#(not saying that’s how you meant it^ just why Duke fans are defensive of him)

[thebestusernamepossible]

I think fanon could be whatever you want, but like, if you just make an entirely new guy or replace who they are then what’s the point yk?

And as a Cass/Steph fan I’ve come to despise fanon sometimes for how they’re treated (Erasing Cass’s disability to give her a NEW one- execpt now she, the Asian woman, can’t speak. Treating Steph like she’s just the happy go lucky Waffles girl). That being said fanon is transformative and there are some real gems.

Actually a lot of Duke/Cass/Damian fanon has a lot of unchecked racial bias. Duke turning into the ‘only sane one’ and always following and being guided by the white characters. Cass being completely silent (erasing her canon disability in the process??? This is like if you made Daredevil deaf instead of blind for ‘inclusivity’ to me), losing her ‘Gruff and bad at emotions with a heart of gold’ swag, being treated as a therapy dog for the boys. Damian being treated as a borderline feral animal, taking away all his kid interests??? Like that isn’t really racist??? (Honorable mention for misogyny, Steph always treated like Tim’s abusive Ex like he wasn’t equally horrible to her, or sidelined. And Babs, THE Babs, sidelined.)

Of course I doubt any of these people are doing it on purpose, but y’know, unconscious bias.

Fanon is fun, but like, you see the source material first usually? This fanon is full of people who’ve never even read a comic (not saying saying OP- and the batfanon to comic reader pipeline is actually how I started reading last year! So no shade!) so they’re building on their own barley reconisable goncheroved story.

That’s not saying bat-fanon is only bad, I think keeping Babs as Oracle is a great example of something good done!

Anyway I have no quarrel with fanon, but like, bat fanon in particular is one ‘they would not say that’ post after the other, clogging the posts of fans who really want to engage and see THEM. Like in other fandoms we have fanon, but generally you can go into their tag and their fanon will at least be based off canon. It just gets annoying- especially as a Cass fan, it’s hard to look for Cass fics without getting dealt 100 points of psychic damage.

OKAY so recent post went viral in a not so great way which is fun- but now im curious because I was strongly of the opinon that canon is a sandbox to enjoy and then do with as one pleases

Especially for DC which has rewound and rewoven so many times canon is a whole multiverse of possibilities depending on which writers you like/accept

but so many people apparently VERY strongly disagree (no hate except for those mean about it just curious /gen)

[fantasyinvader]

The fact that Edelgard and her path is meant to be attractive, even with symbolism supporting it, is merely an explanation for the game's writing, not an excuse. The purpose of storytelling is the ability to get that meaning across, and while symbolism is nice symbols are not universal. If people don't know what those symbols are and what they mean, they mean nothing. Even then, it shouldn't give the translation free reign to remove those symbols and change the meaning of the story, as they're not the writers. This wasn't their story, and there's a reason why Japanese fans get upset when the story is changed in the West. They view it as arrogance on the part of the translators.

You can argue that Houses shouldn't hold your hand. That it's treating you like an adult, putting the responsibility of piecing together it's meaning on the player. And that's a decent defense, but it the fact still remains. It's trying to make Edelgard, her actions and her beliefs out to be attractive.

Take for instance Ferdinand's paralogue. We learn that Edelgard is conscripting the people of the Empire while having those who resist executed, and through it all Duke Aegir is made out to be a scapegoat for this and the management of Thales. Yet we're supposed to feel bad about fighting Edelgard. She can starve her people, send her armies to kill anyone who doesn't submit to her rule, and is called out for her tyrannical rule of the Western Kingdom in Moon, yet the focus is on how sad it is we can't walk the same path as her. Claude can call her out on military rule, but then tries to talk her down only for her to say she wants/has to kill him, and then after the reveal that she was manipulated it's made out part of fighting the Agarthans is for her sake. Her ideals are meant to be toxic, her views of Fodlan should be nonsensical considering the deeper setting, yet they're still rarely called out.

All because the game doesn't actually want to address them, because Edelgard is meant to be attractive. And in the end, it's like the same problem Starship Troopers has where people argue it makes fascism sexy. That despite it being intended as satire, people looked at it and didn't see the it as such. People took it at face value for a long time, including Roger Ebert. Even today, with knowledge of the intent people still call it out for glorifying what it's trying to criticize.

Houses isn't meant to be satire. It just romanticizes the hell out of Edelgard and her beliefs despite those same beliefs being the antithesis to not just the rest of the game, but the franchise as a whole.

[alex-ruins-everything]

Turning Pages - Chapter 8

Intrulogical bookshop au! Read the whole thing on ao3 here. 

Remus had really tried not to be stalker-y when he texted Virgil for Logan’s work hours that morning. He just wanted to surprise the cute boy who had been filling his thoughts up! And it had worked, because here Logan was letting him drag him out for dinner. Not only that...but Logan trusted him! It made his gay little heart sing.

“A diner?” Logan questioned as they sat down in a booth. The place was mostly deserted despite it being peak season on the boardwalk. Luckily their home town was just far enough from the water to not be a tourist trap.

“My favorite diner. It...used to be better, but the owner died a while ago and his daughter didn’t wanna inherit the place. But she did. At least she kept the staff because Ed in the back knows how to make a killer burger,” Remus explained with a grin. “You wore your new tie today.”

“I did, and though it was mostly hidden behind the apron, it was a somewhat nice change to my usual rounds of blue ties,” Logan said, looking over the menu with slight distrust. “I saw you and Cthuwu had a wonderful day together. I liked the pictures you updated me with throughout the day.”

“I’m glad! I took him to meet Jan and Jan’s snakes, and then him and I went on a ride and I’m immensely happy he didn’t fall off the back of the bike. He’s in the saddle bag now, napping I imagine. It’s been a long day for a little stuffed octopus.”

“You’re quite good at giving personalities to inanimate objects,” Logan observed, deciding he was just going to get whatever Remus got since the other clearly knew the place better.

“Yeah, it’s a skill of mine.”

“Is this akin to an average day of yours? Just...filling your time with whatever you want to do?”

“Well. yeah. I’m not a college person, and I’ve hit a wall with the latest piece I’ve been working on. Apparently being an artist is just as bad as being a writer when it comes to creative blocks…”

“You’re an artist?” Logan asked with a small smile. “I should have known. You had paint smeared on your cheek when you came to Patton’s book reading. I assumed you were just messy.”

“Well, I am messy, but absolutely, Loganberry. I’ll show you my stuff sometime. I can never pick a medium, so it’s pretty inconsistent.”

“Somehow that does fit in with your, ah…’vibe’. Did I use that correctly?”

“Sure did, babes,” Remus winked.

The waiter came over to take their orders and Remus put his in for a bacon cheeseburger and asked for a note to be put down for Ed in the back that it was him. Logan asked for the same thing, just with no tomatoes.

“You got a tomato vendetta?” Remus asked with a chuckle.

“Awful texture. Slimy goo with little seeds inside...I cannot stand them,” Logan replied, scrunching his nose up.

“Aw...you’re adorable, you know that?” Remus said, leaning forward on his hands.

“Oh, well…” Logan’s cheeks started to turn pink. “I suppose if you find a hatred of Solanum lycopersicums adorable then, yes.”

“Solanum...I have no clue what you said, but I certainly liked the way you said it,” Remus grinned. “Though your hatred of tomatoes isn’t the sexiest thing about you, it certainly makes the list.”

“Well, now you’re just flirting.”

“Yes,” Remus laughed. “Have been for a while, but thank you for finally noticing, Specs.”

“Oh, apologies. I’m not the best at picking up on such things.” “I noticed” Remus smiled. “But it’s okay. According to many people, I never know when to shut the fuck up or tone it down, so we both suck.”

“You’ve been quite good thus far, I hadn’t noticed. Well, except when you screamed in the bookshop. That was rather crass.”

“That bookshop,” Remus smiled fondly. “Do you wanna tell me what’s up with you and that bookshop? I can tell you really love that place. There has to be a story there, right?”

“A story? Hardly. I simply did not connect with my peers as a child, and as a result I spent most of my time in Mr. Sanders’ shop and then started working there when I was of age,” Logan shrugged. “I find the shop comforting, and I am in charge when Mr. Sanders goes away, which is quite often actually. But I don’t mind. The bookshop makes me happy.”

“That’s totally a story, babes,” Remus chuckled, nodding a thanks as their food was brought out. Nothing special, exactly what you would expect from a run down diner, though a bottle of hot sauce was placed on the table right after which he happily grabbed. “And it’s cute. It’s nice that you have something like that.”

“Do you have a metaphorical - or physical - bookshop?” Logan asked, taking the ketchup bottle from the end of the table. Seems his hatred of tomatoes only applied to solid ones.

“Do I have a thing that makes me happy?” Remus asked. “I dunno. Lots of stuff. I like riding my motorcycle and watching horror movies...and visiting Duke at the aquarium. Painting, Halloween, going to the Renaissance fair with Ro...all those are things that make me happy.”

“Those are valid, but I meant in a larger sense,” Logan said. “For example, at the bookshop I feel as if I have a purpose which is psychologically very important for humans. I suppose I’m asking if you feel as though you have something that gives you that.”

“Pretty deep for second date conversation,” Remus said, smile faltering for a moment as he looked down at his food.

“Apologies, I did not-”

“No, no. It’s all good,” he assured. “I’m not one to really keep secrets or anything. I just...don’t. Have a purpose that is. I’m workin’ on finding it, but nothing ever really seems to fit right. Y’know? And, hey, I’m a lucky enough person to be able to try stuff out until I find a fit. Not everyone has that luxury.”

Logan nodded, giving Remus a slight smile. “That’s okay, I’m certain you’ll find your metaphorical bookshop one day.”

“Thanks, Lo,” Remus replied, expression softening at the other for a moment before he took a deep breath. “Okay! Okay, pro tip here...douse everything in hot sauce. You’ll thank me.”

Logan did not douse everything in hot sauce, he claimed he wasn’t a fan of spicy foods. Remus was, though, and did just what he had suggested. They talked more about what they each did in their free time, and Remus really found he liked spending time with Logan. He was cute, sure...but he was adorable on the inside too. Remus was definitely developing more than a crush on Mr. Berry. When the time came to pay he covered the check without a second thought.

“We could have split it,” Logan said after he had paid.

“Why? This is a date. I wanted to pay,” Remus shrugged, looking outside. It was sunset. “Wanna go for a beach walk? You said you could tolerate sand.”

“I did say that, didn’t I?” Logan said, looking out to the beach. “Very well. We can go for a walk.”

Remus grinned, standing up the second his card was handed back and taking Logan’s hand which he noticed got another pink cheeked reaction from the nerd. They headed down to the beach, walking along the edge of the water, far enough away that nobody’s shoes would get wet. The summer nights were quite chilly on the shore, so the beach wasn’t terribly full. Remus only let go of Logan’s hand to go chase some seagulls, regretting the choice when the seagulls chased him back. Birds had been doing that a lot to him lately, there must be an anti-Remus bird conspiracy going. That was what he explained to Logan as he grabbed the other’s hand and fled from the birds. Their walk ended as the sun was gone from below the horizon with them both slightly out of breath and back at Remus’ motorcycle.

“In my defense...they usually don’t chase back,” he explained.

“It would seem this time they did,” Logan replied, brushing a hand through his hair to keep it neat. “But...that was certainly exhilarating in it’s own way. I can’t say I’ve ever run from seagulls before.”

“First time for everything,” Remus laughed, meeting Logan’s eye.

And, shit. He wanted to kiss Logan. He really wanted to kiss Logan. It would be so easy, just lean forward and smooch...but it was their second date and what if Logan didn’t want to kiss him.

“Remus, are you alright?” Logan asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, yeah. Totally, Specs,” Remus said, pulling himself out of that moment. “C’mon, let's get you home.”

“Yes, home seems good. I forget the sun goes down quite late sometimes,” Logan said, taking his borrowed helmet when it was offered to him. “I’m actually starting to somewhat enjoy riding the motorcycle with you.”

“Well, good! I like riding with you too, mon amour.”

Remus shoved his own helmet onto his head, getting on the bike and starting it as Logan climbed onto the back. He smiled when he felt the other’s arms secure around his waist and headed off. He parked outside of Logan’s building, getting off after Lo to say a proper goodbye.

“I will see you next time I see you,” Remus said, taking Logan’s helmet back with a smile. “I had fun on our spontaneous little date.”

Logan seemed to ponder for a moment before taking a deep breath and speaking, “Would you like to come up for some tea? I usually have a cup to relax around this time anyway...and I have lots of tea…”

“Heh, sure, Loganberry. I’ll come up for some tea,” Remus smiled, taking Logan’s hand again and following him inside.

TAGLIST:

@theiwatobiicepic

[thenovelartist]

An Impromptu Proposal, 7-8

<<Previous Next>>

7. Bad Luck Charm

He was a bad luck magnet.

Looking over the Ladyblog, Adrien saw the news of Ladybug and Chat Noir’s engagement was spreading like wildfire to the point that people were insisting upon throwing them a wedding.

He thought it was a joke, but the more he looked into it, the more he realized people seemed to be very serious about it.

While he was flattered and would happily be on the planning committee if Butterlie and Mayura didn’t exist, he did have two—actually, it really was only dealing with Lila at this point because Mayura was MIA most of the time, which raised a whole new set of questions—villains he had to fight on a pretty regular basis. And this was only going to bring them out in full force. He would take any opportunity to catch them that he was offered, but in this case, that meant they would strike a highly populated area, AKA the wedding guests.

Meaning this whole thing had to be shut down, like, yesterday.

Adrien pulled up his app to text Ladybug, hoping she was available. You there, bugaboo?

It took her a moment to respond. Lunch break’s got 15 minutes. What’s up, kitty?

You see the wedding chaos on the Ladyblog?

Yup, she answered. It’s not pretty. That will only end poorly.

