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abookishdreamer · 1 year ago

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Character Intro: Eikono (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nicknames- Koko by her friends and family

Age- 37 (immortal)

Location- Queenstown district, New Olympus

Personality- A quiet intellectual, she's a proud bookworm! She's also a great listener, patient, creative, & loyal. She's a lesbian and is in a relationship.

She has the standard abilities of a goddess. As the goddess of iconography & literature her other powers/abilities include teleportation (through books), melanokinesis (ink manipulation), papyrokinesis (paper manipulation), being able to telekinetically control bookshelves, calligraphy mastery, lexiconicy, storybook mimicry, and bibliokinesis (literary manipulation).

Her natural scent is that of freshly printed paper.

She's fluent in Old Greek, Latin, French, & Minoan.

Other members of her immediate family include her father Logos (god of stories). They have a great working & personal relationship. She's even an executive producer on her father's educational children's television show Metaxý ton Selídon. There's also her uncle Pseudologos (god of lies) who she's not close with as well as her cousin Dolos (god of deception & treachery) who's the father of Pheme (goddess of fame).

Eikono lives on the top floor of The Khrysóthronos Building, a luxury apartment building in the Queenstown neighborhood of New Olympus. The main wide window of the sitting room overlooks Eaglepoint Park. The interior design of her apartment is very chic & minimalist with colors of cream, ivory, lavender, and beige. Her personal library room is immaculately & meticulously organized. Several works of arts and sculptures are found throughout the place. She has a few pet cats & their names are Guinevere, Adelaide, Blair, Cosette, Eloise, and Vivienne.

Eikono usually gets around the city by walking, public transportation, or riding her bike.

She holds the few remaining copies of books from the days of the Titanomachy very dear to her heart. The texts are in Old Greek & to maintain their pristine condition, she keeps them locked away in a cool safe.

Eikono also has a collection of antique typewriters!

A common breakfast for her is a bowl of Earthly Harvest vanilla almond cereal with soy milk. She also likes whole wheat banana pancakes, zucchini hash browns, & various overnight oats (her personal favorite being the apple cinnamon).

There's always a book or two in her bag (if they can fit)!

Eikono was responsible for designing the flags of the respective realms. It was a cathartic moment when she watched the predecessor's flag (Titanius) burn to ashes. The flags of the realms are iconic in their own right! Olympius' flag is an eagle against a gold field holding an olive branch and lightning bolt in each of its talons. The flag of the Underwater realm is that of a hippocampus against a royal blue field with the royal crest in the background. The flag of the Underworld is that of a silver Cerberus against a black field while the flag of the Freshwater Territories is that of a leaping silver trout against a pastel blue field with a wispy cloud above it.

A go-to drink for her is homemade lemon infused water. She also likes ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, peppermint tea, white wine, soy milk, pineapple juice, & sugar cookie milkshakes from The Frozen Spoon. She also likes the cafe au lait, vanilla hazlenut latte, olympian sized flat whites, and small pear banana splashes from The Roasted Bean.

Though Eikono loves all formats of books, her personal preference are hardcovers, for aesthetic reasons.

She has a following on social media. On her PanopTube channel she posts videos of book reviews, author interviews, & book hauls. Her bookshelf tour video has four million views!

Eikono has quite a few jobs/businesses. She oversees the New Olympus Public Library downtown, has a publishing company (Inkdrop Press), bookstores (Pterýgio & Kýlisi), a book subscription box service (Page Turners), as well as being an acclaimed writer! She has written many books in a variety of genres geared towards children & adults. She also has an official website where she sells decorative bookmarks! For other means of income Eikono models for/endorses Threads of Wisdom, White Lily Gallery, and Olive Visibly.

She loves the roast chicken sandwich (on ciabatta bread) from The Bread Box.

A guilty pleasure for her are rainbow sushi rolls!

In the pantheon Eikono's good friends with Dimósia (goddess of debate), Litismós (goddess of culture), Pathos (god of emotion), Apheleia (goddess of simplicity), Neicus (god of debate & appeal), Mousika (goddess of studying & music), Favian (god of philosophy), Eusebeia (goddess of piety, loyalty, duty, & filial respect), Porus (god of resourcefulness), Aeschyne (goddess of modesty & honor), Penia (goddess of poverty), Pistis (goddess of trust, reliability, & good faith), Soteria (goddess of safety), Elpis (goddess of hope); her cousin's wife, Praxidike (goddess of judicial punishment), Nomos (god of laws), Mnemosyne (Titaness of memory & language), Ptocheia (goddess of beggary), Themis (Titaness of justice), Aletheia (goddess of truth), and Hestia (goddess of the hearth).

She also admires the work of Athena (goddess of wisdom).

An odd treat that Eikono likes is the buttered popcorn flavored saltwater taffy. She gets a box of them once a month at Confection Carousel, the candy shop owned by Záchari (god of confectionery).

She hosts annual book drives on the steps of the library every year.

For her birthday her girlfriend got her the book stack shaped jeweled Diamond Ave. clutch.

She's currently in a relationship with Sophia (goddess of thought). It was said that Eikono was attracted to her brain before anything else. They've been dating for a few months & they both feel really comfortable with each other. She enjoys the many intellectual discussions they have and they way her heart flutters every time Sophia laughs. They sometimes spend the night at each other's place (Sophia is only a thirty minute cab ride away in the Little Athens neighborhood). They're currently planning a month long vacation to Olympia.

Her favorite desserts are the poppy seed cupcakes and kariokes from Hollyhock's Bakery.

She once donated two million drachmas to a small public school in Ithaca whose library was destroyed in a flash flood.

A couple of years ago at the Olympian Gala (there was no set theme), Eikono showed up in a custom made gown known as the "La Bibliotheque" dress. The dress had a full skirt, a mixture of leather & old paper, skillfully intertwined with tulle, rattan, and lace. The spines of old books were used to craft the corset- the complete process taking almost 250 hours! Her short light blonde hair was in a low tight chignon.

Her all time favorite meal is garlic ginger chicken with white rice. She's also a huge fan of Sophia's macaroni salad.

In her free time Eikono prefers reading to watching TV. She also loves working on her writing (while classical music is playing in the background). Outside she enjoys jogging, bike riding, going to museums, football (soccer), and horseback riding.

"Books are the mirrors to the soul."

#my oc #original character #my original oc #my oc character #my character #oc character #oc intro #character intro #oc introduction #character introduction #modern greek mythology #modern greek gods #greek myth retellings #greek goddess #greek goddesses #greek mythology #greek pantheon

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australianwomensnews · 1 year ago

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Everyone on the Women’s Justice Network advisory panel has experienced incarceration, and Frances Drake is proud to be one of the panel’s founding members. As the co-ordinator of WJN’s mentor program, Fran knows firsthand how urgent their work is.

“The intense grief I felt, having [everything] taken away. I mean, you lose your home, the home that you’ve made for your family, you lose your car, you lose your job, you know, your sense of purpose. You lose everything as soon as they say, ‘Bail is refused, you’re going into custody.’ You know, if you’re a mum, that’s a big deal.”

WJN had been working for Fran’s benefit behind the scenes the whole time, something she only now fully understands from helping other women. When someone applies to become a mentor with WJN, Fran interviews them, steps them through the paperwork and runs the training programs. “I’m so pumped every day I go to work. I get up at 5 o’clock in the morning. I love it.”

WJN’s vision is that “All women and girls affected by or at risk of the criminal law system live their lives free from violence and discrimination, are treated with dignity and respect, and have opportunities to thrive in their own way, at their own pace.”

Fran saw a sign for WJN in the prison library. She filled out a form and began writing letters with a WJN mentor named Mary. “She was a similar age and she’s not long ago lost her husband as well. And she had a daughter, same age as my daughter. So, you know, we sort of clicked.”

When Fran found out she would be released from custody in 2018, Mary turned up to her hearing. Fran’s teeth had all come out in prison, and Mary helped her get a plate. Mary helped Fran get her dog back and advocate for herself to secure housing. She helped liaise with Fran’s parole officers.

WJN has received approval from Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) to run book clubs inside the prisons. Through the fREADom Inside initiative, the public bought about $30,000 worth of books from Sydney independent bookstore Gleebooks and delivered them to CSNSW libraries.

Different studies report that between 70 and 90 per cent of women incarcerated in Australia are themselves survivors of abuse, violence and assault. That is certainly Fran’s story, and she is fighting to reduce rates of recidivism. “We have a 93 per cent success rate of keeping women out of jail while they’re in our [mentor] program,” she says proudly.

#feminist #feminism #prison reform

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mymegumi · 4 years ago

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aere perrenius

pairing: akaashi keiji x gn!reader

genre: fluff, strangers to lovers, writer!akaashi and librarian!reader

word count: 2.7k words

warnings: disgusting amounts of fluff

summary: more lasting than bronze. a once in a lifetime opportunity turns into a twice in a lifetime chance, and before you realize it, it just turns into a potential lifetime

dedicated: to miss issy ( @cafemiya ) kind beyond words, incredible beyond compare

You’d once thought that life was cruel to you, a single librarian that ended up helping children find picture books and nasty teenagers that had to pay their overdue library fees. You often just moved through the movements, walking to the library every single day, picking up coffees for everyone that worked with you that day, and nothing ever really changed.

Until today.

Today, when you walked into the coffee shop that was only a block away from the library—a small little out of the way place that served the best croissants with chocolate butter you’d ever had before—you were shocked to note that there was another singular figure in the shop with you.

Typically when you went in, it was early enough in the morning that you beat out the high schoolers and people who went to their 9-5 jobs, yet you always managed to miss the people who worked night shifts, so the barista often told you.

Today, however, there was a singular figure sitting at a table, laptop on the table with a small white mug of coffee in his hands, glasses perched precariously on the bridge of his nose as he seemed intent to read whatever it is was on his screen.

His hair was curling over thin golden frames, flowing over his forehead and spilling against his ears as he pressed his lips to the coffee mug, blue eyes focused on the words before him. The morning light had not yet seemed to crest the mountains of skyscrapers that littered the Japanese skyline, so the warm lights of the cafe seemed to soften the edges around him, making him angelic as he just relaxed there.

Perhaps it was the pure shock of seeing him, or even just the lack of sleep you always seemed to suffer from in the mornings following a weekend, but something led to your mistake of forgetting to conceal your admiration of him.

In your trance of adoration, you simply forget the cafe has a bell over the door.

He glances his up when he finishes taking a sip from his drink, offering a smile your way in the way that two people up way too early would share a smile with each other—as if only the two of you knew the secrets that the sunrise would whisper if only you would wake early enough to listen.

“Your usual?”

The barista, a sweet girl named Akira who seemed to be pumped full of espresso for she was way too peppy for this time of the hour, draws your attention away from the man sitting by himself at the window table.

“To go, right?” When you shake your head, she laughs slightly, inputting your usual order into the computer just for her to end up making it only a few seconds later, “What’s with the change today, you always take it straight to the library.”

When she sees you steal a glance at the mysterious stranger, she leans in with a hand cupped around her mouth, devastatingly wicked glint in her eyes as she whispers to you, “He came in a couple of minutes of go, saying he’s new in town. A writer, if you could believe it. Maybe you could warm him up to the area?”

“I have to go to work soon,” you hiss back softly, feeling the warmth take over your cheeks as you resolutely refuse to look back at him in case he heard her gossiping.

“Yet, you’re taking your coffee here?”

She, unfortunately, raises her eyebrows suggestively at you as she slides your drink to you in a small white mug resting on a dish, steaming and hot with a less heated croissant on a separate dish. You make a noise of disbelief as you carefully adjust your bag on your shoulder, taking your breakfast with you to a seat, not too close to the writer and yet not too far away that you are unable to admire him.

