#sir chamberlin

[monroviaroyals]

Marionette: Can you believe what Chasity wore last night? That dress and those shoes?

David: Those shoes were hideous.

Marionette: [laughs] They were atrocious!

Staff: Pardon me, Your Royal Highness. The chief editor of The Monrovia Daily is on a private line for you in your office.

David: I’ll be there in a minute.

Staff: Yes, Sir.

Marionette: Why is the editor calling?

David: I paid off some palace staff to see where my brother is going every night.

Marionette: Hmm. Is he playing around with that actress from a while back again?

David: Someone much better than that. The Prime Minister’s daughter.

Marionette: Sofia Chamberlin? Who knew.

David: Everyone soon.

[soriseerakyra]

A Flight of Fancy -3- (Black!Batmom)

A/N: Thank you @faralasunita

“Hold it still.”

You tired arms lift the vase higher as you try to keep the grimace off of you face.

JoJo raises a pierced eyebrow and pouts her bare full lips in concentration.

“Is this better?” You ask letting out a heavy sigh.

“It’s as good as you’re going to give me,” She replies somewhat snippily.

Normally you would let your annoyance shine clearly on your face, but you were intruding on her, and more than that, she had generously been acting as a buffer between you and Kenya.

“Sorry,” You mutter, biting your lips and making your mind up to bare the weight of the heavy vase.

Her eyes once again leave the canvas of her painting as she lets out an irritated sigh,” One of these days you’re going to have to grow a backbone.”

“I-I have a backbone,” You protest, eyebrows furrowing.

“Is that why you’ve been holding that vase over your head for nearly forty-five minutes without a break?”

“W-well,” you stutter trying to come up with a clever response. “You asked?”

She sighs and rolls her neck, her long dreads swinging like a curtain of silk as she does so, “Let’s take a break.”

“Really?” You ask, lowering the vase to the ground as gently as possible.

“Didn’t I just say so?”

“Okay,” You say with a smile.

She chuckles at your reaction and motions for you to sit down on her couch as she moves from the room into her kitchen.

Sliding deep into her plush couch, you begin to fiddle with your fingers. You take the time to take in the sheer size of her loft and the rare beautiful view of Gotham Bay. It gave you a little bit of peace every time you could get a good glimpse of it. And a little bit of peace had been something that you needed over the past three days.

“I guess,” you mutter reluctantly. You find yourself locking your gaze onto the glossy floor of what would be your new lab.

“Good,” Mr. Wayne replies flatly. “See you Monday.”

As quickly and mysteriously as he arrived, he was gone. You were once again left with Mr. Fox, the man who had lulled you down to this trap.

You should have stayed home.

“It’ll be okay,” the man in question says in a soft fatherly tone offering you another warm squeeze on your shoulder. “He’s not as good with people as he likes to believe. But this’ll be a great thing for you.”

Your shoulders sag as the memory replays through your mind. Kenya’s offer had been a good thing for you. And though you hadn’t been on the job long enough to really grow an attachment to the people or your lab, you were starting to. What was worse, you hadn’t even had the guts to tell Kenya, one of the few people in the world who you were sure would take a bullet for you, what had happened. You just hadn’t shown up to work.

“Hey,” JoJo says plopping down next to you, offering you a glass bottle. “You still here?”

“Yeah,” you mutter dejectedly, “I just don’t know how to tell her.”

“Just tell her,” she replies with a shrug.

“I can’t,” You whine. “What if she gets mad at me?”

“Yeah, she's going to be pissed,” JoJo says with an affirming nod of her head. “She might even yell at you.”

“I don’t want that.”

“She might ‘fire’ you in front of her friends.”

“Shit.”

“She probably won’t talk to you for months.”

“Joooo~”

“And then she’ll get over it,” she finishes, finally taking a swig out of her own glass bottle.

“No, she won’t, she’s going to hate me forever, and the worst part is that I couldn’t even say no,” you pout.

Her dark eyes flash at you dangerously, “Don’t lie.”

“What?” You ask her questioningly.

“Didn’t I already ask you when you were going to get a backbone? You could have said no if you wanted to. Told him to go fuck himself, but you didn’t.”

“You don’t understand,” you respond defensively. “I was underground, it was just me and the two of them. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.”

“Then do it now,” JoJo states flatly.

“What?”

“Call his office, tell him that you have changed your mind and that you can’t take his offer and no amount of money will make you change your mind.”

You stomach begins to twirl with knots as the simple thought of having the conversation begins to run through your mind. What if he gets mad? What if he asks you why? The thought of answering too many questions or having to talk more than you needed too sent shivers of anxiety down your back.

But what would be worse? Inviting the wrath of a man you barely know and enough money to buy the world ten times over? Or hurting and letting down your friend who had been there for you through countless trials and practically given you the life that you had now?

“Tummy upset?” JoJo asks you concerned. She’d been deeply eyeing your face; a queasy looking expression had dawned your features.

You nodded your head in affirmation.

“Drink your drink,” She says motioning to the bottle in your hand.

“What is it?” You question nose scrunching up skeptically.

“Kombucha, drink it, you’ll feel better.”

“All right,” you say twisting the cap.

The carbonated drink helps to soothe your nervous stomach.

Until something viscous and slimy slides down your throat. You gag and cough.

“What the hell was that ?!” You question your friend accusingly. “You’re trying to kill me.”

“It’s the mother,” JoJo says seriously. “Feel her inside you giving you strength.”

Oh, she’s on her hippy, dippy bullshit.

“The drink comes from the earth and now its inside you, making you stronger.”

“Jo, what is it? Scientifically speaking,” You question flatly.

“Fermented shit, its fine, don’t worry you’re not going to die.”

“Promise?”

“95%.”

“That’s good enough I guess.”

“Still nervous?” She questions.

“Not as much,” You respond with a small smile.

“Good,” she says with a smirk. “Time to make your first call.”

“First?”

***

With a shuttering breath, Bruce Wayne stood and stretched as best he could. Usually, he would be able to grit his teeth and take the pain. His years of practice and discipline had rendered him all but impervious to much of the everyday pains of life, and even some of the more substantial pains and injuries that his lifestyle gave.

Lately, however, things had been getting worse. One day it would be his knee, then his back, his hands, and then his legs. Today, his body felt like a clenching fist and it was taking the majority of his strength to not curl into a ball.

He didn’t know what was worse, the fact that he was spending most of his days in pain now, or the fact that due to his pain, others were having to pick up the slack for him.

As he stands in front of his bathroom mirror, he looks at the various scars and bruises on his chest. Only a few of the visible ramifications of the Bat. Usually, when he saw those scars, he was able to draw strength from them. He was able to understand that as long as he was able to take the pain, someone else wouldn’t else wouldn’t have to. However, as his hair began to gray and the lines of his face began to sink in, he found the more resentful he became. How long would he have to do this? How much more did he have to suffer? Why couldn’t the bad ever just stay gone? Why couldn’t he stop?

These questions tended to make him angry. Not at the world, he’d already been angry at that from a very young age. But they’d make him angry, because deep down he knew that truth. That he’d never stop. He couldn’t. Not even if every evil doer in Gotham had been purged or reformed. He needed the Bat. He was more the Bat than he was Bruce Wayne. It had taken him a while to come to that understanding. It’s that realization however, that had also brought him another. That in his spirit he may fully be the Bat, but his human body would only give him so much time. What could he do to overcome that very human limitation?

The discovery of the programmer had been one of pure happenstance. Warner and Bobbitt’s Medical Fabrications was a very new medical company, with an ambitious goal of being an innovator in restorative medicine. Bruce had not paid much attention to the small company until they had opened a regional office in the city. Even then, it was only the persistence of one of their executives, Kenya Chamberlin, that got him interested in investing in the company.

The woman had been dangling offers of new experimental technology out to any investor that would listen. It was clear that the sale of any one off the designs that she offered would not only make Warner and Bobbitt’s very wealthy, but also propel her to a new height in her career.

That kind of desperation had kept Bruce from placing any value in what she had claimed to offer for months. But the most recent design that she had been advertising, proved to be the very solution he needed for his humanity. It also helped that this design had been more fleshed out than the others that he’d seen. That meant not only was it feasible but with the right mind, he could have his hands on the technology sooner than he anticipated.

The designer though, he had felt bad about that. She’d looked so broken when he had offered her his ultimatum. Lucius had warned him that crushing her spirit like that could stifle her creativity and he might not get the outcome he wanted. Perhaps if he were a younger man, he could have been more amenable to that fact. But he didn’t have time to worry about someone else’s heart when he was constantly fighting for the very soul of Gotham on a nightly basis.

“Master Wayne?” A familiar voice calls from outside of his bathroom.

The skin of his shoulders nearly flinched at the unexpected sound of his caretaker’s voice. After all of these years, Alfred was still the only person who could catch him off guard.

“What is it?”

Bruce nearly grimaced as the words tumbled from his lips. His tone had gotten sharper over the years and came across more biting than he usually intended. If he wasn’t constantly monitoring how he was talking to people, he often sounded like a grumpy old man.

“A call from Lucius Fox, sir. He said it’s a priority concern.”

Bruce sees his brows furrow in the mirror before he feels it happen on his face, the tightness of irritation no longer felt foreign, but natural.

With a calming sigh he opens the door the bathroom. He finds Alfred standing there with a passive look on his face.

“Here you are, sir,” The older man says handing him his house phone.

“Thank you, Alfred.”

He doesn’t bother to wait until Alfred is gone to put the phone to his ear.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well Good Morning to you too, Mr. Wayne,” Lucius chuckled from the other side of the line.

“Sorry,” Bruce apologizes quickly. “You said it was a concern.”

“It is,” the man on the other side of the line sighs cautiously. “That programmer you hired, she turned down your offer.”

“What?” Bruce says muscles tightening in anger rather than pain for once that day. “What happened?”

“I imagine she didn’t like being threatened into taking a job she didn’t want Mr. Wayne.”

