#with how much of a planner jason is do you expect me to believe he didn’t do a background check on tim?

[undertheredhood]

the real reason why tim never publicly makes fun of jason for wearing a knock-off robin suit while beating him up is because jason (during his revenge plan to kill the joker) had found the extremely embarrassing self-insert wattpad fanfic he wrote about being sold to batman by his parents and the last thing tim needs is anyone else finding out about it

[hollyhock13]

All I Want for Christmas is You

AN:  This is for @nerdkate88‘s prompt “First Christmases / First Christmas traditions / How Christmas evolved for the Waynes” for the Batfam Christmas Stocking exchange on Tumblr and AO3. Special thanks to @ursapharoh05 for helping me get this done and presentable. 

 Alfred planned for this Christmas as any other.  He, with his army of caretakers, bakers, decorators, and otherwise titled helpers, had once again transformed Wayne Manor into a cheerful vestibule of holiday cheer.  Never mind that it had all gone to waste again this year.

 He tries to banish that thought from his mind.  No, he has done his job, and he has done it well.  As valet to the only remaining Wayne, it is vital that he oversee the remaining details.  The phone rings. He answers it as he has done so many times prior. The conversation with the planner executing this year’s charity gala goes exactly as expected, and Alfred rests the handset back in its cradle to end the call.  He sighs as he mentally calculates the tasks that remain. Once, he had forgotten among the holiday to-dos to complete some of his less flashy but more important tasks. He doesn’t forget anymore.

 As he adds “pay the party planner” to his list for tomorrow, the doorbell rings.  Alfred reviews his list of expected personnel and finds he is quite correct in not expecting any until tomorrow at the earliest.  Most don’t work on Christmas, regardless of religious affiliation, as it is a national holiday. Alfred hesitates just a moment before moving toward the door to peek out the window.

 A huddled mountain of clothing and skin red from the cold greets his cautious eyes.  Perhaps a homeless man or woman who has heard that the Waynes are kind to such persons down on their luck.  Perhaps a criminal meaning to catch him off-guard and rob them blind. Or—he catches himself before he can dwell on that particular thought.  This requires a decision, and a quick one. He makes up his mind and reaches for the lock. He is Alfred Pennyworth, of Her Majesty’s Special Forces. He can take any ruffian who might be at the door. He turns the handle and faces his unexpected guest.

 A pair of familiar blue eyes blink down at him.  “Alfred?”

 “It can’t be.”

 “It’s me.”

 “You’ve grown.”

 A half-sob and a laugh.  “Yes. May I come in?”

 Alfred steps to the side.  “You may as well. It is your house, after all.”

 The mountain of a human being that has revealed itself to be Bruce Wayne takes a step inside the door.

 “May I take your coat, Sir?”  Alfred asks his once-charge with a lump in his throat.

 The smile that has been flirting with the corners of Master Bruce’s mouth flees.  “I—. Yes, thank you. How—how have you been, Alfred?”

 “My health has been adequate.  And yours?” He doesn’t mention how he feels he has aged ten years for every moment his young charge had been gone.

 “Mine has been the same.”  Bruce doesn’t mention the scars that Alfred can see now litter his arms with the removal of his (inadequate) coat.

 “Where have you been?” Alfred asks around the lump in his throat that has only grown.

 “Everywhere,” Bruce replies.  “I’ve set foot on every continent.  I’ve learned languages and techniques from all over the world.  I’ve eaten local foods in over a dozen different countries and not one of them can hold a candle to your cooking.”

 Alfred doesn’t point out that most of their food is prepared by a professional chef.  “Is that so, my boy?”

 Bruce seems to crumble at the familiarity.  “It’s true. I’ve learned hundreds of fighting techniques, but never to kill.  I’ve got a plan, Alfred, to help the city.”

 The butler gathers his boy into his arms.  “Can it wait until after Christmas?”

 “...Yes.”  And it does.

   Dick has never seen so many presents in his life.  There’s gotta be a hundred, no, a THOUSAND of them!  He stares at them for all of twenty seconds before he’s attempting to climb the pile.

 “Master Richard, it will be much easier to open your gifts if you are not dependant on them for structural stability,” Alfred says.

 Dick frowns and slides down the pile.  “      My     gifts?  They’re not for everybody?  What about you and Bruce?”

 Alfred points to two much smaller piles under one of the smaller trees.  “They wouldn’t fit under the tree,” he laments.

 Dick is satisfied by this answer and goes back to ogling the mountain of presents instead.  “How many do you think there are?” he asks in awe.

 “Many.  I do believe Santa got a little carried away this year.”  Alfred and Bruce exchange a look that Dick doesn’t understand.  “Shall we begin?”

 Dick nods eagerly and the two men watch him tear into the shiny gift wrap.  The pile of wrapping paper grows in proportion to the pile of unwrapped gifts.

 Dick starts to wane about halfway through the enormous pile, so they take a break for hot cocoa (and coffee) with cookies and breakfast.  Dick stuffs an entire handful of marshmallows into his mug. Alfred joins him in giggling at Bruce’s whipped cream mustache. The chocolate chip pancakes with a smiley face are the best thing he’s ever seen!

 The rest of the presents are unwrapped quickly without much attention paid to what is inside.

 Long after the pile of presents has been exhausted, Dick climbs into Bruce’s lap.  “Bruce?”

 “Yeah, Chum?”

 “Thanks.”

 “Sure, Chum.”

 The sniffle is unexpected, and Dick tries to play it off.

 “Chum?  Are you alright?”

 “Yeah, I just got a cold.”  It’s a lie and they both know it.

 “Did you not get something you wanted?” Bruce asks quickly.

 “No, it’s not that.”  Another sniffle escapes, then a sob.  “Do you still miss yours?” Dick asks before he can stop himself.

 Bruce takes a moment to think.  “Yes,” he answers honestly, “every day, but especially for big moments like this.  But it gets easier after a while.”

 Dick turns his face into Bruce’s shoulder to muffle the next sob.  “I want them back!” he cries. “I don’t want it to be easier, I want them back!”

 “I know.”  The day doesn’t get any easier, but they do manage to enjoy some of it.  Dick goes to bed with one of his new stuffed animals tucked under his arm, and one of his old ones tucked under the other.

     The best thing about Christmas is the food, Jason thinks. Cookies and turkey and ham and pie and mashed potatoes and as much gravy as he can fit on his plate make for a happy boy.  Even better, though, are the abundance of fruit and vegetables. Everything from corn, peas, and green beans to oranges, apples, and pomegranates!  If he tries, he thinks he can put every color in the world on his plate. He’s even pretty sure that Alfie will let him if he wants to try. He takes some of everything, and he refuses to leave the table until he’s finished his plate, though not for lack of trying on Bruce’s part.

 “Jay-lad!  Don’t you want to come play with some of these?”

 A shake of his head.  There’s collard greens too!

 “My boy!  Look at this helicopter!”

 Oh ho ho!  There’s a whole drumstick left! Score!

 Bruce sighs in defeat.

 Jason is starting to slow down, but he's still eating even though he’s starting to think he's going to make himself sick.  And then he takes a bite of the cauliflower. He makes a face, gags, and takes another bite.

 “Jay, if you don't like it you don't have to finish it.”

 Jason nods and takes another painful bite.

 “Jay, nothing bad is going to happen if you don't eat the cauliflower.”

 “What if we get hungry later and I didn't eat it and it goes to waste?” Jason demands.

 “Then we'll get some different food,” Bruce replies.  “There will never be a shortage of food in this house.

 “But mom says…” the boy trails off and clamps his mouth shut.

 “What does your mom say?”

 “She says to eat when we got food. To save the cans and stuff for when it's bad, but never let it go to waste.”

 “That's a good philosophy, buddy, but the truth is that we made enough so that we could have leftovers. There's no way we can eat it all tonight.”

 “Then what are we going to do with it?!” Jason demands, surveying the feast.

 “We're going to wrap it up and put it in the fridge and the freezer to keep it good,” Bruce assures.  “It will be almost as good as if we ate it right this second and it keeps us from getting too full.”

 “How can you be sure the electricity will stay on, though?” Jason demands.

 “Because we pay our bill in full and on time every month.  It won't be a problem.”

 “Mom said she payed it sometimes too, and then the lights went out anyway.” Jason stares at the remaining mound of food on his plate as frustrated tears leak from his eyes.

 “How about we put it in the freezer? That way, if the power does go out, we can get it connected again before it thaws completely.”

 Alfred nods in agreement when Jason looks at him for confirmation.   Jason nods slowly. “Okay.”

 “Alright, let's get some of those leftover containers.  Do you know where they are?” Bruce asks Jason.

 He shakes his head and Alfred steps in.  “Allow me, young masters.”

 Alfred disappears for a few minutes and returns with stacks of Tupperware.  “Shall I inform you how to fill these properly?” He asks.

 Bruce and Jason both nod.  After a quick demonstration, the younger ones start enthusiastically filling containers.  The mountain of containers is a mountain of packaged food in under a half hour. Bruce and Jason are very pleased with themselves as they ferry food to the chest freezer that Alfred keeps for such occasions.  Jason warms up a little after that.

     Her funeral was held on Christmas Eve, and her husband wasn’t there.

 Tim doesn't cry at the funeral, or when they get home.  He goes to bed.

 Dick spends the night at the manor, though whether he's there for Tim or Bruce is anyone's guess.

 Christmas morning dawns quietly at Wayne Manor, with nobody up and about, not even Alfred.  Tim wakes first, as the others stayed up for patrol. He doesn't want to encounter anyone, so instead of heading for the tree and the gifts piled there he turns toward the kitchen for a glass of water and maybe some toast.

 It takes him a moment to find a glass, and then another to find bread and a toaster. He's never been in this kitchen without another person before, and it seems colder, more clinical than it ever had before.  Tim realizes he doesn't want to be alone. He leaves the bread toasting in the toaster and heads back up the stairs.

 Tim pauses at the top.  He'd been seeking company, but he realizes now that he's not sure whose company he should be seeking. Bruce is not someone he wants to disturb for any reason. Alfred works so hard all the time, he doesn't want to disturb his rest.  And Dick, he hardly knows Dick for all that he's admired him from afar for so long. He stands there, paralyzed by indecision and what feels like tears building in his eyes.  “Why now?” Tim mutters to himself as he presses his hands to his eyes.

 “Tim?” Asks a voice from somewhere beyond the colors blooming against his eyelids.

 He drops his hands instantly to see Dick Grayson bending to look him in the eyes.  “You alright, kiddo?”

 Tim nods woodenly.

 Dick offers him a soft smile.  “You know, I've always found that opening gifts is a pretty good way to distract myself from the unpleasantness in the world, at least for one morning.”

 Tim takes the suggestion as what it is: a tentative offer for some comfort through material things.  He nods.

 Dick's smile gets a hundred times brighter, but before Tim can regret agreeing to this odd form of retail therapy, Dick has taken him by the arm and dragged him into Bruce's room without knocking.

 “Psst.  Bruce. It's Christmas.”

 Bruce checks the alarm clock on the table with the one eye he's cracked open at the stage whisper.  “I'm tired, Dick. We can start Christmas later.”

 “Tim's here too.”

 That gets a bigger reaction.  Bruce rolls over to squint at the two of them.  Tim thinks that he must look really quite pathetic because Bruce sighs and begins making motions to get up.  “Fine. I'll be down in ten minutes. Don't bother Alfred if you don't have to.”

 Dick chirps, “Okay!”

 He drags Tim out of Bruce's room  and back to the room where he had spent the night.  “If you want to be wearing any clothes for the rest of the day, now is the time.”