Pulling out a book from your bag, you are content to just read and settle in for a few minutes that you would normally spend in the library doing random work until the doors unlocked. It’s a newer novel you’d just picked up from a bookstore, and it was only because the author would be visiting the library soon, so you wanted to get a feel for the writing style, in case there were any questions that the people had for the staff.

“A good read, is it?”

You don’t really register that anyone is talking to you, at first, instead intent on just reading In Regards to Aces before it clicks in your mind two facts; one, that you are indeed holding a book and reading, and two, that you are only one of three people in the establishment, not to mention one of the three was just a barista making herself a coffee.

When it hits you that the stupidly attractive man at the window is indeed talking to you, you shove a bookmark in the spot you were reading as you turn to him, “Ah, yeah, it is, though I don’t have much to say on it considering I just started reading it.”

“Initial thoughts, then?” His smile soothes you a bit, making you relax from the initial tension you’d felt, “I’ve found the author tends to use verbiage that rambles on, but that’s my own opinion on it.”

“Well, from what I have read so far,” you set the book on the table, star embellished cover twinkling in the lights of the cafe, “I like the way that the author describes the character’s feelings—it felt really authentic, and added to the atmosphere for the story.”

“Well, just wait until you read the ending,” he raises an eyebrow at you and a playful look comes across his face for a second before disappearing, “it’s a real gutwrencher, honestly, I’m surprised the author had decided to take it in that direction.”

“Well, hopefully I’ll be able to read a good part of it before the end of the day,” you muse, hand running idly along the edges of the pages, “I’m hoping to be able to talk to the author during the meet and greet later today at the library.”

He makes a thoughtful noise, a small content smile on his face as he sets his mug down on the saucer. There’s a look in his eyes, something that says that he knows something that you don’t, and yet when you go to ask about it, he says instead, “Tell me what you think of it when you finish it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.”

You watch as he begins to pack up his things, tucking the laptop away into a sleek black backpack, all while sipping gingerly on your drink, “Of course, perhaps I’ll see you again, I’m usually here before work.”

“I look forward to it.”

He shoots you a smile over his shoulder as he leaves the cafe, throwing away his things and setting aside his dishes before he exits. Watching him walk down the street, you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

“Gosh,” Akira’s voice makes you jump in your seat slightly, “he was really pretty; you think he was a model?”

“I don’t know, but he could be if he wanted to be,” you smile to yourself as you check your phone, swearing as you realize you might be a few minutes late, “I gotta get to work, I’ll see you tomorrow morning!”

Chugging the rest of your drink, of which has cooled significantly, you end up rushing out of the door of the coffee shop, leaving a good tip for Akira before you go.

A meet-cute. Is that what that would’ve been considered?

Walking into the library, you have a dopey smile on your lips, and the meeting from the morning lets you float your way through work as if your feet haven’t touched the ground.

The writer meet and greet wasn’t for another few hours so when you were putting books back on the shelves, and when the flow of people tended to slow down, your nose was tucked gently into the pages of the book you’d picked up.

It was wonderfully written, with words that seemed to suck you in and captivate you, unable to truly pay attention to what you needed to be doing. You were so ecstatic to be meeting the author, to be able to see what sort of person they’d turned out to be.

They had been pretty secretive, declining interviews left and right and no one has been able to figure out who they were. No one really knew if Akaashi Keiji was their real name, or just a pen name either, a ghost writer who wanted to leave their mark on the world without claiming any credit for the impression they’d leave behind.

Truth be told, it was something you admired in them.

There was something special about someone wanting to create something, and yet walking about their daily life knowing that not a single person would recognize them for it. They weren’t doing it for fame, or for money, but because they truly enjoyed writing and creating books for people to enjoy.

“If you keep yourself in that book, you’ll never get these shelves done,” shit, you’d thought you tucked yourself far enough into the autobiography section that your coworker, Kaori, wouldn’t be able to find you, “what book is it this time?”

“In Regards to Aces…”

She raises an eyebrow at you, glancing at the big poster of the book’s cover displayed only a few feet away from the pair of you, “Uh-huh, gonna suck up to the writer? Get you a rich, anonymous sugar daddy?”

“Pft,” you smile at her with a crooked grin, “let’s be inclusive here, we don’t know if they identify as a guy, Kaori.”

She shrugs a shoulder at you as you begin to push the cart filled with returned books into the aisle, making your way to the front of the library, “Actually, Akaashi and I went to high school together. When he got famous, everyone at our school, like, made a silent pact to respect his privacy.”

“You know the Akaashi Keiji?” You give her an incredulous look, feet planting firmly in front of the help desk of the library, “As in, coming to our library, has won multiple National Book Awards in a row for their novels Akaashi Keiji?”

“Yeah,” she picks something off of her shirt with a sour look on her face, “I’m pretty sure Bokuto threatened a guy that said he’d leak Akaashi’s school name, but it might’ve been the whole group of them, honestly.”

“Bokuto…” you look at her with a bewildered look in your eyes, “Bokuto Koutarou, MSBY wing spiker, Bokuto?”

“Yeah,” she smiles brightly at you, which you quickly erase with a hand smacking her firmly in the arm, “Oh my god, what was that for?!”

“For not telling me you were surrounded by future celebrities in high school?!”

“Oh, as if there isn’t one person from your school that got famous,” Kaori levels a glare at you as she rubs her arm.

The pair of you are sitting at the reception area now at the front of the library, watching people flow into the seating area set up for the meet and greet. A copy of the book’s cover is set up next to the author’s seat, which is on a small raised platform behind a small red barrier.

“I’m pretty sure a kid in the grade above me moved to Argentina?” She laughs at your answer, a hand over her mouth as someone steps up to the desk, taking both of your attention away from the conversation, “Hey, how can we help yo— oh! Hi, again, how are you?”

Standing before you, straps of his backpack slipping off of his shoulders and glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose. There’s a little bit of a smile on his lips as he sighs, “Oh. Hello, I’m good. I rushed here because I was worried about being late—Kaori?”

“Akaashi,” she smiles at him, hand reaching out to shake his hand easily as you stare at the both of them flabbergasted, “Didn’t you get my text earlier about you coming to the library?”

“No, I was busy with the moving vans,” he turns his gaze on you and you swear your mouth dries up a little bit, “After I got a cup of coffee, I was arguing with the movers about a van of stuff that got lost. Turns out they were on the wrong side of town.”

“You mean to tell me,” you interrupt, hand coming up to stop Kaori from speaking, eyes trained on the wavy-haired man in front of you, “that you asked for my opinion on your book? Your own book?”

He gives a cheeky grin, teeth showing as he raises an eyebrow, “It’s easier to hear honest opinions if people don’t know I’m the author.”

You roll your eyes at him before he turns back to Kaori for a quick second, “Kaori, would you mind getting me some water, oh and maybe even a snack?”

She nods easily, hair swishing lightly as she pats you on the back and leaves, “‘Course, meet you up on the stage, bigshot.”

When she leaves, there’s a bit of an awkward silence, something like you don’t know what to say, and yet you know if you were to say anything, something might change. It’s only a feeling, but you suddenly want to spend as much time with this man as possible.

Now in the late afternoon light, you study him in a way you didn’t get to before. The warm sunlight that filters in through the windows makes his hair seem a bit light, but still just as unruly as it was this morning. His eyes are inquisitive, sharp in a way that observes and analyzes all within a moment’s notice.

There are patches of red and blue light dancing along his shoulders, refractions from the sun through the stained glass windows. His shirt is a little wrinkled but otherwise neat, one of the sides untucked as his loose tie hangs from around his neck.

He’s even prettier in the daylight, you decide.

“I’m sorry lied to you this morning,” his voice drops a little bit, inflection careful as he looks at you, “I promise I won’t lie to you anymore, if that means anything.”

“Well, if I catch wind of you lying,” you start, sidestepping the swinging door of the counter to start walking towards the stage area, “I’ll make your life a living nightmare, I know where you get your coffee, sir.”

“Oh, not the coffee,” He holds his hands up in surrender, “I loved their dark roast, where else in the town am I supposed to get it?”

“That, mister, sounds like a you problem,” you want to see him smile more, is the first thing you think when he laughs, “but only if you get on my bad side.”

“Do you think going out for dinner sometime might put me on your good side?”

There are moments in life that can shatter and alter the way that you think and perceive things for the future. For instance, that one time a teacher had given you a recommendation on a book had jumpstarted your love of reading which had turned into a job with lovely friends. If not for that one teacher, who knew where you would be now, because life is funny and doesn’t work out the way you think it will when things aren’t set exactly in motion.

This is one of those moments, and you know it is, because as he asks you out on, assumably, on a date, you envision a life for yourself.

A life filled with moments and snapshots with Akaashi Keiji at your side. He kisses your cheek one morning as you both make coffee for each other, his hand is warm on the small of your back as he leads you through the grocery store, and his voice is loving as he whispers to you at night before you fall asleep.

Now, you’ve always been somewhat a romantic, but you think this is the first time you’ve ever envisioned a life like this upon a second meeting. As Akaashi waits for your response, face neutral but content, you smile to yourself.

“Yeah,” you respond, leaning close to bump your shoulder against his gently, “I think getting dinner might boost your standings with me.”

#akaashi keiji fanfiction #akaashi keiji x reader #akaashi keiji x you #akaashi x you #akaashi x reader #akaashi keiji #hq!! akaashi #hq!! fluff #haikyuu!! akaashi #haikyuu!! fluff #grind for the wealth

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citylightsbooks · 4 years ago

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A Women’s History of City Lights: Interview with Nancy J. Peters

We'll be celebrating Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s 102nd birthday on March 24, and what better way to remember his legacy AND to mark Women’s History Month, than to honor Nancy J. Peters, Lawrence’s business partner, friend, and longtime comrade at City Lights Books. While Ferlinghetti certainly deserves all of the accolades he’s received, the fact of the matter is there would literally be no City Lights without Nancy Peters. Beyond shepherding City Lights through various fiscal crises and providing the steady anchor that allowed Ferlinghetti to travel the world as a poet and activist, Nancy's vision as an editor and acumen as a publisher were a vital key to the success and longevity of City Lights Publishers.

***

City Lights: How did you come to know what City Lights was? How did you meet Lawrence Ferlinghetti?

Nancy Peters: In Greece in the early 1960s, I became friends with Nanos Valaoritis and Marie Wilson who were at the center of an international bohemian/surrealist community. They had a large home which was always full of traveling writers and artists whom they made welcome. The Beat writers were among their guests, and City Lights was frequently talked about as a place everyone would meet up someday. I met Philip Lamantia there and in 1965 he introduced me to Lawrence in Paris at one of Jean-Jacque Lebel’s anarcho-surrealist festivals of free expression. Before a riotous crowd Lawrence gave a show-stopping rendition of his “Lord’s Prayer.” I was impressed by his powerful stage presence. Later that year, when Philip and I were living in Andalusia, Lawrence wrote Philip, asking for a selection of poems for a Pocket Poets Series volume. We corresponded some while we were putting the book together, but I didn’t see him again until 1971 when I moved to San Francisco.

I’d been working as an executive-trainee librarian at the Library of Congress in the fall of 1968. In April, Martin Luther King was assassinated and the impassioned protests that ensued left Washington neighborhoods in ruins. There was shockingly little assistance to residents from the government and my part of the city was under military surveillance, helicopters hovering over my apartment through the night. A Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam took place in Washington the following year. Over 750,000 people peacefully demonstrated. In a small way, I was involved in the planning and, during the protests, my apartment was crammed with fellow activists.

The Library of Congress was an amazing, fascinating place with compatible co-workers from all over the world—thousands of book people all in one place. However, the mission of the Library is to serve Congress, and the institution was a huge conservative bureaucracy serving a conservative and ineffective Congress as I saw it. I believed that if I stayed there I would have little contact with actual books or opportunities for civic activism.