Hot air filters out of his nose like an angry bull and his temples begin to beat with a headache of annoyance.  Had the woman complied, she would have been treated well, what was the point of not taking his offer? He had made it very clear that he would have made her life hell if she didn’t comply.

“Call her and try to set up a meeting so we can renegotiate,” Bruce says trying to find the most rational next course of action.

“She’s asked that we not contact her again or she’ll sue for harassment.”

“I see, thank you, Lucius.”

He doesn’t give the man time to respond to the courtesy before he clicks the ‘END’ button on the phone.

Fine.

There were many ways to get what he wanted and just because she said no to this one doesn’t mean that she’ll say no to the others.

*** “That Fucker!!!”

It’s a scream that permeates the room and your skull. You’re glad that no one is in the building save for your friends and a few employees of Spencer’s Space Age Bowling Adventure, your former place of employment.

“I knew it! I knew it!” Kenya screams repeatedly over the crash of balls and pins. The other girls had opted to pick up a few rounds while you and your oldest friend had a heart-to-heart. “I knew when you didn’t show up that something had happened. I just thought you fucked, but this! This is so much worse!”

“What is wrong with you people?” You question looking at the woman with furrowed brows.

“What? It’s Bruce Wayne, come on,” She says looking at your weirdly.

“So, you really were pimping me out?” You question angrily, cheeks puffed.

“No, of course not,” She says waving you off taking a swig of the beer in front of her. “I mean it’s not like you wouldn’t have had fun.”

“But this is my life, Kenya, did you think that maybe that I wouldn’t want to sleep with him?”

“Then you could have said no,” She said looking at you frowning. “I didn’t promise him anything. I didn’t say ‘come look at my design and you can sleep with my programmer.’ I just gave him something nice to look at.”

“Is that all I am to you?” You whisper.

“But damn it, I offered him the milk and he tried to buy the whole damn cow!” She says slapping her hand roughly on the wood of the bar. “And he’s gone to put an offer on the design too and he’s going to  hold it hostage. That can’t happen.”

“But what about-”

“STRIKE BITCH!” Ari’s excited voice from across the room cuts off your feeble response.

“We’ve got to find another buyer, maybe someone out of the country so he can’t get his hands on it.”

“You can’t gloat when you’re using the bumpers,” Chanel chides her younger sister.

“You can have more of the prototype fleshed out by Monday, right?” Kenya says pulling at her phone taping furiously. “We’re going to need to be aggressive on this.”

There’s more screaming from the sisters at the lane, more talk from Kenya about the design, but all you can hear is your heart beating furiously in your ears.

You had been right when you had hesitated about agreeing to Kenya’s terms for the job. She had been using you, you were indeed just part of her scheme. What was even worse was, you were just eye candy, just as Ari had implied. And it hurt.

But part of you didn’t know what hurt more. The fact that she had indeed used you like you had feared, the fact that she didn’t think that she did anything wrong, or the fact that she was probably setting you up to do it again. Did your sisterhood, your friendship, really mean that little to her?

No, you deiced.

It’s just that her well-being, her success, meant more than anything to her.

“I’m going to get some air,” You mumble as you begin to slip off the stool you’d perched yourself on and covertly grab your purse.

She doesn’t look up you as her thumbs move over her phone screen faster than you had ever seen, “Fine be back in five, I’m going to get us on a call with my bosses.”

“All right,” you agree.

If she had been listening, she would have seen how dejected you were, how there were nearly tears spilling from the corners of your eyes. But she wasn’t.

The warm air of Gotham’s late spring/early summer evening hits your nose sweetly. It gives you pause and causes you to take a few deep breaths to control your tears. You wanted to have at least enough dignity not to cry in public.

“Did it go well?” A smooth familiar voice asks calmly.

You turn to see JoJo leaning against the wall of the bowling alley, a cigarette hanging from her deep purple painted lips.

“Why are you crying?” She asks, her heavily lined eyes becoming wide as she takes in your form.

“You know,” you say sadly, “Just Kenya being Kenya.”

“What a bitch,” she says clicking her tongue. “What did she say? You want me to go take care of it?”

“I don’t want to talk about it right now,” You mumble.

You hear a deep sigh and then her warm hand grasps your shoulder, “You want to come stay the night again?”

“No,” you respond with a shake of your head. “I think I’m going to just go home.”

“Let me take you.”

“It’s all right,” you say with a sad smile. “I’m just going to walk. I’ve got time before the sun sets.”

She looks at you worriedly, “All right but call me when you get home.”

“Will do.”

*** Your walk home had turned into you moping in the middle of Gotham City park. The sun had just started to set, and families had packed up their little ones and were on their way home.

You force yourself to swing your legs, it gives you a little bit of happiness. The sadness in your heart quickly swallows any joy.

*Ring*

You let out a sigh, JoJo was probably wondering where you are.

“I’m almost home I promise,” You answer with a sigh.

“Oh? That’s too bad, I was hoping you would join me for dinner.”

The deepness of the voice you hear causes your heart to drop in slight alarm. You pull the phone away from your face.

DO NOT ANSWER is splashed across your screen.

“Mr. Wayne?” You question slightly confused.

“It is,” He answers smoothly.

“Dinner?” You question looking down at your jeans and a T-shirt.

“Nothing fancy I promise,” he says as if he’s reading your mind.

You bite your lip. Perhaps if your mood had been better you would have had the strength to say no. He was the cause of at least some of this after all. But you feel like eating your feelings.

“Okay.”

“Good, tell me where you are. I’ll pick you up.”

[architectuul]

FOMA 26: UK Post War Experiments

Ross Nesbitt has chosen post war Forgotten Masterpieces in the UK according to their influence, innovation, but above all how they have interacted with the people using them. 

Scottish Secretary Willie Ross and his wife at the opening of the Red Road flats in Glasgow (1964). | Photo via Read Road Pinterest

Each building illustrates how the response of the Modern Movement to the challenges of reconstruction and planning in post-WW2 era Britain touched on many aspects of daily life: religion, education, retail, work and transport. And they all divide public opinion. 

Starting with the original medieval Coventry Cathedral, destroyed by the Luftwaffe on 14 November 1940 in an air raid code-named Moonlight Sonata. 

Rebuilding of the cathedral started in 1955, and by the time of the consecration it had become a symbol of hope and reconciliation. | Photo by Ross Nisbet

The attack targeted Coventry's industry, but it was clear that collateral damage and casualties would be considerable. The city was hit by 200 bombs and among many buildings also the cathedral fell. Only the tower, spire and outer wall survived.

Sir Basil Spence was the only architect to insist that the ruins of the old cathedral should remain intact. | Photo via The Twentieth Century Society 

The morning after Provost Richard Howard wrote in chalk on the sanctuary walls “Father, Forgive.” On Christmas 1940 the BBC Home Service broadcast Howard’s message from the cathedral ruins. Howard’s gesture of forgiveness inspired Spence, which was chosen from over 200 architects in a competition in 1951 to design a new cathedral. 

From Priory Street we find Sir Jacob Epstein’s large sculpture of Archangel Michael triumphing over the Devil. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

The main body of the new cathedral is built from red Hollington sandstone, in unity with the ruins of the old. A high porch links them. Zigzag walls with angled windows direct light down the nave onto the altar. The floor is of polished fossil stone. Large artworks commissioned by Spence include stunning abstract stained glass windows by John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens and a tapestry behind the main altar by Graham Sutherland, thought to be the largest in the world.

The Charred Cross emphasize the reconciliation theme. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

After the bombing, cathedral stonemason Jock Forbes noticed two burned wooden roof beams had fallen in the shape of a cross. He tied them together, forming an altar which Spence preserved on the stairs between the new and old part of the cathedral. Provost Howard took three nails from the smouldering beams to make the Cross of Nails, which became the centerpiece of the altar cross in Spence’s new cathedral. 

Spence’s design draws effectively from the cathedral’s history and post-war mission. It’s an uncompromisingly modern construction but also perfectly integrated with its past. Coventry Cathedral shows the visitor the waste and loss of war without flinching, but is not a forbidding structure. Wood is used to great decorative and functional effect, giving warmth and human scale to the nave and choir. The Gethsemane chapel highlights Spence’s talent for juxtaposition and interaction: the visitor passes Spence’s harrowing crown of thorns icon to enter a warm sanctuary beneath war artist Steven Sykes’ dazzling angel mosaic in gold leaf and blue tile.

The Roger Stevens Lecture Theatre is the centerpiece of the complex of buildings for the Leeds University campus. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

Britain saw a great expansion in education as the post-war generation grew up. The number of students and universities nearly doubled from 1960s to 1970s. Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, who had just completed the acclaimed Golden Lane Estate, were engaged as Master Planners at the University of Leeds to oversee in-house architect Geoffrey Wilson and provide expertise to the expansion of the campus. They produced a plan in two phases. An initial report recorded their enquiries and research into the existing campus and set out their vision for the new campus. It summarized the anticipated problems and posed solutions, specifying the required materials, time, space and costs. A second Development Plan focused on the maths and science precinct and features the Roger Stevens Lecture Theatre.

The design was a forward-looking city within a city, and in many ways an important trial run for the Barbican estate. The Development Plans saw Chamberlin, Powell and Bon experimenting with ideas about the principles of urban design, the integration of community and environment into a cohesive whole, and the most economic and adaptable use of space. The plans generated interest at an international level and were influential to the modern movement as a body of research and a definitive model for the modern university campus.

The building’s unconventional configuration of space does require a bit of thought to learn its signage and color coding. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

The building contains 25 tiered lecture theaters with different capacities, a refectory and reprographics facilities. The exterior is futuristic and striking, compared to a church organ, robot or car engine by students. The refectory overlooks a lake, which is more than ornamental as it was designed to provide air conditioning for the building, same idea architects developed on a bigger scale with the Barbican Lake. The layout is deceptively simple, two gently sloping staircases link the lecture theaters and each row of seats has its own individual door, ensuring lectures are not interrupted by latecomers. Its listed status ensures the Roger Stevens Lecture Theatre's future is safe. It's another divisive building but maybe it's just waiting for the rest of us to catch up with it.

