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chaossmagic · 5 years

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robron + there was no choice to make

Post-SSW16. Aaron confronts Robert about his feat of courage going back for the ring.

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and i’d go crawling through the avenue

“Oh good, you changed your clothes at last,” Aaron said when Robert came into the room. “I was beginnin’ to get sick of the sight of ya in that blue shirt. Not that you don’t already own about five hundred of ‘em.”

“Ha ha,” Robert replied sarcastically, kissing him on the cheek by way of a greeting. He stroked his fingers through Aaron’s curls for good measure, feeling their softness against his fingertips, making Aaron preen and lean into the touch; his eyelids slipped closed for a nanosecond, eyelashes fluttering against his cheeks. The graze on his forehead was starting to heal now, only a ghostly red mark left behind. His mangled leg, however, that was going to take more time. “How are you feeling, though, really?”

“Good,” Aaron smiled. “Leg hurts like hell, still got a bit of a headache bangin’ right here,” he pointed to where the cut on his forehead had been, “and most of my body feels like it’s been crushed with a steamroller, but otherwise? I’m better than I’ve ever been.”

“Oh yeah?” Robert asked, leaning forward on his elbows, grinning. “Why’s that, then? Did some dashing doctor come in and sweep you off your feet while I went to get rid of the lake water smell?”

“Actually, it was this really fit nurse who came to check my IV bag,” Aaron joked, “seven feet tall, piercing blue eyes, arms like bowling balls-oi!”

Robert pinched Aaron in his ribs good-naturedly, making him start and then dissolve into laughter. “Shut up, idiot.”

“Nah,” Aaron said, shaking his head, still laughing, “My rescuer’s right here, finally not smellin’ like dirty lake water and instead like-” he sniffed the air, then frowned. “You used my shower gel?”

“Should I not have?” Robert asked, looking bashful. “Just wanted to be close to ya, is all. I missed you.”

“I’m here,” he said, taking Robert’s hand and wrapping his fingers around his. His hand was warm and his palm soft, blunt nails digging in slightly in a way that always made Robert feel secure. “I’m here, alright? I’m alright. Bit bashed up, but I’m okay.”

“You nearly died,” Robert said hoarsely, looking down at their joined hands. “I was standing right here and you nearly died. I had to watch them revive you. After James already hadn’t made it....”

“You didn’t know that then,” Aaron replied. “You couldn’t possibly have known.”

“I told you, I almost lost you once,” he said quietly, rubbing his thumbs over Aaron’s knuckles. There were a few grazes here, too. “Doing it a second time, before I’d even got a chance to ask you the biggest question I’d ever ask? Before I could give you this?” He rubbed his thumb over the shining metal of Aaron’s engagement ring, matching the glint of his own under the harsh hospital lights. “I don’t think I’d have recovered, Aaron.”

“Hey,” Aaron said, removing his hand and cupping Robert’s cheek instead, forcing him to look at him directly. “I’m fine. Okay? I’m in hospital, I’ve got a bunch of doctors and nurses lookin’ after me, and more get well soon cards than there’s space for. And it’s because of you. You saved me and you gave me a chance to live when I should have drowned. We both almost did. But we didn’t, yeah? So don’t keep worryin’ about what hasn’t happened.”

Wordlessly, Robert covered Aaron’s hand with both of his and brought it to his lips; he pressed them there, eyes closed, just breathing for a few moments. “I love you so much.”

“And I love you,” Aaron said, matter-of-factly. He could do that now. He wasn’t afraid of the words anymore. “Or I wouldn’t have accepted this, would I?” He rubbed his fingers against the ring. Then he looked at it, frowned. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.”

Robert’s heart plummeted. “What’s wrong? Do you not like it?”

“No, no, I love it, it feels - right. It’s perfect. But my mum said summat earlier...about you ‘going back’ to get it just for me?” The sentence was a question, his expression confused. “What did she mean by that?”

“I, uh, I left the ring in the car, in the glove box, when we crashed. It was still there when we got here, and I really needed it so....I went back for it. To the quarry. Jumped in the lake and went down to get it so I could give it to you.”

Aaron’s eyes widened in horror. “No,” he said, shaking his head. “No, no, Robert, please tell me you didn’t. Please tell me you did not risk your life twice just to get a damn ring or I swear, I swear-”

“Aaron!” Robert called, pressing a hand down on his chest, easing him back against the pillows. His hands floundered at his sides, like the wings of a distressed bird. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not, you know it’s not,” Aaron babbled. “I need to know you didn’t do that for me. I need to know you’re not that much of a muppet as to do something so dangerous and stupid.”

“I did,” Robert confessed, his fingers contracting on Aaron’s chest, over his heart. “I did it because I love you, I’m in love with you and I - I didn’t want to be afraid of myself anymore. So much has gotten in the way of us being together properly already, I didn’t want to let any more time slip away from us. I told you in the woods that I wanted to be myself, well, this is it,” he shrugged. “This is me, doing things that are crazy and stupid and ridiculous because I love you. That’s who I am. I, Robert Sugden, love you, Aaron Dingle.”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “You’re really a nutter. And we’re not married yet, so I dunno what you’re doing saying your vows to me now. I just wish you hadn’t put your life on the line like that for me. There were always going to be other rings, other times. I would have been happy with anythin’ as long as it was you askin’ me.”

“It’s you, Aaron. When it comes to you, there’s never a choice for me to make. There is no choice. Do you understand that?”

Aaron sniffed, squeezing Robert’s fingers in his own. “I just want you to be safe. I can’t lose you either, y’know. Please don’t go playing Evil Knievel again. Promise me.”

Robert bent down to press a kiss to Aaron’s forehead. “I promise.”

#felicityollies #lorna's writing #robron #robron fic #aaron x robert #emmerdale fic

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scrapyardboyfriends · 6 years

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Jenny’s Belated Live Blogging - 31st December 2018

- I really enjoyed this episode. It’s always great seeing all of the characters intermingle.

- The pub was a pretty sad state of affairs but I enjoyed watching the whole Dingle and extended clan sit around the table looking bored out of their minds and trying to stop Charity from worrying, while also pointing out several times that she was going a bit over the top (Thanks Cain and Debbie). (Some of the only times I like Debbie is when she’s just a background character at a family event and there to make snarky comments)

- I do get why Charity was so desperate to have Ryan there but I’m kind of selfishly glad it’s over after this because the yelling and snapping at everyone can get a bit much. There’s also the fact that the whole Ryan thing is a retcon so her talking about how she’s already spent all these years faking being happy at new years because she was missing Ryan sort of feels strange. That said, the end scene with her and Ryan and the hug was lovely.

- I also liked seeing Ryan hanging with Harriet and going to rescue Dawn. Anything that integrates Ryan further into the village is a good thing.

- Bernice and Liam were great as usual. I knew he knew her age the whole time. Haha. But I’m glad he continues to boost her confidence. He seems really great for her. I hope it’s at least a little while before it all goes horribly wrong as her relationships usually do.

- Nice shot of Ellis shirtless coming into the kitchen. Haha. I like getting to see more of the dynamics between him and Billy and Jessie.

- The cafe party was fun. Love Kerry ditching a night in with Daz and going to dance in her sparkly dress. Had like half of the girl squad there. Haha.

- I liked seeing Priya and Leyla friendly again and chatting about Billy. I could go for Priya and Billy depending on what they do with him.

- I was glad to see Belle there actually interacting with people more her age again. She is in that early twenties crowd now, which is crazy, but I want to see her mix more with them. I also enjoy her ‘at least you’re not dating a serial killer’ quips. And I think Priya put her arm around her after that, which was lovely considering Priya was involved in all of that too.

- So...Ellis and Vic are definitely actually dating now huh? I feel like they never quite made that clear. Is it still casual? Or is it a real thing now? In any case, I like them together a lot. So...yay!

- Maya’s comment about not wanting to party with people who look like they just left school...I like that they’re that consistent with it.

- The Matty stuff was brutal to watch but I loved seeing everyone stand up for him. I actually liked David again in that moment. But I liked seeing Vic and Ellis stand up for him too. I also think, as awful as it was, especially the part after he left when they took his shirt off, opens up a lot of interesting story avenues and I’m looking forward to seeing where they go with it all.

