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felassan · 2 years

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BioWare Blog post - Community Update: May the 4th Be With You

BioWare Community Update

Friends! Welcome back to another BioWare Community Update!

The fourth day of May is a special holiday. It is one when we come together to celebrate all things Star Wars™. So please, allow us to say: Star Wars Day! May the 4th Be With You

While everyone celebrates differently, our May the 4th celebration brings with it a variety of special treats for players of Star Wars: The Old Republic™. First off, all players who log in between May 3rd and May 10th will earn a new minipet: the adorably boxy and extremely visible orange P1-XL Droid.

During that same time, the Cartel Market will be holding a 50%-off collection-unlock sale—and all players will earn double XP. All these promotions run from May 3 (starting at 1200 GMT) to May 10 (ending at 1200 GMT).

We’ve also heard whispers about special May the 4th observances from our friends elsewhere in EA. But you’ll have to ask them about that.

Meet The Team

This is a particularly special May the 4th for us, because Star Wars: The Old Republic recently celebrated its 10th anniversary! So, it’s a perfect time to get to know some of the people behind the game. For this edition of the Community Update, we sat down with Creative Director Charles Boyd, Project Director Keith Kanneg, Lead Cinematic Designer Ashley Ruhl, and Community Manager Jackie Ko to discuss all things Star Wars.

First off, what’s your earliest memory of Star Wars?

KEITH: Well, mine may be the earliest. I had my first date with my wife nearly 45 years ago—to see Star Wars: A New Hope! Over the years, we took our kids to all the Star Wars films, waiting in lines for days, just to be near the front of the crowd.

CHARLES: I honestly don’t have one specific memory. I grew up with the original trilogy on Betamax and all the toys from my older brother, so it feels like it’s always been a big part of my life.

ASHLEY: I was maybe 7 or 8 years old. I remember watching Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on VHS, and at the end there was a trailer for Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. I excitedly asked my mom “So when does the next one come out?!�� and was delighted to discover we already owned it.

JACKIE: I was probably around that age too—definitely younger than 10. My parents would take us to a video rental place and I remember pointing at a VHS tape of Return of the Jedi because I liked the cover art. I couldn’t quite grasp everything that was happening, but I just knew that I wanted to watch more and I wanted to be just like Princess Leia.

Why do you think Star Wars has become—and stayed—such a major cultural touchpoint? What makes it so special?

CHARLES: I think Star Wars is really excellent at presenting big, grand, and exciting ideas while also keeping them relatable. It’s as much a fairytale as a sci-fi story; family conflicts play out with blasters and space battles, and every location is populated by regular workaday folks right alongside the outlandish aliens and psychic space wizards.

KEITH: Right, Star Wars is about family, but it’s also about good versus evil, with deep and compelling stories. And, you know, lightsabers, stormtroopers, The Force…

ASHLEY: That’s what it is for me, that meshing of technology and fantasy. Star Wars has futuristic visions of spaceships and blasters that are detailed enough to feel real, but it also has a mystical power of The Force connecting all things in the galaxy. We can relate to the experiences while also believing in the magic.

JACKIE: For me, when you look at the original trilogy, it had a perfect combination of action, adventure, love, creativity, wonder—but it only gave a peek into what was clearly a much bigger universe. There are so many more stories that can be told within that galaxy, and each of those only adds to the magic.

What’s your favorite planet in Star Wars: The Old Republic?

KEITH: Oh, that’s not easy to answer! Tatooine comes to mind, but mostly due to A New Hope and a line in our game from Theron: “I don’t like Tatooine, but I do like saying Tatooine.” From a gameplay perspective, my favorite place for Daily Missions is Yavin 4, as there’s tons to do, fun missions, and a wide variety of mobs.

ASHLEY: I really like Voss. I enjoy the design of the Voss people, the landscape, and the experience of the Shrine of Healing. It’s a unique interpretation of The Force that goes beyond the Jedi–Sith conflict.

JACKIE: Alderaan! I cannot get over how beautiful this planet is. I’m from the desert, so I love any landscape that features snow—well, as long as it’s not at Hoth levels! Alderaan has the perfect balance of greenery and magical winter.

CHARLES: I don’t know if I could pick an all-time favorite, but my favorite recent addition is Mek-Sha, the lawless port built into a mined-out asteroid. I love the gritty outlaw vibe the artists brought to it. It feels like a ramshackle harbor that’s hanging over the void of space.

What is it about Star Wars: The Old Republic that has kept players coming back for more than 10 years?

JACKIE: Well, it’s like what I was saying about the original trilogy: Star Wars: The Old Republic adds to the universe several times over. There isn’t just a singular story. Players can get lost in all kinds of different stories—and then build their own stories and spaces with Strongholds and Guilds and the like.

CHARLES: It really is a unique experience. You play the hero (or villain!) of the story, decide what choices they’d make when it really counts, decide who they’ll romance or befriend or betray, and control their journey across the sprawling Star Wars galaxy.

ASHLEY: And all those different stories keep players coming back to try different roleplay opportunities. You can be a vicious Sith one day and a cavalier smuggler the next, and with a fully voiced story it feels like you’re creating your own cinematic saga. Plus, it’s fun to revisit all the iconic worlds from the movies. Riding a tauntaun mount on Hoth or a bantha on Tatooine is really satisfying.

KEITH: And I think the variety and customization helps make it special. You can be a Jedi, a Sith, a Mandalorian, and more. You can give each one a unique look. And even after 10 years, we have so much more planned. Our fans constantly push us for new content, new features, new ways to play, and I’m fully expecting we’ll continue to surprise them.

Keep an eye on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook throughout the month to meet more of the folks who make Star Wars: The Old Republic happen.

Community Spotlight

Given the special occasion, today we want to highlight some of the best community-created Star Wars: The Old Republic art on our feeds. Check out these amazing creators and give them some love. [link to full community spotlight]

And don’t forget to share your own creative works—art, cosplay, video, whatever—if you’d like to be featured in a future spotlight. Again, we’re on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and if you tag us or use a hashtag related to our games (like #SWTOR) we’ll be sure to see it.

Until Next Time

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Star Wars: The Old Republic yet, there’s no better time than right now. Over these past ten years, Star Wars: The Old Republic has been fortunate to be home to a vibrant community and has a ton for new players to explore. If you’re curious to learn more about the game, be sure to check out its website for more details.

Until next time, May the 4th—and The Force—Be With You!

The BioWare Team

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#bioware #video games #SW:TOR #long post #longpost

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narutsuart · 5 years

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Updated Three Houses Top 10 Females List:

Just in time for International Women’s Day! I’ve been working on revising my list as much as possible in light of revisiting Three Houses, playing Ashen Wolves, and rethinking my love for each female character I put on my last list. I will this time do the my list from Tenth place to First place. Just a heads up my # 1 one spot has not changed so don’t expect some crazy surprise there.

Disclaimer: please don’t flame me or comment about how “WRONG” I am it’s just my personal opinion or preference. BE NICE! and maybe reblog or comment your favorite list if you’d like?

#10: Shamir:

My opinion Shamir literally has not changed. She is just a cool character, I love how despite her debt to Rhea she isn’t kissing Rhea’s ass like Catherine or Ciril. Did I mention I really don’t like them lol? She’s badass and she has an excellent character design. Perfect blend of sexy and badass.

#9. Bernadetta:

Bernie dropped another spot going from 8th to 9th. I still have an abundance of love for Bernie, and I want to protect her at all cost. I still hold the opinion that while she’s an absolutely hilarious character, she can still get repetitive and stale pretty fast upon replays. That being said when I was thinking of characters that might potentially drop to below my top ten I couldn’t reasonably see myself dropping her out of my top 10, as Bernie is still a genuinely enjoyable character, and I do have a soft spot for her.

#8. Sothis:

Unfortunately Sothis dropped down a bit no fault of her own, simply because I enjoy the ladies above her more. That being said I really do enjoy Sothis. Even though our time is brief with her, I really do love the snarky little goddess. It’s funny, last time I made this list I had gotten her Christmas altand expressed my excitement, but I didn’t have her Mythic version(aka original version). I just recently I finally got lucky, and pulled her Mythic version!

#7 Dorothea:

AHHH THE PITCH FORKS!! I’M SO SORRY!! I know! I know! WTF?! I honestly any think of a perfectly justifiable reason as to why Dorothea has dropped so low on my list. She went from 4th place to 7th place for those that don’t remember. I honestly feel disgusting for putting her so low....I absolutely adore her character, her design is absolutely stunning, and I still enjoy most of her supports, but honestly I can’t justify putting her any higher than the women above her on this list. Like many who have dropped lower in placement it’s of no fault of her own. I just happened to realize I love the women above her more. I still believe deserves all the happiness, love and care that she desires!

#6. Hapi:

Hapi is such a fucking gem, I don’t know if it’s just the dub but Hapi’s dialogue is just so ahead of its time period and I love it so much lol. She has some of the funniest quotes and her habit for nicknaming everyone is hilarious. I’m aware that it’s not a trait unique to her, but I’m of the opinion that her nicknames far surpasses Dorothea’s nicknames. Now if we we’re talking strictly design Hapi would place 4th out of entire female cast for me, and that’s impressive feat since Three Houses has an abundance of amazing designs. In fact if I was strictly talking design a lot of the placements on this list would actually change. For example Hapi would actually rank above Constance for me in terms of design, but is trumped by Constance in terms of character. I might do a separate list for “best” designs in the near future.

#5. Rhea:

I KNOW ITS BLASPHEMY I STILL have both Edelgard and Rhea in my top 5?!! As those who saw my last list can see Rhea’s placement has not changed. I love Rhea so much is because she’s the perfect foil to Edelgard. Rhea is an excellenty written character with a lot of emotional depth. She acts as a perfect foil for Edelgard’s character they are so similar yet so different. It also makes sense that she and Edelgard’s ideals would come to clash. I’m of the opinion that if Edelgard and Rhea just talked about their views it still would still not end well. Rhea sage guarded her fabricated history of Fódlan for a thousand years and would not just tell the truth because Edelgard called her out. She would’ve branded Edelgard a heretic and have her executed. That type of tranquil furry is honestly unsettling and I LOVE it. Btw the only reason she tells the truth in CS and VW is because in CS she doesn’t think she has much time left, and in VW she doesn’t have much time left and chaos is marching on Fódlan’s door. Likewise Edelgard would sympathize with Rhea’s past if she told the truth, but would insist that Rhea step down from power or tell the truth to the world which would still lead to conflict. I personally agree with Edelgard vision for Fodlan more, and personally think Rhea is unstable, and worst SOLE leader for Fodlan, but neither are evil people and I can empathize with their motives and reasons for doing the morally grey things they do. Neither of them “do nothing wrong” like people claim and in fact do a LOT wrong. It’s those wrong things they do that makes them intriguing characters, and more relatable. They also both have the potential to do so many good things for Fódlan depending on the route.

#4. Constance:

GOOD LORD Costance is truly a one of a kind. I was pro Constance since her design was first revealed in the Cindered Shadows DLC trailer. That being said never did I envision loving her THIS much! Her motivations are easily understandable, and her fall from grace makes even more sad when you realize that haughty attitude that she almost always has on display is due to her compensating for her lack of status. Constance is one of the funniest characters in the game to me and she came out AFTER the game lol. She’s an incredibly intelligent prodigy when it comes to all things magic yet she has this naivety that people are able to exploit like Yuri with the “bootlicking nobles” phrase. She takes it so literal that she tries it out for her self, and tries to make a way for the boots to taste better making it easier to lick their boots......I CANT EVEN!!... honestly Constance could top this list if it weren’t for her split personality..... don’t get me wrong her split personality when in sunlight can be funny every now and then, but honestly it does more harm to her character then helps it in my opinion. Her change in personality when in sunlight is implied that to be because of the trauma of the fall of House Nuevelle, but we never get any real explanation for it or anything implying she can overcome it. Its not expanded upon, and never treated seriously. In fact it’s played for laughs and it’s something people just accept as Constance just being Constance. I honestly felt Constance C rank support with Ferdinand was done so well. She calls him out for his usually insensitive comments about status and makes him regret his words immediately. I had so much respect for her in that moment, come the b-rank support she acts all submissive and praises the ground he walks on....which ruined the c-rank support for me tbh. That being said, as you can see based off her placement this trait of hers doesn’t ruin the character for me, just keeps her from being higher.

#3. Petra:

On a much lighter note, Petra is my 3rd favorite! If you notice she has dropped down from my second favorite spot. This is due to no fault of her own I, just happened to realize that I loved my number 2 spot more. With that being said Petra has still gotten the victory! Like I mentioned in my first list, Petra is just a delight. I love how she’s so dedicated, and always willing to learn. Funnily enough my initial expectation for Petra’s character pre-release was vastly different then what her actual character ended up being. She’s one of those character’s who’s design got revealed MUCH earlier than any details about her personality and her design gave me the impression that she was the aloof, intimidating, and serious type that doesn’t have time for making friends or fun. I don’t know if anyone else got this impression, but obviously I was wrong! Petra truly does remind me a lot of Starfire from the original 2003 Teen Titans tv show and kinda re-awakens that childhood cartoon crush in me lol. Petra is just awesome there’s not a single support I don’t like of her.

#2. Marianne

Now if you saw my old list you probably noticed that Marianne moved up a bit. Naturally I still love her design(I’m a sucker for light blue hair I think lol), but upon revisiting Three Houses I realized that leaving Marianne at 3rd place somehow didn’t feel adequate. Funnily enough she was technically the first person I S-ranked in Three Houses due to locking myself out of the Crimson Flower Route on accident. Honestly she has become my favorite character to S-rank in Three Houses even more so than my number one spot! Anyway my love for Marianne is very different for most character’s as she is one I feel can really relate to on very personal and emotional level. I’m gonna get real for a minute. I honestly I had been in bad place in my life recently. I had been feeling like the world has been crashing down on me. I have plenty of things to be happy for yet I often felt depressed. I’d often had “friends” call me out, saying I have no reason to be depressed, or that I have been blessed with so many things, and while I agree I’m very blessed, they couldn’t understand how I felt, as all they could provide was the view of an outsider looking in. While the action of suicide was something I never considered, I’d had been contemplating the value of my life or if it was really worth living. First want to clarify that I’m in MUCH better headspace than I was then. I definitely feel like I’m getting better. I have my ups and downs, but I’m currently making better friendships, I’m actively getting the help I need! I’ve always sympathized with Marianne, but now I can say that I really empathize with Marianne. When we take things at face value she seemingly had everything going for her, being brought up into the nobility, trained for success, and even having an extremely rare crest. By all means to an outsider looking in she had every reason to be happy. Of course while all these things sound nice especially in the context of the story they are in actuality a source for her depression. In her C-rank support with Ferdinand we see his confusion as to why Marianne dislikes being a part of the nobility. This support is one of the few times she expresses real anger, and is when expresses she never got to have what she saw as a normal life, she never wanted to be a part of the nobility and the weight and the expectations of being nobility was crushing her, as she had to adhere to standards of those around her. She was also taught to fear her crest as curse, so the blessing many commoners would be estatic to receive was thing she deemed as a curse. Over the course of the story and through her supports, Marianne begins to learn how to be more accepting of herself and gain more self-confidence. Naturally her timeskip appearance reflects this. She looks well-rested, expressive, and she genuinely seems more happy. I will never forget In her A-support with Byleth, that over the course of 5 years she had abandoned her depression and suicidal thoughts thanks to the genuine and long lasting friendship‘s she’s made and that she managed to uncover the truth of her heritage, and overcome the fear and hatred of her Crest. Her character arc is a very powerful thing to me, and is also example of what makes the 5 year timeskip so great. In addition to her character arc Marianne is just so cute, don’t get me stated on how adorable her habit of talking to animals is! Marianne is a fucking fantastic character and I love her so much.

EDIT: So I wanted to clarify that if I’m being honest Marianne and #1 spot are technically both tied as #1 me, and are so for very different reasons. For the sake of creating a Top 10 and to avoid a cop out list I chose to put her at second. To me Marianne is “BEST GIRL”. She’s my favorite female character to marry, she’s most endearing to me, she has like my third favorite female character design in all of Fire Emblem, and I relate to her on an emotional level. That being said this next character is “BEST CHARACTER” I like more for her role in the story, how her character is written, and how she was designed. Despite this I do not marry her NEARLY as often as Marianne. While I ship her with F! Byleth(OTP!) she’s not someone I personally would persue romantically. In other words Marianne is more my type and I tend to be biased with her while this next character is female character that I feel is the BEST WRITTEN and the female character I respect the most out of the cast.

#1. Edelgard:

Upon revisiting Fire Emblem Three Houses story as well as playing the Cindered Shadows DLC, nothing has changed, in fact my love and resolve for Edelgard has only been strengthened. I made a huge in depth posts for Edelgard a while back explaining her past, motives, and reasons for what she does. The posts had spanned multiple reblogs of details and clarification and I went over the typing limit in every single one. I won’t divulge further into all that. Like I mentioned last time I created my top ten list, aside from her being IN MY OPINION one of the best written female protagonists in Fire Emblem history, I absolutely love her design, its probably one of my favorite designs in all of Fire Emblem. That being said, If I had to say while she’s definitely close, she doesn’t have my all time number one favorite design, that spot goes to Azura from Fire Emblem Fates. Edelgard will always be my favorite Three Houses female character no matter what and I’m so happy she was brought into existence!

Well that’s my revised list, I had a lot of fun writing this list and I hope it was enjoyable for you guys to read as well! I would really love it if you guys comment or reblog with your own list of favorite Three House females! Y’know what?! Comment or reblog with your list of favorite females in the entire Fire Emblem franchise if you’d like! I’m very interested in seeing your lists Happy International Women’s Day!

#fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #fire emblem three houses cindered shadows #international women's day #edelgard fire emblem #fire emblem marianne #petra fire emblem #fire emblem constance #fire emblem rhea #fire emblem hapi #fire emblem dorothea #fire emblem women

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lgbtqareads · 5 years

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15 Books I Want To Read That are Releasing in the Next 6 Monthes

Every six monthes, I am excited to see the new LGBTQA+ YA books of the next monthes and while thos December, I was a little weirded out to not find them on B&N Teen previews, I was happy to see that Dahlia Adler posted her lists and opinions at lgbtqreads.com. So, of course I went through and narrowed the list from 72 to 34 to 15, only choosing books that I felt I really wanted to read and not just fall for all the amazing synopses and covers, which let's be honest, are all truly masterpieces.

But enough introduction. Let's get into my to be bought (and read) list of the first six monthes of 2020:

We Used to Be Friends by Amy Spalding - JANUARY 7TH

Goodreads Synopsis: Told in dual timelines—half of the chapters moving forward in time and half moving backward—We Used to Be Friends explores the most traumatic breakup of all: that of childhood besties. At the start of their senior year in high school, James (a girl with a boy’s name) and Kat are inseparable, but by graduation, they’re no longer friends. James prepares to head off to college as she reflects on the dissolution of her friendship with Kat while, in alternating chapters, Kat thinks about being newly in love with her first girlfriend and having a future that feels wide open. Over the course of senior year, Kat wants nothing more than James to continue to be her steady rock, as James worries that everything she believes about love and her future is a lie when her high-school sweetheart parents announce they’re getting a divorce. Funny, honest, and full of heart, We Used to Be Friends tells of the pains of growing up and growing apart.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Relationship breakups may be heavily covered in YA, but friendship breakup stories are still few and far between. Enter the story of James and Kat, two girls who were once beyond close and now watch their friendship unravel as college nears. Things are complicated for both girls: James’s mother has left her and her father for another guy, and she doesn’t know how to talk about it, not even to Kat or her still-too-present ex, Logan. Kat’s discovering that her feelings for her new friend Quinn aren’t strictly “friendly,” and in fact, she’s realizing she’s bisexual and falling head over heels for a girl. It’s a bittersweet story to be sure, and while it definitely has its fun scenes, close moments, painful familial interactions, and tingly romance (what Spalding book doesn’t??), you’ll spend much of the book wishing you could push the characters together and say “Just talk already”…but isn’t that exactly how life goes?

My Opinion: As someone who has been through too many friendship breakups to count, this read is going to be devastating. But I put this book on my list for one reason: the synopsis made it feel so much like life that I couldn't help but feel that the story would pull me into James and Kat's universe and tear my heart into pieces. I absolutely cannot wait to have my heartbroken.

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The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper - FEBRUARY 4TH

Goodreads Synopsis: As a successful social media journalist with half a million followers, seventeen-year-old Cal is used to sharing his life online. But when his pilot father is selected for a highly publicized NASA mission to Mars, Cal and his family relocate from Brooklyn to Houston and are thrust into a media circus.

Amidst the chaos, Cal meets sensitive and mysterious Leon, another “Astrokid,” and finds himself falling head over heels—fast. As the frenzy around the mission grows, so does their connection. But when secrets about the program are uncovered, Cal must find a way to reveal the truth without hurting the people who have become most important to him.

Expertly capturing the thrill of first love and the self-doubt all teens feel, debut author Phil Stamper is a new talent to watch.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: This is a lovely and bighearted debut chock full of space nerdery, big dreams, new beginnings, and social media scandal. Cal’s life is completely uprooted when his dad shocks them all by being chosen for a space mission, something his family had never taken seriously as a lifelong dream. Worst of all, he’s forbidden from documenting life in the new compound, forcing him to leave his massive social media following behind. On the bright side, there’s Leon, son of another astronaut on the program and immediate thief of Cal’s heart. But when things go awry in the program and secrets are revealed, Cal will have to decide exactly what he’s willing to do to get the truth out there, and who he’s willing to lose.

My Opinion: Social Media? Media circus? Texas? NASA? First loves? And a choice that could implode Cal's life from the inside? The name Cal? Other than Texas, a state which I hate, all of this adds up to something good, hopefully so good that I can forget that Texas is involved at all. So, basically, it has to reach Red, White, and Royal Blue levels, which is the only book so far that has made me like Texas at all. But I trust that it will do well. Plus it was reviewed by 4 of authors on my queer bookshelf - Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera, Shaun David Hutchinson, and Caleb Roehrig. Bonus points for not being a graphic novel like I feared it was.

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Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales -MARCH 3RD

Goodreads Synopsis: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless, inspired by Grease.

When Ollie meets his dream guy, Will, over summer break, he thinks he’s found his Happily Ever After. But once summer’s ended, Will stops texting him back, and Ollie finds himself one prince short of a fairytale ending. To complicate the fairytale further, a family emergency sees Ollie uprooted and enrolled at a new school across the country—Will’s school—where Ollie finds that the sweet, affectionate and comfortably queer guy he knew from summer isn’t the same one attending Collinswood High. This Will is a class clown, closeted—and, to be honest, a bit of a jerk.

Ollie has no intention of pining after a guy who clearly isn’t ready for a relationship. But as Will starts ‘coincidentally’ popping up in every area of Ollie’s life, from music class to the lunch table, Ollie finds his resolve weakening. The last time he gave Will his heart, Will handed it back to him trampled and battered. Ollie would have to be an idiot to trust him with it again.

Right? Right.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Grease goes gay YA in this rom-com about two boys whose dreamy summer fling comes crashing into a harsh reality when our lead, Oliver, transfers to Will’s school thanks to a family crisis-driven move, only to find out Will isn’t Out and isn’t about to be. As Ollie finds his own ways to settle in, he can’t seem to shake Will’s presence. But whether there’s a future for them remains to be seen. This sophomore novel is warmly delightful and delightfully warm, with some tears on the side for the aforementioned family crisis, and some hard-earned queer solidarity is the icing on the cake.

My Opinion: The last musical-ly queer book I read was What If It's Us? so Ollie and Will have a lot to live up to, but it gets points for getting an Instagram shoutout from Becky Albertalli herself. From the synopses, it sounds like a case of strangers to lovers to strangers to maybe friends to maybe something more and hopefully a happy ending, but what I look forward to the most is rewriting Summer Nights as I read this book.

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Super Adjacent by Crystal Cestari - MARCH 17TH

Goodreads Synopsis: Claire has always wanted to work with superheroes, from collecting Warrior Nation cards as a kid to drafting "What to Say to a Hero" speeches in her diary. Now that she's landed a coveted internship with the Chicago branch of Warrior Nation, Claire is ready to prove she belongs, super or not. But complicating plans is the newest WarNat hero, Girl Power (aka Joy), who happens to be egotistical and self-important ... and pretty adorable.

Bridgette, meanwhile, wants out of WarNat. After years of dating the famous Vaporizer (aka Matt), she's sick of playing second, or third, or five-hundredth fiddle to all the people-in-peril in the city of Chicago. Of course, once Bridgette meets Claire-who's clearly in need of a mentor and wingman-giving up WarNat becomes slightly more complicated. It becomes a lot more complicated when Joy, Matt, and the rest of the heroes go missing, leaving only Claire and Bridgette to save the day.

In this fresh and funny take on the world of supers, author Crystal Cestari spotlights what it's like to be the seemingly non-super half of a dynamic duo with banter-filled romance and bold rescues perfect for readers seeking a great escape.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Claire is a superhero fangirl, a card-carrying member of Warrior Nation. And when she finds an unexpected way (with some unexpected help) into winning an internship with the Chicago WarNat branch, it should be everything she’s ever dreamed of. But that unexpected help is proving very difficult to work with; it’s in the form of Girl Power (aka Joy), the newest hero and a pain in Claire’s butt. A very, very cute pain in Claire’s butt. But distraction or no distraction, Claire’s determined to prove herself, especially when she and Bridgette, a WarNat, who’s tired of being “the girlfriend” to an even more famous hero, decides to mentor her and they end up having to be exactly the heroes Chicago needs.

My Opinion: Two words. Super. Heroes.

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Music From Another World by Robin Talley - MARCH 31ST

Goodreads Synopsis: It’s summer 1977 and closeted lesbian Tammy Larson can’t be herself anywhere. Not at her strict Christian high school, not at her conservative Orange County church and certainly not at home, where her ultrareligious aunt relentlessly organizes antigay political campaigns. Tammy’s only outlet is writing secret letters in her diary to gay civil rights activist Harvey Milk…until she’s matched with a real-life pen pal who changes everything.

Sharon Hawkins bonds with Tammy over punk music and carefully shared secrets, and soon their letters become the one place she can be honest. The rest of her life in San Francisco is full of lies. The kind she tells for others—like helping her gay brother hide the truth from their mom—and the kind she tells herself. But as antigay fervor in America reaches a frightening new pitch, Sharon and Tammy must rely on their long-distance friendship to discover their deeply personal truths, what they’ll stand for…and who they’ll rise against.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Talley is one of queer YA’s most prolific genre jumpers, but she seems to be making herself beautifully at home in historical with this follow-up to 2018’s Pulp, again set amid a context of vital queer American history. This time around, it’s 1977, and Tammy Larson would love more than anything to come out of the closet as a lesbian, but that’s a major no-go where she lives. Her only outlet is to write “letters” to the activist Harvey Milk, at least until she’s matched with a pen pal to whom she can write letters for real. Sharon makes for a much better companion than Tammy’s diary, and she can sympathize, given her brother is gay and feeling all the same misery in the wake of Anita Bryant’s leading to a successful repeal of their protections. Together they’ll find their own brand of activism and learn to fight back against a world of hate.

My Opinion: Ever since reading Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden, I have been craving more historical sapphic girls. With Pulp in my Kindle library and this in my future shopping cart + Casey McQuiston's time traveling book in 2021, I am bound to get a fix for that craving soon. Hopefully, it will also cure heartbreak.

Loveless by Alice Oseman - APRIL 2ND

Goodreads Synopsis: The fourth novel from the phenomenally talented Alice Oseman – one of the most authentic and talked-about voices in contemporary YA.

Georgia feels loveless – in the romantic sense, anyway. She’s eighteen, never been in a relationship, or even had a crush on a single person in her whole life. She thinks she's an anomaly, people call her weird, and she feels a little broken. But she still adores romance – weddings, fan fiction, and happily ever afters. She knows she’ll find her person one day … right?

After a disastrous summer, Georgia is now at university, hundreds of miles from home. She is more determined than ever to find love – and her annoying roommate, Rooney, is a bit of a love expert, so perhaps she can help.

But maybe Georgia just doesn’t feel that way about guys. Or girls. Or anyone at all. Maybe that's okay. Maybe she can find happiness without falling in love. And maybe Rooney is a little more loveless than she first appears.

LOVELESS is a journey of identity, self-acceptance, and finding out how many different types of love there really are. And that no one is really loveless after all.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Oseman’s crossed the pond before with Radio Silence, so this American’s fingers are crossed she’ll do it again with her newest, about a girl named Georgia who’s struggling with the fact that she’s eighteen and has never had so much as a crush. She’s sick of people thinking she’s broken or weird, and it isn’t like she isn’t into romance; she’s just not into it for herself. When she gets to university, she thinks maybe she can “fix” things with her roommate’s help. But what if it turns out there’s nothing to fix, and Georgia’s great and perfectly capable of happiness just as she is?

My Opinion: Alice Oseman has written a-spec characters before, but it's possible that this seemingly aromantic character will be the one that I'll read first. Not to say Radio Silence wasn't amazing, I just wouldn't know. But I can't wait to find out when I read it after I read this one. And then maybe her other books too.

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Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan - APRIL 21ST

Goodreads Synopsis: Jubilee has it all together. She’s an elite cellist, and when she’s not working in her stepmom’s indie comic shop, she’s prepping for the biggest audition of her life. Ridley is barely holding it together. His parents own the biggest comic-store chain in the country, and Ridley can’t stop disappointing them–that is, when they’re even paying attention. They meet one fateful night at a comic convention prom, and the two can’t help falling for each other. Too bad their parents are at each other’s throats every chance they get, making a relationship between them nearly impossible . . . unless they manage to keep it a secret. Then again, the feud between their families may be the least of their problems. As Ridley’s anxiety spirals, Jubilee tries to help but finds her focus torn between her fast-approaching audition and their intensifying relationship. What if love can’t conquer all? What if each of them needs more than the other can give?

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Dugan debuted with one of my absolute favorite queer YA rom-coms (seriously, if you haven’t yet read Hot Dog Girl, do yourself a favor), so I’m thrilled to see her returning with another one, this one an m/f pairing where both halves of the couple are bi (or, more accurately, one is bi and one is still figuring it out). [Jubilee] is an elite cellist with a major audition coming up and a side job working at her stepmom’s indie comic shop. Ridley works at his parents’ comic shop too, only theirs is a big chain, and no friend to the little guy. Which makes it a little difficult when the two meet at a comic-con prom and immediately hit it off, despite their family feud. I’ll take Romeo & Juliet with a much happier ending and heaps of bisexuality any day, wouldn’t you?

My Opinion: Romeo and Juliet retelling + comic convention prom + bisexuality + indie comic shops = a recipe for me to like a book.

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When You Get the Chance by Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson-MAY 5TH

Goodreads Synopsis: [Edited] Cousins Mark [from the East coast of Canada] and Talia [from the West coast of Canada] go on a road trip to Pride in Toronto as they search for love and adventure and uncover family secrets along the way.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: One of the things I’m often asked to recommend is books that feature mlm and wlw solidarity, and I especially love giving answers that show it not just in characters but in authorship. Here, two Canadian rock stars of queer YA come together with a story about cousins named Mark and Talia who are reunited from their respective Canadian coasts after a death in the family and decide to take a road trip together to Toronto so Talia can see her non-binary partner and Mark can get to Pride. The two don’t have much in common, and they’ll have to let Mark’s little sister tag along, but they both know some kind of magic awaits them in TO, and they can’t wait to get there.

My Opinion: There is too much to love about this book. Canada! WLW or WLNB/MLM solidarity! Canadian road trip! Road trips in general! Canadian Pride! PRIDE IN GENERAL! A nonbinary s/o! TORONTO, CANADA! And family secrets! Plus it gives off You Know Me Well vibes, and that's one of my favorites.

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The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune - MAY 5TH

Goodreads Synopsis:

Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra.

Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a superpower, right?

After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick’s best friend (and maybe the love of his life).

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Klune’s doing double duty this year (or maybe even more? Damn, it’s hard to keep up), following up an adult contemporary fantasy with his first entry into YA, about a boy named Nick who happens to be the Extraordinaries fandom’s most popular fanfic writer, and who aims to be even more extraordinary when he meets the hero he’s been crushing on. (But maybe he’s in love with his best friend, Seth? It’s complicated. It’s always complicated.)

My Opinion: What can I say? I'm a sucker for books about fanfic writers. And for best friends to lovers stories, so hopefully this is one, and not a fan-dates-hero story.

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The Summer of Impossibilities by Rachel Allen - MAY 12TH

Goodreads Synopsis: Skyler, Ellie, Scarlett and Amelia Grace are forced to spend the summer at the lake house where their moms became best friends.

One can’t wait. One would rather gnaw off her own arm than hang out with a bunch of strangers just so their moms can drink too much wine and sing Journey two o’clock in the morning. Two are sisters. Three are currently feuding with their mothers.

One almost sets her crush on fire with a flaming marshmallow. Two steal the boat for a midnight joyride that goes horribly, awkwardly wrong. All of them are hiding something.

One falls in love with a boy she thought she despised. Two fall in love with each other. None of them are the same at the end of the summer.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Allen’s been a personal favorite of mine since her subversive feminist debut, 17 First Kisses, and I’m thrilled to see her releasing her first queer YA, which basically looks like a gay Traveling Pants except not all the girls actually wanna be spending the summer together at the lake house where their moms became besties. Most of them can’t even stand their moms right now. All of them have secrets. And two of them…well, two of them are in love with each other, so one way or another it’s gonna be a hell of a summer.

My Opinion: Look, I'm going to be honest, I saw that it was co.pared to Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and I immediately added it to my list. Plus, strangers to friends to lovers? I love.

Date Me, Bryson Keller! by Kevin van Whye - MAY 19TH

Goodreads Synopsis: What If It's Us meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before in this upbeat and heartfelt boy-meets-boy romance that feels like a modern twist on a '90s rom-com!

Everyone knows about the dare: Each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new--the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. Few think Bryson can do it. He may be the king of Fairvale Academy, but he's never really dated before.

Until a boy asks him out, and everything changes.

Kai Sheridan didn't expect Bryson to say yes. So when Bryson agrees to secretly go out with him, Kai is thrown for a loop. But as the days go by, he discovers there's more to Bryson beneath the surface, and dating him begins to feel less like an act and more like the real thing. Kai knows how the story of a gay boy liking someone straight ends. With his heart on the line, he's awkwardly trying to navigate senior year at school, at home, and in the closet, all while grappling with the fact that this "relationship" will last only five days. After all, Bryson Keller is popular, good-looking, and straight . . . right?

Kevin van Whye delivers an uplifting and poignant coming-out love story that will have readers rooting for these two teens to share their hearts with the world--and with each other.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: If this book looks like the cutest, fluffiest, most make-you-melt kind of romance, it’s because it is…at least in the little romantic bubble that ensued when when Kai took advantage of a dare that requires Bryson Keller to agree to date the first person to ask him out every Monday morning for that week. But outside the bubble, the world is still wondering who Bryson Keller’s mystery girlfriend is, the one person not to shout from the rooftops that she’s got the guy. And Kai isn’t gonna be the one to tell them it isn’t a girl at all; his spontaneous request made Bryson the first and only person he’s ever come out to. But when both the answer and Kai himself are forcibly outed, he and the boy he’s come to fall for, the boy who’s only just realized he himself is gay, will have to band together and put their relationship through the ultimate test.

