#Westside Traffic

[trapangeles]

Kendrick Lamar’s "Squabble Up": A Visual Masterpiece of Cultural References and Homage

Kendrick Lamar has once again cemented his place as a visionary artist with the release of his "Squabble Up" music video. Packed with cultural nods, historical tributes, and impactful cameos, the video is a layered exploration of Black culture, West Coast pride, and hip-hop legacy. Here’s a deep dive into the elements that make this visual a masterpiece.

1. Ice-T's Power Album Cover

Kendrick pays homage to Ice-T’s 1988 album Power, one of the foundational pieces of West Coast rap history. By referencing this album, Kendrick honors a pioneer who paved the way for artists to merge raw storytelling with mainstream appeal.

2. David Hammons’ “African-American Flag”

The reinterpretation of the U.S. flag by David Hammons, featuring red, black, and green colors, symbolizes Black identity and resilience. Kendrick’s inclusion of this flag is a nod to empowerment, heritage, and the ongoing fight for equality.

3. Soul Train Scramble Boards

Kendrick incorporates the scramble boards made famous by Soul Train, the iconic Black dance and music show. This nostalgic reference celebrates Black excellence and the cultural impact of the show, which gave countless artists a platform.

4. Trunk Boiz “Scraper Bike” Video

The video nods to the 2007 “Scraper Bike” video by Trunk Boiz, a Bay Area anthem celebrating creativity and individuality. This homage reflects regional pride and highlights how grassroots movements have shaped urban culture.

5. Menace II Society Reference

The tricycle scene is a direct reference to the 1993 urban classic Menace II Society. This moment reminds viewers of the gritty realities of inner-city life and ties Kendrick’s storytelling to a legacy of authentic cinema.

6. Isaac Hayes’ Black Moses Album Cover

Kendrick recreates the cover of Isaac Hayes’ 1971 album Black Moses. This nod pays tribute to a soul music legend whose work represented strength, vulnerability, and empowerment.

7. The Roots’ "The Next Movement" Video

Visual parallels to The Roots’ 1999 “The Next Movement” video highlight Kendrick’s connection to progressive hip-hop storytelling, showing his appreciation for fellow innovators.

8. Nate Dogg Tribute

Kendrick subtly honors West Coast legend Nate Dogg, whose smooth hooks defined an era of hip-hop. This tribute ties the video to the golden age of West Coast rap and acknowledges Nate Dogg’s lasting influence on the culture.

9. “Jesus Saves Gangsters Too” Outreach Ministry

This reference to the grassroots ministry founded in 2000 emphasizes themes of redemption and transformation. By including this, Kendrick underscores his message that no one is beyond saving.

10. Statue of a Black Panther

A striking statue of a Black Panther symbolizes resistance, unity, and empowerment. This imagery connects Kendrick’s work to the legacy of the Black Panther Party and its role in advocating for justice.

11. Ese’s Partying Scene

Kendrick includes a scene of Ese’s partying, highlighting the intersection of Black and Chicano cultures in L.A. This moment is a celebration of diversity and community, integral to the West Coast lifestyle.

12. Big and Curvy Women Dancing

The inclusion of big and curvy women dancing challenges societal beauty standards and celebrates body positivity. Kendrick has long been an advocate for authenticity, and this scene is a bold statement of inclusivity and empowerment.

13. Dog Trainer Bitten by a Pitbull

The scene of a pitbull biting its handler carries layered symbolism. It could represent the struggle between control and rebellion or speak to the unpredictability and survival instincts that define life in the streets.

14. Westside Traffic’s Hoover Stomp

Schoolboy Q’s artist Westside Traffic performs the Hoover Stomp, bringing raw, authentic energy to the video. This moment is a vibrant nod to L.A. street culture and its unique contributions to hip-hop.

15. Storm DeBarge’s Stunning Moves

Choreographer and dancer Storm DeBarge brings dynamic energy to the video with her captivating performance, further showcasing Kendrick’s commitment to highlighting Black artistry.

16. Black Panther Movie Connection

Kendrick subtly nods to his work on the Black Panther movie soundtrack. This acknowledgment reinforces his role as a cultural leader bridging the worlds of art, music, and activism.

17. Cameos from L.A. Stars

The video features appearances by Taz Arnold, G Perico, RJMrLA, and Cuzzos, bringing together a community of creatives who embody the vibrant spirit of L.A.’s music scene.

A Celebration of Culture and Legacy

From its rich cultural references to powerful imagery and standout cameos, Kendrick Lamar’s "Squabble Up" is a layered visual masterpiece. It’s not just a music video—it’s a celebration of resilience, identity, and the enduring legacy of hip-hop.

Have you been spending all your money and time on making music and shooting videos, but still not getting any exposure? Tired of just spinning your wheels? You know to get exposure you need to get featured on blogs, radio stations, playlist, and get your music e-mail blasted out to the masses. Need help getting all that done? Then check out the Package we’ve made available for you below!

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[inc-immigrationnewscanada]

Bennett Bridge's 16 hour closure ;Sparks Massive Disruption

In the picturesque Okanagan Valley, the William R. Bennett Bridge stands as both a vital thoroughfare connecting Kelowna to West Kelowna and a symbol of the region’s engineering prowess. However, recent events have thrust this structure into the spotlight for reasons far from its scenic value. The bridge’s sudden closure due to a dramatic police incident has not only disrupted daily life but…

[mountrainiernps]

NPS Photo of Mount Rainier with a portion of Mowich Lake Road viewed from Tolmie Peak in 1961 (Eunice Lake is in the foreground with Mowich Lake in the distance).

Mowich Lake Road, like other park roads, was initially planned as part of an “around-the-mountain” road system. Mowich Lake Road starts in the northwest corner of the park and was intended to connect to Westside Road, which starts from the southwest corner. The two roads were never completed due to budget constraints and the rugged topography of the mountain. Constructed from 1929-1934, Mowich Lake Road remains a six-mile long spur road (reached via SR165) and is a discontiguous portion of the Mount Rainier National Historic District. Original features along the road include one stone retaining wall and 39 rustic culverts with mortared stone headwalls.

Mount Rainier National Park Archives Photo of the Mowich Entrance Dedication in 1933.

Mowich Lake Road was dedicated in 1933 at the Mowich Lake Entrance (now at Paul Peak Trailhead). At the dedication, a log memorial was constructed in honor of Dr. William Fraser Tolmie who visited Mount Rainier a hundred years earlier in 1833 on a botanizing trip. The log memorial was intended to be incorporated into an entrance arch. The arch was never completed and the memorial no longer exists. Footage of the Mowich Lake Road dedication event can be viewed at: https://go.nps.gov/MMem-MowichDedication

NPS Photo of the current Mowich Lake Road Entrance at Paul Peak Trailhead, 8/17/23.

While dedicated in 1933, delays due to construction and then WWII limited access and Mowich Lake Road did not open to vehicle traffic until July 1955. Have you traveled the historic Mowich Lake Road?

[angev111696969n]

And I'm honestly having a super stimulating conversation about defamation with a hot guy who is a final year law student like the gag of them like seeing me as like their random stoner dick vibes but we are kinda like getting actually philosophical. But honestly defamation is more of an issue of like how it actually is like deployed against exposure. But I also kinda hate the idea of an exposé but when it's good it's so good. But I kinda reject the theory of like paranoid readings about the kind of power they are like trying to be a part of. So going against the like underdog fights against corruption and goes on a spiritual journey narrative like it's giving I should have studied law. And that's like the 5th law student I've had that happen with it's like. Law for men for me is a really crazy. But like even that world and the cocaine that that has. And so now I'm like. bogged in concentric rings of sounds going on rn the traffic the insects the hoons the dogs the train the honking. Melbourne's West is crazy and it's crazy good for gay dating I feel tho. But idk. I just kinda dfw really northside gays who like have this whole like kinda cluster of syndromes within gay culture that like form this overall impression of like something annoying in the same way like willam finds suzie toot annoying I find him annoying. Even more severe probably like it's like more vitriolic. Like literally troye sivan. The ephebophilia auto-baiting demographic. if that even exists. Like it's giving very much like somehow more asexual less actually random life altering moments in life aestheticises buying vegetables and bread from the market florian and the level of like social media effort required to structure life around these pretty rituals but honestly same I'm just more tropical and like. smarter than that honestly but kinda like yesss never having lived northside is really fierce for me not to other the northsiders in the room I'm just saying I'm like suspicious about the culture there whereas I'm used to something more messy with the southside and wait what's that suburb. Like. Idk I swear I found hookups easier southside and it's just generally more refreshing to meet people you wouldn't be able to know from your own life to me like I love that kinda randomness give me like engineer or psychiatrist or like. Dating a tradie for 3 years was so eastern suburbs vibe like that's normal there cos everyone's rich or students but east suburbs nicest to live in fr. Hated the traffic tho. But westside traffic is fucked but the lifestyle here is more relaxed and down to earth. Western suburbs, Werribee, Cranbourne even like Narre Warren - earth Northern suburbs, Port Melbourne, Docklands - air Eastern suburbs, Seddon, Essendon, lots of other places like Clifton Hill or Kensington - wood CBD, Flemington, Richmond Cremorne Burnley area very metal like the material and idk lemme formulate the rest. And the post starting with me being gay philosophy of defamation and now just to ascribing hypothetical elemental qualities of melbourne suburbs like and hating on gays who kinda still act mean at the end of the day and are like avoidant. and ending with hating on gay people yessss this literary structure

