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absolutebl · 3 years

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This Week in BL

Sept 2021 Wk 5

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs.

Ongoing Series - Thai

Don’t Say No Ep 9 (Line) - It’s my corny af hurt/comfort soap opera that I watch at 1.5x and skip all the sex scenes and Fiat crying, but I like it that way, so there. Yes I am one of those people who only eats the outside of the peanut M&Ms, why do you ask? Episode recaps here.

Bite Me Ep 5 (Viu & Viki) - sometimes I feel like this show is skipping all the important bits, or having them occur off screen intentionally, like some ancient Greek play. Still, the depth of the feeling understood between the two leads is clearly transferred to us despite that. Are they dating? Sure seems that way. Without anything being actually said about it. It’s oddly magical. I talked a bit about the north/south divide and food as a love language with regards to kao soi in this post.

7 Project Ep 5 The Breakup Zone (iQiYi & YouTube) - another het installment, so I skipped it. Nash.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Peach of Time Ep 10 fin - A Korean BL (maybe not BL tho) featuring Thai talent that really went beyond a lot of tropes into interesting territory and allegory in a way only Korea does. I hope we get more collabs like this, perhaps happier than this one next time? RECOMMENDED only if you are prepared for The Sad. Because it is quite sad.

x Friend or Lover (YouTube) Ep 6 - still waiting on the final of this Taiwanese indie series.

Love is Science? (BL sub plot on Viki) Ep 14 (aired ep 15) - Taiwanese drama finally got subbed yesterday, so those of us who are waiting seem to be on a week’s delay. The BL couple actually has the most interesting story arc and the most unusual character growth. I’m enjoying how unpredictable these two are. Honestly, they could have gotten their own series with this much story - and now I really want that for after the baby comes. I’m a little sad we didn’t get the coming out in the skate park sequence (LOOK I love coming out drama, especially with sporty friends, it’s a THING), but I also get why the writers are doing what they are with these boys. And the actors sure can handle it. Taiwan at it’s finest.

Love Is the series (YouTube) Ep 5 - continues to be fine for a V-BL but not all that actually good.

See You After Quarantine? (Viki) Ep 6, 7 - Taiwanese gameboys with Japanese talent stuck in, what more could we ask? AND THEN they gave us some *thirsty boi* action, great kisses, and charmed the pants off... well... everyone. Taiwan, we don’t deserve you. Honestly, you spoil us. Turns out Aaron Lai is the best wingman any gay Japanese man in quarantine could ask for. Everyone should be watching this. It’s utterly charming.

The Tasty Florida (Viki) Ep 3 & 4 - this Korean BL so fucking cute. Look it’s formless and too short but simultaneously aching and kinda special-sweet. But Korea has got to settle into something a bit longer for their BL for everyone’s sake. It’s time. Light On Me proved it was possible. I’m not asking for much, just 15 min+ of fresh content with at least a 10 ep arc.

Read more about it here.

GOSSIP!

Rumors of OhmFluke to star in new Thai BL Oh! My Sunshine Night. It’s from Newsinfinity Entertainment who announced the casting and showed the couple in workshops. This is this (small) production house’s first BL and they aim to “appeal to to general audiences* with a “broader view of BL that everyone will watch.” Which is code for LOW heat, light gay, soft boys. If this happens I think we can expect this to be Thailand doing Korean-style BL.

* GENERAL AUDIENCE? Let’s be clear no piece of media will EVER appeal to everyone. Here is the USA “general audience” is code for “families with socially conservative values and children who are still minors” AKA what used to be prime time TV watchers AKA suburbia.

The concept is analytically old fashioned and so fractured at this juncture (socially economically spatially politically) that “general audience” is actually impossible to target and it doesn’t really exist. But try telling that to the publicity department.

We also call this the “Disney live action demo.” (Think Pirates of the Caribbean.) I occasionally refer to them as “the Simpsons.” And they’re about as realistic. All that to say I am VERY suspicious of Oh! My Sunshine Night‘s production house.

To My Star does seem to be getting a second season, same director, same mains. Korea is much better about executing on its promises than Thailand, but until I see proof of filming or an honest trailer, my favorite boys are staying in the gossip section. I don’t wanna get my hopes up. (Honestly now, how many of you also want an alt reality with these two as a couple but Kim Kang Min playing his long suffering cardiologist intern character from Hospital Playlist? Just me?)

I reported on Unforgotten Night a while ago. It seems to have been fully cast now, I still think the publicity stills make it look like a joke. But with this line-up I guess it’s even more of an alt answer to KinnPorsche.

You know that thing that happens in media when suddenly we get multiples of the same style of movie or show at once? It’s now happening with BL. Love triangles. Restaurants. And now mafia.

Cutie Pie (our arranged marriage Thai BL staring Zee) dropped some wardrobe fitting photo ops. Also... fancy pants sexy suits that fit, so that’s exciting.

Starting Soon

My Mate Match from Starhunter should be starting on Line TV next Saturday. Usually, Line has subs relatively quickly and is available internationally. However the fact that the trailer is not subbed and the show is not listed on Line’s site has me nervous. No idea on length of run either.

Starhunter studio doesn’t have a great track record in general for narrative arcs and this one is not based on a y-novel so could get waffly. This is a roommates love triangle BL about a boy who is looking for one roommate and ends up with two vying for his home and his heart. Stars Jet as the uke lead which I’m pretty happy about as he’s got great comedic timing and is accustomed to BL. He’s opposite two friends/co-actors from Gen Y and other projects, so we know they’re comfortable with each other. They could do great things... if they get a decent script.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Some shows may be listed later than actual air date for International subs accessibility reasons.

Upcoming 2021 BL master post here.

Links to watch are provided when possible, ask in a comment if I missed something.

This week’s best moment?

106 notes · View notes

mxrcayong · 4 years

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the avatar series: 01.03

masterlist.

previous|next

chapter three

A crowd surrounded her. She was in the ring and the walls were caving in. The spotlight shone down on her; all eyes were on her. They were all expecting something from her - something she cannot give them; greatness. She felt herself getting smaller and smaller – or maybe the stage was sinking lower and lower. Most likely, both. The audience was growing bigger, overpowering her. She’s disappointed them. It was her duty to protect them - but she only hurt them, she only disappointed them.

At the announcer’s desk sat her closest friends; Doyoung, Sonan, Kilara, and Johnny. Behind them were her other friends; Lucas, Roddie, and Taeil amongst others including Sehun, Kyungsoo, and Hendery. They all were standing up, looking down at her. All of them screaming and yelling and insulting – using words against her all at different times. The words were like ammunition, shooting at her constantly. Her head hurt, her heart was wounded, her hope disappeared, her purpose never fulfilled.

They were angry. Infuriated. Full of rage.

She could see them seething between their growls and their yells, telling her she’s a failure. Telling her she never deserved to be the Avatar. Telling her she failed not only them but her purpose and humankind.

The stage got smaller and smaller; she was trapped. There were no exits as the walls were millimeters away from her. Her breath got caught in her throat, she couldn’t breathe. She looked at the ground as she soon fell to her kneels, staring at the cold cement floor beneath her. The only thing preventing her from falling to her death.

“Where is everything we taught you?” An angry voice called from in front of her, “You are right. You fail at your powers. You fail at everything.” The voice taunted, full of venom. Tari looked up, and saw Sukiara and The Osaka Prince in front of her – the Osaka Prince bending lightning whips and remaining silent. “He should’ve been the Avatar, not someone as pathetic and weak as you.” Sukiara seethed.

As The Osaka Prince whipped the lightning rope towards Tari, she saw the Avatars before her in the Avatar State. They were supposed to be helping in the Avatar State; they have the ability to protect her, to protect the Avatar. They have the ability to transfer their powers, their knowledge. The Avatar State is where she’s the most powerful, but she had never felt more weak.

They’re letting me die, Tari realized as the previous Avatars stared at her hopelessly, letting her get repeatedly whipped and attacked by the man who should be the Avatar. She could only feel the static sensation that made her shake, that made her shiver, that made her wince in pain. “I’m sorry,” Tari croaked, trying to apologize to the world around her but her voice failed her. “I’m sorry for failing you, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for messing up.” The final vision she saw was the distant image of her family; her older brother, her younger sister she’s only heard about, and her two parents ; none of them she’s seen since she’s been taken away from her parent’s custody.

With one final lash, she was greeted by darkness, but she could still hear the blaring alarms and the voice echoed throughout a megaphone. “This is a police raid! Everyone here will be arrested for supporting the Avatar and for bending!”

“You okay?” She heard a soft voice chuckle, calling her out of her slumber. Wait, where am I? She wondered as she knew for sure she wasn’t in her own room. Once her vision readjusted from their sleepy haze, Tari looked around and realised she was in her living room - her head using Johnny’s thigh as a pillow on her couch. Johnny was still on his laptop - the only light illuminating the dark room as he continued to type and write his article for submission to the editors later. Continuing to look around, she noticed Doyoung had fallen asleep on one of the beanbags - his soft snores echoing throughout the room, bouncing off each wall. The sight made Tari aw - Doyoung sleeping was always the sweetest. He always looks calm, even when he’s one of the most secretly chaotic people she knows - but when he sleeps, it looks like theres nothing in the world that can hurt him. And it’s my duty to make sure nothing will, Tari’s thoughts reminded her. Everrything has been reminding her of the stupid Ava-“You were shaking and whimpering.” He commented. Despite his friendly and soft voice with a teasing edge, she could see the serious concern in his eyes.

Or it could be disappointment, she sighed, looking into his brown orbs and seeing their somewhat distressed nature. “Yeah, yeah, just a dream.” She couldn’t talk to him about it, she couldn’t. He wouldn’t be her friend anymore. She’d hate to disappoint him. Tari readjusted so she’d now be sitting up, getting off of Johnny’s lap and throwing her arms up into the air to stretch and yawn.

CRACK, Her elbows cracked, making her eyes widen and Johnny to put his hand over his mouth to prevent himself from laughing and waking up Doyoung. “How long have you been awake for?” She softly whispered, crossing her legs and turning to face Johnny. Her head fell into the palm of her hand as she looked at Johnny, waiting for his answer.

“Haven’t slept yet.” Johnny commented nonchalantly, “I want to get this article done for the online deadline for tomorrow.” At the mention of sleep, he yawned. “I shouldn’t be having any workr tomorrow so guess whose gonna turn up here at midnight because he slept the whole day?” He said in a hushed fake excited voice. “Hey, though, can you look at this?” The journalist scrolled through his document, showing Tari the beautiful photographs full of life taking over the pages and the thousands of words portraying the story. He looked excited about this article – probably the most excited Tari has seen him be in a while, and that means a lot as he was always quite excitable. He’s one of the most positive people she knows.

Tari leaned closer – her eyes still hazy with sleep – and she read the text out loud through hushed whispers, hesitant to wake up Doyoung. “’The Avatar Day festival is a celebratory day initially to remember and commemorate the heroic actions of Aang and Team Avatar. However, within the last few years, it’s become a celebration for the existence of Avatar; from Wan to Aang, no previous Avatar or their companions can be forgotten’” Tari read, before grinning. ‘This is an amazing introduction, Johnny.” Johnny gleamed with pride.

“Wait, look at this bit.” He scrolled towards the end, “Do you think it’s too strong or provocative? I want to make it umph but not too offensive, you know?” He showed a paragraph where he practically called on the Avatar to speak up against the government if they ‘refuse to do their rightful duty, the 100 year war may repeat itself but instead of the fire nation, it’s the non-bending government’.

A heavy weight seemed to fall on Tari’s heart. Could I really do something to help? She questioned herself, watching Johnny smile with pride at his article. Could I really do something to reduce the suffering of my fellow benders? Of my peers? She knew this issue was beating up Johnny, but she never saw herself as capable of influencing it. Thinking about it, she realizes all her friends talk about doing things – Johnny was the only one actually doing it.

“So,” Johnny called Tari out of her trance, “what do you think?”

Tari bit back her feelings and forced a smile, “It’s great. When does the editor read through it?” She had a feeling it was good. She knew what he was going for and if she was anyone else but the person he was targeting, she knew she would feel inspired or angry and support his cause.

“This afternoon.” He gleamed, pressing save on the document. “I have a few more details and photos to add, but otherwise – it’s done and the editor’s job to fix it.”

Tari yawned – partly fake and partly not. She was tired, but she wasn’t tired enough to leave Johnny and Doyoung yet. She just couldn’t be sitting next to someone she know she’s only disappointing every second she refuses to speak up. Her guilt was eating away at her. “I have to get to work tomorrow afternoon. I’m lucky Hendery is doing the 5am shift.” She let out an awkward chuckle, “I’m going to sleep…it’s 2 in the morning?” She said more as a question as she searched around the room for any hint of the time, eventually letting her eyes set on Johnny’s laptop clock.

“Alright,” Johnny smiled softly up at Tari as she stood from her place.

“Good night” she called as she got into her room, her head peeking out the door as she noticed Johnny about to respond.

“Goodnight, Tar.” Johnny wished, looking up from his computer and up at her. “I’ll make sure Doyoung gets into bed okay. Sweet dreams.”

Tari was about to shut the door, but made sure to quickly remind him where the blankets and pillows for the sofa bed is since Doyoung and her moved it a month ago from its usual spot to another spot in the apartment.

As she fell back onto bed, she couldn’t fall asleep. The only thought running through her head; how will I ever be good enough?

One benefit of working in a café is definitely the fact that the bitter and earthy smell of coffee beans really can wake someone up. Even if that someone slept for a maximum of three hours the night prior.

The café had a cozy vibe. Either music was playing in the background or the soft hum of the TV, plants took over the walls (thanks to the owners being earth benders, these plants were low maintenance) and the floor was full of beanbags and the coziest chairs you can imagine. Today, the soft hum of the news was on – replaying videos from Avatar Day and discussions of current events.

“I know you let me off early yesterday,” Hendery stifled a chuckle as Tari rushed behind the counter to put on her apron – greeting some patrons on her way to the back, “but I don’t think that excuses you for not sleeping last night.”

Tari rolled her eyes and smiled, “Sorry I can’t be a model like you, pretty boy.” She teased, reaching behind her back to tie her apron. “But for real, is it that obvious?”

Her co-worker shrugged, “I mean, it’s mainly that we’ve worked together for how many years now?” He asked rhetorically. “And because I’m assuming you chugged that weird caffeinated tea you drink to wake you up because you’re also faster and jittery than usual. You’re usually like a turtle-sloth.” Tari dropped her jaw in fake offense, before scanning the patrons – noticing most of them already having their drinks.

Hendery and Tari work together most of the time – they’re the two main workers for Iroh and Me. It’s a small local café which is most known for its bubble tea, but it’s still a family café and not necessarily in the center of town – just a bit south of it. So, they really only need two to three workers. They work mostly together but only one of them takes up the morning shift, which is usually Tari, and then the both of them do the afternoon, and then someone – usually Hendery – closes at 11pm. Today, since Tari tapped Hendery out early yesterday, they swapped roles.

“How did you find Avatar Day then?” Tari inquired as the two of them leaned back on the counters to wait for a table to clean or a new customer to greet.

Hendery smiled at the mention – “I met with my older sisters and Yangyang and his sister,”

“Yangyang is the animal-racecar dude right?” She clarified, remembering the name from previous stories of his.

“Yeah, and we had a picnic and just did our usual festivities.” Hendery gleamed. Tari knew he was an avid celebrator of the event, but her focus on of him and his usual festivities quickly changed - what are his opinions on the Avatar? She looked at him inquisitively, making him turn to her and mimic her expression. “What?”

“What do you think of the Avatar?”

“Like the concept or the person?”

“Both, I guess.” She shrugged, biting her lip and trying to hide her anxiety for his question.

He let out a sigh, “To be completely honest, I don’t think there is a current Avatar right now.” He shrugged. The statement itself made Tari unclear about how she should react. “I kind of think it’s just a past story. Like, I have no doubt they existed – but like I feel like it’s an extinct animal or...” He snapped, finding the words to saa “kind of like the fire lord’s power.” Tari looked at him – confused. “Like, the Fire Lord – she exists and the family is very important, like Prince Jaehyun is one of the best fire benders in the world.” Obviously, he hasn’t seen the Osaka Prince, she chortled – her insecurity eating her up inside. She’s beginning to think her insecurity is manifesting into hate for the fire bender. “But they’re power isn’t as strong as it is before, their importance is less. Why do we need a protector anyway right now? It’s not like there’s a war going on.”

Tari had all the answers to that question; she was raised learning them and frankly, Sukiara reminded her of some of the answers the night prior. Hendery’s interest soon turned to her concentrated and preoccupied reaction to his response. “Why? What do you think?”

