#depending on whether or not i will still be as tapped into hockey

[three-headed-monster]

[miniature-space-hamster]

Merweek Day Five: We Are Family

Karina Shepard is finally released from the hospital after the battle of London, and Kaidan brings her to his family home in Vancouver, where she meets his parents for the first time.

“Kaidan…” Shepard’s eyes focusing on the blur of pine that seemed to stretch endlessly from her view in the skycar, her voice sounded distant. A growing tightness filled her chest. “Are your parents going to like me?” She paused, already sounding somewhat defeated, resisting the urge to start picking at newly painted nails. She brought a finger to her mouth, seconds from chewing before stopping herself. She needed something to distract her from their destination. There was only about fifteen minutes left until they were at Kaidan’s family home.

Without breaking eye contact from the road, Kaidan gave her a crooked smile and raised eyebrows. “Why wouldn’t they, Karina?” She always seemed to surprise him with questions like this. She could face a Reaper on foot without flinching, but the thought of meeting his mother was what she worried about.

Karina wasn’t sure where to start, she sighed sharply before speaking but the noise got lost in the hum of the engines. “I mean… we were sleeping together when I was still your CO, for starters. We stole the Normandy and committed treason. Not to mention I’m the reason you got tangled with Cerberus…” She took a breath, but it didn’t feel deep enough. “How much do they even know?”

“I told my mother we were together after our date at Apollo’s.” He kept his words plain, clearly code for they didn’t know anything prior. At least no more than the average civilian.

Karina nodded, remembering Apollo’s with a slight smile threatening at the corner of tightly pulled lips. It was the closest they’ve ever gotten to normalcy during the war. A taste, albeit brief, of what was to come after the Reaper’s defeat. Kaidan was so awkward and vulnerable as he fumbled through his words. It was cute.

She finally ripped her gaze from the scenery, turning to Kaidan. “Speaking of Apollo’s, depending on how this goes I might need another sanity check.” There was a slight laugh at the end of her words, but it was strained. She tapped the door with her nails, desperately in search of stimuli to ease her anxiety. “I haven’t done anything family related in over a decade.”

Kaidan drove with one hand, reaching out for her thigh with the other and squeezed. Karina took his hand into hers before she even realized it. She focused on the strong, calloused fingers interlocked with her own. She let her free hand trace the familiar shape of his knuckles.

Kaidan knew this was going to be hard for her. She no longer had a family to call her own after Mindoir. Though he knew nothing could replace that, he wanted to at least make her feel at home with his own family.

They pulled into a driveway, past the forest of dense pine that finally brought the distant orchard into view. This was the first time he’s been home since the war. Kaidan was barely holding back a smile as he finally turned to Karina. “We’ll be fine, don’t worry. It’ll just be for the weekend.”

He hopped out of the car and made his way to Karina’s side, helping her out and grabbing her cane from the back seat, hesitating for a moment before considering getting the wheelchair in the trunk. “Are you good to walk?”

Karina gave him a slight nod, “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

Kaidan sighed quietly, knowing that didn’t answer his question. She always said she was fine, regardless of whether it was true or not. He looked her up and down, trying to assess the situation himself before nodding and grabbing the cane.

The doctors didn’t expect her to be able to walk so soon after her injuries, and all the surgeries that followed the battle at London. She still struggled though. At times it was like her legs had forgotten how to keep her up. But she was out of the hospital now, and that on its own felt like a victory

Kaidan offered Karina his arm, which she took with her free hand in equal parts comfort and support. She took a shaky breath when Kaidan rang the doorbell. The chime echoed through the house as she heard frantic steps shuffling towards the door.

They were greeted by a small, silver haired woman who barely made it to Karina’s chest. Her eyes lit up behind thick, black frames when she saw Kaidan. He had to lean over as she smiled and pulled him into a tight hug. It was clear Kaidan got his eyes and smile from his mother. She patted his back several times before she pulled away and turned towards Karina.

“It’s so good to finally meet you.” She pulled Karina in for a hug just as she did for Kaidan, without warning, as if she’d known her for years. Karina felt her muscles tensing up, not expecting such sudden contact. She could count on one Turian hand how many people hug her like this. Several moments passed until she returned the embrace with unsure arms. His mother soon after released, much to Karina’s relief. “Hope the trip wasn’t too bad.”

“We didn’t have any trouble.” Kaidan cut in, noticing that Karina looked more than a little overwhelmed. He took half a step in her direction, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Karina leaned against him, desperately hoping the attention could be shifted away from her.

It was then Karina saw movement from the hallway headed in their direction. A white haired man who looked almost exactly like Kaidan stepped out.

He walked with such purpose, though it was clear he walked on old injuries that never quite healed right. Despite this, he still carried the posture of someone who served. Karina felt her own posture stiffen reflexively, suddenly feeling like she was a new recruit awaiting inspection all over again. The man stayed silent as he approached, not breaking eye contact.

Kaidan pulled his father in for a hug, neither saying a word. Kaidan’s arms shook slightly. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever see his father again after the reaper war when he was declared missing.

Kaidan retracted before making introductions. “Dad, this is Karina.”

She received a firm handshake from the man. His posture was stiff and awkward as he extended his hand. He clearly didn’t know how to address her, but the feeling was mutual.

Introductions felt like a blur that Karina wasn’t fully present for. Her mind kept drifting off before being pulled back by key words in the conversation. She was never good with small talk, and something about her surroundings kept bringing her mind back to Mindoir, and her own parents.

Luckily, Kaidan and his mother carried the conversation with relative ease. She was updating him about their family. A cousin, as far as Karina could tell. She struggled to keep up with the names.

Karina continued to sip on the wine presented in silence, letting the flavor keep her anchored in the moment. It was a dry red wine, but she couldn’t figure out what kind and felt too awkward to interrupt and ask.

And then the one question she was dreading hit like a bullet to the chest.

“So how’s your family doing, Karina?”

It was a simple enough question, from a well meaning woman who didn’t want to exclude company from conversation, but it required a far more complex answer.

She swallowed hard as she looked over to Kaidan, who looked a shade paler than he did before as he met her gaze. He was seconds from trying to intercept the conversation, before Karina put a hand on his. She knew she’d have to talk about it eventually.

“Oh, I don’t have any family.” It was simple enough, and shut the conversation down before it got too deep. She wasn’t prepared to drop her baggage on a family she hadn’t even gotten the chance to fully know yet.

Karina thought she should feel her pulse rising in her throat by now, but the sensation didn’t come. The ache was a dull one, faded by a decade's time. She quietly pushed the feeling down, shifting the collar of her turtleneck sweater. She silently cleared her throat before changing the subject.

“This wine is lovely. Did it come from this orchard?”

~~

Karina found herself in Kaidan’s childhood bed as the night came to a close, both drained from the combination of wine and late night conversation, but neither could find sleep quite yet. Karina looked around the room decorated in hockey sticks and trophies. It looked like it hadn’t been touched since Kaidan joined the Alliance.

Kaidan caressed her cheek with delicate precision, kissing her temple before speaking. “How’re you feeling? Still need that sanity check?”

Karina leaned against the man at her side, letting her head fall against his shoulder. “Oddly enough, I’m feeling okay.” She paused for a moment, fighting the exhaustion to get the words out. “It’s weird though.”

Kaidan leaned his head against hers. The arm wrapped around her tightening with concern. “How so?”

She sighed. “Just thinking about my own family, I guess. It doesn't hurt as much as it used to.”

He squeezed her shoulder as he kissed the crown of her head, “Time has a way of doing that, huh?”

She wrapped her arms around his waist in response, holding back a yawn. “It’s like I’m almost missing the feeling of loss, because at least there was something there. Y’know?”

Kaidan nodded thoughtfully before planting another kiss, this time more tender as it barely grazed her scalp. “It wasn’t the family you were born with, but I think you managed to find your own family in the time since. You have the old Normandy crew.”

Karina nodded as she began to recline more on the bed, feeling the exhaustion finally begin to overcome her. Kaidan matched her pace, finding their usual position on an unfamiliar bed. Karina let her legs graze his own before they tangled themselves into one another.

“Maybe one day you’ll feel that way here?” Kaidan offered with a low voice, looking at the ceiling as he held Karina close to his side.

Karina pulled herself in closer, until their bodies were flush and her head rested on his chest, nuzzling before finding her usual spot. “I think I’d like that.”

[trustsalvatorewriting]

crush culture || kendall knight - chapter one

Summary: In which Kendall Knight has a crush on a girl who plays the drums at a local cafe

Word Count: 2,356

______________

❝ you make me feel like a teenager in love, you make me feel like i'll be forever young❞

KENDALL GROANED AS HE HEARD A CRASH FROM OUTSIDE HIS BEDROOM, throwing a throw pillow over his head to block out the noises and lights. He'd had to go into the studio yesterday for nearly twelve hours trying to fulfill one of Gustavo's checklists, and about halfway through, he'd started developing a migraine. He'd shrugged it off the night before and tried to sleep it off, but it had somehow gotten worse overnight.

    Thankfully, he would have the day off, as he'd managed to get a few harmonies done the day before. He reached toward his navy blue curtains and pulled them over the sunlight leaking in through his window, laying still as he waited for the noise in the apartment to die down.

    It was moments like this that he longed for his life in Minnesota. While he was thankful that he'd been given such a privileged life in California, he knew that if he hadn't gone to the auditions with James six months ago, he would've been at the ice rink at the moment, practicing for a hockey scholarship. He wouldn't have learned the meaning of 'stress migraine,' and he definitely wouldn't have had to leave his apartment to get a decent cup of coffee.

    When he finally forced himself out of bed, he was met with an empty coffee machine and an empty bag of ground coffee. Kendall all but slammed his head into the kitchen pantry, throwing the bag into the garbage disposal and reaching for his phone. In truth, he wasn't even completely sure where the nearest cafe was, but he remembered his mom mentioning that there was a small one at the hippie grocery store on Rosé.

    'God, that's such a Hollywood name,' Kendall thought to himself as he ordered his taxi. Once it confirmed, he quickly changed into a hoodie and jeans, sliding his keys into his back pocket. He headed for the taxi the moment he saw it drive into the parking lot, only giving slight nods to his friends as he rushed to get his coffee.

    Thankfully, the driver hadn't tried to start any conversations, allowing him to sit in the backseat in silence. He leaned his head against the window, shutting his eyes as he tried to block out the sunlight. It felt as though direct sunlight would set fire to the back of his eyes.

    As the driver pulled into the front of the grocery store, Kendall winced at the slight jerking movement of the vehicle as it came to a halt. He handed a fifty dollar bill to the driver and stepped out, pulling his hoodie over his head as he stared at the oddly hippie grocery store, complete with plants hanging outside the building and a green-painted sign with the name 'Williams' painted in white letters.

    Kendall lightly rolled his eyes at the California culture, making his way into the store and heading for the cafe area towards the back. It was a completely different atmosphere from the coffee places and grocery stores they'd had in Minnesota, and while he likely would've figured that out sooner, he'd spent the majority of his time in California stuffed in a recording studio.

    As he approached the cafe, he noticed a few bookshelves towards the wall, filled with journals and cooking books, and whatever else California people liked to read. He walked toward the counter and noticed a short girl sitting behind the register, a dazed look on her face as she rhythmically tapped her fingers.

    "Uh, hey, could I get a cup of coffee?" Kendall asked, pulling his hoodie off his head. He'd made a slight effort to brush out his hair, but had given up after a while and shoved it ebenath a gray beanie.

    The girl snapped out of her thoughts and turned to face him, allowing him to get a view of her name tag: Emory. She smiled happily, soft brown eyes lighting up when she noticed him. "Hi! Welcome to William's Coffee House. What can I get you?"

    An involuntary smile came to his face when he heard her voice, but it quickly faded away when his eyes drifted to the menu. He fumbled with his words as he scanned the list of coffees, complete with lattes and espressos -- and what the hell was a macchiato? Kendall rubbed the back of his neck, confusion painted across his ivory features. "Uh... the coffee... kind?"

    Emory bit back a laugh and went through the buttons on the register. "I'll just get you a small black coffee, and you can add cream and sugar if you want."

    "Thank you," He sighed. He reached to grab a twenty dollar bill from his pocket, but she pushed his hand away quickly. Kendall looked u, dark eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

    "Don't even worry about it. It's on the house," She explained lightly, standing to go prepare his coffee. "You look like you've had a rough day."

    "Is it that obvious?" Kendall questioned, tugging at the edges of his beanie so they covered his temples. They felt like they were going to explode.

    She hesitated, reaching out to hand his coffee cup to him. She pursed her lips together, as if she were searching for the best words to tell him that he looked like he just crawled out from the garbage disposal. Emory winced at her own words as she said, "You're still cute."

    Kendall might've blushed if it weren't for the tightening feeling on the right side of his head.

    As he reached up to press his palms against his eyes, Emory questioned, "Do you have a migraine? I have Excedrin in my bag, if you want some. They're not crazy drugs or whatever."

    "Excedrin?" He pulled his hands away from his eyes to find her holding out a small bottle of acetaminophen. She smiled lightly and placed it next to her coffee. "Thanks."

    "No problem. I carry them around 'cause my brother and I get migraines a lot. One or two should be good depending on how bad it is," Emory advised. Kendall ignored her and shook three pills out of the bottle. "I mean, or you could do that."

    The corner of his mouth twitched into a smile as he went to take the three excedrins and swallow them down with the hot coffee. He winced at the taste, setting it down.

    "Didn't you say you wanted cream and sugar?" Emory questioned, pointing at the cup.

    Kendall deadpanned at the sight of the cream and sugar, throwing his hand onto the desk. Emory giggled and took the cup from him, shaking in a little bit of each ingredient. Her laugh was high-pitched, similar to a cartoon character's. He lifted his head slightly. "Cute laugh."

