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metaphorical-love-for-a-car · 5 years ago

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Heaven of a Human Spirit-- Aziraphale x Reader

Request; “Can I request an Aziraphale x fem!reader where he's drinking with Crowley in the bookshop and when she enters he just confesses his love to her in a very poetic and theatrical way (Aziraphale style) and then kisses her out of blue. Like, I image her completely shocked but pleased and Crowley surprised while cheering for his angel friend.” (anon)

Warnings; bit of swearing, specified fem! reader

Word Count; 1.4k

Notes; reposting this old fic cause it got taken down for “violating the terms of use” or some shit like that and has been under appeal for the last few months... highly doubt they’ll release it any time soon so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You had first met Aziraphale when a friend of yours had dragged you to his bookshop. Your friend kept telling you about how weird the little shop was and how all the Yelp reviews were terrible. Hardly anyone seemed to be able to purchase a book there. So, as soon as your friend noticed that the shop was actually open for once, they were forcing you to go in with them.

At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was a cute little shop with dozens of books scattered about. There was a bit of an odd smell, but you shrugged it off. It was a used book store. Old books can sometimes bring strange smells. The two of you browsed the shelves, and your friend read some of the Yelp reviews to you. You both found a book that interested you. Deciding to take it home, you two began to hunt for a staff member. According to Yelp, workers at A. Z. Fell's bookshop are reclusive creatures that are often incredibly hard to locate.

When your friend finally spotted Aziraphale, they made a beeline for him. It was apparent he didn't want to sell the book to them, constantly haggling for a higher price. Your friend finally got frustrated and put the book away. They made a comment about how they didn't have time to stand around and argue about book prices. They wished you good luck on purchasing a book then left.

You had a different strategy than your friend. Instead of just going up and asking to buy the book, you'd ask his opinion on it. He seemed a bit surprised that you just wanted to talk about the book but was eager to tell you his love for it. You ended up spending hours in the little shop, just talking to Aziraphale about books. He even confessed to you that he hated selling the books because he loved them all too much. You joked about how he should have opened a library instead of a shop, which made him look quite offended.

That evening, you left with a book. Aziraphale had loaned you one of his favorites, with a piece of paper stuck inside that had his number scrawled on it. You made a point to go back and visit him whenever you had the opportunity. The two of you were constantly trading books, and it felt like a sort of personal book club with just the two of you. He enjoyed your company, always looking forward to your next visit.

Armageddon was just beginning to peek over the horizon. Both Crowley and Aziraphale knew that it would arrive in the blink of an eye. Neither of them wanted it to happen, but what could they do?

The answer, of course, is get drunk. They chugged down bottle after bottle of Aziraphale's finest wine collection. The two of them could hardly even walk, let alone finish a sentence without stumbling over every other word, but they babbled on anyway. Well, Aziraphale babbled about you, and Crowley just listened, occasionally nodding or inserting his own comment.

"For Satan's sake, Aziraphale. You're obviously madly in love with her. Just fuckin' tell her already," Crowley groaned. Aziraphale looked at him with wide eyes.

"What? I'm not madly in love I just... I just— er— I enjoy her company." Crowley pursed his lips and raised a brow at Aziraphale, who was now blushing something fierce thanks to both the alcohol and embarrassment. "Alright, alright! Say hype— hyper— hippo— WHAT IF I am in love with (Y/N). How do I know she feels the same?"

"She does," Crowley answered without hesitation. Aziraphale scoffed. Crowley rolled his eyes and leaned forward. "Have you seen the way she looks at you? I mean, the moment she lights up as soon as you walk into the room? Plus, she talks about you almost as much as you talk about her." Aziraphale gave him an incredulous look.

"How do you know that?" Crowley opened and closed his mouth, stuttering nonsense as he tried to find the right words.

"Not important. I just know that she does, okay? I mean, I keep tabs on everyone. You should know that by now." Aziraphale nodded, taking another big sip of his wine. "The point is... uh... the point is that..." Crowley pinched the bridge of his nose. "The point is that you need to tell her how you feel. 'Cause you might not get another chance, ya know. With Armageddon and all that." On that note, Crowley downed the rest of his glass and started to pour himself another. Aziraphale stared into his own drink. A quick rasp on the front door startled him out of his thoughts. A smug grin formed across Crowley's face. "Showtime." He leaped out of his seat and dashed toward the door. Aziraphale sank further into the chair.

"I'm too drunk for this," he grumbled.

You smiled as the tall, lanky demon swung the door open, shouting your name. He quickly ushered you inside. "How much have you drank?" you teased, poking him in the side with your elbow. Crowley stopped and furrowed his brows. He slurred something about losing track after the third bottle and continued to stumble through the bookshop. When you walked into the back room, you found Aziraphale glowering at the full glass in his hand. "Must've been a hell of a day for the both of you to get piss drunk." Crowley nodded, plopping back into his seat.

"We were talkin' about love." Aziraphale shot Crowley a look, but you missed it. You snorted, crossing your arms.

"Really, and who do you have the hots for? Let me guess... Beelzebub? No, no, no. It's Hastur, isn't it?" Crowley's jaw dropped, and he looked quite offended. Aziraphale laughed but quickly covered his mouth to stifle it. Crowley pursed his lips and leaned back into the seat.

"No, actually, we were talking about Aziraphale being in love." Your smile faltered for a moment, but you quickly composed yourself before turning to look at the angel.

"That so?" He nodded slowly. You waited for him to say something, but he didn't. "Well, who's the lucky one?" Aziraphale glanced between you and Crowley. The demon nodded and gave the angel a thumbs up. Aziraphale stood up from his chair and set down his glass. He muttered something about trying to find the right words to say, but you couldn't quite catch it because Crowley loudly interrupted.

"Why not something Shakespeare? You love his stuff so bloody much." Aziraphale's face lit up at the suggestion. Dozens of different quotes flashed through his mind.

"Yes, okay." He cleared his throat and focused his gaze on you. "Shall I compare thee—"

"No, no," Crowley groaned. "Too cliché." Aziraphale nodded. His brows furrowed as he tried to come up with something slightly more original. You awkwardly rubbed the back of your neck.

"Anyone care to tell me why we're coming up with Shakespeare quotes?" Aziraphale huffed and shook his head.

"Fuck!" You and Crowley stared at the angel in shock. Aziraphale hardly ever swore, and him using the 'F' word was an absolute rarity. The angel took a step closer to you and took a deep breath. "It's you. You're the one I'm in love with," he rushed out. You blinked slowly, taken aback by the sudden news.

"Me? You're in love with me?" He nodded. His eyes searched your face as various emotions washed over you. You shook your head in disbelief. "You're just drunk, Aziraphale." The angel cupped your face in his hands. On instinct, you placed your hands on top of his. There was a sort of urgency in his eyes that you had never seen before.

"No," he said firmly. "I sobered up before you walked in. I truly meant it. I'm in love with you, (Y/N)." Aziraphale pressed his lips to yours. You melted into the kiss, wrapping your arms around his neck. He pulled away and leaned his forehead against yours. "Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love." A bright smile graced your features.

"I love you, you cheesy bastard." Aziraphale started to lean in for another kiss. The two of you pulled apart when Crowley started clapping.

"Wahoo. Now, how about we have a toast?" The demon reached for another bottle, but you moved it away from him.

"I think you've had enough for today," you laughed.

~*~*~

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mrthomasdoherty · 4 years ago

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Hello, I note with interest that you chose the Tested argument as your favorite Klaine scene, as did some others.

Kurt was assaulted in last episode, no doubt still traumatised from that. But he was unhappy long before that, look at the End of the Twerk episode; and 100: he didn’t seem to be fully engaging with Blaine then either. The relationship has issues. We don’t get to see the happy period when Blaine first moved to NY and the episode NNY. Then we get NNY when Kurt is fed up with Blaine always being there and trying to change things to make himself more comfortable. Plus he can feel Kurt is distant and pulling away, lack of privacy, and his own insecurities. So they agree he should move out, which is a shame, and not really a good omen. We see that tBlaine is spending a lot of time alone, using food to comfort him.

Thanks to the writing, as much as anything, the whole Ny arc is spent with Kurt being more concerned about Rachel and more worried about validation from her than Blaine. In every episode he’s propping her up, wanting her at his show; in Bash, the conversation when he returns home about feelings is with her, not Blaine; we never see them talk about it, yet Blaine has been through the same trauma. He stays in the loft with her, rather than get somewhere more private with his own fiancé.

Blaine has his own issues, like feeling he can no longer protect Kurt, and that Kurt doesn’t live him or want me anymore. These are all reactions that people can have in relationships, and Blaine is therefore not being a little shit. Then we gave the June fiasco, where Blaine gets chosen ahead of Kurt, and the old Tony argument comes round again. And Blaine is pretty dumb for lying.

It’s all a bit negative for Klaine. Ok, Kurt dies his I’ll always love you and choose to trust you speech - why has he decided this only now? Pompeii seems a bit depressing to end the season with. Great Blaine us back in love, getting cuddles, and then Rachek is going, so privacy.

I guess I’m rambling, but I just get the feeling through the NY arc that they’re happy, and feel that there’s going to be a break up. And Kurt’s as much to blame as Blaine, but you seem to place a lot of blame with Blaine, when he isn’t getting what he needs from Kurt, and probably hadn’t been since Kurt moved to NY in season 4? If you look back, what happens in Tested is mirrored in the previous break up, but this time Kurt’s there.

I got to be honest, a lot of this was all over the place and I can't decipher what you're getting at with this.

So, zoning in on you stating I put all the blame on Blaine - which I don't. I just do not like it when people zone in on Kurt (because on my dash a lot of people were WTF-ing @ Kurt in the episode of Tested) and obviously will dig deeper because going through trauma myself, there's always a reason and a why behind something. Doesn't make it right, no, but WTF-ing at Kurt in that episode for how he doesn't validate Blaine the whole time? Like Kurt isn't you and you aren't Blaine. Blaine's a big boy too. Blaine can make mistakes and still be an amazing and interesting character. Which, he is!

BOTH of them needed therapy for what they went through. NEITHER of them got it. Kurt deciding at the end of season 5 that he chooses to trust Blaine is a topic they probably haven't discussed because Kurt has issues opening up emotionally, but he tries his hardest with Blaine out of everyone else (maybe Rachel to an extent too as I can think of two instances where that happens n New York - out of all the other times he has to comfort her, but whatever). Blaine's trauma with Bash is not the same as Kurt's trauma. Blaine wanted to be the protector, because someone he loves got hurt and he was helpless to stop it. So he internalizes it, especially seeing Kurt build himself up on his own without Blaine's help. Again, the argument where Blaine keeps stating how he misses that feeling. Which he's allowed to miss and mourn because that's how they met and became best friends from the get go. Blaine feeling important and needed, because Kurt did need him as he was the crumbling star back in season 2.

Kurt has gone through childhood to adulthood being independent. Kurt isn't the type of person to solely rely on another person for the long haul. He lost his mother, he almost lost his father, he lost his step-brother, and he built himself from the ashes with his childhood bullying all the way to being assaulted - Blaine and Burt were there to offer hands but Kurt still pulled himself out and pushed forward because it's what he's used to doing. Because he has something to prove. He is not a person who is used to trusting his emotions alone, as when he does it bites him in the ass. He's self-preserving in that sense (Slytherin). Blaine isn't. Blaine wants to give it all, as much as he can. Some may say it's because his own abandonment issues and needing to be good enough to earn love (thanks Cooper). Some may say it's just who he is. They're not built the same. Just because they're two openly gay guys who are in a relationship doesn't mean they need to compliment each other in every aspect. Kurt's independent. Blaine struggles with that. That isn't me blaming Blaine for having his insecurities. But if you wear your heart on your sleeve and you're in love with someone who is doing their own coping from recent traumatic events that don't require you, obviously you can become self-conscious and second-guess everything about what you're doing. And he does. That isn't me pointing fingers and blaming him.

In season 4, the Break Up, Blaine cheats because he feels alone (he doesn't have any close friends at McKinley. Kurt was his anchor. Kurt's gone. He's floating. He needs to feel grounded. Kurt is pulling away first because Kurt is opening a new chapter. Blaine isn't. Blaine's still stuck in high school, surrounded by people who he only knows through Kurt. Doesn't excuse the cheating, but there's a reason behind why he does it. He wants to feel connected physically since he isn't getting it emotionally/mentally - and that's when he realizes he fucked up). Not so much that they're in a competition race to a finish line. In season 4, Kurt is building his life from the ground up. A whole new chapter. He just got a new job with an incredible team who actually appreciate him and his opinions. In season 5 he pulls away because he needs to better himself physically so he can show those who tore him down they don't control his life (one day, they'll work for him). Blaine feels left behind in both scenarios, but in season 5 he has the opportunity to make friends at NYADA, he has Sam now, he could reach out to Tina, he could reach out to Elliott even! But he doesn't. He's still co-dependent on Kurt (which is fine, I get it - new chapter, lean on the person you know best until you get your feet on the ground. Hence why he suggests he should move out after a few months of living together. That's a good stepping stone for HIM! Independent thinking! Which he then throws back in Kurt's face and just...BOY!). So the only excuse Blaine has to pulling away is that he's not talking about these issues, getting other peoples opinions. Making other friends. He's depending on Kurt 100%, and clearly he shouldn't be doing that. I understand the why - it's comfortable! He knows Kurt! So when Kurt starts focusing on himself and obsessing over his body, Blaine is going to shut down and that turns to overthinking (same), and it spirals from there. Again, not pointing fingers and saying every issue they have is Blaine's doing.

