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cleverhottubmiracle · 3 months ago

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5 Chanel Is Wrapped In Ribbons For Fall 2025 On the final day of Paris Fashion Week, Chanel presented a distinctly feminine collection for Fall 2025. Inspired by the brand’s signature bows—an accessory beloved by Coco Chanel and turned into a house code by Karl Lagerfeld in the ‘90s—the label’s studio team crafted a ribbon-filled collection, presented on a black ribbon-shaped runway in the Grand Palais. Its newest collection featured a mix of red, green, blue, black, and white tweed skirt suits, blazers, formal gowns, and minidresses, most layered with floating sheer skirts in homage to ribbons’ lightweight nature. However, one of the biggest runway moments was the brand’s newest show crasher: a stray pigeon that strutted down the runway before taking flight! An impressive front row was also in attendance, including Tyla, Camila Cabello, Dakota Fanning, Raye, Whitney Peak, and more. All images: Courtesy of Chanel Gigi Hadid Embraces Jazz Age Glamour For Vogue‘s April 2025 Issue Vogue’s latest cover star is Gigi Hadid! The supermodel is front and center for Annie Leibovitz’s lens, fronting the publication’s April 2025 issue. Posing in a gauzy Valentino dress styled by Alex Harrington, Hadid’s Jazz Age-themed editorial finds her outfitted in similarly nostalgic numbers by Chanel, Fendi, Dior Haute Couture, Prada, Miu Miu, Schiaparelli Haute Couture, and vintage pieces from Timeless Vixen. Her interview with Chloe Schama finds Hadid opening up on her multi-faceted nature as a model, mother, and founder of her Guest in Residence knitwear brand—as well as her recent romance with Bradley Cooper. “I think just getting to the point where knowing what you want and deserve in a relationship is essential,” Hadid says, “and then to find someone that is in a place in their life where they know what they want and deserve…and you both do work separately to come together and be the best partner that you can be. I just feel really lucky. Yeah, lucky’s the word. I respect him so much as a creative, and I feel that he gives so much to me: encouragement and, just, belief. For those people you admire to encourage you, it can create so much belief in yourself. Like, what’s the worst thing if I auditioned for this? You jump and take the leap.” Awww… Gigi Hadid (Annie Leibovitz) The Cinema Society & Neon Toast The Actor’s Premiere With Gemma Chan & André Holland Cheers! On Monday night, The Cinema Society and Neon hosted the official New York premiere of Duke Johnson’s latest film, The Actor. Starring Gemma Chan and André Holland, the historical crime film was screened at Village East. Afterwards, guests convened for a chic afterparty at The Twenty Two—complete with plenty of martinis, prosecco, and light bites from French fries to peach tarts. Attendees included Zazie Beetz, Denée Benton, Ben McKenzie, Reid Scott, Abigail Spencer, Josh Charles, Corey Stoll, Clark Gregg, Stephen Cooney, Paul Young, Aaron Mitchell, Andrew Saffir, Daniel Benedict, Devon Young, Joshua Boone, Odelya Halevi, Jihae, Tyler Lain, Leon, Adrian Martinez, Jo Ellen Pellman, Sterling Jones, David Kuhn, Don Lee, Alex Lundqvist, Keytt Lundqvist, Luke Slattery, Chiké Okonkwo, Patrick Alwyn, Sophie Auster, Jeff Ayars, Andrew Boszhardt, Sloane Crosley, Amanda Demme, Catherine Curtin, Philip Ettinger, Gabe Fazio, Cassandra Freeman, Montego Glover, Ezra Edelman, Hunter Kohl, Rock Kohli, Orfeh, Lara Eurdolian King, Travis Cronin, Cameron Moir, Jordan Monaghan, Coco Mitchell, Gil Perez-Abraham, Emma O’Connor, Loree Rodkin, Sam Shaffer, Kathryn Neale, Elettra Wiedemann, Caleb Lane, Jake Silbermann, Lucila Sola, Mick Szal, Tara Westwood, and more. All images: David Benthal/BFA Scarlett Johansson Talks Fame, Multitasking, & More for InStyle Scarlett Johansson is back, fronting InStyle’s new Spring Fashion & Beauty issue! Outfitted in contemporary pieces by Gabriela Hearst, Burberry, Michael Kors, Saint Laurent, and more, Johansson opens up on her life in front of and behind the camera—including how she’s quite camera-shy herself! In her accompanying interview with Jason Wheeler, the star shares how she’s developing new film Just Cause, starring in summer’s Jurassic World: Rebirth, and balancing both producing and acting projects with parenting and her skincare line, The Outset. “It’s understanding how to delegate,” Johansson says. “I’ve gotten better at that with more experience. I am kind of a control freak. I have a very active mind. People always describe how they’re ‘zoned out’ and I’m not sure what that means.” Scarlett Johansson Scarlett Johansson All images: Courtesy of InStyle Mona Tougaard Blooms As Viktor & Rolf’s Newest Flowerbomb Face Mona Tougaard’s in full bloom! The star model is the face of Viktor & Rolf’s new Flowerbomb Extreme eau de parfum, the latest in its blossoming Flowerbomb perfume line. In a new campaign, Tougaard is clad in a chic but punky quilted leather dress while embracing Flowerbomb’s signature pink bottle—and shares her connection to the floral scent, which you can check out on Instagram. Flowerbomb Extreme itself features notes of jasmine, orange blossom, raspberry, and bergamot, finished with vanilla for a lingering sweetness—which you can discover online and in-stores now. Tougaard’s the latest to join Viktor & Rolf’s roster of Flowerbomb faces, which have included Emily Ratajkowski, Anya Taylor-Joy, and more. Mona Tougaard (Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf Fragrances) Orlebar Brown and Faena collab Time to take a dip! Orlebar Brown has just teamed up with Faena Miami Beach on a stylish new swim collab. The duo have revamped Orlebar’s staple Bulldog swim shorts with two new colorful prints, respectively featuring a lush garden and Faena’s refreshing blue pool (complete with striped cabanas)! Both styles merge Brown’s signature sharp style with the South American heritage of Faena Miami Beach, ensuring you’ll be suited up with flair while visiting any pool or ocean this summer. To pick up your own pair, you can shop in-person at select Orlebar Brown boutiques, Tierra Santa Healing House’s Big Bang boutique at 3201 Collins Avenue in Miami, or OrlebarBrown.com. Orlebar Brown x Faena Miami Beach Orlebar Brown x Faena Miami Beach All images: Courtesy of Orlebar Brown Additional reporting by Madison Coombs Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all the latest fashion news and juicy industry gossip. // Allow detecting when fb api is loaded. function Deferred() var self = this; this.promise = new Promise( function( resolve, reject ) self.reject = reject; self.resolve = resolve; ); window.fbLoaded = new Deferred(); window.fbAsyncInit = function() FB.init( appId : '374762726405868', autoLogAppEvents : true, xfbml : true, version : 'v3.0' ); window.fbLoaded.resolve(); ; (function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = " fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); (document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Source link

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hikarry · 2 years ago

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If Doctor Who can be canon in the Good Omens universe (opening a disturbance in the time continuoum just by the existence of David Tennant, but alas, let's ignore that) so can the Golden Girls and Candy Crush!

Let my man Crowley be cuddled in the sofa by his angel as they watch the girls while Crowley recites full episodes with different voices and all meanwhile playing silly phone games at the same time (in my head Crowley is the king of multitasking, don't question it)

#at this point his addiction to golden girls and candy crush isnt fanon anymore #good omens #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #david tennant #michael sheen #anthony j crowley

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norajworld · 3 months ago

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chilimili212 · 3 months ago

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deeranger · 4 years ago

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Fic Writer Questions!

@oddsocksandstuff tagged me in this, thank you so much, sweetie! ❤️

1) How many works do you have on AO3? I’ve got 40 so far (of which 25 are SPN fics). There’s more to come!

2) What’s your total AO3 word count? 486,667, apparently. That tells me each of my fics has an average wordcount of 12,166.675… Seems about right. I was never any good at keeping things short.

3) How many fandoms have you written for and what are they? Uhh… On AO3 I’ve written for Supernatural, Supernatural RPF, X-men (Cherik) and McFassy (James McAvoy/Michael Fassbender). But I’ve written a lot when I was younger that has never made it online, including NCIS, Pirates of the Caribbean, and lots of weird one-shorts starring everyone from Michael J. Fox to Kevin Sorbo from “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”. 🤨

4) What are your top 5 fics by kudos? ��A Lesson to be Taught” – an SPN Wincest pwp fic where a dominant Dean fucks (and spanks) Sam and they discover that Dean apparently has a daddy!kink. Comes with a photo manipulation too! There be dick.

“Taking Game” – a semi-dark medieval Cherik (Charles Xavier/Erik Lehnsherr from X-men) AU. Basically, Charles is a poacher hunting on king Erik’s land to his great dismay. And so, he’s captured and gets the choice between losing his life or serving the king for a bit… Dubcon and smut ensues. “Only Like This” – a little SPN Wincest dub-con fic about hopelessly pining Dean doping Sam just so he can touch and kiss his oblivious little brother. It’s okay. Sam won’t remember when he comes to. “It’s Only Carnal” – A dark SPN Wincest noncon fic where soulless!Sam needs to blow off some steam. And when it comes to carnal activities his brother isn’t exactly a novice – so why not use Dean’s body to make them both feel good? “Demonized” – a long and dark af SPN noncon fic written in collaboration with the awesome @palishere. Sam is captured by some nasty demons who use him to lure in his brother. At first it seems the demonic scumbags are just really perverted and have a weakness for sexual torture, but they turn out to have ulterior motives…

5) Do you respond to comments, why or why not? Yes, always. I think it can be a bit demotivating for a reader to leave a comment and get zero response – and so, they might not bother to comment on the next fic. At least, that’s how I feel personally. And besides, I really want to let readers know that I appreciate them taking the time and effort to actually tell me what they think.