An early example of pedestrian planning, Castle Market was a multi-level complex that made maximum use of a compact site. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

Castle Market built in stages between 1959 and 1965 was named after Sheffield Castle. It was almost entirely demolished in 1648 but the remains of the foundations are visible beneath the market. Like Park Hill and Gleadless Valley, Castle Market was a thoughtful and rewarding design, which made great use of Sheffield's famous hills and valleys. Womersley and Darbyshire recognised what made Sheffield an interesting place to build was its slopes and dips, and created a complex with soaring heights (the walkways and Rooftop Cafes) and three labyrinthine floors of markets below, all with access to the street on different levels of the Castle Hill. 

Inside, Castle Market was closer to a modernist re-imagining of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar than the blandly interchangeable malls of today. It was a treasury of mid-century modern mosaics, signage and tile designs, geometric and multi-coloured in seemingly endless variety. Layer upon layer of design eras cried out from every stall, competing for the shopper's attention. Although postmodern signage was added to the walkways in the 1980s, most of Castle Market retained its original 1960s signage, including many classic "formica cafes" - one was used as a location in Shane Meadows' "This is England '88". The ascent to the Roof Top Café, with its sci-fi suspended ceiling and net curtains, offered stunning views of the city.

In Castle Market working class people bought groceries, met friends, drank tea and a gossipped. | Photo via English Cathedrals Archive

Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker had his first job there as a teenager, on John Firth's fish stall. But not everyone appreciated Castle Market. Redevelopment had been planned as early as 1996 by Sheffield City Council, who wanted to expose the remains of the castle walls in a visitors' centre. 

And of course, the surrounding area would be purged in the name of regeneration. This act of social cleansing did not go unopposed. An anonymous request for listed status for Castle Park was made in 2011. Sheffield's Liberal Democrat City Council responded by trying to start a letter writing campaign in favour of demolition. English Heritage rejected the application: "In order to be considered for listing, 20th Century market halls should display a high degree of architectural, technological and historic interest. Those post-war market halls which have already been listed (such as Coventry) have particularly high levels of architectural innovation and artistic achievement which justify the designation of such late buildings.This is not shared by Castle Market in Sheffield." 

Anyone familiar with both Coventry Market and Castle Market would agree that this comparison was patently false. Trading ceased in November 2013 and Castle Market was demolished in 2015. The markets were relocated to The Moor, on the opposite side of town. The new market is the kind of forgettable development that could have been built for any town in the UK. 

The Spence’s project of a government office building in central London could not be more different to Coventry Cathedral. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

After the Second World War, civil servants in London’s Whitehall were working in cramped offices built in the 19th century when government administration was smaller.  With the post-war expansion of the British state, office space was needed outside the historic core of Whitehall. New offices on Queen Anne’s Gate were first planned in 1959, but the original plan of a more conventional tower block was rejected by the Royal Fine Art Commission. Planning permission for Spence’s revised design was given by the Westminster Planning Committee in 1969.

The building on 102 Petty France is in a sensitive location in central London: in view of Buckingham Palace, overlooking The Mall and two of the Royal Parks, St. James's Park and Green Park. Historically, the site was previously occupied by Queen Anne’s Mansions, London’s first high-rise housing, built from 1873-1890. Today, Victorian properties are desirable and the mansion flat format is fashionable again, but the Victorian and Edwardian media decried mansion flats as Babylonian, factory-like and out of scale with historic Georgian buildings. Londoners feared for the value of their property if a sunlight-blocking mansion flat was built nearby. At 12 storeys high, Queen Victoria complained that the Mansions blocked her view. The Mansions tested the limits of planning law, prompting the introduction of height restrictions in the London Building Acts of 1890 and 1894. During WW2, the Mansions were requisitioned as Government offices and retained until they were demolished in 1973. Many in Whitehall hoped the site would be developed with a building more sensitive to the surroundings. What was proposed shocked them.

The 102 Petty France personifies the qualities people love and hate about Brutalism in equal measure. | Photo by Ross Nesbitt

Several Members of Parliament were outraged by Spence’s model and sketches. On 4 July 1972, Lord Reigate, speaking in the House of Lords, asked the Government to intervene and halt building. Calling Spence’s design a mass of monumental masonry, he went on to predict “this unlovely lump of a building will loom over London for a long time, and will, if I may say so, if it is allowed to happen, outlive all your Lordships”. The Earl of Cork and Orrery added “Like the great Martian machines in H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds, the monsters are closing in.” Thankfully (for those of us who appreciate monsters), Lord Reigate failed.

102 Petty France is asymmetrical, angular and makes no concessions to the Georgian row houses of Queen Anne's gate. It’s a big, assertive building which succeeds in its job as a symbol of government authority and a landmark on the local skyline. Walking West from Westminster Abbey, the building draws the eye. From the North, the corner tower, resembling a knight’s helm, rises above the trees of St James’s Park. It also dominates the skyline of Green Park and is even visible from Hyde park. The heavy massing of the projecting first and second floors presents visitors with a striking bunker-like solidity. The Earl’s science fiction comparison is appropriate. The building has a unique personality lacking in most other London office buildings of the time. It’s more impactful than, for example, the works of Richard Seifert.

102 Petty France was designed as flexible office space around three cores, modification of the structural frame proved unnecessary. | Photo via Wikimedia

When the Home Office decided to move to a new headquarters in 2003, the cost of demolition outweighed traditionalists’ calls to demolish 102 Petty France. Extensive modifications were made for its current occupants, the Ministry of Justice. The building was refurbished to accommodate 2,400 staff. A multi-services chilled beam system was installed to upgrade office services. The modifications left the original character of Spence’s design intact and 102 Petty France is now an excellent example of how a Brutalist building can be recycled for the modern era.

A structure that is hard to love, but historically important and symbolic of changes in British society since it was built. | Photo via Leicester City Archive

Today, Lee Circle car park appears totally unremarkable to the casual observer, but the Tesco store and car park that opened there in in 1961 was a pioneering experiment, noteworthy for many reasons. A crowd of over 2,000 turned up to see Sid James, star of the Carry On films, open the store in 1961. The supermarket was the chain’s first expansion outside the Southeast. It entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest store in Europe. Combining a supermarket and a homewares store, with the six-tier Auto-Magic multi-storey car park above providing space for 1050 cars, this was an entirely new retail format in the UK. The opening of the store marked the beginning of self-service shopping in the UK: for the first time, customers could browse alone, filling their own baskets or trolleys. The car park was the first in Europe to be fully automated using coin-operated barriers. Customers refuelled at the forecourt petrol station and used the (also automated) car wash. This was shockingly modern stuff for 1961 but it would become the norm over the next decade. It also illustrates the extent to which the car was prioritized in British town planning at the time, which would be a key factor in Lee Circle’s eventual decline.

The store and car park were integrated so that staff could take customers’ purchases directly to their cars. | Photo via Leicester City Archive

Details of the architect are elusive, but Lee Circle’s double-helix design (where cars ascend on one spiral ramp and descend on another, without meeting) shows they were probably inspired by the Fiat Lingotto Factory, designed by naval engineer and architect Giacomo Matté-Trucco in 1923. 

The efficiency of Lee Circle’s double helix design meant that even at the peak of its popularity in the mid -1960s, queues were rare. The same cannot be said for car parks using the grid system. The complex also housed a bowling alley which featured in Ray Gosling's 1964 film 'Two Town Mad' (comparing Leicester and Nottingham), illustrating Leicester’s status as a truly modern city.

Lee Circle certainly presents a flowing maritime profile, like Streamline Moderne stripped down to the bones. | Photo via Leicester City Archive

The Tesco store closed in the early 80s (today the unit is occupied by a fabric wholesaler) but the car park remains, its concrete weathered and patched. It is still open but under-used. Shoppers were drawn back to the historic centre of Leicester by the Haymarket Shopping Centre (1973) and the Shires Centre (1991), both of which offered parking, and importantly, convenient access to newly pedestrianised shopping streets. The nearby county court and benefits office closed in 2007, reducing demand for parking further. The future of Lee Circle is under threat. Its opening was probably the heyday of this underdeveloped quarter of Leicester, where Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, was born a hundred years before the car park.

–

#FOMA 26: Ross Nesbitt

Ross Nesbitt was born in Scotland and lives in Nottingham, England. He likes to take photographs and has posted his work on Scavengedluxury since 2010.

[horses-in-art-history]

Going to the Meet: Captain F.G. Chamberlin and his sister on Mousehold Heath, Norwich by Sir Alfred James Munnings (1878-1959).

Sir Alfred James Munnings

[apuestatas414]

La guía terminante de Royal Ascot que incluye dónde mirar y de qué manera apostar

Con Royal Ascot en marcha el martes, hay mucho con lo que hay que llevar cuidado con lo que habrían de ser cinco días llenos.

Acá está nuestra guía de sillón sobre qué aguardar, e inclusive lo que podría ser diferente este año con el acontecimiento a puertas cerradas en medio de la pandemia de coronavirus.

DONDE VER ITV4 - The Opening Espectáculo (nueve.30am).

ITV - Cobertura en vivo (1.30-5pm cada día).

Organizado por Ed Chamberlin y Francesca Cumani con Mick Fitzgerald, Jason Weaver y Luke Harvey.

SKY SPORTS RACING (Cielo 415; Virgen 418)

La cobertura comienza a las 9 a.m. y también incluye todas y cada una de las carreras. Presentado por Alex Hammond con Jim McGrath, Hayley Moore, Josh Apiafi y Freddy Tylicki. Entrevistas de Matt Chapman compartidas por los dos canales.