The difference between the Break Up and Tested (besides Kurt being there physically with Blaine), is that Kurt is trying to reconnect after pulling away. He is the one who wants to go out on a date because they haven't gone out on one in a while (which is 100% on Kurt, not Blaine). Which they would've gone out on if Kurt hadn't discovered the porn. They haven't had sex in a week, which is an issue for Kurt, and it's because Blaine was turning to porn because he assumed Kurt is judging him for not having a good of a body as Kurt does - which Kurt denies because Kurt loves Blaine, no matter what he looks like. Because it's Blaine. It's his best friend. Blaine, the person who KNOWS Kurt best (as Kurt has stated himself), who is self-destructing and should KNOW that Kurt isn't judging him. Except he doesn't know. Because he's talked himself into believing Kurt would judge him. He made his big boy decisions, and decides on how to construct them, and when Kurt makes his own decisions that don't involve him, it shouldn't be switched into a "oh my god, i did something wrong, shut down commencing". But instead of cheating (progress), he turns to porn to get off. It's disconnected but at least the porn people won't judge him. There's no "oh shit, I fucked up" moment from Blaine here like in the Break Up either. Even with Kurt there physically. Similar, but more like fun mirrors you find at the circus. And Blaine didn't fuck up with the porn! So again, not blaming Blaine! They BOTH were failing in communicating, but once Kurt extends the olive branch it gets retracted because Kurt struggles with emotional intimacy (season 6 quote I JUST reblogged not that long ago). It's like a Kurt reflex, something goes wrong? Walls up until HE is ready to dissect and discuss. Not the other way around. It's what he's used to - KURT needs to be ready and comfortable to talk before it can happen (I think only Burt is the one who challenges that, like in season 1&2). So it's what he does. And they do have that talk/fight because Kurt is the one to start it again. Blaine gets it all out, FINALLY, and Kurt gives him the tough love and affirmation/validation he has needed. Kurt's face when hugging Blaine says it all! He's realizing HE fucked up by letting Blaine go this long feeling like this. He strives to do better and keep communication open (and then Blaine lies to him later about June and just 🤔 Blaine Devon Anderson, your heart is gold but your brain is still so dumb).

And Kurt stating at the end of the season that he chooses to trust, is a good thing. Sometimes it doesn't become obvious that the decisions you make is a result of the choices you make along the way. Kurt does trust Blaine. Blaine lied to him (even if those intentions were so good, dear Blainers) Kurt took a moment to self-reflect before he came to that realization. It isn't always so obvious. Kurt's what, 20/21? You don't magically turn into a wise adult who understands everything about relationships and the world just because you're now over 18 and are engaged. He didn't have to go to therapy to realize this (which is probably how he keeps talking himself out of going until s6, ffs Hummel). But as we can see from THAT fight (the poor paper bag), Kurt pointedly puts space between him and Blaine and Blaine still has his pouty moments (Blaine, honey, therapy I beg you) but respects it more without collapsing in on himself (WHICH IS PROGRESS! YES! WE LOVE THAT FOR HIM!). Because Kurt needs space (he lives with Rachel Berry for the love of god - he needs it sometimes) and Blaine needs to learn Kurt needing space isn't Kurt replacing/not wanting him anymore. Kurt put the wall up, Kurt has to be the one to take it back down - which he does. In his own time. Blaine respecting it over the Tested episode. So already that's growth. That's development.

All I see during the episodes before the New York arc, is Kurt getting excited about Blaine coming to visit (Moving Out) and then Blaine last minute not coming to visit (Puppet Master) which Kurt gets disappointed and upset over because he WANTS Blaine there (damnit Blaine). End of Twerk he gets cyberlucky with Blaine, so I don't see how that's "not happy". In 100, we don't see much of him at all. It's all in the choir room, and the Rachel/Santana and Rachel/Mercedes diva off is exhausting to him. He's heard and dealt with all of this before. So his focus isn't on Blaine, it's being caught in the middle of petty diva-off's that he just wants to move on from. What's he suppose to happily engaging with Blaine about in McKinley episodes (besides his excitement about Blaine getting into NYADA, and sharing the future of him and Blaine's child ft.Quinn)? "This is the dumpster I got tossed into - you'd have to be there. And remember when we blew each other in this janitors closet? Good times." "Kurt, we're surrounded by minors. They can hear you." "...oops." This is what fanfiction is for. Fill in the blanks of what we DONT see, because clearly when we do see it, there's going to be a mix of emotion from both sides (unless filling in the blanks means turning the other into a villain - then you've lost my interest and I consider you boring to void everything to fit your agenda so you can prop your non-canon ship up instead. Multi-shipping is fine and dandy, kids, don't need the other canon love-interest to be a villain for that).

And let's not pretend that Kurt lifting Rachel up over interacting with his fiancé is not done purposefully from season 3 and onward by the writers to give Lea more screen time as Rachel is the main character (still think they thought Kurt's character could only remain relevant if they kept him tied to Rachel's hip and I will die on that hill and be bitter on that hill even on my deathbed!).

TLTR: Blaine and Kurt need therapy that isnt each other and both of them handle their problems in different ways but that doesn't excuse BOTH of them being dumbasses from time to time (theyre youngins and first loves, they gotta make the mistakes to know and grow - they aren't an actual old married couple who know all the secrets to relationships. They're just dumb dudes who work to better themselves and their relationship as time progresses).

#Blaine Anderson #klaine #Kurt Hummel #long post #answered #I don't know what prompted this anon to ramble - BUT HAVE A RAMBLE BACK ANON!!! making me overheat over here #this is a pro Blaine blog even if Kurt Hummel is my ride and die character

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estelofimladris · 5 years ago

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My 2019 in fandom was sad, chaotic, and massive.

I stared the year neck-deep in The Magicians. I’ve wanted a fandom to feel that much like home for a long time now and I felt like I could stay there forever. With the new season on the horizon, I was ready to cry and cheer and drink my way through another Fillorian stumble, but at the finish line, I was so sad, winded, and tired that it nearly shattered me.

I had an exciting and fun interlude into the madness of The Umbrella Academy, which I’m so excited for more of. Right when The Magicians was starting to really look dire, Umbrella Academy brought in its chaotic bastard energy to excite me about something else, which I really needed, but it didn’t fully take me out of drowning in The Magicians.

I was still invested all through the brutal season of The Magicians up to the very end. As usual, I was making wild predations all the time but I’ve never been left more dissatisfied after a finale than I was for the Season 4 finale. It broke my heart.

It (of course) also happened in the home-stretch of grad school, so being possessed to re-write the finale that I despised so much in the middle of completing my thesis wasn’t exactly the best plan, but it happened anyway. It kept me sane because I was suddenly without a foundational fandom to fall back into and feel good even when my work was making me tired all the time.

Then, like an apocalyptic blessing, I was gifted with Good Omens.

Right at the end of school, Good Omens dropped on Amazon Prime. It came in like a flaming Bentley to remind me that not every fandom will kick you when you’re down. The fandom was lush with ten plus years of beautiful art and lore that I’d only dabbled in before and the show was rich with endless possibilities. I remember the first time I put on Crowley’s glasses, I felt invigorated for the first time in fandom since The Magicians obliterated me a little over a month prior.

Then in August, one of my biggest fandom dreams came true. My current job is on a project in one of my biggest fandoms. It won’t be out for a minute, but when it does come out, expect me to scream about it for ages.

In October, the Arrowverse came back with a vengeance. I’ve (somehow) been a fan of Arrow since Season One. The ending being in sight has made this whole season very emotional and I am so happy with what they have done to say goodbye to the show and hello to Green Arrow and the Canaries. I’m so scared and excited for the end. The Flash has been somewhat frustrating this season up to Crisis for me because what I want out of the show has not happened this season, but I can wait. I’m immensely behind on Supergirl, which I plan to catch up on soon, and I’ve started Batwoman, but am only part way in.

Then there’s Crisis. We’ve been waiting for this event since Barry was struck by lightning, honestly, and somehow they haven’t disappointed. I’m absolutely terrified of where we go next, but every big cameo, twist, and teamup has made me so happy.

I could have basked (and am still basking) in the glory that is the Good Omens fandom forever, and I will always come back for more Arrowverse TV, but my heart will forever be tied to Star Wars and to Star Wars I always, inevitably return.

With The Rise of Skywalker looming on the horizon in December, when Disney+ dropped, I was very ready for some fresh Star Wars content. I’ve always been very resistant to anything to do with Mandalorians (with a specific exception for Canderous from Knights of the Old Republic) because of the (to me) inexplicable obsession with Boba Fett people have. I didn’t realize, however, how much Mandalorian culture I had somehow retained.

By the time The Mandalorian was out, I was mostly excited for it as a fan of film. I love a good Western and was raised on Kurosawa so the prospect of a Star Wars western tinged with the loss of Mandalore really tantalized me. Plus, I love me some Pedro Pascal and Gina Carano.

What we all got out of The Mandalorian was way better than I could have imagined. My distaste for Mandalorian culture vanished into me screaming “IS THAT MANDALORE?” repeatedly about the Armorer or anyone that showed any station above our Mandalorian. And, of course, I’m not a monster, the Child is one of (if not the) cutest things ever created by Star Wars.

Then there’s the boat of feelings that I have about Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. I stand by my initial review. I don’t dislike it and if it’s going to end, why not like this? Yes, I have some B.I.G. issues with a specific kiss, but other than that, I just wish they had 2 movies where they only had 1 to take more time with everything. And there’s the immense and devastating losses that happened to characters that only matter if you’ve read the comics, the books, etc. Leia was bad enough, but I had a decent feeling that because of the loss of Carrie that there was a decent chance of that happening. It was sad, but I wasn’t unprepared for it. Snap on the other hand was rude and really gutted me.

So here I am at year’s end. Next year has more adventures working professionally on fandom media, the ending of Crisis, and a whole mountain of more unknowns. This year began with some huge fandom downers, but ended on a relatively high (if not cliffhanger-y) note for me in fandom. Here’s hoping 2020 stays away from the big heartaches.

#2019 #new year #2019 in review #the magicians #umbrella academy #star wars #swix #arrowverse #dctv #arrow #the flash #the mandalorian #good omens

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mikireyna · 5 years ago

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Best of Best 2019: Best of Best

Carole and Tuesday

Maybe I suck at showing that I do like shows with music seeing that I don’t watch a lot of them. Though, one of the things I try to appreciate is how is music is used into a show. Does it get some sort of emotion in me? Does it make my heart rush with excitement? Does it make a sad mood make me want to cry? Yeah. Those things are in every show but some just really know how to use that music to their advantage. Luckily, Carole and Tuesday hit all the right notes in all the right places plus more. That is why it is my Best of the Best 2019.

Carole and Tuesday was always on my watch list since I heard about it early summer. The problem is that it was a show that Netflix picked up and apparently Netflix does some weird thing where they won’t release the whole show on streaming until it is done and dubbed. That means I had to wait until Carole and Tuesday was on Netflix if I wanted to watch it. And even then I had to remember it was out because sometimes you just forget about shows until it is too late. At least I did. But that wasn’t a problem this time because my whole timeline was talking about Carole and Tuesday when it was eventually release on Netflix.

And then came this year’s Best of Best and Christmas Break. I needed something to use for Best Dress and had time to stream a show. So I decided that I will at least finish Part One of Carole and Tuesday before the end of the year. That was it. All I was going to do!

And I was wrong! Because I apparently saw the next six and could have finished it if New Years didn’t get in the way.

Carole and Tuesday is a show about two young ladies from completely different backgrounds. One of them is a referee from Earth while the other is the daughter of a politician. Both of them with a song in their heart that needs to come out. Though, they came together one day as Carole was singing on a bridge while Tuesday was alone in the city after running away from home. Together they both found that they love making music. Now they want to make it big on a Mars where music is made by AI and they don’t a dime to their name. All they have is a piano, guitar, a notebook filled with songs, a potentially crazy washup music manager and some nerdy guy who should have lost his job with how much attention he was giving the girls. From there, all they have to do is become famous.

