#cas-is-my-hero 100 follower challenge

[summer-binging-spn]

Cold as Ice

Word Count: 1,985 (without lyrics) 

Warnings: Cheating, mentions of sex, cursing, Angry!Dean

Pairings: Sam x Reader, Lucifer x Reader (Not Samifer!!)

Tags: @lucifer-in-leather @ravengirl94 @wayward-mirage @helvonasche @mamaredd123 @myplaceofthingsilove @assbutt-still-in-hell @casbabydontgoineedyou

Author's Note: This is my submission for @cas-is-my-hero ‘s 100 followers challenge I chose the song Cold as Ice by Foreigner! Congratulations!

Masterlist

You're as cold as ice You're willing to sacrifice our love You never take advice Someday you'll pay the price, I know

“Lucifer,” you singsong through your house, looking for that breath of cool air.  You know how it started, but you are sleeping with the Devil and dating Sam Winchester.

“Why are you yelling for Lucifer?” Dean asks with his arms crossed.

“It's not what it looks like,” you say defensively.

“Really? Because it looks like you are cheating on my little brother with the Devil,” he states taking in your sex mused hair and the temperature of your usually cozy house.

“Okay so maybe it is what it looks like. Please don't tell Sam,” you plead, looking into his usually kind eyes.

“How am I supposed to keep this from him?” he asks, running his hands down his face.

“Just for now Dean please. I'll quit with Lucifer I swear,” you beg, looking up at the older Winchester.

“Alright, he's gonna find out though,” he mumbles, shaking his head. You pull your hair up and pull the things you need for supper out of the fridge.

“Hey baby, kinda chilly in here. Is your heater on the blitz again?” Sam asks as he sets down the groceries. He presses a kiss to your temple and starts helping you cook. Dean shakes his head and grabs a beer.

“I think it’s just where it’s chilly outside,” you smile up at him.

“Maybe you should turn up the heater, I don’t want you getting sick,” Sam says.

“Alright,” you nod, knowing it has nothing to do with the temperature outside.

I've seen it before It happens all the time You're closing the door You leave the world behind

“Lucifer I have to stop doing this,” you mumble shaking your head.

“Do you really want to stop?” He asks pushing you against the wall.

“I don't want to hurt Sam. I love him,” you say, struggling to think with him standing so close. Chill bumps pop out on your arms and you look up at him.

“Are you sure cutting the Devil lose is the best thing to do?” he asks, twirling your hair around his finger.

“You'll find another passing fad. I won't find another Sam,” you whisper.

“Are you sure this is a good idea pet?” he whispers into your ear.

“I’m sure,” you whisper and he’s gone. You run your hands through your hair and try to figure out how you’re going to stay away from Lucifer for the rest of your life.

You're digging for gold Yet throwing away A fortune in feelings But someday you'll pay

“Thought you were done with me,” Lucifer taunts as you lay beside him in bed.

“I was lonely, this was the last time,” you insist.

“I’m sure it will be. Your poor Winchester, doesn’t even know what you’re doing,” he states.

“If you’re going to judge me I get enough of that shit from Dean,” you bite, thinking back to the judgmental looks of the older Winchester.

“Oh I’m not judging you, I just know how conflicted that pretty little soul is,”

“I’m not conflicted, I love Sam,” you say, shaking your head.

“But somewhere in there you feel something for me,” he whispers.

“I can’t feel anything for you,” you growl and stand up wrapping the sheet around yourself and making your way to the shower.

“Tell yourself what you want pet, just know I can read you,” he says and when you turn around he is gone.

You're as cold as ice You're willing to sacrifice our love You want Paradise But someday you'll pay the price I know

“He’s been here again,” Dean whispers harshly in your ear.

“Who are you to judge me, Mr. One Night Stand?” you growl.

“I’m not committed to anyone,” he bites back and walks back outside.

“Are you sure you don’t need me to look at your heater? It’s cold in here again,” Sam asks.

“It’s fine Sam,” you smile weakly up at him.

“What’s up with Dean?” he asks, glancing towards the door.

“I’m out of beer,” you mumble softly, shaking your head.

“I thought we just bought some,” he says opening your fridge.

“You bought some last week, and you two drank most of them while you were here,” you state.

“You wanna ride with me while I get some?” he asks happily.

“I’d love to,” you say and follow him out to Baby.

“Can I have the keys? We’re gonna go grab some beer,” Sam asks.

“Sure,” Dean mumbles handing him the keys. You get in the passenger seat and watch San drive to the little store a few miles down from you.

I've seen it before It happens all the time You're closing the door You leave the world behind You're digging for gold Yet throwing away A fortune in feelings But someday you'll pay

“Y/n! We need to talk! Sammy’s at the Bunker,” Dean barks, waking you from your nap.

“Can’t it wait Dean?” you mumble, burying your face into the arm of your couch and pulling the blanket tighter around yourself.

“No, now,” he barks, pulling you up off the couch.

“Alright, now is good,” you say, stretching.

“Why did you start sleeping with him in the first place? Why are you still sleeping with him?” he demands.

“Sam and I had been fighting, I got stupidly drunk and Lucifer brought me home. I don’t know, he can be here when Sam isn’t Dean, I get so lonely. Weeks and weeks without anyone gets lonely,” you whisper.

“So you’re willing to throw away two years worth of feelings and love for what? The Devil?” he asks.

“Dean I know, I know it’s wrong. I tried to stop,” you whisper holding your head in your hands.

“If you don’t stop I’ll stop this shit,” he says.

“How will you stop it?” you ask.

“I’ll tell Sam, he’ll hurt for a while. He might hate me for a while, but it’s better than what you’re doing to him,” he states.

“No, I can’t lose Sam. Dean you have to understand, all I have is you and Sam,” you plead.

“You have Lucifer too,” he reminds you harshly.

“Dean it’s not like that,” you mumble.

“I’m sure, when this hurts Sam I’ll be there to pick him up again. I told you one thing when you started dating my little brother, do you remember what that was?” he asks.

“That if I hurt him you’d cut your ties with me, it didn’t matter what kind of shit I was in,” you whisper.

“When he gets hurt, I don’t care if you are my friend your contact is gone,” he states and leaves.

Cold as ice, you know that you are Cold, (cold) as, (as) ice, As cold as ice to me (Cold, cold cold) (as, as, as) (ice)

“Y/n, I’m home,” Sam yells through your house.

“Shit,” you mumble and push Lucifer away from you.

“I tried to warn you,” he coos into your ear.

“Get out of here,” you hiss.

“Alright,” he mumbles and is gone. You walk through the house meeting Sam in the hall by the bathroom.

“Hey, you okay? You’re looking a little flushed,” Sam asks, smiling at you.

“Yeah, I’m good,” you mumble.

“Dean said I should talk to you,” he says with a small grin on his lips.

“Damn it Dean,” you grumble and Sam’s face falls.

“I’ve done some stupid shit, you probably want to sit down for this Sam,” you mumble, motioning towards your table.

“We can work through it, we always do,” he assures you, as he sits down.

“Not this,” you mumble and sit in front of him.

“What happened?” he asks, reaching across the table for your hands.

“Do you remember that fight we had, about four months ago?” you ask, avoiding his gaze as you play with the tablecloth.

“Yeah, we broke up for a few days,” he says.

“I went to that shitty bar up the road and got stupidly drunk,” you admit softly and he straightens.

“What happened?” he demands, and tears start slipping down your cheeks.

“Lucifer found me, he brought me home, told me I was in no shape to drive and I asked him to stay. It’s been going on since then,” you whisper.

“You cheated on me?” he roars.

“Sam I’m sorry,” you whisper.

“And maybe if it had just been that night, I might be okay, but since then? And with Lucifer? Of all the things you could’ve chosen you chose the Devil?” he demands.

“Sam I’m so sorry, I know I shouldn’t have. I tried to stop, I tried so hard,” you whisper.

“This isn’t like drugs, this isn’t something that will kill you if stop cold turkey,” he yells.

“Sam I know, and I’m sorry. I just get so lonely,” you defend yourself weakly.

“Lonely? You think I’m not lonely out there? I hunt for a living, I could’ve been screwing any of those bar girls but I thought I had you to come home to,” he says, tears falling.

“Sam I’m done, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you,” you whisper reaching for his hand.

“Get rid of my contact, don’t call me. Don’t text me, I don’t care what you get yourself into,” he says walking out the door.

(Ooh, ooh, ooh, cold as, cold as ice) (You're as cold as icccce) You're as cold as ice (Cold as icccce), Cold as ice I know (You're as cold as icccce) You're as cold as ice (Cold as iccce) Cold as ice I know (You're as cold as icccce) Oh yes I know (Cold as icccce) (You're as cold as icccce) You're as cold as ice (Cold as icccce) Cold as ice I know (You're as cold as icccce) Oh, yes I know (Cold as icccce)

“Lucifer,” you whisper into the warm room. The temperature slowly changes and you turn.

“What do you need?” he asks.

“I needed to tell someone I’m hunting again, Sam and Dean are no longer an option. I’m sure Cas hates me just as much as Dean does,” you mumble, shaking your head at your mistakes.

“I would apologize for your loses but you haven’t lost much,” he mutters.

“Stop, I love Sam. And Dean was my best friend,” you bite.

“I’ll keep my eyes on you,” he promises softly and with a flutter is gone. You lock up and as you turn you are met with black eyes.

“Shit,” you mumble and try to push past them, to get to the angel blade in your car.

“Shit,” they mock and a blade is shoved into your ribs. You cry out and fall back onto the cold porch.

“Too bad you’re on the bad side of the Winchesters,” they grin maliciously.

“Lucifer,” you cough, praying that he’s listening.

“What happened?” Dean asks from above you.

“Thought my contact was gone,” you mumble.

“Needed to get the rest of Sammy’s clothes,” he mumbles and picks you up.

“M fine Dean,” you mumble.

“I can’t just leave you,” he says.

“Put me on the couch, I’ll get Luci here,” you cough.

“I’ll call Cas. Don’t call him, not while I’m here,” Dean demands and unlocks your door. He lays you on your couch and grabs a few towels.

“What is wrong?” Cas asks.

“Can you heal her? I know what I’ve been saying, but she’s still a good hunter,” Dena says, motioning towards you.

“Yeah, I’ve got it,” Cas mumbles and with a touch the wound is gone.

“You didn’t have to,” you say softly.

“You treated me with kindness when I needed it. I know what you did to Sam, it wasn’t your best decision, but it isn’t my business,” Cas mumbles.

“Thank you,” you smile at him and with a small smile he’s gone.

“I’m hunting again. The rest of Sam’s things are in those boxes,” you motion to the two lonely boxes sitting by the table.

“Seems like a great idea,” Dean rolls his eyes.

“Shut the hell up and get out of my house, I wouldn’t be hunting if you had just kept your damn mouth shut,” you bite.

“He needed to know,” Dean yells.

“Things were fine! He didn’t know!” your voice raised.

“I would have wanted to know, he deserved to know. He deserves so much more than you,” Dean bites and steps towards the table.

“No, I fucked up. I haven’t touched Lucifer since Sam broke it off,” you cry.

“Well a fine time for you to get out of the bed with the Devil!”

“I sense tension,” Lucifer interrupts.

“Get out!” you and Dean yell.

“I don’t think I should, I want to watch this fight,” Lucifer grins.

“I’m leaving,” Dean growls and picks the boxes up. He leaves with the rest of Sam’s things and it all clicks, Lucifer never wanted you, not in bed.

“You just wanted to hurt Sam,” you whisper.

“Ding ding ding, we have a winner,” Lucifer grins.

“Then why’d you stay all those nights? Afterwards?” you ask.

“You were good company,” he shrugs.

“Please leave,” you mumble, and once he’s gone you’re truly alone.

[intrepidolivia]

Holding Out For A Hero

This is for @cas-is-my-hero‘s writing challenge. Which I am super late for because I suck (also because I had surgery, I admit).

My prompt was the song Holding Out For A Hero.

Pairing: CastielXOlivia (OC)

Warnings: Violence, torture, threats, cursing.

Summary: Captured by demons who want information, Olivia is in a bad situation and desperately needs a hero.

There was a serious problem inherent in forming attachments as a Hunter.

It was all too easy for an enemy to use your loved ones against you.

Olivia refused to tell the demons what they wanted to know. They demanded locations, plans, names… Some things she knew, others she didn’t. She didn’t bother to tell them which were which. She simply responded with suggestions to go fuck themselves. That didn’t go over well, of course.

She expected them to hurt her. After all, she had information they wanted. Most demons would leap at the chance to torture. They lived for it. Hell, they’d do it for the pure pleasure of hearing someone scream. That they didn’t do anything to her made her nervous. The three drew off into a knot of conversation, leaving her in the corner of the abandoned office they’d dragged her into, tied to a chair.

They’d taken her cell phone, and she cursed herself for not locking it. Particularly once they started going through her texts.

Chuckling, one of the four walked up, her phone in his hand. “So, little hunter’s got herself a boyfriend.” He smirked, turning the phone screen toward her.

It was her favorite picture of Castiel. Caught in a candid moment on one of their walks. They’d stopped to sit on a bench and watch the ducks swimming at the edge of a lake. It was endearing, how fascinated by nature the angel could be. As though every time he saw it from new eyes. His expression was intent, curious, the sun brightening his features, emphasizing his blue, blue eyes.

Olivia looked at the screen, and back to the demon. “Go fuck yourself.”

“Y’see, you seem like a tough cookie. I don’t doubt we could break you eventually, but we’re in a bit of a time crunch. So I’m thinking…” He turned the phone around, the flash blinding her momentarily. “We send a picture of you all trussed up to your pretty boy here, he comes running to save you, and we see how much we have to hurt him before you tell us what we want to know.”

She couldn’t find words for a moment. Did these low-tier rent-a-demons really think they could fight, much less subdue an angel? Then it occurred to her. They didn’t know.

“Wait,” she said, trying to make it sound convincing. “Leave him out of this.”

The demon chuckled, typing away on the screen. “And attach the picture… Yeah, I think pretty boy here will like this. Arrive at this address, alone, no police, we’ll slit her throat, blah blah blah…” He rolled his black eyes. “What kind of name is Cass anyhow?”

Olivia clenched her jaw. She was reasonably sure it would look like anger and not trying to stifle her relief. The demons would have sensed it if she’d prayed, and they’d have done something unspeakable to get her to stop, no doubt. But now, they had unwittingly called in the cavalry.