DONDE ESCUCHAR

talkSport 2 (1-5pm)

BBC Radio cinco Live Sports Extra (dos.55-4.20pm)

First Receiver representa la mejor oportunidad de un ganador real en las estacas de Hampton Court

LO QUE VERÁ Y LO QUE NO SERÁ Ningún espectador o bien dueño, con protocolos que solo permiten un novio y un entrenador, o bien su representante, por caballo. No más de 500 personas al día en camino. La reunión generalmente tiene 300,000 espectadores durante los 5 días.

Todos aquellos cuyos trabajos significan que deben ponerse a una distancia de 2 m entre sí, como los manejadores de puestos iniciales. Los códigos de indumentaria tradicionales de Royal Ascot han sido suspendidos.

No hay procesiones ni presentaciones reales, y la Reina, que perdió su primer Royal Ascot en su reinado de sesenta y ocho años, esperaba verla en la T.V. en el Castillo de Windsor.

Tamaños de campo limitados a 24 por carrera. Los corredores extranjeros están permitidos en carreras en el nivel listado y superior, pero no en desventajas.

CÓMO APOSTAR Las apuestas se pueden realizar online con las principales casas de apuestas, al tiempo que las tiendas en Inglaterra reabrieron el primer día de la semana. El Tote se pondrá en super piscinas internacionales en las 36 carreras con apuestas de la ciudad de Hong Kong y otras naciones líderes en carreras.

La piscina mundial del año pasado vio de qué forma las piscinas crecieron de £ 17.9 millones en 2018 a £ nueve.2 millones.

CONSEJOS DE ASCOTO REAL - DÍA UNO: Deben tomarse los viajantes espaciales... 'Es realmente difícil saltar de un caballo cuando no hay nadie... El entrenador Charlie Hills respalda a Battaash para hacer un gran estruendos... Cieren los ojos de Fallon Royal Ascot gloria tras demandar un corte...

TOP JOCKEYS REAL DE ASCOTO Frankie Dettori (67 victorias)

Las mejores atracciones: Frankly Darling (Ribblesdale Stakes, martes); Rey Leonidas (Suéter Stakes, jueves); Stradivarius (Copa de Oro, jueves); Ojo del cielo (Norfolk Stakes, viernes); Escéptico (Diamond Jubilee Stakes, sábado).

Ryan Moore (58 victorias)

Mejores atracciones: Circus Maximus (Queen Anne Stakes, martes); Mogul (Estacas del Rey Eduardo VII, martes); Feliz (Duque de Cambridge Stakes, martes); el país nipón (Estacas del Príncipe de Gales, miércoles); Wichita (Estacas del Palacio de San Jaime, sábado).

William Buick (23 victorias)

Mejores atracciones: Barney Roy (Estacas del Príncipe de Gales, miércoles); Noticias modernas (Chesham Stakes, jueves); West End Charmer (Duque de Edimburgo Stakes, viernes); Fuerza creativa (estacas de Coventry, sábado); Pinatubo (Estacas del Palacio de San Jaime, sábado).

James Doyle (trece victorias)

Mejores atracciones: Skardu (Queen Anne Stakes, martes); Miss O'Connor (Duque de Cambridge Stakes, martes); Wejdan (Sandringham Stakes, jueves); Golden Melody (Albany Stakes, viernes); Sagrado (Queen Mary Stakes, sábado).

Sir Michael Stoute, en la fotografía con Crystal Ocean, es el mejor adiestrador de Royal Ascot con 81 victorias

PRINCIPALES ENTRENADORES DE ASCOTO REAL Sir Michael Stoute, derecha (81 victorias)

Mejores corredores: Mustashry (Queen Anne Stakes, martes); Queen Power (Duque de Cambridge Stakes, martes); Jubiloso (Duque de Cambridge Stakes, martes); Primer receptor (Hampton Court Stakes, miércoles); Laafy (Duque de Cambridge Stakes, viernes).

Aidan O'Brien (setenta victorias)

Mejores corredores: Circus Maximus (Queen Anne Stakes, martes); Mogul (Estacas del Rey Eduardo VII, martes): Japón (Estacas del Príncipe de Gales, miércoles); Más bella (Albany Stakes, viernes); Anthony Van Dyck (Hardwicke Stakes, viernes); Pacífica (Estacas de coronación, sábado).

John Gosden (4. victorias)

Mejores corredores: Frankly Darling (Ribblesdale Stakes, martes); Nazeef (Duque de Cambridge Stakes, martes); Stradivarius (Copa de Oro, jueves); Rey Leonidas (Suéter Stakes, jueves); Palace Pier (Estacas del Palacio de San Jaime, sábado).

Mark Johnson (cuatro victorias)

Mejores corredores: Rochester House (Ascot Stakes, martes); Llama Dorada (Chesham Stakes, jueves); Ojo del cielo (Norfolk Stakes, viernes); Elarqam (Hardwicke Stakes, viernes), Qaader (Coventry Stakes, sábado).

PRIMER RECEPTOR DE LOS CORREDORES DE LA REINA (Hampton Court Stakes, miércoles).

Representa la mejor ocasión de un ganador real tras andar 7 tramos en Kempton el dos de junio. Podría ser un contrincante de Derby si gana esto.

TÁCTICA (Windsor Castle Stakes, miércoles).

Atrae apoyo en las apuestas y aguardamos haber aprendido de su debut seguidamente tras el pasmante Eye Of Heaven en Newmarket.

PUNTUACIÓN (Queen's Vase, viernes)

Avanza en el viaje y baja el nivel de discapacidad después de descubrir que las cosas suceden demasiado rápido a lo largo de una milla y cuarto en Newmarket.

DESAFÍOS EN EL EXTRANJERO Las restricciones de viaje significan menos corredores de fuera de G. Bretaña y también Irlanda, pero un puñado significativo ha hecho el esfuerzo.

ESTADOS UNIDOS

SUNSHINE CITY (Estacas del Castillo de Windsor, miércoles)

Uno de los 7 pequeños de dos años que representan al adiestrador Ward, que ha tenido 10 ganadores de la asamblea real. Frankie Dettori está reservado para esta potra, que ganó en su debut en Gulfstream Park en Florida en abril.

COMPARTIR (Estacas de coronación, sábado).

Entrenador: Graham Motion

Ganador decisivo del césped juvenil Breeders 'Cup del año pasado en Santa Anita en California. Tuve una exitosa carrera de calentamiento en Churchill Downs el mes pasado para su entrenador de expatriados.

KIMARI (Copa de la Commonwealth, viernes).

Entrenador: Wesley Ward

3 veces ganador que fue segundo en la Queen Mary Stakes de la temporada pasada y cuarto en el Breeders 'Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

FRANCIA

WASMYA (Duque de Cambridge Stakes, martes)

El entrenador tuvo el primer ganador de la asamblea real el año pasado y Dettori está reservado para montar a esta potra de carrera ligera.

CELESTIN (Suéter Stakes, jueves).

Entrenador: Fabrice Chappet

Su resolución de dejar a los 2.000 guineas franceses en cuarto lugar de una milla a siete furlongs semeja el movimiento adecuado.

MADERA (Commonwealth Cup, viernes).

Entrenador: Francis Graffard

Otra entrada entrenada en Graffard que ganó un esprint del Grupo Tres en Chantilly el mes pasado por 3 largos y medio. Lo pone en la mezcla.

En el en el caso de que usted amado este artículo informativo junto con desea ser dado más información sobre apuestas deportivas apuestas deportivas le imploro que detenga por nuestra página.

[averycuriousplace]

Star Trek One Shots Kirk & Original Female Character

Kirk / Riley

Kirked Again….

“The girl will be married to the high chancellor's son in exchange for the treaty.” The  Chamberlin said

This was supposed to be an easy mission just go down do the treaty thing and boom done..

Kirk strikes again….luck of the damned this man.

Lt. Riley leaned close to Captain Kirk and asked “Does he mean me??”

“Yeah i think he does...but it’s ok. No seriously i’ve got this.” kirk said

“That’s not how we do things in the Federation first of all and second of all that girl is my wife. I’m kind of attached so i think i’ll keep her.” Kirk said smiling

“You think?? You think you’ll keep me??” Riley said crossing her arms and looking at kirk

Kirk looked back at Lt. Riley and seeing the potentially homicidal look on her face he swallowed and said “I mean I'm definitely keeping you honey. You know that baby. Love you bunny bear” kirk said covering his bases

“Better Dear…” Riley said

“We were not notified that you were bonded Captain” The Chamberlin    said

“That was my failure sir….i must have forgotten to enclose the information.  My apologies.” Lt. Uhura said quickly

There was murmuring throughout the room

“This is highly unusual...treaties must be sealed with a marriage.”  The Vice-Chamberlin interjected

“Under these circumstances we will need to return to our ship and contact the Federation to make further arrangements.  My apologies but we were unaware of the marriage aspect.  And currently have no one available. We will get back with you as soon as possible Chamberlin.” kirk said

The Chamberlin and Vice-Chamberlin did a half bow

“Kirk to Enterprise please beam up the away team.” kirk said

There was a shimmer and suddenly we were back on the ship.

Kirk glanced back at Lt. Riley as Spock walked into the transporter room.

“Now Riley just be calm...ok” kirk said backing off the pad

“Captain what seems to be the problem?” Spock asked

“You think you’ll keep me?” Riley said walking up to Kirk and stomping on his foot hard

“Ow Riley...come on i didn’t mean it. Of course we were always going to keep you. I mean you’re my wife after all.” Kirk said laughing

Lt. Riley glared at him them stormed out of the transporter room

“Pardon Captain??” Spock asked with a raised eyebrow

“It’s a thing Spock….I think she might be mad” kirk said

“Indeed.” Spock said

“Gee Jim what was your first hint….the murderous gleam in her eye or when she was trying to break your foot with her boots?” Bones asked

“Both??” Kirk said

Bones shook his head and walked out.

Spock stared at the Captain for another minute before stiffly turning and leaving the room.