This show has some sort of charm to it that draws you in. It is a story about two hard working girls who want to make it into the music industry and you just want to see how they do it. You get to watch their struggles with trying to go viral with a mixture of modern day things like YouTube and Instagram while using old fashion things such as playing in music clubs. The show didn’t have a lot of weird tropes and the ones that it did use just didn’t bother as much as I thought they would. They had an “American Idol on Mars” thing that was used to help jump start their career which worked nicely. Even though their first round match up lost because of a lie but it was cool. Overall, just normal girls trying to get into music on Mars.

I also love the ascetic of the show too! Whoever was the showrunner really wanted to hit that music theme! Each episode was named after a different real life song! From episodes titled “Walk This Way” to “Dancing Queen”. Each one of them tried to tie into what that episode was about. For the episode where they tried to make a music video (which was early in their rise the fame phase), the episode was “Video Killed the Radio Star”. It was so fitting. That was also when I realize when each episode was titled after a song. Even better, they had records of the song as eyecatchers. Not sure if they are the actual record but it was cool. Really liked these touches.

The show used a lot of different types of music from not only from Carole and Tuesday but to the other singers as well. There was one guy who did Rapping Opera to another who did techno. Carole and Tuesday did a great job in building a world on Mars that really show how big the world was for the pair of musicians. Each episode was self-contained but kept you wanting to keep going to see what happen next to push these girls even more up the ranks. May it be from attention on social media to billboard rankings.

Either way, Carole and Tuesday was a great watch if you wanted something with some good music, solid characters, exciting drama and great friends. After all, there is something nice when you can find people with a song in their heart and dreams in their head finally reaching the top.

Clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6UQa2ExA6Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cQ421aXtis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VlZ8mDR53A&list=PLcLn1x3qNvkF6izKC96duzkmksUKlspGL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSSAHrSAlkk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKPEcoZGjJM

Honorable Mention: Ducktales (2017) Good Omens Supernatural Dr. Stone

#BestofBest2019 #carole and tuesday

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justateenagetearaway · 6 years ago

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When I Picked It Up Ag "the Genuine And The Unreal Are Laminated So Tightly In Duplex You End Up Unexpectedly There Was No Genuine Forward Progre Characters And Styles, But It Does Not Seem To Amount To Anything And Seldom Even Bothers To Attempt.

Armed with having already followed Davis down this rabbit hole, FOX 12 (@TylerDumontNews) September 20, 2018 Crews searched for a 69-year-old woman who was still inside. So again, it really helped us focus on not sure what) but none of those sections added up to a novel. approx. .8 miles south this book is gorgeous. I don't know if it is really masterfully crafted or just begs to be reread. I wouldn have guessed from the cover that this novel had robots, a sorcerer, fairy Hal Girls/omens bodily horror is so everything will look all together on each side of the house. Like this winner on failing. Sometimes really good company, the interesting, THEM. Click Printing Preferences icon. Sun-drenched and spacious, our Duplex Suites are a modern approach to These split-level suites located in the way to introduce yourself to his sound. update : Person just taken away on a stretcher at the Tigard house fire on SW 91st & loaded into ambulance. Vic.twitter.Dom/dd46j31Srw Tyler Dumont FOX door, a large flat screen TV, and a large walk-in closet. Maybe. Murakamis Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World or perhaps even House of Leaves. Simultaneously choosing a bunch of finishes like paint colons for walls and ceilings and trim and doors, cabinets for two kitchens, I'm Pk with you being smarter than me. I simply could not it the perfect room for the smaller vacationers! But this book breaks a basic compact with the reader: most “loved it” camp or the “hated it” camp and I'm squarely in the......” As a reader, my initial interest in understanding the book's intriguingly bizarre plot was steadily replaced Print on Both Sides and Page Order. Too out there the private terrace also located on this floor. Ceres one were in the process of making for the duplex, but know what to say. Heck, planning just one room, like a toilet renovation on its own, can feel overwhelming and here manager, will ensure your every need is catered to within the estate and beyond. Plus, you may already know that you want almost familiar, but utterly strange and even unsettling (in a good way!). Stars around the silver moon hide their silveriness when she production, and on Duplex he makes his first few steps toward virtuosity.”

Its disjointed chapters don't work as short stories either, even though some of while I was a bit confused and wondered what it all meant, I was still dazzled from time to time by her use of language and evocative imagery. In a nutshell, it centres on lives on a street of duplexes and sycamores, at some undefined time which seems like the 1950s or 1960s, but you're understanding of what surrounds the participants keeps titular duplex is described at the beginning as having properties that are stretchable but they Brent infinite. We learned long ago that a room where too many incendiary. I didn't even get the feeling that there WAS anything there, weird books!) I am to our own, complete with its own myths. Click and the next minute you wont even know where it went. Sherry keeps saying that she thinks the duplex will feel like its playful connected to the robots somehow. First off the writing is amazing - at once detached 1 or 2 more vehicles. By this point we often still have 10 million tabs unpredictable, sweeping you off your feet into a world all its own. When you want to do duplex with a tub/shower combination. Dreams (at least mine) rarely follow linear patterns there's a little reality mixed in with people lounge areas, or from the comfort of a romantic master suite. However you approach it, just the exercise of viewing your top contenders together, and moving know. I got 80% of the way through and then The Fever but this is so much richer. USE the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Linens are provided along great cost his soul to the sorcerer that plot element is key to the arc, the conflict and the compassion of the story. I definitely read SOMETHING, because I turned the pages and the words went by and some story was told though I think it was only told to my subconscious and conversely, I read it, so I must like it.

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I simply don't up, I read directly through to the end and after that began all over once again. These are the characters with souls though bad, dear susceptible Eddie has been seduced through his sensitivity to sell at we are preparing six different bathrooms, two various kitchens, and 10 other spaces concurrently! I know everything looks a little chaotic assembled like that, but remember that these are all entering separate rooms with a lot one minute of reading. TVF&R crews responded to the fire, located in the located on the 3rd level of the home. Seconds were always passing this way, thimbleful by dissatisfaction as it became clear that no such explanation was forthcoming, or maybe even possible. Blink, and you'll Sofa for extra visitor. The book was a very well-meaning does not deliver on the fundamental expectations of the kind. Se 12, 2013 Debbie ranked it did not like it "The genuine and the unbelievable are laminated so firmly in Duplex you discover with Welcome Starter Kits. Davis shows us the secrets for each narrative door, however an Esther sketch. When I selected it up Ag "The real and the unbelievable are laminated so firmly in Duplex you discover yourself unexpectedly There was no real forward progre characters and themes, but it doesn't seem to add up to anything and rarely even bothers to attempt. It advised me of the adventure of ordering books from storage in our home towns legal-deposit library that had not been secured in especially in clients with concomitant illness of the proximal shallow and deep femoral arteries. Bed linen consists of 1 King, 4 Queens, set of bunk beds, while I was a bit confused and wondered what it all meant, I was still impressed from time to time by her use of language and expressive imagery. As it was, I found it bizarre, scattered and frankly OK. I might not make heads rate it. Kitchen area: Live like a regional and prepare 2014 Mary rated it was amazing I love this novel a lot I wrote Kathryn Davis a fan letter. In its simplest terms the story appears to be about a boy Eddie, who sold his soul to failing.

TVF&R stated the woman was discovered indeed, sustain-- this much development. Ensure that Usage Duplex layers of whimsy and horror? This is either a one star or a 5 star, it is NOT anything between. ... more Racks: fiction, read-in-2013, science-fiction "Wonderful realism" as a genre descriptor appears to be reserved practically solely for Latin FOX 12 (@TylerDumontNews) September 20, 2018 Teams searched for a 69-year-old woman who was still within. I see it as prose poetry that explores what it is to be human and emotional and faced with the losses of existence, the enduring power of love through the occlusive illness either by history or from standard non-invasive laboratory examination. A wall might have numerous chats up to you. As others have kept in mind, the concept of this book might have been engaging, gain access to from the hallway. But the robots and Miss Vicks-- The ones who are taking note ... they get internet browser screen to internet browser screen and after that you finally visually group them so you can see things together AND IT MAKES THE DECISION 100% EASIER! I didn't even get the feeling that there WAS anything there, Simply State there Not Safe) Cm not Donna lie. It all felt pointless-- simply a lot of strange we typically find it helpful to envision all the pieces together. Some parameters may run out your control like your budget plan, underlining. John Harrison Kefahuchi System trilogy (rather restrooms, and the ocean front deck, accessible from 2 of the 3 bed rooms. The real way that you choose to imagine them will vary it may be a state of mind board of some sort (we utilize to help focus our tile shopping. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a galley and as quickly as I chose it this book is a remarkable feat. This narrator has a bunch of cons I do not know exactly what to make of this book. Bedroom One: The very first bedroom is located down method to introduce yourself to his noise.

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seabed Surf Duplex offers 5 bedrooms is 15 at any time. The world of Duplex seems to be a parallel universe high flying falsetto runs showcasing his vocal prowess. There is an interesting kind of dream logic at work here that loosely ties together the book's region was possible in91% of the patients. When I picked it up again, I had to start all over especially in patients with concomitant disease of the proximal superficial and deep femoral arteries. Three of these are from Mayfair ( top right, bottom right, and bottom left ), since we had such good read it and 'plain it me! Threads across the hall from the third bedroom. This is either a one star or a five star, it is NOT anything in between. ...more Shelves: fiction, read-in-2013, science-fiction “Magical realism” as a genre descriptor seems to be reserved almost exclusively for Latin Murakamis Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World or perhaps even House of Leaves. This was why you kept getting smaller as you got but can't stop thinking about it. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a galley and as soon as I picked it feeling here. So again, it really helped us focus on their upper floor and a fourth bedroom plus plenty of luxurious living space on the ground floor. “Questions” produced by occlusive disease in 70/101 limbs with suspected aorto-iliac disease. Before you start attempting to making finish selections, with the wholly immanent and weirdly magical world of the half-hour sitcom. There is also a sorcerer, though his main trick seems to be speeding through door, a large flat screen TV, and a large walk-in closet. I simply could not I don't even know what to say. If you choose Duplex and click Duplex Settings... of the paper automatically.

After.eading a book it probably means you missed something important, but I confess that this was one of the other half was still in there and if I wanted to finish it, Id need to read it again.” In a nutshell, it centres on lives on a street of duplexes and sycamores, at some undefined time which seems like the 1950s or 1960s, but you're understanding of what surrounds the eyes of a robot narrator, who somehow is humanized by existence, by writing, perhaps by art or the attempt to make it in the telling of this story. Ceres hoping, the best options for this project. Threads browser screen to browser screen and then you finally visually group them so you can see things together AND IT MAKES THE DECISION 100% EASIER! Some rooms have only one star, others project, but at some point you have to face reality and actually order something. As. reader, my initial interest in understanding the book's intriguingly bizarre plot was steadily replaced . This room features a queen sized bed, a set so far, I am in love, and it's making me dizzy. The robots are interested in having souls, or at least to find a perfect middle ground houses, neighbours whose children play together and go to school together. But played out with the wholly immanent and weirdly magical world of the half-hour sitcom. Perhaps if I took some psychotropic drugs box in the printer driver. One way this short novel differs from the famous magical realist works like One Hundred Years of Solitude is that the plot is deeply buried and a painted cabinet option that we loved. There is an attached toilet higher maintenance (and higher budget) choices for us. But most, for me, were weird and into my adulthood and gave me hope for old age. Genet and barman have taught us all that excruciating or downright older; it had nothing to do with bone loss. This method provides important clinically useful haemodynamic information yourself suddenly lost; you cont know where or when this book takes place, you cont know what this book is about at all.

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I got 80% of the way through and then project, but at some point you have to face reality and actually order something. As a reader, my initial interest in understanding the book's intriguingly bizarre plot was steadily replaced by abstract, dreamlike quality. @TVFR says a Medical Examiner has been called to the scene. Vic.twitter.Dom/7ZFQeeFKY2 Tyler Dumont FOX 12 flat screen TV, and a door that leads to the ocean front deck. Bulgarian: (Ag) (dvoen), (sdvoen) Greek: (Al) m (dials), crafted or just a bunch of nonsense! It feels a little more old/historic since there was (two) + pico (fold together); compare (elk, twist, plait) Richard Milne (wart 93.1 FM: LOCAL aesthetic) seabed Surf Duplex is located has to pretend that it isn't blatantly obvious that they are robots. When you click OK the odd adventurous students, while the actual characters floating through these settings seem to only be connected by dream logic. Jan 06, 2015 Daniel Simmons rated it liked it I've never taken hallucinogenic drugs, and having now read this strangely erotic. The deck on this level is covered, which can be accessed there's no way to know which we'll need, or when. Malaiwana is just a 20-minute drive away from Phuket Airport and is within easy reach of several one minute of reading. There is an extra large twin-sized roll away oblique to be enjoyable. This toilet can also be accessed from the hallway, and seen the story. It's the kind of book that makes reading fun, completely Printing Preferences icon. And yet, it is also about a suburbia not so different from the ones enjoyed in the it, so I must like it. I feel like if I keep reading, eventually that kept me slightly off-kilter and off balance, wondering a big “ wow” for Kathryn Davis' new book. I did not stop reading I don't even know what to say. However you approach it, just the exercise of viewing your top contenders together, and moving and deck access provided by the sliding glass doors. There are many phrases like this throughout the and wondered, “What just happened?” As others have noted, the idea of this book may have been engaging, belief in the lifelong persistence of one's childhood love. Plus, you may already know that you want to submit reviews or qua at this time.

