#viv & anton

[willstafford]

The Axeman Cometh

THE CHERRY ORCHARD The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, Wednesday 25th October 2023 Now, I enjoy a good Chekhov as much as the next man, but it can be difficult for a production to hit the right tone – especially with this, his final masterpiece, which first appeared in 1904.  A once-rich family and their retainers have to sell up the ancestral estate, due to societal change (no more…

[antondevlaux]

The kiss turned Anton Devlaux into a statue, body freezing, every muscle locking into place except his lips which, through shock, responded even if it was only brief. Momentary. Gone just a second later — staring at her before he had to bite down the laughter that threatened to burst out of him. "Every desire, huh? That's a lot of expectation to put on a single man."

And while many people loved a challenge, not Anton. Nah, he wanted the quiet, he wanted to be left alone.

And just like that, Elaine was gone from sight completely, and he was free.

"A Narbo? Really? That’s the best you’ve got?" He fell into step beside her, hands digging into his pockets, while his long strides matched her shorter ones — even if already had the urge to tell Vivienne to walk faster. "And for the record, it's not about playing a knight in shining armor, as you call it. I mean...It's about... I don't know, not being a complete asshole?" which, noted, he'd never been very good at. It wasn't like he actively tried (not always, at least). "Complete asshole or not, I let her think she had a chance. That’s on me. But...I mean, come on, she's not exactly subtle, is she? I should've run while I had the chance."

He grunted, knowing she was technically right, but unwilling to admit it. The distant sounds of children laughing and adults screaming on the rides filling the space as they got closer. Anton rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. "Right, sorry, uh? Vivienne." looking away from the Love Tunnel with an arch of a bushy brow. This woman was...something else. One minute her lips had been on his, she'd berated him for his choices, and now she was taking him away from hell: he'd have to find a way to thank her.

The rollercoaster loomed ahead, all the more thrilling—or terrifying, depending on one’s perspective. At least it didn't have any fucking pigeons, because funnily enough, that was where he drew the line. Witches? Fine, hated them too, but pigeons? Mortal, or immortal fucking enemy.

Anton couldn’t deny the infectious nature of her enthusiasm, even if rollercoasters weren’t exactly his thing. “You know,” leaning against the metal railing, “if you’re trying to scare me to death, there are easier ways.” A hint of humor lacing that otherwise monotonous voice. One thing he did know was that Vivienne was the kind of woman to keep a man of their toes, and enough fear of losing her that they'd never make a move to give her reason too.

Which meant she was dangerous. Little did he know the actual danger that lay behind beautiful eyes.

The line moved quickly, and soon they were seated in the front car, strapping themselves in with a cord that looked like one pull too much and it might break, the safety bar pressing down on their laps. Enough to have him settle. Taking a slowed minute, Anton glanced at Vivienne. "Ready?"

Elaine, Elaine, Elaine...

So naïve, so... Mundane... And that voice? That poor thing saw no love; not from above and certainly not from below. If she had any heart in her, perhaps she'd have felt bad for the woman, alas, Vivienne was so much better than that. Besides, Elaine certainly didn't deserve anything, except perhaps a one-way ticket to reality.

She could consider it a gift from Vivienne for that dirty look she threw.

"We go way back?" The witch pouted at Anton, pretending to care for whatever it was he called them. "This is exactly why girls like that think they can steal you away from me." Another pout, before she fisted his shirt in her hand and pulled him closer, brushing her lips gently against his. "You promised me, so I hope you're going to fulfill my every desire."

She very much doubted that, of course. If anything, Anton felt like he was a scaredy-cat at the best of times. Though today seemed to be proving there was yet some potential to see. Vivienne kissed him for just a little bit longer, watching as Elaina disappeared within the crowds and only then did she separate.

Anton still needed some work, for sure.

"If you were a better man, you wouldn't need saving." She said, rolling her eyes. "What are you trying to play here? You say yes only to dread it later? Everyone one knows about Elaine. Stop trying to play a knight in shining armour, Tony." Instead of going towards the Love Tunnel, Viv started to head towards the new rollercoaster. That was more fun for now, and she wanted to keep the Love Boats for the special ones.

She turned to see that Anton was still where she had left him a few seconds ago, so with a grunt she walked back, hooked her finger on the back of his shirt and once again steered him in the correct direction. "You'd like it if you were in love, too. You're such a narbo."

[kandy-sticks-zaza-blogs]

🗝️Saint Peter Redesign🐓

Since when “Welcome to heaven” episode came out I always thought St.Peter would look like I was shocked and confused since when did St.PETER BECAME A BASIC WHITE MAN LIKE WHAT???

I was uncomfortable when he started singing I CANNOT STAND THIS TWINK THAT MOAN IN EVERY SONG LIKE WTF.

I’m not a Christain but I cannot believe Viv would make another religious figure white like why didn’t she properly read the bible and look up on the internet about Peter?!

I really don’t believe that is Saint Peter that is a different character with a different personality.

I decided to make him bible accurate to his redesign I made him look old and wise.

His voice would be Anton Chigurh from No Country from an old man

I added some fish surrounding his sunny looking halo that he used to be a fisherman in his past life.

The holes on his palm shows that he have been crucified on the cross upside down.

He’s a part rooster angel since the rooster symbolises vigilance and protection for Jesus prophecy.

The blue and yellow robes make him look accurate.

I replaced light blue to dark brown lineart to make him suitable to the warm colour of heaven.

His beard and hair mimicked the water and clouds flowing due to flying and levitation off the ground.

[laytonnpcbracket]

Welcome to the Layton NPC Showdown!

This is a bracket to determine which of the many memorable NPCs from across the Professor Layton games are the greatest.

GAMES INCLUDED: Every game except LBMR. Eternal Diva characters are also not included here.

