#Wheel Alignment in Hamilton

[transmissionrepair]

Uneven Tire Wear? Get Professional Wheel Alignment in Hamilton, ON

A wheel alignment in Hamilton, ON ensures your vehicle drives smoothly, extends tire life, and improves fuel efficiency. Misaligned wheels cause uneven tire wear, pulling to one side, and increased fuel consumption, making driving unsafe. At Eric’s Auto, we use advanced alignment technology to adjust your wheels to precise manufacturer specifications.

Proper alignment prevents premature tire replacement and enhances handling, keeping you in control on the road. Ignoring misalignment can lead to costly repairs as it puts stress on your suspension and steering components. If you notice steering wheel vibrations, your car drifting, or rapid tire wear, it's time for a professional wheel alignment. Our expert technicians inspect your vehicle thoroughly, checking camber, caster, and toe angles to restore proper alignment.

We ensure precision adjustments that maximize tire performance and safety. Driving with misaligned wheels increases the risk of accidents, especially in wet or icy conditions. Our efficient service helps prevent these risks while improving fuel efficiency and ride comfort. We serve all vehicle makes and models, providing top-quality service tailored to your needs.

At Eric’s Auto in Hamilton, ON, we prioritize your vehicle’s safety and performance. Schedule your wheel alignment service today and experience smoother, safer driving.

[beautybungalows]

Wheel Alignment Hamilton ON | Wheel Alignment Near Me in East Hamilton

Downtown Auto Specialist offers expert wheel alignment services in Hamilton ON, ensuring your vehicle performs at its best. Proper wheel alignment improves handling, enhances fuel efficiency, and extends tire life. At our East Hamilton location, we use advanced alignment technology to precisely adjust your vehicle's wheels, reducing uneven tire wear and improving road safety. Our team of skilled technicians is committed to providing reliable, accurate, and affordable alignment solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you’re experiencing uneven tire wear, steering issues, or pulling to one side, our wheel alignment services in Hamilton ON can restore your vehicle’s balance and performance.

We cater to all vehicle types, offering quick service with attention to detail. Misaligned wheels can compromise safety and increase fuel consumption. By choosing Downtown Auto Specialist, you ensure that your car operates smoothly and efficiently. Our East Hamilton location provides convenient access to professional wheel alignment services for drivers in the area.

Regular wheel alignments are essential for optimal vehicle maintenance, and our expert team makes it easy and hassle-free. With years of experience and the latest tools, we address alignment issues to help you avoid unnecessary tire replacements and repair costs. Whether it's for your daily commute or a long road trip, trust us to keep your vehicle aligned and safe on the roads of Hamilton ON.

Visit Downtown Auto Specialist in East Hamilton for dependable wheel alignment services. Our goal is to enhance your driving experience, ensuring precision and safety with every alignment. Reach out today to book your appointment or learn more about how proper wheel alignment can benefit your car. Let our experts keep your vehicle running at its best with our professional alignment services in Hamilton ON.

[szoboobszlai]

ENGLISH LOVE AFFAIR

word counter: +1,6k

pairing: lewis hamilton x female reader

warnings: suggestive content!

author’s note: hi everyone! i was surfing through my drafts these days and couldn’t believe what i found: a lewis hamilton one-shot i wrote after his homerace win in silverstone ‘24.

hope you like it!

here you can find my full masterlist.

the night in silverstone was electric; the city was pulsating with a vibrating energy. the streetlights were just color blurs, reflecting the wet surfaces because of the thin drizzle, while the distant sound of car engines cut the air. lewis hamilton was, once again, the center of attention. he knew what being there meant — on the starting line of a race that wasn’t only about winning, but transcending. the track was his battlefield, the territory where everything else aligned. but at that time, there was much more than only the desire of finishing ahead.

you were there. the mysterious woman, whose enigmatic and provocative eyes gave him goosebumps since you first met; he could feel you before he could see you — just like an invisible shadow that followed him, defying him with your presence. you were just like the fuel that accelerate his heart, something that motivate him as much as the sound of the engines roaring on the starting line.

in the center of the paddock, your gaze was intense, full of a silent provocation that made every man’s heart beat faster. you observed him with an unusual intensity, and lewis knew that wasn’t only the imminent victory that attracted him: it was the wicked games between you, the desire hidden behind each flirt. every movement you made seemed like an invitation, a challenge.

it wasn’t only a race; there was something more, something he couldn’t ignore.

he was about to start his race, but that woman — you, that enigma — seemed to be the only obstacle his mind could truly see. you weren’t just a regular spectator. you were there to see him winning, but also there to see him losing. when he revved the engine, the sound became a symphony that awakened all his senses. the lights of the track lit up the darkness, but his mind was fixed on you, on the sly smile she had thrown him before he left. “let’s see if you can impress me, lewis,” your eyes seemed to say. and he loved that challenge.

the race began, and lewis felt every part of his body respond to the rhythm of the track. the steering wheel felt like an extension of his muscles, his reflexes fast, almost instinctive. he wasn’t just racing to win; he was racing to prove something to himself. but, with every turn, with every acceleration, he couldn’t shake you from his thoughts. it was like you were pulling him, somehow, as if you had an invisible control over him, and he couldn’t tell where the track ended and where the desire began. when he finally crossed the finish line and victory was his, the sound of the crowd, the roar of the engines, and the sense of achievement weren’t enough to calm the rising desire inside him. he knew the night was just beginning, and the real challenge awaited him off the track.

the after party was an explosion of energy. the glamour of the night reflected in every detail: the lights sparkling on champagne bottles, the shine of jewelry adorning the guests, the bodies dancing to the rhythm of the music. but in the middle of all this, there was one constant: you. you were there, floating between the guests as if you were an invisible force pulling the gazes. your eyes met again, and lewis knew that look carried a message he didn’t need words to understand. the champagne was bubbling, the lights were flashing, and the music had a pulsing beat that echoed through the night. for lewis, nothing else mattered but you. when he saw you again, in the middle of that crowd, with a smile that seemed to hide secrets, the tension he felt only grew. you watched him from a distance, as if waiting for something from him — or perhaps, as if you were waiting for him to approach.

you were stunning, wearing a dress that seemed like a second skin, seductive in just the right measure, effortlessly mysterious. each step you took toward him felt like an invitation — and though both of you were surrounded by people, it felt as though the entire world disappeared when he was near you. words weren’t necessary. the attraction between you was almost palpable, an energy field that enveloped you and made you dance in a game of glances and subtle smiles. he didn’t need more than a look to know you were ready. you were there, teasing him once again, making him desire more than simple words or gestures. it was something deeper, more complicated. something that was about to happen at any moment.

when he finally reached you, the sound of the music seemed to fade, and everything around you became distant. the noise of conversations, the laughter, the champagne glasses clinking, everything felt muted. only you remained, with a connection that seemed much stronger than anything the party could offer. lewis approached you, slowly, but with undeniable confidence. he looked directly into your eyes, feeling the fire between them, and, without saying a word, you gently pulled him by the hand, as if you knew exactly what he wanted — what you both wanted. you led him toward the exit of the club, with a lightness in your step, but with an intensity that made it clear you were in control.

