#the prospect of losing louis’s affections

[lawyer-of-louis-de-lioncourt]

He could not prevent it because he was set in his decision.

CLAUDIA AND A SPINELESS CUNT INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (2022—)

[lightningboltreader]

🎉 Seven Sentence Sunday vNYE 🎉

TK shifts his posture as the song changes, dropping his shoulders and his gaze as he bites his lower lip and lets himself get lost in the sultry tempo. He swivels his hips and looks up through his eyelashes to survey the nearby prospects when someone moves in close behind him.

A broad chest sweeps across his back more than once before large hands wrap around his hips and TK feels his body being tugged into a grinding pelvis. He doesn’t mind flirting but is not ready to be dry humped by someone he can’t even see, so he pries at the possessive hands and dances forward, spinning around to look at Mr. Bold.

The guy gawks with a hungry grin at the same time as TK shakes his head and shuffles further away. Thankfully he doesn’t react, turning around to find someone else as TK backs into a brick wall.

He turns around to apologize and loses every thought in his head.

Thank you tagging me in the final sss of the year

@lemonlyman-dotcom @carlos-in-glasses @strandnreyes @bonheur-cafe!!

If you haven’t posted a bit of a WIP in any form and would like to, or are just here to receive this Sunday virtual hug, please accept this tag with my affection.

Also tapping a gaggle of mutuals to keep it moving, @rmd-writes @herefortarlos @chaotictarlos @chicgeekgirl89 @iboatedhere @welcometololaland @tailoredshirt @sugdenlovesdingle @liminalmemories21 @carlos-tk @wtfuckevenknows @alrightbuckaroo @actual-sleeping-beauty @goodways @orchidscript @queen-saltyfries @theghostofashton @thebumblecee @mikibwrites @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @sznofthesticks @louis-ii-reyes-strand @paperstorm @kiloskywalker

Happy New Year everyone, may your 2024 be filled with love and art. And good tumblr nonsense.

[nalyra-dreaming]

hello!! I just rewatched Daybreakers and now I can't stop thinking about what Louis would do if he had the chanto to get a cure from vampirism...

what debates would he have with himself? how would this affect his relationship with Lestat and the others?

(I'm throwing this at you for you to elaborate, I love you <3

Hey!

*hugs* 💕

Hmmmm, difficult. :) (Oh, yeah, Daybreakers, I remember!)

I think... it depends on which "Louis" we're talking about, and in which "phase".

Because Louis' journey over the books is as complicated one as Lestat's (and I'm quite sure it will be over the show as well), and... I do think his stance on a cure would change. And it depends heavily on what the cure entails, too.

So, for the sake of the argument let's assume it's "cure for vampirism aka Louis becoming mortal again", with no extra powers, no body switching necessary, no magic. Just the transformative properties of the Dark Gift gone.

The Louis after leaving NOLA, pre Claudia's death, still very much in the Rite of Passage might have taken it, I think. Book and show, though the show made clear that Louis knows Lestat didn't die then, so that complicates things.

But he suffers from what he is, and what he must do to survive. He does not like the price he has to pay. The Dark Gift didn't free him in the way Lestat promised, how could it, and the killing is of course something that tears at his soul.

If he would have been offered a cure, I think he would have taken it and tried to make Claudia take it, too. (That might have failed, but that is another discussion^^) I think he would have seen it as a second chance. Show Louis, with the knowledge of Lestat surviving, might even have gone back and tried to give it to Lestat... and, all things considered, I'm not 100% sure Lestat wouldn't have taken it then, either, in that situation. He tried to become mortal again in later books after all.

The Louis post Claudia's death... no. Unlikely. He was "dead" then, for a long while, and he went on because he could not not. I think he saw it as a form or punishment, mixed with vicious survivor's guilt, and the sheer trauma of Paris. Show Louis called Claudia his redemption, and ... I think a cure would have been seen as a redemption as well and as such... clashing with what happened to Claudia, if that makes sense.

Dubai Louis, later books Louis (TtotBT)... does not want the cure. He wants release. I think Louis is in a state of chronic depression then, likening his state to a purgatorial one in the books, from which not even becoming mortal would free them. (Which then culminates in the Merrick events.)

"This is purgatory we're in, you and I. All we can be is thankful that it isn't actually hell."

And then... after Merrick.... in the "resentment phase" I think he would have been tempted. Because he is not "able" to die then anymore, not by conventional means at least. And that in and by itself is a very daunting prospect of course, and the cure would have been another get-out-of-jail card he could have taken...

But I think Louis, deep, deep down... didn't want to die then anymore. He'd been there, done that, did not go into the light.

He stayed. And so, despite being tempted, and viciously so, and maybe even having gone to beg Lestat (or maybe even Armand) to come and argue with them to be mortal with him once more... I think he would not have taken it. But I can see them arguing about it, viciously. The temptation would have been there, but too much had happened then already.

And in the end... around the Prince Lestat era and Blood Communion?

No. Then, not anymore. He has made his peace then, has found his family, his place. Has found himself. He would not wish to lose all that.

So... it depends, I think. :)

Despite everything Louis likes the power and his life and the status it affords him, too. He just, for the longest time, does not like the price. And he needs to come to terms with the realities of it, because he... chose it.

He was not forced into it, and that weighs heavily on him, especially with the more sobering realizations of it not being the freedom he hoped for or was promised. And the realities of the relationships not being what he expected them to be, either.

Louis' choice of his state of being weighs into his choice of taking the cure... and in a way his conscience is too... pure, too clean for him to take it, if that makes sense. He will choose the suffering (until he has accepted), because he chose this life.

Saint Louis.

Or to quote a (bitingly rakish) Lestat here:

"But then he is so good at grieving! He wears woe as others wear velvet; sorrow flatters him like the light of candles; tears become him like jewels."

PS: I didn't delve too deep into "debates with himself" here, because... that's fanfic level of delving, too long for tumblr, imho :))) I'm tempted to write it all out though, so... maybe^^.

[joachimnapoleon]

Hello, Can you tell me about the relationship between Joachim Murat and Caroline Bonaparte. Thank you.

I've been wanting to write about their relationship more in-depth for a long time, but I've been putting it off for various reasons, so thanks for giving me an excuse to finally get down to it. :) And... this is probably going to be pretty long. Their relationship was very complicated and often tempestuous (I could use that exact phrasing to describe Murat's relationship with Napoleon, but that's another, possibly even longer post, for another day).

I'm still not entirely certain how I feel about Caroline. She has been greatly maligned over the years, and is, in my opinion, the most misunderstood and demonized of all the Bonaparte siblings aside from Napoleon himself. So much of what we know (or think we know) about her, derives from memoirs that were largely hostile to her; she left none of her own (though her daughter Louise and granddaughter Caroline did). Her remaining published correspondence is sparse, and very one-sided; she apparently was in the habit of destroying most of her received correspondence, including nearly every letter she ever received from her husband, and Murat almost never kept copies of the ones he sent her. So there is this gaping hole in their correspondence where you almost never have Murat's voice. This lost correspondence has been the biggest bane of my existence since I started studying Murat a few years ago.

Their first meeting may have been at Mombello in 1797, but if so, it would've been brief, as Murat only stayed there for a short time before returning to Brescia (and his then-mistress, Madame Ruga). But it seems to have been long enough for Caroline to have become completely infatuated with him, and to confess her feelings for him to Hortense while they were together at Madame Campan's school. She didn't see him again until after the Egyptian campaign, but their courtship seems to have taken off once he was back in Paris. Caroline became bent on marrying him, and Napoleon was opposed to it, only reluctantly signing the marriage contract in January of 1800 and then spitefully not attending the wedding. Apparently it was Josephine who persuaded Napoleon to let the two marry, hoping to finally secure an ally among the Bonaparte siblings. She developed a sort of motherly affection for Caroline early on, but Caroline eventually ended up--whether due to the influence of Joseph and Lucien Bonaparte, or her jealousy of Hortense--firmly in the anti-Beauharnais camp, and Murat and Josephine, who had initially had a good relationship, also became enemies over the next few years.

The early years of their marriage were, from all indications, happy. They had four children in fairly quick succession. They were a very affectionate couple--often publicly so, to the point where a disturbed Madame Campan finally asked Hortense to urge Caroline to show some restraint.

They endured a long period of separation very early in their marriage--the first of many, adding up to several total years spent apart between 1800 and their final parting in May of 1815. Murat was sent to take command of a force in Italy in November 1800 while Caroline was pregnant with their first child; they did not see each other again until May of the following year. There are a couple of letters within Murat's published correspondence that hint that, though he at first attempted to remain faithful to his wife during this interim, he may have given up on the endeavor prior to their reunion. The diplomat Charles Alquier, who befriended Murat in Italy, wrote to him in April 1801, lamenting not being able to spend a few days with him in Florence, teasing that he "would like to witness your gallant successes there and hear you talk about your marital fidelity, without believing it in the slightest." The following month, after the arrival of Caroline, Alquier teases Murat again along these lines, in a postscript that reads "It was about time that Madame Murat arrived in Florence, or your hard-pressed fidelity was about to escape you." He had almost certainly resumed his affair with Madame Ruga during this period.

After the birth of their fourth child, Louise, in March of 1805, Caroline was not pregnant again until 1810 (she would end up miscarrying while Joachim was waging his Sicilian campaign). This has led some historians to conclude that there was a "physical separation" between them, a rift of some sort in their relationship. This may have been the case, but I haven't found much evidence on it either way. There is very little remaining correspondence between the two during this period. Murat was away for long periods due to multiple wars, plus the time he spent in Spain in 1808 prior to taking the throne of Naples that year. Neither of them were faithful to the other. Murat, who was in his early thirties and quite set in his womanizing ways when he married Caroline, doesn't seem to have been either capable of, or interested in, monogamous relations, and at some point this seems to have taken enough of a toll on Caroline that she apparently decided to follow suit. Hortense records an encounter with Caroline from the mid-1800s where Caroline's "sole topic of conversation was the joy of loving and being loved. Her affection for her husband, which once had been so violent, seemed to have diminished. She was now attracted by the charms of a pure liaison."

Over the years Caroline allegedly had affairs with Charles de Flahaut (who was also Hortense's lover), Junot, and Metternich. One of her biographers has theorized that Caroline carried out each of these affairs for the primary purpose of future political leverage (Junot, for instance, was the Governor of Paris at the time). Another theory I've encountered is that she picked these men as a sort of game of one-upsmanship over her female rivals--to show Hortense that she could take Flahaut from her; to show Laure Junot that she could have her husband or her later lover Metternich if she wanted, etc. I... don't really have an opinion on this one way or the other. Caroline was definitely ambitious, and also capable of petty jealousies. What affairs she had (or allegedly had), were of short duration and so far I've come across nothing to convince me that she ever actually fell in love with anyone other than Murat.

Out of the two of them, you may as well flip a coin as to which one was more ambitious. I think, in the end, Joachim managed to overtake Caroline in that department, when he got it into his head to try to become the king of a united Italy while Caroline just wanted to preserve their throne in Naples after Napoleon left Elba. But early in their relationship, Caroline seems to have been the one most obsessed with titles--throwing a fit until Napoleon conceded in granting her and Elisa the title of "Princess". Once Caroline was a princess, she wanted to be a queen, especially after her friend/rival Hortense became the queen of Holland via being married to her brother Louis. Joachim and Caroline were essential to each others' elevation, and they both recognized this; and this recognition, along with their devotion to their children, were the two things that kept them united even when they were temporarily at odds with each other. Once he had obtained the title of "prince" by virtue of being Caroline's husband, Murat became as obsessed as Caroline with the idea of having a throne. Napoleon himself later blamed Caroline for putting grandiose ideas into Murat's head, which then, in his words, "hatched chimeras." He also took it for granted that it had been Caroline who had pushed Murat into defecting from Napoleon and signing the treaty with Austria in 1814, and remarked that Caroline had tremendous influence over her husband.

The irony of Joachim and Caroline Murat achieving the height of their ambition by being given the throne of Naples, is that their reign was probably the worst thing to ever happen to either of them. It wreaked havoc on their marriage for years. It was easily the most miserable period of Murat's life.

For starters, Napoleon essentially poisoned the well, so to speak, by making it clear in the Treaty of Bayonne that Murat was only king by virtue of being married to Caroline, language which Murat found deeply humiliating. The humiliation was further compounded by Caroline being named his direct heir, rather than their son Achille, in order that the throne stay within the Bonaparte family.

So Murat started his reign with a certain amount of resentment and jealousy--and a fear that Caroline would attempt to edge him out of power and dominate him the way that her sisters dominated their husbands, a prospect which was intolerably degrading to a man of Murat's pride. There's no real indication that this was ever Caroline's intention--but Murat was prone to paranoia, worried for years about being superseded by his wife, especially as he increasingly fell out of favor with Napoleon, and Caroline (and her faction at court) steadily gained influence. The first couple years of the reign saw Joachim doing everything he could to keep Caroline on the margins of power. She spent much of her time reading, writing letters, and visiting the ruins of Pompeii.

There was a reconciliation (for a time) between the two in 1810, while they were in Paris together for Napoleon's second wedding. After the wedding, when Murat returned to Naples and began preparing for his Sicilian expedition, Caroline remained in Paris for several more months, during which she served as a sort of intermediary between her husband and Napoleon during a time when the two were at odds and Joachim and Caroline were worried about losing their throne. Her letters to Murat during this time are full of tenderness, consolation, and advice. Examples:

"My dearest, this last separation seems to me even more insupportable than the others. You were so good, so perfect to me in those last moments, that your kindness brought me to tears and still fills me with affection. I confess that when you do justice to my true feelings for you, I am the happiest of women." (11 May 1810)

"You will see one day: we shall be the happiest creatures in the world, and we shall owe it to our children. They will give us back all the love we have for them, and our old age will be adorned with their virtues. See as I do--far into the future." (13 May 1810)

"I'm always anxious about your expedition... Do not expose yourself more than the duty of a general requires, I ask you in grace, imagine that your existence belongs to me and is a possession you cannot dispose of." (16 June 1810)

"We can be happy, but in order for that, we need to be content with what we have, you must calm a little your head, which gets hot so easily, and await, with more patience than you've had until now, the moment where we will be more tranquil and more independent. The happiness of our interior will compensate us for our many pains, and you will find with me, with our children, and from all those who sincerely love us, enjoyments worth all the others." (5 August 1810)

Their relationship was fractured all over again before the year's end. Murat's aggravation with his Sicilian campaign boiled over in a scathing letter to Caroline in which he accused her of being disloyal to him; she received it two days after her miscarriage in September, further adding to her heartbreak. It wasn't a permanent rupture by any means, but it was a deep wound in their relationship that took time to heal. The following year, Murat received reports (almost certainly false) about Caroline having an affair with Daure, Joachim's Minister of the Police, who Joachim soon removed from office, writing to Napoleon that Daure had "aimed at forming a party against me. He did not hesitate to attack me in my tenderest affections," but that "his efforts in that respect were far from obtaining the success that he dared hope for." Murat's relationship with Napoleon likewise grew even worse in 1811, and Caroline went once more to Paris to serve as a go-between/peacemaker.

Leaving for the Russian campaign of 1812, Murat had no choice but to leave Caroline as regent, and he spent most of the campaign worrying about what was happening in Naples in his absence. But she proved a capable ruler, and ruled as regent again during the 1813 campaign, and then again in 1815 during his failed campaign against the Austrians. Joachim seems to have gradually gotten over his fear from early in their reign about Caroline trying to edge him out or dominate him, after she had ample opportunities to do so when he was out of favor with Napoleon throughout 1811 but never did; the latter years of their reign indicate something of a happy equilibrium, and Murat was not above consulting Caroline for her views on complicated issues.

