#Luscious Lindsay

[bcb-and-b-368-lindsay-road-40]

I'd like to check in with my mum & sister.

Flaky pastry, housepanthers, beer, asparagus, pea gravel, abiotic conditions, raised beds, and local economy.

[luucypevensie]

“If they had a kid” for James and Veronica?? 🖤🖤🖤

MY CHILDREN, THANK YOU RAVEN!!

Name: André Tony Owen

Gender: Genderfluid (he/they pronouns)

General Appearance: Inherited mom’s dark luscious hair, eyes are a lighter brown than hers, and has a grin that’s slightly crooked and gives them a roguish air

Personality: André is very charming like Veronica, but instead of making them sleazy, it makes them personable to anyone who knows him. He’s also hardworking like their dad, and drinks their respect women juice everyday thanks to their mom, aunt Lucy, and grandma Ella

Special Talents: Knows their way around a car, very good at basketball like their dad, and talented at numbers and business like their mom

Who they like better: André loves their parents equally; they have each taught them different things and he goes to them for different questions and concerns

Who they take after more: Honestly, André is an equal mix of James and Veronica, from James’ steadfast nature to Veronica’s engaging attitude. He’s very proud that he’s half and half of their parents

Personal Headcanon: André comes out as pansexual to their parents when he’s in middle school; though, both James and Veronica figured it out when they heard them gushing about both Stevie Nicks AND Lindsay Buckingham

Faceclaim: Lino Facioli

[faveficarchive]

JANUARY THAW

By CJ Wells

© 2003

Disclaimers: Xena and Gabrielle belong to those rather fortunate individuals‚ whoever they may be‚ that happen to own the rights to Xena: Warrior Princess. The only thing I’m gaining from them here is the personal satisfaction of toying with the characters in my own image. All other fictional characters named are mine.

Series Credit: The characters of this story originate from my Embrace/Freedom Conqueror Series http://cousinliz.com/fanfic/cjwells_te.html However‚ this story takes place in the present time. So‚ although technically it’s an uber‚ it’s not an uber in the same vein as most stories out there in the Fanfic world. The "Xena" and "Gabrielle" characters of this story are not simply modern-day likenesses of the TV characters‚ but rather‚ they have a direct connection with the Conqueror and Bard of my series. The mode of that connection will be duly explained within this tale‚ thus a thorough understanding of this story will be achieved only if the stories of the Series are read. If you haven’t read the Series before‚ I do hope that you enjoy it.

Story and Character Warning: This story will be presented in chapters. Unlike the preceding Series‚ the story will be told in narrative form. Also‚ because this story does take place in the millennium‚ the modernized versions of the characters have contemporary indulgences‚ both positive and negative.

Sex Warning: Lesbian. ‘Nuff said?

Profanity Warning: Some swearing‚ but nothing that rises to the level of an Eminem CD.

To all of my beta readers: Once again‚ thank you! You’re angels!

Comments and Feedback: As I have been on a rather long writing hiatus‚ and being that this is my first venture into uber territory‚ any and all are welcome and appreciated.

CHAPTER ONE

THE BANKS OF THE LETHE

I dream about Gabrielle and me. We are in a strange bed in a very unusual looking bedchamber. The bed is small and the chamber has dozens of lit candles and other strangely illuminated objects throughout it. Strange looking tapestries hang from the walls and somewhere from inside of the room‚ strange music can be heard‚ although there are no musicians present. It is as if she and I are in a different place and time‚ but it is definitely Gabrielle with me in that bed. She is lying on top of me and begins suckling my nipples before bringing her lips to mine. We begin making love. My entire body quivers at the feel of her pulsating sex upon mine. I grab the creamy backs of her upper thighs and let out a deeply throaty moan as I feel heat‚ moisture‚ passion. As we make love‚ the bed mysteriously creaks to the rhythmic movement of our bodies. Gabrielle then breaks the kiss‚ runs her luscious tongue across my lips and then looks at me with those sea-green eyes. "I'm coming‚ Warrior Princess‚" she says. "I'm coming." At that moment‚ climax hits her in the dream and me in my reality....

"What the hell was that about?" Lindsay whispered as she jarred awake from the strange dream. Turning on her side and tightening her thighs together‚ she allowed herself to ride out the wondrous orgasm. Once released‚ she relaxed her body and cocked her head over to make sure that she didn’t awaken her husband‚ Martin. Letting out a breath‚ she lay dazed‚ wondering about the dream. Why was I dreaming about having sex with a woman‚ she thought‚ and who is she?

Who is she?

* * * *

Rejeanne Piscard poured her coffee and wandered over to her living room window to raise the blinds.

"Aw shit‚ another frickin’ six inches‚" she groused as she noticed the fresh layer of snow on the ground outside. "I am so over this‚" she said as she turned on her TV to hear Al Roker’s confirmation.

Here in the east‚ look for temperatures that hover in the 20s. Parts of the Midwest‚ Minnesota‚ Wisconsin‚ and around the Great Lakes should expect four to six inches of new powder. High winds in the mountains and moderate temperatures are expected out west. San Diego will hit 74 today. That’s what’s going on around the country. Here’s what’s happening in your neck of the woods.

As the Today Show cut to the local meteorologist to deliver the bad news in detail‚ Rejeanne sipped her scalding coffee and contemplated her day. After five years with the Dell Valley Gazette‚ she was finally going to get her big break‚ covering the Alasdair Family Foundation’s annual fundraiser. It wasn’t just that the Alasdairs were the wealthiest and most philanthropic family in Dell Valley. Their fundraisers had been known to attract some of the most influential people in the state; people that Rejeanne could meet and interview. Coverage of the fundraiser would most certainly land a full-color front-page article. That would have the potential of being picked up by larger dailies‚ greatly increasing the circulation of the story. All this‚ and Rejeanne’s name is under the byline. As a smile crept across her lovely face‚ clearing snow off her car was no longer a burdensome prospect.

"Good morning‚ everybody‚" Rejeanne announced as she stepped into the main newsroom of the Gazette.

"Yo‚ Jeannie-P‚" replied Tyler Brunswick‚ the assistant sports editor‚ as he raised his hand for a high-five. "It’s caviar and cham-fuckin’-pagne tonight for you."

"You know that’s right‚ dog‚" she said as she slapped Tyler’s hand and brought her shoulder to his chest for a hip-hop embrace.

"You nervous?" he asked.

"No...uh‚ yeah... what do you think?" At that point‚ other staff members began grouping around.

"I think that you’re shittin’ your pants‚ Jeannie‚" chimed in Becky Schaff‚ the courthouse beat reporter. "If not now‚ you will be."

"Thanks for your vote of confidence‚ Beck‚" Jeannie remarked. "It’s very much appreciated."

"Hey‚ I’d be shittin’ bricks too‚ Jeannie-P‚" Becky said. "I mean‚ have you fully thought about who all’s gonna be there? Practically everybody who’s anybody in the state."

"I realize that‚" Jeannie replied.

"This is one of the biggest stories of the year‚" added Dennis Ruhl‚ another beat reporter. "Once you score with this‚ Jeannie‚ you can write your own ticket with the editing staff."

"Provided your story doesn’t flop to the point that they have to juggle tons of rewrites‚" Becky adds.

"Again‚ thanks for the vote of confidence‚" Jeannie sneered at Becky.

"Don’t sweat it‚ Jeannie-P‚" Tyler spoke up. "Just make sure you hobnob with Lindsay Alasdair-MacMahon."

"Why?" Jeannie asked as her eyes raised and her heart mysteriously pounded harder.

"Cuz she’s the finest white chick in this motherfuckin’ county... well‚ next to you‚ JP‚" he responded.

"You have such a way with words‚ my dear Tyler‚" Jeannie said as she wondered why the name of Lindsay Alasdair-MacMahon caused such a strange reaction in her.

In preparation for this very special event‚ Rejeanne spent most of her day attending briefings with the managing staff and the editorial staff. She also met with Douglas Linton‚ who would accompany her as the article’s photographer. But it was what she had to do before leaving the newsroom for the day that made her beam with excitement. Walking up to Doris Marks‚ the elderly newsroom receptionist‚ Rejeanne extended her right hand. In it‚ Doris placed the coveted Dell Valley Gazette Press Pass‚ her ticket into the fundraiser.

Gripping the laminated pass‚ she looked over at Doris. "This is really going to happen tonight."

"Yes‚ dear‚" Doris replied. "It is."

* * * *

Rejeanne stood in front of her closet dumbfounded‚ staring hopelessly at its contents. What to wear? What to wear?  she repeated in her head as she grabbed an outfit only to return it seconds later. After almost an hour of that futility‚ Rejeanne decided on the deep turquoise dress that she had worn to the newspaper’s Christmas party two years ago. It was probably the fanciest article of clothing in her closet and she rationalized that the color would perfectly accentuate her jade-colored eyes.

Before putting on the dress‚ Rejeanne was concerned that it no longer fit. She was convinced that‚ with what she’d had to deal in the last twelve months‚ she had put on weight. That last year had been really trying for her. Work had become increasingly stressful; her father‚ never a stranger to drama‚ had remarried and divorced for the fourth time; and she had learned through the grapevine that her ex of almost four years married a man. However‚ as the dress slid down her torso almost gracefully‚ she was instantly relieved that a crash diet would not be on her agenda for the immediate future.

Stepping over to her full-length mirror‚ she twisted her body so that she could get a thorough look at her backside. "Nice ass‚" she said jokingly to herself before sitting on the edge of the bed to slip on her hose. It was only moments after applying her makeup and jewelry that the doorbell rang. After running down the stairs of her townhouse‚ she peered out of the front door window and saw the smiling face of Doug Linton.

"Right on time‚" she said to the photographer as she opened the door. "Take off your boots."

"Sure thing‚" he responded as he bent over to unlace them.

"You want a beer before we head out?"

"Nah‚" he said as he wandered over to her kitchen table and sat. "How are you feeling?"

"Dude‚ I am wired for sound‚" Rejeanne announced.

"Maybe you should have a beer‚" Doug commented.

"Actually‚ I was hoping that you had something better?" Rejeanne asked as she sat at the table as well.

