#ruthie taylor

[theflannelwizard]

& don’t kill mrs. taylor’s kids…

[arcane-vagabond]

This just in: @goldenseresinretriever hates me and doesn’t want me to be successful in any way 😔

[luminouslywriting]

Fancam Tag

Rules: Pick 5 songs you think would be used for fancam videos if your OC was canon and tag 5 people. Obviously, I had to choose Ruth Sharpe from my Masters of the Air fanfic :)

1-So High School by Taylor Swift

Really I think this just goes for Ruthie and Rosie so well—

"You know how to ball and I know Aristotle?" ICONIC

2-I Want More by Marisa Davila from Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies

"I want more, more than I probably should, more than I probably ever ever could have."

3-Surface Pressure from Encanto

"Give it to your sister, your sister's older, give her all the heavy things we can't shoulder."

4-Liability by Lorde

"They say, "You're a little much for me. You're a liability. You're a little much for me"

5-Do It Like A Girl by Morgan St Jean

"Anything that you can do, I can do it better while I'm bleeding. Every dollar that you make, I make a percentage, call it even."

No pressure tags:

@instructionsnotincluded @precious-little-scoundrel @roadtogracelandx45

[lexthanyuri]

Call us Mason, or Oliver. It/he pronouns. 17yrs old.

We occasionally make Stimboards and Moodboards. Requests are open for both.

Main: @spankoffskicest

Also dni; anti-radqueer, anti-progoodfaith, anti-palestine/zionist/support israel, rude/mean antis, homo/transphobic

Anyone (as long as you don’t apply to our dni) may interact with our account, as long as it’s in good faith.

open cut for list of alters that will post, and our tags

last updated 10/13/24

🕷️posting — specifically posted by Eddie

🐦‍⬛rambles — specifically posted by Naomi

🐾puppy yips — specifically posted by Kyle

🦎yaps a lot — specifically posted by Stephanie

👛ali’s tag — specifically posted by Ali

❤️‍🔥ruthie rambles — specifically posted by Ruthie

💫zoe swears — specifically posted by Zoe

🌀tay talks — specifically posted by Taylor

our moodboards — exactly what it says

our stimboards — exactly what it says

mason yips&yaps — just us talking & stuff

wilsoncest — anything related to our ocs aj and ash

Naomi ; Source: Smosh ; It/Fang/Hell ; First open proshipper in our system ; Signoff is -🐦‍⬛

Stephanie ; Source: NPMD ; He/She ; Probably one of the gayest parts here ; Signoff is -🦎

Eddie ; Source: Stranger Things ; Thing/Paw/It ; Posts the most ; Signoff is -🕷️

Kyle ; Source: NPMD ; He/him ; Just a cute little puppy :3 ; Signoff is -🐾

Ali ; Source: TGWDLM/NMT ; She/her ; Biggest Hamilton fan /hj ; Signoff is -👛

Ruthie ; Source: NPMD ; They/she ; I don’t know what to put here ; Signoff is -❤️‍🔥

Zoe ; Source: TGWDLM ; She/star/fame ; Evil alter /silly ; Signoff is -💫

Taylor ; Source: NPMD ; Pup/he/rat ; I’ll never hold the real rei and asuka in my arms ; Signoff is -🌀

[mtsodie]

i fear ruthie would be a taylor swift girlie . if i let her

[julio-viernes]

Leo los homenajes a Steve Harley. Las palabras que le han dedicado Dave Davies, Midge Ure, Boy George, OMD, John Taylor de Duran Duran y Luke Haines de Auteurs: "adiós por ahora Steve Harley. Escucharé 'The Human Menagerie'. Por unos momentos, Cockney Rebel fue más genial que Big Dave. Gran banda y compositor".

Uno de esos momentos pudo ser "What Ruthy Said", del LP de debut de Cockney Rebel en EMI, 1973. Esta siempre la asocié a La Mode de otro gran fan de Harley, Fernando Márquez "El Zurdo".

