#seat 6 for big gabi

[lanarchive]

just got my room, aisle, and seat numbers for my exam and im trying to find a sign

[feyhunter78]

PLEASE UPDATE IM BEGGING THIS IS MY BRAND NEW LIFE SOURCE RN

I'm gonna assume this is about Pink Pastels, and gladly give you what you're asking for👀

Pink Pastels Pt 6

Description: It's time for Gabi's field trip, and wouldn't ya know, you and Miguel are in the same group.

Pt 7

Miguel’s never been a chaperone before. During Gabi’s Kindergarten field trip he was away on a business trip, but this time he made sure to be there, not just because Gabi’s class was going to the zoo, and she loves the zoo, but because of you.

There’s this need to protect you, like an itch beneath his skin. He can’t forget the look of fear on your beautiful face, or the way you clung so tightly to him, desperate and terrified. The crunch of that man’s bones beneath his fists, the fear that ran through your attacker as Miguel tore into him, talons and fangs covered in his blood, crimson drip, drip, dripping down to the pavement below, it was an almost ecstasy.

Your broken and discarded shoes are hidden in the back of his closet, along with your hairband. It’s pathetic, really, the makeshift shrine that’s beginning to form, and he knows that his actions could so easily borderline being creepy, but you’re his. He knows it. You’re meant to be together, and he’s simply showing his devotion.

“Papá, Papá, we’re here.” Gabi tugs on his shirt sleeve, her face lit up with pure, innocent excitement, and he resists the urge to crush her to his chest and never let her go.

“I see, where do you want to go first, Mija?” He asks, adjusting her baseball cap and making sure it’s snug on her head. He doesn’t want her face to get sunburned, but she hates the feeling of sunscreen, so they compromised.

“I want to see the hippos!” She says, bouncing in her seat as she turns to talk with her friends behind her, little, high-pitched voices discussing and debating which animals were the best.

“Mr. O’Hara, here’s your map, and safety packet. I trust you went over the info online ahead of time?” You hand him a manila envelope, smiling brightly at him.

Your hair is down today, the crown of your head covered by a white bucket hat, and you’re wearing jeans with a sage green T-shirt that reads SRE Field trip, in big white block letters. He’s wearing the same, everyone is, to ensure if a child is lost, they can be easily returned to their group.

He takes the packet from you, nodding. “Of course, can’t leave my chaperone partner to do all the heavy lifting.”

You laugh a little at that and continue down the bus aisle, handing out the remaining packets.

He lets Gabi pull him off the bus and is soon swarmed by five first-graders, each one a friend of Gabi’s—she makes friends so easily, something he can’t take credit for.

“Okay everyone has their groups, please stay with your chaperone, and your buddy, don’t go wandering off, and meet back here, at the entrance at three o’clock.” An older teacher says, before she gathers her own group and heads through the zoo gates.

You bend down to face the kids, an excited smile on your face. “Alright, what animal are we seeing first?”

“Hippo!”

“Lion!”

“Monkeys!”

“Seals!”

A chorus of answers rings out, and you turn to Miguel. “Mr. O’Hara? Do you have any suggestions?”

You look so pretty, the sun shining down on you, the casual outfit, the way you tap your finger against your lips in thought, clearly putting on a show for the kids. If he ignores all the others and focuses on only you and Gabi, he can almost imagine this is a family outing, not a field trip.

“Last time I was here, they had snow leopards?” He feigns ignorance, but when your face lights up, he feels that intoxicating shot of dopamine.

Snow leopards are your favorite animal, the one you’ve voiced your desire to go see many times while in the school’s teacher’s lounge. One which has cameras, that Miguel has access to. Obviously.

“They still do, they’re my favorites.” You confirm what he already knows, and the children immediately change their answer to match yours.

“Why don’t we go there first, then if the kids see any animals, they want to visit on the way there we’ll see them afterwards?” He suggests, still acting oh so innocent.

“What do we think? Everyone agrees with Mr. O’Hara?” You ask the children, straightening up and throwing him a smile when they all agree to his plan.

Miguel stands back behind you and the children, watching as you join them up at the glass, helping them read out the informational signs, and marveling over the big cats.

The environment set up for the leopards is lush, full of greenery and stone. Perches and outcroppings meant to mimic their homelands, and mounds of snow that they seem to disappear into, reappearing with a flash, causing Gabi and her friends to jump back in surprise then burst into giggles.

You soon join him, your arms tucked behind your back as you watch your students. “I think this is one of my favorite days of the year. I know it’s stressful, and tiring but seeing how excited they all are, just really makes me happy.”

“Gabi loves the zoo, we come here every year on her birthday.” He tells you, desperate to include you in their life, if only through shared pieces of personal information. “I’ve got all the photos in my office, my coworkers’ joke that by the time I retire I’ll have half my office wall covered.”

“I used to go to the aquarium when I was a kid, there’s something about standing underneath those giant tanks, with the way the light plays through the water—it’s breathtaking.”

You’re breathtaking. He wants to say, but he doesn’t. Instead, he says, “I know the feeling.”

You smile shyly at him, and for a moment he’s back on the side of your building, watching you through your window. He didn’t intend to be there, to watch you, he only wanted to ensure you were okay. You were fast asleep, hair askew, in a soft looking oversized t-shirt, the moonlight dancing across your peaceful face.

He couldn’t tear himself away, enraptured by the sight.

You let out a huff, and in his peripheral, he spies the name on your phone. Todd.

He hates Todd.

“Everything okay?” He asks carefully, his eyes on Gabi.

“Yes, sorry, just some personal issues, nothing serious.” You say quickly, sliding your phone into your pocket.

“Ms. Y/N, can we go see the hippos now?” One of Gabi’s friends, Emma, comes up to you, looking up at you with big blue eyes, her hand tugging at your shirt.

“Is that what everyone else wants to see?” You ask, gaze sweeping over the other children.

“Yes.” Emma says confidently, running off in the direction of the large animals, Gabi following closely behind.

“Girls!” You call out, looking from them to the others.

“Go, I’ll bring the others.” He reassures you.

You take off after them, and he gathers the remaining four children, who huddle around him like ducklings.

“Is Ms. Y/N mad? She looked mad.” One of the little boys—Tony, named after the Avenger or a family member, Miguel isn’t sure—asks him, chewing on his bottom lip.

This is that Tony, Gabi’s told him about this boy, how he’s very nice, and funny, but gets scared easily. She likes him, maybe not in a way she yet understands, or that Miguel is ready for, but if his baby girl has to have a crush on anyone, an easily scared little boy isn’t the worst.

“She’s probably mad at her dumbass boyfriend.” Dahlia, a girl he can tell is from the Bronx by her thick accent, speaks up, and it’s all he can do to keep from laughing at the scandalized look on Tony’s face.

“Don’t tell Ms. Y/N I said a bad word, but that’s what I’ve heard Ms. Melissa call him.” She says quietly when she sees Tony’s face.

“I won’t tell if you won’t.” He promises.

“Gabi’s right, you are the coolest.” Dahlia says, grabbing his hand and swinging it back and forth as they walked.

The coolest? He wanted to run ahead and scoop his daughter into his arms, she thought he was the coolest.

Tag list: @nyctophilic0vitnir, @miggyoharaswife, @badbishsblog, @imisshim2much, @wanderlustingcastaway, @lynn-9703, @sleepyamaya, @erensbbg, @sweetea85, @ilovemiguelohara, @natthernandez, @stxrrielle, @ihateuguys, @jenniferdixon05207, @blep-23, @luvisaaxoxo, @minimari415, @emerald-09, @violet-19999, @kenchosaikuo, @groovycass, @youcantseem3, @lovefks, @nightshxdex, @dusstory, @aesniri, @munsonssecretblog, @kirke-is-my-name, @starbearieee, @chatoicboy, @act1839, @needsleep3000, @totally-not-georgia

[wardenparker]

Down the Rabbit Hole - ch 11

Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst​

When Jack accidentally shoots a civilian on a mission he takes on not only the guilt of the man’s death, but inherits his soulmate as well. To you, it’s a dream job with more perks than you can imagine - but for Jack it’s a nightmarish complication. Even more so when he starts to develop feelings.

Rating: E for Explicit! 18+ Word Count: 13.3k Warnings: *Blanket warnings - mentions of deceased spouse, a lot of food and alcohol consumption, family recipes, age gap, cursing.* So much cursing because Sophia is a menace, but Jack is even more of a menace because he goes commando. Oral sex (f and m receiving), outdoor sex, public sex, unprotected sex, vaginal sex, cream pie, cum play. Unaltered and pure as fuck fluff.  Summary: A girls’ night out with Sophia and Gabi collides with guys’ night out for Jack with Tequila, Ginger, and Rye and results in shameless shenanigans. Followed by the big opening night for The Rabbit-Hole that you’ve has been working toward for months! Notes: Of course I cried writing and editing this chapter. Don’t look at me like that. 

Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11 ~ Ch 12 ~ Ch 13 ~ Ch 14 ~ Ch 15 ~ Epilogue

In the week since Tex and Sophia arrived in Louisville, it's been nearly impossible not to spend time with them. Jack and Tex might not be trolling for women together anymore but they're still causing mischief on the campus, and Sophia has been right along with them at each turn. They pop by the restaurant for lunch or just to say hi, they come by for dinner from time to time or to invite you and Jack to go out with them for the night. Tonight is a little different, just by virtue of it being a Saturday. Champ and Diana are entertaining a corporate retreat with live music and a specialized tasting, but they hadn't wanted to do food with it so that left you free as a bird. Tex, Jack, and Astrid are at Shootouts with a few of the other agents and you and Sophia have decided have a girl's night out all your own.

“Are you ready?” The door to Jack’s house swings open and Sophia darts inside. In the week since she’s been here, she’s made herself at home and that extends to coming in when you had told her to come over. “Show me the sights? We can take wagers on how long before Whiskey shows up where we are!”

"You think the boys won't be able to stay away?" You snag your jacket from the hook and shrug it over your shoulders before grabbing your purse. "Honestly, you're probably right. Dinner first and then we can bar hop our way around downtown?"

“I have never seen a soulmate who has to be close to their significant other like Jack.” She muses. “Not that it’s a bad thing.” She quickly adds. “It’s sweet.”

"He's protective of me." That, unfortunately, is an understatement, but you steer her toward your car in the driveway without it becoming a point of conversation. "It's different than the way Tex is so proud of you. He knows you can take care of yourself."

“I don’t think Jack believes that you can’t take care of yourself.” Sophia reasons. “But…why don’t I show you a few things?” She offers with a grin. “Kingsman are a bit more…elegant than our counterparts when we fight. Bit of soulmate bootcamp?”

"Now that's a thought." Your little car is a zippy thing, and there's distance between the two of you and the Statesman campus in no time. "I took a self-defense class in college, but that was long enough ago that I've forgotten most of what they taught."

“It’ll be fun.” She immediately bounces slightly in the seat. “Especially when you are snogging and you take Jack by surprise by flipping him on his back.” She giggles. “Ask me how I know.”

"Tex is not an easy man to flip." The both of you know that firsthand, and you have to appreciate that she doesn't seem to mind your history with him in the least. Actually, it seems to amuse her endlessly.

“Quite.” She murmurs with a very self-satisfied grin on her face. “Your Jack seems to be of the same measure.” She predicts. “Which makes it all the more fun.”

"A little surprise for him, like you said." The twist of a smirk on your lips sends you both into a fit of laughter. "Alright. After I get this restaurant open, a little bit of soulmate bootcamp is in order."

“Fantastic!” Sophia cackles and claps her hands together. “You and I are going to have so much fun ganging up on Tex and your Jack.”

"So how are you liking the States so far?" Hopping onto the highway to head into downtown, you glance at her again out of the corner of your eye. "I know the last Kingsman agent that was here had trouble adjusting but you seem to be having a great time."

"Oh, Danny is such cunt." She rolls her eyes and blows out a breath to tell you exactly what she thought of the last Kingsman agent here. "Of course he wouldn't last. He takes the piss too much."

"Okay, not a fan of his, got it." You snort a little, stifling a laugh. "So you're telling me that Kingsman sent him just to be rid of him for a while?"

"Only way I can see it." She snorts. "He drives Galahad mad. Thinks he knows everything and he's been an agent for two seconds."

"Guess it's only fair that Tex got sent as punishment then." It still makes you a little embarrassed, everything that happened a few months ago, but at least no one is hanging on to grudges. "Hopefully this will work out a lot better. You seem to be doing well here and Bobby is such a good kid."

"I have to thank you." Sophia realizes. "If you didn't have the golden pussy to cause Tex to knock Jack on his ass, who knows when we would have met?" She huffs, almost chuckling as she thinks about it. "Could have never met."

"You would have." It's almost daunting to think that you were part of the reason they met, but you swallow thickly when you realize that she's sort of right. In a very weird way. "You would have been transferred here, or him there, eventually."

"Might not." Sophia can't imagine her life without Tex in it and her fingers play with the ring that is on her hand. "Either way, I get to be with my soulmate and become friends with the woman who arranged it all." She reaches over and slaps your thigh playfully. "All comes out in the wash."

"Speaking of arranging." You click off the radio completely, eliminating even the soft background noise as you cruise road the road. "Do you guys have any thoughts about what you want for the wedding yet?"

"Honestly?" Sophia smiles softly, immediately adopting the magical glow of a bride to be. "I would love to do something at Statesman. On the grounds since Tex loves it so much." She had also fallen in love with the country air and the charming, rustic appeal of the distillery.

"Well, we can certainly do that." It was, after all, what you and Diana wanted to do more of in the future. Tex and Sophia would be the prototype, apparently. "I'm sure Champ would give you the run of the grounds. Whatever and wherever you wanted."

Sighing dreamily, she seems to drift off happily on the thought. "What about you? What would you do for your wedding?" She asks, keeping Jack's request in mind.

"I don't really..." A slowly exhaled breath keeps you from sounding like you're trying to ramble out an excuse, but you shrug anyway. "I don't know that Jack is interested in being married again. So I haven't really...I don't think about it." It’s sort of a lie, or at least a lie of omission, considering you do think about it. You just never admit to thinking about it.

"So think about it with me." Sophia twists her in seat and looks at you seriously. "Just because your soulmate may not want to get married again doesn't mean you shouldn't want it. One, you need to talk to him about it. Two, why can't you get what you want? You shouldn't just give him what he wants."

"I haven't thought about it much..." Alright, don’t flat out lie. And it makes you tilt your head slightly when you realize it. "I haven't given it a lot of serious thought, is what I should say. Just little things."

"Like?" Sophia prods. "Come on, give it to me. I might want to steal it." She teases with a wink.

That seems to unlock something in your inhibitions, making you laugh and relax as you drive. It's just girl talk, after all. Jack would never have to know or feel pressured by it. "We had talked...ya know, off and on, about some things. My mother's dress and his family veil. But...you obviously know I have my tearoom and I love that whole vibe. Like a classy little garden party but with party music, if that makes any sense?"

"That would suit you." She smiles, happy that you are starting to think about things like that. "I can see you liking Jack in a tuxedo and his Stetson." She teases playfully.

"He wouldn't even have to wear a tux if he didn't want to." Sure it's traditional, but it's a little much for a garden party, and you just shrug. "Just a gorgeous suit and his Stetson and freshly shined boots. He'd look like a dream." He looks like a dream no matter what, but that image is going to live rent free in your head for a long time.

Sophia snorts and shakes her head. "You're going to jump him tonight, aren't you?" She predicts with a grin. "I can tell from that little smile on your face."

"Oh yeah." You're not even going to deny it or play coy. Why would you? "Doesn't even matter that he woke me up with it this morning. I'm already missing it."

"I'm surprised he didn't get some while he was there for lunch today." Her filthy chuckle is pure sin. "He looked like he was hungry for more than a crawfish salad sandwich."

“You’re such a bad influence.” Regardless, you smirk so hard that you start laughing. “Jack is…well, he’s my soulmate. So it makes sense that he’s everything I’ve wanted in a partner.”

"That's the dream, right?" Sophia hums and her expression turns thoughtful. "I was worried about it. My mum and dad were horrid together. Toxic. But they stuck it out because they were soulmates." She shudders and shakes off the memories to give you an encouraging smile. "I'm glad he's what you want."

“Things can get in the way. Life and stress and illness, or a thousand other things.” Or other people. Like what happened with Tex or even with the Rollins brothers. You’re lucky that you were able it patch things up with him and move forward. “I’m glad you have someone so sweet, then,” you tell her honestly. The exit you want is up ahead and you head for downtown. “Tex is an angel.”

"Sometimes." She grins and squirms in her seat slightly, biting her lip. "Other times...he's the fuckin' devil, ain't he?"

“I can only speak from my very limited experience.” You smirk at her and smother a few dirty giggles. “But yeah. He definitely can be.”

"That's my Tex." She hums and pumps her fist. "If he hadn't taken care of you properly, I would dress him down."

“You can dress him down for any ol’ reason you want.” A smirk and a wink are tossed Sophia’s way as you pull off the highway, and it makes both of you giggle. “He was a perfect gentleman when he should have been, and devilish when the time called for that instead. I have nothing but great things to report about your Tex.”

"If it's weird, just let me know." Sophia knows that she doesn't think like everyone else, some would say that she should be standoffish towards you just because of the weekend date you had with her soulmate. Even though it was before they knew about each other. "I know I can be a lot."

“Honey, no.” Your free hand clasps hers tightly as you drive. “I love that you’re so free and proud and loud about being happy and caring for people. That you’re so easy-going and so enthusiastic. It’s fantastic. And I hate that anyone has ever made you feel that being a lot of so many good things is bad in any way.”

“Alright.” Even though she’s an agent, she’s still a woman with complex emotions and she has come to view you as a friend. She would hate to lose that because of things that were out of her hands. The past cannot be changed. “Anyhow, let’s go critique your competition!” She jokes.

CASK isn’t hard to get to, and the crowd on Saturday nights is almost mixed clientele owing to the great food. The two of you grab a table after only a brief wait and dive right into the heavily Southern menu. Sophia had said she wanted to go someplace authentically American tonight - well this is it.

“What is a…grit fritter?” She asks, looking up at you over the menu, her brows furrowed. “Grit isn’t something you eat.”

“It is in the South.” You flash her a grin to counteract her bewilderment. “It’s cornmeal, basically. A cornmeal…I guess the closest comparison is porridge? It doesn’t sound good when I describe it like that but I promise they’re delicious.”

“Oooookay.” Her skepticism is very obvious on her face, but she’s determined to try quintessential American food, so she will give it a whirl. “What the hell? We eat beans on toast after all.”

“Yes you do.” And even though you love typically British food, that one never quite made sense to you. “Fried green tomatoes are another classic. Those are one of my favourites.”

“Want to share?” Sophia asks, raising a brow at you with a smirk. “Twice the choices.”

“Oh, we’re over ordering and snacking on leftovers tomorrow.” You nod immediately, only pausing when the waitress comes over to take your first round of orders.

The appetizers and main courses are ordered and Sophia grins when you request to keep the menu at the table to peruse the desserts. “I wager your key lime pie is better.” She teases as the waitress walks away. “I’ve never had something like that and I quite enjoyed it.”

“It’s Jack’s favourite.” That is definitely a bragging point for you, and you loved that you could introduce Sophia to it as well. “That, and my coconut cake.”

“Have you ever thought about making it a cheesecake?” Sophia asks, for purely selfish reasons. “I think it would be marvelous.”

“I certainly could be persuaded to do that.” It sounds like it would be incredible, and you know that Sophia, Tex, and Jack all love cheesecake so there would be people to test it out on. “Would that be an alternate dessert you might want to offer at the wedding? Key lime cheesecake or wedding cake?”

“Ohhhhh.” She’s intrigued by the idea and smirks as she thinks about it. “I think that would be lovely.” Some people don’t like traditional cake, so it would be a very lovely alternative.

“I think it would be really special.” And you point a little at her ring with a grin. “And I can make sure it’s got a fun shade of green to it, if you want. If green is going to be a wedding color, I mean.”

“You’ve noticed that I prefer green, have you?” Sophia grins as she looks down at her green dress and then back at you. “How?”

“Oh, just a lucky dress.” You snort, picking up your cocktail to enjoy the aptly named I Can’t Taste The Alcohol In This, which is delicious. “I’m guessing the bridesmaids will be in green? Or will you throw everything on its head and wear green yourself and have the bridesmaids in white?”

“Now that would be interesting.” Sophia tilts her head and her eyes sparkle with absolute glee. “I honestly love that idea and it would be cheeky as hell when people see the bridesmaids in white and think that is a faux pax.”

“I catered a wedding once where the brides wore color and their bridesmaids all wore white with a little color accent. It was beautiful.” It’s just an idea, but Sophia is exactly the kind of unconventional bride that would be able to pull it off gorgeously. “You think Tex would go for it?”

“Tex will go for whatever I want as long as he gets to strip me out of my dress.” She boasts, although it would be a serious conversation she has with him. She’s not the type to believe that it is just her wedding.

“They’re all just thoughts.” And you would never presume to help her make decisions. That’s not your place. Especially not when she hasn’t officially asked you to be involved in any way. This is just girl talk. “But it would be beautiful.”

"Of course it will be." Sophia smirks. "I want to see Jack's face when you walk down the wrong aisle in white towards him."

“Oh gosh…” You wonder instantly if that would freak him out, but there’s still a smile creeping across your face. “Does that…mean you want me to be a bridesmaid?”

It's adorable that you think you wouldn't be one of her bridesmaids but Sophia just nods. "Of course. Not going to not have my first friend in the States in my wedding." She snickers quietly. "Although maybe we'll put you in a red dress. Just for shits and giggles."

“Ha—ha.” The exaggerated laugh and eye roll is totally dignified, but you sip your drink again in amusement. “I mean it’s accurate, but if you want all the women he’s fucked to show up in red dresses there are going to be a lot of us.” You shrug though, not wanting her to be uncomfortable. “Same for Jack, though. It is what it is.”

"Teasing." She winces slightly and reaches out to touch your hand. "Seriously, I would be honored if you would be my maid of honor?" She asks quietly. "You've been so kind and I feel like we are going to be close for many years to come."

