#and of course demi is just incomparable

[shapoopy178]

Bro

Demi Lovato Revamped

I'm absolutely fucking floored

[iainwrites]

Digging through old files, I dug up this rough piece of world building I had made a couple of years ago (2013).  The whole idea ran its course in my mind, but if anyone else can grab some inspiration from it, go nuts.

Machina et Deus

This story follows a point in time where, instead of investigating the sciences and placing faith in technologies, the peoples’ devotion towards religion strengthened.  As a result of these choices, the Gods chose to reveal themselves and became an integral part of life, society and human existence.  This connection between the Holy and the Mortal hasn’t wavered, allowing for a centuries long Enlightenment period.  Some religious groups grow large and establish regions (today’s countries and continents: “The Enlightened Asiatic States”, “The Great and Holy Catholic Empire”) where their beliefs rule.  Despite an almost idyllic setting and attitude, tensions rise, setting the stage for the Crusades.  Each Crusade is identified by the targeted region and a numerical system (ex: the 47th Egyptian Crusade).  These battles help to build the ranks of the armies, with rank and file soldiers, as well as members of the respective clergies.  The clergy are able, with training and inborn ability, to harness the powers of their God’s, though not without consequences.

Concepts of the world:

- All Gods exist.  The Holy world doesn’t stop with God or Allah.  Zeus/Jupiter, Odin, Ngai (God in Kenya)... all these plays a part in the story.

- There is no one Great God.  Consider a Board of Governors.  One group consist of the Head Gods (Zeus, God, Allah, etc), another on Gods of Death, another of Water, etc.  And each of the Board’s Members has other Gods, demi-Gods, or creatures of their realms serving under them.  Each Board gathers to make decisions on area of their influence. (Ex: A new flood is due. Those in favor, those against).

- There are, however, differences in power between the Gods, and this is determined by the people on Earth.  The more believers or followers a God has, the more influence they have at their respective tables and on Earth.  The Crusades play an important role in all of this, as a result.  The respective armies of one God or belief system will invade, “claim” or “reclaim” an area and convert the populace to the respective religion.  And this constantly continues.

- As a result of all Gods existing, so do the other aspects of their individual beliefs, not restricted to just basic events.  St. George actually fought a dragon, and this was not the only one in existence.  Sphinxes are actual threats to travellers.  Harpies, selkies and all other manner of fantastical beats exist in the world and interact with people daily.

- There exists in some of the more “refined” areas of the world an inherit distaste and disgust for these creatures.  They are seen as below humans, not worthy of life, etc.

- All the other prejudices the hard-line religious followers express in our modern world are expressed in this one.  Except the beliefs are much more widespread, common and accepted.

As for people on Earth, much of the world plays as it used to.

1. Religious officials run the show. The Pope is the representative of God in his realm, and his word is law.  This is extends to the various other regions as well.

2. Clergy are essentially upper class, compared to commoners.  They accept indulgences, bribes, etc.  The only thing is that it isn’t looked down on: since they’re closer to the Holy, they’re allowed more leeway in life.

3. Prophets are a big deal.  Even the Gods can’t control when or where one will appear, and their word can change the world around them through.  Very much a game changer wherever they pop up.

4. Paladins and the like are the elite of any army.  Not only can they outfight you with a weapon, they’re also capable of low-level holy magic.  Even low-level holy magic is powerful in this world.  Popes or other officials aren’t necessarily capable of using it.

5. Even more powerful that the Holy Soldiers are the Devout’s.  These are, debatably, the most powerful people/entities in any religious group.  Like prophets, it isn’t known when they will show up, but their arrival is something to be worshipped for a simple reason: They can act as vessels for the Gods.  A God may come down, inhabit a Devout and speak through them, offering divine wisdom or incomparable power on the battlefield.  Two fighting on opposing sides resulted in the destruction of Hiroshima in this universe.  While they are mighty, then are still, essentially, human.  As a result, they are unable to live long lives when they are constantly inhabited by Gods.  Average life expectancy is 25 – 35 years.

[segenassefa]

10: Musical Discourse: Slime Language 2

Young Thug’s new project, Slime Language 2, is almost reminiscent of Pi’erre Bourne’s TLOP4, except more features (Thug got all these niggas in the studio and told them “We’re doing this now or never”), including ex-girlfriend and entrepreneur Karlae, Jim Jones, Drake, Travis Scott, and Coi Leray. There is a heavy YSL l influence (obviously) as well as some OVO features (hey Drake, hey Nav!), Coi Leray (no comment), and even a Rowdy Rebel feature, fresh from the pen. This project does a good job at touching different extremes of the rap music spectrum – Thug manages to get some songs for the ladies (“I Like”, which, to me, is very reminiscent of the City Girls, “On the Low”, and “Trance”), typical athlete walk-out music, and some songs that follow that “no one ever believed in me/everyone leaves me” kinda vibe.