My Opinion: A lot of these books are comparing themselves to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and this one's even comparing itself to To All the Boys I've Loved Before, so it's basically setting me up for disappointment, but I will admit, I am judging this book by it's cover, and that smile is too cute to resist.

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I Kissed Alice by Anna Birch - MAY 26TH

Goodreads Synopsis: For fans of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and Fangirl, I Kissed Alice is a romantic comedy about enemies, lovers, and everything in between.

Rhodes and Iliana couldn't be more different, but that's not why they hate each other. Hyper-gifted artist Rhodes has always excelled at Alabama's Conservatory of the Arts despite a secret bout of creator's block, while transfer student Iliana tries to outshine everyone with her intense, competitive work ethic. Since only one of them can get the coveted Capstone scholarship, the competition between them is fierce.

They both escape the pressure on a fanfic site where they are unknowingly collaborating on a graphic novel. And despite being worst enemies in real life, their anonymous online identities I-Kissed-Alice and Curious-in-Cheshire are starting to like each other...a lot. When the truth comes out, will they destroy each other's future?

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Sign me the hell up for literally every enemies-to-lovers f/f rom-com, but especially this one, where the girls who hate each other at Alabama’s Conservatory for the Arts have no idea they’re falling for each other online as they collaborate on a graphic novel for a fanfic site under their online identities. That’s…everything I love in book? Yep, pretty much!

My Opinion: This one is on my list because Alice is basically my favorite sapphic girl name ever after my rewrite of the song, All the Girls Love Alice. Unfortunately, neither girl is named Alice, but it does seem to involve something about Alice in Wonderland. Maybe the graphic novel they're creating is a queer retelling of the classic story? Can't wait to find out.

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Six Angry Girls by Adrienne Kisner - JUNE 2ND

Goodreads Synopsis: A story of mock trial, feminism, and the inherent power found in a pair of knitting needles.

Raina Petree is crushing her senior year, until her boyfriend dumps her, the drama club (basically) dumps her, the college of her dreams slips away, and her arch-nemesis triumphs.

Things aren’t much better for Millie Goodwin. Her father treats her like a servant, and the all-boy Mock Trial team votes her out, even after she spent the last three years helping to build its success.

But then, an advice columnist unexpectedly helps Raina find new purpose in a pair of knitting needles and a politically active local yarn store. This leads to an unlikely meeting in the girls’ bathroom, where Raina inspires Millie to start a rival team. The two join together and recruit four other angry girls to not only take on Mock Trial, but to smash the patriarchy in the process.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Kisner is three for three in putting gloriously queer YA on shelves, and I am in love with the idea of this newest, which takes the famous “Twelve Angry Men” and situates it in Mock Trial with an ace lead. Raina’s killing it at life, until suddenly she isn’t. Millie’s in a similar spot, having just been ousted from the all-male Mock Trial team. When the two pair up to start a rival girls’ team, it isn’t just their opponents they’re gunning for—it’s the whole motherfluffin’ patriarchy.

My Opinion:

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The State of Us by Shaun David Hutchinson - JUNE 2ND

Goodreads Synopsis: The State of Us is the story of Dean and Dre—the 16-year-old sons of the Republican and Democratic candidates for President of the United States—who fall in love on the sidelines of their parents' presidential campaigns.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis: Tis the year for political YAs, for obvious reasons, and this contemporary romance also does double duty of being a touching demisexual coming out story that happens to take place across the aisle. (The political aisle, that is.) When Dean, the son the of the Republican candidate, and Dre, son of the Democratic candidate, find themselves locked in close quarters, they’re surprised to find that they quite enjoy the company of someone else who knows what it’s like to be in the junior spotlight. Soon, romance sparks, which is a bit of problem considering the whole “opponents” thing, not to mention Dean still trying to figure out how to deal with and discuss the fact that he’s demisexual. But someone out there seems determined to make their problem much, much bigger, and they’ll have to figure out who wants their relationship outed, how they can make it work, and how they can reconcile a future.

My Opinion: While unfortunately this love story has no Prince from England or Wales, this book is definitely in the same genre as Red, White, and Royal Blue, though of course Dean and Dre will be more YA than our favorite international political couple. No matter what, I can tell I'm going to love the angst in this one.

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The Falling in Love Montage by Clara Smyth - JUNE 9TH

Goodreads Synopsis:

Saoirse doesn’t believe in love at first sight or happy endings. If they were real, her mother would still be able to remember her name and not in a care home with early onset dementia. A condition that Saoirse may one day turn out to have inherited.So she’s not looking for a relationship. She doesn’t see the point in igniting any romantic sparks if she’s bound to burn out.

But after a chance encounter at a house party, Saoirse is about to break her own rules. For a girl with one blue freckle, an irresistible sense of mischief, and a passion for rom-coms.

Unbothered by Saoirse’s rulebook, Ruby proposes a loophole: They don’t need true love to have one summer of fun, complete with every cliché, rom-com montage-worthy date they can dream up—and a binding agreement to end their romance come fall. It would be the perfect plan, if they weren’t forgetting one thing about the Falling in Love Montage: when it’s over, the characters actually fall in love… for real.

Dahlia Adler's Synopsis:

Love books that make you laugh, swoon, and cry? Then you are going to fall head over heels for Smyth’s debut, an Ireland-set romantic contemporary about a girl named Saiorse who’s losing her mother to early-onset dementia and is determined never to get involved with anyone as a result…until she meets Ruby, and all bets are off. The girls agree to a no-strings-attached summer of just the good parts of romance, the movie montage where the couple does all sorts of fun things as they fall in love. But when the end of the summer comes, will they be able to let go?

My Opinion: The falling in love montage is my favorite part of love stories and I can't wait to read one set in Ireland! No strings attached? I don't think so Saiorse and Ruby. If they aren't together by the end of the book, I'll be tying the strings myself and writing fanfiction for days. I've only had one relationship that would qualify for a falling in love montage, most likely because I've only been in love once, and that's... ended, so I need something to fill my heart and this book just might be it.

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Check out @lgbtqreads for more recommendations and check out the link at the top of the post for the rest of the list!

#we used to be friends amy spalding #the gravity of us phil stamper #only mostly devastated sophie gonzales #super adjacent crystal cestari #music from another world robin talley #loveless alice oseman #verona comics jennifer dugan #when you get the chance tom ryan & robin stevenson #the extraordinaries tj klune #the summer of impossibilities rachel allen #date me bryson keller! kevin van whye #i kissed alice anna birch #six angry girls adrienne kisner #the state of us shaun david hutchinson #the falling in love montage ciara smyth #2020 reads #lgbtqareads book recs

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cadrach-ec-crannhyr · 6 years

Text

Regarding Dumai’s Wells (unpopular opinion)

Dumai’s Wells is the most popular scene in the series and I hate it. I hate it because Dumai’s Wells stands as the moment where Male Power violently, destructively reasserts itself as the dominant force within Randland, representing the destruction of a fantasy world where women do not need to fear men systemically. Even as a dude, I can’t get into cheering for that kind of shift. (Spoilers, of course)

Hey folks. LONG POST ALERT

Recently, I’ve been rereading LoC with my girlfriend—a book that we largely feel might be the best of the series (We often say “Book Six is Bae”). Robert Jordan really seems to hit his stride with OH SHIT MOMENTS like Nynaeve healing Logain, Siuan, and Leanne and the Salidar Aes Sedai delegation’s failed attempt at controlling Rand. A lot happens quickly, but it’s nicely balanced out with the extensively-detailed interiority of our favorite characters as they become more and more human. Every character grows or *doesn’t* grow in remarkably human ways and the relationships evolve naturally. Book 6 works as a sort of turning point too, setting up the storylines for the rest of the series. RJ did a really fantastic job with this book. Even though Moiraine isn’t in this one, it still stands out as a jewel of the series.

That said, *cue pitchforks and torches* as we’ve progressed through LoC, we’ve experienced a kind of dread, as we approach a pivot point. Throughout the first 5.75 books, Robert Jordan exquisitely crafted a world where the power relations between men and women were in a large part reversed from Real Life’s casual misogyny. That men and women are considered different, at least within the cultures of Randland, is fairly obvious. That men are (largely) considered less than women, again, within the cultures of Randland, is not an extravagant claim. Jordan has consistently set up women as matriarchs of Cultural, Political, and Military power. Women can Channel and men cannot. Aes Sedai are feared and resented, sure, but they’re respected as much if not more than they are feared--almost universally.

This reversal of real actual sexism carries with it certain connotations--namely the threat of sexual violence against women is, for the large part, non-existent in these books. Jordan’s female characters do not live their lives in fear of being raped when walking alone down troubled streets of Tanchico. They always have the ONE POWER to fall back on. The true threat to women characters like the wondergirls comes from other women (the Black sisters, Moghedien, the Seanchan).

This fantasy world where women don’t need to fear sexual assault has been a refuge for my girlfriend and I amidst increasing rancor from sexist assholes (Kavanaugh/Backlash against MeToo). But as this read-through is our 3rd/4th, we are aware that Dumai’s Wells looms and the balance of power is about to tip and change the world from one where women do not fear men and male violence, to one where they must fear male violence constantly. Dumai’s Wells stands as the moment where Male Power violently, destructively reasserts itself as the dominant force within Randland. In one fateful command, a literal storm of destruction obliterates a social structure that fears women. Before the battle, a military force of 5000-6000 despairs as to how they could possibly defeat 6 women. After the battle, formerly powerful women are cowering in fear and shock. Taim’s command echoes the new world order: “Kneel or you will be knelt.” Telling women to get on their knees in front of a man, and submit, carries a distinct sexual threat.

Dumai’s Wells occupies a unique place in the Wheel of Time fandom. The battle consistently comes up in discussions of favorite fan moments. At least, among the Tumblr community, the Reddit community, the Facebook Group, and on Twitter, Dumai’s Wells stands as the far and away favorite scene within the 14 book series. I am suggesting that Dumai’s Wells’ position as most loved fan moment owes its success to the fact that Dumai’s Wells signals the moment where the power balances switch. Rand is no longer being led. He is leading. Dumai’s Wells is popular because it depicts the moment where Male Power violently snaps back to reclaim its position and reassert the dominant cultural values of our society.

The reasons for the popularity of this moment are twofold. First, there’s the reiteration of real-world cultural norms and values. Just like how Shakespeare would play with social structures during his plays (with fairy shenanigans and lovers crossdressing), then reiterate and reinforce social norms at the last with a traditional wedding, Robert Jordan provides a sort of catharsis when Dumai’s Wells reinforces Real World power relations after troubling them for 6 whole books. All the readers with whom Jordan cultivated a growing frustration regarding Nynaeve, Egwene, Elayne, Moiraine, Siuan, and every other powerful female character, now get their grand moment to cheer for the formerly oppressed male’s justice. There’s relief and delight in Rand’s ascension, and all the more justified as Dumai’s Wells takes place within the context of Rand’s escape from torture. Readers are supposed to support Rand’s successful escape, cheer when he escapes the brutal box, and then not trouble themselves over the traumatized women hysterically rocking themselves back and forth on the ground. Readers who want to see Rand kick ass are rejuvenated.

Another reason why Dumai’s Wells excites readers and offers cathexis lies in Jordan’s positioning of Men as an oppressed class within Randland. The cause of the men in the books is a feminist cause. It is socially progressive (within the context of the text) to advocate for men’s rights. Some of our favorite characters are problematic allies for men’s rights (Moiraine, Birgitte, Mistress Anan). In this context, Dumai’s Wells offers a social victory and a step toward equality--balance, as Jordan would say. The situating of men as oppressed allows readers invested in equality between the sexes in the real world to feel a catharsis as men take a step forward toward that equality in Randland. Readers who want to see Rand treated like a person (and not locked in a cage) are rejuvenated.

While both types of readers (readers invested in real-world power dynamics and readers invested in equality) experience catharsis in the finale of book 6, for me, Dumai’s Wells represents the destruction of a fantasy world where women no longer need to fear men systemically. I can cheer at Rand escaping the box, but I find the victory hollow in the face of Male Power violently reasserting itself as the dominant force within Randland.

It’s also worth noting that the infamous slog starts directly after this moment, Books 7 - 10 lose their focus, their drive, and generally waffle about. While Jordan growing older has something to do with this phenomenon, maybe his work lost direction because his project of reversing gender power dynamics had lost its charge in one fateful scene.

#Wheel of Time #Dumai's Wells #Lord of Chaos #Textual Analysis

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orionsangel86 · 7 years

Note

1) Hey Saz, this is the person from Tink's long-ass 5-parter ask. This is going to be even longer. I'm on anon because of shyness above all things but I am willing to message you off anon if you want me to do so! I saw what you wrote about that ask and I agree.... to the most point. All the 'characteristics' of Destiel that differenciate it from other ships that you listed were actually applicable to some the ships I was talking about, especially Johnlock. -->

--> 2)The other ships, yes, you may be right, but for Johnlock I felt even more wronged intellectually when it crashed to the ground than I think I'll feel if the same thing happens to Destiel. I'm going to sound like a Johnlock shipping troll, but I'm not, I ran away from the mess of a fandom it became post-season 4. So bear with me. I really can't explain what my experience was at the time if you aren't familiar with tjlc and what the pre-season 4 sherlock fandom was like. -->

-->3)But let me assure you that it was extremely alike the spn/destiel fandom right now. I want to point out the similarities of the fandom and the ship but that would basically mean me explaining why Johnlock should have been canon, and I don't think you are here for that. So let me just point out a few things. By the end of the honest-to-god fanfic-y 3rd season, the GA were taking notice of it as well, to the point where, yes, the show is being called the worst queerbait ever even to this day.

--> 4)It frankly deserves it. And it was 2017.... we thought it was due fucking time. Guess it wasn't. When looking ay bibro blogs I can't help but be reminded of Johnlock antis. At least when that was a thing, you know, because you can't be an anti of something when it turns out you were right. We made fun of them, because how the fuck can you see jealousy at weddings, literally killing for the other the day they meet, -->

--> 5) having something secret to say that they can't bring themselves to say even after the other's death, being broken over the other's death TWO YEARS LATER AND ON THE DAY YOU FUCKING PROPOSE TO YOUR GF, prefering the other over your string of girlfriends, counting the texts a woman sent the other, COMING BACK TO LIFE AFTER LITERALLY FLATLINING BECAUSE THE OTHER IS IN DANGER, and, you know, constantly making both of them have shitty relationships and be unsatisfied romantically.... -->

.... and read it all as platonic? The show literally falls apart if you take away Johnlock... sounds familiar. You know, one of the writers for Sherlock is gay. So I believed in him, after all gay writers won't queerbait, how could they? (turns out they could.)......But I digress. I won't blame you if you just glossed over what I ranted above. Actually some of the reasons I'm still holding out hope for Destiel is 1) How atrocious the last season of Sherlock was, worst than Supernatral at its worst. 2) The sense that everything is coming full circle in this season(which we didn't get, btw, in even the last season of Sherlock). 3) Misha fucking Collins. And you know, although i heatedly ranted above in response to your response, I did it only because I wanted to justify what I spent near three years on. I didn't want to leave you thinking that a ship like this didn't exist before, because in my opinion, it did. So sorry. I was being spiteful.About the 'Greatest Love Stoty Ever Told', which was in fact the big fandom tagline for Johnlock as well....... I think I'll wait and see. If it is endgame, then I agree that it really is the greatest love story ever told. And I also agree that the show seems to be going that way

Hi Nonny,

So this is all in relation to this post and I think that the easiest way to answer this is to say to anyone still doubting, including nonny, to just read the various replies and reblogs on that post, because the answers are perfect.

Also nonny I know we have spoken in private already and you said that you were feeling better after reading the responses on that post as well so I won’t go into too much depth here, but I still wanted to post your asks in case there are still people out there feeling the way you do.

This is going to be my opinion on the matter, which, of course, is just that. There are many many people out there who were greatly upset by Sherlock and I feel for you all. Its not fair what happened and what that show put you through. Your feelings and your views on the matter are 100% valid and real and nothing that I say here is trying to contradict that. You saw a love story between those characters. That interpretation, like any interpretation of a text, is real and never let anyone say you were wrong. Johnlock still exists within the text of that show, just because it didn’t end with a kiss or a love confession doesn’t mean that it isn’t a valid reading.

I started watching Sherlock before I ever got into Supernatural. When it came out in 2010 I LOVED it. My film student lizard brain picked up on the Johnlock subtext pretty much straight away and aside from some very brief thoughts of “ooh that would be a different spin on it” I didn’t pay much more attention. I continued to watch Sherlock second season in 2012 and again I noticed the subtext, but at this point recognised that it was all done for humorous purposes. I never thought they would go there. I didn’t “ship” it because I didn’t even know what “shipping” was at the time let alone thought John and Sherlock were more than friends who happen to get mistaken for a couple. That was the gag. It was what made my very typically straight male young brother giggle like an idiot because apparently being mistaken for gay was funny. (It’s not. I hate those jokes. They don’t work outside a Carry On film and I don’t even like Carry On films).

When season 3 came out in Jan 2014 I side eyed the series because I had had enough of the gay jokes. I thought it was getting weird and could see that there was a beautiful bond between the characters that imo was being twisted for cheap laughs. I pondered on whether this Sherlock was in fact in the closet, Were they trying to tell us that he was secretly gay? I didn’t get it because it was never clear enough to me that this was the case and yet they continued to play around with the concept whilst the character of John is off with his fiance. My brother continued to find the whole thing hilarious. It was never taken seriously. My musings on Sherlocks sexuality were pushed aside because it seemed clear to me that the writers were not taking it seriously.