So I moved to San Francisco, where Philip was living and urging me to come, and spent an enormous amount of time at City Lights while I was job hunting. It seemed like paradise, such a stimulating atmosphere where people could sit down to read, share ideas, and have conversations about books, politics, art. One day in early 1971 when I was walking down the street in North Beach, Lawrence hailed me and asked if I would like to help him with a bibliography of Allen Ginsberg’s writings. After just a brief meeting at the publishing office, Lawrence went to Europe and his editorial assistant Jan Herman suddenly decided to move to Germany. Jan showed me how all the editorial work was done in the office, told me Lawrence “wouldn’t mind,” and so I found myself beginning an exciting new career in publishing.

What was your experience taking over as executive director and co-owner in 1984?

The store back then employed seven people: six men at the bookstore and one (me) at the publishing branch. So “executive director” is far too grand a title. City Lights was a small, failing organization by 1982. The store was not founded to make profits for the owners and it never did make a profit. Breaking even was the goal. But every year the losses mounted and there came a time when there were very few books left on the shelves. No one had seen a customer venture downstairs to the lower part of the store for many months.

At the time, Lawrence was immensely popular and in great demand as a performer and a speaker, so he was traveling much of the time, visiting foreign colleagues, living abroad, finding new writers to translate. At this low point in the store’s history Lawrence told me in a frustrated moment that if I’d like to own City Lights, he would give it to me outright if I would run the business, freeing him to do all the other things he wanted to do. I declined, but told him I would be honored to be his partner. Theft was seriously addressed, and a protracted payment plan was agreed to by Book People, the East Bay employee-owned distributors who extended us credit for a generous period. Savvy booksellers Richard Berman and Paul Yamazaki headed the re-stocking plan. The three of us would go every week to Book People and Lou Swift Distributors to collect enough books to sell the following week. As time went on, everybody at the store consulted book catalogs and took on the responsibility for buying subject sections. I envisioned a participatory structure. If not a co-op, I wanted a bookstore where all the staff had responsibilities and power.

Why the decision not to have multiple bookstore locations around SF?

At one time we seriously considered additional locations. We explored sites in San Francisco’s Mission district and visited city officials in San Jose to talk about a second store there. But our resources were limited, and we were concerned about the time and money that would be required to create a sister store that would embody the same spirit and ethic as the original. During my time as director, the evolving challenges from chain stores and especially Amazon made beginning a new store a very risky enterprise. In retrospect, so many independents were closing that we decided to invest in our present, iconic location. In retrospect I think it was a good decision after watching attempts by other stores fail to duplicate their success elsewhere.

How has North Beach changed, how has it stayed the same? With the exodus of Big Tech and falling rents, how do you think that will affect North Beach and San Francisco in general in the future? Will there be “a rebirth of wonder”?

North Beach when I came to SF was a small bohemian village, where neighbors shared meals on their flat rooftops watching the sun set over the Bay. My rent was $125 a month, cheap even then. City Lights and the Discovery Bookstore (used books) next door to Vesuvio were key places to spend an evening. Two large Italian grocers delivered (no charge) bags of groceries up four flights of stairs to my apartment. The neighborhood was full of inexpensive Basque, Italian, and Chinese restaurants, and many cafes, many of which seemed unchanged since the 19th century. Change happens, and City Lights is well prepared for the future. It’s never easy to predict how things will develop, but the feeling of a lovely Mediterranean town persists, with the wooden buildings painted pastel colors, and the shimmering sea light on misty days. I feel certain that the light of City Lights will prevail for a long time to come.

Do you feel that your gender had any impact on your experience during your 23 years as director? Do you have any comments about women in bookselling or publishing in general?

Gender always has an impact. The Beat movement was certainly male focused. Even though the undaunted Diane di Prima was recognized, she was never enthusiastically supported by the inner nucleus of Beat poets. It was a long time before the Beat women came into their own. From the start, Lawrence, who insisted he wasn’t a Beat, had eclectic tastes and was open to women’s poetry. He admired Marianne Moore and Edna St. Vincent Millay as much as he did T.S. Eliot, Jacques Prévert, and Allen Ginsberg. In the Pocket Poets Series, he’d published di Prima and, very early in the series, both Marie Ponsot and Denise Levertov.

Women’s rights and opportunities are always vulnerable and cyclic. The Women’s Movement of the 1970s was very powerful and widespread, its impact on women’s lives enormous. At City Lights we hired more women; we published more women. There have always been outstanding women in publishing and bookselling, and during that time increasingly more women writers were published, reviewed, and were given accolades and awards. Women opened general bookstores and women’s bookstores, founded feminist and lesbian presses. It was a thrilling development, to see so many marginalized writers, and not just women, finding established publishers or creating their own presses. Together they created a larger, much more diverse national literature.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented women at the bookstore. And in the publishing branch: Stella Levy, Kim McCloud, and Patricia Fujii. Gail Chiarello collected and edited our bestselling Bukowski stories. Annie Janowitz proposed the timely Unamerican Activities, and Amy Scholder brought us classics by Karen Finley, Rebecca Brown, and others. I’m happy to say that Amy Scholder is again working with City Lights as an editor.

When did you meet the now current publisher and executive director Elaine Katzenberger? What was her position at the bookstore? When did you know that she was the right person to take over as director?

Ah, Elaine, the woman who can do everything! Elaine began at the bookstore sales counter, then reorganized files and the store accounts, and very soon excelled as a book buyer. She had a great feeling for good writing, so I asked her to become an editor and she immediately began adding excellent books to City Lights’ list. She’s smart, witty, multitalented, and politically astute. We are very lucky to have her at the helm.

What is your understanding or vision of what of City Lights is and what it could be? How has Lawrence’s passing impacted this?

Lawrence’s democratic inclusiveness made him the best-selling poet in the U.S. His moral principles, his courage and resilience are a model to be emulated. He conceived City Lights as an educational institution that would open minds to explore and relate to the world through books. “One guy told me he’d got the equivalent of a Ph. D just sitting in the basement reading all our great books,” he often reminded us.

His “literary gathering place” was to be a fulcrum of San Francisco cultural experience, where our bookselling and publishing could amplify the voices of diverse experiences, connect with other creative communities, and serve as a center of dissent and, at the same time, a force for creating a better society.

Lawrence’s vision will continue to be our guiding light. An optimistic realist, he believed that City Lights would long endure as the co-creation of all the dedicated people who work here and make it what it is.

#nancy peters #lawrence ferlinghetti #womens history month #city lights bookstore

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fumikomiyasaki · 4 years ago

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Genshin Impact OC-Carol Ann

"My journey for knowledge brought me to the most stunning places, I hope one day I will be able to uncover the hidden secrets of Liyue."

Name: Carol Ann

Gender: Female

Height: 172 cm

Birthday: 16th of April

Nation and Affiliation: Liyue

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Green

Vision: Dendro

Weapon: Polearm

Stars: 4

Constellation: Florus An

Special Dish: Good Fortune Flower Crisp

Titles: Miss Tourist Guide

Burst: Natures Cage- Traps a area in Vines and then does Dendro damage inside the Cage.

Carol was born in Mondstadt however at a young age she and her parents went to Liyue a lot for vacations so she took huge interest in the country. She studied as a researcher at first but then decided to become a Tourist Guide, showing her customers around the country and customs. She can be quite excited about certain Topics, for example Rex Lapis or the Jade chamber, however she keeps a Level head when presenting facts. Her thirst for knowledge is hard to quench and she has tons of theories she loves to make Up in her head. Is a terrible Cook, but more in the way that her good looks horrible but actually tasted good.

Lotus flowers are her favourite and she tends to build them in her Outfits a Lot.

Relationship to other characters:

Kaeya:

"Despite His cunningness and his way to Charm others, I always feel awkward when He flirts with me…. I feel a hint of fakeness which makes me uncomfortable. Sure He is attractive but I tend to get out of a talk with him fast."

Lisa:

"Although I love books and visit the Library each time I visit Mondstadt… Lisa gets slightly on my nerves, given how she calls me Cutie everytime… why do so many people in Mondstadt try to hit on me… I just wanted to read."

Jean:

"I really admire her. She seems like the only real level headed Person of the Knights and her Combat skills are pretty good in my book. I offer her my help when I visit Mondstadt because she always seems so overworked… I hope she is Not pushing it…"

Venti:

"Although I enjoy his songs, I worry about his drinking habits… I had to ask Diluc because I thought He was a Young Boy… but I guess Not… quite suspicions, He also seems to know way too much about the God Barbatos, so I thought either He is a secret researcher who knows his stuff or… Nevermind these are just my theories."

Diluc:

"Diluc is interesting to talk to. I actually do enjoy spending time at His tavern, not only to gather information but also I think he is pretty handsome and looks reliable… Yeah there is that bitter side but as long as you dont piss him Off, He is fun to talk with to me.``

Xiao:

"Omg Omg, the famed Yaksha! I only saw him once by luck during a fight but I have so many questions for him, given how much I read about him. He looks so cool, Ah… I hope one day I can interview him."

Zhongli:

"Probably one of my favourite Persons to talk to when coming back to Liyue… Most of the Trivia I can share with my customers came from him and books. He knows so much about Rex Lapis and the History of Liyue and I just always listen in awe when He tells the Stories… If He would know Rex Lapis personally I would believe him. Usually I tend to bring back special things I find on my journey to him for His Funeral Parlour. That is our deal kinda. Such a handsome and interesting man, ah…"

Hu Tao:

"Urgh, she seems to know a lot but never willing to share, I want to so badly exchange some Info with her but she always finds a way to trick me… so I have Up."

Xingqui:

"I usually meet him at the bookstore and we exchange some fun talks, usually both talking about our journeys. Quite diligent for his young age. I do also share some of his views but He needs to give more credit to his work. "

Razor:

"Razor went from Scary Wolf Boy who appeared out of nowhere to one of the Persons I would wanna protect with my Life. His talking is sometimes hard to comprehend, I did offer to teach him but He refused, but He always looks so precious when I tend to use my plant Magic. Like a kid who first went to school.

I do hope he enjoys his life in the Woods."

Sucrose:

"She is a very sweet Girl and her Research is incredible. I found my ways to approach her without scaring her and thanks to that I learned quite a Lot about Alchemy and shared some of my theories as well. If only there wasnt that other guy…".

Albedo:

"I know He is popular among Others but lets say I really don't like him. Talking to him is quite the pain, given how distant He is… I fear His research could pose problems If used wrong. The only thing I do enjoy are his drawings but on most Levels I see him more as someone to avoid."

Ningguang:

"The Jade chamber was one of the best visits I ever had in my Life… I wish the Tianquan allowed me to search everything there thoroughly, but oh well… Lady Ningguang is a person I look Up to, maybe even an Idol of mine. I hope one day I can become as pretty and sucessfull as her…"

Xiangling:

"We tend to work together, given as with my job as Tourist Guide I bring her many new customers during my Tours. Her good is incredible and I admire how she Experiments with everything to make it Work. I hope she makes Lessons because I could really need someone who saves my cooking…"

Xinyan:

"Because I really enjoy Rock'n'Roll I tend to bring my customers to her Concert and hope more people will find their Love for it. Xinyan is incredible and gives you so much Energy when watching her concerts.

I wish I had the confidence to go on Stage with her cause it seems quite fun."

___________________________________

If you have Questions for her, ask away.