    Emory dropped the sugar packet into the cup. Her eyes widened and she quickly began preparing another cup. "I'm Emory."

    "Kendall," He responded. "That's a... unique name."

    "Thanks," She chuckled. "My Pops chose it. It's supposed to mean 'brave' or 'powerful' or something. I'm neither of those, which is why I'm working in a nearly empty café at eleven in the morning on a Friday."

    "Three-day weekend," Kendall shrugged and took the cup from her. He smiled, his migraine already beginning to fade away.

    She nodded and sat down in a stool behind the counter. Emory didn't have the nerve to tell him that her dads had named her other siblings 'Silas' and 'Andromeda.' She also didn't have the energy to explain that her dads had given her one mental health day per quarter, and she'd used it today so she could skip out on volleyball. She was only 5'2" which made serving the ball practically impossible.

    For some reason, she'd wanted to impress him. She wasn't quite sure how to do that while she was sitting in a coffee apron, at the back of a grocery store, though. He was genuinely attractive -- the kind that you found on the cover of magazines and billboards. Complete with dirty blonde bangs, deep green eyes, and dimples. As dramatic as it sounded, Emory swore he would be the death of her.

    Kendall stole glances at her as she cleaned up the suddenly messy counter, and pretended not to notice when she glanced back. He hadn't been able to meet a lot of people in Hollywood -- at least, no one outside of the Palm Woods. Gustavo and Kelly had kept him under lock and key in the studio. It had been somewhat justified, of course, considering they were working on an album; but there were times where he missed working at the grocery store in Minnesota. Times where he would've preferred to be playing hockey with his friends, as opposed to learning the same dance moves over and over again.

    God, he felt privileged.

    "So, skipping out on school, pretty boy?" Emory had said it without even glancing up, but he could hear the smile in her words.

    "No, I, uh, have an off-day today," Kendall responded awkwardly. He wasn't sure how to explain that he'd completely forgotten about the essay he had to turn on by three o'clock today. "What about you?"

    "My dads let me take the day off," Emory explained. She caught her words immediately and winced, waiting for the backlash or questions she would inevitably receive. Even in California, the LGBT capital of the world, there were somehow always questions.

    "Dads, huh? What are their names?"

    "Johan and Gerard," She said hesitantly. He would ask about her siblings now, or whether her mom had died, or where she was adopted from. She held her breath.

    "That's cool."

    'What the fuck?'

    "Yeah, they're pretty great," Emory agreed, slightly confused but overall relieved by his reaction. He only gave her a calm look, implying that he was generally unbothered by the topic. She nodded in approval. "So, tell me about yourself, pretty boy."

    "What do you wanna know?" Kendall asked, leaning back in his chair. "I'm from Minnesota; I really love hockey and music; and me and my sister Katie were raised by a single mom."

    "What do you mean by 'you love music?'" Emory squinted her eyes lightly and sat down in the seat across from him, leaning forward. "Do you, like, play any instruments or are you one of those guys that listens to music and says they love it so they look really cool and pretentious?"

    "I'm in a band with my best friends. I think I'm pretty into music," Kendall chuckled. "I play, like, the smallest amount of guitar; but I mostly sing."

    "It's not a band of none of you play the instruments," Emory was quick to point out. "I'm in a small band with my foster sister, Evie. I play drums."

    "You play drums?" Kendall snickered. "And that's not fair. We're mostly singers."

    "Then you're a group, not a band," She shot back. "Yeah, I play drums. Is that hard to believe?"

    "You're just so tiny," Kendall laughed. "I couldn't imagine that."

    "Ever hears the phrase 'you're lucky you're cute?'" Emory questioned, to sing a sugar packet in his general direction. It hit the side of his flannel jacket, and she sighed internally. He was kind of making her eyes hurt at this point. She mentally went over all the reasons that it would be completely unethical for her to ask for his number, then all of the reasons that she would regret not asking for his number.

    Unfortunately, she wasn't given the time to come to a balanced conclusion. Kendall's phone rang and he took it out of his pocket, sending Emory an apologetic look as he did so. The moment he answered it, his mood seemed to falter, and by the end of the call he'd practically slammed his head against the wooden counter.

    "Uh, are you okay?" Emory questioned, lightly poking his shoulder as he hung up his phone.

    "Nope. My producer is calling me into work today, after he promised me the day off yesterday!" He raised his voice and yelled at his phone, despite the fact that the caller had hung up already. He peeked at Emory from between his fingers. "I probably look really weird right now."

    Emory nodded, her nose crinkling as she smiled down at him. "You do."

    Kendall sighed and lifted his head, shoving his phone back into his pocket. He looked at Emory. "I should probably..."

    "Yeah. I wouldn't want you to get fired or anything. A face like that deserves to have screaming girls chasing after it," Emory said. She regretted her words immediately, questioning whether she'd spoken proper English just then.

    If Kendall noticed, he chose not to say anything about it. Instead, he went to stand and took a few paces away from the café. "I'll uh... I'll see you around?"

    'Ask for his number. Ask for his number. Ask for his number.'

    "Uh, yeah! You should visit again. I'll give you a discount on your coffee next time," Emory responded with a smile.

    "Yeah, I will. Uh... thanks, Emmy," Kendall nodded at her, before his phone went off in his pocket again. He groaned and pulled it out, practically yelling into the phone. "I'm coming!"

    Once he was out of sight, Emory groaned and laid her head down on the counter, covering her blushing face. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Gerard, who was covered in flour and baking ingredients.

    She sighed. "How much of that did you see?"

    Gerard rubbed his daughter's back comfortingly. "You'll get better eventually, Emmy."

    Emory deadpanned, letting out a sigh. The next time she would see him was on the cover of a magazine, being proclaimed the new teen heartthrob.

    If she knew she would get Silas' flirting skills by spending so much time around him, she might've tried to get him kicked out of the house sooner.

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

Meeting and Dating Freddy Renfield

(Sorry about the bad gif/I’m an amateur)(requested by anonymous)

(It could just be quarantine but count nightwing kinda lookin like a snack as I rewatch the episode)

- Technically you “saw” Freddy before you actually met him.

- It was late one night and you were walking home from a friends house when you spotted a figure standing at the end of the street. It made you stop in your tracks as you tried to focus, wondering if your eyes were deceiving you in the dark.

- Deciding to check it out, you started to walk towards the shadowy figure when all of a sudden the crash of a garbage can made you turn around. When you looked back the figure was gone and goosebumps ran across your skin.

- Unbeknownst to you, you’d just narrowly avoided being a teenage vampires meal. But it wouldn’t be your last encounter with the undead.

- Soon after you found yourself in the chilled air of your yard, sitting in your swing after struggling to fall asleep after waking up in the middle of the night. You were almost positive that it was just the barren darkness that was making your skin crawl but you weren’t sure. It felt like someone’s eyes on you yet after surveying the streets and your own yard you didn’t find anything.

- Imagine your surprise when a voice rang out behind you.

“I see I’ve stumbled across a creature of the night” You almost jumped out of your skin as you whipped your head around.

- The owner of the voice was... kinda cute. At least he was the same age as you, that made things a whole lot less creepy. Plus, it was nice to connect a face to the feeling of eyes on you; you were almost completely sure it was him who’d been watching you.

- You shyly greeted him, hyper aware of the fact that you were dressed in your pajamas and that your hair probably looked like a birds nest. Yet he didn’t seem to mind as he walked closer, leaning against the support of the swing as he introduced himself and asked if he scared you.

- You vaguely recognized the name before realizing why you remembered it. Him and his family had been the talk of the town after both him and his sister randomly dropped out in middle school. Hardly anyone had seen them since.

- But here he was and here you were, having a conversation... in the night... and the fog...and your yard with no one else in sight. ...It was starting to dawn on you that this was a little weird.

- And yet you stayed, well... until he started talking about all the creatures that could be crawling around in the dark. You laughed, thinking he was joking but his face was serious...well, until he cracked a grin at your falling face.

- Finally, you decided that you’d had enough conversation for the night and stood with a scoff. You began walking towards your door but stopped for a moment when he asked what you were doing, following you as you went.

“I’m a bit too old for monsters Freddy.” You told him before disappearing inside your home.

- Weirdly enough, after your first late night encounter you began a friendship with the nocturnal boy. As soon as the sun began to go down you’d find him lingering in the shade waving you over. If it was later in the night he’d throw rocks at your window until you noticed him.

- You’d been friends with Freddy for a while when he asked if he could show you something. Soon enough you found yourself under a streetlight watching as he took a nervous deep breath and grew fangs before your eyes. All you could do was stare at him, not saying a word as he awaited your response.

- Hesitantly, you placed your hands on his face, holding him still as you moved closer, wanting a better look as you processed what you were seeing. Before you knew what was happening he surged forward and placed his lips on yours, stealing a quick chaste kiss.

- You weren’t sure what to say after that, you’d just been “told” that your best friend was a vampire and that he likes you as more than a friend. What could you say after that?

“You...have a lot of explaining to do.”

- And thus began your relationship with the teenage creature of the night.

- Well your boyfriends a vampire so obviously you don’t go out very much. A lot of your dates are hanging out at his house, going to the park or walking around town.

- Bowling or arcade dates when you can afford it.

- That being said, unless you have lenient parents you’re going to have to be okay with sneaking out. Although I suppose if you dressed him up like a mummy or clung to the shadows you could go out during the day.

- Get used to knocks at your window since that’s how he invites you out. All of a sudden you’ll hear a tap at the glass and he’ll be peeking in at you, asking to be let in.

- Every now and again you’ll be too tired to hang out so you’ll have to put up with his pout when he arrives at your window. But depending on how much he wants to be with you he’ll sometimes just crawl into bed behind you.

- Thats one thing he does sort of miss: having a bed. So he doesn’t mind laying down with you from time to time, even if he doesn’t fall asleep.

- When grandpa Nightwing hears about your relationship he decides to give Freddy his century old, outdated advice. Some of it is salvageable, other things not so much....

- Kind of uncomfortable dinners with his family, they’re lovely “people” but it takes some getting used to. He’s definitely joked that you’re dinner before and made you nervous.

- He likes to scare you with different horror stories and pranks.

- Teases you with his fangs, like baring his teeth and curling his fingers like they’re claws. Usually after he makes a joke about his monster side, or after you do.

- He gets a bit shy when bringing you into his bedroom for the first time but he finds it cute when you marvel at his coffin. He offers to let you try it, “only if you’d like.”.

- Hanging out in his basement.

- Playing air hockey with him. He can get competitive but after a while so will you, the spirit is contagious.

- Wrestling with each other.

- Hes a cheeky boy so be prepared to deal with that. You might want to learn a few lines to throw back at him.

- He may or may not let you go for a ride in Count Nightwings coffin. Only during the daytime of course, he doesn’t want you coming face to face with a bloodthirsty batch of vampires.

- Because he’s aware of what lurks in the dark he’s grown very protective of you. He doesn’t like you being alone at night or doing anything remotely foolish. Like going into the woods by yourself even if it’s during the day; he isn’t the only creature that’s not fiction.

- If you’re ever faced with anything scary he makes sure to step in front of and shield you. They’ll have to go through him to get to you.

- He’s pretty cunning so he usually has no problem bailing you out of whatever trouble you’re in.

- He likes proving he’s tough, whether that be by telling you stories about himself or doing dangerous/scary things in front of you. He’d find it amusing if you got worried over him but he’d also grow a bit flustered at the attention.

- You’ll definitely have to deal with gossip since someone will inevitably see you together or you’ll have to tell someone about your relationship.

- Growing close to Cara. If we’re going by the book then you’d hang out with her during the school day.

- She’d help you get revenge and tease Freddy after he teases you. All you really have to do is ignore him to whisper with her and you’ll drive him crazy with your “secret keeping”.

- Since you’re usually together during the night you never have to worry about what other people think. You can always be your idiotic or silly selves with each other.

- Hes can get a bit jealous but not just in the romantic way. He’s jealous of regular people who can spend as much time as they’d like with you because they aren’t bound to the dark. And he’s jealous of other guys who would make much easier boyfriends or who can be around you all day and grow closer while he’s away from you.

- Making cute deals with each other.

“If I do X can I have a kiss?”

“If you do it I’ll give you two.”

“It’s a deal!”

- He’s not a big fan of surprises for obvious reasons. He much prefers you just telling him what you have in store for him.

- He has a tendency to get carried away with things which can cause you to fight from time to time. Although, your fights never last very long and he doesn’t have a problem apologizing.

- You’re like 80% of his impulse control, you have to stop him from doing risky or stupid things.

- Grandpa Nightwing has probably given Freddy an old amulet to give to you for your birthday or some other special occasion. Neither of you are sure if it has magical properties or not.

- Koala hugging him while he hangs from the ceiling/crawls on it.

- You definitely have to dress up as a vampire for Halloween at least once.

- Movie marathons.

- Handholding.

- It does take some getting used to when you go to his house. It’s a bit disorienting when you arrive at ten o’clock pm and you’re greeted with an early morning atmosphere.

- Don’t worry if you catch him staring at you, he’s trying to look at every detail of your face so that he can remember it perfectly during the long times he’s away from you.

- Cara likes to tease the two of you when you get all mushy after not seeing each other. Her favorite descriptor is “nauseating”.

- They say you should never trust a vampire but the sentiment is hard to believe when your boyfriend is such a sweetheart.

[uss-edsall]

Shiggy Goes To The VMI Centre For Leadership & Ethics

Under the break is all the notes I took during the conference. Most came from the speaker Dr. Hogan, some came from cadets and alumni I spoke with, and most of the quotations are verbatim from ex-Navy SEAL James Hatch.