[jerzwriter]

Tricks and Treats

Thank you to @aces-and-angels for this ask for Halloween prompt #28. It's the perfect prompt for them. I hope I did it justice. :)

Book: Crimes of Passion Pairing: Trystan Thorne x F!MC (Carolina Rose) Words: 1,400 Rating: Teen Warnings: Some violence, though nothing too intense; cursing Summary: Trystan & Carolina are running late to Ruby & Luke's Halloween Party. They have one stop to make on the way, but things go awry. A/N: It helps if you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but you don't have to. Participating in @choicesoctober Halloween, @choicesholidays Halloween

CoP Masterlist Main Masterlist

“One, two, three, four,” Carolina’s red cape fluttered behind her each time she raised her arm to grab another bottle of wine from the shelf. She had her hand on the fifth when she paused. “Five? Is five necessary? Maybe four will do... I can’t be the only one bringing wine... and I’m not just saying this because my shopping basket is so freaking heavy...”  

She could feel the weight of someone’s stare as she continued the animated conversation with herself. Turning her head quickly , she found a mildly amused shopper looking her way.

“My friends like wine,” Carolina shrugged. “A lot, actually... but... this is getting heavy, and I need to make a decision. I don’t normally talk to myself like this!” As the shopper shuffled away, Carolina yelled after her. “I don’t! I really don’t... I’m a very sane person! Totally sane... except... for right now.”

She let out a snort imagining how ridiculous she must have looked... Little Red Riding Hood standing in the middle of an aisle at Westside Market, rambling aimlessly about how much alcohol she needed to buy while declaring herself sane. New Yorkers were used to unusual sights, but she didn’t blame the woman for rushing away. 

She looked at her watch with a frown. They were already twenty minutes late for Ruby and Luke's party and still had midtown traffic to grapple with, so she set off to find Trystan, still talking to herself as she turned her neck to look down each aisle.

“Trystan, where are you?” Though she was actively looking for him, her heart still skipped a beat when a big, furry paw landed on her shoulder.  

“Trystan!” she startled, “you scared the shit out of me.”

“There is no Trystan,” he snickered, playfully pulling her close. “Only the Big Bad Wolf..uh.. no.. I mean Grandma! I’m Grandma, trust me.”

“Grandma? What big paws you have!” she beamed as he nuzzled into her neck and playfully growled.

“The better to paw you with, my dear...”

“Well, you can paw me once we get to the party. We’re very late.”

She went to reach for his hand, bursting into laughter when she saw the contents in his basket. “What are you buying?”

“Sausage and whipped cream,” he answered matter-of-factly.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Caroline winced. “Sausage... and whipped cream?”

“Yes. Ruby asked me to pick up chorizo, and there is no way I’m partaking in Luke’s pumpkin pie without the benefit of whipped cream. What do you take me for? A heathen?"

“But, Trystan... we’re walking up to the cashier to purchase a lot of wine, an obscenely large chorizo... and whipped cream.... how does that look?”

“Like we’re on our way to one hell of a party,” he winked. 

“Why don’t we stop on aisle five and throw in some Vaseline. That should give the staff something to talk about for hours, maybe days, to come!”

“Aisle five, you say?” he said, grabbing her hand.

“Can we forget I mentioned that?”

But his impish grin gave her all the answers she needed.