If we’re gonna keep it 100, the album in itself is not necessarily a stand-out – very few songs have that “wow” factor - and to be honest - it’s mid, as the kids would call it. BUT, in the spirit of neutrality, I’ll be breaking down my favourites, as a self-proclaimed know most and trap music enthusiast, especially since today marks the one-month anniversary of its release - and if you disagree, suck ya mum (JK….kinda.)

“Take It to Trial” – Young Thug, YSL, Gunna, Yak Gotti

This track is probably one of the best on the album, and not just because the Yak Gotti feature ties it all together, but for the overall cohesiveness of everyone on the track, which almost makes it sound like one person entirely throughout. Take It to Trial was one of the tracks on the album that was released before the drop of SL2, giving it some time to marinate before the drop of the project in its entirety. While the beat is nothing too crazy, it’s still a standout due to the lyricism of the track and the abnormally high pitch Thug manages to hit on the chorus, as he adamantly requests to take this shit to mf’in trial.

I don’t know if the herpes bar making me think of NBA YoungBoy makes me a bad person, but I guess only time will tell.

“I Like” – YSL, Karlae, Coi Leray

Now, listen. I am not going to lie and say that I support all women. Somewhere in my heart, I know Coi Leray got to where she is due to a combination of light skin privilege (insert noises of disgust), some form of nepotism, her marketability, and her longstanding time in the industry (she was, in fact, one of the Mindless Behaviour video girls, so that in itself should tell you how long she’s secretly been in the game. She’s almost like a slightly darker Alexa Demie, except she isn’t lying about her age).

But this song???

THIS MF SONG?

There has to be crack in it. Because it’s not that good - the beat is not one which you run back for its complexity, nor its lyricism, but DAMN, it’s a good ass song.

Both she and Karlae captured the effortless sexy feeling certain songs are supposed to give you (fellas, not sure if you’ve ever felt it, but I feel like the laydeez know what I mean). It’s giving very much Uber Black on the freeway in an amazing outfit, drunk out of your mind - and I’m here for it! While I do feel like Karlae can rap circles around Coi, if given the opportunity, I think one thing I can say is that Coi does have the unabashed confidence of a man in her same position and that in itself makes this song *that* much more powerful.

“Mil in Vegas” – YSL, Young Thug, NAV

When I’m old and in my nursing home of choice (Astagfurallah, but you never know), I hope Young Thug drops a purely R&B album; something like Hndrxx but a lil’ less suicidal.

Or that the nursing home has enough money to hire him for a mid-afternoon senior citizen concert, but let’s tackle one problem at a time.

This track is almost like the niggas’ version of “I Like” but instead of boo boo Mizz Leray, we get a melodic NAV feature. In addition to my appreciation of him realizing he needs to stop using the fucking n-word (he shouldn’t have been using it in the first place, but progress is better than perfection), I think there’s something to be said with rap songs that are done outside of the major key; it def adds a little pinash, and some depth that wouldn’t have been there before – and NAV’s voice is suited perfectly for these otherwise challenging scales.

The only other thing going for this song is the way Thug looks in that yellow turtleneck on the Spotify visualizer – and with that being said, I hope niggas will be rocking more bright colors in the seasons to come.

(Also, what the fuck is NAV’s obsession with Los Angeles? I swear there’s at least one bar in every song).

“Slatty” – YSL, Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Duke, Yak Gotti

Mark my motherfucking words - when we have in-person sporting events, I will bet my Large Telfar bag that at least one draftee has this song as their walk-out music.

This track incorporates the one word that every nigga in YSL records (and current rap culture) has heat-stamped in their vocabulary, and while the word “slat” has been massacred by hordes of white teenage boys on TikTok, I will say that this chorus is catchy as fuck.

The real star of this song (shockingly) is the juxtaposition of Yak Gotti’s gritty, emory-board vocal cords, the raspy voice of Lil Duke, and the familiar buttery sound of Thug’s vocals.

Why the visualizer has P. Diddy in it, God only knows. But our adeer is doing his thing in those big ass Versace shades, so who am I to say anything.

“Diamonds Dancing” – YSL, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Gunna

I have no commentary other than asking rappers to please stop using Dr. King for any of their metaphors – he cheated on Correta with a white woman (and only one that we KNOW of, for that matter).