“Soph, of course I will.” Both of your hands squeeze hers tightly and you grin happily. Having been so worried and proven so wrong about how things would go when Tex came back with his soulmate, you’ve been delighted to call her a friend so quickly. “It’s my honor entirely. I promise.”

“Great.” She breathes out a sigh of relief. “I hated all the girls I went to uni with.” She admits breezily. “And between you and Gabi, Astrid and Diana, it feels like I actually have friends now.”

“Moving here is the first time I ever had best friends beyond my siblings.” Pausing to thank the waitress when she delivers your appetizers, you shrug a little and wave it off. “I adore my siblings. But there’s something about people who accept you entirely without having genetic reasons for it that I’ve really come to love.”

“It’s different. But I can’t even claim that.” She shrugs. “Only child.”

“Well.” Holding up your glass with a smile, you sit up a little taller in your seat. “Let me be the first to say it, then. Welcome to the family.”

“It’s an odd family.” She acknowledges with a grin and picking up her own glass to tap against yours. “So I think I’ll fit right in.”

“There’s…a dress shop…” You’ve only gone the one time, just once months ago, with Jack, but you tilt your head at Sophia now. “It’s not a bridal shop, technically, but it might be good for bridesmaids, or if you go looking for something other than white. They’re very good to Statesman employees and Statesman soulmates.”

“Ohhhhh maybe you can take me sometime?” She asks. “I do love a good dress shop.”

“Why don’t we go after you talk to Tex about colours?” It would be a hell of an outing, and you wouldn’t miss it for anything.

“Done.” She grins and leans back in her chair. “Thought it would be a hell of a lot more difficult to convince you to stand up with me.” She confesses.

“Never.” You shake your head and start doling out your appetizers onto two plates to share. “You’re fantastic, and Tex is fantastic, and hell…he already asked Jack to be his best man, so it’s all just a package deal.”

Sophia holds up her drink again. “To everyone being fantastic.” She offers with a wink. “Including you.”

******

“You’re beating around the bush!” Astrid argues, ready to pull rank as the only woman present. “I know Jack wants to know too. He’s a damn softie like me.” She grins, pouring out another round of shots from the bottle that the Shootouts bartender simply handed over when the crew of them walked in. “Tell us how you proposed!”

Tex chuckles and lifts his glass and in mock salute before taking a large swallow. “Asked her in the middle of a mission.” He confesses with a grin. “Slap damn in the middle of a brawl.”

“Oh God,” Ginger groans, despite herself. “Why is that actually cute? That shouldn’t be cute!”

“Hell yeah it should be.” Tex puffs up his chest, offended at the idea that it’s not supposed to be cute. “Woman had just beat the shit out of eight different men and I just—” he shrugs. “I couldn’t keep the question to myself. Dragged her to me, kissed her and demanded she marry me.”

“And you know she’s the right woman for him because she took down eight men and was still willing to say yes to putting up with him,” Rye chuckles, taking a long swig of his beer. “You could’ve gotten decked, too.”

“Damn.” Jack shakes his head and chuckles. “Sounds like a hell of a story for later on down the road.”

“I’m sure she’s tellin’ your girl right now.” Tequila grins broadly. “She likes havin’ a cowboy. Somebody manlier than she was meetin’ before.”

Snorting, Jack leans back and lifts a brow. “That’s rich, boy.” He teases playfully. “Didn’t you just start shavin’?”

“Measure of a man ain’t the hair on his face but the mettle in his heart.” Tequila pronounces, heavily paraphrasing but proud nonetheless.

“Whatever you say, Tex.” Jack huffs, grinning behind his glass and shaking his head at how happy the other man looks.

"I do say." The younger man puffs up like a proud peacock.

“He’s gonna be impossible now.” Jack predicts, looking over as Astrid and Rye. “You know that, right?” He chuckles and sighs. “Head was too damn big before he went over the pond, surprised he could get it on the damn plane comin’ home.”

“It’s sweet,” Astrid laughs, remembering when any little compliment from Gabi would make her feel like she was flying. The early stages with your soulmate are always amazing.

Jack can’t deny that and just settles for another huff that is more like a chuckle as he sips his whiskey. “Wonder what the girls are up to.”

Text checks his watch with a flourish. “A whole thirty-two minutes,” he announces to the table. “That’s all it took for the lovestruck Jack Daniels to miss his woman.”

Everyone laughs but Jack isn’t ashamed of it. “Hell, I was missin’ her when I walked out the damn door.” He jokes.

“She’s a hell of a woman.” Rye had actually gotten a chance to talk to you last weekend and had been impressed with how normal you had been about everything. As if the previous weekend hadn’t even happened.

“Yes she is.” Jack won’t deny that, “tough as nails and pretty as a picture.” He brags. Jack has never been shy about talking up his soulmate. Abigail had been showered with compliments and love and he’s going to do the same thing to you.

“And keeps us well-damn fed.” Rye agrees. He had thoroughly enjoyed the lunch that he had had in your kitchen, finding little sandwiches and soup to be more of an indulgence when they were expertly prepared.

“We’re gonna have to increase our workouts.” Jack chuckles, rubbing his hand over the slight belly that has gotten softer since you’ve come to Kentucky. “By a lot.”

“So I should expect to see you for an early gym time?” Tex teases, knowing that Jack would never get up as early as he routinely does to work out before having to be in his office.

“Shiiiiiit.” Jack huffs, shaking his head. “My work out that early is a different kind of workout. Cardio based.” He winks, grinning at how he had woken you up this morning.

"You can do both, old man." The good-natured joking and prodding between them has returned full force, and Tex belly laughs as he reaches for his drink. "Only person at this table not getting their cardio in is Joe," he chuckles, nodding to Rye beside him. "And maybe we can fix that with a pretty bridesmaid."

Rye chuckles and shakes his head. “Nahhhh, I doubt it.” He swallows down his whiskey and holds out his glass for a refill. “All the bridesmaids are gonna be taken.”

"Well, I don't know who all she's asking, but I know the maid of honour is spoken for." Tequila waggles his eyebrows at Jack and smirks.

“She’s gonna ask my sugar?” He can’t say as it’s surprising but to some outsider it might be. If they knew the history.

"Mmhmm." The younger man nods proudly and sips his drink. "Gonna ask her tonight. Those two are thick as thieves already. We're gonna be in trouble."

“Gonna have to make a pact.” Jack laughs. “Whoever gets in the doghouse lets the other use their spare room to crash.”

"We'll be doing flashlight signals across the neighborhood." Tex laughs, thinking of how ridiculous that would be in the age of cellphones.

“Maybe we need to build a treehouse to sleep in.” Jack adds, leaning into the completely juvenile ideas. “They can’t dump a cup of water on us while we’re sleepin’ if they can’t reach us.”

"Your gal has two siblings and mine is an agent." It has Tex chortling like a madman, and Astrid and Rye join in, shaking their heads in amusement. "What makes you think Soph wouldn't just scale the treehouse and have us under attack all over again?"

“You’re right. They might set the damn thing on fire.” Jack huffs, grinning at the image the banter is producing. “We’re just gonna have to keep ‘em happy, that’s the bottom line.”

"Suppose that's gonna have to be the way we go." Tex raises his glass to his friend with a dopey grin on his face, thoughts obviously trained on his soulmate even as Jack meets his salute and they both drink. "Wonder if she's asked her yet," he muses, also wondering where you've decided to go together and what you're doing.

Jack grins, shaking his head. “Admit it, you’re missin’ her too.” He accuses teasingly. “I just said somethin’ first.”

"Of fuckin' course I am." It earns a sort of dreamy shine to his eyes, and maybe even a blush in his cheeks, but Tex doesn't care. He's got the girl of his dreams - his soulmate - and they're gonna spend the rest of their lives together. It's all he's ever wanted and now it's his reality. "She's the best thing that ever happened to me."

“I’m proud for you.” Jack murmurs quietly, serious for a moment, “proud of you too.” He adds. “You took what could have been looked at as a punishment and turned it into the best damn thing that could have happened to you.”

"It was absolutely a punishment." He might be on the younger side, but Tex isn't a fool. He knows exactly what he did and why he was sent away. But he doesn't regret it. A slight overreaction? Sure. But it led him to Sophia, and that's all that matters. "But things work out the way they're supposed to," he looks his best friend in the eye and meets his seriousness. "Even when it looks like something's gone wrong in the process."

“Plus…” Jack spreads his hands out and gives the boy a grin. “Don’t know if I woulda had a chance against you if you’d have stayed.” Things might not have reached their boiling point and while he could have done without you being kidnapped, it had opened his eyes to what he really wanted.

"Who knows what might have happened." Astrid looks between the two men - her dear friends - and offers them both smiles. "Although I'm sure everything would have turned out alright."

“Like I said.” Jack nods. “Water under the bridge. We just need to get Tex and his lady hitched before she realizes how much he farts in his sleep.”

The table laughs good-naturedly, but Tex fixes Jack with the most intense look imaginable. "I've met my match," he tones seriously, before bursting out into a torrent of sniggers. "Woman's a menace," he admits. "Goddamn I love her."

“That settles it.” Jack slaps the table, tears in his eyes from hooting in amusement. “I’m gettin’ you one of those air purifiers for your bedroom as a weddin’ gift.”

"Scented candles," Rye is laughing through tears as well, slapping the table between belly laughs. "Incense. Anything."

“Don’t show up at their house too early in the morning. Give the place a chance to air out.” Jack adds.

“That’s true love.” Astrid snorts. “Bodily functions that could take down an elephant but he’s got hearts in his eyes.”

“I don’t know if there is a more true expression of love than to put up with someone’s shit.” Jack chuckles, sending Rye into another fit of giggles.

“Thank you, thank you,” Tex is nearly howling with laughter, but has his hand over his heart in mock seriousness. “I am the luckiest man on earth, thank you very much. And I’ll let y’all know my gas mask size after I get fitted.”

It’s amazing that a group of deadly, highly successful agents are giggling like ten-year-olds over body functions, but Jack doesn’t remember the last time he was this lighthearted.

"What do you think about..." Tex looks around the group when their laughter finally calms down, snorting one more time and finishing his drink. "What do you think about crashin’ girls' night? All of us?"

Rye shakes his head, chuckling to himself. “Whipped,” he teases. “You are both whipped.” He shrugs his shoulders and belts back the rest of his drink. “I’m game.”

"If we can't get him a bridesmaid, maybe he can pick up a date wherever the girls are," Astrid suggests with a smirk. She knows exactly where you are, since Gabi had texted her that Diana was babysitting the kids for the rest of the night so she could go meet up with the two of you.

“I like this idea.” Jack muses, slapping the back of his hand against Rye’s chest. “All Champ’s best agents deserve to get laid tonight.”

"I was gonna tell y'all tonight." Rye looks around with a grin on his face. "I'm transferring back to Louisville. Gin asked for the New York office as a reward for her last mission."

“Hot damn.” Jack chuckles and shakes his head. “The band is back together again.” There was a lot of hell raising the last time everyone at this table was together, he expects it will be the same - only with soulmates to add to the mix.

"They're on their way to Tin Roof." Astrid reports with a grin, waving her phone in the air. "Gabi's sister's band is playing tonight and the girls are meeting her there." She knows the answer already, but she still asks. "Should we hustle and get there before them?"

“What are we still doing here?” Jack demands, shooting out of the booth and looking at the other three.

******

"This is it, right here." The club that you're supposed to be meeting Gabi at isn't one you frequent but it's noisy and crowded, and you love the energy from the outside as you park the car down the block. Sophia has the GPS pulled up on her phone in the passenger seat and she's been texting with Gabi. "Is she already inside?"

“Yes!” Sophia chuckles and twists the phone so you can see the picture of Gabi holding a ridiculously blue drink. “She must be ready to get snockered tonight. Without the kids for an entire night?”

"This is her sister's band." You fling off your seatbelt and grab your purse from the backseat, ready to continue the night in this second location. The impromptu invitation from Gabi was a great idea. "I've seen them play once before and I had a blast, but yeah. She's definitely getting blasted already. Love her to death, she absolutely deserves it."

“Well, I want to try whatever she is drinking.” Sophia had eaten too much and would probably regret it, but she has every intention of dancing the meal away with her new friends and getting smashed enough that Tex will have to pour her into bed.

"I've heard this place has a killer drink menu, so we're gonna have fun." You flash your IDs for the bouncer, who has your names on a list, and tug Sophia inside by your intertwined hands. The place is dark and loud and ready for a party, and Gabi nearly screams when she spots you across the bar.

"Babes!" She bounces over with her drink in her hand, throwing her free arm around both of you as well as she can. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

“We’re glad you invited us. This place is wicked!” Sophia gasps, grinning ear to ear as she soaks in the heavy music and swaying bodies in the strobe lights.

"Drinks?" Gabi flashes you both a grin, wanting to at least get you started for the night before revealing the surprise that walked in the door five minutes ago. "Maybe a tequila drink and a whiskey drink, respectively?" She laughs delightedly at the pun.

Sophia snorts and grabs Gabi’s drink playfully. “If that’s the case, you get to stick to ginger ale tonight.” She teases, holding the drink back from her friend for a moment before handing it back to her.

"Not on an actual night out." Gabi's laugh is infectious, and all three of you go to the bar to get drinks. Sophia gets another of the bright blue drinks like Gabi has and you come away with something neon pink. "I've been hanging out on the side, right over here," she tells you and Sophia, leading you to an alcove with a large table. It's not until you turn the corner, though, that you see the table is being occupied.

“Well look who finally decided to show up.” Jack drawls as he leans back in the booth and grins at you. “Hey sugar, trouble’s blown into town.”

“Jack Daniels, as I live and breathe.” You squeal with delight seeing him lounging there and practically bolt forward to throw your arm around him. “You just couldn’t stay away, could you?”

“Tex dragged us here.” He lies with a grin on his face, knowing that he had wanted to be here just as bad. “Shoulda seen it, it was pathetic how he was mopin’ and moonin’ over.”

“Oh yeah?” He makes room for you, and you sit down in his lap at the wide, circular booth. “I bet you weren’t excited at all to haul ass and come over here to surprise us.”

“He damn near broke our necks getting us here.” Tex throws him under the bus easily. “Tried drivin’ the Bronco like it was the Pony Express.”

Jack huffs and cuts his eyes at Tex. “Just because you drive like your Drivin’ Miss Daisy don’t mean I’m a fast driver.”

“You do drive kind of fast, baby.” He does almost everything fast, and you’ve been enjoying the hell out of that ever since the ‘everything’ he does included you.

Jack snickers and shakes his head. “Nahhh, y’all just can’t keep up.”

“Whatever you say.” Sophia snorts, cuddling into Tequila’s side. “I’m just glad you decided to join us.”

Jack pulls you close and presses a kiss to your jaw. “Have I told you how incredible you are lookin’ tonight, sugar?”

"Only about three times before I left the house." You hum into the moment, turning your head so you can slant your lips against his. "I think this might be your new favourite dress."

“If you could only hear the things I’m plannin’ on doing to you in that dress.” Jack drawls quietly in your ear.

“Oh yeah?” One eyebrow quirks curiously at him as you get comfortable in his lap. “You planning on having your wicked way with me?”

“Sugar….” Jack growls and his teeth scrap over your jawline. “If we weren’t in a crowded club, I’d have your dress up right now.”

There’s no way he doesn’t feel the shiver that rolls through you at that promise, or see the way your eyes flit around the space before coming back to land on him with mischief and lust written in your expression. “I see some dark corners to hide in, if we get impatient…”

“We could always go get something out of the Bronco.” Jack suggests, sliding his hand over your knee and to the hem of your dress.

Ever since the…unexpected revelation of being excited by the idea of getting caught, it’s stuck in your head. It’s slipped into your dreams. It’s been at the forefront of your fantasies. And you really just can’t shake it at all. “We definitely could,” you murmur back, shifting in his lap and feeling the unmistakable dampness in your panties that always follows the fantasies. That rush of lust never fails.

“Yeah?” Jack chuckles quietly. “I think we need to get that coat you left in there.” He teases quietly, his cock twitching against your ass.

“We do.” The emphatic nod you give him is laced with a disbelieving giggle. Are you really about to do this? “I’m a little cold…silly me for wearing a sleeveless dress…”

“Silly rabbit.” Jack smirks and dips his fingers under your dress, enjoying the way your flesh breaks out in goosebumps. “You���re cold sugar,” he announces loudly. “Let’s go get your coat out of the Bronco.”

“Back in a minute,” you hum to no one in particular, taking a large drink of your cocktail before hopping off Jack’s lap and grabbing his hand. Are you really about to do this? Asks the voice in your head again, but the rush of heat in your core is absolutely on board.

Jack tucks your hand in his and hustles you out of the club. He knows the wristbands will get you back in, but right now, he’s chuckling as he guides you past the queue to get inside and out towards the nearly deserted parking lot.

“You’re such a bad influence,” you giggle under your breath as Jack makes a beeline for his truck. You would never have considered this with any other partner before him – never. But with Jack you just can’t seem to get enough.

“Me?” Jack huffs, grinning as he pulls you forward and lets go of your hand to slap your ass. “You’re practically begging me to fuck you in that dress.” He teases.

“Do you want me to beg?” Shaking your ass at him just a little, you grin and turn to face him with a pout painted on your lips as fast as a light switch. “Does my Jack have a little bit of a dominant streak in him?”

“Sugar, I thought you knew that.” Jack huffs, even though you had already said he was something more along the lines of a ‘service top’. He hadn’t looked that upset to see what it meant, because you had been whimpering praises when you had said it.

“I must love being a sub then.” His hands are on you, holding you fast against the side of the Bronco, and your legs tremble a little in anticipation. “I’m learning so much about my sexual appetite from you.”

“Yeah, Sugar?” Jack smirks as he presses his thigh between your legs and lifts, so he is firm against your core. “You wanna be my good girl right now? Scream my name as loud as you need to and let anyone around here think you’re bein’ mugged?”

“Fuck.” There’s something about the way he says good girl that makes you ever wetter, core clenching and thighs tightening around his as it presses into you. “I—shit— yes. Whatever you want, baby.”

“Right answer.” His hands slide your dress up, aware that his body is blocking anyone from seeing too much of you, but you like this. Your cunt is already soaking his jeans through the poor excise of panties you have on underneath them. “Do you want me to rip off that lace or wear them after I’m done with you?” He demands, kissing up your throat.

“Need then to keep your cum inside me all night.” Jack had, at least, taken to your preference for cum play with eager indulgence. With an IUD in place, you’re welcome to play as much as you like, and Jack seems to love it.

“Good girl.” He groans against your clavicle, cock jumping in his pants, and he starts to pull them down. “Step out of them for me, sugar.” He orders, pulling his thigh away to kneel down in the gravel parking lot.

“Jack.” Just a gasp of his name comes from your lips in the night air, but you’re obedient in stepping out of your panties for him to shove into his jacket pocket temporarily. When he doesn’t stand up again right away you almost tease him, but he dives forward in one fluid movement to duck his head under your dress and taste your dripping slit so quickly that you can barely clap your hand over your mouth to stifle a moan.

His chuckle vibrates against your clit, smile curving up as his tongue dives into your core for a brief taste and slowly slithers though your folds before he sucks on your clit softly for a second. He would take his time if there wasn’t a group of people waiting for you back inside, but he couldn’t resist a taste as he pockets your panties.

“Oh fuck, baby.” Coming on breathy gasps instead of your usual loud moans because you are out in public, your hips follow his tongue and tilt forward to give him everything he wants even for the single minute he’s on his knees. “You’re so fucking good at that, holy shit.”

Kissing your clit again, he pulls away and shuffles to his feet. “Next time, I’m going to make you cum with my tongue.” He promises, licking your essence from his lips. “Right now I need to be inside you.”

Four hands fumble for his belt, desperate to get the buckle and his jeans open while you slide your tongue into his mouth and groan at your own taste in his kiss. You’re always so eager. Jack loves it, knowing that it’s still new but you’ve not once turned him away when he needs you. Just as eager as he is and it makes him feel like he is the only one in your orbit. “Fuck.” He groans, shuddering when your hand plunges into his jeans to wrap around him. Once again not wearing boxers pays off for him.

“So impatient,” you tease with a throaty chuckle, keeping your voice quiet as you nip at his bottom lip and pump his cock in long, luxurious strokes. There isn’t time for a lot of this, but he deserves a little attention after paying you the same courtesy.

“Fuck you’re so good to me, sugar.” He’s breathless, thrusting into your grip and his own hands flex around your hips. “Put me inside you.”

Shifting back so you’re sitting on the Bronco’s hood, you glance around quickly and feel the rush of adrenaline as you line him up at your entrance and hitch your leg up on his hip to let him sink inside you.

“Fuuuuuuck.” It gets better every fucking time. The way your body accepts him is nothing short of miraculous and he loves the way your walls give to let him in. “So good.”

“Quiet, love.” You remind him, whimpering under your breath and swallowing a gasp as he starts to move. You’re going to have to force yourself to keep your eyes open, but you don’t know how much good it will do when you’re facing a wall.

“Let ‘em hear.” Jack grunts, pulling his lip between his teeth has he starts to work his cock in and out of you. Knowing he needs to do this quick, but not caring as he punches deep and feels your body react.

Immediately your mind protests that you don’t want to get arrested for fucking in public, but the next stroke of his thick cock hits so deep that you forget to care, moaning out loud for the night to hear. Every sound you make for him is perfect, spurring him on as if you are commanding him for more. It’s hot and dirty, filthy in the best possible way and he reaches down between you to rub your clit because he knows he won’t last. “Cum for me sugar,” he growls. “Need you to be a g—good girl.”

It’s the most gorgeous symphony of sinful sounds you’ve ever heard in your life and the place makes you cling to him so that you won’t miss a single sensation. The throbbing veins lining his cock seem to pulse out both of your heartbeats and you whine out an agreement to his command as best you can before finding his lips again. If you can’t pour yourself into kissing him as you cum, you really might scream out in pleasure.

