#second story addition los angeles
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mdmcustom-remodeling · 8 months ago
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Redefine Your Space: Expert Second Story Addition Solutions in Los Angeles
Are you yearning to enhance your home with additional bedrooms, bathrooms, or extra living space but find yourself limited by the constraints of a single-story layout? Expanding horizontally would encroach upon precious outdoor areas, a sacrifice you may not be willing to make. The solution lies in thinking vertically – consider a second story addition.
At MDM Custom Remodeling, Inc., we specialize in crafting bespoke second story additions in Los Angeles, tailored to fulfill your vision of a dream home. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record, we offer an extensive portfolio showcasing satisfied clients who have successfully expanded their living space with our expertly executed projects.
Our approach is comprehensive and client-centric, ensuring a seamless journey from conceptualization to completion. We begin by collaborating closely with you to understand your unique requirements, preferences, and aesthetic aspirations. Our design team then conceptualizes the ideal second story addition, optimizing space utilization while maintaining architectural harmony with the existing structure.
Throughout the construction process, our skilled craftsmen prioritize precision and attention to detail, delivering impeccable results that exceed expectations. We handle every aspect of the project, from obtaining necessary permits to adhering to local building regulations, ensuring a hassle-free experience for our clients.
Furthermore, we understand the importance of integrating modern amenities and sustainable features into your second story addition, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency while future-proofing your home. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond construction – we strive to create living spaces that not only meet but exceed your expectations, enriching your lifestyle and adding long-term value to your property.
With MDM Custom Remodeling, Inc. as your partner, embarking on a second story addition journey in Los Angeles is a seamless and rewarding experience. Let us help you transform your home into the haven you've always dreamed of.
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zarnage · 1 year ago
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Tile - Roofing Large tuscan white two-story stucco exterior home photo with a tile roof
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structuraremodeling · 1 year ago
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Cost of Adding a Second Story in Los Angeles : Structura Remodeling
Los Angeles, with its picturesque landscapes and vibrant neighborhoods, is a city where real estate is both precious and highly competitive. As families grow, the need for additional space becomes a pressing concern. For many homeowners, adding a second story to their existing homes is a brilliant solution that not only caters to their space requirements but also adds significant value to their properties.
At Structura Remodeling, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with adding a second story to a Los Angeles home. The cost of such a project can vary widely based on several factors, including the size of the addition, the complexity of the design, the choice of materials, and local construction costs. However, we believe in transparency, and we're here to provide you with a general idea of what to expect.
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A second-story addition typically ranges from $200 to $400 per square foot, but this can vary depending on your specific requirements. This cost includes the construction, materials, labor, and any necessary permits. Keep in mind that high-end finishes or intricate designs may push the cost toward the upper end of the range.
Additionally, it's essential to consider other expenses, such as architectural and engineering fees, as well as any structural upgrades needed for the existing structure to support the new addition. These can add to the overall cost but are crucial for ensuring a safe and functional second story.
Structura Remodeling is committed to working closely with you to create a second-story addition that not only aligns with your vision but also suits your budget. We'll provide a comprehensive quote based on your specific project, ensuring there are no surprises along the way.
Adding a second story to your Los Angeles home is a significant investment, and at Structura Remodeling, we're dedicated to helping you make this transformation seamlessly. With our expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to quality, we'll turn your vision into a reality while ensuring that the cost aligns with your expectations. Let's embark on this exciting journey of home expansion together, and turn your house into the dream home you've always envisioned.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Second Story Addition in Los Angeles?
When considering a second story addition to your Los Angeles home, one of the most common questions that arises is, 'How long will it take?' At Structura Remodeling, we understand the excitement and anticipation that come with expanding your living space, and we're here to provide clarity. The timeline for a second story addition can vary based on several factors, including the size and complexity of the project, local permitting processes, and weather conditions. On average, you can expect the construction of a second story addition to take anywhere from three to six months. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to streamlining the process, ensuring that your project is completed efficiently and to the highest standards. We work closely with you, from design to completion, to deliver not just an added story but a seamless blend of your vision and our expertise.
Things to Consider When Planning on Adding a Second Story in Los Angeles
Adding a second story to your Los Angeles home can be a transformative and exciting project, but it also comes with important considerations. At Structura Remodeling, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with vertical expansion in this dynamic city. Los Angeles is not only known for its diverse neighborhoods but also for its complex zoning regulations and seismic activity. That's why, when planning a second-story addition, it's crucial to work with experienced professionals who not only bring your vision to life but also ensure it complies with local codes and safety standards. Our team at Structura Remodeling has a wealth of experience in crafting stunning second-story additions that seamlessly integrate with your existing home while adhering to the strictest building requirements. We'll guide you through every step of the process, from conceptual design to final construction, to make sure your second-story addition not only enhances your living space but also adds lasting value to your Los Angeles home.
What is the impact on your first floor?
When embarking on a remodeling project with Structura Remodeling, you're not just renovating a space; you're redefining the very essence of your home. The impact on your first floor can be nothing short of transformative.
Our team of skilled professionals understands that the first floor is the heart of your living space. It's where daily life unfolds, where family gathers, and where memories are made. With this in mind, we approach every project with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to delivering a space that reflects your unique vision.
Whether you're looking to create an open-concept layout that fosters seamless connectivity or wish to infuse timeless elegance into your living room, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way. From structural modifications to flooring upgrades, lighting enhancements to modernizing your kitchen, the impact on your first floor will be a testament to our craftsmanship and dedication.
At Structura Remodeling, we don't just renovate spaces; we elevate lifestyles. Your first floor will not only undergo a physical transformation but also an experiential one. We aim to create a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics, ensuring that your home becomes a reflection of your taste and aspirations.
So, whether you're envisioning an inviting family space, a sophisticated entertaining area, or a harmonious combination of both, trust Structura Remodeling to bring your vision to life. Your first floor is more than just a space; it's an embodiment of your lifestyle, and we're here to ensure that its impact is nothing short of exceptional.
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What are the benefits of adding a second story?
Expanding your home's living space is a decision that can significantly enhance your lifestyle and property value, and one of the most versatile ways to achieve this is by adding a second story. At Structura Remodeling, we understand the unique advantages that come with this transformative home improvement project.
1.  Maximizing Space: With growing families or evolving needs, space can quickly become a premium. Adding a second story provides the room to spread out, accommodating additional bedrooms, bathrooms, or even a home office, granting you the flexibility you need.
2.  Increased Property Value: A well-executed second-story addition can substantially increase the value of your home. It's a smart investment, offering a higher return when it's time to sell or refinance.
3.  Preserving Yard Space: If you love your outdoor space and don't want to compromise it, going up instead of out is an ideal solution. A second story allows you to retain precious yard space while still expanding your living area.
4.  Customization: Structura Remodeling specializes in tailoring your second-story addition to your specific desires. Whether it's a master suite retreat, a spacious family room, or a guest wing, we make your vision a reality.
5.  Energy Efficiency: Modern construction techniques allow us to integrate energy-efficient features seamlessly, resulting in long-term savings on utility bills and a smaller environmental footprint.
6.  Aesthetic Enhancement: Beyond the practical benefits, a second story can dramatically enhance the curb appeal of your home, giving it a fresh, modern look that stands out in the neighborhood.
7.  Avoiding Relocation: Instead of going through the hassle and cost of moving to a larger home, adding a second story allows you to stay in the neighborhood you love, close to schools, work, and friends.
Structura Remodeling's expertise in second-story additions ensures that your project is executed flawlessly, from design to completion. We consider every detail, ensuring that your new space seamlessly integrates with your existing home. With us, you're not just expanding your home; you're expanding your possibilities.
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headstail · 5 months ago
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⁰¹ . PROFILES ⠀ ⁰² . MUSIC ⠀ ⁰³ . STORY LINE ⠀ ⁰⁴ . WRITING PIECES
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which path will you take ? ⠀⠀ EXCEED ( 초과 ) , stylized as XCEED , is a fictional boy group underneath POSER RECORDS that debuted in august of 2014 with their first sub-unit known as XPLOIT. the at the time seven member lineup became known for their "defying the status quo" concept ; exploring the more harmful, realistic route that one may go down when unable to meet the high expectations of those around them.
their sound, while accompanying their message, was often deemed "noisy" or "too experimental." with their sales not doing too hot in south korea, POSER decided to cater them to their small yet dedicated western audience. most of their lives were spent touring north america with LOS ANGELES becoming a second home to them. though due to the steady decline domestically, the label will eventually pay them no mind once debuting ARM CANDY in 2020.
many speculation about the group disbanding has resurfaced online over the years as leaked information about possible sub-units and alleged members came and went: the only thing keeping the public's interest aside from the occasional debate over their discography and the endless list of scandals the boys got themselves in. to the surprise of many, in 2022, XPLOIT will release their 2nd full album titled STARBOY : ACT I ─ the first fully self-produced project that strayed away from their typical heavy edm and leaned more in hip-hop and r&b. skepticism, a few half naked promotional shoots, individual videos for their album sampler, and some fun videos were what led non-fans and loyal ones to elevate their sales beyond expected. XCEED were finally redeeming themselves to everyone who doubted them...
and what better way to capitalize off their recent success then to debut their new sub-unit in 2024 ─ twelve years after the abandonment and lack of care for XPLOIT! april of 2024 will introduce the six member group called XACT. their concept was meant to contrast their brother unit: what happens when you feed into the peer pressure of those around you and actually do exceed expectations ? ironically enough, XACT was met with more grace thanks to the younger and more youthful features of the members who had racked up their own solo fanbases over the years. not only did their debut mini album outsell XPLOIT's entire career debut single, but they were quickly deemed as monster rookies to look out for within the industry. with the new addition on the rise alongside the eagerness that awaits another successful comeback from XPLOIT, many wonder if the timing of XACT'S debut was good or if POSER just accidentally sabotaged the older unit.
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⋆⠀☠︎︎⠀⋆˙⊹ ⠀◞‏‏‎ ‎⠀⠀ THE BASICS !
⠀ ¹ ⁾ GROUP NAME : ⠀ XCEED .
⠀ ² ⁾ SUB-UNITS : ⠀ XPLOIT ( 2014 ) &. XACT ( 2024 ) .
⠀ ³ ⁾ DEBUT DATE : ⠀ AUGUST 16, 2014 .
⠀ ⁴ ⁾ SIGNED UNDER : ⠀ POSER RECORDS .
⠀ ⁵ ⁾ GREETING : ⠀ TO EXCEED IS TO EXCEL .
⠀ ⁶ ⁾ FANDOM : ⠀ LUCKYS , LUCKY CHARMS .
⠀ ⁷ ⁾ FANDOM COLOR : ⠀ #007a73 &. #d2ba82 .
⠀ ⁸ ⁾ LEADERS : ⠀ JO HARAM ( XCEED, XPLOIT ) &. MYLES LEE ( XACT ) .