So, I stand here humbly before you, petitioning for the alternative bars including:

“Dripped in Dolce & Gabanna / Black diamonds like Thomas Sankara”

“New girl like Lori Harvey / chain Black like Africa, Marcus Garvey”

or something along those lines. Even a Sojourner Truth bar, at this fucking point.

  “Solid” – YSL, Young Thug, Gunna, Drake

Of course, OF FUCKING COURSE, this track was saved by none other than the culture vulture himself - the man, the myth, and apparently now, the fucking candlemaker, Mr. Aubrey Drake Graham.

(Sidenote: Why is graham such a hard word to spell?).

I know y’all niggas heard - and felt - him very clearly when he said he needed some head and some moral support right away (not like y’all are gonna get any, but understandable if you felt it).

Something about the subtle use of steel pan, and mafioso type beat that the OVO clan has such an affinity for, really brings this hoe all the way together.

Another interesting point to note – and why I think Thug and Gunna make such an incomparable duo - is the fact that Thug and Gunna could almost pass for one another on the second verse, and even in the chorus. The only distinctive giveaway in this is the fact that Gunna does not make use of the whimsical bars in the same way that Thug does (because who the fuck is putting macaroni and cheese in their pockets besides the man who made a whole Instagram live about having a dirty dick? Exactly.)

Surprisingly though, this is one of the only songs on the album that hasn’t drilled holes in my eardrums, even after listening to it for an entire month, so bravo on them for that.

“Proud of You” – YSL, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Yung Kayo

I’m going to use this song to expose my corniness in saying I’ve definitely thought of using this song for some Instagram captions.

I think the combined genius of Thug and Uzi is often overlooked due to everyone wanting to worship Uzi with the androgynous Vampire Ma- I mean, Carti (who also makes a great duo with Uzi in his own right, but Uzi and Thug just remind me of two eccentric uncles, minus a few decades).

It was also rumored in 2018 that these niggas had over fifteen hundred songs together and I honestly wouldn’t it put it past them for that to be true.

Will they all be hits? Probably not, but it’s nice to be a dreamer – plus, their previous tracks (What’s the Move, It’s A Slime and Strawberry Peels) can’t be disregarded either.

“Really Be Slime” – YSL, Young Thug, FN DaDealer, YNW Melly, Bslime

In my honest opinion, I think YNW Melly (and TayK!) should have been pardoned from jail way before Reptar (Kodak) or the other gremlin, Mr. Weezy F Baby – not doubting this artistry, but I do think this man requires a serious rest; musically, emotionally, and physically).

This nigga Melly bodies every feature and brings such mischievous energy to every single track. Also, the minute the rhymed “butter pecan” and “Puerto Rican”, he was fr a genius in my high school eyes.

You can’t deny that the other niggas on the track, even Young Thug himself, fall a little short and that FN DaDealer is trying a bit hard to give us Lil Baby teas, but for what it is, it’s not a bad song. The beat, again, nothing too impressive, but I’m honestly just so glad to hear a YNW Melly feature after what feels like forever.

And that about wraps it up – overall, I’d give this project a solid 5/10. It could have done a bit more; and for the number of features (as well as their duality), honestly could have been more experimental. I get that this was highly anticipated, but in that case, I’m sure niggas wouldn’t have minded waiting a bit longer for it to go the extra mile.

If you feel like I missed any important tracks, that’s too damn bad; but feel free to argue with me in the comments of Instagram.

Until then…*turns on “I Like”*.

[rhianna]

DIVUS ARETINUS Pierre Arétin, surnommé divin, par le fait de sa gloire, occupait à Venise une maison sise au Grand Canal, proche du pont de Rialto et des marchés de la ville. Lui-même a pris soin de nous dire que ce lieu était «sans défaut» et que la vue y était la plus agréable du monde. Mille gondoles y passaient, soit aux heures des approvisionnements, soit à celles de la promenade. Le quartier de Rialto étant le centre des affaires, le vieux pont de bois était sans cesse parcouru par la foule pittoresque des commerçants, des agioteurs et des étrangers de toutes les nations dont les rapports étaient actifs avec la République. Joignez à cela que la famille dogale des Mocenigo avait son palais dans le voisinage, ce qui était l'occasion de fréquents mouvements d'équipages princiers ou d'ambassadeurs et de ce train spécial et d'une richesse incomparable dont s'accompagnait le célèbre vaisseau nommé le Bucentaure. Mais Arétin était plus puissant que le Doge ; toutes les personnes que l'étiquette menait chez celui-ci avaient à cœur de visiter l'illustre écrivain ; et il en recevait en outre beaucoup d'autres.