“Apparently she’s not the only one that’s mad at you SIr.” Lt. Uhura said with a smirk before heading back to the bridge.

“Damn it…” He said heading to the bridge

[mhsn033]

Capt Sir Tom Moore official portrait unveiled at Army museum

Image copyright Alexander Chamberlin

Image caption The oil painting was once commissioned by the Military and painted by used Military officer Alexander Chamberlin

An legit portrait of Captain Sir Tom Moore has been unveiled at the Nationwide Military Museum in London.

The oil painting of the 100-year-frail Military dilapidated who raised extra than £32m for NHS charities was once created by artist Alexander Chamberlin.

It has been hung at the museum as piece of commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day on Saturday.

Mr Chamberlin said Capt Sir Tom had been “extremely accommodating” and he was once “vastly proud” to possess painted it.

Capt Sir Tom had first and indispensable attach attach of dwelling out to capture £1,000 for NHS charities by time and every other time walking an 82ft (25m) loop of his Bedfordshire backyard.

But he at final raised £32,794,701 from a pair of-and-a-half of million supporters.

A used Military officer himself, artist Mr Chamberlin said he was once “approached by a colonel in the Military who observed the ought to story [Capt Sir Tom’s] tale in the form of language of the portrait… and he knew my work, because I had painted heads of converse, politicians and dad stars”.

Image copyright Alexander Chamberlin

Image caption The artist said it was once “an immense privilege” to were chosen to colour the legit portrait

Talking at the legit unveiling of the work at the Chelsea museum, he said: “It’s led to this, and I’m vastly proud to were enthusiastic.”

Mr Chamberlin said meeting the dilapidated had been “wonderful”.

“Him and his grandson… were extremely accommodating and I mediate it was once very provocative to obtain him in a converse where he was once most relaxed.”

Image copyright Getty Photos

Image caption Capt Sir Tom was once knighted final month

He is portrayed carrying his medals, regimental tie and even the gold Blue Peter Badge awarded to him in recognition of his fundraising efforts.

Image copyright Alexander Chamberlin

Image caption The framed portrait now hangs in the Nationwide Military Museum in London

Capt Sir Tom had been stationed in Burma all the map in which by World War Two.

In an announcement released by the museum, he said: “Victory over Japan is as valuable a bit of our historical previous as Victory in Europe and I hope that it’s a long way in actuality never forgotten.

“It is gentle to know that the portrait shall be displayed at the Nationwide Military Museum to join the final public with this historical previous, and I hope it continues to back bid the historical previous of the British Military for decades, perhaps even centuries, to conclude lend a hand.”

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[authenticnewshindi]

Capt Sir Tom Moore's official portrait unveiled

Capt Sir Tom Moore’s official portrait unveiled

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Image copyright Alexander Chamberlin

Image caption The oil painting was commissioned by the Army and painted by former Army officer Alexander Chamberlin

An official portrait of Captain Sir Tom Moore has been unveiled at the National Army Museum in London.

The oil painting of the 100-year-old…

[mynewsexpress]

Capt Sir Tom Moore official portrait unveiled at Army museum

Capt Sir Tom Moore official portrait unveiled at Army museum

[ad_1]

Image copyright Alexander Chamberlin

Image caption The oil painting was commissioned by the Army and painted by former Army officer Alexander Chamberlin

An official portrait of Captain Sir Tom Moore has been unveiled at the National Army Museum in London.

The oil painting of the 100-year-old Army veteran who raised more…

[thenonsemblejazznotjazz]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE NONSEMBLE :: REBEL.JAZZ (@thenonsemble)

HEAR HERE :: BILLY MOHLER - BASS-LINES AS A BASELINE... Finally and Forever in "FOCUS" :: We intitially got wind of Bassist / Bandleader and MAKE Music Mogul, the magical Mr. Mohler by way of his understated [and vastly under-rated] connection to and work with The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex... :: Since then, we have made our way out to see him in several different scenes and spots around town and have always been more than mildly impressed with the imaginative intricacy of his playing. :: We knew that he had something new brewing. Though the details were dark and timeline undefined. :: So we were VERY presently surprised to hear from him this morning with a super cool note and a sneak peek at his forthcoming album... FOCUS. :: Joined in 4tet formation with Shane Endsley on Trumpet, Chris Speed smoking Sax and Nate Wood behind the skin set... Billy Mohler has delivered an LP with everytjing from Post-Modern New York style proto-trad to some of the most sublime Spiritual Jazz we've heard in moons. :: Well-Played, Sir. And Thank You ever-so-much for having us along! :: [More at the end of the linknin our bio... not too much more - for now. Never worry. We will be back to talk about THIS one!] :: #Jazz #NotJazz #JazzNotJazz #JazzAtLeftOfCenter #JazzFusion #SpiritualJazz #JazzAliveAndThriving #JazzAliveNThrivin #BillyMohler #JazzBass #UprightBass #ChrisSpeed #JazzSaxophone #Saxophonist #ShaneEndsley #JazzTrumpet #NateWood #JazzDrummer #KneeBody #MakeRecords #ModernJazz #PostModernJazz #ProgJazz #ContemporaryJazz #LAJazz  #PostModConJazz (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtnGmoQD7s9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1demwirwt6o3y

[cutesypooh]

Tired Bulldog Dad Needs Break From His Playful Puppies

Tired Bulldog Dad Needs Break From His Playful Puppies

Tired Bulldog Dad Needs Break From His Playful Puppies – 

Jenny Chamberlin from Belleview, Florida shared this amusing video of her two-year-old English bulldog, Sir Spanky, taking refuge on the couch to temporarily escape his new litter of nine rambunctious puppies. “Sir Spanky is generally well spirited, but is sometimes overwhelmed when all nine of his puppies want to play.”

[emblem-333]

MJ vs Sir Charles & The Glide

Settling on my cushy chair on a hot summer day, the sun shining brilliantly in the clear blue sky I thought there isn’t a better time to stay indoors. Flipping on “Hardwood Classics” on ESPN Classic I did just that. Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals was on, Sir Charles and Clyde “The Glide” Drexler going up against their nemesis Michael Jeffery Jordan. MJ beat both when separate, Drexler shrank from the stage; Barkley rose to the occasion only to be smacked down in six-games when all signs pointed towards an epic Game 7 on the horizon before John Paxson’s left of center three-pointer hit nothing but net. Ending the best opponent Jordan ever faced since the “Bad Boy” Pistons. Charles and Clyde when separate Jordan ate them alive. Together: maybe they could beat him.

The 1996-97 Rockets did what the Lakers of 1969 did: took the most simplest approach to how to go about beating one team. How do you neutralize Dennis Rodman? Why just trade for the “Round Mound of Rebound” of course. Slot him next to the third greatest center of all-time and suddenly the Bulls are relying on Luc Longly more than anybody would want. The 1996-7 Rockets were the classic case of a team not giving a fuck about their future, maxing out all their assets for one-year for their franchise player before he moved on to another phase of his career. Olajuwon and Drexler were both 34, Barkley was 33, Mario Ellie was 33, backup center Kevin Willis was 34, backup wing Eddie Johnson was 37. Unlike the Jordan’s teammates - mostly referring to Pippin and Kukoc - neither of the players named had much in the take for future seasons. They did not have the demonic devotion to conditioning that Jordan did.

For Charles and Clyde their original situations fell apart. Hamstrung by crappy ownership Barkley kicked and screamed till the infamous twenty-five cents on the dollar deal that sent him to Phoenix happened. The Blazers, for all their brilliance on offense, missed their window once Jordan came of age after 1991. Phil Jackson affirmed the Blazers tendency to “self-destruct” late in games prior to the start of the ‘92 Finals. And low and behold in a do-or-die Game 6 in Chicago up fifteen heading into the fourth the Bulls outscored the Blazers by a margin of 33-14. Thus the last nail was put in the Drexler-Kersey-Porter era Blazers coffin. Never again to contend for a title until 1999 with a different cast all together. Ironically the same issues of unnecessary turnovers, poor decision-making among other cancerous mistakes cost them a chance at the NBA Title against the Phil Jackson coached Los Angeles Lakers; star small forward Scottie Pippen was in the same chase for a ring situation Barkley-Drexler-Olajuwon were a few years only with arguably a better supporting cast and a undeniably worse coach in Mike Dunleavey. Even more ironically, Pippen was supposed to PREVENT another meltdown.

It took the star-studded Rockets seven-games to end the Supersonics reign as Western Conference champions, and another seven to push back the ever so valiant Stockton & Malone Jazz, edging the duo out on a Barkley-led 7-0 run in the last minute-twelve seconds of the game by a score of 88-91. By the skin of their teeth the AARP Houston Rockets were back in the NBA Finals against the opponent they wanted all along. To silence all the doubters who devalued Olajuwon’s two championships in '94-'95 because Jordan wasn’t waiting in the wings. The last hurrah of late-80s, early-90s basketball to begin in June of 1997.

Never before had Jordan had so much on the line in an NBA Finals, gone against such a loaded team that forced his squad to rely on the likes of Steve Kerr and Luc Longly. Jordan-Pippen-Rodman were enough to win 141 games over the last two seasons, set a season record for victories in a season and breeze through two playoff runs seemingly without breaking a sweat. All of the NBA were ants compared to the Chicago Bulls, like the Celtics made the league feel in the days of Bill Russell. Every season beginning with a “why even bother” feeling, only proven true by season’s end. In 1968 the Lakers were sick of losing to the same guy over and over, they finally pulled the trigger to become the second team to get Chamberlin on a ten cents on the dollar trade for him. Thinking if Elgin and Jerry weren’t enough to beat Russell, perhaps his greatest foe could push them over the top?