6) What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending? Oufff… Seriously? How can I possibly pick just one when 99.8 percent of my fics are not only dark af but have gut-wrenching ambiguous endings as well? I, err… I’m gonna have to think really hard about this one, hold on… *Insert buzzing cicada sound*… Uhh… Well, I guess it might be… “Play or Pay” – a dark female!reader-insert Wincest fic where demon!Dean has you and Sam trapped somewhere underground. Sam ends up being on the receiving end of the demon’s cruelty when he tries to save you. Using Dean’s body the demon ends up raping Sam while the reader tries to escape to get help... There’s a little twist in the end. Loads of dead dove here, including death (not Dean or Sam). “The Orange Hour” – where undercover inmate!Dean has to rape CO!Sam in order to save both of their lives and get them out of the jail in one piece. It doesn’t go completely as planned. (Comes with an nsfw photo manipulation). “Demonized” – loads of bottom!Sam torture, full of hurt and absolutely no comfort... It’s just… I dunno, I think I and @palishere had a collective meltdown in the noncon and angst department. Sorrynotsorry.

8) Do you write crossovers? If so what is the craziest one you’ve written? Nope, I’ve never in my life written a crossover. Usually, I’m too laser-focused on 1 obsession at a time. I can’t multitask, okay?

9) Have you ever received hate on a fic? Yes, the fandom purity police has visited me on AO3. The usual self-proclaimed know-it-alls vomiting their bullshit all over the comment section about how “problematic” noncon is and how “sick” I must be. I thought about moderating comments for a while, actually – but I just deleted their follow-up comments until they left me alone. 😤

10) Do you write smut? If so what kind? Yes!! Gimme! Usually, I write noncon smut or just good ol’ pwps that feature some sort of dominance. That’s it. That’s my jam. In general, the only smut I don’t write is the cute, fluffy, feel-good, cuddly stuff… My smut’s usually pretty rough and/or some sort of dub/noncon.

11) Have you ever had a fic stolen? Yes. Someone stole “It’s Only Carnal” and posted it as her own on some Portuguese fanfiction site. She even replied to comments, answered questions and talked about how much she loved writing it, etc… Luckily a sweet mutual on Tumblr let me know about it and I reported her for plagiarism. The stolen fic was taken down shortly after and the account deleted. Goddamn thief. 😡

12) Have you ever had a fic translated? Yes. Honestly, I can’t remember which fic(s). But people have contacted me on AO3 and asked for permission to translate my stuff into Chinese. I have - of course - happily allowed them to. It’s such an awesome compliment to get, I think!

13) Have you ever co-written a fic before? Yes, 2. “Demonized” and the fluffy Ficfacers prompt fic “The Masks We Wear” starring Sam and Dean taking their pranks a step too far. Basically, the brothers get angry with each other and they need to talk it out… No smut in this one, can you believe it?!! But that was kinda the prompt we received. The prompt was literally: “Sam and fluff”. Anyways, both fics are co-written with the lovely @palishere. You can find her AO3 here. 😊

14) What’s your all time favorite ship? Wincest!!! Definitely. Gimme all the brotherfucking, please. No contest. And coming in on second place I guess there’s Samifer – never paired consensually, though. I just love Lucifer messing with Sam’s head and torturing him in all kinds of cruel ways.

15) What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will? Oh, that’s a mean question… I have a noncon WIP where Sam and Dean are in prison. I wrote a whole story outline, gathered my own little dictionary of prison slang, etc… But I never made it past page 10 or something. Sam was supposed to get jumped by a gang of inmates and then Dean was supposed to helplessly watch from the sideline, offering to trade places if they’d just leave his little brother alone… And after that it’s all about a mix of healing and vengeance… But the story has been lying on the shelf for more than a year and I doubt I’ll ever continue it. Oh, wait! I almost forgot – I have a long Cherik WIP sequel to “To Have and to Hold”! Just checked, its wordcount is 18,729! Holy crap…. What a waste, huh? But I honestly don’t think I’ll ever finish it, because I’m not into Cherik anymore. That ship has kinda sunk for me…. So, now I’m hyperfixating on Supernatural, yeah?

16) What are your writing strengths? Description, I think. I just love details and setting the mood. I like to think I’m pretty good at writing in English too even though it isn’t my native language… I wish to be better and expand my vocabulary but I’m doing okay nonetheless.

17) What are your writing weaknesses? Description, I think. Yes, you read correctly. I often describe things TOO much. Sometimes to the extent where the pacing gets so slowed down that I feel like the scene loses its ‘feel’. I don’t know if it’s just in my head, but that’s my major concern about my writing. That and my signature ambiguous endings, lol.

18) What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic? Love it. It can be difficult to pull off, but if you get it right it can be magical. Just don’t overdo it and make sure that the reader can follow. I don’t think I have any fics online where I do it, but I’m not a complete stranger to it either.

19) What was the first fandom you wrote for? Ack, my poor brain trying to go back to when I was friggin’ 13… You know how many years ago that was?! 25!!! Okay!? *Huffs*…. Anyway, I THINK it might’ve been Keanu Reeves’ character in “Johnny Mnemonic”. Or maybe David James Elliott’s character as Harmon Rabb in the early seasons of “JAG”. I dunno. Either way this question makes me feel really old and I don’t appreciate it. Don’t @ me. 😅

20) What’s your favorite fic you’ve written? That’s probably a tie between “The Orange Hour” and “It’s Only Carnal”. They’ve both got nice pacing and that’s my biggest challenge, I think. Also, I love the whole Morse code thing in “The Orange Hour”. I don’t even know what happened or how I came up with it, but hey, I can surprise myself if I want to, I guess! And of course there’s the smutty noncon and all of the hurt… So, those two fics are my personal faves. 😏

I’ll tag @jackandthesoulmates, @pinkoptics, @palishere, @wrenseroticlibrary, @decadent-prince, @negans-lucille-tblr, @juinae and @impala-dreamer and everyone else who feels like doing it! Feel free to ignore, of course.

#dee answers #fanfiction questions #personal

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officialwittek · 4 years ago

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pt. 1

*gif is not mine*

word count: 2,097

please forgive me if this is rough. i been outta the writing game for a minute. enjoy!

7:30 am.

The obnoxious ring of my alarm disturbs my peaceful sleep. I groan and move the blankets off my legs, stretching my arms to the ceiling. After my morning stretch I walk to my bathroom and turn the water to the hottest it can go before stripping my pajamas off. I quickly step in the shower, welcoming the warmth on my skin. I let out a sigh as I felt all the tension from my restless night glide down the drain. After a good 15 minutes I finally muster the strength to step out and wrap my towel around myself. I finally dry off and go to my closet to pick out an outfit for the day.

My eyes scan the closet before finally landing on a black pinstripe blazer dress with a zipper slit on the thigh, a thick belt around my waist with a chain in the front, and some knee high boots with black beret. After getting dressed I started on my hair and makeup. I went for a natural but full beat with my favorite pair of falsies and put my hair in a simple French braid down my back. I walked out to meet my roommate Carly.

“Good morning sleeping beauty” I says, she acknowledges me with the wave of her hand and walks back to her room as I smile and start making my matcha latte

I boil some water and grab the oat milk from the fridge. After making my latte I settle on some Oreo cereal for breakfast. I glance up and see my roommate exiting her room, looking ready for the day.

“Whatcha got planned for the day?” Carly asks, I shrug and look at her casually

“I might have a meeting to discuss signing with Arista, and making my own album” I comment casually, watching her eyes widen with excitement

“Are you fucking kidding me right now? Is David hiding somewhere with his camera?” Carly replies, I shake my head and watch her eyes fill with excited tears

“Baby!!! We have to tell everyone” she exclaims, I shake my head and cross my arms in an X shape

“We will tell them when I finish the meeting, I don’t wanna jinx myself” I whine, she nods understandingly

“Alright I should get going, let me know where you guys are so we can meet up after. You can ONLY tell Erin. I’ll see you later” I say, grabbing my work bag and keys from the counter

After a nerve wracking drive to the office I finally arrived. I take a deep breath and walk into the building where an assistant meets me. We take the elevator to a conference room.

We finally finished the hour long meeting. I brought a friend, who happened to be a lawyer to look over my contract before signing it. I shook their hands and said we would let them know in a few hours. After our meeting my friend and I headed out to get some boba and take a look at the contract. I quietly drank my black milk tea and sent a few texts to my friends.

“Looks pretty good, initial here and here... ok and just put your signature here” She said, I nodded signing and initialing away

They called the label and let them know we had signed the contract. My friend went and dropped off the contract while I headed to David’s. When I opened the door I noticed almost everyone was here, except for Jeff and Scott. I took my shoes off and quietly headed into the house.