“I should know better by now,” she sighed.

~~~~~

Carolina was lost in thought as they waited on the barely moving line. Trystan scrunched his nose to wordlessly to inquire about her thoughts.

“I should get more wine,” she insisted. “I mean... you know our friends. This won't be nearly enough.”  

“Well, I don’t think this line is going to move anytime soon. Would you like me to run and get more?”

“No, you wait here,” she insisted. “I’ll go.”

“Just be quick,” he smiled. “It's dangerous out in the woods.”

“I know!” She said with wide eyes. “We even have Drakovian wolves now!"

“Oh! The worst kind!” he scoffed, patting her bottom quickly as she rushed off, his eyes never leaving her until she was out of sight. He turned back to face the front of the line and met the disapproving gaze of an elderly woman in front of him.

“It's OK," Trystan insisted. "She’s my girlfriend, that was perfectly acceptable behavior.”

Not sure she was satisfied with his answer, he pulled out his phone to check messages. He was lost in thought when...

“Freeze!” A masked man wearing an undistinguishable costume yelled as he launched at the cashier, gun blazing.

The teenage girl at the register began to scream.

“Shut the hell up and keep your hands where I can see ‘em... then no one gets hurt!”

Suddenly, another man dressed as Chewbacca whipped around and pointed a gun at the customers waiting in line.

“Don’t any of you get any ideas either!”

Trystan held up his hands with a roll of his eyes. “This behavior is so unbecoming of a Wookie.”

But his bravado depleted at once when the man cocked his pistol and aimed it at Trystan.

“Think you’re funny there, Scar?"

"Scar? No...I'm the Big Bad Wolf."

"SHUT UP!!! One more out of you, and you’ll be laughing at the morgue.”

Back at the register, the young cashier nervously tossed cash into a shopping bag as the robber was losing patience.

“Make it quick, Blondie! We don’t have all day!”

The old woman in front of Trystan began to hyperventilate and appeared to lose her balance.

Trystan reached out to touch her arm. “It’s going to be all right,” he whispered; but his sudden movement jarred the Wookie assailant, who fired a shot in the air.

“I SAID DON’T FUCKING MOVE! DON’T MAKE ME DO SOMETHING I DON’T WANT TO DO!”

But eyes lit up when he caught a flash of light from the old woman’s direction.

“Well,” he let out a slow whistle. “That’s one hell of a diamond ring you’ve got there... hand it over!”

“No..." she cried. "I’ll give you all my money, but not this! Please! My Harry gave this to me for our fortieth anniversary! I remember him every time I see it!"

“Lady, unless you want to join Harry tonight, HAND IT OVER.”

Trystan clenched his teeth as the old woman tearfully removed the ring from her finger; that’s when he locked eyes with Carolina. A knowing look passed between them, and she gently nodded, mouthing the words... one... two... three....

Carolina rushed to the register, raising a bottle of wine high above her head, breaking it over the gunman’s head. Meanwhile, Trystan charged Chewbacca. He wailed as Trystan twisted his arm in an inhuman position until his gun fell to the floor. The first man began coming to and attempted to reach for the fallen weapon...

“Oh, no, you fucking don’t!” Carolina yelled as another bottle of wine crashed into his temple.

Trystan sat atop the other man to hold him in place. But when the police arrived, they took aim at Trystan.

“NO!” Carolina yelled. “The Big Bad Wolf is the good guy! He's with me. Chewbacca is the one you want!”

“My mistake,” the officer nodded. “The call just said a hairy beast was one of the assailants."

"It's OK," Carolina smirked. "It’s not every day we see the Big Bad Wolf and Chewbacca wrestling on the floor!”

“Wrestling?” Trystan spat. “There was no wrestling! I had this second-rate mongrel fully under control!”

“Of course, you did, dear,” Carolina smiled as the other officer took the wine-battered criminal off her hands.

The officer couldn't help but laugh. “It’s not every day you see Red and the Big Bad Wolf taking out the bad guys, either.”

“Hey, it’s New York,” Carolina shrugged. “You never know what you’ll see... especially on Halloween.”

With that, she turned to the wine-battered criminal. “Speaking of which... what the hell is your costume? I can't even tell what you were supposed to be."

“Sinatra!” The man answered bitterly.

“Sin... SINATRA! Frank Sinatra!” Carolina spat. “If I had known that, I would have hit harder! How dare you disparage Frank like that!”

“Do you have a thing for Sinatra?” Trystan questioned. “Perhaps I should have chosen my costume more carefully.”

“Sinatra was one of my father’s favorites,” she smiled softly. “And this SOB has the audacity....”

“Detective Rose,” the officer interrupted. “We need to take your statement.”

“Oh, of course,” she said as Trystan's phone rang.

“It shouldn’t be long. Then you two kids can head back to grandma’s house.”

As the officer took out his notepad, he and Carolina heard bits and pieces of Trystan's conversation.

“I know you’re desperate for the chorizo... we stopped a robbery.... yes, a robbery.... we’re fine... we’ll be leaving shortly... I have whipped cream, too.”

Carolina shook her head. “Whenever I'm with you, it seems words I could never have imagined in the same sentence all just meld together."

"I'm confident I'm not the first person to say chorizo, whipped cream, and robbery in the same breath."

"I don't know," the police officer muttered. "I think you might be."

After wrapping things up, the store manager came over to thank the couple, insisting they take their order for free. As they made their way out into the cold, moonlit night, Trystan suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"We just can't have a normal night out, can we?”

“Hon, this is normal for us,” she smiled, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “Now, keep moving. Luke is desperate for his chorizo.”

"Talk about words I'd never hear strung together," he laughed.

It was a Halloween they'd never forget. 🎃

@choicesficwriterscreations Tagging others separately.

[mjonthetrack]

vice queen II

Chapter 100 – “Y’all Didn’t Even Invite Nobody?!”

The conference room was chaos.

Jimmy was posted up with his arms crossed, trying not to laugh too hard. Camille sat next to him, four months pregnant and already plotting some type of revenge. Lo was mid-rant pacing by the whiteboard. Jey kept spinning in a damn chair like a big-ass kid.

Courtney sat on the table like she was on the throne. Heels crossed, black nails tapping on her thigh, and Maya in her lap drawing hearts on a folder marked “Alvarez Debrief.”

Zilla? Leaned against the wall behind her. Chain out. Hoodie on. Whole posture screaming “say something slick, I dare you.”

“Lemme get this straight,” Camille started, calm but dangerous, “Y’all got married. Like...legally.”

“Yes.” Courtney sipped her pineapple juice.

“At the courthouse.” Camille’s voice went up an octave.

“Yes.” Courtney licked her glossed lips. “Jacksonville. Judge was cool as hell.”

“And nobody got an invite?” Lo threw her hands up. “I’ve been helping y’all cook people, and I didn’t even get a damn cupcake?!”

Courtney rolled her eyes and pulled a laminated 8.5x11 sheet from her Louis tote. She smacked it on the table like a UNO reverse card. “I got copies, okay? The state of Florida signed off. It’s legit. Peep the seal.”

Everyone leaned in. Yep. There it was. Zilla’s signature all sharp and slanted. Courtney’s looking like it was written in lip gloss.

“Bih… you laminated it?” Camille blinked.

“I’m organized.” She shrugged. “I work logistics.”

Zilla finally spoke, voice low and dismissive, “That fairy tale shit? That was Jimmy and Camille’s wedding. All white. The violinist. Fancy ass chairs.”

He looked around the room slowly, face completely unbothered.

“We real thugs,” he said, arm dropping onto Courtney’s shoulder. “We got blood to spill.”

Maya nodded like a tiny hype woman. “That’s right. We thug married!”

Lo choked on her drink.

Jimmy smirked. “So that’s what we callin it now? ‘Thug married’? Y’all ain’t even give me a heads up. I was gon throw y’all a barbecue at least.”

“Yeah well,” Zilla’s eyes were sharp under his lashes, “we was too busy dealin with the Alvarez fuck-up and me patching my wife up from takin bullets to protect the empire, remember?”

Silence.

Camille cleared her throat and raised her brows at Jimmy like: You heard what he said.

“Point made,” Jimmy murmured.

Courtney smirked, brushing her fingers through Maya’s curls. “Besides, we ain’t gotta do what y’all do. We are what y’all do. You needed a fairy tale. I needed a partner. Now I got him. On paper, in blood, and by choice. That’s real.”

Zilla bent low and kissed the side of her head, real subtle-like.

“Tell ‘em again, Mrs. Fatu.”

Courtney looked dead at Lo and Camille. “Bet y’all still wanna throw a party though.”

Lo: “Bitch, don’t play, I already got the Pinterest board.”

Camille, shaking her head: “Y’all so ghetto it’s almost poetic.”

Jimmy: “Almost.”

Everyone laughed, but one thing was dead serious now: Zilla and Courtney weren’t just together. They were solid. Official. Dangerous. And completely, unapologetically theirs.

Chapter 102 – “Thug Life Wedding Party”

The war room was in full swing—maps out, tablets glowing, encrypted calls bouncing through the speaker, and Camille already three bites into a mango cup while reviewing westside traffic reports.

But all of that came to a full, dead halt when little Maya Fatu marched into the room with her pink glitter backpack on and a masterpiece of chaos and crayons in her hand.

“Ahem,” she cleared her throat like she paid rent, “I need everybody to stop for a second. This is important.”

Courtney, still adjusting her healed hip with a side-eye to Zilla for walking too damn fast, blinked. “Baby…what’s up?”

Maya climbed right up on the closest chair, slapped her coloring book page onto the war table like it was an FBI dossier, and grinned.