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XPLOIT : ⠀⠀JO HARAM ( '96 ), AUGUSTUS BYUN ( '96 ), NATHANIEL "CASH" KIM ( '97 ), HAN "CYRUS" YIJOON ( '97 ), SON JAEIN ( '99 ), NOH "ROMEO" DAEWON ( '99 ), TANG XI BAI "SEVN" ( '99 )
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XACT : ⠀⠀MYLES LEE ( '99 ), NIKI PARK ( '01 ), YOO SIAN ( '99 ) ISHIHARA "KYE" KAEDE ( '00 ), HARLOWE JUNG ( '01 ), JANG ISEO ('02)
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louisjude · 5 months ago
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“tommy is not even enthusiastic or excited to hangout with buck like he is eddie. he spends the entire episode laughing and smiling hanging out with eddie and whether or not that interest is romantic or platonic—“ im gonna stop you right there.
that’s THE difference. with buck and tommy currently dating, it’s 100% safe to assume tommy had only platonic intentions with eddie (because its kinda weird to think a gay man will automatically be into every guy they meet and can’t just be friends with them) but he’s romantically interested in buck. therefore the approach with buck is going to be much different.
does tommy even know if buck is queer? he definitely picked up on the vibes in the loft scene. but while you may interpret it differently, we can also interpret that tommy could be just as anxious to be the one to contact buck first to hang out, possibly in fear of rejection/reading the room wrong. the vibe of the harbor scene is flirtatious, maybe it’s difficult to see it the first time because hey, it’s two guys, but watching it back a second time it’s there and you can practically see tommy trying to feel out the vibe himself. he also tells buck to hit him up at the end. we didn’t get to see tommy’s side of it all. it could be implied tommy was also fishing for information about buck from chris, that tommy could have been hoping eddie would invite buck to hangout, we simply don’t know! but what i do know is that if tommy was to be a bad guy in the story, we would have known by now. 911 doesn’t exactly shy away from showing you who the villains are in the story.
furthermore,
why else would tommy kiss buck? because buck’s a dude and tommy’s desperate? the excuse that tommy is just wanting to get to the 118 is overused and ridiculous. he already has the 118. he’s friends with hen, chim and eddie outside of buck and bobby was his boss before too. is he getting a little small found family in return? sure, but to think tommy’s some evil mastermind about is… definitely a choice.
saying that tommy letting buck set the pace means he making buck do all the work is also just, completely fucking wrong. tommy letting buck set the pace means he cares, because he doesn’t want to pressure buck, he wants to make sure they’re moving at a speed buck is comfortable with. buck is a newfound bisexual, it’s actually pretty considerate for tommy to let buck take the reigns of the relationship.
then, to even imply tommy only might want buck for sex is also just, gross. if that’s all he wanted he would have been gone after their date. he wouldn’t agree for a second chance, he wouldn’t put in the effort to show up for buck. he could just go on grindr, it’s fucking los angeles dude. this is a guy ready for a steady, committed relationship.
im once again begging you guys to actually watch the show without any biases. you’d be able to understand and pick up on what is truly happening on your screen if you did.
addition: also to act like tommy has never smiled or laughed around buck… be for real.
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therunawaykind · 9 months ago
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don't wanna break up again
Pairing: Leigh Shaw x GN!Reader
Word Count: 3.8k
Genre: Pinch of angst? fluff
Warnings: None unless you hate the names Leigh & Danny in the same sentence quite a bit
A/N: Long time no see! (again) writer's block and just simply getting the inspiration and motivation to write have been fucking dreadful these last few months. I dunno what was going on. Hopefully, all things going well this is my slow return to posting regularly again on here. If not then whoops you'll see me again at some stage. Who would've thought Leigh Shaw and Ariana Granda was gonna be my breakthrough for writing stuff not me that's for sure. This is my very loose interpretation of Ariana Grande's 'don't wanna break up again' I saw someone say it was very Leigh x Danny coded then this transpired. I hope I have done this some justice I imagine my writing abilities are a bit rusty so bear with me and I hope you all enjoy!
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*Please do not repost or translate my material or claim as yours. reblogs, comments and likes are always appreciated!*
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If there was one thing Leigh was certain of since Matt’s death it was how complicated and difficult her life had become, ranging from devastating revelations to do with Matt and his teacher co-worker Nina, living with a Jules who is now a recovering sober alcoholic, dealing with her mother Amy with her previous breakdown she had where she moved to Alaska which subsequently led to her breakthrough of wanting to travel and basically just live somewhere else that wasn’t in Los Angeles, that wasn’t home.
In addition to that after Leigh’s breakdown after choosing to leave with Jules to go to Vietnam, she ultimately decided just to stay living in their family home whilst both Jules and her mother left for however long they decided. Leigh also decided to take over Beautiful Beast for Jules until she was ready to come back…if she ever did but nonetheless she couldn’t let all of Jules’ hard work go to waste. And last but not least the absolute travesty that of her and Danny whatever that thing is, it’s complicated, messy and above all else unhealthy all over for the both of them. Not to delve too much into the ups and downs of their….thing the latest situation ended up with Danny punching a hole in the wall of Leigh’s home, to sum it up in a simple phrase “People don’t slam their fists through walls when things are going well.”
The one positive and healthy yet still slightly complicated thing in Leigh’s life which happened unexpectedly was well… Y/N. Granted one of the only aspects that made it complicated was the fact you were her “student”, you both met due to you attending Leigh’s classes at Beautiful Beast, the friendship, and conversations which ended up evolving into more flirtatious conversations did just happen out of nowhere unexpectedly. The downfall of the whole friendship between you both was when Danny surprised Leigh at the entrance of Beautiful Beast one night to take her home…then you caught Danny kissing her which again took Leigh by surprise. That night and predicament in question had truly shocked Leigh because from what she knew and understood during that time, it was during one of her and Danny’s off moments, their pause a break essentially.
But in good Leigh fashion the second she saw Danny she started overthinking and thought she interpreted something wrong or missed a certain something, whilst simultaneously thinking this was Danny offering an olive branch and showing her they really can make this work, they can be good and healthy for each other….how wrong she was. So understandably from then on you started to distance yourself and pull away from Leigh after that by not talking, hanging out or texting as much. Unbeknownst to Leigh any hope you had of having some sort of relationship with her plummeted very quickly after that. 
Leigh knew whatever they had going on wasn’t good for either of them and would never last, it was a cycle they couldn’t break….well she couldn’t break. It was a lifeline for them both, the last small bit of connection they both had to Matt in some way. On one hand, Leigh had this negative and toxic relationship that she couldn’t leave, she couldn’t escape it. Somehow it always kept dragging her back in no matter how many times night and day it had her distraught, crying and attempting to soothe herself. On the other hand, Leigh had this seemingly hopeful, positive and healthy relationship she could have with you.
But before she even tried to give that relationship a chance she had to try to get out of this fucking cycle she couldn’t seem to get out of and no matter how hard she tried. Whenever she asked Jules for advice on the relationship, much to nobody's surprise always went something like this. 
“Leigh you need to end this thing with Danny and go no contact with him at least for some time, this is not healthy for either of you. I mean come on Leigh he punched a hole in the wall at our house. Let me remind you when I was living with you Leigh after mom left, just how many times I’d hear quiet sobs from your room, you talking to yourself to make yourself feel better and reassure yourself everything was going to be okay, that everything was gonna be fine. And I couldn’t get in because 1. You’d lock the door, 2. You wouldn’t respond when I asked if you were okay and lastly, when you did,  you’d just say you were fine, you were okay. Once one of you starts to feel happier and healthier the other drags the other one down simply just by being around.
I know you don’t want to go through another break-up or heartbreak….but you’re doing it to yourself constantly by staying in this with Danny or maybe…. You keep going back to this thing with Danny because you don’t want to hurt him and his heart completely. And if you do fully disappear from his life because to him you're his last link to Matt and right now you know full well you are leading him on and have him believing you two can have some semblance of a future together no matter how complicated it may be. I know this is a weird way to word it but… I think you know Matt wouldn’t want or like Danny to be experiencing this level of hurt and anguish as much as he is, not even specifically with you just with anyone.
But let’s not forget just how much you did hurt Danny initially when he was staying away from you and you wouldn’t let it happen. You forced your way into his life because you needed him to love you. Who knows maybe some ways down the line in the future when you’re both fully healed or at least somewhat…you two can be friends and have that last link to Matt. But also do remember that doesn’t mean you have to stop contact with Matt’s mother…. You can still have a link to him in some shape and form.”
That’s what she’d deal with, she knew and understood completely what Jules was saying yet she couldn’t bring herself to do it….unfortunately. She wishes Danny would end up being the person to end it but the chances of that happening are slim to none. But with the possibilities that awaited her on the other side of things…she knew what she had to do, end things with Danny then she had to get the friendship with Y/N back to what it was, and she had to show you that you weren't going to be just some rebound, that she saw a future with this relationship she saw it going the distance. 
When she thought about the aspects of the relationship she had with Y/N the only way Leigh could describe how she felt…was how she felt when she was with Matt. With you, it finally felt like Leigh had gotten the best and good part of herself back that as Leigh put it Matt had taken with him when he died. It felt like she could finally breathe again and live her life to the fullest. Fortunately for Leigh yet quite sadly when the friendship between you both was at its best Matt left her alone, and Leigh’s recurring what she would consider nightmares of Matt and Nina living out the life she lived with him finally stopped.
Now all she had to do was start the process and uncomplicate her life which starts with talking to Danny.
As Leigh anxiously approaches the door to the apartment she knows so well, she nervously wrings out her hands and fingers. She had texted Danny the night before asking him if would it be okay for her to visit in the morning to talk to him, as Danny eagerly agreed to her calling over she realised at that very moment he was expecting a very different conversation. She hesitantly starts knocking on the door muttering to herself “You can do this, you can do this. You have to do this for yourself, Danny and everyone else in your life but most importantly you and Danny.” After a few seconds, shuffling could be heard behind the door as Leigh took a deep breath in, in an attempt to calm herself down and get all of her feelings under control.
Once the door opened a weak nervous smile spread across her face, Leigh quickly scans Danny trying to figure out how he really is, as she sees him start to step out and lean in to give her a quick kiss but before anything of the sort can happen Leigh quickly steps in and gives him a quick hug as she states “so is it alright for me to come in?” as she smiles quickly at him. Danny’s face scrunches up in confusion as Leigh quickly pats his stomach as she steps past him into his apartment, he lets out an exasperated sigh and throws his head back slightly and he turns around to walk into his apartment closing the door behind him. 
When Danny finally turns to face Leigh he can’t help but notice her looking around his apartment and the constant nervous fidgeting with her fingers, her hair and her neck. He sighs to himself “Alright Leigh what is this about you said you wanted to talk.” 
Leigh jumps slightly as she spins around to face him “ I- well- yeah you’re right I did, I did.” rubbing her now sweaty palms off of the side of her jeans and slowly sits herself down on Danny's sofa. Taking a deep breath in and bringing her hands up to her mouth “I- I can imagine from the way I’m acting and just how difficult it is for me to start this conversation and say what I actually want to….that you already know what this conversation is about and where it’s heading.” Hearing a quiet sigh beside her Leigh glances quickly out the side of her eye seeing Danny leaning forward slightly with his head down and forearms leaning on his knees. “But Danny this thing has to be stopped, I- we’re both hurting each other continuously whether we realise it or not. I mean need I remind ourselves of the punching a hole in the wall situation.”
That got a small chuckle out of Danny as he shook his head slightly clicking his tongue. “And I mean it wasn’t just you Danny, I forced you to be around me when you didn’t want to, in our own little ways, we were selfish when it came to this situation. Now I know I stated and promised you before that I would never have a life that didn’t have you in it…but whilst we’re both still healing and dealing with our grief that obviously still hasn’t gone anywhere. We do really need to not be in each other's lives anymore, no contact, no talking in any shape or form no stupid lil emoji texts anymore.” 
Biting his lip and sitting back Danny exclaims “But Leigh that’s EXACTLY what you’re doing, you’re leaving, you’re having a life without me! You obviously think and believe you don’t need me!” 