- Also interesting was Billy running after Ellis when he went to go help Matty out. Interesting in two ways, one that his first instinct was to run after his brother to help in some way, but that he was also trying to get Ellis to leave it. I assume it was that he didn’t want his brother to get involved because he didn’t want him to get hurt or get in trouble, which is interesting to see because Billy looking out for Ellis isn’t how Ellis makes him out to be. Unless Billy just didn’t think he should get involved at all. I’m really curious what they’re going to do with Billy in general since he seems like he wants to keep a low profile and not make waves and not go back to prison, like he really is trying to turn over a new leaf. But that never really works out for people for long so we shall see.

#belated live blogging #emmerdale

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feliciacraft · 5 years

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LGBT Asian Senior Corporate Leaders Panels - SF,NY,DC May

Tl;dr: Register to attend a FREE special panel series on professional development/ career advancement for diverse employees at the intersection of being LGBT and API in the corporate sector. “Being Out, API, and On Top: How Senior Corporate Leaders Got there and Make Change” They will be held in San Francisco on May 6, New York on May 21, and Washington DC on May 29. A list of the distinguished panelists are below. Admission is FREE but registration is required at: https://nqapia.salsalabs.org/SeniorCorporateLeadersPanel/index.html

DETAILS

Being Out, API, and On Top: How Senior Corporate Leaders Got there and Make Change

API/LGBTQ leaders have had to navigate unique challenges such as invisibility, intersectionality, and cultural biases on their journey to success. Hear from a panel of distinguished openly LGBT API senior leaders in the business community, along with global corporate diversity and inclusion executives. They will share their personal challenges and unique insights for professionals to understand how to advance in their careers and companies, and how to succeed as a senior leader.

SAN FRANCISCO Monday, May 6, 2019 6:00 - 8:00 PM 425 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Featuring:

Gwen Migita, VP Social Impact & Inclusion and Chief Sustainability Officer, Caesar’s Entertainment

Patty Nishimura Dingle, Senior Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Visa Inc.

Angela Lim, Associate General Counsel for Grand Rounds

Paul Ocampo, Director of Development, Advancing Justice

Moderator - Stephen Huey, Senior Director of Corporate Engagement, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates

NEW YORK Tuesday, May 21, 2019 6:00 - 8:00 PM 250 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019

Featuring:

Suman Chakraborty, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

Kelsey Louie, CEO Gay Men’s Health Crisis

Dustin O. Ling, Public Sector Coverage Director, Citi Corporate & Investment Banking

Janice V. Jabido, Intellectual Property Counsel, Pratt & Whitney (to be confirmed)

Moderator - Miki Duruz, Marketing Strategist, Aetna

WASHINGTON DC Wednesday, May 29, 2019 6:00 - 8:00 PM 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Featuring:

Michael Dumlao, Director of Brand, Booz | Allen | Hamilton, Washington, DC

Parag V. Mehta, Executive Director & Senior Vice President, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

Trang Nguyen, Manager for Outreach and Training in Ethics, World Bank Group

RSVP at www.nqapia.org or email [email protected]

The panels are free of charge but sponsorships will support the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance’s corporate professional development programs. Contact [email protected] or 917-439-3158

Sponsored by the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) and Diamond: Nielsen Foundation, Morrison & Foerster LLP Comcast/ NBC Universal, Visa, Mastercard Pearl: Verizon, AT&T, Caesars’ Entertainment Jade: Lockheed Martin, Ascend, Booz Allen Hamilton

The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) is a federation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander organizations.

#asian pacific islanders #asian american #lgbt #lgbt+#professional development #corporate diversity #events #signal boost from work

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robertjacobsugdens · 6 years

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helenhuntingdon replied to your post “have you ever been to one of those small villages like emmerdale?...”

Emmerdale IS near cities and bigger towns (nearer than where I live where the small villages are MUCH smaller) plus I was actually saying last night that the Dingles could easily not be all white. Ik they're incestuous but the McQueens have non white cousins so???

Honestly yes! I think they could have a lot of avenues when it comes to introducing characters of color. I appreciate what they’ve done, introducing Jessie, and on different levels also Ryan and Matty, but diversity and representation aren’t really a “one of each” scenario.

#text #helenhuntingdon #reply

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globaltravelers · 3 years

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England, Scotland & Ireland - 15 Days (SOLD OUT)

July 29 (Fri) ~ August 12 (Fri) - 15 days

Start and end in London. With the Discovery tour England, Scotland and Ireland Experience, you have a 15 days tour package taking you through London, and 21 other destinations. The tour package includes accommodation, an expert guide, meals, transport and more.

Travel through landscapes that have inspired world-famous writers and poets, from Shakespeare to Robert Burns. On this journey across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, you'll see medieval castles and cathedrals, wander past the famous Chester Rows and kiss the Blarney Stone. The idyllic settings of the Lake District, Dingle Peninsula and the Cotswolds give way to vibrant capitals and the little-known train station with the world's longest name.

*** Destinations: London (England) Windsor (England) Bath (England) Cardiff (Wales) Pembroke (Wales) Waterford (Ireland) Blarney (Ireland) Tralee (Ireland) Dingle (Ireland) Killimer (Ireland) Galway (Ireland) Dublin (Ireland) Chester (England) Manchester (England) Lake District National Park (England) Edinburgh (Scotland) Peebles (Scotland) York (England) Leeds (England) Stratford-upon-Avon (England) Warwick (England) Oxford (England)

*** Trip Cost: $2.525 per person based on a twin share room. If you are a solo traveler, you will be matched with a fellow traveler of the same gender. If you like to enjoy the comfort and privacy of your own room, the single supplement $580. the tour may be sold out by the tour operator.

*** Payments: $400 non-refundable deposit at booking. Balance payable by April 30, 2022.

*** Reservation: Send an email to [email protected], booking and payment instructions will be emailed to you. Call Felix 904-628-1688 for any questions.

*** What’s Included: *Accommodation: 3.5~4* hotels with twin shared rooms. *Guide: An expert Travel Director and professional Driver. *Transport: Luxury air-conditioned coach *Meal: 14 breakfasts, 4 dinners *Additional Services: >Audio Headsets Provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences >The services of a Local Host at your London hotel >Return ferry across the Irish Sea from Wales to Ireland >Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

Airfare from and to the US, Insurance, Visa fees, optional excursions, optional activities and services are not included.

*** Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive London (2 Nights) All the highlights of Britain and Ireland lie ahead as your epic journey across two mystical islands kicks off in London. After checking in, spend the rest of your first day in Old Blighty exploring the sights on your own. You could delve into the history of the British Empire at one of its many museums or plant yourself outside Buckingham Palace, keeping a keen eye out for the Queen. Day 2: London Free Day Your time is your own today so plan your exploration of Britain's capital wisely. You'll want to soak up all its pomp and pageantry as you stroll along leafy avenues lined with great monuments, museums and historic landmarks. London is intoxicating no matter your interests and you'll have a full free day to discover it your way. Day 3: London – Windsor – Bath – Cardiff (1 Night) This morning, meet your Travel Director and travelling companions as you set off onto your adventure. The Big Smoke's skyscrapers and boroughs give way to an idyllic countryside as you wind your way to Windsor, the Queen's favourite weekend getaway. Arriving in Bath, you'll admire the honey-coloured Georgian architecture which gives this ancient Roman city its elegant aspect. Cross the Severn Estuary, the border between England and tiny Wales, where tonight its capital sets the stage for the rest of your memorable holiday. Day 4: Cardiff – Waterford (1 Night) Join this morning's Optional Experience to Cardiff Castle, a medieval fortress which has enjoyed a colourful history spanning centuries. Ancient ruins and lush countryside lie between the Welsh capital and your first stop at Pembroke Castle. But first, your scenic drive will pass Carmarthen, the oldest town in Wales and, legend has it, the birthplace of Merlin. See the 11th-century castle in which King Henry VII, the first of the Tudor line, was born, then board your ferry across the Irish Sea to Ireland. Day 5: Waterford – Blarney – Tralee (1 Night) The delicate crystal for which Waterford is so famous takes centre stage this morning during a visit to the Waterford Crystal Showroom. Leave all that Viking history behind and enjoy the charming scenery en-route to Blarney Castle, where a quick kiss of the Blarney Stone will grant you the 'gift of the gab'. Your scenic drive continues across the Cork and Kerry Mountains. You'll pass Killarney, where you could hop on an optional Jaunting Car ride, before continuing to Tralee, renowned for its annual Rose of Tralee International Festival. Day 6: Tralee – Dingle Peninsula – Limerick – Shannon (1 Night) There won't be a moment you're not fixated on this wild landscape of stone monuments, deserted beaches and verdant pastures. Today's drive through the Dingle Peninsula is one filled with tiny villages, colourful fishing harbours and landscapes that have inspired poetry. Those incredible views will linger long after you leave Ireland's most westerly point, but there's more to see as you head to the prettiest village in Ireland, Adare. Continue to Limerick to see its medieval-era St. Mary's Cathedral and view King John's Castle, before arriving at your hotel in Shannon where tonight you'll dine in your hotel. Day 7: Shannon – Galway – Dublin (2 Nights) Your first stop today is Ireland's first 'City of Culture', Galway, or join an Optional Experience to the 15th-century Bunratty Castle and Folk Park delving into what Ireland was like in the 19th century. After a chinwag with the 'locals', drive through the wild landscapes of County Clare bound for Galway, the 'place of foreigners'. See its modern cathedral before heading to the whimsical Irish capital. This evening, an optional dinner and cabaret evening will have your toes tapping and taste buds craving another round of Irish coffee. Day 8: Dublin sightseeing and free time You're in good hands this morning as your Local Specialist reveals all their secrets about this charismatic capital city with a small-town feel. View Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle, the 13th-century Norman fortress turned museum. This afternoon explore Dublin on your own or join an optional visit to one of the most important monastic sights in Europe. Your Local Specialist will bring the ancient stories of Glendalough to life and show you around the beautiful landscapes of the garden of Ireland. Day 9: Dublin – Chester – Liverpool (Wigan) (1 Night) Say a fond slán go fóill to the 'Emerald Isle', crossing the Irish Sea bound for Holyhead on the Welsh Island of Anglesey. Get ready for a tongue twister you could only capture in a panoramic shot. View the station boasting one of the longest names in the world, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, then head through the north coast of Wales to Chester, to explore its Roman heritage. There's time to walk along its defensive 1st-century walls and view the famous black and white half-timbered buildings before heading to Liverpool where the musical 'Fab Four' had their start. Day 10: Liverpool (Wigan) – Lake District – Edinburgh (Dunfermline) (2 Nights) After a busy week of sightseeing, you deserve an idyllic stop in 'the loveliest spot' that has inspired poetry and prose. Board an exclusive and optional cruise on Lake Windermere, skimming the northern coastline, deserted islands and Wray Castle. See the Lake District landscapes that William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter so admired before crossing the Scottish border bound for Gretna Green. Here you'll learn how eloping couples would tie the knot over the legendary anvil against their parents' wishes. Tonight, an Optional Experience could see you join your travel companions for a delicious traditional dinner at a local restaurant. Day 11: Edinburgh sightseeing and free time Discover the Edinburgh's mystical allure which has captivated writers, poets, politicians and royalty. Your Local Specialist will guide this morning's sightseeing tour past the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. You'll explore the medieval Royal Mile and cross the Forth to the grand Georgian boulevards of New Town. The rest of the day is free to explore Edinburgh on your terms. Consider joining one of two special Optional Experiences, boarding the Royal Yacht Britannia for a brush with royalty or exploring what lies behind the impenetrable walls of Edinburgh Castle. This evening, an Optional Experience could see you visit the ancient village where Knights Hospitaller once settled or dance up a storm to the skirl of traditional bagpipes. Day 12: Edinburgh (Dunfermline) – York – Leeds (1 Night) Your journey south ventures through what was once referred to as 'The Debatable Lands' where all that remains of Jedburgh Abbey are its 12th-century ruins. Admire the expansive Cheviot Hills at Carter Bar, snapping a selfie at the Anglo-Scottish border. Continue into Northumberland National Park to view Hadrian's Wall, the largest Roman archaeological feature anywhere in the world. Then cross the Tyne River at Newcastle and stop in York where an orientation tour will reveal the city's medieval heritage and spiritual heart, its Gothic Minster. Wander down the narrow cobbled Shambles, then continue to your hotel in Leeds where dinner is served this evening. Day 13: Leeds – Stratford-upon-Avon – Cheltenham (1 Night) The streets and squares of Stratford-upon-Avon remain much as they did in the time of Shakespeare. Embark on your own exploration of the historic market town where England's famous bard was born and buried. There's time to join an Optional Experience to Warwick Castle and even see the firing of the greatest of medieval siege weapons, the Trebuchet. Day 14: Cheltenham – Oxford – London (1 Night) Take a step back in time to the Cotswolds, a glorious collection of tiny thatched villages and rolling green hills. Your scenic drive through this historic corner of Britain will bring you to Bladon, where Sir Winston Churchill is buried in the unassuming churchyard at St Martins Church. Churchill, widely credited with delivering the British nation from the brink of defeat to victory in World War II, loved the Cotswolds and spent his retirement here. Next up is a visit to Oxford, England's oldest university city. See several of its iconic landmarks before continuing south to London. Day 15: Depart London It's time to close the curtain on your epic adventure across Britain and Ireland. You'll say farewell to new friends as you prepare for your return journey home. A London Heathrow Airport shuttle service is available to purchase.

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crazy4tank · 4 years

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give stories, not stuff // inspiring experiences with tinggly

New Post has been published on https://fashiondesigne.com/2021/01/01/give-stories-not-stuff-inspiring-experiences-with-tinggly/

give stories, not stuff // inspiring experiences with tinggly

– This post, “give stories, not stuff // inspiring experiences with tinggly” is sponsored content.-

Can you believe that it’s been nearly eight years since we started The Lazy Travelers? So many things have changed, but there is one important constant. We remain travel-loving besties who will jump at the chance to reunite and drink wine, anywhere in the world. We may have an ocean between us instead of 2nd Avenue, but our husbands can attest: our scheming and travel-dreaming has not waned.

Recently, a company called Tinggly reached out to us to talk about their service. The tagline immediately piqued our interest. “Give stories, not stuff” is the perfect mantra for urban dwellers like us, who live in small spaces and are maybe maxing out a bit in the THINGS department. (Alternative tagline suggestion: tings, not things. Call us, Tinggly marketing department).

Perfectly packaged in neat little boxes, Tinggly gift experiences are bookable all over the world. We’ve been browsing the Tinggly Experiences Map borderline obsessively, and it’s addicting! We love that some are extremely open-ended for the received to decide where to go — like the 3 Days in 100 Capitals box. Others are more niche, perfect for locals who may need to reignite the spark they have for their home city. As former New Yorkers, this Think You Know New York? box would have been MUCH appreciated toward the end of our Manhattanite days.

You won’t be surprised to know that the more we browsed, the more our own wishlist grew. While we could highlight hundreds of options, here are five inspiring experiences that caught our attention, and give you a good idea of what it means to give a Tinggly experience gift.

Jacobite Experience: 2-Day Tour with Hogwarts Express // Ashley & fam took a detour by the Glenfinnan Viaduct on their drive south from the Isle of Skye last summer, and it was a definite roadtrip highlight. But it was also a little tricky to find the best view. After some searching, they ended up on a crowded platform with a lot of other Harry Potter fans. (And also steam train fanatics which, if you can imagine, are even nerdier than HP fans. We’re HP fans, we can say this.) This guided tour looks like the perfect way to maximize your time in the Scottish Highlands without feeling too rushed. Bonus point: you can truly enjoy the stunning views with someone who is probably more knowledgeable than a last-minute Google search.

Chobe Safari Experience in Botswana // Ever since our first and only safari experience in South Africa, we’ve been pretty much dying to return. We asked our guide at the time where he’d recommend for our inevitable second safari. He didn’t hesitate before replying: Botswana. And seeing as this specific tour includes a complimentary sundowner, then we’re pretty sure it was made for us.

Unique Japanese Home-cooking Class in Tokyo for Two // Last summer, it looked like Carolyn may have a work trip to Japan. For a solid three months, we considered meeting up for a week in Tokyo and Kyoto. This would have been a first for both of us. It didn’t work out, but it did bump Japan up much, much higher on our list. The biggest motivator?? THE FOOD. This means a cooking class would basically be a requirement, and we’re filing this one away for when we can make this newfound dream a reality.