 Tim blinks at that declaration.  Where might they be going? Are they planning to stay here?  He chews on his lip for a moment. Maybe this is a trick question and they really spend all morning in pajamas. He decides on putting on a warm hoodie over the top of his pajamas. He turns back to Dick, who is still grinning like he's won the lottery. Although, Tim thinks, considering the house they're both in, he kind of has.

 Dick quite literally pulls him out of his thoughts by taking his arm and tugging him toward the stairs.  “Come on, it'll be fun! Promise.”

 Bruce steps out of his room looking very tired.  Tim is immediately hit by guilt that effectively knocks him out flat.  Dick must notice something, because he turns to Tim with concern in his eyes.

 “You okay, Timbo?”

 That, of course, makes Bruce turn to survey him, and Tim is positive he can see every feeling Tim's ever hidden written right there in his face.  Tim nods to try and escape this scrutiny, but they only redouble their efforts.

 Bruce finally asks, “What is wrong, Tim?  Did Dick pressure you into this?”

 Dick squawks at the accusation but ultimately doesn't speak.  Tim shakes his head.

 “I'm sorry we woke you up,” he says instead, “I know you had a late night.”

 Bruce frowns.  “You're fine,” he says.  “You can always come to me.”

 “I--you're so busy, it's not--”

 “I'll always have time for you, Tim.  Would you like to go downstairs?”

 Tim nods.  “Yeah, I'd like that.”

   Damian is sulking.  He admits it only in his head, but he's quite certain this is what the word means.

 Richard is definitely sulking.  He is upset that his so called family are scattered around the globe: Cain in Hong Kong, Drake in Paris the last they had heard, and Todd wreaking havoc in Gotham but refusing any and all attempts at reconciliation (ridiculous though Damian himself may find the concept) and Father…  Father is dead. Damian tries not to dwell.

 He goes back to his sulking instead.  This is the most ridiculous holiday he has ever encountered.  Who makes a holiday based around family and gifts when there are people who have neither?  Damian scowls. This is ridiculous indeed.

 Grayson intrudes upon Damian's bedroom to greet him.  “Hi Li'l D. You ready for presents?”

 Damian scowls again.  “I am not. I did not realize I was expected to give you gifts in return,” he admits.  “I have no such offering for you or Pennyworth.” His cheeks burn.

 Grayson doesn't miss a beat.  “That's alright, little D. I've gotten a lot of presents in my day.  Maybe I can take you out shopping tomorrow for a present for Alfred in any case.”

 Damian nods slowly.  If he plans it correctly, he may also be able to pick a gift for Grayson.  “That would be acceptable.”

 Grayson gives him another one of his large grins.  “Great! Then come on down!” 

 Damian follows Grayson's bounds at a much slower pace.  He is quite certain that the man is performing for his sake, as he knows he had been upset to be rebuffed by his siblings.  Damian scowls again. Why had no one told him about the traditions of this holiday? If he had known he would at least have had a gift to offer Grayson as poor restitution.

 Damian looks up as they enter the entry hall.  He knows the large tree would only fit in this open area before the stairs where the ceiling doesn't close them in (it's a three story room), but he hadn't realized the space would be required for the      mountains     of gifts that had somehow been acquired without his knowledge.  The wrapping paper shines in the light from the tree.

 Grayson nudges him with a grin.  “It's pretty, right, Damian?”

 Damian closes his mouth with a snap.  “Tt. It is acceptable.” He regrets his words when it makes the smile on Grayson's face fade.  He turns to look at the gifts again to assuage his guilt. “To whom are these addressed?” He asks instead of trying to apologize.  That urge is just weakness, he reminds himself.

 “Well, some are for me, and some are for Alfie, and there are some for Cass and Tim when they get home, and a couple for Jason in case he decides to show up and a few for Babs and one or two for Stephanie…” Dick smiles at Damian's impatient scowl.  “But the majority are for you.”

 “Of course,” Damian sniffs, “you would be lost without me.”

 “Absolutely,” Grayson agrees.  “You ready to get started then?”

 Damian nods, and they begin.

   It's been a long year, Bruce thinks.

 Although, now that he thinks about it, it's been several long years.  Probably more than ten long years. He's quite certain he didn't know what he was thinking when he took in one child, let alone the FIVE who are now terrorizing what was supposed to be his lazy Christmas morning.

 “Damian, give that back!  It's mine and you know it!”

 “It was not addressed to anyone, Drake!  Grayson has informed me that that means it is a family gift!”

 “It only didn't have a name because it was from Cass!”

 A wrestling match breaks out on the other side of the room. He's not entirely sure who is involved until Cass emerges the victor with Dick pinned to the ground.  She grins and doesn't let him up until he looks properly defeated to her own inscrutable standards.

 Jason is tossing popcorn at Damian while he yells at Tim, attempting, as far as Bruce can tell, to get it to land in his hair. Damian whirls on him when a kernel lands in his ear. Jason is tackled and Tim takes the opportunity to snatch the gift that Damian had been trying to claim off the floor.

 Alfred approaches from the kitchen with a tray full of breakfast, which he passes off to the swarm of children. There is not a crumb left by the time it gets to Bruce.  He groans. “What have I done to deserve kids like this?” He asks in a tone dangerously close to a whine.

 “Oh, I don't think that is a question you want to ask, Master Bruce.  The real question is, what have I done to deserve this?” The question is said lightly, almost laughing so Bruce thinks it's a joke.

 A wrapped gift hits Bruce right in the belly and it isn't soft. “Hey! You next, old man!” Jason shouts across the room. The other kids stop fighting and gather around to watch.

 Bruce opens the gift with the wariness of someone expecting a prank.  The kids goad him on with cheers and shouts which do not ease his worry.

 The paper is removed to reveal a small box with a well-known jewelry company logo stamped across it.  He lifts the lid to see the ugliest watch on which he's ever laid eyes. He lifts it out of the package, not sure if this is some kind of mistake or joke.  But...Jason likes that style of watch band, and Damian would have insisted on the Roman Numerals on the face. Cass must have picked the garish gemstones and Dick would have liked the hideous color combinations.  He flips it over. There's Tim, in the practicality of a waterproof, atomic, and, he's certain, tech-infused watch.

 Bruce's eyes water.  These are his kids, how could he have been complaining?  It's still a hideous watch, but it was a gift. From and of his children.  Speaking of his children…

 “Well?”

 “Does he like it?”

 “I can’t tell.  Do you like it, old man?”

 “It's ugly!  I can't believe we've given Father an unattractive watch!  Father, I shall punish them all for their disgusting choices!”

 “Damian, I love it.  Please don't hurt your siblings.  Thank you. All of you. It's the best Christmas present I could have received.”  He turns away to keep the happy tears in his eyes from leaking out. He's content for almost thirty seconds.

 The silence is broken with a vengeance.

 “Pay up, you cowards!” Jason crows.  “I told you we could make him cry by giving him an ugly watch!  You all owe me fifty bucks! Except Cass, who you also owe fifty bucks.”

 The other three boys groan.  “I thought you meant tears because it was so ugly!” Dick complains.

 “Yeah, since when do sappy tears count?” Tim whines.

 Damian breaks in with, “The tears never fell!  You are claiming a false victory!”

 Another fight breaks out and Bruce sighs.  What did he do to deserve children like this?

[like-a-bag-of-potatoes]

Reunited - Four

A/N: Part four. I'm having so much fun writing this series, so thank you for all the great feedback, I really appreciate it. Also, thanks to my beta @thorne93. And to @hanny-writes-spn and @melonshino for reading through it. I love you all!!

Characters: Jensen, Reader, Jared, Jason, Rose (OFC)

Warnings: Angst, alcohol, language.

Wordcount: 3251

Catch up HERE 

*not my GIF*

You spent the next week helping Jensen get settled in. It was great to be able to spend so much time with him again, but it was also getting more and more difficult to be around him. Over the year's, he had changed, you both had, but somehow he was still the same. When you spent time with him it was easy to forget what you two had been through, but the moment you got home, and he wasn't around you, the feelings of betrayal and abandonment came back, and you questioned wether you could trust him or not. It was confusing to say the least. But even with all this mix of emotions, you weren't prepared to let him go entirely either, you wanted him in your life, though you hadn't figured out how that would work yet.

Both Rose and your mom had been talking your ear off about Jensen and how they thought you two were meant to be, almost yelling at you when you told then you were just friends, and you intended to keep it that way.

It was Thursday morning when you decided to check in on Jensen on your way to work, bringing a box of doughnuts just so you had an excuse to stop by.

“(YN), what a nice surprise,” Jensen greeted you. “What are you doing here?”

“I had this box of doughnuts and I know that if I don't get rid of it, I'm gonna end up eating it all by myself. I also figured that you’re gonna need some sugar in you if you’re gonna get the house ready before tomorrow,” you said, handing him the pink box of treats.

“Thank you, that's really nice of you.”

“Don't act so surprised, Ackles, I can be nice,” you teased.

“You have time for a coffee before work? My friend Jared just got here and I would love for you to meet him,” Jensen asked, opening the door wider to let you in, even before you answered.

You checked the time on your phone before agreeing to come in for a couple of minutes.

“(YN) this is Jared,” Jensen said, pointing to his friend. “Jared, this is (YN).”

“It's nice to meet you, (YN), Jensen has told me so much about you,” Jared said, extending his hand. Jared was somehow taller than Jensen, with long, brown hair that framed his face nicely and a pair of kind, hazel eyes and a charming smile. He was very attractive, and you could now understand why their show had such a large, female fanbase. Not that you thought their good looks was the reason for the show’s success, but it couldn't hurt right?

“Nice to meet you too,” you said, shaking his hand. “So, you traveled all the way from LA for this party?” you asked.

“Partly. I'm also house hunting. I'm looking for a place here in Austin,” Jared explained.

“Really? That's nice.” Was all you could think of to say. “It was really nice meeting you, but I have to run. Important meeting at work today,” you said. “I'll see you guys tomorrow then?”

“You have that meeting with that wedding planner today?” Jensen asked, remembering that you had mentioned something about it.

“Yup, and I really don't want to be late.” You said goodbye to the two men, receiving a good luck hug from Jensen before you left and then took off towards your meeting.

“So that was (YN)?” Jared asked as soon as the door closed behind you.

“That was her,” Jensen confirmed.

“How are things going there?”

“I don't know, man. I got it bad for this girl, but I know that I have hurt her in the past and I have no right to just come waltzing into her life and confessing my feelings to her. I'm just happy that I get to spend time with her,” Jensen said with a shrug.

“You’re lying,” Jared said. “I know you, man, and I can see that this girl is special to you. And I'm pretty sure she has feelings for you too. I mean.. she’s helped you move in, she drops of pastries on her way to work.. That's more than friendly neighbor behavior.”

“You think?” Jensen asked, curious. The thought had crossed his mind. You had been spending a lot of time together, and you definitely had fun, maybe Jared was right.

“I know,” Jared confirmed. “I think you should just tell her what you feel. Let her know what's going on in your head. Even if I'm wrong you’ll still get an answer and then you can either be happy with her or move on. Simple as that.”

“Nothing simple about that,” Jensen said under his breath. “But yeah.. I'm gonna do it. Tomorrow.”

**

Rose had come over to your place to get ready before Jensen's party, something you regretted as soon as she started asking questions about you and Jensen.

“Why won't you just admit that you want him back?” she asked for what felt like the millionth time.

“Because I don't want him back,” you argued, looking at her through the mirror as you tried to get your earrings on.

“That's bullshit, and you know it.”

“It's not…. Look… Jensen is great and all, but I don't want to go down that road again. I did once and it ended in heartbreak.”

