#thank you robert smith from saving me

[splatoonpolls]

"video game ost is better than real music. Modern day music is so boriNG!" don't worry, you will hopefully become an adult in about 6 years or so and maybe learn to enjoy music to it's fullest once you enjoy stuff besides the persona 4 soundtrack.

[bleedingcoffee42]

Speirton Princess Bride AU

Wrote it to get it out of my head, as always. Just a Speirton Drabble. Lip and Ron on work-cation in Scotland and a weekend of child custody for Sparky.

“Carwood, it’s Ron.”

“Ron, it's midnight, everything okay?”  Carwood was working on some engineering schematics and the call so late at night was never a good thing.   

“Yeah, since when do you actually sleep?  You are always up.   That ‘life is fun’ philosophy.  Three hours.”  

“I wasn't asleep, just concerned about getting a phone call this late.  Typically it means you are in trouble.”  Carwood didn’t need to add that they were in Scotland and nobody was calling them anyway.

“No, nothing like that.  I need a favor.”

“Did you kill someone?” Lip asks flatly.

“No.”

“Okay shoot.”  Lip says and sighs.  Wrong choice of words with that man.

There was a snort of amusement and then, “My son can't sleep. Can you tell him a quick story?  He says my stories suck, well in British so it sounds more polite,  after camping with you and the boys he insists your stories are better “

“Since when do you tell stories?“  Carwood asks, 

“I told him about the Mercedes in Austria.  And about Sergeant Smith.   And…”

“Yeah, put him on the phone.”  Carwood says and pinches his nose.  He should have known Ron ‘I’ll inspire you by telling you you’re already dead’ Speirs would not be equipped with child friendly stories.

“Hi Uncle Carwood.”

“Hey Bobby, can't sleep huh?  That have anything to do with your Dad’s stories?”

“You tell them better.   He said you held the men together in the Bois Jacques.”

Lip rolls his eyes and sits down to think of a more appropriate story for a five year old.  Stories come easy to him and it’s actually a welcome relief from staring at schematics of an old glass factory.  “Well, your Dad will never tell you this but he’s a hero.    Saved me and the rest of the guys from Prince HumperDike.”

“Hump or die?”

“No, HumperDike.  Foxhole Norman.   The incompetent Prince of the City of York II.”

“Like the story about putting your finger in a hole to stop the water…”

Lip pinches his nose.    Nobody would believe him that this kid took after his father who was a chatterbox when drunk or friendly.  

“Can you just come over and read it to me?”

Lip shook his head.  Just like his father, perceptive as hell.  He heard Ron in the background, cursing up a storm in Scottish and just decided if his son already figured out they were on vacation together then it was best just to tell the kid a story in person.  “Give me a few minutes to get there, make some tea for me okay?”

“Yay!!!”

And the receiver was slammed down and presumably a five year old British child was now wide awake at the prospect of making tea properly for his father and ‘friend’ in anticipation of story time.   Ron was going to be ready to explode when he got there.

Xxxxx

The door opened and little Robert Speirs was there with a cup of tea and Ron Speirs was behind him holding the door looking like he had just been informed he was being court martialed for fraternizing.  Carwood took the tea, ruffled up Bobby’s head of hair he definitely inherited from his Dad, and gave Ron’s shoulder a firm squeeze.  

‘What does he know?’ Ron mouthed silently.

‘He’s five.  He knows you’re happy around me.   Do not interrogate the child.’

Ron gives him a frown and Bobby is already wandering around the living room chattering about what he thinks Prince HumperDike is going to do and calling him a slew of insults from ‘numpty’ to ‘wanker’.

The door to the English flat Ron is renting closes and Carwood immediately snaps his fingers and points to the boy’s bedroom.  “This is a bedtime story, you need to be in bed young man.”

Bobby defates a little, Uncle Carwood is bossy.   Dad lets him get away with everything on account of him only seeing him once or twice a year.  “Yes,  sir.”

“Thank you for the tea, Bobby.”  Carwood says and the boy lights up.   “Did I ever tell you I used to sell it as a kid? Door to door?”

“How does that even work?”  Ron asks.  A door to door tea salesman?  In West Virginia?

“I lived in town, Ronald, not the mountains.”  Carwood reminds him, seeing his face.  

“Is it so you could throw it in the harbour?”  Bobby asks.  “Your American tea is bitter and weak.”

“He is definitely your son.”  Carwood mumbles to Ron and points to the bedroom.  “Bed.  Don’t think I can’t see what you’re trying to do.”

“Yes, sir.”

And off goes young Speirs, leaving Carwood to give Ron a look that says ‘your poor mother, this child is a replica of you’.

“I was her favorite.”  Ron whispers, answering his silent statement.  “Still am.”

“Mmm.” Lip hums and Ron gives him a grin.

“Thank you for coming.”

“He’s five.  You’re his Dad.  You’re his hero.  He is just looking for reasons to explain why you’re not with his Mom anymore.”  Carwood explains.

“We explained…” Ron begins and Carwood puts a finger on his lips to stop him.

“He’s five.” Carwood repeats.  “He doesn’t understand any of that, just that you let him get away with everything.  You spoil him.  You have fun.   He’s trying to understand why you live a world away and kids are perceptive as hell.   Especially yours.   Relax.”

Ron does, because Carwood always manages to be his calming influence.  “Prince HumperDike, huh?” 

“Get the tea, come tuck your son in and let me tell my story.”  Carwood says and leaves it at that.

“Yes, sir.” Ron says and Lip gives him an admonishing look for how he said it.

Xxxx

Carwood sits in an antique chair and opens up a book of horribly traumatizing fairy tales and pretends to read from it.   Little Robert Speirs is in bed and staring, another trait picked up from his Dad.   “Where were we?”

“Dad saved you from Prince HumperDike.”

“Ah yes, the Frozen Forest of Foy.”   Carwood says and pretends to read from the book but Bobby is more than aware he’s making it up.  Ron is seated on the foot of the bed, eyes fixed on him, not unlike his son.  “Understand names have been changed for classified army reasons.”

“My lips are sealed.” Bobby says.

Carwood nods, also like his father who could keep a secret to his grave unless the right person came along and then he was a flood of information like a dam broke.   Carwood feels a small smirk pull at his lips and knows Ron catches it.    But he continues, “Sergeant ButterBars was looking at the town of Foy with a pair of binoculars gifted to him from an officer he greatly admired.  A legend– The Dread Paratrooper Sparky.”

Ron snorted and got a look from both the kid and the storyteller.  Okay, so now he was going to get reprimanded. “Sorry.”

“These binoculars were special, they were loot captured on one of his many trips across the dangerous land between the forest and the town. A snow blanketed farm field, where it would rain iron and lead.    It was this field, Sergeant ButterBars was now looking at, worried for the men he would try to cross it with.

“The problem was that they had lost a great leader and had yet to find his replacement.   King Richard of Lancaster still watched over them, but due to his position was unable to lead his people into war again.   His queen, the Queen of Scotch, much like in chess, was able to move for him, shuffling pieces on the board so when the inept Prince HumperDike failed there would be a hero to save his people.    ButterBars did not know the details, and went to see the King late at night to express his concern for the people of Toccoa.”

Ron chuckled again and this time it was his son staring daggers at him.  “Sorry.”

“Prince HumperDike was well connected, chosen to fill the void of a man accidentally attacked by his own men for not knowing the secret password.  HumperDike was from the city where the Queen was born, and went to the same school, so ButterBars concerns were already on the minds of the royal couple.  But you can’t just remove a Prince from his command, can you?”

“No.”  Bobby said.  “Got to kill him.”

Just like his father.  Lip shakes his head to say that is not the right answer.  Bobby frowns.  Just like his damned father.  “So ButterBars looked across that frozen tundra of death and thought about tales of old, war stories of men marching across open fields and being killed by artillery a mile away.   And they had already lost so many good men to the exploding trees of the Forest.   He felt that maybe, just maybe, he could encourage the Prince to come out of his hiding spot and just move across the field fast.  Move from mound of hay to mound of hay, just give the orders to let the people do the job they knew how to do.   It wasn’t going to be the case though, HumperDike froze like so many of the men in the forest.  He froze out of fear though, and the attack came to a halt.”

“Oh no.”  Bobby said.

“It was brutal, but the Queen was prepared.  The King was fretting, thinking about running out and saving his people but he could not abandon the rest of his kingdom.  The Dogs and the Foxes still needed him to be their King or they would suffer the same fate as his men in those fields.   He turned and there was the Dread Paratrooper Sparky, ready to save the day.”

“Where did he come from?”  Bobby asks.

“Sparky was once a pawn but he had crossed the board and now was eligible for promotion just like in chess.  So Queen Jersey had made him a Queen piece to enable him to go anywhere he wanted, or was needed.”

“What piece was Butterbars?” Bobby asks and glances at the chess board on his desk, his Dad was trying to teach him how to play.

“Butterbars was a knight, limited range but tactical in moves and thinking.”  Carwood explains.

“Why was the Dread Paratrooper a pawn then?” Bobby’s eyes return to his, staring intensely and needing answers.

“He built a reputation around being the toughest and meanest man from Toccoa.  In battle he was always willing to sacrifice himself.    Everyone noticed.    Nobody considered him a pawn in the derogatory sense, but a man who was the first to start an attack, and could go anywhere.   He was an aggressive pawn, always looking forward and capturing pieces.   He had already established himself as someone who was going to cross the board and take a larger role, but chose to lurk in the outer edges and wait for his time.   Now, he was there for us, the men of Toccoa.  And he was running out to knock over the piece HumperDike represented and take over the board.”  Carwood explains and Bobby is clearly taking mental notes.   

“Are you, I mean, is Butterbars his king?”

Both he and Ron gave the kid a look for his slip up and Bobby just smiled at them sweetly.   

Ron answers this time, “The King is a piece of the board that is the reason the other pieces move, but is unable to move far.  His capture ends the game, without the King the empire crumbles.   The King appears to be shackled to its role, but represents leadership, power and protection.  It is his subjects who must act, who are inspired by his presence and power, who will gladly sacrifice themselves for his safety.  The pawn is a representative of the soldier, the frontline defense of those who are so valuable to winning the game.   To emerge from the trenches as an officer, as a royal piece, well that is quite the feat.  But to earn the seat beside a King, it’s a show they have earned the role through their strategy and versatility.  That the hands moving the pieces have seen them worthy of a board of their own.   And that is what King Richard and his brilliant Queen saw that day–two individuals worthy of taking over their old kingdom.”

Carwood smiled, knowing the way he was looking at Ron was not in any way lost in the impressionable young Speirs.   

“Or so I think, but this isn’t my story.” Ron says and shrugs.

Carwood licks his lips and clears his throat to crush down a laugh.   “So now Dread Paratrooper Sparky is running across the fields, dodging fire eruptions from the earth and iron from the sky.   No fear, unflinching.   He arrives with the King’s decree, HumperDike is relieved of duty and he’s taking over!”

“Oh.”  Bobby says disappointed.  “That’s it?  That’s all of the story?”

“Oh no.  He was just getting started.” Carwood sits back in the chair and Bobby looks thrilled that the story isn’t close to ending.   “Sparky takes over and immediately starts issuing instructions.   ‘Take out that house, halt that flanking attack, let’s go..follow me.’  ButterBars is momentarily stunned, not just by this turn of events, but because Sparky keeps touching his arm.”

“What does that mean?” Bobby asked.  “Is this some American thing?   Are they going to kiss? Is this one of those kissing books?”

Carwood smirks and looks at Ron.  “Well, it turns out the Dread Paratrooper Sparky was not the meanest, heartless man he wanted everyone to believe he was.  It turns out he was just looking for the right kingdom to call his after traveling through the lands of ParaDice.  He had not been appreciated by Charlie Horses, or Dogs or even the Airborne Council of Elders.   Well, when the sun rose that day his destiny was revealed to him.  You see, Dread Paratrooper Sparky had been marked with the Sacred Scar.  Right on the butt, like God himself spanked him for being an idiot who liked to swim across the dangerous river at night.”

“Your arse!?!”  Bobby exclaimed and looked at his father.  “You have the mark!”

“How does the kid know that?”  Carwood asks.

“He asked if I ever got shot in the war.”  Ron shrugged.

“Yes, your father is marked.  Destined to be a leader of the finest bunch of men that ever was assembled.”  Carwood answers and Bobby’s eyes are glowing with admiration.  “Just like Dread Paratrooper Sparky.   Who toppled HumperDike’s chess piece and didn’t stop there.   The whole company was moving forward now and the occupants of Foy were starting to withdraw.    Communication was poor and there were some men who didn’t know they had support.  So, to tell them Sparky ran out in front of the enemy, through their lines and right over to where those men were trapped on the other side of the wall.”

