#matthew stein

[nerds-yearbook]

Checkmate 27, cover date May 1990, introduced Victor Cypher, Stearn (died), Pierre, McKinnon, and Roberts. They were created by Paul Kupperberg and Tom Grindberg. ("Kidnapped" Checkmate 27, DC Comic Event)

[humanintownau]

☆Human in Town!☆

Welcome to the blog! This is all the information you need about this blog! (Updates will be notified!)

~The poster is gonna be changed~ :DDD

Last updated: 05/23 (month/day)

~New details or text will be marked with a green colour ~

News: Reference sheets will all be updated due to a lot of planned changes!!

My main blog: bbqgrape

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(Read more for more detail)

Comics: (+ links when I'm finished with the first chapter)

Chapter 1: Brand New Beginning...

Chapter 2: ...

Chapter 3:...

TBC!

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What is this blog about?

By the title, this blog is about my new BATiM AU "Human in town!"

It surrounds Zoe's experience as a toon, living in a world that is both scary and one he finds content in. He meets fellas he likes, fellas he doesn't or hate. This story is full of parallels and symbolic themes with meaning. Through this circumstance, Zoe will have to learn to get accustomed to this world and meet people he never expected to meet.

Now, about the environment:

• This story takes place in Toon Town, or as most refer to it "Toonsie town". A small fact, toons can immediately tell what type of personality a toon has just by which name they use for the town.

• Toon Town is the equivalent of New York, which is infested with all sorts of different toons, considering it is a big town. The smaller towns are Inkfell (Full of mafiosos with ink businesses), Hale Halos (Populated by angel toons)

• As by the first cover I did for the AU, this au takes place in 1961.

• Toon Town and other towns or living areas are separate from the human world. Each toon has the ability to leave the human world, but none can leave the toon world. This is important.

• The Toon government doesn't take kindly to non-native toons/ humans because an old stereotype. "All humans are monsters and money hungry".

• Toons can have kids! Weird thing to say, but it's relevant (Not telling until it has to be, but one character in this story is half human).

Not in the human way, but by an ink machine.

The characters:

• ~Zoe/y Baabee ///////~

And you probably already guessed, Zoe is a human in disguise. Well, he's technically a toon now, but with all the differences he has compared to toons, he gets his own category (Non-native toon)

He was kidnapped by Mr. Ross' gang for reasons no one knows, not even Zoe himself. Luckily, Benedetto saved him during a turf fight and had kept him in his gang ever since. He's been taught all the street smarts and everything to keep himself safe. And as an angel, he had to be extra careful, because even if the wings on his head were small, they were worth plenty of cash. Oh and his halo.

Though, Zoe doesn't really talk about that incident often, only when he needs to for information.

He was a part of a corporation and business, which he was forced to enter and also leave. Sounds silly, but this needs a lot of lore to specify and, of course, finishing the comics.

We're talking about The Saints' corporation. If you once even belonged to it, you get marked with a cross on either your neck, chest, back, or even everywhere if it fades.

Random little fact: Zoe has the capability to change his colour palette! Some (humans) toons like him can get random little powers based on their past lives.

Though he mostly keeps it to blue or yellow, depending on his mood/season of the year

Next on the list is...

• Benedetto 'Bendy' Stein

For now, I'll keep this short, since I don't want to spoil much. And I'll have elaborate on why Bendy's personality traits are too short (Yeah, it's because Bendy's gotta be the center of attention).

Soo... Let's start off straight and clear, Bendy's a mafia boss. And a good one at that, despite being kind of a dumbass. However, he's kept quite a reputation for the past few years, especially in 1959 (I ain't telling you why 🤫🧏).

His partners in crime are Boris (his best friend, and also a part of the mafia), Samuel 'Sammy' Lawrence (One of his soldiers), Charlie, Barley, Edgar (which joined Bendy's gang as an agreement, but aren't important in the story) Katie, and Daniel.

And for his personality, well...