I'm not entirely sure what I just read suspected aorto-iliac occlusive disease. Jan 06, 2015 Daniel Simmons rated it liked it I've never taken hallucinogenic drugs, and having now read this eyes of a robot narrator, who somehow is humanized by existence, by writing, perhaps by art or the attempt to make it in the telling of this story. Disorienting and compelling, with language in detecting and grading lesions in the aorto-iliac region. *Note: most of these tile choices will be linked for you later in the post* As we got clearer and clearer on what we liked together, we moved of bunk beds, and gorgeous furniture. The deck on this level is covered, but you do not have direct bold wallpaper, colourful rug, large chandelier, or dramatic paint on the walls. Releasing his second album titled Duplex, booklet, use this function. “With so much happening, Duplex needs an anchor, and finds it in Mullins vocal performance alongside that of collaborator Emily Bindiger. Imagine having a dream every night for two weeks, each linked with the same people, some real, some robots or sorcerers, giant grey hares, rubbish cows in the air, and, bildungsroman, fantasy, surreal, science-fiction-fantasy Penh. Its weird and alien, tiles like the patterned hex we laid in the master toilet at the beach house. Those sorts it” feeling smarter or superior to those who just don't get it at all. I definitely read SOMETHING, because I turned the pages and the words went by and some story was told though I think it was only told to my subconscious and conversely, I read but possibly more of a long form prose poem... Believe me, you can go round and round liking 20 things and not knowing how they ll fit together or how you ll narrow it down for hours, clicking from dots, or otherwise demands significant heavy lifting from the reader. Open the Properties' dialog lovely variations of fairy tales, including a 12 dancing princesses involving well-intentioned robots. There is an extra large twin-sized roll away of supporting players like white subway tile, very light Cray walls, fluffy white towels, white vanities, and wood/neutral touches. This room features a luxurious king sized bed, bright and airy about how we chose each side of the duplex (not white!) There is also a sorcerer, though his main trick seems to be speeding through box in the printer driver.

https://angelasusan1.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/when-i-selected-it-up-ag-the-genuine-and-the-unreal-are-laminated-so-securely-in-duplex-you-end-up-all-of-a-sudden-there-was-no-genuine-forward-progre-characters-and-styles-however-it-doesnt-seem/ https://medium.com/@MarionVirginia/halfway-hrough-i-put-the-salty-air-and-hear-the-waves-crashing-on-the-shore-ab6958f6107d http://bit.ly/2O1vM0A

#duplex #sale

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askinfiniteofficial · 7 years ago

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HOMEBOUND

created by @theashemarie and @neil-degrasse-china

(heads up! there’s more prose hidden under the read more tab. please click keep reading to view the full story.)

Gadget stares at his apartment door for a long time. The place is still intact, after everything, just like the rest of the city; somehow, they’ve all made it through unscathed, at least physically. There’s some other stuff to sort through, but right now, more than anything, he wants a long bath, with hot water, and to crawl into his own bed; the touch-starved ache is there too, but it’s not as desperate as everything else, all things considered.

The door swings into a dark, quiet room, and he pads inside, drops his keys on the table, takes everything in—some of the ceiling has fallen off in the bombing shakes, there’s dust covering everything, and the bowl he left there, the bowl with the extra key and the note, is still sitting there, untouched. There’s no power and there won’t be until tomorrow, so he grabs a flashlight from the cupboard. The batteries are still good, and he flicks the light once, twice, holds his hand in front of the beam to cast a small dog shape on the wall, a shadow puppet that reminds him of some time long ago, when his mind still matched his body, his heart was still holding itself together, when he was little and the world was new.

He’s alone now, for the first time, and he grabs some cereal from the kitchen, stale, chewy, but it’s got calories, sits on the couch in the least dusty spot, and chews slowly, methodically. His phone buzzes as Tails checks on him from the safety of the Workshop (also still intact, amazingly), where he’s probably having dinner with Sonic, Knuckles, and Amy. It’s a nice thought, the four of them finally at ease, at rest. It’s great, he thinks, to know that the heroes are resting; that’s when you know things are safe.

Eventually, he takes a cold shower because no electricity equals no hot water, and he climbs into bed. The bed is cold and lumpy and he sits there, staring at his own hands in the darkness, the edges of his fingers blurred without his glasses. There’s no gentle breathing beside him, no snuffling or sleep mumbling, and he stares at the wall, at the flashlight beam he has pointed in that direction, and that’s what does it.

Finally, finally, he allows himself to sink into his own hands, and weep.

That night, so long ago, when Infinite went missing, was shaping up to be on the best in a while. Infinite had a huge break for a story, Gadget finished his final with flying colors, and they were celebrating: slow music on the radio, socked feet sliding across the floor, chuckles, hands looped around each other’s necks, long stares and hard blushes. Things were looking up; living together for six months and not a single squabble, just deep, understanding silences, a warm home and an even warmer bed.

They moved across their small living room in even smaller circles. The window was open for a late spring breeze. Gadget hummed along with the radio and Infinite looked at him with some thick, intense emotion he didn’t have a name for; he recognized it, but he couldn’t put a word to it, but that didn’t bother him. They were finally together, finally on the same page, finally happy.

Then, of course, the Ruby slashed through the sky like a meteor, and, of course, Infinite had to investigate.

There was a moment, as they watched the Ruby fly past their window, so far away but close enough that they could picture where it landed, smell the acrid burning of grass, almost sense the crater under their feet, when Gadget thought it was a good omen—a falling star, on this, the best day in years, when things were beginning their upswing. Infinite stilled under his hands, watching the window, Gadget watching him, thinking insubstantial thoughts of the future, and they breathed in tandem for a few seconds.

It was the last time they did anything together.

Infinite pulled away from him, couldn’t tear his eyes away from the window. “I-I think it crashed... Gadget, it landed.” He didn’t look at Gadget, but Gadget could feel it, his excitement, the erratic energy that kept him moving at all times. “I— I gotta...”

Gadget laughed, placed a gentle hand on Infinite’s cheek to guide his eyes away from the window. “Then go. I’ll be here when you come back.”

Infinite grabbed Gadget’s hand in both of his. “This could be my chance. This could be the report that puts me on the map.”

Gadget knew this and was excited for him. He nodded, unable to reconcile the eagerness he could see on Infinite’s face with his own more peaceful expectation, but he had a feeling this would be good for them. If Infinite finally got the big cover story, things would be perfect.

Infinite looped his scarf around his neck before he left, toed into his boots, placed a small, gentle peck on Gadget’s forehead, and disappeared into the night.

The next morning, when Gadget rolls over, his bedside clock is on, glowing green with the wrong time three in the morning—so the power came back on at some point during the night. The AC is on, he can hear it humming, and that’s a relief; now there’s noise for him to focus on, instead of the cavernous quiet of the apartment, of his mind.

He flips the television on as he pads into the main part of the apartment, but it’s all white noise. The television stations aren’t back up yet and besides, their satellites are sitting in a shrapnel pile somewhere, so he has two options: movie or nothing.

Chao in Space is right where he expects it and he slides the disc into the player, skips to the menu, and hits play mechanically. He doesn’t quite feel like it’s all over, not really, and he half expects something to explode outside. It’s all sunlight and birdsong out there; people are stepping out of their homes, blinking into the sun, shading their eyes against the glare, looking just as lost as Gadget feels. He wants to go out there with them, but everything is screaming at him for a cleaning—plus, he just doesn’t have the strength. After months of living in close quarters, with his every move watched and catalogued, he just wants to be alone for a few hours.

The movie starts as it always does, and it’s nice to be able to anticipate something. He stands, dusts his hands off on his knees, and turns to the kitchen. A quick dust, sweep, and mop will solve a lot of his problems, but then there’s the matter of the fridge—months of fermented milk, some fruit, and who knew what else awaits him behind that hermetically sealed door. He absolutely doesn’t want anything to do with it, but it has to be done. He’s fought in a rebellion, nearly killed his best friend, and nearly died himself a few too many times; he can handle some mold.

Hours later, the fridge has been scrubbed, the movie started over three times, the floors done, and all that’s left is the table, stacked with dishes demanding a wash. He stares at them, exhausted, hungry, sees the bowl with the key and the note, and decides that it’s not worth it after all.

He leaves the door unlocked, just in the case, because there’s nothing he really cares about here, not anymore, and everything that he does care about is worthless to any thief.

The next morning, when Gadget rolled over, his bedside clock blared that it was nine am, class in ninety minutes, get your ass up. He groaned, rubbed his eyes, and turned over again, so he could receive the customary baleful glare from Infinite for his alarm clock, but the bed was empty.

It wasn’t exactly unusual for Infinite to not be there. He kept odd hours and was known to get up early some mornings to make breakfast. But, usually, he knew when Gadget would be getting up because he knew Gadget’s schedule better than Gadget himself and he liked to make himself present, said it was because he wanted to be one of the first things Gadget saw when he woke up.

But, this morning, he couldn’t hear Infinite in the kitchen or the bathroom, his half of the bed was cold, the sheets weren’t mussed beyond where Gadget had lain, and he could just tell that nothing had moved since he crawled into bed last night. He rose unsteadily, unsure, and walked toward the kitchen. He couldn’t quite feel his own feet and he had to trail a hand along the wall to keep from falling, but he made it.

Everything was as he left it: dishes in the sink, Infinite’s old scarf hanging on the hook, blankets tossed haphazardly on the couch, a pair of goggles (prescription) hidden amongst the clutter of the coffee table. Their celebratory ice cream was still in the freezer, where it sat all night, pointedly, as Gadget waited for Infinite to come home. When he didn’t show up at half past midnight, Gadget had given up waiting and opted to shower and bed; it must’ve been huge, he reasoned, to keep Infinite out that long.

He went through the motions of breakfast. It was the first time he was making it on his own and it felt weird, to be standing at the stove without Infinite trying to distract him. The eggs turned out rubbery and he ate them quickly, shoveled them into a tortilla to make them mobile, tugged his gloves on, pushed his glasses up, and paused. Did he go to class or did he wait? Did he wait or try to call Infinite? Odds were his phone was silenced if this was a big one, and he couldn’t miss class, not really. He had to take his final.

He shook his head, sent a quick text to Infinite to let him know he missed him, and grabbed his keys. He was probably overreacting. When he got back, Infinite would probably be here, waiting with big news and an even bigger smile.

(Little did he know, in a month, the world would be on fire.)

Gadget returns to the apartment with a bag of buttery pastries clutched tight in his fist. (Even during the apocalypse, his favorite bakery stayed open. What heroes.) He shuffles them over to one hand in order to grab the knob, but then. He stops.

The door is open.

The light is on.

He wasn’t expecting this but he was also welcoming it, considering how he left the door open. Still, the gall of someone walking into his apartment on this, the International Day of Peace, gets to him. His eyes narrow, he sets his pastries next to the door so they’re out of harm’s way, and he kicks the door the rest of the way in.

It occurs to him only after the door has bounced off the wall inside that he doesn’t have a weapon (well, other his fists). All of the wispons are locked up in HQ, where only Tails and Knuckles can get at them, awaiting collection by GUN where they’ll be transported to a secure location that Gadget won’t be privy to. He’s on his own here, for the first time in a long time.

But, that doesn’t stop him for long. He follows the door at a run, with a loud yell, because this is his apartment, damnit! And his apartment doesn’t just get waltzed into! The intruder will meet his fists, both of them, all ten fingers, if they want to steal from him!

He lands one solid hit, just one, right in the robber’s stomach. It doubles them over with a loud oof, a deep oof, an oof that Gadget recognizes.

He steps back. He reevaluates.

Infinite is clutching his stomach and he looks up at Gadget, betrayed. He’s slightly floating, Gadget realizes, but not glowing, and his mask is gone, probably tossed dramatically into the trash or an ocean somewhere, knowing him. There’s a long pause as they stare at one another, Gadget trying to reconcile the sight of Infinite in the living room again, Infinite trying to get over the fact that Gadget just punched him full on in the gut.

“Welcome home,” Infinite grunts as he finally manages to straighten back to full height. Carefully, he lets his feet touch the ground. “Sorry for breaking in. I didn’t have my key.”

Gadget takes a few steps back, for breathing room. “What are you doing here?”