WHAT COUNTS AS AN NPC?: Anyone who doesn't have a puzzle animation. Characters excluded are Layton, Luke, Flora, Clive, Emmy, Randall, Aurora, Des, Espella, Phoenix, Maya, Katrielle, Ernest, Sherl, Hastings, and Emiliana.

WILL THERE BE NOMINATIONS?: Nope! Every NPC will be included.

WHAT ABOUT THE LAYTONMOBILE/MOLENTARY EXPRESS?: No vehicles. Not characters.

WHAT ABOUT THE PUZZLE LADS/LASSES?: I only plan on including characters that we can speak to in-game, so no Puzzle Lads or Lasses. Sorry to the people who like them 😔

WHICH CHARACTERS ARE INCLUDED, THEN?: Anyone who isn't an exception listed above that is in the profiles of the game! A full list is enclosed below.

WHEN WILL THE TOURNAMENT START?: More information forthcoming on that! I have to seed the bracket first :)

WHY IS NAIYA YOUR ICON?: In my opinion, she's one of the more underrated NPCs of the series. I'll probably cycle through some of the ones I have available to me right now.

WHAT CRITERIA SHOULD I VOTE ON?: Whatever makes you happy :)

ARE ALTER EGOS SEPERATE CHARACTERS?: No. For instance, Ratman is not included because his secret identity is in the tournament.

US OR UK NAMES?: I will try to make available as many names for the NPCs as possible! Which includes their Japanese names and as many names in the localizations as I am able to obtain from the wiki and my own sources. I'll probably reliably have the English (both versions where applicable), Japanese, and French names for every character when I do the bracket rounds. The list below however is entirely in English.

And now for a list of the entries! I didn't check all of these for inconsistencies, but I attempted to ascertain that I used the US versions. Some of them might be UK versions though because that's the version of the game I have (specifically Diabolical Box NPCs and Last Specter NPCs -- I know some of their US names but not all).

Franco

Stachenscarfen

Ingrid

Percy

Marco

Ramon

Matthew

Lady Dahlia Reinhold

Gordon Reinhold

Simon Reinhold

Claudia

Beatrice

Deke

Agnes

Pauly

Crouton

Flick

Rodney

Chelmey

Lucy

Zappone

Gerard

Jarvis

Adrea

Pavel

Crumm

Prosciutto

Archibald

Sylvain

Martha

Giuseppe

Augustus Reinhold

Granny Riddleton

Don Paolo

Bruno

Andrew Schrader

Anton Herzen

Katia Anderson

Sophia

Mr. Anderson

Beluga

Sammy Thunder

Macaroon

Chester

Babette

Tom

Ilyana

Geoff

Garland

Nigel

Jacques

Barton

Grousley

Steve

Capone

Mitzi

Lili

Sally

Marjorie

Conrad

Karla

Romie

Dorothea

Clabber

Oscar

Nick

Gabe

Balsa

Wurtzer

Lopez

Laurel

Parcelle

Lulu

Albert

Madeline

Remy

Angus

Kostya

Dylan

Joseph

Rory

Lila

Damon

Felix

Niles

Duke

Hopper

Olson

Derby

Dawson

Joanie

Krantz

Grinko

Marina

Opal

Ray

Gregorio

Narice

Gertie

Hamster

Precious

Winston

Claire

Dimitri Allen

Bill Hawks

Spring

Cogg

Dean Delmona

Shipley

Puzzlette

Beasley

Parrot

Subject 3

Bostro

Family Goon

Lockjaw

Splinters

Marzano

Layman

Fisheye

Silky

Shmelmey

Shmarton

Ward

Smith

Florence

Vito

Art

Niklaus

Anita

Alfie

Hazel (UF)

Adeline

Max

Becky

Margaret

Pallard

Dupree

Natalia

Harold

Horace

Hardy

Cuthbert

Segal

Catanova

Rosetta

Colby

Rudolph

Misha

Dylan

Viv

Pepper

Checker

Avogadro

Maya (UF)

Myrtle

Belle

Graham

Slate

Ernest (UF)

Berta

Minnie

Paige

Raleigh

Beacon

Mark

Rosa

Grosky

Keats

Clark Triton

Brenda Triton

Arianna Barde

Tony Barde

Doland Noble

Levin Jakes

Loosha

Toppy

Crow

Marilyn

Roddy

Scraps

Tweeds

Wren

Socket

Louis

Badger

Aldus

Charlie

Jasmine

Bucky

Fische

Beth

Mido

Clarence

Joe

Molly

Marion

Browne

Hugo

Dominica

Paddy

Brock

Aunt Taffy

Shackwell

Greppe

Goosey

Mimi

Hans Jakes

Maggie

Yamada

Sean

Olga

Finch

Sebastian

Cornelius

Chappy

Hannah

Mick

Colby

Monica

Thomas

Nate

Ewan

Chief Engineer

Naiya

Chippe

Bram

Ghent

Nordic

Gilbert

Roland Layton

Lucille Layton

Henry Ledore

Angela Ledore

Alphonse Dalston

Leonard Bloom

Sheffield

Billson

Mrs Ascot

Pascal

Guy

Lapushka

Gustav

Gonzales

Drake

Tyrone

Sterling

Mordy

Collette

Maurice

Juggles

Puck

Yukkles

Murphy

Cookie

Tanya

Firth

Madelaine

Stumble

Artie

Michelle

Nils

Frankie

Conner

Humbert

Policeman (MM)

Yuming

Esther

Lionel

Doug

Mr. Collins

Leon Bronev

Raymond

Prima

Harald

Donna

Mascha

Georg

Mackintosh

Solveig

Erik

Hazel (AL)