Horseback Ride Under the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles for Two // We have two more reunions in the books for 2019, and then we’re looking forward to 2020 plans if you can believe it! High on the list? A return to California, but this time focusing on the southern half of the state. Our travels have included a horseback ride once before, when we explored the hills of Dingle during our pre-LT Irish roadtrip of 2009. Is this the perfect excursion to re-live that (hilarious) adventure? Yes, we’re pretty sure it is.

Half-Day Wine Tasting in Santiago for Two // South America is high on our list, even more so after Carolyn’s quick stop in Argentina before and after her time in Antarctica last January. We probably could have made a Tinggly wishlist based solely on this one continent. A wine tour of Santiago, however, feels like an excellent starting point.

So, hop on over to Tinggly and tell us: which inspiring experiences catch your eye? And if you have any big events coming up to celebrate, would you consider giving the honoree a Tinggly gift experience? We’re honestly considering forcing our husbands to remarry us just so we can register.

xo!

ashley & carolyn

– This post, “give stories, not stuff // inspiring experiences with tinggly” is sponsored content. Thank you to tinggly for supporting our blog. –

#featured #sponsored

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halfmarathonhistories · 4 years

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Born to Run on the 4th of July

This tour is also available as an audio tour

I will always have an affinity for the United States of America. I suppose it is hard to explain why. I just quite like American things…

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Steph and I travelled across America in 2013 and have been back a few times since. When we travelled we couch surfed which meant staying with strangers, all of whom were amongst the nicest people we ever met. For my 30th Birthday we went to Boston, where we got to see Salem on Halloween and saw the Chicago Bulls vs The Boston Celtics. Something I had wanted to do since I was a child.

I am fascinated by America; how different it all is yet how it’s all connected. It’s extremely distressing to see what a hellscape it has become. Especially for all the good people who live there. With this fascination in mind, I decided to look into Belfast’s historical connections to the US and how I could link these together into a route to run on the 4th July. I have been able to orchestrate a route of just over 14km (1km for each of the original 13 colonies and 1 for Belfast) that encompasses American history from ancient times to the present day. Including links to American slaves, US Presidents, Civil Rights activists and just regular Americans. The full route is below:

Route map for July 4th by Jonny Murray on plotaroute.com

We begin at Belfast’s Thanks-Giving Square, home of the 2nd largest outdoor sculpture in Belfast, the ‘Beacon of Hope’, also known as ‘Nuala with the Hula’ and ‘The Angel of Thanksgiving’. Sculpted by artist Andy Scott based upon an idea by Myrtle Smyth who was inspired by the Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of the Thanks-Giving Square was to provide a public space in which to give thanks. Our Thanks-Giving Square is more secular than its sister square in Dallas. With a focus more on the universal concept of gratitude and hope through positivity and acceptance. The sculpture has become an important landmark for Belfast since its construction in 2007 and serves as a symbol for Belfast’s international connections.

We then make our way towards the Waterfront Hall where the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama addressed the Northern Irish people in June 2013. His speech echoed the sentiments of Thanks-Giving Square, calling for unity and peace in the city. Obama also called for the removal of the peace walls that divide the city, which we will get to a little later on the run.

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We now turn right down Chichester Street which becomes Wellington Place and past the Belfast City Hall where the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton addressed the people of Belfast while switching on the city’s Christmas lights in 1995. Much to the dismay of Belfast’s youngsters who were expecting the Power Rangers to have the honour of flicking the switch that year.

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We now take a right at the Linen Hall Library, the oldest library in Belfast. Within the archives of the Linen Hall library is one of the oldest printed versions of the US Declaration of Independence which was published by the Belfast Newsletter in August 1776. This is not the only connection Northern Ireland has with the Declaration of Independence. John Dunlap was a native of Strabane in County Tyrone who moved to Philadelphia in 1757 at the age of 10 to work as an apprentice for his uncle who was a printer and bookseller. During the American Revolutionary war, Dunlap fought alongside George Washington and was awarded the contract of printing for the Continental Congress. After the Declaration of Independence had been signed, John Hancock ordered Dunlap to print 200 copies. These became known as the Dunlap Broadsheets and are the first published versions of the Declaration of Independence. The legend goes that a ship carrying the copy that was intended for King George III found itself in stormy waters and had to dock in Derry. This allowed the journalists of the Belfast Newsletter access to the document which led to The Belfast Newsletter being the first newspaper outside of America to publish a copy of the Declaration of Independence in full.

We now run down Fountain Street, right at Castle Street, left at Royal Avenue and onto Lower Garfield Street. Lower Garfield Street is named for the 20th President of the United States, James A. Garfield. Garfield was a veteran of the American Civil War, fighting for the Union Army. A strong abolitionist who had lobbied for strong punishments for those who fought on the side of the Confederacy. Garfield was seen as an American success story, having been born into extreme poverty but rising to the office of President through hard work and strong beliefs. During his presidency he had pushed for universal education to allow the newly freed slaves to have access to education that would ensure they would avail of equal rights. Garfield only served in office for 6 and a half months, as he was shot by Charles J. Guiteau in July 1881 and died from his injuries in September 1881.

We now leave Lower Garfield Street and take a right at North Street and then a left onto Warring Street. Warring Street, Donegall Street, North Street and Bridge Street make up what is known as ‘The 4 Corners’, this is one of the oldest parts of the city of Belfast. As it was a hive of United Irishmen activity during the Irish Rebellion of the 1790s it gave Belfast the nickname, ‘Boston of the North’ after the American city that became the birthplace of the American Revolution. Just off Warring Street is Sugarhouse Entry, where once stood the Benjamin Franklin Tavern, named for the American founding father who had visited Ireland and stayed at Hillsborough Castle before the American war of Independence. The United Irishmen would hold secret meetings in the Benjamin Franklin Tavern calling themselves The Muddler’s Club to avoid suspicion. A nearby restaurant is named in their honour and oil paintings of their meetings in the Benjamin Franklin Tavern can be seen at the entrance to the Premier Inn on Warring Street.

At the top of Warring Street, we turn right down High Street and left at the Albert Clock onto Queen Street and Custom House Square. This was once the site of Chichester Quay, the home of the first US Consulate in Belfast. Belfast is the 2nd oldest running US Consulate in the world after Bordeaux, France. The first U.S Consul General in Belfast was James Holmes, who is commemorated by a blue plaque on the wall of McHugh’s bar. George Washington personally signed the papers that elected Holmes as the US Consul for Belfast on May 27th 1796. The current US Consulate is located in Danesfort House, off the Stranmillis Road. Danesfort House sits upon one of the oldest continually inhabited sites in Belfast, with artefacts dating back 5,000 years unearthed during its construction.

We now cross the road towards the Big Fish and join the Maritime Trail to run beside the river Lagan. We follow the path until we reach the CEA building, where we will turn left through the car park towards Princes Dock Street which will lead us to The American Bar. The American Bar has been located at its current premises since the 1860s. Although there is no consensus as to how the bar, formerly The American Inn, got its name there is belief that it was named for the many emigrants leaving Ireland for the New World. The bar was also one of the first sites American GI’s would see when they arrived in Belfast during World War 2, acting as both a farewell and a welcome to Irish Americans.

We now run past The American Bar and left onto Dock Street. We come to the corner of Dock Street and Garmoyle Street. Here, above the door of the Stella Maris Hostel for the Homeless, is a tile mural titled ‘At Sea’. It depicts one of the oldest connections Ireland has to America, the fabled crossing of the Atlantic by St. Brendan in 600AD. The story goes that while St. Brendan was in his late 80s, he built a ship and sailed it across the Atlantic Ocean in search of the Garden of Eden with a crew of between 80 – 150 men depending on which version of the story you’re told. Brendan recorded seeing pillars of ice rise out of the water, sheep the size of oxen and giants throwing balls of fire at them that smelt of sulphur. He also came across birds who would sing psalms, before finally landing on a country of lush green vegetation. After 7 years an angel advised Brendan and his crew to return home to Ireland. When they returned, they recounted their tale to everyone, and people would come from all over Ireland to hear Brendan’s tales of the new world. Historians began recording Brendan’s voyage and the island he described was included on maps. Christopher Columbus even used the legend as a basis on his journey to the Americas. While Brendan’s story may seem like fantasy, it has been interpreted to contain some elements of truth; the pillars of ice would have been ice bergs, the Faroe Islands are known to have large sheep and the singing birds and fireballs of sulphur could have come from Iceland’s volcanoes. As well as this, in 1976, adventurer Tim Severin recreated Brendan’s journey. By building a boat to the medieval specifications and setting off from the Dingle peninsula he successfully arrived in Newfoundland. So perhaps it is not a complete fantasy that an elderly Irish monk arrived on the shores of ancient America.