“No way.”

“And..” Carwood says, “As if that wasn’t the most insane thing ButterBars had ever seen, Sparky jumped over that wall and ran back through the lines to return to those men he just saved from HumperDike’s incompetence.   The enemy was prepared this time, firing on him, trying to move a tank to get to him, but they weren’t prepared for how fast Sparky could run.   He had earned a medal from his home kingdom of Masshole for his speed and agility, prior to the great war.  And so he returned, inspiring the men and turning the tides of the battle.  Earning his place among the men he so desperately wanted to join from the beginning.”

Bobby smiled.

Carwood closed the book.  “And that is the end of that chapter, you need to go to bed.”

“Awwww….”

“Nope.’ Carwood says. “If you want to hear the rest of it, you go to bed and I’ll come back tomorrow to tell you about the royal proposal, ButterBars sickness and how Sparky found the healing potion.  The story does not end there.”

“Promise?” 

“I promise.” Carwood says and ruffles the kid’s hair again and puts the book down and turns out the light.  “But it is way past your bedtime.”

“Yes, sir.  Thank you for coming Uncle Carwood.”  Bobby says as he lays down and his Dad tucks him in.  “You should stay and drink your tea, it’s late and you shouldn’t have to drive home because of me.”

“Thank you, for thinking of my safety.”  Carwood says dryly and leaves the room, “Goodnight, Bobby.”

Ron kisses the kid on the forehead and whispers, “You’re not subtle.”

“Neither are you.”

With that he rolls his eyes and says “Goodnight” as he closes the door.  Carwood is ready to start laughing and he carries his cup of tea into the kitchen and sips from it.  “You might as well stay the night.  Clearly I’m doing a shit job of convincing a five year old I’m not here on vacation with you.”

“He’s playing you.  Trying to force your hand.”  Carwood says and a hand goes to his lower back and he turns and says, “You can go one weekend without me in your bed.”

“He’s not the only one who can’t sleep.” Ron says, a whisper in Carwood’s ear and he gets an admonishing look.  

“You’ll live.”  Carwood strikes him down.  “He’s too young for you to understand this and way too young  to be burdened by that kind of secret.   Just plan on dinner tomorrow.  I do have work to get done while we are here.”

Ron frowns but understands, gives Lip a pat on the ass and sits down to drink his tea.  “Fine.  I’ll see you tomorrow.  Thank you for coming over.”

“Go to bed, Ron.” Lip can’t resist running his hand through his hair once before he leaves.  “Sweet dreams.”

“Mmm.” Ron says as that hand runs down his face, along his jaw, and a thumb rolls over his lips.  Before he can suck it, Lip takes it away, leaving only a frown on his lips.  “Tease.”

“I’ll make it up to you, always do.”

[curiousb]

📩 Simblr question of the day: You can answer one or both parts of this question!

1️⃣ Part one: If you make Story posts, what do you do for scenes? Do you build them yourself, do you download lots from the gallery or do you download them from someone online?

2️⃣ Part two: If you make Gameplay/Legacy posts, what do you do for a house? Do you build it yourself, download a home from the gallery or do you download them from someone online? Additionally, do you build onto that home or demolish it and rebuild the house when needed? (E.G When another child enters the picture or someone moves in)

❎ If you do none of those for either half, what do you do? Do you use someone else's save file? (WIndbrook by Folking, Willow Creek + Magnolia Promenade by Theneighborhoodsave, Silent Pines by Silentpinessave... etc)

( freely share this SQOTD around, anon or not, and use the hashtag " SQOTD " ~ 💛 )

Thanks for thinking of me, @melsie-sims! I think my posts count as 'Gameplay', with maybe a bit of 'Story' thrown in?

My 'hood is pretty large, and I play each family in (not very strict) rotation, so I've needed a lot of housing for my Sims!

Some homes I've built myself from scratch: the Crawfords' beach house; Cassandra's Victorian semi; Marmaduke and Henrietta's townhouse; the retirement community; the Bennets' Victorian villa; Erasmus and Edward's, and Clara and Daniel's, compact residences; or the studio apartments for recent graduates).

I love building, but find it very time consuming, as I'm such a perfectionist and everything has to be just so! So, I'm always happy to find - preferably - CC-free/low-CC lots that fit my general aesthetic (compact, with a more European feel), which I can then customise as required.

Hence, I'm using quite a few residential lots that I've downloaded, many from my favourite builders @kayleigh-83 (Eleanor and Esther's chalet, apartments for new graduates), @deedee-sims (the family homes of the Eltons, Martins, Morlands, Wickhams and Willoughbys, Anna and Bennet's townhouse, Miles and Robert's bungalow, Jasper and Georgiana's house) and @honeywell-mts (most of the original family homes, including those of the Bertrams, Bingleys, Churchills, Darcys, Dashwoods, Knightleys, Smiths, Steeles, Tilneys and Wentworths).

I almost always make some modifications though, from simple switches of walls/floors/windows/doors/fences, right up to tweaking the footprint or completely revamping the internal floor plan, to better suit the family I have in mind. I'd say the split is about 50/50, between residential lots I've built myself (I'm just not using many of these yet), and those I've downloaded and modified. I don't use any money cheats, so if my Sims don't have the funds to decorate, furnish or expand, then the house stays as it is and they have to make do - hence my Sims' homes can look quite bare! As they go through life, and accumulate some savings, I start personalising their homes. But, I try to avoid completely remodelling the structure of a house while Sims are living in it, as I like to have a 'clean' copy of every lot (stored in the catalog), so that I can easily replace them if they become glitched, without having to rebuild from scratch. More often, I will just move a family to a more suitable home, if their circumstances change.

[babygurltash]

Character Songs Tag

Thanks for the tag @sillyliterature~! <33

Game Rules: Choose one of your characters and list songs that fit them.

So, I'm going to do this for my main Shepard, Aria!! I've pretty much taken the songs from her POV on my Shrios playlist <3 Under a cut for length!

End of the Earth by Marina

Love can never be What you want it to be But I'd still follow you down Slow motion no sound To the edge of the world

// But I'll give my love, I don't care if it hurts Cause I'll love you 'til the end of the Earth

High Enough by K.Flay

I don't like anyone better than you, It's true, I'd crawl a mile in a desolate place, With the snakes, Just for you Oh I'm an animal, hand me a tramadol, gimme the juice You are my citadel, you are my wishing well, My baby blue

I used to like liquor to get me inspired But you look so beautiful, my new supplier, I used to like smoking to stop all the thinking, But I found a different buzz. The world is a curse, it'll kill if you let it, I know they got pills that can help you forget it, They bottle it, call it medicine, but I don't need drugs

Cause I'm already high enough You got me, you got me good I'm already high enough I only, I only, I only got eyes for you

Till Forever Falls Apart by Ashe and FINNEAS

And if the sky falls from heaven above Oh I know I had the best time falling into love We've been living on a fault line And for a while, you were all mine I've spent a lifetime giving you my heart I swear that I'll be yours forever, Till forever falls apart

DIVING BELL by Starset

Oh, this wasn't in my plans Abandoned ship and heading for the sand Oh, the albatross crash-lands I've got the sinking feeling that I never can go home If I stare into the abyss, will it stare into me? [x4]

// In my mind, Endless sea, Calling from the bottom, But you don't hear me Send your line Down to me Meet me on the surface I will never leave Stuck in time, Stuck in me, Broken on the bottom like a refugee

The End of the Dream by Evanescence

I found a grave, Brushed off the face, Felt your light, and I remembered why I know this place. I found a bird, Closing her eyes one last time And I wondered if she dreamed Like me

As much as it hurts, ain't it wonderful to feel? So go on and break your wings, Follow your heart 'til it bleeds As we run towards the end of the dream

Under the Water by The Pretty Reckless

Lay my head under the water Lay my head under the sea Excuse me sir, am I your daughter? Won't you take me back, take me back and see? There's not a time for being younger And all my friends are enemies And if I cried unto my mother No she wasn't there, she wasn't there for me

Don't let the water drag you down [x3]

Broken lines across my mirror Show my face, all red and bruised And though I screamed and I screamed Well, no one came running No, I wasn't saved, I wasn't safe from you

OTHERWORLDLY by Starset

Otherworldly, otherworldly, I come alive when you are with me Otherworldly, otherworldly, Far away from all the mayhem Otherworldly, otherworldly, At the speed of light and beauty

I wanna become lucid Clear just like a window I tried too hard to open up And show you what's behind it But you didn't need to hear me, 'Cause you were supraliminal Knew me without an uttered word You always seemed to know me

How Not to Drown by CHVRCHES ft Robert Smith

I'm writing a book on how to stay conscious when you drown And if the words float up to the surface, I'll keep them down This is the first time I know I don't want the crown You can take it now

You promised the world and brought me it hanging from a string Stuck it in my mouth, into my throat, told me to sing That was the first time I knew you can't kill the king And those who kiss the ring

Tell me how It's better when the sun goes down We will never escape this town I wasn't scared when he caught me, Look what it taught me Tell me how It's better if I make no sound I will never escape these doubts I wasn't dead when they found me Watch as they pull me down

I'm writing a chapter on what to do after they dig you up On what to do after you grew to hate what you used to love That was the first time I knew they were out for blood And they will have your guts

Warm Water by BANKS

Looking you over and you don't know my name yet But by the time you looked away, already knew I couldn't fake it I got this need for you, forming in my beating heart I knew the meaning right away, We only yesterday were worlds apart

I think I may love you If you give me some time Maybe you'll love me too I got this thing for you

The Killing Kind by Marianas Trench

I roam these halls, search the night In hopes that I may see A remnant trace, a glimpse of you, I stare into the deep Singing I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know my love can be- The deep stares back, Sings to me, "I know my love can be The killing kind."

What if I was wrong by Never moving on I, Didn't realize who's gone The ghost in me was true but You were haunted too, just Didn't see it all along Nevermore to leave here Nevermore to leave here You should never be here I know, I know, I know, I know, I know I know my love can be The killing kind

There's loads more on that playlist, but in the interest of not making this post ridiculously long, I'll leave it there!

No-pressure tagging: @megatraven @gehaktbal @ahhhnorealnamesallowed @jillfizzart @vespersposts @missydiabolical and anyone else who wants to do it, you can just say I tagged you! :D

[superpowerprayer]

Jesus Showed Me What Prayers Look Like from Heaven…

15,932 views  Jan 28, 2023 In a vision, Jesus showed Robert Hotchkin what his prayers looked like from Heaven...

Worldwide Revival. Please Pray For.