“i knew you were going to win,” you said, your voice soft but full of a confidence that only you had.

lewis smiled slightly, moving closer to you, letting the warmth of his presence envelop you. “i didn’t race just to win,” he replied, his voice lower, almost as if he were sharing a secret. “i raced because victory, when you’re near, is more than just a finish line.”

you looked at him with an intensity that made him forget everything around them. your eyes shone mysteriously, as if he were the next chapter in a book you already knew by heart, but still wanted to explore. the desire between the both of you wasn’t explicit, but it was there, pulsing, in every gesture, in every unspoken word.

the drive to lewis’s house was quick, but in the silence of the car, the desire intensified. the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you in your own reality. when you arrived at the house, he guided you down the hallway smoothly, but with a firmness you knew how to recognize. each step brought you closer to the intimacy that was building between you, and the air felt heavier with every movement.

lewis’s room was dark, with only the soft light of the bedside lamp illuminating the space. he closed the door behind you with a calm gesture, but the tension between you was almost unbearable. he looked at you for a moment, feeling the weight of each second. then, you moved forward, approaching him with a softness that nearly disarmed him.

you were now in a space that belonged only to the two of you, with no rush. each gesture, each touch seemed like one more step deeper into what had begun on the racetrack. the desire was a silent flame, but intense, warming the air and making time feel as if it stood still. there was no need for words. you were exactly where you were meant to be, in the right moment, with no hurry to reach any conclusion. what would happen next, neither of you knew, but what mattered in that instant was that you were both completely surrendered to what the night had to offer.

the outside world, with its races, parties, and expectations, seemed so distant. there, in lewis’s room, time was nothing but an illusion. what existed was only the desire, the game between you, which would continue, somehow, without a defined end. and that night, that was enough.

[codename-sleuth]

Agent file: 24601. "Sleuth". Sub-reference: Acheron. (Character sheet!)

Host name: Sleuth.

Alter Name: Acheron Hamilton.

Fronting Conditions/Triggers: A situation where emotional intelligence or memory is direly needed. Compliments to Sleuth are the fastest way to get him to front. Can also take the wheel if he recognizes friends ands wants to talk to them.

Codenames and Nicknames: Chestnut [By Luna.], Weakling, Disappointment, Dumbass, Smartass [By Adam].

Motives: Learning new things!

Goals: Have fun with all my new friends!!

Gender: Male, He/him

Species: Unstable hybrid (Human & ???)

Sexuality: Ace!!

Religion: Christian

Age: 12 (2017). Born July 24th, 1989.

Height: 4 feet 10 inches.

Weight. 82 lbs.

Physical Appearance: Caucasian, very messy long brown hair, wears a puffer vest, jacket, jeans.

Disorders and Mental illnesses: Severe Anxiety, anterograde amnesia [fluctuate], depression, codependency, dissociative identity disorder.

Complexes: N/A

Physical Disorders: Space-time phasing, 

Dominant hand: Ambidextrous.

Blood color: Maroon.

Positive personality traits: Protective, caring, incredibly smart, generous, loyal, emotionally intelligent, loving, easily trusting, forgiving, innocent.

Negative personality traits: Anxious, antisocial, indecisive, fearful, stubborn.

Alignment: True Good.

Backstory: In games.

Loves: Luna, Can, learning, friends, feeling safe, physical touch, words of affirmation, puppies, cats, Midnight, history, coding, inventing.

Likes: Small spaces, clear instructions, being considered friends, puzzles, math, literature.

Indifferent with: Nothing!

Dislikes: Narcissism, lying people, american football, organized religion, Adam.

Hates: Nothing!! :D

Obsessions: History, Inventing.

Addictions: I tried Papa's drink once with Can but I didn't like it :(

Powers: Lifesteal touch, Precognition, Blindsight/Echolocation, Enhanced reaction time, slightly enhanced speed, enhanced perception, Regenerative abilities (VERY slow). [Aware of none of these].

Skills: intelligence, deduction, investigation, engineering, stealth, getting back up, speed, memory, comforting, empathy.

Weaknesses: Normal human weaknesses, dying, his own contingency plan, [REDACTED]

Flaws: Anxiety, memory problems, stubborn, Prone to panic attacks, not serious.

Favorite places: School!

Favorite foods: Mama's pancakes!!!

Favorite Flower: Lillies.

Scent: Clean laundry.

Favorite color: Pink.

Hobbies: Puzzles, listening to music, tinkering with watches and small mechanical objects, listening to radio shows, journaling, reading, inventing machinery, watching tv, video games, 

Comfort objects: my can, and my mama's necklace she gave me to protect meee :D

Stims: Rubbing index and middle finger together, bouncing leg, pacing.

Awareness: unaware. [EFFECT: ???]

Fears: Not being able to trust anyone, people hating/leaving him, failing everyone, not being smart anymore, being too weak, not making his mom happy, having no friends, death, monsters.

Lives in: Brooklyn, NY. (2017)

Weapons: Anything he can find.

Text: This is how I speak >:)

Voice Claim: 

Relations:

(% Represents how much he trusts a person, not how much he likes them!)

Family: Luna (100%), Adam (50%).

Friends: Can (100%), Midnight (100%)

Acquaintances: Jumper (100%), Cookie Star (100%), Satan (100%)

Enemies: Why would I have those?? XD

Romance: I may or may not have a crush on Midnight.

Pets: None.

Boss: None.

[daleearnhardt]

Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton on Taking Risks in Your Career

As someone making such a high-profile career move, what guidance would you give to young professionals finding their direction in an increasingly complex job market?

Hamilton: Everyone is different, so you can really only be guided by what works for you. As long as you follow your passions, find a challenge that makes sense for your life and that works with your skills, you'll be fine. Don't measure a 'good' job or success based on what you think you should do, look for something that will leave you fulfilled and leading the life you want to live.

Your career shows remarkable flexibility — from F1 to entrepreneurial ventures. What advice would you give to professionals looking to explore opportunities outside their industry?

Hamilton: It's all about how you prioritise. Before you add anything else to your plate, you should first make sure you have the bandwidth and the hunger to really explore something new. For a lot of people it makes sense to really focus in on their career, but if you're like me and you want to try different things then you have to take the time to figure out what that looks like. For me if I take on a new project then I need to know I'm going to be able to commit to making it a success. I don't do anything by halves and give everything as much of my time and energy as I can, but I only have so much time away from the track, so I choose partners and projects that really align with my values and what I want to achieve.

Besides your F1 career, you're known for taking on several other ventures. What benefits do the skills you are learning bring to the day job?

Hamilton: No matter what skills you pick up, you learn so much from just trying something new. I've been in my sport for so long that it would be easy to get stuck in old habits or stay in my comfort zone. Taking on new ventures, whether that's ALMAVE, the first non-alcoholic distilled blue agave spirit or my collaboration with Dior I like the challenge, it forces me to be uncomfortable but it's such a great opportunity to push yourself and learn. When I'm working on a project outside of my sport, I have to look at things differently and that ultimately gives me a new perspective on what success looks like, and how I can get there. When I get behind the wheel after some time away, that new perspective comes with me and it drives me to better myself each and every race. I wouldn't be the driver I am today without the work I've done away from track.