He's... confident to say the least, it's what scares the rivals, and other things... 😨

Anyway, he's, despite his attitude or "occupation", he's quite loving and caring to the people he loves or cares about. One of his redeeming qualities. And if we compare him to the other mafiosos, he'd be a saint. But it doesn't mean he doesn't get his hands dirty when he needs to. Just not innocent people of town or people who don't deserve it. Ey, at least he's being fair!

This demon's short-temper and anger can lead to the entire town collapsing. Luckily, no one made him that triggered.

But lately... someone has been keeping him calm for a little while...

(All the other refs are outdated, still WIP)

• Boris Stein

Another mafia boss to the list (Benedetto and Boris run the same one. They were forced to share /j)

Okay, Boris seems like a prick on the outside, but is quite caring and soft to the people he thinks deserves it (except Katie, they don't get along well...). His tough exterior and physique helps him in fights, and also to intimidate rivals.

Benedetto's short temper and anger problems always have to be relieved, and Boris is there to do it as the calm older brother.

Boris is depicted as aggressive for a reason. Not because he will lash out like Benedetto, but because his remarks can be passive aggressive or his fighting style is all over the place.

• Samuel 'Sammy' Lawrence

Oh this grumpy old man...

Anyways... Sammy's a human as well. And has been here FAAAR longer than Daniel is. He died in 1935, when he was 26 years old, and is now pushing his retirement age. He hides his true age so Benedetto wouldn't place him in the retirement home. He's still 54, but his "body" and mind is one of a 30+ year old. He isn't that wise to be a grandpa, but isn't ignorant enough to be your typical older brother.

He's a trustworthy man for Benedetto, with his intelligence surrounding ambushing, and unlocking different closed off places, rooms, vaults, etc.

Though, his cold personality facade helps him a lot to gain respect, but deep down he is battling with a lot...But what?

• Katie M'lady

Born to be a tiger, forced to be a lap cat.../j

Katie is a fierce soldier who will always protect her fellow comrades. If you're being jumped, she'll probably help you (unless if you stole her favourite booze from the bar cabinet). Benedetto always takes her everywhere during chaotic missions, because of her experience with fighting, and also her capability of working under pressure. She's quite reserved, so no one knows much of her. Only that she'll beat your ass if you look at her the wrong way.

• Matthew Ross

(temporary drawing)

Matthew Ross has been in this mafia game far longer than Benedetto was. Though, with Benedetto's rising power and status, it has made this fallen angel grow with uncertainty if he will keep him status as the most powerful.

Matthew is a sadistic prick who has zero feelings for anyone outside his mafia. Any innocent toon could get killed even for as little as glancing at their dirty work. Despite being once an angel, he has no intentions of ever redeeming himself. He enjoys this life off of living better than half the toon population.

He has barely a few scars, but those few are very major...Like his eye. I won't tell who gave them, but I think it's pretty obvious already XDD

(NOT OPEN FOR ASKS UNTIL I FINISH HIS REF SHEET!!)

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Differences between humanoid toons (Non-native toons) and real (native) toons:

Let's take ---- for example...

(This old design will be removed when I add new characters!)

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Tags:

#BBQGrape's art: all my art is in this tag, including my main blog.

#Human in Town au lore / or just lore: lore about the au, environment, characters, backstories and so on

#Human in Town au: Anything related to the au / blog

#Zoe/y Baabee: Mentions or drawings of Zoe/y (my oc)!

#Oc:Zoe/y Baabee: Same as the previous one

#Benedetto 'Bendy' Stein: for that cheeky bastard Bendy

#Boris Stein: for the big ol' woof

#Katie M'lady: ladies first.

#Samuel Sammy Lawrence the old bastard: the old bastard.

#Matthew Ross: Bendy's rival and a significant character in the story

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Qna:

• Is it okay for my ocs to interact with the characters?

A: of course! I am more than happy to answer them! ^^

• Can I make ocs for this au?