“Soo.. what’s the verdict?” Carly asked, everyone looked to me in confusion

“Signed, and I’ll be starting my music journey with Arista today” I yell, my friends jump up in celebration and crowd around me

“We celebrating tonight bitches” Zane exclaims, and at this point who cares that it’s a Monday morning and they’ll most likely forget tonight

“Make sure you guys invite Jeff, and we’ll get Sage so drunk she can tell HIM how horny he makes her” Carly says, prompting David to take out his camera again and makes Carly repeat it

“God I tell Carly ONE time that I would get Jeff crush my head between his biceps and suddenly I’m being crucified for being horny” I retort, earning loud laughs from everyone else

“Tell David what you told me last night, after seeing Jeff’s insta post” Carly commands with a wide smile, I sigh and look right at David so I’m not looking straight into the camera lens

“Allegedly when I was a little litty last night, I was stalking his instagram and I saw the picture of him spraying water on himself in your merch… and allegedly I said that I would let him knock my cervix into my lungs and I would apologize for simply being too weak to handle it” I whispered, but everyone heard me anyways and as if on cue the devil himself walked in through the front door

“Jeff come listen to this” Jason says, showing the footage he recorded of me saying what I just said, I stood there in shock, Jeff quickly turned to me and smirked

“Come here baby” Jeff says, throwing me over his shoulder and carrying me to a bedroom while our friends laughed

“Finally, I’m getting the dick I deserve” I yell, Jeff puts me down gently after we round the corner

“Also Todd told me we’re celebrating for you, what happened?” He asks, I tell him the news and he lifts me up again

Jeff and I had been close from the minute we met, it really felt like I met my platonic soulmate to be completely honest. We’re always jokingly flirting with each other for the vlogs and if I’m not with the girls I’m usually with Jeff. Although, lately he’s been too busy to hang out or workout together, on the contrary he’s always free for David and the rest of our friends but when I want to hang out one on one there’s always something. It felt nice, just being the two of us. But alas, as soon as he finished the hug he waltzed right back to our other friends.

“Yea I’ve been doing good, how about you?” I mumble to myself, walking back to our friends as we talk about what to do until the rest of our friends are free to go out for the night

Natalie, Zane, David, and I decided to go somewhere and film some stuff and have a little photoshoot while we were at it. We took some videos of us fucking around in the parking lot of some mall. Zane decided to provide some commentary for the vlog as Nat and I took pictures.

“Look at these whores, won’t take no fucking pictures with me. I’m SAgE anD i’M a FaMoUS MuSICiAn, FuCK YALl” Zane yells, I hand my phone to Nat and walk over to David’s Tesla, grabbing the small paintball gun in the trunk

“Fuck with me again little bitch” I said, walking up to him and shooting him two times in the leg with the paintball gun, he cussed me out on the floor while the three of us laughed our asses off

“Alright let’s get going so we can collect everyone before we go out... or we could have it at David’s house so I don’t have to worry about flashing my ass to random people?” I ask, making puppy eyes at David as he reluctantly give in

“Fine, but you’re helping clean up after” He says, I nod eagerly as the four of us pile into the Tesla

“I’ll let Suzy and Jonah know, everyone else will probably be at the house anyways” Natalie says, quickly typing on her phone

We arrive at David’s house as the sun is setting and we start getting ready for everything. Toddy and Jeff go on an alcohol run, while the rest of us started setting everything up. Natalie and Zane go to get more solo cups and some extra things. I’m helping David put away some valuable things while everyone makes the house presentable and work on making it Zane and Heath proof, which could be impossible.

“Can I be in control of the music king?” I ask, David rolls his eyes at the horrible nickname and nods I connect to the speaker while pouring shots for everyone with the alcohol we have at the house

After I was done pouring the shots the ones who went to run errands came back and we all huddled in the kitchen. I put the down the bottle and we all hold our glasses up.

“May we all get absolutely plastered, and some of incredibly high. Maybe both? And may Zane stay away from the hospital for one fucking night, amen” I yell, we all cheers and take shots

After smoking with some of our friends I go back in the house and find it absolutely packed with people. David is multitasking with taking disposables and filming an incredibly drunk Zane and Ilya. And above all the talking and yelling I hear the familiar beat.

‘Do it, baby. Stick it, baby. Move it, baby. Lick it, baby...’

I scream and run to the make shift dance floor, my girls behind me as I start grinding on Corinna as she smacks my ass. I’m screaming the words, someone hands me a drink and I slowly start to feel myself get loose. Everyone making a circle around Corinna, and myself. We switch and I fall on the couch while Corinna gives me a lap dance.

“PUSSY SO GOOD HE GOT MY NAME ON IT” We scream, grabbing each other as Zane somehow finds himself on my lap too

After the song I make my way to the bar with Zane and Heath, my favorite drinking buddies. After getting a lot more alcohol in me than my entire being can tolerate we go back and start dancing. I was swaying to the music, occasionally dancing with our friends when I feel someone grab me.

“What do you think you’re doing? Shaking your ass for everyone to see” the faint linger of that Staten Island accent makes me smile, but it quickly changes to a frown when my brain registers the words he said

“What do you think Jeffreyyy? I’m-” “Zane what the fuck” I turn and see our friends huddled around the bathroom

“Watch out everyone” Natalie says, backing up and taking a running start towards the door and successfully kicks it down

“Zane why didn’t you say anything? We thought you were dead man” Jeff laughs, I walk into the bathroom and laugh at the sight

After a few more hours the strangers have left the house and our friend group is still going strong. I quietly nurse my water that Jeff forced me to have. David taking some disposables of the rare quiet moment.

“Zane.. I bet you won’t try and fight Jeff right now” I slur, my world still spinning from the poison in my body

“For what?” Zane replies, I smirk and look at Jeff

“Dude I’ll straight up kiss whoever wins” I say, David immediately bringing his vlog camera out and quickly explaining the situation

“Wait I wanna fucking get in on this” Ilya says, the three of them getting up... well Zane and Ilya could barely stand let alone fight Jeff, the most sober one here

The three of them start pushing each other, I’m a little too drunk to really understand what was going on. Before I know it Jeff had them both on the ground and was declared the winner

“Sageee... you gotta kiss Jeff” David teases, shoving the camera in my face as I chuckle

“Oh y’all know I wanna do more than kiss. Come here dumb bitch” I say, turning around on the couch as Jeff stabilizes me and plants a kiss right on my lips as our friends scream and jump around. I pull away and David turns his camera off for the moment.

“Can I pleasee have more shots.. Zane, Ilya get your dumbasses up we’re getting more drunk so David has content” I yell, the two of them immediately getting off the floor and walking with me to the kitchen

“David, come here I have a secret to tell you” I yell, stumbling over to meet him halfway

“Closer, closer..... I’m so fucked up”

#vlog sqaud #vlog squad imagine #jeff wittek #jeff wittek imagine

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godsporncollection · 5 years ago

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Saturday GC Sessions Summary

Topics, quotes, and summaries of the talks given in the Saturday sessions of the fall 2020 General Conference (with occasional commentary in parenthesis)

*This is (mostly) written from a TBM pov, so I’ve glossed over many... unsavory things. That said, if you’re gonna quote this, definitely proofread it first because I occasionally switch to exmo pov.

Sunday Sessions (long version)

Sunday Sessions (shorter version)

Russel M Nelson

Hopeful, holy bullshit/look at all the spiritually awesome stuff we're doing/gonna do. (idk, there didn't really seem to be much of a talk there)

David A Bednar

Tests in school are as important as the tests of us living on earth.

"Prove, examine, and try."

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

Susan and I looked over our food storage and learned that we did well in most areas, but found some expired things we were afraid would unleash another global pandemic.

Remember, when loved ones die, and you don't know why, god does. It's a lesson in faith.

Scott D Whiting

How to be more like christ.

Wife and I were in Japan, hiking up a mountain; it was hard because altitude.

One step at a time is how we become more like christ.

Honesty is important, honesty with ourselves.

You can ask others how they view you, but god is a better person to ask, with his perfect view of us.

REPENT! to be the best version of ourselves. Change your heart and mind to be like christ.

Choose one attribute to focus on at a time. Constantly ask god for help, but don't be selfish.

"Be the tide that raises all boats in the harbor."

Recognize that desired attribute in others. Put in a lot of effort.

Caution- don't feel guilty, unworthy, or unloved; that is not what life is about.

You are good enough and loved, but that doesn't mean you're a perfect version of yourself.

Michelle D Craig

Story of Elijah for allegory of struggling to see how god is in your life.

Wait and trust in god. Pray for the lord to open your eyes. Understand how god sees you.

Ask yourself: what am I doing that I should stop and what should I be doing?

Stop looking at your phone. I think it's a good time to multitask, but the spirit told me to stop and the next day, while in line at the grocery store, I looked at the people around me instead. I saw old man and struck up a conversation with him based on what was in his cart (cat food). He said it was his birthday so I wished him a happy birthday. This guy needed me to see him.

A story of a friend who separated from her husband and hoped nobody would talk to her at church. A young woman kept looking back at her and came up to her after sacrament meeting. The young woman told her she loved her and they became friends and it helped her because she felt noticed and cared about.

Ask god to help you see others and act to affirm their lives. This is how we identify our own purpose.

Quentin L Cook

Righteousness. Female followers of brigham young found career opportunites in Utah and friends in the native americans. (Gave a whole bullshit Utah thanksgiving story, complete with rewriting history so white people can feel better about themselves for feeding the natives). There is unity in respect. Historically, we have not been perfect, but that is the goal. We don't need to have all the blessings of god to be righteous. Love god and fellow man to live in eternal peace and happiness with god. "Historical record" in 1 nephi shows there were no happier people because of righteousness. But then that society was destroyed so much that mormon asked how they would avoid punishment. We live in that latter time, not unity. Our challenge is to lift and bless society as a whole. Demonstrated by ethnic harmony and an all inclusive doctrine. Unity and diversity are not opposites. All races and colors are children of god. Laws written in god's chosen land (US) were written by imperfect men, but inspired by god for equal treatment of all men. Remember that we were onced very opressed because we wanted to share jesus' love. If you are not united, you are not god's children. Gosple culture is greater than regional cultures. We honor pioneers because of their struggles.

Ronald A Rasband

Supplying the world with temples is a holy duty.

Sacred ordinaces lead to exaltation.

"Temples rise above the ways of the world. Every temple... stand as testaments to our faith and eternal life and the joy of spending it with our families and heavenly father. They increase understanding of the godhead and the everlasting gospel and commitment to live and teach truth and our willingness to follow the example of jesus."

I learned an important lesson while visiting my father in law as he was dying; that temple recommends are important, even while dying.

The worthiness interview "is not about do's and dont's. It is about finding your worthiness and to testify of your devotion to the gospel teachings."