Having achieved such monumental success, what was it about driving for Ferrari that made you take the leap? How can other people know when it's time to make a move?

Hamilton: Ultimately, every new opportunity is a total leap of faith. None of us can predict the future so changing jobs, or in my case teams, is always going to come with some level of risk. But I believe there's more of a risk in staying somewhere you're comfortable and in getting complacent. Call it instinct or a gut feeling, but I knew that signing with Ferrari was the right move for me and that it would give me the challenge I needed. There are so many incredible people in the team that I can't wait to work with, and I have total faith that we'll achieve great things together.

Throughout your career transitions, how have you learned new skills to stay ahead?

Hamilton: I look at every Formula 1 season like a new chapter. Even in the years when I've won races, trophies and championships, I've known that nothing is guaranteed for the season ahead. My approach is to work hard every single day to make sure when I get back in that car I'm not just as good as I was the season before, but better. That mindset and continually making progress no matter how big or small, is what has pushed me to achieve more than I ever thought possible.

[fairviewmotors]

Fairview Motors provides tyres and wheel alighment services in hamilton for all major brands of tyres including Bridgestone, Firestone, Dunlop, Goodyear, Toyo and Nankang tyres. Contact fairview motors today for more details.

[autocarecanada]

Struggling with Steering Issues? Reliable Steering Wheel Repair in Hamilton, ON

Experiencing difficulty turning or unusual vibrations? Our steering wheel repair Hamilton ON service ensures smooth and safe driving by diagnosing and fixing steering issues promptly. Whether it's a misaligned steering column, a faulty power steering system, or excessive play in the wheel, we use advanced tools to restore control and stability. Steering problems can lead to unsafe driving conditions and increased wear on suspension components.

At Reliance Auto, we provide expert inspections, power steering fluid replacements, rack and pinion repairs, and wheel alignment services to keep your vehicle running at its best. Don’t ignore steering issues—our skilled technicians offer comprehensive repairs to enhance safety and performance. Trust our steering wheel repair Hamilton ON service for precise repairs and lasting results. Book an appointment today for a thorough assessment and expert solutions!

[bestsigncompany]

Expert Wheel Alignment Services in Hamilton, ON | Eccles Auto

Ensure your vehicle drives straight and smooth with expert wheel alignment services from Eccles Auto Service in Hamilton, ON. Misaligned wheels can lead to uneven tire wear, poor fuel efficiency, and compromised handling, making regular alignments essential for optimal performance and safety. Our certified technicians use advanced alignment technology to precisely adjust your vehicle's angles, ensuring proper tire contact with the road. Whether you've hit a pothole, noticed your car pulling to one side, or experienced steering vibrations, our team is here to provide accurate diagnostics and professional solutions. At Eccles Auto Service, we prioritize your driving comfort and safety with quality wheel alignment services tailored to your vehicle's needs. Visit us today to restore your vehicle's alignment, extend tire life, and improve overall performance. Trust Eccles Auto Service, your reliable partner for wheel alignment in Hamilton, ON, where exceptional service meets expert care. Book your appointment now!

[supremeautocaree]

Hamilton's Trusted Stop: Top Auto Repair for Alignments & Brakes

Your car's safety and performance depend on more than just its engine — you also need to take good care of your tires and brakes. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating how important it is to schedule regular alignment and brake checkups and maintenance. Ignoring issues can create serious and often expensive problems down the road.

If you're in Hamilton and need a reliable shop for alignment and brake checks, make sure you’re choosing experts. Avoid shops with poor service or inexperienced technicians. After all, faulty repairs can compromise your safety.

How do you know when your car needs Hamilton alignment & brakes services?

Car troubles don't always announce themselves with flashing lights. Some warning signs might be subtle at first, especially when it comes to tires and brakes.

Does your car pull to one side even when you're holding the steering wheel straight?

Do you have to constantly hold the wheel slightly off-center to drive straight?

Do you hear persistent squeaking when braking?

Are your tires wearing unevenly, with patches of bald tread in some areas?

Do your new tires seem to be wearing down much faster than expected?

If you notice any of these signs, don't wait for more serious problems to develop. Bring your car to a professional right away.

How do you pick the right partner for Hamilton alignment & brake services?

Choose a shop whose technicians are experienced in repairing your specific car make and model. This way, you can be sure that they have the knowledge and the tools to handle the job correctly.

Read online reviews about the shop and ask friends or family for recommendations. Look for shops with a history of satisfied customers.

And finally, get a quote upfront before committing to any service.

Who should you trust for Hamilton alignment & brake services?

For the best car service in Hamilton for your alignment and brakes, you can depend on Supreme Auto Care. With a team filled with skilled workers who understand a wide range of car makes and models, they offer the expertise you're looking for. To book a visit, simply reach out to Supreme Auto Care at +1 905 531 0995 today.

[armotorsnz]

Choose The Best Auto Lenders For Bad Credit in NZ

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Tailored Financing for All Credit Situations

We understand that each credit situation is unique, and we're here to help. Our experienced finance team will work closely with you to craft a financing solution that aligns with your budget. We believe in second chances and are committed to assisting you in rebuilding your credit.

Streamlined Approval Process

Getting approved for your car loan shouldn't be a headache. AR Motors offers a straightforward and efficient approval process. Our online application is user-friendly, and our team reviews applications promptly, ensuring you're on the road as soon as possible.

Experienced and Supportive Team

Our professional and supportive team is dedicated to assisting you every step of the way. We're committed to transparency, ensuring you fully understand your financing terms and vehicle options.

Choose AR Motors for Your Bad Credit Car Finance Needs

Join the ranks of satisfied customers who've discovered AR Motors as their trusted partner for bad credit car finance in Hamilton, NZ. We don't just provide cars; we provide a path toward financial recovery and dependable transportation.

Turn Your Credit Around with AR Motors

Visit AR Motors in Hamilton, NZ, and embark on your journey to affordable Used Cars For Sale Hamilton NZ. Our exceptional service, diverse vehicle selection, and customized financing options make us the preferred choice for individuals seeking quality vehicles and a brighter financial future. Don't let bad credit stand in your way—choose AR Motors and drive toward a better tomorrow.

[icanttalkimhavingacrisis]

How I, a cellist, see certain instrumentalists

Violin: you are a pretentious hipster with a god complex and your head up your ass or you're a child or you're good at maths. No in between.

Viola: the true neutral of the orchestra. Y'all are more neutral than vanilla yogurt, and that's saying something.

Cello: gay gifted kid burnout syndrome with crippling anxiety and too much perfectionism. How's crying over your instrument been treating you?

Double bass: Y'all are the quiet kids of the orchestra. It's like because your instrument takes up so much room, Y'all decided to take up as little as possible.

Trumpet: I'm not saying I don't like you... But I don't like you.

Trombone: either a flamboyant mess or a depressed theatre kid. Or both. Most probably both.

Tuba: you seem chill, unlike the trumpet players.

French horn: I have never met one of you. You do not exist in my mind.

Percussion: chaos on wheels. If chaotic chaos was a DND alignment, you would be it's personification. Can we be friends?

Saxophone: perfectionistic bisexual who uses jokes as a coping mechanism. You are also most probably a fan of musical theatre, and identify with Alexander Hamilton, but only from the first act.

