#but i absolutely love jeremy's concerts and had to share

[meiloorunsmoothie]

Jeremy Jordan masterpost (part 2!)

Well that certainly took longer than I was expecting. Part 1 is here.

I also realized that it’s absolutely crazy to try and cover all his concerts, so these are just the ones that I have personally listened to/watched. Since I’ve listened to them, I also included some of my thoughts (if you care for that kind of stuff 💀).

Again, the shows in blue (which should be most of them) are the ones that I have a version different from the one I linked below. Like the last post, if you want access to that, dm me—I’m willing to gift each person up to two!

Without further ado, let’s start :D

Concerts

Breaking Character (2014):

His first cabaret style show! Personally still one of my favorites. Love the guests he brought on. This is the only one of his shows (that I know of) where the setlist fluctuates depending on the specific show.

Highlights: Fun songs he hasn’t really done since such as Anthem, Chipotle, Maybe I’m Amazed.

Original Songs: Good Enough (+ deleted rap verse depending on the show), Revelation, Underwater

Pretty much the full show (with Ashley and Krysta): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr-KiuMoSWPGioEdNHEbAJCbvG6p6fiqP&si=IDddaYii8eZYFpfc

If anyone has the recording of the show with Keke Palmer, I’ve been looking for that one

Jeremy’s T.E.R.R.I.B.L.E.! (2015):

Honestly this show made me a little uncomfortable 💀. It’s in a “game show” style and is actually really fun in the beginning (there are audience questions and JJ trivia), but it then takes a bit of a weird personal turn (although he said in an interview that he wanted that part to come out of nowhere so 🤷‍♀️. Had me squirming in my chair a bit).

Highlights: Everyone’s Come Here to See Me (one of my favorites of his openers), the audience questions, the ‘I don’t want to sing that’ medley, Under the Sea (Jeremy’s version)

Original Songs: Breathe Again, a song about facing his greatest fear (I’m just gonna call it ‘everyone’s naked’ haha, iykyk)

Everyone’s Come Here to See Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7_pU05G9GA

Breathe Again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B1QE_RbXvU

London - Hippodrome (2016):

This show seems to be a mix of Breaking Character and Jeremy’s T.E.R.R.I.B.L.E.!. Works a little better than Jeremy’s T.E.R.R.I.B.L.E.!, in my opinion. A pretty fun show overall!

Highlights: audience questions again, ‘Take Me or Leave Me’ with Ashley, the most EPIC medley ever

Original Songs: Good Enough (new lyrics), Hold On (A BOP), Memories of Loving You (one of my favs <3)

Here are some of the songs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxsnvbhJ7KZPknZrui1vqsWybt340BGMa&si=vhvnmLhfy-Ee-Dwp

If anyone has the pro-shot or recordings from different days (I know they’re out there!), I am looking for those!

Elsie Fest (2017):

Love this set! I rewatch it almost monthly 💀.

Full set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUizICzFhgU

Starring Opposite of You (2018):

Such a fun show! This is his and Ashley’s joint concert, and they do lots of fun medleys together!

Highlights: past shows medley (where they reverse roles), Jeremy’s old songs, musical duets medley

Original Songs: Guitar Medley, Memories of Loving You

Almost the full show: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiHqD-T4otnAentv3OPKM3cxxa6BbH8Mc&si=zGyqLpZHRvDvecAg

Cadogan Hall (2018):

Love this show! He sings a bunch of songs he doesn’t normally sing because he had to reschedule multiple times. Honestly, probably one of my favorites of his concerts.

Highlights: Raise a Little Hell, LET ME MAKE YOU PROUD (I’M SO HAPPY HE ACTUALLY SANG FROM TANGLED THE SERIES. unfortunately the audience doesn’t seem as enthused), Schmuel Song, It’s All Coming Back To Me Now (!!), honestly so many

Original Songs: Undertow (love this one), Guitar Medley, Underwater

Full show: https://soundcloud.com/no-1481/sets/cadogan-hall-1-9-18?si=574334f4e6f2415999efe787ba662994&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Shows with Seth Rudetsky (2018 + 2019):

Pretty fun shows! Half concert, half interview style, so very interesting, as well.

Highlights: that bonnie moment, his proposal story

2018 show: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiHqD-T4otnAp8cxF1XNgDcy_HUJIkTEl&si=6gQWqnnvE9QB3w4R

2019 show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgJNsjoixqObyeUvYiXPUn9-eyarTPqh4

If anyone has the show they did at The Herbst, I’m looking for it!

Modern Broadway w/ Betsy Wolfe (2019):

Not my favorite, but there are some fun songs and duets.

Highlights: She Used to Be Mine (Betsy), Waving Through a Window (Jeremy), Suddenly Seymour (both)

Carnegie Hall (2019):

He royally messes up ‘Moving too Fast’ and forgets the beginning of ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’, but everything else and the orchestra are great.

Highlights: Undertow with full orchestration

Original Songs: Undertow

Here are some songs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiHqD-T4otnBoMy4jbPimGN8HCA1V0pnz&si=-k_u-7MrETj0pg0c

Moving too Fast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd5wzCs2su8

Medley w/ Ashley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XuKEdFuEj4

Cadogan Hall (2019):

He makes it a trend to do new stuff at his London shows, so lots of fun material at this concert too! The crowd cheers so much that he comes back out for a second encore.

Highlights: Princess Jeremy Medley (debut), The Greatest Showman Medley (debut)

Original Songs: The Sun

Princess Jeremy: https://thebookofkate22.tumblr.com/post/188718478707/jeremy-jordan-cadogan-hall-261019-disney

Bonnie and Clyde medley: https://thebookofkate22.tumblr.com/post/188718456037/jeremy-jordan-cadogan-hall-261019-bonnie

The Sun: https://thebookofkate22.tumblr.com/post/188718500882/jeremy-jordan-cadogan-hall-261019-sun

Run Away With Me: https://thebookofkate22.tumblr.com/post/188718462872/jeremy-jordan-cadogan-hall-261019-run-away

Greatest Showman Medley: https://thebookofkate22.tumblr.com/post/188718570932/jeremy-jordan-cadogan-hall-261019-greatest

Santa Fe: https://thebookofkate22.tumblr.com/post/188719473097/andplaces-jeremy-jordan-in-concert-27-october

If anyone has the full 10/27 matinee show, I’m looking for it!

UCPAC (2020):

Pretty standard show, some overall with the 2019 Cadogan Hall show.

Highlights: Princess Jeremy, At Last

Original Songs: The Sun

Moving too Fast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InaR0nkcBe0

She Used to Be Mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OotBKr3SUhE

Last Five Years Medley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0JJVS9_Ifg

Broadway, Here I Come: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cph4GdJVewE

Princess Jeremy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMvZhf6wlNs

The Scientist/Yesterday/So Far Away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keiBHJfxKq0

At Last: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUwC0CNl4gw

Carry On (2020 + 2021):

My favorite Jeremy show ever! I think it’s very well directed and cleverly designed. Definitely on the more serious side (there are fun moments), so not your typical JJ show. I think this is a much more successful version of what he tried to do with Jeremy’s T.E.R.R.I.B.L.E..

Highlights: I literally can’t pick, the whole thing is so good—but I think the shows he did with live audiences packs a bigger punch (the pro-shot is amazing too though, and slightly different from the 2020 version).

Live Version:

Broadway, Here I Come: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJa5bpH4FAA

Santa Fe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP5OnYXoSRQ

Princess Jeremy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Sz4UZcARE

Pro-Shot (thanks, @personinthepalace!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMbraZrrh1o

I am always looking for recordings of the shows he did before COVID and will probably trade very unfairly for them!

The Seth Concert Series (COVID 💀):

Pretty fun shows, similar to the other Seth shows but with different songs.

Highlights: HURRICANE (I love death note), Donny Novitski, he talks about tangled in one of them!

Bonnie & Clyde Medley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVyK-YJlwPQ

Past Shows Medley w/ Ashley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRLyNN6znJ4

If anyone has his first TSCS show (I’m not actually quite sure how many there are), I’m looking for it!

Drury Lane (2022):

Another London show (which are always the best)! It’s definitely feels like a level up, lots of guests (Mikael from AOM, Frances Mayli Mccann, Andy Mientus (for one show)), and a sneak peek (at the time) of some AOM songs. Also, Ben tries to get him to sing Let it Go throughout the whole show and finally succeeds in the end.

Highlights: All the guest stars, Frozen II Medley, THE ENCORE IS SO SO GOOD (I love Jeremy’s version of Meant to be Yours)

Original Songs: Unfortunately he kind of stopped singing originals after COVID, but the AOM songs I guess

Drury Lane Medley: https://musical-treasures.tumblr.com/post/694059841368506368/jeremy-jordan-drury-lane-medley-drury-lane

When We Were Young: https://musical-treasures.tumblr.com/post/694134704948101120/jeremy-jordan-when-we-were-young-adele-when-we

Bonnie & Clyde Medley w/ Frances: https://musical-treasures.tumblr.com/post/694059561774186496/jeremy-jordan-and-frances-mayli-mccann-bonnie

AOM set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2P75zO_Y-E

What You Own w/ Andy: https://musical-treasures.tumblr.com/post/694058609967005696/jeremy-jordan-andy-mientus-what-you-own

Frozen II: https://musical-treasures.tumblr.com/post/694058947225829376/jeremy-jordan-frozen-ii-medley-29th-august-2022

Encore: https://musical-treasures.tumblr.com/post/694058885053661184/jeremy-jordan-roles-i-could-play-in-the-london

They must release the pro-shot of this (please I’m begging). But if anyone has the second day, I’ve been looking for it!

The Cabaret (2023):

His most recent fully recorded concert (I believe). Pretty standard show. It’s not Ben at the piano, but actually his MD from the Broadway Cruise—they make a pretty good pair too!

Highlights: Princess Jeremy (yes, I just love this medley), erm this is embarrassing but I actually can’t quite remember much else standing out from this show (might change later if I listen to it again)

Bring Him Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxsdFG4zqFE

She Used to Be Mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx-gWWau4kA

Santa Fe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlcMZp0TlRU

West Coast Tour (2024):

Most recent concert series :))). I think the setlist changed a bit between shows, but it looked really really fun. Fun fact, this is the first concert he’s done since I became a fan (minus a couple one-offs), so I was definitely hyper fixated on it hehe. We’ll see if more content crops up in the future.

Highlights: JJ and Ben: A Decade of Song, Newsies in Ten Minutes (aka my favorite vid on the internet right now)

Shiksa Goddess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdCs3039SLI&t=5s

JJ and Ben Medley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKWZEEH3YRg

Newsies Abridged: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sytv1huDms4

Santa Fe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCDInP-2dLo

If you went to this show, I’m so so jealous. But if you happened to take a recording, I would be forever grateful and will trade very unfairly for it 👀

Well, those are all the concerts that I’m aware of (that have been recorded in some way), if you happen to have one (a recording) that I missed, please dm me! I would love to trade!

Now that I’ve basically fully revealed myself as a *pirate* (rip), I will see you in my next post hahaha…

[creativeashproductions]

Songbird Shenanigans // Charlie Gillespie

IN WHICH: The reader will routinely sneak away from her band/hotel to continue her tour shenanigans in parking garages. A way for the young star to return to the stupid years where the concert venue was a car and the mic was the steering wheel. As each city comes and goes with the tour, one thing never changes, driving to parking garages to scream songs at the top of your lungs.

Warnings: Swearing, Mamma Mia songs (oops), and fluff

Words: 4.0k (with lyrics included)

A/N: There’s something endearing about Charlie randomly going a stranger in a duet and dance without a care. This was loosely inspired by the chaotic live they did when Jeremy and Charlie stayed at Owen’s place. I loved Charlie’s tropical shirt giving Animal Crossing vibes.

TO BE TAGGED SEND AN INBOX/ASK PLEASE!

Masterlist

A moment you had desired for a while finally came around in Oklahoma City during the free day between the two concerts. The pure quiet away from the interviews, photoshoots and demanding life of a musician. Yet despite wanting this time, you definitely felt bored, which only meant one thing.

A new video for your followers as you had done since the beginning of your successful career. Back before, you had the prominent following you had; now you would travel singing in your car, and then one video got viral. That elevated your following until you had signed a record deal with your brand new agent.

A series was then born of driving at night to the parking lots and garages in the city you temporarily visited. You'd park and sing any suggested songs from a previous video for an hour to see if a fan could find you. It was a fun game you had developed.

Y/N Y/L/N: Another installment of Songbird Shenanigans. From 9pm to 10:30pm, I'll be somewhere in Oklahoma City. Come find me for the prize!

Your agent both hated and loved the series as it brought attention to your career and songs but also was a hazard during the tour. The risk of losing your voice made your agent nervous, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

"What song are you doing?" Maddie asked from her chair in your hotel suite with a ratty book in her hand. Her rich dark hair pulled up in a high bun with a few pieces of bangs pulled down to hang free.

You didn't know if you could do what you do if you didn't have Maddie by your side as your singing partner and chief stylist. Maddie also always knew without looking on social media when you had a new installment coming.

"My most requested video is Train Wreck by-"

"James Arthur." Maddie snickered with her grey eyes pinned to the page she was reading faithfully. The book had seen better days, but it was her absolute favourite one by far and one of the only physical books she had.

"Somehow forgot you had it on repeat for a week straight." You snorted, shoving a hat on your head for warmth. A plain black coat pulled over your arms that matched the warm boots you had chosen, "I'll send you my location."

Maddie waved on hand in response, having known the routine since you first started this fun series. It allowed you a bit of your old life when the concerts you performed was solely in your car with the steering wheel as the microphone.

Judy, your agent, was sitting in the lobby with her binder surrounding her when she looked with a sigh. Without a word, she tossed the keys to the rented car she knew you'd need, so in each city, she rented one. A smile of gratitude shared before you were out the door with your hood up.

"Be careful!" Judy exclaimed just as the sliding doors closed behind you, sending you out in the cold night.

Almost instantly, your cheeks turned a light pink in the cold winter air, even if the walk to the war was short. As requested, the car was a newer model but one that would blend in with other city cars. It made finding you harder, but the windows couldn't be tinted.

"Here's to hoping I get a place with good acoustics." You muttered, starting the hatchback vehicle. Despite the cold winter weather, the road conditions were surprisingly okay, but then again, you were from a small town. Roads were shit in general.

You didn't bother playing music as you used the drive to find a parking garage and warm up your throat. Your vocal coach would have your head if you didn't warm-up, and then Judy would kill you even more.

You lucked out in a parking garage to a building that seemed to be a renovated warehouse with insanely cool windows. The metal was a dark shamrock green with a multitude of small rectangular glass between the metal. The panes swung open upwards in a fascinating design.

"Perfect." You muttered, signalling to turn into the parking garage that was easily accessed and without any trespassing signs. It was desolate, with cars parked here and there in the stalls.

A bright orange Subaru definitely took the cake as the most 'flashy' vehicle among the more nondescript ones. Not that it caught your attention when you lowered your windows marginally while simultaneously clipping the phone onto the dash. Immediately you double-checked for any apparent signs to your location before declaring it safe; with a tap of your finger, your Instagram live began.

"Welcome to another part of our Songbird Shenanigans. This time I'm in Oklahoma City for a two-day concert. The most requested song is Train Wreck by James Arthur."

Laying in the silence

Waiting for the sirens

Signs, any signs I'm alive still

I don't wanna lose it

I'm not getting through this

Hey, should I pray? should I pray

A natural instinct of closing your eyes as you got more into the music occurred. Your voice belted into the garage beautifully. Tons of comments appeared in the insta live chat of both supportive and haters.

username3: I suggested this song!!!

username88: Your voice goes perfectly with the song.