She quickly dodged the question, thanking whatever is up there that a patron stood up and left the café - leaving their table full of empty plates. “Thank you, have a great day!” She called after them in her customer-service voice before grabbing the cleaning rag and tray from the shelves in the counter. “I’ll get this one.” She winked, sneaking out from behind the counter.

On her way there, she recognized the married couple who always takes a long time to drink their beverages; Mrs Kim Tae-hee and Mr Jung Ji-hoon. She knows them quite well and know they always joke about trying ‘to finish their drinks hot’ but they never do. The two of them always spend an hour seated at the café once every few weeks and just spending time together. Tari bit her lip and did her usual thing to anyone like them; anyone who takes long to finish their drink, making it cold.

“Hey! Haven’t seen you guys in a while.” She smiled, reaching in her apron to grab spare tissues. “How are you guys? Let me give you guys some extra tissues.” One thing Tari learnt in customer service is that very rarely do people deny more napkins.

Ji-hoon smiled, taking his wife’s hand and rubbing it with his thumb from across the table. “Great, Tae-hee just got a promotion at work so this is our first time having a ton of time together in a while.” Tari smiled; she wanted a relationship like theirs. They could be sitting here for hours but just be happy with each other’s presence. Its as if the world doesn’t matter as long as they’re together. She lifted Tae-hee’s Americano and slipped a tissue to be underneath it. While holding the mug full of now-cold coffee up, she concentrated on her fire bending – only bending enough to warm up the coffee. She repeated this process with Ji-hoon’s drink as Tae-hee spoke about being named one of the best stage performers in the performance theater.

“But Ji-hoon also started his own business!” Tae-hee smiled proudly, both of them looking at each other as if the other had all the universe in their eyes. “Todays have been our first off day in months.”

Tari smiled, “Well, let me get you guys two slices of cake as a celebration. On me.” She offered, “Any flavor preferences?” While Tae-hee politely declined, saying it’s too kind – Ji-Hoon requested two flavors; red velvet and chocolate (which he clarified was for Taehee). Tari knew Tae-hee was just being shy, she was shy to order a second drink the first time the couple came in and saw a new barista. “I’ll be back in a minute, let me clean up after someone.”

As she was walking back behind the counter; the tray full of dirty cups in hand, she heard the door chime. She spotted a regular she actually befriended when the same patron spilled a cup of coffee on herself and Tari lent her one of her extra shirts,. It was Tari’s rule to always bring an extra shirt, because she knows the pain of a coffee stain. “Hey Roddie,” Tari sang, grinning at the familiar face.

“Hey Tari,” Roddie sung back, grinning as well. “I would give you a hug but your hands look full right now.” The university student turned behind her, “By the way, these are my classmates ; Chenle, Jeno, and Jaemin. Guys, this is the best barista around.” The three boys behind her waved, smiling wildly.

Her introduction caused Hendery to call out from behind the counter. “Offensive! Guess who won’t take your order today.”

“I recommend you redact that statement; I’m doing something else right now.” Tari leaned, almost like a whisper – despite being at least a meter apart. “Anyways, I know the truth.” Tari winked teasingly, before rushing behind the counter and putting the dirty dishes in the sink for her to clean once she gives the couple a piece of cake each and pay for it using her employee’s account.

Roddie smiled with her whole face and spoke in a staged manner, “BUT HENDERY IS TRULY THE BEST!”. She and her group of friends approached the counter, ready to order their drinks.

Eventually, an hour has passed and Hendery and Tari were back leaning against the counter – coming up with life stories for the few patrons they don’t know well once they ran out of current debate topics or life updates. Afterall, they do see each other every day. As they were two of the four faces that represent the café, they basically know every patron’s name – only do they know a few life stories.

“Tari!” She heard Roddie call from her seat in the back. Her hair was now in a messy bun; a few strands hanging out as she and her group mates sat on a table full of notebooks and their laptops, the three of them obviously studying together.

“What’s up?” Tari asked, rubbing her hands on the front of her apron as she approached, before she slipped her hands into the pockets. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, I just wanted to ask you something.” The barista raised her eyebrows, indicating her to continue. “What is your opinion, as a bender, on the bending bans?”

Two friends of her’s look insulted, as if Roddie forgot to ask them. “Uhm,” She chuckled, “I mean I don’t use my powers regularly or publicly so like, it’s not a big thing for me. I just hope it doesn’t escalate. But, as long as I can bend at home, I’m good.”

“What do you bend?” One of her friends ask, leaning forward.

I can bend all four elements, and you? She said sarcastically in her head. “I can bend water.”

“Oh, no way!” The one with the vibrant blue hair exclaimed as he pointed at the taller boy with black hair, “Us too. Which tribe are you from?”

To be honest, Tari always forgets the name of her village. She was moved from there when she was 4, she has minimal memories. “Uhm, somewhere really small in the Northern Water Tribe. I think it’s referred to as Karagatan?”

The one with blue hair bit his lip, “Well, I always knew one of the most beautiful towns calls for the most beautiful ladies.” Tari got flustered but hid it behind furrowed eyebrows and hiding her laughter. So he must be a flirty person.

“Jaemin and I are from the center.” The one with black hair rolled his eyes at his friends antics, “Please excuse him, he’s always flirty.” At that, Tari laughed. “I’m Jeno by the way.”

Roddie groaned and dropped her head onto the table, “I don’t get why our politics class is making us learn about these bans and why they’re wrong rather than letting us actually protest and make a change.” She pulled her head up from the table and looked at Tari with the saddest expression she could muster.

The boy – who out of the process of elimination is Chenle seemed to be reasonable. “Noona,” So he’s younger than her, “It’s teaching us both the goods and bads.”

“Yeah, but the ban is so unreasonable!” Roddie was known for her very strong opinions. She’s locally famous for always protesting and calling out the mayor – who conveniently is her father - for his ‘biased’ and ‘unfair laws’. “When I went home the other day to visit my mom, I overheard my dad say something about increasing the ban or making it stronger. I think he’s even banning bending from Avatar Day for next year.” Roddie dropped her jaw, “Avatar Day!” She stressed, “Literally the day we celebrate bending.” Tari’s heart felt like it dropped. Yeah, sure – she doesn’t use her bending much publicly, but it’s still a part of her. She grew up with it. She’s already hiding 3/4s of herself - does she need to hide her whole self?

“Ugh, speak of the devil.” Roddie groaned once more, looking up at the TV and noticing her father is being interviewed on screen. “Can we change the channel?” Tari nodded, expressionless as she tried to figure out how she was feeling about this. Conflicted, but Johnny was right. It is only getting worse. Could she be the one to stop it from getting worse? How can she?

“You think we won’t learn about this in class?” Jaemin asked rhetorically.

“Rather hear it from Mr Nam’s mouth than a rat’s.” Roddie retorted.

Thoughts and inner debates ran through her head as she made her way to the counter where the remote was.

“Benders are proving to be increasingly dangerous to our safety,” Roddie’s father said on the TV, “They are born with something that distinguishes them as more powerful and-“ As much as she wanted to listen in, she turned it off and replaced the ambience noise with calm music. She can’t think of this. She has to ignore it.

But can she? Was Johnny right again about it being her responsibility? Or will she make it worse? Afterall, with his logic – she’s the most dangerous one of them all. She can bend with four different elements with extra powers like energy bending and the Avatar State. What good can she do if she was locked up?

The café at night was much more different than during the day. The hum of the music filled the café, echoing off the walls. The café was now closed but Tari remained inside, cleaning up anything to make things easier for Hendery to take over for tomorrow. He’d be doing morning shifts until Sunday (when the café closes at 7pm) so that Tari can get her usual sleep schedule for her usual 6am call to work. She was waiting for Doyoung. The few times she would have night shift, Doyoung would always come pick her up.

His schedule at the training gym happens from 12pm to 6pm, and then he goes to dinner with his friends and co-workers, and then he goes to the temple for a few hours to volunteer or do some extra work. So, coming to the café to pick up Tari seemed to be a natural event, especially as he walks past it on his way to the train station for his way home.

Tari pulled out her phone, sitting in one of the booths and texted Johnny, knowing Doyoung was already on his way.

tari: did you see the news today?

Johnny was always quick at responding – even when on missions. At least, with her and Doyoung he is – potentially because he stays at their place a lot, potentially because they call themselves ‘gaang’, something Johnny came up with due to Katara, Sokka, and Aang being the original peas in a pod and Tari heavily refused to be called ‘Team Avatar’.

leach: I went to the press conference – so so so annoying, mayor called it last minute, i wasn’t suppoosed to be working today! glad i went tho, he’s such a dick honestly…think he’s going insane. Can I come over?

Tari chuckled; this is the first time he asked to come over. But she doesn’t know if she want’s to say yes. Whenever she thinks of Johnny now, she thinks of what he believes in.

tari: ask doyoung haha still in the café. First time you asked in a year or so, I’m surprised.

leach: firstly – I asked bc I was outside ur apartment and neither of u were here and I mightve left my copy of the keys in ur place and also bc u seemed upset w me this afternoon

leach: u usually say goodbye you just left in a rush

leach: im waiting for ur response but im rn in the corner shop nearby. do u want me to buy a ice frostie + dimsum?

She’s upset, but she can’t tell him why. But, she’s also upset that Johnny knows her weaknesses.

tari: I WAS LATE

leach: NO U WERE NOT I KNOW UR SCHEDULE

tari: stalker

leach: *someone who cares abt u a lot

tari: *** stalker

Suddenly, as her phone dinged in her hand, she heard the door chime. She stood up, grabbing her stuff and laughing as she was about to tell a story. “Doyoung, Johnny is a-“

“Not Doyoung, guess again.” She looked up and saw Sukiara again. Sukiara’s deep blue eyes haunted her; her jet black hair with a few stray gray strands running like a waterfall down her back. “I need to talk to you and you cannot keep running away from me.” With that, Sukiara iced the doors behind her. This is the first time Sukiara ever used her bending skills against Tari – she knew Sukiara was serious.

As much as she hated Sukiara with every fibre of her being, Sukiara was also her guardian – the one who protects her and watches over her. As much as she hated Sukiara, Sukiara was practically her mom.

“What?” Tari gave up and fell back onto her chair, dropping her stuff onto the floor.

“You need to train more. Not just once a month anymore.” Sukiara sighed in defeat, falling to the chairr in front of Tari.

Tari let her head fall back. “I came to Sooman to experience a somewhat normal life. To not have the world lay on my shoulders. There’s nothing I can do right now, and even so, if I mind my own business and not call myself out - maybe the best will happen. Plus! I’m not good enough to be the Avatar, Kiara. And the people here don’t need me. If I show myself, the mayor might kill me.”

“You will never have a normal life.” Sukiara almost growled, leaning forward across the table. “You are not able to live your life for yourself. Your life isn’t yours. It isn’t your families or your friends. It’s the worlds. You are the Avatar and your purpose is to protect the world and mankind.”

Tari stood up from her seat, “From what, Kiara? From what?” She sighed, “If I show my powers, how likely is it that the mayor puts me in jail or kills me?” The realization struck her, “To be fair, if he kills me, you might get a better Avatar than me next time.” She chuckled sadly.

“Shut up.” Sukiara growled as she jumped to her feet - matching Tari in height. “Listen, there’s bigger things than the mayor. If you leave now, if you do anything dumb now, you’re just proving yourself right and showing that you weren’t good enough. Train more. Admit your identity. Admit to who you are and stop running away from it, because you’re only doing more damage.”

Before Tari could respond, Sukiara seemed to glide out of there. As her hand touched the handle and dissipated the ice into steam, Tari saw Doyoung approaching the café. Sukiara, having watched Tari occasionally, recognised her roommates face and left the door open, smirking. She could reveal me to him now, Tari thought as she interpreted the cocky look on her face as she approached her roommate, and then I’ll lose him forever.

Doyoung bowed his head gently and thanked her before coming in. Sukiara, as she was walking out, looked back and turned to look at Tari, “You know how to contact me.” She let go of the handle and disappeared into the night.

“Who’s that?” Doyoung asked, eyes furrowed in confusion.

“Nobody.” She sighed, hopeless and full of dread. Doyoung’s eyebrows furrowed more – he can read her easily, he knows she wasn’t nobdoy. Tari shook her head, faked a smile and looked up. She grabbed her stuff and stood up. “No one, just a health and safety person checking for hygiene. She thinks I didn’t do the dishes well and she’s going to tell the bosses” She lied, “Has Johnny texted you about how dumb he is?”

request anything for future parts / penny for your thoughts here

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greekprodigies · 6 years

Text

Why Shows Like Insatiable Are So Toxic, Despite Their Intentions

As a teenage girl who has only recently grown out of watching Disney Channel, it was safe to say I was intrigued when Netflix released the teaser trailer for their new 12-episode series Insatiable, starring Debbie Ryan, who played the title character of Disney’s Jessie for four seasons. It was a 30-second clip of Debbie Ryan in a hot pink dress, walking down a junk food aisle at a colorful grocery store, smashing everything on the shelves with a sledgehammer. Ryan’s voiceover says, “I’ve heard stories of girls who grew up happy and well-adjusted. This is not that story.” My first thoughts were, based solely on this teaser, that the main character seemed to be the villain, or at least a girl with a grudge. And, based off of this girl’s seemingly bad relationship with food, I also figured it would portray fat shaming in a way that most popular television shows don’t. I was hoping that Netflix would take their power over the teenage demographic and show a perspective that strayed away from the (respectable and still necessary) insecure overweight character still coming to terms with her own body (i.e. Kate from This Is Us or Rachel from My Mad Fat Diary). A perspective that I, an overweight high school senior who has already been through the ringer of despising my fatness, could relate to.

It’s obvious, in retrospect, that I was thinking way too deeply into a vague half-minute teaser video. I had gotten my hopes up. Those hopes were soon diminished when the official trailer was released

The video starts off with Debbie Ryan in a fat suit (I’ll get to why that is so grossly offensive later), introducing herself as Patty and showing her constant struggle as a victim of bullying and fat shaming at her high school. Her classmates (who seem to all be thin) call her “Fatty Patty”, and go so far as to spray paint it on her locker. Irene Choi, who plays Patty’s cruelest offender, is shown shouting “Porky! Butterball!” through a megaphone in the cafeteria, pointing to the main character. Then, after what seems to be a fight over a chocolate bar with a homeless man, Patty is punched in the face. Her voice-over tells us, “Having my jaw wired shut lost me more than just my summer vacation.”

Enter Patty 2.0. She’s the sparkling image of every chubby girl’s dream weight after she watches a show like this and vows to cut off carbs. No stretch marks, no cellulite, nothing that reflects what somebody’s body actually looks like after losing a large amount of weight in such a short period of time. The trailer escalates to a montage style of clips of Patty slapping, punching, and even pouring liquor onto some of her classmates before lighting a match.

It feels like a fantasy that’s trying to be relatable. That’s telling us that every bullied teenager, who’s frontal lobe isn’t developed enough to have a lot of perspective, craves revenge from their tormentors. And it’s easy for this narrative to be confused as a realistic depiction of the experience of being a teenage bullying victim. It’s even in the news, shown in the series of article published about domestic terrorist Nikolas Cruz revealing him being an orphan and being described as an “outcast” in interviews following the Parkland shooting. Sure, Insatiable’s revenge plot is meant to be satirical the same way Dexter (which Lauren Gussis, the writer and executive producer of this show, also worked on) is, but because it’s set in a high school during modern day, Patty (possibly, based on what’s shown in the trailer) killing her classmates hits a softer spot.

In the Teen Vogue article that was released with the trailer, Gussis explains how she “felt it was important to look at [bullying] head on and talk about it.” But it’s hard to look at bullying head-on when its changed so drastically over a span of 20 years. It’s past mean nicknames and cruel but clever comments said as two characters pass in a hallway. And more recently, it’s past cyberbullying. Or, at least, the way adults view cyberbullying based off of tone-deaf shows like Glee and dramatized TV movies like Cyberbully (which stars not one, but two former Disney Channel actresses). I’ve never met a high school student who got called a slut or gay 200 times in the comment section of a Facebook post. And, if I am completely wrong due to the fact that I’ve grown up during the social media transition from Facebook to Instagram and Snapchat, that form of bullying died when the Facebook phenomenon did. It is a subtler conversation than the beautiful cool kids versus the ugly losers.The solution is simple: If you’re going to make a show based off of your experiences of bullying in the 80’s, 90’s or even early 2000’s, make the show take place during those decades. Colliding old stereotypes to a character who exists in 2018 is unrealistic and humiliating.