A l'heure délicieuse du soir qui précède la chute du soleil, messer Pierre Arétin, ayant retenu à souper quelques-uns de ses visiteurs, se tenait avec eux au balcon de cette maison fameuse. Il y avait là son bon ami le Titien, grand peintre, et le sculpteur Sansovino non moins célèbre ; Nicolo Franco, secrétaire d'Arétin, et plusieurs femmes de grande beauté, d'humeur alerte, et dont les propos avaient la grâce et l'agilité des oiseaux libres qu'on voit en abondance dans les jardins enchantés de l'île de Murano. Et certes, s'il était agréable de contempler du balcon le spectacle mouvant du Canal, il arrivait aussi que nombre de gondoliers et de barcarols se missent d'eux-mêmes à ralentir le balancement cadencé de leur rame, pour fournir aux promeneurs l'occasion d'admirer l'entourage magnifique d'Arétin, le fléau des princes. Les dames, déjà parées pour le souper, dépassaient par la splendeur de leur accoutrement les plus riches pièces d'orfèvrerie ; leurs cheveux étaient teints et séchés, et leurs épaules et leur gorge parfumées et fardées s'épanouissaient hors des brocarts et sous les perles, pareilles à ces fleurs cultivées dont on ne sait au juste si l'attrait vient de l'excessive beauté ou de l'artifice. Le maître attirait les regards par l'éclat de son teint, sa longue barbe, son pourpoint cramoisi où brillait une chaîne d'or bien ouvragée, dernier gage d'amitié de Sa Sainteté le Pape. Titien, qui adorait les couleurs, était vêtu d'étoffes de velours noir d'une demi-douzaine de tons différents. Sansovino, de qui la sobriété faisait l'objet d'amicales railleries, portait la longue robe de serge noire attachée au cou simplement par des pièces d'argent. 

DIVUS ARETINUS Pierre Arétin, nicknamed divine because of his glory, lived in Venice in a house on the Grand Canal, close to the Rialto Bridge and the city's markets. He himself took care to tell us that this place was "flawless" and that the view was the most pleasant in the world. A thousand gondolas used to pass through here, either at the time of the supplies or at the time of the promenade. As the Rialto district was the centre of business, the old wooden bridge was constantly crossed by the picturesque crowd of merchants, agitators and foreigners from all nations whose relations with the Republic were active. Add to this the fact that the Dogal family of the Mocenigo had its palace in the vicinity, which was the occasion for frequent movements of princely crews or ambassadors and for the special train of incomparable wealth which was accompanied by the famous ship named the Bucentaur. But Arétin was more powerful than the Doge; all the people the label led to his house were keen to visit the illustrious writer; and he also received many others.At the delightful hour of the evening before the fall of the sun, Messer Pierre Arétin, having kept some of his visitors for supper, stood with them on the balcony of this famous house. There were his good friend Titian, a great painter, and the no less famous sculptor Sansovino; Nicolo Franco, Arétin's secretary, and several women of great beauty and alert temperament, whose words had the grace and agility of the free birds that can be seen in abundance in the enchanted gardens of the island of Murano. And of course, if it was pleasant to contemplate from the balcony the moving spectacle of the Canal, it also happened that many gondoliers and barcarols would slow down the rhythmic swinging of their oars, to provide walkers with the opportunity to admire the magnificent surroundings of Arétin, the scourge of the princes. The ladies, already dressed for supper, surpassed by the splendour of their attire the richest pieces of silverware; their hair was dyed and dried, and their shoulders and throats, perfumed and lined, blossomed out of the brocades and under the pearls, similar to those cultivated flowers, whose appeal is not clear whether it is excessive beauty or artifice. The master attracted attention by the radiance of his complexion, his long beard, his crimson point where a well worked gold chain shone, the last token of friendship of His Holiness the Pope. Titian, who loved colours, was dressed in black velvet fabrics of half a dozen different shades. Sansovino, from whom sobriety was the object of friendly taunting, wore the long black serge dress attached to his neck simply by silver coins.Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[fayewonglibrary]

Long Live the Queen (2005)

Singer Faye Wong hinted she was going to quit showbiz. An aghast Life! writer pens a letter to her pleading with her to change her mind

by Hong Xinyi

DEAR Faye,

Last week, both your manager Chan Kar Ying and music producer Zhang Yadong hinted that you were thinking about retiring from showbiz.

Don’t do it.

I know, I know. It’s no fun being the only real diva in the Chinese pop scene. After all, the competition out there is lacklustre. Since the incomparable Anita Mui died of cancer in 2003, no one has quite catapulted successfully into the diva stratosphere.