Y "Loretta´s Tale", entre la perezosa indolencia de "Sitting By The Riverside" y la indolencia perezosa de "Susurrando".

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #59: August 6th - 12th

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from August 6 - August 12, 2023! Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing! 

Challenges/Prompts:

The following is a roundup of open challenges/prompts. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

@callixton is hosting The West Wing Pride Week (@twwpride here on tumblr) September 17 - 23. More details here! 

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from August 6 - 12. 

Bradley Whitford posted a photo of his dog next to his laundry. 

Josh Malina posted a photo of himself donating platelets. 

Josh Malina posted a graphic inviting people to join The West Wing pickets in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike.  

Marlee Matlin posted a photo of herself with her friend Dr. Ruthie along with a birthday wish. 

Mary McCormack posted a photo of her daughter Rose passing a SWIFT semi-truck on their way to the Taylor Swift Eras tour in LA. 

Peter James Smith posted in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike: 1 | 2

Donna Moss Daily: August 6 | August 7 | August 8 | August 9 | August 10 | August 11 | August 12

Daily Josh Lyman: August 6 | August 7 | August 8 | August 9 | August 10 | August 11 | August 12

No Context BWhit: August 6 | August 7 | August 8 | August 9 | August 10 | August 11 | August 12

@twwarchive: August 6 | August 7 | August 8 | August 9 | August 10 | August 11 | August 12

Edits/Artwork:

#JOSHDONNA: ‘Silver Springs’ by @kennysroys [VIDEO EDIT]

Miscellaneous:

Twitter users @JessBakesCakes and @Schwifts met Bradley Whitford this weekend! 1 | 2 | 3

Editors’ Choice: 

We are taking a break from Editors’ Choice this week! We’ll catch you with more recs next week! 

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own. 

Josh/Donna

Give me your hand, and I will love you forever by ProportionalResponse | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress Betty by Shinyrosa | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete Forcing Laughter, Faking Smiles by MatthewsMary | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete [Editor’s Note: While this fic is listed on AO3 as complete, it has continued to update and appears to be a WIP] Errors and Omissions by Chinesepapercut | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress Domestic Days by spooky_spacegirl | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress it’s just gravitational (i can’t escape the pull) by flowersinapril | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete Unwinding by SocialOutsider | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

CJ/Danny

What ifs, what about-isms and What elses? by Jxjxjx |  Rated G | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | In Progress Off the Record by  onekisstotakewithme for daylight_angel, miabicicletta, Luppiters, hondagirll | Rated T | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | In Progress

Other Pairings/Gen Fic

Summer Fayre by Hackney123 | Rated G | Helen Santos, Donna Moss (No pairings listed) | Complete

Multiple Pairings

Storybook Romance by electric_eel | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | Rated G | Complete Could I Have This Dance (For The Rest Of My Life?): The Rewrite by mlea7675 | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn, Danny Concannon/C.J. Cregg, Helen Santos/Matt Santos | In Progress

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

xx, What’s next?

[soulsuckrrs]

Basic Information

Full Name: Rutherford Marlow Gray Nickname: Ruth, Ruthie Age: 29-33 | actually 94 Date of Birth: May 15th Species: Witch Powers: energy manipulation, shield projection, telekinesis, pyro & hydrokinetic, medical/healing magic, defensive magics, potions, enhancing spells (to improve his physical  & magical abilities).  Hometown: Massachusetts  Current Location: States | Thread dependent Nationality: American Gender: Male Pronouns: He/Him/His Orientation: Biromantic & Bisexual Religion: polytheist  Occupation: works as security detail & a bodyguard for his family’s security company. Also “moves” people or items for the sketchy people his parents associate/work with. Living Arrangements: Ruth has an apartment that is one of many properties his family owns, his parents assigned it to him and it is in New Orleans but he stays wherever his jobs & clients take him.  Language(s) Spoken: English, Latin, Italian & French. Is learning German & Mandarin. 