The song came to an end quicker than you would have liked since it was definitely one of your favourites to sing.

Unchain the reactions, I'm not ready to die, not yet

Pull me out of the train wreck

Pull me out, pull me out, pull me out

Pull me out, pull me out, pull me out

No action was helped back from taking a swig of water from the reusable bottle you had brought along. Your eyes scoured the comments for more suggestions or things that stuck out.

"Why don't you include hints in the Songbirds?” You read out from the comment section with a smile barely held back, "Why would I? You all know that my windows are often down, and even the most unoriginal locations have tells. There's been a few people that have found me."

Username13: I think I know where you are (insert heart emoji)

          ↳Username63: username13 where?! How do you know?

          ↳Username13: jatp is streaming all day and the guys are in a car. Same background

Your eyes read the short but interesting conversation between the two different accounts on something called jatp? Whatever that was.

"Any other requests?" You asked, scrolling through the suggestions, "Sing something from jatp? I'm sorry, guys, but I have no clue what that is? Is it a movie? OH! It's a show. My bad."

The comment section was flooded, "Okay! Let me look up the lyrics and the melody!"

Three males: a blonde and two brunettes, walked between the rows of both occupied and unoccupied parking spots. The blonde wearing a black t-shirt with BEANS written across the chest and the brunette with short slicked-back hair crowded the middle guy. All three pairs of eyes watched the iPhone stream the television series.

"I call shotgun!" Owen spoke as the car in question came into view, "We gotta Livestream in the car again!"

"Your neighbour sucks, man." Charlie groaned, nudging Jeremy to unlock the car when the older man hesitated.

"If we're going live in the car, we should cover your license plate," Jeremy suggested to a resounding agreement. 

Charlie drove an obscenely vibrant coloured car that could be picked out quickly, so he didn't need any help in broadcasting his location. Owen grabbed the book from the passenger seat to angle it to lean against the plate.

"Done!" Owen called, racing back to climb into the car with his friends. The blonde-haired man bounced in his seat as the owner of the vehicle set up the screen.

In seconds, the streaming went from the app on the phone to the car's built-in screen to the boys' delight. In a moment of what some may call brilliance and others stupidity Owen went live on Instagram with Charlie joining him swiftly.

"Do you rem-"

Username76: Songbird chose a shitty location.

           ↳Username 39: Or we just got a Hail Mary hint

"Who is Songbird?" Charlie questioned, leaning closer to his friends in the front, catching a few comments.

The comments were mixed among other unrelated ones, but all had Songbird, Shenanigans or both words. The mystery was so intriguing the boys turned down the show to scour the comments for tidbits.

"Wait? Do you hear that?" Jeremy questioned, scanning the parking garage with his blue, green eyes. Soon his head was sticking out the window, "Someone is singing here."

Jeremy's hand turned the key of the car, "Is that-"

"Oh, no." Owen groaned, seeing that specific light appear in Charlie's eyes just as it did each time one of the songs came on. His pink beanie slid around his long blonde locks.

The two guys watched as the second oldest in their group did some kind of shimmy after pushing his phone to Jeremy. Jeremy's hand scrambled to get a grip on the phone as Charlie delved into his love for these songs. Sharing a look, Jeremy and Owen followed the Canadian to a car with a girl singing in the open hatchback car.

(Italics is you! Italics and bold is Charlie and you! Just bold is Charlie!)

When you were lonely, you needed a man.

Someone to lean on, well I understand

It's only natural

But why did it have to be me?

Your eyes remained shut as you neared the middle of the first verse. You completely stopped when a voice joined. Your e/c eyes met the twinkling brown of a handsome guy with the best voice you'd heard in a long time.

Nights can be empty, and nights can be cold

So you were looking for someone to hold

That's only natural

But why did it have to be me?

Your lips parted in a grin as you grabbed the hand being offered to be pulled out of the car; on your way, your hand nudged your phone. Your phone was in a mount attached to the roof of the hatch. When you followed the stranger, the phone turned in perfect view. Your free hand turned to hover over your forehead, legs bending to feign a swoon.

I was so lonesome, I was blue

I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I

Always thought you knew the reason why

Charlie beamed playing being shot by the arrow you pretended to shoot with a grin planted on your own lips. Charlie's hand flirted with your hip as you sashayed around his body from his left to his right. Hand grabbing a first full of his white with light teal with light pink design to tug him chest to chest.

I only wanted a little love affair

Now I can see you are beginning to care

But baby, believe me

It's better to forget me

In turn, Charlie grabbed your wrist to twirl you into his arms straight into an impressive dip with the toe of your shoe pointed to the far wall. Your fingers just barely caressing the rough paved lot.

"I'm Charlie," Charlie murmured during the instrumental between the chorus and the second verse. Your eyes scanned his features with an expression you would later be glad was hidden from the lighting in the garage.

"Y/N." You breathed, clutching his shoulders still low in the dip, hoping subconsciously that your breath was still fresh.

"Wanna finish this?" Charlie spoke, searching your eyes with his own; up close, you could see his eyes were a mixture of colours. You only nodded before he continued singing to the music.

Men are the toys in the game that you play

When you get tired, you throw them away

That's only natural

But why did it have to be me?

"Are you seeing this?" Jeremy whispered to Owen as they watched Charlie literally sweep a stranger off her feet. Owen could only nod as Charlie went into the next verse, still dancing as if he was in Mamma Mia 2.

Falling in love with a woman like you

Happens so quickly, there's nothing to do

It's only natural

But why did it have to be me?

Charlie spun you back away from his body in a graceful twirl your choreographer would be incredibly proud of. The moves you made somehow made sense, with the movements matching the spontaneous duet-er.

I was so lonesome, I was blue

I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I

Always thought you knew the reason why

Once more in his arms dancing, he dipped you once more as you finished the end of the last chorus breathing heavily. The two strangers staring intensely into each other's eyes with an intense look that had tensions in the parking garage.

I only wanted a little love affair

Now I can see you are beginning to care

But baby, believe me

It's better to forget me

"Intense." Owen chuckled as Charlie raised you back onto your feet with a matching grin to yours, "Oh! Look at the comments!"

Username24: Holy shit! They ooze chemistry!!

           ↳Username9: lol, okay Alex. 

"You aren't a viewer, are you?" You breathlessly laughed, taking a step away from Charlie as the music faded away.

The equally breathless spontaneous performing partner laughed as well, "I heard the song and hoped for the best."

"Are you Songbird?" Came a voice from a few feet away. Behind the once upon a time stranger stood two males approaching slowly.

"Oh!" You gasped, turning on your heel to see where your phone was pointing, "Well, that's convenient! One moment."

Jeremy and Owen flanked Charlie as you repositioned the phone at the moment with practised precision. You kept the three people out of the shot for privacy reasons.

"There is about ten minutes away from the end of this installment being over. For the first time since we started this series, I had a duet." You playfully laughed, looking over at the trio, "It's completely up to my sudden partner, but would you like to meet your audience?"

Charlie simply shrugged, "Sure. They've seen you be serenaded by a stranger."

A short laugh came from the three individuals around Charlie as he moved into the camera frame with a large smile. As soon as he was in sight, the comment section went nuts, furthering when Owen and Jeremy came into view.

Username1: DREAM COME TRUE

           ↳Username4: omg jatp in Songbird Shenanigans?? Life accomplished.

You couldn't hold back the snort at the comments you could read quickly as they disappeared after new ones. The three guys couldn't help but chuckle as well.

"I've never seen these guys before. If you could introduce yourselves." You asked the three guests, to which each sent a reassuring smile to your hesitance.

"I'm Charlie Gillespie, and these are my friends Owen Joyner and Jeremy Shada." Charlie took the liberty of introducing both his friends and himself. His heart fluttered at the adorable smile that had appeared on your pretty face.

"I'm afraid this concludes this edition of Songbird." You apologized to the camera as the time passed the allotted hour and a half. The comments turned sad before most of them started sending questions, "I'll let you know when I do another edition! Bye for now!"

Your finger clicked the end button firstly before clicking the save button for when you would upload it to your account later.

"Thank you for doing that. I'm Y/N." You chuckled, shaking hands with Jeremy and Owen, who each grinned back, "So what brought you guys to the parking garage with three phones and a live-action Animal Crossing shirt?"

Amusement was found on all four young adults in the parking garage, pinning a gaze at the material. You had to admit you kinda adored the shirt, or maybe the person wearing it was the reason.

"We're trying to get Julie and the Phantoms to number one again." Owen offered as he displayed the live still going on his phone. 

"That's a tv series. That was the second song I did on the live before Charlie joined the little concert." You told the boys all the while aware that thousands of people watched from the phone still streaming.

"The phone's about to die." Owen piped up, catching the single decimal number broadcasting the percentage. Without any prompting, he ended the live to save it solely for the little performance Charlie did.

"Did you save it?" Jeremy asked, lifting on his tiptoes to check the phone Owen had commanded for the last half hour. Like Owen, Jeremy wanted to save it solely for the stellar performance.

"So, how'd this series start?" Charlie questioned, pushing his hands into his pockets, ignoring the subtle glances of his best friend.

"I needed an escape from touring so many cities. It's reminiscent of the days before I was discovered. When my audience was the dials in my car and my family." You half-smiled, recalling all the times you had simply driven around to sing.

"You're a musician?"

"I am. I'm currently on tour for my second album. Every second or third city I'm performing in, I take the rented car to parking lots or garages to sing. I always have a prize for the fans that find me."

"Could I get your number?" Charlie hesitantly questioned. His features twisting with the manipulation of nerves.

His palms had gone clammy enough to inconspicuously wipe them on his legs; this version of Charlie was unfamiliar. Owen and Jeremy had only ever seen him as this bundle of joy and energy, not to say he didn't have his low days, instead of nervous. Owen slipped his fingers behind his back to cross them. He hoped his Canadian friend would get it.

"You don't leak mine, and I won't leak yours." Your e/c eyes twinkled with the brush of Charlie's warm fingers on your own. The new contact waiting for his information, "Maybe we can meet up with each other?"

"I'd love that."

Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, Unspecified Date

The sounds of screams and heavy instruments blocked by the unique in-ears explicitly made for your ears alone. You'd heaved, catching a breath after such an energetic song you'd just performed for the sold-out venue. You just jogged to the side for a chug of water as your band switched instruments.

"Are you having fun tonight!" You asked the crowd who had fought tooth and nail for tickets. The crowd screamed back louder than before.

Selling out MSG for completely insane even after touring the country with your band three times. It was still a little jarring, going from a nobody with untapped potential to selling out concerts and very successful albums, in all honesty.

"That's what I like to hear!" You beamed, pushing a strand of your unruly hair away from your face. Your eyes momentarily cast to the side stage with the equipment hiding the crew, "I have a surprise for you. A couple years ago, I had a spontaneous duet partner during one of Songbird Shenanigans. I'd like to invite my fiance Charlie out here."

The crowd went nuts as Charlie wandered towards you from the side of the stage away from Owen, Jeremy and Madison. Charlie's hazel eyes scoured the oceans of your e/c eyes he got to wake up to each morning. Mostly when Julie and the Phantoms had been offered to open for you; to be frank, it was more of an unspoken co-headlining.

"Can we tell?" You asked, keeping the mic covered and away from your body. Your body bounced, waiting for the smile from him.

Charlie nodded, accepting the guitar from one of the crew members. It was a song you had written a few months back. Charlie had memorized the entire piece with the deep adoration he felt for it.

The couple perched on the bar stools brought to the middle of the stage with a secret smile. One that only they and their immediate family understood.

Three months ago, you had sat Charlie down in your home to play him a little song that changed everything.

Charlie placed the last bag of groceries on the counter when he felt arms wrap around his midsection. He immediately knew that it was you welcoming him home from a very short trip to the store. In a swift move, he had manoeuvred you to sit on the counter while he scooched himself between your legs.

"Hi." Charlie breathed, rising to press a kiss against the smooth skin of your cheek, leaving heat in its wake.

"I want your opinion on a song." You burst out, unable to refrain from showing him a song you had been secretly working on. The French Canadian was beyond intrigued by the sudden announcement from his fiance.

"Oh?"

"Come." You coaxed the man from the kitchen to the designated music room filled with instruments of all kinds—even a recent addition of a recording booth in the corner with high-end equipment.

You bypassed everything for the grand piano you didn't play as often as you wished to be able to. Your fingers brushed the ivory keys for a mere second before you began playing the melody.

I, I have known love before

I thought it would no more

Take on a new direction

Still, strange as it seems to be

It's truly new to me

That affection

The smile that grew across Charlie's expressive face was uncapturable from the best of the best; he adored your voice. He had a personal ringtone you had explicitly done for him a few months into the relationship.

I, I don't know what you do

You make me think that you

Will change my life forever

I, I'll always want you near

Give up on you, my dear

I will never

You thrill me, you delight me

You please me, you excite me

You're all that

I've been yearning for

I love you, I adore you

I lay my life before you

I only want you more and more

And finally it seems

My lonely days are through

I've been waiting for you

Charlie's frown, however, faltered as your face ever so slightly paled with trepidation coating your pretty irises. Your voice even quivered with nerves he'd never heard before, but it made sense from the third verse started.

I'll carry you all the way

And you will choose the day

When you're prepared to greet me

I'll be a good mum, I swear

You'll see how much I care

When you meet me

You finished the song with the last note drawn out ever so softly, freezing as the room went quiet once more. This song was definitely vulnerable and personal; you felt naked under Charlie's silent stare.

"You're really?" Charlie breathlessly chuckled, his wide eyes screaming disbelief.

After a few years together with an engagement ring on both of your fingers after you had both proposed to each other, with the relationship very serious, you two had decided to stop contraceptives and let everyone happen if it was too happen.

"Yeah." You laughed as he swept you off the bench into his arms, "We have little Birdie to prepare for."

"I love you so damn much." Charlie choked out, spinning the two of you around in his arms. The smile never fading as he drank in the special moment of learning you had created a life together.

PRESENT

"With the impending arrival of our child, I will be taking a break to prepare. Even though I wouldn't be performing, I will still do Songbird Shenanigans. I'll just have to up my game on staying as hidden as possible." You informed the audience as the song came to an end. 

Next thing you knew, you couldn't discern between the crowd and your friends now on stage screaming. You were able to feel Charlie's hand on your barely-there baby bump and his lips pressed against your temple.

Tag List (PLEASE SEND AN INBOX TO BE ADDED! I CANNOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE ON THE LIST VIA POST COMMENTS!)

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[alipeeps]

New tag game: Post pictures of your first ever (fictional/celeb) crush to the latest one and tag five others to continue the game

Thanks to @minmoyu for tagging me and ooof, are you sure you’re ready for this?!! :D I have been around/in fandom for a loooooong time and at first I thought, okay, no way I can list all my crushes, there have been SO many and we’ll be here all day but then as I started compiling a list I found I was having fun reminiscing and decided, what the heck, yeah, let’s do em all... or at least all I can remember! :D

There have absolutely for sure been other more minor crushes and passing fancies along the way, but these are the big ones that I remember (and that, in more recent years, I can track by going through my posted fanfics on AO3 and even *shudder* FFNET and seeing which shows I was into enough to want to write fic about the characters).

[Quick note: with rare exceptions, for actors I am listing them by the character they played rather than just the actor. Whilst there are actors that I like in multiple roles (and conversely, characters who on paper I would normally be into but are played by actors who do nothing for me, and hence the character generally does nothing for me either), for the most part it is the character I really have the crush on.]