(I stopped paying attention for a while.)

Hunter said his biggest desire was to have every member hold a temple recommend.

Come get yo rec's! "Whether you have access to a temple or not, it is still important to remain and prove your worthiness."

(I'm really struggling to pay attention to this guy and holy shit he stressed "be patient" while I was typing that.)

Dallin H Oaks

"The lord's teachings are for eternity and for all of god's children."

My examples will be US-centric, but I'm sure that the issues the US face are universal, right?

Destrucitve behavior in political statements are not good.

Remember that JC said to love your enemies. Contention is of the devil, not JC. It isn't easy. Seek and ye shall find the strength to love.

Follow the laws of man.

Nobody can make us angry, it is our choice to be angry.

(Reference to The King and I-) learn about other people's culture.

Don't participate in rioting.

Wait, he's supporting the first ammendement- oh, the stress here is on the word "peaceful". We must do better to end racism. But remember to be peaceful! No violence. Anarchy is evil. Lincoln said "there is no greivance that is a fit object of redress by mob law". It undermines individual rights, not protects.

The US was started by diverse people! We're inherintly diverse! Here's a diverse (british) example!

AFTERNOON SESSION

D Todd Christofferson

There's a 2030 sustainable development agreement thingy. It's got 17 goals including- no poverty, no hunger, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and decent work. It is interesting and important.

More important is a sustainable society.

Two biblical examples: 1. The city of enoch. They were of one heart and one mind. 2. The 1st generations of nephites an lamanites. No envies nor strifes. No murders or lying. No happier people than them. Love thy neighbor. Every man seeking the interests of his neighbor. Virtues uphold these societies.

Then they became exceedingly wicked and millions died in wars amongst themselves.

"When people turn from a sense of accountability to god and begin to trust instead in the arm of flesh (?)", disaster lurks.

A good life is more important than a long life.

I'm so fucking blessed, so this really isn't a good topic for me, but here we are.

The light of christ is what uneducated people call a consience.

"When one has no higher god than himself, and seeks no greater good than satisfying his own appetites and preferences, the effects will be manifest in due course. A society, for example, in which individual consent is the only constraint on sexual activity is a society in decay. Adultery, promiscuity, elective abortion and out of wedlock births are but some of the bitter fruit that grow out of the immorality sanctioned by the sexual revolution." This leads to poverty and fatherless families, sometimes in multiple generations, and deficient education and mental destruction.

"Our joyous message is that there is a better way through god... (the core truths of this message are) god lives, he is the heavenly father of our spirits, that as a manifestation of his love, he's given us commandments that lead to a fullnes of joy with him, that JC is the son of god and our redeemer, that he suffered and died to atone for sins on condition of our repentance, that he rose from the dead, bringing to pass the resurrection of human kind, and that we will all stand before him to be judged."

Steven J Lund

My son had cancer. It was hard. He was in lots of pain, but still wanted to go to church even when his mom suggested he stay home. He knew he inspired others when they saw him there, representing the savior by willingly suffering to serve.

All youth programs are there to help them be more like JC.

They are surrounded by things that keep helping them do that, but they're still making mistakes, so parents and leaders need to step up (potterheads grab your wands).

Gerrit W Gong

Family of 10 is hated by neighbors, nobody likes them until their house burns down. Then they were showed kindness, hope, and understanding by their neighbors helping them.

"Our 2020 bicentenniel proclamation begins with the profoundly inclusive promise that god loves his children in every nation of the world. Each of us in every nation... god promises covenants, and invites us to come partake of his abundant joy and goodness. God's love for all people is affirmed throughout scripture that love encompasses the abrahamic covenent, gathering his scattered children, and his plan of happiness. In the house of faith, there are to be no strangers, no foreigners, no rich and poor, no outside others. As fellow citizens with the saints, we're invited to help the world for the better, from inside out; one person, one family, one neighborhood at a time. This happens when we share the gospel."

Church materials are available in many regions and languages. We're gonna focus on that for a while. (And I stopped paying attention again. This dude is boring af. And I have a high threshold for boring right now)

Talking about how members do charity work.

W Christopher Waddell

Some kid said it was the greatest day of his life to meet this guy who talks to the profit a couple of times a week. The story is given with the obvious topic of "we thank thee oh god for a prophet".

Prophets tell us to prepare for crisis.

We understand your struggles and want to express that there are better days ahead. Church leaders can help you.

The lord loves effort.

Have stores of food and money, but don't go to extremes in your efforts to establish those things.

We have a brochure on finances with quotes from people about how god will provide.

Remember Joseph in Egypt.

"All things are spiritual to the lord and not at any time has he given us a law which is temporal."

Manage your finances and have food storage.

Matthew S Holland

The feeling of Alma remembering his sins are as painful as passing a kidney stone (?!).

Repentance will bring us relief.

We have no idea how bad our suffering will be if we don't repent.

"Medical science, professional counseling or legal rectification can help alleviate such suffering but note, all good gifts including these, come from the savior. Regardless [of] the causes of our worst hurt or heartaches, the ultimate source of relief is the same: JC. He alone holds the full power and healing balm to correct every mistake, right every wrong, adjust every imperfection, mend every wound, and deliver every delayed blessing."

When you feel like nobody could understand your suffering, remember that jesus can.

"Suffering in righteousness helps qualify your for, rather than distinguishes you from, god's elect."

William K Jackson

An Indian dude didn't want to turn his back on his culture in order to convert with the rest of his family. But JC was able to open his eyes to a different viewpoint.

Our original culture is the culture of Adam and Enoch. It is the greatest of all cultures. There is no "us v them" mentality in the greatest of all cultures.

"We believe that we are responsible and accountable for ourselves, each other, the church, and our world. Faith in JC is the first principle of our culture, and obedience to his teachings and commandments is the outcome.”

“It is a culture of covenants and ordinances, high moral standards, sacrifice, forgiveness, repentance, and caring for the temple of our bodies. It is a culture of the preisthood, the authority to act in god's name, the power of god to bless his children. It edifies and enables individuals to be better people, leaders, mothers, fathers, and companions- and it sanctifies the home. In the culture of christ, women are elevated to their proper and eternal status. They are not subservient to men, as in many cultures in today's world, but full and equal partners here and in the world to come.”

“The family is the basic unit of eternity. The perfection of the family is worth any sacrifice" because, as has been taught, "no other success can compensate for failure in the home."

This culture is concerned with things of lasting worth.

It is inclusive, not exclusive.

"Because this culture results from the application of our savior's teachings, it helps provide a healing balm of which our world (cue crying) is in such desperate need. What a blessing it is to be a part of this grand and (voice wavering) *noble* way of life. The church is hardly a western society or an american cultural phenomenon. it is an international church, as it was always meant to be. New members from around the world bring richness, diversity, and excitement into our ever-growing family!" (hallelujah!)

Indian dude joined the church, of course.

"What a marvelous heritage (quiet sob) we all share!"

Dieter F Uchtdorf

Because of a threat from the US military, the SLC temple was buried during constrution. When the threat had passed, they excavated it and found that many stones in the foundation had cracked and were replaced. "Finally, the saints could sing How Firm a Foundation and know their holy temple was built on a foundation that would last for generations.”

“This story can teach us how god uses adversity to bring about his purposes." Which is an appropriate topic these days.

We mourn with those who have lost loved ones to covid.

"My message today is that even though this pandemic is not what we wanted or expected, god has prepared his children and his church for this time."

We will do more than survive, we will move forward and we will be better as a result.

We are like seeds that must be buried before they can sprout. "The love of god and blessing of the restored gospel of JC will bring something unimaginable to spring forth."

Hardships strengthen our character.

"What we learn from biblical examples? 1. The righteous are not given a free pass that allows them to avoid the valleys of shadow... 2. Our heavenly father knows that we suffer, and because we are his children, he will not abandon us..."

"Our best days are ahead of us, not behind us. This is why god gives us modern revelation."

(I stopped paying attention during an aviation allegory.)

Stories of new/potential converts going to appointments early because of excitement. "Our missionaries are busier than ever."

WOMEN'S SESSION

Sharon Eubank

Story of a kid rewarded with his favorite pie for doing chores. He was selfish when his sister asked if she and her friend could have some because they didn't earn it, but changed his mind later. This showed that he was willing to change and show kindness to those who didn't deserve it.

"By union of feeling, we obtain power with god."

I don't like this world. It sucks and I want to make it better and sometimes I feel powerless, but I have done lots of soul searching and have three suggestions.

1. Have mercy. Jacob 2:17, but replace the word "substance" with the word "mercy". We need more mercy in our ministering. "If you would have god have mercy on you, have mercy on each other."

2. Make your boat swing. Rowing definition: "swing" is when all are rowing in such perfect unison that not a single action is out of sync. Somehow, individuality is crucial to this; clones couldn't do it. "Differences can be turned to advantage instead of disadvantage." This makes you go fast and they won because of that.

3. Clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow. Jacob 5: good tree is planted in good ground but was corrupted. A servant asks that the tree be given another chance and then the tree grows good fruit. JC is like the owner of the vinyard, and gives us mercy, if we can give it to each other.

"I believe the change we seek in ourselves and in the groups we belong to will come less by activism and more by actively trying every day to understand one another" because we're building zion.

As women, we have broad influence to remove prejudice and build unity. "I offer this invitation: be part of a collective force that changes the world for good." We're supposed to help others. "The women of this church have the potential to change society."

Rebecca M Craven

(I... I can't focus on this woman long enough to piece together what the fuck she's saying. Sorry.)

I think the overall topic is changing yourself to atone/repent.

Cristina B Franco

This year has given us many surprises that have left us broken.