One of the others approached. She was the one that made Olivia most nervous. Quiet, intense, with a smile like a knife slash. She slinked around the one playing with her phone and put a fingertip to Olivia’s chin, lifting her face.

“Why don’t I soften her up a bit?” she purred.

“Why don’t you go back to hell?” Olivia countered.

The blow rattled her teeth and made her see stars. Demons always seemed stronger than their vessels ought to be. She didn’t know if it was because they were driving the shells past their limits, or something supernatural. Either way, when they hit you, it hurt like hell. It would have knocked the chair she was tied to over, but another of them steadied it.

She spit blood. No teeth seemed to be loosened, but she could feel her lip swelling. Looking up at the female demon, she saw the smile, saw the eagerness to cause pain. The next span of time was likely to be… unpleasant.

Her hero was coming. She just had to hold out long enough.

Hell, if she could keep their attention, they’d be even more surprised when a very angry angel appeared in their midst.

The woman grabbed Olivia’s hair, pulling her head back hard. “Is your pretty boy a hunter, too?”

“No, leave him out of this, please.” She gave a whimper to her voice. They wouldn’t expect what was coming. Castiel was strong, he was fast, and the less they thought of him before he arrived, the better.

The demons chuckled softly. She had the attention of all of them now. The three men drifted closer, apparently very interested in what the woman was doing.

“Don’t kill her, Rahab,” one said. “She has to be able to talk.”

Rahab snorted. “Don’t worry. I’ll leave the little bird able to sing.” She drew a sharp nail along Olivia’s jaw. “And able to see it when we play with her pretty boy.” She looked again at the picture on the phone. “Lovely blue eyes. I might keep them.”

Olivia yanked away. “Fuck you!”

It earned her another ear-ringing blow across the face.

It was possible he hadn’t gotten the text. She didn’t want to think about that. Sometimes he let his minutes lapse, or forgot to turn the phone on. Sometimes he was somewhere, doing something beyond mortal understanding, and beyond the reach of mere technology.

Unsatisfied, Rahab hit her again. Stars danced in her vision as pain exploded across her temple. He was coming. She had to believe he was coming for her. Text or no text.

Their first kiss came after a hunt. A cold night in the lonesome October, when she’d thought she wouldn’t walk away alive. It was a dangerous time for a hunt. It was the time of year that some things grew particularly strong.

One foolish mistake was often enough to end a hunter. She’d seen it happen, heard of it. But sooner or later, everyone screwed up. Everyone had the moment when one small error could bring everything crashing down.

She’d been lucky. She’d been more than lucky that someone was watching out for her. When she found herself fleeing through a storm in the woods at night, soaked and chilled to the bone, she was certain the creatures after her would rip her to shreds.

But then, he was there. Lightning split the night as her guardian angel spread his wings and waded into the fight. He had saved her life, and she’d kissed him in the rain and darkness, trembling against him with cold and relief.

Castiel would come for her. She could feel it.

By the time her vision cleared, Rahab had pulled out a knife. Olivia couldn’t be too much surprised. She’d figured that was coming. Demons loved their sharp objects after all. She shook her head, still a little dazed.

“Pretty boy better hurry up,” commented one of the others. “Rahab’s getting bored.”

Castiel was coming. “Yeah? I suggest knitting.” Olivia spat blood at the woman.

Being stabbed through the meaty part of the shoulder would not kill her, but it hurt like hell. Olivia couldn’t keep herself from screaming as the blade punctured her, clenching her teeth and trying to suck in quick breaths. Her hero was coming.

“That’s better,” Rahab purred. “I was getting sick of your chatter. I wonder if your man will scream so pretty.”

The pain as she twisted the blade was enormous. It was almost enough to distract her from the susurrus of wings and the figure behind the demon. Almost.

She grinned, taking a breath. “Why don’t you ask him.”

It was very quick.

The demons weren’t expecting someone in their midst. They certainly weren’t expecting an angel. The first died with a scream, Castiel’s hand clamped on his head, his soul, or whatever it was a demon had, blazing with light as he fell.

He was angry. She knew he would be. It was part of why she loved him; Castiel cared very deeply. People often quoted about the fury of hell, but tended to forget the first part of the quote. Heaven had rage.

Shadowed wings unfurled behind the trench-coated angel as he moved, swift and sure and brutal to impale the next demon on a silver spike. The third tried to run. He made it three steps before Castiel was in front of him, a hand slamming into his face, ripping demon and vessel apart.

Rahab was perhaps smarter than her companions. Olivia was helpless to stop her as she yanked the knife out of her arm, and put it to her throat. As the angel turned, eyes blazing with fury, the demon pressed the edge into her skin.

“Cass. I admit, you are not what I was expecting.” She sounded calm, almost amused. “Didn’t God drown the world because of this sort of… fraternization?”

Castiel didn’t move forward. His blue eyes drifted to meet Olivia’s, then back to the demon holding her hostage. “Let her go.”

Rahab hesitated, her hand tight on Olivia’s shoulder. “Are you sure? I could give you a helping hand here, angel. Make sure you don’t produce anything you aren’t supposed to, hmm?” The blade dug into Olivia’s throat, and she felt a trickle of blood slide down her neck.

He went very still. All but his eyes, meeting Olivia’s again. She saw the question there. The one the demon wouldn’t. The question the demon probably couldn’t even fathom. Do you trust me?

She gave him a tiny smile. After all, the answer was obvious. Always.

The Winchesters, in her opinion, never gave Castiel quite enough credit. Yes, he was an angel. His Grace gave him powers that were useful. He was also a warrior. When he needed to be, he was very fast, and very accurate.

She felt the silver blade strike more than she saw him throw it. A sudden spasm against her as it sunk into Rahab’s chest. The hand holding the knife to her throat went slack all at once as light blazed from the slain demon, who managed to stand a moment before the vessel realized it was dead.

Castiel was at her side in a heartbeat, tearing off the ropes that held her to the chair, his Grace suffusing her in a warm rush, healing her wounds as he pulled her into his arms.

“I am sorry. I came as quickly as I could…”

She looped her arms around his neck, kissing him. “I knew you would,” she said softly. “I needed a hero and here you are.”

[sadwriterdude-blog]

cas is my hero 100 follower challenge

i'm doing the funeral one (number 10) so yeh. my pairing is destiel also congrats on 100 followers, @cas-is-my-hero i'm shit at titles Dean rode up to the local Kansas cemetery in the Impala, still harrowed by Sam's recent death. Dean climbed out of the car and walked towards the funeral service, head hunched down. He couldn't bear to look at his little brother, sitting all too peacefully in his coffin. The minister looked up, surprised. "Ah! It seems that Samuel's older brother has joined us. You were just in time. Do you want to say something before we lower the coffin?" Dean coughed, "Uh, yeah. Sammy was my brother. You can't replace that. And I'm gonna really miss the little guy, never riding in the Impala with me. Or drinking a beer. Or-," Dean had started to sniffle a bit, he couldn't stand to see his little brother being lowered into a grave. "I can't do this! I should've died first not him! And I should have cremated, but I can't, I just can't!" Dean finally broke down and fell to his knees. He felt a strong hand grip his shoulder from the behind. Dean rubbed his eyes. "C-Cas? Oh thank Chuck, it's you Cas, it's really you!" Dean embraced the angel with open arms. "It's going to be okay Dean. Sam's going to be okay." Dean looked up, eyes watering. "Y-you really think so Cas?" Cas, silent, leaned in for a kiss. Dean met the kids with a strong ferocity. "I love you, Cas." Cas just smiled through the kiss. "I love you too, Dean."

[truthlives4ever]

Righteous Rebellion or Political Power?

It would be ungrateful of me if I didn’t first mention that my spiritual life has greatly benefited from John MacArthur’s bible teaching over the years. Many of his sermons helped carry me through one of the most challenging times of my life as a young man moving across the country and transitioning into independent manhood. And I suppose the truth of those statements is the very reason I’ve wrestled with the way this story has unfolded. For decades, MacArthur has been a controversial figure in Christianity who is known for facing adversity head-on. Nevertheless, he’s also a man who is widely regarded for his firm faithfulness to Scripture and his intentional avoidance of political entanglements.

However, in his recent responses to COVID-19-related restrictions on in-person church gatherings of larger congregations, he has now taken a stand against the California government which seems to have created a conflict between his politics and his sermons on biblical submission to government. As someone who has always known MacArthur to be fairly consistent with aligning his words with his deeds, his recent political zeal and resistance came as somewhat of a surprise to me, which led me to discuss it with my pastor. The challenge for me hasn’t been in my ability to view him as a flawed human being who is prone to blind-spots and error like the rest of us. Instead, the challenge has been in my attempts to reconcile what appears to be contradictory positions, while also seeing him encourage many other pastors to follow his lead in defiance of adhering to COVID-19 restrictions that are put in place for people's safety.

In order to make sure I was doing my due diligence, I read the California COVID-19 Guidelines for Places of Worship issued by Governor Gavin Newsome. Upon reading the guidelines, I discovered that they still allow for in-person church gatherings. The guidelines limit indoor attendees to a maximum of 100 people and encourage outdoor attendance that observes physical distancing, face coverings, and other safety measures that make sense for a mega church with thousands of members. Despite MacArthur describing the restrictions as "utterly impossible" to follow, another mega church in Riverside, CA (Harvest Christian Fellowship) is complying successfully. Given the fact that conditional provisions exist in the guidelines that actually do allow MacArthur to lawfully have in-person service, it begs the question, “is this really about the suppression of religious freedom or something else?”

Considering the fact that MacArthur is refusing to comply with government guidelines not because there are no accommodations for in-person church gathering but because he doesn’t personally consider the restrictions to be fair enough, according to his sermon transcripts, the biblical basis for breaking the law doesn’t appear to exist. What adds more room for speculation about this potentially centering around a political power struggle is the fact that Donald Trump has personally told MacArthur that he’ll have presidential backing and access to his personal attorney—which harkens back to a 2016 speech Trump gave in Iowa where he stated:

“Christians make up the overwhelming majority of the country and yet we don’t exert the power that we should have. Christianity will have power. If I’m there, you’re going to have plenty of power, you don’t need anybody else. You’re going to have somebody representing you very, very well. Remember that.”

Thus far, keeping that promise has won Trump deep loyalty from White Evangelicals. Does that mean we should view MacArthur’s new political posture and powerful allegiance with President Trump as a move that discredits his 50+ year legacy of prioritizing gospel preaching? I don’t think so. Nevertheless, I do think it’s important that the church continue to have broader conversation around how healthy this kind of political alliance for “Christian Power” is for the body of Christ—particularly for those who may now feel somewhat confused/uncertain about what biblical submission to government looks like and what the valid exceptions truly are. Am I writing this this because I seek to cast aspersions or assign ill motives to MacArthur and his elders? Not at all. I’m writing this for the sake of pursuing clarity as someone who desires to help protect the church’s witness to the world.

Ultimately, my concern with this issue for the church is that if we don’t closely examine this controversy with honesty and transparency (which is often difficult for us to do when someone as prolific and impactful as John MacArthur is involved), we could potentially repeat some of the same mistakes we’ve made as a church historically when we allow our deference for those we consider heroes to prevent us from examining whether their words and actions are aligned in the same ways they encourage ours to be. Unfortunately, this then perpetuates the narrative that Christian orthodoxy fails to match its orthopraxy. In repeating these problematic patterns, we also run the risk of subconsciously training ourselves to be partial and selective about other inconvenient/uncomfortable truths we aren’t ready to deal with (i.e. Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and other Reformers in Christian history who rationalized, justified, or overlooked the prevalent racism in their congregations and societies).

All that said, I hope I’ve made my intentions clear. These observations are in no way meant to disparage or harshly condemn John MacArthur or his elders. On the contrary, they’re meant to share the things I’ve been closely considering regarding the perceptual challenges of the case while also expressing a loving concern about an issue that I believe has massive implications. We’re in a time where politics are infiltrating the church in ways that are causing confusion, division, and anger. Lord knows I’ve been prayerfully trying to guard my heart from bitterness towards those I see as encouraging and condoning injustice. My hope is that through open and respectful discourse around this issue, we can sort through the more troublesome aspects of these trends rather than remaining distant, tribal, passive-aggressive, condescending, and judgmental. May we all increase in patience, grace, and love toward one another in these tense times.

[bettydgunter90]

Some Financial Institutions Care About The Safety Of Appraisers, While Most Do Not

[Johns Hopkins University]

As co-owner of an appraisal firm for 34 years, while based in Manhattan, we generally don't drive to appraisal inspections. Our staff relies on public transportation to get around including buses, subways, and commuter rail. I'd been following the coronavirus in the news since early this year, and became quite alarmed by mid-February and soon suggested my staff work remotely. By the time the first Fed rate cut was made in response to the coronavirus on March 3, we adopted a screening process for appraisal inspections. When our team made an appointment for the inspection, we inquired about the health of the occupant, and then on the day of the inspection, the appraiser called again to confirm that conditions had not changed.

Soon after we learned that we could be carriers of the virus without knowing and infect someone vulnerable, we stop performing interior inspections.

My appraiser colleagues around the country have become very concerned, if not plain scared.

Here are two scenarios shared by appraiser colleagues in another part of the country. Imagine if the appraiser was a carrier?

Scenario 1 Conversation Sounds good 10 am is better Kids are home With no school If your sic with a cold or similar please reset appointment

Scenario 2 Recap Borrower is elderly and on a respirator Says the appraiser can walk through the house by himself And reminds the appraiser to keep their distance

Appraisers should not be placed in harm's way or be in a position to be forced to unintentionally harm another.

So let's look at some industry actions of the past few days:

HEROES

These lenders have shown how much they respect the appraiser's role in the mortgage process and their concern for the appraiser's health and welfare as well as the borrower.

First Republic Bank I submitted a temporary driveby appraisal solution to First Republic Bank, a large CA/NYC+ lender we have worked with since 1999. I feared for the safety of our appraisal staff and didn't want to risk infecting others. Plus we were starting to get pushback from homeowners who are getting uncomfortable. They embedded this solution within days. I challenge any appraiser to name any other bank that is more professional, more appraiser-centric than they are. Here is the note they sent out to their panel.

Citibank We've been working for Citibank since 1986 and have enjoyed a great relationship. This policy treats appraisers as human beings. I'm not sure how closely this policy will be observed by the AMCs they engage to manage their appraisals orders (read-on).