We now continue down Dock Street, take a left at York Street and take a right past The City Side Centre to go down Henry Street, at the top of Henry Street we will take a left and cross the road towards the steps at North Queen Street. Head straight up these steps and follow the path round to Henry Place. This brings us past Clifton Street Graveyard, one of the oldest graveyards in the city and burial ground of the Irish Revolutionaries, Henry Joy and Mary Anne McCracken. Within this graveyard also lies William Brown, a black American who escaped slavery in America in the early 19th century and worked as a labourer in Belfast. The Clifton Street Cemetery records indicate that his wife and children remained as slaves in America at the time of his death in 1831.

We now head towards Clifton Street and then right towards Carlisle Circus and cross over towards Denmark Street. We will follow Denmark Street until we reach North Boundary Street. Here, turn right down Shankill Parade and then take a left down Boundary Way. At the end of this residential street is a community mural. Formerly a mural depicting the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, it now bears a quote from the President of the Louisiana Justice Institute, Tracie Washington (Not ‘Jackson’ as is depicted on the mural), “Stop calling me resilient,” “Because every time you say, ‘Oh, they’re resilient,’ that means you can do something else to me. I am not resilient.” Tracie Washington delivered this statement as a response to the New Orleans City Resilience Strategy in 2015 and their plans to tackle the continuing environmental crisis in Louisiana, which did not address the root cause of the issues. Her argument was succinctly summed up by Maria Kaika, Professor of Human Geography at the University of Manchester; “if we took Tracie Washington’s objection seriously, we would stop focusing on how to make citizens more resilient ‘no matter what stresses they encounter,’ as this would only mean that they can take more suffering, deprivation or environmental degradation in the future. If we took this statement seriously, we would need to focus instead on identifying the actors and processes that produce the need to build resilience in the first place. And we would try to change these factors instead.” This statement has been adopted by the people of the Shankill who feel the problems that face their community are not addressed due to a perceived resilience of the people.

We then take a left to return to North Boundary Street and take a right onto Shankill Road. We follow the Shankill Road up to the corner of Lanark Way. We follow Lanark Way toward Cupar Way where we will take a left to run along the Belfast Peace Wall. On this wall we will see the message of President Bill Clinton, “Strength and wisdom are not opposing values”.

Bill Clinton visited Belfast in 1995, becoming the first sitting US President to visit the province. He was greeted as a rock star with thousands of people lining the streets to get a glimpse of him. Below is a video of him visiting with Gerry Adams in a small office on the Falls Road. The Presidential cavalcade making its way down the Falls Road is a truly surreal sight.

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We follow the Peace Wall down to the end of Cupar Way and take a left onto North Howard Street, a right onto North Howard Link and right at Northumberland Street. Here we come to the Solidarity Wall and the mural depicting the freed slave and American abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. Douglass visited Belfast many times during his life to speak to the city at the invitation of the United Irishmen. He would use Belfast as an example of a Western city where racism was not as prevalent as it was in America and would speak to large crowds in the city and received a warm welcome. A handwritten copy of a speech he delivered in Belfast is available to view on the Library of Congress website. The rest of the mural depicts individuals involved in the American Civil Rights movement, including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. It is interspersed with figures of international civil rights such as Nelson Mandela and Mary Anne McCracken. As well as a quote from Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Douglass’s placement in the centre of the mural illustrates how the struggles for civil rights began with the abolition of the slave trade. He is also facing the Peace Wall, a reminder that unity and civil liberties have still not been achieved.

We follow the Solidarity Wall left onto Divis Street. Here we see the most recent addition to the wall, a Black Lives Matter mural, depicting the murder of George Floyd by police in Minnesota. This murder sparked international protests during the pandemic of 2020 and has led to calls for sweeping changes to American policing and self-reflection about race relations in America and across the world.

We continue on Divis Street before turning right onto Ardmoulin Street, left toward Clonfaddin Street and right onto Cullingtree Road, we will then cross over the pedestrian bridge toward Durham Street. We take a right on Durham Street, a left on College Square North and then a right onto College Avenue. We will follow this road as it becomes Great Victoria Street and we pass the Grand Opera House. The Grand Opera played host to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, although at the time he was in Belfast as a General during World War 2. He was in attendance at the Grand Opera House in 1944 during a production of Irvine Berlin’s ‘This Is The Army’ performed by the US Army. Eisenhower was also presented with the Freedom of the City of Belfast later that year.

We now follow Great Victoria Street towards Bradbury Place and on to University Road towards Queen’s University Belfast where former US Secretary of State and Presidential nominee, Hilary Clinton was made Chancellor in January 2020.

We then take a left into Botanic Gardens. Now this a somewhat tenuous link to the United States, but bear with me… Charles Blondin was a French tight-rope walker who found his greatest fame in America when he walked across the Niagara Falls on a tight rope, 1,100ft long, 3.25inches in diameter and 160ft above the water. He would walk back and forth across the rope, each time performing a different stunt such as pushing a wheelbarrow before him and even stopping midway to cook and eat an omelette. Abraham Lincoln compared himself to Blondin during the 1864 Presidential election claiming he was like ‘"Blondin on the tightrope, with all that was valuable to America in the wheelbarrow he was pushing before him’.

Blondin lived in America for most of his life but toured Britain and Ireland extensively. While in Dublin in 1860, a rope broke during his performance which led to the collapse of the scaffolding that was holding the rope in place. This led to the death of 2 workers who were on the scaffolding at the time. Due to this incident, Blondin began using rope made at the Belfast Rope Works and did so for the rest of his career. He performed in Botanic Gardens many times throughout his career, the first time being in 1861. He even had his last ever professional performance in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens in 1896. Where he walked across a tight-rope at age 72 while blind in one eye.

We now leave Botanic Gardens and onto Stranmillis Embankment and over King’s Bridge. King’s Bridge suffered structural damage during World War 2 caused by heavy American Military Vehicles crossing over it. After the bridge we turn left and run down Annadale Embankment towards Ormeau Park. American GI’s were stationed in Ormeau Park during World War 2. It acted as a camp and training ground for the American military. We then head up the Ormeau Road with the park to our left, as we take a left down Park Road, down Ravenhill Park and finishing at the corner of Ravenhill Park and Onslow Parade, the site of Kingspan Stadium, formerly Ravenhill Stadium. Here is where the first games of American Football and Baseball were played in Ireland. On 14th November 1942, American soldiers played the first game of American football to a crowd of over 10,000 people. They competed under the team names ‘Yarvard’ and ‘Hale’ with the American Col. Maurice J Meyer introducing the game and providing running commentary for those in attendance. Hale won the game 9-7 with a field goal sealing the points.

The first baseball game took place in April 1942 between US 2nd Battalion and 3rd Battalion in front of a crowd of 1,000 people. Major General Russel P Hartle, Acting Commander of the US Army in Northern Ireland threw out the first pitch. Like the football game, running commentary was provided over loud speakers for the audience. 3rd Batallion emerged victorious with Corporal Leo J Robinson becoming the first serviceman to hit a home run in Europe during World War 2.

And so we have come to the end of our 4th July run. Hopefully you aren’t too tired, though it’s understandable as you have just run the length of American history. When researching the connections America has with Belfast, I found it interesting that America is somewhat of a unifying force in such a divided city. All parts of the city enjoy some notable connection the US. It can even bring politicians together, with Sammy Wilson sitting beside Gerry Adams during Barack Obama’s speech. This is ironic, because America itself is so divided, arguably it’s broken. As has even been illustrated on the walls of Belfast with the highlighting of racial and social inequalities that continue to exist in America. Inequalities that have been magnified during the current pandemic. With that in mind, I would urge everyone to educate themselves on these issues and find ways for you to make little changes that can contribute to addressing and solving these issues. As has been seen from this run, our countries have an impact on each other so let’s make the impact positive.