"As a matter of fact‚ I do‚" Doug said as he unzipped the chest pocket on his coat and pulled out a thick phillies blunt. "Already rolled and ready to go."

"I only need one hit‚ Doug‚" Rejeanne said. "I don’t need to go to this important function totally fucked up."

"I hear you‚" Doug replied as he lit the blunt‚ took a drag and then passed it to Rejeanne.

She took her smoke. "That’s good‚" she said as she stood up from the table. "I don’t want to jinx this thing."

Doug burst out in laughter. "What’s to jinx‚ Jeannie?" he asked. "Those rich assholes won’t even be looking at you tonight... not that you ain’t nothin’ to look at." Doug eyed Rejeanne provocatively in her eveningwear before taking a second long drag on his joint.

"You need to watch your double negatives‚ Doug‚" Jeannie said jokingly before putting on her dress shoes and the one full-length coat that she possessed. "Let’s go."

* * * *

The words on the page were not taking on any meaning.

"Lin."

She read the same paragraph for the third time and still‚ nothing. In fact‚ nothing from the last three pages actually registered. She wasn’t sure how much time had lapsed either.

"Lin."

What clouded her mind was the image of that woman from the dream that she had had several weeks before. The woman’s name was now a forgotten memory‚ as were her distinctive facial features‚ but the seductive voice‚ shoulder-length strawberry-blonde hair and beautifully tanned skin were still very vivid.

"Lin."

The orgasms that they both experienced... vivid was an understatement.

"LIN!!"

Lindsay looked up at the irritated expression on her husband’s face.

"By golly‚ woman‚" Martin exclaimed. "You were really daydreaming there."

Lindsay looked back down at the documents before her on her desk. "Yes‚ I guess I was."

"Have you reviewed the entire minutes from the meeting and the itinerary for the presentations tonight?" he asked.

"Sort of‚" she responded.

"What do you mean‚ ‘sort of’?"

"My eyes are tired‚" Lindsay said as she handed to Martin the documents that she had been trying to read.

Grabbing the documents from her‚ Martin sat down on one of the chairs that faced Lindsay’s desk. "What’s troubling you‚ Lin?"

"Nothing‚ really‚" she replied. "Perhaps I’m not really looking forward to tonight."

Martin chuckled. "Why not?" he asked teasingly. "This is your yearly family gig‚ Lin. I thought that you loved looking drop-dead gorgeous while all of the local snoots rub their noses up your fine Alasdair ass."

Lindsay’s shoulders tensed. "You needn’t complain‚ Marty‚" she fired back. "My yearly ‘gig’ also affords you the opportunity to check out your latest jailbait conquests. I hope that this year’s choice has her driver’s license at least."

Martin crossed his arms and smirked. "Who says I’m complaining‚" he said before rising and exiting the office.

* * * *

As Doug’s vehicle approached the valets standing outside of the main entrance to the Dell Valley Pavilion‚ Rejeanne regretted not taking her Subaru Outback. Although not a luxury vehicle by any stretch of the imagination‚ it would have still been a better representation than Doug’s rusty ’92 Chevy S-10‚ which stood out like a sore thumb amongst the Benzes‚ Beamers‚ Hummers‚ Rovers and limos that lined the arched driveway of the conference center.

Two young men stepped up to the truck. One opened the passenger door and helped Rejeanne exit the vehicle after she hastily grabbed her notepad and pen. The other opened the driver’s door. Doug handed the valet his keys after grabbing his camera bag from the exposed bed of the truck. "Let’s do this‚" he said to Rejeanne after extending his arm for her to take.

Walking into the massive pavilion after checking her coat‚ Rejeanne was almost overwhelmed by the sights and sounds before her. To her right‚ a string quartet performed. To her left‚ a full service bar provided beverages of every sort to event guests. Positioned in front of her was a gauntlet of people greeting the newest arrivals. Amongst the greeters were the mayor of Dell Valley‚ all of the town’s council members‚ four county commissioners‚ two state representatives‚ a state senator and all of their spouses. Rejeanne made it a point to introduce herself to each greeter and announce herself as the reporter covering the fundraiser for the Gazette‚ although the press pass was prominently featured hanging from a string around her neck. She didn’t specifically ask for any quotable comments from any of the politicians‚ but rather made mental notes of the more interesting quips from them. As Rejeanne spoke‚ Doug snapped away at everything and anything around him that was remotely worthy.

When she reached the end of the gauntlet‚ Rejeanne initially looked out at the massive congregation of guests talking‚ dancing or eating hor d'oeurves. But then she looked to her right and her eyes fell upon the person of Lindsay Alasdair-MacMahon. After moments of stunned gawking‚ Rejeanne looked briefly at the man standing next to Lindsay before returning her attention to the brunette beauty.

"Hello‚" Lindsay said to Rejeanne as she extended her hand. "I’m Lindsay Alasdair-MacMahon and this is my husband‚ Martin Stuart MacMahon. Welcome."

God Almighty must be cruel‚ because she is truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen‚ was all Rejeanne could think as she shook the hand of the married woman before her. Tall and lean‚ perfectly attired and adorned‚ with bright blue eyes‚ a boldly beautiful face and an intoxicating smile‚ Rejeanne felt as if she could collapse right there.

"I’m Rejeanne Piscard‚" she croaked before discretely clearing her throat‚ "from the Gazette. I’ll be covering this fundraiser. It’s an honor to be here and a pleasure to meet you‚ Mrs. MacMahon."

Doug cleared his throat. "Oh‚ and this is Douglas Linton‚ our staff photographer‚" Rejeanne added.

"The pleasure is all mine‚ and it’s Lindsay to you‚" she responded as Rejeanne noticed that they were still clasping hands.

At that moment‚ Martin extended his hand. "And mine‚" he stated. Rejeanne took his hand‚ but her gaze had only left Lindsay momentarily.

"After you’ve made your rounds with the guests‚ come back to me‚" Lindsay said to Rejeanne. "I’ll provide you the full itinerary for tonight’s presentations and give some workable quotes for your story."

"Thank you very much‚ Mrs. Mac... Lindsay."

* * * *

Lindsay was almost paralyzed with boredom as milquetoast after milquetoast lined up to shake her hand and kiss her ass. Martin was right about one thing. Most of the people shelling out the $500 to attend the fundraiser weren’t doing so to benefit the charities to which the money would ultimately go. Most were there to see and be seen. Lindsay herself was only as important as the press photographers and TV video camera operators standing near her.

Thus‚ when the shapely‚ diminutive‚ green-eyed beauty announced that she was a newspaper reporter‚ Lindsay should have had utter contempt for her. Instead‚ she found herself strangely feeling as lightheaded as a schoolgirl on prom night. Something intangible drew her to this blonde-haired woman. She didn’t know what it was‚ but she needed to be near her‚ needed to talk to her‚ and soon.

For many brief moments in the first hour that Rejeanne was "working" the guests at the fundraiser‚ Lindsay found herself eyeing the young woman. Much to her surprise‚ on a few of those occasions‚ Rejeanne looked back. When that happened‚ Lindsey smiled at her and felt a childlike delight when she smiled back. Unfortunately‚ by the time Rejeanne returned to Lindsay for her comments‚ she was scheduled to start the presentations.

"Please stay right here‚" Lindsay asked of Rejeanne before dashing off to address the guests. "I still want to talk to you."

"As you wish‚" Rejeanne said with a smile.

Lindsay stepped up to a podium and announced the names of the most charitable supporters and the amounts of their gifts. She then presented the representatives of the three charities benefiting from the fundraiser. After each representative spoke‚ Lindsay made some additional remarks about her family’s foundation and her hopes for its future. She then invited her honored guests to enjoy the rest of the evening’s food and festivities.

Stepping away from the podium‚ she was confronted by Martin. "That was rather rushed‚ don’t you think?" he whispered as he grasped her upper arms.

"No‚ I don’t‚" she replied.

"Well‚ I think that you could have said more about the foundation’s future‚" he said. "You hardly even mentioned anything that was covered in the meeting minutes."

Lindsay pulled her arms away from Martin’s grasp. "Who died and made you my father?" she said as she brushed past him and approached the eagerly awaiting Rejeanne.

"I fear that we’re not going to have much time to talk‚ Rejeanne‚" Lindsay said to Rejeanne as she handed the young reporter a copy of the minutes and itinerary. "But use these for your story."

"Thank you‚" Rejeanne said as she took the documents. "You know‚ I was thinking‚" she continued. "Perhaps I’m going out on a limb here‚ but would you consider meeting me for an exclusive interview?"

"You want me to give you an exclusive interview about the fundraiser or my family’s foundation?"

"Actually‚ neither‚" Rejeanne replied. "Between you‚ me and the wall‚ my paper pretty much regurgitates the same report about the Alasdair Family Foundation’s fundraiser year after year. I’d like to get an exclusive interview from Lindsey Alasdair-MacMahon about Lindsey Alasdair-MacMahon."

Try as she might‚ Lindsay could not suppress the smile that swept across her face. "I’d love to meet with you... for an interview‚" she said. "I can’t promise that I won’t totally bore you to death‚ however."

"Let me be the judge of that‚ Lindsay."

"Very well‚" Lindsay said. "When and where?"

"You tell me the ‘when’ and I’ll pick the ‘where‚’" was Rejeanne’s reply.

"Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.‚" Lindsay stated.

"At the Karmic Java Coffeehouse on Madison‚" Rejeanne added.

"I’ll be there‚ Rejeanne‚" Lindsay remarked as she extended her hand.

"Great! It’s a date‚" Rejeanne announced as she shook Lindsay’s hand before returning to Doug.

As Lindsay watched Rejeanne walk away‚ two words escaped her lips‚ "A date."

[scvpubliclib]

New story on NPR: Dive into some summer escape reading: 'Do Tell' and 'The Stolen Coast' https://ift.tt/pWZjNrl

[syruckusnow]

Luscious Jackson - "Naked Eye" Live on Conan 1997

I was sad to hear last week about the passing of former Luscious Jackson keyboardist Vivian Trimble, at the way-too-young age of 59. Luscious Jackson was a refreshing presence during that unfortunately brief moment in the mid-to-late ’90s when a whole bunch of interesting female musicians actually got played on rock radio, and I always dug the group’s singles, like the slinky “Under Your Skin” and the groovy “Ladyfingers.” In Trimble’s honor, I’ll recommend this 1997 performance of the band’s big hit “Naked Eye” on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” featuring Trimble on keys, gorgeous backing vocals and effortlessly cool dance moves.