A: Of course! Feel free to draw them and most importantly, tag me; I'd love to see them!!!

• What kind of asks will you ignore?

A: I won't ignore any, except for ones that are basically not related to the blog in any way.

Or being inappropriate. That's an option too.

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Thank you for reading!

[arisoups]

usually i dont post my little doodle pages but ive been hoarding them for too long so take it pls

theyre awful but i legit do not care

[janeacular]

Made this while bored at work;

Consider this like one third of a kin list. Curious what this might say abt me :P

[sillyvisioncorner]

Joey Drew Studios Presents

The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals

[duranduratulsa]

Up next on my 80's Fest Movie 🎬 🎞 🎥 🎦 📽 marathon...Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987) on glorious vintage VHS 📼! #Movie #movies #comedy #planestrainsandautomobiles #johnhughes #ripjohnhughes #stevemartin #johncandy #ripjohncandy #LailaRobins #MichaelMcKean #kevinbacon #DylanBaker #ediemcclurg #MartinFerrero #LarryHankin #MatthewLawrence #benstein #charlestyner #BillErwin #vintage #VHS #80s #80sfest #durandurantulsas6thannual80sfest

[carmelitequotes]

St. John of the Cross saw his imprisonment as sharing in Jonah’s sign—the mystery of Christ. #Jonah

[jolieeason]

WWW Wednesday: July 3rd, 2024

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme Sam hosts at Taking on a World of Words. The Three Ws are: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? Here is what I am currently reading, recently finished, and plan to read from Thursday to Wednesday. Let me know if you have read or are planning on reading any of these books!! Happy…

[thebowerypresents]

Allah-Las Leave Them Wanting More at Webster Hall on Wednesday Night

Alla-Las – Webster Hall – April 17, 2024

In this age of lasers, massive LED screens, backing tracks and effect-laden synthesizers, a no-frills concert can feel like the bolder statement. Playing a packed Webster Hall on a rainy Wednesday night, Los Angeles rockers Allah-Las were decidedly no frills, lo-fi and all the better for it. The band lead off with “The Stuff,” the opening track off last year’s Zuma 85 release, almost purely rhythm with a steady drumbeat, the jangliest of guitars and understated monotone vocals. A pair of small screens bracketed the stage with analog slide projectors displaying simple abstract shapes, few frills, plenty of rock with a short surf-guitar solo to end the first tune. 

From there, they bounced around their catalog, short-but-sweet garage rock evoking a bygone era when a pair of guitars, drums, bass and keys — and a headlong spirit — would suffice to get a club moving. “Tell Me (What’s on Your Mind)” opened with an extended noodling instrumental before dropping into a straight-heat love song. As the set went on, the projections took on more colors and shapes matching an evolving sound: Warm orange for the vocal harmonies, crisp blue for the tight changes, abstract squiggles of guitar and splotches of bass and drums. 

Lead vocals were passed around from guitarists Miles Michaud and Matthew Correia to drummer Pedrum Siadatianon the dreamy psychedelia of “Prazer em Te Conhecer” off 2019’s LAHS release. Like any good rock band playing Webster Hall, Allah-Las made excellent use of the disco ball, adding an otherworldly feel to the surfy desert blues of “Sacred Sands” and a sun-dappled effect to the layered, lazy melodies of “Catalina.” The set closed with a cover of Mazzy Star’s “Blue Flower,” the lyrics “Superstar in your own private movie / I just wanted a minor part” perfectly nestling between the band’s irresistible low-key vibe and the large, cheering crowd calling for more. —A. Stein | @Neddyo

(Allah-Las play Underground Arts in Philadelphia tomorrow.)  

Photos courtesy of Adela Loconte | www.adelaloconte.com

[humanintownau]

~Some doodles!!~

Yoooo Matthew got some new drippp (redesign!!)

Sooo, I tried drawing from different angles, I hope it turned out well cuz I didn't use any reference (sorry for the wonkiness -n-!!)