#genshin impact #genshin impact oc #genshin impact ocs #dendro #dendro oc #fan character #carol ann #genshin carol #oc profile #genshin oc #genshin ocs

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poetlcs · 6 years ago

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here’s some wlw books -

Im SICK of u bitches whining about wlw books “not existing” when they do !!!!! and u just haven’t looked !!!! so I’m taking one for the team and making a list of some I liked u can check out. as always there is more so do ur research but @lgbtqreads is a good place to start! ok lets goo

fantasy

girls of paper and fire by natasha ngan - lesbian mc and f/f relationship. Asian inspired fntasy about a girl who gets kidnapped and becomes one of the kings concubines aka a paper girl. tw for sexual assault / rape, death of an animal, sex slavery, war themes and violence

girls made of snow and glass by melissa bashardoust - frozen / snow queen retelling focussing on the relationship between step mother and step daughter. Has villain girls and morally grey stuff, also, an f/f relationship with the main girl!

the abyss surrounds us by emily skrutskie - QUEER !! MORALLY GREY !! ENEMIES TO LOVERS !! PIRATE GIRLS !!!!!!! yes this is an f/f pirate story that is enemies to lovers and features sea monster pets get around it.

labyrinth lost by zoraida cordova - on her death day a bruja called Alex accidentally casts a spell that makes her entire family vanish. Now with the help of a boy called Nova she has to go to Los Lagos to find them. Alex is bi and there is an f/f relationship.

A lake of feathers and moonbeams by dax murray - queer swan lake retelling set in a fantasy world on the brink of war. Has a polyam ship that is f/f/nb !

reign of the fallen by sarah glenn marsh - queer ! necromancers !!! basically a world where it’s necromancers jobs to constantly bring the king back to life. But now someone is purposely trying to stop the resurrections? Mc Odessa is bi and there’s an f/f relationship.

of fire and stars by audrey coulthurst - a princess betrothed to the prince of another country ends up falling for his sister instead. Follows their romance and also a brewing war between their two countries.

unicorn tracks by julia ember - fantasy world where a girl called Mnemba works at a wildlife park housing fantastical creatures like unicorns. When poachers start stealing unicorns, Mnemba and Kara, a researcher from overseas, go to track them down. f/f relationship.

science fiction

the apocalyse of elena mendoza by shaun david hutchinson - about a bi girl called Elena who gains the ability to heal people but everytime she does a random person from somewhere in the world dies. A bit weird and quirky (if you’ve read anything by SDH you know what I mean) main girl is pursuing another girl but no more info bc spoilers !

otherbound by corinne duyvis - Everytime Nolan blinks he becomes privy to the life of Amara, a girl who lives in a fantasy kingdom. Nolan thinks he is imagining things but Amara is real, and bund to protect the princess in her kingdom without knowing her every move is being watched. This is kind of mind bending and weird, but there is an f/f relationship!

dreadnought by april daniels - a trans girl called Danny witnesses the death of the superhero Dreadnought, and as a result inherits his powers. Now with a new body that looks like she always wishes it had, she must track down the villain who killed Dreadnought, before the villain tracks down her. Has an f/f flirtation but it continues into the next book bc SLOW BURN.

contemporary

you know me well by nina lacour and david levithan - pov switches between lesbian and gay mcs. Follows the two main characters over one pride week when they learn they’re both queer one night out. this is short and sweet. f/f and m/m relationships.

queens of geek by jen wilde - follows three friends from Australia who get to attend comic con because Charlie (the mc) is a popular vlogger. Charlie is Chinese-Australian and bisexual and has a crush on a fellow bi vlogger called Alyssa! This is SO cute and fun with some of my personal fav bi rep

under the lights by dahlia adler - set in Hollywood, follows a tv star called Vanessa who finds herself with a crush on another girl and unsure what to do next. The other MC is a hollywood star who has been a typical Bad Boy but is trying to reform. Has an f/f relationship and an m/f platonic relationship.

radio silence by alice oseman - about a called called Frances who is obsessed with this podcast called Universe City and randomly meets its creator leading to them becoming best friends. Frances is bi!

fearless by shira glassman - short story about two mums who meet at their kids music recital and are attracted to eachother. This was so short and cute

the nelody of you and me by m. hollis - two girls who work at a bookstore together start to develop feelings. I think the MCs are lesbian and pan from memory. This is so sweet and fluffy too.

historical fiction

the seven husbands of evelyn hugo by taylor jenkins reid - about a movie star called Evelyn Hugo who was big in the 50/60s but is now retired. She hasn’t done an interview in decades but all of a sudden requests Monique, an inexperienced journalist, write a tell all about her life. Follows Evelyn’s story & why she has seven husbands, but also features the most beautiful epic f/f love story ever. Evelyn is Cuban and bi. Not as hetero as the title suggests !!!

mystery

far from you by tess sharpe - everyone told Sophie her best friend and secret girlfriend Mina died at a drug deal gone wrong, but Sophie’s sure she was murdered. Now that Sophie is out of rehab, she’s determined to expose the truth behind Mina’s death once and for all. ‘

Some more I haven’t read but Reviewers I Trust liked

Everything Leads To You & We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

Style by Chelsea M. Cameron (and all CMC’s work)

Soft on Soft by Em Ali

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake

Not Your Sidekick by C.B Lee

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

The Colour Purple by Alice Walker

Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore

Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden

Ash by Malinda Lo

A&B by J.C Lillis

and those are just SOME I have read and liked and only a tiny tiny portion of what is out there. Yeah it can def be harder to find f/f books in your typical library than like an hetero m/f one but they are Out There !!!!!!! If you want more recs you can follow me on twitter or goodreads or my book blog if u would like. thank u, next !

#books #booklr #book recommendation #f/f books #queer books #lgbtq #lgbt books #ya books #book #watch this get no notes bc yall love whining about things but detest putting in The Work

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sandersbayhq · 4 years ago

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[Cyrus Abel Hayward] ✖ [26] ✖ [bisexual] ✖ [the bibliophile]

dob: february 9th occupation: school librarian face claim: michael b jordan pronouns: he/him

Cyrus was born the middle child to Constance & Howard. From a young age he always had an adventurous personality, curious to learn and experience as much of life as he can. When he was younger it started as living through characters in books, mangas and comic books. But as he got older he started to step out of his comfort zone, starting to explore more outside of his books.

When he got into high school he seemed to have the perfect change to try more when he learned about racing. Which lead to fueling his interest in doing more illegal things. Something about car racing for pink slips made him feel alive. He even started to be interested in growing a car collection of his own.

After only two years his parents finally caught on to what their child was doing. Where he could once get away with a lot due to them being distracted with work and his younger siblings, their eyes were on him. They felt as if they had to get him away from Seattle to truly help him. It may have not been the best decision but they felt that if he wasn’t mixed with his friends here it could change him back to the Cyrus they knew before.

At sixteen years old they sent him to live with his grandparents in the opposite coast in Sanders Bay to finish high school. His grandparents keeping a close eye on him, making sure he came to school and came straight home after. The first thing they let him do was choose a place to volunteer for a few hours after school. That is what lead him back to the library. While being in a small town was driving him crazy, at least he could get lost in books again. Something that he had forgotten about over the years.

When he started college there was a lot he wanted to study. He was considering physical education, social work, or english. But this earned him a strong talking to from his grandmother, insisting that he stayed undeclared and finishing his core classes before declaring a major. Even after he finished them he was still at a loss, decided to look for guidance from someone he looked up to. The librarian that helped him while he was in high school. She talked about how happy books made him and how he enjoyed volunteering for her. So she suggested why that he could try getting a masters in library science. Sending him off with a good book and reminding him to do what made him happy.

Cyrus ended up declaring an education major, thinking that would be the best route since he wanted to work for a school. During his junior year, he sent out applications for grad schools all over the country and hoped for the best. He had a few offers, but part of him wanted to stay so he could be there for his grandparents. When his grandparents learned about this, they tried to get him to change his mind and accept offers from California or even go back to Seattle, but he told him that he didn’t want to leave home. One thing he didn’t plan, was finding someone he could potentially to settle down with.

While he tried his best to focus in school, someone did manage to catch his eye, her name was Katherine Anderson. They met in an English class their freshman year of college. It all started when they had to work on a project together and from there they hit it off. All the times they would meet to go over the project they would end up spending hours talking about their favorite books.

Over the semester they became very close friends, best friends even. They would find any chance they could to spend together. Taking similar classes, helping each other study, to hanging out outside of classes. As time went on it was obvious they both really cared about each other, deeper than friendship. They weren’t in any rush to explore further than that. But finally the time came after they graduated and Cyrus starting his masters that they started to really explore the idea of dating.

During his masters, Cyrus worked at the bookstore while he supported Kat during her first year of teaching. He knew how much it meant for her to be at the elementary school, since she was always good with kids at the bakery. Before he left for his shifts at the bookstore or even class, he would often cook meals for her and placed them in the fridge with a sticky note on them, telling her how much he had loved her and how amazing she was at teaching. He started to mix it up with his favorite lines from his favorite poems, knowing that’s how he felt about her.

Once he graduated from grad school, he hit the pavement running when it came to sending in applications. After endless amount of failed interviews, he scored the librarian job at elementary school and he looked at it he got his foot in the door. After a while, he decided it was time for a change of scenery, so he applied to be the librarian’s assistant at the middle school. Where he helps the main librarian with all of the different topics that the classes are studying. He also helps the students with book recommendations.

On top of being a librarian’s assistant, he recently started to tutor kids and help them in a creative way. For an example, he uses DnD to help those who are struggling with math and struggling to create a creative outlet to express themselves. By doing this, he has helped the students get together and work as a team.

Whenever he’s not an assistant or teaching DnD, Cyrus likes to unwind from the day by watching Disney+, Netflix and Crunchyroll. Something about re watching shows from his childhood relives stress. Plus he likes to stay updated with new books, comics and animes for his students too. Making it easier for him to recommend things to the students.

On top of watching old TV shows, Cyrus tends to play video games to relieve the stress of the day. He has set up his spare bedroom as a gaming room, for all of his gaming systems to be in there. From the Switch to PS3.

Cyrus visits his parents, mainly in the summer, to see if there’s anything he could do to help them out. While he’s there, he tends to check out the racing scene and still yearns for the day where he could race for pinks again. He knows what could happen if he does race again, but part of him still finds it exciting. But In the back of his mind he’s worried it could mess up his future with Kat.

Even though they’ve been going out for three years now, Cyrus can’t wait for them to move in together and get a chance to really start their future together.

#takenc #takenm #hayward family #cyrus hayward

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youremypride · 6 years ago

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The Truth About Love | Ch.4

☽ Have you ever love someone so much, you would do anything for them? Even disturbing the peace between the living and the afterlife? Love knows no boundaries but there is always a price to be paid. How much do you say? As much as your heart desires for your true love.

Pairing: AHS! Michael Langdon x Reader

Genre: romance, angst, violence

Warnings: foul language, death of a character(s)

Note: This week’s episode is honestly the best because I really got tired of the whole apocalypse thing going on and needed more backstory. Let’s just say episode 4 was really the starting of this season’s episode. I can’t wait for next week. I just wish the whole season just drops in one go like Netflix does.

Word Count: 3566 words

prev - next

My turn finally came for the interview with Langdon. I didn’t know what to expect but I didn’t expect a lot from it either. My fate was already sealed from the very moment I was born. With heavy steps, my feet came to a halt in front of the large timbered black doors. Using my knuckles, I knocked against the door as I wait for someone to answer it.

Soon enough, the doors parted from each other, revealing the man in the room. “Y/N. You’re here. I’ve been expecting you.”

He steps aside, giving me enough space to enter the office. The entire room was a catastrophe, the furniture was thrown in every direction, the candles had fallen from the holders. It was like a hurricane had hit and cleared anything in its path.

“I apologize for the mess,” He brings up the armchair back to its normal position before gesturing to sit. “Please, take a seat.” Whatever thing that happened before, clearly didn’t bother him too much considering how calm his voice was although he looked lowkey frantic.

“I take it something happened before I got here?” He only smiles before setting up the other armchair, taking a seat right next to me. “What makes you think that?”

“I saw Mallory leaving the room with an expression I’ve never seen before. Distress was etched on her face and it was like she was running away from something that terrified her.” Mallory was nice, when she wasn’t around Coco, acting like a lovesick dog following around her and obeying her orders. It’s a pity, it would’ve been nice to get along with her.