Igor

Sonya

Moos

Larisa

Karpin

Boris

Dariya

Pavlova

Carmichael

Amelie Chelmey

Policeman (AL)

Tommy

Morel

Chestnut

Amanita

Blewitt

Chanterelle

Button

Lepidella

Bud

Javier

Benny

Miranda

Martine

Barbara

Ruby

Scarlett

Flint

Old Red

Jesse

Derringer

Julien

Romilda

Sheppard

Piet

Felicia

Rik

Beatrix

Umid

Banu

Dana

Temir

Mehri

Nassir

Adler

Robin

Macaw

Plover

Grouse

Gannet

Swift

Carmine Accidenti

Olivia Aldente

Allan

Bardly

Zacharias Barnham

Newton Belduke

Birdly

Boistrum

Cecil

Cinderellia

Constantine

Cracker

Cutter

Darklaw

Dewey

Dzibilchaltunchunchucmil

Patty Eclaire

Eve (cat)

Flynch

Foxy

Jean Greyerl

Hoot

Judge

Kira

Knight Captain

Knightle

Lottalance

Lyewood

Lettie Mailer

Balmung

Mary

Muffet

Muggs

Ridelle Mystere

Nozey

Petal

Petter

Ms Primstone

Emeer Punchenbaug

Robbs

Old Rootie

Rouge

Servius

Shakey

Johnny Smiles

Snowy

Storyteller

Tuggit

Price

Wordsmith

Pipper Lowonida

Phineas Barnone

Madame Doublée

Liza Wight

Grant Sloans

Cesar Chance

Mustafa Fulhold

Hans Lipski

Aleks Lipski

Maverick D. Rector

Seymore Fraymes

The Major

Eddie Torre

Hayes

Maid

Wooooster

Bianca Teller

Security Guard

Shadee

Taboras Lloyd

Douglas Dert

Ratboy

Mo Heecan

Mrs Slow the Tailor

Midas Pullman

Declan Swabber

Abel Seamon

Felicity Hastings

Gene Ohm

Billy Kidd

Royall Britannias

Clover Pryce

PC Beate

DC Booker

Waiter

Séan Butchin

Bo Bells

Hessie Tate

Benjy

Bess

Keane Fisher

Bob Bracket

Stripey

Patch

Cat

Yapper

Gudrun Weldon

[yassssifiedhistory]

This is one of my favorite family photos. Unsure on the date, but I'm guessing mid to late 1910s

1) Anton Levi Peterson, Dec 19th, 1862-May 6th 1930. My great great great grandfather.

2) Elizabeth Ann Arbon, Dec 20th 1966-Jan 2nd 1937. My great great great grandmother.

3) John Charles Peterson, AKA "Uncle Charl." Jan 10th, 1884-Jul 13 1964.

4) Clara Isabella Peterson, Aug 13th 1886-Sep 14 1968.

5) Martha Elizabeth Peterson, AKA "Aunt Marth." Aug 28 1888-Jul 1st 1952.

6) Helena Claudina Peterson, AKA "Aunt Claud." Apr 27th 1890-Sep 2nd 1964.

7) Vivian Viola Peterson, AKA "Aunt Viv." Nov 15th, 1891/2

8) Leondo Peterson, AKA "Uncle Leon." Dec 25 1894-Jan 27 1956.

9) Arvella Peterson, AKA "Val" (only by her husband). Nov 13th 1895-Sep 27 1968. My great great grandmother.

10) Iris Rosella Peterson, Oct 15 1897.

11) Tresta Peterson, AKA "Aunt Tre" (pronounced like tree). Aug 17 1899.

12) Levi Golden Peterson, AKA "Goldie." Sep 28 1902

13) Lila Peterson, Aug 29 1904.

[daphnebrooks-cursed]

With her arms wrapped tightly around Vivienne, Daphne let out a sigh of relief. Her friend had shown up at just the right moment. After a long workday, she was ready to unwind, and there was no better way than with the company of her very best friend. "Oh, Viv… I've had the longest day." Not that it had been all bad. She had met that tall, dark stranger named Anton, who she planned to keep in mind—a 'come back and revisit at a later date' kind of reminder. Even though she wanted to believe she was ready to move on, Brian still consumed her every waking thought. She didn’t regret killing him, but there was a lingering sadness, knowing that if he had just left his wife like she had asked, she wouldn’t have had to resort to such drastic measures.

The carnival pulsed with vivacious energy, its game stalls a dazzling array of hues and melodies. "What game should we try their luck with..." she had eyes on the air pistols. It was bound to draw the men they were looking for tonight to it. Strong... egos. "Oh, look.. the two in the Red Sox caps, I bet they're just dying to make our nights by winning us one of those big fluffy gorillas."

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Daphne broke free from Vivienne's embrace, a playful smirk playing on her lips. She sauntered backward toward the stall, her gaze locked on Vivienne's before executing a precise turn, stumbling just enough to bump into one of the nearby men.

"Oh, my... heels really weren't the best choice tonight, were they?" she exclaimed, her eyes meeting his with a coy innocence. "You wouldn't happen to be able to make it up to me and maybe win me one of those big, cuddly plushies, would you?" Her hand subtly gestured for Vivienne to join in the charade. "Oh, and one for my friend too... you know, our boyfriends tried earlier, but they just couldn't seem to get the knack of it like you two seem to have gotten it."

"Oh, you really calm my nerves, thank you!" Vivienne shot a glance at Rob, while at the same time tucking her hair behind her ear. Just to see what he would do - if he messed up, maybe he'd be fired. She wanted someone better for her friend, someone who could do their job and get her friend into higher highs. Of course, she could make him do whatever she wanted, but where was the fun in that?

Actually, there was all the fun in that. Maybe later.