Bassoon: your instrument is cool as hell, but you are surprisingly bland. Your favourite crisp flavour is just salted, like bro. Where'd the creativity go?

Clarinet: you are short.

Flute: the chaotic good of the orchestra. You're either really theatrical and dramatic, doing a full on dance recital while playing your instrument, or a young white girl.

Picolo flute: you are the most flamboyant and glamorous gay person I have ever met. Respect.

Oboe: you use jokes as a way of hiding you're crippling anxiety and self deprecatory mindset.

Harp: you're a precious cinnamon roll and I love you or you're a pretentious prick and there is no in between.

Harpsichord : no way, you actually play this instrument??? Can we be friends???

Piano: you're pretty funny at times, but still basic. Like the neutral good of the orchestra. But I like you, so it's ok.

[f1]

Versteppen leads Ferrari pair by three-tenths in dry final practice | 2022 Japanese Grand Prix third practice

Max Verstappen set the pace heading into qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of both Ferraris in the only dry practice session around Suzuka. The Red Bull driver posted a fastest time of a 1’30.671, almost three tenths faster than Carlos Sainz Jnr and Charles Leclerc after all three completed qualifying simulation runs on soft tyres in the closing minutes. After both Friday practice sessions were run in wet conditions, it was little surprise when a large queue formed at the end of the pit lane with drivers keen to make the most of the only hour of dry running they would get ahead of qualifying. Sainz was the first driver to set a flying lap, posting a 1’35.491 for the very first dry lap of the weekend on the soft tyres. Verstappen’s first lap fresh out of the garage jumped him to the top of the times with a 1’32.050 – also on the softs. That was over a second faster than team mate Sergio Perez, who went second quickest, while the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo went third and fourth on their initial laps around the Suzuka circuit. World champions Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton were the only two of the 20 drivers to opt for hard tyres for the early phase of the session as the majority of the field remained out on track to conduct long runs in the limited time they had available. The two Red Bulls returned to the garage for adjustments and by the time they got back out it was an almost empty track as the rest of the field had reached the end of their first long runs. The track was bone dry but drivers were still having to contend with wind upsetting their cars through the high speed corners. Daniel Ricciardo missed the chicane after locking up under braking and Hamilton also ran deep into the chicane with a locked-up right front wheel. “Very gusty,” he told Peter Bonnington on his radio. “Wind gusts appear to be aligning with some of the snaps that we’re having,” his race engineer noted. Around half way into the hour, the Ferraris of Sainz and Leclerc headed out for low-fuels run on softs. Sainz went fastest of all with a 1’30.965, with Leclerc moving to second, but four tenths behind his team mate. Verstappen then took to the track on medium tyres and improved to jump into second, three-and-a-half tenths off Sainz’s benchmark time. In the final 10 minutes of the session, Verstappen and the two Ferraris all fitted fresh sets of soft tyres for qualifying simulation runs. Leclerc improved his personal best to go second, just 0.015s slower than his team mate, while Sainz was unable to beat his own best time, despite improving in the first sector. Verstappen was the last of the three to complete his lap and went purple in all three sectors to move into the top spot, almost three tenths faster than the Ferraris. At the chequered flag, Verstappen was fastest of all, ahead of Sainz and Leclerc, with Fernando Alonso fourth in the Alpine ahead of the second Red Bull of Perez. The two Mercedes of George Russell and Hamilton were sixth and seventh, with Lando Norris eighth – the first driver to be outside of a second of Verstappen’s best time. Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll rounded out the top ten. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free 2022 Japanese Grand Prix third practice result Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free 2022 Japanese Grand Prix Browse all 2022 Japanese Grand Prix articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net

[gallawitchxx]

oooh heeey bee! long time no speak 😏 let's go with:

strength, wheel of fortune, the devil

well well well, if it isn't the cutie who threw me to the fucking floor this morning & turned me into a puddle!!!!!!!! 🥺

strength: what is your dream occupation? ✨

cc: @leave-a-whisper @you-are-so-much-better-than-that & @mmmichyyy

well, my dream occupation used to be an actor, but i think if i could get sappy, i really am living my dream. i do not dream of labor anymore, but the "work" that i do get to do in the world is pretty special & in alignment with what i truly want to be doing. i know that's rare & it's something i cherish.

wheel of fortune: first three songs that come on shuffle? 🎵

"what comes next" from hamilton, "footfalls" by tyson motsenbacker & "shiver" by lucy rose

the devil: do you enjoy thunderstorms? ⛈

cc: @leave-a-whisper & @xninetiestrendx

i do, actually! i find them very dreamy. of course, only when i'm inside & cozy. otherwise, blech no thank you. (also also julissa, i can't stop thinking about that hurricane episode of "dawson's creek" & the perfectly timed thunderclap after dawson's mom admits her wrongdoings lolol)

[hazelandglasz]

Tin-Tanium, A Klaine Advent Calendar

Hi! Yeah, I decided to write all of the Klaine Advent prompts in one story going back the steps of a ten-year anniversary.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays everybody, and I hope you’ll enjoy this compilation!!

Abashed

Over ten years, there are many opportunities for a couple to embarrass themselves.

Kurt has plenty of memories that fit in that category, Blaine too.

Blaine and Kurt together, too.

Whether it’s from their early days (Kurt still can’t believe he used an entire notebook sketching their hyphenated names around hearts) or from the most recent years (Blaine prefers to hide his face in his hands rather than face the recollection of “Glitter Vampire”, no matter how many times Eliott tells him that it’s still a fan favorite), they have managed to feel abashed more often than not.

It’s not like they mind, though. 

Being abashed only lasts a moment--the memory, the joy of it, that lasts forever.

Brake

Slow and steady wins the race, doesn’t it.

So, sometimes, even though neither of them wants to slow down, one of them has to pull the brakes.

Oh, it’s not always when they are tearing each other’s clothes apart, get your mind out of the gutter.

(... they do have to slow down their loving romps sometimes, but it’s rarely because they want to and more because of coitus interruptus.)

They learned how to brake to keep their paths aligned; slowing down in their own rush to get all they want out of life in order to get there together.

And winning the race of life together is the only win Kurt and Blaine are interested in.

Careless

Kurt listened attentively, when his father told him to always be careful about his husband’s needs.

Blaine listened too, when Burt told him that though Kurt doesn’t always say it aloud, he has a way of communicating his emotions that Blaine has to “listen” for.

They do care for each other, throughout the years.

But.

But as careful as they are, or try to be, they can also behave in a careless way. 

Though they always try their best, neither Kurt nor Blaine can avoid letting their worst lashing out.

Eventually, though, they learn the real lesson behind Burt’s words: 

It’s not about never hurting each other--it’s about being able to heal from that hurt together, to talk about it and grow from it, together.

Dispensable

Every Spring, Blaine has the same problem.

Well it’s a problem for Kurt, anyway.

The moment the weather turns for the slightly better, Blaine turns himself into a white tornado, cleaning the apartment from floor to ceiling.

And, without fail, he always tries to hunt for the Dispensables.

“Why, pray tell, is this pile entirely composed of things from *my* side of the closet?”

“Because *you* have almost everything in duplicates.”