Personal story about getting a piano. One of the delivery guys slipped and broke it. The delivery guys went back to arrange the delivery of a new piano, but her husband asked if it could just be repaired instead. The manager said "the wood is broken, and once the wood is broken, it can never sound the same."

We are like the broken piano, feeling broken and that we'll never be the same again. "However, as we come unto JC by exercising faith in him, repenting, and making and keeping covenants, our brokenness, whatever it's cause, can be healed [by the savior's healing power to make us better than we were.]." Faith in god heals us.

Story of Alma where god promised to ease their burdens.

(Really long quote from Alma that she doesn't source).

The savior is a refuge from the storm.

(Is there a rule that women can't have more than 20% original content in their talks? What is with all the quotes from other people, with barely anything to make them relate to each other?)

THAT'S MY HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR TEACHER DIRECTING THE SEPT 2014 CHOIR!!!

Bonnie H Cordon

JC is the light and the life of the world; the light that shines in the darkness.

Shit's been hard these last few months, but we see you praying and working hard to seek out JC.

Video

Gloomy shit and then "inspiring/soothing" pics of JC, then those same gloomy people are shown being happy while doing normal, everyday stuff. Lots of black people to show diversity and even a deaf woman signing in a video chat on her phone. (It's driving me crazy that i can't remember the song that's playing.) Then back to a pic of JC.

Henry B Eyring

"Every day we are approaching closer to the glorious moment when the savior JC will come to earth again."

"As the beloved daughters of heavenly father, and as the daughters of the lord JC in his kingdom, you will play a crucial part in the grand times ahead."

Prepare to live as the people in the city of enoch did.

Another unsourced quote of "what will happen in this last dispensation of the fulness of times": (was that wording really necessary?) dark skies, earthquakes, etc, but chosen people will be fine. They'll all be gathered into one place (that we could... maybee.... do something to? jk. unless...?).

Women will be at the heart of creating that society.

Quotes about the importance of women and the relief society.

Quotes about how pure and faithful the city of Enoch was.

"My experience has taught me that heavenly father's daughters have a gift to allay contention and to promote righteousness with their love of god and with the love of god they engender in those they serve." (fuck you)

Seeing a household without a preisthood member gave me glimpse of zion because the women were supportive and loving.

Why is it Oaks again?

"In the world, ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, i have overcome the world."

Today, "we are also troubled on every side, and we also need that same message not to despair, but to be of good cheer."

JC knows your wants and fears.

"Be of good cheer."

Opposition is essential (anyone know of that musical 'my turn on earth' or am i just old? I've got 'opposition' stuck in my head).

Shit sucks right now. Covid and election shit, the election shit is bad "the most severe many of the oldest of us can ever remember." People are dealing with "the many adversities of mortality: poverty, racism, sickness, job loss, wayward children, bad/no marriages, and the effects of sin" but "be of good cheer." (broken record much?)

Poor JS had lots of adversities! But he still managed to "maintain his native cheery temperament and the love and loyalty of his people." The pioneers had it hard, too, but they still "were of hope and good cheer."

(If I heard this right) The orignal missionaries were sent out for up to 7 years.

The presidency loves you and cares about you and we pray for you (y'all should look up 'ill pray for you' by Jaron Lowenstein, btw. i promise it's hilarious).

"There is boundless power in the doctrine of the restored gospel of JC. Our unshakeable faith in that doctrine guides our steps and gives us joy. It enlightens our minds and gives strength and confidence to our actions. This guidance and enlightenment and power are promised gifts we have recieved from our heavenly father. By understanding and conforming our lives to that doctrine, including the divine gift of repentance, we can be of good cheer as we keep ourselves on the path of eternal destiny, reunion, and exaltation with our loving heavenly parents." (sidenote- I typed that quote really fast with very few mistakes and I'm very proud of myself. I'm sure I've never typed that fast and correctly in my life.)

Russel M Nelson

Shit's been hard and different than normal.

We greive with the women who have experienced loss.

Social media is evil for young women, but "many of you have found ways to encourage others and share our savior's light."

The future gonna be lit, yo.

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

"Moroni prepared his people in three essential ways:”

“1. He helped them create areas where they would be safe; places of security, he called them.” "Create a home that is a place of security."

“2. He prepared the minds of the people to be faithful unto the lord.” "Each time we have the faith to be obedient to god's laws, even when popular opinions belittle us, or each time we resist entertainment or ideaologies that celebrate covenant breaking, we are exercising our faith, which in turn increases our faith." "Life without god is a life filled with fear. Life with god is a life filled with peace."

“3. He never stopped preparing his people; physically or spiritually." "The adversary never stops attacking, so we can never stop preparing. The more self-reliant we are, temporally, emotionally, and spiritually, the more prepared we are to thwart satan's relentless assualts."

"We have so much to look forward to. The lord placed you here, now, because he knew you had the capacity to negotiate the complexities of the latter part of these latter days. He knew you would grasp the grandeur of his work and be eager to help bring it to pass. I am not saying that the days ahead will be easy, but I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared, and those who continue to prepare to be instruments in the lord's hands."

"Embrace the future with faith."

#exmo #ex-mormon #apostake #exmormon #mine #ex mormon #exchristian #ex christian #excult #cult stuff #exlds #ex lds #former mormon #ex religious #agnostic #gc october 2020 #gc summary

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newagesispage · 4 years ago

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FEBRUARY 2021

PAGE RIB

The contents of someone’s bookcase are part of their history, like an ancestral portrait. –Umberto Eco

*****

The world is about to change with Biden and Harris in office. It is great to have Harris in there. More women in power is so important. Women don’t think with their dicks. I mean, a pussy likes to fuck just as much but we can also get some work done. Men are rarely as good at multitasking. The inauguration went off with high security after the Trump insurrection. 5 were killed as the traitors stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 but Biden still became the President on the 20th. Hooray for Pastor Raphael Warnock and Jon Osoff in Georgia for taking the Senate. We are off to an interesting start with Merrick Garland nominated for AG.** Janet Yellen is the 78th US Treasury secretary and the first woman!**John Kerry is the envoy for climate and Pete Buttigieg is up for secretary of transportation. ** Biden reversed the ban on transgender troops, stopped the Muslim ban and signed many other executive orders.

*****

Kudos to Bill Maher for giving out his Baldy award and talking about Henry Waxman. And I was glad to see Waxman mention it and the many others who do the hard work, the real work of running this country.

*****

Elon Musk is now the world’s richest person.

*****

Did ya see the Wendy Williams night on Lifetime? I have known friends and family with her behavior, this complete lack of self- confidence and yet completely self -absorbed. Yes, she was married to a jack ass and she can be entertaining but whew.. high drama. I learned one thing.. Her Father and brother are HOT!!

*****

Neil Young sold stake in 50% of his song catalogue to Hipgnosis songs fund in Britain.

*****

John Mulaney is in rehab.

*****

The Little things with Jared Leto, Denzel and Rami Malek was tops at the Box Office.

*****

Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles?? Ooh la la!! What a beautiful couple!!

*****

Thank you Cleveland Browns for all the hope!!** And..C’mon Packers.. U should have won that!!** Seahawk Chad Wheeler was arrested for domestic abuse.

*****

Think before you speak, read before you think. –Fran Leibowitz

*****

The Zodiac killer cipher was solved by amateur codebreakers David Orandak in Virginia, Jarl Van Eycke in Belgium and Sam Blake in Australia more than 50 years later.

*****

Rebel with Katey Sagal looks pretty good.

*****

Richard Lewis will not be in season 11 of Curb due to his many surgeries. Miss ya Richard!!

*****

Elliot Page has filed for divorce from Emma Portner.

*****

In the ‘some things never go away’ category, there are new shows coming of V.C. Andrews and the Great Gatsby.

*****

Dylan McDermott is joining Christopher Meloni in Law and Order: Organized Crime.

*****

Cigarette sales are up.

*****

Crayola is recycling old markers at colorcycle. Never throw away markers again! Less Waste!

*****

Days alert: The big reveal FINALLY came on Days about Gwen from Peoria. She thinks she is Jack’s daughter! It looks like the DNA will prove it. The plot will thicken as Laura returns with a secret and bad things happen to her. Susan Banks is also back and gets in the middle of a couple of stories. I am always glad to see Ivan but unfortunately Vivian is close behind. The twins story should come to a head. Please don’t push Rafe and Nicole together!! Word is that Patch and Kayla will remarry on their old anniversary of Valentine’s Day!! Best of all, Ciara is back and has thoughts of Romeo and Juliet. Find her Ben, before you get close to Claire.

*****

Tom Brokaw has retired from NBC after 55 years. I remember when he retired from the news desk way back when.

*****

Ex- Chester county Sheriff Carolyn Welsh has been charged with stealing from a K-9 unit charity.

*****

Succession has added Sanaa Latham, Jihae and Linda Edmond.

*****

People are filling in for Robert Costa on Washington Week while he is off with Bob Woodward writing their book. Yamiche Alcindor was a great host!!!!