I’m going to put this under a readmore cos it has gotten ridiculously long:

So... without further ado:

1. MORTEN HARKET from a-ha - OKay so, dating myself badly here but... I had the *biggest* crush on Morten Harket when I was a teenager. Pretty much the entirety of my side of the bedroom I shared with my sister was covered in posters of a-ha, and Morten in particular. I even had a heart-shaped Morten Harket pillow! :D I loved a-ha’s music (still do!) and I wanted to go see them in concert when I was 14 but my parents wouldn’t let me (*sob*). I did finally get to see them in concert in the early 2000s and they were BRILLIANT live (and Morten was still very very pretty)! 

2. RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON as MACGYVER - MacGyver is the first tv character I remember being really into and having a crush on, to the extent that I would record episodes of the show off the tv (onto VHS tape - yes, I am *that* old!) so that I could rewatch them (especially the ones where he got hurt - yeah, I was a whumper even then! :D)

3. KEIFER SUTHERLAND - One of my rare exceptions. I think I first saw him in Lost Boys (and loved him in that film) but it was his role as Doc Scurlock in Young Guns that really made me fall for both the character and him. I definitely remember seeking out any and all films he was in and buying any magazine he was interviewed in (and knowing far more facts about him than was probably healthy! :D) and even drawing a fanart portrait of him. :)

4. KYLE MACLACHLAN as SPECIAL AGENT DALE COOPER - I remember hearing about Twin Peaks before it started airing in the UK and it sounded so different and interesting... I watched it from the very first episode and very quickly developed a crush on Coop.  

5. BRENT SPINER as DATA - I think ST: TNG had been airing for a while before I stumbled across it but I quickly became hooked and Data was my favourite character right from the start. I definitely remember at one point buying an (unofficial) episode guide book so that I could look up which episodes were good Data-focused ones (especially ones where he got hurt! :D) so I could go out and buy the videos that had those episodes on (at the time the show was available to buy on VHS-tape with 2 episodes on each tape).

6. DAVID DUCHOVNY as FOX MULDER - Another show that I heard the buzz about and started watching right from the start and, like so many others, I immediately developed a crush on the snarky, enigmatic, troubled FBI agent with the weird name. The X-Files was the first show I ever tried writing (one, never-finished) fanfic for.

7. PAUL GROSS as BENTON FRASER - Man, Due South was such a good show! It was so quirky and clever and funny and Benton Fraser, with his huge heart and his serious demeanour and his gorgeous blue eyes, was just so darn attractive! He also got whumped a fair bit too! :D Due South was also the show that introduced me to the music of Sarah McLachlan (I was enough of a fan that I bought the show soundtrack on CD).

8. HUGH LAURIE as DR GREGORY HOUSE - This was a bit of an odd one for me because I had grown up knowing Hugh Laurie solely as a comedian/comic actor, known mostly for playing buffoons and genial idiots. And suddenly here he was with stubble, an American accent, and a limp, and he was hawt AF! :D It caused quite the feedback loop in my brain for a while which pretty much went “Wow, House is hot.... but it’s Hugh Laurie... but he’s hot... but it’s HUGH LAURIE!!1!”

I *loved* House (the first few seasons, at least) and oof a character with persistent pain (and a self-destructive streak a mile wide!) was a whumper’s dream. House was the first show for which I wrote - and published online - completed fanfics.

8. JOE FLANIGAN as JOHN SHEPPARD - Stargate Atlantis was my first proper online fandom, the first show I prolifically and repeatedly wrote fanfic for, and the first time I ever met in person an actor I was a big fan of (and while the show was still airing, to boot!). It was also my first introduction to the online community of whumpers! A bunch of us from the Shep Whump thread on Gateworld heard that Joe was going to be at a convention in London and we decided to book hotel rooms and meet up and go to the convention together and it was AWESOME! I can still remember seeing Joe *in person* for the first time and just,,,, struggling to believe he was actually here, in person, in front of me! He was super super lovely and humble too and took time to chat to everyone at the signing table and I clearly remember my brain just pretty much fritzing out during the photo session and being intensely aware of the sensation of Joe’s hand on my shoulder....

It was also super lovely to meet fellow fans, and online friends, in person for the first time and we had so much fun, and it kickstarted me going to lots of other conventions, including specific Stargate/SGA ones where I got to know lots of other lovely fans and online friends. I’ve met Joe about 4 or 5 times in total now and he’s been lovely every time.

9. PAUL BLACKTHORNE as HARRY DRESDEN - Gosh I loved the shortlived tv adaptation of The Dresden Files. I loved the fantasy aspect, the stories, the humour, and I especially loved Harry Dresden and how often he got whumped! :D 

10. DAVID TENNANT as THE 10TH DOCTOR - I had watched the Christopher Ecclestone revival of Doctor Who and enjoyed it well enough but I can clearly remember watching David Tennant’s first episode as The Doctor - on Christmas Day, at my brother-in-law’s house - and being aware, as I watched it that... ooookay, yes, I’m in trouble here... I like him... I like him a lot... :D I mean, I’m sure the fact that he got whumped so thoroughly in his very first episode had nothing to do with how quickly I fell for him... right? :)

11. ALEX O’LAUGHLIN as MICK ST JOHN - Another show that ended far too soon and just as it was getting *seriously* good. But also a prime example of my point about having a crush on the character not the actor. I looooooved Alex as Mick St John... and yet in Hawaii 5.0 he pretty much does nothing for me (the character is too stoic and the whump often too unrealistically glossed over). Anyway, in Moonlight he was my favourite kind of character - angsty, brooding, dangerous AF when he needed to be... and essentially immortal so you could whump the heck out of him and he’d recover so you could whump him again! :D

12. SIMON BAKER as PATRICK JANE - There is so much to love about Patrick Jane... his smarts, his sass, his angst... and Simon is a rare “against type” blonde crush for me (you may have noticed by now that most of my crushes follow a similar physical aesthetic - tall, slim/wiry, and dark-haired) and again here I think my crush is almost all to do with the character rather than the actor.

12. BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH as SHERLOCK HOLMES - I’m almost ashamed to admit it, given the clusterfuck that both the show and its fandom became, but in the earlier seasons I had quite the crush on Benedict’s Sherlock (and okay, a little bit on Benedict himself - I did definitely enjoy some of his other roles too). It helps that I was already a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes character (I’ve read all the stories and novels multiple times and was a big fan of the Granada adaptation starring Jeremy Brett - whose Holmes would definitely count as one of my more minor/passing crushes) already. Benedict is another crush that I have met in person, at a (actually, the first!) Sherlock convention and he was lovely in person - very genuine, very articulate and thoughtful.

13. TOM MISON as ICHABOD CRANE - I was excited for Sleepy Hollow as soon as I heard about it and I was SUCH a fan for the first couple of seasons (before TPTB completely destroyed it and it inevitably got cancelled (I didn’t even watch the last season and a half)) and Tom’s Ichabod (and his amazing chemistry with Nicole’s Abbie) was a large part of why. I also quickly became a big fan of Tom himself as he came across as so witty and self-deprecating and *fun* in all the behind the scenes/convention clips etc. I was lucky enough to also meet Tom at a convention and he genuinely is that witty and charming and lovely.

14. TOM WISDOM as ARCHANGEL MICHAEL - I think Dominion was possibly the first show that I got sucked into by seeing whumpy gifsets on tumblr! :D It was such a great show and also to date the most immersive, welcoming, cast-and-crew-interactive fandom I have ever been in. The cast and crew regularly live-tweeted the episodes, and interacted with fans on Twitter, and it was SO much fun. And Tom’s Michael was my favourite character right from the start - seemingly aloof but so much going on under the surface... and some really nice whump, especially in season 2! I was heartbroken when it was cancelled after only 2 seasons (and just as the plot was getting *really* interesting).

15. OLIVER JACKSON-COHEN as LUCAS - I was hooked on Emerald City right from the first episode. It was visually stunning, so atmospheric, and really intruiging. I love love loved Adria Arjona’s Dorothy (ngl, I had a bit of a crush on her too) and she and Lucas together were just... *chef’s kiss*. I mean... what an introduction to a character... she finds him crucified, bleeding, his wrists tied with barbed wire, and amnesiac.... and the whump only gets better and better from there on in! Like the entire first two episodes are just... Lucas whump! :D And his devotion to her... Emerald City was honestly the first show where I really got into a ship. I was *invested* in Dorcas, dammit! Aaaand sadly another excellent show that never made it past its first season.

16. JASON RALPH as QUENTIN COLDWATER - Another show that I watched right from the start, was heavily invested in.... and that the writers absolutely tanked and destroyed in later seasons. *cries* Quentin was such a brilliant viewpoint character for the show and I loved his awkwardness, and his angst, and his enthusiasm, and his adorable floppy hair... and how often he got whumped! 

17. COLIN MORGAN - I fell for Colin in Merlin (which I stumbled upon late, long after it had finished airing, and hence was able to binge-watch the entire 5 seasons!) and liked him enough to seek out his other works, such as The Fall, and Humans, and The Living and the Dead, and he was brilliant (and very pretty) in all of them... and his characters also seem to get whumped quite a lot! :D 

18. MATT LANTER as WYATT LOGAN - Wyatt was another of my favourite archetypes... absolutely badass and competent... but also tortured and angsty and capable of intense devotion. Another show that I watched because of whumpy gifs on tumblr and the second ever show where I actually got invested in a ship - Lyatt all the way, baby!! :D - aaaaaand yet another show cancelled before its time.

19. NOCTIS LUCIS CAELUM from FINAL FANTASY XV - my very first video game crush! I was recommended to play FFXV by fellow whumpers on the whumpshire discord because it was whumpy... and they were not wrong and I loved the game and I absolutely adored Noctis. FFXV is one of very very VERY few video games that I have actually played right through to the end. And possibly the only video game that has ever affected me to such an extent... I became so invested in the characters and their world and I actually found the last couple of chapters really hard to play because it was actually upsetting me emotionally. I had to take a break for a couple of weeks before I could go back and finish it!

20. CONNOR from DETROIT BECOME HUMAN - and from there I jumped straight into another video game crush! DBH was another game recommended to me for its whump potential and I, and many others, immediately fell in love with the quirky, sassy, self-sacrificing (if you play the game right!) “android sent by Cyberlife”. The game itself is really good too... although, I have tried to play through all the different endings to the story but have never yet managed to make myself play the machine Connor storyline.... I want to complete all the story branches... but I also just want Hank and Connor to be friends and to be happy! :D

21. ZHU YILONG - Ahhh... the beginning of the asian drama arc of my fandom life! I first came across Zhu Yilong after getting sucked into watching Guardian because of pretty (and whumpy) gifs on tumblr... and I’ve never looked back. He is one of the rare entries where I am pretty much guaranteed to like him in pretty much anything he does and my crush extends beyond Shen Wei, or his other characters, and into reblogging his fashion shoot photos, and keeping up with news of his work in general. He’s just... so darn pretty! And also so... blur! :D And the behind the scenes stuff and interviews of him with Bai Yu, during the Guardian era, just made me fall for him all the more. He’s also ridiculously talented - not only a fantastic actor, but a really good singer (I love his singing voice), he plays guitar and piano, and he can paint too!!

He’s also pretty much what made me start learning Chinese... because after Guardian I went seeking his other dramas to watch... only to find that many of them are only partially, or not at all, subbed. So I thought... why not try learning Chinese and then I’ll be able to watch his other shows? :D

21. JI CHANG WOOK - My first kdrama crush, and what a good one to start with! Healer was the first drama I ever watched and can you blame me for falling for JCW... especially when I followed up Healer with The K2?! I’ve liked him in pretty much everything I’ve watched him in. Although I do wish he would go back to doing more action-based shows as he is sooo good at them... but he seems to prefer the romcom genre these days, which is something I am nottt always a fan of tbh.

22. JAKE HSU as MENG SHAO FEI - Yet another show that I got sucked into by tumblr - and also one with a great, fun fandom through which I met lots of lovely people who I still follow/am mutuals with to this day. I just *adored* Jake’s character in History and I also loved the ship - Tang Fan and Meng Shaofei were awesome and adorable together and I was totally invested in both the ship and the gangster/cop/what happened years ago story happening alongside the ship. And Jake is just all kinds of cute.

23. XIAO ZHAN - Aaaand we are pretty much up to current day now... where The Untamed took over my life in the summer of 2019 and has yet to let me go. Xiao Zhan is another disgustingly talented human being - a fantastic singer and a really good actor, and also an artist - and he also just comes across as a genuinely sweet and charming person, and a very thoughful and earnest one too. And lbr he is ridiculously pretty, and his smile is just pure sunshine. 

24. LEE DONG WOOK as LEE YEON - The most recent entry to the charts.... a Korean actor I was aware of but whose work I hadn’t watched and whose looks didn’t particularly seem to grab me... until I watched Tale of the Nine Tailed and fell head over heels for Lee Yeon (and daaayum does red hair suit LDW!!) and very quickly began to find LDW’s looks very appealing (and oh my, does Lee Yeon whump well!!). And yes, I have now started watching Goblin. :D

Phew! Aaaand we are done! I’ll admit, I did think of a few more as I was compiling this list but I decided to categorise them as more “minor” crushes and not include them... otherwise we really could be here all day!!

I’m going to tag: @sarah-yyy​, @arlothia​, @howdydowdy​, @thepromiseweheldforlife​ and @the-wandering-whumper​!

[lumi-klovstad-games]

I really can't think of another boss theme that matches the themes and story of the boss better than "Dancing Mad" from Final Fantasy VI

Everything about this 11-20 minute (depending on the version and how the movements are focused on) monstrosity of a theme screams Kefka Palazzo.

The long, twisting sections that are an absolute cacphony of madness that still somehow makes music, the slow bends of serene pipe organ symbolizing his deification as the God of Magic and occasional lucid moments. Those give way to music that wouldn't sound out of place in a funhouse gone horribly, homicidally wrong. Joyful bits are countered by morose moments, and those countered by stretches of pure ferocity. The theme speaks of a lifetime of rage, despair, and nihilist depression.

Dancing Mad's title alone all but speaks Kefka's name.

Furthermore, it works in so many genres, be it symphony or heavy metal.

This song is, in my opinion, a masterpiece by Nobuo Uematsu. It kills me that the boss theme that ended Final Fantasy's 2D classic era doesn't get talked about or shared more widely, and for all the love it does get, it's consistently done less than themes like One Winged Angel, which has gone on to be regarded (wrongly, in my opinion) as the Icon of Final Fantasy villain themes.

Admittedly, One Winged Angel matches Sephiroth excellently in its own right, but I contend that it needed its lyrics to make up the difference as the actual composition doesn't speak as voluminously as Dancing Mad's. Think about it like this: if you add lyrics to Dancing Mad, you are at best adding another point of interest to an already excellent theme, and at worst, flat out ruining it. If you subtract the lyrics from One Winged Angel, you effectively cripple it — it lacks punch and gravitas, and emerges a much less memorable theme (and you'll still repeat its lyrics in your head anyway because they are that iconic and inseperable from the composition). One Winged Angel, excellent as it is, just doesn't stand well on the basis of its instrumentation alone. Due to a variety of factors, Dancing Mad had no other alternative but to do exactly that, and it shines all the brighter for it as a piece of music.

Dancing Mad sums up Kefka's entire story in a single piece of music: his joy, his sorrow, his rage and pain, and at the very end, his death. Its four movements are each themes unto themselves, making this piece of music a pocket sized symphony.

I really can't think of a more thematic, definitive piece of Final Fantasy villain music that matches what Dancing Mad does quite so excellently.

As Jeremy Jahns so expertly observed:

"For a musician, the SNES sound engine is like using Crayola Crayons. Nobuo Uematsu used Crayola Crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel."