“They are collectors! If I ever use them or damage them, I will have a replacement.”

“They are taking too much room!”

“Not as much as your collection of cameras!”

“How dare you.”

“How dare you.”

Blaine pauses, holding a scarf in one hand and an empty cardbox in the other, before bursting into a fit of laughter.

“Maybe I overdid my impression of Marie Kondo.”

“And maybe I do have a hoarding problem.”

“Maybe we could do that sorting together.”

“Maybe we could find something else to do with all that free time.”

Blaine drops the box on the floor and carefully folds the scarf on the back of the couch. 

“I like the way you think.”

“You even put a ring on it.”

Event

One lesson the Hummel-Anderson household always applies: make an event out of every possible situation.

During the first years, it does make sense. They celebrate their successes, their achievements, as one does.

Then, it grows into something almost like a private joke between them: every little source of happiness becomes the reason for a party, a true event, even if it’s just opening a bottle of champagne while they sit on the floor, munching on a bag of chips, just because there is a Golden Girls marathon.

Because when you find things to celebrate with the person you love most, the sad things are just a little bit less sad.

Farm

Blaine wakes up in a jolt, something pulling at his unconscious mind to pull him from his dream.

Maybe it’s the cold spot in the bed next to him, or maybe it’s the grumbling sound coming from the living room.

“Kurt?”

“...”

“Kurt what are you doing?”

“Nothing?”

Blaine comes closer, and Kurt is sitting on the couch with his laptop on his bare knees.

“Are you watching porn? ‘Cause you know you wouldn’t have to hide it from me.”

“Not porn.”

“Okay?”

Kurt closes his eyes before looking away, turning the laptop’s screen toward Blaine. “Don’t laugh.”

“Why would I--oh.”

“I know.”

“I didn’t expect that.”

“I know.”

“Farming Simulator 2010, that’s …”

“I know.

“... vintage, is what I was going to say. Any particular reason you needed to play that game at 2.14 AM?”

Kurt sighs, leaning his head into Blaine’s torso, now that Blaine stands closer. “It relaxes me.”

“Okay.”

“And I have been very tense.”

“Don’t need to tell me.”

“I know; so I wanted to unwind on my own to be a better husband.”

Blaine bends over to press a kiss to the top of Kurt’s head. “Farm away, darling.”

Grey

TW: anxiety

Most of the time, with the help of his therapist and different techniques he has developed over the years, Blaine can keep his anxiety at bay.

But some mornings, it’s not as easy.

Some mornings, the anxious little voice telling him he’s not worth the space he occupies is the loudest in his mind the moment he wakes up.

Some mornings, the sighting of grey skies without even a spot of blue can send him into a downward spiral he can’t seem to shake out of.

But with each passing year, Kurt becomes more attuned to the little physical signs Blaine’s anxiety lets out.

The tension in his shoulders, even as he wakes up, to which Kurt responds by closing his arms around Blaine’s upper body, forcing him to breathe with him until the tension melts away.

The way Blaine doesn’t say a word and doesn’t look directly at Kurt, to which Kurt responds by putting a cup of coffee in front of him and by kissing his temple.

Yes, Blaine’s anxiety is always around.

But with Kurt’s help, Blaine can keep it at bay.

History

Though they share a love for musicals, Kurt and Blaine don’t always have their obsessions in sync.

Unfortunately, it sometimes clashes.

Fortunately, the married couple has found a solution to keep from fighting over songs.

Medleys meet the Exquisite Corpse.

“I don't wanna talk

About things we've gone through

Though it's hurting me

Now it's history”, Blaine sings.

“History has its eyes on youuuu,” Kurt responds.

“You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

See that girl

Watch that scene

Dig in the dancing queeeeeeen.”

“Hey not fair, there is no queen in Hamilton!”

“Hey, you’re the one who keeps insisting that Eliza is Queen!”

“True.”

Inconclusive

Around the seventh year mark, they wonder if they should … well, expand their couple’s horizon.

It’s a secret to none of their friends that the Anderson-Hummel have insane chemistry with one Starchild.

One evening, using the pretext of celebrating the comeback of the cronut on the foodie scene with one too many bottle of champagne, the three of them end up in bed together.

Some lubricant, condoms, giggles and panted names later, Kurt looks over the stunned figure of their friend to brush his fingers through Blaine’s sweaty curls.

“So?”

“Inconclusive.” Blaine sighs. “Yet.”

Eliot snorts between them. “Round number …?”

“Who’s counting?”

Join

A good way to keep the spark in its first meet glow is also to surprise each other.

One evening, Blaine comes home to Christmas lights suspended in the whole apartment.

“What the …”

“Welcome, sir,” Kurt says, wearing the Ringmaster’s outfit from his run as Barnum in Broadway’s Greatest Showman. “Would you join me for a very special evening?”

“I would,” Blaine says, smiling as he puts his hand in Kurt’s, and feeling his cheeks burning when Kurt brushes his lips against Blaine’s knuckles.

The evening is very special, Blaine tied to the armchair while Kurt takes off his whole outfit and feeds him bits of cheese and fruits and toasted bread.

Knit

“I’m bored.”

“I know. Why don’t you learn a craft?”

“Remember the last time I tried to learn a craft, like you put it?”

They both turn to the potter’s wheel they recycled into a coffee table. “Right. Maybe something less …”

“Space consuming?”

“Complicated.”

“What about knitting?”

“There’s an idea.”

--

Two days later

“Wha--”

“What?”

“Mon chéri, when we said knitting, I thought it would involve a couple of yarn balls and some needles.”

“This is yarn.”

“No, it’s not.”

Yes it is.

Learn

In a couple, some things come naturally, as easy as breathing.

Loving each other, for example.

For Kurt and Blaine, it’s knowing that whatever the storm, the tide will always bring them back together.

And some things are learned, through time and Life lessons.

What to cook as comfort food, for example.

For Kurt and Blaine, it’s finding out that they needed to be apart to be better for each other.

Some lessons are hard-learned, but eventually, they feel like they have always been known.

Meet

Dan is ready to slip under the table to take his ritual Christmas nap when Cecilia asks the question.

“How did you two meet?”

Now, all Dan can do is groan. “Nooo,” he moans, “why did you ask that?”

“Excuse you,” Kurt says, ruffling his son’s hair. “Don’t you like the way we met?”

“I heard that story at least 221 times,” he says, dropping his head to the table. “Besides, it’s just weird, when you think about it.”

Cecilia cocks one eyebrow at him. “Now you have to tell me.”

“Let me--”

Dan holds up his hand to stop his father in his tracks. “Nah, nah, nah, let me, because they will tell you that it’s so romantic, but in reality, Dad went to spy on Papa and Papa lied to Dad about a shortcut …”

Nip

“What is that thing sitting in that... thing?”

“That is a cat and she is sitting in a basket I knitted, thank you very much.”

“Since when do we have a cat?”

“Since Mrs Gimm’s had a litter and this one picked me.”

“Ah.”

“She went for me like she always knew me.”

“Aww.”

“And then she nipped my fingers.”

“That explains the band-aids.”

“Maybe.”

“So you decided to bring a feral cat into our house with a newborn because the only thing you knitted is that basket?”

“Feral, come on, maybe that’s an overkill, look how sweet she--Ouch!”