Zoeee in his pjsss! 🙏💞 (Bro smiling like he didn't rob a bank a few hours back)

[mercerislandbooks]

Fall Events at Island Books!

Island Books has so much going on in the next few months! Check out all the happenings below:

September 9th at 11am author Pastor Greg Asimakoupoulos will be signing his new book, Paper Bag Poems in Pioneer Park.

September 10th at 12pm author Garth Stein and illustrator Matthew Southworth will be here to launch the second installment of their graphic series The Cloven -- and also host a weenie roast!

September 14th at 6pm on Zoom join our Virtual Knitting Book Club led by Lori as we discuss Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez, and our current works in progress.

September 21st at 6:30pm author Bob Muglia will be in conversation with Geek Wire's Todd Bishop, discussing Bob's new book, The Datapreneurs.

September 27th at 6:30pm author Kevin O'Brien will be in conversation with Jennie Shortridge discussing his new novel, The Enemy at Home.

September 28th at 7:30pm Island Books Open Book Club will be discussing Trust by Hernan Diaz.

October 12th at 6pm on Zoom join our Virtual Knitting Book Club led by Lori as we discuss The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna.

October 14th at 4pm author/illustrator Ben Clanton and author/illustrator Andy Chou Musser will be presenting their new book Ploof, geared towards preschoolers.

October 17th at 6pm author Jennifer Cramer-Miller will be discussing her book, Incurable Optimist.

October 22nd at 4pm author Miriam Landis will be in conversation with Nancy Pearl, discussing Miriam's new middle-grade novel Lauren in the Limelight.

October 24th at 6pm join us for an evening with former SuperSonics executive Bob Whitsitt to talk PNW sports and his new book, Game Changer.

October 26th at 7:30pm Island Books Open Book Club will be discussing Properties of Thirst by Marianne Wiggins.

It's going to be a fun fall at Island Books -- and stay tuned for our 50th Anniversary events, coming in November!

[smashpages]

Out this week: The Cloven, Book Two (Fantagraphics, $24.99):

Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain, and artist Matthew Southworth present a second volume of their story about a group of cloven-hoofed mutants living in the Pacific Northwest.

See what else is coming this week to a comic shop near you.

[graphicpolicy]

Cloven Book Two is so good taking you deeper into the world and featuring amazing art

Cloven Book Two is so good taking you deeper into the world and featuring amazing art #comics #comicbooks #graphicnovel

Dr. Kenneth Langner, a world-renowned geneticist and creator of the Cloven species, reveals himself to Seattle Stranger reporter Jake Arthur, who continues his in-depth research on the homeless encampment known as “the Jungle.” When Langner turns up dead the next morning, Arthur realizes he’s into something far more sinister than he realized. Meanwhile, in an effort to evade the para-military…

[godzylla]

I'm sure there are thousands, no, millions of people just waiting with bated breath for more inspiring words on some of the happenings at SDCC today.

Alas, I spent most of my time there socializing with old friends (Hi Lance! Hi Lee!), and attended only one panel (Garth Stein and Matthew Southworth delighting their audience with background on The Cloven, book two due August 28, but fantastic has it for sale at the Con and I snagged one, but really, all you need to know is that you should be buying and reading these books and eagerly waiting for the next volume and can you tell I'm tired?), so I'll regretfully leave you brokenhearted today and promise to cover more soon.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Michael de Adder :: @deAdder :: The Globe and Mail

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

February 2, 2025

Heather Cox Richardson

Feb 03, 2025

Billionaire Elon Musk’s team yesterday took control of the Treasury’s payment system, thus essentially gaining access to the checkbook with which the United States handles about $6 trillion annually and to all the financial information of Americans and American businesses with it. Apparently, it did not stop there.

Today Ellen Knickmeyer of the Associated Press reported that yesterday two top security officials from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) tried to stop people associated with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from accessing classified information they did not have security clearance to see. The Trump administration put the officials on leave, and the DOGE team gained access to the information.