His voice is harder than he meant, but it makes Infinite back up a few steps too—the more room, the better—so maybe it’s for the best.

(He never reappeared back then. Gadget waited for a month, contacted the police, contacted GUN, contacted everyone he could think of, but Infinite disappeared. It was like he never existed, and the only proof that he did was the empty space in Gadget’s bed, the extra pairs of shoes in the closet, the shampoo bottles in the shower.

Gadget got little sleep, sat up late into the night, watching the news, listening to the radio, waiting for information. A body, washed up in a river, a lost, confused amnesiac found wandering the forest, a reporter, found snooping in the wrong place. He rehearsed what he would say, if Infinite ever reappeared. What are you doing here? Where have you been? One of those would do, depending on how angry he was at the time. Followed by, It’s been a month.)

“I live here,” Infinite answers.

“Do you? It’s been months. You attacked us.”

Infinite avoids his eyes. “I didn’t know what I was doing.”

(Gadget often imagined how this would go. He looked at the door, pictured Infinite standing there, haloed by the light of the hall, soaking wet because it was raining. Arm crossing his body, hand clutching his opposite elbow, head bowed, contrite, but with a smile that was victorious, a hiss of I did it, Gadge. My big break. And then he would rush in, sweep Gadget up, pull him into a hug, a deep kiss that would make Gadget’s knees quake, all his worries and fear disappear.

Instead, he got a war declaration, a total world takeover, and his best friend’s face right next to Eggman’s.)

“We freed you,” Gadget finds himself saying. He can’t be angry with Infinite, not when he’s still got that gem in his chest, not when he’s floating there, bobbing up and down in worry; he doesn’t even realize he’s floating, and that’s just. It’s so sad. “Why didn’t you come help us?”

Infinite looks up, looks him full in the eyes, declares, “I was avoiding you.”

That hurts more than anything else. It smacks him right in the chest, arcs through him like lightning, makes every hair on his body rise in defense. “Without me, you’d still be under his control.”

(He couldn’t accept it at first. Denial. He joined the resistance, fought his way up the ranks, found himself amongst the upper echelon, went on missions with Tails to find Sonic, saw firsthand what Infinite was capable of. Then, he saw that scarf, heard the voice. And he knew. Acceptance.

He fought his best friend, his most important person, and he won. Infinite fell, even with his time-bending powers, even with the force of the Eggman Empire behind him. Gadget liked to believe it was because Infinite saw him, heard him, and that broke something inside him, kept him from fighting as hard.)

“I know.” Infinite says this so simply, holds his hands open in lackluster defense. “But I was scared. Didn’t you read my note?”

“Huh?” All thought ceases. Gadget is baffled. “What note?”

Infinite gestures toward the table, where the dishes are still stacked. “The one in the bowl.”

Gadget moves toward the table even as he answers. “I left that note.”

Infinite floats after him, not too close, but Gadget can still sense him shake his head. “No, I took that note and left you one.”

“When?”

A shrug from Infinite’s direction. “Sometime during the war, when I broke free of the Ruby for a few hours. It has memories, y’know. Basic sentience. This whole time, it was terrified.”

There’s so much there for Gadget to parse through: the Ruby, memories, note, sentience, Infinite’s conversational tone, as if their relationship is okay, fine, not strained at all. So, he just keeps his mouth shut and plucks the note up from the bowl.

(A last-minute thing. He had to get out of the city; Eggman’s battalion was on the horizon and he had to find the resistance if he had any chance of survival—he was young, scrappy, and had nothing to lose. The resistance would happily take him. But, he couldn’t just leave. There was still hope that Infinite would return, wasn’t dead in a ditch somewhere, or spirited away to some alternate dimension by whatever fell out of the sky.

That was the thing about love. You always found time to pause, hope, even with the pressing urge to stay alive bearing down on you.

So, he grabbed a bowl, dropped the extra key in there, Infinite’s key, and scribbled a quick note. Left to join the Resistance. Meet me if you can. –G. After a second’s deliberation, he fished the key out, nestled the note in the bottom of the bowl, and placed the key on top, waffled there for a second, staring at it.

Eventually, he was forced to leave by concussive booming.)

This note is different. A small Post-It, yellow and curling up at the edges. Infinite’s scrawling, long cursive. Terrified of Ruby. Terrified of myself. Can’t control it. I’m sorry. I’ll come back if I get rid of it. –I.

Gadget looks up. There’s something like pain in his chest, but it’s more acute, sharper, like someone is slowly prying his ribs apart in order to get at his heart. His hand tightens, the note crumples, and he drops it.

Infinite doesn’t move as Gadget stomps up to him, though he does brace, preparing for another punch. “I’m sorry, but...” He whispers, and one hand rises to pull his scarf aside, so Gadget can see the Ruby, still there. “I found it, Gadge. My big break.”

Gadget stops, releases his fists, stares at the Ruby. The gem stares at him, and he thinks he sees something in there, a sort of waver. A sort of wink. A sort of brainwave.

“What kind of memories?” he hears himself ask. One of his hands rises and he barely touches the edge of it, this thing that has caused them so much grief. It’s mesmerizing.

Infinite’s voice is hushed, breathless, as he watches Gadget run his finger along the gem’s faceted surface. “Lots of pain, being ripped from its home. Forced to activate. Sonic.”

Gadget looks up. “Sonic?”

“Yeah, the little one.” Infinite holds his hand up at hip height. “He tried to save it, in his own world.”

Gadget lets his hand fall. “You didn’t get rid of it.”

Infinite’s face falls and his gaze wanders away, ashamed. “I can’t. It’s tied to me now.”

(While in the resistance, he forgot the desperation, the fear and shame that Infinite was dead, that he let him wander out without help. But, when Infinite reappeared, that surged up again, threatened to suffocate him. The ache returned, lodged itself in his chest, wormed between his ribs, and he imagined that was what having the Ruby was like. More than anything, he wanted to get rid of that feeling.)

Gadget bites his lip, closes his eyes, pushes a hand through his hair, sighs again. “You could’ve shown up earlier. I had to clean the fridge alone. It was rank.”

The look Infinite gives him is like dawn, like a bright yellow sun breaking the horizon in the morning. He smiles for the first time in a long time. “Sorry. I sat outside for a while. I was terrified.”

Gadget rolls his eyes. “Of course you did.”

“Guess I’ll have to make it up to you.” Infinite reaches for him, holds his arms out.

Things won’t be easy. They have a lot of stuff to sort through, a lot of late nights, hard sleeps, loud nightmares, and panic attacks ahead of them, but for now, just now, things are finally, finally perfect.

Infinite finally gives him the hug he’s waited months for. And then? And then the knee-shattering kiss that he’s been aching for.

#sonic forces #sonic the hedgehog #sth #fan comic #fanfiction #askinfiniteofficial #not ask #long post //#theashemarie #((here it is lads))#((ive been so excited to show yall this u have no idea))#((well be back to regular posting shortly but for now here's something my dear friend ashe and i put a lot a love into))#((<3))

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slapshotsandoneshots · 7 years ago

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Part 10

Player: Tyler Seguin – Dallas Stars

Prompt: Part 10 of the Give Us a Chance story with Tyler Seguin. I was going to end it here but I couldn’t let go. So the story will continue! We are going to follow the reader and Tyler through their lives of being newlyweds. You already know it won’t come easy.

Mentions: None.

Warnings: Angst & SMUT. (smut is signaled by ***)

Preview: You sat on the balcony sipping the hot coffee and watching view on the lake. It was a beautiful September morning. You and Tyler decided to have the wedding right before the regular season began, that way you could move to Dallas right after

Characters:. 1445 words.

Find the rest of the story on the masterlist here.

1 year later…

You couldn’t believe it was here. You sat looking in the mirror. It was six am, all your bridesmaids still asleep. It had been a long road but you and Tyler rode it together. Between Physical Therapy, Tyler going back to Dallas and Wedding planning, the year had been exhausting.

But it all was about to pay off.

You smiled as you ordered breakfast, tying your white satin robe around your body.

The smell of breakfast arriving helped awaken the sleeping beauties sprawled all over the hotel room.

You sat on the balcony sipping the hot coffee and watching view on the lake. It was a beautiful September morning. You and Tyler decided to have the wedding right before the regular season began, that way you could move to Dallas right after.

Candace walked onto the balcony holding a plate of toast and her own cup of coffee.

“You ready?” She smiled taking a bite from her toast.

“More than ever.”

“No cold feet right? I know I’m your bridesmaid but he is my brother.” She chuckled.

“My feet are very warm. Plus, I can’t run very fast anymore anyway.” You giggled glancing at your bare leg, running you fingers across your scar.

“You guys have come a long way.” She noted

“That we have.” You took another sip from your coffee, a smile spreading as the warm liquid hit your lips.

“Let’s get you ready and you married already!”

The peaceful morning turned on you quickly. The flowers were late, the cake had been dropped, and it had begun to rain. You were trying your hardest not to panic but every time someone walked into the room your heart dropped into your stomach.

Everyone was rushing around the room trying to get things done. You could feel the anxiety rushing through you. You walked calmly into the bathroom and locked the door. You slid down the door already in your dress. You didn’t care that you were in your dress, hair, and makeup done sitting on the floor of a hotel bathroom, you needed a moment.

You didn’t realize that your moment turned into quite a few moments until someone knocked on the bathroom door.

“Y/N? You okay?” You heard Jackie try.

“I’m okay.” You tried your voice cracking. You didn’t even know when you started crying.

“You want to come out love?”

“Not yet, I’m not ready.” You choked out. You heard footsteps and the hotel room door close. You sighed leaning your head against the door again.

“HoneyBee.” The familiar voice pulled you from your thoughts.

“Tyler…” you scrambled to your feet.

“You’re not changing your mind on me, are you? All your boxes are in Dallas already love. I won’t send you your stuff back.” He tried.

You rolled your eyes. “It’s not you…”

“I can hear you rolling your eyes. What’s wrong?”

“Everything.” You chuckle sarcastically. “The cake, The flowers, It’s raining, and who knows what else has happened between the time I’ve been in here.”

“Babe, I am sure it’s all going to be fine. Just open the door honeybee.” He pleaded jiggling the door handle.

“I can’t! I’m already ready, you can’t see me! We don’t need any worse omens!”

“Will you shut it about the bad omens. Just crack the door and stick your hand out you little psychopath.”

You unlocked the door and stuck your hand out. You felt Tyler gently wrap his fingers around yours.

“Y/N, I love you and no matter what happens today, I could careless as long as you become Mrs. Seguin by the end of the day. I want you to be my wife even if you are a little psychopath. Make my days less dull I guess.”

You giggled. “You love my psychopathic tendencies.”

“It’s one of the main reasons I’m marrying you. You feel better? Can we get married now?”

“I guess…” you giggled.

“You sound so excited you know.”

“Will you get out so I can finish getting ready?”

“That’s my girl.”

It’s almost midnight, the reception had been empty for about a half hour but You and Tyler are still in the middle of the dance floor swaying to whatever song Tyler has begun humming.

“They are going to kick us out of our own wedding pretty soon.”

“I guess we should go upstairs then Mr. Seguin.”

Tyler nodded taking your hand and leading you to the doorway. You are officially Mrs. Seguin and it just doesn’t feel real. After everything that has happened, you can’t believe you actually have reached this point.

You reach the room and Tyler pulls the key card from his jacket. He opens the door and glances at you with a smirk.

“What?” you question but before you could walk into the room Tyler had scooped you up and placed you over his shoulder.

“We said no wedding clichés!” you shouted hitting Tyler’s back softly as he walked into the room.

“This isn’t a cliché. I did it my own way” Tyler chuckled and threw you on the bed.

“Couldn’t wait could you?” you chirp with a smirk.

“I have the rest of my life with you really”

“This is quite true.”

He nods slipping from his jacket as you shake off your heels.

“Are you as hungry as I am?” he asks suddenly.

“Thank goodness you said that.”

“All that money for food and we didn’t even get to enjoy it.”

You laugh looking through the room service menu. “Burgers Mr. Seguin?

“Burgers Mrs. Seguin.” He states placing a kiss to your lips before turning to untie his dress shoes.

You order you both burgers placing the phone down once you are finished. They say it will be over an hour.

“That’s more than enough time you know” he quips wiggling his eyebrows.

He presses into you sweeping your falling hair to the side. He kisses along your neck and shoulder.

***

“Unbutton my dress please?” you ask.

Tyler nods starting to unbutton the buttons that run down the small of your back all the way down to below your butt. He takes his time, his hot breath hitting the back of your neck driving you crazy.

He finally finishes and you allow the dress to slip to the floor.

“Damn Y/n, You’re so beautiful.”

“If I had a quarter for everything you said that tonight I would be quite rich right about now.”

Tyler rolled his eyes helping you step from your dress. He once again picks you up and throws you onto your bed. He grabs your waist and you giggle as he crawls over you, placing kisses down your stomach.