“I’M NOT LEAVING YOU, I’M NOT HAVING A LIFE WITHOUT YOU”
“LEIGH THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE DOING CAN YOU NOT HEAR WHAT YOU’RE SAYING” 
“DANNY!” scoffing to herself and shaking her head as she calmly states ”See this, this here exactly happening right now is why we need to take a step back from each other. We can’t even have a normal conversation without blowing up and ending up yelling at each other. The only time we aren’t killing each other is when we’re having sex and- and even then since we had that conversation in that casino resort we both know Matt is still weirdly on our minds during that. I- I think no matter how much we try or maybe want some sort of actual loving relationship with each other…it’ll never work. The only thing we ever can be to each other is friends.” Leigh shakes her head and licks her lips slightly “Just a friendship. Because we are hurting each other and ourselves from the inside out. We have to heal by ourselves, without the other in our lives and move on. And hopefully at some stage down the line whenever we’re both happy and healthy we can get back in contact with the other.”
Leigh smirks as she sways from side to side “Cause I can’t lie Danny I think we’d be pretty kick-ass friends together don’t ya think.” She grins as she nudges Danny with her shoulder, clearing his throat and nodding “Yeah- yeah I think we would be. And I can’t lie I get what you’re saying I understand hell I see it completely. It- it is just a difficult thing to let go of even if it is just for a little bit.” 
Biting her lip and rubbing Danny’s arm “I get it, Danny I do believe me but you still have your mom. You both can get through this together because it was just as difficult for her to… You are all she has left. And I’ll- I'm staying in contact with her or at this stage more like getting in contact with her more considering she still is my mother-in-law or ex-mother-in-law anyways specifics isn’t the important thing here.” 
Danny laughs slightly and nods “Yeah, yeah she’d like that.” Both sit back against the sofa in silence basking in the reality of what now has to be undertaken the reality of it hitting them simultaneously. Rubbing her hands anxiously up and down her legs as she slowly drags out “rigghtt I guess- I guess I better go now and leave us both to our journey of healing, growth whatever you wanna call it.” Leigh laughs as she mumbles to herself “god I sound like my mother” She walks to the door with Danny right behind her as Leigh opens the door she turns around and smiles at Danny as they both embrace each other in a hug for the last time till…who knows how long. Both pulling away slowly and giving each other a subtle nod as Leigh steps out through the door as it closes behind her softly. Leigh takes a deep breath in, the grin spreading across her face going unnoticed by her as she starts to descend the steps of the apartment building.
Leigh was never nervous or anxious when it came to teaching her exercise classes though apparently today was the exception, as she anticipated your arrival. Leigh smiles moving back and forth on her feet as she greets all of the students walking in through the door to her class, anxiously waiting to get a glimpse of your bag, shoes or something as you come through the front door. Considering since you distanced yourself from her she’s noticed you haven’t attended classes all that regularly. Leigh’s eyebrows raise in anticipation as she sees the front doors open happily letting out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding as she saw a glimpse of your bag and shoes come into view. Giddily she lets a grin spread across her face and she nervously picks at her nails seeing you approach the entrance “Hey Y/N it’s nice to see you again, I’m glad you decided to attend and come today.” 
Taken aback by Leigh's greeting and striking up a proper conversation with you after so long did genuinely take you by surprise but couldn’t stop the smile on your face “Hey Leigh, yeah I can’t lie I missed attending these classes I’m sure I’ll get back on track from now on.” Both smiling at each other as you walk past her into the class much to Leigh’s amazement you turn around and say to her “Leigh if I can just say you look great...you just look happy and healthy. Whatever you’ve done or are doing keep it up it suits you.” With her mouth wide open Leigh messily nods and stutters out “I- I will- I-  Thank you very much, I will be sure to keep it up.” Leigh turns around to the door to hide and mutters to herself “Idiot”.
Much to her relief though the class was a success and she didn’t stumble or trip over any more of her words whenever she got closer to you throughout her class as she moved around the room. After the class finished Leigh quickly grabbed her towel off the floor wiping the sweat off of her as she said goodbye to everyone, in her peripheral vision she could see you deliberately taking your sweet ass time packing away all of your stuff. Biting her lip she attempted to suppress the smile taking over her face. 
As she said goodbye to one of the last students she sauntered across the room towards you as she started fiddling with the towel around her neck. “Sooo Y/N” you glanced up at her as you were putting on your shoes “What's up Leigh?” 
She smiles at you abashedly as she scratches her head “I just wanna say sorry and give you a quick apology for anything I said or did that created that distance and made us pull away from each other. Because- because for that length of time, I really did miss seeing you and your face around here but I’m glad to see you back now.” Nervously scratching the back of your neck “Yeah umm I just-” shaking your head slightly as you let out a breath “I just had some stuff I had to figure out and work on to clear my head a bit and- unfortunately, sadly to do that I kinda had to step away and distance myself from you and well all things relating to you. But I- I think I’ve figured it all out now.” 
You can’t help but notice the hopeful glint in Leigh’s eyes and smile “Oh really? A positive figure it out I hope?” 
Grinning and nodding confidently “Yeah- yeah it does seem that way.” Both of you stare at each other smiling to your heart's content as both of your eyes scan the other person. You clear your throat as you can feel the heat rising to your cheeks and glance around the room “Anyways I should probably head off and leave you to clean up the place or whatever it is you have left to do around here.”  Leigh absentmindedly nods her head but ultimately starts panicking as you pick up your bag and wave goodbye to her, she quickly sprints after you saying between breaths “Or or- or albeit this isn’t a very nice offer for you to ask-” you raise your eyebrow at her “What is it, Leigh?”
“Um, do you wanna hang out here with me and help me out around here if you aren’t busy? I just- I’ve just missed hanging out and talking with you and thought this might be a nice way for us to catch up.”
“Y’know you are right it isn’t the nicest or most glamorous offer I’ve ever heard but I have missed talking to you Leigh so I’ll stick around and help my favourite fitness instructor out.” 
Leigh whips her head around to face you and stumbles slightly as she starts moving the spare barres placed around the room “Wha- what do you mean favourite fitness instructor? I’m your only fitness instructor.” Smirking over at Leigh as you roll up the extra yoga mats “That you know of, could’ve tried out other places whilst I was MIA” 
“HEY!” Leigh exclaims as she throws a cloth at you 
Laughing at her reaction as you catch the cloth “I’m messing, I’m messing you would be correct, you are the only fitness instructor I know and one that I go to.” You hear a quiet yet stern “good” in response as she goes back to cleaning, laughing and shaking your head in the process.
Since then you and Leigh have practically been inseparable, it was as if nothing had ever happened. She had explained to you fully what went and was going on with her and Danny currently..more like what wasn’t going on. Even though you had said to her repeatedly she didn’t have to that it was none of your business. But you reassured her it was for the better, she made the right decision, she’s doing better because of it and you could only hope the same for Danny. Leigh now had you over at her house….for what she told you would be a quiet night in with both of your favourite takeout foods and as many movies and TV shows as you both could handle.
Which now that you were here was not the case at all. Leigh had gotten the bright idea, the brainwave or as she put it a breakthrough. She felt that the whole house needed to be redecorated and refurnished as it reminded her of sad, difficult and complicated times and she couldn’t stand being reminded of those moments any longer. So who were you to say no to helping her out yet again. As you were sat on the floor dismantling all of the old furniture with Leigh, you saw her peak her head out from the other side “Again I’m sorry about this, it seems like none of my hangouts recently are that exciting and it involves you always having to work.” You laugh and shake your head “Leigh honestly it’s okay I really don’t care what I do as long as it’s with you. But hey it’ll be a nice bonding time for both of us, be a little glimpse of what it’s like if we were to ever live with each other I guess.” You scratch your head and hurriedly get back to dismantling the furniture as you realise what you said. “Did you just say living together?” 
“Psshhh me say that? No never? Must’ve heard things, Leigh.” 
“Mhmm okay sure.” What you didn’t notice was Leigh moving over to you slowly on her knees but jumping slightly as you felt her place her arms on your shoulders in an attempt to get you to raise your head to look at her. Glancing up at her you see the silly little smile on her face “I may not be ready for that yet but I’d like to think we’d end up living together at some stage in the future.” 
Staring at her wide-eyed “R-really?” Leigh grins and nods her head as she whispers against your lips “Really.” Grinning at each other as you both lean in to place kisses on each other's lips which quickly turn into little pecks as Leigh slaps your thigh “Alright let’s get back to work this house isn’t gonna refurnish and redecorate itself. And this furniture certainly won’t dismantle itself.” 
Chuckling to yourself you playfully salute towards Leigh “Aye, aye captain.” 
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ncisfranchise-source · 8 months ago
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It came down to the wire, but NCIS: Hawai’i ultimately didn’t make the cut for next season at CBS. The news comes days before the network is set to announce its fall schedule on May 2 and before the Season 3 finale of Hawai’i is scheduled to air on May 6. According to sources, the episode was not meant to be a series finale and includes a tease for what was to come but fans won’t be left reeling by a major cliffhanger.
The cancellation is not a complete shocker since, as Deadline has been reporting, NCIS: Hawai’i was on the bubble. Still, the outcome is surprising since I hear an effort was made to extend the drama’s run for at least an abbreviated fourth and final season, with producers agreeing to a massive budget cut and open to other concessions in order to keep the show going.
Hawai’i, the first series in the NCIS franchise with a female lead, Vanessa Lachey, is now the first series in the franchise not to get a proper sendoff after a brief run compared to its predecessors NCIS, renewed for a 22nd season, NCIS: Los Angeles (14 seasons) and NCIS: New Orleans (7). It is unclear whether series producer CBS Studios would shop the drama but there are no obvious buyers, with Paramount+ already stocked up with two NCIS original series, Sydney and the Tony and Ziva spinoff.
Attracting sizable viewership on a linear network is quite a challenge, so it is not common these days for a network to let go of the #12 most watched non-sports program on broadcast that averages 7.8 million linear viewers (most current) and 10M in Live+35 multi-platform viewing.
That is what CBS is doing with the cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i, which added some star power and NCIS continuity this season with NCIS: Los Angeles‘ LL Cool J who has been in every episode.
It comes on the heels of Top 25 series So Help Me Todd and CSI: Vegas getting the axe last Friday. As I noted in the CBS Renewal Status Report earlier this month, the network was going to have to make some painful cancellation decisions, getting rid of shows other networks would’ve been happy to renew.
The series, as well as So Help Me Todd and CSI: Vegas, ultimately became a casualty of a strong schedule, a cost-management drive and overall uncertainty at the parent company Paramount Global, which is in the process of being sold.
Even before CBS’ lineup, delayed by the strikes, launched with the Super Bowl, the network already had committed to five new scripted series for next season, dramas Matlock, Watson and NCIS: Origins and comedies Poppa’s House and a Young Sheldon spinoff, with renewal conversations on NCIS: Sydney also well underway.
Then CBS’ originals returned, exceeding expectations, with the network claiming the top 16 most watched shows of its premiere week and 14 of the top 20 non-sports programs overall this midseason in Nielsen most current linear viewership.
With no obvious weaklings, Blue Bloods getting a final run next season and S.W.A.T. surprisingly uncanceled, the network had to cut deep in purging its slate to make room for the additions.
Just a year ago, a renewal for Hawai’i would’ve been a no-brainer: it’s part of a storied franchise with solid rating and crossover potential with the mothership series that yielded big ratings in January 2023. But now, CBS already has three other NCIS series already locked for next season: the original series, renewed for Season 22, Sydney, returning for a second season, and the upcoming Young Gibbs prequel NCIS: Origins. There is also the Tony & Ziva NCIS spinoff series greenlighted by Paramount+, making for a crowded NCIS field.