Jack moans against your lips, feeling the liquid rush of head that give him permission to cum. Letting go and gasping as he pours himself into you.

“Fucking hell, baby.” Gasping at the feeling of him spilling inside of you and clutching his leather jacket even as you lay back to feel the cool metal of the truck’s hood on your back.

Jack pants out your name, hunching over you so he can rest his head right in your stomach. Trying to catch his breath. “Warm now?” He chuckles.

“I think we just worked off the calories from dinner,” you joke, giggling breathlessly and running your fingers through his hair.

“Happy to help, sugar.” Jack looks up at you and as much as he would love to stay just like this for the rest of the night, he had to get you back. Pulling back and reaching into his pocket to pull out your panties with a grin.

As soon as he’s slipped then back on, you shimmy into them and sit back up. “C’mere,” you insist, slipping off the Bronco’s hood to bend over and slip his softening cock into your mouth, savouring the flavor of your combined juice and cleaning him up just a little so his jeans won’t be a mess when he tucks himself away.

“Shit.” Jack is spent, but still he moans quietly at the feeling of your mouth around his cock. Loving how you shamelessly want him. “Okay sugar, I need a break between rounds.”

Your satisfied hun makes both of you chuckle, and when you stand up again you feel light as a feather. “I better see if I actually have a jacket back there,” you shrug your shoulders and grin guiltlessly. “For appearances sake.”

“If you don’t, we’ll just say we couldn’t find it and I had to give you mine.” Jack reasons, smirking as he shrugs out of his jacket. He knows you don’t have a jacket in here.

“You just like seeing me in your clothes.” The first time you’d worn one of his old button-up plaid shirts around the house he’d almost pinned you to the nearest surface on sight — and you loved it.

“What can I say, sugar?” Jack grins. “Might be a little possessive.”

“Just a tad.” With both of you redressed, you snuggle into Jack’s side and head for the door again with a jubilant smile on your face. You can’t help it. He just makes you feel incredible and you’re not about to deny yourself the giddiness of it.

Back inside, none of the group has any doubts where you have been, or wheat you’ve been up to. Tex and Rye grin, the former whooping loudly for everyone to hear and slapping Jack on the back. Gabi hands you your cocktail back with a smirk, and you just set yourself down in the booth as innocently as possible before Jack comes to rejoin you, one arm thickly protectively around your body to keep you close.

“No coat in the truck?” She guesses, batting her eyelashes to you in Jack’s jacket.

“I guess not.” Your innocent shrug is fairly lame and you know it. “That’s okay, Jack doesn’t need his.”

“She knows I’ll always give her my jacket if she needs it.” Jack muses, taking a sip of his own drink with a smug grin.

Sophia nearly chokes on a laugh at that, not needing a road map for Jack’s comment in the least. “Very generous, mate,” she snorts, smirking at him and then Tex.

Jack winks at Sophia playfully, tugging you closer with his free hand and looking over at you. “I think so, wouldn’t you?”

“Extremely generous.” You agree with a solemn nod.

“Alright.” Ginger rolls her eyes at all of you like the long-suffering mother she is. “Horny bastards.”

“You are the one who told me I needed to get my head out of my ass and realize what I had.” Jack reminds her with zero shame. “Just took your advice.”

“I wish you’d take all of my advice so literally.” She shakes her head at him but readjusts her arm around her wife. “So much domesticity all at once. It’s like someone cast a spell over Statesman.”

“Something must be in the air.” Jack chuckles, leaning in and kissing your cheek. “Must be the scent of her coconut frosting.”

******

The day of the Rabbit-Hole’s opening party is the biggest piece of organized chaos that you’ve seen so far in your entire life. Bigger than either of your siblings’ weddings or any that you had catered – and bigger still than the last restaurant opening you worked through when you were just the pastry sous chef. Now, with the entire kitchen under your command, you’re just grateful that Diana is coordinating the party so you can focus on your food.

The cake case is full is bursting with every flavour, the decorations are as over the top as you could manage and still have the place feel cozy and inviting. There’s room for the bandstand on the patio, so that the open French doors will let music flow through the restaurant and anyone who wants to dance can be inside or out. Every single seat has been reserved and about a third of the guests have put in their reservations that they would like to partake in the tea service menu or have one of your signature soufflés as a part of their meal. And on top of it all - only three small disasters have happened today and each of them was resolved relatively easily.

Now, at four in the afternoon, you’ve run home to shower the flour out of your hair and the sweat off your skin, and to change into fresh clothes and a clean chef’s coat for tonight. Jack is back from the office early so he can meet your family at the airstrip, and you couldn’t be more grateful that he’s so willing to jump in and help.

“Hey.” Jack grins at you, excited for your gift that he has for you. “Are you ready?” He asks cocking his head slightly. “You look like you’re missing something.” You are freshly showered, in clean clothes but he gives you a playful grin as he leans in to kiss your lips.

"What?" A quick inventory of your outfit - appropriate pants and shirt, new slip-resistant boots, bracelets from your sister and from Jack, even the earrings shaped like teacups that your mother had sent you - says you've got everything in place. Even your hair and makeup are appropriate, if simple. You would sweat off anything elaborate in the kitchen. "No? I'm pretty sure I have everything. Unless—" Your hand flies to your belt loops and you sigh in relief. Your keys are where they should be. "No. I'm good."

Jack chuckles at your efficiency and shakes his head. “No, you’re definitely missing something.” The elaborately wrapped box is thanks to Astrid. Jack couldn’t wrap his way out of a room and he wanted the gift to be perfect for you. “I think this is what you need.”

"Wh—what is this?" Your eyebrows rise when he holds the box out to you, but the second it's in your hands you're eager to tear the bows and ribbon off. Jack's tendency toward gift-giving is usually smaller things - like a perfectly made cup of coffee in the morning. But this is not small by any means. You nearly giggle tearing the wrapping away, and carefully lift the lid of the box to reveal a layer of tissue...which surrounds a brand-new chef's jacket. Crisp white with The Rabbit-Hole's logo embroidered in red and black, with Chef and your name in the same style and colours underneath. "Oh my god," you gasp, feeling tears in your eyes immediately. "You didn't have to do this baby, but oh my god, it's perfect!"

“Of course I did.” Jack huffs, proud that you are touched by the gift. “No chef can attend the opening to her own restaurant without the proper wear, sugar.” Jack teases, sliding forward to unbutton the plain chef’s coat you have on right now. “Want you to remember tonight as the day all your dreams come true.” Later on will be another dream, he hopes.

"I'm so nervous." The jacket fits you perfectly, and you smooth your fingers over the embroidery with a watery smile of pure pride. "I'm terrified, honestly, but also excited. Like I have enough anxiety and adrenaline that I could vibrate into space."

“We are all here behind you.” Jack assures you, reaching up and squeezing your shoulders reassuringly. “Just let me know if you need anything, sugar.”

"Right now all I need is a kiss," you're beaming at him, unashamed to claim that prize and give him a squeezing tight hug. "And for you to pick up my family from the airstrip. I know they're only in for the one night, but I'm so glad they could all come."

“As soon as I leave here, I’m off to get them.” He promises, pulling you close and kissing you. “The jet is already starting to descend so they should be landing in ten.”

"Thank you, baby." One more kiss and you have to pull yourself away, admiring the embroidery on your coat all over again. "I have to run back to the kitchen, but I'll see all of you tonight." The opening is due to start in just two hours, and there is so much to do, but you actually - miraculously - feel ready.

“Break a leg.” Jack jokes. “Or a dish.”

"I love you." You squeeze his hand and shoot out the door, ready to get your hands dirty for the first few hundred people to ever eat at The Rabbit-Hole.

******

Meeting your family at the airport is nerve wracking. Not because of any changes of opinion or because you aren’t there to provide a buffer, but because of what your father is bringing Jack. Sending him a picture, Jack had bought a band to be an accompanying piece and would be completed by the wedding band to come. Anxious to see the ring in person and to put the pieces together so he can ask you to be his wife tonight after you have had one hell of a launch.

"Jack!" It's your little sister who jumps forward on the pavement first, ready to hug it out and enjoy the hell out of a weekend without the kids. "How terrified is she? Freaking out? Shaking in her stylish yet affordable boots?"

“She’s shaking in her custom embroidered chef’s jacket.” Jack accepts the bone crushing hug with a laugh. “But she’s got nothing to worry about, she’s going to kill it. You should see the place.”

"We will." Sherry steps up to be the next in line for a hug and is much gentler when she puts both arms around her daughter's soulmate. "In about a half an hour. How are you doing, honey? Work is good? Moving her in went okay?"

“Everything is floatin’ along perfectly.” He assures her, hugging your mother with a bit more restraint and smiling as he pulls back. “She’s all moved in and says she’s happy as a lark. I think that’s because she’s gotten used to me wantin’ to make her rest when she gets home. Ask her when she gets tired of eatin’ off the grill.”

"It'll take a long time for her to get tired of that." Stepping up behind his wife, your father puts his hand out to Jack with an approving smile. "But it's good to hear things are going well." He clears his throat and glances around as his family starts moving toward Jack's Bronco. "Still feeling good about tonight?" He asks Jack quietly.

“I am.” Jack nods, looking into your father’s eyes seriously. “I have your permission to ask your daughter to marry me?” It seems important to make sure, even though everyone knows it’s been leading to this. He respects the man enough to ask again.

"Yes." Jeff chuckles quietly, appreciative of the respect but knowing that you would do what you damn well liked with or without your father's permission. The ring box in his jacket pocket is Jack's now, and he offers it to the younger man easily. "I hope you don't mind, but I told them this morning. My wife wanted to know why I was going into the safe, and it seemed okay to let it out."

“Absolutely.” Jack chuckles as he opens the box and smiles down at the simple, yet gorgeous ring that had been your grandmother’s. “I have the first part of the wraparound here.” He tells him, pulling out his own small box to open, showing the band he had designed to fit around it. The wedding band would go on the other side in time.

"Oh, it's beautiful," your mother gasps with delight, inspecting the delicate details on the wrap band that Jack had picked out. "Honey, she's going to love it. I just—" She's a little misty-eyed, but who can blame her. "I'll save the congratulations for later, but I'm so happy for both of you."

“I hope to make her happy every day,” he promises Sherry. “I know I won’t succeed every day, but that’s the goal.”

"Never go to bed angry, son." That's her best motherly advice, and she hands it out with a sage nod. "That's the key to everything. No matter which one of you gets stubborn, always work it out before bed."

“Honestly, I don’t know if I can sleep without her in my arms.” Maybe it’s a little too much information for your parents, but he doesn’t mean it in a sexual way. Just the comfort of you in his arms helps him sleep.

"Oh god, they're happy," Matt groans, making gagging noises and playing his essential role as older brother. "Absolutely disgusting," he deadpans, grinning broadly at Jack.

“Completely disgusting.” Jack agrees wholeheartedly, chuckling at the way your brother likes to tease. “You should see Tex with his soulmate if you think we’re bad. She’s a Brit with a mouth that is fouler than a sailor’s and a love for him as big as Texas.”

"He found her?" Sherry clasps her hands over her heart and practically does a happy dance as the group of them climbs into the Bronco. "That's such good news. He's a nice boy. Are they going to be at the opening tonight?"

“Of course they are.” Jack climbs behind the wheel and turns the engine over. “They have become fast friends. To the point where she’s gonna be Sophia’s maid of honor this summer.”

Matt and Jeff let out an identical whistle from the backseat that sends everyone into a soft laugh, and Sherry nods her approval in the passenger seat beside Jack. "Everybody's happy. Just the way it should be." After all, she'd liked Tex when she thought that he was her daughter's soulmate, she doesn't like him any less now that he is someone else's.

“Everyone’s happy.” Jack agrees, smirking as he pulls away from the tarmac. “Let’s go down the Rabbit-Hole, shall we?”

"To The Rabbit-Hole." Sherry aims one finger in the air like the call of a charge and laughs again, excited to see the restaurant that was barely beginning to take shape the last time they were in Louisville.

By the time Jack pulls up to the distillery, the parking lot is already starting to fill up. “Oh boy, here we go.” He chuckles as he jumps out. The grand opening banner has been draped over the entrance and he beams at how everything looks. “It’s all come together.”

"Hot damn." Jeff pops out of the truck with a grin. "She's really done it, hasn't she? The whole place is hers."

"Dad, we're not even inside," Eliza laughs, pulling her husband along with her in an eager attempt to get to the door ahead of the rest of her family. "Daniels, party of six," she tells the hostess at the stand just inside the doorway. There's music pouring softly through the building and the smells from the kitchen are completely divine. "Oh my god, look!" She squeaks while the hostess is checking in their reservation, pointing at the pastry case. "The coconut cake is front and center!"

“She wanted to make that a permanent part of the menu.” You have too many ideas to have a permanent menu without some rotation, but some items were going to always be available. “I think that is the star of The Rabbit-Hole.”

The six of them follow the hostess out into the dining room, the whimsical decor and rich colors grounded by walnut-stained tables and chairs and brass accents. Soft white linen tablecloths give a feeling of elegance, and your mother can’t help cooing at every detail as they’re seated at one of the larger tables.

Jack beams as he looks at everyone taking in the atmosphere, snapping photos and looking excited as a line of servers show them to their tables. You had even gone so far as to have the party name engraved on heavy card stock and placed in the middle of the tables for a touch of whimsy and practicality, making the best use of the configurations for ease of seating. “She’s outdone herself.”

“It’s perfect,” Eliza breathes as she sits down, twisting her head to see all around the dining room and as much of the patio as she can. “It’s absolutely perfect.”

“The menu is specialized for today.” Jack boasts as he looks at the elaborate scroll of the paper.

“Everything sounds good.” Your brother-in-law groans, knowing it will be impossible for him to make a decision.

“Can I recommend the meatloaf?” Diana flashes everyone a grin, appearing at Jack’s side with the proud glow of a happy friend. She’s been pointing out to absolutely everyone that the menu says Diana’s meatloaf and glowing over it.

“I still can’t believe that you gave her your prized recipe.” Jack knows that the special will only be a once a week offering, but it’s a point of pride for him to see her so happy about it.

“If I was ever going to share it outside the family, it would only be for someone like her.” She greets your family with hugs all around, sharing in the excitement of opening night. Everyone is bubbly and jittery all at once and it’s making the restaurant feel so active.

“How is she holding up?” Jack asks quietly, having promised you he wouldn’t slip into the back while the work was going on. You were too busy for distractions.

“I heard her laughing in the kitchen just before you came in, so I think we’re okay.” Jack gets the biggest hug, of course, and Diana pats his back soothingly.

“Good.” Diana knows that he is planning on proposing after the opening is done. Making sure that there is plenty of champagne for more than just the after party.

“How are you feeling?” She asks him quietly, knowing that he must be nervous. She would be, anyway.

“Honestly?” Jack surprises himself. “I’m feeling great.” He knows you will say yes. His only worry is that he will disappoint you by proposing on your big day.

“Good,” Diana’s smile widens, overtaking her face. “Ride that wave, honey. It’s going to be great.”

“She’s going to love it, right?” Jack looks around the table at those who know you best. No one has argued with his plan, so he’s taking that as a good sign, but he wants to be sure. “Proposing tonight?”

“Absolutely.” Your sister has no hesitations about Jack’s plan, and offers her soon-to-be brother-in-law a nod of encouragement. “My sister is many things, but quiet about her happiness shouldn’t be one of them. The grand gesture is the perfect plan.”

“Good.” Jack deflates, relieved to be reassured that he’s doing the right thing. “That’s damn good.”

“Just give me a signal so I can film it,” your mother insists, always being the documentarian of the family. It’s because of her that there is such a complete photo history of your childhood.

“Of course.” Jack nods, grateful for your family’s support. “Diana, you have her dress here?” He knows you wouldn’t want to be proposed to in your chef’s uniform, so he had arranged for Diana to bring one of your favorite dresses, knowing the older woman could convince you to change for the little after party without arousing too much suspicion.

“It’s all set up.” She promises him. She had also arranged for the band to do a little rendition of the Elton John classic Your Song after you say yes, but that’s a surprise for both of you. “Don’t you fret, honey. We have everything taken care of. Just enjoy your dinner and be proud of your soulmate.”

“You know I’m going to.” Jack nods to Diana as she slides away to greet another table and he grins at everyone. “How about we order us our first drinks?”

They all knew the food would be good. They knew the food would be great, even. But whatever you’re doing back there in that kitchen tonight is magic because this might be – according to your father between giddy bites of fried chicken – the very best you’ve ever cooked.

“Whatever is in this, it’s gotta be illegal,” your brother groans, when not a single speck is left on his plate.

“And yet?” Your sister is beaming, soufflé and pork erased from existence and sitting happily in her stomach. “I can’t wait for dessert.”

“She’s been busting her ass to make sure that everything is perfect. You don’t know how many times she’s thrown out a recipe and started from scratch for tonight.”

“Sounds like her finals in culinary school.” Eliza groans happily and sits back, patting her stomach. “I think there’s just enough room for dessert.” She flashes Jack a grin. “And champagne.”

“Always room for champagne.” Jack contends. “Especially when you have to know this woman has even made an after-party menu.”

“She didn’t?” Although why your mother is surprised is anyone’s guess. Of course you went overboard. “That girl, I swear.”

“To thank the staff for all their hard work.” Jack shrugs, accepting that you do too much.

“Accidentally catering her own engagement party sounds pretty on point.” Matt chuckles at it, knowing you’ll get a kick out of it when you think about it later. “Get ready,” Diana sweeps by the table with an excited aura radiating from her. “I’m gonna go make sure she’s changed up and ready to give her ‘thank you’ speech.”

Tonight was just going to be one seating. It wasn’t going to be an all-night affair. It was the beauty of this because every table was saying they needed to book another reservation now. “It’s time.”

******

“Di!” When your friend appears in the kitchen you’re in your element, executing the last few desserts to go out and wiping sweat from your forehead with a kitchen towel with a giant grin on your face. “Is it time already? Shit…I completely lost track.” One glance at the clock shows yes, you’ve completely lost track of the hour. It seems like the night only started ten minutes ago. “How is…do they—do they like it?” You ask, almost afraid to hear her answer.

“Babe, you can guarantee that your tearoom will be packed from here on out.” Diana laughs, throwing her arms around you. “They are already asking for reservations to come back.”

“Really?” It would enough to have you in tears if you weren’t flying on so much adrenaline. Instead you hug Diana back fiercely. “Okay, let me just make sure we have the buffet trays ready for the after party and I’ll change.” The idea for the rest of the night is to be informal, and to let your staff join the fun. All you’ll do later is clean up the dining room. Doing the last batch of dishes before lunch service tomorrow will be a snap.

“Go change, I’ll take care of that.” Diana shoos you away from the table where the staff party supplies are sitting. “Go on. I can handle this part.”

The dress was Diana’s idea, and she had somehow magically managed to convince you to pull the vintage party dress out of the back of your closet that you had only worn once before. The little blue number was perfect, she insisted over and over until you gave in. Now you come out of your office after cleaning up and changing your clothes feeling a little silly. “It’s not too much?” You ask her, uncertain.

“Honey, it’s perfect.” Diana gushes, nearly tearing up but she knows that would make you suspicious as to why she’s crying over your launch party dress. “You deserve tonight.” She tells you honestly. “Every bit of it.”

“If you say so.” The speech of thanks and encouragement was given to your staff at the beginning of the night, and you’ve been giving them so much praise as they worked their asses off for this dinner service, and even now you flash them a big double thumbs up from one end of the kitchen. “Time to wind down, guys!” You tell them loudly, absolute giddiness clear in your voice. “Get your stations cleaned up and come out to join the party!”

Diana is just putting the finishing touches on the table with Eliza’s help while Champ and Jack start pouring glasses of champagne into flutes for all the staff. Jack wants to let you have this moment first, to bask in the success before he steals the spotlight for a moment. Matt, your father and mother are all setting the dining room to rights, giggling over the fact that every single table had taken the menus and their place cards home with their to-go pastries from the now completely wiped-out case.

The friends and family that have stayed behind for the party are all doing their part, and when you walk out of the kitchen with your staff behind you, the applause is deafening. These people – these wonderful people – are on their feet for you immediately. Cheering and whistling as they put their hands together for your efforts. And it has you nearly in tears as you take the seemingly long walk to the center of the dining room. “Well that was unexpected,” you laugh, holding the microphone that the band leader hands you away from your face when it gives you feedback. “I—thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my heart. Tonight was a dream thanks to all of you and the amazing staff of The Rabbit-Hole. Please give them another round of applause because they executed flawlessly tonight.” A second round of cheers and clapping deafens the room for a second as your staff cheers right back, already accepting flutes of champagne from Diana, Astrid, and Sophia as they walk around with trays. “Most of you probably think of this place as being three months in the making but the truth is that it has been my entire life. Some of these recipes have been handed down through my family for generations only to end up in the hands of this amazing crew of cooks and I could not be more grateful or proud. It’s—” You laugh when the first tears escape, and shrug your shoulders, because it was inevitable.

“My grandma Jane, whose coconut cake is the crown jewel of our dessert menu, used to always tell me that I could do anything. ‘Beautiful girl’ she would tell me whenever I was discouraged or afraid, ‘you can do the hard thing’. And I have lived my life with her words as my voice of encouragement. So tonight is dedicated to Grandma Jane, with all my gratitude, because I would never have gone into culinary without her. To my staff, with all my thanks, because this is going to be an amazing place that we will make a must try experience for anyone in Louisville…” Your head turns, eyes finding Jack standing just a few feet away, and you smile. “And to my soulmate, with all my love, for all of his support as I became an increasingly crazier woman as we got closer to tonight. Thank you, Jack.”

Jack ducks his head and grins as Matt whistles and decides that now is the perfect time for him to come up beside you. He can see the way you cock your head and what you don’t know is that he has a microphone already clipped to his jacket so he can be heard throughout the space. He thanks Diana silently as she reaches over and takes the microphone from your hand to give it back to the band. “Sugar.” Jack takes your hand and kisses the back of it, “I’m mighty damn proud of you.” He declares as he grins up at you from where he’s bending over your hand. “You deserve every second of tonight. And I’m hopin’ to end the night on a high note for you.”