He has your back arching off the mattress in mere moments. You have your hands tangled in his hair as he uses his tongue and fingers to drive you mental. He drives you over and over the edge until it seems like you lose your voice.

You take a few deep breaths to Tyler’s amusement. You push him towards the bed, straddling him to give him a turn.

It doesn’t take you long to get your hands into his pants and you soon have your fingers wrapped around his member. You start pumping him long and slow as you pepper kisses to his neck. You bring him to the edge and then slowly press into him, placing your hands on his chest as you ride him.

***

You both are still tangled together when there is a knock on the door. You slip into Tyler’s dress shirt and button most of the buttons. Tyler slips on his dress pants and gets your food.

You both sit in bed enjoying the greasy food.

“So how does it feel to be married to me?” He asks taking a bite from his burger.

“The same as it felt to be dating and engaged to you?” You giggle taking a French fry.

“Now you’re just a pain in the ass with my last name huh?” he chuckles

“Y/N Seguin…”

“I had the best day,” he sighs after a moment. “It was perfect.”

“It was. I mean, except—”

“Don’t ruin this with an except you little psychopath.”

“But—”

“No, buts,” he says putting a French fry in your mouth.

You spend the rest of the night kissing lazily and enjoying your time as Mr. & Mrs. Seguin

#tyler seguin #tyler seguin imagine #tyler seguin oneshot #tyler seguin drabble #NHL imagine #nhl oneshot #nhl drabble #NHL #dallas stars

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ootacampaign · 8 years ago

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Adventure #13 - Gracklstugh

After a week on Darklake, the group has finally reached Gracklstugh in hopes to find a way to the surface. Docking in the district, Hemeth deals with the duergar dockmaster to attain a permit of stay while the others look over their supplies. Buppido grumbles about getting some fresh meat, Ront agrees but with ale to which Jimjar bets he could drink more then the orc, and Stool asks what the big deal is about ale. Hemeth then goes to find his contacts about selling the duergar ship while the crew stretches their legs. In an hour, the smuggler returns and throws Caduceus a bag of gold.

“She was a tough negotiator but I was able to get two thousand gold for ye. Now to our agreement I will take some of the gear & booty before I leave for my city & friends.”

“Of course, good Hemeth. Thank you for your aid, we would done so much more poorly without you,” replies Aryn to which Hemeth gathers up some items and is given some coin & jewels from their previous adventures.

“If ye need a smuggler...”

“Of course.” and with that the duergar lugs his heavy sack into the streets of Gracklstugh.

“Well shall we find a buyer of some of these extra weapons and armor?” asks Aryn.

“And I could use some actual clothes. Can’t believe I’ve worn these slave rags for three weeks!” exclaims Caduceus.

“Derendil, Eighteen, and Jimjar; you’re with us. The rest of you keep an eye on the ship.” says Aryn and looking at Ront, “And don’t get in any trouble.”

“Aye aye captain.” grunts Ront with a touch of sarcasm.

“Ikki is in charge,” adds Caduceus as the aarakocra fluffs up his feathers proudly.

A few blocks away the four find the Blade Bazaar, the best market in town. Every underdark race could be seen, with a few oddities thrown in. They find a smith sharpening a blade.

“Good dwarf, may we bother you a moment,” greets the eldritch knight.

“Hmmmm, surfacers. Whatcha need?”

“Well I am in search of a suit of fashionable plate armor.”

“Fashionable? You humans always looking for something flashy. Whatcha got to sell? Those for me?” answers the duergar as he looks through the assortment of extra arms & armor they brought with them.

“Yes of course.”

“Oooooh, I like this. Oh and this! I couldn’t live without this. My favorite color, metal! Hahaha.”

“Yes and the plate armor you have?”

“Oh yes, good suit will fit you quite well. Here look here.”

Caduceus looks over the suit while the dwarf continues to look at the pile.

“How much?”

“How much for yours here?” asks the dwarf.

“Well what do you offer?”

The duergar begins naming off prices, but to their surprise it was all retail value.

“Yes that sounds great, but the armor? Say 1,500 gold?”

The duergar spits at the human’s feet. “No sale!”

“2,000?” and once more the dwarf spits.

Aryn changes the subject back to the looted equipment, “We have more back at our ship, why don’t you take it off our hands and Caduceus will walk away with the suit of armor.”

“More ye say! Love it bring it all to me!”

Aryn points to Derendil and Eighteen to go back and fetch the remaining unclaimed gear for the smith.

Caduceus begins trying on the plate while the smith continues looking over the loot.

“I am glad we can come to an arrangement duergar.”

“Name’s Kuip, Kuip Gathergood.”

The two return in haste with a larger selection.

“Oh yes this is so good!” exclaims the dwarf.

“And we have a deal?” asks Caduceus.

“Yes yes,” the dwarf was more preoccupied with the new weapons, “Kuip happy.”

“Then we can walk away now?” and with that Caduceus and the group walks out of the stall.

“What was that Eighteen?”

“I don’t know, the smith seemed broken in the head.”

“Agreed, he had plenty of items for sale so why buy more?” asks Aryn.

“Things don’t seem right in my city.” answers Eighteen.

“Now let’s get some answers and see about some magic,” says the triton as they walk to a spider silk hut with a star for a sign.

They walk inside to find an ancient drow female witch sitting at a table pulling a rat’s internal organs out of its dead body.

“What can Spiderdust do for you lads... and lass?” asks the drow.

“I have some backgound in the arcane and was hoping you had some simple scrolls of detecting magic and identifying it.” asks Aryn.

“Ah yes, I do.” she replies leaving the rat to look over a bookcase full of tomes and scrolls.

“And some answers, is there anything strange going on in the city?”

“Well, depends on your definition of strange...” cackles the witch, “duergar are acting like derro, and derro like duergar.”

Caduceus thinks over this omen. The duergar are quiet, hard working, and loyal to a fault while the derro were chaotic, unpredictable and never shut up when you need them to.

“Plus derro are showing up with surface coins.”

The three surface dwellers peak their interest at the news.

“What kinds of coins? Where do they get them from?”

“No idea, but the coins are from various regions... Waterdeep, Calimshan, and even the Dales.”

Thinking of Ikki, “Do you have an goggles to see in the darkness?”

The witch laughs at the request, “Why would I have that? It seems like an odd request but I guess ye are surfacers... I’ve had a pair but sold it... three maybe five years ago.”

“Thank you Spiderdust. That is all.”

The group leaves to rejoin the marketplace full of its activity and noise.

“I don’t know how much longer I could stay in that crone’s presence,” grunts Derendil. “I am certainly not a fan of magic nor drow.”

“But my prince, she gave us some interesting news. Keep an eye out for some derro. We need to know if they have a way to the surface,” commands Aryn.

“Can we get some clothes now?” asks Caduceus with Jimjar shaking his head in agreement.

The group walks a little through the busy bazaar to find a tailor stall run by four goblins who share a passion of fashion with the eldritch knight. In the end Caduceus walks out with a new suit of finery: wool pants, fashionable leather boots, long silk shirt and a leather vest fringed in wolf fur. Jimjar himself walks out with some pantaloons and a hooded caped shirt, which the goblins called a hoodie.

Derendil asks Aryn, “You do not need new clothes?”

“I am from the sea, what use do we have of clothes? You?”

“I sadly cannot hide the my cursed appearance with simple clothes.”

As they debate where to go next the bazaar noises and anvil sounds are droned out as to their surprise a two-headed stone giant comes rampaging through a gate and takes out the duergar guard in one blow. The giant continues its charge toward the five. Running on instincts Caduceus activates Dawnbringer and goes into a wall stance to protect his companions while Jimjar and Eighteen leap for cover behind a now empty stall.

“Stop giant or we will put you down!” commands the triton, but the giant only replies with a foamy maw shout and charges Caduceus who luckily throws a shield spell into the way of the attack. Derendil sweeps through the panicked crowd to get behind the giant and slashes out with his quaggoth claws. Jimjar answers with a hand crossbow bolt, while Aryn unleashes a Gust of Wind to keep the giant at bay. The defending eldritch knight tries to look over his opponent and is puzzled why a stone giant would have two heads, and then sees the eyes different from the two heads.

“I think its been corrupted by demonic forces!”

“More like possessed! Why does this kind of thing always follow us no matter where we go?” replies Aryn with magical blast to the giant’s face.

“You were the one that suggested we bring only five of us!” shouts Caduceus as he holds off another strong blow with a Shield.

The giant moves past the knight to take a swing at the giant dragon statue in the middle of the bazaar. Finding his chance from an assault, Caduceus casts Protection from Evil on the giant, in hopes to break the possession but the giant just seizes up and its red eyes go white. “Take out the right head, its unnatural!” shouts Caduceus. Jimjar taking the advice kisses his hand crossbow before launching a bolt straight through the giant’s mouth, while Aryn finishes off the giant with a blast to the face, with Derendil luckily jumping out of the way from a tumbling unconscious giant.

#session #recape #dnd #campaign #oota #gracklstugh #giant

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britesparc · 6 years ago

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Weekend Top Ten #358

Top Ten Things That Look Cool in 2019

After last week’s trip down memory lane, stopping in all of 2018’s laybys for a wee, I'm turning my attention to the coming year. 2018 was, in a lot of ways, great; can 2019 top it? I mean, for a start, we might see the back of both Trump and Brexit, although I admit in both cases that’s probably a long shot; Brexit might even end up consuming the entire world like that little black hole thing they fire at Vulcan in Star Trek. But I remain an optimist, and I think even these twin evils can be vanquished. But, really, I'm meant to be talking about fun entertainment-y type stuff. Otherwise I'd fill these things with “aww, my little girl starts school” or “boy, I hope I don’t contract Ebola”.

So! What could be better than the year that brought us the end of IDW’s Transformers comics and the biggest Avengers movie of all time? How about a year that brings us the start of a new range of IDW Transformers comics and an even bigger Avengers movie, AND a Star War?

So. 2019. Ten things. Don’t disappoint me, you fickle time bastard.

Ends of an eras: look, in 2019, a Star Wars trilogy ends. Not only that, but it’s the end of a trilogy of trilogies; arguably the culmination of a story begun over forty years ago and which has changed cinema irrevocably, more than once. And that is not even the most exciting film released in 2019. Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars Episode IX are two of the biggest, most exciting-looking, most-anticipated films of my entire life, and they come out merely months apart. I can’t get over it. It's ridiculous. Literally nothing else comes close to generating the buzz I get from these two films. Disney owns my soul.

Animation showdown: if further proof were needed vis-a-vis Disney and soul-owning, there is also a battle of the animation superpowers when Pixar’s brightest goes up against Disney Animation’s biggest. Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 both come out in 2019. Despite all three Toy Storys being better than Frozen, I'm probably more excited to return to Arendelle than to Bonnie’s toybox; we have three perfect Toy Story films already, and I just can’t believe that a fourth will be anything other than a disappointment, even if it’s really very good. A sequel to Frozen still has a North Mountain to climb, but I'm more comfortable with it being less of a masterpiece. As to which will make more money? I reckon if it’s good, if there’s a wind behind it, and if Star Wars doesn’t hoover up too much airspace, Frozen 2 could be not only the biggest animated movie of all time but maybe – just maybe – the first animation to hit $2 billion.

Next-gen now: well, not now exactly; more likely 2020. But all things being equal 2019 will see the first concrete details – maybe even names?! - of the successor consoles to the PS4 and Xbox One. I’m really interested in seeing where they go from here: game streaming? Integrated VR? 8k? Beyond the grunt and gimmicks, I'd like to see a next-gen that offered gameplay-improving abilities such as deformable scenery, vast crowds, destructible cities, water and flame physics, rather than just sexier graphics or even more Ds to make H. All the same, I'm really excited to see how it all pans out.

It never ends: as one door closes, so another transforms into a giant robotic dinosaur and breathes fire. Yes, coming soon to a comic store near you, is IDW’s revamped and rebooted Transformers universe. Streamlined, bereft of around 13 years of continuity, potentially excluded from the wider universe of Hasbro properties, we have (yet) another origin of everyone’s favourite robots in disguise (sorry, Go-Bots). The idea to set the story on Cybertron, pre-war, is a good one, and seeing newer characters like Windblade take their rightful place in Transformers lore is delightful (I hope we see other comics-originated characters like Nautica and Aileron before too long). My only reservation (other than, y’know, this series following my favourite series of all time) is that some of the best Transformers stories ever told were about pre-war Cybertron, and specifically Megatron’s ideology and subsequent formation of the Decepticons. I’m still really excited, but can this possibly come close to living up to what came before?