ZEROES (AMCS, etc.)

To combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the appraisal industry, Appraisal Management Companies (third-party institutional middlemen that account for as much as 90% of residential assignments) have essentially provided a lethal magnanimous gesture by simply telling appraisers to wash their hands often and stay away from people that are sick and that they must go inside the property. While I anticipate that many AMCs would defend their position of placing appraisers in harm's way because their bank clients require it, I say that indicates selective morality or incredible ignorance. They could push back and make a strong case for public safety.

We are in the early stages of a global pandemic that may infect 100 million Americans (1 out of 3, conservatively) with a 3% death rate (that's 1 million people if you do the math). The appraiser population has an average age in the high-50s, and we have been told that the older populous is the most vulnerable.

In reality, these AMC policies show disdain not only to appraisers but to their own (bank client's) borrowers by letting a fee appraiser, who is paid only for the assignments they accept, determine whether or not the appraisers themselves are carriers of this pandemic and whether they can assess the safety of the property they inspect. Here's a key point.

NO ONE CAN TELL IF SOMEONE IS A CARRIER IF THEY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

The following AMCs opted to treat appraisers as a widget instead of a human being requiring them to physically inspect a property when they now know that it is not safe to do so. Today I was told that one federal agency lost 20% of their appraisers because they have refused to continue doing interior inspections. Different cities and states have different rates of infection. Because we don't have full testing in place as a country, the number of infections might be significantly higher than we might anticipate. My particular location in Manhattan is highly problematic because of the reliance on public transportation - buses, subways, commuter rail, and just walking down a crowded street - no social-distancing here. And based on the comments the NYC Mayor made yesterday, it is possible that tomorrow could see NYC restricted to "shelter in place" like San Francisco.

If you'll note in this pattern of negligent behavior, great efforts were made to plan for the safety of order staff, but no regard for the safety of the appraiser, who is providing the service - telling appraisers to wash their hands and practice social-distancing when they know that it is not enough. When you get right down to it, these companies sent similar silly instructions so they can check off a box to be compliant. Yet they must know that appraisers could be carriers, and occupants in the property could be carriers. This is not business as usual.

When we pushed back the appointment on a few of our AMC clients for safety concerns, they simply took away the assignment and rescheduled with another appraiser. No human contact to assess the risk. In good conscience, even if the new appraiser doesn't have symptoms or doesn;t think the occupant does, that AMC or lender is placing the public at risk, going directly against CDC guidelines. This is what robots would do.

Here is a sampling of AMCs that provided COVID-19 instructions in the past few days shared by my appraisal colleagues - this is clear evidence that they see appraisers as widgets instead of human beings. To save you the trouble of reading all of these INSTRUCTIONS, here's the translation: WASH YOUR HANDS A LOT

from Real Estate Tips https://www.millersamuel.com/some-financial-institutions-care-about-the-safety-of-appraisers-while-most-do-not/

[mamaredd123]

Welcome to Mama’s 100 Quotes of Supernatural Challenge!!!

Wow! I am truly amazed at all of you wonderful people in Tumblr land. After 1 year on here I have 2000 followers!!!! (OK, so I know my blog is not a big ole bomb of excitement the majority of time but I am still tickled pink!)

So to celebrate my 1 year blog anniversary, I am going to do a 2-part thing. I put a poll out a few weeks ago to see what all of you would like and the 2 popular responses were a challenge and for me to do some more blog promo’s. You asked so shall you receive!!

I have searched and searched for some of the most memorable, funniest, best quotes from our beloved characters of Supernatural. Below the cut you will find the list. I have tried to include at least 1 quote from just about everyone (well, from a whole bunch of them anyways) but the majority of the quotes do belong to our sexy Dean, Sam, and Castiel! So keep on reading to see the list and the rules for this challenge!!

(And feel free to hop on over to my other part of this challenge, Mama’s “Spread The Love” Blog Promo’s and shoot me some suggestions!)

I have to give a HHUUUGGGEEEEE shout out to @atc74 for her help with my challenge image and for her assistance with some of these quotes!!!! Couldn’t have done this without you!

The rules are about as basic and easy as I can make them:

*This is a follower celebration so obviously, I would need you to be following me. However, if you have stumbled upon this challenge and would like to join, it is so super easy…. Just go click that follow button up there on the right!

*I need you to send me an Ask with your 1st and 2nd choice of quotes. It will be first come, first serve. BUT if by some holy miracle all 100 get taken, I am sure I can come up with some more to add to this list. AND you can chose up to 3 quotes if you would like to work ALL THREE into one story. (As a side note, if after a week I still have a ton of quotes not chosen, I will modify the challenge a little and allow you to send in your choice of quote/character)

*As for you fic, just keep it in the SPN fandom and make sure to highlight your quote(s) wherever you place it in the story. Just in case there is any confusion, the person you chose a quote from does NOT have to be the main character in your fic. For example, you may just really like a particular quote listed here from, say Balthazar, but you have a Dean x Reader fic in mind. That’s perfectly fine. Just make sure to have Balthazar in your story (with the quote) somewhere.

*This challenge is open to any and all ships and genres. I want y’all to write whatever inspires you when you see the quote of your choice.

*As usual, drabbles all the way to series are welcome. Just remember, anything over 500 words, add the KEEP READING line or, and I’m sorry, but I won’t reblog it. We all need to do our part not to overcrowd everyone’s dashboards.

*Deadline will be September 30th. I am giving everyone 2 months to do this. Beginning in Sept, I will occasionally start posting reminder posts to try to help everyone remember about their challenge deadline. I am well aware how we all take on a little too much sometimes and things get lost in the shuffle.

*When you get ready to post, make sure to tag me in your A/N and use the #mama’s100quoteschallenge in your tags. As usual, if I haven’t liked/reblogged within a day or two, please feel free to shoot me a message and let me know you posted it. I truly do try to go through all my notification everyday, but, well, you know, life gets in the way of all the fun things sometimes.

Ok, that’s it. Easy peasy, right? Well you made it this far with me so come a little further and read the quotes, pick your favorite, and send me your Ask! Most importantly, enjoy yourself and have fun writing your next masterpiece!!

1. I wanna punch something in the face. (Sam)   @destiel-addict-forever 2. Straight “Shawshank” this bitch!  (Dean)    @myloveforyouxx 3. I may be many things, but I’m not stupid. (Mr. Ketch)   @capsheadquaters 4. I gave everything for you! And this is what you give me?! (Cas) 5. I kinda always wanted to punch the devil in the face. (Mary)   @justanotherdeangirl 6. This is what you do when I'm not here. Type? (Crowley)  @percussiongirl2017 7. And after awhile... that starts to weigh on you. (Benny) 8. I am not someone that you should put your faith in. (Castiel) 9. I believe you're drawn to danger. (Mr. Ketch)    @uniquewerewolfsuit 10. Dude, don't compliment the bad guys. (Dean)   @docharleythegeekqueen 11. Things are not just black and white out here. (Dean) 12. I’m still gonna peel off your skin and eat your soul. (Lucifer) 13. It's your professionalism that I respect.  (Alastair) 14. We'll just tie up the bonny lad. Could be fun. (Rowena) 15. You idiots. You’re all going to die. (Crowley) 16. Things like “cosmic consequences” have a habit of biting us in the ass. (Dean)     @maximumkillshot 17. If I plan to do anything else stupid, I’ll let you know. (Castiel)   @skyedoes-things 18. I am doing all I can, to slightly lessen the spread of... of genital herpes. (Sam)   @samwinjarpad 19. Okay if you don't like, uh, reckless I could use insouciant maybe? (Cas)   @beccafgs 20. You've just been Garth-ed. (Garth)    @wayward-mirage 21. Weird, creepy, off-the-grid "Children of the Corn" people? Yeah, I’m in. (Dean)    @deanandsamsbitch 22. For me, having you here, it fills in the biggest blank. (Sam) @sea040561 23. I want to stop losing people we love (John) 24. Damn right, REO. Kevin Cronin sings from the heart! (Jo) 25. Yeah, and Hannibal Lecter's a good psychiatrist. (Ellen)     @maximumkillshot 26. Don’t make things needlessly complicated as you humans tend to do. (Castiel)    @sea040561 27. I’ve been tortured by the devil himself so you, you’re just an accent in a pantsuit. What can you do to me? (Sam) 28. I don't think you can handle my rod. (Crowley)   @roxy-davenport 29. You two have the most unhealthy, tangled-up, crazy thing I’ve ever seen. (Lisa) 30. Your unclean… in the biblical sense. (Billie) 31. I'm tired Sam. I'm tired of this job...this life. This weight on my shoulders. Man I'm tired of it. (Dean)     @deanandsamsbitch 32. I told you that roadhouse chili was a bad idea. (Sam) 33. You can't save everyone. (Rufus) 34. You're like a walking encyclopedia of weirdness. (Dean)    @skyedoes-things 35. I'm worried about my boys. (Bobby) 36. As long as everyone wears a condom we'll be fine. (Jody)     @queencflair 37. I don’t sweat under any circumstances. (Castiel)    @beccafgs 38. I suggest we imbibe copious quantities of alcohol... just wait for the inevitable blast wave. (Cas) 39. Get the hell out of hell. (Crowley) 40. I mean, clearly, I have a type, but no, thank you, ma'am. Won't be once bitten, twice Doug'd. (Donna)

41. We talking misdemeanor kind of trouble? Or, uh…’squeal like a pig’s kind of trouble? (Dean)   @maximumkillshot 42. Do you have any idea how much stuff I had to steal, then pawn, to pay for that? (Metatron) 43. Fatherhood changes a man. (Crowley)    @roxy-davenport 44. I lie. I don't get lied to. (Benny)    @docharleythegeekqueen 45. We’re far from perfect. But we are good. (Sam)   @impalaimagining 46. I'm not a witch. I'm a nerd. (Charlie)   @wi-deangirl77 47. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. (Bobby) 48. Kick it in the ass. (Bobby) 49. Wanna try that again like you mean it? (Sam)    @atc74 50. Maybe one day. But today you're my little bitch. (Cas) 51. You got me here now.  (Benny) 52. You Winchester boys and your talk. Blah blah blah repressed feelings. Blah blah blah passive aggression. (Charlie) 53. Come on in darling, the water's warm. (Sam)   @impalaimagining 54. I’ll give you a pass on account of the whole ‘raised by monsters’ thing. (Jody) 55. Why not go get washed up for the orgy?... All is so beautiful. (Cas) 56. You mean 'protection against a demon' salt or 'oops I split the popcorn' salt? (Dean) 57. But for your own good I strongly suggest you get a life. (Chuck) 58. You can't take the trick out of the trickster. (Gabriel)   @wideawakeandwriting 59. Is there such thing as a monster magnet? (Charlie) 60. I lied. I do that. (Crowley)    @winsister91 61. Please, accept this sandwich as a gesture of solidarity. (Cas) 62. You realize I'm not asking. (Benny) 63. Your password is "winning" with two "1's"? Fail. (Charlie) 64. Everything is supposed to end. (Dean)   @captainemwinchester 65. I will not apologize for being a career woman. (Rowena) 66. So which one are you? Grumpy, Sleepy, or Douchy? (Sam) 67. It's just.. I just want this over. (John) 68. You look like you got attacked by some PCP crazed strippers. (Dean) 69. You know, you pitched this whole dewy-eyed bromance thing, but the truth is, I'm on lockdown, aren't I? (Adam) 70. You boys have serious abandonment issues, don't you? (Meg) 71. Where'd you get the holy oil? (Gabriel) 72. Yeah well, there's one thing you have that he didn't. You're a Winchester. I forgive you Dean. (Charlie) 73. You fudging touch me again, I'll fudging kill you! (Dean)  @captainemwinchester 74. I got your message. It was long your message. I find the sound of your voice grating. (Cas) 75. I should be asking you the same thing. (Ruby) 76. You don't know me. You never did, and you never will. (Sam) 77. Did someone slip a mickey in your power shake? (Gabriel) 78. No doubt - endings are hard. But then again... nothing ever really ends, does it? (Chuck)     @hannahindie 79. Sorry you have me confused with that other angel. You know the one in the dirty trench coat who is in love with you. (Balthazar)     @skyedoes-things 80. Shouldn't trust run both ways? (Castiel) 81. Unleash the Kraken. See you tomorrow morning. (Sam)   @4401lnc 82. I don't usually drink beer. It messes with my depth perception especially when I'm skinny dipping. (Garth) 83. No. Sweetheart, if this is our last night on earth, then I'm going to spend it with a little thing I call self-respect. (Jo) 84. I think you're a hero. (Rowena) 85. I can't live in the desert. I'm applying to Princeton. (Kevin) 86. This is my voicemail, make your voice … a mail. (Castiel)   @goofynerd-67babylove 87. You give a girl all sorts of nasty ideas. (Abaddon)   @lucilepiewhiskey 88. Was that your Batman voice? (Charlie) 89. Your life is one big poop storm isn't it? (Donna) 90. I guess because every woman I've ever had relations with... it hasn't ended well. (Sam)     @goldenolaf25 91. Dragons? Those are a thing? (Jody) 92. We’ll always be bound. You helped me. We will always help each other. (Amara) 93. Wait a second. Did he drunk dial you? (Sam)   @mrsbatesmotel53 94. I'm a man of my word. (Dean)   @deanwinchester-smut 95. I mean nothing ever really gets deleted from the Internet. (Sam) 96. This is a den of iniquity. I should not be here. (Castiel)   @thecuriouscrusader 97. Dude, she wants me to meet her parents. I don't do parents. (Dean) 98. Wow. I must be the star of this thing. (Sam)   @melbelle45 99. I’ve never seen so much porn. (Chuck)     @winsister91 100. Well, call it personal experience, but nobody gets that angry unless they're talkin' about their own family. (Dean)   @chaos-and-the-calm67

Tagging any and everyone I can think of cause I’m just so excited about reaching 2K!!!!