“I drew our wedding,” she declared, chin tilted like she knew she ate.

Everyone leaned in and collectively lost their minds.

Lo choked. “Is that Camille with a Glock and a baby bump?”

“It’s accurate,” Maya said proudly. “She’s holdin’ both her babies.”

Camille put a hand to her chest. “Aww, sweetie—wait why I got red eyes?”

“I wanted to show that you kill people fast.”

Zilla was already laughing, arms crossed, shaking his head. “She got Jimmy in Timbs, look—yo, is that smoke coming off my vest?”

Maya nodded hard. “You were fightin’ somebody who called Mommy a ‘distraction.’”

Courtney looked at the picture, squinting. “And what am I doin’, baby?”

“You’re standin’ on top of a car in heels with your gun and yellin’ at everyone to respect your family,” Maya said, like that wasn’t the most normal wedding image ever. “And I drew my dress sparkly pink with flames because I’m part of the empire too.”

“She put the whole bunker in the background,” Jey said, flipping the page like it was official art. “With Peach’s lil ass sittin’ there with a crown.”

Courtney leaned over and kissed the side of Maya’s head. “You really snapped with this one, mama. You captured the moment.”

Maya turned to Jimmy. “Can we put it on the wall with the security maps? I used the good markers.”

Jimmy glanced at Camille, who was already sniffling. “We’ll laminate it and put it right by the West Tenth route. That spot got your mommy’s name on it anyway.”

Lo gave a little salute. “She already better at strategic propaganda than half y’all grown-ass men.”

Zilla reached out and tugged Maya onto his lap, folding her close against his chest. “You know this the best wedding present I ever got, right?”

“I know,” she said casually, sipping her juice. “You didn’t even get Mommy a wedding dress, so I had to do something nice.”

Courtney just cackled, leaning into Zilla’s side. “Dragged you without mercy.”

“I married you in black diamonds, woman,” he muttered, kissing the top of Maya’s head.

“And I married a man who lets his daughter publicly slander him,” she shot back, smirking.

Maya looked between them and sighed, content and powerful in her little kingdom.

“Okay,” she said, “you guys can go back to business now. I just needed y’all to see who’s really in charge.”

Nobody argued.

Chapter 103 – “Still Us, Just Married Now”

The house was finally quiet.

Peaches was curled up in her luxury-ass donut bed. Maya had passed out halfway through her animated movie marathon, her favorite blanket wrapped around her like a burrito. And the war room? Silent. Shut down for the night.

Courtney stood barefoot in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of lemon water with that fresh scar on her hip peeking out from under her oversized tee. The dim under-lighting glowed off the counters, casting her in soft warmth—real domestic vibes, except she still had a Glock tucked in the cabinet behind her vitamins.

Zilla watched from the doorway, arms folded across his chest, that lazy grin on his lips as he took her in like he’d never seen her before.

“You really Mrs. Fatu now, huh?” he murmured, voice all gravel and mischief.

Courtney turned around, one brow lifting, sipping slow. “You say that like I wasn’t already actin’ like it.”

He stepped forward, hand brushing across her waist. “You was. But now you can’t run.”

Courtney smirked. “Wouldn’t even try.”

They stood there like that—just a married problem set, fresh off a courthouse high and still smelling like commitment and crime. Zilla leaned back against the island and pulled her between his legs gently, hands resting low on her hips.

“So… how’s it feel?” he asked, voice low. “Real talk. You good with this?”

Courtney snorted. “Z, I got a vest that don’t cover my ass and a twelve gauge in the trunk. If I was scared of commitment, I’d be long gone.”

He chuckled, pulling her closer.

“But you?” she asked, tilting her chin to look up at him. “You the one who woke up talkin’ bout ‘Let’s get married’ outta nowhere, didn’t even ask me with a ring.”

“I had a ring,” Zilla said, grinning. “You just kept scarin’ off my proposal moments. You over here patchin’ bullet wounds and makin’ supply runs, how I’m supposed to be romantic?”

Courtney softened, brushing her fingers over the tattoos across his chest where his shirt hung open. “You serious about this, right? This wasn’t some heat-of-the-moment, post-shootout adrenaline decision?”

Zilla held her gaze. No blink. No smile. Just that intense, ride-or-die stare only he could pull off.

“I’m more sure about you than I been about anything in my life,” he said. “Courtney, you ain’t just some woman I married. You mine. You the one that showed up, stayed, took Maya like she came from you. I don’t care how quick it was—our story started way before paperwork.”

Courtney swallowed hard, leaning in. “You already knew I was gone for you, huh?”

Zilla smirked again. “You show it every time you cock that twelve gauge for me.”

She laughed, resting her forehead on his chest. “You so stupid.”

“But I’m yours,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. “Married or not, you always had me.”

Her arms looped around his waist, pulling him close. They stood there for a long moment, not needing words, just breathing each other in.

Finally, she looked up again. “So… do we gotta like… do married people shit now?”

Zilla tilted his head. “Like what? File taxes together? Buy matching hoodies?”

Courtney: “I was thinking more like hide bodies better and make wills.”

Zilla: “I already got our aliases and an emergency bag stashed under the estate.”

Courtney, grinning: “See, and that’s why I married your crazy ass.”

Chapter 104 – “Party in the War Room”

It was a Saturday night and the war room smelled like smoked brisket, top-shelf liquor, and danger.

They tried to say it was a wedding party.

Zilla and Courtney? They were calling it what it was: “an excuse for everybody to show up in black and talk business while acting like it’s a celebration.”

Still, the big-ass screens were muted for once, showing surveillance feeds in the background. The long steel table was covered in catered trays of oxtail, empanadas, fried lobster tails, and sweet Henny-glazed wings. There was even a tiered cake shaped like a black duffel bag stuffed with fondant cash stacks and sugar-glazed bullets. Classy.

Jimmy and Camille arrived first—Camille in a black bodycon that hugged her four-month belly, her nails and lips both a rich oxblood red. She side-eyed Zilla immediately.

“You really got married and didn’t tell us?” she asked, holding her belly like it had an opinion too.

Zilla leaned on the edge of the conference table, wearing his black silk button-down wide open and his platinum wedding band glinting as he smirked. “Y’all was busy nesting. We was busy healing. Ain’t nobody got time for white doves and rose petals when Court just survived a hit.”

Courtney sauntered in behind him in black leather pants and a cut-out crop top, walking like her hip wasn’t stitched up. Her wedding rings shined under the fluorescents, and Peaches was in a little white tutu that read “Flower Pup” in blood red.

“Besides,” she said, taking her seat in Zilla’s lap like she was the prize at the end of a long war, “y’all actin’ real shocked for people who knew we been locked in.”

Marissa and Sefa rolled in next—Marissa with a blunt behind her ear and a mini flamethrower of a lighter, Sefa carrying enough tequila for everyone to forget their trauma for a few hours. Jey and Ariel were last, dripped in matte black fits and unbothered, already scheming in whispers.

“So this it?” Jey asked, lifting his glass. “The Fatu Enforcer and his Queenpin tied the knot in secret and now we in the damn bunker throwin’ rice over duffle bags?”

Jimmy laughed, “You know damn well they weren’t gonna do that reception hall fairytale shit.”

Courtney flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Ain’t a single white tablecloth in sight and I’m at peace.”

Zilla added, “Plus we still got names to cross off. Y’all forgot who shot my wife?”

The room quieted, then Camille stood up and clinked her glass with a pen.

“Alright, thugs,” she said. “To Z and Court. Married, dangerous, and apparently still about that smoke even with rings on. Let’s toast now and make revenge plans later.”

Courtney raised her drink, her free hand holding Zilla’s.

“To real love,” she said. “The kind that don’t need a wedding planner or a DJ.”

Zilla raised his cup too. “And to blood. Because we got some to spill, and now I got a wife to protect while I do it.”

The table broke into cheers, clinks, and heavy laughter. But that war map on the screen? Still glowed behind them, red circles blinking over West and Tenth.

This was a wedding party for two people who survived being targets—and were now ready to be the hunters again.

Chapter 105 — “She Said What??”

The war room was lit up—literally and figuratively. Six screens. All the major players online.

Camille and Jimmy were in their command center, Camille swaying on her birthing ball while Jimmy had his arms crossed tight. Jey and Ariel were both looking like they were ready to throw down. Sefa and Marissa were on the move, watching the call from a bulletproof Benz.

The final screen clicked on.

Courtney.

Vest strapped tight, hair in a slick bun, fresh bruises peeking beneath her collar. She had her 12 gauge balanced across her lap like it was nothing. The glow from the Hummer headlights lit her from behind, casting a war goddess shadow behind her.

Zilla was behind her in the bed of the Hummer, reloading clips, his face carved from stone. Smoke rose off a fire pit they made out of a barrel. There were bricks of powder on the ground still smoldering.

“Y’all hear me?” she asked casually, checking her AirPods.

“Yeah, yeah we hear you,” Jimmy said, already sounding exasperated. “Y’all left a trail of bodies from the pier to 9th street. The hell goin’ on out there?”