VMI Centre for Leadership & Ethics GRIT - Growth, Resilience, Integrity, Tenacity GRIT Conference Grit & Growth Mindset is a tremendous indication of success. Success comes from: - family, culture, friendship; a supporting blanket. People who encourage you to rise higher. - Environment and circumstance; in other words, good luck. Sometimes it really does come down to luck. 10,000 hour rule: the best of the best started young and kept at it constantly. - How good you are at the beginning has no bearing, it’s more influenced by how much time of deliberate practice is put in. Talent is merely part of it. - People of average intelligence and skill can become world class. You gotta work hard — and the path to success is never linear. - Deliberate practice is influenced by a growth mindset — a willingness to learn. - Mindsets are beliefs about yourself and your basic qualities, e.g. “I’m bad at math.” Fixed mindset would be “and I’ll never get better,” growth is “but I can get better.” - Fixed growth mindset is deciding you’ve hit your ceiling in something. You can’t get better anymore, or it’s not worth it, at the first negative feedback or wall you hit. - Growth is “that failed, but I can see why it did and I’ll avoid making that same mistake!” - Being growth oriented is a good indication of success. Believe in a world of no ceilings. Brain is a muscle; harder you work, smarter you get. There’s no ceiling to stop us from doing what we think we can do; except our own mind. - Encourage your children, but don’t stop at a young age. Continue to encourage them to work harder. If they stop young, if they get situated on one thing they’re good at without working in what they’re not good at, they’ll stagnate. - Always remember - one day, you were that young too. - Behaviour persistence. Commit even if it is difficult or adversarial, this is a marathon, not a sprint. - Sustained and passionate pursuit of goals. Gotta be able to tap into passion when you’re low. - Hard work isn’t all. - Working hard for something you don’t care about is stressful - working on what you love is passion. - Grit is a better predictor of success than intelligence and skill. Who you know helps, but it’s not all. - Authentic grit; passionate pursuit that inspires others to become better, humble; never put others down and always try to make them happier or better in some way. - Bad grit. Taking shortcuts (faux grit) not doing everything and acting like you put in the same level of work. Stubborn grit - being so fixated upon a goal that you ignore negative feedback or any cautionary words, ignoring any better way to get there. Selfish/selfie grit - “I” and “me”, tell everybody what you did, being all about yourself. - Learn how to take criticism and feedback objectively and constructively, not defensively. - Nobody sets out to fail, but you can learn from failure, and then it around into an opportunity with constructive self reflection. - Get comfortable with uncertainty, you won’t always be in your comfort zone. - Be optimistic - but realistic. - Hear feedback from people, observe others failures and learn from them too. - Never get angry at criticism or get sad; they’re the wrong responses. You won’t get better at your skill if you react defensively or take it personally. - Don’t say “you’re so smart”, say something like “great work studying so hard!” - Reward yourself and others, not just on outcomes, but in effort too. - Look forward optimistically, but be realistic — if you don’t swim ever, you aren’t going to beat Michael Phelps. - Don’t assume you can’t, if you’re lost, seek help to better understand. - Ask yourself whether you hit a wall or can detour and try from another route. - Gotta know what you love to pursue it with zeal. - Encourage and open dialogue with others. Discuss success and failure stories — so both of you can learn from it. - Example of slip from good to bad grit - working so hard you go from passion to stress, and negatively impact your health. - Always remain aware of who or what helped you to get to where you are. - Don’t forget where you came from - don’t become self-absorbed. - Grit in areas without passion — at the beginning, things tend not to be enjoyable. But the worn you’re doing, in some form, helps what you are passionate about. Just find that relation and keep going to it as fuel. - Grit is long term — a marathon, not a sprint. - Remember: reward on effort, not on result. - To reach your ultimate goal, take it step-by-step, day-by-day. - Include everybody; find a way to relate and get even the quiet guy talking. - Retain info, and remember situations. You never know when you’ll have to recall things in minute detail. - Remain positive — and analyse your failures. Hang around positive people. - SMART Goals - Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic/Relevant Time-Oriented Goals. - Thinking Traps: “I’ll never amount to anything.” “Could’ve been, should’ve been,” “I’m the worst!” Refuse to fall into such traps. - Are ethical dilemmas ever black-and-white? How many drops of piss does it take to spoil the soup? - It’s easy to lie to yourself. - ABCs - activation event; belief - what you think in that event; consequence - how you react due to your beliefs. Event: you’re injured in a hockey game. Belief: you can’t play, you’re injured. Consequence: you don’t play. Event: coach comes in and shouts that you’re not a hockey player, you’re just a quitter. Belief: “fuck you, I’ll play!” Consequence: Playing hard in the rink, out of spite if nothing else. - You’ll have to define success in your own life. At some point, you’ll have to pay a price, in some shape, or form. There will be a sacrifice. You will have to make hard decisions. - Criticism is a two-way street. You have to have thick skin, but also know to not take it personally. Criticism is meant for betterment of your shortcomings. - You have to be your own harshest critic. If you’re criticised, you should’ve noticed beforehand at least slightly. - Being able to take criticism constructively and objectively is a must. Not only does it mean no arguments or upset feelings, but it means that others can see your potential for improvement and constructive work in a team — and your continued worth as an employee. - Anybody can point out to you how you fucked up - few give a way out.

Navy SEAL James Hatch - “I have a graduate degree in cussing.” - “You either bring something to the team or you’re drag, dead weight.” - “Jimmy, I can’t carry your fat ass. You’re going to have to stay with me.” - “War is not a clean transaction between volunteers. It is a very dirty thing.” - “Things I saw were put in a mental backpack to be dealt with later — and after my medical discharge, the zipper broke.” - “Never underestimate your ability to influence the trajectory of another human’s life. Especially in their most vulnerable moments.” - “Just being kind and professional can affect people... especially in their most vulnerable moments.” - “I was no longer an asset — I had no hope to be one again.” - “Apply the criticisms you gave to others on yourself too.” - “There was no prescription for hope - I had to find it. Hope can’t come from drugs. It comes from those you love.” - “You can’t run, Jimmy. You’re doing this for you, for your family, and for the rest of us that are coming down the pipe.” - “They didn’t turn their back on me.” - “Don’t talk about killing in the psych ward — especially when you were a Navy SEAL.” - “What do I do now?” - “Can you believe it! A Navy SEAL, rejected from working at the Apple Store!” - “Everybody has the capacity to be an asset and a liability. Everybody has the capability to make a liability into an asset. Will you?” - “You can’t go for long in life alone.” - “My life was saved because other people were there and wanted to see me do well.” - “The biggest fear in combat was not me getting killed — but it was me fucking up and getting a buddy killed.” - “Leaders need to create a transparent  environment. Mental health is as important as physical fitness.” - “Depression is a very selfish thing. It’s al about how you feel, without consideration for others. A dog entirely depends on you. You have to get off your sad ass to take care of them.” - “We need to change the definition of tough. It’s dumb to bottle it up and hide your thoughts, feelings, traumas. It’s dumber still to drown them in booze, drugs, and escapes. You cannot go through life quietly suffering.” - “I’m gonna do what I can. You gotta keep fighting. It’s constant. You gotta keep fighting.”

[andrewuttaro]

New Look Sabres: 2019 Training Camp Opens

Hockey is back! This offseason was a little bit slimmer on the back end than last year, phrasing intended; so the gap of time created by Hockey-less August felt much more oppressive. Earlier this week in the blog on the Prospect Tournament I waxed on poetically about how it’s harder to get excited for the Sabres this season. We’re probably looking at a less that 50% chance this team qualifies for the playoffs this season. Between the completion of the Prospect tournament and the arrival of Training Camp, my Sabres heart has come thundering back to life this week. That’s a huge relief considering the aforementioned difficulty seeing this club make the playoffs this season given its current roster construction. More good news: Training Camp narratives are not in short supply! Last year we celebrated competition at Training Camp as a long-awaited sign the team was turning a corner. Perhaps it was still the residual haze of the Jeff Skinner trade washing over us, but something was new about this club going into last year. This year still features a lot of competition for roster spots, Thank God, but this time around it requires a little bit more creative thinking to see how different players raise up the club overall. Last year both of Jeff Skinner and Conor Sheary were upgrades on the left wing no matter how you cut it. In the same way Rasmus Dahlin was a huge upgrade, even as a rookie, on defense. As the players filed into the building for their physicals yesterday and engaged in media day it may be helpful for us to look at Training Camp competition positionally this Preseason. While the new pieces and therefore the tighter competition for fewer roster spots came in the forward corps last year, this go around the change is much more obvious on defense… hopefully.

The big X factor I see in this year’s Training Camp is the guy behind the bench. Ralph Krueger returns to NHL coaching with the Buffalo Sabres six years after an Edmonton Oilers organization in even more chaos than the current version let him go. For someone looking at Krueger’s history for hints at how he’ll coach and deploy players it’s like he’s a super-electable politician: he’s more or less what you want him to be. In other words, he’s something of an empty glass you put your values in. The buzzwords that orbited around him in the early summer when he was hired were communication and flexibility. We were teased about that flexibility a couple days ago when he said this Training Camp will see the players pick what positions they’re fighting for a spot in. More on that later. After firing a Head Coach who was only consistently inconsistent with his roster deployment, General Manager Jason Botterill opted for someone in Krueger who maybe more of a chameleon. The last three coaches of the Sabres, two of which who are still being paid to not coach the team, were problematic in large part because they were too rigid in their systems and didn’t allow the skill players to be skilled in game situations. Phil Housley was moderately better than Dan Blysma on that front but all shit stinks, right? Ralph Krueger is going to let his butterflies fly and rigid is certainly not a word to describe him in anyway. Beyond that however it’s hard to say what exactly his style and decision-making will look like come Opening Night. He’s the biggest wildcard this preseason and maybe also once the games mean something in the regular season.

Unlike in past seasons this year we find ourselves with a rare logjam on the blueline. There are too many good defenseman on the Sabres depth chart! That was such a weird sentence to write! While at least three of Brandon Montour, Marco Scandella, Zach Bogosian and Lawrence Pilut will start the season in the Press Box nursing injuries, only two of those guys will the average Sabres fan be dying to see get back on the ice. Rasmus Ristolainen and Marco Scandella are two players you want off this club pretty soon for very different reasons. Ristolainen is likely traded for just not being up to par in the advanced stats categories the modern game requires of its defenseman. It was hilarious but encouraging to hear Risto acknowledge his defensive game needs some work yesterday. If he is on this roster Opening Night let’s hope we see the effort pay off. Marco Scandella on the other hand is, to put it creatively, a crater full of trash. Those two players, on the right and left sides of defense respectively, are jamming up the pipes for a handful of really awesome pieces fighting for roster spots. Colin Miller was acquired via trade with the hope he could be a good shutdown-defenseman on the second or first pairing depending on how optimistic you are. He probably makes the roster below the pairing he deserves. On the younger side Brandon Montour and Henri Jokiharju are poised for breakout seasons if they’re given the right opportunities. You could argue Montour could single-handedly be the difference maker on whether this club is close to that playoff line or not come April. Then again Jake McCabe and Zach Bogosian still have jobs if they’re not beaten for them this preseason. If Housley were still coach I’d tell you the chances of the kids getting their shot at changing this team, even in preseason action, are slim. Again, Krueger is a huge wildcard here and there’s a lot to be learned in the preseason games coming up next week. Two more dark-horses worth mentioning in any conversation about Buffalo’s defense are Lawrence Pilut and Will Borgen. Pilut was a true rising star in the chances he got last season and it will be very interesting to see what he can do after returning from injury. Will Borgen on the other hand has been developing for what feels like an eternity. The season he finally looks ready to make the jump to the NHL and that’s the season there is this giant logjam. Don’t be surprised to see him really gunning for a look as Training Camp goes on though.

The offense should be an easier discussion. It’s not because Jason Botterill’s weird move of the offseason was bringing back several guys who are or should be on their way out the door. I am totally okay with not buying anyone out, there are few guys that makes sense with and even the ones who it does can be banished in less salary-cap damaging ways. However if we’re going to bring back a fourth line of Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson and Kyle Okposo you minus well just build a wall that says “Stay in Rochester” on it. Guys like Arttu Routsalainen, CJ Smith, Rasmus Asplund and even Victor Olofsson may be staring at the wall wondering if they have any position to gun for. And I’ll be very honest up front: I have no clue what the plan is with Tage Thompson. I’m more patient than the average joe with a guy like that but it’s just too crowded in the forward group. We probably just need to suck it up and ride out Okposo’s albatross of a Tim Murray contract, but those other two guys on the likely fourth line would’ve been very sensible departures given how long they’ve been given second chances. They each brought something to last season’s team but I’m not sure I don’t want their spots taken by the young guns anymore. I suppose there is still time for those young guns to take their spots. It is a new coach after all. As mentioned earlier Krueger wants to have each of these guys fight for the spot of their choosing. Is Zemgus Girgensons better than all of Thompson, Andrew Oglevie and Matej Pekar? Strong maybe I guess? What about Johan Larsson: is he better than all of CJ Smith, Arttu Routsalainen, Rasmus Asplund and Dylan Cozens? Two of those guys are likely sent to their junior teams once camp ends but Smith was an AHL All-Star last year. Competition in the bottom six, at least the fourth line, should be very interesting.