Joachim accompanied her to the ruins of Pompeii on a number of occasions. They both shared a love of art, and patronized a number of artists, including Canova, Ingres, and Antoine-Jean Gros. They danced together regularly at court balls, and went to the theatre often. But above all they preferred spending time together with their children, and their favorite place for this was the terrace of the Palazzo Reale, their personal sanctuary, off-limits to all but the royal family and invited guests, where they would often dine and walk in the gardens (and under the shade of the lemon trees Joachim had had planted for Caroline). 

To sum it up, their relationship was extraordinarily complex and they weathered some serious storms which would've broken most relationships beyond repair. The more I read about them, the more I'm impressed by the resilience of their relationship and their determination to keep mending it and making it work, rather than just giving up on it and going the way of Caroline's sister Pauline and her husband Camillo Borghese, who lived mostly separate lives and had minimal interaction. But the Murats had been a love match, and neither of them ever seemed to reach the point of wanting to give up on their relationship entirely. Their relationship--like Caroline herself--has been maligned and badly misinterpreted by earlier historians leaning too heavily on hostile memoirs, and also by those who have been intent on salvaging Murat's reputation by putting all of the blame for his mistakes on Caroline's shoulders.

Thanks for the ask! And sorry if I rambled on too much.

[merakiui]

Day Team Slumber Party

(I wrote this on a whim based off of Ethan saying he’ll get nightmares if there’s too much on his mind and if he forces himself to rest, and June suggesting that everyone should sleep together to solve the problem. lol There’s no point in this, but I want to think it’s an enjoyable read. Now I’ll get back to working on everyone’s requests!)

It’s Louis who complains about the not-so-perfect sleep he had the other night. His fellow teammates look at him, and it’s June who asks for an elaboration. Ethan wishes he wouldn’t, and Theo can only force a small smile while he takes extreme interest in his chopsticks.

“What could be giving you trouble, my brother?” June practically shouts, slamming his drink on the table. “Are you suffering from any nightmares? Is it a vengeful spirit? Tell me and I’ll make sure no one gives you trouble! We’re brothers for a reason!”

Louis, having been given an opportunity, feigns a forlorn expression, holding a gloved hand over his chest. “Your overwhelming kindness is but a mere balm to soothe my pain! Surely you understand the horrid imperfections an improper sleep brings.” He sighs, wiping a faux tear from the corner of his eye. “If this continues any longer, my beautiful skin shall be tarnished! The mirrors may crack if I walk past, and I simply cannot let that happen.”

“Ah.” It slips from Theo without his meaning to, and he figures a small explanation won’t hurt. “Louis, I’m sure you’ll sleep better if you stop worrying.”

“Worry? ‘Tis a silly implication, my handsome Theo! Alas, what shall I do if I’m not as beautiful as the sun? Which, if you haven’t noticed, must shine brighter than everything else!”

“Well, you are the sun, aren’t you?” He means it as a joke, but he knows better than to assume Louis will laugh.

June grins. “I agree with brother Theo! It is just as he says. We must fix this problem of yours so that you can continue to shine as bright as the afternoon sun. That’s what our team represents, isn’t it, my brothers?!”

Ethan rolls his heterochromatic eyes. Though these types of shenanigans are a common happening within the Day Team, it doesn’t do anything to dispel his annoyed state. “We really shouldn’t be enabling such a narcissistic fool. Don’t you have anything better to do than to weep about something so insignificant?”

“How can you say that, brother Ethan? A good rest leads to a healthy mindset!”

“And a lovely lifestyle,” Louis adds, posing dramatically before the three Reapers.

“Why don’t you drink something that’s bound to make you fall asleep? Chamomile is known to treat insomnia, so I could brew you a cup if you’d like.”

“A perfect prince such as myself would never fall victim to that disease you call insomnia!”

It was worth a shot, Theo thinks, deflating. I’m afraid there’s no getting through to him.

“I doubt you’d know what a disease is,” Ethan says, crossing his arms. “You’re quite the disease yourself.”

“Your words wound my already fractured heart!” Louis slumps against the table, woefully sighing. “How cruel of you.”

“Insults won’t fix anything either. Maybe you’re reading too much into this. Everyone’s had their fair share of sleepless nights. You’re no different, Louis. The problem might lie in the fact that you’ve been sleeping in an uncomfortable position, or you’ve had too many heavy thoughts. Whatever it may be, I’m sure you’ll be able to overcome it in no time,” Theo says, shifting so he’s slightly in between Ethan and Louis. “You just need to fix your sleeping habits.”

“That’s it!” June jumps up from his seat. “The answer to your problem is simple! We’ll spend a night together!”

“Excuse me?” Ethan raises a brow.

“Um...” Theo trails on his words. “I don’t think that’s—”

“A marvelous idea! Truly spectacular, my dear June.” Louis applauds him, all traces of sadness gone from his face. “Please tell me more.”

“I’ve heard about it from the manager. They used to participate in a tradition where their closest friends came together for an evening of fun! Something called a slumber party.”

“That sounds too noisy. I’m not going to lose sleep because someone can’t seem to turn away from his own reflection at night.”

“Ethan’s got a point. Aren’t parties a bit too exciting for a time when we should be asleep? Won’t the manager be upset if we’re too tired to work the following day?”

“Nonsense! The manager should join us! They’ll get a chance to see the flawless Prince Louis in his silken night clothes. ‘Tis a sight to behold. Manager may go blind from how perfect I am, even in the late hours of the night.”

“If the manager’s going to be there...” Theo’s cheeks redden at the prospect of spending time with the manager outside of work hours. “I guess it wouldn’t be all that bad.”

“Brothers!” June gathers everyone’s attention, which isn’t a difficult task because he’s practically got the entire cafeteria watching him. “Have you forgotten about brother Louis? We must help him get a good night’s sleep! Therefore we’ll try this slumber party the manager mentioned, and it’ll restore his well-being!”

“I’m declining, so don’t ask again.” 

“I’d rather sleep by myself, if I’m being honest.”

“A little company never hurt anyone.”

“We have to stick together in times like these. When one of us falls, the others should be there to help him up! That’s why we’re brothers!”

There’s not much of an argument here, and it’s not like either of them will give up—or listen to logic for that matter. Besides, a slumber party—whatever that may entail—can’t be entirely bad, right? Theo’s willing to give it a try if it means hanging out with June more, but Ethan refuses to even accept the idea. He thinks it’s a waste of time that’ll only make the issue worse. And he can’t be blamed for his thoughts, no matter how cold they may be. 

If only any of them knew the true purpose of a slumber party.

-----

“All right! Everything has been prepared. The futons are laid out, tea has been brewed, and we’re dressed appropriately. Let us commence our first slumber party, brothers!” June laughs energetically, pumping a fist in the air.

“Sure.” Theo already regrets agreeing. The manager is absent, and somehow Ethan’s managed to join. “I’m glad everyone’s here.”

Ethan scoffs under his breath. “What’s the point in trying to sleep alone now? I’ll just hear you from outside my door.”

“What are we supposed to do, though? I’m a little confused.”

“Good question! Allow me to enlighten you.” Louis is holding a rose between his fingers as he speaks, twirling it as though it were a lock of hair. “You are to sleep wonderfully with the deepest of dreams! Naturally, that shouldn’t be a problem for us. After all, it’s called a slumber party for a reason. With this, I’ll finally be able to catch up on all of that precious beauty rest I missed.”

“Oh. We’re just supposed to sleep, then?”

“Precisely.”

Theo turns to June for confirmation, who says, “We’ll do all sorts of things to tire ourselves out so that we can sleep without fail!”

“That sounds fun, but I’m already tired. I’ll just finish my tea before heading to bed.”

Ethan nods, agreeing with Theo’s easy escape method. “I suppose I’ll do the same.”

“That’s hardly enjoyable,” Louis states, admiring the flower’s vibrant petals while letting out his signature laugh. “Doesn’t this color match Ethan’s charming hair? Perhaps he was born amongst the rose bushes to have gained such a blessed hue!”

“You talk too much.” 

“And you hardly talk at all! We should enjoy this night to its fullest potential. I propose we admire my beauty for the rest of the evening! My face will surely lull you to sleep, as will my splendid voice. Consider yourselves lucky! I’ll sing a lullaby for you, my sleepless friends.”

Louis makes a motion to begin singing, and he’s promptly cut off when a pillow is thrown at him, hitting him square in the face. On the other end is Ethan, whose brow lowers in a fierce glare. The perfect prince is shocked, mouth slightly agape at the audacity of his fellow teammate.

“My face!” he exclaims, bolting upright to get to the nearest reflective surface. 

June lets out another laugh, grabbing the pillow and testing its softness. “Excellent aim, brother Ethan! This seems like a worthwhile game. Catch, brother Theo!” 

Theo has just enough time to set his teacup down before the pillow makes contact with his chest. “Junee, I wasn’t ready!” There’s a hint of a smile on his features. “Louis, your face is fine. This pillow couldn’t hurt even a vengeful spirit.”

“How can you be so sure? Check the material! Anything could be a hazard to my endless perfection.”

June stands up to drag Louis back, an arm slung around him. “Fear not, brother! You’re glowing!”

“If you say so, then it must be true. You have an eye for perfection, June!” He swoops down to grab another pillow, eyeing it with a hint of mild distrust. “This should tire us out thoroughly!” 

The three Reapers toss pillows back and forth with the objective of hitting one another. Catching seems to be thrown out the window in favor of playing such a childish game. Every now and then, a pillow grazes Ethan, and despite his grumbling he ends up returning the throw, whacking June in the side. So begins a worthless contest of agility, strength, and endurance between Reapers who are far too giddy to continue this strange version of a pillow fight. 

“Isn’t this great?!” June asks when the constant barrage of pillows has slowed down. “I’m proud to spend this night with my brothers!” 

He tackles all three of them at once, which results in a pile of Day Reapers landing on the plush surfaces of their futons. Louis crows about his face once more, while Ethan sighs, more so bothered by the sudden act of affection than the actual fall itself. And Theo is just glad to have tried something new, despite the arbitrary implications of the events that led up to this moment. Nevertheless, it’s oddly fun. He’s never experienced this sort of glee before, and he’s certain the others haven’t either. For once, they’re closer than they’ve ever been, and that’s not just because they’re still on the ground in a tangle of limbs.

“This is like a new type of training! Let’s do it once more!” June is the first to get up, already gathering his own arsenal of pillows. 

In the beginning, Ethan wanted to ignore them and simply sleep like any normal person. Now he just wants to get the others to settle down. Against his better judgement, he reaches for a pillow. 

Theo chuckles, sensing where this’ll lead. Thankfully, he managed to clean everything earlier, so dust and germs won’t hold him back. “Junee, let’s do this together.”

“Nothing can stand in our way, brother!”

“I’ll be unable to forgive either of you if you leave so much as a dent on my fragile appearance! Have mercy on those who are good-looking.”

“Stop whining and get a pillow. This battle won’t be in their favor.” 

There’s an air of pride to Ethan, and rightfully so, as he’s ready to put a swift end to their antics. Just for tonight he’ll team up with the self-loving prince. He must be extra tired if he’s willing to side with him and take part in such a senseless game, but there’s nothing he can do now. He’s already committed, and he isn’t one to regret his decisions.

-----

The Day Team stands before both (Name) and Nyang Lead Manager the following morning, dead tired and yearning for a few more hours of coveted sleep. 

“We received lots of noise complaints—meow. Would you mind explaining yourselves?” Nyang hisses at the quartet, a bone-deep scowl on his furry face. 

“I’ll take care of it. You’ve got a lot of work to get to, so you shouldn’t have to stress over this,” (Name), their ultimate savior, offers kindly.

Nyang looks like he wants to protest, but he decides that they’ll execute a punishment per his orders. “Then don’t let me hear their ruckus again!” With another hiss, he exits (Name)’s office.

“So,” they say, analyzing each Reaper’s expression. Three out of four appear guilty, but they all seem groggy. “Now I know why June was asking me so many questions about slumber parties.”

“Manager, please forgive us. We’re truly sorry.” Theo attempts an explanation, but (Name) holds up their arm to silence him. 

“Are you kidding? You guys had all that fun and I wasn’t invited? We should hold a slumber party for the entire 14th Department! Then everyone can join in on the chaos.”

June overcomes his tired haze to nod enthusiastically. Theo looks like he could just faint on the spot, and Ethan is stone-faced. As usual for such an icy Reaper. 

“I’m just surprised Louis isn’t worried about his hygiene. You know, all of that beauty sleep and whatnot.”

“The light in here is simply horrendous!” Louis waltzes over to the windows, peeling the curtains aside so that he can bask in the warm light. “That’s much better.”

To everyone’s surprise, there’s no sign of sleep deprivation.

“Aren’t you lively today?” (Name) smiles, taking in Louis’s refreshed appearance.

“So you noticed! I slept like an infant in a castle of clouds. Ah, this is truly a wonderful morning. I’ve awoken, beauty sleep reclaimed, and have blessed everyone in the Department! Rejoice!”

Theo rubs his eyes, at a complete loss. “He...actually slept.”

June blinks twice, holding back a yawn. “Brother Louis truly is as radiant as the sun. So cool!”

Ethan sighs, already intent on moving forward from the previous night. “This was pointless to begin with.”

[louisweasleyisgonnakickyourarse]

The Boat is No Longer Rocking :(

Gabrielle Delacour sat cross legged in her sister’s living room arm chair, letter in hand as her blue eyes perused the all too familiar swirling french script. In her bag, a similar letter sat however that one belonged to her and her alone, this one had been sent to her sixteen year old nephew. Despite having two different owners, the letters were remarkably similar beckoning each to the summer home of Leontine, their Veela family line’s current matriarch. The letter though cordial and flowery was at best a threat. 

Come atone for your sins. Gabrielle felt her aunt would have herself a lot of time and ink if she had said that  and got it over with. Gabrielle’s eyes lifted off the letter and to the face of her nephew. Louis looked more haggard than usual, tired, worn out. Sad. If she had known she would have brought along her son, the sunny faced eight year old would have cheered Louis right up. He was currently tucked safely away with his father in the italian country side eating his weight in pasta and fish. 

She hadn’t known when Louis had written her to inquire about the whether or not she got a letter from Leontine what else was happening in the young wizard’s life. She didn’t know he had been dumped by the girl he loved, his potential mate, nor that she was currently holed up in Shell cottage as well due to a separate unfortunate set of circumstances.

“Does your mother know?” Gabrielle asked, shoving Louis’ letter back at him. The Ravenclaw took it, immediately going to playing with the edges of the stiff stationary as he looked down at his feet awkwardly.

“Perhaps that’s for the best.” Louis’ aunt anwsered with a sigh. If Louis had been younger Gabrielle would have been more responsible and told Louis he ought not to keep things from his mother. But she knew her sister, how protective she was. Fleur, if she knew, would show up at Helene’s doorstep in a rage. Though Fleur was usually composed and kind in her own well meaning way, she was viciously protective. She hadn’t understood it at first, that was until Gabrielle gave birth to her own son and she had felt that primal violent gut feelings that chanted eternally; protect protect protect. It was the fate of Veela to breed and kill and breed some more. They lived and died for their offspring, it was really all they lived for. 

But Louis was no longer a child, he was a man. In November he would be seventeen which while still so young was not young enough. He had made a man’s decision and now he must pay a man’s price. But she would be with him, if that was any consolation.