With strong multi-platform performance, as NCIS: Hawai’i ranked above several CBS dramas that have been renewed, including FBI: Most Wanted, FBI: International and S.W.A.T., it probably came down to money.
Even with the proposed budget cuts, NCIS: Hawai’i was still going to be expensive. Its long-term prospects were unclear — whether it would become a big global hit and moneymaker like its franchise predecessors. With CBS’ parent company focused on its short-term balance sheet as it prepares to sell, a corporate decision was made not to take a chance and find out.
In NCIS: Hawai’i, Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor Jane Tennant (Lachey) and her team balance duty to family and country, investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the island itself.
Alex Tarrant, Noah Mills, Jason Antoon, Yasmine Al-Bustami, Tori Anderson and Kian Talan also star. Matt Bosack, Jan Nash, Christopher Silber and Larry Teng served as executive producers.
In a recent Deadline interview, CBS Studios President David Stapf spoke about how “wholly unique” Hawai’i is while also being part of the franchise as the first NCIS series with a female lead, Lachey, and with its Hawai’i locale. “We were just coming off Hawaii Five-0, a very successful show,” he said of the spinoff’s origins. “People love that setting, it plays well over the globe.”
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tomorrowxtogether · 3 months ago
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Tomorrow X Together to Continue Journey on New Mini Album ‘The Star Chapter: Sanctuary’
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The project is set to arrive in November and follows the K-pop outfit's April EP Minisode 3
TOMORROW X TOGETHER are gearing up for the release of a new mini album, The Star Chapter: Sanctuary, set to arrive Nov. 4.
The K-pop stars announced the new project Monday, Oct. 7, sharing a short, shimmering visualizer, in which the the “X” logo from Tomorrow X Together’s last release, Minisode 3: Tomorrow, transforms into a sparkling star. As of now, however, Tomorrow X Together are only sharing the the mini album’s title and release date, as a track list has yet to be revealed.
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The Star Chapter will mark Tomorrow X Together’s seventh mini album, and second release of 2024 following Minisode 3: Tomorrow, which arrived back in April and featured the single “Deja Vu.” The Star Chapter will kick off a new era in TXT’s ongoing story, building upon the narrative set up in previous installments of their musical journey like The Dream Chapter, The Chaos Chapter, and The Name Chapter. (In between these releases, Tomorrow X Together have shared other projects and EPs, like their Minisode series.) 
Earlier this year, after releasing Minisode 3, Tomorrow X Together embarked on a North American tour that included major shows in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and more cities. The band has a handful of additional gigs lined up this year, including three shows at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, South Korea in early November, as well as a pair of gigs in Osaka in late November and early December.
Tomorrow X Together have also popped up on American television a couple of times this year. In April, ahead of the release of Minisode 3, they performed “Deja Vu” on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Then in May, ahead of their two-night stand at Madison Square Garden in New York, they performed the song again on Good Morning America. 
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dryonsenpai · 1 year ago
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🇬🇧🇪🇦
🇬🇧I'mma just gonna get into it cuz why not? I already expressed my opinion with lfl so idgaf anymore. If you don't like my opinion then just block me cuz I'll block all negative comments sorrynotsorry ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯
The issue is the same: people can't READ & will complain about everything just to get attention or others to say "you're my hero 😍" like the crystals they are
Obviously I'm not talking about the prices, but the stories of the angel cards
People should've expected this just by reading the characters' philias like, hello? One of them is turn3d 0n by corpses & another for murdering. If that wasn't enough, read the warnings of the game. & If that wasn't enough enough, you're literally fück¡ng with Beelzebub & Leviathan while they're dying (bloodshed cards) & in addition to that, angels are not good & Rara (I love that someone calls him that way) is a cannibal 💀
"b-but obey me--" I'M TIRED OF THAT, if you wanna be a softie & play obey me then do so, but don't come at all of us saying "this is unethical cuz you're r4p¡ng the angels 😭". First, it's just a game my dude chill, second, if you feel uncomfortable just ignore it as y'all do with REAL victims, third, you can always uninstall the game & last but not least... R4p3play is a real kink about a consent roleplay.
Now, angels do end up consenting at the end (you can correct me if I'm wrong), but their whole personality is like "I hate demons so I'll never admit I liked it hooray"
I've also seen people complain about Gabi's story the most & like, as if you didn't know the character enough or you can't see the card you're gonna pay for. Welp, most of us would pay for that card if we could but ✨70 bucks paywall✨ so you can consider yourself lucky if you can afford to pay that for a single character on a game cuz most of us are studying adults without an income
Again, you may not like a story & THAT'S OKAY, but you've been warned since the beginning UvUr
🇪🇦Me voy a meter en el meollo, ¿Por qué no? Ya di mi opinión con lfl así que ya todo me vale verdura lol. Si no os gusta mi opinión bloqueadme porque igualmente voy a borrar los comentarios negativos losientoperono ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯
El problema es el mismo: la gente NO sabe leer y se van a quejar por todo para tener atención y que la gente les diga "eres mi héroe 😍" como los cristalitos que son
Obviamente, no hablo de los precios sino de la historia de las cartas de los ángeles
La gente se lo tenía que haber esperado, osea, ¿hola? Uno se pone to burro con los cadáveres y otro por asesinar. Por si no fuera suficiente, hay que leer las advertencias del juego. Y si eso no fuera suficientemente suficiente, te estás tirando a Belcebú y Leviatán mientras se mueren (no sé cómo es el nombre de estas cartas en español pero ya todos sabemos cuales son) y para más inri, los ángeles no son buenecitos y Rara (me encanta que alguien le haya llamado así) es caníbal 💀
"p-pero obey me--" ESTOY CANSADA DE ESA MIERDA, si quieres ser blandito y jugar obey me adelante, pero no nos vengas con "esto no es ético porque estás v¡0l4nd0 a los ángeles 😭". Lo primero, es un juego así que cálmate tío, lo segundo, si no te gusta ignóralo como haces con las víctimas REALES, tercero, siempre puedes desinstalar el juego y por último pero no menos importante... El r4p3play (juego de v¡0l4c¡0n) es un fetiche real y consentido
Ahora, los ángeles acaban consintiendo al final (corregidme si me equivoco), pero su personalidad se basa en "odio a los demonios así que nunca voy a admitir que me gustó yupii"
También he visto que la gente se queja sobre todo de la historia de Gabi como si no conocieran al personaje o no pudieran ver la carta por la que están dispuestos a pagar. Bueno, muchos de nosotros pagaríamos por esa carta si pudiéramos pero ✨70 pavos✨ así que considérate afortunado si te puedes permitir pagar eso por un solo personaje en un juego porque la mayoría de nosotros somos jóvenes adultos sin ingresos
Repito, te puede no gustar una historia y ESO ESTÁ BIEN, pero te advirtieron desde el principio UvUr
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mariacallous · 3 months ago
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In the 2020s, love triangles are all the rage—at least in American literature. The last five years have seen a proliferation of novels about non-traditional triads. Raven Leilani arguably ignited the trend with Luster, followed by Torrey Peters’s Detransition, Baby, Julia May Jonas’s Vladimir, and Jen Beagin’s Big Swiss, among others. Each novel featured a female protagonist armed with a sardonic voice, and each used a love triangle to probe social issues related to sex, power, race, gender, and class.
Mostly, these novels have been about American lust. But a new addition to the list, The Lady Waiting by Polish novelist and filmmaker Magdalena Zyzak, offers an international spin on the genre. This mischievously delightful caper centers on the love triangle between a wealthy American couple and their Polish assistant, who conspire to steal a Vermeer.
Although Zyzak, like her predecessors, is interested in the dynamics of sex and power, she throws a new element into the mix: globalization. The Lady Waiting is, beneath the sex, a story of the global economy, where workers from countries on the periphery do most of the labor for a tiny slice of the pie, while investors from the core economies feast.
The Lady Waiting is the second novel by Zyzak, who was born in Poland but has lived in the United States since she was an undergraduate in the early 2000s. Zyzak writes in caffeinated English: On the spectrum of foreign-born writers who switched to English, she is far closer to Vladimir Nabokov than Joseph Conrad—she never passes up a chance at puns, chiasmus, or word play.
The novel opens when a 23-year-old Polish immigrant, Viva, spots a posh woman in a green cocktail dress standing on an island of Los Angeles’s 101 freeway. Viva stops to offer a ride to the woman, who turns out to be a rich Polish-American named Bobby. Soon, Bobby and her husband, Sleeper, a retired U.S. film director, offer Viva a job. They want her to be their live-in help. “Sleeper says our household needs a wife,” Bobby explains.
Viva has been in the United States for a year and is floundering, going unhired because of her faltering English and her failure to absorb American social norms. (When an interviewer asks what her greatest weakness is, Viva answers, “manipulating”; she doesn’t get the job.) Viva never wanted to come to the country in the first place. But a boyfriend convinced her to enter the green card lottery; when she won, everyone told her she’d be crazy not to cash in the ticket. In Poland, she has a “teaching degree, though nothing to teach”; in America, the only job she can get is as a home aid for an older woman who soon dies.
Viva’s reasons for being in the United States crystallize when she meets Bobby, who strikes her as the kind of woman you see on Los Angeles billboards. Bobby is rich and comfortable being rich. She charms Viva at an expensive lunch in Beverly Hills. The waiter brings out rosé and sharing plates, and Bobby says, in characteristically gleeful free association, “People hate rosé but I love it … Doesn’t give you as much of a headache, as long as it’s a quickie, not an affair. Never date a socialist unless he’s the champagne kind. Oh, hey, socialism! We’re going to share all the plates!”
Viva is intoxicated not just by Bobby’s money but also her command of English. When Viva speaks, she is hobbled by her adopted tongue; in Viva’s narration, though, her internal monologue sounds kind of like Bobby’s dialogue. Explaining her origins, Viva narrates: “The man who had impregnated my mother in a rapeseed field—not a metaphor, a major Polish crop—had ridden a motorcycle.”
After lunch, Bobby takes Viva to an expensive boutique, where she steals a $9,000 dress for her. Viva is distraught—she could lose her green card if she’s an accomplice to a crime.
“Why did you steal it?” Viva asks.
“Because I could afford it,” Bobby says with a shrug.
The dress turns out to be a harbinger. Bobby convinces Viva to steal—or fake-steal, in a move that she claims is “neutral legally”—a Vermeer that went missing from a museum nine years earlier, from her ex-husband, a Russian mobster. The fictional Vermeer, “The Lady Waiting,” is a small portrait of a woman seated in front of a window, gazing at her hands. The ex-husband recently acquired it as repayment for a debt, and he’s looking to return it to a German museum that’s offering a 10 million euro reward.
Her ex is outsourcing the job because it would be difficult for a Russian on the Magnitsky list to claim the reward. If they succeed, the Russian ex will get the majority of the 10 million, paying out a million each to his German lawyer as well as the Americans—Bobby and Sleeper. In a mirroring of globalization, Viva, the laborer brought in to do the actual work and assume the actual risk, will get only 1 percent. But 100,000 euros is a life-changing amount for Viva. It might buy her a ticket on the elusive route from immigrant to expat.
As for the love triangle, Viva sleeps first with Bobby, who excites her in context if not action. (“It was not the technique but the situation—that she was my boss—that aroused me.”) Sleeper excites her in a much more straightforward way: “It was remarkable that other men had never made me come, because the whole thing had taken less than two minutes.” It’s Bobby who pushes her to Sleeper—each of them knows of Viva’s involvement with the other—and every time Viva sleeps with Sleeper, it seems to bring him closer to Bobby. She begins to fall for Sleeper, but also for Bobby, in a confusing way: “Sometimes I like you so much I want to be you,” she tells the latter.