The biggest questions in the forward corps is who will be the second line center and who will be the first line right wing? Both questions have obvious answers that are not necessarily the only options. A top line of Jeff Skinner, Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart is very on brand for this club but if you use Reinhart at second line right wing you give Casey Mittelstadt some help shoring up that second line center role. Sheary could play on his off-side if it meant tapping in Eichel apples. If Victor Olofsson does indeed arrive as this top six player we’re all expecting, and you put him at 2LW you got a promising second line and a very interesting potential third line of Jimmy Vesey, Evan Rodrigues and Marcus Johansson. Yeah, I opt for the more experienced 28-year-old Johansson to play his off-side because I think he can do it fine on the third line and our good friend E-Rod may be fantastic at center if we give that an extended look. Now you may look at that summation of the top three lines as a pretty upbeat projection outside of the bitching about the fourth line. Where’s the difficulty in this discussion of the offense? Click, Click! In rolls every Sabres fan’s lineup projection grenade Vladimir Sobotka! NHL.com says he’s from the Czech Republic but anyone who watched last season’s Sabres knows he hails from the Kremlin. Wherever Putin hides the illegal chemical weapons, that’s where Sobotka is from because he stinks on ice! He’s not off the roster yet and that alone throws a wrench in the most fun version of the Sabres we could get out of Training Camp. Thompson and Sobotka are the guys that make the most fun version of the forward lines look unlikely but hey… Thompson could surprise me? I know, I wrote that full of doubt. Joking aside, he could be a late bloomer even though he didn’t exactly shine after getting sent down to the Amerks last season. Hmm, we really do have a lot to figure out during Training Camp, don’t we?

So what did I miss… Risto came to Training Camp after he definitely asked for a trade but why would he say that on media day? Eichel wants to score more goals, of course sweet boy. Marcus Johansson thinks Ralph Krueger is *pause for comedic effect* not your average Coach. Kyle Olsen was a Prospect Camp invite who earned an invitation to Sabres Training Camp. He’s probably the darkest of dark horses to make the roster. Uh… I think that’s it for now. When we wrap up Training Camp we’re going to tie all these loose threads together and preview the regular season. Between now and then however we have six preseason games to see how some of the questions get answered. Note: Six is fewer games than last year’s seven thankfully. If you weren’t reading the blog last year those games will be a taste of what the regular season is like here. Game action is much more fun and has a lot more opportunity for humor. Even though they’re meaningless in the standings I hope you’ll read, like and comment for the fun of it. It’s a sprint to regular season hockey from here!

Thanks for reading.

P.S. So it looks like Mitch Marner is going to pull a Will Nylander and miss Training Camp. The drama is better this time around for us Leafs Haters because for some reason Marner is personally offended by an $11 Million contract offer because it’s not as big as Auston Matthews’. Better more he’s much more likely to get traded than Nylander. I’m giddy for that Toronto Meltdown!

[adrenalineguide]

XT4: Cadillac’s most affordable crossover

Text and photos by Michael Hozjan

With the rising growth of compact luxury sport utilities like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Lincoln MKC, it should come as no surprise that Cadillac has entered the lucrative niche. The XT4 is Cadillac’s smallest, most affordable and newest ride. Unlike the jelly-bean designs of its competitors, the Caddy clearly stands out whether at mall parking lot or on Crescent St. and, unlike Caddys of old, the XT4 isn’t a rebadged Chevy with added chrome trim, but an all new vehicle from the ground up.

On the outside the XT4 is unmistakably Cadillac with its signature hockey stick lamps fore and aft. LED lighting is standard all around and depending on your trim level choice you get either blacked out grill and body colored door handles or chrome units.

But it’s what’s under the body that counts, and indeed Cadillac engineers have been busy. In order to meet new fuel requirement standards, they’ve developed an all-new twin scroll turbocharged 2.0 litre 4-cylinder engine with cylinder de-activation, a sliding camshaft, and stop/start technology that according to Cadillac achieves 12% better fuel efficiency than the old 2.0L.  And yes you read that right, cylinder de-activation on a four cylinder!  And yes that means it can run on TWO cylinders, shutting off the power to the two inside cylinders when a minimal amount of power is required.  The camshaft slides to operate the 2.0 liter’s valves at different heights for either maximum power or maximum fuel efficiency.

The engineers have addressed past mistakes with cylinder de-activation technology by adding an electric water pump and valves that divert coolant to heat or cool different areas of the engine as needed.  The start/stop feature now has a deactivation button that allows the driver to keep the engine running at all times.

The little four doles out 237 horses with an impressive 258 lb-ft of torque at a low 1500 rpm, good for a whopping 3500 lb towing capacity. It’s mated to a smooth operating nine-speed automatic transmission that powers either the front wheels or a twin clutch all-wheel-drive system.

With the new 2.0L engine sitting on an all-new chassis fitted with the XT5’s multi-link coil rear suspension, and 9-speed transmission the XT4 is clearly poised to take Cadillac into the future.  A future that will see fewer and fewer sedans offered in the corporation’s line up.

The Caddy’s cabin is inviting with a surprising amount of legroom for its size. Rear bench headroom however is tight for six footers. On the plus side, the rear outboard seats are heated. Behind the back seat there’s 22.5 cu.ft of cargo space that expands to 48.9 cu.ft. when the rear seatback is folded. Unlike some of its competitors, Cadillac has provided a space saver spare in lieu of Mickey Mouse repair kits. Thank you. 

You get a choice of wood, metallic or carbon fibre interior trim. There’s plenty of niceties including the NFC or near field communication that allows you to hook up your Android phone with the XT4 by just tapping the NFC logo on the dash. That simple.  The 8” CUE entertainment screen has been greatly improved from the previous iteration.  The extendable sun visors were a hit with my girlfriend. On the downside, there’s no reclining seat backs for rear seat passengers, a surprise considering the niche. There’s a rear view camera that is integrated into the inside rear view mirror...nice. Why you ask? Well if your cargo area is loaded to the ceiling with Christmas presents you can still see what’s going on directly behind you. There’s also the regular camera giving you a 360-degree view through the infotainment screen.

In the “ someone was on vacation department “ is the redundancy of the center console mounted dial that duplicates the functions of the screen’s icons. In a strange move the volume dial is also moved to the console. 

Prices start at $36,850 for the entry-level front-wheel-drive Luxury model. My tester, the AWD Sport’s base price came in at a reasonable $42,795. The options list included the $1,795 power dual pane sunroof, $1,595 Technology Package (8” infotainment screen, head-up display, ionizer, adjustable steering column, wireless charging) the Active Sport Suspension a t $1,395, navigation and stereo ($1,895), another $900 for the twilight blue metallic paint, $1,295 for the 20-inch wheels, towing package ($655), the $2,795 Comfort and Convenience package (leather, heated/vented/massage front buckets, hands free lift gate), the $800 for Driver Awareness Package (or as I like to call it the unaware driver package that includes lane keep assist, forward collision alert), the $1,295 Driver Assist Package (forward & reverse auto braking, adaptive cruise) and the $1,795 Enhanced Visibility Package (rear camera mirror washer, body coloured mirrors, auto parking assist, HD surround vision) brought the tally up to a hair over fifty-nine grand. That’s not counting destination charges, a/c tax …

On the road

Balancing luxury ride qualities with sporty nimble handling is a must in this segment, and the XT4 comes close. While the XT4 corners smoothly and its suspension flattens long swooping curves, on winding roads it lacks steering feel. Likewise, the all-new technology of electro-hydraulic brakes, whose drive by wire technology needs refinement with the modulation to instill the confidence of the more traditional brakes. The nine-speed trans, though not perfect, works far better than other nine speeds from the competitors with less hunting for the right gear.

Personally I’d opt for the standard 18” wheels to get a smoother ride and quicker acceleration and save the $1,295.

The all-wheel-drive can be disengaged by changing driving modes to Touring, reverting to the front axle to put the power to the ground and save a few bucks at the pumps.

The verdict

Is the XT4 the next big leap in luxury compact crossovers? Sadly no. But it is baby steps. Cadillac has come a long way from the gas guzzling Escalade and is on the right track, so yes the inaugural year of the XT4 shows it has a lot of potential to take on the competition, and I look forward to seeing the refinements come along. As it is there’s a lot of new engineering that’s gone into this wagon and I’d wait for the final tuning to be cleared up before I’d plunk by hard earned cash down. But I wouldn’t discount the XT4…by far.

I suspect most buyers will be cruising up and down the turnpike to the golf course and less so on twisty backcountry roads, and that’s where the Caddy shines. Cadillac is banking on luring young new buyers to the XT4, time will only tell.

If you’re in the market for a nimble crossover that won’t eat up your fuel bill, stand out in a crowd and attract a lot of attention wherever you go, stop by your local dealer and take a spin. You won’t be disappointed.

Price as tested: $61,205*

*Includes destination charges and A/C excise tax

[askrigg21]

Jamie (left) and Steve – old faces in a new setting

IT’S STILL the same. The table holds a two tone loaf, half white, half brown, on a board with a bread knife to cut it yourself,  dish of butter,  bottle of tap and  crudities of red onion and tomato with Melba toast, just like before. The dining room is smaller but the view from the picture windows is better: a rugby pitch instead of a car park, grass not concrete.

We have made it at last to the Omega at Abbeydale, the true heir and offspring of the fabled, legendary and sorely missed Baldwin’s Omega banqueting suite on Brincliffe Hill, Sheffield, which closed after 37 years last summer.

Its champagne and strawberry bashes, Caribbean evenings and Eighties disco nights, the works and office knees-ups and the cracking lunches staged by David Baldwin (Mr B or The Big ‘Un, depending on who was talking) and his wife Pauline deserved to live on and they have.

The surroundings may have changed and the name slightly altered – this is now The Omega at Abbeydale Sports Club – but the ethos is the same: great food, much better than you’d expect for the price, Value For Money written in big, shiny letters of Sheffield Steel.

View from our table

That has been transported across the city by two men: head chef Steve Roebuck  and former Operations Manager, sommelier and front–of-house man Jamie Christian. Their belief that the city still values the Baldwin’s concept has been backed up by the diners: we couldn’t get in before Christmas and the dining room is full this Friday.

The menu is still the same, a two course TDH for £16 or a pricier carte, and there’s still roast beef carved at the table, calves liver and that Sheffield speciality starter, Yorkshire pud and gravy.

All it wants is Mr B, I say to my wife, and suddenly there he is in the corner, having driven up on his invalid buggy from his home in Dore. Where once he would have toured the tables with a joke and a casually dropped expletive, now they come to him. I notice that nearly all the tables, most of them former customers, drop by to pay their respects.

Sea bass with tiger prawns

Jamie and Steve have had a nightmare opening the place. A school bus crashed into the building, not once but twice, asbestos was discovered and windows did not fit. But that is all in the past.

Jamie gives us a tour of the place: the bar which looks directly onto the pitch, a terrace which will be lovely in summer, a private dining room, function room upstairs with stage and the restaurant itself , 50 covers instead of the old Rib Room’s 80. “We’re getting a lot of old faces and new ones from the sports club,” he says.

In the restaurant, still run by Angela Jackson, the food hits the spot time after time. I have a satisfying cod and parsley fishcake surmounted by two fat chips in a pea puree and loin of pork stuffed with large pieces of mushroom, segmented, with creamed and crispy leeks and a rich, rewarding Calvados-spiked sauce. Dessert, an extra fiver from  the carte menu, is apple strudel.  Most kitchens would have delivered a flibbety-jibbet filo pastry affair but this was proper crisp pastry, firm apple and, if a custard can be stunning, this was: a splendour in vanilla.

Pork fillet, Calvados gravy

My wife proves to be high maintenance: a starter of sweet scallops, fried hazelnuts and crispy Serrano ham with a celeriac puree (£10) followed by a fishy special of pan-fried sea bass, the skin properly crispy, with excellent tiger prawns and wispy asparagus on a lustrous red pepper sauce (£16). They do know their sauces here. She ends with an Omega favourite, cranachan, whisky, cream, raspberries and oatmeal. The food rates alpha-plus.

I take a peek in the kitchen, much smaller “but not as far to walk,” says Steve. He’s keeping to the same menu, I observe. “People won’t let us change but we are branching out here and there.”

The operation also has to work as the feeding station for the different sporting groups which use the club. There have been innovations. Those expecting match day chip butties have been met by tagines and cous cous. The jury is still out on that as far as the ladies’ hockey team is concerned.

The table is set

Old hands will recognise the old lectern at the entrance to the restaurant and Jamie is still considering whether to use the ‘flaming torches’ from the old Omega foyer. The bar, also with great views onto the pitch, has four screens tuned to Sky Sports but the sound is turned off and muzak on. And, just as at Brincliffe Hill, there is plenty of parking.

For the new Omega there is plenty of potential for a brave, new era. The atmosphere may be a little different but there is still the same bright, accurate and reassuring cooking. The ‘Baldwin’s’ may have been dropped from the name but every time Mr B drops in at his corner table will be a reminder of the glory days.

The Omega at Abbeydale is on Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield S17  3LJ.  Tel: 0114 236 7011. Web: http://www.omegaatabbeydale.co.uk

  New Omega gets an alpha-plus IT'S STILL the same. The table holds a two tone loaf, half white, half brown, on a board with a bread knife to cut it yourself,  dish of butter,  bottle of tap and  crudities of red onion and tomato with Melba toast, just like before.

[hastybooks]

easy come

notes: dear fuhrmana has been encouraging me with this for gosh, who knows how long. welcome to the second circle of hell, dear readers. warning for possible underage, depending on where you're at and how well you want to do the math, and yannick weber

All ice rinks have a smell.

This one, all way up at the ass-end of Bern-- smells like sharp metal and cement dust and teenage-boy hair gel. Yannick rubs his own hair like he fucking needs to neaten up. He teases apart a tangle with the jagged edge of his thumbnail before rubbing the leftover oil against his Adidas sweatpants.

Yannick paces around the rink more, looking up at the small flights of stairs leading out to the doors to freedom, looking for anyone else in this fucking creep rink, bouncing on his toes for energy and all of that shit--

Yannick jerks his head down at the square face of his watch, the arms ticking towards ten on a freaking Sunday morning. He regrets not getting more info than a promise of a fuck.