“So we are going, yeah?” Louis questioned, skipping over the uncomfortable truth that this was something he couldn’t share with his parents. He looked to his Tante who gave a nod. Not so much of approval, but of acceptance. She looked a bit nervous to be honest.

“But I’m not lying to my sister,” Gabrielle pointed out, “You need to tell her. . . whatever it is you are telling her.”

“I’m going to tell her I’m going to visit Grand Mere.” Louis confided in his aunt. Gabrielle gave another uncomfortable nod, neither of them liking the prospect of lying.

“And what will you tell Caerwyn?” Gabrielle questioned. Louis sighed. He had told Caerwyn he would be going to France and she had been less than receptive to the idea. But it really wasn’t her decsion was it. 

“She’s the one that broke up with me, I don’t owe her anything.” Louis reminded his aunt. The blonde woman only snorted.

“You say that like you didn’t fucking rescue her.”  Louis only frowned deeper at Gabrielle’s words. He didn’t regret rescuing Caerwyn but it did little to hide his feelings for her.

“We can leave on Sunday.” Gabrielle said, reaching out a comforting hand to pat her nephew’s hand.

“I want to leave tonight.” For the first time since the break up with Caerwyn, Louis allowed himself to sound pained. He had fallen into himself after the split. He had been angry at first, then he got home and got numb. Or rather, numb on the surface. He didn’t know how to deal with his feelings, he didn’t know how to show them, so he hid them. 

But something about the comfort his aunt offered, how Tante was always on his side, always there for him when he needed her, it broke down his walls reducing Louis to the emotional child he used to be. He wouldn’t cry, he refused to, but it was clear by the way his voice broke and the tightness in his throat that if he was forced to talk about it anymore he would. He wanted to get out of here, to be far far away from Caerwyn. He cared for her of course, he was happy she was safe and being looked after, but he couldn’t take seeing her everyday, not when he still hadn’t gotten over her.

Gabrielle moved towards her nephew soundlessly, wrapping him in the familiar circle of her arms. 

“Okay, okay.” Gabrielle agreed, pressing a kiss into her nephew’s red unruly locks. “We will leave tonight.”

o0o

Later that evening around eight as everyone was getting ready for bed Louis went into his bedroom and pulled the black duffle bag from the back of his closet. He had told his mother he was going to visit his grandmother for a little bit earlier that evening and surprisingly she had little to say on the subject. He had watched shock pass over her face, but then understanding. Finally, worst of all, pity. In the way her mouth turned down at the corners and the way she tilted her blonde head. 

“Okay,” Fleur had said. “That. . .it might be best.” His mother knowing his weakness hurt almost more to Louis than if she had denied him. Bill had a similar response and he realized perhaps this had been something his parents had predicted. It was embarrassing to say the least, that they should be so privy to his private feelings, but it made things insanely easier. 

What was harder would be saying goodbye to Caerwyn. Like a coward, Louis tried to avoid her and only went to pack his belongings after the house had started to wind down. Things were still a bit awkward and tense between him and Caerwyn so through out the day it wasn’t uncommon to find them on their own. Or rather, Louis on his own. Caerwyn was practically glued to Fleur’s side.

In a few hours though, Louis wouldn’t have to be tip toeing around his own house trying to run from the girl who didn’t love him but still demanded his affection. He would be on his way to get his ass handed to him by with terrifying veela cousins, but the prospect of physical pain was much more welcome the constant emotional pain he was currently living in. He has thrust  handful of boxers into his bag by the time he heard his door creak open. He knew it was Caerwyn, she didn’t need to announce herself. But stubbornly, Louis continued to pack, refusing to speak to her and risk losing his nerve. She had no right to keep you here, Louis reminded himself, you’re not her man any more.

[stoncs]

ay  buddies  what  is  up  !  i’m  tay  ,  n  i’m  here  to  reintroduce  you  to  my  emotional  support  bag  of  trash  ,  stone  .  we  were  here  a  minute  ago  ,  but  now  that  i  have  a  job  w  pretty  good  hours  i  thought  ...  huh  ,  isnt  it  time  for  stone  to  be  a  scumbag  again  ?  anyhow  ,  i’m  from  the  gmt-3  tmz  i  think  ,  maybe  .  i  go  by  feminine  pronouns  ,  n  it’s  hot  as  balls  in  this  wonderful  brazilian  weather  so  yall  can  catch  me  ugly  sweating  over  here  anytime  !  so  down  below  u  can  find  a  whole  ass  intro  abt  this  douchenozzle  ,   n  if  u  smash  the  gd  like  button  i  will  hit  u  up  for  some  plots !

𝐈.  𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋  :  

𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄  :  stone  louis  liberman

𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄  :  stoney 

𝐀𝐆𝐄  :  twenty  five  

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑  /  𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐒  :  cismale  /  he & him

𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘  :  bisexual  ,  biromantic

𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍  :  part  time  professional  photographer

𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘  :  charles  liberman  &  elena  hardwell

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑  𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐎  :  scott  disick  ,  jean  ralphio  saperstein  ,  chuck  bass  (  ish  )  .

𝐈𝐈.  𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

stone  was  born  into  what  is  considered  hollywood  royalty  .  kind  of  like  brangelina  (  pre  breakup  )  ,  or  richard  burton  &  liz  taylor  ,  or  kim  &  k*nye  (  just  kidding  )  .  but  yes  ,  they  were  both  really  famous  actors  who  were  both  in  commited  relationships  when  they  first  met  on  a  movie  set  and  fell  in  mad  love  with  each  other  .  by  the  time  the  movie  had  premiered  they  were  already  secretly  married  and  just  the  most  talked  about  topic  in  the  movie  industry  .

AND  they  lived  happily  ever  after  .  just  kidding  ,  mr.  liberman  died  in  a  car  crash  when  stone  was  ten  years  old  ,  and  his  loss  really  broke  his  mother  .  she  grieved  the  best  way  she  knew  how  :  by  drinking  a  lot  and  getting  remarried  less  than  a  year  after  losing  her  husband  .  and  then  getting  remarried  5  more  times  after  that  . stone  actually  gets  along  really  well  with  most  of  his  mom’s  ex-husbands  ,  and  is  still  friends  with  some  of  them  even  after  elena  eventually  ditches  them  .  stone  also  claims  not  to  remember  his  dad  ,  but  actually  does  and  really  misses  him  and  the  family  they  were  specially  .

in  regards  of  family  ,  his  dad  had  2  kids  before  marrying  his  mom  ,  and  his  mom  had  one  after  losing  his  dad  so  he  has  plenty  of  siblings  .  he  isn’t  particularly  close  to  them  since  they  never  saw  much  of  each  other  growing  up  ,  but  he  is  very  close  to  his  little  sister  ,  who’s  13  and  just  as  chaotic  as  he  is  but  definitely  a  lot  smarter  .  he  loves  her  to  pieces  even  though  sometimes  he  thinks  she’s  satan  hiding  inside  a  teenage  girl’s  body  .

okay  ,  so  ,  as  previously  mentioned  ,  stone  views  life  in  a  ‘before  dad  &  after  dad’  kinda  way  ,  in  regards  that  childhood  before  his  father  died  was  amazing  ,  they  were  always  travelling  and  going  to  cool  spots  and  having  fun  .  his  mom  was  awesome  &  he  loved  his  dad  to  pieces  and  he  never  had  to  go  to  school  .  life  was  like  ,  perfect  .  and  then  his  dad  died  and  his  mother  was  such  a  mess  .  she  was  having  such  a  hard  time  dealing  with  losing  him  that  she  honestly  couldn’t  give  stone  the  affection  and  structure  he  needed  ,  so  he  was  mostly  left  behind  in  the  chicago  house  with  babysitters  and  homeschool  teachers  while  his  mom  was  off  working  and  getting  married  .  he  doesn’t  really  hold  a  grudge  or  anything  ,  but  he’s  definitely  not  as  close  to  his  mom  because  of  it  ,  it’s  like  he  can’t  really  connect  with  her  anymore  .

stone  never  went  to  college  ,  his  mom  had  to  actually  pay  for  his  high  school  diploma  because  she  didn’t  want  him  to  be  a  dropout  ,  and  stone  spent  most  of  his  life  with  zero  life  prospects  ,  all  he  did  for  a  while  was  spend  his  parent’s  money  and  get  super  fucked  up  .  that  being  said  ,  he’s  really  shaped  up  the  last  couple  of  years  &  ran  with  the  passion  he  had  for  photography  .  he’s  quite  a  bit  more  serious  about  it  than  most  people  know  ,  and  has  shot  big  pieces  for  mags  like  time  and  rolling  stone  ,  but  he  doesn’t  really  want  anyone  creating  expectations  about  him  so  he  usually  keeps  quiet  .  ALSO  because  he’s  having  sex  with  a  bunch  of  models  who  he  definitely  shouldn’t  be  associating  with  ,  so  he  likes  to  keep  a  low  profile  .

growing  up  and  to  this  day  ,  stone  never  minded  the  attention  he  got  from  being  a  hollywood  baby  .  he  just  was  never  bothered  by  it  ,  and  even  like  makes  it  a  game  to  see  how  many  paps  he  can  gather  by  going  out  to  get  groceries  or  to  some  fancy  sushi  place  all  the  celebs  are  going  to  .  he’s  basically  an  attention  wh*re  ,  we  hate  him  .

ALSO  he  is  a  daddy  !  literally  has  a  five  year  old  son  who’s  called  bodhi  .  there’s  a  lot  of  drama  with  his  mother  so  he  doesn’t  get  to  see  him  very  often  ,  but  he  loves  bodhi  very  much  and  is  a  pretty  good  dad  ?  not  the  best  ,  but  he  tries  really  hard  to  be  good  actually  .

𝐈𝐈𝐈.  𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

stone  is  generally  a  great  person  to  be  around  if  you’re  looking  for  a  good  time  ,  he’s  always  up  to  something  fun  and  anything  you  wanna  do  that  most  people  would  consider  crazy  ,  stone  is  the  guy  that  will  say  hell  yea  and  not  think  twice  to  do  it  with  you  .  he  loves  to  be  surrounded  by  people  and  is  just  a  party  animal  .

he’s  also  super  chill  .  crazy  chill  .  too  chill  .  nothing  gets  him  mad  ,  like  ,  nothing  .  usually  that  annoying  dude  who  will  tell  you  to  calm  down  when  you’re  arguing  and  make  you  wanna  choke  him  .  the  least  threatening  dude  you  will  ever  meet  .

just  a  cool  dude  to  have  around  overall  ,  like  people  are  always  having  fun  when  they’re  around  him  .

but  ...  has  NO  moral  compass  ,  not  even  a  single  ounce  of  it  .  he  is  the  most  opportunistic  person  .  will  100%  do  whatever  it  takes  to  get  things  to  go  his  way  ,  and  has  no  concern  about  how  his  actions  affect  others  .  he  usually  thinks  since  nothing  bothers  him  ,  he  can  do  whatever  he  wants  to  everyone  else  and  no  one  will  mind  .

kinda  a  nice  douchebag  ?  he’s  really  charming  and  nice  and  cool  but  will  probably  screw  you  over  at  least  once  in  your  life  ,  maybe  more  if  you  let  him  ngl  .

𝐈𝐕.  𝐅𝐔𝐍  𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒

is  a vegetarian  !  tried  to  go  vegan  once  but  he  really  likes  chocolate  milk  and  gave  up  .

speaks  very  slowly  ,  says  ‘i mean’  ,  and  ‘uh’  ,  a  lot  .  you’ve  probably  asked  him  to  talk  a  little  faster  once  or  twice  .

is  named  stone  because  he  was  conceived  at  a  rolling  stones  concert  .  shout  out  to  mick  jagger  .  his  mom  always  tells  him  that  and  he  is  traumatized  by  it  .

does  a  LOT  of  drugs  ,  if�� he  ever  zones  out  feel  free  to  assume  he’s  tripping  about  purple  crocodiles  or  something  freaky  .

is  6  foot  tall  and  very  clumsy  about  it  !  

was  actually  born  in  greece .

𝐕.  𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃  𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐒 

best  friend  :  someone  who’s  been  there  for  stone  through  pretty  much  everything  and  vice  versa  ,  knows  all  his  fuckups  and  either  tries  to  get  him  to  become  a  better  human  being  or  just  fucks  up  right  along  with  him  .    

half  sibling  :  they’re  kinda  awkward  in  that  …  cousins  at  family  get  together  type  of  way  ?  stone  doesn’t  particularly  see  this  person  as  his  actual  sibling  and  they  neither  love  nor  hate  each  other  ,  it’s  just  rly  awkward  .

skinny  love  :  they’re  like  …  the  relationship  that  never  was  ?  they  both  cared  about  one  another  ,  but  for  some  reason  didn’t  end  up  together  so  now  ….  weirdness  happens  ?  they  dont  really  know  where  they  stand  with  one  another  n  might  still  care  but  it  doesn’t  seem  like  it’s  gonna  happen  .

exes  on  good  or  bad  terms  :  like  previously  mentioned  ...  stone  is  kinda  an  asshole  ,  so  his  relationships  mostly  end  up  not  in  the  best  way  possible  ?  that  being  said  ,  he  can  sometimes  be  decent  ,  so  maybe  there  could  be  relationships  that  end  up  in  a  generally  positive  note  ?  possibly  .

CHEATING  PLOTS  :  honestly  stone  might  be  the  king  of  cheating  ?  he  just  doesn’t  care  ?  he’s  such  an  asshole  .  this  doesn’t  even  have  to  be  romantic  either  ?  he  could  have  hooked  up  with  someone  his  friend  liked  or  someone’s  MOM  ,  like  .  he  just  cheats  everyone  on  everything  all the  time  . 

first  love  :  the  person  who  he  thought  was  going  to  give  him  the  romance  that  his  mom and  dad  had  ,  could  have  ended  on  good  or  bad  terms  but  he  always  holds  a  special  place  in  his  heart  for  them  . 

flings  or  fwbs  :  he  probably  has  plenty  of  those  because  stone  is  at  a  phase  in  life  where  he  doesnt  really  believe  in  monogamy ?  i’m  serious  i  hate  him  .  he  probably  has  a  bunch  of  flings  and  not  gonna  lie  ,  he  could  be  stringing  some  of  them  along  just  because  i  love  me  some  drama  .

platonic  siblingish  friendship  :  someone  he  doesn’t  even  think  about  being   with  .  probably  someone  he  kind  of  sees  like  a  sibling  and  is  just  really  protective  about  . 

party  pals  :  they  don’t  really  have  much  in  common  ,  but  they  have  a  great  time  whenever  there  are  parties  and  fun  adventures  around  .

bad  blood  :  stone  doesn’t  really  hate  anyone  ,  but  there  are  definitely  people  he’s  uncomfortable  around  or  who’s  presence  he’s  really  not  fond  of  ?  possibly  a  lot  of  cold  shouldering  and  some  snarky  remarks  ,  nothing  to  extreme  though  .

okay  so  i  feel  like  this  ran  a  little  long  .  it  probably  did  .  a  lot  of  it  was  recycled  from  my  old  intro  but  yall  still  wouldnt  believe  how  long  that  took  me  .  so  like  this  if  u  hate  stone  &  lets  plot  !  

[laurasinele]

When Harry met Hamish (a Fictober19 Galahad/Merlin drabble)

Prompt 18: “Secrets? I love secrets!”