“Here, another kitten band-aid. Let me try.”

“Oh right, you’re a big beast tamer, right?”

“...”

“Is that her purring?”

“Either she’s purring or the neighbor just started a plane engine.”

“Oh yes, you’re purring, you little princess you …”

“Ahem.”

Opinion

Any couple counsellor will tell you this:

If you want a relationship to last, the most important thing to do is compromise, to make sure that both parties are happy.

Any couple will tell you this:

Some opinions are better than others. The only thing you can do, before choosing a hill to die on, is take a step back, breathe in and out a couple of times and--

“That’s so stupid it’s a wonder you can still breathe and talk at the same time!”

“I can’t believe you actually think that! What’s between your ears, lukewarm water?”

--start World War Three over the importance of the Beatles versus the Rolling Stones, I guess.

Possible

More seriously though, finding a middle ground is important, in any relationship. And the way to that middle ground can sometimes be summarized in one word.

“Possibility.”

Do you think you could agree to let me cook tonight, even though you say I burn everything?

Maybe.

May I buy regular milk instead of almond, because it gives me stomach aches?

You may.

Isn’t it your turn to change Kitty’s litter?

...Possible.

In just a few words, you can save your relationship from self-destructing, isn’t that something?

Remarkable

Over the years, through thick and thin, through storms and easy flows, the relationship formed by Kurt and Blaine only strengthens.

A fact that seems remarkable for a lot of their friends.

Their New York friends, I should say, since their Ohioan friends are not surprised to see them growing only stronger and more in love as time passes by, leaving them more united than they ever were when they were younger.

Is their relationship remarkable? Of course.

But not because they still look at each other with sparkles in their eyes, especially when they think nobody is watching.

No, it’s spectacular because it reminds everyone lucky enough to be with them that Love does exist.

Sisters

Over the years, Kurt and Blaine consider that they are the ones lucky enough to have been graced by the many women who entered their lives and remained there as chosen sisters.

Mercedes, Tina, Santana, even Rachel, of course, soul sisters who were meant to support them and challenge them to become better men.

Marley, Unique, Kitty, Jane--younger sisters who help both men to grow into mentors and future parents for Cecilia.

Lissa, Annie, Agnes--sisters of all ages who learn from them and teach them in return what they learned during their own lives until they met the couple.

Glee Club had taught them that family didn’t have to be born from blood, but life brought them a constellation of sisterhood that surrounds them and protects them, in a way, from themselves, from ever thinking they cannot get better.

Tub

“Blaine, I know that you’re really going Method for that role, but could you stop with the 1980, 1990 lingo?”

“As if!”

Kurt sighs before deciding to move on. “Do you like that ice cream? It’s from the new shop down the block.”

“It’s da bomb, hubby.”

“‘Da bomb’, really?”

Blaine has the decency to look slightly bashful. “Overdoing it?”

“Just a tad.”

“I’ll keep it to the theater, then.”

“Tubular.”

Ugly

When one uses his body as its professional tool, one is very peculiar about the way they see themselves.

And sometimes, as strong-minded the individual may be, societal expectations can become too heavy.

“Now I get it. I don’t get parts because I’m ugly.”

“Who said that?”

Kurt slams the bathroom cupboard closed, shaking his head at his own reflection. “I don’t need anyone to say it,” he seethes, “it’s obviously why none of the directors I auditioned for ever called back!”

Blaine comes to lean against the bathroom’s door frame. “Kurt …”

Kurt bends his head. “Blaine, don’t start. I know, deep down, that it’s not the reason, and that I’m not ugly. But right now,” he adds, turning his head toward Blaine without meeting his gaze, “that knowledge is buried deep, deep down.”

“Okay.” Blaine stretches close to Kurt, pecking his cheek. “Take all the time you want. But if you need my help digging for proof that you are quite the opposite of ugly, I’m right here. If you want to mull over it in silence, I can let you do it, and just stay here by your side, or walk around the block.”

“No. Stay.” Kurt finally looks up, leaning his forehead against Blaine’s. “I don’t feel so bad when you’re around.”

Vanish

Sometimes, when you are a couple of married actors, you have to accept that your husband is going to get a job when you don’t.

“I got the job!”

“See, I knew you were going to get a break! Which job?”

“The ad one!”

Blaine cocks his head to the side. “Which one? The one for the hotels?”

“No, the one for the detergent. You know, the pink one?”

“Vanish?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.” Kurt chuckles. “I should try and remember it before the shoot!”

“I’m very proud of you,” Blaine says, pulling Kurt against him for a kiss. “Want to rehearse your text?”

“I would, if you weren’t unbuckling my be-hey!”

“Look, I can make your pants just … vanish.”

“You’re terrib--oh, wow.”

Worthless

Along the years, along the moves, along the different steps in Life, people gather things.

Not necessarily the most expensive things in the world, just mementos.

Little things, really, that most people would discard as just worthless junk. 

But for Blaine, for Kurt, those little things are more precious than any of the things they bought once they started to get financially comfortable.

Like ticket stubs and Playbills from the shows they saw together.

Or like a ring made out of gum wrappers.

Yard

Speaking of financial comfort.

Once they became a household name, and once their student loans were reimbursed, both Blaine and Kurt agree.

If they are to be a family, if they are to raise a kid (or many), they need to buy a house. 

It takes them a while, but they manage to save enough money to put the down payment on a cute little house in Jericho, a house with a luxurious yard where Kitty Cat can pretend to be the tiger she once was, and where their babies will be free to climb the trees and run around and drive their little bicycles or whatever.

“Quite the white picket fence, Hummel.”

“Anderson Hummel, and yes, so what.”

Santana rubs her very round belly. “Not complaining, nor criticizing. Just observing. I didn’t picture you as Wisteria Lane-adjacent.”

Kurt shrugs. “Nothing Desperate about wanting a good environment to raise a family.”

Zealous

As they reach their tenth year anniversary, Kurt and Blaine feel like they have reached a point in their relationship where their ship is sailing on its own, so to speak.

They have found their groove, they can still surprise each other while knowing each other’s habits and needs, and they have their baby.

Who cries every night.

Blaine is at his wits end looking for a solution to soothe his son’s teething pain, but nothing works.

Or so it seems.

“This here's a tale for all the fellas

Tryin' to do what those ladies tell us

Get shot down 'cause you're over zealous

Play hard to get, females get jealous …”

The sound of the song is the only sound around the house.

No cries, no whimpers.

Just Kurt, apparently “bursting a move”.

“Kurt?”

The song stops, along with one of Dan’s hiccups that announce a storm.

“Keep going, keep going!”

Kurt hesitantly returns to the song, coming into view as he bounces Dan in his arms. 

“Young MC, really?”

In the same melody, Kurt replies between his teeth. “I don’t know what came over me, but I just started singing while he was crying and he sto-opped.”

“Magic.”

“Quite.”

“We need to give our thanks to Shuester, uh?”

“Over my dead body.”

[handeaux]

Few Cincinnatians Shed A Tear When The Safety Lane Shut Down

Gather ‘round, youngsters and hear tell about a vintage Cincinnati tradition long consigned to the dustbin of history. I refer to the old Safety Lane, gone 40 years this year.