Singapore’s Stefanie Sun shows a lot of promise. With her distinctive voice and an arsenal of catchy songs, she was caught on like wildfire in the region. Just last Saturday, she was named the Best Female Artiste at Taiwan’s prestigious 16th annual Golden Melody Awards.

But while Sun has commercial clout, she is not yet the stuff of showbiz legends like you are.

Since you wisely abandoned the moniker Shirley Wong (Wang Jingwen) as well as the career trajectory of a generic popster in 1992, your music and personal style have repeatedly proved that standing out is more fun than fitting in.

You led your life with the same kind of insouciance you brought to your career. In 1997, at the height of your fame, you had a daughter, Jingtong, with rocker Dou Wei, then promptly disappeared from the public eye for almost a year.

Defying all expectations, your star just kept on rising. Years before Demi Moore was flaunting her toy boy Ashton Kutcher, you were leading a blushing Nicholas Tse - who was 11 years your junior - by the hand out of karaoke pubs in 2000.

With unflappable nonchalance, you completely disregarded the Hong Kong paparrazi’s obsession with your life, including your divorce from Dou in 1999 and your ever-changing images.

Your fans didn’t seem to care much about the gossip either.

Not that the other female pop stars out there don’t attract tabloid attention. At the beginning of her career in 1996, Taiwan’s A*mei looked all set for the big time. However, her fate changed in 2000, when she sang Taiwan’s anthem at the inauguration of President Chen Shui-bian, prompting China to ban her from performing there. The ensuing bad press, and a string of mediocre albums, has stalled her previously promising career.

And while her powerhouse voice delivers her trademark anguished ballads with aplomb, the same cannot be said for others. Sammi Cheng has a pretty decent flair for fashion, but comparing her vocals to yours is like putting a soggy pandan cake next to a gossamer-light souffle.

Your voice and delivery remain unique, despite imitations by singers from Chiang Mei-chi to Grace Chow. They channel your crystalline sweetness without realising your singing can be icicle-cold at the same time. Only chanteuse Sandy Lam’s breathy tender purr is on a par with this distinctive style.

Kelly Chen’s weedy voice and dead eyes make her unfit for your throne. CoCo Lee is busy trying to repackage herself as a Chinese Beyonce.

Now, I’m not a big fan of your Cocteau Twins (whom you collaborated with) and Cranberries phase, but while you imitated the styles of these groups, you at least never tried to aggressively court the West.

And let’s just give the likes of sweetie-pies Gigi Leung, Jolin Tsai and Miriam Yeung a collective pat on the back for trying. Not even close, honeys.

Karen Mok is certainly cool, has a unique voice and some pretty good songs. But whereas you are both known for not humouring the press, she comes across as haughty when rubbed the wrong way. Your reticence, however, reflects your genuine spaciness.

Not ice maiden but nice maiden

HOW do I know this? Because since becoming a full-time journalist about a year ago, one of the highlights of my short career has been talking to you.

It happened in October last year. You were doing press for Wong Kar Wai’s 2046 from a hotel room in Shanghai, and it felt completely surreal when you answered my long-distance call.

And, to my great relief, you were not the truculent ice-maiden the press has often made you out to be.

Your perplexed pauses as you tried to articulate your rambling thoughts seemed only to show that you were just not cut out for the sort of glib PR spiel that other manufactured posters spew.

You even revealed a deadpan sense of humour when you talked about one of your 2046 characters, an android. “She has no facial expressions and doesn’t feel emotions. I guess some might feel that was like me,” you said, with the barest hint of a chuckle.

It was a memorable experience for someone who has been a fan since the age of 13.

Your first major feature film, 1994’s Chungking Express, inspired me to get the pixie-cut you sported.

Your music supplied the theme songs for the soundtrack of my life, as your voice changed from the ethereal ballads in 1994’s Mystery (Mi) to the trance-inflected whispers and operatic soundscapes of 2000’s Fable (Yu Yan).

I obsessed over my first crush to Ambiguous (Ai Mei, from 1995’s Di-Dar) and nursed my first heartbreak with Overthrown (Tui Fan, from 1999’s Only Loving Strangers).

Sometimes, you did disappoint. 2001’s Faye Wong (the album) and 2003’s To Love (Jiang Ai) generally left me cold with their impenetrable lyrics and aloof delivery.

But at your best, you showed us that Chinese pop isn’t just sappy love songs and cheesy dance tracks.

You sang about becoming a mother in Tong (from 1998’s Wanderlust). You sang about simply being bored (Men, from 1997’s Faye Wong). You released songs with no words whatsoever, scatting whimsically in 1996’s Restless (Fu Zao).