Fandom: Kingsman

Tags: Merlin’s real name is Hamish Blackwood, Harry Hart saves him from his abusers, they both love Pride and Prejudice

Warnings: bullying, beating

Ao3

Hamish hated them all the very moment they stepped into Kingsman’s facilities. Cocky, self-absorbed bastards them all, sons of noblemen proud to be somewhere down, deep, deep, down the line of succession to their queen —careful, Hamish, your Scott is showing.

He wasn’t even supposed to be here yet. Merlin was just being a dick. Though it was probably because he was being a smartass. Computer science advanced fast and Merlin was really old, after all. Nevertheless, putting Hamish to train with this particular batch of candidates was a ruthless punishment, certainly disproportionate given that his only crime was pointing out syntax errors in a line of code, or twenty-five.

“Hey, Blackwood! Come join us by the lake!”

They were camping in the forest around the mansion. It was supposed to be a leisure activity, though Hamish knew, as Merlin’s apprentice, that something was supposed to attack them in the next 24 hours, and this brats were thinking about swimming and bullying him instead of keeping alert.

“Nah, thanks. I’m perfectly fine here”.

“Come on”, said little Lord Wilkinson, swim trunks dripping on the book Hamish was reading, yanking him up by the arm. “You are ruining the fun for us”.

Oh, Hamish knew so well where this was going. He resigned to his destiny and calmly took off his glasses and store them in the zipped pocket of his chest. The blurry figures by the lake were encouraging them, and the sun was beginning to set. Four against one with visual disadvantage wasn’t a good prospect. And at least two of them wanted revenge on him for their shameful defeats on the judo matt —young Lord Willoughby— and the fencing court —Sir Harold Louis Everett's son. Now, despite his good training in close combat, Merlin was unarmed and clearly overpowered. The best strategy was observe and wait for his chance to flee. Except it never came. 

The three little Lords and pompous young Mr Everett, grabbed him each by one limb and threw him into the lake like a dead body, at about ten feet from the shore. Hamish tried to reign his body in and fall as painlessly as possible. He planned on holding his breath to his own 2 minutes, 57 seconds record and swim to the opposite shore, but halas, they had other plans for him. Willoughby lifted him out of the water and over his head like a prize, one hand in the small of his back and the other grabbing the back of the collar of his jumper.

“I’ve got a fish! I’ve got a fish with my own bare hands!”

“It’s the ugliest and skinniest fish I’ve ever seen, Willoughby!”, yelled young Lord Bartholomew from the shore. Everett and Wilkinson laughed out loud and Willoughby started to walk them out of the lake. Then Hamish saw his chance. Willoughby’s arms started to tremble with the effort and his walk through the greenish lake water affected negatively his balance. Hamish kicked Willoughby’s shoulder, making his captor drop him on top of his own head, thus losing grip of his other subjection point and sending them both underwater as his knees yielded to the sudden change of weight distribution. Hamish set off towards the opposite shore but the noblemen teamed up to grab his legs and drag him to the camp, his head hitting all the rocks they could find on the way. 

“Look at this fucking peasant”, said Bartholomew as he kicked Hamish’s ribbs. Except with all the excitement of a hunt, his childhood speech problems came back momentarily, making him pronounce instead “pucking pheasant”, to which Hamish laughed feebly.

“A packing pheasant? Why would it be packing? They’re not a migratory species”, he said falteringly.

At the insult of their self-appointed leader by virtue of his net worth, the others started kicking his sides too.

“What a terrible accident, Blackwood! You decided to climb a tree and fell down into the lake, didn’t you? That’s a great explanation for your wounds”, provided Everett, eager to be accepted by the lords 

“Nobody has to know the truth”, added Wilkinson. “It would be disgraceful if they knew a senior trainee was beaten up by his juniors. It will be our secret”.

“A secret? I love secrets”

Hamish did not recognise the man’s voice, but he did not have much time to wonder if he was friend or foe because he unleashed hell in the blink of an eye. Not surrounded anymore, Hamish rose and limped to sit on the log he’d been occupying before his abduction. He reached for his glasses, but the lenses were wet and his clothes were of no use to wipe them off. Across him there was obviously a fight going on, but he could only make out a swirl the color of the candidate’s jumpsuit, and three pale forms being thoroughly beaten, shaken and dragged across the floor by it.

“Now, gentlemen”, said the swirl after a second or two of none of the noblemen trying to go for him. “I believe it was the founder of the famous Eton School in which you lot undoubtedly met and birthed this beautiful camaraderie, who said ‘Manners maketh man’. As proud Eton alumni, I am sure you want to honor that saying. But I also know that human nature is fickle and pride might be a hindrance more than an aide in this instance. That is why I give you two options: either apologise to Mister Blackwood here, or fuck off this grounds before I get sick of your disgusting entitled faces”.

The water on the glasses was clearing off, giving Hamish the chance to watch four wet and humiliated candidates to enter the service scramble up and run away to the mansion, thus extinguishing their chances to become a Kingsman agent. 

His savior —come on, Hamish, you are no damsel in distress—, his benefactor, turned to face him. He looked much younger than his prowess had suggested. He offered Hamish his hand, although Hamish’s was wet and muddy. 

“Sergeant Harold Hart”

“Pleasure”, said Hamish, shaking his hand. “I am Hamish Blackwood, Merlin’s trainee”.

“I know. Merlin sent me, I’m his candidate. He suspected you’d be in trouble”.

Hamish huffed, not sure if he wanted to laugh or curse, and shook his head. He looked at Hart, who was looking at him with an amiable, non-comitant smile.

“Thank you for your service, Sergeant Hart”, Hart nodded, and turned his head to look at the three miserable figures half running in the distance, probably starting to feel the cold of the dusk. His smile widened. Hamish shook himself out of watching his rescuer — again? Control yourself, Hamish, for fuck’s sake—, adjusted his glasses and picked up his book. The cover sleeve read “Basic guide to programming”. 

“It wasn’t the founder of Eton”.

“Pardon?”, said Hart looking back at him.

“Manners maketh man. It was one of Eton Headmaster’s who wrote it in a book of proverbs and sayings. He took it from Winchester’s School motto”, explained Hamish, making a point to not look at Hart for the whole evening, least his chest would explode. 

Hart’s expression was completely neutral, and Hamish had already failed in his resolution. He tried not to skirm under Hart’s scrutiny, and then Hart smiled widely, this time, somehow, more sincerely, and said:

“Well, thank you for that bit of trivia, Blackwood. Let me repay you with an advise. I fou are going to hide what you are reading, choose a plausible cover. Nobody would believe someone with your level in computer science would be reading a basic programming guide. What is it, actually?”

“Pride and Prejudice”, mumbled Hamish.

“Lovely book. I always identified with Darcy when I was younger, now I guess it was pretentious of me”

“Not at all”, said Hamish before he could catch himself. 

They both shared a look. It was the kind of look that films used to tell you those two characters were sharing a moment of mutual understanding and admiration, which could later evolve in a much more closer connection and intimate feeling. They both independently realised it was that kind of look, and they both self-indulged in it a few more seconds. Then Hamish huffed a small laugh again. 

“I lost count on how many times I read it. It’s my comfort book for when I’m sick or feeling down”

Hamish smiled and nodded.

“I lost my third copy some months ago, in the burning of my barracks. I wanted to get a new one before coming here, but Merlin didn’t give me the time”. Hamish’s heart swelled.

“I could lend you mine”.

“No, then you wouldn’t be able to read it”.

“We could read it together. I was just starting when they pulled me to the lake”, that was a big fat lie, and he knew it, and he was pretty sure Hart knew it. But Hart’s face lit up, He got up and brought a blanket. He wrapped it around Hamish wordlessly, and then set a fire. He sat back next to him and, after a while, he said. 

“Well, go on. There’s not much light left, and they’re coming to pick us up anytime soon, after the boys get to the mansion complaining”.

Hamish smiled, showing his crooked teeth and began to read.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man…”

[iloveyoupittsburghpirates-blog]

You Are So Streaky, Pittsburgh Pirates

My Dearest Pittsburgh Pirates,

Well, you certainly know how to beat up on the bad teams. This week you played two last place teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Miami Marlins. The only thing that stopped you from winning all six games was the weather. You were rained out yesterday so you couldn’t sweep all three from the Marlins. You scored 25 runs in the five games this week so the offense finally started producing again. The pitching remained solid only giving up ten runs in those five games. It’s the same old thing. You look like world beaters for a week and then the next week you look like you are the worst team in baseball. It’s what streaky teams do and typically streaky teams are only so successful. They are usually about .500 which is exactly what you are right now. You are 71-71 with twenty games to go. You are an average team. That’s okay because you are an average team on the rise with a rotation and bullpen that are young and improving. There is reason for optimism going into 2019 if you can improve the roster.

Gregory Polanco played his last game of the season this week. Polanco hurt his knee sliding into second and stayed down for a while before hobbling off. I was concerned it could be something that would carry into next season. It’s a significant bone bruise to his left knee that requires six weeks of rest. He injured his shoulder on the play too. That’s a relief as far as him being ready for next season. It’s a little disheartening to see a guy who has trouble staying healthy get hurt yet again. Polanco ended up putting together his best year of his career. 23 homers, 81 RBI’s, 12 steals, splits of .254/.340/.499 for an .839 OPS. His OPS+ was 127 and he ended with a WAR of 1.9. It’s not superstar level numbers but that’s a pretty damn good season from someone we were all losing faith in during his terrible slump earlier this year. These are good stats but if they are the stats of your best player, that’s a problem. Even if you have another player or two with the exact same stats it can work, but not when he’s your only batter to his over twenty homers this season. That’s a problem when you play in a league dominated by the home run. It’s something you desperately need to address this offseason. Maybe Jeff Branson should finally embrace the launch angles.

It’s not much of a debate who the biggest disappointment was this season. That would be Josh Bell by a landslide. Going into this week, he had only hit eight homers after hitting twenty-six last season. He hit two this week to get him up to ten, but even this week hasn’t been great. He did walk seven times so that explains his .370 OBP and the two homers give him a .500 slugging percentage which means he had an .870 OPS this week. He also batted .150 with three hits in twenty at bats. Over his last 30 games, he’s batting .211 with a .753 OPS which is funny because that’s his exact OPS for the season right now. Bell’s defense has improved but is still problematic based on his negative defensive WAR, so if he doesn’t hit more he’s basically Colin Moran. He can’t field, he’s slow, and he has middling offensive potential. Your corner infielders are supposed to provide a lot of offense in most lineups. With Freese gone, you are looking at next season with two corner infielders who have combined to hit eighteen homers this year. That as many as Starling Marte has and he’s not usually looked to for power numbers. After last season, Bell will be giving a full opportunity to bounce back next season and that’s an opportunity he should get given his pedigree. That means you need to add a third baseman and possibly an insurance policy for Bell. Maybe a righty hitter with some pop who rips lefties well. It would give you a nice platoon option, if nothing else. You can’t afford to go another season with production like this from your corner infielders. You do and you might be looking at another .500 season.

Corey Dickerson has had a tough fall from grace. He was putting together a terrific season and was a main reason why you felt comfortable trading Austin Meadows to the Rays in the Chris Archer deal. He should have arguably been an All Star with the first half he had. Then he pulled him hamstring and spent a little under two weeks on the disabled list. Since then, he’s been a totally different player, in the bad way. In his last 30 games, his splits are .211/.221/.275 for an abysmal .496 OPS. He struck out 26 times in 103 at bats during that span and walked twice. This is what happened to him last year. Had a terrific first half, made the All Star game, and then couldn’t buy a hit in the second half. It could be that he’s playing hurt so that’s affecting his performance. Either way, I assume it will put a pause on all of that extension talk. He’s making 5.95 million this year and has one year left of arbitration before becoming a free agent after next season. He should get a pay raise to about 7 or 8 million for 2019. It’s hard to know which Dickerson will show up. You have limited options right now so you will definitely pay him next season but the long term future with the team is cloudy. Like Polanco, he doesn’t hit lefties well so you want might to look into getting a fourth outfielder who punishes lefties. Then you can give either your lefties a day off once in a while. You hope Dickerson can bounce back next season, but with not a lot of outfield prospects near the majors, things have become a little dire.

This week isn’t so friendly. You hit the road for two series against two division rivals fighting for playoff spots. It could be fun to play spoilers. You start a three-game series today against the St. Louis Cardinals. They finally cooled off after their ridiculous run that got them back into the playoff picture. They currently hold the second Wildcard spot with a one game lead over the Dodgers and three games over the Diamondbacks. The Rockies only lead the Dodgers by a game in their division so there are a lot of teams still vying for those final two spots. It would be lovely to hurt the Cardinals chances of making the playoffs. After a day off Thursday, you head to Milwaukee to play the Brewers, who currently hold the number one Wildcard spot. They have a two game lead over the Cardinals and are only two games behind the Cubs for the division lead. These are huge games for these two teams that you don’t like and you could really put a damper on their chances if you can win some games. It would be fun to see that happen. The rest of this season is about seeing some of the younger guys and staying healthy. Obviously the Polanco injury sets a bad tone but you can’t just bench everyone and wrap them in bubble wrap to protect them. It’s not realistic. Though with a couple guys, I might prefer it. Keep getting better and try to ruin your rivals week. Good luck!

                                                                          Remaining Hot And Cold,

                                                                                           Brad

P.S. can stand for many things in this instance. Pretty Sloppy, Pretty Sh**ty, but it actually stands for Pittsburgh Steelers. They are back and played their first game yesterday in terrible weather conditions. They tied the Cleveland Browns 21-21 in what can only be described as an ugly game. The officiating was bad, the Steelers’ six turnovers were bad, and the Browns are supposed to be bad. They are certainly improved but they will need to right the ship quickly. The high-flying Kansas City Chiefs offense comes to Pittsburgh for the home opener next weekend. Another performance like this and you will be 0-1-1 with either Baltimore or Cincinnati (they play each other Thursday night) on top of the division at 2-0…

[dailynewswebsite]

Mail delays, the election and the future of the US Postal Service: 5 questions answered

The USPS is enjoying a significant position on this yr's election. AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes

Editor’s word: The U.S. Postal Service carried out operational modifications earlier this yr that led to a pointy improve in delayed mail, elevating considerations concerning the election as document numbers of Individuals vote by mail this yr as a result of pandemic.

The Supreme Courtroom’s resolution on Oct. 19 to permit Pennsylvania to increase the deadline for accepting mail-in ballots was the newest signal of simply how essential USPS might be to the end result of the election.

We requested authorized students Jena Martin and Matthew Titolo to clarify why the delays have continued and to debate their affect on the election and efforts to resolve USPS’ long-term fiscal challenges.

1. Why have there been so many delays?

The brief reply is due to the operational modifications made in June by the Trump administration’s freshly appointed postmaster basic, Louis DeJoy.

Inside weeks of his arrival, DeJoy eradicated time beyond regulation, dismantled a whole lot of sorting machines and ordered workers to depart mail behind at distribution facilities to make sure they may end their routes on time.

In consequence, the share of delayed mail surged in late July, in line with inside paperwork.

The lengthy reply, nonetheless, has to do with the Postal Service’s dire monetary scenario, which is why DeJoy mentioned he made the modifications – the implementation of which he later promised to postpone till after the election.

Regardless of DeJoy’s pledges, the delays have persevered. About 30% of long-distance mail and 45% of native mail was delayed by at the very least a day over the four-week interval ending Oct. 12, in line with The New York Instances, which is monitoring hundreds of thousands of items of first-class mail originating in 4 cities. That’s about double what was typical in 2019.