*****

Some last headlines and thoughts and facts about the end of the worst Presidency in our history. Let’s hope this is the last of the news about the Traitor in chief except for paying for his crimes. Unity does not mean there are no consequences for criminals. Make no mistake Trump and some of his followers are criminals. **Here are a few things I ran across: Vanilla Ice played Mar A Lago for NY Eve.** After the riot many rats started to jump ship like Elaine Chao, Hope Hicks and Betsy Devos. The American Federation of Teachers reaction to Betsy Devos resignation: “Good Riddance.”** Mo Brooks had told the crowd, “Take names and kick ass.” Plans for a Sen. Hawley book were scrapped.** Adam Kinzinger of Illinois was one of the first to call for the 25th amendment that never happened.** People are trying to get to the bottom of the Riot with questions like, “Who paid for the buses?” ** These types of people are the reason we can’t have nice things. ** Scary Clown is off Twitter for good. Funny how it took Senators, companies and voters so long, 2 weeks before he leaves office to make him a pariah. Trump was too dangerous for twitter but not for the nuclear codes?? ** To anyone complaining about a private media co. kicking Trump off their platform: Think of twitter as a Christian bakery and Trump as a wedding cake. _William Cusack**The riot proved that blue lives really don’t matter to them.** U.S. rep for Colorado Lauren Boebert was given $70,500 by Ted Cruz just as he asked for a probe into Netflix. Her husband, Jayson was arrested for exposing himself to a minor and for domestic abuse.** Trump was impeached again.** “Republican colleagues broke down in tears saying that Republicans are afraid for their lives if they vote for this impeachment.- Congressman Jason Crow.** Mike Pompeo cancelled his European trip after Luxemburg’s foreign minister and top European union officials declined to meet him.**232 was the number of votes to impeach him and the number of electoral vote in his loss to Biden.**Trump’s interior secretary had his own flag** Trumps EPA guy made super- secret phone calls in his own phone booth and had 24 hour security.** Toby Keith and Ricky Scaggs received the National medal of arts. ** The Supreme Court tossed out a lawsuit claiming that Trump violated the emoluments clause. ** Dominion voting systems sued Rudy.** Trumps impeachment lawyers, Butch Bowers and Deb Barbier quit. Word is that they refused to say the election was stolen. The new team seems to include Bruce Castor who would not prosecute Bill Cosby and Epstein’s would be lawyer David Schoen. That sounds about right.

*****

Hey Manson didn’t stab anyone. Incitement is a real crime. –Michael Mckean.

*****

ABC News President James Goldston has resigned.

*****

Everyone is talking about the SNL Krasinski/Davidson kiss.

*****

The NRA is bankrupt.

*****

Lenny Kravitz paid tribute to his Godmother, Cicely Tyson.

*****

Colbert could take a tip from Larry King. Ask simple direct questions and let the interviewee talk. We are watching to hear what they have to say. The beginning of the show is the host’s moment so shut up later!!

*****

R.I.P. Dan Dettman, Floyd Little, Pierre Cardin, Phyllis Mcguire, George Gerdes, Joan Micklin Silver, Carl Panzram, Gerry Marsden, Tanya Roberts, Kerry Vincent, KT Oslin, Tommy Lasorda, Michael Apted, Dave Creek, Jamie O’Hara, Dr. H. Jack Geiger, William Link, Neil Shehan, Joanne Rogers, Duke Bootee, Phil Spector, Don Sutton, Siegfried, Sheldon Adelson, Larry King, Ved Mehta, Bruce Kirby, Cicely Tyson and Cloris Leachman.

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wongkarawai · 6 years ago

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david kissing matteo AND opening the door at the same time.... king of multitasking

#druck #mine

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crazedlunatic · 6 years ago

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Dinos and Hoarders

“You can’t leave him home with me! I have three meetings today, a huge trial tomorrow, and arraignment in two days. No, Sarah.”

“I can’t help it. Apparently, they got rid of my assistant—nobody listens when I tell them people steal drugs until a whole freaking bottle goes missing and then they fire the guy. I’m sorry.”

“No. You literally can’t go in. I have to go to the office.”

“He can’t stay by himself, Robbie! He’s seven! If a fifty three year old cannot control a 7 year old, there is a problem.”

“I didn’t say I can’t control him. I can’t control him while doing all of the other stuff that I have to do.”

“You’re a father first!”

“And you’re not a mother first?!”

“I can’t dispense narcotics from my living room! Turn on The Land Before Time and you won’t hear a word from him! God, you’ve been so annoying. Get over the midlife crisis.”

“I’m not having a midlife crisis!”

“If it waddles and quacks like a duck it’s usually a duck, Robbie.”

“Are you pregnant because you’re acting like a bitc— Well, bye then.” Bob scoffed as the door slammed. “Love you too, dear.”

…

“Daddy, if an anthropologist studies humans and the past, does that mean humans and dinosaurs were alive at the same time?”

“I don’t think so.” Bob, who was staring at a paper and squinting, said in an offhand way.

“Because they’d eat the people, right? Charlie said not all dinosaurs eat meat, though. They’re herbitarians.”

“Vegetarian or herbivores.” Bob corrected as Blaine came into the house—without knocking, of course. Anytime he knocked before 9 at night, he’d get a ‘talk’ about it being his house too and that talk just lasted too long.

“I find it hilarious that you made me leave the office to come and help you watch Miles.”

Bob mouthed help me.

“What’s the difference in an herbivore and a vegetarian?” Miles asked after running and hugging Blaine’s leg.

“Humans are vegetarians and herbivores are animals… I think?” Blaine looked confused, scooping Miles up. “I’m sorry you’re sick.”

“But humans are animals too, Blaine!” Miles said energetically. “And I’m not sick! I just have a fever and my head hurts and my tummy and my nose.”

“Uh, yeah, Blaine. He’s not sick.” Bob said and gave Blaine a look—a look of desperation. “Babies are so much easier. Can we trade? Two for one so you’re really saving in the long run.”

“Yeah until they’re 7 and you sell them back?” Blaine laughed.

“Miles will be 14 so I can handle him then.”

“Where’s Kurt?” Miles asked, eyes lighting up.

“Kurt’s Daddy can’t get him out of work and I think Kurt actually likes bossing people around more than he’ll admit.” Blaine booped his nose.

Miles giggled and then turned to face his Bob. “Daddy, Jake said you wanted to have poop thrown at you. Daddy, have you seen a monkey?”

“At least you can get away from the monkeys.” Bob said and then blinked. “Yes, I have seen monkeys. For someone who is sick, you sure do ask a lot of questions.”

“Grandma says I get it from you. She told me you never shut up when you were little and Mommy told me you never shut up now.” Miles rambled as Blaine put his own laptop on their coffee table with the hand that wasn’t holding Miles—since the twins had been born, he did tons of things at once. It was parent multitasking superpowers or something.

Blaine looked surprised at hearing Miles’ statement, seeing as Bob could be talkative but could also go ten minutes without saying anything to someone sitting right next to him.

Then again, nobody made him light up like Sarah so he shouldn’t have been surprised.

And Bob did talk more the longer they’d known each other. It was actually reassuring to hear Bob rushing so many conversations each day but having to literally walk out of Bob’s office sometimes so they could actually work and not talk about… well, everything.

It didn’t happen all the time, of course.

But still.

He wondered what living with Bob and Sarah as parents was like—parents that liked each other, that fought with each other but always made up by bedtime, parents that spent time together willingly, that were affectionate together. Because the only time Blaine’s parents were together was when they needed to look proper in public or when they needed to look like a good family to people that thought they knew the real Andersons.

His parents never argued. Unless it was a family dinner, they usually didn’t even talk.

And they definitely didn’t like each other.

Sometimes Blaine wondered if they ever had.

From what Alex had said, he hadn’t seen them act like a happy couple either.

So… were he and Alex just for show? Accessories to add to the façade?

“Daddy, what’s this one?” Miles pulled himself up on the couch, seating himself between Blaine and Bob.

“Ankylosaurus.” Bob said, barely even having to look at the picture.

“Daddy, it’s Cera from The Land Before Time! Her name is like Mommy’s!” Miles moved his legs up and down excitedly. “Were there dinosaurs in Lion King?”

“I don’t think so.” Bob, who was looking at some paperwork, didn’t look up.

“What’s this one?”

“Two names. Apatosaurus or Brontosaurus.” Bob said after glancing at the page.

“This one?”

“Diplodocus.”

“Daddy, you know everything.” Miles gasped.

“See? Bob knows all.” Blaine gasped too, grinning when Bob sent him a look. “What?”

“Your children will actually think I know all.” Bob sighed.

“But you do.” Blaine scrunched up his nose.

“Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

“Obviously I’m interning again because you’re teaching me about dinosaurs.” Blaine smiled sweetly as Bob glared at him.

“What’s this one?!” Miles asked dramatically, shaking Bob’s arm.

Bob took the book, pointing to pictures as he said, “T Rex, velociraptor, allosaurus, Spinosaurus, deinonychus, carnotaurus, stegosaurus, ankylosaurus, iguanodon, and parasaurolophus.”

Miles clapped his hands and then turned the page. “What about these?”

Bob bent until his head was rested on his knees.

Miles, cute as ever, bent down and patted the back of Bob’s head. “Daddy, it’s okay. I won’t let the dementors get you.”

“The what?!” Bob sat up quickly.

“I dunno. Charlie told me ‘bout them when we watched Harry Potter and they’re sad and mean. But I won’t let them get you ‘cause Daddy should be happy!” Miles forced his way onto Bob’s lap and pressed a loud kiss to his cheek.

“God. I hate that you’re so cute.” Bob wrapped his arms around Miles and kissed the top of his head, prompting loud giggles. He then noticed Blaine actually on his laptop. “Wait… how can you work with him doing this?”

“Uhm, well… I lived with Wes and David for several years. We all three had to learn to block things out. It drives Kurt crazy because he’ll have had a full conversation with me before realizing I didn’t hear a word.” Blaine looked thoughtful. “Although you two are very distracting… Wait. You’ve got five kids. You can ignore everyone in the office with them thinking you’re listening. How can you not ignore your own children?”

“I try but what if I miss something important?” Bob said. “Trust me. I used to ignore them but then Charlie had said something bad and I was like ‘uh huh, that’s great’ and it led to this complete meltdown.”

“What did you say was great?”

“He dropped his grilled cheese but he was so sad and I’ve not been able to tune out a word since.”

“Uh… how old was he?” Blaine asked.

“Four but I still felt horrible.” Bob said as Miles tugged at his arm. “What, son?”

“Brady’s got a boyfriend. Isn’t that silly?”

“Miles… he’s been with the same boy since you were a baby.”