Courtney chewed on her gum, still calm. “Just a little housekeeping. Tying up loose ends.”

Camille frowned. “Court, you okay? You moving kinda—slow.”

Marissa tilted her head. “Your face is fuller. You sick or something?”

Courtney grinned. Looked straight at the camera. Didn’t even blink.

“Oh. Yeah. I’m pregnant.”

Dead. Silence.

The air in the war room evaporated.

Zilla—who was mid-load with a fresh clip—froze. Clip in one hand. Glock in the other. He blinked once. Then again. Looked up like he wasn’t sure he heard her right.

“...What?”

Courtney, cool as hell: “I said I’m pregnant.”

Zilla’s whole posture shifted. “Court… the fuck you mean you pregnant?”

Jimmy’s eyes popped. “WAIT YOU DIDN’T KNOW?”

Jey spit out his drink. “NAH YO. YO—SHE DROPPED THAT SHIT LIKE AN AD LIB!”

Camille was already crying. “OH MY GOD THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER—WAIT—ZILLA YOU REALLY DIDN’T KNOW?”

Courtney side-eyed him and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t gimme that look. I found out a week ago. We been busy.”

Zilla stepped off the Hummer like gravity didn’t apply to him. He walked up slow, face unreadable, Glock forgotten in one hand. Everyone on the call was yelling—Marissa screaming “CONGRATULATIONS”, Jimmy demanding an explanation, Ariel yelling “OH MY GOD YOU GONNA BE A DAD TWICE???”

But Zilla only had eyes for her.

“You really carrying mine?” His voice low. Almost soft.

She nodded. “Yeah. You good, Z?”

Zilla reached out, hand heavy and warm as it curled around her stomach like it was made to live there.

Courtney swallowed, for once the one looking unsure.

But then Zilla pulled her in with his free arm and kissed her forehead, breath shaky.

“I ain’t know I could feel more than what I already feel for you and Maya,” he muttered against her skin. “You done turned me into a whole husband and a full time dad.”

Then, without looking away from her, he tilted his chin toward the iPad on the crate.

“Y’all heard my wife,” he said darkly. “Anybody who had anything to do with that warehouse hit—dead. Pregnant or not, we ain’t stoppin’ till we clean the board.”

Jimmy let out a long breath. “You gonna be a whole two time dad.”

Zilla smirked. “Yeah. And this one already got a kill count.”

Courtney, wicked grin growing: “You love it.”

He kissed her lips, hand still on her stomach. “You damn right I do.”

[therappundit]

***THE BEST OF 2025 (So Far)*** - My Favorite Rap Music From the First Half of A COMPLETELY INSANE Year

2025 has proven to be another year of unpredictable, diverse hip-hop music that offers something for everyone, ranging from aesthetics designed to distract you from thinking too hard about anything, to audio expressionism that will have you thinking about absolutely everything happening in the world around you.

As shocked as I am that we are already approaching the mid-point of the year, a quick reflection on what we have seen and heard between January and June clearly indicates that...A LOT has happened. With much of the world feeling like everything is up in flames (sadly in too many cases, that can be taken literally), much of the art we have seen in 2025 echoes a society inundated by images of war, genocide, corruption, an uptick in threats to minority communities, assault on gender identity, a casual comfort in expressing ignorant and sexist views through large-scale means, fractured economic systems with a dangerous lack of protective infrastructure, mostly empty rap battles between coasts that all parties would be better off without (ahem)...and too many other existential threats to cover here. In summary, there's seemingly no end for topics to cover in rap music today.

So whatever music you're listening to right now, I just hope it is bringing you joy, or at the very least, serving a series of tiny reminders that there is still a lot to love about this world, and the people in it. I'm going to try to do my part by sharing some of the music that I have loved in 2025 thus far, and if you end up loving anything from this list that you had not previously heard, let me know. 🙏

*In no particular order*...

***FAVORITE ALBUMS/EPs/MIXTAPES/PROJECTS***:

(The) Forever Dream by Fly Anakin

Murder During Drug Traffic by Boldy James & RichGains

Crook$ & Ca$tles by Ahk Sair

Dear Psilocybin by ZelooperZ & Real Bad Man

emerge "n" see by shemar

GOLLIWOG by billy woods

Shawty Got Ball Head Pu**y Like Tupac So I Got High And Kilt It Wit Keefe D by smiles & SMO

That's Brilliant! by Bfb Da Packman

Supreme Magnetic by ERROL HOLDEN

be a better friend by Jay Cinema & chasay

Black Man! by Teller Bank$ & Wino Willy

MERRY&RUE by Imani Nichele

Showbiz! by MIKE

yoteLAndia by COYOTE

POTLUCK by Bruiser Wolf

Pinball II by MIKE & Tony Seltzer

No School by Asterisk

Food From the Gods by Black Milk & Fat Ray

THE DYNASTY by WiFiGawd

Fada<3of$ by Niontay

From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID by Saba & No I.D.

check for me by Jaysanityy

YN Anthem by 2Sdxrt3all

At Ease. by IDK Young J. & PTY

Trainspotting by Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams

SHIT AIN'T SWEET by JUNE!

The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu by Ray Vaughn

PATHFINDERS by PATHFINDERS (blackchai & Illohim)

The Wonderful World Of Squadda B by Squadda B

Life Is Beautiful by Larry June, 2 Chainz, and The Alchemist

Seeker of Knowledge by CHoW

Old Chicago Stadium by Video Dave

M Block (Deluxe) by BabyFxce E

Evergreen Plaza by Previous Industries

OUTSTANDING UNDERSTANDING by R.A.P. Ferreira

UW6 by St6 JodyBoof

FOR MY KID'S KIDS by Jameel Na'im X

ILL Dirty Rufus by Rufus Sims & Master Ill

ZOO LIFE by BabyChiefDoit

Forty by Blu & August Fanon

WINNERTIME 2.0 by Papo2oo4 & Subjxct 5

The Beautiful Malaise by Tony Bontana & Psychedelic Ensemble.

Deja Bloo by Bloo Azul & Spanish Ran

When The Iron Is Hot by ovrkast.

I Want Nothin' by Kipp Stone

Remember to Breathe by Landon Wordswell & Es-k

RENT PAID by LaRussell & Hit-Boy

12 by Westside Gunn

UNDEFEATED EP by Icewear Vezzo

I Did More with Less (V1) by A$AP Twelvyy

Salsa Verde by Tom Caruana

Demon Slayer 2 by Lord OLO & Televangel

THUG ZINE issue 003: Against Entropy by bromethugzine (SWAMP THUG & BROMETHAZINE)

Other Blues by Parallel Thought & Defcee

I Live, I Die, I Live Again by Chuckyy

Dis For The Project (Side A) by Dough Networkz

Atlanta Night Life by YN Jay

The Outcome (Deluxe) by Black Soprano Family & ILL Tone Beats

shabbvangogh by Mike Shabb

PIFF by Lord Sko

Pooch On Da Loose! by 4pooch

Conversion of Light EP by Alikho Igama

Cegregation by Whyceg

A Space Between Time by BigDaddyChop & Heir James

The Michelin Man by Cookin Soul & ANKHLEJOHN

BLEU MAGIC by DeevoDaGenius, Kil The Artist, BLUEHILLBILL

GT9 by Slimesito

Welfare Island by KnowitAll & bop phrases

RocAmerikkka 3 by Flee Lord & eto

The Vault Collective by SupremeCreme

EASE VS EVERYBODY by LITEEASE

4WTRO2 by Zone1eriic & hariroc

Stadium Lo Champions by Raz Fresco & Futurewave

Hero's Journey by Sleep Sinatra

***WHAT ELSE STAYS IN HEAVY ROTATION*** :

*In no particular order*...

"Cuhmunity Freestyle" - Meet The Whoops feat. AD

"Flip Cup" - Nakama. feat. Rap Man Gavin & kiluhmanjaro

"Fashion Model" - Skrilla feat. Jorjiana

"REALEST OF YOUR BOYZ" - Tree

"Me & My" - Babydrill

"Hit the Brakes" - Fat Trel & KP SKYWALKA

"Never Need" - Anycia, GloRilla & KARRAHBOOO

"COMPANYFLOW" - urhra & Riley Lamarre feat. Lungs/Lonesword, 98preem & blackchai

"Crowned Skull" - QThree & Groundskeeper feat. Cavalier

"Gang Gang" - Chef Boy, Rosencrans HopOut, Ys, Hitta J3 & PHOPH8IGHT

"$ & Power" - Benny feat. Skylar Blatt

"1:1[FKDUP.BEZEL]" - Pink Siifu feat. Conquest Tony Phillips, bbymutha & Eltheist

"Black Dynamite" - 2 Eleven feat. Jay Rock

"Blood Bath" - Fox BD feat. YTB FATT & Chuckyy

"This Aint That" - Murs

"Money On Money" - Young Thug & Future

“MFWAH” - DeevoDaGenius feat. ElCamino & Estee Nack

"READ THE ROOM - LulJustin feat. Zone1eriic

"Nesquik" - Napoleon Da Legend & Giallo Point

"Refurbished" - Jamal J. SWIZZ B88GIE, Saint Key

"My Dharma" - Lex Boogie from the Bronx & Senz Beats

"Game Time" - AZ Chike

"Prepping Pizza" - Spank Nitti James & Hit-Boy

"gmfu" - Marco Plus

"The Rose Bowl" - The High & Mighty feat. Your Old Droog & The Alchemist

"Armani Section" - Roc Marciano & DJ Premier

"Silver" - Quincy Hunch feat. Sol ChYld & Onyx

"Good" - EastsideEggroll

"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" - Milc & spinitch feat. Wynne

"Be" - Sol ChYld

"Time" - Jorjiana

"Landgrab" - Mavi feat. Earl Sweatshirt

"Stunner" - blank thought feat. IDK Young J. & QuestionATL

"P Bitch" - Myaap & Nedarb feat. Pablo Skywalkin

"Live At the Chinese Buffet" - Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals

"BMJR 3" - Jameel Na'im X

"City is Mine" - Godfather of Harlem & Swizz Beatz feat. Larry June, Conway the Machine & Sauce Walka

"BOBYAHEAD2DIS" - YL & Subjxct 5

"GBP" - Central Cee feat. 21 Savage

"3.5" - Myles Clayton

"Destiny Rose" - Che Noir & Superior

"Crueler Walls" - PremRock feat. Nappy Nina, YUNGMORPHEUS

“True Lies” - Curren$y & Harry Fraud feat. Babyface Ray, Styles P, 03 Greedo

“paid” - XANG

"OLADIPO" - Bump J

"Ask About Me" - ChoppaBaby & Fatt Macc feat. lil double 0

"Ultra Ill Magnetic Street" - Thirstin Howl III feat. Young Hump

"Gallons" - That Mexican OT & Sauce Walka feat. Lil Jairmy, Sosamann, DRODi & Mg Lil Bubba

"NEVER TRUST A BITCH THA- *EXPLODES*" - $ilkMoney

“Ouch” - DDG, Kyle Richh & NLE Choppa

“3167” - Lil Hawa feat. YsnUth

"Koolin" - Percaso feat. Luh Tyler

"Drowsy" - Polo Youngin

"Freight" - GetRichZay feat. 1504 MUTEBABY

"Went Off" - Doseone & Steel Tipped Dove feat. Open Mike Eagle

"Grain Of Sand" - Fresh Daily & Parental feat. Debonair P

"ERRDAY" - kingdoughmane.

"YN" - PlaqueBoyMax feat. Sexyy Red, BabyChiefDoit, LAZER DIM 700 & Baby Kia

"Weed Gentrification" - GOODNEWSBAS feat. Cavalier