“Great? He's fucking perfect, (YN). And the two of you are perfect together. The sooner you realize that…”

“I can't believe you are saying this. You were there after we broke up, you saw what a giant mess I was. I know I'm gonna get this shit from my mom, but I really thought my best friend would be a little more supportive.”

“You’re right.. I'm sorry.”

“It's fine. Let's just drop it.”

There was a tension hanging in the air between you and Rose after that. The two of you finished getting ready in silence before walking over to Jensen's house.

When you got there, there was already a sizable crowd, and you were kind of impressed that Jensen had heard the doorbell over the chatter and music, but he had, and he opened the door with a wide grin.

“Don't you ladies look beautiful this evening,” Jensen said. You knew it was just something he said, but it still made your stomach do a flip.

“You look quite dashing yourself,” Rose said. He did look great, like always. He was wearing tanned jeans and a partially unbuttoned black button down shirt. “Now introduce me too all your single friends,” Rose demanded with a chuckle. 

“She hasn't changed much has she?” Jensen asked as Rose flew by him and into the house.

“Not at all actually,” you said, your tone flat as you tried to fake a smile.

Jensen looked at you with furrowed brows, concern lacing his handsome features. “Are you okay?” he questioned, trying to catch your eye.

“Yup. Had a little argument with Rose before we left, but it's all good… or, it will be when I get some alcohol in my system,” you explained with a more convincing smile.

“You sure? You want to talk about it?” he offered.

“Yes, I'm sure and no, I don't want to talk about it. Just please tell me that Jack is here.”

Jensen couldn't help but laugh at that last bit. “He's right here, waiting,” he said, leading the way into the living room.

There was a lot of new faces at the party, the only ones you knew where Jensen and Rose and of course Jared that you had met for like two seconds earlier that day. You had kind of expected there to be more girls, but aside from you and Rose there was only a couple more, which was fine, you just found it a little strange.

“So, I'm gonna go introduce Rose to some of my friends, will you be okay here?” Jensen asked, not wanting to force you to socialize before you cheered up a little.

“If i'm gonna be okay here by the giant table filled with alcohol? I believe so,” you said in a joking tone.

“Okay. Just let me know if you need me,” Jensen offered before he headed back to the party in search of your friend. Although you had a sneaking suspicion that she would be perfectly fine introducing herself.

As you were pouring yourself a drink when you saw someone approaching in your peripheral vision. You turned to look at the handsome stranger. He was tall aswell, curly hair, kind brown eyes and an adorable smile.

“Hi,” he said, reaching out his hand. “I'm Jason, I'm a friend of Jensen.”

“You took his hand and introduced yourself. “I'm (YN), also a friend of Jensen,” you said, with a smile.

“Have you known Jensen for long? I don't think he has ever mentioned you,” he said, trying to start up a conversation.

“We went to high school together and we just got back in touch now that he moved in,” you answered honestly.

“Right,” he said, bobbing his head. “Did you come here with anyone, or...?”

“I came with my friend Rose, but I think she's off making friends with all of Jensen's single buddies,” you chuckled.

“Mind if I keep you company?” he asked, pouring his own drink.

“Not at all.” You clinked your glasses together before you found a place to sit.

Jason was really sweet, and funny. He told you that he was a musician and that he was working on a new album, and he listened as you told him about your shop. You had a nice time talking to him until Jensen came and joined you.

He had been watching you talk to Jason for a while now, and he’d be lying if he said he didn't feel a pang of jealousy when he watched you laugh with his friend. When he finally couldn't take it anymore, he walked over and sat down next to you, throwing a lazy arm around your shoulders.

“I see you've met Jason,” he said to you, forcing a smile. “He's a really good friend of mine.” He didn't know why he felt the need to say that, but the words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them.

“Yeah, he saved me from standing at the bar all alone,” you said, taking a sip from your drink, sensing that something was up.

“That's nice,” Jensen said.

“I couldn't just leave a pretty girl standing all alone,” Jason said, locking eyes with you as he complimented you.

“Did she tell you that we used to be high school sweethearts?” Jensen said, tightening his grip around your shoulder.

Jason’s eyes widened as he realized who you were. Jensen had never mentioned you by name, but he had talked about you on multiple occasions, and Jason, like Jared, knew how much you still meant to him.

“Well then I have heard of you,” Jason said, covering up his embarrassment with a nervous laugh. “I just didn't connect the dots.”

He stood from his chair and made to walk away when you spoke to him again. “It was really nice meeting you, Jason,” you offered.

“You too.”

“What the hell was that?” you asked Jensen angrily.

“What?” he asked, looking like he had no clue what you were on about.

“You know what!” you exclaimed.

“I was just excited that my friends were getting along,” he defended. Luckily for him, that was the moment when Rose came and dragged you off to the backyard, giving him a little more time to come up with a good explanation for his behavior. He knew he had no right to act like the jealous boyfriend, but truth was that he couldn't imagine you with anyone else, especially not one of his friends. These feelings were turning him into a grade A douche and you deserved a hell of a lot better than that.

“You got to go talk to her, man.” This time it was Jason that said it, the same thing Jared had told him earlier today.

“If you guys keep making sense, I don't think I can be friends with you anymore,” he joked.

“I didn't mean to hit on her, I didn't know who she was,” Jason defended.

“No need to apologize. I mean.. Why wouldn't you hit on her? She's amazing,” Jensen said. “I know I have to talk to her. I'm just gonna grab a drink and go find her,” he said, excusing himself.

**

“What the hell are you doing?” you questioned angrily as your friend dragged you outside.

“I know I said I would drop this, and I will after I say this. You and Jensen clearly still love each other, and you need to go talk to him about it. You owe it to yourself to at least explore this, to see what it is and what it might be.” Rose tried to reason with you, but it pissed you off, even if you knew it was coming from a good place.

“It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if I still love him. It doesn't matter if looking into his eyes makes my heart flutter, or that the sound of his laughter makes butterflies soar through my body. I doesn't matter if the only time I feel complete and at peace is when I'm with him, and that the only time I can imagine myself happy is when i'm in his arms. None of that matters, because none of it changes the fact that in a little over two months he will be back on a plane, leaving me behind once again,” you yelled, trying to get your point across.

“It might be different this time… But the only way to find out is to try,” she said.

“We have tried long distance before, Rose. It didn't exactly end well,” you reminded her.

“You have got to stop living in the past.”

“And you have got to drop this,” you warned. “I'm done talking to you about this. I'm going home,” you said turning away from her and colliding into a strong chest. Of course Jensen was there, and with any luck he had heard that entire rant of yours. “Fuck,” you mumbled.

“I'll leave you too it,” Rose said, walking inside to join the party again.

“I think we should talk,” Jensen said quietly. He couldn't believe what you had just said.

“I think I've said enough for one night,” you said, trying to push past him. Two firm hands landed on your shoulders as you tried to walk away, and Jensen dipped his head down to try and catch your eye.

“Then you can just listen. Please, just hear me out,” he pleaded, and you found yourself unable to refuse him, as always.

The two of you sat down on a couple of sunbeds by his pool. You watched him as he searched for his words, his mouth opening and closing a couple of times before he finally found his voice.

“I was a fool for letting you go all those year's ago, and I was telling you the truth when I said I have regretted it every day since then. I have never been a big believer in that ‘one true love’ or ‘soulmates’ mumbo jumbo, but I do believe that what we had was.. is... really special. I still feel the same for you now that I did eleven years ago, maybe I even feel more for you now than I did. I love you (YN) (YLN), so much, and I know that we can be good together, if you give me another chance.” He looked so vulnerable in that moment and you hated yourself for what you were about to do, but you had to.

“I can't trust you, and without trust, there is no way a relationship will work, especially not a long distance one. In two months you'll be gone again, and even if I believed that I could trust you again, there is no way that we could build a strong enough foundation in two short months. It's as simple as that.”

“What if I told you that I'd be home every weekend as long as I don't have a convention? Will that change anything?” His eyes had started burning with tears he tried to hold back. He couldn't believe he was this close to having everything he dreamed of, and still so close to heartbreak.

“No.”

“Please, (YN). I'm not asking all that much here, I just want a chance to show you that I can be the man that you once loved, that I can be the man that you now deserve,” he said, a slight tremble in his voice.

“I need to go home now,” you said flatly, you were running out of excuses and reasons and you just couldn't allow yourself the glimmer of hope of something that would lead to an inevitable heartbreak.

You stood from the sunbed and looked down at the man in front of you, his emerald green eyes swimming in unshed tears, making your own tears fall down your cheek. You leaned down to give him a chaste kiss to his cheek, a simple goodbye.

When you pulled your head back, Jensen captured your face in his hands, holding you in place just a few inches from his face. He wasn't going to kiss, you, he would never violate your trust like that, but he couldn't just let you go either.

Your heart galloped in your chest as your eyes flitted between his, his warm breath fanning your face, the smell of alcohol and mint filling your nose. You fell to your knees in front of him, landing between his legs, all but pressed up against his body. You carefully let your hands glide up over his sculpted chest, making their way to the nape of his neck as you softly rubbed your nose against his. Your mind was spinning a million miles an hour, your heart racing in your chest, your breath hitching in your throat as you tried to force yourself to pull away from him, but it was useless. With one last breath you pressed your lips to his softly, testing the waters before you started pouring all of your emotions into it. It took him a fraction of a second before he kissed you back, and when he did, everything else disappeared around you. In that moment it was just you and him, lips molding together and bodies melting into one another. The kiss was raw and filled with emotions at the same time that it was tender and passionate. Eleven years of regret was poured into it and it was perfect, it was somehow both the same and and a million times better than you remembered.

“Goodbye, Jensen,” you whispered as you pulled away from him. It took all the strength you had to walk away from him then, but you had to, you couldn't let yourself give into him.

Jensen was powerless as he watched you walk away. He wanted to run after you, to scream your name, to do something to make you stay, but he couldn't move. All he could do was sit there and watch you walk out of his life. You had made your decision and now it was time for him to respect it, no matter how much he hated it.

Tags: (add yourself HERE)

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Reunited: @maralisa124 @formulafun @supernatural-fangirl13 @hann-loosechester @viviandarkbloom06 @sieera @valerieshubin @naadestiel @boredoutofmymindstuff @mrsdeanfuckingwinchester @dancingalone21 @deansgirl215 @appleslicesandmustard @keepcalmandbeajunkie @suzannebeaketa @supernaturalismalife @redeyedvixen @mylifeasafangirlforever @sparklesuperwholock88 @directionernullneun @lexie-mo

[asmasheikh]

10 Skills Every Event Planner Needs in a COVID-19 World

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to uproot nearly every aspect of our lives and businesses, event professionals have quickly developed new skillsets to keep their businesses afloat. BizBash caught up with planners around the country to learn what skills, traits, and bases of knowledge are most important in the world today.

1. Up-to-date knowledge of the latest restrictions. More than ever, event planners should be prepared for all possible outcomes, says Melissa Park, a global event producer based in New York. “Personally, I am reading every event safety guideline and planning document I can get my hands on, and speaking with many contacts to better understand what they’re doing and seeing in their venues.”

Park is also reviewing her past events to take note of elements and touchpoints that would have had to be modified in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines. “I then took it a step further and created solutions for each and every potential pain point I identified so that when the time comes, the delivery of a COVID-safe and socially distanced event is second nature to me,” she explains.

Meanwhile, Feyisola Ogunfemi, the owner of Statuesque Events in Laurel, Md., is closely studying restaurant safety guidelines. “Many states are not necessarily giving detailed guidelines around events besides size in the executive orders—however when you read restaurant guidelines, you can find much more detail on food service, seating, and other guidelines that can be incorporated into your event,” she points out.