--Lindsay Zoladz, NYT

[petty-crush]

“No. 1 of the Secret Service”

-Sleazy, stupid, absolutely delightful super spy silliness

-somebody is killing rich men, agent no. 1 must stop said killer

-this is the closest I’ve seen a film have a sitcom type opening

+peppy song, names of the cast, a montage of all the silly action to come; it’s all there

-what also endears this film to me is the brazenness with which it embraces its low budget self

-our hero is about to be killed, the bullet (never seen) stops, why?; because “oh I just installed a new device, an invisible wall that only activates when bullets come near me”

-this is but one example; others include clearly reusing the off camera sign that “filming is to commence” to note that assassins are coming after no 1

-actor Nicky Henson has an brassy, dry underplaying of the absurdity of his vocation and its surroundings

-he is very much spoofing Roger Moore’s Bond, to great success

-sidebar; I think Moore’s bond is my entry to the series. It has a far amount of lows, but the highs are wonderful and a charm hard to resist. Are the Connery Bonds better? Yes. Do I like the Moore version far more? Also yes.

-there are a great many luscious ladies in this film, seemingly all connected with their wide eyes and bangs haircut

-it starts dumb and proceeds to endearing; no 1 (aka Charles Bind) continually sprays agent Ana Hudson with a seltzer bottle throughout the film; it becomes a recurring wet t-shirt image

+wonderful, life affirming, breasts really help

-I had a hearty laugh at the ideology behind the villain; a rich eccentric who wants to kill rich bores

-his entrance as a street hustler who shouts death to the idle wealthy in a crowded park, only to walk off and get into a expensive limousine (and tear off his fake mustache) is a wonderful visual joke

-what’s equally appealing is the way his conversations with no 1 are so on the nose; he just wants to kill people and he openly broadcasts it to give him some sporting challenge while he gets on with it

-this film is just full of droll details like that

-like getting two incredibly sexy women to learn to kill, but only ten years in the future, to give the then old villain some hearty giggles when reading the newspaper

-not only the verbal but the visual; all of the deaths are done in crayons, with quick jump cuts that have men flying to the ground like dummies

-a rapid editing style, ala the French new wave while also signaling the upcoming fellow British commercial filmmakers (Tony Scott, Adrian Lynne) is used to great affect here

-I’ve said before a certain (low) percentage of UK filmmakers have a splendid style, the vast majority are ugly brown bathwater

-director Lindsay Shonteff (at least here) clearly has the former

-in fact I’m quite curious to see this other films now (this is my first) including his other apparent spy spoofs

-I don’t think I ever saw a single reload in this entire film; just a twirl of the guns like playing an arcade cabinet

-the organization the villain (Arthur Loveday) hires to throw no 1 off his tracks, KRASH (Kill Rape Arson Slaughter Hit) is wonderfully conceived and executed (dig that shave by gun bullets)

-the film occasionally has lag, but papers over it with its brash enthusiasm

-for what it aims to be, a high bullseye

[catfishcafe]

Because I’m incapable of answering questions concisely, a not-quite-comprehensive guide to my favorite video essay channels:

Lindsay Ellis Video essays on film and and film trends. You may have seen the one on Disney’s Hercules floating around several years ago when it was published. Some of my favorites:

Love Never Dies: A Magnificent Musical Trashfire Sequel to Phantom of the Opera

Why is Cats?

The Death of the Hollywood Movie Musical

Overly Sarcastic Productions Videos split between the two hosts Blue and Red on history and literature/myths respectively. Red’s “Trope Talks” series further broadens the topic to all media that uses the trope that is discussed. The channel name is both misleading and not, as the scripts employ a distinct punchiness and irreverence. Far and away my favorites here are the Journey to the West videos, which, with the amount of original drawings, are less a summary and more Red’s personal abridged adaptation of the book. Also absolutely delighted to discover just now that Red’s reading of My Immortal is still up. A couple other favs:

Failed Assassinations - History Hijinks

Halloween Special: H. P. Lovecraft

Miscellaneous Myths: Dionysus

Jenny Nicholson Discussions of various media presented as off-the-cuff rambles, but definitely scripted. A lot of Star Wars discussion, but the very best are “esoteric things that Jenny is very passionate about” Some favs:

The Applejack Problem

This Is DEFINITELY Not A Published Reylo Fanfic Novel

THE Vampire Diaries Video

Folding Ideas Essays about particular films and their filmmaking technique, later shifting to channel hosts own documentary videos. If you are like me and didn’t understand NFTs and saw that his video about them was 2 hours long and thought “finally, some fucking food,” then this channel is for you. Som favs:

The Art of Editing and The Snowman

The Nosalgia Critic and The Wall

Weird Kids' Videos and Gaming the Algorithm

(Okay at this point I’m admitting defeat and not including specific favs anymore because this is taking forever, but these next ones are still good and you can probably jump in anywhere:)

Design Doc All about video game design, by a graphic designer. The “Good Design Bad Design” series would be worth it just for the luscious “good design” title cards and hilarious “bad design” ones, but is also a great intro to the channel.

Todd in the Shadows Music review channel started to review current pop songs, but now mostly featuring 2 series: One Hit Wonderland, reviewing a specific one-hit wonder while looking at the band’s history, and my personal favorite Trainwreckords, looking at albums that could be argued to have killed an artist’s career.

Babish A cooking channel, but this is my list so my rules. Demonstrating cooking is kind of like an essay. While “Basics with Babish” is exactly what you’d expect a high-quality YT cooking show to be, “Binging with Babish” has the added gimmick of recreating food from particular movies and TV shows. I recommend picking one from that list, but the LotR 2-parter is one of my favorites. 

FilmJoy More excellently crafted essays about films, with an emphasis on celebrating rather than taking down. Often tear-jerkers.

Xidnaf Easy-to-digest videos on my personal favorite area of interest, linguistics. This is the kind of stuff I wish was required in school.

Captain Disillusion Debunking viral videos with an emphasis on encouraging critical thinking; pretty much the Mythbusters of special effects

zefrank1 Nature-documentary-style videos on various animals, but with a layer of snarkiness and butt jokes.

[modeltyped]

@svffercamp 

“hey, owen ??” justin’s usual charismatic ease has shed to something a bit unsure.  beth AND lindsay both ignored him at breakfast that morning, and, try as he might to figure out why, justin just couldn’t explain it.  his skin was exfoliated and glowing, his hair luscious, smile just the right amount of tempting... and yet they didn’t look at him like he was a SNACK at all.  what was wrong with them ??  “i’m still pretty, right ??”

[xsylcuenco]

AUGUST 2022 DEVELOPMENT - PLAYLIST CHALLENGE

tw: implied alcohol and drug abuse

ooc: all songs chosen coincide with key events in Sylvia’s life that provide a little more insight into her background. they also all more or less line up with the time period of the events described and some are implied to be the songs being listened to or playing in the background 

LINK

That girl was a one time teenage drama queen A hot, tough, everyday wannabe But she'll have changed her destiny Now she's a somebody That girl was a wild child dreamer But she'll find herself 'Cause she believes in nothing else Then you'll look back, and you won't believe That girl was me

Drama Queen (That Girl) - Lindsay Lohan

It was Sylvia’s night to babysit her younger sister as her mom was working at the hospital and her dad had taken her brother to practice. Sylvia had thrown a fit in protest to attending the practice and instead wound up having to babysit, much to her annoyance. She had already put her sister to bed, when she decided that her hair needed to be freshened up. Much to her parent’s disapproval, she had recently bleached it to dye it a red-brown. It was time for a touch up. She got up from her bed, where she had been watching the Disney Channel, and headed for her restroom. She pulled out the necessities to dye her hair that she kept in a storage bin under the sink and got to work.

Mac Mac L'Oreal, yep, 'cause I'm worth it Love the way I puts it on so perfect Wipe the corners of my mouth so I work it When I walk down the hallway, they can't say nothin' Oh, oh, oh, my lips so luscious The way I spice it up with the Mac-Mac brushes

Lip Gloss - Lil Mama

It was the day of prom and a number of the sophomore and junior girls attending had gathered at the Cuenco-Burke household. Who’s idea had this been originally? No one really knew. Regardless of who’s idea it had been, Sylvia now had a small group hanging out in her bedroom while she was in her restroom, curling iron in hand. She had been asked to do hair and makeup for several friends and acquaintances. As the stereo blared from the bedroom, Sylvia sang and swayed to the music as she unwrapped her friend’s hair in the curling iron. Popping another bobby pin open between her teeth, she nearly yelled over the music. “Don’t breathe in!” A cloud of hair spray took over the small restroom as she secured the hairstyle in place, only hoping that it would last most of the night.

My heart is racing as you're moving closer You take me higher with every breath I take Would it be wrong to stay? One look at you and I know what you're thinking Time's a bitch and my heart is sinking down You turn me inside out

Take Me on the Floor - the Veronicas

Since middle school, Sylvia had always found herself chasing after boys, and more often than not winning them over. As of recent though, her eyes were set on someone new. Sylvia found herself, for the first time, struggling to decipher whether the attraction was mutual. That was because she was having trouble distinguishing between close friendship and romantic interaction. However, after months of questioning it, Sylvia decided she was going to take the risk and ask the girl out ahead of homecoming and recruited her other friends to not only put out feelers but help her out in executing the plan. Hopefully, this all worked out and didn’t blow up their friendship.

I know a place where the grass is really greener Warm, wet and wild There must be something in the water Sipping gin and juice Laying underneath the palm trees (Undone) The boys break their necks Tryna creep a little sneak peek (At us)

California Gurls - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg

A year prior, there was no way Sylvia would have known just how enamored she would become with life in California. Maybe she had chosen UCLA for the wrong reasons, but it was the best decision she had made. It was winter break and she, her roommates, and their friends had spend the day in Laguna. As she helped to secure surf boards back onto her friend’s jeep, she looked out to the ocean. Beach days in a bikini and flip flops in the dead middle of winter was something Sylvia could absolutely get used to.