Intention wise, Insatiable can be easily compared to another controversial Netflix original series, 13 Reasons Why. In the warning videos that are shown before watching, the stars of the show say, “By shedding a light on these difficult topics, we hope our show can help viewers start a conversation. But if you struggling with these issues yourself, this series may not be right for you, or you may want to watch it with a trusted adult,” And this message perfectly conveys a show that’s purpose seems heartfelt but is ultimately clueless. Here we have a television program that is produced by a bunch of 30 year olds, where people in their 20’s play high school students (yes, everyone who plays a teenager in 13RW are actually in their 20’s), pretending to understand what it’s like to be a teenager as if the dynamic between young people and mental illness hasn’t changed immensely in just the past couple of years. Just in five, the use of memes and irony has shifted from simply making fun of something, to helping us cope with the fact that our world is on fire. Everybody is laughing at the jokes about depression because, since the rise of social media and the quantification of how many people like us, we all feel depressed. Suicide, though tragic, has now been boiled down to kids saying they want to kill themselves when they have too much homework. We have an education system that teaches us about the anatomy of sex but never teaches us what questions need to be asked about consent during our sexual experiences. So making a show to start a conversation about depression, suicide, and sexual assault that warns it’s targeted audience (who are constantly surrounded by these topics) that the show might not be right for them is simply irresponsible.

But, if I can counteract what I just said, 13 Reasons Why horrifically also is the only show I’ve seen that has the most correct articulation of modern bullying. That’s not to say that anything else with the show is correct, because it’s not. Perhaps what is so wrong about 13RW is that, because they focus so much on the bullying aspect of high school, it provides a direct correlation between bullying and suicide. Well, that, and the graphic/triggering suicide and sexual assault scenes that were used for shock value. Nevertheless, Hannah Baker doesn’t go home and find a bunch of Instagram DMs of her classmates called her a whore. Any secrets that Hannah’s offenders had regarding what could have led her to kill herself were events that happened IRL. And they were just that: Secrets. Because the bullies were ashamed of what they had done. Even before Hannah committed suicide, Jessica Davis didn’t just go around telling people she slapped her ex-best friend because she thought she had betrayed her.

With Insatiable, it seems like everybody in this fictional high school (except for Patty’s best friend and maybe even a popular girl with a heart of gold) is insanely okay with harassing a girl just because of her appearance. It’s insulting, both as a fat girl and an observer of modern bullying. There isn’t one school in the country where 99% of its students just allow this sort of cruelty. Because we have perspectives and opinions that (surprise!) aren’t always swayed by whatever Instagram model is trending right now. Just because Emma Chamberlain is successful and skinny, doesn’t mean that we’re brainwashed to only make skinny people successful. I’m not saying that there isn’t an institutional privilege that skinny girls have, and have always had when it comes to social acceptance. Because they do. But there’s a gray area where most people stand when it comes to issues as new and contentious as body positivity, and Insatiable is ignoring it. You don’t have to be a body-posi activist to know that making somebody feel like shit because of their weight is wrong. And I hope this show can have a character that, without having any relation to Patty, recognizes that what these bullies are doing is outrageous.

After we recognize that the intention of these shows is ultimately flawed, we can then try to take a step forward and look at the impact. 13 Reasons Why, after being loudly criticized by suicide prevention experts, broke virtually every rule of portraying suicide. And as a result, a study shows that searches such as “how to commit suicide”, “suicide hotline number” and “teen suicide” were elevated after the show’s release. The time period for the search ended on April 18th of that year after NFL player Aaron Hernandez committed suicide, which could have influenced data. And any searches related to the movie Suicide Squad were discounted. Sure, the show had increased suicide awareness, but it also unintentionally increased suicide rationalization. And I fear that Insatiable may be on the same path. Regardless of the revenge plot or the bullying, there is still a skinny actress in a fat suit portraying a fat character who only eats, sits on the couch, and feels bad about herself. Then, after a summer of not being able to eat, returns to high school skinny and composed.

Firstly, the use of a fat suit is sickly but overall not surprising. In a world where blackface and yellowface in Hollywood has only just become unacceptable, fat suits seem more defendable for skinny people who don’t understand that there are a plethora of plus size actors who could have played Fatty Patty just as well (and most likely better) than Debby Ryan with pillows stuffed up her shirt. Perhaps the show could have avoided being so oblivious to its fat-shaming storyline if they had an actual fat person weighing in on it.

Secondly, there is the characterization of fat people as losers who do nothing but eat and watch TV. If there were a time and place for these characters to exist, it is definitely not now, where the call for diversity in Hollywood is louder than ever. Plus, we’ve already seen these people before. And it’s the same plot every time. They are only created to provide a funny prequel to a supposedly more stable version of the character. “Fat Monica” from Friends and “Fat Schmidt” from New Girl show a universe where plus size people can’t be taken seriously until they shed the pounds. When in reality, fat men and women are perfectly capable of being successful in their professional and romantic lives. Ironically enough, another New Girl character comes to mind when I think of plus size characters being accurately portrayed: Emily. She’s Schmidt’s ex-girlfriend from college, who dated him when he was her “Big Guy”. After Schmidt reminisces about losing his virginity to her, she resurfaces into his life as a confident woman who goes on dates and isn’t ashamed of who she is. There even seems to be a layer to her character showing that there had been a time where she was insecure about herself and her body but has overcome them. This is an example of a healthy goal for young girls and boys who are self-conscious of their body. Not Debby Ryan’s character, who only gains confidence after losing an obscene amount of weight.

It may actually be the casting of Debby Ryan that could cause a rise in body dysmorphia in young people from watching this show. Since her face is plastered on every poster, teaser and trailer for the show, Disney Channel fans, and former fans might watch simply because she’s cast as the lead role. It’s certainly what sparked my interest in the show. And since Disney Channel’s demographic has gotten younger and younger, there’s a generation that will watch this show and not see it as fat shaming, but a way to become the person they’ve always wanted to be. Skinny, beautiful and confident while simultaneously making all of their classmates' jaws drop as they walk down the hallway. But Patty doesn’t lose weight healthily, she literally could not eat solid food. Depending on how the show addresses this, it is a possible glorification of anorexia. Just like 13 Reasons Why glorified and romanticized depression. But two wrongs don’t make a right, and anorexia and depression can not make anybody beautifully broken.

To make things clear, I am not telling you to not watch this show. And based off of the 100,000 signatures (and counting) on a petition for the show’s cancellation, none of us may even get to. But speaking as a person who fits into all of these groups, Insatiable gets everything wrong about being a high schooler, a teenage girl, and a fat person.

#insatiable #netflix #debby ryan #op ed #fatphobia #fat shaming #body positive #body posititivity #anorexia #depression #13 reasons why #13rw #suicide

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my-dear-hammy · 6 years

Text

Falling Through Time: Book 2

Masterpost

Jamilton Series Masterpost

Basking in Firelight

Part Fifty

Presidential Manor

----

Warnings: None

----

Have you ever seen a movie where the love interest runs off just like Jefferson did? Because Hamilton has. He could almost hear the audience yelling at him to go after Jefferson, grab him by the arm, spin him around, and kiss him. He could see himself doing it, he wanted to do it, there was just one problem. His legs refused to move. It was like they were glued to the floor. Hamilton's mind was blank and racing through five thousand different thoughts all at the same time. Goddamnit. This wasn't how it was going to be. Hamilton's fingers crinkled the paper of his bill that he was still holding.

He found he did have the ability to walk after all. He stomped out of his room and down to Jefferson's office, bursting through the door, he slammed the document down on his desk in front of a startled Jefferson. "You still haven't signed my bill!"

"Alexander-"

"Just fucking sign it. Get over yourself and sign the goddamned piece of paper so we can actually fund the nation!"

Jefferson sighed, picked up a pen, looping the J around and signing his name with an elegance only people from the 1700's could manage. "Happy?" Jefferson asked, setting down his pen.

"No."

"Alexander, look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't've-"

"Forget it, Thomas. You're right. We're the Presidents. We can't be involved. The rumors surrounding us are already numerous as it is."

Jefferson smirked slightly, "I thought you were always right?"

Hamilton swiped the bill from Jefferson's desk. "If I had a book right now, you wouldn't be smirking."

"Send your fucking bill to Congress."

***

Jefferson, Hamilton, the Vice Presidents, and the Cabinets all stood in front of the new Presidential Manor.

"You designed this?" Angelica asked in awe.

"Yep," Jefferson said proudly. "Welcome to your new home for as long as you remain in office."

"It's beautiful," she said.

"Well let's stop gawking and go check out our rooms," Jefferson laughed, "The inside is the best part. There're all sorts of secret passageways. Only I know all of them. You guys get to have the fun of trying to find them all."

"Secret passageways? Was that really necessary?" Burr asked.

Jefferson shrugged. "An architect always enjoys a challenge."

"Think of it this way, Burr," Madison said, "We can avoid people."

"Holy shit, secret passageways are the best idea," Burr said. Jefferson laughed. Adams didn't look the least bit amused.

They all followed Jefferson inside as he gave them a basic tour. "This is the grand dining hall, where we will dine with ambassadors and world leaders," he led them into a massive room with high ceiling and dangling chandeliers. Nothing was forgotten or left out. There was a massive painting of George Washington over a mantle.

"Why is there a massive portrait of the General?" Adams asked.

"That's the General George Washington, from the Revolutionary War of 1775."

"I never realized how similar they looked," Angelica commented. Jefferson, Burr, Madison, and Hamilton all shared a look. They had no idea.

Jefferson moved on, finishing up the first floor where all ambassador related business would be taken care of and to the second floor. "Each Cabinet member of the same position, i.e. the two treasurers, have adjoined offices so that they may discuss without having to run to the other side of the building. Cabinet members' bedrooms are also not far off, just down the hall." He showed each member their specific office and decided to let them fight over who gets which bedroom. He moved on. The Vice Presidents' offices are just across the hall from the Presidents' office. That way you can barge in and yell at us at your convenience." He showed which office belongs to whom and then moved on. "Now the presidential office is just one big office for the both of us," he told Hamilton. "I got tired of all the running back and forth we did constantly, so now we can just yell at each other from our desks." Hamilton nodded, wondering how often one of them would stomp out with a handful of documents to go find some quiet. Knowing what Hamilton was thinking, Jefferson added, "We also have a workspace in our rooms." Hamilton and Jefferson were alone, standing in their office as everyone else was examining their own rooms. "Now I will tell about one secret passageway," Jefferson told Hamilton, examining a wall. "We each have a passage from this office to our respective rooms, its extremely short since our rooms are just on either side, but from how often we stumbled down the hallway, almost passing out from exhaustion, I decided a quick route from here to a bed would be a good idea. The rest you have to discover on your own," Jefferson grinned, lording in his knowledge of all the passageways. He pushed in a section of wall and it popped out and slid to the side, revealing a bedroom. "This is your room," Jefferson said to Hamilton, gesturing him through the door.

Hamilton stepped through the wall and into his room and looked around. It was elegantly done. The walls were a creamy color that went perfectly with the emerald green bed that was draped in sheer fabric and the most comfortable heavy comforter Hamilton had ever seen. There was a desk tucked gracefully into a corner, surrounded by a couple bookshelves, already stalked and ready to read. All the wood in the room was a medium coloring, if Hamilton took a guess, it would be a type of African wood. It tied the room together beautifully. There was even a fireplace.

"Do you like it?" Jefferson asked, "I designed this room myself." All the other rooms were designed by actually interior design people, Jefferson just designed the Manor. "I designed both our rooms actually."

"It's perfect," Hamilton said, "But I wonder how many passages there are."

Jefferson grinned. "You'll just have to figure that out." He stepped back through the wall and into the office, Hamilton followed and Jefferson shut the wall. He crossed to the other side of the room and opened a wall on the other side, leading into Jefferson's room. It was very similar, except instead of green, it was magenta coupled with an extremely dark wood. Jefferson had more bookcases, only because he couldn't decide which books to keep nearby and which ones in the library. "Are you saying you hand choose every book on my bookshelves?" Hamilton asked.

"Perhaps." He opened up the closet and gestured to the clothes. "On this side of our closets are the normal clothes, ranging from casual to formal to sleepwear. On this side are the Kevlar enforced, ranging from casual to formal to sleepwear. Anything you could possibly need. I suggest Kevlar whenever we're in public, we've still got targets on our backs." Jefferson led them back out and shut the wall, gathered up the other members and continued the tour.

He thought of everything. Everything. Hamilton couldn't think of anything Jefferson forgot. He was even surprised by something's that never even crossed his mind. But his favorite room would always be the library. It was the biggest room of the Manor, stretching up through all the floors, the ceiling being made of indestructible glass, letting in the sunlight for daytime reading. The shelves stretched on and on, countless books lining their shelves. Hamilton had to recover from the experience.

This was their new home. For now anyway. After the presidency, Hamilton would have to go back to his little hotel room. Fun. How had he still not gotten a house?

After everyone got settled in, they went back to work. Always with the work. It was just poured in non-stop. Congress sent in bills, nations sent letters and ambassadors, people sent complaints and ideas, the other branches of government sent in all sorts of weird things that needed to be dealt with. There were constant reports on Judge nominations and from departments concerning national security and health and countless other things. It just never stopped coming. Jefferson and Hamilton would finally manage a clear desk when Madison and Angelica would walk in with a brand new stack, earning groans from them both. And to make it harder, Jefferson or Hamilton would refuse to sign certain documents, resulting in an argument that would heat the room with more than one kind of tension as they argued for hours without end until one of them opened a wall and stomped out with a stack of papers.

So far, no one had discovered any passageways. Except for Angelica, she walked into her bedroom and immediately spotted two. One leading to the pantry of the kitchen and the other taking her to a relaxation room. She was very proud of herself, she stole a pack of cookies and smacked them down on Jefferson's desk in accomplishment. "I found a passage," she said smugly, "Two actually."

Jefferson grinned and stole a cookie. "Only five million more to go."

"Five million?" Angelica gawked.

"No, not really."

"Holy shit, how much did this place cost? And how did we afford it?" she asked.

"Magic," Jefferson smiled.

----

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onlinemarketinghelp · 5 years

Photo

Some Dropshipping Products You Don’t Want to Sell https://ift.tt/2HLPoCw

This blog post will break down five products you absolutely should not sell if you’re new to dropshipping.

But we won’t stop there. For every product on this list, we’re going to offer an alternative product to sell that will save you time and make you money.

By the end of this video, you’ll know what products to sell in order to:

Reduce returns

Avoid trademark issues

Avoid annoying the Facebook advertising gods

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Intro

Dropshipping is one of the easiest ways to start an online business. You can browse through thousands of products on Oberlo and sell them in your own Shopify store. But, what products should you choose, and which ones should you avoid?

That’s one of many questions that come up for new dropshippers. And here at Oberlo, our job is to help you find answers.

Alright, let’s get to the list. After consulting dropshipping experts and helping countless merchants, we’ve put together five types of products you should not sell if you’re new to dropshipping. We’ve seen the problems they have caused firsthand, and we’re here to help you avoid these common dropshipping pitfalls.

1. Tight jeans

The first product you should avoid selling is tight jeans.

If you’ve ever had to return clothes because of the sizing or fit, this first product won’t surprise you. The rise of online shopping has also meant the rise of clothes that don’t fit once they arrive. For your business, that means more potential returns and refunds.

The first issue you’ll run into with tight jeans is the difference between U.S., European, and Chinese sizes. Pant sizes vary from store to store, even in the same mall. So, it’s no wonder that sizes from a supplier in, say, China will vary as well. Typically, Chinese sizes run one to two sizes smaller than U.S. sizes. If your customer in the United States normally wears a medium, they will have to order a size up.

Sure, you can include a size chart. But most customers will instinctively order the same size they always wear. Including a disclaimer to order one or two sizes up can cause confusion and doesn’t make for the best customer experience.

If your customers end up ordering jeans in the wrong size, be prepared for potential returns and refunds.

The second issue you’ll run into with this product is that customers are just plain picky about how their jeans fit. Even if they do order the right size, it’s not uncommon for customers to complain that the jeans don’t flatter their figure as expected. That’s why this product is so tricky to sell. Even if you’re clear about size differences, there’s a high potential for returns.

So what do you sell instead?

Consider selling leggings or pants that stretch. Although you’ll still want to include a size chart, the stretch will help ensure a good fit.

Loose or stretchy pants are easier for your customers to buy. Customers will feel more confident ordering a medium knowing that there is some stretch in the material. For you, the business owner, this means less returns!

Okay, let’s move on to the second product new dropshippers should not sell.

2. Trademarked sneakers

The next product to avoid selling is trademarked sneakers. If you don’t have a reseller license then you cannot legally sell trademarked sneakers.

