#ana and eric too damn it

[adamwatchesmovies]

Fifty Shades Darker (2017)

While I didn't enjoy this film, that doesn't mean you won't. No matter what I say, the people involved in this project did it: they actually made a movie. That's something to be applauded. With that established...

It’s hard to say if Fifty Shades Darker is a better film than the first. Large chunks of it undo the conclusion of Fifty Shades of Grey or reiterate what we already know. On a technical level, it’s probably worse, but I enjoyed it more. Does it matter? This is a bad second film and I’m sure it’ll be followed by an equally lousy third.

After assuring her that he’s ready to open up about his traumatic past, Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) convinces Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) to have a second go at their relationship.

On paper, Darker sounds like it’ll be worth a damn, particularly if you already wasted your time with the first film. There’s a helicopter crash, a transparently evil creep after Ana, we finally get to see the often-mentioned “Mrs. Robinson” (Kim Basinger) and there’s even a part where someone is threatened at gunpoint! Those tiny blips seem to indicate excitement up ahead, but unless your mental capabilities are impeded by significant blood flow towards your nether regions, don't bother. That helicopter crash? It’s so ineptly shot there isn't a second of tension. Worse, it’s so unnecessary it could’ve, and should’ve been, excised from the plot.

As a whole, this story is messy. Ana’s boss Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson, whose character is so obvious it’s pathetic) does things that in hindsight don’t make much sense. Characters like Christian’s mother, Grace (Marcia Gay Harden), and Ana take some shocking betrayals either way too easily, or in a way that makes you wonder if they didn’t know all along and are being overly dramatic to put on a show. There still isn’t any chemistry between the two planks of wood that are Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, though at least she seems to be having a bit more fun in her role as Ana flip-flops between inviting her boyfriend’s sexual deviancies and chastising him for being a weirdo.

The film begins by undoing the ending of Fifty Shades of Grey and sprinkles hints of a plot in its first half-hour via some new characters. Then there’s a whole lot of nothing until the last half hour. At this point, director James Foley hastily drops a couple of bombshells to warm us up for chapter 3. In between, there are exactly two good scenes. The first has Ana and Christian playing a game of pool that might get you steamed up. It’s a sensual moment where the winner will decide what kind of fleshy display awaits us. The other takes place on a boat and shows us our couple smiling. It doesn’t sound like much, but briefly, they make you think maybe these two people could be in love, instead of pretending to be for the sake of this idiotic storyline.

If you stick around for the end credits of the Unrated version, you get a sneak peek at Fifty Shades Freed, which I’m certain will deliver more boredom than eroticism. I do hope the three sinister characters in this picture will band together in a Legion of Doom-style alliance, that could be fun. Nothing I can say will deter the cultists from calling Fifty Shades Darker even better than the first. For the rest, there are many other better, shorter, more exciting, more sexy films available to you. (Unrated version on Blu-ray, January 26, 2018)

[papi-ehren]

ehrenkassam: "daddy you’re not uncle eric. i want uncle eric." son, i'm the whole reason you are here

[gavillain]

if you’re still accepting for the character ask, i’d love to request princess aurora, anastasia tremaine, and hercules 💘

Sure. I'll do these three. Sorry it's been a hot minute.

Aurora

My otp for them:  Prince Phillip, of course. One of the best romances in Disney.

My brotp for them:  The maternal bond she has with Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather is so satisfying.

Any other ships: Gaston (thanks to you), Snow White, and Hercules all come to mind.

Their best friend: I feel like Cinderella and Snow White are her two best friends. OG princesses gotta stick together.

My favorite nickname for them:  "Sweet princess" that Merryweather calls her always sticks out in my mind. "Rose" too.

My favorite AU of them: I like the idea of an AU where she and Phillip eloped together without ever realizing that they were actually betrothed and slowly discovering the truth while Maleficent conquers the heirless kingdoms for herself.

My favorite outfit they wear:  Her Briar Rose dress stands out to me more than her princess dress, lovely though it is.

Defining color: Pink and blue. I shall not take sides XD

Would I date them: No, but I'd be her friend :)

First impression: I loved her movie as a kid, and I always thought she was beautiful and kind. Though I never really thought much of her compared to Maleficent.

Current impression: I have found a very strong appreciation for her in recent years (and you're no small part of that). She's one of my five favorite princesses, and I feel like I knew of her once upon a dream but now I actually am getting to know the real Aurora in recent years. I love it :)

Hogwarts House:  I would say she's a Hufflepuff. Very focused on compassion, empathy, and duty.

Anastasia

My otp for them:  Don't really have one. I never particularly cared for her romance with the baker, and I don't have a strong crossover option in mind.

My brotp for them:  Cinderella. I love the idea of them becoming friends and sisters after Cinderella III.

Any other ships: I know @jcmorrigan has floated the idea of her with Rumplestiltskin from OUAT, and I see a lot of potential there. I also remember a really good video of her with Proteus from Sinbad that I still think about all the time.

Their best friend: Probably Drizella. They fight and bicker, but they're a dynamic duo together.

My favorite nickname for them:  I like the idea of someone calling her "Ana" for short in an affectionate way.

My favorite AU of them: Probably the Disney Parks version because she's hilarious there XD

My favorite outfit they wear:  Her main dress is the best.

Defining color: Pink, but a very magenta shade of pink.

Would I date them: No, but I'd be her friend :)

First impression: I didn't think much of her or Cinderella as a kid. I respected the movie, but it wasn't one of my favorites and I didn't own it on VHS. Cinderella III, I enjoyed a lot more when it came out, and I found Anastasia to be one of the most fun and memorable parts of the movie.

Current impression: I love her a lot! I went through a phase of really appreciating her and being obsessed, but I've mellowed on her. Cinderella wise, I tend to gravitate towards Lady Tremaine and Lucifer before Anastasia now. However, I still think she's an excellent and fun character in everything she appears in.

Hogwarts House: She's a Hufflepuff who tries to act like a Slytherin because her mother is one.

Hercules

My otp for them: Megara! I just rewatched their movie last night, and I just LOVE their romance and connection so much. It fights for the top spot for my favorite Disney romance.

My brotp for them: He and Phil have such a satisfying relationship too. Ditto him and Pegasus. I love them.

Any other ships: Well obviously Aladdin and Herc are a hot couple together, also Aurora, Prince Eric, and a few of the heroes from the TV show/sequel like Theseus the Grim Avenger.

Their best friend: Gotta be Phil.

My favorite nickname for them:  "Wonder Boy" from Meg always melts my heart.

My favorite AU of them: The AUs I've seen where he and Aladdin are a couple and get together are my favorites.

My favorite outfit they wear: His main hero armor.

Defining color: Bronze

Would I date them: Absolutely I would

First impression: I've always loved him and his movie. Even though I didn't pay super close attention to heroes when I was young, Hercules was one of the ones I always liked. I had quite a few toys of him too.

Current impression: I love him. One of my favorite Disney characters over all. I think he's just such a sweetheart and so damn likable. Like he's the type of Disney character who I'd really want to just hang out with and be friends with. He's not necessarily in my top ten heroes (Megara is, though), but he's always on the cusp.

Hogwarts House: VERY much a Gryffindor. He has some Hufflepuff shades to him, but not nearly enough to challenge the obvious Gryffindor.

[axwalker]

Tears in heaven (PROLOGUE)

Synopsis: Alexis O’Brien is about to get married but memories of her old life are coming back to haunt her.

MASTERLIST

Warnings: This story will deal with very dark subjects such as death, severe depression and suicide attempt (among others) if you’re triggered by any of those issues, please do not read this story.

Song inspiration: Tears in heaven (Eric Clapton) 

I’m participating in  @emceesynonymroll​  Wacky Drabbles.

This week’s prompt is: “ We’ve gone through Plan A and Plan B, what’s next?

Word count: 1250 (I’m getting better!)

Disclaimer: All characters belong to PB

I’m tagging my whole list for this FIRST chapter if you want to be tagged in future chapters please let me know:

@mskaneko​ @pedudley​ @burnsoslow​ @drxkewalker​ @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore​ @pug-bitch​ @lauzales​ @desireepow-1986​ @yukinagato2012​ @kingliam2019​ @drakewalker04​ @ac27dj​ @ravenpuff02​ @msjr0119​ @texaskitten30​ @i-bloody-love-drake-walker​ @loveellamae​ @nomadics-stuff​  @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria​

HUGE thanks @mskaneko​  who created ALL the edits in the center of the mood board. Love you

To my beta reader, @pedudley​    thank you for ALL your support, I LOVE you! 

Alexis took a deep breath before looking herself in the mirror. She was wearing a gorgeous long, laced white dress that had been made especially for her by the great Ana de Luca. She ignored the exact cost of the exclusive dress, but she knew it was extremely expensive.

An old memory started to creep into her mind. The memory of another white dress in another life, a life that seemed so far away now that she wondered if it all had been a beautiful dream or a terrible nightmare.

2010

“Guys, I’m getting married in less than a month! I need to find the perfect dress” She sighed looking around the retail store “Everything here is …generic”

“Well, Alexis you don’t have much choice. You thought the designer store I took you was too expensive, and you don’t like the retail store either” Olivia sighed annoyed “We’ve gone through Plan A and Plan B, what’s next?”

Max grinned “I know a little vintage shop just around the corner. They have great, original, cheap clothes”

Olivia couldn’t hide her disgust “Vintage?”

Alexis jumped into Maxwell’s arms “That’s just perfect Max!”

After walking a few minutes, they arrived at the store.

Alexis’s eyes wandered through the store “I hope I could find something that will leave him speechless”

“Please, Blossom, that guy is so lost for you, you could arrive in a jean shirt and he’d still be mesmerized”

Olivia arched her brow contemptuously “Well, that’s probably because that’s what he’ll be wearing himself”

Alexis warned her friend “That’s strike one, Liv. I don’t know why you hate him so much”

Olivia scoffed “He’s in last year of his Veterinarian degree but you’re about to start your second year, Alexis. Why do you want to get married right now? Do like everyone else, fuck him in every classroom of the university and move on” She squinted at her “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”

Alexis rolled her eyes “First of all, you’re the only one that fucks in classrooms, Liv. And for the hundredth time, no I’m not pregnant. We’re just crazy about each other. I can’t even explain it” She sighed “he’s my whole world and I’m his”

Max talked while he looked through the racks “Well, I for one, think is inspiring, Lexie. I’ve never seen anyone more in love than the two of you”

Olivia nodded “Well, that’s true, you’re disgusting when you’re together”

Alexis shook her head amused. “Strike two, Liv” She turned to Max “Did you find something?

Max answered from the back of the store with his arms full of white dresses. “Only this, Blossom. Let’s the parade begin!”

After two hours trying different outfits, Alexis had chosen a long, white, bohemian dress, that would suit perfectly the simple wedding they were planning.  

Maxwell was almost jumping “You look gorgeous Blossom!”

Olivia nodded “The bastard won’t know what hit him”

Alexis looked herself in the mirror beaming, she had never felt so elated before in her life.

Maxwell saw the tears in his best friend’s eyes and took her by her shoulders “Is everything ok, Lexie?”

Alexis wiped the happy tears with the back of her hand “I was just thinking that I can’t wait to be his wife”

Drake entered the address Liam had given shaking his head, it was an exclusive, expensive store. He definitely couldn’t afford it. One day, Liam would understand that they didn’t belong to the same world.

“Drake, over here” Liam waved at him.

“Hi, Li. This store is way above my possibilities, man. I just need a suit”

“Come on, Drake. You only get married once, or at least that’s the plan” he teased.