So, please don’t retire yet. Get married to China actor Li Yapeng. Take a break. But don’t disappear.

Over the course of the past 10 years, you have changed the rules of the Chinese showbiz game. Don’t leave us to the mercy of wannabe nymphets and soul-less songstresses now.

Sincerely, Xinyi

------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCE: THE STRAITS TIMES / LIFE

[jev92410]

CR IM Vichy 2018

Voilà un IM inattendu. Je me suis quand même inscrit sur un coup de tête après avoir réussi le courte distance de Deauville…en y repensant ce n’est pas très prudent, logique ou sage J

Comme j’ai exactement 2 mois avant le jour J, je mets les bouchées doubles directement. Enormément de vélo en juillet avec 1200km et ce malgré 2 week-ends de mariage ou je ne peux pas faire de sports. Je mixe entre des petites sorties quasi tous les matins et des sorties longues de 180km, 220km…Le mois d’août je ralentis un peu malheureusement pour pas me cramer mais cette période d’entrainement en vélo m’a vraiment fait la caisse je trouve. On passe un vrai cap quand on fait des sorties très longues et qu’on roule autant.

Parallèlement je lance le chantier natation. Autant ce n’est pas la partie stressante autant il faut quand même borner un peu car j’ai très très peu nagé les 6 premiers mois et carrément pas nagé en mars/avril. Du coup juillet/août sera grosso modo 20km par mois. Rapidement je retrouve un rythme de croisière qui ne m’épuise pas. Je sais que je n’irai pas beaucoup plus vite mais au moins la caisse est là. J’ai réussi à caler ces entrainements quasiment tous les midis au travail J

Enfin le chantier CAP. Débarrassé de mes douleurs récurrentes au pied gauche avec mes semelles, j’achète une paire de shoes neuves pour l’occasion et fais quelques sorties courtes ponctuées d’un enchainement 110km vélo + 10km à pied sous le cagnard en juillet et de 2 sorties longues (21 et 24km). Niveau bornage ce n’est pas énorme mais avec les progrès à vélo je me dis que je devrais bien tenir au niveau cardiaque pour un marathon sans trop de risque en 3h45/4h.

Arrive les 2 dernières semaines avant la course. Je suis un peu fatigué et je commence à checker la météo tous les matins. S’il fait trop chaud ce sera natation sans combi et une course à adapter. Je baisse fortement le volume pour récupérer et suis quasi à l’arrête la dernière semaine.

Direction Vichy, comme d’habitude avec le label toute l’organisation est rodée parfaitement. On est bien accueilli, le site est top, les infrastructures aussi. Je passe l’avant-veille à flâner un peu. La veille les parents arrivent pour m’encourager malgré la distance et le mariage la semaine prochaine J Ca fout le coup de boost mais on en reparler après. Le soir pasta et basta. Tout est prêt, la météo est top, le vélo posé (beaucoup de vélos de chronos as usual), les sacs rangés, bref il n’y a plus qu’à dormir un peu. La nuit n’est pas vraiment bonne, je me lève à 4h pour manger des pâtes avec mon coloc de l’occasion qui fait la course aussi. Il se prend un sachet de Smecta et je me fous de lui J Direction le lit pour se recoucher un peu avant d’y aller.

Je m’y rends à pied tranquillement, il fait frais voire froid en fait. J’arrive 30’ avant, me change et cours me mettre dans le sas. Bon là ils ont foiré leur coup car le tapis pour les pieds ne va pas du sas jusqu’au départ donc on a mal aux pieds. Je réalise une fois dans le SAS que c’est quand même un programme de dingue qui m’attend et j’espère que tout ira bien. Je vise 1h15-6h-4h sans les transitions donc 11h30 voire moins si tout se passe selon le plan.

Natation

Mon tour à l’eau arrive assez vite et hop je plonge avec 7 autres pingouins en combi. C’est parti !!!! je pose ma nage tranquillement, je suis très bien dans ma nouvelle combi. Super investissement. La première boucle se passe bien, sortie à l’australienne et hop la seconde. Je constate assez vite qu’on aura un parcours plus long que les 3800m. Mon épaule gauche tire un peu et pollue ma nage mais ça tient. Le dernier bord me semble interminable, je ne nage pas droit du tout J Enfin la sortie ou je perds un peu de temps à attraper le ponton mais rien de grave sur IM.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2965081126/1

1h15 au final pour 4000m. Conforme aux attentes, les bras tirent un peu mais tout va bien.