"You humble me! I've always loved spending my time in Salem. Ever since I've been sixteen when I first came here, it has become my home. I mean - I could go anywhere in the world, but home really is where my heart it." She was playing right into the Hollywoods Sweetheart persona and she loved it. Maybe she would bag herself a date with another hot actor, she had her eyes already set on Matt Dillon or Ethan Hawke. "But, my new movie comes out in July called Lethal Weapon 2, so don't forget to tune in!"

Now, she was done, she felt like she had done her part and now wanted to take Daphne away from this. To have their own fun. Thus, she put her arm around Daphne's waist, pulling her close, just as best friends did, and laughed at the camera. "Yes, which is why I now must whisk you away, because your true love story awaits!" Truly, Vivienne didn't have another friend like Daphne. She wasn't sure what was it exactly that excited her so much - was it her looks, her devotion, her ambition? All of the above. Yes.

Pretending to think about it as they left the work scene behind, with a twinkling eye, Vivienne had made a decision. "Fluffy teddy, of course. We can see the men flex their arms, and vet out the ones that are good for nothing. I heard there are some pretty choices this year. We could turn it into a game?" Vivienne loved turning everything into a game. This time, she wanted them to sit on the counter as the boys shot their toy guns. Well, as they tried to hit their targets.

[comicwaren]

From Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #003, “Fisk’s Fist - Part 3”

Art by Manuel Garcia, Lorenzo Ruggiero and Dono Sánchez-Almara

Written by Clay McLeod Chapman

[don-simon]

10 Life lessons from the masterpieces of Russian literature

1. Happiness is a salty potato. When the peasant Platon Karatayev offers Pierre Bezukhov a potato sprinkled with salt in Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, he delivers a very important message. “Love your parents, have children of your own, bear your fate with acceptance and patience.” And the potato? Relish the simple things in life.

2. Don’t trust a woman who wears too much perfume. In Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, the horrors of “vinaigre de toilette”, as worn by all the salon “ladies”, represents artifice, pretence and delusion. Everything Levin – and all of us – must fight against.

3. Never underestimate the importance of dressing properly. Anna Akhmatova’s sorrowful and bitter work Requiem is filled with wry flashes of the painfully mundane: from the significance of a sleek black skirt to her counsel against wearing tight shoes for prison visits.

4. You’re not as smart as you would like to think you are. Sometimes we do things so stupid that even God struggles to forgive us. Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Rodion Raskolnikov wants to prove himself invincible in Crime and Punishment. Instead he bungles a heist and ends up getting a degree of comfort by becoming heavily religious.

5. When things go wrong, put one foot in front of the other. When your horizons become literally limited because you are in the Gulag – as for the title character in Aleksandr Solvzhenitysn’s One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, there is a keen sense of life being worth living even in the worst of circumstances. 

6. Beware the burden of comparison. Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters is an elaborate caution against thinking that the grass is greener elsewhere. Find the good in your situation instead of envying that of others. 

7. Avoid flirting with your best friend’s girl. Surely the worst crime in Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin is the title character’s behaviour towards his best friend, Lensky. He flirts with Lensky’s girl, and Lensky is forced to call him out in a duel, in which Onegin shoots him dead. Pushkin’s warning? Don’t be as idiotic as this man.   

8. Give in to destiny. In Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago, we learn that someone more important than you (i.e., God) has decided your fate, so don’t fight it. 

9. You’ve got to laugh or else you would cry. Mikhail Bulgakov delivers a masterclass in using satire as a means of survival in The Master and Margarita. How else could you weather the horror of the Stalinist purges of the 1930s?

10. Know your limits. Knowing when to make an exit is surely one of life’s most precious skills. Ivan Turgenev’s character Rakitin, in A Month in the Country, leaves before things get too humiliating when he realises that the woman he loves does not return his interest.

taken from Viv Groskop’s book The Anna Karenina Fix (Fig Tree)

[viviana-vulpe]

𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐕𝐔𝐋𝐏𝐄 “Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.”

♠ 𝔅𝔞𝔰𝔦𝔠𝔰

Name: Viviana "Viv" Illeana Vulpe Nickname: Viv Date of Birth: March 31, 1994 [30] Place of Birth: Buffalo, NY, USA [Romanian-American] Hometown: Buffalo, NY, USA & Bucharest, Romania Current Residence: New York City, NY, USA Occupation: Esthetician — Owner of “Refined”

♠ 𝔉𝔞𝔪𝔦𝔩𝔶

Father: Andrei Vulpe Mother: Illeana Vulpe Sibling(s): Luca, Anton & Alina Vulpe (twins)

♠ 𝔗𝔢𝔪𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱

✓ hardworking, independent, passionate ✗ blunt, hot-tempered, opinionated

♠ 𝔄𝔯𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔳𝔢

N01

DISCLAIMER This account is for roleplaying purposes only and is not associated with any individuals depicted herein. All written content are original works of fiction; any resemblance to existing works and/or characters should be considered coincidental and free of malicious intent. Please do not reproduce/redistribute. Thank you.

[tinx-methinks]

I actually forgot some last time and also I have a few more to add. This'll probably be the final update before the last one with the tally on Dec 31st.

I forgot to mention last time that I'd tracked down and read Rage by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman). The book is super controversial because of its association with several school shootings and it's subsequent pulling from publication. The version I read was tracked down on the Internet Archive. I really ended up enjoying it however, and I think it really shocked me that there was a very notable queer reading of it I'd never seen mentioned. It's a shame that the book became what it has since if it hadn't become an outlet for toxic masculine anger there may have been more space for discussion around it. I think I found it at a weirdly appropriate moment of my life and I'm glad for having read it.