I can't tell you what I learned from school But, I could tell you a story or two Um, yeah, of course, I learned some rules Like don't pass out with your shoes on And don't leave the house, 'till the booze gone

I Love College - Asher Roth

Sylvia groaned as On Air with Ryan Seacrest blasted through her alarm clock radio, signalling it was morning. She violently hit snoozed, rolling back over. This happened twice more before she was awoken to the sound of her Blackberry ringing. “Hello?” she answered groggy and annoyed. It was only then that she realized her friend and classmate on the other end was waiting to meet her for coffee before lecture. She had completely forgot that she made plans that morning, and was far less concerned about class. “I’ll be right there..” she almost cancelled but decided it probably wouldn’t be a good look to do, again. Maybe staying out all night hadn’t been the smartest idea. At least it had been fun.

I feel like I'm a hopeless romantic I can't help falling in love I fiend for love I want it, I crave it I just can't get enough Take me away I wear my heart on my sleeve Always let love take the lead I may be a little naive

Drunk on Love - Rihanna

The dry mascara and eyeliner smeared all over her face told the story that she had been crying. The last month or so had turned her life upside down and she wasn’t entirely sure where to go from here. She had met a stranger, fallen in love, lost her job, dropped out of school, been forced to move back across the country to Maine, road tripped back with said stranger only for it to quickly fizzle out, and was now sat in her childhood bedroom, eating the mango her mom had cut up for her. She had put everything into her life in Los Angeles, she had no idea where she was headed in life now. And to think she had counted on a brand new relationship to keep her together through it all. Who knew, maybe she could reconnect with an old love now that she was back in Merrock. That should help, right?

You want a hot body? You want a Bugatti? You want a Maserati? You better work bitch You want a Lamborghini? Sip martinis? Look hot in a bikini? You better work bitch You wanna live fancy? Live in a big mansion? Party in France? You better work bitch, you better work bitch You better work bitch, you better work bitch Now get to work bitch

Work Bitch - Britney Spears

It was nearly midnight and Sylvia was busy at the body shop, trying to get a workout in before another long day of work in the morning. Her first year as a hair stylist was putting in the hours, doing whatever needed to be done to build up her client list. Hitting the gym, as of late, was the only thing helping her keep her stress levels regulated. As she lowered the speed of the treadmill to a walk, the only thing keeping her from passing out from exhaustion was the playlist she was listening to through her wireless headphones.

Breakfast at Tiffany's and bottles of bubbles Girls with tattoos who like getting in trouble Lashes and diamonds, ATM machines Buy myself all of my favorite things

7 Rings - Ariana Grande

In the past six years since her professional journey in hair began, this had been Sylvia’s most profitable year yet. Although she may still be renting a station at the salon, it was a long way from doing her friend’s hair in the tiny bathroom at her parents house. Along with her more recently acquired tax bracket though, came the ability to afford some of the finer things in life she had always been drawn to. Nothing screamed as much for Sylvia as the massive shoe collection she was rearranging in her new closet.

I know I've said it all before But it won't hurt to do it all once more This is my last hurrah, once I start I ain't gonna stop 'til I go too far Last hurrah and it's okay Maybe tomorrow I won't feel this pain

Last Hurrah - Bebe Rexha

Although her professional life could not be thriving any more than it was, Sylvia’s personal life felt like it had taken a nose dive again. She and her parents had gotten into another argument over the fact that at nearly thirty year old, she had arrived at their home high out of her mind. It was concerning to them as throughout her teen years and early 20′s, marijuana and alcohol had been how she dealt with the difficult points in life, using it as an excuse that it simply made everything more enjoyable. As an adult, they had a rule that she was only to be in their home sober. Clearly, something had happened that Sylvia was avoiding dealing with for her to disrespect that rule. Maybe it was time to give white heron a call again, her mom recommended. At the suggestion, Sylvia made a promise that she would work on herself, and to at least lessen both her drinking and smoking. But that wouldn’t be before another night out downtown with her girlfriends.

Picture me in the major leagues Livin' in a dream that I created, mhm I wrote my own books so I never had to read your pages I've got no patience for that anyway Sensations don't mean anything If I can just have everything Some days I think I'll run away What would I even do if I made it? I just keep on fading 'cause I never feel enough, it never fills me up I'm climbin' up a giant rock, I'll never reach the top

Paradise - the Neighbourhood

In the decade since returning to Merrock, Sylvia sometimes had to take a good look around at her life. When she dropped out of UCLA, there was no way she would have known everything that was to come. Surely, there had been lots of downs, but the highs made up for it all. She had made this life for herself, against the wishes of her family, and was damn proud of it. While her next goal of opening up her own salon instead of renting in someone else’s had yet to be reached, she was working hard toward it. She did wonder though, after that, what was next? What would be the next venture once everything she had worked the last decade toward finally came full circle and she did own her salon?

[jesushitchcock]

[godsheadangel]

NEWLY CROWN HEADANGELQUEEN 10/10/19

💞💞 [HEADANGELQUEEN💛SABY👑] 💞💞 BATTLE ANGEL PRINCE TWINS😇😇KNOWN AS CORY😇AND CHAD😇 ARE STIRRING UP THE FOUNDATION BENEATH MY FEET THIS MORNING STILL DARK AND BRISK YET DAY SHALL COME WITH THE LIGHT🌅BRINGING ANOTHER BLESSED DAY FROM OUR GOD💫

AND MANY DAYS SHALL THE AWAKENED🌄 SEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE A FEW ANGELS IN [FLESH] TAKE FLIGHT INTO THE SKIES🌌 TO HELP AND RESCUE THOSE IN DISTRESS OR [WALKING THE STREETS] SOMETIMES SO ELIMINATING OUR ENEMIES WITH THEIR HEAVENLY💫BLESSED POWERFUL FISTS🤜

LIKE ▶ HEAD ANGEL KING👑OF DEATH💀 FATHER ELIMINATE DEMONS WHO DISOBEY ME, THY 👁GOD💫KNOWN AS THEIR UNCLE!

TRUST, FROM THEIR BEAUTIFUL AND TRULY [UNSEEN POWERFUL ANGELICMOTHER👑] THEY SHALL BE SO OF HUMBLENESS AND GREAT UNDERSTANDING YET DON'T CROSS THEM FOR THEY BE REAL ANGELS😇BORN TO DO THEIR BIRTHRIGHT JOB OF SEEKING OUT AND DESTROYING EVIL DEMONS! FOR SURELY EVERYONE LIVING IN MY WORLD🌍[DO SO KNOW THAT A CLOSED FIST🤜] MEANS YOUR DEMON LIFE IS COMING TO A END!!!

THOSE SPIRITUALLY AWAKENED🌄DO SO KNOW NOW THAT SUPERBABYANGELS👑DO COMETH WITH VERY HEAVENLY💫MIGHTY POWER AND SIGHT FROM ANGELMAMI'S

ELITEANGELQUEENS/HEADANGELQUEENS

SABY👑 [SEEN ABOVE]

DOLLICIA BRYAN👑

SUE HERERA👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

JULIA BOORSTIN👑

SEEMA MODY👑

LESLIE MARIN👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

LESLIE SYKES👑

SHARON TAY👑

AMBER LEE👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

KIMI EVANS👑

COURTNEY FRIEL👑

KACEY MONTOYA👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

LU PARKER👑

SOUMADA KHAN👑

ANALICIA CHAVES👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

LEEPRETTY👑

AYISHA DIAZ👑

BRITTANY RENNER👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

LAUREN WILLIAMS👑 [LALOVETHEBOSS]

ROMI CHASE👑

MORENA👑 [QUEENLATINLOVE]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

VANESSA BORGE👑

DANIELLE GERSH👑

MARY BETH MCDADE👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

GAYLE KING👑

MARKINA BROWN👑

TASHA👑 [BEAUTYBOOTYANDBRAINS05]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

EBONI K. WILLIAMS👑

ANGELA RYE👑

BRANDY NORWOOD👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

HASLINDA AMIN👑

YVONNE MAN👑

SCARLET FU👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

DEMI MOORE👑

ASHLEY JUDD👑

SANDRA BULLOCK👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

KRISTEN👑 [KRISTENLIVE]

KENDRA👑 [KISSEDBYKEN]

MYA MARIE👑 [MYAHSKYE]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ABIGAIL DOOLITTLE👑

JULIE HYMAN👑

KAILEY LEINZ👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

KAITLAN COLLINS👑

KRISTEN WELKER👑

CHRIS JANSING👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

MICHELLE KOSINSKI👑

ALISON KOSIK👑

RACHEL NICHOLS👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

JEANNE BUSS👑

KELLI TENTANT👑

LIZ HABIB👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ABBY HUNTSMAN👑

S.E. CUPP👑

LIBERTE CHAN👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ABBY PHILIP👑

ARWA DAMON👑

PAMELA BROWN👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

DANA BASH👑

NATALIE ALLEN👑

STEPHANIE RUHLE👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

NIA MALIKA-HENDERSON👑

LAURA COATES👑

CASSIDY HUBBARTH👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

MOLLY QERIM👑

CARI CHAMPION👑

KRISTINA PINK👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

JOSINA ANDERSON👑

LISA SALTERS👑

PAM OLIVER👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

DORIS BURKE👑

HOLLY ROWE👑

KAREN TSO👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

LOUISA BOJESEN👑

EMILY CHANG👑

SHERY AHN👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ABIGAIL RATCHFORD👑

KINDLY MYERS👑

AMBER PRIDDY👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

NICOLE SWEDBERG👑

KHLOE KARDASHIAN👑

TAHICORALIE👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

TORY KELLY👑

DEMI LOVATO👑

KATY PERRY👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

SHAKIRA👑

SOLANGE KNOWLES👑

SHEENA EASTON👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

STEVIE NICKS👑

SOPHIE DEE👑

OLIVIA O'LOVELY👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

LUSCIOUS LOPEZ👑

SONIA BLAZE👑

TORI BLACK👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

CAMILLE WINBUSH👑

NICOLEANNECRUZ👑

MIRIAM👑 [MIRIAMDASILVAMOURA]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ANGELLE BROOKS👑

MICHAELA PEREIRA👑

ROBIN MEADE👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

JENNIFER WESTHOVEN👑

AINSLEY EARHARDT👑

ALISYN CAMEROTA👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ALISON ROWE👑