I know. That ring’s a bad luck charm. Any ideas on how to shut this chaos down?

My ring is not a bad luck charm!

The picture that followed showed a selfie with the top half of her head cropped out, but clearly showed her red lips tilted up in a smile and black, fitted shirt—or it could be a dress—with her ring on a chain that rested right at her breasts.

I have to hide it down my dress front or people will ask, but I want to wear it. It’s from you.

Adrien’s heart pounded in his chest, his stomach full of butterflies. Honestly, there was nothing more he wanted at the moment than to take that woman in his arms and kiss her senseless. She wore her ring in public. That gave him hope that maybe their engagement wouldn’t be too long. That maybe she was considering sharing her identity with him sooner rather than later. Though he’d happily wait for her, he wanted to make her his wife already.

That warms my heart, bug. He typed out, not knowing what else to say.

XOXO I love you, kitty.

I love you more.

Not possible.

Totally possible.

Back to the wedding chaos, she typed, because you aren’t going to win this one, do you have any plans, or is this all on me.

I’ve had that ring for three years. I win. And of course, it’s not all on you. Your partner is more than happy to share the burden.

There was a long pause for her response. Three years?

Adrien grinned. Yes. Do you want to know the date, because I remember it vividly.

Another pause. I don’t know why I’m surprised. This is you. You’re extra.

Because it’s YOU and YOU deserve it ;D

How’d I fall for you?

Well, you came flying through the sky one day and fell on me. You tell me.

You’re such a dork.

YOUR dork.

I regret accepting your proposal.

Adrien sniggered, knowing how much she meant that. Says the woman wearing the engagement ring I gave her on her neck.

Another silence. Uh oh. I might have to jet early.

Go. I don’t want to hold you up.

Sorry, kitty.

He then got two photos in rapid succession. One of her fingers pressed to her lips, and the other of her blowing something off her hand.

He smiled. She was blowing him a kiss.

Love you! I’ll be thinking of what to do about the wedding thing when I have a spare moment.

Quickly as he could, he took two pictures making a show of catching that kiss and holding it against his heart. Love you too. And don’t worry too much about it now. We can figure something out later.

I’d just like to nip this in the bud. She shot back. GTG TTYL.

ttyl

Adrien set down his phone, stupid smile plastered on his face. No, it wasn’t exactly a productive conversation, but it certainly lifted his spirits today to see his Ladybug. Particularly when she was sending him photos.

He reached for his phone again, opening the app just to look at the two pictures. He saved them, setting the one of her blowing a kiss towards him as his home screen wallpaper. He’d love to set it as the lock screen one, but considering no one knew about her yet, he just couldn’t take the chance of someone seeing

A knock came from his door, startling him, yet he called out “come in.”

He was surprised to see Marinette there. He had to do a double take, seeing her red lips and black dress that looked a little too much like his lady.

“We have a problem.”

Adrien completely deflated. “Wonderful. Just the words I wanted to hear today.”

“You think I wanted to tell you?” she asked, giving him a curious once over that was almost quick enough to miss.

“Probably not because it sounds like it’s going to be more work for you,” he said, ignoring it.

She scoffed. “You got that right. Follow me?”

He sighed, then stood. “Why not. I didn’t have enough bad luck today. Let’s go.”

  8. Homework

“Called us in to help with homework, huh?”

Ladybug turned around to see Rena Rouge approach with Carapace not far behind.

“Yeah,” Ladybug said. “A certain reporter caused us some serious trouble.”

Rena sniggered and tossed her hands in the air. “Guilty as charged. But in my defense, I didn’t think that it would cause as big of a stir as it did. Specifically, in Paris’s sudden ‘let’s throw a wedding for them’ desire. And you know my rules—”

“If we don’t want it on the Ladyblog, do it out of the suit,” Ladybug said, recalling that specific conversation with Alya.

“Exactly. So, sorry if Chat’s gonna propose in camera distance on the freaking Eiffel Tower.”

Ladybug sighed, rubbing her eyes. “No, it’s… You’re right. We were stupid. Frankly, neither of us were thinking at the moment.”

“So, the proposal was a spur of the moment thing?” Rena asked, looking rather excited at the prospect.

Ladybug leveled Rena with a glare. “Off-the-record?”

Standing like a soldier, Rena held up her hand. “Off-the-record, will not hit the blog.”

At least Marinette could trust Alya with that. “It started as us joking around and then all of a sudden, Chat’s saying things like ‘yeah, well, I actually have a ring’ and I was in shock and didn’t believe him, and then he was all ‘yeah, I’ll go get it’ and next thing you know… well, you were there.”

Rena squealed, doing a little happy dance. “Ugh! My ship is sailing. I couldn’t be any happier unless I was getting married.”

Ladybug snorted as she glanced over at Carapace’s face. He shot her a wink, not knowing that she was the woman he came crawling to not two days ago begging for help ring shopping.

“So, you and Chat are actually getting married?” Rena asked. “Like, soon? Or…”

Ladybug shrugged. “We don’t know. We really just… don’t want it to be a hazard or an event that Lila or Mayura can take advantage of. The important thing is that we shut it all down. We’ll marry in private.”

In that moment, Chat and Queen Bee arrived.

“About time,” Carapace teased. “Thought I was gonna be the only guy here.”

“Sorry for leaving you to the girls,” Chat teased back, giving Carapace a fist bump. If Ladybug were being honest, as much as she loved having Chat to herself, she could tell how important it was for Chat to have a bro-friend. She bet he and Nino would get along swimmingly in real life. Heck, Chat would probably get along with Adrien, too. From the sounds of it, Chat needed as many solid friends and as much support as he could get in his life.

“So what’s the big deal?” Queen Bee sassed. “You and Chat can have the wedding, we patrol it, and by the time that any serious problem arises, you’re both happily married. So you may not be able to go on a honeymoon or anything, but I could help plan a getaway in or around Paris for you. Close enough, right?”

Ladybug never knew how to read Queen Bee. She had such an attitude and didn’t seem to know what a filter was, yet it was clear she cared. Sometimes, Marinette wondered if she could possibly become friends with whoever Queen Bee was in real life like she was with Alya or Nino. “Yeah, but what about the people who gather for the wedding? Wouldn’t it be best to just stop this so there isn’t some large conglomerate of people for Butterlie to attack?”

“Who said anything about there being anyone attending that wedding other than someone to broadcast it?” Queen Bee snipped, shocking everyone in attendance. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to let anyone near you when you and Chat were getting married? It’s called ‘a safety hazard’. You and Chat are famous. If there were people actually in attendance, you’d have to pull the whole police force to keep the crowd down and the crazy fans away. Puh-lease. That would just be a mess. No. It’s best if you just figure out where to hold a wedding, have the Ladyblogger broadcast it because at least she knows how to be respectful of the fact you’re getting married and won’t be yammering or trying to swarm you the moment the wedding’s over. Simple enough.”

There was a shocked silence on the rooftop. If Ladybug were being honest, she wasn’t exactly sure how to process this. She was expecting them to come up with reasons to not have any wedding, yet…

“That’s genius!” Rena cried. “And we could hide the location and everything until the last moment and not have to worry about anyone. I never would have even thought of that.”

“Exactly,” Queen Bee said with a proud smile. “None of you know what it’s like to be famous like I do, so of course I’d come up with a solution.”

Ahh, there’s the Queen Bee we’ve come to know and love.

While Rena and Queen Bee started duking it out with Carapace reluctantly getting in the middle to separate the girls, Chat sided up to Ladybug. “So, it sounds like our plan to talk people out of throwing us a wedding is a bust,” he whispered.

“Queen Bee won’t let that go, will she?” Ladybug said.

“From the sounds of it, Rena won’t want to, either.”

Ladybug hummed. “So… we’re getting married, it sounds like.”

He chuckled, resting his chin on her shoulder while his hands fell on her hips. “You make that sound like it’s a bad thing, bug. You were the one to accept that ring, after all.”

“That’s true,” she said, shifting a half step back closer to him. Besides, it wasn’t like they had to get married in real life yet. This was all a show. Make the public happy, raise morale. Have a little fun in doing it.

Chat kissed her cheek. “I think maybe we should break that up,” he said, motioning toward the fight Carapace was literally in the middle of now.

“For Carapace’s sake,” Ladybug agreed. “Yeah, we probably should.”

[irwinkitten]

c.h | look what you taught me

requested: surprisingly, yes. you guys really wanted this pairing: calum hood x reader notes: so thank u, next (it’s linked in the source!) had such an overwhelming response like honestly i never expected it and i love you all for it. originally i was going to leave it there, let you guys come up with your own happy ending. however, after the week i’ve had, it got me thinking and i got inspiration and tadaaaaaa! props to @boytoynamedcalum who was the original muse for thank u, next warnings: none word count: 3k

---

When Calum took the leap of faith, late on that November night, making the promise to Y/N and the stars that he’d be the man she believed he could be, he was scared.

She’d somehow wormed her way into his heart and suddenly the subtle shift wasn’t so subtle anymore.

He’d always been the observant one, watching others and keeping himself at a distance. Staying at a distance meant he wouldn’t get hurt. But later that night, when they’d come in from lying under the stars, their bodies cold as they tried so desperately hard to warm up together, he asked her.

“When did you realise you loved me?” He almost hoped that she would say from day one, that she would prove him right and that he was safer to protect his heart.

“The night you came over, on your week off. You’d just finished tour but you still came for pizza and wine as well as bad movies. You’d given me the softest grin when I’d said goodnight and I realised that you’ve only ever given me those smiles. I know your smiles, Hood. You have one for the fans, and one when you’re on stage. They often collide, it’s your happiest, doing what you love. There’s the smile you have just for Duke and your brothers, one that literally lights up your entire face.”

He felt speechless. He was observant, but clearly she was as well.

“The smile you have for your family, it’s different to the one you have for Duke and your brothers though, your entire mood changes and you’re positively beaming. It’s like you can’t be unhappy around them.”

Swallowing the building lump, he let out a shaky breath a he pulled her closer. They’d climbed into her bed the second they were warm enough, but she was still pressed against him, claiming that his body warmth was much better.

“And what about my smile for you, then?” Her lips curved into their own smile at his question, almost like she’d been waiting on him to ask that.

“It’s soft, a side that you don’t let others see. Even before you realised, I could see that it was filled with such warmth and love that it took my breath away when I realised I loved you. And I loved it when you gave me my smile. A smile that holds a thousand words but it boils down to one feeling.”

And despite the discomfort of his gut twisting, he pressed his lips against hers, a soft, slow kiss.

She’d known but she’d waited for him.

“What would you have done had I never realised? Never considered?” He murmured softly. Her light was now off, they’d been trying to get to sleep, but his mind was still running so fast, so many questions, so many ideas.

“I would have resigned myself to loving my best friend, and breaking my heart a few times before at least, trying to move on.” She finally admitted to the darkness.

His arms grew marginally tighter before he felt her shift and suddenly her fingers were running through his hair, nails gently scraping at his scalp and his entire body relaxed.

“I can hear your thoughts, Hood. Get some sleep and we’ll talk more in the morning.”

It wasn’t much later before he was out like a light and she followed soon after.

It had been difficult to adjust to the relationship at first. He wasn’t sure how to act before she’d laughed and straddled his waist whilst they were sat on the couch together, the action shocking him for a brief second before his hands rested on her hips, her lips already against his.

“It means we still do what we did before, but I can do this.” She’d whispered before kissing him again.

With the extended time off, he tried to keep it as normal as possible. Joining his brothers when they went out drinking, doing the last few shows of the year.

She still came to say goodbye at the airports, promising him that she’d have food and wine for when they returned. They never seemed to go further than a hug that seemed to be held on a few seconds longer though.

But Calum was okay with that.

She was not necessarily his secret, but it was his life that he wanted away from the scrutiny of cameras and fans. And she didn’t complain once.

If anything, she felt relief because she had seen how ruthless the fans could be. When she’d been brought into their friendship group, fans immediately went on the defensive and it had taken her weeks to pull away from the negativity.

And it became easier over time.

But this step in their relationship, she knew it would be met with hostility, no matter how many people saying they looked cute together. It was a hostility she wasn’t ready to deal with.

But the boys noticed how their hug lingered.

Only when the flight was up in the air and she was heading back home, did they finally ask him.

“So have you gotten your head out of that self-loathing pit of yours?” Ashton commented quietly. It last a late night flight, most of the other passengers having already fallen asleep, but the four of them were still awake in first class, quietly talking amongst themselves.

“What do you mean?” Calum knew what Ashton meant, but he wasn’t about to say it out loud. He wanted to know what they had guessed.

“Have you two kissed yet?”

Different kisses filtered through his mind as his lips twitched and Ashton grinned.

“Knew it. How did it happen mate?” This had Luke and Michael’s attention.

“Wait, you finally kissed her? About damn time.” Michael muttered and Luke snorted.

“Hold up, how long have you guys been waiting for something to happen?” Cal stared at his three best friends incredulously.

“Months mate. Ash cottoned on first.”

“Cheers Mike, throw me under the bus.”

“Wait, you guys knew she was in love with me? Why didn’t you say anything?” It had been one thing for her not to tell him, but for his brothers in all but blood, he felt hurt.

“You weren’t ready to hear it, Cal.” Luke soothed quietly, seeing the annoyance on his bandmates face. “You would’ve shut her out and we weren’t prepared to make it worse for either of you. So we figured if you hadn’t done anything by New Years, we were going to try and push you both to at least admit it.

And the hurt dissipated.

They were only looking out for the both of them.

“The first night we got back off tour.” He finally spoke, his voice soft.

“Huh?” Came the eloquent response from Michael, making Calum smile.

“It happened the first night we got back from tour. I was restless so I went to visit her. She’d been looking after Duke anyway.”

And so he told them. He told them his epiphany and the following kiss that he’d shared with her.

But for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to tell them about how they’d lain under the stars and whispered their promises to each other and the world. That was their moment, no one else's.