And to prove my point about adding lyrics adding another point of interest when done well, in 2011 exactly that was done in the 11 minute iteration of the theme done for the Distant Worlds 2 concert. Give it a listen if you've got some downtime!

[mittensmorgul]

I've been peeking in on twitter more often than usual over the last few days, partly because I spent the weekend working a con with Zerbe and didn't have time to spend scrolling tumblr, and partly in looking at the numerous Hot Bad Takes about Steve Yockey getting what appears to be a once in a lifetime sort of opportunity for a writer and leaving Supernatural before the series is finished, and partly because since the show is ending this year and there's so many campaigns to show our love to the cast and crew... but I haven't seen anyone start a campaign to show our love to the one group of people who've already been laboring away on s15 for more than a month already: THE BELOVED WRITERS WHO ARE CRAFTING OUR RUN TO THE FINISH LINE!

(presented with a focus on the writers who have a social media presence on twitter, who will actually see this...)

They've been hard at work since May preparing to bring us one final season of Team Free Will in their last stand against the Cosmic Drama that has been building up to this for the last 14 years. I'd really love to begin a concerted campaign to share our love for what they do, and not just in a generalized squee sort of way, but in the same way we offer thoughtful comments on fic. I feel bad because I spend all my time writing about the glory of the narrative structure of this show, the brilliance of Dabb's showrunning direction, the depth of Meredith Glynn's character study (especially of Dean, but honestly of all the characters, including Cas... remember 14.17? Cas has amply demonstrated just how much he understands the value of his human family, and is on the road to understanding what he might also mean to them). 

The care with wich Bobo has crafted some of the most painful leaps in emotional growth for the characters (hello, 14.18... you can watch a a microcosm of Dean's entire emotional journey over the course of the show encapsulated in that single episode). Master of the Fanfiction Gap-- and in partnership with Meredith-- the providers of possibly the most efficient and broad emotional layering through glimpses of the past in the current narrative... I know I'm not explaining this well, but, I SEE WHAT THEY DID THERE, with everything from the mixtape-- and not even the shippy implications of it, but using that singular moment to show us the breadth and depth of all the characters' relationships by reminding us of all the things we never actually see on screen, yet which still happen in the characters' "real lives." And holy HECK 14.18 was a master class in that, with the layered flashbacks to explore each character’s relationship with Mary.

One of my most-referred back to episodes of s14 has been 14.08, Byzantium, which honestly the meta implications of the title alone spurred some of the most interesting discussions I've had on the cosmology of the show's universe, and laid some solid groundwork for what I presume will be the direction the show takes in s15. SOULS DETERMINE THEIR OWN FATE! Our choices DO matter! And we have Meredith Glynn to thank for that.

This is the sort of excellent writing that makes these characters so real to us, that keeps us invested in the characters and the show. They DO feel like real people, with full lives in three dimensions, and our televisions are the portal to their universe that we're only gifted a tiny portion of in 42 minute chunks. And yet... we do feel like we understand so much of their lives that we DON'T see on screen, precisely because of this incredibly layered and subtle character study.

Which brings me to the newest writer on staff, Jeremy Adams. He gave us the glory that is Scoobynatural, under some incredibly tight constraints (given the limitations of how they were allowed to present the Scoobyverse within the Supernatural universe's rules), and I'm incredibly excited to see his more standard take on Sam, Dean, and Cas in a full-on episode of Supernatural. And honestly, we need more along the lines of The Killer Stuffed Dinosaur In Love. I think, if anything, Jeremy has a solid hold on who these characters are-- both the surface layer and the far deeper emotional layers-- as well as a fresh take on the show’s inherent sense of humor.

(and I mean COME ON in Dabb era, the era of the author of 8.08, we know there’s an element of brilliant Cartoon Logic to the narrative)

And we can't forget Davy Perez, who effectively provided us a guidebook on How To Watch This Show: Meta Edition with 14.04 Mint Condition, and then used this guide to break us all completely with 14.11 Damaged Goods. But also setting up a mirror confrontation for how Mary parents her boys in how she deals with Dean here, which will become painfully, horrifically twisted around in how she presents the exact same choice to Jack in 14.17/14.18. I'm wibbling just thinking about it, and honestly that's what good writing DOES. It grabs you by the feelers and does not let go.

And ALL of this has happened under Dabb's orchestration. All these other writers are effectively telling us HIS story. I don't think they're all getting the credit they deserve. Yes, I write rhapsodic about their episodes on tumblr, but they never see it. I think, heading into this final season, we all owe these people the praise and thanks they deserve to hear, and not just the usual Twitter Terrible Hot Take machine they're typically exposed to.

To that end, I've done a bit of research and made a contact who has promised to hand deliver our gratitude directly to these writers who need to hear it most. The cast is steeped in our gratitude at every con, and there's been multiple campaigns in fandom to thank the tireless crew who works on set every day to bring this show to us. But as a writer, I understand how thankless their job can feel. And I have an idea of what would absolutely mean the most to them: Direct messages of "I see what you did there."

I got a message to that effect on my fic Cakepocalypse! a few weeks ago, and I'm gonna share it here (without attribution, since I haven't asked the commenter for permission to share it), but it is the PERFECT example of the sort of thing I want to give the SPN writers:

[transcript of the image: comment:  Ok, I'm re-reading this and I'm amazed to see that there are more hints as to what's really going on much sooner than I realized! You must have worked really hard structuring all this! Wow, the mind boggles.

my response:  HEEE! OMG THANK YOU THIS IS THE BEST. I, being a Nervous Author Type, was worried I would give it all away too soon, or that nobody would notice what I was doing and feel like the surprise comes out of nowhere, so this is literally the most satisfying possible comment you could've given and I appreciate you so much rn. Thank you :'D]

I can't even BEGIN to express how much this simple comment meant to me. I felt PERFECTLY SEEN. And I want to share that feeling with the writers who craft this show for us to enjoy, because all of them deserve to know that we care about the characters and their story and their eventual fate as much as they do.

So here's my proposal:

It doesn't have to be complex. You don't need to write them novels, but I think sharing the sort of specific love and appreciation for them that I've attempted to express above will go MILES toward energizing the writers as they move into the final season. Let's share with them how much this entire journey has meant to us. Let's let them know that WE SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING THERE!

If you're comfortable going on twitter, by all means take your appreciation directly to the source. Here's a link to the thread I tweeted out to this effect for a reference if you'd like one:

https://twitter.com/MittensMorgul/status/1146137421345636352

(and because I think twitter cut my thread in half, here’s the rest: https://twitter.com/MittensMorgul/status/1146137437170626560)

If you're not on twitter (or are D: over sharing your love so openly for whatever reason), I will open my submissions here on tumblr. You can write a letter of appreciation which I will ensure (anonymously if you prefer) will reach the writers directly. I'll also be compiling a list of links to meta or other tumblr posts you feel the writers will appreciate reading, but I will only share them with explicit permission from the authors of said posts. So if you want to share your love that way, please submit links to the specific posts you'd like me to share with them and I’ll make sure they get them.

My tumblr experience has been a gleeful love letter to this show, but I know the writers aren't seeing any of it. If anyone deserves to feel our love (especially as writers ourselves-- meta, fic, etc.-- or even as appreciators of excellent writing), it's the people who have poured themselves into creating this show for us. Regardless of what we ship, or what our expectations might be going into s15, I think it's important for us to acknowledge them now, and let them know how important Supernatural has been to all of us.

[viranlly]

I hopped off the plane on LAX with my appetite and my chambray short-suit. The weather this time in the City of Angels was, to my surprise, bearable (knowing it’s the end of August and I’m a seasoned complainer about the heat). After a two hour something flight from Bellingham (thanks Allegiant!), we cruised through the also surprisingly smooth LA traffic to DTLA.

Our crib for the week was shiny and new, ultra-chic, with multi-million dollar view of Downtown Los Angeles. LEVEL furnished living is not only strategically located in the heart of DTLA, it’s equipped with amazing amenities (pool, outdoor theatre, spacious gym with its own room for Peloton - yes, I worked out during this trip), and did I mention the view from our 29th-floor suite was spectacular?! What made this stay particularly memorable tho,was the level of hospitality we received from their all-star team: impeccable with personalities bubblier than a chilled grapefruit LaCroix!

My memory of DTLA only goes as far as a mid-May pool party on top of the ACE hotel. But this time, I really got to explore the hood - and it was lovely. Of course there are those quintessential Los Angeles institutions (HA!): celebrity Whole Foods, Sweetgreens, and Bottega Louie but I obvs. skipped the healthy-ish stuff and went straight to the important ones. Cocktail bars - surprise!

On our first night, however, I was in the mood for wine. Natural wine. Upon a little research, we stumbled upon Garçons de Café, a rustic-chic French wine bar with sizeable library of vino that includes several bottles of skin-contact and natural wines. A glass of Le p’tit Barriot Syrah was poured to start the evening: full-ish body, bursts of floral and stone-fruit with just the right amount of tannin and spices too. It would’ve been a perfect serenade-me-to-bed kind of wine but nonetheless it was delicious even to start the evening.

Before I ran out of battery, we made it to the Nomad Los Angeles and caught a second wind. The DTLA chapter offers the classic Nomad feels: luscious, velvety, old-school bank-turned-to-hotel with a touch of California sunshine. Colours, textures and prints fill the lobby bar. Photogenic and poetic. Serving up the classics from the NYC counterpart, original, some large format (cocktails for 2), and even larger format (for 3-4,‘depending on your tolerance’ they said) libations, it’s one of those places to see and be seen, to drink and to be (day) drunk. Bonus point for the attractive staffs HA!

I had to come back to the ACE just to relive my youth one more time. Surrounding myself with hype kids, who, most likely would have released more than one EPs in their early 20s, it was adorable. It terms of the menu, It was more a tequila soda with a side of overpriced cold-pressed juice for me.

Conveniently located behind our apartment, is the Broken Shaker. A rooftop pool bar with bumpin’ music and killer tiki cocktails. Fun, colourful, rum and tequila-focused menu with late-night bar bites, it’s a perfect place for a nightcap, especially when you live literally steps away!

DTLA’s sunshine, full-blast air conditioning and fluffy pillows somehow made my hangover less dreadful and more manageable. I had two options: go downstairs and check out the smoothie bar, or go downstairs, turn the corner and get shake shack. I feel like this was an obvious choice when one is in LA, but you never know, cause a lady never shack and tell 😏.

We spent the afternoon exploring the jewelry district as we made our way to the Grand Central Market. A food-enthusiast Mecca with tons of vendors that are uniquely DTLA: from eggslut to oyster bar, Filipino-inspired rice bowls to cold-pressed juice and tacos (obvs), everything is available in one, huge-ass foodhall.

Right across the street from GCM, is the staircase that leads you to the other side of DTLA. The financial district (I assume), the Broad and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. This hike (yes, I considered this steps a hike) took my breath away, literally. My out-of-breath self rejoiced when I saw the Kogi truck waiting for us at the top - worth every step. Naturally, we made a pit-stop for the infamous short rib tacos, which, hit the spot.

*intermission* We went to the Broad, saw some Basquiat and Murakami, took photos of some Koons, almost saw Kusama yada yada yada skipped the Runyon and took nap...*

Fast forward to dinner time!

Honestly one of the things that I am most excited about during this trip was our dinner at Petit Trois. The middle sister restaurant from the award-winning, celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre (who’s also behind Trois Mec and Ludo Bird). Offering classic French cuisine meets Los Angeles strip-malls. Juxtaposition at its finest and most delicious form.

The 35-seater restaurant is bustling with people coming in and out, basting in the aroma of butter and fresh-baked bagutte. J’ador - Je’ very hungry!

Both the cocktail and wine list are well-curated to accompany the Parisian bistro-style food menu. No fuzz no muss. Tartare de boeuf, escargot that’s bathed in butter and garlic (extra baguette), steak frites, perfectly fluffy, shiny and spotless French omelette of my dream, and I cannot stress how bummed I was that we didn’t order the burger. Tres bien, parfait!

This evening turned into a whirlwind of tequila sodas and bar hopping along WeHo that I honestly can’t really recall the deets 😏 but it was the perfect Friday night, thanks to my lovely companion ❤️

I started the last day in LA with a pleasant surprise. My hangover was a no show - honestly, at this age, this is a big win. I hopped on a uber to the art district for a cute coffee meeting with an old friend Blake and his lovely wife Ashley at the newly opened Verve coffee. The property is HUGE, it might as well be a mall. They also take my morning coffee experience to the next level with their “cocktail” menu: no booze just buzz. It was very fascinating and exciting - exactly what we need back here in Vancouver.

We spent the last couple hours wandering around Abbott Kinney and Venice beach. My goodness the people here are too pretty for their own sake. Jeremy even insisted to go to muscle beach for a little pull-up session. I was just there, sipping my CBD-infused lemonade, sticking out like the sore thumb - it was hysterical.

A hop, skip and an hour nap later, I came back to Nomad for one last cocktail. Still hoping for a meet-cute with a good looking, well-dressed, fresh out of Hollywood star to happen. It did not happen.

I took my hungry self to KazuNori, the original handroll sushi bar, just couple blocks away from the Nomad. The yellowtail and the scallop were particularly stellar that night - and the sea bass sashimi was also a big winner. I don’t know if it’s an LA thing or whatever, but the couple next to me shared six pieces of handrolls. I successfully stuffed 12 rolls to myself. Oh well - it was f*ckin delicious.

With three hours of sleep, I gathered myself and started packing. We watched the sunrise on the way to LAX, half alive but fully grateful.

I absolutely can’t wait to go back to LA. I mean, I didn’t get a chance to eat KBBQ this time... so Elay, I’ll be back!

Thanks again to Allegiant! for the fabulous flight and LEVEL furnished living for the hospitality!

[hmel78]

In conversation with John Hackett ...

Whilst John Hackett is probably best known for his work with his brother Steve Hackett (former Genesis guitarist), there is no shortage of other high profile artists with whom John has worked, and in addition he has also enjoyed a relatively successful solo career as a Flautist, guitarist, singer and composer.

John collaborated with Steve on his early albums, “Voyage of the Acolyte” and “Please Don’t Touch” , which led to further recordings and tours of the UK, USA and Europe playing flute, guitar and bass pedals in Steve’s live band ; also extensive tours of Japan and the USA as part of the Steve Hackett Acoustic Trio. Inbetween touring, back home in the UK, you will find a variety of incredible projects which John has been involved in ; as a composer of flute music for relaxation, he has recorded a number of solo and duo albums, plus several albums with Clive Williamson and the ambient group “Symbiosis” which has led to commissions for the BBC. John has performed concerts with international organist Marco Lo Muscio and performs regularly in a duo with classical guitar virtuoso Nick Fletcher with whom he has recorded two albums: “Overnight Snow” and “Hills of Andalucia”. 2005 saw a change of direction with John releasing, to critical acclaim, a rock album of his own songs called “Checking Out of London”, the lyrics for which were written by Nick Clabburn ; An experimental flute/dance album - “Red Planet Rhythm”- with Moodi Drury followed, and then another album of John’s compositions for flute and guitar - “Prelude to Summer”- which featured brother Steve, and Chris Glassfield. It was 10 years before John released his next solo album “Another Life”, in 2015 - which was essentially the rock follow up to “Checking Out ...” with Nick Clabburn once again providing the lyrics.   Thankfully we haven’t had to wait just as long for something else new! It’s September 2017 as I write, and I have just been handed the very first John Hackett Band album in which we see another avenue open up, on the musical map of John Hackett! For this album, John has gone beyond his usual boundary and written the lyrics, as well as the music - and it’s really very good! John is joined by Nick Fletcher on guitar,  drummer Duncan Parsons, and bass player Jeremy Richardson - who contribute their own compositions to the album, which presents us with a deluxe 2 CD album containing the new collaborative studio recording - “We Are Not Alone” -   and a live recording - “Another Live” -  of their 2016 Classic Rock Society gig. We were incredibly lucky to grab a rare chance to catch up with John about the latest release, and find out a little bit about how he arrived at this current stop on his musical journey ...