2. Why is the USPS struggling financially?

Not like different federal companies, the fashionable Postal Service is self-funded, which suggests it should generate its personal income stream to make use of for operations – versus receiving income from tax {dollars}. The extra income the Postal Service can generate, the extra sources it could dedicate to upgrades, wage will increase and different advantages to the company.

From 1982 – when the federal government stopped subsidizing USPS – by means of 2006, it earned a revenue in all however 5 years. It started working at an annual loss in 2007 after Congress compelled it to pre-fund its pension obligations – which required setting apart about $5 billion a yr – an onerous obligation that’s out of step with how different companies and companies fund their pensions.

This has created an ongoing finances disaster that has left the company unable to dedicate as a lot cash to sorely wanted enhancements. Nor can it sustain with the strains which have been positioned on it because the pandemic started. Whereas the quantity of worthwhile first-class mail has dropped sharply, the variety of packages has soared as Individuals have prevented purchasing in bodily shops and are ordering extra stuff on-line.

Congress included a $10 billion mortgage for the Postal Service in its March coronavirus aid invoice to assist it get by means of the pandemic. This cash ought to assist the USPS function usually till August 2021. Nevertheless, disputes between the united statesTreasury and USPS concerning how one can spend that cash have been solely not too long ago resolved.

The surge of election-related mail prior to now few weeks, particularly in battleground states, has brought on even better mail quantity for the company, resulting in missed targets for on-time mail supply in these areas.

3. What does this imply for the election?

Till this yr, the Postal Service has managed to do quite a bit with just a little. It’s lengthy been thought of probably the most trusted authorities company within the U.S.

However the delays – and considerations about the way it will handle an unprecedented variety of mail-in ballots for the election – are eroding that belief

The USPS now faces lawsuits from over 20 states and such giant cities as San Francisco and New York over the operational modifications, in addition to complicated election-related flyers the company despatched to voters.

After issuing a nationwide injunction in opposition to DeJoy’s restructuring efforts in September, a federal decide described them as “an intentional effort on the half of the present administration to disrupt and problem the legitimacy of upcoming native, state and federal elections.”

A second decide ordered that election mail be prioritized.

Though in August the USPS warned states that it couldn’t assure all ballots would arrive in time for Election Day, DeJoy has since promised the company will be capable to deal with the surge in mail.

4. What does it imply for voters?

For those who’re in a state the place mail-in ballots are routinely despatched to all voters – reminiscent of California and Nevada – there’s a better threat your poll will expertise delays within the mail.

As well as, most states require mail-in ballots to reach by Election Day. Pennsylvania voters acquired just a little aid after the Supreme Courtroom on Oct. 19 left in place a ruling that lets the state rely them even when they arrive as much as three days late – so long as they’re postmarked by Nov. 3.

Nonetheless, considerations about mail delays have prompted each Democrats and Republicans to induce their supporters to vote in individual if potential to attenuate the potential of discarded ballots that favor their candidate.

For those who nonetheless need to vote by mail, officers recommend you request a poll as quickly as potential – deadlines differ by state. In most states, you may observe your poll to ensure it’s arrived safely.

5. What is going to occur to the USPS after the election?

DeJoy made the modifications as a part of what he described as a vital and long-overdue overhaul of the company to cease the monetary bleeding. Some Democrats, postal workers and others have accused him of laying the groundwork for privatizing the USPS.

Speak of privatization is hardly new. Critics of the USPS as a public company argue that turning the company into a personal entity would improve the group’s effectivity.

However the issue is that this ignores the important – and fewer worthwhile – public utility companies the USPS offers. Our personal overview of the ramifications of privatization discovered that many important companies that aren’t worthwhile however improve the general public good could be misplaced if the Postal Service grew to become a for-profit company.

As an illustration, in contrast to FedEx or UPS, the Postal Service has a common service obligation. Which means it’s required to ship mail and supply companies to each individual residing in america, together with in rural communities, even when doing so isn’t worthwhile. FedEx and UPS haven’t any such requirement.

In reality, each FedEx and UPS use the Postal Service’s last-mile service to ship their packages to rural prospects exactly as a result of it isn’t worthwhile for them to take action.

As well as, though few understand it, the Postal Service offers many advantages to the general public past mere mail supply, reminiscent of passport companies and a program that goals to verify in on aged prospects.

As for the USPS’ affect on American elections, if it have been privatized, politicians would doubtless lose a key method they attain voters as a result of their marketing campaign flyers and different political mail are at present sponsored at decreased nonprofit charges. A privatized USPS would doubtless considerably increase these charges, which solely extra established candidates might be able to afford.

The authors don’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or organisation that might profit from this text, and have disclosed no related affiliations past their educational appointment.

from Growth News https://growthnews.in/mail-delays-the-election-and-the-future-of-the-us-postal-service-5-questions-answered/ via https://growthnews.in

[khalilhumam]

Has Trump failed Black Americans?

New Post has been published on http://khalilhumam.com/has-trump-failed-black-americans/

Has Trump failed Black Americans?

By Rashawn Ray, Keon L. Gilbert “I have done more for Black Americans than anybody, except for the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln.” Donald Trump has repeatedly made this statement. However, many Black Americans have not viewed Trump’s first presidential term similarly. We cover some of the key concerns below. The Economy It is true that Black unemployment was at an all-time low in February 2020, before COVID-19. Yet, the Black unemployment rate under the Obama-Biden administration had one of the largest declines in American history following The Great Recession. Trump largely inherited a growing economy. However, when we look at the jobs picture, in addition to the unemployment rate, we are concerned about the quality of those jobs. Quality jobs pay living wages and benefits. Blacks still continue to be concentrated in lower sector jobs, which do not have adequate healthcare or paid sick leave and have disproportionately exposed them to COVID-19. For Black men, job prospects are even more limited. In addition to facing more barriers to work entry, the available jobs often do not provide enough money for them to provide financially for their families. For these men, the labor market has failed them. Thus, their unemployment is not factored into the rate. In fact, research notes that 1.5 million Black men are missing from social and economic life. Trump’s recent Platinum Plan claims to increase investments in Black communities by creating Black-small businesses and jobs. Despite the rapper Ice Cube’s contributions, for some it is too little, too late. The Pay Protection Plan (PPP) from the Small Business Administration left Black businesses out in the cold. Over 90% of Black-owned small businesses that applied for PPP funding were denied. This has led to over 40% of Black-owned small businesses being shuttered during COVID-19. These realities document a callousness towards Black business owners who already have difficulties securing loans for development, and if provided a loan, are more likely to be offered one at higher interest rates than similar white-owned businesses would obtain, thereby increasing their operating costs. If achieving racial equity were actually part of Trump’s agenda, the distribution of resources from the PPP would have explicitly included Black-and-other-minority-owned small businesses and would have allowed them to receive an equitable share. Implicit Bias Training  During the first 2020 Presidential debate, Chris Wallace asked Trump, “Why did you end racial sensitivity training and do you believe there is systemic racism in this country?” Trump replied, “I ended it because it’s racist… a lot of people were complaining they were asked to do things that were absolutely insane. That it was a radical revolution… They were teaching people to hate our country.” Trump’s statements are ironic considering that hate crimes increased over 200% in places where he held a campaign rally in 2016. His language about “Liberate Michigan” and “Stand back and stand by” may have contributed to the kidnapping plots of Michigan and Virginia Governors. In addition to Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, the recent ban on trainings using critical race theory and addressing white privilege are an admission that improving workplace culture is not part of a Trump administration. It is also a blatant denial of racial discrimination that has been protected under the law. All of the federal government needs these forms of training, starting with the White House. Criminal Justice Reform and Policing For many Black people, Trump’s law and order rhetoric and dismissal of the Movement for Black Lives unearths collective memories about his full-page advertisements in four New York newspapers including The New York Times, to crucify the now exonerated Central Park 5. In big, bold letters, Trump’s headline read: “Bring Back the Death Penalty. Bring Back our Police!” While it is true that Trump signed the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill originally introduced by Senator Cory Booker as the Next Step Act that seeks to decrease recidivism and prison population numbers by providing more vocational training and work opportunities for the formally incarcerated, the Administration’s Department of Justice has also taken steps which have undermined efforts to decrease racist and hostile encounters between Black and Brown Americans and law enforcement.  The Trump administration has purposely halted consent decrees and Department of Justice police department investigations. As a point of reference, the Obama administration handed down the most consent decrees of any president. Judges and the Courts Blacks Americans should be aware of what may be Trump’s lasting legacy—his federal judge selections and his Supreme Court nominations. The demographics of the judges are telling. Trump has appointed the most Appeals Court judges since President Jimmy Carter. Not one of them is Black. With a strongly conservative set of judges, many of them will affect judicial outcomes for at least the next generation on topics of critical importance to Black Americans, including policing, sentencing, voting, healthcare, and racial equity. To highlight the impact of these judges, a recent panel, all appointed by Trump, blocked a lower court ruling and is allowing Texas Governor Greg Abbott to only have one mail-in ballot drop off box in each county in the state. If Trump was doing more for Black people, he would do all he could to ensure they have equitable access to vote. Voting Rights is a cornerstone civil right that Black communities fought to secure. There are millions of Black people who recall not being able to vote. Black people’s right to vote has not been protected and many will be potentially exposed to COVID-19 because of their distrust in the mail-in ballot process. COVID-19 and Affordable Healthcare This brings us to COVID-19. Simply put, the pandemic response by the Trump administration has been deadly. COVID-19 has disproportionately killed Black people at double the rate of Whites. However, it could have been different. When Trump took office, he dismantled the pandemic response unit created under the Obama-Biden administration. He also shut down the social and behavioral committee that helps inform the White House on how people embedded in social institutions like education, hospitals, prisons, grocery stores and restaurants, and neighborhoods might be disproportionately affected based on their urban or rural environments. These factors are the main reason why, to date, nearly 8 million Americans have contracted COVID-19 and nearly 220,000 have died. Trump claims there is no way these deaths could have been prevented. What we know is that the viral infections are both biologically and socially pathogenic as they follow pathways or vectors of inequity to attack the most vulnerable. Structural conditions determine the susceptibility and severity of acute and chronic conditions. In a global report on pandemic responses, the United States ranked 175th on healthcare access out of nearly 200 countries. Early on during the pandemic, Black people were six times more likely to be turned away from COVID-19 testing and treatment once at the hospital. In 2016, Trump asked Black Americans: “What do you have to lose?” This is such an infamous statement that rapper Meek Mill put it in the opening of his recent song. Well, what Black people have to lose are their lives as well as those of their loved ones if stuck with four more years of a Trump administration. Dr. Gilbert is currently an Associate Professor at the Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice in the Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education . He is also co-director of the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity. His primary research interests seek to reduce health disparities through research and interventions that will prevent disease and promote healthy behaviors.

[dippedanddripped]

When the 2008 recession hit, the global luxury market lost 9% of its value, luxury department stores took a major hit to sales, and luxury as a concept became distasteful as thousands of people lost their jobs and homes. So if another recession is coming, what effect will it have on luxury now, more than 10 years later?

For a number of brands and retailers that focus on high-end goods, the current situation is daunting. Chris Wichert, founder of handmade leather sneaker brand Koio, said that as people lose their jobs or tighten their spending, he’s worried products like his, which cost up to $400 per pair, will suffer.

“Online sales have slowed down quite a bit,” Wichert said, though he declined to give specific numbers. “It’s understandable. People are more concerned with their health and groceries and essentials. We make a higher-end product, which unfortunately is non-essential. People are taking salary cuts and not sure if they’ll have a job after this. These are unforeseen times.”

It’s an issue looming large over the luxury industry right now. While luxury bounced back from the 2008 recession quicker than most, it still left a significant mark on many brands. Coupled with a global pandemic, a 2020 recession would be just as damaging, if not more, to luxury’s prospects.

So far, luxury brands have seen an impact on supply chains from the coronavirus. According to Reuters, one Chinese manufacturer, that typically makes 1,000 bags a month for Gucci, made less than 500 for February and zero for March.

“It’s going to be a reset for everyone,” said Dalia Strum, chief partnership and marketing officer at RethinkConnect, a company that holds educational workshops for the fashion industry. “I think you’ll see a circle back to 2008 and a recession. If 25% of the U.S. workforce lose their jobs, luxury will have to come up with other ways to do business.”

Farfetch chief customer officer Stephanie Phair said that, as an online platform, the company is potentially in a better place to weather the coronavirus crisis than other luxury players, but that a recession could hit e-commerce and brick-and-mortar equally hard.

“It’s hard to be completely certain about the industry right now,” Phair said. “We have to be measured. No one knows how this will play out, and the situation with coronavirus is constantly changing. We’re possibly a bit more resilient because online is a bit safer right now than [sales in-store], and we have a global distribution, so we can lean into certain areas of the world. But no one can confidently say they won’t be affected.”

Conglomerates like LVMH and Kering, and especially their brands that cater to the ultra-rich, might also come out of a recession without too much damage. In 2009, LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault said the recession would have a minimal “or even non-existent” impact on the company, due to the fact that their target customer, the upper echelons of the wealthy class, wouldn’t be affected as much. Both LVMH and Kering have sought to alleviate the health and economic pressure of coronavirus by donating millions of masks and bottles of hand sanitizer to public health authorities.

Another potential effect on luxury is a possible reduction in luxury’s ongoing love affair with streetwear. Most streetwear-luxury crossovers and drops, like the Riccardo Tisci’s Burberry T-shirt drops and Louis Vuitton’s dalliances with Supreme, are priced lower than a more traditional Burberry suit or Louis Vuitton bag. If a recession does hit, the younger, less affluent target demographic for streetwear may be hit harder than luxury’s older, more financially stable target demographic.

“All the brands started going after streetwear, which is a lot of new money to be made,” said Syama Meagher, CEO and founder of Scaling Retail. “There have been all these hyped drops with products that are a little fast-fashiony. I wouldn’t be surprised if brands like Gucci go back to some of their core assortment and more traditional luxury offerings geared toward a more traditional audience.”

[woolenjumbo5-blog]

Lukewarm Stove: Marlins Insane Price on Realmuto, Dozier and the Brewers, Pollock, Phillies, More

Hey. I’m in Tampa, Florida. That’s neat. [Brett: So I guess when I said the thing earlier about Michael being on vacation, I meant “mostly” on vacation … ]

And while I may not have any Rays rumors for you this hot and sunny afternoon where I lounge, another Florida team remains in the news – but with this attitude, I’m not sure for how long:

I get that the Marlins might feel a little gun-shy after receiving sub-par returns (and some embarrassment) for their trades of the 2017 and 2018 NL MVPs, but that sort of request for J.T. Realmuto is nearly laughable. Realmuto is a phenomenal catcher, but he’s really only got ONE good offensive season under his belt and he has only two more years of team control. Bellinger, to use Rosenthal’s example, is four years younger, isn’t even arbitration eligible for another year, and has a total of FIVE more years of team control. You want him AND good prospects? I mean, nah … that’s not happening. That’s nuts. One or the other (especially prospects)? Yeah, sure. And I still believe Realmuto will be on the move this winter, but it won’t be for Bellinger++. Get outta here with that.

The Nationals are apparently looking into second baseman Brian Dozier, as a sort of short-term stopgap, but they’re joined, at least, by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs were connected to Dozier earlier in the season, though it’s not entirely clear how the addition of Daniel Descalso really affects that. Dozier has some more obvious upside if he can bounce back from 2018, but the Cubs might be fine rolling with some combination of Ben Zobrist, David Bote, and Descalso at second base while Javy Baez handles shortstop – and that’s without considering the Addison Russell of it all. Ultimately, if the Cubs are going to add another middle-infielder, I suspect it’ll be someone who can more obviously cover shortstop in the event of Russell’s departure.

