera in the Chicago production of The Visit, photo credit Goodman Theatre)

I remember that Goodman had placed Chita in one of the star dressing rooms which are stage level whereas the rest of the company were in the basement.  I remember hearing that she didn’t really like this set up because it separated her from the rest of the cast.  But it was more convenient for wardrobe so it was kept that way.  Fortunately, Chita’s first entrance as Claire Zachanassian was from the basement trap room, so she would always make a point of being downstairs well before the places call to be nearer the company. It was a big room. Sweet Jesus.  A Tony award winner everywhere you looked.  Being a swing on a Broadway-bound musical is an enormous task; I was covering 5 ensemble men on this one.  But it also gives you the opportunity to observe the whole process going on. 

So...Chita, not Patti.  After fully processing that this was, indeed, Chita Rivera in the room, there’s not much more to say except that she was, and is, a total pro.  Free of any ego driven star behavior, she was just one of the company.  That’s not say that there weren’t attempts to defer to her status.  One day, as the company repeatedly went back over one section of a musical number, Frank Galati was heard to say...”Chita, darling...just mark it this time.”  Chita replied, good-naturedly but firmly, saying, “I don’t mark.”  OK, then.  So, I thought, hell, if this star of a certain age doesn’t mark...no one else better be either.  

(pictured, director Frank Galati, photo credit: Joel Moorman) 

She had a great sense of humor.  One day in the tech/preview period, she was trying to remember a new verse to one of the numbers.  An ailing Fred Ebb was still rewriting from his hospital bed.  Chita said in mock frustration “Will someone go over to hospital and take the pencil out of his hand?!”

I went on a few times in The Visit.  The first time I was pretty nervous, so prior to curtain I went up to the stage to gather myself and maybe run through a step or two or some other piece of staging.  I thought I had the stage to myself for a moment when on strolls Chita.  I said, “Hi, Chita.”  She said, “Do you walk the stage before a show?”  I said, “Sometimes”.  She replied, “I do, too.”  That same night, Chita confirmed for me the kind of pro she was, when in the middle some large ensemble number she made direct eye contact with me and winked.  She was right there with me, fully present.

So, yeah. Chita, not Patti.  It would take years for Chita to finally get to do The Visit on Broadway in a streamlined version very different from the Chicago one. Sadly, we’ve lost some folks from that production since then: lyricist Fred Ebb, her co-star John McMartin, and Chicago-based actors Guy Adkins and Bernie Yvon.  Chita Rivera? Still here. Patti? Maybe someday.