I also read a number of stories by Ray Bradbury including: The Whole Town's Sleeping, The Rocket, Season of Disbelief, And the Rock Cried Out, The Drummer Boy of Shiloh, The Beggar on O'Connell Bridge, The Flying Machine, Heavy-Set, The First Night of Lent, Lafayette Farewell, Remember Sascha?, and Junior (favs so far bolded). I'm working through a book of short stories which are my first introduction to Bradbury's work and holy shit. It's really good.

Since I last updated I read some more KA Applegate: Megamorphs 3 Elfangor's Secret, The Conspiracy, and The Separation

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher- I enjoyed this one a lot. It's a contemporary take on The White People by Arthur Machen which I intend to read sometime soon to compare.

The Earl not Taken by A.S. Fenichel was alright but a bit longer than what I was looking for. I think I wanted short and sweet period romance and this one dragged for me at places. Also the modern feminist takes were to the books determent but I would've overlooked that if I'd loved it overall. This didn't sell me on the setting or characters, however so I'm going to give the rest of the series a miss.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree was surprisingly good. I really thought it was going to be a nothing burger but it ended up being a fun fluffy read where you could really tell there was a genuine love of coffee behind it. It made me want to go back to my barista days. I was disappointed by the short story at the end and even more disappointed to learn the sequel is actually a prequel because for me this was all I wanted from these characters and I don't really want to revisit them. If the author writes more in this universe away from Viv and her friends, however, I'll be more than willing to read his other work.

Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson was a fun Christmas romance. Exactly what I wanted to set the mood. Very funny that the main character rebels so hard against the magic charm bracelet that kicks off the plot. It's exactly like one of those Hallmark movies so if you like them you'd like this. My only nitpick is I really wanted someone to go thru the ice, and by making all the character development of the main character internal the author avoided the problem of having this guy mainsplain feelings to her but created the problem where the man and her barely spoke and didn't really develop together in any way on screen. But eh. It's a cheap romance. You'll get over it. No sex in this one either, but it would've felt pretty out of place. There was some great hand lust however.

Also my fiance finished reading me Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis.

As for short stories:

An Upheaval by Anton Chekov: we both liked this. Just a tidy good short story. Delivered on the Chekov thing. Fantastic.

How Beautiful with Shoes by Wilbur Daniel Steele: At first we were leery about this one but after looking into the author a bit we decided it has the same appeal as Riley Sager-esque thrillers do now and decided to call it OK even if it wasn't exactly what we'd call great.

A Haunted House by Virginia Woolf : I really loved this one.

The Catbird Seat by James Thurber: This one was funny, the characters were great, there were some sexism concerns but ultimately we think they were so played up that it still served as humorous enough to make this one rereadable.

Update to this post: tinx-reads-2023

Books I've read since last time:

K.A. Applegate: The Change, The Unknown, The Escape, The Warning, The Underground, The Decision, Megamorphs 2: In the Time of the Dinosaurs, The Andalite Chronicles, The Hork-Bajir Chronicles, The Departure, The Discovery, The Threat, The Solution, The Pretender, The Suspicion, and The Extreme. GOD she does Aliens SO WELL. I care about her Aliens SO MUCH argh. I didn't think I would like the Andalite or Hork-Bajir Chronicles at all but now they're all I can think about ahhhh!!!

Hide by Kiersten White wasn't super good... it felt kinda like the author was trying to rub her own back and the novel wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped.

The Legend of Beacon Swamp by Jacob Peyton had it's moments where it could have been interesting but it was so poorly written that any joy you could still derive from it vanished into the murk.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells was the STAND OUT FAVE from this group of books. All my homies love Murderbot.

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk wasn't bad and would've been more enjoyable if I'd just read it for what it was but I was thinking about some of the weirdness in the world building the whole time. I think the angels in this universe are evil and also the main character is kinda really bad.

Consequences by Aleatha Romig was pitched to me as erotica. Which it wasn't. Tried to make me think it was romance. Which is wasn't. And then the ending would've been good and interesting if the entire book hadn't been wayyyy too fuckin' long.

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn was a bookclub book that became a real slog. The main character was smug and mean and I really hated the twist in this book. I thought the author was English but it turned out she was from Texas which really shook me though.

Deadly Kiss by Ariel Marie was the first one in a romance series about lesbian vampire princesses. It was alright, but felt a little confused at times. I think I might take a look at the second one in the series though... it was charming and had some decent erotica.

As for Short Stories...

Kakekomi Uttae by Dazai Osamu was super interesting because I read No Longer Human last year and felt like this piece had SO much of the author's personal voice in the place of Judas.

Graveyard Rats by Henry Kutner which I read cause I'm hunting down the short stories from Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities with a friend. Neither of us thought this was very good, however. We both preferred the netflix adaption.

The Autopsy by Michael Shea was fantastic. I enjoyed this one a bunch. I ended up going through the episode again because of it and I love the changes that were made from the text but for me the text had sooo much more to offer with little details in mannerisms. Plus some of the thoughts about death as a personification just really worked for me. I liked this one a lot.

[ippnoida]

Tomb of Sand makes International Booker 2022 shortlist

Tomb of Sand, the English translation of Geetanjali Shree's Hindi original Ret Samadhi, has created history by becoming the first Indian novel translation to make it to the prestigious International Booker Prize shortlist. Penguin India released the English translation of Ret Samadhi in the subcontinent last month.

Shree's book, translated into English by Daisy Rockwell, is among the six books shortlisted for the coveted prize. The GBP 50,000 (approximately Rs 50 lakh) prize will be shared by the author and the translator.

The International Booker received a record 135 submissions this year. The International Booker Prize is awarded each year to a book translated into English and published either in the UK or Ireland. Starting this year, the Booker Prize has increased the prize money for shortlisted authors and translators from GBP 1,000 (approximately Rs 1 lakh) to GBP 2,500 (approximately Rs 2.48 lakh). This brings the total value of the literary awards to GBP 80,000 (approximately Rs 80 lakh). 