Sleeper and Bobby are idle rich. They live like “nineteenth-century aristocrats,” working little and drinking often, in constant pursuit of drollness. Viva is paid $1,000 a week for an unwritten and varying set of tasks that includes making breakfast, bringing ice to cocktail hour in the hot tub, breaking in Bobby’s shoes, and, implicitly, sex. She is alternately ignored, fawned over, spoiled, and humiliated. “Was their behavior an abuse of power if that power was the very thing that turned me on?” she wonders.
Through Bobby, she gets a taste of American opulence. When she tries on Bobby’s expensive boots, she feels a “desire to own them that was akin to lust or hunger.”
“Poor girls from Poland, Russia, Ukraine in my generation had little to no inoculation against luxury products, communism having wiped out most hereditary wealth,” Viva says. “We’d kill for a pair of designer shoes.” When Viva later climaxes with Sleeper, she fantasizes that she is Bobby, surrounded by designer shoes.
The plot to retrieve the painting goes smoothly, but—spoilers ahead—after Viva brings it back, it is stolen from Bobby’s closet. Viva, Bobby, and Sleeper travel to Venice to hunt down the Vermeer, all the while being tailed by a Russian mafia thug. Abroad, their affair turns more overt, and Viva begins sleeping with the couple together. At one point, she catches Bobby watching her have sex with Sleeper. Viva later tells Bobby that she wants to be the one spectating. Bobby replies, “do you really think I care to know what’s in your bird brain? This is my fantasy. Mine, not yours.”
This is when Viva begins to realize, if she hadn’t already, that she is on the lowest rung of this ladder, and if she wants money, power, or choice, she’ll have to break out of the system. She tracks the now thrice-stolen Vermeer to a mining town in Poland, where she buys it from an old lady storing it in her car for a little more than $1,000. The woman lives in a communist housing bloc where, “in an apathetic nod to individualism, each cube was painted a different, faded underwear color: gray-white, dull red, brown-pink, lint blue.” When Viva talks to the woman, she notices in her mouth “a gap from a missing canine, a tiny black door to the mean world I’d escaped, a world where you’re reduced, one indignation at a time, by cheap dentists, expensive priests, needy parents, treacherous children.”
Viva’s emigration isn’t easy for the Americans in the novel to understand. She didn’t leave Poland to pursue a dream: “Where I’m from, fantasies tend to be about revenge, not aspiration.” Nor is she, as a friend of Bobby’s assumes, fleeing “some hellhole where men raped sheep and women gave birth in ditches.” Poland, which acceded to the European Union in 2004, is something of a development success story, and it’s often seen by its neighbors to the east as a land of prosperity and opportunity. But opportunity is relative.
In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 2013 novel Americanah, a Nigerian émigré says of the white people in his adopted country:
they would not understand the need to escape from the oppressive lethargy of choicelessness. They would not understand why people like him, who were raised well fed and watered but mired in dissatisfaction, conditioned from birth to look towards somewhere else, eternally convinced that real lives happened in that somewhere else, were now resolved to do dangerous things, illegal things, so as to leave, none of them starving, or raped, or from burned villages, but merely hungry for choice.
Viva ambivalently left the “shabby comfort” of home for opportunity. But once she’s walked in the shoes of her U.S. employers’ blend of boundless optimism and reckless shortsightedness, she can’t go back. She swipes the painting, cuts off contact with Bobby and Sleeper, travels to Berlin, gets her own German lawyer, and claims the reward. The consequence of her actions quickly becomes clear when she sees that Interpol has declared Bobby and Sleeper missing, last seen in Russia.
In the real world, it would likely be the worker who bore the consequence of a scheme gone sideways. But Zyzak’s world is more just than ours, in a sense, while still adhering to the hierarchy. Here it’s the wealthy American investors who must answer for their actions and Viva who claims their spot as the aspirational rich.
Toward the end of the story, Viva’s German lawyer recommends that she give up her green card and settle in a tax haven such as the Cayman Islands to keep more of her reward money.
“I think I want to keep my green card,” she says.
“May I ask why?” the lawyer asks.
“Because,” Viva says, “I won it in the lottery.”
Viva may be a millionaire now. But more importantly, she’s an American.
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echoandreflections · 3 months ago
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Behind The Scenes
Chapter 1:
Six days before the start of filming. Los Angeles
If you had told Percy a few years ago that getting a degree was the easy part of adult life, he would have laughed in your face.
Okay maybe not laughed, but he would have probably not believed you.
Who knew that Four years of absolute hell at school could burn out someone so much? Pretty much everyone but still. Getting the degree was supposed to be the hard part, not finding a job after his studies.
To be honest with himself, Percy was more so surprised to have been able to last four years in school without any major accident than he was at the lack of job offers for marine biologists in New York.
It’s not that the jobs didn’t exist, but his lack of on field experience was a huge turn off to most, leaving jobs interviews to be few and far between.
It’s hard to get that “On field experience” when no jobs even want to hire him so he can even get it. And as much as Percy loves volunteering, it’s not his good heart that is going to help pay his and his mother’s bills.
Which left him with only one option.
Helping his mother run the Jackson bakery until he was finally able to find something else to do with his life. It wasn’t so bad honestly.
He could live at home and take some weight off of Sally’s shoulder. A win-win situation.
Except maybe for the fact that his mother’s bakery is so well known she gets invited to The Los Angeles Sweet Festival(LASF) every year, or as Percy liked to call it; Lame as fuck.
Now don’t get him wrong. The success of the bakery is a welcome change after the years of financial instability they had to live through, especially after Sally’s initial divorce from Smelly Gabe. The F’cker had stolen most of Sally’s savings to gamble it all off, leaving a twelve years old Percy and his mom on the verge of eviction.
But that was the past. The present was, thankfully, different enough. Their booth inside of the massive tent at the festival had been awarded the best cookies award four years in a row, meaning that the line of their shop was never truly empty.
Last year, the Jackson’s booth had been so popular even Thalia had to come up to help. Something that never had happened before.
This year wasn’t such a different story. Thalia and Frank helped Sally around their main booth while Percy managed the beach booth.
Having a side booth was a new addition to the festival that had both its good and bad sides. On one end, the beach booth was usually filled with families trying to buy sweets after a long day at the beach, meaning sales were pretty much destined to happen. On the other hand, the small tent over Percy's head did very little to protect him from the California heat and sun.
Talk about suffering from success.
Frank had volunteered to be the one to take care of the side booth but Percy had refused, not wanting his friend to be stuck under the sun for the whole day when he could just be with the rest of the booths where fans and air conditioning was often offered.
Percy started regretting his decisions to not let Frank take care of this around the second hour of offering small kids blue donuts while their parents talked and absently handed him money.
Not being able to just abandon his seat and take a lap around the water was pure torture, especially considering he didn’t often get the occasion to just spend a day at the beach. The smell of the salty air was tempting him to just take off his shirt and take a dive. Feeling the summer air hit his face in a gentle whisper of warmth, Percy sighted, deciding to take a break once the stock of blue pastries and sweets ran out.
It’s not like he would have anything else to do after he sold out of everything.
The air cooled slightly as the sun neared the horizon, the orange hues in the sky a clear reminder of the hours passing by as Percy finally closed the “shop”, offering a little blond girl passing by the last of the blue cookies in stock. She smiled, showing her missing front tooth as she took a big bite of the cookie, blue crumbs coloring her cheeks as she ran back to where her mother was waving, offering Percy a thank you before they left.
Percy couldn’t help the small strain on his heart as the little girl left. He wondered if Estelle would look like this in a few years. Missing tooth and all.
They had only left for two days and Percy already missed his baby sister.
Phone pressed against his ear, he told Thalia he was done for the day as he started putting back everything in the storage box he had bought especially for this purpose. His cousin told him to rest as tomorrow they would need his help as the final day of the festival was usually the busiest.
He walked the box down to his car before throwing his shirt on top of the box in his trunk and running back to the water, finding a particularly deep spot in the water and diving in without a second thought.
If Sally had seen this, she would have pestered him about checking the water for sharp rocks before diving. Thankfully, as Percy’s feet met the soft ocean floor, only sand surrounded him. A weight lifted off his shoulder, the cool water was exactly what he needed after a day of (unintentional) tanning.
Small fishes swam around him and Percy couldn’t help the string of chuckle spewing from his throat.
He always felt drawn to the ocean, whether it was because it was where his parents met or simply because it felt like the only place where none of his worries truly mattered. After all, what is a man in the immensity of the ocean?
As he let the water pass over his head, Percy was flooded with every possible emotion even remotely close to happiness. Nostalgia. Joy. Delight. Glee. Elation. Exhilaration.
This was it.
He was never getting out of the water ever again.
Thalia and Frank would have to wrestle him out of the water, and even then he might just jump back in it.
He didn't know what heaven tastes like but at that moment, he was pretty sure it felt like the salty water of the Pacific on his tongue with seaweed in his hair and sand between his toes.
Nothing could ever beat this.
As Percy laid in the water, ignoring the burning sensation from opening his eyes underwater to watch as fishes swam around him, a black shape near the floor of sand caught his attention. The figure moved at the rhythm of the waves, like a cloth flag dancing around its pole on a windy day. At first, Percy thought it was nothing more than some seaweed stuck under a bed of rock, but as he got closer, he noticed a white emblem peeking out from under the rock. Moving quickly, he swam closer to it, catching the shape in one hand and tugging on it until it finally broke off from its cage of rock. Swimming back to the surface, Percy looked down at the object in his hand, eyes still blurry from all the salt.
Half of a yankee’s cap sat in his hand. Frowning in confusion, Percy checked under the rock a second time, making sure the other half of the cap wasn’t under it before looking at the cap again.
He couldn’t help but wonder how this cap ended up so far from its home town. He himself had a matching one in dark blue in his room, all the way back in New york.
Percy shrugged as he slowly walked out of the water, planning to find a trash can to just dispose of it. If his marine biology degree taught him anything, it’s that people often throw things in the sea instead of simply walking a few meters to find a trash can. He obviously wasn’t going to let a random cap in the water, not wanting any marine species to accidentally eat a piece of cloth and die.
The sun finally touched the horizon as Percy found a trash can, but before he could walk to it the sound of a woman screaming behind him made him falter in his steps.
Turning around, he was faced by a blond woman a few inches smaller than him. Her hair curled around her face, either naturally or from the humidity, creating a halo of light around her head as the dying rays of the sun reflected on them. She would’ve looked like an angel with her athletic tan body, carefully shown off by her lilac bikini set and matching sheer loose cover skirt tied at the side of her hip (not that Percy was looking), if she wasn’t currently glaring at him. She looked exactly like the type of woman he expected to see here in California, that is with the exception of her striking gray eyes. So gray he could’ve sworn he saw the start of a storm in them. That or the daggers she was throwing at him with her eyes altered the way they looked.
-”What do you think you’re doing?” She asked, looking up at him as her arms crossed over her chest.
-”What?” Percy looked around him, wondering if he was getting pranked.
The pretty girl snatched the cap from his hand as Percy continued to look around for hidden cameras, her brows furrowing even more as she examined it.
She chuckled dryly as she looked back up at him, looking ready to just push him in the water and keep his head underwater.
She pushed the thorn cap in front of his face.”Why would you steal it just to destroy it, you…” She left the phrase hanging.