“Is Mommy mad at you?”

“No. Mommy’s just moody.”

“Mommy told Charlie you’re a dick.”

“See? Telling the truth is always a good thing because now I have ammo to make her feel bad. I love having the upper hand.” Bob said cheerfully.

Miles looked at Bob confused, blinking rapidly. He then looked at Blaine.

“I dunno.” Blaine shrugged. “I don’t understand him half of the time either. It may be a midlife crisis.”

“I am not having a midlife crisis! Blaine!” Bob exclaimed. “Miles, I’m going to put on the Land Before Time because Blaine and I have to work.”

“Jurassic Park!”

“No. You cry every time the Dilophosaurus does it’s… thing. Last time Daddy got in trouble.”

“JURRASIC PARKKKK!”

“No.”

Miles pouted and left the living room.

“Should you go get him?”

“Nah. It’ll be fine.” Bob said before there was a loud clang. He then got up and headed towards the kitchen muttering, “Fuck me.”

“Whoops.” Miles said in a meek little voice.

Bob turned back around, carrying Miles into the living room.

“Aren’t you going to clean that up, Daddy?” Miles asked.

“No. This is what I like to call positive reinforcement. She’ll never make me stay home with you again.” Bob sat Miles down between he and Blaine.

“You got in biiiig trouble last time.”

Bob shrugged, turning on the Land Before Time.

Blaine pulled his laptop back onto his lap, looking down. He then reached his hand over, rubbing Miles’ little back when he started to cough.

“I’m going to go clean that. If she is pregnant, she may murder the entire family.” Bob said, mostly to himself, before leaving the room.

“Do you think she is?” Blaine called.

“God, I hope not. I haven’t seen cherry tomatoes yet but you can never be too cautious. Once I had to put a woman in jail who was pregnant and beheaded her husband. Honestly, he kind of deserved it, but… Sarah has a mean side.”

“I want to hear that story.” Blaine said. “The murder one… Sarah would have to have a mean side to put up with you.”

“I take offense to that, Blaine.”

He glanced down, seeing Miles had curled up to him and fallen asleep.

“You really don’t. Like… I’ve seen horrible photos but man. That was pure rage.” Bob came back in. His eyes then widened. “How’d you do that?!”

“Do what?” Blaine looked at him, very confused.

“He’s out.”

“Isn’t he sick?”

“Yes, but he’s a hyper sick person. How did you make him go to sleep?”

“Uhm… he coughed and I… rubbed his back? Then he just cuddled up?”

Bob came and bent, easing Miles up.

Blaine laughed when Miles mumbled something about purple elephants.

“It’s Emily 2.0 with a penis. I swear.” Bob whispered before leaving the room with Miles.

Blaine looked at his laptop, not really paying attention to it, until Bob sat next to him again.

“Well, you can work now.” Blaine said cheerfully.

“Yep… but now I don’t want to.” Bob sighed.

“Great. Me neither.” Blaine shut his laptop.

Bob closed his own and put his stack of papers on the coffee table. “Hoarders?”

“Yes! You’re the only person that will watch it with me!” Blaine said. “Everyone else judges me.”

“Judgement free zone.” Bob said, turning it on. “I’ve watched this with my dad since it first aired on TLC in 2010.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. I hadn’t seen it in a while when you’d gotten your appendix out and forgot how much I liked it.” Bob nodded.

“Do you not want to watch it?” Blaine asked hesitantly.

Bob gave him a look and pushed the start button, turning the volume up a bit.

Blaine scooted closer, resting his head on Bob’s shoulder.

“I have a feeling this one is going to make me want to puke.” Bob said when they showed a clip of a future scene.

“That means it’s going to be a good episode.” Blaine nodded in agreement.

“Yep. I judge hoarders on a wanting-to-vomit scale. Only one has made me throw up a bit in my mouth… In my defense, I was getting over a stomach bug, though. Wasn’t out wisest decision.” Bob said.

“Yeah. I’m going to need to see that episode, Bob.”

“We’ll check Netflix after this one.”

“Yeah!” Blaine said excitedly.

“Did I tell you that Brady’s boyfriend—partner, sorry— is going to propose this summer?” Bob asked excitedly. “I mean, I know it’s just his first partner but he’s been really good for Brady and I like him a lot.”

“You said yes?”

“I believe my exact words are ‘are you sure you want to do that?’” Bob admitted. “I said yes after, though. They’re a good couple and Brady’s happy so that’s all that matters.”

“You’re such a good dad.” Blaine sat up straight, looking at him.

Bob shrugged a bit.

“No.” Blaine shook his head. “You are. You care about your kids so much and all you want for them is to be happy. That’s just… you’re a really good dad and a good person… and you’re probably one of the few people who doesn’t see that. I’m grateful to have you in my life… because you aren’t even mine, you know… but you also are and it means a lot. You mean a lot to me and I appreciate you.”

Bob opened his mouth to respond as Miles hopped back onto the couch announcing, “I’m uuuuupppp! Ew-y, Daddy. Is that trash?”

“That is called Hoarders, Miles.” Bob turned the TV off and pulled Miles onto his lap, meeting Blaine’s eyes with his own. He then stood. “I think it’s time for some more medicine. Grape or strawberry?”

“Surprise me!” Miles squealed as Bob stood and sat Miles next to Blaine.

Miles cuddled right up to Blaine’s side, giggling when Bob came back in with his medicine.

“You just love Blaine, don’t you?” Bob laughed at Miles, handing him the little cup.

Blaine looked surprised when Miles took the medicine—Scarlett and Oliver had definitely never done that.

They were younger, but still.

He looked surprised again when Bob reached over, ruffling Miles’ hair and then his own.

“So… Jurassic Park?” Bob asked.

Miles shot up, the most adorable grin ever on his face, when Bob went to put the DVD in. “THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!”

#wbuct drabble #god i love bob prompts #and just bob really #bob bob bob

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beanbinary · 6 years ago

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1-50 for the weird asks

1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?

Coffee mugs

2. chocolate bars or lollipops?

chocolate bars

3. bubblegum or cotton candy?

bubblegum

4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?

bubbly, bright, hardworking, spacey, creative

5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?

bottles

6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?

grunge

7. earbuds or headphones?

headphones for long travel rides, watching movies, and gaming

earbuds for multitasking

8. movies or tv shows?

movies

9. favorite smell in the summer?

bonfire

10. game you were best at in p.e.?

dodgeball, handball, and sharks n minos

11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?

I don’t generally eat breakfast

but if I am eating breakfast, it’d be cereal

12. name of your favorite playlist?

the spotify playlist of my favorite songs that I have put together and conveniently named “thé new favorites 2k19″

13. lanyard or key ring?

lanyard

14. favorite non-chocolate candy?

cherry twizzlers (also a big fan of black licorice and gummies)

15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?

The Outsiders

16. most comfortable position to sit in?

criss-cross

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?

my black boots

18. ideal weather?

foggy morning, 60-ish degrees, partly cloudy

19. sleeping position?

man I sleep in all of them

20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)?

sketchbook and google docs

21. obsession from childhood?

That I still have? probably high fantasy and cats

22. role model?

I don’t really have one tbh

23. strange habits?

I always move some part of my body to the beat of a song

I play with my earrings and hair a lot

I crack my knuckles often

I also scratch my head a lot?

And wrinkle my nose?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

24. favorite crystal?

ALL OF THEM

25. first song you remember hearing?

it would either have to be Somewhere Over the Rainbow or a U2 song of some sort

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?

Explore places

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?

go for a walk, drink hot coffee, watch a movie or draw

28. five songs to describe you?

uhhhh

Short Kings Anthem- Tiny Meat Gang

Rebel Rebel- David Bowie

Anxiety- The Black Eyed Peas

The “heeeeyeayeayeayeah I said hey, what’s going on” song

and probably a bunch of celtic tavern music thrown in in the background

29. best way to bond with you?

UHHH

I usually bond best with people over shared interests?

30. places that you find sacred?

Forests

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?

muscle tee, ripped jeans, boots, and all the rings, cuffs, and piercings I have

32. top five favorite vines?

“What the FUCK is up Kyle?”

“I can’t believe you’ve done this”

“A Child”

“Are they helium balloons?”

“Welcome to Chilis”

33. most used phrase in your phone?

probably “FUCK YEAH”

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?

“we are farmers” pops in my head at random times

35. average time you fall asleep?

midnight-ish

36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?

I think it was grumpy cat

37. suitcase or duffel bag?

Suitcase

38. lemonade or tea?

tea

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?

lemon meringue pie

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?

Kids can always be found up in trees on friday and saturday nights which is pretty weird

Also the school is defo haunted so there’s that too

41. last person you texted?

the very person who sent me this ask, @daggerdagger-dagger <3

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?

No. I refuse to decide.

Both.

43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?

hhhhh

hoodie, leather jacket, jean jacket

I can’t decide like that

44. favorite scent for soap?

Don’t really have a fav but I like spicy scents, wood scents, and lavender

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?

Fantasy

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?

Flannel PJ pants and a t shirt

47. favorite type of cheese?

Bleu and sharp cheddar

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

Idk, banana?

49. what saying or quote do you live by?

“We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it”

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?