Time was, every automobile cruising Cincinnati thoroughfares was required to show a current sticker proving that it had passed an inspection affirming it was in a condition to be operated safely. A burnt-out headlight, a silent horn, faulty brakes, even shaky alignment earned a temporary tag, giving the driver a week to repair the problem.

The real problem was there were so many loopholes in the Safety Lane system that the whole operation finally devoured itself. But we’ll get to that eventually.

The Safety Lane began as a voluntary service at a time when automobile fatalities were spiraling out of control. In 1934, the city of Cincinnati alone logged 201 fatal automobile accidents. For comparison, all of Hamilton County recorded only 108 auto fatalities in 2019. In 1935, the National Safety Council ranked Cincinnati as among the most dangerous municipalities to drive through.

In response, Municipal Court Judge Elmer Hunsicker created a civic organization known as the Traffic Safety Council. In 1935, the Council opened its first Safety Lane on Court Street, an outdoor, drive-through service offering thorough evaluations to motorists on a voluntary basis.  Perhaps to emphasize the life-saving intent, the lane was operated under the auspices of the County Coroner. On a single day in May 1935, the temporary service flagged defects on 77 of 109 cars inspected, with more than half failing because of headlights, five for faulty brakes and four for poor alignment.

A year later, funded by the Works Progress Administration, the lane moved to the new Union Terminal. The Depression-era service provided jobs for 36 men. As more cars earned failing marks, the city decided to make regular inspections mandatory and located a site along Central Parkway near the Hopple Street Viaduct to build a permanent facility. The new, official, city-operated Safety Lane opened on 21 December 1939. On 1 April, 1940, inspections every six months became mandatory. That’s when the fun started.

Almost simultaneously with Cincinnati, Norwood initiated an inspection program and motorists played the two inspections against each other. If an auto failed in Cincinnati, the driver drove to Norwood and often got a better result. Although a significant number of owners went to Butler or Clermont County to register their vehicles – on the assumption that police would only tag cars with Hamilton County plates – cops learned to run the plates, and issued tickets if a Cincinnati address showed up for out-of-town plates.

The official stickers themselves caused problems. Until 1959, the Safety Lane glued an approved permit onto the windshield. The permits were so thick that thieves shaved them off and sold them to people driving junkers that would never pass inspection. Unfortunately, the replacement stickers were fragile decals that often disintegrated during application.

Citizens resented the Safety Lane’s hours – basically 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – requiring them to take time from work to have their car inspected. Lunch hours invariably generated featured long lines. For many years, although Safety Lane stickers were dated, the city mailed reminders to motorists when it was time for an updated inspection, adding to the cost of operation.

The city was leisurely about updating its records, resulting in confusion, as reported by the Cincinnati Post’s Si Cornell [24 June 1964]. After waiting half an hour, inching his way forward in a long line of cars, a motorist realized he didn’t need to be there at all. The city reminder he received was for an old car he no longer owned, and the car he was driving had a brand new sticker. He explained this to the inspector, who waved his car through.

“But while Leo was thanking him – another eager attendant leaped into the auto and (as usual) scraped off Leo’s good sticker. They couldn’t give him another sticker since the car hadn’t been inspected. ‘I had to drive around and get in that long line again,’ said Leo.”

Motorists suspected that safety inspections were nothing but a a money-making racket for the city and often complained about suspicious activity. A complaint to the Enquirer’s “Tell It To Bick” column [23 September 1965] is typical:

“Although the Safety Lane sticker on our car had not expired, we put it through the lane – it was passed okay. Then we decided to put on some new tires. One wheel was about to fall off! If we had not put new tires on, there might have been a fatal accident. How can this pass the Safety Lane?”

A bribery scandal in 1960 tarnished the reputation of the safety Lane inspectors. Motorists complained that leaving a “tip” on the seat as the inspector drove the car through resulted in a rubber-stamped approval. One inspector implicated in the investigation killed himself.

Eventually, the cost of operating the Safety Lane far outstripped the funds accrued via nominal inspection fees. Automobiles, once relatively similar, evolved into variants as disparate as subcompacts and hulking SUVs. Equipment capable of testing this range proved expensive and balky. Research showed that driver error rather than vehicle condition caused most fatal accidents. In the early 1970s, the city considered shutting the Safety Lane just as the federal government imposed penalties on cities that failed to meet air pollution standards. New exhaust inspections were added to the checklist. By 1980, the Safety Lane was losing $12,000 every month. After a few tight city budgets, the Safety Lane went on the chopping block.

It was not mourned. The Cincinnati Post [20 February 1981] rejoiced:

“One of the nicest things to happen so far in 1981 was the demise of the Cincinnati Safety Lane. For years it was a place where motorists wasted time, were relieved of their money, and sometimes were humiliated – apparently for no good reason at all.”

Just seven years later, a new inspection program, mandated by state and federal efforts to improve the city’s polluted air quality went into effect. Auto emission testing stations opened at service stations and a few dedicated facilities. Air quality improved and that program faded away, too.

Paul Smith, who ran the Safety Lane for the last few years before it closed, remained convinced it saved lives. He told the Cincinnati Post [2 February 1988]:

“We literally had to take some cars away from people because they were so unsafe. Some people would want to get physical with you about that. But they would come in with literally no brakes. You’d press the pedal and it would go all the way to the floor. And they would say, ‘Yeah, I know. Just hit ‘em a couple of more times, they’ll work.’”

[aion-rsa]

Warrior Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Not How We Do Business

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This Warrior review contains spoilers.

Warrior Season 2 Episode 3

“Not How We Do Business” sums up the latest episode of Warrior in two ways. First, it’s a line that Zing (Dustin Nguyen) lays on O’Hara (Kieran Biew) when he finally breaks away from being a debt collector for the Fung Hai. “Not how we do business” also works on a meta level, this episode only has one Kung Fu fight. That’s weak for a Bruce Lee inspired show. There are two other fight scenes, but they’re scrappy brawls the likes of which can be found in any action drama.

Bruce Lee fans want Kung Fu, and not just any Kung Fu. As part of the Little Dragon’s legacy, it must be great Kung Fu. The lone Kung Fu scene in this episode is good and serves to introduce a pivotal new character, but that’s not enough. It’s not how we do business. 

This episode begins with a missed opportunity where Ah Sahm (Anthony Koji) is in the Barbary Coast Fight Pit, facing off against another challenger. That would be great, but the fight is already over. The opening shot focuses upon his burly challenger, but he has already been knocked out and is just standing stunned, then there’s a shot of Ah Sahm, and then the challenger falls.

Seriously? No Kung Fu? Starting in the Fight Pit is fine dramatically but shortchanging the audience out of a fight is not the way to go for this show. It’s a big ripe piece of low hanging fruit left to rot. Bruce Lee fans crave gratuitous Kung Fu. Whenever Warrior goes to the Fight Pit, there had better be a fight.

After that, Ah Sahm’s fight manager Vega (Maria-Elena Laas) teases him with the promise of a bigger purse in some other international arena, a place where Warrior will hopefully go at some point this season, but not in this episode. Chao (Hoon Lee) pulls Ah Sahm aside and implies that he knows about the molasses plot that he and Young Jun (Jason Tobin) are cooking up, and that he’s concerned over Ah Sahm’s rivalry with Mai Ling (Dianne Doan). Chao comments “I don’t see any version of that ending well” which comes as no surprise to anyone. If this all ended well, there’d be no fight scenes. 