Percy gently pushed the cap away, giving her a sheepish smile.” I am sorry, I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I just found it like this earlier while swimming. I had no idea it was yours”
The woman only seemed more annoyed at his response, turning the cap around in her hand and pointing at a small tag Percy hadn’t noticed earlier. The name “Annabeth” had been written on it, the ink blurred either from the water damage or simply time.
-”Stop lying to me now.” She shook her head, a look of betrayal on her face. As if Percy had just stabbed this random woman in the back by simply finding what he thought was trash while swimming. “Who sent you?” She demanded “Was it that crazy Josh again? The police said he was in custody. Was he the one that hired you to steal this from me? How did he even find out I was here? Who leaked it?”
The series of questions made Percy dizzy then worried. Who even was this woman for her to think he was some crazy stalker. She did look familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it, not that it was what mattered at the moment. He needed to calm her down before anything.
-”Listen lady, I think this is all a really big misunderstanding.” He tried smiling at her, hoping he would maybe look less threatening. From the way she took a step back, anger still in her eyes, he didn’t think it worked. “Like I said, I was just swimming and found it under a rock earlier. It was already torn when I found it.”
The woman, Annabeth, he assumed her name was from the tag, didn’t seem to believe a single word coming out of his mouth.
-”Forget it” She spit back at him, turning away just as Percy noticed water forming at the bottom of her eyes.
He tried catching her arm, not wanting to be the reason a girl cried, but she ran away before he could do anything.
________
It was only on the ride back to the hotel, while telling Frank about the strange encounter he had, that he realized the identity of the mysterious beach girl.
Annabeth Chase.
Also known as one of the biggest Pop starscurrently.
Frank laughed so hard, Percy swore he could see tears streaming down his face, even if Frank had the decency to at least hide his face behind his hands.
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vintagelasvegas · 1 year ago
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Westside School (1923) – 330 W Washington Ave. Oldest surviving school house in Las Vegas.
This was the second school house in Las Vegas when it opened as Branch No. 1, Las Vegas Grammar School, in September 1923, for kindergarten through 8th grade. Las Vegas schools were integrated in the 1920s. In the 30s & 40s, segregationist barriers rose in the public and private sector, including racially restrictive covenants to added to deeds, and the City's refusal to renew licenses of African American-owned businesses downtown unless owners moved to the Westside. Segregation in public education increased as a result, as elementary schools on the Westside filled with African American children whose families were restricted from living in other Las Vegas neighborhoods.
The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was completely renovated in 2015/2016 by KME Architects. 
Timeline of Westside School:
• '23: Original building, two rooms. Allison & Allison of Los Angeles, architect.  • '28: Original building expanded with two additional rooms.  • '46: Las Vegas School District's first African American teacher, Mabel Hoggard at Westside School.  • '48: Annex building addition, west side of the parcel, eight classrooms and administration office. A.L. Worswick, Las Vegas, architect.  • '55/56: Clark County School District (CCSD) formed. • '60: a one-room addition constructed on the east end of the north wing of the building  • '67: Closed as a school house.  • '74: School Board of Trustees sale of the school to Economic Opportunity Board of Clark County (EOD).  • '77: Renovation to accommodate offices of EOD and radio station KCEP. 
Photo by Dave Chawla, via Saving Places. Sources: “Old Town People Petition for Branch Grammar School.” Las Vegas Age, 2/11/22; “Las Vegas Public School Block a Credit to the City,” Las Vegas Age, 12/30/22; E. Moehring, Resort City in the Sunbelt, Las Vegas (UNLV Press, '89); C. White. “The March That Never Happened.” Nevada Law Journal, Vol. 5, Fall 2004; B. Williams, T. Harris. Westside School Alumni Stories (2012); National Register of Historic Places. Las Vegas Grammar School. Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. National Register (2015).
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narrycherries · 6 months ago
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love of my life : the playlist
⋆。°✩ ⋆⁺。˚⋆˙‧₊✩₊‧˙⋆˚。⁺⋆ ✩°。⋆
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the following playlist is subject to change with new additions // the artists are listed alphabetically, not in any particular order — the songs are also not listed in any particular order // these songs are picked based on my personal music preferences // if you’re wanting to listen to the playlist, feel free to remove any artists you don’t like :) ** these songs will span the entire story.
⋆。°✩ ⋆⁺。˚⋆˙‧₊✩₊‧˙⋆˚。⁺⋆ ✩°。⋆
˖⁺‧₊˚ love of my life :: the playlist ˚₊‧⁺˖
˖⁺‧₊˚ adele ˚₊‧⁺˖
take it all
all I ask
˖⁺‧₊˚ ariana grande ˚₊‧⁺˖
off the table
pov
love me harder
supernatural
safety net
˖⁺‧₊˚ bailey zimmerman ˚₊‧⁺˖
rock and a hard place
never leave
˖⁺‧₊˚ christina aguilera ˚₊‧⁺˖
unless it’s with you
˖⁺‧₊˚ cody johnson ˚₊‧⁺˖
the painter
˖⁺‧₊˚ colbie calliat ˚₊‧⁺˖
worth it
˖⁺‧₊˚ demi lovato ˚₊‧⁺˖
easy (noah cyrus)
˖⁺‧₊˚ harry styles ˚₊‧⁺˖
canyon moon
golden
fine line
woman
daydreaming
daylight
late night talking
little freak
matilda
satellite
love of my life
falling
meet me in the hallway
from the dining table
˖⁺‧₊˚ kacey musgraves ˚₊‧⁺˖
cherry blossom
angel
easier said
heaven is
butterflies
love is a wild thing
golden hour
too good to be true
lonely millionaire
ruthless
˖⁺‧₊˚ lady gaga ˚₊‧⁺˖
always remember us this way
is that alright
i’ll never love again
˖⁺‧₊˚ lana del rey ˚₊‧⁺˖
love
cinnamon girl
cherry
love song
california
the greatest
˖⁺‧₊˚ miley cyrus ˚₊‧⁺˖
rose colored lenses
wild card
bottom of the ocean
you
never be me
angels like you
˖⁺‧₊˚ niall horan ˚₊‧⁺˖
put a little love on me
still
san francisco
black & white
save my life
too much to ask
you could start a cult
flicker
if you leave me
must be love
˖⁺‧₊˚ one direction ˚₊‧⁺˖
right now
strong
you & I
long way down
love you goodbye
what a feeling
if I could fly
where do broken hearts go
end of the day
infinity
˖⁺‧₊˚ pat benatar ˚₊‧⁺˖
heartbreaker
˖⁺‧₊˚ selena gomez ˚₊‧⁺˖
crowded room
souvenir
nobody
˖⁺‧₊˚ SZA ˚₊‧⁺˖
nobody gets me
˖⁺‧₊˚ taylor swift ˚₊‧⁺˖
the prophecy
begin again (taylor’s version)
sweet nothing
peace
dancing with our hands tied
I don’t wanna live forever
delicate
gold rush
ivy
wildest dreams (taylor’s version)
midnight rain
cornelia street
false god
afterglow
all of the girls you loved before
tis the damn season
treacherous (taylor’s version)
the 1
this love (taylor’s version)
maroon
state of grace (acoustic version)
happiness
back to december (taylor’s version)
sad beautiful tragic (taylor’s version)
˖⁺‧₊˚ tove lo ˚₊‧⁺˖
come undone
mateo
stay over
anywhere u go
˖⁺‧₊˚ zayn ˚₊‧⁺˖
dusk till dawn
˖⁺‧₊˚ 5 seconds of summer ˚₊‧⁺˖
lover of mine
best years
complete mess
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andydrysdalerogers · 1 year ago
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Sliding Into Home ~ D N A: Diane Nicole Adler
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Pairing: MLB!Frank Adler x Abigail Hernandez (OFC)
Synopsis:
After a trade from Boston to Los Angeles, first baseman Frank Adler would seem to have it all. Money, women, an amazing niece, yes Frank should have it all. Except for one thing. One thing that left after a mistake five years ago. Los Angeles should be the chance to start over. Except she is supposed to be in Boston. Not his new medical director.
* A Frank Adler AU x Major League Baseball Story**
Warning: ANGST (i can't stress this enough), second chances, cheating, S~M~U~T!!, slow burn, drug use, abandonment issues, betrayal, domestic violence (i may have missed some), flashbacks
Dividers by me
I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated
Previous: WTF Just Happened!
Sliding Into Home Master List Main Masterlist
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Frank paces in the hallway as the doctors do a check up on Abby.  
Diane.  
The name has haunted him since the last time he saw her. Eight years.  It had been eight years since he had seen his little sister. This is not how he wanted this to go.  
“Mr. Adler?” 
Frank whipped around and looked at Cricket’s doctor.  “Is she ok?” 
“She’s doing well.  Her injuries are healing but we would like to keep her for a few more days to make sure there is no additional swelling to the brain and that there is no internal bleeding from the blows to the torso.  Her scans are clear, so this is just a precaution.”  
“Of course.” Frank swallowed.  “She wants to bring our niece in. Would that be ok?” 
“As long as she takes it easy, I see no problem.  But she needs to rest Mr. Adler.”  
“She will.  I’ll make sure after she speaks to the detectives. Thank you.” Frank offered a weak smile.  
“Have faith, Mr. Adler. She is past the worst.” The doctor patted his shoulder and walked away.  Frank took a breath before entering Abby’s room.  
She was sitting up better now and smiled when she saw Frank.  “Hi baby.”  
“Hi Cricket.”  He leaned and kissed her forehead. “How are you feeling?” 
“Sore and tired. Confused,” she frowned. “I don’t remember getting here.”  
“One of the neighbors heard you screaming and called it in. I didn’t find out until the morning because they couldn’t get a hold of management.” Frank smoothed her hair. “I should have gone with you. I knew something might happened. I should have protected you.” His face broke a little. Abby reached up to cup his face.  
“This is not your fault, Frankie. Please don’t blame yourself.”  Abby sighed and massaged her temple.  
“Are you hurting?” 
“A little,” she admitted.  
“C’mon, lay back.”  He helped her back to lay down. He took a seat next to her, took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Cricket, I’m so sorry.”  
“This is not your fault Frankie.  Please don’t apologize.” Abby sighed. “I know you are waiting to talk so I don’t have to repeat myself but what are you thinking?” 
“Diane. Mike. I’m just... confused, angry, scared. I’m worried about you, Mary, our family, just everything Cricket.” Frank laid his head on her lap, and she ran her fingers through his hair. “What if I lost you? “ 
“You didn’t baby.  I’m right here.” Abby kept his that way for a few moments before the door opened and a knock came through. “Dr. Hernandez?”  
“Yes?” 
“Hello, I’m Detective Stabler and my partner Detective Benson. We have taken over your case and have some questions for you.  May we?” 
“Of course.  This is my husband, Frank Adler”. Frank shook the detectives hands before sitting down again and taking Abby’s hand.  
“It's nice to meet you. I wish it was under better circumstances,” Detective Stabler said.  “Dr. Hernandez...”  
“Abby, please.  Call me Abby.”  
“Of course, Abby. Can you tell me what happened when you went home?”  
“Well, I went from the stadium to my home that I was sharing with my ex, Michael Weiss. Umm,” she looked at Frank. He nodded and she took a breath. “I was leaving him because Frank and I had reunited and had gotten married a couple of weeks ago. I thought he was still back east so I felt safe to collect my things so I could take them to Frank’s.”  
“He was in the home?” 
“Yeah, I don’t know how.  We own a ring camera, and it should have gone off when someone approached the door.  But my phone never alerted me. I went in and was looking at the mail when he surprised me.” Frank’s grip tightened on Abby’s hand.  