Well, that didn’t happen. Despite Jerry West’s ballin’ for 37.9 points, off 49% shooting, and 7.4 assists in the greatest series of his storied career, Russell knew Wilt like the back of his hand. Even with the rehabilitation Wilt went under in 1967 in Philadelphia, utilizing his passing skills converting himself into an assist-whore, since earlier Wilt only cared about points and rebounds. He sprained his angle in Game 7, came out for a little while. The Lakers went on a little run and when Wilt asked coach Butch van Breda Kolff stubbornly replied “we’re doing better without you,” and his posturing cost them the title and his job. Can’t also underestimate the psychological edge Boston held over LA couldn't be matched to any one-sided rivalry in sports at the time.

Houston’s core battled their inner demons of past failures and the ghost of Michael Jordan’s success. His Airness subsumed all of what Charles, Clyde and Hakeem accomplished in their long careers. All that mattered in that time in basketball was the Bulls. The allure of the bright red and losing yourself in the dark as the night sky 23. When the time for talk ended and the tip-off proceeded as planned a wave washed over all those in Chicago, in Houston, those in the arena, on the floor and even the announcers. A cathartic resolution was to be brought in the coming weeks. Eight All-Stars in the NBA Finals, shattering all expectations when it didn’t seem possible.

Stealing Game 1 on the road behind Olajuwon and his 31 points, twenty rebounds and three blocks and emasculating Rodman for thirty-six minutes. Jordan and Pippen roared back for fifty-five points and sixteen rebounds combined in a 102-91 thrashing. More of the same followed in a game 3, ensuring the series wouldn’t end in the Lone Star State. Ellie and Penn State rookie Maloney hit nine 3s, the point guard posting fifteen assists, Barkley grabbed thirteen boards en route to the Rockets tying the series in a 95-99 squeaker.

Game 5 is usually when Jordan doesn’t play around. These things don’t last longer than six-games typically. Forty-six points, eleven rebounds and eight assists wasn’t enough from the GOAT, Barkley-Clyde-Hakeem combined for eighty-six of their team’s points, barley pushing the veteran Rockets over the defending champions 113-105, setting the stage for Game six.

Legacies are formed and broken in Game sevens, but Game sixes are almost always better for whatever reasons. Even with all the accolades Jordan could not stand losing. This is the guy who lost to a friend at ping-pong once at college, bought his own table me trained until he was the best player on the team. The time of experimentation was over, Phil decided to go with what he knew worked. Taking advantages of size matchups wherever he could find them.

Sporting three inches over Mario Ellie Pippen made a joke of Ellie guarding him in the first half, hitting six of his first nine, 15 points and 5 rebounds when the buzzer signaled a change of sides. Michael couldn’t fly like he did in the early 90s when he and Pip made Magic and Worthy look as if they regretted picking basketball for a career; they just kept attacking them like a pack of crazed dogs. But he could hit the fadeaway with such consistency your knees buckled just from watching. Mother of all Christ, how can you stop this guy? It didn’t matter Hakeem and Charles clogged the paint, Jordan found his spots. Drexler responded to this by doing his best impression of a watered up corpse.

Barkley and Rodman battled for every rebound, every put-back, for every positioning on defense. For the brute force Rodman exhibited under the basket, Barkley knew how to score. 12 points, 10 rebounds for Barkley to Rodman’s 0 points and 14 rebounds. For the entirety of the first half the juice in the building was palpable, Jordan’s veins pulsating through his wrist, even i could see it and we’re talking 1997 television graphics. Maloney came up big where Drexler shrank, posting six points and four assists to give Houston the slim lead of 49-52, Jordan leading the game in scoring (22) and steals (5) and confirmed kills. Half of those points coming from the charity stripe because Barkley was tossing him around like a rag doll at every opportunity. Olajuwon brought down twelve boards, three blocks and two steals, not even committing a single foul.

Second half, Rudy T decided enough is enough and moved Ellie on to Jordan, Maloney on Kerr, Barkley on Pippen, Hakeem on Rodman and try to Jedi Mind Trick Luc Longly into firing off twelve-footers. Chicago’s first three possessions are punctuated by the energy being seeped out of the building and Longly front rimming everything. A Super Mario three and a Barkley and-one gave Houston a 49-58 lead before Phil burns his first time out of the half.

Drexler walks out of the huddle and sinks a twenty-six footer and mugs right in front Jordan’s face. Bad move. MJ says “fuck this,” drives like a freight train to the basket for a bucket and foul, nails a three of his own, and a sixteen-footer. Time out Rockets, 57-61 Rockets. There isn’t an adjustment you can make for Michael Jordan having enough of your shit. Just hope he simmers down.

Rudy T comes out of the timeout with Randy Livingston in place of Matt Maloney who’s earned a rest chasing Jordan like Wile E. Coyote hunting the Road Runner on switches. Before the huddle breaks Rudy emphasizes to Randy Livingston not leave his defensive assignment - Steve Kerr - under any circumstances, and tells Drexler to take on MJ. After a short dribbling exhibition Jordan gives it to Pippen on the right elbow, Barkley picks him up, forcing him to throw it to a wide open Jordan beyond the arc, seeing this Livingston closes out and manages to get MJ to get rid of the ball…right to Steve Kerr for the twenty-seven foot triple. 60-61. Barkley looks like he’s about to body slam Randy through the announcer table.

For most part thus game couldn’t have gone better for Houston up till this point. Pippen hadn’t scored since the 3:29 mark of the second quarter. Rodman’s been relegated to the bench due to his four fouls and Barkley hasn’t launched any ill-advised threes.

Scratch that. Speak of the devil. Barkley from the right corner hits the side of the rim, leading to a Harper-Pippen fast break, Longly taps it in for the put-back, Bulls take their first lead of the second half. Since the Drexler poking of the bear the Bulls have enjoyed a 13-0 run. Jordan contributing eight points and a crucial assist and continued to lockdown Clyde. Houston needs to get this game back to the inside, goad Pippen and Jordan near the basket. Olajuwon hasn’t allowed a point by either of them in his territory.

On offense the Rockets do just that, Livingston floats a pass over Pippen’s head and into Barkley’s hands, count it and the foul on Longly, his third of the night. Barkley sinks the extra and the Rockets now lead by a full possession. Barkley and Pip jaw at each other, earning a technical for both parties. Michael wants a piece of Charles for that elbow he threw at him in the second, having to be restrained by MMA master Robert Parish, a man Jordan wouldn’t - or shouldn’t even think about fighting. Charles has played like a nasty SOB all night. He hit the back of Longly’s head, tossed Jordan around the parquet and somehow got away with a kick to Bill Wennington’s left knee. One foul was called on Charles prior to the tech. One. Good job, Ed, you earn that dough.

A hesitation dribble done by Harper, he pulls up for a nineteen-footer, hits the left side of the rim, Hakeem gets the rebound ripped from his hands by MJ, and is given a forearm to the cheek in return. Two shots for Jordan. Nice guy my ass. Jordan makes both free throws bringing his point total to 32, and tying to game at 64 a piece.

Halfway thru the third and Rudy brings back in Ellie after two-minutes and twelve seconds of play time passing. I must say, moving Ellie on to Jordan worked great. It couldn’t have been done without Rodman on the bench, Pippen ate Mario alive before the rotation change. Now with Barkley breathing down Scottie’s neck, the best duo in basketball suffered its worse stretch of the night. For the rest of the third quarter, Pippen and Jordan would go scoreless, Houston would enjoy a 10-3 run and lead 74-67 at period’s end. Kevin Willis scored 7 of those ten points and ripped two boards from Longly’s clammy hands.

I’m stunned Kukoc hasn’t seen the floor yet. Is he even alive?

The Rockets are unafraid and even celebratory, while the Bulls look as tight as an otters anus. Kerr and Jordan bark at one another, MJ wants the ball, Kerr tells Jordan to “shut the fuck up,” at least that’s how I read his lips. Kerr brings the ball up to the floor on the right side, bounce passes it to Pippen in the post draped by Barkley, jump hook goes in.

Ellie goes down the floor, passes up a contested layup to Maloney for three and sinks it. 77-69, Rockets. Second triple of the night for Matt, 14 total points, five assists. Timeout Chicago. The fans at the United Center are in desperate need of a B12 shot. Barkley’s slapping hands with the rookie Maloney. What’s eluded him all his career is just seventeen minutes away. By the end of the third Houston’s lead was 83-75, Maloney hit one more three for good measure, Pippen tried to respond by going inside and getting blocked by Barkley making sure he’d never again go under the basket.

Jordan on Drexler, MJ looked to have mentally scarred “The Glide”, eight points, 3 turnovers, and didn’t see much of the floor in the third. Rudy T is going to have to go back to him soon. Ellie and Maloney are going to wear down. The 4th period starts with Jordan getting to his spot at the free throw line on back-to-back possessions getting Chicago within four. Drexler tries to throw it to Olajuwon in the post, deflected by Jordan, throws it to a streaking Randy Brown for the clear path layup. Houston up by two, timeout Rudy T, 9:48 left.

Rodman’s back in, five fouls for him now and is relegated to just being the an enforcer at this point. He returns and barrels through Barkley for his first bucket of the night. Tie game. Barkley tries to get payback, Pippen and Rodman stuff him on the double-team in the pinch post, ball comes free and is scooped up by a Ron Harper and dunks. Bulls lead. That B12 shot finally made its way to the United Center. This crowd has become unglued and are smelling blood. This long from being over. Jordan is anything but complacent. Pippen wants to go to war against Barkley and settle the “who’s the best forward” argument.

Hakeem’s back in, Bulls go with Rodman at center and dare Barkley to shoot. All his points tonight came courtesy of his fat ass so this strategy makes sense. Barkley pumps fake at the elbow, dishes it to a cutting Ellie for the uncontested layup, Rockets tie the game at 85. Bulls come down the court, Pippen takes the pass from Kerr at the baseline and drains the corner three. Jordan’s singing Scottie’s praises as he gets the crowd to go from unglued to fucking ballistic. In the commotion Maloney heaves it over Olajuwon’s head out of bounce. Deer in the headlights look on Maloney.