Langdon squints his eyes as he tilts his head to one side, “Terrified her, you say? Are you suggesting I did that to her?”

“I didn’t say it was you,” I admitted. “There’s something strange about her, and the others too.” I fluttered my eyes towards him, “You think so too, right?” I sent him a knowing look. No one understands what I know, except him. I could feel it in my bones.

“Curious aren’t you, little one? Haven’t you heard curiosity killed the cat?” Soft chuckles escaped from my lips, surprising him.

“You’ve mistaken curiosity for seeking, Mr. Langdon. Being curious will lead you nowhere. But if you seek, it will lead you somewhere. The one who seeks will gain something in return, be it good………or evil.”

He stands up to walk towards his desk, leaning his bottom on the edge of it, with arms crossed. “And what is it you wish to seek? Answers, purpose, knowledge…...love?”

“Acceptance.” I put it simply. He starts to frown. I guess my answer to his question was too vague for him to understand. “Acceptance? Is it from someone or something? The world perhaps. I’ve known quite a few people with cases like you. They don’t feel like they belong anywhere.”

“No, that’s not it. I’m seeking to find acceptance…...from myself. I know it’s complicated for you to understand. You would think it’s because I hate myself or that I’ve never showed love towards myself but it’s neither of them. From the time I was born, I always felt like something was pulling me back and that I was born too fast that my soul was incomplete.

I’ve been searching for that part of me that needed to be filled my whole life. One time I went to see a doctor to check if I had heart problems because chest pains kept arising. They told me they couldn’t find anything wrong with me. It got worse over the years. I just wanted it to stop hurting so much.

Until one day, I tried to kill myself. I told myself if I stab my heart with a knife, all the pain would go away.” My eyes were closed the entire time, trying to remember every detail of that moment. I felt cool air hit against my lips, and when I fluttered my eyes open, I saw blue eyes staring right back at me. I didn’t realise how badly I was shaking until I saw his hands resting on both sides of my arms. I wanted to just flicked away his hand, but somehow, I enjoyed the comfort he was giving me.

“It’s alright, you don’t have to continue,” I gripped his upper arm and shook my head, cutting him off, “I’m fine, I’ll continue.”

“It was like something dark came over me, feeding me with negative thoughts and lies about the good. When I turned 13, the heart pain subdued slowly. It still hurt but not like before. I started getting dreams. The dreams had the same people but at different times and places.” I explained to him.

“These dreams, these people you see. Could you describe them for me?” He asked.

“There were two of them. A man and a woman. I guess they were lovers. At first, all the dreams were happy and full of love. There were times where I felt like I was prying in on their intimate moments, moments I shouldn’t be looking at. Their smiles to each other was of love and longing, their embrace was warm and endearing. The kiss…...was filled with passion……...and lust. The love was real and it felt so genuine. The dream would end with them proclaiming their love for each other. And that’s when I wake up.” I left out the parts where they made love. It was too awkward for me to talk about it, seeing as there was a man in my presence.

“You said ‘at first’. What happened next?” He chimes. I went back to sit on the armchair, probably tired from bending his knees in front of me.

“They started turning into nightmares. Except it kept replaying the same one over and over again. They took away their lives by burning each other together. I had to suffer watching their bodies get burnt and slowly turn into corpses. The nightmares stopped after I kept myself busy with part-time jobs. Everything was fine until, you know what happened.” He didn’t seem convince about my last statement. He grabbed a file, presuming it was mine, flipping over pages until he stops on the one he was finding.

“All of what you’ve said has been completely true. You’ve had a total of six foster parents. You ran away from home and took shelter under the care of a 62 year old man name Daemon Jacobs, who runs a fortune telling and witchcraft bookstore on the corner of 16 Walnut St. You never went to school. You work for him at the bookstore in the morning till afternoon and you start your night shift at the diner place down a few blocks from the bookstore.

Also, you failed to mention that you’re not exactly who you say you are……your date of birth and your age doesn’t add up.” He slams the file close. “Does the others know how old you truly are?”

“I was 16 right before the missiles attacked Los Angeles 18 months ago. My birth certificate clearly state I was born on ‘3 March 2003’. I glared at him.

“Don’t lie, Y/N. I can tell that you’re lying. Just be honest. It’s only you and me here.” He grins at me. He’s right. It’s useless to hide it from him when he has all the information he needs about me.

“I was born on ‘6 June 2016’.” I admitted, only to have him smile at me as he turns around with his back facing me.

“Odd. You would be only 5 years old now after 18 months.” He paused, “You’re wondering why you aged way too fast than the others, am I right? I might have the answer to your question.”

I stood up and walked over to him. “And how do you know about this?”

He brings his fingers towards me, cupping my chin in between his thumb and index finger. “Because, we might have something in common, my flower.”

My flower? I could have sworn I panicked a bit after hearing it out loud from someone other than my dreams. I brushed it away and focused on the man in front of me. He thinks he knows everything about me just because my whole life was in that file. Clearly, he was messing with the wrong person.

“What makes you think we have something in common? Sure, you know everything about me with that information of yours, you know everything about me on the outside, but not on the inside. Information and facts can be altered and fabricated with lies by anyone…… but if you want the truth…….all you have to do is ask, isn’t that right……Michael?” I smirk at him. His confident smile turned to a frown, his eyebrows furrowed in disbelief.

“I’ve been truthful to you all this time……but not you. I know the whole reason you did all of this wasn’t because of your goal of just building a new world. You needed to prove a point to the others that you are powerful than them. It is your destiny, to put it simply.

But, there’s something stopping you. I know you, Michael. Only I know that you have a weakness, and this ‘apocalypse’ you put everyone through will you be able to find it.” He doesn’t want to admit it. His facade is way too strong to break down. This isn’t the Michael he was fond very talking about or maybe all he need is a little push.

“And what is……my weakness?” He growls deeply. Judging from his voice, he’s beginning to see me as a threat. Oh honey, I’m not the one you should be threatened by, yet.

“Her.”

Ms. Venable had called everyone for an emergency meeting. The aura in the library was solemn and the smell of death was lingering in the air. She had announced something about having a party after the hardships we went through over the past few months, and apologizing for her harsh punishments she had implemented in The Outpost. She said that a celebration is in need, camaraderie, and that it was a gesture of goodwill. A Halloween soiree.

As if that would lighten up my mood. I’ve never been a big fan or parties. Why now? Is it because she had a change of heart after her time with Langdon or she’s planning something without everyone knowing? It has to be the latter. She’s never really subtle about it, and she’s always keeping secrets for her own benefit. You’re going to need a lot of persuading if you want me to attend it.

The rest had already rushed back to their rooms to get ready their costumes for the party. Wasting my time was part of my daily routine as I settled on to a new book, grabbing it off from the bookcase as I returned back to my room.

Along the way, I had stumbled into something hard. I didn’t look at where I was going because the book was way too interesting than looking up. Standing in front of me was none other than the devil himself.

I lowered my head, apologising before walking pass him.

“Don’t go.” He spoke, causing me to stop in my tracks. “The party, don’t attend it.”

“Why not?” I asked him casually. I turned around to face him, and so did he. “I believe we didn’t get to complete your interview before we were interrupted by dinner time. I wish to continue it.”

“Ms. Venable will be suspicious of me if I don’t attend it. She’ll know if one of us isn’t there.” I told him.

“Then leave the party when you think it is safe without anyone knowing. Meet me in my room. They won’t find you there.” He suggested, and vanishes off the corner of the hallway.

Everyone was swaying to the music, dancing with excitement and having a great time. A pleasant feeling bloomed inside of me but it faded away when I gazed upon the wooden tub that was filled with fresh apples and apparently the only refreshments they had. Michael had warned me about the party so why wasn’t anyone feeling different about it. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Without anyone looking, I made my move.

Finding Michael’s room, I entered when he permitted me to go in. His room looked the same like mine did. He was sitting at his desk, typing away in a working laptop as thick files piled on his desk.

“So, what is it that you wish to continue? I’ll be honest with you. The Sanctuary is the least of my concern. The last place I want to be before I’m dead is what you call as being ‘classified’’. Who knows you’re just trying to rope people in for the wrong kind of things.” I sat at the edge of his bed, looking at my nails with a bored expression.

“Tell me, Y/N. Do you believe in reincarnations?” He asked, his voice was soft and laced with curiosity.

“I used to, but I don’t think people’s interpretations of them are facts. People mostly believe a soul moves on into another physical form once their life is over before being reborn into a new life. Some claim they see memories of their previous life, thinking that it’s theirs but I don’t think that’s highly true. Our appearance might have changed but I believe a soul is only admitted to one lifetime only and when the time comes for their judgement, they’ll either go to Heaven or Hell.

Maybe people do get to see memories of their previous life, thinking that it’s theirs but to me, that person in that memory was simply just another person that lived with the same soul. They had their own life and their own future. This is my soul now and this is my lifetime. No one else’s but mine only.

‘Eram quod es, eris quod sum’. I was what you are, you will be what I am. And when my time comes, I will be the same as them. Six feet down in my eternal resting place.” He had a twinkle in his eyes as he listens to me speak. He had been observing the way I illiterate the meaning of the word the way I see it.

“Fascinating,” He claims. “And what about soulmates, do you believe in them too?”

“I do, to a certain extent. But not in the way other people see it as. They romanticised it far too much, thinking that there is someone out there, with their souls tied together with the red string of fate. The ones who associate them to a romantic partner are the ones who are desperate for love and I think those who claimed to find their soulmates are simply pathetic.

They never travelled the entire country to look for them. They only assume the person they just met and fell in love with is their soulmate, in the same country, city, town or neighbourhood. They didn’t venture out to look for their true pair.” I gazed down at the floor. “Soulmates are just empty hopes and dreams for those who couldn’t find love.”

“And how do you perceive soulmates as?” He questioned.

“I see them as the person who will always be honest and truthful, the one I can share all my dark secrets and fears with. A person I can be comfortable around and will treat me with the same respect I show them. A person who shares the same believes and goals as I do. A person who can accept me……as I am. Intimate or not.” He reaches out his hand and cups both my cheeks in his palms. He was cold to the touch, giving my skin a cooling sensation.

“Do you think these dreams you have, are memories that belong to the person you share your soul with in the previous life? That woman in your dreams. Do you think it’s your memories too?”

“It could be. But I never said anything about it being my memories. I could have conjured them up from watching too much television. And I didn’t say anything about being the woman in those dreams.”

“Was the woman wearing a white Victorian dress, with her soft long curls cascading down her back, reaching her bottom?

“Almost all women wore like that back then. It doesn’t prove anything.”

“She had green eyes, long curly eyelashes. Her cheeks were blushed a light pink, her lips as red as cherry. And she had a locket around her neck. It was gold in colour. There is also an engraving on it as well. ‘L+L’. Inside the locket holds a picture of the man and the woman.”

“H-how do you know that?”

“Because I have those dreams too. You don’t think that is a coincidence, right? I had them all along. It was the only thing that soothe me to sleep and I look forward to it. I don’t look like the type who could love or show love to others, but I do. And maybe what you are actually seeking is not acceptance from yourself and what you need is what I can give you.” He looks me in the eye.

I stared at him back with the same look as his. “And what do I need?”

He smiles. “Me.”

He grabs on to my arms, pulling me up to my feet. “Hide in the wardrobe. Quickly, now.” He opened the door for me as I stepped inside. “Whatever you do, do not make a noise.” I nodded.

The room grew silent before I heard Michael speak, “Ladies, I’m a little busy right now formulating my selections.”

“This won’t take long.” The voice sounded like Ms. Venable.

“What’s this?”

“We’re making the selections now, Mr. Langdon. And I’m afraid you didn’t make the cut.” It only made the long-haired male chuckle.

“I’m sorry,” he begins, “I wanted to let you have your moment but I just couldn’t hold it in.”