FATHER

I BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST TO DIE ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS. I BELIEVE THAT HE DIED, AND WAS RESURRECTED, AND IS COMING BACK TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. FATHER, I REPENT.FORGIVE ME OF ALL MY SINS. COME INTO MY HEART AND MAKE ME YOUR CHILD. IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST. Thank you for saving my soul. AMEN

Neville Johnon / The Academy of Light  / Prophecy https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xwo6fVqslF832pq7X2ZK3OP

Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj / Prophecy / Angel TV     https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xxWWpNCBcMNZh_wgq9Io63D

Dr Bruce Allen / School of Translation / Prophecy https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xw_MXN157uQWUUrckfqYkz6

Steven Francis / Jesus My King Church / End Times Remnant https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xxYAFP-LxKq26XwBf0PTQ5v

Prophet Michael Van Vlymen / School of Translation https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xzwww3X6okxZp_D2Arn6-cO

Trey Smith / Bible History / Prophecy Movies https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xwdppFhJu3QBIURlc29Y5Dr

War Room Prayers / Take Control of Your Life https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xztyt0YgLmOg1HmNuZ0_Mqz

Speaking in Unknown Tongues  / What does it Do? //  Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xzKzsQnqrHdfzXv-5dw4lUX

Worship Worship Worship Praise Music / Shekinah Worship Center https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xwbLuba-6eBCVoan0Giz6pi

Worldwide Revival. Please Pray For

Heavenly Father in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ Destroy  every Demonic plot against  Me, My Family, My Church, My  City, and My Country. In Jesus name In Jesus name In Jesus name Satan, Lucifer, Every Demon, All Witch Craft, Sorcery, Every Principality, All Spiritual wickedness in High places, Prince of the Power of the air, Dominions, every Unclean Spirit, every Infirmity, Chief Prince, all Generals, all Captains, all Centurions, every Watchmen, Principalities and every other Devil. I rebuke you in Jesus name. I cast you out in Jesus name. I cast you Down in Jesus name. I Bind, Cage, Chain, Mute, Muzzle, Gag,  Cut you All Off, Destroy, Strip and Ruin You All. I Nullify All of Your Actions forever and ever In Jesus Christ name. I take back all of the permission that I have given you in the past to operate in me and through me. I take my Authority back right now by the Blood of Jesus Christ and as a Son or Daughter of The Most High God. I render you all Powerless in my life from now on in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible States in Phillipians 2:10-11 " That at The Name of Jesus Every knee shall bow of Things in Heaven and Things on Earth and things Under the Earth And Every Tongue Shall Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To the Glory of God The Father.” I now command you All to Bow Down on your knees and confess with your mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord. Father God Destroy, Strip, Ruin, Confuse and Cast Down the demonic kingdom in Jesus name. Most High God,  His number is 644, Jesus, Emmanuel, Holy Spirit, Almighty God, Father and His Power Aleeth. Please Forgive Me of Every Sin that I have ever Committed and Thank You for dying on The Cross for Me. I Give You All of the Praise Honor and Glory forever. Lord Thank you for hearing and honoring my prayer and setting me free. Please Lead me and guide me from now on. Amen

My Two Sons Died on the Same Day  Then This Happened //  Timothy J Douglass Sr https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xx1BarkXoAwPMqN00JTmCzl

Be My Friend On Face Book / Super Power Prayer / Timothy J Douglass Sr / End Times Prophecy / Prayer / Worship https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010641464829

Psalms 91 / Prayers for Protection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZKQz7rnHg&list=PLTA9JOYHK1xyRxubnpND6QgEz3gQwWVzO

Pornography  / How does It Affect People? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xxJt8OhUtotFuDsUUkPYHAk

The Two Witnesses  / Who are They? When will They Come? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xyc_hth4h79wUwXnboxh1P-

The Deep State  / What is It. What Does It Do? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xzGURojGv9GCjREs76WpYix

The New World Order / When will it Be here? What Is It? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xzRwm0kqwUVT3mKiUUlsa8N

The Rapture / When will It Happen? What Is It? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTA9JOYHK1xzmsDhXQkE877-JiBxg-SG-

[tired-teacher-blog]

Ohhh Teach I got so many feelings!!! I’m sad happy and horny at the same time i loved the scenarios 🥰🤧 Shinsou my poor sleepy baby I love him too much. Everytime i listen to the cure (a lot lately) I cannot help but to think of him because from the start I hc Shinsou as a huge robert smith stan! I imagine him wrapping his arms around me, both sitting in the bed of his room listening to pictures of you (I know I know that’s the most popular but it’s just so good and romantic!) enjoying each other’s warm and pecking kisses to one another (you can tell I’m blushing rn) I feel like he would be one of the best bfs, besides aizawa (another dream of mine) which d you thin would be the best partners? I’m curious. Thank you again for your writing -🏹

Sweetheart I'm so happy you liked it! Though I don't want you to be sad so let's keep it at the happy/ horny level okay? <3

And what a cute Shinsou headcanon. I can see him doing that tbh, as long as he gets to spend a relaxing time with you doing nothing but have you in his arms and kissing you between shared stories, heaven!

That's a tough question, and as much as I want to answer it objectively, I don't think it's possible lol so let me give it a shot:

Obviously I would pick Aizawa as a perfect and I repeat a perfect partner, the guy is clearly a husband and father material (my uterus is fluttering right now) he would die for you no questions asked, and we've seen him multiple times getting severely hurt/ on the verge of death trying to save his students.

I also think Kirishima and Taishiro (fatgum) would make amazing partners, they're gentle and caring and (this is a headcanon of mine but I believe it to be true) they would never care what size or color you are, what hair type or length you have, how many scars or stretch marks are there on your body, whether you're tall or short... When these guys fall in love, everything about you becomes their favorite.

I adore Bakugo and Shouto they are two of my best things in life, but I believe being in a relationship with one of them can be a little "challenging" ← allow me to put this in quotation marks until I can explain my point.

Shouto can be blunt and clueless most of the time, a combination that puts him in the center of several misunderstandings, so in order for you to crack your way into his heart, you'll have to understand him he's never had a regular childhood, or a regular family, so be his family and look at him for who he is not for how powerful his quirk can be. Do that and you'll guarantee winning his heart.

As for Bakugo, he's not big on making friends or being social, so you'll have to be special in order to grab his attention, he admires strong, capable and self-reliant people ( the last part is my headcanon) so if you are one or all of these things, then he's yours, though you'll still have to be the one to confess first, and same as Shouto, you'll have to understand him because even if he's ill mannered, his heart is always in the right place.

Now let's speak about our precious Izuku, I believe he and Kirishima are the same kind of partners. Izuku too will love every single thing about you, though he would be shy to express it most of the time, but his blush and the way he looks at you lovingly can be enough proof of his undying love.

Let's finish with Shinsou. I see him as the younger version of Aizawa, exactly! The same! So with more years to his age/ more maturity/ life experience, I can see him becoming the kind of partner Aizawa is.

I hope you enjoy my input!

Obviously there are many other characters that would make perfect partners but I didn't want to drag this lol

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Thanks for the tag, @phoenixrisesoncemore ! (BTW, I decided to stay at my parents’ a while longer due to the pandemic, so I haven’t seen your card yet, but thank you so much - I look forward to seeing it when I’m home!)

Favourite colour: A nice deep violet-blue.

Currently reading:

The Face of Water: A Translator on Beauty and Meaning in the Bible by Sarah Rudin (very good!)

Metazoa: Animal Life and the Birth of the Mind by Peter Godfrey-Smith (Christmas gift, interesting so far)

Underland by Robert MacFarlane (travel-style book about various caves, tunnels, and passageways around the world; very highly recommended by my dad; I’ve read his The Old Ways, about various walking trails, and it was good; he’s got a very rich vocabulary, a love of synonyms, and a writing style that is impossible to read quickly - not because it’s hard, but because it’s very deliberately paced. That’s exactly what my dad loves about it; it makes me feel impatient, like I’m walking behind someone who’s walking slowly. But the places he goes to are fascinating and he does write beautifully.)

The Disappearing Spoon: and other true tales of madness, love, and the history of the world from the periodic table of the elements by Sam Kean (an all-time favourite and a reread; I have bought it no less than four times for myself and others. Fantastic popular history/science, loads of fascinating stories and personalities.)

Ninety-Three by Victor Hugo (I’m just one chapter in so far)

Paradiso by Dante Alighieri (Dorothy L. Sayers translations)

Honourable mention: Found the entire Chronicles of Narnia except LWW at a used bookstore for $2-3 each! Not reading any at the moment, but have already reread The Horse and His Boy!

Last series: Hawkeye (MCU). Had its good points, but ultimately frustrating because Marvel seems unable to truly grapple with the concept of personal responsibility for its heroes. Displaces the blame for Hawkeye having straight-up murdered one (sympathtic) antagonist’s father and then focuses its emotional finale on Black Window’s death which he can’t nearly as reasonably be blamed for. (Marvel can be fairly blamed for its decision to kill off her rather than him, which is what I think most of the fans who say they’re angry at him for her death actually mean; but I think if they’d killed him off instead in Endgame it would have been derided as another Quicksilver moment, conveniently offing the character no one was attached to.) It’s a classic character stanning trick - focus on someone unfairly over-blaming them for one thing to distract from addressing their guilt in something else.

What I wanted to see was Hawkeye surrender himself to Maya, unconditionally; someone willing to kill an enemy for revenge may be much less willing to kill a person who is penitent, unarmed, and surrendered. That’s what taking responsibility would look like. If she did choose to kill him - well, if you’re not willing to be accountable to a justice system, then that’s what justice looks like. Otherwise we’re just saying that self-declared ‘heroes’ have carte blanche to murder people as long as they’ve saved the world a couple times.

Coming after the failure to have Wanda to take real responsibility for the harm she did to others in WandaVision, it indicates that Marvel isn’t willing to seriously look at what true accountability for wrongs committed by their heroes would look like.

Last movie: Muppet Treasure Island. An absolute classic; introduced my parents to this one when they said they hadn’t seen it. Last time I watched it, about a month ago, it inspired me to read the actual Treasure Island for the first time.

Sweet, savoury, or spicy? Sweet! I have a major sweet tooth, have baked three batches of cookies in the last week or so, and am currently working my way (disgracefully quickly) through a truly massive haul of Christmas chocolates.

Currently working on: Not much!

[celticcrossanon]

Full Order of Service (as the one below is missing pages)

from https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/order-service-funeral-prince-philip-77134393

LONDON -- This is the Order of Service for the funeral of Prince Philip on Saturday:

ORDER OF SERVICE

All stand. The Coffin is removed from the Land Rover and is carried to the West Steps where it rests at 3pm for the one minute National Silence.

The Coffin is then carried to the Catafalque in the Quire.

Members of the Royal Family who have walked in the Procession are conducted to their places in the Quire.

Meanwhile, the choir sings

THE SENTENCES

I AM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

John 11. 25-26

I KNOW that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.

Job 19. 25-27

WE brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

1 Timothy 6. 7, Job 1. 21

William Croft (1678-1727)

All remain standing. The Dean of Windsor shall say

THE BIDDING

WE are here today in St George’s Chapel to commit into the hands of God the soul of his servant Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us. We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith. Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity. We therefore pray that God will give us grace to follow his example, and that, with our brother Philip, at the last, we shall know the joys of life eternal.

All sit. The choir sings

ETERNAL Father, strong to save,

Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,

Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep;

O hear us when we cry to thee

For those in peril on the sea.

O Saviour, whose almighty word

The winds and waves submissive heard,

Who walkedst on the foaming deep,

And calm amid its rage didst sleep:

O hear us when we cry to thee

For those in peril on the sea.

O sacred Spirit, who didst brood

Upon the chaos dark and rude,

Who bad’st its angry tumult cease,

And gavest light and life and peace:

O hear us when we cry to thee

For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,

Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;

From rock and tempest, fire and foe,

Protect them whereso’er they go:

And ever let there rise to thee

Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Melita by J. B. Dykes (1823-76) William Whiting (1825-78)

Arranged by James Vivian (b. 1974)5

All remain seated.

THE FIRST LESSON

Ecclesiasticus 43. 11-26

read by the Dean of Windsor

LOOK at the rainbow and praise its Maker; it shines with a supreme beauty, rounding the sky with its gleaming arc, a bow bent by the hands of the Most High. His command speeds the snow storm and sends the swift lightning to execute his sentence. To that end the storehouses are opened, and the clouds fly out like birds. By his mighty power the clouds are piled up and the hailstones broken small. The crash of his thunder makes the earth writhe, and, when he appears, an earthquake shakes the hills. At his will the south wind blows, the squall from the north and the hurricane. He scatters the snow-flakes like birds alighting; they settle like a swarm of locusts. The eye is dazzled by their beautiful whiteness, and as they fall the mind is entranced. He spreads frost on the earth like salt, and icicles form like pointed stakes. A cold blast from the north, and ice grows hard on the water, settling on every pool, as though the water were putting on a breastplate. He consumes the hills, scorches the wilderness, and withers the grass like fire. Cloudy weather quickly puts all to rights, and dew brings welcome relief after heat. By the power of his thought he tamed the deep and planted it with islands. Those who sail the sea tell stories of its dangers, which astonish all who hear them; in it are strange and wonderful creatures, all kinds of living things and huge sea-monsters. By his own action he achieves his end, and by his word all things are held together.

All remain seated as the choir sings

THE JUBILATE

O BE joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:

serve the Lord with gladness,

and come before his presence with a song.

Be ye sure that the Lord he is God:

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.

For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting:

and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:

world without end. Amen.

Benjamin Britten (1913-76), in C

Written for St George’s Chapel, Windsor at the request of The Duke of Edinburgh

All remain seated.

THE SECOND LESSON

John 11. 21-27

read by the Archbishop of Canterbury

MARTHA said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.”

All remain seated as the choir sings

PSALM 104

The Duke of Edinburgh requested that Psalm 104 should be set to music by William Lovelady.

Originally composed as a cantata in three movements, it was first sung in honour of His Royal Highness’s 75th Birthday.

MY SOUL give praise unto the Lord of heaven,

In majesty and honour clothed;

The earth he made will not be moved,

The seas he made to be its robe. Give praise.

The waters rise above the highest mountain,

And flow down to the vales and leas;

At springs, wild asses quench their thirst,

And birds make nest amid the trees.