Vittoria Elliott of Wired has identified those associated with Musk’s takeover as six “engineers who are barely out of—and in at least one case, purportedly still in—college.” They are connected either to Musk or to his long-time associate Peter Thiel, who backed J.D. Vance’s Senate run eighteen months before he became Trump’s vice presidential running mate. Their names are Akash Bobba, Edward Coristine, Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian, Gavin Kliger, and Ethan Shaotran, and they have little to no experience in government.

Public policy expert Dan Moynihan told reporter Elliott that the fact these people “are not really public officials” makes it hard for Congress to intervene. “So this feels like a hostile takeover of the machinery of governments by the richest man in the world,” he said. Law professor Nick Bednar noted that “it is very unlikely” that the engineers “have the expertise to understand either the law or the administration needs that surround these agencies.”

After Musk’s team breached the USAID computers, cybersecurity specialist Matthew Garrett posted: “Random computers being plugged into federal networks is obviously terrifying in terms of what data they're deliberately accessing, but it's also terrifying because it implies controls are being disabled—unmanaged systems should never have access to this data. Who else has access to those systems?”

USAID receives foreign policy guidance from the State Department. Intelligence agencies must now assume U.S. intelligence systems are insecure.

Musk’s response was to post: “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.” Also last night, according to Sam Stein of The Bulwark, “the majority of staff in the legislative and public affairs bureau lost access to their emails, implying they’ve been put on admin leave although this was never communicated to them.”

Congress established USAID in 1961 to bring together the many different programs that were administering foreign aid. Focusing on long-term socioeconomic development, USAID has a budget of more than $50 billion, less than 1% of the U.S. annual budget. It is one of the largest aid agencies in the world.

Musk is unelected, and it appears that DOGE has no legal authority. As political scientist Seth Masket put it in tusk: “Elon Musk is not a federal employee, nor has he been appointed by the President nor approved by the Senate to have any leadership role in government. The ‘Department of Government Efficiency,’ announced by Trump in a January 20th executive order, is not truly any sort of government department or agency, and even the executive order uses quotes in the title. It’s perfectly fine to have a marketing gimmick like this, but DOGE does not have power over established government agencies, and Musk has no role in government. It does not matter that he is an ally of the President. Musk is a private citizen taking control of established government offices. That is not efficiency; that is a coup.”

DOGE has simply taken over government systems. Musk, using President Donald Trump’s name, is personally deciding what he thinks should be cut from the U.S. government.

Today, Musk reposted a social media post from MAGA religious extremist General Mike Flynn, who resigned from his position as Trump’s national security advisor in 2017 after pleading guilty to secret conversations with a Russian agent—for which Trump pardoned him—and who publicly embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory. In today’s post, Flynn complained about “the ‘Lutheran’ faith” and, referring to federal grants provided to Lutheran Family Services and affiliated organizations, said, “this use of ‘religion’ as a money laundering operation must end.” Musk added: “The [DOGE] team is rapidly shutting down these illegal payments.”

In fact, this is money appropriated by Congress, and its payment is required by law. Republican lawmakers have pushed government subsidies and grants toward religious organizations for years, and Lutheran Social Services is one of the largest employers in South Dakota, where it operates senior living facilities.

South Dakota is the home of Senate majority leader John Thune, who has not been a strong Trump supporter, as well as Homeland Security secretary nominee Kristi Noem.

The news that DOGE has taken over U.S. government computers is not the only bombshell this weekend.

Another is that Trump has declared a trade war with the top trading partners of the United States: Mexico, Canada, and China. Although his first administration negotiated the current trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, on Saturday Trump broke the terms of that treaty.