Drake smiled thinking about her “There won’t be no one else, Liam. I’ve never been so sure about anything else before in my life”

Liam nodded “I know, Drake. That’s why I brought you here, plus, I’m the best man. The suit is on me. She deserves to have the best day possible”

“And she will if I don’t spend our whole budget in the damn suit. I appreciate your offer, but I can buy the suit myself. Let’s go to another store, one that I can actually afford”

They got into Drake’s jeep, and he started driving.

Liam watched his best friend, feeling almost jealous. Drake was going to marry the love of his life. Alexis. As usual, when his mind drifted to her, Liam tried to think about something else, he couldn’t allow himself to go there. “We have been friends all our lives, Drake. You can trust me, is money a problem? I could lend you some”

Drake shook his head. He had inherited his father’s house after he had passed and his internship at the veterinary clinic was a paid job. It was a small house and the internship didn’t pay much, but they would manage.

“It’s not that, Li. I’m just trying to be careful. Lexie is always exhausted from studying all day and working all night in that bar, so I’ll try to convince her to quit waitressing. I’m also saving to take her to that trip in South America she dreams about. We won’t be able to do It right away because of my internship, but maybe in the summer”  

Liam chuckled “I can’t get over the fact that the brooding, dark and cynic Drake Walker is so ‘in love’ that he’s planning a honeymoon. Who would’ve thought?”

Drake didn’t reply anything, but he was wearing such a mushy grin that Liam punched him playfully in the arm “You disgust me, man. Who are you and what did you do with my best friend?”

Drake shook his head “I don’t know what the fuck she did to me, Liam. I only know that I can’t wait to make her my wife”

Alexis spent her days trying to forget all about those days, the days with him. She was starting a new life in less than two months. And after all, she had been through, after all the heartbreak, all the pain, all those days in that horrible clinic, she deserved to be happy with a man that loved her. She deserved to forget everything about her old life and start all over again.

Maxwell entered the room and gasped “Oh my god, Blossom! You look gorgeous!”

“Thank you, Max. It was a great idea to hire Ana de Luca. The dress is beautiful” She gave him a small smile.

Five long years had passed since that dreadful day, but Maxwell still wasn’t used to the change in Alexis’s personality. The joyful, sunny girl he had met in college had disappeared and a guarded, broken woman had taken her place. However, Max knew his old Blossom was still there somewhere and he had made it his life’s mission to bring her back.

A few minutes later she had changed back into her clothes, and they walked to the exit.

“Thank you for coming to the fitting with me, Max. Are you sure you don’t want to join us for diner?”

“Sorry, Blossom, Rash is waiting in the house, I owe him a romantic night”

Alexis smiled “Oh, I wouldn’t want to interrupt that”

A flammant black Aston Martin pulled over in front of them.

“That’s your fiancé, Lexie” He kissed her in the cheek as he waved to the man inside of the car.

Alexis set herself in the passenger’s seat before turning her head and kissing her future husband “Hi, Liam”

“Hi, love”.

[onstarsandiron]

Band AU Outline

Because where else am I going to put this?

[Lol I made it long, it’s under the readmore]

Scene 1 is Jax is trying to get coffee for his shitty boss and this asshole bumps into him, spills it all over him, and has the goddamn nerve to not stick around. Jax doesn’t know how he feels about the $50 bill casually thrown at him before Asshole runs off

Scene 2 is Robb arriving late to after school rehearsal and smelling faintly like coffee and his stupid brother is there and sneers at him because Eric is sooooo perfect and Eric gets to be the one that plays the violin, the instrument that everyone likes, and Robb is here playing the bass. Well fuck you, Eric, because Robb’s a damn good bass player and he actually likes how it sounds, thank you very much. If he’d gotten stuck with the viola he would have killed himself; he’d literally be second fiddle to Eric.

Scene 3 is Jax on his lunch break talking to Ana about their bassist or something I think? 

Scene 4 is Robb secretly practicing his electric bass in a quiet part of the mansion, like he always does, playing along with youtube videos and learning whatever he feels like

Scene 5 is Jax arriving at the venue and finally feeling the stress of the day wash off a little

Scene 6 is Robb arriving at the venue; he’s got a genuine ticket, but he brought his electric bass to try and say he’s part of the opening act or something and get backstage to try and get an autograph (maybe got dared to get one?) This goes, of course, wrong when the stage runner insists on personally seeing him to the correct dressing room saying they’ve been looking for their goddamn bassist all over the place, where the fuck have you been? and just shoves him in 

Queue: “YOU!” “Me?” Robb studied the other’s face, looking for where he’d know those features from. Suddenly it came to him. Oh. Oh no. Coffee boy. “Oh no,” Rob said, unable to help it, “Me.” 

Robb fucking OWES Jax for that bullshit, he may have payed for replacement coffee, but you can’t pay for replacement dignity, and that was his FAVORITE sweater. What’s that instrument he has? A bass? Fucking good because Barger is a no-show and they’re on in 15. 

Ana’s drums, Di does keyboard and synth, Jax is lead (only) guitar and lead (only) singer -- Di cannot carry a note to save the galaxy and Ana gets too excited and just ends up screaming more than singing (you physically cannot stop her from doing this, mind you, so mostly Jax just doesn’t give her a mic. It helps only so very much. To be fair, it is Ana’s band, so she has a certain right to do whatever she wants) They are the Dossier [Idk if I wanna include Xu and Elara in here yet; if I do, Elara’s a techie and Xu is additional tech support + Social media manager/marketing/gig booking/etc]

Queue the gang tearing up Robb’s pretty boy outfit to get grungier bc if you believe Ana started some kinda new wave bullshit band full of crooners you’re goddamn wrong. They do loud hard rock and you can die made about it. Also Jax applies Robb’s eyeliner and Robb has never had a more intimate moment with an individual without actually touching one another in his life. 

Then there’s the show. Lucky for Robb they’re playing all covers and it’s stuff that he knows. unluckily for Robb, it’s completely different to playing quietly in his tucked away chamber to youtube videos. He makes do, though. 

He’s kind of mouthing along to the words he knows and then he’s singing them quietly and then he’s singing them outright and then Jax notices and somehow there’s now been a mic placed in front of him and he’s become backup vocals now and if he believed in fake things he’d think Jax was actually pleased about this. Wow, performing sure makes your heart beat hard.

Then they’re taking a bow and off the stage before he even knows it. He thinks now he’ll be shooed off, but actually they let him watch the actual concert with them and then there’s like an after party and they let him tag along and actually he has a really good time (He gets that autograph he wanted too lol)

Like a week later he gets a call from Ana -- Di had made him sign a goddamn liability waiver including personal and emergency contact info -- and turns out that Barger skipped town for reasons which are genuinely undisclosed but 99% probably because he has a gambling problem. They need a new bassist. He worked out well in a pinch, does he think he can make practices monday at 7? 

So that’s how Robb starts sneaking around to be in this band and play little gigs here and there and it isn’t the sort of places anyone from his circle would be involved in and it isn’t so big that he’s so very worried about an internet presence (he does “”Shyly”” hide behind his hand when Di tries to get pictures for their social media). Robb like tells his mom he’s doing some extracurricular thing and turns his phone off and pays off his chauffeur to say nothing

There’s probably some cute scenes or clips of outings or something. They go thrift shopping to get Robb some actual stage clothes, they hang out with Ana’s moms, they don’t talk about Jax’s parents ever and don’t mention that Jax pretty much lives with Ana or the rotating cast of personnel through the house, there’s heart-to-hearts, there’s laughs, there’s drama, there’s friendship blossoming, walls breaking, truly incredible stuff

Then comes the inevitable. The day of the Big School Concert is also the day of the big Battle of The Bands or something. It’s some sort of contest where they play some songs and then they play one they were like assigned and they were assigned Space Oddity and one thing is that the judges are really looking for those strings but Di’s synths just aren’t cutting it; they’re timing and intonation just aren’t right. So Robb is like “Okay, you can’t ask any questions, and I’m going to be like on the wire BUT I will be there and I will bring strings. You have to trust me.” 

And then it’s Robb’s concert, and bananas things happen and he gets out of there with the bass and we’re switching back and forth between everyone being antsy and worrying and Robb booking it with this big ass piece of shit on his back and he’s in the back of the car fucking up his $300 suit. Maybe there’s a run-in with Eric? I kinda really want him to show up a little worse for ware for Jax to fuss over. 

And Jax and Ana and Di are like Bass??? Suit???? Hair half slicked back??? Are those LOAFERS??? Is that a BLACK EYE?? [one of the judges later asks the same thing and Robb just replies “We are a grunge band, ma’am]  But there’s no time to fuss! Because he rolls up literally like two minutes from going on stage!

They rush out and they play their song and it’s magical and fucking gay and Di’s going fucking ham on the piano and the whole room is vibing. Then they play a couple more songs or something idk I don’t want to like ruin this emotional high but I do need to justify the electric base being there for the next bit which issss

Di and Ana shove Robb and Jax into the dressing room and they FINALLY make out. And it’s amazing and heavy and full of emotional and physical catharsis and it’s just exactly what everyone -- robb, jax, the reader -- needs. 

And then there’s a knock on the door. Followed by “Robbert, darling, are you in there?” 

And Robb’s blood goes cold. Because of course Eric told his mother. Of course he forgot to turn his phone off. Of course, just as he finally has the things he wants, what he’s been craving for all his life, here comes his mother reminding him of what he is supposed to be. 

“What’s wrong?” Jax asks, “Who’s that?” But Robb can’t bear to say a word. It’ll all become obvious in a minute anyway. All he can do is hope that the sadness on his face shows, for once he wants his stupid face to show his goddamn emotion to the one person, and that Jax will know that’s how he really feels and won’t take this next part too personally. 

His parting words are to hand his electric bass to Jax and say, “Here, can you keep this safe for me? Valerios aren’t supposed to play these sorts of things.” 

And before Jax can say anything Robb turns away and makes his face a mask and replies, “Yes, Mother.” 

The door opens and there stands his mother, graying hair pulled into an elegant bun, still in the dress from the recital. Eric stands there too with his sharp suit, looking as if their tussle had never happened and like he didn’t need to wash blood off his rings. There were also a couple of men in suits, some of his mother’s assistants. One entered unceremoniously and silently took the bass from the room. 

“My dearest, whatever are you here for? I believe we agreed to a dinner at your favorite restaurant for your recital tonight,” it was Eric’s favorite, Robb hated the place, “This event was not on my itinerary.” 

“I apologize for the delay, Mother,” Robb said, as if he’d made them wait five minutes instead of running off across town and surely ruining their evening, “I owed a debt, and as you know that cannot be outstanding.” 

The barest hint of anger flashed over her face; she absolutely hated when he threw Valerio Family Names items back at her. He must have been hanging around with Ana too much, because he found himself relishing in having made her mad. The flash was gone almost before it was there, though, and her face was cool once more. 

“And what, pray tell, did you owe to these... people,” his mother said, eyeing Jax in a way that made Robb so angry he could feel the white hot rage in the center of his chest. But he was a Valerio, and he knew better than to show it like Ana was allowed to. 

“Did you not catch the show, Mother?” Robb asked, protectively stepping between her gaze and Jax and praying that it didn’t show his cards too thoroughly, “They required some strings accompaniment. I lent them some. Our transaction is done, I have no more business here.” 

He had so much more business here. He had results to hear. An after party to go to. Pizza to eat. Jokes to laugh at. A boy to kiss. 