T1

La transition est lente car il fait froid. Je prends le temps de me sécher autant que possible, mettre un kway et des manchettes. Pause pipi et direction le vélo.

Vélo

Sur le vélo l’objectif c’est clairement ce fameux sub6h et donc 30kmH. Je me cale donc sur ce rythme que je pense pouvoir tenir. Les premiers km sont difficiles, il fait froid, hyper humide, à tel point que je dois enlever mes lunettes pleines de buée et mon casque ruisselle de rosée. Je passe la période mais garde les manchettes et le kway jusqu’à la fin du premier tour. Le parcours est chouette, je me fais quand même dépasser par des fusées mais je reste dans l’économie et j’ai la jambe gauche derrière la cuisse qui tire donc je ne veux pas forcer. A la fin du premier tour je suis on-track pour faire moins de 6h et prends le temps de pisser un coup puis de m’arrêter au ravito de mi-course pour prendre un sandwich.

Je continue mon second tour tranquillement, clairement plus difficile que le premier avec la fatigue mais je sens l’effet positif de mes sorties longues. J’ai déjà connu ces distances donc ça va. Je m’alimente autant que possible en buvant bien. Ma cuisse tire comme pas permis et je suis obligé de m’étirer sur le vélo en espérant ne pas être en train de me flinguer.

Je termine finalement en 5h48 soit 31kmH d’après le site mais il doit manquer 5km donc pile en dessous 6h. Contrat rempli car je me sens bien niveau fatigue.

T2

Je pose pied à terre et desserre mon casque => un arbitre me met une pénalité alors que je suis un peu dans les vapes des 7 dernières heures de sport J 30 secondes à faire sur le parcours CAP. Je pose enfin le vélo et hop je me change. Pause pipi et c’est parti.

CAP

Ma cuisse me laisse tranquille, je me sens bien musculairement. Beaucoup mieux qu’à Nice c’est incomparable. Pas de problème je sens que physiologiquement la transition se passe bien. A peine sorti je vois les parents et ça me fout un gros coup de boost au moral ! C’est important finalement d’avoir des gens pour soi sur le parcours même si c’est un sport solitaire.

Les 2 premiers KM se passent très bien pour lancer ma course en 5’/km soit 12kmH et un cardio bien. Malheureusement juste après la course se termine. Je suis pris d’une envie de toilette de l’enfer et vais ramper péniblement jusqu’aux toilettes au km3. Un allemand à la con est dedans et j’attends donc devant plié en 4. Enfin il sort, j’y vais et c’est la délivrance. Vidange totale. Pas besoin de dessin je fais un calcul mental ou 2 solutions existent : 1) mon ventre va mieux toute suite et je peux m’alimenter pour compenser les pertes de sucres et eau ou 2) j’ai encore mal au ventre et dans ce cas c’est foutu.

La réponse vient à peine sorti des toilettes, j’ai le bide en vrac, pas stable et je sens que j’ai plus de jus. Je vais réussir à trottiner jusqu’au km7, je crois les parents qui n’ont malheureusement pas de Smecta ou d’Imodium. Au km7 je prends un verre d’eau, décide de ne pas m’arrêter aux toilettes avant de carrément faire demi-tour sur 100m pour finalement y aller et éjecter tout ce qui me restait. A partir de là la course sera un long chemin de croix passé à manger un petit bout tous les 2km mais la machine ne repartira jamais vraiment. 4h53 de chemin de croix pour finir en 12h10. J’avais clairement 1h de moins dans les jambes au point d’accrocher le sub11h.

Je profite quand même beaucoup de la ligne d’arrivée, plus qu’à Nice et fini en relativement bon état musculaire en tout cas mais très frustré. Le bon côté c’est que je sais que j’en referai un car finir frustré comme ça ce n’est pas possible.

Au final super expérience malgré tout et très content d’avoir pu le faire juste avant le mariage J

Un merci immense aux parents qui sont venus m’encourager. Malgré la déception ça m’a beaucoup aidé et fait plaisir tout du long !

[disneyparkhopper55-blog1]

Do You Have These Dreams of Being a Speaker

1. Your Dream . . .

If you have seen yourself living the Public Speaking life, if you've fantasized about what it is like, you've come to the right place . . if you have dreamed of the speaker's life, .

Why?

2. When You've Been There, You Know . . .

Because I have lived this life since September 1982. For the next few moments imagine you are me: Experience your first speaking engagement that is overseas. You are living in Santa Monica, California, USA, (as I was). You secure a gig in Sydney, Australia . . .