To be precise: Yannick's fake, not-at-all evil namesake/fuckbuddy Yannick Josi didn't so much ask him to come all the way up to Bern as much as ordered him. Yannick Josi may be a sure thing, with a mouth that can suck anything-- but that doesn't mean Yannick has to wait around a strange-half lit rink for his dumb kid brother so he can see whether he's actually good enough for real hockey with real men.

Knowing Yannick Josi, this kid is going to be spindly until he gets unexpectedly slow and has to bow out before wingers start hoping to see him on the ice. AKA: Not ready for prime time. No cock is worth this, Yannick thinks, on the verge of walking up the stairs and out of the door until he hears "You Weber?" getting shouted like he was born in a barn.

Yannick's foot freezes on the stairs. He turns around to see the kid at the middle of center ice, with a stick in his hand and a helmet strap dangling from his jaw. Yannick walks up to the glass, and smirks, "You Josi the lesser?"

That makes the kid narrow his eyes, but he forces on a smile and says, "Hanging around my loser big brother?"

"Guess so. Going to skate?" Yannick can see why scouts like being scouts, getting off on watching barely-legal guys try to be at their peak and not getting called creeps for it. The kid even has the gall to glide towards the glass, like he's fucking floating, and sweet jealously surges in Yannick's guts as he watches him come to a stop without carving a notch in the ice.

"You're not going to?" he asks Yannick, and then pauses, as his lips curl up, "Unless you're too heavy to skate, Weber." The kid's got a younger sibling's nose for soft underbellies, for sore spots, and the teeth to nibble.

Yannick grits his teeth in a smile, and shoves his skates on, lacing them as tight as he wants to wrap his fingers around the kid's skinny neck. He promises himself a light check against the boards. Just to show the kid how real men play. He slips onto the ice, dragging his stick behind him, and circles around the kid. For someone named Roman he's living up to it, almost pretty and patrician with that nose he shares with Yannick Josi, his eyes some shade between green and panty-creaming.

Roman's even taller than Yannick Josi right now. The kid can skate. Maybe can get past the mysterious "six foot" mark these North Americans get chubbed up in their pants about. Yannick taps his stick against the ice, says, "You play the D?"

Roman rolls his eyes, "Yes, I play the D, what the fuck. You going to shoot me the puck or no?"

Yannick jerks the puck away from Roman's stick, and jets down the ice, his thighs burning underneath his sweatpants. The back of his neck tingles, like it always does when a defense-man catches up. Yannick slaps the puck away before Roman can whack his stick against his own. He only has enough breath to smirk at the annoyance on Roman's face before he has to churn up ice after those stupid long strides, watching the puck bounce on the ice under Roman's stick.

Roman shoots, a rough shovel into the goal, and scores. He turns on a fucking franc, and presses both of his gloves atop his stick knob, barely breathing hard. His eyes are still some shade between green and panty-creaming. Fuck that kid.

If Roman didn't have the helmet on he'd so totally do the Mean Girl Hair toss, and thinking that makes Yannick coast to a stop against the glass with a smirk he has to hide with his glove. He makes himself shrug, "So you can shoot. Yay."

Yannick sees the pout that doesn't go any further from the corners of those pretty lips, and wonders just how warm Hell would be. Fucking the kid brother of a fuckbuddy is. Bad? Right? Yannick's a little fuzzy on the whole thing. He skates closer, notes carefully that he easily has 10 kilos on the kid, and licks his lips.

"Roman, come on. You know how nasty that little ice can get."

"Like you know," Roman scoffs, looking Yannick over, "Excuse me, who do you play with now? The Kitchener Rangers? I don't really care if you're not going to get me ahead--"

Yannick shoves Roman up against the glass, the top panel shaking as Roman tries to shrug Yannick's arms off his neck. He leans in close enough to see the vivid pink flush creep up Roman's neck, and says, "Can't take a check, can you, pretty kid?"

Roman clenches his jaw, and Yannick grins harder in response, "Lot of fuckers out there, all of them like me, wanting to smash you up, and that's all you can do? Just pout? Pouty-pout," he sticks his lower lip, pitches his voice higher, "Oh no, I can't be physical--"

"Fuck you," Roman snarls, panting through his nose. Yannick laughs, "Is that all? You're a pretty kid, Roman. You get a lot of comments, hm? Think it's going to be any better when you make it to the big show?"

The stiff silence Roman sends out is just as good as a no in Yannick's book. Yannick gently shoves him up against the glass, "Maybe you just need to toughen up your mental game. There's a reason Ds take longer to develop."

Roman gives him an considering look, like this is the first intelligent thing he's said all morning. Which is bullshit. Yannick wakes up with all sort of intelligent shit. So much. Roman wouldn't even get it. Yannick smirks, "Meanness is a talent, kid. I like your potential." He likes how the kid doesn't look away, and presses him harder against the glass, enough that his helmet bounces gently off it, "You can take it."

"I can give it," Roman snarls, and oh, it's almost cute. Yannick raises an eyebrow, drawls, "It's a good thing you're pretty."

"Yeah? You fucking plank," Roman shoves Yannick away, "If I wanted to see some guy jerk himself off I could have looked in the mirror instead of coming down to this rink." He strides across the ice to the tunnel, and Yannick catches up a lot less easily than he would've like, tugging on Roman's thin sweatshirt before he gets onto the cement.

Roman hisses through his teeth, and for a heartbeat, Yannick almost feels like he's in The O.C. as he smirks and shoves the helmet off Roman's head. Roman jerks away, almost slipping on the cement before he regains his balance, tries to clamp his hair down against the halo of spots across his forehead. Yannick watches the thick waves of hair slip through Roman's fingers, showing angry red spots there and there where Roman apparently gave up self-control and dragged a nail across.

Yannick says, "Ok, you're not so pretty now."

"Fuck off," Roman says, in English, through his puppy-like fingers. Yannick grins, shoves Roman towards the sign that says Showers, "Nah, you don't. You want to develop your mental game. Learn how to take insults."

"Not off the ice," Roman sulks, draping himself against the wall.

Thank god for bad lighting, because now Yannick can't see the embarrassing pimples on that five-head. Yannick slides his hand up Roman's thigh, pausing to check the thickness of it with the meat of his fingers, and says, "You Josi boys are so easy."

Roman freezes.

"What, jealous?" Yannick taunts. Roman shoots him a hot glare, his eyes definitely panty-creaming, and oh, the boys over in North America are going to eat him alive.

Unless Yannick gets there first.

He drags his hand up Roman's thigh, and smiles when he finds how hard Roman is. Roman swallows, juts his chin out defiantly, and Yannick only has to cup that cock through those sweats to make Roman's long, girly eyelashes flutter. Yannick scrapes his mouth across Roman's, "Know how to suck off a man, Josi?"

Roman bites down on Yannick's lip, hard enough to draw a little blood, rubbing himself off against Yannick's palm, breathing harder. Yannick laughs through the thin stream of blood, "Not like that, kid," and shoves him onto the locker room floor.

Yannick nods at Roman's skates, at Roman's clothes, "Take them off." Roman grits out a smile, and yanks his skates off before he checks himself and gently lays the skates in their case. Yannick gets undressed faster than the kid, but all that means is that he gets the water warm, waiting for Roman to find his balls and to fucking come in.

The kid does, with only a washcloth and nothing hiding that rat face. Yannick grins as he leans against the tiles, feeling the warm water drip down his back and says, "Come closer, Roman."

"What do I even get," Roman says, stepping around an old puddle. Yannick considers saying, The pleasure of sucking me off, considers better, smiles instead, "A chance to come into something besides those rosy palms of yours."

Roman flushes, with both anger and embarrassment, as he presses himself into the spray with fierce determination. Yannick slides a hand down Roman's back, pressing down on the divots his rubs make before he presses a thigh up between Roman's thighs, the only sturdy-looking part of him. Roman shivers, presses himself closer, his hairless chest bumping against the sparse hair Yannick has on his--

Yannick almost smiles when he pushes Roman down on his knees.

The tile clanks against Roman's knees, and he looks up at Yannick with a dare in his eyes. Shoving his cock against Roman's lips is just as easy as he hoped, watching Roman try to wrap his lips around the cockhead, his pink tongue slipping out enough to make Yannick tangle his hand in Roman's wet hair. Roman shakes, and Yannick breathes, "It's not just the tip, come on, haven't you seen porn?"

Yannick gets a little harder in Roman's mouth, watching those eyes-- are they blue? green?-- glare up at him as his own cock pushes that rat face a little out of shape.

He feels even bigger, more powerful as Roman tries to figure out what to do with his hands before he rests them on the top of his thighs, framing his more-than half-hard cock. Yannick rubs himself against Roman's tongue, laughs when Roman sucks harder, like it'd hurt, "Aw, you should be happy, your rat face looks so much better with a cock in it--"

He presses down on his cock through Roman's cheek, "Even if you do look like a chipmunk now," shoves himself in more when Roman tries to get enough breath to protest. Feeling Roman's teeth scrape against him doesn't make Yannick go down even the slightest. Why would it? He's watching Roman's cock jerk in between thrusts he's giving to that face, feeling those chapped lips brush against his cock as he tries to breathe around Yannick. Roman's flushed down to his teeny little nipples, and if Yannick had more time to jerk them around he'd flick those nipples for sure, maybe see how good those thighs would feel around his cock. Yannick bites back a moan, his hands twitching against the tile before he pushes them against Roman's hair.

Roman doesn't pull off, keeps trying to swallow around Yannick and leaving so much spit Yannick thinks the shower isn't clean enough for this kid.

"Yeah, just like I thought, all that mean-girl bullshit just hides how much you want a cock shoved in your mouth," Yannick pants, twisting his hands in Roman's hair, the gel catching on the pads of his fingers. It's the hardest thing to not just shove him up to his hip, to feel him gag around his cock--

Yannick likes repeats more than trying to recreate porn, and maybe jerking off on the kid's face is just another way of recreating porn. Whatever. Facials are good for skin, right?

Roman swallows, looking like he wants to cry, and doesn't look at Yannick before he gets to his feet. Yannick makes an aht noise, pressing his face against Roman's slick neck, "I promised you a little something, didn't I, pretty rat?"

"Suck me off," Roman manages, trying to be imperious, his throat sounding well-used. Yannick looks Roman's cock over. Manageable. Pretty, if you're into smooth thighs, and Yannick smirks before he gets down onto his knees. The hard tile on his knees sucks, sure, but he can smell how new Roman is, can almost taste the come in his mouth. One suck and the kid is done--

It takes four easy sucks, ones that make Yannick feel tender with how easy blowing this Josi is, before Roman comes with a muffled moan against his arm.

Yannick saves him from braining him against the tile, holding him up against the tile with a firm hand on that ass, before Roman keeps spurting bitter come into his mouth. He doesn't pull away to tell Roman how he needs to drink more water. This time, and that thought makes Yannick spits on the tiles, lets the shower spray wash it down the drain, and gets up. Roman looks almost relaxed like this, and Yannick scrapes a thumbnail down his lip, "I guess I got what I came here for."

Roman only blinks for a beat before he realizes what exactly got Yannick to come up to Bern. Yannick taps Roman's cheek lightly, winks, "See you at brunch, kid."

Why would Yannick get one bite at the apple if he can get two?

[robertbassweb]

What are You Thankful for – Gratitude is the Key to Open Doors

https://ift.tt/2AlcsXq

What are you thankful for?

We forget the ability to feel grateful when we have everything too much.  But gratitude opens the door to a life of plenty.  What are you thankful for?

For when we have too much of everything, we take things for granted. When we are not grateful, we are dissatisfied.

When we become dissatisfied, we are unhappy and do not know how to come back grateful.

How alienated we are from reality. The minced meat comes from a plastic box, a clothing store, a furniture store, a milk jar, a water tap and an interpersonal phone. And what a huge job behind them!

What would be a world where suddenly this would no longer be the case?

Okay, this is the reality today. I’m not claiming that everything was better before or that the reality was wrong. But all this abundance and ease blurs our gratitude for everyday things. We can no longer be grateful for such simple things as food, health, rest and work.

So we can’t be grateful for everyday life. They are all burdens. Burdens that we should just be.

It is dangerous to be so ungrateful. For it drives us to want more. To seek that happiness in the wrong places when it is no longer out of everyday life.

To seek that happiness everywhere outside of everyday life, while nullifying every “ordinary” day.

  Gratitude is the Key to Open Doors

One of the guiding stars of my life has been: to forget what cannot be changed is happy. ”

It is easy to agree with this archaeologist Arvo Ylpö’s life wisdom. However, the realization of wisdom many times seems to be a completely different matter.

It is worth taking pride in taking it seriously, because according to research, seeing the good in life improves health. Gratitude has been found to lower blood pressure and improve immunity.

With gratitude, a person can even relieve himself of physical pain.

WHAT moves in our minds before falling asleep doesn’t matter. If we think about the themes of gratitude in life, we fall asleep relaxed.

In addition, we sleep better all night. People who are prone to gratitude are also more merciful to themselves and their fellow travelers.

Almost always this does not happen by itself, but gratitude is a skill where there are many other things and thus it can be learned. In any case, what you pay attention to is strengthened; whether it is good or bad!

Another plus of gratitude is that it increases a person’s ability to boldly pursue their dreams.

  What you are thankful for maifests faster

EXCEPT FOR DREAMS , gratitude can open doors in difficult life situations.

When you have learned to be grateful for the little things of everyday life, your endurance in the face of adversity is greater. Gratitude seems to cut off the tip from awkward feelings and give things the right proportions for the situation.

Whether it’s dreams or difficulties, a grateful person doesn’t have to be uncritical at all.

The situation and its own possibilities can be seen realistically. Difficulties are difficulties, but they do not discourage.

Just as Arvo Ylppö once said, it is wise to separate the things that can be influenced from the things that cannot be influenced.