The trees the Lord has made are full of vigour,

The fir tree is a home for storks;

Wild goats find refuge in the hills,

From foes the conies shelter in the rocks.

My soul give praise unto the Lord of heaven,

In majesty and honour clothed;

The earth he made will not be moved,

The seas he made to be its robe. Give praise.7

O Lord, how manifold is your creation,

All things in wisdom you provide;

You give your riches to the earth,

And to the sea so great and wide.

You take your creatures breath and life is ended,

Your breath goes forth and life begins;

Your hand renews the face of earth,

Your praise my whole life I will sing.

My soul give praise unto the Lord of heaven,

In majesty and honour clothed;

The earth he made will not be moved,

The seas he made to be its robe. Give praise.

William Lovelady (b. 1945) abridged and arranged for choir and organ by James Vivian (b. 1974) with the composer’s permission

Words from Psalm 104, adapted by Sam Dyer (b. 1945)

The choir sings

THE LESSER LITANY

Let us pray.

All sit or kneel.

LORD, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

OUR Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name;

Thy kingdom come;

Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

But deliver us from evil. Amen.

THE RESPONSES

ENTER not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord.

For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

Grant unto him eternal rest.

And let light perpetual shine upon him.

We believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord.

In the land of the living.

O Lord, hear our prayer.

And let our cry come unto thee.

William Smith (1603-45), adapted by Roger Judd, MVO (b. 1944)

The Lord’s Prayer, Music by Robert Stone (1516-1613) from John Day’s Certaine Notes 1565

THE COLLECT

The Dean of Windsor shall say

O MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us by his Holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for them that sleep in him: We meekly beseech thee, O Father that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him, as our hope is this our brother doth; and that, at the general resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight; and receive that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come ye blessed children of my Father; receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this we beseech thee, O merciful Father through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

The Archbishop of Canterbury shall say

O ETERNAL God, before whose face the generations rise and pass away, thyself unchanged, abiding, we bless thy holy name for all who have completed their earthly course in thy faith and following, and are now at rest; we remember before thee this day Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, rendering thanks unto thee-for his resolute faith and loyalty, for his high sense of duty and integrity, for his life of service to the Nation and Commonwealth, and for the courage and inspiration of his leadership. To him, with all the faithful departed, grant thy peace; Let light perpetual shine upon them; and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Dean of Windsor, Register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, shall say

O LORD, who didst give to thy servant Saint George grace to lay aside the fear of man, and to be faithful even unto death: Grant that we, unmindful of worldly honour, may fight the wrong, uphold thy rule, and serve thee to our lives’ end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOD save our gracious Sovereign and all the Companions, living and departed, of the Most Honourable and Noble Order of The Garter. Amen.

O GOD of the spirits of all flesh, we praise thy holy name for thy servant Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who has left us a fair pattern of valiant and true knighthood; grant unto him the assurance of thine ancient promise that thou wilt ever be with those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters. And we beseech thee that, following his good example and strengthened by his fellowship, we may at the last, together with him, be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Archbishop of Canterbury shall say

O LORD God, when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory; through him, who for the finishing of thy work laid down his life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with those who mourn; that casting every care on thee they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.10

All sit as the choir sings

THE ANTHEM

GIVE rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy Saints:

where sorrow and pain are no more;

neither sighing, but life everlasting.

Thou only art immortal, the Creator and Maker of man:

And we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return.

For so thou didst ordain, when thou createdest me, saying,

Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

All we go down to the dust; and, weeping, o’er the grave,

we make our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Russian Kontakion of the Departed

Translated William John Birkbeck (1859-1916)

Kiev Melody, arranged by Sir Walter Parratt, KCVO (1841-1924)

All stand.

As the Coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor shall say

THE COMMENDATION

GO forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul,

In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee;

In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee;

In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee;

May thy portion this day be in peace,

and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.

All remain standing. Garter Principal King of Arms proclaims

THE STYLES AND TITLES OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH

THUS it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this transitory life unto his divine mercy the late most Illustrious and most Exalted Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order upon whom had been conferred the Royal Victorian Chain, Grand Master and Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Lord

High Admiral of the United Kingdom, One of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal in the Army and Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Husband of Her Most Excellent Majesty Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, whom may God preserve and bless with long life, health and honour and all worldly happiness.

Thereafter, the Pipe Major of The Royal Regiment of Scotland plays

A LAMENT

The Buglers of the Royal Marines sound

THE LAST POST

After a period of silence the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry sound

REVEILLE

The Buglers of the Royal Marines sound

ACTION STATIONS

Then the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounces

THE BLESSING

All remain standing as the choir sings

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

GOD save our gracious Queen,

Long live our noble Queen,

God save The Queen!

Send her victorious,

Happy and glorious,

Long to reign over us,

God save The Queen!

All remain standing in their places as Her Majesty The Queen, Members of the Royal Family and Members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Family leave the Chapel via the Galilee Porch escorted by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Music after the service

Luke Bond, Assistant Director of Music, St George’s Chapel, will play

Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 546 Johann Sebastian Bach

END

[shomoo]

Many of you have been asking me why my shop has been closed for the last two years. Some of you may have notice I was missing from the convention circuit before Quarantine hit.

Two years ago I was told by a dozen doctors that I was a very difficult case and I was not going to make it past a few weeks.

My kidneys were failing. My heart was very weak. I had congestive heart failure. Organs were shutting off...My weight was under 80 pounds. I was anemic, so weak I could not walk. My lungs & the area around my heart were filled with liters of fluid. I was drowning inside and could not sleep for weeks. All I was left with was a huge pre medi-cal approval hospital bill.

I thought my time had come...

What happened after is a miracle of friendship.

What was meant to be one final reunion with my best friends to thank them for their friendship and to get one final hug, became a quest to save my life.

My good soul brother super awesome movie director and storyboardart.com owner, Sergio Paez & the fantastic super talented Ghost Rider Robbie Reyes creator Felipe Smith -FelipeSmith.com came together & they decided they were not going to let me die.

They temporarily set aside their very successful careers to become caregivers and make shift nurses. They cared for me 24/7. They were there every night of the many months I spent at the hospital. They washed my hair when I could not. They carried me when I could not walk.

Many of you may know I have no family here. My mother died a very tragic death, shortly before I was admitted in the hospital. My brother left this world while I was fighting for my life. I know little of my father. My sister is in Japan but she has an equally challenging immunological illness after recovering from a massive stroke. She is also fighting for her life.

My family of friends and the awesome crew at UCSF hospital saved my life.

Their dialysis team and their ER team knew me by name by my fifth visit.

There are some fantastic vocational nurses at UCSF whom really helped me through months of surgeries and tests.

At the moment I am a home hemodialysis patient with kidney failure. I am connected to a machine every other day for hours, to live. I am still fighting my way to recovery.

I am not yet tested for possible transplant. I was too weak and needed to get stronger. Then...Covid happened and everything slowed. I may need a donor if I am tested positive for transplant.

Did you know you only need one kidney to live a healthy life? Most of us came with a pair. There are too many of us with kidney failure and not enough donors. If you are curious about living kidney donations you can check the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation

Super talents Sergio, Felipe, Mike Judge (Not that MJ. The other MJ Gorotoro.com) along with my awesome huge list of fantastic animation and comics community of friends, have been helping me survive for the past two years as I struggled to live.

I am blessed with a huge non blood related family of friends & they happen to be all extremely talented.

I am immensely grateful for everyone’s support. This gratitude helped me immensely to go through this journey.

You are part of my family of friends. You have been there supporting my work despite of the repetitive vault postings and the absence of new art for the last two years.

Now, my good friends are now coming together to organize a benefit show.

Healsho : Benefit Auction with art & workshops from some of the best professionals in the comic & animation industry.

If you are an artist and feel like you may like to help with the online event or donate art, you can still contribute. Contact the organizers here :

https://www.healsho.com/i-want-to-help

Check the online live event info here:

https://www.help.healsho.com/event1605398159762

Instagram @healsho

Live Event dates:

December 10-13, 2020

To be able to look at the items or bid/buy you will need to sign up to receive login instructions. Signing up is FREE.

Sign up here

https://www.help.healsho.com/event1605398159762#section--78558

Many of you patiently waited for years for my shop to open again.

I will have some rare sketches and originals up for grabs in this auction too.

And many many art prints.

This is your chance to get fantastic art from very known artists in the industry whom normally are all sold out or very hard to find & get classes from very known Animation and story directors who are too busy making movies to teach.

Some of the fantastic participating artists, film directors and animation industry pro’s are:

Dice Tsusumi, Jerome Opeña, Carlos Baena, Ted Mathot, Derek Thompson, Ronnie del Carmen, Jonathan Wayshak, Felipe Smith, 1980Who, Alberto Ruiz, Alina Chau, Anthony Hon, Bosco Ng, Chris Petrocchi, CJ Guzman, Ed Bell, Erena Shimoda, James Baker, Joel Sigua, Keron Grant, Le Tang, Martin Hsu, Mike Judge, Rhode Montijo, Robert Valley, Soosa Kim, Tom Rubalcava, Toshiko Kamiyama, Victor Gascon, Wahab Algarmi, Yoriko Ito

If you are not able to donate or purchase art, you can help just by sharing this post or the auction site. You will help me and others like me, by spreading kidney donation awareness.

Help me spread the word

Did you know you only need one kidney to live a healthy life? Most of us came with a pair. There are too many of us with kidney failure and not enough donors. If you are curious about living kidney donations you can check the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) website: www.kidney.org/livingdonation

Finding a selfless angel who wants to donate a kidney for nothing in return but the gratification of saving someone’s life (& giving the gift of life) is difficult. There are 113,000+ people on the waiting list for a kidney donor. Every ten minutes one more person is added to the list.

I am trying to get an experimental alternative treatment to heal my kidneys before opting for kidney transplant testing but it is very expensive, no insurance covers them. I do not know how many months of treatment I may need for it to work.

Super talents Sergio, Felipe, Mike Judge (Not that MJ. The other MJ Gorotoro.com) along with my awesome huge list of fantastic animation and comics community of friends, have been helping me survive for the past two years as I struggled to live.

I am blessed with a huge non blood related family of friends & they happen to be all extremely talented.

I am immensely grateful for everyone’s support. This gratitude helped me immensely to go through this journey.

You are part of my family of friends. You have been there supporting my work despite of the repetitive vault postings and the absence of new art for the last two years.

Now, my good friends are now coming together to organize a benefit show.

If you would like to donate cash, you can donate here:

www.paypal.me/healsho

The art community is comprised of some of the best people on earth and I am very blessed to have been a part of it...hopefully with your help I will be able to get back in it.

[doomednarrative]

I’m doing this for fun simply because I'm rewatching them all so,

Here's my personal ranking for Every Gorillaz Music video, based both on song and the video itself:

(This is going to be a long post)

PHASE ONE:

Tomorrow Comes Today: 7/10. I love this song and the video fits its vibe, but its still pretty simplistic and not a whole lot of actual animation and no story, so it gets points off for that.

Clint Eastwood: 10/10. I love this one honestly. Its still so charming after all this time and showcases the band well for their early days. Love the more moody tone of it, and I always love seeing the band actually play instruments in their videos too. Bonus points for Murdoc's laugh opening this one because I love that.

Rock The House: 9/10. Pure fun. I don't have a lot of commentary for it, I just think its fun and I love the song itself too. One point off for Murdoc thrusting his hips too many times for my eyes tho.

19-2000: 10/10. This one was the first Gorillaz video that I saw and it really is just a nice non plot connected video. The 3D animation still manages to hold up because of its mix with 2D animation in my opinion and I enjoy it.

Rockit: 5/10. I like the song but the video is kinda meh.

PHASE ONE MV'S OVERALL: Overall I like phase one and I miss Del. Bring him back.

PHASE TWO:

Dirty Harry: 8/10. 2D is just vibing so hard in this video and I'm living for it. That’s all that matters. (Side note but I love the version of this video they did for the BRIT's as well.)

DARE: 10/10. Noodles time to shine, a perfect song, what more could you ask for?? (Also love the bit with Murdoc at the end of course.)

Feel Good Inc: 10/10. This one is obvious if you know me at all. Murdoc playing his bass is what sells this one for me cause I enjoy the animation. The songs amazing and one I find comforting to listen to, and the mood of the video fits it perfectly. Theres some really fun shots with lighting while 2D is standing at the window too in the tower in here that I've always liked.

El Mañana: 6/10. I love this song but it makes me sad and so does the video.