ASHLEY BANFIELD👑

SUSAN HENDRICKS👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

CAROL COSTELLO👑

BERTHA COOMBS👑

MICHELLE VALLES👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

MARIAPEREZXOX👑 [COLUMBIAN MODEL]

VANESSA👑 [BRAZILIANVANESSA]

COLLEEN WILLIAMS👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

JOVANA LARA👑

LESLIE LOPEZ👑

CYNTHIA FRELUND👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ADITI KINKHABWALA👑

ERIN COSCARELLI👑

LINDSAY RHODES👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

KAY ADAMS👑

ELIZABETH ESPINOZA👑

LYNETTE ROMERO👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

STEPHANIE SIMMONS👑

CALLIE THORNE👑

KAVITA CHANNE👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

KAVITHA NAIR👑

CHARLIZE THERON👑

THERESA CAPUTO👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

CHERYL CASONE👑

DAGEN MCDOWELL👑

MARIA BARTIROMO👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

MIKA BRZEZSINSKI👑

REBECCA QUICK👑

HALLIE JACKSON👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

NICOLE PETALLIDES👑

LAUREN SIMONETTI👑

GERRI WILLIS👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

JACKIE DEANGELIS👑

KATE ROGERS👑

MEG TIRRELL👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ANA KOOIMAN👑

JULIE BANDERAS👑

ANDREA TANTAROS👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

MELISSA FRANCIS👑

HEATHER CHILDS👑

LIZ CLAMAN👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

ELIZABETH MACDONALD👑

ALIX STEEL👑

LISA ABRAMOWICZ👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

CAROLINE HYDE👑

PAT HARVEY👑

BRANDI HITT👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

BRI WINKLER👑

ASHLEY CALLINGBULL👑

ROSEANNE SUPERNAULT👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

MAYA MICHELLE REW👑

TAHNEE ELK👑

LYNDA CARTER👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

SARINA SIRTIS👑

VICKI GUNVALSON👑

BARBARA STREISAND👑

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

LISA VANDERPUMP👑

PAM GRIER👑

SANDRA SMITH👑 FBN

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

COCO FRANCESCA👑 [MODEL]

YOLLIE MONROE👑

PHOENIX SKYE👑 [MODEL]

VIVICA A. FOX👑

LISA RAYE MCCOY👑

SUSAN LI👑 FBN

ROSELYN SANCHEZ👑

ROSA ACOSTA👑

LILI👑 [LILILIBER]

SARA UNDERWOOD👑

NIKKI LEIGH👑

ASHLEY GRAHAM👑

ROS GOLD-ONWUDE👑

LI BINGBING👑

GONG LI👑

YUNA ITO👑

🤜🤜🤜🤜🤜🤜🤜💀💀💀🤛🤛🤛🤛🤛🤛🤛

ANGELMAMI'S WEAR THATANGELICLOOK💫

👉FOR ALL DO SPEAK IN HOLY💫SPIRIT💫👈

NAMED ARE THE MOTHERS TO BE OF THE SUPERANGEL HIGH FLYERS TAKING FLIGHT TO HELP SAVE THOSE IN NEED! TRUST ITS TRUE FOR THIS SHALL BE FROM THE VERY BLESSED HEAVENLY💫17xTIMES SEED!!!

SOME POWERFUL BABYANGELS👑BORN SO WITH REAL ELECTRICITY COMING FOURTH FROM THEIR VERY PALMS, SOME WITH SUPER STRENGTH OF 1O GROWN MEN, SOME WHO CAN READ MIND THOUGHTS OF EVERYONE ALIVE, SOME BORN WITH THE GIFT OF PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY AND SOME THE POWERS OF MOVING HEAVY OBJECTS THE SIZE OF A HOUSE AROUND!!!

TRUST, ALL GIVEN HEAVENLY💫BORN POWERS ARE REAL JUST LIKE HEAVENLY💫

GIVEN MIRACLES💫HEALINGS AND REAL BLESSINGS FROM MY HOLY💫POWERFUL SPIRIT💫FOR I AM HE, THY LIVING GOD💫

AWAKEN🌄FOR THE CHANGING TIMES🌄

WHEN U LEAST EXPECT IT GOD💫REACTS!

[chicagoindiecritics]

New from Robert Daniels on 812 Film Reviews: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Soars Under Angelina Jolie’s Wings

Rating: 2.5/4

“What do I remember about Maleficent?” Spellbindingly puzzled, I tried to recall the half decade since the Angelina Jolie fronted reimagining of the familiar Sleeping Beauty fairy tale played to audience. Five years, especially now, drowns one like a waking nightmare. The climate surrounding Robert Stromberg’s initial take: one of contrition—cedes to today’s recognition of diverse narratives and an acceptance of differences. Joachim Rønning’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil succeeds when addressing the former, spinning a wheel of stunning imagery to match the picture’s new varied universe, but struggles when rolling with the expectations of the fairy tale genre.

Since crowed by her godmother Maleficent, Aurora (Elle Fanning) rules over the Moors: a portion of grassy land filled with magical beings. Here, happiness reins supreme—made exceedingly so when the smitten Phillip (Harris Dickinson) proposes to Aurora. A wedding is in order, uniting the two kingdoms. In the background, however, unbeknownst to Aurora, human poachers are hunting in the Moors—kidnapping the magical creatures to a castle. And while Phillip and Aurora are madly in love, the parents are not. The strong-horned Maleficent won’t easily give over her daughter to a human man, not after Stefan’s previous actions. While Phillip’s parents: King John (Robert Lindsay) and especially the cold Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer, who slays as a villain adorned in Ellen Mirojnick’s luscious costumes)— are equally as incredulous. Moreover, the entirety of Phillip’s kingdom still believes the stories of Maleficent as a plague bringing blood thirsty witch, putting them on edge of any proposed union.

The totality of the fairytale’s initial machinations would fill the entirety of the 118-minute runtime, yet Rønning still adds further subplots. Because as Queen Ingrith enacts her sinister ends of destructively targeting fairies, and Maleficent is driven away, his picture shifts from a prototypical game of palace intrigue and matrimonial jitters to a world-building epic in a bloody medieval struggle for power.

While kids make up the primary audience for Mistress of Evil, to arrive at such heights Rønning is stuck conforming to common storytelling tropes. Much as the filmmaker might want to ditch the film’s cliche wedding: the narrative’s frame, he abides by allowing Aurora and Phillip’s love and struggle to see their respective parents’ true ambitions to dominate large swaths of the story—never hinting at more than a perfunctory cheer.

Instead, Maleficent’s arc—and for that matter Jolie’s sharp delivery— carries Mistress of Evil. The film’s second act becomes an origin story for the winged sorceress, as she’s taken in by her race led by Conall (Chiwetel Ejiofor). These winged creatures live underground, disparaged and exiled by humanity. Patrick Tatopoulos’s wondrous production design enlivens both this multicultural array of beings, as does his work regarding the Moor. The fanciful yet provocative subplot of a mostly brown-skinned race driven underground by largely Anglo-Saxon overlords makes for a searing portrait of intolerance that’s far more compelling than the fairytale tropes at the narrative’s heart. Moreover, whenever Jolie and her apathetic sense of humor leaves our gaze the story falls flat. Without her, Mistress of Evil would never lift off the ground.

While the varied components of Rønning’s picture do coalesce to altering levels of success, concluding with a final battle sequence whose editing lacks coherence, there’s enough magic dust made of sass and a decent amount of political relevance for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil to fancy the imagination—making the first and second film of this series intriguing before-and-after time capsules.

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[topmodelbarbie]

FNTM 9: Week #2 Results

Hello everybody! Hope you guys’ weekend is fabulous so far.

I am happy to let you know that my blog, topmodelbarbie has garnered over 30 followers so far since starting this amazing journey a couple months ago in May. Thank you all for supporting me! I appreciate it ❤. 

Now, let’s get down to business. I will announce the results and call-out order from the recent Hair Essentials photo shoot. Here we go:

1. Nicole

- Nicole up the ante this week by producing this spectacular photograph. I am mesmerized by her eye contact to the camera; She looks very confident and sure of herself. Not to mention her hair movement looks great here too

2. Rebecca

- She shocked me because I did not expect her to deliver us a striking, commercial shot. Rebecca’s hair flows very nicely with the wind and I love the serene expression on her face

3. Tiana

- The queen of the beauty shoot nails a close-up pic once again! I find this photo to be very stellar and her hair looks incredible in its motion. Besides that, I think her facial features are captured well here and they stood out to me

4. Ashley

- Ashley took somewhat of a risk by angling her face away from the camera but I think this risk paid off. She knew that her strength isn’t within her eyes, so she decided to utilize her other strengths to compensate that

5. Lindsay

- I like how she gave some sass and injected her personality into this picture. Her blue eyes just pops out to me and I love her hair coloring. My only problem with this shot is I wish she had given more neck here

6. Jessica

- I love everything about this shot except for her eyes; They don’t seem to work for me. Her hair definitely moved well here but this shot would be more believable as a picture that sells make-up. I actually see this as a shot for M.A.C

7. Whitney

- She looks very cute in this shot but this isn’t a hair shot to me. Whitney’s hair doesn’t look very neat here and I wish it reacted better to the wind. However, her face is quite beautiful and her eyes look very present

8. Simone

- Simone’s photo is actually in my Top 5 shots this week but I put her quite low in the ranking because her film wasn’t good in general. But when judging this photo, her hair looks very smooth and silky and her skin looks fantastic

9. Melody

- I find this shot of Melody to be quite odd and interesting but it doesn’t quite work for this specific brief. The eye contact is severely lacking and she should have positioned her head more upright in my opinion

Bottom 2: Kennedy

- Kennedy is a high fashion model but it was difficult for her to break free from that and deliver a good commercial shot. Her lips looks very luscious and I think her eyes are quite strong as well but I just feel she looks too intimidating here

Eliminated: Mila

- Usually when you are in the bottom 2 twice in a row, especially early on in the competition, things tend to not look so great for you. In Mila’s case, she lacked focus during the shoot and I felt a lack of energy as well. She also looks quite tentative in this picture and unfortunately, it is her time to go

Okay guys, we are already two weeks into this competition and now we are down to our Top 10 models. Next Monday or Tuesday, I will be posting the photos from the Action Movie photo shoot. Please stay tuned for that next week.