Then over the summer of 2014 I binge watched 9 seasons of SPN. I struggled with seasons 1 and 2, made it through 3, watched 4 and fell in love with an Angel of the Lord. It took me 10 episodes to figure out Cas was gay. It took me a further 2 seasons of umming and ahhing in my own head to conclude that yes, Dean was definitely Bisexual. It took until 6x20 to realise that this was legit something in the text and not my imagination. It took until season 8 for me to believe 100% that they were going there. (I wavered a bit on that belief in seasons 9 and 10 but season 11 pulled me back and I haven’t looked back since.)

In the early seasons, 4, 5 and 6, I recognised the patterns used between Dean and Cas were the same used in Sherlock. I re-watched Sherlock at some point in 2015 and remember thinking damn yeah they really were shoving the subtext in our faces a bit. But I still didn’t ship it, even though I was 100% shipping destiel at that point. I again pondered Sherlock’s sexuality, had a brief thought of “I’d like to see that take on the story” but again discarded any thought that it would actually be textual in a show that imo seemed adamant in keeping it all about the humour. If they weren’t going to take this characters sexuality seriously, then the story was never going to seriously be explored.

See if Destiel had always remained the way it was in seasons 4, 5 and 6, then I wouldn’t have any belief that it was going canon. I would probably still ship it (the sexual tension in season 4 was insane) but the idea that it would go canon would have always been a pipe dream. So many shows use the queer subtext as a source of humour. So many shows tease their characters as queer and use homoeroticism for titillation. It delights my idiot brother to no end. I hate it. I think it desperately needs to stop. I have never ever watched an episode of Sherlock and thought that it was doing anything other than just that. (I didn’t particularly like the 4th season though because nothing made any bloody sense and I think they kind of butchered the characterisations - I did say this would all be my opinion though so please don’t take offence).

You say that the show falls apart if you take away the romantic love story and make it platonic. I guess if I was to watch it again I could try to consider that reading, but my own experience watching seasons 1-3 is certainly not from a romantic view point and it all made sense to me. Season 4 didn’t make sense at all, and by the time that was on I was deep in destiel fandom and frequently writing meta, so I DID see the romantic reading in the text and yet still didn’t understand the story. (Again, I stress this is my opinion and is in no way trying to invalidate your own). However, with Destiel, the last three and a bit seasons narratively don’t work without it. I have tried to watch them and ignore every romantic moment, or hint at a romantic love between them, and in doing so, it confuses the fucking plot. I need to sit down and catalogue all the ways seasons 10 to 13 don’t work without destiel to evidence this but it would be a pretty epic job because there are ALOT.

I understand that you feel that Johnlock and Destiel are similar ships, but my opinion is that they drastically diverted course from each other when SPN went into its eighth season. Since then, there has been nothing quite like destiel in terms of build up and story structure - unless you start comparing it to the straight ships.

Where we are right now, destiel is deeply ingrained into the narrative of the show, and it is never used as a gag. It is never poked fun of in a way that reduces Dean and Cas’s relationship. Something that I believe Sherlock did right up until its last episode. I also 100% believe that the SPN creators and cast have a much greater respect and love for their fans than the Sherlock writers and cast ever did. (I’m not much of a fan of Bendydick Cucumberpatch and I have never been comfortable with Steve Moffat... dunno why the guy just gives me the creeps (then again so does Bob Singer)). They have been so positive towards Destiel recently that I am constantly stunned whenever new media or PR comes out. I am also of the belief that someone as wonderful as Misha Collins who is a champion for the LGBT community and cares deeply about making the world a better place would never ever involve himself in something that if it didn’t happen, would be considered the biggest queerbait in TV history. Breaking the hearts and severely angering millions of fans all over the world. Misha is a very smart man. He knows exactly how much this means to us and what it will do to us if it doesn’t happen. He doesn’t exactly look worried though. He doesn’t ever look like he is guilty over encouraging this ship? He looks like a fucker who knows whats up and can’t wait til we finally get to be in on the joke so he can tweet about it 24/7.

If destiel doesn’t happen, then Misha, of all people.... well... I’d have to rethink my entire opinion of him... the idea is so unfathomable for me, so impossible, it hurts my head to even consider. Did you ever feel this way about BC or Martin Freeman?

I just can’t believe that the people behind SPN would do that to us, but the people behind Sherlock? Well it didn’t exactly surprise me when it didn’t go canon. The BBC isn’t exactly known for being progressive. It’s known for playing it safe. If Sherlock was on Channel 4 I reckon they would have gone there. The Channel 4 execs probably would have encouraged it from the start. They would have considered it ‘edgy’.

I know that the CW isn’t exactly the most progressive network either, but its a young network, with a younger demo compared to the grumpy old pensioners who sit and watch BBC every night and complain that their tax payer money shouldn’t be going towards anything other than gardening shows and Eastenders. Soooo I think that has something to do with it too. The CW has a greater chance of pulling something like this off.

I’m so so sorry that Sherlock burned you. But don’t give up hope on destiel just yet, the factors are all currently in our favour. No two ships are alike, and in my opinion, Destiel is the motherfucking Symphony of the Seas compared to all others. It’s bigger, better, and hopefully, due for launch in Spring 2018.

#yeah i'm still on a cruise buzz #im sorry if i havent explained this well #but this is purely my opinion #destiel #johnlock #personal opinions #ask #anon #Anonymous

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ichocolatic · 7 years

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To Kill a Mockingbird

Hello people! Here’s a paper of my final exam in my 3rd semester for Introduction to Literature class. I’ll be posting my essays for a while here (it’s a data cleanup to prepare 4th semester hahaha). Enjoy reading it. I hope it helps you guys who are working on this book!

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (BOOK REPORT)

Introduction to Literature—Final Exam Book Report

To Kill Mockingbird by Harper Lee New York, Grand Central Publishing December 1982 (1st mass market edition) 376 pages

Summary

How to Kill a Mockingbird tells about the lives of two kids, named Jeane Louise “Scout” Finch and her brother, Jeremy “Jem” Finch. They are the children of the lawyer Atticus Finch. They also had a friend named Dill who always comes over to Scout’s hometown in Maycomb, Alabama every summer. Three of them often went to Mr. Arthur Radley’s place because they were curious of him and never saw “Boo” (Arthur) out of the house. People said that he is such a violent person who once stabbed his father’s leg with a pair of scissors. However, as times passed by, Jem and Scout often found delightful things such as gum or wooden miniatures of themselves in a Boo’s tree trunk.

As Jem and Scout matured, they experienced many things. Atticus became the lawyer of a negroe man named Tom Robinson, who was accused of raping the daughter of Bob Ewell—Mayella. While Atticus was helping Robinson out of his case, Jem and Scout faced tauntings and mockeries by their closest people because their “nigger-lover” father was standing up for a negroe. Jem, Scout and Dill witnessed the trial of Robinson and were very shocked to know that he was sentenced to jail although the verdict clearly states his innocence. A few days later, Robinson was shot dead for escaping from the jail. The children, who at first believed in the goodness of Maycomb folks, began to understand the racism and prejudice that actually happened around them. Bob Ewell was humiliated in the court and revenged his grudge by threating to kill several people, including hurting Jem and Scout after their halloween performance. Someone saved both of the kids, and it turned out that it was the mysterious Boo Radley—he did it by stabbing Ewell’s knife into the owner’s ribs. While Jem was lying unconcious in his bed, the sheriff declared that Ewell died of because he fell on his own knife (although the sheriff knew the actual truth). Atticus later told Scout why the little lie have to be told. Scout understood it perfectly because putting someone innocent like Robinson or Radley in trial means a sin, like shooting down a singing mockingbird.

Main Character (Scout)

The most prominent main character of this book is Atticus’ daughter, Scout. Since the book is written in her first-person narrative, it is quite easy to identify her personalities. First of all, she is a tomboy. It is clearly seen from the chapters that she often got in a fight with boys like her cousin Francis Finch or even her brother Jem. Even sometimes Jem complained about Scout not being too girly. Second, Scout is a brave girl. She was brave enough to barge into the Radley place, following after Atticus when the angry mob (Mr. Heck Tate and friends) was going to hurt her father and going into the court when the trial of Robinson was going on. Third, she was also a person who tried to see things from a different point of view. It is shown when she asked Calipurnia if Scout could visit her home to see Calipurnia’s other side of the world. Scout also tried to see Maycomb from Boo Radley’s point of view by standing on his doorstep in the end of the book.

Setting of Time and Place

The story took place around the 1930s in Maycomb County, Alabama in United States. There are no exact dates of the year, but the book mentioned the name of a famous baseball player Dixie Howell who played for the University of Alabama from 1932-1934. Racism was also very high in Alabama since the fictional Maycomb was located in the South, the place of the blacks’ slavery. The plot of the story is very clear about the white’s common hatred towards the blacks. Lynchings of the black people also often occured around that time. That was why Atticus went to Tom Robinson’s jail at night by car because he knew that the mob would try to hurt his client as Dill, Jem and Scout followed Atticus.

Theme and Message

For me, the major theme that is clearly seen in this book is about racism. This is my theme statement: the author believes that racism is a sin like shooting down an innocent mockingbird. One of its messages is that goodness still exists in people who believes in humanity, like Atticus and Scout.

Outstanding Element of the Work

In my opinion, the most outstanding element of the work is Scout and Jem’s language. At first, I did not expect that the narrator was only a girl around 8 years old because the words that she used were too heavy for her age. However, later I understood the reason why she and her brother could talk in such a way.

Born and raised as a lawyer’s children, Jem and Scout are familiar to law terms. Sometimes when Scout is narrating the story, she would use court terms or sometimes political ones to deliver a simple idea. This occured in several parts of the story. There was this one time when Scout held herself back from fighting with Cecil Jacobs and she said this: “I wouldn’t fight publicly for Atticus, but the family was private ground.” The same thing also happened when she felt Calipurnia’s involvement in her life rather disturbing. Here is Scout’s description of her: “She (Calipurnia) had been with us ever since Jem was born, and I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember.” I am also amazed how Jem was able to follow the trial of Tom Robinson when I had to re-read and re-connect the clues that leads to the falldown of Bob Ewell. It is shown when Jem whispered “we��ve got him,” as Atticus exposed Bob Ewell’s clearest evidence of hitting Mayella, which is his left-handedness.

* * *

#to kill a mockingbird #book report #literature #final exam #harper lee #english literature #american literature #atticus finch #scout finch #gregory peck

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mexicaneurolover · 6 years

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Eurovision 1964 my top 16

Hello and welcome to another episode of my Eurovision tops, and we go back all the way until 1964, where the contest was held on March 21st 1964 in Copenhagen, Denmark after their win in 1963. 16 countries took part and although Sweden withdrew, Portugal made its debut. Once again the voting system was changed, they could only give 5, 3 or 1 point. The winner this year was Italy with Gigliola Cinquetti and the song Non ho l’età, in one of the most one sided victories ever. Also there is no video recording of this contest and we only have audio recordings, except for some opening sequences or some clips of the Italian song. And now let’s review the songs!!.

1st Place: ITALY/Gigliola Cinquetti-Non ho l’età (Real Placing: 1st-49 points)

And this hands down it’s my absolute winner this year, she’s wonderful, the song is amazing and the lyrics are nice. Best Italian winner ever and OMG I’M IN LOVE WITH HER, and that reaction of the audience at the end is amazing. Really a very well deserved winner and one of my faves ever.

2nd Place: SPAIN/Los TNT-Caracola (Real Placing: 12th-1 point)

PORQUEEEEE TE FUISTEIS AL MAAAAAAAR. Awww this one is amazing, the music is great, and she sings this with passion and feeling. The lyrics are very sad and it’s one of my fave sing-along songs in the shower when it comes in my Spotify playlist.

3rd Place: LUXEMBOURG/Hughes Aufray-Dès que le printemps revient (Real Placing: =4th-14 points)

This particular one reminds me of Mexican mariachi music, and that makes me feel good about this one. His voice is raspy but I love it and the music is simply cute and relaxing at some point.

4th Place: PORTUGAL/António Calvário-Oração (Real Placing: =13th-0 points/last)

Can somebody explain how this song got 0 points? The song is dark, but it’s so good, his voice is superb and the lyrics are quite desperate (from what I can understand about Portuguese), surely a good debut for Portugal but maybe their luck was bad, and would remain like this until certain Portuguese man won the contest recently for them...

5th Place: THE NETHERLANDS/Anneke Grönloh-Jij bent mijn leven (Real Placing: =10th-2 points)

Why this finished so low? I LOVE IT, the music is catchy, she sings it so well and this song may have been a prophecy about what was going to arrive on the ESC the next years... anyway, nice song and a very robbed entry.

6th Place: FINLAND/Lasse Mårtenson-Laiskotellen (Real Placing: 7th-9 points)

Every time I hear this I like it more and more, has such a good vibe to it and makes me listen to it again and again, it’s one of my favorite songs of the 60′s.

7th Place: UNITED KINGDOM/Matt Monro-I love the little things (Real Placing: 2nd-17 points)

I really enjoy this song, but I don’t think this would’ve been the runner up that year. Surely it has nice music and an artist that can sing, but the song itself isn’t that good, but somehow I like it.

8th Place: AUSTRIA/Udo Jürgens-Warum nur, warum? (Real Placing: 6th-11 points)

This is IMO one of the best songs of Udo, moody, beautiful, with nice music and feeling, the orchestra makes this song better and a nice entry from Austria. Love it.

9th Place: NORWAY/Arne Bendiksen-Spiral (Real Placing: 8th-6 points)

This song has a nice swing to it, the music is good and he sings it so well, with passion and joy. Surely one of Norway’s best early efforts. The song is catchy, well performed and the atmosphere is happy (I think).

10th Place: FRANCE/Rachel-Le chant de Mallory (Real Placing: =4th-14 points)

A nice song with a nice singer, the strongest part is the last one and I like her voice throughout the song. Cute song from France.

11th Place: BELGIUM/Robert Cogoi-Près de ma rivière (Real Placing: =10th-2 points)

This one is good as well, this makes me feel calm and I enjoy a lot his voice and the music, a nice little song as well.

12th Place: DENMARK/Bjørn Tidmand-Sangen om dig (Real Placing: 9th-4 points)

Oh this one is an absolute delight to hear, the music is amazing and his voice is magical, but I have 11 songs I like more. The accordion is a nice addition for this song.

13th Place: GERMANY/Nora Nova-Man gëwohnt sich so schnell an das Schöne (Real Placing: =13th-0 points/last)

With this song I have a love-hate relationship, sometimes I like it, sometimes not. Maybe the chorus it’s what kills the song for me, because the verses are my favorite part. Also behold the song with the longest title ever in the ESC history.

14th Place: MONACO/Romuald-Où sont-elles passées (Real Placing: 3rd-15 points)

A lovely song but IMO it’s not that strong to finish that high, I love his voice and his performance and that’s all.

15th Place: SWITZERLAND/Anita Traversi-I miei pensieri (Real Placing: =13th-0 points/last)

Another good song with a good singer, but it’s kinda boring as well and uninteresting at some point. Her voice in the chorus is sweet and charming.

16th Place: YUGOSLAVIA/Sabahudin Kurt-Zivot je sklopio krug (Real Placing: =13th-0 points/last)

As it happened with the Yugoslavian song last year, I can’t remember this song at all, even though the music is lovely, it’s kinda forgettable.

#eurovision #luis' eurovision tops #eurovision 1964

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indiebluecrown · 8 years

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My Stories (Current Status)

I’ve been thinking about this for a few weeks, but I think it’s high time I post an updated list of all my stories. It’s been at least half a year since the last time I did this. I think I listed the number of reviews on it as well, but I won’t do that this time.

*Oh, this doesn’t include a bunch of drabbles that I post here on tumblr (ones that I need to make stories for, or to add to my drabbles series).*

I put everything underneath the keep reading cut, because this is going to be a ridiculously long post.

(All of these are the ones I have up on FFN, I have some of the same ones on Ao3, but I haven’t moved all my stuff over there…)

A Dalliance In Time

This story is truly just full of love on all fronts, and I am proud of the strong lady characters I’ve written that don’t take no shit. It is also dedicated to @sableunstable and @laisvega (the former ruined me with her own Remione fic, Stages) I blame them, and also @shayalonnie for why I ship Remione. The reviewers on this story are fucking awesome and I love all of them to bunches.

Summary: “There’s a familiar metallic smell in the air, it’s tangy and the very memory of it makes a ball of dread curl up tightly in her gut. It feels like she’s not quite in her body, the soles of her feet itch, her head feels light and woolly, as if it’s been stuffed full of cotton.” - Remione time travel. Non-canon.

Word Count: 69,938 words

Pairing: Remione (Remus Lupin/Hermione Granger)

Number of Chapters: 31

Rating: M

Status: WiP

Published: July, 31st, 2016

Last Updated: December 30th, 2016

Christmas Drabbles and Shorts

I am really bad, this is basically an ongoing thing, and one day I will finish all the prompts and Christmassy drabbles I have planned as gifts for people.

Summary: A compilation of Christmas Drabbles. This is my Christmas gift to my lovely readers. (Not all Christmas based since these are their requests). Pairings include: HarryxLuna, HermionexDraco, HermionexSirius, HermionexTheo, GinnyxSirius, GinnyxTheo, DeanxSeamus, SiriusxRemus. Merry Christmas! :D

Word Count: 14,264 words

Number of Chapters: 11

Rating: M

Status: Ongoing

Published: December 1st, 2015

Last Updated: December 22nd, 2016

Drabbles and Shorts

Summary: This is a compilation of Drabbles and Oneshots. Mainly Dramione, occasionally other ships. Requests are welcome. I hope you enjoy my weird collection of scenarios that are sure to follow.