PHASE TWO MV'S OVERALL: Phase One is iconic for its art style and for being The Beginning, but Phase Two is my favorite of the two for its art. I love how these videos are animated, and even if Demon Dayz is my least favorite album, the songs in these videos are all very good. Pretty solid as a whole all things considered.

PHASE THREE:

Stylo: 10/10 LISTEN, I KNOW SOME PEOPLE HATE THE CGI, BUT I LOVE IT. It’s so expressive, this song is one of my absolute faves, I’m sorry to be such a Murdoc liker but hes so much fun in this video and so expressive and it starts the story off for Plastic Beach. I love it so much.

On Melancholy Hill: 7/10. It’s not a bad video, and I love the song a lot, but...not a lot actually happens in the video aside from the bits with Noodle. Bonus points however go to just how seamlessly it puts 2D and 3D animation together, and for how cute 2D looks this whole video.

Rhinestone Eyes: 9/10. WOULD BE A 10/10 IF WE’D GOTTEN OFFICIAL ANIMATION FOR IT ;-; (The fan animated video for it tho is Very very good and i applaud that whole team.) Amazing song, this video has the most story packed into it so far from all the other videos and it’s memorable from its storyboards for that alone.

Doncamatic: 10/10 Listen...Listen I know its a one off and it doesn't really have anything in it but I’m obsessed because its one of my favorite Gorillaz songs tbh and I love Daley’s outfit in it so it gets a full pass from it.

PHASE THREE MV’S OVERALL: I love every video this phase tbh, none of them are bad. All of them are fun,and even if Melancholy Hill is a little slow, it’s still enjoyable. I love this phase because they all connect and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way either.

PHASE FOUR:

Hallelujah Money: 7/10. It’s not at all bad, but I’m as not fond of this song, and the video itself is much too trippy for me. Still has its own merits tho that I won’t knock it for even if it’s not my personal taste.

Saturn Barz: 10/10. Everything about this video is amazing. Character designs and as a comeback for the bands animated counterparts, it was perfect. I loved hearing them actually speak again too it made the whole thing so fun. The song is fuckin awesome and it fits the vibe of the whole video. Bonus points for the more lineless animation style they gave everyone in this video, it was a really neat change from past phases. My one complaint is again stop making me see so much naked Murdoc, I may like him but not like that.

Sleeping Powder: 6/10. I am so split when it comes to the mo cap models. This songs good but the video is again too trippy for me.

Strobalite: 9/10. Would have been 10/10 if Russel got to dance with 2D and Noodle, but other than that its pretty damn good. The mo cap looks way less awkward in here, particularly Murdoc and Russel. Also hilarious that Murdoc made a deal with the devil, and the guy who played him is actually his voice actor irl. This songs too much fun to vibe to as well.

PHASE FOUR MV’S OVERALL: Not much for story, but makes up for it in updated art and great music again. Solid overall yet again. I like it.

PHASE FIVE:

Humility: 20/10. Literally every single person I know who’s seen this video loved it. The animation is Beautiful, the song is so fuckin catchy, Jack Black is in it! What more do you want!! (The only thing I could have asked for was to see more of Ace but that’s its only flaw.)

Tranz: 9/10. I love this song so much but this video is Again just a little too trippy for me. However, we get to see Ace just jamming out in this video and I’ll take the trippiness just for that.

PHASE FIVE MV’S OVERALL: I was surprised there wasn't at least one more video for this phase honestly? I feel like Kansas or Souk Eye would have made for great videos for this phase. That aside tho, both the videos it does have are a lot of fun. My literal only complaint is that I wanted to see more of Ace. Bring him back in the future.

PHASE SIX:

Momentary Bliss: 8/10. This songs fine, but what sells it for me is the video is more slice of life/a day in the life of the studio. I’m always a fan of those moments. Bonus points goes to Murdoc trying to fuckin poison Jamie and it backfiring on him.

Désolé: 10/10: ooooh this song is so beautiful...I love it so much. 2D Noodle and Russel got to have such a fun time in this video and they deserve it. And poor Murdoc, having his little sad times by his asshole self. I love him but I think he deserved it. The others needed a good break from the bullshit and I’m glad they got it.

Aries: 6/10. Video itself is kinda boring, but the song is nice. Murdoc deserved to be left behind in Désolé after what he tried to pull here.

Friday the 13th: 3/10. I don’t care for this video and I really don’t care for the song. Not much else to say.

PAC-MAN: 6/10. Video’s fine, I like some of the little details in it, but it’s nothing special. The song itself is nice tho, super calming, I like it.

Strange Timez: 20/20 MY GOD I LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH...VISUALS ARE SO FUN, I LOVE ROBERT SMITH SO I LOVE HIM IN HERE, ITS JUST A GOOD TIME ALL AROUND!

The Pink Phantom: 5/10 I just don’t really care for this song?? I like Elton John but I couldn’t get myself to like this one no matter how many times I’ve listened. 2D got to be happy in this video tho so I’ll give it a pass.

The Valley of the Pagans: 6/10. This song fuckin slaps but the video feels like a boring redo of 19-2000 except for it’s ending. It gets points for giving everyone Plastic Beach feelings at the end and hyping up the video after it.

The Lost Chord: 20/20. Y’all knew this was coming. This was something I’d BEEN hoping for story wise and I finally got it. Was it maybe a little rushed? Yes. But GOD it was such a nice thing to see them say “hey we’ve wrapped up this part of the story for good and want everyone to move on from it, so we’ve given it a properly acknowledged final send off.” And tangibly seeing everyone's emotions laid out about the island and their times there was very nice. And  I know Jamie and Damon have stated Murdoc is irredeemable, blah blah yes I know hes an asshole still, but I WILL think about Murdoc in this video and how he seemed actually regretful and what that means to me and the fact that it was no one else but 2D himself being the one to reach out to Murdoc in the end to save him until my dying breath, thank you very much. And this song?? Fuckin beautiful, it had those Plastic Beach vibes again and felt good for it’s send off song, I love it.

PHASE SIX MV’S OVERALL: I may be a little split on some of them and on Song Machine as a whole, but tbh I love the phase six art style so much and most times the videos were pretty good. Bringing back PB in the end was something I always wanted too so it really does get bonus points from me for that. I’m 50/50 on them overall. The great ones are great, and the meh ones are just kinda boring, so it evens out in the end.

STAND ALONE VIDEOS MENTION:

Do Ya Thing: 10/10. I’ve said before I love the 3D animation and the slice of life stuff, so this one’s obviously a favorite, and you really cant go wrong with an Andre 3000 feature either. 

Superfast Jellyfish: 3/10. This song is kinda fun but I don’t give a single shit about the music video.

Garage Palace: 8/10. Very fun pixel visuals for a change along with a killer song, super enjoyable.

So what’s my final verdict on Gorillaz and their long music video history?

Honestly for a group thats been going as long as they have, I dont think they have too many misses in their catalog. The ones that aren’t as fun are just kinda there, but the videos that really stand out stand out far above the ones that don’t hit the mark as well and in the end it all feels like a good balance. No band has a perfect video every time, but the ones that Gorillaz did well they did amazing on and I enjoy it immensely when that happens.

Sidenotes after watching all of those:

For the love of god please put Russel in the videos more, please, he deserves it and I would love to see him more.

On that note, BRING DEL BACK WITH HIM TOO!!

And speaking of characters to bring back, I want Ace to come back and join Murdoc sometimes, even if its only once or twice more, I need to see them interact PLEASE.

Last note but Jamie, please, I’m begging, show less of mostly naked or fully naked of Murdoc in future videos, we’ve had our fill by now.

[vanillasakura]

Desert Rose and Flowing Prose: Chapter 2, Preface

I wanted to start working on my last two fic requests I still have from August, but I'm far too exhausted today to write anything more than this. (For some reason, this fic is astonishingly easy for me to write? Like this took maybe fifteen minutes max I don't get it </3)

All the chapters of this fic are gonna be out of order by the way, whatever I get the urge to write will be whatever I publish