2. Basic familiarity with new technology and platforms—and how to troubleshoot. Let’s face it: Virtual events are here to stay, whether they include an in-person component or not. Event professionals should have a working knowledge of what’s possible, and some familiarity with the biggest virtual platforms out there.

Rachel Nelson, public relations and events manager for Margaux Agency in Los Angeles, suggests knowing basic troubleshooting for the inevitable technical difficulties. “The best way to deal with this is to come prepared for the worst,” she says. “Have test or practice sessions with all of your speakers to rule out all the technical difficulties. Make sure that your presenters and speakers know how to work the platform, which includes sharing slides, presentations, etcetera.”

Chris Chan—founder and CEO of Washington, D.C.-based 3C Strategies—agrees. “Technology has become much more prevalent in our planning process,” he notes. “We’ve had to learn several SaaS platforms in anticipation of possible switches to hybrid or virtual events based on regulations and client desires. We’ve also had to build up our production knowledge base as clients are demanding more polished video production.”

3. A general idea of accessibility requirements for virtual content. Just like an in-person event, a virtual event should be inclusive for the widest possible audience. “Once you have a content plan in place, don’t overlook accessibility. If your videos aren’t accessible to everyone, you’re limiting your reach,” points out Justin Hartman, director of Mediasite Events in Madison, Wis. “Content should be easily accessed on any device at any moment. Closed captioning is also an important feature you need to think about when creating your video strategy. While closed captioning is a helpful feature to the hearing impaired, it has the added benefit of increasing search capabilities for your audience as a whole.”

And think globally, Hartman adds. “Relying on a virtual platform for future events is all about thinking beyond your conference walls by creating an entire online conference pass and experience,” he says. Consider making content your audience can reference year-round, and adding built-in translation options for different languages.

4. Knowledge of how to study analytics for virtual events. “Perhaps the unsung hero of a solid video strategy is the analytics, and too often people don’t fully utilize its power,” says Hartman, explaining that video metadata will give insights into viewing metrics that can improve marketing strategies and increase sales. “You’ll be able to analyze everything from registration to interaction to viewer behaviors. Who was the most popular speaker?

Where did viewers disengage? How long do they interact with the content? With this valuable information, you can continuously improve your events and maximize attendee satisfaction.”

5. Enhanced social media marketing skills. Due to increased competition in the virtual event space—and eventually, a crowded calendar of rescheduled in-person gatherings—social media marketing is a critical way to cut through the noise, says Willie Greer, founder of The Product Analyst in Memphis, who regularly works with event companies on brand partnerships.

“Planners should be more knowledgeable about boosting, and the like, to be able to reach prospective clients. Continuous advancement, mastery, and knowhow in creating digital content, especially for marketing, is a skill set that will be beneficial for a long time.”

6. Strong business practices. An industry dominated by entrepreneurs is no stranger to the need for strong business skills—which have become more crucial than ever, points out Michael Alexis, CEO of TeamBuilding, based near Seattle.

“You need to not just create a high quality and engaging experience, but also support it with robust business practices and systems,” he says, adding that in an unstable economy, quality customer service means people will be confident booking and working with your company. “You need strong policies around refunds, rescheduling, and other possible outcomes.”

7. Familiarity with best practices for crisis communications. “The entire globe was completely unprepared for this type of crisis,” notes Sherese Patton, founder and principal publicist of SLP Media Relations in Detroit. “I now know the importance of having a crisis management plan in order to counteract such a dire situation. We may never get back to ‘normal,’ and it’s best to be prepared for the worst should the worst happen again.”

Make sure the plan is continuously updated according to new developments, and that your entire team has access to it. One way to expand your skills in this area is through online education courses, webinars, and networking, points out Rachel Mazzola, corporate event manager of Tripleseat,an event management platform that offers educational resources for planners. “Topics that every event planner should be exploring now are event crisis communication, emergency preparedness, contract negotiations, event design, inclusive event strategies, and virtual meeting and event management.”

Mazzola adds, “Once you have a strong foundation in these elements, put your knowledge into action right away! Come up with plans that will be useful to have on hand for the future, especially an emergency response plan if you don’t already have one.”

8. Ideas for evolving and expanding your current skill sets. The best event pros always have a back-up plan—and that includes a way to keep your business afloat during times of crisis. “Take a look at what you already have access to and see how you can apply it towards generating new income. In some cases, this means looking at things you normally wouldn’t consider,” explains Jason Shaw, CEO of Round Table Marketing Group in Miami, who re-evaluated his company’s email database to find ways it could both create revenue and help the community.

“We had hundreds of thousands of emails, segmented by location and interest. We also knew that the local restaurant industry had been hit as hard as we had. … We offered our database for free, with the understanding that they would pay us only for clickthrough on their specific CTAs instead of the usual astronomical costs of buying onto a newsletter or paying an email service.”

Shaw’s team also put together a suite of digital resources for local restaurants, bars, and nightlife establishments. “Taking the digital talents and strategies we had already spent years crafting, we immediately transitioned into this new space—and then we offered it to our neighbors and colleagues for next to nothing,” he says. “I know that when things start getting back to normal, these small gestures will not be forgotten.”

Gabrielle Norton, founder and CEO of ‘Cause We Can Events in Nashville, has also found a way to generate new income by teaching wedding vendors how to attract clients on Pinterest. “With postponements left and right, I realized that putting all my eggs in one basket with this business was not a good idea,” she says. “I created a new website and in the last four months have managed to launch my very first e-course.” The new venture will bring in more passive income that can be put on hold when her live events pick back up, she notes.

9. Flexibility and creativity. The ability to plan—and adjust those plans—quickly is more crucial than ever, says Ogunfemi. “As soon as our state loosened state guidelines, some clients wanted to get married ASAP,” she remembers. “To prepare for reopening, planners should keep organized tentative plans, vendor lists, ideas, and more so that you can act quickly when approached by an organization or couple who wants to have an event right away.”

Amaia Stecker, managing partner of Pilar & Co. in Alexandria, Va., says the most successful planners will let go of their expectations of what an event “should be.” She says, “Those with the most successful outcomes right now, I believe, are those who let go of their attachments and expected outcomes for new solutions and opportunities.”

Now is the time to try new things, Stecker adds. “Don’t be afraid to share some of your less thought out, wild and crazy ideas. This is different from throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. Actually ideating and refining, widening thought processes to narrow opinions can come up with some top-notch solutions.”

10. Patience and empathy. When communicating with clients, vendors, or guests, never forget that the current climate is affecting everyone in different ways, notes Nelson. “Some are losing their livelihood, family members, friends, and jobs, and needs and values could have severely shifted from just a mere three months ago. It’s important to take the time to get to know your audience again, show them that you care, and speak with empathy, humility, and compassion.”

Remember that it’s an industry built on relationships, adds Mazzola. “You can’t act robotic and expect to maintain good relationships. Taking the time to talk through problems and hear them out will help you to build stronger bonds with your clients in the long run,” she says.

And above all, be patient. “Let’s be honest—on a large scale, nobody knows what’s going on, how long this is going to last, and what this means for their company (and income, and family) in the long term,” says Kate Strayer, event producer and brand marketing specialist for Entire Productions in San Francisco. “Many people are still figuring out how to comfortably and effectively work from home, let alone what their new virtual holiday party budget will be.”

Strayer adds, “With patience comes empathy—and with that, a more desirable business partner. No one wants to feel like they’re being rushed to make a decision (even if we want to rush them to make a decision). … Let’s just try and show a little grace from day to day.”

Courtesy: Event Management in Lahore

[cathrynstreich]

Real Living: ‘The Home of Lifestyle Advisors’

(Above) Teresa Palacios Smith, Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion, and Allan Dalton, CEO, Real Living Real Estate

Editor’s Note: This is the cover story in the February 2020 issue of RISMedia’s Real Estate magazine. Subscribe today. Energy and excitement ran high at Real Living Real Estate’s recent Real Living RLBridge broker event in Atlanta, Ga. Nearly all of the network’s broker/owners congregated to discuss business, share best practices and celebrate a new order at the network.

Real Living, part of the HSF Affiliates LLC family of real estate brokerage franchise networks, is growing with new franchisees, new resources and fresh, new branding that positions the network and its professionals as the “Home of Lifestyle Advisors.” Network members are energized, and their clients are responding, resulting in sales growth at franchisees across the country.

At the center of the action is network CEO Allan Dalton, who is relentless in his support of Real Living franchisees and their needs. Dalton has more than three decades of real estate operations, leadership and marketing experience. He is the former president and CEO of realtor.com®, he co-founded TownAdvisor.com, he co-owned a 32-office brokerage and has created marketing systems for leading real estate brands.

He begins his second year as Real Living CEO with ample enthusiasm (as always) and momentum. With the future undeniably bright for the Real Living network and its members, Dalton weighed in on progress and prospects.

RLBridge broker event, Atlanta, Ga.

Maria Patterson: Allan, you are deeply respected within the industry for your leadership roles, both as the former president and co-owner of a major real estate brokerage and then as CEO of realtor.com®, and for the growth and success of these companies. Should we expect the same growth at Real Living? Allan Dalton: I am very optimistic that the answer is a resounding yes. Not primarily because of me or my past achievements, which you so generously referenced, but instead, because of the incomparable Real Living brand and its existing network brokers and agents, and due to the wonderful balance of synergy and sovereignty that the Real Living brand and network enjoys.

Gino Blefari, Chairman, Real Living Real Estate

MP: Interesting choice of words, “synergy and sovereignty”—please explain. AD: HSF Affiliates provides many additional resources that Real Living, on its own and at this stage of its growth, could not expect or justify. Specifically, Real Living immensely benefits from the heralded leadership of Gino Blefari, our chairman; Chris Stuart, our vice chairman; Michael Jalbert, our EVP for Global Field Operations; Teresa Palacios Smith, our VP of Diversity & Inclusion; and Rosalie Warner, our SVP for Network Services. However, beyond this Hall-of-Fame-like executive team (none of whom require additional resume-related attention), is an impressive and deep bench of talented executives and staff, dedicated to the growth of our “Re-engineered Real Living.”

Chris Stuart, Vice Chairman, Real Living Real Estate

MP: What does “Re-engineering Real Living” mean to your network and the consumer? AD: We are unlike other brands that have to patch or alter their brand as it no longer conveys the intent of its leaders; there is also often an unwitting tendency to conflate what reimagining one’s brand means with merely redesigning one’s logo. Real Living, to the contrary, has completely and strategically overhauled its value proposition.

MP: How did you accomplish this, Allan? AD: When Gino Blefari appointed me CEO of Real Living and I took the helm of leadership, the Real Living brand and network had a different challenge.

MP: What was that specifically? AD: We had to unearth and expand upon that which was inherently remarkable and distinctive about the Real Living brand, and then build out its value proposition from there. It was like the legendary Marvel Method, whereby first, the iconic character is imagined and branded, then the emerging value proposition emanates from the discovered DNA.

MP: And what is the DNA of Real Living? AD: Ironically and appreciatively, it was discovered by a competitor—that being Realogy. Realogy publishes research that revealed that Real Living, in its relative present-day smaller size and years in the business, was found to be the third-most recognizable brand in real estate. When I first saw these results in a Century 21 brochure, I must confess that my first reaction was, “This must be what they mean by ‘fake news.'”

MP: Why do you think Real Living, which is much smaller and has been around for a much shorter time than many other brands, scored so highly? AD: I believe it is for two reasons. First, that we sound more like a real estate company than any other brand name, and secondly, there is a primitive pull to the word “living” or “life” as the industry is evolving from selling homes to selling lifestyles. Our members love the connection between Real Living and how we are now positioned to be the Home of Lifestyle Advisors.