“You think this is funny?” Ms. Venable snaps back calmly. “I think I’m impressed, Ms. Venable. I wasn’t sure you had it in you. You’ve passed the test. You’re perfect for The Sanctuary.”

“Ms. Mead.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” Mr. Langdon proclaims. There was a short pause before Ms. Venable spoke again.

“Ms. Mead.” Her tone was stricter now.

All of a sudden, a loud gun shot could be heard. I covered my mouth to muffled my gasp.

“I don’t know why I did that. I was always loyal to her.” The tone was mixed with emotions of sadness and disbelief.

“It’s alright,” he comforts, “You were obeying commands, like you’re programmed to do. My commands.” Footsteps grew closer towards me direction.

“Did you enjoy executing the poison apples plan as much as I enjoyed coming up with it?” He questioned Ms. Mead.

“You wanted everyone dead?” She asked, her voice shaky.

“I’ve never been a fan of getting my hands dirty. Learned that from my father. Always more fun to entice men and women to dirty needs. Confirms what I’ve always believed.”

“W-what do you believe?” Ms. Mead stuttered.

From the gap between the wardrobe doors, I could see him step closer towards her, “That all people, if given the right pressures and stimulus, are real evil motherfuckers.”

Ms. Mead didn’t know how to reply him, it sounded like she was confused. “I-I am having trouble with this. I know I’m just a machine.”

“Never say that!” His voice was laced with anger, his expression soured. “You’re not just a machine, not to me.” For a second, it felt like he actually cared and had actual feelings.

“When I tasked The Cooperative’s R&D Department to have you constructed, I gave them a prototype to model.”

“Prototype?” Of who?

“Of someone from my childhood. Someone very dear to me.” A prototype? No way. Ms. Mead is a…..a robot?

“The beautiful boy.” She replies him. He smiles, his eyes started getting teary as he nods in agreement. “That was me. But I had to keep the most important part of you hidden from your mind.”

“Why?” She questions.

“To protect you, and the plan. But now it’s time to remember it all. I lost you and I couldn’t bear it. I can’t imagine a new world without you by my side. The only woman who ever really understood me.”

“Who ever really loved you.” Slowly, Michael embraces her in his arms. The sight was truly a rare thing to see, seeing as Michael was always look so cold and arrogant. He releases her from his embrace before walking towards the wardrobe.

The doors flew open and he offers me a hand. I slipped mine into his and he helped me get out the small space.

“Y/N, you were in there all this time? What are you doing in Langdon’s room?” She asked me. Suddenly she panicked. “Oh no, I could have killed you too. I’m so sorry, Mr. Langdon. I didn’t know who she was.”

“Who I was? You know me?” How could she know me if I’ve never seen her before, unless? I gazed towards Michael. He only shows me a mischievous grin. “I may or may not have told her about you. After all, I was the one who told The Cooperative to rescue you.”

Taglist: @ meeeeeeeeeps, @ habblez-the-babblez, @ snookabooforever

#michael langdon #michael #langdon #michael langdon x reader #ahs #american horror story #ahs: apocalypse #ahs apocalypse #apocalypse #season 8 #ahs murder house #ahs coven #murder house #coven #the truth about love #leesundeul #cody fern #writings

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aitian · 2 years ago

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Tuesday, 11/22/22 11:50 PM

gonna start writing for myself more frequently because i want to feel like my days are worth remembering. things have been torturous and joyful too. dont want my life to get lost in the capitalist space-time that makes me feel terrible & undeserving.

some things i want to remember or not from today

- jumped on the bed w emmy at night. :3 emmy was doing physical therapy stuff on my bed & had a pillow between their knees, & started jumping up & down while kneeling on the bed, & i did too w the blanket between my knees lol. felt like a baby! so funny & awesome. full of love.

- mom & dad came to nj today for dinner, & we r gonna leave in the morning to go home for thanksgiving. they took me, emmy, & em to a malaysian restaurant that was pretty yummy.

- had a job interview in the morning that went well, & also got my scores back from the praxis core test. easy high scores. cert office says they didnt get them yet though so (after months & months) i am still battling it out w melissa the examiner. what a dick.

hope i have a job soon. emmy said that even though this time has been torturous, they have really enjoyed having my time in a selfish way. sigh. i want us to go on a forever vacation. i want to be happy babies all the time. trying to imagine what could possibly come after this capitalist hellscape, how i might succeed in keeping my ppl close, what a life without constant stomachaches might feel like again, etc. been spending my days applying to jobs & figuring out this stupid teaching career & watching tv & playing hades. that feels like a huge portion of it, but it’s also not true. i have also been doing so many things w friends & family. going on walks w mom, learning abt pa wild mushrooms from a field guide she borrowed from her colleague.. spending good weekends w emmy going to the mall, driving around nj to hiking spots, & wine library, & eating lunch at panera, & going to a bookstore, & visiting an abandoned asylim + beach on staten island, & eating charcoochie in the jacuzzi, & taking things from the art studio in yonkers.. i have enjoyed the fall too. i want to live my life like it is worth living. i want to have capacity to plant seeds (make plans) & look forward to good things coming into my life. i want to feel well rested & free. i want to feel warm & held by my loved ones through anything & everything.

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writerly-ramblings · 7 years ago

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Thoughts on “The Penderwicks at Last”

All right, there’s been enough interest from the (so sadly tiny) group of Penderwicks readers on here, so here are my semi-coherent thoughts on the last book, At Last, because, as previously stated, I have Thoughts. Spoilers ahead for all the entire series.

I’m going to start by saying that I am not the intended audience for these books: I’m in my twenties. That being said, I’ve waited over a decade for The Penderwicks At Last, and I reread the entire series to prepare. I read the last one in a few hours, and ugly cried through the second half.

Fair warning: my parenthetical comments waged a territorial battle and won.

PROS:

Everyone gets a happy ending. I think, over time, I’ll feel less conflicted about At Last because, in the end, everyone is happy, and does it matter how they got there?

Skye, particularly, is so much happier. The events of the fourth book clearly had an impact, and Lydia has grown up with a much less fearful, hurting, angry, or traumatized Skye.

Batty’s memories of Arundel being mostly patched together from stories her family has told felt incredibly realistic to me, and I enjoyed watching her rediscover the estate.

Ben is great, and I’ve always loved the Penderwick children’s dedication to their chosen obsessions/careers, so I’m glad he’s got that. I also loved when he told Jeffrey he’d marry him, but not if he was broke. (The humor in these books!)

Rafael is still around. We don’t see him, but we know he’s still friends with Ben. Other Penderwick friends have fallen off the map between different books (Anna, Keiko, Molly, Mercedes), and it was good to see someone stick around.

I liked Wesley. He felt like a red-herring (I can’t be the only one who was desperately hoping Batty was going to decide she wanted to be with him after all), but he was a delightful character. He’s kind to Lydia and Alice, makes himself helpful around the house/with wedding prep, loves Hitch, and respects Batty’s boundaries. He’s a good person. And the mobiles!

Cagney’s family is adorable. And Skye teasing Rosalind about her childhood crush on Cagney is a dead-on sister thing to do.

Mr. Penderwick and Iantha are still very much in love, and still very much adorable and loving parents.

“Jeffrey, no one wants to marry you!” (Okay, this is was a laugh-or-you’ll-cry moment, but I did laugh!)

Also in the bittersweet category would be Mrs. Tifton’s talk with Jane in the carriage-house. We won’t talk about the fact that I really, really wanted Mrs. Tifton to be right. What we will talk about is Jane rage-sewing, being a good older sister, holding it together, and refusing to sully her honor (I love that Jane has maintained her bizarre approach to honor that includes even hypotheticals). Thinking about it, this scene mirrors the one with Skye and Mrs. Tifton in the first book (with Lydia standing in for Batty here), and I like that touch.

CONS:

A lot of the issues I had with At Last are really my own problems, not shortcomings in the book. One instance of that is how I felt about Lydia as a narrator. The first four books mature in tone as they go along, due to the seriousness of the issues facing the characters, making them compelling reading for someone older than the intended audience. I liked Lydia, but she felt much less mature than her sisters at similar ages, and wasn’t facing comparable difficulties. And she wasn’t nearly so interested, or involved, in her sisters’ lives as I would have liked. (Which is understandable, given the age gap, but frustrating as a reader who cares mainly about Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty.)

Technology is weirdly handled? I’ve always liked the timeless quality of the previous books, and all the texting and general cell phone use threw me. (And, really, how many eleven-year-olds have access to cell phones and use them exclusively to text their brothers?)

Jane gave me a kind of dispirited, hollow feeling. She’s twenty-five and still hasn’t sat down and written a full novel. She has two abandoned books and one in the planning stages. I don’t mean I wanted her to be published, but it felt very flighty, especially for someone who’s been serious about writing since she was younger than ten. (I kind of wanted more of Jane in general, actually. How was college? How is she managing to keep a waitressing job she’s terrible at, and why wouldn’t she work in, I don’t know, a bookstore or library instead?)

This leads into my next, larger but vaguer upset: Everyone’s happy, but I was still dissatisfied. I know that most of the time life isn’t glamorous, but aside from Skye, the other sisters don’t seem to have done much? Rosalind has taken fifteen years to marry Tommy, Jane hasn’t finished even a draft of a novel, and it seems like Batty’s going to graduate college and start a music school in western MA (which is fine, but also, where are her years touring in Europe and her own career in music?). I don’t know. I think I just wanted to believe, for 256 pages, that adult life could be more exciting and adventurous, and live up to childhood expectations.

Honestly, I like Lydia, but she’s not why I wanted to read At Last. This goes back to me not being the target audience, but it’s the older four I care about, and I felt like frustratingly little was said about them. And I’ve read interviews with Jeanne Birdsall, where she talks about this book being the point she was writing toward, and I’m just having trouble wrapping my mind around the idea that, if this was the endgame, middle-grade novels were the best format for the story. (Am I biased here? Definitely. Did I love these books as a child and teenager? Without a doubt. Would I, right now, prefer to have read a literary fiction novel where the older sisters’ adult lives were given as much weight as their childhoods? I’d be all over that. Again, I acknowledge this as my own bias, not a shortcoming with the book.)

SKYE:

(Because, let’s be honest, this is where I fell apart.)

I’m so, so happy Skye is working on her doctorate. As someone else who didn’t want to date at seventeen because I wanted to “soak up the universe,” I appreciate the fact that she’s out there, doing just that. But it also made me so sad. Because her family loves her, so they put her on speaker phone during important family meetings, and they miss her when she’s gone, and Lydia doesn’t know her, as a person, the way her other sisters and Ben (sort of) do. And this is very much tied to my own life, as I look at likely moving to a different country, leaving behind parents I love and a whole host of younger siblings.

So I’m glad she has the life she spent her whole childhood wanting, but I also wish we’d gotten to see more of how she grew, and healed, and changed post-In Spring. Because the Skye we see in At Last isn’t the Skye from the other books, and that’s good, it means she’s less hurt (and also almost ten years older), but it also means I didn’t feel like I knew much about her anymore.

I have almost no thoughts on Dušek and agree with the opinion other people have voiced that he seemed to be there mostly to squash all doubt about Jeffrey. He seemed sweet, but I didn’t know, or care about, him. (And I think the lack of Skye contributed to this: I didn’t know her, so I didn’t feel invested in him.)

THAT ROMANCE:

I feel like noting that I’ve read Little Women more times than I can count, and I willfully ignored not only that, but also the blatant Penderwick-universe foreshadowing (like Batty saying Jeffrey could marry her, after he saves her from the bull all the way back in the first book). Because Birdsall did deviate from Little Women in other, large ways, for example: none of the sisters die. Did I suspect Jeffrey would end up with Batty? Yes. Did I fervently hope that he’d actually end up with Skye? Also yes. Does it make me seem incredibly shallow that this is what occupied a great deal of my brain for twelve years? Probably.