He slapped tariffs of 25% on goods coming from Mexico and Canada, tariffs of 10% on Canadian energy, and tariffs of 10% on goods coming from China. He said he was doing so to force Mexico and Canada to do more about undocumented migration and drug trafficking, but while precursor chemicals to make fentanyl come from China and undocumented migrants come over the southern border with Mexico, Canada accounts for only about 1% of both. Further, Trump has diverted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents combating drug trafficking to his immigration sweeps.

As soon as he took office, Trump designated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and on Friday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded that “all options will be on the table” when a Fox News Channel host asked if the military will strike within Mexico. Today Trump was clearer: he posted on social media that without U.S. trade—which Trump somehow thinks is a “massive subsidy”—“Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada—AND NO TARIFFS!”

Trump inherited the best economy in the world from his predecessor, President Joe Biden, but on Friday, as soon as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump would levy the tariffs, the stock market plunged. Trump, who during his campaign insisted that tariffs would boost the economy, today said that Americans could feel “SOME PAIN” from them. He added “BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.” Tonight, stock market futures dropped 450 points before trading opens tomorrow.

Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum wrote, “We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory,” and has promised retaliatory tariffs. China noted that it has been working with the U.S. to regulate precursor chemicals since 2019 and said it would sue the U.S. before the World Trade Organization.

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau announced more than $100 billion in retaliatory 25% tariffs and then spoke directly to Americans. Echoing what economists have said all along, Trudeau warned that tariffs would cost jobs, raise prices, and limit the precious metals necessary for U.S. security. But then he turned from economics to principles.

“As President John F. Kennedy said many years ago,” Trudeau began, “geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends, economics has made us partners and necessity has made us allies.” He noted that “from the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of the Korean Peninsula, from the fields of Flanders to the streets of Kandahar,” Canadians “have “fought and died alongside you.”

“During the summer of 2005, when Hurricane Katrina ravaged your great city of New Orleans, or mere weeks ago when we sent water bombers to tackle the wildfires in California. During the day, the world stood still—Sept. 11, 2001—when we provided refuge to stranded passengers and planes, we were always there, standing with you, grieving with you, the American people.

“Together, we’ve built the most successful economic, military and security partnership the world has ever seen. A relationship that has been the envy of the world…. Unfortunately, the actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.”

Trudeau said Canada’s response would “be far reaching and include everyday items such as American beer, wine and bourbon, fruits and fruit juices, including orange juice, along with vegetables, perfume, clothing and shoes. It’ll include major consumer products like household appliances, furniture and sports equipment, and materials like lumber and plastics, along with much, much more. He assured Canadians: “[W]e are all in this together. The Canadian government, Canadian businesses, Canadian organized labour, Canadian civil society, Canada’s premiers, and tens of millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast are aligned and united. This is Team Canada at its best.”

Canadian provincial leaders said they were removing alcohol from Republican-dominated states, and Canadian member of parliament Charlie Angus noted that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario buys more wine by dollar value than any other organization in the world and that Canada is the number one export market for Kentucky spirits. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario has stopped all purchases of American beer, wine, and spirits, turning instead to allies and local producers. Canada’s Irving Oil, which provides heating oil to New England, has already told customers that prices will reflect the tariffs.

In a riveting piece today, in his Thinking about…, scholar of authoritarianism Timothy Snyder wrote that “[t]he people who now dominate the executive branch of the government…are acting, quite deliberately, to destroy the nation.” “Think of the federal government as a car,” he wrote. “You might have thought that the election was like getting the car serviced. Instead, when you come into the shop, the mechanics, who somehow don’t look like mechanics, tell you that they have taken the parts of your car that work and sold them and kept the money. And that this was the most efficient thing to do. And that you should thank them.”

On Friday, James E. Dennehy of the FBI’s New York field office told his staff that they are “in a battle of our own, as good people are being walked out of the F.B.I. and others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and F.B.I. policy.” He vowed that he, anyway, is going to “dig in.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[yoursinharmony]

The most ridiculous pirates this side of the Seven Seas 🏴‍☠️🦜

VoicePlay - Drunken Sailor