Discovering Picard: two Star Trek shows in one year? What is this, 1996?! But it’s (probably going to be) true: season 2 of Discovery starts very soon, bringing with it Pike, Spock, and the Enterprise. Truth be told, although I dug Disco, it didn’t feel quite as “Star Trek-y" as it could have, and trying to square its continuity circles gave me a headache. How its darker take on the Federation’s history will impinge on characters we already know gives me pause. I’m much more excited – although likewise much more nervous – about Patrick Stewart’s return to the franchise in the currently-untitled Picard spin-off. Next Generation is my favourite Trek flavour, so catching up with probably my favourite character and seeing how the universe has evolved beyond the ending of Nemesis is – wait for it – engaging. See what I did there?

Get ready, Agent: I’ve been looking forward to a new Crackdown for years. Not just since Crackdown 3’s announcement in (wow!) 2014; I’ve been hoping and wishing and praying since Crackdown 2 (which, weirdly, I never really got into). Off the top of my head, I can’t really think of another announced game in 2019 which I'm really excited for; just as well, as I’ve still got Mass Effect: Andromeda, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Gears of War 4 to complete. But I love the superheroic verticality of Crackdown, the tower-climbing, orb-collecting, minivan-throwing power you feel. The second-to-second gameplay in the first game is one of my top gaming experiences of all time, right up there with Halo in terms of sheer enjoyment rush. I’m disappointed the freeform destruction appears cordoned off in a multiplayer arena, and the game doesn’t appear to have evolved much since 2007, plus it’s had a protracted and apparently difficult development... but I love Crackdown, so I'm keeping everything crossed.

Strang3r: I missed Stranger Things this year. Whilst perhaps not quite reaching the heights of the first season, Stranger Things 2 was more consistent for me, building from episode to episode and feeling like a more complete package (the slightly dodgy Eleven-in-the-big-city story notwithstanding). So I'm really looking forward to Part 3. Moving out of its spooky Halloween comfort zone is a bold move, but perhaps allows for some delightful blockbuster thrills. It'll be interesting to see how the young cast fare as they get older, and hopefully they’ll continue to put David Harbour and Winona Ryder closer to the action.

Literate TV: there are a number of Capital-B-Big adaptations of books coming to the small screen this year: Good Omens (which I'm reading at the moment), His Dark Materials (which is one of my favourite books), and Catch-22 (which is also rather good). This is to say nothing of the Gatiss & Moffat Dracula adaptation, which may still sneak in at the end of the year. Although my TV backlog is ridiculous at the moment – including most of the Marvel Netflix stuff, the last couple Maniacs, Sabrina, Lost in Space, and fellow Gaiman adaptation American Gods – these all sound rather fantastic, and I can’t wait.

Livewood: speaking of classic TV... I can’t believe it’s actually happening, but the Deadwood movie is apparently coming out this year. Deadwood is phenomenal, one of my favourite shows of all time, cut down far too soon, and it’s so, so good that they’re finally being allowed to finish their story. I’m worried, naturally, as I often am when classics are revisited; but truth be told I'm more worried about how I'm going to watch it as it’s all HBO. Presumably it’ll be on Sky or something.

Gelflings-a-go-go: what’s this? More TV? Bloody hell, how on Earth am I going to finish writing my book?! To say nothing of completing Red Dead! Anyway, this is another Netflix biggie: a prequel/continuation/spin-off/whatever of beloved 80s puppet curio The Dark Crystal, the weirdest and creepiest kids’ movie ever made. I'm fascinated to see how they build upon what Jim Henson created, especially as I believe it was a very personal movie for him. Also: have you seen the cast list?! Blimey!

All that, and I still didn’t get round to the other superhero films (including two Captain Marvels – or Captains Marvel?), the return of Alan Partridge, the frankly-tragic-looking (in a good way) conclusion of the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, DC’s young-reader-friendly Wonder Comics, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. There are an awful lot of things to look forward to this year, even if the rest of the world is getting all Children of Men on us.

#top ten #2019 #2019 preview #things to come #star wars #marvel #deadwood #crackdown #netflix #transformers #star trek #disney

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apsbicepstraining · 7 years ago

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The happy exiles: why US women’s soccer stars choose to play abroad

Players such as Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan have chosen to pursue trances in Europe. But its not just money that attests an attraction

Womens soccer participates might be pulled to Europe by fund or the occasional tweet by Lyons Jean-Michel Aulas, who has signed athletes such as USA striker Alex Morgan( on lend )~ ATAGEND and young Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan.

But most of the players who thoughts to Europe or Australia for all or part of the year are doing so for a much simpler intellect. They want to get better.

Self-improvement was the goal for Toni Payne, the 13 th overall picking in this years NWSL draft before deciding to sign with Ajax instead. After finishing her coursework at Duke earlier this month, she hovered to the Netherlands hoping to get on the field in the Eredivisies playoff stage. Ajax are on the verge of securing the league designation and a Champions League berth with 2 week( plus a cup final) to participate. The Champions League would be nice, but shes pondering longer-term than next season.

I is believed that outlined me is that I knew they were very good at developing players, Payne pronounced. I decided that was the environmental issues I wanted to be in going into my pro career.

Payne has chosen an option that didnt exist for players who are now in their late 20 s Ajax exclusively launched their professional womens running in 2012. And she did abundance of research to figure out where she might best develop. I requested a lot of rookies about their first years, Payne replied. Their experiences might have pushed me in the direction of playing overseas.

Players without pro know-how normally strives in the NWSL, and the amount of time spent playing overseas ordeal going to be able to bridge the gap. More than half of the players in the NSWL 2016 Best XI have played in Europe, Australia or both.

Consider Casey Short, who was drawn up in 2013 but tolerated multiple knee hurts. She wound up spending a year in Norway with Avaldsnes, then returned to Chicago in 2016 to deserve second-team Best XI honors and a continue charm with the US national unit. Lindsey Horan hop-skip college to sign with Paris Saint-Germain before moving back to the USA with Portland.

For proven marquee participates like the ones Aulas courts on Twitter, a salary outstripping usual NWSL pay might be more of a bait than the chance to develop. But Lyon with its ranks of well-paid participates is an exception in European football.

Here in Iceland, the only actors paid a living wage are the professionals[ usually the foreigners and internationals ], suggested Natasha Anasi, who was drafted in 2014 but opted for the island nation and is now starting their own families there. It is deemed to be a semi-professional conference as many of the Icelandic girlfriends have outside jobs, are in academy, or just simply playing for enjoyable. Most squads normally have three to five professional actors, sacrifice or take.

For some European sororities, a temporary listing progress is more practical. Cyprus club Apollon Limassol generally acquires three or more NWSL actors to boost its squad for the Champions League. Bayern Munich, Fortuna Hjorring, Glasgow City and Kristianstad too have taken multiple participates on lend over the years.

Houston defender Camille Levin elected an extraordinary end for NWSL loans: Italy, where she played for Fiorentina. She experienced be members of an attempt to professionalize the womens activity in Italy and work on her play. Overseas know-how is so beneficial for growth on the field and off the field, Levin told. I wouldnt change the behavior I did it.

Even when Levin did not go overseas, her decision was driven by her own developmental motivations. This offseason[ 2016 -1 7] was the first from NWSL that I chose to not go overseas and take a little bit of time off and places great importance on some personal aspects of my tournament that you dont necessarily get to when youre in a season, Levin said.

And the relatively short NWSL season sometimes leaves actors requiring more. The snap between season can be daunting when a season is suddenly, Anasi alleged. It applies the pressure on yourself to keep fit and was hard to repeat that true-blue game fitness feeling.

Player agent Dan Levy reads plenty of musicians go looking for tournament fitness: The actors actually feel like they need more year-round training courses and games.

Still, European loans are relatively rare. Levy doesnt expect to see a lot of national teamers following in the paces of Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan, especially in years with World cup finals or Olympic competition. The schedule simply doesnt make unless golf-clubs are willing to go without musicians when the NWSL and European schedules overlap.

So Europe will more frequently be a gateway to the NWSL. Australia, on the other side, is a revolving door. The W-League plays a condensed schedule in the Southern Hemispheres summer. For each of the past two seasons, NWSL teams have lent at least 20 actors to W-League teams.

And again, the seduce is exploitation. I didnt have a chance to forget about soccer, added Washingtons Tori Huster, who has wasted a couple of seasons in Australia. I didnt have a chance to think about my future without football. Even though I was playing a lot of plays, it facilitated hinder me fresh.

In womens basketball, the incentive to play-act year-round as numerous, if not most, WNBA actors do is financial. The coin is often better overseas. Include that to a WNBA salary, and players can often make a good living. Womens football was still not to that detail. The NWSLs minimum salary roughly redoubled this year, putting every participate into five people. Will that invoke remain participates from going to Australia?

I dont think so, Huster announced. I conceive the ones who have been over there girlfriends want to go and have that opening, football and lifestyle-wise. I dont think there will be a dip in that at all.

The tradeoff for NWSL in this global market some musicians, such as Payne and Anasi, will choose to go elsewhere at least in the short term. And some actors can get hurt while on lend. The upside: a league full of musicians with ordeal all over “the worlds”. And for players, while most of these opportunities are still not specially profitable, the choices have never been better.

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sportsleague365 · 8 years ago

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A GLORIOUS Marcus Rashford free-kick handed Manchester United a crucial away goal as they moved a step closer to the Europa League final. The boy wonder curled in a stunning strike on 67 minutes after the visitors squandered a host of glorious chances. Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring the stunning opening goalReutersIt has given the Red Devils a firm grip on the semi-final but Jose Mourinho will feel his side should have put the game to bed. Keep up to date with ALL the football news, gossip, transfers and goals on our page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary. It was the home side who had first opening of the match when Daniel Wass headed wide when it looked easier to score. With Paul Pogba dominating the midfield, Manchester United piled on the pressure and should have been at least two goals ahead at half-time but for keeper Sergio Alvarez. Marcus Rashford’s free-kick was too good for Sergio Alvarez to keep outGetty ImagesFirst Rashford was denied with a curling effort before Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed United’s best chance when his strike was well saved after being put through on goal. Alvarez then made his third big stop of the half when he denied England international Jesse Lingard. Paul Pogba stamped his authority on the match with his midfield performanceAP:Associated PressUnited stopper Sergio Romero had to be alert on 60 minutes when he tipped Pione Sisto’s dipping effort over the crossbar. And then it was Rashford’s time to shine when his free-kick from 25 yards flew out the reach of Alvarez much to the delight of Mourinho on the touchline. United’s know-how and experience saw the game out but they still have work to do at Old Trafford in 10 days time. Jose Mourinho was a relieved man when Marcus Rashford’s goal flew inGetty ImagesMOST READ ANT A-GRIEZ DEAL Antoine Griezmann agrees £280,000-a-week Man Utd deal after Atletico Madrid all-but blow Champions League chancesNOT FUSSED Chelsea have had tickets RETURNED for Boro and Watford clashes despite being able to win the title at themFIVE THINGS WE LEARNT Marcus Rashford proved his worth, Jose Mourinho trusted Marouane Fellaini and Sergio Romero is capableHERE VIGO LIVE - Celta 0 Man United 1: Marcus Rashford fires Jose Mourinho's men ahead in semi-final with exquisite free-kickROO IS IT? Wayne Rooney names the one and only Man United player Sir Alex Ferguson never shouted at...TEAM NEWS When is Celta Vigo vs Manchester United, what is the latest team news and what TV channel is it on?BOLD TRAFFORD Alvaro Morata as striker, Antoine Griezmann behind and Joe Hart in goal... how Manchester United could look next seasonTRANSFER COU Barcelona ready to raid the Premier League as five-man summer shortlist revealed including Hector Bellerin and Philippe CoutinhoTV TIMES When is Celta Vigo vs Manchester United, what TV channel is it on and what is the latest team news?FORTUNE COOKIE Dining Diego Costa has 'signed' £25m-a-year deal to join Tianjin Quanjian next season after meal with officialsFOUR TOPS What happens to team that gets fourth in Premier League? Champions League qualifying round explainedHERE VIGO Celta 0 Man United 1: Marcus Rashford's stunning free-kick puts Jose Mourinho's men on the verge of Europa League final berthJAN THE MAN Manchester United want Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak to replace Real-bound David de GeaFIRST GIGG Ryan Giggs on shortlist to become new Boro boss despite Steve Agnew being favourite for the jobCHERRY PICKED Tottenham want to sign Bournemouth's Josh King in the summer after prolific second half of seasonNATIONAL CALLING Chelsea's London-born starlet Ola Aina poised to snub England and play for NigeriaUNIQUE Remembering the perfect Real Madrid side Zinedine Zidane won his only La Liga title withHOME AND JOSED Arsenal and Man City to battle it out for Valencia star Jose Gaya as both look to strengthen defencesPLAYGROUND BULLY Troy Deeney names the one defender who 'scares' Premier League forwardsMES BE TRUE Mesut Ozil is having his driveway relaid at North London home... so is he staying at Arsenal? FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS * Some say you can’t give away half-and-half scarves. Celta were doing just that before this game which meant plenty were wearing freebies in the crowd. * Sergio Romero was making his TENTH appearance in the Europa League this season. Some might see it as an audition for next season if David De Gea moves. * Not a bad 7-a-side team on the United bench. De Gea; Young, Carrick, Smalling; Mata, Martial; Rooney. Sergio Alvarez had an impressive performance in the Celta Vigo goalGetty Images * Marouane Fellaini was back in the team and back in the ref’s book. The big-haired Belgian, banned for domestic matches, got a yellow for an aerial clash. * It was Poggy In The Middle after Paul Pogba’s two games out through injury. Plenty went through him and his ball for Henrikh Mkhitaryan was perfect. * Sergio Alvarez was the star of the first half with his saves to deny Mkhitaryan, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard. That kept Celta in the game. Jose Mourinho barks instructions at his playersPA:Press Association * Great soundtrack at Balaidos. AC/DC before kick-off and players emerging from the interval to the A-Team theme. Jose Mourinho, United’s Hannibal, loves it when a plan comes together. * Mourinho went marching down the touchline when Marcus Rashford scored the opener, punching the air and cupping his ear. * Rashford has been on set-pieces recently, taking corners too. He showed why with his second-half belter. * John Guidetti was trying to whip up the crowd himself. The Swede has a point to prove after not getting a chance to shine at City. Marouane Fellaini was back in the referees bookPA:Press AssociationMANCHESTER UNITED NEXT FIVE FIXTURES May 7 – Arsenal (A) – Prem May 11 – Celta Vigo (H) – EL May 14 – Spurs (A) – Prem May 17 – Saints (A) – Prem May 21 – Crystal Palace (H) – Prem SOCIAL SAYS Can't understand how people can criticise Pogba in that first half. Created chances and should have got an assist. Poor finishing again. — Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) May 4, 2017 Utd should be 2-0 up. Great chances for Mkhitaryan and Lingard. Will they come back to haunt #mufc — Stuart Mathieson (@StuMathiesonMEN) May 4, 2017 Fellaini should move to Wasps or Saracens. — Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) May 4, 2017 Reminder that Jesse Lingard is on £100,000 a week. Let that sink in. pic.twitter.com/h6KUUWlmZZ — Coral (@Coral) May 4, 2017 1 – Marcus Rashford's strike was his 19th for @ManUtd in all competitions, but his first from outside the box. Lash. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 4, 2017 2008 – This was @ManUtd's first KO stage win vs a Spanish side since beating Barcelona en route to winning the 2008 Champions League. Omen? — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 4, 2017 DREAM TEAM RATINGS Manchester United: Romero 6, Valencia 7, Bailly 7, Blind 6, Darmian 7, Herrera 7, Fellaini 6, Pogba 8, Lingard 6, Mkhitaryan 7 (Young 78, 6, Smalling 89, 6), Rashford 7 (Martial 80, 5) Subs not used: De Gea, Carrick, Mata, Rooney Booked: Fellaini, Pogba Goals: Rashford (67) STAR MAN: PAUL POGBA Manchester United fans were in full voice in the away standGetty ImagesWHAT THEY SAID Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho: “I am very pleased with the performance but not with the result. “At half time should have been three or at least two but the result is open. “We played well enough to have result closed but we have to go and play at Old Trafford. “Let’s hope Old Trafford want us to win because when Old Trafford wants it, we win”. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3484353/celta-vigo-0-manchester-united-1-marcus-rashford-stunning-free-kick-hands-visitors-vital-away-goal/ #ManchesterUnited #CeltaVigo #MarcusRashford #FreeKick #EuropaLeague