    Gratitude has some strange relationship with presence.

Stopping at good things is at the same time being present in the existing moment. And when you are present for yourself, there is an opportunity to be present for other people as well.

For another person, being present can, at best, allow him or her to be an accepted and valuable person. And that, in turn, gives cause for gratitude. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Gratitude does not come by force, but rather by gently inviting. One effective tool is a gratitude diary.

Simply put, in the evening you record the things you have been grateful for during the day and why.

It’s not for everyone to keep a gratitude diary every night. It can easily become a mere mechanical list. However, when you start writing a diary, you may get the most out of writing every night, for example for three weeks.

BY THE way, what are you thankful for today?

The author is a lecturer in geography and biology at Kiuruvesi High School and the hostess of an organic dairy farm: Sari Tikkanen

What feeling does the article evoke in you? By expressing your feelings, you can see the reactions of others.

    A gratitude diary helps you notice the good

The counters stink, there is a bladder on the toe and the dog should run in the pouring rain.

The situation could also see this: I have put healthy food, bought a good-looking shoes, and in addition to her workouts. That’s what a person who is grateful and therefore also happy thinks.

It is easy to add a sense of gratitude. A proven way is to write a diary of gratitude. Coach Anne Karilahti advises that at least every other night it is worth recording things that you appreciate and that are good that day.

Things that are important to the diary can be very mundane and self-evident. I’m healthy. I have wonderful friends. I periodically clean up.

There was a good cabbage box in the workplace canteen.

– If you think only about what is missing, you live in inadequacy.

When you write topics of gratitude, you start to notice that whether it’s a nice program on the telly or whether it’s wonderful to get mail.

The ability to feel gratitude increases happiness, for a grateful person is not constantly thirsting for something more. He knows how to stop and see that things are going well right now.

This way you never forget what are you thankful for.

  What are you thankful for today?

Through my research I have found some good examples for inspiration.  To the exact question what are you thankful for today, this is what some interesting people referred:

Actress-dancer Sami Sarjula:

A trap who loves me just the way I am.

That I get to share with my spouse the joy and excitement of expecting a child.

Wedding planning.

About finding a dream home for our family.

About a great job and co-workers.

Song gigs.

About the opportunity to play rally and hockey.

That our dog Kaffe is super happy when we get home.

Personal trainer Mirella Koullias:

Happy kittens Blue and Fiona playing with each other.

Lovely parents and little sister.

About a man making spaghetti sauce when I come home tired.

Love and caring for loved ones.

Soft snooze blanket.

From emails sent by co-workers.

About calm stretching music.

About health and exercise.

Coach Anne Karilahti:

Awesome family.

A nice home with a utility room.

For the clothes I have already chosen for tomorrow.

From a new inspiring interior design book.

About the man cleaning the kitchen.

About the feelings of happiness.

For having time to watch Click me series.

Breakfast in a new wonderful place.

  Practice gratitude everyday

To live the life we want to live, it is important to be thankful for each and every little aspect of our present lives that makes us feel good.

Just focus on the positive things.  Focus on what pleases you and feel the joy of what you became until now.

Take notice that, as you have done today, you can manifest or make real ecerything you want into your life.  Be aware that bad things can be attracted too, so keep your vision on whatever makes you glad.

Each and every morning wake up thanking a brand new day.  It is the opportunity to create a wonderful page of your personal story.

Gratitude is the power that makes you get closer to the things you want, so think again, what are you thankful for today?

    Gratitude F.A.Q.

  What are you thankful for today?

Right here are 60 points that I am grateful for today: I am appreciative for my wellness. I am appreciative to have a God that loves me. I am thankful that we have the flexibility to prayer just how as well as where I want.

  What are you most thankful for in your life?

Primarily, I am most grateful for the gift of healthiness. A lot pertaining to the high quality of one’s life depends upon healthiness. I applaud and also bless God daily for the solid mind and body he has honored me with. I am appreciative I have love in my life.

  What are the points you are thankful for?

Things To Be Thankful For In Life

Healthiness. Even if your wellness isn’t terrific, it could be worse and also you likely still have some working parts to be happy for. Deposit. Having simply a few coins makes you richer than lots of people in the world.

Great Friends. …

Freedom of Religion. …

Your Parents. …

Weekend breaks. …

Having a Partner. …

Pet dogs.

  Resources:

Doenload our free manifestation guide.

  Comment & Share

I really hope you enjoyed the article!

If you liked it, I would really appreciate it if you can share it using one of the social sharing icons.

Also, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought – I love talking to the readers, so hopefully will talk to you in the comments below.

what are you thankful for

The post What are You Thankful for – Gratitude is the Key to Open Doors appeared first on Manifestation Matters.

from Manifestation Matters https://ift.tt/31xXpF4 via IFTTT

[gramilano]

Shale Wagman in the Grand Pas Classique at English National Ballet, photo by Laurent Liotardo

Canadian dancer Shale Wagman turned 19 last May. Soon after he was guesting at the Mariinsky Theatre. What’s more, it was his first time dancing a principal role. Ever. Last season – his first as a professional dancer – he was dancing with English National Ballet’s corps de ballet, part of his prize after winning the Prix de Lausanne when he was 17, last year.

My year with the company was nice. I got opportunities to dance the Pas de trois and Neapolitan Pas de deux in Swan Lake, the Beggar Chief in Manon, and roles in Wheeldon’s Cinderella, Nutcracker, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Broken Wings as well as the Grand Pas Classique.

At the Mariinsky, however, he was dancing James in La Sylphide alongside Olesya Novikova. From the Beggar Chief to James is quite a phenomenal leap and on one of the world’s most prestigious ballet stages.

I was in St Petersburg for Dance Open, and while I was there, I had the opportunity to be invited by Mr Fateev [Yuri Fateev, Acting Director of the Mariinsky Ballet] to take company class. Three weeks later, I received an email from him proposing me to dance La Sylphide, and I questioned which role. I thought maybe Gurn or a demi-solo part, but he said, James. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. I have dreamed of dancing at Mariinsky since I started ballet, so I was overcome with emotion.

Maybe it’s time to rewind to when and how he began dancing.

Shale Wagman the little thrill seeker (2)

Shale Wagman the little thrill seeker

Shale Wagman the little thrill seeker (4)

Shale Wagman the little thrill seeker (5)

Shale Wagman the little thrill seeker (3)

Shale Wagman was born on 2 May 2000 in Thornhill, a suburb to the north of Toronto in Canada.

My dad was a chartered accountant, and still is, and my mom was a paralegal before she had kids.

He grew up with his two hockey-playing brothers, and although he says that his mother is creative, there is no theatrical vein running through the family.

His mother, Heather, says,

As an infant, he was mesmerised and stimulated by anything visual. It went beyond the usual curiosity or wonder of a toddler.

From his stroller, he was fixated as the roller coaster was rising, falling, twisting and turning. Once he was tall enough actually to ride the coasters with his brothers, he turned into a little thrill seeker.

His attention to detail was impeccable. He would draw the most beautiful and intricate pictures that were well beyond his years.

At six, he began dancing.

I had been in gymnastics and swimming. I was agile and flexible. My swimming teacher’s son encouraged me to see his dance teacher, who worked with boys. Right away he said I moved like a cat and he was adamant I start seriously training in competitive dance right away.

Shale Wagman at 6 (on the right) in his first ever dance

When Shale Wagman won the American Dance Awards at 9 years old

Shale Wagman at 10

That teacher was a Russian, Vlad Novitski, who runs one of the most respected schools in the greater Toronto area.

This was my introduction to tap, hip hop, modern, jazz lyrical, acro, contemporary and the competitive dance world. He instilled a strong work ethic, discipline and encouraged me to improvise, choreograph and bring out my creativity from a young age.

His mother says,

At his first regional dance competition at seven-years-old, I watched him standing in the wings transfixed for hours. The other kids would do their routines, cheer on their friends for a couple of numbers and leave. He didn’t leave! Looking back, I believe it was at that moment, he knew that this is all he ever wanted to do.

It was during this time that he participated in Canada’s Got Talent.

It was my mother’s idea. At first, I was upset with her because I didn’t want to be on the show due to the fact that I would miss a few dance classes. As an 11-year-old, I wasn’t aware of how much it could benefit me.

A stage mother?

Shale’s dad, two older brothers and I have always been supportive and proud of him. We were a good team doing whatever we could to encourage and nurture his talent and gift and at the same time, knowing when to let go and give him the independence he needed to grow and learn.

Shale was definitely special. With his determination, self-motivation, discipline, passion, natural abilities and God-given gift, I knew that one day our family would be sharing him with the world!

Not a pushy mother but a supportive one. Shale says,

My mom told me to try the audition and see afterwards if I didn’t want to do it and of course I loved being on a stage of that scale. I really enjoyed sharing what I love with a bigger audience. Naturally, I became excited, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience.

He arrived in the final, just after his 12th birthday.

Shale Wagman at 12 in the final of Canada’s Got Talent, photo by Canada’s Got Talent media team

Shale Wagman for Canada’s Got Talent at 12

Shale Wagman dancing a solo called Mad World, at 12

Shale Wagman in Canada’s Got Talent

In a newspaper interview at the time, the journalist stated that Shale was “completely unconcerned with the effeminate stereotypes that come with dance”. His attitude has changed slightly.

I didn’t ever let myself get bullied, but of course people tried, and it was a struggle at times. I guess at 12, I blocked it all out because of the pride I had in my dancing.

Even in the ballet world, it is frowned upon to be feminine at times, but everyone has their own way of expressing their art. If it is tasteful, then I am a fan, whether it looks ‘masculine’, ‘feminine’, or anything in between, depending on the role. There is strength to be found in being both feminine and masculine. A true artist has no limits and, in my opinion, those labels can block people.

Shale Wagman with his first teacher, for 6 years, Vlad Novitski after his graduation performance at the Princess Grace Academy

Shale Wagman with his ballet teacher from Canada, Tatiana Stepanova

Shale Wagman with his mother Heather (left) and teacher Tatiana Stepanova (right) after the YAGP finals at the Lincoln Center

The shelves at Vlad’s Dance Company are heaving with trophies, but when Shale was 13, he was more drawn to ballet and left the competition circuit so that he could study ballet seriously. He discovered a teacher in Thornhill who had studied at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow.

I made the move and began training with Tatiana Stepanova.

I asked her what she saw in the young dancer who arrived in her class.

The first time I met Shale at my studio, I could see there was something special about him.  Not only did he have the unique physical attributes for ballet, but I could see a boy with an incredible desire to dance. He was focused, paid careful attention to details, and would listen intently and apply any correction given to him; he was determined to be the best that he can be.

Even at a tender age,  I could see Shale had an innate sense of artistry.  This God-given talent, coupled with his pursuit of technical excellence, is what makes Shale so special when he is on stage.  He is a true artist, always striving for the next level.

After only six months of ballet classes, he participated in the Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest ballet competition and scholarship programme, and he won the 2014 Youth Grand Prix. He was offered scholarships at the Houston Ballet Academy and the Bolshoi Academy among others, but he chose the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco.

I made the decision to go to Monte Carlo, where I trained under the direction of Luca Masala and many wonderful teachers for four years.

His mother remembers the trip vividly.

On our flight from Toronto to Monaco, he was showing me videos of various ballets and ballet dancers, two of whom were Olesya Novikova and Leonid Sarafanov. He was so captivated.  It brought me to tears watching him.

I cried the whole way there and on the way back to Toronto. Having him so far away from home at such a young age was difficult for all of us.

Shale Wagman with parents, Michael and Heather Wagman

Shale Wagman with mom Heather

Shale Wagman with brothers Max (left) and Jared (centre)

Shale Wagman with his father at the airport, ready for his second year in Monte Carlo

In Monte Carlo, Shale found himself in class with pupils who had been studying ballet for several years – was there was a lot of catching up to do?

Of course, there is always so much to learn, but I didn’t feel like I needed to ‘catch up’. My teacher in Canada, Tatiana Stepanova, really helped me to learn the basics, and she helped me sculpt my body for ballet. I had already danced before, so movement wasn’t new for me, the problem was the turnout and the understanding of line and aesthetic.

Luca Masala, Artistic Director at the Princess Grace Academy, says,

Shale was a very passionate student who always gave back 100%. Being that he wants to be perfect, he always questions what he does. He wanted to see results very fast, but he had lots of trust and love. When you asked him to practice or to work towards something, he would take on board all our advice and then make it work as best as he could.

He knows exactly what he wants, and he tries to find people who can help him achieve what he wants. He’s an ambitious person but not an arrogant person. He’s also very humble, which is a very agreeable ingredient for success. He’s always ready to help other people… a very kind person.

Shale Wagman at 15 in Monaco

Shale Wagman at 14 during his first year at the Princess Grace Academy

Shale Wagman at 15 back in Toronto for the summer

Shale started devouring ballet videos when he started ballet classes at 13.

I love watching dance, and I have an iPad where I have downloaded thousands of ballet videos for entertainment.

His taste is mature and thoughtful. Asked to name some of his favourite ballets he chooses Laurencia (“Unfortunately it isn’t performed much, and mostly just in Russia.”), Béjart’s Bolero, Marco Spada and La Dame aux camélias (“It’s always been a favourite of mine because of the sensational music and the drama.”). Not a typical selection for a teenager – where’s Don Quixote or Swan Lake?

What draws me to a ballet is the combination of intriguing music, intelligent choreography and a captivating story. When the music is perfectly matched with the choreography, it makes for an indescribable feeling as an audience member. I also love to think and read between the movements so that I can leave the theatre feeling like I’ve learned something and having a full heart. I love to watch all types of different ballets. I love ballets with lots of depth and true human emotion.