“Hello Beautiful.”  
Abby jumped at his voice.  “Mike! You’re back early.”  
“I am. Funny how you weren’t home.” 
“Yeah, I was at the stadium getting paperwork done from the road trip.  How was work?”  Abby tried to remain calm.  
“Informative.  Care to explain these?” He threw down photos in front of her.  
Abby picked them up and saw photos from Vegas, from the benefit and from LAX.  “Mike,” she whispered.   
“You’re mine, Abigal, he growled. MINE!”  He backed her up into a corner, crowding her.  “And if I can’t have you, then no one will.” 
“When he said that, I picked up the metal baseball bat we keep by the front door.  I told him to stay away from me.  I think he remembered all the batting lessons Frank had taught us over the years and stepped back.”  
“Did he say anything else?” 
“Only that I was going to regret this, and it wasn’t over. But he left, through the garage door and I leaned against the wall.  I was about to call Frank when I was hit from behind. I fell but turned over.” Her voice shook. “I saw who hit me and before I could say anything else, she kicked me in the ribs. I couldn’t breathe and I just tried to protect myself as best I could.”  
A tear ran down her cheek, but Abby didn’t stop.  “She kept yelling at me that it was my fault that she lost her family, that I ruined everything. That Frank would never forgive her, so it was better that I just be removed so he knew the same pain as she did.”  Abby swallowed.  “She said it would have been better if Mike had stayed with them instead of being obsessed with me just like her brother. That’s why she gave away Mary. To hurt Mike but it didn’t.”  
“Diane,” Frank breathed, “she did this?” 
Abby nodded.  “She said that she didn’t want Mary, but she didn’t want us to have her either.” Abby leaned into Frank.  He climbed into the bed as gently as he could to hold her.  
“Is this Diane, your sister Mr. Adler?” Detective Benson asked.  
“Frank and yes. She abandoned Mary with us eight years ago and we are her legal guardians. When Abby and I separated, I didn’t change the paperwork. I couldn’t.” He kissed Abby’s head as she continued to cry softly. “Diane was or is a drug addict. She wasn’t given visitation rights because of it. But this information about Mike staying with her is new. I never knew that they were in a relationship or had one, I guess.”  
“Do you think he knows?” Stabler asked.  
“I don’t know but I would assume yes,” Abby sniffled. “Mike is a manipulative man. He had, umm... fuck I’m sorry Frankie. He had hit me a couple of times before, grabbed me and left marks.” Abby buried her head into Frank’s chest.  
“Abby, I’m sorry but is there anything else you can tell us? What Diane look like or what was she wearing?”  
“Her hair is still blonde, longer, like to her shoulders.  She is still really skinny, but she was wearing a blue hoodie and jeans.  The doctors think she was wearing steel toe shoes because of my injuries.”  
“We have a copy of your medical records,” Benson said. “I’m really sorry that this is happening.  We are looking for Mr. Weiss and Miss Adler. We’ll be in touch.”  The detectives left and Frank and Abby stayed in each other’s arms for a while.  
“Cricket, why didn’t you tell me?” 
Abby sighed. “Tell me what you would have done if I had told you?” 
“I would have killed him,” he told her with a straight face.  
“That’s why. Baby, you have a future hall of fame career and a child to care for.”   
“I could really care less about my career, but I’ll give you the Mary thing.” Frank held her a little tighter. “God, Cricket, I don’t understand why Diane did this and how she got into the house. And why Mike was ok with all of this?”  
“I’ve been thinking the same questions, Frank.” Abby shook her head. “None of it makes sense.  Except the obsession thing.  I see that now. After what you told me what happened in Las Vegas, I’m almost certain Mike was the one who slipped you the mickey.”  
“The mickey? Really Abigail with the street terms.” Frank gave her a look before he smiled.  “I’m so proud.”  
“Shut it.”  She sighed and leaned back into him. “What do we do?”  
“We’ll talk to management and see what they recommend. I’ll ask Todd, Andy and Steve to meet us here since you won’t be released in time for that meeting.  We’ll have to announce the marriage Cricket.”  
Abby wrinkles her nose. “Are the groupies going to cry? Sexy baseball player Frank Adler off the market.” She made a dramatic sigh as Frank rolled his eyes.  
“Yes, just like all the single guys on the team will be drooling over my wife now. Hoo-ray.” The sarcasm dripped from Frank. Abby smiled softly. “Seriously Cricket, I couldn’t give a fuck about the jersey chasers. I got the woman of my dreams.”  
“Oh Frankie, that’s so sweet.” Abby leaned up and kissed his cheek.  “Now, when do I get to see my girl?” 
“Scott is bringing her by in an hour. Doctor said you could shower as long as someone is in the room.” Frank smirked. “I could help you.”  
“Frankie, if I thought my ribs could take it, I would take you up on that offer.”  
Frank laughed.  “I know baby. C’mon, an easy shower it is.”  
An hour later, a knock on the door. Abby grasped Frank hand tightly. “It’ll be ok Cricket.” She nodded before Frank called out. “Come in.” 
Scott opened the door slowly and walked in with Mary in Johnny’s arms. “Hi Mary,” Abby said softly.  Mary took a long look at Abby before burying her head in Johnny’s shoulder and began sobbing. Frank stood up and took his little girl in his arms. “It’s ok Nugget.  She’s gonna be ok.”  
Mary’s tear stained face looked back at Abby. “Who hurt you?”  
“Let’s not talk about that right now Nugget.” Abby’s eyes were holding back the tears. Mary wiggled out of Frank’s arms and climbed into bed with Abby.  She laid on her shoulder and wrapped her little arm around Abby. Abby bent her head and kissed Mary’s head. “I’m gonna be ok, Nugget.” 
“You promise?” Mary’s small voice breaks everyone’s hearts. 
“I promise. I just need to rest for a couple of weeks, and we’ll get right back at it, ok?” Mary snuggled further into her as Abby turned back to the guys.  “Hi.”  
“Hey Doc,” Johnny says with a smile. “Quite a scare you gave us. This one,” thumbing at Frank, “was a hot mess.” 
“I was not,” Frank grumbled. “I was worried about my wife.”  
“Yeah, let’s come back to that,” Johnny says with a twinkle in his eye. “When did that happen?” 
“A couple of weeks ago at a hotel,” Mary offers, before anyone can say anything. “I was Abby’s maid of honor. She was so pretty that day.”  
Frank dropped his head as Scott snickered and Abby blushed. “Really? And you didn’t think to invite me?” Johnny feigned his indignation. “I’m supposed to be your best friend, Adler.”  
“I’m his best friend, Storm,” Scott said with a shove. “You’re my backup.” Johnny snorted.  
“Guys, knock it off,” Frank said. “You’re both my best friends, ok? And Johnny, you were playing that day. It really was a day between when I asked Abby and when we did it.  Frankly,” he rubbed the back of his neck, “I’m surprised no one had spilled before now.”  
“Why are you keeping it a secret?” Scott asked. “I thought you of all people, would be shouting it from the rooftops. I mean, the way you were moping over the good doctor and how you never had...” 
“We really don’t have to talk about that,” Frank interrupts, looking at his wife with a sheepish grin. “Look, Cricket, I concentrated on raising Nugget and baseball, ok. I was not...” 
“Pining like a fool after a girl,” Johnny offered.  
Abby giggled a little, then groaned. “Ouch,” she moaned, holding her ribs.  
“Baby, take it easy.” Frank went back to his seat next to her. “I can call security and kick them out if you want.” He kissed her hand.  
“This is our family, Frankie, and it makes me happy they are here.” She cupped his cheek. “I’m ok.” A knock at the door. “Come in,” she called out.  
In came Todd Phelps, Frank’s agent Steve and his lawyer Andy.  “Oh, hi guys,” Frank stood up to shake their hands.  
“Dr. Hernandez, it's nice to see you again.”  Andy offers his hand to Abby. “I’m sorry it had to be under these circumstances.”  
“Andy, it's nice to see you again.  Steve, Todd, what’s going on?” 
Todd cleared his throat. “Well, ownership asked me to come check on you after the police had called the organization for your emergency contact.  And, well, with the conversation we had before you left that day, I wanted to get a head of any story that may come out.”  
“Frank called me for the same reason,” Steve offered.  “Wanna tell us what’s the situation?” 
“Mary, why don’t we find a drink and snack while they talk,” Scott offered.  Mary carefully climbed off the bed, hugged Steve and Andy before looking up at Todd.  “Is Frank in trouble?” 
“No, darlin’, not at all.”  
“Ok, good, because he promised me that he would make it to the All Star game so I could visit my friends in Boston,” she replied, a matter of factly. “Plus, I want to see Abuelo and Abuela. Hey Scott, can we look online to see if we can get them something?” 
Frank looked dizzy at all the words coming from Mary’s mouth as she and Scott walked out of the room.  He looked back at his wife, who shrugged, before returning his attention to the rest of the group. “Is it ok if Johnny stays?” 
“Up to you,” Andy replies.  “First things first, Abby, I have filed a restraining order of your behalf against Mike.  The police report should be more than enough but as soon as you can, I need your medical report as well.”  
“And what about Diane?” 
“Diane?” Steve looked at them confused.  “What about her?” 
Frank looked at Abby who nodded. “We are not sure about their connection, but we think Mike and Diane are working together.  Diane was the one who attacked Abby.  She said something that we need to figure out.” 
“Like what?” Andy asked, taking notes.  
“The possibility that Mary could be his daughter.” Everyone freezes.  “Andy, I need to know what our rights will be if he comes after us for custody.” 
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@patzammit @texmexdarling @slutforchrisjamalevans @firephotogrl74 @before-we-get-started @bunnyforhim @tinkerbelle67 @jennmurawski13-writes
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onlydylanobrien · 11 months ago
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Fox’s MarVista Launches Tideline Entertainment; First Movie Under New Label Is Dylan O’Brien Sex-Worker Mob Tale ‘Ponyboi’ – Sundance
By Anthony D'Alessandro January 19, 2024 2:00pm
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EXCLUSIVE: Fox Entertainment and its in-house studio division MarVista Entertainment are launching Tideline Entertainment, a production label that will focus on creating impactful and meaningful content with unique perspectives from differentiated storytellers, voices and creators worldwide.
Under the leadership of Hannah Pillemer, MarVista’s EVP and Head of Creative & Production, Tideline projects will range from movies and indie films to limited series, made-for-platform content and other cross-genre formats based on what best supports each creative vision.
The first project under Tideline is the Esteban Arango-directed Ponyboi, which is being sold by Mark Ankner in partnership with 30Kft out of Sundance; the pic premieres Saturday in the fest’s U.S. Dramatic Competition section. The movie, written by River Gallo and starring Teen Wolf‘s Dylan O’Brien, follows a young intersex sex worker forced to confront their past while running from the mob after a drug deal goes sideways.
“The tideline is the mark left by the tide when it reaches its highest point. We envision the Tideline banner to be synonymous with the most impactful genre storytelling and the home for creators to be their authentic selves as they share their stories with the world,” said Pillemer. “Under this vision, Tideline is already supporting exciting and important projects, starting with Esteban Arango’s tremendous film Ponyboi.”
“I have always believed that we must continue to build and evolve as a studio and storytellers, and now, as we celebrate MarVista’s 20th anniversary and our second year as a part of the Fox Entertainment family, our growth story continues,” said Fernando Szew, CEO of MarVista Entertainment and Fox Entertainment Global. “Today we are proud to establish Tideline as our new in-house production unit, allowing us to emphatically broaden the stories we will bring to the world.”