This is a very common pitfall I’ve seen new merchants fall into. They spend hours on their store, and after they open their business, it gets closed down. Why? They didn’t have a reseller license. If you do not have a license to sell trademarked sneakers, your store and your hard work will be for nothing.

It’s tempting for new dropshippers to sell trademarked sneakers because they sell really well. They have a recognizable brand that customers know. But it’s not worth the risk. Dropshippers cannot build a sustainable business around trademarked sneakers. Sooner or later their store gets shut down. And you’d be surprised how quickly merchants get caught.

Here’s what to sell instead: Shoes that are unbranded, or are branded with the suppliers own brand. Many suppliers have their own in-house branding that is not trademarked. You can sell these shoes without any issues.

There are thousands of high quality shoes to sell that are trademark free. They are trendy and take inspiration from popular models, so you can be confident that they will sell well. Not only will this help you avoid trademark issues, but it will allow you to build your business for the long run.

Alright, let’s move on. Have you ever browed products online, only to find that same product in a local department store? If so, you probably bought it there instead of waiting for shipping, right?

That’s why you shouldn’t sell this next product.

3. Black bags

You might be asking yourself, “What’s wrong with a simple black bag?” There’s your answer: it’s too simple!

Whatever you sell, you want your customers to feel like they should purchase that product right away. Successful dropshippers have a strong understanding of how to get their customers to impulse buy. If you run Facebook ads for a product that’s too plain, you’ll see very low conversions. The same is true if you try selling a product that customers can find in their local mall.

Products like this geometry bag will immediately grab the attention of someone scrolling through their Facebook newsfeed. They’re colorful, unusual, and makes for a good video ad. Customers will be far more inclined to click on the ad to learn more about it.

Here’s a Facebook hack to help you figure out if your product is catching your audience’s attention. In Facebook Business Manager, you can see the click-through-rate of your ad. This is the number of people that saw your ad and clicked on it. If the number is below 2%, this is a sign to do more testing. You can advertise different products, or try other formats for your ad, like video!

The next product is one that is a result of a new trend in dropshipping. Some dropshippers are trying to sell just a few expensive products rather than many inexpensive products.

But I would caution you against this because of this next product.

4. Furniture

Although you can sell furniture at a high markup, furniture is almost guaranteed to cause you a lot of hassle.

Selling furniture violates one of the most important rules for beginner dropshippers: You should never dropship a product you can’t ship with ePacket shipping! ePacket shipping is a shipping method from China that is cheap and fast.

ePacket shipping is so fast because it has a size restriction: To be eligible for ePacket, a product must be 90 by 60 cm, and weigh less than two kilos. Don’t worry, most products meet these constraints!

But furniture – well, not so much. That means you’ll need to select another shipping method. Other shipping methods will cost much more, sometimes even more than the product itself. And they may take much longer than ePacket. That is not a good experience for you or your customer.

At the same time, home decor is a very profitable niche. So if you want to stay in this niche, here’s what you should sell instead.

Consider selling bedding sets, or any products that can be used as accessories to large furniture items. Think throw pillows for sofas, tablecloths for dining room tables, and so on. These products are in the home decor niche, but they’re small enough to ship with ePacket.

Alright, one more product that we recommend not selling.

5. Face masks

Why? Well, if you read Facebook’s Advertising Policy closely, you’ll see that you’re not allowed to advertise products that make health claims.

That’s a challenging rule to deal with because health claims are so broad. To put it simply, none of the products you advertise on Facebook can claim they change someone’s state of health. That means, for example, that you can’t say your face masks brighten people’s skin because, in Facebook’s eyes, that is considered a health claim.

Is that a stretch? Maybe. But to take advantage of Facebook’s massive audience, you need to play by their rules. If you sell something and claim it will improve someone’s health, your ad will be disproved and your account could be banned. Serious stuff! After seeing many beginner dropshippers make this mistake, I have an ad-approved alternative.

Makeup mirrors! Sell this and you’ll be able to target the same wellness-obsessed audience, but you won’t have any worries when it comes to advertising on Facebook.

Not only are these mirrors Facebook-friendly, you can rest assured that your customer won’t have any allergies to it.

If you’ve found a winning product that cannot be advertised on Facebook, don’t worry. Find an accessory or related product in the same niche. Advertise that accessory on Facebook to drive traffic to your store. From there, customers can choose if they want to buy the vanity more, or perhaps they’ll discover those face masks. This way you won’t have to redo your store or branding, and you won’t get banned on Facebook.

Over to you! What products would you never, ever dropship? Why? Make sure to leave a comment below so we can learn from you!

The post Some Dropshipping Products You Don’t Want to Sell appeared first on Oberlo.

from Oberlo

This blog post will break down five products you absolutely should not sell if you’re new to dropshipping.

But we won’t stop there. For every product on this list, we’re going to offer an alternative product to sell that will save you time and make you money.

By the end of this video, you’ll know what products to sell in order to:

Reduce returns

Avoid trademark issues

Avoid annoying the Facebook advertising gods

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Intro

That’s one of many questions that come up for new dropshippers. And here at Oberlo, our job is to help you find answers.

1. Tight jeans

The first product you should avoid selling is tight jeans.

If your customers end up ordering jeans in the wrong size, be prepared for potential returns and refunds.

So what do you sell instead?

Consider selling leggings or pants that stretch. Although you’ll still want to include a size chart, the stretch will help ensure a good fit.

Okay, let’s move on to the second product new dropshippers should not sell.

2. Trademarked sneakers

The next product to avoid selling is trademarked sneakers. If you don’t have a reseller license then you cannot legally sell trademarked sneakers.

Alright, let’s move on. Have you ever browed products online, only to find that same product in a local department store? If so, you probably bought it there instead of waiting for shipping, right?

That’s why you shouldn’t sell this next product.

3. Black bags

You might be asking yourself, “What’s wrong with a simple black bag?” There’s your answer: it’s too simple!

The next product is one that is a result of a new trend in dropshipping. Some dropshippers are trying to sell just a few expensive products rather than many inexpensive products.

But I would caution you against this because of this next product.

4. Furniture

Although you can sell furniture at a high markup, furniture is almost guaranteed to cause you a lot of hassle.

At the same time, home decor is a very profitable niche. So if you want to stay in this niche, here’s what you should sell instead.

Alright, one more product that we recommend not selling.

5. Face masks

Why? Well, if you read Facebook’s Advertising Policy closely, you’ll see that you’re not allowed to advertise products that make health claims.

Makeup mirrors! Sell this and you’ll be able to target the same wellness-obsessed audience, but you won’t have any worries when it comes to advertising on Facebook.

Not only are these mirrors Facebook-friendly, you can rest assured that your customer won’t have any allergies to it.

Over to you! What products would you never, ever dropship? Why? Make sure to leave a comment below so we can learn from you!

The post Some Dropshipping Products You Don’t Want to Sell appeared first on Oberlo.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J March 22, 2019 at 10:58AM https://ift.tt/2HAgFZh

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greenjim · 7 years

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Attention

By Bob Lefsetz . Bob is a longtime music lawyer with links in all streams of music who has been a perceptive commentator on the music world. His analysis of the music business is brutally on-target. When he is not commenting on various artists and music, he offers insights on how things are changing and how to change with them, which can be applicable to business and the investment world

Originally published at the Lefsetz Letter, Feb. 28, 2017

Attention Is the number one commodity in today’s world. Unless you can get it, you cannot proceed.

1. You don’t get multiple bites at the apple.

Since attention is scarce and stretched, if someone checks you or your product out and is not closed, chances are they will never check it out again. Which is why you should not launch before you are ready and when it comes to a product many companies release first iterations as betas, signaling the customer should expect rough edges. If the concept is good, if the utility is reasonable, people will put up with bugs in betas.

2. You can’t spread the word, your users must.

Advertising is crippled. As is press. They can cause a limited amount of awareness but people today are turned off to ads, never mind DVR’ing TV shows and watching HBO and Netflix, they employ ad-blockers on their web browsers and if you’re paying for advertising you’d better have a monster launch with a ton invested otherwise it’s a no-go, and it still may be a no-go if you spam everybody. Because you can’t reach everybody and people are wary of advertising, they don’t believe it, they need to hear it from their friends.

We all need to hear it from our friends. Who we might know in person or might just know online. It’s about trusted filters. And those filters guard their credibility wisely. Credibility is everything in the attention economy. If you can’t be trusted, then you’re probably going to be ignored. You’re building your reputation every day online, and all the bread crumbs are there for everybody to see.

We don’t take a look until our friends/trusted filters tell us to. And oftentimes, we have to hear from multiple friends/trusted filters that something is worth checking out.

3. Overnight success is history.

MTV blasted acts to the moon and they fell to Earth just about as fast. If you can gain major attention in today’s world right away chances are you’re going to immediately fail thereafter. Because few things live up to the hype and the hype causes backlash and in today’s world it’s not about stagnation but evolution, what does version 2.0 look like, how good is the follow-up song. When the bar is set so high to begin with chances are you cannot jump over it the second time around and people will stop paying attention.

Better to grow slowly.

4. That which is big may not be anointed as so.

Forget the awards shows. Hell, look at the Oscars, those pictures they were honoring all had mediocre grosses at best. And the media is a tool of the companies purveying. Other than politics and wars, where newspapers have full time reporters, the rest of what comes over the transom as news is really glorified press releases. So you read about something and then it has no traction thereafter. Because it’s not that good and there is no base to sustain it and the press is not that powerful.

No one has come up with a metric to detail what gets attention in today’s economy. Except for maybe Netflix subscribers and Facebook usage, but as for art...

We’ve got grosses in film. Ratings in television, but the best shows aren’t rated. And we’ve got streams in music. All these quantifications are relevant (and ignore the weekly “Billboard” chart, it’s out of touch!) But how to quantify the success of “Hamilton,” which for over a year played in only one theatre and has had no Top Forty success, but is referenced by Seth Rogen at the Oscars, sung along to by Melinda Gates... “Hamilton” has yet to peak and unlike so much other art it crosses ethnic and political boundaries, it’s one of the few things that appeals to all. But there’s no chart, just a lot of press which doesn’t resonate.

But when someone tells you about their favorite “Hamilton” song... Then you feel the bond and know how big it is.

We all have our own internal chart now. We determine whether something is big or small. And we do this by gut feeling. Hell, the media missed the Trump phenomenon completely. But based on the blowback I was getting online I knew something was up. Don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters. If you don’t think something is that big, despite the press hosannas, it’s probably not.

5. Don’t hammer the audience.

If you spam us every day looking for attention we ignore you. Launch and then follow up. New songs/more product is much more important that more publicity. Satiate the core, which wants more. It’s the core who will spread the word. But if you drop an album and promote it for two years you’re missing the point. You’re going after the looky-loos, the least committed people, your core is burned out on your new work and abandons you. You need to keep the attention of the core. And the more you say “Look at me!” the more you are ignored, or made fun of. Sure, there’s train-wreck attention, where someone blows themselves up and we all know about it, but it lasts for about a day.

6. Don’t have airs.

The most successful people in today’s economy are accessible. Look at Mark Cuban, responding to the hoi polloi’s tweets. He could run for President and win, he’s more credible than Trump and on TV every week too. So come down off your throne and get in the pit and mix it up a bit. People want to be able to touch you, even if it’s only online.

7. Respect your audience.

You’ve got no time and they don’t either. Even babies are scheduled, we’re all overwhelmed. It’s a privilege to get someone’s attention, you’re not entitled to it. Ask for it nicely and thank people for giving it and don’t ask for too much. Ask people to listen to one song, not an album, if they like the one they’ll ask for more. If you send ten, they probably won’t listen at all. You don’t want to overload people.

8. Pull economy.

You cannot push, that’s positively last century. Sure, you can grease the skids, pour some oil to get something started, but it’s only working if people are demanding more. And if they are not, you don’t have a marketing problem, you have a product problem. Marketing has never meant less. It’s seen as phony and manipulative. You lead with your product. And it’s either growing or failing. Either every day more and more people are watching your YouTube video or you need to make another one, that’s different.

9. You rarely feel like you’re winning.

With everybody clamoring for attention and traditional news outlets challenged you oftentimes don’t know whether you’re winning or losing. Which is why today it’s about stamina and follow-through. When someone hypes you on the work of a twelve year old, laugh and ignore it. The “artist” doesn’t have enough experience to understand the game, they just want fame. And those seeking fame first and foremost are losing out in the attention economy, because it’s not about the one time buy, but a continued relationship. And when there’s no there there, people move on. So you’ve got to polish your product and create new ones and stay in the game, constantly tweaking what you’ve got and trying new things, and if you’re getting more attention you know you’re on the right track, if not, back to the drawing board.

10. Evolution

This is where we are today. Tomorrow will be different. Virality is a thing of the past. As in faking it to get everybody to pay attention, it rarely works anymore, we’ve seen the trick and if you’re trying to goose the process for instant success you’re on the wrong track. Today it’s about an overwhelming number of messages, tomorrow it’s about the winnowing down of those messages. What will this look like? Will there be new gatekeepers? Will so many outlets fail that the ones remaining have more power? If you’re not reevaluating and pivoting on a regular basis you’re being left behind. Now, more than ever, what worked yesterday won’t work tomorrow. So you have to keep experimenting. But success remains tied to attention. Your goal is to get people interested, dedicating their time, giving you their money. And the more sunlight there is online, the less fakery there is too. So, instead of promoting, you should be practicing. The truth is we’re all looking for great stuff 24/7 and if we find it we tell everybody we know. Let it be you we are telling everybody about.

#bob lefsetz #music #business #marketing #success #advice

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leland-chapman-the-bounty-hunter · 6 years

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Done for You-3

Chapter Title: New Year’s Day

Author: Max

Word Count: 6,502

Warnings: Fluff, angst, smut, suicide, suicide notes, character death, minor character death, implied/referenced character death, original character death(s), temporary character death, past character death, near death experiences, child death, animal death, not really character death, possible character death, near death, slow burn, slow to update, slow romance, tags may change, rating may change

Rating: Teen audiences and up

Summary: A fanfiction based off of Wretched and Divine and Vale aka an overhaul of a fanfiction that I had been writing for a few years.

Main pairing: Undecided

Author’s Note: Don’t forget to comment because comments are what keep me going and make me want to continue writing. I do not get paid to write this and I could be using this time to study for my AP Government and Politics exam and all of my college courses (I’m a dual enrollment child). Comments are your way of giving me my “paycheck” and feedback on my writing so I can improve to actually earn a paycheck from this in the future. So please help me put by commenting, liking and reblogging this.