HR : I read an interview that you did some time ago, in which you describe your creative self as a bit like “Jekyll and Hyde” - in the sense that despite your focus on the classical side of music, you’ve always hung on to your inner rocker - is that still the case? “We Are Not Alone” sounds to me like you’ve found the balance...

Johh Hackett : I think you have gone straight to the heart of what I used to consider a problem … I started out from the age of 12 playing blues guitar, listening to all those amazing guitarists like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimi Hendrix. Then after hearing Ian McDonald play flute with King Crimson I started flute lessons and learned the classical repertoire. I used to think that one day I would have to choose between the two worlds but actually I now see that they can feed off each other.  It is like light and shade. If you have played electric guitar you know how powerful a sound it can be. So that influences my flute playing - I don’t like it to sound weak.

On the new album there is a track called “Blue skies of Marazion” which features guitar and alto flute. It has quite an impressionistic vibe. It is then followed by “Summer Lightning” which starts as a ballad but then Nick’s electric guitar takes it to a much heavier place. It is quite a contrast, and good of you to say that I have found a balance. I have Nick to thank for pushing me to include more flute on this rock album than my previous two.

HR : I’m glad he pushed you to, because it does work! Do you have a preference when writing and performing? Are you more comfortable with classical or rock ; with vocal tracks or instrumentals?

JH : There is no question that having spent most of my life whizzing up and down scales and doing all the daily technical exercises you have to do if you want to play the difficult classical repertoire, I have in the past been more comfortable with the flute. But there is nothing as exciting as being on stage with a rock band. I have never forgotten the buzz I got from my first ever rock gig with my brother’s band in Oslo in 1978. I took a conscious decision some years back to devote much more time to rock, improving my keyboard playing and learning to sing - I say learning to sing as it has been a painful process (both for me and my poor family who have had to put up with all the shrieking and wailing, not just when I am looking at my bank statements …). In all honesty I enjoy all of it, though at 62 it seems ridiculously late in life to be finding your feet. But having spent a good 90 per cent of my working life playing flute, it is frankly liberating and great fun to be starting a second career as a singer/songwriter with my own band.

HR : Well age is just a number, and I think if you’re creative you strive eternally to cover new ground ... which of course for you just now, is The John Hackett band. You’re essentially a quartet and all 4 of you write your own material; correct me if I’m wrong but none of the songs appear to have been written together for the recording - so who decided what was going to be included? Were any of the pieces written specifically for the album?

JH : The strength of the album is that, with only a couple of exceptions, we had performed all the pieces live before recording them. The way it worked is that we would bring suggestions to the rehearsal room and the band would try them out.  As everyone in the band has considerable experience writing and recording this inevitably meant bringing fairly complete compositions. It was soon obvious if a new piece could slot into our current live set or if best kept for a solo project.  With “Never Gonna Make A Dime” for example I had written this as a fairly slow song. I didn’t think it was particularly good. I played it to the guys in a simple piano and vocal arrangement and within a few minutes, like in some cheesy movie, they were rocking it up. It soon became a no-brainer for inclusion in our shows and the album.

“Castles” was a song I had written some time ago and similarly didn’t think it was anything special. I imagined it as a blues number with the kind of energy of that John Mayall’s “Bluesbreakers” album with the young fiery Eric Clapton reading the Beano on the front cover. I had recorded a demo with me playing the guitar solo on a Les Paul I had borrowed from my brother Steve. But when we tried it as a band with Nick playing a blistering guitar solo it was exactly as I had wanted it to sound. So unfortunately there is a sad end to the story –I didn’t get to play the solo, and Steve asked for his Les Paul back!

Similarly Duncan’s piece “Queenie and Elmo’s Perfect Day” was a flute melody I had always liked and wanted to record.  So when we got the band together it fitted in perfectly, especially as it gave the band free reign for improvisation.

“Take Control”, the opening track, I wrote specifically for the band and the album. I wanted something that would go through a number of changes . It is really in two parts the lyric being the link so there is plenty of scope for time signature changes, guitar solos and changes of texture ...

HR : It does have that, in fact the whole album is quite eclectic, which is what I love about it. It crosses genres and has a good balance of vocal and instrumental tracks. 2 out of 3 of the instrumental numbers were written by guitarist Nick Fletcher ; the 3rd in collaboration with yourself - how did you two meet and subsequently begin performing and writing together? He’s quite phenomenal ...

JH : I first heard Nick playing solo classical guitar without the aid of a microphone or Marshall stack in the fantastic acoustics of Sheffield Cathedral . I thought his playing was absolutely wonderful and wondered that day, as you do, if we might ever work together. Like myself, Nick started out in rock, then studied classical guitar so maybe I heard a kindred spirit. We did some concerts together as a guitar and flute duo, but it wasn’t until the release of my previous album “Another Life” that I found out what a fabulous electric player he is. I had decided to play some of the songs solo at the album launch with just me singing and playing  piano but as it got closer to the time I wasn’t so sure if I could make it work.  Anthony Phillips had played on one track of the album called “Satellite”.  I knew he was going to be there that night so I felt a little nervous ... Nick was round at my house, I played him a few songs, he picked up a Stratocaster and suddenly it was so much easier. Duncan joined us on percussion, so we performed as a trio for the launch. And then it was simply, “Well, where’s the bass player? We could form a band!” Duncan immediately suggested his old school friend Jeremy.  So that’s how we all got together - quite by accident really.

HR : The song “Jericho”, which was written by Jeremy Richardson, changes the vibe of the album a little - given that you sing lead vocal on the other 4 tracks, why didn’t you sing this one too?

JH : Yes “Jericho” was written by Jeremy and sung by him, with Duncan, as part of our live set.  It really suits his voice so there was never any question who would sing the lead vocal on the album. On stage Jeremy and I take a fairly equal share of the vocals which comes over particularly on the second CD (it is a double album package) “Another Live” recorded live at the Classic Rock Society in Maltby in 2016. He is a terrific singer with a harder edge to his voice when he needs it, which contrasts well with my sound.

HR : The second track on the album interested me too ; “Never Gonna Make A Dime” tells of your family’s move to Canada - you must only have been a baby at the time, but do you remember it at all? What prompted you to pen the song?

JH : The song is based on our short stay in Canada in 1957. I was only 2 years old so unfortunately I cannot remember it but Steve was 7 and has good memories of our time there. Our dad had gone on ahead to Vancouver to find work while mum, her sister Betty, Steve and I followed by ship. Our mother missed London so much that after just 4 months we came back to London. I have always admired them for taking the risk of going in the first place and then having the courage to return.

HR : Sure, it’s big life stuff! The track features Steve on Harmonica - which isn’t the first instrument that most people would associate with him  ... JH : Ah well , Steve used to disappear for long periods on board ship only to return with loads of cash. My mother asked him what on earth was going on - apparently he had been playing his harmonica to the crew and they had dug into their pockets for him. This must have given him an early taste for the music business. HR : Clearly! Haha. You’re both multi-instrumentalists - were your parents musical at all?  Who / what inspired you become musicians?

JH : It was our dad Peter Hackett who sparked our interest in music. We came back from Canada while dad stayed on for a while to work. He arrived back with an enormous black box which looked more like a coffin but actually contained a guitar. He had played bugle as a boy, then clarinet, and harmonica - though his main interest was painting. Mum didn’t play anything but always showed a great love of music. She is 87 now and still comes to our rock concerts. Steve and I have been blessed to have parents who have always supported us in our music careers.

HR : And your careers have seen you spend quite a great deal of time together over the years. It seems to be the way with brothers in bands together, that it inevitably results in some sort of falling out, and attracts an ensuing media circus! I thankfully don’t see much evidence of that with yourself and Steve - onstage, or offstage - is there a secret to getting on?

JH : Steve in his role as the older brother has always been kind enough to include me. I used to sit in on rehearsals with his first recording band ‘Quiet World’ ; I was there when he did his audition for Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks at our little flat in London - I even got to play a bit of flute for them that day.   I don’t think there has ever been any rivalry between us. I took the decision in my teens to concentrate on the flute, which has taken me in a different direction from him. So although we do work together from time to time, we are mostly involved in our own projects - But when we do get together inevitably we talk music, with all the enthusiasm as when we shared a bedroom as teenagers!

HR : You’re taking the JHB on the road with a handful of shows coming up - do you enjoy playing the more intimate venues?

JH : We currently have dates every few weeks for up until this time next year.  Certainly regarding venues it is always much nicer to play places where you can talk to the audience after.  Their enthusiasm is what it is all about.

HR : What’s your most memorable show to date?

The most memorable gig is perhaps the one for the Classic Rock Society captured on our live CD. It was only about the fourth gig we had done as a band and it felt great that we were being taken seriously by the Society who have always championed new progressive music. More importantly it was the last John Hackett Band gig our friend Steph Kennedy was able to come to - she travelled all over the country with the help of husband Dave and brother-in-law Glen in her final year. A humble reminder in this sometimes brutal world of how music can bring us together.

HR : Absolutely ... And if you could bring together anyone, living or deceased,  to perform with you on stage - a dream line-up - who would it be?

JH : If we were talking football I would probably start with Pavarotti in goal.

Of course, I would have to say my current band - But I wouldn’t mind having J.S. Bach on keyboards as long as he didn’t get any powder from his wig on my synths!

[briangroth27]

Legion Season 1 Review

FX's Legion, based on the X-men character, brought a fresh flavor to superhero shows last season; absolutely key to keeping the genre alive with so many series airing at once. All the acting was solid, the characters were likable, and it had enough classic mutant/human relations to feel like an X-men story even without the prejudice metaphor as a major presence. The production design was distinct and perfectly “off-kilter cool,” placing the show anywhere from the 60s to the not-so-distant future in the same way Batman The Animated Series blended the 30s and 90s. The direction and editing were masterful, seamlessly blending reality, memories, the astral plane, fantasies, and nightmares into an easy to follow narrative (if you paid attention; Legion refused to be a show you just have on in the background while doing other things). There were times the editing came off as just a bit confusing, with flashbacks, flashbacks within flashbacks, memory-jumping, hallucinations, and the like all happening at once, but that uncertainty served to put us directly into David Haller's (Dan Stevens) fractured frame of mind.

Full Spoilers…

As clever and ingenious as the visuals and editing were, however, I don’t think the story itself is was mind-blowing or groundbreaking as a lot of reviews have said. The first three episodes covered well-trod superhero ground: a shadowy government organization chasing/studying David, a “school” where he’s taken to learn about and control his powers, a mysterious villain who wants to use him for its own nefarious purposes, etc. It felt a lot like the setup of the first X-men film, swapping jumbled memories for confused flashbacks and the Demon with Yellow Eyes (Quinton Boisclair) for Sabretooth/Magneto (with Stryker’s military attack force from X2 thrown in for good measure). Once the show got to episode four, however, the focus on the villain and their unique plan of attack spun the show in another, much more original direction. It seemed to really take off at that point and didn’t stop till the finale.

David Haller is a compelling lead and brought a good balance of fun (though not one-liners or laugh-out-loud comedy) and bewilderment to what was going on around and within him. Stevens made what could've easily been a campy or "kooky" performance feel real, but not like he was asking for our pity. I also thought he was a good romantic lead and his relationship with Syd (Rachel Keller) felt real, even though we only saw them together for a short time. When he needed to be—when the Shadow King is in control—he’s also very unnerving, slaughtering Division 3 agents left and right with a smile. I will say David never seemed crazy to me. Maybe it’s because I knew he had telepathy and wasn’t just hearing voices, but outside of an inability to keep a handle on when "now" is he seemed relatively healthy. Perhaps that’s because mentally ill people in shows are often portrayed more over the top than David was. For a good chunk of the season, I thought this might be the story of how he goes insane. I later thought Lenny was sticking around because he was absorbing the powers and personalities of the people around him (providing the comics’ David’s multiple personalities with different abilities), but it doesn’t look like the show is going that route yet. I’m glad they never made everyone a personality of David’s, though; it seemed like that would be too easy and maybe of a waste of all these new characters. They did, however, homage that with David talking to his rational side in a great nod to his comics’ dissociative disorder (and his British accent!), giving us his origin story and the backstory on the Shadow King via animation. Now that he’s free of Farouk, I can’t wait to see how David responds to being alone in his head for the first time in his life.

I called Shadow King/Ahmal Farouk as the main villain after the first episode, but was thrown off the trail for a while since one of the few things I knew about comics Legion is he’s got dissociative identity disorder; I thought the Demon with the Yellow Eyes might be a different personality of David’s. Nevertheless, this was my favorite depiction of the Shadow King so far and I loved how creepy they were willing to go with his various personas, particularly the World’s Angriest Boy in the World (Devyn Dalton). I’ve wanted a Shadow King appearance in live action X-media for years and this was an excellent introduction! Aubrey Plaza was fantastic as his favorite form, Lenny, and her ability to pinball from friendly to insane to creepy to funny was a highlight of the series. I loved that his backstory was more or less taken directly from the comics, and Xavier’s destruction of his body made revenge via stealing David’s the perfect plan. They did a great job giving David, who has so many powers, more than an equal as his nemesis. I did expect more from the Shadow King trying to fight for David’s body in the finale, but now that the internal conflict has been made external, I can’t wait to see what he does next. His escape from the facility, leaping from body to body, reminded me of the 90′s X-men Animated Series. I hope he’s off to track down Xavier next season.

The supporting cast felt authentically "off" and not like they were trying to be quirky or "insane" or anything. Over the course of just eight episodes, it was difficult to find time to explore most of them in great depth, but I enjoyed just about all of them and loved that the show never shied away from the presence and use of their powers. It was great that they used them in concert to free themselves from David’s mind; I love the X-men movies, but the times when their specific powers are needed and fit together to save the day have been few and far between. Thematically it’s stronger if your pseudo-family unit is the only one that can help work you out of whatever situation you’re in, rather than just any strong guy (sorry, Guido).

The best-developed and most likable of the supporting characters was Sydney Barrett. I loved Syd explaining how she sees the world and her concept of the soul thanks to her ability to swap bodies with people. It's always fascinating to me when superhero stories show us how the characters' outlooks are changed by their powers, so this was gold to me. Her talk with David about being in each other's bodies was fun and sweet, and allowing them to be intimate on the astral plane was a clever workaround to her inability to touch anyone. The one issue I had with Syd’s character was that it was a little unclear how her body-swapping worked, particularly when it appeared that her physical form would snap back to wherever her swapping partner was, rather than just her consciousness jumping back and forth.

I initially thought Carey (Bill Irwin) came off as crazy for the sake of being crazy, with him saying random words to "himself" that confused David, but I eventually enjoyed the unorthodox relationship he had with his other half, Kerry (Amber Midthunder). Kerry not knowing about the most basic components of human existence because she spends so much time inside Carey felt like a classic bit of X-men weirdness. The personality difference between them also felt note-perfect, as if Kerry took all the fight and assertiveness while Carey housed all the brains and trepidation from a single personality. Once Kerry decided she didn’t want to go back inside Carey, their relationship got even more interesting!