“Pulse Points” - Henny L.O. , ewonee, Mirtaw, Illa Styles, Nickelus F & GRT SCTT

"TOXIC" - Playboi Carti feat. Skepta

"World Tour" - Jaeychino

"It Factor" - Boldy James & Real Bad Man feat. EL-P

"Automatic Weapons" - Lil Bread feat. LAZER DIM 700

“Aye Rage” - Benji Blue Bills & BNYX, YourRage

“3B’s” - STAR BANDZ

“PROLONGED” - Davidthetragic feat. Allen Thomas

"Handle Bars" - T.F & Khrysis feat. Flee Lord & Smoke DZA

“Another Day, Another Dolla” - Lil Tony Official feat. Nino Paid

“Infinite Pockets” - Homeboy Sandman & Brand The Builder

“No Sense” - DjSlimebxll feat. Slimesito

"Imported Hashish" - Bigg Sluggathor feat. UGLYFRANK

"Last Laugh" - Jericho Jackson (Elzhi & Khrysis) feat. Domo Genesis & Oh No

“PERFECT WORLD” - Lloyd Banks

“No Sleep” - Rubberband OG, BABY MEL, Fatt Macc, Big Moochie Grape, ABGR Lil Cory & Trenacote Shawty

“EASTER ISLAND” - Wiles Martyr

"Double D's" - Baby Osamaa

“Old School” - 2DATRAP, Dj Gren8de, Slime Dollaz

Choppa FattMac - Ask About Me

“I Look Like” - Big Boss Vette

"God Body Brothers" - Dizzy Wright, D Smoke, Oswin Benjamin, AJ McQueen & Kxvi

"South Still Speaking" - Lukah & Statik Selektah feat. Killer Mike

"High Speed Clouds" -NCY Milky Band & Quelle Chris

"Facelift" - DEAD PERRY feat. Estee Nack, Raz Fresco & Daniel Son

"Uncle Bernie" - Reese Youngn feat. Bfb Da Packman

"Brand New" - The Underachievers (Issa Gold, AKTHESAVIOR)

"scales" - Lord Apex feat. Louis Culture

"Be Foreal" - Luhh Dyl

"Forever My Moment" - Tee Grizzley

"Rent Due" - Jay Exodus feat. Mick Jenkins

"Glockaveli" - Key Glock "Dungin" - PROPAGANDA feat. Stik Figa, Dj Sena P

"Merch His Ahh" - Nutso Thugn feat. LAZER DIM 700

"GARGOYLE" - Obijuan, Mike Shabb

"End Of The Day" - Xzibit feat. Tre Capital, Domo Genesis & Ade Bekoe

"Monta Ellis" - Ghais Guevara feat. Yoko McThuggin

"Look Like Cocaine" - Bravo The Bagchaser feat. X4

"Flying Saucers" - your best friend jippy feat. Vodka

"Bo Crackson" - AC640

"Room Of June" - Vic Spencer & Bucky Luger

"WEIGHTED SHOES" - Perry Maysun feat. Isaiah Poet

"Basquiat Painted Transylvania" - Fatboi Sharif & Driveby feat. LUNGS

"Get Fired" - Pablo Skywalkin "Keep Calling" - Mani Coolin

If 2025 ended today we would still be looking at a great year for rap music. It's hard for me to imagine too many future releases being stronger than my favorite records of the year so far, but only time will tell. Stay tuned...

[lovevalley45]

#fictober24 - day eleven

"Well, that worked out great."

original fiction (power payback)

word count: 1682

It was rare that someone sought Magni out when it came to cases he consulted on. 

When the phone on his desk rang, he was caught off guard. No one called his work number. Not even his mother when she was desperate to reach him. 

Reluctantly, he removed an earplug and lifted it off the cradle. “This is Hillson Consulting Services. I’m Magni Quinn. How can I help you today?”

“Magni Quinn?” the voice on the other end repeated. It was a woman’s voice, deep and raspy. “My name is Ms. Fay. I have some information about that string of robberies you’ve been investigating. The ones in Westside?” 

He leaned back in his chair. “I’m not the detective on that case. I just gave counsel on possible Talent involvement.” There had been none, at least that he’d found. The shop owners had just called them in because Westside had the most Talents, where he’d grown up. Just the kind of nonsense job Hillson sent him on when he did get tired of sitting behind a computer. “I suggest you call Detective Pallas if you have any details pertaining to those robberies.” 

“Ah, but-” She paused. “Nevermind. I thought you just might be more willing to take me seriously.” 

Magni looked around the small office. Hillson’s door was closed, and his coworkers were busy with their own cases or out. “What is it?” 

“I’d prefer it if we talked in person,” Ms. Fay said. 

“You and me both,” he muttered. Though the phones in Hillson’s office still ran on old-fashioned landlines, he still hated calling people rather than talking face to face. “Where do you want to meet?” 

“Oh, no.” She laughed nervously. “You need to come to me. My address is 7118 Geffen Road.” 

As he jotted it down, he wondered if he was being pranked. “Alright. When-”

“Any time. As soon as you want.” 

“Fine.” Magni sighed. “I will-” He glanced at his computer. The case of finding who was diverting links on the Studio 99 website to the Youtube video for Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” seemed much less interesting now - and that was saying something. “I’m heading over now.” 

“Thank you.”

He hung up the phone and stuck his other earplugs in. Magni locked his computer and grabbed his keys, but his escape wouldn’t be that easy. Hillson opened his door right as he stood up from his cubicle. 

“Quinn! Where are you going?” 

Magni opened his mouth to say something, but shut it quickly. “I’ll be back,” he decided on, nodding. 

“You’re an awful liar,” Hillson told him. 

“I didn’t even try to lie,” Magni said, leaving his cubicle. 

“I know you were trying to.” 

That was fair. But Hillson didn’t stop him as he headed towards the door. 

Ms. Fay’s place wasn’t in Westside. It was closer to the Resorts District, which meant he had to cross Bright City Boulevard and the traffic that always plagued it just to find her address. When he did finally find 7118 Geffen Road, Magni realized why the police didn’t take her seriously. 

The two-story house faced the street, the glowing sign in the window clear for any passing tourist to see - “PSYCHIC” with the outline of a star. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

He parked on the street and walked up to the door. Living in Bright City, Magni should have been used to the weird. But as many Talents as he’d met, both on and off the job, he knew psychics weren’t real. 

Still, he was here now. 

Magni knocked on the front door. From inside, he heard the voice from the phone call, “Come inside! I’ll be with you shortly.” 

He opened the door and stepped inside the entry. A staircase led up stairs, with a narrow entry and an archway that opened to - well, it should have been a living room, but calling it a parlor seemed more accurate. Heavy curtains shrouded the room in darkness. A fancy but worn red couch was pressed up against the wall, under a tapestry of violet and crimson knots. 

Without his earplugs in, he heard a couple of smartphones, a computer somewhere deeper in the house. 

Magni stepped into the parlor. It was empty, but another pair of curtains separated it and another room. He figured that must have been where Ms. Fay did her business. 

He sat on the couch tentatively and nearly thought about texting Sprout. But this wasn’t the kind of thing to text her about. She’d think he was dying if he had to text her about it. No, it would be a better story to tell her over dinner. 

The curtains parted just enough for two young women in their twenties, one with a ‘bride-to-be’ sash over her short dress, to step out. “Thank you, Ms. Fay.” 

As they walked out, giggling, Magni tapped his fingers against his knee and wondered if this was really worth the scoop. Shit, he wasn’t even the actual investigator on the case. And what would Detective Pallas think if he did pass it along? Hillson was right, he was a terrible liar. He just had to hope she would actually believe him if he said he got his information from a psychic. 

The curtains opened again. He wasn’t sure who had expected the woman who had called him to be. Maybe an older white woman with a touch of cultural appropriation. Instead, a short, Black woman walked out. She definitely wasn’t much older than him, with thick, black curls with no touch of gray. She wore a deep purple dress that nearly brushed the ground and billowed with every step she took towards him. 

“Magni,” she said, before he could even stand to greet her. “I hope you can overlook your skepticism. May I interest you in a reading?” 

He tried to say no, but she was already disappearing back into her reading room. 

With a sigh, Magni followed her in. The room was lit by candles, making him feel a little disoriented in the dim light. “I don’t want a reading-” 

“I know,” Ms. Fay said. “You want your information. You think this is a waste of your time, and that I’m not what you expected, which- I’m only 31. And you must be gay, because most straight men notice my cleavage first.” 

He struggled to find the words to answer any of those claims, but only one answer came to mind, which she so helpfully filled in as well.

“And by now, you’ve figured out that I’m a telepath.” 

Ms. Fay smiled as she took a seat at the circular table in the room, looking at him expectantly. 

“Yes.” Magni took the seat across from her. “Are you going to talk over me the whole time?” 

“No. But please excuse my impatience.” 

He laid his hands on the table. “Is this reading the only way to get you to talk?” 

Ms. Fay picked up the deck of tarot cards in the middle of the table. “Let’s call it trust building.” As she started to shuffle them, she asked, “You’re a Talent, right? You work for Hillson.”

“Yes. Technopathy.” 

“Then I think you understand why I operate like this.” She met his eyes, hands still moving deftly. “My therapist said I’m an agoraphobe. I just think it’s too loud outside.”

He sighed. “Now that’s something I understand.” 

Ms. Fay spread the deck out in front of him. “Pick three cards and don’t look at them. Just hand them to me, in the order that you pull them out.” 

Magni did as she asked, picking at random. He’d never done one of these before. All he could hope was that it led to some kind of helpful outcome. 

She laid out the three cards for him, straightening up the remaining cards. “Here’s my secret, Mr. Quinn. Tarot is a symbolism game. I read the thoughts of my clients - what they desire, what they don’t even know they desire, what they fear, what they- well, you get the drill.” 