I walked down the damp hallways looking around at the people walking around. I was too afraid to take off my mask. As soon as I took it off, I would be noticed as a Wild One. The rooms seemed to be numbered based off the serial numbers on the outfits. I looked at the number only outfit, 24465, and walked up to the second floor where I assumed the room this woman lived in was. The hallways were long and dark, only light by dimming fluorescent lights. I walked up to a heavy metal door imprinted with the number 24465. It was faded to almost nothing but I could still read it. I looked at the door and smiled lightly. The door handle was cold and rusted, almost falling apart in my hand. I opened the door and walked in. The room was falling apart. The floor was dirt and the only light came from a slit in the ceiling. Branches reached in and tried to grab the bed. Roots from trees reached in and poked up from the ground. A blanket was draped across a root that was underneath the skylight. There was no bed, presumably one wouldn’t fit. A bunch of pillows and blankets in the corner of the room replaced what would have been a bed in any other more normal situation. The room was a step down from what I was used to, but it wasn’t the worst place I had ever stayed. I was in F.E.A.R headquarters, or what looked like it. So, all I had to do was somehow free my friends and somehow get in contact with my brothers, which might prove hard. I had no idea what they looked like or what their names were. I would have to do a DNA scan on everyone in the F.E.A.R database. I could get some hits but I could also set off some alarms. I’m sure F.E.A.R had a trace on all of my DNA. I would have to tie my DNA to a child who was just born or something. The whole brothers thing really just came second. I would first have to dream up a plan to get my friends out of here. I looked around the room and sighed lightly, I guess that was the general plan of action. “H-hey, do you mind if I hide in here for a bit?” I turned around and came face to face with a small man and by small I meant short. He maybe had a few inches on me and he looked super scared. He was shirtless, black and grey tattoos covering him from his waistline to his neck. His hair looked like it was normally done up in an Elvis-like style but it was messy now. His whole body was shaking and his skin was stretched over his bones. I ushered him in and he rushed to the pile of blankets and pillows, covering himself up. A bunch of F.E.A.R agents rushed past my doorway and one stopped in front of me. “Agent 24465, have you seen this man?” The agent held up a picture of the man I was harboring in my room. On instinct I shook my head ‘no’. The agent nodded and headed on his merry way. The man got up from his hiding place upon hearing the agents leave and looked at me, smiling lightly. “Thank you so much for doing that. They’ve been looking for me for ages. I kind of don’t like going to the doctors.” I pulled off my helmet and looked around more clearly. My face was probably red and sweaty. His face turned from grateful to terrified in a minute. “What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?” I asked, looking at him before turning to the dusty mirror to check my face. It was red, as I had predicted. “Aren’t you a Wild One?” He asked, his voice trembling lightly as he looked me over. I turned back to him and furrowed my brow. I turned and looked down at the dirt. “How would you know what a Wild One looked like? Even if I was a Wild One, I wouldn’t reveal it to you.” I took a cautious step forward towards the man. “Well, first off, if you were a F.E.A.R agent you would have turned me in. I don’t think anyone in F.E.A.R would have let me stay here. Second off, you have a scar on your neck.” “Fuck.” I leaned into the mirror, looking at my reflection, the pale W on my neck. I had forgotten all about the brand of the Wild Ones. Just like the lore of some pirates, being marked with a P, us Wild Ones got our own. Only a few of us, the ones who had been caught before, had the mark of a true Wild One. I sighed and wanted to rub the damn thing off. “Guess your secret is out. Now what the hell are you doing in here? Thought you all couldn’t find us.” He looked me over. “Bunch of us got captured and I had the stupid idea to impersonate a F.E.A.R agent to see if I can find my brothers. It was my father’s last wish actually. If I went with the Wild Ones, the remaining ones, I wouldn’t have this chance pop again. At least not for awhile. I was impulsive so I decided to come with the captured ones, only to come as a F.E.A.R agent so I had access to all of the equipment I need to find my brothers. My dad said they were in F.E.A.R schools.” I turned and looked over my shoulder at him. “So, why are you trusting me with this? For all you know, I work for the other guy.” He looked at me and smiled lightly. “I don’t know, quite honestly. You just have one of those souls.” I looked over my shoulder at him. He smiled and looked down at the dirt. “So you just trust my soul? You just trust someone who could be working for F.E.A.R?” He asked, looking me over. I nodded and looked back at him. He looked down and smiled lightly as he looked at me. I rubbed at the scar awkwardly and looked down. “Yeah, it sounds a little ridiculous. But I guess you could just call me crazy.” I looked him over and hid the scar with the hoodie I had underneath the uniform. “I don’t think I would call you crazy.” He gave me a smile and looked me over. I nodded and looked over the room once more. “So, what’s your name?” I asked him. He gave me a smile and looked down a bit, covering his smile up a bit. He had a nice smile and I had no idea why he covered it up. “The name is William.” He extended a hand and smiled at me, not covering it up this time. I extend my own hand and shook it. “The name is Max, but I think I might have already told you that.” I looked at him and smiled lightly as he looked me over. His brow furrowed as he looked at me. I did the same back, looking back at him. “So how did you get that scar? I know you’re a Wild One. I also know you came here to get your friends out and to find your brothers. But I don’t know much more than that.” “Well you might also want to open up to me as well if you’re going to ask those kinds of questions.” I winked and moved over to the makeshift bed, looking at him. He nodded and sat down next to me. “Well, tell me about how you got that scar.” He looked at me then at where my hand cover the scar. I nodded and uncovered the scar as I looked at him. “I got it when I was raiding this Target near our old compound, the one before this one that just got raided. I was stupid enough to keep my hood down and look directly at the cameras a few times. F.E.A.R tracked me down and decided that I was going to be arrested. They took me in and ran my DNA against the Wild Ones they had in the system from previous arrests. I came up from a petty crime I had committed when I was enrolled in a F.E.A.R school. They saw my clothes and more arrests. They saw that I had dropped off the grid not long after the petty crime. It wasn’t hard to determine that I was a Wild One. They weren’t going to keep me, not from what I heard of their conversations, this was only my second strike which meant that I was going to get a few days in jail and get my branding. I did my time and got the brand. What’s your deal?” I shrugged and looked at him, nothing else to say. “I am shocked that you really don’t know my face. I am, more so was, the face and voice of F.E.A.R at one point. F.E.A.R agents picked me up on the side of the road. I was drugged out of my mind. I was on a cocktail of drugs. Herion, PCP, cocaine and loads of others. All I needed was something to clutch onto. I don’t know why but when F.E.A.R agents came banging on the door of the drug house I was in, I didn’t put up much of a fight. I just went with them. They saw my face and decided that I was going to become the face of F.E.A.R and if I didn’t agree, I would have to die. I went along with it and I was that face. I went almost insane with power. They locked me up as soon as I was of no use to them. They kept running my words but there has never been a new one yet. They were going to make one today but I ran away before they could get me all prepped and ready.” He shrugged and looked down. I wrapped an arm around his shoulder, not knowing what else to do. “I honestly thought that things would be very different.” He said after a long silence. I looked down and dropped my arm. “What would you mean by that? I don’t think you and I have ever seen any different.” I asked, sitting next to him. “I mean, we could be normal. Do you see all of the perfect people out there? Their perfect lives with their perfect children? Their perfect houses and perfect jobs? I mean, we could both have a totally different lives. Maybe I could be doing something more with my life and the same with you.” William looked at me and smiled lightly. “I don’t think that could ever happen. We’re too a messed up of a society. If we hadn’t let F.E.A.R take over and if we hadn’t resisted.” “Do you wish you could have done it differently? Like if you chose to be compliant to F.E.A.R instead of just leaving it all behind and resisting? Because I want to do everything over. I wish I had never gone into drugs. I wish I never let my life get that far. I wish I had just shut up and stayed quiet.” “There are times when I think about it. I lie awake at night and just think about how different my life would be if I hadn’t gone with Andy. That if I had ran away from him and gone into the city, I would have been in a F.E.A.R orphanage. I think that if I hadn’t been born from a Shadow, I would have lived a totally compliant life. That I was going to be a little brainwashed teenager going to college. But I don’t think I would ever change anything.” “Wait, you were the child who came out of a Shadow?” He looked me over and I nodded, pulling my ponytail out of the way to show the markings on the back of my neck. He smiled and raised a hand to it, barely touching the black markings. I smiled and looked back at him. His smile widened and his fingertips touched my markings. “Those are the markings I somehow got while I was in a Shadow. They say my mom was one and that I was ‘born’ from her when Andy and the crew opened up the Shadow.” William’s eyes widened and that was my cue to keep going. I smiled and looked at her. “What the flying fuck? How the hell did that fucking happen?” I shrugged and giggled lightly. The sounds of F.E.A.R agents hushed us up for a few seconds. “Yeah, I know. It’s so fucking weird. I don’t remember that much, mind you, but I just remember kind of crawling out a Shadow. I never really knew what the fuck happened before that. But that was like almost a decade ago.” “Yeah, you’re like eighteen aren’t you?” He asked, looking at me. I smiled lightly and got even more comfortable. His soft grey “Round about. I could be a year or two older or younger, Jinxx matched my dental and bone records to other people around the age they thought I was and I matched almost, but I’m generally considered eighteen.” William nodded. “I have never heard of a Shadow giving birth. It seems so weird to me. Then again, I have never actually seen one in real life nor do I know the inner-workings of one.” “From my experience and knowledge, and don’t quote me on this, the Shadows are created when a person dies. At least, that is if they are the right kind of person. Shadows are only created with druggies and diseased people. Once the person dies, F.E.A.R takes them in and lets them sit in the sun for a few days. Then they take the person to the depths of the compound that specializes in Shadows. This is where a majority of process to turn the corpse into a Shadow happens. In the darkness, the corpse is flayed open and allowed to ‘drink in’ the darkness. The corpse stays in there for two weeks. Then, the corpse goes through a mummification process. During this time, F.E.A.R covers the corpse with water. As soon as that’s done, they take the corpse into the desert and allow the sand to cover the body. They put the corpse into the Shadow outfit and bring the corpse with the outfit on back to the compound. There they burn the whole thing as the apart finale. If the corpse burns, it’s not a good enough corpse. If the corpse doesn’t burn, the final part is completed. F.E.A.R stitches the corpse into the outfit and places a microchip into the heart and brain of the corpse. That’s how they control the whole thing. There are also Shadows that have living people in there but most of them have died due to exposure, dehydration or malnutrition. Which is why people normally work with just corpses. It’s pretty easy to make one without the outfit or the microchips but that’s coming from the necromancer. I have tried to make one before. That was after I looked through a F.E.A.R approved book on how to make one. Though, it did come from someone who used to work with the Shadows.” “That’s so cool. Well, not really but you know what I mean. Were you a least successful?” He looked at me with wide eyes. I looked down and nodded slowly. I fiddled with my hands and took a deep breath before opening my mouth to speak again. “Yes, I was successful. I was successful seven times but I have kept them alive. In their living state, they do not know what they are. I have told them that they die, I have kept from them the horror that they have really gone through. All of them are kind of powered in one way or another. My first experiment was on a vampire. I just wanted to see if a vampire was able to turn into a Shadow. It was highly successful and I continued with more people. I turned to a person who could see ghosts, a medium. He was easy and his powers were actually heightened after I killed him. So was my little human computer. I also challenged myself by allowing myself to work on an alien and the process works on him to. I also did it on a half human, half animal. It worked for him. The process almost went array with my little dragon. He still has nightmares about the process but it Since I am able to bring the dead back in a zombie-like form, I don’t really have any need to create a Shadow but I experimented. I got addicted and Andy finally told me that six was enough. I worked on a wolf in secret and he’s still alive somewhere but I never got a chance to reign him back in. He seems to be wreaking some havoc as well from what I can see on the television.” William and I went silent. The damp air hung around us. I looked at the wall across from me. I couldn’t bare to look into my new friend’s eyes. My heart was poured out to a person I barely knew. It was raw and bare. I didn’t even know who he would tell if I let him go. I hadn’t even told the people who were Shadows that they were Shadows but I had told a stranger. My heart beat faster and in the silence, I swore William could have heard it. We barely moved and not a word was spoken between us. Eventually William just wrapped an arm around me. Tears escaped my eyes as I curled into his body. My fingers dug in-between his ribs. I held onto him and broke down crying. Both of his arms wrapped around me. All of this emotion came flooding in. All of the emotions that I had repressed over the past few days, months, weeks and years. I was angry at myself for ever joining the Wild Ones. I was saddened by the fact that I never had any sort of normal life. I was terrified of the future and what it held. I was alone and I was the only one who I could trust. I was turning into a monster. I was the monster that little kids were scared of. I was the monster who killed their only friends and brought them back to life. “You’re okay, you’re going to be okay. It’s okay to cry.” He looked at me and smiled lightly. I looked at him and wiped my eyes. I cried and cried for a bit, my eyes getting puffy and tired. I rubbed my eyes and looked down lightly. “Hey, if you’re tired you should sleep?” My whole body tensed up. I barely got through a night without waking up in a cold sweat or because of Andy wanting to he the hell out of dodge. Being in a new place, without having scoped it out before? That made me super nervous and just straight up tense. “I don’t think I can sleep right now.” I shifted in my seat and pried myself away from the man. My chest was tight and my heart rate sped up. “I’ll keep watch, okay?” I looked at him as my heart rate slowed down a bit. I nodded and looked down as I closed my eyes. I wrapped a blanket around my shoulders. ~ Hot, dry desert even in the dead of night. The stars and moon light up my walking path. Dust kicked up and into my face. I pulled my shirt up over my nose and mouth. There was nothing but sand in every direction. No chance of finding the Wild Ones here. There was no sign of civilization in any direction. I had no idea which way to go before a figure began walking towards me. I stood in my place for a few seconds before walking towards the figure. “Hello Max, my little bird. We’re worried about you but it seems as though you are okay.” Ashley smiled and touched my elbows. I blushed and looked at him. “Yeah, I’m okay. I can take care of myself. Looks like you and the guys fled to the desert.” I looked at him and tried to take in his looks. He got better looking everyday and being gone from him made me realize how handsome he was. I smiled, looking him over. He smiled and looked back at me. “Yeah, we saw you make the stupid decision. I’m sorry about your dad though. He was a good guy. He’ll be missed.” His eyes turned sad as he looked me over. I smiled and looked down, nodding a bit. “I know, Andy’s going to kick my ass for that but my dad, he gave me a mission and you know his missions trump everything. Well, not exactly a mission but more so of getting my family safe. Safer than they are right now. They’re under F.E.A.R’s control. I couldn’t just leave our friends as well. I need to get them out of here.” Ashley’s eyes softened a bit as he looked me over. “There are people who are still alive?” Ashley’s eyebrows jumped up, his eyes widening. I nodded lightly. “Yeah, loads of them. Chris, Jamie, Ryan, Ryan Ashley, Josh, Ghost, Ricky and Vinny are all alive. I road with them here. They’re in holding cells right now. As soon as I get a hit on my brothers, I’m taking all of them out of there.” “We’ve hot Gaia, Kylie and Juliet with us right now. How exactly are you going to find your brothers and getting all of them out of the compound?” He chuckled, knowing I never really planned anything out. I just jumped to conclusions and did whatever my heart told me to do. “Connect my DNA to a newborn and trace them that way. As soon as I find them, wherever they are, I’m going to present this ring to them.” I pulled the ring out of the bag to show him. He nodded slowly and looked at me. “That sounds a bit farfetched, don’t you think?” He asked, looking me over once more. My shoulders slumped as I took in what was happening and how stupid I was to think that that plan would work. “Pretty stupid, huh? But I saw my opportunity and I knew I might never have a chance like that again. I mean, look at where you guys are trying to hide. There’s a fat chance F.E.A.R will find you there. I need to do this and I know you can’t stop me.” Ashley chuckled and looked at me, shaking his head. “That’s what you’re known for, stupid decisions. I support you, just be careful out there. I don’t want you to to get hurt. Is there anyone who knows you’re there?” Ashley looked over my shoulder. “Yes, a man named William. He doesn’t seem like too much trouble and I trust him. At least, as much as I can trust someone I just met.” “Why would you trust a man you just met, especially in a F.E.A.R compound?” He shook me lightly and looked me over. I shrugged. “I have no idea.” He looked at me and sighed lightly. His back turned to me. Ashley shook his head and crossed his arms. I walked up to him and placed a hand on a shoulder. His head dropped as he looked at me. “I don’t want someone I love to get hurt.” His voice was soft and light. I could barely hear him. He shook his head once more. “Love is just a bit silly don’t you think? A bit too dangerous for us Wild Ones. It would go against every rule we every put in place. No children to bring into this war, no danger, no ties to anyone.” I whispered, looking him over. He shook his head again and looked down. I sighed and looked down. I had messed up. “But love is what can mend the situation we’re in and I love…” He trailed off, turning his head to look at me. “You love who?” I asked, looking him over, trying to pry an answer out of him. He shook his head. “I have to go. Andy doesn’t like it when I stay here too long. He always thinks I’m going to fucking die or something.” He nodded curtly and looked down lightly. He began walking away from me. I sighed and looked down. ~ Light, warm light, peaked through the skylight. My eyes opened weakly. They were puffy and I couldn’t hardly see out of them. I stretched, raising my arms above my head. William slept soundly next to me. My whole body tensed as I looked at the closed door in front of us. I didn’t remember closing it. But then again I was very forgetful. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the door. A light pounding in my head meant that I had a dream, a dream of my friends. “What day is it?” I asked, my voice groggy, lightly looking at William. He gave me a confused look and furrowed his eyebrows. He probably thought I was crazy but to be honest, I haven’t looked at a calendar in my whole life. I never knew what day it was and the Wild Ones ballpark their birthdays. I was embarrassed that I didn’t know what day it was but it was a question I had. “It’s the last day of the year. December thirty-first.” He looked me over and felt over my body. I’m guessing he was checking for a fever. “Sorry but I never know what day it is. Wild Ones don’t really have access to something as simple as a calendar. It rarely matters when there are more important things we could be focusing on.” William nodded and looked me over once more. “The Wild One life seems a bit stressful.” He chuckled and tried to lighten the mood but considering I had just cried, I wasn’t in the mood to laugh. “Yeah, seems like it but considering I am the ‘only one who can save the world’ it gets even more stressful.” I pulled myself away from William and smiled lightly as he looked me over. “So you’re the chosen one in the prophecy.” He looked me over and smiled. I furrowed my brow and looked him over. His eyes widened when he saw my confusion. “What prophecy? I haven’t heard of a prophecy. All I’ve been told is that I was going to save the world one day.” Andy had never revealed any sort of prophecy involving me to him. “Well, I guess I better tell you. This prophecy is an old one, maybe fifty or so years old. It dates all the way back to Trump and he even heard it. Only a select few have ever heard it. Every president of the United States of America has heard it but that’s about it. The only reason I know it is because I listened in while the Head of F.E.A.R heard it. It says that it shall be on the day that stars fall from the sky, children of darkness shall usher forth a rise in immorality and a time of serenity.” “But children of darkness could mean anything. It can’t possibly be me or anyone in my circle. We’re not children of darkness, are we?” “I mean, think about it. Look at your uniforms for the Wild Ones. All of you wear dark clothes. The F.E.AR. uniforms are white and more suited for looking for you guys in the hot sun.” He looked over my outfit. I still had the F.E.A.R uniform on instead of my normal outfit. I stripped from the F.E.A.R uniform, “Don’t think I’ll be needing this anymore. I mean, not unless I need to head out of this room.” “Sounds like a good plan. You’ll have to put it on tonight for the New Year’s Eve party. Don’t think F.E.A.R trains today, national holiday.” I looked at him and nodded lightly. I plopped back down on the bed and looked up. “You seem distracted. Though I don’t know what that looks like. That was stupid, I’m sorry. I only just met you. I don’t know what distracted looks like on you.” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck and looked down. “It’s okay. I’m a bit distracted today. I had a really weird dream last night.” I looked down and sighed lightly. I didn’t want to say any more but I had a feeling he would pry. “Oh, okay. That’s cool. I mean not cool in a good way, cool in kind of a bad way?” He looked at me and sighed lightly, pulling himself out of the bed. “So, what’s the schedule like here? I’m going to need to get the schedule down so I don’t look like a newbie. I’m assuming the agent whose place I took wasn’t much of a newbie.” He looked at me and then down at his watch. I assumed he was checking the time but he barely looked up as he continued through his rundown of the schedule. “You guess correctly and I’m assuming you didn’t get a good look at her because you bear a striking resemblance to her, which is good. As long as you don’t miss anything, no one will suspect that you’re a fraud. Breakfast is at 8:30am and training is at normally at 9:00am, holidays are the exception to that rule. That leaves thirty minutes for you to eat and get ready. You train for three hours then at noon, you eat lunch. You train for another five hours then have an hour break to get ready for dinner. You have thirty minutes to eat dinner than you have the rest of the night to yourself. Your number will occasionally be called for raids or missions, be ready. Those trump any training you may miss. You may also be assigned to cell duty and that also trumps any training. There’s a library the floor above us. All floors below us are either cells or boarding. The training center is above the library, which is inconvenient if you’re trying to study after hours and someone else wants to train. I’ll give you my watch, it has both the correct date and time on it. It’s waterproof in up to eight feet of water but I don’t think that you’ll need it. There are cameras everywhere but none of them actually work. They’re there for show, nothing more. You’ll be pretty much safe here. No need to worry about scanning. As long as you stay out of trouble, you’ll be okay.” He stripped himself of the watch and placed the watch on my wrist. It was made of rubber, a material that hadn’t been used in over fifty years. “What do I need to do to look like her? Sound like her? Act like her? But that’s only because I’m assuming you knew what she looked like.” I asked, moving the watch back and forth on my wrist. “You’re talking to the only person to ever know what agent 24465 looked like. She never took off her helmet for anyone except for me. I already said you looked like her, so there’s no change required there. Her voice was a bit higher than yours but I’m assuming you took testosterone or are taking it, am I correct?” He asked, looking me over. I nodded. I had totally forgotten to take my medicine with me. All of the testosterone I ever wanted or needed was with Juliet. “Then just say you’re sick and we’ll be okay.” I nodded and looked down at the watch. It was eight in the morning. “I should get going. Breakfast is in thirty minutes.” I turned to go leave but William grabbed my wrist, pulling me back. “The breakfast is cafeteria style. Get eggs and ketchup, orange juice and sausage. No more, no less. You will sit in the back of the room. Eat for exactly ten minutes. After that, you will get up and head to the library. You will go to the romance section and sit down in the middle of the aisle.” His voice was soft and serious. I gulped, nodding lightly before heading out. I jogged up the steps to the cafeteria. It was dimly lit and smelled like canned food. Some people were already sitting down and eating. There was no talking and only the scraps of forks on plates. I smiled lightly and walked up to get my food. I smiled at the lady serving and she looked me over. Her brows furrowed as she looked at me. I cocked my head and looked back at her. I got my food from her and walked to the spot William told me to sit. I ate for exactly ten minutes, disposing of my garbage, and headed up to the library. It took me awhile to find the romance section but I did find it. I sat down in the middle of the aisle, waiting. “Hey.” William poked his head into the section. He leaned against the bookshelf and crossed his arms. I smiled lightly and giggled. He looked up at a camera behind me and smiled. “I thought you were going to hide out, not get caught by one of us.” I whispered and raised an eyebrow. “They’re off duty, though I’m not going to push it any further than coming here to talk to you. There’s more information you have to know if you want your DNA in the system, attracted to a newborn no less, and break your friends out of those cells.” “Okay, and you’re just magically the one who knows everything about everyone and everything? Did I meet the info-dumping plot device of my dreams?” I batted my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder. He giggled lightly and smiled. “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. It leans more to yes, I am. I am the info-dumping plot device of your dreams.” “So why the romance section? Seems like you want to not so subtly want to say you want to start something with me.” William blushed lightly and chuckled. He pulled out a mustard yellow carton box with white markings and took out a singular cigarette. The letters were faded and I couldn’t make out what the brand was. He lit it up and took a drag. “It’s the only place where I can smoke without being yelled at. I’m friends with the librarian and she’ll take the citation for me. Also, romance is kind of nice. It’s a lovely genre, not enough appreciation. But anyhow, what you need to know.” “Yes, what do I need to know?” He took another drag and looked at me. His blue eyes seemed to smile at me. “First off, tonight is the New Year’s Eve party and there’s going to be a lot of people Lilly knew there. Lilly is the woman you’re impersonating, of course. Her family will be there as all the families of F.E.A.R agents are invited to come see their kids. This is the only holiday F.E.A.R cerebrates so it’s a big deal. Lilly has two younger siblings. Her brother’s name is Joshua and you shall refer to him as such. Her little sister’s name is Jessica. She’s a little shy and won’t come out of her shell. Don’t try and coax her out. Lilly’s parent’s names are John and Kelly. They’re divorced and Kelly will try and bring her boyfriend with her. You detest him with a burning passion. You have never met him before today, if he does come, and they would keep you awake with their sexual exploits. You are trying to get custody of Jessica and Joshua as your dad is a drug addict and not fit to be a dad. Second off, Lilly and I were an item. Everyone knows that and you’re going to have to pretend to like me for the night. We don’t have to kiss or anything but we do have to act a bit cuddly. Third off, the new face of F.E.A.R will be giving a speech. We don’t have to be there but we do have to at least get there for the end of it. Got it?” He looked me over. I nodded and looked at him. I gulped and looked down. We sat in the romance section for awhile before we headed back to my, more like Lilly’s room. William said that we needed to get ready. My chest was tight and my heart was beating fast. My palms were sweaty. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to go. But I had to go. We had to go. All to keep up appearances. “F.E.A.R agents are required to be at the New Year’s Eve party. I need to be there too. F.E.A.R agents won’t get me there. They aren’t allowed to make a scene during happy times. You’re going to need to put your number patch on.” William stood and began rummaging through the drawers on the dressers. He pulled out a black lace dress and tossed it to me. I stripped the number off of the uniform. instinctively I turned my back to William. I stripped off the outfit I had, jeans and a ripped tee-shirt, and put the dress on. I struggled a bit but eventually got the dress on. I turned back and looked at him. William had changed into tux in the time it had took me to put on the dress. He was almost done buttoning his top. I smiled and looked him over. He looked at his watch, “Okay, we have to go. The party probably already started and we’re already fashionably late.”