Please also don’t forget to like, share or comment on your favorite shots this week.

Much love,

FNTMbarbie ❤

[kinkingbird-blog]

“Desperate for You” Tuggwood

NAME: “Desperate for You”

FANDOM: Ragehappy

CHAPTER: 1/1

PAIRINGS: Tuggwood (Ryan/Lindsay), background Michael/Lindsay

SUMMARY: When Lindsay invites Ryan to reignite their old friends with benefits relationship with roleplaying a first meeting at a hotel bar, he immediately agrees - but the likelihood of him keeping it casual when he's missed her so desperately is slim to none.

RATING: E.

WARNINGS: Polyamory, roleplaying, semi-public sex

WORD COUNT: 5,576

AO3 Cross Post: [x]

Commissions are open!!

Buy Me A Coffee, if you’d like~

”Do you ever miss it?”

”Miss what?”

”When it was simpler. When we had more time.”

The conversation played freely in Ryan’s mind as he climbed out of his car and adjusted the sports coat he wore. He had little reason to dress nicely anymore, given the status of his job, and a suit had been out of the question...but he liked to believe he was a gentleman. He liked to believe that he knew when he should look just a little nicer than he usually might in the office.

Besides. He��d missed this. Missed her.

”I see you every day, Ryan.”

”I know, but it’s...it’s not really the same, is it? Or am I just being overdramatic?"

”No, I know what you mean. And I miss it too. I miss getting to sit next to you.”

”Yeah.”

Things had changed. They’d gotten busy, that was all. It had been years since they got to see each other every morning, sharing a desk and bantering. Years since getting to see her smile had been the second biggest thing to bring him to work during the hard days – money being first. He’d never really been able to make her the first thing. Not when she had been married.

Things had changed, of course. Lindsay was irrepressible like that. Subtle glances turned to outright flirting, and he always told himself not to respond, but...but he had. What kind of man would he be if he hadn’t? Even the ever present threat of Michael’s fury hadn’t been enough to stop him – not even when he’d situate himself on the couch in that tiny office to record and would lock eyes with him and wonder why Michael was giving him that knowing smile.

Lindsay had eventually said that she was interested. That she and Michael were open. That she’d been trying to feel Ryan out for months, to see if a guy like him might ever be interested in a girl like her.

He hadn’t liked how she said that – like he was still a model and she was just some girl in the background. Like she wasn’t the sun itself.

He’d answered with a kiss.

It had never been serious – they were both too busy, and Lindsay had a whole husband to give her attention too – but it had been nice all the same. Ryan was happy with exactly what they had, just friends with benefits who cared deeply but didn’t have time for titles.

He’d been happy with it until it tapered off.

Life happened. People drifted. It wasn’t that the chemistry had died or that they’d decided to stop touching, it just...happened. One day Ryan looked up and realized he hadn’t stolen a kiss from Lindsay in a month. Then two months. Then three.

”Do you ever just wanna go back and remember what it was like when we’d kiss in the supply closet or come up with dumb excuses about why you were riding home with me from work that day?”

”It was nice, wasn’t it?”

”More than nice.”

”Then why don’t we do it?”

”What?”

”Let’s go back, Ryan. Back to the first time we ever met.”

Lindsay had been beaming when she said it. As seemed to happen every day, she and Michael had arrived in the parking lot at the exact same time that Ryan did, and, as just as often, Michael had walked on ahead and Lindsay had lingered to wait for Ryan to get out of the car.

He’d never really realized that she was waiting for him because she missed him too, but...now it made sense.

”When? Tonight?”

”Tomorrow, Ryan, please. A lady has to plan.”

”Okay, uh...where?”

”I’ll text you.”

And she had. An hour before he’d left, she’d sent him the address of a lovely hotel in Austin that Ryan knew absolutely nothing about. She’d asked him to meet her in the bar, and he had dressed himself a little anxiously, going to his rarely used button-downs and the jeans that fit him tighter than the rest. A decent pair of shoes that didn’t look like he worked in a restaurant. He’d even fiddled extra long with his hair – and now he worried he’d look like a chump. Maybe she was just in pants and a t-shirt.

He entered the lobby, and the young woman behind the desk smiled at him as he approached and spoke. “Excuse me, I’m looking for the bar?”

She looked him up and down with a grin. “Meeting someone?”

Ryan almost agreed, if only to head her flirting off at the pass – but then he paused. This was their first time meeting all over again, after all, and he didn’t want to spoil the spirit. “Nah, just looking for a drink before I check in.”

“Of course.” She inclined her head and gestured toward an adjacent restaurant, quiet and beautifully decorated. “Right through there, sir. I hope you enjoy.”

“I will.” He smiled back at her in thanks before he departed.

Ryan was a grown man, and there was absolutely no reason that just walking toward the dining area should make him as nervous as he did. Tingles exploded right under his skin. Goosebumps rose on a chill from the first hints of an anxious sweat. He chewed on his bottom lip, then forced himself to stop with a snort. He was acting like a teenager going to prom for the first time without a date.

Lindsay always made him nervous. Just something about her smile and the way her eyes sparkled with mischief turned Ryan into a little boy with a crush on a beautiful older woman.

Can you just try to be cool for five seconds, Haywood?

That was totally possible. Easy, even. He was an actor. He put on a role every time cameras started rolling in the offices. Every livestream, every panel, every video – it was simple. He was the innocently bumbling master of chaos. He just had to put on that persona here as well.

He was confident up until he saw the woman in the red dress at the bar.

Holy shit. Ryan stopped in his tracks, tracing the luscious curves that filled out the knee-length silky gown to utter perfection. Her hair was gathered up at the nape of her neck, pinned high with sparkly clips that caught the low lighting of the restaurant impeccably. Her milky skin contrasted beautifully against the shade of her dress.

Ryan became the awkward teenager again – and that was before he even saw her face.

He forced himself to keep walking in shoes that felt clunky and thick as he tilted his head to the side, leaning forward an inch to catch her profile. Sleek lipstick matched the color of her gown, and smoky eyes complemented her long lashes.

She looked at him. She smiled, and his heart pounded out of his chest.

“Evening.” But the voice was the same. Though she looked like a classy starlet, the familiarity of her tone dragged Ryan back down to earth before he could kiss the stars, keeping him grounded in a way he was thankful for.

“Hey.” He grinned back as he stopped at the stool beside her. “Is this seat taken?”

“Not yet.” She picked up her drink – a dark shade, perhaps a whiskey mix – and sipped it through the thin cocktail straw. “Are you interested in a little company?”

“I might be.” Ryan sat down, and the second his weight was off his feet he was grateful. With the way she looked at him, he thought he might pass out at any moment from the blood rushing to his cheeks so suddenly. “If it’s not gonna bother you.”

“Nah. I’d like it. The bar’s quiet tonight.”

Ryan looked at the bartender, giving a little wave to get their attention, then looked back at her while he waited. “You come here often?”

Silence. She smirked, eyelashes fluttering. “Well, I haven’t heard that line in about ten years.”

“Listen.” Ryan laughed, and the high, reedy sound of it betrayed his nerves all the more easily. “I didn’t even mean to use a line, but-”

“But you’re nervous. I hear it.” Her teeth glistened in the light; she was incorrigible. “Lucky for you, I like it. Lindsay, by the way.”

“Ryan.” He offered a hand. “Nice to meet you.”

When Lindsay took his hand, he lifted it to his mouth, pressing a warm kiss to her knuckles, and the confidence she wore melted slightly in the face of stunned pleasure. She chuckled as he thumbed over the back of her hand, but made no move to pull away. “Pleasure’s mine.”

There it was. The bloom in his gut. The ever present warmth that being around Lindsay stoked – that had been stoked for years, actually. He’d been a bachelor for what felt like an eternity. He’d played games with people in college – on and off again relationships, pushing at boundaries to see how long they would stand up before they came crashing down. He’d never imagined someone would catch his eye and hold it for so long.

For the first time, Ryan felt the utter regret that he’d never pursued something serious with Lindsay – but why would he even ask? Where the hell could they even go?

She still wore her wedding ring, that beautiful jewel that his lips had moved over when he kissed her skin. It was a reminder that, even tonight, this could only be casual. Just a one time experience before they dropped into busy lives again that only featured each other for a few hours at work.

It would be better that way, he tried to tell himself, even as he finally let her hand go and turned to the bartender to order a Diet Coke. Some things just weren’t meant to be serious.

“So what do you do, Ryan?”

He paused. How far were they taking the little charade tonight? He looked at her, and when she only grinned at him he figured he might as well stretch the truth. “I’m an actor, actually. Just passing through town for a few days on a shoot.”

“Oh, really?” Her eyes lit up in amusement. “How many more days are you here?”

“This is the last night, actually.” He heaved a sigh. “It’s a beautiful city you’ve got here. I’ll have to come back sometime for a longer visit. What about you, Lindsay? What do you do?”

“Modeling, mostly.”

That was interesting. “Oh?”

“Mm-hmm! Typically lingerie. I do a little work at conventions as well.”

The equally incorrigible smile of Meg burst in front of Ryan’s mind’s eye, and he couldn’t help but laugh again, looking down and trying to collect himself.

Lindsay lightly kicked his shin. “What’s that for? Are you gonna say you don’t believe me?”

“What? No!” He looked up again quickly. “No, someone as stunning as you? I wouldn’t question it. I just didn’t realize how nice it would feel to meet someone else in the business.”

Her smirk hadn’t vanished, not even slightly. She tilted her head to the side, a few stray strands of hair falling around her cheeks. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

“I don’t know, just...sometimes you have to wear a mask around people, if they’re not in the entertainment business like you are. They never really understand the kind of life you lead. Does that make sense?”