His friends were beyond happy for him, promising to keep the newly discovered relationship quiet for both his sake and hers.

They loved her too.

Performing the show, he’d never felt so alive. Knowing she was watching him, all the way back home when it was ridiculously early.

He wondered if this was a feeling he could bottle up to keep for the days he was always uncertain.

Going back home after their last show, it was a relief to fall back into her arms once more. It was comfort and he began to understand the sayings home is where the heart lies. And his home was her.

They struggled, like any couple would. They argued, they fought. Sometimes it was petty arguments that they’d end up apologising for, or it was a war of words that had escalated because they had let things sit and fester for too long.

But they were few and far between. It was rare that they got into a fight. The small arguments over the dishes, the washing, it was normal. It was almost always playful unless she was tired and he could see that she was struggling.

And even though people said a relationship should be 50/50, he knew on her bad days, he went the extra mile just to ease the day and she did the same for him. Because that was how they worked.

When they went back into the studio, their early nights turned into late ones, with Y/N falling asleep on the sofa, waiting for him. But she never minded. He was doing what he loved.

And as time and tours went on by, it became easier for both of them to adapt to his life on the road and the unpredictability of his life. But he made sure one thing was certain. Her.

The other three teased him relentlessly for it when they’d walk in on the two of them facetiming. Or the one time when he’d gotten drunk and called her, even though it was the middle of the night for her, he’d written a song for her and They’d laughed at first, but when they reworded the lyrics and found a beat, it became the first single of the following album.

It was as they approached the three year mark did he post anything that hinted to a relationship. And fans went nuts.

All he’d done was post a photo of their entwined fingers, her hand on top of his with no caption. And the boys made it a game to see how many people guessed right.

Surprisingly, only a few had guessed Y/N. Apparently she’d fallen out of the running of mostly likely to date him.

But it wasn’t until six months later when she posted a similar picture, but this time it was his hand on top of hers.

Fans put two and two together, but they never said much else.

It was a mixture of things that had him fall in love with her every day. He was an intensely private person, but around his friends, almost always he managed to talk about what she was doing, or what promotion she’d managed to get.

And as they became more relaxed about their relationship, a few more photos appearing here and there, he found himself enjoying the highs and lows.

As they began to approach their five year anniversary, he found himself thinking back to the year he’d met her, the heartbreak he’d suffered so bad that he stopped believing in love.

It was almost as if fate had put her there, to meet. And he wasn’t a big believer in that either. But when he thought back and reminisced. He was almost certain that their meeting was fates work, to remind him that love could be found, even for those who had been hurt by it so badly.

“What are your plans for the anniversary?” Ashton had come around for a quiet beer, away from the busy lives they led. It wasn’t often they needed to pull away from people and places, but Calum understood Ashton’s need to solitude, and offered it to his home that he now shared with her.

She’d all but moved in after the second year they were together and she hadn’t left since.

Knowing that she was at work, having to pull the graveyard shift, Calum didn’t feel worried about being overheard by her.

“Never thought I’d say this, but I’m planning on proposing.” He finally admitted and Ashton’s grin grew wider by the second.

“Mate, that’s incredible. What made the decision?”

“I was looking back through some of our older stuff, and I realised that there isn’t anyone in this world I want to share this life with. I shared it with her when she was my best friend and I’ve shared it with her since we got together. And I want her to know that it’ll be her every time.”

Ashton sighed happily.

“Y’know, I was worried about you for a while, after-”

“I know.”

“Let me finish, damn.” Ashton muttered with a huff. “I was worried about you for a long time. You seemed to find solace in the bottom of a bottle and it felt like I was watching you drown but I could do nothing to help. And after that party, just meeting her, I could see the change. You still struggled, but you let her help you.” Calum’s cheeks tinted pink.

He always felt a fleeting feeling of shame whenever he thought back to those days where he was a loose cannon.

“I don’t say it to make you feel bad, Cal. But you let her in. And fuck was I so grateful that someone was able to talk sense into you. You’ve done nothing but thrive and grow and honestly, she’s the same. You found each other at the right time and I really hope that you guys get to announce the engagement.”

At this, Calum just chuckled.

“Hold your horses there Ash, I haven’t even asked her.”

“I know, but anybody would be a fool to miss how in love she is with you and vice versa. Do you know how you’re going to do it?”

“Of course. I’ve been planning this for the last year at least.”

Their night continued before both retired for the evening, Ashton crashing in the spare room. She always worried whenever they’d been drinking with them and even with Uber available, having an overactive imagination was sometimes a curse. So their friends quickly learned that if you planned to drink over at theirs, they’d be sleeping in the spare room, just for her sanity.

When it got to their anniversary, Calum had insisted that she book the entire day and night off. To her surprise, her boss had given her the entire weekend off and when she told Calum this, the smile he gave her was full of mischief but she could still see the softer side to it, the side that was hers.

It was a quiet dinner together they shared in their home, the lighting soft which made the mood seem more romantic than she felt was needed, but loved nonetheless.

“Shall we go for a late night stroll?” He finally asked long after they’d had dinner and had been sat together, talking about everything.

The route was familiar, it was the same route they took so many years previous when he realised he loved her. He briefly wondered if she knew where he was taking her.

The city lights still looked as beautiful as they did all those years ago, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist as he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

“I love you.” Her lips curved into a smile and she turned her head, eyes meeting his .

“I love you too.” Came her reply and they stood there in the cool air, watching the city below them.

When they got back to their home, she went to pull off her jacket, but he smirked before continuing to pull her out to the garden.

A giggle escaped her as she pulled him onto the grass, tucking herself into his side once they were lay down, watching the stars.

“I remember the night that I realised my feelings for you, you told me how you come out to tell the stars your secrets and your promises. I knew then I was head over heels in love with you, I was just a dumbass.”

This made her laugh, her eyes crinkling as she pressed her face into his chest to muffle the soft giggles that warmed his heart.

“You promised me that you’d be the man I knew and believed you could be.” She recalls and his heart speeds up slightly. She remembered.

“And you helped me be that man, sweetheart. I have fallen endlessly in love with you and I’ve never been more lucky to have you in my life. So I want to make a new promise, since you helped me fulfill the last one.”

She hums an agreement, her head tilting to look at him. He’s wearing her smile.

“I promise to stand by your side no matter what. To love you, even when we’ve got greys in our hair and more laughter lines in our skin. I promise to continue being the man you believed I could be, the man that I am. I also promise to be the best husband I could be, if you’d let me.”

It took a second for the words to sink in before her eyes went wide as he plucked the small box from his jacket pocket.

“Marry me?”

Her lips were on his before he could even open the box, her hands cradling his face as he felt a few tears fall from her face onto his. But he didn’t care.

“Yes, a thousand times and more, yes.” She whispered against his lips and his heart almost burst from the feeling of joy and love he had for this woman in front of him.

As he slid the ring on her third finger on her left hand, he almost wished he could just imprint this memory to his mind for good. The way her hair fell as her forehead rested against his, small kisses shared every few seconds. The stay tears that were falling down her cheeks, but the smile so wide which destroyed any notion that they were sad tears.

“I make this promise, to always love you, and be the best wife I could ever be. To support you and cherish you, no matter how far apart we are. I love you so damn much.” She finally whispered and he smiled, a few stray tears of his own falling.

“Couldn’t have asked for a better future wife.” This made her giggle, his own laughter joining hers.

His future was set, all because of her.

---

tag list: @cals-babylons , @plainwhiteluke , @calumspeachy , @wrappedaroundcal , @holidayhood , @monsteramongmikey , @talkfastfletcher , @irrevocablylukes , @astroashtonio , @catchinqcalum , @plaidpantsluke , @qualitylu , @5saucewho, @babylon-uncrowned , @dontstopisagoodsongchangemymind , @therainydays4 , @asht0ns-world , @silverchainbee , @hidd3nfangirl , @doodleasouarus , @hemmomfg , @mylovehes , @songforhema , @kinglyhood , @youngblood199456 , @makecoffeenotwars , @5squash , @negative-love , @softboycal , @allltimehemmo , @you-of-ghost , @dannisos , @jane-ofalltrades, @meetyoutheremgc , @lmao5sosimagines , @lietoash , @aw-hawkeye , @biggestslutforcalum , @drummerboy794 , @itkindajusthappenedreally, @mycollectionofnuts , @coreybryanttrash , @abitloudforanaccousticset , @boytoynamedcalum , @teampreator , @dukehoods , @hoe4hemmo , @calumhampton , @sassy-asht0n , @toofadedtofight , @gigglyirwin , @blue-skies-are-alright , @hearts-to-the-sky , @tiddlerrr , @all-i-want-is2b-loved-by-you , @thesensationalcalum , @ashtxns-hxe , 

[imaginaryelle]

some meta thoughts

I was reading some meta by @crowleyraejepsen about Aziraphale’s neoliberalist tendencies (which is extremely interesting and everyone should check it out), and it got me thinking about the relationships between Heaven (and Hell) and Earth, and the relationships between angels and demons and humans, as presented in the book and in the show. Some of my thoughts are about the in-universe, world-building implications, and some of them are about the book’s function as a work of satire. So, here we go.

One of the big themes of the book is free will, and how important it is. It is, to a certain extent, what separates angels and demons from humans and what makes Adam centrally important. And I was always kind of confused about that, because angels and demons obviously make choices that go counter to their “nature.” Demons fall because of choices they make, and the idea that they’re predestined to fall is pretty… well it’s pretty dark. And I don’t think it’s really accurate within the world-building, even though there are branches of Christianity that go in for that sort of determinism. So the conclusion I came to today is that free will, in this sense, isn’t about the ability to make choices, but about how those choices affect a being and their relationship to different power hierarchies. Humans can make a whole myriad of choices about their own nature. A human can completely change their morality, their relationship to power, the way they live their life, etc., quite easily and in a very short span of time, without really affecting their spirit, for lack of a better word. There’s no divine retribution for changing allegiances, for humans, during their lifetime, and it’s implied that even once started down a path in a particular direction, they can still course-adjust at any time (take Hastur’s priest temptation, for example). But for an angel or a demon, those sorts of changes are literally and immediately catastrophic. And while there may be other options (as seen in Aziraphale and Crowley adopting a lot of human mannerisms and behavior patterns), the only real example either angels or demons have for “what happens when I change my relationship to power or morality” is the Fall.

From an in-universe perspective, I think it’s safe to say that no one can be sure that absolutely everything isn’t predestined. That’s why ineffability is mentioned so often, but it’s especially why (I think) it’s consistently mentioned by Aziraphale, and also possibly why Aziraphale collects books of prophecy. Because prophecy represents a potential insight into ineffability, and because, for Aziraphale, it’s entirely possible that literally everything, including which angels fall when, is predetermined and part of the Plan. But he can’t be entirely certain. He can’t know, for example, that he won’t fall if he makes a big enough change in himself. He can’t know that he’s not going to, no matter how many texts he collects. Not even Agnes can tell him. And so his relationship to the power and hierarchy of the universe becomes to defend and reinforce it, mostly out of fear. Fear that if he changes himself too much too quickly, if he questions the way things are going, he could very easily lose his entire sense of self. We can see this in his repeated assertions that he can’t question the Divine Plan, and his defense of Heaven’s tactics, despite any misgivings he might have on personal moral grounds (see, the Noah’s Ark scene and crucifixion in the show, the “freedom fighters” and guns discussions in the book, etc.). Anything is permissible, as long the right side is doing it.

Now, Crowely. From the book:

People couldn’t become truly holy, [Aziraphale] said, unless they also had the opportunity to be definitively wicked. Crowley had thought about this for some time and, around about 1023, had said, Hang on, that only works, right, if you start everyone off equal, okay? You can’t start someone off in a muddy shack in the middle of a war zone and expect them to do as well as someone born in a castle. Ah, Aziraphale had said, that’s the good bit. The lower you start, the more opportunities you have. Crowley had said, That's lunatic. No, said Aziraphale, it's ineffable.

Obviously, Crowley isn’t a fan of the Ineffable Plan, and I’d posit it’s precisely because he’s already fallen. Oh, everything is predestined but demons and humans still get punished? What sort of plan is that? A psychotic one, that’s what. And so it’s easier for him to challenge the idea of a Great Plan, even though it also challenges the power he is subject to in Hell’s hierarchy, because he’s more scared of immovable predestination (who is he, if even becoming a demon isn’t actually based on his choices?) than he is of retribution (though he is, admittedly, quite scared of retribution).

From the book:

“It’s not that I disagree with you,” said the angel as they plodded along the grass. “It’ just that I’m not allowed to disobey. You know that.” “Me too,” said Crowley. Aziraphale gave him a sidelong glance. “Oh, come now,” he said, “you’re a demon after all.” “Yeah, but my people are only in favor of disobedience in general terms. It’s specific disobedience they come down on heavily.” “Such as disobedience to themselves?” “You’ve got it. You’d be amazed. Or perhaps you wouldn’t be.”

This, in the same conversation where he’s trying to convince Aziraphale to help him interfere with Warlock’s upbringing. And then, after the fiasco of Warlock’s birthday party:

“You’ll be amazed at the kind of things they can do to you, down there,” he said. “I imagine they’re very similar to the sort of thing they can do to one up there,” said Aziraphale. “Come off it, your lot get ineffable mercy,” said Crowley sourly. “Yes? Did you ever visit Gomorrah?” “Sure,” said the demon. “There was this great little tavern where you could get these terrific fermented date-palm cocktails with nutmeg and crushed lemongrass—” “I meant afterwards.” “Oh.”

So from these bits I infer that both Crowley and Aziraphale are, somewhat, operating under a sort of low-grade fear a lot of the time (and we can relate this to queerness and otherness and marginalization in a lot of societies too, but that’s a whole other essay or three). Fear that the power structures they’re aligned with but don’t quite fit into ("I suppose--get off the road you clown--your people wouldn't consider--and the scooter you rode in on--giving me asylum?" / "I was going to ask you the same thing--Watch out for that pedestrian!") are going to topple down on them.