Real Living’s fresh, new branding positions the network and its professionals as the “Home of Lifestyle Advisors.” Above, Navona Hart, owner/broker of Real Living Cornerstone in Farmville, Va.

MP: Tell me what it means to be a “lifestyle advisor.” AD: Simply stated, moving forward, there will be great pressure on industry fees unless brokerages and their agents move beyond only asserting transactional value and not relational or advisory importance and relevance.

MP: And what are you doing to ensure that? Your claim to be the Home of Lifestyle Advisors is not just a pithy slogan, but substantive and meaningful? AD: Shakespeare in Hamlet writes, “Suit the actions to the word and the word to the action.” To that end, we have introduced to our network not only extensive lifestyle, advisory related training, but also sweeping consumer-centric content through our network’s beloved “Real Living. Real Answers.SM” Our content includes digital and offline programs such as:

“The Real Living Lifestyle Planning Guide” and “Neighbors Know Best,” a consumer testimonial program to support how we market our properties, and a rejection-free prospecting program “Downsizing with Distinction,” “How to Effectively Move Up” and “Why Homes Don’t Sell,” videos and guides for expired listings “Do You Want to Be a FSBO or Select a FMBA?,” a one-of-a-kind program for FSBOs

“Real Living. Real Answers.” also includes “When to Rent and When to Buy,” “Before You Select the Right Price for Your Home, Select the Best Pricing Strategy” and, more simply, but catastrophically, overlooked content.

Real Living Real Estate Vice Chairman Chris Stuart

MP: “Catastrophic”? Allan, that’s a strong word, or even an indictment… AD: Absolutely. One of the reasons I select that sensationalistic-sounding word is that only 12 percent of consumers, according to NAR (National Association of REALTORS®), return to their agent for future business transactions. This is, in my view, because during the time they are not selling, agents do not engage them in a fashion similar to other professionals. Agents focus more on creating a sphere of influence vs. influencing their sphere, and more on databases than on developing a client base like other professionals with whom we covet analogous status. What is catastrophic is that consumers maintain, figuratively speaking, one doctor, one lawyer and one financial planner, while they simultaneously and routinely engage in real estate roulette and randomly search when it comes to selecting their real estate agent. And this typically occurs only when a transactional need surfaces.

MP: How are you changing this pattern? AD: One example is our Real Living Lifestyle Planning Guide. This incomparable relational program allows our network lifestyle advisors to lock in clients for life rather than merely mimicking how the industry wishfully proclaims that “I want to be your agent for life” yet lacks any corresponding plan for building and sustaining these relationships. Imagine a financial planner not having any financial plans.

MP: So your lifestyle advisors also advise consumers to do planning? AD: Yes, but with the help of the Real Living self-help planning guide.

MP: And how is this working? AD: Our three leading brokerages led by Jason Sherman and Justin Levitch of RLAH in Washington, D.C.; John Meesseman, Real Living Kee Realty, Clinton Township, Mich.; and Bob Molta, Real Living Realty Professionals, Longmeadow, Mass., have all told me it is a profound and effective differentiator.

(L to R) Bob Molta, Justin Levitch, Allan Dalton, John Meesseman

MP: You mentioned the brand’s leaders. Please share more about them. AD: Our leaders have emerged both nationally and locally. Nationally, our entire essence as a brand and franchise management team begins and ends with Gino Blefari. Gino is the only true “triple threat” I have known in real estate. Before becoming CEO and chairman of HomeServices of America and Real Living Real Estate, respectively, Gino was the No. 1 agent in a county of almost 2 million population for years. He then managed the No. 1 office in a major brokerage. Later, he became the president of the No. 1 Century 21 company in the world. After that, he founded one of North America’s seven largest brokerages. Gino’s accountability systems, driven through his meticulously authored West Coast offense, is a career changer for brokers and agents.

Chris Stuart possesses the greatest integration of brokerage experience and innovation, together with high-tech experience, of anyone I have ever met in real estate, and it is enormously impactful that he is our Real Living vice chairman.

Michael Jalbert, EVP of Global Field Operations, is an organizational maestro and was instrumental in Realogy’s worldwide growth as he is becoming for HSF Affiliates and Real Living.

Rosalie Warner, the former president of Prudential Real Estate, is our SVP for Network Services and represents the executive gold standard in execution and results.

Teresa Palacios Smith, a longtime real estate and relocation specialist, is the former president of NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) and is, I believe, our industry’s most credible and passionate voice regarding the vital importance of diversity and inclusion.

Marie Cabo

And Real Living’s marketing is drawing great raves from consumers, brokers and our agents. This widespread and enthusiastic buy-in would not be possible without the leadership of HSF Affiliates’ VP of Global Marketing Wendy Durand, and especially the relentless creativity and world-class marketing acumen of Marketing Manager Marie Cabo. Marie is instrumental in executing our new consumer-centric culture.

MP: Allan, you also mentioned local leadership… AD: Rusty Willis of Real Living Capital City Realty in Atlanta, Ga.—arguably, the most respected and beloved broker in the entire Real Living network—recently conceived of and hosted a three-day, broker-to-broker event in Atlanta, attended by the majority of Real Living network brokers from across America. This is an example of exemplary leadership that any other brand would be hard-pressed to duplicate. Attending the conference were three exceptional leaders: RLAH’s CEO Jason Sherman, who, along with business partner Justin Levitch, has grown to become Real Living’s No. 1 brokerage; John Meesseman is without question as fine a brokerage operator as I have met; and Realty Professionals’ Bob Molta is a remarkable developer of people and strategic genius. This event was highly beneficial for both brokers and their teams, as brokers were able to take back actionable programs, strategies and ideas to better their teams and strengthen their relationships with clients.

Allan Dalton and Rusty Willis

MP: Tell us about some of your newest franchisees since you became CEO. AD: Two of the newest include Kathy and Jim Rebhan of Real Living Carolinas Real Estate in Charlotte, N.C., whose business is up 40 percent since we re-engineered Real Living; and the other is industry icon Ken Baris of Jordan Baris Inc., REALTORS® Real Living in West Orange, N.J., who is experiencing unprecedented growth even though his company has been a top performer for decades in Northern New Jersey.

(L to R) Teresa Palacios Smith, Rosalie Warner, Allan Dalton, Gino Blefari, Ken Baris, Tricia Kobos and Champ Claris at the grand opening of Jordan Baris, Inc. REALTORS® Real Living.

MP: We have never seen you more excited. How would you summarize your unmistakable and infectious excitement for Real Living? AD: While so much of the industry is talking about disruption, pressure on fees and endlessly speculating on business threats without any solutions, Real Living network members are increasingly rejoicing in:

Being connected to the stability of HSF Affiliates and, ultimately, Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of the Berkshire Hathaway enterprise

Not being a brand that has over-saturated the markets

Communities love the campaigns focused on that where they live is “Where Real Living begins”

Real Living’s leadership components, with all their resources and experience, are working tirelessly to ensure that our network agents not only remain ultra-relevant and flourish, but that Real Living leads the way for the industry to evolve from its transaction value to the combination of transactional and relational value—real estate with lifestyle

Allan Dalton with franchise owners Jim and Kathy Rebhan and Ken Baris

MP: Allan, it’s clear you’re ready for a bright future at Real Living! AD: This is the most exciting time for the brand and our network. Real Living provides a strong value proposition, transcendent tools and expert leadership to help network professionals grow their businesses. For consumers, the brand stands apart, tying lifestyles and lasting relationships into the real estate process with the aspiration of better and ongoing real estate service over time.

For more information, please visit www.realliving.com.

Maria Patterson is RISMedia’s executive editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at maria@rismedia.com.

The post Real Living: ‘The Home of Lifestyle Advisors’ appeared first on RISMedia.

Real Living: ‘The Home of Lifestyle Advisors’ published first on https://thegardenresidences.tumblr.com/

[mrmichaelchadler]

Spotlighting Ebertfest's Festival Director and Audience Members

We are embarking on our twenty-first production of the Ebertfest Film Festival, and so I wanted to shine a spotlight on the Festival Director, Nate Kohn, and on some of our loyal Ebertfest audience members. We get attendees from all over the United States and Canada, and I asked  audience members to tell us what drew them to the festival the first time, and why they continue to return year after year. We are sharing selected versions of their most cherished moments with you. I am presenting them here in the following categories of attendance: 1-5 Years, 5-10 Years, 10-15 Years and 15-20 Years. I am looking forward to making new memories with all of you at our 21st edition of Ebertfest, running from Wednesday, April 10th, through Saturday, April 13th, at the Virginia Theater in Champaign, Illinois. See you there!—Chaz Ebert

First, I want to thank our Festival Director, Dr. Nathaniel Kohn

Nate Kohn was born and raised in Urbana, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Currently he is a film professor at the University of Georgia in Athens, where he also serves as the Associate Director of the George Foster Peabody Awards. We are fortunate that he has been the festival director at Ebertfest since day one.  Roger and I worked with Dr. Kohn as a cohesive team to plan the festival, and after Roger passed away, Nate and I continued to plan the festival as seamlessly as ever with the help of the College of Media at the University of Illinois, and three program coordinators: Current coordinator, Andrew Michael Hall (whose voice some mistake for Scott Connery as James Bond;  and previous coordinators-- Mary Susan Britt and Casey Ludwig.

Dr. Kohn is an award winning film producer who produced "Zulu Dawn" starring Burt Lancaster and Peter O’Toole; the independent feature "Somebodies," which premiered at Sundance (2006); "Rain," the Bahamas’ first indigenous feature which premiered at Toronto (2007); and the feature length documentary "Bayou Maharajah" that premiered at SXSW (2013). He was Executive Producer on the BET television series "Somebodies" (2008). He has served on juries and mentored screenwriters at the Atlanta, Hawaii, Kerala, and Bahamas International Film Festivals. And he is the author of numerous scholarly articles and of the book Pursuing Hollywood: Seduction, Obsession, Dread (AltaMira Press, 2006). 

As those who have been attending the film festival regularly know, Nate tries to avoid speaking at the podium as much as possible, but this year I have a plan to make sure you get to enjoy the benefit of his humor and wisdom even more than in past years. And now, here are the memories shared by our Ebertfest audiences.

1-5 YEARS

Ann Wilde and Patty Urban

Ann works for a financial group in the downtown Chicago area as a Business Analyst. She was happily married but lost her husband to cancer many years ago. She loved movies as a child, remembering how much “Wizard of Oz” and “Sound of Music” made such an impression on her. Ann has 2 siblings that worked at a theatre in high school in her neighborhood. She would always hang out there to see movies. Her favorite movie is “Casablanca.” She has been a fan of Humphrey Bogart since she was a teen. Documentaries are her favorite genre, and she’s so glad Ebertfest always has them.

I met my best friend Patty in 1980. We both were working summer jobs at the same insurance company. We became fast friends and one of the things we bonded over was movies. When we met, Patty was in college at U of I and her minor was Film. She shared her love of movies with me and we had some great conversations about genres, directors and film critics. She was a fan of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert’s show, as I was. I favored Roger over Gene and always wanted to know what Roger had to say about the movies coming out. I was also a Sun Times newspaper reader (still am today) so I looked forward to reading Roger’s reviews. I always felt that I was getting a honest and incredibly insightful assessment of the movies he reviewed and often found that I wanted to see the movie more so after reading his opinion. I know Patty is proud that she graduated from the same college as Roger Ebert.