The five other works shortlisted for the prestigious translation into English award are the short story compilation Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung, translated from Korean by Anton Hur; Heaven by Mieko Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Samuel Bett and David Boyd; The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk, translated from Polish by Jennifer Croft; crime novel Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro, translated from Spanish by Frances Riddle; and, A New Name: Septology VI-VII by Jon Fosse, translated from Norwegian by Damion Searls. The shortlist was announced at the London Book Fair on 7 April, and is dominated by women authors. Olga Tokarczuk won the Booker in 2018 for her acclaimed novel Flights.

About Tomb of Sand, the judges panel said, “Daisy Rockwell's spirited translation rises admirably to the complexity of the text, which is full of wordplay and verve.” Shree's “loud and irresistible novel” has also won the English Pen Award.

Frank Wynne, the first translator to lead the Booker judges, who announced the shortlist on his 60th birthday, explained, “Translation is an intimate, intricate dance that crosses borders, cultures, and languages. There is little to compare to the awe and exhilaration of discovering a perfect pairing of writer and translator?

At Night All Blood Is Black by David Diop, translated from French by Anna Moschovakis was the 2021 winner while The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas, translated from Dutch by Michele Hutchison won the International Booker in pandemic year 2020.

Tomb of Sand's publisher Tilted Axis has been nominated for the International Booker Prize for the first time in its 17-year history. Tilted Axis had two other titles in this year's longlist – Happy Stories, Mostly by Norman Erikson Pasaribu, translated from Indonesian by Tiffany Tsao; and Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park, translated from Korean by Anton Hur. Honford Star is another publisher that made it to the list for the first time.

Other members on this year's judging panel are Zimbabwean lawyer and writer Petina Gappah; Turkish-American academic, writer, and literary critic Merve Emre; British journalist, author, and comedian Viv Groskop; and Singaporean author, translator, and playwright Jeremy Tiang.

Shree – a frequently translated writer

Hailing from small-town Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh, 64-year-old Shree has several novels and short story compilations to her credit, with her titles being translated into German, French, Korean, and Serbian, apart from English. Her critically acclaimed works include Mai, Hamara Shahar Us Baras, and Tirohit. This is one of her first works to be published in the UK.

Shree shared her excitement in a press release from her Hindi Rajkamal, “It is recognition of a very special kind. When a work appeals to unknown people sitting in faraway places, then it must have the ability to transcend its specific cultural context and touch the universal and the human. That is true ratification. The work must be good, the translation must be excellent! It is a great moment for Daisy and me. Shows how rich our dialog has been. That is what translation is about.”

Ashok Maheshwari, managing director – Rajkamal Prakashan, the original publisher of Ret Samadhi in Hindi shared his happiness on the novel being shortlisted for International Booker Prize, saying that excellent writing in Hindi and other Indian languages is attracting global attention.

Daisy Rockwell – biographer and translator  

US-based Daisy Rockwell has translated diverse Hindi and Urdu works into English. She is the author of Upendranath Ashk: A Critical Biography, The Little Book of Terror and Taste, apart from her many essays on literature.

Rockwell won the Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize by the Modern Language Association of America in 2020 for her translation of A Gujarat Here, A Gujarat There. Her other translations include Falling Walls by Upendranath Ashk and Bhisham Sahni’s epic partition masterpiece Tamas.

Kanishka Gupta, CEO of Writer's Side which represents Rockwell shares in an exclusive chat with Indian Printer & Publisher, “This is unprecedented. This has never happened before. I don't know why people are just saying Hindi translation, because no South Asian language has appeared on the International Booker shortlist. It is a first, it is good to be part of a historic moment like this."

This is the second book represented by the Indian literary agency to be shortlisted for the Booker. New Delhi-based Shree is now looking forward to attending the Booker Prize 2022 award ceremony on 26 May in London.

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Diona Reasonover, NCIS

If you’re a fan of CBS’ veteran crime drama NCIS, you probably recognize Diona as Ducky’s (David McCallum) graduate assistant, Kasie Hines. On the film front, you can soon catch Diona starring in the indie comedy Film Fest, which follows a group of struggling filmmakers who travel to an obscure festival to sell their movie. An alumna of the CBS Diversity Showcase, her series acting credits include 2 Broke Girls, Grace and Frankie, Superstore, Girl Meets World, Comedy Bang! Bang!, and Clipped. As a seasoned writer, Diona’s credits include the Emmy-nominated I Love You, America, I Love Dick, Adam Ruins Everything, and the 32nd Film Independent Spirit Awards. She lives in the Los Angeles area with her wife and cat, Engine Cat. We got the chance to ask her some questions:

If you were to create a TV show or film, what would the title be and what would it be about?

I want to create a podcast called “Replacement” where I talk to people who have stepped in to replace someone and what that’s like. Second spouses, Vice Presidents who’ve had to fill in. You know who I’d love to talk to? Daphne Maxwell-Reid. She became Aunt Viv on The Fresh Prince after Janet Hubert left. I think we’ve all felt like the replacement or the newbie at some point.

What song(s) are you currently playing on repeat?

I fall hard for songs. Two months ago, it was “What we Are” by Beginners. Last month was “Cruel to be Kind”. I’m on a Whitney Houston kick rn.

Do you have any secret skills or talents?

No. What’s the point of having a talent and keeping it secret? Put yourself on display, baby!

If your cat could understand you for one minute, what would you tell it?

Quit stalking the mailman. He’s done nothing to harm you.

What are you most excited about (in work and/or life)?

Everything. My life is so much better than I imagined.