But what are those power structures, exactly?

One of the most interesting differences between the show and the books for me was actually the depiction of Heaven and Hell. In the book, I got the impression that they were both bureaucracies, but that Heaven was run more like a government military (with commanding officers and a very strict chain of command, etc, but the Final Authority is actually someone else) and Hell is more like feudalism, with its dukes and lords and, ultimately, king, or as an office environment, with the contract department, etc. Both have paperwork, but somehow it’s not quite as bad as human paperwork (Crowley had been extremely impressed with the warranties offered by the computer industry, and had in fact sent a bundle Below to the department that drew up the Immortal Soul agreements, with a yellow memo form attached just saying:“Learn, guys”). 

But in the show, Heaven is depicted more like a large, abusive corporation where the CEO is just never around so you have a rich, overpaid management team running amok doing whatever they feel like to enforce their influence, and Hell is … I’m not really sure what Hell is because the visual design evokes post-apocalyptic dystopian psuedo-anarchy generally governed by corrupt oligarchy. There’s probably a better word for it that I’m missing. Lots of concrete and closed in spaces and visual markers for poverty and imprisonment (possibly because, contrary to more medieval ideas, modern Christian-dominated society tends to relate poverty with sin and criminality--and as Pratchett observed in the guard novels, owning a slum isn’t a crime, but living in one very nearly is). There’s not an official set power structure (presumably, anyone can advance if they gather enough influence), but there is a hierarchy all the same.

Stemming from both of those depictions is a really interesting (to me) tangled bit of world-building, because there is absolutely no explicit in-universe reason Heaven or Hell should be set up this way. Why are Heaven and Hell such strict hierarchies? Out-of-universe it’s likely because the authors needed that structure in order to actually criticize it. The book’s discussion of religion and Church philosophy is pretty firmly based in a Western interpretation of modern Christianity, which makes sense because that's what the authors have experienced, and it makes sense also that they’d update the show’s depictions to represent more present-day reflections. But if you start with Eden, there’s two whole millennia (half the Earth’s in-canon existence!) before Christianity is a thing at all. (I’m focusing on Christianity here because that’s what the book does.) Did Heaven and Hell look different in those early times? Did they change alongside humanity? Or did humanity change to resemble the shape of Heaven and Hell?

Obviously the latter option is the one the Church has leaned into throughout history, but my theory is that that Heaven and Hell changed in response to humans. Looking at both authors’ other depictions of religion, human belief probably plays a strong role in how the Good Omens universe is actually structured. Which means that human society shapes everything. We’re not actually looking at a top-down hierarchy from day one, we’re looking at a representation of the cosmos that is constantly in flux for four millennia. Which then makes me wonder: Were Crowley and Aziraphale less afraid before, say, the crucifixion of Christ? There is certainly a stark difference between Aziraphale saying “I must have put it down somewhere, forget my own head next” (re: flaming sword and said to actual God) and the business with lighting candles and trying to appeal to a Higher Authority and then ... not really arguing when the Metatron disagrees with him. Did Aziraphale have different moral standards around social inequality before the consolidation of the Church in the Middle Ages, when (potentially) European politics and religion intertwined so closely that the structure of maintaining power on Earth (feudalism) became the new shape of Heaven and Hell? Were there periods when the difference between angel and demon were less rigid? There were obviously periods when more of them showed up on Earth more often (Gomorrah, Christ’s birth, etc.). So what changed? Because something changed by the time the 15th century rolled around and Crowley was getting commendations for things he didn’t even know were happening (Spanish Inquisition, in the book).

My personal headcanon is that humans decided demons and angels didn’t come to Earth much anymore. They started writing doctrine about how divine will was actually executed through Earthly representatives, like popes, and priests, and kings, and fostered social mythology that evil could get into your head and make you do things, even without actual possession, and that made it so. Not just in the structure of Heaven and Hell, but even in the structure of angels’ and demons’ minds. “Oh, there’s nothing more for us to do, really, but wait for Armageddon. The Big One we’ve all been waiting for.” Earth just kinda hums along on its own. No more big displays of power from visitors on either side, just that careful craftsmanship of a soul, if you feel like it. But Aziraphale and Crowley are still on Earth because they’ve always been there, and they are, by definition, Earthly representatives; they’ve had to adapt already, and now they have to adapt faster. Between changes in doctrine and population explosions, they had to learn to use humans more effectively, which means they had to think more like humans, and, on a certain level, become more human. They had to develop imagination, and ended up developing other things as well; Crowley develops compassion and morals, and Aziraphale develops vices and guile.

And then we have Adam, human incarnate, who believes things on scales beyond even what whole societies can muster up. And he “knows all about” Aziraphale and Crowley. And he doesn’t want an apocalypse. And he thinks people should start doing better when they’re alive, instead of waiting until they’re dead to sort things out.

What do you think Heaven and Hell look like now? How does that knowing affect Aziraphale and Crowley? Are they more human, with more ability to change than ever before? Or less? Can Aziraphale actually still fall? Could Crowley be forgiven?

It’s a whole new universe, when Adam’s done with it. Anything could happen.

[popwasabi]

“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” Review: Kaiju WWE Match Barely Rises Above Script

Directed by Michael Dougherty

Starring: Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Ken Watanabe, and Milly Bobby Brown

 The term “dumb fun” gets thrown around a lot when describing a film like “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.” It’s often a blanket defense to shield a movie of this kind from any legit criticisms as unnecessary because “you’re supposed to turn your brain off.”

While I’m certainly not against indulging in cheap escapism I feel this defense often misreads the quality of a “dumb” movie as there are tons of films with bonkers plot-lines and themes that still hold up to strong criticism. A movie can be dumb and still make sense and an action movie can still be bombastic without bludgeoning a viewer with poorly contrived plot devices.

(A large percentage of super hero films and the MCU as a whole fall under this category.)

While “King of the Monsters” certainly isn’t short on spectacle and dazzling visual effects, its plot is more than just a little half-baked; it’s raw as hell with little coherence that will do more to takeaway from the movie’s best moments than enhance them.

The dazzling, kaiju-sized action will be enough for a large percentage of fans I imagine, and certainly kept me mostly entertained throughout the two-hour, fifteen-minute run-time but it’s not enough to lift the final product beyond being just ok.

“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” takes place five years after the events of the first film as we are introduced to Dr. Mark Russell a former Monarch scientist who specializes in animal behavior and communication. Russell has fallen out with his wife and daughter after Godzilla’s attack on San Francisco tragically took the life of his young son but after an eco-terrorist group bent on reviving the other titans of the Earth kidnaps them both Russell is brought back into the fold to help save the world.

The one big takeaway I’m sure most fans can agree on after leaving the theaters is quite clearly the giant monster scenes are some of the best in the genre’s history.

(I mean, nothing against traditional dude’s in rubber suits, of course.)

The special effects team which combined some motion-capture suit acting along with stellar CGI creates hyper realistic giant monster movement while also hearkening back to some good ol’ fashion WWE style kaiju on kaiju brawling. Yes, again, the plot leaves a lot to be desired here but the kaiju action more often than not starts before your brain hemorrhages too hard from trying to make sense of character motivations and thematic messaging.

Though I would’ve preferred less of these battles in the dark and/or rain the cinematography does create some truly awe-inspiring moments that will wow even the most uptight of viewers. It’s truly impossible not to find some joy in these scenes and for most die-hards fans this will be more than enough to satisfy.

(Me often times during the battles in my theater seat.)

Unfortunately for this die-hard the screenplay is lacking to say the least.

First, before I continue, I want to make something very clear; I have no problem with a film being “dumb.” More specifically I don’t have a problem with it being “unsophisticated.” A film like “John Wick” for instance is not a very sophisticated movie. Hitman loses wife, then dog gets killed so he goes on a murderous rampage to avenge both. The difference is despite “John Wick” having no art house message to tell at least you are never confused and/or irritated by the messaging and motivations of the characters in that plot and it never distracts from the meat of the film which is of course the action. 

Many of Godzilla’s Showa era films (which this movie mostly pays homage too) are like this and they work fine because again the plot moves the story along in a simple but effective way without detracting from its best parts, namely the Kaiju-sized wrestling matches.

“King of Monsters” unfortunately mostly fails on this level.

(I can honestly say the same thing about “John Wick Chapter 3″ as well but I’m not going to get into that today *sigh* but hey pew, pew!)

About a third of the way through the film the plot’s wheels spin wildly out of control and the mostly cognizant story up to that point goes up in atomic flames. You’ll spend more times asking questions than just sitting and enjoying yourself and it’s a real detriment to an otherwise spectacular giant monster throwdown.

The film largely wastes the talents of a hugely talented cast because of this between Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Milly Bobby Brown and Ken Watanabe. All of them do well with what they have to work with but the script really needed far less characters to work efficiently and unfortunately the acting talent here alone is not enough to lift a script that has very little clear direction. Character motivations and pathos seem to be dropped at a whim and the film’s final moments contradict a lot of the plot movement from earlier in the film.

(The ending of this film in a nutshell...)

Again a plot doesn’t need to be sophisticated to be good but it should AT LEAST make sense and work with the action, not against it.

There’s some interesting world building here and there but large sections of it are inexplicably and quite literally blown to smithereens on occasions and it will make you wonder if there was more fascinating story layered underneath it all.

Despite my gripes I would say it’s still mostly forgivable how bad the story is because of the aforementioned kaiju brawling but there is one unforgivable moment in this film and it symbolizes a much larger issue I have with the American interpretation of Godzilla.

(SPOILERS ahead)

Godzilla is often viewed in a pretty straight-forward manner by most fans; he’s a giant, fire-breathing reptile here to wreck cities for two hours and not much more than that. For the longest time I mostly saw the big G-man in that way as well and for what it’s worth I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying Godzilla films on purely a superficial level. After all, a large percentage of Godzilla’s filmography is largely schlock.

(Fun schlock, of course.)

But eventually as I got older and grew more into my half Japanese-American identity my view on Godzilla became a lot more nuanced especially after seeing the 1954 original without the American re-dubbing and editing.

If you haven’t seen the original Japanese “Gojira” do yourself a favor and give it a watch right now. The 1954 classic is a masterpiece of post-atomic bomb era story-telling in Japan and at the time a long overdue allegorical discussion of what happened during WWII in that country. However you may feel about the use of the atomic bomb to end the war you cannot say that the results weren’t horrifying and tragic and its radioactive aftermath is still felt in Japan today.

In the US radioactive waste creates super heroes like the Hulk, Spider-man, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In Japan it creates Godzilla, a monster that is less a force of nature as these newer films describe him as but more the embodiment of dread, a vengeful God looking to bring about Armageddon to the sinful world. It played on very real fears about the hydrogen bomb and the escalation of weapons of mass destruction at the time and its message is still relevant.

(The 1954 film is not meant to be “dumb” and/or “fun.”)

Now, I don’t have a problem too much with changing Godzilla into a super hero for this series. Afterall, the Showa era films it largely takes inspiration from depict Godzilla mostly in this light anyways but if you’re going to do that you can’t go slapping the face of the darker, more vindictive “Gojira” and its theme in the process and it does that in just one scene.

About half way through the movie, Godzilla is duking it out with King Ghidorah off the coast of Mexico when the US military gets involved by unleashing their brand new weapon: the Oxygen Destroyer. Those who have watched the 1954 original know this as the weapon that eventually kills Godzilla.

Those that understand the original will probably see why I find this scene unforgivable.

The use of the Oxygen Destroyer in the original 1954 film is not supposed to be a triumphant moment even when it kills Godzilla; it’s supposed to be a dark moment that gets to the core messaging of the film’s story. The Oxygen Destroyer represents the next level in mass destruction in the movie; a weapon more powerful and more terrifying than the atomic bomb that created Godzilla. Its creator Dr. Serizawa (who is NOTHING like the Serizawa in this series) is reluctant to use it because he understands what terrible power it carries and what it might do in the wrong hands. In the end he sacrifices himself and his research by purposely detonating the weapon along with himself to kill Godzilla.

The way this weapon is brought up and tossed out immediately in this story feels like a cheap fan servicey moment that winks at the audience going “hey remember the Oxygen Destroyer?” It is both shocking and frankly a tone deaf and fundamental misreading of what that weapon is supposed to represent in the larger Godzilla canon.

(What I felt like doing to the writers after this scene in the film...)

It might seem small to other fans but it really speaks to how America has misappropriated Godzilla each time they have gotten their creative hands on him to fit a comfortable narrative regarding weapons of mass destruction. Just watch the dubbed version of the 1954 film and you’ll understand what I’m getting at.

It’s extremely problematic, even it represents a tiny moment in the larger and again confusing plot of the movie and would’ve been better off left on the editing room table.

(Thank you for baring with my mini rant here if you read this far...)

It should be said that I don’t hate this movie, however, warts and all. The kaiju-sized action set pieces make the price of IMAX largely worth the money and I certainly enjoyed it more than the 2014 film at least. I feel “Kong: Skull Island” is a superior modern monster flick in almost every way but as far as cheap escapism goes you could do far worst “King of the Monsters” at least.

But the plot’s often baffling, confusing and problematic choices unfortunately keep the film’s best parts from being enough to rise above simply mediocre and that’s a real disappointment.

I’m still waiting for a truly satisfying high production value take on Godzilla but given the fundamental misreading of the big guy’s much more nuanced background by Hollywood perhaps I should stop looking to the West to figure it out.

Welp. At least there’s always “Shin Gojira”…

 VERDICT:

3 out of 5

Hopefully Kong adds some much needed charisma to this franchise once he gets his big ape hands on Godzilla...

[renaroo]

Wednesday Roundups 7/6/17

Wow I had a lot to read and I still managed to turn it out faster than I turn out about 90% of these which I’m not sure if it’s a reflection on my reading and writing skills getting better or if I was stressing out over doing these way too much in the past. 