Over our 39 year friendship, Patty and I have seen too many movies to count. We actually saw Roger and Gene at a "Return of the Jedi" movie premiere in Chicago that my Dad won tickets to. We attended book signings for the books that Roger wrote and have a picture of us with Roger, not long before he passed that I will treasure forever. You were there too, Chaz, as you were the one who kindly took the picture of us with Roger. Patty and I always talked about going to Ebertfest. A huge regret of ours is that we never made it here while Roger was alive. It would have been a true honor to have seen Roger at the Virginia theatre, holding court and discussing films. I do, however, believe I feel Roger’s presence in the Virginia theatre.       

Patty and I have attended Ebertfest since 2015 and are never disappointed at what we see and experience. The Ebertfest audience is THE BEST!

Warren Ward 

Warren has been a financial planner for nearly 30 years and became interested in film at college. He's what’s known as a fiduciary planner, meaning he always acts in the best interests of his clients, not a brokerage company or insurance agency. Warren always felt that Roger did the same. "He presented his opinions for our contemplation – and comment – but never seemed to get caught up in the temptation to ‘paint a flattering picture’ in exchange for receiving good seats at an opening or other attention," said Warren. 

I bought Roger’s yearbook for myself every Christmas for more than 20 years, then spent a month or so going through it marking movies I needed to see. Being self-employed I always hated taking time off work simply to have fun but, as I began easing into retirement a few years ago, my wife offered me a trip to Ebertfest as a Christmas present. I was excited to accept and queued up early on Wednesday to be sure of getting a good seat. I found myself in line with a woman who lives in Champaign and attends every year. She described her preferred seat which proved to be a better choice than what I’d had in mind. Later that day I moved up to join her and now sit with her and her EF friends every year. Of course I look forward to seeing the films and hearing the stories, but I also look forward to sitting with those who are now my EF friends too. There we’ll be, just behind the house left stairs in the balcony: the design instructor, the English professor, the architect and me, the (still) semi-retired financial planner.

John McEwan 

John lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with his wife, Meredith Zenge, and their dog, Jade. He’s originally from Jacksonville, Texas and has a PhD in geography from Louisiana State. Meredith is a U of I chemical engineering graduate originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She was at the first Ebertfest.

2019 will be my fourth year in a row attending Ebertfest. I keep going because it is my wife's birthday gift to me (but also because I like it so much). Meredith (my wife) was at the very first Ebertfest when she was a chemical engineering undergrad at U of I, and I think she has only missed one or two Ebertfests at the most due to work conflicts. One of her college friends and that friend's mom regularly attend as well, so they are another aspect of Ebertfest to which I always look forward. There are a few small things that I like about Ebertfest:

1) Lining up rain or shine, cold or heat and waiting for several hours so that we can be some of the first few to get the best seats in the Virginia Theater. We try to get the same seats every year;

2) Seeing the same strangers' faces either in line, or in the seats around us; and

3) Eating the popcorn.

There are two stories that I like to tell people. A couple of years ago, after "Another Version of You" was screened, we happened to eat at the same restaurant as Norman Lear. And that was it. Just that cool egalitarianism that Ebertfest seems to create in the area. Similarly, last year, we kept bumping into the 'real' Dude (Jeff Dowd, upon whom the "Big Lebowski" was based),  and he was nothing like what we expected. So we brag to our friends about that. My wife will always have more stories than me, but now we get to share them.

It's just fun. I never thought of myself as a movie person, as in someone that actually cared or was interested in why a movie was made, or the kind of effort that goes into making some of the films a reality. But now I am one of those people and I like it.

5-10 YEARS

Denise English 

I will never forget "Lawrence of Arabia" as my first film at Ebertfest 2004. My mom and I were Ebertfest virgins in 2004. We both shared a love of film and film critic Roger Ebert. A restored 70mm print of "Lawrence of Arabia" on the big screen in a "real" theatre like the Virginia, might not mean much to the average person, but we knew we were in for an amazing evening. And we have experienced that same amazement over the past 9 years we have been attending Ebertfest. The title release of Ebertfest films every march is our March madness selection Sunday. 2019 will be our 10th anniversary at Ebertfest. 

Jason Greenley

Jason Greenly is a Champaign resident since 1995 and an Ebertfest attendee since 2012.  When he's not in his role as the Operations Director for Courage Connection (providing services for those impacted by domestic violence since 1971), he is writing stories or at the movies.

Somehow, in the dark while not speaking at all, I've made friends. I've made friends with people not from my community. I've made friends with people from my community I never encountered before. I make new friends every year. And every year, I spend time with them outside of Ebertfest. (Often, I've found, at events surrounding music.) These are relationships I would not have otherwise, and they enrich my life as much as (really more than) film does - and film enriches my life a lot! I come for the movies; I keep coming for the people I meet in between the movies when we give voice to the experiences we just shared.

Dan Schreiber 

I ran my first 5K on Friday night, April 25, 2014 at 7:30pm. I know this because at 8:30pm on April 25th, 2014, Spike Lee was scheduled to walk onto the Virginia Theater stage at Ebertfest and introduce "Do The Right Thing." I had one hour from the start of the race at South Farms to get my butt in a seat at the Virginia Theater. 

I only agreed to run because my high-school aged daughter made me a deal: She would run her first half marathon if I ran my first 5K. So, no way I could back out of it.  And I grew up on Spike Lee films, as he taught this middle-class white guy a lot of things I needed to know about race in America. No way I was going to miss him either. 

I had no idea how long it would take me to run, but I lined up with 7,000 other people on Oak Street. Luckily, the race started promptly at 7:30pm. Unluckily, there were 7,000 people running, and most of them were ahead of me. I didn't reach the start line until 7:35 pm.  I ran as fast as my Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby inspired body could go. I crossed the finish line at Memorial Stadium at 8:10, got slapped on the back by my daughter and wife, and didn't stop until we got to the car. While my wife sped to the Virginia, I changed clothes in the back seat and slathered on some deodorant. I slipped into a seat at 8:28 pm, just enough time to stand up for Spike's pre-show standing ovation.

Until I'm told otherwise, I will believe that I am the only middle-aged white man in the world that Spike Lee has inspired to run a 5K in less than 40 minutes.

Kathleen and Dave Porreca at Ebertfest.

10-15 YEARS

Suzanne Lewandowski 

Suzanne Lewandowski has been a resident of Champaign-Urbana for the past 12 years. She is an 8th grade language arts teacher at Urbana Middle School. She loves creative writing, reading, art, and movies (of course!). Ebertfest is a highlight of her year. Look for her in the balcony with her friend Carolyn during “Almost Famous.” As Penny Lane says, “ It’s all happening!”

Ebertfest 2009: There was quiet stillness in the theater, a collective hush fell on the crowd. After waiting and artful finagling, my friends and I were in the coveted middle section, first few rows. We leaned forward in anticipation and the eerie stillness permeated the screen as “Let the Right One In” began. There would be vampires, scary children, and there would be so much blood-in the aftermath there would be nights spent triple-checking the doors of my apartment and sleeping with the lights on. Even so... as I watched the audience watching the movie in stunned amazement, as I glimpsed the faces of my dearest friends, breathless, I realized we were a cinematic community. Our hearts might be beating crazily in fear, but we were in this together. We could handle child vampires-we could take on the world! 

It’s that power-of people coming together who love film-and want to share the experience that keeps me anticipating and attending year after year.

Patricia McNussen 

Patricia was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She moved to Champaign-Urbana in 1991 for a job at Carle. She is a neuro ophthalmologist, dealing with diseases in conditions that affect vision and eye movement, optic nerve disease, and disorders of the pupil. 

Patricia loves movies, and has been attending Ebertfest since 2006.

I have attended Ebertfest since 2006, and have loved every year since!

Of all the movies, the documentaries have affected me the most. After watching "A Small Act” in 2011, I bought a copy and showed it to my small group at church. We ended up sponsoring a child in Nicaragua.

Thanks for all you do. 

Kathleen Porreca 

Kassie and Dave Porreca met in Urbana in 2003 when they were both working at Uni High. Dave had been the journalism teacher there for many years when Kassie joined the staff as Principal. After she left Uni in 2007, they began dating, with some of their earliest dates attending Ebertfest in 2008.

They got married in 2009, and will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in July. They live in Oak Park, where Kassie is an elected Park District Commissioner. (Their home is 1.9 miles from that of Kassie’s lifelong friend Anna, who attended that fateful first Ebertfest with them.) Kassie is currently the Principal of Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, and Dave is the web/media specialist for the Elmwood Park public school district. Dave has become the proud step-dad and step-dad-in-law to Kassie’s son, J.R. and his wife Mollie, and “Pop Pop” to J.R. and Mollie’s two sons, Lukas, 8, and James, 5 months.

Here's my Ebertfest story:

My husband Dave and I will be attending our 12th Ebertfest together this year. The first time we attended together was in 2008, and we had just started dating. We lived in C-U at the time, and neither of us had ever managed to get to the festival.

By the time he asked me if I would like to attend with him, I had already invited my friend Anna to come for the weekend and I had purchased passes for both of us (hers was her Christmas gift from me).

So, Dave ended up being the third wheel for several of the films and simultaneously auditioning as my new boyfriend with Anna, my best friend since high school. Luckily for all of us, they hit it off. Dave and I were married in 2009, and even though we've moved back home to Chicago, every year we make the pilgrimage back to Ebertfest. 

Most years we are passholders, but two years we were able to be sponsors, which we loved being able to do. We may be sponsors again this year.

We have loved Ebertfest for the community that has developed among the festival attendees and the little traditions. I love bringing my chair and sitting in line for a couple of hours before the first movie each day and meeting new friends each time. I love buying my Virginia Theater travel mug and having my unlimited coffee all weekend long. We love hanging out on the plaza in between shows and running into all the people we know. We love the "thumbs up" cookies from Pekara.

Sappy as it may sound, we loved feeling like we got to "know" you and Roger through seeing you together at the festival. His essay about your love story and marriage resonates with us because, like Roger, Dave always thought of himself as a "soloist" until I came along. He was 47 and had never been married when he decided to take the plunge with me. I had been divorced for many years with a grown son. Dave became an instant step-dad, and now with our 10th anniversary coming up, he's the grandpa to two boys without ever having raised a child.

Some years, my friend Anna is able to join us for a movie or two, and we always get nostalgic thinking about that first Ebertfest the three of us enjoyed together. Poor Dave - he had no idea that he was about to embark on a lifelong commitment to both of us!

Ebertfest has made its impact on my professional life as well. In April of 2013, just a couple of days after Roger's death, I was attending  a workshop at Harvard for educators and school architects where we were put into teams and told to design a school from concept to curriculum to physical building. Freshly grieving the passing of my hero, Roger Ebert, I convinced my team to name our school the Roger Ebert Learning Community, and we designed our curriculum and mission around student voice, student expression, and social justice. It was a beautiful concept and we wowed our classmates. I had tickets to Roger's memorial the day I was coming home from that conference, but my flight was delayed and I didn't make it. I'm still upset that I was unable to be there for the celebration of his life.

Last July, I took a new job as the Principal of Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, an all-girls Catholic high school. Within a month of starting there, I had the brainstorm of creating a women's film festival at Regina, which would feature films created by women filmmakers and/or films featuring strong girl and women characters. The first film I thought of programming for my festival was "Wadjda", which of course I had seen at Ebertfest. The festival is about to become a reality in just a few weeks.

15-20 YEARS

Dianna Armstrong 

I have been at Ebertfest from day one when Heather Rose appeared with the film about her- "Dance Me To My Song" - which was the first movie shown in a rather dilapidated Virginia Theatre on a Thursday afternoon. I have missed less than ten films over all the years. 