Word Count: 18,936 words

Number of Chapters: 15

Rating: M

Status: Ongoing

Published: July 9th, 2015

Last Updated: July 28th, 2015

Fall Through Time

I have had my ups and downs with FTT, but it shall always have my heart. Always. How could it not?

Oh, I was nominated for an award, and there’s a few more days left for everyone to vote. So if you haven’t voted already and you read FTT, I would be really happy if you voted for me!! You of course don’t have to. If you want to however, then you can vote (here)

I made some aesthetics for this the other day, and I am very happy with it, you can find it (here) so you can see my facecasts for all of the Marauders, with the exception of Draco and Hermione. I haven’t quite gotten them down yet.

If anyone has any ideas then I would love to hear them!!

(Am I allowed to freak out that FTT is like 30 followers away from 1k??!?! LIKE HOW. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN.)

Summary: “In the last twenty four hours, Draco Malfoy’s life was flipped upside down. Not only was everything he’d ever known gone, but now the only person he had to rely on, hated him with every fibre in her being. Draco Malfoy was stuck in the past with none other than Hermione Jean Granger.” Dramione. Non-canon. (Remione included).

Main Pairing: Dramione (Draco/Hermione)

Major Pairings: Remione (Hermione/Remus) & Draco/Marlene McKinnon

Word Count: 199,165 words

Number of Chapters: 51 (technically 50, since I don’t count chapter 9 on FFN as a chapter)

Rating: M

Status: WiP

Published: July 14th, 2015

Last Updated (heh…this may change in the next few hours): January 20th, 2017

I Hate You I Love You

@ash-castle also wrote a delightful fic based on this song, though hers was a Hansy (right wife? I am right, right?) and @laisvega wrote an angsty Harmony as well that will DESTROY you. Destroy.

This was meant to be a oneshot, and then it grew into its own thing. I once considered an Epilogue, but I thought it ended suitably, and I like that I left it fairly open ended.

Summary: “Sighing, she brought the fag to her lips, taking a deep breath, feeling it fill her lungs, before she lowered the fag. Moments later she lazily breathed out, the smoke drifting out of her mouth. The main thing she wished she could have was her best friend, but in his eyes she was nothing more than just that, his know-it-all best friend.” - Harmony, short series.

Word Count: 14,058 words

Pairing: Harmony (Harry Potter/Hermione Granger)

Number of Chapters: 8

Rating: M

Status: Complete

Published: June 27th, 2016

Completed: September 11th, 2016

I Never Said I Was Sorry

For @colubrina

This was never meant to be, but yet it is. I absolutely love writing this, thought the inspiration for it comes and goes. Not to mention my other WiPs hog up all of my attention pretty much.

Summary: He shows up on her doorstep, soaked to the skin and barely coherent, convinced he has to apologize for a wrong he’s done her, one that has shattered her life. The only problem is, it never happened. Hermione Granger and Theodore Nott try to untangle threads of time travel and alternate universes. If they fix the knots he’s caused, she’ll die. If they don’t, he will.

Word Count: 5,193 words

Pairing: Theomione (Theodore Nott/Hermione Granger)

Number of Chapters: 4

Rating: M

Status: WiP

Published: October 15th, 2016

Last Updated: January 3rd, 2017

It Was Her Ginger Hair

I’ve made two aesthetics for this, but the most recent one can be found (here) and the older one can be found (here)

This will always be my rare pair baby, always. Ginny/Theo has slowly but surely secured its way into my heart as my second main OTP, with Dramione at the forefront. With Remione and Sirimione right up there as well. I think we all know I’m shipping trash.

Whilst I was writing this, @ff-sunset-oasis somehow made me love Blaise more than I already do. @prattster666 was a constant support and light. @m1sc1efmanaged was just an overall amazing friend and is currently alphaing it for me as I comb through the completed story with a fine tooth comb.

Summary: Theodore Nott found his eyes being drawn to the ginger hair swishing down her back as she moved to the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Last night she bumped into him at the Slytherin house party because Blaise had knocked into her; the first thing she said to him was, “you’re the Nott guy that my roommate wants to shag right?” Non-canon, DH AU. Ginny/Theo, Slight Dramione.

Word Count: 169,079 words

Main Pairing: Ginny Weasley/Theodore Nott

Major/Side Pairings: Harry/Luna, Blaise/Daphne, Draco/Hermione, Charlie Weasley/OC

Number of Chapters: 43

Rating: M

Status: Complete

Published: July 6th, 2015

Completed: November 28th, 2016

Let The Stars Fall As They May

Just know that I am Helga/Salazar and Rowena/Gryffindor trash. Okay? OKAY. This is began as a errant thought that passed through my mind, and now here we are.

Summary: A collection of Founders drabbles, shorts, oneshots and random scenarios. Mainly Salazar/Helga and Rowena/Godric, because I ship them something intense. Some of them shall be happy and full of light, but some of them will be fraught with sadness and sorrow. Non-canon (not that there’s a lot of that as it pertains to the Founders).

Word Count: 2,627 words

Number of Chapters: 4

Rating: M

Status: Ongoing

Published: January 4th, 2017

Meant To Be

I constantly feel bad about how long its been since I updated this, my eyes are always drawn to its folder whenever I go to write. The muse just doesn’t want to bite. She’s currently more all bite and no bark, and MtB is mainly pure fluff. Something the tigress is not interested in.

I do however have special feelings for this fic. Some of the reviews I’ve gotten on it have really moved me, and I am thankful that everyone who reads it has been patiently waiting for an update.

Summary: Hermione obviously a bit confused as to why the three of them were gathered here was getting a bit impatient, she didn’t like not knowing things. “Luna, why are we here?” Triad fic about Hermione Granger, Luna lovegood and Daphne Greengrass. F/F themes, and M/M themes. Mainly light and fluffy, probably won’t always be that way. Non-canon, sporadic updates, maybe a little fun.

Word Count: 16,648 words

Number of Chapters: 7

Rating: M

Status: WiP

Published: January 31st, 2016

Last Updated: July 22nd, 2016

Neighbours

This is one of the first things I posted on FFN, and I am somehow still proud of it. It’s also nice to see how much I’ve grown since this oneshot.

Summary: “Hermione Granger had always been a stickler for rules, and having a certain amount of order in her life, so the day he moved in she decided to make a specific set of rules just for him.” Draco Malfoy becomes Hermione’s neighbour and she makes a set of rules knowing if she doesn’t she’ll end up breaking them. Oneshot, non canon. Dramione.

Word Count: 3,676

Rating: T

Status: Complete

Published: June 22nd, 2015

Nott In The Moonlight

I was very sad when I wrote this. It shows, and it is definitely not something you read if you are looking for fluffiness and niceties. It was just one of those days where everything feels off-kilter. I absolutely love this for what it is, a rare pair I never thought I’d write, and I never thought I’d write in this way.

It’s probably not what you’d expect, and if you’re looking for something a little more…interesting, then this may be for you.

Summary: “Cursed. He was a cursed man, he had been cursed since he was little. Blood, teeth, frigid night air. Fear, palpable in the air, it was scorching his lungs and veins. Sharp screams echoing through the night, the cold round mistress in the air permanently seared into the back of his eyelids.” - Theodore Nott x Remus Lupin, one shot.

Word Count: 1,748 words

Rating: M

Status: Complete

Published: July 27th, 2016

Promise (On Hiatus)

This story is on hiatus. For reasons…yea. I don’t know what else to say. I still love this story, it was my first multi-chaptered story that I had posted anywhere. I dunno. Just. Yea. I got my first real arsehole reviewer on this story, and it came at a time when I was disheartened by the lack of response and feedback…and it was around the time that I started FTT.

Anyways, I was writing FTT and IWHGH instead, and I put this one on hiatus…

Summary: The Second Wizarding War is over, and due to a ruling by the Wizengamot, Harry and his fellow classmates return to Hogwarts to repeat their Seventh Year. The Children of the War work together to heal themselves, create new bonds, strengthen old ones, and deal with the aftermath of the War, as well as trying to promote House Unity. Non-canon. Dramione. On hiatus.

Word Count: 66,823 words

Number of Chapters: 15 (technically 14, the latest one was an A/N)

Rating: M

Status: WiP ish

Published: June 19th, 2015

Last Updated (properly): Sometime in Sept 2015

Redamancy

This was a fun little thing I did with some of my favourite ladies ever (you know who you are ;)) I say fun, but there are parts of it that are certainly sombre.

Summary: “Pointless. Meaningless. Everything in his life that used to make sense was now a garbled mess. His life now consisted of jumbled moments strung together on a tangled string, where it all seemed dull, the world was no longer as bright and vibrant as it once had been.” One shot, George Weasley x Luna Lovegood

Word Count: 1,742 words

Pairing: George Weasley/Luna Lovegood

Rating: T

Status: Complete

Published: July 13th, 2016

Return of Regulus Black

I am desperately trying to find the inspiration to write the next chapter for this. The muse isn’t having any of it. She’s currently only interested in the young Marauders apparently. It’s the same reason I haven’t been able to get out the Severus and Pandora drabble I’ve got in the works.

Regulus Black is my baby though, and this is pretty much a fix it fic. With one of the main pairings being Luna and an OC. It’s pretty much about Slytherins and Ravenclaws, and I love it very much.

Summary: Known Death Eater Regulus Black was assumed to be dead years ago, especially when they found the disfigured body in the Thames with his house ring on its’ finger. Years later the entire Wizarding World is not only shocked when he returns, but by who he brings with him; Notorious Mass Murderer Sirius Black, and a raven haired, grey eyed boy. (Wolfstar)

Word Count: 56,702 words

Pairings: Regulus Black/Emmeline Vance, Wolfstar (Remus Lupin/Sirius Black), Luna Lovegood/OC, Dramione (Draco Malfoy/Hermione Granger), Theomione (Theodore Nott/Hermione Granger) (tbd)

Number of Chapters: 16

Rating: M

Status: WiP

Published: December 13th, 2015

Last Updated: November 27th, 2016

Seasons Change

Did I write all four chapters of this in one night? Yes. Do I regret anything? No. Theo/Luna is one of the best ships, and I love the two of them. LOVE.

Sometimes I want to have an Epilogue, others I don’t. All I know is I would want it on the cusp of Fall Winter. Which one reviewer agreed would be lovely.

Summary: A short series that moves throughout the seasons that focuses on Fifth year Luna Lovegood, and Sixth year Theodore Nott. “Oranges, reds, yellows. Fall. Luna loves Fall. The air is crisp, and even though it rains often, she still goes outside barefoot.” Non-canon, just for fun. Luna Lovegood x Theodore Nott. My love for these two is immense.

Word Count: 3,730 words

Pairing: Thuna (Theodore Nott/Luna Lovegood)

Number of Chapters: 4

Rating: T

Status: Complete (with possible Epilogue)

Published: January 9th, 2016

The Wolf and The Stag

This was written on a whim, and I am so glad I wrote it. You want fluff? You came to the right place.

Summary: “We’re late,” the hazel eyed man commented, removing his hands from the warmth and comfort of his toasty pocket to push his glasses back further onto the bridge of his nose, adjusting his gold and red scarf quickly before his hand dove back into his pocket. Starbuck (James Potter x Sirius Black) Oneshot, complete, non-canon AU. Lily Evans x Remus Lupin.

Word Count: 4,168 words

Pairing: Starbucks (James Potter/Sirius Black)

Other Pairing: Lily Evans/Remus Lupin

Rating: K+

Status: Complete

Published: March 26th, 2016

Time Travel? Piece of Cake.

OKAY. SO FREAKING OUT. Cause TTPOC now has over 300 reviews, and is scarily close to 700 followers. Still in shock, and just. GUYS.

I made a pretty edit for this (imo) yesterday, and you can find that (here)

This started around when I was first reading Misplaced Moony by @shayalonnie, and I had a random thought, “what if all the Marauders come forward in time as opposed to Hermione going back?” Of course, blood magic was involved, and a certain rat was left behind.

Summary: What will happen when the Marauders find themselves transported to another time and dimension, which is scarily similar to their own? Landing in the year 1996, smack dab in the middle of a different war than the one they were fighting. Non canon. Dramione friendship. SiriusxHermione pairing. AU from HBP and onwards.

Word Count: 93,605 words

Main Pairing: Sirimione (Sirius Black/Hermione Granger)

Major/Side Pairings: Jily (James Potter/Lily Evans), Remus Lupin/Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter/Astoria Greengrass, Draco Malfoy/Daphne Greengrass

Number of Chapters: 28

Rating: M

Status: WiP

Published: September 7th, 2015

Last Updated: January 23rd, 2017

#things i write #my fics #indieblue #indiebluecrown #don't have the energy to tag more things #but look #i did a thing #or two

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jeremystrele · 7 years

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10 Unmissable Art Exhibitions of 2018

Roundup

by Elle Murrell

teamLabs’ interactive digital projection, ‘Moving creates vortices and vortices create movement’ at NGV Triennial. Photo – courtesy of NGV.

Nendo’s ”Manga Chairs’; Pae White’s ‘Untitled’ illusionary opt art and textile installation at NGV Triennial. Photos – courtesy of NGV.

NGV Triennial

Until April 15th National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) International, Melbourne Free

If you’re yet to go, make it happen. Visiting NGV International’s most ambitious and varied offering to date is, at the least, a tri-weekly to-do for me – it’s that good!

Displayed on all four levels of the St. Kilda Road gallery, you’ll discover the work of over 100 artists and designers from 32 countries, spanning cutting-edge technologies, architecture, animation, performance, film, painting, drawing, fashion design, tapestry and sculpture.

Upon entering prepare to be stopped in your tracks by Xu Zhen’s 18-metre long, ‘Eternity-Buddha in Nirvana’, the largest work in his ‘Eternal’ series and one of 20 large-scale artworks commissioned by NGV. From the playful to the haunting, other highlights include: teamLabs’ interactive digital projection, ‘Moving creates vortices and vortices create movement’; giant skulls by local artist Ron Mueck in his largest work to date, ‘Mass’; Yayoi Kusama’s ‘Flower Obsession’; Nendo’s ”Manga Chairs’; Pae White’s ‘Untitled’ illusionary opt art and textile installation; and the quirky replica Moroccan tea house, designed by Hassan Hajjaj.

There’s more; until January 28th, Triennial EXTRA adds a host of DJs, dancers, bars, talks to the mix, as well as Supernormal’s pop-up restaurant Natsu!

Installation views: ‘Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of the Rainbow’ at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2017. Photos – Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.

Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow

Until February 11th Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane Free

Australia is being graced with two exhibitions by phenomenal Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama at the moment – Brisbanites and Melbournians it’s a quick trip for you, everyone else in-between, it’s surely worth the travel.

This epic GOMA exhibition focuses on Kusama’s vast body of beguiling creations from the 1950s to present, exploring key motifs – yes, that includes polka dots, but deeper themes explore her engagement with the body, and her conception of space.

There’s early painterly experiments, celebrated ‘net’ paintings, performance art, soft-sculpture, assemblage, iconic ‘infinity rooms’ and large-scale installations of her later career, before a presentation of most recent paintings from her arresting ‘My Eternal Soul’ series (2009 – ongoing).

It’s also one for the kids, with the Children’s Art Centre at GOMA hosting the immersive interactive ‘The obliteration room (2002 – ongoing)’, a collaboration between the artist and QAGOMA, which debuted at ‘The 4th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’ and has since been experienced by more than five million people around the world.

Visit soon before the show wraps up in mid-February.

Marimekko: Design Icon 1951 to 2018 is coming to Bendigo Art Gallery. Photos – courtesy Courtesy of the Design Museum, Helsinki.

Marimekko: Design Icon 1951 to 2018

March 3rd to June 11th Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo Ticketed

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Bendigo Gallery of Art on several occasions over the last couple of years – who could forget their Marilyn Monroe showcase, complete with eight-metre high sculpture! Their attention to detail never disappoints.

Though that Hollywood trailblazer has long since departed, a duo of wonderful Finnish women is about to step into the spotlight. Armi Ratia and Riitta Immonen founded Marimekko during the golden age of post-war modernism, and their textile and fashion company went on to garner widespread international fame for its bold pop-art prints throughout the 1960s and 70s.

At the same time, the women’s lib movement was making leaps and bounds, and Marimekko’s loud patterns and unconventional ready-to-wear outfits which, ‘brought colour and informality to an otherwise self-conscious fashion world’.

This vibrant exhibition will trace the rise of Marimekko and explore its defining aesthetic, through more than 60 outfits, metres of original fabrics, homewares, sketches and other archival treasures.

The gallery’s cafe is well worth a stop in while you’re there, and consider making a weekend away of it, so you have more time to explore this gem of a goldrush city!

The Biennale of Sydney is back in 2018, and its 45th anniversary promises something pretty special! Pictured here: Semiconductor’s ‘Earthworks 2016’ and Ai Wei Wei’s ‘Law of the Journey 2017’. Photos – courtesy of Art Gallery of New South Wales.

21st Biennale of Sydney

March 16th to June 11th Art Gallery of New South Wales and various venues citywide, Sydney Free and Ticketed

Held every two years, the Biennale of Sydney is back in 2018, and its 45th anniversary promises something pretty special! The city-wide contemporary art event will roll out across seven participating venues, including Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Bringing exceptional new projects by a diverse field of celebrated international artists, the 21st edition Biennale is curated by Mami Kataoka. Under the theme ‘Superposition: equilibrium and engagement’ (a quantum mechanical term), the showcase will examine how this principle might operate in the world today.