After the run, I recommend putting your feet up and watching Hamilton on Disney+. Probably the best way to spend your 4th July.

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Sources: https://wartimeni.com/,https://extramuralactivity.com/, Weird Belfast by Reggie Chamberlain-King, Wikipedia, https://www.inyourpocket.com/belfast, https://edgeeffects.net/stop-calling-me-resilient/, BBC, https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/

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foryourart · 7 years

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STORIES BOOKSImage courtesy of AWHRHWAR.

Thursday, October 12

Agnes Varda: Ulysse, Blum & Poe (Culver City), 10am–6pm.

Talk: Gallery Talk: The Art of Looking—Carlos Almaraz, LACMA (Miracle Mile), 12:30pm.

School of Music Visiting Artist Series: Trey Spruance, CalArts (Valencia), 2–4pm.

Garden Talk & Sale - A Garden of Surprise and Allure, The Huntington (San Marino), 2:30pm.

Latin American Film Series: "Unrest, Distance, and the Future": "Neighboring Sounds", Santa Barbara Museum of Art (Santa Barbara), 5:30pm.

A Dream within a Dream, MADE by Millworks (Long Beach), 6–9pm.

Artist and scholar walkthroughs: Elena Shtromberg, Hammer Museum (Westwood), 6pm.

Dougall Paulson: Auraform, Blackman Cruz (Hollywood), 6pm.

Mark So: Readings 54, for Manfred, MOCA Grand Avenue (Downtown), 6pm.

S. LEE ROBINSON: Message and Intention, Keystone Art Space (Lincoln Heights), 6–10pm.

Rotem Reshef: Time Traveler, TALL WALL SPACE | UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE (La Verne), 6–8pm.

Michael Christopher Brown – Cuba After Fidel, Annenberg Space for Photography (Century City), 6:30pm.

Masks and the Uncanny, in Africa and Beyond, The Getty (Brentwood), 7pm.

Talk: Curator Walkthrough of "A Universal History of Infamy" with José Luis Blondet, LACMA (Miracle Mile), 7pm. Sold out.

A Conversation with artist John Rosewall, Gallery 825 (West Hollywood), 7–9pm.

James Benning: Readers World Premiere, MOCA Grand Avenue (Downtown), 7pm.

Writing Now Presents: Chris Kraus, CalArts (Valencia), 7:30–10pm.

EJ Hauser: seekers/beasts, AWHRHWAR (Highland Park), 8–10pm.

Open House Dance Concert, CalArts (Valencia), 8–10pm. Also October 13.

Karen Finley: The Expanded Unicorn Gratitude Mystery, REDCAT (Downtown), 8:30pm. Through October 15.

Friday, October 13

Conference - The Rise of the Newspaper in Europe and America, 1600–1900, The Huntington (San Marino), 8:30am. Also October 14.

We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965–85, California African American Museum (Downtown), 10am–5pm.

Director's Walkthrough, USC FIsher Museum of Art (Downtown), 11:30am–12:30pm.

Skirball After Hours, Skirball Cultural Center (Brentwood), 6–10pm.

Kon Trubkovich: Vigil, Moran Bondaroff (West Hollywood), 6–8pm.

LAND's Feast of the Immortals, 627 South Carondelet Street (MacArthur Park), 6–11pm.

Pasadena ArtNight, various locations (Pasadena), 6–10pm.

African Masks from June Harwood Collection (Silent auction) and "Sharpener" (Faculty Exhibition), Pasadena City College Art Galleries (Pasadena), 6–10pm.

Los Angeles Poverty Department’s Movie Nights at the Museum: Pull of Gravity, Skid Row History Museum and Archive (Downtown), 7pm.

Art Party For Days Of Rage Housing Rights Protests, Women’s Center for Creative Work (Frogtown), 7–10pm.

CRAFT CLUB: MINIATURE ISLET TERRARIUM, Museum of Latin American Art (Long Beach), 7–8:30pm. $10–15.

Film: Creepshow, LACMA (Miracle Mile), 7:30pm.

Art Garfunkel in Conversation, Grand Performances (Downtown), 7:30pm.

Canadian Stage Helen Lawrence, CAP UCLA (Westwood), 8pm. Also October 14.

Cyril Kuhn: The Return of Puppyman, Bozo Mag (Highland Park), 8–11pm.

CalArts Weekend, CalArts (Valencia), all day. $45–80.

Saturday, October 14

Katie Herzog: Rubbing the Internet Archive: Coffee and Donuts with the Artist, Klowden Mann (Culver City), 10am–12pm.

David Lamelas: The Other Side, Maccarone (Downtown), 10am–6pm.

Fernando de Szyszlo, Latin American Masters (Santa Monica), 11am–6pm.

Family Fun Weekend, Annenberg Space for Photography (Century City), 11am–3pm.

J. Millay & Jonathan Monk, LEADAPRON (West Hollywood), 12–5pm.

Santa Fe Art Colony 28th Annual Open Studios, Santa Fe Art Colony (Downtown), 12–6pm. Also October 15.

Project Management Workshop, Women’s Center for Creative Work (Frogtown), 12–3pm. $24–30.

Aztlán: A Sense of Place, dA Center for the Arts (Pomona), 12–4pm.

Off the 405 x Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA—Helado Negro, Getty Center (Brentwood), 1–9pm.

SSP Community Council Meeting, Side Street Projects (Pasadena), 1–2pm.

PMCA 1234: Second Saturday Spotlight Talk, Pasaena Museum of California Art (Pasadena), 2pm.

The Insanity Principle, High Desert Test Sites (Joshua Tree), 2–4pm.

Franklin Williams Artist Walk-through, Parker Gallery (Los Feliz), 3pm.

Gerardo Monterrubio, Craft in America Center (Miracle Mile), 4–6pm.

HUGO CROSTHWAITE: In Memoriam: Los Angeles, MUSEUM OF SOCIAL JUSTICE (Downtown), 4–6pm.

The Great Wall of Los Angeles: Judith F. Baca's Experimentations in Collaboration and Concrete, CSU Northridge Art Galleries (Northridge), 4–7pm.

Kim Dingle: Yipes, Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects (Culver City), 5–7pm.

Kiwis in LA Art Show & Wine Tasting, Santa Monica Art Studios (Santa Monica), 6–10pm.

BEN SLEDSENS: Before the crow crows, NINO MIER GALLERY (West Hollywood), 6–8pm.

DBA, Big Pictures Los Angeles (Mid-City), 6–9:30pm.

CAFAM's Gala & Silent Auction, Craft and Folk Art Museum (Miracle Mile), 6–9pm. $200.

Franscesc Ruiz Abad: Copy to Learn, Learn to Copy, The Lodge (East Hollywood), 6–9pm.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS X, Cactus Gallery (Frogtown), 6–9pm.

Replete Repeat Repeat Replete, DAC Gallery (Downtown), 6–9pm.

Duty of Care, Collective Arts Incubator (Highland Park), 6–8pm.

Art of Science/Science of Art: Frankenstein 200, El Camino College Marsee Auditorium (Torrance), 6–9pm. $5–10.

Closing for The Seer & The Stones, Infinity (West Adams), 7–10pm.

Dcypher, Lucas Raynaud, Hero, and Collin Salazar, Gabba Gallery (Koreatown), 7–11pm.

Sayre Gomez: Déjà Vu, Ghebaly Gallery (Downtown), 7–10pm.

Wanda Koop: In Absentia and Josh Callaghan: Legacy, Night Gallery, 7–10pm.

Below the Underground: Renegade Art and Action in 1990s Mexico/Más abajo que el underground: arte renegado y acción en el México de los noventa, Armory Center for the Arts (Pasadena), 7–9pm.

Wild Beast Concert Series: CalArts Alumni Big Band, CalArts (Valencia), 7:30pm.

Sunday, October 15

L.A. GOAL for the Inside Out Productions Open House & Annual Art Show, L.A. Goal (Culver City), 10am–5pm.

16th annual Art + Design Open Market, One Colorado (Pasadena), 10am–3pm.