Enter Hong – the New Guy in the Hop Wei

The centerpiece of the episode is the introduction of a new character, Hong (Chen Tang). Chen Tang just portrayed Yao in the new Mulan. In the original Disney animated film, Yao was Mulan’s hard ass comrade, and in contrast, he’s the shortest character (unless you count Mushu and Cri-Kee). The live action Mulan changed a lot – Yao was still the hard ass, but now he’s 6 feet tall and a less significant role. Nevertheless, Chen is a great addition to Warrior, exuding a southern charm because he was raised in Memphis and has a natural southern accent in real life, but he covers that up for Warrior. 

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Hong arrives ‘fresh off the boat’ with a batch of new recruits, hatchet men ordered from China by Father Jun (Perry Yung). Their appearance makes Young Jun nervous that Father Jun might be on to his non-Chinese molasses scheme. He’s also suspicious of Hong’s attempts to weasel his way in with them. Nonetheless, Young Jun and Ah Sahm agree to take Hong to a brothel. There Ah Sahm discovers Hong is gay but sympathetically keeps that secret. 

After that, the threesome stumble across some Fung Hai gangsters in the streets and Hong, either eager to impress or just hungry to kick some ass, takes them all out by himself. It’s a good introduction and reveals his expertise with whip chain. A whip chain is a traditional Chinese weapon, one that can be easily concealed as a trusty everyday carry for a Tong man. Chen Tong delivers a decent first fight scene with it. As weapons go, the whip chain requires more skill to wield than a nunchaku. Hong deploys both the whip chain’s striking and entangling methods proficiently, although the scene is in a dark alley and the shadows can conceal a multitude of sins. Chen Tong lists skills in Stage Combat, Karate, Kung Fu and Tai Chi on his resume and claims he did some preparation for the role of Hong studying Chinese whip chain and the Japanese equivalent manriki-gusari.

One of the best things about Warrior is the relationship between Ah Sahm and Young Jun. They have an earnest chemistry as two gangsters being gangsters, delivering beat downs, slinging molasses, and chasing sticky. This camaraderie is commonplace for buddy films and TV partners but it’s exceedingly rare and delightfully refreshing to see this for two Asian men in a Western production. Both Ah Sahm and Young Jun have a lot to prove and their connection is palpable. Hong brings a new lighter tone as the third wheel to their partnership. They already seem to be bonding as a threesome which is promising for the rest of the season. 

In the Room Where It Happens

Mai Ling (Dianne Doan) and Li Yong (Joe Taslim) pay a visit to the Fung Hai lair so she can scold Zing (Dustin Nguyen). Walking into Zing’s room is a gutsy move for Mai Ling, but with Li Yong at her side, she’s fearless. Zing agrees to Mai Ling’s terms, but not before she shares a ritual drink of mare’s milk with him. Mare’s milk, or Kumis, is a unique fermented drink because few alcoholic beverages are dairy derived. It’s usually not that strong, nor is it the disgusting chunky chowder depicted in Warrior but the Mongols are stereotyped as barbarians, just as they were in Mulan, so it’s depicted as revolting. Mongolians are poorly represented in film and television. Project their media depictions upon any other race and the generally disparaging tone is evident. 

On the way out, a Fung Hai thug gets up in Li Yong’s face and gets throat punched for his trouble. Don’t mess witjj Li Yong. Knowing Li Yong could destroy his crew, Zing calls off his man saying “Be thankful for your pain. It means you’re still alive.”

Much to Li Yong’s dismay, Mai Ling echoes this line towards the end of the episode, making him wonder if his boss is headed down the wrong path like Zing. While everyone in Warrior has their dark side, Zing has emerged as the villain with no redeemable qualities. Taslim brings a guarded nobility to Li Yong as Warrior’s most badass fighter; he’s loyal to Mai Ling, his lover and boss, but not blindly so. This, along with Taslim’s martial expertise, makes Li Yong one of the more intriguing characters. Mai Ling, like most of the rest of the cast, is another character with a lot to prove.

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Later, Zing, being the barbarous Mongol villain, threatens Chao (Hoon Lee) over delivering weapons. Chao, always the manipulator, discusses Zing with Mai Ling. Then later, Chao meets with Li Yong alone. Over bowls of noodles, Chao proposes a way to avoid war, teasing some coming intrigue to take Zing down. Everyone is aligning against Zing and the anticipation of this inevitable showdown is promising.

Sophie (Celine Buckens) sneaks into Leary’s (Dean Jagger) back room at the Banshee and finds his map of factories that use coolies. While she’s smart enough to realize that Leary is behind the factory firebombing, she somehow overlooks that Mercer Steel has got to be among those circled on that map too. Clearly her sister’s company is on the Irish workers hit list because they were beating up the coolies headed to Mercer until Penny (Joanna Vanderham) hired the Hop Wei for protection against them. Sophie and Leary finally hook up and Leary unwittingly echoes Chao saying, “This isn’t going to end well.” By now, the audience is well aware it’s not going to end well and has their collective fingers crossed that it will end in a massive Kung Fu fight at the very least. 

As they have a post-coital stroll, Sophie suggests that Leary get into politics with a nod to Hamilton by suggesting he should “be in the room where it happens.” Leary calls Sophie out when she says she “knows.” She’s an entitled upper-class woman and hasn’t seen the tragedy that Leary has. He tells Sophie of some of the horrors he witnesses, of friends and family starving, and starts to pull away from her until she draws him back. It gives Leary more context.

Given the era, Leary likely escaped the Great Irish Famine (1945-1849). Over a quarter million Irish emigrated to the New World and Leary would be part of that generation. The Irish are struggling too. During that period, Irish immigrants made up most of San Francisco’s working class and about one-third of the city’s population. This is another way Warrior sheds light upon a dark period of history.

Police Beatdowns

The other two fight scenes come from the cops. The first is short. Lee (Tom Weston-Jones) returns to Nora’s (Gaosi Raditholo) tavern where he got rolled last episode to exact revenge. He goes full copper, night-sticking and shooting up the joint until he gets his cash back. With Lee, Weston-Jones is echoing his role as Kevin “Corky” Corcoran, in his previous TV show Copper. Corky was an Irish detective in a period drama set in the late 18th century, the same era as Warrior. This is not so much of a bar fight as it is a cop taking out a few unarmed barflies. 

When a debtor’s wife flashes a gratuitous boob at O’Hara, offering him sex to pay her husband’s bills to the Fung Hai, it’s the last straw and he finally quits the Fung Hai. Even though O’Hara has repaid his debt, Zing exacts revenge by sending Tong men to invade his home and threaten his family. This happens right after dinner where Lee had been their guest. Lee comes to the rescue, revolver blazing, and a scrappy bit of violence ensues where O’Hara’s son and wife must defend themselves too. It’s a brutal sanguineous scene, leaving everyone dead or splattered with blood, ending this episode in a bloody mess. 

Warrior Season 2 can be seen exclusively on CINEMAX.

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