Physical Appearance

Face Claim: Aaron Taylor-Johnson Hair Color: Brunette Eye Color: Blue. A glowing silvery-blue when using powers. Height: 6′0 Weight: 183 lbs Build: muscular, toned, athletic. Tattoos: tbd Piercings: ear lobes, stud piercing on right ear. Clothing Style: Whatever is in style, Ruth likes to maintain a nice look, perhaps a bit lazy for a professional setting but enough to pass in his line of work. Blacks, blues & whites, some red here & there. Usual Expression: a bit arrogant & certainly mischievous when he isn’t on a job, in that case it depends on the client or job & can range from expressionless professional to bored rich boy.

Health

Sleeping Habits: he usually crashes for a few hours, 2 to 6 hours a night if he can get it. Struggles with insomnia sometimes due to restlessness or nightmares. Eating Habits: he loves food & will eat whenever he gets the chance. If you really want the guy on your side, feed him & bring him snacks or treats all the time. Exercise Habits: Ruth loves working out, in the gym, running, lifting weights, & boxing or mixed martial arts. He prides himself on staying active, athletic, & agile.  Emotional Stability: he’s a bit brash about his feelings & emotions, has a hard time really keeping them to himself even if it puts the other person in an awkward or uncomfortable positions, he doesn’t always process his emotions before acting on them & they very much control him more-so than he controls them.  Sociability: Ruth doesn’t have a filter & very much will talk to anyone whether they want to talk with him or not. He prefers being around other people & being in social places, it’s easier to ignore the dark thoughts when he’s doing anything but being alone. Body Temperature: hot, he’s always hot & hates wearing clothes. Drug Use: he typically tries to stay away from the harder drugs but does enjoy participating in some, mostly uppers & weed, a big stoner. Alcohol Use: Ruth certainly enjoys his alcohol & a good binger, though he wouldn’t say that it is a problem nor keeps him from doing his job. Scent: cigarettes, smoke & french cologne.

Personality

Label: The Wildcard Positive Traits: loyal, determined, witty, sensual & open-minded. Negative Traits: reckless, stubborn, hot-headed, impulsive, & unfiltered. Fears: fucking up & being the cause of someone’s death or critical injury. Hobbies: boxing/mma, running/working out, drawing/sketching/painting, playing guitar & drums, playing video & arcade games, rolling skating, dancing/partying, making potions & studying magic (though he doesn’t let this be known as much). Habits: paces or fidgets a lot (has a hard time staying still). Talks mad shit.

Favorites

Weather: summer, hot, sunny. Color: blue. black. purple. Music: rock, metal, hip-hop. Movies: action, adventure, fantasy. Sport: basketball, parkour, boxing. Beverage: liquor, beer, coffee. Food: Indian, Mediterranean, Mexican. He just loves food. Give him all the food. Animal: giraffe. sloth. dog.

Family

Father: Henry Gray, alive. Mother: Karina Gray (Higgins), alive. Greta Gray (Matthews), step-mother, alive. Sibling(s): Ruth has 11 siblings & he is the 4th oldest of them, the second boy of his family. His two older sisters are Rae & Ariel & his older brother is Lewis. Children: none Pet(s): none Financial Status: his family is rather wealthy with decades of working in the field all members find themselves working & contributing to the familial wealth but on his own, Ruth doesn’t entirely worry about money unless there is an issue where he has to.

Extra

Zodiac Sign: Taurus MBTI: ENTP-T (the Debater) Enneagram: the Enthusiast Temperament: Choleric Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Primary Vice: Lust Primary Virtue: Chastity Element: Earth Kinks: biting/scratching/marking, oral/cunninglingus, bondage, grinding, being handsy, hand jobs/fingering, public, passion/desperation, hair pulling/grabbing, multiple partners, breath play/choking, fingers in the mouth, anal/ass play, being pegged, pain play, wax play. Position: Switch, verse.