Thanks for taking the time, Diona! Catch NCIS on Tuesdays at 8pm on CBS. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Kim Newmoney | HAIR: Kachay Dorsey | MAKE-UP: Anton Khachaturian | STYLING: Lauren Frost

[witchcraft-in-wonderland]

You hcing Picani with DID is so interesting! I've never seen that in the fandom before. I'm personally making a fic with Jan, Remy, Viv and Orange in a system so ehh hc buddies kinda! Do you have any like hcs about his DID? Just like curious 👉👈 (sorry if this is weird it's past 6 am i havent slept and you're cool)

Since I myself am not a system I dont talk about it quite as often, but i can tell you that his system is composed of all the characters from the shorts (except Remy because Remy is an actual character) and I'll even provide a list of the characters and what their roles/functions are within the system (as an example and so anyone who knows more about it might be able to critique it if theyd like):

Emile: Host/ANP

Pryce: Sexual Alter

Teal: Protector

Dayd: Caretaker

Andy: Persecutor

Nate: Protector

Brian: Robot

Hart: Caretaker

Mike: Protector

Imani: Gatekeeper

Nessy: Trauma Holder/ Emotional Part

Apollo: Little

Jericho: Little

Toby: Teen

Ember: Teen

Dr. Sticker: Little

Taz: Protector

Percy: Robot

Bruce: Little

Anton: Trauma Holder, mute

Missy: Teen

Pranks: Little

Asher: Little

Jasper: Protector

Locke: Caregiver

[papermoonloveslucy]

DICK MARTIN

January 30, 1922

Dick Martin was born in Battle Creek Michigan as Thomas Richard Martin. He was best known for his role as the co-host of the sketch comedy program “Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In” from 1968 to 1973. The series won him a 1969 Emmy Award. 

His screen debut came as a background performer in the MGM film Father’s Little Dividend starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor.  He wouldn’t make another film until 1958. 

“I think the most fun I ever had was nightclubs. I loved nightclubs.” ~ Dick Martin

Martin and Dan Rowan formed a comedy team in 1952 and played in nightclubs throughout the United States and overseas. 

His first TV appearance came in November 1956 appearing as with Dan Rowan on “The Walter Winchell Show”.   

In February 1961, Lucille Ball appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” promoting Wildcat by doing songs from the show in character.  Rowan and Martin were on the show that evening, so it is possible that it is here that Lucille Ball first met the pair and cast them on her show. 

In Fall 1962, Dick Martin made his TV acting debut as Harry Connor, Lucy Carmichael’s next-door neighbor and sometimes boyfriend on “The Lucy Show.”  He made ten appearances on the series before his character was written out. His schedule touring with Dan Rowan was difficult for Desilu and Ball did not want her character to have a serious relationship. 

In “Lucy Digs Up a Date” (TLS S1;E2) first aired on October 8, 1962, it is established that Harry is an airline pilot and that he and Lucy have been dating, although their relationship is not serious. The character is referred to in the first act, but only enters during the episode’s final moments. This is the first of his ten appearances on the series - all in season one. He is mentioned but not seen in the series premiere “Lucy Waits Up for Chris“ (TLS S1;E1), where we meet his dog, Tiger.

In “Lucy is a Referee” (TLS S1;E3) aired  on October 15, 1962, Harry coaches Lucy in hand signals when she volunteers to referee her son’s football game. 

When “Lucy Misplaces $2,000″ (TLS S1;E4) on October 22, 1962, Harry tempts Lucy and Viv off their diets by bringing them fresh-baked donuts! 

When “Lucy Becomes an Astronaut” (TLS S1;E6) aired on November 5, 1962, Harry is around to quell Lucy’s nerves about going into a NASA test capsule. 

Episode #11 was originally intended to be a show titled “Lucy and Viv Fight Over Harry,” but it was shut down during rehearsal. The main reason is that it would have firmly established Lucy and Harry as having deep feelings for one another. Dick Martin was not available every week and Lucille Ball did not want her character to have a steady boyfriend. It had already been decided to phase out Harry, so this storyline would have been at cross-purposes with Lucille Ball’s long-range plans for the show and her character. This was the only episode of the series to be shut down while already in production.

Instead, episode #11 became “Lucy Builds a Rumpus Room” (TLS S1;E11) and aired on December 10, 1962. Harry was the intermediary in a serious argument between Lucy and Viv. 

At “Chris’s New Year’s Eve Party” (TLS S1;E14) on December 31, 1962, Harry took a role in Lucy’s silent movie sketch, portraying the waiter to Lucy’s Charlie Chaplin. 

When “Lucy’s Sister Pays a Visit” (TLS S1;E15) on January 7, 1963, Harry was in the wedding party, but does not have any lines in this episode. This is the second episode in a row that the actor hasn’t spoken. Martin was often away on the road with his comedy partner Dan Rowan during filming, so not having to memorize lines suited him fine.  

When “Lucy and Viv Put in a Shower” (TLS S1;E18) on  January 28, 1963, we learn that Harry’s favorite breakfast is Eggs Benedict. 

HARRY: “If you’re going to ask me to elope again, it’s a bad night for it. My ladder’s broken.” 

In “No More Double Dates” (TLS S1;E21) aired on February 18, 1963, it becomes apparent that the magic has gone out of their relationships when Lucy and Harry and Viv and Eddie can’t agree on where to go to dinner or what film to see! 

“Lucy and Viv Learn Judo” (TLS S1;E22) on February 25, 1963, was the final appearance of Dick Martin as Harry Connors. Lucy practices what she has learned on Harry!  Although Martin would not return to the series, his comedy partner Dan Rowan made two appearances in future episodes. 

Dan and Rowan returned to the nightclub circuit until 1966, when they were asked to host the summer replacement series for “The Dean Martin Show.”  They were groomed for the new show when they appeared on a February 1966 “Dean Martin Show” with Lucille Ball as guest.  Martin and Ball were also both part of Martin’s 1968 Christmas show, doing quick cameos announcing the distribution of toys to needy organizations. 