Regardless, we have quite a variety this week and still seem to be celebrating Wonder Joy so let’s just get into it~

DC’s Batman, Creator Owned CBLDF Defender, Marvel’s Spider-Man/Deadpool, DC’s Superman, IDW’s Transformers: Lost Light, DC’s Wonder Woman FCBD, DC’s Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor, Viz’s Yona of the Dawn

DC’s Batman (2016-present) #24 Tom King, David Finch, Danny Miki, Clay Mann, Seth Mann, Jordie Bellaire

Okay, so I follow Batman at a distance because I’ll be completely honest: Tom King absolutely lost me with the Gotham and Gotham Girl plot because I just could not get into it, and it annoyed me, so I’ve been hands off with the title for the most part, a decision I only double downed on with the Catwoman debacle and my correct assumption in King really relying too heavily on TWISTS. a

.... 

But I absolutely picked up this issue because even if nothing in my thinking brain believes, at all, that this will be allowed to change the status quo between Bruce and Selina...

I love BatCat so much you guys.

He proposed. And I bought it purely for those pages.

I have to emphasize it was for those pages alone because I could not have cared less about Claire and Bruce’s conversation because I’m just so tired of how many people there are in Gotham and how this conversation would have been so much more meaningful if it came from Kate or Dick or Tim or Cass or Duke or Harper or Damian or Julia or Luke or Jean Paul or Leslie or -- THERE ARE SO MANY BAT CHARACTERS THAT ARE NOT BEING USED TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL RIGHT NOW DAMMIT.

The conversation itself is kinda stuff we’ve heard before, and while I like how it tied in thematically it just wasn’t in me to not criticize the fact that it’s coming from the current OC of the Day. 

Anyway. 

I came for the BatCat and I was happy for it even if it was basically only three issues and I had to deal with grown artists making Gotham GIrl’s skirt incredibly short while she was in weird positions for most of it. 

So. That’s my take on that.

Now I can write 3 million fics about how this could be wonderful and that Helena Wayne gets to grow up with all her siblings and be loved by the world. byyyyeeeeeeee

Creator Owned CBLDF Defender Vol. 2 #2 Marc Adreyko, Gene Luen Yang

So this is mostly just an addition at the last minute both because it’s free and because it’s, well, an information brochure about uniting to subscribe or pledge money to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for all those who have been encouraged into activism thanks to recent events and the collective consciousness surrounding events like last year’s Pulse nightclub shooting.

It’s a good idea and it’s pro-community messaging speaks to me. I’d like to spread awareness for people that these voices are out there and that if you’re interested in providing support you can check out this particular brochure on Comixology for free or google at your leisure.

Marvel’s Spider-Man/Deadpool Vol. 2: Side Pieces Scott Aukerman, Gerry Duggan, Penn Jillette, Nick Giovannetti, Paul Scheer, Joshua Corin, Reilly Brown, Scott Koblish, Todd Nauck, Tigh Walker

Okay, so... I like Spider-Man/Deadpool’s first arc... but it’s pretty much exactly like Trinity over at DC and it’s spiritual predecessors Batman/Superman and Superman/Batman in that, outside of what’s honestly a pretty stellar initial premise, there is not a whole lot of plan behind where the comic wants to go for the future. 

So you get a whole lot of different creative teams and no cohesive narrative or direction for the comic to go. 

But I guess that really brings into question what makes ongoing comics work and whether or not th idea of “hilarious monthly team ups of Spider-Man and Deadpool without a point, and assumedly without continuity consequences” is enough to work. 

And as someone who honestly really enjoys one-shot one-and-dones, that’s honestly a pass for me. 

But at the same tim... I mean there’s a reason I have both Spider-Man/Deadpool and Trinity on trade wait status now. 

The whole is not equivalent to the sum of its parts, but honestly it’s got some genuinely funny and worthwhile parts as it stands. And I appreciate that. 

DC’s Superman (2016-present) #24 Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi, Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, Mick Gray, Joe Prado, Wil Quintana, John Kalisz

You know, sometimes being a comic fan is kind of like reading the newspaper more than reading a narrative story. 

For me that’s kinda what this issue felt more like, I was getting information on where all the characters had moved since last time, the motivations, some backstories. Slight progress and movement in the form of an update on what happened to Lois and getting to see her still kicking Clark’s ass in gear despite his concern for her injury, which I liked, but overall this issue mostly felt like filler for the final moment where we see Jon fall completely into the control of Manchester Black. 

Who... is a big whooping plot hole I am stil waiting to be addressed. Clark remembers Manchester Black from the New Earth continuity still and the “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?” and knows about the Elite, but do they know about him? Or are they completely different from the Super Elite we knew? Are we going to get a Justice League Elite mention (which good god please spare me, though I’ll take Sister Superior). 

This is one of those cases where I feel like my overly extensive knowledge of things in continuity actually puts me at a disadvantage to actually like... reading and taken things for granted. 

I want things to make sense, or I want enjoyable Kent family shenanigans. 

But this issue did have Krypto so, I automatically add a star to it. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. 

IDW’s Transformers: Lost Light (2016-present) #6 James Roberts, Jack Lawrence, Joanna Lafuente

Look, sometimes I think it’s important for critics, reviewers, readers, what have you, to bea ble to say that they’re confused and don’t know what emotion to feel or whether or not the comic accomplished exactly what it wanted to and I’m just. Like. 

Yes that is my emotion at the moment.

A lot of stuff happened in this issue. Like lots of crazy, out there, amazing stuff was packed into a single issue and it’s like, there were panels where you’d blink and you’d miss important character development notes -- like Ratchet hugging their Rung once they got back. Like there’s so much good -- Rodimus had a lot of amazing moments throughout and I love the range of humor to anger to disappointment that he showed. Like his trust and faith in others is already pretty shattered at the moment and to feel Megatron’s apparent betrayal adding onto that is like a million times more stuff. I fear he’s nearing a very dangerous ledge, which is bad because this issue also tells us that Rodimus’ death wish and lowkey desire to put himself in dangerous positions to die heroically is still as prominent as ever. 

Someone hug my trash fire of a son, please.

And then magical girlfriend romance bringing back her girlfriend as a baby and it’s kinda weird like is it still going to be the same Lug? Does Anode acknowledge that it’s weird? Is anyone going to point out that they could feasibly use protoform matter now to resurrect anyone whose spark remnants are available now? Including Skids and Ravage?

what is going on

Anyway. 

There’s a lot packed into this issue which is why I am honestly kind of happy that next issue’s description is a “fallout” from this because holy shit, I need room to breathe and think through things.

Also. Dat smile when Megatron heard Optimus’ voice in the epilogue-ish finale. I like. Maybe had a fangirl moment. Just maybe. 

Anyway. I’m shrug emoji right now until I can get my emotional state sorted out because wow there’s a lot at the moment. Like a lot. A lot a lot.

DC’s Wonder Woman FCBD 2017 Special Edition (2017-present) #1 Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott, Romulo Fajarado Jr.

Like last week’s Wondy special, this is a reprint, but it’s a reprint of the first issue of “Year One” which still holds up as the far superior of the two starting Wonder Woman titles from Rucka last year and is amazingly well held up...

...save of course for the exact same criticisms as the last time I went over the issue which is Dead Bro Walking trope and a whole lot of Rucka Why???? that comes attached to the really bizarre treatment of race in the first arcs of the series. It’s just so bizarre.

But honestly, again, these moves are meant to attract the new, excited audience after the box office smash that has been the Wonder Woman movie -- an audience that has been largely female of all ages. And if there’s one free comic I’m glad will show up immediately on their google searches this Wednesday, I’m very glad it’s going to be the start of what has quickly become my favorite standard bearer of Wonder Woman’s origin story. 

Something I appreciate even more after having finally read the entirety of Azzarrello’s Wondy run which. Eck. Wash my mouth out. 

DC’s Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor (2017) #1 Tim Seeley, Christian Duce, Allen Passalaqua

So this addition to my pull was kind of unexpected in that I had no idea that it was coming out this week and thought “why not” because I’m literally still so Wonderfully Pumped Up a the moment and as far as I can see, the more proceeds DC and WB can see attributed to Wonder Woman the better.

That being said, Tim Seeley really dug into his Grayson roots in this one because that’s about the only thing I really got from this issue is that Steve Trevor’s a badass secret agent with secrets and a deep seeded guilt thing. Which kinda felt like a harsher toned take on his Dick Grayson more than anything else. Which is fine.

Part of the problem here is that I did not read the New52 short term published book that was A.R.G.U.S. or whatever where Steve starred during the weird interim where Steve was not allowed around Diana and Lois wasn’t allowed around Clark but DC still wants to make money from fans anyway.

idk. And since those kinds of spy books are rarely my cup of tea, I don’t think this issue sold me on renigging on that instinct.

Still it was cute and Diana and Steve’s interactions, while minimal, are really the driving portion of his narrative which I think is always good.

But, just like the Annual, I’m left just sitting here going “why don’t we use this opportunity to show off the upcoming Wonder Woman creative team, DC????”

And I get no answer bc DC actually doesn’t care about some weirdo random blogger on the internet constantly screaming at them.

Viz’s Yona of the Dawn (2009-present) Vol. 6 Mizuho Kusanagi

I have actually been very interested in Akatsuki no Yona since I saw its anime show up in my Crunchyroll feed, and as with most anime I can’t help but immediately try to find the manga instead because I am impatient and want Answers Now. As I understand it, the Viz official translations are far behind the current run of the manga (makes sense, as the manga series has been ongoing since 2009 in Japan), and is only catching up to where the anime left off so far, but that’s more than okay for me right now.

Because oh my gosh, it’s so amazing to read such a beautiful story about the growth, empowerment, and pure will of a female character as told by a female author and artist. I’m not the biggest fan of Shoujo as a style of art, but having Yona strike a balance between beautiful and cutesy visuals with what is ultimately a fairly action driven plot with intense moral posturing and constant detail put into the grayness of life’s choices makes Yona of the Dawn honestly unlike just about any Shoujo I’ve read before. 

Yona is one of the most compelling heroines I’ve ever seen, and her intensity of spirit and her meaningful examination of her kingdom makes this fairy tale story really unlike anything else out there. 

And while I’ve really enjoyed Yona to this point, I have to say it is an amazing relief to reach Volume 6 an finally get more female characters than just Yona. I like the reverse harem appeal of the cast as it has been so far, and I have affection for several of the boys, but man is it so much more meaningful to have a few more compelling female characters backing up Yona in the representation department.

Especially since some of Yona’s crew still feel... a little bland to me. It’s usually not a good sign in a massive cast when the traits that come immediately to mind for me are purely character design. 

I’m excited for what’s to come and to see how our Princess fully realizes her potential as the Crimson Dragon. 

Also I should note some skeevy parts of this. One I don’t mind but am sure other people might, there’s the fact that Yona’s current storyline is dealing with Yona taking down a ring of human traffickers and slavers, which brings up the question of autonomy both for Yona as a woman in this honestly pretty traditionally sexist kingdom but also for the Dragons themselves and how their “service” to Yona is framed as a question of their own will. But it’s still a story about human trafficking and that could bother a lot of people. Another thing in this volume, which has bothered me in the previous volumes but really came to a head this time around, is Hak’s... weirdly possessive outbursts toward Yona. I get that they are meant as... idk protective and romantic to some and that we’re supposed to be compelled by his struggle to not show his affection for Yona, but honestly I’m just kinda... naw hoss. Like Hak’s a fine character and I like his relationship and history with Yona most of the time, but like.. the weird pushing her against walls and... licking honey off of her wrists and just. idk. We’re lost in translation here or something bc I’m not a fan.

I’m also not a fan of Viz’s weird changes in the font randomly throughout the book? Like just stop. It’s bad when your translations look lazier than the fan translations I’ve seen floating around on tumblr.

I’ll be honest, as high quality as I consider almost all of these comics this week, I would say the good majority of them did not give me a fully emotional experience or really captivate me in a way that satisfied me from start to finish. And I’m sure in the follow up issues to come there’ll be a lot for me to question into why that might be for the majority of them, but that time is not now. So, as much as it may feel like cheating to pick a volumed book over single issues, I can’t help but say that Yona of the Dawn by far is my pick of the week. It delighted, it changed up its structure and storytelling, built out its world and has started spending more time on the titular characters where before it often felt like we were just taking for granted that there was a dragon gained every volume. And Yona herself is just one of the most satisfying characters to see grow into their own. 

But that’s just my opinion, I’d love to hear what you all think. Agree? Disagree? Think I missed a great comic this week? Please let me know!