[jxrm]

book log - 2023 (continued)

the good lie by a.r. torre

something wilder by christina lauren

pineapple street by jenny jackson

drinking games by sarah levy

the housemaid by frieda mcfadden

full disclosure by camryn garrett

the dream job by kiersten modglin

never lie by frieda mcfadden

the silent woman by minka kent

hidden pictures by jason rekulak

girl in trouble by stacy claftin

the waitress by nina manning

xoxo by axie oh

yellowface by r.f. kuang

unmissing by minka kent

the rise by shari king

take me home tonight by morgan matson

the best lies by sarah lyu

arsenic and adobo by mia p. manansala

our missing hearts by celeste ng

the locked door by frieda mcfadden

where the crawdads sing by delia owens

the couple at table six by daniel hurst

survive the night by riley sager

the wife upstairs by freida mcfadden

one of us is dead by jeneva rose

five little indians by michelle good

the push by ashley audrain

i’ll stop the world by lauren thoman

silver nitrate by silvia moreno-garcia

romantic comedy by curtis sittenfield

the maidens by alex michaelides

every last secret by a.r. torre

the headmaster’s list by melissa de la cruz

last summer at the golden hotel by elyssa friedland

the collective by alison gaylin

one true loves by taylor jenkins reid

the trade off by sandie jones

my summer darlings by may cobb

the last housewife by ashley winstead

good rich people by eliza jane brazier

the club by ellery lloyd

phantom limb by lucinda berry

the night shift by alex finlay

layoverland by gabby noone

the writing retreat by julia bartz

never never by colleen hoover

reckless by cecily von ziegesar

the family game by catherine steadman

just say yes by maxine morrey

a pho love story by loan le

the birthday girl by melissa de la cruz

local woman missing by mary kubica

the last to vanish by megan miranda

yolk’s on me by d.t. henderson

the housemaid’s secret by frieda mcfadden

happy people are annoying by josh peck

the fraud squad by kyla zhao

wrong place wrong time by gillian mcallister

the grayson legacy by boris bacic

remarkably bright creatures by shelby van pelt

the couple in the cabin by daniel hurst

yerba buena by nina lacour

the ex by frieda mcfadden

notorious by cecilyn von ziegesar

layla by colleen hoover

the inmate by frieda mcfadden

last night at the telegraph club by malinda lo

the friend zone by abby jimenez

how to american by jimmy o. yang

lunar love by lauren kung jessen

the it girl by crackly von ziegesar

what lies in the woods by kate alice marshall

queen of thieves by beezy march

weather girl by rachel lynn solomon

the perfect marriage by jeneva rose

my sister, the serial killer by tonkin braithwaithe

things we never got over by lucy score

like me by hayley phelan

do not disturb by frieda mcfadden

for the love of friends by sara goodman confino

reckless girls by rachel hawkins

ghost 19 by simone st. james

the winter people by jennifer mcmahon

please join us by catherine mckenzie

under the whispering door by t.j. klune

the bookstore sisters by alice hoffman

lessons in chemistry by bonnie garmus

the new year’s party by daniel hurst

the house in the cerulean sea by t.j. klune

trixie and katya’s guide to womanhood by trixie mattel

i kissed shara wheeler by casey mcquiston

horrorstor by grady hendrix

yours truly by abby jimenez

happy place by emily henry

the soulmate by sally hepworth

i have some questions for you by rebecca makkai

what happened the ruthy ramirez by claire jimenez

mad honey by jodi picoult

really good, actually by monica heisey

the ballad of songbirds and snakes by suzanne collins

the lightning thief by rick riordan

harry potter and the philosophers stone by j.k. rowling

the sea of monsters by rick riordan

the titan’s curse by rick riordan

harry potter and the chamber of secrets by j.k. rowling

the battle of the labyrinth by rick riordan

harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban by j.k. rowling

the last olympian by rick riordan

the lost hero by rick riordan

harry potter and the goblet of fire by j.k. rowling

the son of neptune by rick riordan

the mark of athena by rick riordan

harry potter and the order of the phoenix by j.k. rowling

harry potter and the half blood prince by j.k. rowling

harry potter and the deathly hallows by j.k. rowling

harry potter and the cursed child by john tiffany

[qukillbill]