Oh, hey look, I do have a Rays rumor for you: The Rays, Astros, and Dodgers have reportedly shown some interest in displaced (by Paul Goldschmidt) Cardinals first baseman Jose Martinez. However, the Cardinals are apparently reluctant to move Martinez, in case Dexter Fowler fails to bounce back and/or if Goldschmidt doesn’t want to sign an extension beyond 2019. Martinez’s bat makes him an extremely attractive trade candidate, but his defensive limitations cut that in half. An American League team seems to make more sense to me, but we’ll see if the Cardinals don’t just hang on until things are more clear with Goldschmidt. This could all be posturing by the Cardinals, of course, who may not yet like the offers they’ve received.

A.J. Pollock’s market continues to linger on, and the White Sox and Phillies are likely his most obvious landing spots at the moment. With that said, Jeff Passan also throws in the Indians, Mets, Reds (who still don’t have a center fielder, even though they traded for two Dodger OFs), and other teams, as well. I know we push for the Cubs to get Bryce Harper a lot around here, but that’s not necessarily because we think they need “an outfielder.” In other words, I don’t think Pollock is the sort of outfielder the Cubs will want to target. They need a more obvious *offensive* upgrade instead, and with Jason Heyward and Albert Almora around, a corner outfielder with an elite bat would do just fine.

It’s easy to lose sight of this, but there are still a ton of quality free agents out there like catcher Yasmani Grandal, second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, and relievers Craig Kimbrel and Adam Ottavino. Jeff Passan has the latest on each of them, so be sure to check that post out. And I mention those names specifically, by the way, because they’ve all been connected to the Cubs, the NL Central, or a team like the Dodgers, each of which could end up impacting the Cubs’ chances or plans for 2019 and beyond. There is still SO MUCH offseason in front of us, I keep losing sight of it thanks to the robust trade and free agent markets.

Although adding a player like Troy Tulowitzki – who costs very little and is as likely to make no impact at all as he is to help even a little – should have no effect on the Yankees’ ability or desire to get Manny Machado, there are still implications. Joel Sherman lays them out:

I actually found point 4a particularly compelling: while adding Tulowitzki does not mean the Yankees can’t or shouldn’t get Machado, it could signal their concern that he will be signing elsewhere. I don’t think the union would be very justified in complaining about the Yankees saying they’re out on him publicly, but I also think keeping that quiet would be appreciated (perhaps by everyone besides the team that signs him). For what it’s worth, I still think Machado ends up in New York.

But even if that is the case, it doesn’t necessarily have to happen soon:

Obviously, now that the Phillies have signed David Robertson, all attention is turning to guys like Zach Britton and Adam Ottavino. And according to Jayson Stark, Britton has been holding out for a 4-year deal, which would be a no thanks from me (you can say it depends on the financials, but this is Britton and Boras – we know it ain’t gonna be a low AAV). The Yankees, however, have reportedly been in discussions with Britton, so he may wind up returning there.

As for the Cubs, well, we know they’re likely to add some lower-tier relief arms (in this market, that’s actually not a bad plan), but we always held out hope that one of those big left-handed relievers – Andrew Miller or Zach Britton – would wind up falling into their lap. With Miller in St. Louis and Britton possibly zeroing in on New York, though, that may be that.

Mark Sheldon has a little rumor roundup on the Reds, who aren’t done adding this winter. In addition to a center fielder, as we mentioned above, they’re still in play for another starting pitcher, be it through free agency (Dallas Keuchel, Wade Miley, Gio Gonzalez, Derek Holland) or trade (Sonny Gray). The Reds were previously connected to the Indians’ available starters, Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, but both sides have seemed to back off such a deal in recent weeks. I think it’ll be tough for the Reds to really compete this summer, but they’ve certainly made moves like they think they can. With Joey Votto still kicking it, maybe it’s possible.

The Pirates have added former Cardinals reliever Tyler Lyons and could still look to add a free-agent shortstop. I don’t think that interest (in a shortstop) will necessarily overlap with the Cubs – I can’t see them signing Jose Iglesias, Freddy Galvis, or Adeiny Hechavarria – but I suppose it’s possible. Again, with Descalso in the fold and the Russell decision still unclear, the Cubs plans are difficult to discern as far as shortstop goes, so it’s good to keep a tab on things.

And just a bit of confirmation that the Phillies do plan to meet with Bryce Harper, as came out yesterday:

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/01/03/lukewarm-stove-marlins-insane-price-on-realmuto-dozier-and-the-brewers-pollock-phillies-more/

[dropbee7-blog]

Lukewarm Stove: Marlins Insane Price on Realmuto, Dozier and the Brewers, Pollock, Phillies, More

Hey. I’m in Tampa, Florida. That’s neat. [Brett: So I guess when I said the thing earlier about Michael being on vacation, I meant “mostly” on vacation … ]

And while I may not have any Rays rumors for you this hot and sunny afternoon where I lounge, another Florida team remains in the news – but with this attitude, I’m not sure for how long:

I get that the Marlins might feel a little gun-shy after receiving sub-par returns (and some embarrassment) for their trades of the 2017 and 2018 NL MVPs, but that sort of request for J.T. Realmuto is nearly laughable. Realmuto is a phenomenal catcher, but he’s really only got ONE good offensive season under his belt and he has only two more years of team control. Bellinger, to use Rosenthal’s example, is four years younger, isn’t even arbitration eligible for another year, and has a total of FIVE more years of team control. You want him AND good prospects? I mean, nah … that’s not happening. That’s nuts. One or the other (especially prospects)? Yeah, sure. And I still believe Realmuto will be on the move this winter, but it won’t be for Bellinger++. Get outta here with that.

The Nationals are apparently looking into second baseman Brian Dozier, as a sort of short-term stopgap, but they’re joined, at least, by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs were connected to Dozier earlier in the season, though it’s not entirely clear how the addition of Daniel Descalso really affects that. Dozier has some more obvious upside if he can bounce back from 2018, but the Cubs might be fine rolling with some combination of Ben Zobrist, David Bote, and Descalso at second base while Javy Baez handles shortstop – and that’s without considering the Addison Russell of it all. Ultimately, if the Cubs are going to add another middle-infielder, I suspect it’ll be someone who can more obviously cover shortstop in the event of Russell’s departure.

Oh, hey look, I do have a Rays rumor for you: The Rays, Astros, and Dodgers have reportedly shown some interest in displaced (by Paul Goldschmidt) Cardinals first baseman Jose Martinez. However, the Cardinals are apparently reluctant to move Martinez, in case Dexter Fowler fails to bounce back and/or if Goldschmidt doesn’t want to sign an extension beyond 2019. Martinez’s bat makes him an extremely attractive trade candidate, but his defensive limitations cut that in half. An American League team seems to make more sense to me, but we’ll see if the Cardinals don’t just hang on until things are more clear with Goldschmidt. This could all be posturing by the Cardinals, of course, who may not yet like the offers they’ve received.

A.J. Pollock’s market continues to linger on, and the White Sox and Phillies are likely his most obvious landing spots at the moment. With that said, Jeff Passan also throws in the Indians, Mets, Reds (who still don’t have a center fielder, even though they traded for two Dodger OFs), and other teams, as well. I know we push for the Cubs to get Bryce Harper a lot around here, but that’s not necessarily because we think they need “an outfielder.” In other words, I don’t think Pollock is the sort of outfielder the Cubs will want to target. They need a more obvious *offensive* upgrade instead, and with Jason Heyward and Albert Almora around, a corner outfielder with an elite bat would do just fine.

It’s easy to lose sight of this, but there are still a ton of quality free agents out there like catcher Yasmani Grandal, second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, and relievers Craig Kimbrel and Adam Ottavino. Jeff Passan has the latest on each of them, so be sure to check that post out. And I mention those names specifically, by the way, because they’ve all been connected to the Cubs, the NL Central, or a team like the Dodgers, each of which could end up impacting the Cubs’ chances or plans for 2019 and beyond. There is still SO MUCH offseason in front of us, I keep losing sight of it thanks to the robust trade and free agent markets.

Although adding a player like Troy Tulowitzki – who costs very little and is as likely to make no impact at all as he is to help even a little – should have no effect on the Yankees’ ability or desire to get Manny Machado, there are still implications. Joel Sherman lays them out:

I actually found point 4a particularly compelling: while adding Tulowitzki does not mean the Yankees can’t or shouldn’t get Machado, it could signal their concern that he will be signing elsewhere. I don’t think the union would be very justified in complaining about the Yankees saying they’re out on him publicly, but I also think keeping that quiet would be appreciated (perhaps by everyone besides the team that signs him). For what it’s worth, I still think Machado ends up in New York.

But even if that is the case, it doesn’t necessarily have to happen soon:

Obviously, now that the Phillies have signed David Robertson, all attention is turning to guys like Zach Britton and Adam Ottavino. And according to Jayson Stark, Britton has been holding out for a 4-year deal, which would be a no thanks from me (you can say it depends on the financials, but this is Britton and Boras – we know it ain’t gonna be a low AAV). The Yankees, however, have reportedly been in discussions with Britton, so he may wind up returning there.

As for the Cubs, well, we know they’re likely to add some lower-tier relief arms (in this market, that’s actually not a bad plan), but we always held out hope that one of those big left-handed relievers – Andrew Miller or Zach Britton – would wind up falling into their lap. With Miller in St. Louis and Britton possibly zeroing in on New York, though, that may be that.

Mark Sheldon has a little rumor roundup on the Reds, who aren’t done adding this winter. In addition to a center fielder, as we mentioned above, they’re still in play for another starting pitcher, be it through free agency (Dallas Keuchel, Wade Miley, Gio Gonzalez, Derek Holland) or trade (Sonny Gray). The Reds were previously connected to the Indians’ available starters, Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, but both sides have seemed to back off such a deal in recent weeks. I think it’ll be tough for the Reds to really compete this summer, but they’ve certainly made moves like they think they can. With Joey Votto still kicking it, maybe it’s possible.

The Pirates have added former Cardinals reliever Tyler Lyons and could still look to add a free-agent shortstop. I don’t think that interest (in a shortstop) will necessarily overlap with the Cubs – I can’t see them signing Jose Iglesias, Freddy Galvis, or Adeiny Hechavarria – but I suppose it’s possible. Again, with Descalso in the fold and the Russell decision still unclear, the Cubs plans are difficult to discern as far as shortstop goes, so it’s good to keep a tab on things.

And just a bit of confirmation that the Phillies do plan to meet with Bryce Harper, as came out yesterday:

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/01/03/lukewarm-stove-marlins-insane-price-on-realmuto-dozier-and-the-brewers-pollock-phillies-more/

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: WOLF PACK OFF-SEASON VOLUME 3