But now all that business is done for. Who wants to hear results for a song played by a liar? Who wants to go to an after party or eat pizza or tell jokes with a Valerio? Who would want to kiss him after seeing who he really is: a spineless wimp who is doomed to live and die by his mother’s whims. This whole arrangement was doomed from the start, and he always knew it. He was just too happy to let himself know that. 

His mother was clearly displeased with him, but what was new? “So I see,” She said at last, “Well then, come along, no need to tarry in this... venue.” 

“Of course, Mother,” Robb said. A cool nothingness washed over him. He knew his lines. He knew his place. This was who he was. 

Robb left the room, not sparing Jax a single look over his shoulder. He told himself it was because his mother would certainly notice, and she would, but really he couldn’t bear to see whatever expression Jax was wearing -- betrayal, shock, anger? It would only break his heart further. 

As he left the room he now saw that Di and Ana were looking on in shock. Apparently they hadn’t stepped too far away. “Hey!” Ana yelled, “What’s going on?” 

“Did you not hear the entire conversation about what’s ‘going on’?” Erik asked, and Robb wanted to punch him again. Apparently Ana wanted to too, because Di instinctively reached to hold her back just as she began forward. 

“And who is this, Robbert?” his mother asked, as if they were at the zoo and she was asking which animal was in this enclosure. It was so hard for Robb to see Ana riled up without getting riled up too. 

“The leader of the band, Mother,” Robb said, carefully not naming her. She was nondescript, hard to track down by description alone. Hopefully more trouble than his mother thought worth it. He never wanted any of this night to come back to hurt the band. 

“Well, as you’ve heard, his debt is payed, so he is leaving. Say goodbye, Robbert.” 

“Goodbye,” Robb said, feeling like a dog, “Thank you for the experience.” That was as close as he could get to what he wanted to say. Thank you for being his friend, for being there for him, for letting him be dumb and clumsy, for a thousand things Ana has done for him. Her and Di and Jax. And all he can say is, “Thank you for the experience.” He makes him sick. 

And like that he turns with his mother and brother, because he is nothing but their dog. A spare for if something goes wrong. An extra to be married off for a good business deal once he’s ripe. That’s all he is and all he will ever be. 

He can hear Ana yelling after them, struggling against Di’s hold. He can picture Di’s face as he struggles between holding Ana back for her own good and letting her go because he knows she’ll at least land a hit. He tries not to picture Jax at all. 

But don’t worry because I hate sad endings but idk exactly what I want to happen but basically a few hours pass and then either Siege or Ana is like “So, when are we going?” and Jax is like “? Going where?” “To break your boyfriend out.” and idk, but it works out in the end. 

[deathgatesideblog]

Top 10 “Alfred Loves Haplo” quotes, ranked

When I made this post I promised a sequel and so here I am, delivering. Standard disclaimer, this is a (very) non-inclusive list, and also order is not to be taken too too seriously. Anyway. Onward.

10. Seventh Gate, Alfred almost kills people because he’s so worried about Haplo

All he’d been able to think of was killing. And he’d actually considered it! It’s this world, he decided, horrified at himself. This world of death where nothing is permitted to die. That and the battle in the Labyrinth. And his anxiety, his soul-wrenching anxiety over Haplo. Alfred was so close to finding his friend, and these—his enemies—were blocking his way. Fear, anger… 

It says a LOT about how effusive Alfred gets about Haplo that a quote about him literally almost killing a bunch of Patryns because he’s just that desperate to get to Haplo is the quote I put at the bottom of the list. Like. This is the dude that basically gave himself a handicap to avoid even the possibility that he would ever use his magic to hurt other people. (Unrelated, but you can’t tell me that Haplo wouldn’t be ridiculously into the fact that Alfred was that worried about him. Being so devoted to someone you’d be willing to kill for them has got to be a huge turn-on in Patryn culture, right?)

9. Fire Sea, Alfred heals Haplo

The circle between the two was truly forged, truly complete. And Alfred knew, with a feeling of overwhelming sadness, that Haplo would never forgive him.

I like this quote because of the sense of tragedy in it. Up til now, Alfred hasn’t exactly said that he’d quite like to be Haplo’s friend, actually, but there are a lot of mentions of how lonely he is, how he feels a connection to Haplo and refers to him as a friend before quickly thinking better of it, how he wants to believe that Haplo has good in him, and so on, and all of those leading into this moment where Alfred realizes he can’t let Haplo die. Alfred already cares enough about Haplo to follow Jonathon and Jera into danger to save his life, but more than that, he cares enough about him to be deeply saddened by the idea that Haplo will hate him for it. He just wants a friend, dangit!! That’s the tragedy of it!! Also, that’s not even touching the whole “forging the circle between them” thing. Which is… wow, that’s a thing.

8. Serpent Mage, Alfred makes a scene in front of the Council trying to talk to Haplo

Alfred was concentrating his attention on the Patryn and the dog, but he was also uncomfortably aware of Samah, who was watching the entire incident. Alfred recalled the words he’d just said to Haplo, realized how they must sound to the Councillor, foresaw more questions, more interrogation, and he sighed heavily. For the moment, however, none of that was important. What was important was the dog… and Haplo.

After almost a whole book of Alfred desperately trying to fit in with the Chelestra Sartan and knowing full well that Samah will be watching how he interacts with Haplo, the fact that this whole section is like. All Haplo really does is show up, look at Alfred, and Alfred does an anime blush, exclaims to Haplo about this blasphemous experience they had in the Chamber of the Damned, then realizes how much he screwed up only to go “well, getting the dog back to him is more important right now.” As its own quote it’s not all that much, but like. The context, man. Alfred knows what the dog is, more or less, and knows that it’s Very Not Good that Haplo lost it, and probably even has an idea of the significance of the dog picking him to come to, and in this moment, he decides that reconnecting Haplo with this piece of himself is more important than how he is perceived by the rest of the Sartan, including Samah, which has been his main worry for like… the whole book. That’s love, baby!!! And we’re STILL in the bottom half of this, oh God…

7. Into the Labyrinth, Haplo and Alfred (and Marit) hold hands in Abri

Haplo held out his hand– the hand that was powerful, tattooed on the back with blue runes. Alfred extended his hand– white, shriveled, with knobby wrists and thin bones, its flesh cold and clammy with fear. The two hands met, clasped, gripped each other firmly. Two people, reaching across a chasm of hate. At that moment, Alfred looked inward and met himself. And he was no longer afraid.

So like, obviously hand-holding, and also the FIRST hand-holding, and Haplo’s just called him friend for the first time, and Haplo’s friendship and faith in him giving him courage and confidence, and also just, like, them officially being Friends and that friendship bridging the enmity between their races, and the way the whole thing is such a Moment– to borrow Ana Navarro’s words: “The power that that has, the intelligence that that has, the clearance that that has, the access that that has, the influence that that has, the profile that that has, the international implications that that has–”

6. Fire Sea, Alfred feels a connection to Haplo

“But now we are strangers in a strange world– a world that appears to grow exceedingly more strange the deeper we probe into it.” Alfred appeared confused, almost shy. “I can’t explain myself, but I feel a… kinship to you, Haplo. Perhaps because of what happened to us going through Death’s Gate. I’ve been where you were. And I think, if I’m right, that you’ve been where I was. I’m not explaining this very well, am I?”

A great moment in and of itself, and all the better with @thatclumsysartanisbi​‘s observation that the word for “kinship” they used in the Hebrew translation can also mean “attraction.” Also great in that it mirror’s Haplo’s Elven Star quote about being strangers to the rest of the world, but not to each other. Also like, dang, who else remembers reading this for the first time and being as surprised as Haplo that Alfred isn’t viewing him as an enemy at all? That can’t have been just me, right? Like, it genuinely came out of left field for me, in the sense that I expected them to distrust each other and have to learn to get along, and here’s Alfred starting off by refuting that whole idea?

5. Seventh Gate, Alfred’s vision in the Chamber of the Damned

The Sartan’s face was handsome, strong, resolute — fine steel emerging from a forging fire. No doubts marred its shining surface; its blade was honed to a sharp, cutting edge. The young man looked familiar to Alfred. He could almost put a name to him, but not quite. Now he could. The man had been Haplo. Alfred smiled. “I remember the feeling of elation, of knowing that I wasn’t alone in the universe, that a higher power was watching over me, caring for me and about me. I remember that, for the first time in my life, I wasn’t afraid.”

This ties in nicely with that earlier Into the Labyrinth quote where Haplo is showing up significantly in moments where Alfred is self-actualizing. Haplo and his influence on Alfred is so so connected to Alfred’s feeling loved, strong, not afraid and not alone, and this isn’t the only time that connection is made clear. Also though, this quote breaks the top five because of the whole “Alfred gushing about how handsome and cool Haplo looks” thing, which is QUALITY.

4. Serpent Mage, Alfred watches Haplo sleep and touches his hair

Alfred settled himself beside Haplo, occupied himself by studying the Patryn’s stern face. He noticed that it did not relax in repose, but retained its grim, forbidding expression, as though nothing, not sleep, perhaps not even death, could bring perfect peace to the man. Moved by compassion, by pity, Alfred stretched out a hand to smooth back a lock of hair that fell forward over the implacable face. The dog raised its head, growled menacingly. Alfred snatched his hand back. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” The dog, knowing Alfred, appeared to accept this as a plausible excuse.

So looking back on this I’m not sure if a Hair Touch actually happens or if the dog stops Alfred before he can actually Hair Touch, but the intent is still there either way so I don’t suppose it matters much. I choose to believe the Hair was Touched though. Anyway, Alfred is terribly affectionate towards Haplo here, and it kind of makes me want to cry. He sees Haplo and knows how hard he’s had it and why he’s the way he is and wants Haplo to be happy??? Shut up I’m emotional. Also… this is that scene in Little Mermaid where Eric’s passed out on the beach after Ariel saves him, and she watches him and touches his hair and all that. Right? I’m right, aren’t I? I’m absolutely correct. Do I need to pull up a picture? I won’t, but. It’s that scene. He’s even got a fucking dog that shows up at the end of that scene. Like. Come on.

3. Seventh Gate, Alfred helps Haplo and Marit speak and also loves Haplo

Her love poured out from her. Haplo’s love flowed from him, and Alfred was the fine silk through which both passed. The tragedy of their separation grieved him deeply. If he could have given them ease by tearing himself apart, he would have done so. As it was, he could only be a poor sort of go-between. What made it worse was that he knew Haplo was speaking to him, too– to Alfred as well as Marit. Alfred, too, must find the strength to leave someone he had come to love.

If I can repeat myself: it says a lot about how effusive Alfred gets about Haplo that a quote where Alfred refers to himself as loving Haplo and compares that love to the love between Haplo and Marit without any qualification is only the 3rd top quote in this list. And seriously, the way he talks about their love for each other is so reverent. Their love for each other is as important to him as his own love for Haplo, which is a kind of love in its own right, that he knows how deeply they’ve felt for each other and suffered over it and how much he just wants them to be allowed to finally be happy together. It’s such a selfless, complete, pure kind of love, that Alfred sees them feeling so deeply and its importance to them makes it important to him, too, his only thought is to protect it, that his happiness and love is in their happiness and love. I don’t know how to put it, exactly, but… it’s not just that Alfred ships them, in this scene, but that it feels like Alfred becomes a part of that relationship, himself. Each of their individual relationships exist and are strong, of course, but this scene in particular has always been about the three of them as their own unit, to me, and it kills me, and is right up there with my favorite scenes in the series, and somehow it’s STILL only #3??