[fantasysportsbrain]

Scott Fish Bowl Strategy #SFB7

I'm in the Rafiki division this year, and I'd love to paint for you a picture of how it went and what I was thinking every step of the way.  I seem to have employed a unique strategy, and I'll explain every bit of it.  I also tweeted "Assante Samuel, Squashed Emmanuel" after one of my picks.  Crickets.  It's an NFL-themed ode to Rafiki.  Right?  Anyone? Okay, so if you are unfamiliar with Scott Fish Bowl or not up to date on what is going down this year, let me bring you up to speed.  It is one mega-league consisting of sixty 12-team leagues... so 720 total teams.  Most of them are owned by industry experts, pundits, and writers but there are is a healthy number of selected fans in there too.  You can win your league and you can also win the whole thing out of 720.  It's kind of crazy. For scoring, the big change is points for first downs instead of PPR.  And bonus points to tight ends.  The biggest thing strategically is that it is best ball scoring so the computer will assign your best lineup after the games are played each week and you'll get your maximum score. For rosters, there are 22 players but no trades and no waivers.  So with a fixed roster and best ball scoring, the (held in July) draft is everything.  Each week your top 11 players will score for you.  No kickers or defenses.  Your top 11 must include one quarterback, one tight end, two running backs, and three wide receivers.  That's seven.  The last four are flexes.  One of those flex spots can be filled with any position, including quarterback ("superflex").  The other three can be any non-quarterback. My pick in the Rafiki league ("The Brain... has returned."  Anyone?) was number eleven.  That meant no David Johnson, LeVeon Bell, or Ezekiel Elliot.  No Gronk (bonuses to TE's). No Aaron Rodgers since superflex makes quarterbacks so valuable... Pretty much every team will want to start two every week because QB's score the most points.  (Even a bad QB will outscore a great RB most of the time.)  Anyway, #11 also meant no Shady, Devonta, Melvin, Brady, or Antonio Brown.  I'll get back to what I decided, but first... Let's talk strategy! QB:  I want three of the top 18 quarterbacks.  I see Joe Flacco at 18 and he had a million pass attempts last year and they added Jeremy Maclin... after Flacco I just don't trust any of those dudes.  If I get three of the top 18 and they all have different bye weeks I'll always have two studs starting at QB and superflex.  Plus, you know, injury insurance.  This is a massive advantage which is why I listed it first.  Lots of guys took two QB's early and a couple of guys, mysteriously, only took two total.  Only one other drafter (in Rafiki) had the same strategy here - Derek Yoder from Fantasy Pros (shoutout... give him a follow @Derek_Yoder_FP).  In fact Derek was even more aggressive than I was, going QB in rounds 2, 4, and 5.  Might have been overkill, but the thinking is strong. TE:  I'll talk about this second since the bonus points made this position buzzworthy.  I think it was a little too much hype, though.  I'm not sure bonus points on first downs will make those TE's in the #13-#24 range that much more valuable (if at all) than WR's in the #37-#48 range or RB's in the #25-#36 range.  Incidentally, if you're wondering about those number ranges I'm using them because those are the top 12 'flex-ranked' at each position... With one TE, two RB's, and three WR's as mandatory starts, your top flexes will be in this range.  It also shows you how scarce top options at RB and WR will be.  Those mandatory starters need attention, as does the one TE here.  My strategy is to get a dependable top 10 guy who looks like a reliable safety outlet for 1st downs for a young QB... and then wait until late to scoop some upside guys.  I've got a few late picks in mind who give reason for optimism. WR:  I want two studs and then to fill in that third spot and probably one or two flexes with some high quality tertiary options.  I was surprised to see so many great WR's fell in the draft so regularly.  More on who I picked in a minute.  Even with two every week starters I felt like I still wanted to invest in three or four fill-in guys who provided really good upside.  Remember, one of these guys must start alongside my two every-weekers and I'm also counting on one or two as flexes.  I've got three regular flexes to fill.  With my RB strategy (more in a moment) I expect to get one to pop each week and then start two WR's... or maybe a backup TE has a nice week instead.  Options. RB:  Okay, well, see... this is sorta where things get a little dicey.  With the top six RB's off of the board I felt like I'd be reaching a bit at #11 and #14 if I went with the venerable RB-RB strategy (still my preference in most redraft leagues).  I'd be taking Jay Ajayi and Todd Gurley.  Or maybe Isaiah Crowell.  Point is, I like those guys but I don't love them as my team's foundation.  Also, I started thinking... Running backs get injured a lot.  Backups are cheap.  Also, many teams have a 1st and 2nd down back getting a bulk of the carries and then a 3rd down back catching passes for 1st downs... which means bonus points in SFB7.  Also, a lot of those backup RB's are also the regular 3rd down option.  Hmm... Maybe I could grab a whole bunch of these guys and let best ball scoring take it from there.  I only need two to start each week.  Usually those mid-round WR's will outscore mid-round RB's anyway... and with the way WR's are devalued here I should be able to get some I can count on. Kicker:  Haha... just kidding.  We don't need no stinkin' kickers. Putting it all together:  Okay, #11 rolls around and I go Julio Jones.  Even without Kyle Shanahan calling the offense I still see a guy in his prime with a great quarterback.  And I'm not scared of Austin Hooper or Taylor Gabriel snagging too many of his first downs.  People seem to be scared of his most recent foot surgery... but it was to remove a bunion.  I don't worry about that.  Looking at ADP, this was a bit of a reach... so we'll see... but Odell Beckham, Jr. at #14 was a steal.  So, I get the #2 and #3 WR's in the whole league.  Since I decided to go away from stud RB's and instead take my two WR's (and top two QB's... stay tuned) this was as great outcome.  I did think about Drew Brees at #11 and I had hoped for Ajayi at #14... but I'm pretty happy with it.  Ya gotta start three WR's each week so this is an exceptional foundation.  I expect to go with four or five most of the time. And yeah, I went QB-QB with the next two.  Kirk Cousins and Philip Rivers.  I am not a Cousins fan but his production has been really good two years in a row and I really like the additions of Perine and Pryor.  Rivers... well, who can argue?  His track record is exceptional and his weapons are incredible.  I also wonder what playing in a 30,000 seat soccer stadium will do for on-field communication, if anything.  Can't be a negative.  His draft value is suppressed for some reason, but I continue to like him. I had to address RB at #5.11 and I went with Carlos Hyde.  Controversial pick, that.  I don't love it myself and hoped to grab Joe Williams later but missed out.  At #6.02 I got at TE that fit my strategy perfectly in Delanie Walker.  I don't love Walker at age 32, but he fits what I'm doing just right.  Good value on both of these guys, too.  At this point I still feel naked at RB, I need my fill-in WR's to go with the big two, and I've got to invest in QB3 real soon.  And it's 20 picks until I go again.  Tick tock. Guys I considered start flying off the board...  Christian McCaffrey, Paul Perkins, Eric Ebron (already?), Mark Ingram, Doug Martin, Dalvin Cook, Sammy Watkins, C.J. Anderson, Pryor, Spencer Ware... it's a bloodbath. Pick #11 has one advantage though... you can watch #12's roster and pick your #11 pick accordingly and take an educated risk on who will still be there for the even round #2 pick.  So, I got my QB3 here in Flacco.  Some might say it's a reach but my strategy was to lock down a top 18 QB as my QB3 and I knew I had to invest.  On the comeback I get Ameer Abdullah at #8.02.  Ugh.  RB is a wasteland... maybe the other teams will stop drafting them? Hey, maybe!  Only three RB's go off in the next 20 picks.  Including Derrick Henry and Bilal Powell... I might have drafted them.  We also lost out on David Njoku who I was hoping to get later.  So, at #9.11 I got Samaje Perine which I see as excellent value for an RB3.  At this point I still need a whole bunch of RB's... but I feel great at QB and at TE plus I've got my ultra-stud WR1 and WR2.  Another RB is a good idea but I'm going to start 4-5 WR's most weeks... and they can't slip forever... and I really like Stefon Diggs... and he's great value... and the next best RB is Danny Woodhead or Matt Forte... so, okay... Diggs at #10.02. Not a whole lot of damage in the next 20 picks...  We lose out on Garcon and Kareem Hunt, but overall it's not too bad.  With #11.11 and #12.02 I grab Duke Johnson and C.J. Prosise who fit my 3rd down running back + backup starter strategy pretty well.  Okay, well, Duke for sure.  People hate the Browns but that o-line is amazing.  And they'll be facing a ton of 3rd-and-7 type of situations.  With Prosise, he does have two guys in front of him but he did pretty well as a rookie and he'll be the 3rd down guy most of the time.  Good value here I think... especially at RB4 and RB5.  I'm starting to build a stable of guys who could pop any given Sunday.  I'm thinking I'll start three each week (well, between the minimum of two and probable max of four).  I'm thinking that the flexes will usually be one RB and two WR's with room for upside RB's and TE's. Okay, 20 more picks... waiting... waiting... John Brown, Joe Williams, Quincy Enunwa... not too bad.  Though it does show how thin the talent pool is getting.  I seriously considered Brown over Prosise but figured there were a lot of WR's in this tier and Prosise has some upside any given week. I looked at the #12 roster (Alec Snyder from Fantasy Jocks - @FantasyJocks) and saw that he didn't have any TE's yet.  I feel pretty solid with Walker, but I remember from my research in writing the Buffalo Bills preview for the RotoWire magazine that Charles Clay really turned it on late last year and the Bills are very thin at the 'pass-catcher' positions.  Look at his game logs... In weeks 15 and 16 combined he had 15 receptions for 157 yards and three scores.  Both of those weeks would have made it into my flex spot, so at #13.11 he provides good TE insurance and potential for flex-worthy weeks.  I may have sniped Alec here, too... since he went with back-to-back TE's with the next two picks.  At #14.02 I took Kenny Britt.  He's big, fast, is a #1 WR, and went over 1,000 yards last year in an arguably worse situation.  At #14.02?  Yes, please.  So, I've got my WR4 (finally) and one who sets a pretty solid floor as a probable starter.  In the 14th round.  Not bad!  People really hate the Browns, but do you remember how good Pryor was last year? I just went two more rounds without adding to my group of RB's though.... which isn't great.  I thought the pick of Clay was justified and Britt as my WR4 in the 14th is fantastic.  If I'm going to count on my WR depth I can't wait forever... but what havoc will happen at RB over the next 20 picks?  Jonathan Williams, Thomas Rawls, Marlon Mack... some good ones went down.  I wanted Mack. I settled for DeAndre Washington at #15.11.  He fits my strategy pretty well, especially if he can out-snap Jalen Richard this year.  Oakland has an amazing o-line so this is a nice get for RB6.  He could pop a flex-worthy week at any time.  At #16.02 I get Zay Jones.  Okay, so back to that thin Buffalo receiving corps... Jones is just a rookie but he led the NCAA in receptions last year and he's really just battling injury-prone Sammy Watkins for targets.  And, say what you want about Tyrod Taylor, but he's at least competent and he's behind a solid o-line.  I'm willing to bet he looks Jones' way quite often this year.  Not a bad WR5, especially in the 16th round. My next two picks were risk/reward plays in Giovanni Bernard and Allen Hurns.  Gio has to get healthy but he has obvious upside.  Hurns needs to bounce back from a down year but he was really good in 2015.  Upside.  The big thing here is that I can see either one of them getting a flex start for me at some point.  I would actually prefer to see Gio start the season on the PUP, come back fully healthy, and perform like Gio in the second half. At #19.11 and #20.02 I took TE3 and TE4, both with some upside.  Jermaine Gresham and Vance McDonald.  And, really, with all of the emphasis on TE's I'm pretty surprised to see them still around this late.  Both got sizable contracts in the off-season (especially Gresham) and both have undeniable talent.  Gresham, like Clay, was really good down the stretch last year and is still reasonably young.  The Cards don't like throwing to the TE, but they changed course a bit late last year, paid big to keep him around, and it is possible that Carson Palmer will regularly look to him at the 1st down marker.  It is rumored that McDonald might not make the final 53, but with his contract I don't buy it.  In real-life football, he's actually one of Brian Hoyer's best options.  Certainly he is a big target for first downs, even if they will be scarce for the Niners. With my last two picks I wanted RB's that have some sort of story that could put them in a position to get touches.  Orleans Darkwa is behind Paul Perkins plus rookie Wayne Gallman, but he's been running with the 1's in OTA's.  The coach has had nice things to say.  So, I think he's worth a flier in round 21.  Andre Ellington in round 22 is interesting too...  He's largely failed as an RB so far in his career and they tried moving him to WR, but they ended that experiment and Ellington is still listed at #2 on the depth chart behind David Johnson.  Does he get the #1 job in the event of an injury?  Will he see action on 3rd downs?  It's a good gamble in the final round.  The bottom line with these late-late-round guys is that I can see a situation where they have a flex-worthy week for me. Post-mortem:  Okay, the RB's are scary... but I did what I had to do.  I couldn't grab a super-stud so I took nine guys who all have a chance to pop at any time.  My favorites are Perine and Duke Johnson... though I did start with a couple of interesting picks in Hyde and Abdullah.  This is unquestionably my Achilles heel, but I did grab nine guys so maybe in a best ball format the bulk of options will make up for the lack of quality on top.  I only require two per week.  I'm set at quarterback, including bye weeks and the occasional down week by any of the three.  Cousins is a top fantasy QB, but if (when) he has one of those 227 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT types of games the computer will just best-ball-plug-in both Rivers and Flacco at QB and superflex.  This is a huge advantage.  At WR I'll start Julio and ODB every week and then one of Diggs, Britt, Jones, or Hurns.  Should be okay.  At TE I'm set with Walker but in case of a down week I get Clay or Gresham who both showed signs of studliness last season.  For my three non-super-flexes it's likely to be some combination of Britt, Jones, Perine, and Duke Johnson with the occasional pop from Prosise, Washington, Hurns, Clay, or Gresham.  I have a bulk of guys with defensible narratives that show a path to flex-worthiness.  I avoided handcuffs and guys with difficult paths to playing time, especially rookies or big injury risks (with the exception of a super late gamble on Gio).  I feel like this is a flexible lineup that can weather injury storms and has enough upside depth to keep me chugging along through 16 weeks. via Blogger http://ift.tt/2tjvUiA

[itsayrewolf]