Jeremie Harris’ Ptonomy Wallace and his cool, calm attitude was a smart balance to the near-insanity of the other characters. His Inception-like dream navigating powers were cool and, given their low-tech application, allowed the show to use them often. I would’ve liked to get to know him better, so hopefully we will in Season 2. Melanie Bird (Jean Smart) was a solid Xavier stand-in for this mutant cell, but I wonder if her comment about humans being dinosaurs and going extinct in the face of mutants’ rise wasn’t just bravado, but a hint at something darker. I wouldn’t mind a twist where this team ended up being more in line with the Brotherhood than the X-men, or occupied a gray area between the two. Bird’s strained relationship with her husband Oliver (Jemaine Clement) was a tragic addition to the show and I hope that gets explored further next season. Oliver was an unorthodox delight, having spent so many years locked on the astral plane that he’d lost touch with reality. His interactions with everyone were fun, and I can’t wait to see him and Aubrey Plaza share scenes now that Farouk is in his head!

It was clever that all the heroes’ powers reflected the Shadow King in one way or another, but I wonder why it wasn’t made a bigger deal. We could’ve at least had a conversation between David and Carey/Kerry about living with another consciousness inside you. Maybe we could’ve gotten Kerry's perspective on being the other consciousness. Oliver being trapped in the Astral Plane as opposed to his body paralleled Farouk nicely and foreshadowed their eventual bond. Syd swapping bodies also reflected Farouk, so his opinion of her take on the soul would’ve been interesting to get. More importantly, her history with her mother’s boyfriend was a lot darker than I expected, and it’s essentially the same thing Farouk has been doing to David: stealing a body for his own purposes. Is it any better that Syd’s heist was only temporary? Ptonomy having the power to jump into other people's memories and the freedom to bypass boundaries could’ve given us insight into Farouk. Perhaps David will look for ways to get inside Farouk’s head next season and these parallels can be utilized then.

While the main mutants were engaging, if a little unexplored due to time constraints, the humans didn’t fare nearly as well. When she was kidnapped, I wasn’t concerned for David’s sister Amy (Katie Asleton) at all; her rescue seemed inevitable and I didn’t feel like I knew her well enough to be invested beyond “she’s a human in danger.” The government bad guys felt like stock X-men bad guys, and while that was fine for the pilot, they never really came together as a real threat or sympathetic on their own merits. David’s effortless thrashing of the entire Division 3 when he went to save his sister (and later, another squad of them at the end of the season) proved they aren’t any threat to the mutants. The Eye (Mackenzie Gray) was suitably imposing (if underutilized), but unless his power is “sensing astral projections,” I couldn’t tell you what his ability was. I wish they’d done more with him; killing him felt like a waste. Clark’s (Hamish Linklater) last-minute catch-up while we watched him heal from his injuries and learned about his family didn’t endear him to me (it was just too little, too late). I also don’t buy at all that we’d been watching David with the team for the several months to a year it must’ve taken Clark to recuperate from his injuries; it felt like the season happened over the course of maybe two weeks. Still, Clark agreeing to help the mutants against Farouk was an unexpected and enjoyable moment of common sense. I admired his rationality in that moment. I wonder if they’d spin mutant/human relations in a much less antagonistic direction then we normally see in X-men stories. In their earliest adventures (and First Class), at least some government agents were willing to work with them, so perhaps that’s where this is going.Maybe with more time to get to know Clark and his family, he’d be more sympathetic.

All in all, this was a solid season that really became something unique after episode 3, so I'm absolutely down for season 2. Using a typical superhero “recruit the hero, save the girl” setup to springboard into a battle for David’s psyche was a genius twist and propelled the show into unexplored territory. Few shows have the guts to go completely bonkers and still (a) make sense and (b) fully commit to the insanity, and this one absolutely did. Every single week my sister would text me going “why is Legion so WEIRD?” and she was absolutely right, in the best way. There were some standout sequences, like the noiseless horror film-inspired exploration of David’s childhood home and the silent film escape from his brain. I can't wait to see what Shadow King—and Legion—does next!

The eight-episode first season is on Hulu, and is definitely worth checking out!

What’s up with the orb??

[fhamt]

The Absolute Index Of Best Sex Drugs Rock And Roll Book

By Michelle Campbell

In these modern times, men and women have more freedom when it comes to expressing their thoughts and ideas. This is most apparent with the emergence of film, photography, music, movies, creative projects, and all kinds of literature. When speaking of literature however, it can be classified into numerous categories and subgenres. Often times, these pieces of literature have been around for centuries and it has become a great way for people to document their daily life at that precise moment or to create a work of fiction. Mankind has actually constantly taken a passion for the grittier besides much more alternate facets of life. This is most obvious in the production and development of all kind of way of lives, society, and subcultures, which usually determine present globe fads and also the sort of life individuals lead. When confronted with truth, a lot of avoid the sandy components of it however discover it enjoyable and pleasurable to see it via analysis, viewing movies, or paying attention to songs. Following this route of idea, the complying with paragraphs will certainly consist of a clear-cut checklist of finest Sex Drugs Rock and roll Book today. Heart is a rock group that's been in existence for quite a while, because it was initially launched in nineteen seventy three. This job titled Kick and Dreaming information the background of the livelihood, their encounters during traveling, concerts, and recording new music. The publication however, is regarded as a memoir and some other man or woman that has followed this group will enjoy learning and reading about how they were. Another accessory to this report is the publication entitled Who I Am, that was written by Pete Townshend. Like the preceding example, it's likewise regarded as that a memoir that encircles his adventures and what it was like being among those associates of a rather popular and genre setting musical band known as The Who. Throughout their period of prominence, it had been the elevation of rock music along with also the negative connotations that come along with that lifestyle, such as medication use and excessive smoking. Destined to Play is by Indigo Bloome, which is actually a work of fiction than anything else. Destined to Play is the first edition in a three part trilogy called Avalon, which when released has drawn comparisons with a similar themed trilogy called Fifty Shades of Gray, which was adapted for the big screen not too long ago. The leading character is a psychologist named Alexandra, who is mysteriously and irrevocably attracted to a man named Jeremy, who is a doctor. One more in a similar way themed job of fiction is Jane Eyre Laid Bare, which is freely based upon the timeless and initial equivalent starring this personality. Laid Bare nonetheless, was made up by 2 writers specifically, Charlotte Bronte and Eve Sinclair. In the initial publication, Jane and her love passion Mister Rochester had some symptomatic scenes yet were even more suggested as well as a great deal much less racier. This publication nevertheless, adjustments all that and enters into the instructions that some followers of the initial were expecting after the first analysis. Wetlands brings many subscribers by its cover alone, which can be curiously only an avocado fruit divide in half of its own seed still observable. A job by writer Charlotte Roche, it topped several bookseller lists also has grabbed the interest of several subscribers, clear in the fact that it's sold over 1 point seven million copies globally. Why is this a rather intriguing read is the fact that it's quite raw and fair, focusing on a young woman named Helen, who's going to suffer with a psychological breakdown. Bruce Springsteen is just one of the most renowned acts of perpetuity and because of this lots of payments to songs besides his occupation covering several generations and styles, a great deal of individuals position him in really prestige. Because of this, it has actually been easy to understand why a great deal of ladies and also guys appreciate him sufficient to create publications and tunes regarding him besides his outstanding skill. Eric Meola is just one of those people, obvious in his job qualified Streets of Fire, which is really mostly a digital photography publication that is come with by verses created by Bruce himself. Each photo is one-of-a-kind and completely records the definition and feelings took into a particular line of verse from among his tracks. To top off this list is a novel titled Girl In a Band, by the very talented and seasoned veteran Kim Gordon. Kim was the bassist and vocalist of an avant garde four piece musical group that she shared with her then husband Thurston Moore and details her own point of view on how they rose to fame during the eighties and nineties. Many folks have stated it was very enjoyable read and a mind opener, especially to those who followed their career since the beginning and other musicians who were influenced by their modern and highly innovative style that singled them out as a band during those times.

About the Author:

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[germanottaisgodxo]

1-100

100 questionsIs a kiss considered cheating?YesHave you ever faked orgasm?Never been in a situation to 😂😂If you could have one superpower, what would it be?Mind readerDo you think you are going to be rich in 7-8-9 years?Hope so Tell us some funny drunk story.I don't have anyWhy are you no longer together with your ex?I don't have any ex'sIf you had to choose one way to die, what would it be? In my sleep, I guessWhat are your current goals?Complete my current courseDo a couple more day/2 day courses Get a job in the area of work I wantBe financially stableLose weightWork on myself more so I have more confidence/hate myself lessDo you like someone?YeahWho was the last person to disappoint you?Me, probablyDo you like your body?No, I just weighed myself the other night actually; I'm more of a fat pie than I realised 😞Can you keep a diet?KindaIf the whole world listened to you right now, what would you say?Buy me a McDonaldsDo you work?Nah, really wish I did thoughIf you could choose only one food to eat to the rest of your life, what would it be?Pickled onion crisps!!Would you get a tattoo?Yeah, I have a few ideasSomething you don’t mind spending all your money on?I don't spend money on anything other than food or electric with a wee bit going towards my TV/broadband billCan you drive?NahWhen was the last time someone told you you were beautiful?About a month agoWhat was the last thing you cried for?Watching a Jeremy Kyle episode where he was reuniting peopleDo you keep a journal?NahIs life fun?It can be, it's not for me currently thoughIs farting in front of people irrelevant?This is one of my pet hates when people do this!! Especially when they barely know you 😷What’s your dream car?A car ?Are grades in school important?Not necessarily, I guess it depends on the job role or goals in life you want to achieveDescribe your crush.NahWhat was the last book/movie that really impressed you?RoomWhat was your last lie?"Nothing's on my mind, I'm fine"Dumbest lie you ever told? That I didn't eat all the food in the house 😂Is crying in front of people embarrassing?Very!!Something you did and you are proud of?Ehm, ask me this again in 6 months to a year when I actually believe there's stuff I've done to be proud ofWhat’s your favourite cocktail?Fruit cocktail from a tin, obvsSomething you are good at?ComplainingDo you like small kids?Love them; they're so cute!How are you feeling right now?Tired & boredWhat would you name your daughter/son?No ideaWhat do you need to be happy?Family, Friends, Lady Gaga, food, my fave shitty TV showsIs there some you want to punch in the face right now?Yeah but that person is too much of a pathetic baby who doesn't like confrontation 😂😂What was the last gift you received?A mcflurryWhat was the last gift you gave?I sent a card at Christmas...What was the last concert you went to?Lady Gaga!!Favourite place to shop at?PrimarkWho inspires you?Family, friends, Lady GagaHow old were you when you first got drunk?20 hahahaHow old were you when you first got high?I haven'tHow old were you when you first had sex?I haven'tWhen was your first kiss?Not had itSomething you want to do until the end of this year?Stay on my current course & work on myself as a personIs there something in the past you wish you hadn’t done?So many thingsPost a selfie.Nah, go through my "me" tagWho are you most comfortable around?People I've met this yearName one thing that terrifies you.DogsWhat kind of books do you read?Mostly true life story onesWhat would you tell your 12 year old self?You're an absolute cunt, get your head out of your arse, stop treating people like shit, fix your shitty habits & help out more round the house What is your favourite flower?ThistleAny bad habits you have?I pee 627728283653 times a day 😐What kind of people are you attracted to?DependsWhat was the last thing you cried for?Was this not another question? Is there something you don’t eat? Some food that truly disgust you?A few; I'm trying to stop being so picky though, going for weeks without food & going to a soup kitchen/getting food parcels has taught me to try new foodsAre you in love?NahSomething you find romantic?No idea reallyHow long was your longest relationship? Never had oneWhat are 3 things that irritate you about the same sex?They can be so controlling/paranoid/jealous & are proud of it, put on an act and struggle to move onWhat are 3 things that irritate you about the opposite sex? They can be so damn stupid, won't listen to you even after a million very clear explanations & get aggressive over stupid reasonsWhat are you saving money for?Can't save money with how much I get a month 😂How would you describe your bad side?I'd rather notAre you actually a good person? Why?....What are you living for?To try and become a better person so I can make up for everything I did in the past Have you ever done anything illegal?Got a tattoo before 18Do you like your body?Already a question...Have you ever made someone feel bad about themselves intentionally?YeahEver sent nudes?NahHave you ever cheated on someone?Never been with someone Favourite candy?Don't really think I have oneIs there a blog you visit every day, or almost every day? Tag it!Yeah & I'm not tagging hahaDo you play any computer games? What is your favourite game?NahFavourite TV series?8 out of 10 cats (does countdown)Are you religious? Does God exist?No at all & no 😂What was the last book you read? Did it impress you and why?The missing & kinda as it was quite thrilling/loads of stuff happened but I expected it as I ruined it for myself What do you think about vegetarianism/veganism?There's better food than all that grass 😂How long have you been on Tumblr?Nearly 6 years Do you like Chinese food?Yes!!McDonalds or Subway?McDonalds! I actually have subway vouchers but my friend doesn't like subway so I won't make use of them..Vodka or whiskey?Never had eitherAlcohol or drugs?NoEver been out of your province/state/country?YeahMeaning behind your blog name?Lady Gaga's last nameWhat are you scared of?Few thingsLast time you were insulted?Today ffsMost traumatic experience ?I got stabbed in the head with a pen today 😑Perfect date idea?A date??Favourite app on your phone?ChoicesWhat colour are the walls in your room?Light purpleDo you watch Youtube? Who is your favourite youtuber?I just listen to chart shite Share your favourite quote.I'm too lazy to find it to copy & paste it What is the meaning of life?FoodDo you like horror movies?No- they terrify me, I can't even watch their advertsHave you ever made your mum cry? What happened?ConstantlyDo you feel lucky or special in a way?NahCan you keep a secret?YeahThanks for asking!!

[marilynnewbury-blog]

Oh, My Bleeding Heart!

"How long before Mom kills this one?” my children predict, more than ask, every time I bring home a plant.  My husband and daughter-in-law chime in their agreement.

I laugh to myself.  I’m not sure that it matters, as plants are cheap.  Their survival is not as important as the colour and design of the pots, the contours of the leaf shapes, and the vibrancy of the flower hues - in the rare event that one of my plants actually blooms.  If one dies, I replace it as I would a broken dish.

I am not attached to plants like my house cleaner, Angelica.  She talks to my plant victims and apologizes for my neglect. If a plant is unresponsive or dying, I give it to her.  After a few weeks, she shows me pictures of the now-humongous plant with gorgeous blooms.  Oh well, I think. The plant would not fit in its pot, anyway.

When my daughter, Julia, was growing up, I would let her pick out plants for her room.  Under my tutelage, she would choose one for its visual attractiveness and how it would match the room colour.  If the plant died, I just bought her a new cheap one, always of the smallest size, since my budget had to withstand many plant purchases.

Julia now has her own home and has discovered that her mother never knew anything about horticulture.  Ruth, my son-in-law's mother, has blown my cover.  She is teaching my daughter to consider such boring factors as the type of soil, time and quantity of sunlight, and when and how to water the plant.  Apparently, even the pot size matters.

Too many things to think about, in my opinion.  It is so much easier to just consider how the plant foliage will look next to the colour of the pot.

No wonder none of my plants survived.  I placed them in rooms where they looked best and didn't worry about sunlight.  I gave them a good dousing when I thought of it or happened to notice their wilted appearance.  Unfortunately, I often forgot to look, especially during the first three months of my pregnancies when I absolutely did not think about feeding greenery when I myself could barely drink tea or eat crackers.  All plants needed replacing.

When we moved to our current residence, I decided to cease my growing efforts.  I gave all of my plants to Angelica and successfully kept my house plant-free for over a year.  Then I read on facebook that we would sleep better if we had certain oxygen-emitting plants in our bedroom.