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Much is going on in the hockey world. You would think the hockey season is coming to a close with the playoffs in the conference finals, but the hockey world is not slowing down. The hockey hotbed of North America in May of 2019 is actually North Carolina. The red-hot Carolina Hurricanes knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champions Washington Capitals and followed by sweeping the New York Islanders, but have been derailed from their express to the Stanley Cup Finals by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference finals. The Bruins have won the first three games in the contemporary version of a Hartford Whaler - Bruins, Adams Division rivalry redux some 22 years later. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes AHL farm team, the Charlotte Checkers, who were the league's best team throughout the regular season, have been true to form in the playoffs. They took out the Boston affiliate, the Providence Bruins in four games, and then swept the red-hot Hershey Bears, who ironically enough are the Washington Capitals affiliates. Charlotte scored seven goals in Game 2. That was the first time Hershey has surrendered seven goals in a playoff game since 2012. They scored two late goals in the third period of Game 3 to take a 3-1 win. They won Game 4, 6-2, with Aleksi Saarela, a one time Rangers draft pick, scoring a hat trick. Ex-Pack defenseman, Bobby Sanguinetti picked up two assists. The seven wins in eight games came despite the Checkers losing their leading scorer, Andrew Poturlarksi, for two games to an undisclosed injury. They also had to deal with briefly losing their goalie, Alex Neidljkovic, who was recalled to the big club in Carolina. They lost top defenseman, Jake Bean, for the rest of the playoffs as a result of the Hurricanes Trevor Van Riemsdyk’s season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery on the Hurricanes. Bean got replaced by a sixth-round ‘Canes prospect, Jesper Sellegren, whose Swedish postseason was over. The Checkers will meet up with the Toronto Marlies, another scorching hot and unbeaten playoff team in the Eastern Conference Finals. Without disrespecting the other teams in the race for the Championship, the battle between Charlotte and Toronto is the real Calder Cup final. It will be played starting in Charlotte next Friday and they'll play in a 2-3-2 format. Should Carolina find a way back into the series with Boston, or Charlotte were to win it all, or both squads capture gold, there is one person to thank, former GM Ron Francis who was unceremoniously demoted and let relieved of his position by new Carolina owner, Tom Dundon, last year. Most of the players in Carolina and a vast majority of the Charlotte team became part of the organization under his watch. As if the franchise's success weren't enough with both the NHL and AHL teams in their respective conference finals, the Hurricanes ECHL team, the Florida Everblades, are playing the Newfoundland (St. John’s) Growlers in one of the ECHL semi-finals. In the other two series, each has a big Game 6 on Monday. The Chicago Wolves lead the Iowa Wild three games to two winning Game 5 on Friday 7-4 with a Curtis McKenzie scoring a hat trick. The balanced scoring saw three Wolves players register a goal and assist. The contributors were Stefan Matteau, Gabe Quinney and Daniel Carr. Iowa was led by Ryan Donato, the son of ex-Pack/Sound Tiger, Ted Donato, who tallied his first two AHL playoff goals. In Game 4, Iowa won as Gerald Mayhew scored his AHL playoff best 9th goal and was rewarded the next day with a new, two-year, two-way contract. It will pay him $700K-NHL/$100K-AHL in the first year, and $700K-NHL/$150K-AHL the second year. In the Pacific Division final, two of the AHL's higher scoring teams have been just that with the Gulls up three games to two on Bakersfield Condors. The Gulls newest addition paid off big dividends in the first two games. Maxime Comtois fresh off a seven-game QMJHL series with the Drummondville Voltigeurs scored the game-winner, his first AHL playoff goal in Game 1 ending the 5th longest playoff game in AHL history at 4:20 of the 4th overtime. He scored the game-winner in a 4-1 Game 2 victory the following day for San Diego. Bakersfield Joe Gambardella tallied five points (three goals and two assists) in a wild 7-6 OT win in which Bakersfield scored with 11 seconds left in regulation off the stick of the high scoring, Tyler Benson, who had his first playoff goal. It was also the first time the Condors scored a goal with an extra attacker all season! William Lagesson won it just 33 seconds into overtime for Bakersfield. The Condors won Game 5 in double-overtime 2-1 at 13:02 by Josh Currie. Big news from the top of the AHL mountain. Dave Andrews has informed the AHL Board of Governors that he will step down from his position after the 2019-20 season, his 26th season. Andrews has helped shepherd the AHL through some amazing growth and expansion from the 16-team league he inherited from the late Jake Butterfield. The timing of Andrews retirement It makes sense. It would come after the expected NHL work stoppage that will affect the AHL. The American League will see their respective rosters expand as they have during other labor intense times. They will be flooded with many top prospects and shine a very bright light on the AHL, especially if there is no NHL hockey for a potentially significant period of time. Andrews will be working with Seattle to plant the 32nd AHL flag in a North American city. He will have to help them resolve some team locations such as possible issues in Hartford and Bridgeport because of the unresolved XL Center issues and the expiration of the 20-year lease at the Webster Bank Arena which comes in two years with the building now run by OVG. When Seattle does make its choice it will likely initiate Vancouver switching from having their team in Utica move to out West as part of the final realignment of the AHL and North American minor pro hockey. It will also usher in a whole new era at the top and there will now be a significant search to find his replacement. This signals an end to one era for the AHL and the beginning of a new. It might even include a switch in league headquarters. Looking at the map since Andrews took over the AHL landscape, there is a greater concentration now in more Midwest and Western centered entities as money shifts to those parts of the US. The change in the center of the AHL axis is a potential byproduct in this tectonic plate change in the AHL hemisphere. With Ken Holland leaving the Detroit Red Wings for the Edmonton Oilers, it would seem that Ron Francis would be a perfect fit for the expansion franchise in Seattle with its current hockey advisor, also a former Whaler, Dave Tippett. With Holland’s departure, the newly named Detroit GM is Steve Yzerman, who was a playing legend in the Motor City. He brought in another former Whaler and Ranger great, Pat Verbeek with him from Tampa Bay. Verbeek will be the new assistant GM with the Red Wings, opening the door for Francis out West. In turn, the Lightning promoted former Wolf Pack, Jamie Pushor, to assistant GM/Director of Player Development. Pushor takes Verbeek’s spot and former Choate player and NHL’er, Mathieu Darche, was hired to be the Director of Hockey Operations after not being involved in the pro game at any level for eight years. The Flyers announced the new coaching staff for head coach, and former Ranger coach, Alain Vigneault. He will be assisted by Michel Therrien and Mike Yeo. The team returned former New Haven Nighthawk, Scott Gordon to be Head Coach for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for next season. To nobody’s surprise, well, except for maybe conspiracy theorists, the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed a ten-year renewal of their lease at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Their original twenty-year lease was set to expire at the end of June. Those conspiracy advocates who posted reports the team might move were, at best, ill-informed or at worst, just making stuff up.  There is no way the AHL would ever let Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins leave the AHL orbit. It works out too well for its Northeast Pennsylvania corridor with Hershey and Allentown (Lehigh Valley) and the parent Pittsburgh Penguins and their ECHL affiliate the Wheeling Nailers in West Virginia all a perfect equal distance from each other for recalls. Former UCONN Husky, Max Letunov, might hold the unofficial pro record for being traded while not on a team. He just completed his first full pro season with the San Jose Barracuda, but his KHL rights in Russia were traded from Salavat Yulaev to Traktor Chelyabinsk. He signed a two-year deal initially with San Jose and on July 1st becomes a restricted free agent. While with the UConn Huskies, Letunov saw the St. Louis Blues, who first drafted him, send him, then in his sophomore year, to the Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes then traded him to the San Jose Sharks at the 2016 NHL Draft just before his junior season. Salavat drafted him in the 1st round (26th overall) in the 2013 KHL Draft and have held his rights since. In addition, he was drafted by Swift Current (WHL) in the CHL Import Draft in 2015 but was drafted the year before by Youngstown (USHL) and he opted to play there to maintain his NCAA eligibility and go to UCONN after rescinding his commitment to the University of New Hampshire (Hockey East). Arizona State University, presently an NCAA Division I independent program, will become the first NCAA Division I school to play in China in July/August. Read the following story on this inaugural event HERE. WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS The Worlds are officially underway in Slovakia. A few familiar names dot the lineups and benches of the ten participating teams in the final major international hockey tournament of the 2018-19 season. The US squad has ex-Pack and current Rangers, Chris Kreider, and Brady Skeij as well as the team's newest signee, Adam Fox. Hartford GM, Rangers Assistant GM and Trumbull native, Chris Drury, is the team's GM. Ranger GM Jeff Gorton is on the Team USA Advisory panel. Canada has ex-CT Whale, Jonathan Marchessault, as well as, Sean Couturier, the son of ex-Nighthawk Sylvain Couturier, who is currently the GM of Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL). Also, there is a late addition in Pierre-Luc Dubois, the son of ex-Nighthawk Eric Dubois, and current Rangers assistant coach, Lindy Ruff. Russia has current Ranger/Wolf Pack goalie Alexander Georgiev and ex-Wolf Pack/Ranger Artem Anisimov. Sweden has current Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and William Nylander, the son of ex-Whaler/Ranger, Michael Nylander. Finland has Kaapo Kakko, who is expected to be the Rangers first pick, second overall behind the Devils, who will likely take, Jack Hughes (on the US squad) next month at the NHL Draft in Vancouver. The team also has AHL’er s from this season, Juho Lammikko (Springfield) and Niko Mikkola (San Antonio). The Czech Republic has ex-Pack and current Ranger, Filip Chytil, David Musil, nephew of ex-Whaler and Ranger Robert (Bobby) Holik, and the GM is former Ranger Petr Nedved. Ex-Pack defenseman, Petr Zamorsky, was among the last cuts for the Czech squad. Switzerland has ex-Pack, Andres Ambuhl, and Vincent Prapalan from this season’s Springfield Thunderbird (AHL) team. In a big surprise, ex-Pack, and Ranger, Raphael Diaz, was not on the final roster. One of Slovakia’s assistant coaches is ex-Whaler, Robert Petrovicky. Denmark has ex-Pack, Nicklas Jensen up front. Great Britain features goalie Jackson Whistle, the nephew of ex-Nighthawk, Rob Whistle. One of the best stories at the World Hockey Championships is France’s head coach and ex-NHL’er with St. Louis, Philippe Bozon, will be coaching his son, Tim Bozon, who played in Montreal and in the AHL for several before returning to play hockey in Switzerland. Tim Bozon’s only AHL penalty shot goal was scored in Hartford against his former junior teammate Mackenzie Skapski when he played for the St. John’s Ice Caps. MEMORIAL CUP The Memorial Cup Is set to begin on Friday in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the four teams are almost set to battle for the Canadian major junior hockey supremacy. The host team gets an automatic bye. In this case, that would be the Halifax Mooseheads, who lost to the QMHL President Cup Final to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in seven games. They have former New Haven Senator, Claude Savoie, on their scouting staff. The two teams will be the QMJHL representatives. The OHL representative will be the Guelph Storm who won the Robertson Cup in the OHL Final over the Ottawa 67’s in six games. Despite being down 2-0 in the series, they reeled off four straight wins and in Game 6 were down 2-0 after one period and ended up winning 8-3. Guelph features two assistant coaches with CT connections. Ex-Pack, Chad Wiseman, and ex-New Haven Senator, Jake Grimes. The WHL saw the Prince Albert Raiders and the Vancouver Giants go to a Game 7 on Monday night to win and become the WHL rep. The Raiders feature two former Springfield players as coaches in Marc Habscheid (Springfield Indians) and Jeff Truitt (head coach with the Springfield Falcons) and have former Whaler, Dalla Guame, as one of their senior scouts. Vancouver has another former Falcon in Assistant coach, Jamie Heward and Bowen Byram, the son of former Springfield Indians, Shawn Byram. The tourney can be seen on the NHL Network picking up the feed from TSN in Canada Game 1 on Friday is at 7 pm EST as Atlantic Canada is an hour ahead of the Eastern US and Quebec province will feature host Halifax playing with Prince Albert or Vancouver to kick off the tournament. PRO PLAYER MOVES No big surprise as we first reported now former Wolf Pack defenseman Julius Bergman’s move to Frolunda HC, the reigning Swedish Hockey League champions was announced officially on Wednesday as a two year deal with the Indians after five seasons in North America. Bergman played just eight games with the Wolf Pack he was traded first by Ottawa to Columbus in the Matt Duchesne deal on February 22nd, then three days later after being assigned to Cleveland, but never played there, He was sent to the Rangers in the Adam McQuaid deal and then assigned to Hartford. Joining him on the AHL Euro list as a member of HV 71 is Emil Johansson of Providence and so is John Ramage, the son of ex-NHL/WHA defenseman, Rob Ramage, goes from Binghamton to Eisbaren Berlin (Germany-DEL). That makes just 12 AHL players, a relatively low number at this point, that have left for Europe. Mathieu Sevigny, the son of former Wolf Pack Pierre Sevigny, after an injury-riddled last season of major junior with the Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL), has signed with HC Cholet (France Division-2) for next year. Chris Rumble, the son of ex-New Haven, Darren Rumble, switches German DEL team going from Fischtown to Iserlohn. Alexander Tarnstrom, the nephew of ex-Sound Tiger, Dick Tarnstrom, goes from Trangsund IF (Sweden Division-1) to Segeltorps IF (Sweden Division-1). Another ex-Sound Tiger changes their address. Johan Sundstrom goes back home to Frolunda HC (Sweden-SHL) leaving Kunlun (China-KHL). Five more college players have signed for play in Europe in the fall. Mathias Israelsson from Minnesota State-Mankato (WCHA) heads back home to start his pro career with Hanhala IF (Sweden Division-1). Then a pair of UMASS-Amherst (HE) players, Connor Wilson and Avni Berisha both sign with Mulhouse (France-FREL) for next season plus Madison Dunn Alabama–Huntsville (WCHA) and Mark Logan R.I.T. (AHA) both sign with Nantes (France Division-1). That makes 13 college players that have signed in Europe, a total of 199 college players to have signed pro deals in North America and Europe. FHL HOCKEY RETURNS TO DANBURY The FHL (Federal Hockey League) makes a third try in Danbury with the return of the Danbury Hat Tricks its the fourth time Single-A hockey will call the Danbury Ice Arena home. The previous incarnations were the Danbury Titans, Danbury Whalers and the ill-fated gang of goons called the Danbury Trashers (UHL) run by convicted mobster James Galante. In between, the Trashers and Titans, they had two semi-pro teams in the Danbury Mad Hatters (EPHL) and the New England Stars (NEHL). The team also announced its first GM/Head coach in Bill McCreary, III. McCreary comes to Danbury to take on his first professional Head Coach/General Manager role.  A native of Southampton, Ontario, McCreary is a nine-year (2006-2015) Minor League Hockey veteran as both a player and coach. McCreary’s playing resume includes time spent with the Trenton Titans (ECHL), Huntsville Havoc (SPHL), New Mexico Scorpions (CHL), and the New Jersey Outlaws (FHL).  He was part of championship teams in both Hunstville (2010) and New Jersey (2012) where he served the dual role as player-coach.  Collegiately, McCreary played for both Providence College (Hockey East) & Curry College (ECAC-NE). Most recently, Bill has served as the Hockey Director for the New Jersey Colonials youth program out of Mennen Arena.  In addition, Bill’s other coaching stops include the Watertown Wolves (FHL), East Coast Selects-Q, Portland Junior Pirates (USPHL), North Jersey Avalanche, Seacoast Spartans and the ISS Kings. He was a scout with Victoriaville (QMJHL) in 2017-18. On the youth level, Bill won National, State and International Championships. He played for Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep in Minnesota where he was linemates with current Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise. He played junior hockey for the Texas Tornado (NAHL) and amassed 45 goals and 71 assists in 98 games. For that season, he was named to the All-Rookie team and First Team All-Star. McCreary has a long family history of hockey players, coaches, and General Managers.  His Grandfather Bill McCreary Sr., Great Uncle Keith McCreary, Father Bill McCreary Jr. plus cousins Ron and Bob Attwell played in the National Hockey League (NHL).  He is also related to Bill McCreary, a Hall of Fame inductee as an on-ice official in the NHL and his son Mike McCreary who referees minor league hockey. As an added note, Bill has also been named Hockey & Coaching Director of the Western Colonials Youth Hockey program. (Parts of a team press release were used in this section) Read the full article

[junker-town]

Bracketology 2019: Taking stock of non-conference results

With league play ramping up, it’s a time to look back at which conferences did the November and December work necessary to rack up high bid totals and who might be left in the lurch come Selection Sunday.

On Selection Sunday 2018, the Nebraska Cornhuskers learned the hard way that a sterling conference record in a power league — a 13-5 Big Ten mark, in their case — might not necessarily lead to an NCAA Tournament bid. That was thanks to a league-wide pattern of poor non-conference scheduling that damaged the metrics of the conference’s mediocre, and sizable, middle class. And with the Cornhuskers’ going just 1-3 against the Big Ten’s four March qualifiers, thanks to a slate stocked with games against the league’s lesser lights, Tim Miles’ team found itself in the NIT.

As you’ll read below, the Big Ten looks like it collectively learned a valuable lesson, as the combination of an expanded league slate of 20 games and improved November and December scheduling has the conference in position to lead the country in NCAA bids this time around. But what about the other potential multi-bid leagues? Did their members record the non-conference victories that will boost the league as a whole throughout January and February — with rich dividends awaiting in March?

To review the fall performances of each of the seven most likely multi-bid conferences, I totaled each of their members’ records in non-league contests against power opponents (for this exercise, that’s the ACC, American, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC and Gonzaga on its own). I also noted the number of mid-major losses, not including the Zags in this case, each of these seven conferences recorded. For reference, I’ve included their five-year bid totals and how many league members rank in the NET’s top 30, 75 and 135 — as these groups will determine how many quality win opportunities exist for at-large hopefuls.

I’ve ranked the seven conferences in order of their winning percentage in power non-conference games with a reminder of some of the more noteworthy non-league wins and losses potential contenders picked up. At the end, I’ve included a quick look at the at-large prospects for the possible multi-bid mid-major leagues.

Buckle up. This is going to be a bumpy trip.

Big 12

Record vs. power teams: 29-17 (.630) Mid-major upsets suffered: 8 (0.8 per team)

Most helpful win

With Texas going just 3-2 against power opposition, a 92-89 victory over North Carolina in the Las Vegas Invitational semifinals will have staying power with the Selection Committee appreciating marquee wins, particularly away from home.

Most disappointing loss

Iowa State‘s Maui quarterfinal loss to Arizona ended the Cyclones’ hopes of leaving Lahaina with anything worthwhile on its profile, even if they were shorthanded at the time.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma’s win over Florida in the Battle 4 Atlantis quarterfinal got the Sooners’ road-heavy non-conference schedule off to a strong start.

Surprise profile

Not much was expected out of Oklahoma, especially after the Sooners barely snuck into the tournament with Trae Young a season ago. But Lon Kruger’s club went 12-1 against a non-conference slate that saw them play just four true home games. While a home win over Creighton is the best of those 12, victories over Florida, Notre Dame and Northwestern might still have value when all is said and done.

Disappointing profile

This dishonor goes to West Virginia, who recorded 8-4 non-league mark that featured three mid-major upsets and a 1-2 start — one that put Bob Huggins’ squad on the back foot early.

March prospects

Five-tournament (2014-2018) NCAA bid trend: 7-7-7-6-7 Current NET-ranked teams: 4 (top 30), 5 (31-75), 1 (76-135)

The consistent Big 12 might just pick up at least six bids once again. But getting to seven or eight will be tricky with Baylor, Kansas State and West Virginia all struggling to some extent and Oklahoma State below .500 in Mike Boynton’s second season.

Remember that the league, along with 10 of the SEC’s 14 teams, have one non-conference game remaining in their challenge series on January 26th. Two weeks out, event’s most important contests look to be Iowa State’s visit to surging Ole Miss and TCU‘s home game with Florida from an at-large perspective and a Kansas-Kentucky showdown at Rupp Arena that will affect the race for the top seed line.

Big Ten

Record vs. power teams: 34-27 (.557) Mid-major upsets suffered: 5 (0.36 per team)

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

An in-state rivalry win got Iowa’s season back on track.