Ms. Fay flipped the first card over. “Five of coins. Someone’s fallen on hard times. They can’t keep a job. They get kicked out their apartment and have to crash on their cousin’s couch, down on Westside.” She turned over the next. “Seven of swords. They come up with a plan. Break into a few pawn shops in Westside. No one will look at them. They’re just a normie. Flying under the radar.” Finally, she flipped over the third. “Two of wands. They didn’t think this through enough, though. Everyone knows what’s been stolen. They can’t sell what they’ve stolen. They need guidance, ‘cause they think they’ve outsmarted you and Detective Pallas, but not enough. They need to know their next move.” 

“So the suspect came here?” 

“Bingo. I heard all that, did a little googling, and-” She picked up the next card on her deck, and grinned. “Huh.” Ms. Fay turned it around. A figure sat on a throne, a sword in one hand and a set of scales in the other. “Justice. Well, that worked out great.” She set the card down. “Think this was a waste of time now?” 

Magni leaned back in his chair. “You want the honest answer?” 

She laughed. “You ask like I don’t already know. Your perp’s name is Jerome Grover. I have his number and his credit card information, but you don’t need that last part. And if you do tell Detective Pallas about my parlor tricks, don’t tell her all my secrets.” 

He stood. “You know what they say. Honor among Talents.” 

“I thought it was honor among thieves,” Ms. Fay said, writing down Jerome’s name and number.

“If it were, I think you’ve broken that code, Ms. Fay.” He took the card from her. “If that’s even your real name.”

“Yes. It’s real. Althea Fay.” She rose. 

“What do I owe you?” 

“Nothing. Just being a good Samaritan. And hopefully, finding someone who understands.” 

Magni stuck the card in his pocket with a smile. “I think I do.” 

[coolwolfstarlight]

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Our carpet restoration service is more than just a quick fix — it’s a complete transformation. Whether your carpet has water damage, pet stains, or just years of wear, we have the tools and expertise to restore it thoroughly. We use advanced drying techniques, deep steam cleaning, odor removal solutions, and color correction to return your carpet to a like-new condition.

Choosing 7 Star Westside Services for your carpet restoration means choosing quality, reliability, and unmatched customer care. We work around your schedule, offer transparent pricing, and always put your satisfaction first. Our restoration process is not only fast and efficient but also extends the life of your carpets, helping you save money in the long run.

Why replace when you can restore? Call us today or book online to breathe new life into your carpets with our premium carpet restoration services. Let us help you restore comfort, beauty, and cleanliness to your home or office flooring.

Experience the 7 Star Difference

When it comes to professional carpet restoration in Melbourne, trust the team that combines years of experience with a commitment to excellence. At 7 Star Westside Services, we treat every home like our own and every carpet with the highest level of care. Don’t wait until your flooring is beyond repair — restore it today and enjoy a fresher, cleaner, and healthier indoor environment.

Contact us now to learn more or to book your next carpet restoration appointment with Melbourne’s trusted experts.

[atlantamellandareese]

The BeltLine is never on time… But this Westside project might actually beat the clock The BeltLine is never on time… But this Westside project might actually beat the clock. Here’s what’s finally happening — and why it matters. 🚧 A new 1.3-mile link is connecting Washington Park to Bankhead and Historic Westin Heights 🚲 It’ll create the longest continuous BeltLine stretch yet — 6.5 miles of unbroken trail ✨ No traffic. No intersections. Just smooth rides and serious momentum Developers are circling 👀 Affordable housing plans are dropping 🏡 And the mayor still says it’ll all be done by the 2026 World Cup ⚽ What do YOU think? Will Atlanta actually finish it in time? Drop a YES or NO in the comments ⬇️ And don’t forget to hit that follow if you want the real scoop on what’s happening with Atlanta development — from someone who lives here, works here, and keeps an eye on it all. #WestsideBeltLine #AtlantaDevelopment #BeltLineUpdate #ATLNews #AtlantaNeighborhoods #AtlantaRealEstate #BeltLineProject #AtlantaVibesAndViews #InTownAtlanta #UrbanAtlanta via Living in Atlanta with Mellanda Reese https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc63aospoWe6yHW_-o3apIQ May 09, 2025 at 11:33AM

[benaquiagua]

Last Man Standing (feat. Crisis, Westside Traffic, Starz Coleman & Mummz)

[eighthgrand-apartment]

Stay Active and Entertained

Keeping your energy up is easy when you have great amenities right at home. At Eighth and Grand Apartments, the state-of-the-art fitness center helps you stay on top of your workout routine without ever leaving the building. Need a quiet place to focus? The business center gives you the perfect setup to stay productive. When it’s time to unwind, the private screening room is the ideal spot to catch a movie in a cozy setting. Whether you’re working, working out, or just relaxing, everything you need is right at your fingertips. With stylish studio, two-bedroom, and one bedroom apartments for rent in downtown Los Angeles, you can enjoy a home that keeps up with your lifestyle.

Neighborhood Vibes and Unique Districts in Los Angeles, California

Every part of L.A. has its own personality. Downtown is a mix of historic buildings, high-rise apartments, and trendy bars. Venice has that laid-back, artsy beach vibe, while Silver Lake and Echo Park lean more hipster, full of indie coffee shops and record stores. Hollywood is a tourist hotspot, but also home to working actors and film crews. The Westside, including Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, is polished and upscale, while the San Fernando Valley is more suburban and relaxed. Then there’s South L.A., rich in culture and history, and the Eastside, where you’ll find some of the best Mexican food in the city. No matter what kind of energy you’re looking for, there’s a neighborhood that fits your style.

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA

Perched high above the city, Griffith Observatory is one of those places that feels magical, day or night. If you go during the day, you’ll get sweeping views of Los Angeles, from Downtown to the Pacific Ocean. At night, the real show begins—telescopes let you peek at the stars, and the exhibits inside explore the mysteries of space. The planetarium show is worth checking out, too. If you’re up for a little adventure, hiking up from Griffith Park makes the visit even more rewarding. And yes, you’ll probably recognize the place from movies like La La Land. Whether you’re into astronomy or just looking for a killer view, this spot is always a good idea.

Moderate to Heavy Rain, Snow Expected In Southern California As Set of Storms Arrive

Rain in Southern California always feels like a big deal, probably because it doesn’t happen that often. When it does, people either love it or completely panic. A little drizzle? Traffic slows to a crawl. A real storm? You start hearing about flooding, road closures, and even mudslides in burn areas. The fact that forecasters are already warning about debris flows and possible thunderstorms means this isn’t just a light shower. For the mountains, though, this could be great—more snow means better ski conditions and a boost for water supplies. But for anyone in flood-prone areas, it’s a reminder to stay alert. Weather like this may be normal in other places, but in L.A., a couple of inches of rain can turn into a real mess fast.

Link to map

Griffith Observatory 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States Get on I-5 S/Golden State Fwy from N Vermont Canyon Rd and Los Feliz Blvd 11 min (3.2 mi) Continue on I-5 S/Golden State Fwy. Take CA-110 to W 6th St. Take the exit toward Wilshire Blvd from CA-110 9 min (5.9 mi) Continue on W 6th St. Drive to S Grand Ave 3 min (0.5 mi) Eighth and Grand Apartments 770 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017, United States

[aertfzsdgysr]

Cooling Coastal LA: HVAC and Mini Splits

HVAC Mastery in Culver City

Culver City, a hub of creativity with its studios and tree-lined streets, thrives on a rhythm that’s both bustling and serene. Yet, when summer rolls in, the heat can stifle that balance, turning cozy bungalows into saunas. That’s where HVAC Culver City shines, offering a full-spectrum approach to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. These systems are the backbone of year-round comfort, tackling everything from scorching August afternoons to chilly January nights.

Technicians here are wizards of their trade, servicing sprawling central units that weave through attics and crawlspaces. A routine visit might involve flushing a condenser choked with city dust or tweaking a thermostat for peak efficiency. For a homeowner, it’s a lifeline—imagine a film editor unwinding after a long day, the AC humming softly as it banishes the day’s heat. In Culver City, where every square foot counts, HVAC pros ensure systems run lean and mean, keeping energy bills in check while the cool air flows freely.

Mini Splits: Venice’s Space-Saving Cool

Just a stone’s throw away, Venice pulses with a bohemian spirit—canals glimmer, murals pop, and funky cottages line the streets. Space is tight, and traditional HVAC setups often clash with the neighborhood’s quirky layouts. Enter mini split installation Venice, a sleek, ductless alternative that’s rewriting the rules of cooling. These compact systems deliver pinpoint climate control, perfect for Venice’s mix of historic bungalows and modern lofts.