@megansescape @madamelibrarian @chelsea072498 @jayankles @feelmyroarrrr @docharleythegeekqueen @crowleysdemonknight @motleymoose @sumara62 @mrstheorossix3 @evansrogerskitten @waywardjoy   @dwaynii @jensen-jarpad   @deathtonormalcy56 @ruprecht0420 @charliebradbury1104 @relmi-llorrac @wonderange @sandlee44 @tom-is-in-my-tardis @kmb99t @summer-binging-spn @posiemax @ohmychuckitssamanddean @thedevilinthedetails @bohowitch @tmccarney @dragon-tail @suli155 @mrsbatesmotel53 @petrovadixon @thewalkingmombie @mogaruke @spontaneousam @uniquewerewolfsuit @firstlady36 @goldenolaf25 @lunarsaturn88 @spn-hetalian-from-hogwarts @carribear31  @captainemwinchester’ @babypieandwhiskey @impala-dreamer @frenchybell  @idreamofhazel @nichelle-my-belle @moonlitskinwalker @redlipstickandplaid @taste-of-dean @avasmommy224 @you-are-not-in-my-contacts-list  @p-b-and-cas @supernatural-jackles @treasurecastiel @calicat79 @beccafgs @mysteriouslyme81 @chaos-and-the-calm67 @sis-tafics @benjerry707 @impalaimagining @sdavid09 @meganlpie @whispersandwhiskerburn @authoressskr @deanwinchesterforpromqueen @beccatigger @leatherwhiskeycoffeeplaid @buckysmetallicstump @breeannhausler @sazrahlovesbooks @unfortunately-a @clinicalkayla @maddieburcham1 @ilostmyshoe-79 @roxy-davenport @eve05glee @jensenacklesfuckmeyes @ladyxdezi @catackles16 @wi-deangirl77 @dang-meddling-winchesters   @donnaintx @jdhillons @tiffanycaruso @pureawesomeness001 @notateenbeachmovie @deanlovespiebabyandmeloljkiwish @omgspnfanfiction @leonepanda @grimes-ft-winchester @thatshellfiredean @deanandsamsbitch @straitsupernaturalmalefan @farewell--sanity @lauramerrell1 @trustnobodyshootfirst @doro7winchester @mariairwin666 @tankcupcakes @atc74  @like-a-bag-of-potatoes @iwantthedean @paintrider13-blog @d-s-winchester @death2thevirgin @just-a-touch-of-sass-and-fandoms @ellen-reincarnated1967 @just-another-busy-fangirl @waywardjoy @winchesterprincessbride @sea040561 @my-favorite-fanfiction67 @watercolor31 @nichelle-my-belle @kittenofdoomage @clairese1980 @shamelesslydean @dean-winchester69 @disconnectedartist @destiel-addict-forever @samwinlover @capsheadquaters @tardis-full-of-fallen-angels  @not-moose-one-shots @notnaturalanahi @hopeewilsonn @fanfreak07 @juanitadiann @captainemwinchester @imgetting2old4diss @hollygopossum @impalapiegirl67 @percussiongirl2017 @kael-the-author

[elizabethrobertajones]

i was thinking, maybe after they sort of explore where cas goes when he dies, they'll kill lucifer and somehow send him there,, do you think that'd work?

Oh! I have been sitting on this for absolutely *ages* and not answered (I am so sorry)… but between the new episode titles coming out (13x04 is ”the big empty”) and watching 11x17 last night, I remembered this ask since it’s been vaguely prodding the back of my head for however long it’s been since you sent this. (Again… sorry >.>)

I think in the simplest terms, yes, it would work. Because if we see the Empty, that means main characters are going to look in and get back out, although I suspect at least to START with it’s going to be the best cosmic lockbox ever since Hell or the Cage or Purgatory or whatever were actually HARD to get in and out of. Even if our heroes get Cas out of the Empty (which, at this point, we’re going to just assume he’s in and wait for plot twists that he’s not, but occam’s razor and all) I ASSUME it’s going to be a one off “holy crap we did that” kind of thing and now all the previous impenetrable realms have lost their shine and anyone can jailbreak the cage or wander through the back door Sam left open in Purgatory or whatever, the Empty will remain at least threatening if not now totally unimaginable or unassailable, but, you know, not an easy bit of work…

I’m not really a fan of Lucifer hanging around on the show at all but they seem determined to have him for fanservice, to the great detriment of everything that comes into contact with him just for him still existing. Their problem is, though, that they see great big bags of money where Lucifer is, and they don’t want to kill him off for good, because they lose what they *think* is a core part of the show. (I mean never mind that every second he’s on screen he’s losing huge chunks of what ever made him a scary or effective villain in season 5 or spoken of in whispers in season 4… Actively devaluing the gold standard…) 

(I hope you don’t like Lucifer but honestly, I would like him much better if he wasn’t around… even if it was a bit corny in the start of season 11, he was effectively threatening in the first half of the season for *not being free*… If he had to be in the story, finding ways to have him threatening but at arm’s length and rarely seen would be so much better than them contracting an actor to regularly appear on screen for long stretches of time >.>)

Anyway, proving the Empty is a real place, which has some sort of rules and way of showing it on screen that makes some sense, and that it’s where angels and demons go when they die, and who knows, maybe the answer to the question about where monsters go when they die in monster heaven, and all the consumed souls and anything that was previously killed in such a way to *end* it rather than move it on… If that’s the place, and we can be sure Lucifer will end up there by his nature, and you *can* access and retrieve it, without it being as fallible and breakable as the cage apparently is, or easy to day-trip in as Purgatory is, then you have a place you can shove Lucifer to get him off the map but still tease the possibility of him enacting a resurrection as Cas will do, but, like… At least at the writers’ discretion, whenever they feel they need him back but giving the story a breather.

I would hope that shoving him in an AU is already doing that for the main world’s story to let them enjoy a Lucifer-free life and again, having punted him into an AU which is already terrible, like, what more damage can he even do there, is putting him somewhere hard to access and letting the main world have a breather from the stress of working out wtf to do with Lucifer week in week out. I *hope* it means they’re getting tired of weaving threads about him and after the fun of rockstar!Lucifer there isn’t really anywhere interesting to go, and now he’s a parent it’s the curse of the story that he should probably die… I would *hope* it’s his last season.

But if the Empty is accessible and not entirely 100% impervious to things entering and leaving, then sending Lucifer there means the writers aren’t going to feel like they’ve thrown away a cash cow/way to drum up drama by killing Lucifer off. Once we know angels can come back from traditional boring old angel deaths without God intervening, that leaves the way open for them to at least feel like they can stash Lucifer for a season and only bring him back if they have to…

The way there was a brief flurry of “the show will end soon!” PR followed by “the show is going to keep going indefinitely!!” PR makes me think that killing Lucifer and stashing him in the Empty is probably the best tactic they have for not getting rid of him permanently, and using Cas to clear the way to have it not be 100% guaranteed permadeath might leave them some options to seemingly kill off Lucifer for good, at least for a while.

Because at the end of the day, I think the main factor here is they’re *scared* to kill off Lucifer, and despite all the evidence to the contrary in season 12 that he’s a boring drain on the story and in absolutely no way did they need him to show up on screen once between 12x08 and 12x23 if they really hadn’t wanted to throw money at the actor and hope it paid back from fans and casual viewers who still think Lucifer is interesting and scary, they felt they needed to have Lucifer around. Making the Empty no longer the end answers that insecurity about if the story can function without Lucifer, because it means they can still bring him back whenever they like.

(I assume it’s similar to Doctor Who and the Master, because they got written out of the story like 3 times just since I was watching the New Who stuff, in *pretty definitive deaths* and each time the Master/Missy just pops right back up again, sometimes without even a flimsy excuse of being resurrected by followers or something. I’m fairly certain that Missy’s end in the last episode so far was really just a “challenge accepted” for the new showrunner should he choose to bring them back…)

[cas-is-my-hero-blog1]

Cas-is-my-hero 100 followers writing Challenge

Contest has been extended: because I love all my followers so much and I enjoy reading fanfiction I have decided to extend the contest. Anyone follow me can enter. Rules:

1: have to follow me (uh yea its a follower challenge lol)

2: have fun you can do any paring any characters you can even ship I don’t care all I want is you for you to have fun crossovers are allowed but please state the show you’re crossing over to

3. Length I don’t care if it’s long or short just as long as he do your best ❤❤❤

4: please tag me and #cas-is-hero 100 challenge

5: you can write smut but please use warnings

Prompts please send the number of your prompt and a back up prompt in case you’re original choice is taken also let me know your pairings every prompt will only be allowed to have four entries

Song prompts

1: You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi

2: Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon @feathered-winchester

3: I’ll Make Love to You by Boyz II Men @wayward-oneshots

4: Shape of My Heart by Backstreet Boys @sofreddie

5: Mean by Taylor Swift

6: Bad by Michael Jackson

7: (you’re) having my baby by Paul Anka

8: Cold as Ice by Foreigner @summer-binging-spn

9: Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi

10: Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows

11: it must have been love by Roxette @srj1990

12: Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler @intrepidolivia

13: I’ll Be There For You by Bon Jovi

14: every road leads me home to you by Richie Sambora

15: Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler @wayward-mirage

16: Angel of the Morning by Juice Newton @seenashwrite

17: Heartache Tonight by the Eagles

18: I Drive Your Truck by Lee Brice (oh that’s a good song but so sad) @hardertobreatheat-night

19: My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion @spn-applepie-imagines

20: the Search is Over by Survivor

Phrase prompts

1: Always keep fighting

2: what are you doing on my doorstep at 2 in the morning? @mishacrazyworld @tree-of-blue-squirrel

3: please dont go @totallynaf

4: is it really goodbye ? @deansleather

5: do you really think you can find anyone better than me? @soaringeag1e

6: I don’t know what I would do without you @roxy-davenport

7: if I was going to hell would you follow me my love ?

8: please don’t leave me ______! (Insert name) @winchesters-favorite-girl

9: if I ever stopped loving you that means I died @jessilliam-caronday

10: well you marry me _____?(insert name) @wideawakeandwriting

Place prompts

1: Public Library @impalacas67

2: Starbucks @because-sam-winchester

3: a gym

4: a Walmart parking lot

5: in a grocery store

6: a dog park

7: at a wedding @castieltrash101

8: at a bar @mishamigose

9: at a boxing match

10: at a funeral @sadwriterdude

I want to thank everyone who’s following me and everyone who will follow me. When I first started on here I never thought I would get this many followers.

I love writing it’s a good Escape for me and it helps me with my depression. I especially love writing Supernatural fanfiction. I love y'all have fun and remember always keep fighting.

deadline for entries is August 1st 2017. If you need an extension please just let me know and I will gladly give it to you.

[poems-for-oldest-daughters]

Kat’s Masterlist

Sam x reader one-shots, imagines, and drabbles.

Fin’s Fro-yo - One shot submission for @one-shots-supernatural‘s birthday challenge. Just a cute little fro-yo date with Sam!

Break On Me - The reader is heartbroken and alone with nowhere to go. Of all the places in the world, she ends up at the Winchester’s in the middle of the night. Sam comforts the reader. Kinda fluffy, deals with panic attacks.

Starbucks Isn’t Just For Women - A short drabble submission for @cas-is-my-hero‘s 100 follower challenge. Sam meets the reader at Starbucks and they really hit it off. It’s pretty fluffy.

Billion Dollar Date - A one-shot I wrote for @super-not-naturall‘s 200 follower challenge. It’s a fluffy and sarcastic date with Sam, basically.

Aftertaste - A short little piece I wrote for @ravenangel33‘s Hell Challenge. There’s a teensy bit of angst, but there’s also fluff and dealing with the aftertaste of Hell.

Face The Storm - It’s finally Autumn and I’m going all out guys. This one is FLUFFY. So yeah, enjoy. There is briefly children.

Dean x reader one-shots, imagines, and drabbles.

Where Am I? - (My very first fic) Set in season 8 episode 1 after Dean escapes Purgatory. There wasn’t much content between his escape and raising Benny and that struck a chord with me. This might turn into a small series.

My Pie - A little one-shot fluff fic for @imaginesforthose-wholovefandoms' 200 follower writing challenge. The reader steals Dean’s pie, basically.

Haunted - A very angsty 3.4K fic. There’s lots of death, and angst, and sadness. You’ll probably cry, I cried multiple times. The reader is on the verge of being murdered in order to save Dean and when Dean finds out he takes off as fast as he can to find her. Is he too late?

Castiel one-shots, imagines, and drabbles.

Helping Castiel Prepare For His First Date - Just an imagine about helping human!Castiel prepare for his first date. 

Sister!Reader/Platonic!Reader one-shots, imagines, and drabbles.

No One Calls It Autumn - A small little drabble submission for @winchesters-favorite-girl‘s One Year Celebration. Both brothers mock the reader because she says Autumn instead of Fall. The reaction they get is less than warm and cuddly.

I’m A Lady, That’s Why. - A little drabble submission for @katymacsupernatural‘s Wish Upon A Star challenge. It’s a movie night consisting of cuteness, sarcasm, and brotherly/sisterly love.

Daddy Issues - A fic submission for @imaginesforthose-wholovefandoms' 200 follower writing challenge. It’s a Platonic!Reader fic, and I might make a second part if y’all want. The reader finds out who her real father is, let’s just say she’s not exactly an angel of the lord. It’s sort of angsty.

Bunch Of Children - This was my submission for @impalaimagining‘s challenge. It’s typical Thanksgiving at Jody’s house. It’s got cuteness and sarcasm.

Last Kiss - This was my submission for @the-awkward-writer‘s 500 followers challenge. It’s cute, and then it’s angsty and sad. You might cry. I cried. I’m sorry.

Roy - This was my submission for @thewinsisterchronicles‘ 1500 follower challenge. It’s a Platonic!Reader fic. It’s one of my favorite pieces so far, there’s a magic meatball.

Alcohol Break - This is a cute little sister!reader fic featuring our boys Dean, Sam, and Jack. Plus, monopoly, booze, and Halloween decorations from the Dollar store. It is my contribution to @winchesters-favorite-girl‘s 31 Days Of Halloween.

Series

The Letter - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Redeem Me - Part 1, Part 2

[summer-binging-spn]

Masterlist

Send me requests please! If you wanna be tagged just ask! I promise I don’t bite. If one of the links is broken please shoot me an ask/message so I can fix that! Warnings are found within each fic, if there is something that I didn’t warn about that I should have, please let me know.

2017 Hiatus Masterlist (This has a little bit of everyone on it I just thought it’d be easier to add them as I posted them)

Castiel x Reader

No One is to Blame (My very first fic!)