It’s worth pointing out that I’m a sucker for childhood friends who fall in love and get married (Anne and Gilbert, Meg and Calvin, Ella and Char, Miri and Peder, don’t get me started on FMA … I’ll cop to having a problem), but also that I’ve never been bothered by Laurie and Amy. They make sense together, and Jo’s opposition to Laurie is based on legitimate concerns that just don’t exist for Skye and Jeffrey, thanks both to the fact that they live in the twenty-first century, and that Jeffrey doesn’t have Laurie’s hot-headed argumentative steak, stubbornness, or laziness.

And it’s not necessarily that I think Batty and Jeffrey wouldn’t be good together (other than the fact that, unlike Skye, Batty did, at least while younger, consider him not an “honorary Penderwick” but an “honorary brother”), but we never get an explanation for how Jeffrey feels about Skye now, or how/when he got over her (because, when you think about it, that must have been a Process. According to Jane, circa In Spring, Jeffrey’s been in some form of adoration/love with Skye since a few weeks before he turned eleven, and at least until he was eighteen, which is seven years. He’s twenty-five in At Last, which means, in the span of time the series covers, he’s spent just as much time in love with Skye as not. And seven years is a long time - more than a quarter of his life. And that’s a conservative estimate, since the last we hear of this is that he and Skye fight about this at his graduation, but that likely wasn’t the exact moment he fell out of love with her. And the jump from Skye to Batty is more difficult to swallow, given all of this, than Jeffrey going on to marry a non-Penderwick. Though, to Jeffrey’s credit, it’s heavily implied he’s going to marry Batty, but this is conveyed strictly through Jane; he’s not out there himself, desperately trying to win nineteen-year-old Batty’s affection in order to replace her sister).

Mostly, while reading, I felt misled, because if there was creeping Batty/Jeffrey foreshadowing, the Skye/Jeffrey foreshadowing was burst-into-your-music-room-and-tell-you-off strong. Jeffrey asks Skye if she ever thinks about them getting married all the way back in the third book. And Skye never shows similar inclinations toward romance, but the whole plot of In Spring makes it seem like this is due to being traumatized by the circumstances of her mother’s death. She isn’t interested in romance as a teenager, but she does love Jeffrey as a friend, and since the purpose of the events of In Spring is to make her less terrified of relationships, and because it’s Jeffrey she originally opens up to about this, there’s a lot, thematically, implied here. (I feel like the argument at Jeffrey’s graduation is maybe meant to show that she’s never going to be interested, but given both that she states that she wants to prioritize college over romance, and that the fight happens off-stage and is only summarized, this isn’t really clear.)

I do feel like this is where Little Women has the advantage: Jo doesn’t love Laurie, and she also has practical reasons why marriage wouldn’t work for them. We never see that from Skye. We see her afraid of love, and fighting with external factors, but we never actually see her not loving Jeffrey for reasons that are related to him.

So I think my main issue here is that their relationship felt very unresolved. Are they even still good friends? And why was it necessary for Jeffrey to fall in love with her in the first place? The fraught conversation in In Spring could just as easily have been Jeffrey or Jane pressing Skye about why she wouldn’t date Pearson.

(Skye and Jeffrey are previously so earnest, and At Last feels like the death of a friendship. Not in a final, we’ll-never-speak-again way, but in a quieter way that makes me think they haven’t really been close since Skye left for college, and that just makes me sad. Where are my “Friends forever” as sworn by the Penderwick Family Honor? Because, yes, yes, everyone grows up, but I didn’t want them to grow apart.)

IN CONCLUSION:

Has anyone actually made it this far down? Was a dissertation called for? Am I a little obsessive/ridiculous/insane?

What might not have come across, but what I do strongly feel, is that At Last is a good read. Lydia’s likable, the return to Arundel is well done, there are a lot of sweet, funny scenes. And none of my criticism really is to do with the material. My disappointment stems almost completely from my own expectations. Will I go on to reread the first four books and then pretend I’ve misplaced the fifth (while imagining it’s told from Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty’s perspectives; and, possibly, that it has a different ending)? Who knows. Maybe, once I’ve sat with the fifth book for a bit longer I’ll like it more. Maybe it doesn’t matter. Maybe those twelve years when I speculated about what would happen in At Last, that decade that the characters kept me company, matters more than whether or not I liked the end.

#the penderwicks #my ramblings #sort of conflicted posting this because i really do believe in the book as a book it just didn't conform to my expectations #and that feels like a very selfish (and anti-literary) view to take #but it's also been a long time since i was this invested in characters while reading #(the downside to literary fiction i guess is that i tend to be more critical of style and story and iffy on the characters #whereas here all i wanted was more of the characters)#anyway #ignore my ranting #(also: i'm sorry if the format still doesn't work? i'm having difficulties)

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thegoldengoosewac-blog · 6 years ago

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A Blogger’s Guide to College Visits

Hello Goslings!

Happy Thursday! As you all know, I absolutely love Thursdays on campus. Today, I got a day off from one of my classes because the professor could not make it to campus. I finished early today, which was very nice.

I have a younger brother who is a junior in High School. He has been asking me for a lot of help in finding a college, I thought why not give you guys some of the same tips I am giving him?

College decisions are all about you, and what is best for you. One of the first tips I will give is to not let anyone else determine where you go. Relatives can be some of the biggest influences, however it is not their decision. They will not be the ones who are living here, eating the food, sitting in on the classes every day, or joining the clubs or sports teams. It may not seem like that big of a deal when it comes to thinking about the living experience, but it makes more of an impact that you’d think.

I love Washington College, I love the atmosphere of the school, the class size, and the size of the campus. This is all perfect for me. However, a tiny, quiet rural campus may not be what everyone else wants. Something to definitely consider is the size you are looking for and the location. If you want a busy city feel, Washington College is definitely not for you. If you are cool with a small town, rural, community feel Washington College is the perfect fit. Here are a few more things to do for when touring a campus.

1. Look at the program the school offers for your major

When I came to visit Washington College, I knew I wanted to study history. The Starr Center really impressed me, and really made the decision for me.

Before all, make sure the colleges you are looking at offer a program for your intended major. Make sure to check out the program the school offers for that specific degree. I looked at the psychology program, the writing program, the education program, the environmental science program, and obviously the history program. I had a large degree of interests and wanted to make sure that should I choose to double major or minor, I would be able to. Washington College is great with allowing double majors/minors and has a lot of great academic programs! Be sure to also check out signature centers!

2. Try the food

As trivial as the food might seem, it is good to make sure you enjoy eating it. Now keep in mind, the dining hall is intended to feed over 1400 people every day. Don’t go to a dining hall expecting Gordan Ramsey quality food, but also don’t go in there assuming it will be like your High School cafeteria. The dining hall here has excellent food. Make sure you like the food and the options that are available.

3. Look for Spirit Wear

Before I visited Washington College, I only noticed that in one other school I toured many students were dressed in their school’s apparel. Being now a student here, this morning for instance I’d say half the people I passed from my dorm room to my first class were wearing Washington College apparel (myself included). Apparel is a little thing that can mean a lot. When a majority of students are dressed in school apparel, it shows they are proud to be there and love their school.

4. Ask a random student in the library or bookstore a question

This one might seem a little weird, but trust me it will help. Students who give tours of schools love the school as much as any other student does. But part of the job is to be enthusiastic about the school. It is important to find a random student who does not work as a tour guide and ask them if they like it here, and how their time at college here is going.

5. Interview with an admissions counselor

My first interview at WAC really satisfied me and made me feel early on that this was the school for me. The counselor I met with asked me more personal questions, and showed a genuine interest in my life in and out of the classroom. Admissions counselors like this are the best, they really show you on a personal level that you are not just another test score to them. You are an actual student, that they would love to have attend school here.

On top of interviewing, I would recommend meeting with admissions when they visit your high school. I met with Karly when she came to Middletown North, her and I were able to have a nice long discussion that made it very helpful to me to learn about what the college has to offer. To this day, she still hugs me every time she sees me and knows my first and last name. They all really care about you here and make an effort to get to know you.

Be sure to come visit WAC! I would recommend visiting all the schools you plan to apply to as well. You cannot really judge a campus until you have been on it!

- The Golden Goose

#wacluv #Washington College

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viviennevivisection · 3 years ago

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Session 4 Notes - “I Care Deeply About Violence Against Women (The Pasta Dinner)” - (1/4/22)

-Cass slept in her dress lmao -Shawna went back to the apartment and Mira sent Cass some nice messages -Molly left Cass a key -No pictures in Molly's apartment, except one of her and a grumpy old goblin man--> FIND THIS CREATURE -Naomi took only the black coffee from the feast that Ellie picked up before she awoke -Ellie watched Naomi wake up -Naomi doesn't have any crazy emails, but we did have to leave the table when she returned to her apartment -We learned later this is because her brother was there. Naomi relayed that he "might kill her" but like. In a hyperbolic way. I think. -Ellie knows what Residuum is -Thursdays are the days that the subs come to clean Vivienne's Dungeon -Phoebe did not show up at the dungeon and never responded -Vivienne called Sterling and called him out out for lying about the Residuum -Molly and Cass are very cute -Molly has really cool music taste -Cass imbued a welding mask with light for Molly -Cass' bike is ready and is the same purple as her overalls -Viv gave Loretta her collar and made her wear the Mask of Mimicry -Viv's subs call her Primadonna -Dr. Rylar confirmed that Shawna brought back the missing scroll -Naomi is a "STAR IN THE PROGRAM" -No idea what that means -Shawna's posse is not at the library -Naomi is thinking about applying to the master's program -Shawna's posse are trying to go corporate (we already knew this) -All of Cass' roommates are home -Shawna is a BITCH ("That seems like...none of your business.") -Ellie went to the bookstore and bought some gay romance books (one by Jennie Darling) -Jennie is apparently working on a new book -As soon as Naomi and Viv got the a-okay, we went to the apartment (Cass cleared everyone out but Shawna) -Cass specifically told Mira that she was suspicious of Shawna because she could somehow be two places at once -Viv immediately cast Sleep on Shawna and tied her up -Cass raided her room -Finding ultimately nothing but an email checking up on Techrono as to the status of an interview -IT'S Mira !!!!!!!! -Shawna has an Arcane Virus that is affecting her, the magic signature was mostly enchantment but with twinges of other magic -We found this out because as soon as we asked her about Mira, she couldn't speak and got a nosebleed -Dr. Florence Halloway most likely has this as well -Shawna sometimes has Mira cover classes for her. Mira can look like Shawna through magic. The person we thought was Shawna and has done all the bad things was most likely actually Mira -Mira works for Techrono -Shawna doesn't like Cass and is mean to her because she's jealous of her -Mira's room was trapped when we tried to enter, when we got in it looked like she swiped her shit quick because she was afraid that Cass either already had or was going to figure her out -The only thing left was her day book -Cass gave Viv a beautiful new whip named Piper, which acts as an enhanced arcane focus -"I care very deeply about violence against women." -Viv after threatening to kill a woman -Sterling knows a bit about the Arcane Virus and was scared. Told us to turn off our phones -We planned to go meet with Sterling at the Vanguard Warehouse at 7 -Mira has been having meetings with the Dean of the University and other faculty members since getting the job at Techrono -Cass' hacker name is NutsnBoltz69 -Ellie is making pasta -We're trying to track Mira's phone -No luck, she got us -Asking Shawna how Mira would look like her is what triggered the virus -CASS HAS ASKED MOLLY ON THE DATE -Ellie gives Naomi a book called The Nun Who Kissed Me and gives Cass a book called Heart WRENCHing Love -Naomi revealed the info mentioned earlier about her brother -Naomi's parents work for the church -Naomi and Cass started talking about their parents which prompted Ellie to ask: "Wait, you guys have parents?" -Succeeded a wisdom throw -They jokingly pressed harder asking about their birth and birthname (Sami specifically asked if it was Renessme lmfao) -Naomi and Cass see Viv short circuit at the table and then DROP DEAD -Naomi casts healing word on Viv -Viv's nose bled before falling --> arcane virus? chips in the brain? -VIv comes back extremely shaken and crying to goes to smoke a lavender cigarette and asks Naomi to look deep into her eyes and see figure something out to help them -She rolls a high religion check and everyone left the table -Naomi does see something but says now is maybe not the best time to explore it -Viv says she would like to, but not now. She announces that the first 17 years of her life are off limits for questions -Cass was doing the dishes

#dnd #session notes #campaign diary

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carinaxerin-blog · 7 years ago

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Interview with a Literary Candle Maker!