At first you don’t put the pieces together. Why does Jack have a microphone on? Why is he coming out and acting like he’s going to make a speech? Why is your mother still recording? And then it hits all at one as Jack bends over just one of your hands when he always takes both. “Oohhh my god…”

Jack shuffles to one knee and sends you a mockingly reproachful look. “Hold on now.” He chides with a grin. “Lemme get my speech out.” He huffs, reaching into his pocket with his other hand to pull out the velvet box your father had given him. “Now sugar, every person in this place knows we’ve had a rocky road to where we are now.” Jack won’t deny that, and he wants to be honest. “But we are here and I don’t know if I ever want to be lookin’ at a future that doesn’t involve you. You’re my soulmate.” That phrase alone is very symbolic to both of you and he squeezes your hand gently as you stare down at him in shock. “Never thought second soulmates existed, and now I thank God every day that they do, and you’re mine.” Jack has to pause, clear his throat as he gets a touch emotional before he continues. “You drug me down the rabbit-hole. Where I learned to love again, that I was capable of it, and to accept that I had a future far beyond my past. I love you with every fiber of my soul, sugar. Will you marry me?” He opens the box to show you the two rings. “Your Grandma Jane also had a hand in this too. I hope you don’t mind getting two rings.” He winks at you as he waits for your answer.

The way you squeak out “Yes” is barely audible to anyone but Jack, but your emphatic nodding through a curtain of tears says all it needs to. The room has narrowed down to just Jack and you, and you pull him back up to standing again with shaking hands. Never in a thousand years would you have expected this - especially so soon - but your tears have turned from proud to ecstatic in an instant. “I love you so much,” you murmur, forgetting the microphone will pick up anything you say, and you can’t help but laugh when you hear it loud and clear across the restaurant.

“I love you, sugar.” Jack promises you, taking the rings out of the box very carefully to slide both of them on your finger. “Perfect fit.”

“Yeah.” You hold into his hands tightly, admiring the rings for a moment before you look back up at him. “We are.”

Jack leans in and presses his lips to yours, making another round of applause go up as he holds you close and the band starts to play.

“I love you.” Someone, probably Diana, thankfully cut Jack’s microphone, and you can whisper safely in his arms as he starts to move you around the middle of the dance floor. “More than anything in the world.”

“I love you too sugar.” Jack promises. “I want the rest of my time on this earth with you.”

“And you’re going to get it.” The giddy giggles that well up inside you have you grinning all over again and your hands against his chest make the rings - plural - sparkle every time they catch the light. “So…was this what you and my dad were talking about the last night they were here?”

“Yeah.” Jack grins. “Along with the ‘what are your intentions’ questioning.”

“Well I know you got his approval, because he gave you my gran’s ring.” It’s such a giddy thing, and you lean in to kiss him as you turn together. “She would have loved you. And she would have loved the idea of two rings…I’m assuming that was your idea?”

Jack nods. “I couldn’t just give you your grandmother’s ring.” He explains quietly. “There’s another band to wear as a wedding ring. Fully surrounding her ring.”

“You’re the sweetest man in the whole world, you know that don’t you?” He always goes above and beyond. You know that about him, and you love what it says about him and the depths of his caring. “I honestly…I would have been okay with it if you never wanted to get married again. But I’m a tiny bit excited to be Mrs. Daniels.”

“I know you hadn’t let yourself imagine it.” Jack huffs sadly. “It’s why Sophia had standing orders to make you think about your own wedding.”

“I have a secret for you.” It’s sweet that they had enlisted Sophia’s help, but you bite back a shit-eating grin. “I’ve imagined a lot. I just kept my stash of bridal magazines and website bookmarks secret so you wouldn’t feel pressured.”

“Yeah?” Jack chuckles, grinning at you and shaking his head. “Next you’ll be tellin’ me that you’ve already decided what names the kids will have.”

“I might have ideas,” you admit sheepishly. “But I would never decide anything without you.”

Jack chuckles quietly and leans in to kiss you. “Sounds good, sugar.” He murmurs against your lips. “I want you to dream with me.”

“For the rest of our lives.” That sounds like a very good amount of time. “I promise.”

______ Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @hardc0rehaylz @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide​ @elegantduckturtle  ​

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My Masterlist!

[mysticalhearth]

W

Waiting for Godot - Broadway - November 24, 2013 (Opening Night) (Lanelle's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Aidan Gemme (The Boy), Billy Crudup (Lucky), Ian McKellen (Estragon), Patrick Stewart (Vladimir), Shuler Hensley (Pozzo)

War Horse - West End - February 27, 2014 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (HD) CAST: Sion Daniel Young (Albert Narracott), Josie Walker (Rose Narracott), Alistair Brammer (Billy Narracott), Alex Avery (Captain Nicholls), Steve North (Ted Narracott), Tom Hodgkins (Arthur Narracott) NOTES: Multi-cam pro-shot broadcast live to cinemas as part of National Theatre Live, Includes interval interview and documentary. 

War Paint - Broadway - March 11, 2017 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Patti LuPone (Helena Rubinstein), Christine Ebersole (Elizabeth Arden), John Dossett (Tommy Lewis), Douglas Sills (Harry Fleming) NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the Broadway transfer. Some changes for Broadway from the previous Goodman Theater production. Excellent performances from the entire cast with clear picture and great sound throughout; very good video. 2 DVDs. A War Paint - Broadway - April 29, 2017 (Matinee) (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Patti LuPone (Helena Rubinstein), Christine Ebersole (Elizabeth Arden), John Dossett (Tommy Lewis), Douglas Sills (Harry Fleming) NOTES: The master gets caught during Face to Face. You can hear someone say “TURN IT OFF��. Blackout during that part. Wasted - Southwark Playhouse - 2018 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Matthew Jacobs Morgan (Branwell Brontë), Molly Lynch (Anne Brontë), Natasha Barnes (Charlotte Brontë), Siobhan Athwal (Emily Brontë) We Are The Tigers - Off-Broadway - March, 2019 (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Lauren Zakrin (Riley Williams), Wonu Ogunfowora (Cairo), Jenny Rose Baker (Kate Dalton), MiMi Scardulla (Reese), Kaitlyn Frank (Annleigh), Cathy Ang (Mattie Wheeler), Celeste Rose (Chess), Zoe Jensen (Farrah), Sydney Parra (Eva Sanchez), Louis Griffin (Clark) NOTES: Starts at the beginning of "I Just Wanna" and missing part of "Mattie's Lament." The theater was really full tonight so there are a good number of heads in this video, but they are worked around to the best of my ability. This is a super small theater (less than 160 seats) and at times the cast members were definitely singing to the camera and honestly giving their best performances because of it. All of the things on the upper level (the bathroom, the pathway, and the kitchen) are captured perfectly, and the zooms on the lower level (the living room and bench) look good as well. Obviously because this is a murder mystery kind of show the lighting can get a little bit dark, but my camera handles low lighting incredibly well. This is honestly the best video you could expect from this venue We Will Rock You - Germany (Cologne) - August, 2005 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Alex Melcher (Galileo), Vera Bolten (Scaramouche), Brigitte Oelke (Killer Queen), Martin Berger (Khashoggi), Michaela Kovarikova (Meat/Oz), DMJ (Brit/J.B.), James Sbano (Pop/Buddy/Bap), Harald Tauber (Teacher), Willemijn Verkaik NOTES: Multicam proshot We Will Rock You - Utrecht (The Netherlands) - October, 2010 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: John Vooijs (Galileo), Marjolein Teepen (Scaramouche), Pia Douwes (Killer Queen), Paul Donkers (Khashoggi), Floortje Smit (Meat/Oz), Ruud van Overdijk (Brit/J.B.), Rutger le Poole (Pop/Buddy/Bap) NOTES: Good capture. Heads in the way, but also a lot of good close-ups. Dubble DVD! We Will Rock You - West End - February 11, 2003 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Tony Vincent (Galileo), Hannah Jane Fox (Scaramouche), Sharon D Clarke (Killer Queen), Alexander Hanson (Khashoggi), Kerry Ellis (Meat/Oz), Nigel Clauzner (Brit/J.B.), Nigel Planer (Pop/Buddy/Bap) The Wedding Singer - Broadway - April 1, 2006 (Preview) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Stephen Lynch (Robbie Hart), Laura Benanti (Julia), Matthew Saldivar (Sammy), Kevin Cahoon (George), Rita Gardner (Rosie), Amy Spanger (Holly), Richard H Blake (Glen), Felicia Finley (Linda) NOTES: Includes pictures of outside of the theatre and playbill. This was before the changes were made to the production. Blackouts throughout the show. The Wedding Singer - Off-West End - March 1, 2020 (Matinee) (Closing Night) (Highlights) (queenofthedead's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Kevin Clifton (Robbie Hart), Rhiannon Chesterman (Julia), Ashley Emmerson (Sammy), Andrew Carthy (George), Sandra Dickinson (Rosie), Tara Verloop (Holly), Jonny Fines (Glen), Erin Bell (Linda), Lori Haley Fox (Angie), Andy Brady (David Fonda), Nathan Ryles (Harold Fonda), Jordan Crouch (Donnie), Aimee Moore (Tiffany), Simon Anthony (Shane McDonough), Paris Green (Donatella), Vanessa Grace Lee (Donatella’s Mother), Morgan Jackson (Mookie), Ellie Seaton (Crystal) NOTES: 38 minutes of act 1 of the closing performance, unobstructed. Welcome To The Club - Broadway - April 8, 1989 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Avery Schreiber (Milton), Bill Buell (Gus), Jodi Benson (Betty), Marcia Mitzman (Carol), Marilyn Sokol (Arlene), Sally Mayes (Winona), Samuel E Wright (Bruce), Scott Waara (Kevin), Scott Wentworth (Aaron), Terri White (Eve) NOTES: Filmed during previews. Well filmed from the balcony. Mostly a full stage shot. Some generational loss. Wenn Rosenblätter Fallen - Oberhausen - June 13, 2016 (Rumpel's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Pia Douwes (Rose), Anton Zetterholm (Till), Annemieke van Dam (Iris)  

West Side Story - Hollywood Bowl - July 19, 2016 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Jeremy Jordan (Tony), Solea Pfeiffer (Maria), Karen Olivo (Anita), Matthew James Thomas (Riff), George Akram (Bernardo), Drew Foster (Action), Jose Moreno Brooks (Chino), Anthony C Chatmon II (A-Rab), Kyle Selig (Baby John), Mike Schwitter (Big Deal), Jeff Smith (Diesel), Kevin Chamberlin (Krupke), Jennifer Sanchez (Rosalia), Erica Dorfler (Consuela) NOTES: This concert version of the show is abridged with shortened scenes, simple costumes, and no sets or choreography, but Jeremy, Solea, and Karen are absolutely phenomenal with soaring vocals and emotional performances. Very well captured with no dropouts, no obstruction, and no washout. The stage is filmed directly most of the time; the screens are occasionally filmed, usually when the actors are not onstage. It’s filmed in 16:9, with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups. The sound is excellent. Includes curtain call and playbill scans. West Side Story - Leicester Curve - December, 2019 (queenofthedead's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Jamie Muscato (Tony), Adriana Ivelisse (Maria), Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anita), Ronan Burns (Riff), Jonathan Hermosa-Lopez (Bernardo), Isaac Gryn (Action), Damian Buhagiar (Chino), Ryan Anderson (A-Rab), Alex Christian (Baby John), Dale White (Big Deal), Michael O’Reilly (Diesel), Beth Hinton-Lever (Anybodys), Darren Bennett (Lt. Schrank), Christopher Wright (Krupke), Christopher Wright (Doc), Darren Bennett (Glad Hand), Mireia Mambo (Rosalia), Abigail Climer (Consuela), Thea Bunting (Graziella), Katie Lee (Velma), Richard Appiah-Sarpong (Pepe), Dominic Sibanda (Indio) NOTES: Missing 7 minutes at the beginning. No dropouts and no obstruction. West Side Story - Second Broadway Revival - February 23, 2009 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Matt Cavenaugh (Tony), Josefina Scaglione (Maria), Karen Olivo (Anita), Cody Green (Riff), George Akram (Bernardo), Curtis Holbrook (Action), Joey Haro (Chino), Kyle Coffman (A-Rab), Ryan Steele (Baby John), Tro Shaw (Anybodys), Steve Bassett (Lt. Schrank), Lee Sellars (Krupke), Greg Vinkler (Doc) NOTES: Stunning production of this revival. Josefina and Karen still steal the show. The cast was on fire and there was a lot of energy in the audience as it was the first performance on Broadway. There are some changes from the DC run, which work better. Beautiful production and capture with no obstructions. West Side Story - Second Broadway Revival - November 16, 2009 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Matt Cavenaugh (Tony), Josefina Scaglione (Maria), Karen Olivo (Anita), Wes Hart (u/s Riff), George Akram (Bernardo), Eric Hatch (u/s Action), Joey Haro (Chino), Kyle Coffman (A-Rab), Brendon Stimson (u/s Baby John), Joshua Buscher (Diesel), Mike Cannon (Snowboy), Kaitlin Mesh (Anybodys), Steve Bassett (Lt. Schrank), Lee Sellars (Krupke), Mark Zimmerman (s/b Doc), Lindsay Estelle Dunn (Velma), Michael Williams (u/s Pepe), Kaitlin Mesh (Zaza) West Side Story - Third Broadway Revival - January 6, 2020 (Preview) FORMAT:  MKV (HD) CAST: Jordan Dobson (u/s Tony), Mia Pinero (u/s Maria), Yesenia Ayala (Anita), Corey John Snide (u/s Riff), Amar Ramasar (Bernardo), Dharon E Jones (Action), Jacob Guzman (Chino), Kevin Csolak (A-Rab), Matthew Johnson (Baby John), Tyler Eisenreich (Big Deal), Ahmad Simmons (Diesel), Daniel Ching (Snowboy), Zuri Noelle Ford (Anybodys), Thomas Jay Ryan (Lt. Schrank), Danny Wolohan (Krupke), Daniel Oreskes (Doc), Pippa Pearthree (Glad Hand), Lorna Courtney (Rosalia), Gabi Campo (Consuela), Marissa Brown (Francisca), Alexa de Barr (Graziella), Madison Vomastek (Velma), Gus Reed (Gee-tar), John Snide (Tiger), Carlos Gonzales (Pepe), Ricky Ubeda (Indio), Roman Cruz (Luis), Israel del Rosario (Anxious), Michaela Marfori (Nibbles), Marc Crousillat (Juano), Sheldon True (Toro), Stephanie Crousillat (Teresita), Marlon Geliz (Estella), Satori Folkes-Stone (Margarita), Uni-Seng Francois (Minnie), Jennifer Gruener (Pauline) NOTES: Wideshot. Stage right is slightly obstructed due to where the master was sitting. Good audio. SD M4V (567.0 MB) West Side Story - UK Tour - May 23, 2009 FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Daniel Koek (Tony), Hazel Gardner (u/s Maria), Jayde Westaby (Anita), Edd Post (u/s Riff), Dan Burton (Bernardo), Aki Omoshaybi (Chino), Ged Simmons (Lt. Schrank), Martin Chaimberain (Krupke) When We're Gone - Joe's Pub (2014) - March 12, 2014 FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Gerard Canonico (Todd), Jeremy Kushnier (John), Luke Wygodny (Ashton), Hannah Whitney (Rosie), Eric William Morris (Colin), Bradley Dean (William) NOTES: Concert performance.   

The Wild Party (Lippa) - Encores! Off-Center - July 17, 2015 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Sutton Foster (Queenie), Steven Pasquale (Burrs), Brandon Victor Dixon (Black), Joaquina Kalukango (Kate), Miriam Shor (Madeline True), Talene Monahon (Mae), Ryan Andes (Eddie) NOTES: Excellent HD capture from the Encores Summer Series! The cast was terrific and full of energy giving everything they had. Great to see these songs performed again by this caliber of talent! A The Wild Party (Lippa) - Off-Broadway - 2000 (Highlights) (Press Reel's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Julia Murney (Queenie), Brian d'Arcy James (Burrs), Taye Diggs (Black), Idina Menzel (Kate), Alix Korey (Madeline True), Charles Dillon (Oscar d'Armano), Kevin Cahoon (Phil d'Armano), James Delisco Beeks (Max), Todd Anderson (Reno), Jennifer Cody (Mae), Kena Tangi Dorsey (Dolores), Felicia Finley (Rose Himmelsteen), Peter Kapetan (Sam Himmelsteen), Lawrence Keigwin (Jackie), Charlie Marcus (The Neighbor), Kristin McDonald (Nadine), Raymond Jaramillo McLeod (Eddie), Steven Pasquale (Cop), Megan Sikora (Peggy), Ron Todorowski (Kegs), Amanda Watkins (Ellie) The Winter's Tale - West End - November 26, 2015 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Kenneth Branagh (Leontes), Dame Judi Dench (Paulina), Miranda Raison (Hermione), Jessie Buckley (Perdita), Hadley Fraser (Polixenes), Tom Bateman (Florizel), John Dagleish (Autolycus) The Winter's Tale - West End - November 26, 2015 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Kenneth Branagh (Leontes), Dame Judi Dench (Paulina), Miranda Raison (Hermione), Jessie Buckley (Perdita), Hadley Fraser (Polixenes), Tom Bateman (Florizel), John Dagleish (Autolycus) The Witches of Eastwick - UK Tour - April 4, 2009 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: James Graeme (Clyde), Marti Pellow (Darryl), Poppy Tierney (Jane), Rachel Izen (Felicia), Rebecca Thornhill (Sukie), Ria Jones (Alex) NOTES: Beautifully filmed from the balcony, with a great mix of close-ups and full stage shots. Crystal clear. Widescreen. The Wiz - NBC Live! - December 3, 2015 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (4K) CAST: Shanice Williams (Dorothy), David Alan Grier (Lion), Ne-Yo (Tinman), Elijah Kelley (Scarecrow), Uzo Aduba (Glinda), Queen Latifah (The Wiz), Mary J Blige (Evillene), Stephanie Mills (Aunt Em), Amber Riley (Addaperle) NOTES: A live production of the 1975 musical The Wiz produced for television; excellent video. A+ The Wizard of Oz (Webber) - First National Tour - September 28, 2013 FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Danielle Wade (Dorothy Gale), Jamie McKnight (Scarecrow/Hunk), Mike Jackson (Tin Man/Hickory), Lee MacDougall (Cowardly Lion/Zeke), Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (The Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Gulch), Cedric Smith (The Wizard of Oz/Professor Marvel), Robin Evan Willis (Glinda the Good Witch), Charlotte Moore (Aunt Em/Munchkin Barrister), Larry Mannell (Uncle Henry/Philippe/Head Guard) NOTES: Nice capture of Andrew Lloyd Webber's re-imagined classic; no obstruction and very little washout; a few quick dropouts in act one and a couple in act two, only last about three minutes all together; filmed in 16:9 with a mix of wides, mediums,and close-ups. The Woman in Black - West End - July 8, 2001 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Christopher Ravenscroft (Arthur Kipps), Sebastian Harcombe (The Actor) The Woman in White - Broadway - November 30, 2005 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Adam Brazier (Walter Hartwright), Angela Christian (Anne Catherick), Jill Paice (Laura Fairlie), Lisa Brescia (Marian Halcombe), Michael Ball (Count Fosco), Ron Bohmer (Sir Percival Glyde)  

The Woman in White - West End - February 25, 2005 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Maria Friedman, Michael Ball, Adrian der Gregorian (u/s), Oliver Darley, Jill Paice, Elinor Collett (u/s) NOTES: Nice video with good closeups and zooms and great sound. Woman of the Year - Broadway - March 27, 1982 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Lauren Bacall (Tess Harding), Harry Guardino (Sam Craig), Eivind Harum (Alexi Petrikov), Roderick Cook (Gerald), Grace Keagy (Helga), Jamie Ross (Larry Donovan), Marilyn Cooper (Jan Donovan), Rex Everhart (Maury) NOTES: Good color video with clear sound with some generation loss, but a nice video. B+ Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown - Broadway - December 29, 2010 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Sherie Rene Scott (Pepa), Laura Benanti (Candela), Patti LuPone (Lucia), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ivan), Justin Guarini (Carlos), de’Adre Aziza (Paulina), Danny Burstein (Taxi Driver), Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Marisa), Mary Beth Peil (Pepa's Concierge/TV and Radio Announcer), Samantha Shafer (u/s Woman at Train/Ana) NOTES: Also includes press reels, cast/creative interviews and video of David Yazbek singing songs from the show.

  Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown - Broadway - January 2, 2011 (Matinee) FORMAT:  MP3 (tracked) CAST: Sherie Rene Scott (Pepa), Laura Benanti (Candela), Patti LuPone (Lucia), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ivan), Justin Guarini (Carlos), de’Adre Aziza (Paulina), Danny Burstein (Taxi Driver), Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Marisa), Mary Beth Peil (Pepa's Concierge/TV and Radio Announcer), Samantha Shafer (u/s Woman at Train/Ana) NOTES: Also includes press reels, cast/creative interviews and video of David Yazbek singing songs from the show. Wonderful Town - Television Production - November 30, 1958 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Rosalind Russell (Ruth Sherwood), Sydney Chaplin (Robert Baker), Jacquelyn McKeever (Eileen Sherwood), Joseph Buloff (Mr. Appopolous), Dort Clark (Chick Clark), Jordan Bentley (Wreck), Cris Alexander (Frank Lippencott), Jack Fletcher (Night Club Patron), Michele Burke (Helen Wade), Ted Beniades (“Speedy” Valenti), Isabella Hoopes (Mrs. Wade), Ray Weaver (Shore Patrolman), Gene Carrons (Violet), John Wheeler (Officer Lonigan), Don Grusso (Fireman) Wonderland - Broadway - March 23, 2011 (Preview) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Janet Dacal (Alice), Kate Shindle (Mad Hatter), Carly Rose Sonenclar (Chloe/Ellie), Edward Staudenmayer (The White Rabbit), Karen Mason (Queen of Hearts), Darren Ritchie (Jack the White Knight), E Clayton Cornelious (Caterpillar), Jose Llana (El Gato/Chesire Cat), Danny Stiles (Morris the March Hare), Darren Ritchie (The Victorian Gentleman), Karen Mason (Edwina) NOTES: Very limited trade 3:1 at the master's request. Wonderland - Broadway - April 2, 2011 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Janet Dacal (Alice), Kate Shindle (Mad Hatter), Carly Rose Sonenclar (Chloe/Ellie), Edward Staudenmayer (The White Rabbit), Karen Mason (Queen of Hearts), Darren Ritchie (Jack the White Knight), E Clayton Cornelious (Caterpillar), Jose Llana (El Gato/Chesire Cat), Danny Stiles (Morris the March Hare), Darren Ritchie (The Victorian Gentleman), Karen Mason (Edwina) NOTES: Beautiful bright capture of this short lived show that only played 31 previews and 33 performances. I thought this show was very enjoyable and fun with great music. Great performances and voices from the cast! A+ Wonderland - Broadway - May 12, 2011 (juniper47's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Janet Dacal (Alice), Kate Shindle (Mad Hatter), Carly Rose Sonenclar (Chloe/Ellie), Edward Staudenmayer (The White Rabbit), Karen Mason (Queen of Hearts), Darren Ritchie (Jack the White Knight), E Clayton Cornelious (Caterpillar), Jose Llana (El Gato/Chesire Cat), Danny Stiles (Morris the March Hare) NOTES: Filmed in widescreen with very few obstructions except for a head blocking the farthest corners of downstage stage left and right, but very little is missed there. Very good video and excellent picture and sound. Wonderland - Broadway - May 12, 2011 (juniper47's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Janet Dacal (Alice), Kate Shindle (Mad Hatter), Carly Rose Sonenclar (Chloe/Ellie), Edward Staudenmayer (The White Rabbit), Karen Mason (Queen of Hearts), Darren Ritchie (Jack the White Knight), E Clayton Cornelious (Caterpillar), Jose Llana (El Gato/Chesire Cat), Danny Stiles (Morris the March Hare) NOTES: Filmed in widescreen with very few obstructions except for a head blocking the farthest corners of downstage stage left and right, but very little is missed there. Very good video and excellent picture and sound. Wonderland - UK Tour - June 10, 2017 (Matinee) (bestworstcase's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Rachael Wooding (Alice), Francesca Lara Gordon (u/s Mad Hatter), Naomi Morris (Chloe/Ellie), Dave Willetts (The White Rabbit), Wendi Peters (Queen of Hearts), Stephen Webb (Jack the White Knight), Kayi Ushe (Caterpillar), Dominic Owen (El Gato/Chesire Cat), Ben Kerr (Morris the March Hare) NOTES: DVD menu states June 6 2017 matinee, but all other evidence, even the master's weebly claim it's June 10 2017. Good video! Wonderland (Beth Steel Play) - Hampstead Theatre - July 14, 2014 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Unknown NOTES: Livestreamed April 2020. The Worst Witch - West End - August 22, 2019 (Matinee) (wheredidtherockgo's master) FORMAT:  MTS CAST: Danielle Bird (Mildred Hubble), Rosie Abraham (Ethel Hallow), Molly-Grace Cutler (Miss Bat/Piano/Guitar/Cello/Dulcimer), Meg Forgan (Fenella Feverfew/Bass Guitar), Rachel Heaton (Miss Hardbroom), Rebecca Killick (Maud Spellbody), Emma Lau (Drusilla Paddock), Megan Leigh Mason (Miss Drill/Guitar/Drums/Percussion/Clarinet/Bass Guitar), Polly Lister (Agatha/Miss Cackle), Consuela Rolle (Enid Nightshade), Lauryn Redding (Griselda Blackwood/Sax) NOTES: A very good show! It’s a show aimed more toward kids so there was a lot of kids in the audience. An amazing performance by Polly Lister as Agatha/Miss Cackle in particular. The Wrong Man - Off-Broadway - November, 2019 (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT:  MP3 (untracked) CAST: Joshua Henry (Duran), Ciara Renée (Mariana), Ryan Vasquez (Man in Black), Amber Pickens, Anoop Desai, Debbie Christine Tjong, Julius Williams, Libby Lloyd, Malik Shabazz Kitchen, Tilly Evans-Krueger NOTES: Near perfect HD capture of this new Off-Broadway show with fabulous performances by the whole cast. There is some wandering throughout but overall a very centered orchestra video with extremely vivid colors. Please do not post screenshots of this video on Twitter ever. Gifs on Tumblr are okay after the NFT date, but don't go linking things to actors and shows. Das Wunder von Bern - Hamburg - July 6, 2015 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Ruben (Matthias Lubanski), Vera Bolten (Christa Lubanski), Patrick Imhof (alt. Richard Lubanski), Marie Lumpp (Ingrid Lubanski), Patrick A. Stamme (alt. Bruno Lubanski), Elisabeth Hübert (Anette Ackermann), Florian Soyka (alt. Paul Ackermann), Robin Brosch (Sepp Herberger(Bohse), Jogi Kaiser (Tiburski/Putzfrau/Adi Dassler), Tetje Mierendorf (Pfarrer Keuchel), Alexandra Farkic/Franziska Trunte/Esther Mink (Wunderfräulein), Dominik Hees (Helmut Rahn), Mark Weigel (Fritz Walter), Dennis Henschel (Berni Klodt), Robin Koger (Horst Eckel), Matteo Vigna (Max Morlock), Hendrik Schall (Toni Turek), Matt Cox (Werner Kohlmeyer), Daniel Therrien (Ottmar Walter), Giuliano Mercoli (Josef Posipal), Fabian Kaiser (u/s Karl mai/Fußballartist), Dominik Kaiser (Hans Schäfer/Fußballartist) NOTES: This video was recorded right after some changes on the show were made (doesn't include the new song which will be published on 11th July, 2015). Full show; beautiful picture quality and nice close-ups but rather shaky in the beginning/end of both acts Das Wunder von Bern - Hamburg - July 23, 2015 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Tanja Schön (u/s Christa Lubanski), Patrick Imhof (alt Richard Lubanski), Marie Lumpp (Ingrid Lubanski), David Jakobs (Bruno Lubanski), Shari Lynn Stewen (alt Anette Ackermann), Patrick A Stamme (alt Paul Ackermann), Mark Weigel (Sepp Herberger/Bohse), Michael Ophelders (alt Tiburski/Putzfrau im Hotel/Adi Dassler), Tetje Mierendorf (Pfarrer Keuchel), Alexandra Farkic (Wunderfräulein), Amaya Keller (Wunderfräulein), Franziska Trunte (Wunderfräulein), Dominik Hees (Helmut Rahn), Florian Soyka (alt Fritz Walter), Hendrik Schall (alt Berni Klodt), Robin Koger (Horst Eckel), Matteo Vigna (Max Morlock), Fabian Kaiser (Toni Turek), James Cook (Werner Kohlmeyer), Daniel Therrien (Ottmar Walter), Pasha Antonov (Josef Posipal), Adrian Fogel (Kar Mai/Fußballartist), Dominik Kaiser (Hans Schäfer/Fußballartist) NOTES: "Julius" as Matthias Lubanski. Full show. Great picture quality and beautiful close-ups, though some little obstruction due a railing. The last few minutes of both acts are shot blind without zooms but still capturing the action on stage

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

'SighSwoon' merges self-care tips with hilarious memes on Instagram

Scrolling through @SighSwoon on Instagram is the equivalent of picking up a mysterious book at a thrift shop and falling into words that both enlighten and entertain.  

Gabi Abrao, a 24-year-old Los Angeles native, is the mind behind one of Instagram's shiniest hidden gems. SighSwoon showcases self-reflective memes and guides on how to feel things, whether it's simple pleasures or a broken heart. It’s a treasure trove of content tailored for millennials navigating creative lives. 

Sighswoon began in the summer of 2016, Abrao tells Mashable over email. Heartbreak and the desire to make some changes drove her toward the internet as a medium for creating and connecting with others, mainly through memes. With an ever-growing follower count of 62.3K, she's connected with a lot of people.

“When I share a realization online and see that thousands of people are going through the same thing, it makes me feel less alone, less hard on myself. I want people to feel this way too — understood, empowered,” Abrao explains. 

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Reminder that we’re all multi-faceted human beings and inner movements and conditions are subject to change constantly. There is no fixed condition. The more you do and the more you experience, the more understanding you will gain about your many facets and when they show up for you. There is so much to you - your capabilities, your moods, your modes. Being in one mode doesn’t make you in fixed opposition to the the other. There is no forever, there is no never. Fixation is an illusion. Change and shape-shifting is nature. After you understand your modes, you may get close to managing them. The gift of this will be synchronicity and balance. ** (Reposting myself from last October because this theme keeps showing up for me time and time again. Love this truth too much. Happy shapeshifting.)

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Apr 7, 2019 at 6:20pm PDT

The artist uses her platform to offer a plethora of self-care tips, from how to sunbathe ("a secluded location where you can get as naked as possible") to the best ways to "shapeshift," a visualization practice for when you're uncentered. Reading her is kind of like speaking to a caring physician who knows exactly what ails you and then gives you the perfect prescription, free of charge. 

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Three years ago, following a mildly devastating heartbreak, I dragged my mattress and box spring to the very center of the room and said, “I am a lush, self-sustaining island“. I slept in the center of the room for three days. That weekend, I took myself to a local playhouse. A 20-seat theater, the space was tiny and intimate. I arrived alone in a long black dress and proceeded to watch a stubborn man fall in love with an alien. The play was incredible, surprising, I cried. Once home, I felt ready for the luxury of leaning on a wall and shoved my bed back up against it. . . Later, ready for guests and no longer isolating, I thought of myself as a castle in the desert. “Grand for itself, wise for itself,” I wrote in a poem. In this new form, I was rejecting the need for outside validation, especially that of romantic partners. I imagined myself made of stone that remained cool, even at the highest noon. I imagined myself as an abundant whimsical structure in an environment lacking of. Sturdy and welcoming and independent. “Grand when you arrive, grand when you leave,“ I added to the poem. . . In a meditation class in high school, our teacher told us to pick our place. My teacher, who did past life regression on dogs, said, “Pick a place to be in. Just sit there and listen. Make room for visits from animals, insects, spirits.“ I settled for a giant warm boulder in the sun, next to a free-flowing river, surrounded by woods. A buffalo visited me that day, my eyes closed in a classroom. When things are neutral, when things are good, when things are great, I am the boulder in the sun by the river. Or I am laying on it. . . The house cat reminds me to stretch my body and take time in the sun. The house cat makes me not feel guilty for napping too long or staring at the traffic outside. The house cat reminds me to give myself permission to relax and take it slow.

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on May 2, 2019 at 7:19pm PDT

With so much to do and see online today, it can be difficult to slow your scroll and ask yourself how you're feeling. Abrao's hyper-aware content offers a mirror with which followers can take a nice, long look at themselves. The focus falls on subjects like self-worth, illusions, success, and creativity. She utilizes extensive captions to explain specific ideas in depth — or even just to describe a sunset.  

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me drinking the sunset on a hill overlooking the city. it’s incredible how some of the most impactful events occur in line with some of the most devastating. sometimes intensity is just intensity. i am living my dreams and aching simultaneously, and i’d be a fool to think this could ever be any other way. dual, shifting, unbelievably fair. i am so happy to still be here. when things feel gigantic, and the imagination builds tall tales to match the sensation, we can always return to water and sunshine.

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Mar 26, 2019 at 3:50pm PDT

“As a teenager, I used to do street art wheat paste posters around the city that said ‘sigh swoon sigh’ on them," Abrao says of her page’s unusual name. "It was a mini poem I made up and attached meaning to, and sharing it like that was a reason to run around and be bad. Years later, the phrase would come back around and feel like the most fitting title for what my page has become.”

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My Higher Self just whispered this to me and I was floored. May we recognize crossfire. May we recognize deliberate, aimed fire. May we protect ourselves first before engaging in any perceived battle.

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Mar 13, 2019 at 9:36pm PDT

The Sighswoon feed is aesthetically pleasing, everything kissed with a tint of beige. It's light and welcoming, which is exactly the way Abrao wanted it. She blames her fascination with the hue on her time spent at the beach: “I was renting a bed and a balcony in a living room for $500/month. The building’s stucco was beige, the cheap '90s carpet was beige, and the sand was beige. I think I just wanted to match everything.” 

SEE ALSO: I don't know who needs to hear this, but these memes are good

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tbt to the longest but purest #vintage #meme wrote this a year ago

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Feb 5, 2019 at 1:40am PST

“The cyborg in me recognizes the cyborg in you,” reads her bio, just above a link to her online store where she sells merch that features the saying on totes and sweatshirts. “It’s a claim to embracing the digital age,” Abrao explains, “the very human-meets-technology existence we all participate in, and are still wearily adapting to.” She admits that while it’s meant to be humorous, she also means it with her “whole heart." 

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my beloved cream crewnecks are now available! i got one sample made for photos are I absolutely adore it. sizes run a little big and on the “men’s” side of sizing. sweaters are made-to-order and will ship within two weeks. link in bio 🏹🏹 p.s. totes are still available in the shop and any orders made today before midnight will ship on thursday morning along with every order placed this past week. love a cozy cyborg

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Jan 29, 2019 at 1:41pm PST

With just about three years of memeing under her (beige) belt, Abrao has figured out the formula for making a solid one.

“A good meme is funny, relatable, insightful, and healing. In that order. You should laugh, then feel connected to the creator or others who understand it, then experience some introspect, then leave with a healed feeling from those three processes,” she muses. Her delivery method varies as she utilizes many different meme formats. 

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ok fine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Feb 5, 2019 at 10:30am PST

Occasionally, Abrao will post pictures of herself wearing interesting outfits made of neutral textiles and glowy silks. These portraits provide a face to the name (as well as maintaining her color-coded image). They also fuel fan encounters at her part-time book store gig: "A few times I have rung up a book, handed it to the person across the counter, and they’re just staring at me, and they say 'You make memes right?'"

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Years ago, I read a passage by an unknown source that said - “When you have an amazing day, take note of what you were wearing, what you ate, who you were with, what you did. Do the same with bad days.” This shirt is my absolute favorite of mine, and I’ve only had good days in it.

A post shared by GABI + MEMES (@sighswoon) on Apr 17, 2019 at 5:11pm PDT

Abrao just wants to help everyone chill out. "I aim for my page to be accessible, empowering, and soothing," she says. And she wants to keep it up for as long as possible. 

"I wish to continue my studies of the invisible and unseen — documenting my findings through paintings, writings, videos, memes, and other art forms," she says. Her end goal is literally out of this world: "I will operate a carousel in the desert some day, and I hope to re-spawn on another planet in my next life." 

In the midst of all the noise that is Instagram in 2019, Sighswoon provides a light-filled digital oasis, a faraway page that's easy to get lost on. Be careful, though. You might just walk away feeling refreshed and renewed. And with an affinity for beige. 

WATCH: Nickelodeon releases official SpongeBob meme figures

[purplesurveys]

375

Choose any age you once were; answer the questions about you at THAT age. Age of choice: 17 (this was in 2015), as determined by Gab haha. The People I Knew Who was your crush (or significant other) back then? I was with Gab for the first half of the year, but I broke up with her too. Was anyone crushing on you? If so, who? I dunno, possibly. I was never entirely sure of Gab’s feelings in the first run of our relationship cos we rushed the whole thing really, so I don’t want to assume and say that she was attracted to me then. Who was your best friend at the time? Sofie, Angela, and Gab. Pretty much the same crew except I don’t talk to Sofie anymore. Any enemies/people you didn't like? Marielle, as always. Which family member were you closest to? I’ve never been close to my family, but if I had to name someone I guess it would be one of my older cousins, who I call Kuya since he feels just like an older brother to me.

Which family member were you the least close to? My mom. If you were in school, name a teacher you had: That was senior year, sooooo...Ms. Michelle. She was our class adviser but she also taught homeroom. What was your attitude toward people in general? I think I relied on other people a lot, because that was the year my grandfather died (first time I ever had to deal with death) and I got dumped and for the first time in several years, I suddenly cut Gabie out of my life. It took some adjusting that could’ve only been fixed by surrounding myself with others. It also helps that it was our last year in high school so it was a year when my classmates and I really bonded together. The Places I Went: Whose house were you at the most? I didn’t go to a lot of friends’ at the time but it was most probably either Athenna’s or Angela’s. Where was your favorite place to go to have fun? Chelsea’s house I think haha. My friend group weren’t mall people, we just hung out at the houses of those who’d be willing to accommodate us for the evening and for the most part, that was Chelsea’s place. Did you go on any vacations at that age? If so, where? Sagada/Baguio is the most significant one that comes to mind, but I’m sure we went someplace else but I’ve just forgotten. Where was your favorite place to shop? I didn’t shop much at the time. Favorite place to eat out at the time? I don’t think I had a favorite. I was stuck in school for 10 hours for 5 days straight for 14 years and we were far far away from the city, so going to the mall and trying out restaurants were very seldom. Did you go to any concerts? If so, who did you go to see? I did! I saw One Direction. Barely though, since our seats were far and it was held on mere concert grounds (not an arena which has multi-levels), meaning if you were far away then you had no chance of actually seeing the artist/s. We were far but still close enough that we could make them out, and that was good enough for me. Did you prefer being indoors or outdoors? I was definitely an indoors baby. I still am but I also like going outside now. What state/province did you live in at the time? I’ve been living in the same house. The Things I Did What did you and your friends usually do when you hung out? We were minors, so we’d usually get together for each other’s school events. Half of my friend group was from an all-girls school (AA), and the other half is from an all-boys school (Ateneo). If Ateneo had some sort of benefit concert or fair, we’d go there. If we had our own fair or concert or whatever, the boys would come over to hang with us. If it wasn’t a school thing then we’d normally hang out at someone’s place and order in food. It was a simpler time. What did you usually do in your free time? 2015 was a busy year and whatever free time I got, I used to take charge of the school yearbook or study for college entrance exams. Was there anything extra memorable you did at this age? Yes. I had my first kiss, first breakup, first experience with death, and I went to Sagada and was at peace with myself for the first time that year. I also passed the 3/3 universities I applied for. Oh and I was able to mend my relationship with Gabie and we ended up so much closer than I ever thought we would get. Pretty crazy year. Did you kiss anyone? If so, who? I did. Gab was my first kiss. I thought I was terrible but a few years later she showed a Tumblr post of hers writing about that kiss, and she seemed to think otherwise. Did you ever get in trouble for anything? Like what? I probably did, but I’ve most likely discarded it from my memories. What kind of music did you usually listen to? Up Dharma Down, BP Valenzuela, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith...I was into a lot of sad music because again, I went through a breakup and it had been a pretty shitty year. Oh and that was the year Adele’s Hello came out which was the icing to my shitty fucking cake. Did you buy anything that you still have to this day? What was it? I’m sure I do, but I don’t keep track of the years I buy my stuff. Did you ever get teased for anything? I don’t think so. What was something you got upset over, if any? I recapped all of them several questions ago, my friend. What was something you got really excited over, if any? Passing the UPCAT and getting Gabie back (as my best friend) were the pots of gold I needed (and got) by the end of 2015. There was no better way to cap off the year. The Things I Liked... & Didn't Like A band/singer you liked? I was on a One Direction high throughout 2015 since I saw them in concert. Hozier also blew up that year and I was alllll over his first album; Athenna introduced me to Banks and I stanned her album as well. A band/singer you didn't like? Meghan Trainor probs. A song you liked? Even If You Asked Me - BP Valenzuela. I continue to stan that song h a r d even four years later. A song you didn't like? Idk anything Meghan Trainor or Ellie Goulding put out. A subject in school you liked? English but only because it was incredibly easy and Hamlet was a breeze. I hated the teacher and I knew she hated me too though. A subject in school you didn't like? I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about calculus. A food you liked? Chocolate chip cookie cups with milk shots were the trend back then and I remember going crazy over them. I’d still have 10 of those today if there were some in front of me. A food you didn't like? Fruits. Something you liked to do? Hahahaha. I liked passing by Gabie’s classroom. She knew she made a mistake dumping me, and while it was really evil of me, I really enjoyed passing by everyday cos I just knew she’d watch me the whole time. I asked her about this when we got back together and my hunch was right. Something you just didn't like to do? Working on calculus worksheets, so I never did attend to those. Still ended up at the top university, so that’s a nice ‘fuck you.’ A TV show you liked? Breaking Bad. A TV show you didn't like? Not so sure. Whatever was hyped back then. Maybe How I Met? A person you liked (as a friend)? Angela. A person you didn't exactly like? Marielle. The Things I Owned Did you own any electronic devices? If so, what? Sure. I had an iPhone 5 then and my old HP laptop. What about toys? I was 17. Overall, what did you have in your room? I think I still had my wrestling posters up during that time, and I also had a letter art thingy on the wall with the quote, “There isn't a person on this planet that should let a past nightmare dictate or cloud their future dreams,” said by CM Punk. I had darker curtains at the time so it was so much easier to be in an ~emo mood while I listened to dark indie songs hahaha. Were any posters plastered on your wall? Of who/what? ^ Refer to previous question. Do you remember what kind of backpack you had for school, if any? Yes, it was a black Nike backpack with yellow accents. Did you own a diary/journal? If my survey blog counts, then yes.