Broken Wings (My entry for @bulletscrossbowpie’s SPN Music Quote Challenge)

Watching Them (My entry for @katymacsupernatural’s Gif Challenge)

Rumors (My entry for @casbabydontgoineedyou’s 1k challenge)

Bee (My entry for @helvonasche’s Fucking Hel Challenge)

A Prayer Away (My entry for @whispersandwhiskerburn’s 2k Challenge)

1,2,3,4 Series Masterlist

You Won? (Plus sized!reader)

Wraith Hunting (Plus sized!reader)

Floor Pillows (It’s super fluffy)

Heavy (angst, fluff, super long)

Gabriel x Reader

Time (My very first Gabriel fic! Also my entry for Cassie’s Classics Challenge)

Unfixable (My entry for @deathtonormalcy56′s birthday challenge)

Dean x Reader

Nothing is Helping (My very first Dean fic, it just sorta happened)

Beautiful (plus sized reader x Dean)

Family (platonic Dean x reader)

Black and Blue (Dean x Reader also my submission for @casbabydontgoineedyou’s 2k challenge)

Life’s Value (my submission for @percywinchester27′s Ana’s PJO quotes Challenge)

The Winner (submission for a challenge, angst, fluff)

Sam x Reader

Kiss it Away (Plus sized!Reader)

Lucifer x Reader

Gone (My very first Lucifer fic! Also my entry for @meganwinchester1999′s 300 followers challenge) I’ll Heal You (Fluffy Lucifer x Reader)

Bath Bomb (Fluff yes fluffy Lucifer x reader)

Chuck x Reader

Our Door is Open (sort of angsty sort of fluff)

Benny x Reader

For a While (flangst, entry for @sixtysevenandwhiskey’s Grand Budapest Motel)

Bad Day (depressed!reader, sweet Benny)

Sister!Reader fics

Burnt (First submission for  Bethany’s writing challenge)

Reading is Fun? (Second submission for Bethany’s writing challenge)

Wrong Cup (Third and final submission for Bethany’s writing challenge)

Flowers (Slightly angsty sister reader fic)

Other

Cold as Ice (Sam x reader and Lucifer x reader NOT SAMIFER, also my submission for @cas-is-my-hero’s 100 follower challenge)

Brown Eyes (no specified character, brown eyed reader)

Worried (Self harm fic, avoid this if it will trigger you! Platonic Winchesters x reader though)

[crimiinalchemiist-archived-blog]

FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO!!!  Four hundred and thirty two of you have decided to stick with me despite it all. I really don’t know what I’ve done to deserve all of you or why you’ve stuck with me, but I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful to be able to write one of my favorite characters with extraordinarily talented writers such as yourselves. It’s an honor, a blessing, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of followers. Some of you have now become close friends of mine who I don’t know what I would do without now. It’s crazy to think how lucky I am to have met you let alone write with you. Right now, things have been very tense within the fandom and we could all use a great bit of positivity–as a whole the human race needs some love. So with my bias list, I’m going to share some love because I feel that love from all of you and I want to share it. 

@onceabandoned 

Cas, you are one of my best friends and I would not be the writer I am today without you or person. I don’t tell you enough how much you mean to me or how much I adore you and your muses. You have such a beautiful talent for knowing how to capture the human spirit and to write it so eloquently. I hope to be more active so we can continue to be the amazing team we’ve grown to be and make each other cry even more. I am so happy to have you in my life and I hope we can catch up soon. I love you. 

@lastprcttygirl

Marie. I love how we often go so long with out speaking but the moment we do no time has passed. I adore our late night chats and how we can get lost in catching up and creating things. I am so grateful to have you and I look forward to creating more with you.  We are a beautiful team and together we’ve done so many great things. You are so talented and so creative, it puts me to shame. I adore all you do and I love you. 

@foxofthe100/ @louisofthe100

Brittany, my love, my littlest fox–where would I be without you? You are such a dear friend of mine and I can’t express how much your friendship means to me. I love you and always will. I met you back in the 100 rp that lead me here. You and I plunged into this together and stuck together since. You are the peanut butter to my jelly. I love you so much. I don’t tell you enough, but you greatly inspire me. You have always been honest about everything to me. You give me your criticisms and tell me how I can improve. You challenge me to get better and I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for that. You have helped me so much over this past year and I hope I have done the same for you. Not only that, but you listen to me. You have taken time to hear me out on my worst days and bring a smile to my face. I am so grateful to know you let alone be your friend. I adore you and I look forward to many years of friendship. I love you so so much. I can’t wait to read more of your work on here and in the novels I anxiously hope to own. 

@headstrongblake

Ashley, I can’t express how much I love you or your Octavia. You are a light in my life, a light in this fandom. You bring so much joy and happiness to everyone, not just me. You are my sunshine and I adore you. You are one of the best people I’ve had the honor of meeting and having in my life. Not only that, you are so so talented! You have such a beautiful talent to portray challenging characters who are now lights of my life. Every verse, every head-canon has so much time and planning put into it it’s outstanding! I feel like I’m reading real life stories.Thank you for being a great friend and thank you for being in my life. I really have no idea where I would be without you or how I could survive life without your brightness. Never change, ever! I love you!

@basiicphysics

Sophia, You are the Monty to my Jasper. I tell you that a lot, but it’s true. You listen to my late night thoughts and put up with my crazy plot ideas. But we also have beautiful conversations about almost everything. And how we build the relationship and explore with our muses, it’s something that’s not easy to find. I will never get over how you write Monty in such a way that makes me feel it’s coming straight from him. And how you have analyzed him. It’s so beautiful. You are my Monty. We were the original Jonty as you once put it and I love what we’ve created and our chemistry. I’m also more than anything so glad that we have built a great friendship. I love having you in my life and I don’t think I tell you that enough or how much you mean to me. I love you so much and I hope you never forget that. 

@nctyourplaything

Em, you are one of my favorite humans I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I feel like there isn’t anything we can’t talk about and I am so grateful to have that with you. Whether is be the newest bullshit on our shows or life, I can come to you with it. And I’m so lucky to have that with you.  Not only that I get the honor of writing with your muses who are more realistic than canon. How do I get to your level?  I am so proud of you and feel honored to call you my friend. You are going to go so far in life. And you are so smart and so talented, it’s amazing how one person can be so much. I love writing with you and I want you to know I love you. I hope New Zealand is being good to you! 

@oktciviia

Mal,  you have been my hero, my life saver this season. I could not have done it without you, the support you offer, or the salt. I am so glad we’ve been able to create the Jasper and Octavia moments we’ve been neglected from the writers. I love being able to talk to you and I hope to get to know you better as time goes on because you are so amazing. I love you and I am so glad we’re friends. You are so lovely in every way. And I look forward to writing more with you and keeping out babies together even after this past episode. I love you you extremely talented human who I am in complete awe of . You are beyond talented and it’s a wonderful thing to witness. Once again I love you and stay true to you. 

@strawpolls

DAD I still don’t know why you put up with me, but I love you. I adore what you do and everything you create you strange and great human. Never change. You are excellent and extraordinary in every way. I hope we can get back to writing soon, I miss your face.  You’re so great and write on a level I want to get on. I love you man, I hope to chat with you soon. 

@bxmbsxaway

Logan! I adore you so much. I hope I can get to know you better ooc as well as I’ve gotten to know your muses. You have created masterpieces and by goodness it shows. I cry over how well developed they are and how you’ve molded each one into what they are now. You have put so much time and dedication and it shows. But then you write them and I’m left in awe of your pure talent. Never stop being amazing, Logan. I love you. 

@gadapiro

Maddie! I fucking love you. I love being able to talk to you about anything and how we can be completely honest and open with each other. I love how we can go on about stuff and let our minds pour out. I love that we can talk about plots and build them to these epic story lines. I love how easy our chemistry is and how our characters work together. And to think I was once upon a time so intimidated to talk to your because of how freaking brilliant you are as a writer. I tell you a lot that I love you, I believe in you, and how much you mean to me–so here is yet another reminder for you. I love you, bro, and I always will. You’re a great human in my book. 

@impcled

CHUCK! You are a great dude. You capture your characters so well that it’s like you directly pulled them out of the show and it’s freaky how good you are. But I love it. I love how you are The Emperor of Photoshop and how you’ve been so awesome to me when I’ve had questions about it or even when you were kind enough to make me something. You are an awesome guy and I love that I got to know you. I hope to write more with you and thank you for being so great. I love you man. 

@indiebryan

Yuffie, I adore you. I hope we can start talking more, but I love the conversations we have had. You are such a fantastic human being with an incredible gift for writing. I love your Bryan and so does my Jasper. I adore how you capture him and give him the life the writers haven’t. I look forward to seeing where you take him and how you help him grow. I love you so much and I hope to talk to you soon! 

People I love & need to talk more to/plot more with/write more with because it’s been a while:

@ofdiligence /@crowneddeath/ @queengxiffin / @wrenchmcnkeyreyes / @trueheda  / @lcyaltyreigns / @prcphesiied /@hcrper / @firstwescrvive / @frombrokenplaces / @oldcrblake / @soldiiermade / @floathim / @thosebadlandkids / @nobledeath  /  @madefighter/ @slayxdemons / @runforrecovery / @trikrulinkon / @braverstars / @kalipsou / @wildmoored / @imnobodysson/ @robinhoodmaia/ @wrenchmcnkeyreyes / @chaosthxory / @lifefcrdeath / @betterthaanhim / @burncut / @accidentprcne

& Frankly, I just want to get to know and write with all of you! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND I WOULDN’T BE HERE WITH OUT YOU! SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO HIT ME MESSAGE ME ANY TIME!

@byers-willbyers @retributiions  @akiddiiepool @hciressv@nineteenminutes @guiltedblossom @roadravaged@moongifted @nextleveldamaged @madetherightchoice @ididthereading@survivalxinstincts @princessmortem @sontamgada @riverdale-amatuer @wcyfinders @praelixs @darkestbeforedxwn@stringedstar @wreckshavoc @icexbcrn @steltmeika@damnazgeda @scnshiiine @safetyslain @rnbege @griefbuilt@damnmechanic @killedseventeen @desidcriium@thisblccdonmyhands @skaixrebel @shriekinglydias @idsurvive@icarusque @groundlost @catastrophicxscream@veronicaswritings @forlornsurvivors @wallofsnakes @mybcst@skailost @windtouchedwarrior @youngcst @trucxnagual@prcudsoldier @chebz @troubleraised @sapphictales@comicreliefing @protectingxgilbert  @soulofvalor @nevidimy@ofgriffin @gutshct @reversedlove @arockypath@neiith @skaiprinccss @ayoungeststark @stellanetus @sisteraised @auroraxblake @brotherraised @falsesavior @nomonkomskaikru @krempuff @wildpicturesque @allthesolutions@wanhedaiisms @burningembcrs @azgona @arrowdriven@islegend @onyafevayuj @resilientiiisms @retrofallen @miimesis@lambchcps @blakeraised @imanofficer @freaklcd @funnyskigal@fostaimdaun @everyturnanycost @ordiinaryliife @maxmulti@aspirantblake @sangedasun @h-opewinston @mabcn@peacefighting @ghouliisms @nctavigilante @childcharlotte@lasnatblida@infinitumiism @enfog @dangeroustogoalonex@thingswevelostmakeusstronger @peopleneedtxknow@screwprotocol @knockedown @shrinemade @metamorphosiis@losslife @trikruisms @feraltyke @thxmbsized @misplacedloyalty@handledit @notgoodwithaknife @redxeyedxmonster@hopelesshybriid @queengxiffin @goodexplosion @betterhealing@murphysrulesofsurvival @hephxestus @chaosthxory@leaderbcrn @ofpromises @wasloved @autemrerum@tommensbaratheons @luxenebris @riddleworn @notatlas@cxntrxctkiiiller @leftthecountry @wanhxda @likesmike@wildmoored @mycwnhero @braverstars @victoryveiined@xsurvivcrx @lagaudiiere @halexnheels @notmaternal@jockcharm  @burninggod @betterspy@mechanicreyyes @papiliio @demeterwrites @quinnharleyx@gearswithinmind @mybadboydevbostick @skairebel@criminalxchemist @dxrksouledkxng @hedalvxa @wichnes@warriorsofgods @nonagonofmuses @cxntfixthxs @lyrakomufkru @azhaihefa @amongthcwreck @skairiipa@soldiiermade @thephoenixhayes @noulaikkwelnes@aconstellationofsinsx @rvntheworld @leashedson @notimminent@portectorisms @falafel14 @daringhea @eternalxsunshinex@azgedakiing @mcthersguilt @ellaofskaikru @littlemissredriding@resilientbird @ofdiligence @slashiisms @griffisms @murphieslaw@foundsalvation @jarnleikr @deathhunts @nextshore @thestray @kcmtrishana @pyrrhica @xnotafraid @oggyrps @takeudxwn@anchorwrites @beatriceofrp @savememxnster @scelusiisms @ reyesiisms @fatecrossed @unwavcring @reinkruash @steiyvj @ncncriminalway @gadanomon @gadathibo @gatekeepcr @stainedbloodline @azgada @redempticnarc @mophathadh @bitchheroine @podakrufisa @plurcspopulus @defaultheda @arebelnow @wcsurvive @hislostson @responsibiity @strxngerthentheyknxw @fixatedonthestars @explcsiion @notrxcketscience @limitlessxxpotential @bloodbathcd @stcrdustmade @anditsxsorrows @troubleraised @donohcrm @strikgona @dystopianborn @mcmachine @yujtombom @allxdarkness @skaihayon @gochklin @fleimxkepa @secretseccnd @@wyldlittledog @indiiffercnt @shudameika @brotherraised @icebitxh @iintcntiions @oftortured @selflessdoctor @seakept @babykillcr @darknesshums @wcyfinders @juicepxuchesandrxcky @savethcworld @notgetkilled @irregularitiies @nylahkom  @shiiptowreck @hedafos @delinquentmiller @iceyblood @natblidaaden @wanhedakom @amazingspirits @mw2noobbuster @imyourchristmaspresent @revoltrisen

**I did my best to get everyone and not to put duplicates of players I know have multiple blogs. <3 If I forgot you, let me know and I’ll add you!**

AND shout out to all the personal tumblrs and porn blogs that also follow. Sorry, but I’m not tagging you guys or if I did by accident I hope that’s okay. But thank you for the follow! :D

[durenjtmusings]

The Great SPN Meta Scavenger Hunt: Round 2  - The Exclamatories, Expletives and Key Words/Phrases Listicle

(or TL;DR - “Suck as it may, our perky nipples are defcon screwed with signs of douchery, so shut your cakehole, you whackjob, before I make your posh spice ass have a code brown moment and use you for an angel condom. Asshat.”)