Bulls waste no time taking advantage of the Rockets mistake, Pippen again takes a long-range shot from the corner this time it rims out, a bunch of “ooohs” and “ahhs” followed by collective groans from spectators, Rodman pulls the ball to his chest, Jordan open at the free throw line and drains it. Two possession lead for Chicago, 90-85. Jordan has 38 and leads the game in scoring. Timeout Houston, they only have two left and there’s four-in-half left in the ballgame. Just judging by the body language who do you think is up 3-2 in this series? Livingston has his shoulders slumped, Barkley looks gassed. On the other end MJ, Scottie and Harper look ready to run a marathon when this is over.

Jason Caffey is in for Rodman, don’t know how I feel about this substitution. I don’t think the Rockets know he has five fouls otherwise they wouldn’t have guarded him as poorly as they did. Houston trots out Willis-Johnson-Barkley-Ellie-Maloney, I think Rudy’s seen enough of Drexler tonight. 3/12, eight points in the biggest game of his career.

Barkley’s played thirty-six minutes, Hakeem thirty-three, you notice the two’s contrasting body characteristics. Sir Charles glued his hands on his knees, Hakeem stands tall with both hands square on his hips. Noticing this, Maloney uses Olajuwon for a pick & roll and drains a three from dead center. 90-88. I see big things for Matt Maloney. On the other end Pippen sees a physically used up Barkley and drives into him for a trip to the line. Charles’ fourth foul of the night. Pippen makes 1 of 2 from the stripe, 91-88 Chicago, 3:13 left to go.

Taking control of this game Maloney does what should’ve been done the moment Rodman stepped back on to the parquet: run into Rodman and get that damned sixth foul…and the bucket. Maloney clanks the game-tying free throw, its rebounded by Charles, the putback is stuffed, Ellie picks up the loose ball eleven-feet from the basket and sinks the jumper. 92-91 Houston, 2:20 left. Jackson calls for timeout and suddenly the United Center became quieter than a funeral parlor - again.

Phil’s trying to draw up a ATO, kinda pointless. These sorts of games dwindle down to one-on-one, how much your best players have left in the tank. Rewatch last year’s Game 7 of the Finals the Warriors moved the ball better than any team I’ve ever seen. But in the biggest moment of the season, a 73-win season on the line, Steph couldn’t get passed Love off the dribble. Suddenly all the ball movement stopped and Cleveland was gifted with the Warriors going scoreless in the final four-minutes.

Jordan takes the inbounds from Pippen, goes under the basket, Jordan holds the ball with Ellie showing respect by guarding him in-front of the free throw line. Kicks it into high gear and drives it through the basket like it was nothing. 93-92. Okay, that wasn’t the play Jackson drew up, but like I said: these things come down to who has the most talent and energy left…maybe a fluke here and there just for good measure.

Drexler is back in, Maloney is out. NO! Takes it out from half court, Rudy draws up a redundant ATO that is of course ignored. Hakeem calls for it, Wennington trying his damnedest to keep him as far as from the basket, Pippen is sagging off Barkley beyond the arc ready to be the help defender. Drexler manages to thread the needle to Olajuwon on a bounce-pass, takes to his left, Pippen closes in, Hakeem dumps it to a wide-open Barkley - NO!

“Barkley for the lead…YES!” He did it! He fucking did it! Pigs have been confirmed to be flying in Hell on a cold day! Twenty fucking years later and I still can’t believe it!

Remember 'Forget Paris’, Billy Crystal is an NBA ref, falls in love with a girl or whatever. The voice actors for Marge Simpson and “Fat” Tony are in it. Anyways, the movie starts with Sir Charles hitting a three-pointer against the Spurs to send the Suns back to the NBA Finals. It’s waived off, Charles barks at a stern Billy Crystal that his waiving off his game-winner was “Turrible” in his classic Sir Charles drawl, the e being converted to a u. I feel like the writers didn’t want to put that in there because Barkley and myself would shoot the same percentage if the NBA let me play.

But now here it is, happening right before my very eyes. Ellie doesn’t know what to do with himself so he calls back to the “Kiss of Death” he infamously became known for - ironically against Barkley’s Suns in '95. This time Mario makes a point to do it across the court to Michael Jordan and he sees it. Gulp. Timeout Chicago, 42.8 ticks left.

Was that by design? Did Rudy Tomjanovich (see, I know how to spell his name. I’m just too lazy to do it) ignore all logic and reason and scribbled a play where Hakeem draws a double-team on the high pinch post, Ellie and Clyde isolate their respective defenders into the corners, 'Keem gives Wennington a little “Dream Shake” before Pip comes for the help, leaving Barkley open to make the most improbable shot in NBA history???

Nah. He probably just told his team to give it to Olajuwon and get the hell outta the way. That’s what I would do. What’s the point in even telling basketball players what to do in the waning seconds of a close game. Pride and masculinity takes over, in Charles’ head he HAD to take that shot. To the rest of us sane people: he didn’t.

Quick question: how much did that shot do for Barkley’s legacy? Is that one spot alone the reason in Simmons’ book put Barkley above Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone in the Pyramid?

Clyde stays in, Maloney is still out. That’s good. Never rely on a rookie in these moments. Especially with Jordan on the floor who’s made it his mission to hunt down Maloney all night. Oh, look, Toni’ on the floor! Hello, Toni! Look at him, folks. The only person in the building that won’t need a shower when this is all over.

Kukoc inbounds it to Jordan, Harper calls for the ball but he isn’t going to get. Ellie is doing one of two things: either he’s trying to goad Jordan into a fifteen-footer, he’ll leave with the result of it. Or, he wants Jordan to go for the win, trusting the larger sample that suggest Jordan isn’t a good three-point shooter. (34% was his percentage after the '97 regular season. Below average, but this was before teams even noticed the three-point line. If Michael played today he’d make them with the consistency of Klay Thompson)

Barkley and Hakeem stand pat in the paint, Michael blows past Ellie and into Barkley’s somewhat flappy torso, the ref swallows his whistle and the ball grazes the rim, rebound Hakeem. As the seconds dwindle down the Bulls scramble to find the worst free throw shooter on the Rockets and settle on Barkley (69.4 ft%). Fifteen-seconds left, Houston’s up two, chance to make it four and do what Charles couldn’t do in Phoenix: beat Michael.

Seriously, though, how was that not a foul? Barkley is clearly out of the restricted area…I think I seen a shove. What was the thing I said before about these things being decided by fluke-like occurrences?

Marv Albert, Matt Guokas and Bill Walton are not on the same page. Marv is rambling about how much a title would mean to Charles, why he signed in Houston when the writing was on the wall that the Suns’ window was closed. How Clyde wanted so badly after '92 to get “another crack” at Jordan and the Bulls. Guokas is whining about the no-foul call. Bill is busy dissecting the feel in the building. “It’s about as smooth as a horror movie”, what does that even mean?

The first free throw rattled in after all of Houston and Chicago felt their hearts nearly leap outta their chest. Charles looks shocked that shitty attempt even found its way to the bottom of the net. The next one goes left, Pippen grabs it and wastes no time giving it to Harper on the fast-break, Drexler does his second useful thing all night and picks him up, Harper stumbles and the ball rolls out of bounce and suddenly: the Houston Rockets are your World Champions!

How about that. This team looked ready to cave to the Supersonics a couple of weeks ago after nearly blowing a 3-1 lead, Drexler didn’t show up and they needed the rookie to step up big when it was clear the Bulls figured out what to do against the Rockets best three players on offense.

Jordan briskly walks towards Barkley and Clyde hugging one another in a totally not gay way. Shakes their hands like he finished runner-up at the British Open and gets the fuck out of the arena. I could almost hear him saying “I’ll show them, I’ll stick around until I’ve proven my point to the world that this doesn’t mean anything. I’ll over stay my welcome and leave a bitter taste in fans’ mouths when I begrudgingly hang it up.”

Confetti doesn’t fly. The Chicago faithful remained stunned in their seats. Someone shoves a microphone in front of Charles’ sweaty face, he cries out “I’ve saved you, Chicago, you’re welcome!”

[darthsmurf]