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awesomecolorfulcollectorwombat · 6 years

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How Athenahealth’s Jonathan Bush Lost to Elliott Management

New Post has been published on http://delphi4arab.com/how-athenahealths-jonathan-bush-lost-to-elliott-management/

How Athenahealth’s Jonathan Bush Lost to Elliott Management

Everyone who knows Jonathan Bush—Athenahealth’s CEO and co-founder, who resigned Wednesday following reports of inappropriate behavior—knows he says (and does) things public company CEOs aren’t supposed to say (or do). Still, they probably wouldn’t have cost Bush his job had it not been for Elliott Management, the activist hedge fund that a month ago made a hostile takeover bid for Athenahealth—and which has an unprecedented knack for toppling leaders, corporate and political.

I got to know Bush back in 2014 when he was facing another hedge fund manager who was publicly shorting Athenahealth’s stock. And by getting to know Bush I mean: I played drinking games with a shirtless Bush, witnessed him dress up in costume in front of his board and employees, and swam in a frigid lake with him—all in the name of reporting for my Fortune magazine profile, “Is Athenahealth CEO Jonathan Bush in a Bubble?” Then, late last year, I took a close look inside Elliott, the hedge fund run by billionaire Paul Singer, which is now by far the biggest and most powerful activist investor in the world, in the story “Whatever It Takes to Win.”

Bush’s resignation makes him at least the sixth CEO to lose his or her job in the context of an Elliott campaign, not including Samsung vice chairman Jay Y. Lee, who ended up in jail but retained his title (he was released from a South Korean prison earlier this year). And while Elliott prides itself on improving public companies by ridding them of unethical and “entitled” executives, it’s hard not to see Bush as a little bit of a victim as well.

Elliott’s attack on Athenahealth had the hallmarks of the hedge fund’s most ruthless—and successful—campaigns, and it was clear they were coming for Bush. First came the unsolicited takeover offer highlighting leadership and operational “failures.” Next came the sharply worded public letters accusing Bush and Athenahealth of failing to negotiate with Elliott.

Then, less than three days after the most recent letter, a smattering of old allegations against Bush began resurfacing in the press from London to New York—that he’d physically fought with his ex-wife more than a decade ago; that he’d made “sexually oriented remarks” at work, settling with a former female employee in 2009; that he’d “engaged in highly inappropriate conduct regarding a female employee at an awards banquet in or around early 2005.” Bloomberg further reported this week that while performing a skit at a 2017 health care conference as Will Ferrell’s titular character in the movie “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” Bush had said he wanted to “do inappropriate things” with a female employee.

While we don’t know whether Elliott helped point reporters to the court documents that inspired the stories (the hedge fund did not respond to a request for comment), it fits the hedge fund’s modus operandi when it goes nuclear on one of its targets: interviewing former employees; hiring private investigators to dig up dirt; combing social media and court documents for skeletons in executives’ pasts. Indeed, the Athenahealth saga evokes the playbook Elliott used when it pushed Compuware to sell itself in 2014: Jesse Cohn, the Elliott portfolio manager also leading the current Athenahealth campaign, arrived at a meeting with Compuware board members wielding a six-inch-thick dossier filled with potentially damaging details about the directors, including a highly unflattering news story featuring the daughter of former GM CEO Fritz Henderson (Henderson was on Compuware’s board at the time).

Fun and games no longer fly

Bush, who has apologized for assaulting his wife, may demonstrate how executive behavior that seemed all fun and games several years ago—and may in fact have helped attract young tech talent to Athenahealth—may be perceived as unacceptable in the era following the #MeToo revelations of sexual misconduct by the likes of Steve Wynn and Harvey Weinstein. (For more nuance on the allegations against Bush, be sure to read Fortune editor-in-chief Clifton Leaf’s excellent essay.)

For example, here’s how I described one night I spent with Bush at Athenahealth’s annual More Disruption Please conference, held specifically to source potential startup investments and partners for the company:

Moments earlier, Bush—nephew of President No. 41 and cousin to No. 43—was regaling his guests with tales of the time he nearly had sex at Camp David. Now it’s past midnight, and he should really be getting to bed, because at 7 a.m. he’ll be leading a group on a jog to a serene but bone-chillingly cold pond for a swim. Then the ATV rumbles up to the “afterparty cabin,” where a few dozen venture capitalists, investors, health care startup CEOs, and Athena execs are playing drinking games, and Bush can’t stand to miss out. The night before he had ended up shirtless while playing something called flip cup. And when a Morgan Stanley portfolio manager, Athena’s largest shareholder, joked that he was selling his stock because Bush was buying everyone beer, Bush threw his hands in the air and yelled, “Yayyyy!!!”

Likewise, the reported “Talladega Nights” incident sounds like classic Bush, who is well-known for making a doofus of himself while performing movie-inspired gags designed to get his audience excited about healthcare—and who’s not afraid to commit to his character, no matter how offensive. When I attended Athenahealth’s MDP conference, Bush was dressed as Alec Baldwin’s sleazy salesman character from the movie version of Glengarry Glen Ross; at a previous iteration of the event, he’d come as fictional talk show host Ali G., complete with exposed chest hair; another time he’d performed a (healthcare-inspired) rendition of the Saturday Night Live comedy song “Dick In A Box.” No one watching could mistake Bush’s conduct there as anything but farce.

Jonathan Bush dressed as fictional talk show host Ali G. at an Athena event in 2012

Yet it’s easy to see why Bush’s employees may have felt uncomfortable around the CEO, who wasn’t shy about commenting on his sex life, whether it be recounting his romantic exploits at Camp David, or making it known that he was newly single during his divorce proceedings from his second wife (which stretched from at least 2014 to 2016).

Bush also has a favorite adjective, which he throws around in all sorts of incongruous situations: “Sexy.” In the little time I’ve spent with Bush, I heard him apply the word “sexy” to describe women, men, and healthcare startups and products. When I was trailing him for my reporting in 2014, Fortune had recently appointed Alan Murray as its editor-in-chief, and Bush at one point asked me for my impression: “The new editor, is he sexy?” (I did not interpret this question literally, nor did I answer it literally; Alan is the finest of editors, but I’ll leave it at that!)

In stepping down from the company he founded more than two decades ago, Bush seemed to concede that the renegade elements of his personality that once served his entrepreneurial aims were now a liability in his leadership, saying, “It’s easy for me to see that the very things that made me useful to the company and cause in these past 21 years, are now exactly the things that are in the way.”

Set against the backdrop of the #MeToo scandals, of course, those quirks served as fresh fodder for Bush’s enemies—say, Elliott Management—allowing them, in a way, to weaponize that social movement to support their own purposes. CEOs today should realize that the perception of their actions—by the public and by their own employees—can matter more than their intentions.

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investmart007 · 6 years

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WASHINGTON | AP FACT CHECK: Facebook's reckoning, Trump's agitation

New Post has been published on https://goo.gl/zaCgF2

WASHINGTON | AP FACT CHECK: Facebook's reckoning, Trump's agitation

WASHINGTON | April 14, 2018 (AP)(STL.News) Facebook’s days of reckoning in Washington and President Donald Trump’s agitation with perceived political enemies made for a week of grabby headlines from two ubiquitous forces in American life — the social media colossus and Trump’s Twitter account.

A look at the veracity of some of the claims this past week from Trump in tweets and in the White House, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in two days of congressional testimony and Mike Pompeo in his confirmation hearing to become secretary of state:

TRUMP: “I have agreed with the historically cooperative, disciplined approach that we have engaged in with Robert Mueller (Unlike the Clintons!). I have full confidence in Ty Cobb, my Special Counsel, and have been fully advised throughout each phase of this process.” — tweet Thursday.

THE FACTS: Trump’s claim of a steady hand with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of links between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign is at odds with his public musings about firing Mueller and his characterization of the probe as an “attack on our country,” ”fraudulent” and a “WITCH HUNT!”

It’s true, though, that despite his insults and fury with the process, Trump has extended a degree of cooperation.

More than 20 White House employees have been made available for interviews with Mueller’s team. The White House has turned over more than 20,000 pages of records while Trump’s campaign has given Mueller more than 1.4 million pages.

Even so, Trump took the extraordinary step in February of allowing the release of a classified memo that he said vindicated him. The memo was by Republicans on the House intelligence committee and concerned FBI surveillance powers. In letting it come out, Trump dismissed forceful pleas from his FBI director and the second-ranking Justice official, Trump-nominated Rod Rosenstein, to keep the memo under wraps because it was inaccurate and lacked critical context. ___

TRUMP: “Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama. Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy!” — tweet Wednesday.

THE FACTS: It’s not true that the probe is being conducted by “all Democratic loyalists.”

Mueller is a Republican and some others on his team owe their jobs largely to Republican presidents. Some have indeed given money to Democratic candidates over the years. Mueller could not have barred them from serving on that basis because regulations prohibit the consideration of political affiliation personnel actions involving career attorneys. Mueller reports to Rosenstein.