Good Saturday morning, at least I think its morning. Finding mornings a real gas burner, since have no TV right now. A account safu with Sparklight, so doing lots of other things like reading online, since that, and writing are the only things online with CenturyLink’s REAL SLOW bandwidth, it’s not speed all though for things Interweb I feel the need for speed, but since it ain’t oh well. The dorks in the bean counting sales department of CenturyLink, as well as engineering departments can’t get it together to get me the horsepower as of yet, so we can go doing radio. FYI, can’t do that since Marci and Erik Johnson of Twin Falls who held the clubs radio gear in ransome which is completely against the law. The law says its a civil matter not yet a criminal matter. Which I’m firing back with a law suit, of $12k, a day, for the past year come December 1st when we got tangled up with them. I thought since they were aviators, that they’d fly with us better. The thing that tweaks me the worst? They still have my videos, both DVD and VHS, plus old Bessie our trusted heart of KTOW. $500,000.00 k ought to awaken their step a bit don;t ya’ll think. So turned to former Bishop of our Church, Brent Nielson.  Who because he was my Bishop, was a conflict of interest in such proceedings, so the hammer hits and the race in the courts of our area on that begins Monday at 11:00 hours. Okay then. The KnyteWolf thing. Understand KnyteWolf is not a time of day or night when I’m active. Although I am nocturnal any way, but KnyteWolf, is an amalgamation, between or joing together, of the Knytes-of-Dixie/Hazzard County Knytes, and AyreWolf Aviation.  It’s about toews as well as a radio show. As such we launch as of this morning the KnyteWolf WolfPack, If you love Gearz, with Stacey David on MotorTrend TV you’ll be all wet with desire for the KnyteWolf WolfPack. Which is a fan Club, for the radio show, as well as our TV Launch in mid March 2020. . Okay next:

When we hear at Highway Hooker/Cooter’s Toewing, say Stink Toew is Us. It has nothing to do with huffing a womans smelly feet in nylons, although I have an acquired hankering for,like Brocoly, which as a kid you don’t lik it, but as our mouths and hunger appetites, mature, we accept it. Some even enjoy it, although I prefer, Okra, versus Brocoli. No, A stink Toew, or as I say it Stink toew, which I got from Heavy Rescue, 401. Jammie Davis said looks like a stink tow to him. What a stinky tow is, is; one of those towing/recoveries, that is much harder, than others. A rig overturned{which we specialize in} is a Stink Tow or Stink Toew. A rig burried in a snow drift. That’s a Stink Toew. I never conjured up the term on my own. For as long back as I can remember, a foot or and especially toe, or as I spell it, toew, was never meant to be a sexual fettish. Some french guy in DC, started a publication called PhooteNotes. Meaning news of towing. Later it became a tag we used, when the want ad classified publisher, started Tr-FootNotes. our industry has had this stigma, of putting feet and toes with our industry. So in my limited defense, why not use the offbeat humor of PhooteNotes, to make money. REAL CAse  for the cause of making money. When I first bumped into the idea of taking a snyde humoious joke of toes and tows was when off handidly, I tried to work that in with an ad for the TimesNews here, of toes and tows. Well, big Rick our native American bro, of the Knytes took a snap shot of me smooching his old lady’s toes. Yes she had pantyhose on, so Rick and the Club went one thing further, they contracted for a year of a billboard lease, and plastered that photo of me smooching his old lady’s toes. Being the business person I am I wondered how can I make that, make me money?  A few weeks later caught a ad on CH-6 out of Boise kissing a rich bytches hand in a bathroom, where he fixed the rich Bytch’s toilet. Saw a Yeller pages ad out of Star Valley Wyoming that read we don’t want your arms or legs, just your tows. Of course shortly after I colided with things Hazzard County-aka, the Dukes of Hazzard. So an intelligent producer worked up an ad where sweet Daisy, broke down in her Jeep, Cooter was called, and at the end of the ad, Crazy Cooter kisses Daisy’s toes. The tag read we Luv Tows. About 2009, I ran into a very sweet, gal at a dive in Bliss Idaho, who as it turned out was studying to be a Human relationship Counselor, aka a sex thearapist. The wheels started turning and we did a like run gig of a Dr. Ruth’s show. So one afternoon I was running on adrelinlin, like I am now, and mis-spelled tow as toe. So sweet Emme, said why not scrunch the words together, issmash em, and thus the word TOEW, and TOEWING was born. Nuff Said. So as I run out of fuel this morning thinking of bedding down on the floor again, although my Bishop, now got me a bed from DI, have no way to haul it home. Mini Wolf is down with an electrical malfunction, yes it’ll run as long as the battery stays up, trouble is if the battery pukes, so does it. Electrical fuel pump. Thank goodness LexiBelle, >(<} has a mechanical fuel pum, and no saftey switch which means a push and she”ll stay running up battery or not. Not so for Mini Wolf. [><] . Any mile, I need to drift off. More this evening. 

KnyteWolf Chronicles part 4 Good Saturday morning, at least I think its morning. Finding mornings a real gas burner, since have no TV right now.

[duaneodavila]

The FairFax Test

When Virginia Lt. Gov. justin Fairfax was accused by Vanessa Tyson of forcing her to engage in oral sex, it was close enough to the edge possible doubt that the “weighing of the equitites” that one could entertain the possibility that it didn’t happen.

After all, Fairfax was a black Democratic pol, about to replace ol’ Frank “Blackface” Northam, and suddenly, out of nowhere, boom, an accusation of sex assault appears where it was never raised before. That it wasnt corroborated has no legal consequence, but it allows us to escape the sense that it wasn’t of recent creation, whether in whole or in “realization.”

Why it wasn’t raised before, if it happened, is a mystery. When he ran for office, no one came forward. Why Tyson chose not to go to the police if it happened can be rationalized away with the usual excuses, but still raises doubts. The choice to do nothing could mean that she perceived it as consensual at the time, and only by a change in her perspective did it morph into an assault in retrospect.

It also meant that there would be no process by which Fairfax could challenge the accusation, leaving him open to accusation while denying him the due process to clear his name. He would be tainted in perpetuity, but not with certainty.

Then the second bomb dropped, two days after the Tyson “revelation.”

The woman, Meredith Watson, accused Mr. Fairfax of raping her in 2000 while they were students at Duke University, saying in a statement that his actions were “premeditated and aggressive” and demanding that he step down immediately.

What exactly did Fairfax do? Watson calls it “rape,” but that word no longer has meaning. She says it was “premeditated and aggressive,” but those are adjectives, not nouns. These are conclusory, not factual. What conduct does she claim Fairfax did?

The new accusation against Fairfax came from Meredith Watson, who said Friday in a statement through her attorney that she shared her account with several classmates and friends immediately after the alleged assault occurred. Watson did not speak publicly Friday, and her lawyer did not make her available for an interview.

And this time, there was “corroboration.”

As with Tyson, Fairfax has vehemently denied the accusation. But while people might, barely, have been able to get past a first accusation, the second has a geometric effect, even though a cold, sober view would be that it’s addition, not multiplication. It creates the feeling that there isn’t merely two independent, wholly unrelated allegations of misconduct, but what we have come to believe a rapist would do, rape again. Even if you can shrug  off one, how can anyone doubt two women?

Fairfax called Watson’s accusation “nuts,” raising that he wasn’t the first person she accused of rape. Watson’s lawyer turned it around on Fairfax.

We have heard from numerous press sources that in response to Meredith Watson revealing that Justin Fairfax raped her when she was a student at Duke, Mr. Fairfax has chosen to attack his victim again, now smearing her with the typical “she’s nuts” defense. He revealed that Ms. Watson was the victim of a prior rape. That is true.

…She left a campus party when he arrived, and he followed her out. She turned and asked: “Why did you do it?” Mr. Fairfax answered: “I knew that because of what happened to you last year, you’d be too afraid to say anything.” Mr. Fairfax actually used the prior rape of his “friend” against her when he chose to rape her in a premeditated way.

Fairfax may well be politically dead, as former Gov. Terry McAuliffe has called for his resignation, as well as the usual suspects. That’s the political position, rats leaving off the sinking ship or, as is now the norm, signalling their virtue. Politics is the expoitation of perception, not the ascertainment of provable fact.

Faced with everything he’s done in his life crumbling before him, his support gone, his future dead, Fairfax says he will fight.

Mr. Fairfax has denied both accusations and said Ms. Watson’s was “demonstrably false.” He vowed he would not resign.

“I demand a full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations,” Mr. Fairfax said. “Such an investigation will confirm my account because I am telling the truth.”

Whether a full investigation will serve that purpose is itself a curiosity. Investigations are preludes to trial, not trials. But as Fairfax will at most get a trial on articles of impeachment, which isn’t really a trial at all, he will never have the opportunity to test the allegations against him.

Before the Northam debacle, the name Justin Fairfax meant nothing to me. I’m neither his fan nor friend. But he comes into this morass without the baggage of a Harvey Weinstein, more like an Al Franken, who threw himself under the bus with the help of his closest friends.

The other day, someone raised the point that our hatred and fear of ex-convicts has created a world where they can never be allowed to rejoin society as happy, productive, law-abiding citizens after they’ve paid their “debt to society.” Forgiveness is returning to favor for the formerly incarcerated. It’s been out of favor for decades, yet we’re now pondering how we could have been so blind, so misguided, so hateful toward them.

Is Fairfax, who many assume to be guilty despite there being nothing but hearsay conclusory allegations against him, entitled to the presumption of innocence? The rhetorical argument against it is that this isn’t a criminal trial, that he will only “lose a job” rather than go to prison. This is the current fashion of rationalizing away principle in the name of expediency, just as we did with those “criminals” who were undeserving of a second chance, too risky to welcome back into society.

But the presumption of innocence isn’t merely a technical legal rule to be applied at trial, but a fundamental principle upon which our system is grounded. In most instances, one can’t prove a negative, prove innocent. So a choice must be made, whether to “believe” the accuser because that’s what fashion designers say is in style at the moment, or hold firm to principle because we will not allow a life to be destroyed unless and until an accusation of rape or sexual assault is proven by being tested in the crucible of an actual trial.

Fairfax will never get that trial. Now he won’t get that trial twice. Can we hold firm to principle, even if it’s nearly impossible to shake off the feeling that he did it? His accusers will never be tested, but we will. We are.

The FairFax Test republished via Simple Justice

[junker-town]

THE TOP WHATEVER: Georgia will destroy you without even reaching the 2nd page in the playbook

Ranking only the college football teams that absolutely must be ranked at this time.

AS ALWAYS, WE BEGIN WITH UNDEFEATED TEAMS THAT ACTUALLY PLAYED FOOTBALL THIS WEEKEND.

1. Georgia.

The best way to show the size of the giant asskicking pile the Georgia Bulldogs amassed in a 42-7 win over Florida: start with one small point. Jake Fromm, Georgia’s redshirt freshman quarterback, threw seven passes, not in one quarter, not in a half, but for the entire length of one regulation football game against a conference opponent and hated rival.

Unless you are Navy or another triple option team, let me tell you what throwing seven times in a 42-7 win means. It means one team beat the other team’s ass so badly, they didn’t even have to get up off the couch to do it. It means Georgia saw Florida getting Georgia’s last beer out of the fridge, and without really waking up, winged the remote control all the way across the house and into Florida’s temple. The remote control came flying back like the hammer of Thor, of course.

Note: This is the only superpower I can see any Georgia fan really wanting that doesn’t involve golf.

This meant that without even looking at the rest of the box score or watching the game, the Bulldogs probably ran the ball at will. (They did, for 292 yards and 4 TDs.)

It meant that at no point did the Georgia defense allow the Gators’ offense to change the pace. (They did not. Florida’s putrid offense flailed so badly that it might have contributed significantly to firing Florida’s head coach.)

I don’t think it’s just because they play in the burnt-out shell of what used to be the SEC East and are the last unvandalized mansion on the block. Georgia is 8-0 because it’s ridiculously disciplined, well-coached, and unlike a thousand other teams in the country, build around its ingredients.

The Bulldogs have two outstanding running backs and a young QB. Guess what they do? They run the ball with those two backs, block well, and don’t ask Fromm to do too much yet. The Georgia defense? Y’all, just watch how they read and react, and see what simple, systematic teaching can do to free up defenders to make plays without getting too deep in their own heads.

They’re smart. That’s a word the entire state of Georgia has a problematic relationship with, but the truth is that this isn’t UGA’s full potential. This is an intelligent, managed team playing clean, brutal football.

P.S. I don’t even think this team is much more talented than a lot of the teams they face yet. The bulk of what Georgia could be is still in the mail, growing in the weight room in the form of incoming recruiting classes and underclassmen. Doubt this, and ask yourself why Florida tossed Jim McElwain on the curb, free to a good home, and why Tennessee is going to rehome Butch Jones any day now. This is good, but there is much more coming, and everyone in the SEC East knows it.

2. Iowa State Wario.

Iowa State has two losses, so by the standards of the Top Whatever, they can’t make the undefeated rankings. But you know who can? IOWA STATE WARIO.

Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images

THEY’RE A-GONNA WIN

So much came together here:

the extremely smart hiring of Matt Campbell from Toledo

an historic upset of TCU in Ames, the second time an undefeated team has tussled with the Clones and come away bloodied

the decision made by this fan to not only dress up as the finest Nintendo character ever for Halloween,

but the EXCELLENT decision to wear that costume to the game and then onto the field in celebration

and the photographer, David Purdy, realizing the greatness of this moment.

3. Miami.

Tighter win than expected in a 24-19 victory over UNC, but remember: Miami is the kind of team where every game sort of comes out to 24-19, no matter the opponent.

The things to be concerned about remain the things to feel good about. The Hurricanes can’t run the ball, so they have to rely on QB Malik Rosier for production. Rosier put up 350 yards and two TDs in a win, so it continues to be a strength.

The Miami defense gave up 27 first downs to North Carolina, continuing a streak of allowing opposing offenses to move the chains on the Canes. On the other hand, the Miami defense forced four turnovers and is riding a serious streak of turnover luck, soooo ...

Here we are, pointing out that Miami seems to be 2017’s Lucky But Also Good Team, and that’s fine. Miami’s 7-0 and winning where it counts: on the scoreboard and in the standings. The Canes are not just good enough to make opposing coaches mad, but make them mad at the otherwise completely inoffensive Mark Richt.

Hmmmm... Guessing Mark Richt and Larry Fedora won't be sharing the holidays together.. #UNC #Miami http://pic.twitter.com/98YEaKvOpM

— Dave Ross (@drosssports) October 28, 2017

P.S. I hope Richt told Larry Fedora to “stay blessed.” That would be 10 times more infuriating than any profanity he could have thrown back at him.