Showdown at The House of Blue Leaves

Veronica Portillo

Darrell Taylor

Johanna Botta

Kevin Prudente

Javi Marroquin

Sean Puffy Diddy Daddy Combs

J Alexander

Doc Holliday

Dave Mirra

Chris Nunez

Nigel Barker

Kourtney Kardashian

Ko Shibasaki

Chiaki Kuriyama

Edison Chen

Hayden Kho

Gabi Victor

Brian Williams Jr

Bruno Bettencourt

Trey Weatherholtz III

Jay G

Charlie Dordevich

Perez Hilton

Tila Tequila

Kim Chiu

Heart Evangelista

Svetlana Shusterman

Park Bom

Lalaine Chace Crawford

Colby O Donis

Jamie Chung

Billy Joe Crawford

Hilary Duff

Evan Rachel Wood

Caroline Botelho

Aaron Carter

D Woods

Dawn Richard

Cassie Steele

Devon Aoki

Karylle

Sandara Park

Chris Brown

Frank Ocean

Nicole Richie

Ailea Carr

Vanessa Hudgens Rihanna

Drew Sidora

Nicki Minaj

Khloé Kardashian

Katy Perry

Seungri

Majid Al Maskati

Luke Pasqualino

Drew Seeley

Zac Efron

Joi Niemeyer

Anne Curtis

Kiely Williams

Cassie

Katie Leung

Naima Mora

Pua Medeiros Ruthie Alcaide

Brenda Song

Drake

Snooki

Paulo Avelino

Deena Nicole Cortese

Pete Connelly

Lindsay Lohan

Vinny Guadagnino

Stephen Coletti

Dan Setzler

[blog-nstuff2]

Austin Kaia la oct 15 2023, Blake lively Ryan reynolds Hugh jackman backgrid just Jared, Austin Kaia paris oct 1 2023, Harry fans defending Taylor Russell with supporting comments on a photoshoot she posted abt circa aug 2023, Ashley tisdale idk when, Ruthie rogers nyc mid sept 2023

[wweallresultspage]

NWA 75, Night 1 PPV Results - August 26, 2023

Pre-show: Robert Anthony def. Magic Jake Dumas in 5:47

Pre-show: Daisy Kill & Talos def. Jay Bradley & Wrecking Ball Legursky in an NWA United States Tag Team Championship #1 Contender's Match in 7:14

Pre-show: Zyon def. Jordan Clearwater in 6:49

Pre-show: Jack Cartwheel def. Alex Taylor, Eric Jackson, Koa Laxamana, and Matt Vine in an NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender's 5-Way Match in 6:27

1. Max the Impaler def. Kenzie Paige in 6:41 to win the NWA World Women's Television Championship

2. Thrillbilly Silas def. Kratos and Odinson in a 3-Way Match in 9:15 to win the NWA National Heavyweight Championship

3. Joe Alonzo def. Homicide in a No Disqualification Match in 10:03

4. Ruffo the Clown & Yabo the Clown def. Dak Draper & Mims in 6:13

5. Colby Corino def. Kerry Morton in 12:09 to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship

6. Jax Dane def. Tim Storm in a No Disqualification Match in 3:09

7. Kenzie Paige def. Allysin Kay, CJ, Heather Monroe, Labrava Escobar, Max the Impaler, MJ Jenkins, Ruthie Jay, Samantha Starr, Sierra, Taylor Rising, and The WOAD in an NWA World Women's Championship #1 Contender's Gauntlet Elimination Match in 14:48

8. Matt Cardona def. Ricky Morton in 5:26

9. Carnage & Damage def. Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf in 9:16 to win the NWA World Tag Team Championships

10. Kamille def. Natalia Markova in a Falls Count Anywhere Match in 15:36 to retain the NWA World Women's Championship

[biketalkla]

Here for the Ratio: Anne Marie Drolet, a bikeshare mechanic in Los Angeles, breaks down gear ratios with Nick.