I think the instances in which i can recall laughing the hardest are always when I’m with friends. Especially playing DnD

#askthebean

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edgelarks · 3 years ago

Photo

Never let anyone tell you men can't multitask. Here's our Sacha playing drums, bass, and singing. Just a bit clever. Looking forward to getting out on the road with these guys very soon - our long delayed album launch tour! Some shows getting low on tickets so please help us spread the word 😁🎶 22/04/22 The David Hall, South Petherton 23/04/22 Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells 24/04/22 Huntingdon Hall, Worcester 26/04/22 Theatre on the Steps Bridgnorth 27/04/22 Stoller Hall, Manchester 28/04/22 The Square Chapel, Halifax 29/04/22 Victoria Hall, Settle 30/04/22 The Crescent Club, York 1/05/22 Queen's Hall, Hexham 04/05/22 Norwich Playhouse 05/05/22 The Apex, Bury St Edmunds 06/05/22 King's Place, London 07/05/22 Folk In The Barn - St Mary's, Sandwich 08/05/22 Hailsham Pavilion 10/05/22 The Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks 11/05/22 The Ropetackle, Shoreham 12/05/22 Graylingwell Chapel Arts Centre, Chichester 13/05/22 The Haymarket, Basingstoke 14/05/22 Dorchester Corn Exchange 16/05/22 Nettlebed Folk Club 18/05/22 Marlborough Town Hall 19/05/22 Cedar Hall, Wells 20/05/22 Stratford Upon Avon Stratford Play House 21/05/22 St Andrew's Church, Wiveliscombe 22/05/22 Topsham Folk Club, Matthew's Hall, Topsham 01/07/22 Little Theatre, Chorley #GigspannerBigBand #gigannouncement #gigsgigsgigs #bigband #southpetherton #bulithwells #worcester #bridgnorth #manchester #halifax #settle #york #hexham #norwich #burystedmunds #london #sandwich #hailsham #sevenoaks #shoreham #chichester #basingstoke #dorchester #nettlebed #oxon #marlborough #wells #stratforduponavon #wiveliscombe #topsham https://www.instagram.com/p/CcdPAocsq07/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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endenogatai · 5 years ago

Text

From Twenty Minute VC to 20VC, Harry Stebbings launches a micro VC off the back of his popular podcast

Podcasts are becoming big business — in part because of how well they can attract and keep audience at a time when so many other media formats are finding it hard to pin down that elusive metric of engagement. Now a podcast host who has built out a popular series around the world of startup investing is leveraging that growth to build out an investment vehicle of his own. Harry Stebbings, the 24-year-old London-based creator and host of Twenty Minute VC, is launching a micro VC fund of $8.3 million. Called 20VC, the plan is to invest in US startups across various stages alongside “tier 1” co-investors.

Stebbings spends a lot of his time talking to investors and about investments, and this is his second foray into actually putting money where his mouth is. He’s also a partner at Stride.vc, a firm he co-founded with Fred Destin in 2018 (joined later by a third partner, Pia d’Iribarne). He says that 20VC is scratching a different itch. The older fund focuses on investing in the UK and France, has an inclination (but not exclusivity) towards e-commerce disruptors and earlier stages of investment.

Stebbings’ newer effort, on the other hand, focuses on the US, and is positioned within what seems to be shaping up to a typical micro fund profile. Micro funds, as the name implies, are usually not huge, but they aim to pack a punch by offering other skills in the mix with their smaller investments. The concept has been growing in popularity over the last several years. (“I don’t know anyone who isn’t involved in at least one $5 million micro fund,” one former VC said to me.)

In the case of 20VC, it hopes to get its foot into the door on deals other VCs by offering Stebbings’ own set of skills in building and scaling companies as the selling point in exchange.

Typical deal sizes will range from $100,000 to $300,000 ($250,000 is the typical check size), and although Stebbings is announcing the fund today, some 12 investments have already been made out of it (Nex Health and Spiketrap are the only two that are public so far), investing alongside Sequoia, Index, Founders Fund, a16z.

20VC’s tie to the name of the podcast is intentional. The podcast has developed a brand of its own in the world of tech, with some 200,000 subscribers and 80 million downloads to date of the twice-weekly program. And 20VC isn’t just trading on Stebbings’ own experience as an entrepreneur: it has tapped the network of people that have been on the show, or know him because of the show, to assemble LPs.

There are some 64 of them in all, including founders and current and former execs from Atlassian, Yammer (David Sacks), Plaid (William Hockney), Superhuman, Airtable, Calm, Cazoo, Zenly, Alan, Spotify (Shakil Khan) and Tray.io; GPs from Kleiner (Mamoon Hamid), Social Capital (Chamath) Thrive (Josh Kushner & Miles Grimshaw), Atomic, Founders Fund (Brian Singerman), Coatue, Index (Danny Rimer), True Ventures (Phil Black), and Beezer Clarkson, among many others. Having a popular podcast that highlights interesting investors and startups turns out to be a good way of networking to build a fund. Stebbings said that the call out was oversubscribed three times over within four weeks.

Boy VC

Stebbings’ entry into the world of investing in startups is something of a typical startup story of its own.

He came up with the idea for his podcast at a time when he was already intrigued by the world of venture capital, but was actually on the road to something else, with a place as a law scholar at Kings College in London (in the US you start law school as an undergraduate).

He says started the podcast with the idea of working on something that interested him, but more specifically to make some money. His mother has multiple sclerosis and she was having issues paying for her healthcare. Stebbings decided to start the podcast use the money it made off advertising around it to help cover his mother’s medical bills.

He was a nobody in tech, but he had a very specific plan, and a lot of smiley and positive enthusiasm, for how to get from zero to hero.

It started with finding just the right first guest, someone who had a high profile and respect but also appeared to be nice enough that if you got the approach right, you might get an agreement to be interviewed, or as Stebbings described it, “low hanging fruit.”

For Stebbings, that person, it turned out, was Guy Kawasaki. In addition to getting the interview, Stebbings also asked Kawasaki for three recommendations of people he should have on the show next, and what he should ask them. Stebbings followed that up with asking those three for their recommendations, and so on. Pyramid scheme with purpose, I guess you could say.

“I view distribution quite scientifically,” said Stebbings — who I interviewed sitting in a bedroom, although I think he normally podcasts these days sitting in a studio as pictured, above. “I’m bringing as many people as possible to help in the content creation process.”

The whole format of “20 minutes” also stemmed from a calculation Stebbings made. He told me he used to struggle with his weight and finally managed to lose some pounds using Tim Ferriss’ 4-hour Body. It got him thinking about how timing is important, and on top of that he knew that the typical commute in London was around 30 minutes, and decided that 20 minutes was a reasonable amount of time to expect someone to listen regularly. (Spoiler: most of the podcasts these days are not 20 minutes, but longer.)

Things started to shift from interesting side hustle to main hustle after he featured Arielle Zuckerberg, Mark’s sister and a tech persona in her own right (she’s currently a partner at investment firm Coatue). That podcast saw 100,000 downloads, and all signs pointed to 20 Minute VC taking off. So he quit university to focus on the podcast full time. It was four weeks into his first term.

“I decided I love VC and all of this,” he said about his choice to drop out of school. “I decided that I’d rather have my shot at this than trying to live the life I didn’t want to live. It was a big decision. I was 18 and very unemployable at the time.”

As for his mother’s medical bills, they are still being paid for by the show, he said.

“There’s advertising at the beginning and end of the show. It’s fine, not lights out, but it pays for my mother’s healthcare and that’s all I need it to do.”

The show, and Stebbings himself, have benefitted from a perfect storm of circumstances to grow.

Podcasts have been around for years, but it’s only been in recent times that they have properly taken off in popularity. Leveraging mobile phones and apps for listening, they fit naturally into our multitasking, information-hungry routines; there is a huge variety out there, a podcast for every taste; and they’ve bettered the talk radio format by being there right when you need them. Having a very predictable program in that format — Stebbings’ show has been running twice a week, every week, for five years now — is not to be underestimated.

There is also the subject matter to consider. There has been a huge explosion in the role that technology is playing in our modern society and economy, and that has meant an audience that consists not just of those already working in the world of tech, but those with ambitions to be a part of it (like Stebbings himself), and simply a lot of enthusiasts.

Within that, venture capital has seen a veritable explosion of money, and while some believe that it’s the technical talent that fuels the startup engine, others would make a strong case for the funding that enables them to work holding that role. In any case, money has always held a lot of allure.

“VC is becoming more popular, and cool, and I think that had a lot to do with us getting to this size,” he said.

Stebbings himself is also a part of the formula. He’s not a journalist, and at a time when we seem to be seeing a lot of wariness and tension in the relationship between media and the tech industry, his position as an informal reporter and conduit of information and messaging, who remains friendly and non-combative with his guests, may see him getting a lot warmer of a reception from his target audience of guests and listeners.

Harry doesn’t seem to remember this, but I first met him several years ago, at a tech event in London, where he was working the room very smoothly, smiling and chatting and knowing enough people already that he was able to continue the momentum introducing himself and presuming familiarity with those he was just meeting for the first time. I remember being struck at the time by how young he was mingling amongst quite a lot of middle aged types.

When I recalled this and asked Stebbings if he ever felt like he’s found a place in this scene precisely for this reason — being around younger and flattering people sometimes makes older people feel less old, and possibly more important — he said he thought it was more that it’s about himself feeling natural in that environment.

“For me, it’s always about building relationships,” he said. “I was always like the 50 year old in the room when I was younger and I didn’t have many friends. I’ve made by best friends through the shows.”

Ironically, he says that these days he does get pinged by his older — that is, young and past — acquaintances who are hoping for connections to his powerful network to push whatever tech enterprise they are pursuing these days.

That’s not the only bit of irony in 20VC and Stebbings’ latest venture: the whole of his podcast was built from the ground up, funded by ads and not a penny of outside investment. It means that the lesson from Stebbings is not just how to grow and scale, but how to do so with no VC involvement at all.

That’s not the norm, however, and so this will be about bringing more along that proverbial check.

“Everyone in the valley has money, but very few have been part of an enterprise that has scaled to include contact machines and brands. I’ll have thousands of tips and lessons on scaling and customer acquisition costs. It’s about the cadence and distribution, and how ton build a brand.”

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8204425 https://ift.tt/2WvdqYR via IFTTT

#IFTTT #RSSMix.com Mix ID 8204425

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