‘The participating artists in the 21st Biennale of Sydney have been chosen to offer a panoramic view of how opposing understandings and interpretations can come together in a state of ‘equilibrium.’ Mami explains.

Fittingly, artist Ai Weiwei will be back in Australia, to deliver the keynote address alongside Mami at the Sydney Opera House. For a comprehensive list of other creatives involved and associated events visit the website here.

Artworks and installation view of the 2017 Telstra NATSIAA, including vessel byPepai Jangala Carroll and painting by Nyunmiti Bruton. Photos – courtesy of Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA)

From August 10th Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin Free

Founded in 1984, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award celebrates the validity and cultural diversity of contemporary Indigenous artistic expression, and has come to be regarded as one of the premier national events on the Australian Indigenous art calendar. The finalists of these coveted and lucrative (thanks to long-running sponsor Telstra) awards are exhibited at the Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory following the announcement in early August.

Late last year I was so excited to spend an eye-opening afternoon at MAGNT during a stop-over in Darwin. There, I got to view some captivating large-scale artworks in real life (rather than on my monitor, where I’d been first introduced to several artists via our Indigenous Art column).

From works on canvas to immersive audio-visual pieces, and disarmingly conceptual installations, the 34th Telstra NATSIAA exhibition was unforgettable! I expect the 35th to be nothing short of this too.

‘Since its inception, NATSIAA has profiled the immense changes and trends within Indigenous art that emerged from almost invisibility to become a significant force in contemporary fine art. An obvious change has been in the growing range of techniques used by entrants, now reflected in the five subsidiary media awards for bark painting, general painting, works on paper, three dimensional work and in multimedia’ explains Margie West, Emeritus Curator of Aboriginal Art and NATSIAA Founder, MAGNT. ‘NATSIAA remains true to its initial objective by providing unknown, emerging, and established artists from around the country the opportunity to be seen.’

A sneak peek on’s ‘Drowin what’s coming to NGV as part of their Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition: MoMa at NGV., Including Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘Drowning Girl 1963’ and Piet Mondrian’s ‘Composition in Red, Blue, and Yellow 1937-42’ Photos – courtesy of NGV.

MoMA at NGV

June 9th to October 7th National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) International, Melbourne Ticketed

While it’s hard to get excited about Summer’s end, ‘the greatest modern art museum in the world’ arriving on our doorstep will help. The National Gallery of Victoria, in partnership with The Museum of Modern Art, New York, will present MoMA at NGV as the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition in 2018.

Prepare yourself for a unique survey of the MoMA’s iconic collection – approximately 200 key works, tracing the development of art and design from late-nineteenth-century urban and industrial transformation, through to the digital and global present.

MoMA’s early acquisitions, including masterworks by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Paul Cézanne will be on show, as will pieces by pioneering cubist and futurist artists Pablo Picasso and Umberto Boccioni, the radical abstractions of Kazimir Malevich and Piet Mondrian, the surreal paintings of Salvador Dalí and Frida Kahlo, and works by Alexander Calder and Jackson Pollock…(breathe).

The show will also chronicle art from Minimalism through to Post Modernism c/o Roy Lichtenstein, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol, Lynda Benglis, Sol LeWitt, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman and Keith Haring, as well as the likes of the next wave of artists Kara Walker, Rineke Dijkstra, Andreas Gursky, Olafur Eliasson, Huang Yong Ping, Mona Hatoum, El Anatsui and Camille Henrot.

Objects from MoMA’s Architecture and Design collection will be arriving as well, to the delight of architects, designers and artists alike.

Internationally exclusive to Melbourne, and more then two years in the making, I might be editing my earlier statement about Triennale being NGVs ‘most ambitious exhibition to date’ when MoMA arrives mid-year!

An installation view of The Museum of Everything currently on at MONA, alongside artworks on display. Photos – courtesy of the MONA.

The Museum of Everything

Until April 2nd Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Hobart Ticketed

The onslaught of acronyms and collaborations could have you a little confused at this point, but stay with me.

Next on the list is Museum of Old and New Art, which has invited The Museum of Everything down to Tasmania. For this reason (among others) you should head there too.

Opening in London in 2009, The Museum of Everything is a travelling institution, advocating for ‘the visibility of art that falls outside the confines of the art world proper; the work of ordinary people, working far (literally or otherwise) from the cultural metropolis’. Hence it being a perfect match for Australia’s own boundary-pushing private gallery.

What to expect? The extraordinary… from the passionate fringe! ‘Our museum stretches, I hope, the possibility of who has the right to be considered an artist,’ says The Museum of Everything founder James Brett. His temporarily Tasmania-based showcase is produced by the likes of transcendent scientists, self-taught architects, and citizen inventors, creating their own art/folklore (in some particular examples from the confines of a hospital or prison) to challenge established histories of culture and place.

What you will find when you come, beckons MONA, is ‘a jolly fine collection, cor blimey, of drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, environments and assemblies. There are wondrous samples of the Art Brut/Outsider Art canon (oh, the irony) as well as the ‘newly discovered’ (as our British imperial overlords would have it), alongside work from studios for artists with disabilities. We’re excited. This stuff matters, in a social-justice sense and in an art-lovers sense.’

A preview of Maison Cartier jewellery that will be showcased as part of the epic Cartier: The Exhibition later this year, including: the Queen’s ‘Halo’ tiara, worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; and the crocodile necklace worn by actress María Félix among other dazzling designs. Photos – courtesy of National Gallery of Australia.

Cartier: The Exhibition

March 30th to July 22nd National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Ticketed

Two dazzling crocodiles, conjoined to form one of the most covetable necklaces of all time, the same gilded reptiles that femme fatale María Félix once wore, making a fashion statement AND a kick-ass power play – I’ve got to see them!! The preview of this exhibition is etched into my memory; the gems are astounding and the goldsmithing more meticulous than one could imagine, I mean, let’s not forget, this is metal and rock formed so exquisitely as to lay gently on the wearer. Even if you’re not that into jewels, Cartier: The Exhibition is a glimmering window into almost two centuries of design movements and aesthetics du jour.

The showcase will comprise more than 300 spectacular Maison Cartier items, with loans from royal families, celebrities and the astonishing Cartier Collection itself, including wow-factor jewellery, one-of-a-kind timepieces and precious objects.

Highlights will include Dame Nellie Melba’s diamond stomacher brooch, the Queen’s ‘Halo’ tiara, worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Daisy Fellowes’ Tutti-Frutti Hindu necklace, Barbara Hutton’s imperial jadeite necklace, Princess Grace of Monaco’s 10.48-carat diamond engagement ring, Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond and ruby necklace and a selection from the NGA’s Ballets Russes costumes.

This Canberra exhibition will follow the History of the French house, delving into the incredible lives of glittering international clientele, and those of the master craftspeople who created for them. Also visit for the unprecedented access to a carefully curated selection of original preparatory drawings, portraits, historic photographs, film, advertising material, jewellery-making tools and equipment, as well as talks and events!

The 2017 Archibald Prize exhibition installed at the Art Gallery of NSW, alongside Archibald finalist artworks: Yvette Coppersmith’s ‘Professor Gillian Triggs’ oil on linen (137.5x110cm); and Rowan Robertson’s ‘Sun shines in the rusty morning (Riverina, NSW)’ oil on linen (50x45cm). Photos – courtesy of Art Gallery of New South Wales and Geelong Gallery.

Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2018

May 12th to September 9th Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Geelong Gallery, Geelong Free

Showcasing the finalists and winners of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes was a highlight of our 2017 art coverage, both according to us and to you (thanks for reading it, lots!). There is no way, then, that we could look past including these exhibitions for ‘Australia’s most important art prizes’ in this must-see list.

Unfortunately, I can’t predict which artists will be included in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman yet, nor who or what they will have painted. What I do know, from the awards’ exemplarily track record, is that these three shows, which debut every year together, in adjacent gallery spaces at the Art Gallery of NSW, are not to be missed.

The good news to this end is that after initially showing at the Art Gallery of NSW (who administers all three prizes) the Archibald exhibition will travel interstate to additional venues, including a showing at Geelong Gallery in Victoria – see you there!

The Lyon Housemuseum in Kew is set to become one of the largest art precincts in Melbourne when it’s expansion opens in November. Photo – Eve Wilson.

Lyon Housemuseum Galleries

From November Lyon Housemuseum Precinct in Kew, Melbourne Ticketed

Early in 2017 we were blown away by a new discovery right on our doorstep, the Lyon Housemuseum. (No, that’s not a typo – for a quick refresher, watch this video before reading on!)

The Lyon Housemuseum is a remarkable Australian home belonging to one very special family: Corbett Lyon, a fourth generation architect, and co-director of Lyons Architecture; his partner Yueji; and their daughters Carlin and Jaqlin. Though it is their functional family home, it is also a truly innovative art museum, open for tours on designated days.

As if its whole existence wasn’t amazing and generous enough, Corbett and his family have been working on the construction of a new public art museum, Housemuseum Galleries, right next door to the original Lyon Housemuseum, which will be run by the not-for-profit Lyon Foundation.

Set to open in November, the new purpose-built Lyon Housemuseum Galleries will launch with a huge new exhibition of all new commissions by Australian contemporary artists.

Lucy, can we book our next TDF team trip?

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sentrava · 7 years

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What’s On in Copenhagen: November 2017

It’s dark, cold and all-round miserable outside. But the Christmas markets open this month, so in our books that makes everything all right! Plus, you can satiate your inner nisse (elf) with J-dag, gløgg-brewin at Torvehallerne and heaps of other fun things to do like exhibitions, gigs and club nights.

Here’s what’s happening in Copenhagen this November:

Wednesday 1st November

International Vegan Day

A global celebration of all things vegan down at Kultorvet; free tastings, take-home recipes and the opportunity to learn what veganism is all about.

Thursday 2nd November

Artist Talk with Christina Capetillo

Architect and photographer Christina Capetillo, whose focus is on changing landscapes and places characterized by human interference, discusses her work.

Friday 3rd November

J-dag

The very evening that delicious, liquorice-infused Christmas beer hits bars and bodegas all over Denmark, accompanied by cheeky nisse (christmas elves). Don’t sleep on this special Jul tradition, it’s only around for ten weeks each year! Go and grab some Christmas cheer(s)!

Friday Night Delight

Kick the weekend off right at Absalon’s club night with a candlelit meal, live music and lots of cocktails! Perfect for the more refined pardee animals.

Saturday 4th – Sunday 5th November

FindersKeepers Market at Lokomotivværkstedet

See some of the best handmade design around at this beloved market, including ceramics, jewellery, furniture and more. Tickets are only 40 DKK for the day and 70 DKK for the weekend if you order pre-sale here. This year there will also be a kids design section, so you can find everything you need for the little ones, too.

Saturday 4th November

Singalong at Huset’s Biograf

Belt out tunes from Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. Cinemas are shadowy places, so no holding back on those top notes plz.

Sunday 5th November

Fleamarket at Student House

The summer flea markets might be over, but thankfully the Student House is here for your bargain hunting fix. Clear a space in that closet.

Tuesday 7th November

Sci-fi Evening at Tycho Brahe Planetarium

Calling all conspiracy theorists and sci-fi geeks: this is your dream evening! Attend a lecture examining what might happen if we did get a little visit from some tiny green men. Well-known sightings and areas of paranoramal activity like Area 51 and Roswell act as a guide for the evening’s speculations, followed by a sci-fi flick.

Wednesday 8th November

Feel Freeze x Sweet Sneak

Dreamy electronic duo Feel Freeze are joining up with food studio Sweet Sneak to bring you a concert of sensory and music delights.

Thursday 9th November

Design with Nature

A talk looking at the various projects working to integrate building, urban space and nature to enrich community spaces. The lecture will be held by Rasmus Astrup, partner at urban development consultancy SLA, along with Flemming Rafn Thomsen, partner at Tredje Natur architecture firm.

Friday 10th November

Gin Cocktail Workshop

Go beyond the usual G&Ts and master the art of some fancy, gin-infused cocktail recipes at this boozy workshop.

NYHAVN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Christmas is coming early to the quaint streets of Nyhavn when the markets open up from now and throughout December. Cash in early and get your decor going for the festive season.

Sunday 12th November

European Outdoor Film Tour

Inspiring stories told against breathtaking backdrops from around the world.

Monday 13th November

Improv Workshop

Fancy yourself a bit of a comedian? Get out of your comfort zone and test the waters at this fun Improv Comedy workshop.

Tuesday 14th November

Perfume Genius at DR Koncerthuset

Seattle-based singer Mike Hadreas, a.k.a. Perfume Genius, plays songs from his emotion-infused pop-rock album No Shape that dropped this year.

Thursday 16th November

Bingo Banko at Absalon

Everybody loves Bingo right? But no one more so than the Danes. It’s a great way to hang out with the local community and win ALL the prizes!

Friday 17th November – Saturday 23rd December

JULEMARKED: HØJBRO PLADS

Homemade glühwein, bratwurst and REINDEERS down at Højbro Plads German Christmas market. The perfect post-shopping spot to bulk up on Christmas sparkle.

Saturday 18th November

Historic Drug-Scare Cinema at Huset’s Biograf

A mix of fascinating shorts, trailers and outtakes spanning 60 years of American drug-scare movies. The captivating footage demonstrates how far moviemakers went to shock-scare their audience into saying no to the doobie (spoiler: it didn’t work).

Sunday 19th November

Gløgg at Torvehallerne

Come and warm your cockles with Torvehallerne’s gløgg brewing afternoon. Gløggologists will be doing their best to impress passers-by. Fingers crossed for lots of free samples.

Tuesday 21th November

Cult Film Quiz

Movie buffs assemble! This is the night to prove your worth at Huset’s Cult Film Quiz. Come and test that obscure knowledge.

Wednesday 22nd November

Science & Sustainability

An open discussion on climate and sustainability, led by Copenhagen University professors Katherine Richardson and Stanley Johnson. No scienctific knowledge is required, just bags of curiosity.

Thursday 23rd November

Queen-themed Bingo

We’re not exactly sure how this works, but basically it’s BINGO sound-tracked by QUEEN. That’s all you need to know, really.

Friday 24th November

Black Friday

Save some dollah and treat yourself to all the discounts online and about town; it’s been a looooong old year!

Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th November

Copenhagen Latin Festival

Dance workshops – including Afro Cuban, Rumba, Rueda, Salsa, Reggaeton- as well as shows later on in the evening at Støberiet. Get your one-two, cha-cha-cha on.

Monday 27th November

The Horrors at Lille Vega

English indie rockers, The Horrors, went uncharacteristically quiet for a couple of years. But now the ghoulish guys are back with new material: Something To Remember Me By, already being hailed their best album yet by the Guardian.

Wednesday 29th November

Museum Lates

Explore the Zoological Museum after hours on a unique guided tour. Say hej to the giant Misty and hang out with the whole stuffed animal crew.

Thursday 30th November

Sleep Party People at DR Concert House

The Copenhagen-based brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Brian Batz, Sleep Party People is dreampop at its finest.

Ongoing in November

Crossing Borders at SMK

Artists have always crossed vast distances looking for something undiscovered and original, and on occasion, sometimes for just pure adventure. A selection of works from greats of the European art world between 1300 to 1800 focussing on those that went in search of their inspiration. Highlights include: Andrea Mantegna, Peter Paul Rubens, Corbelius Norbertus Gijsbrechts and Rembrandt van Rijn and much more.

Micheal Kvium Circus Europe at Arken

Visual Danish artist Michael Kvium is setting up his circus of the absurd at Arken. The exhibition centres around the European identity and community in a time governed by xenophobia, fear and tension. Kvium takes the political and social scenes of life in contemporary Europe and places it under the big top for all of us to gawk at.

Stanley Kubrick – The Exhibition

The Kunstforening GL STRAND presents the first exhibition of its kind in the Nordics, an exclusive look into Kubrick’s visionary workroom. Constructed from movie excerpts, interviews with Kubrick himself and colleagues, as well as old archive material, get a glimpse into the movie master at work.

Masterpieces. From Degas to Hammershøi at Ordrupgaard

A wonderful opportunity to experience the works of some of the greats from Ordrupgaard’s Danish and French collection, including Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, Paul Gauguin, Vilhelm Hammershøi and several others.

There will also be the opportunity to view the galleries extensive collection of pastels, rarely exhibited previously. These include Degas’s ballerinas in the rehearsal room and portraits by Renoir and Manet of life in Paris.

Don’t forget: all the 2017 Holidays & Flag Days are here.

If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!

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What’s On in Copenhagen: November 2017 published first on http://ift.tt/2gOZF1v

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christsbride · 7 years

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Muhammad, a Prophet of God?

When a person is chosen by God to be God's Prophet to the people they have unique characteristics that support their claims. There are 4 key elements that reveal a true Prophet of God which can be used to test and see if this individual is from God. Was Muhammad a true Prophet of God?

The individual chosen for this task makes it the absolute priority in their purpose (Jeremiah 1:5-10; Amos 7:14, 15; Isaiah 6:1-10).

God does not lie or contradict himself. Thus a Prophet of God would not bring false or contradictory messages from God (Isaiah 8:19, 20).

God is supreme and sovereign in the message given and the individual knows for sure it is from God and they know God. God makes himself known (Numbers 12:6).

Messages about the future and of what God will do, will happen how it was revealed it would (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).

It is true that Muhammad made his prophetship a priority. For 23 years he revealed messages that he claimed was from God. But this element alone does not prove that he was. We must also consider all the key elements of a Prophet together. Because anyone can devote their whole life and even sacrifice their lives for something the believe to be true- even if it is actually untrue. Element 2 reveals a major problem for Muhammad.