In addition to Ponyboi, first titles to bear the Tideline label include 2023’s comedy First Time Female Director, which made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival and was directed, written and stars Chelsea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Girl) in her actual directorial debut and produced by Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions. First Time Female Director was acquired by Roku Originals out of Tribeca. Also on the roster are three upcoming films from first-time female directors: satirical thriller Slanted by Amy Wang (From Scratch, Crazy Rich Asians 2) , the action comedy The BM from director Rachel Goldberg (Resident Evil, American Gods), and the coming-of-age story Hurricane Summer directed by Lacey Duke (Queen Sugar).
First Time Female Director is about a woman who must fill the shoes of her problematic predecessor to avoid putting her play in jeopardy, while upcoming Slanted is about an Asian American high schooler so desperate to be prom queen that she undergoes radical treatment to change her racial identity, The BM follows a young woman whose desperate search for a bathroom gets her inadvertently caught up in a bizarre heist across Los Angeles. Hurricane Summer, adapted from the bestselling book, tells the story of Tilla, a Jamaican-Canadian woman who experiences growth and devastation the summer she turns 18.
Source: deadline.com
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David Crosby, who has died aged 81, was a premier-league rock’n’roll star twice. In the mid-1960s he was a founder member of the Byrds, the Los Angeles band often credited with inventing the genre “folk-rock”. This was defined by their shimmering recording of Bob Dylan’s Mr Tambourine Man, its distinctive harmonies and chiming 12-string guitar carrying it to the top of the charts in Britain and the US in 1965.
Arrogant and argumentative, Crosby was sacked from the Byrds in 1967, but, after producing Joni Mitchell’s debut album, Song to a Seagull, he found an ideal berth with Crosby, Stills and Nash. It was a group of distinct individuals who wrote their own songs, but together they created one of the great harmony-singing blends in pop history. Their debut album, Crosby Stills & Nash (1969), was an immediate smash, and proved hugely influential on a rising generation of west coast artists. Crosby’s long hair, walrus moustache and buckskin jacket made him look like a frontiersman for the Age of Aquarius. Their second album, Déjà Vu (1970), with the addition of Neil Young, and the band becoming Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (CSNY), felt like the crowning moment of a California golden age. It topped the US chart, reached No 5 in the UK and has sold 14m copies.
The members then embarked on solo ventures and their reunions grew increasingly rare, though they reformed for a stadium tour in 1974, a lavishly wasteful affair that Crosby nicknamed “the Doom tour”. A major obstacle was that Crosby, a regular marijuana and LSD user, would succumb to a ferocious addiction to crack cocaine, with near-fatal consequences. This came to a head on 28 March 1982, when he was arrested by the California Highway Patrol after he crashed his car into the central divider on the Interstate 405 highway. Police found freebasing paraphernalia and a .45-calibre pistol in the car, and it was later determined that Crosby had suffered a seizure from “toxic saturation”.
A couple of weeks later he was arrested again on similar charges, this time at a Dallas nightclub where he was performing. A spell in a rehab facility in New Jersey failed when Crosby fled the premises. His decline from prince of west coast rock aristocracy to struggling addict was halted only when he was jailed in Texas in 1986, following yet another drugs-and-firearms arrest.
In 1985, Spin magazine had told its readers “The Tragic Story of David Crosby’s Living Death”, but after being paroled from Huntsville prison in August 1986, Crosby staged a remarkable comeback. He marked his return with the enthralling autobiography Long Time Gone (1988) and the solo album Oh Yes I Can (1989). He would make six further solo discs, in addition to Crosby & Nash (2004), two albums with Stills and Nash (Live It Up in 1990 and After the Storm, 1994) and American Dream and Looking Forward with CSNY (1988 and 1999). In 1987 he married Jan Dance, who had survived her own addiction purgatory alongside him. Shortly after being diagnosed with hepatitis C, in 1994 he underwent a liver transplant, the operation paid for by Phil Collins (Crosby had sung on Collins’s 1989 hit Another Day in Paradise), and bounced back with renewed energy.
Born in Los Angeles, he was the second son of the cinematographer Floyd Crosby and his first wife, Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead, a scion of the influential Van Cortlandt dynasty. Floyd came from an upper-class New York background, his father having been the treasurer of the Union Pacific Railroad, and his mother the daughter of a renowned surgeon. He had tried his hand at banking in New York before working on documentary films in the South Pacific (including FW Murnau’s Tabu, for which he won an Oscar) and eventually moving to Hollywood, where he won a Golden Globe award for his work on Fred Zinnemann’s western High Noon and made numerous films with Roger Corman.
David’s early musical influences included classical music and jazz as well as the Everly Brothers and bluesman Josh White, and he recalled how he would take the harmony parts when the family would gather to sing extracts from The Fireside Book of Folk Songs. A trip with his mother to hear a symphony orchestra “was the most intense experience I can remember from my early life” (as he wrote in Long Time Gone), because it illustrated how musicians could collaborate “to make something bigger than any one person could ever do”.
He attended the exclusive Crane school in Montecito, California, then Cate boarding school in Carpinteria. Though intelligent, he regarded academic work with contempt and refused to apply himself. One area where he did shine was in musical stage shows, such as his performance as the First Lord of the Admiralty in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. He subsequently attended Santa Barbara City College, but quit and moved to LA to study acting. However, music was becoming his true focus, and he began playing in folk clubs with his elder brother Ethan (who would take his own life in 1997). When a girlfriend became pregnant, Crosby hastily left town and worked his way across the country towards the folk-singing mecca of Greenwich Village, New York, where the likes of Peter, Paul and Mary, Phil Ochs and Joan Baez were breaking through, while Dylan was about to transform the musical climate entirely.
Crosby formed a partnership with the Chicago-born folk singer Terry Callier and they performed frequently together, before Crosby travelled down to Florida in 1962 to sample the folk scene in Miami’s Coconut Grove district. He then worked his way back to Los Angeles via Denver, Chicago and San Francisco. In LA he met Jim (later Roger) McGuinn and Gene Clark, all of them fascinated by the Beatles and the idea of mixing folk with rock’n’roll. They became the Jet Set, which evolved into the Byrds with the addition of the bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke.
Signed to Columbia, the Byrds had already built an enthusiastic local following by playing in clubs such as Ciro’s on Sunset Strip by the time Mr Tambourine Man was released in April 1965, and its success was followed up by their debut album, released in June. Crosby’s distinctive tenor voice was integral to the band’s vocal blend, and he began to develop an idiosyncratic songwriting style.
Influenced by jazz as much as rock, his songs used unusual chords and unconventional melodies. On the band’s third album, Fifth Dimension (1966), one of his most significant contributions was co-writing Eight Miles High. This psychedelic milestone gave them a Top 20 US hit, and also reflected Crosby’s infatuation with the jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. Their next album, Younger Than Yesterday (1967), featured Crosby’s ethereal Everybody’s Been Burned as well as his self-indulgent sound experiment Mind Gardens, while the song Why reflected his admiration for the sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. When the Byrds met the Beatles, Crosby’s enthusiasm for Shankar helped spark George Harrison’s interest in Indian music.
Crosby’s green suede cape and Borsalino hat had made him a Hollywood Hills style icon, but his days as a Byrd were numbered. He had irked his bandmates at the Monterey pop festival in June 1967 by making rambling speeches about LSD and the assassination of John F Kennedy, and also by getting on stage with Stills’s band Buffalo Springfield in place of the absent Young. Crosby’s song Lady Friend (1967) flopped as a single, and during the making of the album The Notorious Byrd Brothers he was fired after arguments over the choice of material. His song Triad, depicting a menage-a-trois, was vetoed by his bandmates as being too risque (Jefferson Airplane subsequently recorded it). Nonetheless, Crosby played on and co-wrote several tracks, and The Notorious Byrd Brothers is arguably the Byrds’ finest album.
Borrowing $25,000 from Peter Tork of the Monkees, Crosby bought a 74ft schooner called Mayan, where he would write some of his best-known songs including Crosby, Stills and Nash’s Wooden Ships. The obvious potential of CSN immediately won them a deal with Atlantic Records, which released their debut album in May 1969. Their second-ever live appearance was at the Woodstock festival that August. Though dominated by the all-round wizardry of Stills, the album showcased the different writing skills of each member. Crosby’s Guinnevere demonstrated his fondness for unusual scales and harmonies, while the bluesy Long Time Gone was a heartfelt response to the assassination of Bobby Kennedy and indicated the group’s willingness to embrace political and social issues.
Déjà Vu, released nine months later, brought another strong showing from Crosby. The hanging chords and mysterious time changes of his title track made it one of his most mesmerising compositions, while Almost Cut My Hair was his battle cry for the counterculture. However, personality clashes within the group while on tour in 1970 prompted them to split.
All the members made solo albums, including Crosby’s If I Could Only Remember My Name (1971). Additionally, he formed a successful duo with Nash, which brought them US Top 10 hit albums with Graham Nash David Crosby (1972, also UK No 13) and Wind on the Water (1975), and they reached No 26 with Whistling Down the Wire (1976). In 1973 Crosby reunited with his previous band for the album Byrds, and in 1977 Crosby, Stills and Nash released CSN, which reached No 2 on the US album chart and outsold the trio’s debut. However, by the time they made Daylight Again (1981), another US Top 10 hit, Crosby was in the throes of addiction. Allies (1983), a patchwork of live and studio material, was the group’s last effort before he was jailed.
Crosby’s post-prison renaissance continued with regular tours with CSN, who went on the road almost annually from 1987, with Young joining them in 2000, 2002 and 2006. He released the solo album Thousand Roads (1993), which gave him a minor hit single with Hero, then picked up the pace dramatically in the new century with Croz (2014), Lighthouse (2016), Sky Trails (2017) and Here If You Listen (2018). For Free, featuring Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald, came out in 2021. His final release, in December, was David Crosby & the Lighthouse Band Live at the Capitol Theatre.
One of his regular musical collaborators was James Raymond, his child with Celia Crawford Ferguson, whom Crosby had left pregnant in California in the early 60s, and who had given her baby up for adoption. She later moved to Australia. Raymond met his birth mother in 1994, then in 1995 introduced himself to his biological father at UCLA medical centre, where Crosby was having treatment following his liver transplant. An accomplished musician and composer, Raymond played in the jazz-rock band CPR with his father and Jeff Pevar (they released four albums between 1998 and 2001), was music director for Crosby’s solo live shows and also became a member of Crosby, Stills and Nash’s touring band from 2009.
Yet Crosby’s creative rebirth coincided with a calamitous breakdown in relations with his old comrades. In 2014 Young said CSNY would never tour again after Crosby described his new partner, Daryl Hannah, as “a purely poisonous predator”, and in 2016 Nash, who had always gone the extra mile for Crosby throughout his addiction years, also announced his estrangement from him.
In 1991 Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Byrds, and in 1997 with Crosby, Stills and Nash. He won the 2019 Critics’ Choice movie award as the “most compelling living subject of a documentary” for AJ Eaton’s film David Crosby: Remember My Name.
Crosby continued to be plagued by health problems. He suffered from type 2 diabetes, and in 2014 was left with eight stents in his heart following major cardiac surgery.
He was the sperm donor for the children of Melissa Etheridge and her partner Julie Cypher: their son, Beckett, who died in 2020, and daughter, Bailey.
Jan and their son, Django, survive him, as do James, a daughter, Erika, by Jackie Guthrie, and a daughter, Donovan, by Debbie Donovan.
🔔 David Van Cortlandt Crosby, musician, singer and songwriter, born 14 August 1941; died 18 January 2023
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