I dutifully traipsed off to Rona to buy these supposedly insomnia-healing plants.  The clerk, probably thinking that I had failed high school biology, patiently explained to me that ALL plants give out oxygen, not just the five facebook recommends.  But I persisted, and purchased four of the five suggested specimens - with plant pots to match.  I resisted the rest of the colourful displays until a cute cactus with bright yellow blooms caught my eye, reminding me of my father's love for both cacti and the colour yellow.  Four plants became five.

My family did not admire the plants, not even the sentimental purchase, but rather engaged in another round of mockery in the game of How Long Will These Last?  They did not have to wait long, for one soon to show signs of dying.

For Mother's Day, my daughter offered to help me weed and plant the small flowerbed under my front window. I politely tried to distract her from this line of thought, hoping to avoid another plant disaster, but she persisted.  I finally gave in, knowing that I needed help, given my questionable skill level with dirt and living plant organisms.

My artistic side wanted to immediately shop for new plants, but Julia wisely insisted that we needed to weed first.

The flower bed was a disaster, in the same state as when we purchased the house.

Two huge rocks, a profusion of weeds, two stone ladybugs, renamed Poop by my grandson, and one lone plant, awkardly placed - a bleeding heart.

Amazingly, I actually knew the name of this plant.  My grandmother, Julia, (also my daughter's namesake), grew this perennial.  I remember her telling me the legend of the bleeding heart as she pulled the flower apart, showing me the bunnies, earrings, slippers, sword, and stabbed heart.  I will forever treasure the precious times sitting beside my grandmother, feeling her love and affirmation in those suspended-in-time moments, as she retold the same story over and over.

For those memories, I had to keep this plant and so ruthlessly transplanted it to a better spot,

figuring that any plant called a bleeding heart could survive being cut off at the roots.

My daughter does not think it will survive, but if it is still alive next summer, she will buy me dinner.

As usual, most of the remaining plant choices were for their design and colour scheme of white, pink, and periwinkle blue with a splash of yellow.

Some made the cut for sentimental reasons.

Spirea

I partially chose this shrub as I had grown it with modest success in a more northern climate, but mostly because it reminded me of my wonderful Aunty Betty who once had a lovely profusion of spireas by her front walkway.

Silver Mound

My cousin, Sherry, is a successful gardener, despite our shared gene pool.  Ever since she told me how much she loved her Silver Mound, I try to plant one everywhere I live.  She told me that no matter how you damage it, it will always grow back to a round shape.  We'll see.  My daughter is doubtful.

Jack Frost, but I call it a Forget-Me-Not

As I recall, my Dad loved forget-me-nots.  My Mom had a forget-me-not china tea set - because Dad liked them, she told me.  In any case, I like the periwinkle flowers, and will think of my father every time I look at them.

Nameless Plant - My Substitute Rose Bush

For my father, who loved yellow roses

Actually, yellow was the only colour he could easily recognize, due to his colour blindness.  He failed Kindergarten because he coloured tree branches brown and tree trunks green.  Too bad the teacher did not notice that his suns were always coloured yellow.

A few years before he died, he commented that he recognized how much I loved colour:  this meant a lot to me, since he saw colours differently than most.  He deserves yellow flowers in his honour.

For my mother, who loved roses, especially red ones, and could grow them anywhere

I admit, the flowers are not red, and they are not roses, but I am not foolish enough to attempt to grow roses - of any colour.  The yellow flowers on the nameless pseudo-rose plant will have to do as stand-ins for red in honour of my mom.

It was a good day.

My daughter and I bumbled along together, guessing at how deep to dig the holes, how much water to use, and how to follow the instructions to massage the roots. With high hopes for success, we randomly sprinkled bone meal and mixed soils with varying degrees of proportion.

I named the first two shrubs Betty and Betsy. My daughter said that I couldn’t use alliteration and so named the third Caroline.

Mostly, we giggled at my lack of skill and knowledge. She laughed when I told her that I had considered marrying a farmer and that a higher power had saved me from such a disaster, knowing that I would be better suited to managing unruly students in a classroom than rampant weeds in a vegetable garden.  My daughter said she was happy for the said farmer.

We laughed as we threw newspaper on the ground and covered it with mulch because the internet said we could.  We disagreed amicably and proudly viewed our work.

Not all of our days have been so.

Somewhere, starting in the preteen years, the arguments outnumbered the good times.

Pictures of family events do not always evoke pleasant memories.

Thankfully, my daughter and I are finding a new rhythm in our relationship.

Hurting hearts lie mostly buried and new growth is emerging as we share experiences of marriage and motherhood,

preferring the safety of common ground to unpacking potentially explosive landmines of the past.

New pictures of family are emerging...

My daughter and I in front of my new beautiful flower bed with all of its colour and variegated foliage.

I treasure the memories this day symbolizes, of easy mother-daughter banter and the sounds of Julia singing “Sweet Caroline”.

Other Thoughtful and Symbolical Mother's Day Gifts from my Family...

A hand-carved wooden spoon made by my son-in-law, Jeremy @Lotholz and Company

Multi-coloured daisies from my husband, Cliff, each colour representing a different season in our marriage.

His message in my Mother's Day card was appropriate for this as yet unwritten article:  You ground me.

An African Violet from my daughter-in-law, Breanna, displayed on my Grandma Ida's sewing machine, well-used in days gone by.  Breanna had no idea how much my mother loved African Violets.

A framed picture from my son, Stephen, and his wife, Breanna.

To make this beautiful keepsake, Breanna used dried flowers from a birthday bouquet from my siblings and a quote from my blog.

My son, Stephen, and I are taking our relationship to a new level as he repairs our basement and edits my blog.

Grandchildren...sharing the scents and blooms of the fresh growth.

I am grateful for the opportunity for forming new family relationships.

A  red rose bush from my son, Michael, in honour of his grandmother and me, his mother.

My relationship with my son, Michael, is marked by elements of unpredictability and the unexpected.

Once, before he could even talk, I asked him for a kiss, but he kissed the wall instead.

I love the times when he surprises me with a symphony concert or a rafting trip.

Today, as I watch him plant the roses, I celebrate the past, present, and future of family.

While I wonder how to cope with the inescapable challenge of growing these red blooms, I embrace the pain and struggle of nurturing both roses and relationships.

Meanwhile, the jury is still out on the bleeding heart's survival,but it is showing new buds and flowers, boding well for the future.

Perhaps human bleeding hearts can also survive - and even bloom.

POSTSCRIPT

I just saw a facebook post about six plants that repel mosquitoes.

Tempting..

Previously published on https:www.marilynnewbury.com

[viral-now-co]

Manchester terror attack: 19 dead, 59 injured at Manchester Arena

Full details of travel disruption this morning

We’ve just published a full round-up of public transport disruption and road closures.

(Photo: Joel Goodman)

Jeremy Corbyn: All general election campaigning suspended

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has echoed Theresa May’s statement earlier to say that the general election campaign has been suspended until further notice.

Labour has just released this statement from the party leader.

I am horrified by the horrendous events in Manchester last night. My thoughts are with families and friends of those who have died and been injured.

Today the whole country will grieve for the people who have lost their lives.

I have spoken with Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, who has fully briefed me on the operational response in the city.

I would like to pay tribute to the emergency services for their bravery and professionalism in dealing with last night’s appalling events.

I have spoken with the Prime Minister and we have agreed that that all national campaigning in the general election will be suspended until further notice.

Health workers in Manchester for conference offer to help care for injured

Health workers visiting Manchester have offered to pitch in to help care for those injured in an explosion at a concert in the city.

NHS staff attending a conference in the city offered support to local hospitals treating the wounded.

North West Ambulance NHS Trust sent 60 ambulances to the scene of the suspected terror attack. It said that 59 casualties had been taken to nearby hospitals and a number of walking wounded were treated at the scene.

Greater Manchester Police said that the injured were being treated at six local hospitals.

Kirsty Withers, a theatre clinical manager at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) NHS Foundation Trust, offered assistance to Manchester Royal Infirmary online, writing:

“We are visiting for a health conference from morecambe bay trust tomorrow 3 Theatre ODPs available if needed.”

Stuart Hosking-Durn, an emergency preparedness, resilience and response professional with UHMB, also used Twitter to offer help, posting:

“Do you need extra hands, we have staff in Manchester, have ID and can attend.”

Mancunian GP Faizan Awan tweeted:

“If you need any help doing clinical work either on wards or minors, let me know. Can be with you in 10 minutes.”

GMP: Help and assistance on offer at Etihad Stadium

Important information here for anyone who needs help or assistance after last night’s events

Terror of sisters caught up in explosion

I’ve just spoken to 20-year-old Jess and her dad David who have just left Wythenshawe Hospital. Jess was with her sister Hannah, 17, at the Ariana Grande concert last night.

Describing the moment she heard the huge explosion she said:

“We had just come through the main doors near the McDonalds and we’d stopped just a few metres away. I just heard this blast and knew straight away what it was.

“My sister was on the floor face down. She had been thrown down, a few people had. I don’t know how I wasn’t.

“I knew what it was. I could see smoke and that sound could not have been anything else. I just knew we had to get out of there.

“My sister picked herself up and her hand was covered in blood. It’s badly damaged. I just grabbed her and screamed ‘you need to run’ and dragged her to the football museum.

“The NHS staff have been amazing. I was not injured but I was in shock. they still had space for me.”

The girls’ dad, David, had parked up by Parkers, close to the arena, ready to pick his daughters up after the concert. He said he heard the ‘unmistakable’ sound of an explosion and immediately started running towards the venue.

“I just heard this humongous thud of a blast. I knew what it was but I couldn’t see smoke.

“Jess ran and said ‘come and get us, Hannah has been hurt’. “I was shouting for her but she couldn’t hear because the blast had damaged her ears.

“We started to walk away as the emergency services were arriving.”

The family drove to Stepping Hill hospital before being transferred to Wythenshawe at around 2am. Hannah is staying as an inpatient at the hospital awaiting surgery to her damaged hand.

David, who spoke to the M.E.N while wearing a white blood spattered top, added:

“Every operating theatre in there is full. It’s very quiet and calm. Nobody is jumping around, they’re all doing their jobs. It’s very impressive. It sticks two finger up to the people who did this.”

‘Number of casualties’ treated at Salford Royal

“Salford Royal has treated a number of casualties from the Manchester Arena incident and would like to attend the public please do not attend A&E unless it is absolutely urgent.”

“GMP have made an emergency number available for anyone concerned about loved ones or anyone who may have been in the area. The number is 0161 856 9400.

“We can’t give any more details at this time.”

City centre road closures in place

Cordons in place this morning run around the Arena. Miller Street and Shudehill are closed to traffic.

Also closed on is a small stretch of Rochdale Road, Cheetham Hill Road and Trinity Way up to Chapel Street.

#RoomForManchester – Mancunians rally round to help those in need

In our city’s darkest hour, hundreds of Mancunians offered help to those in need.

Minutes after news broke of the Manchester Arena terror attack there was an outpouring of love and support. Members of the public issued offers of help to anyone who was affected by the tragedy.

The moving offers included rooms to anyone who was stuck in the city, lifts out of the city centre, hot drinks or even a simple hug in the aftermath.

Terrifying accounts of eyewitnesses and the injured

Many people have been sharing their horrific experiences over the last few hours.

“It was one massive bang and then I saw smoke. I heard someone shout ‘bomb’ and then everyone started running. It was carnage. People were injured by being trampled as they tried to get out. It was absolute carnage.”

(Photo: Joel Goodman)

‘Anxious’ atmosphere at MRI

One surgeon at MRI just told me he had been dealing with some of the casualties but wasn’t able to tell me their injuries.

He said there was an ‘anxious’ atmosphere in A&E.

Salford Royal – do not come to A&E unless it’s an emergency

Salford Royal have issued this statement:

“We’re still treating patients and can’t confirm the number at this time as it is a dynamic and constantly evolving situation with patients coming in and out all the time.

“We are currently working with both patients’ families and the police on site.

“Due to the current situation we would advise people to not attend A&E unless it’s an emergency.”

Waiting area of Royal Oldham empty

Police car at the entrance of Oldham Hospital A&E. Nobody in waiting area.

60 ambulances attended incident

North West Ambulance Service says that 60 of its ambulances attended last night’s incident.

(Photo: Vince Cole)

Victoria station closed on Tuesday – changes to train services

Northern has announced details of its train services which will run to and from Manchester on Tuesday 23 May.

Manchester Victoria remains closed to the public and is unlikely to re-open until Wednesday morning at the earliest.

As a result of the closure there will be no services operating to or from Manchester Victoria until further notice.

Rob Warnes, Performance and Planning Director at Northern, said: “Manchester Victoria will remain closed on Tuesday as British Transport Police and Greater Manchester Police continue their investigation.

“We have worked to provide as many services as possible on Tuesday, though all services may be subject to short notice cancellations and delays as we strive to keep people on the move.”

Northern will operate services on the following routes to replace those which would normally call at Manchester

Huddersfield – Stalybridge

Wigan – Salford (via Atherton)

Leeds – Rochdale

Blackpool – Manchester Oxford Road

Clitheroe – Bolton – Blackburn

Kirby – Wigan

Northern is also working to provide a limited bus service between Rochdale and Manchester, but the details are yet to be confirmed.

Normal services will run into and out of Manchester Piccadilly to and from all south Manchester destinations. In addition the following services will operate as normal

Blackpool – Bolton – Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport

Southport – Bolton – Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport

Liverpool – Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport

Preston – Manchester Piccadilly – Hazel Grove

Rob added: “The thoughts of everyone at Northern are with those affected by last night’s horrific incident and we ask all our customers to show patience and understanding as we work with colleagues across the industry to deliver as strong a rail service as possible.”

Hospital staff member’s shock

I spoke to a member of staff here at Wythenshawe hospital earlier who described how shocked she was at the news. Almost on the verge of tears she said she could barely believe that such an attack had happened in Manchester.

Ariana Grande reacts

The American pop star had just finished her concert at Manchester Arena when the explosions happened.

and this is from her manager:

Alarms still blaring at Arena

The alarms can still be heard blaring inside the Arena as the police helicopter still circles overhead.

— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) May 23, 2017

On-call minister at Wythenshawe hospital

An on call minister is here at Wythenshawe to support patients and families here tonight.

Only emergency access to North Manchester General

North Manchester General is currently on lockdown and only allowing access to emergency patients and ambulances. Security are guarding the entrance of the road to the main car park and questioning people as they arrive.

Pictures from the scene show bomb squad and heavily armed officers

(Photo: Joel Goodman)

(Photo: Joel Goodman)

(Photo: Joel Goodman)

GMP chief constable’s statement in full

Here is the statement that Chief Constable Ian Hopkins made a short time ago:

Video captures moment of explosion

This new video captures the moment of the explosion, and the panic that begun to grip the crowd

Ambulance service: 59 taken to hospital

An update on casualty figures from North West Ambulance Service.

Emergency number set up for worried relatives

An emergency number has been set up that anyone worried about relatives can call – it is 0161 856 9400

GMP chief constable issues update

GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins has just held a press conference to give the latest information.

He confirms that there at 19 people dead and 50 others injured. Casualties are being treated at six hospitals across Greater Manchester.

He also confirmed it was being treated as a terrorist incident.

How to give blood

Although people are being asked not to go to hospitals overnight to allow casualties to be treated, there are a number of places open tomorrow that you can go to to give blood.

More ambulances arrive at Arena

Still lots of emergency service activity around the Arena:

‘We must not let these monsters change Manchester’

Manchester council’s city centre chief Pat Karney has just tweeted this:

Councillor Pat Karney

What we know so far

We’ve brought together what we know so far about the attack.