"Now the apostle was anxious for the welfare of his people, wishing to attract them as far as he could. . . . When the apostle saw that his people turned their backs on him and he was pained by their estrangement from what he brought them from God he longed that there should come to him from God a message that would reconcile his people to him. Because of his love for his people and his anxiety over them it would delight him if the obstacle that made his task so difficult could be removed. . . . Then God sent down "By the star when it sets your comrade errs not and is not deceived, he speaks not from his own desire," and when he reached His words "Have you thought of al-Lat and al-Uzza and Manat the third, the other", Satan, when he was meditating upon it, and desiring to bring it to his people, put upon his tongue "these are the exalted Gharaniq [Numidian cranes] whose intercession is approved." When the Quraysh heard that, they were delighted and greatly pleased at the way in which he spoke of their gods and they listened to him; while the believers were holding that what their prophet brought them from their Lord was true, not suspecting a mistake or a vain desire or a slip, and when he reached the prostration and the end of the Sura in which he prostrated himself the Muslims prostrated themselves when their prophet prostrated confirming what he brought and obeying his command, and the polytheists of Quraysh and others who were in the mosque prostrated when they heard the mention of their gods, so that everyone in the mosque believer and unbeliever prostrated . . . Then the people dispersed and the Quraysh went out, delighted at what had been said about their gods, saying, "Muhammad has spoken of our gods in splendid fashion. He alleged in what he read that they are the exalted Gharaniq whose intercession is approved..."

Muhammad approved of other gods speaking on God's behalf.

"The news reached the prophet’s companions who were in Abyssinia, it being reported that Quraysh had accepted Islam, so some men started to return while others remained behind. Then Gabriel came to the apostle and said, "What have you done, Muhammad? You have read to these people something I did not bring you from God and you have said what He did not say to you." The apostle was bitterly grieved and was greatly in fear of God. So God sent down (a revelation), for He was merciful to him, comforting him and making light of the affair and telling him that every prophet and apostle before him desired as he desired and wanted what he wanted and Satan interjected something into his desires as he had on his tongue. So God annulled what Satan had suggested and God established His verses, i.e. you are just like the prophets and apostles. Then God sent down: "We have not sent a prophet or apostle before you but when he longed Satan cast suggestions in his longing. But God will annul what Satan has suggested. Then God will establish his verses, God being knowing and wise." (Ibn Ishaq, pp. 165-166)

But wait, that wasn't from God. Muhammad spoke from his own desires and listened to Satan. Now of course to explain away this huge error, Muhammad then claims God just simply made "light of the affair" and "annulled" the false prophecy. This still does not negate the fact that Muhammad failed two major elements of being a true prophet. Firstly, why couldn't he recognize the difference between God and Satan? Does He not know God's will? Did God not make himself clear enough for Muhammad to know it was God speaking? Obviously God is not at fault so it is not an issue of God's clarity. The first major issue is Muhammad did not know the difference. Secondly, it is impossible to escape the fact that Muhammad falsely prophesied. This is the major and clearest test of a true prophet of God. This was not a failed future prophesy of something that did not come to pass, this was a flat out lie (even if Muhammad did not purposefully lie). This also impacts the 3rd element of a true Prophet. Aside from God not making himself known to Muhammad in that example above, his wife even testifies to an incident(s) where Muhammad was influenced by Satan again.

Aisha narrated: "Once the Prophet was bewitched so that he began to imagine that he had done a thing which in fact, he had not done." (Sahih Al-Bukhari 3175)

Aisha narrated: Magic was worked on Allah's Apostle so that he used to think that he had had sexual relations with his wives while he actually had not. Then one day he said, "O Aisha, do you know that Allah has instructed me concerning the matter I asked Him about? Two men came to me and one of them sat near my head and the other sat near my feet. The one near my head asked the other: 'What is wrong with this man?' The latter replied, 'He is under the effect of magic.' The first one asked, 'Who has worked magic on him?' The other replied, 'Labid bin Al-Asam, a man from Bani Zuraiq who was an ally of the Jews and was a hypocrite.' The first one asked, 'What material did he use?' The other replied, 'A comb and the hair stuck to it.'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari 5765)

But according the Quran, magic is from Satan (Qur'an 2:102) and Satan has no authority over those who know God (Qur'an 16:98-100). How can Muhammad have been under the power of magic if he was THE Prophet of God? We must discredit his wife's testimony as unreliable but then that leads to other issues about understanding Muhammad because she is a source in Islam for how Muhammad lived. Despite the major issues above, we will continue on for the sake of argument to the 4th element of a test of a true Prophet of God. When God delivers messages about the future, they contain key details that make them undeniable when they come to pass. Any one can make a vague prophetic statement: Here's mine: A powerful nation will fall with in a few generations time. Boom. Am I now a prophet? My prophetic statement is vague in its details that when related events take place, it can easily be applied. Therefore, when we see God make himself known, he gives key details that make his statement of future events clear when they happen. Lets look at a prophesy from Muhammad.

"The Roman Empire has been defeated - in a land close by: But they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious - within a few years."(Q 30:2-4).

We already see the vague-ness of this prophetic statement. "in a land close by", which land? How far is "close by"? Then we see the usage of "defeat" and "victorious". By who's expectation is the event a defeat and or victory? Some times, those who lose feel as though they were still victorious. Other times those who are actually defeated feel as though in some way they were victorious. With that said, the only true reliable detail is the time frame stated, "within a few years". According to Yusuf Ali the Arabic word for "a few years," Bidh'un, can mean a period of three to nine years. So what was the the event that took place within the 3 to 9 year period? nothing. The details matter. That is clearly God's command to discern a false prophet from a true Prophet; examine the details. The Persians defeated the Byzantines and took Jerusalem at about 614 or 615 AD. The Byzantine counter-offensive did not begin until 622 AD and the victory was not complete until 628 AD, making it a period between thirteen to fourteen years. Renowned historian and Muslim commentator, al-Tabari, places the Roman victory in 628 A.D. (6 A.H.), right after the signing of Hudaiybiya. And that's a problem. That is 13 to 14 years later, not 3 to 9 years. The one key detail in Muhammad's prophecy fails. Some can argue "but it happened as Muhammad said it was going to" but referring back to my prophet statement, at some point, at any point, in history, yes, any vague prophecy can occur and that only proves that God makes himself known through the details of actual occurrences verses non divine prophetic statements. Any human can make any kind of vague prophetic statement. And when the vagueness can be matched up with some event in history; that does not prove anything still. The details prove if it is of God or not. The single key detail provided by Muhammad fails still. Other Major Issues If Muhammad was receiving truth from God than the statements he claims must be true. Aside from the blunders listed above, there are other areas where Muhammad failed in stating what was true. Muhammad misunderstood what Christianity taught in regards to the Trinity. He did not understand this concept AND assumed that the sources for his information about Christianity is what was actually believed by the early church.

And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah ?'" He will say, "Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. (Quran 5:116)

O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Trinity": desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. (4:171, Yusif Ali)

Why would Muhammad argue for monotheism in reference to Christian beliefs? Christianity has always believed in ONE God. His understanding of Christianity is that they believed there were three gods and one of them was taught to be Mary. This is a false assumption. Did God not understand what Christianity taught? Of course not. Did Muhammad not understand what Christianity taught, clearly. BUT Muhammad gets his truth from God? This can not be so given the misunderstanding of what Christians believe. Also read The Quran: Who Wrote It? A Better Prophet Islam itself points to a greater prophet than Muhammad, unintentionally. Muhammad was obviously an imperfect sinner. When he died, his body began to decompose and stink.

Al-Abbas, the paternal uncle of Prophet Muhammad, entered Muhammad's room three after his death, before his burial, as his body remained there for three days as the people were too busy to bury him, as all of them were engaged in debates of Al-Thaqeefa Council of choosing a ruler/caliph of Yathreb to succeed him. Once Al-Abbas entered the room, he put his hands at once at his nose, and said to the gathered men outside: "Bury your friend Muhammad fast, for his body began decomposition just like the rest of human beings"

Of course, there are those in Islam that believe the later created Hadiths from Al-Nisaa'i, Abou Dawood, and Ibn Maja that claim that Prophet's bodies to not decompose and claim that the Hadith above was a fabrication. But the Quran itself supports the Hadith above.

"We did not send before you except men, whom We inspired. Ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know. We did not make them mere bodies that ate no food, nor were they immortal." (21:7-8)

They said, "You are only humans like us; you want to turn us away from what our ancestors worshiped; so bring us a clear proof."(14:10-11)

Each prophet asserted his being a mortal human creature; God has commanded Muhammad in the Quran to say this to his people: "Say, "I am only a human being like you…" (41:6). "Say, "I am only a human being like you…" (18:110). With that said, Muhammad was a sinner and "only a human being like you" who died and was buried. YET, we see a different existence of Jesus in the Quran. Jesus did not sin.

Hardly a single descendant of Adam is born without Satan touching him at the moment of his birth. A baby who is touched like that gives a cry. The only exceptions are Mary and her son" [cf. Q 3: 36].

Jesus performed Miracles

We have made some of these messengers to excel the others among them are they to whom Allah spoke, and some of them He exalted by (many degrees of) rank; and We gave clear miracles to Isa (Jesus) son of Marium, and strengthened him with the holy spirit. (2:253, Shakir)

Jesus' body did not see decay.

Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. (3:55, Yusif Ali)

Jesus was a Prophet of God who received messages from God just like Muhammad. BUT he was more. Jesus was sinless and performed miracles THEN was taken up my God instead of being buried. Even the Quran unintentionally validates Jesus as The Greatest Prophet. He did not speak falsehoods or have failed prophecies. He was not like all other men who were sinners. He performed miracles and Muhammad didn't. Muhammad died and was buried, but Jesus was taken up by God (according to the Quran). Read Jesus and Islam Conclusion We can see from the Quran itself and his followers that he was a failed prophet according to God's tests for us of a true prophet. Tests that even Islam says is from God (The Torah). He failed to distinguish God's revealings from Satan's. He spoke prophetically that contradicted God. His prophecies failed to make God known and the prophecy itself failed to come true when he said it would. But when genuinely seeking a true Prophet of God in the Quran, we can even see that Jesus is true and greater Prophet. If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

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raywarham-blog · 7 years

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Liverpool Squad troubles

Mignolet – Been at the club since 2013. Never in my eyes been good enough. Comes across as a decent shot stopper but when you dig deeper that just isnt true. Can’t come for crosses, isnt commanding of his defence and his kicking is comparable to that of a 10 year old on Buckley Hill. Saved a fair few pens as a highlight but overall not good enough, never has been and never will be. The fact Klopp picks him as his number one completely baffles me, as I think it does many fans.

VERDICT - SELL

Karius – People where delighted when he signed. Another sign that fans don’t rate Mignolet. He came in and made some terrible errors. Bournemouth away was a shocker for him, especially so early on. Got a couple of games after that but never looked confident. One of the only keepers I’ve ever seen kick a goal kick out for a corner. As with Mignolet he cant come for crosses and although he looks confident on the ball he has every fans heart in their mouth as he tries to turn every striker rushing at him. What ever happened to just getting rid. Had a couple of cup games here and there inbetween lsoing his place. I think he done well against Southampton in the league cup but chances have been few and far between since. Given the chance again in the Champions League this year but terrible positioning in the Away leg at Moscow highlighted that he probably isnt the answer.

VERDICT – Keep for now but easily repleceable.

Ward – Not seen much of him in a Liverpool shirt to comment. He made an unbelievable save pre season, only for the defence to be asleep and it cost a goal anyway. Ward has had two excellent loan spells at Aberdeen and Brighton. All of the reviews seem to suggest he has the talent to become Liverpool and Wales number one but we all know the pressure that comes with that. Capped a couple of times for Wales and played their first game of the Euros, limited club time probably preventing him getting the number one slot. In my opinion should be given a run of games in the side after both Mignolet and Karius have shown their incompetence on many occasions. Klopp deciding to keep him as a 3rd keeper when he could have been playing for Huddersfield in the Premier League is another truly baffling decision by our manager and won’t have gone down well with Ward I’m sure.

VERDICT - KEEP

Clyne – I was probably one of his biggest critics going into this season, always thought he done okay defensively apart from the odd lapse at the far post but struggled going forward. In the modern game we expect our full backs to be good at both and if they arent we label them as not good enough. In all truth I cant wait for Clyne to return from injury. Never thought I’d see the day I thought that. With our attacking options, especially with Salah playing on the right this season I think Clyne being more reliable defensively will only help us. Less pressure on him to produce in the final third is something I think he will be happy with. We had Glen Johnson who was decent going forward and awful at the back. Clyne is opposite of that in my eyes and I’d prefer it that way. Maybe not good enough if you want to win leagues and go far in champions leagues year on year but for now Clyne is a decent and usually relaiable option.

VERDICT - KEEP

Trent – Youngster with bags and bags of ability, comfortable on the ball and doesn’t lack in confidence. Can deliver a wicked cross and we have already seen he can be deadly from set pieces. Takes a decent corner too, which is something we havent seen at Anfield for a few years. Beating the 1st man has been our achilles heal all too often. Needs a good few pans of Scouse and sessions in the gym to beef up but that will come with age. Signs looks really good for Trent and being a scouser we all want him to do so well.

Only downside for me is his defending. Maybe this is why a lot of people talk about Trent playing further up the field as he matures. Seems to switch off and lose his man a lot and has a tendency to turn his back on crosses. Again this could be down to age and I wouldn’t be too worried about this for now, but if he wants to be starting games he will need to learn this quickly. Gomez has been preferred to him in the bigger games this season and I’d put that down to him being better defensively. Fingers crossed for Trent he seems to have the right character to adapt and learn.

VERDICT - KEEP

Gomez – Looked great when he first came in. I rememebr him playing away to Arsenal and marking Walcott out of the game at left back. Walcott is no world beater but he is pacey and away at Arsenal in a rookie season can be daunting. Suffered two terrible injuries after this and many thought he wouldn’t return to the 1st team at Anfield. Credit to him he’s worked tirelessly at his recovery and is now playing regularly for both England U21’s as captain and Liverpool. Sometimes looks immature in his defending but hasn’t played many games at the top level and when he does its usually at full back when his preferred position is in the cernte of defence. Was great against Man Utd a few weeks back and Lovren’s latest gaff will hopefully provide Gomez with an extended run in his favoured position to show he’s got what it takes to make it.

VERDICT - KEEP

Matip – When we signed he came with a decent enough reputation. Played in the Champions League for Schalke, was a huge figure who likes to play out from the back. In reality he is sluggish, not commanding and for the size of him is bullied all to often both on the floor and in the air. Doesn’t look to have great positional sense and can often be found wondernig back when we are conceding goals. Been a huge disappointment for me, although he did come on a free which is something I guess. Definitely not good enough moving forward, he has been terrible this season and if it wasn’t for Lovren being worse he would be at the centre of fans abuse.

VERDICT - SELL.

Lovren – Hard not to go to town on Lovren here. Completely inadequate and not good enough for Liverpool Football Club. It’s at the point now where although I blame him for errors its not his fault Klopp continues to pick him nor failed to replace him in the summer. He makes mistake after mistake. Again like Matip nowhere near commanding enough for the size he is, often pushed aside.

Has complete lapses in concentration all too often to play at the top top level and his ball playing skills leave a lot to be desired. His passes to the full backs can often be found in the lower centenary. Had problems off the field which have been well documented and can’t have helped his performances. He once got my nephew a ticket for the game so I’ll always know he’s a decent human being and be thankful for that. Can’t see how he has a future with the Reds after his horror show at Wembley though.

VERDICT – SELL

Klavan – Came in knowing he would be 3rd or 4th choice CB. Had a couple of opportunities and played okay on a couple of occasions. Simply not Liverpool standard and no point wasting time evidencing why.

VERDICT – SELL

Moreno – Been at the club from 2014. Feels like 1914. Made a bright start scoring a cracker against Spurs away. Been pretty much downhill from there. Words probably can’t describe how bad his defending has been. Was one of the worst performers in the defeat to Seville in Basle. Dropped last season for Milner a midfielder playing left back yet has been brought back into the fold this season. Another of Klopp’s astounding decisions, how this has happened is beyond me. Many feel that Moreno has performed well this season, I just don’t think he’s been as truly woeful as he usually is. Blessed with blistering pace and it’s a good job because it gets him out of trouble at least twice a game due to his positioning incompetence. He was found closing the goalkeeper down the other week when we conceded away at Hoffenheim. Apparently has an excellent attitude and is clearly a favourable member of the dressing room but as a fan I couldn’t care less how many times he walks his dog on a hover board.

VERDICT – SELL

Robertson – Not seen enough to comment. Performed impressively on the few outings he’s been awarded by Klopp, MOM in one. Not sure if this was a committee signing or Klopp is bedding him in but I can’t understand why he hasn’t played more minutes. Bet he can’t either.

VERDICT - KEEP

Henderson – I’ve always liked Henderson I think he has the right attitude and adores the club. Came with a big(ish) price tag at the time and was a big move for him coming from his boyhood club. Hard one this as I think he is a talented footballer and the fact he’s always been picked by any manager he plays for even England backs this up. But I just don’t see it anymore. I’m not sure if injuries have hampered him, they certainly can’t have helped but he hasn’t lived up to anything near what he promised to be. Became our skipper after Gerrard retired, maybe by default in many eyes. I’m certain now that he’s not the right captain for us moving forward. I think as soon as we sign a commanding centre back they will get the armband or maybe Keita when he arrives.

Henderson isn’t a good enough leader, he is fine shouting abuse at the liner or referee but can often been seen head bowed walking towards the centre spot after conceding. He isn’t strong enough in the tackle when we need him and hasn’t got the ability of a Gerrard or Alonso to dictate the pace of play. Goals are another issue, I know he plays a lot of games as the deep lying midfielder but he simply doesn’t score enough. He threatening to a few seasons back but nothing since. He often snatches at good chances which is a same as he seems technically gifted. Too often sideways or backwards and that chipped cross to the far post is infuriating. Huge shame as like I say I like Henderson and wanted him to prove the doubters wrong, however I just don’t think he has it.