Good Work: Kristen Sykes, a Holyoke, Massachusetts Bike Ped Committee and MassBike Board member, on what's being done to make Holyoke friendlier to bikes. With Holyoke student Lily Hoffman Strickler.

Picture if You Will: The Mayor of Northampton, Massachusetts has big ideas for biking in the already bike friendly town. Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra With Director of Planning & Sustainability Carolyn Misch, Pedal People co-founder Ruthy Woodring, and Nick Richert.

Talk to Me: Pablo Lebidensky writes about mobility in Buenos Aires, and talks with Nick about it.

Spokes 'N Stuff: Bike mechanic Manny Alvarado on the basics of maintenance. Also: Burning Man vet Ves gets his bike tuned. With Taylor Nichols.

[handeaux]

In Memoriam: Western Hills Press 1924-2022 Part Two – An Ink-Stained Wretch

(When we last left our hero, he was contemplating a life-long career in the printing business. And then he graduated college.)

Within days after I accepted my sheepskin, management called me upstairs. I was told that, on reflection, they did not want a college graduate working in their print shop. The suits weren’t entirely clear why this was the case – I believe dread of unionization might have been involved – but they were insistent that I needed to join the newswriting staff. They were also insistent that Option B was unemployment. I went with Option A.

Problem was, my English degree involved zero journalism classwork. If you wanted a 2,000-word theme on the British Romantic poets, I was your guy. Typing a simple calendar brief? Not so much. Dan Hopwood, the managing editor at the time, undertook my accelerated orientation. He handed me a stack of the obituary forms submitted by funeral homes.

“Give me two-inch obituaries.” “How do I know they’re two inches?” He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Use a pica typewriter. Set your margins like this. Four lines convert to an inch of type. Eight lines is two inches.” I transformed the stack of forms into eight-line obituaries and proudly dropped them and the forms on Dan’s desk. He tossed the forms back at me. “Give me one-inch obituaries.” I turned in one-inch obituaries. He tossed the forms back at me. “Give me three-inch obituaries.” “There’s not enough information on those forms for 12 lines.” “You know how to use a telephone, don’t you?”

And that’s how I became a reporter. Hopwood was the sort of person who read dictionaries from cover to cover for fun. He’d badger me to write headlines in three different font sizes over three different column widths and one to three decks. He was relentless as a reporter. Dan had left the Press and was working for another newspaper miles away when a tornado slammed through White Oak overnight. I dragged myself out to the scene at dawn and found Dan already there, interviewing emergency crews and residents huddled on the street. He gave me his notes and his film and let me carry on while he went to work at his actual job. He was also hilarious. Dan and his wife, Barb, hosted the annual “Thank God Basketball Season Is Over Party & Cotillion,” which was sort of a cross between the Algonquian Round Table and Animal House. Their neighbors are probably still complaining.

Columnist Roger Miller held the Western Hills Press together for decades. He was overworked and underpaid and strung along by the promise that one day he’d be named editor. He knew everybody and made sure to mention everybody regularly. He lived for coincidences, going into spasms of delight when he learned that my sister was graduating high school on her birthday, which was also our grandmother’s birthday. Roger refused to use the same word twice in a story, so an item about a local football star involved his ability to “zing the October oval,” and a column about a pastor’s yen for popsicles ended with a mention of “tundra cones.” He also used at least one exclamation point every column inch.