Erin interviewed our friend Rita, a candle maker in Portland, OR. Her candle company is called Scents & Scentsability Candles and you can find them at scentsandscentsabilitycandles on instagram or at their etsy site:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/scentsNscentsability?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Enjoy the interview!

Erin: What are three words or short phrases that describe you? Rita: That is a hard question. I would have to say, passionate, introverted, and socially awkward.

E: What kind of drinks do you like? Coffee/tea/other…? R: My favorite drink is tea, mostly Chai tea but I do love green and fruity teas too.

E: Tell us a little bit about yourself. You have really wonderful and diverse passions like zoology, books, and candle making. What was your upbringing like and how did these passions first come about? R: My home life growing up was very sheltered, that is probably why I'm an introvert, and I didn't really have anyone to push me to do things outside of my comfort zone so I was 2 grades behind in reading. My mother was an avid reader, but at that time she was trying to support 3 kids while going to school. Because of my struggle in reading I actually hated books for most of Elementary. It wasn't until my grandmother took it upon herself to take time after I got out of class everyday to help work with me. When I finally got comfortable reading, I had no idea where to start so I stuck with what I knew, goosebumps. I loved that series but after a year of only reading that I wanted more from the books I read. That is when my sisters and I were sent the first three books of Harry Potter. That series opened up a new world of fantasy and I immediately fell in love with reading.

My passion for animals stems from my mother. We always had at least 4 cats growing up, and then we got a dog and some fish. For the longest time I wanted to be an Egyptologist, but didn't want to have to go to college for 8 years. So I decided to do something with my other passion, animals. I had no idea what I wanted to do with that until I took a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle with my family and fell in love with exotic animals. After that I knew I wanted to become a zookeeper.

E: What was your inspiration to start your business? R: During college I didn't have time to read a lot of books for fun and after a while I kind of forgot about that side of my life. When I graduated from Oregon State, I worked and interned at the Oregon Zoo for a time but realized that I would have to uproot my whole life, and my husbands, in order to get a Zookeeping job. One of the Keepers I worked with talked about her experience working at Barnes & Noble and I knew that if I couldn't work with animals, I wanted to work with books instead. After working at Barnes & Noble for two years, a couple of my coworkers and I decided we wanted to try an open up a bookstore of our own. I knew it would take a long time to come up with the money for it, so I decided to open a candle shop on Etsy that themed candles after literary works and authors to help raise the money to open our own bookstore someday. I am currently working with two lovely ladies who help me run the candle company!

E: What’s your favorite part of candle making? Least favorite? R: My favorite part of candle making is thinking of new candles and the scents that go with them! It is a lot of fun trying to pair up scents to make it true to the theme of the candle.

My least favorite part is the time consuming process of actually making the candles. I use coconut wax because of its higher quality and sustainable farming and extraction process vs other waxes, but it is not as easy to work with so the process takes longer. Soy wax is water soluble and heats up faster that coconut wax, so the time it takes to melt the wax to make the candles is longer and the clean-up is more difficult.

E: What’s a collection you haven’t yet done that you’re dying to do? R: I really want to do candles based off villains like Moriarty, the Evil Queen, Professor Umbridge, etc. I think coming up with those scents will be so much fun!

E: Where is your work space? R: My workspace is in my spare bedroom/library. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment that is fairly small. In order to make candles, you need an area that can keep a steady temp and not have drafts to help prevent wet spots from showing up on your candles. I have a hot plate and two tables that I use for making and pouring the candles.

E: Where do you have the most creative ideas? R: I typically have the most creative ideas either at work when I talk to my coworkers about books or what they want in candles, or with the two women that help me run the company. Out of the three of us, Krissie (who is the Hermione of the bunch) is brilliant at coming up with creative names or scents.

E: What do you do when you have an idea but it’s not something that you have time for right now? R: This happens a lot. I keep a candle making notebook where I write everything down so I can go back to it. We actually have the rest of the year planned out with each month's candle theme and I have an ever growing list of ones I eventually want to get too [laughs].

E: We love to talk about our “weekly obsession,” aka whatever we are thinking about that week such as (but not limited to) a book, movie, song, etc. What’s your weekly obsession? R: Right now, my weekly obsession is the TV show Reign. I am currently on the 4th season and I am loving the feminist turn the show has taken with so many female monarchs!

E: What book are you reading right now? R: Right now, I am currently reading the Advance Readers Copy of Wicked King by Holly Black, and listening to the audio book of The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan. I am loving both of them so much!

#coffee n shit podcast #coffee podcast #coffee #blog #interview #candle maker #candle making #literary candles #candle #yankee candle #business #boss babe #boss #creator #creativity

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citylightsbooks · 4 years ago

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Exclusive Interview with Sheree Renée Thomas, Author of Nine Bar Blues

One of our booksellers, Caitlyn Wild, had the amazing opportunity to conduct this longform interview with author Sheree Renée Thomas. Her newest book is Nine Bar Blues: Stories from an Ancient Future, published by Third Man Books. Sheree is celebrating her book along with her Third Man “label mates” Alison Mosshart and Robert Gordon (who also have new books out) in our City Lights LIVE events series on Wednesday, October 21.

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Caitlyn: This book is gorgeous on the inside AND the outside. This is one of my favorite covers of 2020, have to say. As I'm gazing wistfully at it here I see the subtitle, "Stories from an Ancient Future". Could you speak about what that phrase holds and conjures for you? Sheree Renée Thomas: Thank you! I wanted the cover for Nine Bar Blues to offer a visual clue to some of the characters, natural (and unnatural) landscapes, and themes in the stories. Third Man Books did a wonderful job of creating that sense of wonder and the verdant richness (cicadas, Egyptian gods, the moon, aliens, vines!) I was hoping for.

The subtitle, “Stories from an Ancient Future” is my riff on the idea that if humanity continues onward, we’ll someday reach a point where even our imagined futures are ancient. Some of the stories in the collection are set in the near future, alternate futures, the present, and the past. What would life be like if you existed in an ancient future? If time is relative, there is always a place where we can look back at ourselves (or our imagined selves) and see the grand sweep of time. What things remains the same, what falls away, is erased and remade again? The ancient future contains some of the wisdom of our past and some of our hopes for the future. It also contains our mistakes and fears. Will we be better off then, in this imagined future? Perhaps, at least I hope so. But that depends on what we carry with us and how well we learn from the lessons of the past. For me, it’s a blending of Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles and the West African philosophy of Sankofa.

The story that really stayed with me in this collection was "Head Static". It put me in an altered state! I felt like I was watching the earth as it was being created, the deep gods and archetypes of our psyches emerging from the hum of the universe before my eyes, but in reverse. In short, I loved it! Could you tell us about the inception of the character in that story, Claire, and explain how she came to be in your mind and then on the page? That makes me so happy because Claire was one of those characters whose journey really haunted me. When I began writing her, I knew who she was but not why she was, or rather, how she had come to feel the way she did. Music became a way of thinking about the things that people share in common, around the world, throughout time. It is one of our greatest forms of expression. And music contains our deepest thoughts and observations on the world. But our culture is so obsessed with the cult of celebrity, in search of the next great thing. We worship youth and novelty, often at youth’s expense. There’s this constant drive for innovation and acceleration, while holding onto the dream of an endless life span. At what cost? To what end? Writing “Head Static” was a way for me to think about some of these ideas while exploring that deep musical connection. On October 21 we are excited to host you and two of your fellow Third Man Books authors, Alison Mosshart and Robert Gordon. Third Man also publishes another of my favorites, Janaka Stucky. As a reader I'm consistently enraptured with the authors and books they publish. I'm curious as to what the Third Man experience is like from the author's side? It’s been pretty exciting! First of all, if you ever get a chance to visit Third Man Records, go immediately because the space is just amazing. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like a cross between Tim Burton and Ed Wood with a little Willy Wonka mixed in there? Fantastic design throughout and um, Jack White. Yeah, Jack White! Working with Chet Weise and the Third Man Books/Records team has been as close as my non-musical self has ever been to being in a rock band! There is a lot of good energy, great ideas, and collaboration, and the team is insanely supportive and creative. Between the kickass writers—poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction—there’s a great deal of talent to just vibe with and connect. My fellow press mates are always working on new wonders, the kind of work that impacts the world—and that’s inspiring.

You are the first Black author to receive a World Fantasy Award for the groundbreaking collection you edited, Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora, which was published in 2000. (HELL YES). In another interview, you said you were inspired to put the book together because you were shocked it didn't exist yet. In 2020, is there a book you are shocked that has yet to be published? What books that have come along since 2001 are you glad about? There is at least one marvelous book that I do hope to see in the world before I roll out, and there are a couple of others that seem like their time has come, industry-wise, so we shall see. Back in ’98 when I was thinking on what would eventually become the first volume of Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora, I didn’t set out to create a groundbreaking project. I literally was just looking for more Black speculative fiction to read for fun, and when I didn’t find it in the bookstores, its absence puzzled me. With as many different anthologies that make up the genre, I was surprised that it hadn’t been done before. I’m really grateful I had the chance (and the courage) to do it. It’s been quite a journey! Since that first volume and the second one, Dark Matter: Reading the Bones, that came out in 2004, there have been many, many wonderful amazing books that pretty much put away the old arguments about Black writers not reading or writing this work. One book that I reviewed around the time I was working on the anthology was Nalo Hopkinson’s Brown Girl in the Ring. That novel felt like a game changer to me, because Nalo’s writing got us all so excited about the cultures and worlds we had not seen often in science fiction. She achieved this in a magical way that, while offering all the things we love about speculative fiction, rang true with a rootedness in Afrodiasporic culture. It didn’t feel like she was translating to us. Her writing, storytelling, and world building felt natural and true to itself. Today you could have a whole library of Black speculative fiction (and the scholarship that examines it), and that is beyond thrilling for me.

Between the diverse works of N.K. Jemisin, Andrea Hairston, Tananarive Due, P. Djèlí Clark—they cover a lot of imaginative ground--and a ton of exciting YA authors I cannot even begin to name, readers have a lot of new work and new voices to explore. It’s just an exciting time.

Finally, if you owned a bookstore or small press, what would it be called and what would your bestseller or focus be? I’ve been jotting down bookstore names for years! Here are a few: Beloved Books (this was invented during my Toni Morrison phase), focusing on the books people can’t stop discussing and all of our childhood favorites, too. Echo Tree Books (named after one of my favorite short story writers and poets, Henry Dumas, featuring all fantasy, science fiction, horror, and such).

Haint Blue Books (so I can paint every single wall the most stunning shades of blue, focusing on excellent fiction and world folklore with tons of poetry because sometimes, sadly, people be sleeping on the poetry, lol. Don’t sleep on the poets!). And my favorite, All Y’all Books (Southern lit and more! Plus a healthy selection of regional lit from other parts).

I love the last one the best because I can just hear folks saying, “You know you can get it at All Y’all Books!” or asking, “Where did you get that?” “Girl, at All Y’all’s Books. They have out of print and rare books, too!” Authors can say, “I’m going to be reading at All Y’all’s Books.” You can’t help but smile when you say that!

#sharee renee thomas #nine bar blues #5 questions #third man books #speculative fiction #Black authors

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