Summary: The preface of Jack's book, pretty self-explanatory

ao3

~~~

Were my mother to see the title of this book, I have no doubt in mind that she would have a heart attack.

“Are you SERIOUSLY describing yourself as an outlaw? After all my warnings not to? Christ, Jack, I have no idea what to do with you.”

Now in my defense, this is the first time I have ever used the word in relation to who I am. The entirety of my life, I hid those six months of my past away, pretended that the entire year of 1914 never happened. I came up with an elaborate backstory to give to anybody who asked about my formative years, and despite my openness about admitting that I spent the first four years of my life as the youngest member of the once infamous Van der Linde gang, I have never told a soul that for the longest six months of my life, I took to arms myself and wandered the New Austin wilderness as an outlaw at nineteen years old. This book marks the first time that I am being truly open and transparent about my past, the reason being that I am simply too old to care anymore. As of writing this passage, I am eighty three years of age. I cannot bring myself to be bothered by the opinions that others may hold of me regarding my past, and, quite frankly, I believe my story is one that needs to be told. Maybe not to the extent of my parents’ and my uncle’s (I would recommend you read my biography on their lives over this book any day, and I implore you to give the book a chance if you have not already) but as a firm believer of historical preservation, it would go against everything that I stand for to allow my own personal history to fade into obscurity after my death.

March to September of 1914 were the most miserable months of my life. To this day I marvel at how I managed to find the strength to keep going each morning. Human willpower is a force that I will never truly understand, but I cannot begin to thank myself enough for being able to make it through those times like I did. Before I even begin to tell you of my childhood, my professional life, and, what I imagine most of you have picked up this book for, my time as an outlaw, I need to first give immense thanks to the people in my life who saved me and brought me out of that hellhole, who picked me up when nobody else could, who showed me that human kindness does, indeed, still exist, and always will, no matter what. They are, in no particular order: Mrs. Sadie Adler, Mr. Charles Smith, Mrs. Mary-Beth Smith, and Ms. Bonnie McFarlane. I have no words to express the gratitude that I will have now and forever towards these extraordinary individuals. Of course, this section would not be complete without mentioning my parents, Mr. John Marston and Mrs. Abigail Roberts Marston, along with my absolutely incredible children: Leo van Breda, Irene Randall, Sebastian Seward, and Margarethe Kiel, who continue to encourage me and lift me up every day. Without these incredible men and women, I would not be here to write this story today, and it is no exaggeration to say that I owe my life to each and every one of them in one way or another.

[dragonrajafanfiction]

Ranked S

Tigre stood in the doorway to the dining hall of Cassell College in awe of the massive chandelier. It was gold, in the shape of a great tree under a high domed ceiling and every leaf was a light. It was the most magnificent thing he had seen in all of the College so far and it was accessible because he knew what a tree was and what a lamp was and he could see that this work of art was the two put together. What great innovation!

After spending a few hours last night with Chu Zihang’s friends, he felt too excited to sleep. He kept fiddling with the tablet computer all night, surfing the internet and googling all manner of things until the machine ran out of batteries. They had explained how to charge it, but Tigre felt a moment of great panic when the low battery warning came up. What if he tried to charge it and it didn’t work? He’d be up a creek on his first day of school.

The freshman students in green uniforms all sat at very long heavy wooden tables. He recognized the Smith sisters and waved, trotting up to them and sitting down. “Hi! I hope you feel better now!”

The Smith sisters all looked at him in silence and uncomfortable smiles. Except for Ruby. She gave a little laugh and said. “Yeah, we do… thanks.”

They all wore the same hairstyle with their hair tied up and back and the mass of curls poofed out like a bouquet of flowers. They still had the insect motif. Ruby with her butterfly earrings, Porsche with her dragonfly earrings, and Ladybug Celeste.

“Oh. What’s that on the wall? Is that dragon language too?” Tigre asked in wonder.

“That’s Latin…” Porsche drawled. “You should be able to tell if you speak Spanish.” She rested her cheek in her hand and pointed at him, doubt filling her voice.

“He said he only spoke a little!” Ruby was quick to defend him. “It’s just saying ‘Welcome new students.”

“Oh… Latin…” Now that he stared at it he could tell it was a bit like Spanish. 

Suddenly a silver platter was settled in front of him and the lid opened to reveal a plate of hardboiled eggs, bread, cheese and ham. He yelped in surprise. “Woah!”

Ruby laughed again. Even Celeste cracked a smile. “You must have grown up in the boonies. You act like you’re in Disney World.” She said, chuckling.

Tigre was already stuffing his face with the bread and eggs and mumbled. “No, I’m from Mexico.”

Celeste shook her head, covering her smile. “I know! What I meant was… you know what? Never mind. It’s nice to meet someone who’s not a sourpuss.”

A sudden hush fell over the dining room and a few students stood up as Lu Mingfei entered accompanied by the members of the Student Union Elite and a beautiful woman walking behind him. “That’s Lu Mingfei, S ranked President of the Student Union. I hear he’s back from killing a real dragon.” Ruby explained in a hush whisper. “I hear he’s the strongest student the College has ever had.”

“Really he did?” Tigre watched in awe. This guy was so quiet and normal and humble, he never imagined that he could have killed a dragon. “I heard he was President of the Student Union. What does that mean?”

“There are many clubs here but two main ones. The Student Union and Lionheart. The Student Union was run by Caesar Gattuso who killed the King of Bronze and Fire two years ago. He passed his club to Lu Mingfei. Lionheart was run by Chu Zihang who killed the King of Earth and Mountains year before last. They had a great rivalry but Lu Mingfei doesn’t seem to be interested in continuing that and Lionheart leadership has been hollowed out. Chu Zihang, Susie, and Lancelot all graduated. They were all the Lionheart elite.”

“Was run? Chu Zihang doesn’t run it any more?” 

“No, he graduated recently and was sent on missions. In fact, they’re all graduated now. Caesar is in Rome in the Italy branch.”

Tigre’s chewing slowed and he swallowed. “Graduated… so Chu Zihang doesn’t go here any more…”

“No, he was just here recovering from his last mission. He’ll probably go back to work now that he’s fully recovered.” Porsche shrugged.

He sighed and lowered his eyes. “Oh… he… he didn’t tell me that.”

Celeste’s elegant eyebrow raised. “Why would he tell you that? Do you know him?”

For the first time, Tigre seemed genuinely sad to the sisters. He stopped eating and hung his head. “Yeah. He saved my life.”

“Get out!” Porsche’s eyes were wide in her head. “How did that happen?”

Tigre looked on the verge of tears. “It’s kinda sad but I was not let out of a prison all my life. Chu Zihang broke me out of that prison and that’s how I came here. He gave me a computer tablet. He didn’t say he was leaving.”

The sisters all fixed him with sad serious gazes.

“No wonder you don’t know anything…” Ruby sighed.

“I… I’ll send him a farewell message later I guess.” He mumbled. He understood that Chu Zihang had to leave, but did he have to leave without saying anything? The tablet computer must have been a goodbye gift as well as a welcome gift.

The Smith sister’s eyes all went wide at the same time, like a row of kittens. They were looking behind him and when Tigre turned around, Lu Mingfei was standing behind him. 

“All settled in?”

“Yes… sir?” He asked.

“Oh no, not you too with the sir stuff.” Mingfei lamented, one hand on his head. 

“I’m sorry I just heard you were the strongest student in Cassell!” Tigre explained quickly.

Lu Mingfei winced slowly and sighed. “Anyway. I wanted to ask you if you’ve settled in alright.”

Tigre nodded. He noticed that all the students in the dining hall were staring at him. Some of them whispered to each other, their eyes fixed on him as they did so.

“I heard Chu Zihang was leaving. Do you know when?” Tigre asked quietly sad.

“Oh… yeah he left last night. He didn’t tell you?” Mingfei’s eyes widened slightly.

Crestfallen, Tigre shook his head. 

“Ah… Senior Brother is always like this. He comes and goes without a word and doesn’t understand how that might affect people. He thought a lot of you. Anyway, We can talk later, don’t take it so hard, okay?” He gave Tigre an awkward pat on the shoulder.

The sisters were rendered speechless. Lu Mingfei walked away to the Senior Student’s table where he sat down, surrounded by men in suits as he was served by three separate waiters. It seemed like he was in the lap of luxury, the King of Cassell. Yet, looking at him, Tigre couldn’t help but think that Lu Mingfei was very lonely. He didn’t really talk to the people next to him, just lowered his head and ate like a horse in a stable.

A hand suddenly slammed into his view. “Hey, I’m talking here.”

“Charles Xavier!” Tigre exclaimed.

The boy with dark hair and eyes who challenged him before apparently had been trying to get his attention when he was looking at Lu Mingfei.

“My name’s not ‘Charles Xavier’ I was messing with you!” He wrinkled his nose and glared his eyes down at him. “You know Lu Mingfei? How the hell?”

“I… I met him yesterday after the test. There was a little party at Chu Zihang’s house.” Tigre answered honestly with an owlish expression.

‘Charles Xavier’ massaged the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut like he suddenly had a massive headache. “You were at… Chu Zihang’s party?”

Tigre flinched. “Uh… Yeah… Sorry, if I knew you wanted to go I would have invited you…”

Celeste and her two sisters all lifted their coffee cups in unison and sipped, watching this scene with great pleasure.

‘Charles’ cleared his throat. “Well then… allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m Robert Musonda, of the Musonda copper mining company in Zambia. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh… nice to meet you too.” Tigre accepted the offered hand.

“Have you decided which club you were going to join? I personally have not. I was waiting to see how things were. With all the elites gone, things could go either way. The Student Union could fall, or Lionheart could resurge.”

“I haven’t… really thought of clubs. I…” Tigre looked to Ruby for help. She’d been very helpful so far.

“Lionheart and Student Union were huge rivals before. I think people are expecting that to continue but it doesn’t have to. It depends on leadership. I think Lionheart will really push hard to regain some ground after losing so much to Student Union.” She nodded to him.

Robert Musonda clasped his hands behind his back. “In fact, leadership itself is up for grabs at Lionheart. A lot of freshmen are thinking of going to see if they can snatch the spot. With you being good friends with Mingfei and Chu Zihang, you’d be a shoe in!”

“I wouldn’t call myself good friends… We just met yesterday…”

Robert Musonda leaned forward. “He came over here and greeted you and only you… I call that good friends.” He patted Tigre on the shoulder the same way Lu Mingfei had and dropped his card next to him. “Let’s chat after class.”

Robert sauntered away. His card had a small floral scent but was simple and white with black block lettering of his family business and name along with a phone number and email.

As they were leaving the breakfast hall, Tigre’s tablet computer chimed. When he looked at it, he had a new message in his inbox. “Oh. I got my exam results.”

“Quick check your email!” Celeste exclaimed.

Apparently all the results were posted publicly and at the same time.  Students all stopped what they were doing and were looking at their results, heads bowed over their phones. Some students cheered and pumped their fists. Others gave each other high fives. Some students huddled together, giving consoling pats on the back. They were listed in order by last name and, since Tigre didn’t have a last name, the null entry in the last name field put his name right at the top.

Name: Tigre

Resonance Test result: S

Attached to his email was several pages of materials. Based on his ranking, he was afforded a stipend of money. $100,000! He also had a lot of privileges like first pick of meals and he could call the train to take him to Chicago whenever he wanted.

“Congratulations on your high level of Ranking.” It said. “With these privileges also come responsibilities. You are expected to perform at high level in the college in both class attendance and performance. If you fail to perform, you will be downgraded and your privileges will be revoked.”

He looked up at Ruby, relying on her once again for guidance. “What classes do I have?”

“You have to pick your own classes.” She said, with a trembling voice. “I can’t believe you’re S ranked. That’s insane. Are you half dragon?”

“I don’t know. Maybe?” Tigre shrugged.

Celeste stepped in, pushing Tigre forward. “There’s a link to register for classes. But let’s not do this in the hallway where everyone stares at us.”

She leaned over to him, smiling gently. “So, do you have a roommate yet?”

“Uh… I don’t have a dorm.” He said quietly.

“Then you should stay with us. We’ll help you.” Celeste smiled at him.

“Yeah!” Porsche said, glancing at her Celeste and holding his hand. “We’ll start by registering you for classes and stuff. Do you have anything you need to move?”

“Not… really? Just a few things.” Tigre said nervously as he was herded out of the Dining Hall by the three women.

Ruby clung to his other arm. “Then I’ll help you move!”

“Move? Move where?” 

The triplets turned and looked at him with shining brown eyes. They beamed at him, speaking in unison. “To our dorm silly!”

[looselipssinkshipsmeme]

Mail Call #52 (Fortnight of 19 May 2021)