Installation is a craft of precision—technicians mount an indoor unit on a wall, linking it to an outdoor compressor via a slim conduit. No ducts mean no invasive retrofits, preserving a home’s charm while slipping cool air into every corner. A Venice artist might chill their studio without sacrificing ceiling height, or a beachside renter might tame the heat in a single room without overhauling the whole place. It’s flexible, quiet, and energy-smart—qualities that vibe with Venice’s offbeat soul, delivering relief where it’s needed most.

The Coastal Connection: HVAC Meets Mini Splits

While HVAC Culver City and mini split installation Venice cater to distinct vibes, they share a mission: beating LA’s climate with style. Culver City’s central systems excel in larger homes, pumping conditioned air through a network of vents to blanket every room. Venice’s mini splits, meanwhile, thrive in smaller or segmented spaces, offering zoned cooling that cuts waste. Together, they reflect the Westside’s diversity—one a powerhouse, the other a nimble innovator.

Picture a Culver City family hosting a movie night, the HVAC keeping the living room crisp as popcorn pops. Down in Venice, a surfer crashes after a day on the waves, their mini split whispering cool air into a lofted bedroom. Both systems lean into efficiency—HVAC units with smart thermostats, mini splits with inverter tech—slashing power use in a region where sustainability matters. It’s a tag-team effort, proving that comfort doesn’t need to clash with the coastal ethos.

Crafting Cool Havens

The magic happens in the hands of local experts. For HVAC Culver City, technicians know the drill—navigating the city’s mix of old builds and new condos, they tweak systems to shrug off the salty air creeping in from nearby beaches. In Venice, mini split installers flex creativity, threading lines through tight walls or dodging quirky floorplans with ease. Homeowners play their part—catching a unit’s odd groan or a room’s stubborn warmth sparks timely fixes or upgrades.

This collaboration is pure LA—gritty yet smooth. A Culver City repair might save a sweltering weekend, while a Venice install crowns a home refresh. The pros weave through traffic and tight spaces, delivering results that match the neighborhoods’ distinct beats. For residents, it’s a chance to reclaim their slice of the Westside—sip coffee in a chilled den or nap by the canal, all wrapped in effortless cool.

A Breath of Westside Air

On LA’s coastal edge, where Culver City meets Venice, HVAC Culver City andmini split installation Venice aren’t just services—they’re a lifestyle lift. HVAC keeps the heart of Culver pumping with steady, whole-home comfort. Mini splits dot Venice with bursts of cool, honoring its free-spirited quirks. Together, they tame the heat, nod to the green, and let residents live the Westside dream.

For locals, it’s more than mechanics—it’s a stake in their turf. A serviced HVAC humming through a Culver twilight or a mini split purring in a Venice nook becomes a quiet win. In a stretch where the sun reigns and the ocean whispers, these solutions don’t just cool homes—they define them, making every day a breeze in LA’s coastal crown.

[mountrainiernps]

Hangry.

It happens to the best of us.

You’re out in the park, having a good time. You’re skiing or walking, snowshoeing or hiking. Friends or family are all getting along, breathing the fresh air and enjoying the beauty of nature.

And then out of nowhere, hangry hits. You lose your energy, your motivation and your good mood.  You’re hungry and a bit angry. What’s to be done?

Eat a snack. Have a picnic. Nosh on some yummy trail treats. (Drink water too. Staying hydrated makes everyone happier.) Prepare for your time in the park by packing some snacks or even a meal depending on how long you’ll be out. To be safe, don’t rely on restaurants or snack shops being open. Facilities can be limited in the national park in the winter.

One more thing to prepare while you’re at home; emergency food. Accidents do happen. Maybe your snowshoe adventure takes longer than anticipated. Maybe there’s some sort of motor vehicle accident that stops traffic for a while. Having an extra meal or food that doesn’t require heat or water can be mood saver or even a trip saver.

What’s your favorite snack to bring to the park?

What is your favorite memory of a meal you enjoyed while out hiking or recreating? ~ams

More information on the 10 Essentials can be found on this website https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm  Park information on winter safety can be found here https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-safety.htm  For current conditions, these webcams may be helpful https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm

These photographs are from past years. NPS Photo. Snowshoe hare tracks on the snow in an open area. Snow covered trees in the background with a clear blue sky. December, 2013. NPS/Loving Photo. Snow covered road through Longmire Stewardship Campground with snow on trees and sun flecks on the snow. December, 2016. NPS Photo. View from Westside Road of Mount Rainier with clouds. Trees silhouetted on the sides. May, 2019.

[evanthenerd83]

Death Gravity

On April 16, 1999, at 10:34 P.M., John Fitzpatrick Waltz was executed by lethal injection.

His crimes are especially heinous. From 1964 to 1997, the former TV repairman would kill fifty-two young women.

Many of them were pregnant at the time. Autopsies performed on what bodies could be found revealed signs of postmortem defilement. Most fetuses had been removed.

The Westside Ripper eluded capture for years. Until 1998, when a State Trooper conducted a routine traffic stop. In the trunk were bloodied knives. Jury deliberations took less than thirty minutes.

At 10:34 P.M., on April 16, 1999, John Fitzpatrick Waltz was executed by lethal injection.

When midazolam hit, his mind went numb.

Pavulon numbed his muscles and lungs.

Potassium chloride, his heart.

He fell into that great, long unknowable Night.

And across the United States, thousands of innocent people would follow.

Men. Women. Even small children. They were all strangers. They all lived in different states, different cities. 

They all died in their sleep.

2025 Story Index

[franchiseavs]

Westside Leasing Opportunity with Franchise AVS: Elevate Your Property’s Potential

Franchise AVS is excited to present a remarkable leasing opportunity with Westside by Tata, a flagship retail brand operated by Trent Ltd, part of the globally trusted Tata Group. 

Known for its stylish yet affordable fashion, accessories, and home décor, Westside is a pioneer in the Indian retail sector. 

This opportunity, offered under the Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) model, is ideal for commercial property owners looking to partner with a brand that guarantees operational excellence, financial stability, and long-term growth.

Westside: A Legacy of Excellence

Established in 1998, Westside has redefined India’s retail landscape with its ability to combine affordability, premium quality, and modern aesthetics.

Operated by Trent Ltd, a leading player in the Indian retail industry, Westside’s thoughtfully designed stores feature spacious layouts, chic interiors, and innovative product displays. 

These elements ensure a seamless shopping experience that resonates with customers, making Westside a favorite destination for fashion-conscious shoppers across the country.

The brand offers a diverse product range, including trendy apparel for men, women, and children, fashionable accessories, and elegant home décor. 

By consistently delivering value-driven products, Westside has cultivated a loyal customer base and earned its place as a cornerstone of India’s retail industry.

Leasing Details and Requirements

Westside’s leasing opportunity is designed for premium commercial properties that meet specific requirements:

Size and Frontage: Properties must have a covered area of 28,000 to 30,000 sq. ft. with a minimum frontage of 80 feet to ensure maximum visibility and accessibility.

Ceiling Height: A beam-to-bottom height of at least 14 feet is required to support the brand’s spacious, modern interiors.

Built-to-Suit Flexibility: Properties with built-to-suit capabilities are preferred to align with Westside’s design and operational standards.

Long-Term Lease: Westside offers secure, long-term lease agreements, ensuring stable rental income for property owners.

Strategic Focus Locations

Westside is targeting high-growth regions with strong commercial potential, including Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jaipur, and Main Gurugram. 

These thriving urban centers are characterized by robust retail activity, high foot traffic, and increasing consumer spending, making them ideal for Westside’s expansion.

Why Lease to Westside?

Partnering with Westside provides significant advantages:

Financial Stability: As part of the Tata Group, Westside ensures long-term lease security and consistent rental income.

Increased Footfall: A Westside store enhances property value by attracting premium customers and increasing foot traffic.

Reputation Boost: Association with a trusted Tata Group brand elevates your property’s prestige.

Built-to-Suit Flexibility: Collaborate with the brand to create a space tailored to its aesthetic and operational standards.

Contact Franchise AVS Today

If you own a commercial property in Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jaipur, or Gurugram, this is your opportunity to partner with one of India’s most trusted brands. 

Leasing to Westside guarantees long-term benefits, including stable rental income, increased property value, and association with a trusted Tata Group entity.

Reach out to Franchise AVS for more information. 

Our expert team is ready to guide you through every step of this profitable leasing partnership.

Take the first step toward a rewarding leasing partnership with Westside. Contact Franchise AVS today!