2. Seventh Gate, Alfred thinks Haplo is dead

Alfred knew he should say something, pay tribute, homage. But words were inadequate. What did you say to a man who had looked inside you and seen– not what you are– but what you could be? What did you say to a man who had wrenched that other, better person hiding inside of you outside? What did you say to a man who had taught you how to live, when you would much rather have died? Haplo had done all this. And now Haplo was dead. He gave his life for me, for the mensch, for his people. Each of us drew on his strength, and perhaps, unknowingly, each of us ended up draining a little of his life away. “My dear friend,” Alfred whispered, his voice choked. He bent down, rested his hand on Haplo’s, over the heart-rune. “I promise you. I will continue the fight. I will do what I can, take up where you left off. You rest. Don’t worry about it anymore. Farewell, my friend. Fare–” At that moment, Alfred was interrupted by a whuff.

Do I have to say anything about this? Can I not just cry about it? Anyway. Once again we have Alfred explicitly tying Haplo’s influence to him becoming stronger and more confident and “bringing him back to life.” Also more hand-holding and calling him not just “my friend,” but “my dear friend,” so now both Haplo and Marit have been “dear” to Alfred, which is nice. But yeah that’s all I’ve got because Alfred thinking Haplo is dead after everyone else he loved has died is too much for me, thank god for happy endings.

1. Into the Labyrinth, Alfred explains the meaning of his name

“Whenever you spoke to me, Haplo, even though you called me Alfred, I kept hearing Coren. It was frightening. And yet it felt good to me, all at the same time. Frightening because I didn’t understand. Yet good– you reminded me of my past, my distant past, when my friends and family were still alive. How could you do this? I wondered. Who are you? At first I thought you might be one of my people, but I knew immediately that wasn’t right. Yet you obviously weren’t a mensch. And then I remembered. I remembered the ancient history. I remembered the stories about the—forgive me—the old enemy.” […] “Now I know what my name means. ” “It’s just a name, damn it! It doesn’t mean anything. You said so yourself.” “But it does mean something—to me. You have taught me, Haplo. You even said it. Not ‘chosen,’ past tense. But 'to choose.’ Present tense. Everyone else has always made my choices for me. I faint.” Alfred spread his hands helplessly. “Or fall down. Or"—he cast a guilty glance at Hugh the Hand—"when I do take action, I forget.’” Alfred stood up very straight, very tall. “But now that’s different. I choose to be here, Haplo. You said you needed me. You made me ashamed. You had the courage to come into this dreadful place—for what? For ambition? For power? No. You came for love. The Labyrinth is afraid. Yes, but not of me. It’s afraid of you, Haplo. You have brought into it the one weapon it doesn’t know how to fight.” Reaching down, Alfred timidly petted the dog, stroked its silky ears. "I know it’s dangerous and I’m not certain how much help I can be, but I choose to be here,” he said softly, not looking at Haplo. “I choose to be here with you.”

Freaking. This whole scene. There’s just so much. 1. Alfred connecting Haplo to his true name– the name that only people who love him/who he loves are supposed to know– from the very beginning??? And that it felt good and that he was drawn to it?? Like either he means it literally, in which case soulmate shenanagins, or it’s more metaphorical, in which case it just sounds like Alfred just had a huge crush. Either way that’s A Lot. 2. Again, Alfred crediting Haplo’s influence for helping him grow as a person, but even More because he’s letting Haplo’s (mis)translation of the name he’s always hated reshape how he himself thinks about it? Can there be anything more intimate or romantic than that?? 3. Acknowledging that Haplo came back to the Labyrinth for love. Love that is so strong and so deep that the Labyrinth is afraid of it, even though Haplo is still semi-reluctant to admit that explicitly. But Alfred knows that’s exactly what it is, because he knows Haplo. 4. And then, combining those last two points: Alfred deciding his choice is going to be to stay with Haplo and help him fight the Labyrinth. With his own love as a strength against it, presumably. The fact that he doesn’t just stop at “I choose to be here,” but repeats himself to clarify that “I choose to be here with you.” What the hell. How romantic is that? Alfred, who has been so unsure and unconfident, finally beginning to figure himself out and realizing that the place he belongs, the place he chooses to be, is with Haplo, trying to help him rescue his daughter and save his people? That feels like a marriage vow?? Help? 5. Remembering that he says all this before Haplo has even explicitly admitted that he considers Alfred his friend. True names, according to Alfred, are told to people who love you and who you love. So it wasn’t just that Alfred loves Haplo, but that even without Haplo saying it, Alfred apparently was confident that Haplo cared for him enough for him to tell him is name.

Anyway, I feel like I gushed about these quotes a lot but Alfred is just… too much for me, he cares so much and I love him.

[jethomme]

California Voters:  Vote YES on Proposition 10--Fairness to Renters paying in excess of 30% of their income on rent.

Make it clear to greedy developers and unscrupulous landlords that the rent is too damn high!  We’re counting on grassroots supporters to step up and vote for Proposition 10 on November 6. Your vote and your voice COUNT! Give the right of city self-determination back to each city government = local control.  People on fixed incomes like retirees, veterans, and others require reasonable rents.  Median home values have increased by 80% since 2011.   More than half the renters in the state of California spend MORE than 30% of their income on rent (Haas Institute for Fair & Inclusive Society, UC Berkeley). 

Vote for fairness, or do not be surprised at budding chaos.

Partial list of endorsements follow:

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Maxine Waters

State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin (fmr)

State Senator Ben Allen

State Senator Connie M. Leyva

State Senator Kevin De Leon

State Senator Ricardo Lara

State Assemblymember David Chiu

State Assemblymember Laura Friedman

State Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher

State Assemblymember Mike Davis (fmr)

State Assemblymember Phil Ting

State Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer

State Assemblymember Rob Bonta

State Assemblymember Tony Thurmond

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin

Berkeley Rent Board Member Igor Tregub

Berkeley Rent Board Member Leah Simon-Weisberg

Beverly Hills Vice Mayor John Mirisch

Culver City Vice Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells

Culver City Councilmember Daniel Lee

El Cerrito Mayor Gabriel Quinto

Emeryville Mayor Ken Bukowski (fmr)

Fontana School Board Member Mary Sandoval

Fowler Mayor Don Cardenas

Highland City Mayor Pro Tem Jesus Chavez

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu

Los Angeles City Councilmember Gil Cedillo

Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson

Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin

Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz

Los Angeles City Councilmember Robert Farrell (fmr)

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn

Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl

Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member George McKenna

Malibu City Councilmember Lou La Monte

Mountain View Mayor Lenny Siegel

Mountain View Councilmember Pat Showalter

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf

Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb

Oakland City Councilmember Desley Brooks

Oakland City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan

Redlands City Councilmember Eddie Tejeda

Richmond Vice Mayor Melvin Willis

Richmond City Councilmember Jovanka Beckles

Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin (fmr)

San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen

San Francisco Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer

San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim

San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin

San Jose Councilmember Don Rocha

San Jose Councilmember Sergio Jimenez

Santa Barbara Community College Board of Trustees Vice President Jonathan Abboud

Santa Clara City Councilmember Nassim Nouri

Santa Cruz City Councilmember Chris Krohn

Santa Monica City Councilmember Kevin McKeown

Santa Monica City Councilmember Sue Himmelrich

Santa Monica City Councilmember Tony Vazquez

Santa Monica Rent Board Member Caroline Torosis

Santa Monica Rent Board Member Nicole Phillis

Tulare City Council Member Jose Sigala

Ukiah Mayor Phil Baldwin (fmr)

Vallejo School Board Member Ruscal Cayangyang

West Hollywood City Councilmember Lindsey Horvath

West Hollywood City Councilmember Lauren Meister

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

City of Berkeley

City of Beverly Hills

City of Oakland

City of Palm Springs

City of San Francisco

City of Santa Monica

City of West Hollywood

City of Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Monterey County Board of Supervisors

San Francisco City/County Board of Supervisors

PUBLICATIONS

Los Angeles Times

Sacramento Bee

ColoradoBlvd.net

The Daily Californian

East Bay Express

Hoy Los Angeles

KnockLA

San Francisco Bay Guardian

Santa Maria Times

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS

Housing California

Affordable Housing Alliance

Affordable Housing Network of Santa Clara County

Berkeley Student Cooperative

Christian Church Homes

Council of Community Housing Organizations (CCHO)

East LA Community Corporation

Esperanza Community Housing Corporation

Marty’s Place Affordable Housing Corporation

Mission Economic Development Agency

Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH)

Oakland Community Land Trust

Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH)

Tenderloin Housing Clinic

Thai Community Development Center

TRUST South LA

Venice Community Housing Corporation

Women Organizing Resources Knowledge and Services (WORKS)

TENANT/HOUSING RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS

Housing NOW! California

Tenants Together

Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives

Alameda Renters Coalition

Anti-Eviction Mapping Project

Arcata Lazy J Homeowners Association

Asian Law Alliance

Berkeley Tenants Union

Beverly Hills Renters Alliance

Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP)

California Coalition for Rural Housing

Causa Justa / Just Cause

Chinatown Community for Equitable Development

Coalition for Economic Survival

El Comite de Vecinos del Lado Oeste, East Palo Alto

Comite de la Esperanza

De Rose Gardens Tenant Association (DRGTA)

East Bay Housing Organizations

East Palo Alto Council of Tenants Education Fund

Equity Housing Alliance

EveryOne Home

Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California

Gamaliel CA

Glendale Tenants Union

Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League

Homes for All

Homeless Student Advocate Alliance

Housing 4 Sacramento

Housing Long Beach

Housing Rights Committee San Francisco

Hunger Action Coalition Los Angeles

Inquilinos Unidos

Isla Vista Tenants Union

LiBRE (Long Beach Residents Empowered)

Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN)

Los Angeles Tenants Union

Manufactured Housing Action

Mountain View Tenants Coalition

Oakland Tenants Union

Orange County Mobile Home Residents Coalition

Pasadena Tenants Union

People of Color Sustainable Housing Network

People Organized for Westside Renewal (POWER)

Poverty Matters

Property Owners for Fair and Affordable Housing

The Q Foundation

Renters of Moreno Valley

Sacramento Housing Alliance

Sacramento Tenants Union

Sanctuary of Hope

San Diego Tenants United

San Francisco Anti-Displacement Coalition

San Francisco Tenants Union

Santa Ana Tenants United

Santa Monicans for Renters Rights (SMRR)

Shelter for All Koreatown

Sonoma County Manufactured-Home Owners Association

Sonoma Valley Housing Group

South Pasadena Tenants Union

Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE)

Students United with Renters

Union de Vecinos

United for Housing Justice (SF)

United Neighbors In Defense Against Displacement (UNIDAD)

Uplift Inglewood

Urban Habitat

TENANT LEGAL SERVICES

Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus

BASTA

California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation

Center for Community Action & Environmental Justice

Centro Legal de la Raza

Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto

Crow & Rose, Tenant Lawyers

East Bay Community Law Center

Eviction Defense Center

Eviction Defense Network

Inner City Law Center – Los Angeles

LA Center for Community Law & Action

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley

National Lawyers Guild – Los Angeles

Public Advocates

Public Counsel

Public Interest Law Project

Western Center on Law and Poverty

LABOR & WORKERS RIGHTS

California Labor Federation

AFSCME California People

AFSCME Local 3299

AFT Local 2121

AFT Local 1521

Bay Area Labor Committee for Peace & Justice

California Faculty Association

California Federation of Teachers

California Nurses Association

California Teachers Association

Central Coast Alliance United For A Sustainable Economy (CAUSE)

Employee Rights Center San Diego

Humboldt and Del Norte Counties Central Labor Council AFL-CIO

International Union of Painters & Allied Trades Local 510

Jobs with Justice San Francisco

Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance

Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy

Los Angeles Black Worker Center

Oakland Education Association (OEA)