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Fill One, Save Three event over the last four weeks (and one day). Working together, we created 19 prompt fills, and saved 51 prompts from the great cull. All of the remaining 227 prompts from October through December 2019 have been sent to the great beyond. New Fills this Issue Last Call by @howling_harpy BAND OF BROTHERS, Carwood Lipton/Ronald Speirs, Ron never in his life imagined that *Carwood* would be the one led away in handcuffs. Beautiful by @arwen88 BAND OF BROTHERS, Denver 'Bull' Randleman/Johnny Martin, Sometimes he just wants to feel pretty. How Much Is Ours to Keep by @churchkey BAND OF BROTHERS, Donald Malarkey/Joseph Toye, Begging not to come because he wants it to last longer. By Strength of Arm and Heart by @muccamukk BAND OF BROTHERS, Donald Malarkey/Joseph Toye, Don's always crushed on how strong Joe is. Between the Rules and You by @anthrobrat BAND OF BROTHERS, Edward 'Babe' Heffron/Eugene Roe, Babe really loves leaving hickies on Gene, and Gene loves the feeling of being owned. All My Wishes Turned to Dust by @murreleteer BAND OF BROTHERS, Lewis Nixon/Richard Winters, bad guys made them do it. Never, Perhaps, to See Each Other Again by @fiorediloto BAND OF BROTHERS, Lewis Nixon/Richard Winters, They have a one night stand at the end of OCS because they don't think they'll see each other ever again. Imagine their surprise when they're both assigned to Toccoa, and to the same platoon. Who by Common Trial by @muccamukk BAND OF BROTHERS, Joseph Toye/William 'Wild Bill' Guarnere, The kind of pain he needs to forget. Wild Bill by @leerious BAND OF BROTHERS, William 'Wild Bill' Guarnere, Any pairing or pairings, how he got the nickname Wild Bill. Dirrty by @arwen88 GENERATION KILL, Brad 'Iceman' Colbert/Josh Ray Person, Blow job in some bar’s bathroom When In Roma by @queerapostate GENERATION KILL, Brad 'Iceman' Colbert/Josh Ray Person, Meeting at a gay bar and pretending to be strangers. New Prompts this Issue BAND OF BROTHERS, Ann Winters & Richard Winters, Ann's terrified of what her brother might think if he finds out how she feels about girls. BAND OF BROTHERS, Augusta (Anna) Chiwy/Renee LeMaire, They knew each other as children, and fell in love, but one didn't want to run away to Brussels, and broke the other's heart. The siege of Bastogne is the first time they've spoken since. BAND OF BROTHERS, Carwood Lipton/Lewis Nixon/Richard Winters/Ronald Speirs, Uncontrollable circumstances (sex pollen, a/b/o, fuck or die, etc.) cause some mixing of partners of established relationships, leading them to reevaluate whether monogamy is the only way. Pairings and tone are dealers choice, so long as it ends in polyamory and is canon-era. BAND OF BROTHERS, Carwood Lipton/Ronald Speirs, Carwood has a few dark secrets of his own. BAND OF BROTHERS, Carwood Lipton/Ronald Speirs, In Bastogne, due to shelling, blinding snow, etc, Carwood and Ron are separated from the others, unsure where the lines are. BAND OF BROTHERS, Denver 'Bull' Randleman, Bull loves to be praised BAND OF BROTHERS, Denver 'Bull' Randleman/Johnny Martin, Johnny likes using Bull as a portable shelter. Bull likes being able to protect Johnny. BAND OF BROTHERS, Edward 'Babe' Heffron/Eugene Roe, Babe likes his corset laces done up tight. BAND OF BROTHERS, Edward 'Babe' Heffron/William 'Wild Bill' Guarnere, Attempting to have sex in the front seat of a car does not go as planned. BAND OF BROTHERS, Edward Shames/Thomas Peacock, Blissful domesticity BAND OF BROTHERS, Edward Shames/Thomas Peacock, Hiding to have sex BAND OF BROTHERS, Lewis Nixon/Richard Winters, Dick and Nix travelling Europe post-war (Honeymoon? Business trip? 'I'll take you there?' Your call!), as exemplified by this picture: https://easycompany123.tumblr.com/post/648733686433447936/so-youre-telling-me-thats-not-winters-and-nixon BAND OF BROTHERS, Lewis Nixon/Richard Winters, Dick has a humiliating secret he's been hiding all this time. Nix finds out and gets a hell of a kick out of it. BAND OF BROTHERS, Lewis Nixon/Richard Winters, Five times Harry didn't catch on to what was happening between Dick and Nix and one he totally did. GENERATION KILL, Brad 'Iceman' Colbert/Nathaniel 'Nate' Fick, He would throw it all away for a final kiss goodbye. GENERATION KILL, Brad 'Iceman' Colbert/Nathaniel 'Nate' Fick, Nobody knows about Brad and Nate’s relationship except for them. And when Brad’s head wound from his latest deployment causes memory loss, Nate is the only one who knows what they were to each other. THE PACIFIC, Andrew 'Ack-Ack' Haldane/Edward 'Hillbilly' Jones, Highlander fusion: Eddie is an older immortal, but this is Andy's first time dying. THE PACIFIC, Bill 'Hoosier' Smith/Bud 'Runner' Conley/Lew 'Chuckler' Juergens/Robert Leckie, Attempting to have an orgy in a car: Legs and arms flailing, someone hitting their head multiple times, leaning on the gear shift and it giving way, hitting your knee on the horn. The door opening and someone almost falling out.

[adamwatchesmovies]

Tenet (2020)

Renting Tenet at home, with subtitles, and the ability to pause/and rewind helped me wrap my mind around its complicated mechanisms. In the theater, I’m not sure what the experience would’ve been. This is a visually arresting picture but so much of the characters’ motivations are shrouded in mystery and its "gimmick" is so mind-bending it’ll make your head spin. I’m still not 100% sure if everything I saw adds up, or if simply got swept up in the whole thing. Either way, those 150 minutes just flew by.

A CIA agent ("The Protagonist", John David Washington) is recruited into Tenet. The members of this secret organization are investigating a technology from the future that reverses the entropy of items or people, allowing them to move backward through time. Aided by his handler Neil (Robert Pattinson), he follows a trail that could spell the end of our past and present, as he encounters an Indian arms dealer (Denzil Smith) and his wife (Dimple Kapadia), state-of-the-art security measures, Russian oligarch Andrei Sator (Kenneth Branagh), and Sator's vengeful wife, Kat (Elizabeth Debicki).

Tenet probably didn’t need the whole reverse entropy thing. Would it have been better as a "normal" spy film? I don’t think so. Shorter, easier to understand, more straightforward but not better. The mechanic of those bullets that fly back into the barrels of the guns that “fire” them, of cars on different temporal tracks racing against each other, and a potential apocalypse from the future is the reason for this movie. It's a joy to step back and realize all of the characters who move in reverse are only doing so from the others' viewpoint. When they fire a gun, we see it as the end of a conflict. To them, it’s the beginning. We've seen time travel before but never like this.

Setting the chronal manipulation angle aside, this is an entertaining spy film that demands your attention. If your mind wanders, you’ll be lost. If you get lost, you’ll probably lose interest. Little is spelled out for you. The Protagonist has a specific objective and is determined to succeed. In most films, this would mean killing innocents just to cover up tracks. This technique sets the mood and amps up the action but also risks alienating viewers from a character. Writer/director Christopher Nolan instead ops to have the hero save or spare bad people for reasons that suit him. It keeps you wondering. You like the hero. He’s charismatic and determined, brave, and capable. Beyond his abilities in the field, you basically know nothing about him – not even his name – but he earns your admiration. You have faith in his choices. Overall, not much information about anyone – save Kat and Sator – is divulged. It’s more that you get an impression of them but that’s enough thanks to the actors' performances.

The whole thing is a puzzle to figure out. No. That's not quite the right analogy. When people put a puzzle together, it’s to see what picture will be formed by pieces that seemingly add up to nothing. Tenet is more like a string of dominos. You marvel at the setup and want to see where everything falls. You’re there to see the techniques that went into this movement. There is a lot of manipulation and subterfuge throughout and surprisingly engaging action scenes. It seems Nolan listened to the criticisms he received during the Dark Knight trilogy and honed his craft. Well done.

Tenet is ambitious. It’s unapologetically complicated, which I found rewarding. The visuals are memorable, as is the "gimmick". The special effects are flawless, the plot that right mix of familiar and so out there you’ve never seen anything like it. I can see some people losing patience with it, saying “I don’t get it” and turning the whole thing off. Go in with patience and I predict you'll be as enraptured as I was. (January 6, 2021)

[damfinofanfiction]

Chapter 8: To the East and The Gold Rush

Waking up in New York City was nothing new for the former Vaudeville performer. Buster was accustomed to whichever time zone he was in. He had gone to the east coast for a business trip/vacation with his wife Natalie and they’re staying at the Biltmore Hotel. The couple had attended the premiere of Seven Chances at the Capital theater. They were accompanied by people more favorable to Keaton such as his father Joe, a friend from childhood, Lex Neal, and Nick Schenck, a brother of his boss Joseph. Knowing that the missus missed their children and her sisters dearly, he held her hand the entire event. The screening had a good reception. Keaton was glad that the movie was well-received, although he remained resentful. Natalie was grateful for his presence, but nothing had changed as they still sleep in different bedrooms based on her insistence. After a few busy days, the real vacation began. Now he will be spending a day with his better half.

Once out of bed, Buster puts on his robe and went to the sitting area of their suite to call room service. He saw that Natalie was already awake and sitting frantically on the couch, he said to her, "Good morning Nate."

The missus stopped what she was doing and replied calmly, "Oh Morning."

Her fingers tapped on her knee as she appeared agitated. Buster had not seen her in this state in a while. Natalie was staring at the door and he shot his eyes at it, "Are you waiting for the letter?”

She quivered when she said, “I haven’t heard from mother yet.” Peg was watching the Keaton boys back in California.

He sat next to her and reassured her, "The boys are gonna be alright. We've only been gone since last Friday."

The tears started to form in her eyes, “This is the furthest I have been from our sons. Robert started babbling.” She wrapped her arms around herself, “What if he says his first word and I won’t be there to witness it?”

Buster patted on her shoulder, “I don’t think that would be likely.” He added, “I’m sure Bobby won’t say a thing until he sees his ma again.” To his surprise, Natalie hugged him in gratitude. Buster hugged her back until she broke the embrace to dry her tears. He went to the phone saying, “I’ll order us breakfast.”

That noon Buster and Natalie had lunch with the folks that went with them in addition to the Governor of New York. Joe Keaton shared stories of performing shows as The Three Keatons, dealing with wife Myra’s absences due to maternity leave, getting in trouble with The Gerry Society, and the times they fled out of burning Buildings. The couple spent the day together except when Natalie went out to buy gifts for the boys while Buster was catching up with Lex and discussing the latest film project. When he returned to their suite the middle Talmadge was already there, rounding out the toys and the clothes. He was going to ask her how much she spent on them, but he didn’t want to start another argument. 

She was in a cheery mood, “Got that letter back from mother. The boys are doing fine, they missed me. Dutch came over to cheer them up. She took them to the park for fun.” 

Keaton hid his hands in his pockets, “Did that letter said anything about me? Did the boys miss me too?” 

Natalie pulled a toy giraffe out of the bag, “It didn’t say anything about you. She usually didn’t acknowledge you in letters. I’m sure the boys miss you too. I can't wait to see their faces when they see what I got them."

What she said of the boys missing their father, Buster knew it might not be true. He wished to be a father, but had little time to spend with them because he was so busy at work. His fear arises with the thought of Natalie divorcing him and taking the sons away. He had to win her over to keep the family together. He asked her, “Nate, do you remember Coney Island?”

Natalie frowned upon taking a trip to memory lane, while neatly folding the boy’s overalls, “Why yes, it wasn’t long after Arbuckle made a short there. You took me because you wanted to include me and I obliged. You got us cotton candy to share, we rode on the carousel, and that one coaster you were begging me to ride along.”

Buster added with a narrow smile, “You were so scared that I held your hand the entire time.” he apologized for taking her to the coaster in the first place.

She concluded, “Then we finished the day with the Ferris wheel where we saw the bright spectacle and you pecked me on that cabin. It was a nice date.”

He sat gingerly on the bed, “I would be happy to take you to coney island again, but back then nobody could recognize me when I’m not with my folks, and then Roscoe and now if anyone took notice of me, that whole place would crumble.” 

She looked at him, “If you weren’t able to take me, why bring this up?”

He took her hands, “We were both very happy. I missed the days when you were in love with me. The same woman who proposed to me from another coast. I know the old Natalie is still there when you hugged me this morning.”

She took her hands off him to cross her arms, “That was only because I missed our boys.”

He put his hands behind him, “I missed them too. I can’t imagine life without all of you. I will take back the times I was unfaithful to you.”

“Buster, I don’t care if you embrace another woman behind my back. Please don't entice me to be in bed with you again.” She pointed him out of the door, “Please let me be alone to change for dinner.” Natalie closed the door behind him after leaving her room.

Buster was puzzled about the unusual pairings in his life; his parents, Joe and Myra, Norma and Schenck, and Natalie and himself. None of them shared the same age group except for the latter. He wished that his wife wasn’t a strict catholic so she could be comfortable with taking contraceptives and not worry about getting pregnant again and he wouldn’t have to cheat on her. But that’s the way it has to be. If he failed to win back his beloved, there are still less than 3 weeks of vacation to go.

****************

The hopes of Gail being a screen actress were dashed when production was delayed after Sennett comedian Ben Turpin backed out of the upcoming project due to personal matters. Gail wanted to take his place, but was unable to due to a lack of a contract. Though Sennett knew she wanted prominent roles, he was unable to fill them because too many actresses sought her out. But instead, he had heard his former employee Charlie Chaplin just returned from filming in Truckee to film more scenes in his studio and is seeking extras. So he recommended she find work in Chaplin's upcoming film The Gold Rush, and Gail was fine with it just to gain film experience. 

There at the Charlie Chaplin Studio, Gail is in the dance hall scene where Chaplin’s Tramp character dances with his love interest. She was busy dancing with a partner to watch the toothbrush-mustached comedian, but caught the part where he was tied to a dog and it chases the cat. She could laugh at this gag, but didn’t want to ruin a good take. The chestnut-haired woman across the hall seemed familiar. Gail didn't think she’s a famous actress. It must be on a tip of her tongue. Then the realization struck her, that was the same woman who was next to her onset of the seven chances. Their time between scenes was too busy to get them to chat. When everyone gets their lunch break, she located the woman eating with the other female extras in the studio courtyard. 

Gail sat at the same table as them, “Hi you remember me?”

The woman paused figuring out, “Oh goodness, we were extras in seven chances. Sorry we didn’t get to be properly introduced.” The woman extended her hand,  “My name is Eliza Smith.”

“I’m Gail Anders.” She shook it in greeting, “It’s good to see you again and I never got to thank you for saving me from the ridicule.”

“Don’t mention it. We actresses had to stick together.” 

Gail and Eliza were talking while having meatloaf and salad. Their discussion consists of their start on careers, Gail’s experiences as a bathing beauty, Eliza’s acting resume, their celebrity encounters, and then the subject fell to celebrity crushes.

"For me, it's Charlie Chaplin of course. I have a crush on him since I was barely a woman. Hell, if I was a virgin, I'd have saved it for him. Are you a virgin, Gail?”

Gail almost choked on her food being asked that. She replied with a blush, “That’s a very personal question to ask.” 

“That’s alright if you don't have to answer.” She raised her eyebrow leaning towards the raven-haired woman. “But tell me this is Buster Keaton the cat’s meow?”, When Gail couldn’t understand, Eliza rephrased, “Do you have a crush on Keaton?”