Source

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-arena-explosion-evacuated-ariana-13075807

The post Manchester terror attack: 19 dead, 59 injured at Manchester Arena appeared first on Viral Now.

from Viral Now https://viralnow.co/manchester-terror-attack-19-dead-59-injured-at-manchester-arena/

[jkdavidson-blog]

Standing Rock Recap Part 1 (12/8-12/12)

So now that I am back in Cincinnati, and before I dive headlong back into my day-to-day business, I want to take an opportunity to reflect more thoroughly on my Standing Rock experience, to solidify it in my memory and begin to process the journey so that I can more fully integrate its lessons as I move forward. I kept some notes on my daily experiences so that I could write in greater depth later, so what I have not already journaled about in detail shall be expanded upon here. I’ve also included my posts from Facebook (in italics), as many of my more thoughtful reflections were shared there.

  8 December 2016

 Today I picked up my car—a Kia Sorento full-size SUV, AWD—loaded it up, and double-checked my packing list. I packed in a prayerful manner, a bit apprehensive about the journey ahead but repeating my mantras all the while.

I went to Thursday night dance class at Baoku’s Village. It was quite a joyful send off! I didn’t know many of the other people there, but they all thanked me for going and assured me they would keep me in their thoughts. After class, I rested for a little while before hitting the road around midnight.

The roads were a bit snowy and icy to start out, but North of Indianapolis everything seemed to clear up nicely. The 10-hour drive wasn’t so bad, after all. I sang, prayed, chanted, listened to the radio, and played songs from my iPod. I took naps when I needed to and stretched often. I was nervous but excited for what might lie ahead.

  9 December 2016

 Written about a short hike I took from a rest stop in Black River Valley, WI, which turned out to have a monument to one of the first sawmills in the country—undoubtedly erected in what had, up until then, been indigenous territory. “Mni Wiconi” and other phrases along those lines were scrawled onto the railings of the walkway that overlooked the valley.

 Good morning from Wisconsin!

What was promised as simply a "scenic overlook" turned out to be a half mile hike through the woods near a rest stop off Highway 94--and a much needed respite from the last 10hrs on the road.

I can still hear the trucks howling on the highway below, but up here I find peace in the beautiful morning sun. Also, there are reminders of the many who have journeyed before me. I send you my deepest gratitude, brothers and sisters.

Mni wiconi. This is my YES.

 I arrived in Minneapolis around noon. I had an extravagant lunch at an Indian buffet before checking into my Air B&B for a nap. I went to the Dustin Thomas concert that night. The club was really neat—it had a small concert venue and a larger dance club area. I think someone said it was Prince’s club?

The show was phenomenal! He played many songs I love but don’t usually get to hear when he does short opening sets. I met several really friendly people—Adam and Eric, who are also musicians, Jeremy and Anthony, who had recently been to Standing Rock themselves, and a fiercely loving mother named Julia Chavira. There was another wild young woman with a drum, but her name escapes me now…

I hadn’t had a night out in quite a while, and I had taken an Uber to the show, so I decided to indulge in some tequila—three glasses, which was probably a bit overboard. But all my best road trips usually involve a good hangover at some point, so be it. I danced my ass off that night, and sang along to nearly every song. The show went until 2 AM or so, which was later than I planned to be out but oh-so-worth-it.

I chatted with Julia, Anthony, and Jeremy after the show and traded contact information with them so we could stay in touch. I left there absolutely astounded at the friendliness and generosity of the crowd gathered there that night. Minneapolis, you sure made a great first impression.

  10 December 2016

 Post about a radio broadcast I heard on my way to MPLS:

This keeps nagging my conscience, so I will share:

On my way up to Minnesota, driving past Chicago around 3 a.m. I caught a broadcast by Thom Hartmann (amazing author too BTW, check out Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight). He was talking about our president elect and comparing his persona to that of Hitler and Mussolini. We probably have all heard that before, but he went into depth about the psychological tactics of a "leaders" such as them and it gave me a much deeper understanding of the validity behind those comparisons.

After his broadcast was over, I flipped to a Latino radio station (I like to practice my Spanish by seeing if I can figure out what the songs are about). They took a commercial break and this public service announcement came on. My Spanish isn't good enough to understand the finer details of the message, but it was something about people coming to your door and asking for your identification and your papers justifying your presence in this country, and under what circumstances someone can legally do that.

I felt a pang of fear in my heart. What a disturbing message to have to sit there and listen to! I realize this is a very real concern for America's international residents. They are truly fearing for their safety and freedom. This is not the America I was taught to love as a child. Shouldn't we all be concerned?

 I ended up staying in Minneapolis an extra day. With warnings of a blizzard in Standing Rock, it didn’t seem wise to drive up there just yet. Plus, I didn’t have a room at the casino until the 11th. I spent the day running around, picking up a few last-minute supplies, including a package full of long underwear and other winter gear that I had ordered from REI but which hadn’t arrived by the time I departed (ironically enough, due to the weather in the same region I was headed to, which held up shipping). Dad had to overnight it to me, which actually worked out really well. I also went to the Mall of America, which is apparently one of the major attractions in MPLS but which I had intended to avoid. However, Jason requested specifically that I pick up Alpaca wool socks, and MOA had an Alpaca store. The rest is history…

I also worked very hard to track down tire chains for myself and Lolly B. They weren’t as easy to find as I had assumed, but with Jeremy’s help I did manage to find a couple of pairs the following day.

Anthony had offered me a place to stay that night, and I was originally going to take him up on it, but as evening rolled around I was having trouble getting in touch with him. He said he wouldn’t be off work until 10…I had been running around all day with a hangover and had honestly hoped to be in bed by that time. So, I booked an Air B&B last minute (which was kind of a miracle in and of itself) and went to someone else’s house to hole up in a quiet private room for the night. The guys were disappointed I didn’t come over to hang with them, but I knew I needed the rest.

  11 December 2016

I woke up to about 4 or 5 inches of snow this morning. No sense in rushing out the door until the snow plows have had a go at the streets, I told myself. I took my time to reorganize my belongings and then set to work cleaning off the Kia, by which time snowplows were crisscrossing through the residential area I was staying in. Perfect.

I hit the highway behind another brigade of snow plows. The pavement was coated, but my AWD seemed to be pretty reliable. I was surprised how much traffic was on the road early that Sunday morning. That’s the difference between 5 inches of snow in Cincinnati and 5 inches of snow in Minneapolis—people don’t freak out about it up North.

Someone named Rosemary from the Medic and Healer Council, which had previously been unresponsive to my inquiries, called me a few hours into my drive. I guess it was the email titled “ARRIVING TOMORROW 12/11” that finally got their attention. She informed me that she had forwarded me “some orientation materials to review.” She also cautioned me about the importance of cultural sensitivity, having a camp “buddy” especially for actions, and “checking in with myself frequently.” She advised me to stop somewhere with WiFi along the way so I could download said literature “because the internet at the Casino is crap.”

I found my tire chains along the way at a place called Mills Fleet Farm (thank God!), and another Indian buffet in Fargo called India Palace, just like the one I had eaten at a couple of days before in St Cloud. After filling up on Indian food, I headed next door to Caribou Coffee to download the orientation stuff. I was overwhelmed by the herbal remedy guides, camp guidelines, medic council guidelines, hypothermia and frostbite treatment, lists of recommended equipment, suggested readings, and most of all the lengthy pamphlet on crowd-control tactics. The latter file included detailed descriptions of devices like pepper spray, sound cannons, heat rays, various “nonlethal” projectiles, water cannons, etc. I skimmed that last pamphlet in horror and prayed I wouldn’t need the information during my time at camp.

It was dark and temps were dipping below zero as I neared my destination. I started down highway 1806, the main road to Standing Rock and the casino, and was met by signs that the highway was closed. A detour was indicated, but the alternate route was unlit and covered with snow, whereas 1806 still appeared to be clear and moderately trafficked. So I continued down 1806 to see if I could get through. I’d tell them I was heading to the casino, I reasoned to myself, even as I passed more signs and a partial blockade warning, again, that the road was closed.

Then I arrived at the road block. Cement barricades created a zig-zag passageway only the most nimble of vehicles could navigate. Floodlights shone harshly against an otherwise starlit night, illuminating a small booth where a young man dressed in army fatigues was stationed. A couple of law enforcement vehicles clogged what little remained of the throughway. I rolled down my window as I slowly approached the blockade. The young man strode toward me and greeted me. “Good evening, where are you headed?” He asked politely. “To the Prairie Knights Casino,” I replied. “To the casino,” he repeated, “I’ll be right back.” He walked to the booth and reached inside. I thought maybe he was requesting clearance for me to pass, but instead he came back with a small square of paper. “Turn around here, go back 21 miles, make a left on 138. Take that road 3 miles to 6 South. Follow that road for another 18 miles to 24. Make a left on 24 and that will put you right back on 1806.” I looked at the directions, and then at my GPS. He couldn’t be serious—but of course he was. I was only 30 minutes from the casino, there at the blockade. It was dark and cold and I just wanted to get off the road. “Highway 138?” I asked. “I saw the detour sign back there, but that road looked like it was covered in ice and snow.” “Yeah,” the guard replied, “It’s a gravel road. It’s only 3 miles. If you’re not comfortable with that route, you can go back up to Mandan and get on 6 South from there.” He was artificially polite and matter-of-fact about the whole situation. In the intimidating glare of the floodlights, I didn’t feel that I had much room for negotiation. “Okay, thanks.” With a sigh, I rolled up my window and turned my vehicle around.

The blockade really weirded me out. For a while, I felt nervous that I was being followed by one of the law enforcement SUVs, but I think it was just another vehicle behind me that had been turned around also. I wasn’t sure yet what the relations were like between water protectors and DAPL affiliates, but I could assume it wasn’t exactly genial.

As it turned out, I arrived at the casino lodge sometime around 9:45, which I had intuited I might. In light of that, the whole roadblock experience made sense. It was too late and too snowy to venture into camp, so I unloaded my car and settled into my room for the night.

I had been in contact with the One Nation camp via my friend Jason, and I had some cash for them from a fundraiser back in Massachusetts. I let them know that I had arrived, and they headed to the casino to meet me. Just after I’d gotten all my supplies arranged there in the hotel room, there was a knock at the door. I opened it and was greeted by 4 beautiful young men from different reservations around the Southwest. I invited them in and they all introduced themselves. We sat and talked for maybe a half an hour. I was a bit self-conscious, a white woman with 4 Native men in my room who were practically strangers. I tried remember what little cultural advice I’d read so far, but also wondered how relevant that was to this younger generation. The leader of the group E’sha did most of the speaking. They had been talking about leaving camp since the ACOE denied DAPL’s permit and some authorities on the Water Protector’s side (including chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) were advising people to vacate camp. However, I guess the most recent council meeting had renewed their enthusiasm for staying and at that moment they sounded like they intended to be around for the winter.

Eventually, I felt much more at ease in their company. I remembered the money for E’sha, but wasn’t quite sure how to present it. At first I pulled out the whole wad of cash, but then thought better of it and gave it to him in the money belt I’d stashed it in instead. They thanked me and took their leave for the night. We talked about meeting up again sometime later at camp or the casino, but that night turned out the be the first and last time I saw them.

I had toyed with the idea of studying some of the literature I was assigned by the medic council, but by the time they left it was all I could do to climb into bed.

  12 December 2016

 First day at camp. The roads were still snowy but definitely passable as I headed North on 1806 that morning. About 10 miles from the casino I started to see the tipis and flags off in the distance. Following E’sha’s instructions, I drove until I reached the south blockade on 1806 and turned right into the Oceti camp on the North bank of the Cannon Ball river. I asked the guard at the security booth where to find the medic tent, and he pointed me straight down Flag Road and assured me I’d see the sign on my left. Sure enough, I did.

I entered the tent and was greeted by a young woman with short blonde hair named Leah. I started to explain that I was there to volunteer and she began politely telling to me that they were no longer accepting volunteers and were in fact encouraging people to go home. “Oh,” I said, unshaken. “I spoke to Rosemary just yesterday on the phone and she didn’t say anything about not taking new volunteers. I supposed I can give her a call back and find out where the medic orientation is supposed to be.” “OH!” Leah exclaimed, “You’re here for medical? Well that’s a different story!” Still, there was no formal orientation at noon (as Rosemary has suggested the day before), but Leah, a PA, started to show me around the yurt. Next to the main “medical” (read: allopathic) yurt, there was a “wellness” (read: herbal medicine) yurt. Beside that was a tipi for mental health services. There was also a warming tent directly across from main medical where people could sleep or just hang out for a while to stay warm. It seemed brilliant to me, the way everything was arranged in one small hub. That way, we could conveniently make referrals to other services as necessary—which, of course, is how our larger medical system works in theory, although not so “conveniently” in practice. The small scale of this operation certainly appeared to help it function more efficiently.

After Leah showed me all she could think to show me, we asked around to try and find out if/when there would be a formal orientation. We finally came to the conclusion it would be around 5pm. It was only noon.

I decided to walk around and explore camp for a while. I was in awe of all the bright white and the snow-encrusted structures. But it was COLD, probably around 0 degree (Farenheit). The neck warmer I had pulled up around my mouth and nose to warm the air I was breathing became stiff with frost after about 15 or 20 minutes of me walking around camp. I could feel frost forming on my eyelashes where the steam of my breath had collected and frozen.

I returned to the medic tent to observe and orient a bit more. My instinct was to pitch in once I got a feel for the intake routine, but I was quickly warned by another physician not to touch a patient until I’d been oriented. So I hung back for a bit longer, but decided shortly thereafter to leave for a while, since it didn’t seem like I could be much help until I’d been formally oriented. Besides, I had plenty of orientation materials to review back at the casino. I told the rest of the team I’d be back around 5pm for the orientation, left them my number in case anything changed, then headed back to my car.

At the casino, I made myself lunch and started looking over the orientation materials. I also got in touch with Lolly B and invited her to my room to collect the money our friend Jason had sent and the tire chains I’d picked up for her. She showed up with a handsome man friend and they stayed and chatted for a while. She had started out on a road trip West, she explained to me, when she “heard about something going on in North Dakota.” She wound up staying for 4 months offering mental health services for the water protectors. She had been there through some of the most intense days of the entire movement. When I met her, she was on her way out. She wasn’t the first one to tell me they’d dropped everything else in their lives to be in service to this cause, and she wouldn’t be the last either. The power of this movement was finally sinking in for me. I was humbled and in awe at the reality of it, and would be struck with the same feelings again and again throughout my time there. I thanked her for her service and wished her well on her return home.

The rest of the evening was fairly uneventful. I got my orientation around 5pm, as planned. It was really pretty informal. A young wilderness medic named Harrison talked to us about serving Natives first, about being “fiercely pro-grandmother” (and thus against the patriarchal mainstream culture), and about practicing within our scope of experience and licensure. Those were the main highlights. I spent the rest of the evening in the medic tent helping with assessments, dressing changes, breathing treatments, etc. It really hit home for me to SEE the wounds caused by the bean bags and rubber bullets, to hand out medication to ease the symptoms of the colds brought on by water cannons and witness the labored breathing of elders and asthmatics irritated by the pepper spray that had been shot at their faces.

I watched one of the other RNs, Blaine, kneel down each time he spoke to a patient. That was so moving to me for some reason. What if Western health care providers knelt, or even got to eye-level with their patients, instead of standing over their sick clients who are often slumped in chairs or laying helplessly hospital beds? Again, speechless, humble awe. It still brings tears to my eyes to think of it.