[No abstract here because writing them is hard and f*ck that sh*t it is 4 am.]

Introduction:

Thanks to @elizabethrobertajones​ for kickstarting my “SPN Character Voice Database” project with this challenge. The verbal creativity and qualities of each character’s “voice’ has always been one of the things that has greatly entertained me about Supernatural. So, in attempting to write SPN fanfic, I am pretty obsessed about making character’s dialogue *sound* right. @chiisana-sukima​  and I were chatting recently about our struggles to 'write’ the boys swearing convincingly (I make then swear lamely and she has to take swears out) and BOTH of us are struggling with making Sam swear right (tip – turns out, that’s because he doesn’t very much). [I think this is the presenting problem or sorta the research question, but again, 4 am and not getting paid so ;P]

In the spirit of scientific investigation, I have begun to address this problem in a typically “academic” way – I collected and analyzed unique character language patterns data for all 12 of the initial SPN episodes (using Excel and everything). Analysis consisted of *highly subjective* qualitative and quantitative methodologies using the rubric below (thanks to @k-vichan​ for the rubric framework from their “Dean the Action Hero” entry)

Review of Existing Research:

As far as I know – this research is unique in fandom – if someone has already done this, PLEASE let me know so I can do something ELSE with my time.

Definitions of Key Terms:

Exclamatory – ‘throw-away’ words which, if removed from the sentence, have no real effect – they are there for punctuation, character flavor, etc. and often start or end a sentence. Includes ‘pet words’ for people like son, boy, douche, Giraffe, etc. For my purposes, I did NOT count ah, well, alright or OK, because EVERYONE USES THEM ALL THE TIME in this show. Some words counted in this category ONLY if they were NOT used ‘correctly’ in context – examples (correct usage in brackets):  Hell (the place), God (the person/entity), hey (to get you to turn around), c’mon (to get you to come with someone) and man (to indicate a male person).

Expletive – swears, substitute swears and blasphemes (technically all exclamatories, but in a class by themselves). These were casually assigned ‘strength’ by how much I got in trouble for saying them when a kid (words like friggin’ were counted for strength as if they were the swear they replaced). We were not a religious family so blasphemes were all counted as lamer than more scatological swears.

Key Words and Phrases – Crack stuff said by characters that ‘define their voice’ – things that make them uniquely them. Fun phrases and sayings. Includes innocuous stuff like “Seriously?”, “You’ve gotta be kidding me,” and chick. Sometimes a colloquialism was counted, like ‘ain’t been’ because it seemed unique to the character. NOTE: Cas is a special case here – his entries tended to be overly formal words no one else ever really says OR cases where he starts to use human idioms at ALL.

Method:

Re-watched all initial episodes over the course of 5 days and recorded all entries in the above 3 categories by character, with extras grouped as a block. Then grouped all recurring characters of note in a “friends and family” group for easier analysis, creating 4 main groups: Dean, Sam, F&F and Xtras. These four groups were then analyzed in the following categories and assigned scores by one completely biased reviewer.

Quantity - actual # of items recorded across ALL characters. Repetitions were counted individually.

Variety - (scale of 1-5) measures how unique and interesting items are for this episode, as well as ‘strength’ of expletives.

Originality - 5 points per item that made me chuckle or raised my eyebrow the 1st time I watched the episode

Sam vs Dean - % of Sam items to Dean items as an integer. Sam hardly swears, so we want to give him lots of credit for when he DOES do so. This also serves as a measure of ‘balance’ in verbal creativity for the episode.

Family & Friends - (scale of 1-5) QVO (see above) across other core characters (+1 bonus point if Cas had ANY)

Xtras - (scale of 0-5) QVO across any Xtras

Impress me – 5 points per character whose performance REALLY stood out to me (purely subjective, don’t argue with the researcher)

Controlling for Bias: @chiisana-sukima and I also discussed how the writer for each episode had a lot to do with language, so we’ve included that data in the results. Other items that may affect the data include a) how much silence there was built into the script, b) how MANY characters appeared in the episode, and c) how plot affected the character (Demon!Dean, Demon!Bobby, Leviathan!Cas, dead-hallucination Bobby-in-Sam’s-head, etc.). For my purposes, if they LOOKED and tried to ACT like the character, their words were categorized for that character. But, essentially, I didn’t sweat this stuff and did whatever I wanted, because no one is paying me, so there.

Results:

SO – no surprise this is stupidly long and full of illustrative screencaps. Read below the cut for the Fun stuff! {Oh, and pre-emptively: “Screw you, my math is perfect.”}

1.1 Pilot (Kripke)

Dean: Whoa; easy tiger, are you kidding me?; hell, gig, dude, not bad, scored (got); do some digging (research), cakehole, check it out, c'mon, I betcha, here's the deal; dude, took a swan dive, "what the...", I'm super, chick, what a bitch (she is), I don't get it, no chick flick moments, bitch, hey man, dude, five-o, take off, crap, boobs, nice work (well done), saved your ass, screwed up, shag ass, whatever, helluva,

Sam: crap, hell, hey, c'mon, the damn thing, working overtime on a Millertime shift; man, dean; jim, jack and jose; I swear, man; kinda, hey, genius (deprecating), hey, jerk, hell, we got work to do.

F&F: John –hell, (sports reference) ; Mary - oh my God

Xtras: hell, smartass, hell, Hell

Quantity – 60    

Variety – 4    

Originality – 20  [cakehole; no chick flick moments; working overtime on a Millertime shift; jim, jack and jose]

Sam vs Dean – 18/35  or 51

Family & Friends – 1

Xtras – 1

Impress me – 10 [Dean, of course, made a strong first impression in this pilot episode, but comparatively this is one of Sam’s strongest episodes as well.]

          Total = 142

2.1 In My Time of Dying (Kripke)

Dean: man, c'mon, gimme, thank god, screw you, c'mon, lay some mojo on me, c'mon, what the hell kinda, hey, frickin', man, dude, full on Swazy'd that mother. What the…, get the hell away, now what?, sorta, you gotta be kiddin' me, god, I'll be damned, damn straight, I'm screwed, son of a bitch (angry), chick, far too laid back, hell, cut me a break, I'll pass, not into (x) chicks, what the hell, ditch it,  c'mon, c'mon,

Sam: I swear to god, you wanna bet, lay some mojo on, thumbs up our asses, I got it covered, hey, aw man, pissed (mad), what's going on?, go to hell,  hey, man, hey, c'mon, man,

F&F: John - our only card, meet up with, hey, pick it up (for me), hey, dude, buttin' heads, I seen; Bobby – you got it (yes), damn; Tessa - freaked, I'm dealing, flipped out; YED - get the hell out

Xtras: oh my god

Quantity –   64  

Variety –    2.5  

Originality –  5 [full on Swazy'd that mother]

Sam vs Dean – 15/34  or 44

Family & Friends – 2

Xtras – 0

Impress me – 0  [Really kinda banal, noting major happened verbally in this episode. Dean was lively, but not really inventive.]

         Total = 117.5

3.1 The Magnificent Seven (Kripke)

Dean: freaky, weirdo, bupkiss, drivin' me crazy, I aint sweatin' it, get this, spiffy, whackjob, stupidx3 (in one sentence), showtime!, sit here with our junk in our hands, send [him] packing, hell warmed over, poor bastards, chick, whatever it takes to get you through the night, goose chase, welch out of it, so help me god, tuff, whatever, sons of bitches, raise hell,

Sam: ah, god; beats me, man, my god, what the hell, good bet, stark raving psycho, bustin' my ass,  

F&F: Bobby - (double negative), pack it up, damn it, half-cocked, this joker, son (at Dean),

Xtras: "Hell's Bells", Hell, bastards, damn fools, man, rat's ass, piss poor, damn

Quantity –   47 

Variety –    3 [very little repetition, several new words by several characters]

Originality – 15  [whackjob, sit here with our junk in our hands, stark raving psycho]

Sam vs Dean – 8/25  or 32

Family & Friends – 1

Xtras – 2 [more quantity and variety than previously]

Impress me –  0 [ solid performances, but no one really stood out]

          Total = 100

4.1 Lazarus Rising (Kripke)

Dean: Preachin' to the choir, dammit, bad mojo, some [one's] bitch boy, badass, hell yes, damn,  douche her up, bit it (die), freaky, weirdo, crap, I'm game, bring it,  work him over, perky nipples, cut me loose (from Hell), tell you squat, "don't come crawling to me when they show up on your doorstep with vaseline and a firehose", whatever had the juice to, bad mofo, peachy, (serious) as a heart attack, bigtime [knife], get caught with pants down, helluva, "ring the dinner bell" (call up bad guy), get the hell out, I'm not buying (it - belief),

Sam: hell, they booked up here, thank god, what the hell's goin' on, hell,

F&F: Bobby - dead set on it, took off, what in the hell, aint been, sticky question, damn thing (2 x), kid (at Sam), you can't be serious; Pamela - Grumpy (at Sam); ruby: getting pretty slick

Xtras: damn, gotah Hell

 Quantity – 47    

Variety –   4 [Dean’s range alone here pulls this up from a 3]  

Originality – 20  [douche her up ; perky nipples; don't come crawling to me … vaseline and a firehose;  Grumpy]

Sam vs Dean – 5/29  or 17

Family & Friends – 2.5 [about avg quantity and variety]

Xtras – 1 [pretty lame]

Impress me – 5 [Dean really lit this episode up – back from the dead and spittin’ words!]

          Total = 96.5

5.1 Sympathy for the Devil (Kripke)

Dean:  What the hell, keep our heads down, whatever, hey, stupid bastard, asshat, sons of bitches, cram it with walnuts, ugly; two-faced douche, jack squat, you dicks, son of a bitch, hey, bitch blood, yeah, right wavy gravy; thank god, angel condom (vessel), son of a bitch, eat me, big dicks, what the hell, screw him, screw [them], crap (adj), give 'em hell, crap, a snowball's chance, hell, man,

Sam:  Jeeze, hey, ass, meatsuit (posessed human), hey,

F&F: Bobby - Romeo (at Sam), ass, kid (at Sam), damn, snot-nosed son of a bitch, kick your friggin' ass, we're boned, nine kinds of crazy, boy x2 (at Dean and at Sam), damn (adj); Chuck - x the crap out of him, oh God; oh crap, sucks ass; Nick (pre-Luci) - man, why the hell; Meg (dark) - pain in the ass; Zachariah - Chucklehead, screwing around

Xtras: holy crap

Quantity –  55  

Variety –   4 [nice range from both Dean and F&F]  

Originality – 25  [asshat; cram it with walnuts, right wavy gravy, angel condom, nine kinds of crazy]

Sam vs Dean – 5/30  or 17

Family & Friends – 4 [nice quantity and variety, with some originality and group participation as well]

Xtras – 0 [boring really]

Impress me – 15  [Dean, of course, stood out again, but also this was a standout episode for Bobby, and Chuck because like 50% of his total episode lines counted]

         Total = 110

6.1 Exile on Main Street (Gamble)

Dean: crap (adj), chicks, dig (like), man, freakin', how the hell, [?] what the hell, c'mon x2, you gotta be kidding me, god knows why, sue me, damn, sons of bitches, stick my neck out, whatever, you bet,

Sam: Hey, crap, go gunnin' for (hunt), that's nasty,

F&F:   Bobby - dammit, mi casa es su casa, damn  

Xtras: thank god, what the hell, my god, shook loose, helluva, oh my god, you son of a bitch

Quantity –   30  

Variety –  2 [softer curses, common, some repetition – generally blah]    

Originality –  0 [not an danged thing new]

Sam vs Dean – 4/16  or 25

Family & Friends – 1 [only Bobby and lame showing]

Xtras – 3 [Better quantity than everyone but Dean, decent quality]

Impress me –  0 [for obvious reasons]

          Total = 61

 7.1 Meet the New Boss (Gamble)

Dean: this is nuts, c'mon x2, ah well; stick your neck out, figure it out, off the deep end, pissed, pray to god, kicked in the daddy pills, scuzzy, piece of…, thingy, hear us out, (X) is our bitch, both of you put your junk away, really?, crap, piehole, out of the cards, hey x2,

Sam: I guess (yes), seriously?, hey, friggin', crap, hey,  

F&F:  Bobby - diddly, c'mon, kid (Sam), sport (Sam), son of a bitch, Jenga (eureka); Cas - genitals, cannot abide, atone, unpleasant; Crowley - bollocks, jig is up, bend them right over, come on, giraffe (at Sam), mash us like peas; Death - you're joking, shut up; Lucifer - long time no spooning, right on, yank the wool off of your eyes

Xtras: heck, oh my god,

 Quantity –  49  

Variety –      3  [pulled up by some Dean inventiveness and the variety in F&F]

Originality – 10  [kicked in the daddy pills; long time no spooning ]

Sam vs Dean – 6/20 or 30

Family & Friends – 4 +1 [more than DEAN! And. Of course, Crowley’s imaginativeness, And Cas HAD some!]]

Xtras – 0 [Frickin’ BOring]

Impress me – 0  [Crowley was a near thing, but not really]

          Total = 97

8.1 We Need to Talk About Kevin (Carver)

Dean: you son of a bitch, you bastard, keep your nose clean, dammit, my ass, things got hairy towards the end, in the wind, turned tail on, knee deep in god's armpit, bully for you, damn, no signs of douchery, So what? You dropped your peanut butter in her chocolate?; 31 flavors of bottom-dwelling nasties, dental apocalypse (vamp), lookin' for a soul train, hey, wow, come sniffing around, I got bupkiss, sweet mother of god, come again?, wipe the slate clean, bastard, Spanky, by a long shot, jackass, hitting the head, helluva lot, beat a dead horse,

Sam: what the.., frickin', right, I did not have a roadmap (no clue), hey, throw a bitchfit, check this out, dude, it sucks, might suck, what the hell,

F&F: Crowley - Heavens no, sky's the limit, throw me a bone, hullo boys, moose (Sam), last time we danced (met), chop chop (hurry), meatsuit; Benny - what the hell, jackass, hump my soul (carry), howya holdin'up?,  keep your nose clean; Kevin - hell, eat me x2, what the hell,

Xtras: dude, bitch, dumbass

Quantity –    62

Variety –      5 [avg to strong performances from ALL involved, even the xtras]

Originality –  25 [knee deep in god's armpit; no signs of douchery; 31 flavors of bottom-dwelling nasties, dental apocalypse; hump my soul]

Sam vs Dean – 11/31  or 35

Family & Friends – 4 [good quantity variety and strength.]