Can you name one thing you got for your birthday at that age? Yanna got me my favorite brand of wafers. I’ll never forget that present, it was so sweet. Did you own a bike/car? Or anything for transportation besides walking? My dad got me a car by the end of the year but I didn’t learn how to use it until the next year. I went to and from school via school service, which is our version of a school bus. What kind of clothes did you usually wear? Meh, my style had still been pretty basic at the time so nothing special. When you go to a private all-girls Catholic school that requires you to wear a uniform for 10 months in any given year, you never really have the time to explore styles that exist beyond your plaid skirt and your white socks. The Things That Were IN What band/singer was very popular, if you can remember? The Weeknd, Drake, Rihanna, Adele, Ed Sheeran. One Direction was pretty big but only because Zayn left that year. What was one song that was played on the radio a lot? Hahaha I had to look this up since I’m terrible with hit songs and the years they came out. The song that screamed to me the most to mention it is Fetty Wap’s Trap Queen. Shit BLEW up in 2015. I’m listening to it rn just for old time’s sake and it still seriously bops. What was something most people your age owned (or HAD to have)? iPhone 5. At the time, it was the perfect phone in the perfect size. Now I can’t stand seeing one cos I had mine for so long, even while everyone overtook me with iPhone 6′s and 7′s lmao. Was Facebook popular yet? Oh yeah. Very much. What book series was the most popular? I’m not so sure about that. Murakami got really popular in my circle at the time, but I’m not sure if that applies everywhere else. What TV series was the most popular? Probably Game of Thrones. What movie did a ton of people go to see? I had to look this up, but apparently there was an Avengers movie out this year. What kind of clothes were most people wearing? Off-shoulders started to spread in 2015, if I remember correctly. Did you tend to like what was popular, or not really? I was sort of in the middle. I listened to One Direction and Rihanna, but I also liked nonconventional stuff like punk rock and wrestling. It’s the same today. What I Think Now Overall, what was it like to be this age? It was definitely one of the better years. 17 was a defining year, and I lost a lot and gained a lot and learned a lot. I’d have no problem rewinding 2015 if I absolutely had to, even if it meant going through the ugly shit again. Looking back, do you miss being this age? I do. I was happier. Do you prefer being the age you are now? To some extent, yes. I don’t really like dwelling in the past. But I do acknowledge that I was happier when I was 17. Now to make you feel old: What year was it when you were this age? 2015. Pretty recent, sis. Would you relive this age all over again? Already said that I would. I’d want to learn as much as I did that year, all over again.

[aliceeezhou]

5/01 Weekly Reflection

1. What went well this week?

Something that went well this week was that I took two of my midterms and felt that they went fairly well! It definitely lifted a big burden off of my shoulders after I finished and it was reassuring that I actually understood the content on the test.

2. What was your greatest accomplishment or favorite memory?

My favorite memory this week was hanging out with my club friends for 24 hours in an Airbnb!! They always make me smile and we did a lot of fun activities that allowed all of us to get a lot closer :))

3. Who made you smile this week? Why?

My friend Gabi made me smile this week when we made a BOMB ASS guacamole together. She also always dances when she’s happy, stressed, excited, or just in any situation which is super cute :)) 

4. What didn’t go well this week?

I got very little sleep this week since I had put my academics on the back seat in the past few weeks, but I had to catch up to take my two finals.

5. What did you waste time on the most this week?

I think as per usual, I wasted a lot of time just talking and laughing with my friends. I really love the quality time we spent together because it allows us to be that much closer, but we also have to learn how to be more productive and less distracted when we’re together.

6. Any negative thoughts or emotions affecting you?

I think the lack of sleep is just really hitting me and it’s making me even more stressed over the amount of work I have. 

7. What needs to be done in the upcoming week?

I need to get some more sleep in and also try to incorporate more exercise into my day to day. I’ve been super unmotivated and lack the time to go to the gym so I definitely want to get back into that!

8. Quote that inspired you this week

“I nutted on my face” - JP Jayden Arevalo

JP Update: Jayden slept in a closet yesterday which was honestly one of the funniest moments of my week. As soon as I saw him in there, it was game over for me and I was laughing nonstop. Jayden also cruzed through his 14bl midterm today. He was hella stressin before but he did super well nonetheless :))

[livinginlandmarketing]

Inland families refused to let the coronavirus pandemic end their cultural holiday traditions or curb their faith — even if they had to change the celebrations this year.

From drive-in events to prayerful singing over Zoom, these multicultural, religious festivities — including the Simbang Gabi, Hanukkah and Las Posadas — looked different. Whether staged online, seen from inside a car or done without an audience, these customs were adjusted so they could still carry the hope and joy of the season.

“We may speak different languages and celebrate differently, but the one thing we have in common is our faith, and that speaks volumes — especially in this pandemic,” said Sister Jennifer Nguyen, a nun from the Lovers of the Holy Cross, a Vietnamese Catholic community in Colton.

A nativity scene marks the entrance of Ontario’s St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where the final Simbang Gabi Filipino Mass is held Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Rev. Cristobal Subosa, of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Ontario, leads the final Simbang Gabi Mass in Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Ontario’s St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church celebrates the final Simbang Gabi Mass on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Rev. Cristobal Subosa, of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, secures a welcome poster for Bishop Gerald Barnes, who was to preside over the Mass in Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Ontario lights up Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, for the final Simbang Gabi Mass. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Rev. Cristobal Subosa prays Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, for the final Simbang Gabi Mass in Ontario. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

On a moonlit night, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Ontario celebrates the final Simbang Gabi Mass on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Rev. Cristobal Subosa, of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, leads prayers during the Simbang Gabi Mass in Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A few St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church members worship from the back row at the final Simbang Gabi Mass in Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Rev. Cristobal Subosa, of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, dons a mask for the final Simbang Gabi Mass in Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Rev. Cristobal Subosa and other St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church parishioners pray as seats are marked for social distancing Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A parishioner rings the bells as the Rev. Cristobal Subosa, of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, takes the stage for the final Simbang Gabi Mass in Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Simbang Gabi is celebrated in a tent, by a handful of worshippers at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. The celebration begins Dec. 16 and ends Dec. 24 at midnight. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Simbang Gabi

With state restrictions on in-person gatherings, Filipino Catholics got creative with their virtual, bilingual Masses.

From Wednesday, Dec. 16, through Thursday, Dec. 24, around 20 Catholic churches with Filipino ministries in the Diocese of San Bernardino — from Holy Name of Jesus in Redlands to St. Margaret Mary in Chino — celebrated outdoor or online versions of the Simbang Gabi.

Simbang Gabi, or “Mass at Night,” is a Filipino Christmas prayer novena honoring the Virgin Mary and dates to 15th-century Spanish missionaries in the Philippines. Celebrated in the nine days before Christmas in the Philippines and worldwide, the tradition — sometimes called “Misa de Gallo,” or “Rooster’s Mass” — is named for the farmers and fishermen who would wake up by rooster to attend Mass before the sun rises and a long day’s work.

Filipinos, dressed in traditional attire, attend nine consecutive Masses at dawn or in the evening, followed by lively communal celebrations with food and music.

Bishop Gerald Barnes of the San Bernardino Diocese said all these cultural celebrations bring joy, and remind Catholics that God is with them.

“The fact that we have had to be creative and stretch ourselves further to carry out these celebrations will hopefully help us enter into them with even more gratitude,” he said.

Echoing customs in the Philippines, churches were decorated with bright lights, statues of the Virgin Mary and traditional parols, colorful, star-shaped Philippine lanterns representing the Star of Bethlehem.

Some parishes, such as St. Paul the Apostle in Chino Hills, changed their after-party custom by moving it outside and passing out traditional Filipino foods and sweets to-go. Other parishes, such as St. Anthony in Upland, kept the original Tagalog music, but had musicians wearing masks.

The Rev. Cristobal Subosa, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Ontario, presided over a live-streamed Simbang Gabi on Wednesday night, Dec. 23, with just a few in the crowd. The closing Mass — normally a big, colorful celebration for the diocese — was supposed to be celebrated in person by Barnes.

Despite the changes, Subosa said the event still reflects the devotion of Filipinos, who believe that attending all nine days of Masses will result in an answered prayer or wish. He called the tradition “nourishment for the faithful” during these difficult pandemic times, especially as many Filipino nurses work on the frontlines in hospitals.

Cynthia Ronquillo-Francisco, chairperson of Filipino Ministry for the San Bernardino Diocese and a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rancho Cucamonga, agreed. Celebrating traditions like the Simbang Gabi are all about resilience, she said.

“We want to offer hope to everyone during the lockdown, a way for us to still get together, even virtually, with joy — and to share all we have received and the acts of kindness during this time. It’s our way of looking forward to the new year.”

Rabbi Schmuel Fuss of the Chabad Jewish Community Center lights the menorah at the 16th annual drive-in Chanukah Festival at Riverside City College on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Michael J. Elderman)

Families came together for the 16th annual Chanukah Festival, presented by the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Riverside. The 8th Day Jewish rock band entertained guests live on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, at Riverside Community College. (Photo courtesy of Michael J. Elderman)

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At the 16th annual Chanukah Festival on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson lights the menorah’s middle candle, often called the “shamash” or “helper” candle representing public service, in the middle. (Photo courtesy of Michael J. Elderman)

The Inland Empire’s largest menorah was lit at the Chanukah Festival on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, at Riverside Community College. Each branch of the menorah candle symbolizes the eight nights of the Jewish holiday and commemorates the menorah used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. (Photo courtesy of Michael J. Elderman)

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Hanukkah

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights that celebrates the religious freedom of the second century B.C. Jews from their Greek-Syrian oppressors in Jerusalem, continued as well.

Extended Jewish families could not gather, but still celebrated with traditional music and prayers, fried foods and the lighting of the menorah candle each day for eight consecutive days. At least one Inland commemoration went mobile.

Riverside’s Chabad Jewish Community Center on Monday, Dec. 14, hosted a drive-in Chanukah Festival at Riverside City College.

The 16th annual event included music, greetings from city leaders, giveaways and the lighting of the menorah, the largest in the Riverside area. Families received pre-packaged Jewish foods and enjoyed live music and festivities from the safety of their cars.

Chabad Jewish Community Center’s Rabbi Schmuel Fuss said organizers took the festival “in a different direction,” instead of going virtual or canceling. Being physically together, even 6 feet apart, was “more meaningful,” he said.

“It shows that we can turn isolation into connection, and fear and confusion into action and strength.”

The lit menorah is a reminder of light always pushing away the darkness — especially the darkness of these coronavirus times, Fuss said.

“COVID-19 is terrible, and so many people are dying,” he said. “Notwithstanding that, our job is to always find the light and share it with others.”

Las Posadas

When the parishioners at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Riverside realized they couldn’t hold a traditional Las Posadas this year, they turned to Zoom.

“It’s a longtime tradition we have,” said Maria Lozano, coordinator of Spanish ministry, who helped bring the custom to the parish five years ago. “I want this to continue for the next generations.”

Parishioners from St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Riverside sing at the Spanish ministry’s Las Posadas via Zoom on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Maria Lozano)

Similar to Filipinos’ Simbang Gabi, Las Posadas is a Spanish Catholic novena celebrated among Latin American cultures in the nine days before Christmas. The “posada” — a Spanish word meaning “inn” or “shelter” —  re-enacts the Biblical story of Joseph and Mary on their journey to Bethlehem, searching for a place to stay. The event also involves prayer, singing, feasting on traditional foods like tamales, pan dulce and pozole, and breaking piñatas representing the breaking of sin.

While the gatherings and re-enactments — usually done by children — couldn’t take place this year, Lozano and dedicated parishioners kept the tradition alive online, singing traditional Spanish songs and offering prayers and petitions.

Related links

Hanukkah brings light to Jewish community amid global pandemic

Tamale gatherings put on hold amid coronavirus surge, but Inland families adjust

Holidays & Nights: Where to find holiday event and Christmas lights drive-thrus in Southern California

Inland Christmas carolers bring socially distant cheer in pandemic year

Inland Filipino nurses risk all on coronavirus front lines

Colton posada celebrates humility, tradition

A similar live-streamed Posadas put on by the San Bernardino Diocese taught virtual attendees about various cultural traditions, from Ecuadorian and Nigerian, to Vietnamese and Native American. Each night, a family or representative of a different culture shared their home country’s Christmas rituals.

Maria Echeverria, the diocese’s director of ethnic affairs, said the message of unity and finding home is needed now.

“In our virtual Posadas, we wanted to find a new way to connect people together, fight division, and help us learn more about one another,” Echeverria said.

Posadas participant and Colton resident David Okonkwo, the diocesan director of the Office of Catholics of African Descent, grew up in Nigeria. He said that Christmastime for Nigerians always means coming home, dressing up in formal isiagu wear, eating meals made with rice, and being with family.

“In this pandemic, with so many people going through much pain and loneliness, celebrating our family traditions opens us up to recognize the suffering of others, to understand that we’re all in this together.”

-on December 24, 2020 at 06:49AM by Allyson Escobar

[cryptodictation]

After Ivy wins, netizens speculate wall between Babu, Flay and Rafa

Ivy became the 13th leader in the BBB “Big Brother Brasil 20” by winning, this Friday morning (10), the event sponsored by the shoe brand Usaflex. In the last match of the race, Ivy and Mari remained. But the miner pressed the button first and won her second lead in the “BBB20”.

And it was only the mining company to confirm the victory in the race and the web was already ready to speculate who would integrate the next wall, scheduled to be formed on Friday night and with elimination on Sunday (12).

“BBB20”: Internet users speculate wall with Babu, Flay and Rafa

Although Ivy has acknowledged in recent days that Babu is a strong candidate to win the “BBB20“, it is still your main voting option in the house. And, because of that, some Twitter users believe that the vote of the leader will continue to be in Rio.

To make up the triple wall, the two most voted in the house go straight to the hot seat. Thus, the web speculates that Flay receive the votes of Rafa, Manu, Thelma and Giselly. And, in contrast, Rafa would be the one indicated by Mari and Flay.

Babu would have a 'neutral' vote and would nominate Mari, who was once his choice on other occasions.

The forecast of netizens came to leave the matter “Babu x Flay x Rafa” among the most commented on Twitter this Friday morning. See some comments below:

Let's see the votes for scenarios Yvi indicating the Babu Flay- Rafa Mari-Rafa Gizelly-Flay Rafa-Flay Manu -Flay Thelma-Flay Bigfoot Babu x Flay x Rafa # BBB20# BBB2020

– Monna Bolt Bracho (@ kezya_95) April 10, 2020

I LOVED this leadership of ivy because she puts Babu (we know he won't leave), the house puts Flay and Rafa there the wall is: Babu x Flay x Rafa # BBB20 and Flay (finally) will leave, and still with rejection

– pedro

(@spinelsz) April 10, 2020

Ivy said that if Babu left the “BBB20” she would shout in celebration

Babu integrated the last two walls of this edition.

On Sunday (5), who left the house was Gabi, indicated in the counter-coup by her own brother. On Tuesday (7), he received only 1% of the votes in the dispute that featured Marcela and Flayslane. The eliminated from the house was Marcela, again indicated by Babu in the counterattack.

But a curious fact moved the house on the day of the last wall. In a conversation in the 'Heaven Room' between Ivy, Marcela, Giselly and Mari, the sisters highlighted some aspects of the actor's personalities.

That's when Ivy, when referring to Babu as rude, said he would shout in celebration if he were eliminated that day. When scolding her friend, Giselly asked the miner not to do that, but to respect the moment of the participant.

That was when the model, against Giselly's suggestion, made a sound with her mouth in a negative tone. The scene had a negative impact on social networks, reaching the point where the administrators of their social networks block the access of other users.

As previously mentioned, Babu escaped this wall by being the least voted, and DJ Alok took advantage of the result to mock Ivy's speech and release a remix celebrating the permanence of the carioca in the “BBB20”.

How was the 13th proof of the leader of the “BBB20”

The dispute, as usual, started during the program this Thursday (9). The event, sponsored by the Usaflex shoe brand, required concentration and agility from the participants.

The brothers sat in comfortable armchairs while watching a series of videos on a big screen. When an image appears slide with the Usaflex brand, each competitor had to lift and press a button that was in front of each seat.

In each round, the last to press would be eliminated. It should be noted that, at the end of each dispute, the 'survivors' should go to another location in the trial space, change their shoes and return to their seat.

Anyone who was not seated at the start of the round or pressed the button late would also be out of the running for leadership.

During the live program, Rafa was the first to leave the competition. The next round would be at 0:00, but due to a technical problem, the stage was canceled.

The others confined were eliminated in the following order: Giselly (1:00 am)Babu (1:30), Flay (1h40), Thelma (3 am), Manu (4:45 am). In the final clash, at 6:00 am, Ivy was faster than Mari and took the lead.

Moment when Ivy wins the race:

Ivy goes to the pool to celebrate her victory in the leader's race:

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[zanydanger]

TES Fest 2017 Hypnokink Track

The below is a line up of the fantastic hypnokink presentations that are happening at TES FEST next weekend! 

There are so many other types of great classes as well! Weekend and day passes are available!

Go to TESfest.org to register!

All classes are subject to change! 

Look after the cut for the classes in TES Fest 2017′s Hypnokink Track! 

“So You Want to Be Hypnotized?” with GleefulAbandon & Pinky (Friday 6/30/17 - 2:15- 3:30pm in Boardroom A)

Now that you’ve decided you want to bottom for hypnosis, do you feel daunted by where to begin? Are you full of questions, or not even sure what it is you should be asking? Fear not; Pinky and Gaby have been through it all, and are here to help! New or newish bottoms (and everyone of all experience levels) are welcome to learn about a myriad of topics, from how to know if you’re in trance, to scene negotiation, to tackling myths, and much, much more! Not a subject? Not a problem! Come on down to get a little more insight into the other side of the hypno-coin. Join us for caring, sharing, and staring (at shiny things!) 

Intro to Hypnokink with MrDream (Friday 3:45-5:00pm Boardroom A)

Do your first Induction. Learn how to use hypnosis in kink, kink in hypnosis and why RACK works great to build amazing scenes while following great habits of consent for responsible safer play. 

Induction Starter Kit with Wiseguy ( Friday 5:15-6:30pm Salon C)

Versatility is key to being a successful hypnotist.  In this extended workshop, Wiseguy presents a set of inductions that will give you the ability to hypnotize people in a variety of ways so that you can suit the induction to each partner.  Bring a practice partner if you can; people willing to be practiced on are extremely welcome.

The Ins and Outs of Hypnotic Cotopping with Zany Danger and MrDream (Saturday 9:00AM-10:15AM Salon C)

Tops that play together, stay together, but how do we bond as tops in a scene? Co-Topping! By joining forces, hypnotists can create even more attention on a lucky subject, or combine hypnosis with other kinky skills to create special moments. Zany Danger and MrDream will demonstrate and discuss different kinds of dynamics between partners, as well as teach techniques in hypnotic co-topping that allow for more fun, more sexy, and more powerful scenes. Most importantly, we will show how sharing the experience of hypnosis can allow for dominant/top partners to connect in a meaningful way, both to their top and bottom partners. 

Hypnosis for More Creative Doll Play with D-Artagnan (Saturday 10:30-11:45am Boardroom A)

If you’re a fan of doll play or any kind of play that has you transform someone into something else then you know how important nuance and creativity are. If personal preference is taken into account every doll, robot, android, etc. will have it’s own unique features and idiosyncrasies. This class goes over just that, covering ways to use hypnosis in order to turn you partner into the most beautiful or terrifying construct you all can come up with. 

Making it Stick with Wiseguy (Saturday 12:00-1:15pm Salon C)

A lot of hypnotists find that sometimes it’s hard to get a suggestion to really take hold in their partner’s mind. In this class Wiseguy will explain some of the reasons this can happen, demonstrate techniques for helping to seat suggestions in your partner’s mind, and discuss what to do when, despite your best efforts, the suggestion still doesn’t seem to work as intended. 

HELLRAISER HYPNOSIS with Jaden ( Saturday 2:15-3:30pm Boardroom A)

A Bottom’s Perspective Note: While all are welcome, this is not a beginner level course, and do to the intense nature of the subject matter, may not be suited for the faint of heart. Do you ever fantasize about inflicting or experiencing intense pain, such as vivisection, skinning or filleting, but can’t because that pesky mortality gets in the way? Never fear, hypnosis can help. Join Jaden for a night of demonstration, tips and tricks for pushing your mind, or that of your bottom, past your physical limitations, as well as dealing with potential sub/top drop. It’s bound to be a Hell of a time.

Phrasing! How to Choose Your Words with D-Artagnan (Saturday 5:15-6:30pm Boardroom A)

We’ve all had the paranoid notion that the creaking noise coming from downstairs was not “just the pipes” but something much more sinister. Through Hypnosis, we can take that feeling and turn it into a surreal, terrifying experience. Exploring the sensation of fear, its root causes and ways that we can amplify it; this class offers a great slew of options for both advanced and developing hypnotists and subjects. Attendees will leave not only with a better understanding of how fear manifests but how we can draw inspiration from all things to create it. 

CANNIBALISM & VORAREPHILIA with Iya (Sunday 9:00-10:15am Salon C)

Crossing over with primal play and submissive inclinations of being consumed, Cannibalism & Vorarephilia, Erotic Human Consumption is a ‘gentle’ workshop on one of the more taboo topics in kink. In this workshop we will explore why eating the flesh of another human has been present in sexual fantasies and religious practices throughout the ages. Ideas for playing out these fantasies safely and without actual consumption of flesh will be demonstrated and shared. Drawing from fairy tales and modern psychological research literature, we will learn more about what draws people to this fantasy. How can we derive the pleasure from eating our partners or being consumed by another? Come explore how to enact such desires safely through imagination, food play, hypnosis and letting go into primal states. 

TURNING UP THE JUICE with Baron Voltage (Sunday 10:30-11:45am Boardroom A)

Turn up the Juice/ Learn how to get the most pleasant sensations of electricity through hypnosis without all the equipment. Turn your Whole body into a tens unit, or any anatomy into a violet wand! Learn the ways to inflict delicious pain of a lightning bolt through the techniques taught/ Classroom to teach, willing subjects Just when ya thought it could get worse/ If you are seeking a way to create the absolute perfect scene of escalation for your partner, increasing their fear, tension, abject terror, then this class is for you. Through Hypnosis, the imagination is your limit, and the depths of your sadism knows no bounds/. Classroom to teach, willing subjects. 