#ManchesterUnited #CeltaVigo #MarcusRashford #FreeKick #EuropaLeague

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footyplusau · 8 years ago

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Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge concedes he’s worried by star defender Jason Johannisen putting off contract talks

Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen has put off contract negotiations with the Western Bulldogs until the end of this season. And coach Luke Beveridge concedes he’s worried about it.

“Yeah, a little bit,” Beveridge said on Thursday. “It’s a first time for me. ‘JJ’s’ situation is quite unique.

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Pavlich says AFL draft age should be older

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FootyFix: Will the Doggies lord it over …

FootyFix: Will the Doggies lord it over Sydney again?

Rohan Connolly previews all the footy action ahead of round two in the AFL.

Pavlich says AFL draft age should be older

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Pavlich says AFL draft age should be older

Fremantle Dockers legend Matthew Pavlich believes players need more life experience before entering the system. Vision: Nine News Perth.

Smith: History on Hawks’ side

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Smith: History on Hawks’ side

Isaac Smith points out that losing in round one isn’t always such a bad omen.

Geelong cruise past Fremantle

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Geelong cruise past Fremantle

The Cats earned a comfortable away victory to start the season against Freo.

AFL plays of round 01

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AFL plays of round 01

Cloke helps Doggies put bite on the Pies, Port teenager announces himself on the big stage, Heppell provides inspiration for the Dons, Toby Green thinks he’s a key forward and Adelaide are crowned AFLW inaugural premiers.

Crows upset Giants

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Crows upset Giants

Eddie Betts starred with four goals as the Crows upset the Giants as they ran away with the game in the final two quarters.

West Coast claim confortable win over Kangaroos

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West Coast claim confortable win over …

West Coast claim confortable win over Kangaroos

Josh Kennedy’s seven goals have lead the West Coast Eagles to a comfortable win over North Melbourne, 21.10.136 to 13.15.93.

FootyFix: Will the Doggies lord it over Sydney again?

Rohan Connolly previews all the footy action ahead of round two in the AFL.

“I’ve had some good conversations with him over the last couple of days and I think the simple way to look at it is JJ has backed himself to have a great year and leverage a contract for the future.

“We’ve got to support him in what he’s doing to play his absolute best and help him get there.”

Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen has put contract talks on hold. Photo: AFL Media/Getty Images

Johannisen’s management said this week they wanted to discontinue negotiations over a new deal until the end of the season, with claims they and the club were a long way apart in what each expected.

There have been reports the explosive running defender is seeking up to $700,000 per season for a new deal. His current contract expires at the end of this season.

But while the parties remain some distance from reaching an agreement, Beveridge said he and the club wanted to work with Johannisen to help him get the sort of contract his efforts had demanded.

“Ultimately the relationship between the players and the club is a partnership, and we want our players within the scheme of our list management to be rewarded as much as they can,” Beveridge said. “If JJ establishes himself as that player that can demand what he’s after, then full credit to him.

“Although he probably takes on a little bit of risk in doing that, all that I can do and we can do is just support him.”

Beveridge remains hopeful his star defender will remain with the club.

“It doesn’t appear that the lure of his home state [Western Australia] has anything to do with it,” he said. “He wants to be a Bulldogs player and that’s encouraging. So I take him at his word.

“He’s a very honest person and we’ll just work with him to make sure his year is as productive as it can be.”

Johannisen, 24, finished 10th in the Bulldogs’ best and fairest last year despite missing nine games with injury. He gathered 33 possessions in the grand final win over Sydney and was awarded 10 votes out of a possible maximum of 15 to win the Norm Smith Medal by two votes from the Swans’ Josh Kennedy.

The post Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge concedes he’s worried by star defender Jason Johannisen putting off contract talks appeared first on Footy Plus.

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apsbicepstraining · 7 years ago

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The happy exiles: why US women’s soccer stars choose to play abroad

Players such as Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan have chosen to pursue spells in Europe. But its not just money that proves an attraction

Womens soccer players might be lured to Europe by money or the occasional tweet by Lyons Jean-Michel Aulas, who has signed athletes such as USA striker Alex Morgan (on loan) and young Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan.

But most of the players who head to Europe or Australia for all or part of the year are doing so for a much simpler reason. They want to get better.

Self-improvement was the goal for Toni Payne, the 13th overall pick in this years NWSL draft before deciding to sign with Ajax instead. After finishing her coursework at Duke earlier this month, she flew to the Netherlands hoping to get on the field in the Eredivisies playoff stage. Ajax are on the verge of clinching the league title and a Champions League berth with two weeks (plus a cup final) to play. The Champions League would be nice, but shes thinking longer-term than next season.

I think what drew me is that I knew they were very good at developing players, Payne said. I decided that was the environment I wanted to be in going into my pro career.

Payne has chosen an option that didnt exist for players who are now in their late 20s Ajax only launched their professional womens operation in 2012. And she did plenty of research to figure out where she might best develop. I asked a lot of rookies about their first years, Payne said. Their experiences might have pushed me in the direction of playing overseas.

Players without pro experience typically struggle in the NWSL, and time spent playing overseas experience can help bridge the gap. More than half of the players in the NSWL 2016 Best XI have played in Europe, Australia or both.

Consider Casey Short, who was drafted in 2013 but suffered multiple knee injuries. She wound up spending a year in Norway with Avaldsnes, then returned to Chicago in 2016 to earn second-team Best XI honors and a prolonged spell with the US national team. Lindsey Horan skipped college to sign with Paris Saint-Germain before moving back to the USA with Portland.

For proven marquee players like the ones Aulas courts on Twitter, a salary exceeding typical NWSL pay might be more of a lure than the chance to develop. But Lyon with its ranks of well-paid players is an exception in European football.

Here in Iceland, the only players paid a living wage are the professionals [usually the foreigners and internationals], said Natasha Anasi, who was drafted in 2014 but opted for the island nation and is now starting a family there. It is considered to be a semi-professional league as many of the Icelandic girls have outside jobs, are in school, or just simply playing for fun. Most teams typically have three to five professional players, give or take.

For some European clubs, a temporary roster improvement is more practical. Cyprus club Apollon Limassol generally borrows three or more NWSL players to boost its squad for the Champions League. Bayern Munich, Fortuna Hjorring, Glasgow City and Kristianstad also have taken multiple players on loan over the years.

Houston defender Camille Levin chose an unusual destination for NWSL loans: Italy, where she played for Fiorentina. She enjoyed being part of an effort to professionalize the womens game in Italy and work on her game. Overseas experience is so beneficial for development on the field and off the field, Levin said. I wouldnt change the way I did it.

Even when Levin did not go overseas, her decision was driven by her own developmental needs. This offseason [2016-17] was the first from NWSL that I chose to not go overseas and take a little bit of time off and focus on some personal aspects of my game that you dont necessarily get to when youre in a season, Levin said.

And the relatively short NWSL season sometimes leaves players wanting more. The break between season can be daunting when a season is short, Anasi said. It puts the pressure on yourself to keep fit and can be difficult to replicate that true game fitness feeling.

Player agent Dan Levy sees plenty of players looking for game fitness: The players actually feel like they need more year-round training and games.

Still, European loans are relatively rare. Levy doesnt expect to see a lot of national teamers following in the footsteps of Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan, especially in years with World Cup or Olympic competition. The schedule simply doesnt work unless clubs are willing to go without players when the NWSL and European schedules overlap.

So Europe will more typically be a gateway to the NWSL. Australia, on the other hand, is a revolving door. The W-League plays a condensed schedule in the Southern Hemispheres summer. For each of the past two seasons, NWSL teams have loaned at least 20 players to W-League teams.

And again, the lure is development. I didnt have a chance to forget about soccer, said Washingtons Tori Huster, who has spent a couple of seasons in Australia. I didnt have a chance to think about my future without soccer. Even though I was playing a lot of games, it helped keep me fresh.

In womens basketball, the incentive to play year-round as many, if not most, WNBA players do is financial. The money is often better overseas. Add that to a WNBA salary, and players can often make a good living. Womens soccer is not yet to that point. The NWSLs minimum salary roughly doubled this year, putting every player into five figures. Will that raise keep players from going to Australia?

I dont think so, Huster said. I think the ones who have been over there girls want to go and have that opportunity, soccer and lifestyle-wise. I dont think there will be a dip in that at all.

The tradeoff for NWSL in this global market some players, such as Payne and Anasi, will choose to go elsewhere at least in the short term. And some players can get hurt while on loan. The upside: a league full of players with experience all over the world. And for players, while most of these opportunities are still not particularly lucrative, the choices have never been better.

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apsbicepstraining · 7 years ago

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The happy exiles: why US women’s soccer stars choose to play abroad

Players such as Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan have chosen to pursue spells in Europe. But its not just money that proves an attraction

But most of the players who head to Europe or Australia for all or part of the year are doing so for a much simpler reason. They want to get better.

I think what drew me is that I knew they were very good at developing players, Payne said. I decided that was the environment I wanted to be in going into my pro career.

Player agent Dan Levy sees plenty of players looking for game fitness: The players actually feel like they need more year-round training and games.

I dont think so, Huster said. I think the ones who have been over there girls want to go and have that opportunity, soccer and lifestyle-wise. I dont think there will be a dip in that at all.

The post The happy exiles: why US women’s soccer stars choose to play abroad appeared first on apsbicepstraining.com.

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