Xtras – 1 [pretty basic]

Impress me – 10 [Dean, absolutely on this one; & Kevin – for eat me x2 said with absolute conviction]

          Total = 142

9.1 I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here (Carver)

Dean: whatever the hell, pissed at, we'll work it out, man, screw it, with ears on (listening), jimmied ourselves out, man, all due respect, don't be a pouter (speak up), son of a bitch, what the hell, hey, pissed, what the hell, dammit, whoa, give a damn, bite me, what the hell, you kidding me?, no way in hell, what the hell, dammit, dudn't mean squat, hell, hell no, angelic pacemaker, whoa, handsy, hell,

Sam: seriously? friggin' crapfest, shuttup (no/negative), the thing is, I bet you get off on this, what the hell, crap, we got work to do

F&F: Bobby - hell yes, you didn't do jack, suck as that may, idjits, basackwards crazy, son (Sam) x2; Cas – devote; Death - not my bag;

Xtras: what the hell x2

Quantity – 51    

Variety –  3 [lotta repetitive hell in this one, most not terribly strong, either]    

Originality –  15  [angelic pacemaker; friggin' crapfest; suck as that may]

Sam vs Dean – 9/31  or 29

Family & Friends – 3 [on the strength of Bobby alone, really]

Xtras – 0 [dull, dull, dull]

Impress me – 5 [Bobby (or Sam, however you want to think about it) for a dead guy with a small part, he was pretty verbally lively]

         Total = 106

10.1 Black (Carver)

Dean: oops, bitch, douche, you sold me out, you all suck, two-bit skank, sure as hell, knock yourself out, whatever jam he's in, damn sure,

Sam: you got it (yes), get this, jumped the gun, kick his butt, son of a bitch, meatsuit, what the hell, look buddy, turn tail, army recruiting ad that spit you out

F&F: Cas - I'm sensing awkardness, like a million dollars, put up much of a fight?; Crowley - you're budgin' it, moose x3, what's eating you up, out of your depth, what tickles me, what makes you lose your chickens, good luck with that, demon chum, does the tin man have a sheet metal willie?, fetid petri dish of broken dreams and beer, out with the club circuit and in with the stadium tour, my bad, midwifing you back to life; Cole - chicken wing (arm in sling), ass over teakettle, hurt like son of a bitch, I'm karma,

Xtras: eat me, jackass, douche, code brown moment, your funeral, screwed up

Quantity –  58

Variety –      4.5 [only because I’d like to see the variety more balanced among characters]

Originality –  25  [army recruiting ad that spit you out; what makes you lose your chickens; does the tin man have a sheet metal willie?; fetid petri dish of broken dreams and beer, code brown moment]

Sam vs Dean – 10/10  or 100

Family & Friends – 5+1  [Crowley, oh dear lord, was masterful, plus Cole was fun too. And Cas HAD some!]

Xtras – 4 [the Gas and Sip counter guy Rocked]

Impress me – 15 [Crowley OMG; the Gas and Sip counter guy xtra OMG, Sam – for EQUALING Demon!Dean in verbal skills this episode]

         Total = 212.5

11.1 Out of the Darkness and into the Fire (Carver)

Dean: What the hell, easy buddy, stay cool, heyx3, is this like a Magic Mike moment?, whoa, take it easy, everybody goes '28 days later'?, hell, like a sunnofa bitch, dudn't it, sumpin' straight, untenable, bite us in the ass, horse sense, we broke it we bought it, where the hell, defcon screwed, shove x up his ass, hell yes, farting sawdust, frickin', no way, c'mon x2, godspeed (good luck), screwy, kick her ass,

Sam: seriously? we know jack, you were on a roll, these things have a shelf life, hey, our crap, only half of the bumper sticker, hey, sons of bitches

F&F: Cas – transgressions; Crowley - you excrement, old school it is, daddy's home;

Xtras:  freaking out

Quantity –  43

Variety –    4 [actually quite a creative episode, verbally, with little repetition and not a lot of boring exclamations]  

Originality – 30  [is this like a Magic Mike moment; everybody goes '28 days later'; untenable;  defcon screwed ; farting sawdust ; only half of the bumper sticker]

Sam vs Dean – 9/29  or 31

Family & Friends – 1+1 [Because Cas]

Xtras – 0  [I mean, really]

Impress me – 5 [Dean kicked it for me this episode]

         Total = 115

12.1 Keep Calm and Carry On (Dabb)

Dean: flat on his ass, be pissed (mad), c'mon, new duds, whoa x7, hell yeah, what’s his face, bitch, (freak),

Sam: screw you, accent in a pantsuit, screw you, Screw.You., go to hell, screw you

F&F:  Mary - come again?,  sweetheart,

Xtras: Holy Mother…, hold up (wait), no way, were a bitch, chick, psycho, fricking, (demons): busted bitch, dude, gross,  posh spice ass

Quantity – 24

Variety –  3 [and not a 2 purely due to the xtras]    

Originality –  10 [accent in a pantsuit, posh spice ass]

Sam vs Dean – 6/15  or 40

Family & Friends – 1 [and not a 0 only because the way Mary says sweetheart to Baby melts me]

Xtras – 4 [good solid showing here]

Impress me – 10  [Sam – because, well Duh, Screw. You.  And the xtras]

          Total = 92

Conclusions:

In general, it looks like writers wanted to keep to at LEAST above 100 on the “@Durenjtmusings Verbal Inventiveness Rubric” for decent verbal variety in a script. Both Carver and Kripke were pretty good at this. Dabb should take note.

Ranking of episodes:

Worst - 6.1 Gamble – 61  (note that both Gamble’s scores were low – not judging, just holding it up for ridicule)

12.1 Dabb - 92

4.1 Kripke - 96.5

7.1 Gamble - 97

3.1 Kripke - 100

9.1 Carver - 106

5.1 Kripke - 110

11.1 Carver - 115

2.1 Kripke - 117.5

8.1 Carver & 1.1 Kripke – 142  (Both good showings, although I like 8.1 better, personally.)

Best - 10.1 Carver - 212.5 (Aaaaannd, Crowley wins this episode the trophy – who is surprised? Plus someone hire that Gas and Sip counter guy - comedy timing gold. Also, of note, Demon!Dean talked less, and less creatively -  letting his sneering and violence say everything for him, evidently. Because of this, however, Sam EQUALLED Dean for verbal inventiveness this episode, for perfect brother balance. Yea for the Mark.)

Bonus: Results Presented Chronologically – in case you care:

1.1 Kripke - 142

2.1 Kripke - 117.5

3.1 Kripke - 100

4.1 Kripke - 96.5

5.1 Kripke - 110

6.1 Gamble - 61

7.1 Gamble - 97

8.1 Carver - 142

9.1 Carver - 106

10.1 Carver - 212.5

11.1 Carver - 115

12.1 Dabb - 92

Final Thoughts: I have begun to note a number of fun cross-episode meta things – like Sam tends to echo expletives that someone else has already said in an episode, Angels are REALLY boring verbally except for Zachariah, and Dean is way more verbally creative when he’s just come back from exile (hell, purgatory, etc.) – but I’m holding on to this until I have more data on the 250+ episodes I have left to analyze.

Extra Credit for the Obsessed Experts: Go back over JUST Dean’s collected words and see how much of the episode you can visualize from his verbal creativeness alone.

Also - this was fun and I am clearly a compulsive academic…someone please stop me before it is too late.

[itsworn]

2018 Trans-Am Racing at the Monterey Historic

We all have them: the automotive bucket lists that we’ve compiled in our heads over the years. As teenagers growing up on the East Coast, we would sit around drinking beer and talk about how one day we’d roll in the Hot Rod Power Tour, break records at Speed Week, and then rumble down Woodward Avenue in Detroit as part of the Dream Cruise. These were the events our adolescent psyches lived for; excursions that we’d mentally plan out but that would most likely never come to fruition. We would talk about what we’d drive there, how we’d scoff at the law by doing burnouts and donuts and then ultimately, be discovered by a news crew or magazine publisher and then become instantly famous due to our radiating coolness. That is were our minds were at in those days, and it was the weekend b.s. sessions like that which got us through the winter months when two-feet of snow lined the streets.

But that was then, and now I live on the West coast, in Northern, CA, a mere 118-miles away from one of the greatest automotive events the world has to offer. I speak of course about Monterey Car Week, that yearly orgy of automotive gluttony and excess that takes place mid-August in and around the Monterey Bay Peninsula. During this week the streets are literally filled with billions of dollars worth of automobiles, auction houses, and individuals whose wristwatches are worth more than most new cars. It’s a true spectacle, and if it’s not on your automotive bucket list, then add it immediately, because it’s something you’ll not want to miss.

One of the highlights of car week comes in the form of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (a mouthful, I know) that is held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This event plays home to all manner of racecars stretching over the last 100 years. There are vendors, celebrity drivers, thousands of like-minded enthusiasts, and automobiles that have been borrowed from some of the finest collections.

The various grids are made up of everything from pre-war Bugatti and Alfa’s, to early Formula One cars and the Trans-Am Series hot-rods of the 1960s and early 70’s. We’re talking about vehicles with dollar values in the high six-figures (and beyond) that are piloted by drivers who don’t hold back. Ever see a 1952 Allard go head-to-head with a ’54 Porsche? You will here. How about a 1984 Nissan 300ZX Turbo roll in the same field as a 1973 BMW CSL? It’s crazy I know, but this is where it happens. We’re talking about an automotive Disney Land that your imagination would be hard pressed to topple if given the opportunity.

Races aside, one of the best aspects of the Motorsports Reunion is the unbridled access that everyone in attendance has to the vehicles, personnel, and the drivers. There are no security guards in black suits or velvet ropes keeping folks out. Instead the paddock is filled with EZ-Up tents that house tools and the crews who work feverishly to make sure that the cars are ready for the next race. There’s also an understanding that everyone in attendance respects: look but don’t touch, ask questions and be polite and above all else, enjoy. For the teams participating, this is serious, and it costs big dollars. Therefore, keep your distance when work is underway, and more importantly, understand that being here is a privilege, despite what that $110.00 ticket says.

As a standalone track, Laguna Seca is pretty damn good. We’re talking about a 2.2-mile road course with 11-turns, a ¼-mile+ long straight and of course, the legendary corkscrew that, when taken properly, makes you feel like your falling off the Earth. From a technical perspective it’s somewhat of a point-and-shoot affair, but that doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining. I’ve driven everything from a Porsche GT3 RS to a Dodge Caravan through these bends, and each and every time, I’m reminded that I’m rolling on hallowed ground.

Wandering around the pits is enough to send your brain into sensory overload, especially when your childhood heroes are sitting in front of you. Vehicles like the 1971 championship-winning AMC Javelin driven by Mark Donohue, or the ‘70 Boss Mustang that was wheeled by Parnelli Jones (1970 Trans-Am Championship Winner). There was also Sam Posey’s Sublime Green 1970 Dodge Challenger (complete with Keith Black small block), along with some lesser-known cars like Rusty Jowett’s red 1968 Camaro Z/28, the ’68 Ford Mustang Coupe of Dean Gregson and another one of my favorites, the 1964 Pontiac Tempest (known as the Gray Ghost) that debuted at Lime Rock in 1971.

As a muscle car guy, the Trans-Am Championship Series of racing that took place between 1966-1972 was my favorite series of all time. We’re talking about racecars that looked almost identical to their showroom brethren and that would rip a hole in the atmosphere every time they cranked to life. It was the golden age of motor racing in the United State,s and it was one of the few times in history when racing was still relatable to the common enthusiast. Camaro’s, Mustang’s, Javelin’s, Tempest’s and Challenger’s would all mix it up and grind fenders, while at the same time, igniting the imaginations of every kid who had their faces pressed against a showroom window.

These are racecars that ran carburetors and manual transmissions and employed drivers whose nether regions were so massive that they overcame the need for self-preservation. Drivers aside, this was also when the engineers and pit crews from back in the day cheated so tastefully that it would drive the tech inspectors insane. As a case-in-point, consider Sam Posey’s ’70 Dodge Challenger that had been acid dipped to reduce weight. The roof material was so thin, when a tech-marshal rested his elbow on it,  it actually dimpled it was so thin!

Want to cheat like the professionals? Well then, that’s how you do it.

Throughout the day, we watched everything from the pre-war cars on their pizza-cutter sized tires to the wild-looking IMSA rigs that dominated the 1970’s and 80’s. And while they were a sight to behold, it was the 8-cylinder symphonies of the Trans-Am cars that had me glued to the fence. One after the other, they roared passed while I camped out at the corner of Turn 4. The red, white & blue Donohue Javelin, Posey’s Challenger, the Grey Ghost Tempest – for me, and without getting overly dramatic, it was a dream.

Lap after lap, they swapped positions while four-wheel sliding through the bends. Some of these cars were more than 50-years old, and the drivers were pushing them like they had every modern safety feature incorporated into them (*see nether regions). Between the sonic booms emanating from the open exhausts, the fans and the announcements being made over the P.A. system, if you closed your eyes you may have actually thought you’d gone back in time. The race lasted around 25-minutes with the tri-colored AMC Javelin driven by one William Ockerlund taking the checkered flag. The yellow and black ’69 Z/28 Camaro wheeled by Chad Raynal took second, with third place going to the Grey Ghost 1964 Pontiac Tempest with John Hildebrand behind the wheel.

The cool down lap was filled with drivers, hands out of their windows, waving to the crowd like victorious gladiators. The cars, now a bit dirtier and with a few more paint chips, seemed to be relieved that the race was over, yet in their heyday they would’ve covered 90-laps or more. We followed other fans down from the grandstands and through the paddock to watch the cars pulled back into their stalls. As we walked, I heard those around us comment on how awesome it was to be here, and it was great to know people felt the same way I did. We had all traveled long distances to witness a mere 25-minutes of awesomeness, and I highly doubt if there was one among us who left disappointed.