California Mexicana: Missions to Murals, 1820–1930, Laguna Art Museum (Laguna Art Museum), 11am–5pm.

Film: Found in Translation Film Program: No Walls, Only Bridges, LACMA (Miracle Mile), 1pm.

Design Your Own Monster Youth Workshop, 356 Mission (Downtown), 1–4pm.

Artist talk: Rotem Reshef: Time Traveler, TALL WALL SPACE | UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE (La Verne), 1–3pm.

Beautiful Parts, CSUN Art Gallery (Northridge), 2–4pm.

Talk & Book Signing - The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World, The Huntington (San Marino), 2:30pm.

Red Bull Music Academy Presents: Ryoji Ikeda: A [for 100 cars], 131 South Olive Street (Downtown), 3–7pm.

In Person: Professor Katherine Manthorne, Laguna Art Museum (Laguna Beach), 3pm.

Social Media For Artists, Women’s Center for Creative Work (Frogtown), 4–7pm. $48–60.

Beyond Words: Jack Kerouac's On the Road at 60!, Beyond Baroque (Venice), 4:30pm.

Dwayne Moser, Reserve Ames (Mid-City), 5–7pm.

Open workshop: Unbound Recollections: Yair Agmon and Hagar Cygler, American Jewish University (Bel Air), 7pm.

Dr. Victoria Reuveni: Orgasmic Yoga, Pieter (Lincoln Heights), 7–10pm. $20.

Here/There, FM Fine Art Gallery (Fairfax).

Monday, October 16

HDTK: California Buckwheat, Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center (Joshua Tree), 7pm.

Wark Lecture - Seeing and Knowing: Visions of Latin American Nature, ca. 1492–1859, The Huntington (San Marino), 7:30pm.

Double Vision: Recent Films by Janie Geiser, REDCAT (Downtown), 8:30pm. $6–12.

Tuesday, October 17

Laurel Atwell: Exquisite Corpse, Pieter (Lincoln Heights), 10:30am–1:30pm. $20.

Film: Mummy, LACMA (Miracle Mile), 1pm.

CURATORS IN CONVERSATION: Karen Cordero and Laura Mart, Skirball Cultural Center (Brentwood), 2pm.

Bookmaking Workshop, USC Fisher Museum of Art (Downtown), 5:30–8:30pm.

RE:IN FORCE, MART LA (Hollywood), 6–8pm.

Suzanne Hudson, USC Roski School of Art (Downtown), 6–8pm.

The "Concrete" in Poetry and Art, The Getty (Brentwood), 7pm.

Screening: Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992 with director John Ridley, California African American Museum (Downtown), 7–10pm.

Two Films by Sarah Minter: Nadie es Inocente and San Frenesi, Hammer Museum (Westwood), 7:30pm.

Talk: Art + Tech: Stan Douglas and Michael Govan in Conversation, LACMA (Miracle Mile), 7:30pm. Sold out.

Nevins Lecture - Founding Gardeners, The Huntington (San Marino), 7:30pm.

Chamber Music Concert - Camerata Pacifica, The Huntington (San Marino), 7:30pm.

Wednesday, October 18

Painting with Nan Rae, The Huntington (San Marino), 11am–3pm. $50.

Tour and Critical Discussion, USC Fisher Museum of Art (Downtown), 2–4pm.

Curator Tour: Visual Voyages, The Huntington (San Marino), 5pm. $15.

FOWLER OUT LOUD: DAEUN JUNG, Fowler Museum (Westwood), 6–7pm.

Artist Talk: Hellen Ascoli | Artist as Mediator, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara), 6pm.

Cosimo Cavallaro: Unidentified Space, Manhattan Beach Art Center (Manhattan Beach), 6–8pm.

A Conversation with David Lamelas, Kristina Newhouse, and Jonathan T.D. Neil, Sprüth Magers (Miracle Mile), 6:30pm.

LECTURE: HEATHER SHIREY ON PIERRE VERGER, Fowler Museum (Westwood), 7–8pm.

Journalism in Mexico: A Deadly Occupation, Hammer Museum (Westwood), 7:30pm.

Music: Art & Music: Chicano Batman, LACMA (Miracle Mile), 7:30pm. Sold out.

Max Maslansky Book Launch, STORIES BOOKS (Echo Park), 7:30pm.

LMAO: Comedy Show, Fais Do Do (West Adams), 8–11pm.

Ellen Cantor: Pinochet Porn, REDCAT (Downtown), 8:30pm. $6–12.

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wbwest · 7 years

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New Post has been published on WilliamBruceWest.com

New Post has been published on http://www.williambrucewest.com/2017/08/04/west-week-ever-pop-culture-review-8417/

West Week Ever: Pop Culture In Review - 8/4/17

In movie news, Sharknado 5: Global Swarming premieres this Sunday, and The Hollywood Reporter had a great article about the history of the franchise. For one thing, Donald Trump was originally approached to play the President in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!, but his people were stalling because he was mulling a run for the actual presidency. When the producers moved on to cast Mark Cuban, Trump got pissed and his people threatened to sue (on what grounds, nobody knows). Also, the production was renamed to Dark Skies because the name Sharknado was turning off potential actors. To the cast’s chagrin, however, it was changed back to Sharknado at release.

The main takeaway from the article is the pay situation. In the beginning, star Ian Ziering was offered $100,000 to do the first film. He reportedly only took it because his wife was pregnant and he needed to keep up his SAG membership for the health insurance. Over time, however, his pay ballooned and he currently makes about $500,000 a film – which, as folks point out, is more than the $300,000 Gal Gadot reportedly made to star in Wonder Woman. This really shouldn’t come as a surprise, though. For one thing, superhero films kinda pay on the low-ish side because there are so many moving parts. The pay tends to start low and then grows over time. By the third or fourth movie, the stars are, then, basically too expensive to keep, so it becomes renegotiation or reboot time. Plus, as I said on Twitter, washed up TV star in a “water cooler” franchise outranks unproven movie star in unstable cinematic universe. Yes, Wonder Woman was a great film, but to say that Gadot deserved more money is simply Monday morning quarterbacking. Nobody was worried about her pay before the film came out because, frankly, nobody gave a shit about her. She’ll eventually make her money, while Ziering will be begging for a Sharknado revival, as the series is clearly on its last legs based on the ratings. Sharknado is a funny thing because the social media impressions actually outnumber its ratings. So, folks feel the need to talk about Sharknado even if they’re not watching Sharknado.

The real crime about pay, though, is that Tara Reid only makes about $125,000 to Ziering’s $500,000 (his salary is about 1/6th the budget of Sharknado 5). When she spoke up about it, they created a poll to the public following Sharknado 3, asking whether or not her character should die. Lucky for her, the fans wanted her back (Production company Asylum claims the poll and her request were unrelated, but we aren’t stupid here).

Anyway, I’m sure I’ll watch even though the last installment was a chore to get through. The franchise really peaked at Sharknado 2: The Second One, but they generate buzz, so they keep coming. I’m still pissed about the last movie, where Ziering’s character, Finn, has a Black daughter-in-law who gets killed by a shark. Not only does the family not react, but she’s never mentioned again. It’s clearly the result of some terrible editing, but I can’t tell if they edited out reactions to her death OR if they edited in the character after the movie was basically done. I figure we’ll get to 6 and then they’ll have to think of something else. It’s too bad the Lavalantula franchise hasn’t enjoyed the same buzz, as I enjoy those pseudo Police Academy reunions.

In TV news, a LOT of folks are upset about that Confederate show that I mentioned last week, even calling for a boycott of HBO. Some folks have reminded the boycotters that their actions would hurt other Black shows on the network, like Insecure and Ballers. Instead, they encouraged that folks make their voices heard directly to HBO, using the hashtag #NoConfederate during its most watched hour last week, Game of Thrones. Well, in seeming retaliation for the show, producer Will Packer and The Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder are creating Black America for Amazon. Whereas Confederate would follow a United States on the brink of its 3rd Civil War, Black America would follow an alternate reality where freed Blacks were given Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi as reparations, and the sovereign nation of New Colonia is formed. Meanwhile, its neighbor to the north, The United States, is in a bad state of affairs. New Colonia is about to become a world power, while the US is slipping. Due to their proximity, their fates are tied together, but clearly the Black folks are doing better than everyone else.