3. Picture You Living this full lif . . .

Successful speakers live a charmed life. Picture you enjoying lots of travel, beautiful hotels, and some of this fantasy overseas. Occasionally you fly in First Class or Business Class. This costs you nothing because you soon discover how to upgrade to the cabin that is front the atmosphere is better, the service is much better and the food is better . . .

4. Your Upscale Hotel . . .

You sleep in upscale hotel rooms, usually in 4 and 5 star hotels because that's where shelf that is top, conferences and conventions are staged. You quickly get used to white tablecloth dining rooms where you are seated by a liveried host. Extensive menus usually including rare choices that are regional cannot get at home. You often sleep in a demi-suite or suite beautifully furnished with the best . . .

5. You May Dine with Top Brass . . .

You're often invited to break bread with CEOs, Presidents, or Managing Directors they want to pick your brain because you are the expert from afar and. This occasionally leads to a consulting that is multi-figure for you . . .

6. Your Unforgettable Thrill: Your Platform High . . .

Plus this: Platform high! The thrill that is incomparable feel in every quivering cell of one's body when you are introduced, step on to the platform, and stand before hundreds or thousands of eager faces looking up at you . . .

7. You Board Your Flight . . .

You use your miles to upgrade to Business Class for this 14 hour flight. Your departure from LAX is scheduled for 10:30 PM. clash of clans free gems You check in and walk straight to the continuing business Class cabin . . .

8. Your Spacious Seat . . .

There, you settle into your wide and comfy seat. You are handed your amenity package by a flight attendant. In it you find your personal slippers, hand lotion, a toothbrush and toothpaste and other goodies. Already you feel like royalty. A hot towel arrives to refresh your hands and face . . .

9. Your Chosen Beverage . . .

You are provided a libation, anything you desire, usually a shelf label that is top. A little bowl of assorted shelf that is top appears out of nowhere on your armrest . . . How do they do that?

10. Dining At 40,000 Feet . . .

Shortly after your flight reaches cruising altitude you are served a scrumptious supper. It starts with a salad tossed right there at 40,000 feet. You choose from an array of entrees, each nicer than the remainder.

(When Pan Am was flying I remember, after being served my filet, asking the flight attendant if I could have a taste, just a taste, of the lobster thermador. She smiles and serves me an entire lobster dinner.)

After your pastry your after dinner drink, and your coffee, you are given a warm blanket and you drift off to sleep. You skip the snack that is mid-flight.

11. Morning On Final Approach . . .

Hours later as the Australian dawn appears, you are served a bountiful breakfast on real china. You ask yourself, is this possible, is it happening, am I dreaming? Deluxe everything, paid for by the conference sponsor, plus my fee that is speaking.

The hotel that is upscale which you are to speak overlooks Botany Bay and its white sand beach. You, of course, arrive a day early to let your body clock adjust to the time change. So you take a walk that is long the Botany Bay beach. You can barely believe you're being paid for this adventure . . .

12. Getting To Know You . . .

In the you get to know some of your new Aussie "mates. evening" Down under, the expressed word for a friend is "mate."

Next you speak and are rewarded with generous applause, business cards and inquiries about your services day. You enjoy the conference, the food that is great and your new mates for the next couple of days. One of them, a Sydney native invites you for a full day of touring fascinating places including the Sydney Opera home. You keep your camera busy capturing all the scenes . . .

13. You're Back Home . . .

A day or two later you arrive home, check in hand, and glowing with gratitude at being a part of this lifestyle . . . a lifestyle smaller mortals never taste.

14. You're On You Are Way Towards The Bank . . .

While reduced mortals writhe and moan, squirm and gripe, suffer and sweat . . . you're on the way to the bank to deposit your fat check . . .

15. Your New Lifestyle . . .

Do you yearn to create this lifestyle for yourself? The exotic travel, the adventure in new locales, the new friends and clients. And don't forget moving to a nicer neighborhood, a more home that is spacious and private schools for your children.

16. Make It Take Place . . .

What does it just take to let this happen: For a start it takes your desire for this life style. Next it takes expertise in something organizations and people want and certainly will pay for. Then it takes work on your part to perfect the rules of the game. (I started in 1982 knowing nothing, making many mistakes on the way to personal mastership.)

In addition it takes a ongoing work ethic that won't stop, resolute integrity and patience while you master the marketing aspects.

17. This New Life is At Hand For You Now.

You could have this life it. . if you want . and you gotta want it enough to have it!

Most people, having gotten this far, sit back and do nothing. Because they lack the will to begin. They condemn themselves to live all their lives into the mire of mediocrity. They make themselves members of the "I could have" club . . . Don't allow this be you.