Most helpful win

Sure, it was at home, but Iowa’s 98-84 romp over Iowa State was needed after an 0-2 Big Ten start and the Hawkeyes’ early 2K Empire Classic wins over Oregon and UConn losing their luster not long after the teams left New York.

Most disappointing loss

Minnesota managed to beat four power teams that have been some level of disappointing this season. But the Golden Gophers also lost at Boston College, which might end up costing them a seed line — if they’re lucky.

Surprise profile

Most thought Michigan would be good. But not many thought they’d be “11-0 in non-league games with wins over North Carolina and at Villanova” good. It’s no wonder the Wolverines are now contending for a top seed.

Disappointing profile

Both Maryland and Purdue really hurt themselves when it comes to seeding by going a combined 0-6 against power opponents in non-league play. The Boilermakers in particular might regret a one-point loss at Florida State and the 88-80 defeat Notre Dame handed them in the Crossroads Classic.

March prospects

Five-tournament NCAA bid trend: 6-7-7-7-4 Current NET-ranked teams: 7 (top 30), 5 (31-75), 2 (76-135)

What a difference a season makes! Thanks to the combination of more conference games and better non-league results, the Big Ten has a statistical base to leave 2018’s four-bid total in the dust. Note that the five teams that went 2-0 in the conference’s early set of league games — Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana and Wisconsin — are all seeded on lines one through five of Tuesday’s bracket. To me, the big question is how the league’s bottom four — Northwestern, Rutgers, Penn State and Illinois — impact the race.

ACC

Record vs. power teams: 32-28 (.533) Mid-major upsets suffered: 13 (0.87 per team)

Most helpful win

With four non-conference losses, Syracuse desperately needed its 72-62 road win at Ohio State. Let me put it this way. In 2017, the Orange won 18 games, including ones over Duke and Virginia at the Carrier Dome. But they couldn’t pick up a marquee win away from home — a result that pushed them into the NIT. One year later, they won 20, with late road victories over Louisville and Miami likely pushing them into the First Four. If Jim Boeheim’s squad gets to 19 or 20 wins again with a quality ACC road win to pair with the one over the Buckeyes, they might make it to Dayton again.

Most disappointing loss

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech’s one-point challenge loss at Penn State is slipping into “bad” territory.

14-1 Virginia Tech is one point away from perfection, as the Hokies fell to Penn State 63-62 in their only true road non-conference game. Unfortunately, it’s not like the Nittany Lions are setting the Big Ten on fire (again).

Surprise profile

Even with a 2-4 mark in non-league power games, this honor goes to Louisville, thanks to a home win over Michigan State and road victory against Seton Hall. Those might be handy should Chris Mack’s first Cardinal squad get to 9-9 in the ACC

Disappointing profiles

Since I’ve already discussed Syracuse, I’m turning my attention another 2018 Sweet Sixteen squad, Clemson. While the Tigers went 2-3 against power opponents, wins over Georgia and South Carolina probably won’t move the needle this year. Clemson’s consecutive losses to Creighton and Nebraska by a total of seven points might be particularly painful. Similarly, Notre Dame’s 3-2 power record features just one win over a potential NCAA team, Purdue, and consecutive losses to Oklahoma and a UCLA squad that’s already fired its coach — by a total of eight points.

March prospects

Five-tournament NCAA bid trend: 6-6-7-9-9 Current NET-ranked teams: 6 (top 30), 4 (31-75), 3 (76-135)

It feels like one-third of the ACC’s 15 teams are already planning for next year, even if Pittsburgh won’t go 0-18 for a second straight year. Wake Forest is bad. Boston College hasn’t made the anticipated leap to contention. Miami is shorthanded and it shows, while Georgia Tech looks to be a year away at least. That means how well Clemson, Louisville, Notre Dame and Syracuse perform will determine whether the conference’s bid total falls between six and 10.

Big East

Record vs. power teams: 24-23 (.511) Mid-major upsets suffered: 8 (0.8 per team)

Most helpful win

Villanova‘s 66-60 toppling of a dangerous Florida State team in the AdvoCare Invitational final might have saved the Wildcats’ season after consecutive home losses to Michigan and Furman (even if Jay Wright’s team dropped consecutive December’s road games to Penn and Kansas). Honorable mention goes to Providence‘s road victory over a similarly inconsistent Texas squad. That one could eventually be a bubble tiebreaker.

Most disappointing loss

Butler‘s 69-64 loss to Dayton in the Battle 4 Atlantis quarterfinals might sting all the way to Selection Sunday The Bulldogs could have used the early tests against Virginia and (likely) Oklahoma the win would have provided, rather than the contests they earned instead — the first against a Middle Tennessee team that’s defeated just one Division I team to this point and the subsequent matchup with a Florida squad Butler was already set to meet.

Surprise profile

While Seton Hall started slowly, following up blowout loss at Nebraska with a two-point home defeat to Saint Louis, the Pirates managed to get things together in time to win the Wooden Legacy, over what’s admittedly turned out to be a less-than-impressive field. And while that home loss to Louisville followed, Kevin Willard’s team more than made up for it by beating Kentucky at Madison Square Garden in one of the season’s best games to date and Maryland in College Park just before Big East play tipped off.

Disappointing profile

Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports

A Legends Classic title is currently the only good thing about St. John’s non-conference schedule.

St. John’s. Yes, the Red Storm entered Big East play 12-0 but there were so many empty calories on that slate, and the lack of real challengers is arguably already costing the Johnnies in conference play. If Chris Mullin’s squad fails to win at Duke on February 2nd, their lone non-conference over a potential at-large squad will have come against VCU on November 20th.

March prospects

Five-tournament NCAA bid trend: 4-6-5-7-6 Current NET-ranked teams: 3 (top 30), 3 (31-75), 4 (76-135)

The Big East is going to be hard pressed to equal the last two seasons’ bid totals and land multiple teams in the protected seed range, something that’s been a constant since the new version of the conference emerged in 2014. With Georgetown not quite ready for primetime, DePaul being, well, DePaul and Xavier struggling in Travis Steele’s first season, 30 percent of the league will struggle to make an at-large case. And thanks to some indifferent non-conference performances, Creighton, Butler and Providence will all need to impress during Big East play to have a chance to help the conference send a majority of its membership to March Madness.

SEC

Record vs. power teams: 30-33 (.476) Mid-major upsets suffered: 11 (0.79 per team)

Most helpful win

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee announced its intentions to the rest of the country in the middle of a football Sunday.

Easy. Tennessee‘s 76-73 triumph over Gonzaga in Phoenix on December 9th — a victory that catapulted Rick Barnes’ squad from Final Four threat to potential national champion — leads the way. It’s just a pity it happened in the middle of a busy NFL Sunday.

Most disappointing loss

It was difficult to pick one out of a fairly hefty list, but I settled on Auburn‘s 78-71 setback at N.C. State on December 19th. While the Tigers have three power non-conference wins, none of those came against a surefire at-large team. And with the Tigers one of four SEC teams left out of the Big 12 Challenge later this month, they’ll have to do all of their remaining work in league play.

Surprise profile

Much like the ACC and Big East, it’s a team that didn’t have the greatest November and December, but which managed to show up at the most important time. In the SEC’s case, that’s Kentucky, who picked up victories over North Carolina in Chicago and Louisville on the final two Saturdays of 2018 after struggling against a few mid-majors and losing to both Duke and Seton Hall. You won’t find better non-conference wins on a non-Tennessee SEC profile.

Disappointing profile

South Carolina, now 2-0 in the SEC, lost every game of note on its slate and added a trio of mid-major upsets against Stony Brook, Wofford and Wyoming for good measure. To have any hope of reaching the field of 68, the Gamecocks will have to build on their hot start to conference play.

March prospects

Five-tournament NCAA bid trend: 3-5-3-5-8 Current NET-ranked teams: 6 (top 30), 5 (31-75), 2 (76-135)

After 2018’s eight-bid haul, expectations for 2019 were sky high for a league that has struggled to compete with the other power conferences on the basketball front. But with the exception of Tennessee and Kentucky, the SEC struggled to live up to those hopes in a November and December that featured some ambitious scheduling. But all is not lost for the SEC. Sure, just six teams featured in the first bracket of 2019, but no fewer than four others were within striking distance of the field and there are another three that aren’t completely out of the picture either (sorry, Texas A&M). And even though the non-conference results were slightly disappointing, there’s still enough quality there to boost the league’s at-large profiles.

American Athletic

Record vs. power teams: 16-19 (.457) Mid-major upsets suffered: 23 (1.92 per team)

Most helpful win

With West Virginia failing to reach the Myrtle Beach Invitational final, UCF needed to take advantage of at least one of the two remaining power win opportunities on its schedule. And so the Knights did — defeating Alabama for the second season in a row — even they managed to lose to Missouri for the second straight time immediately afterward.

Most disappointing loss

With both Temple and VCU on the bubble, the Owls’ 57-51 loss to the Rams in the Legends Classic semifinals on November 19th might have repercussions on March 17th.

Surprise profile

Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Houston’s run at perfection ended on Wednesday night. Now the question is if their 13-0 start will help them on Selection Sunday.

Houston went a perfect 13-0 against a non-conference slate that wasn’t quite as good as anticipated, thanks to the struggles of BYU, Oklahoma State and Oregon. Still, victories over LSU and Saint Louis should have some meaning when March arrives, even if they likely won’t boost the formerly-undefeated Cougars’ seeding much.

Disappointing profile

While SMU managed to win at Georgetown, the Mustangs only managed an 8-4 non-conference mark. Sure, home losses to Lipscomb and TCU are forgivable, but another to Southern Mississippi and a Cancun Challenge semifinal setback to Bradley might damage both the Ponies’ March hopes and those of the conference’s overall.

March prospects

Five-tournament NCAA bid trend: 4-2-4-2-3 Current NET-ranked teams: 1 (top 30), 4 (31-75), 4 (76-135)

Arguments about the American’s status as a major conference aren’t limited to football. I’ve included them in this exercise because the league’s 12 members outperformed the Pac-12 in power non-conference games this season, despite having six fewer opportunities.

But that doesn’t mean the American is going to compete with the five leagues ranked above it in this season’s bid race. After non-conference play, only Houston looks like a surefire NCAA team, with Cincinnati, UCF and Temple looking like at-large threats (and in that order). And while South Florida and East Carolina are both showing signs of life after serving as doormats throughout the conference’s history, Tulane seems to be getting worse, while UConn is going through yet another transitional year, with typical postseason contender Wichita State joining them. Penny Hardaway’s Memphis club is a year or two away from contention, while Tulsa continues to remain an enigma. And that means the contending quartet will have to rely on their limited number of games against each other to build their profiles — and that’s a formula likely to result in just one or two American Athletic NCAA qualifiers, not three or four.

Pac-12

Record vs. power teams: 9-31 (.225) Mid-major upsets suffered: 27 (2.25 per team)

Most helpful wins

This is a tie between Arizona’s aforementioned win over Iowa State (71-66) in Maui and Oregon‘s 2K Empire Classic 80-65 consolation victory over Syracuse. But considering the Wildcats and Ducks managed to go a combined 3-7 in power non-conference games, they’ll both need to do plenty of work in conference play to make those results matter in March.

Most disappointing loss

Arizona only managed to score 49 points against Baylor at home in a nine-point loss on December 15th. In a November and December full of putrid performances, this ranks as a remarkably pathetic one for an at-large contender.

But really, I was spoiled for choice here, with Saturday, December 29th sticking out as particularly bad.

Operation #Pac1Bid has entered “runaway train” stage. pic.twitter.com/EChQeKzUc4

— Chris Dobbertean (@ChrisDobbertean) December 30, 2018

Making matters worse, the Pac-12 won just nine games of the 40 it played against power opposition. It’s hard to express how awful that is.

Surprise profile

Arizona State is the only team in the conference with two truly bankable wins on its résumé — over SEC contender Mississippi State in Vegas and a second straight over Kansas. And with quality wins mattering more than questionable losses to the Committee, Bobby Hurley’s squad could be well positioned to make the First Four for a second straight year, at a minimum.

Disappointing profile

While Washington was blown out at Auburn and fell to Virginia Tech by 12 in Atlantic City, it’s a pair of two-point losses away from home — against Minnesota in Vancouver and at Gonzaga — that have the Huskies sitting on the wrong side of the cut line in January.

March prospects

Five-tournament NCAA bid trend: 6-4-7-4-3 Current NET-ranked teams: 0 (top 30), 3 (31-75), 6 (76-135)

If you thought last season’s Pac-12 — the one that placed a trio of teams in the field of 68 with two of those losing in Dayton — was bad, the 2018-19 version makes that one look like 2018’s ACC. Every single team in the conference is a disappointment, from the woebegone Washington State and California teams responsible for 11 of the league’s 27 mid-major losses to a Utah outfit that’s mired in mediocrity to a UCLA squad that’s already fired its coach to a crop of contenders who managed to underperform mightily over the season’s opening weeks.

There’s a good chance the Pac-12 will again have six or seven teams that win 10 or more conference games. But like last season, those victories won’t mean all that much in the grand scheme of things because the conference as a whole wasn’t able to win enough in non-league play to provide a solid base for its scheduling metrics. No Pac-12 team currently ranks in the top 30 of the NET, which means all Group 1 win opportunities for the conference are going to be road games (and those will be limited with just three teams in the top 75). That’s the real consequence of sleepwalking through the season’s opening weeks.

Other Potential Multi-Bid Conferences

At this early stage, it appears that the following conference tournaments will cause some unease among bubble teams. But it’s going to take a lot for any of these leagues to earn more than two bids.

The Atlantic 10 sent three teams to the 2018 NCAA Tournament, but they needed Davidson to win the auto bid for that to happen. And while the conference has consistently qualified a trio of squads since placing six in the 2014 field, it will likely need VCU (non-conference wins over Temple and Texas away from home with questionable losses at Old Dominion and College of Charleston at home) and Saint Louis (which defeated Seton Hall, Butler and Oregon State to balance out losses to Pitt, Houston, Florida State and, most damagingly, Southern Illinois) to virtually run the table in league play and get a surprise auto bid winner to send three in 2019.

Had Buffalo followed up its road win at Syracuse with one at Marquette, the Bulls would be a virtual lock at this early stage. And if they run through the MAC as anticipated — note that they obliterated a good Toledo team by 30 on Tuesday — they aren’t going to need to worry about winning the conference tournament in Cleveland.

It’s a similar story for Nevada in the Mountain West, though the Wolf Pack must avoid repeating Saturday’s 27-point loss at New Mexico to be safe. While the Wolf Pack have a 4-0 record in power conference games, three of those victories came against Pac-12 opposition, with only the one over Arizona State coming against a potential at-large team.

While Gonzaga is well on its way to a 21st consecutive NCAA bid, early hopes for a multi-bid WCC have been tempered by indifferent performances, particularly out of BYU, Saint Mary’s and San Diego, along with the Pac-12’s struggles. While WCC squads won 15 of its 31 power conference games, 10 of those victories came against their regional power loop. Making matters worse, San Francisco lost a home game against Arizona State thanks to the California wildfires. A visit from and potential win over the Sun Devils would have done the Dons far more good than their victories over California and Stanford.

While Conference USA entered the season with hopes of its first multi-bid season since 2012, Western Kentucky and Marshall didn’t live up to the preseason hype and Old Dominion Monarchs ‘s questionable losses to Saint Joseph’s, Oregon State and Northern Iowa will likely outweigh victories over VCU and Syracuse.

My next full bracket update will come on Tuesday.