For someone who has some impressive technical pyrotechnics up his sleeve, the dancers who inspired him the most growing up are the those best known for their lyricism and beauty of line.

I have many ballet heroes, and the list keeps growing. I’ve always been so intrigued with Nureyev for his artistic virtuosity. Nicolas Le Riche, Anthony Dowell, Vladimir Shklyarov, Leonid Sarafanov, David Hallberg, Mathias Heymann, Semyon Chudin, and many others inspire me greatly. I would watch these artists 24/7.

When I ask about the choreographers he admires, the names he offers are no longer surprising: John Neumeier, John Cranko, Crystal Pite, Jerome Robbins, Kenneth Macmillan…

Is life only dance?

I think about dance, talk about dance, watch dance, read about dance, choreograph in my head. Just kidding… sort of. I love being with my family and friends and learning about contrasting cultures. I also love museums, art and music. Jazz and classical music can get me through anything. A little bit of Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan can make my day.

Simone? Vaughan? You’re 19!

I am aware that I have different taste in music and ballet from my contemporaries.  In my opinion, there is much more profundity in the era of Vaughan, Simone, Fitzgerald etc compared to the music today.

Shale Wagman at 14 with his teacher Michel Rahn

Shale Wagman at 14 with Luca Masala, the director of the Princess Grace Academy

Last class in Monaco with, from left, grandparents Phillip and Eleanor Starkman, Shale Wagman, Heather Wagman, and dad, Michael Wagman

Back in Monte Carlo, it wasn’t all plain sailing. When he was 15, he developed a stress fracture in his lower back.

It was in my L5 vertebra, due to lots of physical activity as my body was still growing. My back was extremely flexible, so I had to learn how to control it with my core. I rested for a couple of months and rehabbed with physiotherapy and Pilates. I learnt so much about my body and how to control each muscle.

Marsala, at the Princess Grace Academy, remembers,

He was devastated as ballet is everything for him and he told me that if he were to stop dancing, he wouldn’t have a life anymore.

Shale now looks back at this time positively.

I grew from this injury as a dancer and person, but it definitely was a low point because I always turn to dance as an outlet for my emotions. Since I didn’t have dance, I didn’t feel like myself.

In class At Prix de Lausanne 2018, photo by Gregory Batardon

Masala encouraged Shale to enrol for the Prix de Lausanne in 2018.

The Prix de Lausanne was a life-changing moment. It didn’t feel like a competition, it was more about how far I was able to push myself during that week. I wanted to grasp everything I could like a sponge.

There was quite a lot of build-up before the competition. From the first year I joined the Académie Princesse Grace, my director voiced how he’d like me to go. Of course, I dreamed of taking part. When we started preparing for it, the pressure was enormous because essentially I was representing my school that has a very high standard.

The week was quite special. We all came to share our joy to dance and learn. It was great to be in an uplifting atmosphere where everyone was supportive of each other. I made dear friends and met some of my idols and dream company directors. There was this sense of being apart of something much bigger than yourself.

Shale Wagman in class at the Prix de Lausanne 2018, photo by Gregory Batardon

Prix de Lausanne 2018 class, photo by Marina Kleinwort

Shale Wagman dancing Chroma at the Prix de Lausanne 2018 finals, photo by Gregory Batardon

Shale Wagman winning the gold medal at the Prix de Lausanne 2018, photo by Gregory Batardon

With winning the Best Young Talent prize came the opportunity to join one of the competitions partner companies, an apprenticeship offered by the Oak Foundation and Rudolf Nureyev Foundation. Shale chose the English National Ballet.

I chose ENB based on the versatile repertoire, the progressive direction of the company and of course, seeing the talented dancers within the company.

And I have lots of respect for Tamara Rojo; she is a strong female director who is also a Principal dancer at the same time. I don’t know how she does it! There are some extraordinary people in the company. So many of the company members have helped me in my dancing but have also supported me when I was struggling.  I’ve learnt from everyone there and have made some beautiful friendships.

Lead Autumn in Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella at English National Ballet, Photo by Emma Kauldhar

But after his year with the company, he felt it was time to move on. Plus, the Mariinsky came knocking.

The preparation [for La Sylphide] was strenuous, and there were a lot of bumps along the way. I got an allergic reaction, major headaches, and I couldn’t walk the day before the performance due to an injury in my foot.

The first time in your life that you dance a principal role in a complete ballet is with the Mariinsky Ballet. It’s also the first time you dance James, and the first time you partner a famous ballerina. Pressure?

This was my debut in the role, so I hadn’t had any previous experience. I’ve always enjoyed this ballet, and I’m a ballet freak, so I’m constantly researching. I was coached by legends Vladimir Kim and Gabriela Komleva who gave their incomparable passion and love of the art in the studio.

Shale Wagman with Olesya Novikova and Gabriela Komleva rehearsing La Sylphide at the Mariinsky theatre, photo by Svetlana Avvakum

rehearsing La Sylphide at the Mariinsky theatre, Photo by Svetlana Avvakum

Shale Wagman with Olesya Novikova rehearsing La Sylphide at the Mariinsky theatre, photo by Svetlana Avvakum

rehearsing La Sylphide at the Mariinsky theatre Photo by Svetlana Avvakum

Did you find it difficult to immerse yourself in the story and understand your character?

People argue that the storyline of this ballet is unrelatable and out-dated, but for me it is a timeless classic because of the meaning behind it. Fundamentally, it’s all about an unobtainable love that you can never touch or get a hold of, and people can resonate with that. When you get your hands on true love, it is the best feeling you can experience but also the worst because if it isn’t reciprocated, you will experience heartbreak.

The audience can get fully entranced within the story if the artists can make the story and characters relatable to this day and age. I feel that it is the dancer’s duty to make that possible through character analysis and adding their own feelings and personality to the role.

Apart from familiarising yourself with the story and characters, you had to learn a very precise style, one that dancers at the Danish National Ballet learn as they move through the school.

I like dancing the Bournonville style because it is extremely human. It challenges me to push beyond my limits, technically and artistically. Batterie is one of the most challenging things for me, and Bournonville incorporates a lot of that into his ballets. The port de bras are very simple, which makes for a more natural appearance, which I love. The sheer musicality is something to really be appreciated in this ballet as well.

And then you found yourself on the Mariinsky stage.

That theatre has an atmosphere beyond belief. The first time I walked into the theatre, I couldn’t help but tear up. The moment I stepped on that stage was the first time I felt truly free in months. It was a genuine feeling of euphoria.

Shale Wagman with Tatyana Tchenko as Effie, photo by Eli Cattiva

Curtain call for Shale Wagman and Olesya Novikova, photo by Catherine Pollak

Curtain call for Shale Wagman and Olesya Novikova photo by Catherine Pollak

After La Sylphide, from left Vladimir Kim (coach), Olesya Novikova, Gabriela Komleva, Shale Wagman, Tatiana Stepanova, Heather Wagman

You were also dancing with one of your childhood heroines.

Novikova made the experience all the more stunning. She is elegant, poised and professional. To me, she is the epitome of a world-class ballerina. It was a privilege to share the stage with someone of her calibre who has performed this role many times. For her to give me the time and understanding in my debut and have the connection we had while performing together was an absolute honour for me.

His mother, Heather, was in the audience.

People have said, would you have ever believed that your son would be dancing on the Mariinsky stage in Russia? Secretly, yes, but I could never say that out loud. It was such a spectacular performance and a feeling of pure joy watching your child living his dream.

A review on the German site Tanznetz says: “With great enthusiasm and stage presence, Wagman mastered the tricky Bournonville style effortlessly. The lightness of his high jumps, elegant arabesques, perfectly controlled turns and precise and speedy impressed the audience from his first step on stage.”

Shale’s boyhood teacher, Tatiana Stepanova, once gave him a present.

It was a book with details of the best ballet theatres in the world, including the Mariinsky. He told me that one day, he would be dancing on one of these stages – he just did.

His mother adds,

Shale is unstoppable, and we are all so excited to watch and see more of his dreams come true!

I ask him, “So, what happens next for Shale Wagman?” He grins:

Stay tuned…

Curtain call for Shale Wagman after La Sylphide, photo by Catherine Pollak

Introducing 19-year-old Canadian dancer Shale Wagman: from Lausanne to ENB to the Mariinsky Canadian dancer Shale Wagman turned 19 last May. Soon after he was guesting at the Mariinsky Theatre.

[shaneedor700-blog]

What's New In Tabletop Gaming (June Edition)

Compulsive video gaming is a modern-time psychological disorder that specialists tell WebMD is now a lot more popular. If you're trying to decide between purchasing a console or gaming Computer, we'll break down each portion of the PC vs. console debate to help you decide what's best for you. Literally everything, we didn't miss any to make our website the house of ROM GAMES. Instead of a monograph and the display of the history as lineal narrative, the task of the historian could be produced as a video game. The glowing light bar located along the front of each controller helps identify player one from player two, and can even add a little atmospheric lighting for certain games. It depends on the capability of the games console itself. Trying to get players to buy a device to be able to sell them video games and services through the device is kind of how console generations function, which means Spencer is talking about a much broader method to think about how exactly gaming consoles operate as platforms.

For instance, if couch co-op is normally your factor, you can pretty much count out a gaming PC. Yes, it's theoretically feasible for connecting multiple controllers and look for a game that lets two (or more) people play together, but it's more trouble than it's worthy of on both counts. Yes, but this most recent craze of spending 4 hours watching somebody else play video games, ugh. There are many scanning requirements, including whether to check if the ROMs are completely lacking, whether there are duplicates, and whether certain files are unnecessary. Looking back at gaming history, Nintendo has had an awful launch lineup with regards to its consoles. The most recent console from Sony is the PS4 Pro and it'll be a must-have for those devoted to the brand, although the PS4 Slim is also an option.

Targeted at adults and older kids, they feature full assistance restaurants with complete liquor bars and also have a multitude of video game and hands on electronic gaming options. Nintendo's upcoming subscription provider, Nintendo Switch Online, should bolster membership spending in 2018. Sure, you won't have the ability to play couple of first-party titles on Sony's end, but everything else helps it be over-and often (barring advantage cases like Arkham Knight ) in better condition than the console versions. Nintendo released the Super Nintendo (SNES) in 1991, with just under 50 million products sold to date. But Monday's sale stands out for what appears to be an initial for Humble: a whole ebook sale dedicated to video game history. Other rare collector's items on display add a Nintendo World Championships 1990 gray cartridge, and the initial papers and prototypes of the Magnavox Odyssey, the initial home gaming system.

Since older video games are no more distributed or marketed, they are considered abandonware and are therefore DMCA exempt. Now, if you are wondering which system you should get, make sure to check out our PS4 Pro vs XBOX One X content. The most obvious advantage consoles have over PCs is price. There exists a real concern that games are being treated as a homogeneous whole with no understanding of the complexity and diversity of the digital worlds, which offer increasingly sophisticated stories, characters, competition, public connections, and fun. First released in Japan on October 21, 1998, the overall game Boy Color (abbreviated as GBC) added a (somewhat smaller) color display screen to a form factor similar in proportions to the overall game Boy Pocket. Arcade game effectively needed to be remade for consoles which usually meant lowering the quality in some way to make up for the hardware limitations.

MIT Press, which includes been publishing game-research essays and books since 1998, has packed 18 of its gaming-specific ebooks right into a single $15 bundle (In the event you elect to pay less, you can pick up fewer books at the $1 and $8 tiers.) It isn't a thorough collection from the publisher, but as an entry point to the extremely analytical and tech-weighty collection, this Humble Video game Studies Bundle is specially good at offering even more of MIT Press's classic titles, particularly analyses of varied game consoles throughout their active lifespans. The original 3DS came out back in 2011, however the New” in New Nintendo 2DS XL” refers to a 2014 upgrade that added a supplementary analog nub, two extra shoulder buttons at the top of the gaming console, Amiibo support , a more powerful processor, and more memory.

"Call of Duty," "Grand Theft Car" and "Fortnite" are simply some of the super-popular video games which have captured the imaginations of gamers all over the world. We've got the best selection of video games, gaming consoles and components anywhere. In 1982, Atari released a far more advanced console based on its 8-bit pc line, the Atari 5200, which failed to perform along with its predecessor. The VES continued to be sold at a revenue after 1977, and both Bally (with their house Library Computer in 1977) and Magnavox (with the Odyssey² in 1978) brought their very own programmable cartridge-structured consoles to the marketplace. In its most recent revision to a disease classification manual, the World Health Organization stated Monday that compulsively playing video gaming now qualifies as a new mental health condition.

Most monitors offer better quality images than similarly-priced TVs, with higher contrast ratios, faster response situations, less ghosting, and much less image interference from pesky manufacturer features like de-judder results that aim for an unnatural smoother” image. The Playstation produced waves big style, with the release of one of the very most beloved JRPG's ever Final Fantasy VII.”, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” gave 2D gaming a new lease on life giving us the Metroidvania genre. After all, consoles make up the bulk of the gaming industry. Genuine gamers use PC's. Step 40: Start the Internet Archive ROM Launcher for the first time. The statistics on children with developmental problems, mental health diagnoses, becoming medicated, overweight, out of shape, failing in school or experiencing significant behavior issues are staggering, simply because are screen-time stats.

The first age ranking system for video gaming which becomes a standard 10 years later. Do not skip these steps, or your video games will not launch. One word of caution: The 3DS isn't Nintendo's only, or also most recent portable game console. Dumping ROMs from arcade machines, which in fact are highly customized PCBs , often requires specific setups for each machine along with a big amount of expertise. With this product, players could connect to and control their game by way of tapping and doodling in a variety of levels and menus. Because of its widespread usage for gambling, ROM cartridges were frequently colloquially referred to as a game cartridge. According to a screenshot uploaded by Saint, the private collector threatened to pull the whole folder of content material from the directory and prevent uploading games altogether if anyone leaked Labyrinthe.