National Union of Healthcare Workers

Painters & Allied Trades 36

Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Retirees

San Bernardino and Riverside Counties Central Labor Council

SEIU California

SEIU Local 1021

SEIU Local 99

SEIU Local 221

SEIU Local 521

SEIU Local 721

SEIU Local 2015

SEIU USWW

UC Student-Workers Union UAW Local 2865

United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America UAW Local 5810

UFCW Local 770

Unite HERE Local 11

Unite HERE Local 2850

Unite HERE Local 2

United Educators of San Francisco

United Taxi Workers of San Diego

United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA)

Warehouse Worker Resource Center

POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS

California Democratic Party

Green Party of California

Peace and Freedom Party of California

Our Revolution

AAPIs for Civic Empowerment Education Fund

Alhambra Democratic Club

Americans for Democratic Action Southern California

Bernal Heights Democratic Club

Bernie Sanders Brigade

California Progressive Alliance

Chicano Latino Caucus of the California Democratic Party

Democratic Socialists of America

Democratic Socialists of America East Bay

Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles

Democratic Socialists of America Orange County

Democratic Socialists of America Peninsula

Democratic Socialists of America Pomona Valley

Democratic Socialists of America Sacramento

Democratic Socialists of America San Diego

Democratic Socialists of America San Francisco

Democratic Socialists of America Santa Cruz

Democratic Socialists of America Silicon Valley

Democratic Socialists of America Ventura County

East Area Progressive Dems

El Dorado County Democratic Party

Feel the Bern Democratic Club Los Angeles

Green Party of Santa Clara County

Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club

Humboldt County Democrats

Inland Empire for Our Revolution

International Socialist Organization

Los Angeles County Democratic Party

Napa County Green Party

NorCal4OurRevolution

North Valley Democratic Club

Our Revolution

Our Revolution East Bay

Our Revolution Progressive Los Angeles

Our Revolution Santa Ana

Our Revolution Ventura County

Party for Socialism and Liberation – SF

Peninsula Young Democrats

Progressive Democrats of America California PAC

Progressive Democrats of America San Fernando Valley

Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains

Richmond Progressive Alliance

San Bernardino County Young Democrats

San Diego Central Committee of the Peace and Freedom Party of CA

San Diego County Peace and Freedom Party

San Francisco Berniecrats

San Francisco County Democratic Party

San Francisco Latino Democratic Club

San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party

San Luis Obispo County Progressives

San Pedro Democratic Club

Santa Monica Democratic Club

Socialist Alternative Los Angeles

Socialist Party of Ventura County

Stonewall Democratic Club

UC Berkeley Young Democratic Socialists of America

Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

West Hollywood-Beverly Hills Democratic Club

CIVIL RIGHTS/LIBERTIES ORGANIZATIONS

ACLU of California

ACLU of Northern California

ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties

ACLU of Southern California

Advocates for Black Strategic Alternatives

African American Cultural Center

American Indian Movement Southern California

APGA Tour

API Equality – LA

Black Community Clergy & Labor Alliance

Brotherhood Crusade

CARECEN

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA)

Committee for Racial Justice

Council on American-Islamic Relations California (CAIR)

Dellums Institute for Social Justice

Fannie Lou Hamer Institute

Institute of the Black World 21st Century

Latino Equality Alliance

Los Angeles Urban League

MLK Coalition of Greater LA

Muslim Public Alliance Council (MPAC)

National Action Network Los Angeles

National Urban League

Services Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN)

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Bay Area

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) San Jose

Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Southern California

United Native Americans

Urban League of San Diego County

Youth Justice Coalition

HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS

Access Support Network San Luis Obispo & Monterey Counties

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

APAIT (Special Service for Groups)

Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement

Black Women for Wellness

Latino Health Access

San Francisco Human Services Network

Sierra Foothills AIDS Foundation

St. John’s Well Child & Family Center

Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases (WORLD)

SENIOR ORGANIZATIONS

California Alliance for Retired Americans

Monterey County Area Agency on Aging

Senior and Disability Action

Social Security Works

FAITH INSTITUTIONS & LEADERS

Rev. James Lawson

AME Ministerial Alliance – NorCal

Bend the Arc – Southern California

Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee

California Church IMPACT

Cheryl Ward Ministries

Christian Church Homes

Church Without Walls – Skid Row Los Angeles

Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice – Los Angeles (CLUE)

Congregational Church of Palo Alto

Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE)

Congregations Organizing For Renewal (COR)

First AME Church – Los Angeles

Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization (ICO)

Holman United Methodist Church – Los Angeles

Inland Empire African American Pastors

Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace

Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity

Jewish Center for Justice

LA Voice – PICO Affiliate

Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California

McCarty Memorial Christian Church – Los Angeles

Multi-faith ACTION Coalition

Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)

Oakland Community Organizing – PICO Affiliate (OCO)

PACT: People Acting in Community Together – PICO Affiliate

PICO California

Poor People’s Campaign of California

Sacramento ACT – PICO Affiliate

Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church

Unitarian Universalist Faith in Action Committee

STATEWIDE, REGIONAL & LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

ACTICON

Advancement Project California

Alliance for Community Transit – Los Angeles (ACT-LA)

Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE Action)

Allies for Life

All Peoples Community Center

ANSWER SF

Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)

Associated Students of UC Santa Barbara

Block by Block Organizing Network

Brave New Films

California Bicycle Coalition

California Calls

California Environmental Justice Alliance

Californians for Justice

California for Progress

Californians for Safety and Justice

Californian Latinas for Reproductive Justice

California Partnership

California Reinvestment Coalition

Chicano Latino Caucus of San Bernardino County

Chispa

Coalition to Preserve LA

CDTech

Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council – Los Angeles

Committee to Defend Roosevelt

Communities for a New California

Community Coalition

Consumer Watchdog

Courage Campaign

Creating Freedom Movements

Crenshaw Subway Coalition

D5Action

Dolores Huerta Foundation

The East Oakland Collective

East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice

Ensuring Opportunity Campaign to End Poverty in Contra Costa County

Environmental Health Coalition

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

The Fund for Santa Barbara

GLIDE Foundation

The Green Scene TV

Ground Game LA

The Hayward Collective

Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council – Los Angeles

Hyde Park Organizational Partnership for Empowerment

Indivisible SF

Inland Empire United

Inland Empowerment

InnerCity Struggle

Justice House

Kenwood Oakland Community Organization

Korean Resource Center

LA Forward

Latino Economic Development Center

Latinos United for a New America

Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability Central Valley

League of Women Voters of California

League of Women Voters of Los Angeles

Liberty Hill Foundation

Livable California

Los Feliz Neighborhood Council – Los Angeles

Million Voter Project

Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc.

Mobilize the Immigrant Vote

Neighbors United – San Francisco

9to5 Los Angeles Chapter

North Bay Organizing Project

Orange County Civic Engagement Table

Organize Sacramento

Pasadenans Organizing for Progress

People for Mobility Justice

Places in the City

PolicyLink

Pomona Economic Opportunity Center

Progressive Alliance – San Bernardino County

Progressive Asian Network for Action

Public Bank LA/Revolution LA/Divest LA

Rampart Village Neighborhood Council – Los Angeles

Right Way Foundation

Rubicon Programs

RYSE Youth Center

Sacred Heart Community Service

Sero Project

SF Neighbors United

The Sidewalk Project

Sierra Club of California

Sierra Club of San Gorgonio Chapter

Silicon Valley De-Bug

Skid Row Coffee

Sociedad Organizada de Latinas Activas

Solidarity – Bay Area

SolidarityINFOService

Southeast Asian Community Alliance

South of Market Community Action Network

STAND LA

Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE)

University of California Student Association

Urban Tilth

Velveteen Rabbit Project

Wilshire Center Koreatown Neighborhood Council – Los Angeles

Working Partnerships USA

Xochipilli Latino Men’s Circle

[jojuarez26]

Finding loopholes and bonding with baby too

Divergent fanfiction: Eric/OC. Mature content, strong language, Violence and dark themes. I do not own any part of Divergent

@pathybo @tigpooh67 @lunaschild2016 @emmysrandomthoughts @clublulu333 @beautifulramblingbrains @jaihardy @iammarylastar @kenzieam @kiiiimberlyriiiicker1995 @scorpio2009 @mom2reesie @readsalot73 @lacy-love @beltzboys2015-blog @beanzjellly @onceinamillionlifetimes @narfea @ariwolf14 @captstefanbrandt @badassbaker @badassdauntlessgirl @desicoulter @softpapers @kgurew @sporadichologramblizzard-ed17414 @book-boys-are-my-guilty-pleasure @girlslovestorys @that1girloverthere

"So you had no idea Jack Kang was married to your Aunt Kathy?" Eric asked incredulously.

"I didn't know I had an Aunt Kathy. Your family practically raised me," is the only answer I have to give shrugging.

Analisse is fast asleep in her daddy's large arms. I just keep looking at the two and smiling like the cat who ate the canary. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this view.

"Your face is going to freeze like that you know," Eric teases.

"That's not very Erudite of you," I smirk.

"I'm not Erudite anymore I'm Dauntless," he retorts.

"Yes I know," I answer grumpily.

It's not Eric's fault. I'm just in a mood with a tude. Damn horomones.

"Hey, I didn't mean anything by it Tarrin." Eric says softly.

I sigh heavily. "I know. I'm just grouchy. Plus knowing you have to go back without us in Mother's not so eloquent word SUCKS," I pout.

"Mother said sucks?" He laughs pulling me to his chest.

"I did, it's also called the baby blues Tarrin. It will get better," Mother says sneaking quietly in the door.

She sits a stack of papers and a few books on the table before approaching to kiss Analisse on her head. More research. Joy. But it will be worth in the end when we find all of our legal loopholes.

"Do not try to leave all the research to Tarrin either Mr. "I'm a Dauntless leader." That doesn't mean jack here. You understand me?" Mother says shaking a finger.

"Yes ma'am." Eric says quietly.

Even Dauntless leaders follow their Mother's orders sometimes apparently. Or at least this one does if he knows what's good for him.

"Do you want me to take Analisse for awhile? Give you two some privacy?"

"Yes," "No." We answer at the same time. I look at Eric and shake my head before answering again.

"You can if you want to. However its not really like we need it. NOTHING will be happening yet," I state solemnly.

Eric rolls his eyes and Mother laughs. "I did not expect it too. I've had three children if you recall. I just figured if you two wanted or needed to talk. Clear a few things up," Mother laughs shaking her head.

We looked at each other. So many things did need to be discussed. I just figured Eric would like all the time he can get with Analisse before he had to go back to Dauntless. I think Mother and Eric understood when I looked sadly at the two of them together.

"How about I come back in about two hours. By then she will have her next feeding and sleep for a few hours?" She offered as she spoke this time.

"Thank you Mother. That would be perfect if it's ok with Tarrin," Eric answered for both of us. I just nodded my head in agreement.

Mother left closing the door quietly. I tried to swallow around the lump in my throat. I didn't realize I was crying until Eric wiped my cheeks.

"Please don't cry Fancy. It kills me to see your tears knowing I am the one causing them," he whispered leaning over kissing my forehead.

Sniffling I wiped my face and pulled him close carefully of Analisse in his arms.

"It's not your fault. I've just missed you so fucking much Blue. Now seeing you with Ana," my voice broke horribly.

"I know Fancy, I know. This isn't easy for me either. At least you're here with her and our parents when I leave. I have-"

"Nobody. I know. It hurts my heart too," I finished.

"Why didn't you tell me Tarrin. Why did you keep her from me," he demanded but not in a harsh tone.