DEEPER, FASTER, EASIER with Wiseguy (Sunday 12:00-1:15pm Salon C)

Being hypnotized is an ability that improves with skill and practice. This session is for those who want to be better at going into trance, either for themselves or when playing with a hypnotist. Attendees will learn and practice practical tips and exercises for going into trance more easily, more deeply, and more quickly for any hypnotist they choose to play with. 

Taking Their Breath Away - Hypnotic Breath Play: Use the Force! with Zany Danger (Sunday 3:45PM–5:00PM Salon B)

This class focuses on an topic that many people shy from trying due to safety concerns. With hypnosis, many of those dangers are less serious. I will talk about important safety precautions for this edgy but super hot sort of play. Watch me as I implant the breath control suggestion and play with it. Come see my mind control fantasies become real with a sexy technique inspired by Darth Vader. 

TES HYPNOKINK LOUNGE with D-Artangan & ZanyM (Sunday 11:00pm-1:00am Boardroom A)

Sometimes with these big events it’s hard to find a good, open space to flex your muscles as a hypnotist or subject. Maybe you’ve learned some great things at one or more of the TESFest hypnosis classes and want to see it put into action? If so, come check out the Hypnokink Lounge! Run by the TES Hypnokink Group, and very skilled subjects & hypnotists, this lounge acts as a lively and creative space to practice. Meet up with other kypno-kinksters of all skills levels and interests in an open and safe space to talk about your most beloved brainy kinks. All you need to bring is yourself, your brain, and your willingness to play and learn. We hope to see you there! 

Hypno Bondage with MrDream (Monday 9:00-10:15am Boardroom A)

A hands on course designed to help you explore several different methods of using hypnosis to perform bondage. This class is intended for both the novice who wants to learn to induce trance or be hypnotized as well as experienced hypnotists and kinksters who want to learn or practice hypnotic bondage with different people. We will also show how to complement rope scene with hypnosis and hypnosis with rope (or other bondage implements) so if you want to bring a bondage toy or rope, feel free. 

Hypnotic Anesthesia and Enhanced Sensation with Wiseguy (Monday 3:45-5:00pm Salon B)

Learn how to use hypnosis to control and alter your partner’s body sensations. We will discuss and demonstrate techniques to reduce sensation (anesthesia) as well as to enhance and manipulate it, all for fun and erotic purposes. 

@the-perfect-monster @diaryofasnowflake @hypnokinkwithmrdream @hypnoobiwan @m-d-artagnan @valdemarvspretory

[mihatrochael]

Very late Copenhagen Meetup recap

A lot of time passed since the Fannibal Meetup in Copenhagen - on the occasion of Doctor Strange premiere. I didn't write my part to that awesome event before, but I still have a feeling that I should do so 😊 It was so awesome experience - with great Fannibals and (of course) with Mads. Could be said that it was full of Fannibal miracles! Strong Fannibal magic... And I simply want to share it with other Fannibals, so...

I decided to go just a week or two before the premiere, so it was kinda impulsive decision. But I don't regret it. Thanks to Twitter DM group I found two other Fannibals - awesome Nienke & Momo - as roomies, bought Flixbus tickets and really soon my journey begun.

It was long way from Brno to Prague, from Prague to Berlin and from Berlin to Copenhagen. Although I had expected I'd be alone in buses, the opposite became true! Right on the first stop (Prague) I met Karis - a Bulgarian fan of Mads who was going the same way! Let's call it a Miracle no. 1: I was waiting for the bus and there were a few people around as usually at bus stops... Then two young women (who didn't know each other before) started talking about where they are from (the second one was from US btw) and where they were traveling... And then I heard the Bulgarian one saying that she's a big fan of Mads and is going to Copenhagen due the premiere! I was like: "What, you too???" 😄 And we started talking, she recognized my flower crown and antler jewelry as Fannibal symbols and we basically spent the rest of our way together, talking about Mads, watching Hannibal pics etc.

Later in Copenhagen we walked around the city and took some photos till the Imperial Cinema opened. There we picked up our tickets and waited inside for Nienke - one of my roomies (the one who booked our flat and put us together). And soon we found out is a nice person (as Fannibals use to be)... We brought our luggage to the flat and spent another part of the day walking around the city - till Momo (who's flight was a bit late) arrived. We all were happy to meet each other and after a few hours we finally went to the cinema to meet others from the DM group.

We arrived there a bit earlier so we got quite a good place in the queue. While waiting for them the Miracle no. 2 happened. A woman (Jessica) in the queue who had no idea about our Fannibal group saw my flower crown and her eyes lighted up by recognition. She came to me and asked me if we're Fannibals as she is - and yeah, we were! Since then she stayed with our group and met us again before the Mads’ talk next day.

Then, others finally found us. What happened next could be called a miracle as well but I would prefer another term now. It was definitely some Fannibal Magic because we were the only ones who: 1) did a cosplay - absolutely awesome Kaecilius created by Vivi 2) made the "first action figure" of Kaecilius - beautiful thing created by Sanni 3) had a letter for Mads with the Hannigram Star Certification Deed - yes, that was my work 😃. And of course, flower crowns! There is an official streaming video from the premiere and you can see our flowered heads all around in background!

So, we took a group photo and went inside. There we got some delicious catering, talked with each other... And then Mads arrived! Of course we talked to him! He promised us a group photo after the movie, took my letter, adored Vivi's cosplay and got the Kaecilius doll - with shining face he told and showed to all the "press people" around who made that beautiful "first action figure" for him (+ told them we're Fannibals). On all other pictures taken before the movie he has my letter and Sanni's tiny Kaecilius in his hands.

Besides Mads I met Karis again and also a one of Mads Japan fans group. And she recognized me as a Fannibal - again, thanks to the flower crown (we met again at RDC3, YAY!).

Okay, so we saw the movie. (Btw - before the film screening began, Mads - who sat in the highest row - went down to the stage and he chose stairs which led next to my seat! I swear he looked at me how I was looking at him 😆 And he smiled. There was a really limited choice of seats when I had made the reservation so let's call it the Miracle no. 3) A huge applause happened when Kaecilius appeared on the screen for the first time and we all agreed on that there are some suspicious scenes which remind us one unnamed cannibal  story. You know, scenes like this:

Or when almost the last Kaecilius' words were put into a question: "Isn't it beautiful?"

Oh, well... Fannibals know “It’s beautiful” :)

Later, after the movie, we were really excited about the promised photo. We were so excited that we had to go to pee before and meanwhile - unfortunately - Mads left the cinema... Only Karis was lucky enough to met him after the movie (and his brother and son... earlier that day). And btw, the Miracle no. 4, she told me that she has seen my letter in his bag! (now I only need to know if he read it 😊).

We waited for him outside (just to be sure) even when cinema staff locked all doors except one. Although we didn't get that photo, we saved some lost viewers who felt like in a trap when they found out that main doors are locked. We literally showed the way out to about 5-10 people. So no group photo with Mads that day but meh - we were looking forward to get it before/after the talk next day. And we got a big edification: No toilet next time 😆

We slept, had a breakfast and then went to see Mads again. Meanwhile, I shouldn't forget to mention a small Fannibal Miracle no. 5. On the way to / from our flat there was a strange art thing reminding the mirror dimension from Dr. Strange movie and - which I'm more excited about - a clothing store called Rude! *Winks at @weartherude*

That day we met others in front of the Grand Teatret where Mads’ movie talk took a place and which is also a filming location for another Mads’ movie. We took some photos outside and put some "Fannibals love Strange" bookmarks on a table inside. Japanese fans were there as well and together we waited for our beloved star... ...who arrived soon! Actually, the Japanese group saw him first but then we drag him inside and had a quick photo session in "our corner of the room" 😊

When he left us to prepare himself for the talk, we went inside the talk room and - although we didn't buy our tickets together - I got a place right next to Momo! (Was it a small miracle no. 6? 😉 Also, there were small hearts on tickets.). From the other side of me, two women who weren't Fannibals took places... But again, they noticed our flower crowns! Vivi had a lighting one (wow, what a modification! I'll probably try to create something like that, too 😊) - so they asked me if I have lights in mine as well 😄. We also talked about how they would love to meet Mads so I told them we already did and showed them my photos. They were so excited to meet him after the talk - but what a poor chance they had, right? 😉 (will continue)

Meanwhile, Mads went into the room and took his place on a stage. We were a bit sad that he was going to talk in Danish - but you know, Danish actor in Denmark... that's kinda understandable 😃 BUT! The big Miracle no. 7 happened (well, we could call it fate in this point but...)!

Suddenly, Mads started talking in English and was like: "Do you see all these people with flower crowns? They are traveling from around the whole world and they call themselves Fannibals, fans of Hannibal. I see them everywhere I'm going and I’m so greatful!" (or so, just listen to the video). That was nothing but WOW! And it really showed clearly the power and importance of flower crowns as our symbol (I'm so sad there were none when Mads arrived to Warsaw later that year). The rest of his talk continued in Danish - except some questions from audience (one or two were asked by another Fannibal out of our group). Whole talk video with subtitles is here: 1st, 2nd, 3rd part.

Then Mads said goodbye and went to the side exit. And what a surprise! Do you remember the two girls who were excited about our flower crowns and wished to meet Mads? The two who sat next to me and also at the end of the seats row? The row which has the side exit right aside? Yes! The Miracle no. 8 - Mads again walked very close to my seat and even more, these two women got their photo! Sounds good enough? Never enough! 😃 When Mads left, we Fannibals went out, too (after a while). We saw him walking away, not sure if follow him is a good idea. We didn't want to bother him but you know... Mads! 😄 And my friend (& RDC3 roomie - Gabi) asked me to bring her an autograph... So when Nienke said: "He's over there, let's go!" and everyone hesitantly moved forward, I just forget everything and ran to catch him for the last time. And I did it! I asked him if he could give me autographs for me and my friend...  Firstly he was like: "Sorry my friend, just one... I have some interviews and no time..." But then the Miracle no. 9 happened and I got both for me and for Gabi!

After that it seemed as a goodbye Mads and goodbye Fannibals as we all had to start our ways to home, soon or later that day. Yet, we stood at the corner where Mads disappeared, some of us bought a postcard with “Kaecilius origin” location (the Nyhavn Canal) and we thought about taking a last photo together. But even before some of us left the shop, Daniela noticed the official festival photographer walking around... She just asked him where we could find all his photos. And then, the Miracle no. 10 - the photographer was like: "Hey, you are the fans of Hannibal, right? Do you want a photo?" So hella yeah, we got an official photo on the festival FB page!

Later I got an unexpected compliment to my flower crown by waitress when I, Nienke and Jessica had lunch in a restaurant (location? “Kaecilius' Canal“).

After that they both had to go to catch their buses to home. Because my bus were leaving around midnight, I had the rest of the day to explore Copenhagen. I wanted to see the Little mermaid sculpture so I went there... On the way, there is a palace where a part of the Royal Affair movie had been filmed. So I went there, too, and surprise - I walked right into the Changing of the guard ceremony. We'll slightly go back to this...

During the walk, Copenhagen gave me a little plush heart (I found it on grass next to sidewalk). I think it's kinda cute and the heart went to my tiny Hannigram star plushie which was in Copenhagen with me 😊 Close enough to the mermaid I stopped on a bridge, wasn't sure were to go... And well, how far is Denmark from my little home country? Yet right next to me stood two women with a young child. They talked to each other - one of them in Czech, the second in Slovak (which is a very similar language).

I asked them and they showed me the right direction. So yay, I found the Little mermaid! But there was no miracle quite a long time, wasn't? Okay! While I was taking some photos the Miracle 11 happened - two unicorns appeared like from nowhere! Yeah, that's exactly what happened! Even more, these unicorns spoke Czech and I even spotted them before, during the guard ceremony. What coincidences all the day! So I asked them for permission and took some very rare photos of unicorns hugging the mermaid.

After this unexpected experience I slowly went back to the Central train station. But even in the end of the day there was a time for more awesome experiences. I saw the Roya Affair palace and the ceremony again, in “night lights”. And a few streets later I found this absolutely beautiful window of some antique store. Skulls basically dragged my eyes but sadly, it was already closed.

And as I was looking at a locked door the 12th Miracle came to me. There were three (or so) doorsteps and in the middle of them… tum tum tum - Dante’s Divine Comedy. A complete hardcover book. Even more, the book I found on stairs in Denmark is written in Italian, released in Rome, Italy. If you still aren’t sure then yes, it’s that author whom Hannibal recites in the beggining of Season 3 and also the book he has an lecture about a bit later. I’m sure there is no need to explain how really low chance for this to happen I had - yet here I’m, with the Divina Commedia in my hands. It still amazes myself. Just WOW.

In comparission this is nothing big, but look what I found on a bridge (I’m not sure but it could be the Kaecilius’ canal again):

Later, back under the Central station roof, I bought a newspaper with Mads interview and the Euroman magazine with Mads on its cover, you know. As I was sitting there and waiting for my bus it felt too long… So, the Miracle no. 13 - someone called me by name, I raised my eyes aaand… Momo (we met again at RDC3 <3 ). My roomie who decided to leave Copenhagen a day later so she had found another room for the last night. And just like that, by the way, she walked around me... why not, right? 😃 We talked a while, then I somehow spent the rest of time and went to the bus stop.

And because this post is already long enough, let's finish it with a Miracle no. 14. On the bus stop I met two Fannibals of our group - Daniela and Jo. And a bit later, Karis found me as well. We traveled together to Berlin and that's it - my Copenhagen story ends here.

In the very end I would like to point out this:

Miracles are happening and Fannibal Magic is real & mighty 😊 And flower crowns are really a necessary part of it! (believe me, I wore my one all the time during these awesome days 😃)

[vacation-rentals-las-vegas-blog]

The Top 10 Things to Do in Las Vegas by Vacation Rentals Las Vegas

Las Vegas casinos emphasize so much gambling, exquisite dining, and numerous entertainment like las vegas shows and concerts, once you step foot into one you might feel like there’s no need to leave and go outside during your whole stay. We, Vacation Rentals Las Vegas, is here to tell you that you’re making the wrong choice. Why? Because we’re trying to get you to stay in our vacation rentals instead of hotels. All half jokes aside, we want tourists to know how many amazing things they can do when they visit Sin City. The first one is to check in at one of our properties. Oh you haven’t booked one yet? Here is all of our properties all in prime locations minutes away from the strip: (

Click Here See All Properties

) Now Here are the Top 10 things to do in Las Vegas:

1. The Welcome To Las Vegas Sign

We all know that you will be in casinos gambling (hopefully not all day) but for good luck and winnings (no promises though!) you need to visit this sign and take a photo. It’s basically initiation into Las Vegas.

2. Walk the Strip

Walking the strip is the thing to do in Las Vegas. It takes you through all the famous casinos in Las Vegas. Best at night time. You can walk in and out of casinos, watch street performers, places to eat. Overall fun time. Never gets old.

3. Fremont Street Experience

Located in Downtown Las Vegas where Vegas was happening back when it all started before moving to the strip now a days. The Fremont Street Experience is open 24/7 and is under a big LED canopy that blasts music and occasionally has something for pedestrians to see on its monitor. (Yes, it’s a giant monitor on the ceiling of the canopy. Make sure you look up!) Similar yet different experience here from the strip. The kids will love the street performers here. There’s also a zipline from Slotzilla that takes you all the way through the Fremont Street Experience. If you’re a pub crawler downtown has some awesome options.

4. Watch a Cirque Du Soleil Show

Your Vegas trip would not be complete without watching one of the world famous Cirque shows. The acrobats stunts and theatrical experience of it all is ridiculous. The shows keep you on the edge of the seat because it’s beautiful and makes you wonder, How do they do that?

5. The Linq High Roller and Promenade

The Linq Promenade is a pedestrian mall like the fremont experience but it’s mostly restaurants and small shopping boutiques. The choice of food is okay but not as great as the strip. It’s a good place for people looking to find a pub. The Promenade leads up to the Linq High Roller, a giant 550 ft ferris/observation wheel, the picture pretty much says it all. There’s pods that have bars in them for a premium. The Ride is about 30 minutes.

6. Jump off the top of the Stratosphere

If you’re an adrenaline junkie this is the perfect thing for you. The daredevil in you will remember this forever.

7. Visit the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck

Get one of the best views of The Vegas Strip from here. Located in Paris Paris. Also, try out Mon Ami Gabi (Most Yelped Restaurant in Vegas) or The Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Both have amazing french dishes.

8. Get a view of the strip from a boat ride on a gondola at the Venetian

The Venetian gondola ride gives you a little bit of Venice Vegas style. You can’t find sightseeing Las Vegas on a boat anywhere else! The best time to ride these are during sunset or night time.

9. If you’re not losing money gambling then you’re spending money on shopping

Las Vegas is definitely a hot spot for shopping. From Outlet malls to high end malls you can find anything you’ve wanted to buy. We recommend the north premium outlet mall for amazing deals on all brands. (One of our properties The Dean Martin Downtown Home is minutes away from it!

(Click here to check it out!)

10. Bellagio Fountains

If it’s your first time in Las Vegas you have to come here because everyone does. You can’t miss it. It’s the number one instagrammed attraction in Las Vegas. Many selfies taken here. The fountain show is music themed and operated (It’s free too!).We hope this guide has helped with planning your trip to Vegas. If you plan on coming to Las Vegas and need a place to stay be sure to check us out at:

https://www.vacationrentalslasvegas.net

or call us at:(702) 577–3477for any questions and inquiries!

Vacation Rentals Las Vegas

[theambertan]

A DAY AS A UP FILM STUDENT

I’d like to think that in another life, I could’ve been a film student from UP (the University of the Philippines). Film has always had a special place in my heart, what with my overly active imagination and love of storytelling; that’s why on a sunny Thursday morning, I found myself watching the UPFI Film Thesis Defense with my boyfriend. It’s a funny thing how the person we were supporting was the brother of my boyfriend’s friend—someone I had never met, but after watching his film, I felt like I knew him somehow. After seeing all the directors’ work and their defenses, I felt like I knew all of them somehow. 

As we walked up to Cine Adarna, I marveled at the beautiful architecture of its exterior. There was a small garden in the middle of the lobby and red brick walls that surrounded it like a maze. 

We walked in during the last few minutes of the first film. The theatre was filled with complete darkness except for the flecks of light that the screen would shine on the ground, so we clumsily felt around for an empty seat. We sat there for a good five minutes (the first film was almost finished when we walked in), trying to get some semblance of where we were, but oh when the lights turned on, it was unlike anything I could’ve imagined.

I gaped at the beautiful wooden squares that blanketed the ceiling. There were two long metal pipes that lined the sides of the theatre. How these two very different materials found their way in a theatre made me melt as I thought of what the architect of this beautiful creation must have been thinking. I’m sure it was something along the lines of a metaphorical statement about diversity and thinking outside the box. It felt refreshing to be in the presence of something passionately made—not like the cold metal boxes that compose a mall’s layout probably designed only to maximize the use of the space and get the most rent money from the tenants. I think that’s what I’m missing most about life—the passion of human beings and seeing them in love with what they’re doing. I hate the zombies our dreary mundane lives turn us into. When I was in college, people were a lot more inspired and hopeful. Even I used to be a lot more inspired and hopeful. I guess I should hang around with these people more. 

We watched 5/6 films that day. I’m a bit sad that we weren’t able to catch the beginning of the first short called Track 2. The judges seemed to like its “quietness”, and I would’ve loved to see what quietness looks like on a big screen. I learned a lot of things that day listening to the panel who surely had years of experience with film. I learned that humans always have something to say, and film is just one of the ways to get other people to listen. If the audience doesn’t receive the message you intended, then you’ve failed to utilize film as the medium it was made to be. This is why good films are ones that use all the communication avenues that film has to offer. So many things can be said by looking at a scene’s color, lighting, costumes, etc. The second thing I learned is when you plan to go big, go big all the way. Don’t let fear stop you, because it will show in your work. When you dream big, the chance of failing is big too—but so is the chance of winning something bigger. But the greatest lesson I learned was: Of all the things in a film, heart is the most important. When someone loves film like these students, their passion is splattered into their work in all colors, forms, and words. It was beautiful, and it was definitely a privilege to watch these artists pour themselves into the films they made. Congratulations to them all!

Just in case you’re ever curious to watch them, you can contact them directly through their email addresses hyperlinked on their names. Here’s the list of movies I watched and a short summary of what the film conveyed to me. (Sorry Track 2! However, if any of you would like to contact the director Vivien Del Valle, just click on her name). 1. Lukob by Daniel Saniana An experimental piece that transports you into a world of routine and control. A bunch of kids are being trained and grown as a business until they are allowed to walk into the real world where it is dangerous and full of pain. 2. Ang Ibong Lumalakad by Emily Rose Fast Filled with beautiful shots of the city, this short features a bird mascot making her way home in the midst of other people’s stares and stories. A story on how it feels to walk in a mascot’s shoes.

3. Katong Gabi by Jeremy Luke Bolatag A documentary on the lives of two people who survived the September 2 bombing in Roxas Market. It talks about their lives, their struggles, and their triumph over the tragedy.

4. Lola by Daryl Libongco A narrative short from the perspective of a passive young girl whose grandmother yearns to find love and appreciation in her family in the midst of financial struggle.

5. Dapithapon by Edsel Uy The future is a nightless world, where the earth has slowed its rotation—causing the sun to beat down at the earth for weeks at a time. Financed by a wealthy corporation, a father and his son struggle to research for a solution to making crops that can survive this condition. 

Since I’m an enthusiast of beautiful cinematography and plot lines, my personal favorites are Ang Ibong Lumalakad, Lola, and Dapithapon 😊 but of course, all the films were brilliant in their own ways.

[purplesurveys]

205

What is the title of the strangest book you own? I know I have an old book somewhere entitled Sing a Song of Tuna Fish, which I got when I was I think 8. Enjoyed quite a bit at the time and reread it a few times too. That’s the weirdest one I have. How often do you actually wake up in a good mood? Kind of rarely these days. I hate 6 AM call times EVERY DAY. What can we usually find you doing on a Friday night? Friday nights are always reserved for Gabie, whether we’re staying in or eating out. We mix up the itinerary every week, so there’s no usual. What would you say is your guiltiest pleasure? Right now that title belongs to Charlie Puth, but I don’t necessarily feel guilty about enjoying his music... Tell me all about your special lady/gentleman. She has just the prettiest, the purest, and the sweetest soul. She has this vibe about her that makes her loved by everyone; even all of my orgmates love having her around. She’s great at reading and making poetry, and is the smartest person I know.