Other great memories:

Meeting the lead actress of "The Terrorist" (2000) in the ladies room on the 2nd floor which then had two stalls and peeling paint.  She was so excited to be at the Festival and wished the director could have attended

Sitting at a picnic table with Dusty (Cohl, who founded the Toronto International Film Festival), attired in his cowboy hat with cigar in hand

Staying till 2am to listen to the fascinating conversation Roger had with Werner Herzog

Hearing Marni Nixon sing "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" a-capella from the stage after the "My Fair Lady screening

I could continue but I'll end with my most poignant memory. I was in line for the handicapped bathroom and Roger got in line behind me. I motioned for him to get it front of me and he just shook his head. 

I so much miss his presence and his incredible interviews. He always listened and even played a wonderful straight man for Donald O'Connor.

Brand Fortner 

Brand Fortner is teaching professor at North Carolina State University, and adjunct professor of physics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is considered an expert in accessible scientific visualization and in technical data formats. He previously was chief scientist of the intelligence exploitation group of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, and is the founder of two scientific software companies: Spyglass, Inc, the original publisher of the Mosaic web browser, and Fortner Software LLC, a leading developer of Macintosh based scientific visualization tools.

Dr. Fortner previously held positions at NASA and at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, and has written two books on color vision and technical data: Number by Colors, and The Data Handbook.  He holds a PhD in astrophysics from the University of Illinois and funded a chair in astrophysics at that university (along with a second chair in physics at North Carolina State University). He also cosponsors a film festival at that university.

Brand serves on several corporate boards and advisory bodies and in 2005 received the distinguished alumni award from the University of Illinois. He is also an instrument rated private pilot, and co-owner of a Piper Archer.

During an early Ebertfest the lovely Australian comedy “The Castle” was screened for the festival. In one scene the main character, played by Michael Caton, commented that a trophy would go “straight to the pool room’. And then later, he said it again. And again. And yet again, as the poolroom filled with trinkets.  

The audience, and me, and Roger, loved that catch phrase, and Roger used it throughout that festival. And the next, and the next, and the next. The catchphrase became a piece of shared community. If you knew what Roger meant, you were part of the Ebertfest crowd, you were IN.  

In later years its use declined, and I was sad to see it go. So to keep its memory alive, I call my A/V den “The poolroom”, and whenever I receive something of value, I exclaim to whoever is around that it will “go straight to the poolroom." Their quizzical looks made me feel great: I was part of the Ebertfest IN crowd. And they were not.

Maureen Reagan

I shared the attached story with Roger many years ago, and I still deeply appreciate the experience, so I thought I’d share in this current call for stories. 

Dear Mr. Ebert,

I’ll begin with the easy part. As a resident of Champaign-Urbana, and a U of I graduate, and a member of the local business and arts and movie-going communities, I thank you for the care and attention you pay to all those areas. Your Overlooked Film Festival brings joy and life and a “buzz” with its presence here, and I have often wanted to thank you for making it so.

I thank you also for your reviews—beyond appreciating the guidance they give in how I spend my time and money, I simply enjoy your writing. I’m as glad to read about a movie I’m not going to see as one I am, which could say something odd about me but actually is a compliment to your content and style.

So, I have written my citizen’s thanks for your work; now let me tell a more personal story.

You and I have a fine friend in common in Dan Perrino. I vividly remember your video greeting at Dan’s Virginia Theatre retirement celebration—your stories fit perfectly the Dan I know. While he would deny credit (or blame!) for this, he helped to bring me to the university, to find money to pay for it, to stay in school, and to get the job after graduation that has allowed me to continue working in and enjoying this community.

I want to write you about another fine man whose name you don’t know, but whose friendship in a way we have in common—my father, Bill Reagan. My dad was born in April 1919 in Steelton, Pennsylvania. Money was scarce, work was hard, play was fierce, and love was deep.

The movies were essential.

Dad told me about visiting, as a boy, his Uncle Dan Reagan at his job as a night watchman on the construction site of the Steelton city building. Uncle Dan, whom Dad said “taught him how to needle,” to good-naturedly tease—an art Dad perfected with practice throughout his life—would engage Dad in arguments about who was the greater hero, George Washington or Tom Mix.

Dad had other movie heroes, too. One day a few years ago, he and I were visiting over dinner in my hometown of Ottawa, Illinois. Spurred by a comment I don’t remember, Dad mused, with remnants of wonder shimmering in his voice, “There was a movie . . . there was a movie I saw when I was young . . . the hero thrust his dagger into a ship’s sail and rode the length of the sail on that dagger. What a movie. . . . "The Black Pirate." I don’t know if anyone even knows of that movie still.” His awe at that memory shone in his eyes, and I mentally filed The Black Pirate under “to find.” Dad was a man of few wishes—or I should say of dreams and wishes and work for his family and community but of few wants for himself—and I hoped to fulfill his unspoken and perhaps even unrecognized goal of reacquainting himself with "The Black Pirate."

One night not long after, while I was cruising the video aisles of the Champaign Public Library, a VHS tape in a plain green wrapper stared back at me from the shelf. In the simplest of terms it stated its identity: "The Black Pirate." The memory was found.

On my next trip to see my parents, I took Dad the tape. We weren’t able to watch it together that weekend, but I left it with him; he and Mom watched it, amazed at its presence in their house, and mailed it back to the library.

Occasional references to the Black Pirate’s prowess occurred in subsequent conversations. And late that winter, as I read the roster of films for the Overlooked Film Festival of 2003, a familiar figure saluted me: "The Black Pirate." Eagerly I read on about this silent film, learning about its restoration and the Alloy Orchestra’s new musical accompaniment. I jumped onto the web to confirm that this was my dad’s childhood friend. And finally, when my questions were answered, I wrote to Dad, inviting him to the movies in honor of his 84th birthday.

The offer was happily accepted.

Dad couldn’t believe that his movie—a boy’s memory from a long-past time in a Pennsylvania town—was known and would be shown on a big screen with a big audience.

We talked and joked in the weeks before his visit. Well, we always talked and joked; now it was sometimes about "The Black Pirate." He told me about going to the movies with his friends— about how this crowd of boys would stamp their feet and cheer on the hero, then hiss and heckle the villains.

April came, and Dad’s Princess Isobel of 57 years, Helen Reagan, made sure he was in Champaign to enjoy his trip to the movies. In their hotel room, I pinned flowers on Mom’s and Dad’s lapels. Birthday, anniversary, raising their kids—whatever the occasion, they had earned it. We’d arranged to meet Dan and Marge Perrino for the show—those four people, what fine company.

Arriving at the theater carried the physical challenges of my parents’ ages, and I walked protectively just to the front and side of Dad, facing him, as he entered the theater and encountered diminished light and uncertain footing. But as we proceeded down the aisle, his sight grew sure and his footing eager—and here is why. I watched Dad’s face as he looked with interest and fascination at the rows of people around him laughing and talking. He was not in awe of the crowd or of the setting. He was in wonderment that all these people awaited this film that had entertained him so very long ago, that they eagerly anticipated experiencing this memory that Dad thought lived on only in his own heart and mind and those of other 84-year-old 7-year-old boys.

We took our seats with Marge and Dan and chatted in fine Ebertfest style with people around us. One woman noticed the flowers my parents wore and inquired about the occasion, in answer to which we gladly told the story. Soon the musicians took their places, the lights dimmed, and the curtain rose on my father’s childhood.

And then—well, you were there. You know how the entire theater watched enthralled. Aurally and visually, the film was gorgeous. You probably didn’t hear my dad as he whispered to me, “Oh, here! Here, did we cheer!”

And cheer we all did, as hero and heroine kissed and the lights came up on a happy ending. Dad said he loved the new musical score—always a forward thinker, even with regard to his childhood treasure—and was fascinated by the quality and beauty of the print itself—always an inquiring scientist.

Near the end of the question-and-answer session, one of our new acquaintances asked if it would be OK to mention my parents’ story. She rose and introduced my dad, who then received the largest serenade of his life as the Virginia Theatre swelled with a thousand-voice version of “Happy Birthday.” Dad gladly accepted the microphone (always an Irishman) and told a couple of his memories, commenting that this crowd was different from his 7-year-old cronies in that this crowd cheered instead of booing the long-awaited kiss.

As the session closed, Warren York took his seat at the Wurlitzer organ, and Dan Perrino, his body in pain but fueled by as much go-ahead spirit as ever, hurried down to request Mom and Dad’s song—“I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.” Dad didn’t hear much of it because so many people approached him for conversation. As we made our way out of the theater, one man eagerly shook his hand and referenced another festival film as he said, “That wasn’t just medium cool; that was very cool!”

With Dan clearing a walking path through the lobby, we left in high spirits. I brought the car to pick up Mom and Dad, jumping out to snap a quick picture. As Dad explored the dark ground in front of him with his cane, we joked that this was now his dagger, for riding sails of a different sort.

That was to be my dad’s last visit to Champaign-Urbana. Heart problems that had challenged him for years grew suddenly worse, and after many inquiries the questing philosopher-scientist knew that he had explored every option. With this knowledge, he was satisfied. He prepared himself and his family for his death with courage and grace. Still, when it came, we were not ready—but I believe he was. He passed away on December 26, 2003, leaving us immeasurably sadder for having lost him and immeasurably richer for having known him.

We often talked about our trip to the movies in the months following "The Black Pirate," and my family referred to you as “Dad’s new friend, Roger Ebert.” I write tonight to thank you for having given me this gift—the chance to step back in time and sit next to my father, a 7-year-old boy at the movies.

from All Content http://bit.ly/2YZAGhe

[kevinmoyer]

BEST REAL WEDDINGS OF 2017 :: The Love Story of Fabi & Josh

This is the most unforgettable wedding I’ve seen come across Snippet & Ink in recent memory, so grab a tissue, you just might need it…

Photography by Kristin Sweeting.

On November 12 2016, Fabi & Josh married in a sunset ceremony in Nashville. One month and one day later, Josh’s life was taken by cancer.

I am honored to bring you their story today. Fabi has been so open in letting me ask all of the difficult questions, and answering them with such grace. Would you marry your person, knowing they were dying? It’s something most of us don’t even want to think about, but these two had a characteristically wonderful attitude: “there wasn’t even a question whether or not we would go through with our wedding. We both had plans for a future together and that included a wedding, a marriage, a family and lots of adventures. You don’t put those things on hold and wait and see if the man upstairs is going to give you more time. You live.”

How sweet is it seeing a bride do her mom’s makeup on her own wedding day!

Did you include any traditions in your wedding? As my ‘something old’, I wore my mom’s diamond bracelet that my dad had given her, as well as a gold bracelet that Josh had given me. The bracelet from Josh has the coordinates of our favorite spot in Laguna Beach, where Josh proposed to me. My ‘something new’ was a pair of diamond stud earrings that Josh gave me on our wedding day. One of my bridesmaids let me wear a gold angel pin that her mom had pinned on her wedding dress when she got married as my ‘something borrowed’. And I had a blue decal with ‘Mrs. Powell’ and our wedding date for the bottom of my shoes as my ‘something blue’.

How did you meet? Josh and I met at a bar on Broadway in downtown Nashville in September 2014. There are some aspects in life that you just can’t control; one of those is timing. It was clear from day one that we were placed in each others lives for a reason. It was only two short months after we met that Josh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer – Synovial Sarcoma of the lower abdomen. He had no idea why I wasn’t running as fast as I could in the opposite direction after hearing his diagnosis. The truth is, I knew what I had found and I wasn’t going to let it go that easily.