"I didn't keep HER from you Eric. Just my pregnancy. I knew if I told you that you would NEVER have left. Jeanine would have made us all suffer. I couldn't chance that with a baby involved." I stated passionately while looking him in his eyes.

I seen a little hurt leave his as he mulled over my words, my explanation. I hope he understood I didn't trust the situation with our baby when Jeanine was involved. I didn't trust that evil bitch even a tiny bit.

"I understand before I left I suppose. Why didn't you reach out to me later. Did you believe all those rumors or something?" He asked threw mildly grit teeth.

"No, not really. But I wanted you to worry about your initiation and leader training. You had alot on your plate Blue," I mumbled threw fresh tears.

"You're right, I did. You know though, you know you ALWAYS come first. Always I-"

" EXACTLY Eric. That is exactly why I swore your parents to secrecy and all but fell off the grid when I started to show. Nobody knows Eric. NOBODY. That's why my name was registered as Coulter. Under Gloria in the office actually. Its why I gave birth in this shit hole and not the hospital. I didn't, still don't want Jeanine to know," I spat out with some venom I didn't mean too.

"I'm so so sorry I ever invited that bitch into our lives. So sorry," Eric held my hand tight pulling it to his heart.

"You and Ana. That's it, you mean everything to me. Not Dauntless leadership, or army's and sure the fuck not Divergents," he breathed heavily trying to hold himself together.

That was a whole nother problem we hadn't discussed. Eric was NOT going to like the next words out my mouth.

"That's another issue. I think I might be one Eric," I said trying to pull away.

"One what? A divergent? I could careless. I think Jeanine is full of shit. You know I am right? That's what she had over my head, well and you of course," he cried out.

My eyes snapped to his. I had no idea he was divergent. I wasn't sure I was but Father said I had all the tendencies to be Erudite, Dauntless and Abnegation.

"Your, you are? She didn't kill you on sight?!" I ask shocked.

"No. Half Erudite half Dauntless. She saved me because she needed me. I'm guessing you're probably the same too," he said quietly.

"Father thinks probably Abnegation as well," I whisper.

"Fucking hell. Damn stiffs. No matter. Anyway, that means Ana probably is too. I will put that bitch down myself and die protect the two of you. You know that right?" He asked with fire in his voice.

I did know. I knew all to well. It was part of what scared the shit out of me. Part of what made me want to run and hide with my daughter.

"No, no more hiding Tarrin. I see it in your eyes. Between Mother, Father, Candor and hopefully I can sway at least part of Dauntless leadership and the council we will fight. To be together, safe, for our freedom and that of all the innocent people," Eric held my hand tightly again. He kissed it after he was done speaking.

I knew there were finally more people fighting for us and with us. So many people would give up EVERYTHING just to keep our little girl safe. It was time to trust just a little bit more. But ONLY A LITTLE. I refuse to loose my loved ones, especially Eric and my daughter.

"Ok Blue. Time to start looking for loopholes. You hold Analisse, I'll read out loud?"

"Yeah. Ok. Tarrin I love you. Don't ever forget that," he kissed me softly and passionately after his words.

"I won't. I love you too. Time too find loopholes while we bond."

[luluvonv]

Day 26: You’re given the opportunity to make AoD into a movie! Write down your dream cast.

The strange thing about fandoms is that very often everything has to be transformed into movies. Okay, I won’t pretend that if there is a movie based on my fav book I don’t watch it. I do. Sometimes I really think about possible actors and who could play who. It is natural, the curiosity. I ask, however, why everything has to be turned into a movie? Apart from gaining money, of course. Why to create the same thing and, let’s be honest, screw it up? Not many times we see a good adaptation.

With games it is even more specific. How many times have you seen a good film based on game? I haven’t. And knowing my beloved AoD would end up being screwed….. Moreover people make films out of successful stories. That game was considered to be a downfall of Tomb Raider franchise. damn just writing this got me raged again But in a way it has such a power, that people cannot be indifferent to it. if anything is praised in general by majority, it’s the plot. No wonder, it is so amazingly written! I have never read or seen a better plot, ever. It really is a movie material. The problem is I so much adore this game, it represents the true TR, true Lara Croft for me… Face of AoD Lara is a true face of Lara Croft. Not even tha classic TR holds the essence for me. When you say Lara Croft, I see her face as it is in AoD. So if you ask me to choose a cast, it is impossible. I tried million times. Even Angelina Jolie is not enough for me; and believe, if there is anything I like about those movies, it’s Angelina, she was amazing. I simply cannot find any actress that could depict Lara not only in her appereance but also in her spirit.

And then there is Kurtis. let me calm my lartis feels a bit He is too perfect to be portrayed by anyone. And again, I tried, together with my beloved Ana, to find a solution. The only conclusion I came to was those guys would have to be chopped into pieces to fit some kind of image of Kurtis. Still it would be vague representation. :)  But most importantly,  even if there was some actor worthy playing Kurtis, he would have to have a voice of Eric Loren. Period. No other possibility.

What would be an acceptable solution then? A 3D computer animated movie, a CGI movie, with the models of the characters as they are in the game and the same voice cast. 

But only if original TR developeps from Core Design would be in the creative team… Oh god, just imagine how flawless it would be.

Anyway, there is only one character for which i have a particular actor in my mind since… well since always :D It’s Gunderson. I am a Czech and back in those days when I played AoD for the first time, I watched mainly Czech movies. We have an actor, who also apperead in some Hollywood movies, and his name is Marek Vašut. He even has the same beard as Gunderson :D And just a quick note: Don’t get mislead by Marek’s fluffy look in his eyes, he can play baddies like no one ;D

[daintysprinkles-blog]

DEGRASSI SEASON THREE IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE BEST SEASONS OF A SHOW I HAVE EVER WATCHED ! So intense yet lighthearted and just so real - its beginning to give Skins, Skam, etc. a run for their money again. Everything in just ten episodes proves what wonders being picked up by Netflix has done for the show. Pointers ....

☆ THE PLATONIC FRIENDSHIPS

 - Lola and the Gamer Club was so unexpected but so great

- Lola and Yael’s friendship was so amazing and one of the best female friendships to be portrayed on Degrassi IMO. Similar to that between Gamer Club and Lola, they’re such an unlikely pairing but Yael’s support towards Lola and her abortion during episode eight killed me, it was so beautiful

- Grace and Jonah are also one of my favourite friendships on the show bar the fact that I am receiving vibes that replicate season two Grace and Zig. Pleassssse just let there a be a bloody platonic friendship between a guy and a girl, Degrassi, plssss I beg

☆  PLOTS 

- I just really love how every character was depicted as so flawed and problematic yet loving and full of worth this season, it was so wonderful to see and it kind of gives hope watching. I’ve more confidence in myself and others after watching ? 

- The writing was A***** this season. I cannot find a way to criticise it really. Also, A**** writing. Eric, Olivia and Ana all need some kind of recognition after their time on the show following their exits next season - such incredible actors//actresses 

- The refugee plot was so so amazing and I really hope that the information we learn about Rasha and Saad’s backgrounds gives some insight to or a change of heart in anyone watching who has a negative outlook on the refugee crisis. Also, I love how Rasha is a refugee from Syria, muslim and gay, it was just incredible 

- I almost cried watching Zoe come out after watching her so clearly struggle in the past few seasons and it broke me when she moved in with Grace after being kicked out by her homophobic a*s of a mom. Zoe’s come such a long way - like, can we just see her happy now, or ? Also, can I just say that Zasha are one of my otps ? Coool (other two are Hael and Fronah.)

- Goldi’s plot !!!!!!! Her character development is ace and I just love how imperfect she can be but how she learns so much. Also, as somebody who cannot stand religion, I couldn’t help but admire and respect how dedicated she CHOOSES to be to her faith. Also, when she supported Rasha coming out YASSSSS 

- MAYAAAA MY BBY MAYA ! Her plot struck too many chords and it all made so much sense. In reality, Maya has been a ticking time-bomb for such a long time; she had to boil over at some point. Every tiny aspect of every one of her seasons was so important and poignant. It was kind of nice for her to have a happy ending for once. Also, they better not revert back to her old look next season - HECK NO, KEEP THAT CURLING TONG AWAY !

- We finally got an insight into Esme’s background ! Esme is one of those characters who’s problematic behaviour is sometimes too regular for me to understand or accept but after those final scenes in episode ten, wow ! Esme is going to NEED to have a more prominent role in season four - Chelsea really stole that episode as such a capable actress.

- Lola’s abortion storyline was flawless, it couldn’t have been done any better. It really was the best depiction of abortion in both literature and TV/film that I have come across or heard of. Everything from discovering that she had been taking the pill the wrong way to Yael telling her that she was coming to the appointment. The procedure scene was so so vital and important plus the interaction with the doctor was brilliantly written. I also thought that it was so important that Lola was the pregnant girl in that storyline after being fobbed off as the ‘bimbo’ for song long. Manny Santos-development vibes, yass !

- Episode five was probably my favourite episode this season. It ticked every box with both comedy and addressing the pressures and expectations of sexual behaviour and thoughts on both men and women. I had me both in stitches and in awe like IS THIS EVEN REAL 

- I enjoyed Lola and Miles’s platonic relationship so I was a little disappointed when they ‘hooked up’, especially since both are so often depicted as promiscuous and without a conscience. Oh, well. But besides that, I did love how supportive they were towards one another.

- Grace is making me so upset, ohmygosh, episode seven. No words. I was so glad that she changed her mind.

- Well, we can finally understand why Baaz acts like such a d*ck - he is insecure ! That scene where he is basically admitting to being jealous of Hunter was beautifully done and even more so when Hunter let him win the eh, ‘measuring’ contest.

- THE PERIOD STORYLINE OHMYGOSH NO WORDS I JUST LOVE THIS DAMN SHOW

- I haven’t really thought much about the Tristan in a coma storyline yet. I’m not sure how I feel about it uh

☆  RANDOM NOTES 

- Did everyone glow up this season or what ?!?!?!?!?!! Especially Hunter and Maya - DAMN ! In the early seasons of Next Generation, the then-cast apparently used to wear their own clothes in scenes rather than outfits from a wardrobe especially curated for their characters. It seems as if the current cast and crew are heading back this way (only have to look at Reiya and Hunter’s hair, plus Lola and Maya’s hair and outfits.) which I looove - realistic looks and all that.

- MAYA IS TALKING ABOUT CAM OHMYGOSH KATIE IS BACK OHMYGOSH INTERACTION BETWEEN MAYA AND MILES OHMYGOSH THIS IS TBT ON ACID

 - Saad’s camera ? Where can I get it ? Pls ? Someone ?

- “You know what they say .... Big feet ...” This show, I can’t handle it ohmygosh, bless the Gamer Club YES 

- Yael and Hunter are the cutest, I love them both as friends and a romantic pairing and I really love how the show are portraying their difficulties in finding a balance ! Also, we really saw a softer side to both of them and they’re just ahhhhh

- TWIN TIME ! TWIN TIME ! TWIN TIME ! We need more twin time and Hollingsworth sibling scenes in general 

- Am I the only one who was delighted that there was no sign of the Hollingsworth parents this season ?

- FRONAH ARE TOO GOOD, THAT IS MY ONLY METHOD OF UNDERSTANDING WHY OR HOW THE DEGRASSI WRITERS COULD TRY SPLIT THEM

- Hunter’s hair and Jonah’s hair and guyliner ayyyyyy

- YAEL IS SUCH AN AMAZING CHARACTER ! I love how they included the ‘girl on girl hate’ ‘I’m not like other girls’ kind of thing and how she realised how in the wrong she was. Also, she has no chill ! The measuring scenes, omfg

- JONAH APPRECIATION ! How could anybody hate this smol bean ?