We muddled around the paddock for another hour or so before heading home and once there I headed straight for the Internet to find original Trans-Am Series footage. As I watched, I wondered what it must’ve been like to experience these cars in their prime with the cheating, balls-out driving, and competition. I suppose in some respects it’s not much different than today, sans the advanced technology and safety regulations we’re all privy to. Then, I began to think about the track days we do out here in our own cars. Head to any HPDE event for instance and you’ll see Mustangs, Porsches, Camaros, Challengers, and all manner of Corvette and Miata ripping around with the drivers involved in mental battles with the clock and those around them. Is it real racing? No, at least not in the literal sense anyway. Yet for those of us who still yearn to see semi-modified street cars run flat out on the track, it’s about as good as it gets.

The vintage races that are run at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion are spectacular. There are events from Thursday on, with races held on both Saturday and Sunday at the track. Then there’s car week in general, which brings together automotive enthusiasts from around the globe. From a people-watching perspective, it’s downright hilarious, as Botox and overpriced shirts seem to be the norm. If you’re into auctions there’s Mecum, RM Sotheby’s, Gooding & Company, Bonhams and more. As for the high-class meet-ups, you can always hit up the McCall’s Motorwerks Revival, the Quail Lodge at weeks end, or the Concours d’Elegance on the lawn at Pebble Beach on Sunday. If these are your types of jams, though, just be prepared to spend upwards of $375.00 for each ticket (we know, it’s nuts).

Automotive enthusiasts will gravitate to anything with an engine, be it a barstool or a HEMI ‘Cuda. We love them because it’s how we’re wired and there’s nothing anyone can do to change that. Car week is everything we love about the automobile in excess, and the Trans-Am Series races are just icing on what we view as the world’s greatest cake. Are these events expensive and time consuming when you factor in hotels and food? Sure they are, but believe me when I tell you that with all the stress that everyday life can bring, knowing that gatherings like this still exist make me feel pretty damn good about being in this hobby.

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[aliceofelia]

100 things that made a difference (2017)

1.     Singing out loud with Pandora during my commutes

2.     Face Painting children

3.     DundraCon in San Ramone – gets a girl out of the house.

4.     Steampunk Bazaar for fun and frivolity

5.     Being asked back from local businesses, for annual events for Henna

6.     10x10 film challenge - makeup

7.     ConQuest Sac

8.     Putting on the Ears! Embodying the Bunny! Building & donating Easter Baskets to the Casa Kids, at Casa de Esperanza

9.     Reading life stories of people that start from nothing and rise to their own greatness.

10. KublaCon fun-ness, Burlingame, CA

11. Making disabled kids smile for the Arts Council event: A Very Special Arts, with color and GLITTER!

12. Golden Coast Adventure Fair; followed by a glorious Berry Festival!

13. Loving astrology and astronomy; looking at the moon.

14. Treasuring the seasons, and turning of the wheel of the year.

15. Meeting new friends, at first time events

16. Premier of long awaited film project: Capps Crossing.

17. Peach Festival

18. Conceptualizing and doing Special FX Makeup for From the Mad Genius Mind of Devin

19. Being lazy. Taking moments doing nothing but chilling marathoning through Movies.

20. Being asked to do makeup on Good Day Sacramento

21. Zombie Walk – Special FX makeup

22. Fight For Your Life – film; Special FX makeup

23. Birthday visits from a Cherished Friend; getting a handmade gift.

24. Kirshners Animal Sanctuary

25. PacificCon, Santa Clara

26. CrawFestival

27. Pagan Pride; visiting with Rescued Animals.  (Crow, specifically was so cool)

28. Harvest the Arts, Arts Council event.

29. Not having negative encounters with people over politics.

30. The Heart Walk, Sacramento

31. Premier of film and Place Called Sacramento, film Festival.  Being apart of a film that won 4 awards.

32. Making the Film poster.

33. Helping a friend with promotion, marketing and profitability, and subsequently seeing his success.

34. Vampire Ball and Sinister Creature con.

35. Having dinner next to Tom Atkins, Actor; Halloween III with my friend Abby.

36. Still studying Elvish, Sindarin. Hannon le!

37. Discovered ‘Si’ the perfume. MMMM

38. Conquest Avalon

39. Alan

40. Sculpting

41. Creature brainstorming

42. Playing with a Mogwi Furby

43. Reading “Steal Like an Artist” again.

44. CSM certification

45. Repairing my Windshield

46. Investing in new tools for the shop

47. Purging un-needed, un-used items from the collection.

48. Letting go

49. Sushi, mmmm Sumo roll is to Die for.

50. Making a blanket after creating a new design/pattern, then giving it away.

51. Making people smile.

52. Helping friends

53. Making Ties

54. Yoga

55. Stranger Things – WTH, but I love it.

56. Starting a new journal

57. Getting a new Surface

58. Studying Makeup

59. Making Art; any kind

60. Writing short stories

61. Watching Making of’s and Behind the Scenes

62. Listening to the music of Pan’s Labyrinth

63. Playing the Piano

64. Realizing why I love the creative mind of Guillermo Del Toro

65. Discovering the genius of paper.

66. Seeing son ‘beam’ when he got a new job

67. Laughter

68. Being there for a friend when in need

69. The Thrill of getting a new job, but knowing you have a family with the old one.

70. Going to the Movies to see a film on the big screen.

71. Star Wars

72. Taking time to breathe, and slow down.

73. Listening to Celtic music

74. Dealing with negative people by imagining something in their teeth or hanging out of their nose.

75. Finding people you can share PB&J

76. Reading Stephen King; The Colorado Kid

77. Discovering Lisa Nichols

78. Watching movies in bed.

79. Re-watching old favorites – The X-Files

80. Putting up the Christmas Decorations for the first time in years.

81. Watching looney tunes on YouTube

82. Digging out the Disney; Mulan, Hunchback of Notre Dame

83. Contemplating the Why of things; such as Extremism??

84. Drawing

85. Moments of silence; doing stuff or just sitting, with nothing on.

86. Pyrography

87. Discovering CashFlow, and finding my son likes learning about it too.

88. Cherry Tomatoes

89. Letting myself be vulnerable to someone

90. Deadpool; I could watch this over and over.

91. Getting a pen with my studio name printed on it.

92. Nautilus Tea Company – Mmm.. Pomegranate Black Tea is the best.

93. The realization that live is more than, “Rinse, Wash and Repeat!”

94. Finding one thing every day that makes me smile.

95. Being positive.

96. Designing a logo for a project at work.

97. Being a Hero to myself, if no one else.

98. Reaching out to old friends. Reconnecting.

99. Taking some good advice.

100. Helping a long distance friend.

[ao3feed-crowley]

Date Night

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2smZ0Jo

by LexieCarver

Pairing: Crowley x Reader

Word Count: 1,504

A/N: This was written for a bunch of challenges.

@nothin-after-79 Jamie Hit 1k Challenge with the prompt, “If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions.”

@cas-is-my-hero 100 Followers Writing Challenge with the prompt, “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

@thing-you-do-with-that-thing Hiatus Writing Challenge Week 6 with the prompt, “If you really love me there wouldn’t be a choice.”

Fluff, violence, character death of a demon I created for the story.

Words: 1486, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Supernatural

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Crowley (Supernatural), Reader

Relationships: Crowley (Supernatural)/You

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Honoring Their Sacrifice: Disabled Veterans Receive New Homes

Homes For Our Troops

Nearly six years ago, Army Sgt. Nicholas Mendes was instantly paralyzed from the neck down, when an improvised exploding device went off below his vehicle in Afghanistan. The explosion caused multiple fractures in his vertebrae.

But after two complex surgeries—one for his neck and another for his throat—followed by a month in the hospital and six months in physical therapy, his troubles were far from over. Back home in Murrieta, CA, he struggled to navigate through the hallways and doorways of his rental home in his wheelchair, confining him to just two rooms. Bathing in a tub that wasn’t designed to accommodate his handicap was an ordeal. And these difficulties only exacerbated the crushing depression he felt.

But last May, his life changed for the better.

Mendes and his wife, Wendy, received a new, specially adapted, four-bedroom house from the nonprofit organization Homes for Our Troops, which he had discovered online. The group, which is based in Taunton, MA, builds mortgage-free homes for post 9/11 severely injured veterans across the country.

The organization is one of several national groups (including, most prominently, Building Homes for Heroes) that constructs new residences and renovates foreclosures for disabled veterans. These organizations are ramping up to meet long overdue demand.

Veterans typically receive the properties mortgage-free. However, as part of the arrangement, they often donate their government grants—devised to help them live independently—to the organizations, to help offset the costs of fixing up or building the homes. These grants can be tens of thousands of dollars.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers two types of housing grants to help veterans who were injured during their military service. The grants can be used to modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. They can also be used to purchase or construct an adapted home, in conjunction with a VA loan. Specially Adapted Housing grants currently offer up to $77,307 to make a home accessible for people who were seriously injured during their military service. The Special Housing Adaptation helps vets with certain injuries that are less severe, and can go up to $15,462.

Living in homes that really meet the needs of disabled vets needs is widely considered to be a key to healing—mentally as well as physically.

“I was depressed a lot at the other house, because I really couldn’t move around freely,” Mendes, now 26, says. “I’m definitely a lot happier here.”

Nicholas and Wendy Mendes received a wheelchair-accessible house from Homes for Our Troops.

Homes For Our Troops

Giving away homes to rebuild lives

Since Homes for Our Troops was founded in 2004, the group has presented about 230 homes in 39 states to severely injured veterans, to help them rebuild their lives after their sacrifices. The privately funded organization has more than 80 additional projects underway across the United States.

The group plans to increase the number of homes it gives away each year.

“We see ourselves as a vehicle for the American people to repay the debt we owe these young men and women who have sacrificed so much defending our freedom and independence,” says the group’s executive director, Bill Ivey, a retired U.S. Army infantryman who served 31 years.

These veterans have sustained a wide range of serious injuries in the line of duty, including limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and severe traumatic brain injuries. The homes are built where veterans want to live, in order to help with recovery, Ivey said.

After they’ve lived in the homes for six years, they begin accruing 20% equity each year. The goal is for them to own the homes outright by the end of their 10th year.

The new homeowners are responsible for taxes, upkeep, and maintenance. They can work with a free financial planner for three years to help them to plan for these expenses.

“We stay with them for life,” Ivey says about the organization’s relationship with these veterans.

A home to help the disabled overcome daily challenges Adaptations like these in Nicholas Mendes’s shower help the disabled vet to shower more easily and to avoid slipping.

Homes For Our Troops

Fewer than 1% of U.S. homes are accessible for wheelchair users, according to a 2015 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report that looked at 2011 Census data. And fewer than 5% of residences are even accessible for those with trouble walking and otherwise getting around.

Roughly a third of all homes could be modified to become more handicap-accessible. But it’s often a costly and challenging job to widen hallways and doorways, create wheelchair-accommodating showers and replace windows with those that slide open and shut; and shelving that can be easily pulled down by those who can’t stand up.

These sorts of remodels can run homeowners or renters tens of thousands of dollars. And, unfortunately, many disabled veterans don’t have that kind of cash just lying around.

But Mendes was lucky. In his new home, a bath takes just about 15 minutes. He controls the lights and doors in the home and can once again open a window with automated buttons and feel the cool breeze. Countertops are a little lower so he can reach them in his wheelchair.

“The biggest thing in the house that has made a huge difference is the shower,” said Mendes, now 26, who also served in Iraq in 2008. “In the other house, we had a stall shower, and my wife has to bathe me. So, it would take over an hour to wash me—and she was really only able to see and reach one side of me.”

The new tub has “enough room to have a party in,” he says.

From foreclosure to relief Building Homes for Heroes gave Army Sgt. Mary Herrera in Tucson, AZ, a home with an outdoor waterfall in 2014.

Provided by Building Homes for Heroes

Other problems, like tinnitus (ringing in the ears)—caused by exposure to loud gunfire or machinery—can make it hard for afflicted veterans to sleep at night. But they can often find relief through something as simple as the sound of running water.

Many of the residences that Building Homes for Heroes has provided to disabled veterans have lots of running water, both inside and outside, for just that reason. Its founder, Andy Pujol, a businessman who volunteered in the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, also suffers from the ailment.

Homes may also include installing different types of flooring in each room of the home. Having a mix of hardwood flooring, tile, and carpet can help signal to blind vets  which room they are in, without needing to count steps.

The nonprofit group has now given away just over 100 newly built residences and renovated foreclosures to disabled veterans since it was founded in 2006. The Valley Stream, NY-based organization is aiming to give away one specially outfitted residence every 10 days this year.

“Not only are we able to help the vets with these homes, but we also revitalize the community,” Pujol says of the foreclosures his group fixes up.

Homes for the red, white, and blue Seriously injured veteran Luke Murphy was given a new home designed to accommodate his disabilities from Homes for Our Troops. He is pictured with his wife, Stephanie.

Homes For Our Troops

Army Staff Sgt. Luke Murphy, 35, was also a recipient of one of these much-needed homes to accommodate his own disabilities. In 2006, he was on his second deployment when he lost his right leg above the knee and sustained serious damage to his left leg in an explosion in Iraq.

When he returned to the United States, he was living in rentals with various roommates. His roommates helped, but if he got sick or was trying to recover from surgery—he had a whopping 33 of them—it was a disaster.

Then, in early 2014, Homes for Our Troops gave him a four-bedroom home outside Tallahassee, FL. It was like winning the lottery. He moved in with his girlfriend, Stephanie Wernke (now Murphy), and they were married two years later.

“These kinds of injuries either make or break people,” says Murphy, who wrote the book “Blasted by Adversity: The Making of a Wounded Warrior” and is now the co-owner of the Tallahassee, FL-based Southern Land Realty. The new home is “financial security forever. There’s no mortgage. That’s peace of mind.”

Murphy, who now wears an often painful prosthetic leg and uses his wheelchair at home for comfort, says he couldn’t afford a home like this. He can now easily go outside as well, walking his dog on the wheelchair-friendly sidewalk that wraps around most of his home. And it’s no longer hard to reach those HVAC and sprinkler systems from his wheelchair.

When it rains, he can easily drive his special vehicle into his large garage, unload his groceries and go inside the house without fear of falling or getting his $50,000 microprocessor knee wet—which could ruin it.

“This [home] has totally changed my life,” Murphy says.

Accessible homes built by Homes for Our Troops have kitchens that allow wheelchairs to roll under the counters and the sink easily, allowing disabled homeowners like Nicholas Mendes to cook.

Homes For Our Troops

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