As to the “bad blood” between the U.S. and Russia, relations have deteriorated for a multitude of reasons including Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine and its support for Syrian President Bashar Assad — not just Mueller’s probe. On Thursday, Pompeo told senators the “historic conflict” between the two countries “is caused by Russian bad behavior.” ___

POMPEO, at his Senate hearing: “I have never advocated for regime change.” — remarks Thursday on North Korea. THE FACTS: Not entirely. While he’s avoided saying explicitly he supports a regime change from North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, Pompeo has indicated that a leadership change there would be in U.S. security interests. At the Aspen Security Forum in July, Pompeo said he’s “hopeful that we will find a way to separate that regime” from its nuclear capabilities, given its growing stockpile of weapons.

“The North Korea people — I’m sure are lovely people — and would love to see him go as well,” he said. According to the Financial Times, Pompeo quipped at the event that if Kim “should vanish, given the history of the CIA, I’m just not going to talk about it. Someone might think there was a coincidence.” ___

ZUCKERBERG: “People have the ability to see everything they have in Facebook, take that out, delete that account and move their data anywhere that they want.” — House hearing Wednesday.

THE FACTS: That’s a stretch.

Users can download a subset of the information collected on them, but not “everything.” And the resulting file is mostly a jumble of contacts, messages and advertisers who have been allowed to target them through Facebook. That makes the information mostly useless for people who want to join a different social network because it’s incomplete and not organized so that another service could easily import it.

Experts say Facebook has made it technically untenable to take user data elsewhere. Researchers have failed to make the data portable because Facebook keeps changing the public-facing software required. ___

ZUCKERBERG: “There is a setting so if you don’t want any data to be collected around advertising, you can turn that off and then we won’t do it.” — House hearing.

THE FACTS: It’s not that simple. Users can limit ad targeting, but it requires several steps, which may have to be repeated periodically. By default, Facebook shows users ads based on interests they’ve expressed over years, websites they’ve visited and companies they’ve contacted.

You can turn off such targeted ads with a single option in Facebook. Doing so means, for example, that you won’t get an ad on Facebook for a pair of shoes you just looked at on a shopping website, though you’ll still get generic ads.

But that doesn’t stop the data collection. Facebook also targets ads based on demographic information, such as your age and whether you have a child, as well as on what mobile device you use and even your political leanings — even if you’ve not explicitly shared any of that on Facebook.

Turning off those categories must be done one by one. And if you like a new page, click on a new ad or add your email to a new business’s contact list, it all starts over. ___

ZUCKERBERG: “There may be specific things about how you use Facebook, even if you’re not logged in, that we — that we keep track of, to make sure that people aren’t abusing the systems.” And: “In general, we collect data of people who have not signed up for Facebook for security purposes.” — House hearing.

THE FACTS: Facebook collects data on your online habits wherever it can find you, and very little of it appears to be for security purposes.

Facebook pays third-party websites and apps to let it place tracking code across the internet and mobile devices. That code then reports back to Facebook on your surfing habits to help it better target ads. Along with Google, Facebook is consistently among the top three data-collectors in the field, said Reuben Binns, an Oxford University computer scientist who researches these beacons.

In February, a Belgian court ruled that Facebook had violated European privacy law with such tracking because it hadn’t obtained consent either to collect or store the data. ___

ZUCKERBERG: “We do not sell data to advertisers. … What we allow is for advertisers to tell us who they want to reach. And then we do the placement.” — Senate hearing Tuesday.

THE FACTS: It’s true that Facebook doesn’t sell user data directly to third parties, but it profits from the information. Advertisers choose the types of users they want to reach and Facebook tailors the ads to those users, based on its vast information about where people live, how old they are and what interests they have. The more specific an audience is, the more Facebook can charge for the ad.

This practice does not mean that user data stays within Facebook. The latest privacy scandal grew out of the revelation that a Trump-affiliated consulting firm, Cambridge Analytica, managed to get data on tens of millions of Facebook users through an app that was purportedly a research tool. With apps, Facebook isn’t selling data — it’s giving the data to apps for free. ___

TRUMP: “So I just heard that they broke into the office of one of my personal attorneys, a good man, and it’s a disgraceful situation.” — comments at a meeting with military advisers Monday.

THE FACTS: It was not a break-in. The FBI executed a search warrant obtained from a judge in conducting the raid and seizing records on a variety of matters, among them a $130,000 payment made to porn actress Stormy Daniels by Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen. The application for the warrant was approved high in the Justice Department. ___

TRUMP: “They found no collusion whatsoever with Russia.” — referring Monday to the Mueller investigation. THE FACTS: There has been no such finding. It’s true that evidence of collusion has not emerged to date in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign’s relationship with Russian figures. But the investigation continues and Mueller does not disclose what his probe has found except when filing charges. Although Trump focused his fury on the Mueller probe, Monday’s raid was overseen by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, not the special counsel. Cohen’s lawyer, Stephen Ryan, said the raid was based in part on a referral from Mueller, however. ___

TRUMP: “Again, they found nothing. And in finding nothing, that’s a big statement.” — referring Monday to the Mueller investigation.

THE FACTS: They found something.

So far, four Trump associates have been charged in Mueller’s investigation, of whom three have pleaded guilty to lying to the authorities. Among them are Michael Flynn, former White House national security adviser, and Rick Gates, a former Trump campaign aide. Overall, 19 people, including 13 Russians, have been charged.

Mueller is known to consider Trump a subject of his criminal investigation at this point. Being a subject in an investigation — instead of a target— suggests Mueller may not be currently preparing a criminal prosecution of the president but considers him more pivotal than a mere witness would be.

To get a warrant, agents and prosecutors must establish for a judge that there’s probable cause of criminal activity and that a search of a property is likely to turn up evidence of that. ___

Bajak reported from Boston. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Cal Woodward in Washington, and Barbara Ortutay and Anik Jesdanun in New York contributed to this report.

By HOPE YEN and FRANK BAJAK , By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC (R.A)

#congressional testimony #fraudulent #historically cooperative #Mueller's team #political enemies #Rod Rosenstein #Washington

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my-dear-hammy · 7 years

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Basking in Firelight-Jamilton Sequel-Part Fifty

Masterpost

Part Fifty: Presidential Manor

Warnings below

----

Have you ever seen a movie where the love interest runs off just like Jefferson did? Because Hamilton has. He could almost hear the audience yelling at him to go after Jefferson, grab him by the arm, spin him around, and kiss him. He could see himself doing it, he wanted to do it, there was just one problem. His legs refused to move. It was like they were glued the floor. Hamilton's mind was blank and racing through five thousand different thoughts all at the same time. Goddamnit. This wasn't how it was going to be. Hamilton's fingers crinkled the paper of his bill that he was still holding.

"Alexander-"

"Just fucking sign it. Get over yourself and sign the goddamned piece of paper so we can actually fund the nation!"

Jefferson sighed, picked up a pen, looping the J around and signing his name with an elegance only people from the 1700's could manage. "Happy?" Jefferson asked, setting down his pen.

"No."

"Alexander, look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't've-"

"Forget it, Thomas. You're right. We're the Presidents. We can't be involved. The rumors surrounding us are already numerous as it is."

Jefferson smirked slightly, "I thought you were always right?"

Hamilton swiped the bill from Jefferson's desk. "If I had a book right now, you wouldn't be smirking."

"Send your fucking bill to Congress."

***

Jefferson, Hamilton, the Vice Presidents, and the Cabinets all stood in from of the new Presidential Manor.

"You designed this?" Angelica asked in awe.

"Yep," Jefferson said proudly. "Welcome to your new home for as long as you remain in office."

"It's beautiful," she said.

"Secret passageways? Was that really necessary?" Burr asked.

Jefferson shrugged. "An architect always enjoys a challenge."

"Think of it this way, Burr," Madison said, "We can avoid people."

"Holy shit, secret passageways are the best idea," Burr said. Jefferson laughed. Adams didn't look the least bit amused.

They all followed Jefferson inside as he gave them a basic tour. "This is the grand dining hall, where we will dine with ambassadors and world leaders," led them into a massive room with high ceiling and dangling chandeliers. Nothing was forgotten or left out. There was a massive painting of George Washington over a mantle.

"Why is there a massive portrait of the General?" Adams asked.

"That's the General George Washington, from the Revolutionary War of 1775."

"I never realized how similar they looked," Angelica commented. Jefferson, Burr, Madison, and Hamilton all shared a look. They had no idea.

Jefferson moved on, finishing up the first floor where all ambassador related business would be taken care of and to the second floor. "Each Cabinet member of the same position, i.e. the two treasurers, have adjoined offices so that they may discuss without having to run to the other side of the building. Cabinet member's bedroom are also not far off, just down the hall." He showed each member their specific office and decided to let them fight over who gets which bedroom. He moved on. The Vice Presidents' offices are just across the hall from the Presidents' office. That way you can barge in and yell at us at your convenience." He showed which office belongs to whom and then moved on. "Now the presidential office is just one big office for the both of us," he told Hamilton. "I got tired of all the running back and forth we did constantly, so now we can just yell at each other from our desks." Hamilton nodded, wondering how often one of them would stomp out with a handful of documents to go find some quiet. Knowing what Hamilton was thinking, Jefferson added, "We also have a workspace in our rooms." Hamilton and Jefferson were alone, standing in their office as everyone else was examining their own rooms. "Now I will tell about one secret passageway," Jefferson told Hamilton, examining a wall. "We each have a passage from this office to our respect rooms, its extremely short since our rooms are just on either side, but from how often we stumbled down the hallway, almost passing out from exhaustion, I decided a quick route from here to a bed would be a good idea. The rest you have to discover on your own," Jefferson grinned, lording in his knowledge of all the passageways. He pushed in a section of wall and it popped out and slid to the side, revealing a bedroom. "This is your room," Jefferson said to Hamilton, gesturing him through the door.

"It's perfect," Hamilton said, "But I wonder how many passages there are."

"Perhaps." He opened up the closet and gestured to the clothes. "One this side of our closets are the normal clothes, ranging from casual to formal to sleepwear. On this side are the Kevlar enforced, ranging from casual to formal to sleepwear. Anything you could possibly need. I suggest Kevlar whenever we're in public, we've still got targets on our backs." Jefferson led them back out and shut the wall, gathered up the other members and continues the tour.

This was their new home. For now anyway. After the presidency, Hamilton would have to go back to his little hotel room. Fun. How had he still not gotten a house?

Jefferson grinned and stole a cookie. "Only five million more to go."

"Five million?" Angelica gawked.

"No, not really."

"Holy shit, how much did this place cost? And how did we afford it?" she asked.

"Magic," Jefferson smiled.

----

Warnings: None

#alexander hamilton #hamilton #jefferson x hamilton #hamilton x jefferson #thomas jefferson x alexander hamilton #thomas jefferson #alexander hamilton x thomas jefferson #hamilton x thomas jefferson #thomas jefferson x hamilton #jamilton fanfic #jamilton fanfiction #jamilton #basking in firelight

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swipestream · 6 years

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Sensor Sweep: Conan pastiches, Crashing Suns, and lots of Star Wars

Writers (Williamette Week): You may have heard that Portland’s famous goth bar, The Lovecraft, is under new ownership after the previous owner, Jon Horrid was accused of assault. Now that the bar has changed hands, questions arose whether the new owner planned on continuing to call the bar after an author known for racism and anti-semitism, as well as his stories about unspeakable monsters.

Popular Culture (Unz.com): It is the Western—and its multiple, modern cinematic godchildren—that represents so well and encapsulates so aptly the movement of American history, the aspirations and insatiable curiosity of our citizens, and just how we as a people overcame various challenges in building what became the United States of America. It is a story of conquering frontiers as a symbol for the growth and evolution of the American nation. It offers graphically and sometimes with violence the effects of right and wrong actions, and the absolute requirement for law and order in any civilized society. And it is, at its best, a chronicle of great persons—some real, some idealized, others made up—by whose hands a nation was fashioned.

Writers (Paul Lucas): According to both howardworks.com and isfdb.com, Sword Woman was not published during Howard’s lifetime, so it’s hard to date. However, C. L. Moore corresponded with him about it at the start of 1935 – she loved it – which gives us a reasonable idea. It’s been published a few times since it was rediscovered, but the version I read was in The Second Book of Robert E. Howard, edited by Glenn Lord, published by Zebra Books in 1976.

Writers (Black Gate): Of course, you saw yesterday’s Black Gate post on Heroic Signatures, the new digital/gaming partnership, which includes the rights to about two dozen Robert E. Howard characters and stories. With the recent releases of Modiphius’ Robert E Howard’s Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of RPG, Monolith’s Conan board game and Funcom’s in-beta Conan: Exiles video game, Conan is a very viable gaming brand these days. And Funcom’s Age of Conan MMO (which I play) is still going strong as it approaches the decade mark. But fans of Conan’s creator, such as the contributors and readers of our recent Discovering Robert E. Howard series, are yearning for new pastiches featuring Howard’s characters. And not just Conan, but Solomon Kane, El Borak, Breckenridge Elkins and Steve Harrison, to name a few. Aside from some Age of Conan tie-in novels, the Conan pastiche market dried up when Tor finished its series in 2003 with Harry Turtledove’s Conan of Venarium.

Cinema (Forbes): Critically and commercially, it’s hard to view The Last Jedi as a failure. Furious fans fuming online is to be expected whenever a beloved franchise does anything, let alone experiments with a new direction.

The anger is predictable. But what I find really interesting are the comments left by the quietly disappointed, the tepid reaction, the newfound apathy regarding the series as a whole.

Cinema (Salon.com): Talk about the violence in Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi. Do scenes of explosions and space battles affect you differently than those of close-up, one-on-one lightsaber duels and killings? Why do you think that is? What makes more of an impact: violence or loss? Why? How does this movie handle both topics?

Who are the movie’s heroes? How are they role models? Do they demonstrate courage and teamwork?

How is diversity — and the lack thereof — used to indicate the values of the opposing sides of the conflict in the Star Wars series? Why is it notable that the First Order has very little diversity, while the Republic has a lot of it?

Games (Worthington Publishing): In the far future of the Hyades Cluster, 150 light-years from Earth, a democracy falls into civil war. Fortunately, the civilized folk of the cluster (human or not) recognize the foolishness of war, and set limits on its conduct. Consequently, no planets are destroyed, and when one side gains a distinct strategic advantage, the other side will surrender.

Crashing Suns represents that civil war. Two players, or partners, fight for supremacy in a game that typically lasts 30-45 minutes, but can be shorter or longer (partners can be longer). Wooden blocks are used to hide a unit’s identity from the opponent(s), but this is the only uncertainty in the game – conflicts are resolved deterministically without dice or other random elements. The setup is very important.

Cinema (Vanity Fair): For those who spend any given movie’s opening weekend trying to immediately determine what, if any, place it has in film history, the process has become something of a numbers game that relies upon three vital metrics. The first: what did the critics think of it? Thanks to the popular aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, you don’t even need to read reviews anymore to find out. Before the film opened, The Last Jedi’s sky-high critical score (hovering around the mid-upper 90s) became a story in itself. Second: what did the fans think of it? Here, again, Rotten Tomatoes claims to have the answer, with a controversial “rotten” audience score currently sitting around 56 percent.

Writers (Jeffro Johnson): “Burroughs garners demerits for mixing elements of multiple genres within the same novel… at a time when the dividing lines between fantasy, science fiction, and horror were considerably more blurry than we are used to today. (Keep in mind that before John W. Campbell’s tenure at Astounding Stories, the magazine featured multiple stories by H. P. Lovecraft!) Meanwhile, Argosy magazine which featured many of Burrough’s novels was not a magazine that targeted a juvenile audience by any stretch. Finally, Burrough’s hero was synonymous with fantasy and science fiction all the way through the seventies when the movie poster depictions of Luke Skywalker were specifically crafted to evoke Frank Frazetta’s renditions of John Carter of Mars. Meanwhile, Superman– the character that set the template for superhero comics for all time– was patterned after two Burrough’s most enduring creations, John Carter and Tarzan.”

Sensor Sweep: Conan pastiches, Crashing Suns, and lots of Star Wars published first on http://ift.tt/2zdiasi

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lizzyseeram2-blog · 7 years

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Solar Task 2

1 Research Using the UCAS website and/or prospectuses and identify AT LEAST THREE possible courses which you feel may interest you towards Higher Education. At least one of these should be a drama school or Conservatoire.

2 Present your findings in an interesting way to include

- your personal career aims and aspirations, linking these to the courses chosen.

- Say in your own words, what the courses offer and why you feel these courses would be suitable to you personally.