- Is Winston still only here for comedy, or ? Come on, lads !

- Degrassi incorporating such healthy discussions on attitudes towards sex, death, etc. is just the best. BRINGING IT BACK TO THE OLD SEASONS, AYY !

- will the writers give Frankie a break omfg this girl needs decent development !!! Character development !!! Where u at 

- Zoe’s mom just needs to stahp.

okay i should probably stahp now

[lisakori]

The Wandering Ear is now from 4-5 MST!

Doing a little switcheroo at the station. The Wandering Ear is now from 4-5 MST. I’m sharing the time slot with DJ Pancake Breeze who will DJ on days I can’t make it! 

Here are playlists from the last couple of weeks I never got around to posting. 

June 12 Swans - Trust Me Sinéad O'Connor - Mandinka Strawberry Switchblade - Jolene Yoko Ono - What A Bastard The World Is Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - The Witness Song Nina Hagen - Mean Old World Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Whistling Past The Graveyard Joe Henderson, Alice Coltrane - Water Sunn 0))) - It Took The Night To Believe The Velvet Underground - Venus In Furs The Fall - Totally Wired Xiu Xiu - Scisssssssors The Raincoats - No One's Little Girl

June 5 Goblin - Opening to the Sighs Spirit Girls - Comforting the Bears Siouxsie and the Banshees - Hong Kong Garden Circuit Des Yeux - Call Sign E8 The Fugs - Nothing Robbie Basho - The Falconer's Arm Nico - The Falconer Ulan Bator - La Joueuse De Tambour Enstürzende Neubaten - Der Tod Ist Ein Dandy Jarboe, Larry Seven - Volcano Holly Herndon - SWIM Teho Teardo, Blixa Bargeld - Still Smiling Rebecca Phillips - Burnt Peach (Object Blue Remix)

May 29 2019 Doc & Merle Watson - Summertime Bill Callahan - Jim Cain Chuck Berry - Memphis, Tennessee Champion Jack Dupree - Drinkin' Wine Spodie-Odie Mickey Newbury - T. Total Tommy David Crosby - Laughing The Deslondes - Fought The Blues And Won Odetta - Timber Michael Hurley - I Stole The Right To Live Rev. Gary Davis - Death Don't Have No Mercy Davie Bowie - Where Are We Now? Circuit Des Yeux - Black Fly Robby Basho - Blue Crystal Fire Buffy Sainte-Marie - Goodnight

May 22 - Substitute DJ for The End Is The Beginning Johnny Cash - Desperado Rita Coolidge, Keb' Mo' - Walking On Water Lucinda Williams - Something About What Happens When We Talk Eliza Gilkyson - Borderline Blaze Foley, Ben Dickey - Should Have Been Home With You Hurray For The Riff Raff - Ode To John And Yoko James McMurtry - Dry River Bobbie Gentry - Lazy Willie Eric Bibb - Brazos River Blues Delbert McClinton & Self-Made-Men - Pulling The Strings Marc Broussard - Cry To Me Richie Havens - Here Comes The Sun Phosphorescent, Jenny Lewis - Sugaree Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels On A Gravel Road Billy Joe Shaver - Live Forever

May 22 2019 Patti Smith - So You Want To Be Nina Simone - Suzanne Rufus, Chaka Khan - Your Smile Kelsey Lu - Foreign Car New York Dolls - Trash Holly Herndon - Alienation Daevid Allen, Euterpe - Mystic Sister Lou Reed - Vicious Jean-Michel Jarre, Laurie Anderson - Rely On Me Peter Murphy - Seesaw Sway Psychic TV - Godstar Einstürzende Neubaten - Sehnsucht - Zitternd Oval - Legendary ANBB, alva noto, Blixa Bargeld - Ret Marut Handshake Gong - Master Builder The Electric Prunes - I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) Meredith Monk - Environs 1

May 15 2019 B.B. King, Tracy Chapman - The Thrill Is Gone Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign Elmore James - The Sky Is Crying Buddy Guy - Damn Right, I've Got The Blues Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pride and Joy B.B. King - Three O'clock Blues Traveling Wilburys - Tweeter And The Monkey Man Shakura S'Aida - Rain Down Rain T-Bone Walker - T-Bone Blues Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Louisiana Rain Zora Young - Go Ahead and Take Him Otis Rush - Working Man

May 8 2019 Buffy Sainte-Marie - You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond Scott Walker - Duchess Faust - Birds of Texas Grouper - Made of Metal S.Y.P.H. - Nachbar Marie Davidson - Lara (Daniel Avery Mix) John Maus - And The Rain Grouper - Vapor Trails Yves Tumor, James K - Licking An Orchid Ellicist - Hennepin Scott Walker - My Death Ana Roxanne - Nocture Unspecified Artist, Wolof Music of Senegal - Tara (Traditional Song)

[epchapman89]

Coffee Cocktails At The Movies: Blade Runner 2049

I sneak coffee into movie theaters—that’s just what I do. But when I told Team Sprudge that I’d next be smuggling coffee into Blade Runner 2049, they insisted that it was time to get more dangerous. To make my smuggling really count, this time they requested not just coffee, but a coffee cocktail.

Mama’s always down to drink at the picture show—particularly when the flick is three damn hours long—so I called up my former boss and forever buddy Cora Lambert, Immortan of Coffee Cocktails, to help me marry coffee, booze, and Philip K. Dick. Thinking back to the 1982 film, she wanted to make something visually dark with some sharp edges both seen and tasted. Her variation on a classic cocktail resulted in something very tasty that we called “Do Androids Dream of Electric Jungle Birds?” and I expect all of you coffee boozehounds to put it on your menu to capitalize on the, ummm, success of this movie. Here’s how to make it so you can drink along at home.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Jungle Birds? Recipe by Cora Lambert

1oz espresso (Counter Culture Coffee’s Guatemala San Miguel) 1/2oz simple syrup 1oz Cruzan Black Strap Rum 3/4oz Campari 3/4oz pineapple juice 1/2oz fresh lime juice Pineapple wedge for garnish (‘cause it looks like a blade, duh)

Shake until chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over a large piece of ice. Garnish with pineapple wedge.

Ain’t she a beaut? And of course, after all that I spilled the contents into my water bottle, and easily snuck past a sleepy usher for a late night screening at one of my local movie theaters, Regal Cinemas Union Square 14. I blew my budget on booze and couldn’t pony up for an IMAX or 4D ticket, so I sat in the third row, which makes it like an IMAX that hurts your neck a little more and doesn’t come anywhere close to filling your field of vision. As I boozed up by coating my anxious throat with our molasses treat, I spent twenty minutes of trailers working myself up for what promised to be a visual feast with a twisty plot and all the crypticness I could hope for spread out over that epic three damn hour running time.

Critics had been instructed to reveal little of the plot. What jaw-dropping surprises were in store for me? Replicant slapstick humor? A movie where Sean Young is actually the lead? A thirty-minute electric sheep boogaloo dream sequence?

Yeah, none of that or even close. Much like the original, Blade Runner 2049 is just about a grizzled officer trying to find some robots. This time, the officer is played by Ryan Gosling (Harrison Ford’s Deckard disappeared thirty years ago but is surprisingly easy to find later in the movie) and boy does Officer K have some complex and not-so-complex women in his life. His boss, Madame (Robin Wright), is tough as nails and throws back shot after shot as she insists that he cover up their replicant hunt for the good of humanity. So cold and calculated! His companion, Joi (Ana de Armas, giving one of the worst performances I’ve ever seen), only serves to build his confidence and act as his on-demand agreeable sex toy. Then there’s ruthless Luv (new goddess Sylvia Hoeks), who has been dispatched to find Officer K’s replicant prey by evil billionaire Wallace (Jared Leto), who is obviously evil because he is blinded by cataracts and disability is still scary in 2017, I guess (to say nothing of 2049).

As promised, there are some plot surprises and crypticness, but three damn hours of back and forth about who’s a replicant and who isn’t and what does it even mean to be a replicant felt a little tired. At the very least, they’re solving these Level Easy puzzles with the aid of top-shelf production design, cinematography (the great Roger Deakins), and practical effects.

That plot that has been shrouded in secrecy is a plot like any other. Ridley Scott didn’t direct it (that would be Denis Villeneuve, he of the great eye and often choppy execution) but his heavy hand and spiritual hokum are all over this flick. A plot detail kept from the trailers is worn and obvious. It’s a goofy setup and resolution that makes way for some interesting roboethics but for the most part, it’s all just a great big excuse for everyone in the movie to cry.

There’s your coffee cocktail drinking game. Drink every time someone in this movie cries. Mind you, they all cry beautifully, sometimes because they don’t know who they really are (Officer K) and sometimes because they haven’t punched through someone’s skull in a while (Luv) but mostly all of these characters, robot or not, cannot stop crying while wearing beautiful jackets that I cannot wait to buy at H&M.

For an aspirationally gritty R-rated movie with bone-crunching violence and so, so many boobs, BR49’s sentimentality is squarely PG-13. After all the drinking, and all the tears, I saved my syrupy, soggy pineapple garnish for the final bite after three damn hours of running them blades. As I bit into it, I realized my own dystopian truth: I am probably far too cynical to survive the year 2049.

Cupping Score: 78

Notes: There’s some citric zing here but it’s mostly old prunes.

Eric J. Grimm (@ericjgrimm) writes about pop culture and coffee for Sprudge Media Network, and lives in Manhattan. Read more Eric J. Grimm on Sprudge.

The post Coffee Cocktails At The Movies: Blade Runner 2049 appeared first on Sprudge.

seen 1st on http://sprudge.com

[junker-town]

What Bronco Mendenhall’s Virginia needs to avoid another year in obscurity

Of this division’s many excellent coaches, UVA’s is still the one with the toughest task.

As head coaches, David Cutcliffe, Larry Fedora, Justin Fuente, Paul Johnson, Bronco Mendenhall, Pat Narduzzi, and Mark Richt have combined for 654 wins, 62 bowl appearances, 29 ranked finishes, four conference titles, two FCS national titles, and a Broyles Award.

Cutcliffe is Duke’s most consistently successful coach in six decades.

Fedora engineered UNC’s first 11-win season in nearly two decades.

Fuente pulled off a stunning turnaround at Memphis and won the ACC Coastal in his first season at Virginia Tech.

Johnson won two FCS titles at Georgia Southern, made Navy viable, and has two top-15 finishes at Georgia Tech.

Mendenhall went to 11 bowls in 11 years at BYU, won at least nine games six times, and finished 16th or better three times.

Narduzzi pulled off a road upset of national champion Clemson and has won eight games in both of his seasons at Pitt.

Richt engineered 10 10-win seasons, six top-10 finishes, and two SEC titles at Georgia.

All seven are now in the ACC Coastal. And every time they face each other, someone has to lose.

In 2016, that was mostly Mendenhall. It wasn’t hard to see that coming.

The 50-year-old Oregon State alum dealt with unique recruiting challenges at BYU and produced top-50-caliber teams. Now he deals with a different challenge: selling a program that doesn't have the history of its rivals.

Virginia was once the most consistently decent program — in the 25 seasons between 1983 and 2007, the Cavaliers won at least six games 21 times but won 10 only once — but has now bowled just twice in 10 years. They are in the right ACC division (the Clemson- and FSU-free Coastal) but have finished within two games of the division crown only once since 2008.