Why do you think you didn’t run then, or even later, when Josh proposed? If anyone believes in love, it’s me. When Josh learned about his diagnosis I already knew I loved him. The word cancer wasn’t going to change my feelings for him, or my desire to take a chance on a future together. The thing about life is there are no guarantees. None of us are promised tomorrow so I wasn’t going to let a little “bump in the road”, as Josh called it, scare me away from the love I knew we had for each other. Instead of letting this devastating news ruin the start of something extremely rare and beautiful, we decided to take a chance. I left everything I knew in Southern California to follow my heart, and Josh trusted me with his. By making the decision not to run from the things that scared us, we were fortunate to have an opportunity to experience something that many go a lifetime never knowing.

Most people thought I was crazy for signing up for a relationship that I knew was going to be hard and potentially heartbreaking, but I’m not most people. The truth is, without taking that risk I would’ve never experienced our extraordinary love. It wasn’t always easy, but boy was it worth it. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Josh was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Once you had decided to marry, what prompted you to have a wedding, knowing what lay ahead? You never know what lies ahead! I can say for sure that we never lost hope. Josh had written this down in his journal (and I found it after he passed away): “we just have to find a way. Even if there are more surgeries. I just need to be strong physically, obviously mentally, and have everyone on the same page as far as beating this. I think I’m starting to turn everyone around in the meaning of getting everyone positive and excited to take on this challenge. I feel so good about all of this and it may just be me being overly positive and somewhat unrealistic but why not? Why not me?” He inspired me everyday while he was here on earth and continues to do so while he is gone. He is one of the most exceptional human beings I have ever met. He was a West Point graduate, played football for Army, and carried his tumor all the way through Ranger school. He was the toughest guy around and wasn’t ever going to let anything get in his way. I am honored to be his wife and blessed to have known him.

So it was important for us to share this love with the other people that we loved. These people were on this journey with us too and wanted nothing but to love and support us. It was only fair to share our wedding day with them. You could feel the love at our wedding like something I had never experienced before. Every single guest there wanted the best for us, and that’s how it should be at every wedding.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your relationship? For the past two years Josh fought for his life against this awful disease, with me by his side every step of the way. And in all honesty, I would give anything just to get one of our worst days back.

The Ceremony

Why did you choose this location for your ceremony? We met on the third story of Honky Tonk Central on Broadway in downtown Nashville, so it only made sense to bring our wedding right back where it all started!

How did you go about planning your ceremony? Our situation was pretty unique as we only had two months to completely change our wedding plans. We had planned our California wedding for May of 2017. In August 2016 we were told to move our date up because the odds weren’t looking good. Immediately after hearing that news Josh turned to me and said we should use our engagement party date, planned for November 2016, as our wedding date, and thats exactly what we did.

Your ceremony in three words. Intimate, magical, unforgettable.

What was your ceremony music? I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz / Marry You, Bruno Mars / Good Life, Onerepublic / Die A Happy Man, Thomas Rhett.

Who officiated your ceremony? How did you choose him/her? Danny Rhodes officiated our ceremony. We asked our wedding planner for a recommendation and she thought he would be a great fit. Josh and I met Danny for coffee and we knew right away that he was the guy for the job. If you can find someone who makes you feel like that, you’ve hit the jackpot!

What were your vows like? Short and sweet, traditional, and personal. We didn’t want a ceremony that dragged on but one that was powerful and meaningful. Danny Rhodes did an amazing job personalizing traditional vows.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding ceremony? I think we would both agree that our favorite part was how much love everyone could feel between us. A wedding is so much more than an opportunity to dress up and party. Our ceremony was absolutely magical. I have never seen my husband smile so big in my entire life. It was a vision of true and unconditional love. The mere fact that he was able to show up that night to marry me was a miracle. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. For me, that’s what a wedding ceremony should be like.

How did you feel about marrying Josh knowing he didn’t have much time left? Josh is and always will be my one true love. We experienced things in our short time together that most will never be able to comprehend. Our relationship was a marriage from the very beginning. Moving from California to Tennessee after knowing each other for only five months was a huge commitment. So was loving him unconditionally through sickness and in health. Josh asking me to officially be his wife was the happiest day of my life. He had recently recovered from his tumor removal surgery, the cancer was removed with clear margins, and we were ready to enjoy the next chapter of our lives without cancer. After receiving the bad news in August that the cancer had returned, we immediately started looking for other options. I found a clinical trial for him in California and as soon as he was accepted into the trial we got our hope back. We fought this thing until the very end and always stayed optimistic. Josh actually sent me this text in October just a month before our wedding day, “I couldn’t be more happy to be with anyone else. This new chapter is going to be so fun. We have so much positive upside that is owed to us in life and I think this is where we get it. Full of great surprises and fun. I can’t imagine what life has in store for us but as long as we are together nothing can bring us down. Love you.” Even after being told that he had six months or less to live, he never gave up.

The Reception

How would you describe your reception? Meaningful. Josh was able to sit and have a bite to eat with me, smash some cake in my face, and share some extremely meaningful words with our guests and myself. That was more than anyone expected given his condition. Josh would’ve gone through any amount of pain in order to share that moment with everyone.

What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? I wanted it to be simple and chic. I also wanted it to be as easy as possible, so I looked for venues that were all inclusive so I didn’t have to mess around finding individual vendors on my own. Luckily my husband wanted to be involved too, so he was a big help when it came to narrowing things down. Josh and I both have very similar tastes.

What was the best advice you received as a bride? Make sure to get a videographer. The speeches are the best part of every wedding in my opinion (aside from the dancing!) It’s incredible hearing about a couple’s love for each other and where it all started. For me, hearing my husband talk about our love was the very best part of our wedding day. To have your husband open up to the most important people in your lives and tell them he loves you is the most romantic thing in the world. I watch our wedding video weekly just to remember what his voice sounds like and to never forget our love for one another.

What other advice do you have for other couples in the midst of planning a wedding? Make it about you. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to please everyone, but at the end of the day it’s your wedding. It goes by so fast and you want it to be your dream and not anyone else’s. Investing in a great photographer and videographer was important to us. We cut back on flowers and fluff just so we could spend the extra money on those two things because they were the most important. Our situation was unique because I knew Josh and I probably didn’t have a lot of time left and I wanted to remember our wedding day forever. Our pictures and our wedding video are treasures that I cherish so deeply. They are intimate moments captured in time that I will never get back but always remember. Watching that video and looking at those photos bring tears of joy and sorrow to my eyes. They are constant reminders of how happy we both were on the day and that’s something I never want to forget.

If you had it to do over again, is there anything you would do differently? Absolutely nothing. We experienced the most selfless, extraordinary love. A love that was deeper and more unconditional than anything we had ever known. Having a constant reminder that life is short allowed us to never take our love for granted, and that was such a gift. For me, a love like that only happens once and that is why I am grateful for every minute we spent together; that time will forever be burned into my memory. I will never forget a single moment shared and I will miss him every day until the day that we meet again.

Josh was laid to rest with Full Military Honors on April 7, 2017 at Arlington National Cemetery. To get updates on how to contribute to the Josh Powell Foundation that Fabi is starting in Josh’s honor, follow @LiveLikeJP on Facebook and Instagram. 

The post BEST REAL WEDDINGS OF 2017 :: The Love Story of Fabi & Josh appeared first on Snippet & Ink.

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On the Road to BeeCon 2017: Interview with Jeff Potts

BeeCon is approaching and we are excited to have some key members of the Community attending our event. If you are still not convinced to join us, check the following interview with none other than Jeff Potts, board member of the Order of the Bee, former Chief Community Officer at Alfresco, best known for his excellent learning material at ecmarchitect.com and the "Alfresco Developer's Guide". Definitely an Alfresco Guru.

The "bee" in BeeCon is connected with your talk "The Challenges of Keeping Bees", at the Alfresco Summit 2013. How do you feel having given a talk that inspired the community to create the Order of the Bee and BeeCon?

I've given a lot of talks over the years but that one is my favorite. It was the right talk at the right time for the right group of people. So when the Order of the Bee formed and then later, BeeCon, I was really flattered and proud of the name. It kind of celebrates a moment when what we have and what we do as a community kind of clicked for a lot of us.

One of my favourite talks during BeeCon 2016 was yours, "Would the commercial open source software you depend on survive a zombie apocalypse?". In that talk you gave the community some goals. How do you think is that progressing? What role does BeeCon play in that story?

I'm glad you liked it! That talk was a reminder that this organization exists to make sure that if some terrible thing happened and the beekeeper left the bees to fend for themselves, we could carry on. Everyone who contributes to our community, no matter how small the contribution, furthers its mission in some way. That happens naturally without much coordination. BeeCon is a chance for us to be a bit more proactive. We can check on our progress as a community, work together in person, and set some markers to use as we move forward.

Alfresco is not the only software you use in your work. What other projects do you develop with Metaversant?

I've been doing a lot with the Elastic stack. The technology is unbelievable. I've also done some full stack development with a variety of tools including Backbone, Angular, Node, and Spring Boot. I even briefly did some Lua. But mostly it has been good old Alfresco!

You are obviously engaged with open software, participating not only in the Order of the Bee, but also in the Apache Foundation and Mozilla. How do you contribute and participate in those projects? What motivates you to be part of them?

I believe strongly in the missions of both the Apache Software Foundation and Mozilla. I wish I had more time to give to both. For the ASF, I maintain cmislib, the Python client library for CMIS which is part of Apache Chemistry. I haven't committed anything to Mozilla for a while, but when I did it was for a Django-based project called Mozillians, which is a directory of people who are part of the Mozilla community. The stories of how I began contributing to each are very different and probably too long for this space, so hit me up in Zaragoza if you are interested.

When one talks to Alfresco experts, a large amount of them mention ecmarchitect.com and the "Alfresco Developer Guide" as an important source of learning. There is now a 2nd Edition of that guide, with great work from Ben Chevallereau. What was your involvement in that 2nd Edition and what do you think about it?

I am amazed at how many people I've reached through both the blog and the book. It makes me so happy that people find them useful. It's hard to believe, but that book is almost 9 years old now, so it was definitely needing a refresh. Honestly, Ben did all of the work. When I asked Packt to find an author for the second edition I was very happy that Ben agreed to do it because he's been in the Alfresco community for a long time and I knew he'd do a good job.

Moving a bit out of Alfresco and software, but still staying with Jeff Potts. What would be your dream alternative career?

That is a tough one. When I was in high school I thought I would eventually write a book (one with more mass market appeal than the ADG) but I also though I'd be promoting that book by hosting Saturday Night Live. Now there are a lot of problems with that plan, not the least of which is that book authors are rarely hosts of SNL. I wrote and performed in a bunch of comedy skits in college that were pretty good, so maybe it would be something along those lines.

What would be your dream project?

For me, an ideal project consists of a small team of people I trust implicitly to do great work who are also fun to hang out with. The project should be super critical for the client, maybe even with a tight deadline, leveraging technology and tools and frameworks that are light, effective, and reliable. That trifecta of perfect team, high client impact, and fun technology is hard to achieve.

What books have influenced you such that you would recommend them to the Alfresco community? We are interested in both professional and non-technical books.

Rework, Jason Fried

This is Your Brain on Music, Daniel J. Levitin

Zen and the Art of Making a Living, Laurence G. Boldt

The Orenda, Joseph Boyden

Angular2 Development with TypeScript, by Yakov Fain and Anton Moiseev

Getting back to Alfresco and the Order of the Bee. What are you expectations about BeeCon 2017, and why do you think people should attend?

I was so impressed with BeeCon 2016. The turnout was great, the program was great, and we had wonderful sponsors and a perfect venue. If anyone missed BeeCon 2016 but have been to DevCon or Alfresco Summit in the past, you will not be disappointed. The conference has a very high signal to noise ratio. We have such a wonderful community and such hard-working planners, I know 2017 will be even better than last year.