Gail's eyes were looking both ways as she drank her cup of water to try to avoid the touchy subject, but Eliza noticed the signs. “Please It’s all in your face. Your gaze was fixated on the stone face as if he was the king of England.” She chuckled, “It helped when you “pretended to faint” in front of him.”

Giving in, Gail confessed of the time she started seeing Buster in the Arbuckle films. She thought he seemed charming and took interest in watching his films because of his fascinating past, then when she heard the news of his wedding, she was a bit let down, but was happy for him and then she talked about her two other encounters with Keaton. In conclusion, She asked, “Is it wrong to have a crush on a married man?”

Eliza dropped a bombshell,  “Chaplin wasn't married when we dated.” Gail’s eyes widen and her jaw dropped hearing this “Really?!”

Eliza with a coy smile, whispered to her to avoid having others hear her “I met Chaplin when I started working in California. I took a job here as a part-time receptionist, but when he noticed me, He then hired me as an extra for his previous film, The Pilgrim. After production ended, we started a relationship. Spent countless nights with him,” she then frowned when she continued, “Then we broke up when he was seeing another woman, and another and another and another. But he did come back to me only for one-night stands and one of them happened while he’s married. Last I heard, if it's true, he has feelings for his leading lady."

She covered her face with her hand, trying to comprehend what happened, "Why are men so unfaithful to their wives?"

“Gail,” Eliza explained, “Men and women in Hollywood have unhappy marriages and have taken lovers. If Buster is one of them, you might have a chance.”

Gail stated, “But I have a boyfriend, I think I still do. And besides, I can’t see myself dating a married man.” Adding a final thought, “I would rather wait until he’s divorced.”

"True, but then where is the fun?” Before they finished eating Eliza looked Gail right in the eye and said, “I would recommend keeping this a secret. God knows what would happen to dear Chaplin if word got out.”

Gail returned to Lenore’s around 6 in the evening. Going inside she was surprised to see a finely dressed man talking with Sally and Lenore at the dining table. Upon noticing Gail’s presence, Lenore called, appearing to break away from her niece’s latest paramour, “Welcome home! We saved you fried cauliflower and turkey.”

The man said in his British accent told Sally, “I didn’t know you have a sister.”

The blonde chuckled, “She isn’t, this is my friend Gail Anders. I took her in when she moved from Nevada.”

The man stood up and bowed in greeting, “Sterling Thomas, my pleasure.”

As they shook hands, Gail said, “That accent, you must be British.”

 “Yes, Edinburgh very nice place.” Sterling’s dark hair was slicked back.

Lenore brought over her meal, “Gail just came home from work and you should be leaving too, sir.” This prompted Sterling to grab his hat and approached to the front door despite Sally’s protests for him to stay a little longer

He replied, "We can meet again. I'm here quite a while." She kisses him before watching him leave.

As Gail started eating, silence went on between aunt and niece. She later broke it when asking Sally, “How did you two meet?”

“Both of us were in New York City. I went to a nightclub and he was there. Same story, different ending.” 

“How did you find each other?”

Lenore added while crossing her arms, “I presume one of your nightly outings?”

Sally glared at her, "Well Auntie, we met somewhere, and I never felt lucky to bump into him again."

“How is Mr. Thomas any different from your last boyfriends?”

“He happens to be rich.”  

The aunt gave her a sarcastic look, “Oh, so now you're a gold digger?”

Sally stood up fumed, “How is that any different from you and Uncle Stanley?”

Lenore stood up in retaliation, “Don’t you bring my Stanley-”

Gail also stood up to soothe this out, “Could you not fight? I had a long day.” Sally and Lenore agreed and the table fell into silence for the whole dinner.

After all that was going on around her, Gail would end the day by kindling herself to a good book. After losing interest in the middle of chapter four she switched to another book. It was a journal about her interest in Buster Keaton. She would write down about the movies she had seen and clipped off the news article featuring a movie review of his and just news about him. Gail turned to a page in which the subject was Our hospitality. A news article glued there featured a picture of Buster and Natalie both wearing pork pie hats for a publicity photo. It was interesting to see husband and wife on the screen together, but now it was bittersweet knowing that buster is probably cheating on his wife. If it was truly something that must be wrong between the two.

The next afternoon, Gail was making herself useful in the Sennett studio, modeling the swimsuits for the other bathing beauties. A crewmember notified her of a call from her residence. Gail answered the phone, the voice at the other end was Lenore.

“The telegram came from your mother.”

Gail has already known what was happening around her family; her sister Geraldine is having twins and her father is due to retire from ranch work. Judging from the woman’s sorrowful tone in her voice, it must be bad news.

 “It’s your grandmother, she died in her sleep.”

Devastated, She covered her mouth as her tears began to form and a similar lump grew in her throat. Her whole body shook with the realization that the woman who got her to California is gone.

Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin around 1918

[letterboxd]

Watching John Malkovich.

To understand better why Letterboxd members set out on quests to watch specific actors’ entire filmographies, we invited Tim Rod to describe her dangerous and seductive journey through John Malkovich’s screen history.

For many film lovers, 2020 has been a year of catching up: on franchises, on directors’ filmographies, on historical gaps and top 100s. But for some Letterboxd members, the year indoors has been an opportunity to hyper-focus on a single actor and their work.

Jeremiah Lambert is on a Bacon Fest, Naked Airplane has embarked on a wild ride through the works of De Niro, Hackman, Hoffman, Nicholson and Pacino. Joey is preparing for next year’s centennial of The Kid by churning through Charlie Chaplin’s catalog (with David Robinson’s biography Chaplin: His Life and Art in hand). A quick Twitter survey found others churning through a performer selection as wide-ranging as Burt Lancaster, Parker Posey, Maggie Smith, Nicolas Cage, Cary Grant, Kevin Costner, Robin Williams, Adèle Haenel, Alan Arkin, Sam Rockwell and a Seth Rogen thirst project.

It can be a bumpy journey. In one performer’s oeuvre the quality will range widely, the genres too. But the rewards are many in a close study of craft, and there are revelations, whether it’s that Australia’s Miranda Otto deserves more recognition, or it’s “the total acceptance, lack of judgment, and vulnerability with which Alan Arkin has played so many of his flawed and wonderful characters”.

With Christian Bale in ‘Empire of the Sun’ (1987).

In 2020, no fewer than three movies and two television series starring John Malkovich have been released: Arkansas, Valley of the Gods and Ava, as well as The New Pope and Space Force. The legendary actor has kept himself busy, and I know this because I have seen most of his filmography—41 films and two series—in the span of a single month. I adore Malkovich, always have, and I came out of this experience with a deeper admiration for him, and with some thoughts about his unique, remarkable skills as an actor. (And, I had a really good time.)

Allow me to begin by saying that John Malkovich is the best part of every movie he is in. No matter the movie, Malkovich will always steal the spotlight, and he can turn a good movie into a masterpiece, or an average movie that wouldn’t catch anyone’s attention into one worth watching, if only to see him do his thing.

He’s starred in movies that are considered masterpieces by many: Being John Malkovich (1999), The Killing Fields (1984) and Empire of the Sun (1987). Movies that may be considered the opposite of masterpieces, like Supercon (2018), Eragon (2006) and the most recent Ava (2020), and he’s also starred in some gems that I knew nothing about but am glad to have discovered, such as The Convent (1995), Eleni (1985) and The Ogre (1996). Malkovich has brought to life iconic characters including Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Tom Ripley, Hercule Poirot (in BBC’s The ABC Murders), the artist Gustav Klimt, and several of David Lynch’s people, in the short film Psychogenic Fugue (2016).

As Mitch Leary in ‘In the Line of Fire’ (1993).

Malkovich has received two Academy Award nominations, for Places in the Heart (1984), in which he played Edna’s lodger, the solitary yet kind Mr. Will, and for In the Line of Fire (1993), where he played the complete opposite: the psychotic Mitch Leary, determined to kill the President of the United States. Though Malkovich is not a classic action-film actor, his work in that genre is driven by logic, intellect and emotion, and the delicacy that he employs to challenge concepts of masculinity and keep us guessing. His soft and collected voice threatening Clint Eastwood over the phone is scarier and more effective than a deeper one would have been.

That voice. Malkovich has admitted that he hates the sound of it, that he would always avoid listening to it, just like so many actors avoid watching their own films, but I’m bewitched by his voice and I could never get enough of it. It can be tender, sweet and calming, seductive when the role requires it, and terrifying. With that versatility, it’s not surprising that he has done some narrating work as well, for films including Paul Newman’s The Glass Menagerie (1987) and Alive (1993).

Malkovich is at his best when seduction and villainy combine, as they do in Dangerous Liaisons (1988). Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont has been performed by many actors over the years, but I find Malkovich’s take to be the most memorable and exquisite. He captures perfectly the depravity and evilness of Valmont, but also the nuances, his journey from womanizer to man genuinely in love and, ultimately, his tragic redemption. He even brings a comedic aspect to the character that adds more depth and dimension.

With Glenn Close in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ (1988).

Valmont is an awful human being, a monster even, and yet, every time I watch this movie, I find myself fascinated by his mastery of the deception, his sensuality and complete control of the situation, until the situation is “beyond his control”. In her review of the film, Catherine Stebbins calls John Malkovich “a sexual force of nature”, and I completely agree. If you want to see more of Malkovich’s sensual side, other notable mentions include The Sheltering Sky (1990), The Object of Beauty (1991) and Beyond the Clouds (1995).

And then there’s Being John Malkovich (1999), in which ‘John Horatio Malkovich’ displays so many facets of his craft. The fictionalized Malkovich is possessed by different characters, one of them a woman. Catherine Keener’s character falls in love with a subtly different version of Malkovich, when he is a vessel for Lotte (Cameron Diaz). Even though Lotte doesn’t have full control of Malkovich, he uses his femininity to bring the character-inside-the-character to center stage, delivering a subtle-yet-perfect performance. Even when we don’t see Lotte, we know she’s there.

John Malkovich as John Horatio Malkovich possessed by Lotte, in ‘Being John Malkovich’ (1999).

Not many actors could pull this off as brilliantly as John Malkovich does. To be fair, not many actors have been given the chance that Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman gave Malkovich: a film with his own name in the title.

I’ve discussed some of the most well-known of Malkovich’s performances, but I’d like to mention an overlooked one that I found heartbreaking and noteworthy. I didn’t know of the existence of The Ogre (1996) until I took a closer look at Malkovich’s filmography. It’s not without its flaws, but I found myself absorbed in the fairy-tale story of Abel, a naïve French prisoner of war who is taken to Nazi Germany and used to recruit children for Hitler’s Youth. Once again, the actor’s duality is on display, as Evan writes in his Letterboxd review: “Malkovich is both queasy and endearing as the (ig)noble simp who just wants to save the babies.” The Ogre tells a tragic story, but thanks to Malkovich’s tenderness, we can’t help but have sympathy for his character. At times it reminded me of the innocence of Lennie in Of Mice and Men (1992), another of the actor’s more noteworthy performances.

One of Malkovich’s great contributions to cinema is elevating an average movie just by being in it. One such role is as English conman Alan Conway in the bizarre true story, Colour Me Kubrick (2005). Malkovich admitted in an interview that he thought his performance was good, and I agree. If there’s one reason to watch that film, it’s to see Malkovich playing an eccentric conman who poses as Stanley Kubrick, using different voices and accents. As TajLV writes, “if there were anything to commend this film other than Malkovich, I’d happily rate it higher”.

As Alan Conway in ‘Colour Me Kubrick’ (2005).

One fun fact: I sometimes forget John Malkovich is American. Maybe it’s because he has starred in many European productions—out of the 41 films I watched, 18 were European. Malkovich is of European descent, has lived in France for a decade and speaks fluent French, which allowed him to star as the mysterious Baron de Charlus in Time Regained (1999), with entirely French dialogue. He also delivers lines in French and Portuguese in A Talking Picture (2003) by Manoel de Oliveira.

You’ve probably heard Malkovich use words, expressions and even entire lines of French dialogue on more than one occasion. He does this often, which gives him a certain European vibe, consistent with his own character, mannerisms and dress sense—elements that he sometimes brings to his characters. Maybe that’s the reason he has played so many intellectuals and artists: professors, scientists, detectives, painters, writers, a scientist and a robot, and even the Pope… It seems there’s nothing John Malkovich can’t do, including directing.

To end my marathon, I watched his directorial debut, The Dancer Upstairs (2002), an assured movie adapted from a novel about the Maoist uprising in Peru in the 1980s, starring Javier Bardem. It was a nice surprise, and a strong start to what could have been a career as a film director, if not for the fact that he doesn’t have the patience to do it again. I recently read an interview where Edgar Wright revealed advice he always gives to directors, which is to make their second movie the one that will define them. I wonder if we will ever see John Malkovich’s second film, but for now, I hope he keeps gifting us with more unforgettable performances. At least we know that in the distant future, along with all the movies he has already appeared in, people will enjoy a never-seen-before performance when Robert Rodríguez’s short 100 years is released in 2115.

If there’s one thing I have learnt after watching most of his filmography, it’s that John Malkovich is one of the best and most versatile actors of our time, with the most unique voice I have heard in cinema, and with a rich filmography that encompasses every genre. And he’s not only a brilliant actor, but also someone I find personally fascinating. I truly find comfort in him. I hope we all get to enjoy his art for years to come, because his talent is limitless and I know he still has so much more to give. John Malkovich deserves all the praise for being a force of nature in the theater and film industry for over 40 years.

Tim is a Letterboxd member based in Spain, who has recently moved on from her John Malkovich marathon to a Sacha Baron Cohen quest.