Mendenhall left BYU in search of a new challenge, and boy, did he find one. His first UVA team was poor out of the gates — which resulted in losses to beatable teams like Richmond, Oregon, and UConn — and found a rhythm just in time to face a murderous stretch of conference foes. The offense had no big-play threats, and the defense had only a couple of play-makers and no depth.

Because of returning production and previous coach Mike London’s decent recruiting, UVA was projected 68th in S&P+; the slow start and limp finish meant a year-end ranking of just 88th.

Worse, this was an experienced team. Mendenhall must replace his two leading rushers, four of his top seven receiving targets, three experienced offensive line starters, four members of a nine-man rotation on the front seven, and everybody who kicked a ball last year.

Now, there weren't many difference makers in this group. But if you start slowly and finish 2-10, you’d rather do it with freshmen and sophomores. This was mostly juniors and seniors.

How long will it take Mendenhall to build the depth last year’s team didn’t have? How long until this begins to look like a Mendenhall team?

It’s hard to know what he’s got, heading into year two. He’s got an experienced quarterback and interesting receivers, but his skill-corps security blanket (running back Taquan Mizzell, who combined 187 carries with 52 receptions) is gone. A decent run defense should hold steady, but the pass defense was bad, and there’s no guarantee that returning the DBs from that secondary is a good thing.

S&P+ sees a team capable of rising into the 60s, and there are enough intriguing sophomores and juniors that you can talk yourself into that.

Mendenhall is a unique dude and was the subject of this from ESPN’s David Hale, one of my favorite profiles of the offseason.

"I started reaching out to anyone that I respected or admired or was having success and just started asking, 'Who are your influences?' or, 'What's the best book you read on this?'" Mendenhall said. "That just started building the library step by step."

Recommendations came with ferocity to the point that Mendenhall had to set a standard for what he'd actually consume. He began taking trips to the bookstore with his kids, adding a few books every week to his collection. The time immersed in reading, he found, also rejuvenated him after the stress of coaching wore him down.

"I'm an introverted, deep thinker who is in an extroverted entertainer's job," Mendenhall said.

Every book gets scrutinized for information that can help his team, too.

Thoughtful can play well in Charlottesville. But it might take him another year or two for any sort of breakthrough on the field.

2016 in review

2016 Virginia statistical profile.

Over the first five games, Virginia played five teams that ended up 72nd or lower (in some cases, much lower) in S&P+. In my 2016 preview, I thought a 3-1 start wasn’t out of the question if the Cavaliers found answers offensively.

Instead, they lost by 17 to Richmond, by 18 to Oregon, and, perhaps most damning, by three to UConn.

UVA responded with its best three performances of the year, wins over CMU and Duke and a competitive, 45-31 loss to Pitt. Then, after playing like a top-40 team, they settled into a top-80 cruising altitude ... against top-25 teams.

First 3 games (0-3): Avg. percentile performance: 23% (14% offense, 25% defense) | Avg. yards per play: Opp 6.6, UVA 5.1 (minus-1.5) | Avg. score: Opp 31, UVA 19

Next 3 games (2-1): Avg. percentile performance: 71% (62% offense, 55% defense) | Avg. yards per play: UVA 6.3, Opp 5.4 (plus-0.9) | Avg. score: UVA 38, Opp 33

Last 6 games (0-6): Avg. percentile performance: 37% (31% offense, 45% defense) | Avg. yards per play: Opp 6.7, UVA 4.1 (minus-2.6) | Avg. score: Opp 35, UVA 17

UVA was 0-3 in one-possession games, dropping competitive battles to Louisville and Wake Forest along with UConn; it didn’t help that the Cavaliers had some of the worst turnovers luck in the country.

What was the source of UVA’s brief offensive eruption, by the way? At first glance, it appears the answer is “balance.” Mizzell rushed 36 times for 234 yards (6.5 per carry) in that three-game span, but he only had to rush 36 times because the passing game was clicking. Kurt Benkert completed 54 percent of his passes at a whopping 14.8 yards per completion; including sacks, he averaged 7.3 yards per pass attempt. Slot receiver Olamide Zaccheaus caught 15 of 21 passes for 266 yards, 12.7 per target.

The rest of the season, Benkert averaged 4.2 yards per attempt, and Zaccheaus averaged 5.7 yards per target. That seems key, huh?

Offense

Full advanced stats glossary.

Robert Anae was Mendenhall’s offensive coordinator for their last three years in Provo, then made the trip with his boss. Anae showed flexibility in adjusting his system for run-happy quarterback Taysom Hill and the more pocket-based Tanner Mangum.

Anae went very pass-first under Mangum and maintained those ways last year. It was the best way to utilize both Benkert and the versatile (but not particularly explosive) Mizzell. But despite pass-heavy tendencies, Virginia managed just 15 passes of 30-plus yards, 94th in the country. Over the second half of the season, against good defenses, there was just nothing downfield.

Mizzell, backup running back Albert Reid, and receiver Keeon Johnson are gone; their production was replaceable (they combined to average five yards per carry and 5.6 yards per target), but it’s not evident who will replace them.

In the backfield, junior Jordan Ellis will likely get the first shot; the first carry of his career, a 39-yard joy ride against William & Mary, flashed a lovely combination of strength and open-field ability. But his 37 carries since then have gained just 96 yards.

The return of Zaccheaus and senior Doni Dowling gives the passing game options; they combined for 7.6 yards per target and a 48 percent success rate last year, which is neither amazing nor awful. But the next three returning receivers — Andre Levrone, Hasise Dubois, Warren Craft — caught just 24 of 56 passes (43 percent).

The best news would be a breakout from Joe Reed. The sophomore was a revelation in the return game last year and caught a 25-yard pass against Pitt and a 28-yarder against Virginia Tech. But those were two of just four receptions. Dubois is exciting, but he caught just eight passes. It’s hard to rely on a pair of receivers with 12 combined catches.

It’s also hard to assume improvement up front. The line must replace three players (Eric Smith, Jackson Matteo, Michael Mooney) who had combined for 97 career starts. Two senior starters return (left tackle Jack English, guard Jack McDonald), and the Hoos have added both Notre Dame transfer John Montelus (a former four-star recruit) and Oklahoma State transfer Brandon Pertile; plus, former four-star recruit Steven Moss still has time to develop into something reliable. Still, the line needs to improve, not just hold steady.

The Hoos still have Benkert, though. The ECU transfer was as inconsistent as his receiving corps last year but added experience and dropped about 15 pounds. At 6’4, 220 (or so) pounds, he looks the part. But he needs more help than he got last year.

Defense

Over his last six seasons at BYU, Mendenhall’s defense graded out better than his offense five times. The Cougar D peaked during the Kyle Van Noy era, ranking sixth in Def. S&P+ in 2012 and 13th in 2013, but it was always steady and aggressive.

One trait translated in Charlottesville. Six members of the starting front seven recorded at least four tackles for loss, led by middle linebacker Micah Kiser and end Andrew Brown. The duo combined for 23 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, and Kiser alone added eight passes defensed and five forced fumbles. He is a one-man havoc rate, and if he can get help from the edges, he could produce even bigger numbers.

Brown, a former blue-chipper, is a lovely piece, but if some sophomores step forward, the front seven could be excellent. Linebacker Jordan Mack, tackle James Trucilla, and ends Eli Hanback, Steven Wright, and Juwan Moye saw the field last year, and Mack and Hanback were key. Plus, linebacker Jahvoni Simmons is a former four-star recruit, ILB Dominic Sheppard was a mid-three, and OLB Gladimir Paul is athletic. They’re sophomores, too. And if junior Malcolm Cook breaks through after a serious illness, all the better.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Brown

When the UVA defense was doing well last year, it was usually because of the front seven and run defense. The Cavaliers ranked 55th in Rushing S&P+ but only 89th in Passing S&P+; they allowed a 61 percent completion rate and 13.9 yards per completion with 25 touchdown passes to just nine interceptions. Worse yet: five of those interceptions came in one game. Even against a decent pass rush, opponents were able to look downfield.

Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Hall (34) and Juan Thornhill (21)

That was with well-regarded safety Quin Blanding, a former blue-chipper who defensed eight passes. Just imagine the passing stats without him. But he’s back.

However, cornerback was a revolving door. With 2015 starter Tim Harris injured and others unable to stay on the field, converted safety Juan Thornhill and freshman Bryce Hall were the only stalwarts. They did combine for five INTs and 11 breakups, but the breakdowns were constant.

In theory, this will improve. Including Harris’ 2015 stats, five returning DBs recorded at least one TFL, and six recorded at least two passes defensed. Blanding, Thornhill (back at safety), and sophomore safety Chris Moore are an exciting trio, and Mendenhall and defensive coordinator Nick Howell have options. But when you rank 89th in Passing S&P+, you can improve and still be mediocre.

Special Teams

Good news, bad news.

Good: Virginia ranked in the top 10 in both kick return and punt return efficiency, and big reasons — Joe Reed on kicks, Daniel Hamm on punts — return. They provided a field position boost for a desperate team.

Bad: Four different Cavaliers kicked balls — punter Nicholas Conte, kickoffs guy Dylan Sims, place-kickers Sam Hayward and Alex Furbank — and they’re all gone.

Sort of good: Virginia mostly stunk at kicking anyway. Hayward and Furbank were 5-for-8 on field goals under 40 yards and 0-for-2 over it, and kickoffs and coverage were lacking.

Still bad: Conte was excellent, combining a 44.3-yard punting average with a propensity for fair catches. He will be missed. Redshirt freshman Nash Griffin was a stud in high school. But he’s a redshirt freshman.

2017 outlook

2017 Schedule & Projection Factors

Date Opponent Proj. S&P+ Rk Proj. Margin Win Probability 2-Sep William & Mary NR 23.7 91% 9-Sep Indiana 39 -4.4 40% 16-Sep Connecticut 125 18.6 86% 23-Sep at Boise State 29 -11.7 25% 7-Oct Duke 65 -0.3 49% 14-Oct at North Carolina 38 -9.4 29% 21-Oct Boston College 76 4.6 60% 28-Oct at Pittsburgh 33 -10.7 27% 4-Nov Georgia Tech 31 -6.5 35% 11-Nov at Louisville 14 -21.0 11% 18-Nov at Miami 18 -16.4 17% 24-Nov Virginia Tech 25 -8.9 30%

Projected S&P+ Rk 70 Proj. Off. / Def. Rk 82 / 48 Projected wins 5.0 Five-Year S&P+ Rk -0.9 (72) 2- and 5-Year Recruiting Rk 58 / 46 2016 TO Margin / Adj. TO Margin* -9 / 1.0 2016 TO Luck/Game -4.2 Returning Production (Off. / Def.) 74% (64%, 84%) 2016 Second-order wins (difference) 4.0 (-2.0)

Ellis, Zaccheaus, Peace, Cook, and Thornhill are juniors. Reed, Dubois, Hanback, Mack, and Simmons are sophomores. A lot of Virginia’s most important players will be around in 2018, too, and maybe that gives us an idea of the Cavaliers’ arrival timeline (if, you know, one exists).

There are just too many ifs to expect any massive breakthrough this year, but there are winnable home games.

S&P+ doesn’t give UVA a better than 29 percent chance in any of five road games, but the Cavaliers are at 30 percent or better in all seven home games. The best hope for a nice season comes in winning early games against William & Mary, Indiana, UConn, and Duke, beating Boston College a couple of weeks later, and hoping this generates enough confidence to pull a late-season upset.

That offers no margin for error, but it’s a path. More likely: UVA wins four or five games, a couple of sophomores break through, and 2018’s preview is more optimistic.

Team preview stats

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