4. Wisconsin.

24-10 over poor, poor Illinois. Warning: The footage below may be too erotic for some readers.

BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN‼️ @MichaelDeiter! #OnWisconsin http://pic.twitter.com/3ceKTVdsv3

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 28, 2017

You: Wisconsin’s schedule is weak, and they’re not overly impressive

Me: 8-0, and an offensive lineman reminded the world what real joy is. Also, no one has to worry about justifying a thing with Wisconsin. They win in the Big Ten Championship Game and they’re in; they lose, and they’re out, via some pretty comfortable justifications regarding that strength of schedule.

Also, why are you bringing up stuff they can’t control, and not appreciating the fine, fat-dude thuggery of this team’s excellence? All Wisconsin wants to do is drop that ass on other teams’ heads for four hours. Let them revel in their plodding greatness before tangling them up with the Ohio States of the world.

5. UCF.

Beat FCS Austin Peay, 73-33. It’s a cupcake game, but thankfully someone still believes in testing to see whether all the numbers work on the scoreboard. UCF is now the only undefeated non-power team after USF lost to Houston. If the Knights win out, they’ll be that team looking to blindside someone in a New Year’s Day bowl.

DID NOT PLAY THIS WEEK BUT IS PROBABLY THE REAL NUMBER ONE. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I DO NOT RANK TEAMS THAT DID NOT PLAY, ALABAMA FANS WHO WILL EMAIL ANYWAY

Alabama. Probably the best team in the nation, but also definitely on a bye. Nick Saban definitely spent it horsewhipping his staff into watching 70 hours of footage of LSU’s jet sweeps.

ONE-LOSS TEAMS TO CONSIDER FOR PLAYOFF-TYPE THINGS

Notre Dame. Disassembled NC State, 35-14.

This is a safe space. Admit how fun it is to watch Notre Dame lean on teams until they collapse. Talk about how satisfying it can be to watch Josh Adams run the ball. Okay, don’t talk about that one too much, because Irish fans will flood your mentions about how you’re not respecting Adams enough, even though you’re talking about how good he is? (I don’t know, the Yankees are out of baseball’s postseason, and Duke basketball has started yet, and they’re bored or something.)

It’s not aerial circus pretty. But beauty takes a lot of forms, reader, and it’s important to appreciate them all.

Blocking is fun too .. http://pic.twitter.com/QOy9j4rRWa

— Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool) October 30, 2017

That’s mean and admirable, but the real story is the Irish defense. They held NC State to a piddling 50 yards on the ground and harassed talented Wolfpack QB Ryan Finley into irrelevance for much of the game.

For those just remembering that they are Notre Dame fans: Talk about the underrated defense, and hold off on buying that Warriors jersey for a few weeks, and you’ll continue to pass as a Real Human Sports Fan for a bit longer.

Oklahoma. Beat Texas Tech, 49-27. Hopes Iowa State beats everyone for the rest of the regular season, frankly, and doesn’t care who knows it.

Ohio State. Handed Penn State its first loss in a 39-38 thriller. J.T. Barrett went 13-for-13 in the fourth quarter for 170 yards and three TDs and was evidently the best passer in the history of college football for a while. I can’t say for sure that Barrett in that game wasn’t the greatest quarterback to ever play football, and neither can you.

Clemson. 24-10 over Georgia Tech. Hey, QB Kelly Bryant seems to be moving just fine, and that’s nothing but good news for the Tigers’ prospects as they get back into the ACC and Playoff race.

Oklahoma State. Winners, 50-39, over West Virginia, and with Bedlam coming up this week, have a lot in their control re: further ambitions.

Washington. Ran the ball a whopping 58 times against UCLA in a 44-23 win because ... because they could? Yes, because they could. See all comments about Georgia above for what that means about a team in a non-triple option context.

Virginia Tech. If they want to startle some people after a workmanlike, 24-3 win over Duke, beating an undefeated Miami and taking control of the ACC Coastal this coming week would be the way to do that.

TEAMS THAT LOST THEIR FIRST GAME THIS WEEK. PUT IT ON THE TRAILER, TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE, AND COME BACK NEXT WEEK

TCU. A 14-7 loss to Iowa State in Ames is a way more respectable way to fall off the wagon than it used to be, TCU. Take some consolation in that, and the rest of your schedule, which should keep you in contention for all kinds of things.

USF. Don’t watch how USF lost this game 28-24 to Houston. Just know that the Bulls gave up a fourth-and-24 pass for a first down on the final drive, then watched Houston QB D’Eriq King run 20 yards untouched for the winning TD. BAD. IT WAS VERY BAD FOR EVERYONE BUT HOUSTON TO WATCH. LIKE A CAR CRASH YOU SAW COMING BUT COULD NOT SCREAM TO WARN ANYONE ABOUT.

Penn State. Not their fault they lost 39-38; played best college football quarterback ever of the week.

[thecameldances-blog]

Why Katlyn Nicole Davis "Suicide" with forced variables Is the saddest moment in U.S. History? This country has came a long way from when it was founded from its 13 colonies to its great 50 states and in only 2 centuries and a half to not only become a superpower but the number one superpower compared to other superpowers being older than a millennium. As I look back the reason why is George Washington's vision for America was the greatest thing to happen to human civilization since the Renaissance because now people were open to express themselves and share ideas and issues human had together George washington said why the hell now that man is civilized do we have to listen to this King who just takes our daily breads and sends his Dukes who basically can pillage or rape any woman they chose so after 250 years of being here and every human on earth dreams of everyday where rights are not granted but are guranteed and the little voicet is always heard whether it be a minority group or a single human being there voice is heard and this is the reason U.S. has became what it is today. Ok over this time this country hasnt been perfect us as human beings always make mistakes whether siding with the wrong country or abusing power over their own citizens due to economic panic and stress. This country went to war 20 years after it was founded due to not renewing a bank contract but came out with minor damages but still stride on.U.S. learned that although the Bank plays a major role in the economy they must be kept an eye on due to some of the bankers will choose greed of dignity  Then there was the Mexican American war where General Zachary Taylor freed Mexicans from tyranny people oppose this today but they didnt know that the Mexicans living in California through Utah were begging U.S. to aide then for decades on end to help them from unjust treatment and General Zachary Taylor decided it was finally time becsuse he couldnt bear another cry for help from them. U.s. learned from this that people living under tyranny are in need of aide just as much as the american citizen. Civil war where hundreds of thousands were killed but still this country survived also realizing all races deserve George Washington's vision for america. See man just became civilized 15000 years ago and its a learning process but if man isnt expose to the issues then he wont even bother thinking their issues to begin with. Then there was world war 1 which u.s. fought someone elses war and lost hundreds of thousands lives but u.s. realized that me and my brother will fight the opressing forces but if our cousins are being opressed is just as bad as if we are.  Then came the great depression when business took greed over self dignity and caused havoc on the economy u.s. learned we were just transcending from Colonials days 100 years prior and it wasnt about going out in the wild to hunt or gather wood it was the start of the modern world then world war 2 and korean and vietnam and Iraq wars which U.S. has fought and one I always admired about U.S. Wartime Generals they always proved that they actually took Self dignity over greed especially my favorite General in history General Mcarthur because his love for this country the way he went about the war and the fact he had a chance to ransack Japan for Billions if he wanted when they surrendered but he took Dignity of Self greed and honored the true American tradition and what it meant to him if that wasnt the case thrn General Mcarthur grandson wouldve still been the Emperor of Japan. All these wars hundreds of thousands of lives were lost as General Swharkopf put it 1 life loss is 1 to many and not to mention each life loss strikes tragedy in their families and burdens on their communities.  Then came 9/11 which effect every American but aftwerwards the United States reformed its U.S. Policy and reminded us that we are not invincible although we are strong willed. So why is it that Katlyn Nicole Davis tops all these as the saddest moment in U.S. History. The first is the story itself a 12 year old American girl commits suicide that alone will strike at any mans heart.:( Then everyone wants to know why Katlyn why did she do it. The media states she did it because her moma was a child abuser thats why she did it:(:(  before any real investigation could be inducted the news and media were coming out with stories on how the family had problems at home amd her being abused at home was a key factor to her suicide and she wasnt healthy. Katlyn for a 12 year appeared alright to me Her mom. Fed her clothed her and held her in her stomach for 9 months to my judgement katlyns mon took care if her dsughter better than most out there. Then bloggers all over the internet added insult to injury stating she did it because her moma was a child abuser and a whore.:(:(:(  The fact no one really takes bloggers as credible source but it wasnt just one it was a lot of them pointing at her mom saying it was because she was a whore. then add in the fact it was all recorded with her applogizing to god for her selfishness and even worst when she said i just dont deserve this I dont deserve to live immediately whrn i heard her say This i said aloud then none of us do Katlyn and after she commited suicide 10 minutes in you hear her moma in panic stricken voice yelling for her daughter to come home calling all her friends all in the background sound  and also the one that felt like my heart just was hit when Katlyns 5 year old brother AJ was heard  yelling for Ms. Katlyn to come home while her lifeless body was hanging from that tree. All you here is a little boys voice yelling KAaaTTLYYYYN See Katlyn was a victim of internet stalking and voice 2 skull which caused her to commit suicide it wasnt her moma. In between her saying Im sorry Everyone Im sorry everyone. You can hear a ssssss sound now in slow motion you can hear the elf noise of a older woman saying Soorrrey what i think happened is the fact you need 2 things for v2k to work elf wave sound and white noise. The elf wave is 1 to 40 and the white noise is the background noise which is important for the elf wave to catch onto the the white noise can be anything from car engine to fan or thunder or wind.but if the wave doesnt catch onto the white noise properly the wave sound will be louder than the white noise and thats what happened with the sorrrrey part in her video. She was a 10th generation 12 year old American girl needless to say she shouldve been on the U.S. top priority for defense. Again she was a 10th generation 12 year old american girl wouldn't you think that is what every u.s. citizen considers must be top of the defense list and with 52% of the u.s. budget spent on defense every year it should be a gurantee Katlyn would live her entire life forced suicide or not forced with 52% spent on defense their is plenty of money to protect her civil rights yet no one says a word on this and they ruled a 12 year old girl commited suicide due to negligence at home. Now put yourself in her moma shoes now I mean Katlyn looked healthy to me her moma took care of her but your daughter just commited suicide and everyone in the nation calling you a whore and a child abuser.This is the turning point of the United States downfall I gurantee it this is the moment I can really say after 250 years standing strong this country is going to shits. Katlyn Nicole Davis 10th generation 12 year old american girl your definition of Innocent and your definition of American pie taken advantage of by people with to much control and technology and no one seems to care.I shall mourn you until I die Katlyn you become my Virgin Mary of Phycological Warfare I will never forget you I promise in due time I will go to your hometown 20 miles west of Atlanta (Cedartown) find your moma and say my condolences for your daughter you were a good mom you took care of her may i put these flowers under her tree in the backyard and if she lets me i will go back their look up at that tree and say this Katlyn Nicole Davis O' Great blessed Virgin Mother of God protect me from my demons forgive those who have sinned Attract health abundance love and prosperity O' great blessed Virgin Amen put the flowers under your tree and leave Now I aint no christian or anything but thats what Katlyn believed in and I respect that all in thanks to George Washingtons vision for America. Maybe it started out in the Colonial days fueds between the Protestants and the Quakers but the his concept is the most beautiful concept now this is a fact every man for himself its a dog eat dog world out there and this country has a tendency to turn the other cheeck but i said to my self if you get played for your money or your honey then like Thomas Edison said quote "Its American Humor" needless to say some people go to far but on the end the its mostly the fools fault but that one piece paper brought man to common sense is George Washingtons Vision for America which is the Checks and balance that has been bestowed in the hearts of Men since 1776. Ok he just lost his house and his wife but in respect to the constitution let him attain his self pride and whatever self esteem he has left not in his namesake I aint worried about him but the in giving props to George Washington. See Colin Kapernick is a idiot not standing for pledge of allegiance no one cares Kapernick your a atheist a Quaker its not for that purpose in the nation of freedom of religion you can pray to anything you want but the pledge of allegiance is not about giving respect to god although god in my eyes is most important but pledge of allegiance is about giving props to George Washington for the greatest idea since the renaissance.To mankind: Katlyn Nicole Davis (Itzdolly) I never met you and oddly enough were exact opposite in the demographic scale of every demographic scale living on opposites  sides of the united states but I mourn your death everyday I miss you everyday and I love you I truly believe George Washington hung himself with Katlyn Nicole Davis This poor girls rights were completely violated and after it all no justice was served and injustice was added to the victims family:(:(:(:(:(  RIP Itzdolly Ms. Katlyn Nicole Davis the saddest moment in American history its not just her stalkers fault but its also my fault and and all 350 000 0000 Americans in this country Katlyns blood is on all our hands and we will all be punished from our greater power for this. It is if like everything Benjamin Franklin George Washington Andrew Jackson worked so hard for and stride on for 250 year of trial and error went down the drain sfter what had happen to Katlyn Nicole Davis, Why my dad struggled so hard in Fall of 1969 to get over with only $10 in his pocket. He had that immigrant hope of a better future for him and his family only deemed possible in the United States. My father who worked for Union Pacific for 23 years fathered 6 children and will add to the American roots. My name is Mohamed Saleh and I am a 2nd generation Arab American from California. I know the world is not perfect and Man struggles to survive everyday but the fact Katlyn had double coverage and yet she was taken advantage of the fact she was protected by the Constitution and the Unwritten rule in the hearts of men should've guaranteed her to live her life. I have 2 sons now and I hope 10 generations down the road I have a grand daughter here in United States that will have the free spirit and love that Katlyn Nicole Davis had. Katlyn Nicole Davis was a 10th generation 12 year old American girl your definition of innocent your definition of American pie. R.I.P. Itzdolly Feb. 20th 2006-Dec.30th 2016 Mohamed Asker Saleh