I must say, it really annoys me how attached kids are to their video games and phones and whatnot. Ralph Baer's initial design had called for a huge row of switches that could allow players to carefully turn on and off certain elements of the console (the Odyssey lacked a CPU ) to create slightly different video games like tennis, volleyball, hockey, and chase. All video games look and play great on Xbox One X. But go for titles are optimized to consider benefit of the world's most effective console. with "Mario Tennis Aces" being the latest. While you can find tons of RetroPie ROMs on any Torrent site, remember that you should not download any copyrighted titles. For more amusing, accessible and easy-to-play video games, discover live internet casino at its greatest with the delights of genuine dealers, ground-breaking gameplay and the pleasures of actual wins.

This was subsequently reversed prior to the system came out, and regardless of the recent advances in streaming technology, moving forward in this direction without giving players the option to own their games could result in similar pushback. That said, PCs still provide largest selection of online flash games, and some of the most popular online games, rpg-rom.com such as for example World of Warcraft , are unique to the Computer. Of course, there are plenty of things to consider before making a decision on a gaming system. This huge change in the gaming market toward mobile, specifically in Southeast Asia, hasn't only widened gaming demographics, but also pushed video gaming to the forefront of media attention. You'll have access to cross-platform titles, indie games and re-releases from past consoles, along with unique PlayStation titles like Driveclub and Uncharted.

In one research, players who were immersed in fast-paced video games were 25 percent quicker in reacting to queries about an image that they had just seen compared to non-players. Also known as game(s) console, video gaming console, video-game console. This implies home console video games and retro video games stored in the program Lists need to updated separately; the same holds true for the Extras. With 4K, HDR 10 compatibility, and the PlayStation 4's exclusive game library, it is the best plug-and-play gaming platform. Thus, programmers of mainframe games focused on strategy and puzzle-solving mechanics over real action. Up to seven controllers can connect to the system using Bluetooth There are 6 discontinued variations of the PS3: a 20 GB HDD version (discontinued in THE UNITED STATES and Japan, and was never released in PAL territories), a 40 GB HDD version (discontinued), a 60 GB HDD edition (discontinued in THE UNITED STATES, Japan and PAL territories), 80 GB HDD version (only in some NTSC territories and PAL territories), a "slim" 120GB HDD edition (discontinued), and a "slim" 250 GB version (discontinued).

Most Sinclair Spectrum games work on MAME without any problems but these next emulators have got cheat, coding and various other features that MAME lacks. And additional early space battle video games led Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney to create Computer Space, among the earliest electronic arcade games. This effect on Genesis sales and the entire interest of realistic sports activities games would start the development of certified sports games being considered necessary for the success of a console in america. While Nintendo appreciated dominance in Japan and Sega in Europe, the competition between the two was particularly fierce and close in THE UNITED STATES. the game. Meanwhile, Epic Games' free-to-play take on the idea, Fortnite Battle Royale , has garnered an even larger audience.

On the PS4, this subscription is called PlayStation In addition ; on the Xbox, it's Xbox Live Gold. It will read the file and recover the BIOS from the A drive. PC gamers simply don't realize how much money they spend repairing their PCs. Though it offers spanned multiple versions, the Xbox 360 360 E console comes with all the essentials: a radio controller, built-in Wi-Fi, and a month of Xbox LIVE Gold (its premium online support for shopping and on-line multiplayer). The gameplay shift is just one of the many reasons Dragon Ball FighterZ has been held aloft as one of 2018's notable titles. Though they lack the power of high-end consoles, the New Nintendo 2DS and 3DS XL both have got extensive game libraries and great efficiency, permitting you to game anywhere. As the electronic video gaming division, NCHEG explores the ways that electronic games have changed throughout background, and how they have formed players' interactions with one another.

21 In 1972, Magnavox released the Magnavox Odyssey , the first home gaming console which could be linked to a TV set. %displayPrice% at %seller% Death's frosty hand will grip us all in due time, but, fortunately, it's a one-and-done scenario. When it comes to gaming, HDR10 is all you have to, as that is what is result by the PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X. A TV that supports Dolby Vision would only be useful for those who have a standalone 4K Blu-Ray participant or a streaming media box with Dolby Vision support; you won't offer you HDR gaming together with your console. With support for the cartridges of five retro consoles, the Hyperkin RetroN 5 is a genuine Swiss Army knife of old-school gaming. Still, many players will love CS: GO's no-frills knowledge and extremely competitive esports scene.

The work of downloading content material you legally own rights to could are categorized as fair use as well , as with several products the tech required to make an electronic backup (which you have entitlement to) can be beyond your own skill level on multiple levels from running the software involved to the base ability to perform basic solidering and desolidering could be acts you are unable to perform especially with age. The emulator promotes the play of illegal ROMs , NOT genuine games. The Xbox One X facilitates AMD FreeSync via HDMI, which an ever-increasing amount of monitors also support, but other consoles do not support any variable refresh price technologies. %displayPrice% at %seller% It's easy to recommend Halo 5: Forge to anyone who's searching for a solid multiplayer shooter.

In Asia, a center of video game activity and addiction, rehabilitation centers designed to stamp out uncontrollable playing have existed for years. Twenty-nine percent of game players are over the age of 50, an increase from nine percent in 1999. The intricate theme of mobile video games served with the latest technology is a pattern that never fades aside in today's mobile game advancement space. Using advanced technology for this time, added add-ons included a lightgun for a target shooting game, and a special attachment utilized for a golf putting game. Nintendo's new mini-emulator package offers 30 1st- and third-party games from the business's beloved NES console in a little, standalone package, including the initial three Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Mega Man II, Castlevania, and Last Fantasy.

PC gamers require at least a minimal degree of technical skills, even if indeed they purchased a pre-built gaming computer. If you have a good video-card and monitor I believe the PC can look better to. Counterfeiting is a significant problem not merely for Nintendo but also the whole video game industry. Console games tend to have a comparatively low learning curve. It'll be impossible to get more dick movies into video games until someone fits sexbots with high score tables. to the other fourth-generation consoles, the AES and its games were prohibitively expensive, which kept product sales low and avoided it from growing outside its market and into significant competition with Nintendo and Sega. At around once, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum premiered in the United Kingdom and quickly became the most popular home computer in many regions of Western Europe-and later on the Eastern Bloc -credited to the convenience with which clones could be produced.

[wionews]

A Canadian explains fighting in ice hockey for Indians

When I told my Indian colleague that in pro ice hockey players often punch each other in the face, he wouldn't believe me. I was amused, but understood his reluctance. Only one sport in the world allows fist fighting. Say what you will about relations between India and Pakistan, when it comes to cricket there are standards of behaviour.

Ice hockey is different. 

  In pro puck, fighting is supervised 

After two players “drop the gloves”—both a euphemism for fighting and also something literally done so players can connect fist to face—they sit in the penalty box for five minutes. Players from both teams tap their sticks against the boards in a show of support, the fans cheer, and the fighters catch their breath. The five minute penalty they earned is a “major penalty”, opposed to a two minute “minor”.

But since one penalty offsets the other, no team is actually handicapped. That fighting is on the one hand considered “major” enough to warrant a longer penalty, yet results in no actual punishment sums up hockey culture's acceptance of fighting.

Also revealing in this regard is the ease with which the announcer switches from narrating a hockey game to a fight. And how the ref doesn't stop the fight, he supervises it, only intervening after there is a clear winner or when one or both parties seem tired.

  Why do ice hockey players fight?

The basic logic: “Enforcers” protect skilled teammates. Ice hockey is an ultra-fast game played in an enclosed rink by rough men carrying wooden sticks. If a small, skilled guy can't score because players are hacking him, that's no good. Injuries and intimidation is built in to hockey. Formally, there are five ways a hockey stick can be used for assault: Cross-checking, tripping, slashing, hooking and spearing.

So if somebody messes with the skilled guy, the goon sorts him out. A dangerous man is a bigger threat than the referee's whistle. 

Historically, this worked. The mild-mannered ,140-pound Wayne Gretzky scored 2-3 points a game for the Edmonton Oilers in the '80s. Any punk who laid a finger on him dealt with a bloodthirsty animal named Marty McSorley. 

Fighting is like nuclear deterrence: Peace is maintained by keeping a lethal weapon inactive. Everyone knows nuclear warheads are dangerous, but no country wants to get rid of their own while other countries have them. Similarly, no coach wants to get rid of their fighter.

This explains why fighting is so hard to remove from the game, despite modern knowledge about the long-term effects of concussions. It also explains why each professional ice hockey team has at least one player who is noticeably bad at hockey. 

  The "staged" fight

In peacetime when fighting is unnecessary, so are fighters. So two enforcers will fight each other because they simply have nothing else to do. They need to remind the coach of their specialty. Indeed, their only purpose.

Sometimes, before a whistle you can see two players talking. The puck drops and immediately they go at each other. This is the staged fight, probably the fight most puzzling and unnecessary to outsiders. It seems like nothing has preceded the fight, but that isn't quite true.

Even totally useless, staged fights can totally change the momentum of a game. One team gets an adrenaline rush and the game is simply different after. This is sometimes reason alone to fight a guy. 

  Rivalries and score settling

Here is some accepted wisdom in hockey that makes no sense but still is basically a law: It's usually OK to slash someone, but if you slash someone back the ref will see and he'll whistle you for it. Retaliation is the sin, not the slash. So players will take down the guy's number and tag them good later.

It might be next period, it might be next season. It might be a nice legal open-ice hip check, a nasty illegal hit, or a fight. It depends. But what looks on the surface like only senseless violence may be just a reasonable, measured response to senseless violence.

  "Face washing"

Sometimes, two pretty skilled guys bump into each other. They might skate away, but sometimes one gives a shove or a hack. The other doesn't want to take this silently; It signals he can be pushed around. So he shoves back, and things escalate until maybe punches are thrown.

Perhaps they only reach the stage just before a fight, which is the "face wash". When a player wipes another player's face with his open hand, that's a face wash. It doesn't hurt, it's just meant to be demeaning, to goad other players into taking a penalty by protecting their honour. They're common in post-whistle scrums. At the 0:28 mark here is a decent face wash. 

  Sheer goonery:

Lest we think fighting is rough but rational, often it is just brainless goonery.

The retired enforcer Tie Domi--the prototypical meathead goon, bless his heart--used the term "old time hockey" to describe the time he punched a fan in the face. Video of this incident is posted below, as proof it happened and because it's insane. I watched this game live on TV, and while it seems incredible to me now on several levels, it made sense at the time, just a natural expression of my own hatred for Philly and their fans.

  Sport's parallel to nationalism 

I used to be a maniac fan watching games on TV by myself, screaming obscenities in response to grievances mostly imagined. I would stomp around and freak out. I've never punched anybody in my life, outside of ice hockey. I was a lunatic. Canada has many such lunatics.  

Athleticism can be valued for its own sake. Its elegance, imagination and skill is ravishing. The comaraderie as a team grows together and accomplishes their mission can be beautiful. Sports are great! 

But some fans support their team as rabidly and blindly as nationalists do their country. People form allegiance to their country and their sports team often for the same reason: They were born there. Rival countries interpret the same historical event in the exact opposite way, like opposing fans arguing about whether a play was offside after watching the exact same replay.

They both often have a superficial love manifested in the fanatic embrace of symbols (a team logo, a national flag, the myths of each). On the other side is hate for certain teams or countries. Both sides are toxic.

There's overlap in the underlying forces causing conflict between countries and sports teams. Self-identifying with a nation or sports team often carries a germ that warps perspective and creates endless antagonism. With countries it can lead to war. In hockey, to fist fighting.

  My derangement

I have experience being deranged. My Leafs met the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs four times in five years between 2000-'04. I mean it, I hated everything to do with Ottawa. When the Weather Channel reported a storm hit Ottawa, I cheered. This is not an exaggeration, I have a specific memory rejoicing at a weather report.

Being a hockey fan was the closest I've ever got to being racist. Until a few years ago I spelled Ottawa Senators without capitalising either proper noun. The improper grammar stung, but I could not show that team any respect.

I have grown up. Notice, I used capital letters back there. I let go of my hate. I don't "Other" players or teams. Now I have the good sense to understand that, just like people are people wherever country they're from, so every single NHL player is obscenely rich, disgustingly young and physically gifted.  

This past April I watched my Leafs play playoff puck for the first time in years. The hockey was great, but I was silent and enjoying it. I didn't want Washington Capitals players, our opponent, to die. I cheered for the Senators even. The Leafs lost, life went on.   

  Macho tradition vs modern science

If a hippie pacifist weenie like me can be brought to a near murderous rage by hockey, no wonder strapping farmboys brought up in a hyper-masculine war culture to value self-sacrifice and ferocity end up fighting people.

But hockey culture is changing. We know about the long-term impact of concussions now. Fighting is in decline. Even if it isn't entirely eliminated, "rock 'em sock 'em" hockey isn't in vogue. Fighting is less glorified and this is slowly changing the culture.

The rules have changed in recent years to promote skill, not brute toughness. It's welcome. The game has markedly improved. According to hockeyfights.com, in 2002 season, 42 per cent of games had at least one fight. Last year, this was down to 25 per cent. Progress! 

But call it nostalgia, I can't help feel some fondness for the old rough stuff. If today it seems crazy that hockey still allows fighting, 90s and early 2000s puck was really crazy. 

Here are a few wild, classic samples of NHL players dropping the gloves. 

  Exhibit #1-Goalie fights--Felix Potvin vs Ron Hextall, 1993

  Exhibit #2--Goalie + forwards + defenceman fight--Detroit vs Colorado, 1997

  Exhibit #3--"The Brawl", all Ottawa vs all Philadelphia, 2004

(WION)

]]>