Despite the end to their acting together, Lucille Ball and Dick Martin appeared on many TV game shows, awards shows, specials, and variety shows together over the next 25 years. D

On Dinah Shore’s “Like Hep” (1969) Lucy and Martin recreate a robot version of the famous bench characters made famous on “Laugh-In” by Arte Johnson and Ruth Buzzi.  Meanwhile both Johnson and Buzzi were also guest stars on “Here’s Lucy,” which was programmed against the second half hour of “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In”.  Lucy was now competing with her former ‘boyfriend’ for viewers! 

Later in the ‘hep’ show, Martin helped Lucy at the barre, in moments instantly reminiscent of “I Love Lucy.” 

Dick Martin was on the dais for “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Lucille Ball” on February 7, 1975. 

Rowan and Martin played the Wright Brothers and Lucy voiced the Statue of Liberty in “Swing Out Sweet Land,” a November 1970 TV special celebrating American history.  

When Lucille Ball co-hosted “The Mike Douglas Show” in November 1978, Dick Martin was a guest on the final of her five days along with Bob Hope, Joe Namath, and Susan Anton.

In August 1980, Martin and Ball were panelists on “Password Plus.”  

The pair returned for “Password Plus: All-Celebrity Week” in March 1981. 

Martin and Ball were present at “All-Star Parties” for Carol Burnett (1982) and Clint Eastwood (1986). 

The second week in November 1988, Lucille Ball made her last game show appearance on “Super Password” before her passing in 1989. Dick Martin was also a panelist. 

Dick Martin got married to singer Peggy Connelly in 1957 and they had 2 sons before divorcing. In 1971 he married English actress and model Dolly Read. Although they divorced in 1975, they re-married in in 1978 and were together until his death.  

Martin died on May 24, 2008, age 86, of breathing complications. He had lost the use of a lung due to tuberculosis as a teenager and suffered respiratory problems late in life.

[endeavourfiles]

First Look at the new series of Endeavour

The Custard TV

Filming is underway for the sixth series of Endeavour. Whilst reprising his titular role as Endeavour Morse, much-admired actor Shaun Evans will also be putting his directorial mark on the show, heading behind the camera for the second feature-length film in the series.

Evans’ character will similarly be trialling pastures new, with Morse having started a new role as a uniformed officer at the Woodstock police department and embracing the fashion of the period by growing a moustache.

Alongside Evans, the new series will see celebrated stage and screen actor Roger Allam return as DI Fred Thursday, alongside Anton Lesser as CS Reginald Bright, Sean Rigby as DS Jim Strange, James Bradshaw as Dr Max DeBryn, Sara Vickers as Joan Thursday, Abigail Thaw as Dorothea Frazil and Caroline O’Neill as Win Thursday. Following the dissolution of Oxford City Police and the merging with Thames Valley Constabulary at the end of the last series, the latest instalment is set in 1969 and picks up with the team dispersed as they find their feet in their various new roles. However, despite their separation, the tragic murder of DC George Fancy still hangs over them both collectively and individually, with the case remaining unresolved.

With their new positions also come new colleagues and responsibilities. Thursday must adjust to working with new boss DI Ronnie Box played by Simon Harrison (Fearless) and junior DS Alan Jago played by Richard Riddell (Bodyguard). Meanwhile, Joan has settled back in Oxford and is training to work in social services under the mentor of new manager Viv Wall played by Alison Newman (EastEnders).

Creator, Russell Lewis says: “As our story reaches the last year of the 1960s, and mankind makes its giant leap, all at #TeamEndeavour look forward to exploring further early chapters in the casebook of Colin Dexter’s beloved creation.”

[burlveneer-music]

Yamila - Visions - a fascinating song cycle, chamber music + electronics, plus a long ambient remix by Scanner (on Umor Rex)

Yamila reveals her most intimate catharsis in Visions, an album that brings together and provokes the hallucinatory powers of music. Like an ancient herald, she announces the profound feminine mystique while crossing epic melodies full of pleasure and pain. This album is a journey that prodigiously unites baroque accents, Spanish folklore –such as flamenco– and contemporary electronic music. Her voice and music –sometimes torn and others buoyant– could resemble the score for a biblical passage (ie. visions of the Apocalypse), for they are overflowing with physical ecstasy and sounds that one can touch. Visions is composed of different forms and rhythms. Pieces like "Visions V" evolve intensely with sharp and systematized hits ––powerful layers that bring us closer to Alessando Cortini's Forse era. "Visions II", for its part, shares intensity and power with flamenco ritual patterns, as if it were an old Andalusian scene dripping with oscillations and electric shocks. Yet there are luminous vocal pieces such as "Visions I" (featuring Rafael Anton Irisarri), inspired by Manuel de Falla's Suite Española composed in 1922. Here, an aural chiaroscuro with beautiful voices and choirs is deeply fused with daring drones. And it is in the ensemble of moments of Visions where Yamila's conceptual axis is rendered solid. Pain and glory, lacerating religiosity, feminism cauterized by power, and hallucinations as a source (or pretext/tool) to be heard. Yamila exhibits a profuse aesthetic with her music that calls for a look at the far-past with romanticism and nostalgia. Visions is radiant, intense. A unique album. All songs written and performed by Yamila Ríos (Spain), except “Visions I”, which features Rafael Anton Irisarri. Recorded between the Swedish winter and the Belgian countryside. Additional musicians: Simbad guitar on V-IV and V-I, Vera Cavallin harp on VIV. Mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri at Black Knoll Studio. NY. Photos by Virginia Rota in Madrid. Design by Daniel Castrejón in Mexico City.