-What has attracted you to the course?

- Include any information you need for ‘the application process’ such as audition pieces needed, target minimum grades accepted on the courses

- Comment on progression routes the courses may offer you in to work or HE masters courses.

-Finally highlight any extras the course provides for example does the course offer a year out studying abroad? does the course bring in agents to watch your final work in year three. Is the course in an exciting City with links to Media/theatre/ creative arts. How popular is the course / is it easy or difficult to obtain a place? Finally the cost of the courses is also an important factor for many students wanting to attend Drama schools and Consortiums. Find out about any funding Bodies or awards such as DADA which would help in your applications. (PAB2)

3 Compile and upload your own draft Personal Statement and word-processed copy of your own Actors CV towards future applications. (PAB2)

Royal Central School Of Speech And Drama - Acting, BA, 3 years

About

The philosophy of the course can be summed up by the words, ‘embodiment’, ‘imagination’ and ‘interaction’. The training develops the actor’s body and voice as strong and effective communicators of thought, emotion and intention, and opens up the imagination so that the actor can create and sustain three-dimensional worlds from the playwright’s text. These processes invariably take place in an interactive context so that the actor is constantly learning to respond to outside stimuli – whether people, objects or atmosphere – in an open and uncensored way.

Fees And Funding

£9,250 per year

In order to accept a place at the School you must also pay a deposit. This is non-refundable and will be deducted from your fees at registration. It is used to discourage students accepting a place when they are unlikely to register which means that another applicant will unnecessarily miss out on gaining a place on the course. The deposit is £1,000 for Home/EU postgraduate courses and £2,000 for students paying ELQ fees and non-EU overseas students. Undergraduate Home/EU students are not required to pay a deposit if they are receiving a tuition fee loan.

Students are entitled to full Equity status upon graduation.

Course detail

Year 1

Freeing and discovering: students start from the uniqueness of self within the group context and the rigour of the training studio, and learn to work with truth and integrity, opening up and releasing the body, voice and imagination, and developing a personal process and craft through which to build character and live truthfully within a fictional world. By learning to live and breathe in the moment, students start to discover the creative potential of the acting space.

Year 2

Stretching and growing: building on this experience, students expand their physical and emotional range, developing the art of transformation and working imaginatively from within worlds and characters which are substantially removed from their own. They also learn to transfer skills to television and radio. Towards the end of the year, students start to think about applying their training within industry contexts.

Year 3

Applying the craft: through a series of contrasting public productions and recorded media projects, students apply and develop their craft within simulated professional contexts, while at the same time engaging in the process of interfacing with the industry and learning how to survive as a working actor.

Audition/Entry requirements

2 A levels at C, 3 GCSE’s at grade C and selection by audition. Exceptional applicants who do not meet requirements may be considered.

Audition requirements

- One memorized contemporary speech (written after 1960 and no more than two minutes in duration. (Speeches are not to be chosen from film scripts)

- Two memorized songs - one must be from a musical; the second can be your own choosing, this one is sung unaccompanied . Neither should be more than two minutes in length.

What draws me towards this drama course in this school is is the training developed from body and voice, thought, emotion and intention. As I think these are important and essential skills needed to be an actor recieving ‘intense training’ on these particular skills would be a challenging journey that would make me a better actor which is what I want to achieve. I have always wanted to achieve my full potential as an actor and this is what is states on the website that this drama school has to offer. I already feel I have a variety of skills in acting such as thought of character, emotion and developing body physicality. So to be able to train on these and develop and strengthen these skills would make this school is a good path to choose. Another reason why the school appeals to me is because the students gain professional work whilst still learning on the course and I think this type of experience will help and prepare me when going into professional work after my education and would be an valuable experience that would benefit me extreamely in the future.

University Of Central Lancashire - Acting, BA (Hons), 3 years

About

If you are looking for an acting course that offers high-quality practical training, with a strong emphasis on developing your physical technique, UCLan’s Acting degree will develop your ability to be pro-active, expressive and creative by providing opportunities to develop a wide range of related transferable skills, including devising technique, television presenting, motion capture work, corporate role play, and academic study.

You will appear in public performances in your second and third year and there are opportunities to appear in Graduate Showcases in Manchester and London.

The BA (Hons) Acting degree at UCLan is one of the newest acting courses in the UK, with a growing reputation both regionally and nationally as a unique training ground for actors. It’s a production-based course that develops the practical skills and knowledge required to work in the field of Acting, Performance and Theatre as well as your creative potential, so that you can maximise your engagement with a huge variety of opportunities.

All Acting students work with teachers who are themselves professional practitioners in a range of disciplines including acting, directing, singing and vocal practice, dance, choreography, and TV production. Many staff are also engaged in academic research at home and abroad at both masters, doctoral and post-doctoral level.

Fees and funding

Full-time: £9,250 per year (UK/EU)

Course detail

YEAR 1

Acting Fundamentals (Includes)

Meyerhold’s Biomechanics

Stanislavski

Yoga

Clown

Voice Production

Shakespeare

YEAR 2

The Expressive Actor (Includes)

Viewpoints

Mask

Ensemble

Extended Voice

Singing

Devising

The Contemporary Actor

Contemporary Text

Radio Acting

Acting for the Camera (Single Camera - location)

Acting for Theatre Production 1

Theatre production performed to a public audience.

(3 weeks rehearsal and production week)

YEAR 3

The Professional Actor

Audition Technique

Professional Practice

Acting for the camera (Multi-camera - studio)

The Actor as Creator

Devising Project

Acting for Theatre Production 2

Theatre production performed to a public audience.

(3 weeks rehearsal and production week)

Level 1 prepares students in each of the core disciplines that will be followed throughout the programme, movement, voice and contextual studies. You will develop expressive potential and develop the disciplines of an on-going daily practice and at the same time develop the capacity for receiving and offering constructive criticism. Study at this level takes the form of improvisation, play, active analysis and discussion rather than formal direction. You will develop key study skills and the ability to research background material.

At Level 2, you will develop all of these practices. You will work with contemporary texts, study acting for the camera and acting for radio. You will create work using disciplines derived from a number of body-based practices such as Meyerhold’s Biomechanics, Viewpoints, clown, ensemble acting, along with extended voice practice. The year’s work culminates in a public performance.

As you prepare to go into the industry, your final year also includes acting for the camera, and audition technique. You will practice filmed auditions, devise and perform original work, prepare audition pieces, develop your own website and present public performances. All these skills mean that you will be well equipped for a broad range of performing arts associated careers. The year also includes opportunities to take part in Showcases in Manchester and London.

Audition/Entry requirements

104 points at A2; General Studies accepted BTEC Diploma : Distinction, Distinction BTEC Extended Diploma : Merit, Merit, Merit Pass Access To HE : 106P International Baccalaureate : 28P IELTS: grade 6 with no subscore lower than 5.5 GCSEs : 5 at grade C including Maths & English or equivalent

Audition requirements

- Prepare 2 contrasting monologues and a song - no longer than 2 minutes each;

- One monologue from a contemporary play or film (post 1990)

- One Shakespearean/Classical monologue (could be Jacobean or Greek)

The song should be something you are comfortable singing, not necessarily from a musical.

What draws me towards this course is the different acting styles and techniques you get to cover within the 3 years. I think learning lots of different of different styles and techniques of acting would really benefit me into becoming a better actor. By studying a number of new techniques and style will help build my overall skill and ability which is my intention and will mean I can improve on styles and techniques of acting I have previously studied and learned new skills and build me along the way. What also interests me towards this university is that it offers high quality practical training which is what I’m looking to improve my ability on. I feel that my physical technique in acting is a strength in my acting so to be able to study this on a high quality of training will help build me even more in this technique. I think while having explored styles of acting, being able to study at a degree level will be best given my experience and skills learnt would be a really big step for me and will be something I want to do at university. Also, in this university, you can appear in a public performance in the second and third year and think this will be a beneficial experience that will prepare fpr the future professionally, which is what I’m looking for in a university.

The University Of Northampton - Acting, BA (Hons), 3 years

About

Are you committed to a life as a working actor on stage or screen? This highly practical training programme is designed to develop the high-level skills and knowledge required to enter the profession as a working actor. The programme serves as vocational preparation, committed to conservatoire-style training with highly experienced industry professionals. The training regime is in excess of 30 hours per week for three terms, demanding dedicated commitment from students.

You will also be able to take part in a comprehensive extracurricular programme of theatre trips, which typically include the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, London’s West End productions and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. There is an annual payment of £95.00 (payable at the start of term).

To enhance your learning experience, we offer ten studios and theatre spaces, fully equipped television and radio studios, and links to the prestigious Royal and Derngate theatre where you may also have opportunities to audition for main house productions.

You will also take part in performances and productions, work with visiting professional directors and actors, and form your own theatre companies.

Fees and funding

Full-time: £9,250 per year

Course detail:

The first stage of your training will focus on fundamental techniques around vocal and physical skills such as vocal training, singing, characterisation, ballet and stage combat. You are involved in one main production as well as small studio-based performance tasks throughout the year.

In stage two you will develop your performance range, learning new skills and techniques (for example, acting for the camera, microphone technique). You will be involved with two larger productions which will be professionally directed and performed off campus.

The final stage is transitional, the focus switching from studying acting to preparing for all aspects of employment. You will form your own theatre company and perform in a venue of your own choice as part of the annual Flash Theatre Festival. You will also be taught the key aspects of how to prepare for life as a professional actor; Acting CV, Headshot, Show reel, Business Planning and Audition Technique. Following completion of the programme graduating actors will, by invitation, perform at our London Showcase in front of agents and other key industry representatives.

Year 1

Acting Methodologies 1

Actor’s Body and Movement

Creative Acting 1

Theories and Histories of Acting

Vocal Technique for Actors 1

Module code: ACT1001

Core module Y

This module provides the students with the opportunity to explore some of the basic elements of actor training which are necessary for students to master before the craft can be developed further. Therefore this module is workshop based and there is no public performance attached. They will practice and reflect on core acting methodologies through multiple studio exercises whilst also having opportunities to utilise other methodologies taught in complimentary modules. They will learn the basic technique of 'actioning’ text along side skills in textual analysis, active analysis and improvisation. This will encourage a holistic approach to characterisation, expression and performance.

Module code: ACT1004

Core module Y

This module serves as a basic introduction to movement training. Students will be led through a programme exploring the body’s expressive capabilities in relation to the need to be flexible and well co-ordinated, using techniques from a variety of theatre practitioners and performance styles. The aim is to move into deeper and wider investigations into the craft of the physicality of the performer.

Module code: ACT1003

Core module Y

This module complements the module Acting Methodologies 1 (which focuses on text-based acting) by exploring the skills and techniques needed by an actor when working without a text. The students are taught how to create simple and increasingly complex characterisations which can be used to inform the creation of performance material. They will also explore the notion of creating a personal clown as a suitable starting point for realising performance material.

Module code: ACT1005

Core module Y

This module provides some of the key theoretical and historical aspects of the first year Acting course. It has been designed as a foundation in the study of theatre and performance history and theory, especially in relation to the craft of acting. The module will develop students’ skills in theories and analysis of performance and the relationship between theory and practice. The module is delivered through lecture-seminars that explore a range of historical, theoretical and practical frameworks in combination. Students will emerge from the year’s study with a shared understanding of how to critically engage with diverse performance material through theoretical / critical / historical perspectives and will have an understanding of how this relates to practice.

Module code: ACT1002

Core module Y

This module focuses on developing an actor’s core vocal skills. It aims to train the students to use their voice correctly and as such lays down the foundations for all modules which require this basic skill to be undertaken in a safe and appropriate manner. The module is a blend of practical and critical analysis of voice work and is designed to allow the voice to release the actor and their creativity. It is designed to equip actors with sufficient knowledge and skills to move to Level 5 study and use their voice in praxis with safety, knowledge and artistic understanding.

Year 2

Media Acting

Working with a Director

Creative Acting 2

Vocal Technique for Actors 2

Acting Methodologies 2 (Classical)

Module code: ACT2004

Core module Y

This module is a practical exploration of the skills required by performers working in television and radio. It will develop appropriate performance skills and techniques and develop an understanding of the actor’s professional role in media performance processes.

Module code: ACT2005

Core module Y

In this module the students learn about the relationship between an actor and a Director and how to respond to directorial demand through working with a professional director on a studio-style production which may be performed at a professional venue.

Module code: ACT2003

Core module Y

This module continues the creative acting strand of the degree following on from Creative Acting 1 studied at Level 4. It focuses on the skills and techniques needed by an actor when creating original work. The students are taught a range of devising approaches to broaden their knowledge of contemporary practices. This is predominantly a skills based module providing a practical exploration of performance techniques.

Module code: ACT2002

Core module Y

This module builds on the foundation of Vocal Technique for Actors 1 delivering higher skills in terms of accent creation, extended work in voice including classical and heightened text harnessing the dynamics of classical language alongside a deeper understanding of different voice systems. This is a skills based module providing the student with practical and research techniques to widen their understanding and practice.

Module code: ACT2001

Core module Y

This module is designed to deepen students’ work with play texts, taking as its premise that the voice and body must both be engaged when working with text. As such, it develops the vocal training undertaken in Voice Technique for Actors 1, as well as providing practical support for other Level 5 practical modules. It also continues the textual analysis and active analysis techniques taught in Acting Methodologies 1. It will focus on the relationship of actor and text through creative investigation/interrogation of theatre from a range of periods and cultures, with a particular emphasis on classic(al)/Shakespearean texts.

Year 3

Negotiated Project

Industry Preparation

Professional Practice for Actors

Acting as Social Enterprise

Creative Acting 3

Module code: ACT4001

Core module Y

This module will provide an opportunity for students to negotiate an independent practical project. It complements Acting Methodologies 2 and Professional Practice for Actors by focusing on Acting in a performance which is artistically led by the students themselves. Throughout this module, students will be self-directed, negotiating and consolidating their own practice with the support of a supervising tutor in the realisation of an industry focused project which is proposed by the students through a learning contract in the form of an industry standard proposal (such as the Arts Council England’s).

Module code: ACT3001

Core module Y

This module attempts to consolidate students’ understanding of the requirements for entering the professional world of performing. As such, it will interrogate the managerial and administrative skills that are essential for students to succeed in a professional environment. Students will research and identify support systems appropriate to their chosen form of career, develop marketing strategies, and consolidate skills in self-management. Students will further develop their reflective and self-critical appraisal within a professional context.

Module code: ACT3005

Core module Y

This module aims to simulate a professional working environment wherever possible and therefore entails an intensive rehearsal period with a professional director followed by a production week and public performance of a full-length text with full production values. It provides an opportunity for students to independently apply all the techniques they have been taught and experience how they all interrelate.

Module code: ACT3097

Core module Y

This module enables the students to understand the nature of theatre using social enterprise as a business model. It will enable students to understand the mechanics of creating a social enterprise theatre company and the multiple roles required to achieve a successful outcome. Student groups will operate as small theatre companies, undertaking all the production, administrative and performance roles in a cooperative and collaborative manner whilst creating a performance with supporting workshop/s for a specific target audience. Less

Module code: ACT3003

Core module Y

This module develops the work undertaken in Creative Acting 2. The content focuses on rigorously interrogating the relationship of the actor and director when working on a devised performance. Students will experience the demands of the audition process, and the proactive application of core elements of actor training in conjunction with any project specific skills, to the creation of an original performance work under the artistic direction of a professional director.

Audition/Entry requirements

A typical offer would be in the region of BBC at A-Level or DDM at BTEC, in conjunction with an extensive audition. We welcome applications from a range of non-traditional education or professional qualifications.

Audition requirements

You must thoroughly prepare and memorize TWO short monologues excerpts from contrasting plays - one Shakespeare and one modern drama (beginning in the late 19th century onwards)

What attracts me to this particular university is what is has to offer. What interests me is the large variety of modules you get to cover within the three years. I like how this course covers a variety of different styles of acting within its modules which really draws me in as I feel that as an actor, it is important that you are able to study and understand the different variety of acting styles to become a strong all-rounded actor and this is exactly what I am looking for in a university, to be able to study in depth variety of styles, to build not only my skill, but my ability within different styles. What also draws me towards this university is the variety of studios the university has to offer. The course has ten studios and theatre spaces, fully equipped television and radio studios, having a lot of studios to rehearse and perform is what I am looking for, to rehearse and perform in a professional space. Lastly, what attracts me is the links to the prestigious Royal and Derngate theatre where you may also have opportunities to audition for main house productions. This interests me because I am hoping to have opportunities to audition for professional productions in my time at university to not only prepare me for the future in the acting profession, but to give me more experience at the same time.

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