Is it wrong that I have no interest in either show? I mean, I have no desire to see slavery still going in Confederate, but the whole premise of Black America just sounds like it’s doing too much, and feels more reactionary than anything. I mean, why didn’t we hear about this project before Confederate was announced? And the problem is that both projects are so far in their infancy that they won’t be happening any time soon, if they happen at all. I know the announcement appeased a lot of the anti-Confederate crowd, but neither sounds like a “good” show from what we’ve heard, and I almost feel like they take us away from having the race dialogue that a lot of folks feel we so sorely need as a country. What are y’all’s thoughts on these shows?

In other TV news, it was announced that ABC’s The Middle would be ending after its upcoming 9th season. This elicited to a lot of responses of “That show’s still on?”, and I immediately understood why Trump won. As the title suggests, the show focused on a middle class family, in the middle of the country, as they struggle to make it through. Over the past 8 years, they have been emblematic of the types of voters who feel their voices aren’t being heard as their situations get tighter. That’s the show’s audience, even though they’re not the glamorous demographic that Madison Avenue covets. I actually really enjoy the exploits of the Heck family, but I understand that the show’s not “hip” or “cool”, so it flew under a lot of folks’ radar. The upcoming Roseanne revival has been described as focusing on the Conners as they try to make their way in Trump’s America, but I’d argue that The Middle did it first, and will probably be looked upon as the most accurate depiction when the dust settles.

Across the dial, it was finally confirmed that Erinn Hayes’s character on CBS’s Kevin Can Wait will, in fact, be killed off. The show will pick up after some time has passed, paving the way for Kevin James to reunite with his The King of Queens costar Leah Remini. I understand shows sometimes need a retool, but all evidence was pointing to the show as a moderate success. The only sticking point was Remini guested in the season finale, and suddenly everyone wanted that chemistry back. To me, I’m good. I still have 8 seasons of The King of Queens to look back on (I don’t count that last season because it felt like they hated each other by that point, surprising me that they’d reunite. To me, this is almost like Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell doing a new show together). Hayes will bounce back, as she’s already been cast in Amazon’s The Dangerous Book for Boys, but I still don’t feel like the show did her right.

In comics news, it was revealed that the Milestone comic line’s reboot has been stalled because the creators behind it were trying to cut out the estate of co-creator Dwayne McDuffie. If you’re not familiar, the Milestone line was comprised of a bunch of minority-focused superhero books from the early 90s. There was Hardware (Black Iron Man), Rocket (Black Captain Marvel?), Blood Syndicate (Black…I dunno. I didn’t read that one). Oh, and Static (Black Lightning Jr, basically). The original creators were Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Derek T. Dingle, and Michael Davis (if we ever meet, ask me my Michael Davis stories. Dude is crazy, but I ain’t putting that stuff in writing for him to find it).

A few years back, they announced a revival of the Milestone brand, but Davis had been cut out and replaced by former BET head Reginald Hudlin. They kept saying an announcement was forthcoming, while Davis took to the internet saying it’ll never happen. He was hurt he’d been left out of something he’d had a hand in creating, but he also knew there were roadblocks that the group wouldn’t be able to get over.

Well, this week, McDuffie’s widow sued the group because his estate had been left out of recent negotiations, as Cowan, Dingle, and Hudlin were going to create a new entity to cut out McDuffie’s stake. There’s a lot of potential in the franchise, with recent cries for representation in fantasy media, but I’d like to go on record and say that those books just weren’t very good. They were just Black characters the same quality of the Image output of the time. I used to read Hardware and that book, ugh…Maybe they’ve got some fresh new takes on the characters, but I don’t think they’re even interested in comics at this point. They just want to control the intellectual property. Anyway, for all McDuffie did in the comic industry, it seems like he was constantly screwed over, even in death. I hope his estate is at least getting some money for the use of Damage Control (which he created) in Spider-Man: Homecoming, but I know it was work-for-hire blah blah blah. Anyway, here’s hoping Mrs. McDuffie gets what she’s owed.

Things You Might Have Missed This Week

Divergent franchise sequel, Ascendant, is now being developed as an ongoing TV series for Starz

The Black-ish spinoff, college-ish will now known as grown-ish

Vin Diesel is reportedly working on a Miami Vice reboot on NBC for the 2018-2019 season. I really hope they set it in the 80s. Otherwise, it’s just gonna be nothing but Pitbull and Flo Rida cameos…

The Will & Grace revival has already been renewed, despite the fact it hasn’t aired yet. It was also revealed that it will ignore the series finale, just like Roseanne…

Late 90s MTV staple, Total Request Live (TRL) will return in October, with FIVE hosts. I guess they’re trying to bring back that VJ position again.

Speaking of MTV, hot on the heels of removing gendered categories, MTV has changed the coveted Video Music Award from the Moon Man to the Moon Person. It will be able to use any space bathroom that it chooses.

Soap actor Hartley Sawyer will recur as The Elongated Man this season on The Flash

Speaking of the Arrowverse, the next 4-show crossover will take place over two nights this season, November 27th and 28th

Apparently hot ass Scientologist Catherine Bell from JAG has been on a show on Hallmark Channel called Good Witch for the past three years. Who knew? Anyway, it’s been renewed for a fourth season

Aussie actress Teagan Croft cast as Raven in the Titans series

Amazon is adding Carsey-Werner shows such as Roseanne, 3rd Rock from the Sun, A Different World, Cybill, Grace Under Fire, and Grounded for Life to its streaming library

Pacific Rim: Uprising‘s release has been moved from Feb 23 to March 23

Hasbro has called off talks to buy Lionsgate. In other news, apparently Hasbro was trying to buy Lionsgate.

Agent Carter‘s Hayley Atwell will reportedly join Ewan McGregor in Disney’s Christopher Robin

Formerly a staple of Baltimore Comic Con, the Harvey Awards will move to New York Comic Con in 2018

They’ll be calling it Hawaii Five-WHOA, as Joey Lawrence is slated to guest star on the CBS series this season

Because he’s never turned down a job, Nick Cannon will host Lip Sync Battle Shorties, a kid-centered spinoff of Lip Sync Battle to air on Nickelodeon

During the 2017 Teen Choice Awards, Fox will experiment with 6-second commercials. This is how that subliminal programming shit starts!

Remembering where he came from, Kenan Thompson (who’s also now the longest-standing SNL cast member) is reportedly developing a live action sketch show for kids.

Transformers spinoff, Bumblebee, will open against Aquaman on December 21st, 2018

Blumhouse Television is bringing horror reality show Scare Tactics back to TV

Due to how he perceives Starz doesn’t appreciate his show, 50 Cent has threatened to snatch Power off the network.

Pokemon: I Choose You will get a two-night theatrical run in November. I’m not telling you the dates because the movie is a retelling of Ash & Pikachu’s meeting, yet it removes Brock and Misty from the story. Fuck this movie!

So, there was some crazy stuff in the comic industry this week, as a picture of of some women Marvel editors brought out the crazies. It all started with this pic:

Marvel editor Heather Antos and some other female editors got together for milkshakes, and based on the hashtag, it was to honor recently deceased former Marvel secretary “Fabulous Flo” Steinberg. A seemingly innocent thing, right? Well, here was the reaction on social media:

Wow, right? From dudes making inappropriate sexual remarks to folks blaming this on Social Justice Warriors, a certain corner of the internet lost its mind over some damn milkshakes.

But then came the backlash to the backlash. Fans and creators started posting pics in solidarity with the ladies.

The support even came from the “Distinguished Competition”, as they tweeted the following pic:

What started out as a snake bed for trolls turned into a show of solidarity that not only shed light on what women editors face on a daily basis, but also seemed to strengthen some relationships “across the aisle”. I mean, this is the best Marvel/DC crossover since Amalgam! As I said on Twitter, when history classes look back on this period in time, they will see that it was not blockbuster events but milkshakes that saved the comic industry. That’s why female comic editors had the West Week Ever.

By the way, I’m apparently 16 years old because I just signed up for Sarahah. So, swing by and leave me some anonymous comments. Oh, and please don’t make me cry!

#80s #Comics #DC #Image #Marvel #Movies #Music #Pop #Race #Social Media #Television #West Week Ever

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