Lindsay’s gaze softened. “...perfect sense.” She sipped her drink again, her other arm resting on the bar just close enough to his own that his cells lit up, hypersensitive, aching to feel the brush of her skin. “It’s nice to meet someone who just...gets it. Someone you don’t have to try that hard around.”

“Yeah.”

Suddenly Ryan realized they weren’t fully in character here. Lindsay was right. She was someone he’d never had to try to hide himself around, whether they were on camera or off. It was half the reason he’d never messed around with dating these past few years – he was never sure who was going to recognize him and what they were going to expect from him. He hadn’t wanted to commit himself to something if it was going to get himself hurt when they found out they didn’t like the real him – just the person he portrayed on camera.

There were similarities. Of course there were. But there were differences too. On camera, Ryan had to be constantly on the ball and entertaining. He never had a bad moment. He never rested or relaxed. He was always funny and pleasant and appealing.

Real life wasn’t like that. Real life got messy sometimes. There were fights and misunderstandings and the knowledge that eventually the ease would run out.

He didn’t have to worry about that with Lindsay. She got it, just like he did. And that was a relief.

“But sometimes it’s nice not to have to think that hard, isn’t it?” Lindsay asked, pulling him from his thoughts. “Like…just being able to be casual with someone because they already kind of know who you are from your persona.”

“Maybe. But it’s like work.” As Ryan’s drink was dropped off, he picked it up, watching the bubbles pop one after the other on the surface. “Always worrying about where it’s going to go, what’s going to happen, what they’re going to say-”

“Do you always think this hard?”

Ryan chuckled. “Maybe.” He sipped his drink as he glanced back at her.

Lindsay beamed, taking a drink of her own, and when she put the glass back down she shifted. Her arm brushed his, and his body lit up, exploding with firecrackers. “Do you want me to make it easy so you stop thinking too much?”

“God, would you?” He grinned and turned to face her a little more, turning his hand over on instinct – waiting for her to put hers in his.

She didn’t. But she did quirk a brow, that beautiful spark of mischief coming into her gaze. “I’m looking for company. Someone to make me think a little less and feel a little more.”

Fire roared in his veins, licking him up until he burned ferociously. Lindsay played coy games. She let Ryan take the lead. She never really took it for herself.

“So, if you want...you don’t have to think at all tonight, huh? What do you say?”

Ryan opened his mouth, then closed it again. He’d never be this brazen with an actual stranger, but here they were both playing a role – she was the woman making a move, and he was the man just trying to keep up. “I don’t know if mindless sex is the most exciting kind,” he murmured.

Lindsay laughed. “It will be once I suck your brain out through your dick.”

So this was happening. Things had gone from zero to one hundred extremely quickly, and, believe it or not, he was completely on board. Fuck acting. If he couldn’t kiss her, he was going to be miserable. He pulled out his card and held it up to the bartender, lifting his brows as he drained the rest of his soda. As he signed the receipt with an impressive tip, Lindsay slid off her seat and touched the small of his back.

His pen jolted, leaving the messiest signature he’d ever managed behind.

“I have a room upstairs.” She leaned close to say those words, her breath tickling over his neck, and Ryan sucked in a shaky gasp as he stood up, fumbling to put his card back in his wallet. “Hey. Relax, big shot, we’re not in a hurry here.”

“Not a chance.” He met her eyes, blue on blue, and her lips twitched as she tried to hold back her smile. “Have you even seen yourself? You’re stunning. I can’t wait to get my hands on you.”

Lindsay laughed. As she moved around him, her fingers just grazed the curve of his ass through his pants, and Ryan jumped before he moved after her.

Lindsay moved a little awkwardly in her heels, but it was enough reason for Ryan to stare at her rear as he walked just behind her for a few steps until he caught up. He took her arm, lacing it with his to give her more stability, and she smiled up at him.

Her eyes sparked when the edge of his knuckles brushed lightly over her breast with each step they took.

As they stepped into the elevator – alone, thank God – Ryan leaned to kiss her, but Lindsay simply turned away, lining her back with his chest as she pressed the number of her floor. Twelve. Quite a ways to go. He settled in for a long thirty seconds without kissing, but the second her ass brushed over his crotch his heart took off, hammering.

Her hands gently cupped his. “Excited already?” she teased, swaying her hips from side to side. It was a horrendous tease – just the edge of his erection getting stimulation, and nothing substantial – and Ryan rested his head on the wall behind him with a quiet groan. And then her hands...guided his. The shape of her breasts filled his palms, and he choked, squeezing his eyes shut.

“Floor four, Ryan,” Lindsay sang out, and his fingers immediately moved until they found the peak of her nipples through the silky fabric. “Yeah...”

He fixated on her quiet sighs of pleasure, tunnel vision zeroing in on the feel of her in his hands. Was she not wearing a bra? Had she planned all of this? What a little shit. The thought made his lips quirk as he let his thumbs quest for the edge of the fabric, where the silk met soft, warm skin.

“Ryan...”

“Mm?” He came to a stop, thumb loosely linked around the fabric, waiting for dissent, permission, anything.

After a moment of silence, where the elevator dinged to the eighth floor – four more to go – Lindsay let his hands go, and he peeled back the fabric, letting her breasts fall into his hands.

This was ridiculous – he didn’t have time for this at all – but Ryan was so calculated and honed with a schedule planned down to the second every damn day that there was a sense of excitement burning through him at knowing he had only a precious few seconds to tweak her nipples between his fingers while he nipped at the back of her neck. She grabbed his hip with one hand for stability, the other slamming into the wall next to them.

In a blissful moment, her sighs turned to moans, filling the air and making Ryan so hard that he ached.

The elevator dinged, coming to a stop, and Ryan whipped around, putting his back to the door to block view of her as he seamlessly slid Lindsay’s dress back into place. As the door opened, he caught her gaze – her flushed cheeks and her wide pupils – before he backed away, turning.

Someone boarded the elevator with a smile, completely unaware, and Ryan grabbed Lindsay’s hand and guided her along, his heart pounding.

“Which room?” he asked. Suddenly he’d taken the lead, with Lindsay being fuzzy-headed behind him.

“1217.” The number came out like a whisper, and when he looked over his shoulder he saw how she was slowly coming back into focus. Her glossy lips, still untouched, tempted him beyond belief – he couldn’t wait to smear the color and kiss her until her mouth was swollen.

When he stopped in front of the door to her room, Lindsay fumbled for her key card, and he watched as she took a deep breath, rested her forehead on the cool wood, then took a step back to look at him when she’d collected herself. “So you’re adventurous.”

The little tease on her voice – that sweet taste of Lindsay that always made him stare at her as she moved around a room while filming, her attitude – made him chuckle. “Are you disappointed?”

“Not remotely.” She finally opened the door and snagged him by his belt loop, pulling him in dick first. He laughed harder.

The second the door shut, Lindsay kissed him, and he melted against her, so intoxicated by how easy it was to fall into the rhythm of kissing even after so long of not doing it. He let her take the lead, tilting his head to match hers, his tongue staying tucked in his own mouth when she seemed focused on only the ebb and flow of their lips together – he knew better than to try and take control in the beginning.

She’d let him know what she wanted him to do later.

Her hands coaxed his shirt out of his waistband, and he helped her, fingers flying down his buttons at a breakneck pace.

“How adventurous, exactly?” Lindsay breathed as she pulled his shirt open and ripped it and his coat both down his arms.

Shit. Ryan licked his lips, tasting her gloss. “Uh...depends on what you have in mind.”

She smirked up at him as she worked at his undershirt next, whipping it over his head and throwing it over her shoulder. “We’ve got a balcony.”

Oh.

“A balcony with a nice little reclining chair for sunbathing, like on a beach.”

Ryan’s gaze flicked to the balcony just beyond. Count on Lindsay to completely ignore the fully functional bed for something even more tantalizing.

“It’s late. I bet almost everyone else is in bed. If we kept the balcony light off, no one would see us.”

“Oh, fuck,” Ryan closed his eyes for only a second. Anything to keep his cock from twitching again.

“Think you could keep quiet for me, actor boy?” Small fingers brushed through the trail of hair leading beneath his belt, stirring and teasing, and he shivered.

“For you?” He held her gaze. “Anything.”

Something shifted in her gaze – surprise, followed by warmth. She read into his tone. She understood. And, though he knew he should want to, Ryan didn’t even try to take it back.

Okay. So he was besotted. So he ached for her and wished he could have her in his bed some nights. Whatever. He already knew that, and nothing had changed. When she cupped his cheek, he felt the band of her wedding ring on his skin.

But she wasn’t looking away. Even in the midst of him tripping over his words like that. And he wasn’t really sure what that meant.

“Okay.” Her voice was soft and tentative, but not...put off. Just present. Aware and in the moment. She took his hand again, but this time she interlaced their fingers, walking backward through the room with a certain amount of grace until her heels wobbled and the moment broke. She chuckled and kicked them away. “Grab a condom, would you?”

The box on the dresser was unopened – their favorite brand to use together. Apparently she and Michael used something different. It was a tiny thing, but it lit another flame in Ryan’s chest, knowing that this was something that she and Ryan were sharing privately. Silly, but...it made him happy. He ripped the box open gracelessly, making her laugh behind him as condoms showered onto the bed, and then he picked one up and waggled his eyebrows at her as he toed his own shoes off.

Lindsay touched him, then, her hands warm on his chest. The switch had flipped from focused intensity to slow, deliberate contact, and Ryan dropped his hands to his side, letting out quiet sounds as he watched her painted nails move over his skin – ticklishly soft, then leaving red marks as she dragged by.

How was it possible to want someone this much without just...combusting?

“I’m gonna ride you on the balcony,” she said softly, her voice thick with need. “Under the stars. You’re probably gonna get a mosquito bite on your dick.”

Ryan laughed. “Sexy.”

“You know it.” She led him there, only in his pants and socks, and opened the sliding door, gesturing to the lounge chair. He sank down onto it and looked up at her, the warm glow of the lights inside illuminating her in her dress, the curves of her gorgeous body so fully on display that his fingers itched to touch her in turn.

After she shut the door, she straddled his thighs, then lifted the hem of her dress slowly – coyly – so that his eyes were glued to her for aching seconds until, little by little, she revealed the soft thatch of hair between her legs, no panties to be seen.