Of Orcs and Elves: Desert Turtle's Tale

--------------- Where’s That Sword? Part 1----------- “Find the desert rat, NOW!” The man in the blue robe screams. “Head over to the stable; Raishe. Check the stalls and the feed storage.” Mafiee go down to the tavern and speak to that drunken fool Denmarre, find out if he has seen that little thief.” “I’ll check the market, go now. I want her found before it’s too late!” The man in the blue robes heads to the main street. The man finds the market crowded with traders and towns people. His face turns red with anger, how the hell did that girl get around his spells and steal the sword. After an hour searching the market and finding nothing; Willver heads over to the Spiked Ogre to see if Mafiee has found anything out. On the way he sees Raishe, “Will any sign of her yet?” No, Sir no sign.” “Damn!” Willver mutters. Walking to Dead River Street, then a right at Dry Leaves Lane, they find the tavern. Walking inside the tavern Willver looks for Mafiee, shouldn’t be hard to find after all a six foot one inch, bold man with scares though out his face should easy to find. Then again most of these desert dweller men where six to seven feet high. There in the middle of the tables was the man he was looking for, Willver every unhappy seeing Mafiee drinking and laughing as though he had no care in the world. The Caster walks over to the table. Beside Mafiee was an older man of sixty, gray hair, a huge tanker of mead in hand laughing as will. Willver pulls a chair out from the table and sits down. “What is so funny Denmarre? “ Smirks Willver, looking at the men. “Why, the fact that a mere child broke though all those spells casted around the sword. Who would have thought it could ever happen to a great Caster such as Willver the Eastern Chamberlin of Delsour.” Slamming his fist on the table almost knocking the half empty tanker of mead to the floor. “It’s not funny, not funny at all! “ Willver yelled: the anger glower fiercer as his face turns a shade of purple-red. Mafiee stops laughing, for Willver in this state is dangerous to all; even the men working for him. The way Willver was looking at him right now was spine tingling. “What do you know of this Girl known as Turtle, Danmarre?” “Only that she came to town some years ago with a trading band of merchants. They left her here with Evvlond, the school Matron.” Looking at Willver with concern in his eyes. “I don’t know much more.” Raishe stood behind Willver, waiting to see what the Caster would do next. “Where is this Evvlond?” “You will find her down the street at the school, she should be there in the morning.” Danmarre answered the question before ordering other mead, as the waitress walked by. “That’s not good enough where does this Matron live?” With what Danmarre determined as his life in danger; he answers.” Go to Water Hole Street turn right until you reach the tree line then take the left street called Green Leaf keep going to the end of street, on the right hand of the street you will find a small hut with a green top. That is her house.” The Caster looks at his men, they leave the Traven heading to the north of town looking for Water Hole street. Once the three men left the Spiked Ogre; Raishe grabs Mafiee pinning him to the building side, holding the man inches from the ground Willver slaps him. “Why the fuck did you tell Denmarre about the sword let alone it was stolen? You were sent there to find information not give it. Next time you will not be as lucky. Put him down Raishe.” Moments after the men leave Danmarre snaps his finger; a small man from the corner stool moves swiftly to the table. Handing the microman a note, “Run, now to Shorret’s give him this.” Tatter not wanting to leave his drink behind, he did as his boss ordered. Tatter quickly leaves, keeping in the shadows he finds his way to the stables. Making sure that no one has followed him, he doubles back and checks. After making sure no one followed him; he enters the upper level window. Climbing down the west side ladder, Tatter feels a sharpness in the middle of his back. He stops and raises his hand. “Shorret, I have a message from Danmarre.” The man with red hair lowers the sword from the little man’s back. “Shorret is not here, he left earlier in the day.” The man said. “What do you what here?” Tatter not happy with this information, “I have nothing to say to whoever you are.” “Will now you have a problem little man! You broke into the stables; now I can either turn you over to the constables, run this dagger though you, or you can tell me what you wanted Shorret for. Now, turn around and explain Danmarre’s message.” Tatter spins around to face his capturer, the dagger holder stands about 5’ 10” and has red hair, grey eyes, clean chin, with a mustache. The man could not be more than twenty in years if that. “Who are you, and why did Shorret leave town?” The microman retorted back to the human. “My name is Fangton, I am Shorret half-brother from The Forrest of Ailtren. Hopping from beam to beam the cloaked figure moves swiftly thought the roof tops watching the targets. The two men entered the tavern, the Warrior first then the Dark Caster. Hiding in the shadows the figure sits waiting for their return. The blue robed man was the first to appear outside the Traven, then the warrior with a shorter bold man. The figure stands up to watch were the men might go next. She watches the tall black hair warrior grab the shorter man by the throat and walking him into the ally. Then watches the warrior pushes the smaller man into the wall. The man is lifted from the ground his face is turning red from the lack of air. The blue cloaked man smacks him across the face, screaming at him about a sword and information being pass out. After being thrown to the ground the bold man, gets back up and looks at the blue cloaked man and nods. The three men head west down the street. Willver and his companions walk to a street sign pointing out Water Hole Street, the cloaked figure on the roof top stops. The figure ducks down into a shadow just in time as the Dark hair warrior looks up at the roof tops. “What are you looking at Raishe?” Asks the Caster, “What do you see?” The Caster steps up to Raishe also looking at the roof tops. “Nothing, Willver. I thought I seen something over there.” Pointing up to where the figure was standing only moments before. “But, I don’t see anything there.” He continues; “It’s been a long day and I need some sleep.” As Willver continues to look up at the building roof tops, his right hand starts to glow blue. In minutes a small white orb appears in Willver hand, he begins to move his hand back toward his head to throw the ball of light at the roof top. The hidden figure knows if the spell goes off she would be seen. Just as the Caster was about to throw the orb, an orange Valleykat jumps down from the left side of the building. The huge cat growls at the men with its teeth clinched tight around a wild bird. “It appears we have disturbed this animal from its meal.” The bold headed man spoke. “It’s an omen, maybe we should wait until day light before we continue on this quest?” “No, I need that sword back!” Willver snaps. “You should never have lost it in the first place, if you weren’t married to the Western Chamberlin daughter; I would have killed you already. Don’t speak again tonight, or you just might disappear before we are though!” The bold headed man looks afraid, he stepped back and waiting for Willver to figure out what to do next. The men moments later turned south on to Water Hole Street. The figure could see them walking ahead, she decided to wait 5 more minutes to make sure they could not spot her again. Damn that was close; she thought to herself, if that cat wasn’t there they would have found me for sure. I’m too close for that to happen. She decided to jump off the roof and follow them on the streets. Willver points to the street sign and asks Raishe to read it, “Yes, it’s Green Leaf.” “Mafiee, you go first scout out the area.” “Yes, Willver.” Was all he replied. Meanwhile, Raishe and Willver started to watch the roof tops to see if anyone was following them. 20 minutes later Mafiee return from scouting, “The house is there, no lights, no movement either; however it’s bigger than was said.” “Ok, let’s move out.” Willver said, as he motioned his men to follow. “We‘ll figure it out once we get there.” The cloaked woman stands hidden behind the window panels of a run down two story house. The falling panels from its Bay windows left a crack between them. The woman could see the three perfectly, even better she can now hear them speak. She couldn’t have plan this better, she giggles for a moment than stops. As the men turn down the street, the woman decides to wait there for the moment. Better to be safe than a dead rat she reminds herself. Waiting was so against her nature, but this time it was important to count and breathe. Vengeance one thousand, Vengeance one thousand and two, Vengeance one thousand and three….She kept counting until she reached the last number; , Vengeance three thousand and ninety nine. Her mind clear of all thoughts but one, the death of the man who had destroyed her childhood. Her eyes glared into the darkness to see if anyone was lingering around to catch her. She dashing from around the panels, she runs to the nearest tree. Jumping on to its trunk she scrambles her way up to the top of its branches. The men used the tree lined side of the street as cover to sneak upon the green roof house. The house was there alright, however Danmarre did not say it was the only house on the block. The house was two story’s high, the roof was evergreen in color, the thirdly columns holding the large porch on top where covered in red and green vines. The length of it had to be two acres if not more and one wide. Needless to say Willver was not happy. “Mafiee, go find us a ways of getting inside.” Mafiee looks into the Casters eyes with uncertainty. “Go, Now!” Growled Willver. Mafiee nobs his head. Best to do as he says, Mafiee thinks to himself. The dodger runs from the shadows of the tree line towards the nearest wall of the house. As Mafiee leaves Willver turns to Raishe, “Remind me later to Show Danmarre my gratitude for not disclosing all information of the house.” Raishe, nods his head.

[ricardosousalemos]

Watch Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich Play Amerie, Dilla, More in Rag & Bone DJ Sets

Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich DJed Rag & Bone’s New York Fashion Week party tonight in celebration of the brand’s 15th anniversary. During his set, Yorke played cuts ranging from Amerie’s “1 Thing” to Quasimoto’s “Catchin’ the Vibe.” (Sadly, video of the moment he dropped and sang along to—yes—Sir Mix A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” is yet to surface.) Later on, Nigel Godrich played J Dilla’s “Fuck the Police.” See clips below.

Yorke and Godrich have a long history with Rag & Bone, including Yorke’s recent soundtrack for their 2017 Spring/Summer collection, where he premiered new song “Coloured Candy.” 

Thom Yorke DJ #bae #ragandbone

A video posted by Kate Chamberlin (@kathrynlady) on Feb 9, 2017 at 8:45pm PST

Thom Yorke bringing the 🔥 at @ragandbone's 15th anniversary celebration tonight #ThomYorke #ragandbone

A video posted by Pitchfork (@pitchfork) on Feb 9, 2017 at 10:14pm PST

Hanging with my bff Thom Yorke at @ragandbone

A video posted by Bailey Constas (@baileyconstas) on Feb 9, 2017 at 8:31pm PST

Genius at work. #thomyorke #ragandbone #nyfw

A video posted by Björn Wallander (@bjornwallander) on Feb 9, 2017 at 8:22pm PST

Partied with Thom Yorke and Mikhail Baryshnikov last night at @ragandbone's party—who am I

A video posted by Bailey Constas (@baileyconstas) on Feb 10, 2017 at 7:56am PST

#thomyorke #anighttoremember #wheresmycoat #ragandbone thank you @ladyandprince @nathankraxphoto

A video posted by John-Henry Velez (@mrjohnhenryvelez) on Feb 10, 2017 at 8:33am PST

@thom_yorke_official from @radiohead on the decks for the @ragandbone party! Boom!! #ragandbone #15years #nyfw

A video posted by Joseph Parcon (@jvp73) on Feb 9, 2017 at 6:47pm PST

Nigel Godrich DJing "Fuck the Police" at @ragandbone 15th anniversary #NYFW party

A video posted by Bailey Constas (@baileyconstas) on Feb 9, 2017 at 8:26pm PST

  Thom Yorke and his girlfriend actress Dajana Roncione

A photo posted by rag & bone (@ragandbone) on Feb 9, 2017 at 8:42pm PST

Revisit Rag&Bone’s 2016 Spring/Summer collection video, featuring the Yorke track “Villain”:

[thewordisbond]

Tre Redeau with Dizzy Wright show off a smokey theme in Doja

Posted on http://www.thewordisbond.com/tre-redeau-dizzy-wright-show-off-smokey-theme-doja/

Tre Redeau with Dizzy Wright show off a smokey theme in Doja

Tre Redeau is looking to put the Bay area and his Portland City home environment on the hip hop map with his eclectic sound. In this video, he brings his homeboy Dizzy Wright to play out the smokers anthem, Doja for all to see. You can see them boys are in it to win it. I particularly like the