What is the highest outdoor temperature you've ever had to endure? Malaysia was pretty hot and dry, but I was never able to note the temperature. Here in the Philippines, the worst was probably 36-37ºC. The humidity made it worse too so technically that would increase it to around 42ºC. And the lowest? That belongs to either Japan (too cold I couldn’t even speak and stayed clinging to my dad so I could walk properly) or Sagada at 4 AM. Japan at the time had a one-digit temperature in Celsius, and Sagada was 10ºC. What is the funniest thing a child has ever said to you. I don’t actually know...Filipino kids aren’t all that witty. I just remember being entertained by my godson one time, who genuinely cared for ants and thinks they should be left undisturbed. It was even funnier the way his eyebrows were knitted so much in concern. Do you let your pets on your furniture? Sure, the only exception being the dining table. Can you usually tell when someone has feelings for you? The fact that I don’t know anything right now means I probably can’t, haha. I had no slight clue Mike liked me the way he did and how serious he was about it, that’s another case. I can read people very well, but I’m just very oblivious when it comes to this. Do you know what things your pet(s) prefers to eat? My dog loves his rice and his meat. In other words, human food. That’s what he grew on and that’s what he ended up loving most. What would you plant in your dream garden? Please don’t trust me with plants. Do you believe in fairies, gnomes, or elves? .....No? What does your wallet look like? Filled with pieces of paper that I know I have to throw out but just can’t be bothered to. Some bills in it too, and tons of coins. What is your favorite thing to cook for someone else? I can only make instant noodles for Gab but thankfully she never gets tired of it. Tell me about the last book you read. It talks about Asian imperialism and touched on how the Japanese basically became the bully in the entire continent. It was annoying to contemplate on it in the first place since I definitely knew what my country had to go through under them, come to find out even more of their atrocities in China. Apparently they liked raping women and either cutting children in half or burning them, so that was an absolute joy to read. Who was the last person to leave you flustered? Haven’t felt that recently. What's the last thing you ate that was made with phyllo dough? I’m not sure. Have you ever bought underwear simply because it made your underwear drawer look nice? I guess, yeah? Describe the outfit that makes you look and feel your best. I have a variety of those that I just whip out whenever I want to have the feeling that I know I look good. A tight black tank top and ripped jeans usually does the trick most times though. What can you see from where you're sitting? The entire dining area and part of the kitchen. I would also see the guest bathroom from here but the door is closed. When you have a chance at happiness, do you allow yourself to take it? Yes, but most of the time I can be wary at first; and generally I don’t let myself wallow in being happy for too long because it’s always taken away from me harshly at some point. What are some bands others would be surprised to find in your music library? I never let anyone know about my punk taste to begin with so I’m sure they’d be most surprised if I suddenly tuned into my Misfits or Cro-Mags discography. How do you feel about kettle cooked chips? I’m not familiar with the name. I might know what they are as chips, but I never bother learning about what they are called most of the time haha. Tell me something about yourself that you're most proud of. I study in the top university in the country. What do you like to dunk in your coffee, if anything? I dont dunk my food in it. What was the subject of the last documentary you watched? Haven’t sat down to view a docu in so long but the last one was probably about the feral child, Genie. What sort of things do you do when you have the entire evening to relax? Surveys, call my girlfriend, watch YouTube videos, sometimes sleep early. Are there any books I should check out next time I'm at the library? Yup, not really the person to go to for book recommendations. Opinions on cold pizza? The only way to eat pizza. Do you have a favorite brand of tea? I don’t even drink tea. What's the last stupid question you were asked? (Besides these.) Hahahaha good save. Gabie asked me who Gianina (an org-mate) was even though they have met each other like five times. Her memory is so bad but sometimes it’s just asking for an eyeroll from me lol. What's been on your mind lately? How I’m going to see Paramore up close in three months. Tell me about the best thing you created with your own two hands. A pot! I made one from clay on my trip to Ilocos last August. I’ve wanted to do it since I was maybe 5 and was sooooo excited to get my hands on the wet clay. Definitely not as easy as it looks on screen but I loved how mine turned out. I couldn’t take it home though since it had to be baked and everything for a week, but I was only staying there for two days :( How strong do you like your coffee? Not strong. I want milk in my coffee. Do you feel like you need to get something off your chest? Not right now. Describe your morning routine. Sluggish. Always lazy. Always grumpy. What strange food combinations do you thoroughly enjoy? I would experiment mayonnaise on anything edible. What's your favorite Elvis song? I don’t have one. Are there any songs you wish your favorite band would cover? Welp not really into covers, so. Paramore’s Fleetwood Mac and Drake covers are all a solid 12/10, though. Do you enjoy talking on the phone? Only with my girlfriend. Otherwise, it’s dreadful. Are you currently waiting for something to come in the mail? Nope. Would you rather see someone of the opposite sex naked or nicely dressed? Away from me. What makes your best friend the best? They are patient with me. That’s all I’ve always asked for. When was the last time you felt incredibly stupid or embarrassed? Ughhhhh fuck, awhile ago because I’M THE WORST. I was at a buffet and this waiter guy is making small talk, being super friendly. Unfortunately my ears decided to be the biggest pricks right at that moment and when he asked, “Have you been seated?” I couldn’t get myself to understand him and had to ask ‘sorry?’ FOUR. TIMES. Four times to repeat the freakin’ question. I couldn’t believe my guts. I suck. Made up for it by being just as friendly after that slipup. How do you go about cheering someone up? Depends on the person because they all have their own solutions. Others want to be left alone, some want to be hugged, to be listened to, to be given advice, need a shoulder to cry on, or just need a companion to stay silent with. I do all of those with or for my loved ones. How would you react if someone told you they had feelings for you? Yikes. Serenade me with some lyrics from the song currently stuck in your head. “If I smile with my teeth, bet you’d believe me / If I smile with my teeth, I think I believe me.” What is the last thing you wrote down? (continuing this from last night) Notes I’ve written on my readings for history class. Tell me something great about the day/night you're having. ...I had just woken up. Get back to me with this question later on in the day.

Would you ever participate in a suspension? Of? What was the last thing to annoy you? My schedule doesn’t work with everyone else’s today. :/ Name five things that begin with the letter C. Cactus, coconuts, credit card, claw, cane. What's the title of the last book you bought? Yeah about that... Would you ever consider visiting Texas? I would, actually; but mostly because I have family living there. One of my second cousins that I’m really close with, Ate Joelle, urges me every year to come hang in Texas so I probably would once I’ve the money to. I don’t know much about the state though except Christianity is kind of huge. Where do you go when you need to escape? My room, Skywalk, or the college library. How big is your town's library? Ask that to our government, who never allots enough money for institutions like that :----) We don’t have any local libraries, nor parks, nor memorials, nor a museum save for one. Which bands would play in your dream concert? My favorites won’t merge well in a concert so meh. Do you know of any home remedies that work surprisingly well? No. If you could make a movie, what would it be about? I’ll leave that to my girlfriend, the bigger film major between the two of us. Tell someone something they need to know. That they’d have to be a huge dick to wake me up the way they did earlier. What's something you've never been able to live down? When I sang for a hundred or so party guests on my 7th birthday party. My parents definitely would never let me forget it–the entire thing is on CD. What's something that's been on your to-do list for awhile? Hahahahaha ughhhhh the mockery of this question. I guess do the stuff that I’ve been needing to do in Filipino. How do you take your mind off things? Surveys usually. YouTube videos sometimes. Tell me a joke. Eh, all the good ones I know of are in Filipino. Do you own a battle jacket? Nope.

[blackgirltext]

  One of my favourite pastimes is following vlogs and blogs of women entrenched in the fashion industry that give us a glimpse of what is behind that illusive velvet rope. Not the rope of urban dictionary tales (God forbid), but the kind that is guarded by very selective gatekeepers.

These women will faithfully be found perfectly stylised and coiffed to seemingly effortless precision on the FROW. Snapchatting, vlogging or instastorying their surroundings, cladded in the most coveted gifted or borrowed wears, these women are owning the power that they wielder. By rights, these women have become their own bosses. They have consistently peddled social media content that inspire and engage their audiences. Whether it is for their beauty, their style, personality, possessions or all of the above, they have bewitched.

The Luxury fashion world is an exclusive world and there is a definite inner circle.  This circle of women who have been labelled with one of the latest buzzwords are aptly coined as Influencers. Social media starlets if you will. Luxury Brands cleverly capitalise off the sizable followings of these fashion influencers and lure that same following in all their pied piper pomp and circumstance into their own worlds.

FROW with Bryan Boy and Manrepeller. 2 of the 10 Top 10 Forbes Fashion Influencers.

These brands send these influences free goods to wear or utilise which will be seen by millions, invite them to fashion shows and award them with prime seats. They fit these influencers with their latest pieces and host the most decadent dinners in their honour. Name cards included. All of this is done because Influencers happily share this joyously through social media to their millions of followers. Said followers then buy into the brands, trends or pieces they are shown by said influencers. It impacts all of us, particularly those that enjoy fashion but don’t have the budget for luxury fashion because the high street is a melting pot of trends and pieces that have been validated by fashion influencers.

  Through their vlogs, we are transported to the most exclusive locations in the world, in the most luxury settings. In these settings, influencers will in turn plug the brand through every social media outlet they have to their burgeoning following and thus the consummation of influencer and brand is cemented. This synergy is genius really and brands are able to cut the costs of astronomical, yet low impact advertising methods of yesteryear.

Social media has unequivocally altered the landscape of branding and in this social evolution, the influencer is born.  Youtube is saturated with vloggers all hoping they can build a big enough following, so brands can lock their opportunity spinning talons into them. It’s not just fashion, most industries now anoint a select few as influencers who are entrusted with first grabs to anything new industries have to offer.

Now for the uncomfortable stuff. As I look into this world of fashion and their influencers, I have noticed that very few are black women. Not a surprising observation as I am a black woman and we look for people to identify with in all our interests and pursuits in life. It could also be argued that very few to none at all are Muslim women, Plus size women or other racially marginalised women who occupy the inner circle of Influencers.

We naturally gravitate to images that reflect ourselves or images that we find aspirational.  Influencers are aspirational and that is the whole point. It could be the bob that they rock that is chic as opposed to mumsy or the way they mix or articulate trends in compelling ways. It could be their size 6 frames or their collection of Chanel bags, but fact remains these women encompass the qualities that many aspire to. With that being said, does the lack of black female influencers suggest that black women do not inspire and are not aspirational? Why are so few able to galvanise the following that cause luxury brands to come a Knockin. The confusing part of it all is there is no lack of black women who are well versed in fashion, who are the prescriptive sample size, have great hairstyles, glowing skin, a wicked fashion sense or awesome personalities. There is no lack, so why is there a lack?

Black women are consumers of luxury brands and I personally see black women wearing luxury brands all the time. Black women are a valid market, so why are they not courted and recognised as one?

Black Fashion Influencers: From top to bottom- Natasha Ndlovu, Ogo Offodile, London girl in NYC, Ranti Onayemi Blanchard, Erykah Achebe, Amy Sall and Lisa Folawiyo.

I watched Paris fashion week ss18 via instastories and vlogs by the likes of the Aimee Song, Negin Mirsalehi, Chiselle lim, Danielle Bernstein et al.  Dutifully, these influencers have earned their stripes and in no way do I suggest that they are elected because of their whiteness or closeness to that shade. These women are hardworking and are wholly deserving of the following they have amassed but what conjures up an unsettling feeling is the distinct lack of women of colour as fashion influencers, particularly where luxury brands are involved.

In Forbes top 10 fashion influencers of 2017, there is only 1 out of the 10 mentioned that would be considered black. That 1 considered is Gabi Gregg and is a plus size model who has spun her unapologetic love of fashion into a plus size apparel line, Premme. As incredible as being recognised in Forbes is, she notably has less followers as the company she keeps  and is not recognised by luxury brands. It is relevant to pin point luxury brands because they are aspirational. Luxury goods are considered the best and are made with more expensive, robust materials.  They offer an exclusivity that is reflected in the cost and provide a validation for those that possess them.

Top 1O Influencers of 2017: top to bottom starting left to right…Susanna Lau, Nicolette Mason, Julia Engel, Danielle Bernstein, Jenn Im, Bryan Yambao, Aimee Song, Gabi Gregg, Chiara, Ferragni and Leandra Medine.

The disparity between fashion influencers, luxury brands and black women, gauges some sincere questions. Are black women not aspirational? Is that why the followers of existing black influencers considerably less than their white counterparts? Do luxury brands not want to see their products showcased by black women? If they do, why are there so few black women utilised?

Who is responsible for this, if we are to make anyone accountable for this inequity? Are the masses or followers to blame for not finding black fashionistas interesting or aspirational enough to follow, which in turn impacts the decisions of luxury brands? Or, are brands directly complicit to this imbalance by the women they elect because let’s face it, audiences will go where they plant their flags.

In this climate of Brexit, threats of building walls and police brutality, the awareness of race and how this impacts women like me, our experiences, opportunities, or lack of is simply a subject I don’t have the luxury to not confront.

Influencers are all white by me… One of my favourite pastimes is following vlogs and blogs of women entrenched in the fashion industry that give us a glimpse of what is behind that illusive velvet rope.

[ronbwilson]

How do you make yourself truly happy and bring your dreams to reality? For me, it was by simply doing a random google search for “photojournalism projects abroad”, well, that’s where it all started anyway. On a quiet Sunday morning in my chilly living room in February 2015 I found the answer to my wishes there on my computer screen; Photographers Without Borders “see through a new lens”. After only a few minutes clicking through the website, I knew this was exactly what I was looking for, and I made a decision right then that getting involved would be one of my top priorities. I’d spent the past 15 years starting up and working with some of the best and busiest wedding photography studios in The U.S. but knew at some point I’d want to get back to my true passion of journalistic travel photography, which is what made me fall in love with image making so many years ago. My first project for PWB was in the remote hills of Guatemala and I found out there that I was really on to something that filled my soul, and that it was now or never for me to take hold of what I needed for my future. Most recently, my second project was an amazing adventure; it allowed me to travel to Gaborone, Botswana (and beyond) to meet some of the nicest and most interesting people of my life, while allowing me to photograph the NGO Young 1ove in every aspect: from day to day long hours at their office headquarters, out in the field where they brought their hard and detailed work to life in local schoolhouses, an off-site two-day staff retreat, and a few personal outings with some of the staff members.

Traveling from Florida to New York, then to South Africa and back to up Botswana, my journey was nearly 30 hours (though every minute was filled with anticipation) until I stepped off the small commuter plane in Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time in my life when I was finally greeted by two of my hosts from the Young 1ove office, Olerato, and Dot. Their smiles were infectious, and although I was very jet-lagged there was nothing more I wanted to do in that moment than to go to lunch and spend the afternoon getting to know them. We spent the day discussing politics, laughing at humorous things we had in common (and things we didn’t), discussing ideas for my time in Botswana, and getting to know the layout of the capital city Gaborone. We even squeezed in an event at The National Stadium where I was able to get VIP access to photograph some of the country’s top musical artists with the local press. It wasn’t until I could no longer hold my eyes open that we said goodbye, knowing that I would see them again in a few hours at the Young 1ove office.

On my full first day, it was a little hard getting used to the 6 hour time difference, but the thrill of getting down to work and stepping inside the office to meet the entire staff was more than enough to get me moving that brisk morning. Walking inside, I immediately realized it was not only Olerato and Dot who had that smile, but everyone. Maybe it’s a Botswana thing, maybe it’s a Young 1ove thing, either way, it was something special and it made me feel completely welcome and inspired. The day started with my official welcome, “Young 1ove” style, which was done outside with everyone in a big circle. It was a mix of a little exercise with a concentration game all to the beat of our snapping fingers lead by Thato (a.k.a. Miss Tee) who (I learned later) would become the center of my story. Playing this game first thing in the morning served many purposes, mostly to get your body and mind moving, but also to take a moment to bond with each other, laugh and most of all smile.

I spent the first few days getting to know all of the staff members. One by one I sat with each person on a comfortable couch as if we were on a televised talk show. We discussed each of their job descriptions, where they were from, where I was from, and little bits and pieces about our lives. The staff was very diverse, most of them were from different parts of Botswana, but several people were from England, Canada, and even the U.S. Although each individual was unique in their own way, there was a strong quality that made them all seem perfectly placed here in Botswana at Young 1ove together, and surprisingly I knew I was in the right place there as well. The mission of Young 1ove is “connecting youth with life-saving information”. Most of the work is done there in the office where they literally discuss every single aspect of the organization and usually begin by deciding up front what the outcome will be of each detail they cover and what success looks like for each meeting or new procedure. I realized right away that this staff lead by the founders Naom and Moistephi were the most talented, creative, and hard working group of people I’d ever met. So many moving parts, so many levels, so many narratives. Now I just needed to get to work on my angle as a photographer for telling their story.

On my first project for PWB in Guatemala, I was based at a school being built out of recyclable items like old tires and colorful broken glass, and there were 118 adorable kids already attending, so it was always easy for me to find something to photograph. In Botswana, the majority of my time was spent in the office, so at first, I found it a little challenging finding creative things to look for. In the end, I realized just being present for their meetings, hearing about the statistics of the research they were compiling, being involved in the daily team-bonding sessions, and even spending time with some of the staff outside of the office was an invaluable and much-needed part of my “story”. In fact, on my first Sunday in Gaborone the story became much clearer when I spent the morning with Thato at her church outside of the city. Once again, there they were, those smiles, they were everywhere: on the children’s freshly washed faces, throughout the congregation, in the choir, on the ministers, but especially within the spirit of my host for the day and new friend Miss Tee. At that time, I still didn’t have much of an idea of her full role at Young 1ove, but what I did find out that morning was that she was a genuine, caring and respected person in her community. I would find out later just how she brought those traits to her work and the impact on people’s lives that she was capable of.

The second week came quickly and we were finally scheduled to go into “the field” so I could see how they bring all of this detailed behind-the-scenes work to being. Six of the staff members and I gathered all of their needed materials and my camera equipment for our 3-hour drive in a combi outside the city. The drive through small villages along the way was a great way for me to see more of this wonderful country. I enjoyed watching people selling things on the side of the streets, men walking their livestock, and the children laughing as they walked home from school. I hadn’t noticed most of my travel mates were pretty quiet on the drive because I rode in the front seat with the driver and was so taken by everything happening outside the bus. I didn’t realize until later in the drive they were spending their time either reading/studying the material to present or just kind of quietly meditating to prepare themselves to give 110% that afternoon.

Once at the school in a small village on a rust-colored dirt road we were greeted by the headmaster who walked us to the classrooms. Miss Tee would be leading one class, while Lorato for the first time ever would be leading another. Sarah, Gaby, and Shayla from the curriculum department would quiet evaluate some of the new teaching techniques they were incorporating that day and to compare the seasoned Miss Tee’s class to the newly promoted Lorato’s class. Olerato assisted me on what to look for and to make sure I was in the right place during the simultaneous sessions.

Young 1ove’s goal is to provide life-saving information to youth throughout Botswana. There is a high rate of teenage pregnancy and HIV-infected young people in the country. The instructors they use in the classes are usually young as well, making them more relatable to the students. The sessions begin with the kids clearing out the middle of the classroom and moving their heavy much-used desks and chairs to the sides of the room. They begin a lot like my welcoming on the first day, where the instructor gets the kids in a circle around the classroom and leads them through a series of fun exercises and memory games to get them relaxed and engaged. It was so fun watching Miss Tee and Lorato in front of the group of beaming exuberant children. At first, I thought it was kind of ad-libbed but later realized that every word and move was carefully selected and choreographed to maximize the process in a short amount of time.

Once the kids are comfortable with the process, the instructors give a little information about why they are there and the importance of the message. Along with HIV and teenage pregnancy, another serious issue in Botswana is younger girls dating older men. One of the goals of the process is to let the students know that the HIV rate is higher in older people than in younger people and to explain that dating an age-mate is a lot safer than dating someone outside their age range. The main exercise in the session is to separate the kids into 4 groups and give them tools to work together making a graph by arranging age groups in order by who they collectively think is riskier as a partner.

Once the groups finish their graphs, one or two students from each group are asked to come to the front of the classroom to explain their reasoning. Most, if not all of the students think that younger people from age 15-20 are the least-safe group, and think older people over 40 are the less likely group to be infected with HIV. After each group makes their presentation the instructor eventually presents the “big reveal” exhibiting the actual statistical chart showing the truth is the complete opposite of what they originally thought.

It is eye-opening to see the students go from being tired after a long day at school, to being up and dancing with excitement, then brought back down a notch and discussing life-saving information. The entire process is carefully performed and you can see right then and there that the students are being introduced to something that could change their lives. The day wraps up by playing more games to reinforce the safe and unsafe age groups and exercises which highlight their classmates “coolness”. By the end of the sessions, all of the kids look at the instructors with pride and gratitude as they fill out questionnaires about what they have learned. Lorato did an amazing job on her first day, but watching Miss Tee in her element while thinking back to that morning I spent with her in church was awe inspiring. The drive back to the city is not wasted but used wisely by the staff to read the questionnaires and immediately discuss the effectiveness of the day’s work. We only went out in the field one more time on my trip, but those days were my favorite.

After spending a few more days back at headquarters and sitting in on a few meetings with the various teams, we headed out of town again for a two-day retreat where the group discussed every aspect of the organization, creatively deciding what success looked like for them, and spending quality time together. My time is Botswana ended in much the same way it had begun two weeks prior, being involved in group circles laughing to the beat of our snapping fingers, and without a doubt….. a lot of smiles!

Dreams come true.

On Assignment in Botswana How do you make yourself truly happy and bring your dreams to reality? For me, it was by simply doing a random google search for “photojournalism projects abroad”, well, that’s where it all started anyway.