“Minx,” he whispered, and she beamed at him, obviously far too proud of herself. The peek vanished as she dropped her dress, and he whined, starting to sit up and reach before she thudded him back down with two small hands on his bare chest.

“Not yet.” She winked, then went for his belt.

It was madness, laying here feeling like if she even slightly grazed his hardness, he might come. He dug his teeth into his bottom lip, running through statistics about every computer in their office as she worked his pants open, then tugged them and his briefs down little by little until he sprang free.

“Mmm...big boy.”

He choked on a laugh. “Lindsay.”

“What?” She chuckled too as she plucked the condom from his hand and opened it. “Looks like you’ve been hard all night, Ryan. Were you planning this?” They were back to the act, then, where he was the flustered actor and she was the dynamite model who set out to seduce him. “Or does it just get you hard to tease a girl up in the elevator?”

He moaned, arching his hips, inviting her to touch him. “I would’ve fucked you in there, if you wanted.”

“Yeah?” She couldn’t quite hide her gasp. “Maybe next time, huh?”

Fuck.

As she slid the condom over his shaft, pinching the tip to keep it closed, his heart pounded in his ears, desperate and eager for anything she’d give him. Her skirt tickled his legs as she slid forward, and then he felt the slickness of her folds as she cupped him, dragging him through her wetness like she had all the time in the world.

“Lindsay...”

“What, Ryan?” She tilted her head to the side, guiding him to her entrance – and then away again, running the tip of his cock over her clit with a quiet sigh.

“Lindsay, please,” he whispered.

“Mmm...” She grinned. “You sound so sweet when you beg.”

A slow, aching tease wasn’t what Ryan expected when he came here tonight. He gritted his teeth and gripped the edge of the chair as he held his hips down, feeling how she took him in a centimeter – and then moved off again. Down a little further each time. The chair squeaked quietly under their weight, not completely steady, but he had the distinct feeling that if he grabbed her hips or thighs at all until she was ready that she’d end the game completely and laugh as he whined.

She took him in just deep enough to clench around the head of his cock, and he whimpered, completely lost to her.

“Quiet, Ryan.” Her whisper came through the darkness, tickling his ears, and he held his breath, every muscle in his neck going tight.

Behind his closed eyes, he heard the way she breathed raggedly as she rocked back and forth. Felt the incomprehensible pleasure in his veins. Smelled the faint perfume she wore. Tasted her even still on his lips.

I missed this so bad.

Finally, her hips met his, her slickness dripping on his skin, and he opened his eyes and looked up at her through the faint light. He caught her off guard. Her smile was fond, and her eyes were glossy, and her skin was flushed, and she looked every little bit like she looked when she stared at Michael across the room when he was doing something sweet.

It took him by surprise too, so much so that he lifted a hand and thumbed over her cheek, caught in a sense of wonder.

Lindsay turned her head and kissed his palm, her eyelashes fluttering, and then she began to ride him in earnest.

“Fuck, Lindsay,” he whispered, hands finally sliding to her hips and squeezing. Her stunning body shook with each impact she made on his hips, making him want to run his fingers over ever part of her, and the tightness of her thighs squeezing around his waist whispered of how strong she was becoming. Every time she reached a new goal in her workouts she sent him a silly flexing sweaty selfie, and he’d saved all of them, so enamored with her.

He was so much farther gone than he’d thought.

“I missed this.”

It took a moment for her shaky words to reach his ears. He met her eyes, stunned. “What?”

“This. You.” She pressed her hands into his chest, holding him down, and he grunted and bit his bottom lip to try and hold it back. “I miss you every goddamn day, Ryan.”

No, he couldn’t handle this – this was fucking torture. Hearing what he’d so craved while joined with her but knowing it couldn’t happen was just… “Lindsay...”

“I mean it.” She grabbed one of his arms and slid it beneath her skirt, and he immediately rose to attention, finding her clit and rubbing it just the way she liked as she gasped and squeezed his cock inside of her. “I...I want...I want this more.”

“You wanted to be casual.” It was a petty thing, having such a minor disagreement in the middle of making love on a goddamn balcony in Austin, but Ryan was too flayed open and vulnerable – he couldn’t hold his frustration back if he tried.

Lindsay breathed a chuckle. “Fuck casual, Ryan.”

What?

She dug her nails into the faint hairs spreading across his chest, making his abs clench. “Michael says if he sees me give you...fucking heart eyes one more time...without just kissing the shit out of you...he’s gonna fucking kiss you himself.”

His eyes flew open, an aching hope spreading through his veins. It was impossible. Michael? Wanting that for her?

Lindsay leaned down just a little closer, shifting the position of how she rode, and Ryan had the perfect view of her cocky smirk wavering for just a moment as she found the sweet spot inside of her. “Oh, fuck...”

He bucked into her, meeting her in the middle and watching how she squeezed her eyes shut in utter focus and ecstasy. “I want it,” he rasped. “I want this. I want you. I want all of you.”

She nodded quickly, hair falling out of its updo, messy and striking and gorgeous, all down her shoulders and in her face. “Don’t stop,” she pleaded.

“Not gonna.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her still, his fingers rubbing at her and his hips pistoning until the slapping of their skin together couldn’t be muffled. “I’ll take anything you wanna give me, Lindsay, I-I can’t stop this again.”

She opened her eyes, her lips falling open and her lids languid, and her words came out shakily, like she could barely speak. “My heart?”

His chest cracked open, his heart reaching out toward hers. It felt impossible to feel so aching and yet so fulfilled. “Please.”

Serene joy crossed her face, lighting her up from the inside out. For one sweet moment that felt like eternity, she opened herself up to him, beaming – eyes sparkling like diamonds – and he saw for the first time every single bit of love she had for him painted right there.

And he was able to watch how it shifted subtly into her being overcome, pleasure dripping off her, her hands curling slowly into fists on his skin. “Ryan?”

“Come for me, Lindsay,” he growled, and she did, letting out a sharp cry that echoed off their balcony and dragged him right over the edge with her.

Cuddling there wasn’t easy. For once, Lindsay’s famous mouth stayed shut, and one of Ryan’s arms dangled off the edge of the chair as he pet up and down her back slowly. He kept her close – their chests pressed together – as they tried to come back to reality.

It was impossible. They were floating among the stars.

“How does this work?” Ryan’s voice was spent, rough and ragged, and it made his lips quirk into a smile. “Like, if I ask you to be my girlfriend, how the hell does that work when you have a husband?”

“Hell if I know.” She painted patterns on his chest as she nuzzled his neck. “Michael printed me out a pamphlet, so I guess I’ll read that.”

A pause. “A pamphlet.”

“Mm-hmm. About nonmonogamy.”

Ryan could vividly picture Michael’s deadpan expression as he slapped a stack of papers on Lindsay’s desk with no warning just to watch her jump. He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “You? Read anything Michael gives you?”

“I know, right? Weird.” The smile was audible in her voice.

It was impossible that Ryan could be able to be this happy. Absolutely incomprehensible. But here they were, dancing through the clouds together.

With her in his arms, he didn’t think he’d ever come down.

[songketalliance]

What’s On Screen is Not Real Life

“My mother continued to defy the lives portrayed on television, which I resented her for as a child. But now that I myself have experienced “garam hidup” as old people would say, I get it. I get her.”

by Haley B

My mum used to say, “jangan luan terpengaruh” because I was always quick to believe what I consumed from the media. Weight loss advertisements in magazines, skin care products on television and stories from movies. I used to resent her statement, thinking how negative she was being at the time. I didn’t enjoy being pegged a fool and naive to the ways of the world that way. I’m sure not everyone was out to swindle you. Sometimes I wished she’d lighten up a bit, she just needed to believe the good in people—like what they always say in Disney movies.

Growing up I realise my mother didn’t like the idea of her children sitting in front of the television for too long. She’d say, “adang di sembah TV atu”, claiming that we worship the screen too much. Her choice of words always had a bite to them and grumbling only invites more biting words after. My 12 year old self was perpetually eye-rolling inside.

There was a swooping obsession one period in the 2000’s. “Teknik rebonding” or hair straightening treatments. There were shampoo advertisements about it all the time. After a few weeks of usage, you’ll have straight bouncy hair—one hair flip and the boys fawned over the main girl in the scene. I kept pressing my older sister to straight-iron my hair. And I used my pocket money to get hair treatments—and obviously got very broke each time. But I just wanted to look like those girls on television!

I was on a roll that time, and I remember my mother exasperatedly asking why couldn’t I just be happy with myself?! I was angry at this, thinking about my two sisters who both had shampoo advertisement-level luscious hair—why couldn’t she get me? 

My mother told me to stop looking down on myself. I thought to myself I would if only I could just look like the girls on television.

My mother was unlike those mothers on television. The ever smiley, sanguine lady who comes out of the kitchen with cookies. My mother was ever stern—and the memory I attach to her in the kitchen was once, she tackled the kitchen door open because the lock was broken and my baby sister and our maid were trapped inside. Admittedly, I still think this was pretty cool. 

My mother is also single. 

I used to obsess over that movie “The Parent Trap”, wishing I could come up with a funny ruse like Lindsay Lohan’s character(s) to get my parents together. Unfortunately I didn’t have a long-lost twin living with my father somewhere. Just the rest of my four other siblings under mum’s roof. My mother says she’s in a committed relationship in being the mother of five children; she didn’t need to add another with a new man. Now that I am in a happy relationship with someone, I am learning every day what a big sacrifice that was for her—still is. 

My mother continued to defy the lives portrayed on television, which I resented her for as a child. But now that I myself have experienced “garam hidup” as old people would say, I get it. I get her.

Absorbing whatever “normality” that was portrayed on television was personally damaging for me. The things it taught me about how I should look, what it made me believe about how my mom should be and my expectations of how life should be were all artificial. It was all made up.

I suppose in that sense I made the television be my moral compass, my centre. A little like worshiping it...

This isn’t the truth that I want for myself. The real truth I discovered, is that there is no such thing as perfection. There’s mercy, love and forgiveness. Something no television show or movie has taught me. It was something my stern but loving mother had tried to nurture within me.

by Haley B

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