VERDICT – SQUAD PLAYER

Gini – Was a star performer in a relegated Newcastle side. Not sure if this should have been the writing on the wall. Came in and was solid, some really good displays and he bagged us some important goals in big games. City, Arsenal and Chelsea to name a few. Got about the pitch and at times looked like he could keep a ball in a phone box. It all looked good for him in his first season although his away form was a worry. Just a few months later and it’s the complete opposite. Away form is horrendous, carrying on where he left off last season, at times if I was Klopp I wouldn’t even bother naming him in the squad. That’s how bad he has been. For a box to box midfielder not to score away from home for Liverpool in more than a season is nothing short of pathetic in my eyes. We get enough possession and chances for him to have broken his duck. If we had better players or less on the injury table he wouldn’t be in the 11, its that simple. Time will tell for him but on the face of things not one for the future.

VERDICT – SQUAD PLAYER

Can – Where to start. Came over in 2014 as a youngster with huge potential having left Bayern Munich for game time at Leverkusen. Can has been hit and miss, more miss than hit. Played out of position by Rodgers at central defence and sometimes right back and struggled to find his form. Looked at the end of last season like he would kick on and played well in the last few games helping us get 4th. Like Gini and Henderson has struggled massively this term, a decent game against Seville at home his only stand out performance.

He should at 6 foot and a big unit dominate games through his sheer size and strength but too often is found out. Often caught in possession wanting too many touches on the ball and as a number 6 this often leads to attacks baring down on our already woeful defence. Linked with Juve which might suit him as the play in Italy in slower than that of the premier league. Believes his own hype and spends far too much time in front of a mirror to ever to Liverpool’s hard man. Would personally drive him to Turin.

VERDICT – LET GO to JUVE – Maybe leave out until then also. Not helping our cause.

Milner – Came on a free on huge wages. Joke wages if reports are true. Good honest pro, no nonsense and many managers have said you need players like Milner in your squad. He performed to the best of his ability at left back last season and a credit to him for that. However he was shocking for the final 4 months of the season and maybe this is why Klopp tried Moreno again? Been a decent enough signing and will play a part this season as and when called upon. Don’t think he will last beyond next summer as a Reed. Wish him luck.

VERDICT – SELL/RELEASE next Summer.

Coutinho – Another hard one to write. I said I wouldn’t let myself love a player after Torres broke many of our hearts a few years back and not many players have come close. Suarez was close and then this summer Coutinho was also. He’s a magician, a true game changer. One people pay to watch. Fans love him and managers love him. First name on the team sheet and maybe our only world class player.

That being said he won’t be a Liverpool player come next summer and we need to plan our spending well, IF we get the money. After trying to force his way to Barcelona in the summer he’s lost his place in many fans hearts. Rafa rescued him from Inter reserves and we have developed him into a star. He threw all that in our faces this summer and some of his antics where despicable. Never to be forgiven from me.

This season he has got his head down, like Suarez a few years back and has been a star performer again. Scoring or assisting in most games. He does go missing sometimes in games and for weeks on end but the quality is there and this season it’s been more regular than not. Will be greatly missed when he leaves but I won’t spend too much time worrying about it after what he done. Good riddance.

VERDICT – Be gone next summer anyway.

Lallana – Felt he struggled in his first season at Anfield. In and out of the side and had a couple of knocks. Became an automatic choice since then. His energy is vital to our press and winning the ball high up the pitch. He has a great first touch and the way he accepts a ball makes me think he can’t be English. Often overplayed by both club and country and has picked up injuries as a result, halting progress and action this season. We’ve badly missed him in the side. Should score and assist more for a man with his ability and will eventually see him replaced in the side for someone who does. Again great attitude and always leaves it all on the pitch.

VERDICT – KEEP

Firmino – Been a good signing in my opinion although his goal tally now he plays up front is not good enough. Don’t solely blame him for this and I don’t think he’s ever been a goal scorer or a number 9. Work rate is terrific and he is rated highly amongst a lot of Reds fans although doesn’t seem to get much acknowledgement outside of Liverpool. Can be breath-taking but can be frustrating also, something I suppose you get with Brazilians. Loves the club and loves playing for Liverpool. I think he needs to play as a midfielder again to fulfil his maximum potential to Liverpool as playing upfront he will never score us the goals we need.

VERDICT – KEEP

Salah – Been outstanding since signing. A snip in today’s market. Goals and assists galore and a terrific work ethic to boot. We need to add pace to our attack for when Mane is out and he’s provided just that. Looks fit and a fiddle and without tempting fate he’s played a lot of minutes already but seems up to the pace. Had a lot to prove after his Chelsea spell but has gone a long way to proving Mourinho was wrong back then. Terrific addition and hopefully be here a long time.

VERDICT – KEEP

Mane – Again an absolute snip at the price we got him for. Would possibly go for double now. Pace to burn and knows where the net is. Lots of energy and the biggest compliment to pay him is that we don’t look the same side without him, even with Coutinho and Salah. Glides past players after slowing them down. Having a frustrating season with both injury and suspension this term. Hopefully won’t be out too long and can get us firing again as soon as possible. I think we will struggle to keep Mane next summer if we finish outside the top 4.

VERDICT – KEEP

Sturridge – Such a shame. Used to say outside of Aguero he was the best in the league. Injuries have ruined his career, has all the talent in the world but will never be fit enough to show it. Used to be deadly given one chance, seems to have lost this now as well as a yard of pace. I don’t think Klopp has given him a good run of games in fairness to him. Many believe a lot of problems are in his head, unfortunately we may never know. One things for sure is that we won’t have him here beyond next summer to find out. Be astounded if Klopp doesn’t sell next year, on massive wages too.

VERDICT – SELL

Solanke – Too soon to pass judgement on him. Looked okay in his cameo’s. Needs a goal badly for some confidence.

VERDICT – KEEP

Chamberlain – Too early to tell in his Liverpool career. Massively overpriced for 35m and if he wasn’t English I don’t think we would have signed him. Hoping he gets a fair crack of the ship under Klopp, not going to judge before he does.

VERDICT – KEEP

Woodburn – Touted as the next big thing. Head and shoulder above at times at youth level when I’ve watched him. Done brilliantly for Wales in the two qualifiers and is always in the squad. He’s another one I don’t understand why Klopp doesn’t give more minutes too. Even as last sub, he never seems to get on. I know he’s young but so what. Gerrard and Owen were 17 when they started Okaying regularly, Woodburn’s just turned 18 and our midfield isn’t setting the world alight. He been playing more centrally lately so maybe we are bedding him in for that role in the future.

VERDICT – KEEP

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strongtvwomen · 7 years

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DCCWTV Thoughts and Ramblings 10/9-10/12

*contains spoilers for last week's episodes*

Supergirl

Week's Ranking: 4th place

Let me start by saying, I loved last season of Supergirl. I loved it for the same reason Wonder Woman is my favorite superhero movie of all time, it shows "feminine" qualities as strengths not weaknesses. Historically socially constructed "famine" qualities have been seen as weaknesses. For instance care, compassion, humility, and mercy. The message this sends to the world is a terrible one. The world needs more of these qualities and they shouldn't be seen as exclusively feminine. These qualities should never been seen as weaknesses either. They are strengths. It's much easier to be fueled with anger, arrogance, vengeance, and revenge than it is to be fueled by care, compassion, humility, and mercy. It's high time we see more Wonder Women and Supergirls out there in the tv/movie superhero world- hopefully we also get some males superheroes with these qualities as their motivation as well.

Ok long rant over. Supergirl is usually my favorite but I did not really enjoy this episode of Supergirl. I do understand it needed to happen. Kara loved Mon El. It would be weird if Kara wasn't affected by what happened last season. So this episode needed to happen, even if it was painful to get through. I like the message of friendship getting you through tough times and helping you remember who you are. I am also pretty intrigued about the weird mental connection Kara and Mon El seem to have going. I know it might be controversial but I personally loved Mon El and want to see his character develop further.

The Flash

Week's Ranking: 3rd Place

I'm not quite sure why but The Flash is usually my least favorite of the DCCW slate. I really truly don't know why. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it and watch it every week but it's just not my favorite. I usually watch it last. I think I would like it better if Jessie were around more. I love my strong and multi-talented women. I also completely ship Jessie and Wally.

Anyways Jessie wasn't in this episode and I can't say I liked it overall too much. I had it on in the background as I cleaned my house and it never really drew my attention in. The only storyline that seems interesting so far is Caitlin's. She has a Jekyll and Hyde situation that is pretty compelling. Killer Frost and Caitlin Snow are such different personalities it's intriguing to see who is going to win out. I also really want to know what has happened with her since last season. And what happened to Malfoy? I know he left the show but he seemed all in with her last we saw him. It would be weird if he just walked away. Ooooh maybe she accidentally killed him? That would add some dramatic layers for her.

Legends of Tomorrow

Week's Ranking: 1st Place

This show gets the win for me for best premier episode. It was so incredibly fun. Sara is such a badass. Goodness I loved her this episode. From her job at the box store to her kicking Cesar's ass in Aruba- she was just a delight. I just love how it's her and 5 guys and it's not even a question that she is their leader (side note: I love it when Rory calls her Boss).

Speaking of Rory, he was also a complete delight. No one plays lovable, lethal, drunk better than that actor. Gosh I loved him in Aruba (I loved that he made it to Aruba).

Nate is a complete idiot. He's one of those book smart guys with no street smarts. It's funny to watch. I enjoy his buffoonery. Ray can also be that way but I find it charming because he is such a handsome Hufflepuff.

I really liked that Time Official lady as a foil/frienemy. I hope we see her more.

I really want Jax to find a new other half of Firestorm because I want Martin to get to be with his family.

We need some more ladies on this team. Way too many dudes. At least their leader is a kick-ass goddess queen.

Is Snart back yet? I'll ask this every week until he is back for good.

Arrow

Week's Ranking: 2nd Place

My original favorite. My crush on Stephen Amell pretty much knows no bounds. My desire to have Emily Bett as my BFF also knows no bounds. Sorry if I offend anyone but if you haven't figured this out yet, I am total Olicity trash.

I think the producers and writers of this show finally realized that this show is at its best when Slade Wilson is in it. Season 2 will always be my favorite season and last season started finally getting back to that season 2 glory. Adrian Chase was a great villain, he is up there with Slade.

I am not into kids coming on shows. However so far William hasn't ruined anything like most kids do so I'm ok with him (for now). He adds more sweet angst for Olicity so I guess he's ok.

Speaking of Olicity, they are totally together right? They just have to take things slowly as Oliver and William get use to each other first right? I think Oliver and Felicity will get married this season- my bold prediction. I also think William will have shared custody with his grandparents and Oliver at some point so he won't cramp everyone's style (as most kids in tv shows do).

There is totally something going on with Dig and Dinah right? They have such great chemistry but it makes me feel gross because he's still married to Lila, the mother of his child (Speaking of which that kid hasn't ruined anything so I guess not all tv kids are the worst). I wonder where the writers are going with this- it's making me nervous.

I love Mr. Terrific. I want him to be my BFF (along with Emily Bett). I wouldn't mind him joining Legends to give him more screen time. although that would make the whole too many dudes problem worse).

I really didn't care about many other story lines. I hope Thea is alright. I want Black Siren to be the big bad cause Katie Cassidy is rocking this whole evil thing. I really hope they don't turn her good cause she is amazing at being evil. It will be interesting to see where that guy from Lost will fit into the larger story this season.

That cliff hanger was nuts right?!

This episode (and really the end of last season) gave me hope for Arrow moving forward. I stopped watching Arrow for some time but now I'm back watching and loving it.

If I feel inspired I might keep doing these every week. I think I still only have 12 followers so I'm sure no one will read this but I'll do it for me- to express my nerdiness.

#supergirl #the flash #legends of tomorrow #arrow #dctv #the cw #olicity #karamel #sara lance #quickwest #spoilers

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flauntpage · 7 years

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Superlek Versus Panpayak: Duel Of The Gunfighters

It was the main event bout that Muay Thai punters have been waiting for, the long anticipated rematch between Superlek and Panpayak, two of the best gunfighters in Bangkok today.

Standing in for the OK Corral was Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, packed to its creaking wooden rafters with touts and gamblers eager to witness this head-to-head showdown.

As is often the case in Muay Thai boxing, these two 130 pound war machines have been duking it out for years and last night's big card in Bangkok was their fourth trial by combat since September 2015. Why the constant rematches? Filthy lucre aside, there is a cultural context to re-matching pugs who have already blitzed one another. In Thailand losing face, in business, sport or both, is a big deal and Panpayak was eager to regain his. Back in February, Superlek outpointed Panpayak over five rounds in a magnificent display of knees, knuckles and shins that some ringside observers wrote of as a shock win.

Superlek

Shock or sheer bloody perspiration, the 2017 ruck at Rajadamnern was payback for Superlek losing to Panpayak on the cards in their second bruising encounter in October 2015.

But perhaps Superlek was still shagged out from their first meeting in September 2015. A beautiful display of left round kick versus knee; too close to call, it ended with a draw; one judge for Panpayak, one judge for Superlek, and one calling it dead even. It just goes to show that anything can happen in the ultra competitive sport of Muay Thai boxing.

But hang on a mo... Who are Superlek and Panpayak, the lead actors in this sporting drama, this duel of champions? Rewind selector: here's the précis for the uninitiated out there in Fightland. Quick on the draw, Superlek's a multiple weight champ and a stone killing terminator of Buriram vintage. Triumphing over Sangmanee last month in a peerless display of eight-limbed mugging, and on a run of big victories, he was the odds-on favorite to win against Panpayak fourth time round at Rajadamnern.

Panpayak

Panpayak, the man who would-be nemesis, ain't no pushover. A champ from mini-flyweight to featherweight, the kid from Samut Prakarn (via Bangkok) is a tough stud with a glittering war record who has won the Sports Writers of Thailand "Fighter of the Year" competition three times in a row. He recently avenged a stunning loss by KO to Petchutong Or Kwanmuang, head kicked Sam-A Kaiyanghadaogym, Prajanchai PK. Saeenchaimuaythai, elbowed Wanchalong PK Saenchaimuaythaigym, and point robbed Jomhod Sagami and Aikmongkon Gaiyanghadao.

At the weigh-in the day before the fourth bout, there were concerns about Superlek making the 130lb limit. Panpayak was dead on but Superlek was over by 0.8lbs. After a hasty spot of roadwork, a rather drained looking Superlek made the 130lbs cap. Drama over. Or was it?

Superlek and Panpayak are two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in Muay Thai boxing, but, like seismology, the fight game is an unpredictable pseudoscience. Every winner loses and ever loser wins. Muay Thai karma or not, this main event was the big daddy and the heaving crowd in Rajadamnern Stadium were growing giddy with delight at the promise of gunfire in the ring. Who would emerge as top dog in the Bangkok alleyway?

After the reconnaissance mission in Round 1 and 2, the pace went up to breakneck speed in Round 3 and the two men began to exchange bunker-buster round knees and sweeps in a death clinch. It wasn't a policy of mutually assured destruction. One man was going to lose; another man was going to win. Would it be Superlek in the red shorts, or Panpayak in the blue? Would it be a victory by knockout or a perfunctory decision on the cards? It was too soon to tell.

Battered by the winds of Panpayak's limbs, Superlek rallied his senses in a last desperate bid for victory and launched a counter offensive of rabbit knees and sweeps off the clinch in Rounds 3 and 4 to even up the score. Panpayak boxed off but Superlek kept storming forward for old buddy clinches and socked Panpayak with some meaty looking round knees to the midsection. It was messy and violent and on two occasions both men crashed to the canvas like a brace of drunken hooligans in a pub fight. Panpayak, however, took the rough and tumble in his stride and retaliated with airburst round kicks and savage right hooks to regain control of the battle.

Steely shinned and lightning handed, he took Superlek to task in Round 5 and dominated the field of battle like a latter day Roman general quelling unrest in an unruly province. A beleaguered and fatigued looking Superlek was unable to respond with any meaningful effect to Panpayak's payload of hurt. It was all going pear shaped for the golden boy from Buriram. The winning streak, the run of luck, the yellow ink tributes from the sports writers of Thailand, none of it mattered last night in the ring. This was a Muay Thai memo to remind Superlek that he had met his fighting mirror image in Panpayak. The judges gave Panpayak the win after five hard-bitten rounds. But could Superlek's lackluster performance be to do with his problems making weight at 130llbs? Possibly: but not certainly.

Notwithstanding, it was a great night in Bangkok and the crowd seemed pleased with the unanimous verdict of the three Thai judges at ringside.

"I think it was an easy win for Panpayak," said one Australian fight fan in attendance. "It was quite a good technical fight which surprised me as you would have thought that Superlek would have put more pressure on."

Arran Sirisompan, who provided English commentary for the bout for Muaythaixtream, said much the same thing.

"Panpayak is such a clever fighter. I thought he was in control for the majority of the fight apart from parts of the 3rd or 4th rounds when Superlek caught him with some good knees."

On the undercard at Rajadamnern, Sangmanee, still wincing from his recent decision loss to Superlek, faced Kaimuakkao Petchyindeeacademy. There was a lot of Thai dancing going on at the end of Round 5 and Sangmanee won by split decision. Still in the running, Sangmanee is on the crank for revenge against Superlek. The duel of champions is over but the long and bloody Muay Thai war goes on and on.

Superlek Versus Panpayak: Duel Of The Gunfighters published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

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