Nancy Taylor and I got hired about the same time. She actually had a journalism degree, so I paid close attention to how she did things. Our office had the kind of carpet that produces lots of static electricity, so I could shock people at will. If a visiting P.R. flack was getting on Taylor’s nerves, she’d yell, “Hand!” I’d shuffle in and shock the unwanted visitor on the nose. They usually took the hint.

For a couple of years, Pat Obert and I were sidekicks. She took the photos and I wrote the stories. We almost got sued when we covered an outlaw motorcycle club funeral at a local cemetery. The cemetery’s attorney objected to my reporting that guns were fired during the burial, but Pat’s photos shut him up.

Hanging around the office was a high school intern named Mary Evelyn Wilson, who went by Mev. Hopwood affectionately christened her The Twirp. We had a saying in the office when a story fell through that, “Some days you get the bear and some days the bear gets you.” Mev inscribed that saying – in ersatz Latin – on a coffee cup she made in pottery class. I still have it.

Starting out as high school interns and working their way into various editorial roles were Bill Koch, who had a long career with the Cincinnati Post and Enquirer, and Chuck Melvin, who later went on to the Associated Press, Philadelphia Inquirer and other distinguished posts. Sharing an office with them was like acting in an improv troupe. One day we’d have to sing every headline we wrote as a blues, the next day we’d debate whether chess counted as a sport or not, but the rules were you had to argue in falsetto. Somehow we got on a tangent where every lead sentence had to be translated into Neanderthal – “Sewers? Good!”

John Froschauer was a newly minted graduate of Ohio University when we hired him as a photographer. John taught me more about designing pages than anyone I ever worked with, just by submitting photos with penciled notes indicating how many column widths they should run. If I followed John’s instructions, my pages looked great. If I ignored his suggestion, my pages sucked and he grumbled at me. To get the best photos, John endured any challenge. He showed up at my apartment in the middle of the 1978 blizzard because his camera froze. Although he accepted a cup of tea, he stayed only until the camera thawed and then trudged back into the deep freeze to shoot a Pulitzer-worthy portfolio.

I sent John on assignment one day with a young writer named Debbie Cafazzo. They got engaged a few months later. I count their marriage as among my greatest successes. Deb and another reporter, Jan Kipp, were close friends and, although only a couple years younger than me, were almost from a different generation. I was still stuck in the folk-rock Sixties while they lobbied me to re-evaluate punk. It was years later before I finally relented. I believe it was one or both of this duo who stashed a plate of “enhanced” brownies in the break room refrigerator. I scarfed a couple one Saturday morning when I went in to catch up on some work. Although I wore an illegal smile the rest of the day, I managed to file a lead story and a sidebar on Green Township zoning.

Holding this crew together was receptionist Ruthie Summe, who addressed everyone as “Hon.” Ruthie telephoned all the local bars each afternoon, and posted a list of their happy hour snacks on the office bulletin board. Based on this, we’d pick a saloon, buy a drink and dine on what Hopwood called the “noogies.” Drinks were around two bucks for a double and the noogies were free and filling – short ribs, pigs in a blanket, egg rolls. Thus fortified, we’d scatter to cover our assigned city council meetings.

In 1977, I was promoted to editor of the Western Hills Press. In that role, I inherited Henry Humphreys who, after many years as the Enquirer’s classical music critic, had been sent to pasture at the suburban weekly. We only paid him ten dollars a week for his column, but he kept the gig because record companies shipped crates of free albums for review. Henry was not fond of medieval and renaissance music. When he learned I enjoyed those ancient styles, Henry would send me his review copies, usually with a note: “For Greg Hand. Too many crumhorns.”

A year later, I departed the Press for reasons too complicated to relate in this space. When I left, management gave me a lifetime subscription. They stopped delivery after two years. Who knew I would outlast the paper?

[7thheavensworld]

7th Heaven - S3x13: The Tribes That Bind (January 25, 1999)

Camden vs. Tripp

[seeinganewlight]

@projectbway event 01: performance - the first broadway princess party show

- 54 below, august 16th 2015